House Of The Dragon-For The Queen, Not The Prince

(Aerion's POV)

Vermithor let out a weak rumble as he began to slow down. 

I sighed, "It's time...." 

We approached the capital, I steered Vermithor down towards the hill and had him land softly atop it. The moment he landed, he immediately collapsed, letting out a whimper. My entire body jerked forward, nothing but a throbbing pain in my left eye. 

"Ahh....." I said as I looked over to the city, it was right there

I could see there was signs of a battle. I had no clue of what had happened, I was ignorant of it. I was too busy caught up in my own rage, flying over the land and wreaking havoc in the name of my boys. I pushed my own dragon too far, to his limits, all for the sake of my vengeance. 

I slowly dismounted as I held my helm in my hand and landed on the ground as Vermithor let out a weak rumble, his vocalizing resonating through the air as I stumbled towards his head. 

"V-Vermithos..." I called to him as I reached his head

I looked all around him, seeing the result of the battle over by the God's Eye. There were massive gashes all over his body, blood pouring out everywhere. I knew that facing Vhagar would have its risks, but for Vermithor to suffer such wounds....I never expected it. I was too full of myself, so sure that we were both invincible. 

I was wrong. 

It is all my fault. I pushed him too far. Daemon was right, his heart was too strained for a flight to the city. 

Vermithor's eye looked at me as he snorted weakly, his entire body remained still and I could tell that his breathing was slowing down. 

I could feel the tears come out of my remaining eye, "Oh..." I said as I patted his head, underneath his eye, "No....not like this....." 

Vermithor let out a soft rumble, his weak vocalizing getting through my ears. 

"It's too much...." I said as I looked down, the tears flowing down, "It's too much.....not you...." 

"My Old Friend...." I said in High-Valyrian as I pressed myself against him, "I'm sorry...for everything." 

He snorted weakly once again, through his body, I could feel his heartbeat slowing down. I felt the warmth from his body, it was comforting. 

"You were always there for me..." I told him as I caressed his old scales, "Weren't you, Old Grouch? You let this foolish boy make you his. You, a proud old man....." 

I looked as he slowly lifted his head, barely a foot off the ground and he let out a weak roar, his entire body vibrating due to the struggle. It's as if he was trying to use every ounce of his strength to get back up, but couldn't. 

He couldn't. And He wasn't going to. It was already too late. Everyone has their limits, even Dragons. Each of them reach them faster than others, that is all. I knew that, I think he knew that too. It was bound to happen, I knew it. The day that we each part way. 

But it hurt so much, I couldn't bear it. After everything I had just experienced, this was too much. 

"You hate me, don't you?" I asked him, "I forced you to do this....all for the sake of my rage.....I'm sorry, Vermithos..." 

He slowly moved his head, causing me to step back. He blinked as he let out a weak rumble and nudged me with the side of his snout, giving me a final and weak snort as his head plopped down and he looked at me. 

I closed my eyes, "T-T-Thank you..." I told him shakily, "For everything. I love you....." 

Vermithor closed his eyes, his body going limp. His entire head tilted slightly to the side as I pressed against myself against him, silently weeping. 

"Fuck...." I said softly as I wiped my tears away, "N-No....It's not over....not yet. I have to end this, Vermithor. Thank you. I will never forget you." 

I stepped back as sniffed, hearing the sounds of rapidly approaching footsteps and some horse neighing. 

"He's there!" I heard someone shout as I stood there, my back to whoever had decided to approach me

I wiped some of the dried blood from the wound that Daemon gave me, an overwhelming pain filling my entire head. It hurt, it fucking hurt. I lost an eye, but this was not a pain I could succumb to. 

"Aerion Targaryen!!" I heard a familiar voice shout, "Come quietly and there will be no need for bloodshed!!" 

I looked at Vermithor's corpse, "That voice..." I said as I composed myself, "Ser Alfred....right? I presume you've betrayed me...You've betrayed Rhaenyra..." 

"King Aegon has retaken the City." I heard him say as many footsteps approached, "Rhaenyra and your son are taken Hostage. He is awaiting you. Your dragon is dead, there is no reason for you to resist." 

I blinked, "Oh?" 

"There is no need for more death, Aerion." I heard him say, "Prince Joffrey had sadly passed away during a riot. If you can just-" 

I raised my hand, the one that was free, while the other one held my helm, "What did you say?" I asked as that gesture shut them up

"J-Joffrey is dead." Alfred said

"Oh." I said as I let out a sigh, "Is that so?" 

I lowered my hand and held my helm with both hands, looking at it with the remaining eye I had. 

I remembered the day this helm, along with the armor I am wearing, was gifted to me by Rhaenyra. It was a wonderful memory, so pleasant, so full of joy and love. 

"Surrender." Alfred Boone said

"You come here and tell me that my son is dead." I said as I tossed the helm to the side, slowly turning around and drawing my swords, "And you think I'm going to surrender?" 

I faced them, there were dozens of them in front of me, armed. 

The odds were not in their favor. 

"Y-You're willing to die....?" Alfred asked me as they all drew their weapons, "You're mad!!" 

"Shut up." I said coldly, 

"And just come to your deaths." 

**************

(Third Person POV)

At the entrance of the Dragonpit, Aegon The Older stood in front of Sunfyre who was looking at Rhaenyra, baring his teeth. 

Rhaenyra was holding onto Aegon, The Younger, looking at her brother, who was leaning onto his cane. 

"Aegon...." She said seriously, "Why has it come to this?" 

Aegon shrugged, "You tell me...." He said as he looked at him, "I never asked for this, you know that." 

"You could have simply bent the knee." Rhaenyra said, "All of this could've been avoided." 

Aegon shook his head as he laughed, "Oh, sister!" He shouted, "We all know that is far from the truth! Nobody wanted you on that fucking throne!! Nobody!!" 

Rhaenyra scowled, "It is too late to argue about it..." She said, "So much death....all because of what your Grandsire wanted....." 

"He's dead. My brothers are dead." Aegon said as he looked down, "All of this.....it feels like a horrible written nightmare....." 

"Is that so..?" Rhaenyra asked

"But it is....just that...." Aegon said as he limped towards her, Sunfyre leaning forward, "You don't know what I was shown....madness...the truth....the Flames....they will burn all...None of this matters. It never did...If the gods are real, then we are just playthings to them." 

"Aegon..." Rhaenyra said, "I'm so sorry about your children....I....." 

Aegon was about to say something when he was cut off by the sound of men shouting in the distance. 

They all turned to see several men stumbling into view, their limbs being cut off as they collapsed and bled out. 

"What?" Aegon said as Sunfyre let out a growl

Suddenly, Aerion Targaryen came into view, both his swords drawn as they were completely drenched in blood. His entire armor was also covered in blood and guts, spilling down to the ground as Aerion's face was distorted with rage. 

"A-Aegon...." He said 

Aegon glared at him, "Aerion....." He said as he clenched on his cane, "You dare come here, cousin?! You fucking Kinslayer!!!!!" 

"Aerion!!" Rhaenyra exclaimed with tears in her eyes

"Aegon...." Aerion said as he took a step forth, 

"I've come to end this."