[D4:LE]Father and Son? (closed)

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon approaches the guards at Prince Daemon's chambers.
How long has it been, Father, since we have spoken? Nine years? Ten? I hope I have pleased you...
Wait, is that...
"
Jumping Jack? Is that you? It's been what, two years? How is Dragonstone?"

Jumping Jack, so called because when he gets excited he tends to hop a bit. No doubt there was some hopping at the tourney earlier.
"
How are..."

His voice drops in volume.
"
How are the Prince's daughters?"

[Reader]

Jack hops from one foot to the other, struggling to contain his excitement at seeing Baelon once more.

"
They swore you'd ask about them first! They still ask when you'll visit them at Dragonstone, and they're getting to old to be fobbed off with my stories."


"
Rhaena is still a quiet girl - she took her hatchling dying young hard. Seeing her twin's dragon grow fast and strong has only hurt further, but she's too sweet-natured to ever say as much."


"
Raela has boldness enough for the pair of them, even at eight she's twice as fiece as Ser Jon Cobb himself!"


"
But enough for me, there will be plenty of time for stories later, your fa.... I mean, the Prince must not be kept waiting."


He waits for any response from Baelon before moving to open the door.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
I'm glad they are good, and hope to visit soon... I miss them terribly."

He nods towards the door.
"
Yes, I definitely do not wish to keep him waiting..."


OOC: Sorry for the delay! I missed that you had updated your placeholder post.

[Reader]

For Baelon, it is as if he has walked in to a room and seen an imagined future self.

Daemon Targaryen sits at a desk, the living embodiment of a scholarly warrior king. Regal white Targaryen hair frames his still handsome face, and despite his age he appears as if he could take on half the melee singlehandely.

For this meeting, he has posted all he attendants and guards beyond the door.

At Ser Baelon's approache he rises in his seat and offers seven simple words.

"
Beyond all doubt - you are my son"
.

He expands his arms in a welcoming gesture, as if to embrace Baelon, but notably the desk is interposed between the two.

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon's heart stops.

To hear those words, which he yearned, sought, and fought for, yet had never heard even once in the entire eighteen years of his life...
that he had been beaten bloody for merely saying out loud that he desired them... that he had almost given up on ever hearing...
and to hear them so suddenly and unexpectedly, is almost more than he can bear.

Emotions surge - love, hate, anger, panic, relief, joy, sadness, and countless others.
Each one rushes over him like a charging bull and then dissipates so fast that they cannot be identified.

His knees tremble, then give out. Baelon collapses, barely maintaining enough control to end kneeling rather than sprawled on the floor.

Words escape his lips, but his mind is racing far too much for anything but a mere reflexive platitude.
"
Y-you honor m-me Your High... F-Father."


OOC: I see where Baelon gets his directness from!

[Reader]

"
A son's success reflect glory back on his father. Rise, my son."


He gestures for Baelon to stand, but makes no move to aid him.

Daemon remains almost inscrutable throughout. Has he rehearsed this moment a thousand times in his head, like his son? Or is this simply another piece of political theatre, from the master himself?

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon takes a few deep breaths, getting his heartbeat back under control and calming his mind - somewhat.

He rises. It would not do to look weak right now.

"
I am pleased to have brought glory to you. I hope to do so more in the future."

[Reader]

"
There were rumours enough already."


"
Now men have seen you with sword and lance at such a grand occasion, few will have any doubt in their mind."


Aye, and women saw him fight too, thought Daemon as he remembered the Princess's reaction.

"
You are made in mine own image and are capable of royal feats of arms."


"
But I have a hundred fine swordsman and knights, a Targaryen must have something more."


He makes no offer for now, but merely lets the magical family name hang in the air to see Baelon's reaction. Daemon has a way with words, but finds silence to be an equally useful weapon at times.

[Baelon Drakeson]

A Targaryan? Does he talk of legitimization? That will never happen in the current King's lifetime... does he know something the rest of us don't?

"
I am a fine swordsman, as I showed in the trial... but indeed, aspire to be more. I would be a dragon amongst men - in skill and standing, if not in name."

[Reader]

Daemon keeps his gaze fixed on the man he now calls "
son"
, at least here.

"
'If not in name'. Delicately spoken. You are right, a dragon must be more than just a swordsman."


"
For a true dragon, swordsmanship is necessary but not sufficient."


He smiles at this, for the first time in the conversation, although it does not reach his eyes.

"
Tell me, two things to see if your mind is as sharp as your blade. We'll start with an easy one."


"
Why will I not legitimise you?"


"
What did you make of my wife's reaction to your gesture in the trial by combat?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon ponders, choosing his words carefully.

"
Legitimization... as King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea, you could have done so.
However, it would have angered your brother the King, which could have diminished the support you were receiving from other Westerosi lords.
That would have weakened your army in the middle of a war - not a wise risk to take."


He pauses, turning his attention to the second question.
"
As for the Princesses' reaction... in truth, I may have been reckless;
I spoke out to show support, but in hindsight I realize that should she have pronounced judgement on the Kinslayer it would have been disrespectful to our host, which may have weakened her support from others.... and perhaps she fears that I meant to supplant your sons, either in inheritance or in your affection. Truthfully, that is not my intent."


Though I would like some share of affection...

[Reader]

[Awareness (empathy) TN 17 to see if you can read his response]

Daemon gives little outward sign of whether he approves or disapproves of Baelon's answers.

"
You have the Dragon fire in you, you demonstrated it at the end of the trial. We have it in us at times too. Aye, and Rhaenyra too."


"
The maesters say like can repel like at times - our fear it that it is such with the two of you. Steer clear for the present."


"
You have served with sword, will you serve your father with word and charm too? Dragons are majestic, not just tooth and fang."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
I will serve in any way you ask of me."


OOC: [url=awareness v Daemon][/url]: 3d6 9 Unsurprising failure.

[Reader]

"
Your current house is a curious one, aligned with the Queen despite the unusual predicament the Marstens find themselves in, bereft of an heir."


"
Bring the Marstens to the Black, my son. They are a natural fit and a friendly path in to the Vale may prove a useful asset."


"
By word or marriage, it matters not."


"
What matters is that it is done."


"
Will my son serve me in this?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Your son shall, with pleasure. Indeed, it is a task I have already been working towards, with some success."


He pauses, deciding how bold to be.
Dragons are bold, and do not fear such trivialities.

"
If I may be so bold as to ask a boon - as I said earlier I am a fine swordsman, as demonstrated in the trial, but I would be a great swordsman, known as the greatest of my generation.
To that end, I seek training. The melee will be in a few days, and I have been selected to lead a team. If you could spare your best swordsman to give me lessons, to refine my technique,
I will be better able to seize glory in the melee."

[Reader]

"
I will not do this. I cannot simply 'spare my best swordsman'."


Daemon sounds almost contemptuous, but his tone suddenly softens.

"
I am my own best swordsman. And in time you will be the same to those loyal to you."


"
You cannot be my son beyond our company, but I will ensure you have the skills necessary to survive until such a point as it would be politic to recognise you. I cannot risk alienating the Royces or Princess Rhaenyra at this juncture."


"
You will train here, in this very room with me at night."


For the first time in the meeting, he seems to relax.

"
Can't have some farmer with a pitchfork killing my son."


Still the smile doesn't reach his eyes - is he glad to have finally confirmed to his own satisfaction that Baelon is his? Or simply glad to have found a new asset...

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon smiles broadly.
"
Of course I had meant your next best swordsman, but I shall gladly defer to your wisdom."


"
As for keeping our relationship private - I see the wisdom there as well, however, in a few select and discrete ears such information could do much to secure the support of House Marsten..."


OOC: That last bit is simply to allow for the conversations I've already had with Corrine and Gwyn...

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