hotmtlnovel Chapter 467: Baelon and Aemon
Chapter 467: Baelon and Aemon
Chapter 467: Baelon and Aemon
The King’s Chambers
"This one in my arms is the elder brother," Rhaenyra said with a proud smile.
"Oh, then this little one here must be the younger brother," Viserys teased, cradling the baby.
Rhaenyra beamed. "He's amazing. He hatched the dragon egg on his first day of life."
"Then he is a natural-born dragon knight," Viserys marveled, looking at his grandson with even greater affection. A descendant with such pure blood was a true blessing. "They're both wonderful and will both be the best dragon knights in the future."
Rhaegar, feeling the warmth of the moment, added, "The two children haven't been named yet."
Viserys's eyes lit up, and a newfound strength seemed to infuse his frail body. Rhaegar smiled, "Rhaenyra and I agree that as their grandfather, you should have the honor of naming them."
Viserys, excited and touched, nodded eagerly. Rhaenyra encouraged him further, "Father, the naming rights of the children are officially in your hands."
"Good! Good!" Viserys said, repeating himself in his joy. In the loving presence of his family, his happiness was palpable, and his pain seemed to fade.
Rhaegar watched his father with a hopeful smile, wishing that the newborns would bring Viserys renewed vigor and a prolonged life. He wanted his father to be there for many more years, sharing in their joys and challenges.
"You are really, really good children," Viserys said, understanding his children's intentions. His eyes welled up with tears as he gazed at his family.
After a moment of thoughtful consideration, Viserys made up his mind. With the expectant eyes of Rhaenyra, Rhaegar, and Laena upon him, he spoke firmly, "Baelon! This child will be named Baelon Targaryen, after your grandfather."
Rhaenyra looked thoughtfully at her father, then nodded in approval. Rhaegar added, "Good, this child will be called Baelon. May he be as brave as his grandfather."
The name Baelon had a special significance, honoring Rhaegar's late grandfather, a name chosen long ago by Viserys.
"I'm glad you like it," Viserys said, looking down at his grandson, who was babbling and blowing bubbles. "Baelon's best friend was Aemon Targaryen. They were the pride of their generation."
Rhaegar listened quietly, knowing what his youngest son's name would be. As expected, his father continued, "This child will be named Aemon. I hope they can be as close as those two brothers were and become the pride of an era."
Aemon and Baelon, heirs to the Iron Throne and brave warriors. Their namesakes had tamed dragons and brought glory to the realm.
Rhaegar and Rhaenyra exchanged a look of mutual understanding, both satisfied with the meaningful names.
Rhaenyra pinched Baelon's cheek, ignoring that he was still nursing, and laughed, "Did you hear that? Your grandfather named you Baelon."
"That's a good name, for sure!" Viserys said proudly.
"It's better to see each other and talk things over face to face," Rhaegar insisted.
Holding his younger son, Rhaegar placed the Soul Restoring Orchid powder box on the bedside table. "I'll be going to Oldtown in a couple of days. You just rest and relax. I'll take care of everything."
He smiled reassuringly and left the bedroom with the baby. Viserys watched him leave, raising his hand as if to stop him, but it hung in the air, unable to fall. He understood his son's intentions and felt there might be room for maneuver.
Viserys was lost in thought, surrounded by the mixed scents of medicine, orchid, and baby milk brought by his family.
Outside the Bedroom
Two Kingsguard stood guard at the door, watching as the heir prince and Princess disappeared down the corridor. Suddenly, a restrained sob came from the bedroom behind the door. Startled, the Kingsguard lowered their heads, trying to make themselves less noticeable.
...
Behind Maegor's Holdfast, the Hall of the Seven.
Rhaegar and Rhaenyra left their father's bedroom and headed directly to the place where the queen was being held. Laena had already left to inform the Hand of the King to prepare for a Small Council meeting.
The hall was adorned with statues of the seven gods, placed against the four walls and encircling the open space. In the center stood a round altar, prominently displaying the skull of Balerion the Black Dread.
Rhaegar approached the altar, placing his palm near the candles, feeling the warmth of the flames. As a child, Balerion's skull was the first relic he had ever seen, and it was here that he had explored the skull and acquired the relic of "Blood and Fire" while holding a candle.
"Balerion, you are truly the greatest hero of the Targaryen family."
Rhaenyra joining him with the baby in her arms. Her white fingertips touched Rhaegar's hand as they both flicked the wick of a candle.
Rhaegar smiled, taking her hand. "Come with me to meet our stepmother," he said.
He had refused his father's sacrifice—not for Alicent's sake, nor because he was weak, but because he didn't want his father to suffer the loss of another wife in his old age.
He also felt a deep affection for his younger siblings and didn't want to deprive them of their mother, even if she was not his own. Growing up without a mother, he had envied Aegon for having one, and Rhaenyra had filled that emotional void for him. If Alicent died, he wouldn't be able to provide the same emotional support to his siblings.
Rhaenyra caught the teasing tone in his voice and gave him a look, but she obediently took his hand and followed him upstairs. Rhaegar held Aemon in his arms, glancing at Rhaenyra and Baelon beside him. His mood was as bright as spring.
Over the years, Alicent had not been entirely bad. He had no interest in her, leaving it to his father to deal with her. Instead, Rhaegar wanted to address the root of all the trouble. "House Hightower, you've been living too comfortably in Oldtown," he thought.
The Church, the Attic
They climbed the ladder to the small, dark, forgotten room in the attic, covered in cobwebs and dust. At the end of the corridor, a broken wooden door let out a muffled cry.