"You arrived before me," the young king said to his uncle. There was no ill feeling in his voice. "Grandmother expected you to have prepared a welcome party," he commented.
"It didn't seem appropriate to celebrate while we are at war. You said you wanted to prove yourself worthy of the crown, didn't you?" Jaehaerys looked at the young man in front of him, a few years younger, wearing a crown.
"I will," Aegon nodded. "What have you done?" he asked.
"I sent a letter to Prince Doran. I asked him to prepare his ships. Rodrick is still in the east, going south; he was not wise enough to retreat after the failed attack. Still, he can run. His ships are faster than ours," Jaehaerys said.
"You intend to trap him between Stannis's fleet and the Dornish fleet. If we cannot match their speed, we have to force them to attack," Aegon guessed quickly. "Although that leaves the south unprotected. Euron fled, we don't know with how many ships, nor where he has gone," he seemed concerned. "Where is Varys? I have not received any reports from him," he asked Jaehaerys.
"Outside the capital, he left as soon as he heard my dragon arrive," Jaehaerys said with an amused smile.
"Is that so?" Aegon frowned. Jaehaerys looked a little worried; a slight panic began to rise in him. Apparently, he relied heavily on Varys' information to make decisions. "When will he be back?" Jaehaerys shrugged at his question.
"Probably when I leave the capital," said Lord Hand. "Learn to distrust his information then, Aegon," he advised his nephew.
"Are you afraid he's a traitor?" Aegon asked.
"I'm not afraid, I'm sure of it," Jaehaerys said, though he couldn't explain why.
The truth is that the existence of Aegon Waters, the supposed bastard son of King Aerys, was what confirmed everything. In the canon books, there was still speculation as to whether or not Young Gryff was the real Aegon, son of Rhaegar, in which case Varys was actually loyal to the Targaryens.
But Rhaegar's son was standing in front of Jaehaerys, and there was still a Young Gryff, albeit without that title. That alone proved Varys' conspiracy.
Aegon, fortunately for Jaehaerys, did not doubt his words. He almost wanted to strike him; if Jae wanted to take advantage of him, it would be too easy.
"Your Highness, Stannis Baratheon's fleet has been sighted!" a man interrupted the young king's musings.
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Stannis knew only his duty to his king, to his land, to his family. Years ago, he had chosen his duty to his brother over his duty to his king. His brother failed and fled across the narrow sea, now a lord of horses. Stannis gritted his teeth every time he remembered it.
Stannis stepped off his ship at the docks of King's Landing with his head held high. He didn't expect kind words or a feast; he knew he wasn't welcome there. His family had rebelled two decades ago. And the House of the Dragon knows how to hold a grudge. Still, he came to defend the kingdom.
For his wife, for his daughter. Shireen was about to be sent to the capital to be raised. His wife, Brienne Selmy, had given him a little girl with dark hair and blue eyes. Stannis could have expelled the Greyjoys from his lands and then stayed to defend it, even though he knew there would be no new attack.
Instead, he went south, driving out the raiders at every opportunity.
He did not do it for pleasure, nor for love of the king. It was his duty. And that duty could bring benefits to his daughter when she lived in the capital. Not that she would enjoy the favor of the royal family, but she may get a few Baratheon soldiers for her protection.
He rode a horse on the seashore.
"A new king. One who has given you orders and power, even with his family's past. He seems wise," said Ser Davos Seaworth. One of the few men Stannis trusted with his life. He had been a great help during the war, smuggling food while Stannis held Storm's End.
"Or one who knows how to listen," said Stannis.
Aegon had left half the royal fleet in his hands; at least that was the message he had received. That was why he had stopped at King's Landing, even though Greyjoy was moving further and further south. It was a controversial idea, but one that Stannis understood. He wasn't going to pat himself on the back, but it had been he who had driven the Greyjoys out despite the surprise attack. Not even Tywin Lannister could repeat that feat.
But Stannis wasn't sure whether the idea came from Aegon or from Jaehaerys. The Prince of Scrolls was more inclined to judge based on actions rather than blood, and they had even exchanged letters in the past, with the prince asking about volcanoes in his lands. Now the prince was Lord Hand.
"A good king, then," Davos added. "If the gods are just, you will receive a seat on the small council," Davos said.
"And are the gods just, Davos?" Stannis asked rhetorically.
"Perhaps the new king is," said the former smuggler. "Although expecting justice from a king is like expecting love from a whore," he added without much hope.
"Then perhaps it is better to ask love from the king and justice from a whore," said a young man with white hair, appearing in front of the two men.
"Prince Jaehaerys," Stannis greeted him with a bow, showing due respect without appearing submissive. He spoke first, almost certain that Davos would call the young man "King."
"Lord Stannis," Jaehaerys returned the greeting. "The king has sent me to welcome you," he said as he began to lead the way. "He wishes to congratulate you on your success against the Ironborn," he added at the end. Stannis nodded. "How did you manage to overcome them?" he asked, genuinely curious. Aegon didn't sended him, he wanted to meet Stannis.
"I controlled my men," he said quickly, then continued. "The Ironborn only take advantage of the initial chaos, the fear. Take that away, and they're a bunch of fools in armor and weapons," he said, offering a crude and perhaps derogatory description. "They are by far the worst army in the Seven Kingdoms on land," he added.
Jaehaerys nodded. "And at sea?" he asked again.
It was no surprise that the Greyjoys had been defeated on land, but at sea? After all, it was at sea where they ruled. Yes, they were the worst army on land, but they were also the best at sea.
"They are fast and savage, but not organized.
A tightly held fleet is enough to control them," said Stannis.
"Discipline, eh?" commented Jaehaerys. "Few men keep their cool in such a situation. With his family behind him, it's hard not to lose control," he flattered him, watching as the man's expression changed slightly at the mention of his family. He showed no love, but a flash of concern, probably thinking it was a threat from the prince.
"It is precisely because of family that a man must maintain control," Davos interjected. A look from Stannis told him he should have kept his mouth shut.
"Davos Seaworth, is it?" The man was surprised to be recognized by the prince. "The onion knight. A name that may seem like a mockery to many nobles, but it is heroic to those you feed," he was not offended by the man's comment.
"Has there been any news from the Ironborn?" Stannis asked, grinding his teeth.
"Rodrick's fleet was seen yesterday, heading south. The Martells have been ordered to cut them off," Jaehaerys hoped the letter had arrived in time.
"Then there is no time to waste in King's Landing," Stannis said, a little irritated.
"It is almost night, and the king wishes to receive you. We will leave tomorrow at dawn, when your ships are full of supplies, and your men are rested," said the prince.
Stannis reluctantly agreed. The truth was that his family's comment irritated him irrationally.
"The king has commented... that it is quite possible that Shireen's upbringing will be decided by you and not by the crown, Lord Baratheon," said the prince simply. Stannis relaxed his jaw and looked at the prince.
Stannis did not say so, but he urged his horse on a little faster. He wanted to talk to King Aegon.