The Godswood, Red Keep.
"But I..." Aegon looked back at Aemond, then at his father.
"I don't understand any of that."
"You will learn," Viserys said.
"Aelyn will help you, I will have the Hand assist you, and Aemond will support you. Now, you must shoulder your responsibility, son."
Aegon wanted to argue further, but Aelyn stepped forward and lightly touched his arm.
He turned and saw the look of near-desperation in his wife's eyes.
'Shut up, accept it, and don't be stupid, her gaze screamed.
"...Yes, Father," Aegon finally lowered his head.
Viserys nodded, looking as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted from his chest.
He turned to Aemond to gauge his reaction.
Aemond looked back, his eyes held no emotion. No anger, no jealousy, no disappointment, not even surprise.
"Aemond," the King said, "you will assist your brother, won't you?"
"Of course, Father," Aemond replied.
"Family, Duty, Honor. It is my responsibility."
"Good... good." Viserys felt exhaustion wash over him like a tide.
He waved a hand.
"The Rogar family sent gifts... bring them forth."
Attendants brought out two heavy wooden chests.
When opened, silver light spilled out: two suits of armor forged from Qohorik silver-steel, as exquisite as works of art.
Aemond rose to inspect them, tapping the breastplate to test the hardness and checking the hinges.
"Fine plate," Aemond remarked.
"Take a set if you like," Viserys said.
"The other is for Aegon, though you likely won't use it."
Aegon walked over and slapped a breastplate casually.
"Pretty enough. But I really don't have a use for it; I'm not even participating in the tourney."
Behind him, Aelyn stared at his foolishness.
The Lords of the Seven Kingdoms prized martial prowess; even if he wasn't a master, appearing on the field would have earned him respect.
Viserys merely smiled. "As you wish, Aegon."
The King handed the infants back to Alicent and made a gesture.
Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, stepped forward holding a long ebony case. He knelt before the King and opened the lid.
Inside lay a massive sword. The dark ripples of Valyrian steel flowed under the sunlight.
It was a hand-and-a-half bastard sword, broad and heavy.
Blackfyre.
Aemond whispered the name. His eyes finally showed a spark, the burning heat of a warrior seeing a divine weapon.
Viserys looked at the sword with a complex expression.
Then he looked at Aegon.
"Aegon," the King said, "this sword... I grant it to you now."
Every eye was fixed on Aegon.
He looked at Blackfyre, the legendary blade that symbolized conquest, kingship, and the Targaryen bloodline.
His first thought was: This thing is heavy; my arms will ache after a few swings.
Besides, it had been four years since he practiced with a two-handed sword, and he'd nearly cut his own foot off then.
"Father..." He swallowed hard.
"This is too precious."
He looked back at Aemond and, in a moment of sheer idiocy, blurted out:
"Aemond's swordsmanship is much better than mine. He loves this kind of thing..."
Dead silence.
Aelyn's face turned from a healthy flush to deathly pale in an instant.
Queen Alicent stared at her eldest son's stupidity in shock. Viserys's eyes widened.
Aemond was stunned for a split second, but the opportunity was too perfect. He moved.
He stepped forward and lifted Blackfyre from the case with both hands.
The movement was so fluid it looked as if the sword had always belonged to him. Being Valyrian steel, it was lighter than it looked.
Aemond turned to Aegon with a sincere smile.
"I thank my brother for his esteem and affection. I thank you for your generosity."
He then turned to Viserys, lowered his head, and offered the sword back with both hands.
"Father, if you believe I am unworthy to hold Blackfyre, I shall return it immediately."
Aegon stood with his mouth agape, his mind a total blank.
'Wait... I was just being polite! You're actually taking it?!' He tried to speak, but his throat was dry.
Viserys felt his stomach churn. Blackfyre, the sword of Aegon the Conqueror, the symbol of the transition of power, had just changed hands so casually.
"Since Aegon gave it to you..." Viserys said, forcing himself to remain steady, "Then keep it. Use it well... in service to the family."
"I thank you, Father. I shall not fail this blade."
Aemond performed a perfect sword salute, then walked deeper into the Godswood to practice.
Aelyn bit her lip until the taste of blood filled her mouth.
She looked at her husband, who still looked dazed, not fully grasping the magnitude of his blunder, and felt a wave of despair.
She whispered under her breath:
"A weak elder brother, and a younger brother clutching the King's sword, he surrendered... It's just like back then, isn't it?"
Alicent turned to Aelyn, her eyes filled with terror at the words.
Viserys heard it too. His clouded eyes looked at Aelyn, then at his sons, then at Blackfyre.
Back then?
Then he remembered: Aenys I, the weak and indecisive King who was manipulated by the Faith and the Lords.
After Aenys died of stress and fear, his exiled brother Maegor returned, killed his nephew Aegon the Uncrowned, and seized the Iron Throne from his brother's line.
A chill crawled up Viserys's spine.
"I am tired," the King finally said, his voice exhausted.
"Take me to my room."
The wheelchair rolled away, leaves crunching beneath it.
Aegon finally snapped out of it and rushed to Aemond, his face flushed red.
"You... why did you actually take it? I was just being polite!"
"It was you who handed it to me, brother," Aemond interrupted calmly.
Aegon looked into Aemond's cold violet eyes and choked on his words.
"That's the King's sword, it should be mine..." he muttered, but he didn't dare offend Aemond. He let out a helpless sigh.
Aelyn walked over and grabbed her husband's arm.
"Enough, Aegon. To our room."
She dragged him away, casting one final, sharp look at Aemond.
Aemond didn't care. He looked down at Blackfyre, his fingers tracing the dragon-head pommel.
"Did you do that on purpose?" Helaena's voice drifted from beside him.
"He was the one who gave me the opportunity."
Helaena looked at him with concern.
Aemond turned to her and smiled gently.
"Don't worry. He is our brother, after all. I won't do anything to him."
-----
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