#we see viserys making the kid drink wine at his second bday party i refuse to believe he didn't develop a problem really young

[bbygirl-aemond]

Aemond's Full Letter to Aegon

Some of you commented on chapter fifteen that you were interested in reading the entirety of Aemond's letter. So here it is! I've noted the point at which the message was cut off, so you can more clearly see what Aemond meant to communicate to Aegon but was unable to. Unfortunately for Aegon's blood pressure, he missed out on like over half of the message, including the parts meant to placate his fears about being executed if he surrendered. You can read the full letter below:

"When you were twelve and I was ten, you stumbled into my room drunk out of your mind and asked me what I wished to be when I grew up. I told you that I was going to be your Hand, because it was true, and you just frowned and told me that wasn’t a very good dream. So I asked you what you wanted me to be, and you were quiet for a long time, so long that I began to think you’d fallen asleep.

And then you said, “You’re my brother. Isn’t that enough?”

As if that answered everything.

But I suppose in a way, it did.

I know the relationship between us and Rhaenyra has always been strained. I know that we’ve lived our lives in fear of what she would undoubtedly do to us one day. Until very recently, even after I’d spent much time at Dragonstone, I remained convinced that she was a threat to us all. She swore to me that she would see you unharmed, and still I did not waver in my conviction.

But then I tried to flee. And when I was caught, Daemon was furious, as was everyone within Dragonstone. They all called for Rhaenyra to order her spies in King’s Landing—of which she apparently had many—to murder you all. So I asked her what she would let them do to you, because surely now she would show her true colors. Now that I had disrespected her, and disobeyed her. Now that her own husband and court called for your execution.

And she just said, “He’s our brother,” as if that answered everything.

But to her, I think, it did.

I know what you and the others must think of what has happened to me. I know what you think of Rhaenyra, and that you cannot trust a woman you do not know.

But you know me, as I know you. More, I think, than anyone else ever has.

And I trust that you will know that if I’d possessed even a shred of doubt as to Rhaenyra’s conviction, I would have sooner thrown myself from the towers of Dragonstone than allowed her to wed me. If we are losing our claim, Aegon, it is only because I have allowed us to lose it. Because we can afford to lose it.

Rhaenyra is entitled. She is arrogant. She has been and still remains ignorant to so much of our plight. But she is also deeply kind, and thoughtful, and when she sets her mind on something even Daemon Targaryen himself cannot make her so much as budge. And she has set her mind on peace. On a House Targaryen, undivided.

As have I.

I know you fear for your children. For your eldest son and heir. But he, too, shall be cared for. The Valyrians hold twinship as sacred, and Rhaenyra has decided to marry Jaehaera to her own son, Aegon. Through his twin, Jaehaerys will be protected. I have also received a proposal for him to wed Grayce Arryn, the only child of the Lady Jeyne Arryn’s heir. She will rule the Vale one day, as one of Rhaenyra’s most powerful and unquestioningly loyal supporters, with Jaehaerys by her side. Through her, as well, he will be safe from those who wish to use him for their own, treasonous ends.

I know you fear for the rest of our family. But Daeron has quite ingratiated himself here at Dragonstone. And Rhaenyra remains fond of mother, from their childhood days, and she believes Helaena innocent in all of this, and the three of them are all so dearly loved that none would dare hurt them. As, too, is little Maelor. They will all be safe, and cared for, and will live beside me in the Red Keep for the rest of your days.

I know you fear for—

[Here is where the letter was interrupted]

—yourself, for all that you will refuse to admit it. I will not try to sway you with appeals to Rhaenyra’s character. We both know too well that her character and wishes factor very little into this decision. That so long as her claim is weak enough, we are doomed to be scattered about as pawns by the lords who oppose her.

Listen to me now, Aegon: Rhaenyra’s claim has never been stronger.

You know I would never harm any of our family. The lords of Westeros do not. They watched Vhagar circle Dragonstone peacefully, and watched me toast to Rhaenyra’s reign and bind myself to her before the Gods. They watched the High Septon crown us both, and declare that the Seven Themselves had sanctioned our reign. Every day, they see me rule by her side, and support her. They see Tessarion, housed peacefully in Dragonstone’s stables, and Daeron by my side, swearing fealty to me and my Queen.

And these lords are terrified.

The Baratheons and their mighty army have abandoned you. The Tullys and all their bannermen have abandoned you. The Faith, and its followers, have abandoned you. Your only significant allies are the Lannisters and the Hightowers; your Sunfyre the only true battle dragon you wield. The lords know Helaena is no soldier.

You are losing, Aegon, and handily so. There is no other reason why Otto would allow you to so recklessly call to war. Rhaenyra is gaining allies by the day, and he is terrified.

So please understand when I say that Rhaenyra’s claim is stable. Enough so that you will pose little threat to her, no matter how hard those few, foolish lords may scramble to try to use your image for their selfish ends. And imagine, Aegon, if you were to stand by her side. If you were to abdicate publicly, and bring your family to Dragonstone on dragonback, there would be no contesting her claim at all.

Rhaenyra has promised that you, Helaena, and the children may all live beside me, in the Red Keep, for the rest of your lives. We’ll have to compromise, of course—Daemon is rather insistent on taking over your current rooms—and I know there is bound to be friction at first. But is this not all you were too afraid to dream of? A life without regard for title, or politics, or wars?

I do not need you to be a King. I do not need you to suffer the Iron Throne. I do not need you to be a good ruler, or even a good man. I do not need you to secure titles, or wealth, for yourself or for your children. I do not need you to live your life in fear, scrambling to secure your family's safety.

I just need you to be my brother, Aegon. By my side.

That is enough.

It will always be enough."