CH52 Part 2
Added 2025-05-25 01:03:10 +0000 UTCPlease see the next chapter.
(apologies about the delay. Hope the chapter length makes you forgive me a little...!)
Comments
Yes, Baelon's instincts is right but his final conclusions aren't really there. Ironically, if he had been more cordial, it was far more likely that Aegon would have helped more, and thus give the Targs a greater chance of fighting off the plots against them. But, again, there is also one other thing to consider - the plotting of the maesters. If that doesn't make them to change the way they rule, the way they make sure they secure their reign, then they will have no chance anyway against the Old Gods. And Aegon can't make them see something they wouldn't want to believe anyway. Especially from someone who they are so wary of. It is what it is. I think Corlys just wants to make sure his grandchildren are set up for good now. He is tired, yes, for sure.
Mosef
2025-05-29 22:49:55 +0000 UTCI guess Aegon is going make good on what he said way back when he visited that Alicent will see Elamaerys one day. It’s interesting that while Baelon absolutely has irrational hatred of Aegon he is smart enough to realize how much Aegon is trying to influence Visarys with his more familial attitude. While his advice to the young king was good and will probably help solidify Targaryen power, he also gave it with the intention of creating as large a buffer between his branch of the family and the CoTf as possible. Baleon, while not understanding why, is probably able to key into the fact that Aegon’s motives are not what they seem and coupled with the power imbalance creates a sense of deep distrust between the two men. Also poor Corleys, while is often portrayed as power hungry you can’t deny how much of a shit hand he’s been dealt. The way you write him really hammers home just how exhausted he is and how much he just doesn’t care about the larger game anymore beyond setting up his grandson for success. If he didn’t need to do that I’d imagine he might just leave with Aegon and retire with his cousins far away from the painful memories that now likely haunt his halls. Another great chapter as always, looking forward to the next one.
Hello
2025-05-26 23:24:42 +0000 UTCGood chapter as always. I have to say I really liked Viserys II p.o.v. Its strange seeing the world from the perspective of an 11-12 year old boy king. He knows that he is King and technically speaking has all the power in Westeros but the fact that he is still young, his father rules in his place and wield his authority and well Baelon being his father and being protective of him makes this really difficult as Baelon rightly has the authority over Viserys II. I liked how Viserys II was confused by the continiously shifting opinions that the people around him had regarding Aegon, how they went from holding him in disdain to wanting his help, how they went from disrespecting and doubtful of his abilities to suddenly fearfully respectful of him. At least Viserys II finally managed to get a truthful and completely unbiased answer about Aegon and his character from Bartimos Celtigar and Viserys II managed to find a figure to look up to in Aegon compared to the Conqueror and the Conciliator. I can understand why Viserys II does not fell very conciliatory towards the rebels and would really like to have them all punished more severely. The conversation Viserys II had with Aegon during dinner was also a good one, though I suspect it would have gone better had Baelon not been present. I can understand Baelon suspicions but Baelon seems determined to paint Aegon as some kind if irredeemable villian in Viserys II eyes, though I get the feeling that Baelon will fail in that endevaour. Still Aegon did come to Westeros to keep his promise to Jaehaerys and to ensure the Westerosi Targaryens remain in a strong position, politically, militarily and economically, so Baelon's vieled insults really does grate on the nerve. I do hope that Baelon and Viserys II, will take it upon themselves to arrest and execute the surviving traitor maesters and their acolytes who were located in various castles of different lords. They cannot be allowed to live and spread their views. They must be wiped out root and stem. I am surprised that Viserys II did not ask Aegon if he could use magic or asked Aegon if he could show him some magic. But I guess Baelon had already informed him of what he should not ask of Aegon. I am curious as to who exactly told Baelon about the "dragonglass candles". Was it Bartimos Celtigar or was it Mysaria. The part where Baelon forbided Viserys II from attending the negotiations because he did not want Aegon's words to influence Viserys II was definitely a hard blow for Viserys II to accept, since I am sure that Viserys II would benefit a lot from listening to Aegon's views on things and Aegon's advise, since Aegon does care for family and he would dhave given Viserys II his honest opinions and what he thought should/needs to be done. The scene with the Celtigars was also very well done, two brothers meeting again after a long time together with their eldest son was heartwarming. Their talk about how well their daughters are doing as wives of Dragonlords and how they have flourished and become women of importance was good. The talk about the inheritance and worry Bartimos had about a Dance of Dragons happening in Elamaerys were valid concerns but its lucky that Aegon has designed things in such a way that no member of the Targaryen family will get shortchanged in terms of inheritance and that the Council of Dragonlords negates the need of a civil war happening between the Elamaeri Targaryens, as Aethan said power if not all concentrated in the hands of the Archon. Elamerys Targaryens have learned from history and decided to follow Valyria's method of ruling to ensure no such conflict ever occurs especially with Aegon setting as many precedents as neccessary so that future generations will emulate him. Aethan was right as well that the Green Targaryens if they had been smart could have bided their time and headed of to Essos and created their own Empire, if they had been smart enough to think for themselves rather than blindly follow the plans of their Hightower relatives plans. After all, they had Aegon as an example that it could be done. It might have been difficult but it would be manageable. (In fact this is a great concept for an alternate univere story following OTL) Honestly the meeting between the Celtigar brothers was how the Targaryen family dinner should have been like if not for Baelon having inherited Daemon's irrational dislike of Aegon, due to Aegon not thinking that the world revolved around Daemon. The meeting between Baelon and Aegon when discussing terms and negotiating the treaty was also well done. Baelon really let Daemon's dislike of Aegon color his judgement of his uncle, though I am guessing the fact that Aegon does not share Baelon's world views either was also a reason and the fact that Aegon did not send aid to the Black immediately after learning that the war had broken out. Though given that Baelon and Rhaenyra did everything to denounce, slight and disrespect Aegon and his family, they seem rather entitled if they think they could then demand that Aegon come and help them. Still I like how Baelon's plan to get the measure of Aegon by using Lord Staunton backfired completely on Baelon, when Aegon decided he was done being polite and playing around and decided to show Baelon who was in charge in that room and who held all the power. I also like that Aegon called out Baelon on his desire to kill Aegon and his sons and perhaps his family. I'm glad that Aegon decided to indicate to Baelon that if he truly wanted Aegon could have taken Westeros if he really wanted to and the opinons of the Lords, The Faith and the smallfolk would not matter to him as Aegon method of conquest would eliminate them as a factor very literally. Aegon pointing out that events in Westeros turned out just as he and Jaehaerys feared it would have and Baelon's attitude seemed to indicate that things would continue to deteriorate given that Baelon desires to kill Aegon and his sons if he could, unless Baelon changes his ways. Also, I thought that Aegon would at least to reveal to Baelon, Corlys and the Caltigars that the Valyrian lords they intended install on Old Wyk, Great Wyk and Orkmont, are Aegon II's bastard sons, who no one knows about and will never be a threat since they were never acknowledged, or is that something that Aegon will reveal later on when the time comes? It also looks like Aegon will manage to keep his promise to Helena and have Alicent brought to Elamaerys, though I will be very curious to see Alicent's feeling and p.o.v. on this matter. Though I suspect that Alicent will not be receiving a warm welcome in Elamaerys given that her family reputation and the fact that it is known that she disdains the Elamaeri Faith. I am curious to see how long Alicent will last in Elamaerys or if she will waste away and die like she did in canon. Baelon has gained more than he has lost during these discussions with Aegon and Castory. The only thing I can say that was hurt was Baelon pride and the humiliation he felt that he knew that Aegon knew that if he wanted to get more from Baelon and Westeros and get a very unbalanced treaty heavily in favour of Elamaerys, Baelon would have had no choice but to agree. I'm guessing Baelon has realized that he really fucked up when it came to his treatment of Aegon, really Baelon and Westeros got of very lightly or is he going to stubbornly hold onto this irrational hatred of Aegon that he inherited from his Daemon? Honestly, I am somewhat suprise that Aegon did not decide to bring up the threat of the Old Gods and The Three Eyed raven and the danger they pose towards the Westerosi Targaryen, as I thought Aegon would have wanted to make Baelon and Viserys II aware of the threat so that they would better prepare themselves and act as a buffer for the Elamaeri Targaryens. Will Aegon and Castory be having another conversation with Baelon and Viserys II on their ship before they leave or will this be the last conversation that they ever have? Will Aegon have a short reunion with Bartimos or will he be leaving without meeting Bartimos? I'm guessing that they conversation between Corlys and Aegon will be happening in the next chapter. Once again good chapter.
Sukhraj Singh
2025-05-25 17:58:27 +0000 UTCSame never liked her character
Dragonslayer29
2025-05-25 13:13:24 +0000 UTCHope Aegon deals with mysaria for betraying him.
Dreu Adams
2025-05-25 12:31:25 +0000 UTCGreat chapter.
GooseElite
2025-05-25 10:32:53 +0000 UTCThe amount of hate in baelon is too much, like father like son. I am not sure Abt alicent , the shit she has pulled in this timeline is darker then the canon and is not just a puppet of her father
Lazybeep
2025-05-25 09:33:27 +0000 UTCHe updated the schedule ch 53 on the 28th and he’ll try for the 31st for ch 54
Skruffy
2025-05-25 07:01:40 +0000 UTCProbs my favorite chapter so far, really good stuff!
Snack00
2025-05-25 05:23:05 +0000 UTCTftc this is peak as always!!!! Also don’t rush ur writing to the detriment of urself too much. Ur health is important
Duy
2025-05-25 03:30:27 +0000 UTCPeak fiction as always. It was interesting to see Viserys' perspective on his distant relatives. He'll make a decent king yet with Baelon's guidance and the desire to seek impartial information. Ah, Baelon. He continues to harbour elements of Daemon's irrational hatred and Rhaenyra's delusional dislike of his uncle. Atleast he is much more pragmatic than both these major influences when it comes to Aegon. I hope there will be an Alicent POV next chapter, but as always, take your time.
Yesman
2025-05-25 03:23:18 +0000 UTCWell, hot damn was this chap worth the wait. Great job covering the meetings of Baelon and Viserys between Aegon and Castroys as well as the meeting in the small council at the end. The dialogue between all these characters was just spot on and really showcase that this is a period of unease and weariness. Can’t wait to see the next chap and what POV you do next as well as the conversation between Aegon and Corlys.
Dragonslayer29
2025-05-25 02:27:00 +0000 UTCPoor Baelon, the position of weakness is understandable to every living creature. To know you have no leverage or power is sooo frustrating.
nble1
2025-05-25 02:00:00 +0000 UTCThat was great! The Celtigars are really coming up in the world. At this point the future generations might make it a mission to have influential branches all over the world.
Lictor Magnus
2025-05-25 01:48:45 +0000 UTCWell, What day will you release CH 53 then? Because things has changed and I don’t know if you write chapters concurrently at the same time. I hope you’re doing well as I know writer’s block suck.
Don Dieta
2025-05-25 01:33:46 +0000 UTC😉👍
ProtagNeptune
2025-05-25 01:33:16 +0000 UTCAl fin! 😍
YUL07
2025-05-25 01:09:44 +0000 UTC
