The Bronze Dragon-A House of the Dragon fanfic

Chapter 90

The gathering of these high lords in King's Landing had not been seen before, and likely will not be seen again in our lifetimes. Essentially a smaller cousin of the Great Council of 101, my father convened it to bring about a formal peace treaty between the different parties. As ever though, the interests of each region began to take priority and threatened to collapse the talks.

My father found assistance from an unlikely source: Ser Tyland Lannister. It is perhaps small wonder that my father appointed Ser Tyland as his first Hand, and to this day maintains he was the best despite the brief time he served before his death.

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King's Landing

After weeks organising, the day had finally arrived. The summit could finally commence. There was of course the needed ceremony; everyone understood the symbolism that would need to be show for such a meeting, even if Stark looked distinctly uncomfortable during it. Once it was done, the Lord and Ladies paramount of the Seven Kingdoms took their seats in the Small Council chamber. Tyland had to be escorted in by Kermit, and the latter shared a nod with Cregan before Daevar entered.

For a moment, Daevar was intimidated by the sheer amount of nobility in the room. Apart from Kermit, Lady Jeyne, Ser Tyland and Lord Cregan, Ser Willis Fell, a clean-shaven man looking to be in his late forties was there to represent the Baratheons; Lady Sera Tyrell, the regent of Highgarden was standing opposite him, her brown curls tumbling down to her waist. Aliandra was there too of course, having arrived three days prior. The last among them was Lyonel Hightower, a man a year younger than Daevar, yet already with a full beard. They were all standing of course, waiting for him to take his own seat. He approached the high chair at the far end of the table. "You may sit, My Lords and Ladies." He said. All took their seats and leaned in to hear what he said next. "We are here to bring about a peace between the warring factions. This war has dragged on for too long and every part of Westeros has suffered."

"Except for Dorne." Fell said, casting a baleful gaze at Aliandra.

"Ser Willis, allowing petty squabbles gets in the way of our true task here." Tyland said. His face wasn't turned towards the Stormlands knight though; it was instead facing straight ahead at Lady Jeyne, which unnerved her greatly.

"Ser Tyland is correct. The goal of this summit is the need of the war, and done in a way so permanent that a calamity like this can never occur again." Daevar said. "That is why I want you all to commit to negotiating this in good faith." He continued, casting his eyes around the table. Kermit, Ser Tyland, Lord Cregan, Lady Jeyne and Aliandra all did so quickly. The others followed, though more reluctant. "Good. First the Blacks and Greens must be reconciled with each other and to the crown."

"Your Grace, Lord Stark and I spoke on this yesterday." Lord Hightower offered. "We believe we may have a solution."

"Really, My Lords?"

"Yes." Cregan replied, leaning forward. "Marry Aegon to Jaehaera. It will unite Rhaenyra and Aegon the Elder's bloodlines into one."

"And give you cause to unite against us." Aliandra replied, a little too quickly. Daevar winced. Northerners were not ones to suffer insinuations like that lightly, and the look on Cregan's face darkened.

"You jump to conclusions so easily?" Cregan asked through gritted teeth.

"She does have a point. It would give you cause to unite against the rest of us. I would marry Aegon matrilineally to Rhea and Jaehaera to Baelon. Snuff out any point of union." Lady Tyrell said.

"I am not betrothing my daughter to Aegon. They are both still too young for that." Daevar replied evenly. Rhea was not yet two and Baelon not even a few weeks, yet they were already thinking about the politics of it all. The thought disgusted him. Surely they could do this without treating children like tools?