House of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, And The Black Dread

(Baelon's POV)

"Welcome." I said to the Lords of the Court, "I thank you for coming here." 

"Prince Baelon, what is the meaning of this?" Lord Jasper said as he looked past me, a panicked look on his face, "Why wake us at this hour and bring us here?" 

I sat in front of Balerion, who was laying down, we were in his nesting grounds. It was a dark and quiet night and I had decided to hold a meeting that excluded my father. Daemon stood next to me, I can tell he had a slight smirk on his face, looking at the others as Balerion let out a deep rumble. 

Some guards stood in a perimeter, circling everyone, a similar situation like the ordeal with the ratcatchers. They were holding torches that lit illuminated the area slightly as this was quite the dark night. 

Before me, Lord Jasper, Lord Tyland, Lord Caswell, and Lord Corlys stood before me. Some other guards were behind him. Lord Corlys had come to the capital shortly after my descent upon Skagos, which I found to be awfully convenient. Apparently, he had some urgent business to attend to with my father. 

I sighed and leaned back slightly, "As you all are aware..." I said, "I attacked Skagos quite recently. And that may or may not have caused some sort of reaction with the other Lords of the Realm. The Great Paramount Houses and their bannermen alike have mixed reactions. And I am certain those close to my Father also have their own input." 

The Lords looked at each other, a bit confused about what I was saying. 

"Let's be honest here." I continued, "Over the years, I have noticed the way many Lords that have passed through my home have looked at me....at my dragon, eager to get a taste of the power that is Balerion. While it is foolish, to think like that, it is mere human nature." 

"What is the meaning of this, Prince Baelon?!" Lord Corlys stepped forward, "You dare summon me like before? Bring me before you like I'm some servant?!" 

I raised my eyebrow as Balerion let out a growl, slowly raising his head as I felt his snorts right behind me. This mere action stopped Lord Corlys in his tracks, his eyes setting directly upon the Black Dread. 

"I advise you take it easy, Father in law." Daemon said, adding sarcasm to the last part, "You do not want to anger the Old Man." 

Corlys looked at me, "What do you want?" He said before gulping, "What is this?" 

"What I want?" I said before chuckling and looking down, "What I want is to know why the fuck are Lords of the Realm going about in the shadows behind my father's back, turning to you and asking for some sort of support in whatever fucking schemes they are planning? And what I want to know is where they get the fucking balls to do something like that?!" 

Corlys froze, a bit of fear in his eyes. This caused the others to step away from him, a bit taken aback by this. This told me that they probably had nothing to do with what I just said, proving my suspicions. They, specifically, know their place at least. 

"I...." Corlys said, "Where did you get this information from?" 

I stood up and pointed my dagger at him, "Do you seriously think that because you are married to a dragonrider, you can do as you fucking please?" I asked, "That because your children, Ser Laenor and Lady Laena are also dragonriders, you can place yourself on a the cloud, superior to everyone else?" 

He gave me a scowl, "Mind your tongue...." He started, "I-" 

"They have Targaryen blood, above everything else. It is not your blood that granted your children, your grandchildren, the ability to ride dragons." I cut him off, "It is Rhaenys's blood, Rhaenys who is Aemon's daughter, who is Jaehaerys's son. Need I trace the entire line back to the Conqueror, Lord Corlys?! Do I?!" 

"I am a Lord." He said as he took a step, "I will not stand here and allow some boy to ridicule me!" 

Daemon scoffed, "This boy is the Heir, Lord Corlys." He said, "Mind your tongue." 

He took another step and Balerion growled deeper, this time he leaned his snout closer and above my head. This caused Corlys to stop and the others to take a few steps back in caution. 

"House Velaryon has three dragons. Five if you can include my Uncle and cousin's dragon but they are Targaryens, through and through." I said seriously, "But the way I see things, I think that three is too many. Right here, right now, I will get answers. Give me the names of the Lords that have come to you over the years since my official betrothal to Helaena. If you do not, I will be forced to brand you a traitor and imprison you."

"Are you threatening me?" He narrowed his eyes, "Do you not know what I have done for the Crown?! For your Family?!" 

"Aye, I'm threatening you." I said with a serious scowl, "What are you going to do about it? I hope it is what I just told you to fucking do." 

"Answer me, Baelon!" He shouted, "Do you know the things I have-" 

"One chance, Lord Corlys." I cut him off, "That is all you'll get. Right here, right now....swallow your fucking pride and give me the names. I am not my Father, I will do something about you." 

"This could be considered an act of war against my House, boy." He scowled

I let out a sigh and looked at Daemon, "Is this what you deal with?" 

"Yes." Daemon replied

I looked at Corlys, "Okay." I said, "I wanted to play nice. Your history with my family and all. But if you seriously think I will be soft on you because of that, you are sorely mistaken. I want the Snakes, Corlys!!" 

"You-" Corlys started

Balerion opened his mouth and I saw the massive glow that lit up the ground beneath me, the glow that came from his throat, flames about to be spewed. 

He stopped and looked up in shock, "B-Baelon!" He exclaimed

I shrugged, "You're not going to say anything? Well, this is what happens." 

"Enough!!" a voice exclaimed

I turned to see Aunt Rhaenys running up to us, wearing nightwear and having her hair loose. 

"Baelon, what in the seven hells are you doing?!" She exclaimed with a scowl as she stood in front of Corlys

I sighed and raised my hand, "Back down, Balerion." 

Balerion closed his maw and lowered his head back down, letting out a deep rumble. 

Daemon sighed, "Oh boy." 

Rhaenys looked at us, "You two are always trouble when together....!' She said, "You're a terrible influence, Daemon!!" 

"Oh please." Daemon said, "We both know that your husband has been covering traitors for years, Rhaenys! Tell him to spit out the fucking names and get over with it. He'll be spared, we all know it!" 

Rhaenys looked at Corlys, "Tell them, Corlys." She said, "This is not a joke, they are not messing around. I told you to not involve yourself with them."

Corlys looked down, clenching his fists, "I...." He started, "I will not forgive this, Rhaenys..." 

I walked up to them, "Listen here...." 

Rhaenys stood defensively in front of him, "Baelon, stop this, please." She said, "As your aunt, I beg of you. Do not harm him." 

I stopped and gave her a serious look, "Move." I told her, "You of all people know how comfortable he has gotten. He has been so sour all his life that he does not have what he always wanted; a piece of the power that is the Iron Throne. When you were overlooked as Heir and when Father refused his offer of Lady Laena when I was born." 

"Baelon..." She said

"That pride and heedless ambition...." I said as I pointed my dagger at Corlys, "Remember this, Corlys...I am not a boy. I am the Prince, Heir to the Throne, and Rider of Balerion." 

"It is about time that meant something to you lot."