Chapter Text
Daemon had just sat down at the high table and had immediately set his eyes upon Rhaenyra. Hoping his niece will see the apology, the longing, in his eyes.
She fights not to look at him. She and Laenor are putting on a show. One he knows is fake but makes his blood boil regardless.
When he came back to Kings Landing after dealing with Rhea, he planned to speak to his brother and show him he was no longer leashed and could freely take Rhaenyra to wife.
Only his brother had moved too quickly, betrothing her to Laenor right after exiling him once more. He didn’t expect him to move that quickly. He must be desperate to keep him and Rhaenyra apart.
After the Hightower bitch had made her overly dramatic entrance, all but declaring war on his Rhaenyra, he watched as his brother does absolutely nothing about it.
Which shouldn’t surprise him, really. It’s how he deals with most issues. Save himself, of course, who he just continues exiling. His brother has lost whatever of the dragon was inside him. He’s but a meek lizard these days, sunning itself on a rock until it’s spooked and hides underneath it.
Rhaenyra and he belong together. He knows it. He’s sure Rhaenyra knows it. She didn’t respond to him so quickly in the brothel on a whim. His brother must be able to see it. The same fire that was in him was reflected in her. Twin flames, from the fires of Old Valyria itself.
She would need protection in the coming years, especially with that display Alicent just made. War would be coming one day. Who better to be at her side, to protect her from all threats, to ensure she sat her rightful throne, than him?
Her eyes catch his and he can see she wants to be angry with him. Is angry still about that night in the brothel. Whether it’s because he left or because he caused a scandal for her, leading her to this doomed marriage, he’s unsure. He wishes he hadn’t left that night, in truth.
He wants nothing more than to feel her, to taste her, to hear her moans and screams of pleasure. It was an inconvenient moment to realize he was in love with her.
Oh, he’d known he’d loved her as a niece before then. Had known, even, that he wanted her. He thought that was what drove him that night. Wanting to help her see what she was missing and to possibly have her himself.
He didn’t realize how deep his feelings ran until they were there; pants around her ankles, top open. She’d responded with that fire that matched his own. And he knew he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t take her up against a brothel wall for her first time. The peasants of Flea Bottom looking on. She deserved better.
As he was contemplating this, a wind swept through the hall. All the candles went out. A bright light flashed and caused him to cover his eyes. When he looked back, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
14 beings, half as tall as the throne room itself. Giant. Dressed in ancient looking clothing. Their very skin shone with light.
“Calm yourselves, lower beings.” One of the beings spoke, the voice was musical and seemed to echo around the room.
“House Targaryen, we come to you in your hour of greatest need. We the Fourteen of Valyria.”
His brother, Rhaenyra, and himself all dropped to their knees at that. Bowing their heads. He couldn’t believe this was happening. The gods, in the flesh. Or as close to flesh as they got. It was a miracle.
“Yes, you are loyal followers of the Pantheon. One of the last remaining peoples to worship the gods of Valyria. Saved from the doom by the gifts we gave you.”
Another of the gods spoke then, “Rise, House Targaryen. Dragons need not kneel. The rest of these mortals who do not show proper supplication in the front of the gods however…” he trailed off. His family had stood back up already and he watched as the rest of the people in the hall went to their knees.
Alicent stayed standing. One of the gods glared at her, “Child, you are no dragon. On your knees.” Her affronted look caused him to smirk and Rhaenyra let out a giggle she fought to stifle quickly.
“Viserys.” The gods turned to his brother. “You have made many mistakes. Many errors. You have turned from the blood of the dragon, and as such are leading it to its death. To its destruction.”
The horrified look Viserys gave was quite something. “No! I’ve done everything I could to keep peace! To continue my grandfather’s legacy. How could that be?” He cried out.
“Keep peace? You are a dragon. Peace is not what you should seek. Your choice to wed this girl beside you would lead to your families ruin. She will force her son to go to war against your daughter. Try to usurp Rhaenyra. Your son, Aegon. He will murder Rhaenyra as things stand now.”
His brother fell to his knees, tears trailing down his face. Rhaenyra looked like she’d been slapped. And he, he was sure the storm on his face was something to witness. He grabbed his knife and seriously concerned stabbing the bitch now to prevent this.
“Peace, Daemon. We are here to change the fates of House Targaryen. We know you will stop at nothing to see Rhaenyra protected, we will ensure it is so.”
He loosened his grip on the knife at that. Unsure how to respond to literal gods.
“We will show you all the path you currently walk. Watch. Learn.” The gods beckoned the three of them forward and called over the Velaryons as well. “You must also see. To understand. To change.”
Once in front of the gods, each of the gods touched a finger to their foreheads.
Images and information blasted through his head. He saw himself failing to get Rhaenyra before the rushed marriage, leaving upset and marrying Laena, his children, Laena’s death, he saw Rhaenyra, miserable and alone, seeking Harwin Strong, her fights with Alicent, his reunion with her, their marriage, their children, his brother’s death, the war, the cost, his death, Rhaenyra’s death, their son on the throne, but killing the dragons. It was a horror, all of it.
Once done, they all seemed shellshocked.
“How!? How can I prevent this?” Viserys cried.
“Firstly, marry Rhaenyra and Daemon now. Laenor is no fit consort for her. Their child can be betrothed to a Velaryon for the alliance instead.” The gods leveled a look at Corlys at that, who nodded meekly.
“Rhaenyra and Daemon’s love is true and real, Viserys. You have listened to the words of Otto Hightower, turning you against your brother and your blood. Have practically ostracized your daughter as well. You took him at his word when every one was devised to break the house of the dragon apart.” One of the gods said.
“Daemon has always cared about family more than anything, yet you accused him of wanting the throne only. Even had he remained heir, he would have married Rhaenyra to make her a Queen, had he his choice.” At the gods words, Viserys’ head dropped.
“Set limits on Alicent. Find roles for her children. Send Aegon to the Citadel, to swear his vows as a Maester. Have Haelena join Rhaenyra’s ladies in waiting. Send Aemond to the Faith, to become a Septon. Have no more children. They are Hightowers, sworn to the Seven, not dragons of Old Valyria. That is why we have not given leave for their eggs to hatch. They are not worthy of them. You chose your wife badly.”
Viserys could only nod as he cried, weak on the floor in his despair.
He looked to Rhaenyra as the gods focused on her, “Black Queen. Half year Queen. Maegor with teats. These names you shall not know if you follow this new path. Trust in your love, your twin flame.” She glanced over at him at that. Seeing he was already looking at her, she moved her eyes back to the gods.
“Rule well. Justly. Take care of your people. Populate your house with true Targaryen heirs, dragons for another generation. Many children shall you have together.” His eyes widened at that. Looking back to Rhaenyra, he could see she looked slightly sick.
The god reached a finger out and lifted her chin, “Do not worry, child. You will not know the horrors your mother experienced. Healthy children, one and all, never cut up to birth them.” She seemed to let loose a sigh at that. He knew how much that worried her. Watching what happened to her mother had traumatized her.
They touched a hand to her head, and a crown appeared slowly. Manifesting into being. It was beautiful. Valyrian steel appeared through the smoke, with rubies dotting it, like the Conqueror’s crown, but more delicate, made for a woman. The steel intricately weaved in a beautiful pattern.
“Let it be known. The future Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of her Name, carries the blessings of the Gods with her rule. Any who move against her, go against the Gods, and should expect to feel their disfavor.” The fourteen voices speak as one.
“Queen Rhaenyra and King Consort Daemon will see this realm prosper as never before. Those who work with them, instead of against them, will know our blessings.” They finished.
The shock around the room feels palpable. Those in the color green, sitting at the Hightower table, especially, look like they’re about to loose it.
He can’t help the broad smile on his face. He knew his Rhaenyra was better than them all. And the gods blessed their marriage. There was no way Viserys could keep them apart now. Not with what he’s seen. Not with what the gods instructed.
He felt almost in shock himself. All he wanted was Rhaenyra and to restore their house to its proper glory. And the gods seemed to bless both of those things.
He looked to her, and she was looking back at him. She looked both proud and uncertain. He wanted to wipe that uncertainty from her face. He didn’t know if it was from him, the future the gods had shown them, or something else. But he hated it. He wanted her to always feel at peace and not troubled by anything.
He knew that was unlikely. Despite what the gods said, there would always be those who worked against them. Maybe because of what the gods said. Or their appearance here alone.
The Hightowers, the Citadel, the Faith. None of them would take this lightly.