Chapter Text
Rhaenyra strolled back through the camp, blood from the boar marking her like she was Visenya returned. She was returned, but she was no Visenya, only herself. Last time, it had been the result of her overflowing emotions that had pushed her to stab the boar so violently. This time, she bore the blood by choice. There were things she wished to change, but this moment she would have the same over. Watching the boar send Cole flying again had been a unexpected benefit. If she’d thought about him, and those he’d served, while she killed the boar, no one need ever know. Nor would they need to know that she was swift into action, because she remembered how the boar had come before. It hadn’t been Cole’s sword that laid it low this round, but her dagger from the start. He’d seemed a bit shaken seeing her that way. Good. It had taken everything in her not to give him an unfortunate accident while in the woods. Instead, they’d returned as before.
The white hart had always been a sign. Rhaenyra was convinced of it. Seeing it again, had firmed her resolution. She swore she wouldn’t waste this second chance, wouldn’t hide away on Dragonstone, wouldn’t rely on oaths to hold the land to her. She swore her own oath as she entered the camp.
She knew they all looked upon her with fear and disgust, not a lady-like princess but a brute. Even her father looked alarmed in his shock, as if he forgot they were dragons. Only Harwin had smiled at her last time she had made this walk. It hadn’t mattered as much to her then, but now she cherished the kindness in his eyes, as well as the heat. She had to work to maintain her uncaring demeanour. She so desperately wished to see his face. Ever since she had awoken in this younger body, she had waited for this moment. Rhaenyra hoped she was making the right choice. Daemon had had her young heart. He and she were a beautiful, dangerous flame she would always cherish, but they had truly burned together, burned each other at times. Now she looked at things with the gift of hindsight. Was it wrong to want something different? Was she a fool, to believe that Harwin might be a better choice for her, that this time she might have her lover in truth not lies? That she was dragon enough. And he would be Strong enough. She was sure of it.
She had already come up with a plan, several plans, to make it an advantageous match. Rhaenyra knew just how tenuous her position was, remembered how the lords had talked, her father’s weakness inviting Otto’s poison. This time, she would not pout until forced into a corner. She would carve her own path in fire and blood. She would show them that while a dragon cornered is a desperate creature, it is also a dangerous one.
Rhaenyra was desperate. Desperate to have her darlings back. Desperate to see them again. So much hinged on her success. She prayed that this time her children would not be labelled bastards, but rather emissaries of the bond between Old Valyria and the Seven Kingdoms, dark haired Targaryens that embraced both sides of their heritage. If it came to it, she’d sacrifice her crown for her children without regret. Yet, the idea of just handing the crown over to Aegon rankled. She acknowledged she had not been a beloved Queen. It hadn’t been enjoyable. Both she and Aegon had come to understand that. It was tempting to believe she might able to prove herself worthy this time. She’d spent the best part of a week trying to consolidate her designs, though the closer to the hunt they came, the more thoughts of another nature reared their heads.
Now she was mere yards from the one she’d lost so long ago and she could barely hold herself from rushing to him. She clenched her fist behind her, determined to school her features into defiance. She glanced over where she knew he stood. Her heart twisted like Syrax atop a roof. His appreciative nod of acceptance, hands ripping apart the rabbit by rote, fed her desperation. She allowed herself a mere moment to acknowledge him before turning away.
There it was. Her father looked horrified. Well. Rhaenyra almost wanted to laugh. After all, he would be horrified to know what his family had done to itself. This was better blood than had been on her hands in many years. Some things she would not forgive herself for, some she didn’t know if she could give her forgiveness. She blamed herself for many things. I have made many a mistake, my grace. But then so have you. Only I know what it is to live with them, to die for them. Instead of walking past, she paused this time, making a show to look back at Harwin. Her once-dead lover was still watching her, so young himself. She hadn’t known then, what he’d mean to her. She turned back to her father. “Ser Harwin was it? The sword there?”
Her father coughed abruptly. A flash of concern sparked in her. She would find different maesters this time, and soon. This cough was one of shock however, liquid swallowed too quickly, as her father quickly replaced his goblet on the table to look over. Did I surprise you, Your Grace? Her father spoke up. “Lord Strong’s son. Yes.”
“Hmm. Rather impressive isn’t he?” She glanced over to give a long look at the knight, a glimpse of awareness in his own eyes. She bit her lip to hold back a smile. She felt it split. What was a bit of blood now? Let it join the boar’s. Rhaenyra turned back. “Nice eyes as well, don’t you think?” She directed her final comment towards her former-friend. Alicent seemed surprised to be included.
She’d seemed a bit surprised by Rhaenyra’s concern in the carriage this time too. Perhaps because it hadn’t just been said with condescension, but annoyance at her father. When he’d mentioned her own fate popping out babies, Rhaenyra had snapped. She’d pointed out that while that may be true, it was not the subject being discussed. She’d seen the hurt when she’d snapped that one would think he would show more concern to the safety of the new Queen’s condition, considering he’d already lost the first. Elaborating that she had been her friend first, and she was not inclined to be so careless, had perhaps been cruel, but he’d never apologised. She let him sit in the shocked silence of the carriage for moments. Alicent had seemed almost grateful, if appalled that Rhaenyra would speak so to the King. Rhaenyra had reached over to touch his hand. She had spoken to him softly, in a voice that belied her supposed youth. She had seen the shock in his eyes then too, at the maturity, but she knew it was a voice of a mother and one who had lost. “We do not always remember that we are not alone in our pain. That can make dragons quite cruel to each other. Let us remember to be more than pieces on a board.”Rhaenyra had looked over at Alicent as she spoke, then back to her father. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to apologise, some wounds still burned, wounds they’d never openly addressed. This could, however, be an olive branch. He had taken it. She’d used it to manuever with more savvy amidst the lords assembled. Though she had still chosen to get her boar alone, to frame it as a heir’s strategic move not a teenager’s wilfulness. He might be alarmed by his daughter looking so feral, but the idea that she was trying to prove herself had contributed further to her offer of a reconciliation. Now the olive branch allowed her to offer up this idea.
Alicent jostled Aegon, with a small fragile smile on her face. “Let’s hope you base your choice on more than eyes and muscles.” The words were chastising but the tone was not.
“Hmm.” Rhaenyra smirked. “Well they don’t hurt.” Alicent gave a small breathy laugh. Viserys looked back and forth between them with something like relief. “I will go clean up.” Rhaenyra went to go towards their tent, then stopped. She tilted her head as if in thought, well aware that Otto was looking vaguely unnerved. “Blood of Dragons, Blood of the First Men. That might make an interesting prospect.” Rhaenyra looked back at her father. She strode away but noted with a satisfaction that her father was looking at Ser Harwin with consideration. Good. She knew the issue with the Valeryon’s would need handling, Daemon too, but she had an idea there. You have no idea what I will do for this. For them. For us.