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Princess Alyssa Targaryen, Prince Baelon Targaryen's wife, gave birth to their first child in winter. It was a cold day and the couple was eagerly awaiting their first babe.
After labouring for the better half of a day they were happy to see their first born, a healthy son. One of the midwives had barely given the new child to her partner so she could give him to his mother that she suddenly screamed in surprise when she realised another was coming.
"There is another! Prepare yourself Princess!"
Alyssa, already exhausted, looked at the midwife with utter incomprehension. The contractions hit her again and she pushed and screamed and pushed once more until another babe followed to everyone's surprise. Baelon, who had been in the room when he heard the first scream of his child, looked flabbergasted to get not just one child but two.
And so, to everyone's surprise it was not just a boy who would be born but also a girl. Their son Viserys was born followed by his twin sister, Rhaenyra.
Alyssa had cried when she had seen her babies, unable to believe that she had made them. Barely born and already they were different. Alyssa stared at them in delight. Young Viserys seemed quite content after a few hours of being born while his twin seemed disgruntled and unhappy, moving around and mewling her dissatisfaction reminding everyone of a small kitten.
She had never thought she would get a boy and girl but she was delighted. She got to experience the two in one pregnancy!
Baelon adored his twins from the moment he saw them, showing them off to everyone. He was enamoured with them both but seemed to keep his daughter close as if scared someone would snatch her from his arms.
"Congratulations son."
"Thank you father! Do you want to hold my beautiful daughter? Her name is Rhaenyra"
King Jaehaerys delicately took his granddaughter while Alysanne was carrying their grandson. Aemon and his wife were congratulating the new parents while Rhaenys was staring at the babies in surprise. She was making faces at Viserys to her parents' amusement. Jaehaerys softly touched the cheek of his granddaughter who was squirming and waving her fists. She was adorable.
"Alysanne..."
His wife who had given the boy back to Alyssa came to join him with a smile before she saw it too.
"Daenerys," she whispered while her husband nodded.
Rhaenyra was a beautiful babe, like their Daenerys had been but the similarity between the two was uncanny. They both shared a sad smile, their exchange unnoticed by everyone. Starting that day, their granddaughter Rhaenyra would always be their soft spot, a sweet reminder of their lost daughter. They would forever deny it but Jaehaerys always softened for her and would let her climb on his knees and tell her stories.
A fortnight after having given birth to her twins, Alyssa took to the sky on Meleys with her two children strapped to her. Both seemed to delight in the flight and she would swear to everyone who asked that they had both giggled in happiness.
Everyone delighted in them, Viserys being the calm and quiet one who always wanted to please everyone around him, always a smile ready when he was picked up. Rhaenyra meanwhile was as charming as she was stubborn, never forgetting a slight and quick to anger. She loved nothing more than to hit people who annoyed her with her toy dragon and was ferocious in her defense of any terrible offenses committed against her twin. Besides her temper, her beauty was visible even as a babe. The twins were as similar as the sun and the moon. The only thing they seemed to have in common were their purple eyes and silver hair.
Yet the twins were very close, playing together and rarely fighting. Viserys was a quiet child but nothing angered him more than to see his twin, his idaña, cry. He had thrown a few toys at people just for that reason. Thankfully he always knew how to cheer her up after. Their affection for each other always warmed their parents’ hearts.
Another thing that set them apart was the matter of dragons. Rhaenyra's dragon had hatched in her crib while she was a few days old while her brother's egg had grown cold. The yellow dragon had been found curled around the little girl's head with its tail around her wrist.
After their ride on Meleys, Baelon had been the one who picked his son's egg but since he had two children he had quickly sent for his brother and asked him to pick one for his daughter, saying that it was only fair for his beloved brother to pick one, one for each of them. They had always shared everything. Honored by the task, Aemon had chosen in less than an hour after having been asked, choosing a beautiful golden egg, one from Vhagar herself he had said. He had delicately put it in his niece's crib before caressing her forehead.
None of them had seen the hatching but they had all heard the cry of a baby dragon and had rushed to the crib. Jaehaerys, Alysanne, Alyssa, Baelon, Aemon, Jocelyn and little Rhaenys must have looked quite a sight rushing to the nursery and seeing a baby dragon in one of the cribs.
It had been the first crib hatching in years and everyone had celebrated it. A Targaryen with a dragon would be less prone to sickness and it was a promise of health, something that reassured the young parents who had been terrified to lose their child to disease like they had lost siblings before.
***
Four years later, Alyssa gave birth to another child, a boy they named Daemon.
During the pregnancy Alyssa had gained a small shadow in the form of her daughter. And while Viserys proved himself to not be interested in his younger brother beyond the fact that he would get a new playmate, his sister was fascinated. He did not understand why she had to spend so much time with their mother, rubbing her small hands on her swollen belly or talking to the baby. Viserys had complained to his father that his twin loved their new sibling more than him already and the baby was not even there yet which had made Baelon laugh before reassuring the boy that she was just excited to get a new sibling to play with.
Viserys had pouted but let it go. He didn't want to play with Rhaenys because she was already eight and his aunt Gael was still a baby. Baelon had simply picked his son up, throwing him in the air and playing with him to Viserys' great joy.
"Do you think it will be a boy or a girl?"
"Which one would you like, Rhaenyra?"
Her daughter seemed to be listening to her belly, her head on it and her small hand next to it, petting her as if she was petting the babe itself. She was so adorable like this, Alyssa thought with a fond smile.
"A brother please"
Alyssa laughed, "I will try my best then."
Rhaenyra smiled delightedly. My brother, she thought. She wanted a brother more like her, not that anything was wrong with Viserys but he was too calm. She wanted a sibling who wanted to go on adventures and would slay bad knights with her. Her twin could play the prince they had to save and her new brother would be her knight helping her in a fight while she would be the dragon princess that could fight too but needed to team up against the monster. Yes. A brother would be great. He would be all hers, she wouldn’t have to share him with her family.
***
The boy was loud and showed his unhappiness at being outside in the cold as opposed to the warmth of his mother by crying as loudly as possible.
Once more Alyssa took to the sky with the babe a few days after his birth.
Rhaenyra was fascinated by Daemon since he was born and loved to hold him and carry him around with her. The sight made everyone smile because the little Princess was adorable, always being with her brother and calling him her baby. Daemon seemed to be just as enamoured with his sister and seemed to only be quiet for her or his mother.
Alyssa joked that it was a sign of his good taste in women.
"Come on Daemon, go to your big brother! Go to your lēkia" Viserys was trying to make his little brother walk in his direction. Sadly he was stubborn and refused to move, looking at his parents chuckling on the side, staring lovingly at their children. Rhaenyra started to laugh at her twin's discomfited face.
"I think he wants muña more than you!"
Daemon who had been staring at his mother turned to look at his sister and surprising everyone he stood up and took a few steps in her direction, ignoring Viserys and crumbling in her arms to her delight.
"Look ‘Serys! He walked!"
"It was so cool Rhae! Let's make him do it again! From over there this time!"
Baelon and Alyssa shared a smile, happy to see their children get along so well. They had feared some tensions but in the end they all got along splendidly. Viserys was a great older brother and Rhaenyra thrived looking after Daemon. Their older boy seemed to be very proud of being the eldest and always wanted to be the best example he could be.
They grew up, Daemon toddling after his older siblings faithfully, Viserys being the serious one who loved reading stories and adored telling them to his siblings, using funny voices. Rhaenyra meanwhile always made sure Daemon was alright and was holding her hand so he wouldn't get lost and loved playing with her dragon more than anything when she was not with her two brothers.
***
Daemon was three years old when everything changed. His mother grew big once more and his sister was always next to her and just as excited as his mother about getting a new sibling. Daemon didn't like that, he didn't like sharing and even at three years old he understood he would have less time with his sister and he refused that. Rhaenyra was supposed to care about him and Viserys, though he was always first. Viserys was her twin but Daemon was still more important. When he had tearfully gone to see his father to ask if Rhaenyra - Nyra as he always called her, unable to say her name properly yet - was going to abandon him, his father had felt like hitting his head on a wall.
Baelon had sighed indulgently seeing his youngest pout at his older sister's obvious love for her unborn sibling. His little boy was experiencing jealousy for the first time and it was both adorable and terrifying. He was really working himself in a massive fit. Daemon looked like the world was ending, tears rolling down his chubby cheeks and he had to struggle not to laugh in his face as he looked adorable.
"Nyra doesn't love me anymore kepa!"
"Oh my poor boy... Whatever shall you do?!"
"I will leave home and never come back. If Nyra doesn't love me I have to go."
Baelon had laughed seeing his son's serious face before he took him in his arms.
"Your mandia loves you more than everything Daemon."
"Not anymore, she likes the baby more now. She has forgotten me."
"The baby is still in your mother's belly. But you? You are here, you can play with your sister. The baby can't do so yet. Besides, your sister can love you and the baby at the same time you know? She already does so with you and your lēkia."
His son looked sceptical as if he didn't believe a word he said. In his boy's mind it probably was impossible. The sky was blue, Syrax was gold, his parents loved him and his siblings, Meleys was red, Rhaenyra loved him, Vhagar was old and Viserys loved him but not as much as Rhaenyra did. It was all he knew for certain.
He wondered if that was what they had looked like to his parents, Alyssa and him. One always toddling after the other. Except this time it was the younger boy toddling after the older girl.
Viserys, while still close to his twin, was not always next to her. The boy knew how to share and had no issue sharing her with Daemon. The two of them were happy, separated and together. His eldest was the easiest one of his children he had quickly noticed. Viserys and Rhaenyra were very close but it was true that Daemon's bond with his sister was incredibly strong. He loved her more than anyone and would throw giant fits if he was not allowed next to her.
The one time he had been sat between Viserys and Rhaenys at the dinner table he had cried his heart out sobbing that he wanted his sister and he had only quieted when she had sat next to him. He had been as sweet as possible after, looking adoringly at his older sister while she petted his hair soothingly.
Rhaenys had called Rhaenyra "Daemon's tamer" as a joke as his son was quite… Difficult when he felt like it. He never listened to anyone except his parents and siblings. He was a wild thing, a lot like his Alyssa. And his wife always encouraged their youngest's wild tendencies.
***
Tragedy struck and Alyssa died giving birth leaving her family unconsolable.
Baelon was barely able to function, he was helped by his parents and brother Aemon but he had difficulties even getting up in the morning while his children took different ways to cope.
Viserys locked himself in his room during the day, refusing to see anyone although he cuddled with his siblings at night. Meanwhile Daemon was so young he had troubles understanding why his mother was gone and just stuck to his sister's side knowing she was the one who would provide him with whatever he needed. And Rhaenyra tasked herself with caring for her brothers. Her twin wanted her company at night when nightmares plagued him but during the day he wanted to be alone so she let him be.
The three of them would share a bed at night. Daemon was terrified his sister would disappear if he was not looking and was desperate to be with her. His mind had associated that his mother was a girl, his sister was a girl too therefore she could die just like his mother. At night the three siblings would sleep curled around one another, Rhaenyra would have her youngest brother in her arms while Viserys was curled around his twin, trying to protect her in his sleep.
More than one servant had found them curled up like this and had never said a word, understanding their need for proximity during their time of need.
Baelon, who had wanted to check on his children, had almost cried seeing them like this. He had ended up joining them on the bed, curled around all three of his babies, trying to protect them from pain. Aegon, the youngest child, the one Alyssa had died giving birth to, was very weak and Baelon tried his best to be optimistic but deep in his heart he knew. He had to prepare for him joining his wife sooner than he wanted.
***
Rhaenyra looked at her Golden Lady, her Syrax, for once alone in the Dragon Pit except for the dragon keepers and a King's Guard who seemed quite unnerved being so close to dragons. Daemon and Viserys being with her father, he wanted to show them something which she had not really paid attention to.
She let out the tears she kept inside in order not to make her siblings sad. Rhaenyra had to be the strong sibling. She knew that if she cried Viserys and Daemon would follow. They had their father and their grandmother but it was not the same as their mother. Viserys refused to admit he was sad and refused to speak about their mother. Daemon, though, always looked to her for comfort and she would never deny him. He was her sweet little brother, her valonqar. Whatever he needed she would give him. He would have so few memories of their mother...
Syrax was nudging her and suddenly she understood why she had felt so restless. She was ready to ride, now was the time. Rhaenyra went atop her dragon and flew for the first time at seven years old, the dragon keepers looking on horrified, having tried to stop her once they realised what she was trying to do. Rhaenyra was screaming in joy all the while with tears on her cheeks, knowing her mother wouldn't be there to see her first ride but would be watching and would be proud to see her with her dragon. She felt like her sadness was leaving little by little. She would not let grief consume her, she would use it and make herself stronger. This mix of feelings, joy and sadness, left her empty in a good way. She was ready to start living again.
Back in the Dragon Pit her brothers and father were all waiting for her, hugging her tightly. Her father scolded her for her recklessness before kissing her loudly and praising her as the youngest dragon rider in their family. Daemon was looking at her with sparkling eyes, and she promised to ride with him as soon as Syrax was big enough for two. Her valonqar's egg had grown cold and he would need to claim a dragon for his egg would never hatch. Daemon still slept with it faithfully and she did not have the heart to tell him it would not hatch, not when he was whispering to it and cuddling it tightly, hoping for it to hatch.
Her father smiled sadly at her while she was speaking to her brother, whispering how proud he was and how he was sure her mother would be proud too.
Aegon, their youngest brother, didn't survive a year, and they soon had to prepare another funeral. It felt like the entire year had been cursed and not a single one of them was sad to see the next year arrive.
***
Three years after Alyssa's death, her dragon the Red Queen Meleys was claimed by Rhaenys, devastating Daemon who had nursed the secret hope to claim her one day now that he understood his egg would never bring a dragon. It was the first time Rhaenyra got into a fight with her cousin, telling her she should have told them about wanting to claim Meleys.
"She is not yours, cousin. Dragons don't belong to people once their rider is dead. You have no right to keep her."
"She was my mother's dragon-"
"And now she is mine."
"You didn't let my brother try. Daemon could have claimed our mother's dragon and you took that from him. I don't blame you for trying, I blame you for not telling us beforehand. I hope you will never have to go through this pain, Rhaenys. Seeing your parent's dragon in someone else's hands is devastating..."
Rhaenyra said nothing else, her piece having been told. Rhaenys probably felt guilty and she was right, dragons didn't belong to anyone. She was disappointed in her and hoped she understood why. She went back to her siblings. Viserys had tried to claim Meleys before and it had not worked out. It was Daemon she worried about.
A rift appeared between the two girls, Rhaenyra was only ten but she was fierce and would protect her brothers from every harm she perceived, even if it was from her own family. Seeing Rhaenyra being angry at Rhaenys on his behalf had made Daemon admire his sister even more.
He worshipped his sister. Everyone could see how he trailed after her, always looking for her and wanting to be near her. If it had been cute when he was younger, now that he was growing up he was starting to get side eyes for his attitude. A boy of six should follow around his brother, not his sister. Daemon didn't listen to the whispers, he might be only six but he was perfectly aware that his sister was the most important person in his life. Not even Viserys was as amazing in his mind. And Viserys had been learning how to fight with a sword for a few years now and that was pretty impressive! Daemon had only just started so Viserys was better obviously. But deep down Daemon knew if he had to choose one sibling, it would be Rhaenyra.
Daemon was learning how to wield a sword like his father and his older brother and he wanted to make his sister proud. He craved her praise, nothing was better than when she said she was proud of him. She had learnt how to use daggers, their father had insisted on it, saying a girl needed to know how to protect herself. Rhaenyra was quite good at it now, but she was still having lessons, she said she wanted to be even better. Daemon had sworn to himself to always protect his sister from harm, the way she was always protecting him. One day he would defend her against everyone.
He loved Viserys but he loved Rhaenyra more. In his childish eyes she was his sister and his mother, she was his everything. Without her he would not be here. She was the sun he orbited around.
Often when they played, Rhaenyra was the princess and he was the prince who had to save her. His father was the mean knight who took her, but sometimes it was Viserys who played the bad knight. In the end Daemon always won and saved his princess and got a kiss from her. It was his favourite game.
***
Viserys tried to make his father proud but knew he was not gifted with swords. It had made him cry more than once in his sister's arms how bad he was, his body bruised and his ego shattered. He was not a warrior but his father was and he hated being a disappointment to his father. He loved the legends of Valyria and building things with his own hands.
Every year he sculpted a small dragon for his twin, the only one who knew of his secret love for creating things. She always smiled delightedly and hugged him, telling him he was really good at this and maybe one day he could make something bigger. He never told her how happy she made him, knowing she believed in him when he knew it was just a silly hobby. She probably knew, they had this strange bond as twins, often knowing things about the other without needing to say it.
He wanted to create Valyria one day. With his own hands.
Viserys had decided to make a small dragon for his brother this time. It would be a special gift for Daemon. His brother's love for Rhaenyra was well-known and always made him smile. He was glad someone else loved his twin so much, she deserved all the love. She always took care of them, showering them with affection and she deserved to get everything. As a gift he wanted to make a small Syrax for his brother. He was sure the younger boy would like it. It would be the first time his little brother would see what he could do with his own hands and he was a bit nervous but he wanted something special for Daemon.
***
Baelon knew his daughter was taking her role as an older sister very seriously. She had become Daemon's sister and mother all rolled into one the moment Alyssa was gone, stepping up in a way no one else had. His mother was helping him and in his shame he had not thought of checking on his children right away. Once he had been able to function again his mother had taken over the care of Aegon and his daughter made sure Viserys and Daemon were doing well.
Whenever he looked at Daemon he was reminded of his wife, her free spirit and her smile. He had her ears too, which were too big for his head and thinking about it made him even more sad. His Alyssa had often joked that Rhaenyra had all the beauty she never had, she had always thought herself as odd looking his beloved wife, and while it had made her laugh she had not been wrong. Their daughter was beautiful, even among Targaryen her beauty was noteworthy. People had been calling her "the Realm's Delight" since she was seven.
None of his sons had a dragon yet, only his daughter. Now that Syrax was getting bigger (it was quite surprising how big she grew) she could take someone with her and while Viserys had gone only once or twice, not very comfortable sharing a saddle with his twin, Daemon tried to go as much as possible. He loved being in the sky and Syrax and Vhagar alternated carrying the boy. The two dragons were often together, mother and daughter having a surprisingly close bond. It was always sweet to see the big frightening Vhagar taking care of the small and sweet Syrax, both of them nesting together.
Meleys and Caraxes were on Dragonstone with Aemon and Rhaenys while Vermithor and Silverwing always nested together on their own, sharing a corner of the Pit together.
His daughter was growing up, his parents were talking about marriage and while he knew they were thinking of marrying Viserys and Rhaenyra... He couldn't see it. The twins got along extremely well but they were just siblings. There was no love between them. Viserys had grimaced more than once about how he loved Rhaenyra as a sister but not like a lover, she was his other half and best friend but not someone he loved as more than that. He had a very mature way of looking at the situation, his little boy.
His mother had listened to his concerns carefully. Rhaenyra was only ten, she was still young but he wanted to make sure. They both agreed to discuss it when she bled the first time but right now they were not going to announce anything.
Rhaenyra reminded him of his dead sister Viserra sometimes. While he did not regret throwing her away from his bed - to think she had tried to seduce him, a man still in mourning after his wife's death and who had sworn to never marry again! - he deeply regretted what happened to her and he had often wondered if he was not also to blame in her death. Viserra had been a pretty girl, just like his daughter (though his daughter was prettier in his unbiased opinion) and he did not want to see his daughter married off to someone so awful she would rather run away and die in the process.
Having a daughter was complicated; he had complained to Aemon who had laughed at him and said his Rhaenys was too stubborn for her own good but that he adored her too much to ever regret having a girl.
Both brothers agreed though. Daughters were special.
He loved his sons, they were his legacies, they would carry on his name and continue his line but his daughter was different. His love for her was stronger. Not that he would ever admit it to anyone but Rhaenyra was his favourite child. She was the best of his Alyssa and him, she was his fierce little she-dragon. Her love was a gift he didn't deserve but coveted like the dragon he was. He understood why his youngest was so fiercely protective of her, glaring at anyone looking at his sister for more than a few seconds.
He hoped she would never marry, he was not ready to give her away. He probably never would be.
***
Daemon was eight years old and people kept telling him to stop sneaking into his mandia's room. First of all he was not sneaking in her room, he was sneaking in her bed. He slept better with her, he reasoned so why couldn't he share her bed? His grandparents shared a bed too after all and no one told them not to do so.
"Oh Daemon... Your grandfather and I are married, that's why we share the same bed. Just like your parents were."
"Does it mean I have to marry Nyra?"
"Of course not, why do you think you have to?"
"But if I want to sleep in her bed, I have to marry her right?"
"That's not -"
"Can I marry Rhaenyra then grandmother?"
Jaehaerys and Alysanne shared a fond but exasperated look. He was such a precious boy but sometimes he really was too stubborn.
"I think you need to ask your mandia first but tell me Daemon, do you even know what a marriage is?" Jaehaerys was trying to not laugh at his grandson's focused face, contemplating how to answer.
"It's when you love someone and you want to be with them forever."
Alysanne blinked in surprise while Jaehaerys openly stared.
"I know because Rhaenyra is the one I love the most in the entire world, so one day I will marry her. She doesn't know yet of course and I want to grow up a bit more first before asking her. Maybe when I am nine years old I will ask her, I am still too little. I think at nine I will be bigger and almost a grown up."
The boy had nodded as if he had taken the biggest decision of his life before running off and waving at his grandparents, still dumbfounded.
"My love do you think maybe-"
"We should keep an eye on it? Yes. Absolutely. I feel like we might have a Baelon and Alyssa situation here"
Alysanne stared fondly at the window where she could see Rhaenyra on Syrax, a golden blur in the sky. Alyssa had followed Baelon around and had proclaimed she would marry him the moment she was aware of what marriage was. She had been the one laying a claim on her brother. Was it really surprising that Daemon, the child who was the most like her, would do the same?
Jaehaerys took her hand and kissed the back of it lovingly, "I will put the offers for her on the side"
Alysanne beamed at her husband, she had tried so hard to make him see that forcing marriage on their daughters had been what drove them away. She had already lost Saera, Daella, Viserra... She didn't want to lose more of her daughters. Or granddaughter in this case.
"Thank you"
They adored Rhaenyra, sometimes when they looked at her they thought they could see their Daenerys and they always caved in to her demands. Not that they were obvious about it of course. But if Jaehaerys always had candied lemon for his beloved granddaughter in his office... Well it was his business and no one else's. He just happened to like them too.
***
When Rhaenyra was almost fourteen she bled for the first time, a pain unlike anything she had felt before spreading in her lower body. She hated it yet her maids were all celebrating and telling her she should be happy, it meant she was a woman and she would be able to bear children. She wanted to scream at them or, better, ask Syrax to eat them.
Her grandmother came and reassured her that it was alright. She gave her some warm towels to put on her belly and told her to stay in bed for today. She explained everything to her, what it meant and why she was bleeding and while Rhaenyra had not been particularly happy about it but she was glad her grandmother took the time to explain. Not that she had thought today would be the day she learnt about how to make babies...
Viserys came to see her shortly after, blushing and stuttering the entire time to her great enjoyment. Apparently their father had decided that since Rhaenyra was now considered a woman, his son should get the talk. He was getting taller, Rhaenyra noticed to her annoyance. Why couldn't she be taller? Was she doomed to be tiny and her brother a giant? She hoped Daemon would not be too tall...
"It was terrifying!"
"You big baby... I am sure it was not that bad Viserys."
"You don't understand Rhaenyra, he was going into details!"
Rhaenyra had laughed once more while her twin complained. After a while he whispered to her about his plans: he wanted to tame a dragon of his own now, and he had set his eye on Balerion. Rhaenyra was quite impressed and encouraged him, making him promise to tell her everything. They shared a smile before he left, Viserys squeezing her hand in silent support. He was the best big brother.
Shortly after, Daemon came in with a bag, tears in his eyes.
"Are you ok mandia?"
"Oh valonqar, come here"
She knew he was terrified she would die. Poor boy probably didn't know it was normal for a woman to be sick. His fear of her dying would not go away anytime soon...
"I am sick but I will be fine soon"
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Nyra..."
He was fidgeting next to her bed. She patted the cover so he could join her on the bed like he loved to do. She always let him sleep with her when he asked, he might be a bit spoiled but she enjoyed knowing he was next to her.
She took his hand and he played with her rings suddenly shy.
"What's wrong sweet boy?"
Daemon scowled heavily, "don't call me that! I am almost a grown up now" before he huffed and crossed his arms. She poked his nose making him lose his scowl giving her a sweet smile.
"Close your eyes Nyra"
Daemon made sure her eyes were really closed, waving his hands in front of her before taking out a crown he had made out of flowers that he had hidden in the bag he had carried when entering. He frowned. It was not the prettiest now that he looked more carefully. What if she didn't like it?
He bit his lip before he asked his sister to lower her head but keep her eyes closed. She was smiling slightly. Daemon put the crown on her before nodding, satisfied with his work. His sister really was the most beautiful girl in the whole of Westeros and Essos even if the crown was not perfect.
"You can open your eyes now!"
Rhaenyra's heart warmed at seeing her little brother so happy. She touched the crown with a smile.
"A flower crown valonqar?"
"I made it myself!"
She hugged him tightly, kissing him all over his face which made him giggle.
"You are the best"
Her brother was beaming in pride before he blushed a bit, fidgeting and taking her hand. He had always loved playing with her rings and holding her hand.
"Rhaenyra, when I grow up... Can you marry me?"
She stilled, looking at her younger brother who was now deep red and acting shy.
"Daemon..."
"I will be the best husband ever I promise! I will love you and make you happy and you will never cry. I swear!"
He had tears in his eyes she noticed, terrified she was going to say no. She could always humour him she thought, he was nine, it was not as if he was really going to marry her. He would probably forget soon. She could never say no when he was sad and she refused to break his little heart.
"You make compelling arguments Prince Daemon"
Her sweet brother beamed, delighted to be taken seriously which made her smile in return. He was just so cute. How could she ever say no to that face?
"I agree to your proposal then, we will marry when you grow up."
He yelled in happiness before throwing himself in her arms which made her laugh. He was holding her tightly, nuzzling her.
"You will not regret it I promise!"
She carded a hand in his hair with a soft smile making him purr. Her sweet brother. How could people say he was unruly and temperamental? He was such a soft child... Viserys said Daemon was a dragon in human form, always angry but she had never seen him like this. Maybe he was saving his temper for the others?
She was sure he would not want to marry her once he was older but she could entertain his game. It was not real love anyway, he was just too possessive like all siblings were. He would grow out of it, she was sure.
***
Daemon left her alone once he saw she had fallen asleep. She had said yes so he needed to tell his grandparents now. And also his father. Maybe Viserys too...
"Grandmother!"
Alysanne turned and saw her grandson rushing towards her with a huge smile. He was always in a rush, this boy she thought fondly. He was too big to be carried sadly but he took her arm like a good prince and led her to her husband and sons. Aemon was discussing something with his brother while Jaehaerys was eating something. Jocelyn was just laughing at the conversations between the brothers. A peaceful image she cherished.
"Daemon?"
"I have good news grandfather!"
Jaehaerys smiled indulgently at his grandson so prone to dramatics. Of course he had waited for everyone to be here... Baelon was already hiding his face in his hands fearing his son's antics. Jaeharys thought it was a nice payback for all the grey hairs his boy had given him when he had been younger.
"I asked Nyra to marry me and she said yes," he was puffing his chest in pride and looking very much like he was going to explode in happiness.
Jocelyn who had tried to contain her giggles was not even trying anymore while Aemon laughed at his nephew.
"Did she now nephew?"
Daemon nodded excitedly, "she said I made compelling arguments."
Baelon meanwhile was exasperated, "I told you not to bother your sister, she is sick today"
"I was not bothering her! I made her a crown! And Rhaenyra said I was the best."
Daemon was getting a familiar stubborn glint in his eyes and Alysanne quickly took control of the situation before it degenerated in a squabble between father and son.
"You know you can't get married right away... You will have to wait a bit more."
He looked heartbroken at the thought of not marrying right away which made Jocelyn soften and added, "you just have to wait until you are of age Daemon, after that you can marry her!"
"So... When I am sixteen?"
Seeing everyone nodding, Daemon sighed in despair, "it's in forever! What if she doesn't love me anymore?"
"Only seven years of waiting! And maybe by then you will not love her anymore..." Baelon added to which Daemon stared at him like he was an idiot.
"Why wouldn't I love her anymore? Rhaenyra is perfect."
Aemon took his nephew in his arms, putting him over his shoulder, getting a giggle from the boy, "we need to make sure you grow up well then, let's make a warrior out of you to make sure she will love you forever!"
Everyone could see Daemon's lilac eyes sparkle at the idea and he nodded enthusiastically before urging his uncle to help him train.
And so Jaehaerys and Alysanne decided to wait a bit more before any betrothal regarding their granddaughter. Daemon seemed quite determined to marry her even if she was older than him. Both of them remembered having defied their own mother to marry and would rather avoid such a scenario.
***
Rhaenyra was fifteen now, having slowly grown from a stick thin child to a girl with more womanly curves. They had seemed to appear in a wink, she felt like she had gone from nothing to having breasts, to her younger brother's endless fascination. She had seen him stare at her chest more than once, gaining a hit at the back of the head for his staring. It didn't stop him sadly.
He still crawled into her bed at night no matter how many times she told him to stop, she always ended up giving in when he made sad eyes blaming nightmares. He didn't do it every night thankfully but still often enough she would wake to find him in her bed holding on to her as if terrified she would leave him. It had been cute when he was younger but he was getting older, he was eleven now.
Viserys was no help in this as he found it hilarious.
"You know he keeps telling everyone he will marry you right?"
"He will grow out of it, he is still young."
"Oh Rhae... Our valonqar loves you the way muña loved kepa. He was not joking when he asked you. He is very serious. He already told everyone about his intentions and I am pretty sure our grandparents are planning the wedding"
She had hit him after this, Daemon was eleven, he would grow out of his childish crush. He had his entire life in front of him, why would he want to marry his older sister? She was not an idiot; she knew he liked her - which is why she kept kicking him out of her bed - but she thought he would grow out of it.
"When did you start noticing girls?"
Viserys blushed a bit before thinking, "when I was twelve maybe? I started thinking how aunt Gael's hair was very pretty and I liked her smile..."
Rhaenyra smirked, "is that when your crush on her started then?"
Her twin pouted a bit. She knew that he had a soft spot for their cousin Aemma, she was very sweet and kind and she had followed Viserys around with lovesick puppy eyes gaining Daemon's endless teasing. He had confessed that even if she was five years younger she was very pretty and she had the nicest mauve eyes and her smile was the sweetest.
She had thought it cute and when he had left she had rushed to her grandmother, telling her everything. Gossiping with her grandmother was something she loved, Gael always had some stories to share and her grandmother knew everything that happened or so it seemed.
A few days after her brother's confession her grandfather had announced the marriage between Aemma and Viserys, shocking the court who had expected Viserys to marry Rhaenyra for years. The announcement had also led to a rise in demands for her hand to her great disgust.
Viserys had not yet worked the nerves to fly on Balerion but she knew he was slowly making himself appear friendly to the dragon who seemed to tolerate his presence. She hoped he would soon fly.
Daemon had no dragon still, to his great sadness, he kept flying with her or their father but he longed for a dragon of his own.
Rhaenyra meanwhile had reconnected with her cousin Rhaenys two years prior, when she had gotten married to Corlys Velaryon. Her cousin had been sixteen and the happiest she had ever seen her. Two years later, she was now carrying her first child. Rhaenyra dreamt of having a happy and loving marriage like hers one day, wed to someone she loved and who would love her.
Viserys had promised her he would make sure she would get that one day, promising to fight for her if needed - her sweet brother who was a disaster with a sword - before slyly adding that she could just marry Daemon who would make sure she would always be happy which got him a kick in the shin. She was aware that Daemon loved her but it was just as a sibling, his feelings for her were just confused. He would grow out of it.
Rhaenyra was reading a book in the garden, enjoying the sun on her face. Her twin was next to her trying to carve Balerion, he wanted to give it to Aemma as a gift. Daemon was off with their father, probably practising with his sword. He was a very dedicated student and to her father's pride he was also very gifted. Baelon told everyone that his son would get knighted much sooner than people expected him to be.
Before they knew it a commotion could be heard in the Keep and they suddenly heard Vhagar rushing outside. Disturbed, the twins looked at each other uneasily fearing something had happened. They could feel something was wrong. Viserys quickly took the lead and went to the throne room where they could see their grandfather holding a letter and looking devastated and their grandmother crying.
"Grandmother? Grandfather?"
Viserys looked unnerved and pushed his twin forward, she had always been their grandfather's favourite and she would get better results than he would. He went to his grandmother's side, holding her. Rhaenyra had glared at her twin before moving to her grandfather's frozen form, taking the letter from his hands and sitting on his knees just like when she had been a little girl. The man quickly crumbled and held her tightly. She could feel his tears wetting her dress but didn't move, vowing to stay at his side until he felt better.
"Your uncle, Aemon, he-" Alysanne started to say but she couldn't finish, a sob interrupting her. Viserys held on to her, directing her to a place where she could sit before asking a servant to look for his brother quickly.
Daemon arrived with a scowl, sweaty and covered in dust, ready to be angry at his brother when he saw his siblings holding his grandparents. His grandmother was sobbing while being hugged by his lēkia and his mandia was sitting on their grandfather's knees like they all did when they were younger, holding him tightly. Viserys was waving at him to come quickly to his side, he spared a glance to his sister who seemed to not notice him, before taking a seat next to his grandmother, holding her hand and quieting his curiosity, knowing he couldn't ask what was happening but aware something terrible had happened.
The siblings comforted their grandparents and waited. They ended up falling asleep on their grandparents, Jaehaerys looking at his beloved Rhaenyra with a pained smile, carrying her in his arms and putting her to bed. Alysanne arrived soon after with two King's Guards carrying Viserys and Daemon and putting them next to their sister. They knew the three of them slept together on their mother's death anniversary so it wouldn't be a surprise to find them all together in bed after what happened today... Viserys instinctively curled around his sister's back while Daemon nuzzled his face in Rhaenyra's neck, her arms around him.
Baelon came back, tears on his face, smelling like death and soot and smoke. He cried on his mother's knees like a child while she was petting his hair.
They burned Aemon on the funeral pyre and Baelon became the crown prince, angering Rhaenys, Jocelyn and Alysanne at the same time who had all expected another outcome.
***
Daemon was twelve when he understood that he would never love anyone else but his sister. He was not yet a man but he was starting to notice women and how they looked nice. None of them were as pretty as his Nyra though.
He had decided to get his own dragon now, Viserys had just claimed Balerion to everyone's surprise. He didn't want to be the only one without a dragon and he decided to go to the Pit. He knew Caraxes was there and he felt a pull towards the dragon, something he couldn't explain. Probably a mix of longing and unity? It was like they were meant to be together. As much as he loved flying with his father and sister he wanted a dragon of his own. The heartache of not having one was something only Viserys had been able to understand. This feeling of not knowing if you were a real Targaryen, wondering if you were the problem... His beloved mandia had always had Syrax, it was no surprise she didn't get it. He was glad she would never get it though, it was a pain he would never wish on anybody.
He found Caraxes, not alone surprisingly, he was nesting next to Syrax. He had never seen the two dragons interact before and it surprised him to see them on good terms. His uncle Aemon had always bemoaned the fact that Caraxes was not well liked in the Pit due to his oddness, often estranged from the other dragons. Clearly Syrax didn't seem to mind it seeing as they were sleeping next to each other.
Syrax just raised her big head when seeing him but as her rider was not here she went back to sleep not caring about him. Daemon came closer to Caraxes who seemed to stare in his very soul (he hoped he found him worthy). He put his hand on his snout, trembling a bit, afraid of being rejected. The big dragon let him do it which gave him the confidence to jump on him and to fly.
What a feeling it was, to fly alone! He delighted in it, Caraxes too it seemed as he whistled his happiness. The noise would probably attract his family but he didn't care. He had a dragon now. He was whole. He was not a failure anymore.
***
Seeing his son on Caraxes had been bittersweet, that was his brother's dragon and he hated the thought of someone else riding him. His son had wanted a dragon for so long though... In the end pride won, his son had managed to get a dragon. His two sons were now dragon riders. Viserys had Balerion and Daemon had Caraxes. To say he was proud was an understatement.
Daemon's face was flushed with pride and joy, and seeing him hug the dragon's big head he knew they were meant to be. Aemon had always said his dragon was a needy thing but also temperamental, everything his son was in a nutshell. They would suit each other well. His son was needy, always trying to get extra affection and while Viserys and Baelon's affections were appreciated everyone knew his son lived for Rhaenyra's tender hugs and kisses. His boy was just as dependent on his sister as he had been as a babe so many years ago.
He should speak to his daughter.
"Rhaenyra?"
"Kepa? Is something wrong?"
"About you marrying... You are sixteen and I know you are wondering when your engagement will come"
He could see some sadness in her eyes but she gave him a smile, "I know you will pick the best for me"
Her faith in him made him feel like he was at the top of the world. His little girl had grown up and he hated that she would have to marry anyone. Even if that someone was his son.
"Your grandparents and I decided to marry you to Daemon"
Her eyes widened in surprise, "really?".
Baelon nodded, hoping to see what she was thinking. She hugged him, which he had not expected.
"Thank you kepa"
"Are you okay with that?"
"I- I don't love him that way but I might? I have always adored Daemon and you know that. I was scared you would send me off far away but if I marry my valonqar I can be close to everyone!"
"Daemon loves you, I think the moment you will see him as a man and not your baby brother you will learn to love him too."
Rhaenyra smiled, that sweet smile that made him want to hug her. And so he did because she was his daughter and he adored her and as her father he was allowed to hug her whenever he felt like it.
"I will wait for him to grow up then."
***
Daemon was fourteen now, almost there he thought. Two more years and he would be allowed to marry his sister. Their betrothal had been announced to the court's surprise once more. A marriage between siblings was not odd for Targaryen but one with an older sister and a younger brother? It had not been done since Visenya and Aegon. A lot of people had whispered about it but in the end no one could change the King's mind nor the Queen's as they had both decided on it.
Daemon's eyes wandered to his sister while he was practising with his sword. She had always looked so tall in his eyes and now he was her height. He had grown in height but also in size, no longer as scrawny as before. He wanted her to notice but he was only fourteen. She was nineteen and in her eyes he was still just a boy.
He had asked his father to teach him about women which had made Baelon cough and splutter. His father had then sighed before discreetly accompanying him in a brothel, paying a woman to "teach him everything he needs to know to please a woman". He had come out of this teaching experience wide eyed and fascinated. And while he longed to touch his sister the way the whores had taught him, he knew Rhaenyra would not let him, not when she thought of him as a child. He still went to see the whores but he kept it a secret, he didn't want to upset his sister. If she ever heard about it he would be humiliated he just knew it.
At night he was still able to join her in her bed, he had found Maegor's secret passages in the walls and he was able to go to his sister's room unnoticed. He knew people would talk if he kept doing so and he had stopped using the main hallways at twelve, only to use the secret passage instead.
His sister had tried to make him leave a few times but he always wore her down. Now he was the one holding her at night and not the other way around and he relished in the feeling. He had wanted his sister from as long as he could remember, she had been his entire world since his birth it felt like. According to Viserys, his main support in his quest for Rhaenyra's affections, he had always favoured her. He had taken his first steps in her direction and had spoken his first word to her. His mother had even commented on his devotion to his sister.
He was going to marry her, it was certain by now, but he wanted her to be happy. He had seen her look at some knights, never too long but he knew she had liked a few of them. He had hated it but he couldn't stop her, even if the jealousy burnt him. Besides, the one in her bed would always be him.
One night, he had waited before joining her. He liked it when she was already asleep. That way he didn't have to pretend he had a nightmare (how she still believed he had nightmares he didn't know but if it made him sleep in her bed he didn't care).
He had seen her touch herself and the sounds she had made had been the most wonderful thing he had ever heard. He had not joined her that night and instead had had to take care of himself. It was the exact reason why he had asked his father to teach him about women, he wanted to be able to coax those sounds from his beloved mandia.
***
Rhaenyra didn't know when her brother had started to look at her like that. When she grew breasts she had noticed his eyes lingering on her form and at night when he kept climbing in her bed she had seen how he delighted in putting his head on her breasts, sometimes even touching it experimentally. She never said a word, too embarrassed about it, feigning sleep. He didn't do it again, touching her like this, but he still loved to use her chest as his pillow until he grew too tall for it to be his favourite position.
He grew up quickly and now he was as tall as her at only fourteen years old. He would outgrow her soon enough to her great despair. He kept sleeping with her most nights and now to her deepest shame she was looking forward to it. She never slept as well as when he was with her. Daemon was the one holding her and she loved it and she could hear her father's words circling in her mind "the moment you see him as a man you will love him". His arms were getting stronger and she hated herself for enjoying the feel of his body next to hers.
The moment it really hit her that Daemon was becoming a man was when she felt something poking her back. He was deeply asleep and not aware of anything but she felt him making some sort of movements against her and that was when she realised he was not just her baby brother. He was a man with a cock and he evidently was very attracted to her judging by what she could feel.
She never told him and she pretended nothing happened. But she woke up more than once to feel him hard against her.
Rhaenyra knew she couldn't make him leave her bed but now? She didn't fight it anymore, knowing his bullshit excuses of having nightmares were just that, excuses, and she let him climb into bed with her.
Viserys was the only one who knew and instead of judging her for letting Daemon sleep into her bed he simply made fun of her, telling her he knew all along. Besides, what did she expect from Daemon? The boy was so possessive of her it was a wonder he was letting her out of his sight during the day. It was a weird form of love she supposed.
"Do you think it's wrong of me to start thinking of him as a possible lover once he is older?"
She had tears in her eyes asking this to her twin, not wanting him to judge her. Viserys had kissed her hand laughing at her.
"I think Daemon's world always revolved around you, he saw you as his everything and the only woman he loved since he understood what love is. Now you are a grown woman, but if you are thinking of him as a potential lover now it would be odd. Once he is sixteen he will marry you. Of course it's alright to think of him as a lover later. No one will judge you for that. Look at our parents, kepa never thought of muña as a potential lover until one day he looked at her and he was hit by it. I think it will be the same for you, my sweet idaña."
The gods knew she didn't deserve such a supporting brother she thought with tears rolling down her face. She had been there for him when he lost Balerion last year but she always felt she was not as good a sister as he was a brother. She hugged him tightly, drying her tears on his doublet to his disgusted exclamations.
"Nyra? Mandia are you okay? Did someone make you cry?"
Of course Daemon had to arrive when she was drying her tears. Deciding to put all thoughts about him as a husband behind, she sighed.
"Don't worry valonqar. It's nothing."
He looked sceptical at her claims but she opened her arms in a silent request for a hug which he happily provided. His happy sigh when he nuzzled her neck made her realise she was worrying for nothing. Everyone knew Daemon loved her, they were all waiting for her to realise she loved him too. But deep down she wondered if Daemon loved her for who she was or if he loved an idealised version of her. She had been the main female figure in his life, what if he was just confused? Maybe he just feared her leaving him?
I need more time to understand. Give me more time, he needs to be sure too.
***
A year after, Viserys married Aemma who was fourteen years old.
At first they were supposed to marry when she was eleven but Viserys had refused, saying that she was too young and he didn't want to hurt her. Queen Alysanne had been very proud of her grandson and had asked for a wedding when the girl was fourteen, adding that even if she had bled she was still essentially a child.
Their wedding was beautiful and widely celebrated.
They were living in their marital bliss and Daemon was not happy. He was looking at his sister and dreaming of their wedding next year, hoping she would look just as besotted with him as Aemma was with Viserys but he knew it was not going to happen.
She seemed sad and he knew deep down he was trapping her in something she didn't want.
"Kepa... Rhaenyra doesn't love me does she?"
Baelon looked at his son, his defeated look and his sad eyes. It seemed like it was killing him inside to think Rhaenyra didn't love him. It was heartbreaking to see him like this.
"Am I forcing her into a wedding she doesn't want? Will she hate me forever? I don't want her to hate me, please kepa..."
His son had tears falling down his cheeks, silently crying and surprising him. He had not seen Daemon cry in years...
"My poor son, come here."
He took him in his arms, drying his tears. He couldn't say anything as Daemon had cried himself to sleep. His fierce boy, so gifted with a sword, impetuous and stubborn and so so loving. To see him like this was heartbreaking. He was half in his arms, half in the bed, looking more like a sad little boy than the vibrant young man he usually was.
"Kepa, I was looking for you I-"
Rhaenyra had stopped seeing him with Daemon in his arms, his son's eyes were still red even if he was asleep and he knew she would see it.
"What happened? Why did he cry? Did he hurt himself?"
"Rhaenyra. Sit down child."
She obeyed like the good girl she always was. She still looked at Daemon in worry but focused on him.
"Be honest with me. Do you want to marry Daemon?"
Rhaenyra looked surprised at the question, "I don't understand"
"Do you want to marry your brother Rhaenyra?"
She bit her lips realising her father was serious. Baelon sighed.
"I will annul the betrothal then, you clearly never wanted to marry him and I refused to trap you both in an unhappy marriage"
"Wait, what-"
"He loves you Rhaenyra. He came to me crying because he thinks you hate him and he didn't want you to be trapped in a loveless marriage. That is why he cried. I need to know whether I let you marry or if I should find you both someone else."
His daughter looked sadly at Daemon, he could only see love in her eyes. Family love though. His poor son, trapped in a one sided-love… He was carding his boy’s hair in his hands, trying to calm his thoughts.
"I can't think of him as a husband though... He is still a child!"
Baelon looked at her like she was an idiot, which offended her.
"Most men in our family marry at fourteen Rhaenyra, women marry sometimes even younger. What is this about him being a child?"
"I- I just-" and before he realised he had another crying child. They were both so young and he forgot that at this age he was no better than they were. Actually he was probably worse than them, he had been an absolute mess until he had the twins…
"I have seen him grow up and now I realise he is a man and I look at him and it's weird and, and-"
"Rhaenyra. You know about your mother and I. You think I didn't feel the same thing? She was my baby sister and then one day I looked at her and I saw my future wife. It's not normal in other families but in ours? You are hardly the first one to go through this. What is this really about?"
"For a man! It's normal for a man! I am a woman and I am older and-"
"And he loves you. He picked you."
"... What if he changes his mind later? What if his fantasy of me is proven to be false?"
That was what was bothering her then. She feared Daemon’s love was for a version of her he had made up in his mind. Baelon sighed exhausted. He was not made for this, he was a warrior his specialty was killing not feelings...
"I think you will quickly notice our Daemon is pretty stubborn. My dear daughter, you could have been born a man and I think he would still have wanted you. He loves you just the way you are not an imaginary version of you"
Rhaenyra was drying her tears, sniffling.
"You are sure?"
Baelon looked at his daughter incredulously, "we are talking about a boy who decided to marry you when he was eight years old. He told your mother he wanted to be your husband when he was three. He used to hit Viserys with his toys and yell "mine" when he saw the two of you together. And now you are insecure about his feelings?"
"That... Sounds a bit stupid when you say it like this"
"You are just insecure I suppose. I did not expect that, I admit. Stop overthinking would you? He loves you. You are allowed to love him. No one will blame you for loving him"
He heard her breath hitch and oh. Of course.
"You are allowed to love your brother like that Rhaenyra, no one will be angry at you..."
"Even mother?"
Baelon closed his eyes in pain, "she was the one saying the two of you should marry the moment Daemon was in your arms, I think she would agree here"
His daughter giggled softly before hugging him, thanking him and taking a last look at Daemon. She hesitated before softly brushing his hair behind his ear and kissing his cheek, smiling sweetly. She kissed Baelon's cheek before leaving.
She came back seconds later, an impish grin on her lips "you knew I loved him didn't you?"
"I always knew, silly girl."
His sweet Rhaenyra left the room with a laugh, leaving him alone with a sleeping boy half in his arms half on the bed. Baelon slowly counted to ten.
"Are you done pretending to sleep now?"
Daemon opened one eye with a grin before he was blushing but not due to his shame, no. Instead he had a dreamy look on his face.
"She kissed me. She loves me"
It was official. His son was a lovesick idiot. He pushed him away from his lap earning a yell from his disgruntled son.
"Do you understand now?"
Daemon nodded enthusiastically, his heart racing. He left his father in a rush, quickly going into his room. She loved him.
He had to be patient though. He was going to marry the only woman he ever loved and he knew now that she loved him, she had always loved him but had been scared and what a strange realisation. His sister had been afraid. His strong sister... Thinking of her as scared was such an odd concept.
Daemon waited a while and once he was convinced she was asleep he went to her room and climbed into her bed.
"Daemon...?"
"Shhh go back to sleep mandia"
She murmured something before going back to sleep, her back against his front. He was so much taller than her now and he relished the feeling of towering over her. He kissed the back of her neck which made her sigh.
He would spend the rest of his life making sure she was happy.
***
Rhaenyra looked at her white dress with careful eyes. It was her wedding day and everything was supposed to be perfect. Her hair was braided beautifully and her dress even had a hint of gold as a nod to her Syrax.
Her grandmother kissed her cheek lovingly before giving her to her father's arm. Now was the time. She thought she would not want it, marrying her brother had been something she had known she would do but she didn't know if she would actually do it. She had always suspected his feelings to be fleeting, temporary. A childish infatuation he would outgrow. Sadly by then the idea of not being with Daemon hurt her heart. He had grown so well, her valonqar, now he was making maidens sigh and he was so tall and handsome and oh so sweet with her.
She loved him.
Her tempestuous brother with a vicious temper, always sweet with her but ready to murder everyone else over a single slight... She adored him in a way she had never thought possible. She relished being in his arms at night, feeling safe and comforted.
Their first kiss had happened at night, when he climbed into her bed. Again.
It was instinctive by now, he had slotted himself behind her as usual and she had turned her head, kissing him softly before snuggling in his chest. He had been frozen and she had not even realised what she had done before he took her face in one hand and kissed her again. It had not been her first kiss but it had been the best one. The only one she wanted to remember.
After that it was like an invisible wall had crumbled and they were kissing and touching each other under the cover of night. Never during the day, both too scared to be scolded, but at night they were free to indulge and explore. They had brought each other pleasure more than once, he had not taken her maidenhead as they wanted to do that on their wedding night but they had taken their fill of each other.
Her father brought her in front of Daemon who smiled at her in a way very few had ever seen him do. The priest was saying his nonsense and they were both just staring at each other, barely listening. They said their lines in a haze and he put the cloak on her, exchanging the Targaryen dragon for the exact same one.
They kissed in front of everyone for the first time. Rhaenyra could see her father wiping a tear and her idaña was winking at her, holding Aemma close to him. She was currently pregnant with her first child, they had both made sure not to get a child right away wanting to enjoy their time together first. A wise decision she had thought.
Daemon led her during their first dance, both of them smiling in delight. They were soon followed by others, and the couple just enjoyed being in each other's presence.
There was a tournament following their wedding feast, and she knew he would participate hoping to crown her his Queen of Love and Beauty. Of course as she had guessed Daemon took part in it and at only sixteen no one expected him to win, everyone thought it was adorable of him to try and crown her.
He asked for her favour which she happily gave and in front of the entire gathering of Lords he destroyed all of his opponents making him the undisputable winner. He finished the tournament by crowning her in front of everyone.
The King smiled and before Daemon realised he got knighted and was given Dark Sister. Rhaenyra laughed at his face and kissed him in front of all the Lords knowing they would not like their lack of propriety. She didn't care. She was happy.
***
Aemma had given birth to a girl that they had decided to call Aelyssa, Viserys had wanted to give a nod to his mother while giving his daughter a unique name , not wanting to burden her with the weight of expectations. She was her grandfather's most beloved granddaughter, his little shadow, he was always seen carrying her around. The man had cried when he had held her the first time.
Daemon and Rhaenyra had not been as patient as Viserys and they had their first child, a boy, a year into their marriage. Aegon was a very sweet babe and was very much beloved. Like their mother had done for them, they took their son to the sky a few days after his birth. His egg had hatched into a pretty grey dragon to everyone's surprise, no one expected a crib hatching again so soon.
Baelon looked at his children and grandchildren, happy. He was not really worried about the future, sure he would one day be King and there would always be some pressure because of it but he was satisfied. His sons were married and living their lives, he had grandchildren to dote on too.
Jaehaerys was holding young Aegon on his knees playing a game with the child while Aelyssa was trying to catch her mother's necklace. Alyssa was speaking with Viserys and Aemma while Daemon and Rhaenyra were flying atop Syrax and Caraxes, having left their precious child behind to enjoy roaming the sky.
The two dragons were seen more than once coiled together and were said to be mated, something that had been confirmed when Syrax gave an egg for young Aegon.
Of course Syrax and Caraxes had mated and followed their riders' lead, Baelon thought with a smile.
He hoped his wife would be proud of their children and what they had become.