Chapter Text
It was on the night of that fateful hunt that Viserys Targaryen was cursed with a dream, a dream that would haunt him for years to come. For that night he was shown what would come to be, he was shown his sweet girl ascending to the throne, and he had felt such peace, then it changed, his girl was ripped from her throne, threw her to the ground with dead brown-haired boys laid at her feet as well as his own brothers corpse.
His daughter's screams were that of a mother, for she sounded so much like his sweet Aemma every time they lost a babe in the cradle. Wretched screams as the same vipers turned to people, standing beside the throne as his son sat upon it, the vipers had become Otto and Ser Criston Cole, Allicent as well standing behind them in support, all standing behind his son on the throne as his daughter screamed in pain.
He hadn’t even realized the worst was yet to come as his son, who was only two-name days old shifted into a grotesque broken man, a man who pointed at Rhaenyra, hate in his eyes. And then it was Viserys turn to scream as Rhaenyra was engulfed in flames, nothing left but ashes as a young boy who looked so much like his brother watched in abject horror.
Viserys woke screaming that night, and every night for weeks, moons even, haunted with the same horrifying dream, over and over again.
After so many viewings of it he began to understand, he needed to save his darling daughter, his last piece of Aemma, he needed to save her from the realm. Even if it cost him her love.
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Rhaenyra knew, she knew she would not be heir for long. That she would be discarded, ever since Aegon’s second name day she had known.
It was why she let the white heart go, she would let it go. But she would live the life she wanted and screw the lot of them.
She had seen the looks her father directed her way after that hunt, she knew it was coming so she did what she could. She went to Cousin Rhaenys. The one woman who would understand her plight.
They may not have been close, but as one displaced princess to another her cousin agreed to help, she helped Rhaenyra create a contract, so that when she was displaced she would get everything she wanted.
Rhaenys was surprisingly helpful so when her father finally got up the courage to do it she just stood there. Emotionless, a part of her had hoped he wouldn’t, that she would see her worth for once. She felt that part of herself die as he spoke.
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“I am sorry Rhaenyra, I know you do not understand why I must do this but for your happiness I must, I can not see the realm tear you apart, and they will my child. Please understand why I am doing this, but I must name Aegon Heir” Viserys said, his voice remorseful.
He had debated for weeks but he knew now, the realm would never accept a woman on the throne, no matter what he did, he could see that now, hadn’t he been the one to say that tongues would only be silenced once a true heir was born?
Viserys had expected Rhaenyra to rage, to cry, anything but the look of resignation and pain in her eyes before they emptied of any love for him they once had.
He felt as his heart tore in two but he had to do this for her survival.
Her next words however shocked him.
Rhaenyra took a single deep breath in and closed her eyes before letting out a breath, when she met his eyes again they were filled with steel “I will be back in a moment” she said stiffly before walking out, not waiting for leave. Not that he blamed her.
When she returned five minutes later she had a large piece of parchment with her, he looked at it in confusion but she just put it down in front of him “Those are my terms. If you agree I will relinquish my rights to the throne” she said, her voice empty.
Viserys looked down at the parchment in shock, she had prepared for this, she had known he was going to do this. It hurt a part of his heart that she had so little faith in him.
He took the time to read the parchment, his eyes widening the more he read. He knew what this would do to his son’s reign, and the reign of those after him, but he also saw the look on his daughter's face. And he knew he owed this to her, but he also knew he could use this to keep her in his life, at least somewhat.
“I will agree to your terms daughter, if you agree to visit kings landing every two years, officially to reestablish loyalty to the crown” he said, not elaborating that personally he just wanted to see her, he knew if he let her go to Dragonstone without it she would never leave, never speak to him again.
Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes, most likely aware of his reasons “I will agree to every five years, and no less” she said, her words hollow.
Viserys looked at her and sighed “I agree, but please know I am doing this because I love you, and your survival is worth your hate. I hope one day when you have children of your own you will understand” he said, his voice sincere.
She just looked at him resigned “May I take my leave, your grace? I need to amend the contract to your stipulations and I need to prepare my things for travel” she said, her voice still holding the same empty quality.
Viserys nodded and watched her take the contract and leave, not looking back. As the doors closed behind her he felt tears fall from his eyes, he knew he had lost his daughter.
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Rhaenyra kept her dignity as she stood in front of the court and looked ahead as the king signed the contract and publicly named her Lady of Dragonstone in perpetuity, all the while Otto stood beside the throne with an air of satisfaction, well not for long. He had not read the contract yet. No one had but the king.
Rhaenyra had kept her dignity as her things were brought to the ships, only letting her composure break as she entered the sky, she let out screams of pain and anger upon Syrax’s back, her dragon matching her call, and the other dragons matching her golden ladies as they flew beside Rhaenyra towards Dragonstone.
Otto Hightower really should have read the contract before letting the king sign…
1. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen will be given permanent stewardship of Dragonstone and all its lands for perpetuity as a Lady Paramount. The Crown here forth relinquishes rights and control of Dragonstone.
2. All relics of Targaryen ancestry, inanimate or living, belong to the Lord or Lady of Dragonstone in perpetuity excluding the sword Blackfyre, the royal crown jewels, and the scull of Balerion.
3. Marriage regarding the Lord or Lady of Dragonstone and all subsequent descendants will be decided by the current Lord or Lady of Dragonstone with no interference from the crown.
4. An allowance of 7,000 Gold Dragons a month will be transferred to the Dragonstone coffers from the crown. Any accumulating debt will be subject to Intrest of 5% which shall rise by 1% every moon the funds go unpaid.
5. Upon the signing of this contract the Lady of Dragonstone will be gifted 15 ships from the crown, Ten Navel ships and five trade ships.
6. Resorces of the Land under The Lord or Lady of Dragonstone is not considered crown property and as such are only subject to Minimal taxes set by the Lord or Lady of Dragonstone.
7. The citizens of Dragonstone are not required to aid the crown or any Lord or Lady without the consent of the Current Lord or Lady of Dragonstone.
8. The Lord or Lady of Dragonstone may Trade and Establish Alliances however they see fit as other Lord and Lady Paramounts are alluded.
9. Direct invitation from the Lord or Lady of Dragonstone is required to gain entry into Dragonstone. Anyone caught trespassing on Dragonstone Lands without the permission of the Lord or Lady Paramount will be subjected to punishment deemed fit by the reigning Lord or Lady of Dragonstone without interference from the crown.
10. Common people may petition to gain permanent residency in Dragonstone. Traders and Merchants will be granted access to port but those found past the docks without proper identification or unattended will be considered trespassing.
11. No current or future ruler may force the people of Dragonstone to conform to any religion. All religions are free to be practiced within the borders of Dragonstone.
12. The crown does not have the authority to order the Lord or Lady of Dragonston's presence for any reason. To maintain this stipulation once every five years the Lord or Lady of Dragonstone is required to visit the capital and meet with the reigning monarch.
13. All belongings of the once Queen Aemma Targaryen shall be gifted to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen upon the signing of this contract and considered the property of the Lady of Dragonstone.
14. If any of these stipulations are broken by the Crown, the Line of Dragonstone will become the sole line of succession to the throne. Displacing all previously named heirs. The decision to allow anyone into the new line of succession to the throne is decided at the Lord or Lady of Dragonstone's discretion.