Work Text:
*
From the very first time he'd seen Daemon Targaryen laughing at his wife's funeral to distract Vaemond, Luke had known that he was a man worth knowing. A fact he'd already suspected from all the stories his mother had told him about the Rogue Prince.
The 2nd time was during that famous evening, when he had seen him rush to block Ser Cole and then come and stand beside his mother, clearly showing where his allegiance lay.
Which meant that, although he'd been surprised, he'd been happy when his Muna had told him she was going to marry her Uncle Daemon. Unlike Jace, who hadn't appreciated the fact that their father had been replaced so quickly.
Luke found it a little hypocritical of him, because Ser Harwin had tried to do the same thing back, when they had lived in the Capital and his brother didn't mind it at the time.
*
Life at Dragonstone was completely different to what Luke had experienced so far at the Red Keep. It wasn't just the location but also the dynamic of their new family that was different. He now had 2 sisters and above all a new father.
Kepa Laenor had always been kind to them, but he was often absent, preferring to spend all his free time with his squire. Clearly, being a husband and father was not his priority.
Unlike Prince Daemon, who had made it clear from the beginning that his number one priority was his wife and their children and that anyone who wanted to insult or hurt them would first have to have a meeting with Dark Sister.
Yes, things really were different.
*
And it was even more true when Luke saw his mother laugh for the very first time in his life.
For as long as he could remember he'd never seen her laugh like that. She had smiled and joked when she was with them, away from the disapproving glances of the court and especially the Queen. But most of the time the Princess was melancholic.
But now, seeing his mother laugh out loud at something the Prince had said to her, the young boy understood why she had earned the nickname of the Realm's Delight.
Up until now Luke hadn't paid much attention, too busy having fun with his brothers and sisters in their new home, but it was true that his mother smiled a lot more since her wedding, she no longer had that aura of sadness that followed her everywhere.
His mother was always happy when she was in the presence of the Prince. They hardly ever argued.
In fact, the only times he had seen them quarrel was when the Rogue Prince told mother that she had to stop attaching so much importance to the snake Hightowers’s words, she should rest and take better care of herself. And each time he'd throw her over his shoulder and take her to their chambers to rest, under the dumbfounded or amused gaze of everyone.
Or when she behaved like a little brat (Daemon's words not his).
Even Baela and Rhaena had confided in him that they had never seen their father so happy. In Pentos, they were only together as a family when they were invited or have guests, otherwise their parents were hardly ever together, despite their mother's attempts to get the Prince to spend more time with her. And when they were, they were never affectionate towards each other.
Now all meals were taken as a family, their studies was closely supervised by their parents despite their respective obligations, and they always managed to spend some relaxing time with their children.
*
A few moons after they had moved to Dragonstone, the Prince said it was high time that Joffrey made his first flight. Muna had been a little frightened but she had finally agreed, saying that she knew that with the Prince their children would be safe.
And to his great delight, Luke had also been invited for this 1st flight.
After the Prince had made sure everyone was properly strapped in, under the protective gaze of Muna, they took off.
It remained one of Luke's fondest memories. They had flown over Dragonstone several times and, seeing that Joffrey wasn't crying, they had moved a little further away from the fortress.
They returned only an hour later.
Until Arrax was big enough to become Luke's mount, he would often fly with the Prince.
*
When they were still living at the Red Keep, his Muna told him that her uncle Daemon was the greatest warrior she had ever known and that it was he who had made the City Watch what it was today. Without him, it would still be a bunch of men playing soldier. This had not seemed to please Ser Harwin, who was once again in their chambers.
So Luke had been over-excited to be trained personally by the Rogue Prince and he hadn't been disappointed. For a start, the Prince didn't treat him like a baby, unlike the soldier. It was clear from his manner that this was a man who had fought in real wars and knew what he was doing.
His 1st day had been exhausting, he had had to drag himself to bed, but despite everything he was proud of everything he had learnt and it was with a smile on his lips and aches and pains that he fell asleep, already looking forward to tomorrow.
Unfortunately Jace didn't share his opinion, often making remarks to their uncle, comparing his way of doing things to that of the former commander of the City Watch. It was at the end of the second week that the Prince finally lost patience and curtly replied "if he wanted to be trained like a real dragon or continue being a sheep".
Jace had left in a huff, sulking all day, but that hadn't stopped him from coming back the next day.
For his part, Luke liked having Uncle Daemon as an instructor, much more than Ser Harwin.
*
Luke loved to explore every corner of the fortress for hours at a time, and Daemon was often tasked with finding him and bringing him back for lessons or family meals.
The Prince never got angry with Luke, always asking him what interesting things he had discovered, sometimes telling him about his own explorations when he was a child visiting Dragonstone.
From the first time Daemon had to go in search of the young boy, he had made him promise to always stay inside the castle and to be careful. If he wanted to venture out, he had to tell the Prince, who would escort him to explore whatever had caught his eye.
It was during one of his escapades that he discovered a small alcove that allowed him to hear what the servants were saying in the laundry room without being seen.
That very day, two maids were busy folding the linen. But he didn't expect them to be gossiping about his parents.
If he remembered correctly, the oldest was called Lysa, while the other, who looked to be no more than 16, was called Elia.
"The Princess is really lucky to have such a devoted husband as Prince Daemon, I'm really jealous," said Elia.
"It's true, they make such a lovely couple, you can tell they're made for each other".
"How could the King have been so blind as to forbid them to getting married! It would have saved them both many years of suffering", the young girl seemed really upset
"He is far too poisoned by the venom of that perfidious Highcunt to be able to think for himself. It breaks my heart to know that they were forced to be away from each other for all that time".
"Did you know that my husband had the opportunity to meet the Prince during his years of exile?" Lysa had added
"NOOOO!!! Come on, tell me!!!" you could hear the impatience in her voice.
"He told me he almost didn't recognise him, he wasn't at all the Rogue Prince he'd known at King's Landing or even the one we know today"
"I can imagine, spending all those years away from home, with a woman he doesn't love, that must have been hell for him"
"Yes, it was no secret in Pentos that the Prince had no feelings for his wife. Well, everyone except her, who clung to him like a leech. It was to trap him even more tightly that she became pregnant, even though the Prince had told her he didn't want children with her".
Luke had been shocked to hear this. Daemon really was an exceptional father to them.
"But what a viper!!! At least Ser Laenor had been more respectful of the Princess's feelings for her uncle. And is it true about the rumour that the child she was carrying at the time of her death was not the Prince's, given that he had not shared her bed since she announced her first pregnancy?"
Before Lysa had time to answer, they were interrupted by one of the kitchen help and they changed the subject.
Luke understood some things better. He had always thought that the Prince never talked about his previous wife because it was too painful or out of respect for the Princess. But in fact he didn't give a damn about her! He had no keepsake of Lady Laena, all her stuff had been sent to Driftmark.
Prince Daemon always acted as if Muna was also Baela and Rhaenna's real mother.
The young man knew that the king was weak and easily manipulated, but this was his eldest daughter and his brother! How could he have been the instrument of their misfortune? Because of him, they had been separated for almost a decade. Luke couldn't imagine their suffering. Living far away from the only person you love more than anything else in the world.
Sometimes he tried to imagine what their lives would have been like if their Uncle Daemon had returned to Westeros earlier without Laena. First of all, Muna would have been overjoyed, but Ser Harwin certainly wouldn't have been.
Unlike Jace, who adored the soldier, Luke blamed him for the fact that it was his constant presence that had fuelled all this horrible rumours about his mother. If only he'd kept his distance. He had even heard his mother tell him the same thing.
But that was all in the past. They had finally found each other, and that was all that mattered to Luke now.
*
When Daemon had told him he had to go to King's Landing and if he wanted to come with him, Luke had been overjoyed. A new adventure with the Prince was not something he could refuse.
At the Red Keep, the Prince had asked to speak to his brother and his wife. Otto Hightower had, of course, tried to stand in the way, but Daemon had made it clear that he was going to see his brother even if it meant decimating all the white cloaks at the Red Keep. Fortunately Ser Westerling had arrived just in time to prevent bloodshed and had led them to the King's chambers. Naturally, the King's Hand had followed them.
"Daemon, what a surprise! Ah Luke, what a joy to see you, how you've grown, come and kiss your old grandsire." Had said the King seeing them.
He had hardly recognised him, the young boy had thought that the king had aged 10 years since the last time he had seen him.
Luke immediately rushed over to the King and hugged him, before resuming his place at the Prince's side. This had seemed to surprise the Queen.
"Brother what brings you to King's Landing!!!"
"You already know that Rhaenyra is with child. I just wanted to warn your … wife that if she wants to see this child, she will have to come to Dragonstone. It's out of the question that my wife undergoes the same torture she did during her previous pregnancies".
"Alicent has never..."
"What do you call forcing a woman who has just given birth to get out of bed and drag herself, bleeding, to the Queen Aemma’s chambers to satisfy your …wife's whim" the Prince had almost shouted
"She meant no harm, she wanted..."
"As I was saying if Lady Alicent..."
"She's Queen Alicent" had interrupted Otto Hightower with superiority, but this in no way deterred the Prince.
"If the King and Lady Alicent want to see their new grandchild," had continued the Prince as if he had never been cut off, "it will be up to them to make the journey and we will not accept visitors until three months after the child is born. We prefer to spend this time in family. "
Reluctantly, the King, who had seemed hurt by the Prince's last comment, accepted his brother's conditions, silencing Lady Alicent and her father who had tried to protest.
After that, announcing that their mission was accomplished, he had taken Luke to The City. He was the son of the future Queen, so it was only natural that he should know his people, Daemon had declared.
While there, they had bumped into some of the Prince's former comrades-in-arms. They were surprised to see him. Daemon told them that he had come to deliver a message to his brother and his whore and that he was now taking the opportunity to show his son around the city and do some shopping.
His son!!! Luke couldn't believe his ears. Did the Prince really think of him as his son? Would he dare ask him the question that had been burning in his mind for some time? The young boy was sure that the Prince hadn't even realised what he had said and how moved he had been by it.
Naturally, they had wanted to buy their former commander a drink.
As soon as they had set foot in the tavern, Luke noticed how the attention of all the waitresses and customers (accompanied or not) was focused on the Prince. But the Prince didn't even seem to notice them, far too busy recounting his life in Dragonstone to his former companions in the City Watch. He had talked about his wife and her new pregnancy, about each of the children and their exploits.
When it was Luke's turn, he proudly declared that it was this young boy who had taken the eye out of the Hightower son to protect his brother. This had aroused the admiration of the soldiers, who had insisted that he tell them about this feat. At first he had been a little shy, but as time went by he had gained confidence in seeing how interested they were in what he was saying.
There was even one of the soldiers, Ser Luthor if he had remembered correctly, who proclaimed that he was indeed Daemon's son. That word again. Then they toasted to him. Daemon gave him his first taste of Ale and made him swear not to tell his mother.
After saying goodbye to his friends, the Prince took him to several stalls, where he had orders to collect. His wife's favourite cakes, daggers he'd had ordered for Jace, Joffrey and Luke. Books, jewellery and silks for his daughters and Rhaenyra. The Prince had also asked him if he wanted to buy anything, and his choice had been a magnificent ruby brooch for his mother, a choice that had been complimented by the Prince.
With Daemon, King's Landing wasn't so bad after all.
*
Luke had been in a bad mood for the last few days, and he knew he was behaving appallingly towards everyone. But he couldn't help it.
What he was feeling was irrational.
Given that Joffrey had only known Daemon, it was normal for him to call him Kepa without anyone objecting. But what about him?
That day they were in Muna's boudoir, Joffrey sitting on her lap. As Daemon entered the room, the toddler had began to stir, stretching out his arms towards the Prince. And then he uttered his very first word: Kepa, as he continued to wriggle so that the Prince could take him in his arms. Everyone was speechless... except Joffrey.
From that moment on, Luke had had the impression that the stability he had known over the last few months was about to crumble.
Between Joffrey and the baby to come, where did he fit in? The Prince was finally going to have a child with the woman he loved, so why settle for a son she'd had with another man?
Over the following week, it had been impossible for Luke to concentrate during his training sessions, yet not once had Daemon reprimanded him.
It was only after 3 days that the Prince confronted him, wanting to know what was wrong. At first he thought about continuing to lie, but one look from the Rogue Prince quickly made him forget the idea.
Finally, after a long time, Luke had spilled his guts. That now, with the arrival of his first-born with Muna, the Prince was going to put him aside and they wouldn't be spending as much time together.
He expected his uncle to dismiss his concerns as unimportant. But against all expectations the Prince did nothing of the sort.
"When I married your mother, I immediately saw you as my sons and not as a burden I had to accept in order to be with the woman I love. And no matter how many children the Gods may grant us, they will never replace you. We are a family. "
"Really? Does that mean I can call you Kepa too?"
"Nothing would please me more"
It was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He couldn't help but hug the Prince, who kissed him back.
"Tomorrow I have to go into the mountains to find a dragon's egg for the baby. Would you like to come with me?" Asked his new Kepa.
This would become their tradition. For each new baby, Luke would accompany him to choose the egg that would be placed in the cradle.
Only with the twins would this tradition be broken.
*
When their parents had announced that their family was going to grow again, they were all overjoyed. Kepa was confident that this time they would have the daughter he and Muna had so longed for.
But they soon realised that this pregnancy was different, a fact confirmed by Maester Gerardys when he told them that Muna was expecting twins.
Everyone thought it was impossible for Kepa to become even more protective of his wife. But that was not to know him. If he'd been difficult before, now he'd lost all goodsense. Even Muna's threats did nothing.
Muna couldn't sneeze without the Prince sending for Maester Gerardys (this man was infinitely patient) to examine her immediately. She was forbidden to make the slightest effort.
Everyone was afraid to ask for an audience with the Princess, knowing that the Rogue Prince would also be present and that it was better for their lifespan not to put too much strain on the Realm's Delight.
When the time came for the Prince to fetch the dragon eggs for the craddles, he agreed only after Luke had promised to stay glued to his mother and send for him if anything happened.
Despite everything, Muna's pregnancy was going well and everyone was looking forward to meeting the twins.
Until that fateful day when Grandmother Rhaenys came to announce the death of the King and that Otto Hightower had Aegon II crowned King of the 7 Kingdoms, usurping the real Heir to the Throne.
This had been a hard blow for Kepa and Muna. The snakes had robbed them of the chance to say a last farewell to their brother and father. And if that wasn't enough, they were guilty of high treason.
The next day, after spending the night crying, Muna had felt the first contractions.
The labor had taken much longer than for Aegon and Viserys. Of course, Kepa had been by Muna's side from start to finish. But unlike the birth of his brothers, when they had been able to meet their siblings a few hours after their birth. They had only been able to see Muna and their new little sisters 2 days later.
Throughout this period, they had been kept away from their parents's chambers and had only seen their Kepa once.
When he came to tell them that they now had 2 new little sisters, Visenya and Aemma, and that their Muna was doing well, but he hadn't been as exuberant as he had been with his previous children.
While the whole of Dragonstone was in turmoil, organising the defence of the island following the death of the king and the usurpation of the Hightowers, Luke could only think of his Muna.
Finally, after 2 days, Kepa came to fetch them and introduce them to their new little sisters, warning them not to make too much noise.
Although small, Visenya and Aemma already had the beauty of true Targaryens, and both had exactly the same eyes as Kepa.
They had taken turns to hold them.
As for Muna, he had never seen her so pale and weak. She had tried to reassure them but that hadn't stopped Luke from worrying.
*
It was only 3 days later that Kepa had summoned a council of war to discuss the destruction of the Hightowers.
They had concealed the king's death in order to usurp his wife’s crown. Because of their betrayal his wife had gone into labour much earlier than expected and he had almost lost all 3 of them. He would not rest until he had killed all those snakes.
And when he wasn't planning the downfall of the Hightowers, he divided his time between Muna and the newborns and all the rest of the siblings.
*
On his way to Storm's End, as the Queen's emissary, Luke had not been surprised to see Caraxes appear behind him and Arrax.
Kepa often criticised Muna for mothering them too much, but he didn't realise that he was often much worse than she was.
However, when he saw Vaghar in the courtyard of the castle, he was delighted that his Kepa had decided to accompany him.
Caraxes was also not happy to see Aemond's dragon.
Kepa had told him that the Blood Wyrm had never liked the old dragon. This dated back to the time when the Prince had exiled himself to Pentos and the dragon had been separated from his Lady Syrax. Like rider like dragon, Luke had thought at the time.
Everyone inside the Hall had been surprised to see them. But Luke was not intimidated. He had delivered his Muna's message, with Kepa standing back and letting him carry out his mission.
*
One minute Aemond was spouting his venom and the next he was on the floor with Dark Sister at a millimetre from his throat.
"Nephew" Kepa had said the word as if it disgusted him to say it, "You should watch your mouth a bit more if you don't want to lose your second eye. Especially as your little mum isn't here right now so you can go and hide in her skirts".
These words had enraged the Hightower even more, but he had enough of a survival instinct to know that if he made the slightest move he would end up beheaded.
"So as my son said we are here, Lord Baratheon, to remind you of the oath your father had made when Princess Rhaenyra was declared the rightful Heir to the Iron Throne."
"As you said, Prince Daemon, that oath was made by my father, not by me. Prince Aemond has just made me a very tempting offer. And what do you have to offer me apart from an oath that is many years old" replied the Baratheon heir with disdain.
"I did not know that the honour of the Baratheons was of such little value that it could be bought for money or favors. "
Although his tone was mocking, Luke could sense that his Kepa was losing patience.
"How dare you? You come to me for support and you dare to insult me? Who do you think you are?
"Who do I think I am? Consider not honouring your father's oath and allying yourself with these usurpers and you'll know exactly who I am".
He gave Aemond one last disgusted look before turning on his heels.
*
Without saying a word, the young man had followed the Prince. Luke could feel that his Kepa was furious at this lack of respect for his wife.
They had climbed onto their respective dragons in silence.
So it had come as no surprise to the young man when the Rogue Prince had ordered Caraxes to burn everything in the castle courtyard. Lord Baratheon had run out when he had heard all the shouting.
When the Prince saw him, he shouted that this was just a warning. That he had a far worse fate in store for any turncloaks who did not honour the oath they had made to the late King Viserys.
After that, they set off for Dragonstone.
*
The coming moons, or maybe even years, were going to be tough, but with his Kepa at the head of their army, Luke was confident. They would reclaim the crown this Hightower snakes had usurped from his mother and restore her to her rightful place.
The Hightowers would regret the day they had thought themselves superior to the House of the Dragon.
With fire and blood, they would destroy them.