Enough to be Queen

by ALadywithabrain

Summary:

Neither Dragons nor Dreams made them Kings. Women did.

Viserys Targeryen thinks himself a dreamer. But in reality he is a weak man with no sense of self, his only path to greatness was by siring a son. Men plan and Gods Laugh.

Rhaenyra Targaryen was born great and would go on to achieve greatness, what she never expected was to have greatness thrust upon her. She had not seen her father since he married her off to Cregan Stark, him showing up spewing dreams and prophecies throws her entire life off.

Eidts have been made!! Please re read!! Thank you!!

Notes:

This has just been swimming in my head so I though I'd put it out there. Let me know what you think!

Chapter 1: The Lives and Times

Rhaenyra Stark

Magic had always flowed in Rhaenyra Starks veins. The Targaryen’s have always wielded magic in one way or the other. For some their dragon blood sang louder than most for that belonged to the ones who remembered that the gods and not them were in charge. For others the blood was just a way to feed their egos. The ones with the least amount of magic in their family was the current head of house Targaryen. Rhaenyra was special. She did not need anyone to tell her so. She felt it in her blood. She was the first elemental prime born since the beginning of Valyria. The ability to wield all elements and magic. Even her uncle Daemon who was the first elemental second class born since Aegon, Visenya, and Cregan, would never feel the level of power Rhaenyra currently held in her palm.

 

At one and eight she had become a master. The sun god was the last person to be an elemental prime. Her sons would be elementals of the first order at the very least for their father, her husband and soulmate was an elemental first class. For unlike the second-class elements, they could control two elements. Her husband’s familial element was water, and his chosen element was air. Not to mention the Starks affinity for warging, greensight and natural magic. Cregan had told her that he was the first elemental first class with magic in his family since Torren Stark. That had made Rhaenyra wonder why Torren had knelt to Aegon. For if he could warg into the dragons why not do so.

 

Looking out of the window from the study, Rhaenyra sees her lord husband and her sons playing in the snow. The sunlight hitting them just right. Two pairs of quicksilver eyes shining in unstoppable joy and a pair of lilac eyes joining them in their laughter. Her husband wielding the water around them. Her two little boys, finally manage to get to their father. Exclaiming their victory loudly. They had only just started to take more steps. Alexander Aemen and Augustus Rickcon, Alex and Auggie as they liked to be called by herself, Cregan, and Harold, were just one moon shy of two-name days. They were already rather tall for that age, but she was not surprised their father was astronomically large, although Rhaenyra supposed next to her most people were very large. She watched as her boys got off the ground and headed back inside the warmth of the castle.

“You better be heading for a bath” she said to her husband through their mental connection.

“Will you join me and make it worth my while?” Cregan teased in her head.

Rhaenyra laughed softly. “Perhaps.” She teased back.

 

Five years she had been married to that beautiful man. Five years since she had Viserys take everything away from her. Her mother and then her home.  Rhaenyra had always known that she was not enough for her father, she had no cock and clearly that was the only perquisite for a useful child. It did not matter that she was the first to hatch a dragon since the doom. The first to ever do it without a sacrifice. It did not matter that she had ridden her dragon at seven name days. Or that she had become a master elemental at nine name days. She had watched her week willed father make stupid decision after stupid decision.

 

He had then topped it off by marrying Alicent Hightower a few weeks after her mother had been brutally murdered by him. Many had though her dislike from the decision was hurt, and while that was true, her father had failed to consider the obvious. By not marrying Leana he had left the throne weak. The Velaryon’s had gold, a formidable navy, and dragons. Two dragons. Her father the shortsighted fool had forgotten that should her uncle wish for the throne all he had to do was marry Leana. Killing his wife, the bronze bitch would have been nothing for him. He’d kill her, marry Leana, and take the throne. The realm would kneel because even monsters feared fire and Daemon had fire in spades.

Viserys had also decided that he would arm the youngest lord paramount, the one with the largest army with a dragon and a master fire wielder. Leaving the throne with no dragons. Should Rhaenyra herself want the throne she could take it. Especially now with her being an elemental prime.  A fool. Did the man only know how to use his cock? Was his brain so empty he could not plan? That Daemon had not taken the throne spoke a lot about his love for his brother and his dedication to the Targaryen family motto of fire and blood. Viserys only ever thought that Daemon took the fire part of the motto serious, but the last five years had shown that Daemon had taken the blood part even more seriously. For was it not his devotion to blood stopping him from ripping Viserys a new one. Especially after the banishment. Viserys had seized to be her problem the day she had married Cregan. Otto glowed in triumph, but it was her who would have the last laugh. He had forgotten that one doesn’t not celebrate when they are only half done.

 

Meeting Cregan Stark had been the one moment that had truly terrified Rhaenrya, the man would make and break her entire life. She hated that, oh how she hated that. She hoped to convince him to wait till she was one and six before bedding her. She would tolerate mistresses if he left her alone.  She wore Arryn blue to meet him and hoped that the gods would look upon her mother’s sacrifices and grant her a boon. The meeting had been awkward, Cregan had been cold to her father and his men even more so. He had hardly speared Alicent and Otto a glance and had greeted her coldly, albeit a little warmer than the rest. She had been a disappointed and chastised herself for having hope. She should have known by now her life would always be filled with disappointment. But then as if her mother had been the greatest martyr her boon came.

 

“I am sorry you are being forced to marry me” he had said after coming into her rooms the night before the wedding. “You are a princess and should be heir to the throne,  and should be treated as such instead your father wishes to send you to what the south thinks is a barren wasteland of savages, I cannot give you a throne, but I can and will give you lifelong protection from everyone including myself, a great keep, a home and wealth to shelter and spoil you and gods willing our children, I will be whatever it is you ask of me, this I swear.”

 

The wedding had gone off without a hitch and Cregan had refused to bed her until she had grown into an actual woman. She had laughed for at one and five he was no man himself. He had cut his foot and dropped blood on the sheets. Presenting it to the septa at the door. She left with the northerners that morning before dawn. Leaving everything behind except the new winter friendly clothes she had made and her mother’s jewels that she had inherited from her mother. She wanted nothing to remind her of Kingslanding. Only Syrax was leaving with her. However Ser Harold had begged her to allow him accompany her and she had accepted.

 

During the month-long journey to the North, she had learned a lot about her new husband. He was a light sleeper, loved honey cakes, missed his parents, and was worried he was not enough to handle being Lord of Winterfell. He too had been betrayed by kin, he feared he was becoming a monster after wiping out a traitorous house in the north.

“I killed all of them” he’d confessed in the dark. “They tried to take what was mine with my uncle and I had no choice.”

She also found out that house Stark also had magic. For Targaryen’s may be blood of the dragon, but the Starks were blood of the children of the forest. She wondered why she had not known this.

“You southerners only see as far as your nose.” Cregan said laughing.

 

Cregan was godsent. At one and three Rhaenyra would not realize that the old gods and the fourteen of old Valyria had gathered in a rare show of unity to grant their most deserving children the boon of a soulmate. The children of the forest and the acolytes of the fourteen recorded that the gods very rarely granted humans the ability to bond with a soulmate. For a soulmate is different from a twin flame, you can have multiple twin flames, and twin flames like their name suggests can fizzle out. While this type of connection is also rare, a soulmate is all magic. The bond is unbreakable and together the pair are unstoppable. They will be able to connect mind, body, and soul. They will be able to see and speak as one, although they will still maintain as much individualism as desired. The bond will form slowly at first then all at once. The magic that one possesses will be shared between them, as they are one.

 

Rhaenyra a few moons after she arrived in Winterfell was confronted with the order of the sun. Dragon knights and priests who told her that she was the first elemental prime sine their founder Ramses the last prince of Valyria. The one known as the sun prince. The order let her know that they could teach her the ability to wield earth and fire. She had laughed and said she was already a master fire wielder and they said she had barely tapped into the true meaning of fire. They would teach both her and Cregan water and air, Cregan like her had thought himself a master, from the drawings on the caves underneath the Winterfell castle and his teachings with his late father. But the order of the sun had hundreds of scrolls detailing ways to wield the elements, in ways that their ancestors had not considered.

 

The first two years Rhaenyra spent in Winterfell were amazing. The young couple made headway in their studies of the elements and their magical powers. Cregan gave her a seat in his council, gave her run of the keep, discussed decisions with her. In fact, most decisions were made by the both of them. The Starks were eye wateringly wealthy. But they did not brag. They truly lived up to the adage winter is coming and that it was their duty to be prepared. But Cregan did spoil his princess. He bought her new clothes made of expensive fabrics, built Syrax a covered home but she basically lived free and grew exceptionally large. He built her an archery range. Stocked the library with books about the Eerie and old Valyria. He was courting her and she had no choice but to fall in love with him. No choice whatsoever. But two gifts stood out to her. The first had made her cry for days, it was a statue of her mother Aemma carved to her exact likeness. He put the statue in the garden that he had built her. The second came when she was least expecting it.

 

A few weeks before what would be their third anniversary Rhaenyra notices all the inhabitants of Winterfell were acting weird. A large feast was being thrown and lords from all the north were coming. The night before their anniversary she found out what was going on. Cregan had planned a wedding for them. He took her to the heart tree and asked her to marry him, presenting her with a Valarian steel ring that was set in Amethyst. The ceremony was in two parts one Infront of the heart tree and a Valyrian ceremony. The priest of the order of the sun willing and happy that they wanted to perform the true blood binding ceremony. The feasting had gone on till the next day, however Rhaenyra dragged Cregan out to their chambers. The lords whistling and laughing behind the young couple.

 

“Reminiscing fy nghalon? (My heart)” Cregan said out loud as she walked into the bathing room. She took a seat by the bath as her husband soaked in the tub.

“A little anwyl. (Beloved)” Rhaenyra answered. “A letter from Viserys, he is coming.”

 

Viserys Targaryen

 

It all started with a dream that he had. A few days after Aemma’s death Viserys thought he had his most conclusive dream. He saw blood and fire, the dragons dying the entire realm in chaos. He saw himself with three sons, he saw his brother Daemon kill one of his sons, he saw dark-haired children born to his daughter, he saw his brother take his daughter to wife, round and round the images swirled in his mind and then he woke up in a panic.

 

He knew he had to do something he had to stop the dream from coming to pass. So Viserys did the unthinkable and sent his daughter away. He had her marry Lord Cregan of House Stark and issued a proclamation banning his brother from Westeros for the time being and was glad when Daemon went to war in the Stepstones. Otto had been concerned about sending Rhaenyra away and giving the North a dragon and an elemental wielder. But his vision had shown him that the further away she was the less of a headache she would be. She would have a strong husband to cure her of that defiance.

 

When the wedding celebrations were over, and she was to leave for Winterfell he had still not heard her speak. She left with her husband and his men before daybreak leaving everything that tied her to his name except Syrax. She refused to take her wedding gifts and her husband had sent back the gold he had provided in dowery. A note simply saying that the North does not buy its women.

 

His heart had been broken but he had kept hope that his daughter would forgive him. He hoped that she would find happiness being the lady she was meant to be. Viserys married Alicent a few weeks later. The Vale was aghast by his decision and so were the Valeryons, but he did not care, he had seen sons in his dream and there would be nobody to stop him from having them.

Viserys had seen an elemental prime. Rhaenyra while an impressive elemental second class was neither a prince nor an elemental prime and that was what the prophecy needed.

 

The silence that had followed Viserys in the first four years was indescribable. He had wedded and bedded a new wife, but silence was still his most consistent companion.

The silence from his new wife as they burned yet another pyre. The silence of his hand and friend as yet another one of his grandchildren was burning. The silence of his council as they were forced to once again don mourning clothes. The silence from his only living child as she ignored another one of his letters. Viserys wondered when the silence would end.

 

In the first three years of his marriage to Alicent, came Aegon who was born dead and in half, then Aemond who choked to death as soon as he was removed from his mother womb, then Dearon who was born dead. Almost five years and all he had were dead sons. They had not even bothered to name this one for what was the point. This one had been born with green scales, covering its body making it look like a lizard.

 

The journey back to the castle was silent just like the journey to the pyre. The silence was so choking Viserys could hardly stand it. But no one would talk. For what was there to say. But there was no silence in the streets.

 

The kinslayer and his burning whore

 

The people sang it everywhere he went. Viserys wondered if the nobleman and woman also sang it behind his back. The king who had married the pauper. Alicent had brought no lands, no gold, no men, and now it seems she could not even bring forth a son. Or any living child for that matter.

 

All he thought of was Rhaenyra. He had heard nothing from her since that night. Not during his wedding, not during the riots that had lasted for days after. The crown was weak. He was weak and everyone knew it.

 

Another unopened letter returned from Winterfell. Sealed shut just like the relationship between Viserys and his daughter. He wondered what she looked like now. She had been one and three when he had last seen her, she would be turning one and eight now.

 

Alicent again came to him as he stared at the letter.

“From Rheanyra?” She asked.

Viserys felt anger well up within him. Who was she to speak of his daughter, when she had crawled into his wife’s bed before her ashes were even cold.

“I did not marry you for your opinion on my daughter, I married you to lay on your back and give me sons. So far you are a failure.” Viserys snapped at the redhead.

The girl trembled and Viserys rolled his eyes. Who did she think she was kidding.

“Get on the bed.” he huffed.

“I am still bleeding your grace.” Alicent stammered out.

“Then why are you here? Get out.” Viserys shouted.

 

He wrote to his daughter again hoping she would comfort him in during the difficult time. But once again he got no reply, and the letter was returned unopened. No daughter and more importantly no son.

 

Where had it all gone so wrong Viserys wondered. Dreams were supposed to come true, but none of his dreams had been realized. His second wife in their five years of marriage had not given him the living sons he had seen in his dreams.

No living child had come from their union, nothing but funerals.

 

He had the priests on Dragonstone come to the keep, to do a cleansing for he was running out of options. He saw that the fire in the shrine underneath the castle was already burring very low and should it die out, nothing would stop the long winter from getting them all.

 

“You have no heir your grace.”

 

His council had been hammering him for over a year now. Five years, five wasted years.

 

He had thought that acting on his dream would save his family. Yet he had nothing to show for it, his brother Daemon had often said that dreams had not made them Kings, dragons had, but here he was with no dragons and wrong dreams.

 

As he stared out the carriage, he felt sick, what could he possibly say to his daughter that would make up for his actions, he heard Caraxes above the carriage and sighed. His brother had of course insisted on accompanying him to see his niece, which had of course led to his wife and her father coming as well.

 

The priests had told him that his dreams had been sent to him as a warning and he had angered the gods by not seeing it as such. He had alienated the two wielders of fire in a century. He would sire no more living children for the gods had cursed him for his kinslaying.

 

They pulled up to a gate and he was met with the largest keep he had ever seen baring Harrenhall. It was a city all on it’s own. The carriage drew into the courtyard. Everyone drew a breath at the sheer size of the keep. As they disembarked from the carriage, he saw what he assumed were the important Lords and Ladies of the north, he scanned their faces, hoping to see his daughter. As his family moved closer to the keep, two large wolves trotted out, each carrying a young child. One sliver of hair and a black streak through his hair and one black-haired with a sliver streak through his hair. The wolves came to a stop in front of the crowds, and he saw their faces. He felt weak, in the knees. The dark-headed child had his daughter and late wife’s lilac eyes and the sliver- headed child had her pout, they both tilted their heads curiously, staring at the crowd like the strangers they were. He had done this. He was so busy staring at the two children he missed his daughter walking outside hand in hand with her husband.

 

“Rhaenyra?’ he said.

Rhaenyra, his daughter. The young woman in front of him could not be his daughter, there stood a tall woman, her sliver hair loose and wavy, a pearl headband keeping it all behind her. She wore a silver dress, the color of her husband’s house, which showed off her shoulders, a sizeable pear drops diamond came to rest on her chest, her shoulders, decorated with love bites that seemed to have recently been put there, the thought made him want to vomit. She had a long white fur cloak draped around her lightly. One of her hands was firmly in her husband's while one was on one of the children’s curls. He noticed that her hands were now fully decorated in runes. Both of them.

“Welcome to Winterfell your grace, my husband, sons and I welcome you to our keep.” The woman with his daughter’s face said.

“Winterfell and the north are yours, your grace, on behalf of my wife Rhaenyra and our sons Alexander and Augustus, as well as our faithful vassals we invite you to warm yourself by our hearth, drink our mead, and roam our keep.” Said Cregan Stark

The young Lord Stark whistled, and the two lads held onto the wolves’ collars and the group parted before the wolves raced the boys back into the keep. The sounds of childish laughter fill the air.

“Please let us show you to your rooms, after bathing and resting there is to be a feast,” Lord Stark continued. He turned to let Viserys walk ahead, keeping Rhaenyra right next to him. Their hands never disconnect from each other. The Lords and Ladies bowed and curtsied just enough; no smiles were given to him.

 

As he made his way with the guards and his family toward what he assumed was the great hall, he realized that Winterfell was so large it would be impossible for anyone to not get lost often. His wife was wearing another green monstrosity looking sad, he had no idea what she had to be sad about he was the one who had missed the birth of his grandchildren, and Otto looked angry.

 

When they got closer to the hall he saw his daughter, she was resting herself on her husband and he was running his hand through her wavy hair, she again had it down and, a diamond tiara on her head. She wore the same sliver dress from earlier but with no cloak. Without the cloak, he could see what a beautiful dress it was and just how beautiful his little girl had grown into. He noticed that her arms were now also filled with runes. They looked beautiful but Viserys could not understand where she had gotten them from. For Daemon only had runes on his sword hand, and Rhaenyra had only had them on her two hands.  Lord Stark spotted them, and rubbed Rhaenyra’s back and dropped a kiss on her lips. He heard Alicent gasp. They were married, it was an action his father often bestowed on his mother. His heart tugged again.

 

“Good evening Your Grace,” the husband and wife greeted. Stark’s hand had gone across his daughter’s waist, and she held his hand to her stomach. While Rhaenyra had grown taller than he’d imagined she would, Stark was significantly bigger than her, he was tall, with large muscles and broad shoulders, his hair curly black hair was put in a bun on top of his head, and his beard looked freshly trimmed. His doublet was embroidered to match his wife’s gown, a unit is what they presented as. He looked down at his red and black outfit and Alicent’s dress and realized they clashed significantly.

“Daughter, how beautiful you look.” He said smiling at her.

“What has happened to your arms?” Daemon asked.

“Oh these, I earned them.” Rhaenyra said. “I am happy to discuss them with you later.” She continued smiling at Daemon, Viserys should not be surprised that Daemon would receive a warmer reception from her than he would, but it still hurt.

 

The northerners knew how to throw a feast, The hall was beautifully decorated, the food laid out looked heavenly and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. His daughter and her husband had made their rounds, greeting their Lords. They then had a portion of their meal with a section of the hall.

 

His daughter eventually returned to the high table when she noticed his wife speaking to a serving girl. He turned to listen in.

“I am afraid there is no mutton severed in the keep at the moment, the babes and I could not stomach the smell, and we have not brought it back since I had the babes.” She explained to Alicent

The hall filled with the noise of claps, cheers, and blessings little wolves. As the hall went back to their conversations, the excitement of the expansion of their liege lord’s family made the occasion more joyous.

“I am sorry Queen Alicent, I am sure you understand that pregnancy is interesting, mutton made my wife vomit terribly and she could smell it miles away that is why I have banned it from our keep. I am sure his grace has band many things from his keep for you during your pregnancies.” The Lord of the North explained. The truth was Alicent could not understand he had not cared about her pregnancies, only going to confirm if he had his promised son.

“Of course, she understands Lord Stark,” he answers for Alicent.

 

Rhaenyra and Cregan finally sat down at the high table. Well, Cregan sat down, and his daughter sat on her husband’s lap. She seemed a little looser from the ale she had no doubt consumed. She tucked herself into her husband’s chest as he spoke to one of his lords. The hall seeming to sense the need of their princess and quieted down.

“We can discuss it when we visit you uncle.” Cregan said to the lord who bowed, smiled, and walked away.

“You are going on progress?” Daemon asked.

“Yes, we are, we were supposed to leave at the end of the moon, my grandfather is turning seven and zero. But with the king here we are moving it until his visit is at an end.” Cregan answered Daemon, he smiled at his brother and signaled asking his brother for help as Rhaenyra now seeming to have fallen asleep jostled the table. Daemon was quick to help the young lord who stood up carrying his wife up and walking out of the hall. The lords and ladies immediately stood up and bowed. Viserys had to wonder if he had ever commanded such respect. The answer was no he had not.

 

The following morning, he and Daemon were shown to the lords dining area. The maid telling them that the lords and ladies had all left at dawn to get back to their homes. Meaning it was just Rhaenyra and her family left. Rhaenyra was seated at one end of the table with Cregan, they each had a child in their hand. The little ones were clearly still sleepy as they yawned.

“Nan, can you get the maids to put the boys back down, they seem sleepy now that they have been fed.” His daughter said to the older woman in the corner. She smiled wide and nodded. She took both boys with practiced ease, and they rested on the woman’s shoulder.

“Rather early for them to be up.” Daemon said taking a seat next to Cregan.

“Good morning your grace, Daemon.” Rhaenyra said, Viserys heart was broken again as it was once again clear that she was more tolerant with Daemon. “They rise with the sun.”

“Ah, like all good fire wielders.” Daemon said pleased. It was true for Daemon and Rhaenyra as fire wielders had always woken up as the sun rose. Viserys wondered if the boys would wield fire like Rhaenyra.

“Clearly the love for the early morning was not from the Stark side of the family.” Daemon teased, pointing at a yawning Cregan.

“No, we wolves rise with the moon.” Cregan said, taking a sip of his tea. The three of them laughed and so did Viserys.

 

By the time Alicent and Otto came in flanked by Ser Criston, the maids had already started bringing out various breads, fruits, and pastries. Another three pots of hot water were brought out. Two placed in front of Daemon and he and the last set near Otto and Alicent. For Viserys had forgone sitting at the head of the table on the other side and taken the seat next to Rhaenyra. Cregan was already buttering a series of items, some he placed in front of Rhaenyra and some on his own plate.

“Thank you Issa jorrāelagon. (my love)” Rhaenyra said to her husband, kissing his cheek.

“Hen rhinka beloved. (of course)” Cregan said and the excellent Valyrian caught both he and Daemon off guard for his brother’s head snapped up from his tea.

“Ao ȳzaldrīzes valyrīha?(You speak Valyrian?”)” Daemon asked.

“Hen rhinka. ānogar hen uēpa valyrio dakogon rȳ issa ābrazȳrys’ veins, se issa trēsi. (Of course. Blood of old Valyria runs through my wives’ veins, and my sons.)” Cregan answered back. Daemon laughed and clapped the young lord paramount on the back.

“Sȳrī gaomagon. (well done)” Daemon said. “Some do not honor their union the same way.” His brother said in common. A jab at Alicent doubt. Viserys supposed the girl should have tried to learn Valyrian. Clearly it could be done for Cregan’s tone showed he was fluent. Not as musical as Daemon or his daughter, but nobody spoke it like those two. He spoke it with the ease Viserys had seen his father and uncles speak it. It was even better than Viserys’s for he had not spoken it in years.

“That is very impressive lord Cregan.” Viserys said.

“Thank you, your grace. We are wondering how long you intend to stay in the north. My grandfather has written to me about missing his nameday celebrations. A man does not turn seven and zero twice.” Cregan asked, as he placed a cup of tea in front of Rhaenyra.

Viserys did not want to go back to the south without Rhaenyra and with her unenthusiastic response to him so far, he was worried that she may refuse him.

“Perhaps we can come along. I would very much like to see the north.” Viserys said. Husband and wife seemed to share a silent conversation for a while. It could have been only a moment, but it felt like minutes to Viserys.

“Your grace, surely we must return to the capital.” Otto started saying.

“If I wanted your advice ser I’d ask for it.” Visserys snapped back. Otto looked surprised and bowed his head.

“We will be gone two weeks in total. Four travel days and ten days in Deepwood Motte.” Rhaenyra started saying.

“That is an appropriate amount of time.” Viserys quickly assured his daughter. She seemed to speak to her husband again.

“I will write to my grandfather and let him know. He will be thrilled.” Cregan said. “We should be able to set off at the end of the moon.”

“This is your mother’s house, yes?” Daemon asked.

“House Glover of Deepwood Motte, Strength, skill, and virtue,” Rhaenyra said. Cregan rolled his eyes and got up. He kissed Rhaenyra’s head and walked towards the door. He opened it and spoke to the guard.

“Are you going flying?” Cregan said turning to his wife.

“No since we are indeed going to visit grandfather, I will be readying the household. Then we have the meeting with the merchants.” Rhaenyra answered.

“Okay. I will see you then. I love you.” Cregan said turning and walking out of the door.

“Love you too. Can you send Diana to me?” his daughter replied.

“The castle guards and maids are more than happy to show you around, should you need anything. If we are going to Deepwood you may need new clothes, Diana here is available to help, with the fabric and get the seamstresses.” Rhaenyra said, pointing at the older woman who walked in.

Rhaenyra, set the fireplace alight once more before standing up.

“I am sure Daemon, and I can accompany you.” Viserys said. Wanting to spend as much time with his daughter as he could.

“I am going to be seated in mine and Cregan’s office nothing interesting will be happening.” Rhaenyra said.

“I have some letters I need to write.” Daemon said. “I must acquire gifts for my grandnephews.”

Rhaenyra smiled at that.

“I have matters of the realm I need to answer to.” He added quickly.

“Alright if you are sure.” She said and started walking with him and Daemon at either side of her.

“I am sure the queen may be of help Lady Stark.” Otto said as they got to the door.

“It is her royal highness, Otto. The cold cannot be making you stupid Otto, for it is warm within these halls. What help could your daughter offer mine. A clear success my daughter is.” Viserys snapped.

Chapter 2: Isn't it Funny!

Daemon Targaryen

 

Daemon not seen Viserys in over five years and the news he had been hearing from the capital was alarming. His sweet niece had been married off to a savage of the north at one and three namedays. Did Viserys learn nothing from the ordeals of Aemma? Rhaenyra left to be alone in the north.

 

Viserys had always been a weak person, it was only now that he was the one that was suffering from his weakness and stupidity that he truly realized it. Throughout his life, others had often been left to suffer the consequences of his ill-advised decisions. Daemon had been his first victim. He had always stayed loyal despite Viserys always thinking the worst of him his younger brother. Sure, Daemon was at times brash and abrasive but, he unlike Viserys had never betrayed his kin. He had lived his life thus far in service of their family. Aemma was the next person to suffer. He had spent their entire marriage keeping her in a prison in her own body. Chasing his male heir, killing her slowly until he finally killed her outright. Then Viserys’s daughter his sweet niece was arguably the one who suffered the most. He had mistered her from the day the novelty of her survival wore off and his dreams were once again consumed by his desire for a male heir.

 

Viserys had never stopped to think that his dreams were a warning that dreams were never a good thing. That all the dreams in their family had proposed nothing but death and destruction. No, he had foolishly and egotistically thought that he was dreaming of his greatness. With his dreams, he had pushed away a loyal brother, killed the most incredible wife, and chased away the first true dragon born to their family in over a century.

Then he had tried to marry Leana like he was Aegon reborn, but the little Velaryon girl had run to Pentos. A year later he had received a letter from his brother saying he was allowed to return. So, he did. A moon later they were heading north.

Daemon had been despondent when he had seen his niece, she had grown into such a beautiful young woman. At one and eight she had grown into the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had grown taller than he’d imagined, her curves had landed in the right. She clearly loved her husband, and her children were beautiful. Even her husband was clearly someone of integrity. Daemon could feel the magic off him, and Daemon was impressed. Rhaenyra felt far more powerful that he had been used to. But he would get answers at some point. Right now, he was enjoying Otto be taken down by his brother.

“The Queen is welcome to join us in the reading room if she wants. I have outgrown such level of teaching. I gather that I had outgrown it long ago Otto.” Rhaenyra said. Her voice as cold as the wind Daemon had encountered when he flew here.  His niece leads them out of the dining room and into the corridor. Where four guards and Harold Westerling were waiting.

“Shadow,” Rhaenyra called, and the large black dire wolf trotted forward. Standing next to her. She started walking, the guards falling in line beside her.

“The castle is spectacular.” Viserys commented and Rhaenyra smiled at that. His brother beaming in return.

“Yes, it is.” His niece replied.

They finally reached their destination. It was a large room with a beautiful fireplace and bookshelves surrounding it. It was two levels. The books surrounding all the walls. Plush rugs were laid down on the floors and armchairs on one side of the room. Near the large window, were several desks. The truth was one wall was entirely window.

“Wow, this library is spectacular.” Daemon said. He was a huge reader, so this was something amazing to him.

“Oh, this is not the library. That is at the end of the castle. It is almost 6 times the size of this room. This is our family’s personal library. Were the Stark children are educated and were Cregan and I host semi formal meetings.” Rhaenyra explained and he laughed at how incredible that was. For this room alone could rival the citadel.

“When Cregan comes later he can take you to the library.” Rhaenyra said. “His explanation would do the place justice. Please sit and make yourself comfortable. There is ink and parchment in the drawers and wax as well. If you need anything Eddie will be more than happy to help.” She finished pointing to a middle-aged man standing next to her.

Rhaenyra sat at the round table at the end of the room and Viserys was quick to follow her. As was Otto and his daughter. Daemon stopped to grab some writing utensils and noticed Eddie with a tray of parchment, ink, and seals. He put it in front of Rhaenyra and bowed. Another servant brought out a tea set and placed it on the table. The girl made a cup and sat it next to Rhaenyra.

“Ah Anya are you feeling better now? How are your parents and your brother?” Rhaenyra asked the girl smiling softly and grabbing her hand.

“Oh, much better Princess. Thank you for the furs. Lord Stark tells me he will help pay for a new roof for our house. Mama and Papa are back at work in the kitchens and Henry is Outside.” The girl Anya said.

“Oh, great bring Henry in. Also get Ryan and Lottie for me, we need to work quickly with the progress.” Rhaenyra said and the girl ran out.

Eddie sat down and smiled. “Eddie we will be leaving for Deepwood at the end of the moon. So everything has to be set.” Rhaenyra said.

“We shall workday and night if we need to. Your wish is our command.” Eddie said smiling at his niece. “But first can you approve the menu for the next three days?”

“Ah yes. Did we add the?” Rhaenyra began.

“Goat for the queen, lamb for the little lords and lord Stark, the duck for you and the fish for prince Daemon. Also tarts lemon cakes and a new batch of those candies you love.” Eddie said.

“You know me so well Ed. Please add some honey cakes for Cregan he mentioned it last night.” Rhaenyra said. “Is there something you would like?”  she asked Daemon and Viserys.

“No dear girl everything is perfect.” Viserys said smiling at her. Daemon had to agree, she ran her household so well her people anticipated her needs.

“Okay approved Eddie.” Rhaenyra said. A cough interrupted her.

“Should the queen not have the final say?” Otto asked and everyone at the table turned to look at father and daughter. Eddie in thinly vailed contempt, Viserys in anger, Rhaenyra in confusion.

“Did the queen want to send approval for the red keeps menu?” Rhaenyra asked Otto as if he were simple. “Eddie can arrange a raven if that is the case. Right Eddie?”

“I’d be more than happy to help the queen approve menus that are in her husband’s castle.” Eddie said, and Daemon snorted. Were the northerners all this sassy?

“So will Alicent be needing a raven?” Rhaenyra asked. One of her eyebrows raised impeccably.

“It is your grace.” The Hightower girl said. Her cheeks pink.

“And one should wait for ashes to cool before seducing widowers, but here we both are. Breaker of rules.” Rhaenyra answered quickly and without pause.

“Your grace surly you cannot.” Otto began

“Surly want Otto? Will you shut up?” Viserys snapped. Daemon snorted as did Rhaenyra and he swore he saw Eddie smile a little. Daemon had to say, Viserys was cruel when he wanted to be. Normally it was toward him but now that he believed his marriage to the Hightower girl was cursed, he was lashing out at his dear Otto.

 

The five of them spent time in the reading room. Viserys and he talking to Rhaenyra as she worked through her tasks. Her servants drilled like a well-trained army. Otto and his daughter both sitting there awkwardly. Some time had passed when Cregan walked into the room. The servants bowing to their liege.

“Anwyl” the winter lord said. Dropping a kiss to his niece’s head before caressing her face softly and kissing her lips. Daemon swore he saw the women in the room swoon.

“Darling, are the letters sent?” Rhaenyra asked.

“Yes, they are. Grandsire has rooms for us anyway so not much to prepper. He forgets we must rule this castle.” Cregan said. Lifting Rhaenyra off her chair and sitting down before placing her on his lap. His niece moved to get comfortable, and he swore he heard Cregan groan.

“I do not think it is us he wants darling; I think he wants Alex and Auggie.” Rhaenyra said laughing rubbing her husband’s cheek. “They are very adorable those little Stark boys.”

“Of course, they are, have you seen their mother? The most beautiful person the gods have ever created.” Cregan said and Rhaenyra blushed. Daemon had to agree for his niece was very beautiful.

“You should not take the gods name in vain Lord Stark.” Alicent said with her scratchy tone.

“Doesn’t the seven also preach piety and purity? Oh, and there’s all that talk of giving up worldly possessions.” Cregan said his voice losing all the warmth it had for his wife. He looked at his brother’s wife like she was dirt beneath his shoe. Daemon wanted to laugh for Cregan was just daring the girl to be stupid enough to continue.  “But you personally know my family and I are safe from that, after all we follow the old and Valyrian gods in this castle. They both preach honoring and loving one’s partner. For a life mate is a representation of the gods love for you. Being married to Rhaenyra I can see that the gods love me very very much.” The young lord emphasized his point by kissing his wife.

“My father used to say that about my mother.” Daemon said. Suddenly looking at the two and seeing the love of Baelon and Alyssa burn. “That my mother was just too good for him, and the gods could not favor him this much.”

“A very wise man grandsire Baelon was.” Cregan said. Nodding at Daemon.

“My muna used to say that I was the representation of the gods love for her here in the land of the living. That nobody else could have been so lucky.” Rhaenyra said, her voice shaking a little.

“Aemma, and I could never love anything more than we love you.” Viserys said. His eyes watering. Rhaenyra had a small twist of her mouth. Probably wanting to ask why that so called love had not saved Aemma.

“Aren’t we the lucky ones to be loved so fiercely by the gods themselves?” Cregan asked and Daemon had to agree.

 

After a week in Winterfell Daemon and Viserys finally got to talk to Rhaenyra alone. She was in a glass garden drinking and reading through a book. Her sons were on a blanket, wrapped tightly and sleeping comfortably.  Daemon had never seen anything quite like it. It was a beautiful and serene place. From the look on Viserys’s face he thought so too. Flowers and fruits growing and a fountain in the center. When he looked closely, he saw a statue of Aemma and another woman who looked a little like the young Stark lord.

“Cregan built it for me as a present, I added a statue of Gillian as a gift to Cregan when I got pregnant with the boys, we added them here when I gave birth to them, they often like to come here and talk to them, Rickon’s statue is in the crypts as like all rulers of winter. Once a year we open the gates for everyone to enjoy the garden. They call it the garden of mothers.” Rhaenyra explained as the brothers sat.

“What a wonderful man Cregan is.” Viserys said.

“A wonderful man indeed.” Rhaenyra said and she looked down at her two boys they both rolled in their baskets. The runes on her hands glowing.

“When did you get those runes?” Daemon asked.

“From my wielding,” his niece answered. “I am an elemental prime.”

“An elemental prime?” Daemon squeaked.

“Yes, it was rather a shock to me to discover so as well.” Rhaenyra laughed. “Lucian and his men were able to explain it. Power in abundance.” She waved her hand swiftly and the tea in her cup froze and reheated.

Elemental primes were very close to gods. That Rhaenyra was one was incredible. His brother sat their shocked. No doubt understanding just how much of an idiot he really was.

“Your husband?” Daemon asked for the Stark boy had power.

“Ah you can feel it too, he is an elemental first class, as are the boys.” She explained looking at her sons again. How incredible.

Daemon was introduced to Lucien and the order of the sun, an old order who were created to serve the elemental primes. Rhaenyra had said if they agreed they could make Daemon a true fire master, but he had to prove worthy in their eyes.

 

Cregan Stark 

Cregan watched as Rhaenyra slept. She was always the early riser in their marriage. Rhaenyra often jokes that she liked to wake up earlier than him in order have a few hours of piece from his chaotic mind. Cregan loved being able to hear Rhaenyra’s thoughts and feel her at all points. He was not sure if he could live without it now. He thinks back to the first time he had gone away for a while after they had gotten the bond, they had been unaware if the bond would work when they were no longer tied next to each other. But they needn’t have worried. The bond was just as bright as it was when they were next to each other. Cregan would even think that it burned brighter for he missed Rhaenyra, he always missed her when she was not next to him.

The last two moon had been hard on his beloved and he felt like they would only get harder. Viserys was at best an idiot and at worst the cruelest person to every live. If they asked Cregan he’d say the Targaryen king was a cruel idiot. As he laid there stroking his wife, heis thoughts moved to the king, he could not wait for the king to go home. 

“You are always staring and touching husband, I am beginning to think you a pervert,” his wife said, voice husky and a little raw from the screams he had drawn from her last night.

“My, I am disappointed if you are only just thinking me a pervert, I must not be doing my job properly. Perhaps you need another demonstration of how perverted my mind can be?” Cregan said, leaning down to capture her lips in a slow kiss. He moved on top of her, his eyes turning dark and his intentions clear. However, before Cregan could ravage her, a knock interrupted them.

“The King wishes to speak to her highness.” Ser Harold said. Cregan groaned a cruel idiot indeed.

Cregan was possessive, he knew that his lords knew that his beloved knew that his sons were too young to know that, but they showed the same tendencies. The only person who did not seem to know that was the king. For if he knew that, then Viserys would stop being surprised every time he showed up with his wife.

“When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives."

As Cregan stared at the King, he wondered if the man had a death wish. Viserys Targaryen was a lone dragon, his firefly would argue that her sire was no dragon at all. Sheep was what she would call him. But as Viserys talked Cregan knew that the man had a death wish, for that was the only reason he thought Rhaenyra would take well to this conversation.

His anwyl (beloved), was calm and blank on the outside but internally she was raging, he wondered if Viserys noticed that the room was at least several times colder, if he saw the wicked glint in Rhaenyra's beautiful lilac eyes. Did he notice the subtle shift her body made towards him to calm herself down?

No Cregan thought, for no one could know his anwyl like he did. She was after all his enaid mewn cnawd dynol (soul in human flesh). The very reason he lived and breathed. No Viserys did not know his frenhines fach (little queen at all). Not just because he was not her soulmate, but because he had also never been her father. Rheanyra was more Ice than he was, she was the true embodiment of northern winter. She was always constant, but, when necessary, she could storm like the deadliest of storms. A true dduwies gaeaf (winter goddess). How her sire could not tell that she was an angel wrapped in chaos was beyond him, at four name-days she had named her dragon Syrax after the goddess of chaos. 

Cregan remembers the day he had met his anwyl, she had been beautiful in blue, sad but beautiful, nobody else could see it, but even at one and four namedays to her one and three he had been able to see her fear, she masked it perfectly, but eyes were a window to a soul. The marriage had happened, and he had whisked them away to the comforting gates of Winterfell.

Rhaenyra was his, of that he was sure, it was only more cemented when his wolves Shadow and Ecco had confirmed it. Even younger Cregan had been possessive of her. He had never felt possessive of something aside from his father, Winterfell, and his wolves before, never wanting to share any of it with anyone. But Rhaenyra was not just anyone, was she? She was his very heart walking around.

"Do you think I will be punished by the Gods for killing him?" Rhaenyra asks through their bond. A small laugh escaped him, one he covered up with a cough. The bond was still something that awed Cregan.

“As you know Alicent has failed to give me a child,” Viserys began. Cregan wondered if the Gods were punishing him or the Hightower girl.

“I am sure she can still bear children, or you can take another wife, I am sure many lords would love to send their daughters to you on gold platers,” Rhaenyra said. The insult clear, but the idiot king missed it.

“I wish to make you heir,” Viserys said.

The laugh that came out of Rhaenyra seemed to not only surprise Viserys, and Cregan but Rhaenyra herself.

“Your wife is still able to carry children and there are plenty of women who can give you children, why you want to disrupt my life is beyond me.” Rhaenyra started ranting, “Must everything always be about you? Must we all bend to your whims like you are some God? When all you are is a pathetic, weak man who cannot live with the consequences of your actions.”

Before Cregan could get a word in to calm Rhaenyra down Viserys started speaking again.

“The prophecy, please listen for the prophecy.”

Rhaenyra all but stopped, her eyes glazing over. 

“Skoros prophecy? (What prophecy)” His wife asked.

“Nyke jāhor ivestragon ao, kostilus (I will tell you.)” The king pleaded. His wife exchanged a long and meaningful look with him and nodded. She gestured for him to go ahead.

“Aegon had a dream,” he started. “It has been passed down from Targaryen king to Targaryen king.” The king paused and put a dagger into Rhaenyra’s hand. “Please light it up.” Viserys begged. Rhaenyra did and words appeared on the dagger.

"hen issa ānogar māzigon kivio prince, se zȳhon shall sagon se vāedar hen suvion se perzys. ("From my blood comes the Prince That Was Promised, and his shall be the Song of Ice and Fire)” She read out loud.

“Our histories, tell us that Aegon looked across the Blackwater from Dragonstone and saw a rich land ripe for the capture. But ambition alone is not what drove him to conquest; it was a dream. And just as Daenys foresaw the end of Valyria, Aegon foresaw the end of the world of men. 'Tis to begin with a terrible winter gusting out from the distant North. Aegon saw absolute darkness riding on those winds. And whatever dwells within will destroy the world of the living. When this Great Winter comes, Rhaenyra, all of Westeros must stand against it. And if the world of men is to survive, a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne. A king, strong enough to unite the realm against the cold and the dark. Aegon called his dream ‘The Song of Ice and Fire.’ This secret has been passed from king to heir since Aegon's time.” Viserys explained.

“Or queen,” Cregan said. “There is no gendered language in Valyrian, you have this wrong. hen issa ānogar māzigon kivio prince, se zȳhon shall sagon se vāedar hen suvion se perzys. (From my blood comes the Prince or Princess that is Promised, and there’s shall be the Song of Ice and Fire).”

“You killed my mother, and grandfather denied Rhaenys her throne because you could not read? Because of a mistake?” Rhaenyra said, her voice rising steadily as she said it. Fire began sparking in the room.

“I think we should reconvene in the morning,” Cregan said, getting up to lead Rhaenyra to the door. Before she set the king on fire.

Rhaenyra spent the day outside in the godswood wielding her elements and Cregan left her to it for most of the day, until the day was quicky coming to an end. The Goodwood of Winterfell was a dark, primal place, three acres of old forest untouched for ten thousand years as the gloomy castle rose around it. The tall sentinels armored in their grey-green needles, the great oaks, the hawthorn and ash, and soldier pines, and at the center, the heart tree standing like some pale giant frozen in time. Cregan could always smell the place, earthy and brooding, the smell of centuries, the wood has always been dark even during the day. The wood was Winterfell. It was the north. The light footsteps of his were the only thing he could hear for a while. He sat behind Rhaenyra warping his arms around her.

“The prophecy is true, that much we know.” Rhaenyra said, “I hate him so much, he has been handed everything, never fighting for anything never earning anything. A kinslayer, an oath breaker. That is what I have for a father. All my power and I cannot change that, I cannot stop being blood of his blood.”

“We could always wait for him to die here in Winterfell.” Cregan said and they both laughed.

“The realm needs to be prepared for winter, but do we have to be the one’s to do it?” Rhaenyra asked and Cregan wondered if this was the price they were to pay for their powers, for their love. For Cregan knew that Rhaenyra would accept to be the king’s heir, in truth she deserved it, after all she had paid for it in her mother’s blood and her father’s neglect.

Cregan watched as Daemon talked to Lucius and his men, the man was talented of that Cregan was sure, nowhere near the caliber of Rhaenyra or him but he would only get even better. That he had managed to convince the order of the sun to train him was rather impressive as they were a prickly bunch who disliked outsiders except him, Rhaenyra, and the boys. Alex and Auggie were running around and throwing snow at each other, the only sounds coming from them was laughter, until a scream came from the kings wife. One of the boys snowballs had hit her and the yard came to a stop. The boys ran to him and hid behind his legs, he did not blame them for the Hightower girl screamed like a banshee. Daemon stopped his training and came to stand with them. The queen, her father and her shield were coming towards them.

“Why don’t you go inside with Ser Harold,” he told his sons, they both nodded their curls bouncing around. Harold scooped both boys up and began walking inside.

“Ah your grace my apologies for the snow, children,” Cregan said with a smile.

“They assaulted the queen.”  The kingsgaurd said.

“Boys of two namedays were a threat to a woman of two and three? With snow?” Cregan asked, his tone mocking, “I know the queen has yet to experience the joys of living children, but everyone knows children are just that, children.” Daemon laughed, Alicent turned red in embarrassment and Otto looked murderous at the reminder that his daughter was without a child. Before the knight could say anything Rhaenyra and Viserys walked out. No doubt having concluded their conversation about her being heir. Rhaenyra looked fine and Viserys looked determined.

“Ah my love, your grace,” Cregan said as the duo walked to the group.

“Where are the boys?” Rhaenyra asked as she allowed Cregan to kiss her. Crgan knew she knew what had happened, so this was just for show.

“Inside with Ser Harrold, their has been an accident with loose snow, I was just explaining to your stepmother here how children will be children.” Cregan answered. “Although I was most distressed when the word assault was thrown around, Daemon and I were both rather shocked.”

“Especially as it was just a bit of snow.” Daemon said, and Cregan had to commend him, the man was a menace.

The three of them walked off as Viserys began shouting.

Having his Aunt Sera and Uncle Ned come and be castellans was the perfect Idea, Ned could warg and tell him things, both as an animal and sometimes as a person, and Sera was a no-nonsense person, so everyone feared her. Honestly seeing the king moon after his aunt was pathetic, only problem was Aunt Sera probably liked tits more than the king himself. They’d stay while they went to Deepwood, and then they would talk about the more long-term position when they came back and before they left for kings landing.

 

 

Chapter 3: Jealousy

Notes:

Hi.... So sorry I abandoned this!! I am back, and I have made changes! I removed Laena and Daemon for now, because I want them to actually be in love. I like Daemon too much to do him dirty. Plus I wanted to include magic so eep! Let me know what you think. I will probably be doing Grammar edits but I was just so excited to post!!

Otto Hightower

 

Otto Hightower had fought and schemed for everything that was his, and because of the cursed womb of his daughter, he was losing everything. Ever since they got back from the North, Viserys had all but banished him from the court, he did not call on Otto, he did not ask him for advice, he was the last to find anything out, and he was shot down in council meetings.

When Alicent had told him she planned to seduce King Otto had been happy, he had initially planned for his son Gwynne to marry the little princess, he was thrilled when Viserys announced his betrothal to Alicent. But as the years wore on, he quickly realized that this was the worst outcome. For his daughter was no better than Aemma Arryn, babe after babe died, and as they buried babe after babe his hold on Viserys loosened until it snapped when he announced his wish to marry the Valyreon girl.

The trip to Winterfell devastated him, for the daughter of the Arryn woman had birthed two healthy sons who hatched dragons, the girl had done what his daughter and her mother could not seem to do. Otto watched as the Lord of winter directed the men that were packing everything for the trip. Had his daughter had the son she should have he would have relished in this trip. But instead, he was the one on the back foot. The princess had two sons and was still young, meaning she could and would have more children, especially with the way her husband constantly touched her. The king and his brother were talking, and they switched to Valyrian as soon as they saw him. He was not sure what they were saying but the rouge prince was laughing and that could not bode well for Otto. His daughter walked out, and Otto signaled for her to stand next to the king. She needed to get him back into her bed. The princess finally walked out with two maids holding her sons. Their wolves following them. She was dressed in riding leathers and Otto had to admit that she looked beautiful. Her sliver hair braided in away that made it look like a crown.

“It is a two-day ride to the Deepwood, we will be stopping halfway and staying in an inn tonight we will get there tomorrow afternoon, my husband hates carriages so anyone who is not comfortable in their riding may ride with the children’s maids. I will be flying most of the way.” The princess said. “The boys will be flying with me till we stop for our first rest. Feel free to ask Ser Harold or Eddie if you need anything.”

“I will be flying with you and Viserys is insistent on flying as well.” Daemon said and the king smiled.

“Great. We can stop for a longer lunch while we wait for the rest to catch up.” Rhaenyra said. “My love.” She said calling her husband. The lord walked up and kissed her cheek. “Daemon and my father will be flying as well. Do you want to fly, or will you ride with the men?”

“I’ll ride with the men; I’ll fly later in the day. I want to see the road development on the way. Also, I can make sure the young wolves are good on the trip.” The lord of winter said. “The men should be waiting for you when you get there. I’ll see you at luncheon.”

The princess got on her saddle with her children. The saddle clearly being built for it. She leapt into the sky and the little boys laughed and thrilled. The rouge prince and the king also followed.

“Let’s go!” The lord Stark said, and his daughter was ushered into the carriage by her kingsgaurd. Otto opted to ride with the lord to get a feel for him.

The Stark boy was an enigma to Otto, his men clearly loved, feared, and respected him, yet he was a pushover when it came to the princess. He did not talk very much, riding hard and fast setting a brutal pace that his men followed with no problem. When they got to the rest stop, the king, prince, and princess were already seated by a lunchon set up. The men gathered the horses and led them to the water. The Stark lord sat next to his wife and held his sons.

“Did you enjoy the flight?” Lord Stark asked his sons. They nodded with fruits in their mouths chewing messily. The princess fed her husband as he had his had full of their children. Why could Alicent not do that. How was the princess a better lady than Alicent?

The following morning, they all got into the large carriage. Otto tried to have Alicent sit next to the king, but he preferred to sit next to his daughter and her sons. The Lord Stark the only one not in the carriage.

“So this is Cregan’s mothers house?” The king asked

“Yes. Gillian was a Glover before she was a Stark. We will mostly be hunting and riding, there is of course swimming which the boys love.” The princess said.

“Swim!” the boys exclaimed.

“We will also be visiting some of the glasshouses they are working on. This is more of an opportunity for grandsire to see the boys and us. He is also very excited about this nameday.” The princess explained.

“Well, I love all those things.” The rouge prince said. The king and princess laughed as did the children. Hours later the carriages stopped.

Deepwood was a large castle. Not as big as the red keep or the Hightower but big for a minor lord. There was a crowd gathered to greet them and the lord Stark came to take his sons and hold his wife. He walked forward and the wolves lined up around them. Otto had to admit they made a pretty picture. The yard dropped to their knees.

“Welcome to Deepwood my lord Stark and your royal highness.” A tall old man said, his entire hair grey and his beard long and tied in the middle.

“Grandsire, we need not do this at all.” Cregan said helping the man up.

“You are my liege, grandson or not.” The man said. “Now let me take a look at my beautiful granddaughter.” He moved up to the princess and held her in a gruff embrace. Finally hugging the two boys who laughed as the man tickled them. After some time, the king was greeted as was the prince. The lord and his heir led them inside.

Lord Julian Glover was clearly the reason his grandson was so powerful, he was a no-nonsense man, who ran a tight ship. After they had refreshed themselves, he invited the men and the princess to a drink before dinner. The princess was said to be tired and napping with her sons. His daughter sat there like an awkward person with the Lady Alana sitting next to her.

“You haven’t gotten that poor girl pregnant again have you Creg?” Lord Julian asked.

“Not that I know grandfather, but you know Rhaenyra wants a daughter.” Lord Cregan said laughing.

“I am not sure we could handle two of Rhaenyra, we’d all be overwelled by all that beauty.” Lord Julian said, and the room laughed. The king was talking to the lord Julian, and he seemed interested in telling the king about his house’s history. The rouge prince and the Lord Merin were talking about a rare stag that was in the area. Otto moved to join the king.

“Ah lord hand.” Lord Julian said. “Will you and your daughter be joining the hunting festivities for my nameday?”

“I will, but Alicent is a woman. Women do not hunt.” Otto said, keeping his voice light.

“Women in the south may not hunt, but northern women do. Well, she may stay with the maids in the castle I am sure she will not feel out of place.” The lord said.

The next morning the party got ready for a picnic day as the lord Glover had described it. The lord Julian and the king were to sit at the river in the tent with the lords, The Lord Merin who was Cregan’s uncle was also there. His two sons younger than their cousin the lord Stark, took the little Stark boys into the river to swim. Otto dragged Alicent, so that she may sit with the king. The princess was engaged in a conversation with the rouge prince and the lord Merin. Lord Stark, the King and lord Glover watching over the little boys.

“Ah I remember when it was Merin teaching you to swim.” The older lord said.

“Me too, I cannot believe that Alex and Auggie are old enough to learn. It feels like yesterday Rhaenyra was telling me she was with child.”  Cregan said, looking at his grandfather. “They’ve gotten so big.”

“They’ll soon be men.” Julian joked and the king laughed.

“I remember Rhaenyra that young, she’d toddle after my father and Daemon, demanding to be carried.” Viserys shared.

“Sounds like my granddaughter.” Lord Julian laughed. “Special one that Nyra.”

“Tad! Did you see?” one of the boys called out

“Yes I did. Do you want me to come join?” Cregan called.

“Yes!” the children shouted.

“Duty calls!” Cregan said and want to strip his clothes. Getting into the water. The winter lord wielded the water and Otto’s heart stopped. More magic? How could Otto not have known that the Starks had magic?

The maid serving them was a busty woman, and the king could not stop looking at her tits. The lords and ladies laughing and talking courteously. The princess had ended up getting into the water with her family as had Daemon who played with his grand- nephews. They all eventually came out and dried off.

“Nyra, Alex, Auggie do you want the salmon?” Lord Merin asked.

“Yes, please Merin,” Rhaenyra replied. “Daemon would probably enjoy it as well.”

“Do you want some as well prince Daemon.” Merin called out.

“If my niece says I’ll like it, who am I to dispute her.” Daemon called out.

“Only a fool disputes Nyra, she usually always right.” Merin said laughing and the crowd agreed. The king ended up asking for the Salmon as well. When the food arrived, the princess made them a plate to share like she did with her sons. She and her husband then shared the last one.

“Share because you are brothers, like Alex and I?” Augustus asked. The king laughed and nodded that he and Daemon were brothers. But not twins like the little boy and his brother. The boys ended up sitting on each Targaryen brothers’ laps as they got fed and told stories of the two growing up.

The feast was well on its way and the Stark lord was in a very good mood. He had the princess on his lap and was drinking ale with the lords around him. The prince had also joined the table and they were all rowdy. The king was unfortunately still talking to the busty maid from earlier.

“Go to your husband,” He hissed at Alicent. “For the love of god show some tit.” Alicent tried to go to the king but she was blocked when the king got up, the maid following him. Otto fumed. He grabbed his daughter and dragged her out of the hall.

“Can you not see how precarious our position is? The king has grandsons with a powerful father. He could name one of them heir. Yet instead of getting back in the king’s good graces you sit there like a fool and let him sleep around without visiting your bed.” Otto said.

“I..” Alicent started but she was interrupted by the doors opening and cheering. The Stark lord walked out, carrying the princess. The crowd chanting.

“Do you see that? That is a woman who can keep a husband. Yet there is you who is weak and pathetic. You dress like a septa, it is no wonder the king looks elsewhere.” Otto said.

 

Alicent Hightower 

 

She watched as Rhaenyra kissed her son’s head. Righting his fur cloak. “It is cold my love and we must wear a cloak if we are outside.” She smiled at the boy and wielded a little dragon and the boy laughed. Trying to catch the dragon. Her lord husband walked out carrying her second son and he put the boy down, he immediately ran to his mother and brother.

“Muna, Alex!” the black-haired boy said smiling.

“Auggie.” The sliver haired boy said walking up to his brother. The boys pointing at the wolves stitched on their cloaks. Rhaenyra was helped up by Ser Harold and she walked up to her husband. He immediately gathered her in his arms and kissed her head. Resting his head on hers as they watched their sons around with their wolves.

Alicent was left to watch the family as they enjoyed the time.

“The celebrations start in earnest tomorrow. Houses Flint, Mormont and Ryswell will arrive tomorrow” Lord Stark said to Rhaenyra. “Do you want to fly?”

“Maybe tomorrow, boys look so happy.” She replied. Alicent had to agree the two Stark boys were running around, their small dragons having joined them, Syrax flying overhead. The laughter coming from them was joyous.

“Kepa, come.” The boys shouted waving at their father. The Stark lord joined the boys laughing with them. The ladies near Alicent cooed and smiled.

“Doesn’t that make you want to have more children.” One of the ladies asked.

“Well, if I was the princess, I would give him an army of children.” Another said, “With the way he looks at her I bet there will be an announcement shortly.”

“I heard that he did not go to the brothel with the men. Went to the tavern and came back to her bed. He’s obsessed with her.”

“Well, if I was married to the princess why would I lay with another? Look at her.” And Alicent did look at Rhaenyra she was now laughing along with her family. Her long silver tresses loose and flowing in the wind. She was dressed in a black leather dress, that looked incredible on her, hugging her curves. The dress made her bottom look round and plump. She had a shawl draped around her for the cold. Alicent had to admit that had she been a man she too would have been obsessed with Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Dinner was just the Glovers, the Starks and the Targaryen’s. Alicent sat stiffly next to the king who had yet to say more than a handful of words to her in the last few days. He had been content to fuck the maid from lady Glovers household and content to follow his brother to a brothel. Her father was seething, but there was nothing she could do. He told her to speak to Rhaenyra about altering her dresses since the king clearly liked that.

“Are you ready for your nameday hunt to start grandfather?.” Cregan said and the Lord Julian smiled.

“Yes I am. I do miss your mother, she had the best shot. Your mother and father would be so proud of you, of both of you, what you are doing with the north is amazing and the family you have is incredible. They would be proud and I am proud. I dare say Queen Aemma would be proud too.” The old lord said to his two grandchildren, because Alicent realized that is what he considered Rhaenyra. He referred to her as my beloved granddaughter. She was loved by all these people.

“Aemma would have been proud, and she would have loved Cregan and the boys.” The king said. The mood of the table somber. Rhaenyra shared a smile with the king and prince Daemon and the king beamed.

“To the ones who love us and are watching over us.” Lord Merin toasted, and the table rose to meet it.

The castle got busy the next day as the lords and ladies prepared to leave for the hunt. Tents and supplies gathered. She had thought that Rhaenyra would want to fly but it turned out that Rhaenyra was planning to ride, in the large carriage, the children, their maid, Rhaenyra and the king entered. She and her father also got in.

“We can stop at any time you want my love. Just let me know. You two take care of you Muna okay and be good.” Lord Stark said to his family. Receiving a kiss from each one.

Rhaenyra brought out a book and the boys cheered.

“Read please.” The sliver haired one said to Viserys and he smiled. Rhaenyra nodded and the king opened the book. The two little ones sitting on his lap.

“Oh, a Valyrian story.” Viserys said smiling. He began to read in what could only be high Valyrian. The maid knitting and her father making eyes at her to talk to Rhaenyra. But then Viserys engaged her in conversation about the book and old Valyria.

When they arrived at the camp the servants were moving around hastily and setting up tents. They would be staying in the Stark arm of the camp and the tents were already set up. Three tents were set up and the servants were asking her where she would like her’s and the kings’ belongings in the tent. Her father would no doubt be thrilled that she was to share the tent with the king.

She entered the tent and sat down her mind whirling through her everything.  Alicent had thought she had it all, she was queen! She was the one who would bear the king's sons while Rhaenyra was sent up north. Alicent had everything. But she soon realized that she had nothing she had gained nothing. She painfully laid there for the few minutes it took for Viserys to bed her and prayed for a child so that she may be absolved from her bedding duties. Her father had the Master filling her with potion after potion. She was forced to endure her husband’s bed every day unless she had her moonblood. She finally got with the child and her father was thrilled. Her husband was anxious, and she smiled, she was no Aemma Arryn, her son would live. She would be queen mother. But then her child was dead.

This went on for four years. By now Viserys had gotten cold, and her father was getting frustrated. He kept reminding her that she was failing in her duty. That she was useless. She spent time crying hoping for the best, praying to the seven for a miracle. But nothing happened. She had no friends; her only companion was Ser Criston who was also shunned as he had let Rhaenyra leave without anyone knowing.

She often missed her friend and prayed for forgiveness for converting a position higher that hers. She wrote hundreds of letters she never sent to her friend. She knew the king sent many letters, but they returned unopened and his gifts to her sent back. What a brat. Here she had a loving father and yet she still refused to reply or behave in the proper way. Ser Criston told her how the brat had disparaged her and Alicent hated her more.

But then things went to hell. Her husband told the council that he would marry Leana Velaryon and her world came crashing down. Her father raged and struck her for the first time since she was one and six. The whispers grew louder and the stares grew colder. Viserys grew colder too. as if saying I could have had my sons by now if not for you. He bared her entry into his rooms, cut her allowance in half, and started undermining her father. Then news of Leana Velaryon's disappearance made her father even more desperate. They needed to gain back the king's loyalty. She tried everything to get Viserys to take her back as his loving and devoted wife, but he was dismissive of her, blaming her for all his problems.  She bore another dead child this one with what looked like scales on its body.

When Viserys had said they would be going north to visit his brat of a daughter with his brother she had been upset. The trip had been long and Viserys had been mean to her, he had treated her with distant but now, he was openly mean and harsh towards her. Then they had gotten to Winterfell and her heart had dropped when she saw the two beautiful boys. They were beautiful and they were sons. Aemma’s daughter had given her husband two sons and she was clearly very pregnant, yet Alicent had achieved nothing. The feeling only got worse when she saw Rhaenyra, she had grown up to be an otherworldly beauty and her husband was a very handsome man. Her Father had raged after the feast and had chided her for being a fool. Rhaenyra was a mother and a beloved lady paramount.

“I should have pushed for the girl to have been made heir and had Viserys marry her to one of your brothers. Then Hightower blood and my blood would be on the throne.” Her father raged.

“I will give the king a son,” she shouted.

“All you have given the king are dead babes, and now he no longer follows my wishes, he is talking to his brother. Do you know how much you have ruined?” Her father raged back. “At least Aemma Arryn had a daughter.”

The next day the men and some women got set for the hunt. Rhaenyra had decided against going and would be staying with her children. The king had decided to go on the hunt, after some coaxing from the lord Julien. She watched as Rhaenyra kissed her husband for good luck and the two little ones waved to their father. The ladies of the north sat down and waited for the princess, some brought out some knitting and embroidery. Rhaenyra hated both, and yet here she was forced to do so. After settling her sons on a blanket in the tent, she sat down, Alicent next to her.

“Lady Flint, how is your mother?” Rhaenyra asked and the older lady beamed.

“Oh, she is doing better, I thank you so much for the baskets and the letters.” Lady Flint said.

“Of course, should you need anything, please let me know.” Rhaenyra said.

“My Elena is getting married in seven moons,” the lady Flint said. “Perhaps some advice for her ladies, especially from you your royal highness.”

“Oh, congratulations Elena! Marriage is such fun,” Rhaenyra started and Alicent wanted to roll her eyes. Marriage was a duty, clearly Rhaenyra did not understand that.

“Of course, it is for you your royal highness,” one of the ladies said “The lord Stark worships the ground you walk on.” The other ladies laugh as a blush overtakes Rhaenyra’s face.

“Do not listen to them. Marriage is whatever you make of it, being married is getting to spend every day with your best friend, your other half. But you must work at it.” Rhaenyra said and all the ladies nodded, even the older ones.

“The princess is right. You must work at it, but it should not be hard work for a man truly worth anything will honor and protect you. I know you young one dream of a marriage like the lord Starks and the princesses and while that can happen it is rare. But every man should honor and protect you, every man should care for you and your feelings.” The oldest lady there said. “Don’t forget your I am sorry my lord night dress.” All the women laughed, and Rhaenyra got up to check on her children. Alicent was confused. What was that.

“What is a I am sorry my lord night dress?” Alicent asked and the ladies all looked at her funny.

“Dear girl you’ve been married a while now to the king, surely you know what we are talking about.” The older woman said shaking her head at Alicent, the others giggled.

“I am queen, you will not make fun of me.” Alicent said back harshly.

“Oh, dear gods, the girl really doesn’t know.” The older woman said. “No wonder the kings eyes wonder so much.”

“How dare.” Alicent started but she was interrupted by the older woman.

“Dear girl, I may have never had the hold young Rhaenyra has on her husband, but I knew how to lure my husband into my bed. He certainly never had the audacity to fuck a maid where all could tell. No he did that away from me and made sure nobody found out. Perhaps you should speak to the princess for she is far more successful at this marriage thing than you.” The lady said getting up and walking towards the wine. The other ladies followed her or moved to other parts of the tent. Leaving Alicent alone confused.

“You should tell the ladies to have more respect for me, I am their queen.” Alicent said as she walked up to Rhaenyra.

“Your voice has not left you, so you are welcome to do so yourself.” Rhaenyra replied. Her attention on the fire her two boys were playing with. That Targaryen magic again. She hated it. She had always hated it and was glad that the king did not have it.

“How dare.” Alicent started but just like the older lady Rhaenyra interrupted her.

“None of what Lady Anna said was untrue, unkind yes, but not untrue. The north is a harsh place, people are harsh, perhaps you should speak to your husband to stop embarrassing you with their maids and then they will at the very least pretend to respect you. But right now, they see no distinction between you and a maid,  If the king can marry one maid why not marry another. After all he is a Targaryen.”

The men returned as the sun was beginning to set. Lord Cregan, the king, and prince Daemon immediately went to Rhaenyra recounting there day. Lord Cregan dropping several kisses on the princess’s head and his sons’ cheeks. That night she watched as the party drank and the men drew their wives close, the lord Stark running his hand through a sleepy Rhaenyra’s hair. The little Stark boys on prince Daemon lap as he spoke to the winter lord, both laughing at whatever it is they were saying. Viserys was once again with the wench he had been laying with since they got to Deppwood. She caught the eye of lady Anna and her cheeks burned in shame. 

Alicent walked up to the group. “What is the meaning of this?” she said to Viserys and the conversation between lord Cregan and prince Daemon stopped. Rhaenyra who seemed to be sleeping stirred. Daemon rose and carried the two Stark boys, towards their parents’ tents. Rhaenyra carried by her husband, towards the tent.

“What do you think you are doing?” Her husband said, standing up, “Do you not know your place?”

“I am your wife; I am your queen.” Alicent cried. She noticed her father walking towards them.

“You are the daughter of a second son, that I have elevated. I have made you important, It is thanks to my grace you are not married to some tourney night, still brushing my daughter’s hair.” Viserys said. “I suggest you remember your place, otherwise I will return you back to where I picked you from.” The king walked off with the wentch walking with him and entering the tent.

“What were you thinking?” Her father asked, grabbing her arms tightly, and dragging her towards the tents. He was so rough that it hurt. “Do you not realize what is at play here? You have no children, and the king loses interest in you day by day. You had better act right.”

The celebration for the lord Glover was at an end and they were to head back to Winterfell. She remembers that the lord Eddard was at Winterfell as the castellan with lord Cregan away from his seat. He was outside waiting for the party when they arrived, hugging his nephew and niece tightly, before absconding with his grandnephews. The lady Sera grabbing Rhaenyra and Cregan, bestowing kisses onto them. She wonders if anyone had ever been that happy to see her.

 

Notes:

Do you hate it?

Chapter 4: Capital Calling.

Notes:

Ahh Thank you all for the renewed love! I hope you love where I take this.

Daemon Targaryen

 

Daemon watched as Rhaenyra engulfed the whole field in fire. His niece had her eyes closed, and stood in the middle of the field and the fire took over the field, what made the sight more spectacular was that neither the snow or the grass underneath was affected, however Daemon could feel the heat of the flames. The flames themselves were a peculiar color, for they were white, and Daemon had never seen or heard of white flames before. After a while she opened her eyes and the flames disappeared.

“Very good.”  Lucius the head of the order of the sun said. The others clapped and spoke amongst themselves.

“How is she doing that?” Daemon asked the man.

“She allows the fire in her to be, to be chaotic, kind, deadly yet gentle. She is aware that she is not the master of the flame, she is merely it’s student. It is how she is able to handle multiple elements. It is how she can exist with so much magic in her.” Lucius explained. “Of course, you will never be as powerful, but you can be as masterful. If you earn the devotion of your flames.”

Daemon nodded, He would have to begin his training from the beginning and where once the thought would have chipped at his ego, he saw it as a way to connect with his niece and her family.

Alex and Auggie, had flames, Auggie like his father had water as his main element, and it was fitting as he would now be his father’s heir. While Alex had fire as his main element. The boys wore a training bracelet, meaning that until they could control their element, they would be unable to use it, unless when training or when in danger.

Daemon sat with them as Lucius talked to them about their breathing. Although the boys were only two going on three, they seemed to understand the importance of these lessons and paid attention. Breathing as commanded. The excises Daemon noticed made him feel closer to his flame, and he was excited to continue learning.

Daemon knew that Viserys wanted to make Rhaenyra heir and he had accepted it. It was not like he could get any more powerful than his niece and in truth he did not need to be the best anymore. He did not constantly have to fight for acceptance from Viserys, as Rhaenyra had said when she spoke to him about becoming heir, it was his brothers turn to prove himself to them. Viserys had been the one to constantly let them down and push them away. It had been his duty to keep their family whole as the head of their house, yet like Jaehaerys before him, he had failed woefully. The only thing that brought Daemon comfort was the knowledge that Rhaenyra would be better.

Alex and Auggie it turned out liked a little bit of mischief. The two boys had brought their dragons into the keep and tried to get Daemon to keep it a secret from their mother.

“Shhh Aggie and Gil like it indoors, so they can play with summer and winter.” Alex said. Their dragons were beautiful companions and Daemon was almost jealous that like their mother before them they had never known a day without a dragon. Of course, Daemon would not trade Caraxes for anything. Daemon sat with the boys as they played with their dragons in the large room. He had noticed that the Castle of the Starks was large, all the rooms, and doors were large. Although he supposed it made sense, for Cregan’s wolves were the full size of a pony and they went around the keep unhindered. The boys dragons were around the same size. Eventually Viserys found the trio.

“Ah there you are.” His brother said. Viserys sat down with them and like him watched as the dragons laid, near their humans.

“Do you like dragons?” Auggie asked.

“Yes I do, my Caraxes is my favorite.” Daemon answered.

“Do you have a dragon too?” he asked Viserys.

“No Balerion died.” Viserys answered and Daemon wandered if that had been the reason for Viserys weakness.

“Oh, when Aggie is big I’ll take you flying.” Alex said, how kind, Daemon thought. Daemon and Viserys talked dragons with the boys, the scene reminding Daemon of when his father, mother and kepus had been alive and he and Viserys had been Alex and Auggie asking the grown ups questions about dragons. The peace was shattered, when Alicent and her father burst in, scaring the young dragons. The two dragons quickly got in front of their humans and so did the wolves. Both animals growling. Daemon was impressed when Alex and Auggie started talking to their companions hoping to calm them. The two Hightower’s and the kingsgaurd who followed the queen like a fool were scared.

“Alexander Aemen and Augustus Rickcon!” Came Cregan’s voice, “How many times have I told you dragons do not belong inside the castle walls?” he asked, his tone stern, yet warm. The boys looked chastised.

“Sorry Kepa, but we just wanted to play.” Auggie said for both.

“I know darling!” Cregan said, coming to stand next to the boys and their companions. “But Muna is going to be angry at all of us. So let Aggerax and Gilthorax out through the window, so they may return to Syrax.” Cregan said as he opened the large window with Harold’s help. The boys waved to their dragons and the two seemed to know exactly what to do. Daemon would not be surprised if this is something the boys did often. The dragons nuzzled Cregan’s leg and flew out of the window. Although when Daemon looked at his nephew his eyes were white, however when he looked at Cregan again he did not see anything, so he put it down to a trick of the light. The boys went to their father, and he picked them up.

“No more dragons in my castle.” He said seriously.

“But were dragonwolves.” Alex said with a cute smirk, and Cregan laughed.

“Shh, nobody tells Muna okay.” Auggie said, looking around the room. He and Viserys laughed and immediately nodded as did Harold and the boys two guards.

“You should be better behaved and listen to the rules. Spoilt brats do not do well in the world.” Viserys’s wife said, with the dragons out of the room, she seemed to have regained her stupidity. The room immediately became very cold, and Daemon had no doubt that was all Cregan’s doing. He put the boys down.

“Why don’t you go get some cake in the kitchen,” Cregan said to the boys and the boys nodded and took the hand of their guards, Harold and the younger wolves following them.

“I do not care who you think you are, but you will never speak to my sons like that. Are we clear?” Cregan said, his voice as cold as the air currently in the room. His eyes seemed to be glowing as he turned to the Hightower chit.

“That is the queen you are speaking to; you will show some respect.” Crispy replied. Cregan did not even bother to grace the knight with a response, for within seconds the knight was face down on the floor, with Cregan’s foot on his back.

“I ask you a question madam,” Cregan said, turning to Alicent. She looked around to Viserys, hoping he would say something, as did Otto.

“I believe the Lord Stark ask you a question, Alicent.” Viserys said. Alicent had no choice but to nod her head.

“And you on the floor, the next time you think to speak to me any type of way, I will cut you up into multiple pieces and feed you to my wolves.” His nephew said, taking his foot off the knight, and kicking him in the face, then walking out. Daemon had no doubt Crispy’s nose was broken, and he burst out laughing. Oh he really liked these dragonwolves.

 

Lyman Beesbury

 

The king’s trip to the north seemed to have changed the man. Lyman had served Jaehaerys and had often thought Viserys to be a poor successor to the old king. The man was dragoness and if anyone every asked Lyman to speak truthfully, he found the king downright idiotic. The King had elevated Otto Hightower so much the man had spent the last almost decade strutting around like he was king.

“There shall be a celebration of my ten years on the throne, feasts, tourneys and a Valyrian prayer day.” The king began. “Daemon any ideas?”

“The children might enjoy a day out on the harbor seeing some ships race. Alex according to Rhaenyra loves ships,” The rouge prince said, his hand manipulating small balls of fire in circles. Lyman was shocked that the king was asking his brother for his opinion, rather than Otto’s, he looked around and saw that everyone else on the council was shocked as well. Otto most of all.

“Yes, a boat race would be good, might be a chance to invite the Velayrons back to the capital.” The king said and his brother nodded. A few more words were exchange by the brothers in high Valyrian and prince Daemon nodded.

“Your grace,” The hand began to say, but the king interrupted him before he could finish.

“Lyonel, Lyman please stay, the rest of you may leave.” The king said. The rest of the room scattered leaving only five people remaining. Otto Hightower remained seated, and Lyman wanted to roll his eyes. Did the man have a hearing problem?

“I believe I asked you to leave.” The king said looking at Otto. The fellow reach man squirmed under the combined gaze of the king and his brother, with the rouge prince making his fire balls larger. The man quickly stood up and rushed out of the room.

“I want the laws of succession changed.” The king said and Lyman thought that indeed the trip up north had changed everything.

The following two moons had Lyman working closely with Lyonel to change the laws of succession. Lyman had known Princess Rhaenyra since she was a babe, the first Targaryen since the doom to hatch a dragon, a wielder of fire and the realms delight. Lyman should have protested louder when the king insisted on sending her away, he should have done more for her mother. In truth a lot of people let queen Aemma down and Lyman was not going to make the same mistake again, he would support the little girl who would share her candied lemons with him, who always had a hug to give whenever he talked about missing his granddaughter. Yes, that girl Lyman thought, deserved to be queen.

Otto Hightower was far too full of himself, and Lyman prayed every day for his downfall. That was not very charitable of him, but the Hightower second son did not inspire anything but derision in Lyman. He had clearly noticed that something was afoot and that the king was leaving him out purposely, so he did what he thought was right, he cornered Lyman one night.

“Ser Otto how may I be of help,” he said as he saw the man next to his chamber door. His lap dog Tyland next to him.

“I want to know what the king has been leaving me out of.” Otto said. Did the man think the rest of the world as foolish as Viserys. Honestly Lyman was insulted.

“If the king wanted you to know I believe he would tell you Ser, however, let me tell you something, I am a lord and not some puppet second son with nothing to his name, let this be the first and last time you ever think yourself powerful enough to question me. Your time is coming Otto, I wouldn’t make any more enemies than you already have.” Lyman finished and he entered his room, slamming the door in the fool’s face.

The king had renovated the heir suite in preparation for his daughter coming back to the capital, and prince Daemon was setting up her security, gold cloaks, and select members of the kingsgaurd were chosen. Lyman himself had ordered a jar full of those candied lemons he knew she enjoyed. He would gift them to her when she arrived.

The day finally came, and Lyman could see that the king was ecstatic, when the news that the Stark banners had been spotted. He ordered everyone outside to great his daughter and her family. Lyman was happy to be in the front so that he may be one of the first to great the girl. The king stood next to his brother the queen sequestered off to the side. The king not noticing her or the way the courtiers gossiped about his deteriorating marriage.

The carriage carrying the Starks pulled up, and the giant wolves, following smaller wolves, stood next to the carriage. A young man whom Lyman assumed was Cregan Stark jumped out. The Lord of Winterfell looking put together in an all-black ensemble with white wolves stitched unto his doublet, his hair and beard neatly trimmed, he looked like a wealthy and powerful lord Next came the two little boys, in matching clothing as their father. Beautiful Targaryen-looking boys, for even the one that was black-haired, had the otherworldly beauty the Targaryen all seemed to possess. Lastly came the, princess Rhaenyra.

She was a beauty and, she was positively glowing, her black and silver embroidered dress highlighted her pregnant belly, and it seemed a little large, twins Lyman guessed. Lord Stark picked up both his sons and the Princess wrapped her arm in the crook of his elbow. Lyman could not deny the gorgeous picture they created. Viserys ran down towards them embracing his daughter, she smiled prettily, her sons greeting their Grandsire. The sliver one reaching for the King's crown, Viserys took it off and handed it to the boy, who put it crookedly on his mother's head, Viserys laughed and led his daughter, towards the crowd.

“You are pregnant,” Prince Daemon said as they made it to him, he too had walk down to greet the family. The princess laughed and rubbed her growing stomach, she hugged her uncle who gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, before he embraced Lord Stark and took the little boys.

“Turns out grandfather was right and, she was pregnant not just tired.” Lord Stark said, his face looking smug, and Lyman had to hold in a chuckle as the princess swatted his arm. The king and the prince did laugh. They finally reach the top of the stairs and the princess looked at him.

“Your royal highness welcome back to the capital!” Lyman said smiling widely at her. She had grown. Lyman was becoming far too old he realized.

“Lord Beesbury!” exclaimed and pulled him into a hug, her stomach making it a little awkward, but he cherished it. ” It is so good to see you, you haven’t changed a bit.”

“You flatter me,” Lyman said, and he grabbed the jar of candied lemons from his servant, and handed it to her.

“You remembered.” She laughed and when she did that Lyman could see the little girl he knew and not this grown woman in front of him. “Cregan, Alex, Auggie come meet my friend Lyman.” The lord Stark came up to him and the prince Daemon moved closer with the boys.

“Ah my lord Beesbury, it is such a pleasure to meet you! Your lessons with Rhaenyra about taxes and coin have made me a fortune, so I thank you.” The young winter lord said. Lyman and the king laughed.

“Hello!” the little lads said, waving their hands.

 

Lady Flora

 

The princess Rhaenyra was very beautiful and that had always been true. But she seemed to glow with her return to the capital. The queen was furious and the whole thing made Flora giddy. The Hightower maid had thought she was worthy enough to take the title from Aemma? Aemma who had done nothing but serve a fool king? Well at least Aemma after five years of marriage had beautiful Rhaenyra to show for it. Alicent Hightower was left with nothing.

The king had decided to host a dinner for his daughter and her family he had announced, lords tripped over themselves to be invited to the event. The queen was furious and so was the lord hand. Flora had been forced to serve in the stupid girl’s household as she had no idea how to run a keep much less the red keep. She watched as the girl lost her mind as story after story came out of the king sleeping with maids, or even going as far as to bring whores into the keep. He certainly never did that when Aemma was around.

When Flora was done helping plan the dinner, she walked to the apartment Rhaenyra and her family were in, hoping to greet her former charge, for flora had looked after the girl since the day she was born. The king had given her the heir suite and she watched as men brought things in and maids guided them. The guard asked her name before knocking and entering the inner part of the suite. With a nod he let her in.

“Flora!” Rhaenyra said bouncing towards her. She noticed that the lad next to her quickly followed in case she hurt herself for she was clearly pregnant. He shared a smile with her as she caught the girl.

“Princess Rhaenyra dear girl you’ve grown!” Flora said, smiling and hugging the girl back. She still smelled like lemons and lavender and a musk scent that was no doubt her husband.

“Cregan come say hello to Flora.” The princess instructed, and the handsome young man came forward. He too gave Flora a hug.

“Lady Flora a pleasure!” he said, his smile making him more pretty. If Flora was into men, she would have swooned.

“Come tell me all the latest in the capital, and then I will introduce you to my sons when they wake up.” Rhaenyra said, leading them to the satie.

“I’ll leave you to it, I’ll make sure everything is all set up.” Lord Cregan said, and kissed her princess before walking outside, to the other parts of the suite.

So, Flora told her princess of how the Hightower girl was incapable, how the king had begun sleeping around more frequently, how the lord hand was losing favor. How she had been forced to serve the harlot, the monsters the girl had birthed. All of it. By the time she was done the princesses sons had woken up, and what beauties they were. She could see the former queen in them. They were such polite boys, inviting her to their indoor picnic lunch. They clearly loved their mother too as they rubbed on her and her tummy, the Lord Cregan would come in periodically to check on his wife, and Flora thought that queen Aemma must be so pleased that her daughter was happy.

Flora was invited to the dinner at the princesses’ request, and she had brought out her best dress to attend. Flora hoped she could serve Rhaenyra during her stay in the capital. Flora was part of the first group to arrive, along with the queen and the lord hand.

“What are you doing here Lady Flora?” the queen asked in that horrid voice of hers.

“She was invited by my niece,” prince Daemon said as he walked in with the king. She had always liked the prince for he cared more for little Rhaenyra than the king did. That seemed to quieten the queen. The Lords Strong and Beesbury also arrived, along with the Ser Tyland Lannister. The princess was the last to arrive. Her princess was dressed in a beautiful gown in silver, showing off her bosom and pregnant belly, her husband matching her, as if they were two sides of the same coin.

"Darling girl you look marvelous," King Viserys gushed, and Flora had to agree, the drop necklace she wore was paired with a thin diamond choker, small diamonds in her ear, and a pear drop diamond ring on her finger, along with some sliver beads.

"Here dear girl, sit next to me," The king said, "Cregan will be next to you,"

The princess seemed to pause as King Viserys stared her toward the seat the queen currently sat on.

"Alicent, I am sure your father would enjoy your presence tonight,” King Viserys said. The entire table stared on awkwardly as the queen stood up and the entire side shifted to allow her sit next to the prince Daemon who refused to get up from the kings left side. The princess was helped into her seat by the lord Stark, and he dropped a kiss on her head.

The servants started bringing out the food as the king engaged the princess and her husband in conversation, along with the prince. When the last dish was brought out the king started serving himself, signaling that they could all do the same, she noticed that the lord Cregan immediately asked the princess what she wanted, and started to fill a plate. The king hearing that his daughter would like the duck began carving it.

“Hey, you!” the queen said interrupting the clanking of food being put on plates. “Where is the mutton?”

“I have had mutton removed from the castle, I remembered Cregan said Rhaenyra did not like the smell when pregnant.” The king said.

“Even with this pregnancy she hates it, thank you.” Lord Cregan said, and Flora saw the rage in the queen’s eyes.

“My Alana hated quail.” Lord Beesbury said smiling no doubt thinking of his late wife.

“Aemma did not hate anything, but she was obsessed with those candied lemons, we had to but so many crates.” The king said reminiscing.

“Maybe that is why Rhaenyra, and the boys love them.” Lord Cregan said with a laugh and everyone except the queen and the lord hand laughed. “The three of them are already halfway through that jar you gifted lord Lyman.”

“No worries my lord, I can have more made!” the master of coin said raising his goblet to the winter lord.

Before she left with the others after the meal Flora was stopped. The princess, her husband, king, queen, lord hand and prince Daemon remained.

“Lady Flora, as of tomorrow you shall lead Rhaenyra’s household. She has requested you specifically.” The king said. The princess and her husband smiled at her, and Flora beamed. Yes. She thought!

“But my love, I need her,” the queen said, her voice grating on Flora’s nerves and it seemed the kings as well.

“If you cannot run a household by now then that is your own problem, Flora served Aemma and she shall serve Rhaenyra, hell if my daughter has a daughter, Flora may serve her too!”

“But she has her own household from Winterfell.” The queen wined, and the kings face turned immediately angry.

“I left the head of my household in Winterfell. Lady Flora will be the head of my household, overseeing Eddie and co, with my pregnancy so far along, and two growing boys, as well as the festivities and what is intending to happen after I will need an experience head of household.” The princess explained. Flora could see the embarrassment as the harlot was reminded that the princess had a husband, two children and more on the way, as well as a household to run. While all she did was sew and visit a sept.

“Lady Flora, I’d like a report on the charities my mother used to support and how they are doing,” Princess Rhaenyra said. Finally, Flora thought a competent person.

 

Lyonel Strong

 

Lyonel walked to the heart tree, and he should not have been surprised when he was met with the princess and her family. Two kingaurds and a bunch of northern guards were stationed around the godswood. The lord Stark had the princess on his lap and his two sons on either side of him. The family all had their heads bowed and their wolves at attention, ready to attack anyone that tried to hurt the family. Lyonel and Harwin, made their way to the other side of the tree, and knelt to pray as well. When he finally opened his eyes, he saw lord Stark blow a gust of air from his hand and the dead leaves around the great heart tree were cleared.

“Someone needs to tend to this place,” Lord Stark said. “I wonder if Eddie and the rest of the people we brought from the north would help me do so?”

“I imagine the king would be happy to have servants from the keep help you as well my love, I will too.” The princess says. The family stand up and finally head towards the castle.

“Shall I have some of our servants join them?” Harwin asked. Lynoel nodded as he too had always been dissatisfied with the way the godswood was kept.

 

The princess and her husband were the last to arrive to the meeting. The king had refused to start the meeting until his daughter and her husband got to the chambers. A page rushed in with cushions dropping them on the chair the princess was intent on siting on next to the king.

“Thank you, Will, was it?” She asked with a kind smile, letting her husband guide her to sit down.

“Yes, your royal highness,” the boy replied a blush covering his cheeks, his eyes looking at the princess adoringly. Otto rolled his eyes and Lyonel wanted to laugh.

“Can I as why the princess and the lord Stark are here?” Otto said, his question stopping whatever the princess was about to say to her father.

“You may ask, but I do not answer to you.” The king snapped, his patience clearly running thin with the hand.

“This will not take long, I am only calling this meeting to make certain announcements, I do not require any advice.” The King said “Princess Rhaenyra is from this moment be the heir to the throne, she is to be known as her majesty Crown Princess Rhaenyra princess of Dragonstone and Winterfell, her husband is to be known as his royal highness Prince Cregan Lord Paramount of the North. All their children will be known as Princes and Princesses of houses Stark and Targaryen. The law of succession is here by changed so the first child of the King or Queen will inherit the throne regardless of gender. Rhaenyra and I have selected Prince Daemon to become the new hand of the king.”

To say Lyonel was shocked would be an understatement, he had known that the princess was to be the new heir, and was aware of the law change, after all he helped draft it, he did not see the replacing of Otto coming, and neither it seemed had anyone else but the princess, the king, and the new prince. Even the rouge prince seemed shocked. Neither the king nor his family stayed after the announcement, the only thing that that was said was by Ser Eryk, when he asked for Otto’s pin.  

The arrival of princess Rhaenyra highlighted the queen’s childlessness. The fact that the princesses’ children were sons made the entire situation worse. The childish sounds the boys made were so clearly missed and loved by the king.

The lords that had already arrived kept singing the sliver headed princess’s praises.

“Oh look, the boys are so beautiful.”

“The princess is glowing, more children for her husband already.”

“Did you see the flowers the Lords Stark gave her, and he made her sons give her some as well. They are the epitome of love.”

Round and round the praise flowed. The fact that the king no longer called for the queen in his bed also made the position of house Hightower very shaky. But this decision by the king had essentially cut the head off the snake, for even if Otto’s daughter did give the king a child it was to late. Once the king and princess had reconciled it was over for the Hightower’s.

Lyonel was in the gardens with the king and queen later that day. Well, he, Beesbury and prince Daemon were in the garden, while the queen sat a distance away with her ladies. Her face looked sad; no doubt haven heard the news about her father. The prince Cregan and the little princes came outside as well, the two boys sat on one large direwolf who raced them towards their grandsire and grand uncle. The queen and her ladies fluttered around scared, but the wolf came to a stop. The prince Cregan walking leisurely behind talking to ser Harold.

“Grandsire, Kepus!” The boys said. The wolf crouching down so that they may get down.

“Is that cake?” The black haired one asked.

“Can we have some?” the silver haired one asked.

“Ah Alex, Auggie, of course you can have as much cake as you like.” The king said jovially.

“You can only have one each,” their father called out.

“Okay Tad, thank you!” the boys both said, climbing into the king and prince Daemon’s laps.  

The boys each started nibbling on the slices of cake their grandfather gave them. Finally, the prince Cregan came and sat down. The boys getting down and scrambling into their father’s lap.

“We have to stay outside because Muna and the babe are sleep.” Prince Alex said, and his brother nodded seriously as well to confirm what had just been said.

“Do you want to go flying?” Prince Daemon asked, the boys eyes lit up and they immediately turned to their father.

“Can we Tad?” They asked eyes wide.

“Of course, but you’ll be good and do what your Kepus tells you.” Their father replied. The boys kissed their father, their cake all but forgotten and practically floated over to prince Daemon who carried them off.

“It feels like yesterday it was Rhaenyra who was being taken to the pits.” The king said. “Cregan, perhaps you could help Lyman, he is looking for a position for his newly knighted son, I know you are looking to add someone to the boy’s retinue.”

“You needn’t worry your royal highness; he is a third son he knows he must make his own way.” Lyman said.

“Nonsense, tell him to come meet me.” The prince said taking a sip of the wine he just poured for himself. Lyman’s eyes widened as he realizes the prince was serious. He quickly dispatched a servant to call his son.

The princess Rhaenyra seemed to have woken up from her nap and was headed towards the group. A second direwolf following her. The prince immediately ran to get her. When she was close enough the Lyonel and Lyman stood up, as did the king who pulled out a chair for her.

“Hello, where are the boys?” the princess asked, turning to her husband.

“They went flying with Daemon.” The king answered with a laugh.

“Ah good! They have missed it since I stopped being able to take them.” The princess said back.

“You’re just in time my love, we may have found the last knight for the boys.” The prince said.

 

 

Ser Tyland Lannister

 

 

Tyland watched as the new prince Cregan came down to the yards with his two sons, prince Daemon accompanying him.

The boys held their wooden swords out and the prince Daemon signaled for a dummy to be brought. The Starks had only been in the capital three weeks, and everything had already changed. All the alliances Tyland had made were now useless and he would have to ingrain himself to the princess now. Tyland did not understand why the king did not just marry another woman who could give him sons.

Tyland and some other lords stood at the balcony watching the lesson. The leason had only been going on for awhile when the King arrived with Lyman and the queen and her father following them like lost puppies. Tyland had always thought Otto Hightower an unmovable force, but it seemed like a woman was his downfall which is why Tyland did not want the princess as queen.  

The king Viserys rushed up quickly to cheer on his grandsons.

“Would you look at that,” The king said and the courtiers all smiled and nodded. Tyland had to admit the two boys would find no better teacher.

The princess eventually came as well. She dressed impeccably in a black leather dress, that hugged all her curves and showed off her bump. She was clearly carrying the child well. Lyman was quick to give the princess his seat

“Did you see Muna?” The little boy with sliver curls shouted. His little training sword on the dummy.

“Yes, my little dragon wolf you were so good,” the princess replied lovingly “You too my little winter knight.” Both boys beamed from the praise their mother bestowed upon them.

“Ah you see that; the little princes shall be the greatest knights the realm has ever seen.” Viserys called out merrily.

The little boys ran up to the platform and ran to their mother who, hugged them.

“Tad is going to fight Kepus now.” The black-haired prince said.

The yard became excited as the princes drew steel.

“You can do it Tad!”

“Go Tad.”

The clash of Valyrian steel was loud, the prince Cregan’s great sword was impressive and so were his movements. The rouge prince’s famed sword was as impressive as always. The fight went on for a while, each prince skilled and competent. Eventually the rouge prince was pushed to the ground and the winter prince put his sword to his neck signaling the end of the fight. The yard clapped and Tyland was impressed.

“Tad! You did it.” The princes shouted, running to meet their father as the older princes climb up to the balcony.

“Well done, Cregan.” The king said.

“Well met prince Cregan.” Lyman said.

The prince nodded, but his attention was on his wife. He lent down to kiss his wife; Tyland could have sworn he heard a moan.

“Such behavior is unbecoming.” The queen said; however she did not say it low enough for the princess turned to her.

“Is something wrong?” The princess asked, looking at the queen with a raised eyebrow. The balcony seemed to stop as the two women looked at each other.

“I said such behavior is unbecoming.” The queen sneered.

“Hmm… I do have to wonder if wearing one’s mothers’ gown to comfort a king is also unbecoming or is it just me kissing my husband. Whom I did not share a room with until our wedding.” The princess said standing up and taking her children’s hand. “Well, you know what they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” She then walked away, her husband laughing and walking with her. Tyland looked at the king and he looked very angry.

 

 

Notes:

Okay a couple things. I had Rhaenyra almost done with her pregnancy, she is about 7 months in by the end of this chapter. I wanted her to be done with childbirth for the next part of the story. In this arc we are learning about the characters and we are establishing the Stark -Targeryen family. I think we'll get about 5-6 more set up chapters before I introduce my big bad! Whom I am so excited about!

Lyman died defending Rhaenyra! So I Stan him. I am making him happy too! Plus she needs a grandad. Harold = Dad Lyman = Grandad

Something I'd like your help with. As we know from Daemon's blood also comes the "prince who was promised." So I want one of his daughters for Alexander. However I really dislike Corlys and I do not want his blood on the throne. Shall I stick to having Laena (Who is actually going to be super important) and Daemon fall in love and have their babies, but have their grandchild marry one of Cregan and Rhaenyra's that way Corlys is long dead so it would not matter. Or pair Daemon up with someone else? Although with Laena's renewed arc she is kinda awesome. So if it's a no on Daemon's daughter, it will be a sister for Alex.

Please let me know!! I will take you advise so thank you in advance.

Next Chapter - Rheanys arrives. Qoren arrives (He is actual chaos central and I am so excited for it). The feast and swearing of the lords. A birth and a threat, and two rouge young dragons go on a biting spree.

Chapter 5: My daughters keepers.

Notes:

Ahh thank you guys for your thoughts on Laena x Daemon. Please enjoy this Chapter.

Rhaenys Targaryen

 

“Rhaenys,” Daemon said, “Laenor”

“Daemon.” She greeted back. But there was no smile, no warmth nothing. She supposed she deserved that. After all had they not all taken advantage of Daemon, only liking him when they needed him.

Rhaenys did not have to wait long for her to meet her little cousin again. She was summoned by the princess of Dragonstone. When she walked up to the heirs’ chambers, she realized that she had not been there since her father died. There were several northern knights stationed in the hallway, and Rhaenys what let into the library and study. Rhaenyra, it seemed had made serval changes, while the furniture was still all black, the room had been brightened up with the blues of house Arryn, and the greys and sliver of house Stark. There was a large tapestry of running wolves in the night. There was also a tapestry of two boys, a man and Rhaenyra, Rhaenys assumed that was her young cousin’s family.

The door finally opened and in trotted in an all-black wolf with bright blue eyes. Along with Rhaenyra.

“Princess Rhaenys.” Rhaenyra greeted. “Welcome to the capital.” Rhaenyra was dressed in a flowing blue dress her stomach large and protruding, her hair let loose in waves, a sliver headband holding it out of her face.

“Cousin.” Rhaenys said. For she did not know how she was going to address her cousin. The younger girl hummed and sat down. She pointed to the seat across from her and Rhaenys sat down as well.

“I’ll make this quick for I have a feeling that my boys will come rushing through soon.” Rhaenyra said. “Your daughter has been granted a pardon from the crown. The whole fiasco between Laena and the crown forgotten. I am sure your family can make up some story that will clear her of any wrongdoing.”

Rhaenys was shocked. She had assumed that her daughter would never be allowed back on the shores of Westeros. Rhaenys was very skeptical.

“What do you want in return?” Rhaenys asked.

“Nothing, unlike you, Viserys and your husband, I understand what it means to share blood, and what duties that come along with that. I want nothing from you or yours.” Rhaenyra said.

“You expect me to believe that?” Rhaenys asked again.

“I do not care what you believe,” Rhaenyra said. “You know I find you the worst of the living elder Targaryen’s. For unlike Daemon you were never forced into an unwanted marriage. You choose your cunt of a husband all by yourself. Unlike Viserys, you have a dragon so there is still fire in your soul, but you are so hypocritical and bitter, and it is sad. You are determined to force my generation to pay for the mistakes of your twat of a grandfather. Wake up and come down to reality, neither Laena, nor I, or Laenor are responsible for your misery. Hell, even Viserys isn’t responsible, and he is the cause of a lot of misery.”

Rhaenyra stood up and walk towards the door.

“Thank you, Rhaenyra. I am sorry.” Rhaenys said as the girl reached the door.

“You should tell that to your children, and whatever broken part of yourself you insist on holding onto.” She said and walked out of the room.

Rhaenys had devoted her entire life to the throne that when she had lost it she felt had nothing left. She had married a man old enough to be her father, a man who disrespected her at every turn by siring bastard after bastard. But even that sacrifice had not been enough for the realm to forget that she was a woman. Then like the monster her daughter said she was she had tried to sell her daughter to a man who had murdered his cousin and devoted wife, twice she had tried to pawn Leana off because of her own ambitions. A man so lacking in loyalty he had sent away the child he had spent years praying for. Would she not have pawned off her son who liked men, if Viserys had come to this decision earlier? How many live she wondered would she have ruined? Was her own not enough?

She knew that Laenor received letters from Laena wherever she was. Corlys had banned the mention of her name on driftmark and Laenor had decided he’d had enough of his father and had lashed out. Corlys seeming to realize that his son had a dragon and was very capable of destruction. Her family hanging on by a thread. Laenor refusing to speak to Corlys, and Corlys hanging on to his delusions of grandeur. But maybe with the lifeline Rhaenyra had thrown her she could do better and be better.

The ladies luncheon hosted by the queen was as dry as what Rhaenys assumed a Dornish desert was like. The ladies were all sat in the gardens and Rhaenys could see that the Hightower queen had lost the court. Of course, that was bound to happen once people realized that she had lost her husband. In the days that Rhaenys had been here she had heard and seen that Viserys was unfaithful and disrespectfully so. The septon that the queen had brought to speak was droning on and on. As she considered leaving Rhaenyra walked in with two boys. She made her way to Rhaenys who was sat alone.

“Cousin.” The new princess of Dragonstone greeted.

“Ah you have hair like me.” The black-haired young boy said, clapping his hands. For his hair was black like Rhaenys and he had the a sliver streak at the back.

“Are you our family too?” the sliver haired one with the black streak asked.

“Princess Rhaenys is my cousin.” Rhaenyra said. “Her Muna had black hair like your Tad.”

“Hello princess like our Muna. I am Alex and this is Auggie.” Alex said pointing at himself and then his brother.

“You can call us Alex and Auggie, because we are family.” Auggie said.

“Hello Alex and Auggie, you can call me Velma.” Rhaenys said, she smiled widely at the boys for they were just too cute. She smiled at Rhaenyra as well, and the trio sat down.

“Where is the food?” Alex asked. Rhaenys had to agree for who hosted a garden luncheon with no food.

Rhaenyra raised her hand and a young man appeared beside her.

“Eddie can you please get us some food, and some drinks?” Rhaenyra said to the servant.

“Already on the way your majesty.” Eddie said.

“As always you are always ten steps ahead.” Rhaenyra said.

“This is a luncheon with no food my princess, I have never seen anything like it, so I immediately ordered food for you and the children.” Eddie explained.

“Please have them bring princess Rhaenys some as well.” Rhaenyra said, and the man nodded and walked off to do the bidding of his mistress.

“Eddie is the best.” Alex said.

“Yes, he is.” Rhaenyra said. The boys started playing with their carved toys, Rhaenys noted they each had a dragon and a wolf.

“Was this meant to be a luncheon or a sermon at the sept?” Rhaenyra asked Rhaenys.

“I was told it was to be a luncheon, I was surprised that a septon was here.” Rhaenys said. “Although you and I are not the only ones confused.” Rhaenyra looked around discreetly and she must have seen the ladies, bored and leaning towards them. Probably to hear what they were saying.

“Viserys will not like this.” Rhaenyra said. “The septon has been trying to lecture him about his marriage, and he banned him from the castle. I have no clue what Alicent is doing.”

“Probably hoping to shame the noble women into not sleeping with the king.” Rhaenys said. “None will head her word. For a king’s mistress is a luxurious lifestyle.”

“That would be interesting to see.” Rhaenyra said. “Although she may want to look a little closer to home.”

The final feast for Viserys’s celebration was finally upon them. Rhaenys, Corlys and Laenor were sat at the high table with Alicent Hightower, Viserys, Rhaenyra and Daemon nowhere to be seen.

“His Royal highness prince Daemon prince of the stepstones and hand of the king.” The announcer said, and in walked in her cousin in all black, with a black and red cloak on his back, a sliver hand of the pin badge on his chest.

“His grace King Viserys of house Targaryen, King of the Andal’s the Royner and the first men, lord of the seven kingdoms and protector of the realm, and his daughter and heir Her majesty the Crown Princess Rhaenyra of houses Arryn, Stark and Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone, Lady of Winterfell, and Her Husband His royal Highness the Prince Cregan of House Stark Lord Paramount, Lord of Winterfell and warden of the north and their sons and heirs Their Royal highnesses the Princes Alexander and Augustus of houses Targaryen and Stark” The announcer said.

The doors opened and they all entered. Rhaenyra was dressed in all black a Sliver cloak hanging off her shoulders and the circlet that Viserys had gifted her on her head. The Stark prince also wore black and silver, with his sons matching him. On the heads of the little boys were sliver circlets. Viserys was also dressed in black, but his cloak was red, with dragons on them.

As she watched the men of the realm gather to swear to Rhaenyra, Rhaenys feels a sense of healing. She had been robbed by men who thought themselves all knowing, but here they are kneeling to a woman.

 

Cregan Stark.

 

Cregan would never understand how Viserys had the time in the day to embarrass his wife like this. Even Rhaenyra was shocked, and she expected nothing but stupidity from the king. It was one thing to have a maid in the north, but it was another thing to be opening flirting with the cousin of his wife. Did the man have a red hair kink? Cregan supposed to be fair the lady Bethany should have put a stop to whatever the king was saying, for regardless of Viserys’s many short comings, he was not a rapist.

“You’re a good husband, you must remember that not all are like you, my love.” Rhaenyra said through their bond as he spun her around.

“Qoren should be here after the babes come. I imagine he wanted to avoid the swearing ceremony.” Cregan replied through the bond. They stopped dancing and he led her back to the seat at the high table. He poured her some watered-down wine and sat down next to her. He received a kiss on the cheek, and he saw the ladies around them coo. The former hand came to speak to his daughter and Cregan could see the anger in the girls’ eyes, Cregan would feel pity for her if she was not such a religious hypocrite. The king came back to the high table with Bethany and asked Rhaenyra for a dance.

“Prince Cregan, would you like to dance?” lady Bethany asked, her voice sickly sweet and her eyelashes fluttering in a way Cregan assumed was supposed to be alluring.

“No, I only dance with my wife.” Cregan said, his face straight. The girl had the audacity to look sad and Cregan honestly wanted to throttle the entire Hightower bloodline. Bloody Brandon, for building that family the stupid tower.

Cregan knew that the babes would soon arrive, with the way Rhaenyra kept clutching her back. Cregan assumed that like Alex and Auggie the babes would be early. Cregan was glad for Flora and Eddie for they took charge of everything while Cregan made sure to distract the boys and keep track of the reports Rhaenyra had been receiving from Dragonstone. As he sat down in the gardens writing the reports, with the boys coloring the bond flared.

“It has started.” He heard Rhaenyra said through the bond. Cregan did not even remember what happened next, he grabbed the boys and started running, not caring who he pushed out of the way to get to his destination. He got to the children’s nursery where he was met with Lucius. He put the boys down.

“Muna is having the babes. You must be good for Lucius and the others you understand.” He said to the boys.

“Will Muna be okay?” Auggie asked.

“Yes, soon you’ll have more siblings.” Cregan replied, hoping it was true.

“Give kisses for us.” Alex said. Cregan nodded and ran out of the nursery. When he got to the door the grandmaster, Melios was arguing with Anya.

“I am a grand master, you will let me in.” the man shouted.

“Anya go inside, I will be there shortly.” Cregan said, his voice leaving no room for questions.

“I am qualified.” The grand master said to Cregan “You must let me enter and help the princes. I will be telling the king about this.”

Rhaenyra was already in the tub when he entered. Anya, Flora and two midwives they had brought from the north, who helped deliver the boys was there. He stripped into his small clothes and got in with her. Her back leaning on his chest like last time. Rhaenyra cursed and screamed like last time and Cregan had to remind himself that she had wanted this too, that he was not a monster, that his water healing was helping her. That she did not mean it when she said she hated him.

“I see a head princess, push” the midwife said

“What the hell do you think I am doing here? Playing tidily winks you cunt?” Rhaenyra said, her reply quick and harsh.

“A boy,” the midwife said, clearly undeterred by Rhaenyra’s words. “A few more pushes.”

Finally the second child was born and Rhaenyra had pushed out the afterbirth and Cregan wondered if she would be disappointed that they did not have a daughter?

The women helped them clean up and get redressed. He was able to carry Rhaenyra to the bed and the new twins were handed to her. She had tears in her eyes.

“Cregan look they are so beautiful,” Rhaenyra said.

“Yes, they are. Thank you, my love. Thank you.” Cregan said, kissing her head.

“I love you.” She said as if Cregan

“I love you more than anything.” Cregan replied. “I’ll go bring the boys in.” Cregan quickly rushed to the nursery and saw the boys were practicing with Lucius.

“I shall prepare the alter. Congratulations.” Lucuis said walking out. Cregan grabbed the boys and took them into his and Rhaenyra’s rooms.

“Muna,” the boys both said running to the bed. Cregan helped them settle, so they would not disturb the new babes and Rhaenyra.

“Look new brothers.” Rhaenyra said, to them, as Cregan sat down on the bed as well.

“Name?” Alex asked.

“Auri and Archie.” Cregan replied. The sliver haired sliver eyed one was called Aurelius Eddard and Archibald Julien, like their brothers they had been given a name of their own with meaning and a name for a loved one. Eddard for Uncle Ned who had looked after Cregan after his father died, who had almost died when Bernard tried to take Winterfell, and Julian, after his mother, whom he had nnever gotten to meet, but whom he hoped was proud of him, and grandfather, who had always been a safe place for Cregan. The boys kissed their new brothers, and Cregan cherished the family he had. For so long he had thought himself alone and he had never felt settled or complete until he met Rhaenyra and he supposed that was why he was willing to have her have anything she wanted, for she was his everything, who had gone on to give him everything.

Eventually Flora was sent to inform the king and the council. Unlike the north they would only get a few hours of peace. Suprisingly the king and Daemon were not the first ones at the door, instead it was a maid and Criston Cole.

“The queen wants the babes brought to her.” The knight said and Cregan saw red.

“Where is the queen?” he asked the maid.

“In her solar, with her ladies.” The young girl said.

“Stay here with your Muna, I’ll be back.” Cregan told the boys.

“Where are you going?” Auggie asked.

“The queen is being mean to Muna, I have to make sure they can’t be mean anymore.”  Cregan answered and the boys both nodded. Cregan kissed Rhaenyra and she said.

“Do not spill blood, it would be bad luck.”

“I said the queen,” The man did not have time to finish his statement as Cregan punched him and he fainted. The maid screamed.

“Take me to her.” He told the maid. He made sure that Echo and a guard were following him as he picked up the gold cloak and began dragging him. The maid led him to the queen’s rooms. The ladies were shocked when he entered dragging a lip Cole.

“You can either follow me or I will run you through where you stand.” Cregan said to the queen. Cregan could see the fear in her eyes. But Alicent Hightower was incredibly stupid.

“I am queen, and you will not speak to me like that.” She spoke. Cregan signaled for the guard to hold the fool of a kinggaurd. Cregan did not let her finish her sentence, he simply pulled her by her hair, and she began to scream. Cregan dragged them all to the small council chambers where a meeting was being held. Flora stood outside, clearly not having delivered the message of the children’s birth to the king yet. Good Cregan thought. He had the guard open the door and he dragged a screaming queen and a semi-conscious guard.

“Dear gods.” Tyland Lannister said as they entered.

“This fool, thought to have my newborn sons brought to her for presentation as if they were oranges in the market, and not third and fourth in line to the throne. Not sons of a lord paramount.” He announced to the room. “She had the audacity to have a guard, there as if to what threaten my wife and children?”

“I never,” Alicent started.

“You, tell them what you told me.” He said to the maid.

“The queen asked me to bring the princesses children to her.” The maid said shaking from her place on the floor. “She had Ser Cole follow me.”

“Let me make something very clear, my ancestors built the Hightower your family now live in. If you ever try to cross me and mine again, I will bring it down and I will not need my wife’s dragon to do so.” Cregan made sure a strong gust of wind shook the chamber they were in. The fool queen pissed herself in fear.

“Are you scared? Good you should be.” Cregan said as he pointed his hand at her, temporarily taking her ability to breath. “I will slaughter your kin and I will not stop until the blood of every member of your family stains my feet. I am not Viserys who does not honor oaths he made to his wives. I will protect my wife with everything that I have and everything that I am. Even the Andal invaders knew better than not to fear winter.”

 

Viserys Targaryen

 

Viserys was stunned. His goodson did not wait for a reply to his threat, he simply walked out. Leaving a kingsgaurd on the floor and a soiled queen. Viserys had only experienced such power, except from Rhaenyra the night she had learned of Aemma’s death, the castle walls had been engulfed in fire and the whole structure shook. For the first time, Viserys realized that should Rhaenyra have wanted him dead the Stark boy would have presented his head to her on a gold plater.

“I am not like Viserys” the boy had said. Cregan Stark had all but labeled him an oath breaker and he could not find any fault in the words.

The other members of the council all seemed frightened as well, even his brother and Daemon was powerful and scary in his own right.

“What were you thinking?” Daemon asked, rounding towards Alicent. “Ordering the heir to the throne around like a servant.” Viserys had to wonder what she was thinking as well. Daemon looked ready to kill her, for Daemon could never stand an insult to his niece. But Viserys could not afford another dead wife. He also could not annul the marriage as she had not committed treason and she was not technically infertile.

“You will seek the princess of Dragonstone out and beg for her forgiveness on your hands and knees.” Viserys said, “Get out.” He shouted and the whole room cleared out, except Daemon.

“I imagine the only reason your queen still lives is because Cregan did not want to spill blood on such a happy day.” Daemon said. Viserys thought that Daemon was probably right.

The following morning, he was finally able to meet his new grandsons. The family had gathered in the godswood to do a prayer to welcome their newest family members. Aurelius Eddard and Archibald Julien. Viserys wondered if he had not destroyed his relationship with his daughter, if one of those beautiful boys would be named after him.

The time for the ceremony to begin was finally upon them. Rhaenyra was seated in front of the large heart tree, furs and pillows making the tree look comfortable. Viserys, Daemon, Jeyne, Rhaenys, Laenor, Lyonel, Lyman and Cregan sat down on a bench behind her. The members of the Stark household and the Arryn’s were gathered. The boys seated on their father’s wolves shadow and echo. The boy had their own call winter and summer. The people gathered and Cregan stood up. All conversation stopped as the lord of winter cleared his throat.

“Rhaenyra, Alexander, Augustus and I,” he began, always the four of them Viserys thought. “Thank you all for all the love and support you have shown our family. We thank you for all your prayers and the outpouring of love we have received. As many of you know, saying that I am in love with my wife would be silly as everyone is very aware of that. However, I will say I am grateful for my wife, Rhaenyra.” He turned to his daughter now. Getting down on his knees. “I will always have and hold you, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, even death will not part us my love. You are the greatest gift the gods have every given me and may our children remind you of our everlasting love. May the old gods protect and keep you my love, may they grant you everything you desire, may our sons never forget that eternal peace and the favor of the gods lie within your arms.”

The whole crowd knelt and bowed their heads on prayer.

“You have to pray.” Alex said to him

The sun priest had set up an altar in one of the chambers in Rhaenyra’s rooms, and Viserys was ashamed to say that he could not remember the last time he prayed to the fourteen. Cregan and the boys knew more about the ceremony as Lucius read from the scripts. Daemon and Rhaenyra following along perfectly, as was Cregan, the boys although young knew enough of what to do.

When they all knelt in front of their patrons, Viserys was shocked that Cregan had an accepted patron. Daemons was Vhagar, Rhaenyra’s was shockingly Arrax ruler of all and Viserys was shocked as Arrax had never accepted a Targaryen before. Cregan knelt in front of Aeggerax, God of anything that could walk, fly, swim or crawl. The boys both knelt with each parent. When they were old enough, they would choose a pantheon and go through the god’s trials, to be accepted. Viserys had never completed his trails for a god. In truth he was never a true believer. Maybe that is why he was cursed so. Perhaps he should ask for a cleansing and begin his journey to the gods anew.

Viserys should have known that his grandsons were just as protective of their mother as their father was of his wife. So, he really should have seen the entire fiasco of the afternoon coming. The boys had asked to spend time with him in the gardens and he happily agreed. They had even asked him to invite his friends and Viserys had laughed and invite the lords still in the castle. His cousin Rhaenys, and her husband were there along with Laenor, the Hightower’s were there as well including Alicent. So was Daemon and other members of the small council.

They were running around as he talked to Rhaenys and Daemon, reminiscing when it happened. Alicent was sat two seats from him, suddenly Aggerax and Giltorax flew down into the courtyard and people scattered. The two juvenile dragons both grabbed a part of Alicent’s dress and ripped, next summer and winter came and Alicent got up to run, but the four companions were chasing the queen.

“You will never be mean to our Muna again!” the boys shouted as their companions chased his wife, the wolves nipping at her heals. Criston, and Alicent’s brother tried to help her drawing steel, when the dragons descended on them and bit them on the legs. The two men began screeching in pain and the wolves continuing to nip at Alicent. Who had finally managed to flee inside, a maid closing the doors from the wolves.

“Nobody is mean to our Muna.” The boys said, as their dragons and wolves roared, Viserys feared for anyone who was stupid enough to try to hurt Rhaenyra, for those wolves were clearly fierce and protected their families with everything they had. The only sound in the courtyard was moaning from the two men on the floor, Daemons laughter and clapping.

Cregan had not stopped laughing since he and Rhaenyra had been told what the boys had done. Rhaenyra had raised an eyebrow and simply nodded. She looked at her husband as he laughed, a small smile gracing her lips.

“Cregan and I will be more than happy to buy the queen some new fabric. We will also talk to the boys about what they did today.” His daughter said, as she was reclined on her sofa. She turned to smile at the boys who were now playing with their brothers in the crib. The newest children’s dragons, Arrax and Vermax on their shoulders.

When he went back to his chambers he was met with Otto.

“Your grace,” the reach man said. “I am here on behalf of the queen.”

“She is alive and well, it was nothing but a silliy prank from two little boys.” Viserys said. Although in truth he knew that had the boys been older, they would have drawn blood from Alicent.

“Your grace surly you cannot condone what happened.” Otto screeched.

“My brother has made his position clear Otto you may leave, after all you stay in the keep as a favor from the crown.” Daemon said walking out of his rooms. He had not even known Daemon was waiting on him. Otto realizing that his point was moot left.

“I am in no mood for a brothel tonight.” He told Daemon as he pushed into his rooms. Daemon closed the door behind them.

“Of course, you are not.” Daemon said mockingly. “You have just been faced with the fact that boys a few moons shy of their third nameday, protect and defend their family and your daughter better than you ever have.”

“I have always defended this family.” Viserys shouted getting angry.

“You have never thought of anyone but yourself, even this, bringing Rhaenyra back, it is about you and your ego. You have the ego of a god and the actions of a speck of dust. You have and always will be our houses’ weakest link. Those boys, Cregan, Harold, and even me, have been there for Rhaenyra more than you ever have.” Daemon said. “You have never deserved the loyalty of any of us have given to you.” Daemon did not wait, he simply stormed out.

Viserys sat down and spent the night drinking, and perhaps the gods had finally had enough of his delusions, for all his life choices seemed to play in his mind, and he finally realized what he was.

Selfish. A kinslayer. An oath breaker and a traitor to his own blood. For the first time since his mother’s death, Viserys wept like a babe.

 

 

Notes:

Cregan/ Alex/ Auggie anytime someone is mean to Rhaenyra 🤬. I know the boys are really young, but children are smart and will hurt you if you are mean to their fav adult.

Rhaenyra just can't stop giving birth to those boys- Poor Alicent!!

Rheanys is one of my favs(Book Rheanys) so she is going to be dragged to greatness. Viserys being shocked that children have bigger backbones than him is funny.

I have now posted 5 chapters as I had before. But with more words I had 19k before. I am so proud to have gotten this new arc out.

Okay so many of you did not really want Leana x Daemon. So I am going to change the tag. (To the people who do, please don't hate me!)

After looking at my plot line- I'll give you a spoiler, Laena is currently a part of a group of Valyrian women. Think a female version of the golden company. Ultimately I want her to be Rhaenyra's hand, and I want her to rule Hightide, so maybe a man from her adventures. A few of you suggested Harwin and he deserves happiness as well and I cannot believe I forgot him. Although Leana will not come back to Westeros for a couple more chapters.

For Daemon the suggestions were a Catiger (Who I Stan cause didn't one of the ladies of their house serve Rhaenyra so loyally she took out her own eyes?) Also a Martell was suggested, but Qoren has no sisters (I know I could give him one, but his being an only child to a shitty father is actually really important for him and Rhaenyra's bond), so the closest would be a Dayne (Who will be Qoren's sister in-law)

Also to the legend who suggested just killing Corlys! You made my dayyyy!!!!

So final choice is Daemon x Catiger OC or Dayne OC and Laena x Harwin or Pentos OC

The next chapter will actually have Qoren in it, it just got too big- Next chapter is called, my father is a bad man. It is a Rhaenyra /Qoren/ Alicent and Laena pov and is jam-packed so please bare with me. I love your comments!! Please keep them up.

Chapter 6: Bad people

Summary:

I had this chapter written for ages but was not sure about it. I am posting it because I do not want to abandon this! Please let me know what you think.

Sister of the Dragana

 

Laena was sired by an ambitious man and her mother had been happy to let that ambition burn Laena as well. Laena was born to be a lady of a great house, to bring glory to her family name with her charm and beauty. But Laena had given all that up when she refused to marry the king. Laena knows that the life she currently lives is not the one she wants. She is still the spoiled little girl who likes pearls and all the finer things in life. But Laena has something she’s never had before. A purpose outside of her family. For here Laena is no longer the daughter of Corlys Velaryon and she loves it.

 

Laena never knew just how privileged she was until she started following the Dragana on their slave freedom raids. The Dragana were a group of female fighters who sailed on their ship, freeing slaves. She was glad they had found her in Pentos and not someone else. Perhaps she should have escaped with Laenor, for he would have loved this freedom.

 

Here she had no name she was simply a Dragana. A sister. Laena should be proud, for all those years of joining Laenor in his lessons have given her the unique ability to read maps and chart courses. For she was no warrior. Yes, she had learned to defend herself now, but she was no Visenya. No, she was more sea than dragon and perhaps that’s why she and her mother had always clashed, for fire was the very antithesis of water.

 

They had been getting reports of kidnappings of young maidens. Not to sell into slavery or brothels. This worried the Dragana, for even the slave traders were beginning to worry. It had started out small, but now it was in such numbers, that everyone was getting concerned.

Who was taking the girls? Were they still alive?

 

Laena loved watching people reunite with their families and she desperately wanted to see hers. She exchanged delayed letters with her brother and received gold from him here and there. Laenor was always a better brother than he was a son. But that was probably because he knew that he could never disappoint her like he could their mother and father.

 

Rhaenys Targaryen was a good mother until she had to put her children before her obsession with the throne. That is why she had wanted to make her daughter a queen. Her mother had deserved the crown on the current king’s head. But hadn’t her cousin deserved the crown on her father’s head. After all Rhaenyra had paid for it in blood. But Rhaenys should have strived to support a new order, but her mother only wanted change where it benefited her. Of course, the reality was that Jaehaerys had been the one to change the way things were done. The man probably not wanting people to realize that his niece should have been queen. Her mother had simply paid for that.

 

Leana would find out who was killing these girls and then maybe she’d be able to go home as this new version of herself. Maybe then she could be her mother’s daughter and not her do over.

 

Rhaenyra Stark-Targaryen

 

Rhaenyra was sired by a selfish man. Rhaenyra wonders if it is fair to label Viserys as such for she has never tested the power of her ability to sacrifice. Viserys was a terrible father of that, she was sure. For she was the only one who could speak to it. She imagined that even if he had gotten his requested son, he would have done nothing for the boy, for Viserys had a unique way of wielding selfishness that it was violent. Viserys was a bad king, for the biggest failure of a king is the inability to foresee. In truth every Targaryen king had lacked that ability. Viserys was a bad brother and that was very apparent, but Daemon would rather see Viserys as weak and not as the monster he truly is. Viserys is a bad husband, and that might be his biggest failing yet. For he ruins the lives of all the young girls he comes across. The world is cruel to young girls, Rhaenyra is smart enough to know this, but none are crueler to them than Viserys. Viserys is a bad man and unfortunately for Rhaenyra she is his daughter.

 

The king asking for an audience at the crack of dawn should be concerning but Rhaenyra is already awake. Her two eldest sons coming to sleep in their bed, to seek out love and protection of their parents. They are currently on-top of her husband. Their two youngest sleeping soundly in their crib. She wears a simple dress, for it is far too early for anything else.

 

The walk to Viserys rooms is silent as Ser Harold is at her back. She is let into the room by the guards who bow their heads. When she enters, she can smell the wine. Viseys looks clean for the type of smell emanating from the room. But his eyes look bloodshot.

 

“I am a failure,” Viserys begins, and Rhaenyra does not correct him, because for the first time since she has known him Viserys is not lying to himself. “I am a failure and I see that now.”

 

There is a silence that follows for Rhaenyra will not dissuade him of this notion. Not when it is so obviously true.

 

“I am sorry, I know now that is nowhere near enough. For words from me have often been meaningless.” Viserys begins again, seeming to realize that Rhaenyra will not fill the silence for him. By now she has taken a seat opposite him, and she simply stares at him. “I never deserved Armma.”

Rhaenyra is tempted to add that he is undeserving of anyone.

 

“I killed her, and I threw the last remaining piece of her away.” Rhaenyra again wants to stop him and tell him that he didn’t kill Aemma Arryn, he butchered her. Stripped her of all her humanity as if he was a god. “I am so sorry.” He finishes and begins to cry.

 

Rhaenyra does not offer him any words of comfort, for their relationship is too sour for that, so she opts for the truth.

“Your apology is pointless. You can't apologies for something you chose to do. That's like apologizing for being you.” Rhaenyra says and Viserys looks up at her as if seeing her for the first time. “If you are apologizing for my forgiveness, I have long since forgiven you, but I will never forget that you are an even worse version of Maegor, for all his atrocities, he never hid them in the cloak niceties. But you do.”

 

Rhaenyra pauses allowing her words to sink in.

“I do not say this to you because I am mean or cruel Viserys, but you have no daughter. You seized to have one the day you chose yourself over our family. But you have an heir, you even have kin, for I will defend you, because you are blood of my blood. But you and I, that is all we will ever be. I hope for your sake you can be better, for Alyssa, Baelon and Daemon deserve better.  Aemma most of all deserved better, the realm deserves better. Hell, even your twat of a second wife deserves better. I suppose I will thank you for one thing, in another life you would have ruined more lives. Thank you for marrying me to Cregan, that has been the only good thing you have ever done for me. Let us hope it is not the last.”

 

They fuck you up, your parents.

They may not mean to, but they do.

They fill you with the faults they had and add some extra, just for you.

 

She remembers reading that in a book at home in Winterfell and as she watches her husband with their children, she hopes she does not end up like Viserys.

 

Alicent was the perfect example of the saying “The house of delusions is cheap to build but drafty to live in.” For the girl never met a day where her inadequacies were not somebody else’s fault. She’s married to the king because her father forced her to. Yet she gladly wore the gown and carried herself to the kings’ rooms. She has no children because the Targaryen’s have queer customs, yet that is only an issue after she had a crown put on her head. The girl was a walking contradiction and Rhaenyra knew she’d never find any happiness in this lifetime.

 

Rhaenyra was aware that the keep was still abuzz from the boys’ prank yesterday. She and Cregan had eventually disciplined them when her husband stopped laughing. No cake or sweets for four days and they had to give four toys away each, and apologies to the queen. Cregan had been furious about the last one, but she had pointed out that the boys knew it was wrong and that is why they had tricked Viserys. Plus, it would endear them into the graces of the nobility. They didn’t have to mean it, but they had almost hurt others aside from Alicent. They were powerful and actions had consequences.

 

So, she had walked them to the queen’s chambers where an unknown guard was standing in front of. The three of them were let in and she saw that Alicent was alone. How poetic.

“Go on.” She urged her sons.

“We are sorry people got hurt.” Alex said

“We are also sorry about your dress. Our kepa will buy you a new one.” Auggie said.

“Can we go now muna?” Alex asked and Rhaenyra nodded handing them off to Cregan who was outside. The boys were certainly their father’s sons. They refused to apologies to Alicent herself, but Rhaenyra was fine with that. But she feared they’d learn to only hurt the person who’d upset them and not make a spectacle of it. She stepped back in.

“Here this will help heal any scars, and like the boys said here is gold for new dress material.” Rhaenyra said.

“You think yourself better than me don’t you?” Alicent asked.

“No, you think yourself better than me, and that is where you went wrong. I don’t need to think myself better than you, I simply am. The problem with you is your cunt is your only weapon, me well my cunt is just one of my many powers. Enjoy your day.”

 

Alex and Auggie’s apology to the queen had endeared Rhaenyra to the court, word of how good of a mother she was spread, how kind she was after the queen had tested her after her labors, how the boys were right to defend their mother. How Cregan was such a good husband.

 

The relationships you form can be stronger than those afforded to you by blood. That was something that should be the motto of Rhaenyra’s life. The relationship between Qoren and Rhaenyra was one she imagined she’d have with a brother, except they were Targaryen’s, and so they may have been required to marry each other. Qoren was an enigma, hot headed, yet loyal, internally struggling, yet he was always putting a smile on everyone’s face. Viserys and the council had been surprised when she told them of Qoren’s impending visit. He would be coming with Ellia his wife. His aunt the current ruling princess of Dorne had refused to allow Aliandra their eldest who was six namedays now, their second Qyle who was five, and their youngest Coryanne who was three namedays. Rhaenyra understood, for why risk all your heirs. Although Rhaenyra would have loved to see the children. She had not seen them since Coryanne was two.

 

“Flags of house Martell,” the guard said to the council.

 

Viserys had gathered the whole court to greet the Martell’s and Rhaenyra had gathered the boys. They were so excited to see their Uncle Qor, they had been bouncing off the walls since they had found out. The carriage Rhaenyra had sent to get her friend finally pulled into the courtyard. As soon as Qoren jumped out the boys took off running.

 

“Uncle Qor!” they shouted, bounding into his legs. Qoren’s brown eyes lit up and he picked up them up, spinning them around.

“My dragonwolves.” Qoren said smiling and kissing them on the cheeks. The boys shirking in delight. Elia also came down.

“Auntie Lia!” the boy said and Qoren put them down and they were engulfed by Elia.

“My darlings!” Elia said. Rhaenyra and Cregan had made their way down the stairs and she was engulfed by her friend.

“My dragon princess!” Qoren said engulfing her and kissing her cheeks. “I have missed you, my sissy!”

“Qor! I missed you too!” she said back watching as Elia brought the boys forward.

“Lia! Sweetheart!” Rhaenyra said as she hugged her best friend. “I am so happy to see you!” The five of them exchange more hugs and words of love. Qoren and Cregan grabbing a boy each. Rhaenyra had been so caught up in the greeting of her friends she had failed to realize what it looked like to the court. Everyone was stunned.

 

She had Qoren and Elia’s rooms within her apartments. Qoren and Elia where thrilled to meet Auri and Archie.

 

“Such beauties!” Qoren said “A shame Cregan can’t give you daughters.” He teased and Cregan wacked him around the neck and the group laughed.

 

There was a feast to be hosted for the arrivals of the Martell’s and Rhaenyra and Elia wore two dresses that Rhaenyra had made for them both. Matching in fabric and cut, but in differing colors. Rhaenyra’s was black and orange and her boys would wear the same. While Elia’s was orange and red and Qoren would match her. The boys were not to attend as they would no doubt take their godfather’s attention and Rhaenyra, Cregan, Qoren and Elia needed to play politics.

 

The four entered together and Rhaenyra could see the room become silent as the they entered with shadow and echo in front of them. They reached the high table, and she could see Viserys smile, and his wife look sad for some reason.

 

“When I was one and two, I met my husband Cregan, the undisputed love of my life. My heart and my soul, my lover, and my protector, the father of my children. Then when I was one and four, I met Qoren and Elia, after saving them from a collapsing ship and some deadly pirates, and my family went from me and my husband, to add my brother sent to me by the gods, and the best friend a person could ask for.” Rhaenyra began “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. To Qoren and Elia, thank you for being our friends, our siblings our family. Because of you we are the luckiest ones.” The room raised their goblets in sync. Qoren and Elia getting up to hug her.

 

Qoren Martell

 

Qoren always knew that Rhaenyra was special, even before he had begun to have visions of her. He had always known that she would be queen, for the world would not survive if she wasn’t. Well, his family wouldn’t, nor would house Targaryen, and house Stark would only hold on by a thread. Qoren had never despised his magic so much than when he was seeing the visions of the future. Perhaps one day he would tell Rhaenyra what he had done to give her throne, what he had done to give them both the life they were both currently living now. How many babies he had killed, how many babies he would kill. A part of Qoren should regret what he had done, but he was protecting his family, his legacy.

 

Qoren was the son of a bad man and Qoren himself had done many bad things, but unlike his father, he had not done them for himself, he had done them for all his family. As he watched Elia play with Rhaenyra, Alex and Auggie he smiled. He may also be a bad man, but he was not a bad father, husband, or brother.

 

“Qoren, are you okay?” Cregan asked, patting him on the back.

“I am fine brother,” he said smiling. The duo smiled at each other and ran down to meet their family.

 

Qoren would feel bad for what he had done to Alicent Hightower if she wasn’t such a terrible person who was lacking in self accountability. Her whole woe is me act was annoying and just flat out insulting to women who lacked choices. Her father was a bad man, but she was an equally bad person.

 

 

Alicent Hightower

 

 

Alicent was the daughter of a dutiful man. He had served two kings, and his daughter was queen. Yet her husband had relegated him to the outskirts of court. Her uncle was a terrible man, for if he was not, he would have reigned in his whore of a daughter. Her cousin who was supposed to serve her, was now dressing like a harlot and following her husband around. Today Viserys was hosting a breakfast for their Dornish guests. Her husband was seated with her cousin Bethany, who was in a red dress, that was so low cut, her stomach was on show. Her uncle and aunt were seated next to their daughter. The right-hand side of the king was empty and Alicent took a deep breath and moved to seat on Viserys’s right side. As the left hand was occupied by the rouge prince.

“Rhaenyra is to sit there,” Viserys said and Alicent felt her face burn. She was forced to take a seat next to the rouge prince.

Rhaenyra, her husband, her brattish sons and the Dornish finally arrived. Rhaenyra had her hands joined with the princess Elia and they were once again wearing the same style of dress, in different colors. Their hair and jewelry even matched. They were both laughing with their husbands and Alicent felt a wave of displeasure.

“Your grace,” the quartet said, the men pulled out seats for the women and they all sat down.

“We thank you for coming prince Qoren.” Viserys said.

“Well, I would not have missed seeing my new nephews.” The Dornish prince replied. “Alex Auggie, are you excited to go into the city?”

“Yes!” the boys shouted.

“Qoren, I swear to the gods if you buy them something silly, I will hurt you!” Cregan said.

“Hey, I only buy them what they want!” the prince replied pouting.

“You bought them an army of horses and a shipyard full of ships, they’ve only had two name days, what next? A mercenary group? Jewels the size of their bodies. Dothraki herders?” Cregan replied with narrowed eyes.

“Actually,” prince Qoren began.

“You didn’t Qoren!” Rhaenyra said.

“No, I swear to you, this gift is for my beautiful Rhaenyra” Prince Qoren said raising his hands. “In my defense, they are a group of highly trained women called the Dragana, I did not buy them, I offered them money for becoming Rhaenyra’s personal guards on Dragonstone, you said you needed people to guard the island, and northerners would hate being in the south forever. Plus, this way you can call your own southern army and not the norths if anything happens. For the boys I am gifting them gold. That I will have transferred to your coffers. I did consider some new horses, but I knew Cregan would kill me.”

“You got her an army?” Cregan asked.

“Where do you find these things?” Rhaenyra asked.

“Wow, can you be my friend too?” Prince Daemon asked.

“Okay we are not going to pretend that my last nameday you two did not build me several glass garden’s which must have cost a fortune. The Valyrian steel jewelry for the girls and Elia, the weirewood bow for Qyle? Cregan sent me several giants one time when he did not hear from me. Not to mention the metals. Please this friendship knows no bounds with gifting.” Qoren said.

“Also, the Dragana are actually ran by my older sister Ashara.” Princess Elia said. “She is more than excited to work with you Nyra.”

“The glass gardens weren’t that expensive,” Cregan said, the prince and princess of Dorne rolled their eyes and the group laughed. “Remember when your aunt sent Rhaenyra a jewel incrusted dagger.”

“Stabbing isn’t my style darling one.” Rhaenyra said and the group laughed again. The garden looking at them.

“I would be more than happy to show you the city,” The rouge prince said.

“I will come as well.” Viserys said.

“Great, will you be joining us queen Alicent?” prince Qoren asked. “Perhaps, you might show us some of your work in the city, I know of the good queen’s work, and of course our most darling Mother Aemma’s work.”

“Aemma’s projects have been neglected, so have my grandmother’s but, I know Rhaenyra is planning to bring them back.” Viserys told the prince.

“Oh, you must be so busy with your children,” prince Qoren said, “I often wonder how my incredible wife does it, balancing our three children and being a princess of Dorne, then of course there’s Rhaenyra, four sons now, and she must run her territory in Dragonstone, Winterfell, the north and be the heir to the realm. I must commend you women.”

“Alicent has no children.” Her uncle said, and Alicent felt her cheeks burn, the entire garden laughing softly, but she could still hear them.

“Please forgive my husband, we were unaware. I am sure the gods will give you everything you deserve.” Princess Elia said, and for some reason, Alicent thought it a threat, for her spine shivered.

 

The princess Elia and Rhaenyra were hosting a lady’s luncheon and Alicent was furious. For it was her nameday and nobody seemed to remember. Of course, Rhaenyra would choose today to introduce the Dornish to the ladies of court. She was one of the first to arrive and she saw that the garden had been beautifully decorated, there were flowers everywhere, and there was even a flower arch. The tables were laid beautifully, with white and blue roses, there was an array of food laid out beautifully. The ladies of the realm started arriving and she watched as their eyes widened in delight. Alicent saw her aunt and her cousin Bethany arrive as well.

“Now this is a luncheon,” the older lady Tyrell said and Alicent remembered that she was Rhaenyra’s aunt.

“Indeed, the princess has out done herself, we have not been this well hosted in eons.” The lady Lannister said. Alicent bristled at that, for she had hosted them many times.

Rhaenyra, her Dornish friends and her husband finally showed up, along with her sons, Alicent bristled at men being at a lady’s luncheon.

“Do not worry ladies we do not plan to stay.” Prince Cregan said, and the ladies laughed and tittered. Alicent rolled her eyes. “Alexander, Augustus, Aurelius, Archibald and I would like to give you these gifts, for attending Rhaenyra’s first southern luncheon. We hope you enjoy it.”  The ladies clapped as the servants distributed the bags around.

“A man who knows what to do.” Lady Amanda said. “Please thank my nephew ladies, this is very generous.” She was right, for in the bags were bushels of fabric in the ladies’ house colors, a small cluster of gold for them to no doubt make jewelry with. A small case of pearls, jeweled hair combs, a blanket with the ladies’ house crest on it and some candies. Alicent bristled at the extravagance. Cregan and prince Qoren kissed their wives, and the boys kissed their mother and princess Elia, then they left.

“Thank you all for coming I hope you all enjoy yourselves, over the next few weeks I will be picking ladies and men for my household, with the help of my darling Elia. So please drop your suggestions to either my aunt Lady Amanda Tyrell, my cousin Lady Jeyne, or princess Rhaenys.” Rhaenyra said and the ladies began talking amongst themselves.

Elia and Rhaenyra walked around arm in arm, laughing and speaking to the ladies. They finally came and sat down were Alicent was, along with lady Tyrell, princess Rhaenys, Lady Jeyne and Jazmine. None of them even paid Alicent any mind.

“We’ve had so many enquires niece.” Lady Amanda said.

“That is good. See Nyra, your household will be full in no time.” Elia said and she kissed Rhaenyra’s cheek.

“Hopefully, I have, Cregan’s nameday, the boys’ nameday, my own nameday, all coming up. The king is instant on a celebration for each, I suggested one big one as we did back home, but I was shot down.” Rhaenyra said to the group. Of course, her nameday was being celebrated.

“Do not forget mine.” Elia said laughing.

“Lia yours is tomorrow and we are having a feast,” Rhaenyra said laughing.

“Oh, that’s what the cake in the kitchen is for.” Elia said and the group laughed. Alicent fumed. Her nameday was today.

 

Viserys and his brother arrived with servants carrying small bags.

“For you ladies, in celebration of the princess of Dragonstone and heir to the throne.” Viserys said as the servants handed out the bags. In them were jewels made of dragon glass, she had seen many in Rhaenyra’s collection back in the day. The ladies all thanked the king and Rhaenyra got up to speak to Viserys.

“Are you quite alight?” Lady Lannister asked “All that frowning can’t be good for you. It will make you look older than you already do.”

 

Alicent did not like Elia Martell, the girl was far too close to Rhaenyra, always touching her, hugging her, and wearing the same clothes as her. Alicent thought Rhaenyra would have hated it, but Rhaenyra was always smiling and laughing with her. Elia Martel was beautiful and Alicent would give her that, she was nowhere near as beautiful as Rhaenyra, but she had brown skin, chocolate brown eye and light brown curls.

“If you are impressed with this, you should see what Cregan has planned for Nyra’s nameday. The way the man cherishes Nyra make even me blush.” Princess Elia said.

“After she had the newest twins, he filled their rooms with flowers, and got her several small chests of jewels so she may commission whatever she wants.” Lady Amanda said, and the ladies around them swooned.

“Oh, that is nothing, the first time around, he gave her a gift every day for sixty days. For the duration of her pregnancy, she was given a bouquet of flowers every day for nine moons. Every craving she had was met. To be love is to be seen.” Princess Elia said.

Rhaenyra eventually walked back to the table.

“Grandfather is coming to the capital.” Rhaenyra said.

If Lord Julian was coming to the capital that meant so was the maid Viserys had taken a shine to. Alicent could not hate herself more.

Notes:

I really was very unsure of this chapter.

So we have the three heads of our dream. Rhaenyra/ Viserys/ Qoren.

Also Qoren is a menace and we'll see him in the next chapter more.
Poor Alicent
Also Leana and Ashara are coming to town. More badass women.

Chapter 7: The heart of men.

Notes:

Hello! *runs and hides*

I am so sorry I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Important note, I did kill Melios two chapters ago, but I removed that bit as I actually need him for my Hightower subplot.

 

Corlys Veleryon

 

Corlys was early to the small council meeting, and he was met with Rhaenyra, her wolf husband and Daemon. Discussing the apparent poisoning of the queen.

The rest of the lords walked in as well as Otto, the queen.

Corlys had always wanted his blood on the throne, that is why he convinced a young

Rhaenys to marry him, her father had backed her for the throne, but all his plans went to hell.

when Aemon had died. Baelon being named heir had been oblivious, he had two sons and at

the time three dragons to his family. His granddaughter was the first person to hatch a dragon.

in her crib, and magic flowed through her veins.

 Here was the same girl ruining his plans once again. When Rhaenyra had been married off to the Stark boy Corlys had paid it no mind, sure he would have preferred the girl marry his son, but that would no longer happen. He had been more concerned with getting Viserys to marry Laena, but then the fool had married the Hightower girl and he had been angry. But then it seemed like the gods were working in his favor and the Hightower girl had no children, and his daughter was set to be queen. The girl had then gone ahead and threw everything away by running away. He and everyone else had not counted on Rhaenyra.

The newly minted Princess of Dragonstone was a revelation. Four sons already who also hatched dragons, a young rich husband, and a connection to Dorne. The girl was beautiful, and clearly much smarter than any of them could have accounted for. Corlys knew very little about the Starks and so he had no idea what weakness he could play to. The lords of the north loved their liege lord, so nobody would say anything against him or the princess. In fact, they seemed to revere Rhaenyra, and Corlys could understand. why. She had given the north five dragons, and they already had the largest army in the realm.

 

“The realm needs a grand sept” the Hightower girl breeched.

“For what good?” Cregan Stark asked

“The seven is the biggest religion in the realm and the most important,” the queen continued.

“The fact that your education is lacking should not lead to building things that have no

importance. The people of your city are hungry and desperate, the smell is atrocious and the

stepstones are barely held together, and yet you want to build a sept.” Rhaenyra

asked bewildered. “This is not even taking in the fact that there are entire regions who

worship your gods, the seven is not even the religion of your house.”

“House Hightower is loyal to the seven,” Otto bristled.

“My apologies I did not realize that your daughter had married her cousin, I like everyone thought she married a Targaryen king a few months after he became a widow, but then of course children are what truly tie a woman to her new family so I can see why you’d be confused Ser.” Rhaenyra said, delivering the insults with such precision Corlys was

impressed. Corlys could see when everyone in the room caught on to the true meaning of her

statement. The King looked sad, Daemon looked close to a laughing fit, the other lords seem to be enjoying Otto getting cut down, Otto looked embarrassed to have walked into such a trap, Alicent looked so angry she was red, Cregan and Rhaenyra seemed so relaxed it was like they were somewhere else.

“I agree with the Princess, a sept is the least of our worries,” Lord Strong said.

“Yes, a sept is out of the question, as my daughter has pointed out we need to restart the programs of my grandmother and fix the sewage problem.” The King said.

The room all nodded along love they say is fickle, especially in court. Why the girl had decided to bring such a request in front of the whole council was beyond Corlys.

Now that Leana could come home, perhaps Corlys would see if Daemon would take her for a wife. After all the man wanted a Valyrian bride, and the princess’s son would need a wife. His blood had to sit on the throne, he had not sacrificed this much for it not to.

 

“The Starks are looking for someone to lead their household guards.” He told Leanor as he walked into his chambers.

“So?” the boy replied.

“So, speak to your mother and have her suggest you.” Corlys bristled. Why had Rhaenys birthed his such lacking children.

“I do not care what you want, Lord Velaryon.” Leanor said, his hand on his hips, his purple eyes incensed.

“I have given everything to you. You ungrateful thing.”  Corlys screamed.

“So, you’ll what? Replace me with your bastards in Hull? Or will it be your brother and his blood?” Leanor said. “You need me, if not for my mother and her blood, you would be just another rich lord, and the realm has plenty of those. Go ahead Corlys. Do your worst. Because my kin will never legitimize your children. So it’s either me or Veamond.”

Corlys was shocked. Leanor knew about Hull? If Leanor knew then so did Rhaenys, so did the other Targaryen’s. It made sense why his reappointment to the small council was temporary. Why Daemon shunned him, why he princess would only acknowledge him briefly. They knew, they all knew. The blood of the dragon ran thick.

 

Larys Strong

 

Larys watches as the newly minted princes run through the castle halls, their guards keeping up with the young boys. They rush towards the godswood were Larys sits next to the queen and other ladies at court, he had hoped to see the princess here today, but she is apparently in a small council meeting, a shame Larys thinks, but he will not let this stop him from getting into her good graces. The queen makes a disgusted sound from her throat, her hand shakes a little.

“How unruly, the princess cannot control her sons.” Alicent Hightower says. Larys wants to roll his eyes as he cannot believe that a man as smart as Otto Hightower raised such an inept daughter. Larys had gotten close to the queen, with the hopes that when she bore the king a son, he would be that much closer to real power. But no such luck.

Alicent Hightower proved more useless than her predecessor. The girl was pretty, but that was about it. She was so sanctimonious too. She preached the the seven to others, yet she refused to follow her own words. The same girl who was being entertained by a newly widowed king. Did she think the realm could not count the moons between her marriage and her failed birth? At least if she had birthed the child, then she could hide her sins in the triumph of a son.

“They are little boys, running around is good for them.” Lady Bethany says.

“Indeed, you would know if you had sons of your own.” Lady Hightower says, and Larys blinks, so the rumors are true, the main Hightower branch is looking to upstage the queen.  Interesting. He watches as the queen turns red in indignation.

“Yes, my Jason and Tyland, were always running around causing trouble.” The dowager lady Lannister says. “Soon the poor princess will have to keep track of four sons.”

“What a blessing, for her.” Lady Redwanye says.

Larys tunes the rest of the ladies out as he sees the princess walking their way, with her husband and prince Qoren, and his wife flanking her. The two women are carrying the princesses’ newest sons. Princess Rhaenys and lady Amanda just behind them.  Larys was just as shocked as everyone when the Dornish came to the capital. The princess has the Vale, the North and the Dorne on her side. Even if Alicent should have a son, she would win the throne.

“Muna, Tad, Auri, Archie, Uncle Qor, Auntie Lia!” The boys shout, running towards their parents.

The adults stop, and give them a hug, the lord Stark picks one of them up and so does the prince of Dorne, the men laugh at something the little boys say, and take of running with them. The princess and the other ladies make their way over to the gathering, servant already running to fetch seats. He gets up to offer her his seat, but she waves him off.

“No need Lord Larys.” She says, a twinkle in her eye. The servants add the chairs, and they all take a seat, he does not doubt that the gardens will fill up soon. The ladies coo and praise the princess and her sons.

“They are so alert for their age.”

“Such beauties princess.”

“So quiet and measured.”

As the praise flows, Larys can see the way the queen is close to losing her composure.

“Fuck! Those wolves of yours can run!” Prince Qoren said as he came to sit with them. He lifted his wife off her chair and sat her on his lap. Stroking the babe’s cheek.

“Aw poor Qoren! You could not keep up.” The princess teased.

“Dear gods no, some of us are not wolves.” The prince said gulping down some water, there was laughter then.

 

The next time he saw the princess she had come to his father’s chambers; the family had been breaking their fast when she was announced. The room stood up when she entered, Ser Harold, and Stefon behind her.

“Please there is no need, I actually came to speak to you and Ser Harwin Lord Lyonel.” The princess said smiling.

“Of course your majesty. I will clear the room.” His father said.

“No need it is not a secret.” She laughed. “As you know we are assembling my household guards for the south, and my husband and I wondered if ser Harwin would honor us by leading it.”

He looked at his brother and father then. His father’s chest puffed out in pride and his brother looked astonished. Larys ground his teeth hard.

“My uncle speaks highly of you, and we would love to have you, as you worship the old gods, my husband would be especially pleased.” The princess continued and she smiled then as if thinking of her husband, she rubbed her betrothal rings.

“I would be honored your Majesty.” Harwin stammered out.

“You honor our house your majesty.” His lord father said.

“If I could also make one more request, I would be honored if the lady Rosamund considered becoming my lady in wait. My aunt Amanda will be sending out formal requests soon. Harwin Cregan shall send someone for you later.” The princess said and then she simply turned to leave. His father, brother, and sister left stunned.

“Two places of honor,” his father breathed out.

“My gods, Rosamund, you must call a seamstress, the princess will surely want you well dressed, and she is well connected, so a husband will follow soon. Harwin, you must have new armour made.”

Larys sat there, forgotten again, a second son, forced to live in the shadow of his siblings.

 

Holbert Hightower summons him the next day and he smiles, intrigued.

“My lord,” he says, his voice silky. “How may I be of service.”

“You have been spying on my niece and brother for a while now, what news do you have.” Hobert asks.

“Well the queen is not pleased with the kings liking to the lady Bethany, but I believe that once your brother is out of the picture, the king will see reason.” Larys said.

“You think the reason the king does not marry my daughter is because of my brother?” Hobert asks

“Yes, I think he is wrapped up by the friendship he has with him.” Larys says.

“Perhaps I should have Bethany sspeak to the king and have Otto leave for Oldtown.” The Hightower lord says.

 

“He orders your death my lord.” Larys says from under his hood, he watches as Otto’s face contorts in anger. “He wishes for his daughter to be queen, says your blood is cursed that is why your daughter is so useless.”

“Good job Larys, I will deal with it.” Otto says. “When my grandson is born, I will make sure you have a place of honor.”

“Grandson? My lord?” Larys asks.

“Yes, Alicent will be with child, soon she will birth the Hightower king and all will be right again.” Otto says, and his eyes look a little crazed.

Larys laughs, for if they all kill each other there will be land and a lordship open for Larys, all he has to do is get into the princess’s good graces, and he knows just how to do it. Those sons of hers.

 

Otto Hightower

 

The scene before him seems to be out of one of his nightmares, his daughter and his niece are fighting, in full view of the nobles of the court. Alicent is pulling at Bethany’s hair, the tiara she is wearing is being pulled along with her hair.

“You whore, you are a thieving whore.” Alicent is shouting. Thankfully the King is not here, but Otto knows that this will reach him. That the courtiers will gossip about this for a long time to come.

Otto gets to the two fighting women and attempts to pull his daughter away.

“What is going on here?” Viserys booms, Otto had not noticed that the king had arrived, he was meant to be welcoming the northern lords that were arriving today. Otto turns and sees that they are all here.

“I asked a question.” Viserys says and Otto sees that his daughter has let go of her cousin.

“Your grace, she attacked me.” Bethany simps.

“You liar! She stole from me.” Alicent roars and the princess winces at the sound. When did she get here Otto wonders.

“What did she steal from you?” Rhaenyra asks, her face calm, but her eyebrow is raised in question.

“My crown, that is my tiara.” Alicent says.

“Actually, it is mine. Well, my mothers, I did wonder where it went, when I left for the north with my husband.” Rhaenyra says, plucking the piece from Bethany’s head.

“It belonged to the crown.” Alicent argues and Otto can see the courtiers whispering loudly now.

“No, it is my mothers, a gift from my grandfather Baelon when my mother had me. My uncle went to Essos to buy it for him.” Rhaenyra explained. “My uncle gave her matching earrings, which I have.”

“Yes, Aemma loved to wear it, she said that it was the lightest crown she owned.” Viserys said and Otto wanted the ground to sallow him.

“So how did you get it? Clearly the king did not give it to you.” Rhaenyra turned to Alicent now. “Or did you father?” She turned again to Viserys.

“No, I decreed that all of Aemma’s things were yours.” Viserys said, rushing beside his daughter to touch her, as if begging her to believe him.

“So Alicent how did you come about this?” Rhaenyra asked again, “And how many more of my mother’s things do you and your greedy family have?”

 

When the door shut behind them, Otto did not wait to start screaming.

“How could you be so foolish?” Otto roared. “Now they are calling us the thieving towers. They think us thieves.”

“I was entitled to it.” Alicent bristled. “It was payment for my duty, my sacrifice.”

“Which of your fucking duties have you done? Where is your filled nursery? Where is your husband?” Otto screamed, getting closer to her face. “Oh, that’s right you have an empty nursery, no babe in sight, and your husband would fuck everything but you. I have given you everything and you have returned it with nothing. You are a failure. Bare sons, you could not do. Not even a daughter we can marry off.”

“Is that all I am to you?” Alicent asked her voice shaking.

“You are to be anything I ask you to be, a whore, a septa, a queen, a maid. Anything I ask you to be, you have no choice, I am your master.”  Otto bellowed. The foolish girl started crying then. Before Otto could chastise her, the king princess and prince Daemon were announced.

“I want every item of jewelry you have brought out; Rhaenyra will check all of them, and she will take possession of all the crown jewels and any jewels that belonged to Aemma.” Viserys said, with no preamble.

“Your grace.” Otto tried to reason.

“I do not wish to hear you voice Otto. Should you need to borrow the jewels for feasts, then you can ask my daughter.” Viserys said and he turned to leave.

“Aunt Amanda will be her shortly to search everything.” The wretched girl said, taking her uncles offered arm.

 

He made sure to keep Alicent beside him the following day and escorted her to the private dinner the king was hosting for the lord Julian.

The lord was sitting next to the prince Daemon, the princess was to her father’s right and her husband and the Dornish prince, and his wife next to him. The only seats open were next to the lord Julian. He moved Alicent towards the seat and sat next to him.

“A hunt is what ya need to host for the boys Nyra. One can never have too many hunts!” Lord Julian says and they all laugh. The table is quickly filled with other courtiers. Unfortunately for Otto, his brother and his family were also there. The princess Rhaenys and her family also attending.

“I think a hunt for me and the boys’ and a tourney for Rhaenyra.” The Stark Lord said.

“What an excellent idea! Then a feast to close everything out.” Viserys says jovially.

 

The lord Julian looked at the tea that Alicent was drinking the one Melios had prescribed her, the northerner said something that only the princess and the Stark lord could understand. The princesses’ eyebrows raised up very high and she whispered to her husband. She stood up and cleared her throat.

“Everyone but my husband, the king the hand and the queen and her father, please leave us.” She said. “Now.”

Everyone stood up and began following her order. She turned to whisper something in the prince of Dorne’s ear.

“Do you know that is moon tea?” the Stark boy said, lifting and smelling the cup that Alicent had been drinking from.

“Why would you be drinking moon tea Alicent? Answer me!” Viserys boomed, standing up and shaking the table.

“Alicent would never your grace, she wants to give you sons!” Otto said standing up to plead to the king.

“I can assure you, that is tansy. Our healers have made it enough for me to know.” The Stark lord said. “Smell it, Daemon.” He passes the cup to the rouge prince who takes a sniff and crackles.

“Cregan is right, this is tansy tea. A newer type but you can smell the tansy.” The rouge prince says.

“Call the measter now! I will have answers and I will have them now.” Viserys says to him.

“Melios is the one that made it for her your grace.” Otto says, panicked now, surely Melios would never betray him.

“If the measter really is the one who made it, then we should investigate him.” Rhaenyra said

“I would never do this, surely you cannot believe that.” Alicent said incensed.

“Why would I trust a word from your mouth?” Rhaenyra said. “We’ll have my healers check the tea you should have them investigate Melios, father, he cannot be trusted if this is true.”

 

Otto waited for the hour of the wolf before he went to confront Melios. He entered the man’s rooms with no preamble.

“How dare you?” Otto shouted.

“Careful ser Otto, we’d hate for someone to overhear you.” Melios said. His tone mocking.

“Have you forgotten our pact?” Otto asked

“No it is you and your useless daughter who have forgotten the pact. How many years has it been? No sons, no daughters. No money for my family. So I teamed up with someone who will give me money. My sons need it you see.” Melios said, his tone condescending.

“The king will have your head.” Otto said, feeling triumphant.

“I’ll make sure yours goes with it. You had better scheme me out of this.” The man said, eyes twinkling.

Otto laughed then, was he stupid? Why would Otto do that?

“Or I am sure the princess will love the tale of how you schemed to poison her mother. Should you think to have me killed, I have sent my evidence to multiple people, and they will give it to her. You are a dead man walking Otto.” Melios said, his demeanor calm. “Viserys is a fool, so you are smarter than him, but you are not smarter than me. I am also a second son, or have you forgotten?”

 

Otto was walking past the small council chambers when he heard them.

“The maid, did it?” Daemon asked bewildered.

“According to Viserys, he claims that the kingsgaurd investigated Melios and did not find that type of tea in his chambers, but they found it on the maid. The girl insists that she did not do it, but the king’s word is law.” Rhaenyra says.

“And Viserys believed this cockamamie story?” Daemon asked.

“Viserys also thinks himself a dreamer and the second coming of the old king, Daemon. One can lead a horse to water, one cannot force it to drink.” Rhaenyra said. “Well according to the healers Alicent will birth no living children. The culprit had been dousing her with it for a long time. She claims that is how all her teas had been tasting since her fourth unfortunate birth.”

“Did she have no tasters?” Daemon asked.

“Who knows?” Rhaenyra said.

 

They are suspicious, Otto knew they would be, but he had no choice, he would have to figure out a way to get Melios out of the way and find out who was paying him.

 

He asks Holbert for a meeting which his brother reluctantly accepted.

“Melios is working for somebody else.” Otto says, feeling no need for pleasantries.

“And what does this have to do with me?” Holbert sneers, “you were the one who swore that you had the man under control, but as with everything you are a failure.”

“He could implicate us.” Otto says. “He has sworn to do so.”

“Implicate us? Otto? No implicate you. I only gave my poor brother money; I was being a good lord. What you did with that money had nothing to do with me.” Holbert said.

 

He wants to have you killed. He remembers Larys saying. What if it was his brother. He wants his daughter as queen.

 

Fuck Otto thought.

Notes:

A good day hates to see these three coming.
Well Otto is now facing opposition from those he thought were allies and Larys is just a shit starter. Leanor should have actually decked Corlys.

The next chapter will actually be out soon.
It is called who is your master? It will be from Crispy, Rheanyra and a third pov which I am struggling with but do not fret. You are going to learn a few interesting things in the next one so keep an open mind.

Sneak peak.

"You cannot expect to be the master of even me, little flame. You are their master and I am yours." The figure says to her. "Does anyone but me know just how dark that heart of yours is?"
"One day even the servant outgrows the master." she replies back.
"Good, I want you to outgrow me, I want you to outgrow all of them." The figure says gaining widely.

Chapter 8: Who is your Master?

Notes:

Okay so this chapter is a rollercoaster. It brings to light a few things and I hope you enjoy it.

FYI the poem is - Copyright Credit: William Ernest Henley, "Invictus" from Poems (London: Macmillan and Co., 1920): 83-84. Public domain. (Defiantly not mine.)

“Criston Cole”

 

The queen’s room is in shambles, he can hear her throwing a tantrum. Her father having just left her rooms, had left the queen in shambles.

“Your grace?” he says as he slowly enters the room.

“Ser Criston” the queen answers, smiling shyly.

“Is there something I can help you with?”

“My father, he insists that I get close to the princess, says she is the only thing that can stop my harlot of a cousin from marrying the king.” Alicent explains. “Me get close to that woman, that woman who has no sense of duty. Who left me here to bare the brunt of the court alone. It is her fault you know. It is all her fault.”

“The poisoning?” he askes

“No, I do not know. All I know is that she never visited, never wrote me a letter, nothing. She was supposed to be my friend.” Alicent said. Criston had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. The nerve of that woman. Arrogant cunt. A friendship after all that she had done.

“Well, your father knows best, I am sure he will find a way to cure you, and then you will have the most glorious son. And he will be king. This is only temporary.” Criston said, the queen smiled then as if what he had just said was true.

The queen decides that she will befriend the princess as her father has ordered her to do, and Criston follows her to the room that the princess is in with other ladies. Planning for the series of events celebrating the princess and her family. The room stills when the queen walks in, and all the ladies perform a perfunctory bow, and get back to their tasks at hand. The princess Rhaenys, the lady Amanda, the princess Ellia, and some others he does not know by name are there, but the princess is not.

“Where is Rheanyra?” the queen asks the room.

“Nyra is feeding her sons.” Princess Ellia says, and Criston can see Alicent’s jaw tick. “She has us to help with her tasks, so we are. If you need her, you’ll have to go to the nursery.”

Alicent nods her head sharply and turns to walk out of the room briskly.

“Can you imagine that Dornish savage?” Alicent whispers, “She dares talk to me, pretending like she knows the princess more than I, nobody knows her better than I do.” Criston decides to not remind her that he is form the Dornish marshes.

The princess it turns out is not in the nursery, she is in her solar. When Criston and the queen enter, he sees her there head bent speaking to her older sons. The two are stamping seals on letters it looks like.

“Very good my loves.” The princess praises and Criston is momentarily stunned by the smiles on the three faces.

“Rhaenyra, I thought we might have tea together.” The queen interrupts.

“Muna is going to have tea with us.” Alex says, Criston is sure that is the name of the silver headed one.

“With cake!” the black haired one says.

“Alicent what can I help you with?’ Rhaenyra asks. “Alex and Auggie are correct, I promised them tea and cake after this.”

The queen picks at her cuticles before saying, “Well perhaps I might join you?”

“Why?” Auggie says, his little face alight in confusion.

“Augustus! Be nice.” The princess chides.

“Sorry Muna.” The little boy says, chastised.

“Why don’t you and your brother go next door and help Eddie set up the tea and cakes and I will be with you soon.” The princess instructs. She smiles as ser Harold walks up and helps the boys down from the table and takes their hands, in his leading them through the adjoining door.

“So like my son asked, why are you here?” Rhaenyra asks, her tone has lost any warmth it previously held and Criston swears it feels warmer in the room.

“I wanted us to talk.” The queen says and she sits down on one of the seats that are opposite the princesses desk.

“Go on.” The princess says, gesturing towards the queen.

“Please Rhaenyra, we used to be friends.” Alicent says pleading.

“Did we?” Rhaenyra asks.

“What?” Alicent says, blinking as if she is confused.

“Did we use to be friends?” Rheanyra repeats to the queen as if she is dumb. “For Elia is my friend and she would never think to seduce my father the night of my mother’s funeral. So please cut the bullshit and get to the point.” The princess says.

“I had no choice!” Alicent says hotly.

“Yes poor little Alicent, the only lady in wait to the princess f the realm, with her father as hand of the king, had no choice but to disrespect her princess and her queens memory. I mean if you hadn’t you would have been put out on the street no?” The princess said, her eyebrow raised in question.

“You know nothing, my father.” Alicent tried to explain.

“Ah yes, you master, you had choices Alicent, you made them. My children are waiting on me, do hurry up with your point.” Rhaenyra says standing now.

“My cousin Bethany grows too close to the king.” Alicent says.

“Oh, you worry that she too will mesmerize the king with her reading voice?” The princess mocks.

“Should she have a son the realm will support him.” Alicent says hotly

“Which realm? Because it won’t be the North, or the Vale, or the crownlands, or Dorne nor will it be the reach after they see another one of you Hightower women jump into another bed. Even the faith does not like bastards. Dear girl, I have dragons at my command and men willing to fight for me. It will take me nothing to bring your tower crumbling down.” The princes explains “tell your father Bethany is a problem for him, not me. He knows that’s why he sent you here. Little Alicent used to try and gain the favor of Targaryen’s, tell Otto he would have had better luck with lemon slices dipped in sugar.”

The night of the wolf comes, and he is finally off his shift. The queen had cried herself to sleep after her conversation with the princess and she had refused to come out of her room since then. Criston makes his way to his rooms, and he changes.

 

The streets are busy as the woman walks the streets, her bright blonde locks covered in a cloak, blonde locks that is when one looked at in the sun, seemed almost silver, her blue eyes, scanning the street, making sure that nobody is following her. She nods to the dragon keepers and follow the tunnel towards the end of the caves. When she gets there, she sees them. The princess and her lord husband.

“Good to see you again Clarissa.” Rhaenyra says and her mouth twitches as Clarissa removes her hood.

“I am at your service, your majesty.” Clarissa says, her head bowed low.

 

Flashback

 

Clarissa had always been a quite girl, a bastard with dreams. She had always wanted to be a knight, that was her dream.

 

“Girls cannot be knights.” They had teased her growing up on Dragonstone “You’ll be a maid.”

 

But she had refused to listen, she had trained and trained, and eventually she had left the island, heading to Dorne, they gave women freedoms over there. She had spent three years in Dorne and then she had left, after hearing her mother was dying, she was a fighter, but she was still no knight.

 

She had met the princess seven moons later, when the girl had come to the city to go to the dragon pit. Clarissa had waited for her there, day after day, until she was by herself and not with the redhead. Finally, her moment had come.

 

“This is my chance. The princess is a dragon rider, a wielder. Surely, she values strength.”  

 

“My dragon is not opposed to eating you.” The young princess had whispered while standing behind her. “Ser Harold is also not opposed to running you through.”

 

The plan had been simple, the princess wanted to test her illusion power with fire and Clarissa would get one chance to prove her usefulness to the princess. So, she became Criston Cole, a knight from the Dornish marshes.

 

She had won the tourney; the princess’s illusion had worked. But then the queen had died, and the princess had been betrayed.  

   

Clarissa had begged and pleaded with her to let her go north with her.

 

“But then who would be my agent of revenge? Alicent and Viserys want sons? They’ll get none. I will make sure that death is all they know.”  The princess had replied.

 

So, Clarissa had stayed. Aegon, Heleana, Aemond, Daeron. She had killed them all for her princess, for her future queen. For the girl who had believed in her when others had not.

 

She had answered the betrayal of her princess with justice.
A kinslayer and a sanctimonious whore, they deserved nothing.

 

I am a knight Clarissa thought; I am a knight, and I am a faithful servant to my liege lord.

 

Clarissa decided to stay in the city for a little while. She loved serving her princess, but she missed being her, being Clarissa. She sat down with a pitcher of ale hoping to sit in silence. As she made her way back towards the red keep, she bumped into the rouge prince.

 

“Sorry your royal highness, please forgive me.” Clarissa said, stammering out her apology.

“Hmm, no harm done.” Prince Daemon said. “Who are you?” The man asked, looking at her closely.

“Clarissa.” She said, smoothing out her dress, she resisted the urge to twiddle her thumbs.  

 

 

Rhaenyra Stark Targaryen

 

“Are you going to tell her?” Cregan asks as she even’s out her breathing after their lovemaking.

“What do I say, by the way you are the bastard of a Targaryen king. Her mother should have told her.” Rhaenyra huffs.

“No, but you have to free her from the cage you have unintentionally put her in.” Cregan replies. His arm soothing her back.

“I know. I know.” Rhaenyra says, “But I need a spy.”

“We can have me look in through someone’s eyes from time to time. The Hightower’s are no longer a threat to us, to you. Let them destroy themselves.” Cregan reasons.

“You are right, I’ll let her know. But what do I do with her?” Rhaenyra asks her husband.

“You let her be what she wants, a knight.” Cregan replies. “A knight whose duty is to you and the realm.”

 

The screams are shocking in their volume. The scene before her gruesome and deadly. The person is dead, hands twisted, face twisted, in truth his entire body has be contorted. The blood is everywhere and Rhaenyra swears she sees bits of his body spread out on the ground.

“Who did this?” She asks the gathered crowd, Daemon looks perplexed, Viserys is being held by Ser Aryk as he vomits all over the floor, and she takes a quick glance at Otto, he seems thrilled, like a huge weight has been lifted off him. Meilos looks devastated.

“The maid is gone.” A member of the household guard tells them.

“Gone? A woman who poisoned the kings wife has fled, and now the measter of this keep has found a body that  been tortured and killed in his rooms.” Rhaenyra says.

The guard has the sense to look chastised, he stares at the floor, embarrassed.

 

“I want the entire keep locked down, nobody leaves or enters.” Daemon commands. “Get me the gold cloaks.”

“There is something bigger at play here, Cregan.” Rhaenyra says to her husband in her mind.

She watches as Melios stare at Otto and then limp away. How odd.

“So someone broke into the castle, broke out a maid and killed some random man, only to dump him in the masters chambers?” Qoren questions.

“Was it you?” she asks, no preamble.

“What?” Qoren asks laughing nervously.

“The maid was one of yours, I know. I know about how you tried to have Alicent poisoned.” Rhaenyra revels, “So I ask again, was it you?”

“You must understand, I did it for you, for all of us, her children would have brought ruin to this kingdom. To you and yours, to mine.” Qoren explains quickly. “I helped Talya escape, but I did not kill that man. I have no idea who it is.”

“I know Qoren, and I do not blame you.” Rhaenyra says. It was not your poison that killed them brother, it was mine she thinks in her head. But Qoren did not need to know that. “Could Talya have killed him on. Her own?”

“I do not see why she would put him in the old man’s chambers.” Qoren answers a frown marring his face.

No Qoren is right the girl would have no reason to do that. Just like she had no reason to poison an already barren Alicent. Something else was going on here.

 

Cregan was excited, that much she could tell, but she was confused as to why her husband would be excited. The mystery of the dead person was still unsolved.

“It was Melios’s son.” Cregan says as he enters their chambers.

“His son?” she questions.

“Yes, I just looked into his room through the eyes of a crow and he was talking to a man. I could not see the hidden figure, but he told the man that his son had been killed and he wanted answers and revenge.” Cregan explained.

“Did you hear anymore?” she asked.

“No, he chased the crow away.” Cregan answered.

“A measter with a son?” Rhaenyra mused out loud. “How peculiar.”

“At least we know it is not some big castle wide security problem. Someone just really hates Melios and good, that twat deserves death.” Cregan said.

Alicent was a wreck, and that was putting it mildly, ever since the fight in the courtyard with her cousin she seemed to be walking on eggshells. Rhaenyra imagined that Holbert told the father and daughter duo who really controls the purse strings. In truth all the Hightower’s looked tense, even Otto who usually held himself with better composure seemed on edge, always looking over his shoulder, like someone was coming to strike him down. The relationship, or whatever was going on between Bethany and Viserys, was honestly very entertaining. The Hightower’s would not know the meaning of loyalty if it slapped them in the face. Now that she thought about it, perhaps that is were Viserys really belongs.

The day of the festivities was almost upon them, Rhaenyra was happy for the festivities to be over for she and her family would be able to return to Winterfell. If she was being honest, she had had enough of the south. The king in all his wisdom had decided that the hunt be last and that a opening feasts and a ball take place first, followed by a three day tourney. Viserys seemed to be intent on throwing ever festivity he could imagine. Cregan had laughed when she complained.

“He just wants to force us to stay longer. He knows that when this is all up, he will be stuck with the redhaired brigade.” Her husband jokes

“And whose fault is that?” Rhaenyra said

“Viserys is many things, a man of self-reflection is not one of them.” Cregan says solemnly. 

 

She dreams of faces on Dragonstone, faces of those past.

 

Rhaenyra should not have been surprised that Arrax sought her out. After all her patron god was an odd one

“King Arrax.” Rhaenyra says

“The once and future queen.” The king of the fourteen flames responds. “You are looking well, little flame.”

“You knew this would happen, Arrax.” Rhaenyra says, huffing out a laugh.

“I know the destination little flame, never the journey.” Arrax replies mysteriously.

“One day I will get you to admit the reason for all this to me.” Rhaenyra says.

“But what would be the fun in that little flame?” Arrax says. "You cannot expect to be the master of me, little flame. You are their master, and I am yours.”

"One day even the servant outgrows the master, did you not cast me in your image, oh mighty one?" she replies.

Arrax grins widely. “I come baring news little one, the shadow goes rampant in the world. Blood has been spilt and soon fire shall consume it, and night shall come. It will not be now dear one, but it will be soon. Someday. The dream is a gift I am bestowing upon you, little flame, they will help you in the journeys ahead. The long night awaits, and unfortunately even the unfaithful must have champions. Be brave, be swift and remember that you are my champion, my chosen one. They cannot defeat you unless you let them. Go! The secrets await you on Dragonstone. Do you remember your words?”

 

Dragonstone had not changed since she had last been here as a child. Another thing Viserys neglected.  Rhaenyra could not help but feel the immense magic from the island. When she had insisted on going to Dragonstone that morning, Cregan and Daemon had insisted on coming with her, and for that she was glad. For she could feel Arrax’s magic all over, and the feeling was almost overwhelming.

“The caves,” she said to her husband and uncle.

The caves on Dragonstone were located inside a volcano, and very few people ventured there, she could see Daemon looking at her critically. His eyes narrowing, but he did not question her and for that Rhaenyra was glad. The trio made their way to the caves and when they got to the entrance, Rhaenyra took out her dagger and pierced her finger.

 

“I am a mere mortal, cast in your in your image Arrax. I thank you for the guidance you have chosen to bestow upon me. May I always be worthy of your gifts, of your love. For you will always have my devotion.” She let the blood drop to the floor, and then she set it on fire.

 

“Out of the night that covers me,

      Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

      For my unconquerable soul.

 

In the fell clutch of circumstance

      I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning’s of chance

      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

      Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

 

It matters not how strait the gate,

      How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

      I am the captain of my soul.”

 

The smoke was immediate and the coughing from the cave shocking. He husband moved to stand in front of her, drawing Ice, Daemon had already unsheathed Darksister and was pointing it at the figures who were coming out of the caves.

“Show yourselves!” Deamon bellowed.

“Tresy?” a voice said.

Rhaenyra’s world spun, for out came the dead.

Aemon Baelon, Alyssa and Daella Targaryen came out first and behind them stood Rickon Stark. Alive, they were all alive.

She could hear all fourteen flames laughing at her. Taunting her. Fuck maybe she should have thought that ritual she did at two and one through.

Notes:

So who saw Crispy Cream being an illusion coming?
Also who saw Rhaenyra being the actual mastermind behind the baby killing coming? If you think back to the first chapter, she makes a throw away comment about not celebrating until the battle is won, when thinking about the Hightowers.
Daemon and Clarissa sitting in a tree....
And if you saw the tags from the beginning I did put in the newly risen Targs in there.
Arrax is actually very chaotic. (I am Arrax)
Also things are going to really pop off in the next chapter, because dead men have a lot of tales to tell.

The next chapter should be out soon, I am working on getting my other stories updated. Excited for the ride I am taking this story on, buckle up!

Chapter 9: Are you real?

Notes:

Ahh thank you so much for following along in my crazy mind! To those of you who hate Viserys! This one is for you, you will hate him even more and you will enjoy Rhaenys's pov very much.

TW : Part of Cregan's pov in this chapter is hard to read and deals with Suicide/ Miscarriages/ Human sacrifice and depression and gender inequality. So please read with caution. Please take care of yourself and remember that the world is so much brighter with you in it. Mine certainly is!❤️

Cregan Stark

 

“I love you, but please start explaining what is going on to me?” Cregan said turning towards his beloved.

“My life is a farce, a mummery of the gods design.” Rhaenyra said, her head bent low, and a sigh escaping her. “Arrax promised me a gift, and this is what the king of the gods has left me.”

“Let me get this straight, you had a chat with the ruler of the gods and he told you he’d left you a gift?” Daemon asked bewildered.

“Rhaenyra and Arrax have a fraught and complicated relationship.” Cregan explained to Daemon, watching the man’s mouth open and close like a fish. “Did Arrax say anything else?”

“They said enough!” Rhaenyra bemoaned.

“Wow you are acting like it is not good to see us, how rude.” One of the Targaryen men said.

“Yes, because dead people rising is a regular sight.” Rhaenyra snapped. Her flames coating the ground forcing everyone but him to take a step back.

“Anwyl,” he cooed, taking her into his arms. “Why don’t we head back to the keep and you can explain everything.”

“Can we just sit here?” Rhaenyra says, her voice small and exhausted.

“You want to sit on dirt?” He asks scandalized.

“This is more ash than dirt, but no I want you to sit on dirt and me to sit on you.” His wife says.

“Cheeky,” he replies, placing a kiss on her head.

“Honestly I’d sit on him too.” One of the women says and Daemon makes a wrenching sound. The two men however give him a once over and nod.

“Alyssa!” the other woman says Dealla, that must be queen Aemma’s mother, she looks just like her, just like Rhaenyra.

“What, that young man is very handsome, we can all see it.” Princess Alyssa says and Daemon genuinely looks sick.

“Os gwelwch yn dda anwybyddu nhw Tad. (Please ignore them father). Maen nhw'n wallgof. (They are crazy).” Rhaenyra says to his Tad and that is when Cregan realizes that his father is alive and in front of him. He moves towards him and hugs him.

“O Tad, dw i wedi dy golli di. (Father, I have missed you.)” He chokes into his father’s collar. His father holds him close and Cregan can feel his tears on his own collar.

“Edrych arnat ti, blaidd wedi tyfu. (Look at you, a wolf grown.)” His father says, holding his face.

“Dywedais wrthych y byddwn yr un mor dal. (I told you I'd be just as tall.)” Cregan jokes and his father laughs then, and his laugh reminds Cregan of his sons. Loud and carefree.

He steps back toward Rhaenyra, holding her hand in his and pulling her forward, “Dyma fy ngwraig, Rhaenyra, annwyl dyma fy nhad, Rickcon. (This is my wife, Rhaenyra, beloved this is my father, Rickcon.)”

“Helo Tad, mae'n anrhydedd cwrdd â chi.( Hello Tad, it is an honor to meet you.)” Rhaenyra says, she takes his dad by surprise and hugs him, placing a loving kiss on his cheek and Cregan laughs as his father’s face heats up.

“Mae'n anrhydedd i mi gwrdd â chi, ferch, diolch i chi am ofalu amdano.( It is my honor to meet you, daughter, thank you for taking care of him.)” His father says smiling at her, “Mae dy hen dafod yn dda iawn.”

“Seren y gaeaf ydym, onid ydym, yr hen dafod yw ein tafod.( We are Starks of winter are we not, the old tongue is our tongue.)” Rhaenyra says and he can see then that his dad might love her more than him. Which is fine, she is his favorite person too.

 

“Not that this is not moving, but can we get to the explanations.” Daemon says and before he can finish his tirade Alyssa pulls at his ear.

“Do not be rude,” Alyssa scolds. “One would think I raised you in the stables.”

“Sorry, Muna.” Daemon says back immediately rubbing his ear. Ah a mama’s boy.

“I think we should head into the castle. This might take a while.” Rhaenyra says.

“Was it the dirt?” Daemon teases.

“No, Cregan would have put me on his lap, but then I’d have wanted to fuck him, and then you would have whined, and I do not need that.” Rhaenyra says walking away, without even acknowledging anyone. “Darling.” She says turning around, and I walk quickly to follow her.

“I like her!” he hears Alyssa say.

 

 

They gather in the great hall, and Cregan sees that the staff have set up a small feast. Genderys does not ask questions, the man just goes with the idea that dead people have risen. He assures Rhaenyra that there will be a ship ready to take them all to Kingslanding tomorrow.

“So, what are your questions kepus?” Rhaenyra asks Daemon who is sitting to her right.

“Arrax, how did you meet Arrax?” Daemon asks.

Cregan knows the answer, he is the only other person who knows the full story, but the blasé way Rhaenyra delivers the answer, chills him still.

“I tried to kill myself.” Rhaenyra says. Daemon and the rest of the table look horrified, tears gathering in their eyes.

“My mother was one and one when they married her to Viserys, three and one when she had her first miscarriage.” Rhaenyra said, taking a sip of her watered-down wine. “Six and one when the flames, finally answered her plea, an heir she begged for, an heir so that it would end, and the gods gave her an heir, just not one with the right bits.” Rhaenyra says bitterly and he can see Baelon look down at his cup, he had been alive, and he had done nothing to help his niece. “The gods thought my egg hatching would be a sign, yet egotistical men ignored it, my powerful flames they thought, but that too fell on deaf ears. She is no boy Viserys would say, she is no boy, and so for that Aemma continued to suffer.”

 

The room was silent then, the only sounds were the flickering flames from the fireplace. Cregan just kept rubbing Rhaenyra’s hand.

“They had said it too many times, so when I found a ritual of sacrifice in Visenya’s book, I decided to do it. Except I choose nobody else, I was the scarifies.” Rhaenyra said. “My life for my mothers and for an heir that they would celebrate, so that she could finally be free. But men plan and the gods, well the gods laugh. Fourteen cuts, one for each flame, do you know how hard it is to cut yourself fourteen times and make no sound? It’s hard.” She choaks out a bitter laugh

 

“The noblest of them all, Arrax called me when I woke up, in the space between the living and the dead. I made my request and Arrax laughed. Your mother has already traded her life for yours with Meleys and I will not come between a deal struck by my fellow flames. Aemma Arryn will die, dearest one, but it is her blood that will rule, for it is her daughter that will be the queen of all, the most powerful mortal, my very own champion. I begged, pleaded to change it, to change the deal. Aemma will live again Arrax said, seven your heart will unknowingly pick, one for two cuts you have made. One will be a gift from two flames. But you, your life is tied to too many destinies to let me let you give it up. One day, you will have love, power, your mother, and the realm at your feet. What do I have to do in return I asked the king of the gods, oh you are a smart one, the long night shall come, and it shall need a champion to chase away the darkness.” Rhaenyra had glossed over the lessons Arrax gave her, the true limit of her power, but that was fine, they knew what they needed to know. “Two nights ago, he told me that my gift was here on Dragonstone, you are my gifts. When the gods are ready, they will reveal more.”

 

“So Aemma will rise again as well?” Daella asked, her voice raw from the tears she had shed. Rhaenyra seemed to blink out of the trance she was in, she smiled at her maternal grandmother then, “Yes I believe so, Arrax is many things, but he is never a liar, I had been too angry to take much stock into his words to me all those years ago.”

Daemon suddenly got up and pulled Rhaenyra into a fierce hug. “I am sorry little dragon; I should have done more.” The rouge prince said, crying into her shoulder.

“You were all I had to myself for a long time, I loved my mother, but she was Viserys’s womb first and my mother second, but I was always your niece first, always. Before Cregan and the boys there was only you and my mother. Thank you for raising me Daemon, thank you for keeping me here. For making sure I understood that I was worth something, that I was more than the disappointment of my gender.” Rhaenyra said to her uncle, and Daemon continued to cry on her shoulder as she did on his, the two dragon lords holding each other tightly.

 

“He had them cut her open.” He begins, answering the question he knows that they all have. “He had them gut her for a babe that did not live more than a night, an heir for a day, and then he was already disrespecting her memory with a Hightower chit, the night of her funeral. Then he sold Rhaenyra off to me like she was an item to be bartered.”

 

The ship ride back to the capital was mostly silent between the Targaryen’s each of them ingesting the information about the leader of their house.

 

 

Rhaenys Targaryen

 

Rhaenys is stunned when she enters Viserys’s chambers, the sight before her would be hilarious if not for the fact that she had watched Rhaenyra burn her cousin.

 

You watched her burn her mother, and then you offered up your daughter. Her mind whispers harshly.

 

For there stood Aemma, with a knife to Viserys’s throat, and the two kingsgaurd looking lost. A tall slim woman, with black curls and blue eyes was beside them her sword drawn to protect Aemma from the guards.

 

“Ah Rhaenys! It is good to see you cousin.” The woman who looked and sounded like Aemma said.

“Aemma please.” Viserys choked out.

“I also begged you know, cousin, I begged and pleaded, but he would not listen, he would not hear me, he let them gut me like an animal. So why would I listen to him?” Aemma said, her tone biting. Before Rhaenys could reply, the sounds of dragons could be heard. Rhaenyra, Daemon. Thank the flames, they would know what to do.

 

Rhaenys finally convinced the guards to leave the chambers and wait for Rhaenyra and Daemon outside and bring them here.

 

“Aemma, your daughter is here, she is coming.” Rhaenys pleaded, for she was sure she was going mad.

 

Finally, after what seems like sun turns, the door finally opens and in come Rhaenyra.

“Muna please put that down.” She says, Muna? So it is real? Aemma is really standing there?

 

Rhaenys watches as Aemma blinks and drops the knife, Rhaenyra walks towards her and hugs her, and Rhaenys sheds a tear at the sound that escapes Aemma. Viserys is on the floor, clutching at his neck.

“Rhaenys?” Someone calls out, and she turns to look at the person and she sees her father, older, but her father still.

“Kepa?” She says and she feels the world go dark.

 

“Rhaenys?” Rhaenyra is the only one in the room now and Rhaenys is laid out on the floor surrounded by pillows and thick blankets.

“They are all in the other room. Yes, it is true, dead people are walking amongst us.” Rhaenyra says, and she bolts to the door as she hears a crash, Rhaenys gets up and follows her. What she walks in on is Viserys being chased by flying objects that Aunt Alyssa is throwing at his head.

“You cursed me to be the mother of a kinslayer?” Alyssa is screaming. The whole room has simply moved to the side and is watching the whole thing unfold. “I brought you into this world and I will take you out of it.” She has now given up throwing the items and is now beating the shit out of Viserys. Rhaenys is sure she hears his nose and a few other things break. Another Targaryen woman moves to remove Alyssa from onto of her son.

“Enough Alyssa.” The woman says.

“No Daella, since he wants to be a kinslayer, I’ll show him kinslaying.” Alyssa screams. Seeing Daella go to her raging aunt, must kickstart something in her father and uncle Baelon, for they lift her off Viserys, and take her to the other side of the room. Rhaenys takes a deep breath and Cregan leaves the side of two people who must be his parents, for she can see them in him, and helps Viserys up, the young man winces and moves to grab the jug of water on the table. As he moves away, Viserys is hit, by a chair. Aunt Daella is looking thumpingly as Viserys crumples to the floor.

“Fuck me!” The Stark boy says.

 

An unconscious Viserys is carried by Daemon and Cregan to his bed, were Cregan says he can heal his wound, but the pain will still linger.

“Good!” Aunts Daella and Alyssa had said. “Leave him like that!” They had begged Cregan, but one look from Rhaenyra had stopped all of them. She had then followed her husband and her uncle to Viserys.

“Sorry about earlier with the sword.” The woman who she was sure was Cregan’s mother said, rubbing her neck. “Aemma and I woke up together and she insisted on killing her former husband, I had to help her, he sounded like a right cunt! Although she did not tell me, he was the king. I should have known from the hair though.”

“Careful our daughter-by-law has that hair.” The man who looked like Cregan said.

“Yes, but she seems like sweetheart, like Aemma.” The woman said, pointing to her new friend.

“Oh, my Rhaenyra is the best.” Aemma said.

“No worries, he is a right cunt.” Rhaenys said.

“I am Gillian, Cregan’s mother.” She said with a smile towards where her son had gone off to.

Before she could reply, Daemon walked back in.

“Cregan has healed him as best he could, Viserys will still be ugly, there’s no helping that.” Daemon said, and Rhaenys was surprised by the harshness in his tone.

“Good, I can hit him again.” Aunt Daella said.

“There will be no more flying chairs.” Rhaenyra said coming back into the room. “Cregan can only heal so much, before one of you also becomes a kinslayer.” Rhaenyra moves towards Gillian, “So that’s where those stunning black curls come from, Tad’s are brown. Hello I am Rhaenyra.” Gillian doesn’t even wait for her to be done and is already squeezing her into a hug.

“Oh, you are so beautiful! Just the most precious thing!” Gillian says, holding Rhaenyra as if she were a doll. Her youngest cousin laughs and shakes her head, as her husband pulls her gently away.

 

Rhaenyra walks towards Aemma, Cregan behind her “Muna, this is my husband Cregan.”

“Ziry iksos nice naejot rhaenagon ao Muna!” Cregan says kissing her hand gently. The room stops and looks at him and a blushing Aemma.

“What? You did not think Rhaenyra would stay married to me and not teach me the language of her people. Especially as she knows mine. I am hers and she is mine, for all our days.” Cregan says, shrugging his shoulders.

 

Rhaenys shakes her head and thinks that this is what her father had meant when he said to find a man willing to shine with her, not instead of her.

 

The group finally disperses, Alyssa Baelon and her father following her and Daemon, whilst Aemma, Gillian, Rickcon and Daella went with Rhaenyra, no doubt to meet the little Stark boys. Laenor’s clothes should hopefully fit her father, he is tall and lean like her son, and her dresses should fit aunt Alyssa and she is sure that Daemon still has some of his father’s clothes.

Laenor she calls out when she is let in by the guard.

“Come I want you to meet someone.” She says with a smile.

“If it is another woman to marry, I will beg Rhaenyra to allow me become a member of the nights watch.” Laenor says

“I am two tits and a cunt short, little sea dragon.” Her father says, walking out from behind her. Laenor is rightfully shocked by the person that shows up behind her.

“Who are you?” Her son asks.

“My my, no pictures of me in your husbands keep? Rhaenys?” Her father tuts. “I am Aemon, your grandfather.”

 

Daemon Targaryen

 

Daemon and his kepa, are the ones by his bedside when Viserys wakes up, Daemon because fortunately for Viserys he is not a kinslayer and his kepa, because he is not his muna who is out for his brother’s blood.

“Kepa?” his brother says, wincing in pain. He has a feeling Cregan could have taken the pain but choose not to. Viserys is still left with some nasty bruises.

“Viserys.” His father says, Baelon’s tone is filled with nothing but disappointment, their father’s body screams disgust. But Daemon thinks that if he had just found out his eldest son was the cause of two deaths, then he too would be disgusted.

“You are real?’ Viserys asks.

“Yes, and you are a disgrace to me and to my name.” Baelon spits out. “A disgrace on your mother’s name, the woman who birthed you.” Viserys looks chastised, tears are now streaming down his face.  

“How could you? A kinslayer?” His father spits out again this time louder.

“I..” Viserys stammers out.

Baelon gets ready to berate him again, when the door opens and revels Cregan, Alex and Auggie. The boys run towards him and Daemon drops down immediately to hug them.

“Kepus!” They shout, their joy infectios.

“Our grandmothers are here,” Alex says his curls bouncing as he does

“Muna says the gods did it.” Auggie says, his smile wide.

“Or grandsire Rickon too.” Alex says

“Oh and grandmother Daella!” Auggie finishes.

Daemon can see when they catch sight of his kepa. Baelon is looking at the boys in awe an Daemon understands the feeling.

“Who is that?” Auggie asks.

“I am Baelon!” his father says, kneeling as well. “I am your kepus’s kepa.”

The boys eyes widen and light up, delighted.

“Wow!” They both say.

“I am Alex!”

“I am Auggie!”

“We are brothers!” they say and Baelon laughs like anyone could doubt that.

They turn to no doubt tell their father, who is healing Viserys.

“Oh no!” Alex says rushing to Viserys

“Who hurt you?” Auggie asks.

“We can have our dragon bite them.” Alex says seriously.

Cregan snickers and crouches down. “Your grandsire fell.”

“Oh, be careful.” Auggie says.

“Yes, muna always says so.” Alex adds.

 

Are you not ashamed? Daemon thinks, after all you’ve done to her. The children sit on his and his kepa’s laps as their father heals Viserys with water. The children utterly captivated and so are he and Baelon. Before too long the door opens again and in walks his muna. Viserys tenses, and Alyssa freezes at the sight of the two boys on their laps.

“And who are you two handsome little dragons?” she asks walking up to them and bringing another chair with her. Viserys tenses again, and Daemon chuckles.

“We are dragonwolves, silly.” Auggie says.

“I am Alex and that is Auggie.” Alex says

“My apologizes, I am Alyssa.” His muna says and her smile is so big.

“She is my Muna!” Daemon says with a smile.

“Wow you are pretty.” Alex says

“Not as pretty as our Muna.” Auggies quickly says.

“No, but pretty.” Alexs adds as if to stave off any offence his brother has caused.

“Nobody is as pretty as your muna, you are right!” Alyssa says, her eyes twinkling

The boys hop off him and Baelon and go to Alyssa.

“We are here cause grandsire Viserys fell.” Auggie says.

“Kepa, is making him better.” Alex explains.

“All done” Cregan says and Viserys does look better, well his nose is no longer broken, and his face less swollen.

“Come, your muna will be looking for us, we will see your grandparents and your kepus later.” Cregan says, holding out his hands for the boys to take. “Say bye.”

“Bye! Feel better! No more falling!” the boys say on their way out.

 

“Such sweet boys!” His mother says.

“Yes, Rhaenyra has four of them.” He says, smiling.

“Four?’ his mother winces.

“Yes, two sets of twins. You’ve just met, Alexander and Augustus and the two younger ones Aurelius and Archibald are in the nursery, they are just shy of three moons.” Daemon explains.

“The three of them stare at a now better looking Viserys, and that when his mother begins her tirade anew. His brother is lucky she does not whack him again with the chair, for she certainly looks like she wants to.

“You disgust me, and I curse you Viserys! I curse you with the same womb I used to nurture you.” Alyssa says, and Daemon and Baelon wince for that is a curse that will come true. A good mother’s curse is always the strongest.

“I am.” Viserys begins.

“What you are is a wretched kingslayer, a traitor to your own blood.” Alyssa says, “from what I hear, you are nothing but Otto Hightower’s little bitch.” His mother honestly could not have planned the moment better for as she said that the two towers walked in. Faces confused. Hopefully his mother beats Otto up too.

Notes:

So now you have some context as to so of Rhaenyra's backstory with Arrax and the gods. The Flames will actually get their own chapter soon, so more will be explained and Rhaenyra will have more thoughts, because as Cregan said, she glossed over a lot, she just gave the Cliff notes.

I hope you enjoyed Viserys getting beat round 1!

Gillian being like sure I'll help you kill your former husband is very girls helping girls of her. We'll see there resurrection in the next chapter.

Just for context the seven Arrax said her heart will choose are all complete. Why her heart chose them will be explained. For some it's obvious, for some it is not. Also please remember that Saera and Vaegon are still alive. It's going to be VERY chaotic!

Favorite side character: The chair, the chair will be back! Alyssa and Daella will stay tag teaming Viserys be rest assured. Aemon I fear will be punching Corlys, Rickcon will try to take his wife, son, daughter and grandchildren north away from these crazy people. Alicent will actually be meeting with Alyssa's fist I fear. (It's an accident she swears.)

Oh and please pray for Otto, that man's enemies have just doubled and he will be meeting with Daella and her chair, as well as a wolf.

The next Chapter will be Alicent/Gillian/Aemma- It will be called the worth of a woman.

I hope you've enjoyed these updates, unfortunately the next ones will come next month as I will be writing for my other stories, so I see you over there!

Chapter 10: Words can cut too.

Notes:

Okay this chapter is terrible. But I felt like you guys deserved something! There is one person who deserves praise for any good you find in this chapter. (Fairy of Fandoms 4Ever (MarvelReader500)) deserves all your praise in the comments! So everyone give several claps to Fairy of Fandoms 4Ever (MarvelReader500)!!

I love this story so I'll be taking time to put out more chapters.

Alyssa Targaryen  

 Alyssa looks as a redheaded girl walks into the room. The girl cannot be much older than her granddaughter Rhaenyra, but she looks older, more weary, unhappy. The man behind her looks gobsmacked, and he is staring at her Baelon in shock, like he cannot quite believe that her husband is standing there. Alyssa imagines it is not every day people rise from the dead.  

“Who are you?” The redheaded girl screeches, and Alyssa is immediately put off. These are the king's rooms. 

“Ah, Alicent, Otto, how kind of you to join us!” Daemon says, his voice cheery, as if this was all a joke to him. Like the dead rose every day in his world. “Come meet my mother Alyssa and my father Baelon.”  

“They are dead,” Otto barely squeaks out. The man looks pale, and Daemon looks like he is hoping he faints and hits his head. Otto looks towards her son Viserys and the idiot smiles like the fool Alyssa has learned he is. 

“Yes, the gods have blessed us. My family is back.” Viserys says.  

“THE DEAD RISING? THIS IS BLASPHAMY! THIS IS HEARCY!” Alicent is screaming now, and her voice is so loud the guards have rushed in. Unfortunately, the girl keeps screaming, louder and louder she goes.  

More people pour into the room and Alyssa wonders why they feel comfortable entering the king’s inner sanctum like this.  

 

“Do you have no strength?” She wonders about her eldest son.  

 

Rhaenyra, her husband, Aemma and her siblings arrive as well, along with the two resurrected Starks. A boy also enters with Rhaenys. Her granddaughter takes one look at the screeching girl and rolls her eyes.  

“If you are not Targaryen, Velaryon, or Stark, GET OUT!” Rhaenyra says, and the people leave, but not before staring at them all.

 

“I understand that these are confusing times for everyone, but for goodnes’ sake control yourself, you are not some fish monger in white harbour, you are the wife of a king. Even my children would not act like this.” Rhaenyra directs at the redheaded girl, she flushes in embarrassment now. “Because of the scene your wife has just caused, we will now have to address the court and the realm before our family understands what is truly going on.” She directs this critique at Viserys and he now flushes in embarrassment. 

“Trust Viserys’s andal whore to make everything more complicated than it needs to be,” Daemon snaps. 

“I am queen.” The girl bites back.

“Then act like one.” Rhaenyra says. 

The girl opens her mouth again, no doubt to say something, but one look from Alyssa’s granddaughter shuts her up. Otto simply drags the girl out of the room, clearly knowing that Rhaenyra’s temper is rising. 

“How will we explain this to the realm?” Cregan says once it is just the family left.

“We don’t.” Rhaenyra says. The room looks at her, confused.

“We don’t?” Viserys asks.

“House Targeryen rules the realm. A dragon’s word is law. Dragons and wolves do not explain themselves to sheep, they eat them when the sheep gets too bold. The people will accept whatever explanation we give them, and anyone who has a problem with it can scream it whilst Syrax eats them.” Rhaenyra says, and Alyssa understands immediately why the gods favour her granddaughter so. 

Rhaenyra gathers them all towards her wing, the heirs wing. She remembers when this was Aemon’s part of the castle, his domain. The guards that line the halls are in gold, grey and orange and that color throws Alyssa off a little, for the color almost looked Dornish. The dining chamber looks the same, but she can see touches of her granddaughter in here. From the fur that runs across the table to the toys in the corner on a fur blanket. To the tapestry of wolves running and dragons flying across the night sky.  

“Eddie,” Rhaenyra calls to the man standing in the corner. “Some refreshments please.”  

“Of course.” Eddie says with a smile. The man does not even glance twice at them. 

“Please sit.” Rhaenyra says. The group does. She sits in-between Daemon and Baelon, Aemon sits with Daella and Rhaenys. With them is a boy who looks like Aemon a little in the face. He sits with the Starks.  

 

One of Rhaenyra’s northern friends. Alyssa thinks. 

“For Laenor sake, please introduce yourself.” Rhaenyra says with a devilish twitch to her lips.  

“I am Daemon, rouge.” Daemon begins.  

“We know who you are, Daemon.” Rhaenyra says, rolling her eyes. The table laughs and everyone introduces themselves. The servants bring the refreshments and Rhaenyra thanks them. They smile adoringly at her and Alyssa chuckles.  

 

“So you rule with smiles and fire?” Alyssa thinks about Rhaenyra.  

 

Rhaenyra sits on her husband’s lap and kisses him softly. They seem to have an unspoken conversation and he nods once, then she turns towards all of them, from the head of the table.  

“Grandmother Daella, as you know, you tragically died giving birth to my Muna, but Grandmother Alyssa also died in childbirth, bringing my kepus Aegon into the world. Great uncle Aemon was killed by a Myrish pirate before Laenor was born. Then Jaehaerys named grandfather Baelon heir. That is when our family went to shit,” Rhaenyra says. 

“You stole Rhaenys’s birthright?!” Aemon bellows at Baelon. 

“No, father would not hear a word against his decision, he named me heir immediately after your ashes were cold. I was still mourning your death. My desire was vengeance, but Jaehaerys’ sole desire was to secure his legacy.” Baelon said, “Rhaenys is a Velaryon, he said, this is a Targaryen throne.” Baelon took a deep breath. “I thought I would have more time to convince him. I thought I would live longer than him. I am sorry. I had no choice. He summoned the lords and publicly announced my appointment.”

“Unfortunately, after Kepa’s death, Jaehaerys thrust us into a succession crisis.” Daemon said, his voice grave. “I spoke to Jaehaerys, asked him if he would name Rhaenys heir now that father was dead, now that he had no eligible sons left. He said no. She is a Velaryon he said, what makes you think Corlys will not kill her once she has a few more dragon riding sons, what makes you think he will not kill you, Viserys, Rhaenyra? You will always be a challenge to her, true Targaryen’s. No, I will let the lords choose. Veagon thinks it is the right thing to do. No bloodshed, no Maegor come again.”  

“He would have never!” Rhaenys screamed.  

“He was willing to marry your daughter to a kinslayer, just to have his blood on the throne. Your daughter of two and one. He would do anything for power. He is a Valyrian version of cuntower.” Daemon argued back. He took a sip of wine then. “I told Viserys what Jaehaerys had said. We agreed I would secure more regions for him, and in return he would grant me a few things, an annulment, put Rhaenys on the small council, to soothe her, and grant me whatever place I wanted on the council.” 

“An annulment?” Alyssa asks  

“Oh yes, grandmother dearest, shackled me with my bronze bitch. A sheep from the vale. An atrocious woman.” Deamon says, and the derision is clear in his tone. 

“Aemma is off the vale.” Daella says 

“Yes, but she is not a sheep, a bird of prey, that one,” Daemon says, his lips quirk and Aemma rolls her eyes. “Anyway, I secured the Riverlands, the Westerlands, and part of the Crownlands,” Daemon continues. 

“How?” Rhaenyra questions  

“Caraxes!” Daemon says and there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. “All men fear fire, little dragon, and I have lots of it.” He lights a fire in his finger as if to illustrate his point. “Viserys won the great council, but he refused to hold his end of the bargain when he became king. But like a fool, I still supported him. Jokes on me, really, jokes on all of us.”  

“You all know what happened from there,” Rhaenyra says gravely. 

“So that red-headed banshee is the one Viserys killed my Aemma for?” Daella asks bluntly. Alyssa thinks back to the screaming girl.  

 

Before anyone can answer, a man with tan skin, brown hair, and beautiful brown eyes barges in. 

“Nyra? What is this I am hearing about dead people rising?” the man says 

“Qoren.” Her granddaughter says, the young man looks around, and his eyes widen in shock. 

“Please tell me you did not do some ritual for this,” Qoren says, turning back to Rhaenyra. “Actually, don’t tell me how you did this.”  

“Really? You don’t want to hear how Cregan fucked me on top of a Volcano?” Rhaenyra teases and Cregan groans.  

Qoren’s eyes twinkle with mischief, “OOO sex magic, honestly, if anyone is capable, it is you!” 

The three of them laugh. Rhaenyra croaks her finger, and the lad walks over without waiting for a breath and leans down. They whisper between the three of them and laugh again. This time Cregan must hold Rhaenyra, so she does not fall off him.  

“Everyone, this is Prince Qoren of house Martel.” Rhaenyra says. 

 

Alyssa thought her granddaughter was insanely powerful, but her ability to collect powerful men might surpass her ability to wield magic.   

 

That night they had dinner, all of them, and the Dornish. The announcement that the princess was friends with the Dornish heir and his wife shocked the Targaryens. The only one not at the dinner was Viserys, for nobody wanted to see that idiot right now.   

“Apologies. The boys asked for three stories before they fell asleep.” Rhaenyra said as she walked into her dining chamber.  

“Oh, honestly, I thought you were trying to starve me.” Prince Qoren said. 

“Bite me Qor.” Rhaenyra said.  

“Hmm, no, your wolf is possessive, and he’s very large.” Qoren said. 

“So, you are saying you would not die for me?” Rhaenyra said.  

“No, I’d die for you, but not by the hand of Cregan..” Qoren said, aghast.  

“I would die for you in a heartbeat. I’d kill for you too,” Cregan said, coming to stand behind his wife. She raised her head and gave Cregan a blinding smile.  

“My love.” She said, rubbing Cregan’s face. She brought him down for a kiss.  

 “EW, we get it. You are in love.” Qoren said. The duo laughed. 

 

The dinner had been going well and the story of how Qoren, Rhaenyra and Cregan became friends was being told, when the chamber opened to reveal her two older grandsons, their maids behind them. 

“My loves? Are you okay?” Rhaenyra asked, getting up and rushing to her sons. “Can’t sleep?” The two boys nodded. She and Cregan grabbed a boy each and sat back down, the merriment continued as the two babes slept in their parents’ laps.

 

Aemma Arryn.  

 

She can finally be alone with her daughter, the morning meal laid out between them.  

She watches as Rhaenyra pops a piece of bread in her mouth. Aemma has thought this conversation through, since the first time she woke up in her daughter’s former chamber, with Gillian, but now that it is time to speak the words, she cannot. 

“I am sorry, Rhaenyra. I’m sorry, I was too weak to be your mother. I’m sorry I strive to be perfect at everything else but being your mother and being a good example of a woman. I am glad you are not like me. I’m glad you’re not weak like me. I am glad you are stronger.” Aemma says, the words tumbling out of her mouth. Rhaenyra looks taken aback by her words and rushes up to hold her. 

“I have been honoured to imitate your strength, devotion, loyalty, kindness, and patience. It is my honour to be your daughter. Never forget that. I have always felt honoured to be yours, Mūna.” Aemma cries as well, Rhaenyra holding even tighter. Aemma does not know how long they sit there for, but eventually they stop crying and wipe their faces. 

 Cregan comes into the rooms with her oldest grandsons and in their hands are flowers. They walk up to her and each hold one out to her. 

“Here grandmother.” Alex says 

“Pretty like you,” Auggie says. 

She smiles then, and smiles bigger, when they give the rest to their mother, who is kissing their father as he has handed her some flowers. The three sit down and eat as well, the table filled with laughter and with love, and Aemma feels content.  

She had imagined being jealous of Rhaenyra’s life. Born a dragon riding princess, the girl everyone fell in love with at first sight. Powerful, smart and oh so resilient. But all Aemma felt was pride. She looked at her daughter and she was proud of her, and of herself, for Rhaenyra was Aemma’s. She was Aemma’s greatest triumph.  

This, unlike the conversation she had with Rhaenyra, she does not wish to have this one, but she knows she must, she must so that she can move on.

The kingsgaurd lets her enter, and she does. Viserys is waiting for her, sitting on the chaise. He looks hopeful, and Aemma does not understand why?  

“Viserys.” She says, taking a deep breath. Her tone is sharper than she wants, but the man makes her murderous.  

“My love. I am sorry, please forgive me. The masters said I had no choice. I needed a son,” Viserys says, his eyes pleading, as if he expects her to forgive him.    

“Where is your son now, Viserys?” Aemma taunts. “You know, when they were cutting me open, I thought, I guess I was wrong. He never loved me. But you loved me and you love our daughter. But now I realise you do not know how to love others. You have only ever loved yourself, and even that self-love lacks self-worth and confidence. Your self-love stems from weakness and the cowardly hope of achieving greatness without effort, of achieving greatness merely by leveraging the accomplishments of others.” 

And like the selfish self-centred person he is, Viserys lashes out.  

“You act like you loved our daughter more than me. You act like I did not give you a good life.” He pants out. 

“You never gave me the chance to be anything more than a broodmare. A life, what a joke! You, my father, our grandparents, you all never gave me the chance to be anything but your little plaything. You didn’t even give me the chance to love myself, talk less of love our daughter the way she needed me to.” Aemma screamed back. “I gave my entire life to you. Everything I was. You ungrateful, spinless cunt.” She has tears in her eyes, so when Daemon comes into view, she is shocked. He hands her a handkerchief, and she wipes her eyes.  

“Please Aemma, we can be together. The gods have planned this,” Viserys says, walking closer to her. But Daemon stops him. 

“I refuse to waste another moment of my life with you, I refuse to dim my brightness, just because you are as dull as the sky on a stormy day. I have persevered enough, I will live now, I will be Aemma, mother of Rhaenyra, daughter of Daella, grandmother. Your association with me ended the day you cut me open.” Aemma says, squaring her shoulders.  

“Please, Rhaenyra will not forgive me if you don’t. She hates me.” Viserys pleads. Ah, another selfish thing.  

“You want her forgiveness, earn it! For once in your godforsaken life, Viserys earn something!” Aemma shouts. Walking out of the room, furious.  

 

She is so angry she does not realise that Daemon is following her until he grabs her shoulder.  

“Alright, you vicious little falcon, slow down,” Daemon says.  

The name is so absurd; she laughs. “I am not little.” She speaks. Although her height undercuts her point. Daemon raises his eyebrow as if to say seriously.  

“You know what we should do?” He asks, a devious twinkle in his eyes. 

“Hmm, go to sleep. It is getting late.” Aemma says, realising just how late it is. 

“No, you are sad, and you know what cheers me up?” Daemon asks, “Fucking,” he says, answering his own question. 

“I am not fucking you!” Aemma screams, punching him 

“I was suggesting a brothel cousin.” Daemon says, “But I can see why you’d want to fuck me! I am very handsome.” He finishes, raising his eyebrows exaggeratingly. The blank look she gives him makes him laugh. 

“How about a drink in the tavern?” Daemon says. 

“I have never been to the city at night.” She says wistfully.  

“Well then, what are we waiting for?” Daemon says dragging her with him towards his chambers.  

 

She has never drunk this much in her life, and she is pretty sure Daemon is drunk as well, judging by the way he is swaying. 

“Okay, look over there, does that girl not look like Gael?” Daemon says, seriously. Even though she is a few moments away from sighing like a drunk sailor, she looks, and she can see what he means. 

The girl is beautiful, not the aethereal beauty that her daughter is, but beautiful. She has hair is blonde, but when she turns her head a little to the light it almost looks Targaryen, and Aemma can see her blue eyes close, when she takes a sip of the ale she is drinking.  

“No, she’s not Gael. I never wanted to kiss Gael!” Aemma’s drunk brain confesses.  

“Well, I kissed Gael!” Daemon says. “And I am telling you she looks like Gael in the face.” 

“Of course you did,” Aemma says, pushing him. “So, this is your chance! Gael is dead so you can’t kiss her. Why not kiss that woman over there?”  

“You just said you wanted to kiss her.” Daemon says, looking at her like she’s stupid. 

“So, I am a girl. Girls aren’t supposed to kiss other girls.” Aemma says, although the words taste foul in her mouth. 

“I’ve kissed plenty of boys.” Daemon says. “Who cares!” Daemon waves his hand and gets the woman’s attention. She looks at them both and blinks multiple times. But she stands up from her table and comes over to them. 

“You, blue eyes.” Daemon says, “My cousin wants to kiss you.” The woman blinks again and laughs. 

“No, he’s a liar. He wants to kiss you!” Aemma says, pointing at Daemon. The two of them go back and forth and she just stares at them. 

“Why don’t I kiss both of you and take you back to the keep?” She asks. 

“Oh!” Aemma thinks that would be nice. 

“I am Clarissa, and I think Princess Rhaenyra would kill me if I did not escort you back to the keep.” The woman Clarissa says. 

“We have gold cloaks for that.” Daemon says 

Aemma hits him. 

“Ow!” Daemon groans “What was that for?” 

“She knows Rhaenyra!” Aemma says excitedly. 

“She also said she’d kiss us. She’s joking.” Daemon says. “We cannot just trust strangers, Aemma!” 

“But we can kiss them?” Aemma asks, perplexed by his logic. 

“Let’s drink some water and find Rhaenyra and she can help us all.” Clarissa says. 

“No! Rhaenyra is sleeping; we can’t wake her.” Aemma says sloppily.  

 

Clarissa and several people in gold cloaks eventually escorted them back to the keep, leading them to Daemon’s chamber. They are both so drunk they pass out on his bed, and Aemma swears Clarissa gives them both a kiss on the forehead. Her head hurts, so she just snuggles closer to Daemon.  

 

Aemma is awoken by the sound of Rhaenyra’s voice. She blinks and realises that she is still in Daemon’s rooms and her daughter and Cregan are staring at them. Well, Cregan has his eyes closed as if he does not want to see something he doesn’t.  

“Wow, sleeping with Daemon is one way to get revenge on Viserys. Alternatively, you could have tried pushing him down some stairs.” Rhaenyra says. 

“No, this is not what it looks like.” Aemma tries to explain. Daemon chooses then to wake up, and he blinks, confused as well. 

“Muna, I have four children. I can assure you I know the joys of fucking.” Rhaenyra says.  

“Ew, Rhaenyra!” Daemon whines. 

“Oh, so you can sleep with your cousin, my mother, but I can’t talk about fucking my husband!” Rhaenyra snaps.  

“Darling, be nice!” Cregan says, eyes still closed. 

“Nice, Cregan, they fucked!” she says, her voice doing an impressive whisper yell.  

“No, we went out, got drunk and tried to convince a pretty woman to kiss Aemma.” Daemon says. 

“What?” Rhaenyra asks.  

“Yes! See, we’re still wearing clothes!” Aemma says, taking off the sheet covering them. Cregan finally opens his eyes. 

“What woman?” Rhaenyra asks. 

“You know, she looked a lot like Gael,” Aemma answers. And Cregan laughs.  

 

Alicent Hightower  

 

The dead were walking amongst them, and Alicent could do nothing about it. 

 

She remembers hearing the maids’ gossip. 

“I saw them. One looked like Queen Aemma, I swear it.”  

 She and her father had gone to speak with Viserys about it, only to find two people she did not recognise in the room with him.

She still feels her ears ringing as her husband screamed at her for concerning herself with his and his family’s business.  

 

Family. She was meant to be his family. But Viserys had never loved her. She had been promised wealth; she was supposed to be leading the realm, yet she was on the outskirts, because she had no living babe. She had done her duty. 

 

“Did you?” her traitorous mind whispered. “Where are your sons?”  

She swallowed the thought and concentrated on the scene in front of her. Her father was trying to speak to Viserys, but he was brushing him off. The Targaryen’s were all standing together along with the Starks, the Velaryons as well all stood Infront of the throne.  

“I said enough Otto.” Viserys bellowed, his voice carrying through the throne room. The courtiers all stopped to look at them, and she saw her father redden. The keep was filling with more and more nobles as the festivities neared.  

 

The High Septon stood in the middle and opened his mouth to begin speaking. When Rhaenyra walked in with her husband, uncle and the prince of Dorne flanking her. The Stark lord had those beasts of his with them, and she could hear the roar of dragons. The four of them walked in and stood in front of their family in front of the throne. Except Rhaenyra did not stop. She climbed the steps with her husband’s help and sat on the throne. The only sound left in the hall was the breathing of the people gathered. Even her husband looked shocked.  

 

“Ah your holiness, is it?” Rhaenyra mocked, her legs crossed, and her husband’s wolves sat at her feet. He stood to her right whilst Daemon and the Dornish prince stood to her left. She seemed to take a deep breath, and white flames gathered around the throne. The four seemed to be fine with the flames.  

 

“This is heresy!” The high septon says, his voice carrying. 

“You think my family are heretics?” Rhaenyra asks, her voice calm.  

Yes! Alicent wants to scream. You and your lot are unnatural.  

“Yes!” The high septon says. “You are messing with the dead.”  

“How old are you?” Rhaenyra asks. The septon was confused and so was Alicent. What did the man’s age have to do with Rhaenyra and her unnatural family? 

“Five and one.” The septon answers begrudgingly. 

“And have you always lived in this city?” Rhaenyra asks, and Alicent realises that this is why women cannot be rulers; their purpose is bearing and raising children. Rhaenyra was making a fool of them all.  

“Yes!” The septon says, clearly angry, “But that is not what this is about.”  

“Actually, it is.” Rhaenyra says, her face serene, the sun hitting her on the throne, making an illusion of a crown on her braided hair. “My parents buried several children. Sons and daughters.” She stops and looks around the room. “Do you see any of them here?”  

 

Something hangs heavy in the following silence. 

 

“Let me ask you another question. Do you see the dead prince Aegon? Or princesses Danearys, Vissera, or Gael? Alysanne and Jaehaerys buried them. Or do you see my uncle Aegon? My grandfather Rodrick? My uncle Elbert? Shall I go on or do you understand my point?” Rhaenyra says, and she uncrosses her legs and leans back on the throne, sitting lazily. “So holy one, why, if my family could raise the dead, why have we not been doing so? Hell, Aegon, and Visenya would have started it with Rhaenys. We are closer to gods than men, but we are still not gods.”   

 

More silence. 

 

“Do you think if we could raise the dead, we would not have done so sooner? I would have raised my mother myself to have someone to talk to because I was scared when I gave birth to my first sons. To fill the void in his heart, Viserys would have raised his dead sons. Baelon would have raised Alyssa. Jaehaerys would have raised his sons so as not to be stuck with Rhaenys and Viserys as heirs. Aegon and Visenya would have raised Rhaenys. Hell, Maegor would have raised himself just to fuck with everyone. Power lives exactly where the gods allow it to. I did not raise the dead, the gods did.” 

 

The room was silent again.  

 

“You know what I think? I think you and all the others like you are hypocrites. You call us heretics because we conquered you, Andals. But didn’t you do the same to the first men? Stealing their lands. But do not worry, they did it to the children of the forest. You do not hate us because you think we are wicked or godless or heretics, you hate us because you’re not us. You hate us because you crave the power that we have. Welcome to the game of the gods. You win some, you lose some.” Rhaenyra said.  

 

“The lords of the realm will not stand for it!” The high septon said.  

Rhaenyra stood up then. Her red leather dress gleamed in the light, and the flames she had set behind her now turned black. She walked down from the throne, her husband following her. She stopped in front of the high septon.  

“They don’t have to stand for anything. I do not care for their thoughts or feelings. My family rules these lands, and we will continue to do so forever. The lords can complain, and I will gladly reconquer all the keeps in this kingdom. House Baratheon exists because of us. House Tyrell is no longer stewards because of us, House Strong rules Harranhall because of us. So many of you are who you are because of my family. Because of fire and blood. I will be happy to put new bastards, or stewards, in their places. Only this time it will not be one dragon or two to your keeps and septs, all the dragon riders will visit, and we will burn those who think they can question us.. We can either work together to better the realm or my family can remake it to suit us,” Rhaenyra said, her voice calm even as she promised destruction. 

“Is that a threat?” The high septon squeaked out.   

“The next person who dares to insinuate my family are heretics will have their tongue ripped out and then fed to them.” Rhaenyra said to the wider room. The atmosphere tensed. “That was a threat. My last statements were facts. You must remember that just because facts make you uncomfortable, does not make them threats.”  

She can see various people gulp, and she can see the high septon look towards her husband for help. But Viserys offers him nothing.  

“In honour of myself and my family and the blessing the gods have given us, we will donate several things to the poor of all the seven kingdoms.” Rhaenyra says smiling now, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Is that not what the seven preaches?”  

“Yes.” The high septon says, clearly scared. 

“Yes, what?” Cregan asks, his hand on the pommel of his sword.  

“Yes, your majesty!” the high septon says, bowing deeply.  

 

The princess is correct, so much loss, they would have fixed it if they could.  

I felt bad when she said that she needed her mother.  

Poor queen Aemma, so much loss.  

Queen Aemma was so brave.  

Such a kind soul. A good queen.  

The gods clearly favoured her. Look at her daughter. Queen Aemma has birthed Westeros’s first queen.  

 

Queen Aemma. Aemma. That name always haunted her.  

 

Round and round the praise goes.  

 

She is unsure of what happens or how she ends up on the floor, Aemma Arryn’s feet in front of her. The woman helps her up, and the older woman looks at her from where she is standing and Alicent realizes that these are Rhaenyra’s old rooms, she had come in here throughout the years that Rhaenyra had been in the north, wishing that she was not alone, each time she lost a child, Viserys after Aegon did not even pretend that he cared for her. He attended the funerals for the sake of his reputation, no words of comfort came, only scorn on his face, and when he could bed her again on his lips.  

 

“Ah poor little Alicent.” The former queen says. Her voice holds pity. “Another girl who got tossed into a game she did not know the rules too, by a greedy father. Only this one is stupid enough to think she can duty her way to success.” 

“I only did what my father asked of me. My duty.” Alicent defended. “I had to. It was my destiny.” 

Aemma laughed.  

“You and I are the same. We are products of greedy fathers.” Aemma says. “And a callous husband.” 

“I will give Viserys a son,” Alicent says, straightening her back and wiping her tears. 

“Your womb will not love the lonely out of you, nor will it make you my daughters equal.” Aemma says. 

“I am a queen.” Alicent 

“But you are still lesser than my daughter. You love and loath her in equal measure. You’re in love with her, and because you cannot have her, you insist on trying to hurt her, because at the very least if she hates you, she’ll feel something for you but the fact that she can’t even be bothered to hate you makes you hate yourself. Because it makes the voice in your head louder, the one that tells you that all you are is your father’s puppet and Viserys’s failed womb.” Aemma says. “Even if you popped out three sons, It would not make you my daughter.  Therein lies your biggest problem you will never be my daughter no matter what you do or how many children you bear you will always come second, third, fourth, but you’ll never be first in a world where my daughter exists that is what truly kills you. You can cling to whatever delusion you like but even in a world where you would’ve had sons, you’ve still died alone and forgotten. But my daughter in every world would be remembered and loved.”  

 

“What about you? You are nothing but a failed womb as well.” Alicent spat.  

“But my daughter lives. When I died, she mourned me, then she built her own family and they mourned me, the Vale mourned me, my sister mourned me, and even my kinslaying former husband mourned me. But who will mourn you Alicent? It won’t be Otto, he sees you as a failure, it won’t be Viserys, he’ll be fucking the next one before you are even confirmed dead. But Rhaenyra, her sons will remember her, people will remember her, many will mourn her and love her still.” 

 

“I..” Alicent chocked out. 

 

“It’s pathetic really, because in a world where even monsters are remembered who will remember you?” Aemma says, walking out and leaving Alicent alone. 

 

“Your womb will not love the lonely out of you.”  

“Even monsters are remembered, who will remember you?”  

 

The words kept running through her head and she screamed. The tears running down her face.  

 

“You’ll never be my daughter.”  

Notes:

Aemma was the star of this chapter, and her conversations with Viserys and Alicent were such fun to write. That who will remember you line! You'll never be my daughter!! For once in your life earn something!! Clap for Aemma!!

Rhaenyra said this is a dictatorship, I don't care what the people think.

Alyssa is like ew every time she thinks about Viserys.

Long weekend coming up so I am hoping to crank out at least another chapter. Hopefully a better one.
Thank you for the continued love for this story, it truly humbles me. Huge love to Fairy of Fandoms 4Ever (MarvelReader500)!! 💕

Chapter 11: Throw the baby out with the bath water.

Summary:

This chapter features a miscarriage so please do not read the last paragraph if that triggers you! To all those who have suffered miscarriages, it is not your fault and our hearts are with you!

Notes:

So hmm the AO3 curse is real! 😭 Since I last updated, my migraine attacks came back worse than ever and I found out I may need surgery.

Any way I have experimented with a new chapter style. Who knows if I'll continue to use it. If you see any errors in this chapter, no you did not. 😭

Love you all and please take care of yourselves and drink water!! Also if you can go to your annual physical! It is important!!❤️❤️

I will come back and edit but I hope you enjoy xxx

Otto watched as the Targaryens all walked in, the sight of the dead Targeryens made his heart race. Otto could not understand how this was possible, what had these heatherens done?

“Why have you called a meeting this early, Viserys?” Daemon asks, sitting down arrogantly. The elder Targeryens are the next to sit down, staying away from Alicent, Otto, his brother and his family. Viserys also looks perplexed, signaling that he did not call the meeting, but before he can answer the door is opened and in comes the screaming children of the princess. 

“Hello!” They both say loudly, smiling.

“Alex, Auggie. Hello!” Baelon says, and  the boys rush to him and Alyssa, the two pick them up and sit them on their laps. Daella runs her hand through their hair. 

“Rhaenyra, Cregan!” the former queen said as the two walked in after their children. 

“Muna,” they both said, kissing her.

“Why are we here?” The princess asked

Everyone turned to the king, but Hobert cleared his throat.

“I wished to speak to the king and the hand.” his brother said.

“So you summoned us?” Aemon said. “Who the fuck are you to summon us?” 

“Let us come back to that, why are we here Lord Hightower?” Rhaenyra said. Everyone turned to his brother now. 

“My daughter is with child.” Hobert said, “The king’s child.” 

Otto’s heart almost stopped. Daemon had begun laughing, almost toppling over, and Rhaenyra just stared. 

“Congratulations on your bastard, Lady Bethany.” Daella said.

“Your Grace, my daughter’s virtue has been compromised; the king must do what is right.” Hobert said.

“The king is already married, to another Hightower no less” Cregan said looking at Hobert 

“Alicent has failed to do her duty. My Bethany is the daughter of a lord, not the daughter of a landless second son. The king should divorce Alicent and marry my Bethany,” Hobert said.

“Your daughter is a whore!” Otto shouted

“And what is yours, brother? Sneaking into a widower’s room in her mother’s old clothes.” Hobert shouted back, 

Alicent had already started weeping. 

“You whore. You conniving cunt!” Alicent screamed, running to grab Bethany.

“You are the one with the cursed womb, cousin!” Bethany roared back

“Enough!” Rhaenyra said firmly. “There really is no honour amongst thieves.” 

The princess turned to her mother. “Muna, can you please take the boys to Rickcon and Gillian.” The former queen nodded and grabbed the hand of her grandson and walked out. 

“How could you, Viserys! How could you do this to me!” Alicent screeched. 

“I am king! I can do whatever I want!” Viserys screamed back.

“I believe I said it was enough!” Rhaenyra said. “Lord Hightower, we thank you for your candour. You and your family can leave.” Rhaenyra said, She waved her hand and the door opened. Hobert huffed and walked out with his family. “You and your daughter can leave as well, Otto.” 

---

Aemon watches as Viserys gulps down his wine. Rhaenyra is sitting on his right and Daemon on his left. His nephew looks nervous; he is constantly rubbing his hands down his breeches. Aemon looks towards his brother, who is frowning at his eldest son., Alyssa sits between Daella and Baalon. Everyone is silently waiting for Viserys to explain what the hell he was thinking. Cregan is the only one not sitting, he is standing behind his wife's chair, his hands around her shoulder. 

Viserys clears his throat once, twice, three times. 

“For the love of all that is holy, get to it,” Daella yells. Viserys flinches at the tone, and Aemon is shocked as well, for Daella had always been a quiet girl. 

“I was lonely. She soothed me.” Viserys says he looks at Rhaenyra, but she gives no outward sign of hearing Viserys’s words. “You have to understand that it is hard being king, I needed comfort.” 

His grandniece says nothing. She taps her husband’s arm. Cregan pulls her chair back, and she stands. 

“Rhaenyra, please.” Viserys stands as well. Rhaenyra turns around and looks at her father, her expression is still blank. She picks up her cup from the table and throws the wine at Viserys. Daemon only barely moves back quickly enough to avoid it spilling on him. 

“Daughter.” Viserys moans, wine soaking his face.

“You are only topped in your ability to be a fool by your ability to disgrace the Targaryen name.” Rhaenyra spat, turning to walk out. With Cregan pursuing her. 

“Honestly, your capacity for being a disappointment is truly astonishing!” Alyssa says,standing up and walking out, Daella following behind her. The door slams shut behind the three women. Leaving Daemon, Aemon and Baelon with the fool that is king. 

“I am ashamed to have sired you!” Baelon says, standing up and walking out as well. Viserys flinches back, Baelon’s words hurting him. Daemon trails after his father, shooting a venomous look at Viserys. 

“What is your problem, Viserys?” Aemon asks after some time. He and his nephew are the only ones remaining. “Why do you insist on doing the wrong thing at every point in your life?” 

Viserys does not answer; he is too busy cradling his now wet cheek. “Do you lack the capacity to make an excellent decision?” 

“I..” Viserys stutters. He sits down now, tears in his eyes. 

“You continue to shame my brother. How fucking dare you?” Aemon roared, his anger getting to him now. Viserys is ruining Baelon’s name, and his little brother does not deserve that. Baelon, selfless Baelon, did not deserve a spineless, idiotic coward for a first son. 

“You are undeserving of the honour of being your parents’ son, undeserving of being Daemon’s brother, you are undeserving of that crown on your head, the legacy of our family, and the siring of Rhaenyra.” Aemon says. They should call you Viserys the unworthy fool. For you are no Targeryen, you are no son of Baelon, you are unworthy of the pain Alyssa went through to give you life.” Aemon roared. “One day you will die, and when that day comes, people will dance on your ashes, and I pray you suffer an eternity in the pits of the fourteen flames. I will ensure everyone speaks your name with derision. You useless cunt!” 

 

---

Rickcon walks outside the Red Keep, towards the godswood that someone had pointed out to him. Back from the dead and Rickcon still cannot believe it. He walks up to the large heart tree and sees his son sitting there, his two eldest sons in his lap, and is surprised to see the crown princess beside him with her head on his shoulder. Gillian worshiped the old gods, but she was never as devout as Rickcon. In truth, nobody was as devout as House Stark, for the very blood in their veins was a reminder that the gods exist. The children of the forest had ruled these lands before men. That the wolves were lucky to be touched by them. 

“Tad,” Cregan says, drawing Rickcon out of his musings. “Good morning.”

Rhaenyra carouses the greeting, and Rickcon could see that his two grandsons are actually sleeping. 

“Good morning, I did not mean to disturb you.” Rickcon says, smiling at them.

“Nonsense, we Starks always pray together.” Rhaenyra said, smiling, and Rickcon joined them on his knees, next to Cregan. 

Eventually his wife joins them, and she smiles as she sees that his grandsons have now made his lap and not their fathers' home. 

The keep had been abuzz with the news that the king had impregnated the Lady Bethany Hightower, and Rickon had met no one more dedicated to stupidity than Viserys Targeryen. Aemma Arryn’s blood must be the only one that runs through his daughter by law, for she is nothing but smart. Rickon muses that every family must have that one person who is the very antithesis of what their bloodline stands for. In House Stark’s case it had been his brother Bernard. Rickcon remembers his anger when Cregan had told him what that traitorous twat had done. 

“So let me get this straight, the king has been fucking his wife’s cousin and now she is with child?” Lord Julien asks when the Starks, Martells, Targeryens and Velaryons are breaking their fast.

“Yes,” Rhaenyra says. 

“Are you sure we can’t just go home to the north, lass? "Leave the south to their madness?” Lord Julien asks, and Rickcon agrees. 

“I do not think even that amount of distance would stop us from feeling Viserys’s stupidity.” Rhaenyra says. 

“I wonder what Queen Alicent thinks?” Princess Elia asks 

“If her screams were any sign, she is not taking it well.” Cregan says. “Although who would?”

“I’d kill you if you tried that with me,” Rhaenyra says to his son, smiling. Rickcon shudders because he can see that she means it.

“Why would I? All other women are simply poor imitations of the perfection that is you, Rhaenyra.” Cregan says, taking a bite out of his bread. Rhaenyra blushes, taken aback by the compliment. 

“We get it; no one is as in love as you two. Dear gods!” Prince Qoren moans, and the table bursts into laughter. 

---

“Are you angry at me?” Rhaenys asks Aemon as the two sit down together, after breaking their fast with their family.

“No, Rhaenys, I am disgusted with you. You knew what Viserys had done to Aemma, yet you willingly offered your daughter, not once, but twice, to the same man.” Aemon says. He knows his words are harsh; he had said nothing as harsh as this to his daughter before. He had always wanted to overcompensate because his father and the realm had judged Rhaenys unfairly for being a woman. Aemon had dedicated his life to Rhaenys. He knew he could never marry again once Jocelyn died, so everything he had, he put into Rhaenys being his heir. 

“I dedicated my life to you, to your rights as a woman. I stood in every room and screamed at the top of my lungs that you were just as good as any man, that you deserved to rule the realm. But I can see now that you and Viserys are two sides of the same coin. Same selfishness, different masters.” Aemon ground out. 

“My blood should have been on the throne. I should have been queen. The realm chose Viserys because he had a cock.” Rhaenys said 

“So you decided your daughter should suffer for the sins of others. Did you comfort Rhaenyra before you and your husband planned to replace her mother with your daughter? You are no better than the Hightowers,” Aemon said.

“He would have married again? Why not my daughter? Why not my blood?” Rhaenys said.

“And what have you achieved now, Rhaenys? Your son is miserable and cannot stand you or your husband; your daughter is lost across the narrow sea, and yet you sit here and try to justify your actions to me. Yes, you should have been queen! But would you have been any better than Viserys, who would have ruled? You or Corlys? You are so willing to sacrifice your children to write wrongs they know nothing about. You abandoned a motherless child for your own ambitions. Your blood sits on the throne, Rhaenys! It is your husband’s that does not!” Aemon said. 

Aemon and Baelon are sitting in the gardens. The silence between the brothers is peaceful. 

“Rhaenys looked upset when I saw her.” Baelon says 

“She heard some truths she needed to hear for sometime.” Aemon says. “How did we end up here?” 

“Our father was a cunt who stole the throne, and our parents cared more for their legacies than they did us. I mourned my wife so much I failed to see what a disgrace my first son was, and how neglected my second son was. Your daughter married a gasping cunt, and my granddaughter is all powerful, we are supposed to be dead yet here we sit.” Baelon says. His lip quirked into a deprecating smile. 

“Fuck.” Aemon muses that perhaps Rhaenyra and Cregan will achieve the impossible, and be the first Targaryen couple to raise good, family-oriented children. 

---

Otto is pacing Alicent’s chambers when someone announces the princess of Dragonstone. 

“Princess,” Otto says.

“The king and I have spoken, and Lady Bethany is too far along to be given moon tea. According to Melios, it might kill her. Personally, I suggested drowning her in moon tea, but Viserys is still king, so perhaps you should have worried less about me and more about your grasping cousin.” Rhaenyra says. “The king cannot marry her, not only because he is already married, but the realm will not accept another Hightower queen. No matter what the king enjoys underneath him. So, the Order of the Sun will take Lady Bethany’s child from her after birth and adopt the child. Boy, girl, it does not matter to them. I suggest, Alicent, you find your cousin a husband during the next moon as the lords of the realm fill this castle. The king has agreed to add to her dowry, so that the man may look the other way about her circumstances.”

“Thank you, Rhaenyra,” Alicent said.

“I did not do it for you. I did it for my family. Although Viserys is a man, this is more funny than actually damaging to his already damaged reputation. For all that is holy, I suggest you hold your family on tight reins. I grow tired of the constant embarrassment. If any of you mess anything up for the upcoming celebrations, I’ll feed them to my husband’s wolves.” The princess said. She walked out after that. 

“I will kill that child,” Otto thought to himself. “I will kill it, like I killed the others.” 

---

Rickcon, Cregan, and his two older grandsons make their way to the chambers that held the jeweller. He was accompanying them to find gifts for Rhaenyra’s upcoming name day, and the boys had insisted on picking their mother’s gifts themselves and had designed a necklace for their mother, Cregan was also going to see the piece he had designed for his wife’s name-day. 

“Your royal highnesses, my lord!” The jeweller said as they walked in. “I have the pieces,” the man said. He pulled out a square box first. “These are the pieces from the young princes.”

Rickcon was awed when the man opened the box. Inside the box were two bracelets, one fashioned with two dragon heads, one on each side, meeting in the middle to hold a pear-shaped ruby. The other was the same except this time it had two wolf heads, and the gem in the middle was a diamond. 

“Wow!” the boys said, looking at their creation.

“Muna will like it?” Auggie asked his father. 

“Your Muna will love it!” Cregan said, and the boys beamed. Rickcon knew that even if it was a piece of parchment they gave the princess, she would love it, for she loved her sons. 

“Now for your piece.” The man said to his son. He looked positively giddy, and when he opened the box, Rickon could see why. For the piece was breathtaking. There were no other words for it. It was a crown fashioned as a dragon head.

“You designed this?” Rickcon asked his son.

“Yes, he drew it for me, look!” The man said, showing him a piece of parchment. “It’s the greatest thing I have ever made, and there are two more!” The jeweller said beaming. “The prince is a genius!!”

Rickcon had to agree, for the piece and the other pieces were truly masterpieces. 

---

The first of several feasts was almost upon them, and Cregan stood behind Rhaenyra with their sons sitting on the bed watching them. Cregan remembered when he had first learned to braid; it had been early in their marriage, when Rhaenyra had gotten so tired trying to braid her long, thick hair. Cregan had watched her struggling and had offered to help her. His first attempts were terrible, but he learned, and now he could do it with his eyes closed. 

“You are wearing red tonight?” he asked his wife.

“No, I am wearing white. Grey tomorrow, I am still a Stark,” Rhaenyra said. 

Cregan pinned the last bit of hair and dropped a kiss to Rhaenyra’s head. “There, all done.” 

“Thank you, valzȳrys (husband).” Rhaenyra replied. 

A maid came in and took the boys, as this was the first feast and they would have a long day tomorrow. Rhaenyra did not want them to attend the feast. 

“Do you think Otto will kill the child?” Rhaenyra asked in their mind link.

“Yes, and if he does something about his dealings with Melios will fall.” Cregan replied.

“What do you think it is?” 

“Whatever it is, I cannot imagine it will be good. But like I said a few days ago, there is no honour among thieves.” 

Cregan nodded and allowed the Flora to enter. He sat on the bed, his boots the only thing missing.

“Are you just going to sit there and watch?” she teased.

“Of course, how else will I learn to take it off you later?” Cregan smirked.

Flora and the other maids giggled when Rhaenyra turned red. 

There was no other way to describe Rhaenyra’s dress than as a masterpiece. The white lace appeared like snowflakes because of how the designers cut it. A large skirt, with a red pearl three-headed dragon on the bust, completed the front. The back had a long train behind it, one that she could detach when they sat down. She completed the look with a tiara from the Stark collection, one of the few that had ruby stones, and no diamonds.  

 

---

Viserys watched as his daughter and her husband entered the hall, they were the last of their family to enter and the whole room stopped immediately the doors opened, Rhaenyra looked beautiful, she looked like a goddess amongst men, and Cregan in all black with the same red pearl detailing on his chest, looked like a worthy consort. 

“Wow!” Daemon said. His eyes seemed to tear up. 

Wow indeed, Viserys thought. He had never held such command of a room before, and he almost wondered if he should be king at all. 

When they reached the front, Cregan stopped and turned to Rhaenyra. 

“Your majesty,” he said to her, kissing her hand softly, Viserys heard some ladies swoon. 

The lords of the north lined up, and Lord Julien and Rickcon stepped to stand with them. Cregan drew ice from his side, and the throne room was quiet.

“House Stark has ruled the north for millennia, and we bowed to the dragons to save our people. But today, we bow to you princess Rhaenyra, not just out of obligation, or because that is what honour demands of us, but we bow to you because you may be a dragon, but the north is in your veins!” Cregan said. 

“The Princess of Winter!” the northern lords said.

“The northern delight!” someone else yelled.

“A lot of the northern lords were not here for the initial ceremony, but we are here now! We bow to you because we know you will be the most incredible queen, and that your legacy shall change history. That you are and always will be the greatest Targaryen we will ever know. Your majesty, our loyalty is yours, our swords are yours; we will be your liegemen of life and limb. We will serve you till the very end,” Cregan said, and the northern lords dropped to their knees.

Viserys gulped and wondered if his head would continue to wear this crown for long.  

---

Daemon stared along with his family as the northerners pledged themselves to Rhaenyra. First as a united group, then as individuals, swearing oaths, not just as current lords, no they swore their bloodlines to his niece. Cregan Stark, their lord paramount, stood beside her, a huge smile on his face, relishing the power that was his wife. It was then that Daemon realised Cregan did not just love Rhaenyra; he worshiped her like mortals worship deities. She was something holy to him, something to be revered. But that was not what truly surprised Daemon and the others. No, it was what happened next. 

“My aunt and the people of Dorne have written to me. We have long since stood apart from the realm, our family history complicated and steeped in blood and violence. But you and I have chosen to start a new story that we may tell our children. We have formed not just a bond of friendship, but we have formed one of kinship. So, your majesty, when you ascend to the throne as Rhaenyra First of her name. Dorme shall bow to you and recognise you and your bloodline as our rulers.” Qoren Martel said, to the astonishment of the gathered lords of the realm. The whole thing seemed to take Rhaenyra off guard, like she had not expected this, her husband and brother in all but blood had done this when they knew it would have the most impact. 

“To the future queen!” the mountain lords shouted 

“To the future queen!” the northerners roared 

“To the future queen!” the river lords sang. 

To the future queen indeed. Daemon thought. “You are one worth following.” 

 

---

Otto watched as the Princess Rhaenyra and the newly risen Targeryens all mingled with the lords of the realm. He could not even be angry at the princess, for his daughter had failed spectacularly at her one job. Otto once again bemoaned that he had not sent his son to the princess instead. That would have been his blood the lords were congratulating; it should be his blood. He watched as his brother and his harlot of a daughter sat comfortably, as if they were not backstabbing cunts. As if they were not trying to steal all that Otto had worked for. He had toiled by the crown for years, and yet he had nothing to show for it. He would have to speak to Larys soon; Bethany must lose the child. 

As Otto observed the princess getting spun around by her husband, Bethany’s scream and doubling over in pain disrupted the music of the hall. 

“My baby!” she yelled. “My baby!” 

The room came to a stop, everyone looking at her. Suddenly Hobert was rushing towards him! 

“It was you!” Hobert screamed. “You kinsalyer! After all I have done for you, you think you can poison Bethany like you did weak Aemma Arryn?” 

The hall came to an absolute stop. Otto’s eyes were wide, and Hobert seemed to realise what he had just confessed in his rage. 

Notes:

Aemon was my character to let out anger in this chapter.
I'll confess the Bethany pregnancy was ment to come a few chapters ago, but the other storylines got away from me. We are slowly coming to the end of arc one! Finally!! It took me eleven chapters and a rewrite to get to the major conflict of arc one dear gods!

Biggest idiot award goes again to Viserys!

Also I know many have done the conspiracy so I hope you enjoy my spin on it, it will be different from what we have seen before. I know I promised Vaegon and Laena and they will get here, I swear it!!

Also I genuinely started writing this for absolute shits and giggles and it has almost 100k hits I am amazed, you guys actually like this.
Also neither Otto nor Rhaenyra/ her people hurt Bethany, the culprit will be revealed soon and they might shock you. Bethany’s miscarriage is honestly just a vehicle for my conspiracy plot, but the culprit actually acted outside of it. So take your guesses.
I love nice and funny comments. ❤️❤️❤️

Chapter 12: A conspiracy for the ages.

Summary:

So I obviously shifted lore around. So please keep an open mind and please be nice to me in the comments.

Notes:

I hope you love this Chapter, I have been so excited for this one!! ❤️❤️❤️

Cregan did not need an order from Rhaenyra, for he knew exactly what she wanted. What she needed from him at that moment. Cregan drew Ice and pointed it at Hobert Hightower. Stopping the reach man from moving anymore. The groaning of his daughter and the drawing of Cregan’s sword were the only things that disrupted the silence of the room. 

“Lords Manderly, Reed, Glover. No person leaves this hall unless I say so,” Rhaenyra said, and the northern lords stood up immediately, guarding the two entrances of the throne room. Even the northern lords she did not call, stood up, ready for her order. 

“Cousin Jeyne,” Rhaenyra said, walking past a now still Hobert Hightower. 

“Your Majesty, the Eyrie is always ready and willing to serve you, cousin.” Jeyne Arryn said. 

“Good, I want you to speak to the commander of the gold cloaks, lend him your men, and my husband shall do the same.” Rhaenyra said she turned then, to look for Harwin Strong; he had not yet formally retired from the gold cloaks, good Cregan thought.

“Ser Strong, I want this city locked down. Anybody who tries to leave will die, either by sword, dragon fire or by wolf, their choice.” Harwin immediately bowed, rushing with Jeyne, the other Eyrie lords and the northerners to do Rhaenyra’s bidding. 

“Ser Harold, I want everyone who has Hightower blood confined to the maiden vault, including the poor unfortunate soul bleeding out on the floor. Lock in Melios with her and her mother. If they attempt to escape, slit their throats.” The older knight nodded, and he and the other kingsguard moved to do as the heir had ordered. 

When they moved towards Alicent, Viserys finally spoke. 

“Rhaenyra, she is queen,” the king said. 

“Kesan either emagon answers iā eminna heads. Lo ao jaelagon naejot join se hightowers, iksā tolī than welcome naejot (I will either have answers or I will have heads. If you wish to join the Hightowers, you are more than welcome to).” Rhaenyra said, back to her father. “​​Eminna heads, se iksan tolī than biare naejot rhaenagon lēda aōha Visērȳs. Gaomagon daor tempt nyke! (I will have heads, and I am more than happy to start with yours Viserys. Do not tempt me!)” 

Rhaenyra turned to the guards.

“I believe I gave an order.” 

 

---

 

Rhaenys watched as Rhaenyra stood at the head of the table, pushing Viserys to stand next to Daemon. Rhaenys could almost see the crown on Rhaenyra’s head. Cregan was standing to her right, Qoren Martel next to him, Daemon to her left and then Viserys. The entire family had gathered, Targeryens, Martells, Velaryons, and Starks. 

“Daemon, Laenor, Rhaenys.” Rhaenyra called out, ending the silence that filled the room. “I want all dragons unchained. They are to fly over the city, letting people remember the words of House Targaryen.” 

Viserys interrupted before anyone could give an answer. 

“Dragons cannot fly unchained, what will the realm think?.” Viserys said, and everyone in the room, barring Rhaenyra, looked at him. 

Are you stupid they all seemed to ask?

“Tell me, Viserys, what are the words of House Targeryen?” Rhaenyra said, her tone cold, almost detached. Rhaenys had never seen her like that. ”I asked you a question, Viserys.” She moved now standing in front of the king, hands behind her back, posture straight.

“Fire and Blood.” Viserys muttered, clearly scared, for Rhaenyra looked scary in this moment. 

The room pivoted red, red flames filling all four corners. 

“Fire.” Rhaenyra muttered, pointing to the flames she had conjured around the room. She moved swiftly, grabbing the dagger that was strapped to Viserys’s waist. She unsheathed it and pointed it at his neck. “You must remember, Viserys, just because I do not kill you, does not mean I do not want to or that I can’t. Is that clear?” Rhaenys shivered, for the flames had now turned white. Instead of the heat that came with the red flames, this one was cold, colder than anything Rhaenys had ever felt.
“Do you understand?” Rhaenyra asked Viserys again. He looked around the room and, when he realised he had no allies, he gulped and nodded.

“I need words, your grace,” Rhaenyra said, removing the dagger from his neck. 

“Yes,” Viserys said. 

“Good, like I was saying,” Rhaenyra continued, as if she had not just displayed amazing feats of magic, as if she had not just threatened a king, her father. 

“The dragons will roam free.” Rhaenyra turned to Laenor now. “You will be in charge of the dragon patrol. You will fly Seamoke around the city every once in a while, reminding the realm of what made us kings to begin with.”

Laenor looked at Rhaenyra and nodded.

“Fire and blood, cousin.” Laenor said, his smile widening. “Fire and blood.” 

“I think we should leave the Hightowers alone for tonight, make them wait till morning. Otto will expect us to confront him. Let’s make the anticipation be our beginning to his torture.” Cregan said, and Daemon nodded, as did Qoren. When Rhaenyra saw agreement from the three men, she smiled, then she turned to Laenor, surprising Rhaenys.

“Yes, they have locked all the nobles in their rooms, and the city is secure.” Daemon said. “We should bring Lynoel Strong and Beesbury to the interactions. Least they paint us as monsters.”

“And you, cousin, do you agree with my husband and uncle?” 

“I do, but I think we should start with the queen first; she’s the weakest link.” Laenor said, and Rhaenyra smiled. 

“I agree. I think we should do the interrogations in the throne room, to have every lord there to witness it all. You do not want any comparisons to Maegor,” Qoren said. “We have heads to break in the morning.”

“I agree we should wait until morning. But I think we need to find out what the lords of the major houses know.” Rhaenyra said, “Qoren, you and Laenor are to speak to Jason Lannister; Rhaenys and grandmother Alyssa, you handle the Baratheons; Muna, you and Grandmother Daella handle Jeyne; Grandfather Julian, Lord Corlys, you handle the Tyrells. Tad, you talk to Dalton Grejyoy and Elia, take the Tullys.” Rhaenyra instructed. She was about to continue when someone interrupted her.

 “I’ll look after the children,” Gillian said. Rhaenyra smiled widely and nodded. 

“Yes, thank you, Mama, I’ll have Ser Harold and Ser Criston stay with you. Their dragons will also stay with them, grandfather Baelon,Uncle Aemon, you take Melios, Cregan and I suspect he knows a lot.” The two of them nodded. “Daemon, Cregan, and I will handle House Hightower. Once we know who knows what, we will have a trial for the perpetrators.”

Is this how you will rule? Hearing multiple viewpoints but ultimately thinking for yourself?

“Your Grace?” Rhaenyra said, looking at Viserys.

Rhaenys almost laughed. He is not the head of this family, Rhaenyra, you are

A queen without a crown. Viserys nodded, and the room dispersed

A queen Rhaenys thought. A queen worthy of the moment.

 

---

 

Qoren looked at Laenor Velaryon as they both walked towards the chambers that held the Lannister twins. He paused and turned towards the other man.

“You know it is perfectly okay to like men,” Qoren said to him when he also stopped. 

“What?” Laenor said. 

“It is perfectly okay to like men. I do, and so do the princes Baelon and Aemon. Those two have absolutely fucked each other.” Qoren said, shrugging his shoulders. Laenor spluttered for a little while before he sighed.

“Yes, but they also like women. I do not.” Laenor said, his shoulders hunched.

“Hmm, I do not know; your grandfather looks like he may only like men, I’d talk to him.” Qoren said and started walking again. 

“How did you know?” Laenor asked. Qoren stopped and turned towards him, smiling.

“You are always staring at Cregan. Do not let Rhaenyra catch you, possessive little shit, that one,” Qoren said. “Also, you ride a fucking dragon; who cares what narrow-minded cunts think about you?” Laenor laughed unexpectedly, and Qoren patted him on the shoulder. The other man seemed relaxed, more confident. 

Qoren nodded once to Laenor, and he straightened his posture. They waved to the guards. The northerners nodded and opened the door. 

Qoren looked at the twins when they walked in. He could tell from Jason’s posture that the man was a cunt, and Qoren made a note to ask Rhaenyra why she hated him. 

“We won’t insult your intelligence, so please do not insult ours.” Qoren began, “Tell us what you know about the Hightower scheme and you’ll live to continue being rich pricks.”

“How dare you, you savage!” Jason said, and Qoren laughed, for the idiot sounded like a high-pitched bird.

“Do you think it will take long for Caraxes, Syrax, Meleys and Seasmoke to burn down the rock?” Laenor asked conversationally. Qoren smirked when he saw the brothers pale.

“No, I imagine it would not, Laenor,” Qoren replied. “Syrax alone brought down the Dreadforth.” 

“Well, let’s go find out.” Laenor said, and the two men turned around.

“No, wait, please. We’ll tell you what we know.” Tyland said. 

“What you know better be interesting, or the rock will not be the only thing burning.” Laenor snapped. 

 

Qoren really enjoyed the younger Targeryens.

“Otto wanted his blood on the throne. He promised us royal matches for our house in the future, a dragon-riding princess for Jason’s son,” Tyland said. “He wanted our support in the war that he thought would happen, first between his grandson and Prince Daemon, and then between his grandson and the child Lady Laena would have had. That is all we know, I swear it. We know nothing about poisons.” 

 

Fools Qoren thought, gambling their reputation on a prince that did not exist yet. 

 

---

 

Baelon sighed as he watched his brother arrange an array of knives onto the table in front of them. Baelon watched with one brow raised as he leaned on the table, his leg crossed. 

“Are you planning to carve him up like a turkey?” Baelon asked, amused.

“If that’s what it takes.” Aemon answered. Baelon sighed. He honestly wondered how Aemon had ever fooled everyone into thinking Baelon was the unhinged brother. 

“Well, try not to ruin the rug,” Baelon said.

“You are the one with the sensitive nose; we could have done this in the black cells.” Aemon accused.
“I’ll just move the rug so that you can live your sadistic dreams.” Baelon said he rolled up the rug and placed it in the corner. 

“Thank you; you are my favourite brother.” Aemon said.

“Thanks, I am always glad to beat Vaegon in something.” Baelon replied sarcastically. 

“Must you always annoy me?” Aemon asked.

“Yes, if I don’t, who will?” Baelon said with a chuckle.

The door opened, and the guards led Melios to the chair Aemon had placed in the middle, facing the table Baelon rested on.

Baelon nodded to the guards, and they left. 

“Do have a seat, Melios.” Baelon said, the man paled immediately.

“There’s no need to vomit, my good man; we just want to talk.” Aemon said, and Baelon chuckled because his crazy brother was spinning a knife in his hand.

Talk indeed. 

“Baelon and I used to play a game when we were younger.” Aemon said. “We’d see who could throw the most knives into the top of a chair.” He threw the knife in his hand, and it landed just above Melios’s head on the chair he was sitting on. “Your turn, valonqar.” 

Baelon took a knife from the table and fingered it lazily. “Sometimes we missed the top.” Baelon said he had thrown the knife, and it had landed on the right side of Melios, grazing his cheek. “Kind of like that.” 

“I was always better valonqar.” Aemon teased, and he sent a second knife to Melios’s left side, cutting his cheek again. “We can keep playing, or you can tell us exactly what you know.” Both brothers now had knives in their hands. Melios fell to the floor and started weeping.

 

Too easy, Baelon thought. 

“It was all Otto!” Melios wept.

What was it his granddaughter said yesterday? There really is no honour among thieves. 

 

“Otto was the one who asked me to poison the queen. He said we had to do it slowly, give his daughter time to grow, so that she would be queen. He threatened my family. Please believe me.” The man confessed. “I never wanted to do it, I swear.” 

 

Aemon turned to him and Baelon nodded. People were going to lose their heads. 

 

 

---

 

Daemon paced around the chambers that Rhaenyra now occupied with him and Cregan. Viserys was sitting in the corner like someone had pissed in his wine. The king was stiff. Baelon and Aemon had told them what Melios had confessed, and the whole thing seemed to drain the life out of Viserys. 

“Please sit down Daemon, you are making me dizzy.” Rhaenyra said to her uncle gently. 

“Sorry,” he muttered and took the seat to her left. 

They brought in the two Hightower brothers. They were both glaring daggers at each other. Rhaenyra had heard that Bethany had died. The bleeding was too much for her body to handle. 

“Welcome,” Rhaenyra said. “Here’s what we know so far. You ordered Melios to poison my mother to make your daughter queen and your grandson king. Fortunately for us, you have no grandson. Now, you will both die, obviously. The question is, will I also kill your sons?” Hobert seemed to freeze immediately Rhaenyra said that. 

“Please, I knew nothing about it. It was all Otto; he did it. He came to me after discovering that someone had poisoned Prince Baelon while he was healing from his accident. Otto said he convinced Melios to poison him more so that he would die. He wanted his blood on the throne; he wanted to control the king.” Hobert spoke. “He said that the king was a weak, pathetic fool who needed someone to stroke his ego because had he not been born to the royal family, he would have amounted to nothing.” 

 

“So you knew of your brother’s crimes and yet you sat silently and watched?” Cregan asked.

“It would have destroyed our house!” the lord of Oldtown cried.

“Well congratulations, you’ve destroyed your house,” Cregan replied.

“Nothing to say, Otto?” Daemon asked

“No!” the man spat. 

“I trusted you!” Viserys roared. “I trusted you. I thought you were my friend. I married your daughter!” Viserys was now standing in front of Otto.

“What a fool you are. You trusted an outsider and not your family.” Otto laughed now. “How many times did your brother warn you about me? You are a plague on your own house, Viserys.” Otto continued laughing, and Viserys stood back shocked. He ran out of the room.

“What a fool.” Otto said, and Rhaenyra had to agree. 

“Cregan, take Hobert out; we’ve heard enough from him.” Rhaenyra said. And her husband nodded and grabbed the man by his neck. When the door shut, Rhaenyra stood up and walked up to Otto. 

“Would you like to know a secret, dear Otto?” Rhaenyra said. Her tone was soft, musical. “I killed them all.” The man’s eyes widened, and he tried to stand up, but Rhaenyra was in control of the air he was breathing. “I killed every single one of them, and I will kill the rest of your family too. You will die, knowing that your house will die with you, your bloodline will end and history will blame you for it, Otto the fool, Otto the destroyer of House Hightower. Not to worry, I’ll kill you last. Just so you can see what your house will become.” 

She turned to her uncle, and he looked at her in a new light.

“He is all your kepus.” Rhaenyra said, walking out of the room. 

She heard Otto’s screams as she walked down the hallway. She smiled, Daemon always did have the flair for dramatics. 

 

---

Viserys stood in the corner of his room, looking out into the city. He did not realise when his aunt walked into his room. 

“I heard about Otto,” Daella said

“Are you here to hit me with another chair?” Viserys asked 

“No, at least not today.” Daella said.

“I trusted him.” Viserys said. 

“That was your first mistake.” Daella said. “You trusted someone so much, you failed to trust yourself.” 

Viserys turned to the window again. 

 

“You know, you and I know what it is like to exist in a family of exceptional people, but not be seen as exceptional.” Daella said, “Now where we differ is the fact that I am not a selfish cunt. I am also not stupid; unfortunately for us all, you both are.” His aunt shrugged. 

“You have had everything handed to you; the gods wrote your life with so much potential. Yet, at every opportunity, you squandered it. That annoys me about you. You are the oppressor, yet you act like a victim. Woe is me, whilst you slaughter my daughter. While you disparage your brother, as you mistreat my granddaughter, time after time. You insist on writing your story as if you face thousands of obstacles when in reality, you are the obstacle in everyone else’s way. Grow up Viserys, you are no longer a child. You can either be a part of our family or you can be left behind, because I assure you, we will leave you behind.” 

 

---

 

Rhaenyra was sitting by her desk when Gillian saw her. She had her head buried in a book. She looked up immediately she heard Gillian enter.

“Mama, please sit,” the princess said. 

Gillian looked at her and smiled. She thanked the gods for blessing her son with such an incredible woman. 

“What are you looking at?” Gillian asked as she sat down. 

“This is a book of records. There is one here and one at the citadel. Something Hobert Hightower said made me question some things.” Before she could continue, the door opened, and a guard entered.

“The prince Cregan asks that you meet the family in the small council chambers. Everyone is ready for you,” the man said, smiling 

“Thank you.” Rhaenyra said. “Are the boys down for their nap?” Rhaenyra asked Gillian.

“Yes, they fought it, but then they slept.” Gillian said, smiling as she thought of her grandsons.

 

---

 

Daemon watched as everyone trickled in from their various tasks. When they were all seated, Daemon noticed Rhaenyra was once again sitting at the head of the table.

She looks more like a ruler than Viserys ever did. Daemon thought.

 

“The Lannisters know nothing of the poisoning plot. They hate you, Rhaenyra, but they had nothing to do with it.” Qoren said.

Laenor said, “They had Otto Hightower lower their taxes without the king’s knowledge, so we should investigate that,” and Daemon smiled, because the younger man appeared confident, as if he had been unburdened. 

“Same with the Tyrells. They knew nothing of the plot, but they complained the Hightowers overruled them constantly even though they are Lord Paramounts.” Julian said 

“Jeyne supports you fully; in fact, the Eyrie is happy you are heir.” Aemma said.

“The old Lord Tully does not like you; well, he does not like women, but he has one foot in the grave, so who cares,” Elia said.

“His grandson Oscar likes you; I think he might be slightly in love with you.” Cregan groaned.

“I’ll roast that trout alive,” the Stark Lord said. The table laughed. 

“Dalton Greyjoy is crazy, but he is not planning, nor has he been part of any plans. He did offer to help you sack Oldtown if you wanted.” Rickcon explained. 

“Of course he did.” Rhaenys said. “Fourteen forbid, the Ironborn aren’t anything but chaotic.” 

“We of course know what Melios and the Hightowers said.” Rhaenyra said. “Did you get any more from dear Otto?” his niece asked. 

“No, he hates our guts, but what’s new?” Daemon replied.

“I say we release the lords and have a trial.” Rhaenyra said. 

---

“Cregan,” Rhaenyra said as they lay in bed. It had been a long day, and Cregan was falling asleep. 

“Yes, my love.” He answered and ran a hand through her hair.

“If I say something, promise me you won’t laugh and call me crazy.” Rhaenyra said, and Cregan was going to make a joke, except he saw his wife was serious; she was scared. 

“Sweet girl, I would never laugh at you, with you, absolutely, but never at you.” Cregan answered, kissing her. She smiled and sat up.

“Something Hobert said made me rethink this whole conspiracy,” Rhaenyra said, getting up to fetch a book. Cregan sat up and waited for her to come back to the bed. 

“Who poisoned grandfather Baelon and had they done it before?” Rhaenyra said. “My grandparents had fifteen children, yet only seven lived to see adulthood.” 

“So you think it is a conspiracy about your house?” Cregan asked.

“No, I think it’s a conspiracy against the entire realm,” Rhaenyra said. “I’ll start with House Tully. They have only one heir in the main line. If Oscar dies, so does their house. House Baratheon has only one heir, and before that, they had no heirs until Alyssa Velaryon married into it. Leaving them again, one death and the main line is gone. House Velaryon — Corlys was not meant to inherit; he is not of the main line. The main line died. Then look at house Tyrell; until my aunt birthed my cousins, they had no heirs. House Lannister, had the former lord not sired the twins, they would have been wiped out again, one death from extinction. A subsidiary line currently rules House Greyjoy. Should Dalton die, that is it. House Stark.” 

“My grandfather had no siblings until he had my father and uncles; we were one death away from having no main line.” Cregan said. “Fuck Rhaenyra, how come nobody noticed this? We have all been hanging on to the extinction by a thread.” 

“Yes, even House Hightower, until Hobert and Otto — their father was the only one. Then, until the miraculous birth of Bethany, the main line had just one heir.” Rhaenyra said. “Someone has been killing the noble houses off slowly. This is bigger than the Hightowers and their greed. This is a conspiracy that has long been in motion.” 

Notes:

Ahhhhh what do you think about my theory? I have never seen anyone do the conspiracy like this, so I hope it makes sense.

Let me know what you think. Also my girl Rhaenyra is really a boss bitch! ❤️

Aemon and Baelon being Chaotic together. lol
Daella never getting off Viserys's neck. My queen.
Leaner getting his little gay heart reassured. Love it.

See you next time.

Chapter 13: Moments of realization.

Notes:

Hmmm over 100k hits is CRAZY GUYS! You guys liking the insane things that go on in my mind is crazy! I am simply be in awe of all of you, love 100k hits is insane and I do not feel like I deserve it. I hope you enjoy this early chapter!!

Also there is some torture in this chapter. Please be warned.

Look after yourselves sweethearts xxx

Viserys called Daemon and Aemma to his rooms first thing in the morning. 

He sat at the table, fiddling with the dagger of the conquer. His brother entered first, his face angry. 

“Why am I up at this godforsaken hour, Viserys?” Daemon moaned 

“I will explain.” Viserys answered, “We just have to wait for Aemma.”

When Aemma entered, they both looked at him, waiting for him to say something. 

“I wish to crown Rhaenyra as queen.” Viserys said 

“We already know this, so please tell me I am not up this early for you to tell me something I already know!” Daemon snapped.

“No, I mean I mean to crown her queen now, while I am still alive.” Viserys said. His brother looked at him, his mouth agape. 

“What?” Daemon questioned.

“Why now?” Aemma asked.

Viserys sucked in a breath and replied. “I do not have the strength to meet this moment. Rhaenyra does. She has the allies, the charisma, and the intelligence for this. She already acts like she is queen. The realm deserves to be ruled by her.” 

He looked down sadly at his watered-down wine.

“How will the lords continue to respect me? I allowed the daughter of a traitorous family into my bed, I ordered the death of my wife, I sent my daughter away at the behest of a man that had been plotting against my family. I did not heed my brother’s multiple warnings.” Viserys said 

“You are a terrible king,” Daemon said 

“Actually, you’re a terrible person.” Aemma said. Daemon looked at her, and she shrugged. “He is.” she doubled down. 

“Yes, I am. I deserve all the scorn the family has for me, but I want to do better. I want to be better.” Viserys said.

“And rather than deal with the consequences of your actions, you want to force our daughter to do so?” Aemma snapped.

Viserys opened his mouth to defend himself when Daemon spoke.

“I agree with Viserys,” Daemon said, and Aemma looked at him funny. “Viserys lacks the strength for this moment,” he said. “But Rhaenyra does not; she is the best thing our house has ever produced. This is her moment. Her reign should start with fire and blood, let the people remember Viserys is an anomaly, that the rulers from our house are strong. Let the destruction of House Hightower be the first thing she does in her reign. Any lord who doubts that a woman can sit on the throne will think twice before trying anything when they see the downfall of an ancient house.” 

Viserys bowed his head, for while he had always known that his brother saw him as weak, to have him say that his daughter had more strength than he did was humbling. 

Aemma seemed to ruminate over it. After some time, she nodded. 

“Good, so we let the celebrations continue, and rather than just name days, they will celebrate a new era,” Viserys said 

“Long live the queen!” Daemon said 

“Long live the queen!” Aemma said 

“Long live the queen.” Viserys thought. 

 

---

 

Aemon and Baelon were sitting down writing a letter to their brother Vaegon when Laenor walked in. 

“Ah, Laenor has come,” Aemon said, but his grandson looked pensive.

“Are you alright? Baalon asked.

“Do you like to fuck men?” Laenor spat out, and Aemon started coughing. Baelon slapped him on his back and looked at Laenor. 

“Fourteen above! What happened to small talk? Pleasantries!” Baelon said, looking at the boy. 

Laenor winced. “Sorry!” he said, wringing his hands together. 

“Do not mind Baelon, he is lord manners!” Aemon said. “Hmm yes I do like to fuck men, Baelon likes to fuck anything that’s pretty.” Aemon laughed and ran his hand through his brother’s hair. 

“Did Grandmother know?” Laenor asked. 

“Of course she did. She did not like men. We slept together once, on our wedding night, and that was it.” Aemon answered.

“How?” Laenor asked, sitting down on the chair opposite the one Baelon sat on, with Aemon resting on the arm of the chair.

“Well, you see, when a man loves a woman.” Baelon teased.

Laenor laughed. “I know that!” Aemon and Baelon laughed as well.

“Well, there are potions for it. To keep you hard, the rest is up to your imagination.” Aemon answered honestly.

“Does Aunt Alyssa know you two used to?” Laenor asked, pointing between them.

“Used too?” Aemon said 

“Oh, oh!” Laenor said

“Yes, Baelon is Rhaenys, Alyssa Visenya and I am Aegon,” Aemon answered. 

“So you are?” Laenor said 

“Married, I am married to both of them and I love them.” Baelon answered.

The answer seemed to shock poor Laenor, and Aemon and Baelon continued on with their letter, letting his grandson digest the information they had given him. 

“Does mother know?” Laenor asked.

“No, we never told our children. Not because we were ashamed, but because our father split us up, forced me to live on Dragonstone most of the time and Aemon was in kinglanding.” Baelon answered 

“What a cunt.” Laenor said 

“That is certainly one word for Jaehaerys.” Aemon agreed. 

 

---

 

Laenor watched as Cregan stripped down to a simple shirt and breaches. Otto and Hobert were tied up in front of Laenor, and Ormound and Gwayne were tied to two poles in front of them. Cregan had his two wolves at his side. 

“I have questions, you have answers, and my wolves have teeth.” Cregan said, “For every lie you tell me, or any question I do not receive a satisfactory answer to, one of those two will lose a body part.” 

Otto and Hobert sucked in a sharp breath, and so did Laenor. He had seen Qoren joke that Cregan was deadly, but the Stark man had been nothing but gentle, so to see him like this, cold as winter, shook something in Laenor. He turned towards the others in the room and saw that his grandfather and great uncle were joking with each other, Qoren was resting on the wall, cool, Daemon looked excited and Rickcon Stark looked stone faced, but there was a proud glint in his eyes. 

“Let’s begin.” Cregan said. 

“What do you know about the poisoning of Prince Baelon?” Cregan asked.

“All I know is what Otto told me,” Hobert said, his eyes watering.

“I cannot read minds, my lord Hightower,” Cregan joked, his tone jovial as if this was funny to him. 

“He said it was a maester, they claimed to work for a group.” Hobert confessed, “That’s all I know, I swear!” 

Cregan turned to Otto, and the man sneered at him.

“I will not cower before some northern savage.” Otto spat.

Cregan laughed a full-belly laugh. The sound was loud and menacing.

He waved his hand, and blood poured from Otto’s nose; the man screamed loudly, an inhuman sound. 

“I am not Viserys. You insult me, and there will be consequences.” Cregan said, squatting down next to the former hand. “You feel that? The chill in your blood? That’s me, my magic.” Cregan waved his hand again, and his two wolves leapt in the air, both of them latching onto one of Gwayne’s sides. They both bit down harshly, and the older boy screamed. Blood pooled on his sides, and the teeth marks were deep. Ormound and Gwayne pissed themselves, and Cregan frowned and tutted. 

“So soft, you southern lords. We have only just begun.” Cregan smirked. “Shall we try that again, Otto?” The man groaned, his face messy with blood, his son sobbing in pain and his nephew weeping in fear.

Wolves really are dangerous, Laenor thought. That is why they build fences to keep them away from sheep.

 

---

Rhaenyra stared out of the window of her study. She tapped her fingers on the windowsill, her long fingernails creating a tapping sound that filled the otherwise quiet room. She thought about the conspiracy she was sure was going on, but Rhaenyra needed proof, otherwise she would sound mad to anyone other than her husband. Cregan was trying to get any clues he could from the Hightower brothers. 

But before she ended what she was sure was a centuries-old plot, first they had to destroy House Hightower.

The opening of the door, a northern guard walking in with Alicent, broke her solitude. Her former friend looked terrible. Tears had swollen her eyes, and her red hair was matted. She nodded at the guard, and he closed the door. She pointed at the table, which the maids had set up with a plate of food and two cups of watered-down wine. 

“Sit, Alicent.” Rhaenyra said, “Eat.” she commanded. The older girl looked at her and strolled towards the table. She sat down slowly and looked distrustfully at the food.

“If I had wanted to kill you, I would have done so a long time ago.” Rhaenyra said, Alicent took a sharp inhale and stared at Rhaenyra frightfully. 

“Your family will die.” Rhaenyra said, with no preamble, she had not wanted to have this conversation with Alicent, but Viserys was nothing if not a coward. “The king has decided he wants no trial and simply wants heads on spikes.” 

“Please!” Alicent said

 

Flashback 

Cressida  had come to Rhaenyra as soon as Alicent had asked for her help. The disguised kingsgaurd had sent Rhaenyra a message to meet with her in the dragon pit.

Rhaenyra stood next to Syrax, stroking her friend as she waited for Cresida to appear.

The telltale sign of Cressida’s blond hair appeared.

“Your Majesty,” Cressida said as she curtsied.

“The queen has asked something of me,” the older woman said. 

“Let me guess, she wants her cousin’s child dead?” Rhaenyra said, Hightowers! There really was no honour in that family. 

A part of her shuddered because her uncle had raised her, and she was married to her husband. To have no honour, no line that you would not cross, was incredible. Even kin were not safe in the Hightower clan, so maybe Viserys really was their blood. 

“Yes. She asked me to help her get the poison.” Cressida answered.

“Do it. Honestly, I wanted the child born just for the drama, but let’s see what will happen when they kill Hobert’s bastard grandchild.” Rhaenyra said.

“Do you think Hobert will blame his brother?” Cressida asked.

“Oh, most definitely!” Rhaenyra said. “Otto has made his dislike clear, and it is a perfectly logical conclusion. Not to mention, with this we can make Cole disappear, and you can be Cressida again.” 

“What will I do?” Cressida asked. She looked scared.

“Do not worry, my friend; you will not be leaving my side,” Rhaenyra assured. The other woman smiled brightly. “No, you are my most noble knight. You shall be my protector. A true female knight.” 

Flashback end.

Rhaenyra had found it interesting that Alicent had been the one to want to get her hands dirty. But Rhaenyra had begrudging respect for the queen; she saw a problem and went in search of a solution; it was the first time the Hightower girl did something other than cry pathetically.

“It’s your fault, you know,” Rhaenyra said. “You just could not let Bethany win, could you, Alicent?” 

“She deserved it! I suffered to get the crown! Me!” Alicent screeched.

“Hmmm, poor little Alicent, she just had to become queen. Well, congratulations; your actions have led to the destruction of your house. For being your accomplice, Criston Cole will also die.”  

“No! Please! Rhaenyra, please!” Alicent screamed. Rhaenyra did not turn back to look at her former friend; she just left. 

 

---

Alicent sat down in Rhaenyra’s study and continued to weep. She was unaware of how long she sat there, but suddenly the door opened and Elia Martell walked in. The Dronish woman stared at her and stuttered.

“Come to gloat?” Alicent asked, her throat horse. 

“Gloat about what?” the woman asked 

“Your friendship with Rhaenyra — I was supposed to be her friend, and she left me. Abandoned me for the wolves.” Alicent said.

“You were fucking her widowed father, The night of her mother’s funeral,” Elia said, her face blank, blinking rapidly at Alicent.

“It was my duty! The kingdom needed an heir,” Alicent said.

“The kingdom had an heir, a very good one, might I add.” Elia said, “I’d feel sorry for you, but honestly you’re too much of a delusional cunt to feel sorry for.” 

The Dronish girl sat down. 

“You had it all, and you ruined it for two men who would not even inconvenience themselves for you. Meanwhile Cregan would burn the world to the ground and lay the ashes at Rhaenyra’s feet if that is what she wanted. Was it worth it, Alicent? The laying still as a man old enough to be your father rutted into you? Did you imagine he was Rhaenyra when he did? How many times did you touch yourself, thinking, wishing it was Rhaenyra?” Elia mocked.

“I.. She will never love you!” Alicent said back harshly.

“But she loves me; she loves me like a sister, in the way I love her. But that is not how you love her, no you crave her, everyone thinks you hate Alex, Auggie, Auri and Archie, because you have no sons, but the truth is you hate them because they are the physical manifestation of the love Rhaenyra will never have for you. Rhaenyra, who told you she never wanted to be a mother, yet she gladly bears her and Cregan’s sons.” Elia said, the brown-eyed woman laughed.

“I wonder Alicent, who do you hate more, yourself for letting Rhaenyra get to a point where she doesn’t even hate you, she sees you as irrelevant, someone she does not even think about or Cregan the person who get to love her and be loved by her.” The Dornish princess mocked. “A shame really, that you live your life without knowing what it feels like to be loved. Especially what it feels like to be loved by Rhaenyra.”

Elia stood up and then walked towards the door. 

 

“That is your biggest mistake, for only a fool would trade the love and protection Rhaenyra Stark Targaryen can give, to do the bidding of two incompetent, uninspiring men,” Elia said as she opened the door. 

 

“Lia! There you are darling, I was looking for you!” Rhaenyra said as she stepped into the study.

“My love, I was looking for you as well. The guards told me you were here.” Elia replied, pulling Rhaenyra into a hug and kissing her cheek. “I love you, my powerful dragon.”

Rhaenyra laughed and kissed her cheek. “I love you too, you silly bean. Come, the boys are looking for you.” 

The two walked off hand in hand, leaving Alicent alone.

Alicent was always alone. She wished she were not. It was she whom Rhaenyra loved and cared for so freely.

 

---

 

“My lords,” the crown princess said, she stood at the head of the table in the small council chamber. With her husband on her right and Prince Daemon on her left. Lyonel saw the king was standing behind them along with the other Targeryens and Starks. To Lynoel, it looked like the princess was the one who ruled the realm. 

All the Lord Paramounts and the members of the small council filled the chamber.

“We have discovered that the Hightowers have plotted against House Targaryen, and let me remind you, to plot against House Targaryen is treason, and to commit treason means you will die.” The princess said that in that moment her golden dragon flew past the window and roared. The lords all took a step back as the princess stood up straight.

“The time when the lords of the realm, paramount or not, thought they ruled the realm is over. House Targaryen rules, and anyone who has a problem with that may make their displeasure known to our dragons.” The princess paused and looked around the room, making eye contact with each lord paramount. “Does anybody have something they would like to say?” She looked at the Lord of Casterly Rock and the Lord of Riverrun as she said this. Both lords gulped and shook their heads. 

“Good,” the princess said. “Now, since this conspiracy involved maesters, I want you all to investigate your maesters. Every maester in your region is to submit to questioning. Any information you find is to be sent to the crown!” 

“If they refuse? Or if the Citadel causes a fuss?” Dalton Greyjoy asked 

“They remind them that money makes the world go round. The crown will cut all funds to them and make their institution illegal. Anyone who harbours or funds them will be a traitor to the crown. And what did I say about traitors, my lords?” Princess Rhaenyra asked 

“To commit treason means you will die,” the lords responded. 

“Exactly!” 

The princess said, her smile was something to marvel at. Had the Rhaenyra Era begun, Lyonel wondered. 

 

---

 

Gillian saw her daughter-in-law laugh at something her son said, wearing Stark grey, while Rhaenyra wore Targaryen red. The Targeryens decided to keep the celebrations going after the king and heir spoke to the lords this afternoon. The celebration would begin in earnest with the evening’s feast. The king ignored the princess’s request to cancel the celebrations. Funnily, Aemma and Viserys seemed to agree, and Rhaenyra had simply nodded when Aemma said that she had missed several celebrations for Rhaenyra and she would not miss this one because of the Hightowers. So the family had all gotten dressed and were now all sitting in Rhaenyra’s rooms. 

The children were also asked to join the announcement, Alex wore black while Auggie wore grey, the king had asked that they wear those colours. So the youngest twins were dressed in black and white and were being held by Princes Aemon and Baelon, who were cooing at them, delighting in the laughs Archie and Auri gave. Alex and Auggie were sitting on Rickcon and Qoren’s laps, laughing at a story the Donnish prince was telling, and Gillian savoured this moment, for she had a feeling nothing would be the same again. 

Notes:

The next chapter is one I have been looking forward to writing for ages, and it should be out soon. I have always known that Rhaenyra would be crowned queen before Act 2. I think it is important that Viserys is the one who realises that he is not meant for this moment. The self-examination is a show of growth. Whilst I love bashing Viserys, I think there needs to be growth in his character.

DO NOT WORRY, HE IS STILL GOING TO GET BASHED! because he has been an idiot for FAR too long.

Also to those who guessed Alicent (I see you!!)

Baelon and Aemon are actually too funny. Baelon is like what happened to Hello?

Elia really clocked Alicent here.

I love your comments, and they actually gave me the excitement to rush this chapter out.

I have a 6 Chapter Cregan/Rhaenyra story in the show timeline. They are very dark and smuty and they go around killing the green kids, and then they kill Viserys. Should I post it? Let me know!

I love your friendly comments, and I hope you leave more. ❤️❤️❤️ See you soon xxx

Notes:

I hope you enjoyed the Chapter. Let me know what you think. Shall I continue?

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Enough