#& answered ask ( aegon ii targaryen )

[thewritetofreespeech]

Name Day Gifts - Team Green

prompt: my friend's birthday as coming up and she asked if I would do some headcanons for what the Team Green boys would get their partner for their birthday/name day.💚 --------------------------------------------

Aegon

As the King, Aegon had the right call any number of feasts & tourneys to order, for whatever reason he chooses. What better reason than your Name Day? He would be extremely involved in the planning. From the music, to the entertainment, to even having your favorite foods catered for the event. He even has a dress made, embroidered with his own personal dragon sigil, as a gift for the party. All of this is for you, and he is happy to see you enjoying yourself. But there is a part of Aegon, later in the evening and after too much wine, that he is jealous over all the attention you are giving others. The needy King will eventually spirit you away all for himself.

Aemond

Aemond is not one for celebrating Name Days. Any idiot can be born. It is true achievement that should be praised. But, he is neither cold hearted enough nor foolish enough to realize not everyone feels this way. He would give you your gift in private. Handing it to you like any other prize, with no more flourish than “for another year older”. He would have the royal jeweler craft a sapphire pendant for you, suspended on a white gold chain, with facets as intricate as a dragon’s egg. “To act as my eye when I am not around.” He would tell you. To watch over you. To protect you. The promise is the real gift, the necklace is just flare.

Gwayne

Gwayne is terrible at picking gifts. Completely hopeless, if one were being honest. His heart is in the right place, as he often gets things based on some innate fact of trivia his partner has given him. Example? You once mentioned you liked persimmons, so he procured a whole crate for you, by which you could never finish them all before they rot. He leans on his sister for advice, which are all practical and traditional gifts for a Name Day. In the end, however, he gets them a horse. As Alicent mentioned something they could do together and he thought ‘I like riding’, so Gwayne presented them with the most beautiful white mare he could find so they could go riding together.

Criston 

He of course cannot let their relationship be known, due to his oath, but he remembers all the same. With the power of his position, Criston would sneak into your chambers and leave a small parcel on your bed or dresser for you to find. A small trinket of a golden spear cloak pin. Seemingly innocent, but the meaning is clean. Gold for his cloak. A spear as the symbol of his Dornish heritage. And finally, a cloak pin so you can wear it over your heart. Though he can never say it, Criston swells with pride every time he sees you wear it; which is almost daily after your Name Day.

[ceoofhelaegon]

I love how GRRM went over heels praising Phia and Tom from all the green characters. I don't even remember if he said something about Alicent or Aemond but i think he didn't. George seems pretty angry with the show and the only thing he could praise was Helaena and Aegon. Lol Relatable,he knew what makes a character, compelling.

And he gave us the most incredible and poetic description for our Queen:

"Helaena Targaryen, Aegon’s doomed, haunted queen and mother to his children."

He's the first helaegon shipper, actually.

But you're right, he went out of his way to praise Aegon and Helaena (TGC and Phia), he is probably pissed with the direction they are taking Helaena in regards to Dreamfyre because he made sure to mention their bond:

"A dragonrider since the age of twelve, Helaena’s greatest joy in life is to take to the skies on the back of her dragon Dreamfyre."

I think we can enjoy the fact that our vision for helaegon is way closer to what GRRM envisioned than whatever cheap fanfic Ryan invented.

[fantasylandblues]

pov: you're in my modern hotd universe and you just opened your tumblr dash

based on viral textposts- part two!

[florisbaratheons]

Gasp You know what would’ve been a nice way to hint at Helaena and Aegon's relationship? The embroidery! Aegon with little insect patterns hidden in his clothes — like tiny spiders on his sleeves. And the kids could have their own little details too, maybe butterflies or moths on their outfits. That would have been cute!!!

This is my favorite Helaegon headcanon. And I totally imagine that Helaena was the one that embroidered the golden dragons on his two coats, and they definitely represented their twins. I like to think that Aegon did understand that and recognized that representation for their children. Their twins are their greatest joys.

[pessimisticpigeonsworld]

What do you make of Fire & Blood Helaena? Did she have enough means to openly go against ther family for Rhaenyra, and should she have?

I think Helaena in F&B is a bit more interesting than HOTD made her. She's hinted to have had a good relationship with Rhaenyra, however, she also was at least present in Aegon's council. In the council though, she supports trying to make peace with Rhaenyra. It's hinted her voice had some level of importance in the council as well.

So from these examples, I think we can surmise that Helaena had more autonomy that she does in the show. I think she did what she could to try to help Rhaenyra before B&C happened.

Helaena has been separated from Rhaenyra since she was 13 (maybe 12), she's been securely under Alicent's thumb for her whole life. I think it's understandable that she doesn't run away, since she doesn't really know Rhaenyra anymore. Plus, she might have been trying to diffuse the potential war where she was.

Helaena had a good relationship with Viserys, plus she loved her children (was probably the only one who did let's be real). She couldn't leave KL before Viserys' death. That love for her children and desire to stop a war kept her there after the false coronation.

So basically, anon, I think Helaena did the best she could given her circumstances. Helaena was in the situation show!Alicent's stans think she's in. She's been robbed of autonomy her entire life, but she did try to help Rhaenyra when she could. Which is why I think B&C is a lot more tragic in F&B; Helaena is punished alongside Aegon. Showing the injustice the Greens perpetuated.

[helaegondaily]

age gap helaegon!! helaena 18 aegon 29

needle and thread

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single Prince about to inherit a kingdom, must be in want of a wife. It has been long overdue, but with the death of King Viserys, Aegon is now compelled to marry his sister Helaena to follow their tradition and to be crowned King. Despite his misgivings - one of them, her age.

note: For this just imagine the dance never happens and Aegon will be crowned (just a little suspension of disbelief for the story). Also I took it a little too seriously maybe. As for the other requests I am taking time to write them!

read on ao3

✧☽𖤓

"My Prince, there are men far older, who have married girls far younger. There is no need to worry about this inconsequential matter," Criston said, when he again complained that she was far younger than him. An urgent meeting was called in the council room to confirm what they all suspected that the King has died. Viserys has been weak for years, and the last few months had been difficult - and last night, he had indeed passed away, in his sleep.

When Aegon learned of it, he felt like the world came crashing down on him. Now, what he had feared all his life is here. He would be King.

And what is a King with no Queen?

"If the coronation is to proceed, Prince Aegon must marry Princess Helaena right away, and be crowned together as King and Queen in the ceremony," Otto said, giving him a reprimanding look. He was about to protest, but Otto once again cut him off before he could speak.

"You are nine and twenty now, Aegon. Will you wait until you are forty? You have delayed this marriage for so long," Otto said, now firm. "We could have you wed by this afternoon, and save the celebrations for the coronation."

Aegon couldn't answer.

As his only sister, it had been understood since Helaena was born that she was for him. When Helaena's moonblood arrived at the age of thirteen, it was when their father had said that they should be wed and have heirs soon. He was four and twenty then, and he had rejected the idea. She's too young, he had said, and he doesn't know why they were pressuring a young girl such as Helaena to give birth right away when she was still at the peak of her youth.

They were only betrothed then, and Aegon was adamant that no wedding would happen.

It wasn't just her age, or the nine years between them. He always saw Helaena only as a younger sister, who he cared about but couldn't see marrying.

His little sister, who he took flying on Sunfyre after he claimed the golden dragon when he was eleven. His little sister, who lay claim to the great blue and silver dragon Dreamfyre as her own, when she was a girl of twelve. They had spent many hours together in the skies, before Aemond claimed Vhagar much later. He only ever saw himself as her brother.

Where Helaena was sweet and gentle, he was unkind, mean. Helaena seemed to be unaffected by the world, content in her insects and her dragon. She had a certain purity, a sanctity – that he wanted to protect. He was her opposite. He was a glutton, a drunkard, a hedonist. He doesn't want to corrupt her, to taint her.

"It has been long overdue, Aegon," Alicent said. "Helaena is ready. Even years ago, she knew her duty, as your sister, as a Targaryen, as a Princess. I had hoped that you would understand yours."

Alicent had hoped that at this age, Aegon would have left the pleasures of youth and would be ready for more responsibility. Now that the King is dead, and he was the next – he had no choice.

✧☽𖤓

Helaena had been sitting idly by the weirwood tree, doing nothing but stare at its red leaves swaying in the wind. Alicent approached her, and sat beside her.

"Helaena. Your father is dead."

Somehow, she already knew. She only nodded.

"Do you know what this means?"

"Yes, mother."

"Aegon would be crowned king in a coronation ceremony. But before that, you would have to be wed, as you should be crowned together."

"I understand."

They had been betrothed since she was thirteen, with Aegon reluctant to marry right away. She wasn't bothered about it then, and it seemed that for years they have both forgotten about it, still seeing each other as brother and sister though all the kingdom knows they were to marry.

Until today, until they learned of the King's death.

"You are my dutiful daughter," Alicent said, embracing her.

"When is it?" she asked.

"Your grandsire had said that we could do it right away. Once you're ready, we can arrange for it."

✧☽𖤓

Aegon soon found her in the weirwood tree. He's pacing, a nervousness in his steps; as he was now the king by default and he doesn't feel ready at all.

"Helaena, I guess we have to."

"I know, Aegon."

Despite her being younger than him, she possessed a maturity and understanding that exceeded his. Helaena knew her place in the world, while he had always been reluctant. He never said it, but somehow he admired it that she was willing, for duty.

(Or is it because she had no other choice?)

"After the wedding, we would have to consummate…" he said.

"I trust you know more about it than me," she said, and shrugged. They never really got to talk about their impending marriage, but it was something unspoken that haunted their every interaction.

Somehow, that made Aegon even more nervous about the wedding that has been years overdue. Helaena stared at him, while Aegon walked back and forth as if he was deep in thought yet confused. Why was it, that he felt more scared than her?

"I… I trust you, brother. And you don't have to be so nervous about being King. There's mother, grandsire, the council. They'll help you," she said, trying to make him feel at ease.

"And how about you?" he asked. She took a sharp breath.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "I guess I will have to… just do what is expected of me."

He doesn't know what to answer to that.

✧☽𖤓

Aegon and Helaena had thought that their grandsire wasn't being serious when he said that they would have to marry right away. They both had expected that they would be given a few days to prepare. They only learned Viserys died in the morning, now they would have to be in their wedding ceremony this very afternoon.

Which didn't really surprise them that much after it was announced a while later after their conversation in the godswood. Every year that he had his nameday, mother and grandsire always nagged at him about delaying the wedding yet again. But now, he could not.

"You would have married five years ago, if not for your insolence," Otto said, making it a point to glare at Aegon as they waited at the Sept. Aegon and Helaena stood awkwardly in front of the altar, they were minding their own business when they were suddenly called.

They barely even had time to process Viserys' death and their impending coronation as king and queen. Now they found themselves in the Sept, speaking their vows just like that, they were married. Only the maester, Otto, Alicent, Criston, and Aemond were present to witness it, as most people of importance had their own affairs to attend to after the King's death.

Aegon bit his lip, expecting the officiator to tell them to kiss. Helaena looked up at him, and he still can't get rid of the feeling that this is his little sister, that this was wrong despite everyone telling him it was only custom and tradition. He only gave her a light, brotherly kiss.

They both looked at each other, not speaking but knowing what's expected of them next. They are now married, they would be the king and queen, and there is the next question… of heirs.

"I guess you may… move to my room by tonight," he said.

Helaena looked down and blushed.

"As you say so," she said. He was her husband now, and it was her duty to do as she was told.

"I'll be waiting," Aegon said, and Helaena looked up at him with wide eyes. Aegon instantly regretted it, he did not mean to say that.

After the brief wedding ceremony, the day went on like usual. The news of the king's death had spread, and more and more people are coming and going in the Keep.

✧☽𖤓

Aegon stayed up late, drinking wine with Criston to 'celebrate' his wedding. He was trying to cut off the alcohol, but he needed to get drunk now. If he wasn't, he'd be going crazy pacing the floors. He was King by default, and it would be made official after the ceremony. He also had to… do his marital duties.

In haste after the wedding, his room was cleaned and prepared for his new bride.

Criston sensed that this was Aegon's way of delaying it, so he made some excuse to leave until Aegon was left alone and anxious.

Helaena was probably in his room now…

He just had to get this over with.

He goes in his room to find her wrapped in his blankets. She's asleep and he's drunk out of his mind. Maybe they could do their duty like this, with her unconscious and him inebriated.

He reluctantly touched her thigh beneath the blanket, only to notice that he touched warmth right away.

Was she already… undressed?

He softly raised the blanket off her body, only to confirm it. She was indeed, unclothed.

"Hel, are you… already…?" he whispered. She fell asleep probably, waiting for him. But he also can't help but feel such desire, that she was ready for him.

He carefully peeled the blanket off her, to reveal her naked body to him. She opened her eyes, blushing at him looking at her naked.

The sight of her like this - bare and vulnerable, yet willing - made his blood run hot with need. That she had prepared herself, waiting in his bed, trusting him completely... it awakened something primal in him that went beyond brotherly.

"Do you trust me?"

She nodded.

"I thought it would be easier…" she said, but then Aegon had already crashed his lips to hers, hands roaming her bare body with an almost desperation. She shivered in anticipation.

He knew she was still his sister, but he couldn't deny the way his body reacted to her now - she was no longer just his little sister, but his wife, and his queen very soon. The wine made his head spin as his hands explored every inch of her soft skin, memorizing the curves he never dared to look at before. In this moment she was both familiar and new to him -

Each caress between them felt sacred, meaningful in a way his previous encounters never had. Her trust in him made everything feel right, washing away his doubts about their age.

The years of waiting had given them both time to grow into who they needed to be for each other. Now, as they moved as one, he knew with certainty - this was exactly when they were meant to come together.

Soon, they would have to face the reality of being king and queen. But tonight, as she lay content in his arms, he was simply grateful for her - his sister, his bride.

✧☽𖤓

end! I'm thinking of writing a modern take on the age gap. this dynamic was so interesting as I wrote it too.

[thesilverlady]

two stills & a dream

[coffeebooksrain18]

Although i think Aegon not being fluent in High Valyrian is cute, i hate how it was clearly used by the writers to show him as incompetent

Yeah, they could have went a completely different route. The one I thought was going to happen was them showing how he rebukes his Valyrian heritage because of his father and the neglect he felt for him, but instead they went "hE'S onlY a DRunk AnD iS sTupID!" Which takes away so much of him as a character because it takes away the why. It pretty well boils him down to nothing but a drunk moron when Aegon is much more than that.

Thanks for the ask Anon!

[therogueflame]

Why didnt Jace and his twin sister get married? Its unusual for Targ siblings to marry out of the family

Did Jace and his twin sister lose their virginity together before the threesome?

hi my dear anon

"Your mother, Queen Rhaenyra, had bestowed your hand in marriage to Cregan Stark as a royal favor, securing his unwavering loyalty amidst the war against the Greens. It had been a shock, to you and to Jace, for you had always assumed you would one day wed each other—as was the tradition of House Targaryen. But war had a way of reshaping plans, and the need for alliances outweighed sentiment."

"While you had not denied yourself pleasures as a maiden on Dragonstone, Cregan’s touch brought an intimacy and rawness that surpassed anything you had experienced before. He made you feel wanted, worshipped, alive."

"Growing up, you had been inseparable, exploring not only the world around you but each other. “One soul, two bodies,” they had whispered on Dragonstone, a remark often meant to discourage the time you spent together. But it was true. You were his confidant, his sister, the bold flame to his tempered one. You were his lover."

"You tilted your head, studying him with a fond smile. “It’ll be just like old times, brother,” you purred. “You always did have your way with me.”"

And if another reminder is needed about how war destroys everything in its wake, consider this quote -

“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” – José Narosky (Writer, 1930 – present, Argentina)

[kataraavatara]

https://www.tumblr.com/kataraavatara/747409257763422208/httpswwwtumblrcomkataraavatara74739422280359?source=share

Yes, he raped ONE maid because he's a prince in the Middle Ages, where a maid is actually a thing, so I can quite understand why people might not care. In Westeros, some men (main characters btw) also kill people, sometimes innocent people, should we cry about them too? Then it turns out that no male character in HOTD can be loved.

“where a maid is actually a thing, so I can understand why people might not care”

Jesus Christ. That was an inside thought you should have kept to yourself. Most people do not think like that. I felt empathy for Dyana (her name btw. Her name isn’t “a maid”) because she was a child who had been attacked and violated. I as a viewer did not care whether she was high or lowborn, I saw her bawling because of what Aegon did and felt sympathy for her and disgust towards him.

You realize that you yourself do not have to cosplay a member of medieval nobility to enjoy the series, right? Understand that it’s a medieval fantasy setting, but also one written by an author in the twenty first century. You’re supposed to understand why certain characters have their values and critique them, not fucking adopt medieval values yourself, you dingbat.

If you think the takeaway you should have from A Song of Ice & Fire is “oh well, the people in power are allowed to inflict suffering onto the lower classes without repercussions, this is a thing that should never be interrogated!” you uh. you might have missed the point.

second anon (or perhaps the same anon coming back for more?) to emphasize the “ONE” here like that makes some sort of difference. Again, Alicent had a routine ready to go, seems like a serial offender to me.

[thewritetofreespeech]

Could I request Aemond's s/o defending him? S/o's words were so scathing and brutally honest, no one can talk back to her.

Your heels click furiously as you ascend up the stairs of the tower to the room of the King’s Hand. A message had come earlier that morning requesting, no demanding, your presence at once and it infuriated you that just mere moments after his return Lord Hightower thought he could just order you around.

The door opened after you had made your way to the top, and the servant left immediately after that. Clearly having been told to give the two of your privacy. "You summoned me."

"Yes, thank you for coming." Otto replied calmly. Clever enough to pick up on the distain in your voice, but also clever enough to know not to acknowledge it. "I wanted to talk to you for a moment about Aemond."

You arched a brow. There were a lot of things you thought this conversation could be about, Aemond being one of them, but your husband had been very low on your list. "What about him?"

"How is your marriage to my grandson going?"

"...Fine..." Again, this was a very strange conversation. But you were still on your hackles as you were not sure where this line of questioning was going.

"That is good to hear. My grandsons can be a... challenge." That sounded more personal than he may have meant. "Aegon is too concerned with the opinions of others. He is reckless in his pursuit of praise and adoration, to the point of weakness."

"Careful," you caution, "is it not treason to speak ill of your king?"

"Aemond is the opposite." Otto continued. Ignoring your quip. "He is reckless in pursuit of damnation. He thinks he knows better. That books and study make up for lack of experience. And for that he will accept the guidance of no others."

"Maybe he does know better. Have you bothered to ask him?"

Otto huffed through his nose. Coming to realize his grandsons may not be the only challenge with your cheek. "I want you to caution him in my stead."

"You mean reign him in?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes." He confessed. "Aemond will not listen to me. He thinks everyone is conspiring against him."

"Aren't you?" You counter back. "You are literally conspiring with his wife to spy on and manipulate him to your own ideas."

"Encouraging him to see reason."

"You can spin this however you would like, Lord Hand, but that is what you are doing and I shall play no part in it."

"You would see your husband break under the weight of his own ambition."

You shrug. "Maybe he will. Or maybe he'll fly. But I do know this, I will not break his trust."

Otto huffed again. Crossing his arms now as he seemed to debate on a new strategy to overcome your objection. “I thought you were clever, and therefore more reasonable.”

Flattery.

“No, you thought I would be more pliable. Because I am the fairer sex? Or because you’re too scared to confront Aemond about your concerns?”

“You know, when the contracts came for who my grandson would marry, it was I who put your House name up for consideration.”

Indebtedness.

“Then I owe you for my eternal happiness. We shall name our 4th child after you.”

Otto sneered. Frustrated at your flippant tone now, but also the slight. “Your husband will die if he continues this path. And the wives to traitors, should Rhaenyra win, do not end well.”

Fear.

You have to admit. That one almost got you.

“Then let us see to it that we do not lose, and my husband will be safe, the realm secure, and all shall live happily ever after under the true Targaryen rule.” You intentionally leave it blank on who would be ruling, Aegon or Aemond, but sure as the sun rose a Targaryen would sit the throne at the end of the day. “Now, if you excuse me, I must return to my duties and my husband.” The tone in your voice letting Otto know that your loyalties had been chosen, and this conversation would not happen again.

Your curtsy like a lady for the Lord Hand and see yourself out. Half way down the stairs you change your mind from telling Aemond about the incident to keeping it to yourself. You do not wish to lie to your husband, ever. But if he heard that his grandsire had conspired with you to keep him on a leash, there was a good chance he would throw the man from his tower. Otto had been right about one thing, Aemond was getting more reckless in his frustrations on the war. Perhaps he had been right to try to help steer him towards more caution, if you could, but it would be for no benefit other than Aemond’s and your future together. You would not be another knife in Aemond’s back for him, nor would you be another pretty pawn for the Hand to manipulate his King, or Regent, with. Otto Hightower was on his own.

[ceoofhelaegon]

What do you think of season 2? And what do you think of Helaena supporting Daemon? And Aegon who escaped without Jaehaera and Helaena...

One word? Shit.

God, the writing was atrocious and I am baffled that people got paid for this pile of shit.

The most horrific thing that happened in the history of Westeros, save for the sacking of Kingslanding with Elia Martell and the children was glossed over like it was nothing.

No one says Jaehaerys' name and in the show canon, we STILL haven't heard Jaehaera's name which is INSANE.

Alicent is a psychopath and a dumbass, can't believe they proved the patriarchy right by showing us that Alicent shouldn't have been Aegon's Regent, and that's saying something, considering that the current Regent tried to commit regicide.

And you can tell the writers don't know anything about medieval society because why the fuck was Alicent yapping about being "free" and "unnoticed" girl, you're the wife of a former King and the mother to another, these kind of words shouldn't even be allowed in her vocabulary.

And also, as @notbloodraven mentioned in her post, Alicent is condemning Helaena and Jaehaera into a life of poverty because they don't have any money nor lands to survive.

"We're leaving Kingslanding" TO WHERE?! Certainly not Oldtown after you sold out everyone, including the son that you were worried about not being kind.

I'm assuming Aegon leaving without Helaena and Jaehaera will be retconned, Larys will say something like: "She's safe in Storms End"

I don't think Helaena was supporting Daemon, more egging him on, kind of accelerationist on her part, you know? She was gloating about Aegon seeing victory so don't think that was her supporting him at all.

But who knows? Maybe she was, since the writing is so shit.

#freetheactorsofthisshit

[bbygirl-aemond]

what would you think would happen if the greens just let rhaenyra sit on the throne

at a minimum, alicent's boys would have all been killed.

okay now that i've grabbed your attention, let me explain, and i promise i'll be able to make this entire argument without ever claiming rhaenyra is a bad person who wants to kill her family! the fact is that rhaenyra's rule was always going to face dangerous levels of backlash, because it threatened the lords of westeros's own claims to power in two major ways. as a reminder, westeros is closer to an empire consisting of autonomous kingdoms than a dictatorship, and the lords of westeros retain much more power than most fans seem to understand. alicent's sons would have ended up the pawns and figureheads for unhappy lords seeking to retain their power in the wake of unrest caused by rhaenyra's ascension. i'll explain all of this further below, using a historical example that i think is helpful.

first, we need to understand that rhaenyra's rule would have still been made very unstable because of two factors: her gender, and her very obvious bastard children. (as a side note, i've talked before about how it is literally genetically impossible for the strong boys to be laenor's sons and why we see people treating it like a fact here). why are these two things so impactful? because they threaten the claims of many of the lords and heirs in westeros's current system.

westeros has previously relied on gender-based primogeniture. if a lord has an eldest daughter, and younger sons, his title and lands pass to the eldest son, skipping the daughter. i'm not saying this is morally right, but i am saying that there are probably lords out there with older sisters who got passed over, who don't want their sisters to unseat them. and there are lords who don't want their eldest daughters to usurp their sons' claims. this is just a political reality: the people with political power have a selfish, vested interest in keeping themselves in power. rhaenyra sets a precedent that threatens their ability to do this, making them less likely to support her.

westeros also relies on trueborn children inheriting from their parents. if a lord has two sons, one elder and one younger, but the elder one was born out of wedlock, he legally can't inherit. a bastard can only inherit if they are the only son, and if they are recognized and legitimized by the king as a bastard. again, i don't stand by this custom morally, but it's the reality of how things currently work in westeros. just like with the sex-based inheritance, changing this precedent would put many lords' claims in jeopardy who have their own bastard children they don't want to inherit, or who have older bastard siblings who could try to steal their current title.

it would additionally threaten diplomatic ties between houses, because marriage pacts were political agreements made between families that were cemented around the understanding that the bloodlines would be joined in inheritance. if a lord marries his daughter to another lord, he expects that his grandchildren will inherit the lord's titles, and if a bastard were to inherit he would feel slighted and tricked. so if any upheavals in inheritance happened because of rhaenyra's bastards, it would have pretty major ripple effects for house relations, not just internal house affairs of succession.

so rhaenyra coming into power, however peacefully, would set a legal precedent for women inheriting that many lords in westeros would be unhappy about. rhaenyra would still deny that her kids were bastards, so putting jace on the iron throne wouldn't set a legal precedent, but it would set a cultural one. bastards all across westeros (perhaps rightfully so) would see jace and say: if he can rule the seven kingdoms, why can't i rule my father's castle? think of the blackfyre rebellion but on a smaller scale, taking place throughout various levels of various houses throughout westeros. so we have instability threatening the stations and in some cases probably the lives of all of the most powerful men in westeros. they're not gonna be happy about this.

think about the dance: it's actually ridiculous that the greens had as much support as they did. otto isn't that good of a manipulator; he didn't get all of these houses, some of them incredibly powerful and ancient, on his side just because. it speaks to just how threatened the lords of westeros felt, because there's no question that viserys named rhaenyra his heir and they still turned against her. i genuinely feel like rhaenyra might have had a shot if her reign had been either about gender or bastards, but not both. as much as i love the strong boys, their existence was the final straw that weakened her claim enough to cause all this.

so now that rhaenyra is on the throne, and jace is set to inherit, and lords throughout westeros are dealing with challenges to their power and turning against her, where will they turn to? the lords who are threatened by women will want to turn to a man; the lords who are threatened by bastards will want to turn to someone who is unquestionably a trueborn targaryen.

and here we get to alicent's children. for a lord who doesn't want to acknowledge jace, aegon is unquestionably viserys's son. for a lord who doesn't want to acknowledge rhaenyra, aegon is male. it does not matter if aegon and the greens do not mobilize against rhaenyra. it does not matter if they refuse to speak against her. it simply matters that enough houses will turn against her to use them as figureheads, even against their will.

a few hotd fans have brought up the very apt comparison to the lady jane grey from the 1500s. long story short, jane was positioned by other nobles to usurp queen mary's throne at the ripe old age of sixteen, even though jane's claim to the throne was weak and always had been. later, she completely rescinded her claim and swore support for mary. but armies continued to march in her name; lords continued to fight against mary in her name. because it had never been about the legitimacy of jane's claim. because it had never been about jane's own beliefs. mary did not bear any ill will towards jane, and still political pressure forced mary into having her executed, while she was still basically a child.

i'm not saying that rhaenyra would ever want to kill her siblings in this scenario. to say she would is simply ignoring her entire character. but think of this: if it came down to protecting her children or sacrificing aegon, which would she choose? we've already seen her willingness to sacrifice others, including the greens, to protect her kids: giving daemon the okay nod to kill vaemond, asking viserys to torture aemond, and telling viserys thank you after he threatened to cut out his own wife and children's tongues. if war loomed close enough for her to feel her children's lives were in danger, she would give the order. not happily, but she'd give it.

she'd probably kill just aegon, at first. try to spare the younger brothers, and the women of course. but i really do think the lords would just switch to rallying around viserys's surviving eldest son, aemond. and her hand would end up forced in the same way, and as such she'd go down the line of her brothers until they were all gone. again, not happily, and not without a great deal of hesitance, but she'd do it to protect her kids. she'd do anything to protect her kids.

and, for those of you who firmly believe rhaenyra would never, even to save her children's lives: might i remind you that daemon targaryen exists. daemon, who bludgeoned his first wife to death because he saw her as an obstacle to being with rhaenyra. daemon, who beheaded vaemond in rhaenyra's honor. daemon, who we know from the books has no qualms about killing children for crimes they did not commit. even if rhaenyra refused to give the order, daemon would carry it out.

this is why i have sympathy for the greens, even though they obviously don't have a claim to the throne the way rhaenyra does. i don't see alicent crowning aegon as a blow directed towards rhaenyra in particular. i don't even see it as alicent lacking faith in rhaenyra to spare her children. i see it as alicent understanding the ways in which the men around her will try to cling to power-- because while rhaenyra has been enjoying the privileges of her position, alicent is a relatively unpowerful noblewoman and has always been beholden to the whims of the men around her such as viserys-- and understanding that rhaenyra is surrounded by people who would happily kill all of alicent's children to stabilize her claim.

otto was paranoid, and he was a manipulative fuck who had his own selfish ambitions at heart, but the best manipulators know to base their lies on foundations of truth. his demonization of rhaenyra was an embellishment, but his warning about rhaenyra's rule spelling death for alicent's children was not. and that's why he was able to turn alicent so effectively: for all that alicent wanted to love and trust rhaenyra, it was never about love, and it was never about trust. it was never even really about rhaenyra. it was about the politics of westeros, and the external pressures and hands that would have caused the ruin of alicent's entire family. even if rhaenyra didn't want to kill them, and even if she refused to give the order to kill them.

[cjbolan]

One of the worst-cyberbulliwd HOTD actors is Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon) due to the controversial scene where Aegon sexually assaults one of the palace's female servants (something Tom was uncomfortable filming as he thought it was "too dark").

Yet he's being harassed on social media and accused of being a "rape apologist". People don't actually think he *really* IS Aegon irl at the least, but they have this idea that "since he willingly played this character this way, he *must* be agreeing with the character's actions!" which is a slightly more sane but still messed-up way to look at it.

People who hate these characters should blame the writers and not the actors.

Even Aegon's actor agrees the rape subplot was unnecessary, so I don't know why fans are attacking him.

I’m convinced being a ASOIAF actor is a double edged sword. Especially when you're playing the villain. Or any character who's not the hero. One one hand you get big roles and lots of money. On the other hand you get bullied off social media by idiots who can't separate fiction from reality.

[pessimisticpigeonsworld]

"I came across someone talking about how Rhaenyra is the embodiment of privilege and constantly shirks responsibility." Giiiirl, it’s not just her. There’s an overwhelming amount of posts of Rhaena nepobaby and BaelaSue.

At this point, it’s no longer about book canon...it feels like plain hatred toward any woman who isn’t Tg.

Brooo the greenies are calling Rhaena a nepo baby??? The people who stan the king of incompetence and the dude who can't control troops even with a motherfucking dragon? The people who glorify the psychopathic war criminal? Lmao the delusion.

And calling Baela a mary sue? Their precious headcanons and fics about Alicent are probably the most mary sue shit I've ever encountered. Tg stans project literally everything onto the Blacks.

[comradekarin]

living for your hotd hot takes!!! what do you wish would have happened in S1 & S2 in your ideal world?

thank you anon. i know some people are sick of me bitching….but blame ryan and sara!!! i love when i get asks anyway, it’s fun :)

now, i won’t go into specifics mainly because i don’t know what plot points i would change exactly (while still keeping it faithful to the show/books). but as for season one, in an ideal world, there aren’t so many time skips. i do understand that time skips and short seasons are because of budgeting, but the frequent time skips didn’t help with establishing the dynamics between the characters, namely alicent and rhaenyra. i believe there’s an entirety of twenty plus years shown in season one, yet a lot of groundwork isn’t really laid down. i personally wish we got more harwin/house strong. it’s easy to forget larys is harwin’s brother, and larys is such a major player with teamg that it really makes you wonder his relationship with his brother and father. more of harwin and rhaenyra! i would even go as far as to wish for more interactions between nyra and alicent’s kids outside of the pivotal scenes we got. in an ideal world, season one would truly show the build of resentment, of bitterness, of suspicion and distrust amongst not just the kids but the adults as well. the events leading up to the estrangement of rhaenyra and alicent in their adulthood (though, this is implied more than explicitly stated).

this last wish is more personal, but i wish the writers hadn’t cut out jacaerys and rhaenyra’s conversation before he left for the north in s1. jacaerys wishing to fight, like daemon, and urging his mother to act for every second she stalled him and his siblings remained in danger. granted, rhaenyra appeared very naive and childish in the script, so it’s probably for the better it never made the final cut.

i’m only halfway through season two, but my main issue with the season so far is the lack of consistency when it comes to characterization. there’s a lot of back tracking and contradictions that make the characters we loved in season one unrecognizable in two. in an ideal world, season two would focus more on team black/green kids. developing the relationship between aemond and aegon (and their dynamic with alicent). letting the audience see jacaerys being political savvy and his budding friendship with cregan while he was up north. the writers acknowledging the bond that rhaena should have had with jacaerys and lucerys; she was ward of dragonstone for six years yet the writers seem to forget this fact. seeing baela murder cole via burning in 4k would also be pretty cool. giving baela way more screen time and actually allowing her to have a voice about the war, the dragonseeds, rhaena and so forth. daemon interacting with the dragon twins more. showing visenya during daemon’s many episodes at harrenhal! the fact that childbirth is such an important component in his relationship with his mother, laena and rhaenyra yet it’s not emphasized is also criminal. but just cutting the harrenhal episodes will do, too. and more jacaela! i’m crazy so i catch all of their crumbs, but i do wish their scenes were less jace centric and more mutual. like, sure, we get the eye, dinner and council scene, but those are short lines rather than dedicated screentime. and even in baela’s moments of comforting jace, her opinions on things are never really mentioned. everything she says go back to what rhaenyra will think, how rhaenyra will react, what rhaenyra will do, etc. i also wish we could see more of aemond and alicent? i think i get her and aegon’s dynamic, but i’m not entirely sure where her and aemond stand. aegon and sunfyre! jace and vermax! addam and jace’s friendship! more of corlys and rhaenys’ reaction to lucerys’ death (lucerys never truly beat the favorite grandson allegations). or, lucerys and visenya being mentioned at all. and i can’t believe i’m saying this, but more otto!! and less criston cole (it’s insane cole has more screentime than all of tb!kids).

season two honestly feels like filler and stalling, yet the writers aren’t using this time to build up tension or meaningful dynamics so that they can really sell season three. it doesn’t showcase grief all that well, either, so i wish that would be improved, too.

so, there’s probably a bunch of other things i want to see but i won’t bore you too much, anon!! outside of baela burning cole, i feel like my wishes wouldn’t stray too far from the narrative? if anything, it would only enrich show canon.