#「 ✷ 」 » interactions . / ━━ ˋ poweresidesˎˊ˗

[zobriesdaria]

"what   other   paths   there   is   now   but   war?"   she   speaks,   more   to   herself   than   to   daemon,   whose   presence   she   feels,   in   the   emptiness   of   the   council   room.   they   had   given   her   days   to   grieve   and   search   for   lucerys   but   no   body   was   found.   pieces   of   clothes   and   parts   of   arrax,   which   syrax   found   and   mourned   on   her   own.   it   stood   in   her   mind   like   an image,   her   little   boy   being   swallowed   whole   by   vhagar,   a   dragon   who   should   not   be   at   the   hands   of   someone   like   aemond   targaryen.  

she   imagines   her   half   brother   laughing   as   her   son   gets   eaten,   as   he   dies   and   cries   and   rhaenyra   feels   that   sharp   pain   in   her   belly   again.   it's   the   loss   of   luke,   but   the   loss   of   a   child   that   never   could   become   one.   her   visenya,   her   only   daughter   was   lost   too   because   of   them   and   she   is   going   to   make   sure   they   pay   for   it   all.  

"I   know   you   had   been   contacting   people   in   the   city.   i   want   to   know   what   you   are   planning.   and   I   want   to   hurt   aemond   where   it   hurts   the   most."   she   wants   him   to   suffer.   he   does   not   have   a   child   of   his   own,   but   gods   above,   she   does   not   condone   kinslaying   but   at   this   point,   the   war   is   too   far   gone.   lilac   eeys   look   at   daemon   then,   still   holding   on   her   belly   as   if   a   babe   was   there.   nothing   responds,   and   her   rage   sizzles   to   the   surface.   "i   saw   lady   mysaria   around.   what   does   she   say?" @poweresides ft. daemon.

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"Thank   you   for   your   support,   Lord   Cregan.   And   that   of   the   North.   I   am   aware   that   the   North   and   House   Targaryen   have   their   own   complicated   history."   But   they   never   broke   an   oath   to   them   had   they?   Torrhen   Stark   knelt   and   gave   his   crown   to   Aegon   and   Queen   Alysanne   visited   the   North   when   Jaehaerys   delayed   the   trip   time   and   time   again.   There   were   moments   in   history   in   which   their   houses   worked   together   and   she   hopes   that   this   is   one   of   them.   "My   son   speaks   of   a   pact   he   had   made   of   you,   quite   the   title   I   should   say.   A   pact   of   ice   and   fire."   Perhaps   it   defines   their   houses   and   if   she   gets   her   throne   and   kingdom   back,   Jace   will   be   next   in   line   and   the   pact   made   it   clear,   his   first   born   daughter   for   a   stark   lord.  

"I   am   aware   that   Winter   is   harsh   up   there,   and   you   cannot   stay   for   long.   My   son   mentioned   you   will   leave   Lord   Manderly   and   his   sons   with   us,   correct?"   And   their   fleet   and   a   gathering   of   northern   lords.   For   now   it   will   do.   Lilac   eyes   are   still   tired   of   the   strain   of   childbirth   and   the   loss   of   a   son,   but   Rhaenyra   composes   herself   as   she   looks   at   Cregan.   "Truly,   it   is   nice   to   see   a   lord   who   does   not   turn   a   blind   eye   to   the   will   of   my   father." @poweresides ft. cregan.

[zobriesdaria]

@sigilsongs / @arenagods asked: “I could not become a dragon. I am an utter and complete failure.” from Laegon Targaryen

The   wind   carried   the   weight   of   his   words   to   Rhaenyra,   who   had   been   watching   him   in   silence,   her   heart   aching   at   the   sight   of   her   nephew’s   dejected   posture.   She   took   a   step   closer,   her   gaze   softening.   “Laegon,”   she   began   gently,   her   voice   firm   yet   soothing.   “The   bond   with   a   dragon   is   not   something   to   be   rushed.   It   comes   in   its   own   time,   when   both   dragon   and   rider   are   ready.”

Rhaenyra   placed   a   hand   on   his   shoulder,   turning   him   to   face   her.   “You   are   already   a   dragon,   Laegon.   The   fire   is   in   your   blood,   not   just   in   the   bond   you   seek.   Whether   you   claim   a   dragon   today,   tomorrow,   or   never,   that   does   not   make   you   any   less   of   who   you   are.”

She   knows   she   is   aware   that   perhaps   it   comes   less   impactful   from   someone   who   bonded   with   one   since   birth   but   regardless,   lilac   eyes   acknowledged,   “but   our   strength   is   not   measured   by   how   quickly   we   find   our   bond.   Your   time   will   come,   and   if   it   doesn’t,   it   does   not   mean   you   are   a   failure.   You   are   my   nephew,   and   I   know   you   have   the   heart   of   a   dragon.   That   is   something   no   one   can   take   from   you.”

Rhaenyra   smiled,   brushing   a   lock   of   hair   from   his   face.   “Remember   that,   Laegon.   No   dragon   defines   you.   You   define   yourself.”

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"Aemond   always   seem   close   to   Heleana.   I   suppose   it   would   not   be   out   of   reach.   And   no   one   would   question   it,   would   it?"   They   all   look   the   same.   And   her   sister   often   seem   to   prefer   the   company   of   Aemond   over   Aegon,   not   that   she   blames   her.   At   this   point,   both   Aegon   and   Aemond   are   at   fault.   Aemond   might   had   been   a   fool   to   think   he   could   control   Vhagar,   but   Aegon   let   his   brother   do   anything   he   wants,   like   persue   a   little   boy   over   the   skies   for   something   that   transpired   over   a   decade   ago.

  The   Queen   breathes   out,   her   hand   on   the   abscence   of   the   growing   belly   that   once   there   and   looks   back   at   Daemon.   It's   not   just   for   Luke,   but   her   daughter.   She   would   never   watch   her   grow   up,   or   see   her,   to   see   if   her   eyes   were   like   her   own   or   more   like   Daemon's.  

"You   showed   me   once   the   secret   passages   of   the   Keep.   Maegor's   passages."   There   is   a   pause   there.   She   is   almost   disgusted   by   the   idea   of   planning   all   of   this   but   it   must   be   done.   "Handle   it   with   whoever   you   see   fit,   Daemon.   Bring   justice   to �� Luke.   And   then   you   can   march   to   Harrenhal   as   you   wished   for   a   while."   A   son   for   a   son,   a   promise   for   another.   

GIVE HIM AN OPEN BATTLEFIELD OVER MINDLESS POLITICS. In truth , Daemon cared little of the parentage of Helaena's children - but words and rumors contained useful information ; and if he must sneak around with ravens , waiting and hoping for a time to strike against Aemon , then he would. THE BOY THOUGHT HIMSELF A MAN GROWN ; enough so that he could start a bloodshed he did not fully understand. Daemon couldn't help but wonder just how his nephew had felt , seeing Lucery's fall from the sky. WAS THERE EVEN A HINT OF REALISATION AT WHAT HE HAD DONE? did he for a moment understand the consequences of what was to come?

"They do , of course - whether or not that's the truth , i suppose we'll never know. Yet , it is interesting isn't it? especially , if true." Daemon had wondered. He meets the Queen's eyes. "I have no interest in punishing the innocent. Yet there must be retribution. Lucerys was but a boy - who will now have no chance to become a man. You have said yourself , it cannot stand." AND IT WOULDN'T. Daemon would see to that.

"That will take some time , considering they work within the keep itself. There are however...ways."

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That   might   had   been   one   of   the   few   times   a   Lord   is   honest   with   her   when   it   comes   to   why   they   keep   their   oath   beyond   respecting   her   father's   wishes.   She   had   something   in   her   for   her   father   to   never   leave   her   side   in   this   regard   and   the   people   have   to   see   it.   "I   do   understand   and   I   thank   you   for   your   armies.   Lord   Corlys   makes   a   request   too.   At   least   two   Manderly   ships   to   be   send   here   and   he   will   send   shipment   from   Driftmark   to   the   North   for   the   Winter,   I   know   I   shall   not   hold   you   here   for   too   long."  

The   North   and   it's   winters.   She   heard   the   stories   of   the   Wall   and   maybe   one   day   as   queen   she   will   visit   the   realm   on   Syrax   like   Queen   Alysanne   did,   they   say   her   dragon   refused   to   cross   the   block   of   Ice   and   she   wonders,   what   is   beyond   the   Wall   that   would   scare   a   beast   like   a   dragon.  

"Two   hundred   men,   which   as   I   am   told   are   men   of   battle,   which   is   more   than   I   can   say   of   the   offers   of   other   houses,   and   these   three   ships   I   request   as   the   Valeryon   ship   needs   reinforcements.   And   perhaps,   anyone   of   the   North   you   can   spare   to   take   your   place   here,   until   the   winter   passes."   Rhaenyra   hopes   she   is   not   making   too   many   request   but   she   think   it's   fair.   "Every   realm   has   a   voice   in   the   council,   but   we   have   no   Stark   or   northern   to   voice   their   worries."   

HE HAS PLEDGED TO THE ONE TRUE QUEEN - the rightful heir ; but he also has his own battles to fight , his own never ending war to worry about. He had made that clear to the Prince Jacaerys when they had stood on the wall.

"I respect the traditions of each kingdom , your grace. Yet i am also not so foolish as to think a woman cannot rule. Your father named you heir for a reason. He believed in your abilities - or why else name you in the first place?"

HE GLANCES OUT TO THE HORIZON FOR A MOMENT , ignoring the way sweat trickles down the back of his neck. He cannot help the smile that etches itself into his words. "In the North , you would not have been so easily underestimated , aye. Yet we are not in the North. Here , men put to much stock in themselves , as they have done for too long. It is time for a change , your grace. I have pledged two hundred men to your cause , i honor the oath made to your house , yet you must understand that this is the most i can spare during these uncertain times."

TWO HUNDRED MEN WAS MORE THAN MANY HOUSES HAD OFFERED - and yet Cregan was not pleased with his own offer , he would give more , if he could. Yet the winds howled in the north , the wildlings attacked the wall and he swore that something else was stirring within the sleet and ice.

[zobriesdaria]

"They   believe   Aemond   fathered   her   children?"   The   thought   was   almost   laughable   but   with   how   their   family   is,   nothing   is   out   of   the   question.   It   makes   the   ordeal   of   her   children   being   bastards   more   shocking   and   hypocritical   if   that   was   the   case.   "He   did.   And   Aemond   as   well,   always   enticing   the   boys   for   the   rumors."   Not   even   here   she    will   speak   the   truth   in   case   the   walls   have   hears.   Their   father   matters   not,   for   they   are   her   blood   and   dragonriders,   the   realm   would   not   care   as   long   as   their   names   remain   as   they   are.   "Many   things   were   said   about   me   through   the   years.   Most   of   them   of   my   children   or   my   choice   of   husband."  

Purple   gaze   directs   back   at   him,   knowing   well   her   father   had   not   approved   of   Daemon   at   any   point   of   her   life   as   a   marriage   candidate   despite   their   long   tradition   as   a   family.   Rhaenyra   takes   silence   then.   His   source   claims   it's   true;   and   she   wants   to   hurt   Aemond.   In   turn,   this   could   hurt   Aegon   and   by   casualty,   her   sister.   She   does   not   wish   harm   on   her   but   war   had   already   began   when   she   lost   two   children   in   sequence   for   their   actions.   "A   son   for   a   son."   She   repeats   the   words   said   to   her   and   as   much   as   it   grieves   her   to   make   Heleana   a   side   consequence,   it's   a   mother's   rage   that   demands   justice.

  "But   only   that,   Daemon.   No   direct   harm   to   Heleana.   Or   Jaehaera."   Let   them   take   Jaehaerys   so   Aegon   must   feel   what   she   felt.   If   only   a   fraction.   "Promise   me,   as   your   queen,   as   your   wife.   Avenge   our   son."   Luke   as   much   Daemon's   as   he   was   Laenor's   with   how   young   Luke   was   when   Laenor   disappeared.   "Bring   your   source   to   Dragonstone.   If   they   are   as   reliable,   I   want   them   on   my   side."

At the mention of Helaena , he has to wonder just how much Rhaenyra know's already.

THERE'S A TWINGE OF GUILT - and then Daemon regains his composure. "It's not Helaena that owes a life - but unfortunately , she is married to the usurper." STILL ; he would take his Queen's words into account. THE FIRE WITHIN RAGES - Aemond set in his sights.

"They say Aegon's children are not his own." VIOLET EYES MEET RHAENYRA'S , the strength of such a claim hangs in the air. "I remember a time when you faced similar accusations, did he not spout them himself , once?." A brow arches , eyes flickering back to the ceiling. "If this is true - and my sources claim it is , i think it's only fair we have a son , for a son." THIS , HE THINKS IS WHERE THEY WILL CLASH , disagree , fight. Perhaps she will even command him to cease all plans. It has been difficult to read her as of late , after Visenya's loss , and then Lucerys' - a COLD DARK SHADOW HAD FALLEN OVER DRAGONSTONE , cloaking them in a violent grief. He had barely slept , hovering over the war table , moving figures this way and that. HE KNOWS RHAENYRA HAD NOT BEEN COPING , EITHER & his sudden distance was unlikely to help. Daemon has never quite gotten the hang of grief , instead he has always fled from it , or buried it. VENGEANCE - well , that was much easier.

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Rhaenyra   smiles   with   pride   at   the   way   the   lord   speaks   of   her   son.   Jacaerys   has   the   force   of   Harwin   but   he   is   a   Targaryen   through   his   bones.   A   mastery   of   strategy   that   her   house   had   not   seen   since   Daemon   and   Aegon   the   Conqueror.   Calling   Dragonseeds,   sending   emboys   as   soon   the   threat   of   war   loom   over   them.   "I   hope   so   too,   My   lord.   By   then,   I   hope   he   finds   a   good   wife   and   has   heirs   of   his   own."   She   understands   that   her   son   is   to   wed   Baela   but   in   times   of   war,   he   is   not   sure   how   fickle   those   alliances   are.  

Jace   had   told   her   he   is   willing   to   marry   anyone   who   will   help   them   win   more   support.   "Lord   Manderly's   fleet   will   meet   with   the   Valeryon's   and   Celtigar's.   With   them,   we   will   be   covered   in   sea."   He   is   waiting   for   the   Redwyne's   fleet   but   the   Reach   seems   to   remain   impartial   as   Tyrells   had   not   called   to   arms   to   either   side.   "If   only   all   the   lords   of   the   realm   had   your   honor,   My   Lord.   Even   more,   accept   a   woman   on   a   man's   throne."   That   is   the   main   issue   here,   is   it   not?   Her   hand   goes   to   her   stomach,   where   the   phantom   pains   of   a   lost   child   are   still   felt   but   she   held   herself   high.

  "I   believe   the   North   does   things   differently,   women   are   not   shun   from   positions   of   power   when   it   happens.   Many   tales   of   the   she   bears   of   House   Mormont   reach   me,   as   well   your   own   house.   The   she   wolves   they   call   them."   As   wild   as   any   of   the   man   who   share   that   strange   blood   of   first   men   he   shares   in   turn.

THE WARMTH OF DRAGONSTONE UNSETTLES CREGAN STARK - the harsh light of the sun , the way his armor sticks to him. He looked forward to his return to the north , hungered for it. HOWEVER ; he was here to uphold an oath he had sworn to ; and he would not turn his cloak simply because he was uncomfortable. THERE WERE OTHER REASONS OF COURSE , excuses he could have made to avoid such a meeting. They had a complicated history - tinged with bloodshed. Yet it had not once crossed his mind to refuse her invitation. HE WAS A STARK ; honor was forefront , he had made an oath and he would hold himself to it.

"Aye. Your son carries himself well your grace - he will make a fine leader when the time comes , although i do hope of course it will not be soon." HE HAD ADMIRED JACERYS' BLUNTNESS - and the fact he had spoken plainly.

"I will - i have spoken to Lord Manderly , he has agreed." Reluctantly - but he had sworn an oath of his own. Cregan could only hope he upheld it. He straightens his back , meeting the Queen's gaze. "Your father was King , your Grace. His word was law. I am no turn cloak. I honor his wishes."

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"Regardless,   I   want   him   death.   All   of   them.   But   Heleana."   Her   sister   was   impassive   in   all   of   this,   marrying   off   at   such   a   young   age   to   Aegon,   a   boy   who   never   wanted   the   throne   until   Alicent   whispered   the   nature   of   it   in   his   ear.   Her   brother   desired   for   love,   of   course   he   would   love   the   crown   and   the   cheers   of   the   crowd   when   he   was   at   the   Sept.   Daemon   is   guarding   secrets   however   and   she   wanders   what   exactly   he   hides   that   he   does   not   want   to   share   it   with   him.   She   could   impose   it   on   him,   just   as   he   put   the   crown   upon   her   head,   she   was   his   queen,   she   could   command   it.  

Instead,   Rhaenyra   walks   closer.   "Tell   me   what   is   that   you   are   planning.   I   know   that   look   in   your   eyes."   The   eye   of   the   storm,   what   happens   when   you   go   against   Daemon   ,   she   had   seen   it   plenty   during   tournaments   but   this   was   a   real   word.   "I   want   to   know.   Luke   was   my   son   and   he   was   butchered.   Father's   body   left   to   rot   for   days   as   they   scheming   this   usurpation   of   the   greatest   deal."  

Pitting   kin   against   kin,   killing   her   babe   before   she   was   even   born,   the   determination   is   clear   as   her   hand   presses   on   the   table   with   determination   as   she   looks   at   the   map   before   them.   "What   have   you   heard."

WHEN DRAGONS WENT TO WAR - EVERYTHING BURNED , the harsh reality was not lost on Daemon , nor the high tide within him. One glimpse at the remnants of Lucerys's clothes & all thought of mercy had been abandoned. He had taught the boy to ride a dragon , to soar through the skies and respect the creature that had given him flight. NOW ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF HIM WAS THE SCRAPS OF FABRIC , scraps of a dragon. There must be a strike back. Instead of returning to the war table that night , he had written several letters , watched as ravens left Dragonstone & he had waited.

NOT EVEN TO RHAENYRA HAD HE DISCLOSED HIS PLANS - he wanted to be certain , first and he wasn't entirely sure she would agree , either.

When he hears the Queen's footfalls in the great chamber , his eyes meet hers for a moment. IT WAS ALMOST AS IF HE COULD HEAR WHAT WAS THE COME ; the roar of a dragon , the screams of a false king. It wasn't enough , of course. Daemon wanted blood ; he wanted retribution.

"Killing Aemond would be child's play - and he has long since lost the right to an easy death." A QUICK SLASH OF A SWORD - or the bite of Caraxes. "I've heard rumors , i am hoping to verify them." He keeps all cards close to his chest , even now. Such a plan needs time to come to fruition and he doesn't want Aemond nor Aegon , to be warned. A son for a son.