#also of course rhaenyra is a sweet summer child

[alicent-archive]

Alicent was born in winter and Rhaenyra was born in summer do not fight me on this.

[thebadboyfanclub]

I Want My Life Back (Aemond x Reader)

As you guys have realised I adore writing morally gray moments and subtle scenes of endearment between the reader and the character so I hope you like it as well

Rhaenyra was furious, she had lost so much so fast, gave birth to a stillborn, her father was dead, Aegon was crowned king by Alicents command and now her daughter was nowhere to be found, what could she have done when Otto came to Dragonstone with “civil conditions” in order to negotiate but to also announce that her beloved daughter, her precious (y/n) was in Harrenhal with prince Aemond.

“You killed my daughter and now you dare to kidnap my dearest (y/n)?!”

“Nobody took your daughter princess, Aemond and (y/n) eloped”

“You expect me to believe that? My (y/n) would never do this”

“She is her mother's daughter, as you were forbidden by your father to marry Daemon she was also kept away from Aemond, no blood need be spilled, your daughter can create new lineage for the Targaryens, let us unite in harmony again”

“By harmony you mean we bow down to the drunkard bitch that you call king? (Y/n) is probably in some dungeon begging for mercy and you dare to indicate she went willingly? Let me make something clear to you Otto, if I need to kill someone, best believe I am going for Aemond first”

Daemon threatened in a hissed tone while he stood next to Rhaenyra, her hands formed fists from anger and agony, (y/n) was her only daughter, little raven-haired beauty with eyes at the color of the wooden tree she liked to rest under on the summer days in their garden, this was a calculated move from Aemond so Rhaenyras hand will be forced into violence… and he had succeeded.

“My daughter is not a broodmare, she is a princess, I will not allow you to force into squeezing Aemonds children just so you can have leverage over me. We are done here”

There was no way for Rhaenyra to predict this, she scattered her brain that night unable to sleep for glimpses of intimacy between Aemond and (y/n), (y/n) was a sweet girl and Aemond was a brooding prude that blamed his shortcomings on her sons, there was no way (y/n) could have fallen for him.

But (y/n) did, Rhaenyra might not remember though Rhaenyra was unable to see their hands intertwining under the table or how (y/n) looked at Aemond while at the training grounds, nor was she aware of the raven scrolls that were exchanged between them all these years, (y/n) was apprised of the consequences of her actions, she expected her mother to be livid, demanding her to come back home, she predicted everything apart of her grandsires death and the greens scheming.

“We must go back, my mother will listen to me, we can explain”

“My dear I always found your naive nature adorable besides this moment, Rhaenyra will ask for my head the moment she glances upon us���

“Then I shall go alone, Aemond your brother usurped her, if we declare for her perhaps Alicent will soften and bend the knee”

“That cannot happen, it is too dangerous, Daemon will throw me in the cells of dragonstone, is that what you want? To be kept away from me?”

Aemond reached for his lover's hands and brought them up to let them rest on his chest while he gawked deeply into her eyes with a pleasing look, the raven that was sent to them by Aemonds grandsire Otto should have been burned, foolishly he let her know of the events from Kings Landing, (y/n) was overcome by grief for Viserys even though it was Aemonds father.

Aemond was worried for the future with his intentions, not for kings or queens, they could kill each other for all he cared, in fact, what a bright idea would it be to see his lovely (y/n) wearing a crown while she stood by his side? A child or two next to them, the picture was rudely ripped from his imagination by (y/n) who paced around the room like a mad woman, whispering plans to go back, Aemond would rather eat dragon glass than see Rhaenyras face right now.

“No, of course not, Aemond, she is my mother”

“And my sister, my brother, my own mother, still I stand here by your side I do not whine and beg to run back to her”

“Whine? Is that what you think? That I’m simply homesick?”

“Truth be told I do not know what to think of you anymore”

“they need us”

“I need you, me! The one that came to your chambers and promised you a future as bright as the sun and children as many as the stars above, our families kept us from one another for so long I will not let them do it again”

Aemonds voice boomed through the room, (y/n) was left as still as a grain of salt, stiff as she lowered her gaze to the ground before she looked back up to him, fear and sadness written all over he faces, Aemonds deep breaths were the only thing you could hear at the same time that (y/n) was left with countless things to say, strangely she had seemed to lose her voice, no, he had taken it from her.

“I love you, Aemond, I love my family too”

“I am your new family and you better get that through your thick skull”

“You promised me that we would be happy”

“We will, once you give up those foolish ideas of going home”

“Aemond no, please”

She tried to run after him, instinctively she was sure of what was to come alas she was not fast enough, the door shut before her eyes and the sound of keys twisting was heard as she slid down the door to the ground.

Aemond stood on the other side, listening to her whimpering and (y/n) calling for him whilst she banged on the door in desperation, every fiber of his being was screaming to open the door, hug her, kiss her, give her everything her heart wishes, thought the fear of their families intervening and twisting their fate around until there was nothing left kept him from doing what his heart truly wanted.

“Please, I have never asked for much, keep her from hating me, in the Mother's name I pray”

Aemond had earned his piousness from his mother, the fear of the seven often sneaked into his consciousness making him beg for forgiveness for seeking the companion of (y/n) in a manner that was unbefitting his station, now he was left in his own devices to navigate his relationship and properly stir it to the safest route.

“Aemond, please, let me out”

Her voice cracked as her bangs on the door were becoming smaller, slowly giving up at the attempt to change his mind.

Aemond was the only man (y/n) ever wanted, she adored her mother as deep as bones so to run away with Aemond meant a lot, on the contrary (y/n) wanted to stand by her mothers' side, why must she choose between love and family?

Minutes passed, minutes turned to hours and (y/n) stayed on the cold floor while the sun said its goodbyes and was replaced by the moon, a serene night, sounds of nature filled her ears that usually calmed her, the wind passing through the leaves was melodic yet (y/n) felt like an empty shell of a person, weak from crying she dragged herself to her bed, she did not even try to take her clothes off, she just laid there, waiting for the sweet feeling of sleep to take her away, take her to her mother.

It was a pointless task, (y/n) could not just sleep like nothing has happened, besides, the bed was too cold for her liking, it was their second night away from home and they were spending it away since Aemond decided to lock her away like a child in punishment, safe to say that it wasn’t unraveling the way (y/n) had pictured it.

While (y/n) was dwelling over the bad turn of events a shuffling of keys in the lock forced her to raise from the bed and turn her attention towards the wooden door.

“(Y/n)?”

Aemonds voice was as light as a feather as he walked into the room, the candles snarfed out hours ago meant the only source of light came from outside which wasn’t that helpful, still as the moonlight laminated in the room Aemonds silver hair alerted her.

“You are being cruel”

“You mean everything to me”

“I want my life back”

“You chose to come with me”

“Not as your prisoner”

“Can you promise me that if I set you free you won’t try to run away?”

Silence, utter silence took over as (y/n) bit her bottom lip, Aemond waited patiently before a smirk appeared on his lips.

“I thought so”

“I still need you, intensely at that, my love for you is deeper than this, I just- do you understand why I am resisting?”

“I do, do you understand why I want us to stay away”

“Yes”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“Lay with me”

Her voice was meek and hoarse from crying almost until this moment until the tears dried up and the gagging from the sore throat became insufferable, her eyes swollen and red, Aemond hated seeing her like this, he wanted to claw himself and rip his skin to pieces for putting her through such emotional suffering.

He complied by taking off his jacket, then shoes and pants, slowly to not startle her he crawled into bed with her, his arms snaked around her and his one hand found her thick strands of hair while the other ran circles on her back, (y/n) took a deep inhale at the contact, his touch always had a strong influence over her, Aemond was (y/n)s milk of the poppy, addictive, sweet and numbing to point of delusions, a faint smile appeared from (y/n) as she nuzzled closer to him, her hands clung on to him for dear life.

Aemond was her prison, he held the keys to her freedom yet she wanted to stay, to love him, some would call it the stupidity of a young girl, the poets would say that the love had poisoned her blood and (y/n) was letting the snake bite her because of how sweet the kiss was.

“I will always be here for you”

“I know, I just wish things had been different”

“They will be”

“You don’t know that”

“I will do my best”

“That is still not good enough, I am sorry but it’s not, Aemond we could-“

“I will not breathe more life into the matters of our families, the people that kept us apart if you recall, I just want to enjoy your presence for one night”

(Y/n) only puffed out a breath of frustration, she hated to admit that he was right, going over it again and again would not sway him to her side of things whatsoever, if anything it angered Aemond to a bigger extent and that would make things worst for (y/n).

“Hopefully one day we can look back on this time period and laugh, your hair will be great and our grandchildren will run around us”

“That sounds like a wonderful future dearest”

“Do you think we can make it?”

“I don’t know”

He was honest as he stroked her head and she inhaled sharper to take in his scent, a scent that soothed her, a scent that reminded her of a time that they sneaked around the castle at the hour of the wolf in Aegons chambers while he was already out of the gates doing Gods know what.

“What I do know is that I will not stop until I create a haven, for you, and for our new family”

“Until we can open our gates to our families”

Aemond chose to bite back his tongue, it irritated him that she always found a way to bring them up, Aemond was certain that this rivalry for the throne would end in a bloodbath for both sides, nobody could tell with certainty that Rhaenyra or all the others would survive.

Of course, it left him anxious as well, his lovely sister, Heleana, his adoring mother, Alicent, his sweet brother, Daeron, and even the agitating Aegon who had his moments, he had to give it to him that Aegon was the only one that helped him keep his affair with (y/n) under wraps.

“We should rest, an important morrow awaits us”

“Will you help me pick out a dress?”

“I have already arranged a dress for you, did you think I was going to let my bewitching bride wear a simple gown?”

Requests are open!

[viiisenyas]

Prologue: Made of Fire and Water

Series Summary: As the firstborn child to Ser Laenor Velaryon and Princess Rhaenyra, most believed that Elaena would succeed King Viserys’ chosen heir. But after her younger brother, Jacaerys, was named in her stead, the rumours amidst the royal court began to grow regarding her mother’s integrity. Years later, the whispers would not leave, and Elaena would find herself placed in a strategic match with Prince Aegon to placate her mother’s enemies. Little did she know, she had already become a pawn for the political game, and she would become the hidden advantage for the Greens.

Ship: Aegon II Targaryen x Elaena Velaryon (OC) Series Rating: 18+ (Minors DNI !!) Series Warnings: arranged marriage, canon divergence, smut, suicidal ideation, alcohol abuse, canon-typical incest, death, obsessive behaviour, dubious consent, graphic violence, sexual harassment, enemies to lovers Credits: Divider from here. A/N: This series begins at Episode 6. For narrative purposes, I've aged up some of the characters. This work is also Team Green positive. If you don't like it, keep scrolling.

[Index] | [AO3]

Elaena

The summer breeze swept past Elaena, and the warm sunlight kissed her copper skin. Her father’s dragon released a long roar while he carried both of them through the clouds, and she clung to Laenor.

Seasmoke began his descent towards Blackwater Bay after Laenor gently patted his scales, and the familiar sight of the Red Keep became larger as they neared King’s Landing.

The dragon levelled out just above the water, and her father gripped the handles of the saddle. 

Elaena let her gaze settle on the ships leaving the harbour, sailing to gods know where. The sight was still just as breathtaking as it was when she was but a young girl, still hoping that her own egg would hatch. But it never did.

He leaned forward, and the young princess grinned while Seasmoke began to ascend above the city as they flew over the docks. 

She always admired the great structure of the Dragonpit from this altitude. However, their flight would be over soon. It was time to return to her responsibilities, and to tend to her mother. Rhaenyra was due to give birth any day now, and her smile widened as her mind wandered to the prospect of finally having a younger sister. 

She wondered whether her supposed sister would have silvery hair and violet eyes like her own. Though she was nearly seventeen years of age, she couldn’t contain her excitement of introducing her sister to dolls when the time came. There were still many that she kept over the years that rested on display upon a shelf - some had been gifts that her paternal grandfather, Lord Corlys, had bestowed to her before leaving Driftmark when she was only eight. Others had been from King Viserys himself. 

The deafening flap of Seasmoke’s wings had pulled her from her thoughts as he circled the Dragonpit before he landed just outside the tunnel where the handlers were waiting. 

“Dohaerās, Seasmoke!” One of them commanded.

He growled, and Elaena gently patted his grey scales. 

“Umbās,” Laenor said firmly. “Rybās.”

Seasmoke snarled lightly as the young princess chuckled, and her father unlinked the chain around their waists.

“You did well, darling,” he chuckled softly. “Soon enough you’ll be riding alone on your own dragon.”

“But there aren’t any unclaimed dragons here, Father,” she frowned as Laenor helped her out of the saddle. 

“There’s plenty at Dragonstone, love,” Laenor smiled and gently poked her nose, making her chuckle. “We can venture there after your new sibling arrives.”

“Do you promise?”

“Of course, love.”

She glanced to her left to see the carriage waiting for them, and her gentle smile dissolved when she met Aegon’s violet gaze.

“My sweet niece,” he called with a wide grin as Sunfyre was being guided out of the Dragonpit.

Elaena resisted the urge to scowl as she dismounted her father’s dragon. 

She despised her uncle, and rather than physically tormenting her as he once had when they were children, he made a point of attempting to provoke her at every turn with his ridiculous innuendos. How he was nearly a man grown, yet still acted like a child at times was beyond her.

“Prince Aegon,” she reluctantly greeted, and Laenor offered the same courtesy. 

Her father pressed his lips together and avoided his good brother’s gaze as he encouraged her to pet Seasmoke, gently moving her hand across the beast’s neck. The dragon snarled softly in contentment when her palm moved against his scales. 

“Why don’t you return to the Red Keep while I fetch an egg for your new sibling,” Laenor suggested. “I’m sure your mother will want your company.”

“All right,” she nodded, and Laenor gently kissed her forehead before she turned to walk towards the carriage.

“Welcome back, Princess,” Ser Steffon greeted. He was sitting astride his white stallion and offered her a gentle smile.

“You look relieved, Ser Steffon,” she laughed.

He chuckled with her. “I am relieved,” he pointed out. “Your unspoiled return just saved my head from a spike.”

She turned to face him, now walking backwards. “If I met my death with my father astride Seasmoke, then I died the death of a dragon rider,” she outstretched her hands dramatically before she mockingly bowed. “It’d be an honour.”

“Aye,” he shook his head as Laenor chuckled. “The Lord Commander warned me you’d be just like your mother in her youth - and your aunt at that.”

Elaena couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped her, and she turned back with a wide grin. She didn’t notice that Aegon had moved closer, and she nearly collided with him as she released a sharp gasp.

“Fuck,” she huffed, stepping back.

“There are other ways to tame a dragon, sweet niece,” Aegon bent at the waist to whisper in her ear. “If you still yearn for one. Come to my chambers tonight, and I might show you how.”

Her stomach turned. She gave him a contemptuous look as she moved past him towards the carriage, and Aegon chuckled.

“May the gods shrivel his cock,” she muttered under her breath.

The sound of his voice was irritating, and his presence was almost unbearable as she resisted the urge to shiver with disgust.

“Good morrow, Elaena,” Helaena greeted from the carriage with a gentle smile, and her expression softened.

Elaena smiled widely as she approached her aunt while she took off her glove with her teeth. 

“Your mother has given birth,” the Targaryen princess said.

“Already?” She asked, voice muffled. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“A boy,” Helaena nodded.

Elaena sighed with disappointment and looked down as she removed her other glove.

“What… auspicious news,” she forced a smile and peered back at Seasmoke as the dragon slithered back into the depths of the Dragonpit alongside her father. 

The sunlight reflected from the dragon’s grey scales in an iridescent haze, and Elaena turned back after she caught Aegon leering at her again, sitting astride Sunfyre.

She released a disgusted sigh, rolling her eyes before Helaena outstretched her hand towards her to invite her within the confines of the carriage.

“I do hope your flight with Ser Laenor was a pleasant one,” she tilted her head. 

“It was,” Elaena smiled softly as she grasped her hand and climbed the steps into the wheelhouse. “I must admit, I’m surprised that you’re not riding today. It’s been a while since Dreamfyre was let out.”

“She just laid a clutch of eggs,” Helaena beamed as the two settled together. “I heard that Lord Stark is coming to court from Winterfell. And his eldest sons.”

“Odd,” Elaena furrowed her brows. “The Starks haven’t been to the capital since my first name day.”

“They’re coming for Aegon’s tourney,” she elaborated, and gently squeezed her hand after her niece scoffed. “And perhaps a betrothal.” 

Elaena deadpanned as she resisted the unpleasant shiver that threatened. 

She had grown up on stories of the suspicious and superstitious ways of the Northerners - the stories of the Kings of Winter. A brutal lot, they were, and she dare not assume that the passing centuries had softened their hearts or their grim ways after her forebears had united the realm. Even if it weren’t true, she didn’t want to live out the rest of her days in the grey waste of their homeland.

“Gods, I hope not,” she muttered, and a giggle bubbled from Helaena.

The carriage ride back to Maegor’s Holdfast was tedious and Elaena gazed through the wicker covering while Helaena had fallen asleep. 

She watched as she passed through the capital, and placed her hand over her mouth and nose, unaccustomed to the stench as they passed through Flea Bottom. 

Elaena began to wonder what life would have been like had she been born a commoner rather than a princess. To be a simple peasant, someone who did not need to constantly question why her younger brother, Jacaerys, was named her mother’s heir, and not her. 

She was the eldest of the Velaryon siblings, after all, and the unsettling thought plagued her mind for years. Was it really because she was a woman? Or was it simply to honour Westerosi tradition? But she was painfully aware that her grandsire had already broken that tradition with her mother. 

Her father once told her that it was because Rhaenyra didn’t want to burden Elaena with the responsibility of ruling when the time came. But she knew in her heart it was something… deeper. 

She possessed the typical traits of House Velaryon: silver-white curls, copper skin and violet eyes. Her younger brothers, however, did not inherit the same traits. But of course, that was yet another matter that was meant to be left unspoken. 

When the two finally arrived at the Red Keep, Elaena walked with her aunt through the castle in comfortable silence until they parted ways to tend to their own devices. 

She made haste to her bedchamber to change out of her riding attire. Having settled on a fine cerulean gown, she sighed softly when she gazed into the looking glass while her handmaiden, Rinna, quietly fussed over the mess of her wind-tousled curls. 

“Are you sure you do not wish to style it in the tradition of your house, Princess?” the woman asked. “It would be more manageable.”

“I like my hair just the way it is, thank you,” Elaena rolled her eyes playfully while she anxiously smoothed out the lingering wrinkles of the skirt of her gown with her hands.

“A braid then?” Rinna raised a brow, “Perhaps over your shoulder?”

“Sure.”

“You must be eager to meet your new brother, no?” she smiled. 

“Positively,” Elaena said flatly and examined her fingernails. “I was just hoping that I’d have a sister.”

“Perhaps some day, my princess.”

It didn’t take long for the woman to finish the fishtail, and she tied a leather strap on the ends of her hair to hold it in place.

“There,” Rinna said and pushed the braid over her shoulder before Elaena could reach upwards to do it herself. 

“Thank you,” she smiled sheepishly. 

“Now go. If you delay any longer, your mother will send the guards to come find you,” the handmaiden gave her a pointed look as she stood.

“Do I look like I’ve been out riding?” Elaena asked as she moved towards her door.

“No, but you do smell like you’ve been out.”

“Seven Hells,” she muttered as she glanced around.

There was no time to mask the distinct scent with rosemary oil, and Elaena huffed before she made haste out of her room. She walked quickly throughout the Red Keep, mindlessly greeting every other lord that gently bowed their heads until she rounded the corner towards the next stairwell.

Quiet curses escaped her when she lifted her skirts to skip the steps. She could never understand why King Maegor had left his descendants with a ridiculously enormous castle - that in itself was inherently cruel - but she sighed with relief when she finally approached her mother’s doors and knocked quietly on them.

“Come,” Rhaenyra’s voice resonated, her tone welcoming.

Elaena opened the door and slowly poked her head inside with a sheepish smile. 

“Hello, Mother… Apologies for my tardiness, I was—”

Oh. 

She wasn’t expecting Ser Harwin to be standing beside her mother, and he offered a kind smile as he handed the newborn babe to Rhaenyra. 

Rhaenyra smiled. “Come in, sit with me a while.”

“I, uh… Of course,” she nodded, letting the door close behind her. 

“Princess,” Harwin greeted with a nod.

“Ser Harwin,” she raised her eyes out of courtesy as she sat on the plush sofa beside her mother. Then her eyes drifted back down towards her brother.

Elaena resisted the urge to frown, and she tilted her head. The boy looked like her other brothers. 

“Where is your father?” Rhaenyra furrowed her brows.

“He’s at the Dragonpit. He said he wanted to choose an egg for the babe.” she shrugged.

“You stink of dragon,” her mother pointed out, disapprovingly. “You went riding with him, didn’t you?”

“I– yes,” Elaena looked away with guilt for a moment before she raised her index finger. “But, I’ve already finished my lessons for the day, and Father wanted to take me riding for practise.”

“You’ll claim a dragon sooner than you think,” Rhaenyra chuckled softly. “But I do hope you’ve learned something today, Elaena. The Septa has informed me that you still struggle with paying attention.” 

She scoffed and pressed her lips together. “If she didn’t speak so slowly, perhaps I’d be more inclined,” she rolled her eyes. “I learn far more from Grandfather than I do from her.”

Ser Harwin smiled, and a quiet laugh escaped him.

“It is still important to focus - even if you find yourself on the edge of tedium.” Rhaenyra gave her a pointed look, and Elaena sighed softly, nodding.

“I’ll try.”

“Well, Elaena, I want you to meet your new brother, Joffrey.”

Joffrey? she thought as she pressed her lips together. That isn’t a Valyrian name.

“Do you want to hold him?” her mother tilted her head. 

Elaena met her gaze and nodded before reaching to gently pull the babe from her grasp as she stood. Elaena cradled the boy in her arms just as she was taught to with Lucerys. 

The babe’s eyes roamed around the grandeur room before he sneezed and the little sound made her giggle. 

“He is very charming, Mother.” 

“Yes,” she agreed. “He is the smallest one out of all of you. And incidentally… you were the largest - and my worst labour.”

Elaena hummed and shifted slowly, keeping her violet eyes on him before she looked at the downy brown hair that thinly covered his head. 

Her brows furrowed, and she discreetly looked up at Ser Harwin who had been watching her sway Joffrey. There were quite a few similarities between them. Between all of them, she finally realised.

It began to make sense why he always seemed to be in their company, and Elaena drew in a breath as she processed the knowledge.

And here I thought he was just being kind.

“I’ll be taking my leave now,” Ser Harwin said, and Elaena cast a sidelong glance in his direction that he didn’t seem to notice.

Her mother emitted a soft hum in response before the knight walked out of the room. Elaena watched him intently before the door closed again, and she cleared her throat. 

“Do you need anything, Mother? Water, perhaps?” She asked as she looked at Rhaenyra. 

The woman shook her head. “No, I’m quite content right now, my darling. Thank you.” 

Elaena slowly sat back down beside her, being careful not to wake the now sleeping infant, continuing to sway him. 

“When I was your age, I couldn’t bear the thought of having children. But everything changed after you were born.” Rhaenyra offered a soft smile, and Elaena returned it. 

The simple acknowledgement quelled most of her doubts, but some still lingered as she looked at Joffrey again. 

“Mother, what are your plans for my future?”

“What do you mean, darling?” Rhaenyra tilted her head as she shifted on the sofa. 

“I mean…” she began, choosing her words carefully. “I’m almost seventeen. The queen said I should be betrothed by now, and Helaena informed me that the Starks might be coming to the capital for one. I-I don’t want to leave home only to be locked away at Winterfell.” 

Rhaenyra exhaled slowly, and she paused in thought as she reached to tuck a loose curl behind Elaena’s ear. 

“My sweet girl,” she leaned closer to her daughter and cupped her cheek. “You descend from the greatest dynasty that has ever been established. You have the blood of Aegon the Conqueror, and you are the granddaughter of the greatest voyager. I’m sure that your future husband wouldn’t dare.”

Elaena drew in a breath and leaned against the backrest of the sofa. 

“But, the Starks are our allies,” she said. “And from what I understand, Cregan Stark will be the Warden of the North when the time comes. Regardless of who you wed, you must do your duty to the realm. But for now, you needn’t worry about such things until your red flower blooms.”

Duty. The word settled bitterly in her mind. Lying on her back to later squeeze out an heir for some lord in exchange for a stale oath didn’t seem to be that favourable of a prospect.

The young princess nodded as she masked her disappointment with a polite smile before she gently handed her brother back to her mother.

Gods willing, I’ll just turn up barren, she thought with contempt.

[zephyrrr101]

OMG OMG OMG!!! HOTD SEASON 2 EPISODE 1: BLOOD AND CHEESE!!!

Okayyyyyy! Boy! I just saw it and I have so much to rant and talk about!!!

But before we go into it, for those who hasn't seen it yet,

this is a spoiler! Below the cut

So don't venture if you don't want to loose your fun.

The first and foremost thing we see is Wolf Woods and Winterfell. And man! Did I not feel nostalgic!

Cregan Stark is carrying a sword through out the journey to top of the wall, probably Ice.

I really like the way they have changed Jace here. The hairstyle, the words, the way of talking to a Lord. This Jace is what I connect to, the one we know about in books.

Emma D'Arcy! You woman! I love you! I love you so so so much. Rhaenyra doesn't has more but one dialogue in the whole episode but through out it all I can see her speak. Every scene made me cry. Rhaenyra stands at the edge of castle, looking to anything she could, I would say to even hold a false hope of Luke being alive. Her desperate climb through the stones when she hears fishermen yell about the Dragon wing (Arrax's), her clutching Luke's clothes, looking at last memories that she has of his. It's lovely.

We finally also see Mysaria. Her interaction with Daemon is brilliant. She is shown as who she is. A woman who works for gold. I have no disappointment here.

Larys, you foxxy bastard, look at you trying to put Otto out of his position. Filling both Aegon and Alicent's ears with poison against him.

Aemond, struts into the council room, you cunty little bastard. I loved Ewan every moment of him. That is exactly how I expect Aemond to be.

Aegon. Loved it too. We see him in more than just a sorry ass drunk. Fine-fucking-ly. I like how he takes control of the throne room the second time Otto tries to tell him what to do. I'm really ready to see Otto get kicked out of his position. But boy. You sweet not to sweet anymore summer child, what are you doing. You can't call your unhinged brother loyal as a dog when he's planning war behind your back, something even your granddad is pointing at.

ALICOLE!!! Woohoo you people! Yes they are fucking! They are fucking right the moment when Blood and Cheese come and kill Jaehaeyrs.

While speaking on the matter, (Please don't attack me, this is only my analysis of show and somethings I compare from the book). Blood and cheese is disappointing. To me atleast. Child murder, of course it's not right, very, very, very bad. But I rather like the book part. We have no Maelor up until this stage in the show so it's basically making Helaena choose between her twins which, I'm sorry, looks stupid. The whole point of it was making a choice between two sons. The Greens basic usurpation is based on the fact that Rhaenyra is a woman. So why the hell would Helaena be forced to chose between her daughter and son. It would have been obvious that she would have chosen Jaehaera to be dead over Jaehaeyrs. She is not an idiot. We know.

And if we talk about the show sow why she did it? My reason, perhaps she doesn't wants her son to see or face what is coming. Or maybe she had seen what he doesn't wants it.

Helaena at the start in the first scene when Aegon comes looking for Jaehaeyrs tells him "What if he doesn't want it?" It feels like a call back to times when Aegon didn't want it. But still, she knows a woman's life is much worse in Westeros specially in time of war, so why save a girl who would lead a bad life instead of the son who actually had a chance to get out of that. Is it a call back to Viserys choosing Rhaenyra over Aegon? Wouldn't know until next scenes.

Rhaena. We see her on the council table and while they are burning Luke's and Arrax's remains. I wanted to cry just seeing her. She looks so distraught.

Daemon wearing his MURDER CLOAKKKKKK!!!

YAYAYAYAYAY!!!

I love how he paid that Gold Cloak to do his bidding and how that man went "Commander" and "Fuck the Hightowers". We see the loyalty of the Gold Cloaks to Daemon that we know from books and the first season. Loved every moment of that.

Well, that's what I think about it.

[secretf1lms]

Reigns & Rings Chapter 1

The smell of her drunken brother bothered her to no end. Even though two of their siblings were standing in between their gap, he still stunk of wine and it blew in the air of Driftmark around everyone.

Today was filled with sadness for some of the people around them. Lady Laena Velaryon was being put to rest at the sea.

Daenys knew that it was upsetting to people but not to her, she didn't know Lady Leana. But she knew it was her duty to be there, and she knew all too well about duty. It was something that drove her and her mother, something that put them a little higher than others in her eyes at least. Something that made her life worth living.

But someone distracted Daenys from her and her thoughts. It was Lady Leana's Uncle Ser Vemond, who was speaking in High Valyrian, she didn't catch on to what he was saying because she really did not care to translate, but it made Daemon Targaryen laugh and look over at her half sister and nephews. She wondered what was so funny about what Vemond had said that it has anything to do with them at this funeral?

But nonetheless, after the ceremony, she walked around giving condolences to people, so when she saw the twins, she walked over to them in a hurry, trying to get there before anyone else had the thought to.

Once she got over there she realised she'd never met them in her life. The pair looked up at her in confusion. "Hello, you do not know me personally but I am Daenys, I've come to give my condolences, I'm sorry for your loss." She said, and just like her mother taught her, she put on her sad smile and squinted eyes.

"Thank you" they both said one after another.

"Anytime and if you need anything I'm here." She said and gave a slight firm nod. She was lying of course, but they need not know that. She turned around and almost bumped head first into her nephew, Jacaerys. Her smile turned into an ice cold face and she held her hands behind her back, a signal her mother and herself made so they can get eachother out of a situation, serious or not.

"Sorry Jacaerys." She said trying to get out of the way, he looked down at her and nodded.  She then saw his brother in the way she was trying to walk, so she decided to give his brother a nanoscopic smile and excused herself from the group that was now forming.

Once she was at a distance from the other children, she saw her mother looking at her, concerned. She started to stride over to her when she saw her three eldest siblings under a makeshift tent. She looked at her mother as if they had a secret language. Her mother gave her a slight nod so she started to stride towards them.

Once she got closer, she realised that they were talking about her sweet sister Helena. She decided to eavesdrop on their conversation. She heard Aegon complain about performing his "duties" to Helena. She never knew what her brother talks about when he's in this state. Or any actually. But she decided she wanted to put in their conversation.

"It's not good to talk about people like that," she said, knowing they won't care what she thinks. "Seven fucking hells Daenys!" Aegon said, turning to Aemond and smirking saying, "I take that back, Daenys is the weirdest of us all."

Disgusted by both of her brothers' conversation, she ventures towards her mother, in search of refuge with her. As she's looking through the crowd, she spots her sister, Rhaenyra. So in respect she smiles and walks towards her mother.

When she gets to her mother, she looks up at her and smiles and her mother does the same, "Are you well, my sweet summer child." Alicent says. "yes mother, though could I retire early, I am tired" "Yes, I'll see you later, and also have the maester give you your drink" She smiles at her mother and walks inside the castle. It is quiet because everyone is outside.

Daenys begins to look for the maester, but after some time, she gives up and walks  to her chambers.

After she gets to her chambers, she changes and reads her books she bought with her. Then, after it turns to dusk, she gets into bed, not knowing she'll regret reading instead of looking for the maester in a couple of hours.

[backjustforberena]

Thoughts whilst watching Rhaenys vs Rhaenyra in 1x08 (EXPANDED AND NOW WITH GIFS):

Just the fact she’s looking at the Heart Tree. There’s the direct religious aspects, given she might lose her husband and the death of her son is also on her mind. But also taking solace in front of a lone tree that’s out of place, as she now feels, in King’s Landing. Alive only because others have deemed it nonthreatening to survive there.

“Baela said you might be here.” - there is no way that Rhaenyra is catching Rhaenys unaware at that moment. Rhaenys probably told Baela exactly where she would head as soon as they settled, knowing that Baela would pass that on, or she told Baela to pass that on. She’s in the godswood garden for the precise reason to face Rhaenyra.

Rhaena was a surprise and I love her expression when she sees her. The smile that can’t be tamed. The public show of love that is just holding out her hand and taking hers. Rhaena being so thrilled to see her grandmother, you can just see it on her face, and looking to Rhaenys before leaving.

Rhaenyra’s first interaction with Rhaenys being both to use her granddaughter’s presence to “soften” her, and then praising her raising of Baela. “You honour me, Princess.” is Rhaenys-speak for f*** you. She sees through it all and I love it.

The refocus of soft!Rhaenys with Rhaena, to when Rhaena leaves and Rhaenys just blinks and has her guard up. Instantly the power is with her, because Rhaenyra is the one that needs HER, not the other way around.

“You intend to advocate for yourself” - well, love, if she is, she’s not about to tell YOU is she?! And she never will. I don’t know what Rhaenys would have done had Viserys not turned up, and frankly, I love that. She doesn’t let Rhaenyra know whether her theory is right or wrong. Ultimate poker face.

“This is no fair proceeding, it is a trap...” AND RHAENYS HAS THIS TINY SMILE. Because of course it’s a trap, you sweet summer child. It’s been a trap this entire time and you walked right into it. From DAY ONE Rhaenyra has been told . And so she’s... what? Appealing to Rhaenys on moral grounds? No wonder she’s finding that funny, because, surely, Rhaenyra has to be joking. She can’t claim any moral high ground. She’s right down in the dirt after what she did with Laenor.

“And yet you did worse than that with Laenor... did you not?” SIX YEARS, STILL BITTER. And good for you! Six years, with very little interaction with Rhaenyra, I assume. Six years with no one to talk about the fact that you pretty much think the heir to the throne, your cousin’s kid, your former daughter-in-law, conspired to have your son killed.

It’s such a moment of truth: a moment for truth. Even if Rhaenyra confessed that she’d killed Laenor or knew the circumstances around his death or whatever, Rhaenys could not TOUCH her. This is close as she can get: making her feel bad. As she could never enact any other consequence. She’s never getting justice for her son’s murder because his murderers are above those consequences and to spell out the reasoning behind it all would be to commit treason.

And what she gets are lies. Or as good as. “I loved your son.” - not as much as Rhaenys, even if that were true. Rhaenys doesn’t believe any of it and has to stand there are take it. A little quirk of the brow when Rhaenyra says: “I did not order his death.”

Rhaenys makes to LEAVE. She isn’t there to get anything from Rhaenyra, apart from, perhaps, the truth on Laenor. But when it comes to the succession and the betrothal offer, Rhaenys doesn’t come to the meeting wanting to know what Rhaenyra is willing to offer her. There’s an actual jaw clench when Rhaenyra continues to speak and stops her from leaving.

“Back Luke’s claim, and let us betroth Laena’s children to mine. Baela will be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and her sons will be heirs to the throne. Rhaena will rule in Driftmark, and… the seat will pass to her and Lucerys’s children in time.” - I think this 10/10 would have worked on Corlys. But Rhaenyra isn’t dealing with Corlys. And Rhaenys couldn’t give a hoot. Seriously, give her one good reason, Rhaenyra. I dare you. Rhaenys couldn’t care less. It’s not about thrones and power anymore, not to her. Not after Laena and Laenor. There is nothing in her expression to infer that she is even slightly tempted.

“A generous offer. Or a desperate one.” It’s interesting to compare this to Rhaenys’s chat with Alicent because Alicent does have moments of power in that conversation. But in this, I don’t think you could pick a single second where Rhaenys is the one at a disadvantage. A moment where Rhaenyra surprises her or tells her something she doesn’t already know. The only moment like it is when she turns and sees Rhaena, but Rhaena is removed from the scene pretty early on and the effect is minimal. She’s not ruffled by it, it simply informs more about Rhaenyra’s position.

“You’re right in this at least... it does not matter.” AKA MY FAVOURITE LINE. It’s so deep and so meaningful and just the subtle dig of “in this at least” as well as the multiple interpretation of what “it” could be: the circumstances surrounding Laenor’s death? The offer itself? The interest in Driftmark? Even just acknowledging the power that Rhaenys has or making any moves to make Rhaenys feel included or appreciated or whatever. It does not matter = it’s not enough = it’s too late.

As well as this, the notion that she says “it does not matter” whilst looking at the Heart Tree again. At nothing. As the storm gathers. 

She’s just saying the truth this entire scene. She’s ten steps ahead and Rhaenyra just seems like she’s running to catch up. And Rhaenys could have helped, and once upon a time had wanted to help... had Rhaenyra not engineered a situation that made it impossible for her to. Both for her head and her heart, it would be wrong to side with Rhaenyra at this point. So, Rhaenys calls Rhaenyra out. She’s desperate. I’ve done a whole other meta post about the lines in that last little speech because it’s just GOLD.

STEP FORWARD, QUEEN WHO NEVER WAS! The way she crowds into Rhaenyra, leaving Rhaenyra shaken to her core. All of Rhaenyra’s tactics have either been seen for what they were (emotional manipulation, lying, appealing to Rhaenys’s ambition) or totally without effect. Rhaenyra has underestimated her opponent.

If Viserys hadn’t hobbled out of bed, Rhaenyra would have been totally done for. Utterly, completely, without hope. She would have had to have gone with the high-handed approach of calling it a farce, but that would have done very little. The tactics that worked when Aemond lost his eye only work if she has the power and the allies. Without Viserys, she doesn’t.

Rhaenys leaves the conversation having agreed to nothing, denied nothing, and without confirming or denying her plan of action later on that day.

“I must stand alone.” There is such sadness in this line that I can’t even get into right now.

[backjustforberena]

Thoughts whilst watching Rhaenys vs Rhaenyra in 1x08:

Just the fact she’s looking at the Heart Tree. There’s the direct religious aspects, given she might lose her husband and the death of her son is also on her mind. But also taking solace in front of a lone tree that’s out of place, as she now feels, in King’s Landing. Alive only because others have deemed it nonthreatening to survive there.

“Baela said you might be here.” - there is no way that Rhaenyra is catching Rhaenys unaware at that moment. Rhaenys probably told Baela exactly where she would head as soon as they settled, knowing that Baela would pass that on, or she told Baela to pass that on. She’s in the godswood garden for the precise reason to face Rhaenyra.

Rhaena was a surprise and I love her expression when she sees her. The smile that can’t be tamed. The public show of love that is just holding out her hand and taking hers. 

Rhaenyra’s first interaction with Rhaenys being both to use her granddaughter’s presence to “soften” her, and then praising her raising of Baela. “You honour me, Princess.” is Rhaenys-speak for f*** you. She sees through it all and I love it.

The refocus of soft!Rhaenys with Rhaena, to when Rhaena leaves and Rhaenys just blinks and has her guard up. Instantly the power is with her, because Rhaenyra is the one that needs HER, not the other way around. 

“You intend to advocate for yourself” - well, love, if she is, she’s not about to tell YOU is she?! And she never will. I don’t know what Rhaenys would have done had Viserys not turned up, and frankly, I love that.

“This is no fair proceeding, it is a trap...” AND RHAENYS HAS THIS TINY SMILE. Because of course it’s a trap, you sweet summer child. It’s been a trap this entire time and you walked right into it. From DAY ONE Rhaenyra has been told . And so she’s... what? Appealing to Rhaenys on moral grounds? No wonder she’s finding that funny, because, surely, Rhaenyra has to be joking. She can’t claim any moral high ground. She’s right down in the dirt after what she did with Laenor. 

“And yet you did worse than that with Laenor... did you not?” SIX YEARS, STILL BITTER. And good for you! Six years, with very little interaction with Rhaenyra, I assume. Six years with no one to talk about the fact that you pretty much think the heir to the throne, your cousin’s kid, your former daughter-in-law, conspired to have your son killed.

It’s such a moment of truth: a moment for truth. Even if Rhaenyra confessed that she’d killed Laenor or knew the circumstances around his death or whatever, Rhaenys could not TOUCH her. This is close as she can get: making her feel bad. As she could never enact any other consequence. She’s never getting justice for her son’s murder because his murderers are above those consequences and to spell out the reasoning behind it all would be to commit treason. Rhaenys can’t do this.

And what she gets are lies. Or as good as. “I loved your son.” - not as much as Rhaenys, even if that were true. Rhaenys doesn’t believe any of it and has to stand there are take it. Except, no she doesn’t, she can LEAVE. Jaw clench when Rhaenyra continues to speak though.

“Back Luke’s claim, and let us betroth Laena’s children to mine. Baela will be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and her sons will be heirs to the throne. Rhaena will rule in Driftmark, and… the seat will pass to her and Lucerys’s children in time.” - I think this 10/10 would have worked on Corlys. But Rhaenyra isn’t dealing with Corlys. And Rhaenys couldn’t give a hoot. Seriously, give her one good reason, Rhaenyra. I dare you. Rhaenys couldn’t care less. It’s not about thrones and power anymore, not to her. Not after Laena and Laenor.

It’s interesting to compare this to Rhaenys’s chat with Alicent because Alicent does have moments of power in that conversation. But in this, I don’t think you could pick a single second where Rhaenys is the one at a disadvantage.

“You’re right in this at least... it does not matter.” AKA MY FAVOURITE LINE. It’s so deep and so meaningful and just the subtle dig of “in this at least” as well as the multiple interpretation of what “it” could be: the circumstances surrounding Laenor’s death? The offer itself? The interest in Driftmark? Even just acknowledging the power that Rhaenys has or making any moves to make Rhaenys feel included or appreciated or whatever. It does not matter = it’s not enough = it’s too late. 

She’s just saying the truth this entire scene. She’s ten steps ahead and Rhaenyra just seems like she’s running to catch up. And she could have helped, and once upon a time had wanted to help... had Rhaenyra not engineered a situation that made it impossible for her to. She calls Rhaenyra out. I’ve done a whole other meta post about the lines in that last little speech because it’s just GOLD.

STEP FORWARD, QUEEN WHO NEVER WAS! The way she crowds into Rhaenyra, leaving Rhaenyra shook to her core. Seriously, if Viserys hadn’t hobbled out of bed, she would have been totally done for. Utterly, completely, without hope. She would have had to have gone with the high-handed approach of calling it a farce, but that would have done very little. The tactics that worked when Aemond lost his eye only work if she has the power and the allies. Without Viserys, she doesn’t.

“I must stand alone.” There is such sadness in this line that I can’t even get into right now.