#baelon really went fuck you

[darkestspring]

[ yes, we’re going back and forth with this- ]

Daemon Targaryen was anything but compliant when it was time for him to leave. Whenever he was unwelcome, of course that was literally anytime he was around these gods forsaken Hightowers. He had to make sure to go undetected through these tunnels into his granddaughter’s nursery.

It was already past midnight and he finally found it. After passing so many tricky directions. He paused when he heard hushed whispers. His son and his two other children. “Come one, can we please hold her for a bit?” A little girl. “We won’t drop her.” A little boy.

“Maybe tomorrow, your sister was just really fussy earlier from the other grownups holding her.” Baelon says lovingly. “You placed her egg into the cradle already, Vis?”

“Yeah, we chose the purple one because of her pretty purple eyes.” Viselon says enthusiastically. “Wait, maybe we can take her on Carnifex sometime-“

“Okay, time to go for your own chambers and go to sleep.” Baelon’s lightly laughed and ushered them out of the nursery before glancing back at the cradle. “Sweet dreams, little dragon.” Then the door finally gently shut.

Once Daemon entered through the secret passageway. He walked towards the cradle and heard soft coos from inside. The nursery was filled with scattered gifts and the fireplace set to keep the infant warm.

“Princess Argella, isn’t it?” He asks softly as those amethyst eyes wondrously stared at his violet ones. “A storm lands name, of course, you look like a Rhaelle. Rhaelle Targaryen would’ve suited you for sure despite the dark hair.” He hummed.

“Come here, little dragonwhisperer.” Daemon carefully leaned down to pick up the newborn up as Argella’s eyes only widened. “The dragons sang all day, didn’t you know? The first dragonwhisperer of House Targaryen ever since the doom of Old Valyria.” Born to bring glory to our name…

“Perhaps I can bring you with me and properly raise you like I should’ve done with your father.” Yes, he can easily pass her as one of his to Rhaenyra and rename her- but his son would rather have all of their heads than let him near any of his children. Especially Argella.

It would be a biggest treason to take a newly born princess from her own cradle-

“What are you doing here?” A angry voice interrupted his thoughts. “You should know that you’ve overstayed your welcome.” Ser Criston Cole stood in the opened doorway with a couple guards behind him.

“Ah, Ser Crispin.” The Rogue Prince only smirked when the other man gritted his teeth. “I’m only here as a grandfather meeting his granddaughter, not your enemy today.” He rocked the newborn baby girl who only gurgles softly.

- 💜 Anon.

[I always get so excited about your asks fhhhdhgghf]

Oh shit. Is cristons first thought as he looked at Daemon targaryen holding the young princess.

Baelons going to go crazy when he returns. Is the second thought.

"Your own son doesn't want you around, why would you think he wants you around his daughter?" He knows the words hurt the prince from his clenched jaw.

"Put my daughter down." An angry voice hisses and the door slams shut. There stands Baelon, daemons son, seething with irritation.

He surges forward and gently snatches his daughter away, holding her close. "You were asked to leave by my wife, why linger? Don't tell me you wish to play happy family after abandoning me for my entire life."

A lone purple eyes stares daggers at its pair as argella babbles in her father's arms.

"Go home to your wife and children, father."

"Rhaenyra is your stepmother and my children are your siblings."

Baelon stares back impassively, still holding his daughter. " My only siblings are Baela and Rhaena. My only mothers are Rhea Royce,, Laena Velaryon, and Alicent Targaryen."

"Goodbye, Father."

[teleit]

Questions I would like to ask Rhaenyra

As part of a thought experiment, I want to become an interviewer for the show!Rhaenyra Targaryen and ask her the most awkward questions, for which I would lose my journalist license (I don’t have such a license due to the fact that I’m annoying, suffer from ASD, and actually a lawyer, but If I had one, I would have lost it).

But here are some questions I would DEFINITELY ask, risking my hypothetical license:

1) Is it true that your second husband despises your half-siblings based on their mother's lineage? Did he find your mother, Aemma Arryn, equally disgusting? Do you agree with Daemon on this?

2) If Aegon were Aemma's son, would you have a problem naming him heir? If Baelon had survived but your father had married Alicent anyway, would you hate Aegon?

3) Hypothetically, if Aemma could give her opinion on the situation where you swore on her behalf that Daemon did not touch you, knowingly lying, what would she say? Would she be disappointed in you, since you are tarnishing her name and the sacrifice she made, undermining your own rights as an heir with your antics?

4) If you and Daemon believe that Alicent's children are not true Targaryens, can the same be said for your children with Harwin? They are not even 50%, but about 30% Valyrian, considering that you yourself are only 75% Valyrian. Has Daemon ever expressed disgust towards your older children?

5) At Aegon's second birthday party, were you really jealous of the baby, since he was the center of attention, not you? Is that why you went out of your way to ruin the party? Did you enjoy it?

6) Why the fuck didn't you find a father for your children with Laenor among the dragonseeds or the Velaryon bastards? Why Harwyn?

7) Did you really want to torture Aemond during the trial in Driftmark? Someone is trying to say that it was a trick, but we both know that a woman who fucks Daemon at the funeral of Daemon's wife doesn't know much about tricks.

8) Why didn't you ever visit your father after you moved to Dragonstone? Then it wouldn't have been such a shock to see him in his condition when you visited him to seek support against Vaemond and his petition. You weren't exiled (unlike in the book), so you could have seen him. Was it because you didn't want to or were there circumstances?

9) If Laenor hadn't gone along with the fake murder plan, what would you have done? Would you have let Daemon kill him? Didn't you feel sorry for Rhaenys and Corlys, who lost two children one after the other?

10) Do you realize that you have either four or five bastards? Your marriage to Daemon can't be considered official, considering that Laenor was still alive for some time. If he had returned to Westeros, your marriage to Daemon would have been annulled, and Aegon and Viserys would have been recognized as bastards.

This is just what came to mind right now, no deep thought. Besides, in five minutes Daemon would have appeared and chopped off my head for insolence.

[allkordelia]

Keep Me Near Your Heart XXI

"This all such a mess...a big mess...Why...What were you hoping to accomplish when you brought that woman here, Alicent?"

Alicent stare ahead at the flames in the fireplace despair and bitter, ignoring the woman she considered to be her second mother, she and the rest of the family were in the great chambers, Jaenara and Aemond have been gone for five days and the due date was coming up close. And no one know where they are. Their dragon are gone, of course, and nobody from Mageonste or Dragonstone seen them. It's as if they disappeared off the face of the earth, and it's all her fault.

"I can tell you that, mother. She was trying to get rid of Jaenara, so the bastard can give her a real grandchild." Aeron accused glaring at his half-sister as she sat sulking in the armchair close to the fireplace.

"You don't know if thats true, Aeron." Valaena spoke up quickly to defend her sister, she walks up  behind her husband to stand next to him.

"No, it's true." Aegon announce, getting everyone attention expect for his mother as he tilt his goblet back, "What? We all know it is." He says when he notice everyone looking at him.

Rhaelle looks away from her cousin with distress look, she was so worried about Jaenara and the babe, when she went to her chambers that night in hopes to comfort her. The young girl and her prince were no where to be find, at first Rhaelle didn't think much about it, she knew how the young girl felt and she understood that she needed time away. But, that's didn't mean she had to like the fact that her neice was in the wind. 

"I still do not see why we can't go looking from them." Alys says looking over at her mother with her arms cross.

"They need to come home on their own, we can not just drag them back if they are not ready to come home and...and for all we know, maybe they don't even want to come back."

Alys frowns at her mother, before she look over at Alyssa to see her with a small frown too.

It was true. Everyone knew it. What happened at the dinner was despicable and cruel, it was obvious that Alicent wanted to get under Jaenara's skin. And they all knew why, after the private dinner that caused tension between not only Rhaenyra and her father but the king and his queen.

"Maybe, that's a good thing." Rhaenyra said.

Multiple pair of eyes glare over at her as she sat on the couch between her older and younger son, Luke look over at his mother with a deep frown.

"In why in the fuck would that be a 'good thing'" Alys hiss, rhaenyra looks over at her cousin with a placid look.

"I'm just saying, if she doesn't want to come back maybe there's more than one reason than what happened at dinner."

"Yeah, and we're looking at her right now." Baelon snips.

Rhaenyra ignore her cousin before looking at her lady wife and lord husband as daemon just walked in putting his hand on his wife back.

"You know I'm right." Rhaenyra says.

Rhaelle frown at her princess-wife before turning her attention to the queen, Jaenara didn't really talk much about the first couple of months of her marriage to Aemond. All she told us was she miscarried before this one and that's it, we probably wouldn't have known about the miscarriage if it wasn't for Alicent bringing it to light one night at dinner.

"Hard for me to say, but maybe she's right."

Rhaelle along with her kin look at Maekar with a mixture of expressions.

"Are you serious?" Baelon says in dismay, not believing what he was hearing, Maekar gives his mother a look.

"Sadly." Rhaenyra roll her eyes looking away, "But, I wouldn't put it pass Aemond to punish Jaenara for her brother's actions." Maekar looks over at Lucerys, who frown at his cousin making Jacerys glare at Maekar.

"This isn't Luke's fault."

"I didn't say it was, did i?" Maekar snip.

"Then, what are you trying to say, because last time I check. Aemond ran off with Jaenara and they seem to be  happy with one another."

"Well, if your self-righteousness wasn't blinding you, you would have notice how much your sister has change. How she doesn't smile as much as she use to or how she rather spend most of her time outside in the garden than inside the castle--" Romarn chuckles making Maekar stop to look at him.

"It sounds like you fancy her, cousin."

Maekar roll his eyes at Romarn.

"No, unlike you have a very keen sense of detail that helps me understand what's going on around me." Maekar snide, making Ronas snort.

"Sure you do, did your 'keen sense of detail' tell you anything when you were watching her and aemond cooing another that night." Ronas smirk.

Maekar swallow as he stare at his cousin, the look he was giving them was emotionless and some of the others in the room stood awkwardly silent at the tension that appear in the room.

"No." He finally answered, making Ronas raise a brow while his brother grin, "But, if you have any keen sense of a brain, I advise you to keep your asinine, which means foolish by the way, remarks to yourself unless you want to swallow all of your teeth." He threatened.

Ronas roll his eyes with a peeve look, unlike his younger brother, Romarn sneer at the older boy.

"No need to be so testy, Mae." Romarn ribbed, making Maekar flick his eyes to him,"You should learn how to take a jest, maybe then jaenara would find your company a little less intimidating." He chuckle.

Maekar narrow his eyes at his young cousin before he close his eyes and took in a deep breathe before reopening his eyes as he exhale, the rest of the clan watch holding their breath as Maekar turn his attention back to Romarn.

"Yes...Maybe your right, cousin." Romarn smirk as he raise his brow with a look, "Maybe that's why it was easy for you to get Alyaena into bed--"

"Maekar! You bastard." Alyaena cries out with a look of horror and embarrassment.

"I guess humor can be consider an aphrodisiac." He shrugs nonchalant before looking away from Romarn's shock expression, while Alyaena glare at her brother.

"Fucking pig." She mumbled making her brother look at her.

"Stop fussing. If you want to blame someone blame that idiot you let dump his seed into you--"

Alyaena growled balling her fists, she turns to Romarn who looks back at her with a fear in his eyes.

"I'm going to kill you--"

"No." Daemon was quick to around his wife and grab Alyeana's elbow before she could charge at her moronic cousin, her father pulled her back to stand between him and his wife.

"It slipped out." He said low with a sheepish look.

Alyaena roll her eyes angrily looking away from him and crossing her arms, Daemon kept a close eye on his daughter as another argument ensures. 

"Slip out? More like he projectile vomited it out, he wouldn't stop talking until he finally passed out." Aegon chortles from his seat besides Adrielle and Helaena, romarn glared at aegon.

"Shut up." He snapped, "Atleast I wasn't making a fool of myself. Oh where's my belove? Where Adrielle? Where is my beautiful wife, Adrielle? Adrielle, Adrielle, Adrielle." Romarn mocks with a annoyed look, aegon scowled him before he could say anything Adrielle spoke up.

"Don't even justify that with an response, Aegon." Adrielle said leaning against Aegon, "He is just mad that he doesn't have the type of relationship you and I have." Adrielle looks at her lover who gaze at her with a lovesick smile, Aegor stood behind his adopted sister with a shake of a head.

"A relationship build on empty promises and lies, why would anyone want such a union."

Adrielle snap her head around to glare at Aegor, he looks back at her with a raise brow with a look that made her look away with a bitter mood.

"Well, not all of us are bless to be born a boy, little brother. Not all of us have a say in what we can do in our life--"

"Stop it." Aeron interrupted.

"Don't you dare blame my gender for your shortcomings, big sister." He sneer, "It is not my fault that you can't learn to keep your legs close, or mouth for that matter."

"Aegor, that's enough! Apologize to your sister." Valaena chided with a displease look, Aegor look over at his mother before looking back at his sister.

He look at her for a minute, she had a brow raise high with a smug look, she mouth taunts at him as aegon looks at him with a sneer.

"I'll apologize when she pray to the gods for forgiveness."

"For what?" Adrielle gives him a offended look, Aegor tilt his head to the side.

"For killing your baby."

Adrielle's face drop along with Aegon, the room went quiet, so quiet that rhaelle could hear the rats in the walls.

"What is he talking about, Adrielle." The young princess drop her gaze to the floor, "...Aegor." Aeron turn his accusing eyes to his eldest son, who averted his own to anywhere that wasn't his family.

"Maybe, this should be discuss in a more private setting–" Rhaelle started.

"No! There's no need for that...I already got my answer."

Aegor and Adrielle look towards each other before looking at their father, Aeron stare at them with a coldness that they never been on the receiving end of before.

"Papa--" Adrielle start with tears in her eyes but Aeron raise up a hand stopping her.

"Don't." He drop his hand with an exhale, "I have allow you to do..whatever you want for the pass seventeen years, mainly because of your mother, but now I see I should have done more." He nodded to himself before he looks up at his daughter, he glance at aegon before looking at adrielle, "This decision hurts me more than you can ever imagine." Adrielle frown at her father's words before staring in confound as he turn on his heels walking away.

"What does that mean?" She asked once he left out the door, Adrielle look at her mother and grandmother, "M-Mama, what does father speak of?" She asked desperately, Valaena snap out of her thoughts before she looks at her daughter.

Valaena didn't say a word as she turns making Adrielle stand up from the couch, she called for her mother again only for it to fall on deaf ears as Valaena left quickly. Adrielle stood in the middle of the room feeling as if her world just came crumbling around her, Aegon glance at Helaena who stare at Adrielle with worry.

Alyssa was the first to move as she stood and walk over to her cousin, she touch Adrielle's shoulder gently as the other girl stare blankly at the door.

"Adrielle...Are you alright?" Alyssa whispered moving to stand beside her.

Adrielle didn't respond instead she starts crying, she covered her mouth before she stumble forward towards the door.

"Adrielle!" Aegon called after concerned before getting off the couch with Helaena in toe.

They left the great chambers to follow after Adrielle, the rest of the family stood still watching in utter shock. Again, Alyssa was the first to move and she turn to Aegor with a look, making the other boy sense his belove heated gaze.

"Don't look at me like that, she started--"

"Your an ass, Aegor." Alyssa snapped making Aegor roll his eyes.

"Spare me, please." He started, "She did it to herself, if she stop pushing me--"

"You could have walked away." Baelon said, Aegor look at him.

"Would you and Alys."

Baelon glance at Alys before shrugging his shoulders.

"Fair point."

Alyssa rolled her eyes at him putting her attention back on her nephew.

"You had no right--" She pointed at him.

"Gods! Why is it every time something happens between me and adrielle, im the one at fault and not her."

"That's not true, darling." Rhaelle said.

"But, it is, my mother has always taken adrielle's side and father only does what mother tells him to do." He says, "It's not fair she never gets in trouble...never." he looks at Alyssa before shaking his head and stalk towards the door.

Rhaelle touch his arm but he only kept walking, Alyssa goes after him not before giving her mother a look that she take care of him before leaving out the door.

"Can this day get any worse." Alyaena utter under her breathe before flopping down on the couch that was inhabited by Adrielle, Aegon, and Helaena.

Just as she said that Alicent gets up from her chair catching everybody's else attention, the queen turns slowly looking over towards rhaelle with red eyes and dried tears covered her flush cheeks.

"Do you really wish to know why I brought Alys River here?" Alicent said in a low and empty voice, rhaelle swallow eyeing Alicent, "I brought her here because I knew if jaenara saw her...she fall back into desolation, she would have shut herself out, stop eating, and slowly fade away in her room like before. She would have loss the baby but...atleast Aemond would have had Rivers and their child in the end." Alicent finish, she glance around the room fo Daemon along with his children glare at her with hate, while Rhaenyra and her son were unbothered by her words.

Alicent snap her eyes to rhaelle when the old queen took a step forward before walking up to her, Alicent straighten her back and she close her eyes, hoping the slap would be painful. She waited for a moment, but nothing came, she opened her eyes and she felt her heart crack in her ribcage as she stare back at the disappointed and unforgiving eyes of her step-mother.

Rhaelle gaze over Alicent's features trying to figure out what she did to make Alicent like this, all she ever done was be a good mother to her and love her like she birth her. But, love from rhaelle wasn't enough for the queen, or maybe there wasn't love in her at all, maybe Otto made sure of that.

Alicent held her breathe when rhaelle opened her mouth, but rhaelle stop herself and purse her mouth shut. She looks at Alicent with a tired a look before she turn away from her, Alicent watch with furrow brows as the rest of the family follow after the former queen.

Rhaenyra was the last to leave, she held onto the handle of the door before looking at Alicent. The queen stood there hollow as tears gathered in her eyes again, Alicent look at Rhaenyra finally, they stare at each other for a moment before Alicent was the first to look away and turn back to the fure. Rhaenyra watch as she sat back down again and went back to staring emotionless like statue at the fireplace, the older princess slowly closing the door behind her as a feeling she never thought she feel for Alicent again appeared.

[nyracel]

hotd episode three thoughts:

episode was titled ‘the burning mill’ for the battle of the burning mill and we only get to see the aftermath. no black aly, no bloody ben, just pain and suffering.

“i can’t fault him for upkeeping his oath.” is such a lame excuse, since he tried to kill her last episode, they could’ve just had her say she wants to honor erryk and his sacrifice by allowing him to have peace with the brother he still loved despite everything.

i went from ‘i still kind of care about you even though i’m not a big fan of the changes’ in regard to rhaenys to full on dislike. good job condal!! “maybe you can talk peace with alicent (she has proven time and time again her demon spawn will not listen to her) 😜 luke taking aemond’s eye started the war (a 7 year old defending his brother 6 years ago caused the war, sure jan) 🤪 im gonna imply you being practical about the war’s inevitably will cause me to stop supporting you 😋 just in a silly goofy mood 😛😛”

i liked mysaria and rhaenyra’s conversation, and appreciate the setting up for addam claiming seasmoke.

gwayne fucking hightower had more speaking lines than jace. glad to see he pissed his pants when confronted with moondancer however.

baela>>> arguably best part of the episode. dany’s theme playing over her and moondancer’s entrance is reaffirming my fancast <3

corlys whining about joffrey only being six and knowing nothing of the sea is honestly hilarious since that’s how most heirs start off as? also not surprised he doesn’t consider rhaena good enough to be his heir when he’s proven time and time again he’ll only support women in power if it benefits him. can’t wait to watch greencels bend over backwards and claim this is rhaenyra’s fault once again !

actually the way rhaena was treated this episode is just major ick vibes. the writers have this obsession with making every non-dragon rider targ a liability to their family? which makes no sense at all, but they couldn’t even include one line of rhaenyra saying she was sending rhaena to the vale for her safety to? i’m glad she told her upfront she was entrusting the future of their house to her (an omen for morning? i’m not holding my breath) but still.

you mean to tell me aemond’s biggest adversary in life wasn’t his toddler nephews??? but instead his big brother??? who has no redeeming qualities and proves he’s willing to hurt him to feed his own ego??? shocked, i tell you. absolutely shocked. ‘true brotherhood’ defenders are going to lose their shit when aemond attempts to kill aegon next episode (apparently twice? for once i’ll be on his side i guess).

the showrunners brought dyana back just to have her serve the man who raped her and be sexually assaulted again, what a feminist take!

had to see a dude get sucked down in the same scene. now i need luke to take my eye(s) out too.

i did NOT need to see aemond’s dingaling what the fuck

baelon’s… bastard… son? the same baelon who was head over heels in love with alyssa? the same baelon who never took another wife nor even looked at another woman after her death? the same baelon who’s sister couldn’t even convince him to take her to wife? vaegon having a bastard would be more believable.

helaena apparently doesn’t give a shit about jaehaerys! more absolute bangers from the writing department. instead of going mad over this loss and deliberately throwing herself out her window she’s going to see a really pretty butterfly that she must have and accidentally tumble over the balcony.

rhaenys praising jaehaerys is so fucked, he’s the reason you’re not queen right now, and he laid the groundwork for the greens to have any claim at all EAT MY ASS

why is alys american.

daemon’s harrenhal arc seems very interesting -so far- it was great to milly’s rhaenyra again (also am i the only one that thought she was holding a baby, jace or a hypothetical ‘what if daemon married her to begin with’ and not sewing up jae’s head) also “you will die in this place” is peak foreshadowing honestly.

alicent continues to pull the ‘i didn’t think the leopards would eat MY face!!!’ “i have perhaps been unkind but never dishonest” copium much??? you deliberately made rhaenyra and her kids life’s a living hell bc she managed to find happiness in her situation and you couldn’t stand that.

that sept scene was dumb as shit but at least rhaenyra has exhausted every single option possible for no war and her antis can shove it and be reminded that she’s the only monarch that gave a shit about the destruction about to happen. ‘team neutral’ team fucking idiot more like.

episode is rated 2/10 for baela, rhaena, jace/joff/aegon/viserys crumbs, and house blackwood mention.

[anxiousnerdwritings]

Unexpected (kinda) pure thought: Aemma and sicklybrother!reader get to hang out cuz they’re both bedridden all the time and support each other through their shit health. I also love the idea of them talking shit about everybody at court together and nobody suspecting anything cuz they have such spotless reputations. Also Rhaenyra doing the same thing w Aemma in episode one where she’s like ‘all these people are fussing over your health, who’s fussing over you?’ and spends time with him chatting and laughing.

When Aemma/baby Baelon dies and they all have the funeral on those windy-ass hills Reader being like “I’ve lost my friend, my brother and king has to burn his wife and child today, my niece has lost her mother and the realm has lost their queen, I’m going to be out there if it fucking kills me,” even if he has to be carried he’s not skipping it.

Rhaenyra curling up in her uncles bed the way she did as a little girl for comfort when Daemon is exiled and Viserys is distant 😢.

When the ‘heir for a day’ thing happens he gently confronts Daemon ‘did you really say it? I don’t want to hear it from Otto, I want to hear it from you. I’m not angry, I just want you to be honest with me’ (according to BTS stuff they filmed the scene w Daemon saying it but he genuinely said it in a honouring kinda way, not mocking)

Reader biting his lip til it bleeds to stop from crying/expressing his own grief cuz he’s trying to be strong for everyone and providing genuine advice even though he’s so sad and stressed. Emotional support animal vibes. Which makes him easy for Alicent to swoop in and ‘save’.

- 🦇

When I tell you I fucking love this idea so much, I mean it! Aemma and Sickly!Younger!Brother!Reader being the bestest besties in all the realm is just too wholesome for my heart to handle. Also, I absolutely adore that scene of Rhaenyra visiting Aemma and her mother nudges her with her foot. No doubt that exact same action and the mention of ‘all these people fussing over your health, who’s fussing over you?’ would happen more often then not when regarding Rhaenyra, the Reader and Aemma together. I also totally can see Rhaenyra having heard that exact sentence be uttered by either her mother or her uncle directed towards the other which in turn is why she used it. It’s like their own little thing they say to each other that Rhaenyra no doubt picked up given how much time she spent around them together.

I have no doubt in my mind that Aemma would spend most of her time by Sickly!Reader’s side, both being tended to simultaneously. They both share their annoyance at being so fret over by everyone else and just wanting some peace away from the maesters and servants hovering over them. I love the idea of the two having their own little get away place just for the two of them, and maybe Rhaenyra. Just somewhere the two could get some peace and serenity without anyone breathing down their necks about their health. I especially love the thought of this secret place having been founded and used by Sickly!brother!Reader way before he shared it with Aemma. Daemon is probably the only other person who knows about this spot, mainly because he went to visit the Reader one late night and found his bedchambers completely empty and nearly had a heart attack because of it but eventually found his sibling safe and sound in said secret place.

I definitely see Aemma and Sickly!Brother!Reader not only being the best of friends but also being more akin to brother and sister (and not in the Targaryen way). So when Aemma dies he not only lost his best friend but a sister too and it only adds all the more to the hurt. And he sure as hell is going to be in attendance at her and his nephew’s funeral. He’s not going to let anything keep him from being there for his brother and niece. He’s not going to let anything stop him from being there to send off his beloved best friend, his sister and her child to the gods. I can’t help but imagine Daemon being the one to come across the Reader trying to make his way out of the castle to where the funeral pyre, having trouble due to his health but still stubbornly trying to get back to his feet to get to where he needs to be. The Reader thinks Daemon is just there to stop him and is already in the midst of shutting down any attempts to prevent him from going through with his endeavors, but instead he’s met with Daemon holding his arm out for him to lean on and help aid him while he tries to walk again.

The sight of the Reader making his feeble yet determined way in support of Viserys and Rhaenyra in their time of need is something they both had desperately hoped to have happen but never imagined it coming to be. Viserys would be incredibly appreciative and thankful that his youngest brother was there, a part of him had wanted to bring the Reader out himself but he didn’t want to compromise his health more than it already was and end up having another funeral because of it. But seeing his brother, having him there was something Viserys would never forget. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra is absolutely brimming with relief and gratitude upon her beloved uncle making his way to stand among her and her father in mourning.

After Aemma’s death, Sickly!brother!Reader wouldn’t do too well. His bedchambers alone was a bittersweet reminder of her constantly, every single day, given how much she spent her time by his side laughing, chainring, gossiping, and everything else. Even with the bustling maesters and servants or even Alicent’s presence isn’t enough to take away from the quiet he now felt surrounded him without Aemma there. If anything Alicent’s constant presence would only be yet another reminder of Aemma, the way she now sits by his side the way Aemma once did or how she tried to talk to him in a similar fashion that Aemma did. For a good while, Sickly!Brother!Reader would try and avoid his room as much as possible, slipping away whenever he had the strength too. Hell, even when he didn’t have it in him he would still try to get away from the one place that reminded him most of his late friend. Even Viserys wouldn’t be able to bring himself to visit his brother for awhile, not after the many times he’d come across both his most treasured loved ones keeping each other company throughout their ordeals in the same said room.

On the other hand, Rhaenyra would depend even more on her uncle after her mother and baby brother’s deaths. She finds his company being the most comforting, getting to be in a space where her mother often was too made Rhaenyra feel even closer to her all over again. Not only that but she was often reminded of the fond memories of her, her mother, and her beloved uncle all being together and laughing away even given the weakened state her uncle was especially in. Rhaenyra would be glued to the Reader’s side once Viserys pulls away and Daemon is exiled. Her Sickly!Uncle was always the one she could consistently depend on no matter what and even now he continued to be there for her when she needed someone most.

Alicent would be jealous of the attention and overall closeness of the Reader and Rhaenyra. She’s understanding that both are going through something grievous, everyone affected by Aemma’s death is but she still can’t help but envy Rhaenyra getting to be so close to the Reader all she wants. Getting the Reader’s undivided time and attention, his comfort and assurance, all of it. Alicent understands the loss of a mother, she lost her own some time ago after all and she desperately wished she had someone like the Reader back then to do the same for her as he was doing for Rhaenyra. Not only that but Alicent also wished, hoped, prayed for more than anything that she could be someone the Reader could lean on, someone who could give him comfort and reassurance. She wanted to be the one to hold him, to soothe away his pain and anguish, she wanted to be the one he could depend on. Meanwhile her farther was forcing her to be exactly that for Viserys instead. Now that doesn’t mean she wasn’t also using the same methods with the Reader as she was with Viserys, trying to get him to just give into her even just a little bit. But out of the two Viserys was much weaker to it then his youngest brother.

If Sickly!Brother!Reader ever found out that Aemma’s cause of death was mainly due to the caesarean section that Viserys had the maesters do to save baby Baelon he wouldn’t be able to look at his brother again. He understands his brother’s position in the moment but he can’t help but hold quite a lot of blame and resentment towards Viserys for the choice he made. Eventually the Reader could come to accept it but knowing that it was his brothers choice that killed Aemma would be a hard hit to the Reader.

Regarding the ‘heir for a day’ comment, the Reader definitely wants to hear it himself from Daemon and only Daemon. He isn’t going to take anyone else’s word for it. And as calm and gentle as the Reader is coming off in the moment, he’s really seething with an overwhelming intensity of emotion. Daemon better explain himself right and clearly to his younger brother otherwise he’s getting a well deserved punch to the face, one that takes everything out of the Reader and leads to him collapsing onto the floor resulting in Daemon rushing to his side. It’s only then that the Reader fully allows himself to finally let out all the emotions he’s been bottling up in favor of being the one everyone else can depend on. Breaking down, sobbing so aggressively that Daemon can’t help but look on worriedly as his brother crumbles. All he can do is hold his baby brother and comfort him as much as he can until he calms himself down enough to be placed back into his bed and down some much needed water.

[writingsofwesteros]

https://www.tumblr.com/writingsofwesteros/765067368816852992/httpswwwtumblrcomwritingsofwesteros765056251?source=share

but when they get to the party Jae gets annoyed and jealous when Hera is dancing with a pretty Tyrell boy, and he gets like Aemond- dangerously quiet. He stalks over and pulls Hera's arm, pulling her out to the car. "We're almost past curfew," He grumbled. "Get in the car." Hera huffed as she got in. "Jeez, Jae, what on earth was that? We were just-" "You were just grinding all over some Tyrell asshole, Hera," Jae snapped- he rarely snapped at anyone. "Oh, what- are you our fathers now? Jae, seriously, what-" Hera looked at how his expression was set in stone, as he gripped the steering wheel. "Jae," Hera spoke in a calmer voice. "Are you jealous?" She asked. He didn't say anything. "Jae pull over." She insisted. "No." "Jae pull over or I'll grab the fucking wheel." She insisted- jeez, she sounded like Aunt Nora sometimes. He pulled over, but still didn't look at her. "Answer me." "Can we just go home?" He asked. "Not until you admit you were jealous." She said. "Why does it matter?" He asked. "Because I wanted you to be!" She said exasperatedly. Jae's eyes widened, as he looked at her. "You-" "Yes, Jae, I was trying to get you jealous. Just like I was every time I went out on a date or told Baelon or Aenar to tell you I was off with a guy on campus when I was really with Myrcella, okay?" She confessed. He didn't know what to say- admittedly, he could be as emotionally constipated as Aemond sometimes. Also that 'thing' that Aemond, Aeg, Nora, Hel and Daella had was in fact sexy times since Baelon and Aenar were over at Alicent's and Saera was asleep. But anway...twincest 🤭

!!!!!!

Why are they too cute, poor Jae just blushing madly...

The car ride is silent the rest of the way whilst Hera is happy she's spoken her feelings

[snowbryneich]

Anarchy Preempted AU with Fem!Jace and male!Baela 🧍‍♀️

Jace would probably think giving Baelon kids and reaffirming “his claim” would save Luke. Because obviously he will be the ‘real’ ruler of the two of them when she reaches majority! Probably too dark an au actually, but you usually make everything emo so I’m trying to keep it on brand. 😂

I wasn't sure if this was a drabble request or just an idea of how this verse would go - behind a cut as longish (and dark) if you want a drabble request give me an age and i'll try!

It would be dark, I think yeah. I do think Jacaera would be less convinced she was going to die as a girl whose claim can be ignored even if Daemon has inexplicably crowned her and constantly convinced Luke was, which is not too helpful for her state of mind. And she knows what her fate is likely to be as a captured girl from the start.

Like when Laena came to get Jace for the wedding in the main fic he was clueless at first, but Jacaera would be given a wedding cloak and panic and be frantically telling Lady Laena she hasn't flowered and not really here for listening to reassurence. Only Baelon being her age would calm her down.

Jace is engaging with Baela on the wedding night because you have to be nice to girls where as Baelon would be getting yes my lord husbanded to death by Jacaera (and still cross about the insult to his grandfather if that had been said.)

Jacaera would desperately to hide when she flowered (ala Sansa - possibly with less panic and slightly more success but not much.)

I think a turning point would have been when Daemon dragged Jace out of the sept and they fell down and bloodied their nose - he'd be much sorrier to have done it to a girl (not that Jacaera believes him) but when he gets back to the keep and Baelon who is more likely to be in the yard than Baela and see his strange quiet little wife who hates him with her busted up nose he'd be outraged "Have you stuck my wife?"- he punches his dad in the face. This goes badly for him because he's still a preteen and Daemon punches back out of instinct but is probably their first moment of connection. He tried.

Saving Rhaena getting her improved treatment (or less ignoring from Baelon because I think he'd be less snappy than female Baela. Laena did install some manners in him about not being rude to girls that just don't have the same connontations for Baela being rude to a boy, husband or not and Laena is there to reinforce them) would probably only confirm to Jacaera he'd rather have married Rhaena and is stuck with her. Rather than thinking he could just being happy his sister isn't dragonfodder. And got a dragon.

Also without Jace holding the line they probably would be sharing a bed earlier ala Rhaenys saying Laena would bed Viserys at 14. But nothing would be happening Baelon's not dumb and not into unwilling (he remains unaware of the gender politics behind brothel work - so that anon can fuck off if they are about to start) so he didn't touch her and just cut his hand and marked the sheet when it started. Jacaera is like this is because I'm not pretty (and he's also still out making his own arrangements for sex) which is unhelpful for her thoughts on that front. (So yes cheating he literally thinks his wife doesn't want him so what does she care. ) Jacaera is getting side eye from the maids and then Rhaenys (when she's in town because she's extra mad Daemon has crowned a ten year old Queen) every time she gets her moonblood and Laena like encouraging maybe next month while Jacaera is thinking not likely. Jacaera wouldn't push like Baela so her attempts would be assuring Baelon she would do her duty and he's backing out of the room like that's the least hot thing anyone has ever said.

Jacaera didn't go to driftmark when Laena went into Labour either because Baelon was fully available as no-one summons a son to his mother's childbed (I mean normally - Jace and Luke got to in canon but I think the childbed and the war breaking out at once made an exception.)

Jacaera might be able to hold Alyssa and hint she wants a baby - she could use that plot and Baelon like ah? with me? you don't otherwise seem keen.

Honestly I think Jacaera could keep it all in until she gives birth to a daughter and Baelon is like we can call her Rhaenyra. He's trying and the hormones over take over and she's in tears like I needed a boy so your family don't kill my brother. Baelon :what now?

[theredpharaoah]

The misogyny always comes out. Vermithor was not wild and definitely tolerated people being near him. Rhaenyra the least courageous of all Targaryens? Be fucking serious. The fact that she, a woman, decided to push her claim to the iron throne when it was usurped by her male brother - her enemy having Vhagar and Dreamfyre - makes her one of the most courageous Targs of all. She wasn’t just fighting a war against The Greens, she was fighting a war against Westerosi culture. Who do they think is strong and courageous? Aegon the Sex Offender or the One-eyed baby? Maybe Sweet Helaena?(I just peeped this is a Greens subreddit. How do you read the books and end up a Green? Ppl wanna be different so bad. It’s okay to have common sense.)

Also, what is this narrative that the Dragons just kill anyone who enters their general vicinity? That makes no sense. The Valyrians domesticated dragons to have a disposition toward those with Valyrian blood. I mean Viserra had them damn boys in the dragon pit. The keepers intervened, but they were in the damn thing so I’m assuming there were dragons around. And Rhaena was clearly able to be around Balerion without issue. The dragons don’t seem to enjoy being overly bothered, and they don’t let anyone other than their riders or those with Valyrian blood ride them, but other than that they mind their business. Viserion, Drogon, and Rhaegal don’t randomly attack Dany’s attendants - Viserion even likes a couple of them. Even the wild ones aren’t going around killing people willy-nilly. Grey Ghost(my poor baby) was shy, Sheepstealer kept to herself, and The Cannibal ate baby dragons. The dragons that had riders would obviously be even more accepting of company; they’re constantly surrounded and “controlled” by the Dragonkeepers. Of course Rhaenyra, a Targaryen and a dragon rider would be able to control the dragons. Remember when Daemon flew Vhagar back? How would he have been able to do that if she just refused to listen to him? And what do they mean make it possible for the Dragonseeds to ride dragons? She can’t force the dragons to take riders they don’t want. Vermithor was Jahaerys’ dragon and we saw Daemon visit him too; maybe they’re visiting him for spiritual reasons? The Valyrian spirituality/religion has never been developed. Maybe they think Vermithor still has some aspect of Jahaerys in him and wants advice?

Furthermore, I think people are really attached to this Eragon idea of dragons and bonding. Based off of the material; the ONLY prerequisite to claiming a dragon is Targaryen blood. There doesn’t seem to be no “it’s the dragon who chooses the rider” mess or anything like that. The dragons don’t seem to attack Targaryens coming to claim them or even be around them. I mean Baelon lil bad ass bopped Balerion on the nose and he ain’t do anything. If they were as volatile as yall would like us to believe, Baelon would’ve been ashes or a snack. And when the Alyssa went to claim a dragon, the dragonkeepers had to convince her not to claim Balerion. And I’m assuming it was probably because they knew Jahaerys would be pissed if she claimed him, or they wanted to prevent an Aerea thing from happening again. But I have no doubt she could’ve claimed him. In my opinion, the only thing that holds back Targs from claiming dragons is themselves and their families. I think they’ve bought into this idea that dragons choose their riders. And I think a lot of that stems from Jahaerys’ reign.

[simplynotcapable]

I’m curious, in that “Baelon is Visenya’s uncle ‘verse”:

A) how does that change - *if* it does - the relationship(s) between Daemon, Baelon, and Visenya?

Is Daemon more protective/platonically possessive of Visenya in that ‘verse? (aka “that’s *my* firstborn daughter you’re eyeing, nephew”)

B) if so, is Viserys having a grand old time, sitting there laughing about uncles, nieces, and karma?

Tangent - I really love that we know the words for family in High Valyrian and what they might imply about about family structures in Valyrian culture (for example, “kepa” being used for both father and father’s brother - especially since mother’s brother is “iapa” or “qybor”- suggests that a father’s male siblings might be seen as additional/surrogate fathers whereas a mother’s male siblings would take more of an “uncle role”). If I’m right, It definitely makes the creep/cringe factor of Daemyra in canon even worse 😬😂🤦‍♀️

Hi!!!

The relationship between Baelon and Daemon would still be largely the same, if not a little closer considering they’d be spending more time together.

I don’t think Visenya and Daemon’s would be much different from dragonglass and gold either, since she largely sees him as her father there anyway, but if anything they’d be less tightknit. Part of the reason the twins cleave so close to Daemon is their bad relationship with Viserys, and Visenya’s driving force is very much entangled with the fact that Daemon’s the only male authority figure she has that didn’t a) kill her mother and therefore show he does not give a flying fuck about the women in his life’s agency, and b) spend all his time around her bemoaning how she looks like said dead wife. In a life where Viserys is just her weird grandpa and she has two parents with a relatively healthy (psa: grooming is bad and never healthy kids, every modern!Daemon au should put him in prison for statutory) marriage, she isn’t really seeking that same validation from him. She’s always had from Daemon what she was missing from her relationship with Viserys, so she doesn’t have to go through the whole “love me please i’ll be worth it i swear just look at me” sort of thing that she does when Viserys is her father.

Daemon’s just her dad. He’s annoying. Makes kind of gross jokes. Keeps knocking up her mom even though there’s so gods-damn many kids running around that she wants to yank out all of her hair.

Daemon is 100% the dad that sits on the porch cleaning a gun when his daughter has their first date, so Baelon and Visenya’s friendship makes him very erratic. Just frothing at the mouth “what do you mean they went on a 3am flight alone i’m going to eat his pancreas raw” and “WHY IS HIS HAND ON HER BACK RIGHT NOW RHAENYRA” even though Baelon and Visenya have a mostly pretty platonic relationship for most of their childhood.

Viserys thinks this is karmic justice from the gods, is absolutely no help whatsoever, and uses it to very cheerfully fuck with Daemon all the time.

(Daemon: get your SON

Viserys: it’s perfectly innocent. what kind of uncle would seduce their fifteen year old niece?

Daemon:

Viserys: it isn’t like he’s bringing her to brothels

Daemon:

Viserys: or stealing her from her wedding

Daemon:

Viserys: that’d be an example of a bad uncle

Daemon:

Viserys: I’m calling you a—

Daemon: no yeah I got the message thanks)

I’ve never thought about the significance of kepa being a word for uncle and father, but that’s a really interesting point. The age gap and how young Nyra is when Daemon is starting to show interest is weird enough. Thinking about it through the lens of Daemon having this cultural responsibility to act as a father figure and instead being like “familial power as a stepping stone to being a child predator, a 500 page guide by Daemon Targaryen” makes it 1000x worse and also just more fascinating a dynamic than it already was.

Thank you!! 🩵

[moonlitgleek]

I would love to hear your thoughts about Fire and Blood when you finish it! (Or not even when you finish it, just whenever, cuz you're amazing!) 💕

I have the best friends in the world! Love and hugs, lady.

I am halfway through and I intend to go back and reread each chapter once I finish since I keep blowing through pages because I want to know all the things, which is not very good for proper processing. But a few of the things that jumped at me so far:

(spoilers for Fire and Blood volume 1 under the cut)

1. Gyldayn seems more rambly and prone to ponder sexual scandals than Yandel. He spent waaaay too much time talking about that, and while sexuality is at the heart of some conflicts, the way he went on about the story of Coryanne Wylde and the sordid details of how she was “examined” really undermines his position as a historian and makes me overly iffy on him. Also, there are private conversations between Jaehaerys and Alysanne that I’d really like to know his source on.

2. Speaking of authors, what the actual fuck George? You’d think that in a book that goes so into detail about unconfirmed scandals he’d have the room to expand on someone like, idk, Argella Durrandon? He had the chance to make her story a bit better but he not only did he uphold her forceful loss of voice being the last we hear of her, he compounded the matter by also having Marla Sunderland’s tongue removed before she was packed off to the Silent Sisters. Literal stripping of women’s voices for defiance, by their own men no less, when it’s so unnecessary and so singular in its gendered use in the plot infuriates me. There is a lot of overlap between gender and silencing of voice in this (Argella, Marla, Ceryse Hightower, Rhaena Targaryen). UGH.

3. On the topic of women, Torrhen Stark’s daughter not only does not have a name, she is completely unmentioned in Jonos Arryn’s rebellion, nor by her nephew (?) Alaric with either Alysanne or Jaehaerys. Looks a bit peculiar since Alaric obviously brooded on the consequences of Targaryen decision for his family in the case of Jaehaerys and those he sent to the Wall, so is there any particular reason Torrhen’s daughter goes completely unmentioned even when the topic of marriage was raised and southern matches brought up, George?

4. Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys are outright referred to as the three heads of the dragon. It’s no longer symbolic or understood but an explicit connection. That’s way too obvious for me to buy that Rhaegar’s Aegon and Rhaenys don’t point straight to a recreation of the Conquest Trio.

5. The war of escalating atrocities between Dorne and the Targaryens is terrible but I feel like there is a conscious effort to make the Targaryens seem better somewhat? The mention of them trying to negotiate at this point before actually utilizing dragonflame is weird because it is not consistent with anything in the Conquest. I don’t know what to do with that part.

6. The First Dornish War makes Daeron I’s folly in the conquest more obvious. Dornish terrain is as much an element to conquer as Dornish people and it costs a lot to manage it. Keeping conquered Dornish ground is bloody hard even with dragons. Daeron even leaves a Tyrell in charge just like Aegon.

7. Is it just me or does the Targaryen succession look weird in early days? Jaehaerys is referred to as the rightful heir by all rights then a few pages later it’s nope, Aerea is then suddenly we’re talking about Rhaena’s claim even though every reference to Targaryen succession before that points to a male-preference primogeniture. Alysanne takes issue with Jaehaerys treating Aemon as his heir over Daenerys even though Jaehaerys’ accession is tarnished based on that principle. There is a distinct vibe of seeing the son of Rhaenys the Queen Who Never Was as the expected heir of Aemon rather than Rhaenys herself (though this could partly because Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys wanted to put forward a potential male heir to offset Baelon being seen as the natural successor - since when was Baelon seen as the natural successor though? That apparently wasn’t only Jaehaerys’ sentiment so was that a popular view while Aemon lived or a reaction to Baelon avenging Aemon? Was Aemon aware and that’s why he made a comment to Rhaenys about liking a grandson, or was that regular era preference of male heirs?). Main takeaway though is that Jaehaerys passing over Rhaenys had nothing with extant competing claims but was about regarding Baelon as a natural successor for his gender, age and prowess. Jaehaerys pretty much didn’t even consider Rhaenys. Headdesk. You’re killing me, man.

8. I feel like the characters of Rhaena Targaryen and Alyssa Velaryon are being walked back. The point where apparently Septon Barth comments that Alyssa undoubtedly wanted to do the right thing but didn’t know what that was flies in the face of her previously established actions. I don’t like how she was taken down from an active and conscious political player, to a confused and almost secondary player next to Rogar (much preferred him when he was Robar, both the name and the person) till their final tiff, to  a womb and another casualty of childbirth with the emphasis being on her children. Rhaena may have called out the latter but the whole thing feels like a punishment for Alyssa for first opposing Jaehaerys and Alysanne then opposing Rogar. As for Rhaena, she swings between political sacrifice for the greater good to treating Jaehaerys and Alysanne with contempt for it. Resentment is perfectly normal and understandable but Rhaena surpasses that. She is purposely cast in an unfavorable light and her sexuality is strongly used to frame it.

9. There is a bit of exoneration after the fact to Jaehaerys sentencing most of Maegor’s Kingsguard to the Wall on contradicting arguments. I get his point about oathbreaking but punishing those who deserted Maegor because they didn’t uphold their vows to protect hum while also punishing those who didn’t desert him for defending and enabling a murderous usurper is extremely contradictory. That the two knights who deserted Maegor then deserted the Night’s Watch and a caused a conflict that claimed the life of Walton Stark neatly brushes this quandary off because it demonstrates that Jaehaerys was right.

10. I love how Septon Barth and Alysanne often work as a team in pushing Jaehaerys towards one policy or another. On more than one occasion, one of them makes the argument and the other comes with the definitive final strike. I love the women’s court and Alysanne’s Laws though I think there is a certain vagueness in the way Jaehaerys codified inheritance in the Widow’s Law. I’m still midway through Viserys I’s tenure though so I don’t know if this will be raised in any sort of legal argument for the Dance but it’s a non-issue so far.

11. I hate how Daella Targaryen was written. I hate how we keep adding names to the “death by childbirth” list. I hate how the child brides keep getting ignored. This is too conspicuous in the case of Daella and her daughter Aemma Arryn. Queen Alysanne held herself and especially Jaehaerys to blame for Daella’s death because she felt that, at 16-17, they wed her too early and that contributed to her death in childbed. But it’s treated like a non-issue that Aemma married Viserys at 11 and was bedded at 13.

12. I’m indescribably charmed by how Baelon the Brave got his epithet by booping a dragon on the nose. Also, the relationship between Aemon and Baelon, and Baelon and Alyssa. Too bad we can’t have nice things.

13. I already lost my shit over this in DMs with you but still, Aerea Targaryen! Aerea Targaryen! Oh my god. I was equally horrified and fascinated. A speculated trip to Valyria that resulted in the princess’ body being inhabited by “worms with faces” or “snakes with hands” made of fire and heat that cooked her body from the inside. This surpasses Valyria being a thin place or geophysically unstable. This means there is a Lovecraftian horror capable of using human bodies (and non-human bodies, Balerion was wounded as well but dragons are fire made flesh so that probably protected him) as vessels to… spread? Take over? Turn people into dragonic/fire abominations? Also, also, is that take over possible for anyone or is whatever is dormant in Targaryen DNA that tends to emerge with the use of magic in the form of babies with dragon-like qualities (though it appeared in non-magical cases) makes them more susceptible?

COMPARE TO THE OTHERS. A Lovecraftian horror made of ice and another made of fire. Blood magic probably behind the creation (calling?) of both. We still don’t know how the Others came to be and there has been legitimate rebuttals to the show’s version of their creations BUT I think what could be taken from the show is the suggestion that this is blood magic gone wrong.Both take over human bodies though differently (is this linked to living bodies being warm and dead ones growing cold? Is that why the fire-based monstrosity manifests in living creatures while the Others trades in dead bodies? The things beneath Aerea’s skin burst out either when they felt the cold of the ice bath the maesters put her in or when she suffered cardiac arrest and died. Either way it’s connected to cold)  The cosmic balance between ice and fire has deeper roots….. now I’m really curious as to the nature of the magic of the Wall that keeps ice and fire firmly separated.

14. We are slowly building a succession history for the Starks: Torrhen Stark -> son (?) Brandon -> son Walton -> brother Alaric -> grandson Edric -> Ellard of undetermined relation. That’s how as far as I got in the book but that’s too far from the Benjen Stark that starts the Stark family tree in TWOIAF. Cregan Stark was already Lord of Winterfell by 129 so that’s a period of 28 years between that and the Great Council that also fits the aforementioned Benjen and his son Rickon, Cregan’s father and grandfather.

15. I’m so not a fan of the art in this book. It ranges from blatantly inaccurate (Aemond and Luke during the Dance, SIGH), to exaggerated (Elinor Costayne is weird in that art with Maegor. Also, did she wait to react till she climbed the entire Iron Throne? And Jaehaerys was cool and measured in his response to Maegor’s supporters after landing in the Red Keep. WHY does he look like he is yelling in the art?) to weird (Which of the Black Brides is dressed like a septa and why? Why does Jaehaerys look like all of 8 at his coronation when he was actually 14?). Perhaps that’s a bit nitpicky but I’m not impressed tbh.

16. GRRM overdid it with Jaehaerys’ reign imo. There is writing conflict because peace and prosperity is dull to write, and there is cramming every possible conflict under the sun in the story. Was there anything missing? I count family drama, political intrigues, succession questions, plague, policy changes, financial crisis, winter, and mini-rebellions. He reigned for a long time so I get it but at one point it was one conflict after another that I’m having trouble reconciling what I read with previous descriptions of Jaehaerys’ reign.

17. There is a lot to talk about with Jaehaerys and Alysanne but I want to get the timeline straight and give it some more thought. But I will say that as delighted as I am with all the women in Alysanne’s story and with Jaehaerys and Alysanne’s relationship reflected in policy, it’s monumentally disappointing to read about his relationship with his daughters. There was an underlining gentleness in how he treated his mother Alyssa and Rhaena that was sorely missing with some of his daughters. I came out of this part feeling really off and unsettled. And sad. So very sad. WTF, Jaehaerys. Just WTF.

That’s my preliminary thoughts on the first half of the book. It’s mostly feelings with a side of unsubstantiated and unresearched spiraling. Politics, worldbuilding and themes tend to appear on later reads.

(Edit: part two is here)

[molicioushat]

🐲THE TARGARYEN TAG🐲

I thought it would be good fun to come up with a tag for all the Targaryen lovers out there so here it is!

This tag is open to all, so feel free to participate regardless of allegiance!

I was tagged by: @naomimakesart

🐲🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🐲

1. Your favourite/least favourite Targaryen:

This was super hard to narrow down to even a top ten.

Top Ten Favorite: Visenya, Alyssa, Baelon the Brave, Baela, Elaena, Rhaenys the Queen Who Never Was, Baelor Breakspear, Maekar, Daeron the Drunkard, and Good Queen Alysanne.

Least Favorite: Aegon II

2. Underrated Targaryen:

Probably Septa Maegelle. She's smart and she tends to the sick and that's on top of being able to get her parents to reconcile. She's also brave since I don't think many people would willingly tend to people with greyscale. It's such a shame we only see so much of her.

3. Snog/Marry/Avoid Targaryens:

Snog Daemon the Rogue Prince

Marry Queen Rhaella

Avoid Aegon IV

4. A Targaryen who deserved better:

Hard choice, there are so many. But I would choose Princess Alyssa Targaryen because of the way she was written to get her off the stage so to speak. GRRM could have killed her off in multiple different ways (riding accident, a fall, a hunting accident, a sparring accident, an illness, appendicitis, exit pursued by bear, etc) but no she dies by childbirth. Yet another among the disproportionately many other women who died that way.

5. OTP Targaryens:

OTP - Alyssa x Baelon, Daeron x Jeremy, Daeron II x Mariah, Alysanne x Valyrian Scrolls, Aegon III x therapy, Aerea x Life

OT3 - Visenya x Aegon x Rhaenys, and Rhaena x Elinor x Jeyne (that was my secret favorite before Sons of the Dragon came out but then GRRM kinda fulfilled it by a 3rd in Fire and Blood. I'm still disappointed that it doesn't seem like Elinor or Rhaena had any communication after they survived Maegor. *sighing forever*)

6. A Targaryen you’d like to go on holiday with:

I bet Rhaenys and Corlys went on a bunch of fun trips to all sorts of places. Would be fun to go with them to Braavos or one of the other Free Cities.

7. A Targaryen you’d want to be best friends with:

Alyssa. She's described as being all her mother is and more and since Alysanne is a pretty amazing and smart person then it stands to reason Alyssa is as well. She's probably a blast to hang out with if you have similar interests.

 8. A Targaryen who just needs a hug: 

I would hug Aegon III if he would let me. Alternatively Maekar or Daeron the Dreamer.

9. Problematic Fave:

Saera Targaryen. She's a terrible person but I'm fascinated by her. I'm currently writing a meta piece on her rn.

10. A Targaryen you’d go on a dragon ride with:

Queen Rhaena. She's traveled all over and she's flown with people before. I think if we found something in common she would be a good travel buddy.

11. Favourite Targaryen bastard?

Bloodraven, I mean have you seen him in the Mystery Knight? He's a ... riot.

Non Great Bastards would probably be Gaemon Palehair because he's totally Aegon II's but he had poor Essie tortured till she would say what they wanted her to say. Because honestly he already had 2 bastards born around the same time the twins were and they were called his first bastards, he very likely had more.

12. A Targaryen you’d want as a lover:

Shiera Seastar duh. Less trouble than being one of Prince Daemon's. Mysaria would probably have me killed. Oh sure people fight over Shiera but if she's fine with it then I'm down. Plus, who would fight a person with boobs for her? How embarrassing would it be for them to lose to me?

13. Which Targaryen dragon is your favourite? 

Vhagar followed by Moondancer.

14. Bloodraven: fan or ban?

Part of the fan club.

...wait there are people who don't like Bloodraven? Is that a thing? ???

15. Viserys (son of Aerys II): evil twit or mentally scarred victim?

Uh... neither? He's not evil. Abusive yes, evil no. He might have been evil if he was in a position of power but only because of paranoia. I'm not sure he gets enjoyment out of hurting others like his father, Joffrey, Ramsay, Euron, or Aerion do. He hurts Dany because he gets angry and he has power over her.

And he's not a victim. He's a pawn in Varys and Illyrio's game. And while he does have mental issues, but I don't know if that's because he was mentally scarred. I think he's predisposed to paranoia. The situation he's lived in since the war is not helpful and it definitely was a contributing factor when Dany and him were on the streets. But I think it would have happened eventually regardless.

16. Favourite non-Targaryen spouse/consort? 

Favorite Consort: Queen Alyssa Velaryon

Favorite Spouse: Ser Michael Manwoody

17. Team Lilac Eyes or Team Indigo Eyes? 

Indigo. Everytime I think of Lilac I think of Viserys. I can't help picturing him everytime I read it.

18. Favourite quote by a Targaryen: 

It's a tie.

"Your guards are slow and lazy." - Visenya the most badass. No fucking around, straight to the point.

And

"His Grace my brother can command me. You cannot." - Baela also a certified bad ass.

Just realized these both have face slashing before these quotes. I guess it's a theme. lol

19. Most badass Targaryen moment:

When Daemon jumps from his dragon to stab Aemond with Dark Sister. Metal af.

20. Blackfyres: Yay or Nay?

NAY!

Daemon might have been an upstanding guy, but to steal a quote from Ser Eustace Osgrey, "You can know a man by his friend," and Daemon's friends were terrible people.

21. Most touching Targaryen moment:

Bolded for emphasis:

[“We are glad to have you safe home, my brother.”

Mushroom says that Oakenfist was laughing as he climbed back to his feet. “Sire,” he replied, “you have honored me with your sister’s hand, and I am proud to be your brother by marriage. Yet I can never be your brother by blood. But there is one who is.” Then with a flamboyant gesture, Lord Alyn summoned forth the treasure he had brought from Lys. ... The boy threw back his cowl. As the sunlight glittered on the silver-gold hair beneath, King Aegon III began to weep, throwing himself upon this boy in a fierce embrace. Oakenfist’s “treasure” was Viserys Targaryen, the king’s lost brother.]

This scene was so touching it made me cry. First, Aegon calls Alyn his brother which is very sweet. He could have called him his goodbrother, but he didn't. And then Alyn's whole bit how he's proud to be a part of Aegon's family but acknowledging that he can't replace Viserys. And then Aegon finally being reunited with Viserys after so long and how he doesn't have to feel guilty anymore because Viserys can forgive him. Just feels all around.

22. Which Targaryen would give the best life advice?

Probably Baelor Breakspear. He's down to earth and smart.

23. Your favourite Aegon?

Aegon V for now. May change depending on what leads up to the tragedy at Summerhall. Aegon III is a close second.

24. Which Targaryen was the most badass?

Visenya, I mean fuck but she's so boss. She fought to till she was like 74. She was probably one of the best warriors of her time during her prime. Especially since she was key to protecting Aegon during that attempt on his life.

25. Most heartbreaking Targaryen moment:

I'm just going to quote the whole section:

[... of Lady Jocelyn’s empty bed and bitter tears, and the way Princess Rhaenys wept to know that her father would never hold the child she was carrying? Far easier to speak of Prince Baelon’s wroth, and how he came down upon Tarth on Vhagar, howling for vengeance.

...

But it is said that when he saw his mother again, he fell into her arms and wept. “I slew a thousand of them,” he said, “but it will not bring him back.” And the queen stroked his hair and said, “I know, I know.”]

It's just so heartbreaking. Yes it's sad for Alysanne and Jaehaerys to lose their son, because it's always terrible when a parent has to bury a child before them.

But for Baelon, Jocelyn, and Rhaenys, they should have had so many more years with him. Baelon and Jocelyn should have grown old with Aemon! Rhaenys had her father taken from her too soon. Her children will never get to know their grandfather. Jocelyn should have had Aemon by her side to spoil their grandchildren!

And Baelon! No one knows a person as long as a sibling does. Not every siblings are friends but Baelon and Aemon were close to each other, probably each other's best friends. Baelon's grief is one that strikes me right in heart. His pain is so raw. And as an older sibling who is very close to her brother it's also one of my biggest fears. This wasn't the only time Fire and Blood made me cry, but it was the one that really stuck with me. That image of Baelon crying into Alysanne's arms as she says "I know, I know."

Oh, oh, oh...

Please excuse me while I go cry forever after that downer.

🐲🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🐲

Anyone of my followers who sees this and wants to do it, please feel free to do so!! I'm not going to tag anyone directly in case you don't want to do it.

[writingsofwesteros]

Oh Baelon would - in canon and modern era - LOVEEEEEE to walk in on Alyssa desperately trying to get herself off.

-

Baelon walked into the apartment he shared with Alyssa, glad that the day’s work was done. He breezed into the apartment, assuming Alyssa would be in the kitchen cooking - she usually was at this time of night - and went to the bedroom, excited to get out of his work clothes. But, he was greeted with something much better than a hot meal.

His eyes darkened. He bit his lip, watching as his sweet Alyssa desperately ground herself against a pillow, chasing her relief. But, based off the frustration pinching her face it wasn’t working. She let out a weak whining moan and doubled down in her efforts. Still, she was no closer. So, she reached down between her legs to play with her clit.

“Ah, ah,” Baelon said, announcing his presence. “I told you that I only I get to touch your clit, haven’t I, princess?”

Alyssa’s eyes immediately flew open. Her face was beet red as she took him in and he grinned when her gyrating slowed but did not stop. Still, she moved her hands away from his clit at his words. She was clearly surprised he was already home - poor thing had probably lost track of time.

“Oh, poor thing,” he mocked. “Can’t get off without me?” She whined and shook her head. He tutted. “Such a pretty sight to come home too…you so desperate.” He hummed, turned his head. “But I don’t recall asking you to do this - did I?”

“No,” Alyssa whined, teary eyed. 

Baelon shook his head. “No I didn’t,” he said, sitting in a chair they had in the room. He let his legs fall open, and her eyes immediately felt to the outline of his dick in his work slacks. She bit her lip. He smirked. “Oh, Alyssa, darling…you’re not getting this tonight.” He palmed himself. “No…you’ve been so bad, sweet girl. I can’t reward you, can I?” She shook her head. “Answer me, Alyssa.”

“No,” she said. He raised an eyebrow. “…No, sir.”

He nodded. “You’re right, such a smart girl. No. I can’t reward you. I have to punish you. So I’m not touching you tonight,” he said. “And you’re not touching me.” He smirked. “You’re not even touching yourself Alyssa.” She whined. He laughed. “You, sweet girl, are going to keep grinding on that pillow. And you’re going to look me in the eyes and cum for me. Just from that. Twice.”

“No,” Alyssa whined. “Please.”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Baelon warned. “Be good…or else I won’t touch you for the rest of the week.”

Naturally, Alyssa started grinding more desperately against the pillow. Baelon smiled and let out a happy sigh as he unbuckled his belt and unzipped his slacks, taking his cock out to stroke it. Alyssa whimpered looking at him. 

“Ah, ah, ah,” he said again, firmer this time. “I said my eyes Alyssa. Bad girls don’t even get to look at my dick, love.” He lowered his voice to a growl. “So behave.”

!!!

Fuck, that is stunning work!! I really loved reading that, thanks so much!!!!

He is so dom..what a daddy ;)

[milyavild]

it's between caraxes and vhagar, I think. they've been exposed to rider-related stress for longer, that's for sure.

vhagar had:

• visenya - the conqueror herself, did a significant amount of fighting, constantly in danger and overall not the most chill person out there;

•baelon - again, lots of fighting and burning, but more importantly, his general mental instability after aemon and alyssa's deaths. dragons feel their rider's emotions, that must have been constant alert with him;

• laena - ........do I even need to explain this one?;

• and finally aemond - considering all of the emotional rollercoaster he went through in "stormbreak", it must have been a very intense five months for poor old lady vhagar.

caraxes had:

• aemon - his death was straight up excruciating, getting shot in the neck and DROWNING IN YOUR OWN BLOOD FOR FUCKS SAKE;

• daemon - again, do I even need to explain? man's a huge magnet for all sorts of trouble, has no self-preservation instinct, plunges himself in every potentially deadly situation available and physically can't shut the fuck up when he really ought to. I also won't stop preaching about the significance of his trauma from stepstones. you know, an arrow one. IN THE NECK. talk about the ptsd it must have awoken in caraxes.

[simplynotcapable]

so if Visenya, Baelon, Monty, and Brigit (bringing their chihuahuas/yorkies/whatever Vyper and Winter are if you want, Vyper reads major chihuahua or pomeranian energy to me) all went on one of those multi-day road trips from LA to NYC (or wherever, you pick), how would it go? Who hogs the aux cord? Who gets snack crumbs everywhere? Who is anal about being the one to drive, who tries to avoid driving whenever possible? Anyone get carsick?

this is so funny to think about you have no idea. i've been wheezing for thirty minutes

I'm of the opinion that fics where the dragons are cars are superior to the ones where they're pets, so the road trip is actually happening IN either Vyper/Wynter.

Monty is like an old lady driver because he's terrified of getting into an accident. Exactly at the speed limit or under it at all times, never forgets to use his blinkers, both hands on the wheel, adjusts the mirrors every time he gets in the car.

Brigit? Okay driver. Nothing major. Speeds a little sometimes.

Baelon and Visenya? MENACES.

Baelon's a really good driver, but he also takes turns SO FAST and has such deep animosity towards everyone else on the road that it stresses everybody out. Just "and then this worthless motherfucker, what do they even think they're doing, bitch I WILL HIT YOU WITH THE CAR" and then Brigit's like "bro that is a 76 year old man stopped at a stop sign CALM DOWN"

Visenya's just. Bad. She's terrible. She speeds and she takes curves like a madwoman and she gets distracted playing with the radio and talking, she does not use her blinker and forgets to check her blindspot like 98% of the time. Two fingers on the wheel. Has driven with her knees before while trying to fix her eyeliner. The fact that she has never been in a car crash is entirely because sometimes Baelon just grabs the wheel.

("Fucking--brake lights, slow down!"

"I saw it, Monty, I saw it! God, I passed my test before you, you know, you don't have to act like--"

"Your dad paid the instructor!"

"That was unrelated!")

Brigit has to stop to pee like. So often. Baelon is so aggravated every single time. Usually they stop at like a gas station for her to use the bathroom, and she buys a slushie while she's there which just makes her need to pee again, and it's a vicious, terrible cycle.

Whoever is in shotgun (they take that in shifts) has control of the music, but everyone else is constantly complaining about it.

Monty listens to the weirdest mix of Taylor Swift, jazz, and heavy metal, and no one knows what the fuck they're supposed to do with that.

Visenya plays stupid things because she's annoying, like Yo Gabba Gabba soundtrack type shit, and then will randomly hit them with a weird ass indie band no one has ever heard of but is??? So good???

Baelon likes Nickelback, and he'll just randomly have Disney soundtrack songs on his playlists with no explanation.

Brigit listens to German pop music. She does not speak German. She refuses to elaborate.

They survive solely on junk food and random gas station fruit until they reach their destination, but they're all pretty good about not making too much of a mess. No one gets carsick except Monty--and that's just because he keeps trying to read in the car, he's fine once he gives up. Visenya keeps stealing Baelon's sunglasses. At one point, Brigit forgets her wallet on the gas station counter and they have to double back an hour to pick it up. Monty buys a spray bottle and uses it whenever it's Visenya and Baelon's turn to sit in the backseat because if they start making out it's going to get awkward. Visenya and Monty are always cold but Brigit and Baelon are always hot, so the AC is a knockdown dragout fight. Monty falls asleep and Baelon draws dicks on his arm.

[gojuo]

Usurper… started the war…. REALLY started the war

Rhaenyra officially started the Dance when she rejected Aegon’s more than generous peace terms and said “I will have my throne or my half-brother’s head”. This was the declaration of war. She had the chance to make peace and prevent war from breaking out and then she didn’t. Cry all you want, Rhaenyra started it officially.

and then stole all the money out of the coffers

You are coping so fucking bad 😭😭😭 He’s king. He’s in King’s Landing. The coffers are his. He listens to his council and utilizes a war tactic that works in his favor. Stop coping.

she wants her birthright

It’s not her “birthright”, or else she would have been heir the day she was born, like Baelon was, instead of needing to be appointed in a ceremony where the nobility validated the act through an oath made at swordpoint. She is the “chosen heir”. If you want to be annoying on my post, at least get your terminology right.

you want a rapist on the throne

And he wasn’t a rapist in the book, so now what? The show is a joke to me, so don’t even bring that garbage show-only canon in here.

more than a woman and I would just ask myself…. why?

Hmmmm, let’s see... Because Rhaenyra was a monarch who put her personal pleasure and desire ahead of the realm and its laws, maybe? Because the power of the Iron Throne was only ever a vehicle for her to use to satisfy her fancies and caprices and nothing more? Because her most infamous act as Princess of Dragonstone that bespoke of her indifference to the laws governing the realm she claimed as hers was her brazen affair of which she tried to pass off three obvious bastards as trueborn princes? This did not only speak of the extent of Rhaenyra’s belief of her own supreme power that (she thought) allowed her to claim unprecedented privilege by getting her boys acknowledged as trueborn heirs based on her own say so, but also showed her willingness to flout the law and jeopardize the integrity of the line of succession for the sake of her own pleasure. Which was also an outright invitation for a future succession war even without the Dance happening. No one was ever going to accept the throne being passed to an obvious bastard while trueborn male heirs to Viserys lived. Not the Westerosi nobility, not Rhaenyra’s brothers, not even Daemon who assuredly would have pushed for his two sons’ rights over the three Strong boys. This decision on Rhaenyra’s part was a civil war waiting to happen, one way or another. The fact that she thought she could get away with it and that everyone would accept her kids’ parentage on her word is a testament of a despotic view of her power and what allowances it gave her, and a clear statement of her disregard of the laws governing Westeros.

Of this inherently destabilizing act of pushing bastards as trueborns came two instances that set the tone of Rhaenyra’s behavior when it came to covering her treason, and emphasized her dismissal of the law as something that didn’t apply to her: first she demands her brother Aemond, all of 10 years old at the time and freshly mutilated by her son, be tortured just to make a statement about her intolerance of the “rumors” of her sons’ parentage. You know the deal. I'm not gonna dwell on it.

Then came the instance of when Laena and Laenor were both dead and the question of the succession of Driftmark came about. Rhaenyra urged Corlys to name Lucerys the heir to Driftmark, except, you know, Lucerys was not actually a Velaryon so he didn’t have any right to the Velaryon inheritance, no matter how Rhaenyra insisted otherwise. When Vaemond, Corlys' nephew, objected and argued that Driftmark should pass to him because Rhaenyra’s children were bastards, Rhaenyra had Daemon seize Vaemond and with no trial or due process, had him beheaded and fed his body to Syrax, an atrocity that was later compounded when Vaemond’s brothers went to Viserys with their families to ask for justice and press their claim, only for the king to have their tongues removed, every single one of them, based on his previous edict that he’d remove the tongue of anyone who spoke of the Strong rumors. That’s a gross mockery of justice and law, an infringement on the rights enjoyed by nobles, and a blatant show that Rhaenyra thought she could do whatever she wanted, even illegally seizing and murdering a noble with no trial. How very Aerys II of her.

Those are, unequivocally, the actions of a tyrant that also show what an awful political actor Rhaenyra was. Why should I want her on the throne? Her actions during the Dance and her short tenure as half-year Queen only damned her further on both accounts. Even at the height of her victory, her vengeance and whims proved her to be an appalling leader and ultimately led to her losing any legitimacy she could have claimed when her actions led to the smallfolk of King’s Landing storming the Dragonpit in a clear rejection of her rule (and, before you get your panties in a twist, Aegon’s as well), and to even her most loyal noble allies deserting her. I’m not gonna get into it too much because this is getting too long as well as already having talked about it a little in the above. What Rhaenyra did as half-year Queen was strategically and politically prolonging the war in pursuit of personal vengeance and ignored every single counsel of war-ending efforts Corlys gave her. As Queen, Rhaenyra actively rejected any attempt of peace talks and chose vengeance instead.

Rhaenyra herself appointed Lady Rosby’s and Lady Stokesworth’s younger brothers as heirs over them, and previously usurped Baela/Rhaena’s claim to Driftmark through her son Lucerys. She says it herself: Rhaenyra is the exception to the rule, and no one else will have what she has. So get your pseudo-feminist rhetoric and holier-than-thou attitude out of here. Unlike the majority of this garbage show’s viewership, I am not here to self-insert into any Targ woman to live out a pitiful power fantasy or watch football and see my “team” win the throne. I have maintained this stance from the second TPATQ dropped back in 2013 and no matter how many pro-Greens post you see on my blog, it will never change the fact that the moral of the Dance of the Dragons is that the only thing Targaryens are good at is killing each other and destroying themselves. Neither Rhaenyra nor Aegon were deserving of that throne, and it was for the better that they both died. They plunged the realm they claimed the right to rule over into two years of nuclear war over a petty fight of who gets to seat their pasty ass on an ugly chair, and they got what they deserved. Rhaenyra and Aegon both dead.

Now go be an annoying little white feminist with rudimentary understanding of feminist theory living vicariously through your white supremacist lizard faves on someone else’s post. You’re blocked.

https://www.tumblr.com/gojuo/717844532167884800?source=share

They will literally portray Rhaenyra's tyranny as she was unjustly framed that way by the greens and the historians lmaoo what did I expected from Hollywood? Females characters can no longer be villains

Yeah to be honest I can already see this thought process forming in TB stans, however Rhaenyra:

publicly endorsed Blood and Cheese by never denouncing Daemon and Mysaria, practically sanctioning the act even if she didn't order it

put a blockade on the Gullet and Blackwater Bay to ice out the Greens in King's Landing, which meant that the smallfolk in the city were being starved by her

decorated the walls of the Red Keep with severed heads daily

sent out knights inquisitors on the smallfolk of King's Landing over the whereabouts of Jaehaera and Maelor

put a bounty on Jaehaera (6 years old) and Maelor (2 years old)

she taxed the smallfolk of King's Landing who had already been starving because of her blockade, who had been suffering through 2 years of war which she refused to end, who were suffering through winter, all to throw lavish parties to celebrate the installation of Joffrey as Prince of Dragonstone

she ordered Lord Mooton to violate guest right in order to execute Nettles for sleeping with her husband

she ordered for Addam of Hull to be executed for the crime of being a bastard

she ordered for Daemon to be jailed for cheating on her

she ordered for Corlys to be jailed and executed for defending Addam

she didn't tax the nobles or took out loans from the Iron Bank. She taxed the commoners of King's Landing in order to throw a party while the war was still going on

These are all objective facts about the things she did. The show can twist and bend canon all they like in order to whitewash her — which I'm sure it will — but these cannot be blamed on "Green propaganda" because these deeds are all objectively and without bias things she did and said in F&B with her own two hands and mouth.

[emilykaldwen]

I like Viserys as a character. Paddy did a great job. He is *still* a shit parent, in addition to not being a super great king, and an awful husband. I posted a huge rant in episode 3 or 4 about how there is no reason here for Viserys not to switch from Rhaenyra to Aegon (ESPECIALLY after his drunken fireside chat with Alicent at the hunt - also wonder where Aegon gets his drinking problem from because Viserys was drrrrruuuunk). There is no reason.

When Daemon took Baelon's egg to Dragonstone, he was gonna go fuck him up. Otto stops him, says he'll go. I consider this moment almost a mirror to the moment in the throne room in episode 8 because the only time he truly shows conviction of any sort, is in the defense of an egg that only mattered because it was meant for Baelon - Aemma's SON - and Rhaenyra.

I love that Rhaenyra and Alicent were lesbians friends, but dear fucking god did it not just make Viserys taking Alicent to wife THAT much worse and fucked up.

You can talk about how much Viserys only loved Aemma and Rhaenyra, and I would agree that yes, he did love them. But if he loved his daughter THAT much, he WOULD HAVE changed the inheritance laws at MOST (which would have been it's own huge political issue), and he would have pulled Rhaenyra into line a lot faster in the LEAST.

Instead he has her as his heir and then lets her futz around as cupbearer and sure she's sitting on the small council at some point but I'm really curious to know how much she's doing.

Additionally vaguely related, but if they didn't want Daemon on the throne that bad, then Viserys should have stopped it because Rhaenyra marrying Daemon completely broke the basis of the fealty for her being heir on the condition that it wasn't Daemon.

(Lyonel Strong was like 'bro you need to kill Daemon this is bad' but alas, the only braincell in Westeros went up in flames with him)

I saw a post that suggested that Viserys started being indifferent to Alicent and her children about the time he figured out that Otto had plotted to secure the marriage in episode 4. You see him doting on baby Aegon in episode 3 but that’s the only time he shows any of his non-Rhaenyra children affection. This is obviously terrible because Alicent didn’t arrange the marriage and the kids didn’t choose to be born.

of course it’s terrible, but this is how terrible some people are. not only did he also groom alicent himself, he implied alicent not tell rhaenyra of their meetings AND still chose her despite the knowledge that rhaenyra and her are friends, not once checking in with alicent or even rhaenyra.

and somehow it’s still alicent that’s to blame. and somehow, people still don’t understand how this affected alicent’s kids, especially aegon because a baby raised without one of his parents is one thing, but to get affection just for it to be taken away with no reason... 

AND he still forced three other children on her.