#driftmark au

[raybyanothername]

in the light of morning

A Rhaenyra and Alicent conversation continuing from not her responsibility as requested!

Rhaenyra stopped two steps into the room when a servant ushered her. Rhaenys' personal chambers were quite full. She'd expected the children. She'd even considered the chance that Alicent would have come as well.

She hadn't expected to find the queen crying into her tea. Laenor paused as well only a step behind her, but only briefly. He could not be distracted from his purpose.

"They're unharmed," Rhaenyra assured her husband as he approached the bed. Laenor nodded mutely. His hand ghosted over Jace's hair as he leaned over their eldest son to check on Luke as well.

Neither woke. Rhaenyra smiled as Laenor settled in a chair beside the bed. His hands climbed up his face. Eyes squeezed tight, still ringed red from his crying.

The night had not been kind to anyone.

Her stomach twisted as she glanced at the other two boys on the bed. Her brothers. Barely older than her sons.

"Your grace," Rhaenyra ducked her head in a quick bow as she turned to face the table. Alicent's gaze flickered up. She dabbed at her face with a handkerchief.

"Alicent tells me your father has decided to foster his sons with us, one at Dragonstone and the other at Driftmark," Rhaenys beckoned her closer with a frown. She waved Rhaenyra into a seat opposite the queen.

"Yes," Rhaenyra exhaled, hand rising to rub at the side of her face, "When I left to find Laenor, Daemon was still trying to convince him otherwise, but..."

Rhaenys snorted, leaning back in her seat with a huff, "Daemon is far from convincing. The two are more likely to argue than resolve this."

Arching a brow, Rhaenyra looked pointedly at her good-mother, "Perhaps his elder cousin..." A faint smile twitched at Rhaenys' lips. She shook her head.

"Once he has calmed, I shall certainly try," Rhaenys inclined her head to the side, "But the key to charming a king is timing, Rhaenyra." Her hand rose up, chin perching in her palm as she clicked her tongue, "And patience."

Laughing softly, Rhaenyra nodded, hands wringing in her lap. She looked to Alicent. Her hunched shoulders. The frizzy and tangled mess her curls had become.

"Your sons will be well-looked after, regardless," Rhaenyra offered, smile tight as Alicent looked up at her. A haunted expression adorned her face.

Wide eyes. Trembling lip. A memory from their youth flashed in her mind and Rhaenyra felt the familiar pang of shame rising in her chest. She beat it back with a roll of her shoulders.

"They are my blood, I will not allow any harm to come to them under my charge," Rhaenyra continued. She gestured towards Laenor, "Aegon will learn well, squiring under my husband."

"Thank you, your grace," Alicent croaked, head bobbing in a shallow nod. Her eyes squeezed shut and a few tears trickled down her cheek, "Prince Jacaerys has more than demonstrated the... protection, of the house of the dragon."

With a chuckle, Rhaenys reached for her tea, "I believe my husband would say that's his Velaryon blood." Her lips twisted, curling back, "But from what my granddaughters say... I am confident the Baratheon fury my mother brought into this family lives on."

Rhaenyra grinned at that. Across from her, Alicent had stilled. Her throat bobbed. The tea cup in her hands shook and Rhaenyra's eyes dropped to the red-stained fingertips.

She'd ripped them well to shreds. The nails. The cuticles. Blood was smeared across her skin, still bubbling up from the tiny rips and cuts.

"Will you... will you remain at Driftmark a while?" Alicent asked, hands pulled back. She cleared her throat, "The king will likely want to leave soon. The boys..."

"I will not separate them," Rhaenyra reached across the table, snatching one of her hands before Alicent could drop them to her lap. She forced a smile, "The twins ought to have a chance to know all their cousins better, I think."

Her father intended for Aemond to be under Rhaenys' care, to remain on Driftmark. Aegon would be Laenor's squire though, and her husband had plenty of reason to remain on Driftmark.

"Perhaps..." Rhaenyra squeezed the hand in hers, "Perhaps we can all... reacquaint ourselves?" She tilted her head, lips pursing. "Mend the divisions between our families?"

The tension in the air grew thick as Rhaenyra held the queen's gaze. Her very breath seemed to freeze in her chest and her heart pounded loudly in her ear. Even Rhaenys stilled, her eyes flicking between them.

Alicent squeezed back. She exhaled, slowly, but her words were steady, "I would like that, Nyra."

Rhaenyra let out the breath she'd been holding. Her shoulders sagged. She glanced towards the bed, and Laenor. He flashed her a quick smile. A nod.

She felt lighter than she had in many years. The weight of her position almost manageable.

The night had not been kind, but... perhaps the morning brought more than just the light as the sun poured through the curtains. Aegon stirred in the bed, grumbling softly.

The door slammed open and Rhaenyra startled. Alicent dropped her hand as Daemon stalked in, spitting curses and grumbling. He leveled his gaze on Alicent, face twisting into a scowl.

"Your husband is a cunt."

[rozsesandart]

Addam Velaryon, aged seventeen and lord of Driftmark (AU) - commissioned by @harrenfell 🩵

Art by @rozsesandart

- My special commission offer has still 4 slots out of 10 open! It lasts til the 20th of July link HERE

- General commissions info - kofi- socials - art masterlist

[addamvelaryon]

That one “Twelfth Night” poster but make it BENADDAERON

Artist: THECATKEO

[atopvisenyashill]

i am thinking about an au where aegon approaches rhaenyra at laenor’s funeral and is like “hey we should get married because i’ve been obsessing and i think it’s the only way we can avoid a succession crisis” and rhaenyra agrees and spends the next several years mommying the FUCK out of aegon, has him crown her when viserys dies, then shows up to the first small council meeting with her boy toy husband and is like “actually otto, lannisters, get FUCKED” and chases them out

[gaygrayaro]

Children of Luke and Rhaena

I was thinking of an AU where Luke lives and married Rhaena. They both have 6 children but idk how to name them, some help with ideas would be good pls😭

[maegalkarven]

A future fic carcass I'll write when I write (after I finish 9 ungoing fics)

King Viserys dies at the wedding celebration of his daughter, Crown Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.

No one else does.

I am a firm believer Otto and Viserys are the rot on the face of the House of the Dragon and without these two everything would be fine-ish.

Unfortunately, we need Vissy T for his kids to be born, so Viserys dies soon after Aemond is conceived. Sorry, Daeron, not this time.

Joffrey doesn't die because he doesn't manage to provoke Criston before the king dies.

Rhaenyra overrules his father's decision and marries Harwin Strong.

Their son Jacaerys Targaryen is the heir to the throne, Lucerys Targaryen is the heir to Harrenhal.

Daemon marries Laena and lives at Dragonstone (Rhaenyra grants him that), their firstborn is the heir of Driftmark.

Laenor joins the Queensguard and is sent to Dragonstone to protect Prince Daemon (ha) and his future heirs.

Criston Cole becomes the Commander of City Watch while still retaining his white cloak (what? He did it in canon, can do it here).

Rhaenyra removes Tyland Lannister as the master of ships and appoints Corlys Velaryon (back).

When Baela and Rhaena are born, it is decided to betroth Prince Aegon and Lady Baela, making him future lord-consort of Driftmark (and successfully removing him out of succession of the iron throne).

When Jace is born, his and Helaena's betrothal is announced.

Baelon is born without an issue and the royal family meets at the celebration on Dragonstone, where Aemond claims Cannibal and loses an eye in the process.

(Kinslayer, everyone. It fits).

Afterwards Luke is sent as a ward to Harrenhal with his father. A huge ass scene ensures there Luke clings to Aemond and refuses to go.

Aegon makes a greasy comment and gets punched.

Both Aegon and Baela are sent as wards to Driftmark.

Lucerys still leaves.

Harrenhal doesn't burn bc even if Larys kills Harwin and Luke, there's still Lyonel and Joffrey in the equation. Lyonel keeps serving Queen Rhaenyra as her Hand.

Years later the royal family meets at the wedding celebration of Baela and Aegon, where Luke and Aemond behave very much like Rhaenyra and Daemon at Rhaenyra's not happened wedding.

Rhaenyra and Alicent clutch at their pearls, Rhaenyra suggests father died because of seeing something like that.

Daemon asks if she implies they killed Viserys, then asks where is Baelon.

Laena replies Baelon is playing knights with Joffrey.

Rhaenyra and Harwin Strong (no) have three more children, Aegon, Viserys and Visenya, all silver-haired like their mother (her uncle).

Laena is fine with it, they have a poly. Laena doesn't have more children because Baelon's birth was a ghasty one.

Baelon claims the Grey Ghost.

Otto is never called back to the capital because (suprise!) Rhaenyra didn't rush to kill her 3 y.o brother or the other one who was born after Viserys' death. Instead she marries Aegon off so he's no threat.

Aemond eventually joins the Queensguard and is appointed to the future lord of Harenhall.

Lucerys refuses to marry and appoints his brother Viserys as his heir, who marries Visenya. They have a very good life in Harrenhal.

The reason Luke skips over Joffrey is because Joffrey is always at the sea (with Baelon), and Aegon the Younger is bethrothed to Baela and Aegon the Elder' firstborn, Laena.

Everyone lives happily ever after, Otto gets to be the head of the house Hightower after he successfully plots against his own kin, since his blood is secured on the throne, if in unconventional for him way.

He once tried to manipulate Aegon, but was cut off sharply by Rhaenys and Corlys, who kind of adopted the boy as theirs.

Aegon enjoys wandering about Essos very much, he, of course, whores around, but he and Baela have an agreement. One of Baela's children is born from Alyn of Hull, but no one is any wiser, since everyone just thinks the child looks like her.

Jacaerys and Helaena have three kids, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera and then Maelor.

Jaehaera is oldest and so is the heir.

Oh, and Rhaena is happily married to Corwyn Cobray. They have a daughter, Rhaenys.

[navree]

and i'm supposed to believe that, after having seen rhaenys run driftmark by herself (along with having seen her mother ride the most fearsome dragon in the world AND hearing about how rhaenys was denied the crown) and learning how to do it from her, baela's totally okay being nothing more than jace's fucking consort while harwin strong's fuckass kid gets to steal her and her sister's and her mother's birthright inheritance out from under her? get out of here with that

[quccninchains]

{☾} Shall I see to Queen Alicent, Your Grace? Her face was flushed with mortification. Once more, she is supplanted by a GHOST. Alicent blinks off the insult--she knows it is not entirely Viserys' fault. His mind was wandering more oft than not. But it still stings. Three children and she was still no more than the placeholder for Queen Aemma.

Lips pressed into a firm line, she doesn't say anything as she turns on her heel. She feels, rather than sees, Ser Criston behind her as they maneuver their war through the funeral crowd. It's not until they slip into the corridor by her chambers that she allows her mask to slip.

"It is bad enough when he calls me by that name whilst he reaches his pleasure," Alicent hisses quietly, her face a mask of cold indignation. Like a VIPER, she is beautiful in her rage. Her chest rises and falls as she pushes through the doors to her bedroom, dismissing her ladies with a sharp look. "But before the court is just..."

She shakes her head, resting a hand on her brow. Her lower lip sinks into her mouth, tucked under her teeth as she sighs. "It is CRUEL." Alicent blinks back pain, lifting her gaze to her sworn sword's face. She know she is skirting the line of appropriate--but Ser Criston has been her nearest and truest friend.

She trusted him with her LIFE and her children's lives.

"I have given him three children," she whispers, blinking balefully at him. "When will I be ENOUGH?"

| @kingmaketh & i are doing a thing bc we're messy <3

[blood-ofmyblood]

Lucerys Velaryon, an Heir to Driftmark, the Lord of the Tides.

Aesthetic for the AU from this post.

[idontevenknowhowtolife]

This is the one I like to call the Torture AU! Blame @raybyanothername for enabling me.

[tqwnw]

Aegon deliberately mimicking his style after Rhaenys, the Targaryen-Velaryon is both really cute and probably irritating as hell to all Hightowers. Aegon who tries to walk and move, fight and even stand like Corlys but tries to look like Rhaenys, talk like her.

THIS and the fact he’ll be wearing teal and silver too. he definitely spends a lot of time with corlys training and seeing over his duties, and a lot of time with rhaenys studying or learning from her— it comes down to him wanting to please them, to not see him as disappointment. when in reality they are quite fond of the boy.

[raybyanothername]

blaming the wrong person

Got a request to continue he who dared to scold a dragon and decided to write a bit of Rhaena's POV. Spoiler: she does not understand why everyone is so bothered by Otto's death. ^^"

-.-.-

Rhaena held tight to her grandmother's side as everyone argued all around her. The king was furious, but his anger paled in comparison to the fire in her cousins eyes.

Neither spoke up though. Aemond remained stiff and silent beside his mother. Jaw clenched and gaze aimed solidly at the floor. Jace was just the same, except he didn't avert his gaze.

The king's voice rose sharply. Rhaena couldn't tell if his reprimands were aimed at them or the guards who stood like statues all around the room.

"He hit Aegon!" Jacaerys finally snapped. He leaned forward, taking half a step as he snarled at the king, "No one should lay a hand on a prince!" His mother's hand settled on his shoulder and her cousin fisted his hands at his side, going silent once more.

"The children thought him a threat," Rhaenyra spoke calmly, her chin high as she stared down the king, "Otto was a stranger to them. They had no guards. Surely you can understand their fear?"

"None of them should have been out of bed in the first place," Alicent shook her head. Her body followed suit, trembling as tears streaked down her cheeks. Her voice shook, "None of this should have happened."

Behind her, half hidden behind his sister, Aegon downed another goblet of wine. He'd been drunk already, in the hallway, and barely able to stand.

The king sighed, eyes squeezing shut. His gaze turned on his sons when opened them again. Rhaena straightened as Aemond's throat bobbed and Aegon shrunk in on himself.

Her cousins almost seemed afraid. Surely that could not be right? The king was their father. She stared at Aemond, brow furrowing as the king berated him for sneaking off alone.

"You told him he could try to claim a dragon after the funeral," Aegon drawled, half slurring as he slumped against the wall.

His eyes were closed and he didn't seem to notice as everyone glanced his way. Sharp gazes. Narrowed eyes. Angry and worried in equal measured. Rhaena's gaze dropped to his open shirt.

Aemond had ripped open his doublet when they were in the hall. The balm from the maester glistened over his developing bruises. Rhaena flushed as she surveyed his bare chest. The faint reds and yellows of his mottled flesh.

Aegon shuddered, chest heaving. His body listed forward and his empty goblet crashed against the floor. Barking with laughter, Aegon's eyes finally opened. His gaze flat and unfocused as the king scowled at him.

"Was he 'bold enough' for you, father?"

A hand snapped out and Aegon flinched as his father gripped his jaw. "You think this funny?" the king seethed, "A man is dead, Aegon!"

"He deserved it!" Baela shouted and Jace quickly agreed. Rhaena added her voice to the chorus.

Their voices clamoring together as they repeated the same thing, over and over. But the king didn't listen and he silenced them all with a shout.

"Enough!" The king pinched the bridge of his nose. He leveled a look on Aegon, sighing heavily. His hand remained on Aegon's jaw, grip firm, "You see the trouble you have caused?"

Rhaena frowned and her head tilted back. Her sister did the same. Both of them staring up at their grandmother as her jaw clicked. Her hold on them grew tighter.

"Perhaps we should return the children to bed," Rhaenys spoke up, her voice sharp. She arched a brow at the king, "Emotions are high. We ought to discuss this amongst ourselves, with clear heads."

"I agree," Rhaenyra added quickly and across the room, the queen nodded mutely. Her eyes were trained solely on the king's hand, her son's face.

Aemond was too. His eyes wide as Aegon stared straight ahead, avoiding the king's gaze. Rhaena wanted to shove him away, to stand between Aegon and the danger before him just as they had in the hallway.

But she could not disobey the king. Though, she was not the only one who wanted to.

"Can Aemond and Aegon come with us?" Luke asked, head rising from their grandfather's shoulder for the first time since Corlys had picked him up. He sniffled, eyes trained on Rhaenyra, "I don't want them to get hurt again."

"I can keep them all with me," Rhaenys offered, gaze never leaving the king. His nostrils flared. Pursed lips pressed tighter.

The hand on Baela's back rose up and she beckoned the queen's children to come. Aemond looked to his mother. Helaena too. Neither moved until she nodded and then they were quick to cross the room.

Rhaena offered her cousins a quick smile, but neither of them looked at her. Helaena glanced only briefly at her younger brother, before settling into the same flat mask she'd worn before. Only now she stood behind Rhaenyra instead of the queen.

Hands fisting at his side, Aemond focused on his brother. As did Jace. The two of them tense, like they might spring forward at any moment.

Rhaenyra kept a tight hold of Jace's shoulder and her other hand rose to do the same with Aemond. Keeping him still.

The air in the room seemed thinner, as they all watched the king. Waiting.

Aegon hadn't moved. Not a muscle. Not even a twitch. Rhaena swallowed thickly, fingers twisting in her grandmother's dressing gown.

Why would the king not let him go? Aegon had been attacked. He'd done nothing after even! Just huddled on the floor, nursing his injuries and crying as the rest of them fought with the bastard.

The king acted as if Aegon had done something wrong. As if his attacker's death was some personal offense that Aegon had done to him.

"Are we in trouble?" Rhaena asked, her whisper cutting through the silence. She glanced from her grandmother to her father.

"No," Daemon leaned forward from the wall, grinning at her, "You have done nothing but defend your cousin." He stood up, head turning towards the king as he drawled, "And I will not have my children punished for saving a dragon from a beast."

The queen's breath hitched. Her hands twisted in front of her, fingers picking at her nails. She'd said very little. Though Aemond said the man who'd attacked Aegon was their grandfather.

Her father attacked her son, but no one had asked her opinion. Not even the king. Her husband. Rhaena's nose wrinkled.

Jace caught her eye. She arched a brow, glancing pointedly towards the king. His face scrunched up. He took a step closer to Aemond, positioning himself in front of his uncle as he glared at the back of the king's head.

"Viserys..." her grandmother called out, her tone sharp, "Let me take the children. They'll be safe with me." The king turned his head.

Rhaena watched them carefully as their gazes met. Both hard, angry. They looked rather a lot like one another, with the same glare on their face.

"Go!" the king barked at his son. He released him, stepping back with a huff as he turned to the queen.

Aegon's throat bobbed, his head falling forward. He looked back to his mother as he crossed the room. The queen was obscured by her husband though, by the guards. His shoulders sagged.

"Hurry up!" Aemond grabbed his brother's sleeve and hauled him close. Jace took up his other arm. Luke dropped from their grandfather's arms. The three of them guided Aegon from the room in a rather frantic manner.

"It will all be fine," Rhaenys assured them, smile tight as Aegon flinched at her hand when she brushed his hair from his face. Rhaena frowned.

The boys all slept in one bed. Each one curled around Aegon as he huddled in the middle, face still buried in the pillow from his crying.

"I still don't understand why the king is so upset," Rhaena whispered to her sister. Their grandmother tucked a blanket around them. She sighed.

"I stopped trying to understand why a king does anything years ago," Rhaenys hummed. Her lips twitched up in a sad smile, "But his friend is dead, and sometimes we blame the wrong person, when we're upset."

Brow furrowing, Rhaena glanced towards her cousin. Aemond still had ash streaked across his face from when he'd claimed Vhagar. She dropped her head back to the pillow and scowled at the ceiling.

"That part makes sense I suppose."

[whichwoods]

now that lsts is very very slightly ahead of schedule the devil is telling me to start earnestly working on my other lucemond aus

[thepinkdread]

HOTD Modern Day AU: Daeron's first time visiting Driftmark 🌊🌧

[dulcewrites]

reader is so sooooo much better than me because I would’ve lured alys away from my place of work under a false sense of reconciliation just so I could put hands feet teeth ANYTHING on her like are you crazy?

Crying at how many of y’all want reader to be in bad girls club era 😭