#driftmark claim

[horizon-verizon]

TG LOVEEEEE using Vaemond as a gotcha against Rhaenyra and claim to support him but the gag is that his granddaughter will marry Rhaenyra’s son, becomes queen, her sons (so Vaemond’s great grandsons) became kings, her children are remembered in Westeros meanwhile the last living legitimate member of Aegon II’s line is murdered by her father’s supporter.

TG shoud be happy and support Daenaera as queen, at last, their favorite boy Vaemond was vindicated 😘

This is a great comeback, anon. Watch them still say that "that Vaemond has a line of kings from him doesn't change the fact that he was unjustly killed!"

Ok Mary, now you measure the worth of success by the person's ability to live out their lives as leaders? So Aegon didn't win anything, since he died by his own men's poisoning? Or now you can see how Rhaenyra's death was a sort of tragedy, since she couldn't rule as queen? I mean...if lineage doesn't matter at all when determining how "good" a person in this conflict or setting may have had?

Okay then, why are you so insistent about Jaehaera being the one to propagate the Targaryen line? Or Aemond?!

I'd also like to remind people of Tyland Lannister, who at point advocated for Aegon to kill Aegon the younger to end the threat from Rhaenyra's remaining supporters, yet still went on to sincerely serve Aegon III before he succumbed to the winter illlness at KL.

btw, Vaemond is Daenaera's father through a man called Daeron.

[ride-thedragon]

Black girls of ASOIAF.

Sarella Sand (half Summer Islander)

Bellegere Otherys (half Summer Islander)

Missandei of Naath (Naathi)

Chataya (Summer Islander)

Nettles the Dragonseed

Alayaya (Summer Islander)

Bellegere Otherys (descended from Summer Islanders)

[this-world-of-beautiful-monsters]

one of my pet peeves is any attempt in hotd fic to present the driftmark fight as uniquely the fault or evidence of evil in any particular kid/group of kids/color team, like-they were children socially programmed to look down on each other for being girls, bastards, and/or dragonless, were further influenced by their parents' intergenerational baggage, had their navigations of these hierarchies thrown off balance by various forms of extreme trauma, and THEN were given access to sharp objects and living nukes. somebody was going to get seriously hurt at some point, it was inevitable no matter who reacted to what stressor. then the only course of healing modeled by adults on either side of the conflict was bloody revenge, which only exacerbated the issue.

the whole point isn't pointing out extreme moral flaws in these children, it's that they're forced into increasingly violent situations before they can really develop any personalities at all and the adults in their lives are so marked by their own violent upbringings that instead of realizing "hey, our kids being taught to hate each other for the stupidest reasons imaginable resulted in one of them being partially blinded, we need to change how we interact with one another extremely fast before they end up dead" they double down. because hotd doesn't work as a story of good vs evil, despite fans (and show runners) attempting to frame it that way, it's the story of an incredibly sick social hierarchy's self-destruction via how it treats and mistreats its young.

[alicentflorent]

Rhaena really lost her fiancé and her entire future as lady of driftmark, a claim that she doesn’t have without marrying a relative all because she is a woman and people are hating on her for being upset that’s she’s being sent away from her sister and the rest of her family who are all going to war and that she’s being treated like a glorified babysitter and placed in a maternal role because she isn’t a dragonrider (something that already makes her feel as less than) and people think Rhaena, a teenager, is being unreasonable.

[horizon-verizon]

First, The argument is that the reveal of infidelity is what is important, not the infidelity and bastardry themselves. Because the feudal/medieval patriarchal system in place makes a woman's infidelity a problem when it innately is not except in a consensually monogamous relationship. Which is not exactly what medieval marriages were. And wasn't Rhaenyra's either....since you know, Laenor was gay and couldn't ever impregnate her despite the fact he tried on the show.

Have you also read the posts @rhaenyragendereuphoria gave in their reblog? They all go into this argument, which you didn't touch or try to disprove.

You seemed to totally skip over the part where rhaenyragendereuphoria points out how Phillpe le Bel's daughter Isabelle purposefully exposed the women for her own benefit, going later on to do the same things. Alicent doesn't sleep around or have a lover, but she also accuses to gain.

That was the point.

Second, Vaemond Velaryon didn't necessarily care about bastardry but about power when you break it down. Did he talk all that talk about bastards and pure blood and all that because he thought these things important and defining? Yes. And why did he protest? Because he wanted to inherit. That motivation was enough for him to openly try to get others to see Rhaenyra's children as bastards. Why? Because if he is successful, then he gets to get the Driftmark seat and all its powers, privileges, lands, etc. It wasn't about keeping his house safe so much as he thought he should gain control and disagrees with Corlys, who I have to remind you, on the show was fine with leaving Driftmark to Lucerys even though the show also tries to make it clear that everyin, including Corlys, knew those boys were not Laenor's biological kids. The show is very clear on that. Corlys didn't want Vaemond to inherit and made specific movements to not have him inherit.

So Vaemond, while declaring that he was trying to keep bloodlines "pure" -- which is already a cultural, fake, patriarchal concept -- was simultaneously going against the wishes of the House Head. And for what? Power.

Bastardry and the focus on female chastity instead of male chastity and fidelity both come from the perceived disadvantage of a noble man (who was left with the decision-making power and were customarily the ones to inherit total power and authority) not being assured that the child produced comes from the man since cis men do not birth. Women do.

This is why you see so many restrictions on women's movements, dress, actions, and sexuality form an early age in these societies -- to present images of not being "ruined", or touched by a man that their parents/authorities have not assigned to this girl/woman. I write to an anon HERE about the Anstey Case of the c.1160s HERE. And I talk about why Viserys chooses to continue to keep Rhaenyra's children's rights even though he had to know they weren't Laenor's HERE. This is another person you seem to have totally ignored or forgotten, an example of a man/male ruler choosing to not rock the boat for himself, as a rebuttal to your example of The King of France and "fought wars with the vassals and the Flemish....".

Btw, this also just revealing how it is people, not bastardry, who endanger succession because you brought up a situation where the ruler felt, from how he observed his own situation before and during the reveal of his daughters-in-law infidelity, that he needed them gone. Viserys had the ability to just keep stuff under wraps, because as rhaenyragendereuphoria ALREADY noted, there was plausible deniability. Again, where is the part where you try to disprove their specific arguments instead of deflecting and ignoring? Acknowledging those arguments?

Anyway, point is the Vaemond made it a big deal because he wanted to get something out of it, therefore he got munched.

Thirdly, in the book, Vaemond's relatives' tongues were taken out after protesting Rhaenyra killing Vaemond. True. I already said here that Vaemond invited danger to himself in his bid to gain power that he independently wanted and tried to gain by calling Rhaenyra's sons bastards and trying to gain agreement or force Viserys to "admit" it.

Vaemond's relatives', knowing that Viserys already OPENLY announced that no one should ever question Rhaenyra's kids' parentage. Those relatives did so anyway. They knew why Vaemond did what he did, and still expected Viserys to just...recompense them? And Viserys never punished Rhaenyra, nor would he because, again, he already said that no one should do that, and Vaemond did it anyway.

Quote from Book:

Even this did not end the matter, however. Ser Vaemond’s younger cousins fled to King’s Landing with his wife and sons, there to cry for justice and place their claims before the king and queen. King Viserys had grown extremely fat and red of face, and scarce had the strength to mount the steps to the Iron Throne. His Grace heard them out in a stony silence, then ordered their tongues removed, every one. “You were warned,” he declared, as they were being dragged away. “I will hear no more of these lies.”

("A Question of Succession")

So in that moment, though violent, it was already forewarned. And Viserys, being King who's word is law and needs to back up said word, ruled their tongues should be cut out for going against his law/word.

This was also after the constant pressures of Alicent and the incident of Vhagar and Aemond's eye. It is reasonable to see that both Viserys and Rhaenyra were just done with these and decided to go hard and fast against these people. Which, I must remind people, is actually something feudal people want: decisive leader/monarchs who back up their words.

So this also shows how you have ignored and have not sufficiently made an argument against that VISERYS, the King, the analogue to your "King of France...", deciding to keep Rhaenyra's kids openly legitimate despite the fact that he would likely have known they weren't Laenor's. Viserys point blank acted differently from the King of France we're talking about here, and he decided to. Why? I already say why in my linked post that I am sure will probably get ignored, but ultimately because he both saw this as the easier way to maintain control and Rhaenyra's claim/succession PLUS his personal affection and regard for her.

I also include mentions and quotes from Herman's Sex with the Queen many times in my posts about medieval/monarchial/feudal women and infidelity whenever this is mentioned. Maybe take a read of that?

Finally, we're not in a story where the reasons to uphold the classist status quo goes un-criticized. GRRM is writing a story--that F&B is a part of--to re-humanize &heroize dehumanized groups of people like bastards, women, peasants, children. Vaemond is one of thise that serves as an antihthesis to the protection or advancement of one of these people, Rhaenyra--a woman--for his onw advancement. To put it very simply.

I’m finally reading the Accursed Kings series by Maurice Druon, I had not realized it covered the case of Marguerite and Blanche of Burgundy and ummm….. really has forcibly put HoTD back into historical perspective for me.

For those not familiar with it, the daughters-in-law of King Philip the Fair of France, Marguerite (married to the eldest son Louis) and Blanche (married to the youngest son Charles) were both caught having an affair with a pair of brothers. Needless to say, it does not end well for any of the parties involved. The men were flayed, hanged, and beheaded, and the two princesses were imprisoned, with Marguerite being murdered a year later so that her husband could remarry. And her daughter, Jeanne, who would have been the heiress of France, may or may not be a bastard, so is forcibly removed from the line of succession by the invention of Salic law, which dictates that the crown can only pass to men through the male line. (Since Louis who may or may not have been her father died without any male heirs) Unsurprisingly, this causes problems! And partly sparks (among other things) the Hundred Years War between France and England.

Having bastards is serious business with serious consequences for married women. And YES, it is absolutely unfair and ridiculous that men can do it with far fewer consequences, but the show downplayed what those consequences can be. In GoT, the whole starting point is that Cersei has illegitimate children and passed them off as her husbands, and people are killed to keep that secret. Not to mention the humiliating punishment that she has to endure, and she was only being punished for having sex as a widow!!!

My point is that Rhaenyra having bastard children is kinda downplayed in the show, and that this IS a big deal both historically and in universe was glossed over.

[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.

[goddessofroyalty]

I was catching up on blood for blood with the new chapter and had a though. If Lucerys other fathers were still alive would he have still ended up married to Aemond?

Short answer: Yes. Probably.

Funnily enough whether Laena is still alive is more likely to have an effect than Leanor and Harwin because if she's alive Aemond doesn't have Vhagar so is a bit less of A Threat. However I feel like even if she did he would still end up with a dragon at some point and become the Capital-P Problem.

And then that's the thing - Aemond is a Problem and one that marrying him to Luke does kind of solve. For similar reasons to in the fic that once he is married to Luke (and especially once Luke gives him a child) he can no longer encourage the bastard rumors because Luke's inheritence is his inheritence (and his child's inheritence).

In some ways Laenor living would make Alicent's side less inclined to the marriage. Because with Laenor still in play it's going to be even harder to put a young kid on the seat and have Aemond as Steward (they have to get rid of Leanor as well as Lucerys and Corlys). But Viserys has final say in that side and he's going to be in support of the marriage. And honestly it becomes a smarter play for Rhaenyra's side - even more likely to end in their advantage than disadvantage so they kind of have to agree to it.

It's what happens after that becomes the question. With Laenor still alive there's less need for Corlys to take Luke (and Aemond) back to Driftmark because there's less urgency to get Luke ready to take the seat - Laenor is still going to inherit first. However getting Aemond to Driftmark is strategically the smartest move (staying with the House most loyal to Rhaenyra's side and harder for his mother/grandfather to get messages to without interception). So they probably still send them there with the justification of teaching Luke what he needs to know for when he rules... eventually.

The biggest change is that Luke gets that bit more of a buffer from the pressure resting solely on his shoulders. He doesn't feel like he has to learn how to govern and figure out how to handle Aemond in as little time as possible.

Although side thing - I think getting Luke to not be passed over for Joffrey is going to be harder. Because the reason in the fic he gets it is because Laenor made Corlys promise he would before Luke presented (and Corlys agreed assuming Laenor would change his mind if Luke presented omega only for Laenor to die soon after the promise was made). It would be interesting to see what would be the card that makes Luke still inherit - "it's the best way to remove Aemond as a Threat" is not going to convince Corlys and I don't think they're so progressive to want to keep an omega heir when there's a beta boy also available.

[lana-del-rhaena]

young maddie ziegler is book daenaera velaryon. to me

[hauntingblue]

Weird that helaena didn't foresee this btw she has predicted nearly every tragedy that happens to the greens

[allyriadayne]

I have yet to see a single person explain why it's better for Baela to be the lady of Driftmark than the queen of the Westeros. Also if Baela gets Driftmark Rhaena gets nothing, it's an elegant solution for a reason.

yeah yeah. i mean it's not IDEAL that for baela to have any kind of power or autonomy she has to marry, same for rhaena. it's all an illusion but IN universe, which i think it's what matters, nothing compares to be queen of the seven kingdoms. esp if it is married to someone you've known and liked since childhood.

it just doesn't make sense when you think of the driftmark succession. laena's children STILL come after laenor's children and legally, jace luke n joff are his. it bothers me when people go "oh vaemond was killed for the truth" no, that's not right ellen. if he were advocating for a "legitimate" succession without the velaryon boys why not push for the twins? at the end it's just another power grab.

[bohemian-nights]

I'm worried about Nettles.Nettles may very well have gotten cut altogether as it'd spare the writers the hassle of rewriting her to avoid compromising their darling Rhaenyra. They have no need for a character whose story paints their feminist hero as consumed with jealousy and racism(much less prone to a supremacist outburst); they would never allow her to disgrace herself by antagonizing another female over the affections of a man, anyway.

Not to mention this would spare Daemyra's pandering ship + if parts of her plot are merged with Rhaena, Daemon gets a soppy end, finishing off as a loving slave of Rhaenyra.

I don’t know how many times this must be said, but Nettles is an integral character to the plot who can’t be swapped out by others just because they are all Black now. Rhaena, Addam, Baela or whoever else these weirdo stans think should relplace her are not replacing her.

This isn’t the nor has it ever been the Dumbnyra show.

Did people forget about chokegate or the 50-11 times Daemon left Missy Anne’s ass in the dust.

Do I need to provide the photographic evidence again🙃 The love(in a non-perverted/materialistic/abusive form) never existed between those two.

Has anyone been paying attention to the leaks? Rhaena goes to the Vale with some eggs dragonless(like in canon). We literally saw Addam with Seasmoke in the trailer (like in canon). Baela has her dragon Moondancer(like in canon). Sheepstealer is there and Silver Denys is going to try to claim him(once again, like in canon).

Did you guys not see the leaks about how Daemon is going to go Ike Turner again🙃

Hell, I don't like it, but there is a way to include Nettles and have Missy Anne coming out clean as a whistle. Blame it on Mysaria which would screw things up, but not including Nettles would be absolutely nonsensical.

Sheepstealer isn't going unclaimed. Maidenpool is going to happen, Daemon isn’t going to be a sexless monk there, and he still is going to need a reason to say deuces. So unless they create some show-only character to claim him and to fuck Daemon just to avoid adding Nettles, Nettles will be there.

I will say this till I am blue in the face, she isn’t being replaced by anyone 👏🏽

Sorry if this comes off as harsh, but I’m tired of seeing this bullshit in my inbox and the Nettles tag. Netty is an amazing, terrific, and irreplaceable character.

I know I'm biased because I'm a Nettles stan, but there are actual TV journalists/publications who've mentioned the same thing.

The only people who think she's replaceable are dumbass racist Dumbnyra stans, but they aren't the only ones watching this show.

The butt hurt Becky’s can stay made about her existence till the cows come home, but she’ll be there.

[horizon-verizon]

I genuinely don’t understand this narrative people are trying to push of Baela and Rhaena’s imagined avenging of House Velaryon like yeah their mother was a Velaryon but those girls are TARGARYEN. They had no stake and no claim to Driftmark/House Velaryon like I need people to leave those girls alone.

They had less "claim" than those who are in the actual "house" unless Corlys decided either would be his heir. And since he didn't, again, they had less claim than any person with the last name "Velaryon". That's just how the system works for Westerosi succession. In terms of the emotional family bonds, yes the girls are Velaryon. Yes their mother being a Velaryon and being their grandparent's daughter will always be valuable to Rhaenys and Corlys for them to be involved & actively offer or try to support in those girls' futures. But they aren't socially or culturally obligated to, they chose to be. If a lord or his wife chooses to not give material or emotional support to their niece or grandchild of a different house, it's not definitively seen as them abandoning said person. This isn't the real 21st century.

Having a specific surname in a feudal era/society does not prioritize nor is defined by "love", care, and emotional bonds between family members--it's about being a part of a very specific social group that owns particular hereditary lands or titles. A clan or blood related family that acts as another layer of identity in of itself for the sake of politics, which is why the Roman men had as much as 3 names (personal name, surname [clan or "gens"], and a nickname that indicated from what clan or "gens" you came from). I am of the ____ clan, this ____ house. Not "My last name is ___, it's what my parents (who have different family names) chose for me out of the options". More often than not, there are no options to "choose" a surname for a child; that child "belongs" to their father's house and they get their father's name. Are there exceptions? Of course (Jaecaerys' double identity). These are exceptions of a rule; that rule is already proven by how exceptional it is for a child to inherit the leadership of a different house through their mother or maternal grandfather. And though the clan/house is weighed above the individual, the head of the clan/house is given authority over their other members precisely because they are defined by being the director of the clan/house's future. Rhaenyra nor Viserys, however, is not the direct head of the Velaryon house and thus can't decide for Corlys regarding his heirs. They obviously can influence or make stipulations or show their preference in deals they make with Corlys...but they'd be thought of of crossing a boundary if they directly tried to tell Corlys who he should choose as his heir.

There's nothing individualistic nor community-affirming about it; it's meant to be exclusive for the sake of dividing resources and ensuring those resources go to someone within or very close to one's clan/house, and often as by the head's decision when open. Is this unappealing and even isolating at times, of course. But people need to know what the sociopolitical boundaries are to understand the quality of the social relationships people have or don't--thus see this one of many elements of the society the characters developed in shape/inspire the decisions that they make. The dragons twins are formidable; but Corlys valued passing down his legacy through boys of his own name, not matter how much he loved these girls.

And the reasons why they are pushing it is so that they can "prove" Rhaenyra was a worse person than she likely was AND to try to emphasize a sense of the blacks' faultiness to equal that that was clear for the greens for that "balance" some of them want. Others want that balance bc they agree with the greens and don't want them to appear as bad as they actually were so they can throw people's suspicion off of their choice and eschew really thinking about their own choice. That and they don't like that these badasses are black and, as one other anon said, are still tied to Targness and the Targs. Credited "Targness".

[ride-thedragon]

How it feels like being a fan of Afro-Futurism and Afro Surrealism watching Hotd.

I just want to understand, you know.

You get to make a change with this very famous series and add diversity to have Corlys in the same shirt for 26 years? (Corlys being such a baddie but refusing to change accessories for the outfit?)

We lived in a world where Ruth Carter had won her Oscar for Black Panther and you dress them like every other bitch at the height of their power?

This isn't even about them being black because they aren't in this world. But, what they are is a massive trade house that's frequently leading explorations all over the world.

Why is Laena in a Baratheon type dress in Pentos?

Why are her girls having dinner with the Pentoshi Prince in clothes very similar to their night gowns?( I didn't know it was different outfits. I just found that out.)

Why does young Rhaena have more costume changes in one night than teen Rhaena has in days?

It would've been so fun to make house Velayron distinctly noble, using non European inspiration at similar time periods.

You could've had the added element of Jace, Luke, and Joffery in Velayron clothes that obviously don't suit them when they were young and as they grow up lean more to the Targs and Velayrons respectively. Instead, we choose color distinctions.

I try to be kind, but this still hurts me.

[alicentflorent]

I wish Baela was eavesdropping on the convo Rhaenys and Corlys had. I feel like Rhaenys spent 6 years telling Baela it should be her and only mentioned Rhaena after Luke died. Corlys being a horrible grandfather doesn’t even mention it to Baela and is so quick to dismiss Rhaena. He won’t even consider her to anything

yeah that would have been interesting. Perhaps, despite being raised in drift mark Baela had accepted that it was Rhaena's future, not hers, her future is to one day be queen and she is satisfied with that but she knows Rhaena lost her future when Luke died, as did Rhaenys. Corlys is coming off like Daemon, showing affection to Baela the dragonrider, and ignoring the more traditionally feminine Rhaena.

[userparamore]

– Sheepstealer, a notably ugly “mud brown” dragon hatched when the Old King was still young, had a taste for mutton, swooping down on shepherd’s flocks from Driftmark to the Wendwater. He seldom harmed the shepherds, unless they attempted to interfere with him, but had been known to devour the occasional sheep dog. – FIRE & BLOOD, George R.R Martin

RHAENA CLAIMING SHEEPSTEALER 02.08 x House of the Dragon

[softspiderling]

if you can't take it (then get back) | j.v

summary:

“You sound surprised.”

“I just…” you paused, struggling to find the right words to convey what you were trying to say without outright insulting her heir. But Rhaenyra only chuckled, giving a slight nod, understanding.

“He has been rude to you, hasn’t he?”

OR; Your first meeting with the Crown Princes leaves much to be desired.

pairing: jacaerys velaryon x reader

warnings: jace is a classist guys, idk what to tell you, minimal violence, reader is a dragonseed but no descriptors were used <3 also OBVIOUSLY jace and baela are not betrothed in this fic

word count: 3,9k

author's note: yo to the anon who requested this like a bajillion years ago… i’m sorry it took me so long😔 thanks to my lil goblin master @eldrith for beta reading and being the best sister wife ever🫵🏼🧌

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

"Silverwing. What a beautiful name,” you whispered as you gently stroked your dragon’s snout, Silverwing pressing into your hand as you stood in the middle of the meadow in your new dress.

When you had gone into the forest to pick flowers for your mother’s grave, the last thing you had expected was to leave said forest on dragonback, soaring through the skies, a dream come true. It hadn’t taken long before another dragon quickly joined your sides, its rider introducing himself as Addam of Hull, telling you to follow him to Dragonstone.

Before long, you had pledged your loyalty to Queen Rhaenyra and were offered a place to sleep, a position by her side. Only two nights prior, you had been slaving away at a small tavern on Driftmark, not knowing if you’d something to eat, now you’d never go to bed hungry again.

“A beautiful name for a beautiful dragon.”

“She doesn’t understand you.”

You whirled around, only to see Prince Jacaerys stalk his way up to you, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

“My Prince,” you uttered, curtsying. You had heard great things about Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, and you felt giddy to be fighting alongside him for his mother.

Jacaerys came to a stop next to you, giving you a glare before he turned to Silverwing. You took a pause, not having expected to be rejected so brazenly, but you swallowed your pride, turning to Silverwing.

“She’s a beauty, is she not?”

You looked at Jacaerys only to see him roll his eyes and you felt a flash of irritation.

“She doesn’t understand you,” he repeated, as if you were hard of hearing. “We speak to dragons in High Valyrian.”

“Oh, Her Grace had mentioned that, but unfortunately I have not gotten around to-“

“Soves, Silverwing.”

Jacaerys seemed unperturbed as he interrupted you rudely, leaving you at a loss for words. Silverwing let out a growl, pushing her snout against your hand one last time before flapping her wings and taking to the skies. You watched as she danced through the sky, a look of awe on your face before you turned back to the Prince, a heavy weight settling in your chest. You took a deep breath, collecting yourself. Surely you were reading this whole conversation wrong. From what you have heard, the crown prince was an exceptional man and no one had ever uttered a bad word about him, or held any grievances.

“I apologize my Prince, if I somehow offended you.”

Jacaerys let out a laugh, but it held no warmth.

“You can refer to pure theft as an offense, yes.”

“Theft?” You echoed, confused. “You must have mistaken me, I am not a thief, I’m-“

“I know exactly who you are,” Jacaerys sniped. “You stole a dragon of House Targaryen.”

Aye, it seemed like you read the conversation exactly right.

“I did not steal Silverwing. I claimed her- she claimed me.”

“She claimed you,” Jacaerys repeated with a scoff. “You are a common born girl, not fit to be a dragon rider.”

Every ounce of grace and manner left your body at the tone of his voice, your eyes sparkling with fury.

“Pardon?”

“It is not your place to claim a dragon,” he hissed out and you sneered at him.

“Oh, my apologies, my Prince,” you exclaimed, voice so biting it was dripping with vitriol as you bowed your head “I did not mean to step on your toes. Let me just unclaim the dragon!”

Jacaerys rolled his eyes at you, his annoyance clear as day.

“That shows how much understanding you truly lack,” he said and you groaned, throwing your hands in the air.

“I know dragons cannot be unclaimed, I was trying to make a point!”

Jacaerys scoffed, turning his head away. He looked at Silverwing flying in the skies before he turned back to you.

“You kid yourself thinking this gives you any meaning to your life.”

You let out a breath of disbelief, your lips parted in shock. You had heard a lot of insulting words in the years of your life, but never have they been so belittling.

“You do not understand the meaning of claiming a dragon, nor do you deserve it,” Jacaerys bit out, continuing. “You will never live up to the worth of a dragonrider. You are merely a tool in a war you have no control over. You’re a commoner, a lowborn,” he said, his face contorted in anger, stepping closer to you. “A mongrel.”

SMACK!!

Your hand slapped across his face, a reaction to his words that was mostly reflex than anything else, and your eyes widened in shock as as you had realized what just happened, a gasp escaping your lips as you reeled back.

Fuck, did you really just slap the Crown Prince of the Seven Realms across the face like a common beggar?

Jacaerys’ hand flew to his reddened cheek, his lips parted as you stared at each other in shock. You were frozen, not daring to move, fearing the Kingsguard would step out of the shadows any moment to strike you down in retaliation.

When you realized that no knight would come, you spared one glance at Jacaerys before turning to leave, quickly fleeing the scene of the crime.

You had retreated into your chambers after the absolute horror of a first impression. Not even Addam’s invitation for supper had beckoned you out of the room; you were sick to the stomach imagining what kind of punishment Jacaerys was planning.

The glass on the window was cool against your forehead. You had sought refuge at the small nook, your eyes in the sky, watching Silverwing fly through the skies, longing in your chest. Feeling the wind in your hair would make you feel better, you had no doubt, but you didn’t want to anger the Prince even further. A knock on the door made you startle, and with a small sigh, you went to open it. Ser Erryk was stood in front of your chambers, inclining his head.

“My lady,” he said. “The Queen has asked to see you.”

Fear ran down your back at his words. It happened. Prince Jacaerys told her that you had laid your hands on him and she was about to cast you out.

This was too good to be true anyway, it was bound to end. You had always known your temper would be your ruin. You’d just assumed it would be a patron in the tavern striking you down for cursing him out, not the Queen taking your head because you put your hands on her heir.

As you followed the Ser Erryk to the Queen’s study, you wondered how she would end your life. Make Silverwing eat you alive? Burn you? Take your head with a sword? All the options made your insides crawl, and you tried to form some sort of coherent apology in your head, but not a single one seemed sufficient.

As you paused in the door way of the study, Ser Erryk announced you, before leaving. You curtsied, your head low. Queen Rhaenyra gave you a smile, extending her hand to the empty chair in front of her.

“Please, sit.”

Her behavior confused you, you had imagined her angry, furious even. Maybe she was trying to lull you into a false sense of security before putting you in chains. Nervously, you took a seat, dropping your hands in your lap.

“How have you been faring?” Rhaenyra asked, her voice soft. “I couldn’t help but notice you have withdrawn yourself to the chambers.”

You bit down on your lips, unsure on what to say; you knew it was rude not to speak when asked a question, especially by the queen, and you were desperately trying to come up with words, any at this point, but your mind was blank.

“I thought you would be dragonback. Jace has told me you have a formidable connection to Silverwing.”

Your eyes snapped up at her words, your blood chilling.

“He has?”

Was that before or after you slapped him?

Rhanyra smiled at you, her eyes crinkling. “You sound surprised.”

“I just…” you paused, struggling to find the right words to convey what you were trying to say without outright insulting her heir. But Rhaenyra only chuckled, giving a slight nod, understanding.

“He has been rude to you, hasn’t he?”

You lifted your eyes to meet her gaze, your silence answer enough and Rhaenyra sighed softly, laying her hand on yours.

“I hope you can excuse the Prince’s unwelcoming behavior. The war is a heavy toll and he has taken it upon himself to shoulder most of the responsibilities.”

Your lips parted in surprise and you leaned back in your chair, giving a demure nod.

“Of course your Grace,” you said softly. “I cannot imagine what the Prince has been going through”

“I hope his words will not hold you back from further strengthening the bond with your mount,” Rhaenyra continued. “It is of utmost importance that you study as much of what the grandmaester can teach you.”

Ducking your head, you nodded and Rhaenyra pulled her hand back, effectively dismissing you. The chair scraped against the stone floor as you stood and Rhaenyra turned from you to look outside, the skies blue.

“I have been told this time of day is perfect for riding.”

You curtsied, your fingers gripping the soft fabric of your dress as you exited the study, suddenly energized after having talked to the Queen. Your feet automatically carried you back into your chambers, but instead of returning to wallowing, you pulled your riding gear out of the closet, unlacing your dress. With quick strides, you walked down to the dragonmount and within moments, you were on Silverwing’s back, soaring through the air.

The wind in your hair was exhilarating, just as you had imagined, and it seemed like all the burden was lifting off your shoulders the longer you were in the skies. You leaned down, brushing your gloved hands against Silverwing’s neck when she let out a snarl, suddenly changing her directions. Puzzled, you peered forward, trying to see what caught her attentions when you saw a smaller dragon at the edge of the island of Driftmark. Its scales were green, a burnt orange and your chest tightened a little when you recognized it as Vermax, Jacaerys’ mount. Letting out a small sigh, you tightened Silverwing’s reigns, pushing your legs into her side, urging her downwards. Before long, Silverwing landed on the soft grass, spreading her wings so you could climb down. Your landing on the ground was anything but graceful, still not quite used to getting off tall heights but if Jacaerys had noticed, he had the courtesy not to comment on it.

Tugging your gloves off, you slowly approached Jacaerys. He was overlooking the harbor of Driftmark. You had never seen it so crowded, with ships and people alike. Nervously, you glanced over to him. Apologies had never come easy to you.

“Good day to ride.”

You regretted your words as soon as they passed your lips, wincing. Out of every words you knew, you chose to say that? Jacaerys shifted on his feet next to you, turning his head slightly.

“Aye.”

He did not speak more, but you found yourself unable to blame him. You just struck him across the face a day ago and now you were talking about the weather? Behind you, Silverwing was growing restless, stretching her wings with a whine as Vermax eyed her, letting out a rumbling growl. An uncomfortable silence settled over you and Jacaerys, and you wrung your hands.

“I was out of line-“ “I apologize for-“

The both of you started at the same time, before stopping again. Your eyes met his briefly, your cheeks flushing.

“Please, you go ahead,” you said quickly him but Jacaerys shook his head.

“No, I fell into your word.”

“I insist, my Prince.”

Jacaerys paused at the honorific, before he nodded, his gaze trained at the ground. He let out a deep breath, raising his head again. “I am sorry for lashing out at you. I regret my words deeply. They came from a place of anger, not honesty.”

You blinked at him, stunned. An apology was the last thing you had expected to come out of the Prince’s mouth. He had no reason to apologize to you, you were of lower rank. Something you had thought he would hold over you.

“Anger… Towards me?”

Jacaerys laughed dryly, shaking his head. “Not truly, no… You had no hand in your parentage, I cannot fault you for that,” he paused, turning his head away, blinking quickly. “And I cannot fault myself for that, either.”

He seemed lost in thought, and you weren’t quite sure what he was insinuating, but you decided against pressing the matter. The atmosphere was still fragile, you didn’t want to risk overstepping.

“I am sorry I struck you,” you said, glancing at him. The cheek you had struck still bore a faint red, which was not surprising, as Jacaerys had fairly pale skin, apart from the small freckles dusted across his nose. He was quite beautiful when he wasn’t yelling at you.

“Oh,” Jacaerys chuckled, his finger brushing over his cheek, like he had forgotten about it. “I guess I deserved that. I called you some… Less than savory things.”

“Still… I’m sorry.”

“You have the temper of a dragon.”

You couldn’t help but blurt out a laugh, quickly covering your mouth. Jacaerys gave you a boyish grin, so different to the Prince you had met the day before.

This.

This is who you had been expecting.

“I could say the same about you.”

“I guess fire and blood runs through both of our veins,” Jacaerys said and you glanced at him, a look of understanding passing through the both of you, your dragons behind you settling down.

“Lykirī, not lykiri.”

“That’s what I said.”

You were sitting on the floor of the library, your back leaning against the bookshelf. Several books on High Valyrian were scattered on the floor around you and if Grandmaester Gerardys were here, he’d keel over and die immediately.

But he wasn’t here. It was just Jace.

Jace.

It was maddening to think that only a moon turn ago you had struck him across the face and now you were sitting together like old friends.

“That is not what you said and you know it,” Jace mused, his hair falling into his eyes as he leaned over a book, before handing it over to you. “Here.”

Your finger tips brushed when you took the book from him and you try to not let it affect you as much as you poured over the book, even thought it felt like his touch left a scorching mark on your skin.

It would be most unwise to let affection distract you, least of all now and least of all for someone like him. Who knew what may come to pass by the next moon or even the morrow? Even if the war’s end should come, the Queen would never allow you near him. You may serve as one of her dragonriders, but you were far from worthy to even be considered as the lady wife of her heir.

“Lyckiri,” you tried again and Jace groaned, leaning his head back against the wall.

“That was worse than before!”

“Ugh,” you whined, closing the massive book with a thud. “I have been studying since we broke fast this morning. I am unable to learn any more words.”

“Do you want to go for a walk?”

“Is that allowed?” you asked and Jace only quirked a grin at you, getting to his feet.

“I’m the crown prince,” he replied, offering you his hand. “Surely no one would take issue with me?”

Rolling your eyes, you took his hand, letting him help you up. The two of you languidly walked outside the library and you could feel the tension seeping from your limbs as soon as the first rays of sunshine hit your skin. You let out a soft sigh, your eyes fluttering shut and you stretched your arms out. Jace was chuckling next to you, and when you peered an eye open at him, he was watching you bemusedly.

“Feeling better?”

“Much,” you sighed softly, wiggling your fingers at him. “You cannot tell me you don’t enjoy the sun and the fresh air, my Prince.”

He quirked a grin at you, dipping his head. “You don’t have to be so formal when it is just the two of us,” he said gently. “You can call me by my given name, if you wish.”

“Me, a low born calling the crown Prince by his given name? What would the council think?” you jested and Jace snorted, very unprincely.

“But,” you started, your voice softer. “Thank you, Jace.”

Jace smiled at youtaking a breath, before exhaling.

“Listen-“

“… is that a dragon?”

Jace whirled around into the direction you were facing, peering into the sky. The sun was shining directly into your eyes, and you squinted them, surely it cannot be a dragon. It was too small. Beside you, Jace blanched, the color draining out of his face.

“That’s Stormcloud. Aegon’s dragon.”

The small dragon seemed exhausted, his wings flapping slowly in the air, almost as if it was dragging itself to the earth of the island, until it finally landed, the small boy ontop of him clambering down. His hair was a stark blonde, one of Jace’s younger brothers.

“Jace!”

“Aegon?”

Jace sprinted towards his younger brother, who met him halfway, taking the boy into his arms.

“What happened? Where’s Viserys?”

Aegon’s eyes filled with tears, and he was tripping over his words as he tried to explain. Your heart ached for him.

“There were ships. They attacked us. I only managed to flee because of Stormcloud. Viserys-“

The blonde boy hid his face in his chest, his small body racking with sobs and Jace wrapped his arms tightly around his brother, his wide eyes flickering to you.

“I-“

“Go,” you urged him. “You have to find your mother.”

With a curt nod, though hesitant, Jace walked back into the Keep with his brother in his arms, leaving you standing in the grass while the dragonkeepers took care of Stormcloud, who seemed content enough to curl up on the warm grass. You didn’t want to imagine what the young dragon and his rider had been through, Aegon seemed inconsolable.

It was much later when you found Jace again, his shoulders tense and his strides quick. His forehead was creased in a frown, his eyes unfocused, so much that he jumped when you touched his arm gently.

“Is everything alright?” you asked him, voice soft.

Jace shook his head, his face pained, eyes wet with unshed tears.

“The Triarchy. Their fleet attacked the ship Aegon and Viserys were on while they were traveling on the Gullet. They have Viserys.”

“What?”

Jace sniffed, turning away from you, his head held high. You wanted to offer him comfort, at the same time, you didn’t want to overstep, so you wrapped your arms around yourself, letting Jace compose himself. He exhaled deeply, before letting out an annoyed growl, shaking his head.

“I have to go.”

Go?

“You can’t possibly mean the Gullet.”

“What else would I mean?” Jace snapped at you; and for the first time since you have made up with him, he reminded you of the Prince that had made you feel so small in the beginning. You knew his anger wasn’t directed at you, but you took a step back, mostly out of impulse. Jace took notice, sighing softly and his shoulders deflated.

“I’m sorry. I did not mean to raise my voice at you,” he said quietly. You nodded, swallowing thickly, freezing when Jace reached out to take your hands.

“There has to be something I can do. It’s my brother,” He said, his voice breaking and his grip tightened briefly. “I can’t lose another.”

“What if I go?” you blurted out; Jace looked appalled at your suggestion. You paused, before sighing. “Me and the other dragonseeds. We should go.”

Your own words terrified you, even though you knew it was the smartest decision. Neither Rhaenyra nor Jace could go, the future of the realm laid on their shoulders. You and the other dragonriders were expendable and you knew that, but Jace still seemed hesitant.

“Let me go. I’m sure her Grace will agree,” you said, squeezing his hand. “I’m merely a tool in a war I have no control over, remember?”

Jace couldn’t help but let out a laugh at you using his own words against him, shaking his head.

“This is why her Grace brought us in, let us do this.”

You knew you had persuaded him already, his eyes downcast, focused on your hands.

“You can’t even say lykirī.”

His voice was quiet when he spoke again, but there was a faint smile on his lips, so you rolled your eyes with a laugh.

“Lykirī,” you said, the word suddenly rolling off your tongue easily. “You happy now?”

Jace agreed reluctantly with a small nod, and you squeezed his hand one last time, before letting go, your skin missing the warmth his hands were providing.

“Be careful, don’t fly too low,” Rhaenyra said, her arms clasped. Her voice was even, but you could tell that she was tense, fearing for her son’s life. “I am grateful for your service.”

She looked at all the dragonseeds, before nodding her head, turning on her heel to leave the dragonmount, but Jace lingered behind. Addam was the first to mount Seasmoke, then Hugh. As the dragonkeepers beckoned you forward, you called out for Silverwing. You glanced back at Jace, who was already looking at you and you swallowed thickly, pressing your lips together. What if this was the last time you’d ever get to see him?

Silverwing let out a small grumble as she settled against the dock. You took a step towards her, hesitantly, before you turned on your heel, running towards Jace.

“What’s wro-?”

He didn’t get the chance to finish his words as you cut him off by pressing your lips against his and he stilled in shock before he wrapped his arms around you, deepening the kiss. Silverwing let out a deafening growl and you pulled away, your cheeks red.

“I-”

“Don’t,” Jace said, inhaling sharply. “Tell me when you come back.”

You wanted to protest, but the look on his face made you swallowed your words. With a last squeeze of his hand you stepped away from him, mounting Silverwing.

“Lykirī, Silverwing,” you said gently, as she whined softly. “I’m sorry. Soves.”

Silverwing flew out of the dragonmount, and you barely managed to catch one last glimpse of Jace before you were in the skies, joining Hugh and Addam, the latter taking the lead. Despite riding the fiercest creatures on earth, you couldn’t help but feel dread all over. It didn’t ease the closer you got to Gullet, but you tried to stay strong as the cold winds whipped you in the face. Your stomach dropped when the clouds dissipated over the Gullet, revealing an entire fleet of hostile ships across the ocean.

Seven hells, you thought, your breath stocking in your throat, I should’ve told him.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

author’s note: sorry for the ambiguous ending😔pls leave some kindhearted feedback 🫵🏼🩵