#fanon aegon is better

[jacksonseymour13]

Yall already know who this is 🤫

[lullaebies]

What do you honestly think of Aegon's character in the show?

i mean they made him pretty damn unlikable - i didn't like aegon ii on my first watch and really only really started enjoying his character when i added some book!aegon context as well as started to criticize the show on my own. i don't think show!aegon is a flat character but he's certainly not a well-written one, he kinda gives the horse the has been beaten dead by the showrunners.

i think he COULD make for a very interesting character, even in his current state there is some potential but like my dude really was robbed of a lot of opportunities to humanize him already and the way things are they would have very little time to explore him in season 2 - and he would likely really only return to the fray in the last season so like. 💀

i like the way tom glynn carney acts him out however, i feel like there were moments that were interesting with him, and his dumbass can be more entertaining to watch than plenty other characters (his interactions with his family are very emotion filled and interesting and also he's just hilarious to watch - him running through the streets takes me out to this day and his expressions at any given moment are reaction meme worthy). show!aegon knows he's kinda the worst person alive and i like the awareness from him but he really didn't have to be all of that so yeah. i feel like we really need to glean his potential from tgc's heavy lifting of his character so its kinda sad. I genuinely feel like we got more context on his character from moments where Aegon stood there silent and Tom just did his thing with his very expressive face.

at the end of the day i think the show did not take his character or the political conflict seriously enough to write him well. it ignores his trauma in many things like his marriage and the political sphere he has been put in as a kid, ignore his drinking issues he had since he was a kid, ignored things he cares about like sunfyre and his kids just so they can amp up that he only likes whoring and drinking... and yanno maybe if he wasn't based on a book character who had reasonable motivations to care to take up the crown that would work but. he is significantly less understandable than his book!counterpart. who is written as an historical figure. without an actual look into his thoughts. it's really impressive they managed to that actually 😭

[valaenatargaryensdragon]

jacaerys and his valyrian looking twin sister giving jaehaerys and alysanne reborn! they're betrothed early on by their mother and grandsire and can't get enough of one another. no war and they marry right when they're of age, and he totally has a breeding and lactation kink with her after so many kids, feeding from her breast to relax himself from his duties as heir and serving on their moms council as she's queen. to the point rhaenyra is so concerned that sets her aside like you're always with child is everything okay and she's like noo I want this.

A/N: I hope you like it! I feel like this would look better as multiple parts or? Cause this is supposed to be a duration of their life so I tried like doing a summery.

pairing: Fanon!Jacaerys Valeryon x twin!Reader

summary: jacaerys and his valyrian looking twin sister giving jaehaerys and alysanne reborn! they're betrothed early on by their mother and grandsire and can't get enough of one another. no war and they marry right when they're of age, and he totally has a breeding and lactation kink with her after so many kids, feeding from her breast to relax himself from his duties as heir and serving on their moms council as she's queen. to the point rhaenyra is so concerned that sets her aside like you're always with child is everything okay and she's like noo I want this.

Word count: 2,4K

Warnings: Fluff, incest, no war, smut, P in V, breeding kink, fingering, lactation kink, humping

Masterlist 1

Masterlist 2

"Jace" You moaned wrapping your arms around his shoulders. He hummed against the skin of your neck, placing soft kisses there, teasing you. He grinded his hard on against your exposed and wet cunt.

"Jace, please" You lifted your hips trying to get more friction. Jace chuckled against your throat and raised his head to look at you. A smile adorned his face. You looked back at your husband of almost fifteen years, you two were married on your six and ten namedays, the celebration became two or technically three.

The realm rejoiced and congratulated you two when the King himself ordered fourteen days of celebrations, seven in Jace's honour and seven for yours. There were feasts of all kinds for the nobles in the Red Keep and also there were tents that were put up in the streets for the smallfolk.

You and Jace were always meant to be together, you were born together after all. Jacaerys was born with his Strong brown hair and eyes but you had your mother's white-blonde hair and her lavender eyes. You and Jace shared a room ever since you were born and refused to leave one another. When you two became ten namedays old rumours floated around that your two began fondling each other, they were untrue of course but it caused a stir but still you two refused to be separated from each other.

Queen Alicent suggested betrothing you to her son Aegon and all hell broke loose, Jace threatened to steal you away if anyone tried taking you away from him. Your mother feared he would do like King Jaehaerys did with Queen Alysanne and refused the match. By the time you two were ten and three you finally were betrothed much to your joy.

Jace refused to leave your side and when he would train in the courtyard he demanded you come and watch him. Still your innocent nature won and you made friends with your uncles and aunt, especially with your aunt. You would read with her book about insects, she out of love for them but you out of curiosity. This released some of the tension between your brothers and uncles and they made some kind of truce.

When Aemond claimed a dragon you were the once to advice Jace against taking the knife with him sparing your uncle's eye from a horrible fate. Now Jace and Aemond sparred together with all their eyes intact. Luce was closer to Aemond however, both forming a friendship of sorts, well a friendship of sarcasm and friendly insults.

Aegon resumed his ways of drinking and whoring himself much to the dismay of everyone. When the time came your grandsire himself attended all the feasts of your wedding despite his reclining health. Jace refused the bedding ceremony even when you said you were alright with it. Ever since that night you two became obsessed with each other, fucking like rabbits, the location and time never mattered either.

"What is it, sweet wife?" Jace asked. One of his hands sneaked down between your bodies rubbing a comforting hand over your bump before resuming down to your cunt. You sighed in relief at the feeling of his fingers toying with you pearl.

"I need you, lēkia" Brother. You mewled. Jace leaned down claiming your lips with his swallowing your sounds of pleasure. He pushed a finger inside of your sopping hole. Your head fell back, eyes screwed shut. He dropped his head down to your breasts, so full and big from feeding all your children. His lips unconsciously opened and wrapped around your right nipple and he began suckling.

After your wedding in a couple of moons while you were pregnant with your eldest your grandsire passed in his sleep leaving the throne for your mother. You were devastated but you knew life went on. Your mother made Jace the heir and sent you both to Dragonstone as the rightful owners. Ever since you lived there along with your children.

First came your sweet Maerion (now four and ten), a boy with your hair and eyes but was the spitting image of his father. Eleven moons later he was followed by Valaenya (Now four and ten), a girl who looked and acted as her father. She usually asked why she was your only daughter with her father's hair, that you loved so much. A year lated you had Gaelora (Now three and ten) who had your hair and eyes as well, the troublemaker who gave her father a run for his money, she always followed Jace and Maerion around with her own wooden sword and demanded to train alongside them. Your fourth child was born quiet much to your horror and had to be supervised for a while before he was handed to you alive and healthy, Rhaegor (One and ten) a boy with fair hair but brown eyes. He was a quiet kid and some people believed him mute but he only spoke when he felt like it. Your fifth and sixth children came together like you and Jace, your twins Daenerys and Daemion (Now ten of age). Daemion had his father's hair and your eyes while Daenerys had your hair, like Maerion, Gaelora and Rhaegor but her father's eyes. Daemion enjoyed sword fighting like his older brother Maerion and older sister Gaelora. Daenerys however enjoyed embroidery along with Valaenya and they usually made insect shaped handkerchiefs for their aunt Helaena who would send them ones back with their favourite flowers. Your seventh child who was now seven namedays, your girl Visenys who had your fair hair but her eyes were a dark violet looking almost black, she was a dreamer like Helaena which made you uneasy because sometimes she would wake up from nightmares or simply seeing visions leaving her shaken. You had ordered for her to always have a bottle of nightshade in her chambers for whenever she could no longer bare the dreams. She was fair haired but with her father's eyes and his height. Then came Saenya , she had your hair and eye colour, a girl of now five namedays, she was quiet and collected, barely cried even as a babe. She learned High Valyrian faster than the common tongue. She enjoyed playing with animals and already had two kittens she found in the gardens of the Keep. Your ninth child was a boy named Laenor in honours of your father, or the one in the public's eyes at least. He was brown haired but with lavender eyes. Your tenth child and last with surprisingly a gap of two years between him and his older brother, a boy with brown hair and eyes named Jaeron and he was one name day old.

"Shh sweet sister, your husband will care for you" Jace promised. He pushed himself down until he was face to face with your stomach, swollen with your eleventh child or maybe more from the size of it. He placed a kiss on a small bruise there from a kick earlier. He resumed down to your cunt, dripping with need.

he pushed three fingers inside of you, knowing you can take it. You moaned loudly running a hand down to touch your own clit. Jace let you knowing you got off to pleasuring yourself to the thought of him of course.

"Is this good, sweet wife?" Jace asked curling his fingers upwards. You arched your back off the bed, rolling your hips to take his fingers deeper.

"So good" You answered. He smirked leaned down to place a kiss on you clit as he pushed your hand away. His tongue took the job of abusing the button to your nerves and suckled.

"Yes!" You cried rolling your hips down onto his face. Jace slurped moving down to tease your opening with his tongue while his fingers pumped in and out of you. He shook his head from side to side rubbing the tip of his nose to your pearl.

"Cumming" You warned, you always came fast when pregnant. Something about him still desiring you while pregnant did it for you. Jace hummed against your private parts granting you release. You clenched your thighs around his head, probably strong enough to crush his skull, but he was a dragon and nothing hurt him. He loved suffocating against your pussy and if he were to die like this he would be happy. Your legs shook with each wave of pleasure before falling on the mattress again. Jacaerys lapped at your release not wanting to waste a single drop. You shivered overwhelmed with pleasure but did not complain.

"Did so well for me, sweet wife" Jace rose up to lay beside you. He helped you roll to your side. Your shuddered feeling him rub his cock against your entrance. You pushed your hips back needy.

"Fuck me, brother, please" You begged. Jace pushed his cock inside of you slowly to not hurt you. He pushed himself up so he could take your nipple on his mouth. His other hand moved to grope at the flesh of your behind bouncing with each snap of his hips. You cried curling your hands around the sheets. Jace moaned against your nipple as warm milk filled his mouth.

You were due any day now which is why you were in the keep, you always insisted on giving birth in the keep to be close to your mother who was too busy to travel to Dragonstone and back all the time. With the amount of children that you had she would have to move there instead of living in the Keep.

"Fuck, yes" You whined head rolling back. Jace quickened his pace feeling his balls are about to explode for you, for your cunt. His hand kneading your behind moved to your belly feeling your child move inside annoyed by the movement of your hips. He or she were probably dizzy from the movement.

"Harder, Jace, fuck me harder" You begged sobbing from the the pleasure. Your hand moved to tweak your other breast letting the milk roll down your fingers and soak the sheets. Your other hand moved down to play with your clit.

"Fuck darling" Jace growled, holding on to your hips, jackhammering inside of your hole. Your clenched around him, with the movement of his cock inside of you and your fingers teasing yourself you came with a loud cry that was probably heard by the entire Keep, you have heard people talk about you before about having heard you and Jace coupling. You smirked proudly back then knowing the women were jealous that your brother-husband was able to make you cum unlike their husbands.

"Good girl" Jace growled spilling his seed inside of you. You relaxed feeling exhausted from the act and being pregnant at the same time. You turned to look at Jace over your shoulder whining as he pulled out. He leaned over to kiss your lips sweetly.

"Let us bathe, mother is expecting us for supper" Jace reminded. You groaned annoyed allowing him to help you off the bed and over to the bathtub. The maids had gotten you water earlier to bath which was now cold but you did not care right now, it helped push down the temperature of your body from your coupling earlier.

After bathing you put on a simple gown, you had more pregnancy gowns than normal gowns at this point. You and Jace walked side by side to the great hall where the supper was to take place. Your children had their own table along with Luce's and Rhaena own three daughters, Aegon and Helaena's three children and your youngest brothers.

"Oh dear, come sit down" You mother moved to your other side to help you walk over to your seat. You sighed in relief once you no longer had to hold up your own weight.

"Thank you mother" You smiled brightly at her. Jace kissed your forehead before moving over to Luce so they could speak to one another.

"Are you alright, darling?" Your mother earned your attention again. You quirked up an eyebrow in confusion at her question.

"I- yes, why mother?" You tilted your head to the side. The sound of children's laughter sounded like music to your ears, it was like the balm to all your wounds and worth every second of pain you endured.

"I mean this is your eleventh child, are you not tired?" She asked. She placed a hand on your cheek as if you were a small child all over again.

"I am not, I enjoy it" You shrugged. Her eyes held a weirdness to them, she could not believe that someone enjoyed pregnancy, something so painful and exhausting.

"Are you sure? Is Jace forcing you? believe me I will punish-" You placed a finger to her lips making her stop talking. You giggled shaking your head from side to side. You turned to look at Jace laughing with Luce and Aemond about whatever men found fun. You could feel yourself growing wet again, he had grown to be the tallest one of them three and he had muscles that you heard rivalled those of Harwin Strong, your rumoured father.

"He is not forcing me, I want this" You could not even move your gaze away. Watching how his muscles flexed when he moved to pat Luce's shoulder. How his back tensed when Aegon joined before relaxing again seeing as Aegon was not drunk as usual.

"I see" You snapped back to reality and looked at your mother who was smirking at you. Your fave felt like it was on fire and you turned to look down on your belly, that covered your lap. Your hands ran over the smooth silk that covered your skin feeling butterflies in your stomach, or maybe your child or children were moving around.

"I am glad you are happy, dear" She patted your hand. You smiled at her nodding before it was wiped off quickly. You grabbed her hand forcefully making her pause shocked.

"My labours, mother" You explained. Her smile dropped and she immediately helped you back up calling Jace over to help you back to your rooms.

That night you had your eleventh child, a girl with white-blonde hair but some brown streaks popped through the tufts of hair and when she opened her eyes they were of different shaded, her right one was lavender and her left was dark brown so you named her Alyssa like your great-grandmother who had the same mismatching eyes just with different colours.

[nrilliree]

TB: Here is why we think Rhaenyra should be heir, why Daemon was a suitable partner, why her boys' parentage doesn't matter, etc.

*present evidence from the books and show depending on the canon that's being discussed to support their statements*

Team Broccolis: Nah you're wrong.

*go on to present a list of elaborate headcanons and fanon bullshit after cherry picking and mixing details from book and show while ignoring the context*

TB: Refutes their headcanons with well made arguments comprising of solid and reasonable points

Team Broccolis: Why don't TB admit they are wrong and we are right?

Go on to repeat the same headcanons they have memorized by heart

Every argument with the broccolis always ends in circles. There was a time when it was frustrating; now it's just exhausting. It is a pity because discourses - even those that end in disagreements - can be interesting to engage in. But it gets difficult to do so when the opposing side is so deeply entrenched in fanon and denial about their favourites being antagonists in the narrative who lost. This denial manifests itself in many forms. Be it by exaggerating Rhaenyra and Daemon's flaws while brushing whatever the Greens did under the carpet - a tactic the maesters also employed in the book - to wishing for Daenaera to be erased and replaced by Jaehaera to coming up with crack theories that Catelyn is descended from Alysmond's son thus making the Starks TG's descendants and believing that crack.

Visenya is one of my favourite characters; The circumstances that led her to usurp the throne with Maegor are more understandable because the two of them saved their house from utter destruction by dealing with a severe crisis that was caused due to Aenys' stupidity and incompetence. Yet the act of usurpation itself cannot be justified and the wrong that was done to Aenys' rightful heirs was eventually corrected while Maegor died issueless. I rather like Daemon Blackfyre who, by all accounts, was a more capable and better individual than Alicent's sons. It can also be argued that his rebellion was the outcome of his mother Daena being passed over for her uncle. Still, his attempt of usurping his brother - the rightful king - cannot be validated.

But it is only the Greencels who cannot wrap their heads around the role their favourites played in the story when better characters than them weren't immune to the consequences.

My favorite conversation with TG was something like this:

TG: Why do you think TB won the war? Aegon killed Rhaenyra! Me: TB troops won against TG troops, so they won the war. TG: TB troops lost the war, lol. Me: *I write out the last battles in which TB troops won, and also that there were no TG troops left to defend the capital, and that even the council told Aegon II that he should surrender* TG: But TB lost, lol. Aegon killed Rhaenyra.

And so on… I just had these… but how? Just because a leader dies doesn't end the war. Even the death of Aegon II did not end it yet, only the trials of the TG's supporters carried out by Cregan.

And oh yeah, I definitely love these weird fanons and theories that claim TG as their "right". This happens so often that I have developed a habit in which I assume that arguing with TG stans is pointless because it will end the same as always. I know it's wrong, but I can't help it. I just know that I'm about to hear about pedophiles, THE victim, the misunderstood Aegon and all the rest of this complete nonsense that they seem to be repeating like parrots. They just want to believe that in HotD history they are "Starks" and TB are "Lannisters" and they will write the biggest nonsense to prove their point.

[ride-thedragon]

To be honest, I feel this season would have been much better if the focus had shifted to the younger generation.... Imagine each of them dealing with their own struggles, being dragged into a war they didn't even start because of the ambition and pettiness of the adults around them. There wouldn't be any clear-cut good or bad side, no real wins, just losses. It would be far more intriguing to watch how they cope with loss, pressure, and the heavy obligations of being caught up in a war. Just the idea of seeing them grow amidst the chaos, their relationships evolving under the strain of conflict, and their attempts to make their own way in a world shaped by their elders' decisions – The whole Rhaenyra and Alicent beef is the least interesting part now. It was alright in season one; their conflict set the stage well enough, but this season, it just feels like it's dragging on.

I mostly agree with this. This season was said to be the season they focused on the kids. So far it's been better than last season but not better overall.

There were so many missed opportunities for potential interactions that are left up to the actors filling in the gaps or the fanon of the last two years lending itself to the canon. Rhaenyra is still contemplating a war 3 episodes in that Jace and Baela are ready to fight. Baela and Rhaenys don't have a conversation this season, the season she dies. We see Corlys and Rhaenys with Alyn but not once with Jace?

Helaena and Aegon have once scene after blood and cheese at the actors insistence.

Rhaenys doesn't get to say goodbye to Rhaena, her daughter's child?

They let the green kids interact with the adults around them because it plays into a conflict, but the black kids don't because they can't afford the conflict.

They let Rhaena get one conversation I that shows Rhaenyra in a bad light, and you'd swear they let off a bomb for the fans.

Conflict drives character development, and interaction drives character importance. Elinda Massey has more scenes with Mysaria than Rhaenyra's heir, who should be questioning her. Aegon has more scenes with his rat pack than his brother or hand individually.

These things need to be developed, especially developed further. Maybe they'll have us in the second half, but I'd be more surprised than hopeful, like when Rhaena and Baela hugging genuinely shocked me. Or how Jace's closest ally according to the marketing didn't get a goodbye from him and has been missing for an episode.

They seem to be trying. They need to try harder.

As for Rhaenicent, I loved their parallel in episode 1. The fact that it seems they can't escape each other when they're worlds apart because they are a part of each other in a really innocent way they still belong to no matter how deep the talons sink.

After that, it seems to be reason for plot sake rather than character motivations. It's so strange because they have characters voicing how insane the Septa Nyra plot was with her being like, "I had to know." She's allowed to be naive about her place in the war, but it's getting ridiculous. They are wasting Emma and their talent.

As for Alicent, she needed to find out that she was wrong and reckon with that but there are better ways. Her sons confronting her in private, a head with Cole, Otto waking her up, Rhaenyra responding and trying to convince her but Alicent refusing then reckoning.

They were the heart of the show, but I think it's time to let go of the idea slowly and let the narrative fall to the factions as they find their place on either side. I can at least hope that's where they are heading.

[littlelord]

the ASOIAF / HotD / GoT fandom does not talk about the Velaryons enough, (and i know y’all know why. work on that.) so let’s talk about them. I present:

Velaryon Appreciation Day 1:

Corlys Velaryon

The lack of recognition for Corlys is DISGRACEFUL in this fandom.. I genuinely didn’t know he was a main character until I watched the show this week.

So here are some reasons you should appreciate or at least recognize Corlys:

1. He loves his wife more than anyone on that show. Easily the best husband out of the lot.

2. Literally Rhaenys’ #1 fan

3. Puts aside his long-held ambition to have his blood on the throne when Rhaenys asks

4. Is one of the biggest supporters of Team Black

5. ..I’m not kidding, do y’all remember how he kept vying for Rhaenyra’s claim long after her death? Yeah

6. Dude got arrested and sentenced to death for plotting to unseat Aegon AFTER RHAENYRA WAS DEAD

7. Like instrumental to Team Black and Rhaenyra’s line succeeding the throne, especially post-dance

8. Some of the best hair in the series i mean COME. ON. :

the gold bands? that length??? outdid.

9. Some of the best outfits, especially among the men of HotD

10. He is THE Sea Snake, ruler of the seas!!!!!! Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark, Head of House Velaryon, and Princess Rhaenys’ husband (the final is obviously his best and most important title).

11. My dude is HARDY. Recovered from a near-fatal stab wound and intense fever at 70(ish) years old.

12. He is so sweet to Luke. Fights for him as heir to Driftmark despite knowing they are not blood related (“it was just so the Velaryon name stays on the throne!” so? he could’ve supported Vaemond’s claim but he chose to support Rhaenyra’s child, his grandchild)

(look at little Luke and his grandsire😞)

13. Driftmark is cool as fuck and he’s the Master of it so that’s another point to Corlys.

14. I said it once I’ll say it again: GILF.

15. (extra credit): Steve Toussaint (Corlys’ actor) seems to be a great guy. He’s funny, v entertaining in interviews, comes across so genuine, bffs with Eve Best (Rhaenys’ actress), and is a huge GoT nerd (seriously. he is the only one who can answer any questions about GoT in the interviews i’ve seen him in). And fun fact- as I was looking to see if he’s overtly problematic, I discovered that all of his twitter likes are just “human kindness” and funny animal videos.

And the worst thing is that if he looked like his pre-HotD fancast/fanon version, people would not shut up about him.

“He’s soo fine”

“I need a husband like him”

“We need to talk about him more.”

..and you know i’m right!

FINALLY:

I am not saying you have to like Corlys (especially if you do not fw any asoiaf men, which i deeply respect), but free him and House Velaryon from this double standard you hold them to.

Like I better not see anyone who appreciates, recognizes, or likes Daemon or Aemond or Criston or even Alicent talking about how Corlys is “too prideful,” “too ambitious,” because look the fuck around!!!!!!! who isn’t in this goddamn verse!!?!??!!! and also you know what?? if my beautiful amazing badass wife was denied her rightful throne, i’d be mad about it too!!!!! even after she said she was over it!!!

if you made it this far, i’m thoroughly impressed and even more grateful that you have heard me out in this Corlys Velaryon rant!

[ceoofhelaegon]

I’m surprised people find “dutiful aemond” a canon show characterization- we see him break this over and over again. Claiming Vhagar, the Strong boys toast, Storm’s End. It’s a very fanon interpretation and I think actual canon Aemond remains much closer to Aegon in characterization. They’re both very smart and certainly willing to protect the family, but they’re serving themselves first. Aegon is hedonistic while Aemond inflates his self purpose. Aemond’s concept of being the better king comes from not understand why his brother is the way he is- after all, Aegon never thought he’d rule. He’s just trying to have a good time lol. Sorry to dump on you, it’s just something I see come up over and over and I find it a funny argument between the brothers. Neither of them are particularly dutiful people, it just comes across in different ways. Aegon is more open about disregarding it haha.

I actually agree with you, Nonnie.

I think that both of them try to get Alicent’s approval, Aemond by being the smart son and Aegon by marrying Helaena and having children with her.

I do think that Aemond has a holier than thou mentality, he does everything that he thinks makes him better than Aegon but Aegon couldn’t care less lol.

Maybe his desire to be King comes from the wish of being seen as the “worthy one”.

His whole talk of “depravities” and saying much better he is than Aegon could come from wanting to prove himself…

Because think think about it, he didn’t have a dragon for ten years so he got one…but it was short lived because now he lost an eye and he had to prove that he can still be this great fighter and “worthy” son.

In conclusion, I believe he’s overcompensating so it seems that he’s dutiful but he’s actually wearing his heart on his sleeve and is very impulsive.

[selkiesstories]

Why does anyone like Baela? She visited the child fighting pits, sold her 6 year old niece to shore up her husband's rights to velaryon lands. Wasn't daenaera an orphan? And baela who jumped into a river to escape an unwanted marriage as an older girl, finds it ok to sell off a prepubescent girl under her care. She became what rhaenyra was. I guess fanon baela annoys me just as much as fanon mysaria. They are evil and just because they are woman doesn't make them good.

Any idea why rhaena accepted the daenera plot? I really really liked her except for this.

Why do people like Baela? Because presentation matters. Baela is presented as Daemon’s mini-me, and Daemon’s visits to the fighting pits and tastes for newly flowered maidens is presented as part of his equal parts dark and light nonsense. I think Rhaena went along because as far as Westeros is concerned marriage to the king is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and she probably thought that her brother would treat his wife well. The real problem IMO is the double standard: Otto does a milder version of this and is lambasted.

As far as Baela make no mistake this is a political power move. (Completely OOC but whatever) She’s affirming the preeminence of Velaryons politically by highlighting her personal relationship with king while simultaneously cementing her husband’s claim to Driftmark. That’s the obvious reading, but it gets better (or worse lol) when you realize that Martin has inadvertently made a case that the Velaryons and by extension Baela are the ones behind Jaehaera’s death. Think about it: the Velaryons under Corlys were involved in assassinating Aegon II. Then Alicent conveniently acts completely out of character and attacks Aegon III with his bodyguard’s dagger and must be confined to her rooms. Jaehaera is noted to be a traumatized child but is kept away from her grandmother because Alicent, again in complete contradiction to everything we know about her, terrified her own granddaughter. Again convenient. So Jaehaera is left isolated and eventually throws herself from the window. Then Baela swoops in and presents Aegon III with a bride who also happens to have an arguably better claim to Driftmark. As an added bonus Daenaera’s father was killed in action under the command of Alyn Velaryon. Forget Tywin Lannister-this is Michael Corleone settling the family business.

[flowerandblood]

My thoughts on the trailer: I'm happy to see everyone is suffering. The links between Rhaenyra and Aegon are very interesting to watch. I'm glad we'll get to see Aegon from a slightly different perspective, and I'm quietly hoping for some sort of scene of him with Helaena where it's just the two of them.

To be honest, I don't understand the complaints about Rheanyra and Alicent's characters, about both of them wanting to avoid war. I know that in the books Alicent is diffirent, but adding her more depth for me is something that makes me understand her more.

They do not forget that they were united by person of Viserys and that kinslayers are not something the realm enjoys. Dragons destroy everything in their path, remember? The kingdom of ashes sounds magical indeed.

"Why don't they protect their own family?" And Rheanyra and Aegon are not siblings? Dividing by faction we forget a little that they are all of House Targaryen – they're not the Lannisters and the Starks from Game of Thrones.

Contrary to the opinions of others, the replacement of Nettles with Rhaena's character doesn't bother me. They made Daemon dirty in season one anyway. I'd rather Baela and Rhaena had more time in the series than the introduce new character and I don't suffer at the thought.

The scene in the brothel with Aemond surprised me, but I don't share the opinion that it is out of character for him, nor do I think it confirms or denies the fact that at the age of 13 as boy, even when uncomfortable with a woman touching him, he would ever admit he didn't want it as a grown man. Of course he would turn it into a joke. How could a man not want/be unable to fuck a woman?

Did he want it or not actually doesn't matter, because as we see, as a grown man he comes back to this kind of relief anyway of his own accord. Does he just like it or he just comes back to his trauma again and again – that's in my opinion for the fanon to choose.

I don't think that his betrothal are in force after what he has done (kinslayer, shalalalala), so he is still a free man. He is not in love with any woman at this point, nor obsessed with any, so his choice for “not being lonely” is quite understandable and logical.

His facial expression, to me, shows that he is seeking comfort – he needs a moment of vulnerability after what he has done and what it means to his family. Who is it actually don't matter to me – for me it seems that it's woman in the brothel. Is it Mysaria? I have no fucking idea, that would be weird. But who knows?

I'm curious about introduction of Alys. I hope they will make her wise, sneaky woman who knows what she wants and needs to survive. I want her to be manipulative for her own good, without taking sides. I want to see woman who decides about her own fate, proud, mocking and cold, pretending if nessesary to gets what she wants. This is how I always imagined her.

Anyway, everything looks better this season and I wait for many scenes. I see many people complaining (I should predicted it being in this fandom for a year now 😆) but I'm actually happy with what I saw!

And ah, yes, Cregan Stark. He looks like a little sad puppy. I hope he will come out more like a cool guy from the North during the next season. 😂

[atopvisenyashill]

Top 5 pairings you think are more platonic or better platonic than romantic (canon & fanon)

ooo interesting one okay.

top 5 canon pairings that are better platonic

jon & val

dany & daario

meera & bran (rip to bran's crush but she is robb's age it's not happening baby boy)

naerys & aemon (well, on naerys' end anyway)

aegon & rhaenys (HE'S ASEXUAL)

top 5 fanon pairings that are better platonic

jon & dany 🤭

sansa & tyrion

jon & arya

theon & jeyne

aemond & lucerys

[lovelykhaleesiii]

So I write for like every character on HOTD and I’ve been getting attacked for my Aegon fics for months being called delusional etc because I obviously write him in a certain way so that’s he’s a better person (obviously not making him a rapist)— but nobody is coming for Daemon the groomer, or Aemond the child killer 💀

the hypocrisy particularly with the men from hotd is very real. I have heard similar situations for those that write for Aegon & the hate they receive is disheartening enough to make writers stop writing for Aegon. he is a complex character and TGC plays him so well. I have never said that the man is innocent, I know the crimes he has committed & do not condone. but if they hold one character accountable, then their faves should be too, it’s as simple as that.

fanfiction is fiction, these characters are fiction. most of the time, the fanfics are fanon.

[jacksonseymour13]

Jace and Aegon's relationship in a nutshell

[valaenatargaryensdragon]

Beloved of my Dreams

pairing: Fanon!Helaena Targaryen x Male OC

summary: Helaena feels insecure and who better than her uncle/husband to comfort her

Word count: 1,9K

Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Insecurity, Sad Helaena, Childbirth

Masterlist 1

Masterlist 2

Rhaegal flipped yet another page basking in the silence that filled the room, it was just after supper and as usual he was in his solar reading through a book. He usually suppered with his wife but she decided to eat with her mother so he suppered alone, he did not mind at all of course.

He looked up when the door to his solar was pushed open. A grin grew on his face at the sight of a very pregnant Helaena step in. He abandoned his book on a table nearby before making his way over to her.

"I almost grew with worry, my love" Rhaegal leaned down to place a kiss on Helaena's forehead. She gave him a weak smile unlike her usual bright smile.

"Are you alright Helaena? Is the baby giving you a hard time?" He questioned fingers unconsciously sliding down to her belly feeling his child kick against his hand. Helaena debated telling him but chose to keep her worries to herself and smiled lightly.

"I am alright and so is he, I just feel tired" She answered. She pulled away from him and made her way to the bed. Rhaegal grew even more worried like this, she always tells him what happened with her and what her mother and her spoke of.

"Hel, you know you can always speak with me, right?" Rhaegal followed after her. She did not look at him and kept herself busy with the laces of her dress huffing annoyed when her fingers would slip. Rhaegal walked over and pushed her hands away to undo the laces himself.

Her hands now moved to her belly with a frown. She massaged the sore skin praying silently for her son to be born safely. She had seen it in a dream, a healthy son was going to be born and she could not wait for her to hold him in her arms but right now she just wanted him to stop his kicking.

"Hel?" Rhaegal leaned his forehead down to rest his chin on her shoulder. She closed her eyes leaning against him, she could not help it, she loved him. He has always been very nice to her and showered her with gifts meaningful to her, no jewellery unless it looked like an insect or books all about small creatures she liked and did not know from all around the realms. Once he traveled the Dorne on business and returned with a whole carriage filled with insects she has never seen before except in the book he gave her when he returned from his travels.

She was so happy she dared kissing him even though they were still not married back then. Now as a married couple she felt much more comfortable with him and she was thankful because if she were to marry Aegon she doubted she would have been able to trust his as she did her nuncle.

She gasped a little when Rhaegal's arms circled her belly and he lifted a little taking some of the weight off her feet. She whined relived leaning even more into him. She felt light on her feet again and even if it were for a couple of minutes she was thankful.

"Share your burdens with me" Rhaegal whispered in her ear. Helaena shook her head not wanting to remember the conversation she had with her mother earlier. She wanted the peace to last.

"I just want you to hold me" Rhaegal did not hesitate to move her to the bed and joining her still in his day clothes. Helaena felt tears rise in her eyes as she cuddled into his chest.

"Shh my sweet Helaena" He shushed running his fingers through her platinum locks. She wanted to stay in the safety of his embrace forever.

"Do you find me weird?" She questioned. She was unable to look up at him and see his reaction. Rhaegal was not expecting this question his mind took more towards insecurities over her appearance like Daemon once mentioned about Rhaenyra, when pregnant they can become insecure about their weight and such but he did not think she would question him about her personality.

"Come again, Love?" He pulled away a little to look down at her face but she refused to meet his eyes still. A tear rolled down her rosy cheek but he wiped it hating the sight of his beautiful wife in distress.

"Mother told me that I am too weird and if I keep being so you will leave me" She whimpered. Rhaegal sat up not letting go of Helaena for a second. How dare Alicent say such a thing to an angel like Halaena? He wanted to throw the queen from the highest tower in the Keep or drive his sword straight into her heart just like it felt to his own at the words leaving Helaena's lips.

"I do not think you weird" Rhaegal denied. She looked up at him with her lower lip quivering still.

"Do not lie to me" She urged. Rhaegal leaned down to kiss her lips sweetly.

"Do you think I would have asked for you hand if I thought you weird? I knew your father betrothed you to Aegon and still went to him and I was ready to beg him for you if he were to refuse. Do you think I would have done so if I thought you were to be weird?" He pushed her hair back so he could see her full face. She sobbed a little and hugged him tightly burying her face into his chest. Rhaegal felt his break at the sound of her sobs.

"No but still I am weird, I see weird dreams and visions. I say weird things and I like insects" she cried. Rhaegal tightened his hols around her frame wanting noting but to take all that sorrow away from her and throw at Alicent and see how she would react if he called her power hungry and revealed that he knew she was planning to put Aegon on the throne instead of Rhaenyra after Viserys passes.

"You are not weird" Rhaegal pulled away from her. He placed his palms on her cheeks looking her straight in the eyes.

"You are special. You see the future, a dreamer and I am lucky to have you as my wife. If you were not so you would not have known we are going to have a son" He spoke as if he was trying to drill those thoughts into her mind. She smiled a little at the mention of their child.

"So wipe those tears and forget all your mother has said to you, she does not matter nor do her words" Rhaegal kissed her on the lips missing the sweet taste of her lips. She hugged him tightly when they pulled away from each other. He helped her off the bed so she can wash her face.

"You are the beloved of my dreams Helaena and it physically pains me to see you so sad" Rhaegal surprised even himself with his words. He was not much of a silver tongue, yes he knew how to say sweet words and to comfort women but he was not much of a romantic.

"Really?" She felt guilty now. She caused him pain. She hugged him around the waist and rested her head on his beating heart with difficulty.

"I apologise, Kepus" Her words muffled by his shirt. He kissed the crown of her head.

"Nothing for you to apologise about, dear niece, it is your mother who should beg for your forgiveness" Helaena was shocked a little. She eyed Silverlight on the sofa a couple of feet away, she knew he would not hesitate to use it for her, yes she was insecure about her weirdness but she knew he would defend her with violence if it came to it, he has done so before. He once cut a guard when he called her crazy and almost killed him if it were not for Criston Cole and some other guards who had pulled him away from the poor bloody guard.

"She means well" Helaena dismissed his words. Rhaegal rolled his eyes at her words, the Hightowers never mean good.

"Aaa" She winced when she felt a sharp pain in her belly come so sudden and go so sudden.

"Are you okay?" Rhaegal panicked moving a step away from her thinking he held her too close and caused her pain.

"Nothing, just a cramp" She shook his worry off. She rubbed her belly to sooth the pain away. She was due any day and the master told her not to worry unless they were too frequent and close to one another.

"How about we return to bed and sleep those nonsense thoughts away, hmm?" Rhaegal wrapped an arm around her waist to help her walk now even more worried even though she assured him she was fine.

"Will you read to me?" She pointed at the bedside table. Rhaegal knew the book sitting there, it was his present for her on their wedding day among many others, he remembered every single one, he hand picked every present he ever got her.

"Of course, My dreamer" He guided her back to their bed still very worried. She looked pained and uncomfortable but he did not want to pester her.

"What is going on?" Alicent Hightower questioned making her way over to her daughter's chambers. She wrapped her robe tightly around herself to hide her sleeping gown. She was woken up by one of the maids telling her that the maester was brought to Helaena's room.

"Her highness seems to have started her labours" Helaena's handmaiden answered. Alicent looked around noticing the lack of Rhaegal by the door where most men would wait for news.

"Where is her husband? He should be here by her side waiting for their child" Alicent hissed glaring at the guards standing by the doors. She could hear Helaena's pained groan from the inside of the room but awaited an answer first.

"He is by her side, in there" The handmaiden pointed to the room. Alicent was shocked to hear that. Men were not supposed to be in the birthing room, that was not their place.

"Oh gods" She rolled her eyes and made her way towards the door but was stopped by the guards.

"His grace does not want in the room" One of the guards said stoically.

"Get out of my way! That is my daughter in there" Alicent tried again but still the guards did not budge or move away from the doors.

"I am you Queen! get out of my way!" Alicent yelled trying to push the guards out of the way but to no avail neither moved. The doors opened and Rhaegal stepped out with a scowl on his face.

"Keep it down! You are stressing my wife, my Queen" Rhaegal closed the door before Alicent could peak into the room and see anything inside.

"I should be by my daughter's side! This is her first child" Alicent screeched. Rhaegal rolled his eyes at and leaned down so their faces were on the same level.

"You act like a mother should and I will let you in next time" He smirked at her bewildered expression before stepping back into the room. She was not let into the room only after Vaemond Targaryen was born and cleaned along with his mother, by then the sun had risen and Viserys came as well to meet his nephew/grandson.

[dragonsfromthemoon]

The “Rhaegar wanted a Visenya” bullshit annoys me to no end. An example of fanon being spread as canon.

1. Rhaenys and Aegon (and their variations) are pretty common names in Targaryen history. No ties to prophecy whatsoever. It is just a way of honoring two of the most important Targaryen monarchs ever.

(We can also count on GRRM's laziness on coming up with new names lmao He would not have much care on naming two dead toddlers, c'mon guys)

2. We do know why Rhaegar chose to name Aegon as such.

Viserys, was her first thought the next time she paused, but a second glance told her otherwise. The man had her brother's hair, but he was taller, and his eyes were a dark indigo rather than lilac. "Aegon," he said to a woman nursing a newborn babe in a great wooden bed. "What better name for a king?" [ACOK, Daenerys IV]

You see, Aegon was Rhaegar's heir and would have been king after him. There were five Aegons before him, so that was a pretty good choice of a name for a heir and king-to-be.

3. The passage in which Rhaegar talks about the three heads of the dragon is rather tricky. We can't forget it was a vision; and Dany herself doesn't know whether he was speaking to her or to Elia.

"He has a song," the man replied. "He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire." He looked up when he said it and his eyes met Dany's, and it seemed as if he saw her standing there beyond the door. "There must be one more," he said, though whether he was speaking to her or the woman in the bed she could not say. "The dragon has three heads." [ACOK, Daenerys IV]

3.1 “There must be one more” and “The dragon has three heads” don't indicate whatsoever that Rhaegar wanted especifically a girl.

3.2 Again, it is a vision, and it seems as though Rhaegar is talking to Dany. She brought the dragons back to the world and became herself one of the heads of the dragon; she herself wonders and talks about the three heads of the dragon later on.

3.3 Rhaegar had no way of knowing for certain the gender of the child.

[lullaebies]

Tbf even after everything Aegon has potential in the show but that's get screwed thanks to Sara's weird definition of "sympathetic character" i mean that's the reason why everyone regardless their favourite team say that fanon Aegon is better 🤷🏻, bc he got to have his potential explored without any weird writing or whatever.

it definitely goes beyond sara hess, tbh. (she gets a lot of heat but there are reasons why her scripts were accepted). they chose to portray him a certain way, all of them knew how well accepted a character like that would be in contemporary media (there was not a world where he would be forgiven after being shown as a rapist, much less a child fighting pit advocate!!!! they knew that, very well, and didn't bother to set him up better beforehand either) and they still went with it. they knew what they were doing. you can still make a morally reprehensible characters interesting, but they squandered the political conflict intrigue and the likability of aegon because my guy! doesn't even show! remorse!!! it's. something alright. fanon aegon is better because he actually reacts and reflects on what he does in the long run. it does not seem they're rooting for that in the show, so.... ugh.

[mortalfaerie]

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑶𝒏𝒆

"𝙄𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙙? 𝙄𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜?"

Aemond Targaryen x Fanon!Cassandra Baratheon

Word count: 2.7k

Story synopsis: Cassandra Baratheon, the eldest daughter of the lord of Storm's End remained heiress of her house from her birth in 111 AC, until the birth of her brother when she was twenty years of age. Little is known of her life, save for that she was a proposed bride for the one-eyed prince, and the unfortunate fate she met with after the dance. In this story, the author imagines a better tale for the storm princess.

The last stand of House Durrandon is a story oft repeated among the scholars of Westeros' history - the last Storm King, being a prideful warrior to his heart, refused to surrender Storm's End without a battle. Orys Baratheon met him with the full strength of Aegon's land army, and slew the Storm King himself. Sensing their imminent defeat, the army of the Stormlands turned their cloaks and delivered the dead king's only heir, his daughter, naked and bound to the victorious general.

Orys Baratheon, having been raised at Aegon's own table, proved a man of honor. He ordered she be unchained and wrapped her modesty with his own cloak, seating beside his fire. Perhaps this action was a sign of things to come, for in no more than a few month's time, Orys Baratheon wrapped her again in his cloak in the sight of Seven, taking her to wife.

The seat of the last Storm King came into Orys Baratheon's possession, and in honor of his bride he took on house Durrandon's sigil and words: the stag rampant, and "Ours is the Fury."

It was a tale that Cassandra Baratheon heard often in her youth, most frequently seated on the ground before her grandsire as he rocked and told her the stories of his house. House Baratheon was young among the Houses Paramount of Westeros, having only been created by Aegon a century before her birth - but the role they had played in the history of the seven kingdoms was crucial. Many times the blood of Baratheons had mingled with Targaryen, the Princess Rhaenys herself the daughter of Jocelyn Baratheon. Though her hair had turned silver with age, the lord of Storm's End, uncle to the Princess, recalled with pride when a babe with hair as dark and rich as the night had been placed in the arms of Good Queen Alysanne - who called her before the court, "Our little queen to be."

Boremund Baratheon, the aged lord of Storm's End and grandsire to Cassandra had borne only one son by his late wife, Ser Borros who would succeed him. Since then, Storm's End had lacked a male heir to speak of, as Borros' wife Elena had brought for girl after girl for years - and as the eldest and heir apparent to her father, Cassandra reached her eighth name day, she was summoned by her grandsire to attend him in his study.

Cassandra - called Cass by her sisters who couldn't yet pronounce her grand name - was small, already outpaced in height by her immediate sibling. However, her wit was quick beyond her years, a trait that Boremund Baratheon looked on with pride. He often summoned her in the afternoons when poor weather prevented the hunt or the hearing of petitions, where he teach her small lessons on the running of a keep, the matters of law, and the history of their house.

As she was let into his study, she bobbed a casual bow to her Grandsire and awaited his word.

"Cassandra, little doe," he called fondly, gesturing for her to sit on the rug before him at the fire. She did so, and watched as the old man studied her and nodded.

"Your nameday is fast approaching, granddaughter." he smiled, pride evident in his voice. "Remind me how old you shall be?" he teased slightly.

Cassandra huffed, and replied, "Eight. I shall be eight years of age."

"Of course, I jest," he grandsire guffawed, and continued. "There is something I would like to ask of you as it approaches, little one. It would be a big and important task fit for a big girl such as you," he said.

Cassandra nodded, wondering what it could be.

"I would like to appoint you as my cupbearer," he announced. "You shall attend me when I hear petitions and ride out to exact the King's Justice."

Cassandra furrowed her brow. "Is that not a job for a boy, Grandsire?"

Boremund extended a hand to lift the small girl onto his knee, and sighed mightily with the effort - his age was beginning to show more and more each day. "You are right, it is generally so," he conceded, but added, "But I find the boys proposed to me to be entirely unsuitable, especially when I have such a clever granddaughter to select instead."

He spoke the last part conspiratorially, eliciting a giggle from the girl.

"It will also serve to teach you the ways and responsibilities of the Lord of Storm’s End.” He added, sounding mealocholic.

Cassandra craned her face to look at the older man. “Why must I learn them?” She asked, though in truth, she had begun to suspect this would happen.

“Well, little doe, I am an old man.” He squeezed her arm, continuing, “If the Gods be good, I will live for years yet to see you grow older. But, I am not a fool - I know I have lived more years than my mother and father both now, and should the Stranger come to find me or your father before you are of age, I wish for Storm’s End to fall into ready hands.”

“But,” Cassandra asked, hesitant, “I am a girl. Only boys inherit.”

“I have but one child, your father. By him, I have been blessed with four healthy and strong granddaughters.” he acknowledged. “Perhaps, fate will see that I shall have no grandsons. If they do, I wish you to follow your father to the Storm throne.”

A chill went down Cassandra’s spine.

“I have spoken to the king, and he has given his assent that in the absence of a son borne to Ser Borros Baratheon, his eldest daughter shall inherit.” the older man gestured to his desk where a missive was unrolled. “When you wed, you will become a part of your husband’s house - but upon the inheritance of Storm’s End, you shall retain your maiden name and your eldest son will be given the name Baratheon.”

Cassandra blinked, unsure what to say. At last, she whispered, “Thank you.”

Boremund Baratheon grunted in reply, setting her back on the ground. “Now, it falls to me to ensure your education is fitting of the heir of our house.”

For her eighth nameday, Cassandra was presented with three gifts from her grandsire: a black pony to begin her riding education, a fine cloak of black dyed deerskin, embroidered with gold thread showing the stag of her house - and a silver dagger set with a yellow stone, sheathed in a leather pouch.

The message was clear to all in attendance as she was given the gifts, and confirmed when her grandfather spoke. “Tomorrow, you shall ride out with your father and me to witness the King’s Justice. You shall don your cloak with our sigil, and wear your dagger on your hip.”

Lady Elena, Cassandra’s mother, blanched at the statement but held her tongue with concerted effort. Later, she overheard her mother and father arguing in their parlour.

“An execution is no place for a young girl!” her mother hissed, keeping her voice to an enraged stage whisper.

Her father sighed exasperatedly, and replied, “You will find no objection with me, wife, but my father has ordered it so. He is the lord of these lands, not I.”

“Is this his punishment, that I have not given him a grandson to inherit? He will steal away the innocence of our daughter?” she laughed humorlessly.

“Elena - a son will come in time. And when he does, Cassandra will resume her duties as a young lady. We need only wait.” Her father assured her.

Privately, Cassandra felt a degree of indignation at his words - she enjoyed the pride her grandsire had in her - she liked being important in his eyes. She didn’t want to be supplanted by a brother.

The next morning, Cassandra was woken at dawn. The maids dressed her in boy’s trousers and riding boots beneath a dress of simple black, and draped her new cloak over it. With her hair braided over her shoulder and head held high, she looked like the heir of Storm’s End not just in name, but in deed.

Not yet able to ride her pony, she rode pillion behind a knight who helped her from the saddle when they reached the field where a wood block stained brown had been set on the grass. In the treeline, two knights held a man in chains. Cassandra tried to muster as much dignity as she could and not cower at the sight of the blood which already stained the man’s shirt.

Her grandsire came to stand beside her and spoke in a low voice. “The blood isn’t his. He has committed the crime of murder.”

Cassandra shuddered. “Who did he kill?” she asked.

“A septon. He killed him a pilfered the sept’s coffers. The king’s justice demands that for such a crime, he must die.” he replied. A knight approached Boremund, and offered him a battle axe - the very same one with which Orys Baratheon had slain the last Storm King. He took it, and nodded for the knights to bring the convicted man forward.

Cassandra and her father remained where they stood by the horses, her father resting a protective hand on her shoulder. In silence, they watched the proceedings.

“Erryk Black, you have been convicted of the crime of murder. By the laws of King Viserys, first of his name, lord of the seven kingdoms, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and protector of the realm, you are commanded to die. As Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, it falls to me to see the King’s justice is carried out. Have you any last words before your death?” Her grandfather thundered.

“Yes,” the man rasped, and spit on the ground before him. “I’d do it again.”

Broemund Baratheon grimaced and nodded the knights to force the man to his knees, his head on the block.

“Turn away,” Cassandra’s father ordered, but Cassandra remained fixed where she stood. She watched, almost disbelieving and transfixed as her grandsire raised the heirloom battle axe and brought it down on the man’s neck, blood spurting from the stump created when his head fell to the ground before the block.

Her breath trapped in her throat, she dragged her eyes from the gore to her grandsire - there was blood on his gloves, his tunic, and specks of it in his white beard.

Later, still shocked at the events of the morning, she was summoned to take tea with her grandsire. Sullen and quiet, she stirred her cup as her grandfather spoke at last.

“You did well. The first death you are witness to is always most difficult.”

Cassandra looked up, searching his face.

“The first I saw was also an execution. I was younger than you are now when my father put me before him in the saddle and rode out with me to the field.” the old man recollected, taking a sip of his tea. “It is not custom among all lords to carry out the justice themselves, but one my father learned from Alaric Stark. He told me when I was a boy that the Lord of Winterfell told him, ‘the hand that passes the sentence should swing the sword.’ And so, when I came into my inheritance, I took that wisdom to heart.”

“I do not expect you to swing the axe, Cassandra. For one, it’s a beastly heavy thing,” he jested, earning a slight smile from his granddaughter. He continued, “And perhaps, that is a man’s job. But if you become the Lady of Storm’s End one day, you should not take the matter of justice lightly. When you see the sentence for yourself, you understand the severity of it.”

“I did not blink,” Cassandra admitted, looking pensively into her cup.

“Good,” her grandsire nodded. “When you are met with death firsthand - with evil, with desperation - do not be the one to blink.” he advised.

Boremund Baratheon died of winter fever in Cassandra’s eleventh year, making his bannermen swear their loyalty to his son and granddaughter fro his deathbed.

When he drew his final breath, he still had no grandson.