#of course Corlys does tell his wife

[ragana62]

A conversation I absolutely imagine happened at some point during one of those early council meetings in season one where Daemon was constantly making trouble for himself and whining about it:

Daemon: "My wife (Rhea) is a bitch and I hate her."

Corlys: "Can't relate. My wife is a bitch and I love her so much. If anything, she should be more of a bitch, maybe feed someone to her dragon. I bet she'd like that."

Daemon: "Can she feed my wife to her dragon?"

Corlys: "I can ask. Probably not. After hearing you go on about her for years, I think they might actually be friends."

Daemon: "Why?"

Corlys: "Think about it. They've both got more than enough reason to hate you, or at least be generally annoyed with you at the best of times, they both would rather everyone just leave them alone to do as they please seeing as they can't do what they actually want. Really, if we introduce them, I assume I'll wind up returning home from each of these sessions to empty wine stores and a new scheme for how I'm meant to toss you out of the tower during the next meeting."

Daemon: "Fair. You wouldn't do that, though, would you?"

Corlys: "Only if Rhaenys asked me to."

Daemon: "Right. Best keep them separate then. You keep her out of the Vale and I'll keep Rhea away from the Crownlands?"

Corlys: "Bold of you to assume I have the means to dictate where she goes on her flights. I'll not mention this little chat though."

Daemon: "Appreciate it."

Corlys: "... Mostly because I'd rather not have to commit treason if she does decide she'd like you tossed out a tower window. Seems a touch inconvenient."

[ewanmitchellcrumbs]

Fool's Gold

Pairing: Daemon Targaryen x OFC (Melessa Tyrell) Warnings: Smut, mild angst, mentions of pregnancy. Word count: ~2.5k

Summary: Daemon returns from the Stepstones to a welcome he was not expecting. Part of the Perzys se Rūkla universe, but can be read as a standalone.

Author's note: Day two of Smuffmas - presents and praise kink. No tag list. Follow @fics-by-ewanmitchellcrumbs and turn on post notifications.

It had been three months since Daemon last set foot in King’s Landing. The Triarchy had been causing trouble in the Stepstones once again, and Corlys Velaryon’s fleet had begun to struggle to defend the ships requiring passage across the Narrow Sea. With trade between Westeros and the Free Cities slowing as a result, the Crown had been forced to intervene. Rhaenyra had dispatched her husband, Laenor, and his dragon, Seasmoke, to help his father’s cause, and Daemon had insisted upon accompanying him on the back of Caraxes, not trusting the King Consort to get the job done without the aid of him and his blood wyrm. 

Having burned the pirates’ forces to cinders and with the shipping lanes clear once more, Daemon had returned with haste to the capital, eager to be reunited with his wife after so many nights spent apart from her.

As Hand of the Queen, it would be proper for Daemon to report directly to his niece, to deliver the news of their victory, however, he has never been one for propriety. Melessa is his first priority, and if Laenor can tarry with his squires in the wake of the battle, with no sense of urgency, then he does not see why he should be held to a higher standard. 

The metallic clanking of his armour echoes off of the stone walls of Maegor’s Holdfast, as he advances towards the apartments he shares with Melessa and their son, Viserys. He holds his dragon shaped helm tucked beneath one arm, and carries a heavy linen sack in the other. A slight smirk tugs at the corners of his lips as he imagines the way Melessa’s delicate features will light up once she sees its contents.

Throwing open the heavy wooden doors, Daemon strides purposefully through the space, making his way towards the solar. Melessa is exactly where he expects her to be. He does not announce his presence straight away, taking a moment to appreciate her in silent contemplation.

She has had the chaise moved to sit by the balcony doors, which are both open, allowing a light breeze to rustle the gossamer fabric of the ivory coloured curtains and cool the room. She reclines upon the crimson velvet with her eyes closed, though he knows she is not asleep. The afternoon sunlight that filters through the windows shines upon her flaxen hair, making it look like spun gold. She has left it loose today, the soft waves falling almost to her waist, against the loose fitting green robe she wears, pinned closed with a golden rose brooch.

Daemon has always adored that, despite being married to a Targaryen prince, she has never forfeited the colours of House Tyrell. In his mind, it is her way of clinging to some of her youthful innocence, a reminder of why she had initially captured his attention.

His eyes fall upon the swell of her stomach, where her hands rest. She is bigger than when he left, of course she is. She had been three turns of the moon into her pregnancy when he had departed, barely noticeable. Another three had passed, and the evidence of their second child growing within her was now irrefutable. It makes his heart swell with pride and his pulse race with possessiveness.

Finally, Daemon clears his throat, and her eyes flutter open, her blue eyes widening in surprise as she sees him, struggling to rise into a sitting position as her hand cradles her distended belly.

“Don’t strain yourself, petal,” he tells her, placing his helmet down upon a side table and striding towards her. He sets the canvas bag down by the foot of the chaise, glad to be rid of its weight as its contents tinkle loudly against each other. 

She settles back against the plushness of the pillows. “You did not send word that you would be returning,” she says softly, as he leans down to press his lips tenderly to her forehead, before pulling back to stare affectionately at her, his calloused thumb stroking a lingering path along the peachy softness of her jawline.

Her eyes do not hold the joyful sparkle he so adores, instead she looks upon him with concern and apprehension, she visibly stiffens at his touch and he cannot understand why. Perhaps it is an unfortunate consequence of her being pregnant – he knows that being in such a condition takes a toll on women and their bodies.

“I wanted to surprise you,” he murmurs, kneeling down with difficulty under the cumbersome weight of his armour, resting his forehead gently against her abdomen. She moves her hands, placing them either side of her to give him space as he cradles her belly. “Rytsas, zaldrītsos,” he whispers to the babe that grows within, “rōvyktys issa.” Hello, little dragon. You are bigger.

“Have you been to see Rhaenyra?” She asks, her tone lacking the warmth and excitement that Daemon had been longing to hear.

“She can wait,” Daemon says, lifting his head to look at her.

“She will be cross with you,” Melessa tells him matter of factly.

He sighs, her coolness disquieting him. He stands, walking over to the settee in the corner of the room, and begins to unstrap his armour, placing each heavy piece upon the wooden surface, until he is left in only his breeches and undershirt. The relief of the burden upon his body is welcome, though the tension in the room serves as a further uninvited weight that he is keen to be rid of.

“I sense that you are also cross with me,” he says, finally turning to face her, eyeing her curiously as she stares off out of the open balcony doors, her hands idly stroking her belly.

She turns slowly back to look at him, her shoulders sagging as she sighs, and he sees a defeated tiredness within her features that he had not noticed before. Her mouth is downturned, there is a darkness beneath her eyes.

“Have you been to see Viserys?” She asks, looking listlessly at him.

“There will be time enough for his sticky hands and shrill voice later. I want to spend time with my wife,” he says exasperatedly, walking towards the small, round table that is positioned next to the chaise that Melessa rests upon. He lifts the pewter wine jug, giving the golden liquid inside a sniff – cloves, cinnamon and ginger invade his nostrils, making him grimace - spiced honey wine from Lannisport. Horrible swill that is far too weak for Daemon’s liking, but he supposes Melessa cannot stomach anything stronger due to her pregnancy. He pours himself a cup and takes a generous gulp, his nose wrinkling in disgust as he swallows thickly and sets the cup back down, before continuing; “the boy likely won’t even have realised I was gone.”

Melessa scowls, positioning herself to sit up straighter. “He is three, Daemon, of course he notices when you aren’t here!”

Daemon scoffs, growing irritated. He had climbed onto Caraxes’ back and flown straight here once the battle was won, it now seems it was hardly worth bothering, considering the frosty reception he’s received.

“I brought you gifts, both of you,” he argues, moving to the foot of the chaise and lifting the heavy canvas bag, “one for every day that I was gone, look–”

He begins to pull treasures from the bag; bracelets of solid gold, sapphire encrusted necklaces, silver chalices, each item crashes loudly against the flagstone floor as he drops it. Corlys had allowed his men to loot what was left of the Triarchy’s ships, and Daemon had ensured he took what he considered to be his fair share.

Melessa’s brow furrows further as she watches him, before she holds up a hand, halting his actions. “A few pretty baubles do not make up for your absence.”

“Then what would you have me do?!” He snarls, dropping the sack. It hits the floor with a mighty crash, as he stares at her wide eyed, his fragile patience worn down to the quick as his chest heaves with anger.

She doesn't even flinch at his outburst, and for the briefest of moments he wonders what happened to the timid little thing he had approached by the tapestries all those years ago. He supposes it would be foolish of him to marry a woman and not expect her to be influenced by his fire. His delicate Highgarden rose has grown a spine.

“You should not have gone!” she shouts back, leaning forward slightly, her face twisted in an anger that he has never seen in her before. Her eyes are so wide they border on wildness.

Her response shocks him into silence and he exhales heavily, bowing his head as he pinches the bridge of his nose. The anger has fizzled from the both of them as he comes to sit by her feet upon the chase, wrapping a hand around the shin of one of her outstretched legs through the silk fabric of her robe and stroking softly – a gesture intended to ground himself as much as it is to soothe her.

“I had to go,” he insists, “Rhaenyra commanded it.”

“She did not. She sent Laenor. You invited yourself along and she knew she could not refuse you. You left her without a Hand for three months, Daemon.”

Deep down, Daemon knows that Melessa is right, but he cannot bear to allow himself to admit that. He knows that the battle was won more swiftly because of his efforts, so he had done the right thing in going, whether he had been asked to or not. He watches as her hands rub slow circles over her stomach. Though her previous anger has left her, her expression is still sullen, a slight pout to her rosy lips.

“The battle would still be ongoing and the shipping lanes still blocked were it not for my presence,” he explains, “I did my duty as Hand by speeding things along.”

“You could have done your duty as Hand by staying here. Aemond rides the largest dragon in Westeros, Rhaenyra could have sent him if she felt that the Velaryons required further aid.”

Daemon feels his fingers squeeze reflexively upon Melessa’s leg and quickly draws his hand away, lest he unintentionally hurt her due to such a ridiculous suggestion. He laughs, though it is a bitter sound with no genuine humour, and he looks away, averting his gaze to the ceiling at the far corner of the room.

Melessa tuts, pushing at his thigh with the heel of her bare foot, to draw his attention back to her. “I know you feel that Alicent’s children are not trustworthy, but if Aemond harboured ill intent that he intended to act upon, he would have done so by now. He could burn us all in our beds, if he wanted to. If he was intent upon treachery then he would not wait for a war in the Stepstones to act upon it.”

“Why should I remain idle while that impulsive wretch plays the hero atop his dragon?” He mutters, grasping the foot she had nudged him with and placing it in his lap.

“Ah, and there it is,” she smiles triumphantly, a hint of playfulness in her voice, “you didn’t want to help, you wanted to fly to battle and glory.”

He purses his lips, rubbing his thumb up and down the delicate arch of her foot. “And what is the alternative? I remain here and grow soft as I sit on my arse around the small council table?”

“You could never grow soft,” she reassures him, her head tilting slightly in sympathetic understanding, “and you are needed here, I need you, your children need you.”

“It was not because I wished to be parted from you,” he tells her gently, his face softening as he moves closer to her on the chaise, reaching out to sink his fingers into the softness of her pale hair. The familiar scent of rosewater and almond oil envelopes him as he pulls her close, comforting him with the feeling of home, while also making his cock stir within his breeches.

“I have missed you,” she whispers, clutching at the fabric of his undershirt as she nuzzles her face into the scarred flesh of his neck.

“Even though you are cross with me?” He asks quietly, smirking as he feels her smile against his skin.

“I am cross because I want you here with me,” she responds, pulling away to look up at him through her lashes as her hands move downwards from his chest to his abdomen. “You do not need to fight wars and bring home treasures for me to think you are worthy, you already are.”

He watches intently, feeling himself rouse to life as she plucks open the lacings of his breaches.

“You are Daemon Targaryen,” she coos, leaning in once more to press a kiss to his neck, as she slips her hand inside the opening and wraps her fingers around his shaft, “blood of Old Valyria, closer to gods than men, you need not prove yourself to anyone.”

He groans, his head falling back as she begins to pump her hand, and he feels himself grow fully erect, fighting against the aching sensation that tempts him to buck his hips like an untamed beast.

She continues to stroke him from base to tip, before swiping her thumb across the head of him, using his arousal to help ease the glide of her hand upon him. “There is no one that I am prouder to call my husband, no one whose children I would rather carry. Just you. Only you.”

“Fuck!” he hisses, his fingers tightening in her hair, as he leans forward, pressing his forehead against hers as he begins to pant. He can feel the telltale pressure building at the base of his spine, knowing he will reach his end with embarrassing swiftness if she does not stop, yet he cannot bring himself to make her.

“I am so proud of you, and all you do for our family. It is why I cannot bear to be parted from you,” she whispers hotly against the juncture between his neck and shoulder.

His balls tighten, her words are his unravelling as warmth spreads throughout his body, causing his hips to jerk and his mind to go blank as he pulsates against the strokes of her palm, coating her fingers with his pearly spend, as his focus narrows upon the exquisite torture of the throbbing that overtakes him.

“Gods…” he utters breathlessly, once he is lucid again to speak. His lips part in disbelief as he watches her clean his release from her fingers with delicate kitten licks. “...I did not bring you back enough gifts.”

Chapter six || Series masterlist

[horizon-verizon]

Thinking about how GRRM literally created Daemon to be Rhaenyra’s consort. For those who don’t know, originally GRRM couldn’t decide on who was the best option for Rhaenyra and that’s when he got the idea of Daemon. He literally created Daemon for Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra was originally going to marry either a Lannister or Lyonel Strong (Daemon was not yet created or included in this draft) then GRRM thought up the character of Daemon and added him as Rhaenyra’s consort instead.

More male characters should be created SOLELY to love and support the female protagonist.

nobodysuspectsthebutterfly has a post showing GRRM originally had Rhaenyra marry Lyonel Strong (and how no matter what and by whatever husband, the greens were going to try to usurp her), evidenced by the RPG guide (2012) for ASoIaF.

F&B was published in 2015; The Rogue Prince was published along with other stories in an anthology in 2014; and PatQ was published back in 2013. I would say that he created Daemon for Rhaenyra to give Viserys more of a reason to want Rhaenyra as his heir, since Viserys, now that D exists, canonically also wished to make sure the realm would not go towards someone he didn't fully trust. Also it gives the story so much more breath when you have a character like Daemon. And, of course, Rhaenyra and Daemon are pretty compatible in terms of character and political necessities; they provide the other with what they need/want the most even as they aop were "rivals" for the throne even thought they also kinda weren't. This was always Rhaenyra's story, anyway, for all the other interesting characters that surround her and interacted, tried to remove or support her (Corlys, Rhaenys, Alicent, Aemond, etc.). Her childhood, rise, and fall impacted by the misogyny and what she did or tried to do to keep her kids alive AND vie for the throne she was given and had oaths of protection for.

"couldn't decide on who was best who was the best option for Rhaenyra" -- idk, perhaps it was more hi wanting to enrich the story and give more personality and "family" to this part of Targ history, as he has done more for Jaehaerys, Rhaena, Alysanne, Maegor-Aenys before them. This doesn't stop or negate how Daemon was likely made with Rhaenyra's support base in mind. It is compelling to hear of a man/partner do whatever he can for his lover/wife, whether or not he has a character the complexity or cooperativeness of a coconut or as complex as Daemon is bc you don't get that often in traditional fantasy, male centered fantasy. Or it's publicly reviled with a million excuses before whatever version and manifestation in a particular work is actually critiqued. Because sometimes, there is something to be said abt just fictional dudes who are just more trouble than they are worth being posed as a model man. The lines between such things can get crossed.

And it appears Harwin was also created for Rhaenyra since there is no mention of him before PatQ/2013. But he (Harwin) happens to have much less characterization & personality done for him AND Rhaenyra quite clearly wanted to live as freely with a partner as possible and that wasn't really going to happen with Harwin for as long as Laenor lived at least.

Even if she was angry at Daemon for a myriad of possible reasons for the 111-112 incidents and perhaps they finally got through a successful reconciliation through their shared love for Laena (even before her death), there's room for a lot of complex & layered feelings on Rhaenyra's part towards Daemon. And I mention all of this bc apparently, GRRM also toyed with the idea of exploring Rhaenyra and Harwin's relationship more, saying that:

There’s a whole story there. At least a novella, maybe a novel but we simply did not have the time to tell it [in the show]. And it did not fit the format of my history book. But it’s a story and I’d love to do that.

(he is saying that their relationship's arc alone could fill/become a novella and he thought about doing it) which does goes to show you that Harwin WAS very important in some way to Rhaenyra--guaranteed to be someone she felt and experienced was a positive one for a time in her life at the very least.

I don't really go for Harwin bc I don't know anything abt him apart from his position, family, and devotion to Rhaenyra...so he has very little appeal for me in terms of shipping. That, and again, Rhaenyra seems to be the type who wants the "best" sort of conditions to be herself and have relationships in the open. I explain/rant HERE.

Still I agree; more males made only for a woman, plz and thank you. It's what we deserve (if a man is there and/or the attraction is there).

[thevelaryons]

Do you think Corlys married Rhaenys for ambition? Since she was in line to be heir to the Iron Throne?

I don’t think ambition was the only reason but I’m sure it played a part.

Rhaenys being in the line of succession would actually be an appealing factor for Corlys, not just for his own ambition but because it makes Rhaenys different. It’s typically not expected that a woman can rule in her own right. Other potential female Targaryen claimants have had their claims dismissed one way or another. Then there’s Rhaenys, who from the moment of her birth was called the “queen to be” by Good Queen Alysanne. It was generally accepted that one day she would sit the Iron Throne, after her father, Prince Aemon. Even King Jaehaerys wasn’t questioning this fact at the time like he did for other female claimants. So Rhaenys was considered a woman apart from the rest just as Corlys was a man apart from other men. He accomplished in his life what no others had done so of course he would prefer a partner that would become just as exemplary as him:

Lord Corlys was an ambitious man. During his nine voyages on the Sea Snake, he was forever wanting to press onward, to go where none had gone before and see what lay beyond the maps. Though he had accomplished much and more in life, he was seldom satisfied, the men who knew him best would say. In Rhaenys Targaryen, daughter of the Old King’s eldest son and heir, he had found his perfect match, a woman as spirited and beautiful and proud as any in the realm, and a dragonrider as well. His sons and daughters would soar through the skies, Lord Corlys expected, and one day one of them would sit the Iron Throne.

— Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon

Rhaenys was expected to one day rule Westeros in her own right, something only the Conqueror sisters managed (and that’s through their marriage to Aegon the Conqueror). As the above quote suggests, Corlys was even willing to accept a female heir as his successor since the claim would come from the child’s mother. By marrying Rhaenys, who gets described as his “perfect match”, he would have a wife who would be as much as a trailblazer as him. It’s not so much about Corlys suddenly valuing women’s rights. Instead it’s about him prioritizing those that can be the exception to the rule (just like what he tells Rhaenyra later on).

Rhaenys also has the type of dynamic personality that would attract someone like Corlys. Their back and forth banter at the time of their wedding does suggest a personal closeness between them. I would say they’re a love match for the most part. This is despite the underlying politics concerning Rhaenys’ position in the line of succession (just by virtue of being heir, any man that Rhaenys married would be said to be motivated by ambition).

[writingsofwesteros]

Jace is almost in tears when fem!Cregan allows him back into their shared chambers. What he failed to realize is that Cregan still won’t allow him to fuck her. Yes he’s back in the bed but now the wolf pups sleep in there between Jace and Cregan. Cregan also moves their youngest babe back into the chambers, she says she wants to nurse the babe at night to give the wet nurse a break.

After weeks of being back in his shared chambers and not getting to fuck Cregan, he goes to Rhaenyra, Daemon,Corlys and Rhaenys for advice. Rhaenyra and Rhaenys tell him to just give Cregan her space while still training/taking care of his children. Corlys agrees with his wife. But Daemon tells Jace to apologize to Cregan by getting on his knees, and worshiping her cunt.

Jace is hesitant to take Daemons advice. But he does what Daemon said to do when he sees Aegon flirting with Cregan and Cregan seems to accept Aegons advances. So at night once all the babes and kids are asleep and before the pups get into the bed Jace is pulling Cregan to the end of the bed. Cregan is mad and confused until Jace pushes her night gown up, and starts making out with her cunt.

Jace doesn’t think it’s working until Cregan is pulling his hair almost to the point of it being painful, and humping his face. They spend the night with Jace bringing Cregan constant pleasure. And well if in the next month they find out Cregan is pregnant they’re not too worried, but Daemon gives Jace a knowing look.

!!!!!! Cregan being so mean and delicious about it ;)

Of course Daemon comes in with such advice , and it works perfectly even as Cregan makes Jace work for it.

The rogue Prince will taunt his step son whose on cloud nine it seems. Their toddling babe following their parents as it all goes back to normal

[maidragoste]

By the way, if you want, anon, you can choose an emoji so I can identify and know which anon I'm talking to hahaha—👾 with thisss!

Also

She could have had any man, even the king but she chose you. And you pay her like that?You say you love your wife but you hurt her and now you have made her the entertainment of the court. There is no person who does not talk about her, the princess and you"

My heck—the reader chose love over duty—imagine..she's the first born and by law she can't inherit Driftmark because you know..misoginy then the queen dies and her father invites(forces her)her to be the future bride of the king( I want to believe she's 18 years old, not 14 or 12..it's an ick for me..) but Viserys notices the way she and Harwin are looking at each other so he gives them his blessing and choose Alicent.

Reader wants to be overjoyed because she's free but now she finds out with horror that the future queen is a 14 year old and worst, her cousin's best friend and she feels guilty and disgusted.

So by telling to her parents she will stay at KL to find a suitor, she befriends the queen and try to repair the relationship between Nyra and Alicent with no avail.

By the years KL's become a second home to reader, writing to her parents and sister;she's living in a fairytale until Jacaerys is born and his brothers.

A DECADE, SHE HAS LIVED IN MISERY AND HUMILATION FOR A DECADE and seems her strength are her twin boys that looked more Velaryon than Nyra and Laenor's children.

The relationship with Nyra?has grown cold and she dotes on the queen's children and NO ONE suspect that her twins are Larry's because they took after their mother's appearance but their eyes.

Then Driftmark happens and we know what will happen but the're is a new player: the reader that has taken under the wing Rhaena,like you said in the previous post, and she's securing a betrothal of his twins with Laena's daughters because she will be damned if she allows Daemon to trap her nieces and she needs to get back at Nyra for sleeping with her husband, and disrespect the memory of his younger siblings.

The Velaryons? Are by her side and they are awfully protective of her because if D&R have killed two of their children?what they would to their first born?

Let's not forget also two important allies: Larrys and Alicent—also Aegon, Helaena, Aemond and Daeron, Baela( who is a mini Daemon and loyal to reader, the Velaryons)and Rhaena because the reader is the step father who stepped up and with her Aegon may have learnt to take his duties seriously and be a good husband to Helaena;Aemond learns that he shouldn't carry his burdens alone, Helaena has someone who can understand her.

Okay okay; I'll stop you are the writer but it's good to share some ideas

👾👾👾👾

Hi Anon, I'm sorry it took so long to reply. I hope you're well 🥰

First, I think that in some post I said it too high up but for my Reader she is the younger sister of the Velaryon. Laena is the eldest, just like in the book, and Laenor is the middle brother. So Reader never had a chance to inherit Driftmark.

For your peace of mind Reader is not 12/14 when Corlys wants to make her queen and marry Viserys... But still she is a minor she is 16/17 😭🤡

I don't know if Viserys would realize that something is going on between Reader and Harwin (SORRY FOR ME THE MAN IS A DENSE. I STILL ANGRY THAT HE IS THE KING) but Reader definitely doesn't want to marry him so she confesses that she is in love with Harwin. Sure, as you say, Viserys gives them her blessing and chooses Alicent.

Of course Reader feels guilty and disgusted. Alicent is the same age as her and knows how uncomfortable she must be with the situation because she was there too. It saddens him to see how Alicent and Rhaenyra's friendship breaks down.

So Reader marries Harwin and sets out to be friends with Alicent to assuage her guilt but it doesn't take long for her to start enjoying her and appreciating her friendship with Alicent. Reader tries to patch things up between Alicent and Rhaenyra but she doesn't realize she's making it worse. Rhaenyra feels like she sided with Alicent, she feels like she lost them both, she feels out of place like she's left over. Now you spend all your time with Alicent and Aegon, you seem like you've forgotten about her. You are no longer going to fly together or invite her to go with you to Driftmark because your attention is always on Alicent. Always attached to her, always smiling at each other as if they knew a language Rhaenyra didn't.

Years pass and Jacaerys is born. Throughout Rhaenyra's pregnancy you had been by her side and pampered her. Rhaenyra felt like it was the two of you again. She felt horrible because she knew that the moment her baby was born you would never love her again. And she was not wrong. Your eyes of hers stopped being warm and you only looked at her coldly. Whenever you could, you avoided being in the same room as her. All the love that was between you two was once gone because of her.

Rhaenyra suffers as Reader raises Alicent's children as his own. Reader's upbringing definitely makes Aegon a better man, she teaches him why it's important that he fulfill his duties and how he always has to take care of his family. Helaena finds another mother in Reader, she never makes her feel uncomfortable by her dreams or her prophecies whenever she can, she accompanies her to look for new insects. Aemond knows that Reader is always there to help him with his burdens and Daeron knows that despite the distance Reader will never forget him... like his father.

[sansa286]

Thoughts On the Baela x Corlys Conversation in S2E5

This scene has been a polarizing one for the fandom and has spawned many takes, so I'm going to address them and mention what I like about the scene/what makes sense to me and what I thought could be improved.

Takes I Disagree With

"Baela rejecting Driftmark is the writers trying to absolve Corlys of any misogyny that was present in F&B."

No it doesn't. Corlys is still the same man who pimped out Laena and scoffed at either of his granddaughters being named the heir to Driftmark up until Rhaenys died. This is even the reason that Bethany Antonia gave as to why Baela rejects Driftmark - Corlys ignored her and Rhaena for most of their lives and did not consider them viable heirs, she does not want to become the heir to Driftmark out of pity. The scene is also meant to parallel Viserys naming Rhaenyra the heir to the iron throne only after he lost Aemma and their son. These men were willfully misogynistic and ignored the women in their families, and only come crawling to them once they're desperate. Corlys misogyny is well intact rather Baela accepted this offer or not.

"Baela rejecting Driftmark makes no sense, she's nothing more than a Rhaenyra cheerleader."

It does when you remember that she thinks she will be the queen of Westeros one day, something that only became a reality when Rhaenyra offered she and Jace be married. Of course she wants Rhaenyra to take the throne. And another reason that I will elaborate on later. Baela is not merely Rhaenyra's lacky, she clearly disregards her orders back in S1E3 when she chases down Criston Cole.

"Baela Tells Corlys to 'Get Over' His Wife's Death"

No she doesn't. She tells him to stop acting as if Rhaenys was a possession that Rhaenyra snatched away from him. As someone who's been through a lot of grief as of late, I know all too well how people jump to playing the blame game and pointing fingers when someone dies tragically. It is very human, but it's not healthy or the correct way to process someone's death. Especially in this case, Rhaenys volunteered to go to Rook's Rest, knowing that it would be dangerous. No one on Team Black knew that Sunfyre or Vhagar were going to be there, as far as they knew, Vhagar was still patrolling King's Landing. And the Greens themselves didn't even know Aegon was going to ride on Sunfyre. As far as anyone on Team Black knew, Rhaenyra included, Rhaenys would fly to Rook's Rest, burn up Cole and his army, and then be back for supper.

We, the audience, know that Rhaenys turned back twice and knowingly fought to her death, but Corlys doesn't. So I'm not saying that Corlys' reaction here doesn't make sense, because it does, however Baela telling him to not be so quick to blame Rhaenyra isn't some harsh or cruel advice, and I'm sick of Greenies acting as if it is or that Rhaenyra is solely responsible for Rhaenys' death and that Corlys should be secretly plotting to assassinate her or get some sort of retribution. Newsflash: he's not Daemon.

You could even infer that everyone knows that Rhaenys chose to go out this way; Meleys is canonically the fastest dragon, so she could've escaped if she wanted to, as we see in the previous episode.

"Baela and Corlys do not speak to each other like a granddaughter and grandfather would."

Baela and Corlys hardly know each other. Baela spent the first ten years of her life in Pentos, and the last several on Driftmark while Corlys was away at sea. They are relative strangers to each other and these last few weeks have been the most time they've ever spent with each other, and most of that time has been addressing the war. Corlys has routinely only shown interest in whoever the heir to Driftmark is, which was Luke up until now. So no, Baela and Corlys interacting like that makes sense.

Now onto the main issue I have with scene...

Baela's Reasoning In the Show

The one we get, in the show, is lame. "I am blood and fire, Driftmark must pass to salt and sea." I get that the writers are trying to make her seem quippy, but this also unintentionally confirms that Rhaena's biggest concern is 100% right - she is disregarded by her family. If Corlys were to give Driftmark to a granddaughter, why not Rhaena? She was set to marry Luke and inherit it anyway until his death, even Rhaenys recommended it! I can buy that Corlys would offer it up to Baela, as he clearly sees her as more valuable due to her dragon, but the fact that Baela doesn't mention her sister? When they're supposed to be interpreted as having, at least, a somewhat close relationship, and she knows that Rhaena feels as if she is not respected by their family? Either the writers are trying to hint that Baela secretly feels the same as everyone else in regards to Rhaena or they gave her that weird pseudo-poetic line to feed the TikTok editors. Hell, that could've been the reason she gave Corlys - "I will be queen one day, so let my sister inherit what she was already due for" or something like that.

Overall the scene was fine. I'm still quite irritated at the lack of Rhaena being considered, but maybe that's the point and they intend on elaborating on that later. Who knows? We still have three more episodes left, but until then, this is my take on the scene.

[atopvisenyashill]

What if Corlys had married Dallas?

NOW WE’RE COOKING

FIRST THE DAELLA/CORLYS MARRIAGE

I think Corlys is a smart man who can read what other people need from him well. Which is a nice way of saying that I think he would take the kind of approach to her that Daemon takes to Rhaenyra in HOTD but without that level of psychosexual obsession - he wants her to open up, ~be herself~ and be free, but of course, the definition of be free includes a freedom that would benefit him in some way.

If Corlys marries Daella, it's because Jaehaerys or Alysanne suggested him as a potential match and Daella picked him out. I don't know that Corlys would be particularly gung ho about it initially the way he is with Rhaenys - after all, Rhaenys was a dragon rider and heir presumptive while Daella is not only wayyy down the line of succession, she's "simple" aka likely autistic or developmentally disabled in some way which means she's going to need care taking in a way Rhaenys doesn't. I do think that may lead to some sort of resentment especially during times of great political stress.

BUT. I think there's a non zero chance he encourages her to get close to/claim a dragon - even if its one she doesn't regularly ride - and that might give her some confidence. I mean, just because someone has a disability doesn't mean that with the right environment, they can't be capable of a whole lot! And for Daella, you have that concept that is talked about in that viral video going around with the girl with down's - if you assume she can't, then she won't, and Jaehaerys and Alysanne have assumed Daella can't for a long time, so she doesn't. But if Corlys believes she can - well, maybe she will! The biggest thing here is Corlys has to be careful about her pregnancies. I think he would wait to get her pregnant largely because Alysanne is clearly feeling Some Type Of Way about Daella marrying, but even if he doesn't, the thing about Corlys is he's a Nice Guy. Yeah he'll cheat on his wife, yeah he'll marry a 16 year old but he doesn't physically or emotionally abuse them (...besides the grooming). If Daella is six months pregnant and tells him she's terrified and wants her mother, I think Corlys would just write to Alysanne and ask her to visit (assuming he even left the capital, and I don't think he would anyway) instead of berate Daella or call on his relatives to berate her. I think she's likely to get better care with Corlys looking over her because he needs an heir and wants dragon riding Velaryons and he can't get that if she dies.

Not only that, but Corlys wants to be involved in politics - and I think it's noteworthy that neither Rodrik nor his heir seemed particularly welcome at King's Landing after this incident and it took Daemon making a mess of his marriage with Rhea for the Iron Throne to go "alright let's call it even" before the Arryns really come back onto the political scene. Corlys is not stupid enough to risk something like that which means even IF Daella dies - and I'm not confident in saying she would. I know she's young but 16 year olds do often live through birth, the issue is the baby not living because it's a preemie, and again, proper care and cleanliness fixes a lot of the issues associated with birth - you can guarantee her death is going to be when she's a few years older, like Alyssa, and therefore not something Alysanne can directly attribute to him.

It does ripple out to mean the First Quarrel might not last as long but the trauma of losing Alyssa and Viserra as well as the constant comments about Saera being a whore is more than enough to piss Alysanne off, and once Rhaenys is cut out, Alysanne is definitely leaving Jae's ass again.

THE RHAENYS MARRIAGE

So who does Rhaenys marry in this scenario, if not Corlys? Well.......oof.

For one thing, even with Aemma out of the picture, it doesn't guarantee Viserys/Rhaenys because, well, Corlys may still have a daughter he can marry back into the royal family! If Corlys has a son with Daella, he probably tries to marry him to Rhaenys, and if he has a daughter, he goes for Viserys. Yes, that's right, I do think it's not unlikely Rhaenys marries Corlys' son lmaooooo. If he doesn't have a son, Rhaenys (and Alysanne, and probably Jocelyn, maybe Aemon as well) will still want her to make a big, important match that will help with her claim. So if Corlys doesn't have a son, and Viserys isn't available, she might go for her cousin Borros. Corlys does also have Vaemond and the Velaryon cousins - Daemion, Daeron, a bunch of others - that could also be helpful here (though not nearly as much because they're cousins and not the main line). Without a clear match - if Borros or Viserys doesn't work out, or Corlys doesn't have a son - I think Alysanne might look to the North. The Manderly match fell through and we know the Manderlys were real shitty about that, and that there's a plethora of Starks and Manderlys hopping around right now. Or maybe Alysanne decides she doesn't need to win the North for Rhaenys (she already has the North for Rhaenys, they sided with Rhaenys in the original) so maybe she tries for a match to support her - like a Tyrell or Hightower. Wouldn't it be hysterical if she married like, Otto?

Anyways so I think the marriages for Rhaenys are probably

Corlys' Son (hahahahahaha)

Borros

Viserys

A Manderly

Otto Hightower (hahahahahahahahaha)

A Stark

A Velaryon Cousin

Literally anyone else

A Celitgar

[backjustforberena]

Hi, I saw your post about Rhaenys and Corlys and wanted to share my thoughts. Honestly, I think Rhaenys feels extremely lonely, and that sense of unity, at least from her perspective, is gone. There's too much pain and too many failed attempts to get Corlys' support (him fleeing after Laenor's death, not staying in episode 3, aggressively avoiding the 'Alyn' issue). As Eve says, in the end, Rhaenys knows she can only rely on herself and her dragon, partly because she's forced herself into this position, but also because if every time she's vulnerable, Corlys is a wall, it's not easy to open up.

As for Corlys, I think his situation is different. He feels that he's treated Rhaenys poorly but he probably can't admit it to himself openly, and at the same time, he doesn't want to lose her. The fact that he attends the council, despite spending weeks repairing his ship, shows his way of offering support (i think he's trying to tell her that the past doesn't matter, now he's there for her).

I hope that in the upcoming episodes, Corlys will admit his shortcomings towards his wife and be the husband rhaenys deserved and fight for her.

Well, this is clearly from a long time ago and I have no idea about what original Corlys and Rhaenys post you're referring to, anon, so I'm really sorry for all of that! Thank you for sending your thoughts in. Bad form on my part, some of these really long asks have been languishing for a little while.

Yes, I think Rhaenys is feeling lonely. I think, it's clear, from the scenes and from what Eve has said, that there is a loneliness there. An idea that, however you want to categorize it, something that she could once rely on, she's not feeling like she can in the same way that she usually does, or wants to, or needs to.

I don't think it's straightforward: she still loves her husband, she still confides in him, seeks out his company, they have sex and they have these soft moments. I think it's very fluid and it sometimes hits her more in some moments than in others and in some situations more than in others. I think a lot is leftover from the six years they spent apart.

I think the fact of it is, is that Rhaenys has (for the most part) become used to being alone and, also, she's in a position where she sort of has to be alone. This journey that they're on, in the war, they can't quite be equals because of the stakes, and their roles, and their losses, and their health. They can't meet in the same place because they're being pulled away from each other by the overarching circumstances. They are in different places.

I don't think she ever feels a loss of his support. I don't think it's as cutthroat as that. His support could be greater, of course. If it couldn't have been, then his coming into the Black Council wouldn't be such a big thing, in terms of what that is as a gesture. But it was. And I still think she views them as a team and she views them as unified because they are presented and act, so much, as a unit. There is still that bond, there is still that tether and there is still something that keeps them as their own partnership that neither of them get anywhere else. It's not the destruction of a relationship or it failing in all areas.

As much as there is that loneliness, I also see great compassion in Rhaenys for Corlys. And vice versa. I think they can see one another as much as they can with the information they have. But to have those sorts of conversations requires vulnerability on both sides and the awareness and willingness to get hurt on both sides. And they're just not in the place for that. They can't go there because they need to be strong - either for themselves, to keep functioning, or for their partner.

With Meleys, Rhaenys doesn't have to worry about being misunderstood or what reception things might get or putting too much on her dragon or asking too much or explaining herself well. It's a far simpler, and probably a lot purer, relationship because of the bond they share and it not being more complicated than: I've got you, you've got me. It doesn't even have to go beyond that moment of comfort. There doesn't have to be a domino effect.

But Rhaenys and Corlys, especially with the Alyn issue and the succession and the war, and the stresses: it's like jenga. You pull the wrong piece and you crumble. So they don't pull at the pieces and the wall stays up. We don't see Rhaenys actually ask for Corlys's help in any way. We don't see Corlys confronting his emotions with her. To do either would admit fault and put pressure on their partner when they have reason to shy away from that - however, perhaps, illogical.

I think you're bang on about Corlys. I think he's aware (during Episodes 01-04) that there is ground to make up. But to resolve that is to go a way that asks a lot of him that he's not ready for. I always think of Corlys that he's got this idea, in his head, of how to be a good husband. How to be a worthy man for Rhaenys and a lot of that are things like acts of service, quality time, gift-giving. Living up to the legend of the man who won her hand. Be a man she's proud to be married to. Which, again, is why I think a lot of his mental state is mixed up with his emotional and physical state and the fact that he's just flat-out not up to much and his Fleet isn't up to much and he can't be that strong pillar for her to lean on.

If she can't lean on him, how can he possibly lean on her etc etc? How can he ask that of her? How can he let her down by being vulnerable? After all that he's already put her through? And how can he be honest about why he's struggling if he can't be wholly honest because some of it is Alyn and Addam being in proximity - which he doesn't know she knows about.

And both of them have an issue with pride and both of them just... yeah. I could go on and on about the miscommunication. I think Eve said that Rhaenys needed to just TELL HIM and show him how her heart is bleeding! And Steve said that Corlys needs to just talk to her. Listen to her. Stay in the room, have the conversation.

But they never have that chance.

Honestly, no civil war and they would have been golden.

[sydalelys01]

DAMIAN'S FALSE PATERNITY

Well I'm back just, with something more relaxed,

Today we will talk about the shittyshow, clearly it will not be anything good…. Especially Damian's false paternity…a.k.a the flaccid prince.

Disclaimer: this post is not against the actors, it is not their fault that they were chosen and despite that, they were characterized in the worst way. It's HBO's fault.

Well, starting with clearly that the shitty show Damian is GAY, he is not bisexual or anything, he is GAY. My arguments to say it are these:

Damian only had 3 scenes of a sexual nature in the first season (explicit) because he had others of a “flirtatious” nature but we will talk about those later.

In his first sexual scene, which is with that false attempt by the whore Liseny, who isn't even Liseny, I don't remember where they invented that mysaria came from in the HBO garbage, he doesn't get an erection, the man simply doesn't work, they'll tell me… it's because there are men who sometimes do not have an erection for X reason and it does not mean that they are gay. Ok, let's suppose I buy that pathetic excuse from you.

let's move on to the second scene, which is with Renada in the brothel… No… my life… is not leaving because he has renada's reputation in mind… If I remember correctly what Condal said, it is that he was impotent… in short, he didn't get hard and that's why he leaves her there and goes to drink, assuming that it wasn't because he is impotent and he did it out of "respect" and "protection" to Renada, clearly he could have gone to sleep with a whore to satisfy his desire… of course assuming that his body reacted sexually to Renada's, but NO, he went to drink. For obvious reasons, he had no desire for her.

To go in order, we can talk about his first flirting scene, which was with Laena where he compares her in beauty with HER BROTHER (Laenor), which is true that in the books that phrase is said, it is never mentioned that it was Daemon who He said it, it was a comment that several people made in court, what was the need to do that scene? If not to reveal his interest in men,

His second scene and the most obvious is his flirting scene with his servant in pentos… which he did IN his wife's FACE, plus they say they cut scenes where they were more explicit, where the servant's actor on TikTok came out to confirm that They were lovers.

And it's also good to add that in the book they released to explain the shittyshow they say that Damian was in love with the mummy Viserys and that's why he always sought his approval and walked around like a lapdog after him who even threw an egg tantrum just because he wanted his sweetheart was going to confront him and not forget the scene of jealousy that he made, complaining to him for not being his hand and that he preferred Otto… loving trio in sight……

And good to put the icing on the cake, the scene on the beach with renada………. I don't know how you are able to see love, passion and desire in that scene……. It's just as uncomfortable as the scene with the mummy Viserys and Alisaint, who will tell me you saw there if it works… but let's keep in mind who Damian came from seeing, he came from seeing his sweetheart Viserys's corpse, that's why he It worked, he came excited hahahaha sorry…. Well… not sorry

Well now let's get to the point of the post hahaha, Damian's paternity.

I clarify again, I'm talking about the shittyshow, not the canon.

The twins to begin with don't look anything like him, they are a carbon copy of Laena, pay attention, Laena is mixed and if they are supposed to be from Damian, the girls should have a lighter skin complexion, otherwise be told that Corlys' genetics are pure velaryon!!! Let me remind you that Corlys has Targaryen descent… so knowing the life they showed us that they led in pentos, it is very likely that the twins are not their daughters and they will tell me but Baela has a dragon… come on, dragon seeds have less blood than them and they could still ride dragons…so…

But well, you'll tell me… well, the bastard minis (you don't know how it hurts me to call my children Aegon and Viserys like that even though they're not them… the poor creatures are the most innocent there) came out blonde… but well, their mother is Renada, don't forget it. She could have messed with another guy and this time it turned out well, keep in mind that Renada is going to Dragonstone to live with Damian, and in the series she lived in the fortress before that's why she was more watched by her sweetheart Alisaint, being in dragonstone she could do and undo… so these children could not easily be Damian's children…

But well, knowing Damian's sexuality and that the only time we see that her male apparatus works is after seeing the Viserys mummy… that says a lot…

It is your problem if you attack yourselves and do not want to see the reality of your Damian and Renada.

Sorry not sorry, and don't give me the homophobia card, invent another argument… you are tired… that's all you have in your mouth

kisses.

[primordial-shade]

How Polyamory would save the House of the dragon Laenor/Harwin/Rhaenyra version

Hear me out.

I have read a lot of very good fanfiction ok, its given me ideas ok!!

So there are two versions of this so I’m gonna do two different versions.

So the wedding occurs, its bad. Poor Joffrey is cut down (RIP my good sir, you should have gotten to slice Criston Coles head off.)

Rhaenyra rushes to Laenor, trying to pull Cole off Joffrey and in his rage he tries to cut them both down, Rhaenyra for her ‘rejection’ and Laenor for ‘stealing’ Rhaenyra.

Mr Breakbones himself is not about to allow that to happen. He bum rushes the idiot so fast his head cracks onto the floor and he gets knocked the fuck out. He’s not even awake before Visery deamnds his head.

He doesn;t die that easy. Laenor takes him down to the black cells and makes him suffer.

Cole is fed to Seasmoke, or whats left of him is does anyway.

It does a lot for his mourning, but he still mourns.

Despite Visery’s push to rush the marriage, both Rhaenys and Corly’s tell him no. He listens.

They also make sure that all of Alicents green dresses are burned. No green material can be found in Kingslanding for the next year.

A month later Laenor and Rhaenyra get married, and in that time they both take the gloves off. Joffrey was killed and Rhaenyra betrayed.

They annouce widely they will not only marry in the eyes of the Seven, but also in the eyes of their gods.

And little do people know that Harwin has slowly earnt their love. When the time comes it is him that helps them produce their first heir. Their Jacaerys, born with rich white curls, his mother eyes and his father smile and darker skin.

No one would ever doubt his heritage.

Laenor mourns and comes to love both Harwin and Rhaenrya, true romantic love. He will never be sexually attracted to Rhaenyra but he adores her and she him.

But they also love Harwin, and both are determined that he will be married to them.

It is actually Daemon and Laena, both married with their twin and their young son Baelon, that help them using the doctrine of exceptionalism as well as casting rumours about and blackmailing the high septon.

It takes 2 years, in which time Luecerys is born, with black Baratheon curls and Laenors eyes. but by this time the High Septon claims that the gods have said Harwin must be repaid for saving Rhaenyra’s and Laenors lives, and it must be done in marriage.

Rhaenyra of course respectfully accepts this, it is a message from the seven afterall.

And so, much to Alicent and otto’s fury Harwin is married into the couple and they all head to Dragonstone to marry Harwin in their ways and then to Harrenhall to marry alll together in front of the Old gods.

9 months later Joffrey Strong is born, named for the man who died to give Harwin his greatest happiness.

Rhaenys is very proud of her boy and loves all her grandchildren, including any beget by Harwin because they are Laenors as well.

Corlys is very confused by the whole thing, he just lets his wife and children do what they want at this point.

Larys fucks about and finds out at this point, people assume that he had accidentally gotten into the pit whilst drunk and had been too slow to escape Syrax, no one knows he had tried to kill his brother and had been killed by Syrax and Seasmoke in revenge.

Harwin does not mourn him, not when he had been holding Joffrey when his brother had tried to burn him.

All three become more vicious, scheming to protect their precious hatchlings. 

Once all the heir spots are filled and they no longer need to be careful the children come hard and fast. After Joffrey comes:

Visenya(H) Aemon(L) Baelor(L) Rhaenys(H) Viserys(H) Daenys(H) Jahaerys(H) Aemma(L) Naerys (H) Aerion (H) Alysanne(L)

A fair few are twins and triplets but after 10 years and 14 kids Rhaenyra decides she is done. Luckily Laenor and Rhaeny’s have found something to render her infertile much to her delight. No risks, no need ofr moontea. Harwin and Laenor even take it as well to be doubly sure.

Laena and Daemon have Rhaena, Baela, Baelon, Gaemon, Alyssa, Lucena, Corlae, Aethys, Daenaera, Vaelaena and Monterys.

They also choose infertility after Vaelaena and Monterys.

In total between the two families there are 25 kids. Why do I do this? Because its hilarious and also I think its cute.

Also yes Laena will survive because I said so, fuck you. 

So Whats going on with Viserys and the Greens. 

Well since the families are more cohesive and with encouragement from her partners and In-Laws, Rhaenyra begins ruling as her father gets sicker. By the time Daemon and Laena bring over proper healers he’s already contracted Leprosy and its been badly exacerbated by the Maesters, and Otto and Alicents treatments. Its deep to the point where the healers say that trying the usualy treatments will only kill him. With no Dragon he can;t fight it off and basically it becomes comfort measures to keep him happy and pain free. They help slow it somewhat but once he reaches a certain stage its more cruel to try and slow it and so the decision is made to basically do a Hospice care treatment. Keeping him happy and comfortable. I don;t like Viserys and he needs to be dead but I understand Rhaenyra would try and help him.

Otto was basically kicked out and once Rhaenyra has her family move into Kingslanding they all basically do everything they can to make sure he cannot re-enter. Fuck at one point Harwin, much to Laenor and Rhaenyra’s delight, manages to arrange for the old fool to get fucking syphallis. They still have no idea how he managed that but he did and thats when the Qudrapulets were conceived.

Hightower also begins to suffer politically. After Otto was kicked out and it was proven that the Maesters and Alicent had only made the king sicker they lost control of the education of the Maesters. All education was seperated out to every ruling family in Westeros with a central education centre moved to Kingslanding.

Gwain Hightower and son also suffer, drowning at sea when their bost sunk unexpectedly during a storm. No one ever saw Seasmoke, so well was he camoflaged.

The trio also begin working heavily to help the smallfolk. Healing centres, food banks, better education and a sewer system. It is understanding that people began moving from the Faith to the worship of the 14 gods of Valryria or the Old Gods. The Dragon pit is torn down as well and near the site a temple to the Valryian gods it build and a new Godswood planted in Kingslanding. Soon the other cities of Westeros follow. The Seven are still worshipped, but people are more free to worship who they want.

It is during this time all the Targs find out they are immune to fire. It was Laena and Laenor who found this out. they got into a playfight and accidentally fell into a firepit.Everyone hurried to oull them out but only Corlys and Harwin get burnt.

It is what allows Daemon and Rhaenys to explore Valyria eventually, where they manage to discover lost pieces of their heritage including what they realise is a hatchery containing nearly 100 eggs.

Daemon is feral.

The Dragon keepers are delighted when over half begin to hatch on Dragonstone, they have to quickly train up dozens of new recruits to keep up.

This is also when Rhaena encounters the Cannibal and claims him much to Daemons horror and Laena’s delight. It turns out, from what Rhaena learns from the bond, is that the Cannibal had been a dragon whose rider died in its infancy and the broken bond so young had a egative impact on its psyche, fixed by Rhaena.

All the kids get dragons, I’ll think more on which one later but they all get dragons.

Now on to the key people and Controversially I don’t really like Alicent as a person. I think she is a great character but she does remind me of an estranged family member and gives me the ick. I don’t like Aegon either, little rapey cunt.

So there are two ways I can see this go for these two. Firstly is the good way where Alicent realises that Rhaenyra will be a good queen and chills out. Honestly what I imagine she’ll be happiest doing is either taking on work to help people or joining the faith maybe? Aegon would also have to be raised really well for this good ending, make sure he gets proper rearing and also stays away from drink and child fighting rings. I imagine he would become a traveller, maybe a diplomat of sorts. He would probably never marry but his sister would legitimise the children he has.

Bad version is unfortunately more likely in the timeline of the story. Considering the distrust brewing Alicent would probably always believe Rhaenyra would kill her and her children. But the positive outcomes for Rhaenyra would probably make her move more quickly. She would probably be involved in getting Larys to try and kill Harwin and whne found out she would flee back to Oldtown with Aegon, leaving behind her other children for the sake of the Heir. I imagine they would be hidden for safety and Aegon raise to belive he is king.

The other three I honestly see as more redeemable, Aemond is on thin fucking ice but with the abandonment off his mother at a much younger age and being basically adopted by Rhaenyra he can turn out better. He basically becomes the New Daemon. Fiercely protective of his sister-mother and his siblings and of the fathers who raised him with love and care he becomes a fierce knight and advisor for Jacaerys when he eventually becomes king. 

Helaena is also given a better life. Daemon quickly realises she is a dreamer and whilst there is no training they have available they do everything they can to help her. Journals, soft things, all the bugs she wants. Helaena is a treasure burdened with a terrible gift and they will help her all they can. This eventially involves letting Aemond and her marry. It is obvious she loves her brother and he her, and Rhaenyra wants all her children to marry for love if they can. Also letting Helaena marry outside of the family would just be insane.

Daeron knows that technically he isn’t his sisters child, but she raised him from a baby after retrieving him from Oldtown so as far as he is concerned Rhaeneyra is his Muna and Laenor and Harwin are his Kepa’s. He becomes one of the new people who gather education and teachers for Rhaenyra’s new education centres. he himself eventually marries the next princess of Dorne. 

Now to the drama. In the timeline I picture Oldtown takes Aegon and tries to raise him to be the new King. Rhaenrya does try to find him but she is not successful and soon the Triarchy rise delcaring Aegon the true king. It does not end well at all. Aegon is probably killed during a battle and house Hightower is removed. Soon Oldtown itself is abandonned and nothing is left of Hightower or Oldtown except a few broken ruins. Rhaenyra rules peacefully with her family as the first, but not the last queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

Centuries later King Rhaegar, named for his holy Ancestor Rhaenyra, Ascends the throne when his father deems him ready and Aerys retires for a peaceful life with his beloved wife Rhaella, with his wife the new Queen Lyanna of house Stark. By their sides the King’s dragon Syrax and Queen Lyanna’s direwolf Frost. 

Their first son, their first child of six, Jahaerys Targaryean, affectionately known as Jae by his numerous Targaryean aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins, and Jon by his Stark relatives, is claimed by the Dragon Vermithor at birth and was found with the direwolf pup Ghost after his first night in the cradle. He is born with his father’s dark skin and bright indigo eyes, but with thick black curls streaked with silver and a stern and very Stark face.

When the night King came he found himself against the Prince and his beloved wife and Princess Daenaerys and her dragon SIlverwing along with over a hundred dragons and direwolves, a united kingdom of Westeros, Wildings and children of the forest, and users of magics both ancient and strong.

He never stood a chance.

[lilydiaone]

This makes absolutely zero sense. The Velaryons aren‘t the Hightowers. They would never start a war like the sexist Greens did!!!! They only almost started a war after Rhaenys was denied not like the Greens who actually started a war.

Sure Corlys wanted to marry Leana to Viserys to join their houses. He would‘ve asked Viserys if he planned to make Rhaenyra heir still like he did in Episode 5!!! Corlys knew what he was about. It was not like Viserys was obsessed with having a son for years to the point in which he killed his wife for one. Of course he wouldn‘t just assume that he will name any son of his heir from the get-go. Nor was it like that Rhaenyra as heir was the reason for Corlys asking if Leanor and her kids would be heir because it‘s not like Viserys still could name his firstborn son, like literally everybody else, who very obviously has zero claim to the throne because Viserys said so.

Leana might‘ve been twelve but he wanted to marry her off in the name of peace. Not like Otto who did it behind everyone back because telling my fourteen year old daughter to comfort the King is so much worse than sending my twelve year old daughter in front of everyone and telling him how she will give him many children once she is fourteen. Surely Corlys would‘ve never send Leana to Viserys chambers if she were older. Only Otto would do that and it makes him evil!!! Who would send their daughter into a mans chamber after a funeral???? He doesn‘t love his kids/grandkids like… someone like Olenna Tyrell. Olenna would‘ve never send her granddaughter to a mans (boys) chamber to give him comfort and if she did nobody would like her for it. Because that‘s devil behavior.

Also you forget that Leanor and Rhaenyra would get married!!! Because Viserys would be willing to give them so much power because they are friends!!!! It‘s not like the marriage was only made to appease the Velaryons and that Viserys would ever not give them that because surely Corlys would never argue for his grandsons inheritance and he would never say something like „he wants his blood on the throne“ and was never annoyed by Corlys over archiving.

Once they marry Leanor of course is willing to pretend Rhaenyras kids are his because it does not indanger the children of his sister at all and his family in general. He would be totally up for a randoms dude child inheriting instead of his nephews it‘s not like he was devasted when his sister died. It‘s the same situation as in canon the stakes for him don‘t change at all.

And Leana would be best friends with Rhaenyra because HotD message wasn‘t that friendship crumbles in path of power at all and she is such a sweet girl who not at all would become bitter at being sold at twelve to a man who does not love her and only sees her as something that was forced on him. Nor would her parents keep manipulating her at all. I‘m sure the daughter of the richest man in the realm will appriciate being a mere broodmare while Rhaenyra enjoys every freedom. There will be zero jealousy or resentment at all. And Rhaenyra will love her too and treat the kids like siblings because she only disliked her brothers in canon because they had bad vibes not because they were a threat to her claim.

Also Viserys would treat his kids with Leanor much better than the evil Green kids who are born with dirty blood. Sure Leana is forced on him while he choose Alicent but still he will respect her because she is the Velaryons daughter and it‘s not like he ever disrespected the Velaryons in canon at all. Corlys and Rhaenys will see how wonderfully he treats his kids with Leana and her as well and of course be happy with their position and marry any daughter of Leana to Rhaenyras bastards because the Verlaryons need to bow for the Targaryens and pride is not an important motive for them.

Again Rhaenys never argued against Rhaenyras bastard instead she was grandmother goals and Corlys did not suddenly decided that Rhaenyras kids shouldn‘t inherit and pulled out his bastards from nowhere. Because he does not care about blood! I‘m sure he still wouldn‘t even if there was a possibility to get his blood and his name on the throne at the same time.

The Velaryons surely wouldn‘t end Rhaenyra even if their chances in a war would be actually really really good.

not the TB stans saying that corlys & rhaenys & laena would've supported rhaenyra's claim if laena had married viserys .

corlys wanted laena to marry viserys so that her son will one day be king. rhaenys literally said it to rhaenyra - "when your father dies, the men of the realm will expect his son to inherit - because that is the way of things." = corlys and rhaenys expected viserys and laena's son to be king.

if the velaryons truly supported rhaenyra from the start - like you claim - why not just suggest a betrothal between laenor and rhaenyra - the heir to the throne? what do they gain from laena being queen consort to viserys if her children are not going to inherit the throne?

also, to the people claiming that they planned to have laena marry vis and laenor marry rhaenyra (0 evidence that they planned to betroth laenor to rhaenyra before ep 5 but ok) - why tf would they do that and create a possible succession crisis between laena and laenor's children? it makes no sense.

it was only after their chance on getting their blood on the throne from laena marrying vis was lost did they agree to marry laenor to rhaenyra.

the TB fanfiction of laena & the velaryons happily step aside for rhaenyra and not fight to put viserys and laena's son on the throne is just ridiculous. rhaenyra is actually very lucky that viserys chose to marry alicent because the velaryons would kick her sorry ass in seconds.

also, can we stop treating the velaryons like rhaenyra's cheering squad ?

[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".

[thevelaryons]

An almost underrated relationship, that's not often talked about is that between Corlys & his youngest grandchild, Joffrey.

As I mentioned before, Corlys views the position of heir and descendant as separate from each other.

Corlys starts out being very reluctant to allow Laenor to name his first two children after his lover. But in the end, he does give in to Laenor's wishes:

Born in the waning days of 114 AC, the boy was a large, strapping lad, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a pug nose. (Ser Laenor had the aquiline nose, silver-white hair, and purple eyes that bespoke his Valyrian blood.) Laenor’s wish to name the child Joffrey was overruled by his father, Lord Corlys.

— Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon

In 117 AC, on Dragonstone, Princess Rhaenyra bore yet another son. Ser Laenor was at last permitted to name a child after his fallen friend, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth.

— Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon

It's evident that Corlys does care for Joffrey's well being:

Luke’s young brother Joffrey (Jace was still away on his mission north) swore a terrible oath of vengeance against Prince Aemond and Lord Borros. Only the intervention of the Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys kept the boy from mounting his own dragon at once.

— Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons

At the same time, Corlys chooses to bypass him in the Driftmark succession and instead name Addam as heir. Since Corlys is a blood purist, it's not surprising that he would not allow Joffrey to be his heir while at the same time letting him carry the family name. One of Corlys' most defining traits is that he refuses to harm children. Joffrey's older brothers are both betrothed to girls with Velaryon blood, so the situation is somewhat different with them. Joffrey's betrothal was to a girl of house Manderly (someone not of Corlys' blood).

At the time of this change in the Driftmark succession, Corlys had the upper hand against Rhaenyra. Any decision he made would have to be listened to, otherwise he could threaten to pull support from Rhaenyra's cause. With his wife having passed away recently, it presents Corlys an opportunity unlike anything he's had before. He can finally acknowledge his own sons. Except he doesn't call them as his sons. Instead they are his grandsons:

The Sea Snake seemed more than eager to accept these newfound grandsons.

— Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons

Laenor was about as openly gay as a person could be in a closeted society like Westeros. When Corlys presents his own sons as actually being fathered by Laenor, it's not about selling the lie. It's all politics. He cannot legally claim his own sons AND make them his heirs (something he clearly wants to do) without first disinheriting Joffrey by exposing the truth of his bastardy. As Laenor's legal son, Joffrey would come before Addam & Alyn (Laenor's brothers) in the Driftmark succession. That is how the laws of succession work in Westeros: a son comes before a brother.

Laenor certainly would've preferred to have Joffrey as his heir, rather than the bastard children his father had with another woman.

But what we get is Corlys telling the world that Addam & Alyn are Laenor's sons, and with the two being older than Joffrey, they neatly fit ahead of him in the Driftmark succession. Although this does mean that Corlys can never claim his owns sons no matter how much he wants to, it does serve to protect another child.

The entirety of the succession crisis shows the core of who Corlys truly is: a political player who is always working for his own selfish ends and yet he will never go out of his way to directly endanger an innocent in the course of his plans.

[anxiousnerdwritings]

oh my gods Viserys forcing Corlys and Rhaenys youngest daughter to marry Aegon because the Velaryons are obviously pissed that Rhaenyra keeps having bastards but they won’t say anything. and whole funeral thing kind of added fuel to the fire. so Viserys thinks having the reader marry Aegon will smooth things over but it really just complicates everything.

of course the reader is her mother’s child. so there’s no way in hell that Aegon goes down the path that he does. homegirl whips him up into shape. and he kind of becomes a fun mix of Oberyn Martell and Tyrion Lannister where he’s always drinking and he always horny for his wife but he’s lowkey deadly. because she absolutely was not gonna be embarrassed by this boy.

and it brings up so many mixed feelings for Corlys because he really wants his bloodline on the throne but Rhaenyra’s boys don’t have his blood despite having his name. and there’s also a small part of him that wonders if Rhaenyra and Daemon really killed Laenor like the rumours say. what if Daemon comes after the boys to install his own sons? so he’s beginning to lean towards the Aegon and the other greens in the court. especially after seeing them welcome the reader with open arms because she was the only one who can reign Aegon in so they fucking love her and know she’ll make sure Aegon is a good king. but Rhaenys is stressing because it leaves the Blues stuck in the middle of the battlefield cause they’re daughter will be crowned queen and their grandson will be made the Prince of Dragonstone soon. and that’s her only living child. what if Daemon comes after the reader and her children? they’d lose everything if the reader died.

Okay but I can’t help but imagine yan!poly!Aegon and Helaena for the Reader in this situation. Like, I can see Viserys realizing after the whole Vaemond outburst that maybe he should try to work something out more with the Velaryons, especially since it looks like even they are torn amongst themselves on whose side to be on. So, why not make it easier for them, at least that’s what Viserys thinks his actions will be achieving. Only it does the complete opposite and makes things much worse, especially for Rhaenyra.

I feel like this betrothal would happen behind Rhaenys’ back because of course she wouldn’t be so willing to marry off her youngest and remaining child, especially not to the Greens. And especially not to Aegon. She doesn’t care that their child will be Queen of the seven kingdoms or birth the future princes and princesses, Rhaenys wants to keep her remaining child as close as possible. She’s already lost two of her children and one of them may have been murdered by his own wife so she surely wouldn’t trust Aegon or the Greens to do something similar to the Reader.

Corlys is apprehensive as well but this could also be a monumental opportunity for not only the Reader but also all of House Velaryon as a whole. He doesn’t want to use his remaining child as a playing piece either especially after losing Laenor and Laena but this may be just what they need. He knows his child well enough and knows they’ll be able to hold their own, especially against Aegon. Corlys isn’t too worried about how Aegon will be with the Reader but he is worried about the underlying threats of others, such as Otto, Alicent, Rhaenyra and Daemon. He would have to mull it over but would inevitably accept the betrothal regarding his child and Aegon. After all, he thinks this would be very beneficial for the Reader in the long run. But, Corlys also knows that this will inevitably cause a rift between him and Rhaenys when he tells her. And Rhaenys would take this as a betrayal on her husband’s part, never forgetting that he put their last remaining child up freely for the Greens to have.

Going off Aegon already having married Helaena and now being betrothed to the Reader too, he would just see it as yet another thing forced upon him. He hadn’t even wanted to marry Helaena in the first place now he has to marry yet again, being stuck with two wives. The only thing that may get him to think of it differently is someone referring to the situation as it being like Aegon the Conquer, Rhaenys and Visenya all over again. Aegon would take that as people seeing him as Aegon the Conqueror and his ego would only grow because of it. But the Reader will be their to knock him down a few pegs or more.

I like to imagine the Reader being pretty free spirited and strong willed. The first time they meet Aegon, whether before or after the whole betrothal thing, he was most likely drunk and either said something vulgar to them or about someone else and they heard it resulting in them verbally handing his ass to him. The next day Aemond, Jace, Luke and others are laughing about the situation which causes Aegon to storm off and seek out the Reader to ‘punish’ them. Only when he finds the Reader to do just that, they physically kick his ass and fuck his whole shit up. After that he sees them in a completely different light. He’s kind of scared of them and ashamed that he got his ass beat but it also totally turned him on cause of course it would. He never really had anyone do something him like that, let alone a woman. He usually always got what he wanted but that was the first time someone really put him in his place and it got him feeling some type of way. Of course he wouldn’t allow anyone else to ever do that to him and get away with it but he’d make an exception for his darling. After that, Aegon wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off the Reader, he would try to get as close to them as possible justifying it with getting to know each other better because of the betrothal. He’d always find his way to their side and if he couldn’t be there then he would take to keeping them in his line of sight. Inwardly panicking a little when he would lose sight of them, automatically fearing that someone had stolen them away from him.

Given that the Reader is a free spirit I imagine that they would always be riding their dragon and going on adventures, which would only cause Aegon even more anxiety. Sure, it’s one thing to be able to go on his own dragon and fly after the Reader but it’s another thing after they’ve gotten married and they insist on him staying behind to manage his royal duties and look after everything like a good king should do. There would be an underlying fear of the Reader leaving and never returning, whether due to them perishing on their adventure or because they decided to start anew and someone else ended up capturing their heart. Aegon would compromise that the Reader either wait until he has the free time and could come with/be able to follow them on their impromptu adventures or stop their adventures altogether if they wanted him to continue keeping up with being a ‘good king’. He would threat to burn all the Seven Kingdoms to the ground if they up and left him again like that, even if they were to always come back. If they ever did leave on their dragon again after he tried compromising, especially doing so just to spite him, Aegon would have no problem hunting them down himself and forcing them back home and once they were back home, he would go as far as to kill their dragon so they wouldn’t be able to leave him again. He may also take to having them locked in their shared room or they would at the very least be heavily monitored. Aegon would also keep the Reader pregnant as often as he could to ensure they would stay in one place and prevent them from trying to flee.

I imagine that Helaena would really be the closest person to the Reader, maybe besides Rhaenyra depending on whether the Reader was still on her side after the rumors about her having Laenor killed. I don’t think the Reader or Helaena would have a hard time getting along and if they both have to be married to Aegon then that would only drive them closer to each other. Aegon may even grow jealous of how much closer his darling his with Helaena then compared to him. He would childishly accuse the Reader of loving Helaena more than him whenever he got drunk, which would be often. And both the Reader and Helaena would roll their eyes and ignore him or try very half assed to soothe his hurt feelings. These little jealous bouts happen more often then not so his darling and Helaena are more than use to them. The few times all three of them have shared the bed together there have been times Aegon will wake the Reader and Helaena out of their sleep accusing them of cuddling with each other more than with him. The three of them have been forced to try and find a sleeping arrangement that would work where Aegon would feel included but to no avail, he’d always find a problem. So eventually he just kicked Helaena out to her own room. But then one night Aegon woke up all alone in the bed while the Reader had slipped away to keep Helaena company in the night. Which led to Aegon barging in and throwing a huge hissy fit. He would complain about it to his mother and his brothers but Aemond honestly couldn’t careless and didn’t want to hear any of it due to his own envy. But eventually Aegon would come around to moving Helaena back into his and the Reader’s shared room. He liked it better when it was him and the Reader but they insist on it since Helaena is a part of the marriage as well. Not to mention it doesn’t feel right when she’s gone. If it bothers his darling so much than he can tolerate it, he supposed.

When Aegon hits his limit with the Reader up and leaving on their own accord and has them kept in their room, Helaena would be their sole company for the most part, besides Aegon himself. (Aemond and Daeron would visit themselves if only Aegon hadn’t banned them from interacting with his darling.) Helaena doesn’t agree with Aegon, knowing that no matter how many times the Reader left or how long they were gone they would always come back to the two of them. But she could also see where he was coming from. She did often worry herself whether their darling would just abandon them or meet their fate on one of their adventures. This way they can ensure their darling is safe and with them always. Not to mention it results in Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor getting to have more siblings due to Aegon using that as a way to keep the Reader occupied and to prevent them trying to run away.

Earlier on when the Reader was in the beginnings of shaping Aegon to be a rightful king, there’s a good chance that they could get him to be on good/okay-ish terms with Rhaenyra. Especially if the Reader was still very much Team Black. It didn’t matter whether they actually had any care for Rhaenyra but given that she does have the Reader’s nieces and ‘nephews’ with her I could see the Reader trying to keep peace so as to not cause any harm or trouble for Baela, Rhaena, Jace, Luke, and Joffrey. And if the Reader themself were close to Rhaenyra then I’m sure they wouldn’t want anything to put a damper into that either. It would really be Alicent, Otto, Larys, Aemond and Aegon himself who would ruin the peace. Leading to Corlys and Rhaenys having to choose a side.

Also, there’s a very good chance that Rhaenys moves to King’s Landing permanently once the Reader is married off to Aegon. Rhaenys wouldn’t want to leave her child all alone with the Greens and would certainly want to be there for when her grandchildren are born, not to mention she’s still very pissed with Corlys for even goimng through with this whole thing and is still very much feeling betrayed over it. She would also want to make it very clear to her child that they have support by having her there with them. Although, Aegon wouldn’t like it too much with Rhaenys giving and always being with the Reader and also given that she watches him like a hawk whenber he’s near his darling but his mother would make him bite his tongue to keep Rhaenys and the Velaryons on their side. And if it did mean a lot to the Reader to have their mother with them then he could deal with it, for now.

[star-girl69]

I Loved You Like the Sun

a/n: daemyra is a ship that is filled with angst, so of course daemyra x reader will be filled with angst as well. honestly, get ready for the next few chapters bc it gets CRAZY

warnings: swearing, incest, tell me if i missed anything!!

Chapter Twenty Five- Don’t Say You Love Me

—-

You heard your husband and wife talking far later into the night, whispering words about a song, ice and fire, promises of princes. But you are too content in bed, safe between warm bodies.

You know Rhaenyra is still not convinced war is the best option, while Daemon is, and you have just resigned to do whatever your Queen decides. If she asks for your council, you will give it, if she asks for your comfort, your distraction, you will give it.

When you wake, you are still bitter at both yourself and them. The possibility of Daemon still leaving was like a storm cloud over your head. Your own foolishness, hurting Rhaenyra, believing she would send you away, you wake with memories flooding your mind.

You call for her, through the mess of warm bodies and silk sheets, and of course she answers.

You roll onto your other side, staring at her. Hair mussed from sleep, lips dry and cracked, eyes closed and voice rough.

You do nothing but press a kiss to her forehead, seeing her eyes open with amusement.

She barely has time to smile at you before a handmaiden knocks on the door, shouting that it’s time to get ready for the day.

You see Rhaenyra’s face fall, take on that self-blaming, guilty, apathetic look of a Queen. You have never wished more desperately for her to smile.

And she does, weakly, before she sits, leaving you cold and lonely. You turn, seeking warmth in your husband, and he wraps a gentle arm around you as you lay your head on his chest.

Your mood sours when you remember he might leave.

—-

Rhaenyra takes your hand, pulling it to hers. She traces the lines of your palm, and you have to tug your chair closer to properly let her.

The voices of lords fade to the background, and you are no longer planning a war. You are simply with your wife.

You don’t speak, afraid your words will act like knives and shatter the moment.

But it shatters anyway.

“The Lord of the Tides!” A guard calls, and you watch as the heavy wooden doors open. “Lord Corlys Velaryon…” The heavy sound of his cane hitting the floor, reminding you so vividly of your husband. It does truly seem like a lifetime ago. “and his wife, the Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.”

You stand with Rhaenyra, frown when she lets your hand fall, watch as Rhaenys and Corlys move slowly down the stairs, your daughters trailing behind them.

You hear Rhaenyra and Lord Corlys exchange pleasantries, but you selfishly move past him and his wife to Baela and Rhaena. They smile when they see you, and you are undeniably proud.

Rhaena presses herself into your waiting arms, and you press your lips to her temple. Baela wraps her arms around you, and you tilt your head to kiss her cheek. You murmur how pretty they look, and they thank you, Baela sending a glance over to Jace as she does so. Your heart swells, but you send them off, and they go to stand beside their betrothed.

Corlys hits his cane to the ground again, much softer, bringing you back to reality.

“Where is Daemon?” The Lord asks, eyes crawling over the room critically.

“There were other concerns which demanded the Prince’s attention.” Rhaenyra says, hands clasped in front of her, ever the perfect diplomat.

“Hm,” Lord Corlys says, glancing at her before stepping forward. His eyes sweep the room again, landing on you. “Lady Targaryen.” He greets, and you let a smile take over your face.

“Lord Corlys,” you nod your head, and he smiles. But it fades as he steps closer to the Painted Table, surveying it.

“Your declared allies?” he asks, getting straight to the point. Rhaenys meets your eyes, and she nods towards you, and you return it, slipping your way past her to be back at Rhaenyra’s side.

“Yes.” Rhaenyra answers, hand brushing your waist briefly as she step forward, a silent demand. You follow her as she comes closer to the Painted Table, to Lord Corlys.

This meeting, you know, is essential. Without the Velaryon’s support, you are lost. Which is why it is best Daemon is not there. For no matter war, he killed Vaemond, and Lord Corlys respects names and blood.

“Too few to win a war for the throne.”

You watch Rhaenyra scramble, ever-so-slightly, something only you could pick up on.

“Well, we would also hope to have the support of Houses Arryn, Baratheon, and Stark.”

“Hope… is the fool’s ally.” You watch as Rhaenyra falters, hesitating and choosing words carefully.

“Both Arryn and Baratheon share blood with my house. But all of them swore oaths to me.”

“As did House Hightower…” he retorts, “if I remember.”

“As did you, Lord Corlys.”

The hall is silent for another moment, until Corlys turns to look upon his grandchildren.

“Your fathers realm… was one of justice and honor. Our houses are bound by common blood and common cause. This Hightower treason cannot stand.” He plants his feet into the ground, spine straightening, eyes meeting Rhaenyra’s. “You have the full support of our fleet and house. Your Grace.” He bows, and you almost feel your heart burst from your chest.

You feel her hand grab yours.

“You honor me, Lord Corlys.” But when you look up at him, he is not looking at your wife. Instead, he looks upon his own. Rhaenyra turns, nodding grateful to Rhaenys. “Princess Rhaenys.” She nods, and you swear you see a smile on her face.

You let out your own sigh of relief. Slowly, but surely, your ranks were swelling and victory was in your sight.

Your feel her hand squeeze yours, the connection of skin hidden beneath layers of skirts. She breaths heavily, nerves overtaking her again before she speaks.

“But, as I said to my bannermen, I made a promise to my father to hold the realm story and united. If war’s first stroke is to fall, it will not be by my hand.”

“You do not mean to act?” He asks, clarifying, and you can tell he is incredulous.

“Taking caution does not mean standing fast. I wish to know who my ally’s are before I send them to war.”

He nods, taking another few steps around the table. Soon, he is only a few feet away from the two of you.

“The consequence of my… near-demise in the Stepstones… is that we know control them.”

You feel Rhaenyra’s sharp intake of breath, feel hope rise in your chest.

“I took care to fully garrison the territory this time. A total blockade of the shipping lanes will be in place in days, if not already. The Triarchy have been routed. The Narrow Sea is ours.”

Rhaenyra raises her head, understanding crossing her features as she turns to you. You smile, hope it is reassuring.

“If we further seal the Gullet, we can cut off all seaborne travel and trade to King’s Landing.” His hand traces over the Painted Table, resting over the city.

“I shall take Meleys and patrol the Gullet myself.” Rhaenys declares, coming forth to the table beside you. She looks at Rhaenyra, a true smile on her face.

“When we drain the Narrow Sea, we can surround King’s Landing. Lay siege to the Red Keep,” one of the lord’s councils. “and force the Greens’ surrender.”

Rhaenyra’s hand falls from yours, but you keep a frown from taking over your face.

“We should near those messages.” Jace interjects. “Dragons can fly faster than ravens and they’re more convincing. Send us.”

Now, you cannot help the frown taking over your face. Rhaenyra pulls her bottom lip into her mouth, and you can truly tell she is considering it.

“Are… are we sure that is… safe?” You ask, fingers winding together nervously, and Jace and Luke meet your gaze from across the table.

“No.” Lord Corlys admits. “But he is right.”

Before you, your children seem strong. Capable. Powerful and unforgettable. You know they could do it. But is it so wrong to not want them to leave?

Rhaenyra turns to you.

“Y/N,” she starts, slowly, “I know you don’t want anyone to leave. But this is not a matter of want, my love. This is a matter of need.”

And you know it is wrong, you know you are being cruel, but you grab her hands with your own. She smiles, looks at your hopefully.

“Let me go.” She drops your hands, disdain taking over her face.

“Out of the question.”

“No, no, Rhaenyra, I want to go. Let me go.” She shots you a glare, turning back to the table.

While it would be nice to be cruel for once, to hold power over them, make your husband and wife know the agony of being left behind, you want to be free. You want to spread your wings, to properly show off Cannibal, to be useful and have purpose.

“Please, Rhaenyra.”

“Your Grace, if I may.” And your eyes flick to Princess Rhaenys, hopeful. “You know quite well what dragon Lady Targaryen rides. In the matter of House Baratheon… The Dragon of the Night might help persuade him.”

She stands, ridged, hands digging into the edge of the Painted Table.

“Fine,” she hisses, some of that apathetic Queen mask falling, the woman you feel in love with resurfacing. “Prince Jacaerys will fly north. First to the Eyrie to see my mother’s cousin, the Lady Jeyne Arryn, then to Winterfell to treat with Lord Cregan Stark for the support of the north.”

“Thank you, Mother. I will not fail.”

You smile at him, hands still nervous, winding together, but you push it aside. You care more for your children then you do yourself. You know traveling to Storm’s End, a place true to its name, will be hard for their smaller dragons.

“Prince Lucerys will fly south to Tarth and Evenfall Hall. I am quite sure of their support already, but I would wish to show them respect.”

She inhales, but doesn’t look at you. Perhaps she cannot find it in herself to. But you look at her. You always look at her.

“Finally, Lady Targaryen will also fly south, to Storm’s End, and treat with Lord Borros. We must remind these lords of the oaths they swore. And… the cost of breaking them.”

—-

The bluffs of Dragonstone are loud with waves crashing, the heavy footsteps of dragons, their loud breaths. But Rhaenyra stands, looking out, unwavering.

She turns as you approach her with your sons. She does not smile. You know this is hard for her.

“It’s been said that as Targaryens, we are closer to gods than to men. And the Iron Throne puts us a touch closer, perhaps. But, if we are the serve the Seven Kingdoms… we must answer to their gods. We do not have to believe what we say, but we must say it regardless. You will swear to me, now, that you will go as messengers. Not warriors.”

A guard brings forth a heavy tome, a book of the Seven you recognize by the seven-pointed star Alicent wore on its cover.

“Swear that you will go as messengers.” It feels wrong to place your hand upon it, but you do. Your sons follow.

“I swear it,” you say, and your boys repeat it. Rhaenyra nods, an absentminded smile ghosting her face.

“Thank you.” She nods, and the book is taken away. “Cregan Stark is… closer to your age than mine. I hope, as men, you can find common interest. The Tarth’s helped your grandsire after his injury. I am quite sure any treating will be easy.”

You turn to Luke. His eyes filled with fear. His joy at being confirmed Lord of the Tides had not lasted long, realization setting in. You know he is scared. But you also know he a brave, sweet boy.

“I will fly with you most of the way,” you soothe, and he nods. “The Tarths will be honored to host a prince of the realm. And his handsome dragon.” He smiles, although it doesn’t quite meet his eyes.

Rhaenyra weaves by you, grabbing his hands.

“I expect you will receive a very warm welcome, darling.” Rhaenyra smiles, and he nods once.

“Yes, mother. Your Grace.” She runs a soothing hand down his shoulder, and you wrap a hand around his neck and press a kiss to his hair. “Goodbye, mother.” He says to you, pulling away, and you smile.

She turns to you, as the boys make their way to Vermax and Arrax, you stay behind.

“Borros Baratheon is a proud man. Insufferable. Your welcome will not be as warm, I expect, but the threat of Cannibal will protect you.” She grabs your hand, thumb rubbing your skin, staring deeply into your eyes. “Do not tell me I don’t have to memorize you. I am Queen, and I will look at my wife for as long as I want.” You smile, let her assuage herself, eyes roaming your features. “Alright. Best you go, quick. I expext Daemon has just received my message, and he will stop you.”

“Tell- tell him I love him?” You ask, hating how your eyes fill.

“If he can even look at me,” she jokes. “My love…”

And she presses her lips to yours, and you sink into her, wanting, needing more of her. But she pulls away.

“This is not a goodbye.” She says, forehead pressed to yours, voice tight.

“Nyra, I-”

“Please don’t say you love me.” She whispers, and you see the wet trail of salt fall down her face. You have the urge to lick it off her, like she did to you at your wedding.

“Okay. Okay, I won’t.”

She nods, and hesitates, but pushes you away before she can pull you back in again.

You don’t want to say goodbye. So you smile at her, and she smiles back.

—-

As Cannibal moves beneath you, muscles churning, the sound of wind filling your ears, you cannot resist the urge to look behind you.

There your wife stands, looking out over the bluffs of Dragonstone, unwavering.

—-

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