#oh Rhaenys you were the grown up

[backjustforberena]

Rhaenys is looking down from heaven going: what are you guys DOING?

[slaytheusurper]

⭑ My dear betrothed ⭑

Masterlist

Pairing: Jacaerys Velaryon x fem!cousin!reader

Warnings: usual targcest, making out, oral (m receiving), oral (f receiving), fingering, handjob, mastrubation, groping.

Summary: After years of not seeing each other, you are to be wed to your cousin Jace, but can you hold off your desires for each other before the wedding?

Word count: 3.3k

Your arrival on Dragon Stone after weeks at sea was most welcoming, you were betrothed to your kind hearted cousin Jacaerys, heir to the iron throne. Being the eldest daughter of Daemon and Leana you were taken to ward by your grandmother the Princess Rhaenys. It was her and Princess Rhaenera’s idea to bring the families closer together so that the Targaryens and Velaryons could rule together again.

Normally the idea of a betrothal made you nervous and unsure but growing up with Jace you knew you would be safe with him. Not to mention the massive crush you had on him. Even as kids you were close, he made you laugh and feel confident. He protected you against your sinister cousins Aegon and Aemond and defended your honour more than once. 

You saw him as this incredibly handsome, strong and skillful knight in shining armour, or rather prince in shining armour. However you haven’t seen him since he left Driftmark after your mother’s funeral and was very eager to see him. You were eager for him to see you as well, you had changed since you last saw each other. You were taller, curvier and your features defined. You had become a beautiful woman and couldn’t wait for him to see it. 

The anxiety in your chest grew as you followed your grandmother Rhaenys through the grand doors of Dragon Stone. It was a cold, windy and intimidating place, but knowing your future husband was inside made it feel a whole lot warmer. As you entered the room after your grandmother you felt a pair of arms wrap strongly around you and in the corner of your eye you caught the glimpse of the silver hair on her head. 

“Sister!” Rhaena almost sobbed as she hugged you from behind. She loosened her grip a bit to let you turn around. “Rhaena, gods have I missed you. You’ve grown into a real woman, a real princess, look at you!” You gasped, she had become beautiful just as Baela, who stayed at Driftmark due to her getting a sudden cold a day before you were supposed to depart. 

“You as well, I have missed you too sister. As much as I love it here with father, I still miss our flights and dancing lessons every day.” She muttered into your shoulder. Then she noticed. “Where is Baela?” She asked, confused. “She had to stay at Driftmark due to a cold she caught before we left. It made me so sad thinking that we could finally be reunited but the maesters insisted she stayed, grandfather stayed with her.” You explained. 

She nodded understandingly and then your eyes caught your fathers. A big smile grew on both your faces and you ran into his arms. Out of the three of you, you had the closest bond with your father, sharing his passion for battles and history. As you let go you greeted Rhaenyra who was standing beside him. 

The noise of heavy doors opening pulled your attention away from the princess and on top of the stairs was Jace, he had grown taller and more lean. His curls accentuating his handsome face. His jawline had gotten sharp and lips more full and plump. His dark lashes made his honey brown eyes stand out more, and you had to keep your mouth from falling open. Your eyes met his as he descended the stairs to walk over to you. 

His eyes didn’t leave yours as he stopped in front of you, grabbed your right hand and kissed it softly before speaking. “Princess, welcome to Dragon Stone. It is good to finally see you again.” His voice had become lower and oh so smooth. You couldn’t help the big smile on your face as butterflies filled your chest. “It is good to see you again as well Jace, you… have grown into a man these past few years.” You smiled at him, you felt like the luckiest woman on earth to be betrothed to him. 

“And you into a woman, you look beautiful.” He commented. He greeted your grandmother as well and were led into a different hall to be served supper. Which was much needed after your long day of travelling. After you arrived on shore of Dragon Stone you were shattered but seeing Jace and hearing his words and breathing his scent and feeling his touch breathed all life back into you. During supper you couldn’t help but let your attention shift from your bubbly, happy sister to your handsome and striking betrothed. The rest of the night was spent catching each other's glimpses and stares. It was only a week away from the actual wedding and yet you couldn’t even wait that long for him to become all yours.

Even when the night was over and your head finally hit your pillow in one of the bedchambers of Dragon Stone, you couldn’t sleep without Jace plaguing your mind. You felt yourself overcome with desire and want. But you didn’t know what to do about it. You thought back to when Jace kissed your hand, his soft lips on your skin setting it on fire. And when you at last fell asleep even your dreams contained his handsome face. 

The next day was mostly spent away from each other as you spent most of it fitting and altering your dress and cloak for the wedding. His duties were the fitting of his clothes and deciding with his mother on the decorations and arrangements of tables and seats. Sadly at dinner you didn’t even get to see him. 

As the sun was setting and you were allowed to retreat to your chambers, you were reading one of your favourite romance novels when you heard a knock on the door. “I told you Marina I would like to be left alone for the evening.” You spoke but to your surprise your favourite prince spoke on the other side of the door instead. “I am sorry Princess, it is me, Jacaerys.” The second the words left his mouth you left the window seat and your book and opened the door. “Jace, I’m sorry I thought you were my handmaiden. She was insisting on trying on hairstyles as well today but I was too tired.” You smiled awkwardly at him, your gaze leaving him to check the halls behind him. “Don’t worry no one knows I’m here, but are you too tired for me as well Princess, or might I speak with you for a moment.” He uttered. 

“Of course not, come in.” You smiled as you opened the door for him further to step inside. He slid past you and you two took a seat together on one of the settee’s in your chamber. Conversation was always so easy with him, you two exchanged stories and experiences from the years you had been apart and the hours flew by. After you finished yet another story of how Baela almost fell off of Moondancer a couple of weeks ago your conversation grew quiet and you noticed Jace staring at your lips, almost shamelessly looking at your cleavage as well. When he noticed that you caught him staring he softly spoke, “It is quite late, I should return to my own chambers before they come looking for me.” 

“Of course, time flew by, didn't it.” You laughed and led him to the door. “Indeed.” He said but turned to you in the opened door. “Might I give you a small kiss goodnight?” He whispered. He caught you by surprise but could never deny him. You couldn’t even speak and so nodded instead. He took a step closer and softly kissed your cheek and murmured a goodnight. You smiled at him as he turned to go to his own chambers. When you closed the door the smile on your face grew even bigger. That night you found yourself once again thinking of him. And you wondered if he too thought of you. 

And boy did he. As soon as Jacaerys closed the door behind him he felt his hardened cock press against his trousers. How pathetic he thought, only a small kiss on your cheek and he wanted to rip off your clothes and show you how good of a husband he would be to you. He wasted no time in getting his own clothes off and quickly laid on his bed, covering most of his naked body with his sheets in case someone entered his chambers while he relieved himself.

He pulled the sheets off him just a bit so his cock sprang free, he eagerly wrapped a hand on his hard on and thoughts of you immediately plagued his mind. Precum leaking out of the tip as he imagined it was your hands pleasuring him instead. He imagined what your breasts looked like, imagined licking them, sucking them, and even slightly biting them but not as much to hurt you of course. He stroked his cock faster and harder the deeper his mind went into the dirty pits of desire. As he was nearing his release he thought of your wet, warm, tight cunt enveloping his cock, which did it for him. He cussed and repeated your name as he came all over his hand and sheets, some even landed over his toned abs. Gods the things you did to him, and you had no idea.

Talking to you in your bedchamber at night became a regular occurrence and unbeknownst to you, Jace relieving himself after too. Only two days were left before the big wedding and every night you and Jace became as close as ever again, and the innocent goodnight kiss became bolder and less innocent. Last night it went from a soft peck on the lips to fully kissing him, but he quickly stopped himself before he went too far. Yet another day had passed and as the sun had set yet again, the familiar knocks on the door could be heard. You opened the door and Jace was this time dressed in a thin cotton undershirt and black pants. He looked so good. 

“Good evening princess.” He smiled at you. “Good evening Jace.” You smiled in return and opened the door wider for him so he could step inside as usual. “Actually, if you’ll follow me. I want to show you something.” He told you with a bit of a grin on his face. “Oh? Where might that be?” You asked intrigued. “Just follow me.” And so you did. He took tiny hallways and what looked to be secret passages to outside. On the beaches of Dragon Stone. For a while you followed him along the shore, until you saw some lights in what looked to be some sort of shallow cave underneath the big rocks and boulders that held the castle. He led you inside and there was wine and a fire with blankets around that welcomed you. 

“Oh Jace, what is all of this?” You softly gasped, no one had ever done you such a kindness. Especially because one of the nights you talked, you said you wished to know what it was like to see more of Dragon Stone outside the castle walls. “It’s for you, our little place to share our good conversations.” He said as he led you to sit beside him on the blankets and furs near the fire. “Well it was my little hideout when I first came to Dragon Stone after we left court in Kings Landing. But I want to share it with my future wife.” He explained. “Jace this is amazing, thank you for sharing this with me.” He looked at you longingly and sat closer to you. 

You couldn’t help but get lost in his honey brown eyes. His hand then laid on your cheek and pulled you closer to him. Your lips finally met again and this time, Jace grew bolder. His other hand laid on your waist and you put your hands on his cheek and in his curls instead, craving more yourself. He softly let his tongue enter your mouth and grazed your tongue. You couldn’t help but softly whimper at this new sensation and Jace sighed against your lips. Your skin heated up at his touch and you let your tongue explore his mouth instead this time. The kiss got more and more heated until, he stopped. 

“What- did I… do something wrong Jace?” You asked him, afraid that you went too far and a little hurt because he pulled away. “No you actually did amazingly well, it’s just…” He seemed to look at the ground then back to you and to the ground again. “You can tell me, please.” You begged. “I don’t know if we should continue, if we do I might not be able to control…my desires for you. I would never want to take your maidenhood away before we are married.” He explained, his cheeks flushed and lips still red and plump from your make out session. “Oh, well, does it really matter if we…give into our desires two days early? You are to be my husband anyway. And I… just really want to continue. You make me feel so good, I want to continue feeling this good and maybe even better.” 

“We really shouldn’t, I could never dishonour you like that.” He said but he seemed to hesitate, you could see the fight between honour and desire in his eyes. “However, we could…make each other feel good in other ways, in ways that would keep your maidenhood intact.” He mumbled softly. “Please, show me how.” You pleaded, you wanted so badly for him to touch you, anything that would make that exciting feeling come back. Jacaerys felt his pants tighten at your words. To hear you basically pleading for his touch, set something on fire for him, something he never felt before. He wasted no time pulling you back into him, his lips moving feverishly against yours. His hand wandering experimentally over your thigh, which made you shudder at the touch.

“Do you want me to make you feel really good?” Jace whispered against your lips in between kisses. “Yes, please. I’ll do anything.” He moved his hand down your leg and raised the skirt of your nightgown. Even his light touch on your leg made you want to moan his name, you wondered what he was up to. He laid you down and helped you raise the skirt up to your hips. Since you were in your nightgown, you wore nothing underneath. This certainly didn’t go unnoticed by Jace as he was already lightly running his fingers over your wet folds making you moan his name, begging for more. Even though you didn’t know exactly what you were begging for, Jace seemed to. For he let two of his fingers run circles over your clit while kissing and sucking at your neck. 

“Jace- Please, it feels so good, please I need more.” You almost cried, these new sensations and touches you never felt before made you want to stay in that cave forever so you would never have to return. He sped up his fingers and licked at your neck, moving his mouth a bit further down to lick and kiss your cleavage. Then he removed his fingers and moved his body further down so his head was positioned between your legs. “I promise you this will feel even better my beautiful princess.” He smiled, before delving in between your thighs. He immediately started licking and sucking your folds and clit, and you knew that something was about to burst soon, you felt something building up and didn’t want it to stop. You moaned and moaned his name, as if he was a god himself. He lapped faster at your clit and had to hold your legs down and open for better access. “I- I don’t- something is about to-” You cut yourself off as you arched your back and gripped Jace’s curls with a loud moan. Your entire body felt ecstatic and an overwhelming pleasure took hold of you.

After making sure you fully finished, Jace raised his head and kissed up your thighs. “What just happened- I never felt such pleasure in my life.” You almost laughed, you couldn’t believe he just made you feel that amazing. “That’s called coming, princess.” He told you with a smirk. “I want you to feel that amazing, please I want to pleasure you like that.” You sighed still in the clouds from your high. “You don’t have to, it was already amazing to make you feel such pleasure. But if you…really want to, I’ll teach you how.” You sat back up and cupped his face as you kissed him.

“Yes I really want to, please teach me.” You said against his lips. He took your hand off his cheek and placed it on his clothed hard cock. “This is where you touch me to make me feel good.” He explained to you. You started massaging his hard on experimentally, to see what made him moan. He groaned at the feeling, he wanted this the moment he laid eyes on you when you had arrived. “Yes- fuck, that’s good.” He moaned now leaning back against the hard rock wall of the cave. 

You decided that you wanted to see what was underneath and removed his pants and undergarments from his legs, you pulled it down with his help so it was bunched up at his ankles. You grabbed his hard member and started stroking it with Jace guiding you with his whimpers and moans. “Fuck- if… if you want, you can- oh fuck right there- you can put your mouth on me as well.” He moaned, he could barely get the words out because of your touch. Precum started leaking out and coated your hand as well as his cock, lubing him up. You had the urge to lick the beads drooling out of his tip.

Just as a bead came out you dipped down and licked it up with your tongue, this made Jace look down and moan at the sight. He had never seen such a beautiful and lustful picture before him. The princess of his dreams licking his tip. Wanting to go further you took him in your mouth and used your tongue to see how he would react and he did quite. Jace whimpered your name and grabbed the blanket underneath him. “Fuck yes, thats a good fucking girl sucking me like that. You fucking love this cock don’t you.” He groaned through gritted teeth. You could feel the arousal build again at his words, never had he spoken so dirty to you, and you loved it. 

Taking the encouragement you started to actually suck his cock, making his whimpers and moans grow louder. “Just like that- yes- fuck I’m going to fill your pretty mouth with my seed- fuck-” This time you moaned at his words and swirled your tongue around his tip you could feel his cock become harder and with a final couple of curses and moans of your name he came in your mouth. You made no attempt to pull off, instead swallowed his seed down like a whore. When he came down from his high he panted and pulled you in his arms. 

“I hope I wasn’t offending you… it just felt so amazing.” He panted, putting his forehead against yours. “Not even a bit, I actually loved the way you talked to me, it felt so dirty but so good. I hope we will do this often as husband and wife.” You smiled and bit your lip slightly at the thought of getting to do this as many times as you wanted in two days. “Trust me we will.” He assured you.

[mhsdatgo]

Alicent crowing aegon exposing her children to more risk than just letting rhaenyra became queen. Rhaenyra wanted that throne, there is no way she would have accepted those "terms", and alicent is 100% aware of this in the book and in the show as well. By crowning aegon she start a war and put her children DIRECTLY on the battlefield against people who were more experienced in war like daemon or ride dragon longer like rhaenyra and rhaenys amd consequently may control their dragon better. If you didn't want to consider a crash between two or more dragons, even if they were on a dragon against an army the danger is very high, look at rhaenys the conqueror or aemon the first son of jaehaerys, they were on dragon's back and yet both of them were killed by arrow. Not to mention that both in the book and in the show alicent spend years creating animosity with rhaenyra, If you TRULY believe that someone may hurt your children you do everything you can to maintain at least a civil relationship, and not constantly provoke them and then cry about how your children may be hurt by your stupidity. Because that what alicent has done in the book starting hating rhaenyra, pray viserys to name Aegon as heir and constantly share gossip to damage rhaenyra's image (with a 10 years old girl, meanwhile Alicent was a GROWN woman), and in the show the situation is not different. The truth is that alicent’s action were based on her own ambitious in the book and on her resentment to rhaenyra in the show, but NEVER in the interest of her children. In fact aegon never wanted to be king, he was forced by her and has to endure all the consequences while watching all of his family die

Ladies and gentlemen, here we have someone who quite literally didn't get a single thing about Fire and Blood.

See, anons like these are what makes my blood boil at the writers of HotD for making Rhaenyra appear like a saint which not only made most of the decisions she'll take from this moment onward out of (show) character (as far as character building and development goes) but also fucking boring.

I'm always one to listen to different points of view and interpretations of books as complicated as these, but something that has always bugged me is the way this fandom CANNOT DIGEST the type of tragedy that is just inevitable.

It was never about picking sides, it was never about sexism, it was always about kin torn apart by kin and their own flaws dragging them down. There was no way to ever avoid that and I cannot have a proper discussion about F&B with anyone who doesn't understand this first.

Moreover, just what do you think Alicent should've done? Shut up, be quiet, sit still and look pretty while Daemon's spies turned her children into bloody shreds? Allow them to be assassinated because of the threat they pose to Rhaenyra's claim? Does everything revolve around her? Is she some kind of Twilight Sparkle?

Let me tell you this: no woman would willingly step back and leave their children to their own devices when their own lives pose a threat to someone else's interests.

I have respect for Rhaenyra and her will to fight for what she believed was her birthright (although let's be honest, it was a feeling born out of nothing but the entitlement of a spoiled brat, it turned into a war of parents after one of each faction's children was killed) but I also have so much more respect for Alicent and her courage to bare teeth and claws and plan a coup to be allowed the upper hand and more possibilities of looking after her children if one of them is ruling. It's not "stupidity" it's awareness. And acting according to it.

It's true that Alicent has her own ambitions, but to say that they started growing in her when she was nothing but an 18 year old girl marrying a 30 year old man... Do you hear yourself? That's a girl getting graduated from high school. Oh shiver me timbers, we're scared of young adults here.

Everyone likes and loves and adores to talk about the way ALICENT was having beef with Rhaenyra as a 10 year old but nevermind Rhaenyra placing a bounty on two toddlers and one of them getting ripped apart because of it. Nevermind her refusing that bastard Corlys' advice to take Daeron as a hostage and demanding that he be killed instead. (Because this bitch was the #1 threat to her rule, but y'all aren't ready for that conversation)

She never "prayed" for Aegon to be named as heir, what she DID pray for was for him and Rhaenyra to be betrothed to one another. I hate Rhaegon personally, (no hate to any Rhaegon stan that reads this ♥️) but honestly this is the only marriage that could've MAYBE prevented the Dance. It started because there were two claimants to the throne. Just marry them to each other and the issue was solved. Both of them get crowned, no Dance, peace.

But noooooo, Viserys, the incompetent twat, as always had to act like an incompetent twat and be like "lol but they don't get along". IT WAS HIM WHO DOOMED HIS CHILDREN, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS. ALL. OF. THEM.

Everyone else acted as a consequence to the cluterfuck that the sick old man created. Namely, chaos. What else did you expect?

[syndrossi]

An ask for when you are needing a break (or procrastinating) from writing! Who are your favorite 3(ish) characters from Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, or from the books? Only include Jon, Rhaegar and Daemon if you give me your favorite SIX characters, as that's clearly cheating. Are there any you like more/differently in the books vs. the tv shows? Or special characterizations you prefer for characters that don't have much screentime *cough* Rhaegar *cough*.

You're making me choose THREE(ish) only from all the books/shows???? That's so cruel! I should be allowed to choose three from each era!

Okay, okay, setting aside my three very obvious favorites (Daemon, Jon, Rhaegar)...

In no particular order:

Aemon, Baelon, Alyssa (bonus Jocelyn). What? Is this cheating? I don't care! Baelon in particular I find so compelling. We see so little of him in F&B, but what we do see is him utterly disconsolate after Aemon's death. Grown man collapsing in his mother's arms, sobbing from the pain after murdering thousands of pirates in revenge. Look, my literary type is very easy to spot, and it's "has the power and drive to burn the world for daring to hurt the ones I love." Especially because, by all accounts, Baelon isn't the murder-kill type normally. He's the joyful, playful one--the Silver Fool. I also have a huge soft spot for second sons. Aemon and Alyssa are our tragic "died too young" members of this group, with vastly differing personalities. I have a huge soft spot for quiet, soft types as well (your Aemons, Rhaegars, even Neds and Jons if you squint). Alyssa is the opposite: bombastic, her joy greater than even Baelon's. Her and Daemon being similar in personality means I feel like I would have loved her? How much did Rhaenys love her wild aunt Alyssa? I'll bet it was a lot.

Rhaena (Aenys's daughter). I was MESMERIZED reading about her life in F&B. This woman LIVED. She gave ZERO FUCKS. She was constantly threatening to feed men to her dragon, with good reason! She had favorites in every holdfast! She survived marriage to Maegor! When her mother died in childbirth, here was the speech she gave Rogar Baratheon: Her blood is on your hands. Her blood is on your cock. May you die screaming. […] She gave you one son, that should have been enough. Save my wife, you should have said, but what are wives to men like you? Hear this, my lord. Do not think to wed again. Take care of the whelps my mother gave you, my half-brother and half-sister. See that they want for nothing. Do that, and I will let you be. If I should hear even a whisper of your taking some other poor maid to wife, I will make another Harrenhal of Storm's End, with you and her inside it. Like...damn.

Sad bois Aegon III and Viserys II. Look, Aegon III breaks my heart for everything he endured. You would think that the Dance would have been the end of it but the intrigues after were awful too.

Baela. She faced Sunfyre on tiny little Moondancer and they won. (In the sense of Sunfyre dying, but poor Moondancer also died in the attempt.) She was 100% her mother's and father's daughter, like damn.

Hm, I'm stuck in F&B right now, oh well.

Rhea Royce has climbed her way into my heart as I've progressed in the AUs, especially Regnal. Her canon counterpart had to put up with Daemon being his utter worst in an attempt to get his brother to annul the marriage, and tbh I feel like she barely cared? Like, she was busy trying to rule Runestone, let that arrogant brat prance about and make a fool of himself, she had work to do. She also successfully supported little Jeyne Arryn when her male relatives kept trying to usurp her on account of being more qualified (read: male). I am so curious what she would have done as queen consort.

...I haven't even made it out of the Dance and could keep going. You'll have to send me another ask sometime for post-Dance and AGOT-era. 😂

[lilap20]

Chapter Five: The Dragon's Descent into Winterfell

Chapter five updated:

@koobratzy, @beebeechaos

What marked the marriage of the heir to the throne was the blood shed But also the King's illness showed itself to everyone, spitting blood and falling A few moons later, Lord Cregan Stark sent a Raven The King and his Small Council agreed, Princess Nymeria and Lord Cregan were to be married.

When I get up this morning my stomach is knotted with excitement and the hurried noises in the Palace make me smile, it's the day!

I'm going to go north with my ladies, my sister and her husband for my wedding. Port Réal and Winterfell have been in contact for several moons discussing the preparations and the number of guests, not being close to Cregan during the preparations is my only regret, but I know he cannot go south whenever he wants , he has duties and the costs for such a trip would be overpriced.

All the Lords of the North will be present, my uncle and aunt Corlys and Rhaenys, Queen Alicent who will represent my sick father, my dear sister and her husband.

My heart sinks thinking of Daemon and Leana, they should be there, but I know that my cousin is waiting and that Daemon prefers to keep her in Pentos and then leave for Drithmark, I don't blame him, he takes care of her wife and would not want her to have any worries during her pregnancy which is admirable.

-Princess, are you up?

Talyssa opens the door, peeking her head in then smiles when she sees me sitting with a dreamy smile on my face.

-Happy ? Talyssa asks, sitting down next to me.

Her long red hair is held in a bun and her blue eyes shine, she is as happy as me, she is happy for me. She opens her arms and I fall into them, she strokes my hair while humming.

-Are you ready for the big trip? -I'll be on Dragon's back, Nightmares will quickly catch up with the boat, it won't be that long. -I speak of your long journey to the North, Nymeria.

The gentleness of his tone makes me nervous and happy at the same time, for three moons I prepared for my marriage to my new life in the North, but never, never have I felt so uncertain, I am sure of my choice but I'm scared.

-I'm ready, even if I'm a little scared. Will the Nordiens accept me? Will they be afraid of my dragon? And this heir thing.

I want children, but the labor is what scares me the most, my mother died from it, my grandmother died from it, it’s something that runs in our family.

-Everything will go well, Nymeria, you will see. Talyssa reassures me

I nod, slowly detaching myself from her.

-Okay, we need to prepare you for the long journey that awaits us.

I hide my mocking expression when I hear her, which earns her a frown.

-What ?

-You're the one who has to get ready, you're going up with me, remember?

Talyssa turns white, becoming as pale as a worm, I burst out laughing at her decomposition before getting up to head towards the bath that my ladies are preparing. The steam rises in the room and I shiver with pure pleasure as I slide in, savoring the heat on my body.

I don't do anything, everyone takes care of me, even Rhaenyra comes to help me in my preparation, she takes seriously her role as eldest nurturing me and making me laugh. I put on my riding boots that go perfectly with my black riding outfit and my side cape in the red colors of my House. A dragon head brooch sits in my braided hairstyle and another on my outfit.

-You have grown so much, Nymeria. Rhaenyra whispers as she finishes my braids

-Look who says that, I laugh and she does too

The wedding, Daemon and Leana, the noises of the court, everything changed her and made her mature building the folds on her forehead. She understood that even if she was named heir, she would have to fight for her throne and her place. And I will always be by her side no matter what happens.

-You are so pretty, he doesn't realize how lucky he is. She smiled, placing her hands on my shoulders.

-Oh I think he knows, I frown, I hope.

She laughs, shaking her head before helping me get up, her purple gaze turns to find my sword on my table with my compass, a gift from my uncle who never left me.

-He should be there, remarks Rhaenyra, I know he would like to be there for you.

The lack of Daemon will be felt for both of us, for her because they are linked by the same flame, for me because Daemon is my greatest confidant.

-He sent me a gift. I respond by going towards the package

Ser Erryck took it to me yesterday, I didn't open it I wanted to wait until the wedding day. The emotion touches my heart when I caress the package.

-Shall we open it? Rhaenyra asks curiously.

I smile wistfully putting down the package to look at my sister. I know she's curious about what Daemon bought me but that's between him and me.

-On my wedding day I will open it.

-It won't be long. Rhae grumbles and I burst out laughing

There is a knock at the door and my sister turns to give permission to enter, Talyssa stands up after folding the last item of clothing, Ser Erryck pokes his head in and we all greet him, my heart sinking a little when his gaze passes over me.

The love he has for me is just impossible to live with, my sister, may the Gods help her, is already in this kind of relationship and I can't attract problems while she can have them.

-Yes Ser? I ask with a shy smile -Departure is coming soon Princess, your father wants you in his apartments.

I nod following him as Rhae and Talyssa order the servants to take the packages leaving after me to head towards the Dragonpit. In the corridors I can hear Alicent's children bickering in the big court. Except for my little sister, I won't miss them.

-I hope everything goes well in the North Princess. Smiled Ser Erryck

-Well you'll be there to see it. I smile as I stand in front of my father's door

Ser Erryck's body goes rigid and he tenses with guilt on his face.

-What is happening ? I ask with apprehension

He looks away and my breath catches, don't tell me he's not coming? He cannot stay here, he is my knight, my shield, he swore to me, only me or the King can free him from his commitment.

-I will not follow you to the North. He confesses and my heart bleeds immediately

-I did not authorize you to leave your post, Ser Erryck. My voice trembles as I say it

He sighs visibly embarrassed and refuses to look at me, I don't like it when he doesn't look at me, I don't like it when his gaze doesn't find mine. He has always been my most faithful companion and my friend.

-You will be the Lady of Winterfell, your husband will be your knight, the King and Queen, I tense, have asked that I stay for Prince Aegon.

I close my eyes, a tear rolling down my cheek, by the Seven, why do I have to separate from him? Alicent took Cole under her wings and now she takes Ser Erryck for her son. Is this provocation?

-I'm sorry Princess Nymeria, it was an honor to serve you. He bow and I let go of more than one tear

Without him expecting it, I rush towards him and hug him, wanting to stay like that as long as possible.

-Thank you for everything Ser, I will not forget you, I will send you a raven every Moon, I promise.

Stunned by my gesture, he hesitates to hug me back but decides to do so, crumpling the fabric of my riding outfit.

- Your adventure begins Princess Nymeria, be happy.

He gently separates from me, his hand comes to caress my cheek and wipe my tears, then he walks away, knocks on the door and announces me. I breathe through my nose looking melancholy at his silhouette, my father under the influence of Alicent sent him for Aegon, I dare to believe that he will be a little happy since his twin is also in the service of this kid.

-Enter my daughter.

I enter the room, standing in front of my father. He sits at his table with ancient Valyria before him, his work that he cherishes so much. I approach with my hands clasped in front of me, my father's tired but happy smile warms my heart, he gets up to walk towards me, but I stop him coming towards him, taking his hands and sitting down in front of him. him.

-You are so beautiful my daughter, the portrait of your mother. My father caresses my hand with a shy smile on his face

At the mention of my mother, my hand twitches in hers, it's a subject we've never talked about.

-I don't know what to tell you, he admits, you were so close to your mother, very little to me, he sighs, I wish she was there to say the right words to you.

Heading towards Dragonpit my father's words loop in my mind, he killed my mother and regrets but now we are left with nothing but tears. My mother would have loved to see this wedding, sick or not, she would have come to the North, she would have prepared me and she would have loved Cregan.

When I arrive my concerns disappear when I see Talyssa pale in front of the grandeur of Syrax, the golden dragon growls with happiness seeing Rhaenyra in riding gear with a bag hanging on her dragon's seal.

-Where is Nightmares? I ask my sister taking Talyssa by the hand

-Gone to steal, he's coming. I suppose.

Rhaenyra mounts her dragon which lets out a roar of pure pleasure which makes Talyssa jump, her face disfigured with fear as the dragon advances towards us. I don't move, squeezing her hand in mine to reassure myself, and I almost burst out laughing when she lets out a horrified cry at the powerful arrival of Nightmares.

Nightmares roars at Syrax, his hiss mixed with a loud growl almost makes me think of Caraxes. My dragon's head flies over mine, fearlessly confronting that of my sister. I automatically turn towards him to stroke his white scales so he can feel my warmth. Once done, he lowers himself towards me, his blue gaze in mine, his pupils becoming tender.

-Hello big guy, I’m glad to see you. I simper while caressing his neck

Talyssa nearly falls into the palms several times, standing between two dragons my best friend and lady-in-waiting frantically taps her foot on the ground from stress.

-I see we've already put the seal on you, I pull Talyssa towards me while talking to my dragon, look who's traveling with us.

Talyssa turns pale when she meets my dragon's gaze, he moves his head towards her, his fangs coming out to intimidate her.

-By the Seven, Talyssa swears in fear, I feel like a lamb offered to die.

I burst out laughing, stroking Talyssa's hand before bringing her to my dragon, he pulls his head back a little before gently bringing it back towards us, my best friend's fingers relax on the warm scales of my dragon.

-Oh… Talyssa marvels as our hands caress him

Her mouth forms a perfect O as she marvels at my dragon's reaction. After ten minutes of petting it, I take Talyssa towards the seal, using the stool I manage to climb on my dragon before offering my hand to my lady in waiting.

Nightmares groans as he feels both of us on top of him, he shakes his head as I secure our feet in the spears so we don't slip.

-Hold on to me, Talyssa. I command her and she clings to me like someone clinging to their life

I smile when I feel it, holding tightly to the front of my seal, Nightmares roars with happiness before hastily following Syrax who goes towards the end of the cliff without worrying about the guardians.

My blood pulses in my veins when I see Syrax let go of the cliff to fly away, Talyssa screams seeing that Nightmares does not slow down and does not open its wings to take off. Excitement shakes my body as we fall off the cliff. Talyssa screams as she holds me and I scream with joy as I feel the wind against my face.

In a minute Nightmares opens its wings and we hover in the air, the dragon kicks its wings to return to cloud level, Talyssa still holds me tight, my eyes probably closed.

-You can open your eyes Talyssa. -Are we stabilized? she asks scared -We always have been. I sigh, rolling my eyes to the sky

Then she slowly opens her eyes and an “oh” escapes her mouth when she looks down. Port-Réal is magnificent from below, life in the capital is more enjoyable from above. The wind is undoubtedly blowing our hair, I order my dragon to climb higher, above the clouds. Nightmares roared as he obeyed, we quickly caught up to Syrax and flew lightly alongside him.

-At this speed, we will quickly join the royal boats! Talyssa screams so I can hear her

-That's for sure, I respond, quickly stroking Nightmares, let's not waste time.

Giving Nightmares a little pressure I order him to go faster. And we speed through the clouds, heading north where my fiancé is.

The sea wind blows on my skin, and I breathe deeply while in front of me, the sun begins to hide behind the horizon. Nightmares dips his wings in the water of the Grelotte Sea, Syrax sends us fresh water while repeating his gesture which wakes up Talyssa. She had fallen asleep against my back and I did not wake her because the trip was quite long for her.

-We're going to catch up with the boats, they're right ahead! Scream Rhaenyra

Indeed I can see the emblems of House Targaryen in front of me, the black and red colors fluttering in the wind. I caress my dragon's ribs preparing to pick up the pace. We arrive at the port, and undoubtedly the Royal carriage has already been on the road for a few hours.

Nightmares hisses before rising towards the clouds Syrax follows him, growling behind him because of his speed gain. As I suspected, the boats have docked for a while, some of the carriages are now leaving. My gaze marvels at the beauty of the North, the fresh wind is different from that of the capital, the landscape is so different, more picturesque, less Royal and arrogant than in the South.

-The North is so beautiful. Talyssa whispers behind me

I can only confirm his words, Nightmares also seems to like it because he roars while gaining more speed, the roar must have probably alerted the inhabitants below and I laugh imagining their reactions.

Our two dragons are flying towards Winterfell, the center of the North, we pass over the woods, we fly over lakes, meadows, villages, and I just want to fly above the Wall.

-The carriages! Rhaenyra Scream

Indeed, they are just below us forming a long caravan, and my heart is beating hard. We're coming to Winterfell, we're coming to Cregan, I'm getting married.

My hands become clammy around the seal, my cheeks flush, and my heart races my dragon. Before us slowly appears the castle of Winterfell, I could cry with stress and excitement seeing the flags of House Stark. The Wolves float in the air and Talyssa caresses my waist to relax.

My heart beats in my throat as I lead Nightmares downward, bringing us out of the clouds, his arrival noticed by all as he roars, his large wings activate the wind. The residents gathered on both sides of the road look up to the sky, completely frightened by our two dragons roaring in front of them. My pride grows when I see their gaze fixed on the power of my House and makes me even prouder.

-That's wonderful ! I scream while discovering my future home

We fly over the ramparts, the inhabitants of the castle shout when they see us, and my heart races when I see Cregan below. My gaze stays on him and I'm sure his gaze is on mine.

-Another tour? asks Rhaenyra, completely captivated.

A roar surprises us and we see my aunt Rhaenys and my sister's husband, Leanor, arriving in front of us on their dragons Meraxes and Seasmoke.

The dragons pass each other while flying, undoubtedly providing an incredible and frightening spectacle when viewed from below. Meraxes roars at my dragon who likes to annoy him. My aunt calms her down by caressing her and smiling quickly at me. Talyssa is about to faint. Not wanting her to fall I walk away from the group of dragons, heading towards the large courtyard of the castle. Nightmares reigns in terror, its great wings kicking up dust, its legs and weight shaking the ground, and its roar makes onlookers recoil.

-Gevis. (beauty) I whisper to Nightmares to calm him down

My dragon shakes its head as it rises to roar one last time announcing my arrival. My dragon calms down by showing his fangs a little, he goes down and I go down first, helping Talyssa who is a little dizzy.

-We welcome, shouted the valet, the arrival of Lady Talyssa of Pentos and Princess Nymeria Targaryen, second born of King Viserys and the late Queen Aemma Targaryen!

When my name is announced, my whole body tenses up, fear, stress, and excitement becoming one inside me. Behind me Talyssa follows me looking straight ahead, forcing herself not to look around her.

When I stand in front of Cregan, my cheeks turn red. He is handsome, incredible even, he is dressed in black, his large coat on his shoulders, its attachment being the symbol of a Giant Wolf. He is impeccable, and I am coming out of a long dragon flight, my hair disheveled, wearing an outfit that is expensive but still a riding outfit. Great Nymeria print. I scold myself

-Welcome, Princess Nymeria, Lady Talyssa. Hi Cregan with a bow

After his gesture, everyone around him bows, clearly embarrassing me, I allow them to stand up. Once done, a smile floats on his face and I remove my glove, subsequently holding out my hand so that he can kiss it, he feels it trembling in his and caresses it with his thumb, discreetly moistening it. lips before kissing him. My whole body burns, my neck becomes hot and I fight not to look away when he sensually looks back at me.

May the Gods have pity on me!

-Thank you for your welcome, Lord Cregan. I respond by taking my hand back

-Princess, may I introduce you to my sister, Sara Snow.

Snow? A bastard, I say to myself automatically, my eyes wander over the young girl and I smile at her warmly. She has long black hair like Cregan, her cheeks are red from the cold and two black beads represent her irises. It's true that she looks like him, so when she approaches to bow to me I see the apprehension in her eyes and in Cregan's. They must think I would look down on him, that's what any nobleman would do.

I prove to them that I'm not just any noble and that I don't put anyone down by taking her hands and hugging them. My gesture surprises everyone and the crowd starts whispering behind my back. As if sensing my discomfort, Nightmares roared menacingly, instantly calming the crowd.

-I'm happy to meet you. I respond with a big smile

She returns my smile by stretching her apple-red lips.

-Me too Princess.

Night has fallen in the North, the party in our honor is still going on in the great hall of the castle when I decide to slip away and head towards the walls. I hug my fur around me blowing cold wind while observing the scenery.

The dragons are housed in a cave a few kilometers from the castle, I wonder if Nightmares is feeling well, if he's not cold or something. Then my thoughts wander to Cregan and our marriage. Tomorrow I will be married under the Old Gods, the Gods of the Children of the Forest, before a Heart Tree.

The Queen who arrived shortly after me will be the representative of the high crown, my sister the heiress and her in-laws accompanying her, but not Daemon. I sigh as I think about it, clutching his gift to my chest.

-It’s cold Princess, why aren’t you inside?

I turn around hearing Cregan's warm voice behind me, he walks towards me holding his fur close to him. I smile at him shyly, feeling this dragon fire in me when our gazes are detailed.

-I was observing the night, I answer, looking at my gift.

Cregan's gaze lowers to what I hold in my hands, inviting me to present it to me.

-It's a gift from my uncle Daemon. He apologized because he couldn't be at the wedding because my cousin Leana is expecting his child, so he sent me this gift.

-And you don’t open it? Ask Cregan

I sigh, turning towards the night, clutching the package to me.

-I prefer to open it tomorrow, this gift represents the sole presence of my uncle.

Cregan gently caresses my arm and I smile at him, willingly accepting his caress, he speaks in a low voice.

-Does your uncle mean a lot to you?

A dreamy smile floats on my lips thinking of him.

-Indeed, he is like a father to me, my father figure, when the King wasn't looking after me, Daemon was there, teaching me the language of Valyria, my history, helping me claim my dragon , flying with me, encouraging me in my quest to travel.

Daemon was everything Viserys couldn't be, and I wish he were there to take me to Cregan tomorrow instead of Leanor.

-I'm sorry the Prince can't come, Nymeria. Sighs Cregan pulling me towards him

I let myself fall into his embrace, sighing as I finally feel him against me, his body warmth is all I need, and when his gloved hand comes to caress the back of my neck my heart goes crazy. The nostalgia I had when thinking of my uncle evaporates, giving way to the gentleness and love of Cregan.

-I missed you. I confess hiding in his chest

A soft laugh shakes her and I vibrate under her.

-I missed you too, woman.

I lightly tap his chest with a fake annoyed look on my face.

-I'm not your wife yet Cregan, I reply with a mocking smile, wait until tomorrow evening to call me that.

His amused face disappears and becomes playful and seductive when he brings his lips to mine, my hands tremble against me when I feel let him rub his nose against mine, his two-tone irises in mine.

-Oh, but that’s all I’m waiting for, Princess. Smiled the Wolf, showing his canines

My heart soars when I realize that it refers to our wedding night, our bedtime. My cheeks, my neck, my body become as hot as fire, as red as blood. I look away, prey to strong carnal emotion.

-This is terribly inappropriate. I whisper in a low voice

Cregan's laughter bursts into the night making it less silent and I smile stupidly as I feel him bring me to him, his chest vibrating with joy at my back, his chin above my gray head.

-To my sweet Princess, I can’t wait to call you mine.

[scorpionrising]

there's an ache in you, put there by the ache in me (pt. 1: the road not taken looks real good now)

pairing: aemond targaryen x velaryon!oc word count: 8971 content warnings: explicit sexual content, major character death, cheating/infidelity (not really, but also kind of – it'll make sense when you read it), will add to this list as needed read part 2 here

notes: this is also cross-posted to ao3, as that is my primary place for posting, if you would prefer to read there. this author is fully team black, so proceed with caution. background relationships include cregan/jace/baela and luke/rhaena. feel free to read heavily into daena and rhaenyra's interactions too if you so choose

before reading, please be aware that this is an AU of a completed fanfiction i have written called fireplace ashes. you really don't need to have read it though to read this, as it's pretty self contained. all you need to know at the start:

daena velaryon is the youngest daughter of rhaenys targaryen and corlys velaryon; the same age as aegon. she claimed vermithor when she was eight and laenor was her favorite person in the world growing up, so she loves her nephews very much. she is betrothed to jace and neither of them are happy about it. when rhaenyra sent luke to storm's end, daena went with him. when he chased after luke, she stopped him, and this is where we leave off...

edit, 12/18/2023: because i forgot to mention this before posting — re: any references made to sarya. sarya is an oc from the fic i wrote that this is based on. she is daena’s handmaiden with whom daena has had a clandestine relationship that is so doomed by the narrative that they are both entirely aware of it

Daena and Aemond spoke more and more with each passing day. Mariyah was still sick, confined to her bed and face growing paler as the storms raged outside. Aemond had grown surprisingly competent in dealing with the barn animals, so she spent a majority of her days attending to Mariyah.

“Perhaps it was a miracle,” Mariyah said in a croaking voice as Daena wrung out a cloth to lay atop her forehead.

“What was?” Daena asked. 

“Stumbling upon you,” Mariyah said, closing her eyes as Daena laid the cloth down. “The gods knew.”

“What did they know?” 

“That I would die, and they ensured I would not die alone.” 

There was a faint smile on her deeply lined face, as though she were at peace. 

“Oh, don’t say that,” Daena said, taking care to smooth down Mariyah’s gray hair. 

“Ever since my Royce passed three years ago, I’ve been waiting for the gods to take me. We never had children, you know.” Mariyah’s muddy green eyes sprung open and she reached out a wrinkled hand to touch Daena’s face. Tears began brimming as she spoke once more. “I’ve been alone for so long. It’s been wonderful, having you and your husband here.” 

Daena partly hated herself for lying to Mariyah, but if it gave the old woman comfort in her last days to think she was providing aid to a happy couple in love, she would continue the charade until the moment the storms broke. 

“I’d like you and Jack to keep the house,” Mariyah whispered. “Let it be your shelter. Go to Essos if you wish, but let the house remain standing, I beg. Let it still be filled with love even once I’m gone.” 

Feeling tears in her own eyes begin to well, Daena nodded. If this was a way to settle her debt with Mariyah, she would declare this house as royal property. It would be a hunting getaway for her ancestors for years to come. It would never crumble as a way to pay thanks to the woman who saved her. 

“Of course,” Daena said finally. “We’ll take care of your home.”

“Make it your home,” Mariyah begged. “Make it yours.” 

“We will,” Daena promised. “We will.” 

Mariyah nodded, contended by Daena’s words, and her eyes fluttered close once more. Her chest stuttered, but then began to rise and fall in time. Pursing her lips, Daena pulled the covers up the Mariyah’s chin and removed the damp cloth from her forehead. She let the water pitcher rest on the bedside table and filled a glass with water in case Mariyah woke up thirsty. 

When she went down the stairs, Aemond was sitting by the fire in the main room of the house reading. The candles were dim, burnt down to the wicks around him. They would have to replace them on the morrow with the new ones. 

“What are you reading?” she asked him.

He glanced up from his book and pressed his lips together. “A book of Lysene poetry. The old woman is more learned than I thought.” 

“Her name is Mariyah,” Daena said, scowling and taking a seat in the chair across from him. She pointed her feet out and let the flames warm her bare ankles. “You ought to have some respect, you know.” 

He scoffed at her but did not look back down at his book. Instead, he met her eyes brazenly. Despite herself, she delighted in the way the flames licked at the sapphire embedded in his eye socket. The question was on the tip of her tongue, begging to be asked, but she could not find the words in actuality. 

“Our families think us dead,” Daena whispered instead, staring into the flames. 

“And whose fault is that?” he retorted. 

She flexed her fingers and clenched her jaw, wondering what it might be like to fling her fist into his jaw. 

“What if we stay dead?” she asked him.

“If you’d like me to kill you, just give the word,” he said through his teeth. 

“Not like that,” she snapped. “I just— Mariyah told me when she dies she wants us— or Alyse and Jack, rather— to keep the house… and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to stay here and live a simple life.” 

“You wouldn’t like that,” Aemond said. He closed his book and set it aside on the floor by his feet. “It would bore you senseless.”

“You said the same thing about my marriage to Jace,” Daena pointed out. She flexed her feet and tilted her head back to stare at the dark ceiling. “It would seem I am destined for a life of dreadful boredom.” 

She sighed loudly and pushed her braids off her shoulder to fall over the back of the chair. Aemond’s eye was trained directly on her face, seeming to see through her to her very soul. 

“Would it not be better to be bored on my own terms, living my own life rather than forced into a loveless marriage?” 

“That would mean abandoning your family,” he pointed out, ��which you would never do.”

She huffed and dropped her hands onto her lap. “You’re right. But it’s nice to pretend, I suppose.”

“What’s the point in pretending?” he asked her. “We are not children.” 

“You’re infuriating,” she snapped. “We’ve been stuck here for days on end with nothing to do, knowing our families are preparing for war! What’s the point of any of it? Why shouldn’t I imagine an easier life?” 

“Because it makes you a coward,” he told her as though it were the simplest thing in the world, voice too placid for her liking. “You cannot run from your destiny, Daena, no matter how hard you might try.”

“I’ve never run from my destiny,” she said defensively, remembering the way Helaena looked at her and whispered ‘Dragonslayer’ all those years ago.  

He hummed and turned to the flames, barring the sapphire in his eye from view. All she could see was the unmarred half of his face, and she could see the strange little boy in his bones. She had quite liked that boy, but she thought he might be long dead by now. 

“I hope they betrothed Jace to Baela in my absence,” she confessed in a small voice. “She could love him in a manner I could never bear to, I think.” 

He slid his feet forward. The house shoes Mariyah had provided for him were neatly placed at one of the chair legs, but he wore thick woolen socks all the same. The heal of one of the socks was fraying and the other was drooping so low that she could see his bony ankle poking out from beneath the pants that were too short for him. It made him look disgustingly human. 

“Which Baratheon girl were you going to marry?” 

“I do not know,” he said. “Whichever one I found the most tolerable, I suppose.”

“How romantic.” She smirked a bit to herself and adjusted her weight in the seat for a more comfortable position. “I envy the smallfolk in this. They are allowed to fall in love before they marry. We must make an attempt at love only after the wedding, if at all.”

“I’d take a castle and not having to cook my own meals and slaughter my own animals over love any day,” Aemond said. 

She frowned, pitying him not for the first time and likely not for the last. 

“That’s terribly sad, Aemond.”

When he did not respond, she sighed and stood up. 

“I will be going to bed now, I think…” She made her way across the room and faltered, turning back to look at him. He was staring into the empty seat. “Goodnight, Aemond.” 

He turned. “Goodnight, Daena.”

With a strange, heavy feeling in her chest, she settled into the bed she made for herself on the floor and laid her head down. Tonight, sleep would not come, no matter how strongly she yearned for it. She tossed and turned, trying to find an acceptable position. Sometime later, Aemond entered and blew out the candles. She listened to him shuffle around and settle down. Once he laid down, he was still. She heard his breaths turn deep as sleep took him over. Irritated by that, she groaned into her pillow and flipped to attempt to sleep on her back. 

“Just come up here.”

Her eyes sprung open despite the total darkness. She had thought him fast asleep by now. 

“What?” she asked. “Don’t be absurd, Aemond. That would be—”

“I do believe we are far past what is and is not proper at this point,” he told her. “The bed is plenty large enough for two.”

She thought of what her mother and father might say, of what Sarya would believe, of what Jace and Luke might think of her. To share a bed with the enemy was bordering on treason, but was Aemond truly an enemy? Not to her, she thought a bit shamefully. 

“You are just saying that to lure me in with false pretenses so that you might sully my name and reputation later on,” she accused, though she knew it was rather halfhearted. 

“Gods be good,” he grunted. “Daena, just come up here and sleep.”

“Fine,” she muttered, hating herself for being so weak. 

It was merely because her back was beginning to ache all through the day from sleeping on the floor for the last two weeks. That was all. Nothing more. 

Pillows in hand, she climbed up and made herself comfortable on the bed. She was deeply conscious of Aemond laying stock still beside her, pale skin exposed. Heat from his body radiated towards her and she was mindful not to curl into it, instead turning her back to him and squeezing her eyes shut. She prayed for the storms to end early and for Vermithor to finish healing soon to take her away from this place.

Forgetting she had not gone to sleep on the floor, she was confused when she woke up to warmth and soft cushions and a weight thrown across her middle. She opened her eyes to find Aemond’s head tucked into her shoulder, hand splayed over her stomach. Instantly, she stiffened. This was an intimacy she had only known with Sarya. A traitorous part of herself was glad for it, having missed the feeling of falling asleep wrapped up in another. She quickly murdered that thought and turned onto her side to attempt to slip out of Aemond’s grip. Thankfully, he was a deep sleeper and did not awaken from her efforts. If it were up to her, he would never learn of this.  

Mariyah passed four days later in her sleep, and Daena found that her heart was broken. Mariyah, who had been so deeply kind and had taken in two strangers without a thought, was dead and the world was worse off for it. 

“We have to bury her,” she insisted. 

“Look outside,” Aemond said, gesturing to the raging rain and wind. “You want to dig a grave?” 

“It’s either that or we let her rot in here,” Daena argued. “Don’t be so cold hearted, Aemond.”

“Fine,” Aemond hissed. “You can dig the grave yourself. I want no part in it.” 

And so she did. Wrapped in the cloak Mariyah wore the night she took them in, Daena marched outside with a shovel and began digging. The grave was shallow, but it would have to do. With all the rain, wind, and mud splattering up onto her face, it was nearly impossible to see what she was doing. Lightning cracked through the sky and a branch snapped off the tree just to her left. 

When she turned to go back to the house, Aemond was already walking out with Mariyah’s body wrapped neatly in one of the blankets from her bed. Clearly, he had changed his mind. She was sure she was crying, but she was thankful to the rain for obscuring it from Aemond. Her throat closed as he gently laid Mariyah into the grave she dug. She had never seen him capable of such gentleness before.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

If he heard her, he offered no response. Instead, he took the shovel from her hands and began to cover Mariyah’s body. He moved quickly and methodically and did not even spare her a glance. With every day they spent together, she realized that she understood very little about the prince. He kept his motivations so close to his chest that she was constantly, utterly befuddled by him. Once he was done covering the grave, he stood at Daena’s side—as though waiting for her to move. 

“I wrote to you,” she heard herself say, voice hushed in confession. “After that day on the rocky island, I wrote to you.”

“Yes,” he said.

Something within her shattered. She had hoped ceaselessly that the raven had been lost, or that someone else had gotten the letter and kept it from him. That day on the rocky island with him had been one of the best she ever had since Laena’s death, and now they would never ride dragons together again. Her eyes burned. 

“Why did you never write back?”

“It seemed pointless,” he said, very pointedly not looking at her. 

“I must confess,” she said, “I do not understand your reasoning.” 

He flexed his hand, splaying his fingers out. He rounded on her, shoulders set back. The cloak’s hood was low on his forehead, but she could see the deep indigo of his eye clear as day. There was confliction written in his iris, and then determination as a muscle in his jaw ticked. 

“Three years ago,” he said, voice hard and cold as sharp steel, “I had intended to ask for your hand.” 

It should not have surprised her, with everyone around her back then telling her that he was attempting to court her, and yet it did. The dragon brooch he had gifted her was proof enough of that, but she still had been so blind to it. She had thought it a friendship, and him no more than a boy with a crush. She had no idea that his feelings had ran so deep. 

“After that day on the island, I went to my mother and told her my plans. She forbade it and told me I was not to see you again, on account of your allegiances.” 

“Oh,” she whispered. “Aemond, I—”

“It matters not,” he said. 

“Of course it matters,” she said.

A great gust of wind hit her directly in the face and blew the hood of her cloak off, but she made no move to fix it or run for shelter. This seemed too important. 

“No,” he snapped, “it does not. Why bother fixating on the past and things that will never be?” 

“Tell me something, then,” she said, pushing her shoulders back. “That stone in your eye. Is it not the sapphire I gave you?” 

“It serves as a reminder.” 

“What could it possibly remind you of?”

He stepped closer to her. “The things I will never have.” 

“Why would you want constant reminders of that?” she asked him. 

“Because so long as I am reminded of what I cannot have, I will not be so foolish as to think of what could have been.” 

Again, she found him terribly sad. Hesitantly, she reached out and touched his arm. 

“You must allow yourself to want things,” she insisted. “Constant restraint is no way to live. Take what you want, Aemond, and let yourself feel.”

Unable to bear it any longer, she backed away from him and reentered the house. She ripped the cloak off and left it to rot on the floor. She was covered in mud and soaked to the bone. It was terrible, disgusting, infuriating. She was not entirely sure what it was, but it was just as likely to be the muddy clothes as it was Aemond’s attitude. She could not fathom how he could possibly be so cold about matters that deserved only warmth. He was sharp, cutting and slicing with his words, as he spoke about wanting to marry her. In this moment, she would have liked nothing more than to skewer him. 

Pulling at the strings on her dress, she began the process of disrobing for a bath. She wanted to be rid of him. She wanted to be clean. 

She relaxed in the tub until her fingers shriveled and the water turned cold. She dunked her head one last time and stood to leave, but then realized the flaw in her plan. In her haste to take a bath, she had neglected to collect a towel to dry off with or fresh clothes. 

“Shit,” she muttered, knowing she would have no choice but to call for Aemond’s aid. 

Surely, he would never let her forget this. Especially not after what he just admitted to her. Would he think she was trying to seduce him? Grimacing to herself, she drew her knees to her chest and called his name until she heard his footsteps approach the door. 

“What is it?” he asked, sounding just as irritated as she had expected. 

“I—” It was already humiliating. “Could you please bring me a towel and chemise? I forgot.” 

He made a noise that could have been mistaken for a snort behind the door. Without voicing his assent or denial, he walked away. Gnawing on the inside of her cheek and absentmindedly scratching at her clavicle, Daena debated her options. She glanced a bit disparagingly at her discarded gown from before. She could put that back on, but the thought of it was entirely unappealing. 

Then, without warning, the door flew open. Jolting in surprise, Daena quickly drew her knees even closer to her chest to attempt to save her from even more indignity. 

“Here.” He held out a bundle of fabrics. “Where do you want them?” 

“Um, just… The floor is fine. Thank you.”

He nodded and she watched as his eye flickered from her face to the harsh scar on her shoulder, visible no doubt from the manner in which she was hunched over to prevent him from seeing her more intimate areas. Having let him see the scar, now, she perhaps would have rathered him see the other parts of her. Somehow, the scar felt leagues more intimate than her breasts. 

“It happened in the Stepstones,” she said, unsure why she kept him in here. 

She really ought to have sent him away, and perhaps in every other life she did. But, in this one, she did not. 

Aemond’s cheeks darkened in a flush. 

“How?” he asked. 

His eye was trained so singularly on her face that she knew he was making a concerted effort not to look elsewhere. 

“I was fighting on the ground,” Daena explained. “Turned my back on an opponent I thought was dead.” 

Could he hear the undercutting questions in her words? Can I turn my back to you, Aemond? Can I trust you? Once, she might have said yes easily.  

“I hope you gave the craven the death he deserved,” Aemond said, nodding sharply. “There is no honor in that.”

She looked at him, and he her. Slowly, she felt the barest of smiles tug at her lips. Each and every day, he surprised her. Whether it was good or bad, she did not know, and she suspected she would not know until it was far too late. 

Without another word, he left the room. Left alone, she dressed herself slowly. 

Three years ago, I intended to ask for your hand. If he had done it, she would not have wanted it—and yet, she could not help but think about how different things would be if he had. Would things be better? Perhaps so; she could have bridged the gap between Luke and Aemond. That alone would have certainly changed a great many things.  

Perhaps the time on the island had driven her mad, but she felt her bare feet pad along the floor until she found Aemond in the bedroom. Again, he looked achingly human. His bony ankles were visible beneath of cuff of his breeches, and his soft tunic was bunched up at the elbows. She stood in the doorway, merely watching. If he was aware of her presence, he gave no indication, and even if he was; he was surely unaware of how entranced she was by the way his hair fell in silken sheets around his shoulders. He was as severe as he was beautiful.

“Answer me this,” she said, breaking the silence.

His shoulders drew taut as he slowly turned to face her. 

“What makes you believe you could never have me?” 

He scoffed. “Our families are at war. Even before, it would have never been possible.” 

She would have agreed to it, had the matter been raised. Seeing him in such mundanity, tending to animals and reading under the low light of the candles, made it impossible to hate him. He was no enemy. He was merely a man led astray, but his heart was good and his soul nowhere near as black as he would like her to believe. 

“Do not think of our families,” Daena said. “Think only of yourself and how you feel. That is how you take care of yourself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go to bed.” 

Fingers curling into the material of the chemise at her thighs, Daena pushed past him and began to pull at the bed covers. Whatever she had been thinking before, it was a spark of delusion and madness. Clearly he could not see past his inflated sense of self, and he never would. And she was merely entertaining it because she was bored. Grimacing, she fluffed violently at her pillow. 

His long and slender fingers wrapped around the crook of her elbow, and he pulled her towards him without any sense of warning. She was not proud of the gasp she let out in response; sharp and high-pitched. The sapphire embedded in his eye socket—the sapphire she had given him—glinted in the candlelight. He was so close. 

“Could I have had you?” he asked, voice low and rushed. 

“I would not have minded if you asked,” she answered. 

Aemond’s grip on her tightened, and if he clenched any harder she was sure bruises would begin to take form. She considered, briefly, smacking him away, but she did not mind the weight of his grip in all truth. She and Sarya often gripped one another in far greater passions. Besides, she liked seeing Aemond unfurled. 

“I have always known what you are, Aemond,” Daena whispered. 

“And what am I, my lady?” 

“A strange boy with a crush,” she said, tilting her head back. “But I have always been more than fond of strange things.” 

She really ought to have expected it after goading him, but his kiss shocked her all the same. His lips landed on the corner of her mouth, sideways down her chin, as though he were unused to the act. Adjusting, she tilted her head to the side to turn the kiss into a proper one. His hands, clutching her hips in a vice, burned at her skin through her chemise. Enthralled by the feeling, she curled her fingers around the sides of his neck, bringing one hand up into the roots of his hair. 

However inexperienced he was, he made up for it in enthusiasm. Aemond grasped at her, trailing all across her body as though he were attempting to create a map of her bones. She pushed up onto her toes, tightening her grip on his hair, and gnashed her teeth into his mouth. She took his bottom lip between her teeth and bit down just beyond gently. When his mouth fell open, she slipped her tongue against the roof of his mouth. His hips jolted against hers as a sharp gasp tumbled from his lips. 

“Are you going to take me or not?” she mumbled against his neck.

“Please,” he gasped out as she scraped her teeth against his skin. 

“Do you want me, Aemond?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me,” she whispered, tugging on his hair. “How do you want me?” 

He groaned, low and guttural; rigid against her. His grip only tightened. 

“I want—” His head fell forward, atop hers. “I want to taste you.”

Daena pulled away from Aemond, a wicked grin spreading across her full and swollen lips. Holding eye contact, she stepped backwards until she was sat upon the edge of the bed. Then, with Aemond’s attention captured entirely, she spread her legs and pulled the hem of her chemise up slowly, tantalizingly. 

“Get on your knees, then,” she said.

Aemond fell without a blink. His fingertips traced along her ankles and then slowly crept up her leg, flexing his entire palm against her skin once he reached her thighs. She could feel his breath against her, his mouth open but still so terribly far from latching onto her as she wanted him to. 

“My prince,” she groaned, reaching for the top of his head. “Please.” 

He complied, pressing his tongue flat to her. There was no hesitation in his actions; he licked with confidence and precision, shocking her because she struggled to imagine him experienced. He groaned against her, hooking his arms beneath her thighs and pulling her as close to his face as possible. She was unable to keep the shrill moan from escaping her throat. 

“Aemond,” she gasped. It was a breathy sort of thing, pulled in a wisp from her lungs. “Use… fingers!” 

Ever the apt listener, he dipped a single finger into her. The moan she let out then was a pitched and trilling squeal. His single finger was the size of two of Sarya’s and reached to far deeper places than Sarya’s petite hands had been able to reach. He pumped the finger in and out, slowly and surely, and grinned against her. Two more fingers then, shoved inside her at once. She collapsed backwards onto the bed with a loud moan. He was relentless in his ministrations, going at a rapid pace until she was writhing and squirming and gasping for air. Swiping her arm over her forehead, she pushed herself up to look down at him. 

His face was covered in her, glistening in the flickering, dying light. She swiped her tongue across her bottom lip. She grabbed a fistful of his tunic and yanked at it to get it off him. Catching on, he moved to help her. There was a heavy silence between them, but he moved onto the bed—hovering over her—without her even needing to tell him what she wanted. 

She stared up at him, lips parted ever so slightly. His hair hung down in a silky curtain, framing his face. Palms shaking, she reached up and pressed her hand to his face. She arched her neck up and brushed her lips softly, gently, tenderly over his scarred forehead. The sapphire buried within his eye socket seemed to glow, keeping her attention rapt. Her thumb trailed along the underside of his eye, brushing against his long lower lashes. He was silent in her arms, stoic above her. 

Afraid to speak, lest she say something too intimate, too weak, too revealing, she pulled his face down and licked herself from his lips. His teeth gnashed against her lip as though he wanted to swallow her whole. Briefly, as she fumbled with the buttons on his breeches, she thought she might let him. They did not speak, not even as she pushed him up against the headboard and sat herself on his lap. He was hard against her inner thigh, but she ignored it for the time being. Instead, she tugged his mouth down to her neck. He licked, bit, and sucked at the flesh, drawing heavy gasps for air from her lungs. 

Chemise sticking to her with sweat, Daena pushed him back to begin ripping at the strings to get it off her. Aemond picked up on it and yanked the shift roughly over her head. His eye flickered down to her heaving breasts and a spike of confidence shot through her when she noticed how his cheeks flushed a darker shade at the sight. 

“Daena,” he gasped out, voice heady and broken. “I… want—” 

“I’ll give you whatever you want,” she promised, moving her hands to cradle his face. 

Pulling him in for another angry kiss, she shifted her hips so that she could sink herself down onto him. It was a sensation she had never felt before, reaching places she had never known existed. Tears she did not quite understand burned in her eyes, but she continued to sink down until there was nowhere else for her to go. A groan that sounded more animal than human burst from her as she collapsed against his chest. His hands were hot as coals against her thighs, fingers sure to leave burnt impressions. 

Delirious, she dropped her forehead against his and began to move her hips in slow, rocking circles. He swore quietly, tightening his grip on her legs. 

“Seven… hells,” he grunted.  

She continued until she found a pace that cut her breath off at the base of her throat, where the tip of him hit a place deep within her that caused her vision to go black and her jaw to go slack. 

“Aemond.” She exhaled his name, unable to think of anything else but the man beneath her. She wanted to burrow herself within him and find a home within his bones, tucked into his ribs. Every bit of him had invaded her, and she was loath to let it end. This bubble they had created; she wanted it to exist for as long as she could sustain it. Here, they were leagues away from the people they had been and the circumstances that brought them to this island. Here, they were just Alyse and Jack. Here, they were free. 

She let him spill within her after she reached her peak, and then collapsed once more against him. It was easy to fall asleep, exhausted and spent, within his arms. 

Daena awoke with the first light of morning, as she always did. Naked and sticky with the dried sweat of the night before, she and Aemond were still tangled together; his face pressed into the crook of her neck. She was flooded with a wretched sort of feeling, unable to bear being within his grasp. As gently as she could, she removed herself from his arms and reached down to the floor for her chemise. She dressed quickly and sprinted away from the room. 

Unsure if it was more shame or guilt that was flooding through her, she tucked herself into one of the armchairs by the unlit fire and stared into the blackened hearth. If she ever got away from here—if they ever got away from here—how could she possibly hope to look her family in the eye? How could she face Luke, knowing she had sworn to give the uncle who tormented him anything he wanted whilst in the thralls of passion. 

A mistake, she decided. That is all it was. A mistake driven from flaring tempers and boredom. That was all it could be; nothing more. 

Even so, she could not help but wish in the deepest and darkest depths of her soul for the opportunity to make the mistake again. 

A noise from the bedroom informed her that Aemond had woken up. When he came into the main room of the house, their eyes met. After perhaps a moment too long, he tore his gaze away from hers and grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and stalked back into the bedroom with that infuriating slow strut of his. 

They did not speak that day, nor the next. Daena resigned herself to sleeping curled up in the armchair, drawing idly on loose slips of parchment she found around the house until she fell asleep. She mourned the tenuous friendship they had begun to restore in the days past as she did her best to ignore the growing knot in her neck from sleeping in the chair. It truly felt as though they were destined to be on opposing sides, never to truly know each other. She wished he never told her he wanted to marry her. Now, her mind was consumed by thoughts of what could have been and what could still be. It was also how she knew him a liar; if he did not dwell on the past, then he would have forgotten the matter entirely. But he had not, and so she knew he did care. 

She would have agreed, she thought to herself as she drew Vermithor’s scales. If he had asked her, she would have married him. It was a terrifying, fleeting thought— and perhaps it was a betrayal of Luke, of Sarya, and, now, of Jace. Still, she could not deny that she liked Aemond well enough. She had been fond of him even when they were children and he smashed her head with a rock. She enjoyed his presence, despite his generally unpleasant demeanor. He was a friend, and she would have liked to marry a friend. She could have been happy in a marriage of friendship. If he had been allowed, she would have accepted. 

But perhaps he was correct, and there was no use on dwelling on these things. What did it lead to but unhappiness?

She was curled up in a chair by the fire while Aemond tended to the barn animals, proving once more that he cared far more deeply for things than he liked to pretend. She flipped the page of the parchment back to the portrait she had drawn of Aemond while he slept. In the sketched plains of his face, she could see the strange and innocent boy beneath the cruel man. Pursing her lips, she tore the page and crumpled it. Just as he said, no use in dwelling on things she could not change. 

He entered in with a wet gust of wind behind him. He made a grumbling noise as he kicked off his boots and undid the cloak, which really only served to make her laugh. He glared in her direction and stalked off, likely to wash up from being in the barn. Heaving a great sigh, Daena got out of the chair to scrounge together a meal for them. They ate like the smallfolk in Flea Bottom, and Daena was miserable for it. Their lack of communication made the bland food all the worse. 

She brought the pot of stew to the hearth and let it come to a boil. Mariyah, in all her elderly wisdom, had planned on a long hurricane season and had gathered enough produce to last them the entirety of it. Aemond emerged from the washroom just as she was removing the pot from the fire. She offered him a tight smile and averted her eyes to began spooning stew into bowls for them to eat. 

They sat silently on opposite sides of the table, pointedly not looking at each other. It made her want to scream and cry and rip her hair from its roots and throw the bowl at him. It was suffocating, and she just wanted to be done with it.

It was he, who broke their days-long silence, pushing his bowl away from him and leaning back against the chair. “I apologize,” he said stiffly, “for taking advantage the other night. It was… unworthy of me.”

Daena stared at him blankly, astounded. Then, a laugh that could be classified as nothing other than a cackle burst from her lips. His lips pursed at the sound, clearly displeased by her reaction. 

“That is what you apologize for?” she asked, gasping for breath between words. “Oh, Aemond… I am hardly a blushing maiden.”

At that, a flush crept up his cheeks. 

“The other night might have been a moment of weakness that can and will never happen again, but you did not take advantage.” 

“Well, I apologize nonetheless.” His cheeks were flushed with blood. “And, yes. Never again.” 

She bit the inside of her cheeks as her mind cycled through all the motions of their mistake. As far as mistakes go, it had been her most enjoyable one. 

“You ought to sleep in the bed again,” Aemond said after another long silence as they cleaned up the kitchen. “I can tell your neck is bothering you.” 

Her hand flew to the crook of her neck on instinct. She ripped it away just as quickly. 

“I’m quite fine.”

“Then allow me to take the chair or floor.”

“No, that is not necessary,” she insisted, turning away from him to stare out the window. The rain beat mercilessly on the glass. Like it was trying to bring not just the home, but the entire island down. “You sustained more injuries than I did in the fall, and the fault for that lies in my hands.” 

She chose to leave out the fact that it was his actions that forced her hand, because at this point that was neither here nor there. 

“Then perhaps I sleep in the other room—”

“Mariyah just died on that bed!” Daena exclaimed, half scandalized. She was tired of this conversation. “We will continue as we have.” 

“Daena, you cannot—”

“And yet, I will!” she shrieked. Instantly embarrassed, she sucked in a long, slow breath and turned back around to face him. “It is different for me.” 

He said nothing, merely staring at her. Gods, how he infuriated her, how he wiggled beneath her skin and stuck there, how he could see right through her. 

“If anyone were to discover we were here alone, you would be perfectly fine. I would be…” She thought back to what he hissed at her when he woke. “Ruined.” 

He opened his mouth to speak, but she pushed on. 

“Our mistake, for you, is a story to tell someday. For me, it is nothing less than betrayal.” 

“Betrayal.” He scoffed, a sudden glint of venom in his iris. “And what do you call my part, then? Do I not betray my family every moment you remain breathing?” 

“Kill me, then, and be done with it!” Daena threw her hands up. “Please, I beg you. Do it, because I will never be able to kill you as I know I ought to.” 

He blinked at her, stunned into silence by her manic plea. Frustrated tears brimming in her eyes, Daena stomped away from him and into the washroom. She sank to her knees and remained there until she heard no sounds of movement. Praying that it meant Aemond was asleep, Daena crept out and back into the main room. 

She was stopped in her tracks, however, by the sight of Aemond fast asleep on the very armchair she had made her bed the last few nights. One leg was propped up on the cushioned footrest while the other was sprawled onto the floor. Even in her hatred of him— if she could call it that— she was touched by the display. There was hope for him yet, goodness that bubbled beneath the surface. In an effort to repay the kindness, she grabbed a quilt from the chest by the fireplace and laid it over his lap. 

They had perhaps left things worse than they ever were before between them, but Daena would deal with those consequences once morning came. Now, she was bone weary and just wanted to sleep. She slept like the dead once her head hit the pillows, though in her dreams Aemond’s face taunted her. In the morning, she woke with a deep, aching need between her legs. Disgusted with herself, Daena kept herself confined within the walls of the bedchamber until she thought she might collapse from hunger. When she pulled the door open, however, she found herself face-to-face with Aemond—a plate of food and mug of mead in hand. His mouth fell open just a bit as she tripped herself to avoid walking right into him. 

“You have not eaten,” he said in a hoarse voice. “It is getting late… I thought you might like some food.”

“Thank you,” she said, unable to do much anything else than focus on his lavender iris boring into her. “How very thoughtful, my prince.” 

“Aemond,” he said suddenly. “Just— Call me Aemond.”

Oh. 

“Very well,” she said. “Aemond.” 

“I wanted to thank you… for the blanket last night.” He shuffled closer infinitesimally. The mug was shaking ever so slightly in his clenched fist. “And, I was thinking… here, we can just be…” 

She pulled the plate and mug from his hands and dropped them onto the small table in the room, discarded to be forgotten. Sighing, she pushed her braids over her shoulder and turned back to him. Did she haunt his dreams as he did hers? 

“We can just be… what, Aemond?” 

“I—” He opened his mouth and closed it thrice. “You said to take what I want.” 

A whirling thrill spiked in her blood, the ache inside of her leading her straight to him.  

“A mistake it might be, but what does it matter?” he asked. “We are alone.”

“I suppose it doesn’t,” she admitted. 

Taking him to her bed once, twice, or however many times mattered not so long as it ceased once they returned to where they belonged. She just liked to see him finally breaking free of that hardened shell he encased himself in. He kissed her, then, and she forgot all about her hunger for food. All she hungered for was him. His fingers yanked at the curls at the base of her skull, forcing her head back so that he could kiss down her jaw and neck. 

There were no words shared between them. Perhaps that would be too personal, too indicative of their wrongdoing. Neither took the time to undress, merely hiking up her chemise and shoving down his breeches.  They fell backwards onto the bed just as he pushed himself inside her. She gasped into his mouth, digging her nails into his cheekbones and looping her legs around his waist to pull him close. 

They continued at that pace until they were fully spent; collapsed upon one another. Daena yawned loudly, reaching her hand out to grab hold of the apple Aemond put on the plate for her. The generosity of it did not escape her; those apples seemed to be the only thing that made him even a shade of content. She took several bites of it before offering it out to Aemond. As though it were a natural sort of thing to do. And he took a bite from her hand, half convincing her this were a dream. When the apple was nothing but a discarded core and the bread nothing but crumbs, it was Daena who pounced on Aemond. Now that she had been given a taste, she was insatiable. And it seemed, so was he. 

But, it was more languid this time. He did not hurry himself as he mouthed at her neck and began to pull at the strings on her chemise. She wanted to touch him, but quickly lost all means to do so when he pulled her chemise off and began to kiss down her torso. Her breath hitched at the base of her throat and delirium flooded her veins as she became enthralled in the pleasure she wrought from him. 

“Seven Hells,” she groaned out, tossing her head back against the pillows. 

She could feel Aemond’s lips curl upwards into a smile as he traced his tongue along her hip bone in response. 

Much later, when they had tired themselves out entirely, he laid himself down beside her, resting his head on her bare chest. It was strange, how easy it was to simply be with him— and it terrified her as much as it befuddled her. But, then, it had always been easy with Aemond. They fell asleep like that, tangled together, pressed closer than close. Daena had never slept better in her life. 

“I would never ruin you,” he spoke quietly against her collarbone one night some weeks later. She had long since stopped keeping track of the days as they passed, dreary and thunderous as they were. 

Daena stilled beneath him. “What?” 

“Your reputation,” he said, “I would never allow it to fall to ruin.” 

For some reason, she believed him and kissed him hard on the mouth for the first time outside the thralls of passion. He returned the kiss with vigor and they fell asleep in the middle of it, which she had also never done before. 

When morning came, she awoke to a thunderous roar outside her window. Gasping, she shot up and looked around, scrambling to pull her chemise over her head. She knew that roar. Barefoot and without any protection from the weather, she sprinted outside, past Aemond who was slowly blinking his eyes and sitting up from the commotion she caused. Toes digging into the mud, Daena ran from the house to Vermithor. 

His bronze scales were like the rays of the sun amidst all the rain. Grinning, she flung herself forward. 

“My brave boy,” she wept, pressing her forehead to his snout. 

He snuffed and knocked his snout against her head. Laughing, she kissed one of his horns and stepped back to examine him. 

“How is your wing, hm?” she asked, walking around to take in his form.

He flared his wings out as though to prove he was in perfect condition. She reached her hand out to stroke the wing that had been injured when they took down Vhagar. She could see the scar tissue, but the tendons were healed and strong. She could go home. As though sensing her realization, he tilted his head back, opened his jaws wide, and screeched so loud that the trees shook. His hind legs stomped the ground, as though he were preparing for takeoff. It was everything she wanted to hear. 

“What are you doing?” Aemond shouted, standing in the threshold of the doorway.

Vermithor’s neck snaked around and he positioned himself firmly between Daena and Aemond. He remembered Aemond from the attack, and he did not trust the prince. Laughing at her dragon’s protection, she stepped forward and placed her hand on the underside of Vermithor’s jaw. He grumbled quietly and settled. 

“Umbagon,” she ordered before walking back to the house.

Aemond was staring at her like he found her mad. At least that had not changed. She pushed her wet braids from her face. 

“Vermithor is healed,” she said. 

“I can see that,” he said. He held out a large blanket for her. “Come inside.” 

Feeling the chill suddenly, she stepped in and allowed him to pull the blanket over her shoulders. His hands stayed on her shoulders, rubbing over her upper arms to help warm her. She furrowed her eyebrows and stared up at him. His face was pulled taut and there was concern evident, his lips pursed as he took care to help her dry off.  

“What?” he asked, seeing that she was staring.

She cleared her throat and averted her gaze. “It’s nothing.” She smiled to herself and tilted her head to the side. “Well, it is nice to see you care.” 

He frowned. “When have I ever given you the impression I do not care for you?” 

That response took her by surprise. It was shockingly earnest, coming from him— but that had been a running theme with him in the last few days. 

“Aemond,” she whispered, lifting a hand to his scarred cheek. 

It was absurd and utterly mad of her, but a sudden shot struck her like lightning. It would be so very easy to love him. Her love for Sarya had not lessened in her time on the island, but there was merely more space in her heart than she once thought. She would never be able to pursue it, of course. She was betrothed and he… Aemond was a traitor and an attempted kinslayer. And all that to say, she still wanted him. Something sinister had overtaken her in the last three moons, sunken its claws into her skin and dripped its poison onto her tongue. 

She was fond of him, desired him, enjoyed him, but she had a duty now that Vermithor was in flying condition. Aemond was a traitor and an attempted kinslayer, and she needed to bring him to justice. 

“I will come quietly,” he said softly, reaching out and gingerly curling the loose end of one of her braids around his finger. She had a keen memory of her own fingers wrapped in his hair. “I will surrender and bend the knee if that is what you wish.” 

“What I wish?” she echoed. “And what of your wishes?” 

It was as though the island emboldened him, pulled apart his strong defenses and left him bare but more confident than she had ever seen him. 

“I wish for whatever will keep me in your life, my lady.” 

“You can’t mean that,” she whispered, hardly daring to believe it.

She was not immune to the effects of dashing confessions made, easily swept up in the romance of it all. It was her most foolish trait, but being aware of it did not subdue it. It only made her aware of the breadth of stupidity she was capable of. 

“You took my eye. You took my dragon. Take my heart as well; it is yours.” 

Her cheeks burned under the weight of his gaze and words. Mouth dry, she crafted the most intelligent response she could muster. 

“I did not take your eye.”

He shrugged, as though his reasoning were the only sort that made sense. Perhaps he would have preferred it to have been her. Their injuries were settled like scores, canceling the other out— even if he had gotten off far worse than she had. In his mind, it should have been her, and so it was it seemed. Or that he held her in just as much blame as he did Luke. 

“And as for Vhagar—” Her own voice betrayed her, choking off in an unbecoming squeal. “I wish I could have stopped you without killing her.” 

Aemond looked away from her then, finally pulling his face from her palm. She tucked her hand back under the blanket he provided her as quickly as she could so as though it were never there in the first place. Then, he surprised her yet again. 

“I know.” It was a simple thing. “I forgave you a long time ago.” 

She furrowed her brow, a million and one questions racing about her mind, but she kept them to herself. 

“You will come without fight or argument?” she asked slowly.

“I will,” he confirmed. 

Bewildered and pleased alike, Daena observed him for a moment before ultimately deciding he seemed honest.

“Then we must dress. It is at least a half day’s flight from here to Dragonstone.” 

They did not speak again as they readied themselves for departure. What was there to say, really? They had, for better or worse, betrayed their families and themselves by falling into bed with one another, and now fate had come knocking. They both knew that on Dragonstone he would likely face imprisonment at best. There was always the threat of execution, but Daena was not sure Rhaenyra, even at her most bloodthirsty and vicious, had it in her to be a kinslayer. No, Rhaenyra would not take her brother’s head, but she might strip him of all titles and inheritance and send him to the Wall where he could never be a threat to her again. And rather stupidly, Daena did not wish for that. Perhaps this was what Aemond wanted all along; for her to trust him, to vouch for him, to be more than fond of him. 

That decided it for her. Upon arriving to Dragonstone, what happened here on the island would fade into the past. She would dedicate herself to whatever war effort there was and accept her fate as Queen after Rhaenyra. “Whatever claim to the throne I have left, you are it’s heir now. Both of you.” Daena would never be able to forget the sheen of sweat covering the older woman’s body, the way her face was scrunched up in pain and her voice quivered as she laid out commands for her oldest son and Daena. 

There was a truth about Daena Velaryon that Sarya had always seen: For her family, Daena would sacrifice anyone and anything, including herself, and let the entire world burn to ashes. And as Aemond perched himself behind her on Vermithor’s saddle without complaint, she wondered if he saw it too. An unstoppable force meets and immovable object, and whatever happens in the aftermath is only nature. And yet, Daena did not think she would go so quietly if the roles were reversed. 

“Sōves, Vermithor!” Daena yelled as loud as she could over the violent winds and rain, already soaked through to the bone. 

Without complaint or hesitance, Vermithor roared and took to the skies. 

Aemond and her did not speak for entire flight, and Daena was glad for the silence as the black sand beaches of Dragonstone grew ever nearer. It had been a year’s quarter since she left Dragonstone for Storm’s End, and war had been brewing when she did. There was no telling what they would find when they landed.

[darkestspring]

Imagine Maegor had an affair with a witch who had a child now in Visery’s time comes Maegor’s granddaughter and everyone will be Yandere for her

oh boy, that's a wild ride for her. rip.

just like he had with your mother, Maegor's only child and daughter, King Jaehaerys had chosen to see the best in you, and in the end, perhaps that was the decision the cemented your downfall.

growing up isolated, surrounded by only your family might have not been a good choice. You no idea that Viserys and Daemon (and even Rhaenys and Aemma's) interrogation-esque questioning on your daily activities weren't healthy nor sane.

People talk about how targaryen's go mad when they love another. how love would turn to obsession and it was true. You never took one step before someone was by your side.

And it never seemed strange to you, maybe it should have, but you had grown up with this. You had grown up with their obsession being picked up by rhaenyra, laenor and laena. How they all tugged you away from conversations and did their own things with you.

How even Alicent (after being rhaenyra's companion for so long) took on her habits and began to cling to you incessantly, infuriating daemon in the process.

You had never paid much attention to it, simply indulging in it. You never heard whispers about your grandfather or grandmother, jaehaerys had forbidden it, your mother had avoided the topic all together, simply running her hand through your hair.

"Think nothing of it, my sweet love." She had whispered, kissing your forehead, even as her grip tightened on you. You were oblivious to all of it, even how tense your mother got when queen aemma or lady rhaenys mothered you.

it was only fair that they did that, you were the targaryen's beloved.

It was also only fair that with alicent's obsession for you, for your happiness, that she'd choose to get closer. becoming your family instead of your close friend.

it shouldn't surprise you after all, that her children would cling to you as their second parents too. after all, you were theirs. even if they had to get their hands bloody.

Just stay as lovely as you are now as blood fills the streets.

[rere-the-writer]

hiring! Can I request a fic where it is Game Of thrones x the originals? Like Reader is Tywin's daughter from his second marriage and she was set to marry some abuse lord. But she meets Elijah when he and Oberyn are in Kingslanding for Joffrey's wedding. Reader and Elijah fall for one another so Tywin changes his mind and allows Elijah to marry reader instead. Oh can it be where Joffrey never died? So Tyrion is never arrested please and thank you.

I know I rarely do cross over fics but this request just got me. Also I had just started watching 'House of the Dragon' and rereading the books.

Warnings: Fluff, Protective Lannister men, Oberyn scheming, Elijah just being the softest, hints of smut

Pairing: Elijah M. x Velaryon!Lannister!Reader

A/N: I am well aware of how Tywin treats his children in the show but soft!Tywin is my shit. Oh maybe I could a series of this. This will be a two parter

A/N/N: also we support Rhaenyra x Alicent in this household and believe Otto ruined everything

283 Winter, Casterly Rock

Vaesa let out her last scream as she pushed, then the sounds of a baby's cry filled the halls of Casterly Rock. Tywin Lannister, not caring that a Maester and mid-wives tried stopping him from entering the room.

There Vaesa sat rocking you in her arms, you were healthy with soft bronze skin. And a head of sliver blonde curls with jade colored. A girl of Velaryon and Lannister blood, Vaesa knew just what your life was going to be. Her bloodline could be traced back to Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys Velaryon.

"I apologize, my husband...I gave you a girl." Vaesa tells Tywin as he moved closer taking you into his arms. You held most of house Velaryon features due to Vaesa's pure Velaryon blood.

"It is fine wife. She is perfect." Tywin says kissing your forehead when you yawned. Vaesa smiled seeing her husband soften holding you. Little did you know you were going to be the most protected girl in the Seven Kingdoms.

287 Summer, Casterly Rock

Vaesa held your hand walking down to the waters where a huge dragon lay, Rovas, the last known dragon and your mother his rider. Rovas moved his head hearing your mother softly call out to him and you, ever so much the adventurer, tried to run up to the lazy dragon.

"Go on my little lion." Vaesa says knowing Tywin was watching closely on top of the stone steps. Tywin was at first against you meeting Rovas but your mother reassured your father that the old dragon would be gentle.

You giggled feeling Rovas press his snout against your little body, he let out a purr when you patted his snout. Vaesa turned to her husband with a smirk on her face when she heard you call for them both.

"Mama! Papa! Look!" You squealed getting your parents attention, seeing you on top of Rovas's head. The dragon just lay there not caring there was a five year old climbing on him.

"I only turned my back for a second." Vaesa said when Tywin moved standing next to her. Both watched Lannister guards nervously moved towards the dragon to get you down.

"It seems she is more Velaryon than Lannister." Tywin joked making Vaesa laugh. Your parents watched you climb down off of Rovas who tilted his head making easier for you.

"Soon Rovas would be hers." Vaesa tells her husband when you came running up. You begged your father to pick you up and you three went in for lunch.

301 Summer, Kingslanding

You had grown into a beautiful young woman which your mother joked that it must be your Velaryon blood. You stood by Rovas looking out at the waters feeling the old dragon shift his head to nuzzle your side.

The war was over and you being 18, Tywin was looking for a Lord to wed you. Rovas purred feeling your stress and the dragon wanted nothing more than to comfort you. You didn't want to marry knowing your husband wouldn't allow you to keep Rovas.

"I knew you would be out here." Tyrion says walking down to join you seeing how your guard stayed up on the steps. Tyrion shook his head knowing both Jamie and Tywin would be angry that the guard didn't stay close to you.

"Father says I'll be married soon." You tell your older brother still looking out at the sea.

"You wish to not marry sister? You won't have to, your mother will birth our sibling soon." Tyrion says watching you sigh and lay on Rovas's snout.

"If is a boy, I won't have to but if it is a girl." You mumbled before squeaking when Rovas raised his head making you stand.

"Lady Y/N, the Lord Hand wishes to speak to you." A handmaid tells you making you frown and nodded following after her. Tyrion sighed and patted Rovas who huffed wanting to fly you out of Kingslanding.

---

The day of Joffrey's and Margaery's wedding was celebrated by all. Mean while you were stuck listening to your betrothed list your duties as his wife. Lord James Whitehill was suggested to your father by Cersei. While your brothers hated the Lord having done some digging.

"I hope you only birth me sons. Daughters will not be allowed also I don't want you to have your dragon." Lord Whitehill tells you well more like demanded.

"Exuse me, Lord Whitehill but I have others to greet." You tell the Lord leaving before you hit him. Vaesa was sitting Jamie and both was glaring at your betrothed.

"Princess." You brighten up hearing Oberyn and turned around smiling. You stopped see the Lord next to Oberyn, your heart skipped a beat.

"Prince Oberyn, I told you I am no Princess." You tell the Prince who just smirked at you putting an arm around you.

"Being the daughter of Velaryon Lady should make you one." Oberyn teased you noticing how you looked at the Lord.

"Who is your friend?" You asked Oberyn making the Prince smile.

"This is Lord Elijah Mikaelson, the Noble stag of the North. Lord Elijah, this is Lady Y/N." Oberyn says then moved away to leave you two to talk. Oberyn saw how Tywin watched you and Elijah right away.

"Lady Y/N, may I have this dance?" Elijah asked you noticing the flush that came on your face. You shyly nodded placing your smaller hand in Elijah's much larger hand.

"Who is that with our sister, Tyrion?" Jamie whispered to his younger brother not wanting Cersei to hear him.

"That would be the Lord Elijah of the North. If I remember right his family stayed out of the war." Tyrion says watching you giggle at Elijah's jokes as you both danced. Jamie was surprised before sitting next to Tyrion.

"What else do you know?" Jamie asked watching you and Elijah getting a smirk from his brother.

"They say the House of Mikaelson once rode with the House of Dragon. They are old blood and members of the family rarely leaves the North."

"So better than Lord Whitehill?" Jamie asked looking at your betrothed not liking the dark glare on his face. While Tywin sat rethinking your marriage proposal to Lord Whitehill.

"Very." Tyrion says noticing their sister's jealous glare.

"Shame you are betrothed Lady Y/N." Elijah says twirling you and you smiled up at the Lord.

"It is not set in stone my Lord. I just haven't gotten other offers." You tell Elijah getting a coy smile from him.

"Then may I add my proposal?" Elijah asked you kissing your hands making you flush nodding.

---

"He is so attentive of her. Agree sister?" Tyrion says joining Cersei with Jamie seeing Elijah tucking a rose behind your ear.

Kingslanding was gossiping how you were set to marry Lord Elijah. Tywin finding him a better match for you since a marriage between you and Elijah would benefit the Lannisters. Cersei was seething watching you walking with Elijah in the gardens.

"Yes, shame father ended her proposal with Lord Whitehill." Cersei tells her brothers eyes darken when you shyly kissed Elijah's cheek.

"Well good thing he did. I heard some unfavorable things about the Lord." Jamie says seeing you lead Elijah down to the beach.

Elijah was surprised that you wanted him to meet your dragon. He still had to thank Oberyn for introducing you both and also talking the Lord up to the Lord Hand. Rovas raised his head seeing you.

"Rovas! Meet my beloved!" You tell the dragon as Elijah flet his heart burst at your words. You gently pulled Elijah closer and the dragon stared at the Lord then lay his head back down.

"He is quite the dragon." Elijah says placing a hand on Rovas while dragon watched you lean back against Elijah's chest.

"He trusts you. Rovas didn't allow Lord Whitehill near me when I had them meet." You tell Elijah smiling knowing Rovas was very protective of you.

"I should make sure he all he needs up North." Elijah tells you kissing your hand eyes twinkling seeing how you brighten.

---

Vaesa stood next to her husband getting teary eyed as Elijah kissed you making you his wife. Vaesa was happy you were marrying an honorable man unlike Lord Whitehill.

Of course the Lord tried to say he took your maidenhead after a drunken night. Tywin nearly ran a sword though Lord Whitehill for the lie if Jamie and Tyrion hadn't stopped their father.

The feast was lovely and you were enjoying the attention Elijah was giving you that was until Joffrey ruined it. The boy King came walking up to your table with Lord Whitehill.

"Time for the bedding ceremony! Now dear Lady aunt, I hope y........" Joffrey was cut off when Elijah placed his sword on the table eyes dark.

"Touch my wife and men will lose their hands." Elijah said coldly and Tywin stood up.

"Maybe there is to be no bedding ceremony. We should allow the new couple to retire." Tywin says as you took Elijah's hand taking him to your wedding chambers.

---

You woke feeling arms tighten around your waist and smiled remembering what happen. You had consummated your marriage to your new husband. Elijah hummed enjoying the feeling you kiss his face.

"Good morning my beloved wife." Elijah sounded sleepy and his voice sounding husky. Elijah pressed more kisses on your bare skin and touching what ever he could reach.

Morning beloved." You say rolling over kissing Elijah. You giggled when Elijah rolled you both over trapping you under him. Elijah nuzzle your neck pressing closer to you.

"Shall revist last night?" Elijah teased you making you flush wrapping your arms around his neck.

"Yes...my Lord husband." You said shyly pulling Elijah closer as you both indeed revist last night.

[sephirothsplaything]

DNA | Sec.80 high power-chapter 1

A/N

i'm ngl this first chapter is a tad rough but womp womp. I'm low key geeked to be writing about my oc. This is just a little introduction to Rhaella from when she was a child to start things off!

TW: some violence tis all!

Also so that there's no confusion my oc is black and anything else I will be writing about will be written with poc individuals in mind <3

The sea seemed to swallow up Rhaella's entire world. And in a way, it had.

She watched as her mother's casket descended into the water.

Gone.

The cries of her two sisters could be heard, they clung to their grandmother in anguish. Rhaella couldn't find it in herself to cry, she couldn't summon the courage to feel anything for that matter.

Rhaella turned her head to see her father, nonchalantly speaking to King Viserys.

She hated him. Right now at this moment, he was to blame for everything.

“A miserable thing.” She'd think to herself. “For childbirth to be forced on a woman.”

Our duty.

Her duty.

Rhaella almost chuckled at that. She wouldn't allow such a fate to befall her if she could help it.

“My condolences for your mother, cousin.” A voice cut through her thoughts. 

Jacaerys comes to her side. His face expresses attempted concern. 

Rhaella doesn't acknowledge him. Her eyes are still fixated on where her mother was dropped.

Jace retreats to where Baela and Rhaena reside, the two being much more receptive to his comfort.

“The sea will be calm for her.” Another voice spoke. Slowly, Rhaella turns to her right to see Aemond.

The two seemed to have much in common. Being the youngest and dragonless, the two were often subjected to being overlooked.

Rhaella found Aemond to be good company. They often spoke of aspirations and dreams outside of their lives once they managed to bind themselves to a dragon.

“Thank you, cousin,” Rhaella said softly. She notices that Aemond's hand briefly twitches at his side. Deciding for him, she gently grabs his hand.

They walk to the stairs where Helaena stands by her mother, Alicent.

Rhaella never gave the queen much thought. Sometimes, she would listen in on her father's drunken rants about how conniving she was.

Helaena offers a gentle smile. Rhaella looks down to see that Aemond is still holding her hand. Reluctantly, she let go. Rhaella politely greets the queen before taking her leave.

Rhaella makes her way over to her sisters. Their crying has since stopped, being replaced by numbed expressions.

Glancing around, she notices that her father is nowhere to be found.

“Where has father gone off to?” Rhaella asks. She fiddles with the hem of her dress. She was no idiot. Rhaella was sure she already knew the answer. The Princess Rhaenyra was missing as well.

“Come now, my love.” Her grandmother Rhaenys ushered them all inside. The hour had grown late and the children needed to rest.

Rhaella felt herself being tousled awake. She rolls over to see the frantic eyes of her sister Rhaena.

“Rhaena, what has happened?” Rhaella asks. She notices that Baela is awake now too. It was still pitch black outside. 

Rhaena pulled her out of bed and out the door towards Jace and Luc's room.

Rhaella allowed herself to be dragged by her sister, Baela following close behind.

“ Somebody stole Vhagar!” Rhaena said, furiously shaking Jace awake. 

At this, Rhaella tensed. Her mother's dragon. She could recall the stories her mother would tell her about claiming the largest dragon in the world.

Once, when she was much younger, her mother flew with her on the back of Vhagar around Pentos.

The very prospect of Vhagar being taken was enough to ignite fury in her.

The children rush to the hall connecting to the dragon pit. They stop when they see a figure emerging from the darkness.

Rhaella's eyes squinted before widening. It was Aemond.

“Oh.” Baela said. “ It's him”. Her voice was laced with venom.

“It's me,” Aemond said. He spoke with a newfound confidence that didn't escape Rhaella's observation.

She supposed claiming a dragon would do that to a person.

“Vhagar is my mother's dragon!” Rhaena shouted. “She was mine to claim!”

Rhaella had always secretly thought that Vhagar would be better suited for herself however, she would never go against her sister in such a way.

Aemond's eyes briefly met Rhaella's. Whatever mutual understanding they previously had left both of their minds.

“Your mother is dead, you should've claimed her when you had the chance,” Aemond said, icily.

At this, Baela launched herself at Aemond, punching him square in the face. Aemond stumbles back for a moment before slapping Baela back. Jace and Rhaena jump in, each of them continuously beating him.

Aemond looks to Rhaella for help. His eyes were searching and desperate. Rhaella felt stuck. It should be a given on who she should help, so why is she hesitating?

The loud crack of a rock connects to Jacaerys's nose as Aemond attempts to fend off the attacks. At this, Rhaella moves swiftly, snatching up Baela who is still angrily swinging her arms.

“Everyone, please stop this!” Rhaella exasperates. Her grip tightens around Baela's waist.

Then there was a slash followed by a scream. Aemond was clutching his eye, or rather the socket, in pain. Luc's hand was dripping with blood as he clutched the small dagger in his hand. 

Everyone paused at the sight. Rhaella released her grip on Baela, pushing past Rhaena and Jace. Her hands find Aemond's shoulders as she observes the injury.

Rhaella looks up from him. She was shaking in panic.

“Send for a maester, now!” Rhaella yells out, voice stern, contrasting her passive pleas from before.

“Will he recover?” Alicents voice shakily asked. Aemond sat still in the chair as a maester stitched his eye closed. Rhaella crouched next to him, gripping his hand. She tuned out the chaos surrounding her and the queen's endless outpour of questions.

“Jace?”. Rhaenyra's voice cut through the commotion. Rhaella glanced up to see her father walk into the room as well. Daemon leans up against one of the walls. His eyes briefly zero in on Rhaella's hand grasping Aemonds', before flitting up to the emerging uproar.

“Your son has attacked mine!” Alicent shrieks out. Her eyes dart between Luc and Rhaenyra. Rhaella watched Rhaenyra and Alicent go back and forth, spitting out accusations towards one another. She helps Aemond to his feet. Aemond's hand grips hers tighter in pure anxiety.

“It was my sons who were attacked.” Rhaenyra retorts. Rhaella thought it was odd of Rhaenyra to assume but she figured now wasn't the time to bring that up.

Brandishing a knife, Alicent takes a swing at Rhaenyra, slicing her arm. Rhaella watched the blood slowly drip from the wound. Chaos now in motion, and the king tries to get a handle on the situation. Rhaella pulls Aemond back from it all.

“I won't leave your side, Aemond,” Rhaella whispered to him. One thing that she was sure about was that Aemond needed her, and she hoped he always would.

“Never do,” Aemond whispers back. 

[gulnarsultan]

I can’t help but imagine Modern Reader (Daenys best friend, the faithful and loyal friend of Targaryen Household) was visiting Dragonstone when Visenya, Aegon and Rhaenys were still little. When baby Visenya was crying Modern Reader held her and was calming her down, cooing at her and adoring her “Aw, who is the cute and beautiful girl? Yes that’s you”🥰- Modern Reader said this and baby Visenya was smiling at her and hold Reader’s finger with her small hand. When Aegon was born there was a little rivalry between Visenya and Aegon, but when Rhaenys was born there was a constant rivalry between them, meanwhile Modern Reader was standing there shocked to what she sees.

Yandere platonic Valaena Velaryon: Don’t worry about it. They just love you 🥰

Modern Reader: Ah, all right, I guess.

When Aerion Targaryen (Conquerors father) was taking Visenya and Aegon for solving some things or something like that, leaving Valaena and Rhaenys with Modern Reader. And imagine: Yandere platonic Rhaenys sleeping peacefully in bed, holding Modern Reader’s hand.So when she fell asleep, Modern Reader carefully left the room not waking Rhaenys and once she left the room, she went to her chambers, Modern Reader said “Phew, finally she’s asleep and I can be finally alone.”😮‍💨 But little Rhaenys still asleep tries to find Reader with her hand, then she wakes up and looks around, trying to find Modern Reader. Modern Reader isn’t with yandere little Rhaenys. Rhaenys starts crying😥thinking that Modern Reader left her.

Yandere little Rhaenys: Y-Y/N!😭

And you can imagine Reader’s face “Really?” and she runs to little Rhaenys.

Modern Reader: I left you for 3 minutes and you started crying? Can’t you be alone for 5 minutes??😤🗿

Yandere little Rhaenys with a sad look on her face🥺, Modern Reader sighs “Calm down, sweetie. I’m not leaving you alone”😤☺️😘 and Rhaenys smiled (she calmed down pretty fast, manipulation? Who knows)

And after many years when Modern Reader appeared again after many years, yandere platonic The Conquerors were so happy to see Modern Reader. Modern Reader sees the Conquerors as children and even acts around them as nanny or as an older sister, but yandere Visenya, Aegon and Rhaenys want Modern Reader to marry them.

Modern Reader: Oh, here you are, my little dragons 🥰 You were so little and now you grown up.

Yandere Visenya: Yes and now we want to marry you 🥰

Yandere Aegon and Rhaenys agree with her.☺️☺️

Modern Reader: WAIT WHAT?!!😳🤯

Modern Reader is super shocked, and she’s thinking “Daenys, I promised you I’ll keep an eye on your family. But I didn’t promise to marry your descendants!!!” And Modern Reader definitely say something like that “Kids, listen to me. I promised your ancestor, my best friend that I would keep an eye on you, but I didn’t promise or said that I would marry you.”

Imagine: Yandere dead Daenys is watching all of this

I don’t know why, but I think it’s funny, especially when yandere little Rhaenys doesn’t want to sleep without Modern Reader. Like you leaving your little sibling and you finally alone, only for your little sibling to wake up and search for you. 😅 Or when Visenya, Aegon and Rhaenys rival each other and Visenya says “I got her first”😏 then Aegon says “She said I was cute and quiet when I was little, that means she loves me.”😤And Rhaenys replies “She spent more time with me and she was holding me when I slept in bed, she loves me more”😏

It's funny to us. The song is not funny at all for the reader.😅 The reader is trapped with three possessive dragons surrounding him. The rivalry between the tip will never end. They fight for the reader at least a few times a day. The poor reader never spends time alone and has a quiet peaceful day.

[writingsofwesteros]

Oh Aegon :(

How do you think Rhaenys and the green siblings would make up after everything in chained beneath the waves?.....

I'd imagine that is one thing that did truly get to Rhaenys, not just everything in the war but the fact she was put in a position where she had to fight Aegon and Aemond, after having grown to love them so. She still wakes up haunted by her dreams because of it. Corlys had tried to help to no avail, and Alicent, after they'd reconciled. If anything in the war breaks her heart nearly almost like her childrens deaths, it's what happened between these 3 at Rook's Rest. It kills Corlys and Alicent that they don't know what to do for her... that she is quicker to lose that Baratheon temper as of late.. even quicker to withdraw completely and prefer to be alone...

Aegon is full of bitterness and a streak of cruel after... and how does Aemond feel, now confronted with both of them and their burns and scars from him...

I wonder what these boys would think if they knew just how broken she was by it as well... if they watched her, so unlike the Rhaenys they knew and loved... before.. Not even like the haughty cousin they'd heard about her being before they were born. No. Now... she's taking after Alicent and how she was with them on Dragonstone at first.

She avoids them like the plague... Doesn't look at them... is absent from council meetings if they are allowed to attend, or slipping away from days at court if they attend... then they start to hear their mother fretting to Gwayne one day... about how she doesn't eat hardly ever, she doesn't sleep, always waking with memories of Aemond and Aegon that day... of seeing Aegon fall... of seeing Aemond land after Meleys and Vhagar danced... of hearing Aegons screams, which outweighed her own that day... of her being quiet since they've been in King's Landing... of her drinking so heavily, more than Ali'd ever seen, more than Corlys can even recall, and he even likes his drink...

She's much like Laenor in characteristic then... away flying at all hours of the day... drinking heavily.. not sleeping much, which leads to more drinking and leaving... the boys don't buy it at first, I'd think. Don't believe it. Don't want to. She chose Rhaenyra. But then they start to wonder about when they had gotten news she'd come to major blows with Rhaenyra for being sent there and having to fight them...

The roles reversed almost now. Her family is her whole world, and she's lost so much already. Now she has to live with being caught in her loved ones fighting each other, living with being forced to choose... then fight... It's as if being back in King's Landing has haunted her with the weight of it all now. She doesn't have war to distact her anymore. she's not the Rhaenys everyone is accustomed to... now she's the one who's self-conscious, not looking at them. Not even attempting to...

Aemond is the more observant of the two, he'd notice first I think that it was more than their mother fretting over nothing, she is different. He takes notice that she's never in the dragonpit, must be letting Meleys rest free somewhere in the forest as he does Vhagar. Never near the courtyard watching him train as she used to. Never in the library reading as they would together at times... he doesn't see her at feasts or dinners now that he thinks of it.. always some excuse for not eating... notices the looks between his mother and the Sea Snake as they have servents put a plate aside, hoping she'd eat tonight...

Aegon notices when it seems she is too afraid to even look Helaena in the eye. How she doesn't embrace her or talk about her bugs or trinkets with her as she used to.. definitely doesn't attempt to hold or play with the twins or Maelor as she used to, even when prompted by Baela, who's noticed the change in her grandmother as well since returning to the capital...

Oh sweet Helaena, how does she feel in this...

And Daeron... he's not met her in person before. But this isn't the woman he expected. The one who sent him a dragon bore from her own when his father did not provide him with so much as an egg. Not the woman he'd heard his mother speak highly of in their letters.. he did hear of her choosing Rhaenyras' claim over Aegons. And what happened between the 3 at Rook's Rest... but he'd also been reading. Studies of war and strategy in his time marching up from Oldtown. He put together that this is an accomplished dragon rider, who'd seen war before, in the Stepstones with her husband, as that war dragged on 9 years. Laenor and Seasmoke must've needed breaks at some point, and Laena had been too young to ride Vhagar so surely Rhaenys and the Red Queen knew their fair share of battle. Daeron, I think, considered one thing both of his elder brothers haven't acknowledged yet.. she did pull back. She could've aimed to kill Sunfyre, no? But she didn't. It was Vhagars fire that injured him more than Meleys. Aegon fired first, but she answered with less fervor... and she could have stayed to keep fighting them... knowing Vhagar was grounded but not permanently.. if she truly wanted to, she could've perhaps burned Aemond even while on the ground... why didn't she?

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL ! how can i reply

LOVE ALL OF THIS

Adore the idea of Daeron knowing that she was holding back and being the one to figure it all out. He tries to explain this to his brothers.

Aegon will end up being the one to break through to her, because of course it had to be him.

"You only made me as ugly on the outside as I am on the inside, aunt.." Aegon hummed; amusement dripping in his tone even if he believed every word.

Of course, that only broke Rhaenys' heart and now he's trying to take it all back

[theoldpersonliveshere]

“I am done with my graceless heart // Tonight I’m gonna cut it out and then restart”

Sequel to Happiness is a Butterfly

Baela loved her mother, she was the bravest, kindest, most beautiful woman she’d ever known. But that doesn't mean she wanted to be an exact copy of her. Her grandmother thought differently.

When she was sent to ward at Driftmark, within the first week Rhaenys had sent for a hairdresser to comb out Baela's dreads. She remembered the long, painful process of the procedure and her grandmother telling her how pretty she’d look.

“Just like your mother,” she had said, “I used to sit with her every morning and brush her hair.”

When it was over she looked in the mirror and saw a stranger. But not wanting to displease her grandmother, she pasted on a smile and said how much she loved it.

It went in like that for years. Baela did her hair like her mother's and wore idealised versions of dresses she wore. Laena’s dresses were a bit more revealing than Rhaenys approved, so she would just wear what her grandmother would have picked for her mother. Baela had no idea who she was anymore. Then there were talks about a betrothal to Prince Jacaerys.

“You'll get back what was taken from you.” her grandmother had said.

“Taken from me? What was taken from me?” Baela had a suspicion that it had something to do with Laena. It always did.

“Oh,” Rhaenys started trying to cover up her mistake. “Your mother would have married King Viserys, if he hadn't married Alicent Hightower. You would have been a princess.”

Baela grimaced. She wouldn't like being Viserys daughter and having to compete with Rhaenyra for his affection.

Then her Uncle Vaemond decided to make a claim on Driftmark by declaring Rhaenyras sons bastards. She didn’t see the point in that, because if they were disinherited, she and Rhaena would be next in line to get Driftmark. Then again, Uncle Vaemond wasn’t the wisest of men.

At the trial, she saw Rhaenyra and her family for the first time in a long time. Jacaerys had grown from a child into a handsome young man. If she must marry, she wouldn't mind marrying him. Behind Jace was a strange looking girl with white hair and red eyes. She reminded Baela of a deer with the way she was trying to hide herself from the crowd. Before the trial started Jace had taken the girl's hand and was talking softly to her but she seemed to shrink whenever he touched her. Then the trial started and the betrothal between Baela and Jace was announced and the girl shrunk even smaller.

When the trial was over Baela was talking to Rhaenyra and decided to appease her curiosity.

“My lady, who was that pale girl at the trial? I haven't seen her before.”

“Pale girl… Oh that was Fen! Her mother was my maid and we took her in after she died. She's a sweet girl, always doing something.”

“And she and Jace are close?”

“They seem to be, but it isn't anything to worry about. Jace will do his duty.”

That did not comfort Baela.

At dinner Baela was sat next to Jace. Fen was sat on his other side and was wearing a red dress that was loaned to her. She had to admit that she looked lovely in the dress, the dark red was a nice contrast to her pale skin and hair. Unfortunately, Aegon noticed also and was making lewd comments to her. She was very tempted to punch him in the face to shut him up, but she didn't think her stepmother would appreciate that. It was tempting though.

When the dancing started, she had slightly hoped that Jace would ask her to dance. Instead, he approached Helaena and asked her to dance. That was nice she supposed, Helaena did seem lonely.

She and Fen were left sitting alone together. She was curious if she'd say anything or stay a wallflower.

“Congratulations on your betrothal, Lady Baela,” Fen said softly. Baela looked at her, Fen wasn't making eye contact and was looking down at her hands folded in her lap. The poor girl was clearly terrified and Baela pitied her. If only things were different.

“Thank you, you look lovely in that dress by the way, the colour suits you,” she said. She was about to tell her that Aegon was a pig and not to listen to him, but then Prince Aemond approached Fen and asked her to dance.

During the dance, Aemond must have said something snide to Jace, because a fight broke out. Unfortunately, Rhaena grabbed Baela before she could punch Aegon. When they were sent to their rooms, Baela saw Fen rush out closely followed by Jace. She silently went after them and hid in an alcove. The two were arguing in hushed tones and Jace had grabbed Fen’s hand. After another moment he kissed her, from the way Fen kissed him back it was obvious they were in love. Fen pushed Jace away and he stormed off.

Baela decided then she wouldn't marry a man who was desperately in love with someone else. She was not her mother.

@hotd-bigbang

[legitalicat]

Power is Power - chapter 3

AN: I love Aegon Targaryen I cannot help it.

Masterlist here!

Songs for the Chapter

Like Real People Do by Hozier

Tattoo by Loreen

Summary: The Velaryon Club.

CW: Language, flashback to political marriage, romantic longing, canon typical Targcest, discussions of usurpation, implied wine drinking

Pairings: Aegon Targaryen ii x Alisanne Velaryon, past Alisanne Velaryon x Jacaerys Velaryon

Word count: 2.1k

Previous chapter

Alisanne looked between her brothers. Jacaerys and Joffrey looked just as eager for the answer as Lucerys. She could only smirk as she sipped on her water. She watched the berries she liked to use to flavor her water float about the top when she returned to merely holding it in her lap.

“So how did you do it?” Lucerys asked her.

They had changed, she felt, since she saw them last. Their hair longer, curlier. Their jaw lines sharper, seemingly having lost any remnants of baby fat. Lucerys seemed as riled up as ever, but Jacaerys was more reserved. Joffrey changed, she thought, depending on which brother he was with and who was encouraging.

“Alicent had told me grandsire was asking for me, she had just left him. By the time I arrived, he was dead,” Alisanne told her twin. “Aegon and I had made the agreement, a long time ago, that he would need to hide for as long as he could in order to hold them off. We knew Otto planned something, but his plan includes keeping Aegon in the dark. So when Aegon hid, I went to Rhaenys and told her to give a note to Mother.”

“A note I presume you had pre-written?” Luke smirked at her.

“Oh of course,” she responded, smirking at him. “I presume you lot know the rest. Rhaenys made her escape, mother found out. We proceeded along how Otto wished us to, until we received word you all were on your way.”

Jacaerys stared at her. At one time, she had been certain that she would have been his wife. His queen. She had grown with the idea that her mother would not allow her marriage to Aegon and that she would be with Jace.

He felt it too. She could tell by the way he looked at her. Whatever could have been, or may have once been, plagued them both. Part of Alisanne’s heart, she feared, would always belong to him.

Though, nothing could convince her it did not turn out better this way. The way Aegon loved her, it was something people only dreamt of. And the way she loved him? She had not been exaggerating when she spoke of burning down Westeros for him.

“And you love him?” Jacaerys asked her. There was a deeply hidden sorrow woven into his words. She had not wanted it to be so, though she did not think she could stop it.

“Yes,” she said quietly to him.

Any expansion upon her word would take away from the weight. She could tell him how Aegon treated her as though she were the only thing that mattered in the world. How she fell in love with him the moment she caught him awake before her, singing with the birds when he thought nobody would hear him.

With Aegon, it did not matter the truth they both knew. Harwin Strong being her father instead of Laenor Velaryon was what he referred to as an inconsequential matter. She was who she was, his wife that he loved as though it were breathing. In her, he found beauty and love in ways he had never known. ( 1 )

“And he is good to you?” he asked her quietly.

“He is. A better man than I thought possible,” she whispered, reaching across and taking his hand in hers.

Alisanne and Jace shared this moment. Their gazes connected, their hands touching. Her heart reached out to his. She needed him to understand it was true and genuine. It was no trick, not some manipulation, but a love that was pure and honest.

“Then perhaps we should start inviting him to the weekly Velaryon Club meeting,” Joffrey said with a deep laugh.

“We should,” Jacaerys said, giving his sister a small smile and a nod. “As long as you are okay with him knowing how crazy you are.”

“I am far from crazy,” she said quickly, laughing quietly.

“You dove into the water from Vermithor’s back,” Luke pointed out.

“You jumped from Arrax,” she told him, laughing as she turned and shoved him lightly.

“And we all fucking agreed Mother can never know,” Joffrey said as he finished his drink. The others all took a drink from their own cups.

“Bold of you to assume I did not see you all from my room,” Rhaenyra’s voice said from the door way.

Alisanne choked on her water before she stood up and turned to look to her mother. She was far more relaxed now. The crown did not sit upon her head. The tension she held was gone.

“It was Alisanne’s idea,” Joffrey and Jacaerys said together far too quickly.

“Okay what the literal fuck, fuck you guys,” Alisanne said as she looked at them. Then she turned back to look at her mother. “But for the record, Jace dared me and Rhaena said she thought it was a bad idea and Baela said I couldn’t let boys win so really it wasn’t my fault.”

Rhaenyra could not help but laugh. To see her four eldest children, together again, was her greatest joy. They had been closer than any siblings she had ever known. They would live and die for one another.

She stepped closer to Alisanne and took her hands in her own. There was something so special for Alisanne to be back with her mother. There had been so many moments she had wanted to walk down the halls to her room, to be held like she had when she was a child.

“I am so proud of you,” Rhaenyra said quietly.

“I did what was needed. Nothing more,” Alisanne said. Her voice wavered a bit, tears coming to verge on being released from her eyes.

“No. You turned what we were all sure was a dangerous position into a life of happiness and love. That is a feat few can say they’ve accomplished,” Rhaenyra told her. “Speaking of which, I have been asked to tell you Aegon awaits for you in the courtyard.”

Alisanne grinned from ear to ear without realizing it. A little chuckle left her like a simple exhale of breath. “Ah, yes. I shall see you all at supper, then?”

“Must you go? Now?” Luke asked her. “Surely he can wait.”

Alisanne looked to him. She didn’t quite know how to tell him that she couldn’t. Aegon would be perfectly fine if she sent word that she would meet him later. But she needed to go to him, to see him, to feel him.

“With any luck, you will one day understand why I have to,” she told her twin before leaving the room.

Her steps to the courtyard were rushed. Much more than her path earlier in the day. She could not help the way her feet carried her as though she were late.

When she passed through the doors and came to the courtyard, Aegon and Sunfyre were waiting with Vermithor. Sunfyre the Golden and The Bronze Fury, together, had always been a sight to see. Especially when Sunfyre would sing and chirp and Vermithor would seem almost calmed by him.

Aegon rested his forehead against Sunfyre’s side, waiting for Alisanne. She stood at the foot of the stairs and just looked at him for a moment. To think she had once been concerned with never loving him seemed so ridiculous to her now. She had rarely seen such beauty.

She was fire and blood, salt and sea. Harsh and unforgiving at times, devastation following closely if she wanted. But he was the birds in the trees or the whitest clouds in the sky for her. Her heart yearned for him like he kept it beating. ( 2 )

Their wedding night, she was terrified. That was the first night she had not been with her mother or any of her brothers. She had expected a bedding ceremony, something that Alicent was pushing for. She had expected the rumors of Aegon’s disinterest of a woman’s desires to be true. Though nothing that happened that night was expected.

Alisanne followed Aegon in near silence. The halls of the Red Keep had never been so lifeless. They did not pass a single person all the way from the Great Hall to Maegor’s Holdfast, the only sound coming from their own feet and the guards that walked behind them.

They came to his rooms. Their rooms. She would need to get used to that, she supposed. There was no telling how long she would be here until her mother could find a way to free her. Then she would be able to return to Dragonstone.

“I shall take the settee for the night,” Aegon told her quietly. “I was not able to get all your things up here yet, but I remember you being quite fond of blankets as a child, so I asked for a few extra to be brought for you.”

Alisanne turned to him, brows furrowing in confusion. “You do not mean to join me in the bed?”

“I did not think you would want me. You do not seem pleased with this. While I cannot give you forever without ever having to bed me, I can give you some time to adjust,” he told her quietly.

Something about the way he said it hurt something inside her. He was already so certain she did not, could not, want him. And while it may be true she had not wanted the marriage, she did not like the thought of him doubting himself in such a way.

“You are my husband,” she told him.

“Not the one you wanted,” Aegon said. “You think I do not know you love Jacaerys?”

“It does not change that you are my husband. And I do not think love is this thing that happens to us, but a decision we must make every day,” Alisanne said to him. Shyly, she took his hands in her own. “We could either live our lives miserable or we can make the choice to love each other. And a man who brings the thought of comfort in one of my favorite things is a man I think wants to choose to love.”

Alisanne made the choice that day, that moment, to choose Aegon every time. She did not at the time know how deeply she would come to love him. He had made himself a permanent fixture in her heart without even meaning to.

Vermithor made a rumbling noise when he finally saw her. It was one of a happines at seeing his rider. Some people did not notice the difference in the sounds he made. Sunfyre was much more obvious, singing to Aegon both in greeting and as a way to make him smile, grumbling when hungry, screeching if he was fearful. Vermithor though tended to either roar or grumble for everything.

But Aegon knew. It’s why he pulled back from Sunfyre and looked to find her. And then he saw Alisanne, who had a small smile on her face. A smile in which he could only replicate.

“Vaoreznuni naejot gaomagon ao waiting, ñuha jorrāeliaryz,” she told him as she walked over to him. (“Sorry to keep you waiting, my love.”)

He chuckled softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Daor jorrāelagon naejot sagon vaoreznuni. Iksā kesīr sir se konir sagon mirre nyke could jorrāelagon,” he said softly to her. (“No need to be sorry. You are here now and that is all I could need.”)

“You have been invited to the Club Velaryon meetings,” she told him, grinning up at him.

“Oh I have now?” he asked her, chuckling.

“Yes. You should feel honored. We are a very exclusive club,” she told him.

Before he had the chance to say another word, Alisanne kissed him. She could not tell what exactly she wanted to show him. Part of her wanted to prove to him how much she loved him. Her lips moved against his own with a soft devotion. She was his in every sense.

And when Aegon’s fingers dug into the flesh of her body through her dress, pulling her to be flush against him, more awake in her. Then, she wanted to show him how she desired him. How desperately she felt that need in her bones. If given the chance, she doubted she would ever leave his side.

When he finally pulled away, he smiled lazily at her. “Come now, love, let us fly,” he told her softly.

Alisanne nodded quietly, giving him another quick kiss, before mounting Vermithor. When they took off into the sky, all she could think of was how perfect this all felt.

><><><><><><><><><><><><

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[el-is-green]

light that once shone - The New Queen

ao3 | masterlist | next

Summary: Viserys is dead. Rhaenyra must take her new place.

AN: And it's done! Not beta read. First published fic, so sorry for errors. This and chapter two are setting everything up, so that's where I'm at rn

Quick disclaimer: I tagged all characters that are in here and will recur at least once. Daemon, however, won't be a main/pov character. He's a major player, but I don't recommend reading it just for him. I'm trying my best to not clog tags, so let me know if I am

Now let's get into it!

___

It was a cold day when Viserys first got sick.

It was just after the hunt that he had keeled over, coughing into his arm. Rhaenyra insisted on pulling it away, and winced at the specks of blood.

“It’s nothing, dear. I’ll be alright.”

That didn’t stop Rhaenyra or Alicent from worrying for him, but it did help, and everything followed as it has since the wedding- although Daemon might have shown a bit more reluctance for the drink.

Until he got worse.

Helaena was hardly celebrated when he coughed enough blood for the masters to see, and he was immediately forced to rest. Both his daughter and wife attended to him, always separate, and all talks of betrothal for Rhaenyra fell to a halt. 

“Father,” Rhaenyra asked, a moon after he was forced into his bed. “Am I still to take your place?”

He cupped the side of her face. “Oh, Rhaenys,” he said, cupping the side of her face. She let the name slide as she had before, leaning into the touch. “You’ll do much better than I.”

She lingered in the touch for another moment. Then she stood, giving him a final kiss on the cheek before leaving, passing Alicent at the doorway.

___

He died a week later, and the counsel was immediately formed. As Aegon was still a babe, Viserys' will would be honored.

“And when he is grown?” A lord had asked.

“Then he is grown, my lord,” Alicent interjected. “But someone must take my husband's place.” Rhaenyra watched her take a deep breath. “And Rhaenyra will…she’ll make a fine queen.”

She wished to question her, but the matter was settled, and Daemon pulled her in the opposite direction to prepare.

The next morning, she took a deep breath, still in her old quarters. Her golden cloak was the only color in her ensemble, her dress black, and the Targeryian sigil hanging around her neck.

Her lady in waiting finished attaching the braids (two on each side, with her hair loose underneath) and touched her shoulder. “Anything else, your highness?”

Rhaenyra eventually shook her head. “No. Thank you, Faye.”

She nodded, taking her leave, but not before letting Daemon in. Rhaenyra turned around, giving him a small smile. 

“Uncle,” she said, offering her arm. “Here to escort me?”

“Who else?” He took her arm, and she followed him out of the room. “My niece is becoming queen. No one else deserves the honor.”

“Right you are.” She looked at him, relieved he was there. “I’m glad you stayed.”

He intertwined their hands, kissing hers. “I plan to. For as long as you’ll have me.”

Rhaenyra smiled, and they began their descent down the stairs.

“Rhaenyra, I wish to-”

“Your highness!” Otto Hightower called from the bottom of the stairs, quickly jogging up. She could feel Daemon rolling his eyes. “My lord,” he then said, venom barely concealed under his tongue. “May I speak to the princess for a moment?”

“No, you may not speak to the queen. Anything you say to her-”

“Daemon,” Rhaenyra said, pulling her hand out of his and onto his shoulder. “I have yet to be crowned. ‘Princess’ is still appropriate.”

“Rhaenyra-”

“Daemon. I’ve had several moments without you. You can survive for one.”

Her gaze bordered on a glare, and Daemon eventually scoffed, storming to the bottom.

“You were saying?”

Otto made sure he was, in fact, out of earshot before clearing his throat. “Keeping Daemon in King’s Landing is not a…wise decision.”

“He is here to support me.”

“Yes, I am aware of that. However, his reputation most definitely proceeds him.” Rhaenyra remembered why Daemon rolled her eyes so hard. “He may stay for the ceremony, but he needs to return to the Vale, or anywhere else. The smallfolk feel unsafe.”

“Be honest with me,” she replied. “When was the last time you were among smallfolk?” He didn’t reply. “It was before his marriage, wasn’t it? So let’s finish today, and I’ll speak to Daemon afterwards.”

“...that is all I can ask for, your highness.”

She nodded, holding up her dress as she descended. “There,” she said, and looked at Daemon. “Done.”

“You should fire that miserable bastard.”

“He served my father well. Are you joining me?”

He sighed. “Of course,” he replied, and his voice was softer again.

She nodded, putting a small smile on her face as the doors opened. She paused for a moment as the amount of people, but quickly regained her bearing as Daemon quickly proceeded, standing next to the throne. Rhaenyra followed, putting her head up high as knights held their swords above her, letting them fall as she passed.

“It is a great honor for you to witness a new day for our city-”

People looked at her, a mix of awe, of envy, of-

“-A new day for our realm-”

Daemon was there, standing beside the throne-

“-And a new queen to lead us!”

She walked up the steps, and Daemon nodded from her left as she stood in front of Rhaenys, who simply nodded at her and stepped to the right. A septon then stood in front of her, holding a bowl.

“Let the Warrior give her courage. May the Smith give strength to her sword and shield.”

She was vaguely aware of the hand, marking her forehead as he spoke.

“May the Father defend her in her need. Let the Crone lift her lamp and shine her way to wisdom.”

The silence was deafening, Rhaenyra only vaguely hearing the shuffling of feet. Daemon then grabbed the crown from the septon’s hands - the same that Jaherys and Viserys wore. 

“The crown of this realm for generations, and generations to come.”

Daemon stepped forwards, and closed her eyes as the crown was set on her head. She then looked up at her uncle, feeling the weight through her bones.

“Let everyone bear witness,” Daemon continued. “Rhaenyra is queen of the realm, and is the true and chosen heir of the Iron Throne.”

Daemon offered his left hand as Rhaenys did her right. Rhaenyra took both, standing up and slowly turning around, facing the crowd.

“All hail her grace-” the septon announced, “Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of her name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men.”

She barely saw Alicent, holding Helaena, Aegon holding on to her dress-

“Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm!”

There was silence for too long a moment, and she was aware of just how large the crowd was. Someone then shouted “All hail the queen!”

“All hail the queen! All hail the queen!” The entire crowd followed, and Rhaenyra kept the smile on her face, slowly curtsying at the crowd as they chanted. 

“All hail the queen!”

___

She let Faye take off the cloak, and she draped it over her arm, putting it somewhere in her closet. Rhaenyra found herself looking in the mirror, still not quite recognizing herself in it.

Her father was dead. 

She was queen.

And the only one she had was-

“Your highness?”

“Yes?”

“Are you alright?”

She went to answer, but was cut off by a sharp knock on the door.

“...Let them in.”

Faye opened the door, and Daemon walked in. She turned towards him, allowing Daemon a small smile. “Uncle. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

He smiled at her, brushing back a strand of hair. “How does it feel to be queen of Westeros?”

She leaned into the touch. “It’s not the easiest. But I have your counsel.”

“Of course.” He cupped her face. “You will always be most dear to me.” She allowed her eyes to flutter short for a moment as he kissed her forehead. “Speaking of being dear.”

“Hm?”

He turned to Faye. “You are dismissed.”

Faye quickly nodded, scurrying out of the room.

“Need you be so harsh with-”

“You love me, do you not?”

She blinked. “Of course, uncle.” She gave him another smile, looking up at him. “Why do you ask?”

“What if we went to Dragonstone?”

She furrowed her eyebrows. “I’m sorry?”

“Come on, Rhaenyra. Let's fly to Dragonstone, and we can be married before nightfall.”

“Fly to-” She pulled back. “Daemon, I just got crowned. I have a duty.”

“But you also have love!” He grabbed her hands. “We love each other. If we get wed-”

“I’m not saying we won’t.” She pulled back her hands, taking a step back. “I have to earn my place-”

“You are a Targeryan!” He scoffed. “You don’t have to earn anything!”

“I have to earn the trust of this counsel, and the smallfolk. My people. And I can’t do that by running off to Dragonstone on the first night!”

“Why do you need their trust? You have Syrax!”

“Because I don’t need to conquer them!” Her hands balled into fists, and she stepped forwards. “I refuse to rule with fear. I will be as peaceful as my father in my reign-”

“He had an advantage you can’t. But if you were wed-”

“Where is Rhea?”

Daemon stopped, glare turning into a look of confusion.

“I don’t recall my father annulling your marriage. And now, I am the only one who can. Right?”

Daemon nodded, and she wasn’t sure if it was annoyance or awe.

“That’s what I thought. Now are you going to behave, or shall I send you back to the Vale to fuck the sheep?”

He scoffed, turning around. “Fine. We’ll discuss this later.”

“Thank you!” 

He slammed the door behind him. She barely winced.

She sat down on her bed, putting her head in her hands.

Her father was dead.

She was queen.

And she didn’t know who she had anymore.

[sunnyhvnny]

My Thoughts on House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3: The Burning Mill

As always this post contains spoilers under the cut so if you don’t want to see them scroll away now.

Things I Liked

You know you’re family’s rivalry is petty asf when you argue about stones lol. However the tension Davos and Aaron had was better than most the couples on this show as it was for less than 30 seconds.

I think one of the few things that is being done well this season is showing how much Daemon wants the thrown. Not through Rhaenrya but to be just king himself. I.e how he talked to Rhaenys, how he talks to Rhaenrya and getting pissy when Simon Strong refers to him as mConsort’

Lolz Baela just popping out and scaring them. I’m just imagine “not like us” playing over that scene. (I do think the scene could have more suspense or tension)

A MILLIE APPEARANCE

things I was Unsure of or Iffy Of

Here me of, but I don’t remember who Rhaenrya’s Hand is but I do think Rhaenys would make a good hand to Rhaenrya because she seems to be the only one that doesn’t talk around Rhaenrya and actually makes her listen.

“[…] Seasmoke has grown lonely” I wonder why. I WONDER WHY

This is probably just me but I like the designs of Daemon’s armor but it just looks cheap. Like plastic I could buy at party city.

I do get the feeling that Aegon is trying to do his best but no one is expecting much of him and he’s surrounded by people who expect the worst of him.

Aegon making fun of Aemond in such a vulnerable state is fucked but I do think Aemond takes it too personal. Sibling rivalries are common and if he does what I think he’ll do it’s going to be completely unwarranted.

Things I Hated

This small council were planning a coup for god knows how long and now that war is here they’re all arguing and unsure of what to do.

Sending Rhaena to the Vale is something I could deal with if she had something to do but Rhaenrya is literally send her off with the babies to play nursemaid to her younger brothers.

Criston, Oh Criston, had always annoyed me but now that he’s hand of the king (and the lack of chemistry between him and Alicent) he is just coming off as a sick who thinks he knows better.

Jaehaerys’s name is finally mentioned and not just as “The boy” but it’s followed up with Helaena saying how she doesn’t feel like she has a right to grieve. Let my Girl Grieve!!

Rhaenrya sneaking into King’s Landing… do they not have guards, especially for the dowager Queen during war time??

Also can we just go to war I’m so tired with all this talking and no action.

Overall Thoughs

4/10

[I enjoyed Aegon and Mysaria]

[amberthefantasy]

and the dragons danced?

chapter seven: RHAENA I

"How long will it take to get to Oldtown?" Jace was asking Aegon. They were all walking towards the central hall where they would wait for grandmother to join them. Jace had slowed and taken to walking beside his uncle, asking him questions of the home of House Hightower. Baela was walking just in front of them, rolling her eyes every now and then as the two boys talked behind her. 

"I'm not sure," Aegon glanced back at Rhaenyra, who was following them slowly with Father at her side. 

"A day, maybe?" Rhaenyra looked thoughtful, "it depends on how fast Tessarion can fly. As we were discussing earlier-" she smirked slightly- "both Vermax and Sunfyre are very fast."

They all let out soft chuckles at that. When they entered the hall Rhaena instantly noticed that grandmother was already present. "GRANDMOTHER!" Baela called.

Rhaenys turned to them, a large smile breaking out over her face. "Baela, Rhaena!" She spread her arms for them and the twins fell into her embrace. After a moment she pulled away and smiled at Jace and Luke, who had paused to allow their betrotheds their moment. "Jacaerys, Lucerys. How you've grown!" 

Luke smiled softly, his eyes widening slightly when Rhaenys stepped closer to take him by the hand. "You look every bit the Heir to Driftmark."

It was true, Rhaena considered. Her betrothed had dressed himself in the dark teals and blues of House Velaryon, a silver seahorse chain hanging from his throat. "Thank you grandmother," he whispered. Rhaenys smiled. Rhaena caught Rhaenyra watching them with anxious eyes. She knew that her grandmother had never shown explicit affection to Rhaenyra's sons, especially after Uncle Laenor had died. But it seemed that the spectacle in the capital had changed Rhaenys' opinion of her grandsons.

"You did bathe Princess?" Rhaenyra asked.

"Not yet, I wanted to see my grandchildren first, you understand." Rhaenys responded, turning to Rhaenyra.

"Of course," Rhaenyra smiled, "good timing as well. Jacaerys and Aegon are to leave for Oldtown soon."

Rhaenys raised a brow, her eyes turning to her oldest grandchild and the green prince. "We're going to get my uncle, Daeron," Jacaerys explained.

Rhaenys nodded slowly, "that is wise... the greens already have Aemond, allowing them access to another son of Viserys is not wise."

"No, it isn't," Rhaenyra agreed.

Rhaena saw Aegon tense slightly when Rhaenys turned her sharp gaze on him. Her lilac eyes swept up and down his form, taking in every detail of him. "Prince Aegon."

"Princess Rhaenys," Aegon bowed slightly. "It is an honour to finally meet you properly."

"I'm sure," Rhaenys said, she pursed her lips, "you were very brave and very smart for coming here, my prince."

Aegon blushed slightly, "I just did what I could to secure my father's wishes."

Rhaenys hummed, watching him for another moment. "Grandmother," Rhaena cut in, "you really should bathe. You stink of dragon."

Rhaenys turned to Rhaena, a smile taking over her face. "Oh... do I?"

"Yes," Rhaena nodded, trying to keep her expression serious, "it is quite distracting."

"Then I shall endeavour to bathe at once my lady," Rhaenys said. The seriousness in her voice made Baela giggle and soon all four of Rhaenys' grandchildren had descended into soft laughter. Rhaenyra's chuckle reached Rhaena's ears then as she stepped closer, "please Princess, let me show you the way."

Rhaenys took Rhaenyra's offered arm, the smile on her lips fading slightly. The two older women turned and left the room with simple goodbyes to the others.

Rhaena turned to her father when she stepped closer to them, his own amusement dancing in his eyes. "You two, need to eat before you fly so far," he said to Jace and Aegon who both nodded.

--

Baela was fixing Jace's riding leathers. Rhaena was close enough to see the slight shake in her fingers. "I'll be fine Baela," Jace whispered to her, "I won't be alone."

"I know," Baela snapped, her voice filled with a false bravado that made Rhaena's heart clench. She glanced at Aegon, who was standing by Sunfyre, running his hands over the golden scales of his dragon. He was close enough to hear them, but seemed to be trying his hardest not too, letting Baela and Jace have their time. 

"I'll be fine," Jace repeated, "now, I need to go or we won't make it back before sundown." Baela pursed her lips but stepped back to allow Jace to walk over to Vermax.

As he began to pet him and whisper in valyrian, Baela joined Rhaena and Luke at a safe distance. Rhaenyra and Rhaenys had yet to join them, but father was close by, watching them. "They'll come back Baela," Luke said softly, "they have to." His words were confident but Rhaena could hear the shake in his voice.

Rhaena was worried too of course. This was the first time in six years that Jace would be out of reach. And the first time that anyone besides her father had flown further than Driftmark. Jace was a good flyer though, with almost six years of experience. Aegon had flown safely in the dead of night from King's Landing to Dragonstone and Sunfyre was a steady flyer himself. 

"It's time!" Daemon called, "you leave and you can make it back before sundown."

Jace and Aegon both nodded, and flung themselves into their saddles with practised ease. They would be okay, Rhaena thought. They looked so comfortable in their saddles and Vermax and Sunfyre, though young, were both quite mellow in the air. 

"Leaving without saying goodbye?" Rhaenyra's voice called from behind Rhaena. Her and Rhaenys, still walking side by side, came to a stop beside Daemon. 

"Goodbye mother!" Jace called from Vermax's back. 

"Goodbye sister," Aegon said, his voice softer but carried in the rising wind. 

"Goodbye my dears, come home safe!" Rhaenyra waved, "and with Daeron."

Both riders responded with affirmations, and then the two dragons. Green and gold. Took to the sky. Rhaena watched as they rose higher and higher in the air, before they disappeared behind some clouds and all she could see was the glint of light on Sunfyre's scales.

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