#otto was successful in getting his daughter married but it could have been anyone else in his position

[queenvhagar]

Another failure of HOTD in my opinion is making Otto look like some exceptionally skeevy and plotting man for... acting like any reasonable man in-universe would and in fact did act?

Like HOTD wants you to think this war is entirely the fault of Otto and his poisoning of Alicent's mind to turn away from Rhaenyra, as if Rhaenyra didn't push Alicent away herself after years of Alicent seeking reconciliation...

The truth is that whoever Viserys married and had sons with then THAT family would be at conflict with Rhaenyra as the first female named heir. The moment Viserys had any trueborn son and failed to make him heir was the moment that war and violence was all but guaranteed. Due to traditions of Andal law dating back thousands of years and most recently reaffirmed in the Great Council, sons come before daughters and males come before females, with the only exception being daughters come before uncles, which is why Rhaenyra was named in the first place, but once she had a brother, the strength of her claim faltered. The only way she could ever rule unchallenged would be to eliminate the threats of the claims of any trueborn sons her father had.

THIS is the truth that Otto told Alicent and that she told her children, and it's not something that Otto just made up out of nowhere to manipulate people. No matter who Viserys married and had sons with, this is what they would face.

And it would not matter how Rhaenyra felt about it or how hard any of her brothers tried to "cleave to her and pray for mercy." Short of marrying them, she would have to exile or kill them, or anyone who disagreed with her rule would push for their arguably stronger claim instead of hers and make war in their name.

It would make no difference if that wife was a Hightower, or a Velaryon, or a Lannister, or a Baratheon. They would face this same crisis. And you can bet that those houses and families wouldn't just leave their daughter and her sons out to dry and let them be killed. They sure as hell would maneuver to try to get to a position of power where they could avoid that fate. And that's exactly what Otto and Alicent did.

We can talk about how Otto sent Alicent wearing her mother's dress to the king to comfort him in his grief, but we shouldn't at the same time ignore Corlys and Rhaenys sending their even younger daughter all dressed up to talk with the king and try to convince him to marry her (and even instruct her to say that she would make him happy and give him children). The reality is most families wanted and tried to get their blood on the throne. Otto is not some especially evil creep for wanting this - all men who had a daughter of marrying age (or almost) in this situation were trying to put them before the king, and the king chose Alicent. We should be critiquing this system that existed where men put their young daughters before older men to be married off to a successful family in the hopes of giving them better prospects in life and their family more prestige. But instead the show and the majority of fans want to focus on one individual man and ignore everything else. Because the Greens are the designated villains and the Blacks are heroes who can't do any wrong, when Otto wants his blood on the throne it's scheming and manipulative, but when Corlys wants his blood on the throne, it's viewed as him wanting to preserve his legacy and honor his family.

Once again, it was Viserys who is the one to blame for starting the war. He chose to remarry and have more children. He chose to not change the succession once he had sons while also choosing not to change succession law to guarantee his daughter would have no issue inheriting. His inaction and indecision caused this unavoidable conflict, and the blame for the war is on his head.

[atopvisenyashill]

In your Male!Rhaenyra (let's call him Rhaenor) only having daughters au what else might change? Like does Daemon try going after Helaena since she would be Viserys only daughter? What about Criston Cole? What about Aemond? Does he still lose an eye if Laena is still alive and there are no strong boys? And how do Aegon, Aemond and Daeron feel about Rhaenor and his daughters as opposed to Rhaenyra and her sons in canon? And as for the names of Rhaenor's daughters maybe Baela and Rhaena could be Rhaenor's in this au and after them he has Visenya, Alyssa and Aemma.

Well the thing is that Rhaenor is still quite young when Viserys dies - only 33. I think there’s no reason anyone would suspect he won’t eventually have a son and name that son. It’s not like people were itching to cut Aemon out just because he only had Rhaenys - it wasn’t until Aemon died that anything happened on that front. So things are likely a lot more chill for several years - Alicent marries Viserys probably figuring her children will marry Rhaenor’s and is fostering feelings of friendliness between the kids while Viserys is still alive. I mean, it’s not to say I don’t think there’s some tensions here because I’m sure any 10 year old is going to be a bit hostile towards the lady who married his dad before the grieving period is even over for his mom, and I’m sure Otto feels some type of way about this whole thing. But Viserys isn’t making the succession confusing by keeping Rhaenor as his heir - he’s literally just following every single law of the land including Dorne (bc Rhaenor is the oldest). Rhaenor probably does marry at roughly the same time since Laena is five years older, and they might have their first daughter at around the same time as Daeron. So this issue doesn't come up until Laena has had three kids and they're all girls but it's not something that's going to be pressing yet, not only Rhaenor is king himself and has surprised everyone by stubbornly naming his first born daughter his heir instead of keeping Aegon as his heir. So to answer some of your questions-

Yeah I definitely think Daemon is feeling particularly neglected in this scenario without a Rhaenyra OR a Laena to marry. I'm not totally sure if he would get fixated on Helaena but that is his only way back into the main line/keeping his kids pure Valyrians. But part of Daemon's fixation on Rhaenyra was not just that she was Viserys' daughter but that she was his rival for the throne - it's the same reasoning as Visenya uses, this "let's tie our blood lines and claims" type deal, and Daemon is conflating the Iron Throne with acceptance and love and family. Helaena is not his rival for anything, and Daemon wasn't ever heir presumptive because Rhaenor has been a man this whole time and therefore prince of dragonstone since birth.

While I can see a little boy being enamored with Criston Cole managing to best Daemon Targaryen, there's also less opportunity here for Criston to become Rhaenor's sworn sword, since he's not asking a prince for a favor in tourney. I think regardless of whether Criston can impress a young Rhaenor enough to get named to the Kingsguard - or perhaps a slightly lesser position, like the City Watch - Criston is just less likely to turn so violently against Rhaenor because even if Criston catches Rhaenor fucking and sucking on the Street of Silk, Criston is not going to take it so badly because Rhaenor is a man. LIke, he clearly doesn't give a shit about Aegon being a slut, why would he care about Rhaenor? He's also not technically opposed to women inheriting over men - he did support Rhaenyra initially - so imo if Rhaenor's daughters aren't insane, I can see him continuing to impress Rhaenor and being a friend. The problem is if one of Rhaenor's daughters get fixated on Cole. Or, I suppose, if Rhaenor ever puts the moves on Criston lol.

I think it's unlikely Aemond loses an eye in this scenario. Again, while I'm sure there's significant tension between Rhaenor and Alicent's kids - the only remarriage we have outside of the dance is Nymeria and we don't have enough information on her to know if things between her daughter and her sons were intense, but I do imagine Alicent is very aware that if Rhaenor dies, Aegon is king - but even if Aemond has the same issues with getting a dragon, he's not likely to take it out on Rhaenor's girls because they aren't training with him, they're legitimate, and things aren't as tense between them.

In general, things are probably okay for a while. No Driftmark issues to fight over, no Vhagar to fight over, Rhaenor's ascension makes perfect sense, etc. It's probably at some point in the mid 120s that things get tense, because at this point they've had several daughters. If Rhaenor brings this up with Viserys - ie, listen dad i know i've had a bunch of girls but can't they rule after me anyway? - and gets support from him, that's likely to piss Alicent off the same way Viserys naming Rhaenyra pisses Daemon off. BUT if Rhaenor deals with this by marrying his oldest to one of Alicent's, that calms things. HOWEVER. If Rhaenor deals with this by refusing to marry their kids, that's when things get tense. Rhaenor can also just not say anything until his father dies, and then name his oldest princess of dragonstone. Obviously this is still going to cause an issue, but that way he can deal with it however he wants.

I actually think it's more likely Rhaenor names his first born Visenya or Aemma lol. Visenya not just for Visenya but also for his father, Viserys. But yeah after that I can see Baela, Rhaena, and Alyssa for sure. I wish there was an Aegonette name because it would be funny if he named one of his daughters that one.

[lya-dustin]

Cupid kills with arrows

Chapter 4

Cw: mentions of past child abuse and exploitation

Gif by @lady-crumplebottom

Aemond finds himself awoken by the whispering of the handmaidens tasked with caring for them.

“Her grace needs the sheets.” Talya whispers and gestured to the sleeping maiden he’s disappointed within the first six hours of marriage. “The Council needs proof.”

Of what?

That Aemond was not man enough to take his own wife’s maidenhead?

That the throne may as well go to Jacaerys because Aegon fucked him up so bad that he doesn’t know if he could ever bed Aemma?

“I will speak to my mother about the matter, Talya. Let Princess Aemma sleep in, I ruined her wedding night anyways.” He dismissed her and began to ready himself for the day.

They are supposed to leave for the royal hunting lodge where the newlyweds are expected to do nothing but fuck and enjoy their company away from everyone for an entire moon.

A new thing done especially for them because their mothers need them to have a happy marriage and a child for it to work.

Until last night, Aemond had been all for it. To have his Aemee to himself for an entire moon and make her know she had not made a mistake marrying him.

All that shattered in one moment.

What a fucking mess it had become.

Aemond finds her awake, not bothering to move from the bed as Talya quietly demanded the fucking sheets and left exactly as he had left her.

“What is there to tell the queen? If she want the sheets, she can come get them herself.” Aemma snapped at the handmaiden who had forgotten willfulness is a trait every Targaryen is born with.

It would be humiliating, for her and for him. Her for not enticing her husband enough, he for not being able to fuck his wife.

He can hear it now, gods, he’s never hated Aegon more.

“What do you mean nothing happened?” Alicent asked in a whisper as Talya confirmed what the lack of sounds indicated last night.

“He blamed the wine, your highness.” The handmaiden answered knowing he had lied.

This was not good.

The only reason this marriage was permitted by her father was because it would ensure their blood would be on the throne no matter what happened.

The only way to stop Otto Hightower ---a man who has never known war and yet craves it--- from starting burning Westeros to the ground to put Aegon on Rhaenyra’s Throne.

They needed Aemond to sire sons on Rhaenyra’s impertinent and willful daughter more than they needed to make nice with the Blacks.

They needed to keep this a secret from her father.

Speaking of the Stranger.

“Your son has proven to be just as much as a disappointment as your elder children, daughter. It is bad enough the court knows he is a man-maiden, but even Laenor Velaryon managed to bed his whore of a wife and get her with child.”

Otto Hightower had never truly been a good father, mother had softened him, but when she died and Myles and Gwayne left to Oldtown, Alicent was left alone with him.

When she failed to entice Daemon at the age of four and ten ---who only ever saw her with suspicion after that---into accepting his deal, he struck her for not being good enough.

Never hit her in a place anyone would see, no, he needed her to look her best ---better than Rhaenyra who everyone knew was meant to marry her uncle and secure the succession--- so he could sell her to the highest bidder.

Didn’t matter that man had been her only friend’s father or that she was barely five and ten.

Her friend ---who she loves like a sister--- whom he has been dreaming of killing since Queen Aemma died.

Had he been anyone else , Alicent would have reprimanded him for calling Rhaenyra a whore and accusing Aemond of not being man enough.

But whenever her father is near her, Alicent feels like the girl of five and ten being told to seduce the king in her mother’s dress before the Queen’s ashes had even cooled.

“I am sure he will remedy that before the honeyed moon is over, father.” The queen hoped that would be enough to placate him.

No need to make this a matter for the council.

But he will, just to show he has that power over them.

That he ---a second son who only inherited his wits from his Redwyne mother--- rules Westeros in all but name.

Aemma has been told she is a beauty; she is confident in her beauty and knows men find her desirable.

Up until last night.

Last night Aemond had gone soft ---she had felt his hardness against her thigh--- just as he was about to fuck her.

The only other woman known to suffer such a humiliating wedding night like that was Rhea Royce.

“Where is his highness?” she asks as she is dressed for the day.

“He went to make sure the preparations for your wedding trip are finished.” The handmaiden, a girl from the Reach assigned to her new household by the queen, answered as she tied the ribbon of her Dornish Farthingale.

They were to spend the honey moon at the lodge, end it with a hunt, a tourney and then go on a progress to show Westeros they are married, happy and that their families can coexist peacefully.

Mother and Queen Alicent had only a tourney before the progress, Helaena as well, but they were trying this new thing on Aemma.

A moon to see if they can love each other or learn how to tolerate each other in public.

While Aemma is usually an optimist, she has no hopes of the former happening.

“Will he break fast with me this morning?” Aemma asks hoping he will, but at the same time not wishing to see his stupid pretty face for a few more hours.

“He will not, your highness, he sends his apologies.”

And sure enough, she starts her first day as a married woman feeling utterly alone.

Aemond and Aemma had barely left the gates of the Red Keep when Rhaenyra is called to a meeting about them.

A note is given to her in secret by a page.

 Aemond did not consummate his marriage to your daughter due to the wine, my father seeks to blame your Aemma.

 -Alicent

It had been ages since Rhaenyra had been sent something from her former friend and had the words in the missive not caused her alarm, she would have kept it instead of tossing it into the fireplace for Aegon’s Stormcloud to burn.

They could not quash all chances for rebellion if Otto Hightower and his supporters had nothing forcing them to back down.

A baby with his blood would make his supporters desert him.

No one wants to be a kinslayer, nor serve one. They know what the Iron Throne does to kinslayers and usurpers.

What had caused Aemond not to perform his duties?

Aemma was lovely, many a servant and guard had been flogged for leering at her and many poets and artists had fought over the chance of immortalizing her in song and painting.

Aemma knew what she needed to know. More than she needed to know given Rhaenyra found her missing copy of a Caution for Young Girls: A Wanton’s Tale ---bookmarked on Coryanne’s adventures with her mummer’s troupe--- under her pillow.

Aemond was not into boys, she had seen him enough as a boy to know that, and Criston would have no doubt told him how the act is done given he had practically raised him.

“I believe you are overreacting, Ser Otto, they are young and have been married for less than two and ten hours.” Rhaenyra dismissed his plans for having the marriage annulled should the ‘issue’ continue.

No doubt the snake of Hightower already had brides lined up for his grandson, Tyshara Lannister and Cassandra Baratheon had been considered as such due to their status as their fathers’ heirs.

If the gods are good, Otto will be proven irrational and a little Targaryen prince will be occupying the empty nursery in Aemma’s new rooms at Court before the children’s first anniversary.

If the gods are great, Otto will fall on all those stairs at the Tower of the Hand and die along with all his schemes before the next turn of the moon.

[mesillusionssousecstasy]

HOTD 1x06: Quotes

- “Do keep trying, Ser Laenor. Soon or late, you may get one who looks like you.” (Alicent to Laenor)

- “You will have a dragon one day.  - He’ll have to close an eye. - I know it.” (Alicent and Haelena to Aemond)

- “I have raised this matter before and you forbade me to speak of it, so I held my tongue. To have one child like that is a mistake, to have three is an insult, to the throne, to you, to House Velaryon and the match you battled so hard to make for her. Not to mention decency itself.  - The consequences of an allegation like the one you toy at would be dire.” (Alicent and Visery)

- “Have I lost my sanity, Ser Criston? Do my senses lead me astray? Or is everyone else asleep, dreaming the same woolly dream? She flaunts the privilege of her inheritance without shame. She expects everyone in the Red Keep to deny the truth our eyes can all plainly see.  - The Princess Rhaenyra is brazen and relentless. A spider who stings and sucks her prey dry. A spoiled cunt. - I have to believe, that in the end, honor and decency will prevail. We need to hew to that and to each other.” (Alicent and Ser Criston)

- “If Rhaenyra comes into power... your very life could be forfeit. Aemond’s as well. She could move to cut off any challenge to her succession. You are the challenge, Aegon!” (Alicent to Aegon)

- “It’s hardly a fair match. - I know you’ve never seen true battle, ser, but when steel is drawn, a fair match isn’t something anyone should expect. Most men would only have that kind of devotion toward a cousin... or a brother... or a son.” (Ser Harwin and Ser Criston)

- “Yet his Grace the King. It seems, will not accept what his eyes see. This flimsy shield alone stands between you and the headsman. The willful blindness of a father towards his child. I wish my father affected a similar blindness.” (Ser Lyonel Strong to Ser Harwin)

- “You do not desert your post when the storm lashes. The wise sailor flees the storm as it gathers.” (Laenor to Rhaenyra)

- “How sweetly the fox speaks when it’s been cornered by the hounds. - She is sincere. - She is desperate. She feels the earth washing away beneath her feet and now she expects us to ignore her transgressions and for me to marry my only daughter to one of her...plain-featured sons. - The proposal is a good one, my Queen. We’re a family. Let us put aside these childish quarrels. Join hands and be stronger for it.  - You may do as you wish, husband...when I am cold in my grave. - Alicent.” (Viserys and Alicent)

- “You have served me faithfully for many years, 10 as Hand. Your advice has been sage, unmarked by self-interest...which stands in contrast to all others.  - You speak king words...but there is a shadow over my house and it grows ever darker. I can no longer serve you with integrity.  - What is this shadow? - Name it, if it casts such a gloom.  - Yes, we must have your reasoning in plain language.” (Viserys, Ser Lyonel and Alicent)

- “I thought as much. His honor’s always been a millstone about his esteemed neck. But the Hand is compromised by the acts of his son. My father cannot give unbiased counsel to the King. - It is now that I most rue the absence of my own father. He wouldn’t hesitate to speak the truth to the King. If Otto Hightower were still Hand.. - You cannot say, my Queen, that your father would be impartial in this matter.  - No, but he would be partial to me!” (Alicent and Larys)

- “What of your position? You’ve always said if you were absent from court, she would pour her honey in your father’s ear.  - The wise sailor flees the storm as it gathers. Laenor...bring him. We’ll need every sword we can muster.” (Rhaenyra and Laenor).