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delilah1990 · 3 months ago

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THE HEIRS OF THE DRAGON

PAIRING: Rhaenyra x Northern! Reader

SUMMARY: It’s been a year since Y/N arrived at King’s Landing and became Rhaenyra’s lady in waiting. Y/N returns from a visit to the North to find everything as she had left it, until an unexpected tragedy hits, changing everything.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Alternate Universe. There will be slight Rhaenyra x Harwin Strong, Rhaenyra x Daemon Targaryen, and Northern! Reader x Cregan Stark.

WARNINGS: Angst, character death, fluff, possessiveness, slight abuse, smut, and violence

WORD COUNT: 5,995

Part 2 of Fire and Ice

Above the clouds of King’s Landing, Rhaenyra flies Syrax. It had been some time since she rode on dragon back. Six months to be exact. It was the day before Y/N was to leave for the North. She had received a raven that her brother and his wife were expecting their first child, and she wanted to be there to meet her future niece/nephew. Rhaenyra knew it would be months before she saw her again, so she insisted on a dragon ride before she left for the North.

Ever since she first introduced Y/N to Syrax, whenever she felt like flying, she took Y/N with her. Though she was nervous during the first flight, she quickly got over it. She misses her friend’s company, but she’s glad for this time alone with her dragon. Her mother was with child, and her father was convinced that not only would it come to term and survive, but that it was also a boy. He had even arranged for a tourney in celebration of his future son’s birth.

While Rhaenyra secretly hoped her mother would give birth to a girl, there was another part of her that hoped her father would finally have the son he wanted. While she knows she has her father’s love, she was not a son.

After flying for an hour, Rhaenyra commands Syrax to land. She would have loved to fly her longer, but she had promised to meet with her mother before attending the small council meeting.

The she-dragon lands outside the dragon pit, where they meet with the dragon keepers. The princess easily dismounts Syrax and runs her hand along her neck before heading to her carriage. “Welcome back princess. I trust your ride was pleasant.” Her Kings Guard Ser Westerling greets.

“Try not to look so relieved ser.” Rhaenyra responds back.

“I am relieved princess. Every time that golden beast returns you unspoiled. It saves my head from a spike” Ser Westerling says, causing Rhaenyra to smile. As she approached her carriage she’s met with her longtime friend, Alicent, who had accompanied her.

“Syrax is growing quickly. She’ll soon be as large as Caraxes” Alicent comments.

“She’s large enough to saddle two.” Rhaenyra says subtlety. She’s been trying for years to get Alicent to ride with her, but every time she asks, Alicent refuses.

“I believe I am quite content as a spectator, thank you. Besides, I think we both know Y/N makes a better flying companion than I would.” Rhaenyra laughs and climbs into the carriage, followed by Alicent.

The carriage takes off into the city, passing the street of sisters before finally arriving at the main gate of the Red Keep. As the carriage comes to a stop, Alicent and Rhaenyra notice another carriage. As they exit, the princess immediately recognizes its Y/N’s things that are being unloaded. “Y/N’s back.” She immediately links their arms together, and practically drags Alicent towards the Red Keeps entrance hall. They climb up the wide stairway, and when they reach the top Rhaenyra immediately spots her friend. “Y/N!”

Hearing her name being called, Y/N turns around only to be engulfed by the princess’ embrace. “Your finally back.” Rhaenyra holds on to her tightly, glad her friend finally made it back. Y/N holds her just as tight. “You smell of dragon.” Y/N comments.

“Is that a compliment?” Rhaenyra questions amused. Y/N pulls away from the hug and approaches Alicent.

“Hello Alicent.” She greets her friend while pulling her into a hug.

“Tis good to have you back.” Alicent says while returning the hug. Y/N then turns her focus back on the princess.

“It was a suggestion to take a bath.” Y/N continues.

“I don’t have time for a bath. I’m already late to see my mother.” Rhaenyra responds.

“Then you’d best change out of your riding clothes.”

“Come with me? She’s sure to be cross. I could use a sworn protector.” Rhaenyra says in a flirting tone. Y/N shakes her head at the princess. Though she wants nothing more than to rest, she knows she can’t deny hernanything.

“I am at your service princess.”

“Then let us go.” Rhaenyra walks ahead of her two friends, while they follow behind her, arms linked.

THE QUEEN’S APARTMENTS

After helping Rhaenyra change out of her riding clothes and into a dress. All three girls head to the Queen’s apartments. As they enter her chamber, they see a very pregnant queen lying abed. She’s flushed and any movement she makes seems to be a great labor. Her room is busy with attending handmaids, and a maester who sits at a nearby desk making notes.

Not wanting to keep her mother waiting any longer, Rhaenyra enters the room and heads straight to her mother. Alicent and Y/N enter as well, but they stay by the entrance. “You know I don’t like you to go flying while I’m in this condition.” Aemma immediately scolds her daughter.

Alicent and Y/N look at each other in slight amusement. Getting the princess to simply change out of her riding clothes wasn’t enough to dampen the smell of dragon after all. “You don’t like me to go flying while you’re in any condition.” Rhaenyra retorts while kissing her mother on the head. “Did you sleep?” She asks.

“I slept.” Aemma answers.

“For how long?” Rhaenyra continues. She’s been worried for her mother ever since she heard the news she was with child. She had already lost one babe in the cradle, had two stillbirths, and two other pregnancies end before their term.

“I don’t need mothering Rhaenyra.”

“Here you are surrounded by attendants, all focused on the babe. Someone has to attend you.” Aemma can’t help but smile at her daughter’s words. She’s about to respond when she notices Y/N.

“Y/N, you’ve finally returned to us.”

“I have your grace.”

“So, what was it?” Aemma asks.

Knowing what she’s asking, Y/N can’t help the smile that forms on her face. Two days after she arrived back home, her sister-in-law started her labors. She had stayed an extra week to help with the babe and spend time with her brother. “A beautiful girl your grace.”

“Healthy?”

“Yes.”

“And the mother?”

“Still recovering when I left, but healthy as well. She won the battle.” Y/N says, and Aemma smiles at the reference.

“I’m glad to hear.” Aemma then turns to her daughter. “You’ll lie in this bed soon enough Rhaenyra. This discomfort is how we serve the realm.”

“I’d rather serve as a knight and ride to battle and glory.” Rhaenyra states.

“We have royal wombs you and I. The childbed is our battlefield. We must face it with a stiff lip.”

Rhaenyra nods her head in acknowledgement, but secretly dreads her future. This is not what she wants her life to be. She wants to travel on dragon back, like her uncle, and see the world with her two best friends by her side. To be free to do whatever they want without consequence, or judgement.

After departing the queen’s chambers, Rhaenyra left her friends to attend the small council meeting. As she poured wine, she heard them speak of the Step Stones, the tourney, and of course the King’s future son.

As soon as the meeting was done, all Rhaenyra wanted to do was catch up with her friends, but Ser Westerling had informed her that her uncle had just returned and was presently sitting on the iron throne. Not wanting him to get into trouble again she heads towards the throne room. She and Daemon exchanged words in High Valyrian, he eventually removed himself from her father’s chair and presented her with a gift. A pendant made from Valyrian steel, with a blood-red ruby in the middle. He helped her put it on and looked her over. “Gevie.” (Beautiful).

After dealing with her uncle, Rhaenyra sought out her friends, finally finding them sitting by the Godswood. They’re sitting back-to-back, with Alicent holding a book in hand. Y/N is the first to notice her approaching. “You should run while you have the chance princess. Alicent has been catching me up on all the lessons I’ve missed. She may decide to quiz you next.” Despite not wanting to study, Rhaenyra lays down beside Y/N and places her head on her lap. It had been a long day, and now that Y/N was back, she intends to take full advantage of it.

“And what is it we are studying?” Rhaenyra asks.

“One of your favorite subjects.” Y/N answers.

“When Princess Nymeria arrived in Dorne, who did she take to husband?” Alicent begins to test them.

“A man.” Y/N answers, causing Rhaenyra to chuckle.

“What was his name?” Alicent presses.

“Lord something.” Rhaenyra continues with the joke. She then takes Y/N hand in hers and begins to play with it.

“If you answer with ‘Lord something,’ Septa Marlow will be furious.” Alicent lectures.

“She’s funny when she’s furious.”

“She has a vein that moves when she’s angry.” Y/N adds.

Fed up with neither of them taking the lesson seriously, Alicent shuts the book and turns around to face her friends, nearly causing Y/N to fall over. “You both are always like this when you’re worried.”

“Like what?” Rhaenyra asks.

“Disagreeable.” Alicent answers, and both the princess and Y/N make a face. “You’re worried your father is about to overshadow you with a son.” Alicent first address Rhaenyra, she then turns to address Y/N, but she speaks before Alicent can.

“I’m not worried about anything. If I am disagreeable, it is because I’ve just gotten back from a long journey, and the last thing I want to do is study.” Y/N says in defense of herself.

“And I only worry for my mother. I hope for my father that he gets a son. For as long as I can recall, it’s all he’s wanted.”

“You want him to have a son?” Alicent asks her surprised.

“I want to fly with both of you on dragon back, see the great wonders across the Narrow Sea, and eat only cake.” Rhaenyra answers her honestly.

“I’m being serious.”

“I never jest about cake.”

“You aren’t worried about your position?” Alicen questions.

“I like this position. It’s quite comfortable.” Rhaenyra smiles up at Y/N from her lap, and Y/N shakes her head at her.

Frustrated, Alicent stands and walks away from her friends. “Where are you going?” Rhaenyra asks as she sits up from Y/N’s lap.

“Home, the hour has grown late.” Rhaenyra turns to Y/N, unsure of what to do. Y/N gestures for her to go after her. The princess stands and approaches Alicent. “Princess Nymeria led her Rhoynar across the Narrow Sea on ten thousand ships to flee their Valyrian pursuers.” Alicent rushes to open the book to the appropriate chapter to verify everything Rhaenyra sites. “She took lord Mors Martell of Dorne to husband and burned her own fleet off Sunspear to show her people that they were finished running.”

Y/N approaches her friends just in time to see Rhaenyra tear a page from the book Alicent is holding, horrifying her “What are you doing?” The princess hands the torn parchment to her.

“So, you remember.” Rhaenyra says.

The illuminated page she tears depicts an illustration of Nymeria watching the Rhoynar fleet burn off the coast of Dorne. “If Septa Marlow sees that book…”

“Fuck the septa.” Rhaenyra interrupts.

“Rhaenyra!” Alicent shouts, and Y/N just laughs. She’s soon joined by Alicent and Rhaenyra as they head back inside towards their apartments, all of them still laughing on the way.

LATER THAT EVENING

Nightfall could not come fast enough for Y/N. As much as she missed her friends and enjoyed their company, she was exhausted from her travels. Lucky for her, as soon as she got into her room, a bath was ready, and the maids were laying out her nightgown. She thanked them for their service and then dismissed them. Now that she was alone, all Y/N wanted to do was to take a bath and fall asleep.

She allowed herself a few moments to soak in the tub before drying herself off and slipping into her nightgown. As she began to pull the sheet back, something caught her eye. A rectangular chest sitting above one of the drawers. She recognized it instantly but was surprised to see it among her things.

Y/N approaches the chest and opens it to find her bow and arrows inside, with a letter sitting on top. When she opens the letter, her face softens. If you’re reading this it means you’ve figured out, I snuck this in with the rest of your luggage. I thought it best these were returned to you. They are only collecting dust here. Hope the journey back was a pleasant one. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Your Brother, Rob.

Tears have formed in Y/N’s eyes. She quickly wipes them away to avoid them staining the letter. She places it on her desk to remind herself to write back to her brother. He had made it appoint to remind her before leaving that she still had to write to him every day. She then stands back by her bow and runs her hand through it.

One of the first things she did when she returned home was go on a hunt with Rob. Despite living a life of luxury for a year, when she held her bow in her hand, it had been as if she had never left. Though she did not win the hunting competition against her brother, she had done better than she expected she would.

“What’s that?” Rhaenyra’s voice interrupts Y/N’s thoughts. She slams the chest shut and turns around to see Rhaenyra standing mere inches from her.

“What are you doing here Rhaenyra? The hour is late.” Y/N questions.

“I came to see you of course.” The princess responds. She then looks over Y/N’s shoulder briefly before quirking her eyebrow at her. “Well?”

Y/N opens the chest and steps aside so the princess can look. When she sees what’s inside, she can’t help her wide eyed stare. She knew Y/N was capable of wielding weapons, and that she had some of her own, but she’d never seen them firsthand. An idea began to form in her head. As soon as her mother gave birth, she would take Y/N on dragon back to the Kingswood and hunt. That way she could see her skills firsthand.

Rhaenyra turns to Y/N silently asking permission to touch the bow, she nods her head yes. Gently removing it from the chest, the princess takes a moment to admire the craftsmanship before moving to the middle of the room and attempting to pull back the bow string. “Everyone else always makes this look easy.” Rhaenyra says, still struggling to pull the bow string back. It takes everything in Y/N’s power not to laugh. She clears her throat and approaches the princess.

She stands behind her and explains how to properly use a bow. As Y/N instructs the princess, she places her hands over Rhaenyra’s to demonstrate. “Keep your feet shoulder width apart. Ensure your left hand grips the bow arm hand. With your right-hand use three fingers to pull the bow string back.”

The princess keeps her breath from hitching at their sudden closeness. Ever since Y/N began living in the Red Keep as her lady in waiting, feelings have begun to stir inside her. She finds herself always wanting to be by Y/N’s side, the last six months without her she’s felt as if a piece of her was missing.

Unbeknownst to the princess, Y/N has been having similar feelings towards her. She didn’t think much of them at first. She had thought she was feeling this way because of her proximity to the Targaryen princess. But while away from King’s Landing and alone with her thoughts, she found herself missing the princess terribly and wondered if she had missed her just as much.

Feeling her heartbeat quicken, Y/N steps away from the princess, worried she would feel her heart beating through her chest. “You’ll be able to shoot an arrow in no time princess.” Hiding her disappointment at Y/N’s sudden distance, Rhaenyra quickly puts the bow back in the chest to regain control over herself. “So, how was your trip back to the North?”

“Is that way you came here to see me? To ask me about my trip to the North?” Y/N questions, and Rhaenyra simply shrugs her shoulders. “We can discuss my trip in the morning.”

“You’ve been gone for six months. I barely got to spend any time with you today.” Rhaenyra pouts at Y/N.

Realizing she won’t get to sleep anytime soon, Y/N sits at the foot of her bed and pats the space beside her. The princess is quick to join her friend and eagerly waits to hear what she’s been up to since she’s been gone. “My home has grown a bit. Not much, but enough to be noticeable. Rob is starting to grow a beard, he says it makes him look older, but I have a feeling he grows it because his wife likes it.” Rhaenyra chuckles at this, trying to picture Rob with a beard.

“And what do you make of your sister-in-law? Do you like her?” The princess questions.

“She seems nice, and Rob seems to care deeply for her. I think he might be falling in love with her. The look he gave her when he saw her holding their daughter, I’ve never seen him look at anyone like that before.”

“That’s good, it means they’ll have a happy marriage.” Y/N nods in agreement. “And…your father?” Rhaenyra hesitates. She’s never liked Lord Ben, but she knows despite his treatment of her, Y/N still cares deeply for her father.

“He was actually smiling and laughing when I arrived.” Rhaenyra gives Y/N a surprised look. When she saw him last, he had a stoic expression the entire time he was at the Red Keep. “He was excited when he thought he was going to have a grandson, his excitement quickly disappeared along with his smile when he found out he had a granddaughter instead. He even went as far as to declare, ‘the next one will be a boy.’”

Rhaenyra can’t help but be saddened by this, and Y/N is quick to notice. She places a comforting hand on the princess’ shoulder encouraging her to speak her mind. “Do you think my father was disappointed when I was born? That I will be overshadowed when my mother gives birth to a son?” Rhaenyra questions, Alicent’s earlier observation clear on her mind. Y/N pulls Rhaenyra into a hug, placing her head on her chest.

“I do not know how your father will act should your mother give birth to a boy. What I do know, with absolute certainty, is that he loves you. I see the way he looks at you Rhaenyra, he has the same look in his eyes, that my brother had when he first laid eyes on his daughter.”

The princess wraps her arms around Y/N tightly. Though her words bring her some comfort, there was still doubt in her mind.”

THE NEXT DAY

THE ROYAL BOX

The next morning is the day of the tournant. The stands are filled with smallfolk, excited for the tournament to begin. In the arena, there are flags of each of the noble houses that will be participating in the games.

Inside, the royal box is full of nobles and friends of the Targaryen’s. The king stands, ready to announce the start of the tournant, but as usual, the princess was running late. She attempts to sneak past him, with Y/N following behind her, but the king notices her late arrival. He does not say anything, instead he continues with his announcement.

“Be welcome! I know many of you have travelled long leagues for these games, but I promise that you will not be disappointed. When I look out at the fine knights in these lists, I see a group without equal in our histories. And this great day is made even more auspicious by the news that I’m happy to share. Queen Aemma has begun her labors!” The crowd cheers at the news. “May the luck of the Seven shine upon all combatants!” The crowd roars in cheers for the start of the games.

An explosion of shields and lances draws everyone’s attention. The tournament begins with the unhorsing of a Tarly knight and an unidentified knight with a plain sigil. There are two hundred knights from every house great and small that have come to join the games, held in honor of the King and Queen’s new child. Banners from every kingdom flap in the wind. Princess Rhaenyra sits with her friends in the front row of the box alongside her cousins Laenor and Laena Valaryon. Son and daughter of the Sea Snake Lord Corlys Valaryon, and princess Rhenys Targaryen.

King Viserys sits a few rows behind with his hand, Otto Hightower, and all his small council. The older members of the Kings Guard stand watch to guard over the royal family.

“A mystery knight?” Rhaenyra questions, noticing an unfamiliar banner.

“No. A Cole, of the Stormlands.” Alicent answers.

“I’ve never heard of House Cole.” Rhaenyra comments.

Y/N doesn’t say anything and Alicent merely shrugs. The girls crane their necks to see the other wealthy knights, wearing extravagant armor, fitted with jewels. Alicent and Rhaenyra then begin to gossip about some young lady promised to one of the squires. Y/N tunes them out, not really caring for gossip.

Lord Boremund Baratheon then approaches the royal box, his armor ornate with the black and gold stag. Lord Boremund lowers his lance before Rhaenys. “Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. I would humbly ask for the favor of “The Queen Who Never Was.” While Rhaenys keeps a cool composure, Y/N can’t help but scoff.

Near the end of King Jaehaerys reign, a great council was called to Harrenal to choose his next heir. Though his rule was a peaceful one, tragedy had claimed both his sons and heirs, leaving his succession in doubt. There were fourteen succession claims that were heard, but only two were considered. Rhaenys Targaryen, the late king’s eldest descendent, and Viserys Targaryen, the king’s eldest male descendent. The vote between the two had been a close one, but in the end, the lords chose Viserys. And Rhaenys was forever dubbed, “The Queen Who Never Was.”

“Good fortune to you, cousin.” Rhaenys says as she places her favor on the end of Lord Boremund’s lance.

“I would gladly take it, if I thought I needed it.” Lord Boremund smirks as he turns his mount to ride off. Rhaenyra stares after him then whispers to Alicent. “I hear Lord Boremund’s heir still hasn’t learned his letters at three-and-twenty.”

Alicent nods, and Y/N leans in to listen. “Ser Boros. “Dumb as thunder” his father’s attendants call him.” All three girls burst into laughter. While House Baratheon was known to produce fine knights, they weren’t always the smartest.

A horn blast brings out the Master of Revels. “Ser Daemon of House Targaryen, the Prince of the City, will now choose his first opponent.” Cheers rise from the smallfolk, where Daemon is very popular. He has the appearance of a dragon in human form as he circles the grounds in black-scaled armor, rimmed in rubies. His helmet is shaped like a dragon’s head.

Daemon trots down the line past all the nights in the list, until he stops and lowers his lance to point at Ser Gwayn Hightower, Lord Hightower’s son and Alicent’s brother. “For his first challenge, Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses Ser Gwayne, son of the Hand of the King!” The Master of Revels announces.

Alicent frowns at this, while other nobles, including Lyman Beesbury, place bets on the tilt with a page.

Both Daemon and Ser Gwayne take their positions on opposite sides of the lane. Daemon is the first to charge, followed by Ser Gwayne. Before their lances can clash, the prince tips his lance down and trips Ser Gwayne’s horse, causing him to fly off his horse and land down, face first, into the mud. The crowd cheers the dragon prince’s victory.

He then circles about and trots over to the royal box and removes his dragon-head helmet. Rhaenyra stands to congratulate her uncle. “Nicely done uncle.”

“Thank you, princess.” Daemon lowers his lance towards Alicent. “Now, I’m fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent. Having your favor would all but assure it.” Conflicted, she gives a cursory glance around herself. Knowing it would look bad to deny the prince, Alicent stands and places her favor on the tip of his lance. “Good luck, my prince.”

The tournament continues. Lances and shields shatter. Lord Boremund is dragged out of the mud by his squire, he had been beaten by the mysterious knight, named Ser Criston Cole. Curious, the princess waves over Ser Harrold. “What do you know about this Ser Criston Cole?”

“I have been asking the same thing, princess. I’m told Ser Criston is common born, the son of Lord Blackhaven’s steward. Other than that, and the fact that he has now unhorsed Lord Baratheon, I could not say.”

“Ser Criston Cole will now tilt against Ser Daemon Targaryen, Prince of the City!”

“This should be good.” Y/N says excited. Of all the knights present, the only ones she’s been impressed by are Prince Daemon, and Ser Criston. Feeling just as excited for the match, Rhaenyra stands and leans against the guard rail, followed by Alicent and Y/N.

Ser Criston and Prince Daemon take their positions before charging each other. Their lances clash against each other, but it is Daemon who is nearly knocked off his horse and is sliding against the rail until he reaches the end and falls off. He immediately stands and demands his sword. “Prince Daemon Targaryen wishes to continue in a melee!”

“The crowd roars as Ser Criston obliges Daemon and discards his broken lance in favor of a morningstar. Daemon charges after him with his Valyrian sword, Dark Sister, and Ser Criston evades his angry slashes. Daemon gains the upper hand, and for a moment it seems he is the victor. He turns towards the crowd and raises his hands in victory, the crowd cheers loudly for him.

Taking advantage of his distraction, Ser Criston manages to disarm Daemon and knock him down. Unwilling to accept defeat, Daemon attempts to pull a hidden dagger from his boot, but Ser Criston is on him. He stands over him with his morningstar raised, ready to strike. Knowing he’s been defeated, Daemon yields. He then helps the prince stand. “Well fought, my prince.”

“It was. By one of us.” Daemon stalks away, leaving Ser Criston.

Ser Criston then makes his way to the royal box and removes his helmet. He’s quite stunning and handsome. He has olive skin, with dark eyes and black hair. “Gods. He’s Dornish.” Alicent says in awe.

“I was hoping to ask for the princess’s favor.” Rhaenyra reveals a lush wreath of red roses, she tosses it to Ser Criston who easily catches it. “After I win the tourney, I’ll return to name you my Queen of Love and Beauty.” Ser Criston declares.

“I wish you luck, Ser Criston.” Rhaenyra says with a smile, and a sudden pang of jealousy hits Y/N.

“That was awfully forward of him.” Y/N states, trying her best not to sound jealous, but Rhaenyra seems to have caught on. A smirk appears on her face.

“Did you wish for my favor as well?” Rhaenyra teases, but Y/N is not amused. She turns to take her seat but notices the King and his hand are no longer in there’s.

“Where did your father and the Hand go?” Y/N questions.

Alicent and Rhaenyra turn around and see their father’s seats empty. “Perhaps the Queen’s labors have finished, and she’s finally given birth. I’m sure she’ll be summoned shortly.” Alicent speculates and Rhaenyra seems to agree. They both sit back down and continue to watch the games. An uneasy feeling creeps over Y/N, but she sits down anyway.

It isn’t until later, when Lord Otto returns to the royal box and speaks with the small council, that Y/N’s uneasy feeling is confirmed. The Lord Commander of the Kings Guard, Redwyn, rushes over to the princess to deliver the terrible news. The Queen has died during childbirth, along with her son.

THE NEXT MORNING

RHENYS’ HILL

Queen Aemma’s body is wrapped in a white shroud and laid upon a stone. Next to her lies a tiny funeral shroud belonging to her son. Hundreds have gathered on the mound, all of them dressed in mourning. At the front of the crowd stands the small council in support of their King.

Rhaenyra stands apart from her father. Her eyes are red from crying, but also anger. All those in attendance appear to be looking at her, waiting anxiously for her to do something. Alicent and Y/N stand not too far behind her, unable to support their friend.

Luckily, Daemon steps up and offers her a few words. They speak in High Valyrian, before leaving for the North, Rhaenyra had been teaching her, but Y/N only understood a few words. Your father needs you more now than he ever has. I will never be a son. Rhaenyra then breaks away from her uncle and stalks up the hill, where Syrax awaits. Full of emotion, Rhaenyra gives the command. “Dracarys.”

Seeming to hesitate at first, Syrax eventually opens her maw and breaths out dragon fire towards the shrouded bodies. Daemon comes to Rhaenyra’s side to console her.

After the funeral, Rhaenyra returns to her apartments to find both her friends waiting for her. Seeing them both, she finally bursts into tears. As they approach the princess, she falls into their arms, and sinks to the floor together.

The next couple of days after the funeral, things return to normal, or at least somewhat. Since the Queen’s passing, the Red Keep has been quiet. She had been loved by all, and her passing is still felt. Especially by her family.

Both Alicent and Y/N have done their best to be there and comfort their friend, but she’s been somewhat distant. She goes about her day conducting her royal duties, and attending her studies, but when she is finished, she locks herself in her room. Y/N can’t blame the princess for wanting to be alone. Since staying here, she had come to see the Queen as a mother figure. As promised, she had looked out for her. And now that she is gone, it’s as if she’s lost her mother for a second time.

Y/N sits at her desk, staring at a blank piece of parchment, unsure what to write to her brother. She’s sure by now he’s already heard the news. Hopefully, with everything that has happened, he won’t be angry at not receiving a letter yet.

Just as she grabs a pen and wets it with ink, Rhaenyra burst into her room, startling Y/N. She rises from her chair and turns to see the princess pacing back and forth. “Two days he has not spoken to me. Then suddenly he summons and asks me what I see when I look at the dragons.” Y/N opens her mouth to say something, but Rhaenyra continues. “And then he names me his heir. He says he believes I could be a great ruling queen, but I know the truth. He’s angry at Daemon. If he truly believed I could be queen, he wouldn’t be so eager to have a son all these years, he would have just named me heir. Instead, he named me the Realms Delight. The Realms Delight!”

Y/N quickly approaches the princess and places both her hands on her checks to stop her mumblings and pacing. However, in doing this she is now face to face with the princess. Both are taken back by their closeness. They both unconsciously look down at each other’s lips.

Feeling the need to step back for fear of doing something she may regret, Y/N pulls away from the princess, only to be pulled back. Rhaenyra rests her forehead against Y/N’s and wraps both her hands around her shoulders.

“I do not know what to make of all this. No one will ever accept a woman as ruler.” Rhaenyra admits.

“They will if the King commands it.” Rhaenyra looks up at Y/N. “You’re right to think as you do. It’s unprecedented for a woman to be heir of anything. But if this is what your father has decided, if this is what the King has decreed. Then the realm has no other choice but to accept you. Whether he made you heir out of anger or not, I believe you’d make a good queen. And I would gladly bend the knee.”

“Promise me you will always be by my side. If you are with me, I’ll be able to handle anything that comes my way.”

“I promise to always be by your side Rhaenyra.”

The next morning, both Alicent and Y/N help dress the princess for the upcoming ceremony. Today, the lords of the realm would pledge fealty to Rhaenyra as heir to the iron throne. As Alicent brushes Rhaenyra’s hair, Y/N fixes a golden-like chain around her neck. It has the sigils of all the great houses stamped on it, with her house at the center.

Once the princess is dressed, they escort her to the throne room, where it is packed with lords, ladies, and knights from every corner of the realm. The princess stands in front of the throne with Grand Maester Mellos on one side and the High Septon on the other. Behind her a long queue of lords has formed before the throne. The Grand Maester calls upon each lord one at a time, to bend the knee and speak their oath.

As this is happening, Rhaenyra can’t help but think back to her conversation with her father the night before. After naming her heir, he had begun to tell her of a dream Aegon the Conquer had about the end of the world. He had called his dream “The Song of Ice and Fire.”

She begins to nervously look out into the crowd in search of Y/N. When she finds her, Y/N is already looking at her. She gives the princess a nod, silently telling her she’s got this. When the oaths have been sworn, the King rises from the iron throne. Rhaenyra turns and looks back at her father with confidence. “I, Viserys Targaryen, first of his name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm do herby name Rhaenyra Targaryen the Princess of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne.”

The fourteen-year-old princess looks out across the lords of the realm that she will be responsible for holding together. She then glances back towards Y/N, as she looks upon her, she knows that as long as she is by her side, she will be able to do this.

***Here is the second part to Fire and Ice. Hope you like it Renamed the first part, When Fire Meets Ice. Working on creating a master list so that all parts can be read in order.***

#house of the dragon #the heirs of the dragon #rhaenyra targaryen #rhaenyra x reader #queen rhaenyra #alicent hightower #viserys targaryen #daemon targaryen

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whitegownsandflowercrowns · 5 days ago

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My Rewatch 1x01: "The Heirs of the Dragon"

I do love the choice to start with the Great Council; it's what started this whole thing and there's a 99% chance of it coming out very clunky if you try to talk about it in expository dialogue.

I missed the opening titles this episode :(

Oh god I forgot how happy Rhaenyra and Alicent used to be. It's so much harder to watch their 1x01 scenes when you've watched everything after go down.

Also am I seeing things or was Rhaenyra very much checking out Alicent at the end of their first scene together?

When I watched Aemma and Rhaenyra's scene I thought it was kind of darkly funny how Rhaenyra essentially said "hey mom, are you feeling alright? no one's checked in on you" and Aemma basically responded "you are a womb for the crown." After watching the rest of Aemma's scenes, though, any humor is gone. I'll elaborate.

Did not think the first person I would want to kill Viserys for would be Rhaenyra. But seriously, there's no need to emphasize how you know this baby is a boy and how you're so excited to finally have a boy as many times as he does in this scene when your daughter is right there. UGGHHHH I hate him so much.

DAEMON SHE IS FOURTEEN STOP LOOKING AT HER LIKE THAT

Back to Aemma: something about her scenes that struck me so much harder this time is how much she clearly hates pregnancy, and how hard she's trying to convince herself that she doesn't. Her conversation with Rhaenyra? Trying to convince herself that to give birth to dead children over and over again is her duty, that there is something noble in this suffering. In her bath scene with Viserys she keeps making "jokes" about how awful pregnancy is ("at this point I may very well give birth to a dragon", "born wearing a crown? childbirth is painful enough.") Her book counterpart was married to Viserys at 11, and he only waited two years to start trying to get children out of her. It's unclear how old Show!Aemma is supposed to be, but if we're taking that as canon, she has known nothing else her entire life. She believes that this is her one task, her one duty, and so she must repress the fact that she clearly hates it. And then the fact that her one attempt to gain some autonomy is what led to her death...

Ok so fun fact I cannot watch the Gold Cloaks with a straight face anymore because when I showed @lovelybeautifulwasteland the show and we got to the scene of Daemon hyping them up she just said "it's giving they've explored each other's bodies" with no context and now that is the only thing I can think of so as they're all chanting I'm just laughing hysterically.

Once again, Alicent and Rhaenyra happily gossiping during the tourney is rough when you realize this is essentially the last time the two of them (especially Alicent) will ever truly be happy.

Also Rhaenyra holding Alicent's hand when she notices her picking at her skin...they love each other so much

FIRST LOOK AT CRISTON

Also Rhaenys I am so sorry that I have ever spoken against you. I am apologizing in advance for when I rewatch 1x02 (and maybe 1x09) and I will speak against her again. She doesn't deserve that. She does, but also she doesn't. I love her.

We got so many reaction shots of Laena during the tourney, and a few of her clutching Laenor's arm when she was shocked. I wish we could have seen so much more of their sibling relationship, I would have loved that.

Daemon asking for Alicent's favor immediately after knocking Gwayne out...I am praying for them to interact a lot in Season 3, there's so much potential there.

Aemma's death legitimately almost made me cry this time around because I think it finally truly hit me just how viscerally horrible it is. Viserys barely hesitates before asking "you can save the child?" She's so happy when he tells her that they're bringing the baby out, she thinks it's all going to be okay. And then when they hold her down and start cutting into her, she's so scared. She's so scared, and she doesn't know what's going on, and her husband who she's sacrificed child after child trying to do her duty for isn't doing anything to stop the maester from hurting her and he just keeps telling her that they're bringing the baby out and he loves her, and her final moments are spent in fear and confusion and pain. I hate Viserys so so much.

Also during the funeral, when Rhaenyra wonders if he finally experienced happiness for the few hours that Baelon was alive...I really do wonder, if Baelon had survived, if Viserys would have regretted it even half as much.

Look, I think, out of all of the main cast, Viserys did the most damage. But I do think that there is a really compelling argument that Otto is the single cruelest character in the entire cast. Daemon enjoys violence, sure, but he does care. In his own way. Otto doesn't even wait until the day after Aemma's funeral to immediately start pressing on the topic of heir, covering it all up under the (very very thin) veneer of the whole "I hate to bring it up now" act, and he sends his fourteen-year old daughter to Viserys' chambers literally hours later. He does love her, and he seems to care for Viserys, but he's just so, so cruel.

On that note, "you might wear one of your mother's dresses" really stuck out to me this time around, more so than "in his chambers?" Because let's be honest: the second Otto said "I thought you might go to him" Alicent knew damn well what the subtext of that was. But there was still the plausible deniability. She could convince herself that maybe her father really did just want her to comfort Viserys after a horrible loss. But "you might wear one of your mother's dresses?" There is absolutely no mistaking what the true intention of this visit is. Coupled with the sheerness of the dress in question, that it was clearly made for an adult woman...Otto you're going straight to hell with Viserys.

Alicent in this scene and the choices she makes also really stood out. Because, like I said, she knows that her father wants her to seduce Viserys. Maybe not in the moment right then and there, but he wants her to at least begin the process. She can't completely go against her father's wishes and sit in silence with Viserys, but she also doesn't want to seduce her best friend's father. So she plays it very carefully: she keeps a conversation rolling, but she makes sure that she's just being a friend. I feel so sad for her.

The fact that Viserys names Rhaenyra heir at most 48 hours after Aemma's death is really the worst part of her death. She died for absolutely nothing.

I will not become a Daemon fan. I will not become a Daemon fan. I will not become a Daemon fan. I will not become a Daemon fan.

Viserys' little spiel about control of the dragons being an illusion and how easily the Targaryens could tear themselves apart...it's THE THEMESSSS

I said a while back that I couldn't remember any moment in Season 1 that really said Mysaria was attracted to Daemon, but honestly? She has a few moments that make me think that she genuinely does like him, it's not just the money.

The ending to this episode is just SO good. Cutting between Viserys telling Rhaenyra about the Song of Ice and Fire, Alicent getting her ready for the ceremony, the heir ceremony itself...it's just so good.

Also tell me why I was tempted to cry when they played "A Song of Ice and Fire" over the credits, I just love this show so much and Ramin Djawadi is an actual genius.

#boys bugs and men by helaena targaryen #house of the dragon #the heirs of the dragon #hotd rewatch #rhaenyra targaryen #alicent hightower #rhaenicent #aemma arryn #daemon targaryen #anti viserys i targaryen #anti otto hightower

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