#vaemond

[hislittledragonthings]

I need this.

I really need this.

[urdeftonesgrrrl]

"vhagar and aemond are such cowards! they can only win by sneak attacking!"

literally daemon:

[hightowerz]

literally why is it that every single velaryon seems to exist to boost up rhaenyra.

laena isn’t loved by daemon because he misses the niece he groomed, her “i want to die a dragonrider’s death” will surely be made to make rhaenyra’s demise a badass moment (it will never be anything of the sort. it is empty and tragic). in fact, rhaenyra fucks laena’s husband the very night of her funeral and marries him the day after or so!

corlys literally cannot grieve the loss of his wife without being given her station and made out as the bad guy because he’s angry at rhaenyra (he already made her bastard son his heir, though we can all acknowledge it was more out of benefit to his house, and his house has worked tirelessly to supply her ships).

literally 99% of the scarce screen-time baela receives is propping rhaenyra.

rhaena is ordered to be a glorified babysitter to rhaenyra sons (who are, uniquely, her half-brothers but you couldn’t tell with the lack of warmth between rhaena and her step-mother).

it’s interesting that the only velaryon who doesn’t fall into this category, vaemond, is literally brutally murdered for calling out rhaenyra and the fact she wants house velaryon to be ruled by a bastard who has no legitimate direct tie to his house, and literally knows nothing about their ways. in fact, he has to call her a whore to distract the audience from the fact he’s speaking the literal truth and everyone is too busy purposefully ignoring it to acknowledge he’s right.

it’s a bit odd that they were all intentionally made black when literally all they do is prop her up, and the man who doesn’t kiss her ass is executed, that’s all!

[danyyytarggg]

one of my gripes about house of the dragon is the lack of a true royal court. in game of thrones, we were shown a red keep bustling with people, both servants and nobility alike. we were shown ladies-in-waiting and noble men and women at court attempting to seek favor from the royal family like cersei, margaery, etc. there were always people around and spectators to be careful of when conducting your business in the castle. we really are not gifted this in house of the dragon. sure, we’ve seen some small glimpses of the royal court and castle life but nothing significant enough to even be close to comparable to that of game of thrones, which is such a shame because it adds so much to the idea of nobility/royal life. in a way, it makes hotd sort of dull, lifeless, and empty in the red keep, dragonstone, driftmark, etc. as well as making the world small and sort of isolating around the targaryens/velaryons/royalty/small council, and not even in an “untouchable” sort of way, just sort of in a “there’s just nobody around” way. not to mention, depicting the royal court/nobility more would be significant in a show centered around a power struggle for the throne. and seeing team green and team black truly navigate court prior to viserys’ death as well as during this war would have added so much more to the story such as depth, significance, etc. even in appearance, the red keep seems dull whereas in game of thrones, the castle was vibrant, decorated, bustling.

this also plays a role in that i’m personally not a fan of how the show depicts royalty/nobility. from the lack of extravagant clothing (though i feel like the show has done just a tad bit better this season), lack of court/castle life, to the way people tend to blatantly disrespect the royal family without punishment (with the exception of vaemond), even the way they sometimes speak, the show lacks in giving me the sense of “THESE are the TARGARYENS. THIS is how ROYALTY are like. THIS is how the HIGHEST NOBILITY live.”

personally, the show just isn’t depicting royalty/royal court/castle life/nobility to the extent it should and can even come across as sloppy at some points.

[writingsofwesteros]

Ok. I don't know if you'll write for him but...

Vaemond with Jace's younger twin, where instead of him making a big fuss about Luke being Lord of Tides, he just fucks Rhaenyra's pretty little daughter as revenge?

Can I please get a fic for this??

AN: Hi, I hope you like it x

NSFW

Vaemond’s brewing storm inside him had become a simmer now after his conversation with Corlys. He knew the battles to walk away from; and this was one of them, he thought to himself as his steps echoed against the cold floors of the red keep. His mind racing in his ears. The annoyance of the supposed realm’s delight only continued to course through his veins. The mere sight of those bastards had the Lord gritting his teeth all behind a polite smile under his brother’s watchful eye. But alas, his brother was nowhere in sight, Vaemond smirked at the thought as he only walked further into the keep. It seemed fate was on his side that night as the familiar dark locks caught his eye.

Oh, it seems this was his lucky day. The sight of Rhaenyra’s precious and only daughter brought a smirk to his face. It did not take long for a plan to form in his mind; it was Rhaenyra’s own fault for being such a whore and leaving her daughter unattended. “Princess,” Vaemond gently called out as he stepped into the alley; hidden from view. It was perfect. Her soft, dark eyes widened at the mere sight of him. “My Lord..” She was breathless already; just as if she was prey. To him - she was. Her eyes looked behind him; the broad shoulders of Vaemond blocking her exit. “I thought you would be with your mother,” Vaemond purred as he stalked closer, cornering her with ease.

“She is tending to the King,” the words fell from her lips without warning as Vaemond’s smirk only widened. A comment was on the tip of his tongue of how long Rhaenyra had stayed away from her dying father; but in the moment; he kept his silence. In those moments, all she could hear was her own heart beat. Daemon’s warnings of Vaemond whispered in her ear as the Princess stepped further into the secluded area. A mistake that the Lord pounced on. He followed her movements as the space between the both of them only lessened. Their brodies brushed against each other; the slight touch was enough for his cock to twitch in his breeches.

The way she looked at him from under those thick lashes of hers had Vaemond struggling to keep his composure. A smirk tugged on his lips as he realised this was his only chance. Such easy pickings the Princess before him was. “You are a beauty. It is such a shame.” Vaemond whispered mostly to himself. The flutter of confusion that came across her face only endeared her more to the Lord. “My Lord…” A soft gasp escaped her as the stone wall behind made contact with her back. Vaemond only followed; cornering her as his hand reached to gently brush a lock of her too dark hair behind her ears.

His free hand slowly captured her hip; pressing the Princess against the wall as he slowly leaned closer. Her soft, sweet looking breasts pressed against him as Vaemond’s hand only travelled further south. A shiver ran down her spine as she wiggled against him; seeking out a place for her to escape to. In her distraction, Vaemond slowly trailed his hand up the silk skirts of her dress; goosebumps easily moving over her soft skin. Two of his thicker fingers brushed over her soaked slit; a place her maids had touched once and it had been too much. Her hand instantly reached for his wrist as those big eyes of hers only widened even more.

Vaemond only chuckled at her reaction. “Oh – you are so wet,” he could not help but tease her cruelly. “No…no, please…” She whimpered; rocking against his fingers as he slowly swiped her sensitive clit with his thumb. The pink blush moved over her cheeks as her soft, plump lips parted with a whisper of his name. “Shhh, you do not want an audience, do you?” Vaemond could not help but tease some more as his fingers became slick with her wetness. The Princess shook her head; those widened eyes of hers never strayed from him. Her sweet, puffy lips spread apart as he slowly pushed one of his fingers deep inside.

Vaemond chuckled as the flash of pain and pleasure moved over her face as well as the shock of the new sensations he brought the Princess. “So fucking tight.” Gods, he could not even imagine how she would feel wrapped around his already leaking cock. Her more delicate hand still held onto him; once more to push him away. As punishment, Vaemond pressed a second finger inside her; the stretch so delicious as he watched her face flush pink. This time her noises could not be muffled as the Princess whined out. His fingers continued to move. His palm softly began to hit her clit with each thrust of his fingers; his movements only quickening. 

The Lord slowly leaned closer; their noses brushing together before he lovingly captured her soft, plump lips. A soft gasp escaped the Princess and allowed his tongue to greedily move into her mouth. Her body melted against his chest as she seemingly surrendered completely to him, much to Vaemond’s delight. If he knew it was to be this easy; Vemond would have tried long before this. “Just like your mother.” He whispered his comment and enjoyed the look that came over the Princess’ face. In the distraction, Vaemond moved his own hand into his breeches. He cupped his throbbing cock and began to stroke himself. His movements match his own fingers stuffing her full.

Her head fell back against the cold wall; her body humming in desire that she had never thought possible. Or had thought about it at all. The Princess was lost within her own thoughts and did not notice Vaemond’s change in position. It was only when she whined at feeling so empty did she realise. His dark chuckles echoing in her ear at such a reaction. “I always knew you were a little slut.” Vaemond’s smirk only widened as he watched her shake her head. “Hmm, no?” He continued to tease as he pressed his leaking, mushroom head against her clit. “Listen.” There was no hiding from the wet, obscene noises her dripping pussy made.

Her struggling only continued at the feel of his leaking head brushing up and down; parting her puffy lips. “Shhh, there you go.” Vaemond purred as he slowly inched his cock inside her. Her wetness coating his thick length with ease. Still, the pain was present as his fat cock only stretched her some more. His free hand slowly moved to her stomach now; palm stretched and pressing down just to hear her squeal. And oh how she did. Slowly, Vaemond began to rock his hips; pushing deeper as she reached for his shirt. The buttons easily ripped as she whined out his name. Those big, doe eyes of hers welled with unshed tears.

Of pain or pleasure, Vaemond was not sure nor did he care. Not when she felt so good squeezing around his throbbing cock. The erotic sight before him had the Lord’s attention as a ring of cream formed easily around his thickness. His hand slowly reached for the back of her neck and forced the Princess to look. “Opening up for me so nicely, Princess.” Vaemond purred and watched in delight at the blush moving over her cheeks. Her eyes rolled back as his hand reached to cup her face; their lips meeting softer than he intended. Still, his thrusts quickened; his balls slapping against her as the sound of their bodies touching echoed. 

Their tongues danced as she moaned against him; hands reaching for his shoulders now. As if to steady herself. “Please…” Vaemond only smirked at her words as her wetness dripped down his thick cock. Her thighs shook as his fat, mushroom head bullied the sweet spot he found as if he knew her body already. “Fuck, that’s it.” The Princess whimpered his name as his hand slowly began to travel south; his rougher fingers finding her sweet, sensitive clit. A new sensation of pleasure ripping through her now. His thumb swept across her before two of his fingers rubbed at her causing her to squeal and her body thrashed.

Vaemond struggled to thrust as she tightened around him. Her orgasm moved over her without warning as she gushed around his cock. His fingers only continued to move as her hand reached for his chest. She tried to push him away but his free hand reached for hers and pressed them above her head. He began to chase his own release; his thrusts only quickened now as his hand fell away from her sensitive clit. The Princess moaned as her leg wrapped around his waist; pulling him closer. Her body betrayed her mind as it followed its own instincts. The new position only allowed Vaemond to push deeper. 

Gods, it was as if he was a young man again as the familiar tightening of his stomach came over him. A better man who removed himself from her but no, this Princess deserved her own bastard. Just as her mother had done. It helped that she was milking him. She wanted it just as much as he did, even if the Princess did not realise that. He flooded her with his cum; pressing deep and keeping himself there as she whined. Her body wiggled against him before he passionately captured her soft, plump lips once more. His hand slowly moved up the side of her body before palming at her breast; his thumb brushing over her pebbled nipple causing her to gasp against him. “Now, was that not nice?” Vaemond cruelly whispered as he finally removed himself; his cum slowly dripping down her inner thighs. The Lord could not remove his eyes from the sight as he placed his softening cock in his breeches. It seemed his Princess had the same problem; her mouth watering at the sight. His hand cupped her puffy, used pussy causing her to gasp; his cum and her wetness coating his fingers. “Was it nice?” The Lord repeated himself as the Princess could only nod her head; lips parted and eyes glazed still. His coated fingers soon found their home inside her hot mouth; pressing against her tongue as she drooled for him.

[drakaripykiros130ac]

People are so insensitive when it comes to Rhaenyra’s situation. I have never seen so much cruelty directed towards a girl who was put between a rock and a hard place.

You all are acting as though Rhaenyra’s goal in life was to cheat on Laenor and undermine the Velaryons, her allies and her kin. She didn’t sleep around with the purpose of getting back at her husband and having children with other men out of spite (she’s not Cersei).

Rhaenyra was forced into marriage with a gay man and expected to produce heirs not only for the Iron Throne but also for Driftmark. So, an heir and a spare for House Targaryen. Another heir and another spare for House Velaryon. Four children (preferably sons) were expected from her womb. Good luck with that.

Let’s suppose that the rumors are true and Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey are not Laenor’s. Rhaenyra’s decision to have children with another man should be less criticized, and regarded with more sympathy. She couldn’t spend her entire marriage life to Laenor without having children. Her “suitable” options were these:

1. Remain childless and let herself, the Princess of Dragonstone and Heir to the Throne, be called barren.

2. Demand an annulment by exposing Laenor’s nature (confirming the rumors), and not only humiliating House Velaryon (her allies) but also putting the succession of Driftmark into question (since Laenor was Corlys’ only son and his chosen heir).

At a time when a faction of snakes was constantly nipping at her heels, either one of these options would have left Rhaenyra vulnerable at Court.

She took matters into her own hands and had children with another man. And not just another man. This was a man she could trust, her sworn shield, a man who cared for her and who would never betray her (it’s hard to find someone like that).

To claim that she should have chosen a Valyrian (as though the options are unlimited) is extremely superficial. For this to work, she needed someone trustworthy, someone who would not attempt to claim the children later on. We all know that Daemon would have been the best option for her. She loved him, he was Valyrian and her ally. But alas, with his own marriage and life away from Court, it wasn’t really possible. And I am not really sure if Daemon would have been okay with another man laying claim to his children (that is up for debate).

Rhaenyra preferred a man who was trustworthy over a man with the “correct” features. The chances were 50/50 that the children would look like her, and unfortunately, they didn’t. That’s that.

Laenor and Corlys accepted the situation, because they understood what it would cost them all if they didn’t. This whole thing was on their heads. They provided the heir to the throne with a husband incapable of reproducing. It was not Rhaenyra’s fault.

As such, the children were recognized as Velaryons by the father (Laenor), the Lord of Driftmark (Corlys) and the King (Viserys). And these are the only opinions which matter. No one can prove that the boys didn’t inherit Baratheon and/or Arryn genes. Legally, Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey are the sons of Rhaenyra and Laenor.

When it comes to the Iron Throne, it doesn’t matter who fathered Rhaenyra’s children, as long as they are hers. She is the ruling Queen. And we have no way of knowing how things would have gone down after Rhaenyra became Queen. Daemon had two sons of his own. He could have managed to convince Rhaenyra to acknowledge Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey as bastards and then legitimize them, since she has the power to do so. If the boys wouldn’t have been accepted by the Realm (unlikely), there is also the possibility that Rhaenyra could have decided to pass the succession to her and Daemon’s children. Rhaenyra had legitimate heirs who could have taken the throne after her death.

As for Driftmark, despite greedy Vaemond’s ramblings, the succession was just fine. The Velaryon line would have continued through the marriage between Lucerys and Rhaena.

Lucerys had the Velaryon name and Rhaena had the Velaryon blood. Their children would have had the Velaryon name and blood. Problem solved.

People need to stop acting as through Vaemond was some sort of crusader, demanding “justice” for his House. He was just as much of an upstart as the Hightowers and he wanted to take Corlys’ power for himself, and so he took advantage of some rumors to discredit Rhaenyra’s children and advance himself.

Things are not black and white, and given Rhaenyra’s nearly impossible situation, exceptions can be made. And these exceptions wouldn’t have affected neither the succession of Driftmark nor that of the Seven Kingdoms.

[watcherintheweyr]

'Rhaenyra is a bad mom bc she knowingly gave birth to bastards and she knew how much danger they'd be in!!!!'

1. She had no way of knowing those babies wouldn't pop out looking exactly like her, beforehand. And unfortunately she couldn't stop at Jace. The throne needed an heir. Driftmark needed an heir. And a spare was needed as well, given the sheer rate of Targaryen children dying untimely deaths.

2. She had to provide heirs to the throne, and to Driftmark. If she hadn't, society wouldn't have blamed Laenor, they would have blamed her- which makes her position even more unstable, bc then she 'can't fulfill a woman's duty' so why would men think her 'able' to fill a 'man's role' by ruling the kingdom? And she and Laenor tried. He was either unable (meaning infertile or impotent, or unable to get it up), or unwilling. (And they did try. We dont know what they tried but Rhaenyra is shown to be clever in the show so honestly i have no doubt she attempted what Margaery suggested with Renly.) Laenor was in on the entire thing. He was aware of every part of this. He wasn't duped, he wasn't cuckholded- it was a plan greenlit by him, bc this way he and Rhaenyra would both have their heirs and a family. This cannot in any way shape or form be compared to Cersei cuckholding Robert (fuck Robert Baratheon tho), seeing as Robert was **not** at all aware that his children weren't his, and wouldn't have been OK with that.

Either way- she chose not to maritally r*pe her husband and put him through more trauma after it was clear their attempts weren't working. Yall are always so upset for Alicent (rightfully so, bc show!alicent was maritally raped, even if it wasn't considered as such in that time), but you... WANT Rhaenyra to do that to Laenor? Hello???

[And no. Rhaenyra did NOT rape or coerce Criston Cole. The actors, writers, and directors have all stated their sex was consensual and 'an act of love.' It was Rhaenyra going to someone she felt close to and trusted after feeling abandoned and unwanted and betrayed. In that scene you literally watch, as after Cole tells Rhaenyra to stop undressing herself, she moves aside so she isn't blocking his way to the door. The director states that the moment they show Cole folding and setting down his cloak was him choosing his desire over his oaths. And Criston Cole has known Rhaenyra since she was 14. He knew damn well the sort of person she was- and she was not the person who would have harmed him for saying no. She was an intoxicated and emotionally vulnerable 19 year old- Criston was in his late 20s to early 30s. And it's explicitly stated in ep.9 that the ONLY person a Kingsguard cannot refuse is the king. In ep.7 Criston disobeys a direct order from Alicent when she wants him to mutilate Lucerys. Criston Cole was not assaulted. Stop trying to assign Aegon's sins to Rhaenyra so that you can feel better for supporting him.]

3. In the books, the rumors of their bastardry at large halted when all of Rhaenyra's boys' cradle eggs hatched. The ONLY people who continued to try and raise issue were the core green faction. But the realm at large *did not give a fuck* why? Because every actually relevant party claimed those boys. Repeatedly and without flinching. Laenor claimed and loved those boys even face to face with Alicent's bullshit. Corlys claimed and love those boys- he was proud of them, and it's been stated by the actor in the show that Luke was his favorite- that given the... events of ep.10, Corlys will be out for blood. And Viserys repeatedly insisted upon their legitimacy- because Laenor and Corlys claimed them, because he knew that by forcing Rhaenyra to marry Laenor in order to repair the damage his insults caused House Velaryon, that he had backed her into a corner.

Rhaenyras boys are remembered to history as Velaryon. Even **Green supporters** noted that they were good, capable, intelligent, and **worthy** princes. That their deaths were unfortunate *for the realm.*

Legally, those boys are legitimate. They cannot be proven illegitimate without Laenor renouncing them, and he never did. Furthermore, trying to declare children illegitimate due to their appearance is a stupid, dangerous precedent. The fact that it's people who have no ties to House Velaryon pushing these rumors and pushing for disinheritance makes it even worse, because they're meddling in the succession of a House that *is not theirs.* if that became a standard, imagine the feuds and conflicts that would erupt- lords pushing for the children of rivals to be declared illegitimate all for the sake of trying to grasp and steal land, power, and influence as a norm? The realm would tear itself apart. Not to mention the sheer danger that would place women in, in Westeros.

Furthermore, even whilst usurping her, even while calling her children bastards, the Greens also imply Laenor's homosexuality was inherited by the Velaryon princes- that they would use Rhaenyra's 'promiscuity' and Laenor's 'predilections' to turn the Red Keep into a brothel- ironic, considering that's more what Aegon would've done. So even while claiming that Rhaenyras children are bastards that shouldn't inherit, they try to state that what the boys inherit or learn from Laenor makes them unfit for the throne. They can't keep their own damn story straight- because their usurpation was never about what is moral, what is right, or the greater good. It was about greed. Power. Sexism.

It doesn't matter what those boys looked like, especially seeing as Rhaenys had dark hair in the books. What matters is that Corlys and Laenor and Viserys claimed them and declared them legitimate, and that they **never** deviated from that.

As for Vaemond, he was a second son. And he waited until Corlys and Viserys were dying and too ill to stop him to make a grasp for power. Youre not supposed to look at that and feel hes in the right. Youre supposed to look at that and see a man consumed by greed, and literally trying to bury Corlys' will and intentions before the man is even in a grave. He was NEVER Corlys' heir- he just wanted power. It wasn't about his House, or their legacy, it was about him.

(And before yall start shit about Rhaenyras boys stealing Laena's girls' inheritance... Rhaena and Baela are *TARGARYEN*. Not Velaryon. Their claim was to the throne or to any holdings in Daemon's name. NOT to Driftmark.)

Rhaenyras boys being betrothed to Rhaena and Baela tied up any issue of 'Velaryon blood.' Baela would have been queen consort of the seven kingdoms at Jace's side, and they very clearly adored one another in book and show. Rhaena would have been Lady of the Tides- which she never would have had a chance for, without Rhaenyra (and Laena) making those betrothals. She and Luke were also canonically very close- and in show she's very encouraging of him whenever he looks nervous or uncertain. They had a bond.

Rhaenyra stole nothing. She gave those girls more. And she loved them- they were the only daughters she got to have, seeing as the Greens treachery caused the early death of baby Visenya. If she hadn't loved them, she wouldn't have trusted Rhaena to look after Joffrey or give her Morning's egg from Syrax. She wouldn't have immediately invited both girls to the table when she was queen, which is something her father did not do for her until much, much later. He allowed Rhaenyra's voice to be silenced too often when she was first made heir. Rhaenyra did not repeat that hurt to her girls or her boys.

Anyways, moving on.

You lot do also remember that Rhaenyra herself has Velaryon blood, right? Jaehaerys I's mother was Alyssa Velaryon. Aegon, Rhaenys, and Visenya the Conquerors' mother was Valaena Velaryon. It's not immediate, but there *is* Velaryon blood through *all* of Rhaenyras boys.

Ultimately, Rhaenyras boys were only in danger because of the core Green faction usurping the throne. If they hadnt- no succession crisis or rebellion could have truly threatened Rhaenyras boys- because none of them would have had dragons. All of Rhaenyras children loved one another- her sons by Daemon would not have turned on her sons with Laenor (and Harwin). They were a true, loving family- possibly one of the healthiest and most close knit one House Targaryen ever boasted.

And another thing... 'her having babies with Harwin was stupid, she should have picked someone Valyrian!'

Here's the thing. Rhaenyra had to be careful as hell choosing who would father her and Laenor's heirs. She had to choose someone who was physically close, and who could be trusted. Someone who wouldn't try to publicly claim those boys in boast or jealousy. Someone who would keep their mouth shut and had no ambition of their own in regards to the throne. Do you really think Vaemond Velaryon (as I see him suggested a lot) would've kept his mouth shut? That he wouldn't have tried to use this to blackmail Rhaenyra and Laenor for more power and status? Do you think Rhaenys would have ever fought for or supported Rhaenyra if Rhaenyra had tried to have Corlys sire her children? And flying to see Daemon in Pentos and having a purely Valyrian child 9 months later would have made things look even more suspect.

Furthermore... she chose someone who cared for her deeply. Who clearly had a positive relationship with Laenor. She chose someone so she wouldn't have to traumatize herself- she took power over her body in a way almost no Westerosi woman has ever been able to. They were a family unit- Rhaenyra, Laenor, and Harwin. Those children were loved and cherished by two fathers and their mother. They were raised never doubting their mothers love, nor their father's- either father. They were raised and educated to be true, good princes of the realm.

Rhaenyra fought like hell for her children. She was an incredible mother. Yall just believe everything the Green faction says without looking at it critically, and that's unfortunate as hell.

[alyrie-targaryen]

I feel like Vaemond Velaryon's murder in full court (for calling Rhaenyra's children bastards and her a whore) should have been treated in the same way Brandon and Rickard Stark's murders (for making threatening remarks when upset in regards to Rhaegar and demanding Lyanna be returned) in front of full court were.

[notalicent]

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON + back to the camera shot (8/∞)

This type of shot creates a sense of mystery or tension leaving the viewer to interpret what the character is feeling or thinking.

[wolf-saint]

Three experiences in Westeros:

Horrors of being a woman

Second son unhinged behaviour

firstborn trauma

[daenerys-apolog1st]

Team Green hates to hear it, but the Hightowers had absolutely no say in whether or not the Velaryon boys were legitimate and neither did Vaemond 🤷‍♀️

First of all, the Hightowers.

This whole paternity bullshit is something that was between House Velaryon and House Targaryen, and House Velaryon and House Targaryen ONLY---as they were the only houses that would be affected by the paternity dispute in any way.

House Hightower had no horse in that race and therefore no say in their legitimacy---they could believe whatever they wanted behind closed doors, but that wasn't the issue. The issue was that the Hightowers were knowingly spreading rumors amongst the other houses to try and deny the Velaryon boys' inheritance and then OPENLY QUESTIONED their legitimacy in PUBLIC COURT to do so.

The Velaryons and the Targaryens had already come to a conclusion on the matter: the Velaryon boys were, in fact, legitimate. The matter was over and done with. The Hightowers were sticking their noses into a situation that wasn't their business and that had already been settled---based solely on the fact that the boys "didn't LOOK Velaryon," no less.

The Hightowers trying to have any say in the succession of Driftmark would be like House Lannister trying to have a say in who would inherit Winterfell. It makes no fucking sense.

Not to mention that questioning legitimacy based solely on APPEARANCE is a very dangerous precedent to set, especially when it's an entirely DIFFERENT HOUSE that's allowed to set it on ANOTHER HOUSE'S SUCCESSION.

Say what you will about the books, but in them the Velaryon boys were---in all likelihood---Laenor's legitimate children. Rhaenys had dark hair, Aemma was never described in the books but we know she had Arryn blood and the Arryn's were known for having dark hair, and the only Strong- (aka the house that people accuse of being the Velaryon boys' "blood") -that was described in the books was fucking BLONDE!

In the show it's a different matter but, still, if every single person directly involved in the matter---Viserys, Laenor, Rhaenyra, Corlys, and Rhaenys---claims those boys as their own and say that THEY ARE LEGITIMATE, why the hell should another house get a say in whether or not that's true? Why would it matter?

Simple answer: it wouldn't!

Could you imagine if Cersei Lannister was allowed to question Robb Stark's legitimacy based solely on the fact that he didn't look like Ned Stark, his father? Despite the fact that everyone involved and the fucking KING said he was legitimate?

Because, under Team Green's logic, that would be a sound argument. Whether they look like their mother or someone else from either line doesn't matter, and it doesn't matter if both families---including the patriarchs/matriarchs and the fucking parents themselves---say the boys are legitimate either. All that matters is if they look like their father, and if they don't: bastard!

It's impractical and, above all else, fucking stupid!

House Hightower has no say in the matters of House Targaryen and House Velaryon.

Secondly, Vaemond Velaryon.

Vaemond, unlike the Hightowers, was at least apart of the houses being affected by the succession and therefore had more of a say in it than Otto and Alicent...but that still didn't mean that he had much of one.

Vaemond was the son of a second son in the books and in the show he was simply a second son, so either way he stood to inherit nothing---not from his father and not from Corlys. Him putting forth the idea that the Velaryon boys were bastards wasn't motivated by anything more than greed: he wanted the power and wealth that came with Driftmark, and he was willing to do whatever he needed to to get it.

Corlys was the only one who really had a say in the succession, as he was its ruler and the one who built it to the great island that it was through his own wealth and power. And Corlys, in both the books and show, was steadfast in his succession: Laenor was to inherit Driftmark and then, after his death, Lucerys was to inherit Driftmark.

We're even shown, in the show, Rhaenys putting forth the idea that Driftmark should go to Baela and Rhaena, but Corlys keeps to his decision that Driftmark would've passed to Lucerys.

"The blood doesn't matter, only names, and they are Velaryons."

As @bluejayprime puts it in this post, Corlys isn't being metaphorical here: what matters to him is the name that Driftmark passes on to, not whether or not Lucerys is theoretically a bastard.

To put it plainly: disinheriting Lucerys in order to pass Driftmark on to Baela or Rhaena would mean that Driftmark would go from being Velaryon to Targaryen.

Names are passed down through the father---which is why Jace, Luce, and Joffrey are Velaryon and not Targaryen and why Baela and Rhaena are Targaryen and not Velaryon---which is why Corlys' and Viserys' conversation in S1 was so important.

Corlys was not asking Viserys- "will the throne be passed down through my blood?" -Corlys was asking Viserys- "will the throne be passed down through my name?"

AKA will the ruling house change from being the Targaryens to the Velaryons.

The compromise is that Jace will grow up under the name Velaryon, but once he ascends the throne he will be named a Targaryen.

The succession of Driftmark is operating under the same rules, if it gets passed down to Baela or Rhaena it will go from being under Velaryon rule to Targaryen rule---which is what Corlys cares about, and what he doesn't want happening.

Corlys doesn't want his house to lose power, not his blood. He does not CARE about blood, he cares about the prosperity of his house. And disinheriting Lucerys would do more to HURT his house than anything else, which is why he DOESN'T do it.

Could he theoretically have named Vaemond as his heir? Sure, but why should he have to? Corlys had a son who had a son, why should he be forced by another house to pass Driftmark down to his brother/nephew rather than his grandson?

Continuing with the other example I used, should House Lannister be able to force Ned Stark to pass Winterfell to Benjin rather than to Robb?

Again: they shouldn't!

And just like Benjin---a second son---doesn't get a say in who Ned names as his heir, Vaemond---the son of a second son/a second son---doesn't get a say in who Corlys names as his heir. If people other than the current head of the household get to have a say in their heir, everyone is going to start putting forth bastard accusations and claims to support their own wants...

...which is EXACTLY what we see with Vaemond and the Hightowers.

They ignore Corlys' CLEARLY STATED WISHES in order to disinherit his heir- (Lucerys) -and put forth someone who would support their own interests rather than who would actually be next in line- (Baela and Rhaena, because they come before Vaemond).

No matter how you look at it, Vaemond and the Hightowers have zero say in Driftmark's succession, and y'all can go cry about it.

[thevelaryons]

HotD racebent the Velaryons and their sole purpose on the show (so far) is to be subservient to Rhaenyra. Am I reading too much into it if I say this is incredibly racist?

There’s definitely racism in the writing. No doubt about it.

A lot of Corlys’ most intelligent political moments are actions taken against Rhaenyra. So HOTD dumbed him down and even centered Rhaenyra in parts of the story where Corlys held authority in the book. Corlys is mostly relegated to the position of being Rhaenyra’s yes man and anytime he speaks against her, the characters around him shame him into silence in the same breath as exalting Rhaenyra. Laena’s relationship with Daemon is completely screwed over to prop up Rhaenyra and even Laena’s death was changed to foreshadow Rhaenyra’s death by dragon fire as something glorious & empowering. HOTD invented Laenor having internalized homophobia so that Rhaenyra could be positioned as the one who saves him from himself. Addam is immediately subservient and obedient to Rhaenyra as soon as he meets her without being given the same honors for his loyalty that his book counterpart got. Vaemond is randomly villainized as a raging bigot instead of a typical ambitious nobleman so that his death can be justified and brushed under the rug, to absolve Rhaenyra. The Silent Five are erased to avoid showing the accountability for the characters’ actions and that scene in HOTD is instead depicted as a touching father/daughter moment between Viserys and Rhaenyra. And there’s a bunch of other stuff too.

If HOTD writers think they’re doing Rhaenyra any favours by making these changes to the characterization, well they aren’t. It’s her character that ultimately looks worse and will continue to do so in the long run.

[tamayakii]

Their Angel. Yan!HOTD x Reader

I've been having so many thoughts about yandere house of the dragon x reader, how the 3 big houses (Targaryen, Velaryon & Hightower) would fight for the darlings' affection. Platonic, Familial or romantic. I feel like they would, of course, all fight over what colours you would wear, what house you represent until a very annoyed and exhausted council member suggested white.

"like an angel," Viserys adds, it was said that the gods had sent you down to bless them so dressing you in white seemed the best option... but that didn't stop them from gifting you jewellery that had the colours of their house.

The Hightower jewellery had the most expensive Jade and Emerald on top of gold, these pieces can range from delicate rings to big statement necklaces that encompass your neck. Alicent prefers to give you these gifts in person, alone, perhaps in her or your chambers. Presenting you with the beautifully engraved box as she opens it, showing you a new necklace with a beautiful dark green emerald. Otto's gifts never cease to awe you in how quiet that man is in his actions, a small indiscreet box upon your pillow when you ready for bed. Inside lays a note, upon which Otto describes the moment he found this beautiful ring and knew he must get it for you, the handwriting almost as beautiful as the peridot ring you now proudly wear on your pinkie.

The Targaryen jewellery is almost always extravagant, having connections to get you the best out of everything. Viserys gifts you capes, crowns and veils but unlike the others, he almost always keeps them in white, unless they have jewels. His favourite thing to see you in is crown veils, the jewellery hanging down and framing your face makes you seem like you stepped down from heaven's gate. When Aemma was still around, she gifted you rings and earrings, she wasn't able to give you much before she passed in childbirth. So you hold these gifts quite dearly to your heart, always sporting the dark ruby red ring on your thumb, twisting it when you get nervous. Rhaenrya, oh dear Rhaenrya, she wanted everyone to know that you belong to the Targaryens. To the Blood of The Dragons, her first gift to you was a cloak clasp that show two dragons on each side, her second gift was a crystal bracelet that had a chain connecting to a ring, it was a simple design but by the gods it made you feel exquisite. There was one gift that set the nail in the coffin, it was a gift from Rhaenrya and Aemma, a dragon that wrapped around your neck. Signifying the hold that House Targaryen has on you.

The Velaryon jewellery is often pearls or other sea gemstones as they sit on driftmark and have a hand over the trading routes, Rhaenys upon her second meeting of you, gifting you a pearl ring slipping upon your finger herself. Corlys gifted you a relic that was been with the Veleryons for ages on your first birthday with them, the beautiful necklace made with blue topaz, moonstones and blue chalcedony, wrapped beautifully with Valeryon silver. Vaemond... never was quite as fond as you as his brother and sister-in-law were, you were no Targaryen or Velaryon but for small moments he forgot that and adored your sweet smile.

I would love to draw male and female outfits of what this au's darling would look like, i can also do a part two of the other things the other characters would give you as i excluded a lot as to not make this any longer than it is. Should i make a fic with this idea? pls send me an ask if you're interested in this au

[hightowerz]

what’s upsetting to me about making house velaryon black is that the writers seem to go out of their way to bend all these characters to rhaenyra.

laena’s entire character exists to show us that daemon is not happy if he is not with rhaenyra. “we were happy enough” in response to being asked if he loved laena. even laena’s death. it’s tragic, it’s horrifying, and based on the direction the show is going, it will likely be used to uplift rhaenyra. “i want to die a dragonrider’s death” like hello? and even her funeral is used for rhaenyra to have sex with daemon.

vaemond, the only velaryon who does not try to empower rhaenyra, was horrifically decapitated by daemon (cowardly i may add, given how he struck this man from behind) for speaking the truth. the writers really had him call rhaenyra a whore to distract us from the fact he is literally right. her sons have no direct connection to house velaryon.

baela is used to prop rhaenyra up at every possible chance. she is blood and fire, but she was raised at high tide for years. nearly every scene she has, she is doing whatever rhaenyra wants, or speaking highly of her to another character (usually jace).

rhaena is forced to become a glorified babysitter to rhaenyra’s kids. that scene was odd because of the complete lack of warmth and affection that rhaenyra supposedly has for her step-daughters.

like why? what was the point? these actresses and actors are amazing and their characters do not get the justice they deserve. they deserve better than being used to prop up the feminist white savior who comes from a long line of people who genuinely believe they are truly above everyone else because of their heritage.

[elycetellsall]

house velaryon

[reignof-fyre]

"Aemond had his eye cut out by that savage Luke Strong!"

Aemond got off lightly because he committed treason by calling the sons of the heir bastards and threatening their lives.

Do you want to see a parallel situation in which someone called Jace and Luke bastards and recieved due punishment for such treason?

Vaemond Velaryon, in the books, insisted that Jace, Luke, and Joff weren't trueborn, and this happened:

"In 126 AC, when Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Lord of the Tides, was struck by a sudden fever and fell gravely ill, a discussion began about the succession to Driftmark. Both of Corlys' children, Laena and Laenor, had died six years before. Laena's two daughters and Laenor's three sons still lived, but regardless, Lord Corlys' eldest nephew Vaemond insisted he should be Corlys' chosen successor, claiming that Laenor's three sons were not fathered by Laenor at all, and accusing their mother Rhaenyra Targaryen of committing adultery (this would also have simply ignored the fact that Laena's daughters still stood ahead of him in the line of succession). In response, Rhaenyra dispatched her new husband, Prince Daemon, to seize Ser Vaemond. She had his head removed and fed his carcass to her dragon, Syrax. His five younger cousins had their tongues removed afterwards by King Viserys I Targaryen for repeating the rumors about Rhaenyra's three sons by Laenor."

The king approved the execution of Vaemond, because he committed treason. The only reason Aemond wasn't executed for the same reason, was because he was the King and Queen Consort's son and a Prince. Losing his eye from Luke's defense of his brother and getting a slap on the wrist and a huge bloody dragon should have had the kid jumping for bloody joy, not crying about it.