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Chapter Text

“My own daughter” Viserys sighs“Dishonored by my brother”

“It is a shame the princess fell to his claws your grace” Otto Hightower says.

“A shame does not do this situation justice lord hand, she is ruined, to marry her to any other lord would be an insult, heir to the throne or not she is still a maiden and he’s gone ahead and destroyed her. Can you believe he had the audacity, the face to ask me to wed them, when he is already wed” Viserys drinks from his cup “This was all a plot for the throne and he tainted Rhaenyra in the hopes of it to work”

Otto listens to the king tell him his grievances, the fate of the princess is now unsure, like Viserys said, to wed her to lord of a noble house would be an insult…unless said lord was alright with it.

“If I may your grace…I have an unwed son” Otto says.

Viserys looks at him “Otto…no I could never, I wedded your daughter-”

“And that was a great honor you bestowed upon my home your grace” Otto says “specially when my daughter has…failed on her duty”

“She has not failed Otto” Viserys grimaces at that “A miscarriage is common, I know that better than anyone, she is still young it’s a matter of time before a pregnancy takes, no failure in her part there”

Otto nods “and forever kind you are your grace I want to repay you that kindness, My son Gwayne sits unmarried in Oldtown, a raven would bring him here, he is my eldest but not that far away from the princess so she cannot claim him too old like she has done to previous suitors while in her tour”

Viserys looks off into the distance, considering Otto’s words “She is still my heir, and any son she bears will be her heir…I had planned on offering this to the Velaryons but since you have so kindly offered to help me in this situation, I’ll offer it to you” The king turns towards the Lord Hand “Rhaenyra’s children will carry the Hightower name, until they ascend the throne, where they will take the Targaryen name”

Otto bows his head “I will write for Gwayne at once”

“Send Rhaenyra to me first thing in the morning, this ought to be a fun conversation” Viserys says sitting back on his chair.

Sunrise comes and with it comes the news.

Princess Rhaenyra is first confronted by her former friend Alicent, it was not helpful that the princess had already been summoned by her father to his study.

“I need the truth Rhaenyra my father has heard things” Alicent says.

“To question my virtue is an act of treason” Rhaenyra says.

“I only seek to aid you and I cannot do that without the truth” Alicent says exasperated.

“Daemon…never touched me, I swear it on my mother’s name!” Rhaenyra says.

“…Then why does the king want to speak to you, and why is my father writing to Oldtown?” Alicent asks

“I do not know, but I ought to find out now” Rhaenyra says and makes it pass Alicent, leaving her seething in the garden.

The doors creek as Rhaenyra enters her father’s study, the life long project of a stone recreation of Kings Landing standing before her, Viserys stands from his seat and takes in how his daughter looks, a quick sigh and he hangs his head then looks back up at her.

“I have sent Daemon back to the Vale, to be with his wife” Viserys says, he doesn’t miss the way his daughter flinches at the mention of Daemon’s wife.

“Father I-”

“I am not done speaking” Viserys says putting on a more stern tone “Daemon admitted to what he had done the morning after, he asked me to wed you two together something that I declined for obvious reasons, and your own admission of guilt upon drinking the tea provided by the maester, I hope I do not need to explain to you Rhaenyra as to why you have tainted yourself, I had to rush to clean up your mess before it became public or you would have been shamed”

Rhaenyra lowers her head, her mistake had been huge, she knew the risk when she followed Daemon out of the keep, she played with fire and now she had been burned.

“Luckily, my Lord Hand has come forward and offered a solution, as we speak a raven flies to Oldtown, he has ever so kindly offered his own son to be your wedded husband” Viserys says.

Rhaenyra’s eyes go wide open, Otto has no shame on how far he will go to have his line on the throne “I refuse”

“This is no longer yours to refuse, you were given a chance to have your own say on who you wed and you have wasted it, you will wed Gwayne Hightower and you will do so with no complain, you are my heir and it is time for you to start acting like it” Viserys says.

The princess was dismissed to her chambers without another say, unaware that another father was breaking the same news to his own daughter.

“You can’t” Alicent exclaims.

“This is a good thing, it is shameful you fail to see so” Otto says “I merely told you so you wouldn’t feel blind sighted, since he is your brother”

“You know what she did, and she lied to my face about it” Alicent says.

“Gwayne is coming to restore her honor, he will be her husband and the King consort when her time comes to ascend the throne” Otto says.

“And what about the children I am to have? what is your plan for them?” Alicent asks, her voice trembling as she digs her nails into her cuticles.

Otto sighs “calm yourself Alicent, you are still queen consort” is all he says to his terrified daughter before leaving the room.

Rhaenyra continues seeking comfort from Ser Criston like she did the night Daemon left her on the street of silk, her wedding day rapidly approaches her and she does not even know what her betrothed looks liken, she is to meet him on the day of wedding per order of the king to avoid any “miscommunications” as he phrased it.

Ser Criston is a good comfort, she takes her pleasure with him and then goes back to playing the waiting bride, but like everything else in her life good things come to an end.

“I broke my vow for you” Ser Criston says.

As if that was anyone’s fault but his own, the man craved more so he sought more, he was the only one to blame for the situation he put himself in, so the princess left their arrangement without another word but.

“I am the crown”

Her wedding arrives, she is thoroughly cleaned, dressed in white and gold, intricate braids are placed in her hair by her ladies in waiting and she’s taken to the main hall.

One by one each family makes their entrance, and fashionably late comes the queen consort…dressed in green.

A private declaration of war.

Clearly she is unhappy about this arrangement, Rhaenyra herself wishes her dress was also a declaration of war.

“You will change at once” Otto whispers to Alicent as she sits next to her husband.

“I will not” She whispers back

Daemon makes an appearance as well, he takes his seat at the end of the table, far from Rhaenyra who doesn’t even spare him a glance, too hurt by his betrayal.

And last but not least comes in the groom.

He isn’t bad looking, not too old not too young, not someone who Rhaenyra would’ve chosen but her choice was taken, at least she is not the wife on some old lord on the edge of the world.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you Princess” Gwayne says.

“The pleasure is all mine” Rhaenyra says.

The evening that will seal her fate commences, music echoes through the hall as everyone dances, she joins the dance floor for a moment, allowing herself to forget everything that has occurred, she dances with Ser Harwin, converses with Ser Jason, then Daemon approaches, judging her for marrying a tower.

“As if you left me any choice” Rhaenyra says in their mother tongue.

“I told my brother to wed us” Daemon says.

“Please you are not that dumb, you knew he would say no, you KNEW he would never agree, I am marrying a tower because of you, you put me in this wedding…and you won’t do anything about it” Rhaenyra says returning to her father’s side.

As the ceremony continues and concludes on the wedded couple, the Queen finds a knight about to lay on his sword.

“Ser Criston” Alicent says, stopping him “May I have a word”

The gods are cruel. That is what many books said, the old and new both shared a thirst for human suffering, which is possibly why the queen has lost three babes in the womb.

Rumors went on that she was perhaps incapable of providing a child at all, rumors were proven wrong when a babe finally stuck, the queen was with child, and by the looks of it a strong one.

And so Jacerys Targaryen was born, son of King Viserys and Queen Alicent, a boy with brown hair and brown eyes just like his mother.

Rhaenyra was with her own child by the time of her half-brother’s first name day, she shared her condition with the Queen who was on the early stages of her second pregnancy. Laying with Gwayne wasn’t particularly torture but it wasn’t joyous either, it was a task.

“The child-bed is our battlefield and we must learn to face it with a stiff lip”

Her late mother had once said, the days were long with her child, filled with sleepless nights, sickness and aches, every single lady was tending her for the babe that grew in her belly, and her lord husband would check on her from time to time.

She understood her mother’s likeness for the bath now, the warm water soothing every aching muscle almost carrying her to sleep, she opens her eyes slightly as the door opens.

“I thought I would find you here” Gwayne says and sits next to the bathtub, Rhaenyra wonders how many times her father did this, how often he would join her mother on her soothing baths.

“The warm water soothes me” Rhaenyra says.

Gwayne nods and feels the water “have you thought of any names? I figured you’d want to have a name from your house”

“Aegon” Rhaenyra says “the conqueror’s name”

Gwayne smiles and nods “Fitting name for a future king, what if the babe is a girl? If I may input, I read about the name Heleana, nice ring that one has”

Visenya was the name Rhaenyra had thought for her daughter if she were to have one she’s always wanted a baby girl named that…but the name might as well be cursed.

“I like it” Rhaenyra says.

“So Aegon and Heleana” Gwayne says “perfect names” he says then kisses the top of her head.

Gwayne wasn’t a bad husband, definitely not the worst she could’ve had.

The princess soon finds herself clutching the sheets of the child bed as her body trembles with effort, a horrid scream making its way out of her throat.

“You’re doing great princess I see the head” The midwife says “push princess push!”

The labor is endless, she can feel her body being split in too, she feels a rag wipe away her sweat as her body exerts itself, and then the room is filled with cries. Loud and strong followed by cheers.

“It’s a boy! It’s a boy princess!” The midwife says wrapping her son up and handing him to her.

“Oh” Rhaenyra chuckles then cries “Oh hello” she says tearfully “Aegon hello”

Aegon cries in her arms, white eyebrows and already white hair, she can’t see his eyes but if he’s already taken so much after her she can already guess the color.

Her son.

Her first born.

The cheers stop as the door opens, and in comes Alicent, her belly is bigger now as she is further along in her own pregnancy, she comes with her lady in waiting and makes her way to Rhaenyra.

“I wanted to come congratulate you in person” Alicent says and peeks at her son, Rhaenyra feels the intense need to shield him from her and Alicent appears to notice “I know the need to protect one’s own is strong, I merely seek to see my nephew” Alicent says but Rhaenyra doesn’t miss the poison in her tone.

Without much warning Alicent reaches into Rhaenyra’s arms and scoops her son up “Oh hi” Alicent smiles and examines the babe “Targaryen hair”

“He is mine after all” Rhaenyra says.

“I wonder if only yours” Alicent says, but before Rhaenyra can respond to the clear insult that was just uttered Gwayne makes his way in.

“A boy I heard, sister please how dare you see my son before me” Gwayne chuckles joyfully and makes his way to Alicent, taking his son from her.

Seeing their son in his father’s eyes helps put Rhaenyra at ease letting out a soft breath she was not aware she was holding.

“The king and my father are on their way” Gwayne says and looks at his wife “Aegon?”

“Aegon” Rhaenyra says with a nod.

Her sweet son, Aegon.

Chapter Text

It was no secret that the Queen and the realm’s delight disliked each other, the hatred was one sided at first, Rhaenyra was betrayed when the news that her closest friend was to wed her father came to light, the girl had helped her mourned and then turned around and seduced her father.

Then the news of Rhaenyra’s mistake made it to the Queen’s ears later to be confirmed by none other than her hand guard Ser Criston who would have thrown himself on his sword had Alicent not stopped him.

The Queen did not have an easy life, she lost three babes in her womb before her first born made it to the world, Jacerys was all her, the brown hair, the brown eyes, the fair complexion it was all her, so clearly the Hightower genes were strong, which is why her doubts rose the second she laid her eyes on Rhaenyra’s son.

Pure white, once the babe stopped crying his purple eyes made themselves known to the room, she knows she is seeking an excuse in truth, she wants her children to be safe, to be recognized by their father so their plain features aren’t an obstacle, she almost wants Rhaenyra to have bastards so she can convince her father and brother to turn against the princess and favor her kids instead.

But how is she supposed to claim suspicion without sounding hypocritical? Rhaenyra’s child took after his mother, just like Jacerys did after his own. But if Rhaenyra is the heir, and her kids are the ones favored by the realm, the Hightower and Targaryen house then what will be left for her children?

For a while Otto Hightower was fixated on his grandson Jacerys, he would cradle the babe and on his first name day he brought him a brooch of Oldtown.

But as soon as Aegon was born his attention shifted, he congratulated his son and the princess, wished the best upon the family and even said he wishes for more beautiful grandchildren.

Beautiful.

That is not something he called Jacerys, the Queen fears her father will cast her children aside for looking Targaryen enough, her last consolation is that her child does have a dragon, a hatching that was born not too long after him, but even that is ripped away from her when the keepers of the dragon pit tell them that the dragon egg Rhaenyra chose for her babe hatched the same day Aegon was born.

Alicent is soon blessed again with another child, labor was not easy the second time either but at least she knew what to expect, another boy is born of her, another head of brown curls and dark eyes, another babe for her father to ignore, this one Viserys names Lucerys.

“Father, may I-”

“Lord Hand may I-”

The princess and the Queen stare at each other, they both came from opposite ends of the hall to intercept Otto, and clearly they both got something to ask him.

“Yes princess?” Otto asks turning towards Rhaenyra, Alicent feels as if her father has stabbed her and turned the knife.

“May I have your company on our way to the dragon pit, Gwayne wants you there just as I will have my father, it is crucial for Aegon and Sunfyre to be very well accustomed to each other’s smell if he is to ride him when he comes of age” Rhaenyra says.

“Of course princess, it would be an honor” Otto says.

“Father I too was going to ask for your presence, you have barely spent any time with Lucerys as of recently” Alicent says.

“Ah my apologies my dear, I will see when my schedule opens up” Otto says before walking with the princess.

Alicent had put her foot down about Jacerys being near his dragon too soon, she disliked dragons, ever since she was a young girl they terrified her, she could barely handle being near Syrax whenever Rhaenyra would fly her, she would rather throw herself off the window before allowing her children near the beasts before it was their time. She thought her father shared her feelings about this, but it appears she was wrong.

The princess would lie if she didn’t get a form of satisfaction about her child being favored over her half brothers, she held no ill will against them of course, they were children who had done no wrong, being so close in age to her own child she held fondness for her half-brothers, it was Alicent’s clear anger and sadness that gave her satisfaction.

A taste of her own medicine.

Although Rhaenyra did not mean to take her brother’s grandsire away, that was not and would never be her intention, she was being truthful when she said Gwayne had insisted.

“I’m selfish dear wife, I want someone there who is just as clueless about dragons as I am about to be” Gwayne had said.

Gwayne was growing on Rhaenyra, he was caring and kind, a respectable man and a great father, laying with him begun to feel less like a task and more like something she could enjoy.

She feels his fingers gently tracing her shoulder back and forth as they cuddle in his bed, the fire crackling being the only sound besides their breathing.

“It is magnificent to see Aegon with his dragon” Gwayne says.

“Indeed it is” Rhaenyra agrees then looks up at her husband “why the comment?”

“Just the amazement of it, never did I think my children would be dragon riders, but Aegon giggles when he is near his golden beast” Gwayne kisses her forehead

“The beauties of our bloodline husband” Rhaenyra looks into his eyes “which is why Targaryen wed brothers and sisters…a tradition I would like to continue”

Gwayne looks at her, he clearly is a bit uncomfortable with the idea of his children wedding each other, but he’s seen what the blood of old Valyria can do when allowed to flow freely “we only have one son my dear wife” Gwayne smirks.

Rhaenyra smiles and bites her lip “Then we ought to fix that”

To no one’s surprise the Realm’s delight is announced to be with child again by the time Aegon reaches his first name day.

“You work quickly brother” Alicent says moving her rook on the chess board since she is playing against her brother.

Gwayne chuckles moving his tower“No need to call me a whore dear sister”

“You are not the whore of your marriage” Alicent moves a pawn.

“…please do watch your tongue” Gwayne moves a rook.

“You know the reason of your marriage, an attempt to clear her name” Alicent moves the queen.

“And your marriage sister? what has come of it?” Gwayne eats her rook

“Pardon me?” Alicent moves another pawn.

“I do not insult the basis of your marriage even though I very well could” Gwayne says, looking at Alicent instead of the game.

“What does she have that she has bewitched the entire kingdom, if any other lady of her status did half of the things she did” Alicent whispers.

“The fact that you feel the need to whisper about my wife lets me know even you understand the gravity of your words sister” Gwayne says “my wife is the heir to the throne, future queen of the realm and I am her loyal husband”

“You were my brother first” Alicent says.

“I can be a husband, a brother and a son all at once sister, what I will not be is a traitor, my marriage is just as political as yours is, the difference is I chose to enjoy mine” Gwayne says and moves his final piece “checkmate”

Time passes them by in the bat of an eye this time around, Gwayne is found outside of Rhaenyra’s chambers, listening to his wife’s cries as she brings their new child to this world.

Gwayne did not know much about his wife when their first encounter came to be, he met her the same day he wed her, but Rhaenyra ended up being so much more than he accounted her for, she was brave, smart, kind and oh so gorgeous, and she was a diligent mother and wife.

Which is why he is joyous when he hears the news.

A girl, a beautiful baby girl.

“Heleana” Rhaenyra says to Gwayne when he comes into the room, he can see it already, another head of white. Unlike with Aegon their baby girl is not screaming her tiny lungs out, she did not wail with enough force for all the realm to hear.

Instead she cried until she found herself upon her mother’s arms, and now she examines the room, piercing purple eyes scan every corner as she takes everything in for the first time.

Rhaenyra beams while kissing the top of her daughter’s head.

This time when the door opens the Queen is not there, but instead it Talya, Alicent’s lady in waiting.

“Talya? is everything alright?” Rhaenyra asks.

“The Queen requests the child be brought to her princess…at once” Talya says.

Rhaenyra holds her daughter closer to her then looks at Gwayne for help.

Gwayne is marching towards the door already but when he exits his father is already there.

“Be calm” Otto says.

“She is requesting to have my newborn daughter taken to her minutes after her birth? what has Rhaenyra done for her to despise her this much?” Gwayne says.

“I heard, I will speak to your sister you stay with your wife” Otto orders.

“Father I do not care what childish rivalry she believes she has with my wife or my children Queen or not she is still my little sister and I will-”

“You will be quiet about your Queen before the king has your tongue, go to your wife” Otto orders again “I will not repeat myself a third time”

Gwayne looks into the room then at his father “Control, your daughter” is all he says before getting back into the room and closing the door.

The door opens and Alicent turns around, startle by her father on the door.

“Father” Alicent greets.

“Have you gone mad? do you wish an enemy of your brother?” Otto asks.

“I merely wish to meet the child” Alicent says “is that a crime?”

“To order the girl brought-”

“Girl?” Alicent asks “she had a daughter”

“Yes she did, that is not the point Alicent, your brother is furious” Otto says

“Of course he is, and of course you are here, father you do not even care about my children and yet here you are defending hers” Alicent says, she is trying to keep composure but her voice is beginning to tremble.

“I care about your children like they’re my grandchildren, but I am hand of the king! so I care for the princess’ children like the royalty they are, Aegon will be king one day, I cannot make Jacerys king not when Rhaenyra’s claim is so well fortified, I try to make all my grandchildren get along and be connected and here you are severing those connections from the womb!” Otto raises his voice, making Alicent flinch.

“But-”

“This childish games of yours seize at once, or do you want your children’s heads in spikes when Rhaenyra ascends to her throne and decides to eliminate any threat to her claim?” Otto says.

“She would never…Gwayne would not allow it” Alicent takes a step back.

“You think he would stop her if you make an enemy out of him? childish and foolish as always, let me do the thinking Alicent, you focus on your wifely duties to the king, if you are to keep the Targaryen lineage in your children, I suggest you focus on having a daughter” Otto says coldly.

A son is the child of the realm.

A daughter belongs to the mother.

Rhaenyra now understands why her mother was always so caring with her, loving Heleana is a different love to the one she has for Aegon, just as strong but…different.

Aegon belongs to the realm.

Heleana is hers.

Chapter Text

Rhaenyra spends a lot of time with her children, Aegon the ever so bright boy and Heleana her sweet girl, she has already decided they will wed when the time comes, they will be wonderful on the throne once she has left the realm, but she grows worried, she only has one son and her ascending the throne is proving hard enough so ideally she wants to have more sons so Heleana doesn’t have to fight for the throne the way she is doing. As much as she would prefer to stay all day long with her children, she spends most of said day in the small council.

She is no longer a cup bearer and hasn’t been for a few years now, she sits next to her father and observes how the small council is ran, she has taken to take notes during most meetings so she can review them and bring her concerns and input to her father afterwards, Alicent is there too more often than not as the wife of the king but Rhaenyra has taken to ignore her, she isn’t as hostile since the day she requested to see Heleana mere minutes after her birth.

Peace seems to be something Rhaenyra is growing more comfortable with, Heleana’s name day came and went, she is one year old now while Aegon is two, his third name day is just around the corner and if the maester is correct Rhaenyra is pregnant once again.

She knows Alicent has lost one more babe on the womb, but she has her two children Jacerys and Lucerys, two young boys who are forbidden from playing with their nephews despite of the pleas of both the king and the hand.

Time proceeds as usual, more planning and on 110 AC Aemond Hightower is born, Rhaenyra watches time pass by and watchers her children grow.

Aegon grows up to be quite the adventurer, and always up to something, a little prankster that he is.

Her sweet Heleana is quiet, she believes her to be a dragon dreamer and she has a fascination with bugs that can only be rivaled by Aemond’s fascination with dragons.

But as fate would have it Aemond is the only one of her children with no dragon, it isn’t unheard for a Targaryen dragon egg to not hatch when they are born, Rhaenyra is sure that her sweet son will be claiming a dragon at some point of his life like his sister has done. Even if her boy grows impatient.

Despite the efforts of the Queen, her children and Rhaenyra’s are still bound to spend time together, for better or for worse. More often than not the princess doesn’t mind, she likes seeing her children and brothers interacting and is glad that there is a distraction for them when she is bound to the small council.

Rhaenyra is seen making her way to Heleana’s chambers, she loves spending time with her daughter and listening to all she has to say, and as expected when she walks in her daughter is sat on the steps of her room, examining a bug,

“It has eyes, yet it can’t see” Heleana says.

“And why is that?” Rhaenyra asks, but before Heleana can answer the door is slammed open and Aemond comes in crying.

“What has happened?” Rhaenyra asks bunching up her dress to approach her son with haste, examining him for injuries.

“They got me a pig!” Aemond cries.

“A pig, what? what has-”

“They said it was a dragon, pink dread they called it mother they mocked me!” Aemond says and crashes against his mother’s chest, her arms instinctively wrapping around him. “Aegon planned the whole thing! he sees me as inferior to him for not having a dragon” the boy cries

“Aemond, look at me” Rhaenyra says and holds her son’s face, gently wiping his tears away “You will have a dragon one day”

“He will have to close an eye” Heleana mumbles.

Rhaenyra looks over to her daughter, making a mental note to talk to her afterwards. “I will go speak to your brother, why don’t you stay here and keep your sister company?” The princess says placing a kiss on her son’s forehead then makes her way to her husband’s study where he converses with some knights. “I apologize for the interruption but I need a second with my lord husband”

“Oh she lord husband, either one of my children is in trouble or I am” Gwayne says and his men chuckle.

Rhaenyra cannot help but smile “keep jesting and it will be both” Rhaenyra says then leaves with Gwayne, her smile falling “Aemond came to me crying”

“What has happened was he not at the dragon pit today?” Gwayne asks.

“He was, and his brother proceeded to bring him a pig wig wings claiming it to be his dragon” Rhaenyra says, making her way towards her eldest chambers “I’m praying to the gods old and new to give me the strength to not strangle my eldest son”

“He jests Rhaenyra” Gwayne sighs, but even he knows this was not ok of his son to do.

“A jest at his brother’s expense, something I will not allow in my house” Rhaenyra says, the knight at Aegon’s door bows as she comes near and opens the door.

Her eldest naps on his bed, covered by nothing other than his blanket, he always had an affinity to sleep on the nude so she makes sure the blanket is covering all of him before shaking him gently.

“Aegon, wake up” Rhaenyra says, her tone stern and yet still carrying that characteristic softness that’s only reserved for her children.

Aegon groans slightly before opening his eyes and seeing his mother and father “…he tattled”

“More like he informed me of your cruelty, now me and your father are going to step outside and give you a moment to wake up and get dressed, then we will talk” Rhaenyra says.

Gwayne holds his hand out and instinctively Rhaenyra takes it, he helps his wife stand from their eldest’ bed and they head outside “Are you angry?”

“Very, but yelling at him will get no point across, he never got to form a relationship with Alicent’s children so now he overcompensates, he wants to be liked” Rhaenyra says “but he cannot do so at his brother’s expense”

“They are cousins, if my sister had not kept them away for so long” Gwayne shakes his head.

“In a way I’m thankful she did, gossip goes they are…beasts” Rhaenyra whispers.

“My dear wife please do not fall pray to false gossip” Gwayne sighs.

“I try not to, but I rather be wary than sorry” Rhaenyra says and the door opens once again.

“I’m ready” Aegon says fully dressed and his parents enter the room “It was a harmless prank” he sits down on his bed, and his parents sit in front of him.

“Except it wasn’t” Gwayne says “you sent your brother to your mother in tears

Aegon is that something you are proud of?”

“I did not mean to make him cry!” Aegon exclaims defensively.

“But alas it is what occurred Aegon” Rhaenyra says “You know better than anyone just how tender the subject of a dragon is to Aemond and yet that is exactly where you attacked, what if the roles were reversed and he made jest of something you are insecure about?”

“The others found it funny” Aegon says looking down.

Rhaenyra gently lifts his chin up “Jacerys and Lucerys are not your brothers, they may have your blood but they are not your brothers, Aemond is your brother, and we are Targaryen, we have no one else in the world but ourselves”

Aegon nods and leans into his mother’s touch.

“You will apologize to your brother and you will do so with haste, I do not want to hear you’ve made a jest of him or Heleana ever again am I understood?” Gwayne asks

“Yes Father” Aegon says and his father smiles.

“Good, now get dress, you are expected on the training grounds, those sword skills are not going to hone themselves” Gwayne ruffles his hair.

Life and death are quite the troublesome lovers, because they bring back old memories, Laena Velaryon got caught in the webs of death, as she attempted to create life.

Rhaenyra dresses all her children in Black and alongside the rest of her family sails to Driftmark where her funeral will be held, and there she sees him once again.

She had heard about Daemon traveling around Essos with his wife, he had read letters sent by ravens about the two daughters he conceived, she can see their mother in them Baela and Rhaena the only children of House Velaryon since Laenor still fails to produce an heir.

“The gods are cruel brother” Viserys says to his brother

“They have been particularly cruel to you” Daemon says.

“Uncle” Rhaenyra approaches them, standing next to her father “my condolences for your loss, Laena was…a wonderful woman”

“That she was my sweet girl” Viserys says.

“I know this is no time for political conversations, but once you’re out of mourning dear uncle, I’m sure you are more than welcome back in the red keep” Rhaenyra says.

“But of course he is, him and his children” Viserys says then sees the Velaryons “please excuse me, I ought to give my condolences to the mourning parents”

“…Which ones are yours?” Daemon asks “the brown haired ones?”

“No” Rhaenyra says then looks over at her children, Heleana is holding what she can only assume is another bug and behind her stand her brothers “The three right there are my children”

“Ah the brown haired ones are my brother’s” Daemon says “you’ve grown dull dear niece, what happened to that dragon fire that used to burn in you?”

“I’ve grown up uncle, it’s different than growing dull, I am an heir, a mother, a wife and a member of the small council, as a woman I have shackles that will weight me down if I allow them, unlike you I do not have it in me to prance around Essos for however long I wish” Rhaenyra says.

“Are you still angry for what occurred?” Daemon asks.

“Nothing occurred” Rhaenyra says, seeing her half brother Jacerys talking to Daemon’s girls, she can faintly hear him offering his condolences, maybe the gossip was wrong after all.

Driftmark is peaceful at night, the sound of the waves crashing against the rock is sleep inducing, which is why being woken up in such an aggressive manner by her eldest slamming into hers and her husband’s room is startling.

“Aegon?” Rhaenyra stands up wrapping herself on her night gown.

“Mother, Father hurry Aemond is injured!” Aegon says.

Rhaenyra takes one look at her husband before she runs for the door, taking her son’s hand on the process, they make it to the main hall and it is pouring with people, the maester is right by her son “Aemond! show me, show me” she says then gasps when she sees the stitches being placed on her son’s face.

“What is the meaning of this?!” Gwayne asks.

“They attacked me!” Aemond says.

“He stole my mother’s dragon!”

“He attacked Baela!”

“He was gonna kill Jace I had to!”

“It should be my sons telling the tale!” Alicent’s voice echoes in the room

“If Anything-”

“SILENCE!” Viserys yells quieting the hall “Aemond. The tale”

“I claimed Vhagar” Aemond says “and when I came back down my uncles and the Velaryon girls were there, I was accused of stealing a dragon but a dragon cannot be stolen it can only be claimed!”

Rhaenyra pushes her hair back, her heart is pounding and her ears are ringing with ire “Will it heal?” she asks the maester.

“The skin will, but the eye is lost” The maester says.

Rhaenyra feels tears spilling out of her eyes as she runs her fingers through her son’s hair then glares at her half brothers

Alicent stands in front of her children, tears and anger coating her eyes.

“an eye…” Gwayne says “Your grace” he turns towards the king “I do not want those…children near my sons or my daughter ever again, they have done nothing but attempt to be friendly and this is what they are payed with? my son is maimed forever”

“Aemond brought a blade with him, he sought to kill my son” Alicent says.

“I did not!” Aemond says “the blade was theirs not mine! mother” Aemond turns to Rhaenyra.

“You call my son a liar? after harming him for life?!” Rhaenyra asks.

“That is enough!” Viserys says “Jacerys, Lucerys, you are to continue your studies far from your nephews at all times, four guards are to be posted at your chamber doors and I will not have it any other way!”

Alicent turns to Otto who comes towards Aemond with some milk of the poppy “Small sips boy” he whispers.

“Is the Queen always to stand alone in the defense of our kids Viserys?” Alicent asks.

“I cannot defend the perpetrators Alicent, my grandchild is maimed, what is there to defend?” Viserys says.

“No…” Gwayne says.

“No?” Viserys turns to him

“My king my son has been scared for life, isn’t it a Targaryen’s right to mount and claim a dragon? if my son did so it would be because it is his birthright despite of whatever cries come from the Velaryon girls or my own nephews, he committed no crime and yet was punished like a criminal " Gwayne says.

“I understand your ire Sir Gwayne but what would you have me do? I cannot restore the boy’s eye” Viserys says with sympathy.

“No because it’s been taken” Gwayne says “We shall have one of their eyes”

“Gwayne” Rhaenyra stands up.

“they can choose who and which eye they keep a privilege my son was not granted” Gwayne states.

“Father pay him no mind, Gwayne those are your nephews, my brothers, trust me dear husband if someone understands your ire it is I but to maim another child is not justice” Rhaenyra says.

“The Queen has poisoned those boys against ours this is the consequences of it and I will not allow it to go further” Gwayne says.

“Those are still my sons you speak of Sir Gwayne” Viserys says “A fitted punishment will be placed on the boys in its due time but no more of my blood will be spilled tonight”

“Fitted punishment?” Alicent asks holding Lucerys behind him “You will still see your own son punished despite of him merely defending himself and his brother?”

“Your children being held to the consequences of your doing sister who would’ve thought” Gwayne rolls his eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Alicent’s breathing speeds up and her eyes shift to Rhaenyra, she glares at the princess intensely before charging at her.

Rhaenyra yelps as Alicent grabs a fistful of her hair then Rhaenyra grabs onto her hands.

“My Father, My brother, My husband you’ve taken everything from me!” Alicent yells “And now my children are to be cast in the same shadows you have forced me on. Why?! how is it fair for you to do everything wrong, to make every mistake and still be rewarded and praised! while I rot in the dungeon of righteousness, upholding the family! the law! why should you have everything?!”

Alicent’s cries are silent by a singular slap that echoes through the room.

“Pull. yourself. together” Otto says.

“How dare you harm the queen!” Sir Criston sheets his sword.

“I do not harm the queen Sir Criston I am keeping my daughter under control, my king please forgive my sudden violence” Otto says.

“…Everyone is dismissed, maester please keep my grandchild as comfortable as he can possibly be until we return to Kings Landing” Viserys says.

Gwayne runs his fingers through Rhaenyra’s hair as she gently walks with Aemond, holding his hand to help him walk, the last thing she sees as the doors close behind her is Otto, talking to Alicent in a hushed tone.

Chapter Text

“Old town?!” Alicent asks “you will see me banished?”

“Be grateful is not beheaded or in the dungeon” Otto sighs “you struck the princess, the heir to the throne after she gracefully-”

“Oh by the seven must you always praise her?!” Alicent exclaims “ever since she gave birth to Aegon it’s always been the princess this, the princess that, her children this and that not once. once have you stood in my corner, or seen my defense or my children’s”

“You allowed your own sense of righteousness-”

“That you bestowed upon me”

“-blind you from the possibilities, if you had only opened your eyes and seen what I was attempting to do, I was uplifting our lineage Alicent, putting you alongside the king was one way to do so but you failed on your duty to provide him with sons fast enough, if you had only been able to do so I could have uplifted any son you brought to life to him, and upon your failure I saw the opportunity to further improve our chances of preserving our bloodline with Gwayne. You saw the princess’ mistake as an insult when in reality it was a blessing for us” Otto sneers at her.

“So that’s it? we are all but pieces of chess in your sick board?” Alicent takes a step back.

“If that is how you view it then I made you queen” Otto says “You are lucky Rhaenyra is forever the kind princess she’s been and appeased your brother to not maim any of your sons, instead you will be going to Oldtown, you are removed from court, the king is putting it as some necessary rest”

“He will send me to Oldtown the same way he sends his brother to the Vale?” Alicent asks “when are me and my children to leave?”

“No, the boys will stay here, the septa and the dragon keepers will educate them in your absence” Otto says.

“No” Alicent’s eyes fill with tears “No I will not be separated from my children”

“This is the consequences of your own doing, word spreads fast rumors that you’ve gone mad” Otto whispers “Oldtown is not a prison it’s an opportunity for you to sit low until this has passed, so accept it gracefully, keep whatever dignity you still have left”

Alicent is left in that room for what could have been days, but were more likely hours before Gwayne walks in.

“Sister…” he sighs.

“Don’t” Alicent says looking away “We came back to Kingslanding only for me to learn I’m being banished from my home”

“…I like to see it more as you going home” Gwayne walks in front of her.

“What?” The queen inquires

“I don’t despise you sister, not once have I done so but you invoke an ire within me, taking jabs at my wife, demonizing my children, because you only see them as Rhaenyra’s when they are mine as well, they are Hightower Ali, they are our blood” Gwayne says and reaches for her hands “you were happy once sister, you were sweet and tender and this” he motions at the room around them “made you cruel, Oldtown will be a refreshing new beginning, my youngest resides there”

“Your youngest?” Alicent asks, looking at her brother in the eye for the first time.

“Daeron, young smart lad, me and Rhaenyra agreed that he would benefit from being raised far from the keep, he has no Targaryen features no…he is all me, red hair and freckled cover skin with bark brown eyes, me and my wife visit him every summer and he has grown so soft and so kind, Oldtown will give you back that softness” Gwayne says.

“But my children-”

“They are in no peril, Rhaenyra is conversing with the king right now, Driftmark needs an heir and Laena only has daughters, two daughters, and you have two boys, if the King and the Sea snake can come to an agreement your sons may be wed to their daughters” Gwayne explains “They will be safe”

“I do not know who I will be if not The Queen” Alicent admits.

“You will be Lady Alicent, or at least you will feel like her again” Gwayne kisses her hands “be at ease sister, be at ease”

With his reassuring words Alicent packs her belongings and kisses her sons’ foreheads goodbye, she is promised by her brother that every summer during their visit to Daeron, Jacerys and Lucerys will come along, with the knowledge of her current pregnancy Alicent can only think about how her youngest will be born in Oldtown.

The castle’s life is calmer without the Queen, the deal with the sea snake was struck, the children Jacerys and Baela or Lucerys and Rhaena were to bring together will be Velaryons, and the Driftmark throne will belong to them. Meanwhile Rhaenyra sees that Aegon and Heleana are wed once they come of age, the ceremony is brief for she knows her sweet girl does not bid well with crowds.

Aegon continues his studies since he will one day ascend the throne, he took it upon himself to aid his brother with his high Valyria studies, it was hard for Aemond to read with only one eye but his brother was there for him in every step of the way.

The three of them soar the skies, Vhagar, Sunfyre and dreamfyre all love the heights, roaring to make their presence known, summer is arriving.

Daeron perks up at the sound of dragons, he knows what this means and he is right once he makes it to the entrance.

“Father! Mother!” Daeron joyfully exclaims.

Rhaenyra lands Syrax and runs to her youngest who runs into her arms “Oh how have I missed you” Rhaenyra smiles.

The rest of her kids arrive, Aegon damn near tackles his brother, and Aemond greets him with a hug that is a lot more polite. Daeron kisses Heleana’s hand and she nods at him before wondering away.

Gwayne smiles at the sight as Daeron catches up with his siblings.

At the distance she is spotted, Alicent walks into the courtyard, the soft blue gown she is wearing made her almost unrecognizable.

“Mother” Jacerys says while helping Baela off her dragon.

“Jacerys, Lucerys…Baela, Rhaena” Alicent says.

“Your grace” The girls greet her.

“Sister” Gwayne smiles “blue suits you, far more than green”

Alicent can only smile, she spent lots of time with Daeron, and talking with him felt like talking to a younger version of Gwayne, he was joyful, in love with his lute as much as he was in love with the sky and he was just so sweet, he reminded her a lot of how she was before Queen Aemma died, before all of this responsibilities were thrown on her.

“How have you been?” Alicent asks her children, Rhaenyra doesn’t acknowledge her, and neither does she.

Maybe once they could have fled here, or even further, ran away to the edge of the world and eat only cake.

But this is enough.

Summers in old town are filled with dragons in the sky, food on the table, and conversations, the somber topic of the King’s decreasing health are mentioned a few times but the conversation does not last long.

It is only a matter of time until Rhaenyra ascends the throne, she is prepared and the realm is ready to receive her.

And after her comes Aegon with Heleana as his queen, and their children will succeed him, so on and so forth.

The Targaryen lineage will continue for generations to come, but for now, there is no blood, no lineage, no inheritance or birthright, there is only a family in a dinner table.

“Aunt Alicent, would you like to go swimming on the river later?” Daeron asks.

“…yes, I would”