Chapter Text
"I am honored to announce Crown Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Prince Consort Laenor Velaryon, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Lord Corlys Velaryon, and Lady Laena Velaryon along with their household to the court of Storm's End."
The nobility around the royal family screeched to a halt, staring in open awe as they approached Lord Boremund, who sat front and center in the ancestral seat of the Baratheons. He rose quickly, giving Rhaenyra a bow before he took in her appearance and paused. She had changed into a gown and her hair had been re-done by a servant, yes, but she still looked rather disheveled and haggard.
"Princess," Boremund began, "I do hope you are well."
She did not get the chance to speak, for Boremund's only son wasted no time with his barbed words, "Obviously she cannot handle the sea, father. A rather frail constitution, even for a woman."
Boremund opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to reprimand his son, but it was too late. Laenor, who held Jace, had stiffened beside Harwin, whose hand dropped to his sword. Laena had bared her teeth the moment the words were out of Borros's mouth, taking one long step forward. Vhagar's roar shook the very castle foundations as the old dragon responded to her rider's anger, but Corlys only held an arm out to stop his daughter.
"Princess, if you would." The Sea Snake gestured to his daughter-by-law, who nodded with a coy smile.
"Lord and Ladies of Storm's End," Her voice was steady despite the pallor of her face, "May I present my second son, the heir to Dirftmark and the future Lord of the Tides."
"Lucerys Stormborn of House Velaryon was born in the early hours of this morning amidst a raging thunderstorm that had our ship docked and stranded for the entire night." Corlys announced.
"The storm raged up until the point Lucerys opened his eyes." Rhaenys continued with a broad smile, "And then the sun peeked through the clouds and the sea was calm."
Boremund quickly stood, his eyes wide, "Does the princess require a maester-"
Laena's words were cold, "The crown princess only requires an apology for such an insult after laboring for six hours to bring my nephew into this world."
Borros floundered, only bowing his head when his father cast him a wrathful look, "I am-"
"No." Laena raised her chin, her violet eyes burning, "On your knees."
The man scoffed at the thought. Another roar sounded outside, deep and low as was normal for such an old and large dragon as Vhagar. It was joined by three more shrill cries which belonged to Meleys, Syrax, and Seasmoke.
His father pursed his lips, "You heard Lady Velaryon, Borros."
Jaw clenched, the Baratheon heir slowly lowered himself, his knees digging into the stone ground, "I apologize for the sleight against her royal highness, Crown Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen."
"I accept." Rhaenyra spoke, voice full of command, "Now, Lord Boremund, would you like to hold your new kin? I'm afraid he did take after the Baratheon side of his family, similarly to Princess Rhaenys."
The lord's eyes widened and he approached with haste, not noticing his son standing ashamed in the background. Boremund peeked into where the baby was still swaddled in Corlys's silk cloak and watched in awe as lilac eyes peeked up at him. What he took note of, though, was the dark hair and strong nose. It was similar to his niece Rhaenys, certainly, but most of all his beloved sister.
"He looks like Jocelyn." Boremund looked at Rhaenys, seeing her nod with a smile, "A beautiful babe, Princess Rhaenyra. You have my congratulations and commendations, as well, for the difficult nature of his birth. The waters outside of Storm's End are rocky on a good day, let alone during dreadful weather. It is my hope that Lucerys Stormborn does his name proud and brings honor to all his kin, the Baratheon included."
He held the babe for another moment when footsteps echoed off stone, the royal party looking up to see a woman dressed in Baratheon colors entering the room. She didn't have the look, however, with light brown hair and hazel eyes. She held a young child, who looked to be similar in age to Jace, and dropped into a graceful if not rushed curtsy when she noticed the royal party.
She rose wide-eyed, "I am sorry, your graces, I fear I was not aware of your presence."
"Elenda, please, enter." Boremund gestured her forward, "This is my son's wife, formerly of House Caron, and my granddaughter, Cassandra."
"An honor, Lady Baratheon." Rhaenyra bowed her head, "Your daughter is just as lovely as her mother."
A light blush dusted the very tops of the lady's cheeks, "Thank you, your highness. I must insist it is our honor, however, to host you."
"Aye, it is. Now, might I see the other prince?" Boremund chuckled, "I believe my great-nephew is holding him, hm?"
Laenor stepped forward with a sheepish smile, "This is our first son, Jacaerys."
"Ah, yes, he's got that Valyrian hair." The man nodded to himself as he reached out to take Jace, "Quite like my own mother's, albeit a bit curlier."
Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, the mother of Jaehaerys and Alysanne, was also the mother of Boremund and Jocelyn. Her brother, Daemon Velaryon, was Corlys's grandfather. He had looked quite like Rhaenyra himself, apparently, with pale skin and lilac eyes. He'd married a noblewoman of the Summer Isles, however, and their son had fallen in love with a lady of Qarth. Their descendants echoed their heritage, from the dark skin to the curly to coily hair in the hues of Old Valyria.
"Another beautiful babe." The Lord of Storm's End spared the toddler a smile when Jace tugged on the man's well-kept beard, "A spitfire, though, I can tell. Just like Rhaenys, hm?"
"Hush." Rhaenys stepped forward, swatting at her uncle's shoulder as she collected her grandson and pulled the little boy's fingers from Boremund's beard, "Enough from you."
"Ah, but you cannot deny it." Boremund continued, a smug smile tilting his own lips, "Look at your own daughter and tell me she does not take after her Targaryen kin."
"I certainly do not deny it," Laena shrugged, "Fire and blood, right, mother?"
"You," Corlys tapped her on the nose as he passed, "Are not helping either of your cases."
Laena pouted slightly before pressing herself into Rhaenyra's side as the princess grew pale once more, "Shall I take little Luke?"
"Yes." Rhaenyra ground out, "You shall."
"Might we be escorted to our chambers, Lord Baratheon?" Laenor glanced at his sister and wife in concern, "I believe Rhaenyra should sit."
"Of course," The man nodded, "Elenda, would you care to show our guests the way?"
"Yes, good father." She nodded quickly, giving them a gracious smile, "Please, follow me."
"Do you require anything?" Harwin asked as he fluffed the pillows behind Rhaenyra after he and Laena had helped her into the bed, "A drink, food, a larger fire?"
Laenor scoffed from where he was situating Jacaerys and Lucerys into their cribs, "Simply ask Laena for a larger fire. She was eager to make the whole castle kindling earlier."
"And would you not help?" His sister raised an eyebrow, "You heard what that pompous ass said."
"I...would." Laenor agreed reluctantly, "But-!"
"My love, there's no shame in it." Harwin chuckled lowly, "If I had a dragon myself, he'd already be ashes. In fact, I have to commend your sister for her restraint."
"Thank you!" Laena laughed, "I'm glad someone appreciates it."
"Well, I would appreciate a cup of tea with a small spoon of milk of the poppy." Rhaenyra groaned, laying her head back and resting a hand gently over her stomach, "Not too much, just-"
"We know." Harwin rubbed soothing circles on the back of her hand, "Just like last time. I'll have a servant direct me to kitchens and fetch it myself."
He would make sure it was done properly, he meant. Rhaenyra needed something for the pain, but the floaty feeling that came with too much milk of the poppy gave her extreme anxiety.
"Our sons are well?" Rhaenyra asked, her eyes already drooping.
"Laenor is with them now." Harwin glanced up to where his lover was carefully tucking a blanket around Jace before he proceeded to kiss the boy's nose thrice, "They're in good hands."
She nodded sleepily, her head shifting to rest upon the pillow more comfortably as he stood. She was out in seconds, and Harwin glanced at Laena.
"I'll be right here, Ser." The Velaryon girl winked, climbing onto the other side of the bed and leaning against the headboard, "Faithfully standing guard."
"I trust that you will." Harwin grinned before going to Laenor, brushing a hand over the prince consort's shoulder as he knelt beside the cribs of their sons, "I'll be back."
Laenor stood then, brushing a kiss over the corner of his mouth, "Do hurry. I fear she's in more pain than she allows us to see."
"I'm nigh certain of it." The knight agreed, "Watch over them."
Then he was gone, leaving brother and sister the only conscious ones in the room.
"Jace is to be a year old in only a turn of the moon." Laena sighed, twirling strands of Rhaenyra's hair along her fingers, "Do you think we will celebrate him on the road?"
"I think we might have to ride back and leave mother and father to guide the rest of the household home." Laenor spoke dryly, "Last raven we received, the king was planning a great celebration. Once he hears news of Lucerys, I imagine the festivities will hold a dual meaning."
"Do you think," Laena began haltingly, "Do you think the boys are truly a sign of the divine? I mean, Rhaenyra is the only ruler I will bow for regardless, but it all seems so extraordinary doesn't it?"
"The circumstances..." Laenor's brows furrowed, "I believe they mean something. Fate is a fickle beast, and the Gods of Old Valyria even more so."
Vermax, one half of the Vējes, was the spinner of the strings of destiny. Varnyx, his brother, was the cutter. Together they created fate, and together they ended it. Laenor only hoped his family had a long ball of yarn left yet.
"I believe they watch over us." Laena insisted, "If you should ever doubt it, merely look at your sons. The fact that you have offspring is divine intervention in and of itself."
He gaped, looking at his sister briefly before picking up the item nearest to him and throwing it at her. Unfortunately for him, it was one of Jace's folded-up blankets. It fluttered uselessly in the air before falling to the ground in a tiny heap.
"You'll be washing that." His sister promptly informed him, "I'll not have you put it into Jace's crib before it's clean."
"You are so-" He made a wordless sound of frustration, "Ugh, Laena!"
A voice at the door warned them, "Quiet."
The two turned to see their parents watching them fondly, Rhaenys giving them a hard side eye before glancing at Rhaenyra pointedly.
"Sorry, mother." Laena shifted in the bed to sit up more, "Laenor was being annoying."
"I was being annoying?" Laenor scoffed, "Have you ever heard yourself speak, dear sister?"
"I fear you asked too much of them," Corlys said, amused as he approached his grandsons in the crib, "They cannot possibly stay quiet, for it would mean going without bickering."
He leaned over, looking down at Jace and Luke. He smiled, ruffling a sleeping Jace's hair before seeing Luke wide awake, moving his feet ever so slightly.
"Is it unnatural for a babe to be so quiet?" He asked, looking at Rhaenys in thinly veiled concern, "Laenor and Laena screamed their heads off at any given moment."
"I've heard of quiet newborns, to be certain, but never like this." His wife joined him, staring down at her newest grandson before running a finger along his cheek.
The babe only blinked before his mouth twitched and he made an odd noise, similar to a gargle.
Laenor's eyes widened, stumbling over to join his parents, "Is he trying to laugh?"
Rhaenys smiled so wide her cheeks hurt, "I believe he is."
Corlys took the babe from the crib then, holding him close, "A happy boy, hm?"
"It appears so." Rhaenys said, laying her head against her husband's shoulders as bright lilac eyes watched their every move, "He seems...aware."
"He's smart for one so little." Laena said, getting off the bed to grin fondly at her nephew, "He got that from Rhaenyra and his wonderful aunt and grandparents, obviously. Laenor doesn't have a lick of sense in him."
The insulted party nudged his sister sharply on the shoulder, but she only laughed brightly. Then Luke made that gurgling noise again as if he were trying to imitate her, and Laena was fawning over the boy all over again. A shuffling at the door caught Laenor's attention, seeing Harwin standing with a steaming cup of tea in hand, and he couldn't control his smile as he called out to his lover.
"Harwin, Luke's trying to laugh!" He said, gesturing at the baby Corlys still held, "Can you believe that?"
"My own sisters didn't laugh until around four moons, I believe." Harwin gave him a fond look as he walked to Rhaenyra's bedside to set the cup down.
She was still dead to the world, face half pressed into the pillow and clutching the blankets in a talon-like grip. Harwin shook her shoulder gently, making her groan as if to ward him off.
"Princess, I have your tea." He said quietly, "Come, you should drink it before the pain worsens."
Laena rushed over to help Harwin assist her in sitting up, Laenor not far behind her as he fretted at the bedside. Laena took a seat after, holding Rhaenyra's hand as Harwin held the cup and gave her slow sips from it.
"You shouldn't have walked all the way from the docks to the castle," Laenor said, "It was too much too soon. I told you I didn't mind carrying you. Or, you know, Harwin could have. Our sworn shield who is regularly extolled as the strongest knight in all of Westeros? I think he could have managed the task."
"I was, mayhaps, a bit stubborn." She reluctantly admitted, sighing as she slumped against the pillows cushioning her back.
"Mayhaps is too inadequate of a word." Harwin said dryly, "As is stubborn, for that matter. You are far beyond that, princess."
She gave him a glare with no heat, merely huffing as she accepted another drink of tea, "No matter. Where is my son? Where is Lucerys?"
Rhaenyra glanced at Laenor, who only gestured to his parents, "Father has him. He's quite alright."
Rhaenys moved forward to perch at the bedside beside her daughter, Corlys right behind her with the little sea-green bundle that was the second prince.
"He is trying to laugh, we believe." Rhaenys informed the new mother, "A good omen, most would say, for it means he will have little reason to cry throughout his life."
Rhaenyra's smile was like the sun breaking through the clouds as Corlys knelt beside Harwin to show her Lucerys. The baby blinked slowly from his silk prison and Rhaenyra smoothed her fingers along his forehead, brushing the wisps of black curls back.
"The milk of the poppy will take effect soon." Harwin said, setting the empty tea cup aside, "You should get some more rest now."
She nodded, loathe to pull away from her son but exhausted regardless of her heart. Rhaenys and Laena moved off the bed, and her good sister leaned down to kiss her firmly on each cheek.
"We'll see you on the morrow," She swore, "I imagine there is a feast of some kind in the making, so sleep while you can."
Corlys hesitated to follow after his wife and daughter, but parted with Luke nonetheless and handed his grandson over to Laenor.
"Sleep well," Corlys nodded as he stepped out the door, "Ser Harwin, keep them safe."
"With my life, my lord." Harwin gave the Lord of the Tides a shallow bow.
When the door was hatched and locked, Harwin stripped to night clothes and slid under the covers of the large bed. Laenor placed Luke gently into his crib, tucking him in once more before joining his wife and lover. Rhaenyra shifted to lay her head against Harwin's chest, and Laenor rested his own in the crook of the knight's shoulder. The night was still, the babes resting easy, and they slipped away to sleep with haste.
There was, in fact, a feast in the making. When the princess and her Velaryon entourage arrived in the dining hall, it was clear that every lord who currently resided in Storm's End was present. Boremund himself guided them to the head table, where Rhaenyra and her family by law sat front and center, with the Baratheons to their left.
Rhaenyra could count representatives, be the knight or nobleman, from quite a few houses in the Stormlands. Most of their lords she'd already met, and she recognized the knight approaching even before he introduced himself.
"Ser Connington," She greeted with a graceful smile, "I met your elder brother at their keep in Griffin's Roost."
He blinked, caught off guard at her recognition, before bowing deeply, "You honor me, your grace. My brother wrote to me after he was lucky enough to host you and your family. He said you were kind of heart and bright of mind, and the Gods were correct to lay their favor at your feet. The realm will be so fortunate to have you as our queen, and your honored son after."
She was taken aback for a moment before nodding thankfully, "I appreciate your words, Ser Connington, and that of your brother's. Please give him my regards as well as my hope that young Steffon is fairing well."
The young knight beamed and bowed before taking a step back and bowing once more. He then proceeded to practically flee her presence, making Laena giggle at her side.
"Gods, he's practically in love with you." Her good sister whispered into her ear, "Did you see his blush?"
Rhaenyra balked, "I can hardly surmise that from his reaction. Perhaps eager to advance his family's station is more correct."
The other girl rolled her eyes, "I hope you mind not that I say this, but you are quite dense in matters of the heart, princess."
"I do mind, in fact." Rhaenyra scoffed, "I have splendid relationships currently."
"Yes, you do." Laena agreed quietly, "But you do not see beyond what you currently have."
Rhaenyra bit her bottom, glancing away, "I learned not too long ago that greed is not for women of my station. It brings only consequences."
She thinks of Daemon, who left her in a whore house and abandoned her to fend for herself in wake of the resulting rumors. Ser Criston Cole, who betrayed her and murdered her husband's first love the moment she declined to elope with him. She thinks...
She thinks of Alicent, of how she once desired to have all of the girl to herself. Alicent had been her best friend and most earnest companion; she would never leave her side for something so silly as a husband. Her best friend with whom she wanted to flee to Essos and see the great wonders of the world and eat only cake. Alicent had taught her many lessons, but truly the first one had been on the consequences of greed.
The subsequent lessons on heartbreak, betrayal, and grief hadn't been enjoyable either.
Laena's eyes were sad as if she knew what Rhaenyra was thinking about, "It doesn't have to be that way."
"I take too much already," Rhaenyra whispered, her eyes drifting over to Harwin, "I cannot, will not, ask for more. Not when I am so happy as it is."
The Velaryon girl's smile was sad, but Rhaenyra knew she shared her plight. The plight of all women, really. In the grand scheme of things, the two of them actually had it easy. With rich and royal families who were fiercely protective, they lived a cushiony life and did not fear blatant abuse at the hands of a husband. Every other girl in Westeros, however?
It made Rhaenyra's heart ache as she glanced over at little Elenda Caron turned Lady Elenda Baratheon. Everywhere in the world, they hurt little girls.
Alicent was a little girl once, not all that long ago in truth. Was she not the demon Rhaenyra had made her out to be in her mind? Was she a victim of the game, likely pushed into her current position by Otto Hightower? The answer was yes, Rhaenyra knew. Alicent had wanted to marry a gallant knight who would treat her like a queen only in theory, not be the actual queen of a man over twice her age.
"I apologize," Laena pursed her lips, "I did not intend for this to take such a morose turn."
Rhaenyra glanced over at Laenor, who was speaking animatedly with his mother while he held Jacaerys. Lucerys was in her own arms, dozing away. He was such a quiet, sleepy babe. So unlike his brother, who seemed to be filled with vigor the moment he'd been born. Day and night, fire and water, Targaryen and Velaryon.
She was happy. She was content. She could be satisfied.
"It's alright." Rhaenyra spared her a smile, "Life doesn't tend to be happy unless we make it so. I'm afraid morose is the default."
The other girl nodded enthusiastically, "I fear you speak the truth."
She was not the only one who had sacrificed for her family, and for her children. Laenor had given up just as much, if not more. She had not loved and lost, not as he had. He'd fallen in love with Harwin, yes, but Ser Joffrey Lonmouth was a wound that had yet to scab over.
Mayhaps it never would.
Still, Rhaenyra would see him happy as well as she would see herself. She owed him that.
Another shadow fell across their vision, and they both glanced up to see none other than Borros Baratheon himself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw every Velaryon in the room tense. The princess was not overly concerned, however. The man was Rhaenyra's senior by at least seven years, yet he looked positively cowed.
"I wanted to state my apologies to the princess again for my inconsiderate behavior and words." He spoke as if reciting a script, likely one written by his father, "Not only was it beneath someone of my station, but I did not realize the extent of my relation to your family."
"How would you not know your own history?" Laena's voice was sharp once more, ever the defender, "Every child is taught their lineage."
"I, um, cannot read, my lady." He stuttered slightly, lips pursed.
"You cannot read?" Rhaenyra's brows furrowed, "You are the heir of Storm's End."
"Yes." He bowed his head slightly, "My lady mother passed during my youth and I fought my father too hard on the notion. Since then..."
He'd just never bothered. Rhaenyra forced herself not to laugh; she was on this tour to make friends with the lords and future lords of the realm, not enemies.
"Lord Borros, your wife is a beautiful and gracious woman." She began, and his brows furrowed in confusion, "Just this morning I heard her reading tales to your daughter, Cassandra, as we passed them in the halls. If you were to ask her, I know she would happily guide you as your wife and the future Lady of Storm's End."
His first instinct seemed to be to scoff, but he halted for a moment. His eyes flickered over to Rhaenys and Corlys, who were now whispering gossip back and forth, and she saw desire spark in his eyes. Then he glanced over to Laenor, who was tickling Jace's sides until the boy giggled with laughter, and they saddened immediately.
He wanted something like that, it was clear. A partnership he could rely on, children who could love him. Most did, after all. You are born alone and you die just the same, but living doesn't have to be lonely if you don't want it to be. He'd spurned his first child, a girl, and his wife resented him for that. It was clear in their interactions that Boremund respected his daughter-by-law more than her actual husband.
Apparently, Borros rather regretted it, too, when he looked at others being happy in his stead. Rhaenyra wanted to tell him he could have all he desired if only he wouldn't act like such a cunt to his wife and daughter.
"I will consider you counsel, princess." He bowed at the waist, "Please, enjoy your meal as we break our fast."
With that, he was gone. She watched as he sat by his wife, who held little Cassandra on her lap. His movements were jerky as if he were unsure, but he held his arms out to take the girl. Elenda jolted as if shocked and looked at him with suspicious eyes. She handed Cassandra over, though, and watched carefully as Borros awkwardly held his daughter.
Then Cassandra, with the wide and innocent smile of a toddler, reached forward and threw her arms around his neck. Rhaenyra could practically see the ill-tempered man melt.
"You're doing the work of the Gods," Laena rolled her eyes, "What a frigid ass. Who has to be instructed on how to love their family?"
"Pompous men who need to be put in their place, apparently." Rhaenyra took a sip of wine, immensely happy she was able to drink again, "You were rather effective to start off with, yes."
Laena's smirk was telling, "The only time I ever enjoy men is when they're on their knees."
The laugh that burst out of Rhaenyra had people staring, but the princess didn't care. She was, for a brief and blinding moment of clarity, so grateful she got to have Laena in her life.