Chapter Text
It was a stunning night. His daughters were the talk of the entire kingdom when they spent most of the night dancing with one another, because Rhaenyra was quite taken with being a big sister. He stole a dance to warn her that Daemon accepted, because the rogue was circling the outskirts waiting for his opportunity. Once she knew, he snatched the rest of her time away from Helaena, audacious flirting kept the poor thing flushed all night and he did hope she understood what she'd gotten herself into by asking for this betrothal. Viserys didn't make the announcement that night wanting to let them both enjoy the knowledge privately for a fortnight.
Part of him wanted Daemon to know that asking him to be Hand was its own olive branch from him and had nothing to do with her request for a future with the Targaryen prince. They had been two separate decisions, but he knew that might be hard to see without being there. Time seemed like it would help keep such developments from getting crossed.
Glad that Aegon rushed down to join them on the dance floor, because it kept him occupied and removed all small ears from their vicinity, Viserys did address the issue of Ser Joffrey Lonmouth with Aemond happily perched in his lap watching their family below. Making it clear that if any harm came to that boy, she would be held personally responsible, when Alicent gulped he knew that it had all been true. He told her it would be best if she kept Ser Cole to herself and reminded sternly that if she could not accept her role as Queen to populations that did not share her views necessarily, then she would be dismissed to her maiden seat with prejudice.
He wasn’t above it.
When he turned to Otto, he could already tell that the man knew, and was probably the mastermind behind the plot facilitated by his wife. It was simple enough to warn that as a direct consequence of his daughter’s actions, he was going to be dismissed as Hand and sent from court. The Lonmouths were sworn to his blood, after all.
They were both having a very bad night, but everyone else would be talking about that feast for moons afterward. Rumor and gossip mostly, but word of their trying exchange circulated before they even got to the Small Council that next day, before taking off on the dragons. No one was surprised by the dismissal as a result though and he did not hide why it happened. Attacking one of their people without cause would never be tolerable.
With the betrothal announcement coming, Daemon had been on his best behavior. Luckily after her nameday all the children began to request spending time with their sister more. Aegon through loud demanding and Aemond through sobbing high pitched squeals until his big brother turned back and brought the babe with him. Viserys felt for him and promised his oldest boy that he remembered what it was like to have one of those with an eye roll toward a grinning Daemon.
The next morning when they took the children up on dragons was a real experience. Aegon was strapped in before his uncle on Caraxes as his sisters mirrored them on Syrax. He hadn’t expected it when the Rogue Price looked at him and nodded for Viserys to also get on the dragon with them.
It hadn’t occurred to him that the brat would start pushing so hard, so quickly. He’d met Daemon before, but forgot how rapidly life moved when he was in King’s Landing. The fog he’d been trapped in was destroyed overnight by the arrival of dawn’s sun made of dragon fire.
Laughing, Viserys turned to his wife and held his hands out for Aemond, who’d already been whimpering after his siblings, “Give him to me.”
The babe was clutched to her chest tighter, even as he reached out for his father.
He wasn’t being cruel, but the bandage had to come off, “It wasn’t a request.”
Viserys reached over and took him. So, they hadn’t learnt the extent of his youngest’s showing out abilities that day, although it had been a close call should Alicent have gotten her way. One cutting remark about how he hoped he could return without anyone slaughtered, it kept her mouth shut from further protest. Especially as he also asked the Master of Laws to help her keep an eye on things where he was loitering nearby.
Once standing at the dragon it was muscle memory to take his cape and bring it up, wrapping it securely around Aemond and his opposing shoulder twice, so the little one’s back was held firmly to his chest before he tied him in using a special knot right in front of the boy. He could see out and breath safely, but couldn’t go anywhere.
“Is that how Mother did it?!”
He looked up surprised to find Daemon staring at him slack jawed and chuckled. “Yes,” Climbing up the dragon’s saddle carefully, Viserys confirmed once situated behind him and strapping them in with the extra chain, “It is.”
“I never was entirely sure,” He confessed quietly.
“You were her youngest,” Vis agreed with him. The King laughed, “She made me practice tying it off for a fortnight before I was even allowed to carry you.”
“Would you show me?”
“Of course,” He nodded them into the sky for now, “Let’s go to Dragonstone.”
His children were so in love with the experience and he realized how much he’d missed this too. He hadn’t gone back up since Balerion; it felt like a betrayal. Once you bonded with a dragon like him, what other dragon could ever possibly…
This experience was missed though.
Both dragons showed off all of their tricks for the children and were seemingly aware of the more delicate cargo they now carried. They mostly flew through the clouds and showed off for the little ones. When Aegon suggested, leaning back against Daemon, that he wanted a golden dragon like Syrax, Viserys told him perhaps he could match his sister one day.
Landing on the volcanic island at the mouth of Blackwater Bay, Viserys loved breathing in the air. Seeing the hazy and ashy skies above. It really had been far too long since he was here.
Attendants swarmed when they realized every royal dragon was in attendance. He didn’t object when Rhaenyra took all of her siblings to show them their ancestral castle, but this time it didn’t surprise him that Daemon had other plans for their day. He yelled announcing that they were making for the Dragonmont, then snubbed Aegon’s enthusiasm to join until they came back. His uncle did promise he needed to see the castle too anyway.
Once they were gone from sight the brothers began journeying toward their favorite series of tunnels into the volcano since they were children without prompting. Both spent a long time with Vermithor, singing songs taught to them by their grandfather and just speaking of a plan for their family. Otto was packing back at the Red Keep, if he knew what was good for him, and had to know he’d been uprooted overnight.
The truth was that he’d like a bit of time to see if his wife couldn’t be persuaded to act as a dragon. Daemon didn’t seem thrilled by the notion, but he agreed. Otto was the one pulling his daughter’s strings.
Was an ambitious noble all he was though?
When he asked the question, Viserys wasn’t sure what his brother meant. The Prince of the City explained that if the House of the Dragon was weak, then it made the kingdom more open to manipulations. It wasn’t just the Hightowers, because they certainly wouldn’t have done this without certain assurances, and who could have possibly given them such a thing? Who was so well connected throughout the entire kingdom, they would have given Old Town’s nobility that large a head?
The Citadel.
Maesters were supposed to be neutral parties. They were like rats however, hidden everywhere throughout the kingdom, and holding so much of their knowledge. If there was a conspiracy to undermine them, then it had to be addressed, but carefully. Those knowledgeable bastards held some of the most sensitive information in the damn realm.
The Grand Maester was loyal to him and adored Aemma. While he looked after Alicent diligently during her pregnancies, he’d been very hesitant to accept someone else as their queen. Viserys understood his empathy for all the pregnancies his wife suffered through, while she had nary a complication. If there was a massive plot in Old Town, however, he could help them successfully root out who was loyal to Westeros and who was seeking to cause turmoil.
By the time they finished discussing it, they’d been walking around the coast of Dragonstone for several hours and he was struggling. Not to process what Otto was capable of. He’d known he got in over his head before reaching out to make his brother come home. Knowing that he had children with Alicent now, however, it terrified him what steps they might have to take for the sake of course correction.
Daemon hadn’t said anything outright. He didn’t need to. Neither of them did.
He prayed to the gods of Old Valyria that their children would come to understand why he was doing what he was, because he didn’t want them to hate him. Truly, Viserys didn’t.
All torn up over the thoughts and discussions he was having with his newly instated Hand, he was staring at his feet and thinking it all over in a worried frenzy. Daemon was next to him looking out at the sprawling oceans before them mixing with wispy volcanic air, because he worried that his older brother would think him a monster for just suggestions, and he would never want that either. They were both so torn up, neither were really paying attention to where they were going out on the eastern ridges.
Not until a large gust of breath almost swept both from their feet along one of the towering rock ledges on up the mountainous island. When they looked and realized only glowing green eyes were visible from the cave their location struck both Targaryens like a bolt of lightning.
“I-It’s the Cannibal,” Daemon stuttered.
Viserys shouted as he heard the monstrous exhale coming, “Get down!”
Both royals lept from the ledge together. Daemon had been closer to the edge than he was and the King landed covering him, because no matter the warrior their Rogue Prince had become, he’d always be his baby brother. He couldn’t turn that off.
He did look up to see when the rapid stream of emerald fire ceased. They were safe enough in the crevice of two beds below this beast’s great dwelling, but getting out of here was going to be a challenge. The dragon looking so much like Balerion came out of his dwelling to track them down.
“ Peace! Peace!” Grabbing his brother by the front of the shirt and moving him toward the other side of the cave behind him slowly, Viserys insisted in their old tongue as he moved to match the younger man, still covering him even as he met the Cannibal’s eyes, “ We’re not here for you. We’re not! ”
To his surprise the massive creature, only to be challenged by either Vhagar or Vermithor if even they could, tilted his head at them. Almost as if he were confused by the exclamation. By Viserys’ protective stance, which he seemed to understand. He’d always been told that if they didn’t mess with the Cannibal, however, then he wouldn’t mess with them; by the gods, he prayed it was true.
They made it to the other side of his dwelling without getting roasted and it helped both to relax when the massive beast actually sat down on his arse to watch them go. Helped both feel like they weren’t still about to be another pile of bones in his lair.
When they got far enough away and both were fairly certain he intended to let them go, they turned their backs to the black scaled beast and hauled themselves toward the beaches visible a couple hundred yards away grateful to be alive. Getting into the sands together both hit their knees near the shoreline panting for air.
Lavender eyes met, both fleshy dragons bursting into laughter they didn't have the breath for. Dameon collapsed against his shoulder, reminiscent of the day before when they hugged. His brother grabbed him by the side of his face that could be gotten to, “Are you alright?”
“I really thought we were going to die.”
“Me too.” Kissing the side of his head and pulling away a bit, he took note of the tide as their boots and pants were soaked, “Get out of the surf.”
Daemon stood up when he did, but wound up doubling over to clutch at his side. His brother took a look and hissed; he'd definitely torn some of his stitches. They needed to get him back up to the keep.
Taking his cape off and rolling it up tightly, they were able to stuff it in his pants and pull his belt to a painful place to staunch the bleeding so both could get back. Of course, the Rogue Prince couldn't resist as he groaned with the belt’s tightening, “Fuck you, cunt.”
“Take it like a dragon,” He ordered, waving for the boy to follow him. If he recalled correctly it was mostly beach for the rest of the way back. They'd always been told to stop here at the cliffs to avoid the Cannibal, “Bitch.”
Daemon snorted and raised a hand asking for assistance getting off the boulders he'd braced against. Viserys pulled him up, but couldn't resist a tease, “Besides, I'm already letting you paw at my daughter. Unfortunately, that's the closest you're gonna get.”
He snorted with laughter, then groaned, “Oh, fuck! Don't make me laugh.”
Chuckling, the king started up the beach expecting him to follow.
“Was that really her idea?”
Silver brows pulled together as he turned back, “I told you it was.”
“You didn't tell her…”
“Tell her what, brother?”
“Does she think that's why I came home?”
Thinking about it for a moment, Viserys crossed his arms over his chest and considered if there had been anything untoward in how it all came to be, “Well, she knows I sent Harwin Strong to make a delivery. Then, when I saw you flying in, I told her you were her surprise of the day.” Taking a breath, he shrugged and offered to clarify, “But, I told her the betrothal wouldn't be until I had your consent and she only found out we talked at the feast. It was the lady's choice, Daemon. Start to finish, same as you.”
“Good,” He finally started moving up the beach, just a bit gingerly for him.
Both Targaryens stopped at the sounds of dragon chirps. Sounds usually made to communicate with their own, they looked up to realize the Cannibal was following them up on the cliffside above like a giant bat. He'd blend in with the mountain, if it weren't for those eyes.
“Is he stalking us?”
Viserys tilted his head in appraisal and chuckled a bit when the dragon matched him. “No, he's just curious. I imagine not a lot of people come around for a stroll.”
“Alright,” Daemon agreed cautiously, following after his big brother. As they moved and he listened idly to Viserys talk about how he needed to take it easy this next fortnight before the announcement, so all the stitches would be removed by then.
In truth his focus stayed up with the monster on those cliffs. The gargantuan black beast was in his prime, like a young Balerion, and known for being quite cunning despite such size. It was where the creature's attention stayed that got him curious though, beyond his worry.
“Did you bond with the Fucking Cannibal, brother?”
Viserys stopped where they had almost arrived back at the main beach which would take them directly to the castle. It was actually a beautiful summer day and, if it wasn’t moments away from giving his brother an infection, he’d offer to let them bring the children back out here. Not with his injuries and not with their guest hanging off the edge of the cliffs watching intently. Everything he read about bonding with a new dragon said there had been a distinct shift upon taking a new beast underhand, so he didn’t think that to be the case. Waving Daemon on, they began the trek, grateful they could make it back through the hard packed sand before that tide finished coming in.
His shadow covered them first as a warning, before the air from his low descent almost made both fall on their face, only to then grasp desperately for one another when he landed as close to them as possible given his size. Now between them and the castle, he had Viserys’ attention. All of it.
The King stood once Daemon was steady on his feet and stepped up to the dragon so much like looking back in time, yet not, “ Can we help you? ”
If an answer was to be had, then it seemed to be yes according to the Cannibal. He got down low and appraised the human. It couldn’t be though. Because, his bond didn’t feel different… Except, maybe-
Touching his snout, the beast purred.
“Liar!”
“Hush,” Viserys ordered seriously.
Dragonriders couldn’t read their creature’s mind, even though they had a sense of each other’s emotions and consciousness. Caraxes could track Daemon just about anywhere in the world, as Syrax could his daughter. Taking a moment to just read everything he possibly could about this very impressive wild dragon, the older man didn’t want him overwhelmed by too much excitement.
Despite being their size, he was not as old as Balerion making him slow or tempered, nor as friendly and socialized as Vermithor. If Viserys was going to bond with this dragon, then they had to have realistic expectations of him.
After studying him intensely, it was pretty definite, “ You’re his son. ”
Daemon spoke up behind him, “Are you sure?”
“Yes… He turned away from his own to cope.” Scoffing to realize why he was meant to bond with this dragon and why it wasn’t some huge shift he’d always dreaded, because it would have felt like losing Balerion all over again, it struck that he should have done this so much sooner for both of them. All of them.
“You have a type, big brother.”
“Shut up, Daemon.”
Caraxes flew in and chirped a bit defensively as he likely smelled Daemon’s blood, but knew himself at a disadvantage in a fight. He still dropped down a hundred yards away and Viserys was grateful when his brother quickly dismissed himself to catch a ride to the nearest maester. So, he spent a few minutes just exploring the connection and making sure this dragon of startling reputation really accepted this bond.
Much to his surprise, it was the midnight scaled dragon who bled with a sense of excitement, relief, and affection. Reading him it was easy to see the picture that reputation painted alongside his feelings. Balerion the Black Dread had been bonded to riders since before the Doom of Valyria. As his first born son of this land, it had been this dragon who saw him with Aegon the Conqueror in their prime and aspired to be just like them. And he wanted it and wanted it, but no one was the right fit, then he lost his father and just accepted his place as a monster with no bonds; not to a rider or another dragon.
He certainly hadn’t been expecting Viserys, anymore than the King had been him.
“How about a quick flight to meet my children, hmm?”
There was a perfectly natural cradle behind his neck and in the nook of two large horn-like barbs when he took flight, clinging to one. It was a nice feeling. Looking like Balerion was one thing but… His eyes were significant. He’d offer a thousand apologies for allowing Otto to use Alicent against him, but Viserys could not frame this to say that he regretted those three. He did not!
Daemon was wrong that it was as simple as nixing the green. House Arryn was part of Rhaenyra. It was. Always would be. And to some extent, House Hightower was going to leave a mark on Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond, one way or another. If they simply turned into the monsters these conspiracy theories feared, then it was only going to drive his children into enemy arms and plunge the realm into war. It was his job to stop that from happening.
Their communication was much more direct. Clarity had been hard for Balerion there at the end. After several laps around the island, on the first pass of which he’d already seen his children gathered outside the keep with his brother despite a maester trying to tend him, but he didn’t land until fairly certain most of his energy was out. A newly ridden dragon and three small children seemed not like a good pairing to mix without caution, because he would never put them in danger despite what his wife seemed to think.
When he slid down the black wings, it was funny to see that Aemond and Helaena were held in a hand each by their respective keepers. But Aegon? He was trapped in hand by both Daemon and Rhaenyra, because both knew he’d take off with unbridled enthusiasm. He couldn’t wait to introduce them to… That wasn’t going to work, but he’d always liked Kostion for a dragon name.
Looking up at him as he approached his family, Viserys noted that he didn’t have the angular jawline of his father, but rather more a decorative crown of horns made from barbs. It reminded him greatly of the vivid depictions of Meraxes found in the Red Keep. It wasn’t difficult to imagine this was the Black Dread’s greatest pride, as Rhaenyra was for him with the great love of his life, Viserys was so sad no one ever just looked at them and made the obvious connection.
“Father!” Aegon screamed first, “You have a dragon too!”
“Yes,” He agreed. “It’s been too long.”
“What are you calling him, Father?” The Realm’s Delight probed and he was grateful that, while the adults clearly knew, they hadn’t tainted the younger children with that name. For now, he’d try to disassociate him from the pattern with a move to King’s Landing and the Dragonpit.
“Kostion,” He held a hand out for her, “Come meet him first.”
“Oh!” Aegon barely got to start his protest, before the King cut him off.
“Aegon!” Taking a knee in front of the little boy, he actually tried to scare him a little. So, he did use the dragon’s reputation. Rhaenyra had taken her sister over to a fountain and Daemon had the babe, because he couldn’t understand this yet. His brother understood what he was doing and tried to pile on. “Do you understand what we’re saying?”
“He’s really eaten people?”
“Yes,” He stressed to his son, “You must always have as much respect for a dragon, as you would ask them to have for you.”
“I understand.”
“Good boy, now stay with Uncle Daemon for now.”
Helaena stayed quite obediently and Aemond could not walk, so both were stuck with their uncle for now just like Aegon. They still watched curiously as their daring big sister got to meet Kostion first.
“He is Balerion’s son.”
“Truly?” She pet him reverently as the children could not yet understand.
They felt a pull to these animals, but didn’t understand their history with them. It wasn’t a failure. It was just that season in their life.
“Yes.” Taking a deep breath, he had to make this quick, “You should speak with your uncle before we leave. I believe he feared this betrothal was my way of bribing him home.”
“Oh.” She studied him, quizzing, “Would it have even occurred to you?”
“I don’t think anyone besides you could have mentioned it,” Viserys had to confess, “Without me assuming negative intent.”
“Then I’m glad to have found my voice.”
He chuckled, “He’s done very well with you. Let’s see if Aegon can contain himself.”
The boy could not. Kostion was a decent dragon about it though. Despite his reputation, he did seem to have regard for Viserys’ children as just that. While he was a bit put off by Aegon’s manner, he was very fond of the girls, and tolerated Aemond as admirably as he did Daemon when they were not his rider. It was sort of funny when the large dragon couldn’t seem to quite comprehend how small Aemond was despite recognizing him as significant.
Men of their word, once the four youngest Targaryen got to meet his new dragon, they took the little ones for their first time inside Dragonmont. Aemond was quite fascinated to take it all in, but it was Helaena and Aegon to whom they were explaining everything each could possibly think of in terms of trivia. It was only their first time hearing stories; they would continue to do so throughout their lives and then tell the same stories to their children, Viserys promised them.
None of them were claiming a dragon at their ages, but Vermithor adored children. Even he was roused enough to come out for a day on the beach with the rest of the family’s dragons, because it had been too long for the rather social creature of bronze. Most forgot there was a softer side to his wartime reputation. He was a terrific example of acceptable behavior for the others; particularly Kostion.
While Caraxes and Syrax were smaller and more active dragons, luckily they entertained themselves being so closely bonded. It kept the dark dragon now named for the night skies of Old Valyria from being overwhelmed. Vermithor set an excellent tone just laying on the beach observing them like a guardian.
A couple of times Kostion got closer to see what they were doing. Rhaenyra showing her sister a starfish and herd of seahorses in a small pool, because she knew the child would love them drew the beast in. As did Daemon dangling Aeong by an ankle over the water and dunking him in for just a second, until the laughing child finally agreed to fight his next war for him. When Viserys didn’t seem incensed by the shenanigans, his dragon allowed it with quiet observation sometimes broken by chirps or growls that lacked all aggression.
He was fairly confident in the dragon’s temperament by the time they ate their final meal on Dragonstone and all three grown riders knew that if they didn’t leave immediately, then they’d be night flying. Not a preference with it being the little ones’ first time. Managers of the Dragonmont found an old saddle for one of the other larger dragons that was still in perfect shape. Just plain functional black leather and chains it may have even been a practice mount, but it would more than do for now.
When his oldest son begged to fly back with him, Viserys would admit that he couldn’t resist. The dragon wasn’t going to hurt any of his children. His reputation was just that; all talk.
“I am glad he’s not the dragon everyone thought,” Rhaenyra offered as he was securing the saddle.
He’d already tied Aemond to his brother after teaching Daemon the rules and how to do it himself. Double checking the knot after he’d tried it the first time, the King was certain his youngest would be just fine going home on the Blood Wyrm, and he was ready to take Aegon with him. Helaena could not possibly be more in love with her sister and Syrax, so he had no concerns for his girls.
“Me too.” Viserys thought about it a moment longer as he was adjusting the saddle. “I should have been here so much sooner.”
“I think he’d only hold it against you for not coming today,” His first born teased.
“Fair enough.” Petting the dragon’s snout when he turned around to see what they were doing back here, looking into his eyes, the King had to acknowledge his fault the last few years for her sake. Rhaenyra had more than earned that by enduring all that time. “Grief does things, turns you into someone, even you can’t recognize. When you lose yourself to it, then it’s even harder to see how your loved ones are impacted.” Gulping, he met eyes she’d gotten from her mother to own his part, “And I’m so sorry for the last few years, Rhaenyra. I am. I-”
“Oh, Father,” She surged forward to hug him and it felt like permission to breathe for the first time since Aemma died. “I understand.”
“Thank you.”
Most of the staff of Dragonstone came to see them off. After all, rarely did they get such a large royal visit. Especially on such an occasion where the King claimed a new dragon.
The flight back was pleasant. Truthfully, he never wanted it to end. Aegon leaned back against him, talking for most of the trip about how he aspired to have a dragon as stunning as his sister’s. Viserys promised they would look quite stunning flying together.
Daemon left unsupervised with an excitable babe and his dragon wasn’t the best combination. Oh, Aemond was never in danger. As a matter of fact, his squeals of delight as his uncle did all sorts of flips and tricks on Caraxes were music to his ears. The pain could have just been a bit more cautious as he carried such precious cargo. He was just like Mother.
They landed back in the Dragonpit and Kostion wasted no time letting all of the other dragons know that he was the new king of this domain. Viserys left him to establish himself with the obvious help of Caraxes and Syrax. Hopefully Vermithor was able to set enough of an example about behavior for him to be successful here.
When they got back to the Red Keep everyone smelled like dragon and they all wanted to get clean before retiring for the night. Helaena asked if she could stay with her sister and his oldest just shrugged, offering her a hand. He sent a maid to warn the Queen of their return and where the children would be bedding down for the night, as he would need the boy’s wet nurse to come by the King’s Chambers, especially since Daemon did not seem keen on giving the babe up.
They couldn’t have stayed on Dragonstone all day, if there hadn’t happened to be a wetnurse available and happy to tend the little prince. Despite a lack of experience, he had to admit his brother looked good with a small child in hand, and he prayed for a blessed union between his brother and daughter. They deserved happiness.
These chambers actually had multiple rooms with separate bathing quarters, so Daemon took his prince one way, while Viserys took his in another. They managed to be smoking a pipe between them in pajamas with both boys giggling in their laps when someone came to attend to Aemond, but it wasn’t a wet nurse as he’d expected. Alicent came herself and part of him did understand after she’d been parted from them all day. He invited her in and wanted to see if she could feel comfortable becoming a dragon too, if her father wasn’t meddling.
She didn’t stay long which disappointed him, but did inquire about his new dragon and if the children had fun. Once she realized that Daemon and both boys were going to stay the night with him, so Alicent wouldn’t have the opportunity to return to his bed, then it seemed she lost interest. Let him know meddling was still afoot, even as Otto was told to pack for Old Town.
After she departed however, joy returned to his heart when Rhaenyra brought her baby sister by, because the girl wanted to say goodnight. Neither looked ready to beddown, so he invited both to stay in their sleep dresses and little over coats. His oldest had never tried dragongrass before and they offered her the pipe, then laughed like arseholes when she choked as they all had once. She just stuck her tongue out at them and tried again. Getting the hang of it, she then laughed at her father’s expense when his brother audaciously let Aegon and Helaena take a puff, completely ignoring the King’s concern.
While his first son had to be told off over indulgence, because he would clearly follow his uncle into dragonfire, Viserys didn’t have to worry about the girls. Helaena had no interest in another attempt, because of the taste, and Rhaenyra seemed quite content with the floaty sensation from her place in the window seat behind them with the younger maiden in her lap. As the boys were laughing and playing a card game designed in Flea Bottom when they were still boys smoking, the princess noticed her little sister staring wistfully into the smoke, so she asked what the dragon dreamer was seeing.
Listening to her tell her big sister about the future before them, while they attempted to teach Aegon the game when he wanted to try it, then just getting to enjoy his brother and children all night… Viserys truly hadn’t been sure that he would ever feel this level of contentment again. His children and brother were happy and safe, not to mention his new dragon was running around King’s Landing. That night would mean more than the world to him for the rest of his days.
As the days before the announcement began to slowly tick by, Viserys was excited to make private plans with Rhaenyra and Daemon. Both were so excited, but understood that there were certain expectations they simply had to meet, if this was going to be successful. They needed to plan a betrothal feast to celebrate in three moons. That would give time for the Velaryons to get back to King’s Landing and hopefully, by that night, they would be announcing a betrothal for Laena as well.
Daemon had a suggestion for how they might mend some of the hurt with Princess Rhaenys, by offering her daughter the alternative match Viserys wanted for his own daughter. Master of Laws Lyonel Strong was excited by the proposal and assured his son would make an excellent husband for the only daughter of Driftmark. Both dragons crossed their fingers it would work.
The night before he would make the announcement to the Small Council, he was reviewing correspondences from Corlys and confirmed they were completely removed from the Stepstones with regents in place, so he would be back in plenty of time to begin negotiations. Harrenhal was the largest keep in the kingdom, however, so Vis didn’t really think there would be much to negotiate. Either way, he wasn’t expecting his chamber doors to pop open so late, especially given Rhaenyra already brought her sister by to say goodnight as had become tradition.
While he hadn’t seen Aegon or Aemond before the door popped open with seemingly no one there, the King just assumed they fell asleep early after wearing themselves out. When he stood to see if it had been the wind or something else, he’d not been expecting the watery or red eyes of his oldest son. “Aegon… What’s the matter?”
He’d finished standing and was coming around the desk to get to him when the child darted over. In stilted gasps and tears, the boy managed to get out that he’d wanted to come say goodnight, but Alicent wouldn’t let them. More specifically, she’d refused to let him bring Aemond, who he had to leave behind crying. When he finally calmed down enough that snubs were all remaining, he huffed out, “Can’t we jus’ stay with you? We don’t even like it there.”
“Of course you could,” Viserys promised right away, “I’m your father.”
The toddler popped up from his shoulder, clearly surprised, “Really?!”
“Yes.” He had to admit Aemond might still need a wet nurse, but he was mad enough right now to just take them all and ship her straight back to Old Town where she’d never seen any of them again. Knowing that was likely his temper talking, the King tried to squash its roar, “Do you want me to send someone to get your things and your brother?”
That tiny head bobbed enthusiastically.
So, he sent a host of maids being paid double to complete the work so late at night, because even as his temper raged he felt bad doing it to them this late, to go and get both of his sons’ things. While the King’s bedchamber proper would remain his own, he’d always wondered what the other guest-like rooms attached were, and now he realized it probably was for young princes to be near their father. Such a thing would have been only natural, especially as he considered his father used to talk about staying over with grandfather, because that’s probably what he’d meant. There were three such spaces and the boys were still far too small to have rooms to themselves, so Daemon still had two chambers to select from, if he decided to stay over again.
Aegon liked the room closest to his father for himself and Aemond anyway, so he wasn’t like his uncle always having to be near the closest exit. He was quite content to tell the babe what they were going to do with the space once an attendant brought him to his brother, so that meant they were occupied by the time Alicent was able to dress and come barrelling in for a fight. He’d never yelled at her like that before, but Viserys would confess to having her in tears before Daemon even showed up without prompting, obviously having been alerted by whatever attendant thought support was necessary.
To be fair, his brother didn’t insert himself right away. He was yelling about her attempting to keep any of his children from him, anytime they ever wanted to see him without question, and Daemon just took a seat at the table observing for several minutes. She was in tears and begging not to have the little ones taken from her, but he was quite clear that he was honoring his son’s request to stay with him. Actually, the Rogue Prince never got to say a word while she was there, because that assurance had her leaving his chambers hysterical.
Sighing, he had to know once they were alone, “Am I a monster?”
“No,” His brother assured, “Just a father protecting his sons.”
Viserys wasn’t entirely sure that he believed him.
Daemon could see that much on his face as suggested, “Let’s go check on the boys?”
One thing he was grateful for were these thick doors throughout his chambers. Both were completely unaware of the fight, Aegon still pointing out different things they could do to the room with the babe in his arms fast asleep on his shoulder without the toddler realizing. His wet nurse seemed content to let him go and likely was the person to shut the door, for which the oldest of them was grateful. It was simple enough to promise they could begin working on their new abode the next day, but for now both needed to sleep.
Even Daemon kissed the boys goodnight, before they shut the door after thanking their attendant for their cooperation throughout the chaotic night. Viserys was grateful she was a shy and good girl, because his wife dared to insinuate how it would look that he had a woman living there. He’d sworn in a vicious growl that he’d no more get a whore outside his marriage with child, then he’d have risked putting another dragon she didn’t deserve in her traitorous cunt.
When they shut the boys safely inside their new room to sleep, his brother suggested a pipe and that sounded fabulous. They were just starting to relax when another round of frenzied knocks called for their attention.
“My gods,” Daemon cursed at the door, “What now?!”
An attendant opened and hurried out, “A thousand apologies, Your Grace.”
“What’s happened?” He was a bit more friendly than his brother despite the hour.
“Her Grace summoned the princess back to her chambers-”
He growled, because she’d been happy with Rhaenyra and his bitch of a wife knew that! She was just being spiteful now and he’d strike out at her anyway that he fucking could.
“Princess Rhaenyra would have complied,” The girl insisted, “But the girl ran from her chambers and disappeared. We can’t find her. The Queen is upset with-”
“Where are they?”
“Princess Rhaenyra was searching the ballrooms,” The maiden revealed, “When the Queen found her.”
First, he charged in to give his wife a piece of his mind publicly. If she thought that she’d been in tears leaving his private rooms where no one could hear them, then he was well aware that he’d utterly humiliated her by shouting what happened in front of everyone, especially when he piled on that this was her fault. If she’d not been a spiteful bitch determined to keep a daughter, who would obviously much rather be with her sister, held prisoner, then the poor thing wouldn’t have run away to begin with! He also drew a line in the sand while he was there, because he didn’t give a fuck anymore for the tradition of court; after this clusterfuck she answered to his daughter.
Not the other way around! Not ever again!
Second, Viserys suspected what his youngest daughter may have done and went to go find her. The Realm’s Delight followed quickly with her laughing uncle, but despite everything Alicent had put her through in the last couple of years, all her attention seemed to be on finding Helaena. He promised that her sister was going to be just fine and was safe.
Getting back into the place where it all started, he wasn’t a complete arse when it wasn’t called for and asked his oldest’s permission to enter her room. If this was where Helaena wanted to be, then he had no doubts that she’d doubled back almost the moment Rhaenyra went to search for her. While she was a small child, no one should ever think the girl stupid.
All three dragons called out for her, promising that she could come out, and started searching the chamber high and low. Unlike his chambers, which were meant for the King specifically, Rhaenyra hadn’t chosen this because they were the largest or nicest. It was actually very plain for her station with just a bedchamber and walk-in wardrobe, however the selection was made because of that balcony which allowed such easy access to Syrax.
It was Viserys who found his younger daughter. She was hidden away amongst all of her sister’s dresses, sitting on the floor playing with her blue stuffed dragon when he pulled up the train of that nameday dress to reveal Helaena, big lavender eyes looking up at him cautiously, “I’m not going back. Even you can’t make me!”
“I believe you,” He promised, pushing the dress out of the way and sitting on the ground next to her. “I’m not going to make you go anywhere though.”
“Mother-”
“Has been informed that you will remain with your sister as long as she allows.”
Purple eyes like saucers flew to her sister, “Can I stay? I be good. I pwomise!”
“Oh, darling,” Rhaenyra promised, “You are always welcome, wherever I am.”
“I stay like Aegon?”
The love of his life’s face twisted in confusion once more, confirming that no one had time to tell his oldest what in the world set all of this off in the first place. He took over to help kill two birds with one stone, “Your sister does not quite have all the extra rooms in her apartments that I do, Helaena.”
“So, I no stay?”
Realizing that she meant on a more permanent basis, the maiden did look around, “Maybe I could make it-”
“No, no,” He insisted right away, “This is not meant to make you cramped. I’ve already got the boys, I’ll-”
“What about the Maidenvault?” Daemon suggested from behind his soon to be betrothed. “Rhaenyra has a big announcement coming up anyway.”
That the thought hadn’t struck him was a shame. It was perfect. With the announcement coming up, “You will need to begin assembling your own Court of Beauty. Might feel a bit empty with just yourself and Helaena for now, but you could both do some work on it to make it feel less…”
“Like a prison?” Rhaenyra suggested dryly.
“Indeed. Your cousin, Laena, will be here to join you soon.” Shrugging, they all knew it to be true that, “Ladies will come pouring into the Capitol after tomorrow’s announcement.”
“That’s true,” The maiden agreed. Looking back to her sister, she offered, “Would you like us to move into the Maidenvault together, little one?”
“Oh, yes!” She threw herself against Viserys first as a thank you, then she soared into her sister’s arms chatting excitedly about where they were going to be moving. Obviously, she didn’t know the history or understand the older girl’s commentary. It was good to see her excited though.
Getting out of that room, he was more tense than he’d been before, because Alicent hadn’t even been able to stop digging! No idea how to make himself calm down at this point, when Daemon threw an arm around him and guided them back to the King’s Chambers, he let himself be pulled along. This time they smoked until neither could stop coughing, then only did so because they didn’t want to risk waking his boys. By the time his brother had him laughing about a few of their raunchier nights as young men and left to let him sleep, all that Viserys could do was check on both boys before bedding down.
Aegon was fast asleep in his new bed and Aemond in his cradle, while their wet nurse was making the new space work for the night. He kissed them both and slipped out to seek sleep out for himself.
Daemon couldn’t believe that his brother had actually done it. Truly told his wife off for her constant sowing of discord between his children. Otto was out of the city now, but he’d gotten reports the previous Hand ordered her to prepare Aegon for rule on his way out.
So, they weren’t finished.
The next morning an announcement of his betrothal to the Realm’s Delight was made. Ravens had to be sent across the kingdoms to bring the news. He watched them go, a bit surprised it was official to be completely honest.
The fleet was returning and soon Lord Corlys Velaryon and his lady wife would make for King’s Landing to find matches for their children. As their honored guests, the family would likely stay through the betrothal feast set three moons from now, then also for the wedding planned in three months from that night. Six months seemed like a horrible time to have to wait, but when he looked at Rhaenyra’s beaming smile it wasn’t such a stretch suddenly.
His brother was never going to be comfortable enacting any of their plots, if he didn’t feel confident that he could handle the children without her. So, he made sure they had time together every single day now. It was easy since the boys wanted to live with him, but pulling the ladies from their remodeling of the Maidenvault could be a challenge. In many ways, Rhaenyra was helping her sister build a space that would help her process abilities she wasn’t even aware would become challenging in several years, yet Daemon’s older brother confirmed that’s what the child was doing unintentionally with her new room.
That the Queen had fallen from favor was spreading throughout the Keep quickly. There was no hiding that screaming match in the ballroom, nor the fact that none of her children were still living with her. When the King had both boys and Rhaenyra her sister, masses were fascinated by the changes transforming their royal family yet again for the umpteenth time in the last five years.
As days passed and his return to King’s Landing began to feel more real, Daemon knew that he couldn’t only worry about Viserys. He did, of course. Loving his brother and seeing that he was coming out of his depression didn’t mean House Targaryen was out of the woods, so while he was with his younger children, the Prince of the City made sure to steal time with his future wife as well. Rhaenyra deserved to know from him that this marriage would be nothing like his first.
One night when she was feeling restless, he even snuck her out of the Red Keep with Ser Harwin, so that she could experience Flea Bottom. They let her run around for a few hours, then brought her back after a mystifying meeting with Mysaria, because he swore the women parted as best friends. It made him nervous.
Viserys found out and threatened to skin them both, but the men insisted she’d been safe. It wasn’t like they were going to let anything happen to her. Not to mention, Daemon reminded, that he got to have his adventures on the Street of Silk once upon a time.
Knowing that was true and certainly even Aegon and Aemond would also have their day in such establishments, he calmed down. It wasn’t too hard to imagine his daughter wearing them down. Rhaenyra always tended to get her way when she truly wanted it. That was his daughter’s nature.
It helped that when the King got restless himself, now, the new Hand just kicked him out to the Dragonpit. Getting to go ride Kostion and get out of here was better for his brother than anything else ever would be.
A month after the announcement went out, Viserys decided that he had to speak with his wife. His anger had subsided and the children were established in new routines now, comfortably situated in their new abodes and lessons with maesters and septas which were age appropriate. It was wrong to just leave her isolated, when no one at court was even extending the barest courtesy since word of their fight seeped into court.
When he came by the Queen’s Chambers, admittedly they looked barren without the little ones around, and she was sitting in a window seat overlooking the gardens. Taking a seat next to her, he looked out to see what was so interesting and found it to be Rhaenyra and her sister. “You could always join them.”
“I don’t think I’m invited.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You cut her out,” He knew that much of the last few years, “Not the other way around.”
“My father-”
“Is not here anymore, Alicent. He’s gone,” Viserys couldn’t say it vehemently enough, “I freed you of him. Whether you accept that gift for what it is remains to be seen.”
“I prayed they would all be girls, you know.”
He looked at her, honestly surprised.
Alicent shrugged, confessing to the window pane, “I thought if they were all just girls, then we avoided the whole mess.”
“It shouldn’t matter. She doesn’t love Helaena, because she’s a girl,” He insisted on that part. “Rhaenyra loves Aegon and Aemond just as much as her sister. Seven hells, they want matching dragons!”
“Who?”
“Aegon,” He shrugged, “He wants a golden dragon to match her.”
“Oh… I didn’t know that.”
“I’ve apologized to the children, even those who were too young to remember my neglect the last few years,” Knowing it was his responsibility to give this voice after so much absence, he did so here too. “But, I owe the same to you. I am sorry for my absence of mind since our marriage, because I’m aware that physical presence did very little.”
Hazel eyes appraised him. It seemed like for the first time since they got married. He sat in her judgment knowing damn well that he had no excuse. Eventually, she found her voice, “You will never love me, will you?”
He turned with his back to the window and thought about it long and hard before answering. “No, I had the love of my life. But, I have enough love for you, as their mother, that I want you to find that for yourself.”
“Even with your permission, I couldn’t-” She cut herself off and looked out at the garden. The small huff she released as she gazed outside was so frustrated, “Besides, if I ever had that chance, I squandered it.”
Viserys didn’t consider himself the smartest man, but even he could put that together. Following her gaze out to Rhaenyra, of course he was shocked. Stunned to silence as soon as he comprehended their reality, actually.
His wife was in love with his daughter.
“Why did you-”
“You know the answer to that.”
Of course he did. Otto.
Trying to swallow any other stupid questions he’d had and think it through, what he settled on was more a curiosity than anything pressing. “Are you drawn to men’s beds at all? Or was that-”
“Duty.”
A bit of a sting to his pride, but he swallowed the honesty. This might be the first honest conversation that they ever had. “Very well… If you should ever want to find yourself with another woman… Well, you aren’t in Old Town anymore.”
“You would really let me-”
“Yes.” He stood and promised, “I won’t call on you anymore, Alicent. Your body is yours to do with what you will… All I'll ever ask is that you never partake in another scheme to divide my children, any of them.”
“I was never trying to hurt them by following his advice. I swear it.”
The way tears sprang to her eyes as she considered what she’d done by following her father’s instructions said much, so he offered, “I believe you.”
“Thank you.”
“We should have dinner as a family tonight.”
“I would like that very much.”
“...I know your father has no love for him-”
“He thinks Daemon took my maiden head.”
Viserys was confused, “Did he?”
“Not interested in knights, Viserys.”
“Right, of course not.” He rolled his eyes at Otto carrying a grudge for nothing. “Well, anyway, if you’d ever like a hand finding someone to suit you… My brother will likely be the man to see.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”