Chapter Text
Dinners were… awkward at first. Alicent was trying to find a new way of asserting herself into their family, but remained unsure of how to actually do that when now she felt any advice from her father would likely not be to her benefit. He and his maesters had been the only feedback loop she had since flowering as a maiden. It was a long-standing and difficult skin to shed for her, especially when the Queen in title only had no idea what could possibly lay beneath her surface; simply never having the chance to find out. Maybe it began in her far too short, but defining time with Rhaenyra, and yet that glimmer was all she had to cling to as a maiden Hightower yearned to know if dragonscales couldn't possibly still lay in her future somehow.
The Princess took part in the discussion, but it was obvious now how much she'd been shut out in recent years and become accustomed to it. Especially when the King suddenly looked to his daughter for filling all the silences previously left to his wife in past years. To be fair, the girl’s intended covered for her so smoothly every single time no one else below their table would have likely noticed and the Rogue Prince was careful to never speak for her, always leaving the conservation open for her word as the final say once signaled. It wouldn't have even worked so well, if Rhaenyra wasn't so attuned to her uncle and betrothed, despite obviously assuming her father wouldn't be addressing her anymore out of habit.
It was clear from the first night it happened though that the change in pace deeply bothered Viserys. After a week he began ordering Daemon to shut his trap with a look and demand she be the one to answer him, on top of suddenly spending more time with the children in general everyday now and having the boys full time. It was so strange to see how good he naturally tended to be with each like magic. And as nights passed and Rhaenyra couldn't take the strangeness anymore, she started disappearing with her siblings below for impromptu dancing with all the other children rushing to join them and a few other young maidens, it struck that maybe the fault was her own.
Conversation had been easier between herself, Viserys, and Daemon in past nights once their Princess led the little ones down, because the younger brother had been gone for so long now and as long as she wasn't scheming against his bride then the Rogue wasn't nearly as… threatening as she'd always expected from her father's tempered descriptions. Up close and despite his dramatics, the Prince of the City could be charming, if audacious.
That meant even as the thought struck at a fortnight after the Royal Conversation, after minstrels began father and daughter’s favorite joint song as the King descended to dance with his first born once by request, it didn't feel as awkward to share such a thing with the dragon left behind. Most of his wild streak was aimed at the Crowned Princess these days anyway.
“Is it possible to just be a bad mother?”
“No. Ruining children takes a lot of effort.” He promised right away, “You've not been a bad mother to them.”
“That's not-”
She cut herself off, unsure what she was even trying to express.
Daemon watched her brow furrow as she watched the dancing father and daughter, “What is it?”
“...Can some women, despite successful pregnancies, just be bad at mothering?”
Daemon thought about it for a moment.
Alicent was stuck in her own head the entire time. Is that why men were unappealing? Why was it so easy to hand them off after feeding or when crying started? Why did the tears always stop as soon as she wasn't the one holding them? So much of it would make sense.
After a moment of thought, the prince reframed this issue, “It is more than possible to want your life's glory to be your own, even as a woman, and to not find it in that role.”
“So many women do.” Green eyes studied her one time best friend and another thought struck as that final memory of her father's departure resurfaced. When had he started to make her fear a place cleaving to their future’s skirts, because it had once been the most natural and safest place she'd ever thought to seek out. “She will.”
“I hope for a blessed union between us…”
She tried to hide her pinched look by taking a sip of wine, “Of course.”
“But my niece has a very different connection to motherhood through Aemma.” He studied her for a moment, before turning back to watch and children trying to dance like their adults with the King setting an example tonight, “Forgive me, but I don't quite know your mother's story.”
“Second born daughter of House Graceford of Holyhall.” She elaborated, “Successful pregnancies, but all sons except for me.”
He looked at her, face twisting, “You never had a chance to escape the zealots.”
She couldn't help but laugh at his audacity, even as something in her gut still worried, speaking blasphemy, “Both sides of my family were very devout.”
“Hmm…” He stood to leave her with the thought, “I believe my brother tires. I should rescue him.”
He just wanted the Princess' attention. It happened every time. If the maiden's favor went anywhere else, even for a moment too long, then he was ever seeking to redirect it.
A fierce and striking dragon couple they were as even more days fell away, and the Queen tried to remind herself that she wanted motherhood for Rhaenyra. More than anything she wanted it for the girl who wanted it more than life itself. Any future children she could have had to her name would gladly be forsaken, if Alicent could give her all the children she wanted, but the other woman could never fill that role. Knowing that and taking another look, she had to admit it was a good choice for the maiden, even as she fought to truly accept it happening very soon.
One morning a formal invitation to join the princesses in the garden came another fortnight later and she’d never resented suffering her moonblood at the time more. Having to send her regrets, Alicent also swore she’d be there soon and prayed it didn’t feel like a snub. Letting word seep out that sadly she was not with child was a personal choice, if slightly improper; she wanted her to know she wasn’t slighting the peace offering.
As soon as that affliction passed she rushed to take part in tea and embroidery with the gathered court as supplies were shipped in to truly begin word on the Maiden Vault. It would be a place of refuge in the future for unmarried princesses and their Courts of Beauty. Helaena was so excited as she rambled on with other younger siblings of gathered Crownland nobility as Alicent had never seen before in her new place as shadow of the Realm’s Delight. The sight was so beautiful as Rhaenyra talked about more serious issues of architecture and labor with those blooming alongside her, the girls were tiny reflections discussing decorations and colors in excited babble as each dreamed of growing into their older counterparts one day.
No one knew what to do with her anymore than Alicent knew what to do with herself, but Nyra pulled her into the conversation easily and almost as if they’d never been apart. In a group setting it was easier to pretend. Nearly natural.
Soon they were welcoming the Velaryons to King’s Landing and fortunately by then they felt less strange acting as a unit. Viserys hadn’t just woken up as a father. Despite knowing as soon as he jarred himself they’d redefined the nature of their association and the Queen slowly beginning to understand her new autonomy as he was a man of his word, she had gained a very apt partner in their roles to the kingdom. He knew how to do this and appropriately held her hand or engaged her in public, but there was never pressure even as the whole family gathered in his chambers at night, not even when she was feeding Aemond. Instead, they proved rather apt to keeping things moving together, without romance between them, and their family seemed radiant at the change.
Suddenly days in the garden turned into invitations to spend the nights listening while Princess Rhaenys told ghost stories of the place they’d been gathered to all the maidens in her honorary daughter’s Court of Beauty. Slowly her place began to feel less fluid. She was aiding in negotiations between the Strongs and Velaryons to see if their King’s recommendation could come to fruition in a match between their houses, but that wasn’t stopping the frenzied rush everyone else was in to celebrate the match between two of their favorite royals.
Aegon started lessons with a maester, but not the one her father had been so insistent upon. When Daemon suggested they call out some of their dragonseeds who had forged a chain or joined the Faith, then she’d been happy to agree. The incensed letter she’d gotten from her father had been turned over to the brothers; in fact, everything she’d gotten from him went straight to them these days. Alicent wanted to fix the mess, not keep up with his games and divulging all was so much easier as she watched her first child thrive in proximity to the men.
He himself already had a little shadow in Aemond. It was apparent in the way that he watched his father with Daemon now, he had a new understanding of his role as a big brother. Especially as he in turn also watched Rhaenyra with himself and his younger siblings.
And her baby boy was clearly cut from the same star as the Rogue Prince. It worried her a bit. But, he was well loved by his uncle and that was very clear for everyone as that baby in a hurry to get to his toddler stage could barely coo for Caraxes before the dragon appeared and Daemon dropped nearly everything to take him flying.
“I wonder if he’ll be able to bond with another dragon,” Viserys offered her in their next truly private moment months later.
“Aemond?” Her gut churned at such a prediction for any of her children. Having a dragon in this family was nearly everything. “Why?”
They weren’t even truly alone standing in the courtyard one day after their spare had been whisked away. Everyone else did happen to be out of earshot at the moment though.
“He’s bonding so closely to that one already. Worried he might just have to wait for Daemon to pass him on naturally.”
Realizing the implication, she shifted her concern. “That’s grim.”
“Apologies, but it has happened.” He shrugged, “Of course, we were all over Meleys and nothing ever came of it.”
“I wonder who all of their dragons will be.”
“We will have to plan trips. They’re safest to begin trying to bond around age ten.”
“I know Aegon will want his sister and Syrax there,” She had certainly learned in past moons that he was right. That boy couldn’t wait to have a golden dragon like his sister.
“She may well be expecting children of her own by then… We will have to see where we all are.”
“True.”
The feast to celebrate their betrothal was a loud and almost relieving party as if a pimple that needed to burst did so. No one had known what to do with their excitement for months now and finally had a chance to just vent it all out. In recent days, Alicent was trying to embrace this family and took to the Targaryen styles more. If her dress for that night was a bit too black in a slight miscalculation on her part which perfectly reflected how she was really feeling as it became inevitable, then no one held it against her, not even an oblivious Rhaenyra.
Viserys sort of knew.
And he warned his brother as best he could.
Daemon was surprised. And a bit… Intrigued.
It took a while, but the Lord of Flea Bottom also watched as his brother’s baser urges finally kicked in that night of the feast. He didn’t want Alicent, but he was horny. Luckily, he’d also been planning ahead for this occasion and called in a favor. Mysaria was perfect for her sense of discretion, the fact that she already knew the quick ways in and out, and Rhaenyra approved of her presence in the castle. Having her waiting in the King’s Chambers and just keeping the boys at the celebration with him, but taking both back late and staying over with them just in case, it worked out.
When the purse he’d offered her was gone, Daemon knew that his brother took the bait, because she didn’t take rewards for incomplete jobs. But, no one ever saw her come and go. A sizable, but still well below average for any kings of their lineage, sum began to disappear from Viserys’ funds for entertainment every month and he knew a retainer when he saw it right in her range.
Blessedly, the three moon countdown to their wedding then officially began. Alicent and Rhaenyra were almost back to being genuine friends, all the children were growing as lessons continued, and preparations were at their heights for both the Maidenvault transformation and royal nuptials. After that night is when Daemon turned around and realized there had been a shift two moons later and with another to go; and not for the better.
He was Hand of the King. Next to his brother day in and out as they did their duty to the realm. It was a position that he longed for and still wanted to maintain. But, there was always something.
Then, his bride to be disappeared with her sister all the time. That girl was cute. Didn’t mean she wasn’t in the way!
They didn’t have children yet and as time with his princess evaporated before his eyes, it would not continue to stand. Telling the Small Council that it was only right they penciled in a day for the Royal Family at least every few moons, he wasn’t argued with. Nor was he when Daemon insisted today would be such a day that morning.
Word of mouth confirmed through Mysaria that his betrothed had just come off her maiden’s blood and would have one more carefully timed before the wedding took place, but out of her solitary devotion to the Court of Beauty, this was his chance. With that announcement made to those who could keep everything running for a day in their absence, he rushed out to reclaim his niece for a day of dragon riding. Unfortunately, he forgot one annoying detail.
“Where would you be rushing off to, brother?”
“Going for a ride.”
“I’ll join you.”
“Oh,” He cursed the pain in his arse, “You have a mistress now; go bug her!”
“You are going to get Rhaenyra, are you not?”
“Nothing-”
“Can even be given the implication of having happened,” Viserys insisted. “One more moon, Daemon.”
“I just want a minute with her,” The younger dragon admitted, “Without half the kingdom cutting in!”
“Go ask Rhaenys to tend the girls today,” He insisted. “I’ll see if Alicent can’t handle a day with the children. Mysaria and I will go with you to Dragonstone.”
“Thank you.”
Going into debt to the Queen Who Never Was tended to feature more a humbling of oneself, then any real cost in payment. He asked nicely like the desperate man he was and she laughed, waving him off as she was quite content to lead the ladies, all clamoring to help her and Lady Laena write her betrothal announcement to Ser Harwin Strong. The future Lady of Harrenhal was excited to marry and attend the wedding of their future sovereigns with her new intended very soon.
Now that their marriage was being announced, the debate would certainly turn to plans and traditions between two very different families for their wedding itself. Daemon wished them the best of luck and gave thanks to the Gods of Old Valyria that his bride had quickly agreed to marry in their fashion. A harkening of the Crownland dragons' strength here in King’s Landing, they hunted for and finally settled on the perfect spot along salty shores of Blackwater Bay a moon ago. Both knew they would technically have to go back to the Sept and say vows before the Seven, then go to their feast, but it wasn’t even going to have an audience beyond their immediate family as it would just give everyone a chance to return from the beach.
Finagling with House Targaryen’s own crone, he hurried away from the vault with her highness in hand and met the King in his keep’s courtyard dutifully, before mounting all of their dragons. How the woman knew to meet them on a beach nearby was her thing, but there Mysaria was waiting to be picked up and introduced to Kostion far away from any prying eyes and gossips. These days he was fairly tolerant of the family and it seemed like he’d endure her as well for a brief duration.
Even Viserys felt it and told his brother quietly after they arrived on Dragonstone that he wouldn’t plan to make a habit of any longer trips. She was of Lys, not the dragon’s blood.
He’d laughed, because it was so true.
Grateful that his brother was true to his word and honestly took over a whole other section of the beach with his dragon and an energetic Vermithor, who emerged at the arrival of an old friend and someone who was comparable to him in size, it was easy to just spend time with Rhaenyra and their dragons. Caraxes was as struck as him and Daemon couldn’t look away as she stripped from heavy leathers until in only her simple black riding dress, boots already discarded. Dazzling lavender eyes looked up at him with a delighted sparkle when she stood shaking herself out next to the pile.
“The maester finally cleared you!” Rhaenyra exclaimed excitedly, “Don’t you want to get in?”
“Of course,” He jarred, remembering he was still in all of his leathers. Glancing up to the rockier parts of the beach his brother claimed, likely because it was closer to where he met Kostion and the dragon’s old stomping grounds, Daemon also got down to his basics.
Just pants and a shirt he untied, because it couldn’t hurt. His short wartime hair had only just started to grow out and was the only reason that he found himself glad of a bit more time before this wedding. He'd adjusted to the new scars she'd find now, but looking the part was important to him. He was older than her and didn't want it to become unappealing.
They went into the water holding hands and he asked about wedding plans, because the truth is Princess Rhaenys and her daughter had taken over the reconstruction project by and large so she could focus on the more exciting event since their arrival. It served to keep them busy until it was appropriate to start planning her nuptials as well. And his bride seemed perfectly happy to plan it with minimal input from him, because this was not Daemon’s natural habitat. No battle was as daunting as a high society event where they had to be paraded around.
She was always happy to warn him of all the happenings though, so at least he knew what to expect of that day. They would be kept separate for most of it. Mornings spent celebrating with family of their respective genders, then courts of the same through lunch, their ceremonies would not take place until the evening. A bloodletting ceremony on the coast, then they would fly their dragons to the Great Sept of Baelor and wed there, before going to the Grand Feast.
There was still debate over where exactly their wedding night would be spent. Viserys was pushing for King's Landing, but she'd always assumed that event would be spent on Dragonstone.
“It’s your decision,” Daemon promised. “Even he can't stop us, if we get on the dragons and go.”
“He’s been trying.” Rhaenyra was grateful they'd gotten out past the worst of it, dunking her head to get her hair wet. “I want to do the same.”
“You are doing the same.”
Daemon was tired of her constantly finding herself at fault. His brother's stupor was not to be placed on Rhaenyra’s shoulders. No one but Viserys’ own, honestly, and even the King knew it.
There were still moments in which he had to fight it, but the older dragon was doing so valiantly. She was a victim of his melancholy though, not the source.
“I am so glad you're home.”
“I'm not going anywhere, Princess.”
“Promise?”
“I swear it.”
Kissing her was the easy part. Feeling her pressed flush against him in the moving sea alive around them, Daemon naturally angled them toward a small island of black rocks and sand. There were a small series of them not terribly far from shore that they swam to before starting the conversation.
They were lost in one another for a scant amount of time using the island to keep out of sight. Mere moments of her small hands daring to tentatively explore his arms, chest, then getting lost around his neck and in the grown out locks. He forgot the rest of the word existed!
Until the gargantuan beast his brother bonded to landed roughly on land next to them causing a huge wave to knock both inland and apart. Spluttering to the surface, first he sought out his bride, but as soon as her bell like giggle announced no harm had been done, the Rogue Prince glared up at the black dragon balancing on three separate islands to keep an eye on them for his human, dark decorated head and emerald eyes titled as he took them in curiously.
“I hate you,” Daemon informed flippantly.
Even over the waves and wind out here, he heard when that crowned cunt laughed at his misfortune inland. Jerk.
Convinced her betrothed was in fact appropriately attracted to her, Rhaenyra moved more confidently ashore. With so little experience to her name, the maiden could admit the Lord of Flea Bottom might have been naturally disappointed. She didn't want it to be the case.
Once back on the beach, she joined her father and Mysaria, her uncle following. The Princess had to admit that she just liked her father's new mistress, even knowing that the woman of Lys first was Daemon’s before the war. When they first met in Flea Bottom, it was the seer who encouraged her experiment, if there were doubts concerning his interest. Feeling him harden as she was held trapped against that island had not been a disappointment. From several snide comments exchanged between the warrior and seer, it was clear that there were no longer romantic feelings between them, as both preferred bickering about current issues she magically knew about concerning the Small Council.
Viserys enjoyed the banter, honestly. It helped him think through the same topics. They spent much of the afternoon enjoying the beach and just speaking amongst the four of them. At one point Rhaenyra wandered away from them and was staring up at the castle.
He followed, curious, after a little while. The sun was setting anyway and it was about time they made for the Capitol and dinner. “What are you thinking?”
“I was-” She looked at him and shook her head with a grin after appraising the King, “Nothing, Father.”
“Didn’t look like nothing.”
“We can’t speak of this.”
“I can’t think of a topic which we can’t speak,” He insisted and would until the Stranger took him! “Rhaenyra-”
Rolling her eyes, she tried to shrug past the awkwardness, because it wasn’t him these days, “I was trying to imagine my wedding night not taking place here. Make peace with it, I suppose.”
“Is it so wholly unappealing?” He didn’t think it would mean that much. “Your mother and I did not have a wedding night here.”
Her parents had been married for two years before her mother even flowered. The Seven only knew where they happened to be when the day occurred. Rhaenyra had no longing to hear the story.
“When my septas or the Grand Maester referred to that night, they’ve long associated it with this place,” Rhaenyra confessed. “I’d just come to expect it, I think.”
“I wasn’t aware anyone was making it a notion at all,” He confessed. It made sense, but spoke to the fog he’d been living in. “And perhaps insisting on the location is as meaningless for you as it was for your mother and I. Whatever you decide to pursue, I’ll support.”
“Thank you.”
They started to prepare for a journey back to King’s Landing. Lady Mysaria was obviously not excited to get back on Kostion and it was Princess Rhaenyra who ended up getting her back to the city. Syrax was a much more agreeable lady to passengers, even those who weren’t of the dragon’s blood.
Thank the Gods.
It looked better when the brothers arrived back in King’s Landing together anyway. A few days after their trip she decided to make a journey to the Chambers of Consummation, where important wedding nights in this keep took place when the Small Council was delayed. Not a bad space, she tried to imagine what would happen here.
“Are you alright?”
She startled at the Queen's presence, “I'm fine.”
“Nervous?”
“Excited, I think,” She expressed honestly. “Just…Anticipatory.”
“Understandable.” Alicent swallowed, “Is there anything I can do to support you? I… I wish very much she were here with you.”
A tear fell that she was quick to wipe away, “Thank you.” Thinking on the question, she shook her head, “Does it truly hurt?”
“Not really,” The married woman denied. “I realized fairly quickly that the claim had been a ploy to keep our legs closed.”
Rhaenyra laughed, “Of course.” Taking a look around, she noted even the whitecloaks had been left outside. Seizing this moment they had alone, she was only curious, “Have you decided to pursue entertainment for yourself? I know my father does not wish you lonely or unhappy.”
“I'm grateful for the good intentions,” Alicent assured, taking a seat on a chaise next to the massive bed in this even more gargantuan chamber hosting other chairs and seating around the room, “But I was not anticipating that night myself and mourned a solitary bedchamber when it was lost.”
“Oh.” Rhaenyra sat next to her to listen, even when she did not fully understand.
“If I meet with someone, I suppose I'd like it to be more instructional than intimate.” She shrugged, “I can pursue something more personal later.”
Knocking on the door let them know that everyone was gathering for the meeting. There was talk of rioting in the Westerlands as that idiotic lion they had in lead didn't know how to serve. She was stunned. And an outbreak of an unknown stomach disease was reported in Old Town. The most intriguing piece of news came from their new spies in the Stepstones reporting on Dorne more directly than ever, even when everyone else just blew right past it to close the meeting.
“Do you not realize what this means?” She whispered to her father after almost everyone was gone, only Daemon and her stepmother even remained in the room or at the table.
“Nyra?” Viserys quizzed, looking at the report.
Prince Qoren Nymeros Martell had successfully been delivered an heir. It would be Princess Aliandra Martell to whom Dorne would look to their future.
“You have a first born son who won't take the throne. Marry Aegon to her and bring Dorne into your reign a different way.”
Alicent gasped.
Daemon's eyes blew wide.
Viserys considered it carefully.
They all did. It was no small thing to even begin such negotiations. So much time would pass between now and them being of a marrying age. All of them had to agree that if it could be done, however… It would mean uniting the continent.
A change in the course of history.
First, the Crowned Princess insisted they begin the discussions with her brother. It was his future they would be negotiating with. Princesses were raised to endure such expectations, but princes had a different experience typically. These were not typical times.
Much to everyone's amusement, he was beyond enthusiastic to be the Aegon who brought Dorne into their fold. Proudly declaring that no one would ever confuse him with Aegon the Conqueror again, her brother seemed to view this idea as his chance to make his mark on history. He was going to bring them a united continent, something Aegon the First hadn’t been able to do in his lifetime as legendary as it had been.
“Using nothing but your cock,” Daemon Targaryen teased that night as they had the discussion in Viserys’ bedchamber.
That earned a confused look from his nephew.
And a slap upside the head from his king.
The next morning an announcement of his intentions were made to the Small Council and even though they were shocked, negotiations began despite some dragging their feet. It began with a gift to celebrate the birth and an introduction. That alone was going to take them through the Royal Wedding and everyone knew it.
With such an important subject being broached for Aegon, of course there were murmurs about Helaena and Aemond. Murmurs he shut down very quickly, especially as he realized that it was causing Alicent genuine upset. Part of her understood that her children had been born to this role and their marriages were going to have significance, but Viserys understood that it was a great deal to ask she marry them off in their infancy. Negotiations were only beginning with their son this young, because even if it could come to fruition by some miracle, then it would take a solid decade to make happen.
Their daughter and son had plenty of time. To find themselves and their future matches.
Aegon smugly reminded them they'd never find a marriage as significant as his!
Rhaenyra and Alicent rolled their eyes. There would be no living with him after this. Both could see how much the little boy wanted it to work out and wished him luck.
Of course, it was King’s Landing and any time there was an absence of drama felt like waiting for the other shoe to drop. A son of the now recently dead Braavosi Sea Lord felt it was his right to show up and make good on a previous contract held between his father and Corlys. Princess Rhaenys offered repeatedly to get Meleys and handle it; Rhaenyra and Laena were ready to back her up with Syrax and Vhagar. There were multiple ways to end an engagement.
The boys insisted that they had this and asked the women to let them take care of him.
They’d shared a look. Both Crowned Princess and Laena’s mother determined that their actions should be charted by the lady whose hand was on the line. Setting her betrothed with an even look, Lady Laena reminded that she was very excited to marry him, and she hoped Ser Harwin wouldn’t let anyone else interfere. The maiden did relent to her father’s request that the gentlemen handle it, however.
Beginning with the feast to welcome him to Westeros that night, all the women watched fascinated as a bonded Daemon and Harwin tortured this boy in the court of public opinion ruthlessly for a fortnight. As soon as it started, Rhaenyra realized what their game was and grabbed the hand of her cousin, whisking the other maiden away from such open hostility to dance. Between the men of the City Watch bestowing the hardest of times on this suitor by day, the Lords of King’s Landing jumped in behind the Master of Laws and his heir to make clear the foreigner was most unwelcome each night.
The indignities were never going to be tolerable for an inordinate amount of time. It happened on the fifth day of the fourth week after his arrival that the Braavosi nobleman finally got desperate enough to challenge Ser Harwin Breakbones Strong to a duel. A cheer broke through the entire hall at his proclamation, even before the knight accepted, because everyone knew the Prince of the City’s right hand man was going to accept.
It’s what everyone had been waiting to see happen.
As excitement and enthusiasm swept through the room a sense of dread settled in Rhaenyra’s gut. They were sitting next to one another at the high table and lavender eyes studied him apprehensively, “You’re going to second him in the duel, aren’t you?”
Daemon grinned until he met her eyes, looking up from the dance floor and Harwin’s blatant thievery of Lady Laena’s evening. He hadn’t realized that it would potentially upset his betrothed, “I’m not in any real danger. That brat-”
“Any duel is a risk.”
Purple eyes of the Old Valyria studied her for a long moment, before he stood and extended a hand, “Dance with me?”
She accepted.
They were spinning to Helaena’s current favorite song, morbid as it was singing of two lovers watching the dragon stronghold they descended from burn from the inside. As the person who had to sing it for the girl in the common tongue and high valyrian every night, truthfully Rhaenyra was a bit tired of it. Damned if the stupid thing didn’t speak to every fear she had though.
Of the birthing bed.
The marriage bed.
And, of course, the facts.
“What are you so afraid of, little dragon?” Daemon demanded once she was in his arms and only they could hear the discussion.
“I…”
“Talk to me.”
“Valar Morghulis.”
He’d worried about this. “Not for a very long time, Princess.” Glancing across the floor to the other happy couple of the season, Daemon had to confess, “I can’t just leave him-”
“I know that.” She wasn’t blind to their family in need of aid, Rhaenyra was in no way trying to say that he was doing anything wrong. “I’m just so afraid I’m going to lose you. Before I even get to have you.”
The dance ended and he invaded her personal space, large hand guiding her up by a delicate neck, even as his thumb swept tenderly across her cheek; he was so much larger than her creating a warmth that threatened to drown them both. “Nothing will keep me from making you my wife.”
That kiss was everything.
Most certainly a promise.
And when he was inevitably yanked away by Viserys Targaryn seizing his ear, she was left behind yearning, even as the head of their family ordered Helaena to take her to bed. Word came through her maids by the next morning that the Rogue Prince had been forced to bed down in the King’s Chamber, so his brother could keep an eye on him. Apparently, it was where he was to remain for the next week.
“Not sure I’ll make it a week.”
“Some of us have moons to go,” Laena teased her, where she and Princess Rhaenys had joined them once ready for the day. This duel was essentially over the Daughter of Driftmark’s hand, after all.
That Daemon and Harwin spent weeks baiting him talking shit about Essos and his late father was just a technicality.
The maidens stood together in the royal stands next to the Queen, who invited Princess Rhaenys to take the seat next to her. Corlys and Laenor were in seats next to the King, Aegon and Aemond being bounced around the three men in their enthusiasm to see the Prince of the City take part in a duel, even if only a second. Helaena was hanging on the bannister before her sister and the lady of the hour, somewhat aware of their trepidation, so more reserved in expressing curiosity than the boys.
At the end of it all, her worry made the event almost anticlimactic. Truly, Rhaenyra gave that boy far more credit than he was due, worrying about poisoning or manipulation attempts from the outside for him to be successful, but Harwin and Daemon were as prepared as one would expect from seasoned warriors. They finished him in five minutes and made sure he would not leave the field of battle to give Laena any more trouble.
Westeros feasted his defeat with unbridled enthusiasm that night, because it was just one more thing before the ultimate celebration. The Realm’s Delight married in a week. No one could believe after the duel that ended in a quick death by broken neck through minimal effort on Breakbones’ part, that the time then passed so quickly.
Even Alicent found that she was too busy to dread the day in the time that followed their riddance of such a pest. There were final fittings for the children who she had resumed custody of, since Daemon and Visery had to get themselves ahead to be absent for another day of work to celebrate. Rhaenyra had helped them design dresses for the event, but she once more was helping Helaena prepare for her sister’s big day, because the Crown Princess was constantly having to help with last minute issues.
No one had seen her dress for the feast yet, but couldn’t wait to do so.
The night before her wedding, however, the marathon finally came to an end. Any further problems were now up to Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenys to manage, as Lady Laena stayed with her cousins on a final night in the Maidenvault. The older girls drank sweet wines and spoke of their excitement to marry, encouraging Helaena’s enthusiasm for her own future wedding many years from now.
Watching the toddler look at her covered dress for the next night’s feast longingly, Rhaenyra hoped she got to marry for love. Excited as she was to marry Daemon, truthfully and deeply, he was also practical and she’d known that long before suggesting him. From the bottom of her heart, the Crown Princess of House Targaryen wanted her baby sister to have her pick at sixteen; anyone she wanted and only for love.
That was her wish for the girl on her wedding night.
Then they found out that she had a vision of her future dragon. Both older women were happy to focus all on her, helping the girl research the blue and silver dragon she’d seen earlier in the day. Starting close to home proved successful as they found an old drawing of Princess Rhaena Targaryen with Dreamfyre in one of the books depicting old members of their family; they were so excited for the toddler. She was going to have a very beautiful dragon.
In addition to her dragon, she also told them that Aegon was going to get his wish. She had seen his beautiful golden and pink dragon. To find their brother’s match, they had to go a vein furth to Dragonstone, but Sunfyre was going to make a remarkable mount for Prince Aegon when the time came.
When her big sister pulled her in close and whispered to know of Aemond’s future mount, little Helaena thought about it for a long time, but got nothing. Afraid she'd disappointed her sister, Rhaenyra promised no such emotion crossed her. Their youngest sibling was just too much so right now to tell who his future match would be years from now.
Once the Targaryen princesses were bedded down together, sharing warmth underneath soft furs, Helaena made her sister promise that she’d come with her to the Dragonpit to claim the blue dragon when she was ten. She promised to be there for her sister, as well as swearing to take Aegon to Dragonstone to claim his dragon like hers. Hopefully she would have long since had an heir and spare by then, perhaps even having a daughter of her own to her name.
The morning and day of her wedding she spent posturing to the royalty of King’s Landing just as most days in her life were. In that sense, it was not truly remarkable. After breakfast with the women in the family, they spent much of the afternoon hours celebrating with the Court of Beauty. Even the Starks had sent a retinue of maidens and important nobility to present themselves and attend this celebration of their future coming of age.
No one from Dorne would even consider attending this event as mere suggestions of avoiding a war began with their leadership, but Prince Qoren did send a gift in response to her father’s for the arrival of their princess to celebrate this union. Lord Lannister seemed to send an even larger number of maidens compared to most and Rhaenyra’s father had quietly warned her that they were better off trying to squash their rioters without the women to worry about. It was a temporary and convenient fix.
It wasn’t until the sun began an initial descent that she was released from their clutches to get ready. All of her ladies rushed around her, first stripping Rhaenyra down to nothing, then throwing her into a waiting bath. When she emerged, redressing took no time at all, slipping into preplanned small clothes and a ceremonial robe of a goldish off-white and scarlet. Her hair took much longer than the outfit to perfect, as every braid was twisted and used to further hold the elaborate headdress in place.
When it was finished, however, that became the first moment that she was left alone all day. Her ladies hurried to make for the beach, then Alicent came to collect Helaena to go meet her father and brothers, because their carriage was ready too. Standing alone in these rooms for the last time, she looked around. Daemon had been utilizing the same royal chambers as his own since his grandfather reigned; no sooner had she mounted Syrax then attendants would begin moving her things into his quarters which were so much more appropriate for a royal couple.
She’d miss her childhood here, something awful.
Memories with her mother that would never be shared with anyone else. Nights here together being told about their family and Rhaenys and Visenya, from whom they descended. No one could ever take those moments away from her.
And from the oldest gods to the newest, Rhaenyra would see her mother’s bloodline take the throne. She did wonder if there could not be a way to justify the crowns given to both her mother and Alicent, somehow. If Aegon could bring Dorne into the fold, that was significant. Certainly Aemond would be presented with other meaningful marriages; they had a couple of decades to find something. For Helaena, from the bottom of her heart, her sister wanted her to have a choice.
In the spirit of every woman in their family who did their duty, the Realm’s Delight wanted to live to see one Daughter of the Dragon have her freedom. Let the rest of them do their duty to the realm. Three dragons for the cause was what their lineage required.
Chirps from her dragon pulled Rhaenyra away from her thoughts and to her balcony. Ser Harold sent her off on the golden dragon, promising to get a horse and be at the ceremony in minutes. All of the Kingsguard would be there since the whole family would be too.
That final flight would end up meaning a lot to her. It took a couple of circles around the gathered crowd on the beach before her golden shedragon finally descended to drop their bride off in space left next to Caraxes. All of King’s Landing nobility was on the coast gathered and waiting for her as the sun set. A great cheer broke out amongst all of them as she got to her feet.
Viserys stepped up to walk her into this ceremony, even if he couldn’t resist giving her one more out, “You can still change your mind.”
Lavender eyes shot up to his own, because she’d been trying to see past him to Daemon. Smiling at her father, Rhaenyra promised, “I’m ready to be married.”
“Very well,” He swallowed with difficulty.
Being presented to her uncle and knowing he was about to become her husband, butterflies erupted through an excited belly. Daemon matched her in terms of the robes, but bore no headdress like her own woven into place by braids, while he’d managed one such marker by his face as was tradition in their family. His grin matched her own.
In the Old Valyrian custom, both the bride and groom cut each other's lips with a fine blade of dragonglass when instructed by the High Priest of ancient dragon gods. It was symbolic that these blades had been carved by her own father’s hand from the shores of Dragonstone, despite her marriage taking place here in the Capitol. Daemon cuts his hand, so their blood could mix together. He then used the mixture to mark her with a sign of fertility, then Rhaenyra did the same on his forehead; this is meant to signify the continuation of the bloodline.
Then, they were instructed to kiss.
It was the taste of copper which marked her as a married woman. Ready to become a mother. She prayed for a successful union between them.
Daemon Targaryen was her husband. The fire in his eyes calmed her as they partied to a roaring crowd. He took her hand as they moved to wave in the masses direction.
Alicent knew when looking at the future of this kingdom. The House of the Dragon was about to grow itself once more and her children would soon need to find their place among an older sister’s reign. Even as she fought tears, they truly were bittersweet as she also felt happiness for a dear friend amidst heartbreak, unaware as most were of it happening.
Slowly, a hand reached out to hold her own.
She didn't look in the King’s direction until the bride and groom took to darkening skies on dragons’ backs. When emerald eyes focused on him, Alicent wasn't truly surprised to find a stray tear there.
Viserys still offered first, “I'm sorry.”
“They deserve a blessed union.”
“And yet we mourn still.”
“... Yes, we do.”
He nodded toward his dragon soaring in as the rest of their audience rushed to carriages and horses to race back toward the Red Keep. Scooping their children and her, Viserys confirmed, “To the Sept?”
Alicent gulped her emotions down, “To the Sept.”