Chapter Text
You began plotting ways to kill Aemond. You weren’t exactly sure if there was a good time to do so.
Aemond had begun to see you more often. You never left your chambers however. You had a bathroom there. you had everything you needed.
Why want to leave?
Well, you can think of several reasons. He killed Lucerys. Alicent also visited you too. You technically were a prisoner. Prisoner of war, that is. Until your wedding. Which is apparently approaching. Today was dress-fitting. You yelp as they tighten the corset. The long white dress. Veil over your head. You want to cry. "Relax, your grace, Your handmaiden smiles.
You want to cry. You want to be angry all over again. Anger works best in your favor, after all. Mother's rage. "May i have a moment alone? You asked. They nod. You stare in the mirror. The dress is beautiful, it's white, but in signature Hightower style. Nothing Targaryen-like at all.
You then cry, you cry your heart out.
You should have some hope and faith, your mother will win. She has more allies than they do. Still, you're beginning to lose hope. Hope is a dangerous but powerful thing, your mother taught you when you were a child.
"Why are you crying? Your Handmaiden asked. She seemed to be naïve, like you, only, a little more. "I don't want to marry Aemond! You say." "You will do fine, She smiles. "He is very handsome and intelligent."
"He is cruel, I must get out of here! You whisper. She hugs you." It'll be okay. Perhaps, the grand Sept will help you." You nod, perhaps. You believe in the Gods, you thought if you had gotten permission, you'd be a Septa.
Unfortunately, life did not go that way for you.
You liked the dress, you'd admit. You saw your mother's wedding dress, it reminded you a little of that, but your dress was unique on its own. Some of the traditions on them was clearly from House Hightower, A house you hated now.
You prayed in your head, you had become more religious, just not so vocal about it. You know Aemond doesn't love you. Just for the gift to see the future. Your gift has grown from just dragon dreams. You've learned almost the full extend of your ability.
After trying on the dress, your day continues. The Handmaiden Follows you a lot, but you know this. Handmaidens are always there with you. That is the point, of course. She's just getting on your nerves. Obviously, despite what you are to believe, She is loyal to them. Not you. In any situation, she'll choose them. In her eyes, you may be a bastard. So, you are wary and keep your guard up.
even around her.
you wish you could just go outside and read by a tree, which is something you've always done as a child. You sometimes did so with your mother or brothers. You read to Lucerys by a tree when he was little and practically begged you to. Now Lucerys was gone, you're still mourning him and his sweet smile, his kindness. You'd wear black, but you'd be killed. Even if you were mourning.
" ābrazȳrys, Aemond said. You turn to him. "We are not wed, Aemond. What ever do you need from me?" "Take a walk with me, Aemond said, holding out his hand. You'd take any chance to be outside. You take it. "Good girl, He whispers. You once had a silly crush on Aemond, when you were children. But, you also hoped to be wed to your brother, Jace.
Then, He was betrothed to Baela. You hoped you'd see their wedding, but you doubted it. The two of you walked outside. "I do not understand, You whisper, but he hears you. Turning to you, He just says," It is quite simple. We are to marry, and produce children. My brother won't be around for long. I am next in line after him." Currently, he was regent, but once Aegon dies, He's King.
"no, you need me for this war, You say. "Is Helaena not a dreamer too?" Aemond doesn't react. "She has refused. She is losing her sanity." You expected that. Her child was killed. All she has left is her daughter and Maelor.
You feel for her, it was your step-father, Daemon, who apparently orchestrated that. You doubt he'd purposefully kill a child, probably after Aemond. "I won't help the usurpers, You snap. He just looks at you. "You do not have a say in this matter. My brother's the rightful heir, Aemond said. You continue walking, styled the way he likes, not your way.
You grin." It is true. You are a loyal hound." You know you’ve made him angry. He then unexpectedly slaps you. You don’t show any tears, but you wanted to. They threatened to spill.
”I’d suggest to keep your mouth shut, Aemond said." You could be killed. You should be thanking me that I made sure you didn’t die.”
You weren’t thankful. Not at all. If you were, you’d be happy to be with him. “I can’t pretend, You tell him.
You’re locked up for even longer than you had before. You feel as if that he’s waiting until you are officially married to consummate it. You can tell he wants to.
That’s what all men want.
”We are at a war, and your whore of a mother is responsible, Aemond said. You look up. ”No. Your mother being a bloody idiot is what caused this war to start, Aemond. Do not deny that at least.”
”My mother is a fool, but because she holds love for the enemy, Aemond said. Love is not weak, but you want to laugh at the fact he thinks Alicent cares, or loves your mother. You know better.
You're less stupid than Alicent, at least.
"She holds no love for my mother, You hissed."Let me go, I don't want to marry you." "Despite the fact you support your mother, I could never, Aemond said, caressing your face as if he didn't slap you. Why so many mood swings?
"You hold value, You can determine what happens during this war, Aemond said. "If i have to marry you, then so be it." You can tell its more than that. You're not dumb, but you also know he's never been good with feelings. You'd understand, in different circumstances.
One of the things that brings you comfort is that, he'll have a mistress. One he'll focus on instead of you, you aren't sad. Technically, in your vision, you only saw a dark-haired woman interact with him, but, you interpret this as a romantic love affair. Because it seemed that way.
"I'd like to remind you, they aren't set in stone, You say. "I also don't fully have control over them." "You must have some, you don't have visions left and right, Aemond said. You chuckle."Took years of control."
That night, when you slept, You had a vision.
Aemond sat on the iron throne, Aegon the Conqueror's crown was on his head. He was smirking. "It looks better on me than it ever did on him." The people in the room cheer,"All hail King Aemond! First of his name!"
You wake up, in your locked chambers. Aemond might become King. Aegon's badly injured from the fight against your grandmother. Although he has more coming for him, Baela being the person behind his more severe injuries.
You have no doubt that Aemond will kill his brother. He already tried to, once.
Neither Aemond or Aegon are fit to rule. For one thing, your mother is the rightful heir, secondly, Aemond's emotionally immature and impulsive. Lucerys' death was a grand example of that.
At least you can agree with Alicent on that.
You try to fall asleep again, but this time, you're plagued with another vision. Your wedding. You know it's yours. You see your face, and you can feel the misery. The white gown you tried on.
The next few days, the same thing. Plagued with visions. You tried to control them, but they seemed impossible. You once had good control over them, what changed this time?
Stress, possibly.
There was nobody who understood you, besides Helaena. But you never want to bother her, she's cooped up in her room, still traumatized, you understood, All she has left is her 2 children.
You had a dream of your future babes. You had one of them before, and you looked happy. Only this time in this, They were older. You were slightly older. You looked tired. You had seen an older aemond vaguely, but if his fate was in place, then he'd die by your step-father, Daemon.
You saw that almost immediately into the war.
You sob, you want that future, but you don't at the same time. It means that you do marry Aemond. They had the silver Targaryen hair, it was definitely not anyone else's children.
You took a bath to calm your nerves, But you still had that sadness plagued in your mind. Not when you knew this future was set in stone, despite the fact that your visions change, You were certain this one does not. You weren't sure why, exactly, just that you had a feeling.
The future always changes. You wished you had someone who understood. Witches certainly did. But, why would you go to one? And how?
Then you remember that vision of Aemond’s future, dark-haired mistress. The one you had seen of the future. While most details were vague, you felt as if she might’ve been a witch.
When morning came you were unexpectedly called to Council. This was not normal. For one thing, You were the enemy. And secondly, you weren’t on the council. And thirdly, you are a woman.
”Your Grace, Larys Strong said. "May I ask why she is here today? The daughter of the sworn enemy?” Sitting back, Aemond grins. ”She can see things. Like the end of this war. And is almost my wife.”
”Does not make it right, One of them said. “Aemond, Alicent said." They are right. This is unnecessary. She is our enemy. We can’t trust her.”
They were right about that at least. Any valuable information you’d tell to your mother, but you just remained silent. You wanted to punch them all. Or at least Alicent. Your step grandmother.
She was a hypocrite.
You want to say a word to her, but you just smile. "I understand, Your grace. Will you say that when you die alone?" Alicent frowned." What ever do you mean by that?" You don't reply, just sit back and watch. You won't like being here. but maybe entertainment will come out of it.
She now will live with the anxiety of what your words meant, knowing you can see the future. You had seen most of the Greens' fates. With Alicent surviving the dance, but childless, and alone.
She pleaded for her children. Maybe, in the end, she becomes insane.
The council meeting seems to go on for too long. When it is done, You go back to where you came from. Aemond has a few words to say to you. "You were supposed to help, He hissed." You see things. I already know this." "You won't make me, You say. "You may break me, bend me, but you will never make me submit or give in to you. Besides, My visions aren't set in stone, well, unless it's a death. You cannot run from that."
"You can stop it from happening, Aemond said. You shake your head. "It will happen another way. Doom of Valyria, Daenys knew it was inevitable. We are alive thanks to her, though, a death or doom means a new birth." You can sense the rage growing.
"You are wrong, He said. "Wife."
"We aren't married yet, Aemond, You smirk. "But I will be generous, perhaps, you'll give up now. You won't win."
He turns as he leaves. "We will. You said it yourself, the future always changes."
You shrug." I suppose."
You ate your meals in isolation, as usual. You wished to ride your dragon, who you knew was missing you. You at least had a window, a high one. Maybe you can die from falling out the window. You sigh. Your plots to kill Aemond would be pointless. You can't change his death. Or maybe killing him now, well, would prevent a lot of pain to come.
Even if it erases that future of children you'll have. You should've been married by now, but Daemon was very protective. Your mother too. And your two brothers that were around your age were betrothed. Lucerys, was anyway. Your other brothers were much too young, and besides, you felt like a second mother to them. Aegon would do great one day. Viserys too.
The water below you looks tempting.
"Your grace?"
The handmaiden interrupts your thoughts. You nearly jump. "Apologies, your grace, Just needed to clean the sheets, She said. You nod. "Right along, then. Just, let me know next time." She nodded. You just watch as she cleans the sheets, opens the curtains. Innocent Handmaiden. You wonder who she was, before being here. She had a life, You know this. She looks young, maybe your age, or a little younger.
"What were you like before this? You ask. Surprised, She stood up." Excuse me, your grace?" "Your life, before going here, You clarify. She smiles a little. "My father was a merchant. We lived comfortably, better than most. My mother became sick, and we needed a bit extra, despite the fact that we lived okay. I came here, and my coins go to them. Last I heard, She had improved, just needed a little bit more, than my coin is just my own."
"I hope your mother fully recovers, You say, truthfully. You feel bad for the handmaiden. She must have not had a lot of choices to find a job. "I pray often, I know the Gods will be generous, The Handmaiden smiles at you. The Gods. You disapproved of the faith of the seven. There were too much limitations, hypocrites, and overall, a religion you could not find yourself to follow.
You read many times in history that the faith of the seven disapproved in many things. Including Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys' polygamous marriage. Technically, Aegon took two wives, but in your opinion, Visenya and Rhaenys shared love between them.
You sat by the window, reading another history book. Per normal. You've asked for multiple books. Your mother read to you a lot as a child, Probably when you were in the womb. They'd help you, as well, for getting out of here. Books, were the key to knowledge, your mother had told you. Your father, Laenor, said many things too. A wise father, you wish you'd get to be around more.
He'd be saddened, you're sure.
A raven comes to the window, a paper in its claws. Your eyes widen, is this a good sign? Letting the raven in, You take the letter. "thank you, you say. You hardly use Valyrian anymore.
You make sure nobody's watching. They'd try to get rid of whatever your family's trying to tell you.
It does look suspicious. But you open it when you know nobody is around. You expected a letter from your mother or Daemon. Your heart fluttered when you realized it was from Jace. You shouldn’t have feelings for him. In fact you make sure you don’t. He’ll be happy with Baela, who you really like. You enjoy her company.
But hearing from him gives you a spark of hope. Hope of getting out of here. And he’s your brother, you’ve missed him terribly.
They're trying to save you.
You hope they can do so in time, You don't want to marry Aemond at all. Marriages should be from love, but you're realistic. They're mostly for Political matches. To help unite and gain allies. This, however, was not that. You already expected an arranged marriage, but certainly not this way.
The door opens, and in the pockets of your dress, You hide the letter. You'd expect anger from Aemond, if he knew your twin had contacted you.
Instead you don’t see any anger. He didn’t know, not yet. “Are you plotting an escape? He asks, curiously. “I’m not that stupid, Aemond, You tell him, assuring him that you won’t escape.
You will, eventually. You’d get to your dragon and burn him before you’d be caught.
You had another dragon dream the night before. But not of anything that was from this time. But in the years to come.
The Prince that was promised.
It shocked you, why would the gods show you this? You aren’t important. Not enough for this, anyway.
The prophetic savior wasn’t born yet. So the idea of Aegon being it makes you want to laugh. That’s what they think, at least Alicent does. Rhaenyra, your mother certainly knows better.
"I know, but you barely got sleep, Aemond points out." What did you see? Before denying anything, My sister's like you, I see a lie." "Use her then, you spit out. "She's incompetent, going mad, Aemond replied." Thanks to your mother, Queen of Bastards, is she not, Strong?"
"Fuck you, you frown.
"Tsk, Tsk, He said." Such vulgar words." "I don't feel sorry, You snap back. "We shall be married tomorrow, you should feel giddy, Aemond said. You weren't, in fact, you were dreading it. However, from his look, He seemed thrilled.
The bedding ceremony is what you dreaded the most entirely.
You didn't understand it, really, considering it was an intimate moment, though, it didn't matter. Not anymore. You'd no longer be pure tomorrow. You hated it. You knew marrying for love was not something you could do, it was a privilege. However, You would never learn to love Aemond, so this marriage was to be miserable. He grabs your wrist, pulling you closer,"Whatever plan you have in mind won't work. Tomorrow, you will be mine, it's better to come to terms with it."
His. He won't be yours, but you certainly will be his.
You want to laugh at that.
"Oh, what about you then? Are you willing to let go off all the whores for the sake of your duty, Aemond? You ask. "You're much too like your mother, if you want to keep your tongue, keep quiet, He threatens.
It no longer frightens you.
You know that deep down, he's still that little boy who was teased by his own brother, and dragonless, wanting to fit in, and feeling outcasted. He may be older, and has one of the most vicious dragons, but it doesn't change that.
You are at least pleased the feeling of unpleasantness is mutual, that Aemond despises you like you despise him. "It won't change things, You replied. "The Gods agree. Nothing you can do will change your fate, Aemond. I'm being generous enough to tell you this. A wedding gift, if you will."
Helaena must've told him something similar, which was why it stung deeper than it should've. He then leaves, which you don't mind.
You are left alone again, which is nice. You’ve always preferred being alone, except with your brothers, of course. You are the only daughter, so sometimes you wish Visenya had lived. The Greens were pathetic, Alicent especially. Your mother may have once been her friend but not anymore. She was weak. Not that you were any stronger, however, but Alicent didn’t give a shit on what her children had done, not even Aegon unless it involved her somehow.
"I see you angered my son, Alicent said, you didn't even notice her coming in. "Aemond has a temper, You said. "He was already angry before talking to me." Alicent approaches you, as if trying to intimidate you. You know better, you're weak, maybe, but not stupid. All this is a façade for who she really is. "Don't give me that, He's still my son, She said. "You are a prisoner, be thankful you are even marrying at all. I could've handed you off to Aegon if i needed to."
"He has Helaena, You point out. "My sweet girl is driving to madness because of you! She said. You absolutely had no say in her son's death, in fact, you feel sorry for it. But Alicent was just taking it out on you, Rhaenyra''s daughter. "For one thing, I lost my brother because of you, You replied. "Secondly, I did not cause Jaehaerys to be murdered. I did not wish ill on him."
"I believe that but still, Alicent said. You laugh. "You're finally breaking that façade. Alicent the cruel, They should call you." Alicent frowns. "You're very fortunate, Aemond was the one who insisted on this marriage. Aegon wanted you to become a whore, or perhaps, his." It seems like she no longer can control either of her sons. "Is he not bed ridden? You reply.
"Yes, but I've heard things, Alicent said. Aemond's regent now, he's got the power. He can do as he pleases, which scares you. "So, you came in here to threaten to kill me? You say." It's nothing I haven't heard before, grandmother." It's a mocking tone. She was only your step-grandmother by marriage. Now that he was gone, it no longer mattered.
"Granddaughter, Alicent replied.
"I've seen things, Alicent, You say. "No matter what, We win. Just give up now." Alicent whispers, "My daughter's like you, and now? She's near madness. I'd keep those visions to yourself."
She was indeed crueler than you thought. You had seen only the soft-spoken side of her. You laugh. "You're sure like your father, Alicent." You have no idea where this came from, perhaps you were exhausted, and tired of being weak. Or, Alicent needed those words said.
She only replies, "He is my father, after all."
Then, she finally leaves. You had seen the side nobody has seen of her before. Cruel, a sharp tongue. Or maybe she had become this during the war, after her grandson died, after her son nearly died, and is burnt. Her daughter most likely going to kill herself.
All those things combined makes a cruel woman.
You figure that your mother will be next, it won’t shock you, anyway. She’s gone through so much. And Madness runs in the family apparently. Once, when you were twelve, you had dreamt of a mad king. He was so mad that a kings guard had killed him.
It seemed to be just a dream, a figment of your mind at the time.
You don't think so now, You don't know which King, probably one in the future. The king scared you, long fingernails, his hair and beard not taken care of, so he looked older than he was.
You remember what he said in your dream, on the iron throne,
"Burn them all."
You had suspected the fate of House Targaryen for a long time. But, since your dreams could easily change, you don't know for certain. You stand by the window, the beautiful view distracting you momentarily.
Why did the Gods give you this?
You'll never understand, though, you weren't too much of a believer. Not like the hightowers. The Faith of the Seven was everywhere around the Castle. You remember your last visit, and you were sad by how they decorated it. Your grandsire probably never noticed, too sick to get out of bed much. You know it's a rational thought, not one that is possible, but what if Alicent had done something?
You shake your head, even if she is cruel, she'd certainly not do that. You decide then to take a nap, it's one of the few things you can do. So you do.
Which is the night you get another vision.
It's a battle, you think. Of this war.
Dragon Dreams are complicated, You learned this. You're no dragon, though.
It's bloody, and a lot of Brackens die.
One of them stands out, grinning. He's a Blackwood, you think.
They'll call him Bloody Ben, when that day comes in history.
And he was on Team Black.
Your mother's side.
You smile, probably in your vision, or in reality, knowing your mother had another supporter. You awake by a knock. Your handmaiden. "Come in, You replied. "Sorry, your grace, She says anxiously." I was told to run a bath for you." You nodded." Go on along. Though, I can do it myself, you know."
She nods, entering the bathroom.