“If they are able to believe in the future, humans all have the wonderful potential to build a bright, peaceful tomorrow.
Humans are irreplaceable; we’re all unique.” -From the Saga of Tanya the Evil Vol.
2
Rhaenyra felt the child coming.
It was around the proper time, but she had hoped for every day of delay possible.
She was hurried to the care of the Grand Maester and her family informed.
“Princess Rhaenyra, it is unfortunate the babe is coming early.
I want you to prepare yourself for the worst.” Maester Mellos cautioned her.
The man irritated her.
He had been unable to save her mother, had told them Joffrey was likely to die, and yet he had not.
Now that birth was upon her, she cursed the fact she had not spent time seeing if there were other Maesters better versed in childbirth and healing in general.
Ser Harwin was outside her door; his heavy stride could be heard as he paced back and forth.
Laenor was by her side.
During her pregnancy he had but rarely gone to visit Joffrey.
He was determined to play his part in the charade and he had admirably done so.
A painful contraction ripped through her.
The pain was terrible; was she dying, or was this normal?
She clutched Laenor’s hand.
“Is there something wrong?” She asked when she caught her breath.
“Not that we can tell yet, princess, these things can take time.
One of my predecessors wrote that he helped deliver a babe over 34 hours after the birthing process had begun.”
Rhaenyra wanted to scream.
Why would the Maester think that sort of news would be welcome to hear?
The door opened and her sister came in.
Elaena nodded to those in the room.
“Grand Maester, good-brother, sister.”
Rhaenyra smiled.
She was glad her sister was here.
Elaena went to the opposite side of the bed and took Rhaenyra’s other hand in a reassuring grip.
“Careful, your sister has quite the grip,” Laenor warned Elaena, half jesting.
Rhaenyra laughed and released Laenor’s hand, only to swat him and then grabbed it again.
The jest had lightened her mood and even the pain was receding.
Another contraction was felt, but the earlier sharp agony seemed so much lesser now that she was surrounded by her loved ones.
She wished Harwin could be in the room, but that was a bridge too far in her mind.
A sworn shield guarding her door was proper, the same man inside the birthing room, unheard of.
Her labors continued, her father visited and spoke with the Grand Maester briefly before kissing her brow and told her she was doing well.
Viserys looked terrified, so what had Mellos told him?
In either case he did not stay overlong.
Several hours later, she managed to push out her son.
The boy gave a hearty cry.
He was a large babe with dark hair already crowning his head.
“I had expected the babe to be underdeveloped and tiny.
Are you sure about the length of your pregnancy?” The Maester asked.
“Who can say?
My husband oft visited for a nightly tryst, even as he spent time with his family in Driftmark,” Rhaenyra warily replied.
“Is he healthy?” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“Yes, the boy is.
Have you selected a name?”
“Jacaerys,” Laenor announced.
Her sister, Elaena was staring at Jacaerys and then back at her, then at Laenor.
A frown marred her otherwise precious features.
Rhaenyra knew her sister was intelligent, would she guess?
She knew Elaena would never betray her, but it would be best if she never voiced her suspicions at all.
“Would you like to hold him?”
Elaena demurred, and Rhaenyra gave her child over to its ‘father.’ Laenor doted on him and was smiling broadly when Viserys came in.
“Ah fortune smiles upon our house!
Overly worrisome Maesters will send me to an early grave.
I am so happy that you and your child are well.” He turned to Laenor, “May I?”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Laenor replied and handed Jacaerys to the King.
“Look at him, he’s going to be a strapping lad.
Oh, ho, that Baratheon blood from your grandmother has made a showing, Laenor.”
Rhaenyra watched her husband give an uncomfortable smile and a nod.
Viserys held Jacaerys and rocked him.
“One day, you will rule Westeros, you Jacaerys, will be the King.”
Rhaenyra was relieved after having given birth and at her father’s reaction.
He had even just reaffirmed her place as heir, though he had never wavered, it was always good to hear it again.
Eventually Viserys gave the babe back and left her, as did the Maesters.
Elaena congratulated her and then asked to speak with Laenor outside regarding a question about Seasmoke.
Only then did Ser Harwin come in.
They embraced and Harwin took his son in his arms.
Rhaenyra loved Harwin, yet she wished Jacaerys did not take after him quite so much.
“My little Jace, the future Protector of the Realm,” Harwin rumbled.
Rhaenyra’s heart melted at the bestowed shortening of Jacaerys.
She closed her eyes and allowed weary exhaustion to send her to sleep.
…
Laenor rubbed his hand as he walked out of the birthing room.
He had not been quite as worried as the Maester had been since he was in on the lie about when Jacaerys had been conceived.
Childbirth was not easy, and it was fraught with peril.
Rhaenyra was not his love like Joffrey, but he did care a great deal for her.
Elaena had continued to walk.
“I shouldn’t go too far, what was your question?”
“Just a bit further,” the tiny Targaryen princess replied.
They turned a corner and then went into a sitting room.
Laenor was starting to get confused when Elaena rounded on him.
“Are you two idiots?”
Laenor’s jaw dropped in surprise.
Elaena was never anything but respectful.
“What do you mean?”
She rolled her eyes.
“The child is not your flesh and blood; do you realize how insane this is?”
Laenor stood up straighter.
“You are making a dangerous accusation.” Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
“Of course it is dangerous!
That is my whole problem.
How could you allow this to happen?”
Laenor was feeling quite awkward and wasn’t sure how to respond.
He knew he shouldn’t say the truth, but what could he say?
“I know not what you mean.”
“Oh, for pity’s sake.
I thought you two were smarter than this.
Her son is too large for your timetable to make any sense.
And no, you didn’t have nighttime trysts, or whatever that fragile claim Rhaenyra made to the Maester was.
Seasmoke is a dragon, they make noise, they are seen when they come to King’s Landing.
I know not all marriages are done for love, but you must make sure you father the child.”
“Elaena, this is not something we should be talking about.
You are making assumptions that should not be repeated.”
Elaena scowled at him, an expression he had never seen on her face.
“Play the fool if you’d like, but there will be trouble over this.
Fortunately, father only sees what he wishes to see.
Make sure the next child is yours Laenor.
I am fond of you both and do not wish either of you to suffer.”
“Elaena…” but he didn’t know what to say.
Elaena walked out of the room and Laenor was left with a foreboding sense of unease.
If even a child could see it, what hope did they have to convince the realm?
He went back to Rhaenyra and saw Harwin holding Jacaerys.
“We have a problem, Harwin.”
“What is it?”
“Some already suspect I am not the father.”
Harwin frowned.
“The jackals will yip, but there is no proof.
We are careful, and it isn’t as if any child must look after both parents.
There is little in Alicent in her children.
Remain strong and do not falter.”
Laenor laughed, and Harwin looked puzzled or a moment and then laughed.
“Damn you, I’m used to it from Rhaenyra, and now you are doing it!
Not every usage of the word is an intentional play upon my name!”
“Do you truly think all will be well?”
Harwin nodded firmly.
“I do.
Viserys has ever supported Rhaenyra.
Worry not for court gossip.
My father is the Hand, Rhaenyra’s father is the King, your father is the Sea Snake and the head of the wealthiest house in Westeros.
Our position is secure as long we remain… steadfast.”
The two laughed, and Laenor felt significantly better.
…
Who knew?
So …
just keep tossing them 😉
…