Viserys had his fill of family quarrels.
Exiling his brother from court a second time had burdened his heart.
The icy coldness between Rhaenyra and Alicent was only growing more pronounced.
Things could be worse, and there had been progress on some fronts.
Rhaenyra and Laenor were finally betrothed.
The two seemed amicable with each other, though no wedding date had been set.
He had a fine healthy third child with Alicent, and he was starting to feel physically better himself.
Aemma’s youngest daughter had proven correct, his morning walks were helping his constitution.
That, and not drinking and eating so heavily at night.
She seemed to look forward to them as much as he, but if he was late, she could not be found.
When he had asked why she had not waited, her response was heart wrenching.
“I just assumed that you cared more about indulging then in spending time with me.”
He tried to explain that wasn’t the case, and she said she understood, but in the way where you know someone is just humoring you.
After that he had reiterated his commitment to curbing his drinking when the stresses of Kingship grew too much.
Time flew, as oft it did, and he wished to cherish the time he had with his family, especially the ones who didn’t cause endless headaches.
Or shrieked like a banshee as his eldest son often did.
That brought something to mind as he walked with his daughter.
“You seem to be one of the few who can contain Aegon.
I had told Alicent that I thought a match between Aegon and Helaena to be appropriate.
But you are so good with him, we could change our plans.
Instead, Helaena can marry Aemond and you can marry Aegon.”
His poised daughter stumbled a step.
“Ah, oh, well, no, I don’t think that would be good.
I’ve helped rear him to some extent, father, and it would be queer for me to take the same child I helped in that way as a husband.”
Viserys frowned.
He knew she helped Alicent with his children, but she surely did not rise to the level of a mother figure for Aegon.
Something else was going on here.
“You must marry of course, and options are somewhat limited.
Perhaps if Rhaenyra and Laenor have a son soon after marriage.
Or if Daemon ever father’s a child with his wife, an unlikely scenario since he did not return to the Vale.”
Elaena looked less than her typical poised self.
“What is the matter?”
“I… understand I will one day marry.
I also know the traditions of our house.
Despite this, I find the notion of marrying family, off-putting.”
Viserys stopped and crouched down to get eye level with his daughter.
She was but five and had read scores of books.
No doubt those texts written by the Andals and the First Men held strong beliefs about incest and considered it a great sin.
He oft forgot she was so young, and girls her age could be quite impressionable.
“You must remember, we are not like others.
Some say Targaryens are closer to Gods than men.” At her face he put his hands up, “I did not say I believed it, just that it is said.
We command, or are at least tolerated, by dragons.
It is what allowed Aegon to conquer the Seven Kingdoms, it is what keeps us on the Iron Throne.
It is thought that the purity of Targaryen blood, once diluted will not allow after a generation or two, command over dragons.
You have bonded to… what was its name again?”
“Viktoriya.”
“Ah, yes, Viktoriya, an odd name, but a strong one.
You have bonded to her, do you not wish the same for your children, and your children’s children?”
“Has this been tested?
Have we looked to see if a child who is half Targaryen and married someone with no Targaryen blood, would they still be able to command dragons?
Is this just someone’s theory or has it been proven?”
Viserys honestly didn’t know.
“We shouldn’t doubt the wisdom of our forefathers, but who would wish to take that risk?
No, it is better to be certain.
If you were to marry outside of our bloodline, it may be your children could still command dragons.
But if they too married without, I believe it ends there.
You also may not realize another critical reason we would not want to marry you outside of the family.”
“And that is?”
“Dragons.
Say you do marry a Lannister, Stark, Baratheon, or Tyrell.
Your children can claim dragons, but they would not be Targaryens.
The balance of power in the ream would shift and in dangerous ways.”
“But you had planned on letting Rhaenyra choose who to be married to.”
“Yes, but they would be joining as a Prince Consort, they would be becoming a Targaryen, if only in name.
And her children will be part of the family as she will be Queen after me.”
Elaena nodded, but did not look convinced.
“And one more thing.
The blood of Old Valyria, our blood, is special.
At times it runs quick with the ability to foresee the future.
That is why our family still lives.
Daenys the Dreamer predicted the Doom, it for that reason alone our family sailed away and why we all live.”
Elaena narrowed her brows and opened her mouth to make an objection, but then closed it and began again.
“Father, there is plenty of time, so I would suggest we not make any firm plans yet.
As to the dangers of marrying outside of the house, I think controls can be put in place.
My children can be married back to the main Targaryen line when the time comes, and if they do not, they cannot claim a dragon.
The few wild dragons we know of are on Dragonstone.
I believe there would be little risk in establishing these sorts of parameters, which would open the situation up for other alliances that can help keep the throne secure.”
Viserys did not see anything wrong with waiting to name betrothals for his children.
She was right in that much, at least.
They had time.
He did not mind agreeing, and it was always enjoyable to see a full smile bloom on Elaena’s features.
She and Rhaenyra always reminded him of Aemma, the great love of his life.
As usual they ended their walk with a customary kiss on the cheeks.
And as always, he felt much refreshed and less winded than he had before the walk started.
…
Rhaenyra enjoyed her little sister’s company.
Despite her delicate appearance, and innocent features, her wit was sharp.
Such an inquisitive girl too, always asking about Syrax and how she trained her, what were the ‘lessons learned’ and ‘take-aways’ from her time bonding with her dragon.
Other times they spoke of her marriage tour, not about the matches, but about the places she had been.
What castles she had visited.
It was refreshing to have her thoughts taken seriously, even if it was by someone who had only reached her fifth name day.
Elaena was different than other children, that was plain to see, so it wasn’t quite as pitiful as it sounded.
“I wish I could take you flying again, you had so much fun with it.”
“I do too, but father was clear and we must obey his edicts.”
“Of course.” Elaena was always picky about following the rules that Viserys and Alicent laid out for her.
Though Alicent should be not be making any rules for her, it wasn’t her place to do so.
That bitch was not her true mother.
“Perhaps you should ask father again, you are older now.”
“Hmm maybe, but he was firm last time.
I hate to be overly bothersome and make him repeat himself.
I do long for the day when I can take to the skies.
It will be fun to race you on Viktoriya.”
…