VISERYS II
112 AC
Viserys sighs as he sits in his large bed after waking up.
As usual, he is alone on his bed.
Laena always wakes up much earlier than him.
It has been four years already since their marriage, and until now, their relationship has been nothing more than a cordial relationship between them and the often sex they had, either with the intention of producing a child or to satisfy his own desires of the flesh.
He is thankful that Laena is not a person that is hard to get along with.
She is quite a simple woman when it comes to her personal life.
The King walks out of his bed with some effort and looks through the large balcony of his bedroom.
In the sky, near the docks of King’s Landing, he can see the really distinguished figure of Vhagar.
The giant dragon flies around the city with strong, but slow, flaps of her massive wings.
Her body often blocks the sun and casts a shadow that can leave whole streets in the dark.
Seeing Vhagar flying was a melancholic memory to him.
He could remember his father flying around in Vhagar, often with Daemon, after his brother claimed Caraxes.
Viserys sighs once again as he tries to let the past in the past.
He sees Vhagar flying towards the Dragonpit, probably to land.
He wears his casual clothes and walks out of his room.
On the outside, the King is quickly followed by the two Kingsguard men that guard his bedroom.
The King and his guards arrive outside the Castle, in the front garden, as the queen arrives with her guards.
Laena is wearing leather clothing made for women to use while riding horses.
Her silver-golden hair is tied in a ponytail.
She looks at her husband with an annoyed gaze.
Viserys frowns a bit.
“Another flight?
Have you at least eaten something already?” The King asks, worried.
Laena sighs and frowns.
“Excuse me, your grace, but I think I am your wife, not your daughter.
But, as an answer to your question, I may have eaten an apple or two during my way through the streets to the Dragonpit.” The Queen proclaims, shameless.
Viserys sighs and strokes his face.
“Please, let me be alone with my wife.” He proclaims to the guard.
They bow and soon leave them alone.
The King walks past Laena, who is intrigued by that.
“Follow me through the gardens while we talk.” Viserys calls.
Laena snorts, but soon follows him.
He looks to me immersed in thoughts.
“Laena…
tell me…
do you really like to be my queen?” The King asks honestly.
Laena looks at him, confused.
She thinks a bit.
“Well…
I would be lying if I said that I don’t enjoy the respect I receive and everything else.
King’s Landing is way bigger than Driftmark and there are a lot of places to go with Vhagar.
However, I still miss my freedom as a maiden in Driftmark, but in general, I am satisfied.” Laena proclaims.
Viserys sighs and denies with his head.
“That is not what I said.
I did not ask if you like being queen.
I asked you if you like being MY queen.
Tell me, how do you really view me?
You are satisfied by how things are working out with us?” The King asks in a soft tone.
Laena looks at him, surprised.
“Oh…
it…
could be worse.
You are a good man, your grace, but…
I don’t feel an attraction towards you.
I am here trying to live up for my father’s expectations.
I am sorry if you expected to get a loving wife or one that could actually manage to give you children.” The Queen proclaims in a now sad tone of voice.
Viserys looks at her with compassion, landing an arm on her shoulders and slightly giving her a hug.
“That is not your fault, Laena.
You don’t have to hurry to give birth to any child of mine.
Daemon has extended the Targaryen family very well in the last few years.
And, as far as I am concerned, we don’t need to love each other.
I take care of you and you take care of me and we are good, right?” The King asks, being positive.
Laena laughs a bit.
“I am fine with that, your grace.”
“Please, I said to you a thousand times.
Call me Viserys.
You are not a vassal of mine.
You are my wife.
You are my queen, so call me by my name when we are alone.
Do you understand?” The King asks gently.
Laena smiles.
“I do, Viserys.” She says.
Viserys smiles back to her.
Then, he remembers something.
“Can you tell me exactly what your father’s expectations are for you?
He is not satisfied with your position as Queen?” The King asks, suspicious.
Laena is surprised, but she recovers her posture, letting out a sigh.
“He expects me to give you a new heir as soon as possible.” She admits.
Viserys frowns.
“What?” He asks, irritated.
Laena retreats a bit.
“He wants me to give birth to a proper male heir of yours, placing his blood on the throne.” The Queen affirms.
Viserys is clearly frustrated by that.
“That is absurd.
The succession is settled!
I named Rhaenyra as my heir and that is final.
I will talk to him later and interrogate him further on the matter.
I refuse to have people on my back with second intentions.” The King proclaims, irritated.
Laena lands a hand on his shoulder.
“Calm down, Viserys.
We can resolve things better with a clear mind.” The Queen proclaims.
Viserys loses his frown and takes a deep breath.
“You are right…
I need to keep my mind in place here.
Why don’t we go take an early lunch?
I bet that you are starving.” The King says with a short smile.
Laena laughs.
“I am.
I would love to have a nice lunch.” She says.
Viserys offers his hand and she eagerly accepts it.
The two of them walk through the garden side by side, going back to the Red Keep.
Viserys looks at his empty cup of wine with a frown, immersed in thought while sitting on his chair at the council.
Only the light of the candles keep the darkness of the room away from him.
Inheritance.
Inheritance.
Inheritance.
Always the same thing.
They can’t let him alone?
He has decided.
The topic is finished, but yet there is always the same talk to be done.
And so, the door of the chamber is opened and the Sea Snake enters the room.
Always very vigorous, his age looks to be finally catching up to the old Lord of the Tides.
His hair lost much of its brightness, his face has more marks of age and his eyes are more tired than ever.
Yet, he was not weak.
A fearsome, imponent and experienced man.
A visual deserving of a man with his fame.
Corlys seat down on the chair on the opposite side of the table and takes a deep a breath before making a quick bow with his head.
“You grace.
You called for me.
Here I am.” The Sea Snake proclaims, proud.
Viserys snorts.
“I did.
I was talking with Laena this morning.
About our relationship and about us in general.
You know what she said to me?
She said that you were basically demanding her to be more willing to give me children.” The King proclaims, seriously.
Corlys frowns.
“Simple words like that can’t make my true intentions clear, Your Grace.
I am concerned about the state of the realm.
You have only one daughter, and I know how difficult that position is.
As soon as she gives birth to a healthy son, any question about succession will be solved.” The Sea Snake explains.
“Seven years, Corlys.
I named Rhaenyra my heir seven years ago.
How long you will take to accept that.
It does not matter to me if Laena gives birth to a son of mine or not, I will keep Rhaenyra as my heir and that is definitive!” The King proclaims in a high tone of voice.
Corlys frowns, but keeps his posture.
“You grace, it might not be a good idea.
Much of the realm might question her legitimacy…”
“I am the King and my world is legitimacy.
Rhaenyra is my heir and anyone trying to say otherwise will lose their tongues!
You are not excluded, Sea Snake.” The King proclaims, his head red of screaming in anger.
The Sea Snake gets up.
“I am sorry, your grace, but that is outrageous to my house.
You married my daughter, which I am grateful for, but such a marriage comes with expectations.
I expected that our lines would be tied together, and you just took it away from me after years of marriage!” The Sea Snake arguments.
Viserys gets up.
“I made no promises to you, Velaryon!
You should be content about me taking your daughter as my new Queen consort.
I need to remind you again who is the king and who is the vassal?
You can’t demand anything from me!” The King proclaims, furious.
Corlys lands both of his hands on the table.
The two men gaze at each other with angry eyes.
“You are right.
I can’t demand anything from you, Your Grace.
However, I am Corlys Velaryon.
The Sea Snake.
The Lord of the Tides.
I may not be a king, but I have the largest wealth and fleet of the Seven Kingdoms.
I have more power over this realm than you can imagine.
You deny my blood and I will deny my support to the maintenance of Lord Celtigar in the Stepstones.
I will take my wealth and my ships and go back to Dragonstone, and let all that expensive work of years be destroyed by the Triarchy until the end of the year.” The Sea Snake proclaims.
The eyes of Viserys get wide and he grunts.
“You are breaking vows here, Sea Snake!
I can easily call the guards and have you arrested and then later executed for threatening a treason in front of me!” The King exclaims, even more furious than before.
Corlys is still calm, for the most part.
“You can arrest me.
You can execute me, but it won’t make the Velaryon fleet stay there.
Laenor was too young during the war, so he had no vows to protect the Stepstones or support it with gold.
And with my death, he and Rhaenys will probably just isolate themselves from the crown.
The same with Laena.
You really want to kill the father of your wife because he felt betrayed?” The Sea Snake asks.
Viserys grinds his teeth.
“Betrayed?!” The King screams, punching the table, which shakes.
“Betrayal is what you are doing to me right now, Corlys!
Why can’t you be less of a snake?!
I don’t care about what you or Laenor will do.
I will not change the succession!
I will not go back on my word to Rhaenyra!” The King proclaims with an almost broken tone, sitting down.
He strokes his face with his hands.
Corlys also sits down.
“There is a way for you to fix this, you grace.
A way for both of us to get what we want.” The Sea Snake proclaims in a soft tone.
Viserys takes away his hands and frowns to the Velaryon.
“What do you mean?” The King asks, confused.
Colrys takes a deep breath.
“I propose a marriage between my son and heir, Laenor Velaryon, and your daughter and heir, Rhaenyra Targaryen.” The Sea Snake offers.
Viserys lay his back on his chair before grunting.
“You were not satisfied with one royal consort and now you want both of your children to be royal consorts?
Why should I accept you getting that much power over me in your hands, Sea Snake?” The King asks, skeptic.
Corlys smiles while relaxing on his chair.
“You are not just giving power, you are receiving as well.
I get my blood on house Targaryen and the Throne and you get your blood on house Velaryon, my wealth, my fleet and my lands.
Laenor is a dragonrider and has the most valyrian blood of anyone available to her in the realm.
It is a victory for both of us, and it will heal the wounds you caused to my pride.
Their children together will inherit both the Iron Throne and Driftmark.
Tied by blood.
Together like brothers.
The only two houses of dragonriders in Westeros.
It does not sound good for you, my King?” The Sea Snake asks softly.
Viserys frowns in thought and then sighs.
“It does.
I can’t deny that.
But I am not comfortable marrying Rhaenyra without her acceptance.” The King proclaims.
Corlys snorts.
“Queen Alysanne did not ask for your opinion when she married you and Daemon to Queen Aemma and Rhea Royce.” The Sea Snake says.
Viserys gets a hit of sadness by hearing the name of the beloved wife he lost.
He sighs.
“I am not my grandmother, Corlys.
I am not making a marriage that she hates just so it ends up like Daemon’s first marriage.”
“Rhaenyra and Laenor have known each other since a young age, your grace.
I always see them talking to each other at feasts and other events.
They are very close.
I doubt that it would be a terrible match.
And, between us, I think the princess needs more…
discipline.” The Sea Snake says in a more mild tone.
Viserys frowns.
“Are you questioning my parenting skills now, Velaryon?”
“Not exactly my King.
I know that Rhaenyra loves you as her father, but she needs to know more about duty.
Since she was born, I have only seen her receive everything that she wants.
If she does not learn to do sacrifices, how she will be able to rule the Seven Kingdoms?” The Lord of the Tides asks, gently.
The King frowns in thought before looking back at Corlys.
“Very well.
You got a deal.
I will convince Rhaenyra to accept this marriage in the most friendly way possible.
Are you satisfied now, snake?” The King asks, a bit hostile.
Corlys smiles a bit.
“Your grace, I am not a snake.
I am a sea snake.
There is a big difference.
, yes.
I am more than honored with that deal, your grace.
But, what about their children?
Do you have a preference for names for their houses?” The Sea Snake asks, curious.
Viserys thinks about it before coming up with an answer.
“By tradition, they should take their father’s house name, Velaryon, until one of them ascends the Iron Throne, when that one will take the Targaryen name.
One of the other children will take Driftmark after Laenor.
Is that good enough for you?” The King asks, tired of the discussion.
Corlys opens a large smile.
“I am very satisfied, your grace, but I have a nice idea for the event as well.
You and Laena will commemorate five years of marriage next year.
We should make the marriage a huge event to glorify the union of our houses.
A great tourney for all of the major lords in Westeros!
A perfect event.” The Sea Snake offers, excited.
Viserys relaxes more with that idea.
“I like that idea a lot, actually.
I have been missing a good tourney later.
It shall be done.” The King proclaims, finally opening a smile.
Corlys raises his cup of wine.
“A toast for House Targaryen and House Velaryon.
May our union be long and prosperous!” The Sea Snake proclaims.
The King raises his own cup and then the two men drink it all in one go.
While the wine goes down his throat, Viserys sighs and thinks about what just happened while Corlys is drinking more wine.
How did it get to that?
From rage to agreement?
Is he that feeble of a King?
As he is questioning his choices, Corlys ends his wine and gets up.
“I am sorry, your grace, but I have something to do.
I need to go now.
I hope any…
hostility between us is forgotten.
Nothing but wind.
Have a good night, your grace.” The Sea Snake proclaims before bowing to him.
Corlys moves towards the doors, but is stopped by the voice of his liege.
“I will not forget what you did in this room, Sea Snake.
I will have my eyes on you.
Corlys does not turn back.
“Good night, Your Grace.” The Sea Snake says before he leaves.
Viserys sighs as he lay in his chair, holding his face with one hand that is supported in the table.
How will he be able to tell Rhaenyra about all of that?
A new day comes and Viserys decides to deal with things early in the morning.
The King sighs as he moves towards the chamber of his daughter, alone.
As soon as he arrives, he finds Ser Criston Cole standing in front of the door, as always.
The handsome and very skilled knight of the Kingsguard has made his name through King’s Landing.
He is now considered to be the current best name for the position that is still occupied by Ser Harrold Westerling.
The position of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
The knight bows to his King while moving away from the door.
“Good morning, your grace.” The knight says in a well mannered tone.
Viserys nods to him and then knocks on the door.
“Rhaenyra, it is me.
I need to talk with you there.
Alone.” The King proclaims, looking at Ser Criston.
The knight nods and moves to be more distant from the door, to not hear anything.
Then, after a minute, the king hears sounds coming from inside the room.
“Enter!” Rhaenyra exclaims from the other side.
Viserys then opens the door and enters.
Rhaenyra’s room is quite simple for a princess, but still very well made, but that is not important for Viserys now.
As he looks at his daughter of five-and-ten, he feels pride.
From a pretty child, Rhaenyra turned into a beautiful young woman.
He would even dare to say that she turned out to be more beautiful than Laena, but his opinion on the matter is not valid, for obvious reasons.
His daughter resembled her mother so much that he felt a hit on his heart from firstly looking at her now.
Rhaenyra stands here with a casual black dress and her hair running free.
She opens a short smile to her father.
“What brings you here?” The princess asks.
Viserys takes a deep breath.
“I want to talk with you about the future.
Your future.”
“What do you mean?” The Princess asks, confused.
Viserys takes another deep breath.
“Rhaenyra…
you are five and ten now.
Next year, you will be considered a young adult.
A woman.
And as my hearing you have the duty of continuing the family line and creating your own heirs.
As such, you need to marry soon.” The King proclaims.
The eyes of his daughter go wide.
“Marry?
But father, I don’t have any interest in marrying now.
I don’t even have a person in mind.
And what if I don’t want to marry at all?” The Princess asks, defensive.
Viserys snorts.
“It does not matter if you want it or not, Rhaenyra.
You will have to marry.
Rulers sometimes need to do things they don’t want to do.” The King explains, but Rhaenyra is not happy.
She frowns at him.
“What serves the crown that you use if you can’t rule your own life?
The most powerful man in Westeros can’t have any freedom.
It is like a joke to me, father.” The Princess proclaims.
The King sighs.
“Power comes with responsibilities.
You need to learn that before you become a Queen.
With that, I have to tell you that I have already arranged a marriage to you.” The King announces.
The eyes of his daughter get wide out of shock.
“Arranged?!
I will not even be able to choose my own husband?
I have to live and go to bed with a man that I never chose to be by my side?
Who is it?” The Princess asks, angry.
Viserys takes a deep breath once again to calm down.
“Laenor Velaryon.”
“Laenor?
Really?
You are married to his sister!
Why did you even accept that offer?” The Princess asks, frustrated.
Viserys grunts.
“I had to in order to keep you as my heir and also keep some stability in the realm.
Corlys was angry when I said to him that I would keep you as my heir.
He demanded compensation and managed to convince me to accept that marriage.” The King explains.
Rhaenyra frowns.
“He was angry about keeping a vow that he made?
You just gave my hand to appease a traitor?
You could have taken his head or something!” The Princess exclaims, nervous.
Viserys frowns.
“Like I said, it is not that simple.
Stepstones depend on the Velaryons, and they have dragons of their own.
I can’t just kill the Sea Snake and not think of retaliation.”
“You are the king and we have our dragons!” The Princess screams.
The King loses his patience.
“Two, Rhaenyra!
Two!
Caraxes and Syrax.
Aegon is only five and Sunfyre is barely the size of a young horse.
They have three dragons.
Meleys, Seasmoke and Vhagar, the largest dragon alive!
All of them are larger than your precious Syrax!” The King explains, furious.
Rhaenyra takes a step back.
“But…
you can take Laena as a hostage.
I might stand a chance against Laenor and Daemon have a good chance in defeating Meleys…”
“I WILL NOT START A WAR IN YOUR NAME, RHAENYRA!
Corlys was right about one thing…
I spoiled you too much.
You never learned anything about duty or sacrifice.
You will learn now.
You will marry Laenor Velaryon next year and that is my final words about it.” The King proclaims, calming down after his wrath erupted like the fourteen flames of Valyria.
Rhaenyra grunts and her eyes fill with tears.
“What if I don’t accept?
What if i don’t say my vows?” The Princess asks, frustrated.
Viserys frowns, grinding his teeth.
“You will marry Laenor or I will call the court, publicly disinherit you, pardon Daemon for his words against your brother, and then name him heir presumptive until I can have a proper heir from Laena.
Both things will work for the Velaryons.
Is that what you want, Rhaenyra?” The King asks in a low angry tone.
Rhaenyra looks at him in shock.
Her lips tremble.
“No…”
“Good.
So, you will marry Laenor, right?”
“But…
father…
you know how Laenor is not very fond of women or how he always walks around close to men.
Too close.” The Princess points out, holding her tears.
Viserys frowns.
“He is only eight-and-ten.
People change with age.
He will know his duties when the time comes.
You need to find an agreement with him.
He is a good young man and will make a good and caring husband and father.
Do you understand that, my child?” The King asks, getting closer to her.
Rhaenyra trembles while holding her tears, immersed in thoughts.
When Viserys touches her, she coils herself a bit and starts crying.
The door is suddenly opened and Ser Criston Cole enters, very worried.
“Sorry for entering, but I heard a lot of screaming and now crying, did something happen, your grace?” The white knight asks.
Rhaenyra uses the distraction to run away through the door, passing over Criston.
Viserys sighs as the knight runs after the princess.
Viserys takes a good look around the now empty bedroom of his daughter, seeing her dresses, jewels and many other things.
Some of them have been there since she was a little girl.
His little girl.
“My uncle Maegor was cruel, but age is crueler.” His grandmother, Queen Alysanne, once said.
At the time, he just interpreted it as being about old age, but now he can see that not only age, but time itself is cruel.
As time passes, his sweet girl changes into a woman, he sees his younger brother build a family, and he sees his own health go away, little by little.
As the King sighs, he can only pray to the gods for mercy to all of his family, because he has a bad feeling about the future.