RHAENYRA
108 AC
Hundreds of nobles talked, walked and laughed around in the Red Keep, filling all the halls and corridors of the large castle for the celebration of the royal marriage of King Viserys Targaryen and his young wife, Lady Laena Velaryon, the new Queen consort of the Seven Kingdoms.
The wedding was already done, and, after one of the most discomforting kisses she ever saw, the King and his young Queen are now hosting the feast in the center of the main table with their family.
Princess Rhaenyra, as a girl of one-and-ten, was not very interested in the whole event.
Today she can only remember her mother.
Three years of the same feeling.
The hole in her chest.
A father too busy to be as present as her mother was and a beloved uncle now too entangled with his own growing family to care for his dear niece.
She tries a lot to stay the sweet smiling child that her father loved, but most often than not her face just returns to a frown of boredom.
A look into her uncle on the other side of the table is inevitable.
He is there, making inappropriate jokes with the Sea Snake and casually drinking, without a care in the world.
After his return from the Stepstones, Daemon quickly took his promised office of Master of the Armies.
Nonetheless, he was not very fond of the name, so he changed it to High Commander.
He now has full control over the royal army and is the direct liege of the City Commander.
As a sign of that, he now wore a red badge of a hand raising a sword on his chest, similar to the badge of the Hand of the King.
And with such an important position, the Rogue Prince became a very busy man.
He had to manage the troops and fix major problems that required his intervention.
Some of those problems were even outside of King’s Landing.
Most of those outside problems were in Stepstones.
She heard that even after the defeat of the triarchy, some attacks of pirates still happen.
The part that really took a toll on the young princess was how her dear uncle was now spending near to zero time with her.
In the past, he would take her around places in King’s Landing and fly with her above the city in their dragons.
She can still remember the gazes he gave to her.
He made her feel more than just the daughter of the King.
Now, her uncle was either always busy with his job or dealing with his growing family.
Of course, standing by his side is Daemon’s wife, Princess Alicent Hightower, the daughter of the Hand of the King.
She is wearing an elegant red dress and her hair is being held tight and covered by some jewels, mostly of them being rubies and emeralds.
On Alicent’s lap is Aegon.
The babe did not even complete his first nameday yet, as the year just started, but he is already pretty large.
His golden-silver hair is short and his cheeks have a pink tone in it.
Aegon holds a wooden toy of a dragon in his hands and looks at it with curiosity, shaking it around with his thick little hands and laughing, causing his mother to laugh as well.
A cute view, the bored princess has to admit.
But, the scene also makes the young princess miss her mother even more.
Did she hold her the same way when she was a babe?
Thinking about the former queen makes Rhaenyra look to the new one.
Laena Velaryon is a beautiful young woman, well developed and wielder of the stunning presence of the valyrians.
Lady Laena is using a very expensive and well made blue and white dress that holds her figure tightly.
On the dress is the sigil of House Velaryon in a pearl white color.
Golden bracelets, earrings and a necklace covers the young Queen to show the wealth of her father, the Sea Snake.
Her silver hair flows through her back and her lilac eyes are said to be as light as the eyes of Prince Aemon Targaryen, her grandfather.
Laena has a bright smile on her face, trying to hide some discomfort with the fact that she is marrying a man much older than her.
One that could easily have married her mother, Princess Rhaenys.
Nonetheless, Laena has an imposing posture, expected of a Queen consort that rides the largest dragon in the world, Vhagar.
Rhaenyra drinks a bit more of her sweet juice, because her father doesn’t let her drink wine yet, and looking around, people seem to happily talk and laugh.
Lord of all parts of Westeros.
How tedious.
Luckily, her father gets up from his seat, holding his cup and keeping a huge smile on his face.
He raises the cup.
“I think we had enough time to feast, my lords and ladies.
How about we start the dance already?” The King asks in a high tone.
The nobles whistle and some shout in agreement.
The musicians start playing a joyful song as the nobles start to form pairs to dance.
The King leaves his cup on the table and offers a hand to his new wife.
Laena gracefully accepts and the two of them walk to the center of the hall.
Rhaenyra looks to her uncle, thinking that he would maybe ask for her hand first than anyone, but she is frustrated when he offers his hand to his wife, walking with her still holding the babe Aegon.
She did not expect that they would walk to her first.
Alicent makes an apologizing smile.
“My princess, could you hold your cousin here for a bit so we can dance?
I would give him to a maid, but I can’t find one right now.” The princess asks, kinda timid.
Rhaenyra frowns, but nods.
Alicent smiles and gives Aegon to her.
Daemon opens a short smile.
“After I take my lady wife here to a dance, I will take you for one as well, niece.” The Rogue Prince proclaims.
Rhaenyra opens a smile and nods.
“I will remember that, uncle.” The Princess of Dragonstone smirks in an imitation of Daemon.
The three of them laugh and the married couple walks to the center of the room as well.
Rhaenyra looks at Aegon in her arms.
Her cousin is still playing with the wooden dragon, but when she looks at him, he looks back.
Aegon opens a sweet smile, making her smile back.
The babe prince then points the dragon to her and laughs.
Rhaenyra laughs back and grabs the toy, pointing it at him.
“Do you like to play with dragons, uh, cousin?
I saw your dragon.
He is majestic, but you are much cuter than he could ever be.” The Princess laughs, pretending to bite his belly like the golden hatchling would, making Aegon giggle and laugh.
Rhaenyra looks back at the parents of the babe in her arms.
They are dancing to the music, whispering to each other and sometimes laughing.
She quickly looks away, feeling weird. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
And then, someone approaches her at a slow pace, she looks up and sees Laenor Velaryon looking at her with a discomforted expression.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“So…
my sister and your father.
How intriguing.”
“You don’t have much more to say, don’t you?”
“No.
I don’t.”
“Then why are you here?”
“My father.”
“Oh.
Lord Corlys wants you to talk to me?
Why?”
“He said that I could use some talking to a girl for once.”
Rhaenyra laughs.
“Well, I know you well enough, cousin.
I know your preferences.”
Laenor sighs and looks away while standing by her side.
“I just…
don’t feel comfortable around girls, you know?
It is just not my thing.” The young heir of Driftmark confesses.
Rhaenyra nods her head.
“I see.
It does not matter.
As long as you don’t catch much attention, you will be fine.” The princess says.
Laenor laughs.
“I guess so.
My father said that I should invite you for a dance, but you apparently have your hands full right now.” The young Velaryon says, looking at Aegon.
The babe looks back at him with curiosity.
The wooden toy is now in his toothless mouth.
Rhaenyra perceives that and takes the toy away from his mouth.
“Aegon!
Bad boy!
Don’t put that in your mouth.” The princess shouts at him.
Aegon makes a pout and a cry face.
Rhaenyra quickly tries to shake him around to prevent him from crying.
Laenor laughs at the scene.
“Any problems there?
How is Aegon?” The voice of Alicent takes them in a surprise and Rhaenyra sighs.
Alicent and Daemon walk towards them after ending their dance.
“He was putting the toy in his mouth.
I took it away and warned him to not do that again.
He was almost about to cry.” The princess confesses.
Alicent takes Aegon back into her arms and the babe recovers his happy face upon seeing his mother.
She smiles at Rhaenyra.
“Don’t be harsh with him, Rhaenyra.
He is just a babe.
He is learning and his teeth are growing.
When you warned him, Aegon thought that he was in danger.
You will understand that when you have children of your own.” The lady in red proclaims.
Rhaenyra smirks at her.
“I am not much interested in having children.” The Princess proclaims.
Alicent laughs.
“You will understand when you get older, Rhaenyra.
Well, I think my husband here promised you a dance.
I will take Aegon to bed.
He must be tired already.” Alicent says with a comforting tone.
As she said that, Aegon let out a yawn.
The Hightower smiles and looks at her husband.
“I will see you soon, Daemon.” The princess proclaims before walking out through the people.
The Rogue Prince follows her with his eyes for a moment before turning to look at his niece with a short smile.
“I promised you, right?” Her uncle asks in a soft tone.
Rhaenyra laughs.
“You sure did, uncle.
What about you, Laenor?” The princess asks the Velaryon.
Laenor snorts.
“I will be fine here.
Go have some fun.” The heir of Driftmark says with a weak smile.
Rhaenyra nods and lets Daemon take her to the center of the room.
The two Targaryens in black clothing start dancing the new joyful song.
Rhaenyra manages to keep the pace with her uncle.
Daemon laughs.
“You are much better at it than I remember, my niece.” Daemon proclaims in a soft tone.
“I had time to practice more and I am not that short anymore.
That helps” The princess proclaims back at him.
Daemon smirks.
“I guess so.
You also looked a lot more sad around here.
Why?” The Rogue Prince asks in a neutral tone.
Rhaenyra is taken back by his words.
“Nothing much…
I just miss my mother.
You know how that is, right?” The princess asks in a weak tone as they dance around.
Daemon grunts.
“I was only three when my mother died, so I don’t have many memories of her.
But, I remember my father very well.
Baelon the brave.
He was a powerful warrior, had a cunning mind and was a charismatic heir to the throne.
But he died.
And I miss him.
So, I think I can relate to your pain, my sweet niece.” The Rogue Prince says with a hollow tone.
Rhaenyra nods slowly.
The song ends and a slow one starts.
The two Targaryens dance closely to each other.
“What makes you feel better when you are not having a good day, uncle?” The realm’s delight asks with curiosity, laying her head into his chest.
Daemon grunts while thinking.
He then smirks.
“Well, I think you are too young for the main thing right now, but the second thing is a good go.
I loved to fly around with Caraxes.
Sometimes even to other parts of Westeros.
When the wind is against your skin, waving your hair, and you can see enormous castles that look like some rocks and people look like ants, you can’t think of anything more.” The Rogue Prince proclaims.
Rhaenyra laughs happily.
“I think I have done it way too many times.”
“Have you done it at night?
Have you seen the lights of the city at night or the stars above the clouds?”
“No.
My father would never let me go around the city alone.” The Princess proclaims with a sigh.
Daemon smirks and gets his mouth near her ear.
“He just doesn’t need to know.
Let’s go out when he is not looking.” The Rogue Prince says in a whisper.
Rhaenyra shivers down her spine, smiles, and then nods.
The slow dance ends and the people cheer.
Viserys stands in front of everyone with Laena by his side.
“Now, let the bedding begin!” The King proclaims in a joyful tone.
The men shout in celebration and people start to surround the newly married couple.
In the confusion, Daemon takes Rhaenyra’s hand and pushes her towards the exit.
“Let’s get out.
I doubt that you want to see people touching your naked father, right?” The Rogue Prince asks with a smirk.
Rhaenyra laughs.
The two of them get out through the now empty corridors of the Red Keep, getting through the same old secret passage direct to the Dragonpit.
After a good trip around King’s Landing, some other parts of the Crownlands and even Dragonstone, Daemon finally takes Rhaenyra back towards her chambers when everyone is already sleeping.
When they get to the door, Daemon meets with the young Kingsguard that is assigned to take off Rhaenyra.
He looks at Daemon with concern.
“Where did you take the princess, my prince?”
“Who do you think you are to ask me anything, Ser?”
“I am the protector of the princess.
I only ask what the King will probably want to know.”
Daemon snorts.
“I know my brother better than you will ever do.
As long as Rhaenyra is here tomorrow, he will not care for it.”
“If you say so, my prince.” The Kingsguard member says with a grunt.
Rhaenyra opens a weak smile to the white knight.
“Don’t be so harsh, Ser Criston.
My uncle was just lifting my humor tonight.
I am back now and whole.
You are dispensed for today.
Get some sleep as well.” The Princess demands.
Ser Criston gets clearly more soft.
He was about to resist, but he sighs.
“Very well, my princess.
I wish you a good night.” Says the knight before leaving after a final glance at the uncle and niece.
After he is out of sight, Rhaenyra smiles at her uncle.
“Thank you for the night, uncle.
You saved my day.” The Princess says before getting in the point of her fingers and kissing the cheek of her uncle, who retreats.
Rhaenyra laughs and enters her room, closing the door at the image of a thoughtful Daemon Targaryen.
The princess sighs, then smiles, then jumps into her bed, laughing.
Rhaenyra looks at the ceiling of her room while the light of the night comes from the window.
She sighs and gets up, reuniting the last of her forces to change clothes.
After getting into her nightgown, Rhaenyra falls to her bed once again, holding her pillow as she falls asleep.
Her face gets red as she dreams about her uncle all night long.