Chapter Text
The ocean was their domain.
Rhaenys soared across the gullet, the ships of House Velaryon, her banner and their allies occupied the waters of the Blackwater bay, like colourful ribbons upon a vast blanket of blue, their control over the waters may very well be unrivalled, she could not see how Aegon could possibly challenge them for control, especially with Houses Redwyne and Greyjoy looking to stay out of the conflict.
If he or Aemond or even Daeron seek to challenge us with their dragons then they shall be met with double their number.
Meleys swooped close the fleet, the poles and sails of the galleys now stood like a vast forest; through the sounds of the wind brushing against her and the dragon came the loud cheers of the sailors that patrolled the Gullet with her.
House Velaryon fleet must have been more than this when her husband had sought to secure the rights of their son those decades ago.
It had been a mistake… we left our fate in their hands again, our trust… only for this to happen.
“Aderī!, Meleys!” Rhaenys commanded, the dragon pulled off to the side “Aderī!, we make Dragonstone.” Their flight had been long, their work tiring. Perhaps more disappointing was the cautious or cowardness of King Aegon; to start this war and sit behind the walls of King’s Landing and the Red Keep, all for actions he had taken in the face of laws, traditions and rights.
All of which had been denied to me.
Soon the towering figure of the Dragonmount came to view along with the dark island with its black cliff and sands. “Embrot!, Meleys!” she commanded, her dragon turning its neck and body towards the cave entrance within the cliff of the Dragonmont.
Inside the air was warm, from the fires of the volcano and the dragons that residing within its belly. Meleys landed gently onto the ground and shifted its body to the side towards a stone platform. Rhaenys unhooked herself from the saddle and climbed off her dragon, petting its neck before the dragonkeepers lured it away to make rest within a cove of its choosing.
Her armour felt heavy against her body, her muscle aching as the fatigue set in; yet her mind raced, there was still much and more to do, and something she needed to discuss with her family; the future of their house, of their place in the realm.
Bit by bit, Rhaenys took off the armour; from the steel braces around her wrists, the black breastplate upon her and chainmail underneath until she gave them her goggles, handing it to one of the servants to clean. She made her way to her chambers; she was greeted to a hot bath waiting for her much to her relief, Rhaenys smiled and thanked the serving girls who stood by it, she allowed herself to sink into the waters and relieve her aching muscles.
For a brief moment as she shut her eyes and forget about the troubles that faced them, about the pain that had been inflicted upon her, upon all of them. Yet those moments were always fleeting, once she forced herself to move once more, change into her clothes, a seagreen dress with silver trimmings, her own act of defiance against the House that spurned her at every turn.
And yet as she looked at herself in the mirror as a servant combed her hair, her eyes looking over the streaks of silver and grey hair that decorated her head.
I am far too old to be so petty…
And yet, she indulged herself this one thing, her own little act of rebellion.
“Princess Rhaenys.” A gentle voice called out to her from the doorway, a servant bowed her head “The Prince Laenor and Princesses Laena and Rhaenyra await your presence in the private dining room.”
“I shall attend at once.” Rhaenys said, the servants followed her as she made her way through the corridors of Dragonstone towards her family’s apartments. Dragonstone was never as beautiful, elegant or lavish as High Tide, never as wealthy or as hospitable. Yet it stood as a symbol of power for House Targeryen, a symbol of power for those who sought the ultimate right.
Guarding the door were four men draped in the colours of the Silver seahorse who bowed their own heads and allowed her in.
Inside, her son sitting at the head of the table and good-daughter sat on one side of a polished table while her daughter sat on the other side, candles illuminated the room with a soft warm glow, a serving girl poured wine into their cups.
“Mother.” Laena turned her head to face her, a servant pulled out the chair next to her. Rhaenys sat down beside her as a plate was set down before her along with her cutlery.
“My Children, Princess Rhaenyra.” Rhaenys greeted them “How fares you all?”
“We are well.” Laenor said, his eyes looking over to Rhaenyra who in turn nodded her head in agreement.
“Laena, my dear, I’d have thought you would be dining with Baelor.” Rhaenys asked.
“He will be supping late, Arnold is still taking council on where best to march and which castles they will need to take.” Laena said.
“I am surprised you would not want to sit on these meetings Laenor and Laena, is it not you and Seasmoke who will be accompanying the Valeman levies once they join with some of our men?”
“When the time comes to march I shall, but for now my focus shall be on organising our joint navies with our Lord-Admiral Cole.” He said “How fares the patrols?” Laenor tore into a piece of bread.
“It seems that Aegon has yet to make a move since the capture of Dragonstone.” Rhaenys said “Still he and his brothers sit in King’s Landing, and whatever naval power they have docked at it’s ports.”
“It seems my craven half-brother still hides behind the walls of the Red Keep despite starting this horrid mess.” Rhaenyra spat, servants came in with trays of food, placing it down upon their plate; a serving of roasted salmon with leeks, mushrooms, cloves and carrots.
“Let him and the others hide behind the Red Keep, our strength continues to grow stronger by the day.” Laenor said.
“As does his, no doubt strength gathers at Highgarden and Casterly Rock to add to whatever he can summon among the lords of the Crownlands.”
“Three kingdoms stand with us, along with the Stepstones.” Rhaenyra said. “More support than what they can gather, we have them surrounded.”
“Until the Starks can bring their Northmen south of the Neck, we only have two kingdoms with us.” Rhaenyra replied “Let us not forget that the Reach and the Rock possess a wealth that others can only dream of.”
“We also have our dragons.” Laena added, cutting into her salmon. “That shall be what decides this war, they have Vhagar and the Cannibal, but they are two to our seven.”
“I would not be comfortable pressing Jacaerys and Visenya into battle, especially against those two.” Laenor said “It would be better if they aided to guard the Narrow Sea, the fighting can be left up to us for now.”
Rhaenys squeezed her fork; the idea of having her grandchildren and their young dragons battle against the might of the elder and monstrous dragons. Yet, she knew their dragons were needed to tip the scales.
“Then two to our five.” Laena corrected herself. “And let us not forget that we also have Vermithor, Sheepstealer and Grey Ghost, still reside on this island.”
“As does Dreamfyre in King’s Landing.” Rhaenys said, she agreed with them and their judgement, yet she knew she needed to challenge them, have them think and solve the issues that arise.
“Unless Daenerys can ride a dragon then we shall not fear Dreamfyre.” Laenor said.
Rhaenys looked up at the servants, eyes quickly drifting from one end of the room to another “Leave us all for a moment, I shall call you back in when ready.” She called out, quickly the servants bowed their heads and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind them.
The others sitting down looked at Rhaenys a little perplexed “Mother?” Laena asked. “Is something the matter?”
“What I wish to discuss I would rather not have anyone ears but ours.” She said “Tell me, when this war is over and, Gods be good, we are victorious, what do you believe will happen afterwards?”
The three all looked at each other “Afterwards?” Laenor asked.
“Who shall sit the Iron throne.” Rhaenys clarified. “Because I can tell you all right now it shall not be Aegon who sits the throne and should a son not be born to him I doubt the lords of the realm will be comfortable crowning a little girl in his place.” She took a sip of the cup near her, steeling herself for the next words “And if we are to be honest with ourselves… I do not see Aemond or Daeron taking his place unless they are willing to allow themselves to be constrained by us, the lords are more than like willing to listen to other claims and the realm may be ripe for a complete change.”
“It is more than like the lords will seek to place Daemon on the Iron throne seeing as it was he would they march in defence of.” Rhaenyra said.
“Daemon is nothing more than figurehead for our side, the banner in which men rally to.” Rhaenys said “That does not mean he shall become king, nor do I believe he would ask for such a thing, I would sooner believe the tales of snarks and grumpkins beyond the Walls than a man as Daemon seeking to take power, especially since he is the last of the three men who brokered the peace that Aegon so eagerly shattered.”
“And what does that have to do with it?” Laena asked.
“His pride is at stake, as well as his legacy.” Rhaenys said “Can you imagine what men will say if he ascends the throne after this war, over his nephews? Men shall call him a Usurper, his good reputation tainted by a peace he failed to keep and a crown than should never have been his.”
“Then what is it you propose?” Rhaenyra asked, yet all around them the answer was clear. And hanged over them like a spectre, that same one that hung over her for decades.
She looked to her son “That Laenor takes the Iron throne.” Her answer fell upon them like a executioners axe. “There is no better solution than that, you are next best candidate for the throne.”
“Mother…” Laenor said “What you speak of-”
“Is the course of action that must be taken.” She interrupted him “Think about it, who else had been given’s a heir’s education than Aegon? Who had previously been the heir to the throne before Aegon? And whose marriage fulfils the requirement of that old treaty?” she argued “Laenor, I know how you feel, the hesitation, but you are a man now, a grandfather yourself.”
“Princess Rhaenys is right.” Rhaenyra spoke up “There is no better outcome than that, no lord in the Seven Kingdoms shares the experience and power you possess, that our family possess.” She turned to him “Your Bannermen will support you, as will the Lords of the Vale, and if we seek further alliances than Visenya’s hand can be used.”
“What of High Tide?” Laena asked “Shall Jace become both the Prince of Dragonstone and the heir to High Tide? Or shall that pass to Lucerys?”
Rhaenys thought of the boy, her youngest grandson; even now doubt plagued her mind over the boy’s heritage, yes she looked like her of that there was no doubt… but she was not blind to Rhaenyra’s ‘affections’ to their lord-admiral.
“That shall be best.” Rhaenyra said.
“Mayhaps it will be best if we also arrange a match with Amada and Lucerys too?” Rhaenys asked. “A way to strengthen the alliance between houses Velaryon and Royce?”
Laena was silent, pressing her lips together, her hands clutching at the knife and fork in her palms. “I think that would be a splendid idea.” Rhaenyra said “Show the realm that we are strong, and that this new royal family is united.”
“That is something I would need to discuss with my husband.” She told them “If we are to do this then Laenor must be the one to say so.” Laena turned to her brother “It his he who would wear the crown, it should be his choice.”
Rhaenys pressed her lips together and watched her son, willing him to answer and say it; the words that would set them on their course and bring them to where they should have been all those years ago.
Laenor looked to the table and then to the ceiling, no doubt thinking of what his late father would have thought. And yet all in that room would have known what Corlys would have desired. He looked to her. “Then it shall.”
Rhaenys smiled for a moment before her face turned stern “We must engage with the other lords, speak to them and listen, make them malleable to the idea of putting you on the Iron Throne.” She told them “Laenor, finish your dinner and head to the meeting between the Lords of the Vale, you must be seen speaking and leading them.”
“No doubt when the time comes we shall march with the armies of other lords whom we will need to convince of our plans.” Rhaenyra said “I am to fly south to Storm’s End, after I shall write letters to our bannermen affirming their allegiance.”
“I shall meet you there.” Rhaenys said.
“I am to join with Laenor, through the Riverlands, that is more than like where the Lannister host will march and we must cut them off at the Goldroad before as you and Rhaenyra must cut off the Reach at the roads there.” Laena said.
"Daemon is said to be off to Riverrun; a message had been recieved from our cousin Princess Alyssa asking that she discuss with him regarding the war, word had been sent to High Tide and Jacaerys has agreed to wait for the arrival of the ten thousand Northmen from White Harbour to then lead the attack Rook's Rest." Laenor said "Our House shall be leading the main armies across the field."
Rhaenys smiled; her cousin was allowing them the power to control the war, dictate it's plans and tactics even if the larger strategy was his, something that will play into their hands when the time comes. “We shall win.” Rhaenys said “And when all is said and done, it shall be our family that rules Westeros.”
More than had a fortnight had passed since that day, Rhaenys once more was on the back of her dragon as she flew them both south through the Narrow Sea towards the home of her mother. The waters of the sea were restless, impatient and weary. On the horizon came the familiar cliffs of which the waves crashed upon, sat upon it was the massive fortress of Storm’s End, growing closer and closer by the second.
As she passed over the cliff, flying over the fortress she looked upon the mass of tents and banners that formed just outside the gates of the castle, through the sound of the rushing wind against her ear she could still hear the cheers from those below, the camps and tents seemed to go on as far as the eyes could see yet Rhaenys knew that what was before her could not be the full strength of her mother’s House.
“Embrot! Meleys!” she commanded, striking her whip, the dragon hummed deeply before making his descend towards the ground, landing upon an open courtyard of Storm’s End as a group of men greeted her, Meleys touched upon the ground and lowered her neck as Rhaenys climbed off, greeting her was one of Boros’s daughter.
The girl looked pretty enough, dark hair and deep blue eyes that seemed to follow House Baratheon “Princess Rhaenys.” She smiled, bowing her head, yet as she raised it she could not help but note the sharpness of her smile and glint in her eyes. “I am lady Cassandra, firstborn daughter of Lord Boros.”
“I thank you, cousin.” Rhaenys said, to her side the ground of guards tepidly lured Meleys away with some goats. “I shall speak with Lord Boros at once.” Cassandra bowed her head again and walked beside her. “
“I hope that Storm’s End shall be to you liking.” Cassandra said. “It is rather a beautiful and strong castle.”
And one that you hope you or your son will inherit…
“It is, I had many memories of visiting with my Lady mother during my youth.” Rhaenys said. “It seems much has changed since then.” They approached the steps to the keep, the sun striking against the coloured glass “Your father had once planned to arrange a match between yourself and my grandson Lucerys, until my cousin Daemon struck a better bargain.”
“Of that I know.” Cassandra said.
“And how does that make you feel?”
Your hand for glass.
“I would have been honoured to join our houses, but I am also happy of my match with lord Yorwyck, I am excited by the prospect.” Cassandra said “I am fortune that many great Houses would see fit to via for my hand, yours included.” Her smile became more polite and yet Rhaenys knew; Cassandra was glad, a woman who found herself with Storm’s End possibly in her grasp, she could rule as either Lady or Regent one day, all she need to do was quickly marry Daemon’s grandson.
The doors of the keep opened before them, leading to the Great Hall, a round chamber of grey stone walls with yellow banner of the stag hanging, at the centre stood a dais of three steps and a throne of carved stone where her cousin Boros sat.
“Princess, Rhaenys, dear cousin.” Boros announced, his voice booming off the walls of the keep. “I hope your travels have been easy.”
“As easy as they could be.” Rhaenys replied, Boros turned to those in the chamber, waving them away. Quickly Cassandra and the guards before Boros looked to his Maester, pointing at him to stay. When the chamber was cleared did Rhaenys speak. “I suppose there is a good reason as to why you have called for my presence so soon.” She said “I had thought that it would take a moon’s turn before you had assembled your host to it’s full strength.”
Boros looked at the maester, an old man with more wrinkles than hair who quickly handed her a piece of parchment, Rhaenys unravelled it “Received word from Lord Cafferen, says that the Tyrells have summon their men faster and have marched into the Stormlands.”
“Already?” Rhaenys questioned “More than like the Houses close to your border have gathered their strength and marched quickly.”
“Mayhaps but the letter says his men counted over ten thousand in levies, men-at-arms and knights.” Boros said “Invading my lands, burning my villages and my lords’ keeps, I shall not sit and wait till my host is strong enough to act.” He declared “I will march into battle, drive them out of the Stormlands with your aid as mine grandfather had done with King Jaehaerys against the Vulture King.”
“A bold idea.” Rhaenys said “I shall join you, with Meleys we shall drive the Reachmen back against their boarders.”
“And mayhaps take the fight to them!” Boros continued “March on Highgarden and crush them!”
“No.” Rhaenys told him sternly “You are aware of the plan, we shall move to secure the Roseroad and the Kingswood.”
“Ah yes, this grand plan of his, trying to limit the battles into the Crownlands.” Boros looked unimpressed, no doubt he would desire to fight wherever it was needed than force the loyalist into chosen battles and limit himself “And if those flowery bastards decide to start another incursion into my lands?”
“That is why another dragon rider will come south to Storm’s End.” Rhaenys said “My Good-daughter Princess Rhaenyra shall be here too, once she has settled business at High Tide.”
“I assume your grandson shall guard the waters between the Narrow Sea and Blackwater Bay?” Boros asked.
“Along with mine granddaughter, she too is a dragon rider.”
“Lets us hope that it doesn’t come to having her do so.” Boros replied.
“Yes, let us hope so.” Rhaenys said “Tell me dear cousin, what do you envision the end of the war to be?”
“It is far too soon to be thinking of the end of the war.” Boros said “I have no doubt in our victory but let us win a few battles first before thinking of peace.”
“Quite, but I would only ask for your opinion, should we become victorious, who do you see will govern Westeros, rebuild it?”
“It shan’t be Aegon, of that I am certain.” He said “And I would need to be convinced as to if Princes Aemond or Daeron will be better, if anything I would speak to placing Prince Daemon upon the throne.” He smiled. “Seeing as he was the one who we all are rallying behind.”
Rhaenys smiled back and shook her head gently enough to hide her disapproval; of course that is the outcome he would desire, his blood on the Iron throne one day. “I doubt that Daemon would seek the throne, he has been far too meek to grasp at power in such a way.”
“Stranger things have happened, cousin.” Boros replied “After all… we are in a war not thought to have been possible.”