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Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or Westeros

Daemon had abandoned her again.

Rhaenyra stood by an archway in a corridor outside of the throne room and watched as Caraxes and Vhagar flew away from the dragon pit, across King's Landing and off into the distance.

This was the third time in three years. It really shouldn't be unexpected. That the person she loved the most was leaving her.

The night of her mother's funeral, then three years later at the brothel, and finally now at her wedding. The wedding she was forced to have because he took her to a brothel and abandoned her there. Abandoned her to face the consequences alone. She knew it wasn't all his fault. She was to blame too. After all, she had trusted him. Like a loyal dog. No matter how much its master abandoned it or for how long, as long as their master came back eventually, the dog would be there, wagging its tail and ready to give its master unconditional love, all past hurt from being abandoned now forgotten.

That was what she was. Daemon's dog. His bitch. His loyal hound who would always welcome him back no matter what he did. He knew it too. That's why it didn't matter what he did. He knew with complete certainty she would forgive him. That she would welcome him back. Her love was unconditional whereas it seemed everyone else had conditions and restrictions in place. All he needed to do was smile, bring her a pretty trinket or jewelry, tell her how he missed home, and all would be forgiven and forgotten. Until it happened again.

Her father only seemed to love Daemon when he obeyed, although that often seemed to be true about her too. Rhaenys and Corlys, although more sympathetic, knew how problematic Daemon could become and did not seek him out unless it was to their benefit. As such, Daemon knew he needed to please these people and follow what they wanted if he was to be accepted.

He would always choose her father, his brother, over her. She knew that now no matter how much it hurt. Because no matter what happened he thought she would love him, whereas her father would exile him if Daemon did not obey.

She had thought he had come for her. To save her from the mess he made for her. To save her from an unwanted marriage. To protect her and love her. To take her away and make her his wife. Well he had intended to do that. He had intended to save her from the mess of an unwanted marriage, he had wanted to protect and love her, he had wanted to make her his wife. It was just that the 'her' was not Rhaenyra.

It was her cousin, Laena Velaryon.

Young, beautiful, rich, a Valyrian Dragonrider. It was everything her Uncle ever wanted for himself and, unlike his first wife, no one can say Daemon was forced into this one. Not when it was the two of them who left together during the commotion that had ruined the feast of what should have been the opening celebration of her wedding. The first of seven days of celebration.

Was she so desperate for love that she allowed herself to be used and tossed aside by people? Even her own family?

Yes. That was the truth of it. She had no one. So she hung onto any and every kind word or bit of affection hoping that if she loved the person enough they would stay with her. Fight for her. Keep her safe. And maybe above all, choose her.

This was a hard lesson to learn but an important one.

Rhaenyra took a deep breath.

Someone could stay with her, someone could fight for her, and someone could choose her above all else.

She could do that.

She could fight for her rights, she could fight for her throne and not become another 'Queen That Never Was', she could keep herself safe, and above all, she could choose herself.

Her father was weak. Always has been. But for him to take away her choice of husband when he himself married someone he wanted to, someone who offered no benefit to the Crown aside from 'pleasing' the King, was unforgivable. For him to tell her she was to marry her cousin to fix his mistakes, fix his slights to the Velaryon when he took a daughter of a second son to wife and then ignored the war in the Stepstones, was infuriating. What made this situation even worse was that he was marrying her to someone who could never give her children!

Her father insists that this marriage would strengthen her claim to the throne, but everyone knew of Laenor's preference. Everyone! Only her father would ignore, or deliberately refuse to see, what was right before his eyes if it meant that he could continue in his own peacefully undisturbed existence. A king who expects everyone else to sacrifice themselves for the greater good but never himself.

This man says he wanted her to become Queen but his own actions would instead cause her to be known as 'Barren' or 'Whore' depending on what choice she would have to make when she and Laenor finally succumb to the already foreseen conclusion.

"Princess" a voice called behind her.

She turned and saw Ser Harrold Westerling.

"Yes, Ser?", she replied.

Ser Harrold was as stoic as ever but she thought she could trace a bit of grief and anger in his gaze although she didn't think the anger was directed at her. "Princess, the King has commended you to return to the Throne room. The Septon is ready".

Princess Rhaenyra sighed and walked to the Kingsguard. "So this is to be my wedding?",she murmured softly. "Married with the blood of my bridegroom's murdered lover staining my wedding dress. The heir to the Throne married hastily after all of the guests fled from the room after a bloody brawl with only a handful of people in the room, one who had just declared war on me".

Ser Harrold’s armour creaked as he gave a little jolt.

"Princess", he exclaimed. "No one declared war. No one would be that foolish to declare open war on the heir to the Iron Throne", he said in an attempt to offer some comfort.

Rhaenyra looked at him and smiled bitterly, “They would if they knew the King would do nothing. Which is exactly what happened. Tell me Ser Harrold, did you like the Queen’s dress?”.

The Head of the Kingsguard was silent. Eventually all he could say was, “the King is waiting for you”.

“Then let's not make him wait any longer”, Rhaenyra replied. “After all”, she couldn’t help but add, “it is apparently now my wedding day and this day is all about making sure he gets what he wants”.

As the two of them walked back in the direction of the Throne room she begged whatever Gods would hear her to please help her. She had finally decided that she needed to take control of her life and her safely. ‘Is it too late?’, she thought as she slowed her steps but kept walking. Ser Harrold did not make mention of her slowing down. Simply adjusted himself so that he was always behind her. ‘Have I wasted too much time? If given the chance I promise I will not waste it’, she thought. ‘I’ll convince my father to give me a seat on the counsel’, something I should have had for years she thought bitterly. ‘I’ll bring in ladies to work on allies, I’ll take over more duties in the keep and around the city’. Although she knew now that with Alicent actively working against her that each day would be a bitter battle as whatever suggestion she tried to make to secure her own position, Alicent would be right there trying to undermine her by getting the King to her own side.

As Rhaenyra and Ser Harrold entered the Throne room she saw the Princess Rhaenys and Corlys standing next to their son who was now crying softly into a handkerchief. King Viserys was standing in front of the centre of the high table next to the Septon along with three other Kingsguards. Alicent was standing a few feet away in her beacon of war dress. The new Hand, Lyonel Strong, and his son Ser Harwin were also there. She should really thank Ser Harwin, thought Rhaenyra. He did come and rescue her when the fighting broke out despite her calls for Daemon as that was when he abandoned her.

“There she is”, said King Viserys sounding quite weak but still determined that this wedding should happen now without any delay. “Septon, let us begin”.

Just as she walked up to the Septon and Laenor was pushed forward by his father, it happened.

King Viserys, first of his name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, gave out a low cry, and collapsed to the ground.

“Father!” Rhaenyra cried as she hurriedly rushed to his side and dropped to the ground next to the King as Lyonel Strong and the Kingsguard did the same.

“Someone get a Maester!” she heard someone cry.

Rhaenrya looked up and saw that both Princess Rhaenys and Corlys looked quite worried as did Ser Harwin whereas Laenor was still sniffling into his handkerchief. She doubted he would register anything after what happened earlier. She also looked at Alicent who also looked very worried. Rhaenyra noticed that she was anxiously picking at her fingers. 

Despite her worry for her father Rhaenyra was still the odd combination of bitterness and numbness towards the man who so blatantly ignored his wife’s treason against his heir and towards this former friend of hers who decided to call her allies to aid her in displacing Rhaenyra as heir. So she couldn’t help but think, ‘you picked the wrong day to declare war, Hightower. My father may not be willing to protect me, but I will. You wanted to wage war against the House of the Dragon. Then so be it. And everyone will know, no matter what happens, that it was you who declared war first. All deaths, all destruction, all pain and misery, will be laid at your feet, not mine.’

Rhaenyra stepped away from her father as the Maester came running, dropping to his knees beside the King and quickly examining him.

After a moment or two she saw the Maester speak softly. The Hand and Ser Harrold looked at each other and nodded. They slowly got up and faced the room.

“The King is dead”, cried Ser Harrold. His voice booming in the near empty Throne room.

He then turned to her. It felt like an eternity but could not have been more than a second or two.

“Long live Queen Rhaenyra”.

Chapter Text

Rhaenyra had been lucky her father died at such a convenient time and place.

‘I suppose it was the least he could have done’, Rhaenyra thought bitterly.

King Viserys died with only a handful of witnesses and most of them were loyal to Rhaenyra. Thankfully because of the bloodshed from earlier not even the servants were lurking around. Perhaps trying to hide so that they would not be called upon to clean up the mess. 

Otto Hightower was long gone to Oldtown and the only Small Council member was the Hand, Lyonel Strong. Then there was Lyonel’s son Ser Harwin who was a member of the Gold Cloaks, the Velaryons, the Septon, the Maester, Alicent and four of the Kingsguard. Well Queensguard now.

Once Ser Harrold proclaimed her Queen, the others followed suit.

All except the former Queen Alicent, the Septon and Maester and unnervingly Ser Fell, one of the now supposedly Queensguard. They did not kneel.

‘This is a problem that needs to be fixed quickly’, Rhaenyra thought. The Kingsguard were in constant proximity with the Royal family. If they could be swayed away from their vows to the Targaryen family it would be easy for her to be disposed of. ‘Or easy for them to sneak someone away’, Rhaenyra thought as she looked at Alicent. Thinking back, Rhaenyra remembered that Otto often had a Kingsguard with him and more often than not it was Ser Fell. 

‘I will have to speak to Rhaenys and Corlys about this’, thought Rhaenyra. Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys had been around the Red Keep for years and were used to seeing Kingsguard guarding the Hand. Rhaenyra needed to know who else was in close relationship with the old Hand from her guard. 

Alicent insisted that it was too soon for anything to be finalized and that Viserys needed to be given a proper burial before his successor was crowned.

Rhaenyra internally sneered, ‘You are fooling no one’ she thought. ‘You just want time to gather your allies. Your father is gone, your allies have disappeared at the first sign of a fight, and now you want time to formulate your plan to put your dragonless Hightower half breed on a Targaryen throne. Not going to happen’.

Rhaenyra knew if she needed to secure her position she needed to act quickly and decisively.

Rhaenyra first commended Ser Harwin to go and bring to the keep as many of the Gold Cloaks as possible that were loyal to Daemon. He was to get his men to secure the Keep. No one in or out unless directly authorized by her. He was then to report back to her in the Small Council room.

Ser Harwin was also ordered to send two dozen men directly to her in the throne room as soon as possible as she required the use of loyal men immediately.

Even if Daemon had abandoned her everyone knew that he would kill anyone that hurt her, ‘It is a shame he never considered his own actions when they came to her,’ Rhaenyra thought. And even if they were loyal to Daemon and not necessarily her, Rhaenyra knew that they would follow her if only to prevent Otto’s grandson from becoming King. Everyone knew Daemon hated anything to do with the Hightowers.

Rhaenyra then ordered Ser Erryk to make arrangements to secure the guests in their rooms. No word of the King’s death could reach the people until she had had a chance to converse with the members of the Small Council. Ser Erryk was then to report to the Small Council room once the Gold Cloaks took over securing the monitoring of the Keep.

Ser Steffon was then ordered to secure the rookery. No ravens were to leave the keep until Rhaenyra said so. He too was to report to the Small Council room once Gold Cloaks arrived to take over guarding the rookery.

“Princess”, a voice said behind her. Rhaenyra stayed still and continued facing the entrance of the throne room. She wished that the Gold Cloaks she had requested Ser Harwin to send to her right away would come as she thought of her next moves. 

“Princess”, the voice said again. Rhaenyra continued to ignore it.

In the corner of her eye Rhaenyra saw Princess Rhaenys step forward. “Yes Maester?” she asked. “Are you able to tell us anything about the King’s death?”

“I mean no disrespect Princess Rhaenys”, old Maester Mellos said in a soft voice, “but I was speaking to Princess Rhaenyra”.

Princess Rhaenys turned to Rhaenyra and then back to the Maester, “I am sorry Maester but you must be confused. I am the only Princess in this room. Of the two other women, one is now a dowager Queen and the other is Queen Regnant.” 

Rhaenyra smiled. She had many doubts about Princess Rhaenys but now she knew for sure that Rhaenys would support her as Queen. It was just a question as to how much support that would be. Rhaenyra needed that support. Now that Daemon and Laena had left there were only three dragon riders left in King’s Landing. As Rhaenyra would have to stay in the Red Keep she would have to rely on Rhaenys and Laenor to gather her support if it was required. Rhaenyra turned slightly to look at Laenor. He looked slightly better. At least he wasn’t crying or sniffling into a handkerchief anymore. ‘Yes’, she thought, ‘I need their support.’. She turned slightly more and looked at Corlys, ‘and he definitely knows it’. 

Rhaenyra needed to keep the support of the Velaryons and, as she knew she would not marry Laenor, she needed to think quickly of what would keep them on her side. The fact that many people’s last memory of the bridegroom before they fled the throne room would have been of him crying over the dead body of his ‘friend’ would help. Even Corlys had to admit it didn’t look good. It wouldn’t be enough but it was a place to start. Especially if she could speak to Rhaenys first and get her to agree that Laenor would not be the husband she needed. 

She needed someone who could give her heirs without a hint of scandal. There could be no question of her children as being anything other than the true born heirs of the first reigning Queen of Westeros.

She also needed a consort who would not try to rule through her. Someone who would be loyal. If her husband was unfaithful it could be used against her. If she couldn’t keep control of her own husband then people would ask how she could keep control of a kingdom. That was a tall order though and one not many men would agree to. Men were too accustomed to having easy access to all the whores money and power could buy even from a young age. Rhaenyra also needed someone who accepted that their children would be Targaryens (another thing she could scream at her father for). 

Her children needed to be Targaryens. It was a Targaryen throne. Taking the name Targaryen only when it came time for them to rule was absurd. What if they didn’t take the throne until they were in their fourth or fifth decade of life? What if they were already parents or grandparents and their children had the non-Targaryen name? It would just cause too much of a problem and would be another thing for her half brother’s supporters to use against her. Her children would not be Targaryen. Why should they inherit a Targaryen throne when the King had a son who would pass the name down to his children.

“Ah hmm”, a throat cleared behind her. 

“Queen Rhaenyra”, it started. Finally Rhaenyra turned and addressed the Maester.

“Yes, Maester?” 

“Perhaps it would be best if Queen Alicent and myself leave to begin the preparation for King Viserys’ funeral”, he said.

Alicent quickly agreed. ‘Yes. Let us leave with the Septon to - “

Rhaenyra quickly cut her off. “No one is leaving this room until everything is secure”.

“That is a wise decision Your Grace”, noted Lyonel Strong. “The death of a ruler can cause fear for the people. It is best for the kingdom if the transition from one ruler to the next is smooth and for that we cannot have the people panicking or”, Lyonel shot a quick glance at Alicent, “people trying to prevent the peaceful transition of power to the rightful ruler”.

Thankfully at that moment several Gold Cloaks entered and bowed to her.

“Your Grace”, one said. “Ser Harwin sent us”.

Rhaenyra smiled. “Excellent” she said and started issuing her last orders before she could leave.

Queen Dowager Alicent was to be escorted to her chambers and not permitted any visitors unless they were the Queen herself. 

Alicent argued and fought but it was of no use.

“If you will not go quietly then you will be carried and gagged’, Rhaenyra snapped. 

“Viserys was my husband”, Alicent cried. “And I am the Queen! You cannot order me to be carried to my chambers! And what of my children!? What will you do to them?”.

“They are my siblings. What did you think I was going to do?”. Rhaenyra ordered the Gold Cloaks away with Alicent.

The Gold Cloaks were also to replace the Kingsguard, now Queensguard, that were currently watching her siblings as they were to report to the Small Council room. In a small mercy Rhaenyra ordered that her siblings would be taken to their mother’s chambers and they would stay together until everything was decided. Rhaenyra wasn’t sure if that was the right decision, but at the moment it meant that at least those problems were together under guards.

To ease some of her worries about this, Rhaenyra told the Gold Cloaks that there were to be guards outside and inside of the Dowager Queen’s chambers. Armed and ready at all times. No matter what Alicent said.

Other Gold Cloaks were ordered to go with the body of her father to begin the preparations for the funeral. The Silent Sisters had to be called and Rhaenyra wanted a full report on what killed her father. The Maester and Septon were to go with them. Rhaenyra stepped closer to the Gold Cloaks who were to carry out this order. “Make sure those two never leave your sight”, she whispered to the men. “Ser Harwin should be bringing more men to man the inside of the Keep. Take more men if you need it but those two are never to be without someone watching them. Anything suspicious happens you are to report it to me immediately. Interrupt any meeting I might be having. Wake me if I am asleep in my chambers. I want to know if those two will be a problem”.

The men nodded their understanding and, after lifting her father’s body that Ser Harrold had thoughtfully covered with his white cloak after King Viserys was proclaimed dead, they took her father away. 

Rhaenyra walked over to Lord Strong. “Lord Strong”, she began, “Summon the members of the Small Council and meet me there shortly. I have instructed Ser Harwin and all members of the Queensguard to report there as well. We need to secure our next steps. My father’s death was unexpected and there are questions that need answering and decisions that have to be made before the morning. We cannot keep the King’s death a secret for long as it will look like we are hiding something. However it will be acceptable to wait until the morning”.

“At once Your Grace”, replied Lord Strong.

“Ser Fell, please accompany Lord Strong. There will be a lot of men in the Keep and I do not want him or the other members of the Small Council to be detained”. 

Ser Fell nodded and left with Lord Strong. It did not escape Rhaenyra’s notice that he had not  kneeled and now did not address her as ‘Your Grace’. Small things that could be easily explained away. But put together it made her uneasy.

All that was left in the throne room was Rhaenyra, Ser Harrold, Princess Rhaenys, Coryls, and Laenor.

“Your Grace now that we are but with family”, Corlys began, disregarding Ser Harrold as the man used to be Rhaenyra’s sworn shield for the majority of her life and so Corlys did not fear his words being heard, “what of the marriage?”.

Rhaenyra looked at her cousin. She cared deeply for Laenor and it was not only of herself she thought of when she came to the conclusion that the marriage could not happen. Laenor might be able to find happiness married to a woman, but not one who would be Queen. His every move, word, action, would be under constant scrutiny from people wishing to discredit her. Marriage to Laenor was supposed to give her support but instead he would become one of her biggest problems. Not to mention that he would have to live in the Red Keep and walk in the same place his lover was killed.

Speaking of which, that was something Rhaenyra could do right now.

“What happened to Ser Criston, Ser Harrold?”. Poor Laenor jumped at the name and looked around as if the murderer would suddenly reappear.

“I understand that he was apprehended and is being held in one of the cells for judgement”, Ser Harrold replied.

“Not the black cells?” Rhaenyra questioned.

“Dowager Queen Alicent insisted that the black cells were unjust as we did not know the full story of what happened”. was the response.

‘Of course’, she thought.

“Lord Corlys”, Rhaenyra began, “Due to the insult and tragedy that had befallen on House Velaryon while under the invitation and protected of House Targaryen, the perpetrator, Ser Criston Cole, will be given to you for justice to be dealt with as you see fit”.

Lord Corlys eyes gleamed and he nodded. “That is most acceptable Your Grace”.

Rhaenyra continued, “The matter of my marriage will be discussed in the upcoming days”.

She saw Coryls about to interrupt but she held up her hand and continued.

“Despite the importance of my marriage, securing my Crown will have to take priority”.

Rhaenyra looked back and forth between Princess Rhaenys and Corlys.

“Neither of you are unintelligent. You know what happened with the former Queen and that dress. She was calling her banners to war to usurp my throne and place her not yet three year old son on it”. 

Rhaenyra’s eyes burned.

“I refuse to allow that to happen. 

Rhaenyra took a breath and looked at the two of them standing straight and unflinching.

“Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys, this is an unprecedented time”, Rhaenyra began. “I will be Queen. I will not allow another to take my throne. Can I count on your support?”

“House Velaryon will stand by you, Your Grace”, Lord Coryls bowed his head. Princess Rhaenys followed with her own confirmation of support.

“I would like both of you to be present in the Small Council room when I meet with the members and the Queensguard shortly. I will require your knowledge and support”.

Coryls nodded as if it was to be expected that he would be asked to take part in this meeting.

“Of course we will be there. Do you require Laenor?”, asked Princess Rhaenys.

Rhaenyra replied, “No, he can be free to return to his rooms as long as he says nothing of what occurred here. Nothing must get out until decisions have been made”.

“Then we will escort him to our chambers and then head to the Small Council”, says Princess Rhaenys looking at her husband who nodded back.

“I intend to quickly make my way back to my own chambers and change before going to the Small Council. The walk there will give me an idea as to how the Gold Cloaks are doing in securing the Keep. I will see you both shortly”, Rhaenyra said. With a nod at Ser Harrold and a sad smile to Laenor, Rhaenyra left the throne room and quickly made her way to her chamber. Around her she could see Gold Cloaks as well as castle guards patrolling the corridors and guarding doors and entrance ways. She noticed that every castle guard had at least one or two Gold Cloaks with them. 

‘Clever thinking Ser Harwin’, Rhaenyra thought. ‘Otto Hightower has been here a long time and these past few years he has grown more determined to see his blood on the throne. Of course he may have secured the loyalty of some castle guards’. Another thing Rhaenyra would have to thank Ser Harwin for. She needed people around her who would not only take and follow her orders, but would proactively support and protect her.

On arriving at her chambers Rhaenyra quickly changed out of her blood stained dress and undid her hair. She hurriedly redid it with Valyrian braids and went back out to meet Ser Harrold who was standing guard by her door.

“To the Small Council Ser Harrold”, said Rhaenyra. 

Time to tell some of the most important people in the Kingdom that there was a new Queen.

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do not own Westeros or the characters in it

The Small Council was assembled.

The members had been roused from their chambers and were awaiting the King. Rhaenyra had initially sent Ser Harrold in first to see who all were there.

Ser Harrold came back and reported that all Small Council members, aside from Mellos, were there, along with the Queensguard and Ser Harwin.

Rhaenyra decided to wait a bit. She wanted all parties present in the room before discussions were made. The absence of the Velaryons did not cause her concern as they had been the last to leave the throne room along with Ser Harrold and Rhaenyra. They also would need to see to Laenor but Rhaenyra did not expect that to take long. Princess Rhaenys and Corlys would certainly make haste. They would want to know what would be happening.

The sound of hurried footsteps reached her and Rhaenyra was shocked to see both Rhaenya and Corlys looked worried and fearful. Rhaenyra became concerned. If it was something with Laenor she did not have time to deal with it. If the two of them had seen something worrisome then that might mean the news of her father’s death was already known, or perhaps suspected.

Rhaenys and Corlys reached Rhaenyra.

“We cannot find Laena!”, Rhaenys quickly told her.

Oh, thought Rhaenyra. That.

Corlys looked around as if his daughter would suddenly appear. “She wasn’t in her room or any of our chambers. We had assumed she went back there during the commotion but we couldn’t find her. Our guards told us she had not come back there and that none had seen her since we went to the throne room”.

Rhaenyra held up her hands to calm them both. “I apologize that I had not thought to tell you earlier. But before my father’s death I saw both Vhagar and Caraxes leave King’s Landing”.

Rhaenys gasped, “Together?”.

Rhaenyra explained to them both what she saw and advised she could offer no other explanation. She did not know why they left, where they had gone to, or when they would return as she merely witnessed the dragons fly off. She had an idea as to the ‘why’ and she suspected the other two did as well but even Rhaenys and Corlys agreed that now was not the time to get into it. They knew now that Laena was at least safe. Nothing would harm her when she was with Vhagar.

Rhaenyra had a quick moment of thought. She needed the Velaryons and they, or at least Corlys, wanted his blood on the throne. If Rhaenyra wanted to get out of her father’s deal with the Velaryons to marry her to Laenor, perhaps she could use Daemon and Laena to pacify any slighted feelings. At least Corlys would have a Prince of the blood and a dragon rider for a goodson. And since she was now Queen, Rhaenyra now had the authority to grant or forbid any member of the Targaryen family from having dragon eggs or claiming a dragon, Another thought then came to her….

Rhaenyra motioned to the Velayrons to enter first and then for Ser Harrold to announce her. She had already told him what to say.

“Queen Rhaenyra, first of her name, Queen of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm”.

Rhaenyra walked into the room to the shock of many and strided towards her father’s chair - her chair now, and sat down.

“My Lords and Lady”, Rhaenyra nodded at the members in the room, “Please be seated”.

After an hour the Small Council meeting was going rather well as things considered.

The news of the King’s death had not been known, nor was there even a hint of rumor. People seemed to think that the added guards and the orders to remain in their chambers was due to the actions of Ser Criston and that safety precautions were being taken to ensure nothing else happened.

Lord Lyman Beesbury, Master of Coins, offered his sincere regret at the sudden passing of the King whereas Lords Tyland Lannister and Jasper Wylde merely nodded and looked uneasy.

“Your Grace”, asked the Hand, “where is Prince Daemon? I had expected him to be here”.

Rhaenyra noted that both Tyland Lannister and Jasper Wylde both straighten with that question. No doubt wondering what had happened to the Rogue Prince and where he could be now.

“Do not worry about my Uncle, Lord Hand”, she started confidently. “Both he and my cousin Lady Laena are assisting me with a pressing matter and we should hear from them soon”. No point in telling the Lords that her uncle and her cousin, both riding large war dragons, were no longer in the capital to assist her. Best to let it be known that they were somewhere that she ordered them to go. The truth would cause her problems while the lie would cause uncertainty and nervousness for her enemies. If Daemon was here they at least knew where he was and the danger he presented, but if they didn’t know where he was…well he could be anywhere, ready to strike at any moment.

She exchanged a look with the Velyrons hoping they would keep up that ruse. Small nods were returned to her.

“The death of a King and transition to a new ruler is oftentimes accompanied by violence and bloodshed”, Rhaenyra began. “However, in this case the transition from my father to myself can occur smoothly if people do not use this time to try to elevate their own personal standing. The people in this room have the responsibility to ensure that the realm remains safe and peaceful and that includes ensuring that the rightful heir ascends the Throne without issue”.

She took a moment to look at each person in the room, from council members to Queenguards, Ser Harwin and the Velyrons, before continuing, “I am my father’s heir. I have been named such for over three years and this has never changed. Not upon my father’s remarriage, nor the birth of my half-siblings, despite the fact that many assumed that my brother, Prince Aegon, would displace me as heir. I have the backing of the Vale through my mother’s house, the support of the north by vow and honour, and the Stormlands through kinship. I also have houses in all three of the other regions ready to support my claim as well as in the Crownlands and the remaining houses of Valyria. All current dragonriders are sworn to me. My closest kin and some that, I admit, many would prefer to see on the throne, is a boy of less than three. He is the great nephew of a Lord of a minor house. He has no relation to any of the great houses. In fact, their overlords the Tyrells are rather displeased at the heights their bannerman have risen. Lastly, he does not even process a dragon. For those that do not support me, it is that they would support. And in doing so subject the realm to a thirteen year regency at the very least”.

Rhaenyra turned to Tyland Lannister and spoke coldly, “House Lannister does not fight in a war it will not win. I trust all what I have said has already occurred to you and your brother”.

Tyland gaped for a moment before he found his voice, “Of course your, Your Grace. House Lannister is a faithful servant of the realm and to go against the King’s chosen heir would be treason”.

“Good. With the support of most of the realm, those that do not would be fools to do otherwise”.

“Pardon me, your Grace”, asked Lord Jasper, “but what about Queen Alicent and her children?”

“They are together in Queen Alicent’s chambers under guard like the rest of Keep”.

Rhaenyra then took the time to question the Queensguard who she had previously given orders to.

Ser Erryk reported that the guests were all secure and ordered not to leave their chambers. He noted that the Gold Cloaks and castle guards were working to ensure that the hallways remained empty. Ser Harwin interjected and noted that the Keep was on complete shutdown and that all entrances were being monitored with orders that no one was to enter or leave until permission was granted by herself.

Ser Steffon reported that the rookery was secure. He has removed all acolytes from the room and barred the door until the Gold Cloaks replaced him and they told him they had been given the same orders that he had been.

Rhaenyra then turned to the proper business of the meeting.

She advised that the King Viserys’ body was being examined for cause of death and then would be treated by the Silent Sisters for preparation for the funeral.

She announced that in the morning all of the Lords and Ladies of the Keep would be ordered to assemble in the Throne room where the death of King Viserys would be announced with the funeral to be held the next day as tomorrow was needed to make the final arrangements.

Rhaenyra would then be proclaimed as Queen and ravens sent to advise every House of the realm the news. It would also be noted in the ravens that six months after her coronation, a grand celebration would be held where all Houses must be present to swear their fealty to their new Queen, at which time her marriage would also occur. Though she made sure she didn’t say to whom it would be to.

Rhaenyra did not like having to marry in six months but she knew the longer she remained unwed the more the Lords would complain which would slowly weaken her. She needed to secure her position and she didn’t feel she could wait any longer than that. Announcing it now would relieve some worries of her becoming queen while unwed.

Six months would also give her some time to start some projects she wanted to implement in King’s Landing, decide upon ladies-in-waiting and send ravens requesting them to accept the position, and to have a plan on how to impress the Lords of the realm. She had many ideas but could not speak of those yet.

In terms of her coronation, the week-long wedding celebration would in turn become a five day celebration with her coronation to follow on the seventh day, five after her father’s funeral. Her former wedding day will now become her coronation.

The bells would ring tomorrow so that all of King’s Landing would learn of the death of the King and she would be proclaimed as Queen throughout the streets. Tomorrow bread would be given in memory of her father and the next day, the day of his funeral, some of the food that would have been used at the feast planned for that day were to be given to the people to celebrate his life. A smaller, more subdued feast in his honour would occur at the Keep.

“Is that such a good idea, your Grace?”, cautioned Lord Lyonel. “My advice would be to be crowned as soon as possible.”

“I agree, your Grace”, second Princess Rhaenys. “Any delay has the potential to cause issues with the succession”.

“I appreciate both of your concerns and understand them”, replied Rhaenyra. “However, this must proceed with proper decorum. The former King must have a proper funeral and there must be time for a coronation to be prepared. I will be announced Queen tomorrow after my father's death has been announced and ravens will be sent to all Houses in the realm. There will only be six days from the announcement of my father’s death to my coronation. And naturally, all Lords and Ladies at the Keep will swear their fealty tomorrow as I am already Queen by right of blood and birthright”.

Rhaenyra then announced the meeting to be at an end. It was late and there would be an early start in the morning. She asked for Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys to remain behind, as well as the Hand and Ser Harwin. Ser Harrold also stayed as Lord Commander of the Queensguard.

“This is foolish, your Grace”, immediately started Corlys. “The Crown symbolizes power, legitimacy, and Kingship. If someone else is proclaimed King and is wearing a Crown some people would automatically gravitate towards that person as the true ruler”.

“I understand all of your concerns, but there is a reason for this delay”.

Rhaenyra explained that she believed that certain Small Council members, members of Houses currently housed in the Keep, and even members of her own Queensguard and castle guard could not be trusted and wanted to secure Aegon for the throne.

She noted what had occurred with Ser Willis Fell in the throne room. “I noticed that he was always close to Otto Hightower. I need to know if I can trust him”. She turned to the people in the room. “Who has Otto been seen with the most that might be a cause for concern?”

“Maester Mellas is an obvious answer”, started Rhaenys, “but of the Queensguard I have also seen him with are Ser Thorne and Ser Arryk, not to be confused with Ser Erryk”.

“One twin but not the other?”, asked Harwin.

Rhaenyra looked at Ser Harrold.

Ser Harrold cleared his throat and replied, “Those three names would be correct, your Grace, Ser Fell, Ser Thorne, and Ser Arryk, are the King - Queensguard most often assigned to guard the Hand, the Queen, or your siblings. Ser Otto would also request that it should always be Ser Arryk and not his brother sent to him. He was most displeased when it was Ser Erryk that was assigned to Prince Aegon once and berated the Kingsguard most unbecomingly”.

She turned to Harwin. “I need you to work with Ser Harrold to ensure that you have followers on those three Queensguard. Who they talk to, where they go, and so forth. Ser Harrold those three are not to guard the former Queen or my siblings”.

“That will spread the Queensguard too thin, your Grace”, was the reply from Ser Harrold. “As I cannot in good faith allow those men to guard you now”.

“Ser Harwin, I want you to pick the most loyal of the Gold Cloaks to assist in guarding me, the former Queen and my siblings. They will be under instructions to not let those Queensguard around their charges. We will need to find a way so that Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk are not confused. Perhaps a code word that Ser Erryk will know but not Ser Arryk?”, she considered.

She turned back to the room at large, leaving that for now. “The delay serves a very important purpose. It is not long enough for Otto Hightower to return back to the Keep, especially as he will not receive word until after the raven arrives at Oldtown which may take up to two days, but it is long enough for those who wish to usurp me to try to do so. I need to know for certain who those people are. We can all probably guess some of them. But I need evidence before I can move against them or else they will proclaim I am targeting them for no reason and stir up discontent against me and use that as a reason as to why I am unfit for the throne”.

She spread her hands.

“Basically I am trying to give them enough rope to hang themselves”.

Rhaenys cautioned her, “This is dangerous, Rhaenyra”, forgoing her new title, “If it works you may get rid of enemies, but if it doesn’t you could lose the throne”.

“I know”, she replied, “but I need to remove those closest to me who want me gone. And unless I have proof, they can use their dismissals against me. Besides, I have something in my favour”.

“Which is, your Grace?”, asked Ser Lyonel.

“Maegor’s tunnels”, she replied.

Rhaenyra explained how she wanted very loyal men to be shown how to get into the tunnel that would take them to where the Queen’s chambers were. There were to be men there night and day listening to what went on and observing as she believed there may be a peep hole as well, so that if anyone tried to take Alicent or her children, or there were any plans made, Rhaenyra could be informed about that at once.

The men would only be shown how to get there and back and nothing else. There would also be loyal servants or other loyal members of the Keep following members of High Hightower, House Lannister, Maestor Mellos, and House Wylde.

Rhaenys was reluctantly impressed. “They must be discrete, quick, quiet, and above all loyal to Queen Rhaenyra”, she said, turning to Harwin.

“I would never send anyone else”, he replied.

“As Ser Harrold mentioned that the Queensguard will be too thinned, Ser Harwin, I would like for you to be one of my guards. This will ensure that we are able to speak about these matters”, said Rhaenyra.

Harwin and Lyonel looked shocked which amused Rhaenyra.

Honestly, she though, here she was speaking of her plans that would hopefully ensure her ascension and trusting them with intimate details that, if given to her enemy, would destroy her chances of every truly being Queen, and they seemed shock that she would permit what is becoming apparent to her is one of the most loyal person she knows that isn’t in her family, the Small Council, or the Queensguard, so thereby not bound by blood or oath.

Lyonel recovered first, “Your Grace, my son and I are most honoured in your trust”.

“Yes my Queen”, replied Harwin, looking at her with a serious expression on his face. “I will let no harm befall upon you”.

“Excellent. Please speak with Ser Harrold tomorrow to discuss the rotation of the Queensguard and the Gold Cloaks and ensure that those loyal are placed where we need them as previously discussed”.

A knock sounded on the door that startled everyone in the room. Both Ser Harrold and Harwin moved towards the door.

Did they leave a guard outside of the door, thought Rhaenyra. No, she had dismissed everyone as she needed this to be a private conversation and she didn’t want to risk anything being overheard.

“State your business”, commended Ser Harrold, his voice booming to be heard through the thick door.

“The Queen commanded to be informed of anything happening with the Grand Maester and the Septon'', came the reply.

Rhaenyra was insistently on alert. “Bring him in. Now”, she ordered.

Two Gold Cloaks came into the room and the door was shut.

“What happened?” she asked.

One of the men stepped forward. “I admit it is not much, your Grace, but you ordered to be informed of anything suspicious”.

She nodded.

The man cleared his throat. “The Grand Maester performed an examination on the King but did not say what had killed the King. He and the Septon then spent much time speaking to each other in a low voice while the Silent Sisters started working on preparing the King’s body. Then they both said they would see the Queen to inform her of what had been happening. I replied that you were with the Small Council and they said they meant Queen Alicent. They argued when they were told that would not be permitted and then advised they would be going to their chambers. I had other Gold Cloaks follow the Septon while myself and Clark”, here he indicated the other Gold Cloak, “followed the Grand Maester after ensuring that a few other Gold Cloaks stayed with the King’s body. The Grand Maester appeared to be going to where we were informed members of House Hightower were residing. We stopped him and he advised he was just taking the long way to his chambers to think about the death of the King. We stayed with him until he got to his rooms and assigned guards to watch the door”.

“Thank you Clark and…”, she said.

“Manfy, your Grace”.

“Manfy. You did the right thing in coming to me with this”.

After they confirmed there was nothing else she dismissed them.

“Nothing we did not already know. And if that was the extent of it, they are more unprepared then I would expect them to be”, noted Rhaenys.

Corlys agreed. “The King’s death was unexpected. The Princess was there and took control immediately and Mellos allies were nowhere to be seen. No doubt had the King died and the Princess was not there, things would be very different. Otto Hightower not being here is the worst thing that could have happened. If anyone could convince the Lords to install an almost babe on the Throne, it would be him”.

Rhaenyra frowned but could not dispute that.

“As long as the guards are diligent we have the upper hand. Perhaps it is time to retire. I want the announcement to be made early and the ravens sent to all houses immediately afterwards. Afterwards, the Small Council will convene again. Princess Rhaenys and Lord Coryls, as you and Laenor are my only other family aside from my siblings that are with me, I would like for you to walk behind me into the Throne room upon the announcement and stand by the throne. The dowager Queen and my half siblings will follow and stand to the other side. I would have liked for my cousin Jeyne Arryn to stand with me as well but she was unable to attend the wedding due to the haste in which it was prepared. Same with the Baratheons. However, they will have six moons to prepare to come to swear fealty and during that time both families will be given prominence. I understand Lord Boremund is getting older but I expect he would still want to attend himself”, she finished.

“My uncle would not miss this, your Grace. And if your father had not insisted on a quick wedding all of your family would have been here”, Rhaenys reproached the former King.

“Lastly, both you and Lord Corlys are expected to attend the Small Council tomorrow and each Small Council session until decided otherwise. Your advice and wisdom during this time is invaluable”.

“Your honour my wife and I, your Grace”, replied Corlys. “We will assist the Crown in whatever it may need”.

Rhaenyra then bade them all goodnight and left for her chambers with Ser Harrold.

“Sleep Ser Harrold, you will be needed tomorrow”.

“I am well rested, your Grace. I was scheduled to stand guard outside of your father’s room tonight”.

Saying goodnight at her door she finally turned to bed.

If one didn't count the death of her father or the abandonment of her uncle, this was the best night Rhaenyra had since the loss of her mother.