The dance of the Golds and Reds - hamsterwoodedswannix (2024)

Chapter 1: Fire and blood interlude - The seeds of the dance

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: All ASOIAF belongs to G. R. R. Martin, I claim no ownership nor do I profit from this fanwork.

Princess Alyssa was brought to bed again in 81 AC. After a long
and difficult labor, she gave Prince Baelon a third child, a girl they
Named Daenys after the dreamer who supposedly saved the targaryens from the doom of valyria.

“They call me Baelon the Brave,”

the prince told his wife at her bedside, “but you are far braver than
me. I would sooner fight a dozen battles than do what you’ve just
done.” Alyssa laughed at him. “You were made for battles, and I was
made for this. Viserys and Daemon and Daenys, that’s three. As soon
as I am well, let’s make another. I want to give you twenty children. An
army of your own!”

It was not to be. Alyssa Targaryen had a warrior’s heart in a
woman’s body, and her strength failed her. She never fully recovered
from Daenys’s birth, and died within the year at only four-and-twenty.

Though shattered by his loss, Baelon took solace in the two strong sons that she had left him, Viserys and Daemon, and never ceased to honor the memory of his sweet lady with the broken nose and mismatched eyes. However it should be noted that whilst the prince loved his sons Viserys and Daemon he could not bear the presence of his daughter daenys.

Whilst he often found in his free time training his sons in the courtyard or even entertaining his young sisters gael and viseria and his young niece princess Rhaenys he was scarce to be around his own daughter.

Perhaps many whispered it was for the young Daenys resemblance to the late Alyssa. Whilst she had inherited her sliver gold hair from her father she had alyssa’s eyes. Like her mother on striking purple and the other a dark emerald.

It is said that prince Baelon couldn’t bear to look the young princess in the face as it reminded her of his late love. Thus the princess Daenys grew up without knowing the love of either of her parents. Neither was she close to her brother prince Daemon as he is reported to have told her during an argument that she killed their mother.

Daenys was also not close to prince aemon’s daughter rhaenys whom she considered to be a

“ to haughty and arrogant for words to describe”

However the one family that she found solace in was her elder brother Viserys. In the young prince (later king’s) free time they could be found languishing about aimlessly in the gardens or the godswood. Other times reading about the old valyria in the library and discussing what dragons they both hoped to someday mount.

The issue of dragons also served to further deteriorate the relationship between father and daughter. Whilst neither daenys nor her brothers received dragon eggs the princess were allowed to adventure in the dragon pit along with princess rhaenys to attempt to claim and trips were also made to dragon stone. However daenys was neither invited to these trips nor was she allowed to claim a dragon.

Once during a feast the young princess asked her father to be allowed to claim a dragon however prince baelon scornfully and loudly replied that she wasn’t worthy of one. This insult caused daenys to flee from the halls with prince viserys hot at her heels. Furthermore this earned the prince a harsh rebuttal from king jaeharys, queen alysanne and even his siblings vaegon , aemon and magelle.

It’s also noted that during this event prince daemon is said to have laughed at his sister's discomfort.

However this incident brought prince viserys and daenys closer than before. Its was even rumored that when the prince was four and ten in 91 AC that the princess had given him her maiden head however theses rumors are said to be unfounded.

Two years later in 93 AC the prince was married to lady Aemma Aryn. Daughter of the late Daella Targaryen who was ten at the wedding. The prince fiercely objected this marriage and even begged to be wed to his sister however this proposal was rejected by the king and prince Baelon. In that same year Viserys, entered the Dragonpit and claimed Balerion. The old dragon had stopped growing at last, but he was sluggish and heavy and hard to rouse, and he struggled when Viserys urged him up into the air. The young prince flew thrice around the city before landing again. He had intended to fly to Dragonstone, he told his father afterward, but he did not think the Black Dread had the strength for it.

Two years later in 95 AC princess daenys married ser gaemon celtigar the second son of lord Ayelx celtigar and a known drunkard. Both the princess and prince viserys resisted this married with viserys even suggesting that daenys marry his brother daemon.

This is said to have only earned daemons scorn as he angrily replied that he would “ sooner f*ck the sheep in the vale than marry a whor* that had given herself to his brother”

Thus the marriage between gaemon celtigar and the princess came in fruition. It was an unhappy marriage with ser gaemon often spending his times with his whor*s and the princess finding interests in other activities such as many whispered witch craft. Furthore more the princess did not bear his children which angered ser gaemon

However the marriage between aemma aryn and viseys was notably less cold but the young prince did not lavish her with the love and attention that his grandfather gave his grandmother nor his father gave his mother.

Lady Aemma had unfortunately suffered several miscarriages and the death of one son in the cradle over the course of her marriage but she had also given birth to a healthy daughter, Rhaenyra in 97 AC they doted on the girl, their only living child.

Later in 101 AC a great counsel was held. Viserys Targaryen was named heir to the iron throne which of course angered the velaryons and barrethons.

King Jaehaerys had not attended the council, but when word of their verdict reached him, His Grace thanked the lords for their service and gratefully conferred the style Prince of Dragonstone upon his grandson Viserys. Storm’s End and Driftmark accepted the decision, if grudgingly; the vote had been so overwhelming that even Laenor’s father and mother saw that they could not hope to prevail.
In the eyes of many, the Great Council of 101 AC thereby established an iron precedent on matters of succession: regardless of seniority,
the Iron Throne of Westeros could not pass to a woman, nor through a woman to her male descendants.

In the year 103 AC King Jaehaerys I Targaryen died in his bed as Lady Alicent Hightower was reading to him from Septon Barth’s Unnatural
History. His Grace was nine-and-sixty years of age, and had reigned
over the Seven Kingdoms since coming to the Iron Throne at the age
of fourteen. His remains were burned in the Dragonpit, his ashes interred with Good Queen Alysanne’s on Dragonstone. All of
Westeros mourned. Even in Dorne, where his writ had not extended, men wept and women tore their garments.
In accordance with his own wishes, and the decision of the Great Council of 101, his grandson Viserys succeeded him, mounting the Iron Throne as King Viserys I Targaryen.

However problems of succession still remained with the new king only having a daughter Rhaenyra dubbed the realms delight. Queen Aemma suffered numerous miscarriages and stillbirths even having a babe die in the cradle. Sadly in 110 AC the queen died giving birth to a stillborn son.

Earlier that year ser gaemon passed away in his sleep. His widow princess daenys who was twenty nine at the time left the keep in claw isle to return to kingslanding for the queens funeral.

The princess and the king reignited their friend ship and the king against all advice of her counsel allowed the princess to venture in the dragon pitt and claim the blue beast dreamfyre. This reignited friend ship is said to have angered princess rhaenyra who was three and ten at the time.

Once his mourning for his wife and son had run its course, the king moved swiftly to resolve the long-simmering issue of the succession. Disregarding the precedents set the Great Council in 101, Viserys declared his daughter, Rhaenyra, to be his rightful heir, and named her Princess of Dragonstone. In a lavish ceremony at King’s Landing, hundreds of lords did obeisance to the Realm’s Delight as she sat at her father’s feet at the base of the Iron Throne, swearing to honor and defend her right of succession. Prince Daemon was not amongst them, however. Furious at the king’s decree, the prince quit King’s Landing, resigning from the City Watch.

Though Princess Rhaenyra had been proclaimed her father’s heir there were many in the realm, at court and beyond it, who still hoped that Viserys might father a male heir. Grand Maester Runciter was the first to urge His Grace to remarry, even suggesting a suitable choice: the Lady Laena Velaryon, who had just turned twelve. A fiery young maiden, freshly flowered, Lady Laena had inherited the beauty of a true Targaryen from her mother, Rhaenys, and a bold, adventurous spirit from her father, the Sea Snake. As Lord Corlys loved to sail, Laena loved to fly, and had claimed for her own no less a mount than mighty Vhagar,
the oldest and largest of the Targaryen dragons since the passing of the Black Dread in 94 AC. By taking the girl to wife, the king could
heal the rift that had grown up between the Iron Throne and Driftmark, Runciter pointed out. And Laena would surely make a splendid queen.

However In a shocking move that sent ripples through the court and the realm, Viserys defied all counsel and declared his intention to marry his sister, Daenys.

According to Grand Maester Munkun this was the start of the dance of the dragons

Chapter 2: Daenys I

Chapter Text

The smell of kings landing hit Daenys as soon as her carriage ventured through the city gates. The city smelled like piss even worse than when she had been a girl.

Strangely she found herself missing the keep in claw isle. Six moons ago it had been her home when she had been married to Gaemon. However she quickly snapped out of that thought. Claw isle represented nothing but her disgusting marriage to that drunken fool in that miserable keep surrounded by people who hated her.

Thankfully at least she had never borne him a child. She had made steps to prevent that. The thought of that nearly sent her vomiting however she quickly schooled her stomach. Today wasn't a day to show weakness. Today she will be returning to her home , the red keep. She hadn't been there for eighteen years. She hadn’t seen Viserys in eighteen years nor had she met his daughter rhaenyra.

Thankfully she was glad that Aemma wouldn't be around; it would now be easier to convince Viserys to allow her to stay in the keep. Now that Gaemon was gone she had no place at claw isle. The only option for her was to either join the faith as a septa or silent sister or for her darling brother the king to extend hospitality to his younger sister. If Aemma was still around the king would never entertain her wish for protection.

That bitch had rightfully believed that Viserys had preferred her and ran complaining to her father and king jaehaerys begging for something to be done. Though she thinks again her father Baelon had been eager for the opportunity to be rid of her and gladly proposed the match between her and Gaemon.

Only Viserys , her dear brother had cited how utterly foolish it would be to give a princess to a second son of a minor house regardless of how much valyrian ancestry they had. He had even suggested that she marry Daemon. Whilst that match was also vile it was still better than what she had been landed with besides she would at least remain home .

Of course their protests had fallen on deaf ears. Baelon Targaryen hated her for killing the love of his life and he certainly was happy to make her feel as miserable as he felt when Alyssa died.

Before she could continue on her musings the carriage halted. She was home. She stepped out of the carriage into the courtyard and was greeted by her brother and his daughter.

“ Your graces” she said whilst bowing her head in a crusty.

When she looked up Viserys was smiling at her , his beautiful violet eyes shining.

“ Welcome back sister” he replied before pulling her into a deep hug

She took to observing her brother. His silver white hair had grown down to his shoulders and he had grown taller and was some how more handsome than when she saw him last .

When she looked over at his daughter the princess she saw a stark resemblance to Aemma. Both having the same white-gold hair and lilac eyes. Furthermore there was something in the girls eyes that made it clear that she wasn't wanted at the keep.

Well Daenys thought she wasn't wanted anywhere this wouldn't be a change.

Viserys had offered to invite her to a family dinner with just him and his daughter which she happily accepted. Before being escorted to her rooms by a servant to freshen up. She almost wept tears of joy at the sight. It was her old room. Nothing in it had changed; all of the things she wasn't allowed to bring to claw isle were still there. She threw herself on the bed feeling the nice soft silks and began to weep. Despite the marriage to the wealthy celtigars they were loathe to spend their fortune much less on the wife of the second son. Besides even when Gaemon was given an allowance he spent it uselessly on wines , mistresses and whor*s leaving her to survive on scraps.

Begging her family was also out of the question the thought of stooping herself down to beg those c*nts for anything was humiliating. Besides they would deny her coin. Just like when they denied her love , attention and her birthright she thought.

She spent several hours in her room doing nothing besides lying on the bed doing and eating some sweet biscuits that the servants had brought. Just before the hour of the bat some servants came in and prepared a bath for her. Another brushed her long hair.

When she finished her bath a servant gave her a dressed with a note from Viserys.

“ Sweet sister I would be most pleased if you wore this dress to dinner”

It was a beautiful dress made of fine jet black silk embroidered with red dragons on the hem of the skirt. On the bodice there were several rubies and garnets and the sleeves were long and flowy reaching towards the bottom of the skirt which trailed after her.

The servants helped her dress and at the hour of the bat she made her way to the queens ballroom. There she was greeted by Viserys and his daughter who also was dressed in black. Most likely in mourning.

“Viserys” she said greeting her brother
“ Princess” she said looking at her brother

Viserys welcomed her with a smile and his daughter with a nod before they began. The first course is served chicken broth and lamprey pie along with roasted pig , quails and clam soup.

Viserys devours his food ravishly whilst Daenys observes that the princess simply moves the food around her plate barely eating any.
Strangely enough she feels sorry for this motherless girl and decides to offer her comfort.

“ Princess I would to offer my sincere condolences to you. It is hard to lose a mother and your mother was a kind woman.”

Aemma Aryn kind she think in her head before smothering a smirk. The girl offers her a smile.

“ Thank you for your kind words aunt.”

Before asking the Viserys to be excused citing exhaustion.

When the girl leaves Viserys and her begin to talk and drink. They talk about the eighteen years they spent apart. Their marriages and speak of their childhood. Viserys has many happy memories of this place and whilst Daenys has few she allows for the man to reminisce.

They converse well into the hour of the wolf. When Viserys asks her about her marriage to Gaemon she tries to keep it vague. However after one two many drinks she lets it spill.

She speaks of the beatings , humiliations and other indignities she suffered under his hands and the hands of house Celtigar. The disrespect she faced.

When she finishes her tirade she is shocked to find tears rolling down her face. She endured eighteen years of that marriage and never once cried now she cries in the face of her elder brother.

How disgusting she thinks.

Viserys pulls her into his arms before asking her why didn’t write. But she has no answer. It takes a bit before she calms.

Finally she shocks her self again by getting down on her knees and begging her brother to allow her to remain at the keep reeling how unwanted she is at claw isle.

He pulls her in his arms again before declaring

“ Sweet sister no one shall hurt you again”

Daenys smiles though not before noticing something dark in his violet eyes.

Chapter 3: Viserys I

Chapter Text

Viserys quite frankly wishes he was anywhere else than in the small council chambers whilst lord lyman beesbury drones on about taxes and other insignificant things.

He notes that all of the other members of the small council look bored out of their minds. The more Viserys thinks about it he should have canceled today’s meeting. It was far too hot to be sequestered in some chamber listening to Lyman droning on about taxes of all things.

Besides he was tried he had been up talking with his sister until the hour of the wolf about Valyrian history and they had been discussing all his model of old valyria which she had taken surprising interest in unlike Aemma.

He quickly beckons Rhaenyra his cupbearer over for some wine and whilst he drinks the sweet arbor red wine. He finds his thoughts wandering to his sweet sister Daenys.

He still hasn’t forgotten her detailing the abuse she suffered under the hands of house Celtigar. Times like this made him wish that he had a dragon. He would have exterminated house Celtigar like Meagor the cruel had done with Harroway. Her marriage to Gaemon Celtigar had brought him more rage that when he learned of his to Aemma arryn. Though he now thinks perhaps it is better that he lacks a dragon. If he had one he would have taken daenys and fled when he learnt of his and aemma’s marriage or house celtigar would have been reduced to ashes when he learned how they abused his sister

Finally Lyman the bore stops speaking and he is able to dismiss the small council. He sees the gratitude on the faces of everyone in the room before they all , quickly exit leaving only him and his daughter.

“ Rhaenyra what are you off to” he asks his daughter
“ The dragonpit to vist syrax and perhaps a ride around the city” she replies “and you father ?” she asks
“ I have a meeting with you aunt”
Immediately Rhaenyra’s smile turns into a frown.
“ Perhaps you spend too much time with her” she grumbles
Viserys stops in his tracks
“ Who I vist and when I vist them is of no concern to you Rhaenyra , I am your king and father , I do as I wish” he sharply retorts
His daughter stares in shock before quickly scurrying away. Perhaps he had been too sharp he thinks but he quickly changes his mind.

Aemma had spoiled that girl too much if she wants to rule to realm she needs to learn maturity.

Besides the king thought who should dictate how much time he spends with his sister.

As he walks down the halls of the keep he remembers his childhood. He remembered the day his mother passed. His father , the strong prince Baelon the brave sobbed with only the good queen , the old king and his uncle Aemon offering his father comfort.

He had known that his mother was weak after the birth of his sister but he never expected that she would pass. Then he remembers seeing his sister for the first time after their mothers passing. She had the same eyes as her. His father sobbed again whilst Daemon looked away in disgust but all Viserys could feel was happiness his mother had left a piece of her with them.

When he was younger he didn’t understand why his father couldn’t bear to be around his sister but now as he was older and saw her again he could understand it.

Besides her hair color she was the splitting image of their mother. He then looked back on some of his memories, realizing how vicious his father was to his sister.

Unlike his father and daemon he loved her. He was with her the day she took her first steps , her first word was his name. They were always together.

He was always in her life and his life only really began when she was alive.

He finds himself in front of her room as usual these past few weeks. He orders ser harold to stand guard in front of the door. The man looks at him with a disapproving glare for a quick second before quickly schooling his expression and nodding .

“Sweet sister . ” he says observing her on her bed

At when she sees him she quickly runs over to him and jumps in his arms

“ I’ve missed you so much” he says

“ Really brother, we were up yesterday till all hours of the night.” she replies

“ Yes well it is very boring here everyone is so dull , now tell me what have you been doing.”

She gives him a beautiful smile before regaling him with her day and the interesting books she found about their motherland, old valyria. Whilst she is talking his mind wanders to Aemma Aryn .

She had never shown any in their motherland or learning high valyrian or even claiming a dragon. It had puzzled him , every Targaryen he knew thought highly of their heritage. He supposed that is was her andal blood from her father tainting her mind. Then again her mother daella was a lackwit who also showed little interest in her culture or so he was told , perhaps Aemma had inherited that discrepancy from her mother.
However he focuses his mind off of her and brings himself to think of happier thoughts of his sister who smiles as she happily discusses the history of their ancestral land.

The one good thing that woman gave him was his lovely Rhaenyra whom inherited none of her flaws .

He says outloud “ Sweet sister I will give you the world”

She looks up shocked from her book before replying “ A dragon. Could I have a dragon brother , it is my birthright.

She looked at him pleadingly

Something in his heart churned and he said yes. “Dreamfyre still resides in the pit you can claim her if your brave enough.” he said jokingly knowing she was “ we can go now i you’d like”

That earned him a hug before they departed for the dragon pit.

An hour later they were in the dragon pitt. His sister sprints forward when she learns of where dreamfyre’s nest is.

Some of the dragon keepers try to converse with him however he doesn’t pay them any mind to focused on his sister. He swears one of them mentions something about a mistake but suddenly he hears shouts and roar before dreamfyre surges out of the doors of the pit with Daenys on her back .

The dragon circles the city once before landing outside of the dragon pit again. She runs into his arms with a look of pure delight.

Something inside of Viserys targaryen's heart shifts , a few moons ago he was married to an andal sheep now he will be married to a targaryen dragon rider he knows this

Chapter 4: Rhaenyra I

Chapter Text

Anger , hot raging fiery anger is all she felt as she soared through the skies on Syrax . The past six moons had brought her nothing but misery . Her mother’s and brothers death were the most painful moments of her life and yet her own father hadn’t even spared her a f*cking glance.

No he far to busy with her aunt spending time with her, dining , even going into his chambers to discuss all matter of things with him at any hour of the night and if the rumors the maids and couriters and maids spread were true then it appeared that her father would also visit her in the night .

Rhaenyra shuddered to think about what they were in there. To make matters worse vultures had invaded the keep vultures. It had barley seven moons since the death of her mother and yet lords were openly suggesting to her father the king that he should marry one of their vapid daughters or old ugly sisters.

Its was enraging to hear lords hear how these lords openly mocked her mother , claiming that their daughter or sisters could give her father the sons her deserved.

Her father didn’t need any sons she thought viciously. She was all he needed . She would be his only child and heir and when he passed she would be queen. Half of those same lords had bent their own knees to her yet suddenly back tracked suggesting underhandly that her father remarry and father sons.

Sickeningly her father hadn’t even objected to these lords and humored them. She knew that the marriage between her parents was cold , she’d heard rumors about her father affairs from young some even alleged that he’d fathered bastards but to marry so soon after the death of her mother was simply disgusting. It made her want to wretch.
As she circled the city once again she thought of all the lords openly pushing forward their daughter to the king. The most obvious was lord Corlys parading arround his daughter Lena who had barely flowerd. Lord lanister also reminding the king of his two sisters who were six and ten and four and ten.

Furthermore she had been burdened with the tasks that the heir to the throne must tackle , attending classes with maesters on matters of the realm, whilst also learning womanly arts with the septas and also having to deal with the sly courtiers who encased the red keep.

Finally she chose to land close to the dragon ptt. It was soon noon and was scorching . Normally she would have flown early in the morning however her aunt had taken to fly her dreamfyre when dawn had barely cracked and well Rhaenyra had little wish to see that woman.

When she was younger her uncle daemon had described her a murderous snake and warned Rhaenyra to never get close to her. Her mother had deemed her to be a jealous harlot however when her father learned of ammea’s choice of words to describe daenys there had been a screaming match inside of the kings chambers.

Rhaenyra considered the woman to be nothing more than a leech who had wormed her way into her fathers heart allowing her to stay at the keep , attend family dinners and have private discussions with her father.

One of her older ladies in waiting Alicent Hightower had suggested that perhaps there might be something more happening been the king and his sister but she had been loathe to believe it. Perhaps she thought her father might uses her aunt for a quick f*ck nothing more.

When she dismounted Syrax a guard came rushing towards. Her father wanted to see her in the small council chambers at her earliest conveniences. She quickly hurried into the carriage. The journey back to the keep was swift. And once there she was sorted to her chambers. In there her ladies Alicent hightower and Gemma corbray along with the maid were hurriedly preparing her bath and dress. Her ladies helped bath and dress her however they did take longer than usual. This was most likely caused by her dismissal of her other two ladies Tyshara and Cerelle lannister . After their fathers bold suggestion that either one of them was to be her fathers wife she could no longer bear to be in their company any longer.

Her ladies quickly dressed her in a light lavender dress which matched her eyes and was decorated with white pearls. Alicent quickly adorned her neck with a beautiful pearl studded necklace a gift from her uncle and matching earring whilst Gemma braided her hair down her back.

Rhaenyra and Alicent quickly made their way to the small council chambers where she found her father ,all of the small council , lord corlys and princess rhaenys along with her aunt daenys who was sitting by her father.

The princess observed her aunt she was dressed in a pale pink gown made of myrish silk embroidered with gold lace upon her head was a gold cornet encrusted with diamonds and pink quartz, matching earrings also adorned her ears. Her father had his hand placed rather provocatively around her aunts waist.

“ Daughter ” her father greeted her from his seat.
“ Apologies for my lateness father” she replied
Her father dismissed her apologies with the wave of her hand before finally disentangling herself from her Daenys’s arms

“ As many in this council know I need to remarry and produce spares for the throne whilst many of you have suggested your daughters or sisters , I have decided to wed my own sister princess Daenys said the king before smiling at his bride to be.”

Her aunt looked shocked for a moment before quickly schooling her face

The room was silent and everyone was shocked. The lord hand and Lord hand were surprised whilst Alicent looked at her with sympathy. Lord Corlys was obviously enraged he had wanted his daughter to be queen. Soon however members began to congratulate the king and the new queen however Rhaenyra remained in her seat.

Lord corlys and his wife stormed out not before offering the king an obviously sarcastic congratulations. Soon all who remained in the keep were Rhaenyra her father and that bitch.

“ How dare you , how f*cking dare you” she screamed “ My mother and brother have barley been dead for seven moons yet you f*ck your sister have you such hatred for my mother !”

“ Rhaenyra !” Screamed her father “ Do not forget your place. I am still your king and your father , you will show me and my future wife respect!”

“ You married her knowing what she is. Daemon said she was a murderous snake , why would you do this !”

“ Watch yourself girl, do not forget yourself your father is the king and I am to be your queen ! ” screamed her aunt

“ Go to your chambers Rhaenyra and stay there , I will deal with you on the morrow. Said her father before adding kindly “ rest yourself this news has shocked you I admit but you cannot speak to us in that manner” before placing a kiss on her aunts lips

The young princess flees the scene in disgust.

Chapter 5: Daenys II

Chapter Text

Daenys was breaking her fast with her brother Viserys. It was a delicious spread of porridge, eggs , steamed fish, various cheeses , sweetmeats , cakes and bacon and breads .

Whilst the king ravished his meal like a man who had been starved all Daenys could do was push her eggs and bacon around her plate creating an appetizing looking disgusting pile of mush which looked runnier than the porridge that Viserys was currently inhaling.

Whilst the king ate Daenys found herself pondering the events of the past moon. The king had declared for her to be his bride, barely eight moons after the passing of Aemma and her son.

He had done this not only shocking the court , the realm , his daughter but also her. She hadn’t expected this. She’d come to Viserys expecting a position and court but now he will make her his queen.

She still remembers the faces of those in the room. Lord Corlys and his stuck up bitch of wife Rhaenys had fled the room in anger and embarrassment. Shocked that the king refused to marry their daughter of thirteen name days. Whilst the rest of the members of the small council looked in shock.

The old Grand Maester Mellos was the first to offer congratulations , followed by lord otto , whilst lord strong offered a rather subdued acclamation. The other courtiers of course had mixed responses.

Half them now flocked to her wishing to earn favor with the future queen consort , whilst the others mainly from the vale seemed angry at her ascension, most likely due to their love of Aemma.

But still she couldn’t shake the feeling of pure amazement she felt. Why her.

There were other women from great noble houses , why even the lady Lena had stemmed from a wealthy powerful house of Valyrian descent and even had a dragon but yet he chose her.

It makes pride swell in her chest. She will be the next queen of westeros.

However Viserys’s ramblings takes her out of her thoughts.

“ The wedding shall be magnificent sweet sister , I’ve organized a tourney , melee and a fortnight of feasting to celebrate our union”

“ How lovely she ” she agrees “ It will outshine the golden wedding Viserys”

That earns her a large smile from her brother. They continue to discuss wedding plans. Viserys plans for the wedding to take place within two moons , a winter wedding he declares. They discuss the events the fourteen feasts that the kings plans however there is a gnawing thought at the back of her head before she can stop herself she asks

“ Have you spoken to your daughter yet , she was quite angry with the announcement of our union.”

Well perhaps she thinks anger would be an understatement , and well Viserys and her didn’t handle it properly at all. Daenys feels rather ashamed at how she handled Rhaenyra’s anger. The girl was four and ten she had all rights to be upset about her father’s remarriage.

Besides it wouldn't fare well with her to anger the princess , Daenys hadn’t borne the king any children yet , her position in the keep was insecure and Rhaenyra could make her life miserable if she so desired.

The way she spoke to the girl reminded Daenys of who her own father Baelon spoke to her ridiculing , full of anger and scorn. However she forced herself to forget about her father and focus on the present.
“ Yes I’ve spoken to my little girl , she is quite unhappy with our marriage but she will warm to you in know time, I’m sure of it.”

Daenys has doubts in her mind and decides to take matter into her own hands. After finishing eating and bidding Viserys farewell she goes to her chambers.

She quickly orders the maids to prepare a bath and decides on a change of gowns. A pale blue dress with sleeves stopping just above her elbows and with pearls sewn into the bodice and white dragons embroidered into the hem. She has the maids brush her hair before letting it fall down in loose curls behind her back and adorns her head with a small silver tiara with a pearl in the center.

She makes haste to Rhaenyra’s room. At the entrance some filthy red-headed vale girl almost doesn’t want to let her in but she has to concede.

There she finds Rhaenyra sitting on her bed in a velvet black dress. The girl looks up at her with utmost surprise before demanding a reason for her visit.

“ Sweetling” she murmurs struggling to hold back the bile threatening to form in her throat “ I am hear to see you , your father and I are most concerned about your behavior , you barely leave your chambers so recently”

“ I understand your discontention about your father and I’s union but I want you to know that I have little intention to replace your mother”

Before Rhaenyra can speak , Daenys removes a small sapphire ring from her finger.

“ This ring was a gift from my grandmother queen Alysanne , when I was your age,I would like to pass it down to you Rhaenrya.”

The girl hesitantly accepts the gift before smiling and placing it on her finger before offering her a word of thanks.

She leaves the princess before heading off to meet with her temporary ladies in waiting in the queens ballroom. There she met with a dozen ladies stemming from houses Belmore , Egen,Waynwood and Redfort and stokeworth . These Vale women did little to hide their anger and disgust and her marriage to the king. A few of them had even been Aemma’s ladies in waiting and were disgusted with having to serve her.

Well thought Daenys it shan’t matter in a few weeks , once the wedding is over she will dismiss all of them , keeping only lady Ruby Stokeworth. She showed proper respect to the future queen.

There she was measured for her wedding garments. Viserys spared no expense at made it clear to her that she should choose a dress to her heart's contentment.

Whilst she was busy chatting with the seamstress about the design of the dress one those vale bitches had to make a cutting remark causing the whole gaggle of those sheep to laugh save Ruby.

“What is so funny, Millecent ? ” she said turning to the ugly Belmore girl with mousy brown hair and watery blue eyes

. “Oh, it’s nothing, Princess. We were just reminiscing about how Queen Aemma always carried herself with such grace. She truly set a high bar for queens. It’s quite a task to step into her shoes, wouldn’t you agree?”
The other ladies stifled their laughs, but the tension in the room was palpable. Only Ruby Stokeworth remained silent, her eyes downcast, refusing to join in the mockery.
Daenys quickly dismisses the seamstress before turning to Millicent. Daenys’ smile hardened, her eyes narrowing slightly as she turned her full attention to Millicent Belmore. “It’s interesting,Millicent ,” she began, her voice dripping with a cold, regal authority. “How you mention Queen Aemma’s grace. I’ve always believed that grace and beauty come from within. A truly graceful queen wouldn’t need to hide behind petty comments to feel superior.”
The room fell silent as Daenys’ words hung in the air, the other ladies shifting uncomfortably. She continued, her gaze never leaving Millicent’s. “And speaking of filling shoes, I would hate for anyone to find themselves out of place once the court settles. It’s essential for my ladies to be both loyal and respectful to their queen. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Millicent’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she looked away, unable to meet Daenys’ piercing gaze. The other women murmured softly among themselves, sensing the unspoken threat in Daenys’ words. Only Ruby Stokeworth looked up, offering Daenys a small nod of acknowledgment.
“Now,” Daenys said, her tone lightening as she turned back to the seamstress. “Let’s focus on creating something truly worthy of the occasion. I trust in your skills to make me shine.” The tension in the room slowly dissipated, and the conversation turned back to the wedding preparations.
After the secession Daenys had a quite sup with Viserys and Rhaenyra. The princess even broke her iron grip on wearing those dreadful black gowns and wore an pale yellow gown.
Later she and Viserys stayed up until the hour of the wolf discussing the wedding preparation and other matters before she bid him goodnight and headed toward her chambers.

Sleep surprisingly came easy to her that night however her peaceful dreams were cruelly interrupted.

A voice screamed at her

“ whor* , whor* ” a man yelled before slamming her down on the grown with his hand around her neck. The other he used to strike her in the face.

It was her father Baelon beating and screaming at her whilst a womans voice screamed in the background begging him to stop. His golden curlys unruly and his indigo eyes filled with hate . Soon the man morphs into her late husband Ser Gaemon who slams his fists into her head. Before it morphs back into her father who continues to hit and kick at her.

With a jolt, Daenys awakes , a scream tearing from her throat as she sat up in bed, her heart racing and her body trembling.

Chapter 6: Otto I

Chapter Text

It was pouring rain as Otto Hightower quickly strode through the halls of the Red Keep towards the small council chamber. He was late, he thought angrily, having stayed up late into the night, long past the hour of the wolf, dealing with matters of state. These included another Blackwood and Bracken dispute, the war on the Stepstones, and, of course, the royal wedding. It was all anyone talked about, from the gossiping lipstick courtiers to the servants rushing around the keep as if they were on fire, trying to make the castle ready for the wedding taking place in one moon.

As he entered the small council chamber, he let out a sigh of relief. The king hadn’t arrived yet. Only the elderly Grand Maester Runciter, Lord Lyonel, and Lord Beesbury were present. Princess Rhaenyra, who served as her father’s cupbearer, was also absent.
Otto quickly offered the men present a nod of acknowledgement before heading towards his seat. On his left, the seat belonging to the Master of Ships was noticeably vacant. Lord Corlys had angrily resigned and taken his family back to Driftmark after the king announced his choice of bride. Otto remembered the look of pure outrage on the Lord of Driftmark's face before he and his wife strode out of the chamber. If the situation weren’t so humorous, Otto would have been angry at Lord Corlys’s greed. The man's house was one of the wealthiest in the Seven Kingdoms; he had three dragons and was granted the position of Master of Ships, yet his greed knew no bounds. However, before he could continue musing about Driftmark’s arrogance, the herald announced the king and the princess with Ser Harold Westerling flanking them.

“My lords, good morrow!” boomed the king before taking a seat. “What do we have here to discuss?”
“Your Grace, perhaps the war on the Stepstones should be our first topic on today's agenda,” said the elderly Grand Maester.
The king pondered for a moment before turning to Otto and replying, “Of course, Otto, what are your reports?”
“Your brother, Prince Daemon, is fighting a counterattack led by Racallio Ryndoon. The Triarchy have also gained support from the Dornish.”
“That is not all, Your Grace,” interjected Lord Lyonel. “Lord Corlys has also joined the fight along with his son Laenor and his dragon, Seasmoke, who is now large enough to be ridden.”
“The prince and Lord Corlys are also requesting aid for this war. If I may speak plainly, Your Grace, I would suggest that the crown’s coffers shouldn’t bear the burden of this war when Driftmark’s own are overflowing with gold, or so I’m told,” cut in Otto.
The king didn’t seem to think twice before responding, “I shall fund some of this war to help my dear brother. Besides, it’s best if we let Daemon play at war. It keeps him out of trouble.”
Not for long, thought the Hand, before replying, “Of course, Your Grace.”

“The next topic on our agenda should be bright to take our minds off of this grim war—my wedding, perhaps,” added the very excited King Viserys.
“I am thinking instead of having fourteen days of feasting, we should have twenty.”
“Your Grace, I am not sure if that would be wise,” cut in the foolish Lord Beesbury.
“And why is that, Lyman? My coffers are full of gold,” sharply retorted the king, staring daggers at the Master of Coin.
“Perhaps it would send a poor message, Your Grace. Your own wedding to Queen Aemma wasn’t nearly as extravagant.”
What a poor choice of words, Otto thought. Though foolish, Lyman wasn’t wrong. The king's first wedding, while fairly extravagant, was nowhere near as lavish as the one he was currently planning.
Otto remembered Viserys’s first wedding clearly. The king, then a sulking fourteen-year-old prince, recited vows to a ten-year-old Aemma Arryn, longing to remain faithful to her as long as she lived.
Though many believed the rumors that the king had broken his vows just a year into his marriage to the late queen with his sister, whom he was now marrying, those rumors were flaring up, and many were not happy with the king's choice of bride.
Mainly those from the Vale and, of course, the Celtigars from the Crownlands were outraged. Lyman, despite being from the Reach, was also outraged. The man was close friends with Queen Aemma, and his own daughter had married a man from House Hersy. Perhaps that is why he was so foolishly loyal to Queen Aemma.
The king looked as if he were prepared to give the man a tongue lashing. However, Lord Strong quickly intervened.
“Perhaps, Your Grace, it would be for the best to keep it at the original fourteen. Most of the original planning for the wedding has been completed, and it would be a pain to now have to squeeze in four extra feasts on the itinerary.” The king looked as if he wished to argue but conceded.

The last topic of focus was the Master of Ships position to be filled.
Lord Strong immediately suggested Tyland Lannister, the youngest son of Lord Tyrek. The king looked unconvinced, perhaps due to the man only being twenty. However, it seemed as if Princess Rhaenyra would be the one to encourage the young Tyland’s appointment by citing his extensive travels. Soon, the king seemed mostly convinced, though he still refused to make any promises. The king dismissed the council, and Otto quickly made his way to the Tower of the Hand and ordered a passing servant to bring a meal for two, sending another to find Alicent.

The food arrived before she did. The cooks had prepared a lovely spread of a small roasted auroch, along with some pea soup, freshly baked bread, pigeon pie, and iced Dornish red wine.
Otto was starving; however, he forced himself to wait for his daughter. Mercifully, the girl appeared, and they soon began to eat. After finishing, Otto offered his daughter a glass of wine, but she refused and opted for water instead.
Alicent then began to tell him about her day with the princess and their preparations for the wedding—the new gowns the princess would wear, her new gowns, the feats, and entertainment—and before long, the princess soon became the topic of conversation.

“How does the princess fare with the news of her father and aunt's marriage?” asked Otto.
“She was very angry at first,” replied Alicent. “However, her aunt visited her and gave her a ring. Rhaenyra also believes that her aunt will be far too old to bear her father a child, so she won't have to share her father's affections with a sibling.”
Neither will her place as heir be contested, though that wasn’t said. Daenys Targaryen was only twenty-nine. She could more than bear the king a child, thought Otto. Visenya had brought Maegor into this world when she was nearing her forties, and Queen Alysanne had given birth to her last-born, Gael, when she was forty. Alicent later called a servant for a platter of cakes and more Dornish red before she continued talking.
As Otto looked at his young daughter, he felt a twinge of anger. Two moons after Queen Aemma had passed, his own brother had suggested that Otto put forward Alicent as a possible wife for the king. His daughter, who was only ten and eight. It had angered him then, and it angered him now.

The king was not a good husband, not to Aemma, though he wondered how he would be with Daenys. He seemed smitten with her.
Alicent's voice, however, pulled him out of his thoughts.
“Father, I am eighteen. I wish to marry.”
“Whom do you wish to marry?” he replied.
“Jason Lannister,” she said before adding, “He is kind and handsome, and he seeks me out in public, of course.”
Otto pondered for a moment. The Lannisters were wealthy, and Alicent's son would be Lord of the Rock. Besides, he hadn’t missed how Jason had looked at her in public; it reminded Otto of how the king spoke of Daenys or how he spoke of his late wife, Alyrie.
“I’ll do what I can, daughter,” he replied before digging into the platter of cakes.
Perhaps he would write to his son Gwayne again later in the day, he thought.