It was almost impossible for Daena to find sleep, the nerves about what would happen in the throne room loomed closer. She could not imagine what would happen if Otto Hightower decided to name Vaemond Velaryon the her to Driftmark. In a perfect world her grandfather would be in perfect health and this would not be an issue.

The worst of it was that Lucerys blamed himself over something that was out of his control.

There was a small knock on her door snapping Daena out of her thoughts, before the door opened a girl about her age stepping though. She wore a shy smile on her face and from her features she could only assume she was of Dornish descent. Which was odd considering the difficult relationship between Dorne and the rest of Westeros.

"Good morning princess." The girl said as she laid out the grey and red gown on the bed. It had been years since Daena had stepped foot in the Red Keep, there was once a time when she knew everyone that worked at the castle. So much had clearly changed and she did not know the name of the girl before her.

"What is your name?" Daena questioned as she stood, walking towards the large mirror so they could begin getting her ready for the day.

"Casaella." She replied slowly seeing unsure of herself as she attempted another small smile.

"It's lovely to meet you."

Seeing as the girl was clearly not one for much conversation Daena was dressed and styled mostly in silence. Her tight silver curls were pulled back and braided expertly by Casaella and Daena found that she didn't want to step out of her chambers in fear of what was going to happen in the throne room.

Knowing there was no prolonging the inevitable Daena stood when Casaella opened the chamber

"My princess." Ser Alleras greeted an action which she found odd considering that the Kingsgaurd rarely spoke to their charges unless they were spoken too.

"Ser Alleras." Daena quickly greeted as she headed down the hall, her brothers were already waiting for her. Joffery immediately stepped forward taking her hand, but Lucerys was clearly too nervous to even attempt a smile. They waited a couple of moments longer for Baela and Rhaena before heading towards the doors leading into the throne room. Rhaenyra and Daemon were waiting for them, their mother giving them all an encouraging smile as they all took their place behind her and Daemon.

The large doors opened, one of the members of the Kingsgaurd announcing their arrival. As they walked down the aisle towards the Iron Throne Baela separated herself from them taking her place by their grandmother, Rhaenys. This was no surprise, Bella had been raised with their grandparents and there was a deep understanding of that.

The throne room was already full of lords and ladies awaiting to hear who the hand of the king would choose as the heir to Driftmark. Some waiting to see the Princess Rhaenyra's downfall and others who remained loyal to her hoping that the petition would be carried out fairly.

Otto Hightower was seated on the Iron Throne, the King clearly too weak to participate. It made it clear that the odds were not in their favor. The Queen and he children were all facing the court waiting for the Princess Rhaenyra and her family to take their place.

Many years ago they had left Kings Land and know they once again found themselves in the place that was once where it felt as if they had a painted target on their backs. It was a surprise that she had ever called the Red Keep home.

"Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark." Otto Hightower stated as he looked out at the court, far too comfortable in the Iron Throne. "As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters. The crown will now hear the petitions."

"Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon." The Queen said, as he stepped forward so that he was standing directly in front of the Hand of the King.

Daena resented how at times it felt as if she had to choose between the Targaryen blood that ran through her veins and the Velaryon blood that she cherished in equal measure. She felt that pressure to choose now, even though for her the choice was clear.

"My Queen. My Lord Hand. The history of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their kind. Our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name." Ser Vaemond continued proudly as he adressed the Lord Hand. "I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin, his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins."

"As it does in my sons, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir." He mother declared and Daena could not help but begin to twist her father's ring nervously on her finger. "No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition."

"You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra." The Queen stated her voice calm but her tone condescending. There had been two much tension between their families for it to be any other way. "Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard."

"What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess?" Ser Vaemond questioned as he looked to her mother the resentment and anger clear in his eyes. His eyes briefly met Daena's and though they had never had much of a relationship to begin with there was no denying that her knew that this was affecting her too. But he did not care that they shared blood, all he cared was about his own ambitions.

Daena could feel her blood beginning to run hot with every word.

"I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours. My Queen, my Lord Hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor... the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides."

The entire hall remained silent, Ser Vaemonds words undeniably ringing truth but that did not matter. Her father had always declared Jace, Luke and Joffery as his son's by blood. No rumors spread throughout the castle had ever changed that. The blood of the dragon ran through all of their veins.

"Thank you, Ser Vaemond. Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon." The Queen stated finally granting Daena'a mother permission to speak.

They all watched as the Princess Rhaenyra stepped forward taking the spot that Vaemond Velaryon once occupied in front of the throne that one day was to be hers. "If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very..."

Suddenly the doors of the throne room opened, whispers coming from every corner of the room at the sight of the King. Clearly it had been a long time since the King had been involved in matters related to the realm, and it was evident why. There was a golden mask covering half of the King's face, every step clearly more painful than the last as the King supported himself on a golden cane.

"King Viserys of House Targaryen, the 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." One of men in the Kingsgaurd declared as the King took his first step into the room.

He walked slowly towards the throne, though it looked more like he was walking towards his daughter. Rhaenyra was still standing before the Iron Throne, Otto Hightower had finally removed himself from the throne stepping down beside Rhaenyra.

"I will sit the throne today." The King declared.

"Your Grace." Otto Hightower said as he stepped aside for the King to begin his descent up the stairs. Daena found it a miracle of the Gods that the King could walk across the throne room, and she did not know whether he would be able to walk up steps leading up to the Iron Throne.

Everyone seemed to have held their breath as they watched the King struggle more with each step. He had not even made it across hand the steps before he bent over in exhaustion, the crown falling from his head with a loud thud that echoed through the room.

In a matter of seconds Daemond had stepped forward picking up the crown on his way up as he help the King up the last remaining steps.

They all watched in silence as Daemon helped the King onto the Iron Throne placing the crown onto his head. Daena had not realized how much Daemon truly cared for his brother until that moment, she had heard the stories of the tensions between Daemon and her grandsire but that clearly had not changed the love between the two brothers.

"I must... admit... my confusion." The King began once Daemon had walked done from the throne standing beside his family once again. "I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present... who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys."

All eyes turned towards Daena'a grandmother who was standing on the other side of the throne room. The tension in the room grew with every passing moment as they all waited for the princess to speak.

"Indeed, Your Grace. It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son... Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him." Her grandmother Rhaenys stated firmly, and Daena could not help but feel a rush of relief. She could not deny that she had her doubt about whether her grandmother would support Lucerys birthright. There had always been tension between her mother and grandmother. "As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys's granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree."

It was news to them all. Jace looked to her briefly, all their lived they had been told that they would marry but this new arrangement solved all their problems just the same. There were also vile lies that had been spread questioning Daena's own parentage, as they believed it impossible for her father to have fathered any children. Cruel rumors were to remain a part of them forever. However, this new propsal ensured that Velaryon blood found its place on the Iron Throne.

"Well... the matter is settled." The King declared with a deep sigh every word clearly painful and draining his energy. "Again. I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides."

A slight smile found its way on Daena'a lips as she looked to Alicent Hightower and her children. The Queen was visibly displeased a similar look on Aemond and Valaena'a face. Aegon however seemed amused while Halaena looked as if she would rather find herself anywhere else.

"You break law... and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir." Ser Vaemond said breaking the silence that had taken a hold of the room. His voice grew louder with every word, his face twisting in resentment and fury. "Yet you dare tell me... who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No. I will not allow it."

"Allow it"? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond." The King warned, and even then he was being too forgiving.

Suddenly Ser Vaemond turned pointing his finger a Luke. Her brother stepped back as their mother took his hand in an attempt to ease him. But nothing could ease the shame and embarrassment he must have felt. "That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine."

"Go to your chambers." Their mother said her words a clear warning. "You have said enough."

"Lucerys is my true-born grandson." The King continued and with every word Vaemond Velaryon's rage visibly grew. "And you... are no more than the second son of Driftmark."

"You... may run your house as you see fit... but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides. And gods be damned... I will not see it ended on the account of this..."

Although Vaemond had loudly declared his belief moment ago his determination suddenly faltered. He knew as well as everyone in the room that if he continued he would be declared a traitor. He would be executed as such for daring to question not only the heir to the Iron Throne but the king himself.

"Say it." Daemon dared his voice only a whisper but there was a coldness to it that would cause any other man to cower in fear.

"Her children... are bastards!" Vaemond Velaryon yelled his voice echoing through the throne room. Jace attempted to take a step forward but the moment he did Daena took a hold of his wrist, both of them knowing that the last thing their family needed was for them to make a spectacle of themselves. "And she... is... a whore."

The crowd gasped in horror knowing that those were words of treason and yet Ser Vaemond seemed proud of the words that he had just spoke. The satisfied smile on his face was one that cause Daena's blood to burn. She hadn't noticed that her bring on her older brother had tighten, but as she looked to him she could see the fire burning in his eyes.

"I... will have your tongue for that." The king declared as he rose from the Iron Throne, revealing a Valyrian Steel dagger in the process. It was clear that the action was one that caused the king great difficulty but nothing was going to stop him from defending his daughter.

Before anyone in the room could fully process the King's threat another gasp followed the sound of Valyrian steel cutting through the air and something else. Half of Vaemond Velaryon's head slowly fell to the ground with a loud thud, followed by his body a couple of moments later.

"He can keep his tongue." Daemon stated as he lowered Dark Sister wiping the blood off on his cloak.

"Disarm him!" Otto Hightower ordered.

"No need."He replied cooly as he sheathed Dark Sister before returning to his place beside Rhaenyra. In that moment it was clear that Daemon had been planning for this, they all knew that this was the only way to get the attention away from Ser Vaemonds words. That now the court would not speak about what vile things he had said to the princess but of the way that Daemon had mercilessly ended his life.

Daena looked down at the crumbled body on the floor, one half of his head laying a couple of feet away. Ser Vaemond's tongue exposed for the entire court to see. Vaemond Velaryon was her blood and yet she found that she did not mourn him or feel his loss. If anything there was a certain satisfaction in knowing that he could no longer slander her family.

The King practically collapsed back into the Iron Throne, the action undoubtedly painful as their King gasped for breath unable to hide the pain he was in.

"Call the maesters!" The Queen ordered as she rushed up the stairs to attempt and comfort her husband.

"Father?" Rhaenyra said softly clearly trusted that there was not much she could do with her swollen belly. All they could do was watch as the Kingsgaurd and Maester all came to the King's aid.

The Kingsgaurd all worked together to lift the King as carefully as possible removing him from the throne room so that he may be treated as quickly as possible.

Although sitting the Iron Throne had been a challenge for the King they all knew that it was all for his eldest daughter. No number of years had ever changed his mind on ensuring that Rhaenyra remained the heir. Had the King not taken over Otto Hightower would have undoubtedly named Vaemond Velaryon as the heir to Driftmark. Now that the title had been reaffirmed to Lucerys that meant that all their positions were secured and Daena felt as if she could breath freely again.

A/N: Its been a while but considering that season 2 is coming I want to catch up on this story. From this point I will be deviating a little from what happens in the show. Not sure if I mentioned it before but I'll mention it here, although there will be some romance in the story it won't be a big part of it. I will say that the romance is not what you may think it is going to be.