CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

LUCERYS

119 AC

VISENYA clutched her sister's hand tightly in her own. Rhaenyra had a vice-like grip on her hand and it was getting to the point that Visenya was actually in pain. However, she would not abandon her sister at this time. She couldn't bear something happening and not being right by her side.

Though Rhaenyra had already been through the birth of her eldest son, Jacaerys, Visenya was still worried. Her pre-existing beliefs of marriage had been somewhat wrong with the right husband, but she had seen first-hand what childbirth could do. 

Rhaenyra's cried out in agony, the midwife telling her she needed to keep pushing. "I can't. I can't."

"Yes you can, Rhae. You're doing so well," Visenya encouraged gently, using her free hand to take a cloth to dab the sweat from her sister's forehead. The babe had been pre-mature by a few days, but Visenya had been there in preparation. She was not going to miss the birth of another of her sister's children. She'd been on the Kingsroad when Jacaerys had come, so she made sure to come in advance this time around. 

"It hurts, Enya," Rhaenyra cried leaning her head against Visenya's shoulder, tears mixing in with her sweat. 

"You're almost there, Princess," called the midwife from the end of the bed. She'd been crouched there for some time now, waiting for the babe to come at any moment. 

"I know, but as you hear it's almost over. Just hold on for a little longer, dear sister," Visenya responded calmly, though her heart hammered in her chest. 

Rhaenyra groaned loudly and the wailing cry of a child sounded a moment later. The Princess breathed in relief, her body sagging and releasing the tension built up over hours. 

"You did it! What is it?" Visenya asked the midwife. 

"A boy, Princess."

"Another son for you, Rhae," Visenya chuckled, kissing her sister's forehead. Rhaenyra managed to crack a small smile, as she slowly shifted into a sitting position with Visenya's help. The midwife passed the child onto the younger of the two, but both stared down at the boy with motherly love. 

Rhaenyra murmured, "He's beautiful."

"Indeed," a voice came. The Targaryen women's heads snapped up. The midwives parted and quietened. Alicent stood at the foot of the bed, staring at the three. Visenya discreetly rolled her eyes. 

Over the past two years, Alicent had become more overbearing than usual. Rhaenyra informed her, that Alicent would send for her at inopportune times, spout lies about the legitimacy of her children and gossip about Laenor's private business. 

Visenya knew about her sister and her brother-in-law's indiscretions, but that was between them. And if Rhaenyra was happy and content with their relationship, then so was she. Besides, the boys were still Targaryen no matter the father. They would still move on to inherit the throne. Something Alicent's children would never do as much as she wished. 

"Your Grace," Rhaenyra spoke tiredly, "What can I do for you?"

"Oh nothing, just came to see the child," Alicent spoke, a bright smile crossing her face. 

Visenya scowled deeply and stood from the bed, "If there is nothing more, my sister needs rest. I'm sure the afterbirth is coming upon us quickly."

"What do you know of afterbirth Visenya," Alicent chuckled, "You have no children. Where is your husband? Maybe we ought to have a talk."

Visenya gave a malicious chuckle as a smirk crossed her face. Rhaenyra looked between them like it was a game. And even the babe seemingly quietened to listen to the conversation.

"Oh Alicent, do you not remember? It was only but two years ago when I told you I'd rather not have children. On my wedding day? Gods, you don't recall? Perhaps we should visit the Maester, forgetfulness is the first sign of becoming senile they say," Visenya responded, moving to push the woman out of the chamber. 

Alicent slapped her hand violently, "I am not going senile. I do remember talking about it."

"Good, then you shouldn't have to bother asking me about it again."

Rhaenyra stifled a laugh before pain erupted. She groaned and Visenya whipped in her direction. The nurses came back around and Rhaenyra passed her child off to her sister. Visenya stepped back to allow the nurses to do their job and cooed at the baby in her arms. Alicent looked over her shoulder at the child who was already sprouting brown hair. 

She scoffed, shaking her head. Visenya glared, "Is there a problem, Your Grace?"

"Yes. That child is not Ser Laenor's."

"I assure you he is. If you have any other issues, you can take it up with my father in the court. If there's nothing else, you know where the door is."

"I am your Queen, you cannot speak to me that way," Alicent argued. 

Visenya faced her with a blazing glare, "I do not care. Leave before I make you, you are not wanted here."

Alicent scoffed, turning abruptly and exiting the chamber. Rhaenyra's screams ceased and she panted, her chest heaving. "Is she gone?" Visenya nodded as she walked back over. "Good that was all faked."

Visenya chuckled gently. The child in her arms cooed, his tiny fingers reaching for her silver hair. Visenya brushed his little cheek gently with her fingertips as she sat beside her sister. Rhaenyra gazed upon them with joy. Her sister would make a great mother. But she was stubborn and Rhaenyra knew there was no way in seven hells Visenya would ever let herself have a child. 

The door opened and the two looked up watching as little Jacaerys entered with Laenor. He was barely two but he enjoyed being around his mother and aunt at all times. Jacaerys tried to climb onto the bed and Visenya laughed, passing the babe off to Rhaenyra to help her oldest nephew. 

"That's your brother Jace." Jacaerys squirmed in Visenya's arms, hiding his face in her silver locks. He let out little giggles as she poked him in the side. Visenya looked at Rhaenyra and Laenor as they silently conversed, "Have you chosen a name?"

"Lucerys," Rhaenyra responded. 

Jacaerys leaned toward the child, peering with inquisitive eyes. He giggled again and sat down in Visenya's lap. Visenya looked at her sister as her eyes drooped, "You should sleep, sister. I'll take Jace out to the gardens. And I'm sure Laenor would like to spend time with Lucerys."

Rhaenyra looked at her husband who nodded quickly. She passed her child over to him and Visenya stood off the bed, Jacaerys in her arms, "Let's go my love." She carried her nephew out of the chamber and into the corridor. 

On her way into the gardens, she ran into one of the children's nurses, holding Rhaella and Helaena's hands. Both girls had grown large in the two years Visenya had been away from the Keep. They were awfully adorable and even Visenya had to admit she liked them. 

"Sister," Rhaella said, a childish smile passing along her face as she scurried over to Visenya's side and hugged her leg tightly. The girls were only four but Visenya could see that they were extremely intelligent. Rhaella was incredibly kind, often sitting with her little brother, Aemond, and Jace, helping them to form words. And Helaena was gentle, always playing with butterflies and ladybirds in the gardens. 

"Hello, my sweetligs. Where are you off to?" Visenya smiled down at her. 

"The— the... I've forgotten," Helaena stated, looking up at the nurse innocently. 

"The library, Princess."

"Where are you going?" Rhaella asked, looking up at her with wide purple eyes. Visenya felt a little stunned at how much they reminded her of her mother's. Rhaella and Aemma had strikingly similar features. 

"I was taking Jace into the gardens."

"Can we come?" Helaena questioned, rushing over to Visenya's other side before she said in a low whisper, "I do not like the library."

"Of course, the more the merrier," Visenya answered. The girls giggled to each other, skipping off ahead of her. The nurse followed as they exited the Keep into the gardens. It was a beautiful afternoon and the sea breeze blew in cooling the hot Summer's day. 

They settled under a tree and Visenya set Jacaerys down in the grass. He immediately began to clutch the blades in his small hands and pull it out, throwing it at anyone who passed. Helaena and Rhaella ran off trying to catch a butterfly. 

Visenya and the nurse engaged in a chat about the children's development. Almost half an hour later, the twins were back, playing with the beetles in the grass when a shadow befell them. Visenya looked up and smiled brightly at the sight of her husband. 

"Hello, my love. Are you well?" she questioned. 

"Yes. I see you forgot about coming back to our chambers," Addam responded, though not angry as a smile crossed his face. 

"Yes. So sorry," Visenya responded, standing to meet him. Addam placed a chaste kiss upon her lips, his hands tangling into her free hair. Helaena and Rhaella squealed at the sight and the woman blushed. 

She and Addam's relationship had improved in the last year. She'd tried to make much more of an effort in being a good wife and she found herself liking him quite a bit. She'd kissed him for the first time since their wedding a few months back and now it seemed like a regular thing between them. Not that she minded, she liked the feeling of being loved. 

"How's Rhaenyra?" Addam questioned, his hands running up and down her arms. 

"She's great. Another boy!" Visenya chuckled. 

"Have they chosen a name?" 

"Lucerys."

Rhaella spoke lowly, but loud enough for them to hear, "A son for a son."

Visenya turned toward her as a frown crossed her face. The adults stared at the child as she continued to play with the beetle in her hand, Helaena peeking over her shoulder to look as well. 

"I beg your pardon?"

"An eye for an eye. A son for a son," Helaena continued. 

Visenya's frown deepened and she glanced at the nurse who looked stricken with terror, "You will say nothing of this." The woman nodded rapidly as the girls began to giggle again as Jacaerys crawled over to them.