▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
HOUSE OF THE DRAGONS
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ─── ❛ fire and blood

FIRE ON FIRE ₊˚.༄𖥸 ──
𑁍₊𓄹 -- ❪ house of the dragons ❫. 𓄹
╭ ‧₊˚⊹ 你好，欢迎光临
╰ ✦ family meals╭ ᘒ ✦

Rhaella held onto her glass of wine, looking around at her family around the table. She sat in between Aemond and Baela, the two girls forming a conversation between themselves, sharing smiles and soft words.

Rhaella could feel her mother's stare on her, after the conversation they had a couple of hours prior. But Rhaella ignored it.

When the doors opened, Rhaella stood as she saw her father being carried in by the guards. Everyone else soon stood up, watching as he was placed in between Rhaenyra and Alicent.

Everyone then sat down, eyes on the King. "How good it is...to see you all tonight." His voice was raspy as he looked around at his family around the table. "Together."

"Prayer before we begin?" Alicent asked her husband, who nodded his head. Rhaella sighed as she crossed her hands in front of her, closing her eyes as she waited for her mother to begin. "May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon..."

Rhaella bit back a sarcastic laugh, opening her eyes and looking around the table, seeing Daemon share the same expression as her. Rhaella had to lower her head when the pair met eyes, stopping herself from laughing at the mention of the men.

"May the gods give him rest." Alicent finished, opening her eyes and sitting up. Rhaella breathed out, sitting up and dropping her hands to her lap.

"This is an occasion for celebration, it seems." Viserys spoke up, lying back weakly in his seat. "My grandsons, Jace and Luke, will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses." Rhaella softly smoked at her nephews, Baela and Rhaena. "A toast to the young Princes...and their betrothed."

Rhaella held up her cup, smile on her face as the rest did the same. Rhaella took a sip of her wine, turning to see Aegon whisper something to Jace. Rhaella could tell it wasn't good by Jacaerys and Baela's expression.

"Let us toast as well Prince Lucerys..." The King continued, looking over to his grandson with a weak smile. "The future Lord of the Tides."

Rhaella once again lifted her cup before placing it down. She turned when she heard more whispers come from Aegon, making her raise a brow.

She didn't have time to question it as her father stood up, leaning on the table for support, his body weak and fragile. "It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table." He looked at everyone around the table. "The faces most dear to me in all the world...yet grown so distant from each other...in the years past."

Rhaella watched as her father took off his gold mask, placing it down and revealing his wounded face. "My own face...is no longer a handsome one...if indeed it ever was." He spoke as Rhaella sadly smiled at her father. "But tonight, I wish you to see me...as I am. Not just a king..."

"But your father..."

"Your brother..."

"Your husband..."

"And your grandsire."

He looked at every one of them, still leaning on the table for support as his words came out in heavy breaths.  "Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts." He said as he hit his cane into the floor. "The crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragons remains divided. But set aside your grievances."

Rhaella lowered her head at his words, fidgeting with the rings on her finger as she listened to her father continue.

"If not for the sake of the crown...then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly." Viserys declared, eyes still wandering around the table.

He breathed out heavily before sitting down, Alicent aiding him and putting the mask back on his face.

Rhaella looked up to see Rhaenyra stand up, her cup in her hand as she kept her eyes down. "I wish to raise my cup to Her Grace, the Queen." She turned to Alicent, who was taking back by her words. "I love my father. But I must admit that no one has stood...more loyally by his side than his good wife." Rhaenyra nodded her head at Alicent. "She has tended to him with...unfailing devotion, love and honour. And for that, she has my gratitude."

Rhaella listened to her words, holding onto her own cup as she drunk from it. "And my apology." Rhaenyra finished as she sat down.

Alicent looked over at Rhaenyra before clearing her throat. "Your graciousness moved me deeply, Princess. We are both mothers...and we love our children." Rhaella lowered her head at her words, bitting her inner cheek. "We have more in common than we sometimes allow." She said as she grabbed her cup and stood up, facing Rhaenyra. "I raise my cup to you and your house. You will make a fine Queen."

Alicent then sat herself down, placing her cup down as the table remained silent. Rhaella took a sip from her cup, watching as Aegon stood up and moved close to Baela.

Rhaella watched with a raised brow, slowly putting her cup down as she watched her younger brother. "I...I regret the disappointment you are soon to suffer." He whispered to Baela, who frowned. "But, if you wish to know what it is to be well satisfied, all you have to do is ask."

Jacaerys immediately stood up at his words, hands against the table as Aegon moved away, sitting back down. Rhaella sent him a sharp glare, as if she was warning him.

Rhaella turned when she heard Aemond stand up, making her close her eyes, rubbing her forehead. "Do not make a scene and ruin our father's night, brother." Rhaella whispered, looking up at Aemond, who stared at Jacaerys. "Aemond."

Aemond casted his eye down, looking at her before looking back up at Jacaerys and sitting himself down. Rhaella breathed out, dropping her hands onto the table as she looked up at Jacaerys, who raised his cup.

"To Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond." Jace started, looking at his uncles. "We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth." Rhaella slowly nodded her head, knowing that they were everything but fond. "And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies." Jacaerys nodded his head. "To you and your family's good health, dear uncles." He raised his cup at them before sitting down.

"To you as well." Aegon awkwardly said, Jace tapping his shoulder with a slight grin.

"I would like to toast to Baela and Rhaena." Helaena then stood up, cup in her hand as she stared at the girls with a smile. "They'll be married soon. It isn't so bad. Mostly he just ignores you..." Rhaella sadly looked up at her younger sister, forever guilty for putting a burden on her. If she'd have known her mother would betroth Helaena to Aegon, she would have simply agreed when her mother asked. "Except sometimes when he's drunk." She said, smiling before sitting down.

"Let us have some music." Viserys declared from his seat. Instantly, music was played. Rhaella sat back in her seat, sipping her wine.

She turned when Jacaerys stood up, excusing himself from Baela as he made his way over to Helaena holding out his hand for her to take. Helaena quickly took it as Jacaerys led her to the floor.

Rhaella softly smiled, placing her cup down as the food started to be passed around them. Rhaella didn't hesitate to dig in when the food was placed in front of her, she was hungry.

Rhaella turned her head as she watched her father be taken out, making her stand up and watch with a sad look before sitting back down.

That's when a plate had been brought out, with a cooked pig on it. Rhaella looked at Aemond, then Lucerys, who was grinning. Rhaella breathed out, sinking back in her chair as she held onto her cup, looking at her brother beside her.

Rhaella didn't jump when her brother hit the table, standing up and looking over at Lucerys. "Don't." Rhaella warned Aemond, looking up at him as he grabbed his cup.

"Final tribute." Aemond started, his cup raised. "To the health of my nephews: Jace..." He turned his gaze to the eldest brother, then towards the youngest. "Luke...and Joffrey." He added the little one, who was too young to sit at the table. "Each of them handsome, wise..."

"Don't." Rhaella whispered, knowing what he was going to say.

"Strong."

Rhaella squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head as she casted her head down. "Come, let us drain our cups to these three...Strong boys."

"I dare you to say that again." Jacaerys dared Aemond, his firsts curled up into a ball as his gaze was narrowed.

"Why?" Aemond instantly turned to him. "'Twas only a compliment." Aemond moved towards Jacaerys, who also moved closer towards him. "Do you not think yourself Strong?"

Jacaerys fist connected with Aemond's jaw, making Lucerys stand up, going towards his brother, only to be thrown to the table by Aegon.

Rhaella quickly stood up, her chair scraping against the floor, making her way towards Aegon and pulling him away from Lucerys, letting the younger boy get up. "Are you mad?" Rhaella hissed, squeezing onto his arm, watching her mother go to Aemond.

"'Twas only a jest, sister." Aegon chuckled, making Rhaella push him away, glare on her face.

Rhaella made sure Lucerys was okay, apologising for her brother's actions. "Why would you say such a thing before these people?" Alicent asked Aemond in a hushed tone.

"I was merely expressing how proud I am of my family, Mother." Aemond simply said, turning to face the brothers once more. "Though it seems my nephews aren't quite proud of theirs."

Jacaerys and Lucerys went to attack, only to be held back by the guards. Only to be stopped by Aemond. "Wait, wait!" He stepped in front of Jace and before Aemond.

"Go to your quarters." Rhaenyra told her sons, Baela and Rhaena. "All of you go, now." She ordered them. Rhaella watched the four leave, turning to face her brother, only for him to walk out.

"Helaena, come." Rhaella softly spoke to her younger sister, and Helaena instantly went to her side, grabbing into Rhaella's arm and walking out of the room.

"Are you okay, sister?" Rhaella softly asked, keeping her arm linked with her sister as they walked through the corridors of their home.

"Yes. I want to see the children." Helaena spoke, turning to Rhaella, who nodded her head.

"As do I. They will be asleep, will they not?" Rhaella asked, softly stoking Helaena's arm as Helaena hummed.

"I want to make sure they are okay." She quietly uttered to herself, making Rhaella frown.

Helaena had tried to explain to Rhaella of her random rhymes, how they had a bigger meaning than Rhaella had anticipated.

Their bond had grown bigger, especially with Rhaella's unusual connection to Helaena, which neither of them understood. But Rhaella made sure no harm came to her little sister, ever.

— Maddie's notes.

Have I causally added some lore into the recent chapters? Yes.

Will I tell you? No.

Only Jordan knows HEHEHE.

But it is currently 5 am and I've had no sleep HASHAH. To busy watching Sam gladiators all Minecraft videos. Oopsie

But Oml I'm OBSESSED WITH THE LAST KINGDOM!!

And sihtric... SMASH.

Who said that 😃

But that's why I made sihtric the faceclaim for Cregan. Because everyone wanted him to be Cregan, as did i.. so I did it by myself.

It's sad this is the last chapter before chaos. And Rhaella will not stand for it. Not at all.

"PEACE OUT" — Maddie 2024 to Jordan.

She'll understand HAHS.

Okay well I'm off to write Rhaella being in the north. 🎀

19th July 2024
2040 words