▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
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           
╰ ✦ chaos╭ ᘒ ✦

Rhaella loved her walks, whether it was around the red keep, in her chambers—anywhere. Everyday, she'd go on a walk, talk to whomever she could, gracing them with respect, as if they were an equal.

That's when she found herself watching her brother's and nephew's practise their sparring.  Swords had always intrigued the Targaryen girl. But her mother, Alicent, claimed it was un-lady like.

So she watched with a smile, flower in her hand as she stood beside her sworn guard protecter.

Ser Criston told the boys what to do, subtly leaving out the two Velaryon boys. He pulled Aegon for a talk, Rhaella watching and not realising her oldest nephew make his way towards her.

"Are you here to train, Rhaella?" The soft voice of Jacaerys made the Targaryen girl turn, a smile bracing her features.

"No, I have not, dear nephew." Rhaella shook her head, smile still on her face. "My mother claims it is not lady-like to do such things."

"That's a shame." Jacaerys frowned, spinning the wooden sword in his hands. "I'm sure you would be better than myself and my brother." He jested, making Rhaella let out a giggle at his words.

"Nonsense, Jace." Rhaella softly shook her head. "You and Luke with grow into mighty knights."

Ser Harwin Strong's voice interrupted their conversation, directing his words to Ser Criston. "It's seems the younger boys could do with a bit of your attention, Ser Criston." He said, holding onto his own sword.

Rhaella bit her inner cheek as she turned to her nephews, watching as they stood beside each other.

"You question my method of instruction, Ser?" Ser Criston's tone was harsh as he spoke, which Rhaella didn't understand why.

"I merely suggest that method be applied to all your pupils." Ser Harwin suggested, shrugging his shoulders as he stood beside Rhaella and her guard. And the Targaryen smiled up at him.

Rhaella liked Ser Harwin. He had a kind heart—looked out for all people. He had helped her multiple times, and she was grateful.

"Very well." Ser Criston nodded his head as he looked at all four boys. "Jacaerys, come here." He pointed to the oldest Velaryon, walking towards him and roughly grabbing his amour. "You spar with Aegon."

Rhaella frowned. That wasn't fair. Aegon was older than Jacaerys. That wouldn't be a fair fight. And Rhaella knew what her brother was like.

"It's hardly a fair match." Ser Harwin said, as if he could read Rhaella's thoughts.

"I know you've never seen true battle, Ser, but when steel is drawn, a fair match isn't something anyone should expect." Ser Criston told him.

Rhaella watched her younger brother, giving him a pointed look, which he could feel. She didn't not want anyone to be harmed.

"Blades up." Ser Criston ordered, Jacaerys and Aegon standing in front of each other. "Engage."

Aegon rushed forward, a yell leaving his lips as he swung his sword towards Jacaerys, making the younger boy back away.

Lucerys and Aemond moved away, joining Rhaella's side as the three watched the fight. It was clear Jace was at a disadvantage.

Rhaella's eyes widened as Aegon roughly pushed Jacaerys to the ground, the boy landing with a thud.

What Aemond didn't expect was for Jacaerys to get back up and charge towards him, making Aegon quickly turn around and dodge the attack.

The pair continued to fight as everyone watched, Aegon moving behind one of the targets and pushing it at Jace.

"Foul play." Ser Harwin immediately said, pointing to Aegon as he stood beside Jacaerys.

"I'll deal with him." Ser Criston said as he moved towards Aegon. Ser Harwin did the same as he held onto Jacaerys.

Rhaella fidgeted with the flower in her hands, turning to Aemond, who was watching the scene closely.

"You!" Aegon's angry voice made Rhaella turn to face him once more. Aegon charged towards Jacaerys, the brunette quickly siding the attack.

"Close with him." Ser Criston ordered as Aegon did as he said. "Press him backward!" He continued to yell over their yells.

Rhaella watched them both, twisting the flower in her hands as Aegon lifted his leg and kicked Jacaerys in the chest, sending him to the floor.

"Don't let him get up."

Rhaella turned at Ser Criston's words, turning to Aemond, then to Aegon and Jacaerys. Ser Harwin was quick to move forward, grabbing onto Aegon and pushing him away from Jacaerys.

"You dare put hands on me?" Aegon yelled at Ser Harwin, who made sure Jace was okay. Rhaella squeezed onto Lucerys' shoulder, keeping him close.

"You forget yourself, Strong. That is the Prince." Ser Criston stepped forwards, pointing his head at Aegon.

"This is what you teach, Cole?" Ser Harwin asked, picking up the wooden swords. "Cruelty...to the weaker opponent?"

When Aegon moved towards his siblings, Rhaella was quick to grab his arm, looking up at him with narrowed eyes. "Are you mad?" She asked in a hushed whisper, ignoring Ser Criston and Ser Harwin's conversation. "Jace is much younger than you!"

"Sister, if you cannot handle it, you do not have to watch." Aegon pulled his arm back, sarcastically grinning at his older sister. Rhaella simply narrowed her eyes, opening her mouth until she saw Ser Harwin throw a punch at Ser Criston.

Everyone was taken by surprise, Rhaella pulling her brothers backwards and away from the fight taking place. Aemond kept his hand on her arm—Aegon behind them with wide eyes. She turned her head to make sure her nephews were okay, and they were.

Ser Criston was dropped to the floor as Ser Harwin continued to strike at the man, climbing on top of him.

Rhaella watched with wide eyes, looking around as none of the guards dared to move. Her guard stood close towards her, making sure she was indeed, okay.

Then, Ser Harwin was pulled off of Sef Criston by two guards, pulling him away from Ser Criston. "Say it again!" He yelled down at the bloodied Ser Criston. "Say it again!"

"What did he say?" Rhaella whispered to Aemond, knowing he'd tell her the truth. Aegon would just jest.

"That our step-sister's children are bastards." Aemond simply said as Rhaella frowned. Bastards? Then her eyes widened as she turned to Ser Harwin, then her nephews.

Were they Ser Harwin's children?

Either way, that was not a reason for her nephews to be treated with such hatred.

"You must have been so frightened." Alicent cupped her eldest daughter's face, making sure Rhaella was fine. "You should not have seen that."

"See Criston was being unfair." Rhaella said as her maids rushed around her, running her bath. "He treated Lucerys and Jacaerys unfairly.

Alicent breathed out, stroking her daughter's cheek with a slight frown. Rhaella looked up at her mother, bitting her inner cheek.

"All because they aren't Ser Leanor's children." Rhaella then said, making Alicent sigh, shaking her head. "Aemond called them bastards. But, they are just like us. They are family."

"It is a complicated thing, my sweet girl." Alicent simply said, pulling away from her daughter. "You are far too young to understand."

"I am not." Rhaella shook her head. She understood a lot of things children should her age did not know. "If my nephews are not Ser Laenor's children, that is not a reason for them to be treated unequally." Rhaella simply said as she watched her mother turn away from her. "Rhaenyra is the heir to the throne, so that makes Jacaerys is her heir."

"We will not discuss that matter, Rhaella." Alicent turned around, not liking what her daughter was saying. "It is time for your bath. Then we have other matters to discuss."

Rhaella bit her inner check, nodding her head at her mother. She didn't understand her mother's hatred towards Rhaenyra and her children. She didn't understand in the slightest. They were family.

Rhaella had her bath, Alicent bathing her and helping her change. Rhaella sat on her bed, letting Alicent run her hands through her hair.

"What was it you wanted to discuss, mother?" Rhaella softly asked, looking down at her hands as Alicent breathed out.

"You are of age...soon." Alicent started. She didn't like the idea of marrying her daughter off, but that is what she needed to do to strengthen houses together. "You are to marry."

Rhaella was quick to turn around, her eyes wide as she looked up at her mother. "Pardon?" She uttered, making Alicent sigh once more, cupping the sides of her face.

"Me and your father have been speaking...you know about Aegon and Helaena." Rhaella closed her eyes at that, slowly nodding her head. "And we have arranged a betrothal for you."

"Who? Where?" Rhaella immediately asked, her eyes wide as she held onto her mothers arms.

Alicent stroked Rhaella's cheek with her thumb, pulling her closer. "I sent a raven, to Winterfell, my sweet." Alicent muttered as Rhaella frowned. "The Lord of Winterfell has a boy, around your age. This would strengthen our houses by your betrothal."

"Mother, I cannot." Rhaella immediately shook her head, frown on her face as she looked up at her mother with pleading eyes. "You cannot force me."

"Rhaella..."

"Mother, I do not want to be shipped off to Winterfell when my family is here." Rhaella shook her head, standing up as she looked down at Alicent. "Please, mother."

Alicent looked up at her daughter, seeing the tears in her eyes and let out a deep sigh before nodding her head. "I will speak to your father, my sweet."

Rhaella breathed out, leaning towards her mother and pulling her into a hug, grateful. "Thank you." Rhaella uttered, holding onto Alicent.

"You will have to marry one day, my sweet." Alicent told her, making Rhaella slowly nod.

"I know, but I don't want to, not right now.

Alicent sat at the table, her hands clasped together in front of her as she stared at Rhaenyra. It was evident she wasn't happy with what the princess had said, turning to her husband as she stood up. "Let us be finished."

Everyone around the table stood up, expect for Rhaenyra, who ordered them to wait. And they did. "I wish to speak." Rhaenyra said as Viserys nodded his head, telling everyone to sit back down.

Rhaenyra stood up as Alicent still stood. Rhaenyra looked over at her old friend, clearing her throat. "I have felt the...strife..." She started, resting her hands on the table. "Between our families of late, My Queen. And for any offence given by mine, I apologise." Rhaenyra spoke as she kept her eyes on Alicent.

"But we are one house. And long before that, we were friends." Alicent casted her eyes down at Rhaenyra's words. "My son Jacaerys will inherit the Iron Throne after me. I propose we betroth him to your daughter, Rhaella."

Alicent's head snapped up at those words, hearing Rhaenyra propose to marry her daughter to her bastard son.

"Ally ourselves...once and for all." Rhaenyra continued. "Let them rule together."

"A most judicious proposition." Viserys smiled, nodding his head at his eldest daughter's words, liking her propose.

"Additionally, if Syrax brings forth another clutch of eggs, your son Aemond will have his choice of them...a symbol of our goodwill." Rhaenyra softly said, smile on her face as she tired to make amends.

Alicent looked up at Rhaenyra, noticing the marks on her dress. She bit her lip before speaking up. "Rhaenyra." Alicent nodded at the marks on her chest, making Rhaenyra look down and cover her chest.

"Oh, seven hells." She said before sitting down, casting her head down as she kept her hands on her chest.

"Your proposal is a judicious one, Princess." Alicent started as she stared down at her husband, then over to Rhaenyra. Alicent had spoken to Rhaella about a betrothal with Aegon, to which the girl immediately disagreed with. But Alicent needed to marry Rhaella, so she looked elsewhere. And she needed to gain loyalties from other places. "But we plan to betroth Rhaella with the lord from Winterfell, when she is of age."

Rhaenyra raised a brow at Alicent's words, looking at her father, who had also hesitated. Why such a betrothal, Rhaenyra thought.

— madeleines notes

Chat tell me why I started this not even a couple of days ago and I've already started writing season two... HAHAHAH

But short chapter bc the next one will be really long so, hold your horses hehehe <3

Lots of love lovelies, have a good day or night <3

13th July 2024
2132 words