It wasn't until the sun shone through their window that Visenya woke up. Normally she was awake around dawn and seeing the sun was a strange sight. She also hated the sun because her pale skin burned easily

When she opened her eyes, she saw Aemond reading in his favorite chair, Maegor napping in his lap. Visenya became away of the other twin sleeping around her belly and she peeked to see Laenora snoozing against her.

"Morning," She whispered to Aemond. "Why didn't you wake me?"

Aemond set his book down on the table and leaned back in his chair. "You wouldn't stop tossing and turning all night. I thought the extra sleep might do you some good. They came in here and decided to nap with you," he spoke softly.

Visenya smiled at him, her hand rubbing over the spot their baby was kicking. "Thank you."

"You have no reason to thank me. I am confused as to why you still haven't sent the invitation to Cregan after a day of Daeron's return."

She let out a sigh and pushed her curls out of her face. "Daeron offered good terms. I was waiting to see if my mother accepted them before dooming Daeron to a loveless relationship."

Aemond nodded in understanding. "You know, he could marry Brella if everything works out."

"That's why I'm waiting. I want Daeron and Brella to be happy. But if it is war, I need the north and he agreed."

"Mama, is Auntie Ellyn really pregnant?" Maegor asked.

"Yes."

Maegor nodded. "Do I still get to choose who I can marry?"

"Of course. If Aunt Ellyn has a girl, you could even choose her, when you are old enough. You are too young for this decision."

Visenya sat up and stretched her arms out, then leaned over to tickle Laenora. "My sweet girl, would you like to go on a ride today?"

"Only if it's on Vhagar," she grinned.

Visenya lightly pinched her side and Laeny giggled. "You little traitor."

"Will you still name baby sister Vharra?" She asked

"I haven't decided. Your father and I like a few names if it's a girl. Like Daena, or Aemma, or maybe even Daenerys."

"What if it's a boy?" Maegor asked.

"We could do Vaegon," Aemond offered.

"That's a nice option."

"Visenya!" Rhaenys frantically knocked from the other side of the door. "There's an alert envy council meeting, we need you now!"

Visenya and Aemond immediately exchanged a worried glance. "Children, go to Aunt Helaena's chambers," Aemond commanded.

They both nodded and held hands as they ran out of the room. Visenya pulled a simple dress on and they bother followed Rhaenys. She would tell them what was wrong, but she was holding a scroll in her hands. When they entered the room, no one else knew either.

"What is the meaning of this?" Visenya asked.

Rhaenys set the scroll down. "We have received word from Dragonstone."

Visenya smiled. "Did Jace convince her?"

The look in Rhaenys' eyes told her that there would be no peace.

"When Prince Jacaerys returned to the island, he was mortally wounded."

No.

"He had a stab wound in his back, mumbling the name of Daeron."

No.

"Rhaenyra has seen this as a declaration of war. The prince has not yet woken since his return, the maesters are not sure he will."

Her ears were ringing as she stood up. Aemond was saying her name, but she couldn't hear anything. She saw red, and she was angry. Daeron stood as she approached him and she grabbed his collar and shoved him against the wall.

"What the FUCK did you do?!" She screamed.

His eyes went wide with fear and he shook his head. "I didn't do anything, I swear! I gave him your terms and he left! He was fine when I saw him fly away!"

"Liar! Why else is my brother dying, Daeron? We could have avoided war!" She yelled.

"Visenya, I swear to you, Jace seemed pleased and looked sincere when I reminded him that you still cared for him!"

"I don't believe you! Kinslayer, that's what they'll call you! War is on our doorstep, and it was not done by my hand! You have done this!"

"Visenya!" Brella snapped. "He said he didn't do it! Daeron isn't a liar and he's not violent!"

Visenya turned to look at her and then looked back at Daeron. "I want you out of my sight so that I can handle a war you put us in!"

Daeron looked hurt, and Visenya started to wonder if she went too far. Her emotions were so heightened, and the baby was moving around the more she got worked up. But Jacaerys, her brother. The relationship may have been strained now, but it wasn't always. 

The water splashed up against the rocks as Laenor watched Visenya and Jace on the shore, holding a one-year-old Luke.

"Vissy, look!" Jace giggled, holding up a rock that was similar to the color of Vermax, his young dragon. "Gween wike 'ermax!"

Visenya walked over to him and looked at the thin rock. "Do you want me to teach you how to skip it?"

"Uh-huh!" He smiled, handing it to her. She throw it out on the water and it plopped in without skipping, but to her young mind, she thought she did amazing. And Jace cheered for her.

"Papa thought me that."

"Are you talking about me?" Laenor appeared behind them.

"No!" Jace yelled and ran across the rocks, trying to find another one. "Sissy, come help me."

Visenya ran after him and he reached for her hand as he climbed on top of a boulder. But she stayed on the ground and then he got scared. 

"It's okay, Jace, I will catch you!"

"No! It is too high! I want Mama!"

Visenya reached her hand out. "I am your big sister, remember? It is my job to protect you, I will catch you!"

Jace bit his cheek nervously but nodded and jumped. And she caught him

But now, she had failed. She couldn't protect him.

And he was going to die because of her.

-

Daeron threw things around the room as he cried in frustration. He felt so much guilt and yet he hadn't hurt a hair on his nephew's body. He never touched him, much less drew his sword. He saw the look in Jace's eyes, he wanted peace. 

What could have gone wrong? 

"Daeron!" Brella rushed to him, cupping his cheeks. "My love, I am here."

"I didn't want to hurt him, I never want this! I swear it to you, I swear it to the Old Gods, The Seven, and the Fourteen Flames!"

"I know," She whispered, stroking a thumb over his cheekbone. "And I think that Visenya truly believes you, she just isn't handling this well. None of us truly want war, and she still cares for all her brothers. But I believe you."

Daeron wrapped his arms around her and pulled her flush against him. "I love you. I can't do this without you."

"Then don't," She mumbled.

"How do you mean?"

"I mean ... let's run away. Run to the closest septon with a witness and marry me. You promised me for years you would in a heartbeat."

Daeron's violet eyes widened. "You truly mean it? You would not forsake me for forgetting my vow to the North?"

"Fuck the North, Daeron. I never trusted Cregan Stark would truly do this. He is honorable. Why would he forsake that for a bastard sister?"

Daeron nodded. "I want Aegon to be our witness."

"Then you best go find him. Meet me in the Great Sept."

Daeron rushed faster than he ever had to Aegon's chambers, knocking rapidly. Helaena opened the door, smiling at her little brother. "Hello, brother."

"Is Aegon here, Hel?"

"He is."

Aegon appeared behind her, his eyes tired with sleep. "Do you know what time it is?"

"Yes. I need your help with something."

Aegon saw the despair on his face and nodded. "Fine." Helaena moved so he could exit and they walked the halls. "What is this."

"I need you to witness my wedding."

Aegon stopped walking and stared in confusion. "I am sorry, what?"

"I can't marry that bastard. I won't."

"Technically Aemond married a bastard. How is this any different?"

"Sara is a declared bastard. And I do not love her Aegon. I need you because if someone had offered you an out before Helaena, would you have taken it?" Daeron asked.

Aegon furrowed his brows. "You made a promise to Visenya and you have already pissed her off once. If you do this -"

"Please, Aegon. I love her, and I do not want to marry a woman I have no love for. I know I will never love her, and I refuse to be an unfaithful husband. Aegon, in all the shitty things you have done, this is all I ask you for."

Aegon closed his eyes and shook his head. "I will not be the one to tell you, you will."

"Fine. Let's go."

Aegon followed him to the Sept and when he saw Brella wearing a silk white dress, he lost his breath. He joined her by the Septon she had found, cradling her face. "You are the most divine creature to walk the land."

"Then make an honest woman out of me."

"In the sight of the Seven, I hereby see you these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words."

"Father. Smith. Warrior. Mother. Maiden. Crone. Stranger. I am his."

"I am hers, and she is mine.

"He is mine."

"From this day, till the end of my days."

Moaning. Panting. Thrusting. Tears. Their bodies tangled in the sheets as their bodies became one, and Brella became Brella Targaryen. She gripped the sheets as they came again and again.

"Don't take the moontea," He whispered as he spilled into her for the last time of the night.

"I will think about it," She whispered.

When the sun rose, Brella and Daeron waited for Visenya in the Small Council Chambers.

"Could you not have waited until lunch? I know I owe you -"

"I married Brella last night, Your Grace."

Aemond's eye shot up at his brother and he lounged at him. "Are you fucking stupid?!"

Visenya gripped her head as a headache started. "No ..."

"YOU just cost us the fucking NORTH, you fool! You made my wife, your QUEEN, a promise! Kinslayer and Oathbreaker. You are racking up those insults quite fast!"

"Aemond," Visenya whispered, her head spinning. "I need a seat."

Aemond was quick to pull a chair up for her and she sat down, the other three taking a seat.

They sat in silence for what felt like an hour. Visenya was at a loss for words, but a part of her was mad at herself. Hadn't she always promised she would never force her family into marriages?

The babe kicking her ribs reminded her that everyone was likely waiting for her to speak.

"I am aware that my actions yesterday may have made you emotional. I was so angry and I want to believe you Daeron, but I have no other explanation for what could have happened to Jacaerys."

Daeron nodded. "I know. I spent hours trying to figure out what went wrong."

Visenya nodded. "I shall not reject you for this, I should have known. It was bound to happen. But you will write to Cregan Stark yourself and inform him of your betrayal of his deal. And you will plead with him to still back his rightful Queen."

"We just lost the North, Visenya."

"I know," She whispered. "But we have the Lannister fleet as well as Baratheon. We also have Vhagar, Grey Ghost, Sunfyre, Tessarion, Meleys, and Arrax. They just lost Vermax's rider. We can do this."

"Visenya, my friend, I am sorry," Brella finally spoke. "I have betrayed you."

"No," Visenya shook her head. "I should have never stopped this from happening. You are in love and I pressured you to take a betrothal you did not desire."

Brella smiled in relief, reaching for Visenya's hands. "You are the sister I never had. I will serve you until I die."

"I know," Visenya smiled and kissed the back of her hand. "If you do not mind, I have some rest to catch up on."

"Of course. Call for me if you need a bath drawn."

"You still wish to be my lady-in-waiting as a noble lady?"

"I will serve you, Visenya, in any way you see fit. You need to be taken care of in a way Aemond can not. You won't find another servant like me, either." She grinned.

Visenya stood up with a laugh and rubbed her belly. "You are so correct about that. You were my first friend when I arrived. No one could compare."

She reached for Aemond's hand and she smiled at them. Brella was now her sister by the law's terms, not just emotionally. And she looked so happy with Daeron.

"You took that well," Aemond said once they reached their room.

"Do you believe him, Aemond?"

"My little brother is many things. He is young and reckless, but he is not a killer or violent. I think we may have to consider other options, such as Daemon."

Visenya frowned in confusion. "I will talk awful about him every day, but I know he loves Jace like his own. Jace worshipped the ground he walked on. That is too out of character for him. Where are the children?"

"They are with Helaena so that you may rest. I will see you when you awake. Please get some sleep."

She lay down on her back, staring at the ceiling as the baby kicked her. "You make sleeping quite difficult, little love. But I cannot wait to meet you. You have a big brother and sister, but your sister is most excited. Can you be a little girl that she knows what it feels like to be right?"

Visenya chuckled to herself and the babe relaxed. Lately, it would be calm when Laenora was curled up against her, but Visenya needed some time to rest alone.

She finally fell asleep and dreamt of nothing but the ocean. The calming roar of the waves and the salt thick in the air. 

When she woke, the sun was setting and she realized she spent a whole day sleeping. She wanted to see the children and she got to her feet as quickly as she could. They were probably worried after being away from her for a full day.

When she entered Helaena's chambers, she didn't even see the intruders until they shut the door, and something hit her in the back of the head. 

Everything was so fuzzy.

The impact to the back of her head made it easy for the intruders to bind her against the bed frame. Her first instinct was to reach for her swollen belly but she couldn't move her hands. She was also beginning to realize what was happening in the room.

"Shut her up!" A male voice hissed.

"I'm trying!"

Visenya looked up and saw Helaena bound and gagged to her bed. Her twins and Maelor were locked in the closet but the two intruders -

No.

They had a hold of her babies. Maegor and Laenora were in the arms of these men. And there was nothing she could do. Visenya had denied lessons with Aemond, she had refused to strengthen her body. Not to mention she was over six months pregnant. She didn't have the strength to break free.

Her heart was breaking. A knife was pressed to both of their throats and she was screaming. "LET THEM GO!"

"Hm, why would I do that?" The tall one asked.

"Because I am your queen and you have committed treason! Let them go and I will exile you without death. Please," her voice broke at the end. She could be strong all day long in with her small council, but seeing her children in danger was the most terrifying thing she had ever seen.

"We don't take orders from you, and you are certainly not our queen. You are nothing to us but a common wonton pretender. You are no whore for anyone but one man, but I'm sure you have a nice set of tits. Maybe your own little girl will as well."

She snarled at the man and shook her head, looking at her children. Maegor was trying to put on a brave face as he extended his hand to hold his sisters. "Papa will save us."

Laenora looked at him, tears streaming down her face. She looked back at Visenya and sucked in a deep breath.

"PAPA, HELP!"

The scream was loud enough to shake the castle. The intruders seemed to notice that.

"Our bosses sent us, originally planning to kill your heir, as you did to the rightful queen. You sent your brother to kill your other brother, and the Queen wants her justice."

Visenya's eyes widened. "DON'T YOU DARE, LET THEM GO! PLEASE KILL ME INSTEAD! TAKE ME!"

Her voice was growing hoarse with the blood-curdling screams and sobbing. She was trying to reach for them, just to touch them and wipe Laenora's tears away.

"Your heir will die."

Laenora tightened her grip around Maegor's hand and his eyes went wide. "Mama, where's Papa? Mama, save me please!"

His words made her so sick that bile rose in the back of her throat as she screamed, causing her to choke on more than her sobs. 

The two men smirked as Maegor's fate sunk into Visenya's face.

"But not today."

The blade sliced through Laenora's neck like fresh meat.

The sound her head made as it hit the floor was one Visenya knew would haunt her for the rest of her days. One that was haunting her now.

She started screaming. She screamed until her throat seared in pain. She screamed until she felt her grip on reality loosened.

"We have to go!"

But it was too late. Aemond had heard his baby girl's screams and ran with guards by his side. And when he entered the room ...

Aemond fell to his knees.

Visenya's screams filled the castles, they filled his ears. He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that he was staring at a headless body, let alone the body of his daughter. Her violet eyes were already drained of life and blood was flooding the floor. Her blonde hair was soaked pink and her eyes ... they stared back at Aemond with nothing behind him.

Daeron and Aegon had already apprehended the intruders, but Maegor was fighting them. He was hitting their legs, begging them to take it back as if they could bring her back to life. No one even noticed he'd grabbed the dagger from the floor and went swinging in all his rage. He'd lost his twin, his other half. They breathed the same fire, they shared the same thoughts. They'd shared a crib as infants and shared a room as children. How was a twin supposed to live without the other?

"You took her!" He screamed and cried, slicing the leg of the taller intruder.

"Maegor," Daeron spoke softly and let Ser Arryk take his prisoner.

Maegor kept swinging and accidentally nicked Daeron's arm. "Maegor!" Daeron said more firmly and grabbed his wrists. Daeron and Aegon couldn't stop themselves from getting choked up at the sight, and Aegon threw up the moment he saw it.

"They took her! Give her back! Give me my Laeny back! It was supposed to be me!"

Daeron pulled the little boy into his arms, a hug that forced Maegor to drop the knife and just hold onto his uncle and cry.

Visenya started to crawl across the floor until she reached her daughter, shaky hands reaching out for her. Aemond lunged for her, pulling her back. "No, no baby, you have to stay back."

"She's my daughter! Don't let anyone touch her! She's mine!" Visenya wailed.

As Aemond grabbed her and shed his own tears, the tall intruder smirked. 

"Daemon sends his regards."

I lied