chapter one
❪ the realms rose ❫

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11 years later

Giggles echoed throughout the dragon pit. Which was not something unusual to hear in King's Landing. It meant that the two Princesses, Daenyra and Helaena, accompanied by their good friend Sabina Baratheon were down there, probably up to no good.

"Do you think she will do it today, Daeny?" Asked the young Baratheon girl standing next to the Velaryon girl.

Daenyra grinned, "she's been doing it for weeks."

"She is a good listener," the soft voice of Helaena spoke as she stared at the centipede crawling on her hand.

Daenyra chuckled as Sabina nudged her as if to tell her to hurry up. The princess turned to the dragon that stood in front of her.

Vheraxes, which was Daenyra's dragon. She had named her after the dragons of the two people that had gifted her an egg when she was a babe. Her uncle and aunt, Daemon and Laena's dragons Caraxes and Vhagar.

Vheraxes was only a year old, still only a small dragon compared to some of the other dragons residing in the dragonpit but she was growing quickly. The dragonkeepers told Daenyra that they hadn't seen any newly hatched dragon grow so fast.

She knew the dragonkeepers well and they often - with much convincing - let her take Vheraxes and sneak around with her to show her outside of the dragon pit. Going as far as to sneak her up into her castle chambers once when she was still a baby dragon. This was mostly because they saw how well the dragon already listened to her, she obeyed her future rider better than some of the older dragons did with theirs.

Somehow no one had found out what the Princess had been doing since the hatching of her dragon except the dragonkeepers and those she allowed to know such as her brothers, aunt, handmaid and best friend. It saddened her a little that Vheraxes had grown so quickly because she couldn't sneak her around anymore. Although she was more than excited to be able to ride her.

Word spread like wildfire throughout King's Landing about Princess Daenyra's egg finally hatching ten years later. It shocked many people greatly that it had actually happened.

She had started to lose hope that it would ever hatch, the only thing keeping her hope alive was that the egg hadn't turned to stone just yet. Daenyra took care of her egg like it was a newborn babe with hope that some day her own dragon would pop out. She was glad she waited because it gave her a beautiful dragon.

Vheraxes had white and grey scales with red highlights on her wings, neck and stomach, her eyes a deeper and terrifying crimson red.

Daenyra gave Vheraxes a pat before stepping back next to her aunt and friend, Sabina beamed with excitement from beside her.

"Ready Vheraxes?" Daenyra laughed when the dragon let out a small growl as a dragonkeeper placed some raw meat in front of her.

"Go on," Sabina encouraged eagerly.

"Dracarys," Daenyra spoke.

Vheraxes looked from the meat to her future rider with what seemed like a hesitant expression.

Daenyra smiled softly, "Dracarys, Vheraxes."

This time Vheraxes looked down at her food with a determined look in her eye as she began hissing, hot yellow and orange flames rose from the back of her throat and spewed out of her mouth onto the raw meat — cooking it with her breath. Happily eating it once burnt enough.

The three girls giggled once again while clapping for the dragon who loved the attention much like her future rider.

"Well done, Vheraxes," Helaena said, her centipede still moving around her hands.

Sabina stared down at the dragon with fascination, "can you do it again?" She asked.

Daenyra shook her head as she held her hand out for Vheraxes to lean into, "that's enough for one day."

She knew Sabina admired the dragons, always wishing that her house sigil was something more interesting than a stag. Daenyra always told her that any house sigil is important and should be admired; especially to those in the houses, no matter what. Although Sabina never listened to that, she only thought about what looked cooler and braver.

Sabina Baratheon was taken in by the Targaryen's as a ward of King Viserys and Queen consort, Alicent Hightower at 8 years old.

Lord Borros Baratheon had requested his daughter to stay in King's Landing as a ward when he saw the blossomed friendship between Sabina and Princess Daenyra. Alicent had been the one to agree to the offer to try and earn a form of respect with the Baratheons with hope that they became an ally to her side if the war that had been brewing ever came to life.

Daenyra loved having her around, Sabina and Helaena gave her an escape from her family. Despite Helaena being her family. The young Targaryen Princess had seemed to be in the clouds most of the time playing with different kinds of bugs that disgusted people and mumbling riddles no one cared to listen to. Except Daenyra who always had her back and listened no matter what.

"I should get her chains back on before someone comes in here," Daenyra spoke as she stared at her dragon. "You are getting to big," she whispered to her in High Valyrian.

Vheraxes let out a whine as she snuggled closer into Daenyra's chest after the princess brought her arm around her.

"She is so sweet," Sabina cooed.

"The sweet fades to cruel after the stormy night," Helaena mumbled as she stared at her niece and her dragon.

Daenyra and Sabina looked at her, not hearing her quite clearly, "what was that Helaena?"

The whited haired girl shook her head as if snapping herself out of a trance, "nothing of importance."

With an uncertain expression, Daenyra nodded. She hated when she didn't hear Helaena's riddles because the girl would never repeat them for her. Daenyra believed her aunt to be a dragon-dreamer, for she had noticed Helaena was similar to those she read about in a few books on the topic. She admired that about her aunt and thought many took her for granted.

Helaena Targaryen was far too good for the family she had been born into.

"Shall we —"

Sabina was cut off by someone running towards them. The three young girls shared a confused look. They all stared down at Vheraxes who wined when Daeny moved from her position near the dragon.

"Princess," Edith spoke frantically, trying to regain her breath as she panted.

The girls could only sigh when they found it had just been Daenyra's handmaid and not Ser Criston Cole searching for Helaena upon the Queens request.

Although Daenyra was confused on why the young woman would need to come all the way to the dragonpit for.

"What are you doing here, Edith?"

"Your mother has gone into her labors," Edith rushed out, knowing how upset Daenyra would be if she weren't there.

The Velaryon Princesses eyes widened at the information, not expecting it. "Right now?" She breathed out.

"Yes, now."

"You have to go," Sabina said, knowing how badly Daenyra wanted to be by her mothers side when the time came.

Daenyra sighed, "please put Vheraxes away. I have to go." She spoke to the dragonkeepers that were near by, them giving her a silent nod.

"Princess Rhaenyra was asking for you," Edith informed, "you must go now, Princess."

"I will see you later," the brunette mumbled to her dragon who let out a small whine.

"Give Rhaenyra my regards," Helaena said in her gentle tone.

"I hope you get a sister," Sabina called out as she waved her friend off.

Daenyra smiled to the three around her before rushing out of the dragonpit and back to Castle to meet her new brother or sister.

• • • •

Daenyra ran, receiving judging looks from a few as that was not something a Princess did but she paid no mind to anyone. All she could think about was her poor mother.

She hadn't been there when Rhaenyra gave birth to Jacaerys or Lucerys because she was too young but she swore to be beside her mother for the birth of her fourth child and the future ones to come.

The guard standing next to Rhaenyra's chamber door had seen the small Princess and immediately opened the door for her, not paying any mind to the torture that was happening inside. Although The screams coming from her mother were sickening.

"Mother!" Daenyra shouted, coming to the woman's side.

Rhaenyra sighed with relief when she heard her daughter, managing a small smile when the young girl grabbed her hand, "my sweet girl, you're here."

"Of course I'm here. I wouldn't miss this for the world," Daenyra frowned as she saw the agony her mother was in, squeezing her hand in hope of taking some of her pain.

The elder Princess squeezed her daughter's hand tightly as she breathed and prepared herself to push. A midwife sat down between her legs and another was behind supporting her.

"Keep breathing," one of the midwives instructed, to which Rhaenyra followed with a rapid breath, "And push."

Daenyra grimaced as Rhaenyra squeezed her hand so tight it made her head spin. Blood covered the whited haired princesses legs and agonising groans escaped her.

"And again," the elder midwife urged.

"I fucking can't," Rhaenyra cried. Daenyra held back her own tears, hating her mother suffering so much but she knew she had to do this - she could do this.

"You have to push again, Princess. Your child is almost here," the midwife said.

"I c-I can't."

Daenyra held out her small free hand to push some sweaty hair out of her mothers face, "you can do this mother. I know you can. You are tougher than anyone I know."

With the encouraging words from her daughter she pushed harder than she had before, silently praying death wouldn't overcome her for she wasn't ready to leave her children alone in the world.

"The head," the midwife between Rhaenyra's legs gasped as the birth was finally coming to an end.

With one last strangled push and a few more cries, never once letting go of her daughters hand, Rhaenyra's fourth child was born.

"A boy, Princess."

"Praise the Mother!"

Neither Rhaenyra or Daenyra said a thing, holding their breaths upon waiting to hear a cry from the new born babe to know he was ok. They smiled brightly when he let out a wail. He was here and Daenyra had a third brother.

Once the midwife had wrapped the baby up in a blanket Rhaenyra let go of her daughters hand and reached forward gleefully for the woman to put her new child in her arms.

"Healthy?" She asked.

"Kicking like a goat, Princess."

Rhaenyra breathed happily as she looked down at the baby boy before looking up towards her eldest child. Daenyra hadn't taken her eyes off the babe, love swirling in her eyes.

"A third brother," Rhaenyra spoke. "That must be torture in itself," she teased.

Daenyra looked up with bright eyes, "boy or girl, I don't mind. Either way I'm their big sister and I'll protect them with everything I have."

Rhaenyra's heart swarmed with adoration and pride at her daughters words. She was growing to be the smartest and bravest girl. She couldn't have asked for a better daughter. She was wise for her age and anyone to meet her instantly knew she resembled Rhaenyra greatly.

Despite the hair differences, Daenyra looked and acted exactly like her mother. Rhaenyra loved every bit of it. She had the joy of going through the things she put her own parents through.

The mother chuckled silently as reached out to stroke her daughters cheek, "my beautiful girl, you never fail to make me proud of you everyday."

Daenyra grinned brightly and she leaned into her mothers hand, "I get it all from you."

Rhaenyra laughed, feeling much lighter than she did a few minutes ago as she pulled her eldest and now youngest child close to her, thanking the gods for her children.

"Princess..." The chamber door opened but the Princesses paid no attention to it until, Elinda, Rhaenyra's maid spoke, "the Queen has requested that the child be brought to her...immediately."

Silence overtook the room, Rhaenyra and Daenyra's smiles falling, "Why?"

Elinda didn't reply but Rhaenyra already knew the answer as did her daughter. Daenyra knew of the rumours that were whispered behind their backs about herself and her brothers. They had been born with pale skin and dark hair which made no sense when their parents held the Targaryen white haired and their father had a darker complexion.

Daenyra had once been naive to this, never thinking much about it until she heard a whisper when she once stood next to Ser Harwin Strong two years ago. It made her question herself and eventually her mother.

Rhaenyra never expected her to figure it out so young but as she already knew Daenyra's mind was beyond her years. She tried to throw it off but Daenyra wouldn't let it go, causing her mother to admit the truth of her parentage.

The only difference between Daenyra and her brother was that she had stripes of the white Targaryen color through her head of dark hair. She also had the Targaryen purple eyes while her brothers inherited brown.

Some people loved the princess too much to be cruel to her and many found her hair beautiful. Others, not so much. They found her hair odd and well she would always be a bastard to them. Still, she was the Realms Rose and their future Queen. Her brothers unfortunately endured even crueler treatment for they were treated a lot worse and talked about a lot more.

"I'll take him myself," Rhaenyra declared with a groan as she tried to stand, still holding her babe.

The elderly midwife frowned, "You should remain abed, Princess —"

"Yes, she should!" Daenyra snapped without meaning to. The Queen always requesting to see her mothers children just after their birth was getting on her nerves. Her mother didn't deserve the stress Alicent put on her.

Rhaenyra once again took her daughters hand as the young girl aided her to stand. "Help me dress," she ordered Elinda.

Daenyra stepped back, worry now etched on her face as she watched her mother take sharp breaths while rocking her new brother. The handmaiden doing her best to do her duties.

"Princess..." Elinda spoke hesitantly as she realized she was unable to dress her Princess while she held her child, "your dress?"

The midwives prepared themselves for Rhaenyra to hand them the child but she had other ideas as she turned to her daughter. Her being the only one Rhaenyra trusted, "you got him?"

"Of course, mother," Daenyra gently took her brother into her arms, staying close to her mother as she did so. She copied her mothers movements from before, rocking him. As she stared down at him she knew she would do anything for him just as she would for her two other little brothers. She would go up against the Queen herself for not only her brothers but her mother also.

The maid dressed Rhaenyra as quickly as she could while one of the midwives came over to Daenyra to untie the umbilical cord, breaking his tie to Rhaenyra. As he began crying Daenyra shushed him softly — soothing him into silence as he wrapped his tiny hand around her finger.

Rhaenyra watched with a pained smile until she hunched over while shaking her head, falling back onto her bed.

"Princess?" Elinda called in concern.

"Oh, it's coming," Rhaenyra groaned.

"The afterbirth!" The midwives realiazed

Daenyra stepped back with her brother to let the midwives tend to Rhaenyra who pushed out the remaining discharge from her birthing. As disgusting as it was Daenyra knew she would never admire anyone as much as admired Rhaenyra Targaryen.

• • • •

Daenyra handed her brother back over to her mother who was now cleaned up and dressed. She held a small hand on Rhaenyra's arm to help guide her along as best she could.

The chamber doors suddenly opened and the man Daenyra called father walked in with a beaming smile of pride and happiness, "A boy. I've just heard."

"Yes," Rhaenyra breathed out as she and her daughter passed by him towards the doors.

"Well done." Laenor frowned when he realiazed they were leaving, "Where are you going?"

Daenyra sighed deeply, "the Queen has requested to see him."

Laenor furrowed his brows in disbelief, "Now?" He sighed when the mother-daughter duo gave him a similar look, "I'm coming with you."

"I should hope so."

Laenor held his arms out to take the babe missing Daenyra, shaking her head, "Let me take him."

"No," Rhaenyra refused, stubbornly, "she'll get no such satisfaction from me."

"Just take my arm, at the least," Laenor didn't wait for an answer as he did his best to hold her. "Was it terribly painful?"

Both Rhaenyra and Daenyra gave him a look, "perhaps it's best not to talk," Daenyra smiled sarcastically.

Laenor winced at his daughter, only seeing Rhaenyra in her as usual.

They all stopped for a moment as they saw people crowding the halls of the Red Keep. Realising that they had to walk past everyone, the older woman sighed, "oh gods."

"You have got to be joking," Daenyra mumbled, holding back an eye roll at the familiar whispers.

They walked through the crowd of people who stared at the three in slight shock, some concerned and others confused.

"I am glad I am not a woman," Laenor mumbled.

Daenyra once again gave him a look, "father, your comforting skills need some work."

Laenor nodded in agreement with her, knowing she was right as they both prepared to help Rhaenyra up the staircase. Only the older Princess stopped at the bottom, breathing quickly and groaning quietly.

"What is it?" Laenor stressed.

Daenyra once again pushed her mothers hair out of her face, "mother..." she spoke in worry.

"What is it? What is it?" Laenor continued freaking out.

"Fuck," Rhaenyra huffed, "Walk..." she demanded, "Walk!"

Daenyra and her father assisted her up the stairs being as gentle as possible as Rhaenyra walked up them in agony. The commoners whispers were like someone annoyingly blowing into Daenyra's ears and she felt like screaming at them all. It seemed to be that all they were good at was gossiping.

"What could she possibly want?" Laenor wondered although they all knew the answer. "I thought we were past this."

Daenyra hummed distastefully, "I'm certain the Queen does not know the definition of get over it."

Had they been in a different situation - the parents would have usually laughed at their daughter's wittiness.

Lord Caswell had suddenly stopped before them to nod politely as they continued their walk, "Princess Rhaenyra, Ser Laenor, it is a privilege to be amongst the first to congratulate you." He turned to Daenyra with a soft smile, "and you as well, Princess Daenyra, on another little sibling."

Daenyra gave him a gentle smile that could warm anyone's heart at the sight and a nod in thanks.

"Thank you, Lord Caswell," Rhaenyra did her best to smile as well to the man.

He held a frown as he noticed how much Rhaenyra was struggling, "If I may be of any service," he offered as they passed by him on the staircase.

"The day may yet come, my Lord," Rhaenyra replied, ending the short conversation.

She once again paused her steps, groaning and moaning a little louder than before.

Laenor's frown deepened if possible, "We are turning back, all right? She can come to us, all right?"

"No," Rhaenyra refused, firmly, "Not unless you wish to carry me down those fucking stairs."

Rhaenyra gave her husband and daughter a stern expression causing them both to sigh as they continued to help her push through her pain.

"This is absurd," Laenor huffed with a head shake.

Daenyra hummed, "tell me about it."

The younger girl did her best to smile at those who bowed in their passing, receiving many back but they all noticed the fear for her mother in her lilac eyes.

As they finally reached the Queens chamber, Ser Criston stood outside with his eyes on them, "Princess," he greeted.

Daenyra narrowed her eyes at him with a look of disgust that he didn't miss as he stepped aside for them to pass. His guard opened the door for them, allowing them to enter.

Alicent, who was in the middle of getting her dress fitted, looked over to them. Her face became one of concern - whether it was real or fake, Daenyra could not tell.

"Rhaenyra!" The Queen spoke softly, "You should be resting after your labors."

"That would be ideal," Daenyra murmured so only her parents heard, receiving an amused look from her father and a warning one from her mother.

"I have no doubt that you would prefer that, Your Grace," Rhaenyra retorted politely.

"You must sit," Alicent urged, "Talya, fetch a cushion for the Princess."

Rhaenyra shook her head, "There's no need."

"Nonsense," Alicent replied to her old friend as she moved closer to the family. "We'll finish this later," she told her dressmaker, excusing her and the rest of the maids. Tayla came back with a pillow placing it down on the couch. Alicent watched as Daenyra and Laenor helped Rhaenyra sit down while she kept ahold of her babe.

"What happy news this morning," Viserys strolled in with a joyous smile on his face.

Daenyra grinned at the sight of her grandsire slowly walking over to them. It seemed he was only getting sicker as time passed, Daenyra feared for the day he left the world for she not only would never be ready to lose him but it would be the beginning of the end for her family.

"Indeed, Your Grace," Laenor nodded with a big smile of his own as he took his new child from his wife's arms to present him to his grandfather.

Before Viserys could reach his new grandchild his eldest one ran over, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Viserys laughed fondly as he rubbed Daenyra's back, "my darling granddaughter. Are you happy that have another brother?"

"Very happy, Grandfather," She giggled as he ruffled her hair.

"Where is he? Where is my grandson?" Laenor handed the Babe over to Viserys who stared down at him with the same love he held for all his grandchildren. "There. There he is. Oh. A fine Prince. Sturdy. You will make a fearsome knight. Yes, you will."

"Does the babe have a name yet?" Alicent wondered, turning to Rhaenyra.

"We haven't spoken —"

"Joffrey," Laenor interrupted before his wife could finish, "He'll be called Joffrey."

Rhaenyra looked at him puzzled by his unexpected interruption. They had not spoken about it but it was decided now.

"That's an unusual name for a Velaryon," Alicent pointed out.

"I do believe he has his father's nose," Viserys said, sharing a chuckle with Laenor.

He was oblivious to the rising tension at his statement as Daenyra held an blank expression. A mixture of accusation and disbelief rested on Alicent's face as she stared down at her stepdaughter; who could only avoid eye contact with her.

Laenor, noticing the tension, cleared his throat, "If you don't mind, Your Grace, your daughter has exerted herself heroically and should rest."

"Of course," the King smiled in understanding, readying himself to hand over the child when his wife came over. Daenyra noticed her moving the blanket the child was wrapped in to take a look at his face and hair.

Rhaenyra held an uncomfortable expression as she watched her former friend take her child into her arms. She very clearly wanted to say something but held her tongue in the presence of her father.

Laenor followed after the woman while Rhaenyra and her daughter stayed by Viserys with matching frowns.

"Well done, my girl," the King praised his daughter, "I do hope the labor was easy."

"I think I called the midwife a cunt," the Princess confessed. earning a snort from her daughter.

Viserys chuckled softly before sharing a kiss on the cheek with his daughter and embracing her. He turned to his granddaughter, "I hear you held your mothers hand through her struggles."

Daenyra nodded, "I think she may have almost broken it," she mused, receiving an offended stare from her mother and laughter from her grandsire.

"I'm very proud of you for sticking by her, my dear girl," he kissed the top of her head.

Viserys held a very special place in his heart for his eldest grandchild and only granddaughter. He never did well at hiding his favourites and it was quite clear Daenyra was at the top of his list along with her mother. Viserys only ever saw his sweet late wife, Aemma Arryn and his precious daughter, Rhaenyra, when he looked at her.

He knew deep down she was no Velaryon along with the rest of his daughter's children no matter how much he refused to accept it. Yet, Daenyra was a true Targaryen which to him was all that mattered. Most of all he knew how fine of a Queen she would make, her name would go down in history. He just hated that he wouldn't be there to see it happen.

As Rhaenyra and Daenyra headed towards Laenor who Alicent seemed to be whispering to. The Queen herself stopped in front of the princesses though her gaze was on the younger of the two causing Rhaenyra to tighten her hold on Daeny's small hand.

Alicent's hand came up to stroke Daenyra's cheek. The girl; feeling slightly uncomfortable, wanted to step away and move closer to her mother.

"You seem to get more and more beautiful each day, Princess Daenyra," Alicent smiled, what looked to be like a genuine smile.

Rhaenyra never understood the kind affection Alicent had for her daughter considering the way she looked at her sons. There was just something about Daenyra that wouldn't let Alicent hold her disliking to her.

Daenyra mumbled, "thank you, Your Grace."

With that Alicent left the two and they slowly walked out of the chambers following after Laenor and Joffrey. Finding that Criston's back faced them as they walked past.

"You don't..." Rhaenyra started breathlessly, "think to consult me before you name my child?"

"He's our child, is he not?" He queried rhetorically.

"Only one of us is bleeding," Rhaenyra retorted.

Daenyra looked back to see the trail of blood her mother was leaving behind causing her to silently gasp, facing her mother with anxious eyes. Rhaenyra met her daughters stare and gave her a reassuring smile whilst gripping her hand.

"I deserve some say in the affairs of my own family," Laenor spoke in a rough tone.

"You haven't seemed so interested in our affairs of late," Rhaenyra snapped back, pulling her daughter along as they went ahead of her father.

"Are you alright mother?" Daenyra asked in a gentle tone.

Rhaenyra smiled, "as long as you're by my side, my sweet, I will always be alright."

Daenyra giggled as she lightly swayed their connected hands, "then I wish to always be by your side."

"As do I," Rhaenyra whispered to herself.

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