warnings: violence and mature words!

___

BAELA regretfully shook her older sister awake, fear and anger tore through her after she and Rhaena saw someone steal their mother's Dragon. Daenys' eyes shot open, gasping as the blanket and book tumbled onto the floor when she stood.

"Someone stole Vhagar!" the younger twin whisper-yelled to Daenys, as Vhagar's roar echoed. "Dany help us." Baela rushed away from the window and brought forth their shoes to slip into.

"We must wake the others," Baela said, taking Daenys hand, the eldest sister couldn't shake the feeling that she knew the culprit.

"Fine, come on," Daenys logic weakened at the sight of their tears.

It took mere minutes to reach the Velaryon Princes, waking them up and rushing down to the tunnel leading to the beach. Everyone stood in shock when they saw who had claimed the largest Dragon in the world.

Daenys tired eyes widened when Aemond pulled off his cloak, approaching them in confidence.

"It's him!" Baela stated.

"It's me," Aemond admitted.

"Aemond," Daenys gasped, taking a step forward, as the twins shook with rage.

The Prince rolled his shoulders back as he took in the betrayal flooding her eyes.

Baela snarled, "Vhagar is my mother's Dragon!"

"Your mother is dead. Vhagar has a new rider now," Aemond said apathetically, tearing his eyes away from Daenys.

"She was mine to claim!" Rhaena spat angrily.

"Then you should have claimed her when you had the chance! Too late for that now," Aemond replied, glancing at the Velaryon Princes. "Maybe your cousins can find you a pig to ride. It would suit you."

Rhaena yelled, charging at Aemond but being physically taller he easily shoved her aside.

Breaking from her shock, Daenys saw nothing but a vicious lie and so she didn't hesitate to rush towards the boy he once called friend, the boy who attacked her sisters... and she let a punch tear through the air slicing her fondness for him to pieces. A second passed before he fell to the ground, and more punches were thrown, kicks belonging to Jace, Luke, Baela and Rhaena. Daenys vowed to protect her sisters and that is what she did.

By the Gods, it was a juvenile battlefield.

Aemond groaned as he was pummeled on the ground, some kicks felt more personal than others, yells and screams. Somehow he found the strength to kick through the attack. His age and stature drove his fist to collide with Luke's nose, breaking it.

Daenys' eyes were blown black with rage as she saw her sisters being tossed onto the ground, groaning as small cuts littered their faces. At that moment she looked the most like her father. Her hands were bloody.

But not bloody enough.

Aemond kicked Jacaerys off him grabbing a charging Lucerys by the throat. Grabbing a nearby rock, he regained his footing and held it high above Luke's head.

"You will die screaming in flames just as your father did! Bastards!" Aemond threatened.

"My father's still alive!" Lucerys screamed, frightened.

"He doesn't know, does he... Lord Strong?" He snarled, looking at Jace.

"Get off of him, Aemond!" Daenys screamed, but he was deafened by the brutal insults echoing through his mind. From his older brother, but more irritantly, the boys he called bastards.

"Stay out of this Daenys!"

Jace, who could understand the insult, drew a blade and retaliated fiercely against Aemond.

"Jace!" Rhaena shouted, fearing for her friend as her eldest sister tried to protect them.

All Daenys ever wanted to do was protect them.

The weapon was knocked from Jace's hand.

Shocked by the sight of the Targaryen Lady, rushing towards him, Aemond let go of Luke but was disoriented by the punch hitting his face once again.

"You lied," she gritted out, blood dripped from her hand as it did from his lip. "And you harmed my sisters."

"Daenys," Aemond coughed out the blood.

Setting his sights on the two, Jace grew scared for the lovely Lady, fearing that she would be harmed next. He tried to move her aside whilst flinging sand in Aemond's face, but neither of the Princes saw Luke recovering the blade, no one apart from Daenys.

Luke charged, yelling, seeing red, but seconds passed, Daenys pushed Jace out of the way only for the knife to slash through her collar up to her neck. Her screech echoed through the halls as she tumbled down leaving the weapon to scar the right side of Aemond's face and slicing his eye.

"Dany!" The twins screamed.

And so did Aemond as he clutched his face as blood poured causing him to stagger to the ground.

"Cease this at once! Get away!"

The command belonged to Ser Harrold Westerling as three more Kingsguard knights arrived to separate the children. Daenys cried out in pain clutching her neck, and Aemond wailed in agony.

The blade lay in the centre of the chaos.

One guard picked up Daenys as the twins sobbed.

"My Prince, my Prince. Let me see," Harrold turned Aemond over. Gasping at the bloody sight upon moving the boy's hand away from his face. "Gods be good..."

___

King Viserys rushed to the Hall of Nine after receiving a warning, but unfortunately, he arrived too late. The damage has already been done. He used his cane to demand silence and restore order.

"How could you allow such a thing to happen? I will have answers!" he insisted, furious with the Kingsguard.

The Lady and the Prince were placed next to each other, and Daenys faced opposite Aemond, much to her disdain.

"The Gods are good my Lady, if you had been closer to the blade it would've severed an artery," A maester had hastily sewn Daenys' wound and had tentatively shredded part of her bloodied nightgown. the blade cut from her collar to her neck, fortunately, the blood had stopped, but her tears did not. She continued biting down on her lip, in agony from the pain. The milk of the poppy did not serve her well.

Her twin sisters stood beside her in fright. Daenys didn't glance upon Aemond to know the pain he sat in, the Queen choked back a sob as she held his hand, glancing between her son, the maester and her as excuses were shouted through the hall. The Queen almost seemed concerned for her.

"The children were supposed to be abed, my King," Ser Harrold informed.

"Who had the night's watch?!"

"The young prince and lady were attacked by their own kin, Your Grace," Criston protested.

Daenys tried craning her neck to the side but the stitch threatened to tear. Rhaena squeezed her hand, stifling her tears, feeling guilt for waking her sister from her sleep. It was the first time Daenys slept peacefully since mourning their late mother and now she sat with a wound, mother would be ashamed. As if reading her thoughts, Daenys drew her youngest sister closer, whilst Baela glared at the Prince.

"You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!" the King yelled.

"The Kingsguard has never had to defend cousin from cousin, Your Grace―" Criston tried protesting again.

"That is no answer!" Viserys shouted angrily.

Alicent looked at her son. "It will heal, will it not, maester?"

"The flesh will heal. But the eye is lost forever, Your Grace," he replied.

Daenys drowned out the sounds of the Queen yelling at her firstborn, slapping him and accusing him of being a fool. Daeron worried beside his sister Helaena as he glanced between the lovely Lady and his mutilated brother. Helaena stared at the ground, breathing heavily, recalling the dream that depicted just this. Daenys eyes fluttered, watching Aemond get treated. The Prince was without an eye, had swollen cheeks and a deep cut that ran from the bottom of his cheekbone and up past his eyebrow. She felt his hand reach her, gripping it in an apology and for comfort.

Daenys conjured the energy to pull away. She drew first blood, the damage was done. Perhaps her father was right, about staying far away from Aemond and that he was an elephant, an overbearing presence.

Suddenly her grandparents burst into the room, immediately seeing the twins who spoke their names, but they immediately panicked when they noticed her.

"Daenys," a pained cry escaped Rhaenys as she scrambled to her side, stroking her blood-stained hair and attempting to cover her modesty, whilst Corlys demanded answers from the guards.

"Explain yourselves! What is the meaning of this!?" he demanded furiously. "First, we lost our daughter; and now we find out our granddaughters – who just lost their mother – were attacked in my fucking hall! Tell me!"

The main doors were sprung open, revealing Rhaenyra, followed by Daemon whose eyes immediately landed on his eldest daughter. He lunged forward, uncaring of his mother-in-law who drew back. His twins were slightly bruised, adding to the fire waiting to erupt within. Daemon didn't speak as he stared apologetically. Ripped dress, blood matting her fine ringlets, and a scar, a fucking scar! The Rogue Prince exhaled loudly as he took a coat from Rhaenys to cover her exposed side.

"Who provoked my daughters?" Daemon calmly asked, his voice loud and demanding yet still calm. The room went quiet, as did his children. He gently cupped Daenys' right cheek, making her face him. "Must I repeat myself?" the twins joined his side, helping to simmer his rage. He needed them close, to protect them, like he failed to do with his sweet girl. "Daenys?"

"Aemond claimed Vhagar," Daenys settled on her answer as she slumped further into the chair.

"They attacked me!" Aemond shouted, shrinking back when Daemon snapped his head toward him, a smirk tugging at his lips at the sight of his mangled face.

"You attacked Baela!" Jacaerys shouted back.

"He broke Luke's nose!" Baela chimed in. "He stole my mother's dragon!"

"Daenys was protecting us!" Rhaena yelled.

Jace shouted, "You were going to harm Daenys!"

"I would never harm her!" Aemond yelled.

"You harmed her sisters!" Jace snapped.

"It was Luke who scarred their sister!"

Daenys' body continued to fight the opiate, she groaned and her father brought her into his arms, body trembling with anger as he was finally obtained who caused her such harm. He exchanged a look with Rhaenrya who tugged her sons closer.

The King stopped the accusation to yell, "Enough!"

"I want mother," Daenys dazedly whispered, making her father embrace her more.

Lucerys gazed at her tearily from where he stood, he never meant to hurt Daenys, he was scared and aimed for Aemond. She was caught in the crossfire. A firstborn daughter who tried to shield her sisters from all the festering hatred. He wanted to apologise but seeing the fire in Daemon's eyes made him whimper into his mother's side.

"Aemond, I will have the truth of what happened. Now!" the King strode towards Aemond.

"What else is there to hear? Your son has been maimed. Your niece has been injured," Alicent cast Rhaenyra a glare. "Her son is responsible for both," Alicent said grimly, seeing Aemond and Daenys as victims of an illegitimate son's abuse.

Daenys patted her father's arm and he eased her back into the chair, although he didn't leave her.

Rhaenys had taken a wet cloth to wipe her grandchildren's faces.

"It was a regrettable accident." Rhaenyra quickly defended.

"I will be scarred for life," Daenys muttered, gripping her father's hands. The attention was now on her. She could see the King looking to her for answers. "My sisters could've been... would've been in my position if I had not been present," she tripped on her words. "The blade..."

"Look Viserys, your niece can barely speak, it was no accident. The Prince Lucerys brought a blade to the ambush, he meant to kill my son." Alicent shot back. "And he has rendered Daemon's eldest daughter to agony."

Daemon gritted his teeth as tears flooded Daenys' face.

"I assure you Luke is Daenys' friend, as she claimed she was protecting her sisters from your son's harm," Rhaenyra grabbed Jacaerys hand and rested another hand on Lucerys's shoulder as she stepped forward. "Your son who provoked mine, forced to protect themselves against his attack. Vile insults were levied against them."

Viserys turned to her,  "What insults?"

"The legitimacy of my son's birth was put loudly to question," Rhaenyra revealed.

Many stiffened after hearing the Princess, and some simply observed as a shock was plastered on the King's face.

"What?"

"They called us bastards," Jacerys said quietly.

Daenys managed to catch the smug expression on Aemond's face. Somehow he found amusement in it all, especially the humbling of his nephews. But it was the pure truth, they all knew it, and judging from Alicent's face, it was she who fed the word to her children. The Queen shifted, feeling her favour turn on its head because Viserys would do nothing but aid his eldest daughter, even in the face of reality.

"My sons are in line to inherit the iron throne, your Grace. This is the highest of treason. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders." Rhaenyra was adamant, even ignoring how Aemond craned his entire body around to glare at her.

"Tortured?" Daenys winced as she turned to the Princess who could see the blood clinging to her face. "Torture need not happen, Cousin, our scars everlasting."

Rhaenrya's eyes softened at her trembling voice, then met those belonging to her uncle who gently brought his daughter's face back to him.

Viserys walked closer to Aemond, whilst Alicent gasped in disbelief,  "Lady Daenys is correct Viserys, sharply questioned. Over an insult? My son has lost an eye."

He ignored his wife and leaned closer to his son, "You tell me, boy. Where did you hear this lie?"

Alicent's attempts to distract the King were somewhat admiral, "The insult was training yard bluster. A lot of boys. It was nothing."

Viserys reiterated,  "Aemond... I asked you a question."

"Where is Ser Laenor, I wonder? The boys' father? Perhaps he might have something to say in the matter."

"Yes. Where is Ser Laenor?"

Rhaenyra felt the eyes drawn on her. "I do not know, Your Grace. I... could not find sleep. I had gone out to walk.

Daemon stood from his position, although he didn't leave his daughter's side, but the knowing gleam in his eyes caught her attention.

"Entertaining his young squires, I would venture," Alicent snidely remarked.

Ser Criston snickered before Ser Harrold quickly reprimanded him with a look.

"My Uncle is in mourning," Daenys spoke through her clenched jaw, and her grandparents agreed, scowling at the Queen.

The King nodded before turning to his son, commanding, "Aemond, Look at me."  He has lost an eye, Daenys almost scoffed. "Your King demands an answer. Who spoke these lies to you?"

Aemond finally broke his silence, "It was Aegon."

Aegon looked both startled and confused, "Me?"

He stiffened when his father rushed to him, yelling so loudly, that tears stung his eyes.

"And you boy, where did you hear such calumnies?" Viserys seethed. Neglecting to see Helaena covering her ears. "Aegon! Tell me the truth of it!"

Daemon would've been amused by the situation if not for his daughter practically falling in and out of consciousness. And catching Aemond peer his head around to check in on the Lady. the Rogue Prince had sensed she might've not only been protecting her sisters but the boy as well.

"We know, father. Everyone knows. " Aegon breathed out, disgusted. Princess Rhaenys might've once sported black Baratheon hair, but her eyes always shone a mild purple. Targaryen purple. "Just look at them. They don't look anything like us."

Viserys' chest almost caved in on itself. The growing hatred would not dare stop, even in his presence, he turned to his wife, "This interminable infighting must cease!" he shouted, distraught. "All of you! Now make your apologies and show goodwill to one another. Your father, your uncle, your grandfather, your King demands it!"

Daenys blinked slowly, shocked by the lack of punishment, no stripping of titles for harming the King's son or niece. Nor being forced to serve as cupbearer. It seemed rather unjust. An eye cannot be replaced and a scar will always linger. Words were lodged at the back of her throat when she tried to speak. Gods was she exhausted. She felt for Rhaenyra, who had defended her sons since birth. However, witnessing the King's neglect over his younger children and overall incompetence in making decisions made her wish it was all just a dream. Viserys may have worn the crown but was nothing more than a Jaehaerys imitation. And despite not liking the Queen, Daenys understood her frustration. If her sisters' eyes were taken, she would do more than just call for justice, she would have it brought into her own hands.

"Alicent, this matter... is finished. Do you understand?" Viserys stated, turning away from his wife's glossy eyes and looking around the hall, "And let it be known, anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's sons should have it removed."

Rhaenyra's mouth curved upwards, "Thank you, Father."

And just then, something snapped within the Queen, who lunged at Rhaenyra with the King's dagger in her hand. A terrified scream erupted from scared Lucerys. Daemon subconsciously left his daughter's side, pushing Ser Criston Cole away as Rhaenrya caught the Alicent's hand.

Daenys peered down at her empty hand, as the chaos commenced, almost as if were in a haze, until a hand slipped into hers. One she'd held many times. It squeezed hers despite the animosity cast over them, the pain and betrayal flying through their once-innocent bond. She shifted her gaze to Aemond's who then glanced at his mother.

The Queen stepped back, and her blade sliced an opening in the skin of Rhaenyra's hand. Blood trickled down, past her wrist to her fingers, dripping on the ground.

The Sea Snake shielded The Princess.

The chains that bound the House of the Dragon had been broken once again.

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a/n:

I don't think Aemond should get over the fact he was mutilated. What he did was disrespectful, yes, and insulting Laena to her children is disgusting but claiming a dragon isn't unlawful and those acting like it need to chill. And just because Luke was a child (6 in the books i think but 7/8 in the show) when it happened like the rest of them including Aemond it doesn't mean he should get over it. Because we all know most of you wouldn't. that being said daenys should rage and put hands that he touched her sisters and insulted her mother and hurting her and her sisters.

my original plan was drastically different from the result, i wasn't sure whether or not to add daemon actually comforting his children, because of show canon (which is so stupid on the showrunners' part) the twins were instead confronted by rhaenys. but considering that daenys is scarred for life he wouldn't leave them and lean off to the side and watch the drama unfold. his reaction was mixed in with his guilt but also anger toward aemond but annoyance with luke who of course is a child.

daenys won't hate on baby luke, especially since it was an accident and the fact alicent tried attacking him was wild as hell. I understood why she was mad, anyone would be if their child was mutilated. you shall see how daenys' attitude is in the next chapter.

i had to do a tiktok edit of this chapter! check it out on my account.