┊͙✧˖*°࿐ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄

𝐑𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 not to bring attention to herself in the midst of the men watching her with judgment clouded eyes. She had married Aemond Targaryen, the man who helped usurp the throne from her mother. By association, most of the men present couldn't find it in themselves to trust her. She was thought to be a spy sent by the Greens to collect information, to that she scoffed and stood tall but kept herself close to her siblings.

Daemon stood closely by, announcing her mother's arrival. "Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of her name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men. Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

Rhaella bowed her head towards her mother, the same as everyone who stood in the room, tying her hands together in front of herself.

"Your Grace."

When Rhaenyra stepped forward her guards went to follow but with a side glance they halted in their movements allowing the Queen to carry ahead on her own.

"Wine, my Queen." Rhaena offered, causing Rhaenyra to halt. She took the cup from her graciously, smiling at the young girl. "Thank you, Rhaena." With that, she gestured for both Baela and Rhaena to join her at the table.

Rhaella could sense her mother's discomfort with all the eyes on her, she gently nodded her head at her mother who took a breath before speaking to Daemon. "What is our standing?"

"We have thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men at arms." Daemon accounted. "Dragonstone is relatively easy to defend, but as an instrument of conquest our army leaves a lot to be desired."

Lucerys felt beside him for his sister's hand, knowing that his older sister had been through a lot in the time she had been there. Rhaella squeezed his hand, smiling in acknowledgment.

"We have sent word to my loyal men in the City Watch. I'll have some support there, but I cannot speak to the numbers."

The maester nodded his head to Daemon, turning his attention to Rhaenyra. "We already have declarations from Celtigar and Staunton, Massesy, Darklyn, and Bar Emmon." At his words, Jacaerys left her side to place the pieces atop the table.

"My lady mother was an Arryn. The Vale will not turn cloak against their own kin." Rhaenyra spoke, Jace, placing the piece down.

"Riverrun was always a close friend to your father, Your Grace. With Prince Daemons' acquiescence, I've already sent ravens to Lord Grover." Rhaenyra held Daemon's gaze. Rhaella could feel her mother's annoyance towards Daemon.

Rhaenyra placed the top of her hands against the side of the table. "Lord Grover is fickle and easily swayed. He will need to be convinced of the strength of our position and that we will support him should it come to war."

"I'm going to treat with him myself." Daemon spoke, seemingly having everything already handled while Rhaenyra was in her labors.

Rhaellas eyes flickered over to Lord Darklyn who spoke up for the first time. "What of Storm's End and Winterfell?" It was true, both great houses the Greens and the Blacks would fight for. Lord Bartimos turned his head. "There has never lived a Stark who forgot an oath. And with House Stark, the North will follow."

Rhaella twisted her ring, a nervous tick that Daemon noticed. His eyes flit down to her hands, her fingers immediately ceasing their action.

"Lord Borros Baratheon will need to be reminded of his father's promises." Her mother promptly stated, more pieces being added to the table before her attention turned to Rhaenys who was watching from behind. "What news from Driftmark?"

Rhaenys lifted her head, her hands crossed in front of her. "Lord Corlys sails for Dragonstone."

"To declare for his Queen." Daemon added, receiving a set of narrowed eyes at his words.

Rhaenys pursed her lips as she looked between Rhaenyra and Daemon. "The Velaryon fleet is in my husband's yoke. He decides where they sail."

Rhaella watched her mother nod.

"We shall pray for both you and your husband's support. Just as we prayed nightly for the Sea Snakes return to good health." Rhaenys offered a small but uncomfortable smile in the woman's direction. "There's no port on the Narrow Sea would dare to make an enemy of the Velaryon fleet." At that she turned back towards the table.

"And our enemies?"

Daemon gazed upon the table. "We have no friends among the Lannisters. Tyland has served the Hand for too long to turn against him. And Otto Hightower needs the Lannister fleet."

Rhaenyra shook her head. "Without the Lannisters, we are not like to find any allies west of the Golden Tooth." Daemon tilted his head at her words. "No. The Riverlands are essential, Your Grace."

One of the Lords spoke up, his voice held nervousness but he continued on. "Pray forgive my bluntness, Your Grace, but talk of men is moot. Your cause owns a power that has not been seen in this world since the days of Old Valyria. Dragons."

Rhaella watched with bated breath as all eyes in the room were indefinitely watching her mother as well as the dragon riders in the room.

Rhaenyra looked confused and shocked at the suggestion. "The Greens have dragons as-"

Daemon cut her off. "They have three adults by my count. We have Syrax, Caraxes, and Meleys. Your sons have Vermax, Arrax, and Tyraxes. Your daughter has Daelys. Baela has Moondancer."

Rhaella looked up at the mention of her dragon, he had still not reached the maturity to be considered an adult but he was already twice the size of most of the adult dragons. Closer in size to Vhagar and Vermithor. A shocking sight considering how young of a dragon he was.

"Daemon, none of our dragons have been to war." Rhaenyra disagreed. Daemon continued despite the rebuttal. "There are also unclaimed dragons. Seasmoke still resides on Driftmark. Vermithor and Silverwing dwell on the Dragonmount, still riderless." Daemon's eyes fell on his daughter Rhaena. "Then there are the three wild dragons, all of whom nest here."

"And who is to ride them?"

"Dragonstone has thirteen to their four. I also have a score of eggs incubating in the Dragonmount." Daemon took one of the pieces in his hand, walking around the table. "Now, we need a place to gather, a toehold large enough to house a sizable host." He set the piece down on Harrenhal. "Here, at Harrenhal. We cut off the west, surround King's Landing with the dragons. And we could have every Green head mounted on spikes before the fucking moon turns."

Rhaella swallowed thickly at the thought of Aemonds head on a spike above the gates of Kings Landing, her heart clenched in her chest just imagining it. Imagining her child, fatherless.

Rhaenyra saw her daughter's pain, eyes flickering to Daemon in warning.

  "Your Grace," Ser Erryk interrupted, eyes turning to him. "a ship has been sighted offshore, a long galleon, flying a banner of a three-headed green dragon."

Rhaella's eyes fell on Daemon who went around the table to grab his sword. No Vhagar, she would have been spotted long before the ship, so no Aemond. She placed her hand on her stomach, meeting her mother's eyes, Rhaenyra shook her head.

  "Alert the watchtowers. Sight the skies." Daemon wasted no time as he marched passed Rhaenyra and out of the room.

Rhaella saw Luke shift out of the corner of her eye, her jaw clenching when the babe inside her delivered a harsh kick. She let out a slow breath, Luke placing his hand gently on her back.

"You must rest, Rhaella." Her mother spoke, giving Jace a nod before she followed Daemon with her guards.

Jace held his arm out for Rhaella who took it gratefully, knowing there was no use in arguing with her brother, and allowed him to guide her to her room.