┊͙✧˖*°࿐ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭, not even a breath could be heard as Aemond's fist was slammed onto the table. The wood nearly splintering at the force. The Prince's chair screeched as he stood, his lips twisting in anger at his grandsire, the Hands proposal.

  "Aemond." Alicent warned under her breath, she knew her son would not take the news with a smile, he would fight just as he always had for Rhaella.

Aemond's eye turned its harsh glare towards her. "You all must have gone mad. My wife is with child and still, you sit here and discuss such matters as annulling my marriage." The other members of the small council were tense, not knowing how the Prince would continue to react if the Hand continued to push his proposal into such dangerous waters.

Otto leaned back in his chair, clearing his throat as he watched his grandson's hand clench the edge of the table. "Borros Baratheon has four daughters, all unmarried. To secure an alliance with the great houses sacrifices must be made."

The Prince scoffed, the quiet laugh he released sent chills down the council's spines. "Betroth Daeron to one, I don't care which. But God's be damned if I will sit here and listen to such nonsense surrounding the matters of my wife and unborn child."

Alicent released a breath through her nose, if not for Aemond's hatred for Rhaella's brothers she was sure he would be with her on Dragonstone, helping Rhaenyra ascend the throne but his hatred was far too great. That was the only reason he was still there, it wasn't out of love for his family or brother. But he was slipping, without Rhaella his rage went unchecked, that much was obvious as his hand grazed his dagger that was secured in his belt.

  "Rhaella has chosen her side, for both her and your child." Alicent told him, standing up from her seat, her eyes meeting his, seeing the flames that burned in the Targaryens burning in her son's lilac eye. "It is time you chose yours. You will fly to Storm's End and treat with Lord Borros before the morrow."

Aemond held her stare for a moment, his hand grabbing the chair and throwing it, the wood shattering at the force it was thrown when it made contact with the stone floor. The guards were nearly hit with the doors as he shoved them open, his blood boiling beneath his skin as he made his way from the council meeting chambers, shouting at guards to make preparations to escort him to the dragon pit, knowing Vhagar would be flying nearby.

~

Rhaella hadn't left her chamber in over a days time, her mother summoning her presence in the war room did not go unnoticed and she had not meant to disappoint or disobey her mother but she could only hear talk of murdering her husband, and placing his head on a spike along with the rest of his family so much before it finally tore her down.

Rhaenyra understood this after the third time of attempting to summon her daughter, allowing her to stay in her chambers. Though guilt was consuming her when she thought of the letter Otto had given her from Aemond to give to Rhaella.

Daemon had taken the letter and hid it away despite her protests. He did not need Rhaella more distracted than she was, especially with war on the horizon.

The wind felt refreshing, Rhaella's stray silver hairs that were not secured in a braid flying in the wind. At the news of her brothers' departure, she decided she would not let Lucerys fly to Storm's End alone, he was still but a child being sent to treat with a Baratheon. Rhaella although in no condition would fly with him on the short journey despite her mother's protests.

Lucerys held his sister's hand as she stood between him and Jacaerys. Her free arm tucked in her twins as they all stood in front of their mother.

Rhaenyra's eyes flickered between her children, her heart swelling at how close each of them were with one another. How her sons and daughter would go to the ends of the world and back for each other. It made her smile softly, though it dropped slightly when she noticed the tired look on Rhaella's face as she released Jace's arm to pull her coat closer to her body.

She cleared her throat, looking down at the letters in her hands before glancing back to her children. "It's been said that as Targaryens we are closer to gods than to men. And the Iron Throne puts us a touch closer, perhaps. But, if we are to serve the Seven Kingdoms, we must answer to their gods."

Rhaella's eyes moved to Ser Erryk who held a rather large book in his hands behind her mother.

  "If you take this errand, you go as messengers, not as warriors. You must take no part in any fighting."

Luke looked over to his sister who kept her eyes on their mother.

  "Swear it to me now under the eyes of the Seven." Rhaenyra told her children, nodding her head to the Knight who stepped forward, holding the book out.

  "I swear it." Luke spoke without a fight with his hand on the book. Rhaenyra smiled at her youngest, her eyes turning to Jace and Rhaella who were hesitant, giving them a stern look.

The twins sighed, leaning forward and placing their hands on the book. "I swear it."

Rhaenyra thanked the Knight who stepped back into his place behind her, she twisted the scrolls in her hands. "Cregan Stark is closer to your age than to mine. I would hope, that as men, you can find some common interest." She handed the letter to Jace, who reached out.

  "Yes, Your Grace."

Rhaella felt Luke's nerves, his palms ever so slightly shaking in her own before he released it stepping closer to their mother with her. Rhaenyra sighed, seeing his nervousness. "Storm's End is a short flight from here. You have Baratheon blood from your grandmother Rhaenys. And Lord Borros is an eternally proud man. He will be honored to host a Prince and Princess of the realm and their dragons."

Rhaella's eyes fell onto her hand as her mother opened her palm to place the letter inside, their hands staying connected almost as if neither of them wanted to let go.

  "I expect you both will receive a very warm welcome."

Luke nodded, shakily. "Yes, mother." Stuttering to correct himself made Rhaella smile for the first time in a while. "Y-Your Grace."

Rhaella despite her mother being Queen still saw her mother as just that, her mother. Without really thinking she threw her arms around her, her mother laughing softly as she wrapped her arms around her daughter, feeling Rhaella tighten her hold around her.

Rhaenyra pulled away slightly, cupping her daughter's face in her hands, wiping the stray tear that fell down her cheek. "We will have plenty of time to talk when you return, I promise. There is still so much you have yet to tell me." She rubbed her thumb over her cheek, placing a kiss on the side of her daughter's head.

Rhaella nodded, holding her mother's hand as she backed away over to Luke. Her hand slowly slipped as the distance became too great.

Rhaenyra nodded to them with a soft smile. "Go to it then."

Casting one last look to her mother Rhaella made her way to her dragon alongside her brothers, her grandmother was already climbing atop Meleys when they reached their dragons. Settling onto her saddle on Daelys back after some effort she sent Luke an encouraging smile as he held onto the handles.

  "Soves." Rhaella spoke to Daelys, and with a low grumble his wings lifted, sand flying in the air as he lifted them off the ground. Luke and Jace followed behind her, Meleys leading before they spilt up in the clouds in opposite directions. ( fly )

Thunder soon began booming around her as she flew through the storm clouds. Her head turned behind her ever so often to check on Luke who was still holding onto Arrax tightly. Rhaella sighed in relief when Daelys broke through the clouds, the castle coming into view.

Daelys circled the castle with Arrax following behind, slowly lowering himself into the yard in front of the castle the ground shaking from the force of a dragon his size landing so suddenly. Arraxs wings slowed as he landed beside Daelys, the dragons chuttering to one another.

Luke simply jumped down from Arrax, the dragon still small enough that there was no need for him to lower himself for Luke yet. But Daelys lowered himself as far as he could go, Rhaella sliding down carefully onto his foot before he brought his head back up when he knew she was off. Her hand smoothed over her stomach as her feet hit the ground.

Rhaella held the letter in her hand as she and Luke made their way to the guards in front of the doors, the Princess halted in her tracks with she heard a loud grumble that was different from Daelys'. Her head slowly turned, heart jumping into her throat at the sight of Vhagars head rising from behind the wall.

Luke's hand reached for her arm, his fingers curling around the material of her coat. Rhaella's breathing was suddenly uneven at the thought of seeing Aemond, she was tempted to turn around and tell Luke to get back on Arrax and they both fly home and wait until the morrow when Aemond would be gone.

But Luke despite his shakiness shook his head when he realized what she was thinking. He gently tugged her forward, the sooner they got the message to Lord Borros the sooner they could fly far away from Storm's End and back to Dragonstone.

Rhaella shook her head and moved forward on shaky legs in front of the guards. She looked at Luke and back at the men. "I am Princess Rhaella Velaryon, and my brother Prince Lucerys Velaryon and I bring a message to Lord Borros from the Queen."

There was no argument as the guards nodded turning towards the doors with the siblings following behind. The thunder was loud if not louder than it was outside as they entered, every sound could be heard as it echoed off the stone walls.

Rhaella saw Lord Borros first as she walked beside her brother, that was before her eyes fell upon the silver hair that she had grown used to seeing. Her hands entwined in an attempt to stop the shaking as Aemond turned at the sound of them entering.

The girl's heart clenched in her chest at the sight of one of Lord Borros's daughters standing closely behind him. A marriage pact. Her hand rested against her stomach as her eyes met his briefly before she glanced away in anger and in hurt.

  "Prince Lucerys Velaryon and his sister Princess Rhaella Velaryon. Son and daughter to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen."

Rhaella felt Luke slip the letter from her hand, noticing her frozen stance, one of fear and sadness.

She kept her head raised as Luke addressed Lord Borros.

  "Lord Borros we have brought you a message from our mother the Queen." Luke spoke causing the lord to tilt his head with a small scoff.

  "Yet earlier this day, I received an envoy from the King. Which is it? King or Queen?"

Rhaella's jaw clenched at the way Lord Borros was speaking, her eyes narrowing as Aemond lifted his head, his eye never leaving her form.

  "The House of the Dragon does not seem to know who rules it." His laugh after only seemed to irritate the Princess further but she refused to show it. "What is your mother's message?"

Lucerys didn't utter a word as he lifted the letter into the air for one of the guards to take to Lord Borros. Lord Borros tapped the letter against his seat, his eyes flitting around the room in agitation when he realized it was something that required him to read.

  "Where's the bloody maester?" He called out in frustration, with a nod it was not long before the maester was running up the steps in a hast.

Rhaella couldn't help but allow her eyes to travel once again as the maester read her mother's message. She could already feel her husband's eye on her, though when she looked into his eye, it was not looking at her face, but at her stomach which was covered by her coat, though it was still very much visible. Enough where anyone could see that she was indeed heavily pregnant.

  "'Remind' me of my father's oath." Lord Borros's voice snapped Rhaella out of her gaze, her eyes moving back over to the stubborn lord. "King Aegon at least came with an offer," his eyes glancing to Aemond who was standing with his daughter. "my swords and banners for a marriage pact."

Rhaellas eyes closed when he confirmed what she already knew, the Greens had already set out to replace her in the short time she had been gone. The Queen and Hand she expected, but Aemond that took some time to wrap her head around.

  "If I do as your mother bids, which one of my daughters will you wed, boy?" Lord Borros questioned as he leaned forward in his seat.

Luke shook his head. "My lord, I am not free to marry. I'm already betrothed."

Lord Borros' eyes narrowed, settling back into his chair. "So you come with empty hands, seeing as I have no sons."

The Princess tugged her coat closer to her body when the lord's eyes fell upon her stomach, Aemonds eyes narrowing when he saw her discomfort.

  "Go home, pups. And tell your mother that the Lord of Storm's End is not some dog that she can whistle up at need to set against her foes."

Rhaella had to bite her lip to refrain from speaking rather letting Luke remain respectful.

  "We shall take your answer to the Queen, my lord." Luke spoke, turning with Rhaella who was hesitant, her head looking to Aemond once more before she turned back her eyes closing in sadness as she walked away from her. But her heart stopped when his voice echoed against the walls.

  "Wait."

She and Luke both froze, her hand holding his arm as they both turned to look at their uncle.

  "My Lord Strong."

Rhaella felt her heart drop into her stomach, grabbing the material of Luke's cloak when his arm dropped from where he was guiding her out of the castle. "Luke." She whispered, not wanting him to entertain Aemond's antics. Him turning around gave her husband what he wanted. Her lilac eyes closed when Luke went ahead anyway.

She had no choice but to follow, her head tilted, her eyes falling on Aemond, her look held warning. Aemond paid her no mind, too far gone in his own hatred, and need for revenge. A part of him wanted to walk over and hold her, never allowing her out of his sight again, but the other part of him that mourned the loss of his eye and was angered by the taunting as a child pushed that thought away and focused solely on his nephew.

"Did you really think that you could just fly about the realm trying to steal my brother's throne at no cost?" Aemond shifted, his silver hair falling over his shoulder as he walked a few steps forward. His eye shifted when he noticed Rhaella bring her hand up to her stomach that was still covered by her coat. Hurt flashing in his eye when he realized she was shielding his child from him.

Lucerys stepped in front of his sister, blocking his uncle's gaze. His hand fell onto the handle of his sword. "I will not fight you. We came as messengers, not as warriors."

Aemond lips curled, almost as if he was trying to hold in a chuckle. "A fight would be little challenge."

The Princess's gaze widened ever so slightly, her fingers curling tightly against her stomach in shock as she watched Aemond's hand lift to his patch.

"No." His fingers gripped the leather and pulled, the loose strands of his silver hair falling into his face when the strap tugged them from their place. "I want you to put out your eye."

Rhaella gasped lowly, her body moving when Lucerys stepped back into her in shock. Her eyes looked upon the sapphire, identical to the ring she was wearing, the gem that only she had ever had the pleasure of seeing. Aemond's sudden boldness to show it off to her brother sent her back.

"As payment for mine."

The girl's hand dropped from her belly and wrapped around her brother's forearm. She tugged, but he held strong not folding under Aemond's harsh glare. She pulled harsher when Aemond brushed his coat back, the green leather nearly black. His hand gripped the handle of his dagger, pulling it from his belt.

"One will serve." He spoke lowly, Rhaella breathing deeply when the dagger was thrown, landing a few feet in front of her and Luke. "I would not blind you." Her gaze flickered up from the dagger when Aemond clicked his tongue, humming. "Plan to make a gift of it to my mother."

Rhaella's hand tightened when Lucerys spoke. "No." Her palms grew damp when Aemond's eye grew even darker, lips falling in anger.

"Then you are craven as well as a traitor."

The girl lifted her head, eyes moving to Lord Borros who sensed the rising conflict, moving forward in his seat. "Not here."

His words fell on deaf ears. Aemond's lips curled into a snarl, beginning to march forward. "Give me your eye or I will take it, bastard!"

Rhaella didn't flinch, she grasped Luke's arm that she already had ahold of and pushed him behind her despite his reluctance to allow her to do so. He pulled his sword from its hold and held it ready.

The princess kept one hand on Luke and her eyes on Aemond as he pulled the dagger from the ground marching in her direction. Rhaella was prepared to stop him, at any cost if it meant protecting her brother. She loved Aemond, and he was the father of her child, but she would never willingly stand aside as he mangled her little brother.

At that moment the dagger resting in the hidden place inside her coat felt heavy, almost as if it was weighing her down. The thought of having to use it made her swallow thickly in worry.

The thunder boomed as Lord Borros stood, halting Aemond in his steps as he shouted. "Not in my hall!" When Aemond stilled, Rhaella let out a slow breath. "They came as envoys. I'll not have bloodshed beneath my roof." The lord's eyes moved to the siblings. "Take Prince Lucerys and Princess Rhaella back to their dragons. Now."

The guards immediately did as told. And despite the urge, Rhaella forced her lilac eyes to stay ahead, refusing to look at Aemond even if it was the last time she may see him. Though she knew her husband better than most, and a mere lord wasn't going to keep him from what he thought was rightfully his. Right now that was Luke's eye.

She felt more nervous than she ever had before as she guided Luke through the rain, practically shoving him in his dragon's direction. The water dripped down her face, nearly blinding her.

"You fly, Luke. Fly as fast as Arrax can go." Her hands cupped his cheeks, pushing his dark hair out of his eyes. "Don't stop, no matter what you see or what happens." Luke looked into her eyes with a terror she had never seen before. "Promise me, Luke." At his silence, she gripped his arms. "Promise me!" He shook his head in agreement, though his eyes said otherwise.

Rhaella sighed in sadness and fear, she pressed a kiss to the side of his head, embracing him tightly before she pulled away, rubbing a thumb across his cheek. With one last smile she pushed him into his dragon, the boy immediately climbing on top.

"Go!" The girl shouted through the rain. She then shouted to the young dragon, seeing Luke's reluctance to fly. "Soves." Arrax looked conflicted, being that she wasn't his rider but with one more shout the dragon flapped his wings, fighting against the rain. ( fly )

Daelys grumbled when he spotted Rhaella running toward him as fast as she could in her condition. His head lowered, the girl climbing up with his help, her stomach not helping make the climb any swifter. She was out of breath when she fell into her saddle, the rain pelting her skin as she commanded Daelys to fly. Once into the sky, the castle disappeared from view.

It was quiet despite the storm, almost too good to be true. And it was.

Her body jumped when she heard the sound of Vhagars grumble over the storm. Commanding Daelys to fly faster, looking around for Lucerys. Her head lifted, spotting Vhagars enormous outline covered by the clouds flying above her. She followed the she-dragon as she flew ahead of Daelys, Aemond's laugh being heard as she dove.

Rhaella gasped in horror when Vhagar came down from the dark clouds, jaws open toward Lucerys. The boy tugging the ropes as Arrax turned and flew down avoiding the snap of teeth.

Her heart pumped fast in her chest, the cramps in her lower abdomen growing. Without being commanded, Daelys came from underneath Vhagar, the size of the male dragon slamming into the belly of Vhagar knocked her upward in warning, the older dragon growling loudly in pain. Aemond gripped his saddle as Vhagar regained her balance. Daelys flew above the cliff as Arrax went through.

Vhagar's eyes were set on Daelys following quickly behind.

Rhaella's eyes flitted around when she lost sight of Luke, she gasped in pain when the sharp pain she had felt so many times cut through her, although this time it was different, more painful.

The girl's head snapped to her left when Arrax came bursting through the clouds, flying past her. Fire encompassing Vhagar's head as the young dragon disobeyed its rider. Daelys moved protectively when Vhagar shifted her head in rage, a grumbling roar summoned from the depths of her throat as she flew after Arrax who flew above the clouds in an attempt to escape.

All she could do was watch as Aemond lost control of his dragon, Daelys could feel everything his rider was feeling including her pushing through the pain her babe was causing her. Daelys followed after Vhagar through the clouds, his wings pushing through the rain.

Losing sight of Vhagar, Daelys broke through the clouds. It was calm on the other side, the sun shining with no rain or wind. Rhaella gripped the ropes attached to the saddle in terror when she saw Luke on his dragon just hovering in the air, his head flying around trying to spot Aemond.

"Luke, fly!" Rhaella's words meant nothing, not as Vhagar burst through the clouds. Luke's head turned away from Rhaella, having no time to react as Vhagar's jaws clamped down on to him and Arrax.

Rhaella couldn't scream, she couldn't move, she was frozen. There was nothing she could do as Vhagar tore her little brother and his dragon to shreds, the shrieks of Arrax as he was ripped apart sending chills down her spine. Tears she didn't even realize were falling fell in streams down her cheeks, dripping down her chin and onto her chest as she watched the remains of her brother and Arrax fall from the sky.

She cried out in pain when her stomach contracted, she could feel the blood soaking through her riding breeches. Her breathing came out in pants as she clutched the ropes. Lucerys, her little brother was gone and it felt like an eternity before she remembered where she was—before she allowed anger to consume her as she commanded Daelys.

Pain was all the dragon could feel from his rider. Anger was the next to shine through the cracks. Following his rider's command, the dragon's wings surged them forward. His claws dug into Vhagar as his jaw clamped down around her throat.

Aemond couldn't process that the dragons that had spent more time together than most dragons were now fighting alongside their riders. Rhaella fought through the pain of her labors, nothing she could do whilst she was in the air.

The dragons flew in circles, teeth digging into one another as their claws pushed against their skin. Each crying out as blood fell from their wounds.

Rhaella gasped when Vhagar's head moved to the side, quicker than Daelys could comprehend, and latched onto his wing. The sound of the bone snapping made Rhaella flinch, her wet hair sticking to her face. Daelys cried out in pain as he released the older dragon whose mouth was covered in blood.

As Rhaella whispered her dragon's name, her eyes meeting Aemond's as Daelys attempted to flap his wings to stay in the air but as he released the she-dragon his large body began to fall. Everything was happening far too quickly for Rhaella to realize she was being lifted from her saddle at the rate of speed she was falling.

Daelys cried out as they spun towards the water in a heap, his body turned around as they grew closer, Rhaella in harm's way as she cried out, clutching onto her dragon. Rhaella could no longer see Aemond or Vhagar as she fell back through the storm clouds, away from the light.

Just as Daelys hit the water he forced his body around to make his front hit the water, shielding Rhaella from the impact.

At the force of the impact, Rhaella fell off of her dragon and into the water, waves pulling her under and back up due to a dragon of Daelys' size hitting the water at such a speed. Black invaded her vision as Daelys tried to keep himself afloat, his groans and whimpers of pain reaching her ears. Her hand clasped his good wing as he extended it towards her, pulling her back to his body, keeping her floating against the waves.

As she drifted in and out of consciousness she could hear the distinct sound of Aemond's voice shouting through the air.

Blood was dripping down her face in a hot stream as she began coughing up the water in her lungs. Her eyes beginning to flutter slowly despite her fighting to stay awake, not only for herself and her child but for her dragon who was barely staying above the water.

The last thing she felt was the babe fighting inside her to stay alive, blood turning the water red just before everything went dark.