Red Keep, 119 AC

        ━━━━━━━༺ - ༻━━━━━━━

                 
Celebrations were underway for the birth of the newborn Princess. Lords and Ladies from across the kingdoms gathered to see the infant Princess and set up camp outside King's Landing. Rhaenrya was riding in the royal carriage, holding a sleeping Meriahnya in her arms, across from her husband and son.

" Mother, do we have to attend the royal hunt?" Jacaerys spoke up. " I wanted to train with Ser Harwin today, but grandfather says he's busy attending to other things."

Rhanerya gazed at her son softly. " I'm sorry, my sweet boy, but today is an important day for your sister. You can train later."

Jacaerys crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. " I don't understand what's the big deal about, Mother. It's not as if Meriahnya is a male heir. She's a Princess without anything to inherit. She's not as important as I am."

" That's not nice to say about your sister, Jacaerys." Laenor scolded, staring at his son in disappointment." Your sister is just as important as you are; now stop being mean to her and be happy for her.''

The young Targaryen bowed his head down in shame. " I'm sorry, father."

Rhaenrya gazed at her husband coldly, not liking how he talked to her precious son. " I'm sure Jacaerys is happy for his sister, but he is right; my father wastes money on a celebration that isn't even necessary."

Laenor glared at his wife. " Our daughter's birth is worth every piece of gold; I don't understand why you must keep treating her so hostile."

" Hostile." She hissed. " Do you know how hard I have been trying these last few weeks to put our daughter to sleep while you are out with your playthings?"

The young Velaryon's eyes widened in anger at his wife's words. " Don't you dare try to say I don't care about our daughter!"

" If you care so much, then maybe stop choosing your playthings over her and start putting her first for a change." The Princess snarled, causing Meriahnya to wake.

Meriahnya wailed; she glanced over at her father, trying to reach out to him. " She's upset, let me hold her," Laenor said.

But Rhanerya refused and moved her daughter close to her chest. " No need, I will calm her down; I'm her mother."

She gazed down, cooing at her daughter, trying to soothe her, and started to stroke her cheek, only making Meriahnya wail out even more.

" Ugh, she's so annoying," Jacaerys mumbled. " Do babies usually cry this much?"

" Yes, they do, son," Laenor answered. " Let me soothe her, Rhaenrya."

Rhaenrya shook her head. " No, I will do it. Meriahnya must know that she has two parents, not just one."

She continued her attempts at calming her baby down until all of a sudden, Meriahnya reached up with one of her tiny hands and clawed her mother across the face.

" Get her off of me!" Rhaenrya hissed,  trying to push Meriahnya out of her arms.

" Mother." Jacaerys cried out, instantly moving next to her.

The young Prince turned to his sister, anger in his eyes. He landed a brutal hit on one of her tiny arms, causing her to let out a scream. " Bad, baby."

" Jacaerys!" Laenor yelled. " You do not hit your sister."

Jacaerys turned to his father. " But, she hurt Mother."

Laenor immediately took Meriahyna from Rhaenrya and placed her in his arms; instantly, the young Princess calmed down under her father's touch. " She's a babe, Jacaerys."

He turned to his wife in concern, noticing the small scratch on her face. " Are you alright?"

" No, I am not alright." Rhaenrya snarled. " That little beast attacked me."

" Are you alright, Mama?" Jacaerys asked, turning to his mother.

Rhaenrya nodded, pulling her son in close. " Yes, my sweet, I am."

" When I saw Meriahnya attack you, I got scared and jumped in; I didn't mean to hit her." The young boy mumbled.

" It's alright, my sweet boy, you were just trying to protect me,"  Rhaenrya said. " My brave knight, you'll be one of the best swordsmen in the seven kingdoms one day."

Jacaerys nodded, turning to his baby sister. He couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt rise within him. " Is Meriahyna going to be okay, father?"

Laenor gazed down at his daughter; grabbing one of her tiny hands, he noticed a small bruise on her palm. " She has a bruise on her hand."

Jacaerys's eyes widened in guilt, realizing the consequences of his actions; tears started streaming down his cheeks. " I'm so.... sorry, Father, I didn't mean to; I was only trying to protect Mother."

Rhaenrya placed a comforting hand on her son's back." It's alright, my sweet, don't cry, it was just an accident. I'm sure you didn't mean your sister any physical harm.''

" Accident, one of Meriahyna's hands is bruised." Laenor hissed.

The Princess rolled her eyes. " She'll be fine; her hand isn't broken, just a little swollen, nothing more. Milk of the Poppy will help."

" What is wrong with....." Laenor was about to say but was cut off by the carriage coming to a stop.

" Finally, we're here," Rhaenrya said, grabbing her son's hands with hers and climbing out of the carriage; Laenor followed behind her, holding onto his daughter tightly as he climbed down the steps of the carriage.

As soon as they stepped out of the carriage, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers. The Lords and the Ladies gathered around closely, trying to sneak a peek at the newborn Princess.

Rhaenrya held onto Jacaerys protectively, trying to ignore the scratch on her face. She formed a smile on her face, giving the crowd her thanks.

Laenor cradled his daughter closely with care, ignoring the crowd of people and focusing his attention on his little sea dragon, who was still whimpering in pain. He grabbed one of her tiny hands, noticing it was getting swollen.

" Rhaenyra, we may have to cut this short. Meriahyna's hand is beginning to swell."Laenor whispered. " We should take her to the infirmary.

Rhaenrya continued to smile at the crowd, not answering her husband. Jacaerys stood beside her, still guilty of his actions.

Viserys and Alicent were in front of the crowd, with their children clapping with the others. However, Alicent's expression was emotionless, still shocked that Rhaenyra could have a trueborn heir with Laenor.

Yet, she couldn't help but feel amused at the fact. It was apparent that Rhaenrya disliked the girl and favored her bastard son over her trueborn daughter. Hypocrite, finally forced to do your duty to the realm, and you turn your back on your daughter."She thought

Alicent couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl, knowing her life would be ruined due to her mother's choices. At least the girl would have her father's love.

Unlike myself, Aegon, Helaena,  Aemond, and Daeron."

Aegon looked on curiously as he watched Laenor pass by. Helaena noticed something was amiss and quickly intercepted Laenor's way.

"Is she all right?" came her soft inquiry.

Meiahyra, being a curious little hatchling, reached out to stroke Helaena's hair. The young dragoness responded by holding up one of her tiny braids and letting the baby press on it.

"This is a braid, Mei," she explained. "Someday, when your hair is nice and long, I'll style it for you."

Meiahyra stuck her tongue out before giving her aunt a toothless smile.

"What does that mean? Auntie doesn't understand."

The sea dragon hatchling only let out a soft "PFT" before Helaena resorted to gently pinching her overly cute face.

Alicent smiled at the sight. " She is adorable."

" Yes, she is," Viserys said with a smile. "Have you two picked an egg out for this little precious."

" We haven't, father," Rhaenrya answered.

" Why not, stepdaughter?" Alicent questioned. " When you were an infant, you bonded with an egg. " And Prince Jacaerys here was given an egg when he was an infant, yet it hasn't hatched yet."

"She  is made of boiling seawater." Jacerys tried to jest.

"Isn't boiling seawater dangerous too?"  Helaena asked innocently.

" Yes, Princess, it is," Laenor answered. "Luckily, my daughter is born of dragon flesh and the sea."

" She's a seahorse, not a dragon." Jacaerys pushed on. " She doesn't look anything like a Targaryen."

Helaena fiddled with her ball of threads, which she always kept in case the "thing" stuck with her. "She is no seahorse.", came her protest. "One day, red will be your shroud, just like you've always wanted. Another will fall upon a sea of clouds; his spirit dissolved into nothing. A dragon shall rise from the waters, taking the very thing that is rightfully hers."

Alicent looked at her daughter nervously, wondering if anyone else had caught on to whatever came out of her mouth.

"Helaena is at it again..." Aegon sighed in defeat.

"Stop being weird; no wonder why you're betrothed to your brother." Jacerys snarked.

"Don't say that about your aunt, Strong boy," Aemond responded.

"Hey, no fighting, you two!" Helaena shouted. "Don't mind my words earlier. It's just for a story I'm making."

"You mean the one about the bug who got fed to a rat?"

"Aegon, enough!" Alicent hissed. "They're just stories. Stop taking them too seriously. Anyways, Helaena, why don't you pick a dragon egg for your niece?"

" That would be a lovely idea, mother." Helaena gushed. " Dreamfyre just hatched a clutch of eggs; I could take Meriahyna to the dragon pits to pick an egg out.

" No need, Princess," Rhaenrya said. " My daughter is not ready to hatch an egg yet; she is still young, perhaps when she's older."

"Awww~" the Princess pouted.

"It's all right, Helaena.", soothed Laenor. "I have a secret to tell you.'

He whispered something into the young dreamer's ear, and after a few moments, Helaena squealed with sheer delight.

"Really??"

"Yes."

Helaena was all giggles, not minding the tension steadily rising between some of her family members.

" Don't you think that's a little unfair, sister?" Aemond said, " Jacaerys here got an egg to bond with when he was an infant; why can't my niece be offered the same."

" Aemond," Alicent warned.

" He speaks facts, mother," Aegon said, backing his brother up. " Meriahyna is a dragon like the rest of us; she should have an egg. If this strong pup can have an egg, why can't my niece be extended the same courtesy?"

Helaena looked at Meriahyna with pride, chuckling to herself. If only they knew.

Rhaenrya gazed at her half-brother coldly. "My son is much Velaryon as my daughter is, Prince Aegon; you would do well to mind your words.

" If you say, sister."  Aegon snickered, gaining a hit in the back of the hand by Viserys.

"Wait, the pie! We can't give Mei cold cherry pie!" Daeron exclaimed, earning a soft laugh from Alicent.

"Oh, Daeron, whatever shall I do with you?" Viserys chuckled fondly.

Helaena nodded along, guiding Laenor and "tiny Mei" towards the dining hall, not even trying to mind Rhaenyra's disdainful glances towards her.

The rest of the crowd followed the royal family into the main tent, where everyone else was waiting. Among the many nobles present were the Lannister twins, Jason and Tyland, who glared daggers at Rhaenyra but smiled when they spotted the cute Princess.

"Go on, brother. She's here~"

"Not so loud, and not in front of her mother!"

" Just give Princess Rhaenrya and Prince Laenor our congratulations," Tyland said, pushing his brother towards the couple.

Jason rolled his eyes at his twin and approached the main table where the royal family was seated. He greeted Viserys respectfully before turning towards Princess Rhaenrya and Prince Laenor.

" Your Graces, I had this made by the finest jewelers of Lannisport in honor of Princess Meriahyna," Jason spoke up, presenting a beautiful pure gold bracelet with lions around it, in the middle an emerald residing to the couple.

Laenor smiled at the Warden of the West. " Thank you, Lord Jason, for the wonderful gift; you are too kind."

"  Thank you for your generosity, Lord Jason," Alicent said with a kind smile.

Little Meriahyna reached for the article, watching the light twinkle in the bracelet. Jason smiled and attempted to place it on the girl's arm but for Rhaenyra's need to have the last word.

"Is that all? Us Targaryens already have plenty of gold jewelry, and lions are too low of a creature for my daughter."

"Lions are kings of the forest, just as dragons rule the skies. " Jason replied mildly.

" Not as mighty as dragons." Rhaenrya hummed.

" Rhaenyra." Viserys scolded. " Excuse me, my daughter, for her behavior, Lord Jason."

Lord Lannister nodded. " It's quite alright, your Grace."

"Little Mei likes her present, though.", Helaena pointed out.

Rhaenrya scoffed. " She's a baby; of course, she would like it; all newborns are drawn to shiny objects. When she's older, she'll discard them."

Little Meriahnya reaches out to Lord Lannister to grab the bracelet from his hand, but her mother pushes her hand away.

" Thank you for the gesture, Lord Jason," Rhaenrya said with a fake smile. " Your gift shall be of some use..."

" Is it pure gold ?" Princess Helaena asked, gazing at the bracelet in awe. "I've heard that it is much more brittle than those with alloys."

" Yes, Princess." Jason smiled. "The jewelers have a secret technique to retain the gold's purity and strengthen the metal."

"Fascinating. Is it true Casterly Rock has mines of gold?" Aemond asked.

"Yes, quite a lot of them, though most are located at the Lion's Tooth."

Little Meriahyna reached out once more, desiring the bracelet to be worn on her arm. Helaena gestured to the young Lion, followed by the adorable sight of the young Princess fastening the metal clasp around the infant's right arm.

"There you go, and look; this stone isn't an emerald; it's an aquamarine."

Proof that you're a Velaryon.

The young Princess giggles as she waves the bracelet around her arm, gurgling in gratitude. Suddenly, she reaches out with her tiny arms to the Lion for some reason, desiring to be held by him.

"I think she wants to be held by Lord Lannister," Aegon said.

Jason's eyes widened in surprise at the newborn's actions, not expecting this.

Rhaenrya pushed her daughter's tiny hands down. " You must excuse my daughter, Lord Jason; she is very clingy."

" She's a baby, Rhaenrya," Laenor said. " All babies act this way."

Rhaenrya turned to her husband. " Jacaerys didn't act like this when he was a newborn."

" Rhaenyra, every newborn is different," Viserys said, gazing at his daughter. " When you were a newborn, you were so clingy to your mother; you always wanted to be held by her, no one else."

Alicent couldn't help but smirk. "I was like that too; I only wanted my father to hold me."

" This is entirely different, father," Rhaenrya said, ignoring her stepmother's words. " Meriahyna is seeking out strangers instead of me, her mother."

"Be proud of her, Stepdaughter; at least she knows how to form a connection." The Queen commented.

" Proud of her; she wishes to be held by a Lion." Rhaenrya scoffed.

"I'd best be on my way now," Jason mumbled, bowing to the couple and walking away.

Once he left, Laenor turned to his wife, an angry gaze on his face. " You know you didn't have to insult him. Lord Jason was very generous to give our daughter an expensive bracelet such as that, and you just had to let your pride cloud your gratuity." He whispered.

Rhaenrya turned her gaze to her husband, an annoyed look in her eyes. " Our daughter deserves more than some stupid bracelet; she is a mighty seahorse. She should be given a medal or something useful when she ages."

" It's called being grateful, stepdaughter," Alicent said, gazing at her former best friend. " You know each time you insult every member of each great house, the more support we lose from them."

" We have dragons; we hardly need support," Rhaenyra mumbled.

Viserys shook his head. " We can't rely on our dragons to hold the realm together; they are mere creatures we can bond with. Armies and Strength are what keep the realm from chaos."

" As well as the support of our allies, stepdaughter,"  Alicent added. " House Lannister is a powerful and wealthy house. They are the many responsible for keeping the Crown's treasury filled; their trade deals help us keep the people fed and well."

" Yes, House Lannister is an important ally to us!" Viserys exclaimed. " We have to show them our appreciation and respect, Rhanerya. Insulting them will make them fall out of favor with us."

" If they do, we will merely bring our dragons to Casterly Rock and remind them of the oath they swore to our ancestor Aegon the Conqueror," Rhaenrya said.

" Rhaenyra, violence is not the answer to everything." Alicent scolded.

What happened to you? she mused sadly. Has Daemon corrupted you that much, instilling the belief that you're a goddess on earth?

She did not notice the Princess scoff at her words. "A wise man once said that fear is the most effective way to become powerful; that's why we Targaryens —" referring only to herself, Viserys, Daemon, and her bastards"— rule to this day."

Helaena started to fiddle with her ball of threads for the umpteenth time and mumbled out some words. " Black will sit on the Iron Throne, not for long until sea green takes over and casts black down forever."  Black will clash against sea green, mother against daughter, the sea dragon shall prevail in the end."

Aemond glanced over at his sister, curious about her words. " What do you mean, little sister?"

The young Targaryen shook her head. " There are beasts beneath the board, brother."

Aegon stared at his sister, annoyed, rolling his eyes at her rambling words. " Sister, must you be weird all the time?"

Healena slumped down in her seat, feeling sadness wash over her; she was tired of being judged by her family and called weird for her unique abilities. She longed for someone to accept her one day and listen to her.

Aemond placed a comforting hand on his sister's back. " Ignore him, Hela Aegon doesn't know anything."

" Do you think I'm weird, brother?" She asked, glancing up at Aemond.

" No, I think you're special." He answered. " Even if no one here can see it, you're a blessing by the gods."

Helaena signed. " I don't feel that way; I feel more like a curse."

" You're not, sister," Daeron said. "Most of us are dragon riders and hatchers, but only very few are dragon dreamers. They are the truly blessed ones."

" Thank you, brother, I—" Helaena was about to say but was cut off when the grand tent flapped open widely, revealing a pair of figures standing at the entrance.

Everyone turned their heads at the sudden interruption and saw the Sea Snake Corlys Velaryon, his wife Princess Rhaenys, and Ser Vaemond before them, capturing attention.

Corlys and Rhaenys approached the royals with a warm smile. " Your Graces." They said, bowing in respect

Alicent turned her attention to the older couple and smiled back. " Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys, we are glad you can join us."

" Cousin, welcome back," Viserys said with a smile. " It's been too long since King's Landing has been greeted with your presence."

" Yes, it has." Corlys agreed.

" Grandpa!" Jacaerys exclaimed, jumping out of his seat and into his grandfather's arms.

Corlys immediately embraced the boy in a tight hug. " My.... My, you've gotten so big."

Jacaerys smiled. " I'm almost 4 inches tall." He boasts.

" 4 inches, you're nearly up to my chest." Lord Velaryon teased.

Rhaenyra rolled her eyes at the jest. Rhaenys, however, spotted the infant in Laenor's arms and hurried over to where he sat.

"Oh, what an adorable little princess! You were not lying when you wrote about her in your letter, my son."

" Mother, this is Meriahnya." Laenor said.

Rhaenys gazed down at the infant. "Meinahyra? Wow, you've got taste, Laenor. Meriahnya  is the name of House Velaryon's founder."

"Really? Didn't expect that." Alicent added with a perplexed look.

"I'll give you a little history lesson: Meinahyra was the first to tame a sea dragon. Mind you, those creatures are even harder to control than ordinary dragons." ordinary refers to the ones that the Targaryens rode.

Not that Rhaenyra noticed, but Helaena sure did, given her solemn expression.

" The Sea Goddess of the Smoking Sea." Helaena said. " which was known before as the Sea of Lusine, was the home of the sea goddess of the same name. The Doom occurred because her fourteen cousins were angry that some mere mortal, a Targaryen, dared to, at least that's what the histories say."

" Dared to what?" Daeron asked.

" Try to rule the oceans." She answered. " The  fourteen flames tried to take her throne but drowned."

That was a half-truth; it was something complicated to say in public, and yes, he did try to rule the oceans.

Aegon scoffed at his sister's words. " Drowned, water can't outlast flames. I doubt some Sea Goddess could drown the powerful city of Old Valyria."

"You use water to put out fires, Aegon." Alicent corrected him. "By the way, great work on that fire at the Silk Street."

Aegon blushed with embarrassment. He only used some tubes to spray water at a home ablaze.

" The fourteen flames were the most powerful figure of Old Valyria, daughter," Viserys said. " I don't think some mere sea Goddess was able to destroy them, let alone the great dynasty of our homeland."

" Anyway, what brings you to King's Landing, Princess Rhaenys?" Rhaenrya asked. " I thought you and Lord Corlys couldn't make it."

" I simply desired to see my granddaughter. Is there a problem with that?"

" No, of course not," Rhaenrya said with a fake smile. " I'm just surprised you answered our invitation; when Jacaerys was born, you could not attend his celebration. I just assumed you couldn't make it to my daughter's celebration.

"I was..." Rhaenys paused. "gallivanting with Corkys."

Aegon could detect something else in those words. Based on his uncle's by-laws' expression, he was right.

"They were trying for more heirs.", Aegon whispered to Helaena.

"Aegon!", Aemond hissed.

" Oh, and that was more important than attending your first grandson's celebration," Rhaenrya said snarkly.

" Rhaenyra, please don't make a scene," Laenor said, gazing at his wife with pleading eyes.

" I'm not; I am merely just pointing out facts, husband," Rhaenrya said. " 

Rhaenys glared at her daughter-in-law. " My apologies, Princess."

Meinahyra reached out for Rhaenys, who was happy to lift her. The air was starting to get too stifling; Meinahyra seemed to read her grandmother's expression and innocently pointed to the tent flap.

"Is it too warm here? Let's go enjoy some fresh air .", Rhaenys cooed.

" I need to feed her," Rhaenrya said, not wanting the older woman to hold her daughter.

" She just got fed an hour ago by the wet nurse," Laenor said.

Rhaenrya glared at her husband. " She might still be hungry."

Rhaenys ignored her daughter-in-law's words and walked away, Corlys at her heels. "That isn't fair, let me hold her too!"

Laenor chuckled as his parents disappeared out of sight.

                ࿇ ══━━━━✥ - ✥━━━━══ ࿇

Sometime later, Rhaenys and Corlys strolled around the campsite with their granddaughter, the little one's eyes gazing after a butterfly.

"She's adorable, isn't she, Corlys?"

"Indeed. Even more so than the person Rhaenyra has become." The Sea Snake mumbled.

"What are you trying to get at?"

"Her younger self was... promising. Everything was going smoothly until that incident at the brothel. She'd be a good ruler if she refused Daemon's request."

" She was a spoiled brat even then, husband," Rhaenys whispered.

"But she had the potential to improve, Rhae. Daemon corrupted her. I believe she should've stayed friends with Alicent — which is another matter of its own."

Rhaenys sighed. " Yes, I saw some potential in her, but she chose to ignore my advice and became an envious witch."

Corlys chuckled and tried to hold Meriahyna's hand, only to earn a yelp from the infant. He gazed down at her in concern and noticed a small bruise on her tiny hand.

"Rhae, look; who did this to her?"

Rhaenys stared down at her granddaughter and noticed her tiny hand was swollen; her eyes widened in shock. " That damn girl."

"Do not jump to conclusions just yet; it could be someone else."

" She did it, Corlys." Rhaenys hissed. " I know she did; she has hated this precious girl since the minute she was born. Laenor told me this himself."

"Rhaenyra isn't the only one who despises her, you know? One of the Strong boys probably did that to her."

" Jacaerys?" She questioned. " No, he couldn't have done this; he's a sweet child, and he would never hurt his sister.

"He is his mother's son through and through. "

Rhaenys still needed convincing. " No, I know Rhaenrya did this." She doesn't even feed Meriahnya  from her breast; she has wet nurses do it for her."

" Not all women feed their child from their breast, my love," Corlys said.

" She fed her son perfectly fine for her breast the moment he was born," Rhaenys argued.

" Again, you are jumping to conclusions!." Corlys exclaimed.

Rhaenys turned to her husband. " We should take her with us, away from this place." We could raise her in Driftmark."

"And disappoint Laenor? Rhae, he's always wanted a daughter. You cannot take her away just like that, not without his consent."

" She's not safe here with Rhaenyra," Rhaenys said. "She's already bruised her hand. What more do you want to happen to her?" She is of our blood, our granddaughter—  please stand with me on this!"

Corlys sighed. " Rhaenys, I understand your fears, but at this point, it's better to ask her directly if she did this or not." But beware, you may start an uproar; Rhaenrya will not take your accusation lightly.

The eldest Princess shook her head. " So, what? I'm just supposed to stand back and do nothing."

" Laenor will protect her, my love." He reassured her. " He won't let anything happen to Meriahnya."

Rhaenys gazed down at her granddaughter, still having doubts about her safety but knowing her son would protect her. " I suppose you are right."

A few meters from them, Vaemond stood listening to the couple's conversation and couldn't help but concern for his grand niece. He knew the whore Princess would do anything to keep her strong pup on the throne. It was a disgrace to House Velaryon and the other seven kingdoms for a bastard to be named heir to the throne. He had no doubt Rhaenrya would try to dispatch her trueborn daughter in favor of her bastard son.

He made his way over towards them. As he approached them, he spoke in a soft tone. " Is everything alright, brother?"

" Yes, brother, there is nothing for you to be concerned about." Corlys lied.

" One of Meriahyna's hands is bruised!." Rhaenys exclaimed. " And that damn girl is responsible for it."

The Sea Snake shook his head. " We don't know if that's for sure; as I've said, you must ask her."

" The whore will do anything to see her strong pup on the Iron throne and even the Driftmark throne one day," Vaemond mumbled.

" Hold your tongue, brother."

" I speak the truth, brother, and you know it." The young Velaryon defended. " That boy is no Velaryon.... He is a" Before he could finish, Corlys grabbed him by the shoulders tightly. 

"  Keep talking, brother; your head will roll off your shoulders."Corlys threatened. 

" Corlys, please not here." Rhaenys implored.

Little Meriahnya wailed, picking up on the negative emotions in the air. She tried reaching out to her grandfather with her tiny arms.

Rhaenys rocked the infant back and forth, trying to calm her down.

Vaemond chuckled. " You're weak, brother. You allow that whore to take over our house, disgrace our family and treat your granddaughter like crap." I thought you were an honorable man, brother."

Corlys released his brother from his grip. " I am more of an honorable man than you could ever hope for, brother."

" There is no such thing as Honor, brother, in this world." The young Velaryon commented. " Only survival; if that whore comes into power, our house is doomed; our lives will be at risk, especially Meriahyna; think about that for just one-moment, brother.

With that, Vaemond walked away, leaving his brother in his thoughts.

" That damn viper."  Corlys hissed. " He can never just leave all well alone; here he is stirring up trouble."

" Yes, but he does have a point," Rhaenys mumbled.

" My brother speaks of madness." He said. " He's trying to stir up trouble for us, Rhaenys.

The elder Princess couldn't help but disagree with her husband's words. While her brother-in-law may have been an envious, hard steel man who was jealous of her husband and wanted everything he had, he did love his family and cared about their house.

"  I don't think your brother is plotting anything," Rhaenys answered. " I think he's just concerned for our safety and our house's future; he loves Laenor, and Laena treated them like they were his own."

" Was his brother truly looking after them? Or was this just another one of his tricks, Corlys wondered.

"Talk to Rhaenyra, but have the decency to chastise her privately."

" Maybe... I wi-" Rhaenys was about to say but was cut off when an enormous, sea green winged dragon landed in front of her; the same dragon that visited the young Princess weeks ago in her nursery.

A roar that sounded like a wave erupted from its mouth, and its eyes lowered to the infant in the older woman's hands. Rhaenys jumped back in fear, holding a protective grip on her granddaughter. Corlys pushed his wife behind him, facing the massive dragon.

The dragon started to growl at the man, growing irritable from being kept from its master, and tried to move towards the other side of the man but was blocked.

" Return naejot skoriot ao māstan." Corlys said. ( Return to where you came.)

The dragon released a deep, rumbling growl in response to Corlys' command. Ignoring him, it suddenly snatched Meriahyna out of Rhaeny's arms. The dragon lifted the infant off the ground and took to the sky. Corlys and Rhaenys watched in horror as the dragon flew off with Meriahyna, disappearing into the clouds.

"WAIT!",  Rhaenys shouted, lifting her skirts to head for the Dragon Pit. Corlys stood there, frozen in shock, until he realized who that dragon was.

Nilanna, the familiar of Lady Lusine of the Smoking Sea.

" It can't be." he mumbled. "Our little Mei... RHAENYS!", he yelled, trying to catch up to his wife.

Suddenly, the main tent flapped opened Rhaenyra and Laenor along with the rest of the family came out in light at the commotion.

"Father, where's Mei?", came Laenor's question.

"She... Nilanna appeared; the Nilanna, and took her somewhere!"

Rhaenrya's eyes widened in horror. " You just let it take my daughter!?" She yelled.

"Nilanna is one powerful dragon Nyra, even more so than Balerion the Black Dread. She was the familiar of Lady Lusine herself.", explained Laenor.

" I knew I should've left her with your mother." Rhaenrya snarled, glaring at her husband.

Helaena looked to the sky with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, she's in capable hands,er talons?"

"Helaena, no time for jokes!", Aegon hissed.

"I'm serious."

" Did you know what direction it went in?" Alicent asked.

Corlys shook his head. " I don't know it grabbed her so fast."

The rest of the court exited the tent, murmurings amongst  themselves .

" Is everything alright? " Lord Tyland asked.

"My daughter is missing *; and you have the audacity to ask thst!?"

" My brother was only asking a question, Princess." Jason said, glaring at her.

Viserys made his way out of the tent wondering what the commotion was. " What's going on?"

"I can't believe you're out of the loop, cousin. Mei has just been subducted by a dragon!"Rhaenys huffed.

" What!" Viserys exclaimed. " Where did it go."

"East."Helaens mumbled. "The Temple of Naerea,"

"The temple of who now?", Aegon added.

"Lady Lusine's abode, gosh brother do you ever read?", snarked Daeron.

" This is all your fault." Rhaenrya hissed, glaring at her mother in law. " You didn't protect my daughter, you let it take her."

Rhaenys lowered her gaze to the ground, guilt washing over her.

" Rhaenyra." Laenor scolded. " I'm sure my mother did everything she could to protect Meriahnya."

Rhaenrya shook her head. " No, she didn't. She was too busy flirting with your father rather than looking after our daughter."

"Everyone, please listen to me!", Helaena finally yelled, soothing the squabbling dragons.

"Do not fear: Mei is in good hands. Lady Lusine herself has sent Nilanna, so that she may bless our newest dragon inside her temple."

Alicent glanced at her daughter. " Helaena, please this is hardly the time for your jokes. "

"I'm not joking , I swear!"

" I believe her."  Corlys said. " The Princess is speaking facts." 

" She's an idiot, grandfather." Jacaerys said. " She is stupid and weird."

"Hey, show some respect!", Aemond roared.

With one swift motion,  Jacerys's foul mouth received a harsh flick from his "father"'s fingers.

"Ooowww!"

"Have we taught you nothing, boy?, I was hoping you'd learn to hold that poisoned tongue of yours!"

Aegon chuckled at the sight amused. "Oooh."

Alicent turned to her son, glaring at him. " What's so funny." She asked. " You must want whooping too."

Aegon shook his head. " No, mother."

" How dare you hit my son!" Rhaenrya yelled."

"Rhaenyra ENOUGH !"Viserys yelled. "Meriahnya will come back to us, do not worry. For now, all of you must cool down and enjoy the celebrations."

" Stay out of this father." Rhaenrya snarled, turning her head back. " This is none of your business, whatever I do with my family is my own business."

She walked away, mumbling some creative curses at everyone, unaware of the gods above hearing the malice in her words.

"I must say I am quite disappointed."

"Sure you are, Belarion. Everything went downhill the moment you slew her."

Belarion's flaming eyes turned towards his  fellow deity, Syrax

"No, I never slew her, it was an assassin!"

"Hmmm... and now here we are, Lusine is making a comeback and we are in declineTsk!"

"And what shall we do about it?", Meraxes inquired.

"I was hoping my little pearl could at least help give my warnings.", sighed Tessarion, as her hand shoved the visage of Helaena, crying into a rosebush. "Alas, those close-minded coots refuse to listen."

Then, we will watch." Belarion declared. "I hereby forsake this accursed family. Jaeherys, blessed be his soul — could not quite produce another gem like him."

The thirteen other flames sighed in defeat, Tessarion most of all. She simply waved her hand, sending a golden butterfly towards the weeping dragon's hair.

"Do not fear, Helaena; I will never forsake you."

" What a disaster." Viserys mumbled.

" I'm going to go look for Meriahnya." Rhaenys said, turning around and making her way back to the dragon pits. Laenor followed his mother in pursuit.

Jacaerys started to cry out, tears streamed down his face. " It hurts."

Alicent rolled her eyes at the boy's quaking voice. " Stop being dramatic, you're not dying."

" Alicent!" Viserys said.

" It's about time that boy got some discipline." The Queen said.

" My mouth is sore." Jacaerys whined.

Helena rolled her eyes at her nephew. " Good, it's what you deserve for hitting Meriahnya."

Jacaerys rolled his eyes and walked away in search for his mother.

Viserys shook his head. " My apologies, everyone for the inconvenience." He spoke up.

" Should we send men out to search for Princess Meriahyna, your Grace." Tyland asked.

" No, my granddaughter will be fine." The King answered. " Princess Rhaenys and Prince Laenor will look for her."

"  I can send some men out to look for the Princess , your Grace."  Lord Jason offered.

" There is no need, Lord Lannister." Alicent responded. " I believe my granddaughter is in good hands."

Everyone had to agree, both monarchs said so.

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