Chapter Text
Targaryens are beyond man and gods. With their dragons and their dreams.
What they do not realize is those things come with a price normal men cannot handle.
A king must make a choice to avoid the dragons dance, but it will cost him everything that he holds dear.
Dreams are a gift to the dragons… If used as intended.
The air was cold above the clouds. The chill biting against fair skin under riding leather. Rhaenyra Targaryen flew high above the sea, cloaked from prying eyes. A sole tear escaping as she flew away from her childhood home. With all her belongings sent ahead on a lone ship to her new home…
King’s Landing is dead to her. She swore to never return and she meant it. After the humiliation that she was dealt. Exiled away to Dragonstone, her ancestral home. Her place in court taken by a half-andal child of two. A puppet king in the making.
Let them burn. Rhaenyra will watch from her new home and laugh as the seven kingdoms parish under the Hightower regime. Her father can go fuck himself. The ember that he held in her soul died the second he told her that she would never be queen. He apologized, begged her forgiveness…
He would not get it. Not now. Not ever. She knew he would betray her again.
Luckily, she prepared for this eventuality. The fickleness of her father’s whims was not lost to her. The Realms Delight was not so naive to think her father would not be swayed by his cunt of a hand. He lost her trust when he chose an unborn boy over her mother, he chose the “heir for a day” over his queen. Viserys gave her pretty words when crowning her heir swore an oath that she will be his heir till the end of his days…Yet as predicted the king still lived, and Rhaenyra is no longer his successor.
An oath was not something to break on a whim. Not without a price.
And she knew the king would do anything to try in vain to fix what he broke. ‘Anything you want will be yours’ He says…Just not the throne I promised you. So, she asked for everything that would make the pain lessen. The former heir was prepared to grab everything that made her house above man…All the fucking dragons are hers.
The contract she had prepared in secret secured her future and her line. The king didn’t even read what he signed. A public blood, honor, and royal oath was signed without a thought in the world in front of all the lords that swore to her not even three solar cycles prior. Anything to get rid of her without a fight. To be completely honest she was both surprised and relieved that he did not full read it…Otto didn’t even read it fully. That’s fine…let them believe that she’s placated. Let them believe that the sole dragonrider in King’s landing has surrendered. She no longer cared. Let the other lords realize that the crown no longer has any protection. Let the realm see war. Rhaenyra will not be made a fool of again.
The contract was something she created in the wake of her coronation. With the help of her Aunt Rhaenys, the contract they created was binding…Though it still hurt to think about what she has lost; Rhaenyra was pleased in what she gained when she was passed over as heir.
- Lady Paramount of Dragonstone for perpetuity.
Dragonstone will be hers and hers alone. Her line would own Dragonstone for perpetuity. She will have all the right that any other paramount has. She could raise an army if she so wished…The island, the people, and surrounding water was hers by right and by law forever.
- Access to the royal coffers and continued annual allowance for herself, her people, and her descendants. The changing of the allowance must be approved by the lord/lady paramount of Dragonstone. If the allowance is not paid, then it will be seen as a royal debt until the required balance plus additional funds is given as compensation.
Rhaenyra is a princess. She will not live in squaller just because she no longer lived in King’s Landing. The amount of her allowance would make her richer than most other lords of the realm, not including the amount she will be given to build upon and maintain her new land. Gaining more will not be a problem. Her personal allowance would be enough for her to enact any and all her projects in the near future.
- All the unclaimed dragons that land upon Dragonstone and the eggs residing within her lands are hers to control. For if a dragon is claimed without the permission of the current lord/lady of Dragonstone they will be dubbed a thief, and they will be subjected to punishment granted by the lard/lady of Dragonstone regardless of the perpetrators station. Not even the current sitting royal is above this law.
No Hightower welp will gain a dragon without her say. All the eggs in the Dragonpit already moved into the caves. The only dragon left in the pit was Dreamfyre and she will be moved by the weeks end. Rhaenyra is very lucky that the hand and the king did not fully read the contract. This one claim was something she was prepared to be denied, but the gods have graced her and had them merely skim the scroll in their haste to get rid of her.
- Ten ships will be gifted to the sitting lady/lord of Dragonstone from the Royal harbor every ten solar cycles. Five naval and five trade. To be used for trading, supplies, and/or other needs that the lady/lord may require.
That was a clause that Princess Rhaenys suggested. Rhaenyra could have ships made and she will in the future but for now ten ships is enough to get supplies from the mainland to Dragonstone with minimal fuss. She would need to deepen the harbor and build a bigger port to house larger ships but that will come easily enough in due time.
- Marriage regarding the lady/lord of Dragonstone and all the descendants after will be decided by the current lady/lord of Dragonstone with no interference by the crown ruler or their counsel. Regardless of the gender of the current Paramount the house name Targaryen will continue as the only name given to those married into and out of line of Dragonstone.
As the current Lady paramount of Dragonstone, she has full control in who, when, and how she gets married. That was something she was adamant in adding. Rhaenyra wanted to make sure that the crown has no control over her line and no ability to integrate their bastards into her lands. She wanted the freedom to marry who she wishes. Her name will live on with her.
- Dragonstone is free of religion and the bounds of other beliefs not followed by her people. No current or future sitting royal may force the people of Dragonstone to conform to a minor or majority religion against their will.
The seven and the andals stole her birthright. She will not be forced to hide her religion in her own lands. The fourteen flames will burn bright in her castle. They cannot force her people or herself to follow the laws of the faith.
- The ladies/lords of Dragonstone will not render aid to the crown or other lords without the consent of the current lord/lady paramount. Nor can the crown force the sitting paramount to render aid of any kind against their will.
Rhaenyra will not be forced to send her Syrax or her people to help anyone if she doesn’t want to. Any future children and their dragons cannot aid anyone without her go ahead. Dragons bend to no man or God, But they will follow the will of their kin….And she will be damned if she losses any of her future children to the wills of a puppet king. A halfling king will not force her or hers to do anything against their will. What she builds for herself is hers alone. Dragons protect their kin…and by the next moon there will be no more dragons in King’s Landing.
- Direct invitation is required to gain entry into Dragonstone regardless of title or reason. Nor can the acting ruler command the lady/lord of Dragonstone from their home.
No one was allowed to infringe on her peace.
- Resources on Dragonstone are not crown property but that of the acting the lady/lord of Dragonstone. Tax will be minimal and set at the discretion of the ruling lady/lord.
This one was another of Princess Rhaenys suggestions. The king will not gain anything from Rhaenyra’s labors. Not without her consent. Nor can they take her lands resources for their own gain.
- If any of these promises are broken or forsaken the current acting ruler of Westeros will be subjected to the blood and fire of the forces of Dragonstone with the consent and approval from the next ruler of the Iron Throne.
Rhaenyra was playing with fire on this one. This pretty much means that the king in any future generation will be killed if any of the rules here were broken. Putting it in the middle worked out for her, they didn’t even object to it. Considering the fact that the very subject can be seen as premeditated treason. The king not even questioning it made her feel even worse about her situation. Viserys didn’t even care enough about her to read the list in full.
- Common people may petition to gain permanent resident in Dragonstone. Merchants and Traders may gain entry to port but cannot venture pass the harbor without documentation from the lady/lord of Dragonstone. Those found on the island pass the docks without proper documentation will be punished as the acting paramount demands.
This was Laena’s suggestion; Rhaenyra was quite hesitant when the subject came to letting people especially those from King’s Landing or Oldtown into her domain but she wasn’t opposed to having people from other places in Westeros seeking permanent resident in her Dragonstone, but she is very cautious since the common people can become spies and assassins quickly if paid enough. Screening their background with her own spies before allowing entry to gauge their intentions was important to her now more than ever. An expensive endeavor but she’ll pay out of her own coffers if need be.
- The lord/lady paramount of Dragonstone may trade and establish alliances however they see fit as other lord paramounts of the other great houses have done.
Trade and alliances are important for her future. She may not like or even trust most of the other lords and ladies, but she also doesn’t want to be starved of her castle either. They can’t claim she’s committing treason and amassing an army by making friends and trading goods.
- The royal line of Dragonstone will continue being in the line of succession and cannot be removed by this king or any future acting royal.
One war is all it takes to get the throne. At least for the time being. Rhaenyra has no current plans to take the throne by force, but you never know. You don’t have to start a war to win one.
Descending from the clouds the New Lady of Dragonstone sees her consolation prize ahead of her. Touching down on the very bridge she confronted her uncle upon. Rhaenyra hopped of her Golden Lady’s back and stroked along Syrax’s neck. The large beast stayed balance on the bridge while being caressed, preening at her rider’s affection, this stopped abruptly as she growled at an approaching group. She glanced over her shoulder to see whose it was. The princess’s welcoming party has arrived. Standing up a bit taller Rhaenyra with her head held high moved away from her agitated dragon to greet the people approaching her.
“Welcome to your new domain, My lady.”
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Four Year After Exile:
The war at the Stepstones has finished. Her uncle has won. At least that was what Laena told her when Laenor returned from the narrow seas. No letter or messages from him in their time apart has been brought to her. Only the occasional trinket and jewels as presents made their way to her to let her know that the Rouge Prince still lives.
A bloody battle with the crab feeder’s head as a prize. Seven years of fierce war with no help from the king.
Daemon was abandoned by his brother in a similar way that Rhaenyra was abandoned by her father. That thought did not make her feel better. If anything, it made the dead ember in her chest shrivel even more. Viserys has chosen his new family over his old one. The very people that have been loyal to him from the start has been scorned and left for dead. He did not deserve them.
Rhaenyra has worked too hard in building up Dragonstone to continue on being brought down by her past. She will not forgive nor forget but she has more important matters now.
The dragonglass greenhouses are coming in nicely. The cold winter that the island usually sees, causing the island to scrounge for food, now has multiple avenues of food throughout the year. Essosian engineers from Bravos successfully implementing sewer systems and fresh water sources all through the villages as Northerner’s were hired to build houses and building to house her new people. At least one orphanage and learning center were in full working order by the first year of her exile, with more being built. Orphaned children from King’s Landing mostly but some were sent from Essos and Winterfell as well. Teachers from Pentos to teach them reading, writing, and counting. Merchants, Blacksmiths, Leatherworkers, and other tradesmen looking for more work from the Vale, the Stormlands, the Crownland, and other lands were now being housed and paid for their goods and services.
The coin that Rhaenyra had was useful when hiring the engineers and the merchants, but it was another resource that she heavily relied on now…Salt. The fine rock was used all throughout the year as a commodity. It was an important mineral for the north and the south. Especially during the winter, always needed for once it was used it could not be used again, it was an ever needed resource. It was worth its weight in gold in some places. Salt mines were found all along the dragon caves closes to the sea. She stumbled upon a couple of them while she adventured her island with Maester Gerardys as company, an old man that has lived on Dragonstone for years after being exiled from the faith. His crimes? An interest in Arcane arts. Something she has been dabbling in since her exile. Buying anything and everything regarding Old Valyria mostly from Volantis, rituals, and practices in the very same Valyrian that only a select few can speak let alone read.
Dragonstone has become the largest trader in salt in all of Westeros and Essos, the amount she was able to get from the mines alone has made her the second riches noble in the realm, second only to Driftmark and even that is now a narrowing separation. And Rhaenyra has found a way to gain more with little to no additional expenses. For all she will never run out, since the only thing she needs to gain more is sea water…and dragon fire. She need only get Syrax to breath fire onto salt water to gain more of her most precious resource.
Trading salt for wood, for stone, or livestock. It has become her primary currency; The lady of Dragonstone has made friends with Winterfell and the Vale when she gifted salt and gold in an act of goodwill. House Arryn has been kind to her in the wake of her disinheritance and subsequent banishment. She has even started to frequently converse with her Aunt Jeyne through letters. Lord Rickon Stark, The Warden of Winterfell has also been kind in his own northern charm. He was very open to learning about the greenhouses she has built, and he was even more open to trading with her. Livestock, wood, and even weaponry were traded in exchange for hundreds of barrels of salt.
Rhaenyra offered gold when first negotiating with him but according to Lord Stark northerners do not need so much gold during their harsh winters. They needed food, and the salt she trades will preserve their meat for the upcoming winter, and her greenhouses can continue bringing forth crops for them throughout the year. She traded two greenhouses and the materials needed to build them in exchange for the opportunity to hire northern men to help build her city.
The new lady has promised to give proper payment for the work they have done and will offer even more compensation as the city continues to be built. She even offered to house their family in her island as the men worked. Many of them volunteered and her city was by no means large, but it rivaled that of some of the other lords. Gardens and free Healing centers were created at her behest. Healers and Midwives from Essos were brought in to run the centers, Maester Gerardys continues to be the sole Maester on the island, but he has taken to having a select few of the older orphans as apprentices.
The other houses still don’t like her or take her seriously, but even they have to acknowledge that Dragonstone was a place they have to trade with. With the deepened ports and the reconstruction of her harbor, Dragonstone has become a boom of activity. By the end of her second year, she has established a healthy trading relationship with most of the realm and beyond the narrow sea… all except for King’s Landing.
In a petty act she upped the price per barrel for any trade associated with her former home. Three times what she had the North and the Vale pay and no ability to trade resources in exchange for a lower price. Granted they did not need her salt as much as the other lords do but it still felt nice to get a large chunk of gold whenever they traded with her. She made it even harder for Oldtown, upping the price per barrel to ten even twenty times the average amount.
She even gained more from her spies in King’s landing, she managed to steal majority of the Gold Cloaks away. At least the ones loyal to her uncle.
After he left to the Stepstones his men were disbanded by the king’s hand and left with no reimbursement or appreciation for their services and Rhaenyra seized the opportunity and offered them a place in her guard. She made them swear an unbreakable oath to her and renounce their ties to the Crown. In exchange she offered them twice what they were being paid and a home and allowance for their families on her island. The twenty-nine Gold Cloaks that chose to take her up on her offer are now commanders and now training and leading their own groups of young men and women from all through the realm to protect their new lady and their new home.
Rhaenyra has taken up the reputation of being a competent leader. The dragon princess who takes care of her allies, her people, and her land. Whispers of Dragonstone becoming a New Valyria, with their buildings made from obsidian and dragon stone, greenhouses that kept hot all through winter, dragons flying free around the city, freedom of religion, annual allowance, low crime rate, clean streets, free care from healers, open learning centers, and the protection of a Dragonrider.
Buildings of worship was created for the fourteen flames of Old Valyria as a thank you to their Lady. Many do not practice the things she does, but they do not judge her as she does not judge them. Temples and godswood trees are built and planted for other gods with her permission, as long as they do not force their beliefs onto others, they may pray how they see fit.
There has been whispers all through the seven kingdoms that the former Realm’s Delight has bonded with more than one Dragon, through blood magic or old Valyrian witchcraft the rumors spread that Rhaenyra now commands three other dragons plus her Syrax to do her bidding. From moving mountains to expand her land, to carrying cargo onto her ships…it was not only the princess’s Syrax that helped in building Dragonstone but Silverwing, Dreamfyre, and even the wild dragon Cannibal has been rumored to be seen in the princess’s company. Whether it is true or not is yet to be determined for the people of Dragonstone are quite tight lipped about the subject. As far as the mainland knows it is nothing but a rumor.
Men and Women from high-born to low-born have started petitioning to move their families to her island. Many are not welcomed; spies and informants have been hired all throughout the realm to keep an eye out and gain information on certain houses. Who can or cannot be trusted, which merchant was in the pocket of which lord, which beggar has been paid to kill her in her sleep, which knight has been commanded to cause discourse within her bannermen. People crowd her ports to catch a glimpse of the new city and the scorned princess.
The lady of Dragonstone will not allow them access to her sanctuary. Never again will she play the twisted games. She will protect what is hers everyone else be damned. Well… not everyone else…
Not surprisingly the good relations between Driftmark and Dragonstone is well known to everyone, Syrax, Meleys, and Vhagar are common sights in the skies between the islands. Rhaenyra’s aid sent to the Stepstones is common knowledge, sending weapons, armor, food, and whatever necessities she could to her favorite uncle and his war. She lamented not being able to go herself to fight but she can still help where she was.
And now the war has been over for over two moons, yet Daemon has still not sent word to her… Rhaenyra wonder if he to has abandoned her...