Chapter Text
By all rights, the year 122 AC should have been a joyous one for House Targaryen. Princess Rhaenyra took to the birthing bed once more, and gave her uncle Daemon a second son, named Viserys after his grandsire. The child was smaller and less robust than his brother, Aegon, and his Velaryon half-brothers, but proved to be a most precocious child... Though, unlike his older brother, half-brothers and half-sisters, his egg did not hatch. Despite the fact that both Aegon and Helaena resided in King's Landing, they did not live in the same building nor area. Princess Helaena seemed to blossom under the care of her sister and grandmother, away from her own mother and brothers; much like Princess RhaenaTargaryen did when she claimed Dreamfyre, the Princess became more outspoken, still joyous and energetic, eager to learn more; unlike her sister and step-grandmother, Princess Helaena preferred playing outside, looking for bugs and becoming stained with mud. If anything, she reminded Queen Viserra of her older sister and Helaena's blood grandmother, Princess Alyssa. She still wore gowns, but the Queen had to send for less ostentatious gowns to be made for the young Princess to wear on the daily.
Prince Aegon had also changed. But his life was not glamorous, if anything, he was treated like the son of a knight, like a lowborn squire; no longer was he adressed as Prince Aegon, gone were the silks and cottons, replaced with linen and wool. Prince Daemon was often seen training the boy himself, he treated him as he would any boy or man who wished to become part of the City Watch, no worse nor better; he would follow the same orders, the same routine and suffer the same punishments. He had even lost part of his index finger, after he had fondled a girl his age during his first patrol; when Prince Daemon was questioned on the punishment, he had simply shrugged and claimed "He should've thanked me for not gelding him". Now, the Prince was much more respectful, and had stopped attacking the whores of Silk street; it was clear lust was still in his heart, but he was able to control his urges. Prince Viserys Targaryen and his son Daeron, were kept forever in Dragonstone, not allowed to leave the Island, instead, they could write letters, send them and then receive guests, but they could not leave as they pleased. Prince Daeron did not seem to dislike Dragonstone, however, at eight years of age, Daeron was not as fiery or fierce as his brothers were at his age, he was the gentlest out of the three. He'd often spend time in the Dragonstone library, reading poetry and stories.
Prince Aemond proved to be a case of impulsiveness and anger, stuck in a constant cycle. One time, he had been told he could not go into the beach by himself, for the boy, at the time, did not know how to swim; out of a need to prove himself superior, the boy had not only jumped into the sea, he had done so by jumping off balcony and falling into the large waves. Thankfully, a fisherman was near, and managed to dive in to save the Prince in time; this had lead to the Prince becoming enraged, kicking at the man and calling him a lowlife, spitting on him and threatening to have him beheaded. The fisherman quickly handed the child over to the guards and was taken to Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys to explain what had occurred. The young Aemond was still shouting out insults and curses as he was carried off to his chambers. He had been locked in there for three days, with the Lord and Princess coming in to eat with him. Servants claim the couple would simply sit in silence. Letting the boy eat and sit in the quiet. Lord Corlys never failed to notice the way the boy would seem to tense up whenever he made a quick movement near him during these silent moments. It took a year to get him to stop blowing up at every small jab, clearly used to being mocked by his brother, to the point where anything could be a mockery in his eyes. And by 122 AC, he was learning to control his anger, rather than letting it stew until it blew up.
Not a lot was heard from Lady Alicent after she was sent to become a Septa. She had fought against the idea, something that made the Queen jest her.
"Guess her faith is not stronger than her greed." She had hummed when her guards told her about the Lady reacting in an explosive manner.
The Lady had tried to fight the guards off, yelling at them, cursing at the Queen.
"Do not forget this is the punishment for treason against the Queen's heir and therefore, her bloodline" Princess Rhaenys was the one to calm the Lady, for she was the only one who would be able to withstand her fury without returning it tenfold. "Be grateful we are doing this and not beheading you publicly."
That made the Lady become more compliant, allowing the guards to pack her belongings, the ones she would be allowed to keep by the sept. After she was sent away, it did not take long for her to became a Silent sister, for she was caught sending letters to her family in Oldtown; in these letters she declared that the Queen was a dictator, that blood magic and black magic filled the Red Keep, that Sir Laenor would bring boys to his chambers prior to his death. For these crimes, both her and her family were punished, Alicent was sent to become a Silent Sister, while her family, father and brothers, were exiled from Westeros and sent off to live the rest of their days in Essos, all of them separated without the ability to ever know where they would go. Thus, the families had been separated forever, nothing was heard of Lady Alicent ever again, and her and her entire family lost contact. Only death would allow them to see each other again.
Princess Helaena and Prince Daeron were allowed their dragons back by the end of 121 AC, but Aemond and Aegon were still under probation, though their future looked promising.
The children of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen were growing up nicely. Prince Lucerys, now of seven years of age, was growing up to be as beautiful as his aunt and father. The rumours surrounding the supposed nights spent between Princess Rhaenyra, Lady Laena, Lord Laenor and Prince Daemon still could be heard, but much quietly, since the couple would visit, spend a week together with the princess and her husband, and soon enough, a child would be born. However, it seemed that they had decreased after the punishment Prince Viserys and his wife suffered after they failed to put a stop to them. Prince Lucerys would often join his grandsire in his voyages, he had only starting going to Driftmark that very year, in the first moon of 122 AC, for the family wished to avoid any issues that may arise if the two Princes were to spot one another. Prior to that, during 120 and 121 AC, Princess Rhaenyra would fly her son on top of Syrax and drop him off ear the docks, so he would learn how to sail; he did not fly by himself at first, as Arrax was not just yet of mounting size until halfway through 121 AC, and after that, the Prince was often monitored during flights by his mother or step-father. Much like Viserra had read, the dragons grew much faster once allowed to roam freely. Tyraxes and Moondancer were also growing quickly, as did Tessarion and Sunfyre.
Lady Rhaena Targaryen had been gifted a dragon egg once more in late 120 AC, but this one never hatched as well. When the girl hinted at claiming a grown dragon, her father stopped her.
"We all have one dragon that is a match to our souls, you ñuha vēzītsos¹, shall get a dragon of your own when the Gods deem it time."
Prince Jacaerys had joined his mother and great-grandmother in council meetings, at eight years of age, Jacaerys proved to be just as respectful and polite as his great-uncle Aemon, and had seemed to inherit his great-grandfather's, Baelon, build, more strapping and stocky than tall and lean. His ash hair had also grown to be more silver, though it was still darker than that of his brother's. He was quite close to his dragon Vermax, often flying with him along his step-father and his mother, sometimes joined by his great-grandmother. He was close to his aunt Helaena, but he was not often found with her, given his disgust for bugs, which the Princess adored. His brother Joffrey, on the other hand, loved hanging out with his aunts, Princess Helaena, and Lady Baela; the three of them would often be covered in dirt while holding bugs. Lady Baela was wild, willing, and fearless, much like her father; she was quick to anger at times, and other times she was provocative, taking joy in angering her cousin-nephews before running while laughing as she was chased. Rhaena, on the other hand, was more ladylike, preferring to dance instead.
However, not all was joy and smiles. Prince Vaegon Targaryen, the last son of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne, passed away of age, at fifty-nine years old, in early 122 AC. Queen Viserra had, once again, gone to get his sister and her nephews, flying back to Dragonstone, where the family gathered to burn the body of Vaegon. Now that they were nearing old age, Queen Viserra and Saera contemplated death on the daily; Saera was fifty-five, while Viserra was fifty-one. Age was now clear in their features, and even in their bodies, Viserra was noticing some cramping and pain on her hands that would last days at times, while Saera was slowly losing her hearing. The two sisters held hands while the body of their brother burned, both of them crying, even if they were not at all close to Vaegon, he was their brother, and the very last living one; now they just had one another, just like their youth. The funeral was also the first time in two years the siblings all were in the same place; the four of them had held one another, hugging and crying, they were allowed to meet Viserys and Daeron in Dragonstone, but they never clashed, since their family wished to avoid any possibility of a blow out.
As a test, Queen Viserra ordered the siblings to stay in Dragonstone, and have maids constantly updating her on how they were doing; for she no longer wished to keep the family apart. Prior to leaving, the Queen spoke to her sister, begging her to go back to the red keep with her.
"If I die, or you die" Viserra spoke. "I wish to be able to spend the final moment with you. Not wait for a raven to inform me of your passing."
Saera had agreed with her sister, and sent her sons off back to Lys, while she returned to the castle that saw her born.
For half of the year, Viserys and his children lived in Dragonstone, the two years spent apart, even if having made large changes, was not enough for Aemond and Aegon, who still needed to work on themselves, thus, after half the year passed, both Aegon and Aemond were sent back to King's Landing and Driftmark. Princess Helaena and Prince Daeron stayed back. Queen Viserra and Saera spent the remainder of the year together at all times, sleeping in the same bed, sitting next to one another, she'd even sit down in the same room as them during council meetings. Princess Helaena had also had her first blood, thus, it was time for Viserra and Viserys to discuss possible wedding alliances between her and another. Given Viserra's rule of firstborn, many girls had inherited titles and were Heads of Houses, most men that were still Heads of Houses were either old, or already betrothed and thus, they did not have a long list of candidates to source through. They only needed a day before finding one, Kermit Tully, a boy three years younger than Helaena, eldest son and heir to Elmo Tully. Of course, she would not be wedded to him until she was older, having to wait until Kermit was seventeen, thus, she still had time to live for herself. Aegon, despite being older, was not yet betrothed, they had discussed betrothing him to Lady Cassandra Baratheon, but the plan was put on hold until the Prince was deemed fit for marriage.
That would not happen, until 124 AC. By this time, Prince Aegon had grown to become a respectful and kind man, who wished for nothing but justice and fairness, who felt extreme shame and guilt when any of his past actions were brought up, especially the way he treated his siblings and maids. It was this year that he became betrothed to Lady Cassandra, who was thirteen years of age, thus the union wouldn't take place until 127 AC. Aegon was finally allowed to live with his siblings and father full time in Dragonstone, and even got his dragon back; six moons later, Prince Aemond followed suit, becoming still a fierce man, but no longer cruel or mean. After his return, Prince Lucerys spent more time back in Driftmark, at age nine, he was skilled in arms, though his size required more delicate arms, thinner swords, sometimes arrows, but he was not yet good with heavy arms. He was also becoming more and more confident at sea, showing the same adventure-seeking characer his grandfather exhibited.
Jacaerys had grown to be responsible, bold, and politically savvy, and had grown skilled at arms after serving as a squire to a friend of Queen Viserra. He was quite protective of his family, equally protective of his younger siblings and older members; he was also showing the same slyness Queen Viserra showed when offended. Him and Vermax oft took the skies for themselves, flying and training to dodge ships, rocks and cliffs. He was as Targaryen as they came. Joffrey was as careful as a dragon was furry, the boy had no sense of danger, and always found himself in deadly situations, such as trying to fly with Tyraxes unsupervised, jumping off a ship because he saw a shiny fish; the boy was not a magnet for danger, danger was a magnet and Joffrey was made of metal. He was, much like his aunt Baela, quick to anger, and thus, he'd often brawl with her, much to the entertainment of their siblings.
In 125 AC, Princess Saera Targaryen lost her life. The Princess was fifty-eight, and had grown weak and ill over the past fortnight, becoming bed-ridden and almost paralysed, needing milk of the poppy on the daily to handle the pain of existing. Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon had gone over to Lys to fetch her family, Syrax was large enough to carry most of them, her growth becoming accelerated once the dragonpit was out of their lives. Princess Saera would never spend a second alone, accompanied by her grandchildren, daughters in law and sons, as well as her sister, nephews and everyone else. Viserra was heartbroken when her sister fell ill, distraught and terrified, she'd always hold her hand, sleep while hugging her; her appearance became unkempt, her hair messy, her normally luscious gowns were replaced with simpler ones that would not bother her sister when she hugged her. The final night of Princess Saera's life, she laid on her deathbed, looking at her younger sister.
"Oh my dear Viserra... How proud I am to be your sister." She had called out, caressing her sister's cheek.
Viserra leaned into her hand, a stray tear falling down her cheek.
"Saera" She sniffled. "How I wish life had been gentler to us both."
Saera smiled, lips quivering as she cried as well.
"Life was gentle with me. After all, it allowed me to be in yours."
Queen Viserra sobbed, leaning to lay next to Saera.
"I wish for you to find happiness on what comes next."
There was a beat of silence, before Saera spoke.
"If you find me in the afterlife..." She released a weak whistling breath. "Then I will be the happiest."
Saera kissed her sister, before passing away.
On the funeral, Viserra was staring at the flames, having been unable to give Dreamfyre the order to burn Saera, instead, it was Rhaenyra who gave the order to Syrax, while Daemon held his weeping mother. Westeros went into a fortnight period of mourning, as per Viserra's orders. The Queen would soon be called "The Black Queen" by everyone around her, for she never stopped wearing the colour of mourning, since she would forever mourn the loss of her dear Saera.
"Balerion seems to hate me." She had once told one of her chambermaids. "He has taken my bloodline and lovers... Yet he seems to want me to live as long as I can."
Lord Corlys had almost been taken by the god of death as well, in 126 AC, after falling ill with a sudden fever. This had made Princess Rhaenys, Lady Baela, Lady Rhaena and Prince Lucerys become panicked, afraid of losing the beloved Lord; Prince Lucerys himself was inconsolable, afraid of having to become Lord of the tides at ten years of age. Even if the Lord felt better, the fear remained, with the young Prince often times giving his grandfather luck charms before voyages, afraid of losing him at sea after he recovered from his fever. Despite the fact that Lord Corlys managed to survive his ailment, the same could not be said for Prince Viserys. It all started back in 120 AC, a few moons before the family of six had been separated, when the oldest Prince reached the age of three-and-forty. He had grown quite stout, no longer having a young man’s vigor, and was afflicted by gout, aching joints, back pain, and a tightness in the chest that came and went and oft left him red-faced and short of breath. He had done his best to keep his ailments a secret, but as time went by, his condition worsened, and by 126 AC, he could no longer disguise it.
Princess Rhaenyra would often visit her father in Dragonstone, in 120 AC she would do so once per month, the number increasing over the yers, until she would spend a week in Dragonstone and a week in King's Landing. When she discovered her father's condition, she heightened her visits, spending a fortnight in Dragonstone and a week in King's Landing, going back to alternating weeks when her father asked her to do so, as he felt awful for making her spend so many days with him when she should be focusing on attending her grandmother. The Queen, however, believed Viserys should return home in order to be closer to maesters and healers, so, on the eve of the final month of 126 AC, Sunfyre, Silverwing, Vhagar and Tessarion flied back to King's Landing for the first time in many years. Dragons currently roamed in the outsides of King's Landing, resting on the cliffs of the land around King's Landing.
Finally, in 127 AC, Prince Aegon Targaryen married Lady Cassandra Baratheon. Lady Cassandra looked as Baratheon as his great-aunt Jocelyn, with black hair and blue eyes; her father, Lord Borros, was not fond of his daughter. By the time Lady Cassandra had been born, Firstborn rights had already been implemented, meaning she was to be Lady of House Baratheon; however, her father wished for a man to succeed him, thus, he'd often insult her discreetly or make snide remarks about her. When Lord Borros and Lady Cassandra visited King's Landing to meet with Prince Aegon, his father and grandmother, Lord Borros had turned to the Prince, and in front of the servants and members of the court, he spoke up.
"I have three other daughters. You could choose any other. Floris is prettier. And if it’s a clever wife you want, there's Maris."
"I cannot wait to be Lord of Storm's end" Was all that Prince Aegon said. "I know Lady Cassandra will make a great Lady Paramount of the Stormlands."
That very same year, Prince Aemond also became wedded, to his second cousin, Lady Bethany Hightower, a girl who had been described in a letter as "very beautiful, with smooth soft skin and lustrous hair and the sweetest manner." In the same letter, however, she was described as "lazy and somewhat stupid, truth be told, though some men seem to like that in a wife.". Princess Helaena was still only betrothed to Lord Kermit Tully, and given the young age of Prince Daeron, he was not yet betrothed, but young Ladies were already lined up. Rhaenyra's first two sons were already betrothed to their aunt-cousins, while Joffrey had become betrothed to Lord Desmond Manderly's oldest daughter, born the same year as Joffrey, Lady Jessamyn Manderly. The betrothal was one of the last things Queen Viserra was involved in before becoming too old and tired to focus solely on them by herself. That and the decree of First names, which stated the children of a couple would inherit the last names of the parent they'd inherit the most from. And for those who already had children, then their last names would be changed once they became Lords or Ladies. So, when Prince Aegon and Lady Cassandra had children, they'd bear the Baratheon last name, same went for Prince Aemond and Lady Bethany, even if Bethany was the youngest Hightower, she was still able to inherit the title of Lady of the Hightower. While Prince Jacaerys Velaryon would become King Jacaerys Targaryen once he became King.
A year after her brothers, Princess Helaena Targaryen took Ser Kermit Tully, a wild and headstrong youth eager to prove himself as a warrior, as her husband. By this time, Lady Cassandra Baratheon had already fallen with child, as did Lady Bethany Hightower, who was early on her pregnancy, whilst Lady Cassandra was nearing the end of it. A young girl was then presented at court, with the name of Erys Baratheon, born with her father's purple eyes and her mother's raven black hair; Prince Viserys had been delighted with the young girl, and would oft play with her when his son visited the Red Keep. Then, nearing the end of 128 AC, Lady Bethany and Prince Aemond presented young Vernon Hightower to the court; the boy had inherited his mother's plain looks, with her same eyes and hair, though he had inherited the Prince's facial features, his nose, lips, cheeks. Princess Helaena had confided in her sister of her desire to bear a child as soon as she could, afraid of her time with her father becoming fickle. Prince Daeron was the last of the Princes to become betrothed to someone, to Princess Aliandra Martell. It seemed that, as life would have it, Princess Helaena would birth a child almost a year after her wedding to Ser Kermit Tully; born with Tully red hair and Targaryen purple eyes, named Adalia Tully, a beautiful and cheerful boy.
As the Seven Kingdoms welcomed the 129th year after Aegon’s Conquest with bonfires, feasts, and bacchanals, Prince Viserys Targaryen was growing ever weaker. His chest pains had grown so severe that he could no longer climb a flight of steps, and had to be carried about the Red Keep in a chair. By the second moon of the year, the Prince had lost all appetite and strength, spending his days in his bed. Meanwhile, Princess Rhaenyra was once again great with child. She too took to her bed. On the third day of the third moon of 129 AC, the Prince's children had brought their own children to visit the man in his chambers, Rhaenyra's children, along with the three babes born from her younger siblings and the daughters born from Prince Daemon's marriage to Lady Laena. Prince Jacaerys was not yet fifteen, Lucerys thirteen, the twins, Baela and Rhaena were thirteen as well, recently turned; Prince Joffrey was twelve, while his younger brothers, Aegon and Viserys were nine and seven respectively. The younger grandchildren were all barely over a year old, except for Princess Helaena's son Adalia, who was not yet a year old. The Prince gave the babes pearl rings off his fingers to play with, sitting Adalia on his lap while he told them the story of how their great-greatgrandsire Jaehaerys had flown his dragon north to the Wall to defeat a vast host of wildlings, giants, and wargs. Though the children had heard the story a dozen times before, they listened attentively. Afterward the king sent them away, pleading weariness and a tightness in his chest. Then Viserys of House Targaryen, closed his eyes and went to sleep. He never woke. He was fifty-two years old.