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In 87 AC the night before her departure to White Harbour Princess Viserra Targaryen, the eleventh child and sixth daughter of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne, traded clothes with one of her maids and managed to give her guards the slip. The Princess escaped from the Red Keep for one final night of laughter before her wedding with her companions two minor lordlings, four young knights and three of her close female companions. Around the hour of the bat the princess and her remaining companions raced back to the keep. At the foot of Aegon’s High Hill, Viserra’s palfrey collided with one of her companions’ mares, throwing her from the saddle and shattering her legs at age fifteen.
The Royal family was distraught with the news, especially the Queen and Princes Baelon. Queen Alysanne blamed herself for pushing Viserra into marriage so soon believing that if she hadn’t or perhaps had chosen a fairer husband Viserra never would have attempted to escape. Prince Baelon finally realised that Viserra attempting to seduce him was in reality her finally cry for help one he and others in their family had been ignoring for moons.
The Princess awoke a week after her incident declaring her parents were the mother and father above and that she would serve the Faith of the Seven. The King and Queen agreed for the simple fact of her crippling. No lord wishes for a crippled wife.
The Princess left Kings Landing and her brother Vaegon designed and commissioned a skilled craftsman to make princess and ornately carved chairs with wheels built into it allowing the Princess mobility without the use of her legs. It was unknown where Princess Viserra went after she left Kings Landing as she had not disclosed her location to anyone besides her brother Vaegon and sister Maegelle however the Queen wrote to her often imploring her siblings to pass along the letters.
It was rumoured that that her legs had healed enough for her to walk once more however it was too laborious for her to do so for long. The Princesses location remained unknown for years until after the death of her brother Prince Aemon when her brother Prince Baelon, newly appointed Prince of Dragonstone and Heir to the Iron Throne returned to Kings landing declaring his intention of marrying Princess Viserra to their father King Jaehaerys
Princess Viserra sat in her chair reading the latest letter from her brother Vaegon, updating her on the conspiracy within the Citadel and the Faith of the Seven. They had been working against House Targaryen for decades which was part of the reasons why Vaegon joined the Citadel and Maegelle joined the Faith. To destroy the conspiracy from the inside.
She may have shattered her legs, but she was glad for it in truth the accident could have cost her life had it gone differently and who knows Lord Theomore may have still married her shattered legs and all had she not declared herself to the Faith. She could not imagine a life married to Lord Theomore.
Lord Theomore Manderley. Age seventy and six when the betrothal was first arranged, four times her size, six sons, three daughter, four nieces, two nephews, ten grandsons, twelve granddaughters, eight great grandsons, nine great grand daughters and three great great grandchildren.
She knew how the Queen sold the marriage to his grace. She was a Princess and she had to be wed to a Lord od suitable standing, a Princess could not just wed anyone, but preferably not produce any issue of Valyrian blood. They could not have dragons nesting in the Eyrie or anywhere else. House Targaryens dragons could not fall outside the family for one dragon outside House Targaryen was a threat and even more dragons could mean war. So instead, the King and Queen attempted to wed their children to older men with enough children to last two or so generations that way any grandchildren their daughter produced could be safely married back into the royal family.
Though the main motivation behind Queen Alysanne attempting marry her off was Baelon. The Queen had said so in her letter. She feared that Viserra was too vain, too self-centred and vile. That she would do anything to attempt to become Queen. That she was too young, shallow, spoiled, and imperious. The did apologise in her letter declaring herself wrong. That had been the Queen’s idea of justification not even conciliatory no just justification. Most of the Queen’s letters were about her justifying all her actions through out the years and how it was for her own good.
The Queen had no real apology, nor did she really attempt to get to know her own daughter. No just when she though they were getting there she got a letter requesting that she marry Viserys for Rodrik Arryn had declined the attempted betrothal between Viserys and Aemma Arryn. She had to admit she was proud of Rodrik, Aemma was far too young for marriage. Viserys was only six years her junior and a bit of a pushover. He needed a valyrian bride and Gael would no due for she was fragile and even more of a pushover than Viserys.
The Queen was attempting to push her out because she knew that despite living in a motherhouse for over five years, she had never taken the septa’s vows. So, she did what she knew best she forced the Queen’s hand revealing herself and watched as the seven Kingdoms burned with the news of the King and Queen’s most beautiful daughter shaving her hair off and serving her people and people under an alias. The news that she served the people in the horrible land of the Dornish marches. That the Princess had even become and Interim Mother at one of the Motherhouses. The massive goodwill that shook through the kingdoms forced the Queen’s hand, The Baratheons helped as well by making a trip to the Motherhouse and her good sister Lady Jocelyn publicly supported her, declaring her a fine noble woman.
She had the power; the Queen could not force her to do anything. It helped that even in the motherhouse she had developed a network to rival that of the Master of Whispers.
There was a knock at her door.” Sister Reyna, you have a visitor” a voice called.
“Send them in sister” Viserra called back not looking up from her book when she heard the door open and close.
“Rytsas byka mandia” a familiar voice said softly.
Viserra snapped her head around. She knew that voice, it was a voice she had not heard in years. She had considered sending him letter but eventually decided against it. “Lēkia” she whispered “Baelon… h-how are you? I am sorry to hear of Aemon I considered writing to you, but I was not sure if you would want to hear from me. We did not exactly leave things on good terms.”
Pain crossed through Baelon’s face “I know Viserra” he sighed “It was my fault and I apologise sister. I was in a dark place after the Fourth Dornish War. The crowds cheered for us after we ravaged the fleet. We may have lost none of our men, but it didn’t sit right with me. I did my best to keep up a cheerful façade for Muna and Kepa, but it was eating me alive. When I thought I may have finally got a handle on its Alyssa was bleeding out before my very eyes. Then I almost lost Aegon six moons later. I thought after all that I was beyond saving. I had kind of given up.”
“Baelon- “Viserra interrupted.
“No Vis please let me finish. When you came to me, I was not in my right mind. I could not see what you were trying to escape from. I was caught up in fighting my own demons that I did not see your cries for help. I could not see that you had exhausted all options that you had propositioned mother and father and you had been denied.” Baelon shook his head “I am so sorry baby sister. You came to me for assistance, and I denied you. If I could do it over again, I would have done it differently. I should have been there for you. By the time you came to me Aegon, Daenerys, Alyssa, Daella, Gaemon, Valerion and Saera. I nearly lost you as well and now I have lost Aemon. I’ve been wanting to reach out for years, but Aemon’s death finally gave me the courage. You, me, Gael, Vaegon and Maegelle we are all that is left of the King and Queen’s children. Vaegon and Maegelle barely return to the keep, they only do when they must.” Baelon sighed “Viserra I need your help… I know this is incredibly selfish of me to ask but come home Vis. Please come home. I need someone I trust by my side.
Viserra inhaled sharply. This was the first time a member of her family, her former family had asked her to come home. “Baelon, I want to… I really want to, but I will not go back to have my freedom stripped away from me. Your mother is trying to wed me to your son. To sell me as a broodmare once more… I will not allow it Baelon. The King is weak he will eventually bend to the Queen’s will, and I will not autonomy stolen. Not now that I have gotten it back.”
“What… what if I marry you?” Baelon asked “Would you come home then?”
“Why would you do that?” Viserra asked “Why now?”
“It is as I said I need someone I trust by my side.” Baelon responded “Ever since Aemon died the skanks have been relentless, like they have no care for the fact our brother died Father has been pestering me about remarrying. You would be allowed to keep your freedom and I would have someone I wholeheartedly trust at my side. We wouldn’t even need to have children unless you wanted to try.”
Viserra considered it was certainly better than marrying Viserys and being forced to pop out heir after heir. She enjoyed the motherhouse, but she missed her family dearly, mainly her nieces and nephews, she wished she had returned home sooner. She wished she had returned home sooner. She wished she had more time with Aemon. She had the chance for more time with her family, perhaps she could even get Maegelle and Vaegon to return home more often. She saw an opportunity “I have two conditions to this proposal.”
“Name your price Viserra” Baelon instantly replied “I need you to come home. Is it jewels or fine dresses? A new mare? A dragon? I’ll let you have anything you desire if you return home.”
“Firstly, you can tell the King and Queen of our impending nuptials. I refuse to do it.” Viserra responded.
“Seems fair enough” Baelon responded “What else do you desire?”
“Otto Hightower’s death.” Viserra replied “He creeps me out. He aims too high. He is too power hungry and will be our downfall. He is still obsessed with Saera and after what he did to her, he deserves hell.”
“What did he do?” Baelon inquired.
“Have you heard of Otto Hightower’s daughter, Alicent?” Viserra inquired. It seems Otto did manage to keep everyone in the dark.
“Yes, I have an adorable baby girl. She is four now I believe.” Baelon responded “She was born when Otto and his wife were over in Essos for an extended holiday with their boys.”
“Saera and I have kept in contact through letters. Alicent Hightower is truly Jaehaera.” Viserra replied “Otto met Saera at a pillow house, and they slept together, even after all these years he is still obsesses with her. Saera conceived and eventually gave birth to Jaehaera. Otto and his wife stole the child from her mere minutes after she delivered, taking the child back to Westeros knowing Saera could not return as she was not welcomed. He stole our niece from our sister, brother he must pay.”
Baelon could not believe what he was hearing. He was enraged on Saera’s behalf. He never truly liked Otto Hightower. He never liked how Otto looked at his younger sisters Saera, then Viserra and even little Gael but now he had an excuse to get rid of the man. “If I do this you shall marry me?”
“Yes brother.” Viserra responded. “I may be many things, but a liar is not one of them. I miss my family and if marrying you allows me to keep my freedom and reconnect with them, then I shall do it if you get rid of Otto.”
“Is that all you desire?” Baelon asked.
“Yes, well that and for you to treat me as an equal… to stand up for me against the King and Queen if needed” Viserra added.
Baelon didn’t miss how her hands began to shake at the mention their parents. He hated that his little sister was scared of returning home. He noticed how she referred to their mother and father as the Queen and King. She distanced herself from their parents and by extension their family and truly he could not blame her. “I promise I will look out for you this time. I will not make that mistake again if you return home with me. Now before I go kill a snake tell me one thing. Several years ago, when you were in my chambers, as a cry for help, why did you come to me. Mother thinks you were aiming to become Queen… were you? I do not mind. It shall not change my proposal I am just curious.”
“No that was not my motivation. Sure, when I was ten, I may have desired Queenship, what lady in the Seven Kingdoms does not at some point? But no, I came to you for several reasons. Regardless of your position at court and in the line of succession Baelon you were first and foremost my older brother. All I desired at that point was to remain close to home and by marrying you I would achieve that. I would have been free to do what I desire for the most part. If I had to bed you unlike Lord Theomore, my betrothed at the time, your much closer to my age and pleasing to look at. I wouldn’t have to live in fear of marital rape either so that was a possible bonus.” Viserra responded smiling.
Baelon nodded as he spoke “I’m still sorry for sending you away, you needed me.”
“You can help me now Baelon. You are a good man brother, far better than most in Westeros, I know that. I also knew it back than when I came to you for help, I knew that that if I wed you, I wouldn’t have to live in fear of mistreatment or abuse like many other women have to. You already had an heir and two spares so there would be no pressure to have children unless we wanted to as your line is already secure and finally, I love and trust you Baelon. It may not be how the King and Queen love each other but you are my brother and I do love you. I was already familiar with you, and I knew your character. I considered you one of my good friends and who better to marry than a friend? You were no stranger and marriages have been built on far less in the past.”
Baelon smiled and they talked for hours before he departed to take care of Otto Hightower.
A sennight later Otto Hightower was found dead in his chambers. No one ever knew what happened to him. It was theorised that Otto’s sly actions finally caught up with him. In way they were right not that they would never know that. After talking to Otto’s wife Alerie Highyowever a deal was struck and Prince Baelon personally returned Jaehaera back to her mother in Essos before propositioning the King for Viserra’s hand in marriage much to the King’s delight and the Queen’s horror.
The Princess returned to the Red Keep sennight later as the King began planning a grand ball to celebrate her return before he began wedding planning. Everyone in the Keep knew the King was delighted to have his daughter back for he had a soft spot for Viserra due to her personality being perfectly aligned with his views regarding royal women and how they should behave. It was well known that before her accident Viserra perfectly fit the image of a proper princess in his mind.