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Viserra smiled as Kings Landing came into view. She adored the motherhouse; they treated her like family, and she had finally felt like she a place in the world however it did not beat home. It did not beat the Red Keep sure she had spent years feeling isolated from the family, but they were still her family, and the Red Keep was still her home despite all the horrible memories she had at the Keep there was an abundance of happy memories there too. The Red Keep was her home. Her good sister and brother resided there as did her nephews and baby sister. She hated to admit it but it was good to be home although she could go longer without seeing the Queen no doubt she was the one who was going to get the short end of the stick when the Queen heard of her impending marriage to Baelon despite it being his idea there was no doubt Alysanne would find a way to blame this on her.
From what she had been told the Queen had doted on her as a child but as she got older the Queen had got colder and colder to her. There was no telling what cause of the coldness was perhaps it was resentment as she lost both Valerion and Gaemon while Viserra herself had survived? The King after all had wanted more sons as he himself had been a third son and still inherited the throne. He had wanted to secure his line, so they kept trying after Alyssa was born but instead of a son, they got an Ove religious daughter which annoyed the King to great length as if Maegelle was not pushed into the Faith of the Seven by the Queen. After Maegelle the King got his desire son but they kept trying just in case and they had another daughter Daella. It quickly became apparent that Vaegon and Daella were not like their siblings. Vaegon was quiet and disliked people from an early age preferring books while Daella was simple and fragile as well as developmentally behind, so the King insisted the tried again but instead of a son they got Saera, so they tried for another child and got her instead of the son they were hoping for.
The King and Queen finally got the extra sons they desired in 73 Ac and 77 AC but neither survived to their first name day while Viserra herself did survive to her first name day and then years later she survived a near fatal incident. The royal couple tried again well the King tried again and soon the Queen was expecting Gael. The Queen had been devastated when she heard the news that she was once again with child but soon came to dote on Gael. The Queen did not resent Gael for not being a son because it was a miracle Gael, and the Queen survived the long and complicated birth in the first place. It was extremely touch and go, there were several times that the maesters, the traitorous bastards, had believed that they would lose both Gael and Alysanne. After that ordeal the King finally made peace with the fact that he would have to just ‘encourage’ his children to produce heirs as his darling Alysanne could no longer do her duty of producing royal heirs, as if thirteen children of Valyrian blood was not enough for his grace.
The King and Queen were fair and kind rulers, but they were not great parents. They did everything they could for the realm at the cost of their children. She was a woman of one and twenty now and yet as they approached the keep, she felt much like a child.
Baelon must have noticed her tense because the next thing she knew he was squeezing her hand in comfort “I will be right by your side Vis” he murmured, and she nodded in response “Home sweet home” she muttered quietly. Conscious she knew the Red Keep was her home she had both delightful and horrendous memories within this castle but deep down she knew this place stopped feeling safe the moment her dear sister Saera fled.
“You know at one point I never thought I would ever step foot within the Red Keep again” she admitted “I really thought when I fled to the motherhouse that I would never see this place again. That this chapter of my life was truly done and dusted but yet here I am.”
“The Red Keep will always be your home dear sister.” Baelon replied “It is a part of us”.
Viserra smiled sadly “That it is”.
She still had a hard time believing it as the carriage entered the Red Keep. She insisted she would be alright riding a horse but Baelon, the bastard, had disagreed stating she had already strained herself riding Vhagar. They would have arrived to the Red Keep sooner but her brother insisted on resting after every couple of hours on Vhagar for her sake. She understood where he was coming from, but she had lived like this for five years she knew when she met her limited for walking. She knew when things got too laborious, she just wished she would be able to get her fami- the Targaryens to see that too. Apparently, his grace had already commissioned several more of her chairs to put on different levels of the Red Keep.
The carriage stopped and Baelon helped her out, she could not believe her eyes. There standing at the entrance to the Castle was his grace the King, her sister and her nephews. She honestly though she would not see either her grace or his grace for several days. Neither of them had truly made and effort to see her as she got older, she would have to make an appointment to speak to them outside of dinner more often than not yet here the King was. Sure, she could sit in the same room as the King without and appointment but to speak to him for more than five minutes? She had no such luck.
“Y-your G-grace” She stumbled out falling into a deep curtsey “It is an honour to be in your presence- “
The King cut her off “Rise child. There is no need for that” King Jaehaerys chuckled “My daughter is returning to the Red Keep after years away, where else would I be but at the steps to greet her.” When we have so much lost time to make up for, so many mistakes to correct. He wanted to add but held his tongue. This was neither the place nor the location for that discussion. “Come child give your father a hug.” Jaehaerys wished he missed how his daughter hesitated to move toward him, her brother remaining close by, but she did wrap her arms around him. He eagerly pulled her closer. He did not realise how much he had missed Viserra’s voice and presence until she was gone.
He had missed her occasional snide comments at outrageous things. He missed her sitting on the floor of his solar playing with puppy’s as he worked. He missed how she would do Gael’s hair when Alysanne let the girl out of her sight long enough. He missed the ruckus she would cause in the Red Keep. His sweet Alysanne may have found it deplorable, but he found amusement in her antics with those foolish lordlings.
He smiled as she deepened the hug as if her life depended on it, deep down she was still his little princess. “Kepa” she whispered “Kepa I am so sorry.”
“Me too my pearl, me too” Jaehaerys responded “It is good to have your home. The Red Keep has been truly boring without your presence” Viserra’s smile brightened, and it was only then he noticed how much healthier she looked. She had more strength in her arms and her skin glowed so much better that she was no longer as pale as she uses to be. It seemed time away from the Keep had done the girl good. He kissed her forehead before he reluctantly let her go “I can feel your nephews and sister’s glaring daggers at me from here. Once you are done catching up and resettling in your room come and find me dear. We have much to discuss”.
“Of course, Kepa” Viserra nodded turning to her nephews “Oh my have you three boys grown- “The words were barely out of her mouth before Daemon had thrown himself into her arms. “Oh, forgive me little trouble. I am so sorry I left you my little hero.” She truly was th boy had lost his mother, so he had latched on to her while Baelon mourned in fact all three of the boys did and then in 87 AC, she left them too.
“I know why you had to leave.” Daemon muttered “You deserved better than what they tried to sell you into. I am sorry I could not protect you Aunt Vis.”
“Do not apologise Daemon” She whispered back in Valyrian “There was nothing you could do then my little star.” It pained her to see how big her little nephew had grown “You have gotten so big and strong. I have no doubt you shall be a fearsome warrior” She wrapped her arms tightly around him lifting him off the ground momentarily before she put him back down when she saw Baelon’s distressed look, she sighed inwardly she was not made of glass. Her brother would have to see that eventually “But you are not too big for me to lift yet my little star.” Daemon chuckled letting her go so that his siblings could embrace her but staying close by her side. She glanced at Viserys “I have no chance of picking you up my little historian… b ut I guess you are no longer that little. You are a man of five and ten now.”
Viserys nodded “I have missed you Aunt Viserra. It is a welcomed joy to have you back within the Red Keep, where you belong”. He walked up to her and embraced her whispering “I will always be your little historian” His Aunt had gotten him through a hard time. She was family and he was happy to have her back within the Red Keep. A Targaryen alone in the world was a terrible thing and his aunt had been alone for nearly five years.
“And for that I shall be eternally grateful” she whispered back in Valyrian “It is nice to see that you have not changed to much.” She laughed Viserys reminded her much of Vaegon, so it made her happy to see that their family had not been able t6o take away his love for books and old valyrian history, something they tried to do to Vaegon. She had worried that they would manage to corrupt Viserys unlike Vaegon the poor boy had no backbone. She turned to Aegon; a boy who was already eight years old. “I am not sure if you remember me, you would have only been about three years old when I left. I am your Aunt Viserra.” Looking at Aegon it hit her how much her little conqueror had grown up in the time she was away. She knew realistically he would be more grown up, but it was not until she actually saw him that it hit her just how much Aegon had grown.
Aegon hesitantly moved forward, making his way towards her “I remember you Aunt Viserra vaguely. I have missed you.” It was all true he did remember his aunt vaguely. He remembered her soft voice singing him to sleep. Her safe arms bringing him comfort. His tiny fingers running through her long silver locks.” It would be nice to get to know each other once more. I have changed in the years since you have last seen me”.
“I can see that my little conqueror” Viserra smiled. She turned to Gael who was hiding behind Viserys “Congratulations on your betrothal dear sister. I am sure Viserys will treat you well. I have missed you dearly little winter” Gael threw herself at Viserra nearly knocking her backwards “Do not worry little winter I shall get you your freedom from her grace. I will get you the chance to be independent. I swear it to you my little snowflake”.
“Thank you, Vis,” Gael murmured “Thank you.”
“Do not thank me little snowflake for I know what it is like. It is what you deserve little icicle” Viserra chuckled “Now I personally am starving, does anyone care to join me?” four young voices immediately replied and Viserra smiled how she had missed the children. Aegon, Daemon, Gael and Viserys had made the Red Keep bearable in the hardest times. They were the reasons she stayed.
“You wished to see me your grace?” Viserra inquired as she stepped into the King’s solar
“Yes, my pearl” Jaehaerys replied “You are done reuniting with the boys and Gael? I would not wis to ear 6you away from them if you were not. I could feel their glares with my back turned to them.”
“Yes, your grace I am done for now. I shall see them once more for supper” Viserra chuckled sitting down in a chair her father gestured to “What did you wish to discuss”.
“I know I have not been great at showing it child, but I do truly care for you.” Jaehaerys responded “With Saera’s scandal it seemed best to betroth you as soon as possible. Matches were the Queen’s domain and I saw no reason not to listen to her advice all her matches worked out for the best. Jocelyn and Aemon are happy. Baelon and Alyssa were happy. Daella found joy in her match, and I saw no reason why you could not as well.” He shook his head “I did not expect for your marriage to last long and then you would be able to stay at home for as long as you wished. You would have your choice in your next match.” He didn’t mention her failed attempt at matching Vaegon and Daella. It was a good thing it fell through it would have been a truly horrendous match.
“Kepa- “
“No child let me speak” Jaehaerys interrupted “When you barged into my audience unannounced when you found out I was taken aback. I had never seen you in such uncharacteristic decorum. Your dress was wrinkles, her braids were messy and dishevelled, your face was flushed, eyes wide with such fear, tears streaking down your face, I did not hear you out and I truly regret dismissing you so harshly. You held yourself with such poise and grace that I forgot that you were still a young maiden. You excelled in the womanly arts and etiquette. It was refreshing after your sisters. You were mostly an easy child, and you were aware of your duty. You were the ideal princess in my opinion. You were everything a princess should be, so I was so shocked when you fell to your knees before me and begged. Forgive me my child. I should have heard you out. I should have allowed you to have choices like Daella.” Daella, who Alysanne declared was wed too soon. Daella a year older than Viserra was supposed to be when she wed.
“I forgave you long ago your grace” Viserra admitted “It is good to be home while I loved helping people, I will admit the Faith was not for me. This Andal religion… I cannot understand how she became so enamoured with it though it may have to do with- “
Viserra stopped herself but he heard her words anyway. It may have to do with the Faith of the Seven being forced down her throat at such a young age once Alysanne promised her to the Faith in thanks for the other blessing her with many children. He had agreed simply because he knew when you were King the Faith of the Seven was a means to the end. He had seen how the Seven had caused his uncle trouble.
“Your grace I wish to speak to you on Gael’s behalf” Viserra said. Her father gave her a nod, indicating for her to continue “I understand that you and the Queen have burned six children, and that Saera is banished. I understand that Maegelle and Vaegon do not come to Kings Landing. I can understand why she wishes to keep Gael close however I fear it may be harmful.”
“Elaborate child” Jaehaerys ordered.
“Gael is nearly a maiden Kepa. She is one and ten, yet the Queen still has the girl share her bed. Gael does not have any friends while even Maegelle, Alyssa and Daella had friends at her age. The Queen’s dependency on Gael is damaging her prospect. There is talk that something is wrong with the girl. That she is simple like Daella because the Queen refuses to leave her side. It is hurting Gael’s development and her prospects at marriage.” Viserra paused “I know I do not have children and that I cannot understand your graces grief however I have been a young Princess before. Gael needs freedom. She needs to learn to be independent. To depend on herself for she shall run a household one day. How is Gael supposed to flourish if she is not allowed freedom. The girl is suffocating.”
“I never noticed it” Jaehaerys admitted although now that Viserra mentioned it. He could see her points. How badly it could reflect on Gael’s marriage prospects. “Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Did Gael ask you to talk to me about this?”
“She did not have to even at the motherhouse I had heard rumours, but she was going to. I know she was your grace for when I she threw herself at me, I could see how lonely she was your grace. The first thing I did was tell her I would get her freedom and she nearly cried in relief. She is a princess she should have an abundance of companions and yet she has young. It is not healthy for a girl only companions to be her mother and three nephew’s fathers.”
“I only saw how it comforted your mother” Jaehaerys admitted He hated to admit it, but he never considered how never being allowed out of her mother’s sights, sleeping in her bed and being forced to shadow her mother would affect the girl. But now that it had been pointed out he knew he must start counteracting the potential damage caused to Gael. She was a perfectly good princess able to be married off. He could not have Alysanne further ruining the girl’s prospects by smothering her. “I shall talk to Gael, and I shall need your help choosing companions for the girl”.
“Of course, your grace I have a few in mind already” Viserra admitted “Your grace I wished to run an idea by you. Just something for you to consider”.
“Of course, my pearl” Jaehaerys replied “Speak your piece”.
“The war in conquering Dorne has cost both us and Dorne greatly in gold and people. I was wondering if you considered bring Dorne into the realm through marriage as for centuries marriage has been creating alliances… just something to think on.” She glanced at the clock realizing the time “Forgive me your grace may I been excused we have been talking for much longer than I intended, and I must freshen up before I meet the children for supper.”
“Yes, you are excused Viserra” Jaehaerys said “Thank you my girl you have given me much to think on”.
Viserra gave a deep curtsey to her father, her King, before leaving his solar ignoring the look of concern her father threw her. She could use her legs she just couldn’t strain herself too much. She knew her limits. It was fine though her family would learn soon enough that she was not damaged.