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Graphic Depictions Of Violence
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Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)/Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Baela Targaryen/Jacaerys Velaryon
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Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Laena Velaryon (Daughter of Corlys)Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Baela TargaryenJacaerys VelaryonRhaenyra TargaryenDaemon TargaryenCorlys "The Sea Snake" VelaryonRhaenys Targaryen VelaryonAemond "One-Eye" TargaryenAegon II TargaryenAlicent HightowerDaeron Targaryen (Son of Viserys I)Cannibal the Wild Dragon (A Song of Ice and Fire)Valyrian Gods (A Song of Ice and Fire)Helaena Targaryen
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Character Turned Into VampireUndeadNecromancyVideo Game MechanicsThe Dance of the Dragons | Aegon II Targaryen v. Rhaenyra Targaryen EraLaenor Velaryon is Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)'s ParentLaena doesn't let something like being dead stop her from helping her familyDragon RidersPOV MultipleDeath to all GreensPiratesBody HorrorBAMF Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Temporary Character DeathReligious Imagery & SymbolismWeird Plot Shitno beta we die like everyoneBook: Fire and Blood (A Song of Ice and Fire)Self-IndulgentChild DeathDismembermentDragonrider Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Rhaenys and Rhaenyra act more like their bookselves cause their showselves suckCanon-Typical ViolenceCannibalismVampire BitesThe non-sexy kindDark Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Vampire Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Angst with a Happy Ending
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Published:2024-06-14Completed:2024-10-31Words:169,619Chapters:35/35Comments:1,151Kudos:2,057Bookmarks:542Hits:94,733
Lucerys Velaryon of the Vampire Coast
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 2: The Queen Who Never Was
Chapter Text
Rhaenys wasn't too sure what to think of her grandson.
When she had been called back to Dragonstone away from her patrol of the Gullet, she still did not believe her husband's missive that he had found Lucerys wandering the shores of Dragonstone. Even when she landed Meleys and Corlys was waiting for her, she still did not think it true until she saw the boy for herself.
He was coherent, able to speak but was still demanded upon bed rest at his mother's insistence. The white hair and red eyes were a shock, and Rhaenys could see how strangely familiar Luke's gaze now was to Meleys's own when he matched her stare.
Corlys told her in private about Luke's own account of the events that had occurred at Storm's End. Of his death, of the sea, of Laena.
The intervention of their daughter shocked and angered Rhaenys, but the seriousness as to which Corlys spoke of Luke's wounds and his physical state was enough for Rhaenys to know he was not just speaking of rumour. That her husband truly believed Lucerys had been pulled from death due to Laena's intervention beneath the waves at the Merling Court.
Now after having met Lucerys when he was resting in his room made Rhaenys confront the truth, that something magic had occurred to him. The bright red eyes that blinked at her when she entered the room were a bit disconcerting, especially paired with the newly white hair.
Then he spoke to her, showing sharp narrow fangs, and Rhaenys understood why her husband was utterly convinced upon Laena's divine aid.
The room smelled of sea salt, with various tokens from the Merling priest decorating the room. The candles burned blue, and according to Corlys any flame within Luke's vicinity would eventually turn that hue. But it was the way Lucerys reclined upon a wall of pillows that struck Rhaenys the most, looking tired even as he spoke to her as she inquired after his well being and handing over the salmon she had taken from the kitchens. Apparently raw sea food, especially fish, was the only thing Lucerys would consume now. That, and various jars of dragonsblood.
Rhaenys had left the room in a strange mood and it was only when she had gone back to her guest chambers did she realize what it was that she was feeling; shame.
For as long as they had been living, Rhaenys had distanced herself from her grandsons. When Laenor excitedly showed her Jacaerys and Rhaenys had be prepared, excited even, to hold her first grandchild, that had all vanished the instant she saw the swaddled babe in Laenor's arms. At the pale skin, the dark curly hair, the stub nose. The brown eyes.
That is not of mine, Rhaenys had thought the instant she saw Laenor's 'son'.
She knew enough to not say so at King's Landing, surrounded in a sea of green, and then Viserys had burst into the room to fuss and coo over the babe with an enthusiasm she hadn't seen since Aemma was alive.
Then the next babe to come from Rhaenyra was the same. Brown haired, brown eyed. As was the next.
And each time Laenor would happily show her the babe, introduce her as their 'grandmother' and while she knew Corlys was sincere in his doting Rhaenys never was.
Oh that was not to say the children were not sweet; Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey were all kind hearted boys, but she knew deep in her bones they were not Laenor's. It didn't matter how much Laenor fussed over them, no matter how much they obviously adored 'their' father, they were not his. They were not of Corlys's blood and she felt intensely bitter when Corlys declared Lucerys to be the Heir of Driftmark when Laenor would take the driftwood throne. Even moreso when Laena wed Daemon and gave birth to two daughters, whose blood were never in doubt.
Still, Rhaenys was a dutiful wife and she knew despite her anger and offense that Rhaenyra was still far better than that drunken idiot boy of Alicent's. So she kept herself silent about the obvious lack of Velaryon blood Laenor's sons had, she kept herself silent against the rumours and whispers of bastards, of Harwin Strong and his close companionship to Rhaenyra. She kept herself silent when Corlys had a man flogged for openly speaking of Luke's lack of Velaryon traits. She kept herself silent as she watched Laenor introduce 'his' sons to Seasmoke, and then later take them with him up into the clouds. She kept herself silent when Laenor took Lucerys upon small sailing trips, grooming him for his future as Lord of the Tides.
She kept herself silent when Laena died, when Laenor died, and suddenly she had no children left.
She kept herself silent when Daemon and Rhaenyra wed when both her children were dead and then declared their intention to wed Jacaerys to Baela and Lucerys to Rhaena. She comforted herself with that match, at knowing her trueblooded granddaughters would be in esteemed positions; Baela as the future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Rhaena as future Lady of Driftmark. It was bitter, but it was a comfort.
Then Viserys died, the Hightowers stole the throne of dragons, and they were at war.
And Lucerys was killed.
For all her anger, Rhaenys never wanted the boy to come to harm and she was just as furious at Borros Baratheon for being an oath-breaking coward as she was with Aemond for his disgraceful act. A part of her, when she received the news of the incident at Storm's End, regretted not slaying the usurpers when she escaped King's Landing.
If it had only been one of them when she and Meleys confronted them in the Dragonpit then she would've killed them. But all of them, especially with Sunfyre and Dreamfyre present, was too much of a potential calamity. When Rhaenys had flown to Dragonstone and after she informed Rhaenyra of the coup she had gone to the altar of the Fourteen of Old Valyria and prayed. Prayed for forgiveness, in the coming war of kinslaying and dragonkilling. Prayed that only she would bear the curse of it all and offering her valuables to the warm bloody altars along with the body of a goat which she threw down the gullet to the pit of magma below. Daemon had joined her, as did Rhaenyra. For perhaps the Fourteen would not forgive them but Rhaenys had felt better in praying to the god Balerion's slumbering black form, asking for the Final Sleep's forgiveness or at the very least his understanding for what they must do. Rhaenys believed that due to the Green dragons being aligned with the Seven then the Fourteen may offer them succor.
And Lucerys being killed and then brought back to them was both horrific and incredibly relieving.
Horrific, in knowing that Aemond had done such a thing. That he had slain his own nephew, an envoy, and had killed a fellow dragon. And relieving, in that knowing Laena's involvement meant the Fourteen must understand their plight. For while her daughter was of the Merling Court she was still of Targaryen blood. Lucerys had recounted he thought that her being Vhagar's past rider was part of the reason she could come to him, and for that to occur the Fourteen must have blessed it.
It was a deep relief to Rhaenys, to know the Fourteen would not drag them to the Frozen pit if they fought the Hightower dragons. That they understood, that this was not a battle of dragons vs dragons but rather dragons vs pretenders. They would not be struck down like Maegor, and she did not have to fear her granddaughters would have their children stolen from them from spite.
Or for her grandsons.
For now Rhaenys cursed herself, after having seen Lucerys upon bed rest. Cursed herself and realizing belatedly that while Lucerys did not resemble Laenor, it was now obvious to her he favoured Aemma.
If Rhaenyra was her late cousin's blatantly favoured child, then Lucerys had always been Viserys's blatantly favoured grandchild. Now it was so obvious to Rhaenys why, for the boy looked so much like the late Gentle Queen that Rhaenys felt like an absolute fool for never seeing it. The Arryns had long been brown haired, she had simply been so used to Aemma's snowy hair from her mother Daella Targaryen. Rhaenys herself had had the dark Baratheon hair of her youth, even if it had gone silvery white before her thirtieth name-day, but she had somehow been oblivious to the way Jace's hair grew darker as he aged until it was near black. Like Baratheon blooded men.
It left Rhaenys bitter, so incredibly bitter, that she had in fact fallen for the rumours of the Green Queen. That she had let herself be swayed by the whispers and poison, that she shunned her own grandchildren due to Alicent's power grubbing and rumour mongering as she tried to undermine every aspect of Rhaenyra's future rule. Rhaenys hated that so intently, that it had worked. She had fallen for it, and had severely damaged her relationship with her children in doing so.
For Laena had seen how Rhaenys had shunned Rhaenyra's children and had intentionally gone out of her way to invite them to any dinner or meeting where Rhaenys tried to 'forget' to invite them, during her daughter's visits from across the Narrow Sea. It was only when Laena caught Rhaenys teaching Baela about creating dragon ointments and poultices from the volcanic flowers upon Dragonstone did her daughter angrily confront her. Demanding to know why she did not invite Jace or Luke or Joffrey, all of whom had dragons.
Rhaenys did not even offer an excuse but considering the sheer fury that crossed Laena's face Rhaenys did not even have to speak for her daughter to understand what her silence meant.
The very next day Laena had packed up her bags and had taken her daughters back to Pentos, her husband following. Every letter sent after was ignored and Rhaenys did not receive any in turn. The blatant shunning made Rhaenys distraught and Corlys angrily questioned her about it even if she tried to feign innocence.
But Laena had obviously told Laenor about the incident for he was extremely cold towards her afterwards and his own visits wilted down to all but nothing. When he did visit, he mostly spoke to his father and barely conversed with his mother despite her attempts.
Now Rhaenys understood why, because Laena had seen the obvious truth of Aemma's gentle features in Lucerys. That she saw Jacaerys's thick dark hair and instantly knew it was Baratheon, same as Joffrey. Just as Laenor had no doubt his sons were his.
Only for his own mother to doubt, to refuse to accept his children and shunned them due to the rumours of a Hightower queen. And for all Rhaenys knew, perhaps her own children thought she was going to slide into a Green court and they distanced themselves for their own safety, thinking their own mother could be a threat to their children some day.
It left Rhaenys so furious and distraught at the realization that it took all her self control to not run out of Dragonstone and leap upon Meleys's back to fly right to King's Landing and try killing all of the usurpers or die trying.
Instead she had sat and stewed in her own rage and failure, the window open to let in the cool sea breeze as she slowly wrestled down her emotions. If she had been thirty years younger than perhaps she would fly off on a suicide mission like that, but not now. Instead she had to take the rest where she could, even if there was the low anticipation simmering beneath her bones as she knew the war would only escalate. Jacaerys would be returning soon and hopefully he would bring good tidings of his interaction with the lords up north. Borros Baratheon being an oathbreaker was an ugly crack in the foundations of honour within Westeros and she wondered who would be next.
When she woke the next day she still felt tired and hollow, but Rhaenys knew there was much to be done so she could not wallow in self pity. Corlys was currently out doing checks at the blockade and would visit Driftmark and Spicetown before returning to Dragonstone while Rhaenys spent her time with Queen Rhaenyra as the Black council went through their current updates of who was supporting whom and their next targets.
They received news of skirmishes breaking out in the Riverlands, to the surprise of no one it was House Bracken and House Blackwood drawing blood. Rhaenys had a feeling that whatever dragon House Bracken would have declared to support then out of spite the Blackwoods would've supported the opposite. However luck was upon them as it was reported that the Battle of the Burning Mill occurred and the green-aligned Brackens were defeated and the Blackwoods had marched on to muster at Harrenhall with Prince Daemon.
There was also the Tullys, who were currently having internal squabbles with one another. From the rumours and messages from spies and informants, the elderly bedridden Lord Grover Tully wished to declare for the Green King but his grandson, Elmo Tully, was choosing to side with Rhaenyra and was essentially keeping the Tully banners within Riverrun. While it meant they could not march for their queen, it also prevented any forces for the Greens. If the weakened Lord Tully were to die during the war, it seemed blatant his grandson would march for the queen. As it was, father and grandson were locked in a stalemate with neither side budging. But considering they now had the Blackwoods marching for them, Rhaenys was going to accept it as a win.
Oldtown certainly would side with King Aegon they all knew, the Hightowers would be mustering up their forces to march east with Ormund Hightower, nephew of Otto, at the head no doubt. That would also mean Daeron Targaryen leaving Oldtown with his Blue Queen Tessarion. His dragon would have not been bound to the pits so Rhaenys was going to assume she would be battle worthy and large like Sunfyre.
House Tyrell had not declared for either side, the current Lady was acting regent for her infant son as her husband had passed. The same was for House Florent, which Rhaenys found interesting in their refusal to declare for either side. Considering Alicent's mother had been a Florent, she assumed the foxes would have risen green banners. But now they were settling upon neutrality, even when they were so close to Oldtown and the Hightowers and had blood with Alicent and her children. Interesting decision and potentially exploitable.
The Redwynes had declared for Aegon but the Lords Costayne of Three Towers, Mullendore of Uplands, Tarly of Horn Hill, Rowan of Goldengrove and Grimm of Greyshield declared for Rhaenyra. The Reach would be bloody very soon indeed and Rhaenys thought over the logistics of it all as the council was dismissed, with more letters, missives and summons to be sent. The Greyjoys had not responded, but as Rhaenyra said she had not demanded Dalton Greyjoy sail to Blackwater Bay but rather simply requested he attack her enemies.
Rhaenys understood that, as the Greyjoys had been leashed by dragonfire ever since Aegon the Conqueror tamed them. Now getting free allowance to pillage and reave should be too tempting for the Iron islands. Especially with Lannisport as such a tempting neighbour and they all knew Tyland Lannister was upon the Green council. Rhaenys just found herself agreeing, as Jason Lannister would have a choice of either staying at Lannisport or marching into war in the Riverlands. She had a feeling the man would not be cautious and wait, as the krakens had been silent for so long.
Still, she remembered how Corlys had spoken about how Lucerys thought he saw the Drowned God, a man in scaled armour with a golden kraken for a face and it made her wonder if Lord Greyjoy had a larger part to play.
Or it could simply be the historic enmity between the Krakens and the Velaryons. That seemed more likely but she was not willing to roll the dice just yet.
Later Rhaenys visited Lucerys again, who was up at the battlements and looking over the sea. Rhaena was with him, and Rhaenys saw how Lucerys was wearing the new cloak her granddaughter had embroidered for him; aquamarine with the silver seahorse that had been carefully stitched to show each grove and curve until it looked wonderfully lifelike. The words of House Velaryon were stitched in elegant Valyrian, curving around the curl of the seahorse tail. Rhaenys also noted the black-and-red edging to the coat and how at the corners there were delicate flared dragon wings.
"Should you be out of bed?" Rhaenys asked, coming up next to them.
"Maester Geradys said it is beneficial if I start taking small trips about the castle," Lucerys said, his eyes so bright and vivid. "I feel a great deal better."
"He is, he could hardly sit up but now he climbed all the stairs on his own," Rhaena added proudly. At her hip was the ever present pouch containing the pink egg.
"Well I'm glad you're recovering but don't push yourself," Rhaenys said sternly.
"It's fine, the attrition is gone," Lucerys insisted. "I'm getting stronger every day. Grandfather even said I could soon do some light sparring, to see that my balance and vision is recovered. He had commissioned a new sword for me."
"Of course he would do that, Corlys could never resist spoiling you," Rhaenys said, amused.
Something flickered over Luke's eyes and Rhaenys was still fascinated at how the crimson pupils glowed, especially with the scleras now pitch-black. A part of wanted to know more, but at the same time she understood she had no right to Luke's trauma, not when she had spent years shunning him. Rhaena however was a close presence at Luke's side, especially as Baela had her patrols of Dragonstone with Moondancer. And soon Rhaenys would have to return to the Gullet and the calamity of war would swell.
After a moment Rhaenys reached out, wrapping an arm around Lucerys's shoulder and feeling something within her tighten at how he leaned into her with no hesitation. Even after her being so cool towards him, the boy held no grudge and again the sense of shame surged.
She ruthlessly shoved that down; it was not the time for self pity, she could wallow in that when she retired for the evening. Now she needed to be there for her grandson.
"I am sorry for Arrax," Rhaenys said gently. "That never should have happened. But his death was not in vain."
"I wish I could have done more," Luke's voice was soft.
"Against a Conquest dragon, Arrax still managed to protect you. He gave his life for you, that is the greatest bond any can have with their dragon."
"Daemon said so in his letter me," Lucerys said. "That dragonsblood is ancient magic. That his dying with me let Laena find me. I think that's right. It feels that way."
"I'm sure my cousin will have many questions to badger you when he returns from Harrenhall," Rhaenys said. "He was always fascinated with magic."
"I don't feel magical. I just feel...cold."
"Which is to be expected," Rhaena said swiftly, pressing close. "You were in the ocean for quite some time. You're still recovering even if you're more hale every day."
"I've never wanted to kill someone so badly before," Lucerys said.
Neither her nor Rhaena flinched.
"That's very understandable, considering," Rhaenys said, not overly concerned about the abrupt change in subject.
"I think Laena wants me to, as well. Because they'll kill us all if they have the chance. That's why she had to be there."
After a moment Rhaena tentatively asked, "Can you hear her? Mother?"
"In a way. It's like..." Luke's features twisted up as he thought, nose scrunching in a way it vividly reminded her he was in fact only four-and-ten. "It's like being in a room with someone, but you're not looking at them or hearing them but you still know they're there. That's when I feel her, when I'm near the sea or in the Merling chapel. Sometimes I hear others, but she's the one I recognize."
Rhaenys gently pressed, "Can you feel Laenor as well?"
Luke's expression slumped, "No. I tried listening but can't hear him. Maybe it was because of Vhagar Laena is so clear."
"It could be, the ties of dragons are ancient," Rhaenys said, pushing away her churning thoughts.
"She's going to die. Vhagar."
"Yes."
Lucerys seemed satisfied with that answer, looking back out over the sea. Down below the dull boom of waves constantly colliding with the jagged shore of Dragonstone was muted. Rhaenys had to wonder how many lives the sea had observed, how many ages had risen and fallen while the ocean continued to swell and ebb with no concern.
She looked down, hoping to see anything down below but all she could see were the dark waves flinging themselves fruitlessly against the cliffs.
Then they heard the sharp peel of a horn from the distant watchtower and exchanged looks; Jacaerys was returning to Dragonstone.
The heir to the Black Queen brought them good news from his long travels. Lady Jeyne Arryn swore her aid and fealty and in return gave the request for a dragon to protect the Vale in the growing war. Rhaenyra agreed, already beginning to make plans to send Joffrey and Tyraxes, along with Rhaena and her pink egg, to the Eyrie for protection. Rhaenys could tell her granddaughter was unhappy at the news and while Joffrey was more sullen there was only a mild argument that flared up and vanished as quickly as it began. She had a feeling that Luke's attack had helped propel Joffrey's opinion along to annoyed acceptance, especially as Lucerys encouraged the trip to keep his brother and Tyraxes safe.
'In this world of men, we women must band together,' were the words of the Maiden of the Vale. Rhaenys hoped that being secured within the Vale, the Eyrie especially, would bring more security to the welfare of the children. Especially as Lucerys showed the Green dragons had no qualms about killing envoys or those barely into their teen years.
The Lord of White Harbor also promised aid, Desmond Manderly pledging his loyalty upon the condition of a betrothal between his youngest daughter and Joffrey.
Joffrey had been rather displeased with that news even moreso, as Rhaenyra soothed him that none expected him to wed soon much less during war time, even if the boy insisted she should come south as 'dragons hate snow' which Rhaenys could agree with. Still, Joffrey had rather grumpily conceded when Rhaena pointed out she and Lucerys were betrothed and did Joffrey dislike that? Baela also jumped in with her own trothed status to Jacaerys and both girls managed to reassure Joffrey that he had plenty of time to befriend Arrana Manderly and it would not be until many years they would be wed.
The North pledged their support, which did not surprise Rhaenys in the slightest. There had never been a Stark whom had forgot their oath. They would be slow to call the majority of their forces, as Lord Stark wished to finish the harvests in preparation for winter, but was already mustering two thousand winter wolves. Men who did not plan to see through the coming winter and did not wish to be a burden upon supplies for the younger generations, and thus have chosen to die with a sword in hand. Rhaenys could respect that level of dedication, none in the North would jape of winter.
Then Rhaenyra quietly dismissed all but her heir, intending of speaking privately about what had occurred to Lucerys while Jace was gone, rather than ambush the prince with his changed brother.
Rhaenys waited in one of the side chambers with Lucerys, Joffrey, Aegon and Viserys. Waiting for the meeting between queen and heir to complete. Baela had come and gone, heading out to begin her afternoon patrol of Dragonstone before nightfall. Rhaena meanwhile had gone to the chapel of the Merling King to pray before dinner.
The young children had been the most fascinated with Luke's change when he regained consciousness, both Aegon and Viserys finding Luke's new eyes intriguing and liking the fact their brother now had snowy hair like their own. Though Rhaenys thought it was even paler, lacking the golden highlights of other Targaryens. Currently the three boys were grouped around Lucerys as he sat on the pillow-laden bench, while Rhaenys sat at one of the side tables sipping at a goblet of wine as she eyed the door.
"Do we go to the Merling Court, even if we're not Velaryon?" she heard Aegon ask. "I'd like to meet Laena, but Father's taught me about the Fourteen because we're Targaryen."
"I'm not sure," Lucerys said. "I didn't go anywhere else but I wasn't dead for long. Maybe it's like Westeros and Essos and the Summer Isles and you can visit places."
"I hate Aemond. I wanted to jump on Tyraxes and kill him and Vhagar when I heard what happened," Joffrey said angrily.
"He would kill you," Luke said, his voice placid and unchanging.
"I don't care! He's horrible and I hate him."
"Laena hates him as well, you can tell her that if you go to the Merling King chapel. The Greens only dared to steal Mother's throne because of Vhagar, and Laena is angry."
"Can she hear me?" Joffrey asked, rage forgotten in an instant as childish curiosity swept in.
"If you can hear the sea then I think any of the Court can hear you, Laena included."
"Why doesn't she come out of the water, too? Then maybe she can call Vhagar back to her and she'll eat Aemond."
"It doesn't work like that," Lucerys said, patting Joffrey's dark curls. "This only happens every age, I think. And it's just me right now and there can't be others. But she's still there even if she can't leave the Court. I'm not sure I understand it either, but maybe some day."
"Is that why your teeth are so long? Like Stormcloud. You could bite things," Aegon suggested. "Some fish have really sharp teeth."
"It's because I'm a vampire."
"Vampire?" Rhaenys couldn't help but speak then. The word was foreign to her, nothing she was familiar with in all her years. She had not even heard Corlys make a passing mention of a 'vampire' in any of his travels.
Lucerys blinked at her, eyes glowing, "Yes. I think that when I look in the mirror. The eyes, the hair, the teeth. Vampire. Like the Court. I just know things sometimes if I notice them. It's strange. Like how I knew what Laena wanted me to do even if I can't remember her words that she spoke. Maybe that's what the Court members become instead of spirits like the Seven, or into the weirwood like the Old Gods."
She made a considering noise at that- she had to wonder how one blessed with the Fourteen would look. Perhaps they would grow horns and scales. After all, she had heard rumours as to how Visenya had looked, when she had been forced from Rhaenyra too soon. And the oddness of Maegor's wives and their miscarries. Blood of the dragon indeed.
Still it would be a mystery they would all one day know. How the afterlife and their gods would see them. Laena was both Velaryon and Targaryen yet was within the Court. Rhaenys did not know but she knew that she was closer to the end than the beginning. That did not mean she wanted her grandchildren to hasten to it, nor herself.
Then the door burst open and Jacaerys was in the door way. They all looked at him, Rhaenys observing him sharply over her goblet and could see the various emotions ripple over the heir's face before he was striding across the room towards his brothers.
Lucerys did not so much as twitch as Jace grabbed his face, studying Luke's changed palette with a bewildered expression. Behind him, Rhaenyra had appeared and behind her shoulders Rhaenys could spy her granddaughters.
"Mother told me but...what happened to you, Luke?" Jace said, stricken.
"Hello, Jace," Lucerys said, his voice never once changing even as his brother tilted his head to and fro. "How was your flight?"
Dinner was strange.
Lucerys spent most of it staring blankly at the wall, distant and barely answering even when his brothers or cousins tried to pull him into conversation. Rhaenys noted he did not blink for a disconcerting amount of time. After enough questions, Rhaenyra gently scolded them into leaving Lucerys alone and to let him have dinner in peace.
Jacaerys especially was confused and anxious over the changes, Luke's eyes glowing even brighter than the torches and candles and was so much more apparent when night fell over Dragonstone. His concern over grew when as the dinner continued, the flames within the room slowly changed from golds and oranges to the flickering blue. The scent of the sea never seemed more prominent.
Lucerys meanwhile hardly noticed, munching on the large raw cod that Baela had given to him. Rhaenys had intended to scold her granddaughter, especially as the fish had clearly been caught by Moondancer, but Lucerys picked it up and just took a big chunk out of it before Rhaenys could even finish her sentence so she just went back to her spiced lamb chop without further comment. Luke's new habit of blood drinking also concerned Jacaerys until Joffrey started talking about how 'amazing' it was and then Baela was speaking about the bloodrites of Valyria. Joffrey was more innocent but Rhaenys could tell Baela was trying to comfort and reassure Jace about the changed habits of his brother without being too obvious.
Rhaena also spoke of Laena, as much like Corlys she truly believed Luke's return was a sign from the gods- both above and below -that their cause was righteous.
"The gods defied Aemond's act of kinslaying," she said, taking a bite out of her potato and then continued with a mouthful in a very unlady-like manner, "And brought him back to us. The Fourteen know they are usurpers, and the Court pulled him from the tide."
"It does not hurt? Mother said you had a large wound?" Jacaerys hesitantly asked his brother.
It was only when Rhaenyra gently stroked Luke's hand did he stop staring aimless at the wall, red eyes flashing as he glanced over to his brother, "No. Even when it was open it didn't hurt. Not like how I remember pain was."
"Oh."
Jacaerys gave a helpless look to Rhaenyra was tried to give him a reassuring smile but it was weak. Rhaenys could understand. Lucerys had returned but it was obvious he was deeply changed. All they could do was support him now, even if they did not understand.
Rhaenys had to leave in the following morning, to resume her patrol of the Gullet and to keep watch over the blockade. She knew Daemon was soon to return from securing Harrenhall and the countryside, and perhaps he could learn more about Luke's conditions from his many years over in Essos. It was hard, as a part of Rhaenys wished to stay to try and guide her grandchildren over this hurdle of Luke's changes but she knew war had no time to waste. They could not risk being ambushed by Vhagar, even if that hoary old beast hadn't seem to leave King's Landing after murdering Lucerys.
Typical, that boy Aemond could butcher an envoy trying to flee but did not have the spine to confront her and the Red Queen in open battle.
Before she left Dragonstone to head to the Dragonmont where Meleys awaited her, Rhaenys went to the Merling chapel. One of the daughters of the priest was already there, singing a lilting song to herself as she swept the stone floors. Rhaenys noted the increase in offerings given, and even spied one of Rhaena's works of embroidery upon a silken handkerchief coiled around a delicate sapphire necklace.
That's when I feel her, when I'm near the sea or in the Merling chapel.
Luke's words echoed through her mind as Rhaenys touched at the long tail of the Merling King statue. Huge the god was, upper body carved from thick white marble while the lower fish-like tail was carved from a chunk of deep green pounamu. The Merling King's crown was made of petrified wood while his trident black iron, and his eyes were carved from paua shells, ripples of greens and blues. Meanwhile the Moon-Pale Maiden was solid white marble from her fingertips and hair to her flowing robes, even her eyes were pale mother-of-pearl.
Rhaenys brought forth her offering; a heavy golden bangle, inlaid with twelve black diamonds that had belonged to her mother, Jocelyn Baratheon. She placed it in the great clam shell before the Merling King, before resting her hand upon the shell's carved surface as she shut her eyes in prayer.
Give us strength in this coming war for it shall be like none other. Dragon will fight dragon with tooth and claw and flame. It will be a war marked by stealth, murder, and betrayal, a war fought in shadows and stairwells, council chambers and castle yards, with knives and lies and poison and the greatest creatures in the known world. Laena my beautiful girl, forgive my doubts. I thank you for sheltering my grandson Lucerys in your arms. Laenor my beautiful son, forgive my doubts. Even if you have fallen deep in the waves, to the blackest of the sea where light cannot even pierce to fall into silent slumber know I still love you and beg your forgiveness for my foolishness and disloyalty. Forgive me and give me the strength, the perseverance, to fight in this coming terrible war. For I will not cease to regain our throne of dragonsblood, even at the cost of my life. And if I shall fall, I will hope you will let me see your faces again, to embrace you even if the Fourteen shroud me in their flames.
When she opened her eyes she felt the bitter tang of salt upon her tongue, a strange scent flickering at the edge of her nose. But then Jacaerys greeted her tentatively at the archway of the chapel and the scent was swept from her mind.
She could tell her grandson was still unsure and nervous to his brother's changes, even as she bade him to accompany her to the Dragonmont once he had given his own prayer to the Merling Court.
"Do you expect him to pass through the darkness of death and return unscathed?" Rhaenys asked as they entered one of the dark carved hallways of the mountain, after Jacaerys mentioned his unease. Even in the deep, partially lit by torches, the volcano kept the air warm.
"No," Jacaerys said with a shake of his head, dark locks bouncing. "Only I had returned from mustering alliances to mo- the queen's cause, and returned to find out my brother had been murdered yet not. It is difficult to understand."
"There was a week where he was indeed dead," Rhaenys said grimly. "I know Rhaenyra had wished to fly forth upon Syrax to seek him out but the raging tempest that swallowed Westeros would not let her. Even with Meleys I was forced onto ground for most of it and was nearly blown off course when I dared to take the Red Queen to the skies."
Jacaerys nodded, a haunted look crossing his features, "I didn't even know what had happened to my brother. I was gone for so long-"
Rhaenys stopped, turning abruptly and making Jacaerys jolt. "You went to muster allies. During war, you cannot be everywhere at once. You must accept that these things will happen. People are going to die. But now, Lucerys has been returned to us. Against all odds, Laena pulled him from the waves and pushed him back upon our shores as she knows our need is dire. This war...there is no greater or more terrible war than one between dragons and those fool Hightowers have no understanding of what they have unleashed in their greed and stupidity."
In the torchlight Jace's eyes were pitch black like cuts of obsidian and again she cursed herself for not seeing her own kin within the features of her grandson.
Reaching up, she gently laid an armoured palm against Jace's cheek; he didn't flinch at the coldness of the copper.
"The war will only get worse from here," Rhaenys said. "Our queen is leading the way, but as heir you must be there for her. You are her strongest pillar, perhaps even moreso than Daemon. You are the legacy of her, of her blood and ancestors, the heir to the Iron Throne and you must not falter."
"I won't," he assured her. "Aegon cannot be allowed to remain in King's Landing. None of the usurpers can, nor those who support them."
"You're stubborn, strong headed," Rhaenys said, a warm smile. "Tis the Baratheon blood, mix it with dragonsblood and it is a potent result indeed. That fool Borros is a stain upon the stag, if my mother was here to witness it she would have thrown him off Storm's End herself. He will be punished aptly, after we take back King's Landing."
Jacaerys looked surprised but after a moment he nodded and she dropped her hand. The walk to the cave entrance was in quiet but Rhaenys had faith in him. He was responsible and bold, and with his mustering up north he had proven to be politically savvy. He would be a grand king after Queen Rhaenyra's reign.
Inside the immense cavern Meleys was already saddled and waiting for her. Several dragonkeepers were within the area, tending to their duties but stopped to greet the duo in bows. As she and Jacaerys walked down the long pathway, Meleys moved up the great stone steps so Rhaenys could mount her.
Just before the Red Queen's spiked back, Rhaenys looked to Jacaerys again; he was clad in crimson and black of House Targaryen, hair curling down to his shoulders, with a sword at his belt. Looking every inch the prince he was.
"Speak to Lucerys, be with him," Rhaenys said. "I know your brothers are trying, as are my granddaughters, but you are the eldest. They look to you. Perhaps you can help him more, even if it is simply giving those sparring lessons."
Jacaerys frowned, "I'm not sure he should be sparring."
"He's looking forward to it, and my husband commissioned him a sword," she shrugged. "And it should help with any lingering issues of his coordination at least. But it will do you and Lucerys good to spend time together, I know the queen laments her duties take her away from his side. Luke needs you, to guide and protect him."
"I will."
She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Jace's forehead, feeling the boy start in surprise; she had never done such a thing before, only to Baela and Rhaena but now she wasn't so foolish.
"I know you will," she assured him, pulling away.
Jacaerys smiled at her, looking so much like Rhaenyra as he said, "Just as I know you will protect the Gullet and the blockade, Grandmother. If those usurpers come I would wager the Red Queen can out fly any of them."
Rhaenys laughed, turning and swiftly mounting Meleys with years of long practice. Jace stayed upon the walkway even as Rhaenys lashed the chains of the saddle to her hips as Meleys snorted beneath her, great barbed tail scraping against the stone.
"Fair winds to you, Grandmother."
"Keep them safe, my prince."
With a sweep of her pink wings Meleys was airborne and flying through the yawning mouth of the cave and out into the warm air over Dragonstone. Once, twice, she circled the island before turning Meleys westward towards the Gullet. She would head to Driftmark first and then towards Spicetown.
And thus the Queen Who Never Was and the Red Queen continued their steadfast patrol, keeping vigil over the Velaryon blockade keeping King's Landing isolated within the sea and blocking all shipping from Blackwater Bay.
Then the Sack of Duskendale and Battle at Rook's Rest occurred.
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