Main Content
Archive of Our OwnArchive of Our OwnHi, TheBrimmedHat!PostLog Out
FandomsBrowseSearchAboutWork Search
tip: words:100
Actions
Entire Work ← Previous Chapter Next Chapter → Chapter Index Edit Bookmark Mark for Later Comments Share Download
Work Header
Rating:
Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of ViolenceMajor Character Death
Category:
Gen
Fandoms:
House of the Dragon (TV)Warhammer Fantasy
Characters:
Ikit ClawRhaenyra TargaryenJacaerys VelaryonLucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Baela TargaryenRhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Daemon TargaryenCorlys "The Sea Snake" VelaryonHelaena TargaryenAddam VelaryonBackground & Cameo CharactersSilverwing | Alysanne Targaryen's DragonOriginal CharactersJoffrey Velaryon
Additional Tags:
Crack Treated SeriouslyCanon-Typical ViolenceThe Dance of the Dragons | Aegon II Targaryen v. Rhaenyra Targaryen EraAlternate Universe - Canon DivergenceCanonical Character DeathCharacter Turned Into a HumanIkit got isekai'd as Jace's twinSkaven Species (Warhammer Fantasy)Death to all GreensHuman ExperimentationScience ExperimentsIkit is his own warningSilverwing still has shit taste in male ridersPOV MultipleBackground RelationshipsBackground Character Deathshow canon onlyDragon RidersAnimal AbuseIkit is an abusive dragonriderTho he's fairly mellow compared to his SkavenselfGood Parent Rhaenyra TargaryenNo beta we die like LucerysDysfunctional FamilyCannibalismBlood and TortureCanon-Typical BehaviorBAMF Helaena Targaryen
Language:
English
Stats:
Published:2026-02-26Completed:2026-04-22Words:181,492Chapters:55/55Comments:1,270Kudos:749Bookmarks:160Hits:33,651
The Rat Prince of Westeros
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 23: Rhaenyra
Chapter Text
Viserys slumbered in his bed, little chest moving up and down and he snored softly. His hair was pale, almost bone-white baring a few slithers of gold. His blanket was of thick black thread, red slithering around the edges with a great dragon upon the middle. Directly beneath his bed was a small squat sealed brazier and within was a dragon egg his siblings had chosen for him; gold and silver, with veins of fiery colors threaded throughout.
Rhaenyra reached out and gently brushed back the wayward strands of pale hair, smoothing them back into place. Viserys's skin had lost the constant flushed hue the fever had given it, the sickness finally leaving the boy after two weeks. Still, she had felt sick herself hearing the way he had coughed and sputtered, unable to keep anything down. Having to watch Gerardys force tonics down his throat as he cried. Having to watch him have his jaw held shut until he swallowed.
At the age of three Viserys's egg still hadn't hatched but she wasn't concerned as it had taken Morning quite some time to hatch as well. A part of her was hoping, or even fearing, it would be like Aenys with Quicksilver, but the breaking of the fever had finally let those fears rest.
"Princess," Elinda's voice was soft.
Rhaenyra reluctantly pulled away, glancing over to where her lady-in-waiting was by the door. Other maids were patiently waiting in the room, as Rhaenyra had been insistent there was a watch over Viserys during his illness even with Geradrys stating the worst was behind and he just needed rest. The maester remained near just in case, and there were several tonics and flasks up on the table. So after a moment Rhaenyra reluctantly left the room, casting one last glance at her slumbering son.
"He is strong, princess," Elinda said gently. "Some children have such illnesses and come back none the worse for wear, and he is much the same. You however need rest. Some supper at least."
She nodded, allowing Elinda to guide her from the room.
Elinda was one of her closest confidantes. Only Daemon was closer and even then there was more gentle admittance she gave to Elinda she would not give to her husband. Her regret over Alicent was one such thing, as she knew Daemon held only hate for the Hightower and Rhaenyra understood. Still, even after so many years she had to wonder how her once close friend had turned into such a bitter spiteful woman. It just made her more tired than anything, and a part of her still never understood why Alicent hadn't come to her when Otto first began to push his daughter towards a grieving Viserys.
Daemon had been with her but a sighting by the Cannibal alarming close to the keep especially in such early daylight when the beast was typically nocturnal, meant he had left upon Ceraxes. There were too many youngling dragons for them to take a chance, even with Syrax in the mountain with them. The Cannibal may be cautious, typically feasting upon eggs and hatchlings, but he was also large enough and opportunistic enough they dared not take a chance with Arrax, Vermax, Moondancer, Morning, Stormcloud and Tyraxes all within the pits. A single bold move could cause the loss of so many dragons and so Daemon was on patrol with the Bloodwyrm while Syrax was on guard with the younglings.
Word had also been sent to Driftmark asking for Rhaenys to assist with Meleys if worse came to worse. She had no doubt the Queen Who Never Was would answer, if only due to the fact it was only a day off from Lucerys's usual time at Driftmark with his grandparents.
Elinda led her to one of the balconies of Dragonstone, in the form of a great dragon muzzle jutting from the twisted stone with the teeth forming the balustrade. The table was already set with a light meal and a kettle with tea and Rhaenyra sat down with a sigh. During Viserys's illness she had slept the bare amount and even in the aftermath she felt exhausted and strained.
She made herself eat the creamy chestnut soup, chewing on the slices of duck breast and occasionally dunking in a chunk of the fresh bread. Elinda was seated opposite her, choosing to nurse one of the cups of tea instead she looked out through the dragon mouth across Blackwater Bay.
"You're thinking about him," Elinda broke the silence. Her voice was understanding.
Rhaenyra sighed, "Jace is nearly a man grown and he and Baela will be wed soon enough. That time is drawing closer yet I can't stomach the thought of a ceremony like that when we're still missing one of our own."
Jace's sixteen nameday was fast approaching and a few had inquired about the conclusion of the long standing betrothal when he reached of age.
Rhaenyra had refused to accelerate the marriage of Jacaerys and Baela even when she learned of Baela's flowering, all too easily recalling her mother's suffering through childbed. Aemma had been only thirteen when she first became pregnant, which while many considered her a woman grown only meant she had suffered through miscarriage and stillbirths numerous times before her body had been blossomed. Rhaenyra wished to wait for Baela to at the very least be eighteen before permitting the marriage to occur, to try and prevent any stress upon her.
Rhaenys supported her in the rule, despite Corlys wishing otherwise. Baela herself had also wanted to push it but both Rhaenys and Rhaenyra had a fairly stern conversation with her about it. Rhaenys, both herself and her late mother Jocelyn, knew the difficulties of childbed while Rhaenyra had seen what happened to Aemma.
It was a distasteful talk but by the end Baela swore upon Moondancer she would accept their timeframe. Still, she kept an eye upon the two as their friendship was growing more warm even if she held faith Jace wouldn't let it stray further. Rhaenyra of all people knew how hotblooded and feckless young girls could be when they desired someone and Cole was still a bitter mistake she was not rid of.
But regardless she was not eager to push it forward if only due to the fact Ikit still had not returned to them. It felt wrong almost, to wed Jace without his twin being in attendance. But it was over half a decade since she had seen her son and it ached heavily. Even the company of Jace, Luke, Joffrey, Aegon and Viserys did not soothe the wound that Ikit left behind. He was by far the one she least understood but that did not matter to her, never had. He was her baby, it didn't matter how old he became or how competent and skilled, he would always be someone she had once cradled within her and watched grow from a tiny hapless infant into his own person.
She wished he would return but had no idea how to bring him back home. He wanted to investigate magic, could do nothing else, but everyone knew how dangerous that was. How volatile magic was, how capricious sorcery could be. Rhaenyra comforted herself with the rumours from the east, even if they were so grotesque, because at the very least it mean he was alive. Just likt the sporadic gifts but it did not make up for his absence.
Still, she lamented to Elinda who lend a sympathetic ear as they drank their tea.
At one point they spotted the scarlet form of Meleys, heading across the sea and then ascending towards the Dragonmont. They could hear Ceraxes's distant whistles before it faded away.
By the time noon came to be, both Daemon and Rhaenys had returned to Dragonstone.
Daemon reported he hadn't seen the Cannibal yet had witnessed evidence of a dragon fight over one of the fields. Scorch marks, great tears in the ground. He speculated the Cannibal had fought with Sheepstealer, even if the lack of bodies meant the brown dragon had managed to successfully flee.
Rhaenys confirmed that as well, since both Meleys and Ceraxes had smelled the dragon-eater yet it seemed he had retreated back to one of his bone filled caves and was not about to cause further trouble.
The Queen Who Never Was also brought news that she planned to try and search for Ikit in Essos, which made a lurch in Rhaenyra's stomach.
"He's been spending time in Volantis, far more than anything other place," Rhaenys explained, her weathered features firm. "Seems he travels routinely to farther east to the likes of Asshai, but from what the ports say he has returned to the First Daughter yet again. I'm planning to head there by the weeks end, with enough previsions and gold, I can spend a month in search to hopefully locate him. If only for me to actually speak to him, to confirm that he is safe. I feel it prudent with knowing of trouble stirring yet again in the Stepstones which my husband will sail to shortly as the slave nations are becoming a nuisance. So if you and your boys wish to write some more letters for me to pass along if I do meet Ikit, then do so."
Of course life cared not for their plans as when the week came to an end and when Rhaenys planned to depart, the Red Queen coiled up in the courtyard of Dragonstone, Corlys came by with news a ship was heading to Dragonstone from Volantis from Prince Ikit. He heard the news from one of his crew who had returned through Qarth, even if they couldn't figure out what was being shipped beyond the vessel being immense. Ikit was fond of sending smaller gifts but from the rumours this current one was to be immense. As Corlys said, it was near to the celebration day of the Mother and Ikit was well known to love his mother best.
So Rhaenys postponed her visit, even if Rhaenyra felt impatient for her to leave. It was the first time Rhaenys had chosen to go further from Braavos or Pentos but she admitted some of the rumours deeply concerned her, explaining she missed most as useless but after over half a decade she felt compelled to search more intently.
"I won't try to drag him back but it's been too long," Rhaenys declared. "At the very least I can see him and if not then I can leave word. I simply feel I should try this time, and with your blessing I will take your word to him."
All of her sons wrote new letters for Ikit, including Aegon and Viserys even if they hadn't met their second oldest brother. Even if in Viserys's case he drew pictures for Ikit, including one of his egg, but he knew about Ikit from the stories his brothers shared just like Aegon.
When the ship arrived it was a heavy vessel with black sails, from Asshai itself. The captain, cloaked and masked, spoke to Corlys in clipped common and her family were in attendee. Rhaenys was in her riding armour, intending to take flight once her curiosity had been satiated with knowing the cargo.
Apparently the trip to Dragonstone was their last, so the cargo hold was empty except for a great shape wrapped in canvas. Rhaenyra watched as the wooden cranes hoisted the great item from the hold and put it on the dock, how careful the crew were with the object.
Rhaenyra's breath caught in her throat as the great statue was then revealed, with four of the crew needed to pull the canvas free. Nearly three times her height and made from glossy black Valyrian stone, harder than steel or diamond. Exquisite in details, showing thousands of tiny scales and the slight ripple of wing membranes, and delicate age lines in the statue and even closer she could see the pores in the statue's features and how the hair was unnerving lifelike.
The statue depicted an immense naked woman sitting cross-legged. She was part dragon, with great wings curled around her with a long serpentine tail studded with thumb-sized spikes. She had thick backwards sweeping horns and talons, with her lower legs entirely bestial. At one breast she cradled a small infant, at the other a dragon hatchling. Her expression as she gazed at the two was one Rhaenyra was intimately familiar with; exhaustion mixed with intense maternal love, her smile soft and eyes half lidded.
The Valyrian goddess Syrax, the goddess of marriage, women, and family, and the protector of women during childbirth. Whom Rhaenyra's own dragon was named for.
Beautiful the statue was, and incredibly old. An ancient type of workmanship Rhaenyra knew could only be of the freehold of Valyria before the Doom encased it.
Only a lone card was given with the delivery, the captain personally handing it to Rhaenyra with a strangely intense look. She flipped the card back and forth, with it showing the Targaryen sigil on one side, and a pointed rat face bracketed by two symbols upon the other. There was nothing else in the hold or on the card but Rhaenyra felt herself smiling as she looked up at the grand statue.
Rhaenys leaned against her, expression contemplative as she said, "Seems quite the sign for my trip, does it not? I will leave posthaste to see if I can find our wayward prince."
Actions
↑ Top ← Previous Chapter Next Chapter → Edit Bookmark Comments (21)
Kudos
Paddle_Dragon, TheRedHood1e, Sparta10, Svuvyzusuki, Debbyblack09, Ana_17_AA, Crutt_Nacker2008, CecyBlack, Tasya_Claw029, Jasonthedeer, trouverme, ManiacaLaugh, dog3n, Soneaa, The_Most_Lovely_Rodent, Saya_Rose, Mel_ina, Diamonds4Daffodils, Thedarkknight12, Cassisins, wiejmx, NoNameGambit, Imotek, Strawberryboi, LiteralPanic, Poopsi, Donutlover4, Password5363, Kw921225, Pixel_Picasso, 0037, ForgottenAngerCourter, AndromiaTornado, ariadne22, lucifer_devil5, Sulzi, XiuLan_GracefulOrchid, ordermixtre, OwlrageousJones, b_s_s_rr_s, SabrinaRodrigues, WitcherGod90, Lescliffe, Starvaleorrego, Lsywastx369, Kaustubh, 3Juul, Kai_Meli, NotaPridefulWitch, Jazzy_Savvy, and 333 more users as well as 366 guests left kudos on this work!
Comments
Post Comment
Comment as TheBrimmedHat
Plain text with limited HTML ?
Comment
10000 characters left
Footer
Customize
Default
Low Vision Default
Reversi
Snow Blue
About the Archive
Site Map
Diversity Statement
Terms of Service
Content Policy
Privacy Policy
DMCA & TIDA Policies
Site Status
Contact Us
Policy Questions & Abuse Reports
Technical Support & Feedback
Development
otwarchive v1.2.0.0
Known Issues
GPL-2.0-or-later by the OTW