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Violent Tides - Chapter 9: The Oaths
🕑 Added 2024-04-30 14:00:03 +0000 UTCFive Moons Later
Aelora Velaryon stood excitedly on the balcony of her mother’s apartments, eagerly watching the various nobles, knights, and other important people filling up the Red Keep.
Shortly after recovering from his surgery, Viserys had written to the lords of the continent commanding them to come to King’s Landing and reaffirm the oaths they swore to Rhaenyra almost a decade prior.
This time they would also be swearing fealty to Aelora herself, as the young girl would officially be recognized as her mother’s heir.
Aelora did not care much for the ceremony that would take place in a few days, more excited for the feasts and the tourney that would be held not only in celebration for the occasion but also for the news that Rhaenyra was once again pregnant.
Aelora was excited to become an older sister once again, already planning on another trip to the Dragonpit in search of an egg, just like the one she had chosen for Jacaerys.
She was also excited because her Velaryon family would be traveling to King’s Landing as well for the event, Aelora could not wait until she could introduce her uncles and aunt to her cousins.
Only thing that saddened her was that her Aunt Leana would not be attending, Aelora had been expecting to see the woman and her children again and to finally meet her great uncle Daemon, only to be told by her parents that they would not be coming to King’s Landing.
“So, this where you have been.” Aelora turned around and saw her grandmother standing behind her.
“Grandmother!” Aelora cheered as she ran into the older woman’s legs, clinging onto her.
Rhaenys chuckled, carting her fingers through Aelora’s hair. “I thought you would be out with your uncles and aunt, not cooped up inside, sweet girl.”
“I wanted to watch the people coming to the Keep and they find it boring.” Aelora answered, pointing to the carriages entering and exiting the courtyard below.
Rhaenys smiled, “Are you excited about for the ceremony?”
Aelora thought about it for a moment, “I think so. I really want to see the tourney!”
Rhaenys shook her head in amusement, it did not surprise her that her granddaughter was more interested in seeing her first tourney than having to stand in the great hall for hours, listening to the speech given by Viserys and then having all the lords swear fealty to her.
The two soon fell into a comfortable silence, watching the crowd below. Aelora snuggled deeper into her grandmother’s embrace, enjoying the warmth emanating from her body.
The peaceful moment was soon shattered when the doors of the room opened and Harwin Strong strolled inside.
“Y-Your Grace.” Harwin stuttered, falling into a quick bow as he had not been expecting the older Targaryen to be in his princess’ chambers.
“Lord Strong.” Rhaenys said coolly, her gaze never leaving Harwin’s form. “Is there a reason you have barged into my good daughter's room so brazenly?”
“I have come to retrieve Princess Aelora, Your Grace.” Harwin answered, maintaining eye contact with the elder princess.
“On who’s orders?”
“On those of your son; Ser Laenor.”
Rhaenys looked down at Aelora, placing the young girl on her feet and holding her small hand within her own. “Let us go see your father.”
“Okay!” Aelora cheered before turning to Harwin, “Hello, Ser Win!”
“Hello, little princess.” Harwin smiled, he would have pulled her into his arms, but she was currently in the arms of her grandmother, and Harwin was sure that Rhaenys would not appreciate the gesture and would undoubtedly point out his lack decorum.
Where he was once invisible to the Lord and Lady of the Tides, ever since Jacaerys’ birth, Harwin could see and feel the vitriol that they both, especially Rhaenys, had towards him.
Harwin had the feeling that if it were not for his various positions as the son of the Hand, the heir to Harrenhal, Commander of the Gold Cloaks, and Princess Rhaenyra’s sworn protector, all of which made him quite the public figure, that he would have long since suffered a ‘tragic accident.’
There is no doubt in my mind that if she could, Princess Rhaenys would feed me to her dragon, Meleys. Harwin thought as he followed Rhaenys and Aelora through the Holdfast at a sizable distance.
But Harwin pushed these fears down, insisting that it did not matter if Rhaenys hated him, her opinion of him had no bearing on his duty to the realm. As he was lost within his own thoughts, Harwin did not hear the conversation between the two royals walking ahead of him.
“Does Ser Harwin normally enter your mother’s chambers in such a manner?” Rhaenys asked Aelora.
“Yes, Ser ‘Win is always there when I go to mother’s room!” Aelora answered cheerfully, unaware of what everyone else knew about her mother and her sworn shield’s relationship.
“Is he?” Rhaenys asked aloud, her mood growing darker at the knowledge that Rhaenyra did not even bother to try and hide her shameful dalliances with Harwin Strong from her daughter.
Aelora made a sound of agreement, thinking that Rhaenys was talking to her still, “When I go, he takes me back to the nursery and puts me and Jace to bed.”
Of course, he does. That Riverlander is a damn craven. Rhaenys thought to herself, focusing more on the idea of Harwin putting Jacaerys to sleep than Aelora.
Soon the trio arrived at the entrance to the Holdfast, Laenor was standing there waiting for them, his back was facing them as he animatedly spoke with the man in front of him. Said man stood slightly shorter than Laenor, with pale skin, deep brown eyes, and short messy black hair.
This man was Ser Qarl Correy, a common born knight in service to House Velaryon. After his wedding, Laenor had called for Qarl to be sent from Driftmark to King’s Landing, along with other knights and squires to become a part of his and Rhaenyra’s household.
It did not take long for Qarl to catch Laenor’s attention and for the two to become close, and it had become normal to see both men spending a lot of their time together.
“Aelora, mother.” Laenor said with a large smile as he turned around and saw them approaching.
“Father!” Aelora yelled as she removed herself from her grandmother’s side and ran into her father’s arms.
“You act as if we did not see each other when we broke our fast this morning, my little sea dragon.” Laenor laughed, adjusting his daughter in his arms as turned towards his mother, “Mother, since you are here, do you want to join Aelora and I for a dragon ride?”
“Is that why you had called for Aelora?” Rhaenys asked.
“Yes, I figured we would be too busy over the next couple of days to do anything fun. Far too busy having to poster ourselves to the court.” Laenor remarked.
The heir to Driftmark was not looking forward to having to act pleasantly with the nobles coming to King’s Landing, already knowing how most of them felt about him behind their fake smiles and airy words, but Laenor knew he had to as the husband and father to two future Queens.
Well, at least as future King Consort I won't have to stand in front of the Iron Throne as half the Lords of the realm pretend to be happy about Rhaenyra's continued position as Viserys' heir. Laenor thought, smiling as he imagined how happy Rhaenyra would be but how easily bored Aelora would become with the whole affair.
“Laenor, this is a crucial time for your wife and daughter. A necessity to ensure their rule proceeds without challenge, we must give the naysayers no room to find them unfit.” Rhaenys said in response to her son's lax and dismissive attitude.
While she doubted her good daughter’s ability to be superior to Viserys as a ruler, Rhaenys would not allow Aelora’s birthright to be taken from her, so if defending Rhaenyra is what would ensure this, then she would do it.
“I know, mother. I will not bring any embarrassment to our family.” Laenor said.
“Perhaps it would be best if you distanced yourself from those not in our family?” Rhaenys asked, her eyes briefly flashing to the man standing a yard behind them.
Laenor’s smile fell as he stared at his mother with barely hid anger, seeing the look she had just sent Qarl. “Did father put you up to this?”
Ever since Qarl and Laenor had become close, Corlys eyed the man with nothing but disdain. And once it became clear to Corlys that Qarl had taken the same position that Joffrey Lonmouth once held in his son's life, he tried to have Qarl removed from his post in Laenor’s household.
This failed as Laenor venomously refused to follow his father’s command of sending Qarl back to Driftmark, even going as far as flying to Driftmark himself to refuse in person.
Corlys, not wanting to cause more of a scene, begrudgingly agreed and had dropped the issue, but still made his newfound dislike of Qarl Correy known.
“Your father did not, but you know that he soon will. I am not saying this to hurt you, my dear, but there are already rumors swirling around about our family, I am only saying that at least for now, let us not add to them.” Rhaenys explained, knowing that her son would not be able to hide his and Qarl's relationship from the eyes of so many.
Laenor’s shoulders shook with rage, but he soon relaxed, he knew that Rhaenys was not saying any of this to hurt him, but because she wanted to protect him. “Alright, mother. I will speak with him.”
Rhaenys smiled gratefully at Laenor as she placed a hand against his cheek, “Thank you.”
“Why are you sad, father? Ridding Seasmoke always makes you happy.” Aelora asked. She did not understand what Laenor and Rhaenys were talking about, only that Laenor was upset to talk with Qarl.
Laenor looked down at Aelora, surprised at himself for forgetting that he was holding her. “I am not upset, I promise. How can I be upset when I have the most beautiful dragon in the world to ride and the most beautiful girl to ride with?”
Aelora giggled at the compliment, “But father Seasmoke isn't the most beautiful, Sunfyre is!”
Laenor let out an overdramatic gasp, “Sunfyre more beautiful than Seasmoke? What lies has Aegon been telling you?”
“It’s not a lie! I’ve seen Sunfyre before!” Aelora exclaimed.
In Aelora’s eyes, Sunfyre, with his golden scales and pink wings was the prettiest dragon she had ever seen. It was then followed by Syrax, Meleys, Seasmoke, Vermax, and then Vhagar.
“Oh, how my own flesh and blood has hurt me so!” Aelora giggled at her father’s fake wails of despair and her grandmother rolling her eyes at said act.
Despite her opinion of the appearances of her family’s dragons, Aelora enjoyed riding Seasmoke with her father.
Her joy was evident, although she failed to notice the sadness in her father’s eyes once they returned to the Keep and Laenor told her that he needs to talk with Ser Qarl.
~X~
Aegon let out a quiet groan when Alicent took one look at him and ordered him to sit down and for one of her ladies in waiting to comb his hair.
Alicent had always impressed upon her children to always be clean and properly dressed, especially during major events, but Aegon did not understand why she was so worried about how they looked when the fealty ceremony would not take place until tomorrow.
But the Queen had stressed that they would still be meeting the nobles of the realm and that they, especially him, could not embarrass themselves during this week.
It was only his mother telling him that Aelora would appreciate him dressing his best when she introduced him and his siblings to her Velaryon cousins, that kept Aegon from angrily refusing to be poked, dressed, and prodded like a doll.
“Will it be confusing?” Aegon heard Aemond ask their mother once he was done going to the torture that was combing his hair.
“Will what be confusing?” Alicent asked.
“Lora said that one of her cousins is also named Daeron. Won’t it be hard to tell them apart?” Aemond clarified.
Before Alicent could respond, Aegon quickly spoke, “Are you dumb? Why would anyone confuse them when they don’t look anything alike? And our brother is a prince while Aelora’s cousin is just Vaemond’s son.”
“Aegon!” Alicent yelled as Aemond began to cry, “Why would you call your brother dumb?” “Because he asked a dumb question.” Aegon responded, pouting as he watched Alicent pull the crying Aemond into her arms, causing his jealousy and anger to swell.
He continued to stew in his darker feelings even when Aemond eventually calmed down, only breaking out of his revelry as Criston gently pushed him to follow his mother, siblings, and the Queen’s ladies as they all left to go to the gardens.
Aegon hated how easily Alicent showed affection to his younger siblings, how she hugged them, wiped away their tears, and smiled so sweetly at them but never did the same for him.
Alicent had always been more reserved with her eldest child but was always quick to yell at him. It was times like this that Aegon felt Alicent loved him as she was his mother and he her son, but the Queen did not like him.
The prince wondered if he had done something wrong and if that was the reason Alicent treated him differently than Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron.
This dread was soon forgotten as Aegon saw Aelora standing with her brother, grandparents, grand uncle and aunt, and their sons. Aelora was excitedly speaking with the two boys in front of as the adults carried on their own conversation.
Behind the group, Aegon could see the large figure of Harwin Strong. The man did not have the easy-going smile that he usually had, instead his jaw was clenched, his body tense, and his eyes were bright. His gaze kept going back and forth between Jacaerys and Vaemond, his wife, and their sons.
He had heard the rumors along with his mother's snide comments, and Aegon was not stupid, he could see that Jacaerys looked nothing like his supposed father, his sister, and the rest of the Velaryons.
Aegon knew the truth; Jacaerys was not a Velaryon, but Harwin Strong's bastard son and the entire realm knew it.
Everyone besides him, Aelora, and my siblings. Aegon thought.
The eldest prince did not care much about the legitimacy of his nephew like Alicent did. To him, Jacaerys was just a babe, one incapable of committing any of the atrocities his mother said bastards have done for millennia.
And most importantly, treating Jacaerys differently would no doubt upset Aelora, causing the usually cheerful princess to show the famed anger that Targaryens were known for.
Aegon tuned out the greetings once they had reached the Velaryons, trying not to fidget as his mother placed a hand on his shoulder, making it clear to all who were watching how important he was.
“Egg!” Aelora exclaimed as she jumped upon her uncle, wrapping him in a tight hug.
“Lora.” Aegon smiled as he returned the gesture.
Aelora then released, “Come, you all have to meet my cousins!”
She pulled him off to the side where Jacaerys and their Velaryon cousins were standing. Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron followed suit, Aelora reached back and took Daeron's hand with her own causing the young boy to giggle.
Since he had learned to walk, it was hard to keep Jacaerys in one place, the energetic boy constantly trying to escape from any location he found himself in, but for once he stayed in place, standing in front of Daeron and Daemion Velaryon.
The Velaryon prince was talking rapidly, but the toddler did not notice the strained and weary looks that the older boys were giving him.
Aelora has always been an empathetic and emotionally intelligent girl, so it did not surprise Aegon when the Velaryon boys' smiles became more genuine as they approached, clearly not wanting to give the princess any indication that they did not like her brother.
“Daeron, Daemion, these are my uncles and aunt; Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron. And you all, these are Daeron and Daemion Velaryon, my grand uncle Vaemond’s sons.” Aelora said, introducing the two groups to each other.
“And I’m Jace!” Jacaerys exclaimed, not wanting to be left out.
“Yes, you are.” Aelora giggled, gently patting her brother’s head. Jacaerys leaned into his sister’s touch, looking like a puppy who was being praised by their owner.
“Greetings, my princes, my princess.” Daeron and Daemion said as they bowed to the four Targaryens.
The first of them to speak was Aemond, who quickly moved in front of the two Velaryon boys, “What’s Driftmark like? Have you been on a trip like the Sea Snake?”
If the two were taken aback by Aemond’s eagerness, neither showed it. Daemion grinned at the prince, “Driftmark is colder than King’s Landing but High Tide and Spicetown are places that must be seen with your own eyes. And no, we have not yet been on any voyages like our uncle.”
“Wow.” Aemond whispered, beginning to ask Daemion even more questions.
Daeron stood silently until he felt something pull on the sleeve of his tunic. When he looked down, he saw that it was the prince who shared his name that was trying to get his attention.
“You Daeron?” The youngest prince asked.
“Yes, my name is Daeron, my prince.” The Velaryon answered.
Soon the younger of the two pouted, glaring at the older boy, “You stole my name! I'm Daeron!”
“Uh…” The oldest son of Vaemond Velaryon trailed off, not knowing how to respond to the accusation of his ‘theft'.
“He didn’t steal your name, Dae. People can have the same name; it happens all the time.” Aegon said, rolling his eyes as he pulled his brother away from the older boy.
Daeron continued to pout, pulling away from Aegon and throwing himself at Aelora who caught him with a laugh. “He stole my name, Lora.”
“Aw, I’m sorry. I’ll tell my uncle that he shouldn’t have took your name to give to my cousin.” Aelora said, humoring the two-year-old.
Both Aegon and Daeron the elder snorted at this; it was not as if a name could be stolen. And even if it could, arguably as the older of the two, it was the Velaryon who had his name stolen by the prince.
Aelora then turned to the others, her smile growing as her favorite people were getting to know each other.
~X~
The Next Day
Rhaenyra knew that one day, when Viserys would inevitably pass, and she ascended the Iron Throne as the first of her name that she would stand before the lords of the realm once more as they swore fealty to her and her line.
She just did not expect that this type of event would happen again so soon.
Rhaenyra schooled her features as she stood at the bottom step of the Iron Throne. The elder princess had to keep herself from smiling as she looked down at her daughter.
Aelora stood on her mother’s right side and Rhaenyra had never seen a child look so bored and unimpressed before. As Viserys continued his speech, Aelora appeared as if she were waiting for all this to end so that they could leave and do anything else.
Aelora’s expression soon changed when Rhaenyra placed a hand on her shoulder, leaning her head up to show her mother the bright smile that had appeared.
Aelora’s ceremonial dress was meant to be reminiscent of the same dress that Rhaenyra wore a decade prior. From the vibrant red grown with its bodice that looked like dragon scale, to the gold cloak that rested on her shoulders, on either side of its black yoke were gold dragons.
Even the headpiece Aelora wore was the same one that Rhaenyra wore on that faithful day. A piece of Targaryen jewelry that had been in their family since the days of the Freehold, spending most of its time within the Red Keep’s vault.
Pins had to be used to weave the headpiece into Aelora’s hair as her small head was causing it to fall down her face with the smallest movement.
The only difference with Aelora’s outfit was the incorporation of golden seahorses along with the dragons on her cloak and a seahorse necklace that Corlys had given her days before, showing both her Targaryen and Velaryon ancestry.
Rhaenyra own outfit was much the same expect she wore no cloak and instead of a red gown she wore black one with red detailing.
Rhaenyra refused to relent in showing that she and her faction would win this so-called war of succession by continuing to wear black.
It is my daughter and I who are standing here; we are the ones that the lords are swearing fealty to, not Aegon. Rhaenyra thought, but still held her reservations.
It was then that she was reminded of the reason they were all here, why this renewal of vows was taking place; Aelora’s dreams.
Her daughter was a dreamer who foresaw, regardless of these oaths, that many of the lords in this room would join her brother’s side, helping him usurp the throne from her. They would propel Aegon to the position of King simply because he was a man while she and Aelora were women.
And what scared men more than a powerful woman that could do their jobs just as well or even better than they could?
More would have to be done to ensure their ascension than a simple ceremony of flowery words and bent knees and it angered her that her father did not see this.
Once Viserys was done with his speech, he motioned to Mellos to step forward. Once again, the Grand Maester would announce the names and titles of the Lords and Ladies that would be swearing fealty.
“Corlys of House Velaryon, Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark.”
Corlys walked forward towards the base of the Iron Throne. The proud smile on his face and his confident stride reminded all that Corlys had managed to get what he had been fighting for decades to get.
“Grandsire!” Aelora whisper shouted as Corlys came closer, waving to the man as he stopped so that he could fall to one knee before her and Rhaenyra.
A couple of people towards the front of the hall cooed and laughed at the adorable display.
Corlys sent his granddaughter a charming grin before looking towards Rhaenyra and Viserys. “I, Corlys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora Velaryon . I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
Everyone heard how the Sea Snake added the name of his house when mentioning Aelora, adding to the pridefulness of the man. The lord then stood and returned to his place at his wife’s side, his grin never leaving his face.
The ceremony continued, lords big and small were called from the crowd to swear their allegiance to the two princesses.
Those who swore had all schooled their expressions, taking the matter as seriously as they could but Rhaenyra noticed a few who looked as if they were humiliated by having to kneel to them, and she also noticed by the names of their houses that the members of their families that stayed at court often wore green.
They are the ones I need to look out for, whose plots must be uncovered. Rhaenyra thought.
“Jason of House Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, and Warden of the West.”
The tall, golden-haired man walked forward, his lips just barely lifting to remove the evident grimace. But despite his clear distaste for the woman in front of him, remembering her rejection, he still bent the knee. “I, Jason Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, and Warden of the West promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora. I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
Jason immediately stood walking back to his place beside his brother, the twins trying to hide their mutual disdain.
“Rickon of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North.”
The head of House Stark maintained his strong and serious demeanor, his piercing gaze never leaving the mother and daughter as he approached.
“I, Rickon, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora. I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
Rickon gave Rhaenyra a nodded of his head as he stood, his grey eyes were sharp and watching.
“Matthos of House Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Mander, Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of the Reach, and Warden of the South.”
Where Matthos had once been strong and attractive, he now walked with a cane, had lost all the hair on his head, his eyes beaty and watery.
Viserys had been shocked when he looked upon the lord, wondering how the man had aged even more in the last couple of years.
“I, Matthos Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Mander, Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of the Reach, and Warden of the South, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora. I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
As Matthos hobbled back to his previous place, Mellos called out to his strongest bannerman. “Hobert of House Hightower, Beacon of the South, Defender of Oldtown, Defender of the Citadel, Lord of Oldtown, Lord of the Hightower, Lord of the Port, and Voice of Oldtown.”
Rhaenyra knew the moment she heard his name that she would enjoy watching Hobert Hightower swear fealty to her again, especially as she knew the Hightowers true goal.
She watched his jaw clenched tightly, and it took everything within her not to smirk at the sight of this.
“...I... Hobert Hightower, Beacon of the South, Defender of Oldtown, Defender of the Citadel, Lord of Oldtown, Lord of the Hightower, Lord of the Port, and Voice of Oldtown, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir... the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora. I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
The hesitation and anger in his voice was evident to all but the King as Viserys visibly relaxed when he heard Hobert swear his oaths to himself, his daughter, and now his granddaughter.
“Jeyne of House of House Arryn, Lady of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, and Warden of the East.”
All watched as the Maiden of the Vale made her way towards the Iron Throne, it had been a long time since any member of the House Arryn had come to the capital, their feelings towards the King and his brother were made more than evident.
But even with this righteous rage that was felt in the hearts of nearly every Valemen, while they could avoid going to weddings and name days, no one could ignore the summons of their King demanding fealty from his vassals.
Jeyne was younger than many of those who swore fealty before her, only being five years older than the crown princess, but she held herself as strong as any high lord. Her long brown hair had been pulled back into a bun, drawing attention to her strong jawline and her sky-blue eyes. The eyes that Rhaenyra and Viserys noted were the same shade of blue as Aemma’s.
Jeyne’s face remained passive as she stared at the royal, but Viserys could not help but feel coldness attack his heart as he met her gaze.
“I, Jeyne Arryn, Lady of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, and Warden of the East, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora. I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
Jeyne gracefully stood; she gave Aelora a small smile before gliding back to where she was when the ceremony began.
“She’s pretty.” Aelora mumbled, entranced by the Lady Jeyne.
She had heard mention of Jeyne, hearing that she was the niece of her grandmother, not her Rhaenys, but the one she never knew, who died before she was born, Aemma Arryn.
Rhaenyra looked down at her daughter, hearing comment. It was not as if Aelora had never made such comments but the way in which she did made Rhaenyra tense.
She is four names' days old; I do not have to worry about Aelora taking such a liking to others. But when she is older will it be men, women, who would take her as they wife?
It had never crossed her mind before that Aelora may one day get married, as she had only seen Aelora as her precious girl, her little sea dragon.
Even with her condition Aelora was still a princess of the realm, the daughter of the heir, and future Queen of Westeros, there would be those that vied for her hand, who would seek to raise their station.
They would use her daughter for her name, for her blood, for future dragon, just as they did with herself after Viserys named her his heir.
This thought made the princess sick to her stomach, all her children would be used in some way, and worst of all she would have to use them, regardless of her feelings it would be necessary to maintain her position.
Even I do not exist above tradition and duty, Rhaenyra! The words her father screamed at her during Aegon’s names day hunt ringing through her head.
“Boremund of House Baratheon, Lord of Storm’s End, and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands.”
Rhaenyra watched as another one of her kin made their way down the aisle to bow and sewar fealty. As she did so, she noticed that the lord of Storm’s End had aged in the years since she last saw him. His black and grey hair had become entirely grey, and his face had become gaunt.
Meanwhile Aelora was starstruck, excited to finally meet Boremund Baratheon. Rhaenys had told spoken fondly of her uncle, telling her granddaughter of how he had been a steadfast friend and even fiercer supporter to her.
And she could believe it with his tall and robust figure, to her Boremund was hard, strong, and unmoving, like a Lord of Storms should be.
Boremund swiftly bowed before the throne, his face surer than the first time he gave his oath to the princess. “I, Boremund Baratheon, Lord of Storm’s End, and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora. I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
As he walked down the aisle, the Lord of Storm’s End nodded his head in his niece’s direction, showing his acknowledgement of her granddaughter.
“Grover of House Tully, Lord of Riverrun, and Lord Paramount of the Trident.”
Heads turned as and mouths whispered as the head of House Tully made his way down the aisle. Grover Tully was older than most men in the room, his grey hair was thinning, his body affected by years of gout and constant sickness but what drew everyone’s attention was that he was being pushed in a wheeled chair by his eldest grandson and heir, Elmo Tully.
Elmo looked like a younger version of his grandfather; he had medium length reddish-brown hair and steel blue eyes that could be mistaken for grey, his face was long, and his expression was tight.
Grover did not bother to hide his annoyance, his blue eyes glaring at all who met his gaze, making it obvious how little he wanted to be here.
“Let us just do this.” Grover growled once they reached the base of the throne, preparing to give his oaths as quickly as he could so he could leave.
Lord Grover supported Prince Viserys Targaryen instead of Laenor Velaryon at the Great Council in 101 AC, favoring the rights of the male claimant, and here he was, being forced to once again swear fealty to not one but two female claimants.
“I, Grover Tully, Lord of Riverrun, and Lord Paramount of the Trident, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora. I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
Elmo bowed his head to the royals, quietly turning the chair around and pushing his grandfather back down the ailse, silently glad that the stubborn man in front of him did not make a bigger scene.
The ceremony continued for another hour, and most were growing bored with the monotony of it all, but this soon disappeared as the last person to give their oaths was announced.
“Aegon of House Targaryen, firstborn son of King Viserys Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower.”
The great hall broke out into loud whispers and gasps as Aegon was escorted down the aisle by Criston Cole.
Once Viserys had told her of his plan to have the lords of the realm swear fealty to her again, Rhaenyra had asked her father to have Aegon swear fealty to her and Aelora as well.
Viserys stared at his daughter, “Why? Aegon is not a lord of the realm.”
“But he is your eldest son, that is the reason so many had joined Aegon in usurping my throne in the future. It may not be enough to deter them all, but the realm will see that the King’s firstborn son acknowledges his elder sister as the true heir.” Rhaenyra answered.
Viserys sighed, “The realm will not try to give the throne to Aegon not after the ceremony is completed, but I do see your point of having Aegon swear fealty to you and Aelora.”
You clearly do not. Rhaenyra thought, but kept this to herself, glad that he at least agreed to proposal.
As Aegon drew closer, Rhaenyra could not deny the pleasure she felt when she looked towards where the Queen was standing with her Hightower relatives.
Alicent could barely hide the anger that she wanted to express, knowing full well that the only reason this was happening was because Rhaenyra wished for it.
Once he reached the base of the Iron Throne, Aegon looked between his father and older sister nervously, he knew what he was supposed to do, having been told days earlier, but now in front of all these people he was losing his nerve.
He had no desire to be King, but he knew his mother, his grandfather, the Hightowers, and many across Westeros expected that he would and should succeed Viserys instead of Rhaenyra.
He was old enough to know what the color he and his siblings had to wear, how it was meant to be opposition against the color of Rhaenyra and her followers.
“I just know Rhaenyra is behind this, Viserys would have never asked this of you if it were not for her whispering her lies in his ears.” Alicent said as she paced around Aegon’s bedchamber.
“To do what?” Aegon asked but regretted it immediately when Alicent stopped her pacing and closed the distance between them, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she reached forward and pulled him close.
“To shame you! Embarrass you in front of the lords of the realm! Having you on your knees in front of everyone like you are a common lord.” Alicent hissed with every word.
Alicent let go of her son and turned to the window, “Rhaenyra is a fool if she thinks this will be enough to hide her impurity and sinful nature, to make her worthy of stealing your birthright.”
“But Rhaenyra is the heir.” Aegon muttered.
Alicent turned back to Aegon, “For now. She won’t be once your father sees reason and ends this farce.”
Is Rhaenyra really trying to embarrass me? Aegon thought to himself, still standing before his father, sister and niece.
Rhaenyra has been distant from him and their siblings, but he still remembers when Rhaenyra took them to the drgaonpit, when she introduced them to Aelora, to Jacaerys.
Would she truly do this to him with ill intentions, or because she must?
It was only when his gaze fell onto Aelora and she smiled at him, the bright happy smile that she gave only to him, did Aegon finally kneel.
“I, Aegon Targaryen of House Targaryen, promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, the Princess Rhaenyra, and her named heir, the Princess Aelora. I pledge fealty to them and shall defend them against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. I swear this by the old gods and the new.”
