ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐌

The tense silence in the room of the little Velaryons was somewhat unusual given the known fact that neither of Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon's children knew how to keep quiet. Always one of the then would do or say something that would make the peaceful atmosphere disappear faster than a fire in a cold wind.

But if something could silence the three children, it was their mother's voice, quiet and powerful at the same time, hiding secrets, stories and knowledge unknown to people until now. It was Rhaenyra Targaryen's voice that was able to keep her children quiet, sitting on the bed pressed against each other and listening to their mother, almost not breathing as they watched her with wide eyes.

"As the first century of the Targaryen dynasty came to a close, the health of the Old King, Jaehaerys, was failing," Rhaenyra continued her story, trying to keep her voice lower to ensure more entertainment for her two sons and daughter, their fascinated expressions creating a smile on her face. "In those days, House Targaryen stood at the height of its strength with 10 adult dragons under its yoke."

The children held their breath as Rhaenyra looked them straight in the eyes.

"No power in the world could stand against it."

The silver-haired girl sitting between the two dark-haired boys quietly exhaled, her lips partially parted, hearing the crackling of wood in the fire and the raindrops hitting the windows of the room but focusing only on her mother.

"King Jaehaerys reigned over nearly 60 years of peace and prosperity. But tragedy had claimed both his sons, leaving his succession in doubt. So, in the year 101, the Old King called a Great Council to choose an heir.

Over a thousand lords made the journey to Harrenhal. Fourteen succession claims were heard but only two were truly considered: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the King's eldest descendant, and her younger cousin, Prince Viserys Targaryen, the King's eldest male descendant."

"Our grandsire," Luke whispered and Jace shushed him.

Aemma hit her older brother's shoulder. "Don't shush him."

Sensing the silence in the room, Aemma slowly looked out of the corner of her eye at her mother who was staring at her sternly. Aemma gave her a shy smile and patted Jace on the shoulder with the hand she had used to hit him just moments ago and then then she moved closer to Luke.

Rhaenyra bit her lip to keep from laughing and then went back to pretending to be a responsible mother. "Aemma, what were we talking about when it comes to hitting your brothers?"

Aemma looked away from Jace's smug grin and nervously smiled. "That I must not be caught?"

"That you should treat each other with respect. You are siblings," Rhaenyra instructed her. "You can't hurt each other."

Aemma huffed. "That wasn't even a real punch. It couldn't hurt him."

"It actually hurt a lot," Jace said, his face contorted into a grimace of pain as he grabbed the shoulder his sister had hit with one hand. "And how much does it hurt."

"This only proves that you are weak," Aemma stated blankly and Luke giggled.

Jace ignored them and looked at his mother. "Maybe some lemon cake would do the trick. Or at least strawberries."

Rhaenyra shook her head with a smirk. "Good try. I'm sure you can manage without it."

Jace's shoulders slumped in disappointment but he didn't argue with her. He just moved closer to Aemma, as if they weren't fighting a moment ago.

"Who did the council choose?" Luke asked raising his head a bit as he snuggled up to Aemma.

Jace scoffed at the question, ready to make some snide comment about how it is obvious who the council chose if they were the grandchildren of King Viserys. However, a sharp look from Aemma stopped him.

"Rhaenys, a woman, would not inherit the Iron Throne," Rhaenyra continued and Aemma scoffed lightly. "The lords instead chose Viseyrs, my father, your grandsire."

"Princess Rhaenys had the right to inherit the Iron Throne," Luke said quietly watching his mother with sad eyes.

"But she couldn't do anything when King Jaehaerys and the Council had already decided," Jace pointed out with a shrug.

Aemma stared at the fire in the fireplace, lost in her thoughts. "She could fight for her right. Make him surrender . . . or kill him."

Jace gave her a sharp look. "Kill her cousin for the right to the throne? That's a bit drastic. And in war, she wouldn't stand a chance against the King's army. Where would she look for support?"

"A determined woman who has lost everything can be more dangerous than any army," Aemma said coldly.

Rhaenyra looked gently at her daughter.

Luke shifted in his place and rested his head in Aemma's lap as he stared at Rhaenyra. "Could war break out?"

"Civil war," Aemma hummed as she played with his hair.

Rhaenyra gently shook her head. "Jaehaerys called the Great Council to prevent a war being fought over his succession. For he knew the cold truth."

Jace, Aemma, and Luke stared again at Rhaenyra sitting in front of them, unconsciously leaning forward, feeling the chill of tension throughout their bodies.

Rhaenyra had felt satisfied throughout her story and the attention her children had given her, but now her face had fallen, her voice and eyes no longer playful and amused. As if she perceived the hidden truth behind the next words.

The truth that was apparently supposed to take place in a few years, when in fact it was created a long time ago and lasted even longer, until the blood of the last known Targaryen was soaked into the snow. The truth that was changed over the years by people who knew nothing about it and so it was served to others who never understood that their mistakes are part of an endless circle.

"The only thing that could tear down the House of the Dragon, was itself."

DISCLAIMER

I do not own House of the Dragon, Fire and Blood or
any of the related characters. The House of the Dragon
and Fire and Blood are created by George R. R. Martin
and owned HBO. I only own the character of Aemma
Velaryon and small changes in the plot of House of
the Dragon and Fire and Blood. This story is intended
for entertainment purposes only. I am not making
any profit from this story. All rights of the House of
the Dragon and Fire and Blood belong to George R. R. Martin.

WARNING

I do not wish my book to be translated or any part
of it created by me to be published by anyone else
without my knowledge and permission.