𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝐀𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧

FIFTEEN

The next morning, Aegon and Danera were awoken early. Elena coming into their rooms, "sorry to wake you my lord, my lady, but the queen has requested you in the throne room shortly" she said, her voice worried. Aegon looked up sleepily, Danera sitting up, "why Elena, what has happened?" She asked, concerned. "Vaemond has arrived, he has asked for an immediate meeting with the king on the matter of Driftmark" Elena replied. Danera put her head in her hands, rubbing her face. "Thank you Elena, you may go" Aegon said as Elena curtsied and left. He put his arms around his wife, trying to comfort her. "Why would he do this, everyone else thinks I am Leanors daughter, it is only him that believes this stupid rumour" Danera spoke softly, refusing to cry. She knew today was going to be tough, but that didn't make her feel any more prepared.

Aegon and Danera hurried to get ready for the day, Danera choosing a long red dress. If they were out for bloodshed, so was she. Aegon matched her, wearing a red and black tunic, they wanted to appear united as one.

The pair hurried down the corridors, towards the throne room. Many had already gathered as they walked to be beside the Queen, Aemond and Helena. Although, when Danera saw her mother, she tapped Aegon, "maybe we should stand with them, especially if he is questioning my parentage" she whispered. Aegon nodded in reply, taking his wife's hand and moving to stand with Rhaenyra and Daemon. Rhaenyra took her daughters free hand, moving her face towards Daneras ear, "I spoke to your grandsire last night, he knows Driftmark is yours, we just need to remind them of that" she whispered, giving her daughter a small smile. Daemon nodded his head towards Aegon, appreciating the care he showed his daughter.

The hand walked through the great iron doors, causing everyone to look round. "The king is busy with other matters, I will be here in his place today" Otto spoke loudly to the room, walking to the Iron Throne and sitting down. Daemond hummed, disgusted that Otto would take his brothers place so easily. Alicent stood beside her father, "Vaemond, I believe it was you who called us here" she spoke.

Vaemond walked out of the crowd and into the middle of the room. "I would like to speak about Driftmark, my Queen, and it's inheritance" he began, Daemon and Rhaenyra looking at him, waiting for him to dare take it away from their daughter. "My brother, as you know, has been taken ill in the Step-stones and is unlikely to make it home" he spoke. Rhaenys looked at the floor, upset at his harsh and blunt words, desperate for her husband to recover and rejoin her.

"The matter of inheritance has already been decided my lord, the princess Danera will take the place of her grandfather" Otto began, as the doors of the Throne Room re opened. "The King" the guard bellowed, causing Otto to immediately stand up out of the Iron Throne. Viserys hobbled into the room, his walking stick clacking on the stone floor beneath him. He stopped for a moment "I will be dealing with this matter, Otto" he wheezed, continuing towards the throne. Everyone watched, scared to help, scared what would happen if they didn't help. They could all tell the king wanted to get there on his own. As Viserys reached the steps up to the throne, he stumbled, Daemon immediately rushing to his side, helping him up, placing the crown back onto his brothers head. He stood for a moment, looking into his brothers eyes, it had hit him, all the time he wasted, all the things he could've done, but he'd spent that time being selfish, when he could've stood by his brothers side. Tears almost filled Daemons eyes as the thoughts filled up his mind. He stopped himself, nothing could be done now, except to secure the position of his eldest daughter. Viserys nodded in gratitude at his brother, Daemon stepped back towards his wife and children.

"I must admit my confusion, about why petitions are being heard over a settled succession, my granddaughter, Danera is heir to Driftmark after her father Leanor" the king spoke, confusion and frustration on his face. "The only one, who may offer further insight into Lord Coryl's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys" he finished, everyone turning to look at the Princess. She stepped forward confidently, Danera's heart stopped for a moment, wondering if her grandmother would wish to have Driftmark for herself. "Indeed your grace" Princess Rhaenys spoke softly, glancing at Vaemond. "It was ever my husbands will that Driftmark pass through Ser Leanor, to his true born daughter, Danera Velaryon, his mind never changed, nor did my support of him" she spoke. Both Rhaenyra and Danera looking at her thankfully, but knowing this wasn't the end of the conversation. Daneras grandmother continued to speak, Vaemond looking at her angrily. "In fact, the princess Rhaenyra spoke to me earlier of her desire to marry her sons Luke and Jace to my granddaughters Baela and Rhaena, a proposal to which I heartily agree, further strengthening our houses" Rhaenys finished. Aegon smiled, support from Rhaenys secured his wife's succession.

"Well, the matter is settled then, I hereby reaffirm, Princess Danera of house Velaryon, as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lady of the Tides" the King spoke. Rhaenyra, Daemon and Danera all looking at Vaemond, knowing they had won. Rhaenys stepped back towards her granddaughters, her say in the matter dealt with.

Vaemond stood forward, Aegon stared at him, pissed off that the man in front of him would even dare to take his wife's birthright. "You break law, and centuries of tradition, to install your daughter as heir, don't you dare tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon" spoke Vaemond, angrily, staring at the King "I will not allow it!" He finished.

"Do not forget yourself, Vaemond" the King said softly. Daemon looked at Vaemond, daring him to argue again, ready for bloodshed. "That is no true Velaryon" he pointed at Danera. Aegon instantly stood in front of her, his hand on his sword. "And certainly, no niece of mine" continued Vaemond. "Go to your chambers you have said enough" Rhaenyra warned, pushing her children behind her protectively.

"Danera, is my true born granddaughter, and you, no more than a second son" the King argued back. "You may run your house as you see fit, but you will not decide the future of mine" Vaemond started to shout "I will not see it ended, on the account of this..." he trailed off. "Say it" Daemon dared Vaemond to insult his daughter, both Daemon and Aegon had their weapons ready. Vaemond looked at Daemon, thinking for a moment. He smirked, "her children are bastards and, and she is a whore" Vaemond shouted.

Viserys stood up, full of anger and hatred, pulling out his dagger. "I will have your tounge for that" he spoke, but he had barely finished his sentence when Daemons sword came towering over Vaemond, slicing off his head. Shock filled the room, many looking away. Aegon took Danera in his arms, not wanting her to see, but smirking, he'd got what he deserved. "He can keep his tounge" spoke Daemon, standing over the body, he would never let anyone speak about his daughter or Rhaenyra in that way and live to tell the tale.

The King fell back into his seat, groaning in pain. Alicent immediately running over to him, "fetch the maesters" she shouted, rushing to his side. "You must take something for the pain" she said lifting up her husband, concern crowding her face, Rhaenyra running over to assist them. See Cristen walked over, taking the King and guiding him out of the Throne Room.

Aegon took Daneras face in his hands, kissing her, smiling. She smiled back, grateful that he was always there to protect her. Danera turned to look at Daemon, who stood close to her, checking she was alright. "Thank you" she said, looking up at him, "father" she whispered, not wanting to cause any more rumours, but wanting to show how grateful she was for what he'd done. She wasn't one for bloodshed, but Danera knew this was only the beginning.