The Fire That Burns Within US - Aemond Targaryen

From Green To Black

Visenya had thanked all the gods that Aemond hadn't wanted to be there to see them off. She loves and trusts Aemond more than anyone else in the realm, but there is no way she would leave her children in the capital in seven hells.

The new plan had been simple. Ben would break the door, and Visenya would threaten the Kingsguard standing post outside the door. Then they would take the kids and fly away on Morghon once they got to the tourney grounds.

Their escape had not gone to plan.

The two Kingsguard that were standing post were, in fact, from the Riverlands. Both knew what Visenya meant to the Riverland people and the Lords and how Blackwoods were not a family to mess around with. The Kingsguards had been all too happy to help them leave the Red Keep and make their way to the tourney grounds, already prepared with Ben's hammer and dagger for him.

The black dragon had already been waiting for them as they arrived. Like he knew what was going to happen. Visenya had wished that only two things were different. One that Aemond was with them. Two that she had been able to bring the twin's dragons with them.

Visenya had thought that someone might spot them and turn them over to Aegon, but as she saw Meleys fly overhead, she knew that the Greens might be a little preoccupied.

Visenya had arrived on Dragonstone shortly after her mother had finished giving birth to her stillborn sister. Visenya doesn't want to think too much about what her mother has gone through. She knows the pain of losing a child, yet to have to give birth to a child that is already dead was something Visenya hopes never to have to experience.

During the funeral for the stillborn babe, Rhaenyra had been crowned, and everyone but Rhaenys bent the knee to her. With both Visenya and Ben doing so.  

-- -- 

138 - Dragonstone

Visenya and Ben watch as the table before them lights up from the flames of the candles underneath it. While she lived at Dragonstone, the war table had always been one of her favourite things in the castle. To know that her namesake once stood where she is, planning the conquering of Westeros.

Visenya holds Aenar in her arms, rocking him to keep him asleep. Laenor and Daenys play in front of the fireplace, Ben flicking his focus between the table and the twins to make sure they are safe. Rhaenyra had suggested that children not be present. Still, there is no way in the seven hells that Visenya would let some midwife she doesn't know around her children, even if her mother trusts the woman Visenya didn't. She took them away from the capital to keep them safe; now, the safest place for them is within her eye line.

"What is our standing?" Rhaenyra asks as she holds her cup of wine. As she looks upon the lit table, a feeling of dread washes over her. She doesn't want this war. She doesn't want to end the lives of thousands because Aegon has taken what is hers. Part of her feels like a child fighting over a toy with him.

"We have 30 knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and 300 men-at-arms," Daemon starts, watching as the table begins to set up. They don't have enough allies to win the war yet. "Dragonstone is relatively easy to defend. Our army leaves a lot to be desired. We have sent word to my men loyal in the city watch, I'll have some support there, but I can not speak to the numbers,"

"We already have declarations from Celtigar and Staunton," The maester adds, looking to the lords around the table. "Massey, Darklyn, Bar Emmon,"

"I have 2000 or so men in the Riverlands split between the Flint cliff, Riverrun, and Reventree Hall," Visenya says as she looks to Ben. "I believe there are some men in the north, right?"