𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝐀𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧

TWENTY ONE

Apologies this chapters taken so long to go up, I've been super busy with life stuff

Several days had passed since the Kings death, causing widespread unrest throughout the kingdom. Everyone wanted to know who the true heir was, and who had the courage to take the crown.

The morning of the Kings death, Aegon and Danera had both sent separate messages to Rhaenyra, both explaining the same plan, with the hope that at least one would get to her. Neither Danera or Aegon had heard any word back, their messengers had not returned for days. This troubled Danera, her stress levels growing higher and higher each day, awaiting her mothers claim and subsequent attack, but nothing had come. Aegon had reassured her that without a dragon, it would take a couple of days for their servants to reach Dragonstone and hand over the letter, and that no news was a form of good news, as they had not laid any claims as of yet. What Aegon didn't show to his wife, was the agonising worry he also suffered. Although their plan would work well, it was not fool proof, he did not trust Rhaenyra and Daemon as much as he did not trust his mother and grandfather. He did believe however, that if his sister received the message, she would trust him and follow through with the plan, or at least, that's what he told himself.

Aegon had tried to keep Danera in her rooms as much as possible, hoping to keep her stress at bay and away from the chaos of the castle. She hated this, of course, wanting to be out there, helping her husband, but she knew she had to protect the baby, as if their plan did not work, they needed an heir. They had moved their rooms next to Aemond and Helena's, to ensure Danera's protection. Aemond spent most days with her when he could, keeping her calm whilst Aegon delt with council meetings and plans for his coronation. Both Alicent and Otto felt he needed to be crowned as soon as possible to ensure stability throughout the kingdom, and to confirm to the people that he was the true Targaryen heir. Helena had tried to come to see Danera, but her hallucinations and dreams had been getting increasingly worse, causing Aemond to spend most nights tending to her, with the maesters feeding her various potions to help her to a more peaceful sleep. Danera could not help feeling that there was some truth in Helena's visions, wishing people would take a moment to listen to her before shoving a potion down her throat, but no matter how much she protested, she had very little power against Alicent, the dowager queen.

Aegon had played his part well, planning his coronation with his grandfather, sharing his desire for his wife to produce a male heir to continue their lineage. Some days he felt like he'd stopped being himself, as if he were some puppet created by his mother for this purpose alone, to usurp the throne.

-

Aegon woke up the next morning full of dread and exhaustion, it was coronation day, the day he'd been dreading. He rolled over, snuggling his head into the crook of Daneras neck. "Good morning" she whispered, smiling a little. "Have you slept?" Aegon asked, trying to hide his worried tone. "Not much" Danera confessed, not meeting his eye. She knew out of all her husbands worries, she and the baby were at the top of the list. "Darling, I know it isn't easy, but you must sleep" Aegon began a sentence she had heard countless times before. "I know, I know" she sighed. "I can ask the maesters..." before he could even finish Danera shut him off with a simple "no." Of all the castle servants she knew that the maesters were some of the most loyal to the queen, she did not dare to take anything that could in any way inhibit her abilities. Aegon was a strong man, but she was his one weakness, she could not let herself be imprisoned.

Aegon kissed his wife gently, caressing his hand over her belly. "You wouldn't even know anyone was in there" he giggled. "It has only been a couple of moons, I believe it is the third when you begin to show" Danera replied, smiling down at her husband. You would never have thought someone so scared of having a family could be so in awe of an unborn child, but here he was. It had become one of Aegons few reasons to get up in the morning, to protect his new little family. "You'll look perfect pregnant" he tried to whisper into Daneras stomach, not very subtly. "I'm not sure you'll feel the same when I look like a whale and can't walk" she laughed. "I will" Aegon replied, still whispering into her stomach.

Their moments of bliss passed quickly when the servants arrived to ready them for the day. Pulling themselves out of bed they washed and dressed separately. Aegon in a black tunic with a large gold dragon embroidered onto the chest with his usual black trousers and boots. Danera in a long golden gown, showing off her figure. Aegon gave her a wink as she came back in to see him, causing Danera to roll her eyes. "Ready?" Aegon whispered, "ready" Danera replied with a determined smile.

They stepped out of the carriage to shouts and screams of support from the people of kings landing as they were guided into the building. Both Danera and Aegon looked overwhelmed at the support, feeling guilty that they were here rather than Rhaenyra. Aegon squeezed his wife's hand, reassuring her that it would be over soon.

The coronation was short, with only the closest family members in at the front with the King. Otto had made sure that as many people would be there as possible to show their support for Aegon, and to most importantly spread the word that he was the King and true heir to the iron throne. Aegon played his part, speaking when required, wearing the crown. He was more interested in looking at his wife, thinking about how perfect she'd look riding him with a crown on her head. He smirked to himself as he met her eye. They met in the middle, holding their hands up as the people cheered their names.

Suddenly, the floor began to shake violently. Aegon immediately grabbed his wife, pushing her behind him. The floor began to crack as the whole building shook again. Alicent looked at Otto knowingly as Rhaenys' dragon burst up through the floor, causing rubble and people to fly out of the way. Alicent ran forward, her arms outstretched in an attempt to protect her family from the dragon in front of her. Danera looked at her grandmother with pleading eyes, wishing she could read her thoughts at that moment. Meleys roared as Danera and Aegon clung on to eachother, waiting for the fire to hit them, but nothing came. The dragon simply turned, destroying the stone of the building in its path, as Rhaenys flew off.

In shock, Danera looked into Aegons eyes, barley believing they were alive. When she came back to her senses, all she felt was anger. She rounded on Alicent, staring at the queen, "when did you imprison my grandmother and why did I not know about it!" She screamed. "She was not imprisoned, she chose not to recognise the true heir" Alicent spoke back plainly, as if Danera were an upset child. "How dare you treat my family this way" Danera replied, her voice still raised. "I am the queen" Alicent spoke, Danera interrupted with a cold, heartless tone, "I, am your queen now, and you will bow to me and my husband." This scared Alicent for a moment, she looked at her son, waiting for support, but she did not get any. "You heard my queen" Aegon spoke, standing next to Danera. "I apologise, your majesty" Alicent spoke through gritted teeth.