A Song of Ice and Fire | Aegon Targaryen

Ch 23: Sweet Revenge

"Don't treat me like some situation that needs to be handled"

I found myself alone in the throne room, staring at the great Iron Throne. The seat was empty as I walked towards it. I walked up the steps, gliding my fingers over the melted swords that made it up.

"It will be yours one day" Alicent said.

I turned around, looking at her still body. She had her hands by her side, I could see them shaking even from the distance.

"The throne brings nothing but bloodshed" I said.

"The castle feels rather empty without Saera" she said.

I walked down the steps, clasping my hands together.

"It needed to be done" I said.

"The King was not pleased by your decision" she said.

"It was my choice. Since the death of my father, her and Saera were of my responsibility.. and I failed" I said.

"Winterfell is a long ways from Kings Landing" she said.

"Good" I said. "Rhaenyra and Daemon should not be able to reach her."

"I know you are in pain.. and I know-" she started.

"You know nothing!" I said. "I loved my sister dearly and now she too is gone. I cannot.."

My breathing turned erratic as I tried to gain control.

"I feel for you, Visenya, I truly do" she said. "I'm afraid life is not fair."

"Have I not.. given everything!" I yelled. "All of my family is gone! And for what?"

I bit my bottom lip to stop it from quivering. 

"Vaella's death is not in vain" she said. 

I closed my eyes to avoid the tears from falling down my cheeks. 

"They killed my father.. and now... they killed my sister" I whispered. "I shall take one of hers."

"Visenya, we cannot be hasty" she said. 

"Hasty is them killing off my family!" I said. "I will have none of it."

I walked out of the throne room with the sole purpose of taking one of Rhaenyra's children. I found Ser Criston, grabbing him by his arm before dragging him to seclusion. 

"Are you alright, Princess?" He asked. 

"What I am about to say aloud must never be spoken about again" I said. "Now, I am asking this as my once sworn knight.. and as my friend... will you aid me in the slaying of one of Rhaenyra's children?"

He looked at me as if I was playing a cruel joke on him. 

"I understand you are grieving" he said. 

"The murder of my sister will not go unnoticed" I said. "She took my sister from me.. I shall take one of her sons."

"Princess.. I don't think this is a good idea" he said. 

"If you do not aid me, then I will find someone who will" I said. "I want her to feel the pain I have.. she's killed my family and everyone acts as if I'm the crazy one. I don't care how it gets done as long as it gets done."

He slowly nodded as I let out a shaky breath. I left him alone to go to my chambers. I grabbed a cup, drinking the wine before wiping my mouth. I turned my head as my handmaiden brought the babies in. My mood changed seeing the smiling faces of my sons. 

"My sweet boys" I whispered. 

I grabbed Baelon from her, swaying him as he giggled. I looked to the door as Aegon walked in. We looked at each for a few seconds not saying a word until he grabbed Viserys. I dismissed my handmaiden as Aegon and I remained silent. 

"They're starting to look more and more like you as the days go by" I said. 

I sat on the ground, setting Baelon down as he walked over to Aegon. He walked over to me, sitting beside me as he set down Viserys. We watched as both boys began playing. 

"Visenya.." he whispered. 

"I know" I said. 

I turned my head to him, forcing a smile. 

"That night.." he said. 

"I know" I repeated. 

The hours went by as we spent some much needed time with our sons. It was the first time in months we were able to be in each others presence without there being some sort of awkward tension. 

Screams filled the castle as I looked at Aegon who instantly stood up. My handmaiden came back in as I stood up. 

"Stay with the Princes" I said. 

I walked out of our apartments with Aegon by my side as we followed the echoed screams. We turned the corner as I made eye contact with Ser Criston who slightly nodded. 

"What did you do?" Aegon whispered. 

"What was necessary" I said. 

We got closer to see Rhaenyra clutching the body of young Joffrey. A small part of me felt remorse as her cries filled the castle, but then there was the part of me that remembered the night I lost my baby, the night I had been covered in my own sisters blood. 

She looked up, grabbing a blade from Daemon's belt before running towards me. I stood still, not scared of her or what she was intending to do. She pushed me against the wall, holding the blade to my throat as I smiled. 

"Do it" I whispered. "And everyone will see you as you truly are.."

"Rhaenyra, drop the blade!" Ser Criston yelled. 

"You killed my son" she said. 

"You killed my father and my sister" I snapped.

"He was innocent" she quivered. 

"As was my sister" I said. 

I could feel the blade piercing my skin as I grimaced. 

"Do it" I said. 

"Rhaenyra!" Alicent yelled. 

I looked at Alicent who stood beside Aemond. Rhaenyra waited a few seconds before pulling the blade away, leaving my skin sliced. I put my hand on the open skin as Ser Criston and Alicent ran to me. 

I could feel the blood running down my neck as I glared at Rhaenyra. Ser Criston escorted me back to my chambers as Alicent called upon the maesters. I kept my hand on the wound, taking deep breaths as Aegon held my free hand. 

The maesters rushed in, removing my hand from the wound as something about it felt odd. They looked at it confused by the blood. 

"Princess, it looks healed" he said. 

I looked at my bloodied hand, begging a differ. Alicent then examined it herself, not believing his words. 

"It's gone" she said. "It looks like you were never harmed."

She put her hand over where my neck had been cut, trying to find it somewhere in the blood. After some time, everyone left, leaving Aegon and I alone. My handmaiden made a bath for me as he helped me remove my dress. 

I got into the bath as he pulled a chair next to it. I sat in the hot water for a few moments before he moved my hair out of my face. I turned my body as he cleaned the blood from my back. I turned around to face him again as he put his hand on my cheek. I closed my eyes, leaning into his hand. His touch was calming and yet set fire to my body. 

"She could have killed you" he said. 

"I knew she wouldn't have" I said. "The crown is what she wants.. by killing its named heir in front of dozens of witnesses would put her to the sword."

"I love you" he whispered. 

"What?" I said. 

"I've always loved you" he said. 

I smiled as he lowered his head, placing his lips on mine.