Rhae leaned into Taelon when they got back. He pulled her legs into his lap, running a hand along her thigh. A yawn escaped him as his head tipped back bored.
"Will your father really marry Rhaenyra off?" Rhae whispered.
"You father did with you, didnt he?" Alicent questioned. Taelon looked to Thorin and Aegon playing nicely on the floor together but Thorin looked bored as well. "The first time, I mean." Alicent added awkwardly.
"Yes." Rhae agreed. "But... well they thought it was wise at the time." she offered.
"As does the king now." Alicent remarked.
"She is not marrying Lannister." Taelon assured. He knew that Rhae had taken to both Alicent and Rhaenyra, which he loved. Loved that they got along better when Rhae was there too.
"Thank you... for the gift.' Viserys said stiffly as he gripped the spear from Jason Lannister.
'Your Grace.' Jason said nervously stepping back
'Wine.' Viserys requested forcing a smile at Alicent.
'The huntsman has the trail, Your Grace, and has sent out the hounds. It won't be long now until the white hart is cornered. Your prize is within reach.' Otto said coming to sit down at Viserys side. 'What do you make of Lord Jason's proposal?'
'That man's pride has pride.'
'You're not only Rhaenyra's father, you're the King. She'll do as you command.' Otto reminded him
'It is not my wish to command her, Otto.' Viserys told him 'I want her to be happy. The both of them.'
'There is another choice beyond Casterly Rock. One, perhaps, you might be more comfortable with. One... closer to home.' Otto suggested slowly. 'Prince Aegon.' Otto offered. Viserys looked to his son just turned two Aegon was babbling next to Thorin.
'The boy just turned two, Otto.' Viserys reminded him
'Yes, but it would cease the endless proposals for Rhaenyra's hand.' Otto told him hoping that his grandson would be king one day and Viserys started to laugh. 'Betroth them.'
'I came here to hunt... not to be suffocated by all this fucking politicking.' Viserys spat
'Let us speak no more of it.' Otto agreed leaving his side.
'Wine.' Viserys demanded.
"Ah you need ale," Taelon corrected.
"I don't have the stomach for ale." Viserys corrected and Taelon chuckled. Could his mother have had an affair? Taelon didnt see the resemblance at all. Was Taelon a bastard? His own Thorin was already drinking ale like a pro.
"What Taelon?"
"Nothing, just random thoughts about greek Gods mother might have run into before you wed." Taelon mused as he walked off.
"That was very specific." Viserys countered staring at him as he left.
'We've sent out riders to find Rhaenyra, Your Grace.' Lyonel assured as the night grew dark and there was no sign of the princess. "Ser Criston Cole went after her, our hope is that they are together." Taelon glanced over at them. He liked Criston enough, didnt know him well but he seemed a decent lad. He would protect Nyra, he jumped at the chance chasing after her.
'The girl is a heedless contrarian. If I instead forbade her to wed a Lannister, she would've run off with Lord Jason out of spite.' Viserys remarked. 'A truly great Targaryen King I am. Powerless over mine own daughter of seven-and-ten...."
'King Jaehaerys ruled over half a century of peace while his children drove him to the edge of madness... his daughters, in particular.' Lyonel recalled 'It is tradition, Your Grace.' Viserys took another sip of wine he surely didn't need it but he drank it down anyways. 'Do you wish to hear my opinion on the matter?' Viserys let out a long sigh
'Should I guess? You believe that your son, Ser Harwin "Break bones," the strongest knight in the Seven Kingdoms, is the best match for Rhaenyra.' Viserys hissed
'You flatter me, Your Grace, but no.' Lyonel told him 'It would seem to me the best match for Rhaenyra is the son of The Sea Snake, Ser Laenor.' He offered 'Some years ago, I counseled you to take his sister to wife. My reasoning remains the same. Laenor is of pure Valyrian descent. He shares blood with your cousin, the Princess Rhaenys. And he is the heir to the wealthiest house in the realm. The breach between your houses has not narrowed since I last spoke of it. It would do much to assuage Lord Corlys of any slights real... or imagined.' Viserys pondered the idea. 'We must pray, of course, that Laenor survives the fighting in the Stepstones.' Viserys got up drunkenly and left the celebration, he just wanted to have a good time and celebrate his son. Not all this.
"You know I was thinking a really great thought that would get us home and back in bed." Taelon remarked running a hand over Rhae's thigh.
"Pants getting a bit tight again?" Rhae whispered lips grazing his ear.
"They weren but they are now." Taelon offered as she pressed a long kiss to his neck.
"I go home now?" Thorin asked hopefully.
"As soon as I catch a damn hart." Taelon agreed.
"I catch then we go." Thorin countered.
"You want to catch it? Thats the spirit." Taelon agreed. Taelon looked to Aegon babbling back at them. "What's that bud? You want me to go and catch the damn thing instead of waiting for fathers bullshit hunters? I agree." Taelon declared.
"Taelon," Rhae laughed out leaning into him.
"Home, bed... bed." He repeated kissing her. "Come on, catch a hark, win a bet... you get anything."
"You already would give me anything." Rhae reminded him as she got up.
"Good point, you ready?" Taelon questioned.
"Ma, I tie." Aegon whispered tipping over on the floor.
"You tired..." Alicent repeated reaching down for him. Aegon whimpered out. "It's past his bedtime." Alicent agreed she could try and be a better mother. She could pretend in these moments that Viserys wasnt her husband and Taelon and Rhae were her wonderful friends and the world wasnt tilted. She felt like when they were around, she could do better. Be a better mum.
"Let me catch it then." Taelon declared. "TOMMEN!" Taelon declared and Aegon's eyes popped open. "Sorry. Alicent could you keep an eye on the little man while we head out?" Taelon whispered stepping away.
"Of course, you two have fun." Alicent agreed.
"Daddy!" Thorin demanded in outrage. "I HELP!"
"Mama is going to show off for daddy." Taelon countered.
"I WHACK IT!" Thorin reminded him.
"You did say that." Rhae recalled.
"You alright with it?" Taelon questioned.
"You whack it." Rhae agreed as Thorin jumped up. "Let's find the hart."
YOU ARE READING
Enchanted // Rhae Royce
FanfictionTaelon Targaryen was the first son, the heir of Viserys Targaryen but he was chaos, raging thunder in the capitals smooth waters. But while trying to torment his Uncle Daemon he fell for Daemon's wife, Rhae Royce. 🐉 "It was enchanting to meet you...
