Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 3

The days since Aemma's death were long and often silent for both Rhaenyra and Rhaellanne. They would still fly together every day, but their rides had no more laughter or smiles in them, and instead they just rode in silence, both processing her death in their own ways

Their father had scarcely spoken a word to either of them since the funeral, which seemed to make everything worse because the family was now fractured and cold. Rhaellanne had taken to reading more than usual to try and cure her boredom, but even the large library of the Targaryen home could not keep her occupied for long

The nights were particularly long when she lay alone in her bed hoping her thoughts would silence, but they never did. 

On the third night since Aemma's death there came a knock at her door quite late and Rhaellanne was alarmed at first, but when her sister came inside, she relaxed and slipped on her black dressing gown

"What happened?" she asked

"Father asked to speak to me down in the crypts" said Rhaenyra, nervously wringing her hands "He has decided to disinherit Daemon"

"What?" exclaimed Rhaellanne "Why?"

"Because he wishes to make me his heir," said Rhaenyra

Rhaellanne gasped and crossed the room to throw her arms around Rhaenyra "Congratulations, mandia [sister]"

"Thank you," smiled Rhaenyra "He actually apologised for wasting his time wishing for a son. He said that he wished he had taught you and I more earlier."

"Do you believe him?" asked Rhaellanne

"I do not know, but I can tell father is shaken," she said "There has never been a woman on the Iron Throne and do not believe that he suddenly decided he wanted it to be me. I believe there to have been another cause behind his change of heart. Daemon is his brother after all"

"Have you seen Daemon?" 

"No," said Rhaenyra "Are you mad?"

"No, of course not," said Rhaellanne "Why would I be?"

"We both know you and Daemon are very close and I was worried you may be angry at me for taking his place as heir to the Iron Throne" explained Rhaenyra

"Of course not," said the younger twin "Daemon may be our uncle but he does not want to be King, and nor is he fit for it. And you are my twin and when you take the Iron Throne, you shall do so with me by your side to support you"

"Thank you," smiled Rhaenyra, hugging her twin once more "I cannot believe this is happening"

"Me neither" admitted Rhaellanne "But I will support you no matter what"

"Will you be there for me tomorrow?" she asked "Father wants to publicly pledge me as his heir whilst the heads of the other Great Houses are still here"

"Always," smiled Rhaellanne

❖❖❖❖

On the morning of Rhaenyra's crowning as heir to the Iron Throne, the Red Keep was a flurry of panic and preparation, and Rhaellanne was actually really glad to not have the attention be on her for a while

Rhaenyra and her were standing in Rhaenyra's room, and she was helping her sister lace up the red and gold dress she would be wearing. Once the dress was on, Rhaellanne placed a golden cloak across her older twin's shoulders, and then a matching golden tiara into Rhaenyra's silver hair

"I'm scared," whispered Rhaenyra "I know not everyone will want a woman on the Iron Throne and I want to prove them wrong and be a good queen, but it will be impossible if the Great Houses of Westeros do not want to bend the knee to me"