Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 27

Rhaellanne and her family had left for Dragonstone the morning after Viserys's dinner and were home two days later, relieved to have their feet back on their home ground. However, things weren't the same anymore for the children.

The afternoon that they had returned, the adults sat down and told their children that things would be different for them now because they would no longer just be attending lessons and messing around all day. Jace, Luke, Baelor, Lyanna, Eleana, Vaelon, Baela, Rhaena, and Joffrey were old enough to be responsible now and every morning they all had combat training in the yard, followed by dragon training in the early afternoon, and then private lessons in the evenings.

Those private lessons were particular to each child, for example Jace and Baelor studied with their mothers and leaders of the Gold Cloaks, learning strategy and politics. Meanwhile, Luke studied with another soldier, formerly of the Velaryon navy, to learn about his future and roles at Driftmark. Finally, Baela, as Bennard's eldest child, spent those lessons with him learning about his work in the North since one day they would be hers. 

Rhaellanne had been coming from a meeting with Daemon and Ser Roderick one afternoon when she was stopped by one of her guards.

"Princess. Prince" he bowed "Princess Rhaenys has arrived. She has urgently requested your presences in the main hall"

Sharing a nervous exchange, Daemon and Rhaellanne hurried there and found Bennard and Rhaenyra arriving as they did. The four of them walked in and found Rhaenys inside, looking distressed

The doors closed behind them, and Rhaenyra approached saying, "Princess Rhaenys...might we hope for news of Lord Corlys's recovery?"

If only that could have been the news Rhaenys had, but it wasn't and she blatantly said, "Viserys is dead." Immediately, everyone stopped short. Viserys was not only a King but he was Rhaenyra and Rhaellanne's father and he was the only parent they had left, and not only had he died but he had died without either of them nearby and for that Rhaellanne felt incredibly guilty "I grieve this loss with you, Rhaenyra and Rhaellanne. My cousin, your father...possessed a kind heart." Neither woman could muster up a reply, and Daemon worriedly wrapped his arm around Rhaellanne, who was stood there frozen and emotionless "There is more. Aegon has been crowned as his successor."

Hearing that quickly snapped everyone's attention towards her, and Rhaellanne felt her insides go from being hurt and and upset into boiling rage. "They crowned him?"

Beside her, her sister whimpered slightly and clutched her small belly, and Rhaellanne furrowed her eyebrows in worry. Daemon though, did not look away from Rhaenys and asked, "How did Viserys die?"

She shrugged, "I could not say."

"How long ago?" asked Rhaenyra

Rhaenys replied, "A day past, perhaps two. I was made a prisoner in my quarters while the Queen made her preparations."

Bennard hissed, "Viserys has been slain."

His wife, though, was past distraught by now and she shakily said, "Alicent demanded you declare for Aegon."

Rhaenys nodded, "She did. I refused her."

Daemon frowned, "And yet you are alive."

Rhaenys explained, "The High Septon crowned Aegon in the Dragonpit. I witnessed it myself just before I fled on Meleys. They crowned him before the masses. So that the masses would see him as their rightful king."

Rhaellanne scoffed loudly, "That whore of a Queen murdered my father and stole his throne. And you should have burned them all for it."

She sighed, "A war is like to be fought over this treachery, to be sure. But that war is not mine to begin. I only rushed this warning to you all out of loyalty to my husband and to my house. The Greens are coming for you, Rhaenyra. And for your children. You should leave Dragonstone at once."