Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 29

It had only been a day since Rhaenyra was crowned Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and Dragonstone had been chaotic since as everyone tried to decide what the wisest move now was.

Many men argued that war was their best hope in order to eliminate the Greens, but others believed that would only ruin Rhaenyra's reputation and make people turn on her. No one though could get through to Rhaenyra yet, who was adamant about waiting for more support.

Rhaellanne and Daemon had been in the middle of an argument with one of their advisors when the doors to the main hall opened and Ser Erryk announced, "The Lord of the Tides!" Everyone turned to the door where sure enough Lord Corlys was hobbling in with his cane, followed by Rhaenys  "Lord Corlys Velaryon...and his wife, the Princess Rhaenys Targaryen."

Lord Corlys nodded to the group "My lords."

The Queen smiled at him, "Lord Corlys. It brings much relief to see you hale and healthy again."

He bowed his head, "I'm very sorry about your father, Princesses. He was a good man." The fact that he used the word 'princess' was not lost on Rhaenyra, and she tightly smiled, and to diffuse the tension he asked, "Where is Lord Bennard?"

"Writing to his family and generals" she answered

Corlys walked past her and examined the table, especially eyeing the large black statues across it "Your declared allies?"

"Yes." replied Rhaenyra

He sighed, "Too few to win a war for the throne."

Stiffly, Rhaenyra responded "Well, we would also hope to have the support of Houses Arryn, and Baratheon"

He scoffed slightly, "Hope...is the fool's ally."

Rhaenyra argued, "Both Arryn and Baratheon share blood with my house. But both of them swore oaths to me-"

"-As did House Hightower...if I remember." he replied

Coldly, Rhaenyra said "As did you, Lord Corlys."

Lord Corlys glanced over his shoulder at the children stood at the other end of the table; Jace, Luke, Lyanna, Baelor, Baela, and Rhaena. Four of them were his grandchildren and he sighed and looked back at her "Your father's realm...was one of justice and honour. Our houses are bound by common blood and common cause. This Hightower treason cannot stand. You have the full support of our fleet and house. Your Grace."

The tension disappeared quickly, and Rhaenyra beamed "You honour me, Lord Corlys, Princess Rhaenys. But, as I said to my banner men, I made a promise to my father to hold the realm strong and united. If war's first stroke is to fall, it will not be by my hand."

Corlys raised his eyebrows "You do not mean to act?"

Rhaellanne answered, "Taking caution does not mean standing fast. We wish to know who our allies are before we send them to war."

He nodded in understanding and his eyes caught the shiny silver Hand pin on her cloak and he was surprised, but smiled slightly and Rhaellanne winked back. Then he cleared his throat and said, "The consequence of my...near-demise in the Stepstones...is that we now control them. I took care to fully garrison the territory this time. A total blockade of the shipping lanes will be in place in days, if not already. The Triarchy have been routed. The Narrow Sea is ours." Everyone looked around in amazement, and Corlys continued "If we... further seal the Gullet, we can cut off all seaborne travel and trade to King's Landing."

Behind him, Rhaenys added, "I shall take Meleys and patrol the Gullet myself."

"When we drain the Narrow Sea, we can surround King's Landing, lay siege to the Red Keep, and force the Greens' surrender." said Lord Bartimos