Alicent Hightower raised a bastard - The Stranger's Child.
Except she didn't.
Naenyra looked nothing like the Targaryen beauty that her father expected. She was, as her mother always wished, a Hightower at heart, and how she looked only proved it...
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All was not well in King's Landing on the 24th Night of the 12th moon in 113AC, the cold winds that had whipped through the avenues only whispered of the horrors that night would bring; enough that Rickard Thorne could remember it well.
The Kingsguard had always stood by the side of the King, their duty to serve and protect being held higher than their own place in this world, and Rickard valued the oath he made. It allowed him to serve beneath his Lord Commander, and see more of court life than a third son of a Lord ever would. It's why he took his duty that night, why he paused in the hall. "Ser Rickard!" The voice called out from behind him, familiar steps coming down the hallway as the Knight paused, turning at the sound.
Lorent Marbrand, a rather tall man with flaming locks of red hair, and Steffon Darklyn, a shorter man with a balding head, flanked either side of the King, Viserys grinning a wide smile as his hands were clenched in front of him. He was unusually light, a brightness in his eyes that had been heavy over the past few years with afflicting illness. Rickard's brows rose in surprise. "Yes, Your Grace?" He asked, daring a look at his brothers-in-arms behind him. Their faces were blank, no hint of giving away what the King was about to ask.
"The Queen, Alicent, is in her labours; and by all accounts the Maesters are claiming it easy on her Grace." Viserys started; an explanation for his happiness, thought Thorne. "If it is to be believed, I should have another daughter before the night is out."
Rickard grinned. "Congratulations, Your Grace. I wish your wife many prayers for her labours, and a swift birth for a healthy babe." He offered, knowing his daughters had always been the apple of the King's eye. Rhaenyra, the eldest of all of Viserys' children, had always taken pride in being beside her father; and Helaena was content with sitting in Viserys' lap to play with a ladybird. Though he did not spend much time with the younger of the two girls, he always had a smile for them.
"Yes, so do I." Viserys agreed. "It is why we are to spread the news with the Kingdom, I want the people of King's Landing to drink to the health of her - Naenyra."
Rickard paused. "Naenyra, Your Grace?" He already had one daughter named Rhaenyra, why would he name another so similar?
The King nodded eagerly. "Yes, for her older sister. I think it would be a wonderful tribute to her, don't you think?" Rickard was silent for a moment, taking it in as his eyes dared to flick back to the two Knights behind the King. It was not lost on them the divide that sat between the Queen and the heir apparent, how once they were close but now could not see eye to eye. Alicent harboured a deep resentment for Rhaenyra, he could not see her wanting to name her daughter after her. Marbrand shook his head subtly, the Knight giving a small nod.
"A fine choice, Your Grace. A grand name for her to live up to." The King seemed content as he looked between the men around them, nodding his head. "I'm sure the smallfolk will drink deeply to her health."
