Poor Child || House of the Dragon {Rewrite}

Lord of Tides

Aemma takes a deep breath as her guards open the doors of the Throne Hall making all eyes turn to her as she walks to the throne with Ser Criston Cole and Jaime Tyrell barely three steps behind her with their hands resting on theirs sword as they looks around the Throne room as if daring someone to try and hurt the Princess as Aemma walks to the Greens and her husband as she looks longingly at her family who are all watching her.

It shocked them all when they saw Aemma. She was much thinner, her hair falling limp down her back which she had tried to hide by putting most of it up into a braided bun. Her pregnant belly seemed to drown her as she walked a hand upon it. Aemma is in a green silk dress with a black underskirt which makes Rhaenyra smile slightly as Aemma walks to Aegon's side.

When she stops and stands with her husband who nods to her as he puts a hand upon her stomach which makes her still, a thing that does not go unseen by her family. Otto starts to speak.

"I, Otto Hightower, Hand to King Vierys Targaryen and ruler in his stead will look over this matter of who shall take the title Heir to Driftmark and the Lord of Tides. And who shall sit the Driftwood throne. Ser Vaemond, you may make your case"

"Thank you, my Lord Hand, my Queen" Vaemond says as he steps forwards to look at Rhaenyra and her sons before looking back at the Hightower who sit upon the Iron Throne.

"The History of our noble houses extends beyond of the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their king. Out forebears came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name. I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corlys's closet kin, his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins-" Vaemond starts his speech.

"As it does in my sons, offspring of Laenor Velaryon" Rhaenyra cuts Vaemond off with a cold voice "If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your known ambition"

"You will have a chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra-" Alicent says as she in turn cuts Rhaenyra off as Aemma rubs her forehead feeling a headache coming on which worries Aemond who glances back at the Princess' guards who step forward as Criston passes something to Aemma which she takes with a smile.

"What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess?" Vaemond asks "I would cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognise it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours." Vaemond turns back to the throne

"My Queen, My Lord Hand, This is a matter of blood not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor, the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides." Vaemond turns back to Alicent and Otto Hightower.

"Thank you, Ser Vaemond" Otto thanks the Lord before he turns to Rhaenyra "Princess Rhaenyra you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon."

"If I am to grace these farce with some answer," starts Rhaenyra as she walks before the throne and Otto who looks down upon her with an unreadable expression "I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very–"

The doors open and everyone turns to watch as Viserys walks into the hall and to the throne as Otto stands slowly in shock before he walks to his daughter and grandchildren as Viserys says "I will sit the throne today"

"My King"

The nobles watch as Viserys sits the throne before nodding to Rhaenyra as he sighs "I must admit my confusion over this petitions are being heard if the one who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys' wishes then his wife, the Princess Rhaenys"

As everyone in the hall looks at the Princess she walks forwards with a nod to the King after she looks at her granddaughter who smiles at her.

"Indeed, your grace. It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through my son Ser Laenor to his trueborn son Lucerys Velaryon."

"His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons to Lord Corlys's granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree"

"Well, the matter is settled" says Viserys "Again. I hear by name Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as Heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood throne, and the next Lord of the Tides."

Rhaenys bows her head before walking back to Baela who smiles at her grandmother.

"You break law... and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me... who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No." Vaemond spits as he walks forwards "I will not allow it-."

'"Allow it?"' Viserys repeats dangerously calmly "Do not forget yourself, Vaemond Velaryon, you are a mer second son"

Vaemond looks at Alicent (which does not go unnoticed by the Blacks) before he points to Lucerys "That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine."

"Go to your chambers" Rhaenyra says "You have said enough"

"Lucerys is my true-born grandson" Viserys says "And you are no more than the second son of Driftmark"

"You may run your house as you see fit but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides. And gods be damned I will not see it ended on the account of this–" Vaemond chokes on his words

"Say it" Daemon teases with a small smirk as he looks at him

"Her children" continues Vaemond "Are bastards! and she..." he says as he looks at Viserys "is a whore."

Nobles gasps as Alicent closes her eyes as Aemma looks quickly at Viserys who stands pulling out his knife as Daemon walks forwards slowly taking out his sword.

"I will have your tongue for that" Viserys says, everyone jumps back bar Aemma who hums to herself as she swags side to side dancing to a tune in her head. Criston and Jaime pull her back quickly as they draw their swords against Daemon who looks down at Vaemond's body after cutting it clean off.

"He may keep his tongue." Daemon smirks.

"Disarm him!" Otto shouts

Daemon chuckles as he wipes his sword on his coat "No, need"

"My love!" Everyone looks at Alicent who rushes to the King as he slumps into his seat groaning in pain.

Rhaenyra steps forward worried "Father?"

"Fetch the Maesters!" Alicent calls before looking at the Princess whose eyes are filled with tears as she watches her grandfather groan in pain "And get Aemma out of here! Ser Criston! Ser Jaime!"

The two knights bow their heads as they walk the Princess out of the Great Hall with no resistance as Aemma puts her hands over her ears.