Fire and Blood (Book One)

Chapter Sixteen

That night, as a storm battered King's Landing, Valaena lay in the arms of her beloved husband but unlike him, she was wide awake and unable to sleep, carefully she slid out of Daemon's grip and stood on the cold hard floor, causing her to shiver. Throwing on her dressing gown, she walked to her father's room and sat at his beside, when he awoke he briefly mistook her for Alicent only for Valaena to correct him and gently take hold of his hand. "'The Song of Ice and Fire.' Do you believe it to be true? You told me it was our duty to hold the realm united against a common foe. By naming me heir, you divided the realm. I thought I wanted it. But the burden is heavy one. It's too heavy. If you wish me to bear it, then defend me. And my children." When she got no answer from her father, she came to the realization that even her beloved father had forsaken her to fend for herself causing her to cover her mouth as she began to cry. Unfortunately the daughter had cried herself to sleep at her father's bedside and awoke before the sun was too high in the sky and seeing this she quickly returned to her chambers where she was not surprised to see Daemon awake.

Just as she had closed the door he turned away from the window and looked at her, but before he could even ask where she had been, she started crying again leading him to rush up to her and embrace before leading her back to their bed where once again she cried herself to sleep. In the morning, Daemon was first to awake and get dressed for the day, he stood by the window watching his beloved sleep only for her to sense that he was not by her side and awaken, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she slid out of her bed and walked up to Daemon where she told him everything. This caused him to embrace her and reaffirm his promise to always be by her side to protect her, she smiled and soon Daemon helped his beloved get ready for the day. Before the presides of that day, the two spent time with their family only for Alysanne to reveal what she had promised Rhaenys causing them to be shocked at her actions but they were even more surprised when Rhaenyra accepted the terms. Later on that day in the throne room, neither Valaena, Rhaenyra or Daemon were happy to Otto seated on the Iron Throne in Viserys's stead as is his role as the Hand of the King, and it would be him who would preside over the succession of Driftmark in the event of Lord Corlys's death.

Valaena watched as Vaemond walked forward and said, "My Queen. My Lord Hand. The history of our houses extends beyond 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 kind. Our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end of their bloodlines and their name. I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corly's closest kin, his own blood. The true, umimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins. What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess?" Out the corner of her eye, Valaena saw Rhaenyra about to say something which caused her to grab hold of her twin's wrist, causing Rhaenyra to look at the back of Valaena's head and for her to let go of the wrist. Valaena glared at Vaemond and was forced to stay quiet as she knew he was about to insult her and her son, "I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it." As soon as he said that, Valaena's eyes changed causing her magic to get out of control, only for Daemon to take hold of her hand, causing her to glance at him and calm down her magic, yet her eyes didn't return to normal. "This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours. 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."

Once Vaemond's petition was concluded, Otto invited Valaena to speak on Jaehaerys's behalf, "If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very--" But before she could speak further, the throne room doors opened and to the incredulity of all present, Viserys hobbled into the throne room. Everyone could see that he was clearly in pain but determined to support his eldest daughter one last time and by his side was Princess Alyssa Targaryen. Valaena's eyes zoomed in on Aemond and saw him with his eye focused on Alyssa and was watching her every move. When Alyssa and Viserys stopped so he could look at his eldest, Alyssa curtsied to her grandfather then walked to her mother's side; Valaena smiled at her daughter and motioned for her to stand by Baelon's side. Valaena watched as her father stopped walking to glare at Otto, "I will sit the throne today." This single sentence forced Otto off of the throne and to stand by his daughter's side, he then struggled to climb the steps of the Iron Throne, and initially dismissed the offer of Ser Erryk's help but when he stumbled a second time, as he was out of breath from exertion, his crown fell from his head and two other figures stepped forward to help.