The Death of War

Chapter 25

We see what happened with the people at Dragonstone. Aemond learns the reason why Cole hates Rhaenyra. I hope you guys like it. 🥰

Rhaenyra was tired and wished she could sleep for a little while. She had a restless night, nightmares plagued her until she had thrown the covers aside and paced her chambers. Once the sun came up she could feel Syrax's restlessness as well. Her dragon, like herself, was not happy to be away from her mate. Rhaenyra had opened her chamber doors to find Visenya standing there, the little girl squealing with happiness when she saw her dressed to go dragon riding. Rhaenyra had dismissed the nursemaid and taken her daughter with her. There was nothing her little girl loved more than being on dragon's back. The flight had been pleasant and it had helped clear her mind.

As soon as Syrax landed Helaena and Jaehaera had been waiting close to the water. Her niece wanted to play with Visenya while Helaena broke her fast with Rhaenyra. That had been the only pleasant part of her day, because after their morning meal Rhaenyra had meeting after meeting. She had to make sure everyone in her castle and her lands were fed and cared for. After making sure everything was in order she had met with Ser Erryk to coordinate the guards' schedules, which had taken a few hours. She had finally sat down when a loud scream shook the palace's walls.

Rhaenyra felt the blood drain from her face as she recognized the scream, it was Visenya. She ran out of her chambers and down the stairs leading to the water. She found Jace, Ser Erryk and Helaena were already there. Her eyes widened when she saw Ser Arryk standing there, Visenya in his arms and a dagger pressed against the little girl's throat. Her daughter was squirming in the man's arms, her face a mask of outrage.

"Let her go, brother." Ser Erryk moved closer to his brother but stopped when the man pressed the dagger harder against the girl's throat. "Do not do this, she is just a child."

"Yes, but the princess attacked us first." Arryk's eyes turned towards Helaena. "You kidnapped the queen and her children. Lord Otto and Queen Alicent want some retribution."

Rhaenyra had not missed the blood in the man's hands, but her daughter was not bleeding. She was sure the man had killed one of the guards. Fear seemed to paralyze her as she looked at her daughter, so small and about to be killed for something that was not her doing. She could not lose her daughter again, she had just gotten her back.

"I was not taken and neither were my children." Helaena's voice was strong as she took a step closer to the knight, stopping when Jace placed a hand on her arm and shook his head. Her sister glared at the other man. "I came here on my own and I brought my children with me."

"You are the queen!" Arryk said while glaring at Helaena. "Why would you want to be among traitors?"

"I have lived among traitors my entire life, Ser Arryk. I wanted to spend time with my sister." Her sister's eyes became cold and for the first time in her life, Rhaenyra saw the dragon in her. "I am a princess, I do not have to explain myself to you or anyone."

"Muña." Visenya cried out while extending her hands out to her and Rhaenyra's heart broke.

"Let her go." Her voice was stronger than she felt, but she could not falter now. Her daughter's life was in danger and Rhaenyra would be damned if she allowed Visenya to be taken or killed. "If you harm a hair on her head I will tear you apart."

"How about we come to an agreement." The smile on the man's face was mocking. "You give me your oldest bastard and I will give your precious princess back."

Jace started to step forward, but Rhaenyra stepped in front of him, holding him back. "No! You will not be taking any of my children."

"Then how about yourself?" Rhaenyra felt Jace tense at her back as the knight ran the tip of the dagger over Visenya's cheek, but did not cut her. "You allow me to take you and I will allow your daughter to stay."