The Gentle Queen: HOTD

No more|3|

"You spend more time in that bath than I do on the throne," Viserys told his wife as he came into their room. She was soaking in the tub, her large pregnant belly sticking out of the water. She sighed as she looked at her husband, who kneeled next to the tub.

"This is the only place I can find comfort in these days," she responded as Viserys ran his fingers over the water.

"It's hot enough," he said sarcastically, feeling the slightly warm water.

"It is as warm as the maester will allow." The queen responded, rolling her eyes and sighing as she felt her peace go away with his presence.

"Don't they know dragons prefer heat?" Viserys remarked, pulling an amused smile.

"Hm, after this miserable pregnancy, I wouldn't be surprised if I hatched an actual dragon," Aemma told him, making him laugh.

"Then he will be loved and cherished."

"Rhaenyra has already declared that she is going to have a sister," Aemma told him as she rubbed her stomach, feeling a kick.

"Really?" Viserys said, trying to hide the edge from his voice, that he needed a son, not another daughter; it had to be a son.

"She even named her," she continued, ignoring his tone.

"Dare I ask?" was his response.

"Visenya," Aemma told him, and he chuckled. "She chose a dragon's egg for the cradle that she said reminded her of Vhagar."

"God be good, this family already has its Visyena."

"Has there been any word from you, brother?" Aemma mused

"Not since I named him Commander of the City Watch. But a guard reported to me that he saw him here in the castle today; he could never stay away from the lists." Viserys told her

"Where in the castle"? she questioned

"He said that he saw him in the throne room talking to Rhaenyra, and with a red head, he spoke something about winning the tourney."

"The tourney to celebrate the firstborn son that we presently do not have," Aemma reminded him stiffly, "you do understand nothing will cause the babe to grow a cock if it does not possess one." She asked him, sighing. She was tired of the constant pain and discomfort she had to go through to deal with her husband's desire to have a son.

"The child is a boy, Aemma. I am certain of it; I have never been more certain of anything. The dream was clearer than a memory: Our son was born warring Aegon's iron crown when I heard the sound of thundering hooves splintering shields and ringing swords, and I placed our son upon the Iron Throne as the Grand Septa tolled and all dragons roared as one," Viserys said, grabbing her hand.

"Born wearing a crown? God, spare me; birth is unpleasant enough as it is." Aemma told him, "This is the last time Viserys has lost one babe in the cradle. I had two stillbirths as well as two pregnancies that ended well before their term; that's five in twice as many years."

"I need to strengthen my name and have sons to continue my name and legacy." Viserys cut her off.

"I know it's my duty to provide you with an heir, and I am sorry if I have failed you, but I have mourned all the dead that I can." Aemma said sternly, making him nod and glare at the floor.

"Will you help me out of this bath?" She asked, making him stand up and help her out of the bath as her maids dried her and got her into clothes. The two went to relax as best they could. The atmosphere was tense.

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"Did you read it?" Alicent was questioned as she and Rhaenyra sat under a tree with a large book in her lap. Rhaenyra lay on her back, looking at the sky, not paying any attention to the world around her.