.INDOMITUS. | Jacaerys Velaryon x OC x Cregan Stark |

Chapter Twenty-One: Prepare For War

The Velaryon twins dragged out their flight as long as they could, from racing each other to giving their dragons free reign of the skies. Up in the air there weren't any betrothals or wars, it was just Rhae and Jace. But nothing lasts forever, not even childhood. The twins were ten-and-six, barely adults, yet they had had responsibilities thrust along them and were expected to do as told without complaint. Rhaenys, to marry a stranger and bear his children before ruling. Jacaerys, to rule the seas and the Tides.

Eventually, as the sun began its descent, the twins of the Tides bid farewell to their dragons and made their return to the castle. Almost immediately there were things to do. Rhaenys was flanked by guards and told to report to the Queen, whereas Jacaerys had to write up the formal letters from the Black's. They shared a quick kiss before parting ways, and the guilt ate away at Rhaenys. She had to stop acting as though Jace was her lover. He was betrothed to her cousin, he could not have her. She could not have him.

These thoughts clouded her mind all the way to the council room, where the Black Queen was waiting for her. "Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, your grace" one of the knights introduced. Rhaenys bowed to her mother and approached the fireplace as the knights were Dismissed, leaving only mother and daughter. "My pearl" Rhaenyra kissed Rhae's cheeks as the two women stood by the warm flame. "What did you wish to see me for, your grace?" Rhaenys asked, stepping back and keeping a respectable distance. Rhaenyra sighed and turned for a moment, returning with a double edged dagger. Rhaenys noticed it was the same one she had picked up in the Red Keep, next to the crown that rest on her mother's head. "Grandsire's dagger?" She questioned.

"When my father named me Heir to the Iron Throne, he told me of a dream the conquerer had. Just as Daenys the Dreamer dreamt of Valyria's fall, Aegon dreamt of the fall of men" Rhaenyra removed the blade from its hold, and held it out. "A great Winter will come and destroy all in its path, from beyond the wall to Dorne and beyond" Rhaenyra's face remained stoic as she spoke, and Rhaenys listened keenly. "The dream, Aegon named it the song of ice and fire. This dream is beyond the name Targaryen, beyond the crown. It has been passed from King to Heir for generations and just as your Grandsire warned me, I warn you".

Rhaenys could feel the pressure, and understood her mother completely. The betrothal to the Warden of the North, naming her as the heir, everything. "Rhaenys, I need you to understand this, if nothing else. From my blood come the Prince that was Promised. From your blood. When this darkness comes, House Stark and House Targaryen must be united" Rhaenyra sheathed the dagger and handed it to her daughter, who took it with shaking hands. "I know in years past we have not seen eye to eye, and that you see yourself as more Velaryon than Targaryen, but you will rule after me as a Targaryen. Your father and I agreed on this when you were born" the mention of Laenor caused Rhaenys to face away from her mother, a stray tear falling down her cheek. "I have only ever wanted you and your brothers to be safe and happy... you remind me so much of myself at your age" the black queen wiped the tear from her daughter's face and turned her. The two stood face to face in silence, before Rhaenyra smiled and removed the crown from her head.

"Humour me, pearl" was all she said when given a questioning look from the younger. Rhaenys let out a quiet gasp as her mother, the Queen, placed her own crown on her daughter's head. Rhae closed her eyes as she felt the weight of it on her head, and when she opened them once more she was met with the sight of her mother. Rhaenyra had a loving smile on her face and eyes wet with tears. "It's heavy" was all Rhaenys could say, causing her mother to burst out in mournful laughter with her own following.

~~~

{The Next Morning}

As the dawn rose over Dragonstone the next day, the Black's were preparing. Rhaenyra had called Rhae, Jace and Luce to see her before they departed. Rhaenys would be travelling to Storm's End and then to Winterfell, Jace to the Riverlands and to Winterfell, and Luce would be accompanying Rhaena and Joffery to the Vale. The Velaryon children made their way to their Queen Mother, who clasped their proposal letters in her hand. With her stood Maester Geradys, holding a book belonging to the Faith of the Seven.

"It's long been said that Targaryens are closer to the gods than to men. The Iron Throne puts us a touch closer, perhaps. But if we are to serve the Seven Kingdoms, we are to answer to their gods" the black queen stated, gesturing toward the Maester. "You take this errand, you go as messengers and not as warriors. Swear this to me now, under the eyes of the seven" Maester Geradys held the book forward and looked expectingly at the Velaryon children.

First was Luce. His role as messenger would take him to the Vale with his betrothed and brother, his dragon Arrax as a form of protection. "I swear it" he placed his hand on the dusty book and looked into his mother's eyes with determination. And then there was Jace, who would fly to the Eyrie and then to Winterfell. "I swear it, your grace" his gaze stayed on the book, but his voice never wavered. Rhaenyra looked to her heir with a stern look, but softened as she saw the uncertainty in her daughter's eyes. A look she herself wore at her age. "Cregan Stark is an honorable man, and I believe Winterfell to be quite beautiful this time of year. And Storms End is but a short flight from here, you can come home if you need to" Rhaenys bit her lip and nodded, and with that placed her hand on the book and swore. "I swear it, your grace" She said before standing back with her brother's.

Taking a look at her children by her first husband and sighed. Rhaenyra herself was barely a woman grown when she had the twins, and they stood in front of her adults themselves. "Get to it then" she ordered with a soft smile, holding herself together until they had all left to their dragons. When alone, the Black Queen turned to the view and let the tears fall. The weight of the crown was painful, but it would have to be worth it.

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