The Dragon Queen

CHAPTER 27

Rhaelys entered the Godswood, Criston following beside her. "Criston do you think I'll be a good queen?"

"I believe you will, princess."

Rhaelys nods her head. "I want to be a good queen, a just queen. I want to be respected and loved. "

"And you will be."

Rhaelys places a blanket on the ground. She sits down with a groan. " You will have to lift me up when we leave Ser Criston."

Criston smiles down at her. "Of course princess."

Pain shoots through Rhaelys's abdomen and she places her hand on her stomach. Criston looks to her.

"Are you okay?" He asks. Rhaelys goes to nod but stops, the pain getting worse.

Rhaelys starts panting. "No. Help me up."

Criston moves to help her, and pulls her up. Rhaelys stood on her feet. She feels something running down her leg. She takes her hand and puts it under her dress, she pulls her hand back and sees it covered in blood.

Rhaelys and Criston look at each other. Criston picks her up bridal style and rushes her to the maester.

Rhaelys let's out pained groans.  "Orwyle. I need maester Orwlye."

Criston nods as he rushes through the corridors. He enters the maesters office. " I need maester Orwlye." Criston shouts.

Maester Orwlye steps forward and sees the princess in Cristons arms. He rushes towards the princess. "What's wrong? Everyone out. Place her here." He points at a bed.

Criston places her down.

Rhaelys tries to slow her breathing. "I'm bleeding, and there is a pain... in my stomach."

Orwlye looks at Criston. Criston leaves them but stands guard outside.

Orwlye gives her milk of the poppy for the pain. He checks her stomach, and writes down something on a piece of parchment.

"Am I losing my baby?"she asks. Orwyle shakes his head."No princess. Thank the God's. But I do not know the cause of it. Your pregnancy will be difficult. So I am putting you on bed rest. It is safer for you and the babe."

Rhaelys nods her head.

************

It has been two months since Rhaelys was put on bed rest. Her father has put Rhaenyra in her place on the council, something that irritated Rhaelys.

Laenor had forgiven Criston for what he had done but only because Criston had saved Rhaelys in the Godswood that day, the day Rhaelys thought that she had lost her babe.

Rhaelys stood at the balcony doors as Vaemon entered. " My beautiful wife, what you doing out of bed?"

"I was bored and you were with Laenor and I did not want to disturb you." She says turning to him.

Vaemon sits on the bed. "Laenor was complaining about Rhaenyra, again. It's all he does. So next time please disturb me."

Rhaelys chuckles. "Okay."

A pain shoots to Rhaelys's stomach. She grabs a nearby chair and clenches her hand.

Vaemon notices and stands up walking to her. "Rhaelys...what's wrong?"

Just as Rhaelys was about to answer a splash was heard. They looked to the ground and notices the water laying there. They looked to each other.

Rhaelys gripped the chair again and the pain intensified. "I think I've begun my labors." She pants. Vaemon stands there not knowing what to do.

"Well don't just stand there get maester Orwyle. Now."

Vaemon runs out the chambers to get the maester.

Rhaelys changes her clothes from a dress to a light shift. She gets on the bed and lays down. She takes deep breathes trying to stop her heart from beating faster.

Rhaelys wasn't ready yet, to be a mother even if Alicent reassured her that she had practiced on Aegon. She didn't want to ruin her child.

Rhaelys let's out a cry, causing Criston to enter thinking something had happened. He saw her laying on the bed, sweat starting to cover her skin. Just as he was about to enter, Vaemon pushed past him with maester Orwyle  and a few midwives close behind.

Criston pulls Vaemon back." It's best you wait outside my Lord. The birthing chamber is not for men."

Vaemon looks to Rhaelys and then nods his head. He turns to leave and walks out.

"Are you ready to bring life into this world princess?"

Rhaelys goes to answer only to be hit with another round of pain.

"Please get it out."

Orwyle goes to check and sees that she is dully dilated. He nods his head to the midwives signaling that it was time.

One midwife had a wet cloth in her hand, she was using it to wipe the sweat of the princess's forehead.

"It's time princess." Orwyle says.

Rhaelys got ready. And started to push.

Alicent entered the chambers and walked to her friends side, grabbing her hand.

Rhaelys grabbed her hand tightly. She was a panting mess.

"You can do this Rhaelys. Your strong." Alicent says.

Rhaelys pushed a few more time until she felt something leave her. A minute later and a cry was heard.Rhaelys let out a relieved breathe.

"A boy princess."

Just as Rhaelys was about to take the babe the pain returned causing her to groan.

Orwyle handed the babe to the midwife and checked the Princess.

"It seems to be another your grace. You're going to have to push again."

A few pushes later and a cry was heard.

"Another boy princess. You have twins, something rare but I guess since you are a twin it was more likely."

The midwives handed Rhaelys her babes. Boys, she had sons.

Alicent looked at the babes and smiled. " Well done Rhaelys. They are beautiful. I'll get Vaemon."

Vaemon entered and walked to her. He saw two small bundles in her hands. He sat on the chair and looked at her.

"Boys. Twins. Do you wish to hold one of them?"

"Yes." Vaemon says

Rhaelys hands him one. Vaemon holds him carefully.

" We're parents. I'm a father."

" We are parents. I'm a mother."

Vaemon looks up at her, tears in his eyes. Rhaelys smiled at him.

"What will we name them?"

"How about Aeron and Aerion?"

"Perfect"