𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 • Jacaerys Velaryon

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧

(warning: mature content in this chapter/depictions of stillbirth)

Two weeks had passed since the wedding of Jacaerys and Renva.  The two have been performing their marital duties everynight to ensure an heir is produced. It was calm in Dragonstone, The newlyweds would wake up and break fast with the rest of the family, Renva would joke with Baela and Rhaena. The three became quickly inseparable, they would travel to the libraries after breaking fast in the mornings and read for an hour. Then they would separate, Renva going to Signe and Baela going to Moondancer, Rhaena decided to follow around Daemon and Rhaenyra and learn more about politics. Cregan had left four days after the wedding, following the news that Lord Stark had fallen ill. Cregan wanted to make sure his sister was settled before leaving her and returning to Winterfell.

Renva was currently taking a walk along the beach with Signe, the direwolf choosing to stay more inland than her counterpart. The ocean calmed Renva, it's not like they had one in Winterfell but the crashing of the waves reminded her of the gentle snow storms that plagued the north during the winter. Renva bent down to pick up a shell, when she heard a screech. Spending the last two weeks on Dragonstone, she picked up on the dragon's calls. This was one she hadn't heard before. Glancing up towards the sky she saw a magnificent red dragon with copper like horns descend near the beach allowing its rider to disembark from its back. Renvas hand ghosted over the dagger she held with her at all times, she knew about the tension between the queen to be and what Daemon deemed as 'the greens'.  As the figure approached the gate of the castle, Renva noticed it was the Queen who never was.
Trailing behind her at a distance, Renva made her way towards the painted table room where Rhaenyra and Daemond were talking.

"Princess Rhaenys Targaryen." Sir Lorent announced Rhaenys presence, unbeknownst to the others in the room, Renva waited outside the chamber. She too assumed Rhaenys was here to bring news about the Lord of Driftmark's health but it turned out that it was something much worse entirely.

"Viserys is dead." Renva's hand shot to her mouth to hold in her gasp. "I grieve this loss with you Rhaenyra. My cousin, your father, possessed a kind heart." It was quiet for a moment, Renva thought the worst was now over but in general Targaryen fashion, there was always something else.
"There is more. Aegon has been crowned as his successor." Renva heard a wince of pain from the true heir before she spoke, "They crowned him?" Daemon took his chance to speak since it grew silent. "How did Viserys die?" Renva took this as her chance to leave the scene, to find somewhere to run. She knew that Jacaerys would be informed but she didn't know how long till then. She thought it best to give him space until he sought comfort in her.

She found herself in the library, a place that brought her comfort. No matter where she was in the world, a library provided her with the same thing, freedom. Freedom to choose what to read, but also a way to escape the would that regarded women with very little care. How she missed her father, news on his condition wasn't ever fast enough. Turning to the rows of books, she saw one of her favorites that her father would read to her as a child. The cover was the same, a wolf that almost looked like it was eating its own tail.
She chose a chair near the fireplace and tucked her feet under her. She was almost a third of the way into the book when she saw Ceria enter the library with a letter.

"Is that news of my father?" Renva shot out of her seat and rushed to meet Ceria.
"I believe it is, your grace." Ceria curtsied and started to turn when Renva lightly grabbed her arm. "Would you please stay with me?" Renva asked in almost a childlike manner. "Of course."
The two sat in the soft arm chairs, as Renva started to shakily open the letter she noticed wet spots on the letter. She knew it could be from the weather but something in her gut told her differently. Renva pulled out the letter and started reading, it was Cregan's handwriting. Her eyes didn't have to travel far to receive the condition of her father, written not even two lines in were the words,

'I regret to inform you my dear sister, but father has passed as of the twelfth day of the tenth moon. When you receive this letter it will be too late for you to attend fathers funeral. But know dear sister you are never far from our hearts. I have been named Lord of Winterfell and I will stand beside you along with the rest of the North. If you need me, do not hesitate to come. Sincerely, with love, Lord Cregan Stark of Winterfell'.
Renva let the letter fall to her feet, she didn't notice she was crying until Ceria pulled out a white handkerchief and wiped her face. "My father is dead." She whispered out to no one in particular. Renva could feel her heart snap in two, however she knew she had to pull it together because while the death of her father was tragic, there was a more pressing matter to address. The death of the King. Wiping her tears away, she picked up the letter, folding it neatly and putting it back in the envelope. She turned to Ceria, "You are dismissed Ceria, thank you for comforting me, but I think it is time I go find my husband." Renva walked through the halls of the castle but stopped when she heard a painful scream.

Following the noise she stumbled across Rhaenyra, and a cluster of handmaidens who were begging her to allow them to help. "Out all of you." Renva said as she entered the chambers and shooed out the staff. She slowly walked  towards Rhaenyra who was in a corner covering herself like a wounded animal. Once Renva married Jacaerys, she read all about what was to be expected of her. She read books about the development of a babe and how it is best delivered, along with complications that could occur.  Noting that Rhaenyra was covered in blood and there was still no babe Renva wondered if the babe was possibly stuck or coming out the wrong way. After growing close with Rhaenyra, Renva knew that the now Queen would hesitate to send her away if anything.

"Your grace it is me Renva." Renva held her hands out to the new Queen. Renva slightly jumped when she felt the Queen grab her hands with such force. "I am here, you need to push. The babe might be stuck." Rhaenyra held on tight to Renva as she processed the younger girl's words. Renva allowed her to squeeze her arms as she pulled Rhaenyra to her knees, keeping in mind it was easier to deliver a babe that way. "On three okay?" Rhaenyra nodded, "One, two" the Queen took a deep breath, "three!" Rhaenyra screamed as she pushed.  As Renva helped pull the babe out she felt what it was that happened before she saw it. Once Renva pulled the babe up to let it rest in Rhaenyra's arms, both women's attention shifted from Rhaenyra's cries of pain, to the little body that didn't cry at all. "It's Visenya, your grace." Renva whispered out, even though her voice felt like it echoed off the walls.  The poor babe was covered in what looked like dragon scales, with small lumps on her back where wings should be. Renva held Rhaenyra close, as the mother cradled her only daughter's lifeless body and wept.
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I am sorry for being absent for the past few months, however I am semi-back and will update whenever I can. With the new season approaching I will try to update more frequently. -Alysa