The White Queen

Chapter 19

The Red Keep, King's Landing: 126 AC

Thirteen years had come and gone since Jace was born.

And how many things had changed. Aelinor continued her play in politics, improving and introducing a bureaucracy to get some form of royal government. The bureaucracy had been a resounding success, and the small council had taken steps to ensure the prevention of corruption, bribery, etc.

After Valaena, Aelinor had given birth to Lucerys in 118 AC, and then Alysanne in 120 AC. Valaena had claimed Grey Ghost after her egg did not hatch but did not turn to stone, Lucerys's storm cloud colored egg had hatched in 118 AC, bringing Arrax into the world, and Alysanne's violet egg had brought forth Shrykos in 120 AC.

Rhaenyra had two more children following her twins Aliandra and Aelia. Cassandra Martell in 117 AC, and Vittoria Martell in 120 AC. None of her children had dragons. Aelia however had struck up a sweet romance with Jace, and Aelinor planned to betroth them after discussing marriage with the two thirteen year olds.

Aelia marrying Jace would bring Dorne more firmly into Westeros, having Martell blood on the Iron Throne just as Targaryen blood would sit on the Sun Throne in Sunspear.

Daemon and Laena had their twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena, in 114 AC. The birth had been traumatic and troublesome for Laena, so she had been advised to wait five years to try again.

Daena had her beautiful Tessarion, who had been nicknamed the Blue Queen. Tessarion was growly rapidly and had developed a budding mating bond with Grey Ghost.

Talyrax had grown bigger and bigger, now a full grown adult dragon with many centuries ahead in her lifespan.

Aelinor sat in the gardens, watching her children play with the other court children. Alysanne tumbled but Shrykos helped her up, Jace quickly putting his six year old sister on his shoulders to the younger girl's delight.

A horrible feeling of dread seized up in her and she knew in that moment, a member of the royal family had died.

The Red Keep, King's Landing: 126 AC

Word came from Pentos that Lady Laena Velaryon had died, asking Vhagar to burn her in a swift death then a horrible prolonged one in childbirth. Daemon and his two daughters would be returning home for the funeral.

Aelinor was suspicious—Laena had been healthy the entire pregnancy. All of her magical checkups confirmed a swift labor.

The White Queen knew foul play was involved in Laena's deaths.

Death.

Yes, Mistress?

Was there foul play in Laena's childbirth.

Yes. Have their Maester's medicines checked and you shall find traces of Narrow Path.

Aelinor felt cold. Narrow Path was a horrible poison used to kill the baby and mother in childbirth, It was forbidden to even brew it under the penalty of a long, painful death. I'll have Maester Tobias's medicines searched. Thank you.

Her fury and anger welled up inside her.

Tobias, and whoever else had a role in Laena's death, would pay in Fire and Blood for killing a member of her family.