The War Between Dragons

~12~

Few more years past. The day of when Daemon confessed that he wanted to marry me never slipped my mind. Each day he would visit my chambers to ask how I felt and I will still tell him I was thinking about it. He was persistent. I dodged his advances to the very end. But again, he was persistent.

Along those years the boys and Helena grew older, into young teens for Rheanerya's children, almost twenty with Aegon, Seventeen to eighteen with Aemond, and Heleana right behind. They were growing fast. The world around was growing fast, the visions became further than the death of the king. Into something more... bloody. Today we stood before Otto, trying to see the succession of the Driftmark area once Rheanys's husband Corlys died. It was tense. Why Otto was on the chair and not the king was a mystery, but what I did know is that he was close to his own death bed. Anyone could have felt that. Guilt ran into my thoughts as I tried all my best to warn him and he didn't believe. Maybe he wanted to see his late wife... who knows?

Otto asked for Corlys's brother Vaemond to make his stand on who should succeed. The man went on about how the line of the dragon needs to be pure and looked at Rheanerya's sons. My eye twitched annoyingly as the topic of a bastard on the seat was a hot thing to talk about constantly. The boys grew and now they have to do what they were born to do, and that is rule with the common folk by their sides. Otto then nodded over to Rheanerya herself and asked her advice on the matter. She said that Joffrey, her youngest, to be the successor of the land. That's when Vaemond spoke about how they were not pure and looked nothing like Laenor. Before Rheanerya could speak again the doors flew open and we all panned our heads to see who joined the meeting. It was Viserys. His name was read by the knights as he stumbled across the floor.

Otto and Alicent along with Vaemond looked shocked to see him. Including Rheanerya and myself. He was said to be bed ridden... yet he came to back up his daughter? We all watched as he desperately tried to walk across the room to the throne. Otto removed himself from the seat and stood aside. His eyes never leaving the king. Once he got up to the first step he muttered something to Otto and all he said was "Your Grace." I closed my eyes and held my hands into fists. I can't... If I put my foot down before he would come in here and demand why Otto was sitting on his throne! Now... he looks weak before everyone...

When Viserys struggled getting off the first step, a guard came to help. He brushed him away and the guard didn't think twice before stepping back. That's when a loud clank of his crown hit the step. My head went down. I didn't want to cry.... But tears were just screaming to get out. "I said I'm fine-"

"Come on." My head looked up to see Daemon helping Viserys up onto the throne. Didn't joke on him or anything, just help. A brotherly push and shoulder for him. I sighed a little as Viserys sat on the throne and Daemon put his crown on his brother's head. He then stepped down and stood next to Rheanerya again as we all looked up at Viserys leaning against the throne exhausted.

"I must admit my confusion..." Viserys started speaking, "I don't understand... why petitions are being heard...over succession..." Everyone looked tense as the room became quiet for a moment. "Has anyone asked... for lord Corlys wishes? Princess Rheanys..."

"Indeed your grace." Rheanys said without hesitation. Yet I do not remember anyone asking... but she walked up to the front and had her hands together, "It's upmost to our decision that the success will be with our son, Leanor's true blood son... Lucerys Valyrian. Our mind never changed." Vaemon looked shocked and at his sister in law and then the king and back. He looked like he couldn't believe what he heard. A slight smirk went on my face, as I wiped a single tear away. Suck it man... "As matter of fact, Rheanerya agreed to have her sons marry Daemon's children with our late daughters. Baela and Rhaena. A proposal I wholeheartedly agree." Everyone looked at one another and Otto looked nervous on the stand beside Viserys.

Viserys smiled, "Well... the matter is settled..."  I looked over and saw everyone looked anxious at the proposal. Whispers are heard but not heard by the king himself. I glared at a couple as they smacked talked that the boys were bastards and the line wouldn't be pure enough. I rolled my eyes as I looked back to the front. "I hear by choose Lucerys Velaryon as well to be the successor of Driftmark." Rheanerya smiled down at her son and hugged him as Jacaerys smiled a little as well. I let out another sigh as no drama came out of it.

I spoke too soon.

"You speak of rule. After centuries of tradition. To install your daughter as heir. That you dare tell me... who deserves to have the name Valaryan?" Vaemond asked as he stood before Viserys angry. I wish I would have held that sigh I did... "No... I will not allow it!"

"Allow it." Viserys said, "Do not forget yourself Vaemond." It was silent before Vaemond snapped his index finger towards Rheanerya's side of the room, "THAT. Is no true Valaryan and certainty no nephew of mine."

"You have said enough." Rheanerya stated as she stood in front of her sons. "Lucerys is my true blood grandson.... And you... no more than the second son of Driftmark-"

"You may run your house as you see fit. But you will not decide the future of my house." Vaemond said as he put his hand to his chest, "My house survived the doom." I remembered hearing about it. Viserys told me way ago. Something about  sinking and lava brewing... that's how Aegon the Conqueror came to be as well. "Gods be damned. I will not it ended on the account of this..." My eyes widened, No way... is he really going to say it in front of her father? I asked myself as I twiddled my fingers together. Everyone grew quiet. Looking at Vaemond to see what he was trying to say.

"Her children.... ARE BASTARDS!" He yelled. My eyes widened and I turned to the front to see Daemon sneak behind as everyone eyed Vaemond. "And she is a whore." The sudden sound of a knife echoed the room, "I'll have your tongue for that-"

Suddenly Daemon sliced Vaemond's head in two. His tongue stayed on his other half as Daemon put his sword down his front. "He can keep his tongue." He said and looked up at Viserys. "Disarm him!" The guard yelled as four others surrounded him with their own swords pointing to him. Daemon didn't fight and stepped back putting his weapon away. Then Viserys wailed in pain and Alicent ran up the steps, "Grab the Master!!" She ordered as men helped him down the steps. I watched as they helped him exit the room. I sat there and could not believe that happened. Everyone left the room and I saw as the other guards put Vaemond's body away and carried it outside. His tongue dancing with each step. Dear god... this has gotten too crazy...