Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
chapter six, blood of my blood — 128:131 AC
In the quiet year that followed the Strong and Velayron deaths, Valyria found herself to be changed.
The witnessed words of Aerion Targaryen rang true. The fall of Laenor, who met his end in flames, was followed by the marriage of Rhaenyra and Daemon, their souls bound together by blood. Valyria, she struggled with the simple prospect of facing her father again. It would happen, many times over. She knew this. With each passing day, her dreams grew stronger; the flashing images and voices more frequent.
She witnessed faces she recognized. She saw those she didn't. Past and present, more events she could not prevent.
Months after the Royal Courts return to Kings Landing, Prince Aegon II was wed to his two betrothed. The reaction of the realm was split between acceptance and reluctance. The bridge meant to mend this division was structured out of the small folks love for the princess Valyria Targaryen. After her marriage, she became rather fond of the city. Traversing its cobbled and crowded streets worked when she needed to distract herself from her persistent dreams.
She spoke to the people, andmore importantly, she allowed them to speak to her. The Smallfolks Delight, they dubbed her. A mock of Rhaenyra, but Valyria accepted the name nonetheless. They saw the princess as kind, giving. Many commented that she would grow to be a sweet mother who would show her children nothing but love. Love she had never been given herself. Love she only ever dreamed of.
It did not take long for her to be with child. Even with two wives, Aegon Targaryens appetite was a ravenous one that could never be tamed. He was a sulky boy, the Maesters noted, one who longed for the love of his mother and the attention of his second wife. Whereas she was becoming a distant memory in the wind, one that desperately tried to cling to the present.
Since the funeral of Laena Velayron and departure from Driftmark, it was said that Valyria became lost within herself. None knew why.
Helaena, on the other hand, was content with their circumstances. Not three days after her sister wife, it was discovered that she too was to birth a babe of her own.
During their pregnancies, the constant nagging of Valyria's dreams calmed to white noise in the shadows. Temperance was taught to her, by one Aerion Targaryen. She did not know if he was aware of her presence on the balcony that fateful day, but the princess had a feeling that he was no fool. King Viserys grew frail, his body weakened. This, she believed, was the purpose of Aerion's return to King's Landing.
Though he did not stay long.
A healthy, violet eyed boy was birthed by Valyria after several grueling hours of labor. The young princess screamed until her throat ran raw, so much so that nearly all of Kings Landing learned the wrath of her voice. To the shock of the midwives and Maesters, Aegon stayed glued to the girls bedside. Helaena endured the same process as she, the very same night. Yet their husband remained where he was.
