Unexpected Love: Viserys Targaryen

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"It's not a white hart, your grace, but he's big." Harwin announced as he pulled on the rope, grinning at the king and princess, who nodded.

"What will you do to him?" Rhaenyra asked, looking at her father, who looked at her.

"Kill it, of course it's a hunt, my dear, it will bring your brother good luck."

"But wouldn't it be bad luck to kill something that brings luck, seeing as it should be enough?"

"Perhaps you are right, but it is tradition for royals, and we were not the ones killing it," he grinned, making her chuckle.

It wasn't long before they continued on with the hunt; they had the heart, boars, rabbits, and a few deer. And now they were slowly trailing through the forest. Rhaenyra conversed with Ser Criston before her eyes caught a trail. She felt like she needed to go that way, and it seemed her horse felt the same way because the white horse she rode began to sprint through the forest, the shouts of the hunting party echoing through the forest.

"Rhaenyra" Viserys shouted in worry, rushing after her on his horse, the party following after him quickly.

"Stop, just stop," she yelled panicked, trying to pull on the reigns as she made it through the trees into a clearing. Just as she got into the middle of the clearing, she was bucked off.

"AHH, fuck that hurt," she coughed as her horse ran off. Her head rang as she stood up.

She looked around the clearing, and she could hear a light yelling of her name as the hunting party shouted for her. She walked over to the tree, and rocks were sitting down, trying to get air back into her lungs. Her body ached.

The men got closer to the clearing, but she couldn't dwell on it as she heard a few branches snap behind her, which made her jump up quickly, turning around just as the men broke through the trees, only to freeze and halt their horses when they saw what the princess was staring at.

"Dear Gods," Viserys muttered, sliding off his horse, the others following his lead. The three archers were ready to take the kill shot when the princess and heir were out of harm's way.

There stood in front of her a white hart, looking as magical and magnificent as they were described. She stood still, looking into the animal's eyes, some sort of understanding passing through the two of them.

Everyone held their breaths as the white hart stepped closer to the princess before everything stopped as it bowed to her, seeing her as true royalty. The white hart was the god of the forest; it only bowed when the true ruler was in front of it.

The heart slowly stood tall again before making its way back into the forest. She only turned around when she heard someone speak.

"The gods have chosen her," Criston whispered in amazement.

"All hail Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of the Seven Kingdoms and Princess of Dragonstone Heir, to the Iron Throne rightful Heir and our rightful queen chosen by our king and by the gods as well." Ser Harwin shouted, kneeling down to her, every man following, including her father.

"All hail the true heir and princess," they shouted as they kneeled onto the ground, showing their loyalty and respect to her as she breathed deeply before her father stood up and walked to her.

"I am so proud of you," he whispered before hugging her tightly.

"Did that truly just happen, father?" she asked, making him laugh.

"I believe the gods have chosen you with two dozen lords and men to attest to that, my dear," he said, making her laugh in pure happiness.

"It is getting late and dark. Let's find a place covered to camp out for the night," Viserys announced, seeing the sun setting.

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"Did you enjoy the hunt, your Grace?" Otto asked as he walked into his daughter's tent, making her look up.

"Well enough, father," was her short and annoyed reply. She was tired but could not find sleep without her husband by her side, and her sons refused to go to bed without their father until Alicent bribed them with cookies.

"How fair were my grandsons?" he asked, ignoring her tone and shortness.

"The ladies Lannister and Red Wyne were quite taken with him," Anna said softly, remembering how the ladies cooed over her sons and how they cuddled up to her, blushing at the attention they were receiving. Aelor was more shy than Aegon, who soaked up the attention.

"As they should be, he's the future of the realm. You yourself witnessed the scale of the celebration and how it united the men when you bore the king not one but two sons. You ended fifteen years of uncertainty and doubt. Aegon, for his name's sake, was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms. If Viserys were to name him Heir, the realm would thank him for it," Otto explained, sitting down, making her sigh, and setting her book down with a thud.

"Does this not please you? Do you not want your son to be king? I thought we were on the same page," Otto asked, seeing the distaste on his child's face as she stood up.

"You mustn't ignore the certain truth that if Rhaenyra were to step over Aegon to ascend the throne, the realm would tear itself apart."

"They all swore obeisance to her; our house is among them. To speak about anyone else descending the throne is treason; it is a crime, father," she reminded her father, throwing her hands up.

"That was before Aegon," Otto said, leaning back into his chair.

"It is Aegon that is being robbed; he's the firstborn son of the King. To deny that he is heir to the throne is to assail the laws of gods and men. The road ahead is uncertain, but the end is clear: Aegon will be king. You must guide Viserys towards reason; hell will never find his own," Otto explained, frustrating her.

"I know, father, but it will take time. He can't just take the throne and title from his daughter. Despite caring for me, he will always love Aemma, and giving the throne to Rhaenyra is his way of lessoning the guilt."

She was sick, saying those things. She knew Viserys would always love Aemma, and she was fine with that; she would never hold that against him or hate him for it. She was his first wife, his first love, and the mother to his daughter. He will always love her. Viserys didn't name Rhaenyra an heir out of guilt; he named her because he believed in her.

"But you still must guide him, Anna, and guide Alicent to a man with authority and high standing."

"Yes, I know, father. Now please leave. I am tired."

He scoffed at her words but still left just as Alicent entered the tent, cautiously bowing to her father, who nodded back before exiting the tent, leaving them alone besides the two sleeping boys in their beds not far away.

"I couldn't sleep and was hoping you would be awake still," Alicent admitted, making her hum.

"Well, my bed is empty and cold if you wish to sleep in it with me tonight," Anna offered, smiling when her little sister jumped into the bed, lying down with her carefully following.

"Anything keeping you up, little bird?"

"No, I just couldn't sleep. Rhaenyra wasn't in the tent, and even if there was a guard, I didn't feel comfortable sleeping in a tent alone with strangers around."

"Ahh, well, close your eyes; you're no longer alone."