Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 37

The loss of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen had shocked everyone on Dragonstone. 

Rhaenys had been one of Rhaenyra's biggest supporters amongst a council of men who overruled her every decision. She had been one of Rhaellanne's only supporters when she had run away from King's Landing to marry Daemon. She had devotedly been there for Bennard after the loss of his wife. She had often taken Baela and Rhaena to stay with her on Driftmark despite her anger over the loss of her own children. She had gifted Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey tributes every time she saw them even when she knew deep down they were not her blood grandchildren. She had doted on Baelor, Lyanna, Eleana, and Vaelon as her own children. She had played with the youngest four children whenever their mothers could not be there.

She had been the rock of Dragonstone and Driftmark. Rhaenys had once been denied her own birthright to become the Queen of Westeros and yet she had never held that against anybody, even Viserys when he took her place, and had taken that frustration to fight for those who deserved the throne.

When Aegon had been falsely crowned by the Greens Rhaenys had broken into the Sept on Meleys to defy them, and she was the only reason Rhaenyra had made it this far as Queen.

But now she was gone, and Dragonstone felt empty. The shadows seemed darker and wider, the rooms quieter, and the entire place colder.

Rhaellanne felt guilty. If she had arrived at Rook's Rest faster then perhaps she could have prevented her death, but she had to take whatever she could from this battle. Rook's Rest was still theirs, Sunfyre was dead, and Aegon and Vhagar were wounded, which meant now with the Greens' strength depleted this was the time to strike.

However, as Hand of the Queen she could not dictate this war or what they did and was forced to wait while her sister still refused to act.

Frustration brewed more within the council because Meleys and Rhaenys, two of their strongest fighters, were now gone and the men wanted Rhaenyra to answer this tragedy with fire and rage, but the Queen refused.

In anger she had dismissed most of her council for this session and the only people left around the table were herself, Rhaellanne, Jacaerys, Baelor, Baela, and Lyanna.

"Ser Alfred should not be allowed to stay here" Baelor said to the Queen "The way he questions your every move and undermines you is traitorous in nature"

Rhaenyra sighed, dropping into her chair at the head of the table. "Unfortunately, I need support at my table and many Lords are too afraid to make their way here with the threat of Vhagar"

"She is right. Ser Alfred may be frustrating but he has power and influence so we must put up with him" added Baela

He scoffed, "There has to be someone else to sit in his chair."

"Baelor" his mother said reproachfully "In time of war we cannot always be picky about who surrounds us. Just ignore him if he angers you that much"

"I would rather put him in a cell" he replied.

The Queen smiled slightly "You are alarmingly similar to your father sometimes. And speaking of, Daemon, has there been any word?"

Her sister shook her head, "No. I have sent ravens to him but he has not answered any of them yet" She cast her eyes to her daughter, who looked incredibly forlorn when she heard that.

"Let me go and see him" said Jacaerys "I will go and ensure he has been fulfilling his job of creating your army, Your Grace"

Rhaenyra raised her eyebrows, "And if he has not?"

Jace grinned, "Then I will create that army myself. Daemon has had plenty of time to form our ground army and we need to be sure that he has or else your fight for the throne is pointless"