A Dragon's Song

Shadows of the Crown

Naerys sat in the stillness of her chambers, the weight of King Viserys's death pressing heavily on her. The afternoon light streamed through the windows, but it did little to warm the cold dread that had settled in her chest. The air was thick with the scent of incense, meant to soothe the soul and bring clarity of mind, but today, it brought her no comfort. Aemond had told her to remain in their chambers while he went to meet with the rest of the Green Council, but her thoughts churned with questions and fears.

Naerys sat on the edge of her bed, her heart heavy with a grief she had not yet fully allowed herself to feel. Viserys was dead—her father, the King, the man who had always been a symbol of strength and continuity. As the news settled in, the reality of what it meant for the realm, for her family, began to sink in.

The bells had not rung. The Silent Sisters had not been summoned. Viserys's death, a moment that should have been marked by solemn ceremony and reverence, was being kept hidden, as though it were some dark secret. Naerys's hands clenched in her lap, the knuckles turning white with the force of her anger.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Queen Alicent entered, her expression drawn tight with worry. Naerys stood up immediately, her emotions bubbling to the surface.

"Alicent," Naerys began, her voice trembling slightly. "Why hasn't the city been told? The bells haven't rung, and the Silent Sisters have not been called. This isn't right."

Alicent closed the door behind her, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve, when Alicent finally spoke, it was not with words of mourning, but with plans for war. "No one can know Viserys is dead until we have secured the throne." she said quietly. "We must ensure that Aegon is crowned before anyone else knows. We can't risk Rhaenyra moving to take the throne."

Naerys's heart twisted at the mention of her sister. "Ravens should be sent to Rhaenyra. She deserves to know—"

"Naerys, think!" Alicent snapped, her voice harsh with the weight of the situation. "If Rhaenyra is crowned before Aegon, she will see you and your son as threats. Do you really believe she would spare you? Spare Aerion?"

Naerys's breath caught in her throat. The reality of Alicent's words settled heavily on her, extinguishing the anger that had been burning inside her. She knew, deep down, that Alicent was right. Rhaenyra's claim would put her and Aerion in mortal danger. But that knowledge did little to ease the pain of what was to come.

Alicent's tone softened as she stepped closer to Naerys. "I know this is difficult, but you must trust us. Aegon's coronation must be swift and decisive. We cannot allow any time for doubt or division."

Naerys nodded numbly, though her heart still ached with uncertainty. "And what of Rhaenys?" she asked. "She's been locked away like a prisoner. This isn't right."

Alicent hesitated for a moment before replying. "Rhaenys is a powerful woman with strong ties to Rhaenyra. We cannot afford to let her influence the situation until Aegon is secure on the throne."

"I want to see her," Naerys said firmly. "She deserves to know what's happening."

Alicent frowned, clearly reluctant, but after a moment, she gave a curt nod. "Very well. But be cautious, Naerys. Rhaenys is not one to be underestimated."

Naerys watched as Alicent left the room, her words lingering in the air. The tension between them was palpable, but Naerys was resolute. She would see Rhaenys, and she would try to make sense of this madness before it consumed them all.

Rhaenys Targaryen had never been particularly close to Naerys, but there had always been a mutual respect between them, an unspoken understanding that they were both powerful women in a world dominated by men. Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was, had lived her life with grace and dignity despite the injustice done to her, and Naerys had always admired that.

But when Naerys arrived at Rhaenys's chambers, escorted by a wary-looking Alicent, she was met with anger and bitterness.

Rhaenys stood by the window, her posture stiff and unyielding. The moment she saw Naerys, her eyes narrowed with a fury that Naerys had not expected. "So, you've come to see me at last," Rhaenys said, her voice cold as winter. "Did your Queen permit it, or did you come on your own?"

Naerys felt a flush of shame creep up her neck. "I wanted to see how you were," she began, but Rhaenys cut her off with a sharp wave of her hand.

"Spare me your concern," Rhaenys snapped. "I have been kept here like a prisoner, locked away while my blood sits on the throne. And you—" her eyes blazed with accusation—"you stand with those who would see Rhaenyra robbed of her birthright, who would see my bloodline erased from history."

Naerys recoiled as though struck. "I have done no such thing," she protested, though the words felt hollow even as she spoke them. "I came here to speak with you, to seek your counsel—"

"Counsel?" Rhaenys laughed, but there was no humor in it. "What counsel could I give to someone who has already made her choice? You are Aemond's wife, you are one of them. You are betraying your blood, Naerys. You are betraying everything our family stands for."

The accusation hung in the air between them, heavy and undeniable. Naerys wanted to deny it, wanted to scream that she had no choice, that she was torn between her loyalty to her husband and her loyalty to her blood. But the words would not come. The truth was, she did not know where her loyalties truly lay anymore.

"I did not choose this," Naerys whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I love my family. I love my son. I never wanted any of this."

Rhaenys's expression softened slightly, but the anger did not leave her eyes. "None of us chose this," she said quietly. "But choices must be made. And the choices you make now will determine not just your fate, but the fate of everyone you love. Remember that, Naerys."

The weight of Rhaenys's words settled heavily on Naerys's shoulders. She knew that Rhaenys was right. The decisions she made in the coming days would shape the future of the realm, and the lives of those she held dear.

But as she left Rhaenys's chambers and made her way back to her own, Naerys felt more lost and alone than ever. The path before her was shrouded in darkness, and she did not know which way to turn. All she knew was that the world was changing, and she would have to change with it—or be consumed by it.