Last Man Standing / Jacaerys Velaryon / Alys Rivers / Taelon Targaryen

9. Laughter

Danika found herself in jaces bed head tipped over the edge laughter filled her.

"Stop! Cant breathe!" She wheezed out. He relinquished her from his tickling grasp.

Danika beamed as he lay beside her. Grabbing her hand he kissed it holding her hand against his chest. Nothing could ruin this moment. so of course Katya and Joffrey came running through giggling as they played tag.

"You're- no come back I almost got you!" Joffrey declared.

"Cant catch me! Cant catch me!" Katya countered.

"Kat! Out!" Danika barked

"Dani come play!" Katya countered

"Go bother vaera. Im really busy."

"Am i bothering you?" Katya pouted. "Am i a bother?" She jumped up on the bed big pouting lips stared back at her big sister.

"Oh shes giving you puppy dog eyes." Jace warned

"I see it." Danika grumbled

"Cant say no to her." Jace added

"I could but its not worth the hassle." Danika corrected. "What are we playing?"

"Yay!" Katya declared jumping up.

''Lord Corlys. It Brings much relief to see you hale and healthy again.' Rhaenyra said honestly as he approached slowly.

''I'm very sorry about your father, Princess. He was a good man." Corlys told her as he looked around the room. ''Where is Daemon?'

''There were other concerns which demanded the Prince's attention..." Rhaenyra offered vaguely.

"Hes being a moody bitch." Avalon spoke up. "Moving on."'corlys gave a tight nod as avalon moved to him. "Glad you are alright Corlys."

''Thank you," corlys answered. "Youve declared allies?''

''Yes.'' Rhaenyra assured.

''too few to win a war for the throne." Corlys countered walking around the map looking at the pieces placed elegantly around. War was anything but elegant.

''well we would also hope to have the support of houses Aaryn Baratheon and Stark-" Rhaenyra went on.

" Hope is the fool's ally." Corlys informed her stiffly.

''Both Arryn and Baratheon share blood with my house, all of them swore oaths to me." Rhaenyra retorted trying to keep her composure.

''As did House Hightower, if I remember''. Larys stopped himself turning to the board. Rhaenyra wasnt a fan of larys but avalon loved her husband. But larys was turning out to be beneficial he knew quite a lot.

''As did you, Lord Corlys.'' Rhaenyra reminded. Slowly he turned to his grandchildren before looking back to Rhaenrya. Jace and Luke had entered with vaera and danika trailing behind them. Danika dropped Jaces hand at her cousins glance.

''Your father's realm was one of justice and honor. Our houses are bound by common blood and common cause." Corlys reminded her. ''This Hightower treason cannot stand. You have the full support of our fleet and house. Your grace." Corlys said with a bow of his head.

''You honor me, Lord Corlys...'' Rhaenyra told him before looking back to Rhaenys. ''Princess Rhaenys,' she acknowledged. ''but, as I said to my Bannermen I made a promise to my father to hold the realm strong and united. If war's first stroke is to fall, it will not be by my hand.''

''You do not mean to act." Corlys realized.

''Taking Caution... does not mean standing fast." Larys cut in. A war of dragons would be deadly. He knew that Rhaenyra had yet to make a hand and hoped the position might befall him.

" I wish to know who my allies are... before I send them to war.' Rhaenyra clarified.

'' I'm not letting you out of my sight this war. Don't know what is lurking." Jace decided

"We should just stay hidden away in your chambers or the clouds." Danika agreed.

" If we're to have enough swords to surround King's Landing, we must first secure the support of Winterfell the Arryn and the Storm's End." Rhaenyra reminded them

'' I'll prepare the ravens, Your Grace.'

'We should bear those messages." Jace spoke up takinga step forward. Danika ran to her mothers side. While Rhaneyra stared back at him with concern. "Dragons can fly faster than ravens and they're more convincing. Send us." Jace begged

''The prince is right, Your Grace.'' Rhaenyra stared back at her boys a long moment before agreeing.

''Very well.'' Rhaenrya agreed. ''Prince Jaecerys will fly north. First to the Eyrie to see my mother's cousin, the Lady Jane Arryn. And then to Winterfell to treat with Lord Cragan Stark for the support of the North. Prince Lucerys will fly south to Storm's End and treat with Lord Borros Baratheon. We must remind these lords of the oaths they swore and the cost of breaking them."

"Please! I thought you loved me!" Danika begged

"Dani love-"

"Mama love!" She countered. "You can't possibly expect me to go weeks without seeing that live of my life!" Danika begged as her elder sister cleared her throat annoyed

"Hello! Aemond and i."

" Shut up we are talking about me!" Danika countered. Larys and Avalon shared a knowing look

"I will keep her safe." Jace added. Danika nodded.

"You look out for each other." Avalon agreed with a sigh. "And if anything didn't feel right you come home or fry ass then come home."

" ekk!" Danika squealed hugging her parents. "Thank you thank you thank you!"

"Tell cregan i say hello."

"Best mum ever!"

"Worst mum ever! Double standards!" Vaera whined. "What about me! I used to be the favorite!"

+

'' It's been said that as Targaryens, we are closer to gods than to men. The Iron Throne puts us a touch closer, perhaps. But, if we are to serve the Seven Kingdoms, we must answer to their gods. If you take this errand, you go as messengers, not as warriors." Rhaenyra requested her sons. ''You must take no part in any fighting. Swear it to me now, under the eyes of the Seven." Erryk brought their bible forward.

''I swear it.' Luke said putting his hand on the book, Jace hesitated before stepping forward. Danika was sworn to no such commands

''I swear it.' Jace agreed.

''Thank you.'' Rhaenyra said as Erryk stepped back. ''Cregan Stark is close to your age, then to mine. I would hope that as men, we can find some common interest." She told Jace. 

''Yes, Your Grace.'' Jace agreed

" and as you aunt Avalon said she was close with the starks they should be easy. Danika is going with you. Use her charms to help guide the discussion if need be."

"Yes your grace." Jace repeated

Danika looked to Avalon as she nodded once kore her confirmation.  Danika ran back to Avalon hugging her tight.

"Stick cloes to Jace." Avalon whispered.

"Thank you mummy! You wont regret this. I promise! I will be super careful and respectful and- inlove you!" Danika agreed before running to Olaf, her white dragon to match her mothers.