The Dragon Queen

CHAPTER 52

Unedited

Rhaelys sat in the gardens she had dismissed her guards wanting to sit alone with them crowding around her. She looks around her and thinks of the times she used to sit with her mother here,all those years ago. A silent tear leaves her eye as a bittersweet smile sits on her lips.

Maids were scurrying around doing their own business. Rhaelys feels someone sitting down next to, she turns to see who it is and gasps when she notices Rhaenyra, who seems to be dressed as one of the maids. Rhaenyra holds a knife in her hand pointing it at Rhaelys causing her to let out a gasp and grip the blade.

"No, no. Shh." Rhaenyra says.

"What…"

"Shh."Rhaenyra shushes her again.

" What… H…"

" I must speak with you."Rhaenyra says.

" If I c-cry out?"

" Your knights would find me.I would be taken or slain, though not before I killed you."

Rhaelys exhales, " And then what?"

Rhaenyra sighs and drops the knife. " I have begun badly."

Rhaelys scoffs.

Distant chanting, singing could be heard around them.

Rhaenyra was breathing heavily.

"We watched the tourney together, you, Alicent and I…the day our brother was born. We knew, even then, that men trained up for battle are eager to fight, to seek blood and glory. But you are…" Rhaenyra sighs.

"I know you do not have that desire within you."

"You don't know me anymore Rhaenyra."Rhaelys said but Rhaenyra ignored her.

" Rhaenys has counseled me.She said she saw in you a wish to avert the worst of what may now come."

" So, you’ve come to surrender then?" Rhaelys said glaring at her sister.

" I have come to see if we may uncover some path towards peace.The dragons are restless. They smell battle.But if you and I may come to terms…"

Rhaelys interrupted Rhaenyra. " There are no terms now, not anymore.You have no army, your allies turn from you when they hear of your depravity, your hands are bloodied in a crime I could never have imagined you capable of. "

" The trespass was not mine."Rhaenyra lied. Rhaelys looked at her in disbelief.

" Ah, think what you will. I am a mother too and you have yet to answer for the murder of my son."Rhaenyra said.

" Just as you have to answer for not only my grandson but my daughter as well, and let's not forget the death of my son's dragon." Rhaelys points out.

"I am sorry for the death of Lucerys, no mother should see their child die."

Rhaenyra scoffed "Of course, you are. You were always perfect. And I was jealous for a while. But we both have to be honest with ourselves sister, you are not fit for the throne. You are too weak hearted."

"And that justifies the usurping of my rightful inheritance?"Rhaelys asks.

Rhaenyra sighs.

" Have you now stooped so low that you will countenance the suffering and death of thousands, in order that you sit the throne and keep your title as queen…"Rhaenyra said.

" Father named me heir. He never changed his mind."

"Oh, so you say."

" Father had proclaimed to the realm that I was his heir. You were there when he did it."

"I spoke to the king that night before his demise. Mere hours before I left him, he had affirmed my right to the throne..."

"You mean the night you killed him? When his mind was not clear, as he had been given milk of the poppy? Father upheld my right to the throne steadfastly for twenty years, every day of his life, after our mother died. And yet, you will maintain that his mind was changed in an instant?" Rhaelys asked rhetorically.

" I will." Rhaenyra answered.

" You lie." Rhaelys shook her head. She knew her father would never name Rhaenyra heir, as he would have told Otto.

Rhaenyra said softly" No, Rhaelys. I'm not. "

" Our father loved me, Rhaenyra, perhaps in his own way but he did. And I believe he loved you, too. Why did you betray him at the very last? When was your plan first laid? Was your ambition so keen-"

"He changed his mind, Rhaelys. He changed his mind. I swear this to you on the memory of our mother."

"Don't you dare bring my mother into this, do you have no shame?"

"Our mother, it seems you forget."Rhaenyra said.

The two girls sat in silence before Rhaelys broke it.

" What did he say, at the end?Did he speak my name?"Rhaelys asked.

Rhaenyra sighs.

" He was weary. It was hard, at times, to understand. But he spoke. He said i was the prince that was promised to unite the realm."

" What?" The song of ice and fire, did their father really tell Rhaenyra about it?

" I desire peace as you do,but if…"

" Did our father use those words? The Prince That Was Promised?"

Rhaenyra stared at Rhaelys.

" Did he?"

"Yes, he did."

"He… spoke to you of the Song of Ice and Fire?"

Rhaenyra looked confused at what Rhaelys was talking about.

"It’s a story he once told…" Rhaelys chuckles, "about Aegon the Conqueror."

"The C… The Conqueror?"

Rhaelys looked at Rhaenyra. Surely father told her about Aegons dream if her named her his heir.

Guards were approaching.

"I must go before I am discovered." Rhaenyra said while standing up, Rhaelys follows her and stands up as well.

"There’s been a mistake." Rhaelys said.

"There’s been no mistake."

"Please. You can prevent this, Rhaenyra. A terrible war is looming, and even victory may be so bloody as to be counted a loss. Do not let your pride blind…

" There’s been no mistake."Rhaenyra repeated.

" Father wouldn't want us to be enemies Rhaenyra, more so our mother. I do not wish to see you on the other side of the battlefield. Cole is on the march, Daemon… you know what Daemon is. Do you really wish to fight against your own kin?"

"It’s too late, Rhaelys."Rhaenyra says before walking away blending in with the maids.

" Rhaenyra." Rhaelys whispered.

Rhaelys stood for a while. She tried to change Rhaenyra's mind. Rhaelys didn't want to go to a senseless war that would cost people their lives but it seems that her sister had other plans.

If it is war Rhaenyra wants, it will be a war she shall get.

Consequences be damned.