Blood of the Dragon

Dragons Blood Part 2

Driftmark

Hall of Nine

"We should ask Prince Rhaegon if he wishes to stay here with the children for a few days." Corlys suggested to his wife, but Rhaenys only sat at the fireplace staring at the flames.

"Laena died because she was a target. She became a target the moment she married Rhaegon." Rhaenys said.

"The crown prince blames himself enough. Must you add on to his guilt?" Corlys asked.

"If our daughter had better maesters, she and her babe might be alive." Rhaenys said.

"Maester Gerardys is one of the best the realm has to offer, and Laena knew that." Corlys pointed out. "You're looking to place blame on an act of the gods."

"Mayhaps the gods have scorned us...for our insatiable pride." Rhaenys bitterly said.

"The crown was yours until those fools at the Great Council plucked it from your head. Is it such a terrible thing for your husband to wish to win it back?" Corlys asked her. He hadn't given up in securing his blood on the Iron Throne.

"Tonight of all nights, let us lay aside this falsehood." Rhaenys looked at her husband. "It is not justice for your wife that drives you. It is your own ambition. It is your desire for the throne. If not for yourself, then for the scions of your own house. I gave the idea of wearing a crown a generation ago. It is you, Lord Husband, who refuses to abandon this pursuit, even now at the cost of our children."

Corlys sighed and sat down. "What is this brief mortal life... if not the pursuit of legacy?" He asked.

"Legacy may be why you live your life, Corlys, but I live for my grandson and granddaughters." Rhaenys looked at Corlys. "I want Driftmark to pass to Baela after Laenor. To true Velaryon blood, you will get your wish for Corwyn. He will be king after Rhaegon passes. Declare it now to all who are gathered here, and we will say that it is how we will honor Laenas memory." She said.

"You would have me cast an even darker shadow over those little boys that already exists?" Corlys asked. He did not mention Visenya because he knew she would not inherit anything.

"We are alone here, husband, you can speak the plain truth as we both know it. Rhaenyras children are not of your blood." She took Corlys' hand. "But Laenas are. They are here legacy."

"History does not remember blood. It remembers names." Corlys forcibly took his hand out from his wife's grip.

Shores of Driftmark

Rhaenyra and Daemon watched as Rhaegon walked alone. Laenor had gone to bed after Qarl was ordered to bring him back inside.

"Let me speak with him, uncle." Rhaenyra told Daemon.

Rhaenyra caught up with Rhaegon, who sadly looked at her. "It was never meant to be the three of us. Just you and me. She should've lived her life how she wanted it. Instead, she only got half a husband."

"I know you loved her. I loved her as well. She died -" Rhaegon cut Rhaenyra off.

"She was murded." Rhaegon spat. "As was my child."

"We've dealt with the assassins, and soon we will know who did this." Rhaenyra said.

"I already know who did this." Rhaegon said.

"Who?" Daemon asked once he joined them.

"The Hightowers. I took something from the assassin who failed to kill me at Harrenhall. It was a badge with the sigil of House Hightower and a firefly." Rhaegon said. "Now, while I have no idea about the damned firefly, I know the sigil of the greens. I'm going to kill them all."