𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 - jacaerys velaryon

ten

The day after they returned to Dragonstone, Princess Rhaenys followed them on the back of her dragon, Meleys. Evaelysse was in the hall with her father and Rhaenyra when Ser Laurent and Rhaenys entered.

"The Princess Rhaenys Targaryen." Ser Laurent announced.

"Thank you, Ser Laurent." Rhaenyra said. "Princess Rhaenys, might we hope for news of Lord Corlys' recovery?"

"Viserys is dead." Rhaenys informed them. Evaelysse felt Daemon go still at her side. She felt for his hand, and gripped it tightly. "I grieve this loss with you, Rhaenyra. My cousin, your father, possessed a kind heart."

Rhaenyra didn't speak. Evaelysse did feel upset at this news, as her uncle was always kind to her, despite her not knowing him well, but she couldn't say she was exactly shocked. Viserys had been teetering on the edge of death for the last ten years.

"There is more." Rhaenys continued. "Aegon has been crowned as his successor."

Evaelysse's jaw felt slightly. This was Alicent's work. Aegon never wanted the throne, but Evaelysse couldn't help but feel slightly betrayed by him.

Rhaenyra choked slightly, clutching her stomach. "They crowned him?"

"How did Viserys die?" Daemon asked slowly. If the situation wasn't so die, Evaelysse would've laughed. Was it not obvious?

"I could not say." Rhaenys replied.

"How long ago?" Rhaenyra's voice was high pitched and strained, her hands still clutching her stomach.

"A day past, perhaps two." Rhaenys answered. "I was made a prisoner in my quarters while the Queen made her preparations."

"Viserys has been slain." Daemon said decidedly. Evaelysse raised an eyebrow.

"Alicent demanded you declare for Aegon." Rhaenyra said shakily, ignoring Daemon.

"She did." Rhaenys said. "I refused her."

"And yet you are alive." Daemon said skeptically.

"The High Septon crowned Aegon in the Dragonpit." Rhaenys informed them. "I witnessed it myself just before I fled on Meleys."

Rhaenyra groaned in pain. "They crowned him before the masses."

"So that the masses would see him as their rightful king."

"That whore of a queen murdered my brother and stole his throne, and you could've burned more for it." Daemon practically growled at Rhaenys.

"A war is like to be fought over this treachery, to be sure." Rhaenys stared straight at Daemon, her face unmoving. "But that war is not mine to begin."

Evaelysse thought that Rhaenys had a fair point. It wasn't Rhaenys' issue. She owed nothing to Daemon, or to Rhaenyra. Despite this, Evaelysse found herself wishing that Rhaenys had done a bit of burning before she left.

"I only rushed this warning to you out of loyalty to my husband and to my house." Rhaenys continued. "The Greens are coming for you, Rhaenyra. And for your children. You should leave Dragonstone at once."

Princess Rhaenys stood for a moment, before turning and leaving the hall. Rhaenyra suddenly gasped in pain, bending over and holding her stomach. Evaelysse rushed to her side, grabbing onto her arm.

Rhaenyra stood up, with the help of her cousin, and felt underneath her skirt. When she withdrew her hand, it was covered in blood.

"Baby's coming." Rhaenyra whispered.

***

When Evaelysse left the hall, she turned to make for her chambers, but ran into Jace on the way. He had obviously heard Rhaenyra's cries, and had come to see what was going on.