The White Dragon

THE TRIAL BY SEVEN

THE WHITE DRAGON CHAPTER 26 : THE TRIAL BY SEVEN

A FANFICTION ON HBO'S HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

JAEHAERYS TARGARYEN

He and his siblings hadn't slept since their mother's return, her screams of pain and cries of loss mixing into a horrific sound that Jaehaerys never wanted to hear again. They were content to remain in their chambers until the trial but hunger got the better of them so against Jaehaerys' better judgement he led his siblings towards the garden breakfast, passing Ser Rymun standing before two shaking men "For your negligence that led to the death of lady Visenya Targaryen, Prince Aerys has seen fit that you will be hung and left for the crows to feast on. A  better death than you deserve."

Ser Rymun then kicks the stools below the two men away and they struggle against the rope, their necks dancing against the noose as they slowly stop fighting and simply sway with the rope. Their crime was sleeping which in normal situations would make Jaehaerys argue that the punishment did not meet the crime, but his sister was now dead because of incomitance. As the siblings make themselves comfortable in their seats Jaehaerys looks over his siblings, each having a different reaction. Aerea was quiet and cold her demeaner betraying nothing but the constant side to side movement she makes allows Jaehaerys to know she at least has enough emotion to grind her teeth. 

Maekar's reaction scared Jaehaerys, the glare on the 10 year old's face could rival that of the stories Jaehaerys had heard of white walkers beyond the wall in the lands of always winter. The glare had settled now on the backs of Rhaenyra's sons heads and Aemond rather than the nothingness in front of him as it had in their rooms. 

Rhaella's eyes hadn't stopped shimmering with tears her one arm wrapped around the doll Visenya would sleep with and even the sound of the wind rustling against the trees making her cry and Jaehaerys kept her close to him since after mother and father, Rhaella suffered Visenya's death the most for she lost her twin, her second half and best friend.  

Jaehaerys did not know how to feel. He knew he was sad for his sister and angry at Jace, Luke, Aemond, Baela and Rhaena for their involvement in her death, but Baela and Rhaena were also grieving their mother and were angry at Aemond's theft, but a dragon is not a slave nor a possession for someone to pocket and skulk back into the shadows. Vhagar chose Aemond just as Silverwing chose Jaehaerys or Vermithor his father, and there was nothing to be done to fix this apparent 'crime.'

"Why are they just sitting there. That bastard has murdered our sister. Our mother has suffered in the birthing bed and father trains for the trial yet they don't even have the decency to hide themselves away." Maekar spits out angrily and Jaehaerys sighs "Easy Maekar, I'm sure they feel guilt for their involvement without you bringing their legitimacy into question."

"Why defend them? They all should be hung just as the guards were." Aerea says coldly and Rhaella sniffles into her sleeve "They haven't even said sorry." Jaehaerys rubs Rhaella's shoulder affectionately and sighs "Listen, we all have a right to feel the way we do. Visenya was our sister and we miss her and want justice for her but father will see that justice prevails. We must play our part and ensure that our parents don't have to worry about us in this trying time."

Jaehaerys quiets down as Rhaenyra glances at him from another table with a sad look in her eyes before standing from her seat and walks back towards the keep. Jaehaerys then turns his gaze as Helaena walks towards the table with a box in her hands and bows her head low "I'm very sorry for your loss. I did not know Visenya, but I'm sure she shall be missed." Jaehaerys watches as Aerea picks at her nails while grinding her teeth before nodding stiffly "Thank you Helaena."