Rhaenys
A raven had just arrived announcing the birth of her cousin’s new child and she could not help but burst out laughing. Here he was, the man selected by the Lords of the Realm to lead them and not only had he proven himself to be weaker than Aenys but he also could not get a male heir either. According to her spies, many were beginning to think that Viserys was cursed by the Gods'. Two separate wives and neither being able to produce a living male heir.
“Lady Dracara Targaryen," she spoke aloud even as her daughter joined her in the Hall of Nine.
“What was that mother?" Laena asked.
"Queen Alicent has birthed her hatchling and the King has given the child the name of Lady Dracara Targaryen.”
“Why did he not style her as a princess? She is his daughter, is she not?"
Rhaenys walked over and took Laena’s hands in hers, "The child is more dragon than human babe. She was born with horns upon her head instead of hair which has damaged her mother too severely for the Queen to ever have another child. She also was born with tiny dragon wings on her back and scales for skin and apparently has not cried but bleeted like a lamb since birth. The King is most displeased with his wife with the child she gave him. This is why she was not granted the title of Princess like her half sister. However, the King has ordered that she be treated with the respect owed to the daughter of a King.”
“Surely you jest Mother, Queen Alicent, as you know, has sent me numerous messages about how she will be the mother of the next King. She’s sworn it on the Old Gods' and the New.”
“I do not. Here, read the message we’ve received from the King himself."
Rhaenys then passed the message to her daughter whom she knew had been tormented by the Queen after Viserys had passed over marrying Laena for his daughter’s former maid. Alicent had been so proud that she, the mere daughter of a second son, had managed to worm her way into the King’s bed and then gained a crown all the while Laena, who had been truly the more suitable bride, was passed over. The Green Whore had even bragged about how soon enough, her son would be King and then all of the Velaryon assets would be seized before they were either banished for life, or executed for treason due to Corlys’s war in the Stepstones. The letters had been absolutely brutal towards Laena.
After Laena had read the letter, she laughed, “Oh, Alicent, what has ever become of your precious son? Now you will be remembered as the mother of a beastly monster who was cursed by the Gods'. You think you are above all the rest of us but now the Realm is seeing your true colors. First were all of those damning letters from various houses in the Vale and most of them from the North about yours and your father’s stunts at Rhaenyra’s wedding. Then you birth a beast! You truly must not have the favor of the Gods!”
“Daughter, there is someone that we do need to pray to the Gods' for their favor."
"Who Mother?”
“I have also received word that the Princess is about four moons gone with child. Laena, you and I both know how young she is and yet the child bed looms near for her. We must pray that she and her child survive the pregnancy and birth as if her child dies, her father will demand Lord Cregan sires another on her straightaway and if she dies, the realm is without an heir.”
“I agree. The King is a fool making such a demand! At least when I wed, I will have the advantage of being a full decade older than she is."
"Speaking of your marriage, have you thought about which of your suitors you wish to marry? I know you’ve been debating between Ser Garth Tyrell, heir to the Reach, Ser Elmo Tully, heir to the Riverlands, and Lord Medger Cerwyn.”
“All three have their advantages. Garth Tyrell will one day be the Hightower’s overlord, has just entered his third decade and is the widowed father of five little girls whose ages ranged from three to one and ten. Elmo Tully is eight and ten and that marrying him would help secure the Riverlands in favor of Rhaenyra, should the Hightowers truly declare war. Last is Medger Cerwyn, a man of seven and twenty who is reportedly Lord Cregan’s best friend and it would allow me to be close to Rhaenyra along with Vhagar. I know that at my age of two and twenty, I’m already very fortunate to have not already been married off but I’m still struggling to pick which to bind myself with.”
“It is a huge decision, and one I know that you realize how fortunate you are with being able to pick. Not many women and girls are as fortunate as we are my dear, and I know that your short list of suitors is due to your diligence in seeking what is best for you, our house and our dear young cousin. I’m very proud that you are giving it so much thought. “
“Its a huge decision to make so I must be careful. This is the man whose children I will be expected to bear and whose home I will run. I’m not some common lady who is able to merely desire a handsome and strong young knight.”
“I know, just as I know whoever you choose will be a good choice."
*****AUTHOR NOTE: I want everyone to vote for who they think Laena should marry. Please note that she is 22 and rides Vhagar.
Ser Garth Tyrell, heir to the Reach, age 30, widowed father of five girls.
Ser Elmo Tully, heir to the Riverlands, age 18
Lord Medger Cerwyn, heir of his house, Lord Cregan's best friend.
Looking forward to who everyone picks!!!
YOU ARE READING
The Winter Queen
Fiksi PenggemarIt wasn't long after her father married her former maid that Rhaenyra, the young heir, was quickly married off to the heir of the North.
