𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 - 𝑰𝒗𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔

37

When the Blacks returned to Dragonstone, Rhaenyra found herself searching for her son, Lucerys. She spotted him in the council chamber, standing silently with his hand resting on Driftmark's place upon the stone map.

"There you are," she said softly as she approached.

Lucerys did not look up. "The Sea Snake is going to die, isn't he?"

"Luke," Rhaenyra called, voice gentle but firm.

He finally met her eyes, shadowed with doubt. "Grandsire was the greatest sailor who ever lived. I get greensick before the ship even leaves the harbor. I'll ruin everything. I don't want Driftmark. It should have passed to Ser Vaemond."

Rhaenyra's fingers brushed lightly over her swollen belly as she stepped closer to her son. "We do not choose our destiny, Luke. It chooses us."

"But Grandsire let you choose, whether you would be his heir. You told us so." His voice trembled with uncertainty.

Rhaenyra nodded, placing her hands upon the smooth stone map. "And do you want to hear the truth?" she asked, her silver hair catching the candlelight as she leaned forward. "I was frightened when I was your age. Four-and-ten, just like you. I was not ready to be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. But it was my duty. And in time, I understood that I must earn my inheritance."

"I'm not like you," Luke whispered, the words almost lost.

"In what way, sweet boy?"

He looked away, voice barely audible. "I'm not so... perfect."

Rhaenyra smiled, a quiet, knowing smile as she stepped closer and pressed a tender kiss to his temple. "I am anything but perfect. My father guided me and prepared me for my duties. Your mother will do the same for you."

Before Luke could reply, the door opened.

"Good morrow, Princess," Ser Lorent greeted with a respectful bow.

"Good morrow, Ser Lorent," Rhaenyra returned, nodding.

"The Princess Rhaenys has just arrived on dragonback. She urgently requests audience with you, Prince Daemon, and Princess Daenaera."

⸻

The great doors opened again, and Rhaenys entered the throne room where Daenaera, Daemon, and Rhaenyra awaited. The guard announced her arrival.

"The Princess Rhaenys Targaryen."

Rhaenyra touched her belly as she stepped forward. Daemon and Daenaera stood side by side, watching the newcomer carefully. Daenaera faced away, her eyes lost in the flickering firelight.

"Princess Rhaenys, might we hope for news of Lord Corlys's recovery?" Rhaenyra asked, offering a small, hopeful smile.

Viserys's death silenced the room before Rhaenys answered, her voice grave. "Viserys is dead."

Daenaera lifted her gaze sharply at her uncle Daemon, who slowly turned to Rhaenyra. "I grieve with you, cousin. Your father possessed a king's heart."

Rhaenys took a step closer, her eyes dark with sorrow and resolve. "There is more. Aegon has been crowned as his successor."

Daemon moved closer to his wife. "They crowned him?" Rhaenyra's disbelief was clear.

"How did Viserys die?" Daemon's eyes never left the stone table.

"I cannot say," Rhaenys replied quietly. "Perhaps a day or two past. I was held prisoner in my chambers while the Queen made her preparations."

"And yet you stand here," Daenaera said sharply, turning to face her.

Daemon's voice was steady, but edged with steel. "Viserys was slain."

Rhaenyra's words came like a blade: "Alicent demanded you declare for Aegon."

"She did," Rhaenys confirmed with a nod. "I refused."

Daemon's eyes rested on the hilt of Dark Sister. "And you are still alive."

"The High Septon crowned Aegon in the Dragonpit," Rhaenyra winced in pain as Rhaenys continued. "I witnessed it myself, just before I fled on Meleys."

"They crowned him before the masses," Rhaenyra said, voice trailing.

"So that the people would see him as their rightful king," Daenaera finished, voice low but venomous.

"That whore of a Queen murdered my brother and stole his throne," Daemon spat. Daenaera's green eyes narrowed into sharp slits, her fists clenched. The thought of Otto Hightower's grandson seated on the Iron Throne made her blood boil.

"You could have burned them, then and there," she snarled.

"It is not my war to begin," Rhaenys said quietly. "I refused this warning only out of loyalty to my husband and my house. The Greens are coming for you, Rhaenyra. And for your children. You must leave Dragonstone at once."

Rhaenyra winced again, clutching the stone table for support. Rhaenys turned to leave, but paused when Rhaenyra whispered, "The babe is coming."

⸻

Later, Daemon stood beside the map, his voice firm. "I want patrols around the island's perimeter. Look for any small ships attempting to slip ashore. If the Greens attack now, it will be by stealth... not by force."

"We do not have enough men to surround the island," the maester said cautiously, "but we can make ourselves appear stronger than we are."

"Conscript the Dragonkeepers. They're capable fighters," Daenaera demanded, her eyes still locked on the stone map.

Daemon nodded, his jaw set. "Waste no time."

Ser Lorent bowed. "It will be done, my Prince."