The Joker and The Queen // Daemon Targaryen // Harwin Strong

9. Succession

'Where's Vaera? Where's Rhaenyra?'

'Your Grace. This is the last thing any of us wish to discuss at this dark hour, but I consider the matter urgent.' Otto said as he approached him.

'What matter?'

'That of your succession.' Otto told him as though it was obvious. 'These recent tragedies have left you without an obvious heir.' Viserys shook his head, he couldn't think of these things.

'The King has an heir, my Lord Hand.'

'Despite how difficult this time is, Your Grace, I feel it important the succession be firmly in place for the stability of the realm.'

'The succession is already set... by precedent and by law.' Lyonel Strong told them. 'Shall we say his name?'

'Daemon Targaryen.'

'If Daemon were to remain the uncontested heir, it could destabilize the realm.'

'The realm? Or this council?' Viserys countered.

'No one here can know what Daemon would do were he king, but no one can doubt his ambition. Look at what he did with the gold cloaks. The City Watch is fiercely loyal to him. An army 2,000 strong. An army you gave him, Otto.'

'I named Daemon Master of Laws, but you said he was a tyrant. As Master of Coin, you said he was a spendthrift that would beggar the realm.' Otto told Viserys

'Putting Daemon in command of the City Watch was your solution!' Viserys shouted back.

'A half-measure, Your Grace. The truth is, Daemon should be far away from this court.' Otto told him with finality.

'Daemon is my brother. My blood. And he will have his place at my court.' Viserys told them.

'Let him keep his place at court, Your Grace, but if the gods should visit some further tragedy on you, either by design or by accident...' Mellos began.

"Design? What are you saying? My brother would murder me, take my crown?' Viserys questioned incredulously. 'Are you?! Please. Daemon has ambition, yes, but not for the throne.' Viserys told them confidently but Daemon stood outside the council door listening a soft chuckle escaped his lips. If his brother only knew.

'He lacks the patience for it.' Viserys told them

'The gods have yet to make a man who lacks the patience for absolute power, Your Grace.' Otto told him

'Under such circumstances, it would not be an aberration for the King to name a successor.' Mellos told him.

'Well, who else would have a claim?'

'The King's firstborn child.'

'Rhaenyra? A girl?' Lyonel Strong questioned 'No queen has ever sat the Iron Throne.'

'That is only by tradition and precedent, Lord Strong. If order and stability so concerns this council, then perhaps we shouldn't break 100 years of it by naming a girl heir.' Mellos offered.

'Daemon would be a second Maegor, or worse. He is impulsive and violent. It is the duty of this council to protect the King and the realm from him. I'm sorry, Your Grace, but that is the truth as I see it, and I know that others here agree.'

'I will not be made to choose between my brother and my daughter.' Viserys told them growing more agitated by the moment.

'You wouldn't have to, Your Grace.' Corlys told him 'There are others who would have a claim.'

'Such as your wife, Lord Corlys?' Viserys said with a chuckle. "The Queen Who Never Was?'

'Rhaenys was the only child of Jaehaerys' eldest son. She had a strong claim at the Great Council, and she already has a male heir.' Corlys reminded them.

'Just moments ago, you announced your support for Daemon!'

'If we cannot agree on an heir, then how can we expect...'

'My wife and son are dead! I will not sit here and suffer crows that come to feast on their corpses!' Viserys shouted at them but sighed in defeat. 'Send a raven to Oldtown.'

'Straight away.'

+

'My darling.' Otto said to his daughter. 'How's Rhaenyra?'

'She lost her mother.' Alicent reminded him.

'The Queen was well-loved by all. I found myself thinking of your own mother today.'

'How is His Grace?' Alicent offered.

'Very low.' He admitted 'Which is why I sent for you. I thought you might go to him... offer him comfort.'

'In his chambers? I wouldn't know what to say.'

'Stop that.' he said swatting at her hand she was picking at her nails causing them to bleed. 'He'll be glad of a visitor. You might wear one of your mother's dresses.' He offered.

+

"Vaera love." Daemon whispered pulling himself through her window. 

"Daemon, what are you doing?" Vaera asked offering a hand up but she was not built with muscles and her efforts were useless. "Why didnt you come in the door?"

"I didnt want your guard to kick me out." Daemon said breezily. 

"I dont think he..." Vaera thought about that again before she pained laugh. "Yeah probably." Vaera agreed. 

"You alright gorgeous?" Daemon asked as she slumped down on the bed. 

"No." Vaera admitted softly. "Everyone is going to hate me, Nyra is going to hate me, father is going to-"

"Slow down," Daemon declared standing in front of her, her legs swung between his legs with his wide stance, his hands on her shoulders. "Why would they hate you? they would be ridiculous to hate you. it is not possible to hate you Vaera." Daemon said confidently. 

"I didnt want the baby to have my name day. I did this. I killed them." Vaera sobbed and Daemon hugged her tight. 

"Baby no." Daemon assured resting his chin on the top of her head. "You didnt so anything wrong."

"I have to talk to Nyra." Vaera declared looking up at him. "I have to... She is going to hate me, I have to go." Vaera declared running out the door.