I See Fire / Jacaerys Velaryon

Chapter 7

I wipe the tears from my face and stand up. "How did you come to learn of this news?" I ask Anastasia shakily. "I overheard a servant discussing it with another handmaiden." She says sadly. "Do you know how long ago?" I ask as tears form in my eyes again. "I am not sure Princess." She says with a shake of her head. I look outside my window as I see dawn start to break over King's Landing. "Thank you for telling me, Anastasia. You may go and grieve. I will not need you for the rest of the day." I say quietly and she nods. "Thank you, Princess." She says and I nod.

Anastasia exits my chambers and I hear my door lock. I walk to my door and try to open it. "What is the meaning of this?" I ask worriedly. "I'm sorry Princess but you are a threat to the crown." Anastasia says and my eyes widen. "My mother is to be Queen what do you mean I am a treat to the crown?" I ask angrily. "Aegon is to be crowned King." She says and my eyes widen. "What?" I ask shocked. I hear Anastasia walk away and I scream and slam my fist against the door. A sob escapes my lips and I slide to the floor with my back pressed against the door.

I stand up and walk to my wardrobe. I get out my black and red dragon riding gear and slip it on. I braid my hair back and put on a ruby necklace my mother gave me when I was younger. I quickly spin around as I hear my door open. I watch as Alicent steps into my room. "What do you want?" I ask her with venom dripping in my tone. "My apologies for the uncourteous behavior Princess." Alicent says with a bowed head.

"I assume you have already heard the news about your grandsire's death and Aegon being named king from Anastasia?" She asks and I nod. "I know you support your mother Rhaella but your grandfather named Aegon his heir last night when I was speaking to him." She says and my eyes widen with rage. "My grandfather would never do such a thing." I say angrily. "Believe it or no, he did and I intend to honor his final wish." Alicent says as she walks to one of the many windows in my room.

"I have a proposal to make." She says as she turns around to look at me. "And what is that?" I ask as I cross my arms over my chest. "Publicly swear your allegiance to Aegon and no harm will come to you. The same offer will be presented to your family. If you decline this offer you will be imprisoned." Alicent says and I chuckle. "You know my mother and father will never swear allegiance to Aegon and nor will I." I say as I glare at Alicent. "I will give you time to reconsider Princess only because you are to be wed to my son." Alicent says as she turns around and exits my chambers.

I sigh and sit down in the chair in the corner of my room. I ponder my thoughts for the next several hours until I hear shouting and swords clashing outside of my chambers. I get up and grab my sword from beside my bed and unsheathe it. I point it at my door ready to defend myself. Ser Erryk walks into my room with Princess Rhaenys behind him. "With me Princess." He says as he holds out a cloak for me. I look at Rhaenys and she nods. I grab the cloak and put it on. I then grab my dagger and attach it and my sword to my belt. I follow Ser Erryk and Princess Rhaenys out of my room as we walk down the dark hallways of the Red Keep.

As we walk through the castle I stop as I see one of my mother's most loyal supporters, Lord Caswell, hanging from one of the pillars in the Red Keep. Ser Erryk gently grabs my arm and leads me away from the horrible scene. We continue to walk through the castle until we come upon a winding staircase that leads out of the castle. "Where are we?" Rhaenys asks. "Just south of King's Way." Ser Erryk says. Rhaenys turns and looks at me worriedly. "The Black Water's this way." Ser Erryk says as he takes Rhaenys's arm. He leads us down the long stairway as the sun rises on the horizon.

The sun rises high into the sky as we walk through the back alleyways of Flea Bottom. "I will not leave Meleys." Rhaenys says as she pulls her cloak closer to her. "Nor will I Valathore." I say agreeing with Rhaenys. "If we could get to the Dragonpit and-" I begin before Erryk cuts me off. "No. They'll expect you there Princesses. You two won't get past the gates." He says and I sigh. "Now come, you both must make for the riverfront and find a ship before they know the both of you have gone." He says and Rhaenys and I nod.

We slow down our pace as we hear yelling and see citizens being herded into a certain direction by the Gold Cloaks. I look between Erryk and Rhaenys worriedly and Rhaenys grabs my hand. "This way." Erryk says quietly as he guides Rhaenys and I in a different direction. We stop as we see citizens running in our direction. Erryk quickly turns us around and we turn down another path but we see more people coming in our direction. The people push past us and Ser Erryk gets separated from Rhaenys and I. Rhaenys keeps a tight grip on my hand as we are forced to move in the same direction as the rest of the crowd.

We are stopped by the Gold Cloaks and I look up as I see the royal carriage pass through the streets. "Today is Aegon's coronation." I say in shock as I look over at Rhaenys. We share a worried look and then the Gold Cloaks corral us behind the carriage. Rhaenys and I stop walking and look up as we hear bells ringing. We are forced into the grand chapel above the Dragonpit for Aegon's coronation.

"People of King's Landing, today is the saddest of days. Our beloved King, Viserys the Peaceful, is dead." Otto announces and gasps and chattering erupt in the crowded chapel. "But it is also the most joyous of days. For as his spirit left us he whispered his final wish that his firstborn son, Aegon, should succeed him." Otto says and then murmurs and applause ensue in the enormous room. I look to Aemond to see him looking at me. My eyes widen but then they slant into a glare.

I watch as guards come out and make a path for Aegon. Horns are blown and the guards lift their swords above their heads to make an archway. I watch as Aegon comes out and walks down the pathway the guards have made for him. As he walks past each set of guards they lower their swords behind him. "It is your great, good fortune and privilege to be here to witness this. A new day for our city. A new day for our realm. A new king to lead us." Otto says as Aegon walks up the steps to join his family. Alicent places a kiss on Aegon's head and leads him forward. The guards are dismissed and Aegon kneels in front of the Preist.

I look over as I see a doorway leading down into the Dragonpit. I tug on Rhaenys's arm and point at the doorway. She nods and we push through the crowd to get to the opening. We make it to the stairway and I look back to make sure no one is watching us. I run down into the Dragonpit and Rhaenys pulls me aside. "I want you to get your armor and then call Valathore. Once Valathore arrives I want you to fly straight to Dragonstone. Do not wait on me. If you get there before I do tell your mother and father what has happened. Tell them that the Greens are coming for them." She says and I nod.

I run through the Dragonpit and go to the armory. I pull on my black dragon armor and resecure my sword and dagger to my belt. I then sneak through the hallways of the Dragonpit and make my way outside into the open area of the Dragonpit. I look around to make sure no one is around and I then stick two fingers in my mouth and blow hard and clear as a whistle escapes my lips. I impatiently wait for Valathore and I sigh in relief as I see his black wings come flapping towards me. Valathore lands in front of me and I look into his emerald-green eyes.

"Lykirī Valathore." I say as I put my hand on Valathore's snout. He lets out a low growl and I walk to his side. I turn around as I hear several pairs of feet running towards us. "Shit." I curse as I quickly climb up the leather ropes to my mount. "Sōvēs Valathore!" I yell as I see several guards running toward me. Valathore flaps his wings and sends the guards flying backward. They quickly get up and aim their crossbows at Valathore and I. They begin to fire at us and I quickly duck my head down as the arrows bounce off of Valathore's thick scales. Valathore quickly swoops up into the sky and flies over King's Landing. I look behind me as I see Meleys and Rhaenys riding on her back. Meleys flies up beside Valathore and I look over at Rhaenys. We share a nod and fly over the sea towards Dragonstone.

Lykirī - Be calm
Sōvēs - Fly