I See Fire / Jacaerys Velaryon

Chapter 8

Rhaenys and I land our dragons outside of the gates of Dragonstone. I climb down from my mount and plant my feet on the familiar ground of my home. I look around at the rolling hills and vast rocky mountains of Dragonstone and smile. I place a hand on Valathore's snout and smile. "Īlon issi lenton Valathore." I say and Valathore lets out a low growl. I pat Valathore's snout twice and he roars and then flies into the air.

"Princess Rhaenys, Princess Rhaella." A guard says as he comes up to us and bows. "We need to speak with my mother and father immediately." I say and the guard nods and walks up the winding staircase back to the castle. I share a worried look with Rhaenys and she grabs my hand comfortingly.

We begin the long walk up the same staircase that the guard just went up and I nervously pick at my nails. "Princesses, the Prince and Princess will see you now." A knight outside the gate leading into the castle says. Rhaenys and I both nod and follow the Knight down the stone hallways of Dragonstone.

The knight leads us into a room and I smile seeing my mother. "The Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and Princess Rhaella Velaryon." The guard announces and my mother sends me a smile. "Thank you, Ser Lawrence." My mother says as she steps forward. "Princess Rhaenys, might we hope of news of Lord Corlys's recovery." My mother says with a smile. "Viserys is dead." Rhaenys says quickly and I look down as tears form in my eyes. "I grieve this loss with you Rhaenyra. My cousin, your father, possessed a kind heart." Rhaenys says and my mother nods. "There is more mother." I say as my mother looks over at me. "Aegon has been crowned as his successor." Rhaenys says and my mother looks over at me for confirmation. I give her a small nod and a whimper of pain escapes her lips.

"They crowned him?" My mother asks and I go to her side and grab her hand. "How did Viserys die?" Daemon asks solemnly. "I could not say." Rhaenys says with a shake of her head. "How long ago?" My mother asks as tears form in her eyes. "A day passed perhaps two. Your daughter and I were made prisoners in our quarters while the Queen made her preparations." Rhaenys says as she bows her head. "Viserys has been slain." Daemon says immediately jumping to conclusions like always.

"Alicent demanded you declare for Aegon?" My mother asks as she looks at Rhaenys. "She did." Rhaenys says with a small nod. "I refused her." Rhaenys says seeing the betrayal in my mother's eyes. "And yet you are alive." Daemon says as he glares at Rhaenys. "The High Septum crowned Aegon in the Dragonpit. Your daughter and I witnessed it ourselves just before we fled on Meleys and Valathore." Rhaenys says and Daemon looks over at me. I nod and look over at my mother as another pained whimper escapes her lips.

"They crowned him before the masses?" My mother asks in shock. "So that the masses would see him as their rightful King." Rhaenys says. "That whore of a Queen murdered my brother and stole his throne and you two could have burned them all for it." Daemon says with venom dripping in his tone. "A war is like to be fought over this treachery to be sure." Rhaenys says and Daemon nods. "But that war is not mine or your daughter's to begin." Rhaenys says as she looks over at me and then back to Daemon.

"I only rush this warning to you out of loyalty for my husband and to my house. The Greens are coming for you Rhaenyra and for your children. You should leave Dragonstone at once." Rhaenys says as she begins to walk away. A pain-filled sob escapes my mother as tears fall down her cheeks. I look over at her worriedly as she lightly curses under her breath. My mother quickly pulls up her dress and places her hand to her leg. When she removes her hand it is soaked in blood. "Mother." I say worriedly. "The baby's coming." My mother says and my eyes widen in shock. "Call the Maesters!" I yell to the guards and they rush out of the hall. My mother sobs in pain and I grab onto her. "Come Mother." I say as I lead her out of the hall and to her and Daemon's chambers.

I help my mother undress and put on a silk gown. The Maester and midwives rush in and begin getting everything set up. My mother paces back and forth and takes painful, labored breaths. "Her term is far from complete this should not be happening." The Maester says to myself and a midwife. "It is fucking happening." My mother says as she walks closer to the Maester. "Keep your head about you mother. You have done this six times before." I say as I gently lead her away from the Maester. Several midwives gather around my mother and lead her to her bed. "Get off, get off, get off. Ow, ow, ow." My mother cries as she walks to one of the pillars leading to her balcony and leans on it. "Rhaella." My mother calls for me and I rush to her side. "I'm here mother." I say as my mother grabs my arm.