Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 6

Three years was a long time for most people and a chance for change and new experiences

However, for Rhaellanne and Rhaenyra, those past three years had been nothing but hell. Alicent had been crowned queen and had delivered a baby boy, Aegon, and had another baby on the way. But the relationship between her and the twins was now nonexistent.

She had hoped that when they learned to live together as a blended family, perhaps she could salvage their friendship, but that seemed impossible now. Rhaenyra and Rhaellanne did not even attend her wedding, nor her coronation, and they no longer took family dinners with her and Viserys

Rhaenyra was spending most of her days in the courtyard swinging a sword, being trained by Ser Criston Cole. Meanwhile, Rhaellanne would disappear for days at a top with Cannibal. It seemed Rhaellanne was right when she said that Alicent would be a lonely queen.

Rhaellanne had grown to hate the Red Keep and it no longer felt like home to her, so whenever she disappeared on dragon back she was often going to Driftmark castle to stay with Rhaenys and Laena while the men fought in the Stepstones. It also made her feel closer to Daemon to be able to directly hear what was happening

The war did not sound like it was going well though, which made Rhaellanne incredibly anxious all the time now

However, for the first time in the past 3 years, the divided family were going to all be together again since Viserys had demanded that they all join the hunting party for Aegon's second nameday, since the twins had skipped his first name day celebrations. Of course the twins had no interest in celebrating the child who the men of the realm regarded as the rightful heir to the throne, but they had gone along with their father anyway

The carriage ride into the Kingswood was a long one, and was made worse by the constant whimpers from a heavily pregnant Alicent every time they went over a bump

After a while of these noises, Rhaenyra rolled her eyes and said: "Should you be traveling in such condition?"

"The maester said that being out in nature would do me well." replied Alicent

"Well, you will each be with your own child sooner than late, and make me a proud grand sire." grinned Viserys. Neither of his twins could think of anything they looked forward to less than that.

"It's not so bad." Alicent assured them, but neither of them paid her any attention "The days are long, but Aegon came quickly and without fuss."

It appeared Alicent had no idea for the real reason why the twins were so against giving birth, and for the girl who claimed to have been their best friend, she should have been more understanding

Viserys, noticing the awkward tension, tried to diffuse it. "You should both ride out with me today. Join in the chase."

"I'd rather not." replied Rhaellanne tiredly

"The boars squeal like children when they're being slaughtered. I find it discomforting." added Rhaenyra

Viserys shrugged "It's a hunt. How would you like to participate?"

Coldly, Rhaellanne replied "I'm not sure why we must."

"Because you are my daughters...The Princesses. And you have duties." said Viserys

"As we are ceaselessly reminded." whispered Rhaenyra, making her twin giggle quietly

He raised his eyebrows "I'm sorry?"

Rhaenyra rolled her eyes and said loudly "As we are ceaselessly reminded." 

Viserys glared at her "You wouldn't need to be reminded if either of you ever attended to them."