Chapter 2

Author's Note: There are going to be a few time jumps throughout the story, so bear with me.

Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, nor any of George RR Martin's works

Rated M for strong language, violence, adult content, adult situations, incest, and some sexual content

Enjoy

Dragonstone, 112 AC...

Daughter,
You are to return to Runestone at once.
I have received word that your father has been dismissed from court and therefore, you have no reason to remain with him.
It is high time you were wed.
Upon your arrival, you will be married to your cousin, Ser Gunthor Royce.

Alyssa tossed the letter onto the desk, unable to read another word. The letters from Runestone had been arriving more and more often of late. She suspected Lady Rhea was waiting for Daemon to fall out of favor, for any reason to summon her to the Vale and take control. Alyssa moved to the window. A ghostly pale dragon circled the dragon mount, no doubt hunting for food. The last four months had been dull. The entire City Watch defected to Dragonstone in support of Prince Daemon. The castle was barred and Alyssa was forbidden from leaving the island. There were no handmaids or servants her age. The men of the City Watch were polite and courteous but otherwise paid her no mind. Mysaria had grown on her some. The Lyseni dancer was quieter than a mouse, but she made Daemon happy. She even taught Alyssa some Lyseni dances, ones that dated back to the Freehold.

And yet, she wanted to scream. For the longest time, her letters to her friends went unanswered. It was only last week that Rhaenyra finally responded with an update on Daella's well-being and nothing else. Alyssa longed to fly back to King's Landing, even for a day, to see her cousins. Would Daella even remember her? Rhaenyra made no mention of Alicent in her letter, and Alyssa had come to accept that her dear friend had forsaken her. Her 15th nameday had come and passed, celebrated with strangers save for her father. A truly sad affair. She missed her friends. She missed her family. The high-pitched whistle of Caraxes drew her attention to the sky. The red dragon appeared from the west, circling around the castle to land in the main courtyard. Seven hells?

Alyssa made her way down, ignoring the City Watchmen that cleared from her path. Most of them had gathered in the courtyard to greet their Lord Commander. Her father dismounted Caraxes, holding something large tucked under his arm. "You left."

"And now I have returned," he said, gesturing to his person.

Her eyes went to the dark green dragon egg in his hand. "To retrieve an egg? For what?"

"A reaction." Daemon nodded to Captain Randyll. "Secure the castle. Visitors will be arriving soon."

Alyssa watched the men of the City Watch spurn into action. "Visitors? Father...what did you do? Who's egg is that?"

"What does it matter?" he asked, heading inside. "The king will come and all of this will be settled."

"What will be settled?" Alyssa had to walk fast to keep up with Daemon. "The king has been silent ever since you took Dragonstone. Why would he care now?"

"Don't discredit yourself, my dear. We took Dragonstone." Daemon entered the room of the Painted Table. He set the egg down right over the carved spot of God's Eye Lake.

Alyssa walked over to the egg, studying its size and color. Dark green with yellow and black undertones. The same exact colorings as the egg Rhaenyra had chosen as it reminded her of Vhagar. "You stole Princess Daella's egg."

"It did not hatch for her," he said. "But it may for another."

She flicked her gaze to him with raised eyebrows. "What do you mean?" Daemon only smirked in response. "Father. What do you mean?"

King's Landing...

Princess Rhaenys relaxed on a bench, looking out at the view of the gardens. Her youngest child, Laenys Velaryon, played with sea horses and dolls while her governess kept an eye on her. Rhaenys had watched Laena walk into the gardens with King Viserys - a way for the two to get to know one another. Rhaenys' stomach toiled. Her daughter was still a child, only 12, but she was no fool. Noble ladies must marry. She thanked the gods for the blessing of her second daughter. Laenys came as a surprise as Rhaenys assumed her child-bearing years were done. Born in the sixth month of 110 AC, Laenys was now 2 years old and the Queen Who Never Was took pride in producing another dragonrider. Another child to dote on and not worry about their future for years to come.

Rhaenyra rounded the corner, her eyes glued to King Viserys and Lady Laena down below, her sourness evident on her face. Rhaenys smirked. "It bothers you, does it not?"

The young heir turned to face the older princess. "My father is the king. It is his duty to take a new wife and strengthen his line-"

"I did not ask for a lesson in politics. I asked whether this bothers you."

Rhaenyra raised her chin. "Laena is your daughter, Princess. Does it bother you?"

"Of course it does," she said without hesitation. "But I understand the order of things. I'm not sure you do."

Before Rhaenyra could respond, Laenys waddled over and held up a toy in offering. A wooden dragon painted blue like the hatchling bonded to the little dragonrider. Blue as twilight. Rhaenyra smiled down at her cousin and took the toy. Laenys let out a satisfied squeal and returned to her other toys. Rhaenyra examined the dragon. "If you mean to elicit some anger from me, you should that you are failing."

"Quite the opposite," Rhaenys confessed. "Whether it's to my daughter or to someone else's, your father will remarry sooner rather than late. His new wife will produce new heirs, and chances are better than not that one of those will be male. And when that boy comes of age and your father has passed, the men of the realm will expect him to be King, not you. Because that is the order of things."

Rhaenyra stood firm and unwavering. "When I am Queen, I will create a new order."

Rhaenys let out a disappointed sigh. "How I wish that could be, Rhaenyra. But the men of the realm already had their opportunity to appoint a ruling queen at the Great Council and they denied it."

"They denied you, Princess Rhaenys. The Queen Who Never Was. But they bent the knee to me and called me heir to the throne."

"Do you remind your father's men of that as you carry their cups?" Rhaenys asked.

"Cups, cups, cups!" Laenys echoed.

Rhaenys tucked a loose curl behind Laenys' ear, rubbing the girl's soft cheek. "Here is the hard truth, which no one else has the heart to tell you," she said. "Men would sooner put the realm to the torch than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne."

Rhaenyra inhaled sharply and marched over to Laenys, setting the toy down before addressing her cousin. "Instead of lecturing me on my impending doom, Princess, perhaps you should look to strengthening our bond. There are many who would rather see us tear ourselves apart so that they may further their own rise."

"Then pray your father does the right thing...and marries Laena."

Dragonstone, two days later...

Alyssa stood at the top of the winding walkway to the castle's entrance. She recognized the dark green colors of House Hightower. It was shocking to see Ser Otto leading the procession of knights to contest Prince Daemon's hold on Dragonstone. Starfyre rested behind her in the entry courtyard, saddled and ready. Caraxes was somewhere behind the castle, not interested in keeping Starfyre company. Not that Starfyre minded. Like most dragons, she was not particularly fond of the Blood Wyrm.

She expected to join her father in meeting with their visitors, but he ordered her to remain behind. To provide cover should the meeting descend into a battle. As always, Alyssa obeyed without protest, but...a small part of her was suspicious. She could not hear their exchange of words, but there was no doubt Daemon was antagonizing the Hand of the King. Her father bounced the dragon egg from hand to hand. Ser Otto's voice could be heard on the wind but not his words. Whatever he said spurned Daemon to draw Dark Sister. Alyssa swiveled on her heels and ran to Starfyre. The she-dragon shook off her laziness as Alyssa climbed into the saddle. Starfyre hopped atop the castle's outer walls, drawing the attention of the Hightower guards.

Caraxes whistled as he crawled to the highest point of the keep, teeth bared at the visitors below. He let out a shrill roar, high-pitched and snake-like. Alyssa grabbed onto the reins and summoned her courage. "Sōvēs."

Starfyre dove off the wall, letting out a warning roar. Alyssa steered her to land a few yards behind the gold cloaks. Ser Otto's eyes went wide with a mix of fear and surprise. Starfyre shivered with anticipation, growling and waiting for Alyssa to give the command. The Hand of the King lowered his sword. "All of you...sheathe the fucking steel."

The Hightower knights and the two Kingsguards obeyed. Daemon and his gold cloaks kept their swords at the ready, a smug smirk on the prince's face. "Crawl back to King's Landing, Otto. And tell my brother to come get me himself."

Ser Otto pressed his lips into a tight line, a vein becoming visible on his forehead. Before he could speak, a distant roar carried on the wind. Starfyre turned to look towards the setting son. The fog over the water was thick, but there was something flying low and fast. Syrax burst forth from the clouds, surprising the Hightower knights. Rhaenyra circled the men and Starfyre. The orange dragon let out a warning growl, watching her old friend warily. Caraxes bellowed with soft calls which Syrax ignored. Rhaenyra steered Syrax to land behind the Hightowers, eyeing her uncle and cousin coolly. She dismounted and leisurely made her way over.

Alyssa did the same, placating Starfyre. Daemon noticed his daughter approaching. "Kelitas, Alyssa!" She immediately froze. "Bēgūrogon aōha zaldrīzes!"

"Dubys ajorrāelō daor!" Rhaenyra called.

Alyssa threw up her hands, exasperated with the both of them. Rhaenyra approached Daemon, her words soft enough for only him to hear. Rhaenyra asked him something, causing him to glance at Mysaria for a moment. Whatever was said, Mysaria promptly turned away and began marching back up to the castle. Her face was fixed in a state of hurt and fury. Her dark eyes met Alyssa's. "Did you know of his plan?"

"My father has told me nothing."

Mysaria harrumphed and stomped past. Starfyre raised herself to allow the Lyseni to pass under her. Alyssa watched her disappear inside then turned back to her father and cousin, ignoring her dragon nuzzling her back. Daemon turned away from Rhaenyra, choosing to walk away, but not before tossing the egg to the princess. Rhaenyra's gaze found Alyssa's. Silent words and pleas passed between them in that brief moment. Alyssa's view of her cousin was suddenly blocked by her father. A playful, but defeated look on his face. Alyssa said nothing, turning away and mounting Starfyre once again. She shot Ser Otto's retinue one last glance before taking to the air, Caraxes watching their every move.

Alyssa glanced back over her shoulder, seeing Syrax jump off the walkway with Rhaenyra on her back. She whistled to her cousin. Alyssa's heart raced. Can she even hear me this far? Rhaenyra whistled back. Alyssa smiled and urged Starfyre towards the northern side of the island. The shore is difficult to see on the northern side. High cliffs drop down into a strip of sand, barely bigger than the main courtyard of the castle. But it was enough for the two dragonriders to meet. Alyssa did not have to wait long. She watched Syrax dive down over the cliffs, arching around to land on the opposite end of the beach. Rhaenyra had an unreadable expression and dismounted swiftly. Alyssa did the same, swallowing her nervousness. She bowed to her cousin, "Dārilaros."

"Dubys," Rhaenyra greeted. "You look well."

Alyssa slumped her shoulders. "Is that all you have to say?"

Rhaenyra cocked an eyebrow. "What did you expect me to say? Dragonstone is mine and you both defied the king by taking what doesn't belong to you."

"What was I supposed to do when my father commanded me to leave with him?" she asked. "Obviously, he didn't think his plan through, but he is tired and wants to come home. We both want to come home."

"If that is true...then why did he make a show of stealing my sister's egg?" Rhaenyra shook her head. "Why would you let him do that? To my father? To me?"

"I didn't know he planned to take it until he arrived with it-" Rhaenyra scoffed "-it's the truth!"

The princess crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head. "You could've stayed. My father doesn't blame you for Daemon's actions."

"If I had stayed, my mother would've petitioned for my return to Runestone...and the king would've granted it," she said wistfully. "We would never see each other again."

Rhaenyra gently tapped her finger on her arm as she thought over Alyssa's words. "Would returning to Runestone be such a bad thing? You haven't seen your mother in seven years."

"Lady Rhea is not the same as Queen Aemma, cousin." Alyssa stepped closer to her oldest friend, wringing her hands as she fought the urge to embrace her. "I am sorry, Rhaenyra. Truly, I did not know of my father's plans. If I had, I would've warned you or found a way to stop him."

Rhaenyra studied Alyssa's face, seeing the sincerity pouring out of her. She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I suppose that is exactly why he did not tell you. Not that it matters now. The egg has been returned and order is restored." She took Alyssa's hands into her own. "I miss you, cousin. The Red Keep has become a sad place and I do not know if I can bear it any longer."

Alyssa pulled her into a hug. Rhaenyra welcomed the embrace, pressing her face into Alyssa's shoulder. Syrax and Starfyre whined longingly, feeling the deep love of their riders. "I would command you to return with me," Rhaenyra said. "But then I am no better than Daemon."

She pulled away and brushed Alyssa's hair from her face, tucking the curls behind her ears. "Now that your father's occupation is over, you must decide your own path. I fear your father has nowhere left to run. If you return to King's Landing, I promise...I will advocate for you should you wish to stay."

"Truly?"

"Of course. We are more than just family, cousin. I will always be your ally." Alyssa smiled at this. The two girls pressed their foreheads together, cherishing each other's presence. For the moment, forgetting the cracks that have formed within their family.

King's Landing, three days later...

Rhaenys sat with Laena as her daughter read through the histories of the known dragons of Westeros. Her studies of High Valyrian were paying off, excelling far more than her brother in learning the ancestral language. "Edrurzo, Edrurzo...that's Dreamfyre?"

"Yes. Very good."

"Dreamfyre was hatched on...Drag...Dragonstone," Laena read. "And bonded with Prince Rhae...Princess Rhaena Targaryen." She leaned away from the book, her brows furring in confusion. "I thought she was a queen."

"Was she?" Rhaenys asked.

"Princess Rhaena was forced to marry King Maegor the Cruel even though he had five other wives." Laena looked over the book and then up at her mother. "She escaped him, did she not? Taking the sword Blackyre with her."

Rhaenys sighed. "You are right. By all laws and tradition, Rhaena was a queen."

"She also fed her third husband to her dragon," Laena said slowly, her dark eyes shining with innocence.

The princess tilted her head as she studied her daughter. She gently stroked her daughter's hair. "It's perfectly normal to oppose the match, my dear. You are young. But the king is our cousin and duty compels him to remarry. You are the strongest match over anyone else."

Laena lowered her gaze, fidgeting with the edge of the book. "I don't have a dragon of my own."

"Neither did Queen Aemma," Rhaenys reminded. "And Daella's egg never hatched. Half of the eggs dragons lay never hatch, my love. In a year or two, you may even claim Dreamfyre or Silverwing. Vermithor, possibly."

"Or Vhagar?" Laena added with a smile.

Rhaenys laughed. She hugged her daughter tightly. "Yes. You could claim Vhagar."

The doors to their apartments opened. Lord Corlys whirled inside like a hurricane, flanked by his squire and a couple of Velaryon guards. He went to the table and slammed Laena's book closed. "We are leaving at once."

"Has something happened?" Rhaenys got to her feet, gesturing for Laena to obey the command. "Corlys?"

Her lord husband was fuming. He approached her, standing close as he calmed his fury. "The king has rejected our proposal. He intends to marry another."

"What? Who?" she asked.

"Ser Otto's daughter."

Rhaenys recoiled. Alicent? A dozen questions passed through her mind, but she shook them all away. "What about your position on the Small Council?"

"I've resigned. I will not continue to serve a king who'd rather heel to his Hand instead of strengthening his house," he said. "Our houses have been entwinced since the days of the Doom. To spurn our daughter - to spurn us-!"

"Do not spare him a second thought, Corlys," Rhaenys said, placing her hands upon his chest. "Let us return to High Tide. We will find Laena a far more worthy match. We can put our home in order and deal with the Stepstones ourselves."

The Sea Snake nodded. He wrapped his arms around his wife, his anger soothed by her touch. Corlys glanced over where the governess was getting the children ready, packing their things. "I've sent orders to Vaemond to summon Prince Daemon to Driftmark."

"Prince Daemon? What for?"

High Tide, Driftmark, the next day...

Alyssa looked out over the crashing waves of the Blackwater that surrounded the large castle. The longer she stared at the water the angrier she got. Then she felt guilty. And then angrier than before. Daemon abandoned his hold of Dragonstone, sent his gold cloaks away (to where, he cared not), and gave Mysaria leave to return to King's Landing. But not Alyssa. "You are my daughter. You remain with me," he told her.

Words she had heard all her life. Now, it was beginning to feel like a chain. She knew deep down in her heart, Runestone would be no different. Lady Rhea was as vocal about her hatred of Daemon as he was of her. Rhaenyra's offer whispered in the back of her mind, and while she believed wholeheartedly that her cousin would support her desire to remain at court...Alyssa knew that it would fall on deaf ears. Her uncle hated conflict. He preferred peace. What was to become of her life? To forever trail around after her father as he is banished from one castle after another? To fade into nothing...just another name in the house books, forgotten daughter of a second son? Alyssa buried her face in her hands. She heard the door open but ignored whoever walked in.

"Alyssa," her father called.

The Stranger take me... "What?"

Daemon crossed the sitting room and entered the balcony. "I have something to discuss with you. Look at me."

"Can it not wait until tomorrow?" she asked, pressing her face further into her hands. "I need sleep."

"It cannot. Look at me." Still, she did not move. "Alyssa!"

Alyssa whirled around, fists clenched and her dragon's blood boiling. "What? What, Father? Where will you drag me to next? Are we to remain here for the next six months or has Lord Corlys spurned you as well?"

"Hold your tongue," he warned. "I've allowed you your freedoms but I will not tolerate disobedience."

Alyssa raised her eyebrows. "When have I ever defied you, Father? When you summoned me to court, I came without protest. You told me we were taking Dragonstone, I came without protest. I'm here in Driftmark with you and never spoke a word against it."

Daemon leaned against the door frame. "And what word would you have spoken?"

"There's nowhere left to run to, Father! You have no allies - I have no allies! Alicent, Rhaenyra...I am all alone!" She stopped to catch her breath, her shoulders falling from defeat. "I am tired, Father. Perhaps...perhaps, we should return to the Vale."

Daemon's features grew stiff. He pressed his mouth into a tight line and clasped his hands together to keep from physically reacting. "Has that Bronze Bitch gotten to you? Worn you down with her cold words? She would suffocate you, Alyssa. Squash your spirit and marry you to some pompous cunt far beneath your station - erasing any trace of your Targaryen identity."

"Is that to be my fate?" she asked. "Remain my father's shadow or become my mother's pawn?"

Daemon's face softened. He fiddled with his ring. "I must confess, my dear...when I look upon you, I still see the little girl who'd sneak away to the Dragonpit to curl up with the hatchling she bonded to. The girl who was no higher than my hip and whose laughter filled the halls of the Red Keep with delight." He approached her, gently grabbing her hands. "It was never my intention to make you feel as though your feelings did not matter."

Alyssa lowered her head, but Daemon grabbed her chin, easing her head up to make her look at him. "Never doubt my love for you." Alyssa weakly nodded. "Your tears break my heart. Tell me how to erase them and make you smile once more."

"I've wanted nothing more than to make you proud." Her voice was barely a whisper. "But I don't know how."

Daemon sighed. He kissed Alyssa's hands before releasing her and walking over to the stone guardrail. "Lord Corlys has offered us a chance for glory. To make a real name for ourselves. There's a Myrish Prince terrorizing the Stepstones, crippling trade routes. The Sea Snake wishes to put a stop to it."

"Us?" she echoed, wiping the tears off her face.

"Yes, Alyssa, us. You are a dragonrider," he said. "Dragonriders were born for more than just balls and tourneys. And our dragons were never meant to live chained up in a pit deep in the ground."

She shook her head. "I have no training. Never commanded Starfyre to burn anyone let alone wield a sword."

"We all have to start somewhere." Daemon gestured for her to approach and grabbed her hand once she neared. His own dwarfing hers. He recalled a memory of when Alyssa was a year old. How she climbed into his lap while he rested in the godswood of Runestone, and placed her tiny little hands into his own. The memory brought a smile to Daemon's face. "You're fifteen years old, my dear. A woman grown and therefore, able to make your own choices. Whatever you decide, I will respect them."

"Decide what?"

"Come with me to join Lord Corlys in facing this Crabfeeder, become a warrior in your own right just as Visenya and Rhaenys did a hundred years ago," he paused for a moment, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb, "or return to Runestone. As I said, whatever your choice is...I shall support it."

Alyssa swallowed her doubts as she processed his words. Her gaze shifted to the vast ocean, to the south where the Stepstones were far beyond, and then she looked north, to where Runestone awaited. In her mind she saw two futures unfolding before her, one of duty - bound to a man she barely knew and surrounded by children in bronze armor. She saw Starfyre withering, cold in the brisk mountains of the Vale. Sad, but safe. Predictable. The other - bloody and harsh, but exciting. She imagined herself wielding Dark Sister itself and slaying enemies as Starfyre, larger and fiercer, circled above her. The blood in her veins singed at the very image.

With a resolved huff, she raised her head to meet her father's gaze. "It would be cruel to leave the sailors to suffer under a madman."

Daemon chuckled. "It would be." He kissed her forehead and turned to leave. "We will begin your training on the morrow."

Alyssa wiped the rest of her tears away, already feeling lighter. Daemon slid to a halt in the doorway of the balcony and whirled around. "I almost forgot. The king has chosen to remarry."

So soon? Alyssa frowned. "To who?"

"Alicent Hightower."

End of Chapter 2

High Valyrian Translations:

Kelitas, Alyssa! Bēgūrogon aōha zaldrīzes! = Stop, Alyssa! Get back on your dragon!

Dubys ajorrāelō daor! = No need, cousin.

Dārilaros. = Princesss