Chapter 2: Blood
Rhaenyra hid in her father´s bedchambers. Hiding was nothing unusual for her. Even at the young age of 5, she had become adept at evading her maids and hiding from them. She found great enjoyment in it. The whole castle looking for her. Sometimes, Mother would even come looking for her.
But today was different. Today she was not hiding with the simple objective of annoying her maids. Today she had a purpose. Her uncle Daemon was coming back. The presence of her uncle had always filled her with joy. Whenever he came back from his trips, he brought her beautiful gifts. When staying at the Red Keep, he would endlessly pamper her. Sneaking her little cakes and sweets when Rhaenyra was not supposed to have any. Spending his time in the Godswood reading Valyrian stories to her.
But, most importantly, Daemon spoke to her about Dragons. Her mother considered the creatures dangerous beasts. While her father had been a dragon rider, Balerion died within a year of Viserys claiming him. Moreover, Rhaenyra noticed certain apprehension in her father when they spoke about dragons. Only Daemon thought of dragons as the majestic beasts Rhaenyra saw them as.
It was said Daemon was one of the greatest riders in the history of the Targaryen dynasty, and Rhaenyra delighted in the stories of his flights with Caraxes. The Princess would look transfixed at her uncle as he told her about his adventures on dragon back, shared his knowledge on dragons, and gave her useful advice for when her own Syrax grew large enough to ride. Rhaenyra could not wait for that moment. When Daemon would teach her how to ride her dragon.
Hence, when Rhaenyra heard her uncle was back, she was overjoyed. It was quickly replaced with annoyance when she learned that her uncle had received a private summons to her father's chambers. Her maids had told Rhaenyra not to interfere until her uncle and father were done.
Rhaenyra did not listen. With skills honed over the six years of her life, she evaded her maids. The Princess ran towards one of her usual hiding spots in the Godswood, the ones she used when she wanted to be found quickly. It was to trick them of course. Once she was sure they had seen her go towards the Godswood, she changed direction and headed towards his father´s bedchambers. Rhaenyra was immensely pleased with herself when she realized she had even arrived before her father.
She could hide inside!
Surprise both Daemon and Father!
However, those plans had fallen through the moment she heard the angry shouting coming from the two Princes. The screaming was so loud she heard it from beyond the door to her father's chambers. They enter the room, still embattled.
Rhaenyra can only see silhouettes from the wardrobe´s dotted door. Viserys was giving his back to Daemon, hands on the table and head cast downwards. For his part, Daemon simply stood behind his older brother with his arms crossed across his chest and Dark Sister strapped to his waist. Despite the lack of visibility, Rhaenyra can see the energy, the tension, and the anger that courses through her father and uncle.
Something told Rhaenyra it would be better if they did not know she was there.
"Seven Hells, Daemon! Do you want to start a war!?" She hears her father scream as he smashed an open palm on the table.
Daemon snarls. "I only seek to protect what is yours by right, brother. Seeing that you will not do it yourself."
Viserys turns around with a fury Rhaenyra has seldom seen and pushes an accusatory finger at Daemon. "I know the blood that flows through you, Daemon. You lust for battle brother, for your glory. Do not dare pass off your ambition as something done in my name!"
There is a brief moment of silence. Rhaenyra notices how Daemon bites his tongue and keeps his words in his mouth like a dragon holding fire. It takes him a great deal of effort, but he will not respond to the provocation.
"You appear weak, Viserys" Daemon finally spits through gritted teeth. "The Sea Snake gathers an armada, strengthens his wife's claim. Here you are in King's Landing twiddling your thumbs."
Viserys scoffs "And you think a disgraceful band of sellswords and hedge knight projects strength? No Daemon, I and the realm see it for what it truly is, a collection of disgruntled brigands looking for a bloodbath."
Rhaenyra knew that her uncle and father fought often. She had seen it many times. But something felt different this time. There was scorn she had never seen. Her father appeared content with causing as much damage to Daemon as possible. She noticed it was working.
It makes her deeply uncomfortable.
Almost on cue with her thoughts, Daemon shakes his head and gives a bitter cackle "So you would leave us defenseless while our enemy gathers their strength? You would risk disarming yourself at such a crucial moment? You are a fool, Viserys."
"The Velaryons are not our enemies!" Viserys shouts in a rage. "Your judgment is clouded by the blood of the dragon, brother. This blood courses through my veins as well, so I love you for it. But the Velaryons are family. Princess Rhaenys is your cousin. Do not let your temper be overcome by your eagerness."
Viserys takes a deep breath and looks down. "Lord Corlys might be a proud man, but he will not plunge the realm into war because of it. He understands we are family, and he will abide by the council's decisions." He looks back up at his brother.
"And I have the better claim" he finishes with a note of finality.
It is not the end. Rhaenyra knows her uncle well enough to know that Daemon will not give up the argument that easily. She hears his sneer. It reminds her of Caraxes. In many ways, her uncle reminds her of a dragon.
"The Sea Snake's intentions do not matter." Daemon counters while leaning forward menacingly. "How do you think the lords of the Vale, the Stormlands, and the Crownlands will react when they see the largest fleet in the realm off their shores flying the sigil of Driftmark? When the Great Council meets and the Velaryons arrive in strength while you only possess a meager house guard, what impression will that give the gathered Houses? The intentions of the Sea Snake do not matter brother, but appearances do. When the time comes and your strength is pitted against the might of Driftmark, to which side will the scales tip?"
There is venom in Daemon´s voice as he continues his own set of accusations. "I wonder brother, will you be remembered as the man who lost the Iron Throne for the House of the Dragon? The man who let the Dragon fall to the Sea Snake?
There is a pause, a tense silence. It is palpable. Rhaenyra has reached her limit. She has not understood anything of what has been said by the two older men. However, she feels the tension between the older men. Viserys' fury. Daemons hurt and anger. It is overwhelming. Already tears are forming in her eyes, but she has kept them silent in fear of being discovered. But she has passed her limit. Rhaenyra gives a little involuntary whimper as her father begins to speak again.
"Daemon…" her father starts but never finishes.
Daemon instantly stands alert. He has raised a hand to silence her father. He has heard the sound and noticed Rhaenyra even if he does not know it was her.
Rhaenyra hears steel unshed, Dark Sister coming out of her scarab, as her uncle´s figure points to her hiding place. Panic begins to fill Rhaenyra. Fear of being discovered, fear of the admonishment of these two very angry men.
She has no more time to think about it. Daemon moves faster than she has ever seen and lounges toward her hiding spot. The door is opened in a flash. It startles her and she stumbles back as her uncle appears through the door. The first thing notices, the only thing she notices, are his eyes. They are fierce, the eyes she imagines Daemon has when killing someone.
Daemon quickly realizes that it is his niece who is in the closet. He notices the tears streaking her face, and his expression changes from one of surprise to one of worry. Rhaenyra does not hear what her uncle says next. She does not notice her uncle drop his precious sword to the ground, chipping its silver pommel, and kneeling to prevent her from falling. All she sees are those eyes.
She is endlessly fascinated with the fire she sees in them.
Rhaenyra did not get the scolding she expected. Her father had simply told her to not hide in his chambers again. His voice did not carry anger, only weariness. Perhaps Viserys had been too drained from the fight with his brother to muster any anger towards his daughter. It suited Rhaenyra just fine, for she had received no punishment.
Her uncle on the other hand had been apologetic. He gave both Rhaenyra and Viserys a court apology and nod before exiting the room. Daemon seemed to have forgotten the argument. The Princess had never seen him like this, backing down. It was interesting.
Her father seemed equally reluctant to continue their argument and simply let his brother go. He knelt next to her and fussed a bit more, making sure she was not hurt and reminding her several times that she should not have hidden in his chambers.
Rhaenyra found it quite annoying, but she said nothing. She was not getting punished after all. She did not want to change that. So, she nodded to everything her father said and kissed him on the cheek when he called her maids to prepare her for dinner.
"Will Mother be there?" she asked.
Viserys frowned. "I do not know, my daughter." He gave his daughter a strained smile "but I will make sure to let her know she is in your thoughts."
Rhaenyra nodded with an obvious disappointment that made that squeezed Viserys' heart.
Her mother was with child. With her little brother, his father said. As her belly increased in size she spent less and less time with Rhaenyra. It was nothing new, she had been with child before.
Rhaenyra hoped Daemon would be there. Given the situation, she had just witnessed Rhaenyra thought it wise to not ask her father that. Perhaps turning his mood sour would end in punishment for her.
Be it as it may, Rhaenyra was destined to be disappointed a second time. Daemon did not show, and dinner turned out to be a dreadfully boring affair. With his father occupied with the many lords around him, her mother in bedrest, and Daemon gone missing, Rhaenyra found no one to pass the time with. When dinner was done and over with, the halls of the Red Keep were spectators to a pouty Princess with her maids carefully treading behind her.
It was when Rhaenyra neared her chambers that she spotted a familiar silhouette leaning against one of the walls. The biggest grin split her face as her little feet sprinted toward her uncle. She did not notice the maids by her back hiding away as they recognized Daemon.
"Uncle!" she screamed while launching herself towards Daemon. The older man caught her with ease and a smile. Daemon proceeded to twirl her around, to his niece's delight, before perching Rhaenyra in his arms.
He gave her a warm smile. "You are getting big, little one, a few more moons and you will be too big for me to carry."
"Do not be silly, uncle, you are still so much bigger than me" Rhaenyra giggled as she lightly hit his chest.
"Is that so?" he asked with feigned seriousness.
Despite their friendliness, Rhaenyra's expression turned sullen. It was obvious what was troubling her, it was in both of their minds. Nevertheless, Daemon gave his niece a questioning yet gentle look, urging her to speak.
"I did not get to greet you…. Before" she finally said.
Daemon took a deep breath and nodded. "Neither did I. I also did not get the chance to give you this." He took out a little gold dragon from one of his pouches with his free hand and presented it in front of Rhaenyra.
The sullen expression was quickly replaced by one of interest as Rhaenyra lifted her gaze toward her uncle's gift. Once her eyes set on the golden dragon they lit up. She swiftly turned a questioning gaze toward her uncle.
Daemon cocked his head and pushed the small dragon towards her once more.
Rhaenyra took the golden dragon into her hands. Her expression was filled with wonder at one of her uncle's famous gifts. Daemon for his part, slowly set down his nice on the floor while she examined the figure. He did not rise back up and rather stayed kneeling next to her.
"Just like Syrax!" the small Princess exclaimed, looking up at her uncle once again. Her golden dragon was still small, but she could not wait for it to grow bigger. Perhaps she could accompany Daemon on one of his trips to Essos then.
"Did you find it in one of your trips to Essos?" she asked in wonder.
Daemon shook his head. "It is from a renowned craftsman in Bravos. I had it commissioned for you. I asked for the most beautiful dragon in the world for the most beautiful girl in Westeros."
Rhaenyra looked down, flustered. Many of the nobles at court, ladies and lords alike, constantly complimented her. But the Princess never felt like those compliments were directed at her. With Daemon it was different. Rhaenyra felt like all of Daemon's sweet words were always genuine and meant to make her happy. It felt like when Mother complimented her.
However, with her mother increasingly in bedrest, those compliments had become more and more infrequent.
"I also got you something else…" continued Daemon, though the smile he had before had somewhat disappeared.
Curious, Rhaenyra looked up again to see a small plate covered in sweets and small cakes. Daemon had always sneaked her treats well after she was not supposed to have any. She noticed that the plate had more treats than usual. However, it was not like she was going to complain.
Rhaenyra looked up questioningly at Daemon's solemn expression. There it was the expression he had seen in her father's chambers. One that she had never seen before the event at her father´s chambers. Once again, Daemon looked apologetic.
"I wanted to apologize for scaring you," he said through gritted teeth. However, it did not seem insincere. Rhaenyra had never seen Daemon apologize to anyone. He was a prideful man, like a dragon, and admitting wrongdoing was not in the nature of dragons.
"You did not scare me," she answered. By the look on his face, the Princess could see that her uncle did not believe her.
He grabbed her hand and gave it a soft squeeze and caressed it with his thumb.
"I do not ever want you to see me as a threat, to think that I would hurt you." He was smiling, but he was deadly serious.
"You did not upset me, uncle!" Rhaenyra complained again.
She was rather irritated that Daemon did not believe she had not been scared. Thinking back on the situation, the only thing she could clearly remember was the dragon in his eyes. Oh, how it had fascinated her.
"I was rather more upset about you not showing up to dinner!" she countered while stomping her little feet.
It was meant to be a lighthearted jest, but her uncle only gave a weary smile.
"I and your father are not on very good terms right now" Daemon chuckled mirthlessly. "Nevertheless, I am truly sorry you had to face the dreariness of court alone" her uncle continued, his voice taking the more sardonic tone he commonly used.
Rhaenyra looked at her feet dejectedly. She had not meant to bring back unsavory topics. However, this did not take away the curiosity she held. So, Rhaenyra steeled herself and looked up at her uncle.
"What did you fight about?"
Daemon raised an eyebrow and examined her for a long moment. For a second Rhaenyra believed she had said something wrong, and the heat of anxiety started to spread through her tiny body.
Daemon simply shook his head. "Politics. Your father and I have a difference of opinion. Tempers fly with such disagreements." He stops, and sudden scorn enters his voice as he looks away "your father is a fool that-." He stops himself. "It is nothing that concerns you yet, little one" he finishes with a calmer voice.
Daemon had said nothing Rhaenyra did not already know. It did nothing to alleviate her curiosity or her worry. She had noticed the hurt in Daemon. She did not understand it. She didn't even believe Daemon was capable of feeling hurt. Her uncle had always felt so invincible to her. In any case, back at dinner, she had resolved to do something about it.
"I got you something too, uncle. To make you feel better about your fight with Father," Rhaenyra mumbled while looking down and shuffling her feet in embarrassment.
Daemon had given her many gifts. He had cheered her up countless times. She, in turn, had never done so. Rhaenyra did not know how her uncle would react. The Princess did not know if she was doing something wrong.
"Here," Rhaenyra softly said while gingerly handing Daemon a small, crumpled pastry not too dissimilar from the ones he had given her. "I know you do not fancy sweet things very much…... and that it is all crumpled up," Rhaenyra began blabbering, her breath beginning to hitch. "But it was the only thing I could fit, and since you were not at dinner I thought-"
She was interrupted by Daemon's laugh. Her face shot up to see the Rogue Prince take the crumpled pastry and plop it into his mouth.
"How could I not fancy sweet things, if you are the sweetest of them all, sweetling?"
The lessons with the Septa were always so dreadfully boring. It wasn't that Rhaenyra did not find the histories interesting. Whenever Daemon would tell her the stories of Old Valyria, she found herself entranced. However, the drool monotone of the Septa always made her eyelids heavier than they should be. Perhaps, Daemon was just that much better of a storyteller.
Therefore, it came as a pleasant surprise when her uncle interrupted the lesson. Daemon nonchalantly walked into the room and leaned against one of the walls. He raised an eyebrow at the septa, who instantly stopped with the lesson. There was a look of severe consternation on her face. The septa doubtlessly knew of Daemon's fearsome reputation.
"I am here for my nice," he casually announced, not taking his eyes from the septa.
"Her lessons are not finished" the septa complained, but it was clear these were no fighting words.
Daemon ignored the meager words of protest and turned towards Rhaenyra. "Come, little dragon."
It was a command and Rhaenyra did not need to be told twice. She was falling asleep, and the excitement was welcome. She happily stood from her chair and skipped to her uncle. Daemon smirked and held the door open, giving an overexaggerated cordial vow. Holding her head high and very pleased with herself, Rhaenyra crossed the doorway.
For a moment she was walking in front of Daemon. However, it did not last long. Her uncle's long strides quickly overtook her, something that greatly annoyed Rhaenyra. With a pout, she resolved to make her not-too-serious displeasure known.
"I wonder what is so important that you so rudely interrupted my studies, uncle" she spoke with all the fake indignation she could muster.
Her uncle stopped in his tracks, a satisfactory outcome for Rhaenyra. He looked back, a wicked grin splitting his face.
"You will see," her uncle teased with smugness.
Rhaenyra could not stop a similar grin from forming on her lips. Her uncle's surprises were always unexpected, and always exhilarating. She could not stop the excitement showing as she sped up to stand next to him.
"But what about the septa?" she asks. Even if the thought of mischief with her uncle excites her, there is still a part of the Princess that worries about the scolding she will get because of it.
"Fuck the septa"
Rhaenyra blushes, scandalized by the foul language used by her uncle. Yet, she cannot stop the grin that still adorns her face.
Daemon then turns and continues his walk. It takes effort, but she manages to keep up with her uncle as they both walk through the Red Keep. They say nothing, He keeps his silence, and, for a child, Rhaenyra is strangely comfortable with it. She amuses herself by watching the astonished faces of the courtiers as they see the Rogue Prince and the Realm's Delight walking through the Red Keep.
Eventually, they reached the gates of the Keep. Rhaenyra looks up at Daemon in disbelief.
"We are going outside!?" she asked with no small amount of trepidation. The rare times she had left the Red Keep had been via a carriage escorted by a contingent of guards. It was unthinkable to leave the safety of the Keep, even accompanied by her uncle.
"Scared?" Daemon asked with a challenging smirk.
Yes, she thought.
"No," she answered. Although Rhaenyra did not believe that she sounded convincing.
The Princess was scared, but what was also true is that the excitement that has started to rise through her body quickly trumped it. Going outside the keep was a daunting yet thrilling prospect.
"Good" Daemon answered.
The Princess wet her lips and felt her throat go dry as she looked up at her uncle. She could not be sure if Daemon had noticed her inner thoughts, but the gleam in his eyes told her he had.
"The city is not as safe as the palace" Daemon said while swiftly picking up his nice and carrying her with one arm.
When the guards at the gate gave them a sidelong look, Rhaenyra watched her uncle put his free hand on the pommel of Dark Sister. It was still chipped. The guards quickly looked away, clearly rattled. Rhaenyra could not suppress a giggle. Something about the fear her uncle inspired pleased her greatly.
Without further delay, Daemon stepped out of the boundaries of the Red Keep. Rhaenyra noticed that he kept his free hand on Dark Sister as he traversed the streets of the city. However, her gaze quickly drifted from her uncle. There were amazing things in the city, things that she had never seen before. She also noticed all the looks of caution and fear toward her uncle. Again, it pleased her greatly.
Eventually, the curiosity for their destination tore her gaze from the street and she look at her uncle again. His expression had changed from the careless smiles that he had worn in the Keep. Now, there was a focused and alert frown on his brow. His eyes seemed to dance across every corner they passed.
"Where are we going, uncle?"
"You will see" he did not take his gaze away from the streets and his tone was stern. "I have something important to show you, to teach you." Then fell silent.
Her uncle's tone dulled some of Rhaenyra's enthusiasm. She does not have the slightest idea of what any of this is about, but now she understands the import of it to Daemon. Perhaps it is not the simple adventure she first thought of.
She remained silent for the duration of their walk. Not knowing where to look, she alternated between the streets, her uncle, and the floor. She remained slightly sullen until she recognized where they were going. It was a place she had only been to a couple of times.
The Dragon Pit.
"Syrax…" Rhaenyra breathed out, the prospect of meeting her dragon enticing. Riders and their dragons shared a close bond. Viserys often pointed out how his own daughter became restless in the crib once separated from the newly hatched dragon.
"Later, perhaps" Daemon responded, "There is someone I want you to meet first, up close."
"Caraxes" Rhaenyra whispered, widening her eyes. She had seen the red dragon fly over King's Landing many times. However, she had never been allowed to come close to him. Caraxes was considered as fickle and mercurial as his rider.
Daemon could also not keep a small smile from forming. It was for the same reason as Rhaenyra, the bond between dragon and rider. She had heard it say that no one had as deep a bond as Daemon did with the Blood Wyrm.
The dragon keepers let them inside, some bowing to Daemon and offering some words in Valyrian. Daemon all but ignored them as he walked towards Caraxes' resting place. Her uncle was a frequent visitor of the Dragon Pit, so, without instruction, the keepers scrambled to prepare Caraxes.
Rhaenyra watched in wonder as the keepers brought forth a majestic, yet fearsome crimson dragon. Rhaenyra was aware that many considered Caraxes to be a queer dragon. His neck was much longer than a normal dragon and a deformity in his mouth or nose caused him to screech rather than roar. Many found these to be ugly defects. Rhaenyra found them to be quite charming.
Seeing the Blood Wyrm for the first time upfront, Rhaenyra had to agree with the descriptions of his temperament. The dragon was so like her uncle, although with a more animalistic and brutal streak. Caraxes' temper flared as the keeper brought him forth. His mandibles snapped at them as he swayed towards Rhaenyra and her uncle. Nevertheless, the movements of the beast were measured, and precise.
It was the eyes that caught Rhaenyra's attention. In them, she saw the same fire she had glimpsed in Daemon's eyes just the day before. She looked at her uncle. Daemon in turn gave her a side glance and a reassuring squeeze.
He thought she was scared. Rhaenyra was not.
"Come," Daemon said as he walked towards Caraxes with Rhaenyra still in his arms.
The dragon seems to calm himself as his rider approached. Once they were close enough, Rhaenyra could feel the fire in Caraxes' breath as a gust of hot wind passed through them. They stopped next to his head, an intelligent eye looking at them both. Daemon acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary, and simply graved her little hand and put it over the dragon's scales.
He left Rhaenyra's hand there for a while, covering it with his own and allowing her to feel the heat coming from the scales. Rhaenyra could only stare in wonder. Caraxes' scales were as hard as steel, not soft like Syrax's still were. Curious, she lightly scratched them.
Deep purring came from Caraxes, and Rhaenyra looked up at her uncle, alarmed.
"He likes it," he said in Valyrian while moving her hand from hers and caressing the long neck of the Blood Wyrm. The dragon closed its eyes and continued to purr. Daemon continued his caresses for a moment before returning his hand over Rhaenyra's.
"Do you feel that? the power?"
"Yes," Rhaenyra answered with a little hesitation.
"In Valyrian, little dragon" he urged her to use the language of their homeland, the language he had taught her.
"Yes," she answered again, this time in Valyrian.
"That is the blood of the dragon. Our blood, our power. It has ensured our prosperity for hundreds of generations. It will do so for hundreds more. But only if we protect it as it protects us," the certainty in his voice made the hair on the back of Rhaenyra's hair prickle.
"Your father…" his voice turned to one of sorrow. "He is not like us, little dragon. His blood is thin. We must not begrudge him for it, for he is still a dragon. However…" his became certain again "… it means that we are charged with greater responsibility. The House of the Dragon must be kept strong, and your father cannot do it alone. I will ensure that your father ascends the Iron Throne, but once he is there it will fall to both of us to protect him from the vultures that would humble the Dragon."
Silence.
"Look at me, little dragon."
Rhaenyra looked up to find his uncle's eyes burning embers. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"You and me, we are the same. The last of the dragons, the last of Old Valyria. We must stay united."
He brought his hand to her cheek and gave her a gentle caress.
"Blood beckons blood."
Rhaenyra listened to every word. As Daemon spoke, she noticed the eye of Caraxes at their side. The fire in it so similar to her uncle's.
Rhaenyra wondered if she had a similar fire to Syrax's in her eyes