The Crownlands ― Rook's Rest…
Rhaenyra, accompanied by her sons Jace and Luke on their dragons Vermax and Arrax, respectively, flew towards Rook's Rest on her dragon Syrax. She had heard from her eldest son about the battle in the area and was anxious to reach the site as soon as possible. They were surprised to see a part of the Velaryon fleet docked nearby as they flew above the castle. Soldiers and sailors were unloading cargo crates from the ships and delivering them to the field and the castle. Upon closer inspection, Rhaenyra realized that the Velaryon navy had brought relief aid for the battered castle, including food, clothes, and medicine from Driftmark.
As they flew further, they saw a mass grave several leagues away and men struggling to haul the bodies of the dead dragons, Sunfyre and Meleys, onto carts to be delivered to King's Landing. Despite their best efforts, the volunteers could not move the huge draconic corpses. However, the decision to load Sunfyre's head onto one of the carts proved much easier to handle. Their efforts stopped when they saw Rhaenyra and her sons approaching for a landing.
"It looks like we've arrived later than expected," Rhaenyra said as she dismounted. She took a moment to survey the area. The aftermath of the Caltrops' attack was evident in the ongoing repairs to Rook's Rest. The Blacks were busy burying their fallen comrades in the gravesites on the left, while on the right, her nephews' and niece's dragons were tending to their wounds. Vermithor, Silverwing, Corxes, and Maelyx were all present, each recuperating in their way. The Bronze Fury was particularly attentive, using his tongue to gently lick Silverwing's wounds and help her heal, eliciting a deep, rumbling growl of gratitude from the injured dragon. Meanwhile, Corxes and Maelyx removed the arrows lodged in their scales as if they were mere splinters. Vermithor was on high alert, growling menacingly at anyone who approached, but he seemed to recognize Vermax and Arrax despite his aggression.
Vermax and Arrax slowly and carefully took a few steps back, emitting cautious, draconic chirps as they raised their heads to show their throat colors submissively. Syrax, who had grown so much that she was now almost as big as Caraxes, had to be extra careful around Vermithor due to his fierce temper and larger size. Therefore, she, too, displayed submission to the elder dragon by emitting growling reverberations in her throat, revealing her colors. Once Vermithor determined the three dragons posed no threat, he returned to tend to Silverwing's wounds. It was evident that the Bronze Fury was very protective of his mate and would not let anything harm her.
As Rhaenyra surveyed the aftermath of the battle at Rook's Rest, her eyes fell upon the lifeless body of Meleys. Is that…? A feeling of dread washed over her as she recognized the dragon, and her thoughts turned to the possible involvement of her former mother-in-law, Princess Rhaenys. The realization that Rhaenys had taken part in the battle alongside the Red Queen, who now lay dead, sent Rhaenyra's mind into a frenzy of speculation about the motives behind the attack and what it could mean for the realm's future.
"Careful with the crates, mates! If any of you drop them, I'll have the next man punished severely," Addam of Hull commanded his crew with authority and a stern look. His crew, sweating from the heavy lifting, nodded in agreement and handled the cargo carefully. The sea breeze carried the sound of their footsteps and the ship's wooden planks creaking as they worked to unload the precious cargo from the Lord Aethan's Glory.
"You there," Rhaenyra called out, catching his attention. "Addam of Hull, right? I believe you and Jaehaerys are friends, correct?"
Addam noticed her. "Ah, princess," he said, bowing slightly. "Yes, I'm Addam of Hull, captain of the Lord Aethan's Glory. I've had the pleasure of being acquaintances with your nephew, Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen, these past six years. And your brother before him," he acknowledged. "How may I be of service?"
"What's the situation?" Jacaerys inquired.
"We're still tallying the losses. Our troops estimate approximately 1,400 or more may have been killed defending Rook's Rest with twice as many wounded." Addam pointed at the various tents set up. "As you can see, we had to set up various tents as emergency infirmaries for the wounded soldiers. Unfortunately, there weren't enough rooms to accommodate everyone, so we had to improvise. Our healers are doing their best, but we're stretched thin with so many dead or wounded. My brother Alyn put in a requisition from Driftmark and King's Landing for more supplies, so the best we can do is wait for the next shipment."
"Are things that bad?" Rhaenyra asked.
"It could have been much worse if not for Prince Jaehaerys and his siblings, Prince Aegon, Prince Viserys, and Princess Aemma. If they had not intervened with their dragons, Rook's Rest would have been overrun by the Caltrops long ago, and Princess Rhaenys would have been one of the unfortunate casualties. Their heroics saved countless lives." Addam shook his head. "It's just a shame we lost Meleys. She was one of our best dragons."
"How is she?"
Addam gestured towards the entrance to Rook's Rest. "It… would be easier for you to see for yourself, princess. The castle's maester will be able to explain everything in detail." He turned to his men and shouted, "Hey, you there! I see you slacking off! Pick up the pace, damn it!" Addam's voice was stern and authoritative, leaving no room for laziness.
As Rhaenyra and her two sons, Jace and Luke, made their way to Rook's Rest, they couldn't help but be taken aback by the sight before them. Despite the castle's grandeur, the atmosphere was fraught with tension and chaos, with garrison troops and servants running around frantically, shouting and carrying crates of supplies from the Velaryon fleet, their faces etched with exhaustion. The air was thick with the stench of smoke and ash, remnants of the intense battle that had taken place just a few hours prior.
Rumors of the epic battle were spreading like wildfire, with everyone eagerly discussing how each of the Blacks' Targaryen royals had faced down the rebel kinslayer Aemond Targaryen and his fierce dragon Vhagar in a titanic struggle high above the castle. The survivors were still reeling from the shock and awe of the spectacle, recounting how the sky had been alight with the fury of dragonfire, how the ground had trembled from the thunderous roars of the dragons, and how the castle walls had trembled from the impact of the battle. If the survivors were to be believed, this event would go down in history as a feat worthy of being recorded in the annals of history. Rhaenyra, Jacaerys, and Lucerys were eager to hear all the details from the ones who led the charge defending Rook's Rest.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Aemma sat on the edge of her bed while her brother Viserys finished stitching up her wounds, not moving an inch. She gritted her teeth as she felt a sharp pain from the needle pulling the thread through the skin above her brow. "Ow!" she winced. Despite the discomfort, Aemma knew enduring the pain was necessary to ensure the wound healed properly.
"Hold still, Aemma. I'm almost done," Viserys said. He worked carefully, threading the stitch through layers of skin. Trust me, this hurts me more than it does you. "Okay, last one."He then gently pulled the needle to seal his sister's wounds. Having cleaned and disinfected the area beforehand, Viserys took every precaution to ensure that Aemma's or Jaehaerys's health wouldn't be jeopardized. Once the thread was tied off, Viserys bit it to separate it from the spool. He then took some medicinal cloth and wrapped it around Aemma's head. "Done. Now, you won't feel great for the next few hours."
"Thanks, Viserys…"
The Battle of Rook's Rest had been an arduous and merciless conflict, but the Targaryen royals emerged victorious and were welcomed as heroes. The grateful Lord Staunton of Rook's Rest offered them his castle's grand hall, where they could rest and recover from their wounds. The best rooms were allocated to them, but the quarters felt more like a makeshift infirmary than a lavish accommodation. Despite the discomfort, the royal children were content as long as they were near one another. Jaehaerys, Aegon, Viserys, and Aemma frequently visited each other's rooms to check their progress and offer words of comfort.
As Aemma's treatment was ending, Jaehaerys prepared himself for his procedure. As such, he tapped into the Ziwǒ Kèzhì, a meditative self-discipline technique from Yi Tish culture, which helped him numb the pain he was about to endure. Lying still on the bed, Jaehaerys closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, slowing it down to a deliberate and steady rhythm. House Staunton's maester, Layn, approached him with a needle and began stitching his wounds with a practiced hand. Each stitch was carefully threaded through Jaehaerys' upper thorax and left abdomen and then knotted meticulously. Layn applied medicinal ointment to soothe the wounds and ensure proper healing.
Despite the sharp sting of the needle piercing his skin, Jaehaerys remained in a trance-like state, unaffected by the pain. His mind was entirely focused on the Ziwǒ Kèzhì technique, and he felt as though his very soul had left his body. Finally, after the last stitch was tied, Jaehaerys was carefully wrapped in bandages, ready to begin the long journey of recovery.
"That'll do, my prince. You're all done," Layn said.
After coming out of his meditative state, Jaehaerys took a deep breath. "I appreciate it, maester." Despite his relief, the young prince knew the discomfort would eventually set in once the adrenaline wore off. "I would like to inquire about the well-being of my brothers and sister. What is their current status?"
"Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys are doing just fine; they only have minor cuts. The princess, Aemma, however, has almost as many injuries as you do. Her skills may be more suited to intellectual pursuits than physical ones. We may be unaware of some complications, so I recommend bed rest while you're all still on the mend," Layn conjectured. "By the way, if you don't mind me asking, your brother Viserys seems to know more about medicine and treating basic wounds. Has he considered applying for a maester's chain at the Citadel?"
"It is not within my purview to determine the course of Viserys' life; rather, it is entirely at his discretion to choose his own path." Jaehaerys appeared lost in thought, his contemplative expression revealing that his mind was elsewhere. He seemed preoccupied with someone in particular, his thoughts consumed by a certain someone. Suddenly, he turned his attention back to Rook's Rest's maester. "And what about Princess Rhaenys Targaryen? What's her status?"
Layn appeared to be unsure about how to proceed. After a brief pause, he spoke up. "Well… the princess… Lady Rhaenys has been… stabilized, though no shortage of assistance proved invaluable. She was retrieved and―"
"I'd like to see her."
"But, Prince Jaehaerys, you still haven't fully recovered from―"
"I'd like. To see her. Please."
Layn knew better than to argue with a Targaryen prince, especially Jaehaerys - the Young Dragon's eldest son and heir who rode the Old King's dragon. With a reluctant sigh and a brief shake of his head, Layn gestured for Jaehaerys to follow him. Mindful not to aggravate or undo the stitches sewn on his wounds, Jaehaerys stood up carefully and accompanied Layn to a dimly lit room where the Queen Who Never Was was being kept. As soon as he stepped inside, Jaehaerys was struck by the sight of the motionless princess lying on the bed. The guards who helped bring her in said she had remained unmoving and unresponsive for the past six hours. Jaehaerys couldn't help but feel a pang wash over him as he looked at her, wondering if she would ever wake up. Standing over her, Jaehaerys brushed a strand of Rhaenys's Valyrian silver hair from her pale face, his touch feather-light. But now, she lay before him, trapped in a slumber that seemed impenetrable.
"The princess, regrettably, has endured significant harm to her internal organs, primarily affecting her lower body. Our efforts have successfully halted the bleeding and treated the wounds, yet the gravest consequences have already taken their toll. Princess Rhaenys… her hip has been shattered in numerous places, her pelvis is fractured, and her right femur has dislodged from its joints. Unfortunately, the most devastating aspect of her injuries had already caused irreparable damage long before your arrival. The force of the impact from a fall of that height has caused multiple fractures along the columns of her spinal cord. I'm… sorry, my prince, but even if she does regain consciousness, I'm afraid that Princess Rhaenys will likely never walk again."
So, she'll be crippled for the rest of her life. "But she will live?"
"Yes, my prince. She will live. We don't know when she'll wake up."
"I see," Jaehaerys murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. People around me have a tendency to get hurt… or worse. Lord Corlys, Baela, Rhaena… I swear we did everything possible to keep her out of harm's way. "I'd like some time alone with her, maester," he said, his voice firm but calm. He braced himself for Layn's inevitable protestations, knowing that one of his primary duties was to ensure his recovery. Yet, Jaehaerys would honor his promise. "I'll be back to get some rest soon. I promise," he assured, his voice filled with sincerity. He paused for a moment, his eyes searching for understanding. "Just give me a moment."
With a solemn nod, Layn turned on his heel and gracefully strode away, his every step resonating through the vast expanse of the marble floors, creating a haunting echo that lingered in the air. Left alone in the room, Jaehaerys pulled up a chair and settled beside the Queen Who Never Was, taking in her serene countenance. She looked peaceful, even in her dire condition. Her bruises and cuts were cleaned and carefully patched up, but her body was wrapped in bandages and medicinal cloth, covering almost every inch of her skin. Falling into a coma and potentially being crippled for life on top of losing her dragon, Meleys – such a burden would surely break the spirit of any dragonrider. In Jaehaerys's eyes, Rhaenys was one of the wisest and most admirable women he had ever known. She had always offered him sage advice and experience when he needed it most, and she had even given him her blessing to marry her granddaughter, Baela, a gesture that spoke volumes of her trust and belief in his character. Rhaenys possessed all the qualities befitting a queen, her regal presence commanding respect and admiration.
Despite the danger of battling Sunfyre and Vhagar alone, Rhaenys Targaryen had shown no fear and had not flinched even once. As he sat there, Jaehaerys reached out with one hand and gently clasped Rhaenys's in his. He hoped his touch would bring her comfort and solace, even as she lay unconscious.
"Rhaenys… it's me, Jaehaerys. I know you probably can't hear me right now, but it needs to be said. When we saw what happened with Meleys, we feared the worst. You gave us quite the scare out there. But we made it through. Everyone lived to see a new tomorrow. I just thought I'd check in on you, see how you were doing. Despite all this, words alone cannot express my deepest admiration and gratitude for all you have done for us over the years. You embodied what House Targaryen should strive to be. You were the best of us, a mentor and a friend. Although fate had cruelly seen fit to deny you the chance of becoming queen, your intelligence, wisdom, and experience were the actions of one in shaping the future of our house, not just for upholding the legacy of our forebears but also for ensuring that the lessons from the past are not forgotten if we wish to avoid repeating them. You've done your part, but now it is time for us to return the favor and be there for you. I'll make sure to have our maesters take good care of you, okay? Your husband and granddaughters would never forgive me otherwise. But until then, try to get some rest. I'll come by later when you're feeling better. Hopefully, we'll talk more."
With a final squeeze of her hand, Jaehaerys rose from his seat, his resolve firm. He knew there were challenges ahead, but he also knew that House Targaryen would face them together as a family. As he left the room, the grand hall seemed to echo with his footsteps, a reminder of the weight of responsibility that now rested on his shoulders.
Mīsagon (Take care), Rhaenys…
––––––––––––––––––––––––––
"Did that all really happen?" Lucerys asked, nearly stammering over his words.
Upon learning what transpired, Jace and Luke rapidly bombarded their cousins with a flurry of inquiries, their questions pouring forth in rapid succession, each one coming one after the other at breakneck speed. The revelations that followed were incredibly astonishing. They learned that Aegon the Elder's forces had been defeated, albeit in a costly battle; however, that wasn't the only thing they discovered. Jacaerys and Lucerys also found out about the incredible feat that their combined dragons had accomplished. Together, they had managed to fend off Aemond and Vhagar. The atmosphere in the room instantly transformed, buzzing with animated conversation and a palpable undercurrent of excitement. Lucerys, however, was overcome with a sense of horror as he was reminded of his harrowing encounter with Vhagar over Shipbreaker Bay, his mind still plagued with nightmares of what it cost to save his life—Jacaerys, on the other hand, looked more impressed than anything else.
"Who would have thought you guys could beat Aemond!" Jacaerys remarked.
"Hehe! I told you, Jace: with our combined effort as a team, there's absolutely nothing we can't accomplish," Aegon the Younger said with unwavering confidence, his voice filled with pride. "Ah, you should have seen their faces when they had to run away again."
"Aegon," Viserys sighed, shaking his head at his twin. There he goes again. I swear his ego is bigger than his head…
Rhaenyra, meanwhile, checked on her niece. "Are you all right, Aemma? How bad is it?" she asked. Even though Rhaenyra had no daughters of her own, she had always cherished Aemma as if she were her own flesh and blood. She was a good, kind, and sweet girl, and Rhaenyra adored her for it.
"Mmm…~" Aemma let out a low, pained groan as she was enveloped in her aunt's warm embrace. Although she appreciated Rhaenyra's comforting words and motherly touch, her cousins' sudden surge in volume caused a throbbing ache to pulse through her skull. Summoning all her strength, she mustered a weak smile and forced out a response, her voice strained and barely audible. "I… I'll be fine, aunt Rhaenyra, though Viserys and Maester Layn told me I might be a little concussed… My head hurts pretty badly." Aemma's words hung in the air, a testament to her determination to endure the agony that plagued her. She knew her aunt's concern was genuine, her love and care evident in every touch and word. Yet, even amid this tender moment, Aemma couldn't escape the relentless torment that had taken hold of her.
"Shhh, shhh… It's okay, sweet girl. We're all here for you." As Rhaenyra held her niece close, she couldn't help but feel a surge of worry and helplessness. The sight of Aemma, usually vibrant and full of life, reduced to a fragile figure in her arms was a painful reminder of the fragility of human existence. Rhaenyra's heart ached for her niece, wishing she could take away the pain and make everything right again. But she could only offer her support, love, and unwavering presence. Rhaenyra gently stroked Aemma's hair, her touch soothingly against the storm raging within her niece's mind. She whispered words of comfort, hoping to provide some solace amidst the chaos.
"The word is gonna spread like wildfire, and everyone will know that the Caltrops aren't as tough as they claim to be," Jacaerys exclaimed. "But don't get too comfortable just yet. We may have won the battle at Rook's Rest, but it came at a great cost. We must be smart and take all necessary precautions to avoid reckless moves. Otherwise, the stakes will become too high to take any chances."
"You worry too much, Jace. Don't be such a pessimist," Aegon cheerfully asserted, firmly placing his hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Can't you see? We've already won this war even before the Dance had started. Our triumph has forced the Caltrops to retreat to their hideout, tails firmly tucked between their legs. I'm sure father understands that we cannot win this war if we are the only ones winning any battles. Come on! There's plenty of glory to go around."
"It's not about glory," a voice reprimanded.
Aegon and Viserys were caught off guard when they heard a familiar voice, causing their bodies to tense up. Aemma, Jace, Luke, and Rhaenyra recognized the voice and quickly turned their heads to see who it was. To their surprise, Jaehaerys was standing right in the middle of the doorway. He had learned about the arrival of his aunt and cousins and had come to greet them personally before retiring to bed to recover from his wounds. However, upon hearing Aegon's boastful words, Jaehaerys' facial expression quickly turned sour. He couldn't help but wonder if his brother had become too arrogant after several victories against the Caltrops, forgetting the value of humility and compassion.
"Jay," Jacaerys acknowledged. Being observant, he noticed that his cousin's bandages were still relatively fresh, with dried blood and visible stitches that would lead to inevitable scarring. "I had expected you to have taken the chance to rest by now."
"I have time, Jace," Jaehaerys replied. Turning to his younger brother, he exerted a sense of firmness in his voice. "I understand that you are proud of your accomplishments, and you have every right to be. But we must not let our success make us lose sight of what's important." Aegon opened his mouth to retort, but Jaehaerys held up a hand to silence him. "More importantly, have you ever wondered the possibility of how we are still standing? How you haven't noticed the Two Betrayers – Hugh Hammer and Ulf White – decided to quit the field and not step in?"
Aegon found himself perplexed, unable to comprehend how he had failed to witness the presence of Hugh Hammer and Ulf White alongside their dragons, Seasmoke and Tessarion. He had been so focused on the battle at hand that he had failed to notice the two infamous dragonseeds lurking overhead on the hillside. Of course, since Vermithor ambushed Sunfyre from above, it made sense for Aegon to realize that Jaehaerys spotted them.
Viserys, on the other hand, was deep in thought as he analyzed every word his elder brother had spoken. He knew that Aegon was a skilled warrior and dragonrider, but he also knew that his twin sometimes lacked the necessary strategic mind to win battles, so the twins were always seen together. Viserys realized that if Hugh Hammer and Ulf White had decided to intervene, they could have easily turned the tide in favor of the Caltrops. The thought of the Two Betrayers swooping down on their dragons and unleashing their fury on the Blacks sent shivers down Viserys' spine. He knew they were dangerous and unpredictable, and their loyalty could never be trusted. If they had joined the battle, the outcome could have been catastrophic.
"We already lost Daeron, and I do not intend to lose any of you to this war. Father would be beyond salvation, and our mother… Her heart would shatter if she were to lose any more of her children. She's enduring immeasurable suffering, and she doesn't need more stress added to her already troubled soul. You're my brothers, and I am responsible for looking after you, as it is with Aemma, our cousins Jace, Luke, and Joffrey, our entire family. And I'll be damned if I ever have to bury another. We need each other more than the Caltrops need theirs! So please help me make it so that does not happen again. Do I make myself clear, Aegon?"
Aegon found it to be an exceedingly uncommon occurrence for his elder brother, Jaehaerys, to emanate an aura of intimidation. It was not common for Jaehaerys to convey his disapproval in such a manner, especially without raising his voice or resorting to screaming, shouting, or yelling. As he calmly spoke, his displeasure was tangible and palpable. Aegon took a deep breath and hesitantly admitted his mistake, realizing that his brother's reasoning was sound and reasonable. "Brother," he uttered with a tinge of remorse, "I apologize."
"Good. I'd certainly hope so." Jaehaerys shifted his gaze towards the window, his eyes fixated on the bustling docks of Rook's Rest. Down below, a Velaryon flagship gracefully glided into the harbor, its sails billowing in the wind. It was the Sea Snake, accompanied by another ship from the Royal Fleet, proudly displaying the sigil of House Hightower. "Be sure to make yourselves more presentable. We've got company."
Chapter End
Author's Note: As Rook's Rest begins receiving the necessary supplies they need to rebuild and more, we Rhaenyra and her sons Jace and Luke arrive at the scene to examine the aftermath. Inside, we learn that Jaehaerys, Aegon, Viserys, and Aemma are given the hero's treatment and rooms of the highest calibur, but considering what happened outside the castle walls, it's more like a hospital room than anything else. We also learn more of Rhaenys's fate and her condition: comatose and crippled, but she's alive. Jaehaerys shares some words with her and steps into his big brother role again when Aegon the Younger starts getting full of himself. But what's this? More ships are entering at the docks. Who could it be? Stay tuned for more.
roggerlopez99: With the battle over the aftermath of the battle is shown Rhaenys is now cripple but alive, however she could still get kill by the enemy.
Jay speech shows he not only acts like a King but a older brother, I fear that his death could change everything and may push Aeonar to fully succumbing to the madness,
Here some questions
Could there be any chance for the Caltrops to get any victory in battle because it feels like the dance of the dragon could end quickly
―It would take to recover their strength before their ready to mount another offensive
How angry would Aeonar react to finding out his four children went to Rook Rest and the aftermath of the battle
―Very
Are there any major deaths that could happen in the story
―Can't spoil anything
randomdude24: Rhaenys will live, but her spirit might be broken if she wakes, lost both her children, her dragon, now her ability to walk. There is only so much loss that someone can take.
Jay is becoming a credit to his name, far wiser than all his siblings and cousins, knew the Two Betrayers were in hiding but didn't take action. They should count themselves lucky today.
I wonder what Coryls' reaction will be, he'll probably have a debt of gratitude with all of Aeonar children, their actions saved his wife.
Questions,
What has Aeonar been up to? Is he still brooding over Dareon death?
―He still does as he sinks deeper into the Targaryen madness, but he's on his way to Rook's Rest
What has been the general reaction to this? Are lords beginning to question the caltrops? They've been losing left and right
―They see the Blacks as the likely victors in the civil war, and yes they're questioning the Caltrops' capability to wage war