A History Changed
Chapter One
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Summary: Months before Aemma's death on her birthing bed, she has a dream that changes the fate of her family and the dragons.
Author Notes: This is not beta'ed, read at your own risk for I am dyslexic as fuck.
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"Your mother wishes to see you." Her father spoke, breaking the horrible silence that had lay between them for some time.
Rhaenyra turned her lightning-like eyes away from the courtyard below and the household who were preparing for the Yule feast, hanging mistletoe from the trees. The first snow had yet to dust the ground, but Rhaenyra could feel its approach from the west. Tonight was her fourteenth winter celebration. Her heart clenched painfully at her father's spoken words.
His touch on her shoulder left her gasping for breath as her eyes became a milky white as future paths burst through her mind. His hand squeezed upon her shoulder as he spun her to look at him as her eyes cleared, "what did you see my child?" He ordered in a low rushed voice, his hand on his sword at his waist.
She blinked away the tears that threatened to fall, "Mama."
His mouth twisted into a grievous smile, "oh my dear heart," he spoke as he pulled her into him for a short hug, "go, you must see her."
She wiped her eyes and rushed through the stone halls. "You must wash yourself before you go in there. You smell of dragon pit." Her mother's trusted servant scolded her, reaching for a warm rag to wipe the smudge of dirt from her face and her clean her dirty hands. When she reached to fix her messy wind wiped braids, Rhaenyra brushed her away.
The door shut with a gentle thud making her belly turn as she crept forward to the circle of candles that flickered around her mother's resting bed.
Her once beautiful mother had grown frail and brittle over the years, stillborns and miscarriages, followed by illnesses that sucked away at her lifeforce. A sheen of sticky sweat clung to her cool fair skin. Rhaenyra's fingers curled into her palms, her nails digging into her skin as she stared upon her shallow breathing mother.
A smile of relief fluttered across her young face as her mother's soft blue eyes opened and her mouth twisted upwards into a gentle smile. "Rhaenyra, my girl," her mother patted the empty space beside her. The motion was a clear signal for her to join her mother. Her sharp young eyes darted towards the large wooden door that separated them from the rest of the realm.
"It is okay, come my true love," her mother whispered, holding out her hand towards her daughter in invitation. Rhaenyra nodded and crawled into the bed and up against her mother, her heart lacing with grief and happiness as her mother held her.
She smiled as her mother's nose brushed against hers. "Do you know why I named you Rhaenyra… hmm, it was because that was what you smelled like when I first held you and took your sweet scent into my soul. Like dragons' blood and the dew of the heavens. Your powerful little one, more special than I ever was, you're so much more than dragon and princess. You're a soul searcher, a healer, a spark of magic and you are the olive branch the gods gave your father. The choices you'll make will change this world. Remember that always, every big decision will cause a ripple effect across the realm. I have dreamed of the future, and you must change it my child."
"Mama." She whispered as fear and anxiety fluttered down her spine, chilling her.
Her mother simply brushed a kiss to her forehead, squeezing her daughter's small hand in her own. Her mother's voice was raspy from overuse, but she carried on. "There are enemies all around and in all forms. There are many who seek to destroy you because of your position, if not destroy you – then to use you." Her breath froze in her lungs as her mother took off her pendant and placed it around her neck. "Be careful my child, you are destined to weave history. You will be the cause of either great destruction or unity. I pray the gods have blessed your assigned protectors as I fear I am going to leave you alone in a den full of wolves well before the gods intended."
"Then don't leave me." She pleaded, as the tears she had held back rolled down her cheek.
Her mother just squeezed her hand, "your father will remarry. He is king; it will be expected."
"Because he needs a son." Rhaenyra murmured, her thumb rubbing circles into her mother's palm. She eyes her mother's swollen belly with fear and heartbreak.
Her mother nodded, "Yes and you need to grow up my love, be watchful and build your own court, I'll arrange your sworn shield." She closed her eyes thoughtfully for a quiet moment as her daughter tried to process her last words of wisdom. "And prepare yourself to marry Daemon."
"Uncle!" Rhaenyra gasped, her lips twisting in relief and surprise. "Alicent says all he wants is a way to father's throne."
Her mama snorted tiredly, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her daughter's ear, "that is a Hightower lie. For he already has a path to it and Daemon would rather cut out his own heart than ever hurt you. A promise he had made to you in the cradle when he placed your egg next to you."
Rhaenyra heart softened as her mother spoke of her uncle with such fondness. "He is a true Targaryen. I trust him above all others. You will of course need to bring him to kneel, force him to court you in the ways of our family. Make him see what we all have to lose. It will not be easy but you are stubborn and fierce."
She nodded, a single strand around her knotted heart loosened at the thought of her uncle at her side. "But you must take care for I fear those that surround your father, who whisper in his ear and sneak into his bed."
"Mama," she whispered, leaning into her mother's hand as she wiped away her tears.
"I will speak to you in dreams, when the fates calls for it. Give me a kiss and go get ready for your celebration." Rhaenyra lips lingered on her mother's forehead. She was desperate to remember the smell, the feel of her mother. "Go on my love. Be brave my heart."