125 AC

Aelyx felt like his heart was in his throat as he ran through the halls of the Red Keep. In the distance, he could hear his wife's screams as she laboured to bring his fifth child into the world. In the ten years since they'd gotten married, Rhaenyra had proudly birthed four beautiful silver-haired children to buffer the ranks of the Targaryen dynasty and to serve as possible heirs after she ascended the Iron Throne.

As he finally skidded around the corner and into the corridor that led to his and Rhaenyra's private chambers in Maegar's Holdfast, he winced when he found a furious Alycia waiting for him, with her arms crossed and face pinched in irritation.

"Where the fuck have you been?" She snapped, reaching out to either slap or pinch him in reprimand, but Aelyx ducked out of her reach, trying and failing to get past her and into the chamber where Rhaenyra's grunts and cries of agony continued.

Dressed in crimson and gold, with her silver hair running in perfect curls down to the middle of her back, Alycia looked every bit the Lady Lannister she was. But, of course, that didn't mean the now mother of two didn't find small ways to rebel when she could. The dress was in style favoured by ladies of the West but had a gaping neckline that showed off her ample cleavage caused by birthing two children for her husband, Tyland Lannister.

"In the dragon pit with the children." Aelyx snarled, trying and failing to push past her, "Now move, so I can see my wife."

"Aelyx!"

The screech came from inside the chambers, stopping Alycia from making whatever scathing remark she had on the tip of her tongue. Rolling her eyes, the woman moved, allowing her older brother to pass before following him in where a panting Rhaenyra lay inside a tub full of lukewarm water, an army of midwives huddled around her, providing comfort and reassurance.

"Darling!" Aelyx called, coming to kneel beside his labouring wife, wincing when she took hold of his offered hand, squeezing it so tightly her nails cut into his skin and made his bones compress painfully.

"Where. Have. You. Been!?" Rhaenyra snarled, her voice harsh and breathless with exhaustion. Her beautiful silver hair was a mess around her head, soaked with sweat and barely held back by a leather hair tie, no doubt provided by one of the many midwives that had been attending to Nya's births since their first son Aedan had been nine moons after their wedding.

"With the children in the dragon pit, my love," Aelyx murmured soothingly, having been through his wife's hostile mood during the birthing bed before, "I came as soon as I heard the news. As we speak, the children are getting ready in their chambers for their new sibling."

"If he ever decides to arrive," Rhaenyra groaned, leaning back into the older midwife's chest as the woman coached her through another push. Her face contorted in agony as she grunted softly, trying not to scream and disturb the other occupants of the keep.

"He is stubborn, just like his mother," Aelyx agreed, wincing when she squeezed his hand so hard he felt the bones grinding beneath his skin. Fuck, she had a tight grip. Alycia came close and took her place on Rhaenyra's other side, dutifully wiping the labouring mother's brow with a wet cloth.

"One more push, princess," the younger midwife cried as she kneeled near Rhaenyra's feet, looking between her legs, "They're crowning! Push, milady! Push!"

Rhaenyra sobbed as she bore down, gasping for breath as the baby slowly but surely slipped from her body and out into the world. Aelyx watched with bated breath, his heart racing as the babe finally fell free into the awaiting midwife's arms.

There was a heart-wrenching moment when only silence followed the squelch of fluid and flesh before a cry filled the air as the babe sobbed for his mother. "A boy, princess!" The older midwife said, pride in her voice.

"Praise Mother!" The younger one cried as she cradled the babe to her.

As soon as they heard the cry, both mother and father relaxed, falling into each other's holds as they laughed with joy. Aelyx nuzzled his wife's forehead with hers as he asked, "How is he?"

"Kicking like a goat, my prince!" The midwife laughed as she patted the babe on the back to clear any fluids from his mouth or throat. Rhaenyra cried tears of joy as she held out her arms for her latest child while Aelyx watched, transfixed.

"Hello," Rhaenyra murmured as she cuddled the infant close, nuzzling his nose with hers as his sobs slowly quieted, "I am so thrilled to meet you, Little One."

"He's perfect, my love," Aelyx murmured as he kissed Rhaenyra's forehead and then his son's.

Alycia smiled as she stood, looking upon the trio with tear-filled eyes, "I'll go let the children know to expect you soon," she said, "Take your time. Congratulations, cousin, brother."

"Thank you, sister," Aelyx murmured, not taking his eyes off his wife's beaming face.

Just as the silver princess turned to leave, she was stopped in her tracks by a green maid, her eyes lowered in shame as she said, "I-"

"What could you possibly want in a time like this?" Alycia snarled, her hackles rising to defend her brother and his family.

How the hell had the chit even gotten inside?

Aelyx frowned as he stood, coming to stand between the interloper and his newborn son and in pain wife, she hadn't even pushed out the afterbirth yet, and already the Greens were scheming? He crossed his arms across his chest and scowled at the quivering maid, who didn't dare to make eye contact as she squeaked, "The Queen has ordered the child be brought to her, my prince."

"What?" Aelyx growled, stomping forward; the girl curled into herself, shuffling back a step but remaining where she was, her green gown showing who her loyalties were too.

Alycia shrieked in indignation and made as if to storm out, no doubt to confront the Queen herself, but Rhaenyra halted them both in their tracks, calling, "Stop! Help me stand, Lily."

"Nyra!"

"You can't be serious!"

Both siblings cried in outrage as Rhaenyra struggled to stand with the help of several midwives holding her up, despite her shaky legs and staggered breathing. Alycia trotted over to help, despite the fury that clouded her features and contorted her usually beautiful face into an ugly snarl.

"I can go! You're still bleeding, darling." Aelyx said, his voice panicked as the maids began dressing his wife in a loose-fitting blue gown.

"No," Rhaenyra spat, "I will go. I will not hide away while she gawks at our son."

A midwife took the babe and began cutting off the umbilical cord that was still attached to the infant. Rhaenyra shushed the babe as she struggled to get dressed, her limbs heavy from exhaustion. When the cord was cut, Aelyx eagerly held out his arms, taking the infant and cradling him close.

"Fucking bitch," Alycia hissed as she pushed a maid aside to do up the ties on Rhaenyra's back herself, uncaring of the affronted gasp the green chit let out at her words. Let the queen know exactly what Daemon Targaryen's daughter thought of her.

In the ten years since Aelyx and Rhaenyra had made the Red Keep their home, with Alycia soon following after with her marriage to Tyland Lannister, Alicent had made it a point to make their lives as brutal as possible, despite being more and more outnumbered with every child Rhaenyra and Alycia brought into the world.

Whispers followed the heir wherever she went, whispering about how she was uncivilized with her blatant Targaryen regalia and refusal to follow the Faith of the Seven. While Alycia was called a whore for her blatant sexual appetites causing her and her husband to be caught multiple times in compromising positions throughout the Red Keep.

When Rhaenyra announced her first pregnancy only a couple of months after her wedding to Aelyx, some within the court tried to infer that the child may be a bastard or she had gotten pregnant before her marriage due to her large size and fast progression only for them to be silenced when it was revealed that Rhaenyra was pregnant with twins.

Both Aedan and Alyssa had been born early, their small size making the midwives nervous, and the court wondered whether or not the newborns would live through the night. Thankfully, it seemed Rhaenyra only birthed strong babes, and both children were alive and thriving today with their own dragons.

Following the twins' birth, it hadn't taken long for Rhaenyra to announce her second pregnancy, this one resulting in a son they named Baelon for Rhaenyra's brother, who died in his cradle and her grandfather. After Baelon came Baelor and now a new son.

Five healthy children were born in twice as many years, a most auspicious achievement for the crown princess, bringing her much praise and congratulations from her faction. All of the eggs placed in their cradles had hatched as well. A blessing from the Gods, according to the dragon keepers and their proud grandfather.

Alycia had also been blessed with children, leading to her more curvy figure and fierce protectiveness. A boy and a girl born only a couple of years apart early into her marriage named Tyson and Jocelyn. Both children boasted their father's golden curls but had their mother's purple eyes to prove their Targaryen lineage. Unfortunately, Tyson's dragon egg had gone cold in his cradle, but Jocelyn's had hatched.

Alycia had plans of bringing her son to the Dragonmont as soon as he was deemed ready by the dragon keepers to attempt to claim one of the wild dragons residing there, just as she did with Cannibal.

Rhaenyra started to hobble toward where Aelyx stood with their son in his arms but was stopped short as she bent over, her face twisting in discomfort as she bore down on something.

"The afterbirth!" One of the midwives cried as she quickly knelt with a bucket to catch the bloody placenta as it fell towards the floor. Rhaenyra gasped in pain as she stepped forward again, trying not to get blood on the hem of her gown.

Aelyx and Alycia came to her side, Aelyx gently handing the babe over to his mother so Aelyx had both arms free to help his wife walk. Alycia took the other side, linking arms with Rhaenyra and glaring at anyone who got too close.

A guard quickly opened the door to reveal a frowning Laenor who stood vigil outside, his face irritated as he promptly bowed, then fell in line behind the royals, "Apologies, Your Highness," he murmured softly, "She came by order of the Queen, I couldn't -"

"It is not your fault, Ser Laenor," Rhaenyra replied, her voice kind as she stared at her sworn sword of almost a decade, "You have never failed me before; I trust you to do what is right."

Laenor nodded, then fell back a step to give them some privacy. "Why don't you let me take him?" Aelyx murmured softly as they went down the corridors where passersby's stared openly, the women appalled at seeing their princess out of bed so soon after birth. The men wrinkled their noses and stared disapprovingly at the trail of blood that followed their small procession, distaste covering their features. Nevertheless, they all bowed, no matter their faction, eyes dropping to the floor in deference to the heir.

"I will not give her the satisfaction," Rhaenyra replied, her voice sharp with pain as she continued forward, her gate stilted and slow. She smiled at all the lords and ladies they passed, nodding in acceptance at their sympathies and honeyed words.

When they came upon the massive staircase, Rhaenyra paused, huffing out pain filled breaths, her eyes hesitant as she took in the enormous task before her. "We can go back," Laenor murmured, his eyes filled with tenderness as he took in his charge.

"No," Alycia spat quietly, "The court is watching. She cannot falter. Come, Nyra. We have you; you will not fall."

Slowly but surely, the quartet made their way up the steps, careful not to trip and trying to take most of the weight off an aching Rhaenyra.

"Princess Rhaenyra, Prince Aelyx," they all turned towards the voice that called out to them to see a bowing Lord Caswell and his wife, "It is an honour to be one of the first to congratulate you."

"Thank you, Lord Caswell," Rhaenyra replied but didn't stop walking as more and more blood flowed down her thighs.

"If I may be of any service -"

"The day may yet come, My Lord."

As soon as the words escaped Rhaenyra's lips, she groaned anew and bent forward, heaving out laboured breaths. Anxiously, Aelyx hurried to pull her back up, muttering, "We are going back. She can come to us."

"Unless you plan on carrying me down those fucking steps, you will keep walking." Rhaenyra spat out, her eyes flashing with fury.

"This is absurd," Laenor muttered bitterly as he followed the trio towards the Queen's chambers, his voice filled with blatant hostility as he took in who stood in front of her doorway.

Decked out in green and silver, Ser Criston stared impassively forward as he stood watch in front of Alicent's door, his eyes only darting briefly to the group as he bowed and opened the door for them, "Princess," he said, eyes cold as he stepped aside.

Begrudgingly, Laenor also stepped aside to take his place outside the doorway to wait for the royals.

Aelyx held back a snarl as he took in the woman in green who stood on a fucking pedestal as her maids fluttered around her, staring out the window as they hemmed her skirt.

Alicent turned towards them when her maid stood quickly to bow, eyes filled with false empathy as she murmured softly, "Rhaenyra, you should be resting after your labours! Prince Aelyx, Lady Lannister, what a surprise to see you as well."

"Why would it be a surprise, Your Grace," Alycia snipped, voice hard and sharp, "We always attend to the princess during her labours. So why would we abandon her now?"

Alicent flinched almost imperceptibly at the reminder that she'd been barred from Rhaenyra's rooms when she laboured after Alycia had realized it was the Hightower Queen who was spreading falsities throughout court.

After that, the queen had made herself scarce whenever Rhaenyra laboured, hiding away in her rooms as the princess produced heir after heir, placing her sons further and further down the line of succession.

Choosing to ignore Alicent's false platitudes, Aelyx led his wife to a nearby settee, not caring that it would no doubt be ruined by bloodstains after. The queen quickly stepped off the pedestal and said, "Talya, fetch a cushion for the princess."

"That is unnecessary," Rhaenyra murmured.

"Nonsense," the queen cut her off, eyes locked on the babe in Rhaenyra's arms, eyes filled with envy and… is that guilt? No matter; Alicent had chosen her side ten years ago and hadn't faltered since. She had no chance of making amends now.

"What happy news this morning!" The voice came from behind them to reveal a haggard-looking King Viserys walking towards them, rotting teeth on display as he smiled widely at his daughter and newest grandson.

"Indeed, Your Grace," Aelyx murmured, standing beside Rhaenyra while Alycia sat beside her, fluffing her pillows and smiling at the sleeping baby.

"Where is he? Where is my grandson?" Viserys huffed, smiling and cooing as Rhaenyra held the child out to her father to inspect, "There he is! A fine prince. He is the spitting image of his father. Congratulations, nephew."

"Thank you, uncle," Aelyx replied, bowing his head as Vserys continued to coo over the babe, his smile bright.

"You will make a fearsome knight! Yes, you will." Viserys cooed, rocking the babe back and forth with his only remaining arm, ignoring the anxious look on his wife's face as she watched the pair with wide, seeking eyes.

"Does the babe have a name yet?" Alicent asked, her eyes darting to Rhaenyra, who held one of Aelyx's hands in hers, the couple gazing at each other with pure, unadulterated love.

The couple shared a gaze, smiling brightly before Aelyx nodded his ascent and Rhaenyra replied, eyes soft as she gazed at her father, "We've decided to name him Viserys, after his loving grandsire."

Alicent's face dropped in horror while Viserys' eyes brimmed with joyful tears as he cried, "A wonderful name! A splendid name! You honour me, my beautiful daughter. Never has a father had a better daughter."

Alicent's face twisted in irritation at the king's praise before smoothing out into a mask of courtly politeness. No doubt the bitch saw the name choice as a spiteful move against her and not a show of love from a daughter to her father. But then again, she'd never had an exceptionally loving relationship with her father, had she? No, the Hightower Queen had only ever been a pawn in her father's political schemes, even when he was hundreds of leagues away in Oldtown.

"When are Daemon and Diana flying in?" Viserys asked, his voice blissfully happy as he gazed down at his eldest child, "They have never missed the birth of a grandchild."

"Based on when they sent their raven, sometime this afternoon or later in the evening," Aelyx replied, "Mother was adamant she be there for the birth; a shame she missed it."

"She made it four out of five times, my love," Rhaenyra said, smiling, "We can cut her some slack for being a little late. We all know how busy her regency has kept her."

"Not for long, though," Alicent said, cutting in with a small, fake smile, "Lord Ryan is now seven and ten. No doubt he will take the Runestone seat sooner rather than later?"

"In a moon's time," Aelyx replied, "As soon as his betrothal to Elenor Grafton is finalized."

"And what then?" Viserys asked, "Will my brother and dear good-sister finally return home?"

"That is the plan, Father," Rhaenyra said, "Aunt Diana is excited to spend more time with her grandchildren. More so than the few weeks out of the year they visited previously."

"Excellent news! Do you hear that, wife? Almost all of the Targaryens under one roof! Except for Daemion on Driftmark, of course."

Daemion and Laena married a couple of moons after Aelyx and Rhaenyra and settled on Driftmark afterwards so Lord Corlys could continue training Laena as his heir after Laenor joined the Kingsguard. They'd since had twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena, and Baela was set to be heir to Driftmark after Laena.

Laena was currently pregnant with their third child and was being doted upon by Princess Rhaenys, who rejoiced at having her daughter and grandchildren close. The couple sent letters weekly to their kin in the Red Keep and visited every three moons or so, with the girls riding with their parents on dragonback.

Baela's egg hatched in her cradle, but poor Rhaena had been dragonless until Driftmark had reported sighting a grey dragon circling the coast, picking off livestock and roosting in the cliffside caves near the keep.

Daughter-like-mother, little Rhaena, only seven at the time, had snuck out and claimed the dragon, which turned out to be the shy and elusive Grey Ghost. By all accounts, the pair were well matched with Rhaena's softer temperament to quell Baela's fiery temper. The little girl hadn't flown solo yet, but she apparently spent almost every waking moment not spent in lessons with the maester and septa with her new dragon, feeding him by hand and reading him stories.

"May I?" Alicent asked, holding out her arms expectantly to her husband, who naively passed the child over, not seeing the tension that filled his daughter's face as she watched the Hightower Queen falsely coo over the babe, who began to whimper in her arms.

It was only a few painfully long moments that Alicent handed the child off to a frowning Aelyx, who clutched his son close and glared at the queen, who looked indifferent to his disapproval. "Congratulations, Prince Aelyx," she murmured, "You must be so proud."

"Yes, we are," Aelyx replied as Rhaenyra winced as she struggled to stand; Alycia and Aelyx quickly came to help her, subtly pushing Alicent away with their bodies when she tried to help.

"Well done, my girl," Viserys whispered, coming to stand in front of his daughter, taking her hand with his only remaining digit, "I do hope the labour was easy?"

Rhaenyra forced a smile as she watched Alicent continue to hover over her son, "I believe I called the midwife a cunt."

"Oh?" Viserys replied, smiling indulgently at his eldest before pulling her close for a hug and kiss on the cheek.

Quietly, the couple said their goodbyes and left the chambers, ignoring Ser Criston as he kept his back to them as they went, Laenor falling in behind them silently.

"She wouldn't have dared try that if my mother or father were here," Aelyx growled, eyes hard as he kept a firm grip on his wife's elbow.

"She shouldn't have tried it even in their absence. We need to increase our strength and position in the court. We cannot rely on your parents to do our fighting for us." Rhaenyra replied, her voice a soft hiss that echoed in the empty hall.

"Yes, you do," Alycia murmured, "The king is a fickle man and every day, the queen spins her webs and spills her honey in his ear. His illness is progressing quickly, despite our best efforts; you must be strong if you are to ascend the throne unchallenged, cousin. Or be prepared to do what is necessary if they do."

"One might think you want a war, sister," Aelyx said wryly, his eyes judging as he stared at his sister.

"I am my father's daughter and a realist, brother. Not all of us can bury our heads in the sand and ignore what is happening before us." Alycia snapped, voice cold and matter-of-fact.

"Enough, both of you," Rhaenyra snarled, "Uncle Daemon and Aunt Diana will be here soon. We will convene with them and devise a plan. Until then, Alycia, go see the children in the dragon pit and keep an eye on them. Aelyx, check in with Ser Harwin and watch the training yard; we mustn't allow the Greens to create animosity between the children. They are innocent; I will not see them become pawns in Alicent's political warfare."