Red Keep ― Maegor's Holdfast…
As she sat in her guest room, Rhaenys couldn't help but listen to the chaos that engulfed King's Landing. The riots and clashes between supporters of the Blacks and the Caltrops echoed throughout the city streets, creating a sense of unrest and danger. But the innocent civilians got themselves caught in the middle of this violent conflict, knowing that casualties on both sides were inevitable. The number of deaths could reach dozens, maybe hundreds if not thousands. Despite the gravity of the situation, Rhaenys remained focused on her next move. However, her thoughts were interrupted by shouting outside her doors.
"Out of my way!"
As Rhaenys lay in her bed, she was alerted by the unsettling sound of grunting and thudding. The noise was unmistakable - physical blows landing and bodies hitting the ground. Before she could even process what was happening, her door opened, and Ser Erryk Cargyll of the Kingsguard walked in. He was adorned in his fine silver armor and all-white cloak, with a hooded cloak draped carefully over his right arm and a sack strapped around his shoulders. The look on his face was serious, and Rhaenys could sense that something was amiss.
"With me, princess. I cannot let this treachery stand," Erryk beseeched.
"And why should I trust you?" Rhaenys suspected.
"Prince Jaehaerys has fled the city and is en route to Dragonstone to warn Prince Aeonar, the rightful king. Please. We're running out of time. We mustn't dally any longer."
Rhaenys was feeling apprehensive about those in her midst. Beatrice had managed to ensnare the small council and was replacing those loyal to the Targaryens with members of her own family. This made it difficult for Rhaenys to trust anyone. However, she carefully scrutinized the words of a young knight and concluded that he was being truthful. This meant that young Prince Jaehaerys was safe from the clutches of the Caltrops. Nonetheless, it was only a matter of time before his father, Prince Aeonar the Young Dragon, would launch a counterattack in retaliation. If so, Rhaenys had no choice but to take Ser Erryk's word.
Ser Erryk gallantly guided Princess Rhaenys through the intricate castle walls, her identity concealed by a cloak. As they stealthily moved away from the soldiers of House Peake, who appeared to be preoccupied with the relocation of their queen's faction towards the east, Rhaenys learned that Beatrice and her family had been sighted in Flea Bottom near the Tarth manse. The ongoing riots would undoubtedly slow the Caltrops down and force them to take a detour, which cost them precious time, but their intentions remained unclear. Would they attempt to flee the city through the Dragon Gate? Or would they try to seize the Dragonpit and take control of the unclaimed dragons lurking beneath its cellars to bolster their dwindling power? Such thoughts raced through Rhaenys' mind as she recalled Beatrice's words, revealing her ambition to depose Aeonar and replace him with her son, Aegon. However, Aegon's attempted escape had been thwarted by his own brother, Prince Aemond. As they passed by the shrine where Balerion's skull hung, Rhaenys couldn't help but briefly gaze upon the imposing Black Dread, wondering what havoc the Targaryen's largest dragon would have wrought had it still lived in this era. Finally, following closely behind, Ser Erryk deftly opened the secret passageway leading from Princess Rhaenyra's room, eventually leading her to the balcony that overlooked the sprawling city below.
King's Landing ― Street of Sisters…
"Where are we?" Rhaenys inquired.
"Just south of King's Way," Erryk answered. "Come on. We can get out of the city through the Iron Gate."
"I won't leave Meleys. If I can get to the Dragonpit before they do, then―"
Amidst the chaotic scene, rioters were seen running rampant through the streets, creating a ruckus with their loud shouts, curses, and violent clashes with one another. The City Watch, attempting to regain control over the situation, found themselves struggling against the onslaught as more Lykirī Mēre agents descended upon the dissenters and Caltrops. The ancient assassination guild's acolytes were undoubtedly fierce and agile, but their numbers were too few to handle an entire mob. Consequently, most of them had no choice but to retreat hastily to a safe distance, while some of their acolytes were not so fortunate and were mercilessly torn apart by the enraged mob. Given the current circumstances, it seemed highly unlikely that Rhaenys and Erryk would be able to make it past the rioters without encountering any problems. The only way out of this mess was to find an alternate route around the rioters before they could spot them.
"Move it! Go! Go!"
"Push them back!"
"There's too many of them, sergeant!"
Erryk noticed the crowd slowly encroaching near them. "Come on. This way," he motioned.
As the riots raged, a frantic wave of civilians approached Ser Erryk and Queen Rhaenys, seeking to escape the chaos. The knight fought to keep his footing amidst the pushing and shoving, but the sheer force of the crowd ultimately separated him from his charge. Rhaenys found herself swallowed up by the panicked crowd, struggling to stay upright amidst the chaos. Though she cast anxious glances over her shoulder, Erryk was quickly swallowed by a sea of bodies before being lost from sight. Despite the danger surrounding her, Rhaenys remained focused on keeping herself and those around her safe, determined to find a way out of the violence that threatened to consume them all.
Rhaenys eventually found herself heading in the opposite direction of her journey. It was then that she caught sight of the Lively Maid tavern, and in the distance, she could make out the entourage of Queen Beatrice. Among her group were her two sons, Aegon and Aemond, as well as her daughter, Princess Helaena, her father, Lord Unwin, and of course, the queen herself. Rhaenys couldn't help but notice the scowl etched onto Beatrice's face, and it was clear that her eldest son was still struggling against his brother's restraining grip. Judging by their movements, the Caltrops' primary host was again forced to take another detour to avoid the mob fueled by the Blacks who shouted 'traitor!', 'bastard!', and 'false-born!'
"No! Let me go!" Aegon the Elder continued protesting. "I have no wish to rule! No taste for duty! I'm not suited!" His Valyrian hair appeared disheveled, with the blue dye gradually fading away. Based on his looks, it seemed like he might have been secretly participating in an unlawful fighting arena using the name 'Griff,' but was eventually betrayed by doubtful customers. No doubt these customers were agents of the White Worm. With his identity exposed, Aegon tried to escape but was caught.
"You'll get no argument from me," Aemond replied.
Shaking her head, Rhaenys couldn't believe it. The false Aegon was nothing but a wanted fugitive, a mere bastard sired by a dragonseed, and yet his mother still tried to push him onto the Iron Throne. With the Blacks and Lykirī Mēre constantly obstructing their path, the Caltrops were in for a tough ride. Nevertheless, Rhaenys caught a glimpse of the Dragonpit nearby and saw an opportunity. She deftly slipped through the throngs of civilians and made a shortcut through the streets, determined to reach the Dragonpit before Beatrice could. With the queen still blissfully unaware of her escape from confinement and already making her own plans, Rhaenys had to move quickly.
King's Landing ― Dragonpit…
Within half an hour to almost forty-five minutes, Rhaenys made her way to the Dragonpit; she couldn't help but notice the aftermath of a fierce battle. Peake soldiers were trampled on the ground, while charred remains and rubble were scattered. It was clear to her that a giant dragon had been involved, and she had a feeling it was the work of Vermithor, the Bronze Fury once ridden by her grandfather and now under the command of Prince Jaehaerys. Surprisingly, the young prince had proven to be more skilled than she had initially thought - a fact that brought a small, almost satisfying smile to her lips.
With utmost caution, Rhaenys surveyed her surroundings and ensured that no unwelcome surprises lay in wait. Once she was certain that the coast was clear, she descended into the depths of the Dragonpit. Her cloak was discarded without a second thought as she swiftly adorned herself with stunning ornate armor made of steel and copper befitting a dragonrider. The intricately designed breastplate, embellished with dragonscales, glimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. Her dragon's presence was palpable, and Rhaenys traced her hand along the stone walls and caverns until she felt Meleys' aura grow stronger.
"*Hiiiiiiiisssssss!*"
"Dohaerās, Meles. Lykirī. (Serve, Meleys. Be calm.)" Rhaenys commanded.
With a fierce growl, Meleys, the 165-foot-long dragon, eagerly awaited her rider's commands. The Red Queen quickly obeyed, watching Rhaenys free her from the chains that held her captive. As soon as Meleys sensed her freedom, she shook her head and bared her teeth in anticipation. Lowering her body, she allowed Rhaenys to mount her saddle. Once securely fastened, Meleys let out a deafening roar that echoed through the Dragonpit, stirring the other untamed dragons from their slumber.
"Jās, Meles. (Move, Meleys.)"
"*RAAAAAAAAAAAAA!*"
With a deafening roar that reverberated across the skies, Meleys lunged forward, her powerful wings slicing through the air as she charged toward one of the side entrances - the kind that only dragons could access. Her reputation as one of the fastest dragons in the Seven Kingdoms preceded her, and she wasted no time in gathering momentum before expertly folding her wings and gliding through the entrance with only inches to spare. Meanwhile, high above the sprawling metropolis of King's Landing, Rhaenys soared in wide circles, her keen eyes scanning the landscape for any sign of their target - the Caltrops.
And there they were, a group of heavily armored soldiers, marching in formation towards the Dragonpit. Rhaenys signaled to Meleys with three swift pats, a silent command that it was time to strike. Together, they homed in on their primary objective with precision and determination, their powerful bodies hurtling through the air with incredible speed and agility. The thrill of the hunt surged through their veins, and they were fully focused on their mission - to protect the realm from any and all threats, no matter the cost.
As Beatrice made her way down the dusty, narrow street, she was forced to shield her face from the onslaught of putrid vegetables and fresh cow droppings that were being flung in her direction with alarming force and accuracy. Despite her best efforts to dodge the offensive projectiles, she found herself stumbling and practically gagging on the foul stench that surrounded her. "Ugh! I cannot believe the audacity of those filthy, rotten peasants!" she exclaimed with a bitter tone. "I am the queen; I deserve to be treated with respect and dignity! Their behavior towards me is unacceptable!"
"I can't say that I blame them," Aegon sneered with a hint of arrogance. "You keep trying to make me king, even though I've made it clear that it's not what I want. I finally found something I was good at, only to have your people knock me out with a rock and forcibly bring me back to a city where I know I'm not welcome."
"Oh, shut up, you! Be grateful that it was because of me that you're still alive to complain."
"Father never wanted this!"
"He changed his mind, you little brat!"
"No… I don't think my father ever really liked me," Aegon said bitterly, his voice laced with pain. "He always favored my older brother and made sure everyone knew it. Always upheld Aeonar's claim because he was born first. And now here I am, forced to endure the humiliation of being paraded around like some kind of spectacle while people hurl insults and objects at me when I could have easily found a ship and sailed away, never to be found. Or would you prefer I have Sunfyre do that instead? It's all because of your insistence that father suddenly changed his mind about who should succeed him before he died. Do not toy with me, mother. You always wanted to use me as a pawn in your own game." He paused momentarily, occasionally ducking sideways to avoid debris aimed at him. "Tell me, mother, did you ever truly love me? Or was I just another tool for you to use to get what you want?"
"Watch your tone, you imbecile," Beatrice shook her head.
"It is our fate, I think, to crave always what is given to another," Helaena commented. "If one possesses a thing, the other will try to take it away."
"What?" Beatrice turned around to face her daughter. She could see the fear in Helaena's eyes as she was desperately doing everything she can to shield her own children, the twins Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, from the riots happening outside the royal wheelhouse they were in. "What did you say?" The dowager queen struggled to keep her voice steady, sensing that her daughter's response held more weight than she was letting on.
"There is a beast beneath the boards…"
"What?!"
"It's coming! Beware the beast beneath the boards!"
Beatrice found it challenging to understand the cryptic tones and responses that Helaena frequently used, which often sounded like warnings or riddles. Despite this, her daughter's posture and sense of distress managed to increase the dowager queen's concerns about potential future events.
"There they are!" one of the Blacks pointed at them.
Aemond's attention was drawn to the increasing number of mobs rushing their way toward them. He swiftly unsheathed his sword with fiery determination and prepared himself for the imminent battle. Ser Criston Cole followed suit, drawing his own blade and readying for combat. Suddenly, a dragon's deafening roar echoed in the distance, causing the mob to scatter in all directions fearfully. The sound was unmistakable - a dragon was approaching. Before long, the silhouette of a colossal dragon appeared, soaring above them with incredible speed. Its massive tail and sharp talons scraped against the rooftops of nearby buildings, sending debris flying all around. The terrified smallfolk ran in every direction, trying to find safety wherever they could to escape the dragon's wrath. Most sought refuge in alleyways or tried to force their way into occupied buildings, while others streamed through the city's nearby gates. The gold cloaks frantically tried to close the gates, but the panicked crowd overwhelmed them. It was chaos.
"Beware the dragon beneath the boards, beware the dragon beneath the boards, beware the dragon beneath the boards…!" Helaena stared up in awe, repeating her cryptic words.
"Meleys… Rhaenys? How did she get out?!" Beatrice stared equally in fear. "Cole!" she called out. "Front and center!"
Criston and Aemond stood at the forefront of the wheelhouse; a realization dawned on them - they were no match for the sheer power of a dragon. Meleys swiftly descended on the city streets with an ominous thud, her massive wingspan casting a shadow over the Caltrops. With the fury of the Red Queen and the Queen Who Never Was had arrived, there was no escaping their wrath. The Caltrops were hopelessly cornered, with no escape route in sight. Beatrice was now fully aware that they were at the mercy of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, and the fear was palpable. Meleys snarled at them, her fiery breath hot on their faces, ready to incinerate all of them in an instant, should her rider command it. The group was completely exposed, with no place to hide, and the tension in the air was suffocating.
"Queen Beatrice Peake," Rhaenys's voice boomed, "for the crimes of high treason and conspiring to commit sedition against the crown, within all rights, House Targaryen deems you guilty. Now… this is your one last chance. Surrender. Or pay the price befitting a traitor."
No response came.
Meleys made her displeasure known with a long, deafening roar that echoed through the streets. The Red Queen's anger was directed towards those who had crossed her, and her frustration was palpable. Rhaenys, ever poised and controlled, gave Beatrice a piercing stare that conveyed her refusal to comply with Beatrice's demands for loyalty. Though the Queen Who Never Was possessed the power to quell the uprising with one swift move, she understood that the ultimate decision would not be hers alone to make. Her strategic thinking and ability to navigate complex situations would be crucial in determining the outcome of this conflict.
No…
…that belonged to another.
Dragonstone ― Chamber of the Painted Table…
"Without the implementation of necessary measures, Claw Isle may experience a decline in its land revenue. He emphasized the potential risks that may arise if this trend continues," Lord Bartimos Celtigar petitioned.
"Who's to say that all the rewards will go to Claw Isle, while others along the Narrow Sea are left scrounging for scraps to fund their own ventures?" countered Lord Bar Emmon. "My prince," he turned to Aeonar, "Sharp Point has a more advantageous position than the Celtigars. It's relaxed, thoughtful…"
"Our bloodline can be traced all the way back to Old Valyria before the Doom, pup! It's true. However, despite our prestigious Valyrian heritage, House Bar Emmon has consistently disrupted sea traffic in the Narrow Sea and charged outrageous fees to our merchant vessels for their own personal gain, all under the pretenses of 'fairness' and 'flexibility.' It's frustrating, to say the least, wouldn't you agree?"
"How dare you accuse my house of―"
"Enough!" Aeonar's voice boomed, commanding everyone's attention. The room fell silent as the Young Dragon rendered his judgment. "Whoever deems themselves entitled to any certain amount of fortune is irrelevant. Lord Bar Emmon, you will reopen those ports and put an end to this prejudiced policy towards your fellow neighbors and trading ships. And Lord Celtigar, if I hear one more complaint from Crackclaw Point about your tax collectors harassing minor houses and farmlands that aren't even sworn to Claw Isle, then I'll settle the matter for you. Now, I will hear no excuses. From any of you here. Not under my roof. Dismissed," he said with authority.
After the gathering of the lords who had sworn allegiance to Dragonstone had disbanded, Prince Aeonar was left feeling somewhat irritated. He had endured another round of petition hearings, which were filled with minor concerns that seemed trivial to him. However, as the Prince of Dragonstone, he knew it was his duty to exercise his power and influence. He intended to remind these lords that during his reign, he would not tolerate the neglect of petty squabbles. While his time alone brought a sense of relief, his solitude ended just as quickly as it had arrived.
"Is the Sea Snake going to die?" Lucerys asked concerned.
Aeonar glanced up from the Painted Table. "You ask a question to which you already know the answer, Luke," he told his nephew.
"We don't choose our destinies, Luke," Rhaenyra interjected. "It chooses us. Your grandfather named Aeonar his heir when your uncle was only a boy of 10. Four years younger than you are now." She turned to her brother. "And do you want to tell him the truth of it?"
"Things were never going to be the same again after that," Aeonar reminisced. "To know that you might become king of the Seven Kingdoms at any moment… one must always be ready to learn the art of governance early on, seek advice from his councilors until he comes of age, and be prepared to face the next challenge that could one day determine his future. You can't run from it; you can't hide from it. It was my duty. Great or small, we must do our duty."
"And it was my responsibility to support your uncle, even though it meant enduring countless scoldings and looking deeply at myself to be a better sibling. However, I knew that I had to regain my brother's trust and stand by his side when the time came for his ascension. Everyone has a part to play - even if it's not what we anticipated."
"But how do you do it?" Lucerys asked.
"Do what?" Aeonar replied.
"What do you mean, sweet boy?" Rhaenyra asked her second son.
"You two seem so… perfect."
Aeonar and Rhaenyra exchanged glances, raised their eyebrows, and then shook their heads with a hint of amusement.
"No one is perfect, Luke," Aeonar answered. "If we were, there wouldn't be any need for all this… complacency."
"Think about it: the whole societal system would collapse if everyone were perfect in every way. No one would know what to do," Rhaenyra added. "We are anything but perfect. Our father looked after us and helped to prepare us for our duties. Your mother will do the same for you."
"Knowledge is passed down from generation to generation, ensuring that the wisdom of our predecessors lives on to carry out the continuing stability. What your mother does for you and your brothers, I, in turn, must do the same for my own children. It's important to remember past mistakes so we don't repeat them again."
"But the most significant aspect to us as a family is always to have each other's backs. You will never be alone as long as the House of the Dragon stays united. Your brothers, cousins, aunt, and uncle will always be there to support you if you stumble. Do you understand?"
Lucerys lowered his eyes briefly before meeting his mother's. "I… do. I think so, yes," he answered.
Aeonar began to feel nervous and uneasy as he sensed a twitching sensation in the back of his head. Despite this discomfort, he carefully scrutinized the Painted Table, examining every stronghold, forest, and roadway in the Seven Kingdoms. However, even after searching through the documents, the Young Dragon found that nothing had changed. "Hmm. Odd…" he muttered under his breath.
"What is it, father?" Aemma asked.
"All my contacts in King's Landing have gone dark…"
Aeonar had been urgently summoned back to Dragonstone due to a pressing matter of great concern. Gerardys, the Targaryen stronghold's master during Alwyn's absence, had sent word that the Cannibal had re-emerged from the rubble confining him. This news was certainly alarming, as it had been over sixteen years since anyone had dared confront the massive, untamed, and perilous dragon. Last time, it took the combined might of Vaelor and Caraxes to render the Cannibal flightless. In addition, the smallfolk on the island had long made a lucrative business out of selling discarded dragon scales, fangs, and other assorted pieces to alchemists, magicians, and unscrupulous sorcerers. However, the demand for rare and exotic objects had grown exponentially over time, while the supplies themselves remained limited and hard to come by. The situation was indeed dire, and Aeonar knew that swift and decisive action would be necessary to protect the people of Dragonstone and restore order to the realm.
Several smallfolk, driven by their thirst for adventure and the allure of riches, chose to flout the ban on travel to the Rhúqo region in the eastern lands. Their destination was the notorious Cannibal's nest, where they believed they could lay their hands on a wealth of unclaimed dragon bones and other valuable parts. However, their reckless intrusion was ill-fated, as it roused the Cannibal from its slumber and sent the dragon into a frenzy. Despite efforts by the Dragonkeepers to rescue the group, only one badly burned survivor was found, who regrettably passed away earlier this morning. The Cannibal continued its rampage, wreaking havoc on the island by killing sheep, goats, and several shepherds, until the timely arrival of Aeonar riding on Vaelor finally forced the Cannibal to retreat to its lair, bringing an end to the chaos it had caused and reasserting the Swiftrunner's dominance as alpha on the island.
Aeonar originally intended to spend the day on the island to make sure that the wild dragon didn't cause any more trouble. As a precaution, he instructed his contacts to send their daily reports to Dragonstone instead of the Red Keep. However, to his surprise, there wasn't a single message waiting for him. Not a single word from his contacts in the city or the small council in the Red Keep. It was as if the world had gone silent.
It did not sit well with him.
"Pardon me, my prince," Ser Lorent arrived.
"Ah, Ser Lorrent." Aeonar noticed the look on the Kingsguard knight's face. "What is it?"
"Prince Jaehaerys has just arrived on dragonback. He urgently demands an audience with you and the entire family. Says it cannot wait."
Alicent and Aeonar were both filled with concern as they observed their eldest son's urgent demand to see them. Jaehaerys appeared to be out of breath as he made his way into the room, indicating that whatever was happening must be of great importance. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that his clothes were worn and tattered. This only added to the apprehension of the situation, as it was obvious that something serious had occurred in their absence.
"Jay?!" Baela was the first to see it. "What in Seven hells happened?!" she checked her cousin/betrothed up and down to see if he was hurt in any way.
Alicent's maternal instincts drove her to her son. "By the Gods, are you hurt?" she said with concern in her voice. "Is that… Is that blood?"
"It-It's not mine," Jaehaerys panted, shaking his head. "I need to talk to you now."
"Settle down. Take a deep breath and tell us what's going on," Aeonar said.
"Father, grandfather is dead!"
The stillness was almost palpable, leaving only the distant cries of seagulls, the flickering of torch flames, and the soothing rhythm of waves crashing against the shore to break the silence.
Aeonar's entire being seemed to have turned into a motionless sculpture, devoid of any signs of life. Not even the slightest movement could be detected from his fingers, which were completely still. His lips were parted, yet no utterance could escape from them. The once lively color of his face had drained away, replaced by a pallid and otherworldly complexion. Rhaenyra, too, became silent, just like her brother. The news of their father's passing had hit them both like a ton of bricks. The weight of the tragedy was palpable in the air around them. Alicent also couldn't believe what her son just told them.
Aemma looked like someone had stabbed her in the chest and pulled out her heart. She was covering her mouth to keep from sobbing upon hearing the news. Aegon and Viserys were shocked, unable to speak. Daeron couldn't believe what he heard.
Even the Rogue Prince himself, Daemon Targaryen, was visibly stunned. The news of his elder brother, King Viserys' death was hard for him to believe. After years of trying to make up for lost time, seeing his brother in such a state was unexpected. But what Daemon didn't know was that it would be the last time he would ever see him alive.
"It sounds absurd when I say it out loud, but it's the truth. I swear," Jaehaerys continued. "Ser Erryk told me everything. What's more, the Caltrops are staging a coup. I saw Ser Criston murder Lord Beesbury myself. And when the queen saw me, she tried to have me arrested. If it wasn't for Ser Erryk, I would probably have been imprisoned or killed. They're not even taking any hostages. Those who refused to bend the knee to Aegon the Elder were executed. Lord Merryweather, Lady Fell, Lord Caswell, all of them. Grandfather Otto stayed behind with Ser Harrold and Farrier to organize a resistance movement within the city. You have to go back, or else King's Landing will fall."
"Wh-What?" Viserys stammered.
"Ooh, I knew it! I knew they would betray us!" Daeron screamed, half in anger and the other with grief.
Daemon, haven taken the time to process the information, clenched his fists tight, his brow furrowed. The Rogue Prince was beyond angry. "That whore of a queen murdered my brother and now tries to steal his throne," he gritted his teeth.
"Father," Aegon turned to Aeonar. "What do we do now?"
Aeonar was still motionless, taking the news hard. The twitching and tugging of the nerves in his head increased its pace. However, he clenched his fists, and his brow furrowed with rage, grief, and fury. My father… is dead? And the Caltrops… ooh, Beatrice. I will make you all PAY! Within the deepest depths of his physique, a small ember grew into a blazing inferno. "Get my dragon ready for departure at once," he seethed.
"I'm going with you," Jaehaerys said.
"Jaehaerys―"
"As will I," Aegon declared.
"Me too," Viserys chimed.
"So am I!" Daeron proclaimed.
"We're all going with you," Aemma insisted.
As Aeonar gazed upon each of his five children, he could see the same determined glint in their eyes. The recent passing of the king had left the capital vulnerable to the Caltrops' insidious plans to overthrow the throne. Even if Aeonar or Alicent wanted to sway them, it would fall on deaf ears regardless. The Caltrops, led by their formidable queen, Beatrice, had unleashed a fierce determination within themselves that mirrored the ferocity of a dragon.
The Young Dragon's inner dragon would be unleashed once again.
"Grab your things," Daemon forced his way through. "We're going back. ALL of us."
Chapter End
Author's Note: Rhaenys has broken out of her confinement with Ser Erryk's help, but in the mass chaos, they got separated. With the Caltrops being hampered at every turn, the Queen Who Never Was was the first to arrive at the Dragonpit and readied herself for battle. With Meleys, Rhaenys corned Beatrice and her followers before giving them an option. But why won't she do anything? Meanwhile, Aeonar is now fully aware of what's going on and is very pissed. With the entire family now readying themselves for the flight back to King's Landing, how will the rest of the story pan out? Let me know.
Mnava1205: Now the Dance has commenced. Looking forward to how Aeonar will retaliate against the Peakes once he returns to Kings Landing!
Also, just a thought, since you stated that the Peakes have been cut off from the Dragonpit, and with Aeonar on the way with all his family's dragons, are you gonna have all the larger dragons (Vaelor, Caraxes, and Vermithor) gang up on Vhagar? Because I feel like it's something the Young Dragon would do to cripple the Peakes as a huge power move.
―Their only hope for survival now is to get out of King's Landing as fast as they can.
C.E.W: Now Aeonar Targaryen knows about death of his father, and the coup attempt by the Caltrops, and is on his way to the capital. He is now alone, there is also his uncle Daemon, his children along with their dragons. The coup has already failed for the Caltrops, Jaehaerys got away to warn his father on his dragon Verimthor. The city is against the Caltrops, resistance is everywhere in no small part thanks to Otto Hightower, Harrold Westerling, Farrier and Mysaria no doubt. The Caltrops' best option is get out of there as fast as they can, its their last move.
Questions:
Why would the Caltrops take the risk of capturing Rhaenys before knowing for certain King Viserys was dead? It's a very risky move abducting a princess, and regent of the wealthiest house in the realm.
―It is. They were hoping to put a lot of pressure on House Velaryon into submitting with Corlys out of commission, but obviously it didn't work.
Have the Caltrops taken anything, Aegon the Conqueror's Crown, the dagger, or anything?
―Grand Maester Orwyle made off with some documents and other materials into his sack, most of which were intercepted by Aeonar's master, Alwyn, before Cole knocked him out.
If Aeonar wears the Conqueror's Crown, what crown would Aegon the Elder wear, or will one be made for him?
―A crown made of red gold, huge and heavy, each of its points a dragon head with gemstone eyes
XavierWright: The Caltrops have just invoked the Targaryen wrath.
Out of curiosity, is Aegon the Elder aware of the fact that he's Hugh Hammer's bastard?
―No, he doesn't know that. He's always believed King Viserys was his father.
TheRagFromTheCrag: Fed the bitch to Daemon's Dragon!
Guest #1: So now Rhaenys Targaryen has Meleys and has blocked the Caltrops' way to the Dragonpit, the Caltrops are surrounded. Looks like the Caltrops' best bet is to get out of King's Landing as fast as they can. Aeonar Targaryen is on his way back to the capital now with his uncle Daemon and children along with their dragons. When they arrive the Caltrops won't stand a chance, their best bet is to leave or face Aeonar's wrath. One way or the other, the coup fails and Aeonar will succeed King Viserys and sit on the Iron Throne.
Ser Otto Hightower, Ser Harrold Westerling, Farrier and Mysaria seem to be managing resistance against the Caltrops very well. With Rhaenys and Meleys on their side, the Caltrops have no chance in succeeding with their little coup attempt.
Then there is dealing with the aftermath for the Blacks, King's Landing messed up, the Caltrops escaping and seeking to rally support for Aegon the Elder. Then there is grieving for the death of King Viserys.
With Aeonar, he and his father were estranged for many years and only just recently reconciled. No doubt great guilt will come to him when he sees King Viserys' body, then Alicent and Rhaenyra can comfort him. Daemon Targaryen will probably grief on his own, he's not real good at sharing grief feelings with people, even family. Jaehaerys will probably grief with Baela comforting him. Aegon the Younger and Aemma may grief together, along with Viserys and Daeron.
Wonder if Baela and Rhaenys will have that little meeting they had in deleted scene of the show. Rhaenys wants to take Baela and Rhaenys, and leave for Driftmark and High Tide to avoid part in the war, not wanting to lose any more people she loves. Baela however refuses, stating that the Caltrops will assume House Velaryon has declared for Aeonar since Rhaenys stood against them in the coup. Baela may also say she loves Jaehaerys, will marry and stand by his side. She is a dragon rider like her mother, father and grandmother. If the Caltrops mean to usurp Aeonar, their rightful king then they must be answered with fire and blood. Rhaenys smiles saying that she saw her daughter Laena for the first time in years. Maybe Baela can show Rhaenys the model of Laena that Jaehaerys made for her.
Questions:
Just out of curiosity, was Rhaenys captured by the Caltrops before or after Beatrice discovered King Viserys dead?
―Before
How bad is Rhaenyra? In the series the revelation of her father's death and Greens seizing power caused her great stress that led to a miscarriage. If the Maester has something for the stress, I recommend giving to her immediately.
―I'd recommend that too
Will Tyland Lannister try to split the royal treasury in four parts like he did in the books before being forced to leave the capital with the Caltrops?
―He'll try
Where are Hugh Hammer and Ulf White?
―They high-tailed it out of King's Landing when Ulf White helped Larys Strong smuggle Aegon the Elder into the capital
I assume Corlys Velaryon will be more open in supporting Aeonar Targaryen than he was Rhaenyra in the tv show?
―Yes
firestarter1188: Pretty sure you killed off Cole last chapter.
―Too early to suggest that
randomdude24: The Caltrops made many mistakes, some possibly can overlooked. But their greatest was not only awakening the Young Dragon, but the inner dragons within all his children. You don't walk into the dragons lair and not get burned.
Overall I've loved all the coup chapters, each really builds into the inevitable of Aeonar being King! Since we are getting closer to the dance of dragons, comparing the canon dance vs yours, are alot of the same battles going to take place in your dance or have you developed different battles for this story?
―I'll have to take a look at each one carefully before deciding how to write a battle for the upcoming dance