The Princess and the Queen 8: Rhaenyra III
"Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, the Realm's Delight, Princess of Dragonstone, and Heir to the Iron Throne," the Royal Steward announced as Rhaenyra exited the carriage. "And her children, Prince Baelon Targaryen and Lord Joffrey Lannister."
She stepped out onto the ground, the dry mud crackling under her feet. It was a mild morning, and a gentle breeze tickled her neck. The sky was blue, with only a few clouds dotted around. But most notably, her father was not here to greet her.
"Where is everyone?" Baelon asked as he tugged at Rhaenyra's skirt.
"My apologies, Princess. His Grace did not expect your arrival this early. He is making his way here as we speak," the steward replied, his cheeks flushed.
Rhaenyra smiled and stood there in the empty yard, waiting for her father to arrive. They waited for some minutes until a child's call broke the silence.
"Rhaenyra! Sister!" called one of the voices, and "Baelon!" cried another.
Rounding a corner from where the middle bailey was, came three children running towards Rhaenyra. All of them were clad in blue. Daeron and Baela ran up to her with enormous smiles on their faces, along with another girl around the age of eight who had long brown hair.
"Rhaenyra! I've missed you!" Daeron shouted as he hugged Rhaenyra tightly.
Despite Rhaenyra's half-brother being such a massive threat to her claim, she could not help but like the young lad. He was still sweet and friendly, and nothing like his mother.
I hope he remains the same as he grows older.
"Oh... Daeron... I have too..." Rhaenyra laughed, patting her half-brother's silver hair.
Meanwhile, Baelon and Baela embraced each other, and then Daeron embraced Baelon after that.
"How was Casterly Rock, sister? Is it as big as they say?" Daeron asked enthusiastically.
"It's even bigger," Rhaenyra replied, much to the amazement of the three children.
"It was so big, bigger than Ser Harwin Strong, or Syrax!" Baelon shouted.
"Did you see any lions there?" Baela asked. "I heard that the Lord of Casterly Rock rides on a lion!"
The Lord of Casterly Rock is a boy only a few months old.
"I assure you, Baela," chuckled Rhaenyra. "That is merely a tale conjured up by singers and mummers."
"There were no lions..." said Baelon. "But there was so much gold!"
"That's boring, then. I thought there are lions there," Baela responded, putting her hands on her hips.
"It's not boring!" protested Daeron. "Casterly Rock is even taller than the Wall, and the tallest thing ever!"
"Which wall? That wall there isn't very big," Baela said, pointing at the wall of the stables some yards ahead of them.
"The Wall in the north, Baela!" Daeron replied. "It is even bigger than Oldtown, where Jocelyn is from," he said, nodding at the brown-haired girl.
Jocelyn Hightower had brown hair that fell to her shoulders and wore a loose blue gown. She nervously crossed her arms and gave a small smile when Rhaenyra and Baelon looked at her.
She looks just like a younger version of Alicent.
"This is Jocelyn," Baela said to Rhaenyra and Baelon;. "She's our friend. And Jocelyn, this is my sister Rhaenyra and her son Baelon."
"Princess. Prince," Jocelyn stuttered as she bowed her head and bent her knee slightly.
She acts just like a younger Alicent, too.
"You don't have to call me Prince, Jocelyn. You can call me Baelon," Baelon replied kindly. "We can be friends too! Do you want to meet my baby brother?"
Jocelyn nodded shyly, and Baelon turned to Rhaenyra.
"Mother, can we show them Joffy," Baelon asked. "He became even more big since before we left. He is still little, but he is now bigger!"
"Not at the moment, Baelon. Joffrey is resting from the journey... maybe another day..."
"Aw... very well, mother... can I go and play with Daeron and Baela and Jocelyn, then?" he asked, his green eyes widening.
"Do you not want to meet your grandfather? You have not seen him in some while, and you must be tired from the journey..."
"I'm not tired! And I can just meet him another day... please..." Baelon pleaded.
"Very well, Baelon," laughed Rhaenyra, but he was already halfway across the outer yard running in joy along with Daeron, Baela, and Jocelyn.
As they ran along, they almost ran into Rhaenyra's father, who rounded the corner to the yard.
"Careful now, lad..." Her father laughed, patting Baelon on the head. "Are you not going to say hello to me?"
"Hello, grandfather!" Baelon shouted before catching up with his half-niblings and Jocelyn.
Rhaenyra's father, along with Laena Velaryon, walked across the outer yard to greet her. Her father wore a loose black surcoat that was embroidered with a golden dragon along with his crown on his head. His left sleeve had no hand sticking out of it, and his right hand leaned on his cane, which he used to slowly limp across the yard. Laena, meanwhile, wore a loose blue and silver dress that was encrusted with sapphires and had waves stitched onto the sleeves and skirts. She had a dour look on her face as she waited for her husband to keep up. Her face turned into a scowl when she saw Rhaenyra.
"Rhaenyra!" her father said jovially, walking over to her. When he finally arrived, he gave her a long, warm embrace.
"It is good to be back, father," smiled Rhaenyra.
"Congratulations on the two betrothals you have secured for your children, stepdaughter," Laena replied coldly.
"Ah... yes, the betrothals..." Rhaenyra's father sighed.
"Lord Husband, were you not going to betroth my daughter to Baelon?" Laena asked, her lips twisted into a smirk. "That was, until Rhaenyra went against your wishes."
"Seven hells, Laena..." he replied.
"And why did you betroth both of your children? Why did Ser Tyland request such a thing when little Baelon is half a Lannister himself?" she asked.
"Joffrey, too, Your Grace. I think you forget," Rhaenyra curtly reminded her.
"Oh, of course... I hadn't forgotten, I assure you," smiled Laena.
"Enough about this nattering, both of you," spluttered Rhaenyra's father. "Rhaenyra, I am not pleased that you betrothed Baelon to another without my permission. But if the engagement is not writ-"
"It has already been confirmed in writing," sighed Rhaenyra, reaching out into her satchel and taking out a piece of parchment.
On the parchment was the confirmation of the betrothals between Baelon and Cerelle Lannister, as well as Joffrey and Tyshara Lannister. Ser Tyland Lannister's small, graceful lettering was spread across the parchment in bright red ink, and his and Rhaenyra's seals of approval were made at the bottom. Rhaenyra handed the note to her father. He looked over it, holding the letter close to his eyes, and then gave it to Laena, who read through it before impassively giving it back to Rhaenyra.
"Can't you cancel this betrothal, Lord Husband? Since you so wished for the union between Baela and Baelon."
Rhaenyra's father sighed and rolled his eyes. "It is not worth the effort of angering the Lannisters..."
"But what about the betrothal?" Laena asked.
"Your Grace, I remember that you were so strongly against my father's suggestion just some weeks ago. What has changed since then?" countered Rhaenyra.
"Yes, Laena," said her father. "I thought you were."
"I was, but the suggestion was that of-" Laena laughed.
"We shall speak no more of it. What is done is done. I shall not reverse Baelon's betrothal, nor Joffrey's. Rhaenyra, you must receive my permission before you do these things; you know this."
"Sorry, Father," Rhaenyra replied, bowing her head.
"It is no worry, my daughter," he replied warmly. "Now, onto other matters. How was your stay at Casterly Rock?"
"Yes, how was it?" interrupted Laena. "I am sure that despite the tragic passing of Lord Jason, his kinsmen must have been elated to meet his second son."
"They all certainly were elated," said Rhaenyra bluntly.
In truth, the journey to Casterly Rock had gone much better than Rhaenyra had expected. She knew that the presence of Joffrey would be an insult to the Lannister, but leaving him at King's Landing was out of the question, especially considering how young he was. So throughout the journey, she prepared for the worst, in the case that Ser Tyland and all the rest publicly disown Joffrey. Rhaenyra had made sure to remember to mention how Jason had publicly declared Joffrey as his own in front of multiple people, and that he was not under the influence of the poppy.
Thankfully, Ser Tyland was merciful and offered me a solution to my own problems.
Ser Tyland's offer, despite taking away marriage options from Baelon or Joffrey, was likely the reason Rhaenyra remained as her father's heir. The reason he did that, however, was to not abandon Baelon and to further his own bloodline. Rhaenyra also made sure to remember that. Despite that, he was friendly enough throughout Rhaenyra's few days there, especially following their agreement. His wife, Lady Johanna, was courteous too, and Ser Tyland's mother couldn't have been friendlier. Old Lady Ceira took a good liking to Baelon, and the little lad almost didn't want to leave his grandmother.
The same could not be said for the other Lannisters, however. Ser Tyland's younger brother, Ser Tommen, did not speak much to Rhaenyra, nor did his wife, Lady Genna. That did not concern Rhaenyra, though, due to Ser Tommen's silent nature. However, Lady Genna's two brothers, and also Ser Tyland's cousins, Tion and Lancel, ranged from apathy to thinly-veiled insults.
Of everyone, they worried me the most... but they are so low in the line of succession that they are practically irrelevant.
When Rhaenyra finally left Casterly Rock, Ser Tyland had once again reiterated House Lannister's support for Rhaenyra and also stated that she would have other allies with her in King's Landing.
"Maester Vyman shall remain here at the Rock, or return to Oldtown; that choice is up to him," said Ser Tyland before Rhaenyra entered the carriage to descend the gigantic mountain. "But Tyrek shall travel with you to the capital and continue to serve you. If you wish to discretely converse with me, let him know. He is a Lannister, and a man you can trust."
I shall trust him to an extent, but I should remember that despite him being a Lannister, Maester Tyrek is still a Maester.
Rhaenyra always had an unnatural dislike of maesters.
Daemon used to call them "grey rats".
She remembered how her uncle used to drunkenly rant about how their true loyalties were to the Conclave in Oldtown and not actually to the Lord they served. Daemon was never fond of anything or anyone that came out of Oldtown. Rhaenyra was inclined to believe him, if the former Grand Maester was any proof. Grand Maester Mellos was a known lickspittle of Otto Hightower, and following his passing, Rhaenyra's father's health notably improved. Orwyle, Mellos' replacement, was kind enough and didn't seem to have underlying motives, but he was a maester nonetheless. Her mind then went to the Hightowers, and Alicent.
Alicent is also here in King's Landing! I must visit her again...
It had been years since Rhaenyra had last seen Alicent. Back then, neither of them were married, and now they both had two children each. The last time they spoke, Alicent was angry at Rhaenyra for a reason she could hardly remember now, and they parted on not-so-good terms.
I do remember that the reason her father was dismissed was due to me... though, did I have a choice? It was to protect my claim... but that does not erase our many years of friendship...
"Yes, I am sure they were extremely pleased-" Laena smiled.
"I remember when I visited the Rock..." Rhaenyra's father quickly said. "I must have been no older than you, Rhaenyra, but I remember it as it was yesterday... gods... but regardless... you must be so tired from such a long journey. Please... have a good rest... we have enough time to talk..."
"Thank you, father," Rhaenyra replied as he kissed her forehead and sent her on her way.
Whilst walking through the Red Keep, Joffrey in her arms, she passed by a multitude of people. Interestingly, most people happened to be wearing red or blue, whilst a small few wore other colours. Those in red greeted Rhaenyra with wide smiles and sweet words, and those in blue ignored her. Those who chose to wear neither colour greeted her, though not at the extreme level that those in red did. She passed by Bartimos Celtigar and Lord Mooton when heading to Maegor's Holdfast. Bartimos Celtigar was in his house colours with the exception of a bright red hat, and Lord Mooton wore a red doublet, breeches, and boots.
"Princess... you shall always have my support," Bartimos Celtigar said solemnly, whilst Lord Mooton declared that if Rhaenyra had any need for him, he would be there to serve.
Later, she passed by Lord Bar Emmon, who gave a disapproving look at Rhaenyra, as if he was her father.
"Lord Bar Emmon," Rhaenyra said, smiling and nodding.
"P-Princess..." he stuttered before scowling and walking off.
After passing all the many Lords and Ladies, some of whom were supporters of Rhaenyra whilst others were supporters of her half-brother, and some were not explicitly for either, she finally arrived at her chambers. Inside, Ser Harwin Strong was sitting on the bed.
"Princess," Harwin calmly said.
"Ser Harwin," Rhaenyra replied, smiling, but it did feel odd seeing him.
"I hope you are well following your journey," he said gently. "Where's Prince Baelon? Did he not wish to see me, after all, that time?"
Rhaenyra laughed. "Off with Daeron and Baela. I do not know how he did not tire from that journey. He shall be pleased to see you again, though, I'd wager."
"That is good to hear. Soon enough, I can continue training with him in the yard," Harwin said optimistically.
"He does not enjoy the yard as much as I would have hoped," sighed Rhaenyra.
Harwin's face turned to a scowl. "It is that... cunt... Cole. He trains the other children to best he can, but with Baelon... every mistake he makes, it's screams and shouts... seven hells... the lad is four."
What is Ser Criston's issue with Baelon... I know he mislikes me, but what has my son done wrong to him?
"I thought he would have stopped all of this, by now. Especially considering Daeron, Baela, and him are inseparable."
"I tried mentioning it, but what more can I say?" he asked. "He's the bloody Lord Commander of the Kingsguard... I can't say a bloody word to him... sometimes I wish I could just punch that scum..."
It's not only the treatment of Baelon that irks Harwin... the resentment of that tourney still lingers.
"Sometimes I do too..." Rhaenyra replied. "Even if I say anything, Ser Criston shall state that he takes orders from Laena... I shall notify my father; maybe he shall do something about this."
"Do so, soon, Princess... one day, I fear the lad may hurt himself thanks to Cole... for now, when my duties do not call for it, I shall try to train Prince Baelon myself."
"Thank you, Harwin," she smiled.
Rhaenyra rocked Joffrey back and forth, then handed him to Harwin.
"Do you wish to carry Joff?" she asked.
"I would love to," he grinned, taking his son in his muscular arms. Harwin cradled Joffrey, smiling down at the sleeping child. "What? You are asleep in the presence of the Lord Commander of the City Watch? Now that's just rude..."
Rhaenyra gazed at him, gently rocking him around, and his large hands swaying around as he did. She could not help but smile.
"Have you done this before?" she asked, looking into his warm brown eyes.
"This? Mayhaps a few times, but this is my first time with Joff."
"It seems you have done this half a hundred times," chuckled Rhaenyra. "The way you are so natural with the lad..."
He just smiled at her and looked back at Joff, before putting him into the wooden cot.
"Are you certain you do not have some child back at Harrenhal?" Rhaenyra japed.
"I would think so..." he laughed. "I did have fun with whores in my youth, but I doubt any of it resulted in a babe."
"You still are in your youth," she responded.
Harwin cocked his head and smirked. "If I did, the mother would have come to Harrenhal and told me. That is what happened when my father had his natural-born daughter. But I do not think I have any children around Westeros. That is, apart from..." he said, gesturing to the cot. "But someday, I may marry and have more children, to further the Strong line."
"It could have been me," mused Rhaenyra.
"You?" he asked, confused.
"That you married."
All the regrets came back to Rhaenyra. How she didn't utilise her chance to choose her husband. And even when she was married and had Baelon, she foolishly decided to not sleep with Jason.
He was a good man... was what I had with Harwin truly worth it all?
"You rue not choosing me, instead of Jason Lannister, is that it?"
"He was a good man, but I did not realise that, nor did I choose him... and that is what led to me not bedding him after we had Baelon... mayhaps all of this would have been averted if I was not a fool."
"I don't rue it," he replied, putting his hand on her thigh. "Baelon would not have been born, and maybe Joff wouldn't have either."
"Aye, but as much as I love Joff... what we had led to Jason's death... both he and Baelon will grow without a father in his life..."
"I can still be a father to them," he pleaded.
"I know... but it would be in secrecy. With the rumours-"
"Would it? I can still treat them as if they were my sons... what of the rumours? People still wear red around the Red Keep... this hasn't destroyed your support."
"You are right, Harwin..." she sighed, looking down at her feet. "I shouldn't deprive them of having a father, nor deprive you from being one."
"You still have doubts, don't you?" Harwin asked.
After all those years, he knew how Rhaenyra felt with just a glance.
Even Jason would know.
"All of this... what we had... I can't... I can't..." she said. "Not about Baelon and Joff, they are your children as much as they are mine... and love you, I still do, and I still will... but the other thing we had... not because of the rumours... but Jason... what I did to him, it brings it all back again... it was my fault..."
"Yes. I understand," he nodded solemnly.
She smiled slightly, looking up at him with her teary eyes. He had a comforting look on his face, and his mouth was shaped into a loving smile.
"Thank you, Harwin... but of Baelon and Joff, do not let this dissuade you-"
"Of course, someone must give Baelon training worth that of a Prince," smiled Harwin.
After her weepy exchange, Harwin excused himself, as his duty was calling. So Rhaenyra just sat there, pondering over the past and the future, of Harwin and Jason, of Baelon and Joffrey, of her father and mother, of everything. She also now properly realised she was unmarried again, and would need to remarry to secure more alliances.
I could marry Harwin... but that would only add credence to the rumours, and House Strong is meagre in terms of alliances... What of my uncle Daemon... if he ever returns, that is... but it would likely have to be another, someone I do not desire, someone for duty... but that is what I should have done before; done my duties instead of pursuing my desires...
She was interrupted by a knock on her door.
"Come," Rhaenyra said.
In came a page boy clad in black and beige.
"Princess..." he said. "The Lady Alicent Velaryon has invited you for supper tonight."
I could marry Alicent's brother... I had the chance to, before... then we would be sisters...
"Yes, notify her that I shall attend, and that I look forward to it," smiled Rhaenyra.
The page nodded and exited the room. Rhaenyra then stood up and prepared for her supper with Alicent. She chose not to wear red, for she knew that she and Alicent were now part of different factions.
I would rather we had supper as sisters again, not as adversaries.
Rhaenyra chose to wear a black dress instead. It was an older dress since all her newer cloths were now predominantly red. She wore a black kirtle that covered all apart from her collarbone. It had dragons stitched with cloth-of-gold on its bodice and gold and silver flames on the skirts. The sleeves were long and made of Myrish lace. On her neck, she wore the Valyrian Steel necklace her uncle gifted her all those years ago, and on her finger, she wore the golden ring that Lady Ceira Lannister gifted her.
When she arrived at Alicent's chambers, the two Velaryon guards posted outside the doors simply opened them for her and refused to acknowledge Rhaenyra. Inside, Alicent sat there patiently in her seat.
She looked the same as Rhaenyra remembered from all those years ago, only slightly older. Alicent was not clad in blue; instead, she had chosen to wear green, her maiden's house colour. It was a modest dress that covered her body up to her neck. A golden seven-pointed star necklace hung over her chest, and she had small seven-pointed stars dangling from her ears. Her brown hair was tied into a bun behind her head, and a braid tied around it. Her smile was still as warm as ever, and her brown eyes lit up upon seeing Rhaenyra.
"Rhaenyra!" Alicent said, standing up from her seat, unable to contain her joy.
"Sister..." Rhaenyra replied, running up to embrace her. At that moment, Rhaenyra felt like she was a young girl all over again, and that all her problems were gone. "It is too good to see you again!"
"Likewise," Alicent said, pulling away from the embrace but keeping their hands interlocked. "We do have so much to speak of... it has been, what... five, six years?"
"We have the night."
"Yes, we do," smiled Alicent. "I had your favourite meals prepared for the supper."
Alicent had remembered what Rhaenyra's favourite foods were and had them all specifically made. The first course was a selection of spicy sausages made of sheep meat and heavily spiced, an old Valyrian recipe. It was accompanied by a selection of Volantene olives and rice wrapped in grape leaves. It was washed down with a Volantene Purple that was heavily sweetened with syrup. Alicent found that too cloying for her, so she opted for a cup of Arbor Gold.
She had another Valyrian dish for the second course, rice and fatty lamb spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, and coriander. It was all cooked in a giant pan with yoghurt, saffron, and rosewater. For the final course, Rhaenyra could not be happier. It was a sweet consisting of layers of thin pastry topped with pistachios, walnuts, and almonds, all topped with honey and boiling butter. By the end of the meal, Rhaenyra had more of the sweet than she could count, and her stomach and teeth ached.
"Thank you, Alicent... the dishes were exquisite... you still remembered all of my preferences..." Rhaenyra laughed, holding her full belly. It looked almost as if she was with child again, but it was actually all of the wine and sweets and lamb.
"It was my pleasure... despite whatever differences we had in the past, and now that we are on opposing factions, we are still sisters," she replied jovially.
"I do wish it was not like this. That we were still young again," mused Rhaenyra.
"Sometimes, I do, too," Alicent responded, taking a long drink of her Arbor Gold. "I do miss our friendship at times."
"I feel as though I can only blame myself," Rhaenyra said, half due to her drunkenness, and half due to buried regrets. "I only realise it now... your father, and you... both tried to find a husband for me, and I did not make it easy for you... I made mistakes, Alicent..."
She nodded slightly, and smiled a strange smile. "You did... but I hope you have grown from them... especially now... with all of..."
She speaks of Joff.
"I hope I have grown from them, too," Rhaenyra frowned.
"If you acknowledge that you have made mistakes, then surely you have..." she paused. "I think you have... that you would not repeat those mistakes again... for your own sake..."
"Seven hells, how many mistakes have I bloody made... looking back... I should have listened to everything you said... and that night... I'm sorry-"
"Yes," smiled Alicent. "I don't forgive you, but I understand... somewhat..."
Alicent just shook her head and placed her wine cup on the table.
"What is it?" Rhaenyra asked, concerned.
"You made mistakes, but I did too... after that night... I was furious with you, and I heard what Ser Criston told me... the man was about to kill himself, but I convinced him not to..." she said, tears welling in her eyes.
"What do you-"
"I told him to devote his sword and life to Queen Laena and Prince Daeron instead... what I did was in a rage... but seeing it now, and hearing of how Ser Criston treats Baelon in the yard... I do regret doing that sometimes..."
Rhaenyra felt her stomach drop, and again, it was not because of the food. She fiddled with the ring in her hand and looked up at her.
"I am not the only guilty one, Rhaenyra..." Alicent said, tears flooding down her cheeks and onto her green dress.
"It's... I understand... Alicent..." Rhaenyra sighed, grabbing Alicent's hand in hers.
"You... do?" Alicent asked, looking up at her.
"How could you know what Ser Criston would become... but it was my fault, regardless... it stemmed from my mistakes," replied Rhaenyra before taking a deep breath. "You cannot blame yourself..."
Alicent smiled and wiped her tears with her green sleeves.
"When I was younger, I thought we could marry our children to one another, and I thought that again when Valaena was born," Alicent mused.
"Mayhaps when we have another child, that may become possible."
"Mayhaps," she replied. "Our bloodlines would be united."
"But would that be even possible now... with us being on conflicting factions?" Rhaenyra asked.
"That... I do not know..." sighed Alicent. "But even without a marriage between our child, we should not let politics destroy our friendship, as it almost did before..."
"Yes... sometimes I hate all of this..." Rhaenyra vented, not caring that Alicent was married into the very family opposing her claim. Today, Rhaenyra wasn't talking to a Velaryon woman but to her childhood friend. "All of the politicking, the games, the duties, all of it... how do you make it so damned easy?"
"Easy?" Alicent laughed. "I mislike it all myself..."
"Yet you are so good at it."
"You flatter me," blushed Alicent. "But you are good at things I could not dream about doing... I hate riding horses, yet you ride Syrax all of the time... I even envy you at times..."
A tear of happiness fell down Rhaenyra's cheek.
The supper seemed to go on forever, with Rhaenyra and Alicent talking about memories of the past, but also a helpful dash of the latest court gossip. They laughed and drank until they were out of words and out of wine, and the night was late. Before Rhaenyra took her leave, however, Alicent remembered something.
"I almost forgot," said Alicent, reaching into a satchel. She pulled out a folded piece of parchment and gave it to Alicent. It was a page ripped from a book, and the inks were fading. On the page was an illustration of the great warrior queen Nymeria arriving in Dorne with her people. Rhaenyra remembered it instantly.
"Do you-"
"Yes!" exclaimed Rhaenyra. "That day... back in the godswood... all those years ago... like it was yesterday."
Alicent smiled gingerly. "Jocelyn was reading that same book some while back, and when I saw that page... I searched through all of my belongings this morning, and I found it!"
Rhaenyra gave it back to her.
"Take it... I gave it to you... let it be a reminder of friendship, still... so long as you still have that page..." Rhaenyra said.
Alicent took the page and held it close to her chest.
"I shall," Alicent promised.
"Alicent... sister... I cannot thank you enough... this evening... we should do it more often.."
"We should," replied Alicent.
They embraced tightly once again, and then Rhaenyra exited her chambers to return to her own bed.
Rhaenyra had a wide smile on her lips, and she felt as though she could not stop smiling. It was Rhaenyra's best night in years.