The Princess and the Queen 18: Viserys IV
They waited in the courtyard for Rhaenyra to arrive. It was so close now; Viserys could feel it.
One whole year.
Just some hours ago, Dragon's Breath had docked outside the wall, and not long after, they had entered through the Mud Gate. That was half an hour ago. Now, they were mere minutes away from the Red Keep's gates.
Minutes away from home.
The past year, Viserys had not seen his daughter once, all the way since she was sent away from King's Landing to be exiled to Dragonstone. She usually sent letters, informing her of the happenings on the island a day's boat sail away and how she was. Viserys made sure to cherish every letter and counted the days until another arrived.
If I could, I would never have exiled her... but I had to.
Viserys turned to face Laena, whose large navy cloak lined with thick white fur covered her entire body. Her face was twisted into a scowl, and her eyebrows were furrowed in displeasure. He put his right hand on her shoulder as to reassure her, or himself, but she quickly squirmed away at the touch.
She was so against Rhaenyra returning...
When Viserys first received the raven bringing the news of the birth of young Viserys and Visenya, he was overjoyed. He had not felt so much happiness since Baelon was born or when Rhaenyra was born long before that. Laena, on the other hand, did not care much about her stepdaughter having two more children.
"Could you not even spare a smile for my daughter?" Viserys said back then, trying to encourage his wife to smile.
"I am happy for her," was all Laena replied, quite bluntly.
"The birthing must not have been easy," he added.
"For certain," she curtly said. "I am familiar with troublesome births, as I am sure you are quite familiar with."
"I am certainly familiar," Viserys scoffed. "Yes... Daer- no... Baela's birth was not a pleasant experience; I remember that quite well."
"Aemon's was the least pleasant, not that any were," she corrected. "If you happened to be in the chamber for the last two-"
"Ah... enough on this... onto more jovial matters!" declared Viserys. "The news of Rhaenyra and Daemon bringing a child so soon is a joy to the entire realm! It is cause for celebration."
"Did you not exile them for marrying, Lord Husband? Now you wish to celebrate the fruits of their union?" she sharply asked.
"Rhaenyra is still my daughter," warned Viserys, slightly meekly. "I cannot help but feel happiness when my child is also happy. This does call for a celebration, now that you do remind me..."
"A celebration?" Laena spat.
"Yes, a celebration," he eagerly replied. "I shall invite them back to King's Landing for a great feast... and I can meet Baelon and Joffrey again... my how they must have grown..."
"Back here?" she gasped, her lilac eyes widening in shock. "In King's Landing?"
"That is what I said... we shall invite-"
"Do you misremember what occurred a year ago?" she asked, in the manner that Viserys would ask a nine-year-old Rhaenyra if she ever misbehaved. "Do you not remember what you decreed?"
"I think it has been long enough... I have forgiven my daughter for her transgressions. Punishments cannot be forever, Laena."
The truth was that he had forgiven Rhaenyra within weeks of her departure. His forgiveness of Daemon only came upon hearing Rhaenyra was with child because he reasoned that if Rhaenyra was happy with Daemon, that is what was best for her. That being said, he tried his best not to forget that Daemon was who the exile was primarily directed at.
But he is the father of my grandchildren now...
"It is not forever; the exile was twenty years," Laena replied.
"Seven hells... twenty years sounds more and more absurd the more I ponder over it. I feel they have served their exile long enough."
"Do you not remember that the Small Council recommended that it would be a permanent exile, or yet, disinheriting her? Twenty years was soft enough as it was. Now you are proposing for the punishment to be reduced to a mere year?"
"You are the one proposing that I do not get to meet my own grandchildren, Laena!" Viserys said, annoyed at her petulance. "You dare deprive my daughter of seeing her father?"
"It is foolish to even allow them back to the city, no matter how noble the intention is. You exiled them. How can that be an exile if they are allowed to come back and forth between Dragonstone and here as they please? You may as well end the bloody exile then!"
Viserys thought about what Laena had said and moved his hand to his chin, rubbing in thought.
It isn't truly a bad idea...
"You cannot be considering that?" she laughed.
"I-" began Viserys before he was interrupted by Laena.
"Seven hells... Rhaenyra cannot return to the city, not even once, I swear it!" was what she said before storming out of the room in anger, making sure to slam the door as loud as possible.
After that, Viserys brooded in his room and drank three and a half cups of Arbor Gold to calm his tempers.
I am the bloody king; I can invite Rhaenyra back to the city if I want to... I can even prematurely end the exile.
That was what Viserys had decided to do. Since it was already late, he would commence with it the next day. He would make sure to write the letter himself, informing that his daughter was welcome back to King's Landing, along with all four of her children and Daemon. The only reason he did not follow through with it was that Laena visited him later that evening.
"Laena?" Viserys said as she walked into the room, clad in a loose black dress that had dragons stitched onto it with cloth-of-silver and bright blue sapphires for eyes. Her curly silver hair was tied behind her, and her lilac eyes twinkled like stars in the torchlight.
"Your Grace," she said, a wide smile on her face. "I came to sup with you."
"You do not usually do that," replied Viserys, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Lord Husband... I..." she stammered, her smile wide and her fists clenched. "It was... was to apologise, for my outburst... earlier. It was unseemly of me..."
Is this the first time she has done so in the last ten years?
"Ah... very well... that is... most thoughtful of you, Laena," smiled Viserys. "I do appreciate it... now please, sit, come and sup... there is a plentiful feast to be prepared."
"The children are supping with their grandparents, so I was unoccupied this evening," she said, sitting in the seat further away from Viserys.
"That is nice... I must see them; I have not in a while," Viserys mused.
She simply smiled at that.
The first course to be served was a platter of fruits and cheeses and hot bread. Laena delicately helped herself to some grapes, and a loaf of brown bread whilst Viserys eagerly consumed an unhealthy amount of all five different cheeses. She sipped at her warm hippocras whilst Viserys drank two cups of Arbor Red.
"I know it may displease you to linger on the topic that we discussed earlier, but I did have a better solution than I proposed earlier..." she began cautiously.
"This again," frowned Viserys. "I had hoped that this supper could not involve matters concerning the realm."
"I think that inviting Rhaenyra and her two children back to the capital is a fine idea," she quickly said.
"You do?" he snorted, spilling wine all over his blue cheese.
That was not the answer I thought she would say.
"Yes, for her to visit the city for so long shall do wonders. The feasting and celebrations for Viserys and Visenya shall be splendid. An occasional visit once every few years shall do no harm... what I said of ending the exile was merely an angry comment, and I doubt you would even consider such an absurd suggestion," she explained.
"Is it so absurd?" Viserys gently asked, somewhat offended that Laena would insinuate that.
"It is not an intelligent idea, for certain, Lord Husband," she nodded. "I understand, ending the exile earlier, since twenty years is quite much... but not after a year. Especially since the court were so massively in approval of said exile."
"That is true..." he sighed. Back when the exile was first announced, all the residents and courtiers and petitioners made sure to comment on how strong of a king he was, being a monarch who could make difficult decisions when needed.
"I would not throw away all of that on a whim, Lord Husband," she smiled whilst biting into a red grape. "The exile was one of the best decisions that you made in all these years that I have been married to you... it shows your strength, but also your mercy, in how you still Rhaenyra as your heir."
"It was one of my smartest decisions... but what of Rhaenyra?" he asked. "She would still be so far away..."
"You can still send ravens, can you not? And she shall occasionally visit, as I had said," Laena said. "And you must not forget Prince Daemon, the reason for the banishment... I was much too young to spend much time with him in court, but even I knew that his exploits were well-known to leave you stressed and irritated. With him away from the capital, your condition has markedly improved; that is plain to see."
She was correct about that. It may have been a coincidence or even the relief of knowing where his troublesome younger brother was, but Viserys knew that his health was much better than a year past. He didn't even need to use his walking cane at all times, and the affliction crawling up his arm had not moved an inch, according to Grand Maester Orwyle.
"I am in favour of Rhaenyra returning on occasions, that is to be sure, but it would be wiser to keep it on occasions," she explained, her words slow and her voice barely louder than a whisper. "It would be cruel to deprive a person from seeing their parents."
It would be...
Viserys nodded in thought. He dearly wanted Rhaenyra to be back in King's Landing, along with young Baelon, Joffrey, Viserys, and Viserys, but he knew it was unrealistic for him to have what he wanted. Viserys was a king, and kings had duties.
Mayhaps in some years' time, four, five, six, I can end the exile and facilitate Rhaenyra's return.
Laena was correct in that the court would see him weak and easily bending to people's wills if he ended the banishment so early. If the exile did last some years but was still longer than just a year, it would show Viserys' mercy.
I shall cherish her visit to King's Landing and deeply miss those years she is not at my side... and count the days until a sufficient number of years have passed.
"I would be willing to consider such a prospect... allowing her only for a visit but then reducing the banishment in some years time," he said.
"When you deem it sufficient time away, then," she curtly replied, smiling.
"I deem it sufficient time now," Viserys scoffed.
"Now would-" Laena replied, her eyes widening.
"T'was only a jape, Laena," laughed Viserys. "I must still wait some years."
"Thank you, Your Grace. In truth, I knew you would have made the correct decision," Laena smiled.
The remainder of that dinner was cordial, if not slightly distant. They occasionally made chatter, with Laena talking about the children and how they were, whilst Viserys' mind went to his own daughter. Viserys then spoke of a story from twenty years prior, when Rhaenyra was still a young child, and Aemma was still alive, whilst Laena just smiled and nodded.
After they concluded the dinner, Laena even helped Viserys into his nightclothes and sent for a hot cup of spicy hippocras to help him sleep.
"Thank you, Aem- Laena... this supper was truly lovely," sighed Viserys.
"It is no issue," she quickly replied.
Viserys looked Laena up and down her body. Though she was not Aemma, she was still strikingly beautiful. She had strong Valyrian features, and her skin was as smooth as silk. From the moonlight outside, her eyes glimmered, and her curly hair, now let loose, looked like beaten silver curls falling down her neck and shoulders.
It has been too long since we shared the bedchamber.
"Your Grace?" Laena asked, which brought Viserys back to the moment. "I am to take my leave."
"Y-Yes... you are dismissed, Laena, thank you..." slurred Viserys.
She then quickly bowed and scurried out of the room, gently closing the door as she left. Viserys then leaned back on his bed and wiped away some saliva that had fallen down his chin.
Ah... I should have said otherwise.
If it was over a year ago, he would have, but following the new medicines provided by Grand Maester Orwyle, his carnal urges had drastically decreased. Viserys then just shrugged and closed his eyes, trying his best not to ponder over his decision.
I would want Rhaenyra to permanently return... no... only some years' time...
Back in the outer yard, Viserys, Laena, and everyone else still stood there, waiting for the arrival of Rhaenyra. There was now an arms' length distance between them, and her arms were crossed in boredom. On the other side of her were the three children. Aemon, clad in light blue and cream, clung tightly onto his mother's skirts, and a scowl was plastered upon the two-year-old's face. His pale gold hair went down to his neck, and his dark violet eyes were angry. The little lad was always angry, kicking and screaming and fighting, but today he seemed to be in a calmer mood. Next to Aemon was Baela, in a blue and white dress, her curly silver hair cut even shorter than Aemon's. She stood silently, but from the way she was picking at her fingers and kicking the ground, she was as impatient as Aemon was. After Baela was Daeron, in dark blue and black, waiting as calmly as he usually was.
Also around the yard were the Kingsguard as well as some courtiers there to greet their future Queen. Most of those courtiers present were clad fully in reds, maroons, burgundies, and crimsons, and those that weren't proudly brandished a red hat or cloak. It was quite the opposite of a regular day in the Red Keep. Usually, Viserys would be accustomed to seeing the majority of people clad in blues, then a smaller amount in either black or red, and an even smaller amount in completely different coloured cloths.
Eventually, the wait was over, and a guard from atop the castle gates shouted to raise the portcullis. Viserys perked up at that, as did Laena. Aemon clung to his mother's leg whilst Baela straightened up and stood next to her older brother.
At last, my daughter is home!
"Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, the Realm's Delight, Princess of Dragonstone, and Heir to the Iron Throne!" the royal steward declared to the raucous applause of everyone in the courtyard. Viserys clapped too, but Laena didn't. Daeron and Baela smiled as they clapped a few times whilst Aemon imitated his mother's lack of action.
The large carriage pulled in by two horses came to a stop, and its doors were pulled open by a household guard. Out of it came Rhaenyra. She looked just as Viserys remembered; her youthful smile and bright purple eyes were the same. The only mild difference was that her face was slightly puffier, likely due to the pregnancy. She was in a dark red cloak lined with black sable, which seemed to mirror Laena perfectly.
"And her consort, Prince Daemon Targaryen!" the steward declared as Daemon stepped out of the carriage. He looked much more different, with a silver beard on his cheeks.
He almost looks like our father once did.
"The Princess Rhaenyra's children, Prince Baelon of Dragonstone, Lord Joffrey Lannister, Prince Viserys Targaryen, and Princess Visenya Targaryen!" announced the steward as Baelon hopped out of the carriage, clad in red, gold, and white. His golden hair came down to his shoulders, and his smile was wider than Viserys had ever seen. The little prince eagerly waved at Viserys, who waved back at him. He then looked at Laena and her children and gave a small smile to Daeron and Baela.
Three handmaidens came out of the carriage, too. One carried little Joffrey in her arms, who was wearing a bright cloth-of-gold gown and fast asleep in the maid's arms. The two others carried small baskets, each of which had a babe wrapped in layers of swaddling cloths, protecting them from the cold.
"Father," smiled Rhaenyra.
"My daughter," replied Viserys, walking towards her, even though she would usually have to walk to him.
Fuck tradition.
He wrapped his arms around Rhaenyra, who returned the warm embrace. It felt good after so long, and he did not want to let go.
"I have missed you," she said, as Viserys could feel his shoulder becoming wet with her tears. Her shoulder likely was too.
"As have I; it has been a long year," sadly replied Viserys. "We must cherish this week that you have come to visit me."
"Week?" Daemon asked.
"Yes. Week," replied Laena on behalf of Viserys.
"I am sorry, the both of you," said Viserys, pulling away from the embrace. "You know I cannot formally allow you to return."
That has soured the reunion.
"Though one week is more than enough for you to enjoy each other's company," Laena smiled.
"Yes... we shall enjoy the week..." grumbled Rhaenyra. "Come, we shall make our way indoors. We are certainly all tired from the journey. But first... the babes."
She signalled at the two handmaidens to bring their baskets forwards. Both of them presented the babes to Viserys. Both looked exactly the same: pale white skin and thin silver-and-gold hair. Both were also asleep, unbothered by all the happenings in the world. The only thing differing them from each other was that one of the babe's swaddling cloths was lined with light pink, and the other with cloth-of-silver.
"This one is Viserys," smiled Rhaenyra, gesturing at the baby in pink. "Named for you, of course."
"That's a name fit for a king," smiled Viserys, looking at the little lad proudly. "He has your nose."
"And this one is Visenya," said Daemon, presenting the other baby wrapped in white and silver.
"My first granddaughter," Viserys beamed, stroking the side of her head.
"It is a cold day, is it not, Princess?" interrupted Laena. "I think it shall be best to bring the babes indoors."
"Yes, Your Grace," nodded Rhaenyra, her smile replaced with a scowl. "We shall."
"Then, come. Your temporary quarters have been prepared, Princess," Laena said, offering her arm out to Rhaenyra to lead her into the Red Keep proper, which Rhaenyra ignored.
"Mother, can we go with Baelon whilst Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon unpack?" eagerly asked Baela.
"I think Baelon is also quite tired from all the travelling," replied Laena. "Mayhaps on the morrow."
"I am not tired!" protested Baelon, who ran up to his uncle and aunt.
"Please, mother!" Baela pleaded. "It has been a year since we saw Baelon. He has become so much bigger... well, not big, but less small..."
"You have waited a year; you may wait another day," said Laena bluntly. "Didn't you have your sums to do with the septa, and didn't you have to do histories with the maester, Daeron?"
"Yes, mother," they both replied, bowing their heads and walking back to their quarters.
The outer yard eventually cleared out as Rhaenyra and Daemon went to their accommodations, the three children into the warmth of the keep, Laena with Aemon, and Daeron and Baela to study, leaving a small number of courtiers mingling in the yard, as well as Viserys and Baelon.
"Ahhh... Baelon, my grandson... how have you been after all these years?" Viserys asked, ruffling the golden prince's golden hair.
"It is nice at Dragonstone, grandfather... but King's Landing is maybe a little more nicer," Baelon replied.
"Why is that, lad?" Viserys asked.
"Because Daeron and Baela and Jocelyn and there are more people... and you are here!" he jumped. "I did miss you, grandsire."
"Me too, Baelon, me too," replied Viserys. "Are you happy that you now have two more siblings?"
"They are both really nice, both of them! But they are so small! When they grow, I know we shall be best friends!"
"They grow? You are still little, too, my prince," chuckled Viserys.
"I am bigger than I was before!" Baelon protested, crossing his arms. "I am five, now!"
"Wow... you truly are old!" Viserys laughed. "Come with me, lad; I have something to show you."
"What is it, grandfather?" asked Baelon. "Where are we going?"
"To the throne room, Baelon. Now, lad, take my arm," Viserys said, offering his left arm for Baelon to grab onto. "Your grandsire is getting old, and needs your assistance."
"I shall help you, grandfather!" he replied, holding tightly onto Viserys' sleeve whilst Viserys' other arm clutched even more tightly on his cane.
"Thank you, lad... now, what have you been doing over the past year? Have you been training in the yard, or reading books in the library?"
"I do not like the yard, and books are not very fun," he replied. "I like Sunfyre the most!"
"Yes... Sunfyre... I must take a glimpse of your dragon; it is said to be extremely beautiful."
"It is the most beautiful!" corrected Baelon.
"When are you going to mount him?" gently asked Viserys.
"He is not big enough to ride, yet... even if he was, Mother would say I am too small."
"No, you are not too small. You have become almost as big as me! Your mother rode a dragon for the first time at seven; did you know that?"
"Yes... she told me the story once! I want to ride Sunfyre when I am six! And when Joffrey and Viserys and Visenya get dragons, I want to ride dragons with them too!"
"Oh, that shall be brilliant," Viserys said as they entered the throne room.
It was empty, and their footsteps echoed all across the rooms. Statues of Aegon, Rhaenys, Jaehaerys, and Alysanne stood on the four great pillars, and a mosaic of a black and red dragon decorated the floor. Large banners depicting the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen fell from the high ceilings, and a thousand torches hung from the walls.
"Why have you brought me here?" Baelon asked.
"Come lad, up... with me," Viserys said as they stood under the monstrous shadow of the Iron Throne.
"Are you sure, grandfather?" questioned Baelon nervously. "It is quite steep..."
"You are a big lad, now! If you were smaller, I could carry you up... but even if I can climb up these steps, so can you."
So up they went, Viserys ahead of Baelon, up the metal steps made of thousands of sharp, rusty swords until they reached the seat at the top.
"It may cut me..." Baelon said as he nervously scaled each step, one by one.
Eventually, they both reached the top of the Iron Throne. As Viserys turned to face Baelon, who had just finished climbing the final step, he felt the throne cut his right shoulder.
"Seven... aah..." growled Viserys.
"Grandsire!" Baelon panicked. "Did it cut you? Are you well?"
"No... do not worry... it just cut my doublet, thankfully," Viserys lied, feeling the sting of the cut on his skin. "Have you made your way up safely? No cuts?"
"Yes... I have... I was not cut."
"Then come, sit on my lap," Viserys said, sitting on the seat at the top of the throne. Baelon climbed onto him, and Viserys turned the lad around so they could see the entire throne room.
The room was empty, but from so high up, you could see every corner of it. The large doors on the other end seemed so far away, and they were almost at eye level with the gangling chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
"It is so high up!" he laughed.
"It certainly is," replied Viserys. "It never fails to take my breath away whenever I sit on the thing."
Though I do sit on it less often than I have before.
"Why have you brought me all the way up here? I could see it from down there," he said, jabbing a finger at the ground so far below.
"This seat, lad," Viserys explained, putting an arm on Baelon's shoulder. "Shall be yours one day. As well as the Seven Kingdoms and all its domains. You shall succeed your mother just like your mother shall succeed me."
His green eyes widened, and his little arms trembled slightly. A tear seemed to be forming in his right eye.
"What is it, Baelon?" Viserys asked, stroking his grandson's hair. "What is the concern?"
"I do not want it," he whispered.
"Why not, lad?"
"Because everyone shall be dead. You shall, and Mother shall. Like my father," whimpered Baelon. "I do not want that day to happen. When you are all gone."
Someday, that is what shall happen to all of us.