The Princess and the Queen 20: Laena II
Laena walked into the outer yard whilst her husband trailed behind.
Let the old man catch up to me.
It had been some time since they had actually walked hand in hand, or even side by side. The last time the former happened may have been before even Baela was born, and the latter around the time Aemon was still in Laena's stomach.
Does it truly matter? Most, if not all, of the city, is loyal to me now.
The last five years had been spent slowly consolidating and strengthening Laena's power base in the city. Positions of servants, men-at-arms, and Gold Cloaks were given to those loyal to her faction or even those who still sat on the fence to encourage them to pick a side. Of course, it was a gradual process, and Laena could not replace every man suspected of loyalties to Princess Rhaenyra the moment she first departed for Dragonstone.
And the process is not nearly complete.
Vaemond Velaryon, Laena's uncle, was the Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks, but that did not mean that every man within the rank was loyal to him. Ser Luthor Largent and Ser Osmund Brune, amongst others, were high-ranking members and commanded the Gate of the Gods and the Lion Gate, respectively, and both had known loyalties to Daemon Targaryen. It wasn't as easy as just dismissing those loyal to the Red faction since that would raise the eyebrows of even the most foolish of people, like the King. They had to wait until the captains and serjeants were dismissed, left the Gold Cloaks, or died before replacing them with one loyal to the Blues.
By the time Daeron is a man grown, we shall hopefully attain complete control of the city, and my husband will be but a corpse begging the Stranger to take him.
At times, she wished that she could strangle him in his sleep or puncture his rotting body with knives and whisper in his ear how much she hated him as he gasped for air, but if the King were to die now, it would be much, much harder for the realm to accept Daeron as his successor. He was still young, and not everyone's loyalties in the Red Keep could be relied on.
Soon enough, the time shall come.
She turned to face her husband, who was stumbling along the stone ground, struggling to keep up with her. She couldn't help but display a small smile at his struggle. For now, it was the small things that brought joy. When he finally reached her side, they looked at the yard and the children training.
All three of their children were in the yard training in the arts of combat, and all covered in padded leather armour, dyed a dark blue. Daeron was eagerly nodding at Ser Willis Fell, who was explaining to him how to point a lance whilst mounted on a horse. The thirteen-year-old's long silver hair gently flapped in the wind as he bobbed his head up and down, imitating the white knight's form. Baela, meanwhile, was sparring with Ser Thoren Hightower, the Master-at-arms. Her light purple eyes were deep in focus, and she had a small grin on her face as she twisted and ducked and danced. Aemon, the youngest and hardly even old enough to truly be in the yard, was angrily hacking away at a straw man until it was turned to shreds, listening (or not listening) to Ser Criston's commands about his posture and technique.
When Daeron saw Laena enter the yard, he momentarily paused to nod at her whilst Baela ducked away from Ser Thoren's swing and waved at her mother before promptly resuming her training. Aemon just dropped his wooden sword and rushed over to his mother. His impact with Laena's leg almost hurt, and he gripped onto her skirt as if he was gripping on for dear life.
"My little lad... well, you aren't so little anymore... how is your training faring?" she asked, stroking his pale gold hair.
"It is good... Ser Criston says I am the best!" replied Aemon.
It was likely true. Ser Criston had declared that he had heaps more talent than Daeron or Baela did at his age. He was also taller and stronger than most children his age, and more dedicated than just about all.
"I can see that," Laena remarked, looking at the destroyed straw man on the muddy ground. "Ser Straw certainly could not handle your fury."
"Ser Straw is dead, dead, dead!" he proudly declared.
"And who is your next opponent going to be, Aemon?" Viserys asked the six-year-old, whilst Laena had to resist rolling her eyes.
It is only in public that he feigns attention towards his children.
"You are," Aemon smirked.
"Oh, is that so?" snorted Viserys.
"Yes!" the princeling exclaimed. "I could beat you. You are old!"
Laena could not help but chuckle at her son's remarks. She turned to her husband, whose flaking skin turned as red as the dragon embroidered on his doublet. He simply didn't reply and forced himself to smile at his youngest son.
"Aemon!" said Laena sternly, while also trying to hide her amusement. "That is no way to refer to your father, and your king."
Aemon just shrugged and ran back to Ser Criston to continue with his training. As the princeling was back engrossed in killing the straw man, Viserys turned to Laena and shook his head whilst laughing.
"That lad... he is not afraid to speak his mind, is he not?" he chuckled. "Though mine own father would not allow such words to be said at the Old King."
"Yes, I am sure of that," smiled Laena.
Mayhaps if you were spent more time with Aemon rather than your Valyrian city, he would respect your authority more.
"He even threatened me with the usage of a whipping boy..." he rambled on.
He should have whipped you instead.
They stayed for some more time, watching their children eagerly train in the yard. Every once in a while, Daeron would turn to Laena, who would give him an approving smile before returning to his training. Baela would just loudly cheer and proclaim that she was the female Ryam Redwyne after spar, which garnered a chuckle. Aemon was just interested in slashing things with his sword, and his dark violet eyes lit up whenever Ser Criston voiced his approval.
Laena turned to Viserys, who seemed to be just as engrossed in watching the children train. He had a small smile, and there almost seemed to be tears welling in his purple eyes. For a moment, Laena almost pitied the man and his sorry state, before she defaulted to her usual disgust of him as his wispy silver-gold hair blew across his bony face.
"Ahh... Laena, would you care to join me to lunch in my solar," Viserys said after looking at the ground and then back at her. "I have a matter to discuss."
"Could we have discussed the matter earlier, with the Small Council?" questioned Laena, keeping her tone low.
"A separate matter... I do wish to consult you about it first, prior to commencing with it," he replied.
Consult me on a matter?
Laena raised her eyebrows and nodded, before they set off to his chambers. She was quite unsure as to what matter he did wish to discuss over cuts of cheese and warm bread and Arbor Gold. Usually, if he wanted to formally allow Rhaenyra back to King's Landing, he would voice his wish to the Small Council until it would promptly get rejected by everyone present. The Small Council meeting they had just exited from had ample opportunity, too, since the most interesting subject of discussion was the disappearance of Lord Wendwater's third son's squire.
Eventually, they both did arrive at his chambers. By then, Laena was just hungry, having had to slow her walk to accommodate for the snail's pace of her husband. She hadn't been in the chambers for a while, but it was still the same as it was before. It smelt of floral perfumes with underlying hints of sweat and wine. He still kept the same tapestries and decorations. The only difference was that the Valyrian city was noticeably bigger than when she last saw it. Across the past four years, it had grown and grown and grown, and now it was threatening to even expand out of the room it was housed in.
Now that his precious daughter is no longer in the capital, this is now the thing he loves most.
Though it was not all terrible for Laena. She now saw much less of him, with his being so engrossed with his city. And, of course, Rhaenyra and her allies and whelps were no longer in the city. For that, Laena was eternally grateful.
There is still one person in King's Landing that I want gone.
That one person looked proudly at his Valyrian city as one would look at their own child before sitting at the table. Laena also did the same, as far away from him as possible.
"What was this matter that required to be discussed in privacy, Viserys?" Laena asked, almost petulantly, whilst pouring herself a cup of Arbor Gold.
"Yes, Laena..." he said through half a mouthful of yellow cheese. "Watching the children in the yard, it made me realise something..."
He is not going to suggest bringing her back to King's Landing, is he? We just convinced him otherwise earlier during the Small Council.
Laena nodded cautiously whilst keeping her eyes fixated on Viserys.
"Not seeing Rhaenyra in so long. It has been, what, four years? Since she last came to visit..." mused Viserys as mushed bread and cheese fell out of his mouth and down his chin.
"Did we not discuss this matter earlier, and just about every day?" she countered.
"Four years has been long enough, has it not?" he replied. "Did you not agree that occasional visitations should be allowed."
Laena could not help but smile.
"Occasional visits must only happen on occasions, Lord Husband. Why have an exile if Rhaenyra can visit when she wants?" asked Laena.
"Yes, I am suggesting an actual reason for her visiting, since you are so opposed to me seeing my own daughter!" he said, his voice rising. "If you would allow me to speak..."
"Then what reason is that?" she asked, leaning forwards.
"For too long, you and Rhaenyra have quarrelled, and I wish to end it. Before you object, and do not play the fool to me, I shall say that part of your vehement opposition to her return is in part to your dispute, rather than care for the realm... I propose a uniting of your two bloodlines in order to end this, and to celebrate said union, we shall invite Rhaenyra and Daemon and all my grandchildren back to the capital!" he excitedly said, strangely similar to how Aemon once declared to Laena that he would defeat all of her enemies.
Any of Rhaenyra's whelps shall never marry one of mine.
"What shall said union be?" Laena said, her palms beginning to sweat. "If you are to suggest betrothing Baelon and Baela once again, remember that would only serve to break oaths made to the Houses of Tully and Lannister, and besides, I already told you that such a match would never happen."
Her mind went back to when Viserys suggested that match. Laena denied it the moment she heard it, and was relieved when Rhaenyra brought news of her son being promised to Tyland Lannister's daughter.
He was a fool to think I would let my daughter become a prisoner of Rhaenyra.
Viserys did try to encourage her of such a match, declaring that Baela would eventually become a queen one day and Laena's grandchildren would rule in their own right, but her mind could not be swayed.
Besides, why would I have my daughter be the consort to the King when I can have my son be the King Regnant himself?
"You do stress at times," chuckled Viserys, taking a long gulp of his wine. "I am not such a fool to suggest that union. The ship has long sailed on that. No, I intend to betroth Aemon to Visenya."
That... is not a bad suggestion at all...
"Aemon... to Visenya... Rhaenyra's daughter?" she repeated, still making sense of the proposal and its ramifications in her head.
"I think that is the only Visenya there is," snorted Viserys, spraying sausage and Arbor Gold from his nose.
"Please, Laena," Viserys said. "I did this as a courtesy, informing you of this before everyone else."
"So you would do it regardless of my feelings on the matter?"
"No... I... yes... I did not..." he stuttered, scrambling for an answer. "Very well... what are your thoughts on it?"
She sat there for a moment, thinking of what she truly felt about it and what she would reply. It was not near as horrible as the Baelon and Baela union since Aemon would not be a prisoner to the Reds. It wasn't horrible, in fact. It was quite good.
Conversely... Visenya shall become a prisoner to me. It shall reduce a possible dragon rider from their faction, and mayhaps we could swing Visenya onto our side.
Laena nodded to herself, starting to realise that it was actually a suggestion that could work in her favour.
"It is... certainly... not a bad suggestion..." said Laena, hiding her joy at the prospect of having Rhaenyra's daughter as a hostage.
"I knew that you would approve of it!" declared Viserys jovially. "We shall invite Rhaenyra here as soon as possible! To see you both united once again, it shall be glorious!"
"You are not intending to permanently end the exile, are you, Viserys?" Laena asked, with one of her brows raised.
"We are uniting your two bloodlines; I do not see why not..."
"As much as I do approve of the union, it does not cancel out Rhaenyra and Daemon's crime... Aye... we can invite Rhaenyra back for a celebratory feast, but the exile can still remain for a while longer."
I must make my own sacrifices too.
Laena knew the longer the exile went on, the harder it would be to constantly deny his proposals to end it prematurely. The excuse of Aemon and Visenya's betrothal was the perfect excuse to do so, which is why Laena had to ensure Viserys did not have any foolish ideas.
"If they are to remain in exile, how are Aemon and Visenya to get accustomed to each other's company?"
"Aemon is still six, and Visenya is four; they are over ten years away from marriage at this point. It needn't happen now," Laena curtly said. "As Aemon's mother, I shall only approve of this union if you respect my wishes on this. We have discussed this countless times, and Aemon being betrothed to Visenya is not justification enough to end the exile."
"Seven hells, Laena... you do love to make my life hell... the exile shall remain, but more because I would rather discuss more upbeat matters than hear you complain and natter..." he groaned, in a tone that showed he was very, very close to ending the exile but stopped at the final instant.
It shall become more and more difficult the next time I attempt to convince him; it may even be impossible.
The remainder of the lunch was mundane, with Viserys droning on about his progress on the Valyrian city whilst Laena's mind wandered to anything but that, and Laena talked about their children, even though his mind was clearly with his Valyrian city or his other child.
"I shall say that this was a very productive day," he said proudly. "I shall send ravens to Dragonstone, and in a week, we shall all be feasting happily in the Red Keep to the union of your and Rhaenyra's bloodlines!"
For once, Laena was looking forward to a feast held by her husband, but for entirely different reasons. She even decided to make a toast towards the forthcoming betrothals.
"To the union of our bloodlines!" Laena announced, raising her golden chalice. "To Aemon and Visenya!"
Viserys raised his cup in agreement and finished his cup of Arbor Gold.
Marrying a fool does mean that his foolishness can be exploited in your favour at times.
"I shall take my leave now, if I do have your permission," she gently said. "I must inform the children of the impending event."
"Very well," he smiled as his eyes drifted to his Valyrian city, and the smile widened ever so slightly.
How my children react to this shall be interesting.
Strangely, she was least concerned as to how Aemon would react. She knew that he would sulk and complain, declaring he shall never marry Visenya Targaryen. Aemon would then state how much he hated his future betrothed despite having never met her before. That was all predictable and not much of a worry since Laena knew Aemon would grow out of his stubbornness. Meanwhile, his reaction to seeing his half-sister again would likely be one of indifference and apathy.
Daeron and Baela, on the other hand...
Both of them would not react much to Aemon's betrothal, but Laena was more interested (and concerned) as to how they would feel about seeing their nephew once again. She remembered how it ended on a somewhat sour tone (for the children, at least), with Laena taking them away from the evening feast early and their goodbyes being rushed. Laena certainly did not mind, since she wished that Daeron and Baela would finally realise that Rhaenyra and any of her blood could not truly be trusted, especially when they eventually grew.
Following the abrupt ending to the feast, Baela later expressed regret at not being able to properly say goodbye and did ponder over it for some time, before moving on. Baela's opinion of her father also decreased, and Laena thought back to when she asked why her father never spoke to her as much as she did to Rhaenyra. As much as Laena was relieved that Baela saw her father's true colours, her heart also broke for her daughter.
I would not know what I would do if my father was like Viserys.
Laena did comfort Baela as much as she could, but it was less her that needed comforting and more her elder brother. For days after the feast, Daeron cried and cried and cried as to how he could not properly wish farewell to his nephew.
"I should have done our greeting," Daeron said to Laena as his head was buried in her chest. "I was angry at father... and Rhaenyra... but Baelon did nothing wrong..."
"My dear," Laena whispered to him, gently stroking his silver curls and trying not to worsen his mood. "It was just a small greeting; you shall see Baelon again..."
"But why did I have to blame him... I-I-" he replied before bursting into tears again.
Once Daeron had somewhat gotten over his whole ordeal with the greeting (though Laena suspected he truly didn't), his worries changed from that of Baelon to his feelings towards his father. Realising that his father did not see him in the same regard as his half-sister seemed to light a fire underneath him. When in the training yard or studying with the maesters and septas, he was even more determined, focused, and eager to improve than he was before. But however much more resolve he showed in improving himself, his doubts remained. Occasionally at suppers and in private situations, he would still ask if his father noticed his recent improvements and how he could improve.
The poor soul... he is still under the impression that his father does not truly love him because he is not good enough...
Laena did try her best to reassure Daeron, telling him that he was already perfect as he was now, but that did not stop him from trying to improve himself and desiring his father's attention.
Hearing that his half-sister and nephew will finally return four years after that feast shall no doubt resurface that whole ordeal...
Later that day, Laena organised a supper for her and her three children. She even invited Viserys to it, but he stated that he had other matters to attend to, which Laena suspected was tending to his Valyrian city or wallowing in his sorrows with Arbor Gold.
She had arranged for each of the children's favourite foods to be served at the meal. There were berry tarts and roasted capon for Daeron, honey cakes and buttery mashed neeps for Baela, and spicy sausage and sweet persimmons for Aemon. All of it would be served at once, rather than having three or four separate courses, which was her husband's preferred manner of feasting. Laena also ensured crab cakes and lobster stew were being served, so she could enjoy herself too. To wash it all down, there were flasks of Dornish orange juice and hot milk spiced with sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
Ser Criston and Ser Willis brought the children to Laena's quarters right on the cusp of sunset. Daeron and Aemon were matching, both donning dark blue doublets, loose-fitting and casual, but Daeron's was fastened with gold and Aemon's with bronze. Baela, meanwhile, wore a loose gown also in the same shade of dark blue. Daeron's long hair was tied into a neat braid falling down his shoulder whilst Baela's silvery gold curls were cut short, making her look like half a boy. Aemon's long pale gold hair was let loose, looking like a river of honeyed milk going down his back.
All of their eyes collectively widened as they saw the table, and they rushed to take their places. They sat in order of age, Daeron on one end, then Baela, then Aemon, whilst Laena was across the other side.
"What prompted such a feast, Mother?" asked Daeron as he neatly cut a small piece of his berry tart and plopped it into his mouth.
"Can I not treat you all to your favourite foods every once in a while?" smiled Laena, taking a drink of the orange juice. It was sweet but still with a hint of sourness.
"I would prefer to have honey cakes every day," announced Baela.
"You can't, then you would become fat, like father, or Rhaenyra," chuckled Aemon, poking his older sister with the handle of his fork.
"That's rude, Aemon; you cannot say that about your father or half-sister," replied Daeron, imitating the same tones Laena would use to scold him.
"We are not in public," Aemon countered.
"You say the same thing in public, though," said Baela.
"Because it is true!" protested Aemon.
"Would you say the same of me or Mother or Daeron if we were fat?" asked Baela worriedly.
"No... because I would never say anything bad about you three, ever," replied Aemon as he stabbed a small chunk of sausage with his knife.
Laena just laughed off her son's comments and helped herself to a crab cake. One thing that could not be denied, however, was Aemon's undying loyalty to his siblings. He would bicker and quarrel with just about anyone in public, especially his own father, but would never go against his siblings and mother, as well as Ser Criston. Once, Ser Thoren Hightower beat Daeron in a spar, and Aemon began angrily whacking the Master-at-arms with a wooden sword for that.
He clings to Daeron and Baela for as long as I can remember... no matter how defiant he can be, his love for his true family is even stronger than Rhaenyra's second son.
"There is some news I must tell you, however," Laena gently said.
"What is it?" asked Baela, her eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"Firstly, Aemon... this concerns you..." began Laena cautiously.
"Did I do wrong, Mother?" Aemon asked. "Was it because I called Father old earlier. I only did so because he is old..."
"No, Aemon, you are not in any sort of trouble," laughed Laena. "You are to be betrothed."
"Betrothed? Does that mean I am to marry? I am only six; I am big but not that big..."
"When you are older, you shall marry. At the moment, you are just promised to marry. Just like Daeron is promised to Lady Jocelyn, and Baela to Kermit Tully," Laena explained.
"Well, who is Aemon going to marry?" asked Daeron.
"Visenya, your half-sister's daughter," let out Laena.
Now, it would be better if he does not kick up a storm, even if that is what I am expecting.
"Very well," Aemon calmly said as he returned to his meal.
What?
"Are you not going to complain about it?" Daeron said to his younger brother.
"No, why would I?" replied Aemon, almost nonchalantly.
"I thought you would cry about it and say how you hate her..." said Baela, almost disappointed that it did not happen.
"I have never met Visenya; I do not hate her," he shrugged. "I shall marry her, since that is what Mother said."
"Very well," Laena sighed, shaking her head and taking a drink of the juice.
He can be strange at times.
"Now... to celebrate Aemon and Visenya's union, your father has arranged for her and her entire family to come to King's Landing for a feast. This shall be in around two weeks," said Laena.
"Rhaenyra shall be coming back to the city?" asked Baela.
"Yes, along with Prince Daemon, Baelon, Joffrey, and little Viserys," replied Laena. "And you all know what that entails; I am certain of that, no?"
"But I don't like Rhaenyra. Or Daemon. Or Joffrey. Or Viserys," countered Aemon.
"I thought you said that you have no qualms about marrying Visenya?" Baela said, grinning.
"Visenya is a different person," Aemon replied, defiantly crossing his arms as he always did.
"Regardless of how you feel about them, I want you on your best behaviour, especially you, Aemon, since this is your betrothal," said Laena, jabbing her finger towards him. "You may not wish to converse or play with them, but there shall be no insults or shouting or kicking or any of the sorts."
"Yes, Mother," Aemon said, bowing his head, showing that he understood his mother's words but smirking in a manner that showed he did not.
"And, Daeron and Baela, you do understand what I mean by this, too? You may have been close with Baelon in the past, but the boy is now nine and has likely forgotten your friendship. If he can grow out of it, so can you," Laena said sternly, ensuring her two eldest children understood her words.
"Very well, Mother," they both replied, as Daeron scowled slightly whilst Baela let out a sigh.
"Thank you," curtly said Laena with a small smile on her face.
The evening supper did go well, with the conversation going to various subjects, including the children's day in the training yard. As expected, Aemon used the opportunity to boast about his martial skills.
I do not blame him, since his attitude is supported by his aptitude.
"I am better than all the other people my age... Vaegon is the next best, but I can still beat him easily!" announced Aemon smugly.
"If you are to fight, Vaegon has a dragon so you would have to fight his dragon," Baela pointed out, making Aemon wince.
Aemon's lack of a dragon is certainly a sore spot.
"That is not fair! I should have a dragon, too! Why can Vaegon have Vermax when I am the King's son, and I don't have a dragon?" he angrily asked.
"Soon, you shall have a dragon. You are a Targaryen, remember that," Laena gently said.
"But I should have a dragon now! Even Valaena has an egg, even though she is scared of dragons!"
"Valaena is scared of everything," Baela said.
"Exactly!" agreed Aemon.
"It is not matter, though. Moondancer and Tessarion are female dragons, as is grandmother's dragon," replied Baela calmly. "They may lay an egg soon and we can give it to you,"
"As part of Aemon's betrothal, mayhaps Rhaenyra can gift a dragon egg from Aemon... there are plenty of she-dragons on Dragonstone; one must have laid an egg by now," suggested Daeron.
"That is a good suggestion, indeed," replied Laena.
"Soon, I will get a dragon," scoffed Aemon before angrily returning to his persimmon slices.
Even if he does not yet have a dragon or a dragon egg, he does have more dragon blood than any of his siblings.
Following the supper, discussions about just about anything continued into the night until it became very late, and the children were very tired. Soon enough, Laena summoned a maid to take Aemon to his bedchambers. The princeling protested but eventually marched away to sleep following an embrace from his mother. After he was gone, Laena brought up one final matter with Daeron and Baela.
"I am sure what I told you about your half-nephew earlier is stuck in your head, but I shall do so again," said Laena. "You have not seen each other in four years; any friendship you had with each other is likely gone. As you are now thirteen and eleven and have different likes and interests, he likely does have the same,"
"But we can still be courteous and friendly," Daeron replied.
"You can be, but do not forget who your half-nephew's mother is. He is likely now old enough that his mother is telling him the same things," continued Laena. "I am only trying to save you from further bad experiences when you grow older. It is better that the friendship does not continue at all, in truth."
"Very well, Mother, I understand," frowned Daeron. "However, if we are nicer to Rhaenyra's children, then maybe Father will like us more."
"You are being naïve, Daeron," scoffed Baela. "We could do anything and he would still prefer Rhaenyra."
"That is true," he conceded sadly. "Very well..."
"I sincerely doubt that anything you do shall make your father prefer you over your half-sister and her family," Laena explained. "As I was mentioning, are we absolutely certain that you have heard my words? And that you promise to act how I have told you when your half-sister comes?"
"I am certain," Daeron said, as soft as a whimper. "As much as I mislike it, I do promise."
"I am certain, too, Mother, and I promise," Baela said almost as softly.
"Thank you, both," smiled Laena before stroking their heads. "I knew you would understand."