The Princess and the Queen 22: Viserys V
Viserys felt happier than he had been for the past four years.
That is because I am finally with my daughter and grandchildren again.
He leaned back, sinking into the black velvet cushions that lined his oak chair, and smiled proudly. Across the room, his grandchildren were playing, all of them engrossed in some activity. Baelon, the eldest, smiled at his younger sister as he pointed at various illustrations of dragons. Viserys smiled at the sight of his grandson smiling, and a small tear even welled up in his eye.
Little Baelon was feeling so down a few days prior; it is good that he is smiling again.
Viserys was the first to notice that Baelon was in a bad mood and made sure to console the lad about whatever he was sad about as soon as possible. Viserys then told him a story of Baelon the Brave, little Baelon's namesake, and how he was the rider of the Black Dread. The lad's mood certainly improved after that, but Viserys knew he was still unhappy deep down.
The boy misses his late father, as I often miss mine, or my mother, or my wife.
Regardless, Baelon had finally been in a good mood for the last few days now, especially in the company of his younger siblings, which was better than nothing.
The previous day, Viserys even carried Baelon on his back, and walked around the Red Keep with the eight-year-old clung to him, giggling and shouting. After a while, Viserys was too lethargic to continue, but the short ride was enjoyable for Baelon. For the evening feast, Viserys also gifted Baelon a black and red doublet set with rubies and emeralds and sapphires, and made with the finest silks from across the Narrow Sea. He brought matching cloths for all of his grandchildren, and their laughs and smiles were better than anything Viserys could ask for.
Viserys' youngest grandson, also aptly named Viserys, loved the cloths so much he decided to wear them today, against his mother's advice. He sat on the smooth stone ground, playing with a toy dragon, which was grey, blue, and pink, the colours of his egg. Across from him, Joffrey was neatly arranging all of the other toy dragons, making them face each other like some sort of battle formation. A blue dragon, a pale green dragon, and a scarlet and pink dragon were amongst one legion, and the other had a red dragon, a yellow dragon, and a silver dragon. Joffrey then picked up a purple and red dragon, which Viserys knew to be his favourite of his collection, and placed it on the side of the red dragon.
"What side do you want your dragon?" Joffrey asked his little brother.
"This one!" declared little Viserys, as he placed his dragon on the same side as his brother's, right across from a brownish-bronze dragon.
"Come see the real dragons!" said Visenya, beckoning the two to her and Baelon, who was eagerly flipping through the book.
Joffrey ran across the room, and crouched beside them, moving his long, curly brown hair away from his face. Little Viserys, meanwhile, walked calmly across and sat beside his twin sister.
"This one is the best." Visenya proudly said, gesturing to the silver and bronze sketching on the page alongside a portrait of some Targaryens of old.
"What was its name?" asked her twin brother.
"This one was..." answered Baelon, squinting at the name written on the page. It was in High Valyrian, and Baelon was the only one of the kids that could read it. Viserys knew for certain that Daemon would ensure that all the children would eventually learn the language. "Arc-Arch... Archonei... Archonei was its name."
"Archonei was the mount of Gaemon the Glorious! And was that of Aenar the Exile before him," she explained.
Viserys smiled, thinking back to the lessons with his own father about the histories of Valyria. Both Viserys and Daemon loved the histories when they were younger (and even now) and loved hearing their ancestors' tales.
Baelon began flipping through pages of the book, past illustrated dragons, castles, Targaryen lords, wyrms, and mages.
"That one is mother's! Syrax!" Young Viserys eagerly shouted, at the slender yellow dragon on the page.
"Why does Syrax look different now?" Joffrey asked, his eyebrow raised.
"Syrax is an older dragon now," sighed Baelon, turning some more pages until one page caught their eyes. On the page was an illustration of a dragon so large its wings seemed to be leaving the book. Its scales, horns, and wings were as black as pitch, as was its entire body, save for the eyes, which were a menacing red.
"Balerion!" gasped all four children at the same time.
"Grandfather was the rider of Balerion!" said little Viserys.
"And Balerion was the last known thing to ever see Valyria!" Visenya added.
"And I was the last ever rider of Balerion," chuckled Viserys as all the children turned and faced him. "Come... come... I shall tell you all a tale of the Black Dread from my days."
The four children ran up to Viserys' lap. His youngest grandson climbed up onto his right knee whilst Visenya sat at his right foot. Joffrey sat eagerly in front of Viserys, his legs crossed, whilst Baelon dragged a small chair across the room and sat in that, leaning back.
"Was it true? Was Balerion bigger than a whole city?" asked Visenya.
"And could he swallow an aurochs whole?" Young Viserys asked.
"Well..." sighed Viserys, a sad smile on his face. "His wings were big enough to cover the entirety of King's Landing under a shadow, that is true... and I'd wager he could swallow two aurochs whole."
The twins looked at each other and gasped in wonder.
"How did you manage to claim Balerion?" asked Joffrey.
"Know this, Balerion was not the same Balerion as the Conquest, or that of Maegor," frowned Viserys. "By the time I had claimed the Black Dread, he was old, past his prime, a shadow of his former self, yet still formidable. Balerion never was the same following Aerea's venture into Valyria... the old dragon was sleepy and lazy, some ways like I am now... heh... I had to urge Balerion to even fly... he hardly could even fly one round over the city..."
"I remember that you told me once that your first ride with Balerion was also the final," Baelon said.
"Yes... yes, it was," Viserys said, clearing his throat to prevent himself from crying in front of his grandchildren. "Not long after, mayhaps half a year, Balerion passed peacefully, likely in his sleep. I wept for a while, but it was not all sad... I feel that Balerion appreciated one final ride before..."
"You should be able to ride a dragon again, Grandfather," Visenya said sadly.
"Baelon promised that he would take me on Sunfyre someday, didn't you, lad?" smiled Viserys.
"Soon enough, Sunfyre shall be large enough to mount, and I shall take you; actually, I shall take all of you!" said Baelon, a grin appearing on his face. "Joff, Viserys, Visenya, all five of us!"
"The dragon would need to be really big to fit five people," little Viserys replied.
"If I still had Balerion, he would be big enough to take all of you for a ride," laughed Viserys. "Baelon would ride in front of me, Joffrey would be on my shoulder, whilst I would take Viserys and Visenya on one arm each!"
If my arm was not as rotted, too.
"That would be fun!" Joffrey exclaimed. "Or when all of us get dragons, we can all ride together on dragons..."
"And Grandfather would take turns riding on each of our dragons!" finished Visenya.
"Yes!" cheered Joffrey in delight.
"That would certainly be the day," Viserys replied.
Soon, the door to the room opened and in came Rhaenyra and Daemon. They were in matching attire, with Rhaenyra in a dark red dress with dragon scales across the bodice, whilst Daemon's doublet was in the same colour and had a three-headed dragon embroidered in black on his chest. The children's eyes lit up in delight, and Visenya sprinted into her father's arms.
"Father!" she exclaimed as Daemon scooped her up in the air.
"You want to fly like a dragon, is that so, Visenya?" laughed Rhaenyra.
"Mother!" shouted Joffrey as he ran up to Rhaenyra and hugged her leg. She put one arm around him and ruffled his brown hair before giving Baelon a kiss on his cheek.
"We were talking about dragons!" little Viserys said as Rhaenyra kissed his forehead. "Grandfather was telling us about how he rode the Black Dread and how we will take him on our dragons when we get dragons!"
"You, Baelon, and Prince Daemon should have all flown here on the dragons," Joffrey said. "Then Grandfather could have seen Sunfyre."
"Sunfyre is not big enough to ride, so I could not have flown here," replied Baelon.
"And you are also not big enough, too," little Viserys added.
"I am big enough! Mother rode Syrax when she was only seven of years!" Baelon protested. "You were the youngest dragonrider ever, Mother, were you not?"
Rhaenyra smiled and nodded before sharing a grin with Daemon.
"Seven is old," sighed little Viserys.
"No, seven is small," Baelon replied. "You will understand when you grow up."
"That is in only three years for us," said Visenya, who sat in her father's arms.
"Aye, I remember the day your mother took flight on Syrax," Daemon grinned. "The entire King's Landing was in awe of the Realm's Delight. It was as clear as day for me. Back then, she looked just like you do now, Visenya."
"Yes..." Rhaenyra said, giving half a smile before looking at the ground and back up at her children. "Anyways, my sweets, it is time for your lessons with Maester Gerardys... just because we are no longer at Dragonstone does not mean we are to be lax with your learning."
"Very well, mother," said little Viserys eagerly as all his other siblings instead groaned. "What is it that we are doing today with Maester Gerardys?"
"I believe it is sums," she replied enthusiastically.
"I enjoy sums!" little Viserys declared, climbing down from his grandfather's knee.
"Sums are boring!" Joffrey grumbled. "I would rather be in the yard."
"I would rather learn about the histories," replied Visenya.
"I would rather sleep," scoffed Baelon.
"Now, now... being learned in all areas is what every princeling or princess should aspire to be," said Viserys, wagging his finger playfully at Baelon.
"Do not forget to wish a farewell to your grandfather," Rhaenyra said.
All four children took their turns embracing Viserys tightly as he set them off for their lessons with the maester. The children also did the same with Rhaenyra, who added a wet kiss on their cheeks. Little Viserys and Visenya also hugged Daemon before exiting with their older brothers. Following the children's departure, it was only Viserys, Rhaenyra, and Daemon who remained in the chamber.
Rhaenyra remained standing whilst Daemon took the seat that Baelon was previously occupying. He reclined back in the seat and placed a velvet cushion behind him to support his back. Viserys then poured three cups of Arbor Red for each of them. He finished his with one quick gulp while Rhaenyra took gentle sips, and Daemon just twirled the cup around in his hand.
"So, daughter, brother, how are you both faring today?" Viserys jovially asked.
"It has been good, as has the other days. I have missed King's Landing, in truth," solemnly replied Rhaenyra. "Though Dragonstone is peaceful, it can be dreary at times, especially during the winter."
"Yes, what we mean is that we would eagerly like the exile to end, and we can return to King's Landing," Daemon said sharply.
"We have been through this before; I simply cannot do such a thing," sighed Viserys. "As much as I would love it-"
"Why can't you do it? You're the King, or has that changed in the past few years?" scoffed Daemon.
Viserys just shook his head, poured himself another cup of wine, and also finished that in a gulp. He had explained this to Rhaenyra and Daemon when they first returned some days ago, much to their dismay, and wanted the subject of the conversation to contain more levity.
"Four years of a twenty-year exile is hardly enough, and I say this as a peaceful man... even everyone in court agrees that your time at Dragonstone has improved relations at court," said Viserys, but even he knew that was a weak excuse.
"It is quite humourous," laughed Daemon. "It is your mouth that opens, but it is Laena Velaryon's words that come pouring out. You have forgiven us for the transgression; why not accept us back into your domain?"
"I have forgiven Rhaenyra, but do not think that-" began Viserys before groaning. "Let us move to another matter."
Viserys did truly want his daughter back in the capital but knew that entirety of the Small Council would be opposed to it. It was the subject of heated debates in the days leading up to Rhaenyra's return. Jasper Wylde cited how crime and brawls in the city had decreased massively in the past four years and were a direct result of Daemon's exile. Otto and Lyman Beesbury agreed with his sentiment, and Viserys begrudgingly agreed.
I cannot imagine the stink Laena would cause if Daemon and Rhaenyra returned.
Just as there were heated debates in the Small Council chambers, there were arguments magnitudes more heated between Viserys and Laena on the same matter. Viserys just wanted all her endless complaints to end, so he would just nod and agree with her sentiments.
If I were to invite them over multiple times a year, yet maintain the façade of them still being in exile, surely Laena would not complain?
He had this idea following one of their arguments and was planning on revealing this to Rhaenyra and Daemon. It was still not optimal since they would hardly even visit King's Landing, but it was better than one short visit after multiple years.
"What matter would you have us discuss then?" questioned Daemon. "Your Grace?"
"What of the children?" Viserys happily asked. "I spent some good time with them now, but how has their studying been? And their progress in the yard?"
"The training yard..." Daemon laughed, sharing a smile with Rhaenyra.
"The issues in the yard is something you must address, Father," she said, frowning.
"What issues are there?" Viserys asked, concerned and leaning forwards in his seat.
"Aemon," she curtly replied. "You must tell him to stop bullying Joff and Viserys in the yard; both of them have complained to me... I spoke to my half-brother myself, but the issue still persists. Such a thing would dissuade them from enjoying the yard, as what occurred with Baelon."
"Viserys often gets the brunt of it, and he is only a boy of four," Daemon sharply added. "Have sharp words with your wife and command her to discipline the boy."
"I shall do such a thing," sighed Viserys. It was another thing to add to the growing list of problems he already had.
"If this is not solved, I dread what shall occur with Visenya... Aemon has not lifted a finger against her, but should his temperamental habits continue..." said Rhaenyra.
"Yes, I shall be certain of addressing it... he is my son, too," replied Viserys, gritting his teeth.
"I still disagree with the betrothal that you have announced," Daemon said. "I do not want to send off my daughter to live with Aemon whilst we are stranded on Dragonstone."
"It was the only way I could unite Laena and your bloodlines... if there was any other way, it would have been Baelon with Baela, but I must do something to stop your two factions' enmity," countered Viserys.
"Visenya would be a hostage of Laena Velaryon," said Rhaenyra bluntly.
"I-I..." Viserys said, at a loss for words. "I do not have a choice in this..."
"Then what do you have a choice in, then?" angrily asked Daemon. "I do not want such a marriage to occur."
"You know I cannot undo this betrothal, Daemon," pleaded Viserys. "I can raise Aemon to be a better-"
"That will not change the fact that my daughter shall be a hostage of your wife! If such a marriage is to happen, I want concessions."
"And what will that be?" Viserys scoffed. "If you suggest ending the exile-"
"I shall only accept the marriage if the exile ends," he replied petulantly.
"Seven hells, Daemon... you know that the council won't agree to such a thing."
"And?" he said, cocking his head. "Get a new council if they so much as disagree. You forget that you are King Viserys, not bow-to-the-demands-of-Otto-Hightower Viserys."
"Just because I am the King does not mean I am not beholden to my subjects. I cannot just replace my entire council on a whim! I would be Maegor come again!" shouted Viserys, leaning forwards.
"Visenya is my daughter! I will not have her sold away like a broodmare to a family of snakes who wish to see my wife deposed!"
He does not understand the intricacies of politics and the importance of alliances at times...
"Very well, both of you," sighed Rhaenyra, finally speaking up. "I propose a different scenario."
"What would that be?" replied Viserys gently.
"The marriage is to still take place... and the exile shall still continue, but mayhaps for not as long with more common visitations," she continued as Viserys nodded along. "But Aemon is to be warded at Dragonstone until they come of age."
"At Dragonstone?" Viserys asked, leaning back in his seat. "Would it usually not be the opposite?"
"Aye, but the positives of Aemon coming to live on Dragonstone cannot be denied. His martial prowess shall certainly improve and be developed under the tutelage of Ser Arryk and Ser Lorent. He can learn the histories and sums and philosophy with Gerardys and our Valyrian heritage with Daemon. He does not yet have a dragon egg, and can personally choose one from the Dragonmont. He will grow close to his future wife, and living in the company of Joff and Vis can improve their relationship. They are all close of age, and shall grow to be like brothers when they grow."
She then looked at Daemon, who nodded and smirked, before looking to Viserys. He considered it, knowing that boys that grow together would form an inseparable bond with each other. It was just the solution to end the adversity between Rhaenyra and Laena.
"It... that... is a good solution that you suggest..." nodded Viserys. "When would such a wardship begin?"
"Instantly," she said. "When we depart for Dragonstone in the coming days, we shall take Aemon along with us. As he is still young, any enmity he may have for my children would be cut root and stem, and having a wardship from such a young age shall surely result in a companionship that shall never be broken."
"Now?" asked Viserys. "I do like the solution, but starting the wardship so soon?"
"When else would you start such a thing?" Daemon laughed.
"But what would Laena say?"
"You did not consult Rhaenyra or me when arranging this betrothal. Does she truly need to be consulted? You are Aemon's father, and have more of a say in your son's future than Laena ever would have."
"Neither I nor Daemon like the marriage, nor the insistence of continuing the exile; we are sacrificing so much already, so please let us have this, father," Rhaenyra said, her wide purple eyes pleading sadly. "As you said, it is the start of healing rifts, and we would want nothing more."
She looks so much like Aemma here...
Viserys felt his heart drop. He already felt crueller than Maegor for not allowing his daughter to return to the capital, as well as arranging Aemon and Visenya's betrothal without Rhaenyra's permission. The least he could do was this.
"Very well... it shall happen. Aemon is to be warded at Dragonstone, to strengthen the two sides of my family. I shall announce it on the morrow, as the hour is getting late," sighed Viserys in relief as he poured another cup of wine. "But first, a toast, to Aemon and Visenya's union!"
"To Visenya and Aemon!" Rhaenyra and Aemon declared, raising their cups.
"Thank you, Father," Rhaenyra said calmly, kissing his right hand.
I do wish I could do more, in truth, daughter.
Later that evening, he was having supper with Laena. It was the usual supper, with each of their preferred dishes and them sitting on opposite ends of the table. She wore a loose sky-blue gown decorated with black gemstones, and her silver hair was let loose.
"Did you hear?" she asked, cutting a piece of mutton with her knife. "Another fight broke out in the Red Keep. It was one of the men who travelled from Dragonstone who was involved. Luckily no persons were injured, however."
Ever since Rhaenyra had returned to the capital, Laena made sure to mention that there was unrest in the capital and if there were any brawls between people in the city. Even Viserys could see through her little game and would not be swayed by it.
"Yes, I did hear," Viserys curtly said. "And if you wondering if I am to bring up ending the exile, I am not."
"You are not?" she paused, her fork holding a chunk of meat two inches from her mouth. "That is a change, truly."
"But there are two matters I would like to discuss with you... one is more positive, whilst the other is... not."
"And what may they be?" asked Laena.
"Rhaenyra has voiced her concern about Aemon's behaviour in the yard. I have been too preoccupied with other tasks to take note... but it seems that our son seems to... enjoy whacking his nephews with sticks a bit too much."
"Isn't that what children do in training yards?" she replied dismissively. "Whack each other with sticks?"
"My grandchildren have also complained about such behaviour, and I would prefer if our son spent more time on his discipline."
"Since when were you so invested in our son's life?" Laena scoffed.
"I always have been," Viserys said, his tone stern as he firmly put his empty cup on the table. "Tell y-Aemon to improve his behaviour, because that is not how a son of mine shall behave."
"You should do it; you are his father, after all," she smirked, leaning on her shoulders.
"Very well," he replied, leaning back and crossing his arms. "I shall."
"Is that all? May I take my leave now?"
"No. There was the other matter to discuss, and it is good news, also happening to pertain to Aemon."
"What of Aemon, now?" Laena asked, looking up at Viserys.
"The suggestion you had of betrothing Aemon to Visenya was one I have to commend... it shall mend the rift between you and Rhaenyra! But to improve it even further, Aemon is to be warded off at Dragonstone until he and Visenya come of age!" declared Viserys happily.
Laena's face dropped.
"At... Dragonstone?" she stuttered. "You mean to send my son to Dragonstone?"
"Yes!" replied Viserys. "It is a fine suggestion, to grow ties between your children and Rhaenyra's! I am to officially announce it on the morrow!"
Laena didn't reply to that. Instead, she just stared at him in horror.