145 AC
"Tell me the story again, Elinda."
The murmur of the six and ten-year-old princess, made Elinda Massey's breathing hitch, and the brush still in her hand after the hundredth stroke.
Dark brown eyes met light purple ones in the mirror, and Elinda Massey recognized the look well. She had seen it before. The determined look of the Realm's Delight, the Black Queen, now reflected in her one and only daughter, the Princess Visenya Targaryen.
Of course, she would once again demand to hear it. She asked for it every year, on the anniversary of the day the war ended. Elinda Massey made a habit of fulfilling the young princess' every wishes from the moment she first held her in her arms.
The year 129 AC brought about the birth of the child on Dragonstone, right before the war had officially started. Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen had just learned of her father's death and the perfectly staged coup of the Hightowers to crown her half-brother, Aegon as king. The birth had been extremely difficult. Elinda had been beside her Queen every step of the way. Had felt every bit of pain.
But it was worth it in the end. The successful birth of Princess Visenya greatly lifted the spirits of Queen Rhaenyra and her consort, Prince Daemon. It made the Queen's faction, the Blacks, hope for victory. In the face of such a betrayal, the Gods had blessed the rightful queen with a beautiful baby girl.
Queen Rhaenyra had placed the babe in Elinda's arms and made her swear on her life that she would care for and protect her if something were to ever happen to her.
Elinda lowered her head, and closed her eyes, remembering the tragedy which befell the Queen. The monster who was given the Conqueror's name, the one who deemed to be her brother, had his dragon burn her alive.
Such tales were made after this incident…by people who believed they knew better. People who believed they knew Queen Rhaenyra better than Elinda did. Such lies were told about her, about Elinda herself having gauged out her own eyes in despair. But that is all they were. Lies.
Elinda remembered shrieking in terror, holding Princess Visenya tight to her bosom, the promise she had made to her queen, ringing in her ears. She watched the flames engulf the babe's mother. Her son, Prince Aegon, was held still, his face held in place by the Green knights so as to purposely make him watch his mother's demise. All the while, the psychotic laugh of Aegon the Usurper was ringing from the seat of Dragonstone.
Soon after, the Usurper and his Hightower mother had taken back control of King's Landing, forcing Elinda Massey to comply. Were they to sniff betrayal, they threatened to make a eunuch out of the poor Prince Aegon, and even hurt the Princess Visenya.
Elinda had been confined to the Keep's chambers with Princess Visenya, while Prince Aegon was put in the dark cells.
The woman had prayed and prayed for the Gods to give them justice. She prayed for Queen Rhaenyra's remaining children. And the Gods had answered her prayers. The North, the Vale and the Riverlands armies had come together. The Black forces defeated the remaining Green armies, and the usurper had been poisoned.
When Lord Cregan Stark had barged into her chambers, Elinda broke into tears and collapsed in his arms. They were saved. They would live. And the Queen's justice would be served.
Although Lord Cregan had seen it fit to punish the conspirators surrounding the poisoning of the Usurper King, he ensured the succession of Queen Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon's son on the Iron Throne, and ordered for the Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower to remain imprisoned in the black cells for the rest of her days. The woman had become mad, ripping her green dresses and cursing the Lords of Realm, before a fever took her.
The usurper's remaining daughter, Jaehaera, had to pay the price for her family's mistakes. She was wed to the young King Aegon in an attempt to unite House Targaryen and prevent any remaining Green supporters from rising up against Queen Rhaenyra's son's reign. This attempt failed the day Jaehaera was found dead, supposedly after having fallen from the window of her chambers. No investigation in the matter followed. Although, that didn't stop the smallfolk from whispering: that the girl had been murdered to permanently end the usurper's line.
Elinda could not be so cruel as to wish upon the death of a poor child. But the girl was troubled and was a constant reminder of the atrocities committed by her family in the name of power. However way she may have died, whether her demise was the product of her own desires or the desires of others, it was for the best.
The 'little queen', Daenaera Velaryon was a far better choice for their king. She brought life back in the Red Keep, and brought forth the first smile seen on young King Aegon's lips. The second and final smile witnessed by the Realm was when the King's younger brother, Prince Viserys, was found by Lord Alyn Velaryon in his journeys, and brought back to Westeros.
Elinda smiled fondly at the memory. The Gods had blessed them once more. Queen Rhaenyra's long lost son was found and returned to them.
And the young prince was the spitting image of his father, Prince Daemon Targaryen. He had the same charm, the same smile, and the same wit. But much nicer, some folk would say. Elinda noticed how entranced the five-year-old Princess Visenya was with her long-lost brother from the moment she first saw him. She followed him around everywhere.
The years had passed and the young dragons, the King, his brother and his sister, were maturing. The wounds of the war were starting to heal, especially with the joy of having Queen Daenaera around Court. She and the king had finally consummated their marriage two years prior, and the results were praised by the Realm. Two sons, born a year apart. Prince Daeron, the King's heir and his younger brother, Prince Baelor.
The Targaryen dynasty was consolidated once more. Nothing was a coincidence. As the Gods wished it, there was another long-awaited three-headed dragon who would bring the ruling House glory.
"Elinda." Princess Visenya snapped her out of her trance.
"Yes, Princess." Elinda continued brushing the long silver strands, as if she hadn't been thinking about something else entirely for the past few minutes.
"The story. I want to hear it." Visenya was insistent.
"Princess, I tell you the story every year. I believe the King has mentioned he no longer wishes to speak of the past. We must look to the future." Elinda's work on the silver hair was instantly stopped when the princess turned around and faced her.
"I will not erase my mother's memory!" Visenya snapped at her.
"No one is asking that of you, Princess. But…"
"I was a babe of only two years when the war ended. My brothers got to see our mother. They got to feel her touch, learn her smell, learn the sound of her voice. They remember her beautiful face. I was but a babe when the usurper took her from me! I have nothing. Nothing but the story of the lady-in-waiting who knew her since girlhood. I only have your words, Elinda."
Such passion, such fire…it made Elinda smile. Visenya was definitely her mother's daughter.
"I understand, Princess."
With a small smile, having gotten her way, Visenya turned back around and positioned herself back in front of the mirror, patting her lilac colored dress…one that belonged to the Realm's Delight when she was Visenya's age. The princess had kept everything that belonged to her mother.
"The smallfolk called her the Realm's Delight…" Elinda began and watched the way Visenya closed her eyes with the smile still plastered on her face, as her hair continued to be combed.
…
Elinda Massey was Princess Visenya's only lady-in-waiting, and the princess loved her dearly. Visenya viewed her as a second mother, because that is exactly what she had been. She refused the teachings of her Septas, insisting that Elinda be the only one to teach her, much to King Aegon's frustration.
She knew that it would be more proper to receive companions closer to her own age at the Keep. But after what happened to Queen Daenaera, Visenya was hesitant. She could trust no one other than Elinda to stay by her side, except mayhaps…
"Sister."
Visenya let out a huff as she bumped into him. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hardly realized where she was going. Her face came in contact with his black clothes in the process. She bit her lip and took a step back, admiring his tenure. He always wore black and red, the proud colors of their House. Visenya knew it for what it was. He was honoring their father.
Viserys was a head taller than her, and older…and the Hand pin rested neatly in the front. It was the old one, the one which belonged to their grandfather, Prince Baelon, the Spring Prince, untouched by the opportunistic traitor, Otto Hightower. This Hand symbol was once pinned to the silvery dresses of Queen Alysanne.
Such power Viserys now had…it made it easy for him to chastise her. But she saw the mischievous look in his eyes. He was teasing.
"Brother." Visenya responded, her hands instinctively placed behind her back, puffing out her chest. Defiance was written in her eyes.
"It is late. You should be in bed at this hour." Viserys whispered.
"And may I ask, what are you doing wandering the corridors at this late hour, brother?" Visenya challenged.
"A Hand's work is never done, Princess."
"The King, our brother, relies on you a lot these days, I know. But I doubt any of his requirements involve the Street of Silk."
Viserys' mischievous gaze disappeared for a moment, and Visenya knew she was regretting her words.
He had been spending numerous nights in several expensive brothels ever since that Essosi wife of his, Larra Rogare, left him. It happened six years ago. As beautiful as she had been, Larra Rogare could not adapt to Westerosi life, nor was she ever interested in trying. Visenya despised her for the pain she and her family put her brother through.
It hadn't been enough that her family had to handle the aftermath of the war. The Rogares had to add further troubles on their plates. The Secret Siege alone had been an embarrassment, but her brothers had been insistent on protecting the Essosi family. And for what? Larra Rogare hadn't given Viserys any children and abandoned him. And it was only a few weeks ago that he learned of her death in Lys.
He hadn't been the same after Larra left him. Still playful, witty, charming like their father, but mostly only with her. With the rest, he was stern, focused. The smallfolk were worried Viserys' sadness would overcome him, just like it did to their brother, Aegon. But Visenya knew not to worry. Viserys would never turn into their brother.
"You are well informed, sweet sister." Viserys eventually told her, the mischievous gaze returning.
His lilac colored eyes were only a shade darker than hers. He leaned forward and pushed a strand of silver hair behind her ear. Visenya always liked to wear her hair loose, except of course, on special occasions.
"Now, unless you wish for the Septas to know about your little outing at this late hour…"
"I do not answer to them." Visenya reminded him.
"Then mayhaps, our brother should know."
"Do not trouble him." Visenya replied immediately.
"Then?" Viserys inquired, his eyebrow raised.
"It is now four and ten years since the end of the war. I was thinking of Mother and Father."
"I have as well." Viserys confessed, sadly.
The three of them made a habit of breaking fast together in Aegon's chambers on such days. Today had been the first exception. Because of many matters which required both the King's and the Hand's attention.
Rubbing her hands on her nightdress, Visenya finally found the courage to tell Viserys of what had been on her mind for the past few hours.
"Could you inform our brother that I wish for us to break fast together on the morrow?"
"Of course. Is there a particular reason?"
"There is." Visenya whispered and looked deeply into his eyes.
"I wish to petition the King…to issue a royal decree, recognizing our mother as Queen."