I don't own House of Dragons.
Prologue
"Murder."
That was the first new word she had heard since infancy. She was born from her mother's corpse.
Arianell resulted from mockery that Rhea that Daemon seed has been planted.
All she knew was that her birth was a blessing and a curse.
A blessing that she can now inherit all of Runestone as her mother once did.
A curse was that Daemon Targaryen was her father.
Arianell was the name her mother gave her. Ser Gerold Royce, her regent, spoke that since she looked all Royce and lacked any silver Targaryen lock of hair. So, in a victory, her mother spoke their tongue, Arianell which means Silver.
She grew up in Runestone and she never made contact with Daemon Targaryen.
Nor does she wish to know her Targaryen family.
Arianell learned about her own family, history, language, and even her culture.
She wants to be a full Royce.
She learned and became the lady of Runestone after Ser Gerold's regency was over.
In the middle of a year, after holding power as the Lady of Runestones, war is upon after the news of King Viserys' death and Aegon is crowned king.
Yet Rhaenyra Targaryen did not stay quiet.
She sent envoys to all the Seven Kingdoms to remind them of their oaths to her.
The Raven was sent from Dragonstones and Kingslanding, yet Lady Arianell smiled mockingly and spoke, "Look now I have two royalties begging for my word."
Arianell spoke nothing more than the words of Queen Rhaenyra and King Aegon that had been written in the letters.
She simply replied, "I will leave the decision to Lady Jeyne Arryn. She will be the one to decide which best course for her and Vale." Her advisors and Measter bowed their heads. She is right. Whatever blood they may share, it doesn't matter if they are loyal to them.
After all, Lady Arianell obeys Lady Arryn for she is her godmother.
She has written that if one of their sovereigns could convince Lady Jeyne to order Vale then the House of Royce wouldn't question her and obey to join sides.
Yet news came on the death of Prince Lucerys Velaryon at the hands of Prince Aemond and his dragon Vhagar.
The Greens draw first blood.
The start of the dance of the dragons has begun.
Vale is considering entering the war but for who?
Aegon II is the living son of Viserys I and he has the right to rule the kingdom as his male heir.
Rhaenyra Targaryen his only eldest daughter from Aemma Arryn's blood related to Lady Jeyne Arryn to rule the kingdom as his true heir and first queen.
Many Vales wished to follow Aegon II not only was he a male heir, but many still could not forgive nor forget the Rogue Prince for what he had done to Lady Rhea Royce.
Thou, many heard Aegon II wasn't much an ideal of a king for he drinks, takes pleasures with whores, and shown not much king material.
Some consider Rhaenyra Targaryen as the true heir and queen of the seven kingdoms. Surely, her father defended her for so long and he didn't just change his mind like that.
But it wasn't until Lady Arianell who while traveling to Eyrie to seek suitors with to be Lady Jeyne Arryn wished for her godchild to have consort for Runestones.
Should she die, there won't be anything left attached to Rhea Royce's bloodline.
On a sunny day, that seemed warmer for Valemen came with a big ambush.
RAWR!
"Dragon!" A crier shouted as they saw it.
Aemond the One-eyed Targaryen flew with Vhagar over Vale and demanded that Princess Arianell Targaryen must be presented to King Aegon II.
Many argued.
"We have no princess of the House of Targaryen!" Ser Artis Crobay argued and gestured to the carriage. "We have only Lady Arianell, Lady of Runestone, and House of Royce! You are mistaken!"
Aemond cruelly laughed. "No, that is my dear cousin, Princess Arianell. And you will give her to me!" Vhagar growled and snarled. "Or else Vale will be burned."
Many men drew swords and were ready to fight. Cole and his men drew swords as well.
Clack!
The carriage door opened as some lady companion.
A red-haired girl wearing a blue dress came forward in fear, but she was resolved.
Aemond looked at the girl's question as she came before him.
'This can't be my cousin.' He was right as she introduced herself.
"I am Lilith Tully, sister to Ser Kermit of the House of Tully."
A Riverland girl and from House of Tully as well.
"My lady asked if we shouldn't involve your dragon to settle a dispute over Vale. However, if you wished for her to go to Kingslanding then she will do so."
Aemond looked startled, but he was pleased with the results.
"But" The Tully girl continued. "My lady must insist you grant her to bring her men to journey to Kingslanding for her protection and goodwill. Yes?"
Aemond lost his smile and snarled.
"No deal."
But she is persistent as expected from being a good friend to Lady Royce. "And how will Vale see this when you do take our beloved lady to Kingslanding and the rest of us are burned by your dragon? You will have to answer this to Lady Jeyne of Arryn to demand the King's justice. I have no doubt the King prefers allies instead of more enemies to fight over your mistake like Storm's Ends."
Aemond tensed his jaw and raged.
How dare this Tully girl insult him!
But in the logical mind, she has a point. They cannot afford to make more enemies right now.
"If you run away from my sight. You will burn." Aemond ordered as Lady Lilith curtsy and went back to the carriage where her lady was waiting for her.
An opened window sounded out when opened, a slender hand waved and announced, "Men to Kingslandings!"
It sounded like a woman which Aemond had no doubt that is her. The daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Rhea Royce.
The leader of their party repeated the order. "To Kingslandings!" The party repeated as they followed Aemond who brought Ser Criston Cole and his men to journey back.
It has been a long journey and no doubt news came from Lady Jeyne Arryn heard that prince Aemond has taken Lady Arianell Royce to be the hostage to King Aegon II.
Dragonstone
Rhaenyra Targaryen First of her name, Queen of Andal's, and the Rhoynar and first of men, lady of the seven kingdoms and protector of the Realm.
She received news from White Worm that Prince Aemond Targaryen had taken Princess Arianell of the House of Targaryen and Royce as hostage to bend the will to Vale.
She is furious.
First, he killed her son Lucerys and now he has the gall to kidnap Daemon's daughter from his first marriage.
Aemond is mad.
However, she never once thought about her cousin in Runestone. She heard many awful rumors and stories that she was born from the rape of Daemon Targaryen after killing his lady wife, Rhea Royce.
Rhaenyra doesn't believe that!
It was Ser Gerold Royce and Ser Otto Hightower who spread those lies.
Right now, Lady Jeyne Arryn insists that they remain neutral for the sake of Lady Arianell of Royce.
Royce.
As if Lady Jeyne spew that as an insult to her face.
Rhaenyra wonders if she can send a message to her cousin. Perhaps, she can convince her that she is the queen of the seven kingdoms and ask her to ask Vale to join the Blacks.
'But what if she refused?'
Her thoughts of doubt interrupted her. It is no secret that Lady Arianell refused any contact with her Targaryen family, and they went as far as to talk about her marriage to her father.
"Oh, three times for the Rogue Prince to marry. Let's see how he could get rid of his third wife."
It was a mockery and slurs over this marriage.
'Daemon and I burned together.' She would say that over and over again until it exhausted her.
What should she do now?
Kingslanding
The Valemen traveled the road as many commoners saw the Flags and Banner of the House of Royce.
Many whispers and mutters spread. They saw armed men and bringing carts full of pigs and sheep.
"What is House of Royce doing here?"
"No doubt to defend us."
"I doubt it. Word has it that the King wants a hostage and who better hostage than the daughter of Daemon Targaryen and Rhea Royce."
"Rhea Royce?"
"Aye heard that his daughter wanted nothing to do with the Targaryen's. Can't say I blame her, who would want to be reminded of the injustice of her mother's death."
"Poor lady. Shame that she falls under the cruel hands of the Greens."
"The Blacks are no different. As we both know the rogue prince is a suspect of Rhea Royce's death."
The courtyard as the Valemen stood evidently as Aemond rode his horse after letting Vhagar rest.
He was about to come to the carriage but paused judging by the stare of Vale guards they won't let him.
Aemond had to wait for them to do their job.
One older soldier came forward and opened the carriage, letting down a stepping ladder. One by one, ladies came out.
Katherine Hunter a pretty brunette with a tall figure wearing a green dress.
Jessica Waynood holding her Spectacles by holder on her hand to see in front of her.
Etta Beesbury, granddaughter of lord Beesbury is the youngest eleven-year-old.
Finally, Lilith Tully came out as she held the hand of their lady.
Lady Arianell of House of Royce is beautiful.
Aemond then recalled that they called her, "The Bronze Beauty."
She has brown hair that looks wild but combed down to her waists. High cheekbones, slim and limber, but not too skinny like most highborn girls would starve themselves. Her eyes are ocean blue no doubt coming from her Arryn Ancestor once.
She has not one hint of Targaryen features from her.
Yet her mother named her daughter, Arianell which means Silver.
No doubt to mock Daemon and thank the Gods for her daughter looking more Royce than Targaryen.
Woof!
Out came a sheepdog with brown and white with fluff of fur.
She petted her dog and took a leash to hold him.
Aemond then broke out of his stuble and spoke, "Welcome to Kingslandings, Princess."
Arianell stood quietly and looked back at Lilith Tully.
She came forward as she curtsy. "My prince, my lady can only speak, the tongue of Valemen and few others. But common tongue you must speak slowly for her."
Great.
Just what he needs.
A spoiled lady of House of Royce who cannot speak their language, but her own.
"Then you can translate for her."
"That is why, she insisted that she bring us with her, my prince."
Aemond sighed through his nose and came a bit closer to look at her. He could tell from her eyes that she was hiding something, he just didn't know what.
"Then tell her, we must go and greet the king right away in the iron throne." Aemond then added, "I will see that her party will be stationed in proper courters."
Lillith translated to Arianell whom she spoke softly back.
"She will accept the terms. After all, she is here for a reason."
Aemond nodded then led both Lillith Tully and Arianell Royce.
This is the beginning of Arianell Royce's trial as she has written in her memoir how she survived the Dance of the Dragons and her positions to the Greens.
Reviews are welcome.
Arianell: Welsh for "silver"
Luv Breed type of dog is Welsh Sheepdog
There will be a language she speaks that is Welsh for House of Royce and I believe the Scottish tongue would be involved in Vale as their common language so be prepared for that.