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Chapter 1 Heirs of the Dragons
Kingslandings Year 110 AC…
Rhaenyra Targaryen, the only living child, and princess of the Seven Kingdoms had flown with her dragon Syrax.
The lovely girl is called the Realm's Delight by all the family and courtiers.
She should be happy with the freedom she gained as the king's only daughter, but deep in her heart she knew what her father truly desired.
A son.
A prince to rule her father's throne someday.
It has been years since her father, Viserys I of his name wore the crown by the votes of the Lords yet her mother Aemma lost so much in her years over the death of stillborns and miscarriages of her siblings.
It made Rhaenyra determined not to marry and bear no children.
It seemed past time to do her other duties as the royal cupbearer.
She lowered Syrax to fly over the Kingslandings as common folks are used to having dragons fly over their heads.
There they landed near the Dragonpit as Alicent Hightower, her first lady in waiting stood there waiting for Rhaenyra. They have been childhood friends for years ever since their childhood. Alicent Hightower is the daughter of Ser Otto Hightower and Lady Tristifer Tyrell who was a cousin or aunt of Lord Daniel Tyrell.
Second there is Lady Alerie Tyrell the daughter of Lord Daniel Tyrell and Princess Viserra Targaryen. She is the first cousin of Viserys I and was beautifully called the White Rose of Highgarden. She looked more like Viserra, but few pointed out she had her father's smile and boisterous personality. The main reason was that thanks to Aunt Viserra's input to vote for Viserys at the promise of stations and positions at court for the Tyrell family.
Lady Alerie Tyrell is placed as a second waiting-in lady for the princess.
Now many would say the Lords of the Reach are viewed as well protecting the royal family, but in reality, they are competing in the favor of the royal family.
To gain the upper hand the Tyrells see the Hightowers are overstepping their place.
Tyrells are their lord and master of Highgarden and the Reach.
So, naturally, Lady Alicent Hightower knew to curtsy before Alerie as she was the daughter of the Wardon of the Reach.
You could say they don't dislike each other, but that doesn't mean they like each other either. More on Alerie's part of not befriending Alicent Hightower.
Alicent did try to befriend her, but Alerie kept herself cordial or rather distant arms.
In Alerie's mind, Alicent has no personality of her own.
The only good thing about her is that she could be a wife, a mother, and a fanatic believer in the Faiths.
Alerie doesn't like the Faiths much, but she only went there for the sake of appearance.
Thanks to Daemon Targaryen whom she was fond of in her childhood.
He would be telling her stories about their Valyrian lines of culture, beliefs, and status.
Alerie loved to hear his stories and wished to see its glory.
"I see, Syrax is still good at flying again?" Alerie questioned her kin.
Rhaenyra smirked and tugged her gloves off with her teeth.
"Still wishing for a dragon cousin, eh?" It was never a secret that Alerie was jealous that Rhaenyra gets to have a dragon, but their other cousin Ser Leanor had one too.
Ever since she was a little girl, she has been proud of carrying her mother's bloodline and her father's.
Alerie longed to be part of their line for dragonrider.
And Rhaenyra being the good cousin would take her to see Syrax to cheer her up.
It's no secret that Alerie wasn't jealous of her per se.
It was being the dragon rider she longed to be.
"Every day. Hopefully, dear beloved King Viserys would at least grant me one since brother has one." Alerie rolled her eyes.
That's right folks.
All these years of performing duty have finally come to pass.
Gaemon Tyrell had claimed a dragon.
Of all the dragons he claimed was the King of all dragons.
Vermithor the Bronze Fury himself.
The day happened in Highgarden when pirates were attacking their shores as they went to defend their lands in Oldtown.
Gaemon Tyrell was barely fourteen and was brought by Ser Edward Tarly as he is his squire and he will be joining his father in defending their lands.
It was quite a force to push the pirates away from their lands.
Yet out came Vermithor roared and set flames down. Gaemon felt an odd connection as he began singing the old king's song to Vermithor.
The dragon looked at Gaemon and laid his body to allow his new rider to climb up. Off they flew and set their enemies in flames, taking pirates, burning ships, and giving them the upper hand.
Gaemon Tyrell was hailed as the hero of the Reach, and they dubbed him as the Bronze Rose of Highgarden.
Princess Viserra Targaryen almost fainted from shock but recovered quickly that the Gods favored her son with a dragon that was so denied her from claiming.
It seemed like a better trade for she knew her son was destiny for great things.
'Mother never wanted us without having dragons because she was denied from claiming one.' Alerie understands her mother.
Her father explained that Viserra had suffered from being a princess, yet she desired more than anything to claim a dragon.
Viserra loves her children truly, but she wants them to be proud of her family line. She wants them to have dragons not to protect their homeland, but to show the world that the Dragon lords are not dying out.
"Well, cousin I am sure that you still carrying your egg around." Rhaenyra nodded at her bag that carried her dragon egg. It is beautifully colored purple with black around it.
Alerie didn't know why, but she had a feeling that she needed to carry it around her like a mother would.
"Yes."
Alicent blessed Alicent seemed to be in a hurry to avoid talking about the dragons.
"Shall we leave? It is already late."
Since it is past morning, that would mean Rhaenyra is late to be her father's cupbearer.
The girls entered the carriage and went back to their castle to perform their duties.
Alerie Tyrell is not used to riding carriages. Back in Highgarden, she would prefer riding her horse, Blacklegs.
It was freedom.
But sadly, there is more gossip, green boys and overplease nobles prefer the size of their wealth than happiness.
Alerie saw that they entered the courtyard and got off to head for the Queen Consort Aemma.
'No doubt, mother is tending the queen right now.'
Princess Viserra Targaryen was welcomed as governess and lady-in-waiting for her niece Aemma. She was considered the second most powerful woman in the court.
After all, Viserra Targaryen is still the princess and daughter of Jaehaerys and Alysanne Targaryen's royal children.
Adding the burnt for the courtiers that Viserra is the wife to Lord of the Highgarden and Warden of the Reach.
Alicent, in arms locked with Rhaenyra, walked back into the castle as Alerie followed behind. They walked past a few servants, and guards who were either cleaning, serving, or courtiers walking around mingling with fellow courtiers.
Queen Aemma is just resting up as she fans herself to keep herself cooled. Viserra is tending to her niece and the unborn prince. It has been years since Viserys became king, yet for some reason the Gods wished to take away their children, save Rhaenyra.
Aemma Targaryen noticed her daughter, Alicent, and her cousin Alerie.
"Ah Rhaenyra," She called to her daughter. "You know I don't like it when you go flying while I'm in this condition," she points to her swollen belly.
"You don't like me to go flying while you're in any condition, Mother," Rhaenyra countered.
"Your Grace," Alicent and Alerie curtsy before the queen.
Aemma smiled at both girls. As Princess Viserra hands her niece the cup made of mint tea.
"Here you are niece," Aemma's aunt whispers as she hands her the tea to drink from. Aemma happily took it and nodded her thanks.
"Good morning, Alicent," Aemma acknowledged then Alerie, "Cousin, Alerie how is the egg?"
Alerie smiled and said, "Hopefully, to come soon."
Viserra smiled gently at her daughter. She is pleased that Viserys is finally allowing her children to have dragons. Olivia has her own hatchling dragon's name, Darkfrye. A beautiful black, blue dragon with green eyes sharpened as he cooed Olivia like a kitten.
"Did you finally get some sleep?" Rhaenyra inquired.
"I did."
"For how long?"
"I don't need more mothering, Rhaenyra," Aemma shook her head. Rhaenyra took a seat near her mother's.
"Well, here you are, surrounded by attendants, all focused on the baby," Rhaenyra pointed out. "Someone has to look after you."
"You," the queen tapped her bare foot on her daughter's knee, "and Alerie will lie in this bed soon enough, Rhaenyra. This discomfort is how we serve the realm."
Aemma pointed out her fan to her aunt. "Aunt Viserra had done her part and looked at her now. The most powerful woman with heirs of her husband's household."
Viserra preened at her niece's praise.
Rhaenyra shook her head. No, mother. That is not me. That is not who I am.
"I'd rather serve as a knight and ride to battle and glory," she replied cheekily. It was made no secret that Rhaenyra had no desire to be a mother or have any children and would rather pursue her path but could not so long as her parents denied her that privilege.
"Ha ha ha."
Viserra shook her head at Rhaenyra's words. She could understand her parents perhaps a little. Tis, natural that you desire something more than a princess.
"Princess, I once thought the same as well." She poured some hot water into the bowl to bring the towel to soak in. She helped Aemma to wipe down her niece's skin.
"Despite, my circumstances, I was relieved that I have something to fulfill my role better." Viserra looked at Rhaenyra with an aura of power.
Rhaenyra couldn't help but feel small by her presence. Viserra raised and brought her up as her governess to the nursey and raised the princess alongside her children in court.
"Someday, if not soon you will find your role. And history will remember your role and name forever."
Viserra gave the princess a reassuring glance. She turned to her niece and said, "With your permission, your grace. I shall return my daughter to dine with our family soon."
Aemma nodded and sent her thanks.
"Alerie," Viserra called to her daughter. Alerie then curtsies before the queen and leaves with her mother.
'Oh Daella, you sacrifice your life to birth Aemma, yet your daughter suffers more than you.' Viserra felt pity for her deceased sister, Daella Targaryen.
Her sister did not have an easy life.
She was 'simple'.
It was the kind word they used for Daella.
Viserra's sister's death was the first step of her parent's marriage as the queen's mother never forgave her husband for sending their daughter to an early grave.
That is why Viserra often resisted arranging their daughter's marriage until they were old enough.
After all, wives died earlier in the bedroom and childbirth than any plague.
They enter their private courters as her husband is the Master of Whispers and part of the small councils. There is her Gaemon Tyrell, her son, and heir to his father's seat. Olivia reads her books as she looks up to their mother and sister entering their courters.
"My lord," Viserra called to her husband softly as he smiled at his jewels.
"My lady," He kissed his wife's forehead and Alerie kissed her father's cheeks.
Viserra looked at her husband's tired eyes.
He must have been staying up all night for his 'Seeds' to give him his information to the king. Don't get her wrong, it was a great honor to be called Master of Whispers since he reported the happenings in the kingdom.
But she is concerned since she missed him in her bed to warm her at night.
She missed their alone time.
Daniel Tyrell noticed his wife's concerns and said, "No need to worry, Gaemon has been helping me sleep for a while."
Viserra's relief is short-lived. Gaemon has been insisting on helping his father since his knighthood.
"Come, let us dine together."
Viserra waved to the servants to bring their meals.
Her children were chatting and teasing together as Viserra and Daniel were having conversations.
They moved to Kingslandings years ago, to obtain their promise being paid back. It has been a long time since they enjoyed a peaceful time. No politics, no quarrels with other courtiers, ambition involved in them.
Just quality family time.
The evening is late and now is time for bed.
Viserra is dressed in her night as her husband is finally getting ready to go to sleep with her. She can be quite convincing if she wants to be.
"I heard that Prince Daemon has recently been returned."
Daniel nodded and spoke, "Yes, though Ser Otto convinced the king to replace him to lead the Goldcloaks."
Viserra paused as she undid her braids. She looked away from her mirror and said, "Is that wise?"
Daniel grew quiet.
"I love my nephews very much. They are my brother and sister's only offspring, they left us. But daemon is more dragon than man. He is unpredictable." The princess spoke passionately.
She knows her nephews but fears that they will go against each other based on the wrong counsel around them.
Viserra went to the bed by his side and said, "We both know how far he will go to prove to Viserys devotion and loyalty to his cause." She curled to his body as they lay together.
"Fear not my love." Daniel kissed her head and said, "Nothing is going to happen to us. Not while the King is alive. We will strive to protect our family."
'But what if my family causes this kingdom to fall apart?'
Viserra fell asleep with a question unanswered.
Reviews are welcome.
Next Chapter, is about the cleansing of the Goldcloaks, the tourney of the heir, and the death of a monarch.
Casts to play my characters.
Daniel Tyrell played by Ed Stoppard from Knightfall of the first season as King Philip Iv of France.
Princess Viserra Targaryen nee Tyrell played by Sarah Gadon from Dracula Untold.
Gaemon Tyrell was played by Micheal Marcus from The White Queen when he played Henry Tudor.
Alerie Tyrell played by portrayed by Clementine Nicholson from Knightfall as Margaret of Burgundy.
Olivia Tyrell played Elinor Crawley as Cecily of York from White Queen.