Author's Note
Hi, I wanted to leave this here just to clarify some concerns for those reading.
Ok, to start off, this is a little AU as I toyed with some events. Here it is: in 105, Aemma had a cradle death (say the babe's name was Aemon or something). After this, she and Viserys talked, and she successfully convinced him to name Rhaenyra the heir. This way, you get their quarrel with Daemon.
In this, Daemon doesn't do the heir for a day thing as it gets poofed out of existence. Now, in 112ac, Aemma does fall pregnant, but by this point, the Realm had gotten used to having Rhaenyra as the heir (so did Viserys), and the Queen dies, birthing Baelon, who lives . but Viserys doesn't turn over his decree no matter the arguments made on Baelon's behalf.
At this point, the Targaryens had four males (One won't consummate his marriage, another who prefers men, a widowed King, and a baby) and three females (One the heir, one who is twelve, and the married Queen Who Never Was) Jaehaerys reign proved having more spare heir helps and marries Alicent (Hobert more or less pressures this than Otto who dutifully makes Alicent go along with it) and Aegon, Helaena, Aemond and Daeron are born.
Daemon and Corlys still go to the Stepstones to do their thing; the Rogue Prince's reason is au (he is bored playing with tourney knights), and Corlys is upset with being stiffed in another bid to get his blood on the throne.
Now part two (why didn't Baelon marry Helaena?)
This explains it, but after the incident with Baelon/Aemond v Strong Boys/Rhaena/Baela, Rhaenyra and Daemon come to Viserys to try proposing a marriage between Rhaena and Baelon.
Otto and Alicent had the same idea, except with Helaena/Baelon. Now, we know how stubborn Viserys is, and I keep that to a T in this fic, where he shuts it down or avoids it as he is likely used to doing.
There were a few comments asking about this, so I want to clarify and hope this is understood across the bored once and for all. (Not that I hate it)
Now, without further adieu, please enjoy!
131 ac, The Red Keep
Otto Hightower pressed his fingers to his temple, setting down the report from the Stepstones by his nephew, Martyn Hightower.
The prolonged years of naval warfare between House Velaryon and the Triarchy over control of the Stepstones were of little significance to him. Despite the considerable resources and lives lost in these conflicts, they were inconsequential in comparison to the overarching power struggle. The battles effectively served to diminish the influence of his grandson's rival, Rhaenyra, and her baseborn sons of Harwin Strong, further consolidating his own position within the realm.
Recently, the Redwyne fleet, led by Prince Baelon and his dragon, entered the fray. "Backed by House Tyrell, our overlords," seethed Otto, clearly showing frustration.
Each year that passes, he remains conflicted over his brother's choice to push Aegon over his brother where they could have simply wed Helaena to Baelon to cement their influence over the kingdom.
Ambition oft comes at the price of one's wits. He should hope Ormund is of sounder mind than his father.
The boy showed so much promise, more than Aegon, especially with what he heard. The Prince was also close to Helaena and Aemond, Otto even thought he would have been a King to be respected just as Viserys or Jaehaerys.
He urged a match, and Alicent seconded this. However, they acted too late to cement Baelon on her side. Princess Rhaenyra and the King agreed to a match between Prince Baelon and Lady Rhaena.
"Lord Hand, the Queen is here to see you." Nodding, the guard allowed his daughter entrance.
Alicent was adorned in what he could describe as the Mother in body and spirit. She was pious and ever devoted to what was right. She approached the chair, sat down, and sighed.
"What is it, my daughter?"
"News, Father... From the Stepstones." Already? It cannot be.
The Stepstones
The Lysene Admiral, along with his cohorts and captains, were forced to their knees on the shores of Torturer's Deep, one of the islands located south of Tyrosh.
As Admiral Sharako Lohar gazed out, he witnessed the heartbreaking sight of his once-mighty fleet, which had set sail with a complement of ninety ships, now reduced to a mere eleven, disappearing beneath the waves, caught in a struggle against the formidable Redwyne and Velaryon sails.
Alas, it wasn't just the enemy ships but that black beast.
The sight of the dragon caused the Dornishmen to retreat back to the sands during the first outset of battles.
Then came the Westerosi ships, numbering a hundred strong, heavy, and prepared war galleys, which smashed what strong vessels he had, and the rest burned in the last year alone.
The Velaryon forces taking ground kept his foot soldiers from taking to the caves as his predecessor had done. His allies of Tyrosh and Myr were quick to run home after the defeat years prior by the Rogue Prince and didn't wish to face such humiliation, again.
Sharako cursed it all as they nearly had the Velaryon leader, he had Corlys on the brink of death till the 'shadow' loomed too close.
"Ēdi daor zaldrīzoti (We expected no dragons)... " His first mate whispered in fear.
The shadow fell over them and landed not far onto a rock; the creature screeched at them loudly that some of his men fell over or pissed themselves. The rider, a boy no older than a child, climbed down and softly landed on the wet shore.
He had a head of short silver hair and menacing eyes, the scar of which was given to him as a boy looked down on Sharako. "Nyke eptan ao naejot obūljarion rȳ se rhaenagon hen bisa, gōntan nyke daor? (I asked you to surrender at the start of this, did I not?)"
Sharako responded by spitting on the ground Baelon stood. "Wonderful." the Prince said and nodded.
The Redwyne men put his enemies close and away. Baelon got back on Archonei and patted her on the neck. "Dracarys (Dragon fire)," he said quietly.
Archonei arched up and breathed black and red flame down on Sharako and his men, the screams lasted no more than a moment before they were nothing but burning bones and scraps of meat.
Baelon took Archonei, helping the fleet clean up the enemy ships still afloat, "Dracarys!" He shouted, and Archonei blasted a jet of flame over a Lysene sail, the mast falling down on the rutter chain.
Another day after taking his victory, he and his army gained control of the Stepstones. A message was sent to him from Corlys, who was situated on the isle of Grey Gallows to the South.
It must hurt the Sea Snake to be outdone and outfoxed by such a deed. He was down a great many ships before his and Lord Redwyne's arrival. Baelon welcomed the former Master of Ships under his campaign against the Triarchy.
In the last year and a half, he had also been summoned home for whatever reason, but he had ignored the commands.
A part of him wondered, though. What if his father was finally ready to hand him the reins and name him heir? But as he quickly found out, the writing wasn't written by the King but by the Queen and the Hand.
His impromptu escapade into war has troubled the hornet's nest.
It angered him, and when he confronted Martyn Hightower, he thought of turning to blockade the Oldtown for Otto, trying to ring him back to his place.
"Tegun (Land)." He commanded as he neared the isle, and Archonei gracefully sat down with a loud shake.
His dragon had enjoyed many a meal in the last year or so, doubling in size and experience in combat. She alone took down thirty of the Triarchy's ships. He patted her horns, and she cooed in response.
"Prince Baelon? Welcome to Grey Gallows, although it is you who should welcome me. A great victory for you." He couldn't help but sense a sort of bitterness in Corlys, mixed in with genuine gratitude. "I first thought it kind the crown would assist me, a surprise to find out you came on your own accord... You remind me of your uncle."
"I am me, Lord Velaryon. I am only me." He said and smiled, "I tasked some of my fleet to allow you a portion of the loot that remains of the enemy ships, I have a larger prize in my sights."
Corlys hummed, "Such as?"
"I want the Stepstones to be manned, fortified and House Tyrell and the Redwyne fleet will ensure it remains a part of my family's realm. And so, it needs a Lord Paramount... "
"And how, my Prince, are you to do this?" Corlys asked and Baelon approached a cliffside and looked out to the domain. The islands themselves aren't worth much, but the shipping lanes are where its wealth lies.
His uncle held these islands for years until he married Laena and left them undefended. He won't do that.
"I will hold it." Corlys grew wide-eyed, "You are returning home, Lord Corlys? Let my father know, I control the Stepstones, now."
Dragonstone
Rhaenyra sat in the room of the painted table, her hand upon her belly.
She is pregnant again and is certain that this time it will be a girl, a Visenya. Although she had once thought Baelon was a girl named Visenya, she is now confident that this last child will be her little Princess.
Daemon has gone out searching for Syrax's new clutch of eggs. He will have to act swiftly to prevent them from turning to stone.
The heir to the throne had thought of bringing all of her children to see her father when her daughter is born, the only thing stopping it is her old friend and stepmother who still holds some contempt for the divide that drove them apart.
"Mother?"
Her eldest son descended down the steps to her.
Her boy is almost a man grown, handsome, and charming in equal measure. "A letter from the King?"
"No, from Grandmother." Rhaenyra hummed, took the scroll, and unfurled it to be surprised by the news. "What does it say?" her son asked just as Lucerys, her other son, entered the room with Daemon.
Daemon answered before she could, her husband knowing before her. "Your uncle Baelon has subdued the Triarchy, broke them off the coast of Torturer's Deep." That is good, a second defeat should effectively keep the Stepstones in House Targaryen's sphere of influence.
"It seems that my brother means to control the shipping lanes, backed by House Redwyne and Lord Leto Tyrell." She didn't know whether to be worried or not.
Baelon certainly wouldn't beggar the Realm for power. Lucerys looked nervous and she was reminded of that awful incident back when they were all children.
Then she was reminded of having a part in Laenor's demise so shortly after Laena's passing, but she needed a stronger consort, someone who the Kingdoms respected and reviled.
"Jace, why don't you and Luke attend Joffrey in his lessons." A poor request that her sons obeyed and left the hall, "Daemon?"She called as her uncle is unusually quiet right this moment.
"We have to bind him to us, to our cause," he said aloud, finally turning to face her.
They tried, did they not? "My father, you and I agreed to marry Rhaena to him,"
Right before the two parties departed on Driftmark after Laena's funeral and the incident with the boys and her brothers, she had come to her father with the idea of marrying Baelon to Rhaena when she reached age.
Rhaena's father, Daemon, also agreed to the match; he said he would speak to Baelon and arrange it forthwith.
"Yes, but my brother let him leave home before revealing that information, and now he has gained renown with his victories." Daemon paused and huffed in frustration, "He is not the doting brother you knew, Rhaenyra. He is a man now, and men oft are filled with ambition, and this war was him drawing lines into the sand just as Alicent did at your wedding."
"I don't believe that. He is young, and Father still lives; he will turn around." The blood of the dragon runs thick, as Daemon says so she will believe Baelon to support her and her sons when the Stranger comes for the King.
"He will? Has he forgiven Lucerys for nearly taking his eye in defense of Aemond?" No, and over the years, she sent ravens and gifts to try and mend the bridge, but Baelon refused to reply to a single one.
Rhaenyra placed a hand on her stomach, letting the fears get to her a bit.