Violent Tides - Chapter 11: Affirming Allies

Two Days Later 

Aelora tightened her grasp on her mother’s hand as the two of them along with her grandmother were walking towards the castle gardens, behind them Rhaenyra's ladies in waiting followed her. A luncheon was being held there for all the noble ladies that were currently within King’s Landing. 

Rhaenyra planned to organize her own event for the ladies, but was beaten by Alicent, who announced her own luncheon before Rhaenyra could even properly express the idea. 

The Crown Princess knew that if she tried to throw a luncheon after Alicent had officially announced her own, then she would be seen as a petty copier. 

So, she held her tongue and forced a smile onto her lips when Alicent gave her a smug smile that day. 

Rhaenyra looked down at her daughter, “Aelora, remember do not stray too far from myself or your grandmother when we arrive in the garden.” 

“I will.” Aelora said, excited and nervous to meet more girls her own age. 

Usually, there were few children that lived in the Red Keep. And the few that did either kept their distance from her or treated Aelora very formally, refusing to move beyond the courtly etiquette no matter how much she asked. 

Eventually, the trio reached the gardens, and the luncheon was in full swing. 

Eyes followed them as they walked, Rhaenyra and Rhaenys paid this attention no mind, but Aelora looked at all of the new faces. 

At the center of the garden, Alicent sat at a large table with her female family members, supporters, and her own ladies in waiting. 

“Good morrow, Your Grace.” Rhaenyra greeted, giving the woman a small nod of her head. 

“Princess Rhaenyra, Princess Rhaenys. I am glad that you could make it.” Alicent said cordially, before looking at Aelora, “Good morrow, Aelora.” 

Aelora grinned, giving the Queen a curtsy, “Good morrow, Your Grace.” 

“Helaena is with the other young girls near the fountain. I am sure that you will wish to be with them than us adults.” Alicent told her. 

Aelora looked at her mother questioningly, making it clear that Aelora wished to leave. 

“You may go, but do not leave the gardens, nor where I can see you.” Rhaenyra told her daughter. 

“Thank you, mother.” Aelora said before holding her dress and leaving to go to the fountain. 

Alicent waved her hand towards a table that was to the left of where she was sitting, a good deal away. “I knew you would be late, so I have saved a table for you and your party.” 

“How kind of you.” Rhaenys said dryly, seeing this as the clear insult that it was meant to be with how isolated the table was.

Alicent smiled sharply, “It was nothing at all, I simply wanted everything to be to the standards that my stepdaughter deserves.”

A few of the ladies by the Queen’s side laughed, a coldness in their eyes that made Rhaenyra want to demand that they all be gouged out. 

But the princess knew that making a scene when Alicent was pretending to be nice would make her look bad, she would be seen as nothing but a spoiled brat. “And I thank you for looking out for me, stepmother. Especially as you've had to spend so much time away from my siblings to put this all together.” 

Alicent’s smile fell, causing Rhaenyra’s to grow as she turned on her heel and began making her way to the table that had been purposely given to her.

How dare she?! Rhaenyra thought as she sat down, realizing just how far from everything that Alicent had placed them.

Unlike Alicent’s party that was sitting in the center of all the tables, allowing everyone to see them naturally, her own party was cast off to the side.

“It seems the Queen has sought to return a humiliation of her own onto you.” Rhaenys said as she took a seat on Rhaenyra’s right. 

“I do not know what you are referring to, cousin.” Rhaenyra replied. 

“So, having Aegon swear fealty to you was not not only to show the realm that the King’s eldest son viewed you as the true heir, but to humiliate the Hightowers by having the heir they are championing, kneeling at your feet?” Rhaenys drawled. 

The older woman could not deny that she like everyone else was surprised when Aegon came down the path, kneeling to swear fealty to Rhaenyra and Aelora. And she could not deny that it was a smart move for the Crown Princess to make. 

Rhaenyra did not have a chance to respond when she saw a group approaching them from the corner of her eye. Jeyne Arryn was walking at the head of the group of women, meeting her royal cousin’s gaze head on. 

A small cordial smile appeared on Jeyne’s lips as she stopped in front of the table, giving the two women before her a small bow. Once she bowed, the other ladies behind her followed suit, “Good morrow, Princess Rhaenyra, Princess Rhaenys.” 

“You are well met, my lady. And please, we are cousins, there is no need to refer to me by title.” Rhaenyra greeted. 

While they wrote to each other on occasion, due to both their responsibilities and distance, this was the first time that Rhaenyra and Jeyne were meeting face-to-face. 

It was a regret that Rhaenyra held as it was her mother who maintained correspondence with Jeyne, always telling her daughter that they would one day go to the Eyrie so that they could visits her niece, a desire to look upon her late eldest brother’s daughter once more. 

“Then I hope you shall bestow upon me the same courtesy.” Jeyne said before gesturing to the woman to her left. 

She was an older woman, and was tall, standing a few inches taller than Jeyne, wearing a deep blue dress, her blonde hair was streaked with grey, her blue eyes were sharp and piercing. Her face was aged and wrinkled, but Rhaenyra noted that her features were like Jeyne’s. 

“Lady Elys?” Rhaenys asked, recognizing the woman, and hiding the surprise she felt after seeing her again after decades. 

She married the Lord Tyrell, I believe. Rhaenys thought. 

Rhaenyra’s eyes grew when she heard Rhaenys, realizing that the older woman was her mother’s eldest sister. The princess remembered how often Aemma would speak of her siblings, especially her sisters, Elys, and Amanda. 

“Princess Rhaenys.” Elys greeted the other woman with a bow, "I am glad that this celebration has given us the opportunity to see each other again.” 

“I feel the same.” 

Elys then turned to Rhaenyra, bowing her head to the younger princess, “I am gladdened to once again the daughter of my youngest sister.” 

Rhaenyra smiled, “I too am gladdened, Aunt Elys.” 

She had not seen her aunt since she was a small girl, when both Elys and Amanda had come to King’s Landing for a visit when she was eleven. But busy lives and advancing age had made regular trips rare, even for funerals, weddings, and births. 

“My sister sends her apologies, Amanda would have come as well, but her daughter, you cousin, Miana, recently gave birth to her third child and she wanted to look after them.” Elys said. 

“No apology is necessary; it is understandable that a mother would want to be by her daughter’s side during a harrowing time.” Rhaenyra said before waving to the chairs at the table, “Please, seat,  

The two women sat down across from Rhaenyra and Rhaenys, the rest of their entourage taking the remaining seats further down the table. 

“Now,” Elys began, “Should we discuss what has brought us all here for today?” 

Rhaenyra looked at her aunt over the top of her teacup when she lifted it to take a sip. “And what would that-" 

Elys did not allow her niece to finish her question, “Let us not be obtuse, my dear. You want reassurance that the Vale and House Tyrell will stand with you should certain… events come to pass.”

Rhaenys let out an amused sound from her lips before lifting her teacup to her lips. There were times such as this when it was refreshing to hear someone speak candidly about things instead of speaking around topics and using sugary sweet words. 

Rhaenyra took a moment for her surprise to leave her, “That was not exactly what I wanted to discuss.” 

Elys smiled knowingly, “But you were hoping to learn this.” 

Rhaenyra’s silence was enough of an answer for the other women. While she assumed that her aunts and cousins would support her as heir to the Iron Throne, she wanted to be sure of their allegiance to her side. 

A smile appeared on Jeyne’s lips, “You should get used to this cousin, our aunt can be quite candid, both of them are really.” 

“Oh, hush you.” Elys replied, swatting her hand at Jeyne jokingly. 

“But do I, have your support?” Rhaenyra asked, bringing the conversation back to its original topic. 

Jeyne became serious, “You, do. I swore an oath to the King to uphold his chosen heir and now I have reaffirmed that oath and have sworn to uphold your daughter, your own chosen heir, and I will continue to do so.” 

“Just like that?” Rhaenyra asked. 

“We are blood, Rhaenyra, I will not betray you. Is that so hard to believe?” 

Rhaenyra let out a small self-deprecating chuckle, “I am aware that I am not the first choice in the minds of many as the next ruler of Westeros. There may come a day when others may pressure you to leave me behind, so to speak.” 

Jeyne looked at Rhaenyra with consideration before speaking, “I am sure you have heard of my problems with my cousins in Gulltown, specifically my eldest cousin, Arnold.” 

“I have.” Rhaenyra said, remembering when she heard gossip around court about how Arnold had tried and failed to build the forces necessary to usurp Jeyne. 

“Twice now, Arnold has tried to usurp me, and twice he has failed. He is often wont to say that women are too soft to rule, and yet no houses answered his calls for rebellion. My vassals saw me as their rightful ruler when my own family, my blood, did not, as they are too obsessed with gaining power for themselves. If you do not believe that I will support you as family member then be assured that as a fellow woman in power, and I will continue to support you for my own benefit. If you were to fail in becoming Queen or if you were usurped and the crown given to your brother, then it will only embolden my cousins even further to steal my birthright. So, I say this; in this world of men, we women must band together.” 

Rhaenyra started at her cousin stunned, she had not thought about what her not gaining the throne could mean for the few women in Westeros like herself and Jeyne. As she thought about Jeyne’s words, it made sense to her that in that scenario, Aegon becoming King could be used as justification for women with no male siblings, but male relatives, to be passed over in favor of those relatives. 

Rhaenyra nodded her head to Jeyne, accepting her words as truth, “Thank you, cousin.” She then swallowed and turned to her aunt, “And you, Aunt Elys? It is your husband who rules Highgarden and after him your son, can you ensure that they will remain loyal to me?” 

Elys looked at the flowers growing nearby as she spoke, “My husband will soon be dead, so his opinion on things will not matter, gladly enough.” 

Rhaenyra almost chocked on the tea she was drinking, not expecting such a statement from her aunt, “I-I do not...” 

Elys looked at Rhaenyra, “If the King were to die today, Matthos would not support you as Queen, but he would also not support Aegon either. He will wait and see who comes out the victor. 

“So, he would choose neutrality? Even when the Hightowers, his vassals, commit treason my trying install their own chosen successor?” Rhaenys asked, her expression hardening as she looked at the other woman. 

Elys did not falter in the face of Rhaenys Targaryen, remaining visibly unbothered. “House Tyrell may rule the Reach, but we are not its most powerful house. Our power was given to us by House Targaryen, when the Conquerors decided to elevate a simple steward into a Great Lord, because of this the Tyrells do not have the respect of some of the other houses. Matthos is too old now to properly put his vassals in place, so the other houses have been able to get away with much than they used to when Matthos was a younger man.” 

“And your son? What of him?” 

Elys’ jaw clenched slightly, “Lucas has not done much to prove himself before the lords, and this would not be a problem if he were from a lessor house. Until he becomes Lord of Highgarden, it is unknown how the other houses will respond to him. But my son will honor his oaths when the time comes.” 

“But you do not think some of your vassals will follow Lucas’ lead and instead will align with the Greens?” Rhaenys asked purposefully. 

“No, I do not.” Elys answered truthfully, “The Hightowers have been quite affective in their persuasions, showing some that the King’s eldest son is being robbed of his birthright. But they are also others who find the Hightowers to be overreaching with their placing of one of their own as Queen so quickly after the death of the pervious. As it stands the Reach stands divided; half will side with Rhaenyra and the other with Aegon.” 

This was not the response that Rhaenyra wanted, and it showed on her face as she was unable to hide her disappointment and anger. 

This is not surprising but still so frustrating. I told father that not everyone will support me, not even with his reaffirmations, but he refuses to listen. Rhaenyra thought. 

“That is troubling to hear, aunt. As it stands, I can only truly count on the Vale. And the Hightowers have the Westerlands firmly on their side.” 

“And what of the Stormlands?” Elys asked, turning to Rhaenys, “Princess Rhaenys, you are the niece of the Baratheon's current lord, the cousin to its next. Surely, these bonds will remain strong as Rhaenyra is married to your son and is the mother of your grandchildren.” 

“They will; House Baratheon will stand with Rhaenyra and will continue to do so.” Rhaenys answered. 

“Will they?” Rhaenyra asked her good mother and cousin. “Lord Boremund seems like the type to honor his vows from what I have seen of him, but his son? The whole court witnessed how reluctant Borros was to bend the knee.” 

Borros did not bother to hide his anger when he swore to uphold Rhaenyra and Aelora as heirs to the Iron Throne. 

Rhaenys looked at Rhaenyra from the corner of her eye, “Borros will remember his oaths. He will side you with because of the blood that flows through the veins of my children and grandchildren.” 

“But he will not do so joyfully.” Rhaenyra stated. 

Rhaenys did not see the point if lying, especially with how blatant Borros has been in his opinions. “He will not, and you do not need him to do so. So long as he does, that will be enough.” 

Rhaenyra looked away, “I hope so.” 

House Baratheon shared blood with Laenor and Aelora, if they chose to join the Greens then it would be a blow to their cause. 

It could lead to those who supported her to question why they themselves should continue to fight for her claim if her own family members did not. 

This resolved Rhaenyra to build as much support as she could during this time when all the realm had converged in the city. 

~X~

Aelora’s smile grew as she reached the fountain and saw her aunt sitting on the ground, leaning against it as she played with a beetle in her hands. 

Alicent was right when she said that all the younger girls were gathered there, deemed too young to mingle with the adult women, but too old to be left out of the luncheon entirely and watched after by nannies. 

“Helaena, good morrow.” Aelora said to the older girl. 

Helaena did not respond, her attention remaining on the insect in her hands, enthralled by the creature’s movements.  

Aelora looked up and saw that most of the girls were watching, looking between her and Helaena. The girls were talking amongst themselves, most were taking quick glances in their direction, but some were staring outright, not bothering to pretend otherwise. 

Aelora was not used to this kind of attention from children her own age, but she was confident that she could befriend them as she had when she first met her Velaryon cousins. 

“Helaena, I’m going to talk to those girls over there. Will you be fine here by yourself?” Aelora asked, knowing that Helaena was not as sociable as most. 

So, if she was sitting on the ground oblivious to everyone else around her as she was currently, then it would be best to leave her alone, instead of trying to force her into doing so. 

“I’m not alone, not truly.” Helaena replied, still playing with the beetle. 

Aelora was not sure what her aunt meant, but did not ask questions as she walked away from her and towards the other girls. 

The closest girls were a group of five, each of descending ages but with the same blue eyes and long flaxen hair that told Aelora that they were all related in some fashion. 

The first to notice Aelora approach was the tallest and oldest of the group, her eyes widened, and she immediately bowed, gesturing to the four gawking girls near her to do the same. “Princess Aelora.” 

“Good morrow.” Aelora greeted, “May I ask you all are?” 

“I-I am Lysa Farman.” The oldest girl answered before pointing to the other four girls, “And these are my younger sister; Cerissa, Melesa, Tya, and Kyra.” 

“So, you must be Lord Jon Farman’s daughters?” Aelora asked. 

Rhaenys had vigorously drilled into her eldest granddaughter’s head the names of the realm’s ruling lords. And when she complained, Rhaenys told Aelora that the information would be important for when the celebration began, that it was all necessary for her to know. 

“We are, Your Grace.” Lysa said softly, inwardly surprised that the young prince was aware of their father. 

He may have been a ruling lord, but Fair Isle was considered small and unimportant by most, even those who lived in the mainland of the Westerlands. And it was more surprising that Aelora knew about their father because of just how many lords and ladies she had undoubtedly seen and met over the course of the fealty ceremony and the tourney. 

Aelora smiled, “I wanted to ask if it was true that the Ironborn ships can be seen from your shores?” 

“Oh.” Lysa breathed, “Yes, they can at times, Your Grace. But Fair Isle is quite safe, our family’s ships along with the Lannister fleet have been keeping the waters safe for decades.” 

“And the island itself? How beautiful is it?” 

Tya quickly answered, feeling more comfortable with the princess’s presence when it became clear that Aelora held genuine interest in their home. “It is, Your Grace! There are plenty of grassy hills and meadows. And the view is the best from Faircastle when the sunsets, the sky becomes pink and purple, it's the most beautiful place in Westeros.” 

Lysa looked at her younger sister sheepishly, worried that Tya’s talkative nature would scare Aelora, but she was again surprised when Aelora smiled. “That sounds wonderful, I would love to see your home someday.” 

“Really?” Kyra, the youngest and the shiest asked, looking up at Aelora hopefully. 

“Yes,” Aelora nodded, “The way you describe Fair Isle sounds amazing. I have always wanted to see all of Westeros, and now I want to see Fair Isle first.” 

This caused the Farman sisters to smile and when Tya opened her mouth, eager to give the princess an invitation to their home, a high-pitched voice rang out, “Look, it's the Farmen sisters, how surprising it is to see them here.” 

When the group turned their heads to the side, they saw standing a few feet from them a larger group of girls, with two girls standing at the front, seemingly leading them. 

The two were obviously identical twins; having the exact same faces, green eyes, long honey blonde hair, and red dresses with golden accents. 

“Go-good morrow, Lady Cerelle, Lady Tyshara.” Lysa said, her excitement quickly fading, her shoulders hunching slightly to make herself smaller. 

Cerelle, the one on the right, looked down at Lysa haughtily, “Lysa, and…others.” 

The younger Farmen sisters looked offended, insulted that the girl could not be bothered to remember their names despite having met them before. 

The twins then turned their attention to Aelora, curtseying and greeting the princess in unison, “Good morrow, Princess Aelora.” 

Aelora gave them a nod of her head, “Good morrow, Lady Cerelle, Lady Tyshara. And you are Lord Jason’s daughters?” 

“We are.” Tyshara said, looking between Aelora and the Farmans, “I we have been dying to meet you, princess.” 

“You have?” Aelora asked. 

“Yes, but it seems you have met the Farmans first, a pity.” 

Aelora’s nose and brow furrowed, “A pity? Why would it be a pity? Lysa, Cerissa, Melesa, Tya, and Kyra have been very nice so far, telling me about their home, Fair Isle.” 

Cerelle took a step forward, “If you wish to learn more about different places, we can tell you all about Casterly Rock and Lannisport. They are the most beautiful and interesting places in the West.” 

Johanna Westerling, Cerelle and Tyshara’s mother, told her before they came to the luncheon to endear themselves to Princess Aelora. 

She spoke of the favoritism that existed in the royal family and how no one was more loved by the King than his eldest grandchild. 

Jason had bemoaned his wife's beliefs, saying how Prince Aegon was the one they were supporting, not Princess Rhaenyra’s ill begotten daughter. But Jason had changed his tune when Johanna had pointed out how close Aegon and Aelora were and that if their daughter befriended Aelora than she may say good things about Cerelle and Tyshara to Aegon. 

Jason did not try to hide his desire for Aegon to succeed Viserys as King, not wanting to see a woman on the Iron Throne and bring the possibility of other men having their birthrights taken and given to their female relatives. 

But he also wanted more, he was rejected once before when he sought out Rhaenyra’s hand in marriage. This did not deter him much as he now sought a royal marriage for one of his daughters, and Aegon was the best candidate. 

If he succeeded then one of his daughters would be the next Queen of Westeros, mother to princes and princess and the mother of a future King. 

Since their arrival in King's Landing, Jason and tried to draw Aegon's attention to his twins. But Alicent did not seem interested in his blatant desire and Aegon did not show much if any interest in any girl besides Aelora Velaryon. 

Before Aelora could respond, a voice spoke over her, “I told you she would be here, we saw Aunt Rhaenys with her mother!” 

It was then that four girls, all close in age, dressed in gold and black, with black raven hair and blue eyes appeared in view. 

“We get it, Maris, you were right. You can stop being so smug about it.” The tallest girl said with a roll of her eyes. 

The smallest girl standing between the two nodded in agreement with the statement. 

“Don’t be jealous, sister. It’s unbecoming for one so old.” The one now known as Maris replied with a grin. 

“Aren't you two only a year apart age? So, if our sister is old than so are you, Maris.” The fourth girl standing on Maris' left said. 

Maris glared at the younger girl, resisting the urge to hit her. 

Cerelle had a look of distaste on her face, watching as the quartet continued their conversation as if they had not just interrupted her and her sister's conversation with the princess. “And who would you three be?” 

The four girls looked at Cerelle for a few seconds before turning their attention to the Valyrian princess. This caused the Lannister twins to glare at the newcomers, offended by the lack of address. 

“Good morrow, Your Grace.” The four girls said to Aelora, curtseying to her. 

Aelora smiled, bowing her head. “Good morrow. You are Lord Borros' daughters; it is good to finally meet you.” 

The oldest of the four spoke, “Yes, we are, Your Grace. I am Cassandra and these are my sisters Maris, Ellyn, and Floris.” 

“You don't have to call me ‘Your Grace,’ we are family.” Aelora told them, staring into Cassandra’s eyes. 

She has really pretty eyes. Aelora thought to herself, noting the purplish tint around the blue of Cassandra’s blue irises. 

It was a trait that the girl's sisters did not share as their eyes were entirely blue. 

“Do you have a dragon?” Floris asked the princess, moving in front of Aelora, leaning into her personal space. 

“Floris!” Maris hissed, reaching forward, and pulling Floris back. 

“I don't have a dragon, but my uncles Aegon and Daeron, and my brother, Jace, all have dragons. My egg has not hatched.” 

This did not deter the younger girl, “Are they big like Meleys?” 

The Baratheons girls were always in awe whenever Rhaenys would visit Storm’s End, flying on the back of her Red Queen. 

Rhaenys had offered to take her young cousins on a flight, but Borros rejected this proposal, not wanting his children anywhere near the dragon no matter how much Rhaenys said that Meleys would not hurt them, and no matter the fact that she had taken her own children atop her dragon. 

“No, Vermax and Tessarion are the size of cats and Sunfyre is as big as a horse.” 

“Can they fly?” Cerissa Farman asked shyly, she too was curious about dragons. 

“They all can, but Sunfyre can stay in way longer than the other two. Aegon has been waiting forever to fly him, it’s the only thing he wants.” 

“I am sure Prince Aegon has other interests, like in the training yard and friends wishes to make.” Cerelle said, happy for the change in conversation about something that she had her sister preferred. 

Lysa, Cerissa, Cassandra, and Maris, could all understand and hear the suggestive way Cerelle was speaking.  

Aelora was oblivious, shaking her as she spoke, “No, Aegon loves Sunfyre. Sunfyre is the most important thing to him. 

“Really?” Cerelle asked, showing that she was not as fond of or interested in dragons as some of the others. 

“Yes, Aegon loves Sunfyre more than anything. He doesn’t like people who don’t think he's the best thing ever.” Aelora said, thinking of the few times she witnessed Aegon screaming at people who called his dragon a lizard and a reptile, or did not seem interested in hearing stories about Sunfyre. 

“And how does the prince treat those who like his dragon?” Tyshara asked. 

Aelora thought over the question for a moment, “He’s nice to them, I guess.” 

“And is the prince nice to his sister?” Her eyes flickering towards Helaena, the Princess was still sitting against the fountain, but her attention was now on a patch of roses nearby. 

“Helaena? He likes her, but Aegon doesn’t like Helaena’s bugs, and he calls her strange even when I tell him not to.” 

Aelora found it strange how this seemed to excite the Lannisters and the girls behind them, even the elders of the Farman and Baratheon sisters could not hide their newfound interest. 

They must really want to be friends with Aegon. Aelora thought, finding this explanation to be the correct one because her uncle was the best person she knew. 

Aelora continued to talk with the other girls for the next few hours, even as their topics eventually moved on from Aegon and onto other things. 

The group that surrounded the young princess grew larger over that time, essentially having almost every girl under the age of twelve summers in it. But Aelora tried to talk with everyone she saw even when some tried to draw her attention back to them. 

To the women in the garden, it was as if Aelora was holding her own court. They whispered of how Aelora was the Good Queen Alysanne come again, holding her own women’s court amongst their young daughters, sisters, cousins, and nieces. 

When Rhaenyra heard of this and saw how effortlessly her daughter was befriending girls of her age, she could not stop the smile from appearing on her face. She also could not stop herself from smirking at Alicent when she met her eye from across the garden, relishing how the Queen’s face pinched. 

It was clear that Alicent would have wanted Helaena to be the one everyone was talking about so strongly. 

And she could not deny how greatly both Aelora’s actions and Alicent’s annoyance had improved her mood. 

~X~

“Are you listening to me, Borros?” Boremund exclaimed, staring at his son with exasperation and annoyance. 

Borros groaned loudly, “Yes, I have been listening to you since we arrived in this damn city. You are disappointed in my bloody conduct, what else is new.” 

Since he had sworn his oaths to the two princesses, Boremund had been admonished Borros for acting in manner that brought embarrassment to their house. 

And now, the Lord of Storm’s End had barged into Borros’ room to admonish him, this time for failing to endear himself to his fellow heirs. 

Borros sat up from where he had been lying down on his bed, “Father, I told you, I don’t need to pretend to like any of those weaklings. I shouldn’t have to force myself to act like their friend, I need nothing from them.” 

“When are you going to learn that allies are necessary in this world that we live in?” Boremund asked hotly, “That you need to play the game and use you head to think, instead of bashing in against the face of some fool you cross swords within the training yard or the Marches?” 

Boremund could not comprehend how someone so short sighted could have come from his blood. 

And Borros' recent behavior only made him fear what would become of his son and the Stormlands when he was dead and gone. It made Boremund question if House Baratheon would survive under Borros' leadership. 

Before Borros could respond to his father’s questions with a similar anger, a knock was heard at the door and the voice of one of their household knights spoke, “My Lords, Princess Rhaenys is here and has requested an audience.” 

“Let my niece in, Ser.” Boremund said. 

After a few moments, the door of Borros’ room opened and Rhaenys entered. “Uncle, cousin.” 

Boremund smiled, “Niece, how are you this day?” 

“I am well, uncle.” Rhaenys said before turning to Borros, “I must speak with you, cousin.” 

Borros scoffed, rolling his eyes, “Oh, really? And what is there for us to discuss?” 

“Stop acting like a child, boy.” Boremund spat. 

Rhaenys continued to stare at her cousin as she addressed Boremund, “It is fine uncle. Could you please leave us to talk?” 

Boremund looked between his son and niece, sighing deeply as he walked towards the room. 

If Rhaenys can't get that boy to see reason, no one can. Boremund thought as he left the room and closed the door behind him. 

Once they were alone, Rhaenys sat down in a chair that was facing Borros. “We must speak about how you have been acting since your arrival.” 

Borros laughed, “Do not act so above me, Rhaenys, you are only six years older than me, you are not my elder.” 

“Well, you are certainly not acting like a man of your age.” Rhaenys said, maintaining her clam demeanor, “People talk of how you were practically forced down the aisle to swear fealty to Princess Rhaenyra and my granddaughter, how you have ignored them along with my son. It is a miracle your daughters have not taken after you in such regards and I wish to know why.” 

Borros looked at his cousin coolly, “Why, should I be excited to parade around smiling like a fool in the name of this farce? It makes me question why you are doing so, I thought you were smarter than this.” 

“I do not know-” 

“Oh, do not lie to my face, Rhaenys!” Borros yelled, jumping to his feet, “We both know I am referring to the two fools you are supporting and their freak of a child!” 

Rhaenys stood up, glaring intensely at Borros, “Do not dare to speak of my son and granddaughter like that again, cousin. I will not tolerate such from you.” 

“But you will tolerate the King and his whore of a daughter making fools out of my house and that of your husband?” 

“Aelora is my granddaughter, through her flows the blood of seahorses, dragons, and stags.” 

“And your grandson? Whose blood flows through him other than the common mud of upstarts?” 

Rhaenys closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “You supported me and my efforts to be Queen, so why can you not do the same now?” 

“I supported you because you were the rightful heir; eldest and only child of the King’s eldest son, it should have been you to succeed Jaehaerys.” Borros said and for the first time in a long time, Rhaenys saw her younger cousin appear to be remorseful. “But instead that old fool and the spineless whelps of the realm chose Viserys. I supported you because it was right, your crown was being stealing, but I can't do so now.” 

“Why?” Rhaenys asked, but already suspected the answer. 

Borros’ gaze hardened, “A woman can only inherit if she has no brothers; it goes against tradition, against nature to say otherwise, and Rhaenyra has not one, but three brothers.” 

Rhaenys let out a bitter laugh, “So that is your issue?” 

“It is everyone’s issue, Rhaenys. I know it, you know it, the realm knows it, a man must succeed another man and if there is no man then a woman, but never before.” 

“Having a cock does not make one a better ruler-" 

“But it makes you the preferred one.” Borros interjected, “Was that not the same for you with Baelon? With Viserys?” 

“It was, if I were man, I would have been heir the second my father died, but Jaehaerys did not think me capable compared to his second son. Then the realm chose my cousin, over me, over my children because their claim came from me, because I was a woman and Viserys was a man.” Rhaenys admitted, a truth that was still bitter on her tongue, but one she had gotten used to speaking. 

She had long accepted the outcome of the Great Council, she had made her peace with never being Queen, but that still did not erase the anger that filled her when people would use it to insult her. 

The Queen Who Never Was… 

“I know the sting of rejection, Borros, I know it well, and I will not allow the same to befall Aelora. She will be Queen; she will not have her birthright stole from her as I did.” Rhaenys declared, staring at her cousin resolutely. 

Borros glared at Rhaenys, “And you are going to allow Rhaenyra Targaryen to lie about the paternity of her younger children? To say their features come from my house, the house of your mother?” 

When word had first reached the Stormlands after the birth of Jacaerys Velaryon, Borros had been happy enough with the outcome. 

Even though he did not agree with Rhaenyra becoming Queen while having three trueborn brothers, he had begrudgingly started to accept her ascension as it would mean that her son would take the throne after her. 

It would make sense for Rhaenyra to claim her newborn son as her heir as it would assuage some of the lords who took issue with her gender. Especially as the boy was said to be born with none of the physical traits of his older sister. 

But as the moons passed, whispers of the boy’s resemblance to a certain Lord Commander of the City Watch, began to spread. It was also shown that the prince bore nothing of Laenor Velaryon’s traits. And the few that Jacaerys shared with Aelora, were things that came from their mother. 

Along with the declaration that Jacaerys would not be King, but instead would be Laenor’s heir and would one day become Lord of Driftmark, all but proved to many of the boy’s bastardy. 

But Viserys, Rhaenyra, Laenor, and Corlys were claiming that Jacaerys was Laenor's trueborn son, that his appearance simply came from his half Baratheon grandmother, Rhaenys, and Rhaenys’ also half Baratheon mother, Jocelyn. 

It was an insult to Borros’ pride that his family's black raven hair, sky blue eyes, and tall and powerful builds were being compared to and confused with the Strong’s brown curly hair, plain brown eyes, and large round bodies. 

Rhaenys’ jaw clenched tightly at the mention of her mother, Jocelyn. “Jacaerys will not be the one who seats the Iron Throne, Aelora Velaryon will. My grandson will inherit Driftmark, so it is no concern of House Baratheon.” 

“Is that so?” Borros scoffed. 

“It is.” Rhaenys said strongly. 

Borros chuckled agitatedly, “You and my father are something else.” 

“Uncle Boremund has told you similar things?” 

“He was screaming at me about it before you arrived.” Borros looked back at Rhaenys, “You must truly love your son to do this.” 

Rhaenys looked away, “I do.” 

Borros continued to stare, “I cannot change how I feel about this all.” 

Rhaenys sighed, “I am not asking you to, I have had decades to know how futile changing your stubborn head on things. I am asking for your support.” 

“So, I should hold my tongue, and do as I am told by you, by the King?” 

“I am asking, pleading for your support, Borros, I am not trying to command you to do anything. Please, help my granddaughter and her mother take the Iron Throne if or when the time comes.” Rhaenys said, for the first time since arriving in the room, showing her vulnerability. 

It is you who must ask for me to join their side, and yet no other Blacks feel the need to. Am I that unimportant to them all? Borros thought, “I have sworn an oath; I will keep it, Rhaenys.” 

For Now… 

Rhaenys could hear the underlining words that Borros did not say, and knew this was the best she was going to get from the man. “Thank you.” 

The two cousins stood there conflicted with the whole matter, both resolute in their beliefs and upset that they could not bring the other to their way of thinking. 

And neither left the conversation feeling like this would be the end between them.