The Rise Of A Dragon - Chapter 11: Return to Normalcy

Three Moons Later

Rhaella watched proudly as her two children sparred against each other.

She sat on a cushioned chair surrounded by her ladies in waiting who sat in less ornate chairs. It was not just them who were watching the spectacle but various courtiers, servants, and nobles, who had taken time to stop and watch.

Rhaegar and Aerea were always watched whenever they trained, but the size of the crowd grew as word spread that the two siblings were going to spar against each other, never had the two drawn blades together.

Many had believed that Rhaegar would be the victor; he may have started his martial training quite late, but he had made great strides in the last two years, proving himself to be gifted. There was also the fact that Rhaegar was older and taller than Aerea, which many saw as giving him the clear advantage.

But underestimating Aerea was foolish, despite only being ten Aerea was tall, taller than other boys and girls her age, her skin had taken on a slight tan as she spent more time outside than the rest of her family. And while she was not as tall as her brother, the hint of muscle that you could see in the girl’s arms and legs when she wore more form fitting clothing, proved that she would have the physical strength that Rhaegar’s more slender stature would prevent him from having.

Aerea rushed towards her brother, swinging her sword downwards once she closed the distance between them. Rhaegar remained calm, spinning on his heels gracefully, causing Aerea to run past him, almost stumbling when she attempted to stop herself.

Rhaella clenched her hands when she heard laughter coming from some people in the crowds, forcing herself to not say anything as she heard their whispers about her daughter.

“And I thought the princess was supposed to be a warrior.” She heard someone sneer from behind her.

But the japes soon died when Rhaegar had gone on the offensive only for Aerea to meet his blow head on and using her strength to push Rhaegar back, causing him to fall to one knee.

The princess thrusted her blade forward, Rhaegar leaned to the side to avoid this, but did not move fast enough as Aerea ended up cutting his arm. A gasp rang through the yard, it was not often that one would see a member of the royal family injured. But as both combatants were Targaryens and the one who dealt the cut was Princess Aerea, the King’s favored child, they all knew that there would be no punishment for it.

Rhaella winced as she watched the blood begin to drip down her son’s arms. She wished that her children were not using real steel in their bout, but both Rhaegar and Aerea had moved beyond using wooden swords in their training.

Rhaegar looked at the cut on his arm for a moment before looking up and meeting his sister’s eye. The two siblings stared as they once again circled each other, waiting for the other to make a move.

At the same time, Aerea and Rhaegar pushed off their feet and ran at each other, their swords quickly met and the two were in a struggle to push the other back. As the two pushed against each other, Aerea started to gain the upper hand, causing Rhaegar to lean back, Aerea smiled at this, determined to beat her brother, and began to push even harder.

But Aerea became confused when Rhaegar started to smile at her, “Don’t get too arrogant, sister.”

Before Aerea could question this, Rhaegar stepped back and pulled his body to the side. Because she was not prepared for this and was already leaning forward, Aerea fell forward, stumbling as she tried to keep herself from falling to the floor. Rhaegar raised his foot and kicked Aerea’s side, making her attempt to stay on her feet worthless as she hit the ground with a thud.

Aerea rolled onto her back and tried to stand but stopped when she saw the sun reflecting off her brother’s sword from her periphery, Rhaegar holding the blade against the side of her neck as she stood over her.

Aerea rolled her eyes, “I yield.”

“You what?” Rhaegar asked playfully, smirking at his sister.

“You heard me, you cunt.” Aerea muttered low enough for only she and Rhaegar to hear.

Rhaegar sheathed his sword and reached out his to his sister, Aerea grabbed the hand, allowing Rhaegar to pull her off the ground and to her feet.

“I would have won if you had not played dirty.” Aerea said as she tried to pat the dirt of her body.

“Of course you would have.” Rhaegar said airily, ignoring the halfhearted glare Aerea sent his way.

The two ignoring the polite clapping of the crowd around them as they walked to where their mother was sitting.

“You both did wonderfully.” Rhaella said to her children when they stopped in front of her.

“Thank you, mother.” Rhaegar replied.

Aerea looked at Rhaella with a worried expression, “Are sure it is fine for you to be sitting out here mother, spring has not made the weather as warm as it should be.”

Rhaella smile become somber, “Nothing is wrong with me, Aerea. I thank you for your concern, but I am perfectly fine.”

Aerys had maintained his promise of not sleeping with other women for the last three moons, so much so that Pycelle had confirmed that Rhaella was once again pregnant a few weeks ago after not receiving her moonblood.

Rhaella had expected that after finding out that his wife was pregnant again, that Aerys would return to sleeping around. Her brother had always said that he found her unattractive and that what little beauty she did have was lost whenever she grew fat and sweaty with child but was shocked to notice that Aerys’ eyes had not wandered even once.

But she did not know what was worse; having Aerys constantly humiliate her with his very public affairs or him losing interest in other women and focusing only on her.

“Are you sure?” Aerea asked again, trying to find any hint of her mother being untruthful.

“Positive.” Rhaella answered confidently.

Aerea stared at her mother, “We should go back inside.”

The princess then grabbed the Queen’s arms, gently pulling her mother to her feet and steering her towards the castle doors.

“I do not need mothering, Aerea.” Rhaella said as she allowed her daughter to guide her.

Rhaegar wordlessly followed his mother and sister, ignoring the stares of the crowd and the four Kingsguards that followed them inside only a few paces behind them.

“I know you don’t, but someone must look out for you and your ladies, servants, and guards are not going to. All they will care about is the babe.” Aerea argued.

Aerea knew that in the eyes of everyone, ensuring that the child growing inside her mother would live, was of the utmost importance. Another child that would strengthen the Targaryen line of succession, further pushing the dynasty away from a potential collapse.

She knew that Rhaella regardless of her Valyrian blood was still a woman, seen as nothing but a broodmare, a broodmare that could be replaced by another. If her mother were to die there would be countless lords parading their female relatives in front of the King, hoping they would entice him and be made Queen, their children born princes and princesses of the realm.

Rhaella smiled, kissing her daughter’s forehead, “You are very sweet, my darling.”

Rhaella maintained her smile as she watched her children walk into their chambers, both needed to bathe and head to the small council chamber.

Once they both entered their rooms, Rhaella’s smile fell as she made her way to her own chambers. Barristan and Lewyn broke away from their brothers, each standing in front of the doors to Rhaegar and Aerea’s room respectively, while Jonothor and Ser Harlan Grandison remained with her, always staying with her on the order of the King.

The woman placed her hand on her stomach and caressed it, the area was still relatively flat, not yet showing signs of pregnancy.

No parent should have to outlive their child, it goes against nature. Rhaella thought sadly.

The Queen hoped that this pregnancy would be different, that she would not have to mourn yet another child, watching them be taken before their time.

She hoped that whatever higher being that existed above them would listen to her prayers and take pity on her.

~X~

“There are reports that the Brackens and the Blackwoods are having yet another border conflict. Three men; one from House Blackwood and two from House Bracken have been slain over it. It is only our luck that all three were from minor branches of both houses.” Gurnar said to the rest of the small council.

“Has there been more escalation since then?” Lucerys asked.

“No, but there have been sightings of Blackwood and Bracken men congregating on both sides of their shared border.”

“Who did the land that both houses are fighting over belong to originally?” Tywin asked the Master of Whisperers.

“House Blackwood, Lord Hand.”

“Then it is clear that House Blackwood should be the ones to have the Crown’s support.”

A chuckle interrupted the Hand, causing everyone to look in the direction of the King, “And why is it so clear, Tywin?”

“Because the land was the Blackwood’s to begin with, it is the Brackens who are committed to breaking the law and stealing from them, Your Grace.” Tywin said unflinchingly.

Aerys then turned to the Master of Laws, “Is this true, Symond?”

Symond cleared his throat, “Yes, Your Grace. No lord can take land and property that belongs to another, not unless they are the overlords of a Kingdom. Although the King can give away the land to whoever they see fit.”

“Good, then the land will be given to House Bracken.” Aerys said once it became clear that he was well within his power to do so.

“You can’t do that to House Blackwood, father.” Rhaegar said from his place at the other end of the long table, right across from his father.

Aerys raised an eyebrow, “And what about them?”

“The Blackwoods would be rightfully angered if their land were not only taken from them but given to their mortal enemies. It would be foolish to risk the two families going to war, at least if you side with the Blackwoods, the Brackens will not have any leg to stand on should they pursue the matter any further.” Rhaegar explained, meeting his father’s gaze head on.

Aerea had to keep herself from wincing as she listened to her brother say the word ‘foolish’ to their father. She knew Aerys well enough to know that he did not take even the smallest notion that he was not intelligent calmly.

After his return to King’s Landing, Aerea had expected that Rhaegar would once again take his place as Aerys’ cupbearer but found herself shocked when Aerys said that Aerea would be taking up the position permanently and that Rhaegar would be given an advisory role on the council.

Aerys stated that as cupbearer she would be able to watch as he and his councilors governed the realm and learn from them, that he refused to have a child that would grow up to be ignorant of these matters because there was only so much one could learn from a maester or septa.

Rhaegar shouldn’t have told father that he can’t do something, father may have been willing to listen to him if he made it sound more like a suggestion than an order. Aerea thought, knowing what Aerys would do.

Aerys turned to Tywin, “Write to both houses, the land will be given over to House Bracken, and House Blackwood has the next fortnight to vacate it.”

“Or?” Tywin asked.

Aerys’ eyes narrowed, “Or they will feel the full weight of the Crown upon them. It is now my job to strong arm them since those worthless Tully fish refuse to keep their bannermen in check.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” Tywin replied, thinking of the weight that Aerys’ decision would have.

“Then this meeting is adjourned.”

As the members of the small council began to leave, the King called out to his children, “Rhaegar, Aerea, stay.”

Rhaegar remained in his seat while Aerea pushed herself off the wall she was leaning against and walked towards the table, sitting in Tywin’s now vacant chair.

Aerys waited until the door finally closed to speak, “You have both disappointed me today.”

Aerea flinched under their father’s gaze as Rhaegar remained composed, staring at the man blankly as he waited for him to continue.

“Aerea,” Aerys said as he turned to his daughter, “How long have you been learning to fight?”

Aerea gulped, “Since I was five name’s days old, father.”

“Exactly, you have been training for five years now and yet Rhaegar with only two years of training has bested you. Do you not feel shame in that?” Aerys asked viciously. 

Aerea looked down at the table, “Rhaegar is bigger and older than me-”

“That is not an excuse!” Aerys yelled, slamming his fist against the table.

Aerea jumped in her seat, her body beginning to shake, she had heard and seen her father yell before, but it had never been directed at her. She had always been able to avoid drawing Aerys’ ire, and now found herself confused about how to respond to it.

“I had thought that you possessed skill, a talent with a blade, it seems I was wrong. Perhaps I should have your training with Ser Barristan ended?”

“No!” Aerea yelled, her head snapping upwards, showing the fear in her eyes and the tears that threatened to fall. “Please, father, I will show improvement! I... I will not lose to Rhaegar again!”

I can’t end my training! I can’t! It’s one of the only things that makes me feel important, that makes me feel normal.

To the princess, training was the one way that she felt useful to society, to her family, a way to show that even with her condition she still had some value. The thought of it being taken away from her caused fear to swell inside her.

Rhaegar clenched his fist as he watched the scene in front of him, it angered him to see his father treat his sister in such a way, his rage only growing as he watched Aerys start to smile.

He’s only playing this sick game as a twisted form of motivation! Rhaegar raged, knowing how deeply Aerea cared about Aerys’ opinion of her.

“Good.” Aerys said, reaching over and patting Aerea on the head, “You are the blood of the dragon, the so-daughter... of a King, and princess of the realm; greatness is expected of you, Aerea, from the world, and most importantly from me.”

“I... I understand, father.” Aerea said softly, sniffling and wiping her eyes.

“And stop crying. Warriors and leaders do not cry, only weaklings, babes, and women do so.” Aerys said, looking at her crying face distastefully.

Aerea removed her hand from her eyes and sat up straight, trying to compose herself, “Yes, father.”

Aerys then turned to Rhaegar, “And you, what in the seven hells was that today?”

“You must be specific, father, I’ve been quite busy.” Rhaegar drawled.

The King’s face turned red with anger, “You think it's funny to undermine in during the meeting?! In front of my councilors?!”

“That was not my inten-” Rhaegar said.

“Don’t try and play me for a fool, Rhaegar! We both know that is what you intended to do, you even said so yourself when you said I would be foolish to risk the Blackwood and the Brackens going to war!”

Rhaegar’s hands remained clenched under the table but did not respond, knowing that Aerys did not want an answer from him, only to face his anger, to show who was truly in charge.

“You think that because I allow you to sit at this council that you have a say in how I govern this realm? I am the King, I am your King, my word is truth and law! And you best remember that, boy! Never again, tell me what I can or cannot do, do you understand me, Rhaegar?”

Rhaegar continued to stare at Aerys, thinking about how liberating it would be to say how he truly felt, to refuse his father’s command.

“Do. You. Understand. Me?!” Aerys yelled, stressing out each word as his face became even redder and his eyes burned with anger.

“Yes, Your Grace.” Rhaegar spat out.

Aerea looked back and forth between her brother and father, afraid of what would happen next, how Aerys would react to the showing of disrespect.

Instead of becoming angrier, Aerys scoffed at his son, leaning back into his chair as he stared at Rhaegar with contempt. “Do you not understand the position our family is currently in?”

“Position? We are doing fine; our treasury is full, we are in a time of peace, our family is healthy.” Rhaegar answered, not understanding what Aerys was trying to say.

Aerys scoffed again, “Just fine is not good enough. We may have gold and there may be no war going on, but those things can easily change! The whole of Westeros is watching us like hawks, waiting for the right moment to strike us down and steal our throne. There are only four Targaryens in the world, four people to stand against the savages that seek to undermine our legacy.”

Rhaegar frowned, “So, this is about the babe. You fear-”

" I fear nothing! ” Aerys seethed, finding the accusation to be insulting, especially from his own son, “I see how those vultures have been eying our family ever since Summerhall, since my father became King. The houses either seek to have us eliminated entirely or assimilated into their fold by dirtying our blood through marriage.”

Aerys then quickly grabbed Rhaegar by his chin, pulling his face close to his own. Rhaegar’s eyes widened, surprised by not only the action but also the strength of Aerys’ grip, being unable to remove his head from Aerys’ hand when he tried to pull his head away.

“You continuing to go against me, to openly question my decisions, feeds into the desires of the realm’s traitorous lords. You go against our family by continuing to act so foolishly, Rhaegar, you make the house of the dragon appear weak. Do not do what you did today ever again, Rhaegar.”

“Yes, father.” Rhaegar said quietly, looking off to the side, no longer wanting to look into his father’s eyes.

“You are both dismissed but be sure to heed my warnings.” Aerys told his children, releasing Rhaegar from his grasp.

Rhaegar and Aerea quickly stood up from their seats and made their way to the door, each wanting to get as far away as they could from the King.

~X~

Rhaegar grabbed Aerea’s hand and led his sister away from the small council chamber, neither spoke as they walked down the halls of the Red Keep, each lost in their own thoughts, of their father’s words.

Rhaegar eventually led them to his bedchamber, opening the door and allowing Aerea to enter first before walking himself and closing the door behind him. Aerea immediately went to her brother’s bed, wrapping his blankets around her body as she laid down, facing away from her brother.

The prince sat down on the edge of the bed, “Aerea...”

Aerea wrapped the blanket around herself tighter, pulling her knees to her chest. “I’m fine, Rhaegar.”

“Yes, because this is the behavior of someone who is doing amazingly.” Rhaegar quipped.

Aerea sat up as quickly as she could while still swaddled, turning her body as she glared at her brother, “I don’t know who told you that you’re funny, but I can tell you confidently that they were lying.”

Rhaegar patted the spot next to him, Aerea sighed and untangled herself away from the blanket, reluctantly crawling to the other side of the bed and sitting down next to her brother.

“You should not let father’s words hold any weight over you. He seeks to twist you into his own so called perfect vision.”

“But he was not wrong; I have been training longer than you, I shouldn’t have lost.” Aerea muttered.

“And as you said I am bigger and older than you. Besides, you almost beat me today.” Rhaegar replied.

Aerea shook her head, “Almost isn’t good enough.”

“You have plenty of time to improve, Aerea.”

“I hope you are right.”

The two siblings sat together in silence, only the sounds of the wind outside could be heard.

“I'm sorry about what father said to you. Don't tell him this, but I think you were right about the Blackwoods and Brackens.” Aerea said, leaning her head against Rhaegar’s shoulder.

Rhaegar clicked his teeth, “Thank you, but being right does not mean anything if you do not have the power to see your choice through.”

“Well, you’ll be able to make the best choices when you become King.” Aerea replied, trying to make her brother feel better.

And just how long will that be? Father is not an old man, and he is not of ill health, it could be decades before he dies, and I can ascend the Iron Throne. Just how many wrong and selfish choices will father be allowed to make between now and then? Rhaegar thought.

Aerea continued talking, unaware of her brother's thoughts, “I know you will be a good and wise King. The realm will only prosper when your reign begins.”

“I think you could possibly be better if you became Queen.” Rhaegar said, a small smile forming on his lips.

Aerea’s brow furrowed, “That wouldn’t happen.”

“Why not?” Rhaegar asked.

“For me to become Queen you… you would have to be dead. And even then, if mother and father have another son, I would be skipped over in favor of them.” Aerea explained.

Rhaegar hummed, the Dance of the Dragons had impressed in the minds of the realm that a woman could not be heir to the throne, that having a woman in power would always lead to civil war. While it was not law, after the dance, any women that should have ascended the throne were skipped over in favor of the next closest male relative.

Perhaps if Westeros were more willing to have a woman become Queen, then Daena the Defiant could have ruled and we wouldn’t have had to suffer Aegon the Unworthy and his bastard descendants’ many rebellions. Although that may not be the case since Daena was the mother of Daemon Blackfyre.

“We don't know if the babe in mother’s womb is male, and even if they are there isn’t much hope they will live long enough.”

“Rhaegar! Don’t say that!” Aerea exclaimed, lifting her head as she stared at her brother with horror.

“It’s the truth.” Rhaegar said coolly.

He knew how terrible it sounded to say such things about his unborn sibling, but Rhaegar had been going through the loss of siblings far longer than Aerea, he had learned to stop getting his hopes up.

Aerea pouted, “Even so, it’s still rude and tasteless to say aloud. And even if you are right, that no brothers will come after me, the lords of Westeros would burn the continent to the ground before allowing me to rule them.”

“Because you are a girl?” Rhaegar asked, wondering if she were aware of the many Great Councils that had been held by the lords to decide who would rule after a previous King with an unclear or unpopular succession.

Aerea looked away, “Because I am a woman and a freak.”

“You are not-"

“Rhaegar.” Aerea said strongly, meeting his eyes again, “I know that I am not normal, I hear what people say about me, how they look at me. A person of two sexes would never be able to sit on the Iron Throne. Hell, if it ever did come to it, I’m sure the lords of Westeros would hold a Great Council and give the throne to our Baratheon cousins. Despite what father says we aren’t the only ones in the continent with Valyrian blood.”

It was due to Princess Rhaelle Targaryen, their great aunt, and the youngest daughter of Aegon V, that they were related to the main branch of the Baratheon family. Rhaella had been made to marry Ormund Baratheon, the father and grandfather of Steffon, Robert, and Stannis, after her oldest brother and Crown Prince, Duncan, had run off and married Jenny of Oldstones instead of his betrothed and Ormund’s sister, Mya Baratheon.

Rhaegar blinked, “I never considered that as a possibility if our family line were to end.”

The Targaryen family had entrenched themselves in Westeros over the last two hundred years, so despite their faults people were used to a Targaryen ruling over them. If the four members of House Targaryen were to die, then it would make sense, especially with past precedent to give the crown to the closest relatives to them.

Aerea rolled her eyes, hitting Rhaegar' shoulder, “Of course not because we are not supposed to be thinking of such things like all of us dead.”

“These are things to think about as the ruling House of Westeros.”

“See? This is why you are the heir; you are more than capable of handling all these dark thoughts and responsibilities. I think if I were you, I’d be overwhelmed.”

Rhaegar raised an eyebrow, “Are sure it would be because you would be overwhelmed or because you would rather be training or exploring?”

Aerea smiled mischievously, “Are they not the same thing?”

Rhaegar shook his head, “It truly is a good thing that I was born first and male.”

Aerea laughed, causing Rhaegar to smile as his goal of improving his sister’s mood had worked, even if the conversation drifted from what he intended.