Chapter Text
As the Velaryons began the final preparations to leave for King's Landing, Rhaenys received a raven from Dragonstone.
Princess Rhaenys,
I know that it has been some time since we last spoke, but I am in need of council that must be kept secret. I plan on returning to King's Landing in secret during the celebration, and if you are willing, I would ask that you meet me at Balerion's Skull during the Hour of the Owl. I should also tell you that the King will attempt to form an agreement of marriage between myself and Laenor, but what I mean to discuss will affect any future decisions in that regard. I would hope that no decisions are made tonight, but knowing my father, he will insist upon an agreement. I highly suggest any type of interference before anything becomes set in stone.
If I ask too much, I will understand your absence and not begrudge your decision.
Signed,
Princess Rhaenyra
Her curiosity and interest were peaked at the requests listed by the Princess, and it won out in the end as she kept quiet about the true contents of the raven when Corlys asked what it was about.
As she, Laenor, and Laena flew on dragon back above Corlys' ships, Rhaenys glanced over her shoulder to look toward the island of Dragonstone in the distance, her mind filled with questions as to why and what had Rhaenyra asking to meet in secret.
Rhaenys, while changing out of her leathers and into the gold and black dress that had been chosen for that night, knew her cousin wouldn't give any answers to the questions she had. Viserys was many things, but confrontational was not one of them.
As Rhaenys sat at the head table beside Corlys, she heard the King wave away and deflect any questions regarding his daughter while giving excuses for Daemon's absence.
The Princess kept carefully listening to her cousin as he spoke to Corlys for any talk that could lead to a betrothal between her son and Rhaenyra. If the Princess spoke true in her letter, Rhaenys would need to interfere before any plans for marriage were even touched,
"It was Laenor's plan to use live bait to draw out the Crabfeeder," Corlys said, "I will admit to being, unsure, of the idea while others were against it. Daemon, on the other hand, didn't say a word against it," Viserys was nodding along with what Corlys was saying,
"While I am not happy that my brother was used like a worm on a hook, I do understand the logic behind the idea. Your son has a good head on his shoulders," The King responded as both men looked toward Laenor who was standing off to the side with his 'friend' Joffrey Lonmouth.
Gods, Rhaenys loved her son, but she could see their fingers entwined from where she sat!
"All that I've heard about your son, tells me he is a good man. Which, leads me to something I have been wanting to speak with you and your Lady Wife about" Rhaenys eyed her cousin while taking a sip from her cup, "Our houses, are the last pillars of Old Valyria. And it has been too long since they had been united by blood. I have a proposal I wish to-"
"Cousin, this is a celebration, is it not?" Rhaenys quickly interjected, "Let the politics wait another day. Husband, perhaps you should dance with your wife,"
As she and Corlys entered the crowded dance floor, her husband said,
"I see what you are doing. The King's proposal would do well for us-"
"You don't know what he was proposing," Rhaenys snapped,
"A chance for justice," Her husband answered, "By all rights, you should have been Queen of the Seven Kingdoms-"
Rhaenys quickly placed her hand over Corlys' mouth and said, "I myself have put the business behind me, Corlys!" Her husband took her hand in his and held it between them.
To one, it may seem like a husband quietly agreeing with his wife, but Rhaenys knew better. She could see the determination in his eyes and unclasped their hands,
"If you go through with this, it will put our son in danger. And I will not stand to see Laenor in that position,"
"Our House controls the largest navy and half of the realms' dragons. And the Lords swore their loyalty to Rhaenyra!"
"That was before a trueborn son named Aegon was born," She hissed under her breath, "And when the time comes, the daggers will come out and it will not matter the power of House Velaryon!"
Corlys shook his head, "Rhaenys, a marriage with Rhaenyra-"
"Do not agree with anything tonight, Corlys. You must trust me on this!" She interrupted before heading to where Laena was sitting beside Vaemond.
Rhaenys spent the rest of the night conversing with her daughter while keeping an eye on her husband, letting out a sigh of relief when the King excused himself early and before Corlys could approach him again.
Later that night, as candles were snuffed, fires went out, and Corlys fell asleep, his arms around Rhaenys' waist as she stared at the wall of their chambers, waiting for the bells of the Sept to toll and signal the Hour of the Owl.
When she heard the bells signifying the correct hour, Rhaenys carefully untangled herself from her husband's grasp, pausing when he mumbled in his sleep before rolling onto his side. When she was certain he was still asleep, Rhaenys quietly dressed herself and donned a dark cloak to cover her white hair before slipping out of her chambers.
The Princess carefully walked the halls, slipping past guards and servants as if she were a small child sneaking to the library once more. Rhaenys managed to make her way slowly to the chamber that held the Skull of Balerion without detection.
When Rhaenys entered the candle-lit chamber, there was no one in sight until a slight figure with white hair appeared from the far side of the dragon skull,
"Princess Rhaenys,"
The older Princess slipped her hood off and stepped further into the light,
"Princess Rhaenyra," As she looked over the younger girl, Rhaenys could see that she was exhausted.
Her eyes were tinged red with large purple shadows hanging underneath them, and even in the candlelight, Rhaenys could see that her skin appeared to be unhealthily pale.
Rhaenys could not help the worry wrapping around her heart as she stepped closer to the girl,
"What is wrong, Princess? Why did you ask me to meet you,"
Rhaenyra did not answer at first, her eyes wet with unshed tears as she finally answered,
"I am planning on stepping down as Heir to the Iron Throne,"
To say that Rhaenys was surprised would be an understatement as she remembered how Rhaenyra had quickly pointed out how the Lords of the realm all swore loyalty to her three years earlier while discarding Rhaenys. Rhaenyra had been so sure of herself back then,
"What has happened, Rhaenyra?"
The girl's shoulders were shaking as she continued to make an effort to hold herself together,
"I... Found my Twin Flame, and he..." Rhaenyra sucked in a breath as her hand rested briefly on her stomach before falling away,
"Rhaenyra," Rhaenys waited until the Princess met her gaze, "If you want my help, you must tell me everything,"
Rhaenyra retold the events that had happened in Flea Bottom two months prior with Daemon and Rhaenys felt her eyebrows raise as the story continued. No word had reached Driftmark about the incident, which meant Viserys had worked quickly to stall any rumors from spreading around.
It also explained why her cousin was pushing for a marriage between Rhaenyra and Laenor. Not only would it be seen as a mending the bridge between House Targaryen and House Velaryon, but any, consequences, from that night would be passed on as Laenor's.
Despite the fact that Laenor would not lay with Rhaenyra of his own free will. Not that Corlys would care, as he believes Laenor's nature was something he would grow out of the moment he took a wife.
If Viserys and Corlys had come to an agreement of marriage, Rhaenys' husband would no doubt delude himself into thinking that whatever child born from Rhaenyra would have been from their son.
Rhaenys shook her head as that was not currently the problem at hand,
"And your condition? It has been confirmed?" Rhaenyra nodded,
"Gerardys, Dragonstone's Maester, had assumed I'd taken moon tea before I'd left King's Landing. And, I had left before the King could order any made," The younger Princess was shaking, "I've been trying to find Daemon, tell him everything. About us being Twin Flames and about... about the child," Rhaenys blinked in shock as Rhaenrya's words set in,
"Daemon does not know that the two of you are-" The younger Princess shook her head,
"When we were in the pleasure house, I did not let him take my shirt off since it covered the scars. But I removed his," She murmured before staring up at Rhaenys, "The King told me that Daemon left of his own free will after admitting what had happened between us, but, the King also knew who my Twin Flame was for years, and lied about it without hesitation,"
Rhaenys felt her lips twitch upward as she stared at the Princess, who by all accounts was a woman grown in the eyes of the realm but still so young, look up at her with that shroud of naivety no longer wrapped around her eyes. It was much different in comparison to the girl Rhaenys saw three years before who haughtily claimed to be the future ruling monarch of the Seven Kingdoms. That girl would have believed her father without hesitation,
"Smart. After all these years of lies, Viserys' words on the matter will no doubt be twisted in a way to paint Daemon in a bad light. Worse than the one he has put himself in," Rhaenys said, "What do you need from me,"
Relief flashed across Rhaenyra's face before she carefully composed her features,
"A way to protect myself and my child. I was going to wait for Daemon's inevitable return but, I do not have the luxury of waiting anymore," Rhaenyra's hand, almost absentmindedly, rested against her stomach, "If I were a prince, things may be different. But, I am not. And if the Heir gives birth to a bastard, I would be disinherited, and my child..."
"Would very well be killed," The young Princess nodded.
Rhaenys stared at the Skull of Balerion as she pondered the situation before facing Rhaenyra,
"Since you are stepping down willingly, the Small Council will use that to deny any requests you make," Rhaenyra deflated, then sharply looked toward Rhaenys as she continued, "So, when we have a list of requests made, you shall go to your father and your father alone. Present them as terms of a contract because that is what they must be. Part of a legally binding contract that will be sent to the Great Houses of the realm and signed before the gathered Lords. The King will not agree, but you must make him agree. With whatever means you have available to you,"
The Princess squared her shoulders, "I can do that. Without telling him about the child, I can do that," Rhaenys tilted her head,
"You will not be able to hide your child from him forever,"
"I know. But if I tell the King now, he will tell his Council and, I do not want them demanding that I marry to pass the child off as another man's. Nor will I take the risk of my child's safety with a Lord who would prefer trueborn children over my bastard child," Rhaenyra's eyes became wet as she spoke, but no tears fell, "But I will tell him when my child is born, as that should come from me and not a second source,"
Rhaenys could not deny the logic behind the Princess' words,
"I assume that Dragonstone is what you have your eyes on?" Rhaenyra nodded,
"I've been splitting my time between there and King's Landing. I've built a very small household and court. It is by no means anything great and I admit that a few members need to be retired, but it is functional,"
"Good. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. A contract needs to be made, and quickly," Rhaenyra agreed and led Rhaenys back toward the stairs, turning away from the hall that led back toward Keep and pushing a wall panel that swung back into a passageway.
After shutting the door behind them, the Princesses continued upward until Rhaenyra stopped them at another section of the wall that she pulled open, revealing a darkened chamber.
The younger quickly got to work lighting the candles, bathing the room in dim light before heading toward a desk to pull out the proper supplies and the two got to work creating a contract.
I, Princess Rhaenyra write this with the intent of giving up my claim to the Iron Throne. Though I give up my inheritance willingly, I do not do so without conditions.
First, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen will take over ruling Dragonstone permanently as its Lady, so that a Targaryen will always have rule over their House's seat, and the Heir, whether Prince or Princess, will no longer split their time between their duties in King's Landing and Dragonstone.
Second, the line of succession will follow Princess Rhaenyra's line with no interference from the Crown, the same as it is with any other House of Westeros.
Third, all unhatched dragon eggs in the Dragon Pit will be boarded onto a ship set for Dragonstone. Furthermore, dragon eggs shall be under the control of the ruling Lady/Lord of Dragonstone, and any attempt at thievery will be met with retribution.
Fourth, as the dragon eggs will be on Dragonstone, it is up to the current Lady/Lord's discretion to distribute an egg to those with Targaryen blood. If the given egg does not hatch, the Lady/Lord may, at their discretion, invite the one who received the egg to Dragonstone where they may choose another, or attempt to claim one of the dragons resided on the island, under the supervision of the current Lady/Lord.
Fifth, the line of Dragonstone Targaryens shall have the titles of Prince and Princess.
Sixth, marriage regarding the Targaryen Line on Dragonstone shall remain the business of the current Lady/Lord and the Crown shall have no say in betrothals or marriages.
b. As King Viserys, First of his name, attempted to deny his firstborn child the freedom to choose her own husband despite his oath to her, he and the Small Council shall be denied the right to dictate the marriages of the children born of the union between King Viserys and Queen Consort Alicent Hightower. Any attempts to force their children into an unwanted marriage will be seen as breaking this contract.
Seven, anyone wishing to enter Dragonstone must receive written permission from the current Lady/Lord, and upon arrival, show the official invitation. If anyone is found to have entered without proper invitation, they will be met with proper retribution.
Eight, if the Small Folk wish to take permanent residence on Dragonstone, they need to be granted permission by the current Lady/Lord and will be given official papers. If anyone is found to have not been given permission to reside on Dragonstone, they will be met with retribution.
Nine, all business that Dragonstone partakes in shall remain at the discretion of Dragonstone. The Crown has no say in who Dragonstone forms alliances or trades with.
Ten, Dragonstone shall be exempt from the Crown's taxes.
Eleven, resources gathered on Dragonstone will not be seen as property of the Crown and will be traded as the current Lady/Lord of Dragonstone sees fit.
Twelve, if the Crown sends requests for aid, it will be up to the current Lady/Lord of Dragonstone whether or not to answer with no punishment from the Crown if aid is denied.
Thirteen, the current Lady/Lord of Dragonstone will arrive at King's Landing on the tenth month every five years for a renewal of these oaths from the current Queen/King.
Fourteen, any crimes against those on Dragonstone, shall be dealt with by those on Dragonstone and will not have to hold trials in King's Landing. Furthermore, if anyone, be it man or woman, highborn or lowborn, an elder or youth, breaks any of these clauses they shall be faced with retribution and will be reminded of the words of House Targaryen.
As these conditions continue to be honored, Dragonstone shall continue to swear fealty to the Iron Throne and provide those with the Dragon's Blood with their birthrights.
Rhaenys had raised her brow at the clause about Rhaenyra's half-siblings, but the younger Princess had been insistent. Rhaenys had also tried to make arrangements for guards she knew to prepare for transporting the dragon eggs from the Pit to Dragonstone, but Rhaenyra told her that she had someone to take care of it,
"Ser Harwin has proven himself loyal, Princess, and he has already agreed to aid me with whatever I need," Rhaenys was admittedly skeptical, as she did not know the man, but the younger Princess had insisted that the Commander of the City Watch could be trusted.
As the sun began to breach the horizon, Rhaenyra carefully copied the contract onto each piece of parchment while Rhaenys carefully trekked back to her room.