l-3-e

[l-3-e]

RHAENYRA TARGARYEN x FEM!VELARYON!READER

Summary: As Rhaenyra’s cousin, you and her grew up together and were always closer than normal cousins were. So when you hear she’s gone on tour to find herself a suitable suitor, you decide to force yourself in the long line of candidates in a way she won’t forget.

Warnings: Cassic Targaryen incest, homophobia, smol angst.

You and your cousin, Rhaenyra, sat under the warming shade of the godswood, hands intertwined as she ranted about her troubles. And being the first female heir to the iron throne, she had many. But you happily listened, cutting in when she needed advice or to answer a question.

You couldn’t focus. Her hands were so very warm, her hair was softer than silk, her lavender eyes burned with fire as she spoke, and her voice was so smooth, you swore you could fall asleep to it.

“Cousin?” She spoke, her eyes peeking up at you from below as if she were awaiting an answer.

“Pardon?” You widened your eyes like you were just caught doing something scandalous, making Rhaenyra chuckle at you and your manners, which were never necessary around her.

“I asked if you were to stay in Kings Landing or leave for Driftmark with your Mother and sister?” Rhaenyra queried, staring hopefully at you, reaching up to fiddle with some of your silver hair. Your father, Corlys Velaryon, had traveled to battle in the Stepstones and your brother Laenor was to fly by dragon to join him in a days time. So your mother, Rhaenys, and sister, Laena, were to travel back home to Driftmark whilst waiting for the men to return.

“I’m not certain” you truthfully answered, a smile creeping on your face as you though for your next words. “Are you to stay in Kings Landing?” You suggestively asked with a cheeky smirk on your lips.

Rhaenyra sighed, dropping her hand from your hair to fiddle with her golden rings. “I am to tour” she spoke so silently you could barely make out her words.

“What?” You nervously laughed, hoping you heard wrong. All your life you knew Rhaenyra and yourself would be married off, but you used to think it’d be to each other. You were younger and naiver then. You sat us from the assortment of pillows protecting your back from the wood of the large tree, making Rhaenyra’s head fall from you lap as she had to sit up herself.

Rhaenyra sat beside you, astonished and nervous. “I am to tour for a suitor” she raised her chin at you, speaking confidently.

You frowned, slumping your shoulders as you hear the words confirmed. You knew you loved Rhaenyra with all your heart, but you couldn’t be around her anymore for it would cause your heart too much pain.

You stood from the blanket, the shade from the tree suddenly feeling suffocating. “Excuse me, Princess” you sourly spat at her, instantly feeling bad about your words. Obviously Rhaenyra didn’t choose to do this, it was all Viserys’ doings, but your couldn’t help but feel betrayed for no good reason.

_

You did end up leaving for Driftmark the next day, not speaking to Rhaenyra since out of shame for your actions and you desperately whished you could take your words back.

You currently sat on the window seat, watching the angry waves of the Gullet crash against the rocks and once again thinking about Rhaenyra. You had asked Laena to keep you up to date on the Princesses journey and if she had found herself courting yet. The answer was always the same; Rhaenyra had not taken any interests in any of the Lords whom presented themselves to her, before she moved onto her next stop where she’d have the exact same reaction as the previous meetings.

Today was the day Laena were to inform you of your beloved cousin, so you sat waiting in anticipation with a bouncing leg and a heavy heart.

A soft knock on your door echoed through your large room, your little sister peeking her head of curly white hair through the crack.

“Sister?” She mumbled, waiting to let herself in—which you told her repeatedly wasn’t needed and she could just enter whenever— and with a gesture of your hand she did, moving to sit beside you. “Cousin Rhaenyra is currently on route for the Vale” Laena knew of her sisters love for their cousin, being the person you went to for a shoulder to cry on and a hand to hold, Laena was always there for you and never judged you for your tastes. Laenor was also a loving sibling and cared deeply for you, he also understood more about your troubles as he also had no love for whom he should.

You sighed, resting your hand on your cheek and picked at the ends of your blue skirts. Laena, sensing your disappointment at Rhaenyra’s lengthly return, placed her soft hand on your own and smiled up at you. “The Vale is only a short dragon ride away” she smiled at the sudden hope in your eyes. “I’ll cover for you” She assured, leaning back so you could move.

You jumped up, leaning down to give your sister a tight hug, thinking about how foolish you were to not think of such thing sooner. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, my dear sister” you smiled with glee as Laena chuckled.

You dashed to your drawer, pouching you riding clothes from the neat pile they were set in, hurriedly changing behind a modesty divider. Laena giggled as you left the door open in your path, slipping your boots and gloves on as you dashed through the halls of Driftmark, receiving scolding looks and surprised looks from bystanders.

You almost tumbled down the hill on the way to the dragon keep, passing a sleeping Vhagar and a confused Meleys, who watched you closely as you slowed to approach your dragon, Zaelix, who was a unique pure white and sleeping peacefully in her own space.

“Hello there, girl” you spoke in High Valyrian, holding a hand to her snout, feeling the warm breath as Zaelix exhaled sleepily into your touch. “I know girl. Very sorry to wake you” you rested your head against your dragons white scaled one, feeling her blink as she fully awoke. Opening your eyes, you stared into Zaelix’s bright purple orbs that matched your own. “Nyra awaits” you whispered, eagerly moving to where your dragon saddle sat close by. Zaelix seemed much more awake now, seeming exited herself as she shifted on her feet, waiting impatiently for her rider.

After securing the saddle to Zaelix’s back, you gave her the signal to fly and the white dragon spread its wings and jumped from the edge of Driftmark.

-

In less than an hour, you could see the Eyrie that sat above the clouds in the distance. But more importantly, you could see the Targaryen ships sailing for the shore.

After a command from you, Zaelix dipped so her stomach could almost graze the sea. As you approached, the Targaryen sigil on the sheets swayed frantically and the boats rocked from side to side. With the flap of her wings and a low hum, Zaelix sent the crew on board to their backs.

You peeked behind you, trusting your companion to safely guide to in a direction to land, to spot your cousin who was easily spotted, dressed in red amongst dull grey, staring longingly up at you with a small smile— completely ignoring Ser Cristion’s concerned grip on her arm as the only thing she saw was you. She could recognise that dragon anywhere, remembering the late nights you and her would sneak Zaelix and Syrax from the dragonpit to fly above the world for as long as your dragons could manage. Sometimes you’d stop to rest on a small un-named island that was lined with fields of flowers— which you’d weave into each other’s hair or simply lay together under the stars.

You had arrived at the hall much earlier than Rhaenyra, stalling for time as Lord and Lady Arryn asked you for your visiting reason, to which you made up some nonsense story about needing to deliver a message to your cousin. As if they couldn’t send a raven. Luckily the Arryn’s brought it, allowing you to stay and even offering you a warm meal and some wine while you wait.

Your nerves made your stomach turn so you refused the food but swollowed the wine eagerly in a poor attempt to soothe the growing fear.

Your eyes managed to flicker back to the door every few seconds, awaiting the arrival of your cousin and the desperately needed apology you’d give her. What you didn’t know is that Rhaenyra was stomping through the halls of the Eyrie whilst trying not to look too desperate as she charged for the great hall with her hands clenched painfully tight in front of her as she too longed to see you again.

The heavy doors of the great hall swung open, the Princess storming inside as her company struggled to keep up. Immediately, Rhaenyra surveyed the room for you, finding you rising from a chair near the Lord’s throne. Your empty wine cup was forgotten on the table, your hair was wild from the ride you took and your dragon riding clothes were dirty with muck. But Rhaenyra thought you never looked more ethereal.

The Arryn’s greeted their granddaughter with open arms, yet Rhaenyra b-lined for you only. Immediately, Rhaenyra took your hands— now rid of gloves, that were now tucked into your belt— in her own out of instinct, peeking down at your silver and blue rings that glistened on your fingers as she twisted them around.

When your cousin lifted her head you could see tears glazing her eyes as she tried to keep her composure. “You’re here?” She questioned, more in amazement than disbelief.

“Im here. For you” you smiled, squeezing Rhaenyra’s hands affectionately. “And I’m so sorry for what I said last time we spoke”

“You need not apologise, cousin” Rhaenyra assured you, ignoring the impatient glares from her grandparents. “I’m simply glad to see you again”

Rhaenyra then knew she had to face the Arryn’s, carefully dropping your soft hands to stand before their tall throne— not as majestic as the Iron Throne.

Once Rhaenyra was situated on her own chair, an extensive line of men strutted in, wearing their finest clothes and cockiest smirks before the Princess.

You stood to the side, barely holding in your snickers or chuckles at the faces of these proud men get downright rejected by the Heir to the Iron Throne herself, their faces dropping in embarrassment as the waddled away.

Hours seemed to pass and your opportunity was finally arriving, but the later it got the more disappointed you could see Rhaenyra becoming.

“Cousin” you stepped forward, cutting off some measly Lord of House Baelish, whom glared at the back of your head for the interruption. “If I may…” The bystanders of the Eyrie waited for you, intrigued. “House Velaryon is a fine candidate.” You suggested, ignoring the confused mumbling from the Lords and Ladies beside you, the only thing you were focused do was the gleeful face of your cousin.

“If Ser Laenor were wishing to propose to the Princess, why didn’t he come himself?” Lord Arryn scratched the side of his bald head, utterly stumped.

“I was not suggesting Ser Laenor, My Lord” the confused mumbling turned even louder. “Your Grace” you curtsied to Rhaenyra. “I propose myself a chance of the greatest honour to wed the Princess.” Outraged shouts were thrown at you for your suggestion, before being silenced by Lord Arryn.

“What you are suggesting, My Lady, could be considered treason! For a woman to marry a woman is preposterous, but for a two women to be Queen is vile!” His grouchy voice echoed his halls, glaring at you with deep anger and a need to keep his granddaughter from your sin.

“Husband” Lady Arryn called, “I do believe your opinion has no effect on Princess Rhaenyra’s final decision. No need to waste your breath” You could tell her words held more defence towards you, when her husband could not.

Lord Arryn huffed, falling back in his seat with a never-ending glare. “Indeed, wife”

Standing from her chair, Rhaenyra slowly moved towards you as to not draw too much obviousness to her eagerness.

“You don’t jest?” She wavered in High Valyrian, to assure your privacy. “Because this would be a cruel jest to play”

“I promise, Nyra. I play no jest. I simply wish to marry the woman I love” You smiled, once again taking in her breathtaking appearance that you could never get enough of.

“Good” Rhaenyra laughed breathily in relief. “Because I also wish to marry the woman I love” she admitted, once again taking your hands. “I have wished this since I was nine”

“Well I have wished it since I was eight” you playfully challenged.

With one last burst of confidence, you jumped forward to capture Rhaenyra’s lips with your own. The gasps of the nobility was drowned out by your love. Rhaenyra not you were ever ones for perfection or acceptance, always loving the thrill of trouble.

You simply focused on Rhaenyra’s soft, sweet lips— finally being sealed by your connected passion for one another.

—

You and Rhaenyra had gotten married later that year in Old Valyrian fashion, per her request, filled with intense passion, love and desire— which followed deep into that night.

And yes, you still get rude remarks and still got your feet spat on, but ‘twas all very worth it if you got to marry your Wife and live a long life with her.

Rhaenyra Targaryen knew she loved you with all her heart could muster. And that they loved each other. That only one who loves another so deeply, would proclaim one’s love so boldly in a room of strangers.