#criston cole x rhaenyra targaryen

[lxdyred]

Among snakes I shall dance

Aemond Targaryen x Velaryon!Targaryen!Fem!Reader

Next chapter

Summary: Rhaenyra's firstborn finds herself surrounded by the greens and, to her misfortune, betrothed to one of them. So she begins to plan how to take them down, one by one, from the inside.

Word count: 2.8K

Warning: Allusions to incestuous relationship (it's HOTD, come on!), use of obscene language (c-word used somewhere), some characters might be a bit out of character. And this is my fist time writing about GOT universe, so yeah :)

Tag list: Open!

Feedback is really appreciated! ❤️

"Do you want to execute the princess, the only daughter of Rhaenyra?" the queen asked incredulously, after standing up.

"Your Grace." The Master of Ships, Tyland Lannister spoke. "You must know that to leave her, her mother and bastard brothers and alive would be to jeopardise the integrity of yours son's reign."

"Let us not forget about Daemon either, I stress again." Otto dropped, running a hand through his beard.

"I will not allow you to execute the princess." Spoke firmly and sternly, Alicient. "Viserys loved his granddaughter in a very special way. I will not allow you to proceed with this absurd idea when my husband's corpse is not even cold yet. I will not let you sully his memory in this way. And whoever does so will be sent to the wall."

"You propose to let her go, my queen?" the Hand of the King asked, one eyebrow arched at his daughter. "Need I remind you that she is her mother's heiress? And that she, in turn, is just as dangerous? Any pretender to the throne can be a threat to your son."

"I propose something, an alternative that might work." Tyland Lannister spoke. "What if you marry her off to someone loyal to Aegon?" he proposed as he swept his gaze over everyone present.

"That would be a good alternative. The young princess is Targaryen and Velaryon, pure Valyrian blood unlike her brothers, she is the only one who resembles somehow to her late father, Ser Leanor. To betroth her to someone we trusts would do well." Grand Maester Orwyle commented with a nod, it seemed to be a great idea. "An advantageous marriage might prevent bloodshed, might even make her mother swear fealty to Aegon and bring them to kneel.”

"To whom would you offer the Red Mermaid’s hand, Grand Maertre?" Alicent asked once she stopped to think about the idea.

"You could betroth her to Lord Strong. Ser Larys is loyal to you, My Queen. To Aegon."

"I could betroth the princess." Tyland replied, a small smile plastered on his face. They all looked at him.

"That is a good offer, Ser Tyland, but I think Prince Aemond would be suitable." The smile that had been on the Lannister's face moments before was wiped away at those words. "He would know how to tame the young princess, who to our misfortune is as wild as her brothers and mother." Otto added the last with venom, who glanced at his daughter who was thinking about the whole situation.

"We would start, moreover, with the advantage that both of them were close in childhood." Orwyle spoke. "I propose, if we all agree, that the ceremony take place as soon as possible."

Alicent nodded. "We shall marry them right after Aegon's ceremony. By nightfall."

"It would also be advisable to have the princess present at the coronation. It would give a message of unity, so anyone loyal to Rhaenyra would think twice."

"Let there be no more talk. After Aegon's coronation, Prince Aemond and the Princess will be wed tomorrow before the day ends."

Once the green council had settled all the matters they had to deal with to carry out their plan, the queen, along with the company of Ser Criston Cole, went in search of the princess to let her know what would become of her. How before nightfall of the next day she would be married to her uncle, who in what seems to have been a past life, was a friend of hers.

"My queen." Said the young princess once she saw Alicent in front of her, bowing after addressing her. "I suppose you have come to give me the terrible news that my beloved grandsire has passed away." Spoke the silver-haired young woman with a soft tone.

"That is not the only reason I am here, my dear." The Hightower woman spoke as she approached her granddaughter-in-law with a sad smile.

The Queen looked at the you woman. She could clearly see that she had been weeping for hours over the pass of Viserys, who had been so important to her. Even though she had not been able to see her grandsire for the past six years, the two had been corresponding by letters weekly, which had made the bond between grandsire and granddaughter very close.

"I am so sorry for your loss." Spoke the young woman who stood by the window of her room, which overlooked the inner courtyard of the castle. She knew things were wrong when she saw the behaviour of the people in the castle different, as if they were following a protocol. Well, let's just say that Ser Criston Cole locking her in her room and the guards taking anyone who worked in the castle to the dungeons - where she supposed they were sent - were two other big signs.

"I too am sorry for your loss, sweet child." The queen murmured as she took the young woman’s hands for her attention. "There is something I must inform you of."

"What is it?" the young one looked at the Queen, once her mother's best friend and now her grandmother by marriage to Viserys.

"Viserys… before he passed away, he told me one thing." The brown-haired woman began to explain to the silver-haired. "He told me that his dying wish is that your uncle, Aegon, should succeed him as king."

The young princess shook her head in confusion. "Pardon me?" she asked with a frown, still showing signs of confusion. "It makes no sense at all. He made my mother his heir." Said the young woman turning away. "He wanted my mother to rule the kingdoms."

"It's true. He told me, he changed his mind, it was his dying wish. For your uncle to be the new king."

"Is that what you had to tell me, dear Grandmother?" The young woman asked as she folded her arms, still frowning, but this time she did not show confusion, if not displeasure. "Is that why I have been locked up all day? To keep me from running away? Or perhaps, to keep me prisoner and use me to your advantage and make my mother bow the knee to your son?" The young woman exclaimed in anger. "I will not allow my mother to kneel."

"They wanted to execute you." Alicent spoke calmly, resting her hand on her granddaughter’s cheek. "I have prevented it. But to avoid a war, we have made a decision, of which I have come to tell you."

The young Velaryon laughed cynically. "To keep me prisoner, I assume." She took a step back.

"Of course not."

"You are telling me I can go back to my mother, to Dragonstone? Or back to Driftmark where I am supposed to go with my Grandmother?" The young woman looked around and sighed. "Where is my grandmother? Princess Rhaenys. Do you have her locked up too? Or have you executed her already?"

"She is well. In her room, making a decision."

"I see." The young woman dropped into the chair next to the window. "Seven hells." She dropped her head into her hands. "So... can I go now? I mean, if I am not a prisoner, I would like to leave as soon as possible." She looked up and looked at the queen, who was staring out the window, in silence.

Alicent continued to stare out the window, until she turned silently, with a serious countenance, then broke the silence. "You're getting married. Tomorrow night, after Aegon's coronation."

Like her mother in her day, the young woman did not want to get married. She wanted to live her life freely, free of responsibilities and heavy burdens. In a way, because she knew she was not made to be a pretender to the Iron Throne, which had given her so many headaches throughout her life. She knew that her younger brother, Jace, would be a better candidate when the time came. That was why, the day before, after what had happened in the throne room with Veamond Velaryon, she knew she must speak to her mother before she went home.

"Mother, may I have a word with you, please?" The firstborn said to her mother, who was with Daemon, preparing to leave the red keep. They both looked at their daughter.

"I will leave you two alone." Said the Prince, preparing to give both women space.

"That's not necessary, Father." Daemon was not her father, but since Leanor's passing, he had taken it upon himself to play that role, protecting and thus teaching the young woman everything he knew of the world, from High Valyrian to how to fight with a sword. "I would like you to stay. Please."

"What's wrong, dear?" Rhaenyra said, approaching her daughter in fear that something bad had happened. "She took her daughter’s face, and could see sadness and uncertainty in her expression.

Daemon approached her as well, and placed a hand on her shoulder, a sign of support and encouragement for her to speak. "If someone has done or said something to you, tell me who it is and I will kill them. No hesitation, you know that.”

"Nothing bad has happened, everything is fine, really, father." she said with a small smile at her father's overprotective reaction. "I wanted to let you know before you leave…my intentions."

"Your intentions about what, my daughter?"

"I do not desire the Iron Throne, mother. I do not wish to be your heir." The young woman spat quickly. The last thing she wanted to do was disappoint the person she loved most in the world. "Jace would be a better king. He should be your heir. I wanted to tell you, but... I didn't want to disappoint either of you. I- I'm sorry, mother. I'm not up to it." The young Velaryon girl burst into tears.

"You could never let us down, sweetheart. Never, do you hear me?" Rhaenyra hugged her daughter tightly. Daemon smiled briefly at her and stroked her long silver hair.

Alicent's words really did hit her like a bucket of cold water. "Of course I am not getting wed!" The girl exclaimed. "No."

"If for the sake of your family, you want to avoid a war and getting them all killed, that's what you have to do," Alicent spoke calmly, with a tone that sent shivers down her spine.

This could not be happening.

Fuck it all.

Fuck the greens and their manipulations.

Fuck Alicent Hightower and the snake she had for a father.

"And who is the highest bidder to whom you have sold me, my queen?" the Velaryon said the last with mockery. "Ser Larys Strong? Or perhaps Ser Tyland Lannister?"

"Aemond, of course. Your dear uncle."

"I-no... He's-"

"Ser Criston." Called the Queen to the new Commander of the Kingsguard, who until then had been on the other side of the door to the princess's chambers, waiting for Alicent.

"My Queen." Said the knight once he entered the room. He looked at the princess and gave a small bow with his head. "Princess."

"Ser Criston, escort the princess for a little stroll to the gardens. She's been cooped up here all day, I'm sure some fresh air will do her good."

"As you commanded, my Queen."

Great, we're going on a small trip with Cole. Sounds like fun.

Spoiler. No.

A few moments later, when the Queen had left the place, together with the Commander's company, the young Velaryon woman went for a walk, in silence, to the Red Keep’s gardens.

It was strange to be walking in the Keep at this hour. It was almost dark, everything was dark, there was hardly anyone in the there, only guards and a few servants going to their rooms. There was not as much light as she remembered from when she was younger, except for a few torches and candles.

No doubt, the Red Keep had changed, it was not the place she loved to be in her childhood. Now it was just a dreary, cold place, a memory. A shell of its former self.

"Enjoying the walk, niece?" A voice interrupted them.

"Uncle." The girl whispered as she saw her uncle leaning against a brick pillar.

"I suppose you have been informed of the great news by now, hm?" The young Prince took a sip from the cup in his hand.

"Yes." She said in a dry tone, as she watched his every move.

"It will not be so bad, do you think?" The silver-haired Prince arched an eyebrow, before taking a final sip from his cup and setting it down.

She watched as the cup fell to the ground and the noise it made when it made contact with it. The noise echoed down the hallway.

In a way, that was how she felt. As if she was falling and was about to make an impact with something that was going to end her.

She didn't know at what point he had approached, but now he was standing in front of her, a smirk plastered on his face. "Don't you think it is funny?" He asked her, she watched him. She noticed his features slightly illuminated under the torches. His eyepatch was what caught her attention the most. She thought about the sapphire that was underneath. "By this time tomorrow we will be married. We will be one before the gods." She looked at his only eye, his blue gaze attracted her, much to her dismay.

"Delightful." She snapped wryly.

"Don't take it like that, princess. We will have a good time, just like when we were kids."

Something about him was attracting her. She didn't know what it was exactly, but it was electrifying. She looked closely at his long, seemingly silky hair, his high cheekbones, his perfect nose. His lips. Those lips, which were quirked into a mocking smile.

"I would rather jump from the highest tower of the Keep, my Prince." That was what came from between the lips of the young woman, who feigned sweetness.

"Seven hells. You really feel like it, hm?" Aemond said as he took the young woman's chin and lifted her face, so that she would look at him. "It is alright. I am dying for it too." He whispered teasingly before placing a kiss on the young woman's forehead, as if this was a game. "Ser Criston."

"Yes, my prince?"

"Please take my betrothed back to her chambers. She must rest for tomorrow." The young Prince ordered.

"As you command." Replied the brown-haired knight at the young man's command.

"Good night, my dear. We have an exciting day ahead of us tomorrow."

That was when she made up her mind to send it all to hell.

If she was going to be surrounded by Snakes from now on, unable to be with her family, she was going to do everything she could to destroy them from the inside. Or at least try and enjoy the process.

After all, she was her mother's daughter. She wouldn't let them finish her off so easily.

"Fuck all of this, fuck this place. Fuck all of them." She whispered.

The commander heard her. "You could have your tongue cut out for saying that." Criston told her, as she was escorted on her way to her room.

"Would you do it yourself, Ser Criston?" The girl gave the knight a fleeting glance.

"If I were ordered to." He replied.

"Surely you would enjoy it, would not you?"

The commander frowned and gave the young woman a look full of anger and displeasure.

"This can stay between us, Commander. It could be our secret, one more we would have." The young woman paused as she almost reached the door to her quarters. "I know you loathe my mother, that you resent her and that if it were up to you she would be dead. I also know that you think the same of me. That I am a savage and perhaps a spoiled cunt, worthy daughter of my mother? Perhaps?"

"You should go inside your room, princess. You must rest."

"Yes, don't worry. But first I want to tell you one thing. As I have already told you, all this may be our secret." The Velaryon woman spoke as she finished heading to the door of her quarters, once she reached the door she looked at the knight. "Well. As I was saying, I know you hate my mother, and I also know why, because she supposedly made you break your vows, the ones you took when you entered the kingsguard, am I wrong?"

Cole took a breath, thus trying to control the anger he was beginning to feel at hearing the young woman's words. His knuckles were white now. “What are you trying to say?”

"You see I am also my father's worthy daughter. For that I think you should be glad, don't you think? After all, not many Commanders of the Kingsguard have a daughter who is a princess." The young woman opened the door to her room. "I'm going to get some rest now. Good night, Commander. Oh! My mistake - should I address you as father from now on?"

No doubt she was going to do her best to destroy them from the inside. One by one, if that wasn't too ambitious of her.

Anyway, she was going to try to enjoy the process.

Even if it ended with her.

[ask-courtney-and-scott]

Criston walking in on Alicient and Larys foot fetish session and throwing up a little in his mouth. Rhaenyra would never. Alicient falling off the pedestal Cole put her on in his mind.

[thebaileybee]

As promised, a teaser of chapter 2:

Criston had been with the Princess the night that Prince Aemond had been born. He had heard her pace the length of her bedchambers like a caged lion until, all of a sudden, the door of her chambers had opened and she had wordlessly set a brisk pace away from them. Criston had dutifully followed her, of course, until they reached the Heart Tree in the Godswood where she had sat, a barely lit oil lamp in her hand, and opened a large book on her lap. They had stayed there for hours, the gentle murmur of the pages turning and the scarce hoot of a nearby owl their only company, until the bells in the Keep’s Sept rang to welcome the new Prince of the realm. Criston had seen Princess Rhaenyra sag against the Heart Tree and close her eyes for a moment whispering into the night in High Valyrian. When they had silently made their way back, she had asked him to inquire after the Queen’s health on the morrow before closing the door.

It had been different on the night of Prince Jacaerys’ birth. The Queen had dined with her ladies until the candles had been almost out, Arbor gold flowed into the chambers like Blackwater Rush flowed into the bay, and the laughter roared over the sweet notes of the lute and through the hallways in discordance with a Keep that kept mute, the silence only broken by the ghost of a scream full of pain. Criston had stood outside the Queen’s chambers, wishing he could drown his senses in the ruckus that reigned on the other side of the door, if only every echo that managed to travel from the rooms he had once called home and reach his ears wouldn’t shake him to the very core. Ser Harwin had appeared several hours later on his way to the King’s chambers, his pace slow and his head down, exhaustion seeping out of him in waves that hit Criston as the well-practised blows of a skilled swordsman. Criston had dreaded the worst then, when Ser Harwin had somberly lifted his eyes to find his, and kept on walking without a word. Fear twisted in his belly, tugging at the strings of the broken heart that he wasn’t sure would survive another blow. 

“A healthy Prince,” Ser Harwin had said, having stopped a few paces ahead. “He shall be named when Ser Laenor arrives in the morrow.”

“The Princess?” Criston had croaked back.

“She will live. She loves her boy too much to leave him behind.”

“I shall tell the Queen. Her Grace will be pleased.”

Ser Harwin had huffed in disbelief and walked away. Criston had been grateful for the sound of his boots against the stone floor for covering the silent sob that escaped him.

[mm2324]

NOTE OF THE AUTHOR

I haven't watched House of the Dragons yet, but I was captivated by the characters and their undeniable chemistry. They truly fascinated me, leading me to read into the history of Rhaenyra and Criston Cole through Google searches and watching short clips on TikTok and YouTube. It's my first time attempting to write a fanfic, and I'm still undecided on the title for this oneshot. I hope you enjoy it!

ONESHOT

Heat, that was the sole sensation Rhaenyra experienced at present. The scorching blaze that consumed her being, as she succumbed to anger that mirrored the flames. How did it come to this? Where did it all begin? Perhaps she pondered these questions before, but now she stands here defenseless. Her sons, yearning and desiring to safeguard what remained, she could not shield - not even for the throne. Ah, the throne, she mused as her body burned, she had time to contemplate. If only she were granted another life, she would not pursue it, would not even dare. As she closed her eyes, light was the only things she saw.

Unbeknownst to her, the gods do hear. Why now? Is it a blessing or could it potentially be a curse? That depends on the individual's perspective. What caused the gods to grant her another chance? She will find out perhaps sooner or later.

***

"What is this?" Rhaenyra wondered, as she hears breathing, sensed heartbeats intertwining with hers, and felt the touch of hands. As she opened her eyes, she witnessed the figure in front of her, their lips slowly parting - Ser Criston Cole. Is this the consequence of her past mistakes? Is this a dream, a reminiscence of the past? or is this reality? A kiss, a game of pursuit, a playful act she recalled, when she was young and perhaps naive. What was she doing here? She wondered.

Eyes brimming with desire, she can tell, yet she possesses the wisdom to resist, for it was this very temptation that led to their downfall.

"Ser Criston," she uttered, gently pushing him. She must maintain her composure, despite her confusion about the situation. She needs to unravel the mystery, but at the same time, she must avoid repeating the same mistakes. Perhaps the gods listened to her, but for what reason?

"Yes, my princess," he responded in a husky tone, his longing evident as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face. It was her own doing, as she spoke words she believed to be encouraging. She would later regret it.

As she extended her hands to caress his face, she softly uttered, "We cannot continue."

Rhaenyra continued, extending her hand towards him, "I understand my previous words, but I genuinely wish to prevent any future regrets."

“I allowed my desires to overpower me, neglecting to protect my rational thoughts. I offer my sincere apologies, Ser Criston."

“I am hesitant to break your oath, as this” she hesitated, barely audible “is the only thing you have." She remembered about the moment when he proposed to her on the ship. She doesn't wish to cause him pain, as they both have endured enough.

"You are an exceptional knight, the very reason I selected you, but it would be too much to request this." She reached forward, height differences are evident but nevertheless, it did not stop her from reaching and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. Ser Criston gazed at her with unwavering focus.

Rhaenyra gestured towards the exit as they parted ways, saying, "You can return to your duties, Ser Criston. A kiss was all that I had to offer as a gift of your service."

Ser Criston stood there, unable to grasp the situation unfolding before him. He couldn't utter a single word as he stepped out of the boundaries of the princess's chamber. Unconsciously, his hand brushed against his lips.

As the door closed, a sense of relief washed over Rhaenyra's mind.

Possibly this time she can rewrite the past, her life, and it's a chance she shouldn't miss. Yet, little did she know, behind the door, emotions are brewing.

[sunflowerstories]

On Begged and Borrowed Time

Inspired by that Criston x Rhaenyra edit and Ivy - Taylor Swift (y'all broke me with this one ok)

Pairing: Criston Cole x Rhaenyra Targaryen, Laenor Velaryon x Rhaenyra Targaryen

Tags: Angst, Fix-it (kinda), Laenor is a good guy okay he needs love and better PR in this fandom, Possible multi-chap, Sadgirl Rhaenyra is a simp for Criston

Summary:

Ser Laenor Velaryon and Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone are married. But with the spectacle of her lover murdering his in their wedding feast, both are languishing in their home in the Red Keep. Rhaenyra feels the weight of being heir and starts to wonder if her disgraced lover, Ser Criston Cole, was right about Essos. Ser Laenor, who feels for his wife as much as she does for him, decides to find a way to keep her from wasting away. 

Chapter 1

Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, The Realm’s Delight, known for her beauty and wit, is wasting away in her chambers in the Red Keep. Her hair, usually in beautiful braids, lay uncombed and unkempt on her shoulders. She changes from one night dress to another, her dresses remaining untouched and gathering dust in her closet. She refuses to eat, save for a few sips of water, and many many glasses of wine. She drifts off from one drunken stupor to another, refusing to speak to anyone, even to her father, the king of the seven kingdoms himself, King Viserys. 

The king, flanked by his loyal kingsguards, is reduced to a pleading mess at his beloved daughter’s bedroom door, pleading for her to eat, to say something, to do anything at all. 

“My girl.” pleaded the king, tears in his eyes. “I blame myself for this. For all of this.”

The king weeps, clinging to the knob of the princess’ door. “I hurt you.”

The princess, sitting on a table by the window oblivious to her father’s pleas, pays no mind and takes a long, big sip of wine from her goblet. 

Dornish Red. The humor of the gods sometimes. 

The king, slowly losing hope in getting through the walls of his beloved daughter’s heart of ice, once tearfully pleads with the princess for audience, to calm the storms of her heart that were his making. 

But was it his making? 

-

On another side of the Red Keep, Ser Criston stands guard to Queen Alicent Hightower, who is sitting on the Iron Throne, listening to the concerns of the realm in her husband’s absence. 

His armor has been a lot heavier than he first donned it, especially after the night the princess had taken it off of him. Now that talk of the princess languishing in her chambers are making rounds in the castle, his already tattered heart shatters even more. 

“Rhaenyra hasn’t eaten for days.” he hears Princess Helaena whisper to her mother, the queen. The astute Queen Alicent may not have been on good terms with her stepdaughter and former friend, but a look of worry paints her face quickly at Helaena’s words. 

“Send the maester to her, mother.” says the kindly young princess, “She’s ill.”

“She refuses to listen to father. What makes you think she’ll listen to the maester?” huffed Aegon, drunkenly, sipping on his tenth cup of ale for the day. 

A furrow makes its way to Queen Alicent’s face. Rhaenyra has always listened to her. Maybe she’ll listen to her now? 

Ser Criston swallows down the bile that had been rising in his throat. Maybe he’s to blame for all of this. If he had just refused that princess that night. Maybe if he just kept his stupid heart in place and knew where he stood. 

A relief washes over Criston as he sees Ser Arryk Cargyll arrive to relieve him from his shift. As soon as the knight made his entrance known to the queen, Ser Criston bid his queen farewell for the day, hoping that back at his chambers in the White Sword tower, a bottle with still enough ale left awaits to soothe him. 

-

Ser Laenor was not any worse than his wife. His beloved was snatched away from him by the Stranger, on his wedding day no less, by his own wife's lover, of all people. The gods did have a strange humor.

He takes out all this anguish and pain in swordplay, tearing down training dummies one by one to pacify the rage in his heart, spending more time in the training yard more than the marital bed with his wife. 

While he couldn’t love her the way a husband should love a wife, he cared for her. The princess has always been close to her Velaryon cousins, and he couldn’t ask for a better marriage of convenience than his beloved cousin and friend. 

As much as it pains him to lose his first love, his Knight of Kisses Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, to the princess’ beloved himself, the lowborn Ser Criston Cole, he could never fault her for the actions of her beloved. 

As much as it pained him to admit, no amount of gold or power they earned could ever make them happy, take away their pain. 

Laenor was about to strike down another training dummy when a ward of the Red Keep calls for his attention. 

“Ser Laenor, I apologize for interrupting.” says the nervous young girl, who he recognizes to be one of his wife’s handmaidens. 

“You interrupt nothing.” Laenor says kindly, putting down his long sword. 

“The king pleas for the princess to see him. “ the handmaiden tells Laenor with obvious sadness on her face. “The princess refuses, still.”

“He is stood at her door, ser.” continues the handmaiden “He refuses to leave.” 

Laenor wipes sweat off his forehead. He put this longsword back to its hilt on his belt, walking towards the handmaiden who leads him back to the chambers he shares with his wife. 

It was possibly the longest walk of his life, with all his thoughts and guilt crashing down on him as he made his way into the halls that lead to the royal chambers. 

When was the last time he spoke to Rhaenyra?

He tried. He spoke to her, but all she gave him was a small, sad smile. He had the kitchens prepare her favorite meals, which she politely tasted but still refused to eat. He offered to take her back to Driftmark, offering the hospitality of his family and the calming sea breeze to cure whatever ills her, but she refused. 

What was left for him to do?

Laenor had the training yard, his dummies, his sword. But what did Rhaenyra have? 

Ser Joffrey was gone. He doesn't have to be reminded of his loss everyday, as long as he does not let his mind linger onto his memories for too long. 

But Ser Criston lives. And everyday, the princess has to see him. To look at him. To speak to him. To have their lost love roaring back to her, all while reminding her the best thing to ever happen to her is in plain sight, but will always be out of her reach.  

He hated Ser Criston for murdering his beloved. He could put him to death if he liked. After all, his family is the wealthiest, most powerful in the realm, next only to the house of the dragon themselves. 

But he remembers Rhaenyra. Her tears at his expense. How she comforted him in their mess of a wedding. How she offered him the freedom to love as he pleases despite their marriage. 

He knew what it was like to lose the one you love. 

He could never do that to her. 

Laenor and the handmaiden arrive at the door of their marital chambers, where he finds the king, ill and aging, desperately clinging to the door handle, and to whatever remains of his daughter’s love for him. 

“Your grace.” Laenor greets, saddened by the king’s state. “I apologize for all of this. I shall speak to my wife.”

“There is nothing to forgive, ser Laenor.” replies the king. “Had I tried to listen to her…”

“Let me speak to my lady wife, your grace.” offers ser Laenor, feeling sorry for the sickly old man that rules the realm. “I will do everything to restore her joy and her health.” 

Laenor gives the king’s hand a reassuring pat. The king, understanding the young lord’s sympathy, truly believes that her husband could make a difference. King Viserys steps away from the door and makes his way back to the throne room, while Laenor takes his place by the door. 

“My love? Rhaenyra?” calls out Laenor, knocking on the door. “It’s me.”

In seconds, he hears the door make a small sound. 

“Laenor.” was all she said, his presence comforting her. 

Laenor enters the room, as the princess returns to her seat by the window. He notices many empty bottles of wine on the floor. 

The princess, still a beauty despite the disheveled hair and crumpled night dress, gives him a small smile. 

“I can’t stand seeing you like this.” says Laenor, grabbing one of the wine bottles and filling a goblet for himself. “Please tell me what I could do. What I need to do to help you.”

Rhaenyra gives him a small, sad smile, the kind he always saw her wear since they married. 

“Nothing.” says the princess. “You being here is enough.”

-

Laenor couldn’t believe what he was doing. Of all the times he had the misfortune to run into Criston Cole, it took everything in him not to pommel his face in, the way he did with his Joffrey. 

In fairness to the lowborn knight, Criston looked every bit guilty whenever Laenor’s eyes would meet his in the court, and this possibly would be the only reason why he hasn’t murdered him yet. 

This and Rhaenyra, his wife. 

Laenor knew Criston would be training in the yard at this hour, and he knew it would be an opportune time. 

As he moves closer to where the Dornish knight stood, he notices his presence and immediately faces him. 

“You really are a skilled knight.” says Laenor, impressed with Criston’s reflexes. “No wonder your princess chose you.”

Your princess. 

Laenor’s words echo in Criston’s mind, along with the princess’ voice from all of his memories of her. He so wanted to drive his sword deep into the Valyrian knight’s heart for mocking his pain. 

But then he remembers. 

“I apologize, ser.” says Criston, quicker than he would have liked. “I know nothing I do could ever…”

“You can never bring him back.” says Laenor, the sting of Joffrey’s loss in his heart still fresh and painful as ever. “But there is one thing you can do.” A feeling of relief and fear crept into Criston’s heart. What did Laenor want? A quick death for him by his hand? Throw him in the black cells? Send him to exile in Dorne?

But he owes him. That, Criston knew. Whether he liked it or not, he is at Laenor’s mercy. 

He takes in a breath, gathering himself and his thoughts, readying himself for the young lord’s sharp sword - or sharp words - when the Laenor’s words take him aback. 

“Your princess needs you.”

[leona-is-free]

The Path to Freedom, a HOTD fanfic

Summary: Rhaenyra takes up Ser Criston Cole’s offer. Rhaenyra x Crispin

Read/review on AO3

Prologue

Chapter 1

Criston Cole was again on the battlefield.

It was as if the bloodlust never left him.

The feeling of bones crushing under his hands. The way they splintered and cracked as his knuckles dug harder, and harder. The hot blood staining his gloves and seeping in his skin. Criston had forgotten this part of him. He buried it the day he chose honor before everything. Before he became a knight.

The demon had woken once again, infecting the blood in his veins, filling his mind, traveling down to the fingers that gripped whatever bits of flesh were left.

He froze when the music had stopped. He had reawoken as he felt the hundreds of eyes bearing down on him. The tapping of shoes on the dance floor ceased. All was silent. All eyes were on him.

Criston, the man, had returned. And he had been horrified by what he had done.

His memory became hazy, forgetting much other than a right hook landing on Laenor Valeryon. A rush of men began to attack each other, using Criston’s outburst simply as a reason to shed blood.

Criston did not know how he escaped unannounced. He kept going, stumbling along the hall, like a lost child. He was disengaged with reality, feeling nothing but deep, painful shame. Criston thought he had shed that part of him after the incursions. He lied to himself that he left that devil in the battlefield when he was knighted.

He realized tonight, that he was always that devil.

Criston would not let the king execute him. He didn’t deserve an honorable death.

He stood in the godwood, looking up at the at the great oak. On beautiful nights like these, the princess and him sat among the stars, sharing stories of the constellations. He remembered her in this place during the day, tormenting the bard with the same, tired ballad of Princess Nymeria. Those were the few times he saw her at peace. Those days she truly looked like a maiden.

The Rhaenyra of today was a monster. Just like him.

Criston dropped to his knees, disrobing his now filthy white cloak. He unbuckled his long sword, saying his goodbye as he gently laid it to the ground.

Clang.

He slowly removed each piece of his armor, dropping it thoughtlessly to the ground. He could not be as gentle with it as Rhaenyra .

Clang.

The ceremony had surely begun by now. Was she happy with her decision? He wondered how quiet the words would escape her lips as she recited her vows.

I am yours and you are mine.

He dreamt of Rhaenyra’s voice speaking that vow to him every night. The reality of her sharing them to another, at that very hour, brought him unbearable pain. He truly had nothing left go give.

Criston unsheathed the dagger. The moonlight flickered on the sharp blade, illuminating the steel.

He raised it to his chest.

A shrill scream filled the air.

Criston’s shoulder slammed into the ground as a great force suddenly knocked him over. A stranger had jumped him, pinning his arms to reach for the dagger. While he was caught by surprise, Criston quickly surmised that this foe was no match for him. Criston gave a heavy push as the foreign hand gripped the blade of his dagger. Blood hit his face as his assailant unceremoniously flung to the ground.

Criston sat up, and his mouth dropped.

Rhaenyra sat up, groaning. The white and gold of her wedding dress was stained with dirt and blood. Her hair, previously styled up in elaborate braids, was now loose and disheveled. Her left palm was cut open, but she paid no mind to the wound. Her attention turned back to Criston, her eyes ablaze with a rage he had never seen.

Criston, still breathless, quickly jumped to his feet and towards her, raising her up to her feet.

“Mi’Lady--“

Rhaenyra slapped him across the cheek with her bloodied palm.

Criston gasped, his head fixed in place for a moment. He felt the the night’s cool touch as the blood traveled down his skin.

Criston had no moment to feel insult as Rhaenyra attacked him again, grabbing his tunic with her bloodied hands. She screamed at him in a High Valyrian. She relentlessly slammed her delicate fists against his chest. Every beat against his muscle made a dull thump.

To an outsider, the scene would be absolutely comical. Criston’s frustration quickly dissipated as he wondered how ridiculous they looked.

“Enough!” Criston exclaimed, unable to contain his laughter. He pushed her off gently enough to let her land on her feet. He rest his hands on her upper arms and looked down at her.

Beneath the fury of her blue eyes held a deep sorrow he recognized. He watched the fire of her fury dim, leaving behind a sheen of glass. In that moment he knew, he was not the only one suffering.

Criston cupped her cheek, thankful that she did not resist his kiss. Her lips were soft, and supple, and he leaned into her touch. His focus was solely on her, escaping from the dark events of the night. He remembered happier times, to them riding together on horseback. To feigning ignorance as she played tricks on his fellow kingsguards. To the first time he felt her skin against his as they shared her bed.

“Forgive me, Princess,” he whispered against her lips, “for ruining your wedding day.”

Rhaenyra scoffed and pulled away. “Save your apologies. We are leaving.”

Criston bent to the ground, ripping a piece of his cloak. He took Rhaenyra’s injured hand and began to wrap the wound.

“You came for me.”

“Hm,” said Rhaenyra, teary-eyed, “All these years you have come for me. Protected me. How can I not do the same?”

“So you choose infamy after all, do you?”

Criston finished the dressing and their eyes met. He raised a free hand and gently wiped her tears away.

Rhaenyra chuckled. “I’m already infamous. Haven’t you heard the whispers in the halls? That I lost my maiden-hood to my own uncle.”

“Lies.” Said Criston, “I know best of all.”

They shared a smile. Criston kissed her cheek, savoring her presence.

“Now, Princess. To Essos?”

“Gods no, not Essos!” Rhaenyra cried out as she snatched her hand away. She pulled her dress up and kicked off her heels, running barefoot into the woods.

Criston retrieved the bloody dagger from the ground and sheathed it. He picked up his longsword and secured it to his belt. He stared at the torn cloak, stained with blood.

Voices in the distance broke Criston from his thoughts, and he quickly took after the princess.

——————

He weaved right and left between the tall trees, trying to keep close to her. Criston was confused at her sense of direction. The only way out of the godswood was the castle itself, where everyone was searching for her. Surely she wasn’t expecting to climb the wall. As they reach the wall, Criston saw his answer - a rope ladder, secured, leading to the top.

Criston placed his hand on the twine.

“An escape route when I was young,” said Rhaynera, “when Mother would try to teach me sewing.”

Criston, suspicious of its age, tugged on the ladder. It seemed sturdy enough. He guided Rhaenyra in front of him, so he may catch her should they fall.

The least he could do after everything.

Rhaenyra slipped her foot in between the makeshift steps and began to climb. Criston slowly followed, tensing with every snap the rope made. The climb felt eternal, and as the voices grew louder he became more unnerved.

“So,” said Criston, “Once we reach the top of the wall, suppose what do we do? Do you expect us to jump down and land on both feet?”

Rhaenyra stopped, rocking the ladder. Her eyes gleamed down at him.

“Suppose I do, would you jump with me?”

“Please don’t look down.” Criston chided, ignoring the subtext of her question.

—————

The wind was eager to greet them as they approached the top of the wall. Criston stepped to his feet and put an arm around Rhaenyra.

He hadn’t realized how beautiful the city was at night. Laterns flickered below like tiny stars. Clouds above dimmed the light of the moon, casting an iridescent glow.

“And now?”

“And now we wait,” said Rhaenyra. “Not for long. She has good eyes from afar.”

“What are you doing?”

Rhaenyra had stepped away from him and reached under her gown. She unsheathed a belted dagger from her mid thigh. The patterns along the blade told Criston this was Valyrian steel. Rhaenyra raised the blade behind her, and ran it through her hair. The intricate braids were released one by one, and a gust of wind freed her hair.

She then brought the blade to the bust of her dress, tearing until it reached her waist. She slipped the fabric off of her shoulders, allowing the gown to drop to the ground. She hooked the fabric under her foot and tossed it over the wall. The bustier quickly followed.

She looked up at the moon, the wind tossing her hair back. She now wore nothing but a white chemise, the sheer, thin fabric leaving little to the knight’s imagination.

Any typical nobleman would see this wild woman, half naked on a five hundred foot wall, and think of her as a witch or at least insane. Criston would have thought this himself, were it any other woman. But in that moment he saw the same fearless girl who flew to Dragonstone, stood between two armies and single handedly stopped a civil war. He saw the true queen for the first time in his young life.

He loved her wild.

A shadow caught Criston’s eye, and he looked up. A silhouette appeared behind the clouds. It danced in the light, growing larger and lager before the sight could be made out, Criston trembled.

The dragon approached and braced her wings, the gust so strong it nearly blew the two off the ledge. Criston braced himself and instinctively pulled Rhaenyra close to him.

The dragons front claws grabbed the edge of the wall as she descended. She emitted a low growl at Criston.

“Syrax.”

Rhaenyra left Criston’s embrace and walked towards Syrax. She placed her hands, then her temple, along the beast’s snout.

“Shhhhh, shhhh,” Rhae said gently, speaking in her ancestral language. Syrax responded in soft growls. She released her hold on the wall and lowered herself, presenting her back to them.

“She’s finally large enough for two.” said Rhaenyra. She glanced at Criston and read his reaction.

“Don’t worry, it’s like riding a horse.”

Criston frowned. “Doubtful.”

Rhaenyra shook her head. “I can’t believe after all this time you still haven’t rode on dragon with me.”

Criston carefully stepped towards Syrax. “I prefer the ground Mi’Lady.”

“Hm. I’ll let you take the saddle and I will stay on her back.”

Criston, in between glances at the dragon, slowly placed his hands on the saddle. When she did not stir, he hooked his boot in the stirrup and raised himself over.

Just like riding a horse, he told himself, trying to look anywhere but down. Rhaenyra effortlessly climbed on, taking a seat in front of the him.

“And how, Princess, will you stay on the back of a flying dragon with no saddle?”

“It’s simple.” Rhaenyra shot a mischievous glance that left Criston again in awe.

“I am a dragon.”

Next —> Chapter 2

[dogununprensesi]

Ya çok yanlış zamanda karşılaştık ya da hiç karşılaşmaması gereken iki insandık. Biz neydik bilmiyorum. Sevgili desem değil aşık desem değil bildiğin rastlantıydık işte, ondan öteye gidemedik…

[alex-iltempo]

Everybody seems to praising ser Crispin Criston for:

But I think it makes him even worst.

Cause if he was thinking the same way about every woman when he was bitchin' about Rhaenyra I could consider it an opinion , a solid position

but turns out he's even more of the hypocrite and whiny lil bitch...

[daemonsdarksister]

Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen are back in

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 (2024)

[liv-cole]

THIS IS SO PERFECT

[aella-targaryen]

Rhaenyra, when Crispin Cole offered her Oranges and Cinnamon in exchange for leaving the Iron Throne 💀💀💀

[lxdyred]

Among snakes I shall dance, ch.2: It felt like love.

Aemond Targaryen x Velaryon!Targaryen!Fem!Reader

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

Summary: Rhaenyra's firstborn finds herself surrounded by the greens and, to her misfortune, betrothed to one of them. So she begins to plan how to take them down, one by one, from the inside.

Word count: 6.6k

Warning: Allusions to incestuous relationship, use of obscene language, mentions of sexual assault and graphic death. some characters might be a bit out of character.

A/N: Italics are flashbacks!

A/N: AYOOOOOO GUYS!!!! 1792 NOTES SO FAR IN THE FIRST PART???¿? +300 FOLLOWERS IN 5 DAYS???!¡¿ THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYSSS I’M LITERALLY CRYING FFR!! You just made my week, honestly!! I really hope you enjoy how this story is going! This is for you ❤️🫡

Feedback is always appreciated ❤️

She had to get the message to her mother, somehow. So she prayed that the time would come where he could escape to send a message by raven.

‘From the inside I will finish them off. Whatever happens, don't bend the knee. We will resist, mother.’

She read the message for the tenth time and snorted, putting her hands on her head and closing her beautiful eyes. "

Fuck..."

She cursed that she had missed the opportunity her mother had given her to come home with them. But of course, seeing that her grandmother was going to be alone in Driftmark, taking care of her grandfather, who was still on the verge of death from the ambush he suffered, her honor weighed more heavily in the balance. She did not want to turn her back on them at such a delicate time.

The sun had not yet risen when her prayers were answered.

"Ser Erryk." whispered as she saw the knight, opening the door to the room.

"Princess, we are leaving." The knight said, passing her a cloak to cover herself with. "I do not agree with anything that is happening, with this sick treachery. It is an atrocity, just like your betrothal."

"And my grandmother?" The young woman asked as she covered herself with the cloak.

"We will go to get her now. I will take you both to a ship that will take you back home." The knight, who was a twin to Ser Arryk, spoke before resting a hand on the princess's shoulder. "I promise I will do my best to get you both out of here."

Then she took the note from the table and clutched it in her own fist. She also took the ring her parents gave her with the emblems of House Targaryen and Velaryon, and the small pouch in which she always stuffed a few coins. After that they left the chambers and went for Princess Rhaenys, stealthily and swiftly. Whenever Ser Erryk saw guards, he told the princess to hide, so far they had had good luck.

"Lady Grandmother." Said the young woman taking her grandmother's hands, once they were reunited.

"My sweet girl." Rhaenys said, before kissing her granddaughter's cheek. "I heard what they wanted to do to you. Are you all right? They did not do anything to you, did they?"

"No, I am just fine, glad you are as well, really."

"Princesses, we must leave now." Spoke the kingsguard who was trying to help them escape from the Red Keep.

"And Meleys and Scarlex? We can not leave them behind."

"It is not safe to go to Dragonpit now, Princess. I am afraid we could not make it. Going by boat is the best, safest option." Ser Erryk explained before they reached the exit through which they would leave the Keep.

"Wait." The princess stopped before they could continue. "I need you to take this with you, Grandmother." She whispered handing the note she had written for her mother to her grandmother. "I need you to be the one to give it to my mother in case we get separated."

"That is not going to happen." Said the queen that never was, looking down at the small roll she now held in her hand.

"Better to be cautious, do not you think? That is something you made a sure of teaching me." Said the silver-haired girl looking at the note in her grandmother's hand.

"Sometimes you remind me of your father, my child." Spoke the older woman hiding the message.

Only if you knew.

"Aemond!" Called the Velaryon girl as she ran across the training yard. "Aemond!" The young girl ran with a huge smile on her face, as she looked for her uncle, who was currently alone training.

"Niece." Said the young boy, stopping shielding the sword, when he saw his niece and best friend come to where he was. "Has something happened?"

The young lady rested her hands on her knees and gestured for him to give her a moment, to catch her breath after all the running around the fortress, trying to find him. She looked up and gave the prince a huge smile. "It's a boy." The silver-haired girl said with difficulty, still struggling to normalise her breathing.

The young Targaryen arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" The boy said, abandoning his sword and looking for a place where they could both sit and talk.

"My mother, the princess, has given birth to a boy. Another brother, Joffrey is his given name." Said the girl with tears of happiness. "He is a healthy boy. But very wrinkled and- he will not stop crying, gods." She told Aemond with a crystallized look in her eyes because of the joyful emotion she felt. After saying that, she took a seat next to the Targaryen Prince.

"Congratulations are in order, then." Aemond smiled at her and placed his hand on hers, who gladly took it and squeezed it before letting out a laugh. "Another nephew, hm? I was expecting for a girl this time.”

"Me too, if I am being honest." She admitted, looking up at him. As she watched her lifelong friend look at her intently, she felt herself blush, for some strange reason she didn't understand. "It is a hot day, it is not?." She commented in a whisper, lowering her gaze and looking down at the ground, as if it was something very interesting.

"You came running, that is why you must feel like that." Aemond stared at the girl, intently, for the first time in as long as he could remember he was staring at her like that. She was changing, and he had not noticed, not until now. His feelings of friendship, unable to help it, were doing so as well.

Realising that what he was feeling for her was something new and more mature, the boy pulled away from her and released her hand, causing the princess to look up and look at him with concern.

"Are you alright, Aemond?" His blue gaze met hers after hearing the question. "You are quite red." The young girl observed.

He was even redder now.

"Yes. I am just fine." Lied the young prince. "I forgot I have your nameday gift here. I wanted to give it to you when we were alone."

"Why would you have it here?" she asked curiously.

A smile formed on his face. "In case I found you later." Lied the Targaryen boy again.

He carried it with him all the time, but could never find the time to give it to his dearest friend and niece.

"Close your eyes, do not look, hm?"

"Never." She whispered.

The young prince stepped around her friend, and once behind her, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold necklace, simple and unobtrusive, with a medallion. It was a simple medallion with a three-headed dragon. The emblem of House Targaryen.

"A three-headed dragon, of House Targaryen." The young woman commented as she looked at the gift that her uncle and friend had given her. "It is beautiful, my prince. Thank you very much, but..."

"But?" the silver-haired boy asked, terrified that deep down she didn't like the gift.

"I am a… Velaryon. Not Targaryen, my mother is but-"

"But you could be one, officially, in the future, in some years, when you shall to be wed.”

"Grandmother, no! No! No! Grandmother!" shouted the young Velaryon as she was separated from her grandmother and Ser Erryk, due to the hordes of people being led towards Dragonpit, where the coronation was to take place. "Fuck!" She screamed out of desperation, as she tried to backtrack and turn back. A desperate attempt to get back to the only two people she trusted in the city.

She cast her gaze back and could see them slowly drifting further apart. Rheanys' face showed her desperation to be reunited with her, she tried to look for her granddaughter with her eyes, but at one point she lost her in the tide of people. She should have tried harder not to lose her grip, she thought.

Amidst pushing and shoving, the young princess managed to make herself climb up a small brick wall. Once she stood up on it, she tried to look around for the knight and the princess, but no luck. She only hoped that at least her grandmother could escape from the death trap, which was the fucking capital.

"Seven hells, what am I supposed to do now?" She mumbled, still looking from the top of the wall for an exit, where there were almost no people, let alone guards and soldiers.

"Girl. Get down from there now." Someone spoke to her, she looked out of the corner of her eye at the person who had addressed her, she tried to cover her face as much as possible with her cloak, so that she wouldn't be recognised. "If you do not come down on your own, I will take you down by force."

She really was very unlucky at that moment, when the man who had addressed her, was exactly Rickard Thorne, a fucking Kingsguard loyal to the green snakes. A fucking traitor.

"Apologies, Ser. I was just looking for my companions, with whom I was to attend the coronation." She said, trying to change her tone of voice and not looking at him. "No need to worry about me, I will get down." She tried to be as agile as possible to get down, so she could run as far away from the guard as possible.

The last thing she wanted was to be recognised.

As she was about to get down, she almost tripped, stepping on her own dress. The knight had very good reflexes and caught her before she could fall.

The young princess had a lot of bad luck at that moment.

"Be more careful, woman."

"Thank you." She whispered as she hurried away from the spot, clutched the cloak even tighter as she covered herself with it. That had been a close call.

At least she had already gotten rid of the guard, who was part of the Kingsguard, no less. Surely they had noticed her and her Lady Grandmother's escape by now.

"Hey, girl, you left this behind," said Rickard, looking at the bag of coins he had just picked up from the floor. "What are you doing with so much gold? Who did you steal from?"

Fuck.

"You can keep it, as compensation." She said as she tried to pick up her pace, she wanted to run but it was practically impossible.

"Get back here!" Thorne said as he headed towards her, pushing people out of his way.

Double fuck.

Now was when it was her turn to run, even if it was impossible.

As the young princess tried to flee the scene, she was pushing people out of the way and into the Kingsguard who was practically on her heels. She looked around desperately, she needed a way out.

She was so desperate.

Luckily, she could see a way out by her right, where there were not so many people. She started to run there, and saw a small, dark and smelly alley. She ran as if there was no tomorrow.

As she ran up the street, she was bumping into people going in the opposite direction, she could also hear Rickard shouting at her, telling her to stop or ordering the people near her to catch her. But no one seemed to be in the mood, thanks to the seven.

Until an elderly man tried to catch her. He grabbed her by the arms and took a small dagger he carried with him, placing it on the young woman's neck, who instinctively stomped on his foot with all her might, and then bit him on the wrist that held the dagger. The man dropped it, bringing his other hand to the bloody wound. She picked up the dagger, but not before kicking the man in the balls, who now lay on the ground doubled over in pain.

She kept running as fast as she could, Thorne much closer than before, because of the time she had lost facing the passer-by.

"You have no escape, thief." Said the Kingsguard, once he had the young woman at the end of the alley. "Surrender or the punishment will be worse."

Flight or fight.

"Bullshit, you traitor." She said as she stopped and turned around, pointing him with the dagger she had just seized of.

"Princess." He said in surprise when he saw the princess's face, but quickly a smirk of superiority formed on his face. "You don't know what a commotion it has caused in the Keep to see that neither you, nor Princess Rhaenys were in your chambers."

"A pity I didn't get to see the faces of the incompetents in that place."

"Come on, Princess, put the dagger down." The knight requested.

"Not without using it first."

"You think you can beat me? A knight of the Kingsguard?" the man in front of her laughed, one hand on the pommel of his sword. "Do you think a woman stands a chance against a knight?"

"No, of course I do not." The silver-haired girl feigned confusion. "But at least I can amuse myself for a while while I play with your patience."

"That's not very ladylike of you, princess."

"Did anyone say I care in the least about that?"

Ser Rickard clutched at the sword dagger, truly the young woman was playing with his patience like no woman had ever done before.

"Oh, come now, Ser Rickard. Will you not at least give me the pleasure of putting into practice everything my stepfather has taught me these past few years?"

"Believe me, Princess, I would gladly do so, but both the Kingsguard Commander and the Queen would prefer that you return to the Red Keep unharmed." Thorne explained as he took a step towards her.

"Oh, how sweet of you..." father.

“Put the dagger down, now."

"Or what? You'll kill me?" The princess made a false grimace of sadness, then smiled at the knight. "I just wanted to play swords with you, well daggers, rather." She dropped the dagger to the ground, only for the knight to take her arm firmly and set off on the way back.

"Are we going to the coronation?"

"No." No doubt the man was running out of patience, and it amused the young Velaryon, who even though she was being led back to the Keep had a triumphant smile on her face.

"Good, because if I would wanted to see a jesters’ show I would have stayed in the Red Keep.”

"You could have your tongues cut out for talking like that."

The young woman let out a loud laugh. "Not long ago someone told me exactly the same thing you did, Ser."

"You are leaving now, so I hear from father." Aemond spoke with a sad expression, then watched as his friend played with the necklace he had given her a couple of days ago.

The Velaryon girl nodded, then wiped away her tears with one hand. There was a knot forming in her stomach and throat, every time she tried to talk to her best friend the tears threatened to spill out. "Mhm." She nodded, avoiding the young prince with her eyes.

"And you are not going to say anything before you leave? Just 'mhm'?"

"It is just that- I know that... I- if I try to tell you anything I know I will cry even more, I will not be able to stop." The young princess's lower lip trembled.

"I would rather you do that and try to comfort you than leave without crossing any words." The young boy admitted.

"Thank you for being my friend, Aemond. I know we are family, but your friendship means a lot to me." Confessed the girl from the house Velaryon, then burst into tears and put her hands to her face, trying to hide her face from her friend.

"Thank you for being the only one who understands me, Princess." The young Targaryen whispered as he grabbed the young girl’s shoulders, then pulled her to him and gave her a hug. She hugged him back.

"For being the only person in the family besides you without a dragon?"

"And for everything else."

"I am going to miss you." She whispered, with immense sadness.

He hated the huge emptiness he felt in his chest at the thought of not seeing her every day.

"And I you." He said likewise, as he ran a hand through her hair, trying to memorise how it felt to his touch.

They stood for a few moments in silence, pondering whether or not to say more. Neither had the courage to tell the other how they felt, and in a way, they were too young to even be thinking about it, since those feelings only came when you were older, supposedly. Or maybe not?

"You should leave now. Your Lady Mother will be waiting for your return," Aemond spoke, regretfully.

"You are right." The girl murmured as she broke the embrace, then grabbed her friend's hands in an attempt to get his attention. "I will try to write to you as often as possible."

"I will try the same."

"Good."

"Good."

"I will see you soon, I hope."

"Y-Yes. Soon..." neither knew exactly what to say to say goodbye, let alone not knowing how long they wouldn't see each other for.

Then something happened that caught Aemond Targaryen by surprise. His friend and niece, the princess, with both hands cupped his face and placed a brief, nervous peck on his lips, leaving him breathless and wide-eyed.

"Goodbye, my prince." Said the silver-haired girl nervously before running out of the place in search of her family.

Aemond, still wide-eyed, and in apparent shock at what had just happened, slowly turned around and stared in the direction she had disappeared.

He held up a hand as if in farewell. "Goodbye, I suppose."

He spent the rest of the day without saying a word to anyone. He didn't know whether or not to believe what had happened in that little encounter with his friend. But when he went to sleep that night, he did so with a small smile on his face.

The rest of the day passed in a blur for her, after Ser Rickard Thorne had taken her back to the castle, to be met by none other than the Kingsguard commander himself, Ser Criston Cole, her beloved father - gods, the joy it gave her to see the torment in his eyes after discovering his paternity - who escorted her back to her chambers, where Alicent, now Queen Mother, awaited her.

"What you did today was stupid." Was the first thing Alicent said to her as she saw her enter her room and heard the door being closed by Ser Criston. "Something could have happened to you."

"Something worse than what is about to happen this very night, my queen?" the young woman asked as she approached the centre of the room.

"If you had met someone dangerous your life could have been in danger. Imagine if they had come to kidnap you or assaulted you, taking your virtue." Alicent spoke as she approached the young woman, who in the next few hours was to become his daughter-in-law.

The young woman laughed wryly at the last words of the mother of the new usurper king. "There is no need to pretend you care about me, your highness. There is no one here but us."

"You were lucky you did not suffer a worse fate today, princess. You could have gotten yourself killed."

"That would have been a more merciful fate than the one I am living right now, locked up here and surrounded by traitors!" Exploded the young woman, as she made her way to the small table on which she kept the wine. She picked up two glasses and poured the liquid into both of them. "Any fate is better than this. I would rather be dead right now, than here being used as a pawn in your evil plan." She offered a glass to Alicent, who took it and took a sip.

"I do not think being married to the king's brother, who in your childhood was your best friend, is a cruel fate."

Now it was the young Velaryon's turn to take a sip from her cup, this one being longer than the one the queen took. "Yes, when the love you once felt for him has turned to immeasurable hatred." She blurted out, accompanied by a small smile.

The next few hours were spent wandering around her room and drinking wine, occasionally standing by the window to watch the people pass by, nothing interesting. But once the time came, she was led to the throne room, where the ceremony would take place. Thank the gods it looked like it would be an intimate ceremony.

The ceremony began when Aegon, the great son of a bitch and usurper who now warmed the throne with his ass, walked her to the altar, where Aemond, with his head held high and no expression on his face, stood waiting for her. His fucking handsome face, made her sick.

She clicked her tongue as she realised the intrusive thought that had just crossed her mind. "Pathetic." She mumbled before she reached where her future husband was waiting for her.

Huge was the relief she felt as she slipped from Aegon's grasp. The disgust she felt for this man, sadly her uncle, was inhuman. How she wished she could cut off his head and give it to her dear mother. She thought as she gave him a look of disgust, after he had left her at the isle.

She looked up at Aemond, who was watching her from top to bottom. She raised her head defiantly, to which he let out an arrogant little chuckle, shaking his head. She looked at him again, in detail. She looked at his face, it seemed to show serenity and determination, there was still a small smile on his stupid face. It seemed that nothing that was about to happen caused any kind of reaction in him. She, on the other hand, felt a knot in the pit of her stomach and her breathing was agitated, no matter how well she hid it, her nerves were killing her.

Before she could even process anything, they were already deep into the ceremony. The Septon asked Aemond to place the cloak over the young Velaryon, to protect her from the eyes of the people and the gods.

"You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection." Then came the sermon. "We stand here in the sight of gods and men to witness the union of man and wife: one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever."

It was now that they both held hands. Her hands trembled, but not his. The Targaryen prince really wasn't the least bit shaken by what was happening. He took her hand firmly, and with his thumb, he drew circular patterns on the back of it. It made her look at him and let out a hitched breath. That gesture was something they both used to do when they were children, as a signal to focus… and trust.

Was he trying to help her calm down?

A ribbon was literally tied around their hands, symbolising their union. "Let it be known that these two people are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder."

So she, herself would be cursed if she tried?

The young man who wore the patch looked at the one who was to be his wife from now on, watched as tears formed in her eyes, and as her lower lip trembled briefly, only to be stopped by her biting it. He knew there was an inner conflict gnawing at her. He couldn't help but clench his jaw as he watched the scene.

"In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words." They both faced each other and a few seconds later, after a brief silence in which they stood looking at each other, they proceeded to say their vows.

Aemond took up the gesture he had made earlier, and began to make circular patterns on the back of her hand. The reaction it caused in her was new. It was like a fluttering inside her, as if she had an army of dragons inside her, flying all over her. "Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger... I am hers and she is mine. From this day, until the end of my days," he recited.

At the same time she said hers. "Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger... I am his and he is mine. From this day, until the end of my days."

Oh, seven gods. The moment had come.

"With this kiss, I pledge my love." The silver-haired man took her chin between his index finger and thumb, and with a gentleness she herself believed he lacked, he brought his face close to hers and placed a soft kiss upon her lips.

The act lasted only a few seconds, but she could not help but feel a certain familiarity in the kiss that had just sealed their fate. He felt it that way too.

"You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!" King Viserys shouted angrily, as he shot a glare at Ser Criston.

"It will heal, will it not, Maester?" Alicent asked in anguish to the Maester tending Aemond's wound, who had just lost an eye in a fight with his nephews not long ago.

"Flesh will heal, but the eye is lost, Your Grace." replied the Master to the boy's mother. That answer caused Rhaenyra's eldest daughter to look across the room at the young prince.

The young Velaryon was not present when her two younger brothers and her cousin Baela, got into a fight with Aemond, her best friend, who called her brothers bastards. While this was going on, she was suffering something cruel and disgusting that she wished on no one. Once she was able to extricate herself from her situation, that was the scene she saw, everyone full of wounds and cuts, along with a broken nose for her younger brother and a lost eye for her best friend. Or rather, the one who once was.

She sat against the wall of the Driftmark's great hall, deep in thought, saying nothing, until she heard Alicent say. "Ser Criston, bring me the eye of Lucerys Targaryen." She stood up with a speed she had never seen in her before, which made her quickly dart into the crowd of people in the middle of the room, where the whole feud was taking place, and stood in front of her grandfather Corlys Velaryon, who was protecting Luke with his own body. Unarmed, she held out her arms, trying to prevent anyone or anything from harming her little brother. She would never allow it.

"You will not do such thing.” She heard her mother say in defence of her youngest son.

"I will bite you hard, Ser Criston." Threatened the long silver-haired girl, trying to sound intimidating.

And after that the discussion became more personal and intense between Rhaenyra and Alicent, once the King stopped Ser Criston from taking Luke's eye and made it clear that anyone who questioned the legitimacy of the princess's children would lose his tongue. Once silence reigned over the place, as the tussle between the two women ended with her mother getting a nasty, bloody cut on her arm, it was the firstborn heir to the throne who spoke first.

"You are all monsters." Were the words that echoed through the great hall, most of those present looked at her. She was resting her gaze on Aegon, and lastly Aemond, at whom she stared with a serious face but also with a frown. She was trying to tell him something. "Real and disgusting monsters." She repeated again but in a whisper, as she put a hand to her neck and tore off the medallion Aemond gave her, then threw it at his feet. He looked at the ground and then back at her.

The boy who, less than an hour ago, had been her best friend all her life, looked at her in the same way, but now his one eye reflected sadness. "Do not mourn me mother, it was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye, but I gained a dragon." After saying those words dedicated to his mother, he looked at her again.

At that moment they both knew that their friendship was completely broken, that the damage was irreparable, and that this was how it was meant to be.

His quarters were clearly much more spacious than hers. It looked as if from now on this was where they were both going to live, to lead a marital life together. She surveyed her surroundings, since the last time she had been there things hadn't changed much. What was most striking now was some pitchers of different alcoholic beverages on a small table in one corner of the room. Also striking was the large number of swords, it was certainly curious that Aemond collected the swords of opponents he had beaten.

"I do not know what your drink of choice is, but here you go." Said her now husband, setting a wine glass down in front of her, who was seated in one of the chairs surrounding the round table. "Dornish wine."

She looked at the glass and took it silently, then took a sip. "I hope you have no expectations of tonight, husband."

He took a seat across from her. "Who said I did, dear wife?"

"You know, the bedding ceremony." She said dryly. "People will want to make sure you fuck your new wife, that our marriage is consummated. I'm sure your brother wants to be a witness and watch you brand me anyway."

He let out a small chuckle and then sighed. "There will be no bedding ceremony." Aemond rested his head on his hand, leaning fully against one of the chair's armrests. "It is not my style to degrade my partner in such a manner."

"What is your style then?"

"Private. Keep it between me and her, at least most of the time."

"Hm, good to know."

"And yours. What is your style?" The husband of the young Velaryon, now Targaryen, asked curiously. She looked at him silently in reply.

"You assume I have lost my virtue, by any chance?"

"Have you not?" the Targaryen prince was curious. "I think it's natural to want to explore when you're young, and lose your virtue."

"Yes. I have- I was- Aemond, yes, I have... done it before." She answered him truthfully.

"With someone I know?"

"Perhaps." With that the girl finished what was left of her drink.

"Ser Criston is out of the question, for starters." At those words she looked at him curiously, he drew a crooked smile on his face. "He is your father, apparently."

"I see you're into eavesdropping."

"Let's just say I prefer to keep up with everything that concerns my wife."

She gave a cynical laugh. "And how does it feel to know that your family has forced you to marry a bastard? Unbeknownst to them.” She asked, narrowing her eyes, expectant for his response.

"I don't care at all." He admitted with a shrug.

"Hm."

"I have a present for you." He said.

"Let me guess. It's a necklace with a medallion with the emblem of House Targaryen?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled that exact thing out of it. That necklace that he had once, six years ago, given to his friend.

"I know you do not trust me, and you never will, probably. But I want you to have this."

"Why would I accept it this time?"

"Because of what it symbolizes, clearly."

"House Targaryen?"

"No. The friendship we once had." The prince with the patched eye said as he rose from his seat. "That even if you do not trust me, I am willing to place my trust in you, and that even if you do not believe it, you will always have my protection."

"You seem to have feelings for me." She commented.

"Did I say I did not?" He admitted in the form of a question. "May I?" he asked for permission to put the necklace on his wife.

She looked at his outstretched hand, which had the necklace on it. She nodded slowly and brushed her long hair away from her neck. Her husband circled her, as he had done the first time he had put the same necklace on her, but now he noticed a slight difference.

A scar. A rather long one on the right side of her neck. It was as if someone had tried to slit her throat once.

Still staring at his wife's scar, Aemond finished placing the necklace around her neck. "I've never seen it on you before."

"I've never liked to show it." She whispered, reaching up to the decanter of wine to put more in the glass. "This is the reason for the name I was given. The Red Mermaid." She sighed as she said her nickname, and as she remembered the reason she was given it. "You would not know its story."

"I have always heard different versions. It is hard to know the real reason behind the name you were given."

"You want me to tell you what really happened, husband?"

"That is your decision to make."

"Make yourself comfortable, it is time for me to tell you a story." She said before taking a long sip of her drink, she was about to finish it and pour herself a third glass.

Aemond took note of this and took the decanter away from her. She had already had too much to drink throughout the day. "Enough for today. Please proceed to tell your tale."

"It all happened four years ago, when I was going through a very dark time." The young woman began to narrate. "I thought of taking my own life. So that night, after dinner, I escaped from my room and went to the beach, the one where most of the ships disembark. I thought, water extinguishes fire, there is no more poetic death for a dragon-blooded Velaryon than drowning. They say it is an agonising death, but in the end, when you stop fighting, a great peace comes over you."

The silver-haired young bastard fiddled with her glass, as she glanced at the fire she had lit in the room's chimney. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes, trying to find the strength to continue the story.

"I had already stopped fighting when someone pulled me out of the water, when someone decided to save me. I couldn't have been more wrong. The person who tried to save me had been watching the whole scene, without me noticing." The young woman gave a sad smile to her husband. "After pulling me out of the water and leaving me on the sand, that man tried to rape me. I do not remember where it came out of me to fight, I don't know when my animal instinct came out of me. One moment I was about to drown and the next I'm lying on the floor of the beach, under the stars of that night, fighting for that not to happen to me again".

"What? You've been assaulted like that before?" Aemond jumped to his feet at that statement from the woman. His knuckles turned white from how hard he clenched his fists.

She continued with her story, not answering his question. "I guess it was my animal instinct and fear of going through the same thing that ended up with me throwing myself at that man's neck. I bit him so hard on the neck, that when he struggled with me… he cut me with his knife on my neck... it wasn't a deep wound, in case you were wondering." She finished her drink again.

She had never told anyone what really happened that night. She didn't know why the first person she told was him, her husband. Her enemy. But honestly, it felt good to be able to share it for the first time with someone. She felt lighter now.

"Did he get to do to you what he tried to do?"

"No." She answered him, tears starting to form in her eyes, but she quickly brushed them away. "I dug my teeth even deeper into him, to the point where I practically tore his tissues away... and he bled to death right there next to me. I lost consciousness soon after, and it wasn't until the next morning that some guards found me lying on the sand next to that man's corpse, still wet and full of blood from both of us." She sighed, and inevitably a tear rolled down her cheek. She rested her head on her hands and let out a small sob.

Aemond approached her carefully and knelt down in front of her. He took her hands and met her gaze with his. "Honestly, I expected nothing less from you." He admitted, giving his niece-now-wife a small smile, trying to comfort her.

She closed her eyes again and let herself get caught up in the moment. She leaned her forehead against his, who was taken by surprise by this gesture, but did not pull away.

Was honesty the only thing needed to mend the friendship they once had?

"I need you to be honest with me. Has that really happened to you before? Have you ever been… raped before?" He asked looking at her.

She nodded, and with a frown of anger and helplessness at the memory of what had happened, she began to sob. Aemond, unsure of what to do, took a deep breath, and slowly pulled the girl to the floor so that she could sit next to him and then he could embrace her. He tried to comfort her in the same way that, in what seemed to have been a past life, he used to do.

"When? Who?" He asked still clinging to her, with one hand on her lower back and another resting on the nape of her neck.

"At the funeral of my aunt, Lady Laena." She murmured into his neck.

"Who? Please tell me who?" He asked. "Do I know him?"

"Yes." His young wife replied in the affirmative, as she turned her face away from the prince's neck and looked up at him with red, still tear-filled eyes. "Your brother."

"Aegon?" he asked in confusion.

She nodded. "He was the one who raped me. He was who ruined my life."

"You are all monsters. Real and disgusting monsters."

That's when it all made sense.

[lady-ashfade]

Hi could you please do yandere house of dragon x Helena twin and when Luke takes Aemond eye he also accidentally cut reader neck, and when they everyone’s gathered Alicent going crazy, reader faints making everyone extremely worried. Luke felt terrible ?

More Then A Eye

Yan!Various!HOTD Characters x Fem!Reader

Made this were the reader was the only one injured because that makes it more fun, and also might make a part 2 so that will come into play if I make that. Also feel like if it was just the reader it would be more interesting.

Warnings: Blood, gore, knifes, violence, yandere actions, reader being injured, me going slight into-depth on how the reader gets cut. Pretty much the whole thing.

Reader wants the family to all get along while the chaos is going on. She is sweetheart like her sister, but she doesn’t have the sight as her sister does. So she notices most of what’s happening, the other half of her sister.

Reader stops Aemond from getting picked on when she’s near because she has the power to make the boys calm, and the rest of the family at that. So she can get mad and upset so aemond feels at ease when his sister is around. But all the boys long for her affection and love, so they all cling to her.

The funeral is a very sad time for her since she loved Laena and the thought of her cousins losing their mother. Or her uncle losing his wife.

So to the readers surprise when she see aemond and jace have a small moments it brings a warmth to her chest in this dark time. Hoping that this was the gods way to bring her family together, but her hopes soon vanished when night came.

She had heard the others walk through the hallways as she tried to fall asleep, opening her door and their whispering calls. They got her attention and claimed someone stole vhagar so she went with them.

“I think we need to wake up our parents.” But her words were shoot down as they dragged her through the halls and down through the castle.

As soon as she saw the white hair she knew it was aemond and she wished she stayed in bed. The kids started to shout, while aemond replied in a time she never heard before, not shy. But proud and filled with venom.

When the fight broke out and all the reader could do was scream and cry for them to stop, but her body froze up. As soon as aemond grabbed ahold of Luke she ran towards him and grabbed ahold of his arm.

“Please, do not hurt them anymore. We- We can all stop this madness,” she looked around at all of them with tears. “Let us all be family.” Aemond was so caught up in his own wrath he pushed the reader back so she wouldn’t get in his way.

He threw Luke to the ground after calling jace and Luke “Strongs.” Then throwing the younger boy to the ground. Jace pulled out a small knife and the reader gasp as they fought again, but the knife was thrown elsewhere.

She watched as Luke crawled to the knife with a interesting to hurt aemond so her body moved on its own. “Aemond!” Just as she shouted she was cut off with the sound of flesh being cut with his blade and gushing sounds. They watch the horror in front of their eyes go down. Blood rolling down her throat and gasped of failed attempts of air when she fell to the ground with her hands clawing at her own throat.

Luke dropped the knife and steps back in disbelief of what was happening. Aemond caught his sister and laid her down in his arms trying to stop the bleeding. “How could you! I’ll kill you! I’ll feed you to my dragon.” He started to cry as did the others.

“What’s going on here?” The guards shouted as the walked up on the children and soon realized the princess. They took her in their arms and sent for the maester and the king at once. Everyone soon garnered in the hall for what had happened.

Alicent screamed when she first saw her daughter and it was loud that everyone in the castle heard. Running to her daughter with tears in her eyes she started to move her hair out of the way as the maester worker. Viserys screamed at the guards to answer who had done it but he wasn’t expecting his own grandsons. Aemond sat at his mothers side while handing the readers hand. Healana looked at the ground with a sob. She had saw it in a nightmare once’s that felt so real, this exact moment.

The boys stayed back and far away. Luke not even daring to look at the reader knowing he caused her harm and pain. All of them wondering if she would be dead soon. Alicent was so focused she didn’t even pay attention to anything but the reader being life and to keep her that way.

When rhaenrya entered it was hell to pay. Reader had just got done with her stitches while still knocked out cold as her body tried to heal itself. “You,” Alicent screamed and pointed at the princess. “You’re filthy sons did this.” Rhaenrya had not see the reader yet as she looked at her sons. When her eyes looked onto the readers body her eyes went wide and looked back at her sons not believing a word.

“They did this?” She asked around the room as the boys tensioned up. “It’s true, jace brought the knife to the fight and his brother, Luke, did the deed.” Cole spiked with a snare. Luke tugged at his mother’s sleeves, “But I did not mean too. Aemond was going to kill jace! The reader got in the way.” All the children started to scream their own defense as everyone watched.

The king was mad but not at the children but at the guards for not doing their jobs. Saying this would have been avoided if they were watched closely. “She would not want us to fight and surely you all know it.” He turned to look at young Luke in the eyes. “I know you did not mean it boy, things can be forgiven.” Alicent looked at rhaenrya as she smiled softly and pull her sons behind herself and listened to Viserys plead of forgiveness and family.

“He deserves no forgiveness,” Alicent stood up and let go of your hand. “The knife was brought to the fight and one of our children could have been killed- Y/n almost died, or might not make it.” She inched closer with a glare and her hands made up into a fist. “Our little girls life being stolen can be..Forgiven?”

“It is what’s right! I love her with my heart but it has been decided, no more blood needs to be shed. Do not let your hatred blind you Alicent.” She stared at him as he spoke so calmly and started to walk away. Her eyes went to the dagger on his hip and her mind filled with red to see her daughter avenged. Moving quickly she took the blade from his side and held it up going for Luke.

“If you will not see to justice then I shall.” Rhaenrya pushes her sons back and caught Alicent before she got closer. They held each other, pushing and pulling to get what they wanted. “Another insult to my family and you get away with it? Just under falling under that pretty foot. It is not far, where is duty? Where is sacrifice?” Rhaenrya looked at the blade as it reflected off the fire light.

She was about to say something but a loud metal sound caught them off guard. They both looked back as the reader laid on the floor with her eyes open and reached out for them. Her head shaking as she tried to speak out but nothing was coming out. Aemond coming to her aid and helping her up but she had used her the rest of her strength to get out of the chair. Reader looked at her brother for help to help and speak her mind, pleading to do the right thing.

“No more blood shed mother.” His spoke but his eyes do not match his words. “She does not wish it.” Helaena came rushing down to her twins side and held her hand. Alicent looked back at rhaenrya one last time before pulling away and dropping the knife. Slowly inching back she looked around at her husband, only with anger and devastation.

Everyone was quiet as she ordered someone to carry her daughter out of the room with the maester. The kids walked with her and held onto their sisters hand as she fell back into a deep sleep. No one could speak a word as they all stood stocked.

For years that was the last time rhaenrya and her kids saw their aunt, along with Daemon. But letters where sent in private from the reader to all of them with updates and her forgiveness. But luke refuses to open and read them as his guilt rotted away at his soul. But each week for years new letters still came from her. The next time they all saw eachother, they all grown so much. But they all remembered the first acted of war.

One side trying to make amends and the other full of revenge.

[thebaileybee]

CHAPTER 1 IS LIVE ON AO3

[witchofhimring]

Being the daughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen

Rhaenyra Targaryen x daughter reader (platonic)

Reader can either be read as the child of Laenor, Daemon, Criston Harwin or other

-As her only daughter you are especially cherished. The moment they place you on her chest she instantly, unconditionally loves you. While she does not have favorites, you are cherished.

It was with one last agonizing push that Rhaenyras only daughter came screaming into the world. "A daughter, your Grace!" With trembling arms Rhaenyra took her daughter from the midwife. Y/n Velarion's e/c eyes opened and Rhaenyra instantly fell in love. Secretly, she had always harbored hopes of having a girl. She knew the realm prayed for a son, but deep inside Rhaenyra yearned for a girl. A daughter to love and cherish and protect her from all that she herself had suffered.

-You are absolutely doted on my your mother. She makes sure you have the best of everything. She loves to order sweets brought from all over and give them to you in elaborately decorated boxes. She has you all decked out in red and black clothing. Rhaenyra likes to do your hair and make elaborate hairdos. Whether for a special occasion or any normal day she takes great pleasure in showing off how pretty you are!

Y/n squealed in delight as Rhaenyra pulled out a box. Knowing that it held some kind of delight behind its wooden covering you wasted no time in hastily opening it. Tiny hands seized the sugar covered fruits from Dorne. The mother giggled as with great enthusiasm Y/n chomped away at them. "Remember to share them with your brothers!" Rhaenyra called out to her daughters. "Gods I love her." Rhaenyra thought.

-Because of the political situation you are heavily guarded. Your friends/ladies in waiting are carefully picked amongst Rhaenyra's closest allies. From the time you are old enough to walk she hires a personal guard to follow wherever you go. This is especially true if Otto, Alicent or Criston Cole are near. Unlike with her sons I don't see Rhaenyra letting you near your uncles. Partly because it would be seen as inappropriate but also for safety sakes.

-Princess Rhaenyra, Princess of Dragonstone, eldest child of Viserys and heir to the throne, ran in great haste down the hall. She payed no heed to the sudden stairs of people. Most of the time she would care, but not now. Not when she noticed her brother Aemond speaking with her baby girl under the Weirwood tree. She did not know his intentions and frankly, did not care. None of Otto Hightowers grandchildren would be in any position to harm her daughter. "Y/n." Rhaenyra hurried down the path to see two children quite peacefully reading a book. Aemond was the first to look up and scowled. Rhaenyra didn't like it. Even something as innocent as this could insight trouble. Gods know Otto might even consider marrying the two if he could get away with it. A perfect way to tether the Princess of Westeros to himself forever. She would never let that happen.

-Obviously you will have a dragon from day one, if there isn't an egg already placed in the cradle. She will likely want you to have a new one rather than an older one. This is mainly because she worries an older one might be too aggressive and large for tiny you to manage. Of course she will take you for flight on Syrax, high in the sky. She uses these times to bond, even going on short daytrips for fun.

If she gives you an egg:

Rhaenyra cradles the large opaque egg in her hands. It was a good size, this dragon would be healthy. It was placed right beside the infant who was roused to the waking world. Her large e/c eyes focused on the egg with such intensity that Rhaenyra could hardly believe it. Her fingers brushed against the thin hairs that had just started to sprout up. Her little Targaryen.

If you claim your own dragon:

She would have preferred Dreamfyre. That dragon was so gentle and lovely, a perfect fir for her gentle daughter. Not fucking Tessarion. Anxiously Rhaenyra waited as Y/n advanced forward. The dragon keepers were on standby. But if Tessarion became volatile then......... The great dragon moved its head. The Valyrian coming out of Y/n's trembling mouth would barely be heard over the beasts rumbling. Horrified, Rhaenyra moved to intercede. But suddenly the dragon lowered its head and Y/n's hand placed itself on its snout. "Look mom! I'm a dragonrider!"

Riding a dragon with her daughter:

At five years old Y/n mounted a dragon for the first of many times. Rhaenyra had been hesitant. Normally Targaryen's took their children on a flight during babyhood. But in her anxiety Rhaenyra waited until her daughter was slightly older. She had a small harness made for the baby and herself. Part of Rhaenyra didn't want to stay on the ground, but Y/n was a Targaryen, a Valyrian ancestry going back thousands of years. The dragons wings expanded and in a great bounding leap Syrax was in the air. Y/n's small form was shaking and Rhaenyra wrapped an arm around her. They stabilized once above the clouds. Y/n finally had calmed down. Soon, she was giggling and enjoying the height. Rhaenyra smiled.

-When it comes to betrothals Rhaenyra will wait until you are grown before any of that comes to fruition. Like her father she will let you chose. That is, up until the events of episode 7 where Vaemond makes his bid for Driftmark. Even though she will not be aggressive about it, your attention will be directed to Cregan Stark. Of course you will get the talk, and what to expect during pregnancy/childbirth. Your also likely to get a new wardrobe. This is even more expected if where your moving to (think Winterfell and Dorne) has a drastic change in weather compared to Kingslanding/Driftmark. If you do end up married then she will make frequent visits to where you live.

Everyone bellow was mingling during the Red Keeps most recent party. Everyone except for Rhaenyra and Y/n. Mother and daughter observed the happenings bellow, talking in low voices. "Have you met anyone who appeals from you?" Rhaenyra closely watched her daughters expression. Y/n's eyes skimmed the handful of eligible bachelors that a Princess of the realm could take. "Hmmmm. Uncle Aemond is looking rather appealing these days." Y/n jested. Rhaenyra snorted. None of Otto's grandchildren would ever taken her daughter to wife. Only last week Alicent had requested a possible betrothal between their two children. As far as Rhaenyra was concerned, that would only happen over her dead body. "Who is that?" Rhaenyra's eyes lit up. Now this was a much better match. "That is Cregan Stark."

Extra

What is your fathers relationship with you (excluding non cannon father)

Harwin Strong:

Like with his sons he is very close with you. Your his only daughter and so he is very protective. He will hold you as a baby and try to be there for everything. First words, steps and your progression into adulthood. He likes to carry you on his back during his time off. Even though you are a girl you will likely be taught to fight if you so chose. Although that will be in secret. I think that as the daughter of Rhaenyra and Harwin you will feel like you all are a great big family.

Leanor Velarion:

Your his only biological child. Because of this the family dynamic will change, with Laenor being far more involved with his family.1* Rhaenyra and Rhaenys will push hard for him to be a good father, the best he can be. Its a rocky start. But he gets better and does his best. Your time together is usually one on one with Laenor. Stuff like taking you on dragonrides and going to Driftmark.

Criston Cole:

This one is a doozy because he can't be sure until you are older that your his (given that Rhaenyra's likely got involved with Harwin shortly after marriage). But once he finds out....wow. Because as much as he loathes Rhaenyra he can't bring himself to hate the daughter. He will, very subtly, try to ingratiate himself to you. This will be sneaky and behind Rhaenyra's back. Of course Alicent will get wind of this making Otto aware. He will absolutely try to use this to his advantage. This of course puts Criston in a very difficult position.

Daemon Targaryen:

This pregnancy takes place shortly before the marriage to Laenor, meaning Rhaenyra was pregnant although very early on. I have a feeling Daemon might not even know the baby is his, thinking it is Harwin Strong's. So he as nothing to do with you until the funeral of his second wife. It was there that Rhaenyra reveals he has another daughter. The reason he was not informed earlier is because she was worried someone might get ahold of the note and Daemon was in Pentos all this time. This revelation will be surprised. When your parents marry he will take an interest in your education. You are expected to be an example of pure Valyrian, perfecting Valyrian and being a dragon writer. The two of you will sometimes read together and he likes to tell stories of his adventures.

Note: I'm gonna make one for Alicent and maybe Aemond. If you guys want me to make any more of these then please feel free to requested☺

[aphroditelovesu]

Winter Solstice | Yan!HOTD

❝ 🐉 — lady l: Merry Christmas, my dear readers! I wish you a great day and a prosperous New Year! I hope you enjoy this Christmas special with our yandere family from HOTD! Good reading, forgive me for any mistakes and once again, have a great holiday to you ❤️🎄.

❝warnings: yandere themes, mention of death and obsessive and possessive behavior.

❝🐉word count: 1,941.

A long, long time ago, when the Earth was young and the days were short, people looked up to the sky with wonder and awe. They watched the Sun rise and fall over the horizon, its heat bringing life to the earth and its dark nights bringing a deep sleep to the world.

In the ancient realm of the seasons, each cycle marked the eternal dance between light and dark. As winter approached, a whisper spread through nature. Leaves fell from the trees, animals sought shelter and the nights extended, enveloping the world in a blanket of darkness and cold.

It was the time of the Winter Solstice, a magical moment when the Earth seemed suspended between extremes. People gathered around campfires, telling stories of times gone by, sharing warmth and hope amid the impending darkness.

On the eve of the longest night of the year, eyes turned to the sky, waiting for the miracle. Slowly, the Sun began its journey towards the horizon, fighting the darkness with its golden light. The stars twinkled above, bearing witness to the celestial spectacle.

And then, in the most sublime moment, the Sun began to rise, rising majestically into the sky. The colors of dawn painted the landscape, and people celebrated the rebirth of the Sun, knowing that light and warmth would return to the world. It was a symbol of renewal, hope and the continuous cycle of life.

On the Winter Solstice, people came together to celebrate the courage of the light that faces the darkness, remembering that even in the darkest moments, there is always the promise of rebirth and the light that returns to warm the hearts and illuminate the souls ways.

It had always been your favorite time of year, you loved how the snow fell from the sky and painted everything white, the food, the exchange of gifts and most importantly, it was when your whole family was together. You appreciated more than anything the few moments of peace that your family spent during that date, all happy and together. Like a big, loving family.

Having them all together was what you loved most as you grew up. All the disputes, the fights seemed to disappear during this time of year. Your heart and mind were at peace.

The green of the forest and the fiery red of love and passion. Its fabric was as soft as a spring breeze, a harmonious blend of silk and cotton that moved like leaves dancing in the wind. The predominant green was reminiscent of treetops, its hue varying from a lush emerald green to softer nuances, like newborn buds. The waist was accentuated by a deep red belt, as if it were the blush of the petals of a passionate rose. The intense tone stood out, creating a magnificent contrast with the lush greenery, and a decorative bow added a touch of elegance.

Something beautiful and elegant, with both of your family colors. Of the Targaryens and the Hightowers. There was some small, discreet blue embroidery that symbolized the Velaryon, subtle but standing out in its own way.

You turned to your maid who was looking at you with affection, you smiled at her, ''What do you think, Diane?''

She smiled widely, ''You looked incredible, my princess/prince. A suitable choice for a dinner with your family.'' There was a hint of worry in her tone, but you just held her hands and squeezed them gently.

''Don't worry, Diane. Everything will be fine.''

She nodded, ''Yes... Do you want me to accompany you to where the banquet will be held?''

You politely denied, ''No, but thank you.''

A hint of disappointment flashed in her brown eyes, but she just smiled and after a simple bow, she left the room. You took a deep breath and looked at the ring that adorned your finger, a gift from your grandfather, Viserys. He was sick and you swore to yourself that you would do everything to make this dinner enjoyable for him. He deserved it.

Just as you expected, everything was impeccable and your family was already waiting for you. A majestic dining room, adorned with golden chandeliers that hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting soft light on long solid wood tables.

The walls were covered with richly embroidered tapestries, depicting scenes from Targaryen history and grand festivities. The polished stone floor gleamed in the light of the torches that adorned the walls, reflecting the grandeur of the space.

In the center of the room, a long table stretched out, covered in an immaculate linen tablecloth and decorated with wildflower arrangements and heraldry of noble families. Silver candelabras exuded a soft glow, while golden goblets glittered in the dancing light of the flames.

Music filled the atmosphere as skilled musicians played lutes, flutes and harps, entertaining guests with happy melodies and lively dances.

''(Y/N)!'' Your mother's excited voice called out to you and you smiled at Rhaenyra, who quickly hugged you, placing her head against the crook of your neck, ''You look great, sweetheart.''

''Thanks, mom. You look great too.'' And indeed, she did. Rhaenyra wore a dark red dress decorated with gold that fit her perfectly. She pulled back a little and smiled at you.

''(Y/N)! We're here.'' On one side of the table, your younger brothers sat. You looked at Jacaerys, Lucerys, and little Joffrey, who were smiling at you. You kissed Rhaenyra's cheek and went to sit next to your brothers. Or you tried, for that matter.

For you were quickly pulled to the side as Aegon grabbed you and pulled you closer to him, Aemond, and Helaena. You smiled at your aunt and uncles and greeted them.

''Sit with us.'' Aegon asked and pointed to an empty chair next to Helaena who was smiling sweetly at you. You looked nervously at your brothers, who were staring at Aegon with disdain.

Aemond frowned and placed a hand over your shoulder, ''Come, stay with us.'' His tone said there was no room for argument.

Luckily for you, the doors opened and revealed Viserys along with Alicent, both smiling when they saw you. You apologized to your aunt and uncles and quickly walked over to your grandparents, helping Viserys sit down.

''Ah, (Y/N)... You look great!'' Viserys praised you, as soon as he sat down. You smiled at him and kissed his cheek in thanks.

Alicent pulled you into a tight hug, ''My husband is right, you look great. This shade of green suits you very well.'' She murmured and walked away hesitantly, adjusting your clothes. You kissed your face.

''Thanks. You look amazing too.'' She smiled in response and held your hands, squeezing them gently.

After a few minutes of talking to your grandparents, you walked over to your father and uncle, who were sitting next to each other. Laenor smiled widely and pulled you into a tight hug, not wanting to let go. He only let go when Daemon cleared his throat, irritated.

Laenor rolled his eyes and let go of you, staring at Daemon with an iron gaze. Daemon returned the same look and you acted quickly before they fought.

''Happy Solstice to you both.'' You said, twiddling your fingers nervously. Daemon smiled and patted you on the shoulder twice, pulling you into a hug. You hugged him back.

''Happy Solstice, my child.'' Laenor said after you and Daemon parted ways.

''Happy Solstice, (Y/N).'' Daemon said, looking at you softly. You thanked them and apologized as you left them, wanting to greet your other family members. You spotted Baela and Rhaena sitting near your brothers and quickly walked over to them.

''Finally. I thought you would never come and talk to us.'' Baela complained and got up from the chair and hugged you tightly, ''I missed you, cousin.''

You returned the hug tightly, smiling at her words, ''I missed you too, cousin.''

Rhaena cleared her throat and stood up, hugging you as you and Baela separated.

You smiled at the squeeze and said, ''I missed you too, Rhaena.''

Joffrey got out of his chair and jumped into your arms, laughing loudly when you caught him in a tight hug.

''You're getting too big for me to keep doing this.'' You laughed and rolled him over, placing him on the floor. Russing his dark hair, you smiled when he laughed. You hugged Luke, who seemed especially clingy today. Jace also hugged you tightly and wished you a Happy Solstice.

After talking for a while with your brothers and cousins, you went to greet your paternal grandparents. Rhaenys and Corlys were sitting next to Otto, oddly enough, and the three of them looked at you with affection.

''Grandmother.'' You kissed Rhaenys's cheek who kissed yours back.

''Grandpa.'' You hugged Corlys and he hugged you back and complimented the blue details on your outfit.

''Otto.'' You greeted your great-grandfather, who smiled warmly at you. He seemed relaxed and calm, more so than he normally was.

''Shall we have dinner in honor of this happy day?'' Viserys's loud voice sounded in the room and everyone focused on the King. There was a bit of tension about where you should sit, but you chose next to Viserys and Rhaenyra, who shook your hand under the table.

Servants brought silver trays loaded with delicious delicacies. Large roasts of meat browned on skewers, exuding a tantalizing aroma of exotic spices. Tables were adorned with fresh fruit, from crimson apples to juicy grapes, and freshly baked bread that looked like it had come straight from the oven.

Plenty of wine circulated among everyone and soon everyone was laughing and talking. Your heart felt lighter when you saw your entire family happy, getting along for the first time in a long time.

After the banquet, you all went to one of the rooms of the castle, where the gifts were. The exchange went well, you received gifts from everyone individually and you presented them with what you carefully chose. Ser Criston was present and you gave him a gift too, under the watchful eye of your family, a pure Valyrian steel sword. He smiled in thanks and said he would give you a gift later.

When it seemed like the exchange of gifts was over, Otto said, ''We have a special gift for you, (Y/N). From all of us.'' He gestured to your entire family, who looked on expectantly. You took the gift from his hand, a wooden box with gold details, which was well packaged.

As soon as you opened it, all the color in your face disappeared. It was a head, a human head. You felt like you were going to throw up when you recognized the head. Diane, your servant.

''W-What is this?!'' You groaned, the words stuck in your throat as you held the box, your legs shaking as terror invaded your body. Everyone seemed calm, even Viserys.

''This is our gift to you, my child.'' Rhaenyra said and approached you, placing a hand on your shoulder, ''To remind you not to approach anyone.''

''They can't be trusted,'' Alicent began to say, ''Diane couldn't be trusted. Criston was the one who cut off her head and Rhaenyra, Helaena and I cradled her. The choice of the box was Daemon's.''

They looked at you expectantly, as if they hoped you really liked the gift. Your hands were shaking so much that the box fell to the floor, Diane's severed head falling to the floor.

A perfect ending to a loving Winter Solstice with your family, from their perspective.