#viscerys targaryen

[lillysbitchfest]

[claudia1829things]

Favorite Episodes of “HOUSE OF THE DRAGON” Season One (2022)

Below is a list of my favorite episodes from Season One of “HOUSE OF THE DRAGON”, HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin's 2018 book, “Fire & Blood”.  The series was created by Martin and Ryan Condal:

FAVORITE EPISODES OF “HOUSE OF THE DRAGON” SEASON ONE (2022)

1.  (1.08) “The Lord of the Isles” - When Lord Corlys Verlaryon is declared seriously wounded in the Stepstones, the Driftmark succession is challenged by his younger brother Ser Vaemond Verlaryon, who wants to prevent Prince Lucerys Verlaryon, second son of Princess Rhaenerys Targaryen, from inheriting the island.

2.  (1.10) “The Black Queen” - Following the news of her father’s death, the usurpation of the throne by her younger half-brother Aegon Targaryen, and the death of her stillborn daughter; Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together, while her husband and uncle Daemon Targaryen prepares for war in the season finale.

3.  (1.01) “The Heirs of the Dragon” - King Viserys II of Westeros hosts a tournament to celebrate the birth of his second child.  Rhaenyra welcomes her uncle Daemon back to King’s Landing.

4.  (1.05) “We Light the Way” - Daemon visits his wife in the Vale. King Viserys and Rhaenyra broker agreements with the Velaryons for her upcoming wedding to Lord Corlys’ son, Ser Laenor Velaryon.  Queen Alicent seeks the truth about her stepdaughter and former friend’s virginal state.

5.  (1.07) “Driftmark”- As the Targaryens and Velaryons gather at Driftmark to attend Princess Laena Targaryen’s funeral, the king calls for an end to infighting and Alicent demands justice for the loss of her second son’s eye after he lost it during a fight over his claiming Laena’s dragon Vhagar.

[arian-thedreamer]

My little gay heart is too obsessed with the idea of of Viserys being overjoyed to announce the marriage of his sons/grandsons to eachother

Something about a jolly old man not being a homophobe is tickling my gay brain. It's free therapy.

[glamourweaver]

I just realized a bit about the background of Aegon IV giving Blackfyre to Daemon and how it intersects with his issues with his father and brother.

Dark Sister.

Well before there was ever a serious thought that Aegon III’s male line would end, and Aegon son of Viscerys would end up inheriting the throne and Blackfyre - Viscerys gave Dark Sister Aemon. My Headcanon is he did so the day Aemon joined the Kingsguard. There is no way Aegon (the future Unworthy) didn’t take that as an insult and the theft of his birthright as Viscerys’ first born son. Clearly the assumption at the time would have been that Blackfyre would pass down Aegon III’s line through Daeron, and Dark Sister through Viscerys’ line through his eldest son - but instead he gave it to his second son who took a vow of celibacy!

And then as king Aegon IV does the same damn thing with Blackfyre, making a point to pass over his first trueborn son.

[sonolynn]

A Fools Game

request | would love to see your take on Aemond feeling like a fool. Aemond thinks he charmed someone all on his own, only to find out they were pressured into pursuing him by a power-hungry family member, much like Alicent with Viscerys 👀

summary | Aemond thought you loved him.

paring | Aemond x Fem!Reader

tags | swearing, unrequited love, arranged marriage, hurt no comfort, angst, miscommunication kinda, not proof read.

w.c | 1.3k

note(s) | I love angst. I love angst so much.

____________________________________________

Aemond loved you. Whole heartedly he loved you. He never thought himself capable of love or being loved, but somehow you changed that; changed his way of thinking and his way of everyday life. He didn’t like it, at first. He thought at first that this new way of life that was instructed by you was something to feel scared about, or to fear. It wasn’t until he got to know you-truly know you-that he found himself drowning in what it was like to love you. 

While he was courting you it felt surreal. He had charmed his way into your heart and your affections with all but simple words and small touches. He thought himself to be a human for once. Not a mindless sword for the crown but a human-perhaps even a boy. 

When he asked you to marry him he thought you would say yes immediately, but when you said you needed to think he felt a little bit of his resolve crumble away and fill with anxiety. 

____________________________________________

“He asked me if I should marry him.” You told Queen Alicent. The queen nodded at your words, pacing back and forth in front of the fire. Your family had been a vital part of the crown’s court for generations. Your father had gifted the crown lots of gold, and even more weapons and military assistance with what you could spare. More times than you could count your father had saved King Viserys’ ass. 

Hence why now, the queen was pressuring you into marrying her son. A marriage between the great Targaryen’s and your house would surely be prosperous for both sides. 

“And you said yes?” Alicent asked. You had always felt the pressure to say yes to anything the prince had asked you; You did not find him scary, or intimidating as most did, but you didn’t know if you could love him like how he seemed to love you, at least, not with the pressures of his family.

“I told him that I would think about it, your grace.” At your words Alicent stopped and she turned back to you. 

“Think about it?” 

“Yes, your grace-” 

“You will say yes.” You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding and nodded slowly. You knew that this was coming, you knew that you had no choice in the outcome of your own life. You were born into this, being the firstborn daughter of your family and all. From the minute the maester declared your gender you no longer had a choice in what you would choose to do in your life. Your decisions, your actions and your fate all rested in the hands of powerful men and women. 

So, when Alicent told you that you would say yes to the prince, you only nodded softly and went on your way. A pain in your chest that you couldn’t yet seem to pinpoint. 

____________________________________________

When the day finally came for the wedding the whole keep was a bustle. Servants ran around, preparing the decorations and the food and almost everything. You, however, sat in your chambers, staring at yourself in the mirror as the servant behind you did your hair. 

Aemond found himself excited, marrying the girl-no, women-that he had fallen in love with made his head spin and his heart burn in anticipation to see you in your white dress. 

You, however, didn’t recognize yourself, decorated in gold and ivory like a doll for Alicent Hightower to play with. Your hair had adjournments and jewels that you had never seen before, and your dress was starting to feel too tight. You quickly stood from your seat, and you walked to Alicent’s chambers. 

The minute you got to Alicent’s room, seeing her sit in her chair as a servant did her hair, you felt a wave of anxiety wash over you. If you backed out now surely your father would hate you for it…But you were done looking out for others. 

“I can’t marry the prince.” You spoke quietly, but Alicent heard you. She stood slowly, pushing the servant back a little. 

“You are just nervous. You shouldn’t say such things-” “The only thing that I am nervous about is being thrown into a loveless marriage! I cannot marry the prince lest I drive myself insane!” Alicent paused, and she gave you a look; a warning look. But you ignored the look, only to continue talking. “I have never looked out for myself. Not truly. But for once I wish to be able to make my own decision without that of a higher power!” 

You watched Alicent’s eyes drift from your eyes to behind you, and her breath caught in her throat. 

“Aemond.” 

You froze as she spoke the name, and you turned quickly, only to be faced with that of the young prince. Your heart broke, something you didn’t know it could do for the prince. You watched his wide eye, his soft frown as he stared down at you. 

“My mother forced you to do this?” He spoke carefully, his voice slightly wavering. You watched, as the last bit of excitement in the prince's eyes drained out into something more; hurt and betrayal. 

“M-My prince-” You went to speak, but Aemond quickly turned, his hair falling over his shoulder blades as he rushed out of the room. You sighed heavily and followed him, calling out his name. 

As he descended down the stairs, you quickly picked up your dress and ran after him. 

“Aemond, wait! Please! You do not understand-” 

“I understand enough!” His voice was loud, he was truly yelling, which caused you to stop and stare down at him. His one eye was slightly red, and his jaw was clenched. 

“Aemond-” 

“I understand. I understand that my mother is a two tongued cunt who forces others to bend at her will. But I did not expect you to be so easily pliable.” Your face hardened at that, and you glared at him. 

“How is it that when looking out for myself, I become pliable! I wish to live a life in which I do not have my decisions made for me-” 

“You could have had that with me!” Aemond spoke frantically, looking up at you with soft eyes as his voice tore between the lines of hurt and fury. “I would have loved and cherished you with everything I had!” 

You scoffed. “Loved? When does love ever come out of a political marriage?” 

“Political?” His face softened into confusion and he looked up at you, his eye tracing over your face in disbelief. You looked at him with the same amount of confusion. 

“This marriage. It is political.” 

“No. No, this marriage is because I find my heart at your feet.” You stopped at his words, staring at him with an expression slowly turning into that of shock. 

“You care for me?” 

“No, I fucking love you!” He stares for a moment longer, before he speaks again. “But now I see what it truly is. Forgive me, my lady.” He gave you a quick nod of his head before he turned and returned to his descent down the stairs. You stood frozen, looking at his back as tears formed in your eyes. You knew this wedding would go on no matter what happened, but this complicated things, so many things. 

As Aemond walked away he felt his heart beating faster. How could he not hate? Why, out of all of this new found hurt did he still feel a connection towards you? 

He wished to scream, he wished to punch the walls until his knuckles went raw and bloody. He wanted to do so many things but he seemed paralyzed to action as your words rang through his head. You never wished to marry him, you wished to please his mother. Gods did he feel like a fool. 

A mistake he vowed he’d never make again.

[pinkykats-place]

HotD DILF(s) x Reader Insert Fics

Tumblr Recommendations

Disclaimers!

None of the stories are mine.

Some contain mature content.

Gif not mine.

Note: if you read and enjoy any of these stories - please like, leave a comment and/or reblog original post!

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The Good Queen

Viserys Targaryen x Fem!Reader Summary: The King must choose a new wife, and Alicent’s older sister, Y/n Hightower, is a suitable choice and a perfect match. For once, Viserys makes a decision that benefits everyone and upsets little few. The Seven Kingdoms are better for it.

Viserys Targaryen x Reader

Playtime´s over

Viserys I Targaryen x servant!reader

synopsis: King Viserys calls you into his chambers for a favor.

Viserys I Targaryen w/Second Wife Headcanons (Romantic)

yandere!viserys i targaryen x female!reader

viserys obsessed with his second wife after aemma and they have like dozens of kids

Viserys x Hightower!reader

Summary: alicent had an older widowed or still unmarried sister that hears what otto has been planning and decides to ruin his plan and save alicent from that life by making viscerys focus on her instead

Not All That Glitters is Gold

Daemon Targaryen x female!reader

Prompt: during your engagement dinner, you learn from your fiancé's niece that he holds choice words about you.

or finding out he calls you clingy behind your back.

Loyalty

Daemon Targaryen x Hightower!reader

Summary: the king decides it's time for his brother to produce more targaryen heirs. who better than another hightower daughter to carry them?

Blue Moon Wreckage

Daemon Targaryen x fem!wife!reader

prompt: your husband can often lose his temper and resort to the man he was before you. you grow tired of lashing your tongue, and learn your husband responds better to silence.

At First Glance

Otto Hightower x Fem!Tyrell!Reader

Summary: Let's go back to the beginning of our Rosebud and her Hightower. Ser Otto is slotted to marry the young Tyrell girl, expecting resentment and disgust. However, his young bride proves him wrong quickly and erotically.

Would That I

Otto Hightower x wife!Reader

Summary: Otto makes sure his pretty, young wife has absolutely everything she desires.

Otto Hightower x fem!Targaryen!Reader

Request: An Otto and Targaryen reader one, where she is Daemon and Viserys younger sister and Daemon has always lusted after her, Viserys too, but not as much as Daemon. She and Otto get married out of love. Fast forward, Daemon finds a way to sneak and be voyeur in her and Otto’s chambers.

We Light The Way

Otto Hightower x Fem!Targaryen!Reader

Summary: Princess Y/n Targaryen, sister to Prince Daemon and sister to King Viserys, knows that her brothers turn a blind eye if she doesn’t act like their innocent baby sister. So she uses that to her advantage and sneaks around with a certain Hand of the King...

Letters From Oldtown (part 1)

Otto Hightower x Redwyne!reader

Summary: Cast away, Ser Otto finds refuged in the comforts of home, where he meets the lady in charge of Daeron's education. After years of careful friendship, they start an epistolary romance when he is called back to serve the King once more.

Wine Upon Her Lips (part 2)

Otto Hightower x Redwyne!reader

Summary: A royal wedding brings the widowed Lady Redwyne to King's Landing and reunites her with Ser Otto. Despite their agreement to keep to the rules of propriety, the feelings expressed during their correspondance can no longer be restrained.

In All the Freshness of her Youth

Otto Hightower x Targaryen!reader (Rhaenyra's younger sister)

Series: A Companion

Otto Hightower x Young Widow!Reader

Summary: At the suggestion of Princess Rhaenyra, King Viserys Targaryen had commanded that his Hand, Otto Hightower, find a new bride. Preferably at the King's own wedding to Otto's daughter Alicent. While the Princess intended the suggestion as a form of revenge for Otto's machinations which led to the royal engagement, he intends to make the best of it. While he has always known that his late wife, Madelyn, is the great love of his life, he welcomes the idea of finding a tolerable companion. What he doesn't expect is you, a lady widowed far too young, who begins to spark feelings within him he thought long extinguished.

Mare's Milk & Cider

Otto Hightower x reader(can be seen as platonic/romantic), hotd x reader

Series: One in the Same

Otto Hightower x Targaryen!Fem!Reader

The Moon is a Frozen Tear

Otto Hightower x Targaryen!reader

Summary: As a cousin to King Viserys, you enjoy a privileged position in his inner circle. Loss after loss, you find comfort in the company of none other than his Hand, Ser Otto.

My Honour

otto x targ!f!reader

Deflowered

Otto Hightower x fem!Reader

Otto Hightower x Reader Masterlist

Otto Hightower Masterlist

NSFW Alphabet with Otto Hightower:

[howyouloveyourdragon]

yandere rhaenyra x sorceress fem reader (light yandere not really dark preferably) headcanons or another format if you like. -reader can possibly have kids w/ her (which might help when rhaenyra is with laenor is you make her a sorceress from descended from old Valeryia so has the targaryen look & later she can be the one to get pregnant if wanted) -she could also be a dragon rider at one point -viscerys may even love her no matter what the hightowers say because she has magic from old valaryia (might give her more influence than the hightowers do) -meaning rhaenyra could stay in the keep. - laenor stays or you make them get with daemon (or they get together privately if you want to keep laena alive cause the reader can save her)

- reader even be able to save jeoffry I'm going to stop with my ideas as they may go on and on, sorry this was so long I got carried away (I or someone else, or you if you want may be able to turn this into a full on story one day)! Some side platonic yandere shorts could be made from this

hey lovie! so happy to receive this request it was very fun to write :) <3 i would be happy to write more detail in a fic but unfortunately i couldn't go too in depth on this current post but if i do write one up i will tag you :)

pronouns: she/her warnings: both sfw and nsfw sections

SFW

now as a blueprint i'm going to go through a little thought process of reader & rhaenyra

i went down the route of reader keeping majority to Valyrian lore

and i think in this case Rhaenyra would be more of an obsessing yandere

lets say that reader is a descendant of Valyrian blood, perhaps her family escaped The Doom because they foresaw it, perhaps later aligning with Aegon I as he conquered Westeros so long as he kept their family a secret and so he ensured both their safety and their stay under his rule

however things sour after he has passed and they flee

they become a mere rumour and legend which King Viserys ends up telling to his children with fervent delight, dreaming of the day they might return

Rhaenyra drinks this up not only because it is intriguing but also because the beautiful artwork he shows to her look magnificent, fire encircling them and blood locking their promises

she will have pretended as a little girl to be one of these sorcerers, twirling with her mother in patterns befitting ceremonies and copying their olden styles

however as she gets older she pretends to forget the mysterious sorcerers and instead focuses on maintaining her title as heir, demanding the same respect she is sure her ancestors' dear allies must have

and yet one night, when she is tending to her courtly duties, she hears the most humorous little rumour

that there is a witch among the grounds, they whisper

and then it is brought up at a council meeting and her blood heats, a gasp drawing from her mouth in match with the Queen's

they both share a glance, recalling the games they had played as children before the pattering of feet

they expect to see a fearful lamb pleading for sanctuary but instead they find you

beautiful, regal you

Rhaenyra thinks you look more a Queen than either of them and she stands in respect, shocking the court

the men around you gape but you simply smirk in approval "Your grace," You greet, only holding contact with her as you curtsy only so slightly

Alicent coughs and stands also, determined to maintain composure

you explain that you have been orphaned and bring forth the written promise of Aegon I to care for your little family

Alicent requests proof with a concerned stiff expression and you gladly provide

with the flick of your wrist you summon a dragonglass candle from the skirt of your dress and stare deep into the spot in which a wick should be placed

in a flash it alights and broadens before your eyes

gasps enrapture but again you snap your sights on Rhaenyra and only Rhaenyra

she gives the barest of nod "we...hope you enjoy the comforts of court." she merely says and instructs her own personal guard to escort you to the guest chambers closest to her own

she can't get the image of your self-assured expression out of her mind

you are utterly bewitching with your snowy hair and tussled skirts

her sights linger on the ankle that peaks through as you hike up your said skirts

Alicent clears her throat and gives a pointed stare but it takes all of Rhaenyra's self control to settle herself back in her chair but everyone at the table share wary glances

she doesn't see you again until late the next day, requesting your presence for dinner and conveniently forgetting that her husband will be off for a hunt with his...dear friend

excitement shoots through her in powered waves

however she is disappointed to learn that her father too has requested your presence and her family have decided upon a collective dinner so that they may all meet the curious sorceress

Viserys is instantly engaging conversation with you the moment you sit down and before that, greets you in a warm embrace

he is a curious man who knows you too must carry the stories of your ancestors and he is eager to learn

for most of the evening Rhaenyra watches in curiosity, watching how your hair sways and your angelic features resemble her most ardent dreams

she has to restrain herself, grip tightening on her fork

it's that night that she makes her intentions clear to you and she's relieved to see your acceptance

Rhaenyra Targaryen is not one to hide her emotions nor her desires

your relationship is turned into a powerful storm of heat and danger, Otto's eyes narrowing everytime you enter a room

he proclaims you as a most unholy being and one to be banished which Viserys does not take kindly too

instead he is sent far away and Alicent is brought to the highest frustration as you attend almost every family outing or event with Rhaenyra proud at your side in the space her husband used to occupy

if anyone even slightly threatens or questions your presence at court she will be quick to scold and imprison them

going so far as to threaten their head

it's late in your coupling that you whisper sweet words in her ears, describing the imagery of her father's crown atop her head and a child born of you both

she knows all of your family's hidden secrets by now and while she and Laenor have not been graced with an heir by the Gods, you offer both a dream and solution

instead of accepting your offer of fertility in regards to her husband, she tucks back your hair and caresses your face

her lips dip down on yours and then breathes into your ear three sweet word "I want yours," she slips her kisses down your neck and presses your palm to her soft stomach

once the babe is born it doesn't matter whose dominant genes he inherits because with a gentle stroke of his hair it can turn as pale as winter snow

some may still question the child's true parentage considering the early birth and supposed consummation's circumstances do not quite align

but it matters not for your future Queen is determined to instil the confidence of a monarch

where Rhaenyra's tendencies come in I think she could become very smothering and clingy, sticking to you every possible moment that she is able

i could see this being a big relief for both Viserys and Laenor

Viserys' line will be continued and his daughter is happy, he wants to preserve this happiness, if you did request to return to your original home or to wander elsewhere i could see him suddenly developing a 'very important' project that he needs your assistance with

i think Laenor would also attempt to keep you close with his wife

i think i could picture Rhaenyra tricking you into a traditional Valyrian wedding or at least attempting to without explaining the possible repercussions of this

she's impulsive and devoted to you, nothing is out of her sphere of protection

her presence engulfs you with sweet words and soft promises

in this au i could imagine a much happier Rhaenyra in all aspects but it also means giving her the daughter she has always wished for

even more, she adores the fact that you are beside her while whichever one of you births the beautiful darlings with hair so regal and beauty gifted from you

NSFW

she's all too eager to pleasure you

you are the most magnificent beautiful and powerful being she has ever witnessed and she want to show you in every lewd and respectable way she can imagine

her most ardent desire however is the promise you whisper against her soft thighs, speaking of golden crowns and forsaking your duties in favour of delighting your Queen

her favourite though is when you sink your fingers between her lower lips and glide your tongue along her slick

the way your nails tickle her thighs and slide up to pebble her nipples and playing with those sensitive buds

she likes to let go with you

it's freeing to be finally enact upon the fantasies of her teenhood

she says often and plays with the words of you bewitching her, it sends a delightful shiver down her spine

tags: @gracielikegrapes

Hotd Taglist: (bold and italics means you need to check your settings, it didn't work)

@wrendermedone @hopelesswritergall @blackdreamspeaks @its-actually-minicika @gettheetoanunneryimmediatly

[modusssa]

“Lay the Roses”- Soft! Aemond Targaryen x Fem! Reader

Original Ask Prompt with gifs :)

What do you think Aemond would do with a super innocent, pure princess? He’s older than her and she has no experience with men. She’s intimidated by him but finds him so beautiful to look at….

*Read it on AO3

Rating: NSFW 18+ (Smut starts around 11,300)

TW: Graphic Sexual Descritpions, Canon Typical Violence 

Word Count ~13,300

You spent your entire life hidden in the tower at Old Town. Kept away like a secret. You supposed you may have been. Your father, Lord Hightower, was on the late King Viscerys’s small council and now sat on King Aegon’s. Your mother refused to let your father take you to court because she was not blind to the behavior of the people in court. Year after year as you grew, your mother would keep you close while your father was always gone.

Truthfully, you were happy that your mother had kept you hidden away in the tower. You had heard of the ways of court, read the histories in the library and the letters between your parents. You heard their whispered conversations when your father was home, about how the new King Aegon and his depraved tastes. About how his younger brother Prince Aemond murdered his nephew in cold blood with his giant beast of a dragon. You were no stranger to the whispers of the Targaryen princes and their ways. Their cruelty.

It came as a surprise after your eighteenth name day that your mother and father decided it was time to introduce you to the world. You had no desire to travel to the capital. You were content to spend your days in the library or in the gardens, reading about people that used to exist or never did, getting lost in your daydreams. You insisted that you didn’t need to go, but your father’s word was law in the family, so you had to comply.

Gazing out the carriage window, you lifted your thumb to your mouth, chewing off the skin there. It was an anxious habit that you have had forever. Small scars littered your fingertips, and your mother despised it. She reached across the carriage and slapped your hand away from your mouth.

“That is not a ladylike habit Y/N.”

The scolding made you feel embarrassed, and your face flushed as you looked down to your lap. Folding your hands, you replied, “I’m sorry Mother.”

She glanced down at your folded hands, at the tiny pieces of skin poking out from your thumbs and reached into her pocket, pulling out white silk gloves. She holds them out to you. “Here. These will cover that.”

You chewed on your bottom lip and pulled them over your hands. The gloves were a nice touch to your attire since your mother had the pale pink dress that you were wearing made specifically for this trip. It didn’t have sleeves and it made you feel exposed, but the gloves now covering your hands up past your elbows made you feel more secure. You ran your hand down the front of the soft fabric of the dress. It was nicely made and was good for the temperature in the capital. But you would much rather be home. That feeling only increased as the carriage came to a rocking stop. Your mother patted your leg as you glanced out the window. There was a small crowd gathered in the courtyard and at its center, were two men practicing swords. You noticed the white, blonde hair bouncing around, swinging a sword. Your gaze was locked on his body, the way it gracefully danced around his opponent as if his feet weren’t even touching the ground. Until he turned, blocking a hit, and you saw the eyepatch. Your stomach instantly dropped, making your heart race. Prince Aemond was breathtaking. Dangerous and menacing, but beautiful and graceful. His long lean body twisting and turning, dancing with his challenger.

A throat cleared behind you and you turned, seeing your mother standing at the door of the carriage next to the valet. You glanced once more out the window before exiting the carriage. You smoothed your hands down the front of your dress in nervousness. You saw your mother side eye you, silently reminding you not to fidget. Folding your hands in your front, you square your shoulders and follow behind your mother.

Your father stands at the entrance to the castle, and you smile at him as your gaze meets his. You and your mother follow the guards to the doorway, but you glance over to see if you can get a glimpse of the prince sparring in the center of the small crowd. Much to your dismay, the crowd has spread out and the prince isn’t in the ring any longer. Your eyes glide across the courtyard, hoping to get a glimpse of the dangerous handsome Prince Aemond once more. To your surprise you see him, and your gazes lock. He is watching you. You quickly look away, stumbling a little into your mother walking in front of you. You apologize and she gives you a glare as she greets her husband. You look over your shoulder to where you saw the prince a moment before, and he is still watching you with a small smirk on his face. You feel your face heat as you look down and follow your parents into the Red Keep.

Aemond stands in the courtyard watching your back as you disappear into the Keep. He has never seen you before and didn’t know that Lord Hightower had a wife. His mother had never even told him. He wondered why they chose now to bring you to the capital. Ser Criston walks past him, and he asks who you are and why you’re here. Criston should know what Aemond doesn’t. He spends the most time with his mother.

“That is Lord Hightower’s daughter, Y/N”

“Mm. Why do you think he failed to mention he had a daughter?”

“With all due respect, My Prince, he hasn’t. He just doesn’t bring her to court. From what I understand, her mother wanted to keep her away.”

Aemond pondered on that. Why would your parents keep you hidden away from the world? He thought you were beautiful. Your father would be able to find a good match for you based on beauty alone. The thought of seeing you for the first time on another man’s arm made him feel uncomfortable but he couldn’t explain why. He put that away for later. You did seem shy, he thought, but that could have been a product of being hidden away from the world for so long, high in the tower at Old Town. You had intrigued him though and he was interested in learning more about the secret treasure of Old Town.

You were shown to your own private chambers, grateful to finally be away from your mother. She told you to prepare yourself for dinner, and told you what dress to wear, since you were going to be dining with the King, Prince Aemond, and the rest of their family. The thought of sitting at the table with the most powerful people in Westeros made you nervous. You paced in your room, back and forth, looking for anything to do. You came to a stop near the window and gazed out at the bay, chewing your fingers and nails again. You thought of seeing Prince Aemond today and how intimidating he was. How the patch over his eye and the scar half hidden beneath made him even more beautiful and serious. Would he stare at you across the table at dinner? Would he talk to you? Would all of them try to talk to you? You didn’t want to be the center of attention. You prayed that you could just blend in and not have to speak much in front of them. You didn’t want to embarrass yourself or your parents at the table.

A knock sounded on the door, and you walked over and opened it. Two servants were standing there. You didn’t recognize them, but they told you that they were there to help you get dressed for the evening. That anxious feeling continued to build inside you as you opened the door fully to let them inside.

They combed your hair and painted your face. When you looked into the mirror, you felt pretty. You told them that you didn’t want them to put too many cosmetics on your face and they didn’t. The dusting of color on your eyes made them stand out and glow. Your lips looked full and soft. You gave the servant’s a soft smile and thanked them. They nodded in gratitude, and one walked to the bed and picked up your dress that was hanging over the bed. It was another your mother had made for you. It was truly beautiful, but the more you stared at it, the more you felt like your mother was trying to wrap you up like a gift.

It was long and a shade of green that was almost blue. It had gold embroidery on the bodice, in the shapes of dainty little leaves and vines that trailed down the skirt.  The skirt was flecked with pink and golden silk roses. It didn’t have sleeves like the pink one you wore when you arrived, but it had silk fabric that slipped off your shoulder in a flattering way.

“This is such a lovely dress, Lady Y/N” she said as she held it out for you to step into.

You glanced at the servant and gave her a small smile. “Thank you.” You sucked in your stomach as the ladies laced up the back. As soon as they finished, you admired yourself in the mirror. Another knock sounded on the door and the servants went to answer. Standing at the door was a knight, telling you that he was to escort you to the feast. Fighting the urge not to pick at your thumbs, you looked in the mirror again one last time at yourself. You tore your eyes from the mirror and looked down at your feet as you walked to the door. Better get it over with.

Your father was standing at the bottom of the stairs as you approached. He turned, smiling at you and taking your hand.

“You look very beautiful Y/N. I hope you’re excited to meet the King.” You gave him a weak smile and nod. His eyes scanned your face looking worried. He grabbed your chin and made you meet his eyes. “It will be fine, daughter. Do not be worried.” You smile at him. “I know.”

He returns your smile and puts your arm inside his, leading you into the room. When you walk in, the smells are what you notice first. It smells delicious and you close your eyes, letting the smells of the food tickle your nose. When you open your eyes, you look at the table and see who must be King Aegon sitting at the head of the table. He has a goblet to his lips and his mother is leaned over the table speaking to him. To Aegon’s right is Heleana, Aegon’s Queen, but you can only see the back of her head. It is who is sitting across from her that snags your attention. Prince Aemond is staring at you. His eye narrows slightly, just a small twitch of muscle, but it’s enough to make you feel embarrassed. You immediately look down at your feet as you and your father approach the table.

You curtsy at King Aegon as your father introduces you. He sets his goblet down on the table and his eyes drift up and down your body.

“Lovely to meet you Y/N. We didn’t even realize that you existed!” He slaps the table and the loudness of it makes you jump. “It seems your father was keeping secrets.”

“No, Your Grace. I have spoken of Y/N many times. Her mother just prefers to keep her in Old Town. You know how ruthless court can be, My King.”

Aegon’s eyes travel up and down your body again, and you feel your cheeks heat. “Indeed, I do Lord Hightower. Well, it is lovely to have you here now, Y/N.”

You bow again. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

Next thing you know, you are being introduced to everyone at the table. You are a Hightower just like Queen Alicent and her father, your uncle, but you have only met Otto once and Alicent never. You were born long after she left Old Town and she never came back to visit. And if it was left up to you, you wouldn’t be here now. Queen Alicent is kind to you, telling you how beautiful you are and admiring your dress. You get the same attention from Queen Helaena. She is even kinder than her mother. You begin to smile more and feel more comfortable around these new people, until your hand is taken by Prince Aemond.

He lifts your hand, turning it over and pressing a small kiss on your inner wrist. Your ears begin to heat, and you look down at your wrist where he is now rubbing his thumb. “It is wonderful to meet you, Y/N” You look up into his eye now, holding his gaze. His lips pull into a small feline smirk, and it makes butterflies burst to life inside you. Nodding you take your hand from him and look down at your feet again. “It is nice to meet you as well, Prince Aemond.”

Aemond is still standing in front of you when King Aegon clears his throat and then claps twice, signaling the servants to bring the food. Your father sits in the seat next to Helaena, your mother on his other side. The only other spot available is right next to Prince Aemond the Kinslayer.

You get nervous when you realize where you are supposed to sit and look at your father. He gives you a small smile and a wink. Prince Aemond is standing so close to you that you can smell him. He smells so nice. His scent reminds you of honeyed tea and afternoons spent lying in the sun. Aemond pulls the chair out for you, and you thank him. He makes a sound, something like “mm” and it makes the goosebumps prickle your skin.

Everyone engages in conversation. Sometimes they include you, other times they don’t. The man sitting next to you is quiet most of the time, only giving his brother rebuttals that make laughter erupt around the table. His words are unusually mean and catty, and you feel like he isn’t joking at all. That he actually gets frustrated by the laughing. His quiet demeanor intimidates you further. Still waters do run deep.

You keep quiet as much as possible, extremely aware of the man beside you. His fingers tap on the stem of his goblet. You look at him as you chew a mouth full of food and he is staring at his plate. You want to ask him what’s wrong or if he is okay, but you’re afraid to speak to him. You can feel the energy coming from him and begin picking at your thumbs under the table. Feeling something brush your fingers, you look down to see Aemond’s hand pull your finger away from your thumb and holding his hand over it.

Your eyes fly up to his, but he is still looking at his plate. Across from you, your mother has her cup turned up, drinking wine and your father is engaged in a debate with Otto. Your heart starts to race, and you stand. Everyone at the table looks at you when you speak. You have to swallow your impulse to run away. Clearing your throat, you look at King Aegon. “Your Grace, thank you for this dinner. But I am awfully tired from my journey.” Aegon nods and bids you a goodnight, as does everyone else. Everyone except Aemond, whose gaze is burning a hole through your skull.

When you walked into the room, you were the most beautiful person that Aemond had ever seen. Even his brother was dragging his eyes up and down your body, caressing your soft curves with his gaze. The dress you wore was one of a kind and made you look ethereal, like a woodland faerie princess from some forgotten land. You were buzzing with nervous energy, and he could tell by the way that you kept looking down that you were intimidated. He knew that you had probably heard all the terrible things that he had done, how much blood he had on his hands. But he didn’t want to scare you, the most beautiful person that he had ever seen. Keeping you locked away in the tower at Old Town was perhaps the stupidest thing your father had ever done. Or maybe the smartest.

When Aemond saw you picking nervously at your fingers, he wanted to soothe you, comfort you. He knew what it was like to be afraid, intimidated by other people’s presence. He could sympathize with you. And at that moment, he wanted to let you know that he understood. That you were safe and that there was nothing to be afraid of. But the way that you jumped up when he touched you, made him flood with self-loathing. He wanted to get to know you. You were a mystery to him. One that he intended to unravel. Right after you left, he excused himself from the table too, throwing his napkin down on his plate. On his way to his chambers, he contemplated seeking you out, talking to you and letting you know that you shouldn’t be afraid of him.

The next day you got dressed and asked one of the guards outside your chamber to escort you to the library. Being the capital, you knew that there would be a lot of books that you could escape through. When you approached the library door, you were amazed at the size of it.

Old Town had a wonderful library full of history texts but the library in the Red Keep seemed to be never ending. There were rows and rows of books, tables throughout and couches where someone could relax and read. You walked up and down the aisles, dragging your hand down the spines of books, looking for something to grab your attention. You stopped in one spot and pulled a title from the shelf, opening it to the middle to see if it was any good.

Something warm tickled the back of your neck and you turned to see Prince Aemond standing over you. The sight of him made you jump back, holding the book tight to your chest. The small smirk he had on his face disappeared as your back pressed against the shelf. “Hello, Y/N.”

You swallowed and looked down. “Hello, Prince Aemond.” God he was so scary. Handsome but terrifying.

“I assumed I would run into you here.”

That caught you off guard and you looked up at him, bemused. “Why?”

He leaned into you, crowding your space and you hugged your book tighter. He held your gaze as he spoke softly, “Mm. Because you and I aren’t so different Y/N. I was once exactly like you. Seeking out adventure that I was too afraid to take in my own life.”

His assessment made you feel vulnerable and anxious. “I-It’s not that, Prince Aemond. I just...” your voice trailed off and you looked away from him again. His presence was overwhelming you.

He reached up and touched a piece of your hair, rubbing it between your fingers. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.” His voice caressed your spine softly like silk. You knew he wasn’t known for being a good person, quite the opposite in fact. But here he was being gentle with you, telling you not to fear him.

You looked up at him then. At his blue eye that resembled the bay around his home, this place where they were standing. Your gaze flicked between his eye and the covering on the other one. You longed to know what was beneath although the thought of seeing him without it was just as frightening. His jaw clenched and you heard his teeth grind. “Okay.”

He took a step away from you and you found the sudden distance now felt too far. He held his hand out to you. You looked at it and then up at him. “Come. I would like to show you something.” You looked around the room and then back at him.

“I- I don’t know Prince Aemond” you licked your dry lips and you saw his eyes drift down and watch the motion.

“How will you learn to trust me if you do not take the chance?”

You shifted your weight from foot to foot and then nodded. “Yes. Okay.”

A slow smile appeared on his face. The sight of it made your stomach flutter. “Okay.” He said and then pulled you through the aisles of books.

His steps were long, and you had to take two to his one, and before you knew it, you two were almost sprinting through the library. You felt a laugh bubble up through your chest as you watched the prince, the one everyone in the realm was so terrified of, was dragging her through the library in the capital, perfect hair flying behind him.

You couldn’t hold it back any longer. Your hand came up and you let your laughter free.

Aemond stopped at a door and looked over his shoulder at you as he pushed it open with his large hand. The sun was beaming, and your eyes blinked against the brightness as you both entered the outside. He continued to pull you until you through the labyrinth of a garden. You didn’t have time to admire everything around you, but he finally came to a stop at a small fountain surrounded by a wall of pink flowers.

He let go of you and walked around the fountain. Setting your book down on a stone bench, you spun in a circle looking at all of the flowers around you. The fragrant blooms were as large as your hand and the sight of it all made you homesick. You tan your fingers over one of the silky petals of the flower before turning around.

Aemond was sitting on the bench that you had placed your book on with his arms folded across his chest watching you. You cleared your throat, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. “This is a beautiful garden, Prince Aemond.” You gave him a small smile. “Thank you for bringing me here.” He didn’t reply with words, just a small “mm”.

You picked the hem of your dress up as you sat down on the bench next to him and then put your book in your lap. You opened it and started reading.

“Tell me why I didn’t know you existed.”

Tucking your finger into the book and closing it, you turned to face him. “I- My mother thought it was a good idea that I be kept away until I was older.”

He studied your face. “And what did you want.”

You looked away from him and stared at the greenery. “I- I don’t know. This is my first time away from home. I admit at first, I was terrified and well… I still am.” You shrug and then meet his gaze again. “I suppose I still don’t know. Don’t get me wrong, I like it here. It’s beautiful and everyone has been nice but…” another shrug. You don’t realize that you’ve started to pick at your thumbs again until Aemond’s warm, calloused hand is on top of yours.

You look down at where your hands are touching and this time you don’t pull away. “Don’t be nervous. I’m not going to hurt you.” You let out a mirthless chuckle.

“Excuse me Prince, but if I may speak freely, I have heard of you although you’ve never heard of me. I know of what the world calls you…” you drop your voice to a whisper and look around, “I know what they say about you. So, forgive me if I find you rather…intimidating.”

Aemond doesn’t say anything for a few moments and the air pulls tight between you. Your heart starts racing and you chew on your lip. “I-I’m sorry, Prince.”

He shrugged and then stood. He stepped close to you, close enough to blot out the sun. You blinked up at him and when his hand came up to your jaw, your hands twisted together in your lap. His thumb rubbed your jaw as he leaned in close to you. “Why don’t you form your own opinion about me then, hmm? See if what you hear is true.”

Looking down, you pulled away from his hand. He made a fist when you pulled away but then folded his hands behind his back. You picked your book back up and held it to your chest. “I-I think I would like to go back to the library now, Prince.” He didn’t respond, instead he walked towards the way that you came from, towards the Red Keep, and once he rounded the corner you stood and followed.

Aemond felt terrible. He was angry. He wanted you to talk to him, open up to him. He wanted to show you that even though he was the kinslayer they labeled him as, he wouldn’t harm you. He wanted you to trust him. He was enthralled with you, your innocence. Maybe keeping you hidden from the world was a great thing. You hadn’t been tainted by the world. Not yet at least. And if he could, he would prevent that from ever happening.

He heard your footsteps padding behind him as he led you back to the library.  Glancing over his shoulder at you, he admired you. You were so beautiful. The way that the sun kissed your face, the way that you looked around at everything, as if seeing the world for the first time, and he supposed that you were. You spent your eighteen years alone, without anyone but the servants and your mother as company. Aemond understood.

When Aemond was a child, he became used to being alone. The loneliness that came from being the third child, and second born son to a King. He knew what it was like to live in the shadows, forever excluded from the group. Being laughed at and bullied. He was forced into solitude by his family. Much like you were.

He was forced to love solitude until he began to yearn for it, crave it as he grew. He prided himself on his ability to become invisible. Wear an impenetrable armor of isolation. Everyone pushed him away, told him to leave them alone. And when he saw the same craving for solitude in you, it shocked him that you pushed him away. He would fight that. He would show you that you could experience solitude without loneliness and fear.

Aemond knew that he was menacing. It was why he wore the patch over his eye, he didn’t want to scare women, and now, he didn’t want to scare you. But no one would ever understand why he was okay with his disfigurement, what it symbolized for him. He gained a lot more than he lost that day. But people continued to shove him into a cage with their rumors and assumptions. They called him murderer. Kinslayer. They weren’t wrong but the judgments made him angry, resentful.

Soon after Aemond gained his infamous kinslayer name, he became darker. Let his wrath fuel his most depraved desires. To kill anyone that opposed him. His family. And his brother let him do whatever he wanted. Aemond did and never felt bad for it or cared one bit. Until he met you and saw himself mirrored in you. The loneliness, anxiety, how you preferred the company of yourself above others and how it wasn’t triggered by the world rejecting you, but rather your rejection of it.

You were two sides of the same coin. You are the light and him the dark. And he was going to do whatever he could to keep it that way.

Instead of leading you back to the library the same way, he took a left and detoured for another spot. Somewhere that he thought you may like. Where you would feel more comfortable. Maybe if he showed you another side of him, then you would allow him in.

You noticed that Aemond took a different route than y’all did when you were hand in hand running through the aisles and gardens. You passed a few people and when you weren’t keeping your head down, you gave them a small smile. Each one bowed to Aemond but he didn’t pay them any attention.

You came to a wooden gate and Aemond pulled a key from his pocket. You looked around and noticed that no one was around. “Where are we going?” you asked.

“Somewhere I think you’ll like.” He answered as the gate opened. He stepped through and you bit your lip and followed. There was a tunnel made of green vines that seemed never ending. The gate clanged shut behind you as you continued to follow him through. He went around a corner and the green tunnel ended, opening up into a tree covered hill right on the edge of Blackwater Bay. There was no one around and it was like a private little sanctuary. There was a swing attached to a large tree that swung right out over the sandy beach. Further out, you could see boats and people moving about them, like little ants from this distance.

“Wow.” you said as you looked out over the scenery. It was truly beautiful from here. Even Kings Landing looked lovely and imposing from where you were. As you looked back at Aemond, he was looking at you again. You cleared your throat and gave him a small smile. “This is beautiful.”

“Mm. I assumed you would like a secluded place like this.”

You looked around again. “Yes, Prince Aemond. I do.”

He nodded and then looked out over the water as the breeze picked up pieces of his hair. “You and I aren’t so different, Y/N. You may have heard all these bad things about me, but I was made this way.” He looked over at you then, and the sight of him standing there, looking at you, took your breath away. “But I feel like I know you. I see parts of myself in you.” Swallowing, you take a few steps towards where he is standing. You toss the book at the base of the tree and then sit on the swing. “I brought you here because it is a place where I like to come when the world gets too dark.”

You rock back and forth on the swing still looking at him. “Thank you for sharing this with me, Prince Aemond.” You watch his throat bob with a swallow. “Truthfully, I don’t know what to think. Since I have met you, you have been nothing but kind to me.” You smile at him and feel your cheeks heat. “I- I think I would like to be friends.”

“Friends?” He asked, his eyebrows raising. The smile dropped from your face and your eyes went to your lap again.

“I-”

“No, Y/N. Friends is fine.” You looked up to see him look down at his feet and then back at you. He gives you a smirk. “I think that I would like that.”

Nodding, you start moving your feet beneath you to make the swing move. Back and forth. Your hair flies around you and the breeze tickles your cheeks. “What does it mean to be friends with you, Prince Aemond?”

He chews on his answer a moment. His jaw working before he answers. “I don’t think I’ve ever had one before.” You tilt your head at him skeptically. “But it means that you’re safe with me, Y/N.” You were slightly disbelieving, since he was the most dangerous man in the realm and his reputation was so bad. But you promised yourself to give him a chance. Maybe he needed to feel like he wasn’t alone.

You both spent the day in Aemond’s secret spot, learning more about each other. You told him about Old Town, about the Tower there and how the staircase whirled up so high that when you were a child it felt like you were stepping into the clouds. He told you that there was nothing like being above the clouds and that flying on a dragon is the most powerful feeling in the world. He promised that if he could, he would take you on a ride one day, show you what it felt like to be above the world and show you what it felt like to feel free. The more the spoke of it, the more it sounded amazing. You were never one for adventure and longed for the quiet solitude of your life at Old Town, but he made it sound so intriguing.

The sky went from a rich blue, to a mixtures of pinks and purples and Aemond suggested that you both head back to the Red Keep. You thought that it was probably a good idea since you were hungry, and the hour was fast approaching for you to get dressed for dinner. He stood first and dusted himself off, holding his hand out to you. You grabbed it and he pulled you up. When you stood, you lost your footing and fell into his chest. He held you up and you looked into his eye. He licked his lip as he stared at yours and you felt him lean down a little. You immediately turned your head and stepped away as the heat crept up your neck. Was he going to kiss you? There was no way that Prince Aemond wanted to press his soft looking, pink lips to yours.

You wiped your hands down your dress. “I-Thank you again for today, Prince Aemond.”

He cleared his throat, and you looked up to see him nod at you. Grabbing your book, you heard him begin his trek back to the Red Keep. You smiled as you followed him. Maybe the Prince wasn’t so scary after all.

The next couple of weeks went much like that. You would spend time in the library reading and the prince would come join you. Sometimes you would talk, sometimes you would just sit in comfortable silence. You came to enjoy Prince Aemond’s company and your preconceived beliefs about him slowly started to chip away with each moment you spent together.

Anywhere you were, the prince was always nearby. If you took a walk in the gardens with your mother or Queen Helaena, he would always pop up as if he was watching you. The thought of that should have scared you, but for some reason, it became comforting to know that he was always there.

It was also surprising to wake up and see a pink rose on the table next to your bed with a small piece of parchment rolled across the stem. You got up and walked to the table, lifting the flower to your nose. It was one from the day in the garden, when you first became friends. Unrolling the parchment, you read the words that he wrote for you and smiled.

Y/N

The flowers kept me company before you, and now they remind me of you.

-A

A knock sounded at the door, signaling the arrival of the servant’s there to prepare you for the day. You tucked Aemond’s note into the drawer and set the flower back down on the table. The door opened as you stood and the two serving girls that had been helping you since you arrived in King’s Landing entered.

You went through the process of dressing, but today you couldn’t stop smiling. Aemond was nothing like you thought he would be. At least if he was, he never let you see it. Instead, he would give you small smiles and kind words whenever he could. Another knock sounded at your door and Ser Criston entered. He bowed at you before speaking.

“My Lady. Your presence has been requested in the Great Hall.”

“Thank you, Ser Criston.”

With one last glance at the pink rose, you followed him downstairs.

Two weeks in Kings Landing and going to court still made you nervous. King Aegon sat upon the throne with Aemond at his side, hearing the complaints and begging of Lord and Ladies and of some commoners. You liked to stay towards the back and avoid any attention, but Aemond always kept his eye on you. Everytime you would glance at him, he would be looking at you.

Today when you glanced at him, he winked his eye at you, and you smiled as the heat crept up your cheeks. You took a step back into the shadowed wall.

A man walked forward to stand in front of Aegon and you couldn’t make out the words that were being said but the tension in the room grew thicker. A few people in front of you began whispering to each other and you slid further along the wall to try to hear what was going on. Aegon sat up on the throne and leaned towards the man in front of him. You watched as Aemond took a step around the man, his movements agile like a cat. Aemond’s face became stoic, and a darkness crept over it. The sight made your stomach drop and your heart face. He embodied his reputation before your eyes, becoming the harbinger of death that everyone said him to be.

You watched as he stepped behind the man in front of Aegon, pleading, yelling. Aegon looked at Aemond and gave him a small nod. You had picked your thumbs so bad that they stung and when you looked down, one was bubbling blood from the broken skin. Your eyes were darting between Aemond and Aegon and the man, blood filling your ears and you couldn’t make out what was being said. It all sounded like you were trapped under water. Felt like it.

Aemonds sword came down in a hard swipe, removing the mana head entirely. You thought you screamed but covered your hand with your mouth. No. No he was a monster. He was as terrifying as you believed. How could you be friends with someone like that? How could the same man that sent you a flower that very morning, the one that had become your closest friend, kill with no remorse, no second question.

Gathering your skirts, you ran from the Great Hall, exiting out of a side door. You tan and tan until your stomach began heaving. Gripping the green covered wall next to you, not caring of the thorns stabbing your hand, the bile came out of your mouth. Once your stomach was emptied, you sat down on a bench and put your head in your hands and began to weep.

After the chaos cleared in the Great Hall, Aemond looked around for you. He wanted to make sure you were okay. His eyes drifted to the spot where you were standing before. Where you smiled at him.

You weren’t there.

His eye slid across each face in the room and yours was not there. Had you left? Aemond stood next to his brother a few more minutes as he heard the last few requests. Once court was over, he found one of the guards posted near where you were standing. They told him you left and which door you left through.

Aemond walked outside, following the path through the garden. He heard a sound that made his stomach drop. He stepped over a puddle of vomit as he turned the corner and saw you sitting on the bench, with your head in your hands, crying.

He knelt in front of you and grabbed your hands, pulling them from your face. His heart squeezed in his chest at the sight of your tears.

“Who did this? Who made you cry?”

You looked into his face, tears trailing down your reddened cheeks.

“You.”

The look in his face when you said it made more tears slide down your face, like he didn’t understand.

“You were supposed to show me that you weren’t what everyone said you were.”

Aemond grabbed your face with both his hands, forcing you to look in his face. “I am not the monster you think I am.”

You squeezed your eyes shut and shook your head. Grabbing his wrists while his hands were still cupping your face you said, “but you did it so easily Aemond. I watched it.”

He let go of your face and tried to wrap his arms around you, but you pushed him off and stood.  “No. I- I don’t think I want to be your friend anymore, Prince Aemond.”

Aemond’s face paled and he reached his hand out to touch you. You shrinked away from his touch, then turned your back to him and ran.

You spent the rest of the evening in your chambers. Not even coming down for dinner. Instead, you had one of the servants bring you a plate and you sat on the sofa in front of the hearth, listening to the crackling and popping of the logs as they burned.

The silence felt nice, and you welcomed it especially after the mind altering experience you had earlier that day. You felt bad about what you said to Prince Aemond, but you were emotional, and he promised you that he would prove to you, show you, how he wasn’t the beast he was rumored to be.

In a way, he did keep his promise and he was just fulfilling his duty to the realm, to his brother the King, but that didn’t make it any easier for you to swallow. You stood and walked over to the table next to your bed. The pink rose was still there, and you stared at it as you grabbed your book next to it.  Chewing your lip, you wondered if maybe you should try to talk to him.

A light knock sounded on your door that made you jump. You grabbed your silk robe from the bed and shrugged it on as you padded to the door. You cracked it open and peeked out. Aemond was standing there.

“Good evening, Lady Y/N. May I come in?”

You looked around the hall behind him and then back to him. Unease crept up your spine. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea Prince Aemond. It would not be wise to have people questioning my maidenhead when they find out I’ve had a Prince in my room at night.”

You stared at each other for a few beats. It felt like time was at a standstill. You looked down at your feet and started closing the door. “Goodnight Prince Aemond.”

His hand shot out to keep the door from closing. He didn’t say anything but the look in his eye made you relent. Sighing, you opened the door and let him in.

Your scent enveloped him as soon as he walked in the door. Looking to the side, he saw the pink rose he picked for you laying on the end table. Good. At least you didn’t burn it. Maybe he had a chance still.

You passed him and went to sit on the couch, gathering your legs beneath you. The fire light flickering off your face made you look ethereal, and his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth as he tried to find his words.

Aemond cleared his throat, “I made you a promise that I would show you that you didn’t have to fear me.” You didn’t look at him. Your hands were twisting together nervously in your lap. He came to you and knelt. Gathering your hands in his, he continued. “You still do not have to fear me. I will never harm you.”

You pulled your eyes from your lap and looked into his as a single tear slid down your face.  Your voice came out soft, a whisper. “I still want to be your friend Prince Aemond.”

One of his hands came up to cup your jaw, thumb wiping away the stray tear. He licked his lips, the sight of them soft and pink made your heart race. “I don’t want to be your friend anymore, Y/N.”

Your heart sank. Why didn’t he want to be your friend anymore? You had grown used to him being around, being there. A steady presence that you could rely on in this strange new place. “Why?”

Aemond stared at you for another moment and then let go of your face and stood. He stood in front of the fire with his back to you and then his arm lifted, pulling the eye patch from his face. You stared at him in awe, waiting. You were going to see what he looked like without the covering.

When he turned, you stopped breathing. He was the most beautiful person you had ever seen. The scar running down his face added to his dangerous and menacing demeanor. He was absolutely stunning. Words couldn’t explain how beautiful. Your heart was racing as he knelt in front of you again, and that’s when you noticed the large sapphire in his eye.

It must be one of the largest stones you had seen outside of in bits of jewelry. It glimmered in the firelight. You lifted your hand slowly, gently to his face, fingers dancing featherlight across his skin. He closed his good eye as you inspected his face. It was magnificent.

“I know I look like the monster without the covering. But I needed you to see me, really see me for who I am.”

His eye slowly opened, and you both sat there, surrounded in silence. “You are terrifyingly beautiful Prince Aemond.” You whispered. Your words dusted across his face. You heard him swallow and watched as the tip of his tongue stuck out to wet his lips.

Somehow, he was closer. So, close you were sharing breaths. “Why don’t you want to be my friend anymore” you whispered.

“Because I want more.”

He leaned in and brushed his lips across yours. He kissed you so softly, the barest of touches. It made something warm come to life inside you. His lips were soft and pliant as he kissed you again, this time a little harder. You tilted your head slightly and you felt his tongue gently lick the seam of your lips. You opened for him. He groaned into your mouth as your hands came up to wrap in the collar of his shirt. His tongue was soft, and wet and massaged yours with a surprising tenderness that you wouldn’t expect from a man like him. You felt breathless as his hand gently touched your neck and slid to the back of your neck. He leaned his weight into you, and you felt so warm and weightless in his arms with his lips on yours. You made a small whimpering noise that made him become a little more frenzied in his kisses. When you tried to pull away, he pulled you in tighter, tilting his head to get a better claim on your mouth.

When he finally let you pull away, your chest was heaving and there was an ache deep inside you that you hadn’t felt before. Aemond pressed his forehead to yours. “I want more. I want you Y/N”

You were still dazed by the kiss he just gave you, your first kiss. “What does that mean?” You asked him.

“It means whatever you want it to mean. I just want you.”

That anxious feeling slowly began to come back. You just kissed Prince Aemond in your chambers at night. If anyone found out-

“I can see your brain working Y/N. I will take care of everything. Don’t worry.”

You just nodded at him, feeling too stunned to speak. Just hours ago, you didn’t want to have anything to do with him. Now you just kissed him, and he was telling you that he wants you.

He pressed another gentle kiss to your lips before standing and walking to the door. You watched his back as he opened it and very quietly, he told you “Goodnight” before he disappeared through it, leaving you sitting on the couch touching your fingers to your kiss swollen lips.

“I think that the prince has taken a liking to you.” Your mother whispered to you while you sat together in the garden. There was no way that you would tell her about how he came to your chambers at night and kissed you. How did she know? You pretended to act stupid.

“What?” You asked her.

She rolled her eyes at you. “He always happens to be wherever you are, all the time.”

You glanced over to see him walking towards you and your mother. You put your head down to hide your blush. “We are friends.”

Your mother hummed. “Good afternoon, Prince Aemond”.

Glancing up you catch his eye and then bow and greet him also. “Lady Hightower, your husband has requested you. I’ll get Y/N back to her chambers in time to prepare for dinner”

Your mother patted your arm and stood, and she gave Aemond a small bow as she left. She absolutely did not wink at you over her shoulder as she walked away.

Aemond held his hand out for you to grab. “My mother thinks that you have taken a liking to me”

He pulls you up and you both start walking in the direction of the Red Keep. “Mm. Maybe I have.”

His words made you blush. Clearing your throat, you asked “What are we doing today, Prince Aemond.”

He stopped walking and looked at you. His eye went from bouncing between yours and your lips. “I would like for you to see the dragon pit.”

Turns out, the dragon pit was much too small for Aemond’s dragon. That or he just preferred to keep the elderly beast out of a cage. The symbolism of not caging his dragon was not lost on you.

You spent the day watching Aemond and the dragon trainers speak to each other in High Valyrian and walking around, observing, drinking it all in. The dragon pit smelled of burned flesh and other things, but it was natural for the dragons. What wasn’t natural to you, was just how large Aemond’s dragon was up close.

He pulled you by the hand close to her gigantic sleeping form. You ran your fingertips down the scales on her shoulder. They were hard and sharp, unlike any armor that existed. Vhagar was old and her age showed on her wings and on the scars littering her body. She was positively magnificent, and you were at a loss for words.

Vhagar lifted her head heavily and made a strange sound as you and Aemond approached near her head. Her inner eye lid slid open and watched you both, but it felt like the dragon could see through to your soul and it was laying it bare.

You swallowed heavily and stretched your arm out to touch her snout. Aemond was saying something to her in that ancient tongue his family used. When your hand laid flat against Vhagar, you released a breath that you were hoding and began petting her. Vhagar’s eyes closed, and she rested her head like some giant hound enjoying scratches. The purity and happiness of it brought tears to your eyes.

“She is magnificent Aemond.”

When you looked over at him, he was standing so close to you. He looked away quick and then studied Vhagar. “She is. The oldest and largest dragon in the world.”

You looked away from him and continued to pet her. “It is why you lost your eye, right? That is what the rumors say. That Aemond One-Eye gave his eye for a dragon. And not just any dragon, the most powerful dragon of them all.”

“Would you like to ride her?” His voice was soft, and his hand came to rest on top of yours. His breath blew the small hairs on the back of your neck, making goosebumps rise.

You chewed your lip. She was large but you didn’t think you were ready to ride her. “I-I don’t know. I don’t think I want to.”

You turned slightly and looked up at him. “Mm.” Was all he said before he leaned his head down and placed a gentle kiss on your neck, making your face heat. Removing your hand from Vhagar, you leaned your head back onto Aemond’s shoulder and closed your eyes.

It felt good. He made you feel good. He had this way that made you feel like you were the only person in the world with how he always found you and noticed you. He made you feel beautiful, special. You realized that he allowed you to see a side of him that he didn’t let the world see. He saved it for you. And that thought was a seed that bloomed into a flower in your mind and made you realize how much he was starting to mean to you.

Somehow at the realization coming to life in your mind, Aemond’s hand slid up the front of your neck and tilted your head to the side, so he could put his lips against yours.

Your body melted into his kiss. This one was different than before, still gentle but more passionate, more tongue. He licked the inside of your mouth and when he pulled away, he gently pulled your bottom lip. When you opened your eyes to look at him, his pupil was so large that you could barely see the ring of blue around it. His hand was still lightly pressed against your throat, your heart thumping against his palm as he ran his thumb along your jaw. He closed his eye, leaning his forehead against yours. You lost track of how long you both stood there like that, holding each other at the edge of the dragon pit, next to his ginormous dragon.

“Prince Aemond” someone said behind you. The voice made a chill run over your body. It was your father’s. Aemond unwrapped his arms around you and turned. You turned behind him and looked over his shoulder, making eye contact with your father before quickly looking away. This was not good. What was he going to say?

Aemond put his body between you and your father with his hand on his sword. The air went thick with tension. “Lord Hightower.” He took a step toward your father shifting himself further in front of you. You started chewing your fingers at their exchange.

“The King has requested your presence.”

“Mm. And what for? I just left him earlier.” Aemond’s voice was full of irritation.

“He did not say, my Prince.” Aemond didn’t move. Your father cleared his throat. “Y/N, you can come with me and let Prince Aemond go to his brother.”

Your eyes lifted from the ground, dancing back and forth from your father to Aemond. Butterflies filled your stomach, and your hands had a slight tremor. Aemond looked over his shoulder at you and then back at your father. “Y/N would you like to accompany me to see your King?”

“Prince Aemo-”

“I asked Y/N, Lord Hightower.” Being put on the spot made the tremors worse. Your mouth felt dry as you tried to speak.

“I- “

“Come Y/N” your father said.

Aemond turned his back to your father and held your trembling hands in his. He whispered, “you do not have to if you do not want Y/N”. Searching his eyes, you nodded.

“I-Father I would like to go with Prince Aemond to see the King.” Looking away from Aemond, you met your fathers glare. His cheeks were red, and his eyes narrowed.

“Very well. I would like to see you before dinner.”

“Yes father.” You watched your father turn his back and walk back to the Red Keep. Aemond was still staring at you. He brought his hand up to your face. “Are you alright?”

You nodded. “Can you take me to my chambers before you go to your brother?”  

Clenching his jaw, he nodded stiffly, and he took your hand in his leading you both back to the keep in the same direction your father just went.

The silence had never been an issue for you but for some reason, the events of the day were weighing heavy on your mind. You paced back and forth in your room, chewing your fingers, waiting for your father to arrive. To scold you. The minutes felt like hours as you waited. Swinging the door to your chambers open, you asked the guard if your father had been by at all and they didn’t say anything. He said he hadn’t, and you shut the door in his face and went back to pacing.

Aegon sat at the head of the table in the small council chamber. He leaned back in his chair looking bored as always, like he would rather be anywhere but there right then. Like being King was a chore.

Lord Hightower sat across from Aemond to Aegon’s right. The old man was glaring at him and Aemond just gave him a small smirk. Let him feel uncomfortable. He was not ready for what Aemond was about to suggest.

Aegon tapped his fingers on the desk twice. “Brother. Lord Hightower suspects you have ill intentions with his daughter Y/N.”

Aemond folded his hands together in front of him and shrugged. He met the glare of the man across from him. “My intentions are not bad Lord Hightower.”

Aemond saw the veins pulse in Lord Hightower’s neck and forehead. “He had his tongue so far down her throat that she couldn’t breathe! I say that he has probably already deflowered her!”

Aemond slammed his fist on the table and stood. “My advances were not unwanted by Y/N. She didn’t push me away nor tell me to stop.” He leaned over the table and bared his teeth. “You should hold your daughter in a higher regard to believe she would give over her innocence so freely Lord Hightower.”

Lord Hightower looked at Aegon who had a smug smile on his face. “I want him to face punishments for trying to woo my daughter. She is not yours to do with what you choose!”

“Nor is she yours!” Aemond’s chest was heaving. How dare your father try to have him punished. And for what? For giving you the attention and company, you deserve? For showing you that you shouldn’t be afraid of the world. Aemond slowly sat back into his chair when Aegon waved him down. “Lord Hightower. I would like to make a proposition that would greatly benefit your house.”

Aegon looked at Aemond wide eyed, but Aemond was staring at Lord Hightower. “Prince Aemond” he said, scrubbing a hand down his face. “Y/N is too good for this, for you. She deserves better.”

Aemond clenched his fist. “I can give her everything she needs. Give her to me.”

Aegon started laughing quietly, trying to hide it behind his hand. Aemond glared at him. Aegon cleared his throat. “Lord Hightower, my brother wishes to wed your daughter. He stands to gain nothing and you everything. Maybe you should reconsider.”

Aemond didnt want to explain to his brother how wrong he was and that you were everything. He would gain the world if you were only his.

Lord Hightower looked down at his hands and then at Aemond. “I must speak about it with my wife”

“No” Aemond said. “You will decide. You kept her locked away in that fucking tower for eighteen years. I’m not giving your wife the chance or you for that matter, to do it again. If you so much as try, I will feed you and your wife to my dragon and then burn Old Town to the fucking ground.”

A knock sounded at your door that had you jumping from your spot on the sofa. You had fallen asleep waiting, even missing dinner. The fire in the hearth was now just coals. Your heart raced as you padded to the door and opened it. It was Ser Criston.

“My Lady, Y/N, your father has requested your presence.”

Wiping your sweaty palms down your front, you nodded and then followed him down the corridor. When the door to your parents chambers opened, your father was facing the fireplace, forearm resting on the mantle. Your mother was sitting on the sofa and gave you a small smile when you entered. The door shutting hard behind you made you look over your shoulder at it.

“Come sit, Y/N” your mother said, patting the spot next to her.

Swallowing, you went and sat beside her. Your father cleared his throat but didn’t turn to face you. “We thought we were doing the right thing by bringing you here, but I am afraid that we were wrong.”

His calm voice made the anxious feeling swirl in your gut. “What do you mean?”

Your mother put her hand on your leg. “Darling, you have attracted the attention of Prince Aemond.”

Your hands twisted together. “I know. We are friends.”

“Friends don’t stick their tongues down each other’s throats Y/N” He scoffed. “And Prince Aemond. Do you know what kind of man he is?”

“I- I’m sorry.” You shook your head. “I know what others say, Father, but he has been nothing but kind to me. Been my friend.”

Your father finally turned and took a seat in the chair across from the sofa. “They call him Kinslayer, Y/N. He is not your friend!” His knuckles gripped the arm of the chair, and he leaned forward, eyes darting between yours and your mothers. “No matter. You will marry him.”

“What?” Your mother and you both said at the same time.

“Yes. Y/N will marry Aemond One-Eye.”

Your mother and your father began exchanging words, back and forth but you didn’t hear anything. Your heart raced, pumping so hard the sound of your heart beating echoed in your ears. It became hard to swallow. Why would he do that? Yes, you were friends and yes, your father saw him kiss you, but why go so far? Wouldn’t a Prince be betrothed to someone else? You were sheltered, too soft, and you hadn’t been in Kings Landing but only a few weeks.

“How soon?” Your mother’s wobbly voice sounded through your foggy mind. Your eyes slid over to her. They were wet with tears. Why were they so afraid of him? He wasn’t that bad. Not to you. Your eyes darted to your father as his mouth moved but you couldn’t hear what he said, so you asked him to repeat it.

“Before the next moon, you will be Princess Y/N.”

You didn’t return to your chambers after leaving your parents. Instead, you told your escort to lead you down to the gardens because you needed air. It was late and the usual bustling in the Keep was nearly silent, only passing a few servants doing their nightly chores. When you came to the exit, you told the guard to stand at the entrance and wait for you. When the night time breeze kissed your face, your feet carried you around a corner. Looking around and listening, making sure no one was following you or could see you, you ran.

You ran and ran, muscle memory taking over and leading you to the door that led outside of the garden. It was probably not a good idea to wander outside of the gates alone, but you had spent so much of your life feeling caged and after the conversation you had with your parents, you just wanted to leave. Get away.

Your calves burned as you climbed the hill, step after step, until you came to the clearing with the tree swing. Your pace slowed then, and you looked out to where the sky touched the water, and admired the stars scattered across the sky. Looking up and down the beach, you didn’t see anyone, so you slipped your shoes off and walked to the shore.

The moon was like a fingernail in the sky, but the stars reflected enough light for you to see. Your feet sunk into the sand the closer you got to the water and when you reached the edge you stepped right out in it. The waves pushed and pulled at you gently and you let it tug you further out, your dress floating around you.

The breeze picked your hair up, blowing it around your head. Fully clothed, you held your breath and dunked yourself in the water. You held your breath as long as you could, until your lungs started burning. Quickly, you pulled yourself up for air, standing as the waves crashed into you and tilted your head up to the stars.

How did you go from living in the tower at Old Town, hidden away from the world two months ago, to here now, standing in Blackwater Bay, betrothed to Prince Aemond. The Kinslayer. Aemond “One-Eye”, they call him. A murderer. King Aegon’s Sword. He had more blood on his hands than most of the guards that worked for your father and the City Watch combined. He was dangerous, terrifying, and beautiful. The large scar across his face and the patch that he wore over his eye so he wouldn’t frighten people made him even more alluring to you than the whispers behind his back. The man you were terrified of. Intimidated by. The man you admired from a distance.

Until he showed you that you didn’t need to be afraid of him. That you could trust him.

The realization made you feel free. You closed your eyes and breathed as the wind made you shiver. Your wet clothes clung to your body and the breeze was cold. Hugging your arms around yourself, you started trudging through the water. You walked along the beach and back up the hill. Once you made it up top near the swing, you picked up the hem of your dress and pulled it over your head. You sat there in only your wet shift, teeth beginning to chatter. Discarding the dress, hanging it over the swing, you then hugged your knees to your chest and watched the waves.

A rustling of the grass behind you made you jump. Turning your head towards the noise, Aemond appeared. He stopped in his tracks as he looked at you.

“Hello betrothed.” Your voice came out soft and quiet.

He made an “mm” sound as he approached and sat so close that your shoulders were touching. You embraced the warmth seeping from him. “It’s for the best.”

You turned your head to look at him and his gaze met yours. “How?”

“It is only I who may give you the world that you deserve. You shouldn’t be afraid of anything. Not anymore.”

A small smile tugged at your lips, and you laid your head on his shoulder. It was silent for a few moments, the waves lapping the shore the only sound. Very softly, you spoke. “Thank you.”

He turned his head and you lifted yours, resting your chin on his shoulder. He leaned in and kissed you softly. So soft and airy. A gentle touching of lips. His hand came up and stroked your jaw as he tilted his head, turning into you and deepening the kiss. You opened up for him, allowing his warm wet tongue entry into your mouth. The kiss was fervent and deep, and it felt like he was trying to use his kiss to tell you how he felt without words.

The kiss continued to deepen and Aemond groaned into your mouth as he slowly lowered you to your back on the ground. He climbed over you, fitting himself between your legs, never once breaking the kiss. You brought your arms up and wrapped them around his neck. He groaned again and pressed his hardness into your now aching center. You made a small whimpering noise that he swallowed.

His hands began to explore you. Slowly dragging his shaky hands from your jaw, down your neck, to your collarbone where he slid the sleeve of your dress from your shoulder. He pulled his mouth away from yours and then bent his head to place a soft, open mouth kiss on your shoulder. He grinded himself into you again, making you lift your hips to meet his movement. You had never felt like this before, with your body aching with need.

He lifted himself off you and the loss of his warmth made goosebumps rise on your skin. He unbuttoned the top of his shirt and then pulled it over his head. Your eyes drank in his lean body as he leaned back over you. His mouth immediately found yours again, and his hands continued to wander. His palm met your breast, and he slowly ran his hand over your puckered nipple. He leaned down and flicked it with his tongue through the material of your shift. The sensation caused your hips to buck again, and he rubbed himself on your warm center.

“You are so beautiful Y/N”

You bet your lip and whimpered as he sucked your fabric covered nipple into his mouth. You pushed your fingers through his long hair at the nape of his neck as he lifted his head and did the same thing to your other nipple. His hands rubbed up and down the sides of your body and you arched into him.

His mouth took yours again as one of his hands slid down to your thigh and rubbed light circles on the inside. “Are you okay?” You nodded. “If I slide my fingers over your center, you’re going to be wet for me, aren’t you? I can feel how hot it is from here.”

His words made you groan and nod vehemently. He placed an open mouthed kiss on your jaw as his hand slowly slid the hem of your shift up and he ran his knuckle slowly down your seam. You pulled his face to you, seeking his kiss and he gave it to you, thrusting his tongue deep. His other hand holds himself up as he takes what you are so willing to give. His tongue licks against yours as he slides one finger down your pussy from the top to your entrance in a featherlight touch that has you moaning into his mouth.

“Shh.” He whispers into your mouth. “Keep still, Y/N.” Your chest heaves as he slowly circles the tip of his finger at your wet entrance. He slowly slides his finger tip inside and you feel your pussy suck his finger deeper inside. “Fuck.” His words sound shaky. “You’re so warm and tight.”

You whimper against his lips and dig your nails into his shoulders. You feel a little stretch as he adds another finger to the one that is already pumping inside you. He pulls them out and slides them up to rub at your clit. His touch is so soft, so gentle, that your thighs quiver around him. He continues his actions, shoving two fingers inside you, working his wrist, pulling them out to tickle your entrance and then slide them up to your silken, slick flesh. Over and over, he does it to where you can hear your wetness as he thrusts again.

Slowly, he removes his hand, withdrawing it from between your legs. And you are so wanton, so achy, that you whine and beg. “Please Aemond.”

He kisses you again. “Shhh. I am going to take care of you. Trust me.” He licks his tongue into your mouth. Pulling away he leans back on his knees and pushes your shift off your body. Where the breeze was making you cold before, Aemond has you so hot right now that the breeze is almost as painful as the need deep inside you.

He flattens his palms on your inner thighs and spreads you wide. You fight the urge to cover yourself as he leans down and presses his forehead to your fleshy thigh. He inhales deep and it makes you blush and bite your lip. You toss your head back as the tip of his tongue finds your entrance and he licks you slowly up to your clit. He repeats the motion slowly and then presses a soft open mouthed kiss on your nub before sucking it gently into his mouth. “Mm. You taste so good. I have been dying to have your sweet nectar on my tongue.” His tongue slides down your seam until it gets to your entrance, and he slides it inside you.

The intrusion feels so good. So warm. Aemond’s tongue curls inside you and you grab his hair and grind yourself against his face. One of his hands is under your ass and the other comes around your thigh and grips your mound, opening it up for him. He pulls his tongue out and starts open mouth kissing your clit, lightly flicking his tongue on it. With every pass of his tongue, you whimper and shake. As he sucks on your clit, he puts two fingers in your pussy. “Give it to me.” he tells you. Within two more sucks, a sob rips from you. That sensation you were chasing finally erupts. You throw your head back, hips bearing down on his face with short rough jerks, and you continue until you are too sensitive to be touched there.

“That’s it, Y/N” he tells you. Your pussy clenches down on his fingers. He kisses it again and your body jerks.

“Seven Hells, Aemond.” you whimper.

His face is wet with your arousal as he licks his lips. “Look at the mess I made of you pretty girl.” He kisses your pussy again and you shove at his head. He hums as he sits back on his knees again and begins to come out of his pants. His cock springs free. It is intimidating as it bobs and hits his bellybutton. He must notice your apprehension because he leans over your body again and says “Shhh. I won’t hurt you” and then kisses you again.

His cock nestles itself in your folds, and he grinds into his. The head of him rubs at your clit and it makes your body jolt each time he does it. His kiss is slow, agonizingly slow, as he rubs his cock against you. Pulling away, he presses his forehead to you.

His hand grabs the base of his cock, and he tugs on it, a bead of precum leaking from the tip. He lines himself up at your entrance and then sucks on your bottom lip. “Take a deep breath.” You do. “If it hurts to much, tell me.” You nod.

At first the stretch burns, it’s foreign. You can feel every vein and the notch of his head as it slips in. He looks down at you. “Are you okay?” he asks.

You nod. “Y-Yes.”

He pushes in more. “Fuck it’s so tight.” His words make you whimper and dig your nails into his biceps. He looks down at where you two are connected. Another inch. He throws his head back. His arms are shaking with holding back. “It’s going to sting. But it will feel better after.” You nod again and look at where his cock is entering you. He pushes more in. More and more, against the slight resistance, and then his hips come to rest against yours. He doesn’t move. Instead, he just leaves it there. His eye meets yours and you reach up to touch his face. Your hands are shaky, but you are gentle as you slowly run your fingers over his jaw and around his head before pulling his eye patch off. His cock throbs inside of you and you clench your walls around him. He hisses as he leans down and kisses you.

He begins to move inside you, slowly at first. One of his hands come up to cradle beneath your neck, while the other holds himself above you. He presses his forehead to yours. The intimacy of the moment is not lost on you, and he holds your gaze as he slowly pulls out and thrusts back in. Skin to skin, eye to eye, shared breaths. He pulls out and thrusts back in, over and over. “You are mine now, Y/N” You nod at him. Yes, you nod. You have never wanted anything more. “I vow that I will protect you.” Thrust. “Keep you safe.” Thrust. “Mine.” Thrust.

His hand around your neck slides down your body until it is situated between you, and he begins rubbing at your clit again. It makes your pussy squeeze down on him hard. You start to grind into his thrusts with the friction of his hand, making that feeling build inside you. You can hear how wet you are with each pierce of his cock inside you. He continues to rub circles and it isn’t long before you are a sobbing mess, frantic with need and writhing wantonly beneath him, begging him to let you come again. Everything feels so good. So magical.

The orgasm that takes over your body feels life-altering and as you come down from it, you realize how much this moment changes everything. Aemond holds eye contact as his cock starts to swell inside you and his pumps become hurried, unsteady. He pumps and pumps and then groans hard, animalistic, throwing his head back. The veins in his neck straining with his orgasm.

The two of you breathe heavy as he brings his mouth to yours. This time, the kiss feels different. It feels like more of a promise. Like the one he made when he was inside you.

He pulls himself out of you and rolls over, his cock glistening in the starlight from your juices. He throws his forearm over his eyes as he lays there in the grass, under the tree where he made you the first promise and now, so many more. You can feel his come leak out of you and he looks over as you open your legs and touch your fingers to your pussy, pulling away a string of your mixed orgasms. He groans and rolls towards you, opening your legs and spreading your pussy to him again. He stares at where you leak and then rubs his finger around your sore entrance, gathering the come that has escaped and then puts it back in. When he pulls his hand away, he sucks his finger into his mouth and then leans over and kisses you.

It is erotic and sensual, and the flavor of your shared release makes something bloom in your chest. He pulls away and presses his forehead to yours again. “Mine.”

[countrymusiclover]

Ch 39 - The Future of Westeros

Part 40

Fire OF A Stark

@dragonixfrye

Oh my gosh ya’ll ONE more chapters and then I will be completing this story ❤️ ❤️ 😭 😭 😭 ❤️

Tyrion and Jaime both declared together making me get a little embarrassed. I valued their opinions but it wasn’t theirs that scared me the most. “Lynesse Targaryen-Lannister for queen.”

“Will you wear the crown, Lynesse. If we were to choose you…or even if we choose someone else, would you stand by their side and sit on your rightful place on the Iron Throne?” Tyrion slowly walked up to me making his handcuffs squeak. His green eyes shifting from his brother and over our two children.

Blinking my eyes a couple of times I was at a complete loss for words. Even though I was a mother of two growing children and a loving husband. I wasn’t even thinking about being a queen or really a ruler of anything. I have been so consumed with running all my life where I was too focused on keeping my true identity a secret. "Guys I am honored to think that you want me to be the queen of the Seven kingdoms. But I…I don't think I am meant for such a thing."

"You have done a great job with attending to the Rock household. Lynesse, you are so confident on dragon 's back. You risk your life for your people and you don't live by the sane Fire and Blood." Jaime declared placing his hand on my cheek making me turn my head looking at him directly in those bright green orbs. "I told you I would follow you wherever you go, you are my queen now and always."

Sansa shifts in her seat with her hands resting in her lap smiling at me. "You've always been looking out for me and Arya even after you learned who you really were. Lynesse, you have a good heart and you never wanted to use Joanna to get an advance in a battle. You would be a good queen."

"Lynesse, I have seen that you are different from most ladies in our realm the night we met at Winterfell so long ago. And if I recall you once told me that Rhaenyra Targaryen, daughter of Viscerys declared to you in a dream that she believed you were meant for the throne.” Tyrion slowly walked forward much to Grey Worms grumbling that he should stop moving but no one else stops him. “I understand that you might not want it but you are one of the best people that I know in my life..I would bend the knee to you, Lynesse Targaryen.”

All the other lords and ladies turned their heads in my direction. I felt uneasy. Rocking little Eddard in my arms I distracted myself as best I could looking at him. He opened his eyes real big staring up at me. Sucking in a sharp breath I swore that I was staring at my father or at least understanding what he had told me years ago.

"A Lord or Lady makes the hard decisions to protect their people…even when they are afraid." My father Ned told me and Robb as he was showing us where his sister Lyanna and his brother Brandon were buried in the crypt underneath the castle.

Robb glanced back at his father, confused pulling his fur cloak around himself more. “What are you trying to say, father?”

“Is this like anyone can be killed even if they are the greatest fighter in the world?” I questioned him, crossing my arms over my chest. Even though it was frowned upon by my mother Catelyn I had managed to slip away so I could learn lessons from my father. I had learned more from him than I would learning to sew a needle and thread.

Our father turned to face both of us. He had his right hand resting on his sword that he named Ice. “You are right, Cadence. That anyone can be killed but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about that as the ruler of this house I wake every morning with fear and go to bed with fear in the night.”

“How can a man be brave if he is afraid?” Robb glanced between him and I.

He smiled simply, straightening his back shifting his gaze from each of us. “That is the only time a man or woman can be afraid my children. Now come we should go get ready for dinner.”

Robb headed up the stairs and he started to follow until I called his name, making our father pause in his steps. “Father, do you think someday when the world knows the truth about me…about my parents. Will they accept me or will I have to be afraid for the rest of my life?”

“Lynesse, my dragon. I have faith that one day you will find a group of people who will accept you.” He declares stepping forward kissing the crown of my head making me smile. “If you ever become queen you will do just fine so long as you follow the tips that I have taught you.”

“Lynesse, what do you say?” Jaime’s voice pulls me from my trance where I shake my head.

Brushing hair behind my ear he shifted Rhaenyra in her arm. “The realm won’t accept me as its queen…but I know someone they will, Bran.” Eyeing my brother in his wheelchair he just sent me a nod not saying a word.

“There's nothing in the world more powerful than a good story. Nothing can stop it. No enemy can defeat it. And who has a better story... than Bran the Broken? The boy who fell from a high tower and lived. He knew he'd never walk again, so he learned to fly. He crossed beyond the Wall, a crippled boy, and became the Three-Eyed Raven. He is our memory, the keeper of all our stories. The wars, weddings, births, massacres, famines. Our triumphs, mm, our defeats, our past. Who better to lead us into the future?” Tyrion caught onto my suggestion locking his eyes with the young living Stark child.

Sansa glanced between him then back at me and my husband. She absolutely loved that I had children even if they did share blood with the women who killed her father. “Bran has no interest in ruling and he can't father children.”

“Good.” Tyrion chuckled dryly at her glancing over his shoulder at Grey Worm. “Sons of kings can be cruel and stupid, as you well know. His will never torment us….That is the wheel our queen wanted to break.”

He faced our group of leaders once more slowly walking forward until he was so close to me and Bran. “From now on, rulers will not be born. They will be chosen on this spot by the lords and ladies of Westeros... to serve the realm. I know you don't want it. I know you don't care about power. But I ask you now, if we choose you...will you wear the crown? Will you lead the Seven Kingdoms to the best of your abilities from this day until your last day?”

“Why do you think I came all this way?” Bran replied simply.

Tyrion raised his head declaring a vote. “To Brandon of House Stark...I say aye.” Everyone around us declared yes in agreement.

“Lynesse, you shall rule by my side.” Bran turned in his chair so he could face me as best possible. “I know you have good judgment even if you don’t think you do. You have a good heart and a fighting spirit. And you are the last Taragaryn who never used her dragon except to stop the army of the dead.”

Blankly staring at him I still didn’t understand why they thought I would be a good queen. I mean yes did I have a dream about a dragon queen from 200 years before we ever existed. Yet it didn’t mean I would be a good leader. “Bran, I love you. And I appreciate that you all think I would make a good queen but why me, why?”

“Jaime, would you mind?” Bran gestured for him to push the wheelchair closer so my husband got up pushing the chair closer to me with his left hand. While he had his right arm secured on holding our daughter so he didn’t drop her. “I choose you to rule by my side as the realm’s queen because no one else was chosen to find this…The three eyed Raven predicted that you would one day become a queen and so today is now clearly that day. ” He drew out Rhaenyra’s crown hanging on the back of my chair.

Jaime rose to his feet, handing our daughter over to his brother for a moment so he could take the crown from my cousin’s hands. He drifted his gaze down to me, waiting for him to declare. “All hail Bran the Broken, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.”

Everyone in our circle of leaders responded back. “All hail Bran the Broken!”

“All hail Lynesse the Last Targaryen, First of her name, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Lady of Casterly Rock, Stark raised true, Lady of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.” Tyrion made up his own declaration for me nodding to his older brother smiling proudly.

Everyone once more responded. “All hail Lynesse the Last Targaryen!”

“Lynesse-Cadence Targaryen-Stark-Lannister you shall forever be my Queen from this day until your last day.” Jaime Lannister, the man that I never thought I would fall in love with through an arranged marriage grinned. He gently sat the golden crown on my head slowly dropping onto a knee as he did so never breaking eye contact with me.

Bran titled his head to the side watching as Tyrion handed my daughter over to Sansa. Grey Worm stepped forward to lead him away. “Lord Tyrion... you will be my Hand.”

“N-- No, Your Grace, I don't want it.” He stuttered, glancing in my direction. “I couldn’t possibly, my queen.”

Bran said back. “And I don't want to be king.”

“Nor I queen, especially not without you to guide us.” I added on when Jaime rises to his feet coming to stand behind me resting his real hand on my shoulder.

He shakes his head trying to still turn down the job. “I don't deserve it. I thought I was wise, but I wasn't. I thought I knew what was right, but I didn't. Choose Ser Davos. Choose anyone else.”

“I choose you.” Bran sniped.

Jaime smirked, pointing his index finger at his little brother smiling proudly. “She won’t take the job without you, little brother. You have to accept this.”

Grey Worm cut in. “You cannot.”

“Yes, I can. I'm king.” Bran pointed out sternly but still in a kind tone.

He didn’t agree. “This man is a criminal. He deserves justice.”

“Grey Worn, I don’t think I need to remind you of her presence…” I trailed off lifting my head up where everyone lifted their heads seeing that Joanna was watching from one of the high cliffs above our heads. “I aim to change what my blood relatives have done. But you will learn your place and accept that he will meet the punishment we set for him.”

“He just got it. He's made many terrible mistakes. He's going to spend the rest of his life fixing them.” Bran added on placing his hand over mine making Eddard clap his hands together. We were the future of Westeros and he would have to accept that things would be changing in the years to come.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[lostthistime]

heyyy so I made a new Targeryan OC 🫣 ima use her for a couple of stories I’m thinking of doing next year

Masterlist • Chapter 1 •

𝑫𝑨𝑬𝑵𝒀𝑹𝑨 𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑮𝑨𝑹𝒀𝑬𝑵

𝑩𝑶𝑹𝑵: 𝑨𝑼𝑮𝑼𝑺𝑻 19, 98 A.C

𝑨𝑭𝑭𝑰𝑳𝑰𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵: TEAM BLACK

𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲𝑮𝑹𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑫: Daughter of Daenerys Targaryen I, and Vaegon Targaryen. Granddaughter of Jaehaerys I and Alysanne Targaryen, and is adopted by Viscerys in 98 AC, when her mother dies.

𝑲𝑵𝑶𝑾𝑵 𝑨𝑺: 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑬𝑵 𝑴𝑨𝑲𝑬𝑹, 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑪𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑰𝑩𝑨𝑳 𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑬𝑹, 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑹𝑷𝑯𝑨𝑵 𝑷𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑬𝑺𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑮𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑵𝑬, 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑪𝑹𝑼𝑬𝑳 𝑷𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑬𝑺𝑺, 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑷𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑬𝑺𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑷𝑬𝑶𝑷𝑳𝑬

“Isn’t it frustrating for you? Inviting me here to try to pick apart anything that you don’t like about me to report back to the Queen. You have nothing better to do then be watch dogs? Surely the highborn ladies of Kings Landing haven’t fallen this low?”

“Amusing how men who speak of honor, fill their mouths with gossip like common whores. What honor do you know? Where is the honor in speaking about a princess behind her back? Maybe you should be taught the meaning of honor again since I see your education is severely lacking.”

“You know, what he said was correct. History remembers names, not blood. I call you my nephew because you are my sister’s son and you will be dear to me no matter what blood is in those veins. Now if you hear anymore teasing, come to me. They’ll see we share the blood of the dragon.”

“If they want a war, then we’ll burn that damn Hightower to the ground. Otto and that usurping cunt are sitting high and mighty now, let’s see how they feel when they die screaming.”

Daenyra Targaryen has known loss ever since she was born. When she was 3 months old, her mom died due to complications of her labors. It took her father all but two months, to go off and become a Maester at the citadel. Many say it was due to the heartbreak of losing his only love, but most said it was always his intention to end up there.

Leaving behind his daughter Daenyra, and his claim to the Iron throne, Vaegon Targaryen was the one who proposed for King Jaehaerys to hold the Great Council. The iron throne and Daenyra both ended up in the care of her cousin Viserys, and his wife Aemma who had just had a daughter of their own.

Growing up, Rhaenyra and Daenyra were constantly together. The two took very kindly to one another and were always off somewhere causing mischief together. When they both claimed their dragons, it was one of the most nerve racking days of Viscerys life. Daenyra was the more reckless one of the two surprisingly, she was one to punch first and ask questions later.

She was remarkably intelligent, agile, and brave. She claimed her Dragon at age 8, but it was not the egg that had been put in her cradle by her Cousin Daemon. No, that would have been too easy. The beast that she managed to claim, was the Cannibal. A dragon that she had to sneak around to claim. She renamed the bad tempered beast Karnax, and the once untamable cannibal bended only to the will of the Orphan Princess of Dragonstone.

Despite the rumors about the “Orphan Princess” she was quite capable. The Maesters would call her the reincarnation of Visenya, which was as much of a compliment as it was a warning. She was not the type to sit with things she was not pleased with, and she was as gifted with a sword as she was beautiful. She caught the eye of many lords, receiving marriage offers from the Starks, Lannisters, Raenyeros, and even Baratheons.

Let’s see how she fares in the dance of the dragons. Through the gossiping ladies, the leaching lords, the vulturous council and the promise of freedom hanging right outside her grasp.

One thing is for sure, she will pay back all the tears shed by house Targaryen in fire and blood.

[navarice]

The family talking shit and throwing hands right after Viscerys exits the room is such a Targaryen mood

[starrcrxssed]

welcome to london, RHAENYRA TARGARYEN! did anyone ever tell you that you look just like EMMA D'ARCY? well, no matter, we hear that you are 33 and working as a TRANSLATOR. we also hear that you currently HAVE your memories from HOUSE OF THE DRAGON and have a tendency to be CALCULATED as well as VENGEFUL.

𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙄𝘾𝙎

full name : Rhaenyra Targaryen

nickname/s : none

relatives: Viscerys Targaryen (Father) Aemma Targaryen (Mother) Daemon Targaryen (Husband) Jacaerys and Lucerys Valeryon (sons) Helaena, Aegon II and Aemond Targaryen ( half siblings)

age : 33

dob : Unknown

star sign : Scorpio

pronouns : She/Her

sexuality : Heterosexual

mbti : ENTJ

memory status: memories in tact

[he-is-everything-11]

“I will speak about my brother however I wish, you will not!” - Daemon.

You all he doesn’t want to be King.. he loves his brother. The Man just wants his Brother to Love him & Respect him and not be a puppet to Otto Hightower. He is acting out like a child.. All he wants is attention... And Priority. Something most of us crave in life.

[glamourweaver]

ASoI&F Headcanon - the burials of those wed to the Dragon

Traditionally, only the “blood of the dragon” are cremated with Valyerian rites and interred at Dragonstone. The non-Targaryen wives of House Targaryen are generally buried in the Andal fashion at the husband’s seat - or returned to their father’s house with a lavish crown gift for an extravagant ceremony and tomb (especially if the wife in question was a Queen). There is a “queen’s crypt” at the Starry Sept in Oldtown for Ceryse and then Alicent, one at Sunspear for Myriah where they also buried Elia raising some eyebrows as she was never queen. There are memorial statues gifted by the crown at Raventree Hall for Betha (who’s remains could not be recovered from Summerhall), and at Stormsend for Alyssa (who was given to the sea with Velaryon rites at Stormsend). Aemma Arryn is interred with Viscerys at Dragonstone because while she was an Arryn, she was also Blood of the Dragon on her mother’s side, and neither House Arryn nor the extended Targaryen family raised objection to this wish of Viscerys.

Jayne Westerling’s body was returned to House Tarbeck by Jaehaerys so she could be buried with her first husband. There were royal gifts to both Houses Tarbeck and Westerling with this but this was framed as a recognition of Maegor’s crime against them rather than a queen’s burial gift, as neither these houses nor the Targaryens wanted to offend the Hightowers who were still touchy about the subject of Maegor’s legal wife. Gifts were given to Houses Costayne and Bolling as well, though Elinor was humbly interred at her Motherhouse in Lannisport.

The crown paid the Faith the expense for a normal rather than lavish burial for Alys Harroway at the Sept in the town that bares her family name. No special tomb was constructed, though the grave is well marked and kept and having a a queen��s burial site is a point of local pride for the smallfolk of Harroway.

Tyanna of the Tower was buried unceremoniously in an unmarked grave in King’s Landing.

There is one individual for whom these traditions were broken, and was given Valyrian rites and interred at Dragonstone. Egg had Ser Jeremy Norridge cremated on the same pyre as Prince Daeron and their ashes interred together on Dragonstone. It is strongly suspected he would have done the same (or ordered the same done in his will) for Betha and for Jenny, and one could argue fate delivered as their ashes mingled together with Egg and Duncan’s (and Duncan’s) at Summerhall, right over the burial site of Deyanna.

[medschoolash]

Struggling to see why I should feel sympathy for Alicent. Rhaenyra is the rightful heir who had consensual sex with someone she’s attracted to, she didn’t owe Alicent the truth - it was none of Alicent or Otto’s business. The fact we’re meant to be going “oh poor baby, she’s so upset” has me doing the exact opposite. She should get over to, it’s not like she told Rhaenyra about her secret meetings with the king either.

ohh Anon thank you so much for this ask (also sorry it took me a few days to reply). After last night I became a hardcore Rhaenyra Targaryen defender. You're right, Alicent was not sympathetic at all this last episode. I had the exact opposite reaction to her antics and I'm already annoyed by the justifications out there from some of her hardcore defenders. I was planning on doing a separate essay this week but since you asked I'll just go for it now.

So here goes.

In Defense of Rhaenyra Targaryen:

In this essay, I will......

establish that Rhaenyra never ever got a fair shot and Alicent is a jealous bitter woman who believes she's powerful but is truly just a perfectly crafted pawn of her father and the patriarchy.

I feel like a common theme among some of the viewers has been that Alicent's extreme actions this episode make sense and being upset at Rhaenyra is justified and a few times I sat there reading it trying to figure out if I watched the same show because it's just such a nonsensical conclusion to make.

let's start with the first complaint

"Rhaenyra's lie got Otto removed as hand"

Lie. OTTO'S OWN AMBITION IS WHAT GOT HIM REMOVED AS HAND. NOT RHAENYRA'S LIE.

Otto has had a conflict of interest this entire time. The moment he pimped his daughter out to the king to advance his agenda is the moment is job became precarious. The man had been plotting to have Aegon take the throne in place of Rhaenyra this whole time. He was always going to make a move to convince Viscerys to disinherit her and that move was always going to be extremely risky but I don't think Otto even realized how risky it was because of his arrogance and his belief that he could easily manipulate Viscerys. Daemon called this from episode 1 when he told Viscerys that Otto was a vulture preying on his weakness and Viscery didn't listen. The man was so blinded he didn't even realize Alicent was a carefully planned plot by her father until the last episode. Because he was so arrogant and he underestimated how much Viscerys loves Rhaenyra (of course a man who pimped out his own daughter would think other fathers don't give a damn about theirs) he didn't expect his actions would ever lead to Viscerys actually doubling down on Rhaenyra as heir. If it wasn't this scandal it was going to be another crafted up by him to get rid of her. So Rhaenyra's lie didn't directly lead to shit, besides exposing otto as the conniving schemer that he always was and he did that on his own. Viscerys didn't even believe Rhaenyra. Like I'm almost positive the man truly believes Daemon took his daughter's maidenhead so how can it all be blamed on Rhaenyra lying? Moral of the story is Otto would still be hand if he wasn't ambitious and knew how to mind his own fucking business.

Speaking of minding one's own business that brings me to the next complaint

"Rhaenyra lied to Alicent and Alicent was supposed to be her friend"

Somebody, anybody please tell me why who Rhaenyra decides to pussy pop for is Alicen't business? Why exactly was Alicent owed the truth on what Rhaenyra did that night and with who? Does Alicent have some sorta ownership over Rhaenyra's vagina? Not to mention Rhaenyra technically didn't even completely lie to her. She admitted they went to the brothel and she said that Daemon left her there and they didn't have sex, both of which were true events. Alicent asked her if she had sex with DAEMON. She never asked her if she had sex with anybody else. Rhaenyra didn't have sex with Daemon. Her sexual encounter with Criston wasn't her damn business and she never asked so how can you claim you were lied to.

Not to mention how is Rhaenyra being villainized for maintaining her own privacy when Alicent was the first one to deceive someone in his friendship? Did Alicent tell a grieving Rhaenyra that she was spending time with her father? No, she did not. Did Alicent tell Rhaenyra that she was sitting in meetings with her father who is straight up telling her he's working to replace her as heir to the throne? No, she did not. If she was such a concerned friend who valued transparency why has she never been transparent with Rhaenyra? When has Alicent ever divulged information to Rhaenyra that could work against her? So she's owed transparency but Rhaenyra isn't?

What good would telling Alicent the truth do for Rhaenyra? Would Alicent have been any less judgemental? She would still be looking at Rhaenyra like an unrepentant whore. If anything telling the truth would have done more harm than good because from Rhaenyra's perspective Criston could have gotten in trouble and now the mother of the other person threatening her succession would have information she could use against her. What was stopping Alicent from trying to convince Viscerys that his whore daughter is going to bring shame to his reign if he doesn't replace her with their son? So why tell her the truth? Why was she owed the truth in the first place?

If anything Alicent's behavior proved exactly why Rhaenyra shouldn't have told her a damn thing. She found out Rhaenyra had sex and decided to basically declare war like that's completely rational behavior over something that was already cleaned up nicely by Viscerys. Not a single soul knew Rhaenyra fucked Criston and Rhaenyra's betrothal to the richest house in the realm was already secured so what harm did Rhaenyra's sexual exploits bring politically? The only thing it hurt was her feelings and instead of trying to talk it out or calm down she decides she's done with rhaenyra and is gonna come for her birthright. All this over the fact that Rhaenyra had sex. BECAUSE RHAENYRA HAD THE AUDACITY TO MAKE A CHOICE ABOUT HER BODY AND NOT DIVULGE THE DETAILS OF THAT CHOICE TO PEOPLE WHO AREN'T OWED ANYTHING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

And this brings me to my biggest point. At this point, Alicent is willingly a tool for the patriarchy and that's her ultimate problem. She resents that she was dangled to viscerys and is a moist empty hole and baby maker. The only way she can cope with her own circumstances is by convincing herself that living within a strict patriarchal society is actually the best way to live a life. The freedom Viscerys allows Rhaenyra spits in the face of her only coping mechanism. Viscerys gives Rhaenyra a choice in her marriage. Rhaenyra gets to explore her sexual desire in the way men get to explore their sexual desire and even when it angers her father he doesn't discard her for her behavior, he actually protects her by making sure she doesn't have any unintended consequences that could jeopardize her status as heir and by brokering the perfect marriage agreement for her. None of this aligns with what Alicent believes is right according to the patriarchy. Rhaenyra is not doing her duty as a woman and is being protected and rewarded while she's doing her duty and is being ignored but instead of challenging her own belief system and the system as a whole in the way that Rhaenyra has done more than once, she doubles down on it. She holds on even tighter to the ideas of the patriarchy and starts to resent Rhaenyra for constantly reminding her of her own delusions that she willingly becomes a tool for it. She's about to do everything she can to destroy a woman who has the audacity to live her life outside of the narrow confines of what the realm thinks womanhood should entail WITH THE BLESSING OF ALL OF THE MEN AROUND HER so that she can be the righteous woman in the wings, the exemplary woman of the patriarchy who does the "right" thing by propping up a different heir solely because he has a penis.

Because that's really what all this hoopla comes down to. Daemon said it best. The men can run around in every brothel in the city, have as many mistresses and bastards as they want, and experience whatever sexual desire they want and no one bats an eye but women in Westeros absolutely can not. They can't be true heirs because they don't have a penis, they can't want to have sex, and they can't want anything besides to be a support for their husbands and nurturing mothers. The second they do anything outside of these limited things they are horrid women who can't be trusted with the realm. That's why some fans think Rhaenyra committed a horrible sin for fucking and not being transparent bout who she was fucking. That's why people think Rhaenyra is to blame for Criston's actions even though he had CONSENSUAL sex with her ONE time and she never ever gave him the impression it was some intense love connection. Deluding yourself to believe a princess and heir to a throne would ever reasonably give that up to be your poor and bored little wife is a glaring example of patriatchy-inspired delusion but Rhaenyra is the bad person here. She doesn't owe him a relationship, she doesn't owe him shit but she's at fault for everything. It's why you have people claiming Rhaenyra should be removed as heir because by the age of 19 she hasn't "shown she can be a good queen" even though her replacement would be a whole ass toddler who hasn't done a single thing so show he can be a better alternative besides being born with a penis.

It's not Rhaenyra's fault she is not brainwashed by the patriarchy like Alicent. It's not Rhaenyra's fault that Alicent has no real thoughts of her own, only the thoughts of the men around her that she's adopted as her own. Why should Rhaenyra have to play by Alicent's rules of who a woman should be and how she should behave? Fuck her and her precious patriarchy. Even if/when things go wrong for Rhaenyra I'll always be glad she didn't bow down and accept the confines Alicent and the rest of the realm tried to place on her. If/when she dies at least she dies as a woman who navigated a close-minded society on her own terms. That's better than going to the grave as a repressed and miserable obedient pawn for a patriarchy that will forget your name before your body is even cold.

[danwhobrowses]

House of the Dragon - Eps 1&2 Thoughts and Review

Fire cannot kill a dragon, and yet we can afford to be burned twice.

In Spite of the bitter taste of Game of Thrones' finale, I like many others have plunged myself into House of the Dragon with tempered expectation of the prequel. Now that the first two episodes are out - and totally not because I forgot to do a standalone one for episode 1 - I'm gonna start giving my blind thoughts on the matter.

To be clear, I'm not super familiar with this story, I know it's covered in a book and other reactors inform me that the book has two unreliable accounts (a Maester and a Court Jester) and this is a 'how it really happened' version for the tv version rather than the book version - so there are some changes and age ups - but otherwise I am blind to the direction it's going, so here's my thoughts on it.

Spoilers for the first two episodes of course, and a bit of Game of Thrones too, give them a watch first if you don't want some plot points ruined for you

So this is a good start, I think I am still a bit hesitant to go fully into it but I am liking what I'm seeing so far.

The first episode was good but I must admit I found myself more unsettled than entertained, purely because of the graphic C-Section scene and the presence of pus, I mean I never wanted to see it with the Jorah greyscale scene and I didn't want it here either, same with the sound of choking babies, it was perhaps too uncomfortable. I think the dragon CGI looked a bit wonky at times, it could be the gold on Syrax is just not great for CGI (I'm sure we all recall The Witcher's golden dragon) or perhaps the smoothness of its scales. I do feel 50/50 on the frequent need to reference Game of Thrones even though it's a prequel, on one hand I get it because it bridges the gap but on the other hand if this show is a prequel by over a century it's a little too on the nose.

Episode 2 was a lot better, but I think it suffered a narrative flaw of 'character a does not talk to character b' when it came to Viscerys announcing his marriage to Alicent, he made no effort to even discuss with Rhaenyra his intent to wed her best friend, which will inevitably start the rift between them showed in the trailers. It also doesn't make Viscerys look any better to go against his better counsel and alienating one of his strongest allies because Laena Velayron is 12, especially when Alicent is apparently around 15. The time jump is a little abrupt, though I feel that we may have more to come.

I will praise heavily the attention to detail when it comes to costuming, something the GoT universe hadn't ever had a problem with thriving on, but I will say that sometimes it does look like the helmets don't fit as well as they should. Then again, this could be an intentional design flaw since this is considered a more peaceful period of Westeros.

I like the characters so far, mostly at the least. So far the star of the show is Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen, the sociopath prince who has become social media's latest beloved bastard, both cunning and childish he fits a balance of being a villain but also one who still cares about his family. Rhaenyra and Alicent's younger actors have done really well, as has Rhys Ifans' Otto Hightower. Paddy Considine has been really good as the grieving king Viscerys I, completing subverting the descendant of his namesake we're familiar with by appearing at the least as a fair King and a decent person put under a lot of pressure by traditions. Sian Brooke did very well as Queen Aemma, given how she would be the first major casualty of the show, it is a shame we won't get more of her. Episode 2 got to showcase Eve Best's Rhaenys (George making it really easy to second guess every Targaryen's name and spelling) and Steve Toussaint's Corlys a bit more but we still need more of them, same for Graham McTavish's Ser Harrold and Fabien Frankel's Criston Cole, who have simply looked formidable among the crowd. We are yet to have a slew of charismatic characters equal to Tyrion, Tywin, Cersei, Ned, Arya, Bronn, Littlefinger, The Hound and Varys, but we can give it time.

Story-wise, I wish we had more time with Rhaenyra and Alicent before their rift, they established their friendship well but it probably would've hit deeper if we had more time with them, I understand the time jump but we could've had a bit more in between. While I don't think Daemon's a good guy, or that he'd be the worst king (more that he'd be a ruthless one), I do agree with him that the Small Counsel are trying to manipulate Viscerys for their own gains, seen most blatantly by Otto and Corlys throwing their daughters at him. Daemon being rescinded as an heir is grief-driven, especially since we never see him say it, but Daemon's reaction to it as detailed in Episode 2 doesn't do him any favours towards making it seem unfair. Viscerys as I pointed out is a good guy, but he seriously needs to work on his communication, from not telling Aemma his choice to let her die to try and save his son, to not discussing his marriage decisions with anyone or even trying to prepare his daughter for the throne, there is a difference between 'You will learn' and 'Let me teach you'. Alicent seems sweet, for now at least Arya and Daenerys once seemed sweet too, she is in a tough spot that makes me sympathise with her, I don't sympathise with Corlys as much, Viscerys should have married his daughter (or at least sought another way to merge their houses) but his own reaction going straight to Daemon proves that his ambitions are greater than his loyalty.

Of the two episodes I think my favourite scenes so far have been the jousting tournament - both for its visual spectacle but also as a strong introduction to Cole to what I guess will set up a feud between the two - and Viscerys confronting Daemon from Episode 1, and the Dragonstone standoff from Episode 2, not in that order though. The show has promise but since we're still in 'setup' we'll see on the next episode if it can up the ante.