Chapter Text
"My lord, princess Rhaenyra has called for the small council to be summoned," Ser Erryk jerked him awake, he had taken residence under a tree to rest.
"Surely she can manage without me?" Yorbert wiped the drool from his mouth, and a lazy smile settled on his lips as he remembered getting his brains screwed out.
"She insisted I personally escort you to the meeting," Ser Erryk shifted, "She commanded Ser Harwin to fetch Daemon so I assume it is something important,"
Immediately he got up, "Did she not tell you what the matter is?"
Erryk shook his head as they speedily made their way to the council chambers, Yorbert felt his worry mount. What would be the cause for such secrecy? it couldn't be the kids, he had just seen them, and they were perfectly fine. Baelon had joined his brother in the dragon pit earlier this morning, they should be at their Valyrian language classes, while the twins were still with their nanny.
"Rhaenyra, is there something wrong?" He burst into the room, all the eyes gathered there eyed him strangely. He quickly gathered himself and moved to the seat beside his wife. In recent years the King's health had declined considerably. Rhaenyra as his hand ruled the Kingdom in all but name.
He eyed the gathered men, he and Rhaenyra had managed to fill the court with people they trusted but that required having a valid reason for removing an existing member of the council. Much to his displeasure Larys always covered his tracks well, he could not find anything linking him to the death of Lyonel. He had the habit of cutting out the tounges of the people he took under him.
But they did manage to replace him with Mysaria, the former whore was extremely useful. Her contacts spread all over Kings Landing, allowing them to move information easily
"Niece, what is the meaning of this? I have things to do, places to be," His father was decked in his dragon riding attire, and Darksister was secured comfortably at his hip. Was he leaving? He thought Daemon might stay a little while longer.
"My father is dead," A deadly silence settled over the council, and Yorbert felt his own mind go blank over the news. Shit! shit! He forced himself to take deep and steadying breaths.
"Then you must be crowned," The words left his mouth before he could stop them, he had not anticipated the King passing on so early, Aegon was still thirteen. His eyes found his father's, "Aemond, he must not be allowed to reach Vhagar,"
Daemon didn't even wait for him to finish, he flew out of his seat and out the door in a flurry, "Lord Corlys can you handle the preparations for her crowning, it must be today preferably,"
Corlys nodded, "The dragon pit my lord, her Grace can be crowned there for all to see,"
"And where are you going?" Rhaenyra asked him as he got up. "You have to be by my side when I'm crowned,"
"I need to summon Rhaenys from Driftmark, we need Meleyes here. With her and Caraxes here it will deter anyone from trying to undermine your ascension, " He didn't even wait for an answer, instead he went to find his mount.
He could not give the message to Viserys, but the boy was five. His dragon was barely ridable, he would not take such a risk.
"Come on girl, we have to reach to reach Driftmark before sundown," He spoke as he mounted his dragon.
Rhaenyra resisted the urge to adjust the crown on her head, Corlys' voice boomed as he spoke.
"All hail her Grace Rhaenyra, first of her name Queen of the Andals, and the Rhoyner, and the first men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm!"
The sudden cheers nearly deafened her, and men and women shouted her name. She could not explain the sudden swelling she felt she felt in her chest as she raised Blackfyre into the air.
Her eyes found Corlys' who gave a pleased smile and a shallow bow, as soon as the man righted himself the ground shook from underneath them. Ser Erryk barely pushed her out of the way as pale blue flames exploded from underground.
"Escort the Queen to safety!" Corlys shouted, Rhaenyra watched with horror as a large piece of rock slammed into the Lord of Tides, and his body crumbled limply into the ground.
That was the last sight she was as Ser Erryk and the Queensguard surrounded her and took her into one of the many secret tunnels leading out of the dragon pit.
"That was Dreamfyre, Helaena must have reached her somehow but how did news of my father's death reach her so quickly?" She asked no one in particular. It must have been one of the maids who was present when she found her father's dead body.
She was sure she reported to Larys Strong who in turn reported to her enemies, she started as a sparse roar rang out. Caraxes? Shouldn't Daemon be watching Aemond?
"Your Grace, Prince Daemon is in pursuit of Aegon and Helaena," Harwin pushed his way through the Queensguard and took his place beside her.
"Should he not be guarding Aemond?" She asked.
"Aemond is dead, he tried to fight your uncle and lost,"
Rhaenyra sucked in a harsh breath, her uncle was a kinslayer. All in her name and now he was pursuing her brother and sister.
"Ser Erryk are the children still safe?"
"Yes your Grace, we housed them under the tunnels in Red keep," That brought her some relief, but she still needed a plan.
"Bring me a quill and paper, I need to send a message to all the Lords of the Seven Kingdoms demanding their fealty, anyone who does not do so will be branded an enemy of the Crown,"
"The King is dead, I have left Lord Corlys in charge of the crowning ceremony, I have no doubt that by now my wife is the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms," Rhaenys blinked in surprise as Yorbert marched into the room. The younger men did not even spare a greeting before unloading such news upon her.
"And why have you come to Driftmark? Corlys is there to swear fealty on behalf of House Velaryon,"
"We wished for you to come to Kings Landing with Meleyes, my father is there as well. We hope that with you two present it will deter the greens from carrying out any attacks,"
"You want me to leave High Tide undefended? The greens have four riders among them, they can easily fly here and seize my husband's seat of power in my absence,"
"They have one dragon rider, we have seized Aegon, Aemond, and Helaena, and Daeron is still in Old Town. Not to mention the boy is only six years of age, his dragon is a tiny thing, he will outgrow it in a few years,"
Rhaenys set back as she weighed her options, if only Laenor was here. She would have had him stay in Driftmark while she flew to Kings Landing. As it was now she needed to ensure Baela and Rhaena's protection.
"Very well I will take the twins with me and leave Driftmark in Vaemond's care," She decided.
"I need you to bring a message to Rhaenyra, I will not be coming back for some time, I need to secure Dragonstone. There are unclaimed dragons there and if push comes to shove we can find Valyrian bastards and have them claim the dragons,"
Shock rippled through her, It would seem the King Consort was full of schemes.