Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

~HOUSE OF THE DRAGON FANFIC~

"The only thing that could tear down the House of the Dragon was itself..."

IT WAS THE KING'S wish that his daughter's first born to be the one to succed after her to the iron throne, no matter the gender. In Lord Corlys's prespective the one to inherit Driftmark must be without a doubt a boy, handsome, strong warrior and to adore the sea, so when Rhaenyra Targaryen brought her second child into the world, a little girl with purple eyes and light chocolate locks some could say it were the colour silver from a distance, just two years after the birth of Jacaerys, Corlys was disappointed, furious and ill, he would never allow a girl to sit the Driftwood throne, therefore one who didn't even resemble a true Velaryon. The spirits calming when the crown princess got gifted with a third child a year later and this time another boy, dark curly hair not a sow of Velaryon feature but Corlys could be blind to the male babes of "his son" and enterily ignore the granddaughter that could be described more of a Targaryen than a Velaryon. 

VELLENA VELARYON was usually a quite girl, observing the whole situation before her mouth spoke the sluttiest comments that sometimes were taken as a joke but more of a insult especially in Queen Alicent's perspective, the loathe she had for the princess Rhaenyra growing with each day passing by. Unlike her two brothers, Vellena's egg had never hatched and with that the little princess's hopes to ride a dragon, majestic and wonderful as her mother's Syrax, or Vhagar, the Queen of all Dragons. But the princess was more ambitious than it seemed, if she could not have a dragon, she would do excellent in other aspects so Vellena became the most studious girl the castel ever heard of, even the Maester himself was impressed when he caught Vellena asleep in the library late at nights with millions of books surronding her. Due to her unbreakable routine of studying and reading every book she laid eyes on, Vellena became fluent in high valyrian at the mere age of nine making her the youngest person in history to speak the most hardest language of all. Vellena's intelligence was remarkable and very rare because the realm could never accept a woman with such qualities. 

"I wish that I was born a man!" the girl shouted once when her presence was forbidden from the castel library and knowing the reason of it was enough to set tears in her soft eyes.

"No!" Rhaenyra's head shook as she bent down to the height of the child cupping her face in her hands. "You were born my daughter! My perfect child whom I love beyond words can be spoken. Anyone else can boil inside because they are jealous of what you can do, Vellena. They know you will overcome them and that can be the scariest feeling" the heir's words were as true as the sun, the salty tears of Vellena wetting her mother's thumbs that gently caressed the light soft cheeks of the princess. 

JACAERYS VELARYON was the firstborn, the eldest brother, from a young age he understood his truest duty, to protect his little siblings beside being his mother's heir and achieving the huge expectations that were required of him. Unlike his sister, Jacaerys was never preoccupied with books and learnings, Vermax being the only obsession that captivated the Velaryon Prince's eyes in first years of youth. Until the one and ten nameday, when he got to perceive what the whispers meant, the words that were always hidden away by their mother. Bastard...

"Tell me the truth. I don't want to be lied even more, mother!" the boy demanded rushing into the apartment that he, his siblings and mother usually shared. Rhaenyra watched her eldest, saw what he wished to be told and the princess knew, it were her mistakes and unfairly her children had the cruel fate to pay aswell because of them. "Wait here. I'll be right back" the mother uttered softly to the nine year old Vellena whom was playing with Lucerys with their wooden dragon toys.

"Jace" Rhaenyra's tone was firm but gentle as she bent down to her eldest, her six moons belly being covered with the long grey gown.

"Am I a bastard?" his voice was lower than a whisper but the crown princess heard it clearer than the wind, a question she was never meant to escape from.

"You are a Targaryen... it's all that matters, you and your siblings.." the woman muttered brushing her thumb against Jace's cheek which had been moist with a small tear. The prince got his long wanted answer, it was still complicated to comprehend it all but he was obligated to, Jace was his mother's son and that was most important.

"You have to take care of your siblings... especially Vellena... protect them. We all have the must to. As a family" Rhaenyra spoke one more with a faintly smile, her fingers running through his brown curls that were the princess's favorite thing about her son. Jacaerys nodded still shaking, the truth was hard to embrace however he accepted it. That was the day when Jacaerys became aware of his real purpose in life, protect your siblings...

he will do it, he will never let anyone harm them but the destiny always has its way to torn everything apart and destroy what you think it's good...

JOCELYN VELARYON was born in 110 A.C the same year as Rhaenyra's heir, to princess Rhaenys Targaryen and her lord husband Corlys Velaryon. It was both a blessing and a bewilderment for the mature princess of three and seven namedays to be pregnant the second time in her life and expect to carry the child until the term had ended, but Rhaenys succeded. A girl came into world with dark brown curly hair and lilac eyes just like her mother and olive skin like her father. Her name had been chosen wisely, Rhaenys's heart melted as the pure soul wailed in her arms, her small fingers gripping firmly into the air. 

"Jocelyn..." the mother muttered weakly kissing the top of the babe's fragile head, Corlys smiled content even though he has never found himself fond of daughters. After his only son had died, The Lord of Driftmark never thought that he will be a father again, yet the Gods planned something else for him. 

Jocelyn grew up as a spoiled child with all sorts of fancy gowns and perfectly crafted wooden toys, but Rhaenys made sure her daughter will posses a kind heart. One of Meleys's eggs hatched when Jocelyn was at the age of six, a chocolate colored dragon with deep icy blue eyes, Jocelyn giggled and clapped hugging the little dragon to her chest.

"I will name him Mirax" the lady muttered, lilac eyes wide as she stared up at the old Princess, Rhaenys chuckled running her fingers through her daughter's curls. 

The Lady Jocelyn Velaryon was not present in the events that occurred before the ages of 128-129 A.C because her mother Rhaenys arranged for her child to be kept safe and away from this cursed family. Starting from the age of seven and until her coming of age, Jocelyn Velaryon and her little dragon lived at Storm's End with her great uncle, a proud but caring old man. 

CREGAN STARK was the first son, born in 108 A.C to Lady Gilliane Glover and Lord Rickon Stark, with the classic Stark features grey eyes and very dark hair. With the death of his father, the nightmare fell over Cregan's life as his uncle became the regent and tried to usurp the rightful lord. Years passed until Cregan gathered all the strength he needed to rise against Bennard and win his place as The Lord of Winterfell, locking the enemies up into the cold forgotten cells of the castle. 

Cregan had happily married his childhood best friend Arra Norrey when they were both of age, their life was exquisite and flourished even more when Lady Stark announced she and Cregan were expecting a baby. But things had not happened as everyone wanted, the babe came all healthy and crying into the world yet unfortunately the mother passed away leaving Cregan Stark a lonely wolf. He could never find love again or so he thought.

Chapter Text

~121 A.C~
King’s Landing

VELLENA’S FAVORITE thing to do had always been the high Valyrian lessons she and her brothers were having each day, for herself being an easy-peasy since she had already learned the language on her own, it was hard if she could tell the truth, the pronunciations, the accents and especially the way the words would roll on the tongue forging the strange sensation yet satisfaction of knowledge. The urge to learn this language became an intoxication for Vellena with every book she had perused, every new term was a level up in her personal competition of evolving into perfection. 

"Everybody, repet after me" the maester speechified walking around the table from the middle of the library, seating between her two sweet brothers. Vellena's mind was not really focused on the lessons in that exact moment something more important mattered in the attention of the little nine years old princess, her amazing mother, one of the most special person in her life was in pain, the suffering of birthing a child. Bringing into world a soul was a consequential occurrence for life and humanity but an atrocious one in the same time. And Vellena knew the consequences of it, reading about it in one of the books but only noticing the phrase by accident, not sure of how they were created still the process of deliverying them into the humankind was the hardest. 

"Lykirī" the maester uttered highly explicit in attempt for the children to follow his words. The three Targaryen siblings were not so interested in his teaching, Aegon would rather drown in his cups or even search for a lonely maid in favour of his entertaiment, Helaena's delibaration was aimed in relation to her extremely rare and fascinating bugs since she brought a small spider that was strolling on her palm the entire time, while Aemond's only secret wish was to have a dragon aswell considering that he was the lone one of the King's children to not claim a creature that enthralling. 

"Lykirī" the ones riveted reiterated the term, Vellena just with half of her mouth since she was familiar with it and other issues were occupying her wits then. How could her two brothers just sit in here and act this normal like nothing at all was happening within the castel while their lovely mother was for certain pleading for her life and the child's? was all the infant princess could think of, her head spinning with every second passing, with every new word the maester was telling them and they all had to retell it, it was suffocating truly. Arms around her long silk light pink dress holding the material in her hands as her eyes moved to the corner just to take a quick glance at the door every tiny second while she was saying aloud each lexeme from the maester, aderī... embrot... iōrās... paerī... 

They must come and announce her about the condition of her mother, because she will be just alright and a new sibling is going to join their family, right? Vellena gripped so tightly on the dress, her fingers digging in as for a short moment the most hidious tenet crossed her mind however that could not be even possible, could it? She prayed strongly to be impossible. Men could fight, swing swords, hold councils, sit considerable chairs, wage into war, but the women, well... they've been given the greatest mission of all and that's bearing new life into this world full of many cruelties. 

"Vel?" a voice that sounded more of an echo kept bumping in her head, it was like a gentle whisper touching the nerves of her brain, until she felt something taking her hand and awoke her from the hypnosis. 

"Are you okay?" Jacaerys asked slowly as she blinked confused at him before peeking down where he was holding the hand which she had clutched on her gown. The princess glanced back up at her brother before clearing her throat as she nodded, Jace rubbing the back of her hand grinning cutely before returning to his studies. 

"Dracarys" the prince uttered only for Vellena's eyes to close as she formed a disgusted grimase of her pretty face.

"That's not correct" she mumbled under her breath opening one of her eyes aswell as her lips tugged in a thin line expressing the annoyance. She usually had this kind of displeasure when she would hear the manner of speaking high valyrian incorrectly, it would be scratching her ears a bit. 

"What?" her older brother questioned turning his eyes at her again, his eyebrows narrowed in bewilderment. 

"Your pronunciation is not correct, Jace" the princess's words were showing her cute irritation by repeating them again with more accent on the last three. 

"Vermax won't listen to you if you say it like that" she added peeping up at him with a raised eyebrow and soft appealing smirk, Vellena could be very sassy when she wanted and that always made Jace to join in her game.

"And how should I say it then?" the boy queried grinning aswell at his smart sister, Jace respected Vellena's intelligence admiring it mostly owing to the fact that she could be a rarity to all their bloodline, the prince often wondering how his sister never got tired so much erudition in spite of knowing the answer, she was too stubborn to give up.

"You should put emphasize on the second syllable which is ca , not on the last" Vellena precised remembering how long it had taken her to learn to say it the right way, even if she believed she would never get the chance to use it still was enjoyable.

"Like this? Dracarys" Jacaerys tried again, this time succeding and himself also noticing the high difference and the way it sounded more correctly.

"Much better" Vellena nodded with a pleasing smile sweetly clapping her hands and jumping up and down, seeing that her advice worked made the princess feel pride and the knowledge to teach someone overwhelming her.

Abruptly, the door of the library unlocked extensively revealling a woman dress in a red robe with a white cowl on her head.

"My deepest apologies, your graces" the woman prompted everybody to turn their attention towards her as she quothed. Vellena at the sight of her couldn't even move because of the fear or rather excitment dominating in her, the woman was one of her mother's midwives and watching her there may have been either good or bad information. 

"The Princess Rhaenyra has send for her children, immediately" she stated with a bow, Vellena's eyes wandered back to Jace whom was already more relieved even if he was not showing his worry nor gladness. Without nothing to say, he took Vellena's hand and started to walk in the direction of the door where the midwife was queuing them, Vellena catching her younger brother, Lucerys, by the palm in order to guide him with them given that Lucerys, at his mere age of eight, was too young to understand any of this.

The corridors were as usual silent due to the fact that the library was located behind the royal sept within the castel but separated from it, so usually Vellena found sleeping more simple in the library than to travel back to her chambers in the royal apartments from Maegor's Holdfast. 

"Where are we going?" Luce's low innocent voice brought Vellena's attention as the three along with the midwife took the right path entering the royal sept. The alluring smell of incense coming from the fragnant candles that were burning inside the sept blown Vellena's olfaction, the princess not so used nor pleased with it. 

"To mother" the girl answered in a whisper because the sept was not so empty as she thought it usually was, lords and ladies were sitting on the rows of benches worshiping the Gods. Some people that Vellena was familiar with given that she had often seen them on the castel avenues but never payed so much attention to, only respectul like her mother educated her to be.

Lucerys, a child of eight, hearing his most favourite word began to giggle, hop up and down, creating dissonance and badgering the people who were praying. 

"Luce" Vellena's voice was soft but firm yanking his hand in order for him to be silent, whispers and ill gawpes were set towards the three children of Rhaenyra Targaryen. Vellena has never noticed or maybe was not paying enough carefulness but for this first time, they could make her feel so small, so vulnerable and without any value, Jace's grip got tighter on her hand as they were heading toward the outlet.

Last sight, Vellena's eyes laid on was the Mother being lighting by the colours of rainbow caused by the sunlight penetrating through the high crystal windows, The Royal Sept was unequivocally a treasure in the middle of the day. 

"Jace" Vellena whispered delicately after they left the sept far behind, her thumb rubbing the back of his hand that was still gripping tighter on hers. At the sudden realisation, the older prince relaxed his muscles, his grasp melting because of Vellena's gentle touch, she had always this effect on everyone, her angelic spirit bringing light into people's hearts or rather calming them, well only the ones who desired to let it in. 

"I'm sorry" he muttered after a while as they took the last corridor before the royal apartments to show up in front of them, Jace shouldn't have give permission to bad eye of the people to ensue him, but when it was about his siblings he couldn't control himself. The horrible stuff he had often heard that related to Lucerys and the vile ones against his lovely sister, maybe not even their mother was aware of. He was the eldest and the mature one, so usually he wished to punch the people who couldn't have control on their tongues, but Rhaenyra taught him to be well-mannered and even if it hurt like insanity he must bite the powerful fury.

"What happened in the sept?" Vellena uttered curiously whereas arriving in the royal apartments, she had never seen her brother angry or more correct to say so irritated and retaining himself. Jacaerys's breath stopped in his lungs, his pupils dilatating at the question, he couldn't just tell her the truth because it would be to ruining for her, Vellena must have a gratifying childhood without knowing the hidden reality of the others saw and their family played dumb, well half of it at least. Queen Alicent would never turn her eyes away from the parentage of the three, no silver hair, no purple eyes except for Vellena and no dark skin, every time Rhaenyra has given birth, the babe was controlated by her grace the Queen, at Jacaerys it was a mistake and for Vellena it may have been a miracle considering her perfectly purple Targaryen eyes and for Lucerys it had already been a shame for the kingdom. 

"Nothing. Everything is alright, Vel" the prince spoke as they all stopped at the entrance of their sharing apartment, the midwife bowing before entering to announce that the children were there. 

"But—" Vellena wanted to mention that it could not be alright , he was furious and she needed to know the reason, she had never seen Jace, her older brother holding his emotions so under control. Jacaerys pulled their hands up in order to take a sight, Vellena's little fingers were clutching his palm, her feeble skin against his own was always so calming for the prince.

"Did I hurt you?" Jace's question was without a context and so absurd, Vellena's eyebrows furrowing in disturbution, how could he ask something like that... he could never harm her... never... "No, Jace. But listen—"

"Good. All that matters" he interrupted with a nod before softly kissing the back skin of her palm and caressing it with his thumb, his fragile sweet and so intelligent sister will forever be the person he would keep an eye on because she was too innocent for this cruel vile world full of stupid men. 

The opening of the doors was what broke the thing you couldn't exactly call tension but a caring older brother being very delicate with his ephemeral younger sister. 

"My sweetlings" Princess Rhaenyra's voice was soft yet tired after the hard she had to endure. The woman was seated on the sofa wearing a grey long gown and her long straight silver hair wetty on the forhead loosed on her shoulders.

"Mother!" Lucerys shouted running straight into her arms, embracing the Princess tightly before going to the cradle that had an egg inside.

"I've chosen it!" the youngest uttered with pride and joy, indeed the egg of the newborn of Rhaenyra Targaryen had been picked by none other than Luce, the decision between Vellena and Jace was to let their brother be the one to have the honour this time.

"I escorted the lads, princess. To be sure they will be safe" Ser Harwin Strong spoke walking around the sofa to where Vellena's father, Laenor, was rocking the little one. Harwin Breakbones was the strongest knight of the Seven Kingdoms as everyone used to praise, princess Rhaenyra's sworn protector and a very loyal friend to Vellena and her brothers.

"Joffrey is it?" Ser Harwin asked politely looking at the child in Laenor's arms but the father was too busy ignoring the other man for a moment. 

"Ser Harwin wishes to be introduced to Joffrey" Rhaenyra's uttered clearing her throat just for her husband to be awoke from his dreams and passing the babe into the knight's arms whom took the child wrapped in a red golden cloath with a sweet smile.

"Mother?" Vellena said shyly for Rhaenyra to glance at the sweet girl before her. "How are you?" she had to ask it, she could not feel well if she wouldn't find out how her mother was.

"Perfectly fine, my love" the woman answered with a warming smile tugged on her lips opening her arms to wrap her daughter in them. The bond between a mother and daughter was an unbreakable attribute, nothing was ever able to come in the middle of them, the love and emphaty the daughter could feel for the mother couldn't be described as a saying or a sentence, it was all natural and beautiful aswell. 

"I was scared for you" she mumbled with her head burried in Rhaenyra's chest while the mother was stroking the smooth straight locks of the little princess. Rhaenyra's heart melted because she knew the cold truth that one day her frail only daughter would have to lie in this bed and face the weights of becoming a mother. we have royal wombs... confront it with a stiff lip...

"Your mother... is a fully determined woman. She cannot fail that easily" Rhaenyra uttered looking into her daughter's eyes, touching her nose with her finger making Vellena giggle cutely. 

"I love you, mother" Vellena smiled placing a gentle kiss on one of Rhaenyra's cheeks, her tepid velvety lips could be the description of the seven heavens themselves. 

"Father? May I hold Joffrey? Please" Lucerys cried jumping with his arms opened in attempt to see his brother, not him being the youngest from now on. 

"No. Off to the Dragonpit for you" Laenor guided his sons toward the door, Vellena watching the scene with a sadly expression, she had always dreamed of having a dragon, but was not that lucky as her brothers.

"Vel, come" Jacaerys extened his hand before stepping outside in the corridors, Vellena looked back at her mother with a questioning face. 

"Go with your brothers" Rhaenyra nodded with a smile rubbing the girl's arms, even if she didn't tamed a dragon she still had Targaryen blood and was allowed to at least meet the creatures. 

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Vellena jumped happily before bursting out after her brothers making both the princess and Ser Harwin laugh because of the cute scene.

"JACEEEE!!! WAITTT!!!" the girl screamed 

while running insanely passing by armours, knights and servants whom were shocking because of that crazy little girl. 

Hearing his name coming from Vellena's mouth, Jacaerys stopped in his path, a smirk forming at the corner of his lips as he turned around just to catch Vellena who jumped into his arms.

"Took you long enough" the boy giggled putting his sister down on the floor before both of them followed after Lucerys and their father.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

The Dragonpit was a huge contruction built years ago when the Conquerors arrived in Westeros, a cavernous building that sits atop the Hill of Rhaenys in King's Landing and home for the royal dragons of the Targaryen family. 

Not only her brothers and Vellena were there, unfortunately their uncles had lessons aswell, Aegon and Aemond, none of them likeable for Vellena, she never found something in common with neither of the two, with Helaena it was another situation, her aunt was more calm and calculated even with her insects whom Vellena admired purely.

In Vellena's excitment seeing Vermax being taken from his cave and into the pit was new but not quite liking it, poor him being hold in chains and dragged with force.

"Vermax! Vermax!" Jacaerys shouted trying to get the attention of his dragon, Vermax braying and growling ignoring the prince completely. The gatekeepers shook their heads unpleased with how Jace was controlling the situation, the older man speaking something in high valyrian that Vellena understood fully, she loved when people were speaking her mother tongue, it brought joy in her soul. 

"You must hold mastery over your dragon, my young prince" the younger woman translated in order for the children to get the idea even if Aegon looked like he didn't give a tiny damn on what was happening while Aemond was as usual upset for not having a dragon with his head down. 

"As Prince Aegon has with Sunfyre." the gatekeeper continued his explications, Vellena's eyebrows narrowed at the mention of her uncle, still a shocking for her how he was going on with his life because he never did anything that had a matter, was usually locked jn his chambers or dissapearing from the castel. 

"Once they're fully bound to you, they will refuse to take instruction from any other" the woman added as Jace nodded, Vermax shrieking due to the fact that a fatty small goat was being brought into the pit, Vellena raising an eyebrow seeing it.

"Can I say it?" Jace asked overexcited, a wide smile forming on his lips, Lucerys burring his head into Vellena's chest, the sister caressing his curls gently. Before she could see the remarkable, the extraordinary, Vellena thought that it was just bed time stories since she was never a witness to it. Jace turned to look at her with a smile before his voice echouted into the entire Dragonpit "Dracarys, Vermax!" 

And the fire was burning just like the goat that was going to be the green scaled dragon's next meal. Vellena's mouth remained wide open, only blinking few times because of the impact this occurence had on her. 

"Vel?" Jace clapped his fingers before her face waking the girl from her shock.

"Oh my Gods! That was insane!" Vellena shouted jolted yet given the act she had just attested, Jace laughing softly at her reaction.

"But we have to be honest. This wouldn't have happened that way if I haven't thought you to say it the right way" Vellena added tilting her chin up, a sense of pride overwhelming her again.

"Sure" the older brother grined, however she was being right because without her perfect knowledge of high valyrian, Jace wouldn't have said it that good.

"Aemond, we have a surprise for you" Aegon was the one to break the conversation between the Velaryons, walking side by side with his brother. 

We?! What did it mean we?! Vellena's mind spun around seeing Jacaerys smirk under his breath before he and Lucerys joined next to Aegon.

"What is it?" Aemond's innocent voice cracked as the boys stopped before the entrance of the caves where dragons lived.

"Something very special" Luce's cute chuckle made Vellena realise that something was not okay and she wouldn't like it at all.

"You're the only one of us boys without a dragon" Aegon spoke again arranging some locks of hair from his face as his brother nodded agreeing to his statement.

"And we felt badly about it, so we found one for you"Aegon added while Lucerys ran down the cave making Vellena worry for whatever this game was.

"A dragon? How?" Aemond asked shocked yet intrigued by his brother's saying, may it be true, he may ride a dragon like all his siblings?...

"The Gods provide..." Aegon uttered as Lucerys walked back into the pit, squeakings and whinnings being heard as the brown haired showed up holding a pig by the neck using a string.

"Behold... the Pink Dread!" Aegon exclaimed as all the boys started to burst into laughter, the pig wearing a pair of black horns and cardboard wings.

"That's very rude!" Vellena exclaimed walking at the boys and hitting Aegon in his chest at her little height and age, her uncle couldn't do anything but laugh even more while her brothers stopped themselves seeing her there and so serious.

"Aemond! We got you a partener! You two can ride it together! First ride it's always rough!" Aegon informed his brother who was just glancing down not knowing what to say, Vellena's eyes started to water as she looked at her brothers. How could they do that? Didn't they love her? Loathed her that much to pull a prank just for fun? 

Jacaerys shook his head watching her because he never meant for his sister to get involved, it was never supposed to be her aswell, only a foolish joke for his uncle Aemond.

But before Jace could say anything, Vellena disappeared with tears flowing from her eyes wetting her soft cheeks and destorying her angelic face.

"Vel! No!" Jace tried to stop her but with no use, and it happened again the fury returning like the one from the sept, his fists clutching and teeth grinding as he looked at his stupid fool uncle whom was enjoying this way too much. He knew he will get scolded but it didn't matter any way now, so punching Aegon straight at his chin was the perfect solution.

"SHE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE INVOLVED!" the boy uttered angrily as everyone's expressions turned into wide jostle, Aegon shocked as the seven hells while checking his chin that hurted way too much.

Vellena wasn't found that day, not in the library, nor the Godswood or her private chambers because her secret place was well hidden in the castel in the room of the dragon mosaic where nobody could find her, the princess cried for three days straight until she feel asleep on the dirty ground.

Chapter Text

121 A.C

~King’s Landing~

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

THE ROWDINESS OF THE PRINCESS’S disappearance spread into the entire castel, even the citiziens have heard of this catastrophe, the women with their caring hearts praying to the Seven with wet eyes, men on the other hand laughing absrudly yet stating the rumors of Vellena and her brothers' bastardy along with considering the little princess unusual due to her passion in studying, a woman must bear children or give pleasure was the only fact the men from Westeros knew. Life was unmerciful for women in that world, being cognizant of the only feature that mattered for others was their bodies was the most depraved fate a human could have. 

The moment princess Rhaenyra got informed of her daughter's sudden vanishing, the woman's heartbeat disrupted, her lungs refusing to inhale air until she was awoken by the soft little cries of her baby boy, Joffrey giggling in his crib. Rhaenyra pulled herself together rubbing the fragile skin of the babe, she was there for her children, she lived for her children, she would do anything required for her amazing beautiful and intelligent children.

With just a single nod and the notice of her only tear flowing slowly between her nose and cheek, both Laenor and Ser Harwin understood what was needed to be done, princess Vellena must be found without any cost. It was true that Laenor's mind was not always present at attending his children, helping his wife and being in their lifes, but when it came to Vellena nothing could stand in his way, he may not shown it very often yet the prince consort loved his one and only daughter perhaps even more than his own days, parents aren't supposed to have a favourite child however Laenor had, how could he not when Vellena existed, when her mere presence made his soul full of pure joy, when her sweet pleading purple eyes caused Laenor to go to the library while he had other much important tasks to do, and bring Vellena a book after her presence in there became forbidden. 

It was the seventh day already when the door of the sharing apartment prompted the breaths of Rhaenyra and her boys to desist as they watched Ser Harwin humbly stepping in with a respectful bow. 

"Where's my daughter, commander?" Rhaenyra's voice cracked breaking the deathly silence in the chamber, Jacaerys and Lucerys shared the look of hope they usually had when this question was asked.

"My sincere apologies, your grace. But the princess Vellena was not found yet" Ser Harwin's head wobbling solemly while his heart broke in piece because he was forced to give this poisoned answer once again. After the knight closed the door with his leaving, Jacaerys deep anger raised up beyond limits making the prince scream out his lungs, hit the floor with one of his foot and punch whatever his eyes laid on even if it was a very valuable glass fragile statue which touched the ground breaking into thousands of sharp pieces. 

"Jacaerys!" his mother shouted firmly and slightly shocked given her eldest's unacceptable behaviour while Joffrey, resulting from the instant incident, began shrieking in his crib only for Lucerys, yet a child aswell, to try his best to calm the youngest all he could.

Rhaenyra slowly approached her son, taking a quick glance at the broken pieces on the floor before putting her hand on Jacaerys's shoulders "We will find her, Jace" her voice was gentle even if her son had just done a terrible yet punishable deed, she conceded his fury and she could not blame him because she was enraged aswell wishing to crash this world to ashes only to get back her daughter.

"And if we don't..." the boy was afraid to finish his point, fearing it might turn out to be true, his fists clutching with each voice from his head echouing like they wanted to make his mind explode, you failed... you're no good brother... you are just a coward...

"Look at me" Rhaenyra was more firm this time forcing his son to face her, he was not allowed to give up that way, he could not decide what was to happen and she would not let Jace behave that horrible way, she hadn't raised him to be so. 

"WE WILL FIND YOUR SISTER! Do you understand me?" the woman yelled as the tears from the corners of her purple eyes vanished away faster than they appeared. It was outrageous and unacceptable how they were handling this so important matter, they could not stand down until Vellena was back in her chambers, back reading all day and back playing with them in the sharing apartments, Rhaenyra would go even in the Seven Hells or search the Seven seas until her daughter was back in her arms. 

Jacaerys couldn't do anything but nod to his mother's words, however deep down he was afraid, furious and terrified of the fact that Vellena wasn't there with them with him, and he couldn't even blame Aegon anymore being sick of it because that was what he had done all entire week when in truth the real fault was only his owing that he accepted to pull the joke in the first place.

"I am not a good son, mother" the prince expressed fully downhearted by himself, he was not a brother to Vellena because a brother would never allow his sister to suffer, to be a fun for others and even to cry, he would make sure his sister is safe, always cheerful and protected, but Jacaerys failed that mission and something crueler than it he could never imagined. Rhaenyra inhaled profoundly before hiking her gown to be able to sit on her knees as she talked to her eldest. "There is no man in this world to not make mistakes, some even much worse than you, sweetling. And they still live proudly with their families and forget about them". The mother wanted to teach her children to be always truthful and accept their own blunders because only than they will understand to gander the world more carefully.

"You are my heir, Jacaerys. The Gods could not have gifted me a much better son than you" Rhaenyra'a voice was sweet and calmed again as she cupped Jace's cheeks in her palms and glanced into his eyes that belonged to his father more than she wanted to admit it, but the thought of it forced a tear to roll down the crown princess's cheek because it was unfair how this world of me had to coerce women into a living misery.

It was a blessing truly that the instant open of the doors made everyone in the room forget the world for a moment because there she was, laying in Laenor's arms, conscious yet weak, the bright sunny Vellena whom her family couldn't not live without. 

"OH MY GOODNESS" Rhaenyra had no idea if she was crying or laughing at the sight of her daughter, the woman got up faster than the wind and ran towards her husband.

"I found her in the chamber of the mosaic dragon, on the ground... asleep" Laenor uttered while handing the girl into his wifes's arms, Vellena was pale like the snow and cold like ice, it was not a surprise of course, the princess had not eaten in a week as well as the sunlight had not caressed her skin.

"Call the maester" the woman ordered just for her husband to nod right away before exiting the room.

Vellena was gently placed on the sofa, her light pink gown full of dust and dirt, her lips were desiccated and below her eyes there appeared the wrinkles only an old sick lady was supposed to have. 

"Mom?" her voice was weaker than the whisper itself, she felt so tired and still couldn't believe that she was looking at her mother, it was too reckless of her to vanish that horrible way but she just couldn't help it, she never thought she would be a joke to her own brothers.

"Yes, sweetling. It is me" Rhaenyra whispered tugging a lock of Vellena's hair from her forehead back to its place, the woman's was joyful than ever seeing her daughter back there again. 

"Vellena...?" Lucerys, a sweetheart as usual, cried out between his childish sobs, for an eight year old, Luce did not know much about the world but when Vellena had not been in his view it became a huge problem. The pillow soft to the touch of her cheek as the girl turned her head a bit in order to be able to espy her younger brother who was standing next to Rhaenyra while shyly frolicking with his fingers, Vellena smiled purely at him even in this weak condition of hers. Jacaerys on the other hand only watched the entire blithe scene feeling too retired, it was absolute relief seeing her face again yet in his mind the forgiveness was not going to be earned so easily. Before anything else could been said, the maester had made his appearance and interrupted the absurd painful tension inside of Jace, all he did was to take Lucerys to go and train because they should not stay in the way of their mother, seeing that she had more important things to attend then. But he hadn't seen, how or why would he, that Vellena noticed his leaving yet she did not want to considering that it shattered her soul even more than when she was in the Dragonpit, did he really hate her that much? however the question was why.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

It had passed two whole weeks since Vellena was found and brought back to her mother, the maester instructed her to stay much in the nature so the sun would shine upon her, of course aside from the other recommendations such as eating many fruits and respect the important meals of the day because she usually missed them due to her obsession for books, only locked in the castel library all day was not a healthy routine. The situation between Vellena and Jacaerys had not improved, both not saying a word to one another only quick glances that hoped the other would not notice, Jace was too afraid of what to tell her owing that it was not so easy to apologize for the mess he had done while Vellena had no idea why he was acting like that frustrating and angry her even more. 

That day Vellena had to stay outside and watch her brothers train with their uncles, mother having a council meeting and leaving her alone was more troubling because Rhaenyra along with Laenor had been by her side these last two weeks, now she had to face the world on her own. The yard was an odd place for the entire Red Keep which was greater and more elegant, Vellena had never understood how the builders of the castel were not inspired to create a large area for the training yard. She was seated on one of the benches placed not far from the spot where her brothers and uncles were having their sword lessons, but what made the girl giggle initially was the one whom got to teach them, Ser Criston Cole, though she had never actually met him properly only seeing him in the corridors usually beside the Queen was enough reason for Vellena to not be fond of him, his emanation was a strangely uncomfortable one. From her point of view, Cole was a very thickwitted teacher, he basically had not been doing anything at all just letting the boys learn on their own by hitting a wooden bone structure and furthermore it could be seen from a very distance the interest he was putting in Aegon and Aemond's training completely ignoring Jacaerys and Lucerys's existence from the lesson, she was not an expert in fighting but everyone knew maybe even the dumb ones that this was not how you learn to be skilled with the sword. 

"I've won my first bout, Ser Criston. My opponent sues for mercy" the pride in Aegon's tone was irritating to the ears completely erasing Vellena's attention from the book she was reading and making the princess furious as she escaped an exasperated sigh.

"Princess? Can't enjoy the lecture, huh?" the harsh voice of Ser Harwin caused Vellena to immediately twist her head to notice the commander of the City Watch standing beside her with a warm smile on his lips.

"Something like that" the girl could only sigh while closing her book that revealed the golden written high Valyrian title on red shades of the cover. The conversation with her mother's protector were always so effortless to start and floating as the drop from the rain that cleaned the dirty land, Ser Harwin was a perfect listener and Vellena loved people who would be all ears to all the subjects she had to talk about, all the marvelous stories she had read and the fact she had learned about this world. 

"Weapons up boys! Give your enemies no quarter" Ser Harwin uttered towards Vellena's brothers who were doing nothing at all while Criston was spinning around with Aemond and Aegon. Cole dropped the ugliest annoyed face anyone could ever see, it was known the two knights did not get along with each other, but nobody was aware of the motive. 

"It seems the younger boys could do better with a bit of your attention, Ser Criston" Rhaenyra's sworn protector told walking around the yard with two swords in his hand that he placed on the table at the other side of the yard. 

"You question my method of instruction, ser?" Criston snapped back genuinely offended, his expression showing disgust in every possible aspect. 

"I merely suggest that is should be applied to all of your pupils" Harwin added with emphasis that made Cole's blood boil in anger.

"Very well. Jacaerys, come here" Cole gripped the prince tightly by the armor and dragged him in the middle of the yard as Aegon and Aemond chuckled amused, catching Vellena's attention, the princess started to leaf over the pages from her book however her eyes were on the scene happening in front of her.

"You spar with Aegon. Eldest son against eldest son" the knight uttered as Aegon's face lit up glancing towards Vellena with a devilish smirk on the corner of his lips, the princess choked back feeling the stress flowing through her veins, the matching was unfair and hardly correct yet in Cole's point of view it was an easy-peasy one.

"Now, your ugly freak sister has come to witness how I beat you, Jace" Aegon whispered as the two changed places, the words were enough to ignite a powerful sense of rage inside of the brown haired boy, not the treats against him but the mention of his sister were hitting the hardest. 

"Blades up! Engage!" Cole exclaimed before the fight had begun, Aegon was the one to strike first yet Jace succeded to block it furthermore to hit Aegon in the middle of the armour and that made the silver haired prince get angrier so he kicked again but Jace stopped it once more, however before Jace could make another kick, Aegon decided to push a wooden structure on him but Jacaerys avoided it.

"Foul play!" Ser Harwin shouted the incorrectitude of Aegon's defences before taking Jace to his side and Aegon got with Criston. Vellena's hands gripped tightly on the book from her lap, she breathed in slowly watching her brother discuss with Ser Harwin, she was scared like nothing before since she had never observed a fight so closely because they had never mattered to her. 

"YOU!" Aegon's scream caused shivers to Vellena's spines as she watched the boys back in the game, Aegon stroke harder this time but Jace blocked.

"Close with him" Cole spoke walking behind Aegon and Jacaerys, whom were hitting with the blades, Aegon more angrily pressing his nephew backwards and striking like a mad man. 

"Your sister has not accepted the ride with my brother, but maybe she'll ride with me... an unforgettable one I can assure you.." Aegon muttered through gritted teeth as his blade was intertwined with Jacaerys's, but the chocolate brown eyed prince knew exactly what it meant and that made his rage raise to the level above as he pushed Aegon in the other direction using all his strenght yet Aegon managed to hit Jace in the chest with his feet making him fall to the ground, due to Cole's instructions. 

Vellena's book fell from her lap as she got up from the bench and ran to her brother, not caring that she would stop the lesson or anything at all.

"Stop!" Vellena's voice was loud as she screamed before bending down to her brother and helping him up, but Aegon did not seem to hear her shout because he wanted to hit again this time herself aswell being in his point of view. The attempt got interrupted by Ser Harwin who caught and stopped Aegon from behind causing a violent scene in the yard, Jacaerys grabbing Vellena by the arm to try and protect her, it was foolish of her to get involved without thinking but how could not she when her brother had been embarrassed in that horrific way. 

"Your interest in the princeling's training is quite unusual, Commander" Cole uttered while Harwin collected the wooden broken pieces from the structure Aegon had thrown toward Jace. 

"Most men would only have that kind of motivation towards a cousin... or a brother... or a son..." Cole added with a superior tone knowing it will hurt to the bone and especially in the case of Harwin Break-Bones it hurt like the seven hells. The Commander pushed Criston to the ground and began to throw punches in his face until blood was shown, Jace was holding Vellena tightly to his chest and she hold Lucerys who was smaller than both his siblings, all three children watching horrified the episode before them until two other knights tried with all their force to split up the men, taking Harwin off Criston and grasping him in his place.

After the incident that occurred in the yard, Vellena decided to take care of her older brother since Jace had got a very ugly bloody scar below his lips due to the fight he was obligated to manage, the way the lessons had gone that day were bizarre to say in truth, Criston Cole raging over Ser Harwin speaking true words and becoming violent with her brother then out of nowhere over senseless demands, Ser Harwin lost his temper and started to punch and yell like a mad dog. 

"Ouch!" Jacaerys hissed at the sensation of the cloth that was wetted with hot water, on his wound begetting a slight prickle in it, Vellena was as gentle as she could but for a nine year old this seemed to be a pretty hard task since she had not done it before. 

"Stay still! You know it hurts if you don't" Vellena scolded him by cupping his jaw with her left hand while the other was compressing the wet cloth in order for the water to be drained from it into the bowl. 

A curiosity still roamed the princess's mind that couldn't just vanish away the whole afternoon since the terrible scene, she just wouldn't understand the reason of the unexpected well-seen rivalry between Jacaerys and Aegon considering that the two princes got along with one another pretty good at least that is what Vellena had mostly seen or heard, in the middle of their fight she could not help but notice how her brother got angrier when her uncle started to say a word and it only happened two times yet the first time she noticed Aegon glaring towards her but she did not pay attention just as usual, couldn't have been in relation with her, right?

"Why?" Vellena abruptly asked surprised even herself that she got the courage to do so, stroking softly the cloth against Jace's chin cleaning the blood from his scar. 

"Why what?" the prince responded coldly in a question aswell, his scar stopped burning due to the mild careness of his sister, he moved his head now as Vellena took the cloth away finishing to nurse him. 

"You got angry while clashing blades with Aegon. Why?" Vellena demanded again staining the cloth with both her hands, the drops of water falling into the bowl where the only sound in the apartment. 

"It was nothing. I was just focused, that's all" Jace mumbled standing up from the sofa, of course he became furious after what he had heard in that moment, the most disgusted and vile intimations someone would natter, and the outrageous part was that it involved her, his sweet baby sister and the most important person in his life. 

"I AM NOT STUPID, JACAERYS!" Vellena exclaimed turning to him after dashing the cloth into the bowl and making water all around the table but in truth she did not care. 

"I am done trying to understand what has been going on with you because I don't seem to get the answer of why do you hate me, of what did I do. So please, tell me, talk to me for the first time in these passed two weeks!" the princess uttered with her eyes starting to water as she looked at her brother waiting for an honest answer owing that she deserved one after the way he had acted with her.

Jacaerys remained silent watching his sister with an expression of pure shock, he was not supposed to just tell her everything, to acknowledge how bad of a brother he had been because he didn't even deserve to be in her presence after how he mistreated Vellena and how foolish he was to even think that an apology would make things right because it would be too simple and unfair. Vellena was everything a monster wasn't, it was like purety were born along with the princess, she could not make any mistakes because her heart was too loyal and kind to do so, a person like that deserved to never do wrong to and it won't need an apology. 

"Jace..." Vellena said again as her heart felt like breaking in two of the fact that even then he would not say a word to make her understand what was happening, to show her, Why would he loath her? Because of the absence of a dragon in her case?

"An apology would be a too much of a simple thing to say, Vel. After everything I've done towards you. I was a bad brother and I failed you. I was supposed to take care of you and I failed. I can't call myself your brother" Jacaerys spoke so affectionately and he meant every word, his mother gifted him with an important mission and he had not succeded it, he screwed it the first time the Gods provided him a chance. Yet all Vellena did after hearing him was to bury herself into his chest, hugging the prince tightly like they had been separated for ages and reunited again.

"I forgive you" her voice was calm and tender, Vellena did not need apologies, she wanted to hear Jace talk to her again, laugh with her and be at her side, because her brother was perfection even if he said otherwise, she in truth had always believed that a brother like Jacaerys was never going to be found. And he... well he got back his Vellena that made his heart smile, his fears and worries fly away because she existed with her innocent mauve eyes and her aggressive tone that usually activated when some would dare to piss of the princess, Vellena was there and it was all that mattered to Jacaerys.

Chapter Text

121 A.C

~Driftmark~

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

DEATH IS THE MOST DREADFUL path to lose someone in life, it comes unknown and unseen, the causes may be many but it only depends by what the Gods wish to be. Vellena Velaryon stood still holding Rhaenyra's hand and staring straight at the cold stoned body of Lady Laena Velaryon, her supposed aunt. She had never officially met the woman nor seen her, the only information she got were the letters Laena had usually written with Vellena's father, Laenor. Childbirth or a woman's battlefield would be how Lady Laena had found her end, and Vellena could only pray for her mother to not go through such horrible pain ever in her life. 

"We join today at the Seat of the Sea to commit the Lady Laena of House Velaryon to the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King where He will guard her for all the days to come" Ser Vaemond quoted, his sharp intimidating deep eyes frightening Vellena just by looking in his direction, unfortunately she had to look because it would be disrespectful for a princess to not pay attention at an event of such importance as Lady Laena's funeral. Vellena's violet eyes drifted towards the opposite side from her family's seat, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen was holding two little girls at her chest, the girls couldn't be older than her at least that's what Vellena pressumed.

"As she seats to sea for her final voyage, the Lady Laena leaves two true-born daughters on the shore. Though their mother will not return from their voyage, they will all remain bound together in blood" Vaemond continued, his gaze flickering to Prince Daemon, yet Vellena couldn't describe if it was a look of pride or regret, because Vaemond was very hard to read. Princess Vellena tried her best to seem in pain and surrow but truth be told she couldn't because some thoughts entirely forbidden were occupying her mind: Ser Harwin passed away. Vellena cried cradled in her mother's arms the morning the raven from Harrenhall arrived to inform them of the tragic news, she felt Rhaenyra sobbing too but of course the Princess Of Dragonstone maintained herself for the appearances and most importantly for her children. 

"Salt courses through Velaryon blood. Our runs thick. Our runs true. And our must never thin" the words were meant to cut straight to the innocent hearts of Princess Rhaenyra's children, she had left for Dragonstone to get away from the whispers, which grew louder day by day, of their true parentage. Vellena could feel the heavy gaze of the second son of the sea, it was meant for her and her brothers even if she was too young to understand that the devilish eyes were there right beside them, they had always been following and watching their every move, but Vellena was yet a naive bud addictive to her books and storytellings about Valyria. Rhaenyra tightened her grip on both Jace's and Luke's shoulders bringing them closer under her wig like a female dragon protecting her hatchlings. 

Suddenly all eyes and ears drifted towards the opposite part of Rhaenyra and her children, noticing Prince Daemon laugh, it was a small laugh of amusement, somehow painful: Daemon was not an expert in showing his sorrow. People felt pity for the Rogue Prince, he lived a happy life in Pentos with Lady Laena and their twin daughters, but the Gods were cruel and ripped that life away from all the four members of the family. Vellena studied the man slowly, he aspired a sense of fear but the hurt could be clearly seen in his lilac eyes, he had eyes like her and her mother and father.

"My gentle niece. May the winds be as strong as your back, your seas as calm as your spirit, and your nets be as full as your heart. From the sea we came. To the sea we shall return" Vaemond finished as Laena's stone body was thrown into the sea, Vellena moved closer to her father pulling away from her mother's grip, Laenor needed her and she could notice it in his tired face. The little princess took ahold of her father's hand, small fingers wrapping around the man's palm as she beamed her gaze up at him, Laenor could only smile even if he was all tearing up, when his daughter, his little bookdragon, was involved nothing would matter. 

"Vellena" Rhaenyra called as all the family were gathering up on the balcony to be united for the ones in pain, at least try to. Laenor lifted Vellena up in his arms signing to his wife that he will take care of their daughter this evening, The Princess of Dragonstone nodded with a gentle smile guiding her two boys up the stairs; even if Laenor may not have been the best father for his sons, he was for his daughter and for Rhaenyra it was more than enough: she would her boys and he would have his daughter. 

The sea seemed calm that evening, the tides wetting the sands slowly it was like Laena was making her peace in the afterlife. Vellena had never met her aunt, and it pained her so much that she couldn't cry truly, she cried for her father's pain but not because the woman was gone. 

"I'm sorry, father" Vellena mumbled with her chin resting on Laenor's shoulder and her tiny arms wrapped around his neck, the princess adored everytime either her mother or father would carry her up in their arms, she was a spoiled little princess but she could slightly care. 

"For what, my heart?" he tried his best to sound normal but his chest hurt and his eyes were already too swollen due to his late cries, Laenor cried on his way here, when the Raven delivered the message to Dragonstone and when he met with his parents here on Driftmark two days ago. 

"You're sad, father... I... I wanted to meet her, that's why I'm feeling more sorry for" Laenor sighed deeply putting Vellena down in front of the tides, which were coming and going. He was upset too due to his sister hadn't and shall never meet his lovely daughter, his, even if not truly, Laenor knew that Laena would have loved Vellena, she would like Vellena's joyful spirit, her obsession for books, her exceptional knowledge in High Valyrian and her delicate nature. 

"You resemble her in someway. She didn't have a dragon until she claimed Vhagar at 13, my sister adored flying and reading just like you, my little bookdragon"  Laenor spoke sitting down on the sand, Vellena listened to her father with wide eyes as all the hopes for a dragon came crushing into her mind. She knew there existed many rideless dragons on Dragonstone left by her Targaryen ancestors and Vellena could only make her wish every night before falling asleep: she will have a dragon one day. 

"Father?" Vellena asked, the glimpse of hope drawing her beautiful lilac eyes, all these years she believed she might be defected or hated by the Gods for not gifting her a friend, a true one whom bond shall never break.

"Do you think I can have a dragon too?" the little girl uttered bringing her legs closer to her chest, her chin resting on her knees as she paid attention to Laenor. The father smiled gently, reaching out to ruffle her light brown hair and pull her to his side, he had faith in Vellena maybe more than anyone that she would be one of the best dragonriders this Realm has ever known.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

The pillows weren't as soft as the ones from King's Landing or Dragonstone, and the mattress not so delicate for her liking, yet Vellena could manage Driftmark's beds for a few nights. After their short time bond on the beach, Laenor brought Vellena back into the castle because it was getting really dark outside and Rhaenyra followed his every move even from up the balcony so he didn't wish for more trouble. The little princess's mind was wondering to more valuable things for her, mayhaps some fantasizes about how her dragon shall be the most beautiful creature of them all and very powerful, she wished it will be a female and a gentle one just like herself. She could already feel the wind blowing in her hair, her hands on the harness holding them tightly and guiding her dragon wherever it should go. Though sitting on the saddle somehow frightened her, she would think of every stupid possibility of how she would fall, slip from it and die, lucky nobody knew and would never find out or Vellena would bury herself out of terrible shame. 

Turning on her right with her back towards the door, her body calming and wishing for comfort and rest. Vellena didn't hear the person slipping in her chambers not until they accidentally hit one of the table's feet, the chamber was without any light, only darkness so it was harder to see especially when her own lilac eyes were tired aswell. 

"Who's there? I'm warning you. I know how to give a fist" the princess said loudly, her voice coming out shakily making her seem weak and scared. After all Vellena was unconvincing, she was a girl with no lack in sword fighting or killing, but she possessed a mind many would die to have. Getting off bed was a very bad decision, the cold floor striking the skin on her feet until she slipped them inside her pinky sleepers and the thin white nightgown not offering too much warmth was forcing her to shiver. 

"Wait! Wait!" two girls's voices shouted at unison, Vellena turned around to see her cousins Baela and Rhaena standing on the other side of her bed, both of them looking worried. Vellena had never met her cousins, only heard of them through the letters her father usually exchanged with their late mother, she could not find a common feeling to relate to what Baela and Rhaena were going through, and she never wanted to, but the worry in their lilac eyes was different now from the funeral one, it was fresh. 

"Uhm... hi?" Vellena asked, confusion washing over her face, it was passed midnight outside almost reaching the hour of the nightingale and they should be asleep but something more important had happened that night, something that will spilt this great dynasty in two.

"Someone stole our mother's dragon" Rhaena was the one to break the awkard silence, the little lady seemed conflicted and disappointed about it, Vellena noticed right away being good at reading people.

Jacaerys and Lucerys had been awoken next to join their cousins and sister in finding out who the robber was, even if Jace detested the idea of his sister wandering around this late of night.

"You must be abed, Vel" he uttered sternly only for Vellena to hear, Luke and the other girls walking few feet in front of them. The little princess scoffed rolling her eyes, she loathed everytime someone was babysitting her, she may not be a grown up yet but the babe days passed before her too. 

"Vellena" Jace whispered more firmly grabbing her wrist and stopping both of them while the rest of the children took the left. The girl sighed peeking up at her older brother, irritation boding in her, she hated whenever Jace or their mother didn't let her do things not fit for a princess.

"Just because you are older that doesn't mean you can tell me what to do. Baela and Rhaena came to me first, not you, so yes I'm involved" it was a surprise for the princess and pure satisfaction for the little princess, she loved shuting people off especially Jacaerys, he may be older but she was smarter and everyone knew it. Jace groaned infuriated as his little sister pulled away and rushed towards the end of the tunnel, she may be innocent and shy but stubbornness and cleverness represented her perfectly.

The cave was lighted only by the fires on the walls, outside of it was full darkness so it was unable to notice the figure approaching.

"Who is it?" Vellena asked searching for an answer from Baela or Rhaena, her cousins only shook their heads cluesless and that's when fear began to creep in for the three girls, they were only five children compared to whoever dared to steal Lady Laena's dragon.

"Lena? What are we doing?" little Luke mumbled clinging to his older sister's skirt, his little fingers tightly wrapped around Vellena's hand. It was warmth in the princess's heart knowing each loved one had a different way to call for her: "little bookdragon", "my sweetling", "Vel" or "Lena". 

"It's him!" Baela's shout woke Vellena from her sweet dreams of her family, gazing in the distance and furrowing her eyebrows to try to identity the thief. Vellena gulped as Aemond walked into the light clenching Luke's hand more tightly to keep him around her. The princess's relationship with her uncles wasn't the best one, they usually never talked to one another, not having interest in each other's activities. 

"It's me" Aemond uttered with bitterness and pride stopping right at the entrance. 

"Vhagar is my mother's dragon. She was mine to claim" Rhaena pointed angrily, her right had been taken from her without even being given a chance. It was outrageous and impolite to steal from your kin, but Targaryens were many things cruel, kind, selfish, yet each one of them had the same purpose power. They doubted him, pranked and tricked him but now Aemond showed them that he was no joke.

"Then you should've claimed her! Maybe your cousins can find you a pig to ride. It would suit you" rude of the Prince Aemond to talk like that with his kin, but who was to judge him except a bunch of bastards who called royals, these ugly thoughts all coming from his mother surely. 

Vellena was not known for her courage but the anger bubbling inside her reached its surface.

"How dare you steal from her? Who gave you permission to behave this way?" the princess shouted walking in front of her cousins, her tone loud and clear surpring both Jacaerys who stood on her right and Aemond who could only laugh with amusement.

"I don't need permission unlike you! I tamed Vhagar, she's mine now and you all can't do anything about it" the uncle chuckled but the smile was quickly shut by Baela's perfect punch straight in the jaw, but Aemond returned on his feet within a minute pushing Baela to the ground. Rhaena stormed aswell but she ended up in the dirt alongside her twin.

"Come at me again and I'll feed you to my dragon!" Aemond snapped wiping the small trace of blood from his jaw, Lucerys meant to rush at him but Vellena was holding him tight to her side. Baela and Rhaena rose up from the ground, both of them pushing Aemond back in the dust, Lucerys, escaping his sister's grasp, and Jacaerys joined them. Four children hitting and striking another one while Vellena watched trembling, fear overwhelming her, this should not happened, they should not fight each other like this, they were family. 

Aemond pushed them backwards, his hand around Luke's throat and a rock in his other hand as he spoke.

"You will die screaming in flames just as your father did! Bastards" his gaze fixed on the three Velaryon siblings, Vellena blinked the word cutting through her like a knife, it was a vile accusation towards their parentage.

"My father's still alive" poor little Lucerys cried too young to understand the meaning of that awful phrase. Vellena shook her head, tears dripping from her lilac eyes watching everything fall apart like this, watching Lucerys be in danger ignited something inside her. 

"Let my brother go!" the gentle princess shouted storming towards her uncle and stepping hard on his foot making Aemond groan loud dropping the rock and letting Luce slip from his grasp, his tiny nose broken blood dripping from it.

Aemond then grabbed Vellena by her light brown hair, the 9 namedays princess screamed falling on her knees, the pain on her head too much to bear.

"They don't know, do they, Lord Strong?" Aemond taunted Jacaerys, a small smirk on the corner of his lips.

"No idea, Lady Strong" Aemond whispered in Vellena's ear before throwing her in the dust in front of her brothers, some locks of her hair were dribbling as small spot of blood opened on Vellena's scalp. Jacaerys couldn't take it anymore, harming his little sister was the act that made him explode, he pulled out his dagger and rushed at his uncle. 

The two fought, Aemond was fast to defend himself and Jace ended up again in the dirt, but this time Aemond meant to do more, he meant to throw the rock at Jacaerys, mayhaps at his head to harm the Velaryon prince because people are not themselves when blinded by rage and Aemond certainly wasn't him.

"Jace!" Vellena screamed while crawling towards the dagger her brother dropped, she would always take care and protect her brothers just like they would do for her, Vellena was not a violent girl yet what happened proved it otherwise. The princess grabbed the knife and jumped at her uncle with all the strength she got, Aemond had already got some dust in his eyes so Vellena traced the knife across one of his eyes cutting it straight to the bone. 

Aemond Targaryen lost his eye at the hand of his only niece, a girl, an event more humiliating than that had never been written in history. Vellena's breath stopped seeing what she had done, hearing Aemond's desperate cries, she dropped the knife just before the guards found them, all of them horrified due to the Targaryen Prince's appearance and the amount of blood spilled in the dirt. 

Chapter Text

121 A.C

~Driftmark~

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

THE AIR AROUND HER WAS HEAVY AND FEARFUL, everyone has awoken from their bed: the King, some guards, and the Queen who resembled pure rage like a wild animal. The Maester was tending to Aemond's wound sewing his eye, Alicent was watching her son with a foolish hope that he shall be all healthy but when Mellos confirmed the scariest truth they all dreaded that Prince Aemond Targaryen had lost his sight at one of his eye and it cannot be healed, the red-haired woman glared towards Rhaenyra's children. Vellena sensed the Queen's gaze staring right through her soul, the princess was not able to speak anything or even breathe normally, her cheeks and lilac eyes went dry from all the tears she had wiped. Jacaerys was holding his sister tight to his side, his fingers tangled in her palm around her knuckles, to keep her safe because the monsters have already prepared their claws. Little Luke was clutched to his older sister, both his hand gripping her strongly by the arm while dots of blood dripped from his broken nose staining the skirt of Vellena's nightgown. They were alone against the vultures in that room, that is what triggered a strange sensation of weakness, Rhaenyra was nowhere to be seen making her seem like a terrible mother in the eyes of the enemy.

"How could you allow such a thing to happen? I will have answers" the King Viserys shouted from over the Driftwood throne seat, Vellena's hand grew clincher around Jace's as she stared at the Maester tending her uncle. She sensed the fear on the edge of exploding outside her chest not realizing her grip on Jacaerys's hand was way too firm. 

"The princes were supposed to be abed, My King" Ser Harrold answered straight up in attempts of justifying the events were not to be blame on the knights. Jace traced his thumb over the back of Vellena's palm not caring her grasp was too tough that it hurt as he could not feel his hand.

"Who had the watch?" Viserys asked again, his eyes searching for the man irresponsible enough to put his family in danger. The little princess gazed down at her hand that was interlaced with Jace's, his soothing touch bringing a sene of peace through these wicked times begging in this room. 

"Young prince was attacked by his own cousins, Your Grace" Criston Cole reacted first defending Aemond indirectly and spreading lies about this horrible incident, the knight would spit everything to put Rhaenyra and her children in a bad light. 

"You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!" The King spatted walking down the stairs of the Driftwood throne, supporting on his stick with one arm. Vellena gulped hardly leaning her forehead against Jace's shoulder screwing her eyes tightly as tears glide on the side of her head, Luke encircled his arms around his sister's waist slanting his head on the side of her body under her free arm. 

"I'm very sorry, Your Grace. The Kings guard has never had to defend princes from princes, Your Grace" Ser Westerling added short time after Viserys burst his anger over them, and the man was right because not ever in the history of the Targaryen Dynasty their kin, the children, fought and caused damage to one another.

"That is no answer" Viserys said coldly strolling closer to the Maester to examine the wound of his second son. The little Princess Vellena began sobbing silently in her brother's chest, she regretted how unreasonable she acted against her uncle when patience, calmness, kindness and intelligence were the qualities she was known for, cherished for. Vellena did not show any of them in their little fight, she had just listened to her instincts about what Aemond intended to do with that rock, she knew, both her and Baela, that Aemond wished to harm or even slain Jacaerys. 

"I want mother..." Vellena mumbled between her sobs, Jace intertwined his fingers with hers before kissing the top of her head to notice the blood in her scalp. Rage overwhelming him as she glanced over at his uncle seated in a chair while The Maester was seeing his lost eye, Jace was aware Aemond did not deserve it but he harmed Vellena and that was something Jace shall never forget, Jace failed again to keep his siblings safe. 

Vellena's attention drifted towards the stairs hoping her mother would come to her rescue, to shield her and her brothers from the dark that surrounded them. To her disappointment, it was not Rhaenyra who rushed to check on what has happened but her grandparents, Rhaenys was the one to wrap her three granddaughters under her wigs while Corlys surveyed Jace and Luke. 

"Grandmother?" Vellena's voice was lower than even a whisper, she buried her face in the old princess's shoulder clenching her hands into fists until the knuckles turned white and the nails created deep cuts into the fragile skin of her palms. She had no clue what hurt more, the wound on her scalp, that Aemond made, from which stripes of blood leaked draining her light brown hair or the shame and fear flowing through her veins for slashing his eye.

"What has happened?" Rhaenys mumbled stroking Vellena's locks only to notice the blood in her beautiful hair now stained terribly. The little girl gulped seeking an answer in her mind, she knew it was her doing but she had never meant to harm him that severly, Vellena was only trying to protect her brother Jacaerys who would have been dead on Aemond's hand if she did not step in. 

"Grand-grandmoth-motherr..." the child stammered clinging tighter to the silver-haired woman's neck while her breathing started to raise due to the panic going through her head. Horrible images coursing inside of how the Queen Alicent would have her hanged or killed shortly without discussion, how she would perish from this world without getting her chance to live a life.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lord Corlys questioned bothered by the sudden perturbation in his home, Lucerys clung to his grandsire's side a bit relieved that someone he could trust had come to the rescue but the children still yearned for their mother who was nowhere near unfortunately. 

"Your granddaughter has maltreated my son, Lord Corlys" the Queen spatted firmly emphasizing her first words, it was pure loathe, disgust and rage in her fierce motherly gaze as she glanced at Vellena. Rhaenys wrapped her arms around the scared princess lifting her up like a mere babe, Vellena rested her chin on her grandmother's shoulder refusing to face the King and mostly the Queen.

"And your son was innocent in all?" Rhaenys snapped through gritted teeth, trying to put everything to pieces, it must have been a reason from where the fight had started. 

Finally the large doors opened for Princess Rhaenyra to enter in haste, rushing to her children as fear roamed her gaze, she should have been more prudent and cautious about her sweetlings. 

"Jace? Luke! Show me. Show me" the woman bent to her son's height checking his broken bloody nose and cursing to herself how a bad mother she proved to be in the moment when her little loves needed her the most. 

"Where's Vellena?" Rhaenyra whispered again, her thumb brushing against Jace's cheek as worry creeped over her again before the boy tilted his head to the side pointing at his sister cradle up in Rhaenys's arms. The two Targaryen women nodded to another, Rhaenyra being thankful for the love Rhaenys showed to her grandchildren, at least to ones that came from "Laenor'a bloodline". The Queen Who Never Was, was no fool, she knew better than to ignore the proof that laid in front of her, the nephews Corlys was so proud of were bastards mayhaps along with their sister but there was something about Vellena which did not quite fit because she resembled Rhaenyra's features perfectly except for the hair, a very light brown colour, from a distance many would approve Vellena's hair was Targaryen kin. 

"Who did this?" The Princess of Dragonstone asked her beloved boys, yet deep down she had a feeling that the fake shadow flying in a distance on the beach was not only from her dizzy imagination after what had happened with Daemon. The young voices in the room began to shout, spat and scream to one another, even the Queen meddled into the crazy fight of harsh words, nothing could be understood by their hopeful want to seek the justice they all behooved.

"Enough... enough... Silence!" The King Viserys interrupted the unstoppable attacks, he tried other attempts to capture their attention to his tired ugly gaze as he moved with his stick to the right side of his son to search for an asnwer of this unfortunate incident, a very lamentable situation the mighty House Targaryen was going through at that moment.

"He called us bastards" Jacaerys muttered to his mother, Rhaenyra closed her eyes biting the inside of her bottom lip well aware that the question of bastardy shall never end for her dear children. She did not know who to blame, herself for doing whatever she could to maintain the appearance or the Gods for making Laenor that way. 

"Aemond... I will have the truth of what happened. Now" Viserys insisted, purple heavy sick eyes gaping in Aemond's remaining one, only few glances at the disastrous wound created by a blade. 

"What else is there to hear? Your son has been maimed. Her daughter is responsible" Alicent rasped searching for the reason to finally be able to get what she wanted and now it has been given to her. 

"It was a regrettable accident" Rhaenyra uttered firmly standing up holding her two boys by their hands, softly stroking their skin for comfort, she needed to be there, to be the mother they deserved. 

"Accident? The Princess Vellena brought a blade to the ambush. She meant to kill my son" the Queen accused once again this time more sharply so the entire room to hear. Vellena clutched her grip around Rhaenys's throat choking the sobs overwhelming her, she was a young girl who never meant to hurt anyone but the way Aemond was acting, threatening them because he had a dragon now, the largest and stolen from Rhaena.

"It was my children who were attacked and forced to defend themselves. Vile insults were levied against them" the future Queen spoke her gaze finding her father's, the old man raised an eyebrow curious of what were those harsh words that had lead to this.

"The legitimacy of my sons' and daughter's birth was put loudly to question" Rhaenys put Vellena down between her two cousins, Baela and Rhaena embraced the little princess younger than them with one year. Even if Corlys was playing foolish in seeing the truth of his grandsons, Rhaenys wasn't yet she would cherish Vellena the way Baela and Rhaena will be, Corlys had his three grandsons to be proud and Rhaenys had three beautiful granddaughters, they were on an equal footing.

"He called me Lady Strong and said my brothers are baseborns" as the room fell silent Vellena whispered loud enough for everyone to discern, Aemond choked a laugh turning on his seat to look behind at his niece, Alicent grinned amusement washing over to her at the sight of how stupid the 9 year old princess appeared, her light brown hair all bloody and lilac eyes swollen red because of crying. 

"My sons and daughter are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace. This is the highest of treasons. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders" Rhaenyra sounded like a true ruler mother protecting her lies children from the monsters wishing their downfall, because the woman was not stupid, she knew the legitimacy of her sweet kids was a sensitive subject to bring up and she was not sure if she will be able to tell them the truth.

"Over an insult? My son has lost an eye" Alicent laughed not believing what she was hearing, how immature her once dear friend proved herself to be in the given situation, surely to find reasons she and her 'true born' children were not to blame. 

"You tell me, boy. Where did you hear this lie?" King Viserys asked his injured son, of course he was covering for his daughter, Aemond glanced at his mother, as a loyal child he shall not betray her and spill to everyone that The Queen of the Seven Kingdoms was the one to spread lies about the heir to the iron throne. 

"The insult was training yard bluster. The lot of boys. It was nothing" the red-haired tried to mask what could be known but Aemond did not sold her out. 

"Where is Ser Laenor, I wonder? Their father? Perhaps he might have something to say in the matter" while Alicent kept on changing the subject so her side would not be find guilty, her son was the only harmed in her eyes. The king agreed to his wife, Ser Laenor must be present at this matter "Yes. Where is Ser Laenor?" 

Vellena searched around the room hoping her dear father would appear out of nowhere and save her, take her away from all these mean people, she loved her mother deeply but her father was the only one to truly understand her, even if he was rarely present, Laenor always made time to spend two days per week with his daughter. 

"I do not know, Your Grace. I... could not find sleep. I had gone out to walk" Vellena curiously eyed her mother then her gaze had drifted towards the door where the same man who laughed at Laena's funeral stood leaned against the wall silently observing the fight.

"Entertaining his young squires, I would venture" Alicent uttered with a hint of mockery but no one took notice of her interruption.

"Aemond... look at me. Your king demands an answer. Who spoke these lies to you?" Viserys requested again, he needed to know everything was just a lie because he believed them to be, his daughter may not be a saint but she would not mother offsprings, or he was too blinded by his love for her to see the mere truth living with him all these past years. 

"It was Aegon" Aemond's sudden answer truly shocked everyone but it gave a bit of relief to the Queen and a reason for Aemond to get on his brother after the Dragonpit prank. 

"And you, boy? Where did you hear such calumnies?" Viserys moved closer to his eldest son in front of the fireplace. "Aegon! Tell me the truth of it!" the old man yelled loud so his echo broke in the entire chamber, his son needed to be punished after spreading horrible falsehoods.

"We know, Father. Everyone knows. Just look at them" Aegon simply shrugged glaring at his sister's children, Rhaenyra brought her sons closer to her sides while Rhaenys looked after the three girls, Baela and Rhaena tightened their hug with Vellena keeping their cousin between them. 

"This interminable infighting must cease! All of you! We are family! Now make your apologies and show good will to one another. Your father, your grand sire, your king demands it!" Viserys shouted walking away with the help of his stick, he was tired of this fight, of the shredding in his family, the family he had ripped in two the moment he chose to marry Alicent but he shall never notice it. 

"That is insufficient. Aemond has been damaged, permanently, My King. Good Will cannot make him whole" the Queen spoke terribly disappointed with how her husband handled the matter, she needed to see justice be made for her brave son. 

"I know, Alicent, but I cannot restore his eye" Viserys replied tiredly, it shall never be forgotten what has happened today but even the King could not recreate fate. 

"No, because it's been taken" his wife was still yearning for something dark, deep, which Viserys could not clearly tell. "What would you have me do?" 

"There is a debt to be paid. I shall have one of her daughter's eyes in return" Alicent demanded sharply glaring towards the princess Vellena, the little girl shook her head desperately looking towards her mother, her breath hitched as salty tears started to stain her delicate cheek, warming her cold skin. 

"My dear wife" Viserys did all what was possible to calm her, it was outrageous what she was asking of him. 

"He is your son, Viserys. Your blood" the woman cried begging for impartiality to be made, Aemond deserved at least to receive equality after what he has been put through. 

"Do not... allow your temper to guide your judgment" the King was still trying to calm the spirits down but it was useless, Alicent was not going to change her perspective.

"If the King will not seek justice, the Queen will. Ser Criston... bring me the eye of Vellena Velaryon" as soon as the order was given Vellena screamed running to her mother, she buried herself in the skirt of Rhaenyra's gown sobbing and pleading that she did not want any harm. "Mother... please... please... I don't-don't wish to die... I beg you... forgive me—" Vellena stammered, her voice muffled by the material of the red dress, Rhaenyra shushed her daughter softly stroking her locks as a sign of reassurance that nobody would touch her. 

"She can choose which eye to keep, a privilege she did not grant my son" Alicent added sternly only for Vellena to shriek hugging her mother's side tighter, Jacaerys embraced her from behind kissing the back of her head not giving importance to the smell of blood in her hair, Luke wrapped his small arms around his sister's waist nuzzling his face between her and their mother. 

"You will do no such thing" Rhaenyra commanded, they wouldn't dare to raise a sword against her daughter or she shall not be merciful. 

"Stay your hand!" Viserys ordered, blood shall not be spilled in this family anymore, he has had enough of their infighting. 

"No, you are sworn to me!" Alicent snapped back, was she asking too much of a child? Yet her own child was harmed by this girl, she was only seeking correction and fairness as she had been always taught. 

"As your protector, my Queen" in all his miserable life, this may have been the most intelligent decision Criston 'Crispin' Cole has ever made to stay out of the conflict.

"Alicent, this matter... is finished. Do you understand?" The King held his hopes up that his wife had finally come back to her senses, he hissed angrily at her before turning around to say one more important matter. 

"And let it be known: anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's sons should have it removed" Vellena breathed in relief pulling her face away from the hidden spot of her mother's skirt, her grandsire's word was law and no soul in this Realm would have the courage to cross it. 

"Thank you, Father" Rhaenyra nodded, her fingers brushing through Vellena's locks soothing the stress her child was holding inside, Vellena rested her cheek against her mother's belly closing her lilac eyes to let the air fill her lungs again. 

Nevertheless Alicent was still thirsting over the damn eye, over blood, in one swift move she grabbed Viserys's dagger and rushed towards the princess Vellena, as everyone started to scream Rhaenyra pushed her daughter aside just for Rhaenys to catch her. The Princess of Dragonstone caught Alicent's arm right on time holding it with all her strength so the blade would not hurt anyone.

"You've gone too far" Rhaenyra whispered so only her once childhood friend would hear, Criston Cole made an attempt to intervene between the two women but the other knights and Daemon stopped him from doing something stupid that would cost his life.

"I? What have I done but what was expected of me? Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout all to do as you please" the Queen wailed angrily, she had done only what others asked of her, only what she had been prepared for and still Rhaenyra was the one to win, it scratched under her skin terrifically. 

"Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? It's trampled under your pretty foot again. And now you take my son's eye, and to even that, you feel entitled" none of this was fair but life itself was indeed fair? Alicent had never known fully because all she had achieved was a title and even that was due to desperate times. 

"Exhausting, wasn't it? Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness. But now they see you as you are" Rhaenyra whispered staring directly into her former friend's gaze with one quick glance at the dagger separating them, the dagger of only her and her father were aware of the power it was keeping. With one push Alicent pulled away not realizing her movement injured Rhaenyra's arm until blood started to drip from the opened wound under the ripped sleeve on her forearm. 

Vellena rushed to her mother clinging to her side and watching as fresh drops of blood drained the floor, she didn't notice Daemon standing behind her until his arm accidentally touched her head, Vellena hugged Lucerys to her side after glancing at Jacaerys who was on the other side of their mother while reminding herself that the reason she had done such a terrible deed was to protect her brothers. 

"Do not mourn me, Mother. It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye... but I gained a dragon" Aemond spoke putting an end to this infighting, he was being reasonable but deep down he swore to himself that one day he shall take Vellena's eye and gift it to his mother.

"This proceeding is at an end" King Viserys ordered hitting his stick in the floor loudly for everyone to understand. 

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

It was already sunrise and The Maester was now tending to Rhaenyra's wound after nursing Luke's broken nose and Vellena's cut in the scalp, hopefully her wound will close and the hair will grow back but until then she barely had few locks loosed making her seem like a boy. The door opened suddenly as Laenor stormed inside terribly concerned of what has happened.

"Gods. Is everyone all right?" he had no time to ask as Vellena practically jumped in his arms, the father chuckled holding her close to him.

"A broken nose and a cut in the scalp are the worst" Maester Kelvyn said finishing to sew the Princess Rhaenyra's wound, Laenor looked down at his daughter seeing her almost bald was rather strange but she was still his Vellena.

"Leave us. You as well. You've already found enough trouble today" Rhaenyra told her children, she needed a word with her husband, millions of dangerous scenarios crossing her mind this last hours of what should she do to protect her claim and her children from the vultures of this court, from the evil Greens. 

"Yes, mother" Jace nodded taking Luke's arm, Vellena peeked up at her father, her chin resting on his stomach, she didn't want to go, to leave her father again because she felt the need to confess to someone what truly happened and that only person was her father. Laenor nodded giving her a last kiss on the forehead before pushing her away.

As they walked down the corridors Vellena did her best to ignore her brothers, highly ashamed of what she had done, she couldn't comprehend the way Jace and Luke may never speak to her again.

"Vel?" Jace asked turning behind.

"Lena" Luke smiled hugging his sister so tight that she could lose her breath, no words could express how much Lucerys adored his sister, he admired her like an idol. Vellena smiled faintly running her fingers through his dark curls.

"You must think I'm a monster now. I should have listened to you, Jace. I should have go back to my quarters" Vellena mumbled with a hard gulp, he was the older brother and of course he knew better, she must have known that. 

"I'd say a pretty monster. And yes, you should have but it was not your fault, remember that" Jacaerys brought her other hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, Vellena was an angel in his eyes who did not deserve to be part of anything that had occurred. 

"Can we go get lemon cake, now?" Luke asked pulling away and rushing down the corridors, this boy was hungry as a babe. Vellena and Jace laughed running after their younger brother, whoever arrived at the kitchens first would take the largest piece!

Chapter Text

125 A.C

DRAGONSTONE:

THE IDEA OF RIDING A DRAGON WAS BOTH THRILLING AND DANGEROUS, but for Vellena it was the most dreadful wish she desired from this life, it did not scare at all yet on the contrary she could drown herself in her books in the search of a dragon. As young as she was, Vellena knew every dragon and its riders since the times of the Conquest, holding no favorite in her heart except for one female dragon that once belonged to her great-great-great grandmother, The Good Queen Alysanne. 

Silverwing was a silvery she-dragon, with grey cold eyes, being considered as relatively docile and friendly to strangers, in Vellena's opinion, the most fitted dragon her. As far as she knew, the dragons had their lairs on the Dragonmont, a huge volcano seated on the island of Dragonstone, close enough to the castel she now lived in. If she was honest to herself, Vellena could not say she missed King's Landing, on the contrary it was a relief that no disgraceful eyes and depraved whispers were reaching her ears anymore, even if she had never understood their meaning, but the little princess had been well aware of their insupportable existence.

The Princess Vellena turned 13 namedays two weeks ago, surely she received many lovely gifts from her brothers and mother. Rhaenyra surprised her daughter with a lemon cake on the morning of her nameday, a red candle flickering in the middle, which Vellena had to blow out after making a secret wish: the same every year, a dragon, beautiful and fierce. Lucerys, almost 12 years old, admired Vellena considerably due to her great mind and ideal acquaintance in High Valyrian: The youngest woman of a Great Valyrian House to speak the hardest of tongues. He knew his little gift did not seem very impressive for a girl like Vellena, but Luke still jumped up on the edge of her bed and handed her the small piece of paper with ripped ledges. 

A cute drawing of Vellena riding a dragon with no color on it: "You can imagine its shades and then after you have it we can fly together" Lucerys looked so sweet that Vellena had to blink away her tears as she pressed her lips on his forehead while murmuring a muffled thank you. Watching her children be so affectionate always made Rhaenyra's heart melt, sometimes wondering deep down how could have been times when she wished not to become a mother, stupidity of youth. 

Daemon was leaned against the doorframe silently observing the tender scene, he was perfectly aware of Vellena's dislike for him so he would not step over her boundaries, and  could not argue nor blame her because as Rhaenyra usually told him whenever he confessed his pushes to get to Vellena and failed admirably, Vellena adored Laenor way too much to replace him as a father. 

Rhaena was the next to bring her gift, a slightly big brown box with a red ribbon tied on the middle of it and she smiled when her stepsister took the box so eagerly and placed on her lap. 

The bottom felt warm as it touched her legs and Vellena looked up with wide eyes making Rhaena chuckle as she revealed that this gift had been prepared by two people while elbowing Jacaerys who could only shrug pretending to play dumb but a sly smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he watched his sweet sister opening the box. Vellena had no clue what she should do, cry, scream or cry and scream, so she bit back any of that staring at the ravishing gift from her lap, it was sleeping peacefully yet when the sun rays traced across the room the animal woke up and meowed up at the princess. Vellena gently wrapped her hands around the slender form of the cat trapping her between her palms, a bright orange similar to gold painted her hair and eyes dark brown as night, and when it started to lick the whipped cream, which Luke made sure to stain his sister with, from Vellena's nose the little pet had been given a delicious name Lemoncake. 

The subject of Vellena's hair had not been brought up too many times since the cruel incident on Driftmark which all of them tried their best to leave in the past. Knowing that it bothered her to wait so long for the precious hair to grow back, yet the surprise was one deserving of the await. It was not long by the time she reached her 13 summer only passed by her shoulders but to everyone's shock it was silver. The perfect mirror of her mother's, soft and delicate to the touch, mostly being kept in small buns on Vellena's back so she wouldn't disturb her reading session which always took the entire day and usually half of the night. 

Another sensitive topic she strived to circumvent was the new unexpected marriage of her mother to Prince Daemon, the man who ruined everything in Vellena's life, at least that was what her subconscious screamed whenever she met him on the corridors or ate together dinner like a happy family. She had a feeling Daemon was behind Laenor's death and her mother was stupid enough to agree to it, a reason Vellena distanced herself, now merely changing few sentences at breakfast or at the nursing. Nevertheless one thing good about their union was giving Vellena another brother with silver locks and lilac eyes just like her, Aegon his name was. She was still too young only 11, to assist when Rhaenyra gave birth to Aegon, but she was the first one to greet them in the next morning due to her falling asleep outside Rhaenyra's private quarters. Vellena promised to herself that the next time she will stay by her mother's side and help her through, something her beloved husband did not do out of an unknown motive, better wandering on the beach alone or fly with Caraxes then aid to his wife. 

"Can you believe it?" Vellena asked looking down at her cat and showing her the page of the book. "Says that Meraxes is presumed to be the most beautiful dragon and it's also the one who died first in The Conquest. I highly doubt that you know. In my opinion Silverwing looks more marvelous" Lemoncake could only escape an irritated meow unaware of why her princess did not shut up while she was trying to sleep.

"You are lucky you don't have a mother. Mine doesn't let me try and claim a dragon, staying with the statement that is too dangerous for me" Vellena puffed closing the book and laying on her belly on the soft mattress of her bed, with her chin rested on her knuckles. 

Just as she laid down lost in her own dreams a mad idea creeped in her mind that without a doubt shall be denied but still must be tried. "I'm a genius" Vellena laughed jumping on her forearms slightly scaring Lemoncake again from her sleep, the princess gave a peck on the top of her pet's head and quickly got out of bed rushing outside the bedchamber finally leaving Lemoncake to her peaceful usual sleep of afternoon.

The castle was quiet on this time of the day, her mother was surely in the nursery with the 2 year old Aegon, Luke was playing dragon-chess with Rhaena in the library just like every afternoon and little Joffrey must be with Elinda reading stories, not caring at all what Daemon was up to. So no one would notice her sneak into the corridors towards the room of The Painted Table where Jacaerys was having his High Valyrian lessons with Maester Gerardys.

Jace's voice reached her ears as she leaned against the door, she had to admit with proudness that her brother has improved both his pronunciation and writing in High Valyrian. He still had the stumbling block of rolling the 'r' on the tongue, something which Lucerys was quite impressive at only the two and ten namedays of his. Yet nobody would ever come as far as her, at least that's how her brothers usually phrased Vellena when she told them compliments about their studies, and her like a sweet sister would start laughing while ruffling Luke's curls and pressing her lips on the top of his head just like an older sister cares for her younger brother.

"Visenya was the first rider of Vhagar" the Maester spoke and Jace had to translate it in High Valyrian. Vellena pushed the door aside slowly without any noise and closed as gently before she hiked up her long blue gown with golden dragon patterns, to walk down the stairs. 

"Visenya iksin se..." Jacaerys began working his mind to remember how to translate the word 'first' into the mother tongue of his house. Knowing he will be Rhaenyra's heir when she will be crowned queen and after her the King of the Seven Kingdoms, Jacaerys turned into a perfectionist son always aiming to be the best out of all: at dragon ridering, at sparing, at the histories of the Realm, but one thing he knew it was never meant for him was High Valyrian because no soul could ever beat his sister at it. 

"Visenya iksin se ēlī kipagīros hen Vhagar" Vellena uttered stepping down the last stair and letting the skirt of her body fall down on the floor, slightly fluttering when the princess strolled around. 

"Excellent, your grace!" Gerardys clapped highly proud of the princess that learned the tongue on her own without any kind of help from any maester of Westeros, some of them found the girl a witch thinking it was impossible for a child so young to acquire skill in such a hard language that others spent almost a lifetime to master. 

"Thank you, Maester. I wish to speak with my brother if I don't interrupt something important" Vellena, the girl she was, spoke so delicately knowing the old man would not dismiss her because firstly she was the princess and secondly it was very difficult to refuse Vellena. Gerardys nodded right away taking his book and leaving the two younglings in the room of The Painted Table, he had of course other concerns to attend as the Maester of the Princess of Dragonstone. 

Jacaerys was well aware of his sister's tricks, getting used to each one of them in the last two years. At breakfast after she had only a slice of lemon cake left she would put the plate down and act like she wasn't feeling well but instead of retiring to her quarters she would sneak in the kitchens to eat a whole cake; or whenever she started to get bored of her wardrobe, Vellena would cut the sleeves or the skirt of the gowns she misliked and demand mother to get her new ones.

"What is so urgent that you had to barge into my lessons, sweet sister?" the prince asked turning his sister standing at the end of the table with her hands folded to her back and a cute little smirk tugged on the corner of her lips with usually didn't mean good intentions.

"So... have I told you that you're my favorite brother?" Vellena teased walking passed the table, her long skirt waving as she moved and the two silver locks she had loosed in her front with the bun sternly right on the back brought a glimpse of light to her mischievous smile. 

"Vellena, careful... what if Luke hears?" Jace raised his eyebrow at his sister joining in her game, Vellena always was after something and that was how she tried to gain it.

"He can't know" the princess stopped before her brother, anyway this play with favorite brother was just a mere farce because she did not have one, Vellena always yearned for a sister.

"What if I tell him, hm?" the boy teased back gazing down at her lilac deep eyes, his sister was by far the most beautiful girl he knew but Jace was just a mere lad of 15 namedays, what could he know. 

"You wouldn't..." Vellena stood up on her toes breathing on his lips while searching for any lies in his brown chocolate eyes, Jacaerys was one head taller than her and it was infuriating because whenever she was reading peacefully in Aegon's Gardens her brother would scare her out of nowhere and take her book holding too high for her to reach.

"Okay now. What do you want, Vel?" Jacaerys questioned with a sigh, it was always a prize she wished to get just like little girls of her age still in the flower of childhood. 

"I want you to take me on a flight with Vermax to the Dragonmont so that I can claim Silverwing" Jace's eyes widened at how easily she spoke her wish mayhaps thinking it was that simple to tame and claim a wild creature like dragons. 

"No" he would not agree of course, Jace was the elder and knew the dangers pretty well so he shall not put his sister at peril just because of her fantasies of having a dragon. 

Vellena sighed as Jace pushed passed her, he would never understand her, nobody except Rhaena saw her point because they were both dragonless and twice a moon they would laugh or cry about it like the two young ladies they were turning into still with the minds of a child. 

"Jace..." she turned after him, he was her only chance and she could feel in the depth of her bones that today was the day when she would gain a dragon, her own dragon. 

"No, Vel. I'm not putting you at any risk!" Jace did not stop his way towards the stairs while shouting at his sister to make her understand that nothing can change his mind. 

"I'll tell mother that you visited a brothel in town" Jace instinctively froze right before he could step on the first stair, ice sweat rolling down his forehead and neck wetting the dark curls he worked so much to make them look good. In truth he didn't do anything dishonoring, just like a mere spectator and Jace had no go willingly but more like a bet he had lost to his knight-friends. They were older than him, more experienced with life and usually teased the young prince about fucking a girl, something they had usually achieved by the time they turned five and ten. 

"I'll be in the Dragonpit... waiting" Jace hissed glaring back at his sister, It was useless to ask how she managed to find such private information because Vellena always got what she desired. The little princess jumped giggling and chuckling like a child before rushing up the stairs towards her quarters to dress up with the riding gear Rhaenyra had gifted her on her two and ten nameday a year ago.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

Vermax was already tamed and ready by the time Vellena stepped foot in the Dragonpit, Jacaerys stood by him fixing the saddle so it fitted two people. The princess had her silver hair tied in a bun as usual, wearing the red gear with golden scales on the shoulders, long grey gloves and black high boots up to her knees. 

"Kesi sōvegon hēnkirī tubī, valītsos" Vellena mumbled to Vermax stroking his green snout as the young dragon growled happily in her hand. It was quite fascinating that her brother's dragons accepted Vellena aswell, both Vermax and Arrax always seemed pleased whenever Vellena was close after they would take a flight across the island of Dragonstone.

"Do we ride today or I'm going back?" Jace joked from up the saddle interrupting the very intimate affectionate conversation between his sister and his dragon. Vellena stuck out her tongue as she approached Jace, he offered Vellena his hand to help her hop up on the saddle at his back. The Princess immediately wrapped her arms around her brother's waist from behind, not being up on a dragon was having its effect right now on her. 

"Hold onto me, alright?" Jace whispered softly grabbing the harnesses and slowly mounting Vermax to fly up towards the exit of the pit. Vellena closed her eyes resting her chin on his shoulder and tightened her grasp on Jace as the dragon flew higher and higher until the reached the skies of outside world.

"You can open them, Vel. It's safe" Jace chuckled as they flew above a forest seated close to the castel, the Dragonmont was right ahead. Vellena opened one of her eyes shyly to see the alluring images beneath her just like in the fairytales the Septa usually told her after she did her embroidery perfectly. 

"We're getting closer to the Dragonmont" Jace awoke her from her daydreaming, she shook her head before guiding him to land somewhere on an open field at the edge of the volcano. 

Vermax did not like landing so quick after only a short flight, he needed more to spread his wings to feel the wind blowing through them but unfortunately not today. 

"And now what?" Jace asked helping his sister climb down the saddle, Vellena was easier than a father and smaller than even Lucerys, literally the cutest out of all Rhaenyra's children. 

"Now we go in" Vellena nodded with a childish grin as she began walking towards the path full of rocks that served as a way up to the peak, Jacaerys rolled his eyes at her plain plan, both dangerous and thoughtless but Vellena made this to herself so he must follow it whether it was enjoyable or not. 

The path was steep and full of black mud with sharp rocks on each side ready to cut anyone who would accidentally slip on their way up.

"And how if I may ask do you intend to claim Silverwing, sister?" Jace was curious, admiring his sister bravery but sometimes bad things followed because of courageous acts. Vellena bit her bottom lip as they took the left, surely she thought of perhaps singing or speaking calmly to the dragon just enough to let her get closer to the saddle. 

"Well shit... dear brother... through singing" Vellena said like it was the most obvious answer to a stupid question like Jace's. The Prince stopped crossing his arms and clearing his throat, he had no liked her behavior especially the cursing part.

"Women shouldn't curse. Not to say princesses" Jace raised his eyebrow highly offended by how hard Vellena yearned to grow, to be more mature when she still had to live as an obedient girl. 

"Get fucked" Vellena snapped right in his face making Jace blink in confusion, before she accidentally glided falling in the dark mud and staining her gorgeous riding gear, at the sight of her all drained Jacaerys had the best laughter in his life that even reached tears. 

"Haha... hilarious, now help me up" Vellena raised her arm so he could lift her but when Jace grabbed her hand she quickly pulled him down into the mud beside her staining his black gear aswell. 

"Now who's the one laughing?" The princess said between her chuckles but in the next moment she received a palm full of mud straight on her cheek draining her pale white skin. Jace smiled mischievously rubbing the mud on both Vellena's cheeks too make her look unique, but the princess didn't give up taking a palm of mud of her own to spatter her brother's forehead and nose. The two Velaryons played in the mud until they ended up one above the other not realizing the time passing by them, both looked more commoner than royal in that moment and they were sure that Rhaenyra would have a heart attack of she saw them this way. 

"Wait" Vellena patted Jace's shoulder because she had heard a low growl coming from inside the volcano, seated above her with his thumb tracing across her cheekbone Prince Jacaerys looked up noticing the slight noise from inside. 

Jace sat up first then helped his sister get up before she practically ran up towards the entrance without a care of Jace prayers to wait from behind her. 

"Never... run... so—" Jace spoke between heavy breaths finally catching her from behind, but Vellena put a finger on his lips to silent him, Jace stared at the entrance feeling slight fear flowing through his veins. 

"Come on" Vellena whispered entering first, Jace grabbed the torch from the wall and quickly followed behind her. The walls were old and somehow warm at the touch, as they made their way through the darkness of the caves. 

"Vellena" Jace put a hand on her shoulder stopping her when the path broke in two different directions, but the princess to the left one guiding after the sound of a weak growl thinking Silverwing might be hibernating after this long time of not having a rider.

"Oh my Gods" Vellena's mouth dropped taking the torch from Jace's hand and rushing at the end of the cave. Silverwing was laying down asleep in her nest with a hipe of eggs surrounding her, she was even more majestic than the books described her. 

"Drakari pykiros

Tikummo jemiros

Yn lantyz bartossa

Saelot vãedis

Hen ñuha elêni:

Perzyssy vestretis

Se gelyn irüdaks

Anogrose

Perzvro udryssi

Ezimptos laehossi

Harossa letagon

Aôt vãedan

Hae mèrot gierüli:

Se haros bartossi

Prúmusa sovil.

Gevi däeri" 

She had come above this song while reading an ancient book found in the library of Dragonstone and after the translation, Vellena could not hold herself but learn it and to her pride, it also had results. Silverwing slowly opened her beautiful eyes and tilted her snout from the ground only to be met with a little girl walking straight to her, if she looked closely this princess was similar to Alysanne both in voice and features, and oh Gods since someone sang at her like this. 

"Lykirī, Silverwing" Vellena mumbled stroking her bent snout, the dragon took a liking in this girl from the first moment and how could not she, who did not adore Vellena was by far the most fucked up person in the whole Seven Kingdoms. 

"See ya" Vellena screamed after hoping up the saddle, waving at her brother as she took flight in the skies, Jace's mouth dropped finally realizing that Vellena did really manage to actually claim the fucking Silverwing, his sister was truly a rare specimen. He knew that it was impossible to run so fast down the mountain and to catch after Vellena in the sky, but Vermax was far too intelligent as he let to be seen, already waiting for his rider outside the entrance and Jace was sure he could kiss him while hoping on the saddle. 

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

If you can guess then yes, Vellena was the one to win the race, arriving first outside the Dragonpit shortly after Vermax landed with Jacaerys on its back. 

"You cheated" he joked jumping down and rushing to his sister who was way too caught by the beauty of Silverwing to hear his comment.

"I claimed a dragon. I have a dragon. I CAN RIDE!" Vellena turned around jumping into Jace's embrace too overwhelmed by the joy of the moment, he spun her around as they both laughed because of their chaotic afternoon, a day to remember. 

"Do you think she'll be angry?" Vellena asked as they walked through the corridors of Dragonstone towards her private quarters.  She thought of their mother's reaction when she'll find out how her own daughter disobedience nearly costed both hers and her brother's lives. 

"Yes, at me for not stopping you and going on with your plan" Jace spoke as they made to the right on the corridor of their chambers, yet Vellena's doors were opened and the Velaryon siblings stopped slightly confused. 

A very worried Rhaenyra and an angry Daemon was waiting for them inside.

"WHERE HAVE YOU TWO BEEN?! IT'S EVENING!" Rhaenyra snapped as her children entered the room, poor Lemoncake was peacefully asleep on Vellena's bed not caring at all of this screams and shouts. 

"Riding" Jace gulped but realized it was not such a good motive.

"I claimed Silverwing" Vellena smiled softly pulling off her gloves, Rhaenyra's jaw dropped as she blinked in shock, Daemon on the other hand was pacing around holding a piece of parchment in his hand. 

"WHEN I TOLD YOU— young Lady, you will be severely punish—" Rhaenyra choked on her words but before she could continue, Daemon took the lead to speak.

"There is a new war in the Stepstone. Lord Corlys needs help" Rhaenyra glared at her husband with rage, she did not agree to what Daemon intended. Jace took the parchment his stepfather handed him and began to read it, swallowing hard after studying the paper. 

"My sweet boy, you don't—" Rhaenyra sat up from the bed, she prayed for the opposite but sadly it was in vein.

"I'm going" Jace nodded, he was a 'Velaryon' from his father's name, a Targaryen from her mother's blood and the future heir to the iron throne so he must act like Prince of the Realm. 

Vellena dropped her gloves understanding what the conversation was all about.

"No. No" the little princess shook her head as salty tears formed in her lilac eyes, she gazed at Daemon with a rage never felt before. 

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Vellena screamed running to the man and punching him in the chest, yet she was too soft for a man like Daemon Targaryen.

"YOU KILLED MY FATHER AND NOW YOU WANT TO KILL MY BROTHER TOO! THAT IS WHAT YOU TRULY WANT TO MURDER US ALL!" Vellena screamed and cried over and over while hitting Daemon as hard as she could too blinded by her own rage and wet tears. 

"I HATE YOU! I WILL ALWAYS HATE YOU! YOU ARE A MONSTERRRR!" Vellena shouted pushing Daemon but it was too weak, and Daemon suffered it all because he knew she was holding inside for too long so he gently grabbed her wrists and whispered her name. 

"No, please..." the girl choked on her sobs looking behind at her brother who had few tears at the corner of his eyes while watching Vellena's outburst. And that was when Rhaenyra noticed the trace of blood running down Vellena's leg coursing from between her legs. 

"Get out!" the mother said pulling her daughter to her arms as the two men stared in shock, what was happening with those two women.

"But mother, me?" Jace asked but Rhaenyra returned him a stern glance hissing another command so the young Prince followed after his stepfather leaving the two women alone.

Vellena Velaryon flowered that day, her moon cycle finally coming to her aswell just like every other woman from Westeros had every moon, for some it hurt while for other not all but it was truly gross. Jacaerys flew to the Stepstones in that coming week and Vellena sobbed without a stop while saying goodbye to her brother, he promised her that she will be back before she could even notice him gone and Vellena hugged him tightly before giving a peck on the cheek so Jace would still have her with him whenever he touched his cheek but Vellena did not know that.

Chapter Text

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

127 A.C Driftmark/Dragonstone 

MISSING HER BROTHER WHILE WRITING HIM RAVENS became the hobby Vellena both loved and detested, she was always the one to stay up until The Hour of the Wolf to be perfectly certain the parchment has no mistakes in it and that everyone put everything they meant to tell him. And just as the sun caressed her gentle cheeks Vellena would wake up in a heartbeat, not sleeping almost at all, kiss Lemoncake and rush straight  to the ravenry, even if the royals should not go in there. But the princess was just too obstinate and blinded by deep longing for Jacaerys who shouldn't have left for war if Daemon kept his mouth shut. 

The role of the eldest was now on her and it was exhausting, she loved her little brothers dearly but they could be way too much sometimes and Vellena enjoys her personal space full of books then reassuring Luke or Joffrey that Jace was alive. The one thing out of babysitting them was to read good-night stories before kissing their foreheads, a gesture that usually calmed their worries and brought the sleep easier leaving Vellena to worry alone in the darkness of her three brothers' chamber while staring at the empty bed on the left side of the room. 

Even if Rhaenys held a deep hatred towards Rhaenyra and Daemon for murdering her son Laenor after Laena's death, she could never loathe her 'grandchildren' which she knew did not carry Velaryon blood, only the name. Vellena fancied her days on Driftmark, having lady talks with Baela and Rhaena or flying around the beach with Silverwing and Rhaena at her back while they were racing against Moondancer mounted by Baela. Yet, the princess still yearned for more, she loved exploring due to the infinite possibilities the world of books gave to her imagination.

Vellena was aware of the instructions told by her grandmother for her safety, they weren't supposed to wander alone in the towns or leave their chambers unless the worst occurred which Rhaenys prayed shan't ever. But the princess, known for her wild side and rarely respecting the rules, sneaked in her grandsire's empty quarters and stole a pair of male clothing, surely Vellena would give them back.

The corridors were rather too quiet and no guard came in her sight as she creeped out of the huge castle of Driftmark, a pleased grin forming on her lips as she realized all the knights had the same level of stupidity: once the lords and ladies fell into sleep, they all did whatever their mind desired. 

The Hull was a town on the island of Driftmark in the crownlands, located beneath the walls of the Castel Driftmark and took its name from the rows of ship hulls at anchor below the castel. On nighttime the Hull was similar to the other towns from Westeros, full of people drinking, dancing, others acting and of course whoring. As a girl of her age of 15, Vellena had enough knowledge about what the word whore or any similarities to it, but both Rhaenyra and Rhaenys advised her to avoid this unknown part of the world for now. The streets were lighted by the torches on every building as the witches asked anyone if they wished to know the future, and the merchants tried to sell Essosi freight. A play about Lord Corlys's adventures on the Narrow Sea was being related due to the amusement of the crowd, it could be seen how these citizens cared about their feudal lord and that warmed Vellena's heart, proudness for her grandsire raising in her.

The way down to the harbor was short, no interruptions, being dressed as a boy the merchants sent her away everytime she got too close to one of their tables, thinking she meant to steal their belongings. It was silence, only one little ship of Lord Corlys floating close to the shore and waiting to travel the sea. Vellena had always desired to venture the waters of Westeros, even if Lord Corlys usually took Lucerys with him, her little brother will be the next Lord of High Tide one day so it all seemed normal for Corlys to teach Luke about his inheritance. 

Rhaenyra shall never admit to her only daughter that she was supposed to inherit all of it but Corlys acted more of a moron by that time to agree to a female heir.

"History doesn't remember blood, it remembers names and my history will not be stained by a girl" harsh words had Corlys hissed at The Princess of Dragonstone when he was told of her second child being a daughter. The royal line hadn't cared about the gender, nevertheless the Head of House Velaryon held much respect for all the lords before and all of them were men.

It was only a small step that she took on the wooden ladder when a strong hand gripped her arm, Vellena sensed how fear bubbled inside as she imagined how this strange would either throw her into the sea or slit her throat using a hidden dagger. 

"You know it's not allowed to steal from Lord Corlys while he is at war, right?" the voice was of a man but not so thick, rather soft Vellena analyzed with her clever brain. 

"Who said I am stealing?" she turned around to face the person who caught her, it was even better that they could not tell Vellena was a girl, she had a huge win in disguising. A boy, one head taller than Vellena with brown curls falling on his shoulder and chocolate skin looked down on her as if searching for any lie.

"That ship leaves for the Stepstones in the morrow to Prince Jacaerys and Lord Corlys" the boy spoke staring at the ship and admiring how of a marvelous sight it showed. Vellena felt a lump in her throat at the mention of her brother, it has been two years since he left and with every moon passing the ravens exchanged between the two siblings faded away. Rhaenyra tried to calm her daughter by making her understand that Jacaerys must be focused on the fights, concentrate to get out of there alive to return back home. The Princess of Dragonstone swore to never let any of her sons go to any kind of war, highly believing she could wrap all her children under her wigs and protect them from all the devils and monsters this world had. 

"Stepstones? Do you... do you know if there are any signs of victory?" Vellena whispered blinking away the tear treating to form in one of her amethyst eyes. The boy gazed back at her, a curiosity arising in him, this lad before him seemed strange from his perspective as if he had something dangerous to hide from everyone, but he eventually let the thought fade.

"No, I do not unfortunately. Why do you ask?" he should not have questioned something so personal especially to a boy he had just met. Yet that was the way with Addam, he has always yearned for a great purpose, much bigger than working here at the decks for Driftmark. 

"No reason" Vellena shrugged pulling away from his grasp and hugging her arms around her, it was cold and her grey tunic was too thin to keep her skin warm. She cursed Daemon in her mind like she always does when remembering Jacaerys was gone to fighting, The Rogue Prince was to blame for everything bad that happened in her life, Vellena would never trust him and she could not understand why her mother had given herself so easily to that vile man. For a time, she loathed Jace aswell because he could have simply refused, Driftmark wasn't his seat, he will not rule it one day, he was their mother's heir, but still Jace accepted showing bravery as a man to be.

Then Vellena cursed the damn wind, which would not stop, making her freeze out of coldness but even more when her cap was blown away and swallowed by the sea revealing her long silver locks of hair to the stranger next to her.

"Prin—Princess—" Addam stammered glaring at the beautiful girl with both shock and fear, Vellena shook her head putting her finger over his mouth to silence his words, nobody must know the princess of the Realm was wandering outside the walls of the castle. 

"Shhh...shhh... you want everyone to know I'm here?" it was a stupid question to which Addam quickly shook his head not even breathing normally and staring at the princess as if waiting for her to condemn him to death. Without saying another word, Vellena rushed back on the strees of the Hull covering her hair with the small hood the tunic had on the back, she could only pray that boy will never tell anything to anyone and with time hopefully he would forget that he was face to face with a princess.

After another moon, Luke sent a raven to Vellena on Driftmark with the news that Rhaenyra gave birth to another son and a new brother, little Viserys, so the princess said her goodbyes to grandmother Rhaenys and fleed back home with Rhaena and Baela. Her heart was smiling at the thought of another member in their family, but she had always longed for a sweet little sister who she may hold in her arms, play in the nursery, change dresses with and maybe flying through the skies. Vellena desired a person who would be just like her, being sure that only that person could understand her, no one else would reach her level.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

128 A.C Stepstones/Tyrosh 

Another long year had passed and finally they could say that the war has ended though Lord Corlys received a near-fatal wound so his ship was too sail first to Driftmark days earlier than planned. The other set of ships stayed behind sailing towards Tyrosh, one of the Free Cities and a harbor city located north of the Stepstones with inner walls fused of black dragonstone. Being known as a merchantile city, where trade is considered a much more honorable profession than arms, Jacaerys was more than pleased to rove with the mere innocent reason of searching for some favors which he intended to gift to his mother and siblings, whom he missed dearly all these years. The letters for Vellena hadn't been so much the last year and he felt terribly guilty for neglecting to keep in contact with his family, but it was an understandable issue why Jace needed to lose contact for a time. Vermax grew larger, his wings bigger than when they left Dragonstone, but he missed home as much as his rider to fly with Arrax or to get scolded by Syrax for his recklessness. 

The streets of Tyrosh were full of merchants eager to sell their goods for a respectable price of course. Jacaerys remembered how Luke always complained about his dragon chest getting old fashion and how Joffrey cried for more toys because they mostly got ruined, those sweet memories only fueled Jace's desire to go home. His dark curls grew long down past his shoulders but had been terribly stained by blood and he had to cut them short now hanging only above his shoulders. The prince hoped his mother will not be very upset about the sudden change of his hair because one thing Rhaenyra adored about her 'baby boys'  was their curly locks of hair even if not silver, the princess hold a rare beauty amongst the family, something the Dowager Queen found hard to admit and refusing to wed her daughter to Jacaerys may be one of Alicent's greatest mistakes and with time regrets. 

Jace's gaze lingered on a beautiful jewel, a blue necklace with a small red rubin, it seemed a simple treasure but he knew Vellena would like it, his little sister was not pretentious about jewels and gowns, she could sit all day dressed in her nightgown and read every book she spotted. The image from three years when Vellena was all drained in mud wearing her new riding gear while punching Daemon and crying at the news Jace would join the war, somehow appeared in his mind and a faint smile tugged on his lips. 

"Like that, lad?" the man from across the table asked with a grin, his yellow teeth showing up, his hair dyed in vermillion and the wrinkles across his cheeks revealing his old age and bad self-caring. Jace bit the inside of his cheek tracing a line across the red rubin, he was aware The Free Cities were not so informed of the situation in Westeros and were not pledged to the Targaryen family but being called lad when he was a man grown irritated Jacaerys to the bone, not even Daemon called him that when he was merely four and ten.

"Yes, I will have this and the four books over there" Jace slammed his hands on the edge of the table, his gaze kept firm as the old man placed the books in a box and gave them over with trembling hands. The Prince nodded with a satisfied smirk after throwing the five coins in the man's palms who sighed in relief as Jacaerys budge from his sight. Vermax was laying down on the dried up land when Jace arrived to check up on him, their ship just down the shore. 

"Lanta tubissa, valītsos" (Two days, boy) the prince mumbled stroking Vermax's green scaled neck, the dragon opened his tired eyes growling softly at the sight of his rider. Jacaerys understood how much Vermax wanted to fly back to Dragonstone, spending three years away and always burning ugly monsters in the meantime was a deed that got him tired. 

"Your grace!" Bennar Lonmouth shouted with a laugh, one of the knights loyal to House Velaryon and the person Jacaerys bonded in this war. Bennar was older than the prince with at least three years, a proud man with blonde hair and green eyes who always standing by his side whenever other soldiers would mock him, happened at the beginning. Jace looked over Vermax's wing down at the shore, Bennar along with three other knights were waiting outside the ship, all the boxes and weapons had already been taken inside Jace could tell. 

"Everything is in its place, my prince" Bennar bowed as Jace walked passed them holding his red cloak on his arm. Nevertheless something was strange about their attitude, the three knights grinning under their breath before pushing Bennar forward who tried to contain his laughter aswell. 

"What is so amusing if I may ask?" Jace's tone was stern glaring at the three men before his gaze locked with his only friend there. Bennar took a deep breath hugging Jacaerys around the shoulders, the Lonmouth knight was aware of how much embarrassment this could cause but they were men and his grace was also a one who did not bathed himself in something so sweet as a woman after war. 

"We decided to go into the town tonight to explore it, with your approval of course which we do not have yet" Bennar whispered like it was a dangerous secret or the words were cursed. Jace furrowed his eyebrows looking up at his friend to understand the meaning of this, they were wandering the city an hour ago... but then it hit him, surely the reason was tricky and savage, not really on his liking yet.

Prince Jacaerys had seen a brothel before when he was five and ten, he knew why men visited it and what the people working there were doing, but he had never joined in and he did not plan to. Rhaenyra raised him to be loyal and kind, the future heir to the iron throne must be dedicated to the realm and to his future lady-wife who still didn't exist. Pleasure houses in Tyrosh were way more different than on Dragonstone because that is the only one Jace has ever been to, tables where people drank and laughed, half-naked women serving their drinks and in one corner of the room five men dressed colorful with bright hair singing to instruments had not seen before. 

"This is how men celebrate victory, my prince" Bennar beat Jace on the back with a laugh as a woman wearing a very thin pink cloth poured him more wine. Jacaerys scoffed taking a sip from his cup as he could tell that his friends were already too drunk because of the uncountable cups of wine they tasted, Tyroshi wine was by far not on Jace's likes. 

"Why are you pouting, your grace? We can find you a good girl, perfect for a prince!" the knight next to him laughed slamming his cup on the wooden table as the woman on his lap kissed his neck. Jacaerys wanted to bury himself in the ground because of this terrible sight, almost everyone in the room was either fucking or close to it; he shouldn't have agreed to go there at all. 

The young prince of eight and ten namedays raised from the table letting his drunk knights enjoy themselves. He hopefully found a quiet room at the right side of the brothel which seemed more of a chamber with one bed and a table on which they were a bottle of wine and two cups. 

"My prince, I found the perfect one, a maiden! You'll love it and thank me later!" Bennar shouted closing the door behind and leaving a young woman inside, of course his friend followed him and surely found someone even if Jacaerys had no intention of doing anything at that moment, he just yearned for home. 

"You're a prince?" the girl asked, she did not look older than six and ten with long curly red dyed hair and brown eyes but lighter than Jace's. 

"Yes" he sighed pouring himself some wine in one of the two cups. The girl rushed to him taking the bottle from his hand and pouring wine in his cup, she was wearing a light blue thin gown and her curls were loosed over her shoulders. 

"Why did you do that? I could have put it myself" Jace asked taking the cup from her hands, the girl gulped bringing her hands before her face die to the Prince's confusion.

"I'm not going to hurt you" the girl breathed in relief pulling her hands away, she analyzed Jacaerys a bit while he was pacing around the room and playing with a little necklace in his palms. 

"You seem like you don't wish to be here" the girl spoke watching Jacaerys stride, the prince appeared furious yet he did his best to hide. How could he not look mad when his men were whoring in a pillow house? Their ships were ready, he would not deny it but mayhaps there was more organize, maybe they forgot something important.

"Because I don't!" Jace snapped a little too loud sitting down at the edge of the bed, why would nobody understand that the only thing Prince Jacaerys desired was to sail back home. He was a man of course, but he departed from his family his mother and siblings at a very young age, was it too much that he yearned for some now?! 

"I apologize, my lady. I'm just..." the prince sighed fiddling the red rubin in his hand, three years had passed since his leaving, three years he was alone in a war which he always prayed to survive, and now when light rose again Jacaerys was feeling more awful than at the beginning.

"Depressed? Angry? Uhm... tired?" she was sweet trying to guess whatever it was bothering the prince or she was just acting, yet Jacaerys did not care so much knowing he shall be finally going home.

"And... erm... I'm not a lady, my prince" the girl added twiddling with one of the locks falling down her shoulders, nervousness clear in her gaze.

"Every nice woman is a lady in her way" Jace smiled to himself admiring the bright paintings on the rug. The redhead was barely six and ten, young, forced to do this act for the first time and she should have been scared, terrified even, but she wasn't because he was very different from any other men whom she heard about, something that both calmed and stressed her.

"Excuse me, your grace? But you are the strangest prince and man I have ever met. Actually the only royalty" Jace laughed gazing up at the girl, his shock was not because of her politeness but of how easy she spoke her mind for a woman of her status, her personality reminded Jace of Vellena in a way and he stroked the red rubin once more before putting the necklace back in his pocket. 

"What is your name?" Jace blurred out surprising both himself and the girl, she had been taught and told how to please a man, how to act she liked it but she was never told they should chat, this scared her terribly if the owner would learn she failed cruel life shall wait her. 

"Mya" a name so simple yet so beautiful at the same time.

"What was that you were holding in your hand?" Mya found the courage to ask, she knew it was in inappropriately of her to be so bold with a man, the first, she was supposed to serve.

"A necklace... for my sister" Jace answered softly, he found the girl's innocent curiosity rather entertaining. Mya swallowed hard blinking away the tears treating to form in her brown eyes, she quickly wiped one from her cheek turning with her back on him.

"Forgive me, your grace. I'm... I'm so bad at this. I should not have asked you anything..." Jace's eyebrows furrowed, this girl being more interesting for him now, she was crying because he said something bad? a mystery which made his skin go hot and the blood pumping hard in his veins.

"Why are you crying?" The prince asked walking behind her, leaning his arm on the table to look down at Mya, she gulped wiping her cheeks with the back of her palm and accidentally staining her long sleeve. 

"Because— because this life is hard and a turmoil! And your grace is too kind and this scares me because I've been told how men are supposed to be, but you are not like that!" Mya snapped between her sobs, she was well aware of how shame she made of herself and even of the pleasure house, to act so out of context in front of a client, a prince, meant that next day she will lose her place there. 

"My parents died of a strange disease when I was barely ten leaving me and my little brother of six alone. I need coins to raise him, to help him have a life here in Tyrosh, at least him if not me" Mya kept talking not daring to look at the embarrassment she had caused. 

"Why am I even telling you all of this?! Oh my!" the girl stepped away from the table and now she was the one to pace around the room running her fingers through her red locks of hair. 

"You should call for another one, your grace! I'm not good at any of this. Summon another girl" Mya was pleading him with her voice, Jace has never found himself so interest in a woman such as Mya, the similarities in attitude between her and his sister were huge and with no clue he enjoyed that. She did not notice him approaching her until she turned her gaze to peek up at him.

"Demand someone else, please—" but her pleading mouth was shortly cut off by his wet lips on hers, Mya melted into the kiss shyly enfolding her arms around his clothed shoulders.

Except for his mother, Jacaerys had never kissed a woman more to say on the mouth and that being the first time ignited a very unusual emotion cursing through his body. This kiss was soft, lips barely brushing against one another then Jace's stuck the tip of his tongue out gently touching her pink lips. Mya slowly parted her lips letting his tongue enter her mouth, she made a pleased hum as their tongues came into contact and moved her hands higher wrapping them around his neck, Mya's twirled two locks of his dark curls between her fingers eliciting a groan from the prince. 

Jace's hands traveled softly from around her back to her stomach slightly grazing at the lace circling her blue robe, as he undid the first knot the girl broke the sweet kiss.

"Your grace" Mya said breathless, Jace smiled softly looking down in her chocolate eyes, the flush on her cheeks made something warm grow inside his chest. It was not love, too fast to be and further more that was a pleasure house where they were, this feeling was curiosity, an innocent sense of lust of youth.

"Either I am lucky or dreaming because the rest of my life is a nightmare"  these thoughts were echoing her mind and she would seem even more stupid to speak them out loud. She has not met royals before, never entertaining them, but hearing from other women that were moved to the brothels in Westeros, how vile and cruel the princes and lords were, how dominant they acted, of course whores are not high born ladies who they should respect but they have hearts aswell.

He undid the second knot completely unlacing her cordon, the blue robe fell on the sides of her body revealing all from her chest to her feet, Mya was beautiful there was no doubt. Jacaerys tasted her mouth again before slowly moving down her jawline, leaving wet kisses in his path, then his lips reached her collarbone gently nibbling on her delicate skin and earning a faded moan from the girl. Mya parted her lips throwing her head backwards thanking the Gods whom she served how the luck met her because she was certain other women were going through hell compared to her.

Jacaerys kissed down reaching her exposed cleavage, licking the line between her small breasts before his lips moved to one of the breasts kissing the skin then taking the nipple between his lips, a gesture that made Mya whine audibly. Jace grinned with satisfaction swirling his tongue around the nipple, he moved one of his hand to other breast pinching the teat before circling his thumb around it. 

"Please—" Mya was in the heavens if they even existed, her fingers swirled his locks pulling him closer to her chest as she tightened her legs around her feeling something extremely wet between her thighs that also drenched the skin on her lap.

Jacaerys let go of her breasts before bending down on both knees while Mya's tried to calm her heavy breathing not noticing his change of position until she felt his hands moved up from her knees to her upper legs. 

"My lady, you are terribly sopping" Mya's voice hitched, she could not say a word as she felt the embarrassment hit over her like a thunder, nobody has ever seen her naked further more her sensitive part. The girl gazed down at Jacaerys with a gulp only then realizing that the prince stood on his knees before and asking for her approval, she was a whore and they were in a damned pleasure house but he was still asking. 

As Mya nodded, Jacaerys started to slowly kiss on her stomach moving lower to her belly then pecking at her lower midriff just above the place where she felt an uncontrollably burning sensibility. 

"Your gra-gra-grace—" it was unnecessary for pleading because he had already reached it, kissing her mons softly before he parted her folds. She was extremely wet and embarrassed because the fucking Prince was standing on the ground to please her when it should have been the opposite.

His tongue found her pearl and Mya swore she could see the stars on the sky even if it was daytime, her fingertips massaged his scalp holding his head there as she began to rock her hips against his face.

"Fucking heav-heav-heavens—" Mya cried feeling she would lose balance because of her now weak legs, her breathing ragged as a new sensation washing over her entire body, Jacaerys was holding her thighs firmly so she wouldn't fall while lapping on her clit as her sweet wetness enveloped his lips.

After he was sure Mya came down from her high, Jacaerys looked up at her earning a cute laugh from that gentle girl and he could not help but join her laughter as she brushed his curls from his forehead.

"You must really sit up, your grace. It is not appropriate for someone as you to be seen in this position—" Jace smirked sitting up, he brought his hands up to brush her locks of hair from her chest down to her back touching her neck in the process and making Mya shiver.

"Why are you smiling? What you did was—" she wanted to tell him how uncommon for men to please the women first because that was how she had been taught.

"Amazing" she didn't have time to protest as Jace captured her mouth with his again, she could tasted herself on his lips, a luscious and nectarous flavor overwhelming her tongue.

That was the day when Jacaerys Velaryon firstly laid with a woman, it remained a secret until now, an enigma he swore to never divulge due to many different reasons, after leaving Tyrosh and sailing back home he had never seen or heard of the girl and surely it was for the best for both of them.

Chapter Text

128 A.C

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

DRAGONSTONE:

"I hate Daemon, Lemoncake" Vellena spatted out of nowhere, but her lilac eyes never left the book page. The weather was very peaceful that day, warm sun and blue clear sky, so Aegon's Garden seemed the perfect place for Vellena's daily marathon on reading at least five books a day. She had already read most of the books from the Dragonstone library and concluded that she needed new ones, asking her mother if grandsire would send some with a ship seemed rather silly and surely the Maester from the Red Keep or Alicent could highly disagree on the matter. 

"If we make the calculations correct then this is the sixth year since mother is married to that dragon-dung face AND she's pregnant the third time! Like what the actual fuck?!" Vellena scoffed turning the page of the book from her lap, she was wearing the light-pink flowery gown that Rhaenys gifted her on her 15th nameday, her hair was tied in a round messy bun that had a braid around it and two locks loosed on the sides of her face. The princess knew little of how children were created, she acknowledged the birthing process to be rather traumatizing but how the small thing appeared in the women's belly was one of the many mysteries she yearned to discern.

Two pairs of little paws touched her leg, slightly scratching her skin through the fabric of her gown, Vellena averted her lilac eyes from the captivating phrases of the story towards the cat cubs meowing and trying to jump on her thighs. Lemoncake got pregnant four moons ago for the first time because she managed to escape the castel corridors for a while and Vellena began to worry so much until one night when the yellow fluff sneaked back into the bed  and the princess woke up with her friend next to her. She had not figured out, Lemoncake's state until the fifth week since her arrival back, a bit of round belly and so much appetite for fish, more than Vellena accustomed her kitten to. The ninth week, in the middle of one night, Lemoncake began to meow so loud that all the west wing of the Sea Dragon Tower. Lemoncake did not wish to give birth unless Vellena was the one to stay by her side, the animal hissed at the Maester and refused any other handmaid except for her princess's pressence. The royal cat birthed two little puffs, one female with orange amidst shades of black stripes that was named Mera and the other male with white as snow alongside a dark-yellow dot on top of its head was gifted the name Berion.

"Finished your meal already? Hm?" Vellena chuckled lifting them both in her lap, a soft smile on her lips as she brushed her finger through their fragile fluffy coat. 

"Fatigued your mother enough, I believe" her gaze moved to her left where Lemoncake was laying serenely with her back leaning Vellena's knee. Berion took Vellena's finger between his small claws and tried to bit the skin with his growing teeth but the gesture only tickled the princess. Little Mera got distracted by the instinctive moves of her brother's tail so she tried with all her strength to catch it in her mouth. 

Lemoncake finally had a moment to take a break while her princess's gentle fingertips stroked the spot under her left ear, one of her favourites that would lead her to a peaceful sleep in only few minutes. In Westeros was not so common for the lords to keep domastic animals in their homes, few were the little ladies who did so, and especially the royal Targaryen family. For Vellena what the smallfolk thought meant very less, she raised Lemoncake, fed her food, played with her and shared the bed with her, so everyone else's tongues could speak how much they desired, Lemoncake and her cubs belonged to Vellena, no soul could change that or the Princess would burn them alive. 

"Seems like the cat family has grown while I was away" Vellena's breath stopped, it could not be true, he had not answered a raven in six moons and her mother had not informed her of any departure from The Stepstones. The Princess swallowed hard taking Mera and Berion from her lap and placing them near Lemoncake, both cubs stared at the girl weirdly feeling her mixed emotions fighting inside. Then she turned around and her lilac eyes welling up with tears, Vellena prayed it was not yet another dream and she would only wake up disappointed once again. Jacaerys was there, wearing a red tunic, his curly hair reaching the top of his shoulders and he chortled opening his arms for her. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she got up from the blanket and run straight into his arms, a soft laugh coming from Jace when he embraced his lovely sister trying to keep away his own tears that threatened to take over him. 

"If this is yet another dream, please don't wake me" the princess mumbled straining her arms around his neck that she didn't even care if it strangled him. Jacaerys held her waist tightly afraid to not lose again, afraid that another war would come and strip him away from her, those three years without his clever sister were pure torture. 

"You're not dreaming. Trust me" he whispered into her shoulder, her scent of lavender and honey gave him a new sense of comfort: he was home. Vellena gulped nuzzling her nose in his curls, they smelled of salt and sea, fire and ash. Jacaerys picked her up and twirled around earning a choked laugh from Vellena, she could feel that his grip became more strong but remained as delicate as before. 

It has been three years of torture for each of them, Vellena falling asleep in tears with the silent plead for the safety of her brother, Jacaerys waking with the thought to stay alive so he could go back to his family, his sister.

Jace finally put her back down but kept his hands on the sides of her thin waist, Vellena pulled back to take a better look at him.

"Why did you cut them?" she asked stroking the now short curls of his dark-brown hair, Jace's perms were longer when he left Dragonstone and much more soft, now they were desiccated at the touch. 

"Stained with blood and ashes" Vellena's lilac eyes widened in fear, cursing Daemon in her mind because Jacaerys had to join the war and suffer from it. The prince killed many pirates not only with dragonfire but with the sword too and he had to admit that the spearing lessons with Daemon turned out to be very useful. 

"Another reason for me to hate on that dragon-dung face. I thank you, brother" Jacaerys blinked taken aback by her phrase, not only the very mean but admirable nickname was impressive, the confidence and proudness with which she spoke it. Vellena loathed Daemon, Jace knew that since they were little, since they both watched their mother speak her vows and marry once again. Vellena felt hatred towards her mother for a time after Laenor's death, it was absurd and manky to remarry not moments after your former husband had died, surely Vellena did not know the real reason of her mother's unanticipated decision, Rhaenyra needed protection from her uncle against the Greens and because of course she loved him.

"Dragon-dung?" Jace laughed, his sister's ideas always amazed him, they were perfectly fitted for the situation in question. Vellena's lips formed into a sly smile, yet her innocence lingered above. She kneaded one side of his face twirling one lock of curly hair between her forefinger and middle finger. The princess wished her hair genes to be typical with her brothers, curly and luscious, unfortunately she gained straight locks now so long that it reached her butt. Jacaerys closed his eyes and leaned into her palm, how he had missed her gentle touch, her small thin fingers brushing through his hair. 

When they were little of around five, six and eight namedays, Jace, Luke and Vellena slept together in one bed due to the prince Lucerys being too scared to be alone in his quarters of The Red Keep. Vellena usually laid between her two brothers, cradling Luke's head to her chest and brushing her fingertips on his nape while massaging Jace's hair as he leaned on her shoulder. Both Jacaerys and Lucerys would fall asleep in an instant while hugging their sister  in-between them, Jace would hold her middle while Luke kept his arm around her stomach. When Vellena reached her eight nameday because of Alicent's insistence: 'she's growing up and it's outrageous for a young lady to share her bed', Rhaenyra had to separate her daughter from Jace and Luke, forcing Vellena to sleep alone and cry in the pillow by her own.

"Avy āruddan, hāedar" (I've missed you, sister) Jacaerys mumbled opening his brown eyes to meet Vellena's soothing gaze, he had grown even taller, one head to be precise. 

"Avy āruddan tolī, lēkia" (I've missed you too, brother) Vellena could not look more adorable than now, pouring her deep feelings of longing to see her brother again, to be sure that her silent prayers for him turned out to be true, that the Gods showed mercy on her and brought him back home. The Prince hardly cognized how much his little sister had grown over these three years, how her skin was more soft, her lilac eyes changing into a darker shade of violet, her exceptionally ravishing locks tied in a messy bun, her waist more thin than at three and ten, her beauty now truly heavenly, how Vellena was becoming a young woman. 

"Uhm... erm... I've brought you something..." he cleared his throat pulling slightly away to search into his pocket, Vellena's arm fell to her side as she watched Jacaerys with curiosity while her mind was praying his gift shall be more books. Jacaerys grinned peeking down at her, Vellena smiled sheepishly slowly realizing that books weren't so small to fit in his pocket.

"Close your eyes and turn around" the princess scoffed and rolled her eyes, she usually hated when people held back just to prolong the feeling more, infuriating truly. Jace's grin widened taking out the blue necklace with the red rub hanging down in the middle, he stepped closer, his chest inches away from her back. The Prince's gaze lingered on her exposed neck for a second where little messy locks were waving down from her bun, Jacaerys pulled his arms over her head, the metal necklace touched her skin making Vellena shiver from the cold sensation. 

The princess's breath hitched as she opened her lilac eyes and stared down at the rubin hanging above her small cleavage, Jace's hand stayed on her shoulder for a moment caressing her skin with his thumb. 

"Hāedar..." his soft voice brushing against her ear, Vellena had grown since he last saw her, Jace knew she was changing, maturing and flourishing into such a beautiful woman who will leave speechless every person in her way. 

"Thank you. It's beautiful" Vellena whispered turning back to face him, holding back the tears welling in corner of her eyes as she played with the red rubin.

"Sepār hae ao" (Just like you) Jace brushed a strand of hair behind her ear before pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Vellena's cheeks went pink as she stared up into his soft gaze, they could have stayed much more like that just looking at each but Lemoncake decided to greet Jacaerys aswell. The cat purred and rubbed around his feet, the prince chuckled and lifted her up, Lemoncake meowed leaning her head on his chest while Jacaerys stroked the spot under her ear. 

"I believe she missed you more than anyone" Vellena joked scratching Lemoncake's back, her fingers accidentally making contact with his, Vellena bit her lip nervously at Jace's smirk. Lemoncake puffed disappointedly while eyeing her princess, knowing those two for such a long time and being a very devoted cat, she could sense something was different.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

Evening came quick and now Jacaerys was back home, the most joyous of news for Rhaenyra that she required everyone must join the dinner in The Great Hall, they would dine as a family even if Vellena wished nothing more than to not see the dragon-dung face to ruin her evening. She had tried to avoid Daemon at all costs, while Jacaerys was away it was rather hard because she hadn't found entertainment only with Lemoncake or Rhaena. She adored her grandmother every time a raven arrived from Driftmark that both Vellena and Rhaena could go there for yet another long week. Rhaenys usually stayed with her granddaughters telling stories from her youth until the sleep would come to them.

"My dear dear boy. I'm so pleased you are home. I swear to all the Gods, Jacaerys, I'm never granting you permission to leave my side again" Rhaenyra kissed all over his face, cheeks, forehead, top of head before cradling him to her shoulder. Her kids had no idea how much she loved them, how she would do anything anything for each one, the affair and was her mistake but they were the blessing. 

"He won't be able to breath, mother" Lucerys chuckled looking up at them from his seat, Vellena elbowed her little brother as Rhaenyra gave him a glance before releasing Jace from the hug who looked red as a tomato. The Princess of Dragonstone blinked back her tears, the proudness of a mother was a new thing for Rhaenyra, seeing her first baby boy become a man made her heart jump of joy but fear aswell. 

"Please don't do that, mother" Jace smiled as Rhaenyra's thumbs traced along his cheekbones, surely she won't cage her own son but will not allow him to join any sort of wars ever again. 

"She would not" Daemon said winking at his stepson, Rhaenyra rolled her eyes after finally letting go of Jacaerys and sitting back down at her head seat at the table. The table was long, Jace, Luke, Vellena and Joffrey on one side and Rhaena with her father  stood at the other side. Vellena wished Baela could be here to join them at dinner but serving as the ward for their grandmother meant responsibilities and duties she had to attend to. 

"So, how were the Stepstones? You've been to Tyrosh, haven't you?" Daemon asked taking the peace of meat from his fork in his mouth, he had been to the Stepstones, fought in a war aswell years ago. Jacaerys gulped putting his cup of wine down next to his plate, he bit his inside cheek and forced a smile.

"They were... something" that day in Tyrosh at the brothel must be forgotten for good, he swore to not speak of it to anyone, to keep it as his only secret. Jacaerys paid the owner to set Mya free and give her the necessary money to live her life and raise her brother, but he knew they would never met each other again.

"I love the new chessboard, Jace" Luke said waking his brother from his daydreaming. He had brought each of them gifts and attentions, except for Daemon, Rhaenyra received a golden bracelet and new gowns, Vellena a necklace and more books she could bathe into, Luke a chessboard and new sword, Joffrey was gifted a dragon toy made of silver, Baela and Rhaena two identical crossbows. Jacaerys smiled at his brother returning to his meal and praying no more questions would be asked of me, he wished to let it all be gone in history. 

"Vellena, me and—" Daemon began again to change the subject, he was well aware of how the princess, his stepdaughter, felt and thought of him, he did not think of himself as a monster and never wanted to ruin her life even if indirectly he did. 

"When it starts with you, I don't want to hear it" Vellena mumbled playing with her salad and not looking up from her plate, she hated that man more than everything she could imagine would be awful, he shall never be her father nor part of her family because her real father was gone because of this monstrous human. 

"Vellena" Rhaenyra scolded her daughter, she had notice the silent conflict between the man she married and her own daughter, her boys did not seem to have much of a problem, Luke was too young and caught up in his own world to understand while Jacaerys's main desire was too become the perfect heir for his mother. 

"As I meant to say, me and your mother received a high amount of marriage proposals from over The Realm. We believe you should read and consider some" the Rogue Prince stated, Vellena shook her head as the white of her eyes slowly turned red, she felt her cheeks go warm and mind screaming to throw the knife on her left in Daemon's head. Jace swallowed hard glancing at his little sister, he was feeling oddly affected and uncomfortable hearing this sudden conversation.

"Sweetling, you'll be six and ten and of age in two days. We are not saying you must take a husband right now, only to search and think" Rhaenyra spoke calmly to soothe her daughter knowing the feeling of being overwhelmed with the pressure of marriage, once when the mere youth only began knocking on her door Rhaenyra did not wish to wed aswell believing that becoming a knight to ride in battle and glory was more useful.

"No! I will not be forced to wed a man third my age who would only want me to squeeze out heirs or Gods' know what else!" Vellena snapped raising her head from the plate to gaze directly at her mother, her only wish was too read every damn book existing in this world, fly on Silverwing and take care of Lemoncake and the cat cubs. 

"Vellena, that isn't—" Rhaenyra sighed putting her fork down, her daughter was turning out to be a truly complicated person when it came to the matter of wedding. 

"HOW ARE YOU SO BLIND?! CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT YOUR HUSBAND IS TRYING TO SEND US AWAY?! EACH OF US?!" Vellena sat up punching her fists in the wooden table, an sudden action which hurt her a bit and shocked the rest of the family. 

"HE WANTS TO KILL US LIKE HE KILLED FATHER! WHEN HE WILL KILL ME ASWELL YOU WILL MAKE A NEW DAUGHTER, WONT YOU?!" the princess was so furious that the tears was involuntarily flowing down her cheeks without her realization.

"I didn't kill your father, Vellena" Daemon hissed gazing up at her from over his seat, every conversation they had or every time they were trying to have a good time would always end up bad, that is why both Daemon and Vellena ignored each other as much as possible.

Rhaenyra sighed, putting her face in her palms, why was Vellena so tiresome every time Daemon was around? The question which Rhaenyra tried so hard to find the answer. 

Vellena pulled her chair backwards and left the dinner saying nothing more. Rhaena rose from her seat and followed after her stepsister, she was always the one to comfort her after these types of outbursts. 

"We have to leave to King's Landing... on the morrow..." Daemon added earning the three boys' attention.

"Why?" Jace asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion even though he had a slight feeling it would not be something good.

"For Lucerys" Rhaenyra said raising her face from her palms, surely it will not be a good nameday for Vellena nor a beautiful journey.

Chapter Text

128 A.C

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

BLACKWATER BAY:

THE SEA WAS CALM in that morrow without any sudden waves to scare the royal family. It seemed really odd as targaryens to travel on a ship but the situation mainly involved Lucerys and Rhaenyra as a lawful mother, who cared about her son's parentage, wished to show everyone that she did not care about the stupid rumors, they were her children and hers only. Furthermore, Lucerys could finally stay on the deck and not feeling sick, mayhaps it was a miracle from the Gods, he will be The Lord of The Tides one day if this discussions will turn out in their favour. 

"Never thought I would find you here" Jacaerys laughed walking behind Lucerys and ruffling his brown locks. The younger Velaryon groaned pushing his brother's hands away from his well fixed hair, to made those brown locks look stand so perfect took very much of his time, even if the wind has already blown it.

"Things have changed while you were away" Luke smiled looking over his shoulder at his brother, Jacaerys was both shocked and amazed but proud above all, the little brother that has always been scared of the sea and reticent around most people. 

"I'm happy for you then" the firstborn cheered propping his hand on Luke's shoulder, the younger brother chuckled slightly darting his eyes back towards the calm waters. 

"You have not told me how were these last  years in the Stepstones? Enjoyed it or rather not?" Lucerys raised an eyebrow, he was yet to be 15 namedays in a moon or two but he knew Jace very well especially when he was trying to hide something. Jacaerys has been acting strange ever since he returned days ago, whenever asked he would give an simple answer or change the subject. 

"Luke-" Jace pulled his hand away, he was so tired of being questioned about the Stepstones, he had been into a war and won, done. Why was everyone so curios about it?

"Did you meet someone? A girl... named Mya?" the younger boy grinned crossing his arms to his chest, Jace's froze his face hot as fire and palms sweating as he clenched to the hilt of his sword. Jacaerys cursed in his mind, the next time he would see Bennar again would be the last time that man will posses a tongue, what a 'friend' spitting all the tea to Jace's brother. 

"Do not judge me. Also I am intrigued to know how do you know what it means" a four and ten namedays prince to be aware of such sinful behavior and act so calm about it. 

"After you had left, Daemon averted his attention towards me: sparring lessons, very strict routine... I HAD TO WAKE UP BEFORE THE SUN HAD EVEN RISEN! Anyways... one time he was late, extremely weird of him, so I went to his chancery: no one. I asked the guards and none of them had seen him that morning. I quitted and decided to go check on mother, but the door had been slightly opened... I heard noises? And my stupid ass pushed the door aside... IT WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA!" Lucerys groaned shaking his head as the same view of Daemon and his mother was still locked in his mindset. 

"And then mother held the conversation, didn't she?" Rhaenyra wished to raise her sons the right way, she would not repeat the mistakes his father did to her, how he neglected her until her own mother passed away, only then Viserys remembered he had a daughter and an heir. Furthermore she did not wish for her children to find out about desire the way she did, her sons would be good men who will know how to treat a woman. 

"Yes she did. It was long and absolutely disgusting" Lucerys gulped, repugnance very visible on his beautiful face as Jacaerys laughed tilting his head backwards.

"I'm certain you will not say this when it will happen to you" the eldest added with a smirk, all those years he held the same impression until it just happened, Jace was not entirely sure why the first time felt wasted, it didn't seem unique like his mother told him... only odd. 

"What did you feel when.... you know? This discussion is so stomach-turning oh gods..." the little prince sighed, he wanted to know for truth the suspicions roaming his mind all this time.

"Nothing actually" Jacaerys shrugged leaning his arms on the wooden ceiling bars of the deck, he regretted falling in the prisons of desire so easily, a prince of the Realm, an heir, would not comport himself as a total drunk fool who would only whore around. 

"That means you were only practicing for our sister then?" he did not want to say it out loud but it just simply slipped out of his mouth, Jacaerys's eyes widened while his cheeks turned into a soft shade of red.

"WHAT?!" Jace snapped, his face was as pale as snow, his pupils constricted and eyebrows raised. If Lucerys meant that as a joke then nobody was laughing, if not then Luke may be out of his minds to even think something so sinful and disgusting. 

Aside from their mother, Vellena was beautiful, perhaps the most graceful girl Jacaerys has ever met, if he thought it that did not mean sin, right? Vellena possessed a delicate nature, bashful with new people and always with her nose in a book, if Jace kissed the back of her palm or her cheek every time they've seen one another, if his embrace was somehow too long or tight that did not signified he madly desired her, surely? If Jace had always only with her at any feast they celebrated so no other man could lay his hands on her, did not denote jealousy. He was doing it to protect her because he knew how men were from his little ventures into the town near Dragonstone with some fellows from the King's Guard, especially if the men were drunk they were dangerous, Jace had seen it in Daemon before and his late father Laenor, though he acted calmer than most. 

"Oh stop pretending you don't know. I may be young but I'm not blind" Lucerys sighed with a hint of mockery, his suspicion turned out true and he could not be more proud of himself. 

"I'm not in love with Vellena" Jacaerys hissed, his brown eyes burning with rage, it was unacceptable for Lucerys to keep on with this conversation knowing well enough it wasn't true and moreover annoying. 

"BOYS! COME ON!" Rhaenyra called stepping out on the deck, the shore was right ahead of them and King's Landing was making its wonderful appearance. Jacaerys swallowed his last words before fixing his posture and forcing a smile towards his younger brother like nothing outrageous had been discussed.

"Now as we have returned, I want all of you to comport yourself as your status and manners require. No fighting, laughing when it isn't the right time or insults of any kind" the mother spoke checking each of her four children as they stood on the small bridge of the shore listening to her instructions. They knew it won't be their fault if anything bad shall to happen but the other side of this family will make everything in their power to make look like it was Rhaenyra's doing, but she will not give them that satisfaction. The Princess of Dragonstone was certain she had raised amazing sons who shall grow up into honest and kind Princes of the Realm. The carriage was awaiting for them at the end of the wooden bridge, one that will escort them to The Red Keep where they shall be received as properly and where their dangerous past is going to meet them again.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

THE RED KEEP:

Jocelyn Velaryon hasn't abandoned the Stormlands since she was first brought there maybe at eight namedays, the life with her uncle had been one of the greatest experience she has ever been through. At first, Jocelyn became scared that her mother was in a serious ill condition, that she will loose her the same way Laena left this world. It was a disastrous day when Jocelyn heard of her sister's funeral, she had locked herself up in her quarters and cried all day until her violet eyes dried out of tears, yet the heart still pained her.

"I'm glad you are back, aunt" Baela smiled stroking the girl's arms, Jocelyn laughed shaking her head before she looked over her shoulder to see an amused Targaryen young lady. Baela was well acquaintance with how infuriating this taunting was for Jocelyn, the two girls were very close in age so formality should be put aside, at least that is what Lady Jocelyn demanded of her niece. 

"You know how much I hate when you call me that" Rhaenys's youngest child groaned feeling rather smug by this attitude but she always found it hilarious in the end. Baela chuckled wrapping her arms around Jocelyn from aside and hugging the girl tightly, they had met only once when Jocelyn returned on High Tide to see her mother after Corlys left for the sea again. Their first interaction was quite hilarious, bumping into the other on the massive stone corridors of the castel, the silver-haired lady stood in awe when she saw Jocelyn's purple amethyst eyes, the similarity between hers and Rhaenys's was flawless, Baela tripped. Jocelyn possessed the Velaryon facial features except for the eyes, dark complexion and small height compared to the rest of her family.

"Tomorrow is a very important day, grandmother said" Jocelyn furrowed her eyebrows, confused of the matter Baela was implying. Jocelyn arrived the other day with no information but to be by her mother's side because Rhaenys needed her due to Corlys being terribly injured after his adventures on the sea. 

"Vaemond wants Driftmark for himself if grandsire would perish" Baela continued sitting down on the edge of the bed, she was concerned about what shall ensue on the morrow. She loathed Vaemond for daring to oppose the law and change an already settled succession. 

Jocelyn swallowed hard, the words striking direct to her heart, it felt like she was being cut into pieces and each one burnt by hot flames. 

"Apologies... I did not wish to say that..." Baela uttered embarrassment flowing in her cheeks at how sudden and abrupt her words came out. Even if Corlys had not showed much affection and was barely present in Jocelyn's life, he still remained her father, her keen and her blood. It was heartbreaking to think that she might lose him, they had no spend so much time together but Jocelyn would still feel an empty hole in her soul if he was to go.

"Don't apologize, please. I'm certain father will heal from his wounds in no time" Jocelyn forced a smile finally turning around and facing her niece, Baela fidgeted with her nails avoiding Jocelyn's gaze. Baela had always admired her young aunt, even if they rarely met, Jocelyn became the embodiment of perfection as the ages passed. Rhaenys adored her daughter, how intelligent, mannered and kind-hearted,moreover her beauty reminded Rhaenys of her mother Jocelyn Baratheon.  

So in order for Baela to make her grandmother proud, as her ward, she needed to be like Jocelyn. 

"I had wished to ask you about Rhaenyra and her children. I don't know why my mother does not have the best opinion of her and Daemon? That's his name?" Jocelyn asked swirling her brown locks between her fingers, Baela covered  her mouth to hide the hysteric laughter overcoming her.

"Daemon, yes. And he's my father. I can assure you, my stepmother and the future Queen is an amazing person, who raised wonderful boys and oh! her daughter Vellena is the best and beyond intelligent" Jocelyn hid her face in her palms out of embarrassment, totally forgetting that her late sister Laena was once married to The Rogue Prince Daemon Targaryen. 

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

OUTSIDE THE RED KEEP:

The yard was crowded with lords and ladies of the castel, but the rest looked exactly like when Vellena was a child who watched how her brothers were training with their uncles. Jacaerys led his youngest siblings towards the stairs, both boys held excited smiles on their face being finally 'home'. Vellena hiked her skirts up to walk down the stairs without tripping over the long fabric, she regretted picking an extra extended gown, red with a cotton cloak glued to her shoulders and a many feet long train that swept the dirt on the metal steps.

"Same shit as a decade ago" Vellena mumbled taking a footstep on the ground stained with mud and animal feces, her red flats were the newest of her shoes and her red gown was one of her favorite dresses to wear at occasion. 

In that moment Vellena missed the beach on Dragonstone more than ever, she could run all around the shore, play in the sand, reading a book near the clear sea and watching Silverwing scold Arrax every time the little dragon loosed his balance while flying. 

"Smaller than I remember" Luke checked around the yard, in truth he was the one too small back then and now as he had grown it looked different in his eyes. Vellena chuckled ruffling Lucerys's dark hair, his locks were wavy not curly like Jacaerys but still they were both as soft as a feather. As the only girl of the family, she usually felt responsible for braiding their hair and did it almost every evening while listening to Joffrey yapping about his day with Tyraxes in the pit, the first time he started the lessons, the little Velaryon prince did not stop screaming and running around the entire area of the room of the Painted Table. 

"See? I told you this would still be here. And you thought you could swing Criston's morning star. And you almost took your own head off" Jacaerys grinned rushing towards the wall with weapons hang on it, pointing at Cole's morning star. That mace helped Criston Cole become famous and accepted into King's Guard by beating The Rogue Prince in a tournament, all was written in the knight's book. 

Lucerys used to ask when he will be allowed to use the mace, but Cole only laughed and returned his attention back to the princes Aegon and Aemond, acting like Jacaerys and Lucerys were invisible on the 'battlefield', the young boys were lucky to have Harwin Strong who told them about some tricks but then... Daemon came and full field their wishes to be properly trained, but sparring with Daemon Targaryen?! was the nightmare nobody would ever wish for. 

"What's your problem?" Jacaerys asked while checking out a nice shaped sword, but he swiftly changed his mood noticing Luke's distress, Vellena pressed a soft kiss to his cheek while stroking his hands, she hated to see him feel so down. Lucerys leaned into her touch, the silk material tickling his cheek but he paid no attention, the warmth of his sister was too satisfying. Since they were little children of five and six namedays, Lucerys and Vellena held the closest and most sincere bond of all their siblings being only eleven moons apart. As the older sister, Vellena felt the need to take care of Luke the best she could, whenever Rhaenyra would attend her duties or stay with the babes. She would sacrifice anything to see or make Luke happy and smiley all day. 

"Everyone's staring at us" Vellena smiled innocently at his adorable comment, brushing few strands of hair up his forehead. 

"No one would question me being heir to Driftmark... if... if I looked more like Ser Laenor Velaryon than Ser Harwin Strong" Luke pulled away from his sister staring down with disappointment, Jacaerys paused hearing Luke talk about this sensitive topic especially with Vellena around. When he was young and understood what the whispers on the corridors meant, with the heartbreaking confirmation of his mother of course, Jace swore to never admit to his siblings the truth. Nevertheless, Lucerys grew up aswell and saw the differences, the features that differentiated him from his sister and mother. Jacaerys confirmed his suspicions and made Luke swear that Vellena will not know about their parentage her entire life. 

"It doesn't matter what they think" Vellena furrowed her eyebrows at her brothers' weird conversation, why would they bring Ser Harwin up so shyly? He was a very good friend to their mother, they should talk about him with respect and love, shouldn't they? 

"What do you mean?" the girl asked eye siding both her brothers, Jacaerys gulped glaring furiously at Luke who bit his bottom lip to hunk a laugh. 

The crowd's cheers and the sound of clashing swords was their salvation, both young men pretending to feel dragged to the other side of the yard with lords and ladies were watching a sparring fight closely. Vellena blinked realizing their strange behavior, she crossed her arms and followed after them with anger boiling inside her. 

The Princess froze beside her brothers seeing who were the two people fighting, as soon as she noticed the eyepatch on one of the silver haired boys, Vellena's stomach clenched. 

"Well done, my princes. You will win tournaments in no time, both of you" Criston Cole applauded walking into the circle created by the lords and ladies captivated by Prince Aemond's and Prince Daeron's sparring lesson.

"I don't give a shit about tourneys" Aemond blurted out making Daeron chuckle, aside from being grumpy and always acting like he knows everything, Aemond was actually quite fun if Daeron had patience enough. 

"Nephews. Niece. Come to train?" Jacaerys quickly grabbed Vellena's hand sensing how his sister started to tremble, Vellena's sight became blurred by the images of when the incident occurred, when she harmed her uncle to protect her brothers. Truth be told, she regretted it terribly, her comportment that night was wild and too rushed, now all Vellena could do was to pray for her family's safety. 

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

IN THE EVENING

Vellena stared at the fireplace in her quarters, it was odd to be back 'home' after so many years, yet the chamber had not changed a bit except for The Seven Pointed Star hanging above the fireplace. The Princess was still wearing the same gown, too lazy or too undecided of what to do, she had planned something very funny and forbidden while reading a book on the ship to King's Landing. 

Just like in Driftmark, Vellena will go explore the city and see how much it changed in her long absence. 

Vellena quickly put on her peasant clothes with a cute titfer to cover her silver locks so nobody would recognize the daughter of the Princess of Dragonstone, or'The Realm's Diamond', a name the people gifted her with. Carefully as ever, Vellena sneak outside her chambers closing the door without a loud sound and strolled through the corridors. Lucky that the castel was emptier than usual, mayhaps even the servants fell asleep after such a long tiring day because of Rhaenys's and Rhaenyra's arrival.

Just before she could take the left to reach the room of Balerion's skull and from there to sneak out through the tunnels, a hand grabbed her arm. 

"What do we have here?" Vellena groaned, angry with herself for being caught, the man moved his hand up to her head and took off her titfer, her silver hair falling down her shoulders tousled and shiny. Vellena finally glared up at the person bothering her plans, everything would have worked perfectly out if this man had minded his own way. 

"Vellena?" the boy asked surprisingly, he wasn't much older than her quite the same age as Jacaerys, silver curly hair and deep lilac eyes like her, he was much taller and had sharp features, his jawline pierced and nose bumpy. 

"How do you know my name? Who are you...?" Vellena breathed, her mind was spinning and searching for images of this stranger in front of her, she could have sworn they had met before, that they had talked and laughed and played with dragon toys, run through the Godswood giggling like little babes.

"DAERON—?!" Vellena quickly covered her mouth, her squeak of excitement too loud to draw more attention. The boy smiled, highly amused by her reaction of meeting again, when Daeron and Vellena were little children, they were inseparable, learning new words together and how to hold a feather before learning to write beautifully as royals must know. Unfortunately their little childhood friendship ended when Daeron was taken to ward at OldTown with his uncle Ser Gwayne Hightower. Vellena had forgotten about him with the ages passing, she was merely five or six when he departed, her memories too old to remember them now, only few fragments of evocation.

"In flesh and bones, sweetheart" Daeron smiled nodding proudly of his effect on Vellena, an effect he had on her since childhood. As a little girl, Vellena's only worry was that she will never have enough books and uncle Daeron's stupid attempts to compliment or kiss her cheek. 

"Wonderful, you're getting on my nerves again" the princess groaned passing by him like he was a ghost, Vellena did not have time to stay and be at his mockery, not when she was a grown up who could take care of herself. Furthermore, the city was waiting for her and she didn't need any distractions. 

"You want me to go and wake your mother up?" Daeron grabbed her arm just after she passed by him, Vellena rolled her lilac eyes and clenched her palm into a fist, whenever she would try to sneak away for the first time in a new place someone caught her like Addam back on Driftmark. 

"I'm going in the city. What's your problem?!"Vellena glared up at him with fire burning in her pupils, if she could breath fire she would totally burn his damn pretty face and wash that smile off his lips so easily. 

"A lady should not venture alone in the night. It's dangerous and you can get hurt or even worse" he bit back through gritted teeth, back in Oldtown, Daeron had learnt how to be a kind man to treat a girl the right way and help her out if needed. He thought Vellena would still be the same quiet shy girl with her nose always in books as he was used to, but now it looked like she was a complete different person, more confident and brave. 

"This lady can protect herself or have you forgotten who took your brother's eye out?" Daeron shook his head grinning wickedly, it was not a subject she should praise about or he should laugh about. Vellena has never felt proud about her attitude and doing that evening, if she could she would go back in time and prevent it in a way. Daeron was not on Driftmark when his older brother got terribly wounded, Daeron was sitting at his desk studying his high Valyrian and histories of the Targaryen family when the maester rushed into his quarters to hand him the ravens from his family in King's Landing, what he read was devastating. 

"Very good I should say. Now lead the way before I change my mind and Rhaenyra is going to find about your intentions tonight" Vellena huffed turning away from him and rushing towards the exit, the visit in the city are going to be the worst Vellena had ever had. Daeron ran after her and reached behind her before the exit so he placed Vellena's hair with her titfer. Being caught and surely angering her mother, it was better if Vellena will try to suffer him for a few hours, maybe with luck they will accidentally split and will not see each other until next day.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

IN THE CITY:

They arrived at an opened tavern after wandering through many streets and roads, accidentally seeing few intimate things which Vellena had less knowledge what they meant. Daeron found a good empty table for them, when they were asked if they wished for something, Vellena shocked her uncle by ordering two cups of wine. The surprise was even bigger when she alone drank both cups before ordering for another set of two, Daeron had tasted wine before and was well aware of the effects the drink had on the person especially on a weak woman who was drinking for the first time.

"You should stop, Vellena" Daeron reached for the fourth cup in her hand but Vellena had fast reflexes and held it far away from his reach using her extended arm while grinning widely, she was clearly drunk. 

"Vellena" the boy mumbled more sternly glaring at his niece, just before she got up and rushed outside the tavern pushing the door aside with a loud bang. The man that served them got really angry and shouted for the two people to come back to give him the money for their drinks. 

"CATCH ME!" she comported similar to a young child, running through the dark empty streets as fast as possible like she was in a race with her uncle. After many roads and dark corners, Vellena arrived at a strange place, naked men and women were dancing on a round stage while other men were going inside the door. Ignoring Daeron who finally reached behind her, Vellena walked towards that strange place. Daeron cursed realizing they arrived at a brothel out of all places and Vellena decided to explore. He followed closely after her until she stopped before a thin ripped curtain. 

"What are they doing?" Vellena whispered staring at the image in front of her: a man thrusting in and out from between a woman's legs while the woman's head was buried between another woman's thighs. The Princess felt a sting in her lower stomach watching them and especially hearing those weird somehow beautiful noises the three were making. Daeron averted his eyes and swallowed disgusted by the sight, he had never been to a brothel and never planned to attend to one all his life. 

"Vellena... we must leave... now..."  Daeron hissed, their situation was outrageous, absolutely ridiculous, if someone were to see them they were doomed, especially her. Vellena stepped forward and pushed aside the curtains but before taking another step, Daeron grabbed her arm and brought her figure back beside him. 

"What in the seven hells are you trying to do?" the boy snapped as low as possible, Vellena peeked up at him with confusion.

"I want to talk to them—" she whispered.

"WHAT. You can't talk to them... it's... ugh!" Vellena had the feeling that Daeron knew perfectly what was going on and she needed to know aswell. She noticed how the woman in between raised his head and leaned over her shoulder to kiss the man while one of her hand was doing something between the other woman's legs. 

Without any warning or word, Vellena stood up on her toes to glued her lips to Daeron's lips softly, before pulling shyly away to see his reaction. Daeron blinked stunned to stone after what happened, his breeches were incredibly tight because of the sounds surrounding him and now Vellena added to the flavor. He was tired and he had enough of this evening so he cupped Vellena's face softly, but her full red lips, innocent lilac sparkling eyes and clear shinny face were far too tempting. 

Daeron practically clashed his lips on hers, their wet lips touching the skin above their mouth, Vellena's cute attempt to try to part his lips with her tongue and he smiled against her lips stroking her cheekbones with her thumbs. 

Vellena moved her hand slowly up his shoulder kissing him back as passionate as she knew while Daeron involuntarily pushed her backwards until her back hit a cold stone wall. 

After they pulled away with heavy breaths and rosie cheeks, Daeron shook his head and clenching his palms into fists. 

"You're drunk, Vellena. We must go" he added averting his gaze from hers, she gulped feeling few tears of embarrassment overcoming her senses and she pushed past him running out of the brothel by her own. 

Chapter Text

129 A.C

~King's Landing~

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

THE RED KEEP
MORNING SUNRAYS FILLED HER CHAMBERS, the soft warmth of the light tracing across her cheek making her groan in annoyance and pull one of the pillows across her face to stop the morrow built its appearance. Vellena felt like crap, her head was spinning and her stomach hurt as if she had the flu all over again from childhood. She tried to open her eyes but it hurt even more to stare forward and make eye contact with the sunlight penetrating through the windows, her mind wandered to the previous night seeking memories from it but none came to mind. 

"Your grace?" Vellena rolled to the side, falling off the bed without realizing, a loud buff echoing in her quarters as her face perfectly hit the floor, she made an effort to sit up but her body was yet too tired and pulled her back to the ground.

"Princess, are you okay?" The servant asked again pressing on the door handle to come in, Vellena was powerless but she knew if someone were to see her in that state there will be questions and the answers are not going to be so pleasant. 

"Yes. I'm... still in bed. A book fell off my desk. I can get dressed myself, you may go" the princess said sleepily standing on her elbows, the small desk beside her table hadn't been cleaned in ages, the layer of dust covering its feet and corners was saying something about the handmaidens or rather about the one person who ordered them to ignore Rhaenyra's family's old chambers.

"You are awaited in the throne room, princess. The trial is about to begin" with those last words the servant left, her footsteps echoing through the corridors. Vellena cursed under her breath, today was an important day for her family, she returned to this full of shit place for her sweet baby brother, Lucerys needed her support at the hearing and she was looking like a mess on the floor of her bedchamber. Vellena forced herself to sit up, her sight was dizzy at first and her head was hurting as though knives had been shoved into it, last night was the first time she had put her hands on a cup of wine and this morning she could perfectly feel it through her entire body. Vellena will never indulge herself in such activities, that was for certain. 

Choosing a gown was the hard work of course, she wished to look beautiful like a princess should, like her mother always appeared with grace and confidence. After pushing and pulling many gowns, strangely almost all were green, Vellena picked a red one with linen patterns of blue waves, it was clutched with a small white waistband to her thin form, had long sleeves tight to the elbows and then widening to wrists in a trumpet shape, and had a flaring long skirt. She tied her hair in a small braid over the top of her head while the rest were loosed down her back.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

The throne room was filled with millions of lords and ladies, knights and guards, Vellena held her head high as she took each step with grace entering unnoticed. She found her family on the right side of the room, Lucerys was holding on Rhaenyra's hand for reassurance while Jacaerys seemed ready to burn anyone with his gaze, Daemon was there, Vellena not paying slight attention to him. She sneaked quietly behind Lucerys, her sweet brother jumping up at her mere touch on his shoulders, it broke her heart seeing him so nervous. 

"Lena... You scared me" Lucerys sighed, his hand on his chest trying to calm the fast heartbeat of his soul, Vellena narrowed cupping his face in her hands, he was taller than her now but not more than Jace.

"Everything will settle right. I promise you. Then when we return I still need to try that race again" Vellena mumbled rubbing her thumb over his cheekbone, Lucerys chuckled shaking his head even if Vellena tried Arrax will always be faster than Silverwing because he was smaller and younger. Rhaenyra brought Luke's hand to her lips and peppered two kisses on it while giving a hopeful nod, she will protect her, she will always keep her children safe, whatever it was needed to be done. 

"Why were you late?" Vellena furrowed at Jace's question, she didn't even have time to greet him properly only finding a spot to stay between him and their mother. 

"Gods, Jacaerys. I fell asleep..." she shrugged it off, avoiding to look in the opposite direction where Queen Alicent Hightower and her children were silently observing, yet Vellena could feel a different pair of eyes watching her and it made her cheeks turn rosy pink. 

"You don't sleep so much because you hate sleeping" Jacaerys hissed leaning against her, his shoulder tugging at hers. He was correct in all of his words, since she started reading Vellena despised the times a maid or her mother would advise her to go to bed. Vellena would cry and plead to be left to stay up for just a bit until she would finish the book she had begun reading, and Rhaenyra would disagree right away knowing how important sleeping was for little children so she always said no, making Vellena cry even louder, the cries would stop whenever she would be happily cradled in her 

"Some things have changed while you were away" her words exactly like Luke's cut straight into him. Vellena was right, he had been gone for three years, fighting the pirates on his grandsire's behalf and sometimes liking it so much that he forgot about home. They had exchanged letters by raven but he was the one to reply less often being so caught of by the feeling of war, of winning that he pushed everything else aside. She had grown, beautifully into a magnificent woman, Vellena was taller, not than him of course, maybe even thinner with full breasts and sharp jaw. He darted his eyes away slightly ashamed, after lingering them too much on the cleavage of her gown. The trial was about to begin as Ser Otto made his way up to the iron throne, King Viserys was too ill to attend today. 

"Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters. The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon" Otto spoke with pride, seeming a bit too comfortable on the chair made of swords. All of it was a political scheme and Vellena was no fool as she rolled her eyes at his words. She glanced around the room seeing her grandmother with Baela made her smile, even if Rhaenys was focused on the trial she returned the smile along with Baela. But in between them was a girl Vellena had never met, dark brown hair like her brothers and grandmother and lilac eyes like her with chocolate Velaryon skin. 

"Have you seen her before?" Vellena muttered to her brother, Jacaerys furrowed his eyebrows spotting the unknown girl, she looked innocent fidgeting with her nails, she was smaller in stature than many people in the room, wearing a gown in darker shade of blue than Vellena's, part of her hair tied in a bun while the rest of the locks descended her chest. 

"I don't think so" he whispered tucking some curls off his forehead before straightening his posture. Vaemond walked forward bowing to the Lord Hand and the Queen Alicent, Jacaerys scowled pushing his tongue against his cheek, Vaemond's words making his stomach twist. 

"The history of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their kind. Our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name. I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin, his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins" Vaemond inquired proudly speaking of treason, of putting himself before the rightful heir, before a settled succession well known by the entire realm. 

"As it does in my children, the offsprings of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition" Vellena felt a sting in her heart at the mention of her father, she inhaled sharply pushing away any tears threatening her eyes as she glared at Daemon. 

My father is dead because of you...

"You will have the chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard" Alicent interrupted with a piercing tone, Vellena moved her gaze towards the Queen catching sight of her children: Helaena beside her possessing the same kind eyes, the one next to her was supposed to be Aegon even if he seemed more dead than alive, behind Helaena there was Aemond whose eye would not tear away from her direction, Vellena could only grin at him. Daeron bit his tongue to stop any laugh coming from his mouth, it was hilarious knowing that from an early age his niece had humiliated and hurt him, Daeron knew he should not find it funny but he did. 

"What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours" Vaemond faced Rhaenyra, his snap harsher than it should. Vellena backed off a little, she had thought herself to be brave and confident because she had Targaryen blood, she was a dragon, descended of Old Valyria, yet still the princess carried the fear of men within her. From an early age, Vellena began to be scared of adults, of knights, of the darkness, that is why she discovered solace in books and rather stayed in the library all night with a candlelight on the table. 

"Vel...?" Jace gazed down searching her lilac eyes, Vellena's breath hitched as she stared at the Velaryon Lord in front of them keeping on with his words, she would never overcome that dull fear, which only little children possess. Jacaerys found her wrist, his fingers circling it as he slowly pulled her to his side, Vellena's lilac orbits were not moving, her chest rising and falling rapidly in a sort of panic attack. 

"Vellena... look at me..." his voice was reaching her little by little like a distant echo in her own mind until he slid his hand down and intertwined her fingers with his. The Princess shook her head as the reality crept in, she looked down at their hands sensing a touch of calmness in her body, she sighed leaning her head on his shoulder mumbling an apology, Jacaerys kissed the top of her head to soothe the fears away. 

It was finally Rhaenyra's turn as she stepped in the middle of the hall, her hands folded to her front as she pledged the matter at hand.

"If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very..." 

The doors opened in an instant as Vellena's grandfather, sick, weak and looking similar to a dead man, walked in supporting himself on his long cane. 

"King Viserys of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm". Everyone was speechless as the ill king made his way towards the throne, some knights wished to help him but Viserys pushed them away until his crown fell off after climbing one stair. 

"I said I'm fine" the King spatted tiredly but at the sudden realization that the person standing by his side was his dear brother, Viserys felt peace. 

"Come on" Daemon urged holding his arm as they took the next three stairs, Viserys sat on the throne before his brother placed the golden crown of The Old King upon his head, it fitted perfectly. 

"I must... admit... my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession" Viserys spoke, his breathing heavy and thin, Alicent's face dropped knowing her and Otto's plan was never going to work. Vellena watched her grandfather with a sense of pity for the old man who once read her stories and held her on his lap while watching her brothers train. 

"The only one present... who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys" Jocelyn stirred at the call of her mother, she had never seen the king or the royal family and it scared her to the bone. Rhaenyra and her children turned their gazes towards Rhaenys, only hope in their eyes that the woman will do what is right. 

"Indeed, Your Grace" the old princess stepped forward and bowed with respect, her heart broke at the sight of her dear cousin. 

"It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son... Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him" Rhaenys continued before glancing at her daughter for a moment, initially she wished to surprise Jocelyn and somehow make her the new heir to Driftmark but deep down it was not right for her late children and Rhaenys knew that well. 

"As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her son Luke to Lord Corlys's granddaughter, Baela" Lucerys's breath hitched as he glanced towards Rhaenys's side, Baela gave him a gentle smile making him slightly blush. The lady was so different than any other, Baela was wild and fearless like her father with silver curly hair, lilac eyes and deep chocolate Velaryon skin, it would be a very interesting match. 

"A proposal to which I heartily agree" Rhaenys added with a smile. As long as her daughter's legacy was secured, Rhaenys would concede any decision of the king or the princess Rhaenyra even if she was the reason her son was dead.  

"Well... the matter is settled. Again. I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides" Viserys announced weakly and panting, he could not speak more than few words in a phrase without stopping to take a deep breath.

Rhaenyra smiled at her sweet son, Lucerys could finally breath as the matter of his inheritance was finally resolved. Vellena winked at her brother, she had told him before that everything will turn out just perfect and of course she was right as usual. Jacaerys watched the beautiful interaction between his younger siblings, the ones he will always protect and love more than anything, unconsciously tightening his grip around Vellena's hand but the princess didn't seem to notice. 

"Also I wish to announce something more. As everyone should know, two days ago was Princess Vellena's sixteenth nameday and to honor her there is to be a tournament at Maiden Pool two days from now. I have invited every lord of the realm to participate and maybe win my granddaughter's heart" Vellena's lilac eyes widened at the king's words, why would someone win her heart after a tournament? It was pathetic and childish but as everyone knew: any man would kill 2000 more for the princess's royal cunt... except for Vellena, too innocent and still with her mind buried in books. She looked towards Alicent and her children, the Queen was red with anger, the king would remember his grandchildren but never his other children, it was always Rhaenyra. Daeron grinned at Vellena, the images from the other night still fresh in his head, Vellena was not like any other girl he had spoken before, she was different in a way he enjoyed. He would win the fucking tourney and her heart even if it meant hurting his own brothers. 

"You break law... and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me... who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No. I will not allow it" Vaemond snapped stepping forward in the middle of the hall. His initial aim was to push away the bastard of Rhaenyra Targaryen and make himself the heir of Driftmark. 

"Allow it? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond" Viserys uttered angrily, no lord would dare to have the courage to oppose him, only fools would posses such a thick head. 

"That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine" the lord barked pointing towards Lucerys, Vellena gripped Jace's cloak, she felt small and exposed once again, just like when she was a little girl, when she would hide in the library with her books away from the strange looks of the lords and ladies, away from the shadows and nightmares of The Red Keep, away from the Green Queen and her sharp eyes. 

"Vellena, I'm here. I'm here, haeder" Jace whispered taking her hand again, he knew his sister's panics and fears, sometimes Jacaerys would think of Vellena as a cup of glass who must be attentively taken care of, if he would drop the glass it would break into millions of pieces that cannot return to the initial form. 

"Go to your chambers. You have said enough"  Rhaenyra said noticing Vellena panicking and Lucerys being scared once again, Vaemond was way too confident with his words that were unwisely used. 

"Lucerys is my true-born grandson. And you... are no more than the second son of Driftmark" The King spoke reminding Vaemond of his status, he was tired of the disrespect towards his first daughter and her children, it was his decision to make her the heir and people must accept it whether they wish or not. 

"You... may run your house as you see fit... but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides. And gods be damned... I will not see it ended on the account of this..."the word was at the top of his tongue, he had to spill it out, Vaemond must be bold and embarrass himself in front of the court. 

"Her sons... are bastards! Her daughter... is a witch! And... she... is... a whore!" Vellena shut her eyes trying her best to not burst out crying, she was after all a woman grown, it would be degrading for a princess to shed tears. For many she was believed to be weird or suffering because all she did was to read or hide away, if she were a man everyone would applaud, she is a woman so people call her a sorceress. 

"I... I wish... to leave. Please" Vellena muttered gazing into her brother's eyes, she was shaking from head to toe, Jacaerys nodded right away never seeing her so afraid.

"I... will have your tongue for that" Viserys spoke weakly taking out his dagger. Jacaerys leaded Vellena behind the lords and ladies gathered in the Great Hall, they didn't even reached the door when the sound of a the sword cutting through flesh got to her ears. Vellena glanced towards where Vaemond was supposed to be, instead seeing half of his head on the floor and a lake of blood around his body while Daemon was clearing his sword Dark Sister. 

The Princess screamed in terror, all the people turning their heads in her direction, Jacaerys embraced Vellena, burying her face into his shoulder to calm her down. 

"Shhh.... nothing happened. Let's get you to bed. Come on" Jace whispered kissing her temple before lifting her in his arms, she was still feather-light just like when she was a child. Vellena had her fingers clenched around his collar and her chin rested on his shoulder like a little babe carried by its parent, her lilac eyes were glued to the image in the Great Hall while her sobs were slowing down little by little. 

Not long after Vellena and Jace's leave, King Viserys's illness took over him aswell, The Queen Alicent had the guards to help him to his quarters and the Maester to give him more milk of the poppy for the insufferable pain. Many believed it was unwise for Viserys to organize a tournament in such short time, but what would a grandsire do to spend his final moments with his only granddaughter and favorite grandchild. Viserys saw so much of Rhaenyra in Vellena and as always, he would do anything for them. 

:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*: