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Rating:
Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of ViolenceMajor Character Death
Category:
Gen
Fandoms:
House of the Dragon (TV)Warhammer Fantasy
Characters:
Ikit ClawRhaenyra TargaryenJacaerys VelaryonLucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Baela TargaryenRhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Daemon TargaryenCorlys "The Sea Snake" VelaryonHelaena TargaryenAddam VelaryonBackground & Cameo CharactersSilverwing | Alysanne Targaryen's DragonOriginal CharactersJoffrey Velaryon
Additional Tags:
Crack Treated SeriouslyCanon-Typical ViolenceThe Dance of the Dragons | Aegon II Targaryen v. Rhaenyra Targaryen EraAlternate Universe - Canon DivergenceCanonical Character DeathCharacter Turned Into a HumanIkit got isekai'd as Jace's twinSkaven Species (Warhammer Fantasy)Death to all GreensHuman ExperimentationScience ExperimentsIkit is his own warningSilverwing still has shit taste in male ridersPOV MultipleBackground RelationshipsBackground Character Deathshow canon onlyDragon RidersAnimal AbuseIkit is an abusive dragonriderTho he's fairly mellow compared to his SkavenselfGood Parent Rhaenyra TargaryenNo beta we die like LucerysDysfunctional FamilyCannibalismBlood and TortureCanon-Typical BehaviorBAMF Helaena Targaryen
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English
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Published:2026-02-26Completed:2026-04-22Words:181,492Chapters:55/55Comments:1,270Kudos:749Bookmarks:159Hits:33,636
The Rat Prince of Westeros
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 7: Corlys
Chapter Text
Vaemond's voice carried across the shore of Driftmark, easily heard over the rhythmic sound of waves pushing against the shore and rocks. It was of ancient burial words, speaking of the Merling King and how Laena, ashes bound within the carved coffin, was to return to the tides upon the Seat of the Sea. Salt was thrown upon the coffin as the rites came to an end, rope pulling it towards the waiting mouth of the sea below.
Corlys barely heard any of it.
Next to him was Rhaenys, clad in black with a flowing silk veil to match, with a crying Baela and Rhaena tucked to her sides. The rest of the royal family was in attendance, Rhaenyra and her sons with Laenor, as with King Viserys and his children, wife and Lord Hand. The wind was fresh, bringing the scent of the sea and Corlys tensed as Daemon's started to laugh as the rites came to an end.
He never understood why Laena chose to break her initial betrothal to the son of the Sealord of Braavos and instead run off to wed the Rogue Prince. And watching Daemon giggling to himself as Laena's casket was sent into the sea just continued with such a bafflement.
At the very least he had his granddaughters Rhaena and Baela from the union, even if it hardly soothed the wound of losing his daughter at such a young age.
The burial now done Corlys followed the progression to one of the great stone balconies, where they were gathered to mourn. Pavilions were set up, along with food and drink. So many in black and silver, even if Corlys noted how the queen was in her green just like her children. No sense of mourning or respect from her, not that he expected any. Even now Alicent seemed more preoccupied with giving Rhaenyra snide looks than stopping her son from harassing the serving maids.
Corlys however was a man of the sea; he had seen many lives lost when his ships were assailed by corsairs, he'd fought with Daemon and his son within the Stepstones so death and loss was not new to him. The loss of Laena hurt yet he knew he must forge forward.
He made his way through the throng of mourners and well wishers, nodding at the king from where he sat, and eventually found his second eldest grandson.
Ikit was in silver and blue, Velaryon colours, and out of all Corlys's grandchildren he fit the hue the best. As if it was indeed his and always had been, far more than the Targaryen red and black. He was leaning against the stone balustrade, green eyes unfocused as he looked out over the bay. His features were far too serious for a lad who had not even passed ten namedays, his blue cloak flapping in the cold sea wind.
Corlys hesitated before approaching. Ikit, out of all of Rhaenyra's children, looked like her the most. A near transfixing beauty, which is what gained Rhaenyra her nickname 'the Realm's Delight'. Even his strange eye colour and sharp front teeth simply exacerbated such a thing. He knew his grandson had no use for comfort, even from such a young age he disliked affection, physical touch. Even after so many years he only tolerated it from his mother and siblings and so Corlys did not try to comfort him as he would Baela or Rhaena.
"Both my seat and High Tide will be yours one day, Ikit," Corlys spoke plain and true, ignoring pleasantries. "Your twin brother Jacaerys will be king of course, yet he'll sit on endless councils and ceremonies while Lord of the Tides rules the sea. With Laena's passing...it is coming close to the time you will learn your future duties. To read the stars and man the ships and then you will go on grand adventures as I have. I was only sixteen when I became captain. I think you will be much like myself."
Ikit eyed him with those bright eyes, gleaming like jewels and Corlys could almost swear they were glowing as the boy asked, "And what of Laenor?"
"My son..." Corlys shut his eyes, pinching at the bridge of his nose before forging forward, "He lacks a sense of duty. I believe, even at your age, you understand such a thing in a way he refuses to."
"I would like to see-explore other places," Ikit admitted, tapping his fingers on the stone he was leaning against. "This place, all of it, is so...mundane. I hear those across the sea have much more magic, much more knowledge for myself to learn. To make-create my own, to discover lost secrets. Nothing happens here. Boring, dull."
"I took my own great voyages in my youth," Corlys encouraged. "I traveled to Lys, Tyrosh, Pentos, and Myr. I sailed across the north, through the Shivering Sea and visited the port of Ibben. I crossed through the Summer Sea and saw Volantis, the first daughter of Valyria. You can do much the same, you can see the world as Lord of the Tides."
"Did you see-witness Old Valyria?"
"No," Corlys's tone was blunt and harsh.
Ikit was not offended, simply saying, "I want to see it. See the monsters-beasts within. Pry the secrets from the dead as all say Valyria was the greatest of them all."
"That place is not fit for the living," Corlys scolded. "Anyone who has ventured there has vanished. Only one returned, Princess Aerea Targaryen. When she tamed Balerion she failed to control him and thus he returned to his old home as the last living being who had witnessed Valyria in its glory before the Doom swallowed it. It was a year before the Black Dread returned with a stricken Aerea clinging to his back. She died shortly after, but not before foul creatures had been birthed beneath her skin and boiled her alive from the inside. Balerion, the greatest dragon to have ever lived, was also injured upon the isle by some fearsome beast. It was why King Jaehaerys passed the law forbidden anyone to venture to such a cursed place. Any Westerosi who visited Valyria would be executed."
"Den mother will be queen, she will never execute me."
Corlys did not argue that. Instead he tried a different tactic, "But Old Valyria is not the only place where magic still thrives. Qohor, also known as the City of Sorcerers, is one such place to satiate your thirst for knowledge. They are the only place left that knows how to morph Valyrian steel, to reform it into something new. And then there are places like Asshai by the Shadow, Leng, the empire of Yi Ti. There is so much out to explore, young grandson. If you take your place as future Lord of the Tides you can explore them all, bring home riches beyond compare. You are like myself, like Laena. You have a wanderlust, you wish to explore and see the world and so you can."
He paused, glancing around and noting how no one was paying them attention. Rhaenys was in the distance, comforting Baela and Rhaena, while Daemon was over by the opposite edge. The king was in discussion with Ser Harrold and he could not spot Rhaenyra nor Laenor.
"And once the time of mourning is done," Corlys put a hand on Ikit's shoulder, leaning down to say quietly, "Your cousin, Rhaena, will attempt to tame her late mother's dragon."
"Vhagar," Ikit's eyes narrowed.
"Yes. The last of the Conquest beasts," Corlys nodded. "And if she fails, if Vhagar refuses her, then you may try. She belongs to us, House Velaryon."
"You think she will refuse-reject the girl thing?"
"I think..." Corlys began tactfully before taking in a breath and continuing, "That Vhagar is a well seasoned war beast. Rhaena is delicate, soft spoken and sweet. Perhaps Vhagar will be charmed by her gentleness. Perhaps not. And if my granddaughter does claim her, then there is also two others upon the Dragonstone isles untamed for you to try. Vermithor and Silverwing."
House Velaryon had lost a great position with Laena's passing as Vhagar had been a grand status for them and they were weakened by Laena's death. And Laenor...he was acting a drunken fool at his sister's funeral and even before hand he had long ignored Corlys's demands to settle into his position as Lord of the Tides, to actually be a captain. Ikit however, was exemplary in his intelligence and desire for information, for valuables, for knowledge, for artifacts. He would excel with forging his own great voyages, even if he did such a thing upon dragonback.
"I should have a dragon," Ikit seemed to contemplate that, expression thoughtful.
"You will have a dragon," Corlys assured him. "You simply have to take it, as your birthright. Just as your mother claimed Syrax at seven. At how Laena claimed Vhagar at twelve. At how your grandmother, Rhaenys, claimed Meleys at thirteen."
A parting squeeze to his shoulder and Corlys retreated. Ikit would succeed to tame a dragon, he just knew. The boy had a streak of steel within in, unbending and harsh, yet that was what was needed to sail the seas. The ocean was vicious, beautiful and merciless and the foreign people across the narrow sea could be just the same. While he hoped Rhaena would claim Vhagar, to honour her mother, he knew if she failed then Ikit would not.
Corlys then spent his time interacting with his kin, speaking to fellow mourners and sharing stories of his daughter and her antics. It would do no good to dwell upon her death, instead as any sailor was wont, he would celebrate her life. Even if Laenor seemed intent on ruining it, being drunk and belligerent until Corlys had to order him to his rooms like a misbehaving child.
By then night had fallen, with the king retreating to his guest chambers and soon many others followed as the chill of darkness enveloped them.
Corlys, after doing his duties as host in thanking the guests and attendees, retreated to his private chambers. Rhaenys was already awaiting him, the fireplace lit with all other braziers and candle-holders cold. The fluttering light within the hearth made her hair glow gold.
Corlys watched his wife for a long moment as she stared at the flames before he walked past and served himself from wine from the side table. It was lukewarm but he made himself drink it. He didn't even taste how bitter it was. Outside was the ever distant sound of the sea, eternally throwing itself against the stones surrounding the castle.
"She wanted to come home and he denied her. She wanted to be here, in Driftmark, yet Daemon refused," Rhaenys suddenly spoke from her place before the fire.
"He did what he thought best," Corlys sighed, putting down his empty cup. Before him upon the wall was an ancient tapestry, so salted from the sea air he couldn't even make out its original pattern.
"Laena needed our maesters."
"The same maesters that cut open Queen Aemma?" Corlys found himself all but snapping as he turned.
His words made Rhaenys fall silent.
"You are looking to place blame for an act of the gods," Corlys forced his voice to gentle, trying to shake off a flare of anger. A death like Laena, there was no one to demand vengeance from. There was no one to blame. Birth was its own battle and Corlys knew there was a reason Rhaenys never had more children, just like her mother Jocelyn. One birth was enough and for many women it would take them anyway.
Rhaenys meanwhile let out a mirthless laugh, "Mayhaps the gods have scorned us for our insatiable pride."
"The crown was yours until those fools at the Great Council plucked it from your head!"
It was an old argument and one they spoke the same words at each time. Rhaenys bitter and resigned, Corlys bitter and furious. Rhaenys should have been queen. That Grand Council was theft of her crown. She was the only living child of the heir yet King Jaehaerys foolishly overlooked her. Not once, but twice. Queen Alysanne was right in calling out her husband, in scolding him for refusing Rhaenys. It was her right. Just as Rhaenyra was to be Viserys's rightful heir but King Jaehaerys being so weak, in letting the lords of Westeros believe they had any right to chose who would take the Iron Throne, let the likes of Alicent and Otto and the Hightower ilk hiss and whine in the dark.
Their argument ended the same way. With both angry and tired and spent.
"I want legacy, Rhaenys," Corlys finally said, after they had sat and stared at the fire in silence for a long heartbeat as the last angry words faded into nothing. "Once I am gone, once we are both gone, that is what will remain. What the seeds we had planted, sowed and saw brought to harvest for each generation after."
"You saw Laenor today, saw how he acted," Rhaenys said. "He has constantly run from his duties. Even from his own children, he has neglected them."
"He loves them-"
"I never said he doesn't," Rhaenys retorted, quick as a whip. "But he will not be a lord. At least not one who will seek a future of our House. Even now he doesn't comfort his children, or his nieces. Instead he drinks and curses and has run away for his...companion to fetch and now has to be locked in his rooms like a lowborn drunkard. That he disgraces his wife so openly, in front of their children..."
Corlys sighed. It was a harsh truth which he could not deny. He had asked Laenor to take his duties as future Lord of Driftmark seriously many times before, to come back home and learn the ships and be a captain. A leader, a lord. Yet he has been ignored time and again and a part of Corlys knew it would never happen.
"I spoke to Ikit," Corlys said instead. "He is wanting to travel, to explore the seas. I believe he will be far more amendable. Perhaps we can even ask the princess if we can begin to foster Ikit upon Driftmark, so I can oversee his training personally. He will need to learn the ships, the air, the tides, the people. The sooner the better, even if he's so intelligent I would not be surprised if he already knew such a thing," Corlys finished with a wry twist to his mouth.
Rhaenys nodded, propping her chin up on a fist, "Ikit needs guidance. Rhaenyra adores her children, whatever criticism her enemies may whisper about her even they cannot speak ill of her mothering. But I fear she has been too soft. Ikit is...he has a ferocity to him that needs guidance, that needs to be directed. It almost reminded me of how Meleys eyed me at our first meeting. Dragons need a firm hand. Ikit needs a firm hand, which Rhaenyra will not give. Learning about his future station will be just what he needs. We can place him upon the right path for lordship."
"I agree. Ikit needs to be nurtured. He is advanced, incredibly intelligent and from what we've heard defeated Ser Criston Cole in the sparring ring, yet I have seen what can come of that when they have nothing to test themselves upon. I fear the boy may seek other outlets," Corlys said. At the very least Ikit seemed withdrawn with his interest, not prone to lashing out or harassing others, unlike Aegon who was already known for bothering maids with his attention. Corlys highly doubted the boy's betrothal to his sister Helaena would stop it, instead it would just leave the girl in misery.
"I also think that we should also approach Rhaenyra in potential future betrothals for the children, if it goes well we can declare them to the king and all in attendance before the next day is gone," Rhaenys said, eyes narrowed as she studied the fire within the hearth.
"For Baela and Rhaena?" Corlys asked.
Rhaenys nodded, "Velaryon and Valyrian, we must remain united. Baela betrothed to Jacaerys, to be his future queen. And Rhaena for Ikit, perhaps her gentleness is what he needs. The boy is resistant to company and will need to learn to be personable. And if he fails to learn such a thing, then Rhaena can be his mouth."
"And also need to prepare Rhaena to approach a dragon," Corlys said, reaching out to take Rhaenys's hand. "Once the mourning period is done, she can try with Vhagar. Hopefully the old beast will be amendable."
Rhaenys squeezed his hand back, her expression still grieving but prepared to continue on. "Very well. We can seek an audience with Rhaenyra in the morning and if the gods are good we can declare the matches at lunch. Wresting Ikit from her may be more difficult but if she doesn't agree then I feel the boy himself with ask for it."
"He wants to see the world," Corlys agreed.
They exchanged a few more words yet their conversation was done and agreed upon. The hour was late and soon they retreated to their chambers to sleep. Of course fate would not wait for them as they were awoken only some time later, a frantic servant bearing news of a bloody fight between children.
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