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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
Language:
English
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Published:2026-02-26Completed:2026-04-22Words:181,492Chapters:55/55Comments:1,270Kudos:749Bookmarks:160Hits:33,651
The Rat Prince of Westeros
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 15: Rhaenys
Chapter Text
It was now a year that Prince Ikit Velaryon had left Westeros and no one had seen hide nor hair of him.
Rhaenys was sitting at one of the balconies of the keep, overlooking the bustling wharf and docks of Driftmark. Corlys was with her, leaning against the stone overlook. Rhaenys took the goblet from the small table, taking a sip of the cool wine. The weather was clear and sweet, a few clouds streaking the blue sky with the winds mild.
"You stare any harder and your face may crack, dear husband," Rhaenys said, idly tracing the lip of the goblet.
"Not even a single letter," Corlys muttered. But he pushed himself away from the balcony, coming to join her by the table. "If he just sent word...For all we know he is dead within the east and has been for months now. We would never know."
"Silverwing is the third largest of all the Targaryen dragons. A dragon dying is a sight none would fail to speak of, and we have received word of none such thing in Essos."
"Yet still, silence."
Rhaenys sighed, taking another sip from her goblet. She had done several visits to Braavos and Pentos with Meleys in the months after Ikit's disappearance, using the very poor excuse of trade and negotiation talks but in actuality to seek any information for her wayward grandson. There were some mutters and words, but most she got were claims of a dragon spotted at Norvos, Qohor and then even further to Saath near the Shivering Sea. A part of her wanted to pursue even further, to snap the boy out of whatever mad fantasy he had, but Daemon had spoken her out of it.
"The boy will not return without a fight," he had counseled her, when Rhaenys returned from her first trip to Braavos. "He will never forgive it if you attempt such a thing. I know better than anyone. He loves his family now even with abandoning them, let it remain that way and he will return one day."
Rhaenys had unhappily accepted that, resigned that if she did come across Ikit she would speak plain and true but with no intent to return him home. Still, in Meleys saddle bag she kept a bundle of letters written by Rhaenyra and her sons, including one from the princess speaking of the newest addition to the family. Despite all the stress and grief Rhaenyra gave birth to a healthy baby boy a month after Ikit's flight from the Whispers, to which she named Aegon.
Apparently Alicent had taken offense to the name when she heard as if she, a Hightower, had any right whatsoever to Targaryen history and the names of their kings and as if her son, Aegon the Older as many would say to differentiate the two, was in anyway worthy of a name considering the foul whispers Rhaenys had heard coming from the Red Keep.
Worthless, just like the woman who spoke them. Rhaenys took another sip of her wine and briefly thought of fire and blood.
"He won't appear just from you glaring at the sea," she said said, pushing her violent thoughts aside. "At the very least sit while the merchant ships make port instead of you looming over them all."
Corlys unhappily joined her, even if he drank as if he was at a tavern and making her give him a sidelong look.
"There is a far difference between ten years and sixteen," Corlys grumbled after he drained his goblet. "I had my crew with me when I set sail as a captain. He has-"
"A dragon," Rhaenys reminded.
"One he had only bonded with for nary a month."
"And yet that bond is unbreakable. Silverwing will take no other while he lives. The boy is smart, Corlys. Smart, cunning, resourceful and, here, he was bored. He must slate his impulses across the narrow sea. That thirst for magic and knowledge cannot be denied."
"How many years could that take? Essos is immense, even upon dragonback. It could be decades."
"I would only hope it isn't that many years," Rhaenys finally managed to say. "Even if we now know there was a reason why Ikit brought Lucerys so oft with him here, he had this planned for some time."
She found herself missing her most temperamental grandson. He was volatile and crass yes, but also extremely intelligent and interesting. If poked the right way the conversations they could get in together were always fascinating. Most of her issue had been understanding his way of speaking. Some would dismiss him as stupid, due to the shorter or cut off way he would speak but Rhaenys knew that was a complete lie. He was intelligent, absurdly intelligent in so many things she could not begin to understand.
Both her and Corlys were old enough to have met others like Ikit- ones that could seem simple yet that held a grand skill or smarts behind it. One maester at the Citadel was all but mute, the man barely speaking a handful of words over the decades yet none other could paint as he, and was the greatest illustrator for their works with the libraries. Another was a septa who could remember near every single thing in life, and could perfectly recall a books page and recite it even if it had been a simple glance. Strange people, yet it never made them stupid even if she knew some fools met Ikit and would mistakenly believe that of him.
Instead it was like he shortened his words simply to get to the point quicker. He had snapped that once at a sailor, when the man had made the mistake of mocking him when Rhaenys had been walking with Ikit and Luke on the docks of Spicetown.
"You know what I say, stupid one," Ikit had snapped at the man which a ferocity to rival Corlys. "What-what does it matter if the words are shorter, said twice? Or I say things instead of names? You know what I say and if you don't then you are the idiot, not me."
Rhaenys had also sternly told off the man, who then got a harsh clip about the ear by his captain. And that had made Rhaenys understand Ikit a bit better. The way he spoke was off putting, yet he was understood. He may not speak 'proper' yet she knew what he said. The nicknames, the doubled terms, it didn't matter. It simply made sense to Ikit and everyone else had to abide as they could understand it as well. And, a part of Rhaenys guessed, it was a good way to make people underestimate him.
And his family had as well, despite all the signs that were there. Rhaenys supposed a part of her was intentionally ignorant, as well as Corlys, until Ikit was gone. Lucerys accompanying his brother, Ikit's extremely vocal refusal of his betrothal to Rhaena and instead continuing to tell Luke to take her. It was obvious now he had been positioning Lucerys to step into his position for Lord of the Tides as he intended to leave Westeros.
It had also taken a month after Ikit left for Luke to confess his knowledge of the odd green glowing stone his brother had, which the boy had forgotten about when his older brother then tamed Silverwing. For a moment Rhaenys thought Luke had been talking of wildfire, but apparently it was an enchanted amulet his brother had. Or forged? It was hard to understand and Lucerys himself didn't seem to understand it and could barely recall the conversation beyond Ikit's broken dragon egg being the catalyst.
Rhaenys and Daemon theorized the egg had somehow bound magic into the amulet, to turn it into raw magic in a means of alchemy. How he provoked such a transformation to begin with, she did not understand, and even Daemon hadn't encountered something like that before. Closest was glamour spells he had experienced across the narrow sea, those that were bound to amulets or article of clothing to change ones appearance but even that did not seem to fit with the green stone Ikit had. Lucerys did mention Ikit's prayer to a 'Great Horned One' which Rhaenys had indeed heard Ikit mention before and she believed he was speaking of one of the gods of Old Valyria as many of their effigies depicted the deities with draconic horns.
So perhaps he did feel drawn east, not just by his own mind but by something more ancient, but like the rest of her family she could only hope he did not go near the Smoking Sea. Even when Daemon and Laena traveled Essos the most they did was witness the churning ocean around the broken peninsula they did not dare to breech it.
Rhaenys could only hope her grandson was wise enough to follow suit, especially since his absence was still sorely felt.
It had taken Jacaerys nearly three months to go back to speaking to his mother, the boy blaming Rhaenyra for her inability to return his twin back to Dragonstone. Rhaenys ended up offering to let Jace stay with her and Corlys at Driftmark until his temper cooled, to which the Realm's Delight unhappily accepted as she recovered from the birth. Baela came as well, moreso to keep Jace company while Joffrey, Rhaena and Luke remained home. While upon Driftmark Rhaenys and Corlys spoke to Jace, trying to help him through his anger and helplessness. Eventually son and mother reconciled to all of their relief.
Rhaenys could understand, having felt the same anger when Laena left them for so long and barely communicated to them. Blaming everyone else, blaming Daemon, blaming Vhagar, blaming herself and her husband, even after accepting it had all been Laena's choice there had still been a sense of misplaced blame. Someone to point a finger at.
Didn't make the pain any less. And that just made her think of Laenor's murder with his killer still walking free somewhere and her mood to blacken, so she poured herself more wine.
"Boy is far smarter than we thought," Rhaenys decided upon, forcing her mind back to the present. "And sometimes a Targaryen must fly. Otherwise...well, we've seen the consequence of not letting them."
"And the consequence of letting them," Corlys pointed out. "I've heard those whispers, claiming he is Maegor the Cruel come again. Princess Saera Targaryen reborn. Both left to Essos."
Rhaenys snorted, "Saera? Truly? I failed to remember all the torrid affairs a ten year old boy had at Dragonstone. If Alicent is to spread rumours, you would think she would know who she is comparing them to."
"We don't know it is the queen-"
She gave her husband a droll look and he shrugged helplessly with an amused laugh. They both knew. Everyone knew. It was hardly subtle. It had been relentless when Rhaenyra had finally been forced to inform the king of her son's disappearance even if the servants of Dragonstone were loyal enough to not blurt it out but they had informed Elinda of what the dockworkers whispered who in turn let her lady know. Even if it was distasteful they still needed to know the moves of their enemy.
"For all the rumours and snide comments, Ikit has never once caused harm to his brothers," Rhaenys said. "Saera was well known to be a hateful child to her sisters, to the point they all loathed her far before she ever left Westeros."
"And Maegor did not overthrow his brother Aenys," Corlys pointed out. "He only seized the throne once his brother died. Before that he obeyed his brother's demands, even accepting to be banished despite having Balerion the Black Dread."
"For all of Ikit's ambition I do believe it has never been for the Iron Throne."
Corlys nodded at that truth, the two sharing more wine as they watched the port down below. A constant flow of movement, ships being loaded up and unloaded, people walking to and fro and sails and seabirds and the scent of the sea.
It was peaceful.
Then there was a call down below from the docks, asking for the Sea Snake. Corlys got up, leaning over the balcony to respond to the sailor and Rhaenys was only half listening as she gazed out over the sea.
However she immediately snapped into awareness when she heard the sailor's voice below say, "Nay, the crew here claim it came from a silver-haired prince from the port of Qarth. A lad with green eyes, m'lord."
She and Corlys barely exchanged looks before they descended below, to find the ship in question being one of the towering trading vessels. The majority of the stock were spices, pelts and jewels, but in one portion of the cargo hold was a large wooden crate. According to the crew of the ship, they had been paid to deliver the items to Driftmark by a silver-haired prince with green eyes while he visited Qarth. Rhaenys knew enough from the herald of the ship it was one of the shipping traders known well enough for their integrity. And when they pried open the box inside there was an assortment of items, including a large taxidermed beast, but what Rhaenys immediately recognized was the scribbled symbols on a sheet of parchment even if she never knew it's meaning, as one of those belonging to Prince Ikit.
Rhaenys immediately left to Dragonstone upon Meleys, arriving there swiftly as in the fair weather the isles were easily seen from each others shore. As expected, when she mentioned the ship Rhaenyra roused her family to follow to Driftmark and all too soon a flock of dragons descended upon the keep. By then Corlys had the majority of the other stock upon the trader ship emptied, keeping the crate inside the hold.
The cargo hatch was open so sunlight was streaming down into the hold, so there was no need to lanterns as they gathered around the crate. Rhaenyra held Aegon in her arms as the rest of the Targaryens filled the cargo hold, all looking down into the straw-filled crate in curiosity.
The object that took up most of the crate was the taxidermied creature, as large as a horse and upon two legs with a long tail. It was covered in mottled green scales, with sharp talons upon the hands and feet. It almost reminded Rhaenys of a lesser dragon, head having the same type of sharp-toothed snout and scaled ridges. It took both Daemon and Corlys to settle it upright, its glass eyes gleaming in the sunlight.
"What is that beast?" Rhaenyra asked, fascinated. Aegon cooed, reaching out little hands and Rhaenyra drew close so her son could pat its tail.
"I believe it's one of the great creatures of Sothoryos, the Green Hell," Corlys said. "There's many terrible beasts upon that land, from the great apes and blood-drinking bats to basilisks and the tattooed lizards which I believe this is. They run down their prey and rip them apart with long curved claws on their hind legs, and walk upon their hind legs as well. See the great sickle talon on its toe?"
"It's a Cold One," Lucerys suddenly said excitedly.
"A Cold One?"
"Ikit called them that! From his stories, remember?" Luke patted at the lizard's frozen snout. "He said how the Lizardmen would ride them like horses and even have them on chariots. And there were special ones with horns, like goats. Ride them into battle like war horses."
"A person could ride it, its certainly the same size as a horse," Baela said, reaching out to poke at the creature as well.
"I don't know of any Lizardmen in Sothoryos but the Green Hell does have the brindle-skinned men," Corlys said. It was a wonderful statue, as whoever had prepared and stuffed the beast had clearly been a master of their art. It was done well enough he half expected the beast to blink and already he was wondering where to put it within his hall.
As they rummaged through the straw there were more gifts, which were all an assortment of figurines and statues. Somehow they all knew which was for who despite the lack of names; Corlys had the twisted sea serpent sculpture, carved from sapphire and jade and of YiTish make, while Rhaenys had the statue of Meleys, the Valyrian goddess of art and beauty, forged from a block of opalized wood. Daemon took the dagger, which from the shine was of Valyrian steel and incredibly thin, the blade not being more than a finger width and designed to slip between the plates and gaps in armour. It also had a handle that looked oddly similar to the Bloodwyrm, coiled upon itself. For Rhaena there was a cyvasse set, pieces of dragonbone and ivory with the pieces forged in wild exaggerated designs, while for Baela there was a specialty designed Myrish crossbow, the ones designed to fire three quarrel at a time. Joffrey took the copper plaque, so old it was more green, showing the form of the Valyrian god Tyraxes consumed by a great storm as he walked the clouds.
Lucerys had the cloak, which was made from the pelt of one of the tattooed lizards, this one with scales of silver and blue. Luke seemed puzzled when Rhaenys offered it to him, until she said, "The future Lord of the Tides should wear a cloak befitting his station."
For Jacaerys he had the geode of green and yellows, that had been carved in the likeness of a split open dragon egg. And Rhaenyra had the gown of black skirts and crimson bodice, with thousands of black diamonds sewn into the skirts that shimmered like stars as Rhaenys carefully pulled it from the canvas covering protecting it. And tucked within the bodice was a folded letter, the wax seal still in place and had been pressed down by a thumb.
Daemon took Aegon so Rhaenyra could unfold the parchment, purple eyes quickly skimming across the sharp letters.
"What does it say, Mother?" Joffrey asked.
Aloud Rhaenyra read, "Found Qohor and its secrets and they are mine-mine. Metal of the Valyrian magic, of how it is twisted into new shapes even if they cannot make it from nothing. Now I arrive at Qarth and here is a Cold One so you know I am not dead-killed. I will seek their warlocks now, yes-yes.'"
"He actually wrote 'yes-yes'," Rhaenys said fondly, after reading over Rhaenyra's shoulder. She ignored the way Rhaenyra brushed aside a tear.
"Why wouldn't he?" Jace said, the geode he held shimmering in the sunlight.
"Though that would explain why Daemon's blade has a handle that looks just like Ceraxes," she nodded towards the dagger in question. "It would seem my grandson designed and forged it himself."
That caught everyone's attention, even as Daemon held up the blade for inspection. Now Rhaenys knew it for a fact that in only a year her grandson had somehow dragged the secrets of remaking Valyrian weapons from Qohor. To take a Valyrian blade and to twist the metal into another weapon while keeping the special properties intact. As far as she knew the smiths there guarded that secret with extreme jealously so she was deeply curious for how Ikit had learned it, much less in only a year. Smithing was typically a life time career but she knew by now she shouldn't be surprised by what her grandson could achieve.
As they started to talk, comparing gifts and speculating as to when Ikit found them or who made them, the darkened cloud that had lingered over the family dissipated and Rhaenys felt lighter. Ikit had not perished and was indeed flourishing beyond Essos, and the gifts meant he hadn't forgotten them. Rhaenys could only look forward to what else her grandson would discover.
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