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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
Stats:
Published:2026-02-26Completed:2026-04-22Words:181,492Chapters:55/55Comments:1,270Kudos:749Bookmarks:160Hits:33,651
The Rat Prince of Westeros
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 13: Jacaerys
Chapter Text
Vermax's wingbeats were strong and steady, wings flaring out and letting the sunlight stream through the warm orange membranes with each flap. His green scales shone like chips of emerald as they passed down low, sea spray streaking across the dragon's hide. Next to him Moondancer flew, her green scales lighter and almost teal compared to Vermax, with her wings and tail frill shimmering like pearl.
Both dragons were flying close to the coast of Dragonstone, both with saddles strapped to their backs and their riders guiding them. Their grandmother, Princess Rhaenys, had been very clear they needed to take it slow and careful with their dragons. Like anything, from weapon training to riding a horse, pushing too hard without adapting and adjusting properly the muscles could cause irreparable harm. Both dragon and rider had to trust and learn and grow with each other.
Moondancer and Vermax were big enough to ride, but they were still barely larger than warhorses; their serpentine tails and wings just made them seem far larger. Both Jace and Baela accepted this limit, even with their excitement for their first solo ride.
Even if that only meant being alone on their dragons, for flying in a great scaled flock around and above them were the rest of the Targaryen dragonriders.
Syrax and Ceraxes were the closest, Syrax gleaming honey-gold in the morning sun as she glided around a series of jutting crags. Upon her back was Rhaenyra with Joffrey. Ceraxes was so low his tail would sent up bursts of ocean water as he flew, Daemon and Rhaena upon the Bloodwyrm.
High above was the Red Queen, her copper horns gleaming bright as she tossed her head and let out a burst of scarlet flame at a passing squawking flock of seabirds. Rhaenys was seated upon her companion of over four decades, with Lucerys lashed to the saddle before her.
And then there was Silverwing, her wingspan beating out both Ceraxes and Meleys, her calls a raspy, flute like noise as she leisurely kept apace.
Jacaerys looked up as Silverwing glided overhead, casting him and Vermax under her shadow. Vermax called out, voice shrill of a juvenile dragon. It was answered by all the other dragons, Syrax's more trumpet-like call with Ceraxes's high whistles, Meleys warbling and sharp, then Silverwing's calls shifted and almost reminded Jace of a great goose. Like a series of deep honks, which made him laugh.
Silverwing swooped downwards, Meleys easily dodging the larger she-dragon with a flare of pink wings even as Silverwing shot across the surface of the ocean and making it split in her wake. A flap of her huge metallic wings and she shot upwards, near vertical, and more sea water scattered against Jace's face and made Vermax snort out a plume of smoke.
Jace could spot his twin brother high above, before Silverwing twisted and Jace had to focus on Vermax as they rounded the edge of Dragonstone.
Twins were always said to be closer than typical siblings. Some said twins were the same person, simply split apart at birth. Some said they could share pain, could feel if their twin died no matter the distance. Some even thought twins could sense each others moods, that they never held secrets or even indeed could. Baela and Rhaena were close like that, each quietly in tuned to each others moods with only the slightest glance.
Jacaerys didn't feel that way with his twin. He loved his brother, but Jace felt he would never be able to understand Ikit. He was strange, antisocial, rude, intelligent, cold and temperamental and nothing Jace did could change him. He wanted his brother to be happy but despite being a twin Jace didn't know what Ikit wanted or how to help. But he hoped Silverwing was the first step in that, his grandmother Rhaenys had told him about King Aenys and Quicksilver. Yet while he hoped a part of him feared he wouldn't truly know.
He supposed that was what it was like as a twin. No one else understood, unless they also were one and even then there were so many differences even just like how he and Ikit weren't identical.
Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk of the Kingsguard were identical twins, to the point most couldn't even tell them apart. Laenor and Laena had been twins, and even though there were differences in appearances, not just as man and woman, they still bore strong resemblances to one another. Both Rhaena and Baela weren't identical yet were far closer in appearance.
Jacaerys and Ikit did not look remotely similar, that if they hadn't indeed been born upon the same birthing bed many wouldn't believe it. Jace had brown hair and eyes, a pug nose and round features. His hair was thick and slightly curly. Ikit meanwhile, was all classical Valyrian features with bright silver hair that near resembled polished metal. It was shaggy, almost like a pelt. His oversized sharp front teeth simply exacerbated a wildness to him. And any who knew Rhaenyra in her youth mentioned that Ikit was a near mirror of her at that age, having that same strong Valyrian beauty that almost felt transfixing. That, coupled with his bright green eyes, made him far more noticed between the two brothers.
Jace didn't mind too much, as seeing how often the Kingsguard twins got confused or called the wrong name made him rather glad he didn't look indistinguishable from his twin. There was also the fact Lucerys and Joffrey all followed him in terms of appearance, with dark brown Baratheon and Arryn hair along with eyes.
As Vermax flew over a cluster of rock pools, Jace briefly saw a flash of his brother's silver hair as Silverwing streaked past in a low curve and showed the new dense saddle latched onto the she-dragon's back.
It was of dense thick leather entwined with steel and cloth. The dark leather was in contrast with the blue skirt, with steel rippling around the pommel like fish scales. Along the immense straps sweeping down Silverwing's chest had heavy steel rings threaded through, as she was so large even lying down one couldn't reach her saddle. At her chest where the straps met was a immense medallion with the Targaryen sigil seared into. There were three massive saddle bags lashed onto the rear of the back housing of the saddle, which reminded Jace of the kind Meleys had latched to hers.
Moondancer and Vermax meanwhile had the far more simple training saddles, looking near the same to one for a horse if not for the additional straps for the chest. Jace could already feel his back and hands aching, not used to have to lean so much as Vermax shifted to and fro, or having to grip so tightly onto the reins.
Eventually the great flock of dragons landed upon one of the rocky beaches at the north of the isle. It was a mixture of white sand, gleaming water-soaked boulders and rock pools. Far above was a cliff face, that lead to one of the sheepherder fields. Syrax moved on all fours until she was at shoulder height to one of the boulders. When there Daemon, who had already dismounted Ceraxes, carefully helped Rhaenyra down from her dragon, mindful of her heavy belly. Rhaena had Joffrey in hand, leading him away from Syrax. Meanwhile Jace slid from Vermax's back, checking over the saddle like he'd been told and noting how nothing had slipped. Baela grinned at him from her position by Moondancer, the two younger dragons already settling down for a rest.
When Rhaenys unlatched herself and Lucerys from the Red Queen, they also dropped down their supplies for their picnic. Jace caught the blankets while Baela nearly got smacked in the head by the flagon Lucerys tossed to which Rhaenys gently scolded him.
Silverwing landed in the shore, the waves running back and forth over her tail and feet. Ikit quickly scaled down the steel rings of her saddle to join them.
Rhaenyra meanwhile had taken off her boots and was sitting with her feet in one of the rock pools, little fish and crabs darting about the clear cool water. They sat on the blankets, eating and drinking and watching the waves as their dragons rested around them. Syrax and Ceraxes were tucked together, Syrax with her neck slung over the Bloodwyrm's. Vermax and Moondancer were now napping, both small dragons tired from the flight while Meleys was licking at her tail, using her coarse tongue to clean the scales. Silverwing was lounging in the waves, water making her silvery hide gleam in the hot sun.
Joffrey poked at the small creatures in the various rock pools, trying to bait some of the fish with pieces of sliced beef while Rhaena pointed out what type of animals they were. Ikit occasionally chimed in, telling them of the creatures Valyrian names if they had them as he munched through a bunch of grapes. Lucerys was sitting next to Rhaenyra, Daemon and Rhaenys, who were discussing something. Despite his grandchildren pleading, Corlys had declined the invitation to accompany them upon Meleys. Apparently he had only ridden upon the Red Queen once and never again, much to Rhaenys's amusement.
Jace took a sip from his drink, both he and Baela watching as Joffrey fished a crab from the rock pool. He poked it a few times, holding it up from Rhaena's scrutiny and then was yelping as a sharp little pincer grabbed his finger. Ikit laughed at him before stepping forward to snap the crab's pincer and then throw it off into a distant rock pool. Rhaena fussed over the redden flesh while Joffrey whined before Ikit shoved a handful of grapes in his mouth. Baela giggled next to him, lounging back on the blanket as she ate her bread roll.
The sun was warm and the wind mild, and over it all the familiar boom of the waves with the salty scent of the sea in the air with the undercurrent that could only be dragon.
It was nice. Jacaerys wished the day could last forever, especially since Ikit was being a lot more personable than usual. Making sure to talk to all of them, and even told all the children another of his fantastical stories. This time about the Great War against Chaos, which just seemed to be a global civil war where everyone was fighting everyone and even fighting themselves. Blood in the snow, a green tide, and concluded in the end of the Age of Three Emperors. It was wild and fascinating and Jace listened avidly like his brothers and cousins at Ikit's stories.
Eventually however, they had to return as the sun shifted towards the evening and the air began to chill. Syrax again clambered over to the boulders to permit an easier mount for her rider with Daemon helping her, while everyone else helped clean up. Jace fed the last of the beef to Vermax, the green dragon happily snapping up the leftovers in a flash of sharp teeth.
The flight back was just as leisurely as their way there, the dragons following along with Vermax's and Moondancer's slower pace. Even a single flap of Silverwing was four for the far littler dragons.
This time they headed into the great cavernous pit where the dragonkeepers were waiting. Vermax and Moondancer would have to gorge after their first successful flights with their rider, and the saddles would be inspected for any tears or wears as sometimes a dragons scales could flay and split the leather especially if they were particularly spiked like Meleys. The other dragons were left within the numerous caves, most of them already moving to their preferred lairs once their riders dismounted.
"A good hot bath for you both, keep those muscles relaxed or they'll ache wildly upon the morn," Rhaenys warned Baela and Jace as the group got back to the castle. "And no sneaking out to see the dragons, I've already informed the keepers you'll be grounded for a few more days. This takes time to adjust so no sneaking in extra flights."
The two agreed, even if Baela pouted playfully which made Daemon tease her. Father and daughter exchanged a few more verbal spars until Rhaenyra stopped it. They all then dispersed much like their dragons had done, Rhaenyra herself also wanting a bath as the flight had left her tired. Ikit lingered in the entrance hall before leaving to his room with an unreadable expression which made Luke call after him but got no answer as the silver-haired boy walked off.
Jacaerys spent the rest of his day relaxing, scrubbing himself down in a hot bath and kneading as much of the oils into his skin as he could. Once done he had a light supper with his family, even if this time Ikit barely spoke to anyone and Rhaena had her pink egg now lashed to her hip. In all it was nice, and Jace was excited for the day Arrax and Tyraxes could be ridden, for when Rhaena's egg hatched and then they could all fly together on their own dragons.
He went to sleep like that, curled up under his blankets and dreaming of dragons.
However it was at midnight he got rudely shaken awake, blinking blearily about in confusion until he recognized those green eyes staring down at him.
Ikit hadn't bothered to light any candles but Jace could still see his brother easily enough as he sat up.
"Is something wrong?" Jace asked, voice raspy.
"I was going to leave letter-notes but that seemed..." Ikit's nose wrinkled before continuing, "Inadequate. So here I am."
"Oh. Is it more of your stories?" Jace said before yawning. He didn't really know why his brother woke up but it must be important. Usually it was the other way around. Shuffling across his blankets, Jace reached for the candle and flint at his bedside table.
Ikit watched silently as Jace fumbled with the flint until finally it caught and a flame clung to the wick. His twin looked even more off putting in the flickering light but Jace ignored it.
"You...are good littermate," Ikit finally said, green eyes unreadable. "I do not believe you capable of killing me in my sleep."
It was hardly the oddest thing Ikit had ever said to him so Jace just replied, "I think you'd be able to kill me right back if I tried that anyway, even if you were asleep."
Ikit laughed, but there was a strain in it he'd never heard from his twin before.
"Is everything alright?' Jace clutched his blankets, feeling apprehensive. "Why are...can you not sleep? You look like you've been for a walk. Or going on one."
Ikit certainly wasn't dressed for sleep, as in the candlelight Jace could see how he was clad in trousers with a boiled leather jerkin over the Velaryon blue doublet with silvery embroidery at the sleeves. He had on hard leather traveling boots with gloves to match while secured over his shoulders was a fleece-lined cloak. A dagger was strapped to one hip and a pouch to the other. He looked as if he was about to go flying, even if Jace could see it was darkness out beyond his window beyond the fat yellow disc of the moon.
"No, I go to Silverwing," Ikit said.
"You can't do that, night flights are banned remember? The Cannibal might get you," Jace scolded, the first ripple of alarm going through him.
"It won't be so on such a bright night, won't work on camouflage for dark ambusher scales," Ikit shrugged.
"You'll still get in a lot of trouble," Jacaerys said, rubbing at the sleep in his eyes before yawning. He had to fight off the urge to stretch, instead squinting at his brother who looked as if he was concentrating intently on something.
"Will not. This is..." Ikit clicked his tongue while toying with the leather strip around his neck, before waving a hand at him. "I feel obligated to tell you. To say this to your face. Annoying feeling but it is what is, yes-yes. Time in clan...in family, has been odd-strange-unnatural yet I find myself enjoying it. Have restrained-confined myself for some time in part due to it. But now I have warpstone, have dragon, I must go and be warlock engineer once again. Bring forth the greatness of Skryre. Will not give that up, not for you, not for den mother. This is me and mine and always will be and I will do it."
"I don't understand," Jace complained. He was sleepy and Ikit made no sense.
"I am going to leave Westeros. Right now."
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