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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 20: Baela
Chapter Text
She had never seen a more miserable wedding.
Baela watched awkwardly from her seat in the sept as Aegon and Helaena were married before the eyes of the Seven, an expression of strained politeness upon her features. It was an expression reflected upon the faces of her whole family. Even more of the lords and ladies in attendance looked uncomfortable, if only for how the bride and groom very obviously did not want to be present.
Aegon looked hung over, his eyes so heavily shadowed it was if someone had punched him and he kept leaning over in place as if he was about to collapse on the floor. Helaena looked like she had no idea what was happening, just an empty befuddlement to her gaze as the high septon droned on and on. Occasionally she would blink, focus sharpening her eyes, only to look about in bewilderment before they glazed over again. The king was smiling, seemingly oblivious to his children and their uncomfortable stances while Alicent seemed more focused on the gleaming Seven-pointed Star looming over everything.
Honestly, give her a Valyrian wedding with blood drinking over this dragged out farce as by the time the septon finally shut his mouth to actually marry the two her buttocks felt numb. It took Aegon nearly four tries to secure the cloak over Helaena and Baela rolled her eyes at how it had larger images of towers than actual dragons upon the garment. She had no idea how the king was so oblivious at how openly disrespectful his wife was. Baela then thought back to the time Alicent screamed as Ikit mauled her arm and had to smother a grin.
Once the cloaking was done there was, yet again, more words but thankfully the septon read through them much quicker.
"Gods be praised this is over," Baela grumbled under her breath when the newly married coupled kissed. Or rather Aegon stood there for a long moment while Helaena stared at nothing, until Alicent and Otto's twin glares finally jolted him from his stupor and he awkwardly pecked Helaena on the side of her mouth. She didn't even react as the crowd cheered.
Baela just shared an uncomfortable look with her sister; while they were to wed their cousins when they came of appropriate age at the very least she and Rhaena actually liked Jace and Luke, and got along well with them. Meanwhile this was just painful to witness, like two prisoners being chained together.
Which in a way she supposed it was.
Later at the feast in the great hall Baela complained some more. She didn't want to come to King's Landing, none of them really did and since the incident upon Driftmark hadn't interacted with Alicent and her brood and frankly Baela would die happy if she hadn't ever again, so even with the delicious food she just felt annoyed to be there.
"Seen more cheer at funerals," Rhaena muttered by her side, tipping her head up towards the dais where the newly wed couple were seated.
Aegon looked like he was trying to drown himself, to the point Otto had to cut him off from wine. Baela thought it was already a lost cause. Poor Helaena. Baela didn't like her- she didn't like anyone spawned of that witch Alicent nor clad in green -but Helaena seemed like someone who just didn't understand what was happening around her. Just lost in a dream and now chained to a drunk idiot for the rest of her life.
But Jace was a worse option, wasn't he? she thought caustically, glaring at Alicent. The queen noticed her glare but Baela didn't care. She still didn't forgive the witch and her worthless son for what they did the night of Laena's burial, for stealing Vhagar and disgracing her mother. If the king had any spine he would've beheaded his wife for trying to take a knife to the heir of the Seven Kingdoms. Pity he didn't. On some dark nights she wished Ikit had gone for Aemond's throat instead of his eye.
It was in part why she still liked Ikit, even if he was rude and had been gone for two years without sending consistent mail and generally off being wild in Essos. Biting out Aemond's eye was a fitting punishment for his theft of Vhagar even if Rhaena thought it had been excessive. She didn't care, Baela always got told she was too much like Daemon but with people like Alicent and Otto skulking about she felt they needed more of that personality upon Dragonstone.
Still, as she sat there eating some soup she did feel a bit jealous Ikit had taken flight to Essos. Not having to attend boring festivals like this, sit about surrounded by people who side-eyed her family and whispered behind their hands. Baela wished she could do the same, to just jump upon Moondancer and leave, missing the near nomadic state of her family back when her mother was alive. But it was both a blessing and a curse, as she had all the freedom but no real home. She wasn't too sure. Maybe it was just King's Landing she hated.
Certainly the company. At least that fool Aemond was keeping a wide berth from their table even if a part of Baela wished he'd approach so she'd have an excuse to use one of the dining knives or accidentally-on-purpose throw wine in his face.
Rhaenyra meanwhile played the part of the Realm's Delight, charming and wooing everyone she spoke to while resplendent in the gleaming dress Prince Ikit had gifted her a year ago. In the candlelight the thousands of tiny black diamonds within the skirts made it shimmer and sparkle like the night sky with every movement. Baela wondered where Ikit got it tailored. He had been in Qarth that had the Jade Gates but there were various other places with expert tailors.
At one point Baela and Jace danced, playing through the steps while the musicians played. She laughed and had fun, even when they occasionally missed a step or were giggling too much to do a move properly. It got worse when Rhaena and Lucerys joined in, when it simply turned into more fun than a proper performance. Whatever, they were having fun while the married couple up on the dais looked like they were about to be led to the executioner's block.
By then Aegon the Younger had fallen asleep in Elinda's arms, the woman excusing herself with a yawning Joffrey as she led the princelings from the ceremony.
When the married couple were finally led away by Alicent- with Viserys retiring as well due to exhaustion -Baela and her family just watched with fairly pitying looks. Aegon was nearly unconscious, apparently being an extremely adept hand at smuggling wine underneath the Hand's nose, and had to be pretty much carried from the room by Ser Cole while Alicent led away Helaena. Baela wouldn't be surprised if the queen still tried to force a confirmed bedding, the horrid woman would probably take it as another thing to rub in Rhaenyra's nose as if her children's misery was a victory.
The celebrations continued even with the guests of honour leaving. If anything it escalated, especially when Rhaenyra and Daemon took to dancing. They fit every image of House Targaryen, pale hair and purple eyes and a lethal grace to their movements as they danced and it seemed to spread like wildfire.
Baela did get nearly knocked over by a drunken lord, the man slurring a rude comment to her and she nearly slapped him if not for Rhaena quickly pulling her aside. Jace and Luke came over in concern but she waved them off, instead taking a moment alone on the balconies to soothe her temper. Her sister and cousins fussed a bit more but accepted her words.
The cool fresh air helped her temper, Baela taking easy steady breaths until she no longer felt like smashing a flagon into the idiot man's face. Laena always did use to say Baela had too much of Daemon's temper. Oh well, after hearing the little snipes the queen had given Rhaenyra when they arrived at King's Landing Baela felt like someone needed it.
She was leaning against the wall, nearly obscured by one of the massive vases with its cluster of sweet smelling flowers. It was fully dark out, the sky clouded and hiding the stars. Down below King's Landing was lit with torches like thousands of fireflies flittering about. In the far distance she saw the humped form of the Dragonpit.
Taking a bite of her lemon cake Baela let out a sigh. She couldn't wait to get home, away from these people. Back to Moondancer.
Then she heard hushed voices as a gaggle of noblewoman stumbled out onto the balcony, stinking of wine with their hair askew. All in green so part of Alicent's lot despite House Hightower not having green in its herald. She sneered.
"Ah really Ysilla! Such wicked things you say! And all upon a day of royal marriage," the one on the right said, voice hushed and excited. She looked over her shoulder like some would-be sneak, keeping watch on the archway and through into the celebrations.
"It's true, I heard it said well and true. That little Rat Prince in Volantis, he's been practicing blood magic and while that mother of his prances above in here so brazenly!" the one on the left said.
Baela curled her lip, slinking down lower until she was hidden behind the vase. It was important to know the moves of the enemy and wine loosened tongues well.
"Volantis? City of debauchery," the middle one said, waving her cup and making wine splatter on the ground.
"Exactly, why else would anyone visit? I know my cousin, he works in the docks of King's Landing and he knows the crew of the Skybound Sailor and they went to port there. They all say, that Rat Prince is sacrificing babies for his profane art. Valyrian blood offerings."
Baela rolled her eyes, stuffing the rest of her cake in her mouth. Why was it always Old Valyrian blood sacrifices? By far the most favoured accusation.
"Oh of course, the cousin's brother's mother's aunt, truly the wisest source-" the middle one scoffed.
"He's eating babies, infants!" the other interrupted, a drunken slur to her words. "He had that rat face and those teeth and now he's doing it there with impunity. Owns hundreds of slaves now, my cousin told. Eats them, like one eats pork. Adores the flesh of babes beyond all else. He eats the slave babies, which the slavers gift to him gladly. The old gods and the new alike hold slavery to be an abomination. Evil. Now that- the princess's son has so many slaves. For shame. The madness runs in the blood."
"That's what they do always in Volantis, they have good wine," the right one said.
"Bah, wine! At a time like this."
"Perfect time. I tire of this arbor red. It is not as good as they say."
"The babies-"
"Oh yes, the eaten babes," the right one rolled her eyes so hard she nearly fell. "If your cousin is to tell you things, one would think they would be plausible."
"I did, I heard it," the one on the left insisted.
"Is he Unsullied? They eat babies," the middle one added.
"No, they kill them."
"I thought they ate them? Fed them to puppies."
"A pup does not eat meat, they must be weaned first-"
The conversation came to a quick halt when the woman on the left suddenly vomited on the other two, which led to a lot of screaming and yelling and Baela quickly slipping to freedom. She couldn't stop the grin on her face, those rumours were nigh as bad as those claiming Ikit had caused an earthquake. Next they would be accusing him of causing the Doom somehow.
When she finally located her cousins and sister Rhaenyra was already in the middle of rounding them up to their guest chambers. Quite frankly considering the state of basically everyone Baela agreed, and followed along as they left the celebration. Seemed piousness came with disapproving of drunkenness, so actually having an excuse for it was a fun break for the people of the Red Keep.
Baela followed close as they reached their chambers, not even bothering to memorize all the corridors and halls. They would leave upon the following evening, having spent the bare essential of polite acknowledgement for the royal wedding. And what a miserable farce it had been, she couldn't wait to be back home.
"What was all that screaming about?" Baela jolted from her musings at Rhaena's ask as they reached the entry room for their guest chambers. As the doors closed Baela caught a glimpse of the guards they had brought from Dragonstone before they were lost from sight.
It took Baela a moment to realize what her twin was asking, saying with a laugh, "One of the drunk ladies threw up on her friends. They took umbridge with it."
"Ah, that explains it."
"Also," she said, as Elinda served them some mild tea to see them off for the night, "I heard some interesting rumours about our wayward cousin."
That got the interest of everyone in the room, even as Elinda finished serving the cups and quietly excused herself for the night with a nod from Rhaenyra.
"What is he up to now?" Lucerys asked. "Did he explode another city?"
"No, apparently he's bathing in blood and eating infants."
"I believe he was also eating newborn puppies," Rhaena nodded sagely. "Some gossip from the guards."
"No doubt baskets of the most adorable kittens as well, and servants that displease him," Jace added, just as serious.
"All the rumours seem to be him eating people," Lucerys said.
"Well to be fair he always did eat a lot, he'd have a lot of snacks between meals," Jacaerys pointed out. He took a sip of his tea only to grimace.
Then the door swung open and Daemon entered the room, looking as bored as ever. Baela did note how there had been a sharp edge to her father the moment they reached King's Landing and it was still very much apparent. She drank her tea, letting the warmth relax her, and had to fight back the urge to yawn.
"What are you lot discussing?" Daemon asked, eyeing them all clustered around the table as if they were in conspiracy.
"Ikit is eating babies in Volantis," Lucerys said.
"Ah is he now. Well I hope he doesn't devour too many, it will upset his stomach," he said.
"How do you suppose he eats them?" Lucerys asked in contemplative tones. "Does he put them in stews and pies or just munches on them like apples?"
"How do you munch a baby?" Rhaena asked.
"You know like-" Lucerys then grabbed Jace, miming biting at his head like a hound before his brother pushed him away with a snort.
"Alright, enough of this talk," Rhaenyra set her empty cup down. "Time for bed, all of you. It is far past your usual bedtime."
"Even me?" Daemon asked, amused.
"Especially you. No skulking about. And we'll pay no mind to Ikit and his baby eating-"
"And blood baths," Luke piped up.
Rhaenyra sighed, looking both fond and tired as she rose from her seat, "That as well. Hopefully he uses soap, at least, while taking them. Now, bed."
"Doesn't a blood bath sound uncomfortable? Do people actually do that?" Baela heard Lucerys ask before they left to their rooms with yawns and mumbled goodbyes.
As Baela snuffed out the candles and settled into bed, she had to think over the rumours and snort to herself. Eating infants. Honestly the rumours from the east were so ridiculous most of the time she paid them no heed, moreso using them to track Ikit's movements. He had been lingering in Volantis for a while, however. First Daughter of Old Valyria. It could be where he was honing his use of Valyrian steel. She still wanted to ask him how he learned such thing, maybe wondering if he'd made her a personalized blade for her nameday.
Oh well, he had to come home one day. Baela just wished he'd hurry up about it.
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