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Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)/Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Baela Targaryen/Jacaerys Velaryon
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Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Laena Velaryon (Daughter of Corlys)Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Baela TargaryenJacaerys VelaryonRhaenyra TargaryenDaemon TargaryenCorlys "The Sea Snake" VelaryonRhaenys Targaryen VelaryonAemond "One-Eye" TargaryenAegon II TargaryenAlicent HightowerDaeron Targaryen (Son of Viserys I)Cannibal the Wild Dragon (A Song of Ice and Fire)Valyrian Gods (A Song of Ice and Fire)Helaena Targaryen
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Character Turned Into VampireUndeadNecromancyVideo Game MechanicsThe Dance of the Dragons | Aegon II Targaryen v. Rhaenyra Targaryen EraLaenor Velaryon is Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)'s ParentLaena doesn't let something like being dead stop her from helping her familyDragon RidersPOV MultipleDeath to all GreensPiratesBody HorrorBAMF Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Temporary Character DeathReligious Imagery & SymbolismWeird Plot Shitno beta we die like everyoneBook: Fire and Blood (A Song of Ice and Fire)Self-IndulgentChild DeathDismembermentDragonrider Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Rhaenys and Rhaenyra act more like their bookselves cause their showselves suckCanon-Typical ViolenceCannibalismVampire BitesThe non-sexy kindDark Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Vampire Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Angst with a Happy Ending
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Published:2024-06-14Completed:2024-10-31Words:169,619Chapters:35/35Comments:1,151Kudos:2,058Bookmarks:542Hits:94,824
Lucerys Velaryon of the Vampire Coast
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 7: The Rogue Prince
Summary:
I'm keeping Daemon as a prince consort in this instead of a king consort, as Daemon isn't the monarch in his own right and he wasn't anointed at Rhaenyra's coronation, and because king is perceived as a higher title than queen so giving him that title would undermine her authority. Tho I'm making the Blood and Cheese plan to be an intentional decisions if Daemon had gone through with it, since I'm fed up with the show making everything a mistake or misunderstanding. like ffs let these people actually do horrible shit instead of it all being 'whoopsie daisy'
also basing my version of the Valyrian gods from my other fic since we know bugger all about them in canon lol
Chapter Text
Caraxes's wing beats were slow, tired from the long and ceaseless flight across the Riverlands. Daemon intentionally chose a more conservative pace, to keep the Blood Wyrm battle ready in case an enemy dragon appeared.
Winding down through the sky, Caraxes descended to the landing slab jutting forth from the Dragonmont. Clambering in through the yawning cave entrance, Daemon could spy Syrax and Vermax nearby and further in at the back of the cave Meleys was curled up in a crimson-scaled heap. As Caraxes slithering up to the dismount steps, the Red Queen lifted her head and snorted before settling back into sleep. High above were a flock of immense bats sleeping upside down that he did not recognize, even if none of them stirred at Caraxes's presence.
Waiting for him upon the immense walkway from the steps were Rhaenys and Rhaena, along with the usual collection of dragonkeepers.
As he dismounted the Blood Wyrm, Daemon could see that Princess Rhaenys had certainly been in a dragon fight. Half her face was caked in thick paste, and the eye was milky white. Her once long hair now cut short, the silvery strands barely brushing her nape with the left side of her scalp cut bare. Her ear was missing and her arm was braced tight in a sling, yet still the Queen Who Never Was went to him with a grin.
He also noted the glinting gold badge upon his cousin's chest, bright against her bodice of black.
"Lady Hand," he greeted.
"Prince consort," Rhaenys replied, just as wryly.
"Seems Rook's Rest was quite a fight even if the letters have not done it justice."
A scoff, "If it could be called that, I gave that fool boy Aegon quite a licking and he went fleeing back to King's Landing. But fear not, myself and Meleys grow stronger by the day. We will fly again."
Daemon turned to his daughter, "And you, Rhaena?"
"I'm faring well. I am to be sent to the Vale before the week is over, to safeguard Joffrey and Tyraxes and a clutch of Syrax's eggs."
He placed a hand upon her shoulder, "And I know you will look over them well, as well as continue our interests in the Vale."
Rhaena smiled faintly but he could tell she was still upset. Understandably so but Daemon knew what happened to women in war, even noble women. If the Greens ever caught her, Daemon knew not even the queen would stop him from attacking Vhagar upon his own and try killing them all at King's Landing.
"But enough of that," he said while handing his riding gloves off to one of the dragonkeepers as behind them Caraxes began to make his way down to the caves, now saddle-less. "I've heard many fascinating things about Prince Lucerys in my absence."
All wisps of melancholy vanished from Rhaena's face, and she smiled far more brightly this time, "Yes, indeed. I know we've tried to describe as much in our letters, but it pales in comparison to what we have seen. He can-"
"Ah, Rhaena," The Lady Hand stepped forward, "Perhaps we should understand more clearly what the prince consort has achieved at Harrenhall first. As I have a strong idea Lucerys will thoroughly distract him."
"Can I not be curious as to my good-son being returned from the dead and imbued with magic fueled by dragonsblood?" he asked.
"He only needed to drink that while recovering from his injuries, tis hardly as if he were sneaking down into the Dragonmont to feed upon Meleys or Syrax," Rhaena said.
"Ever so eager to defend your betrothed," Daemon teased as Rhaena flushed.
A playful swat at his armoured shoulder by Rhaenys, "Enough of that. What occurred at Harrenhall, cousin? How fares our cause?"
"The Blackwoods are at Harrenhall, and forces are already moving from White Harbour along with Barrowton," Daemon diligently reported as they began to walk from the Dragonmont cave. "Their ships will meet up with those of House Sunderland and Borrel within the Bite. And before I left we received a raven from the North as the winter wolves, led by Roderick Dustin, have begun their march south. All are upon horseback and are quickly heading towards the Twins, where Lord Forrest Frey and his wife, Lady Sabitha Frey await them after the victory of Stone Hedge. That old fool Tully has not died yet despite being bedbound, but my spies say it will be soon and his grandson is extremely eager to support our queen."
"I pray for a swift end to his suffering, then," Rhaenys said, not even bothering to keep the amusement out of her voice.
"I hear tell the gods are indeed listening closely these days."
"Indeed they are. They certainly helped with the tactics in freeing prisoners from King's Landing, near sixscore of them with the majority being servants, maids, retainers and guards who chose to uphold King Viserys's support of Rhaenyra as hair. Lords Hayford, Merryweather, Harte, Buckler, Caswell and Lady Fell have been very vocal in their support for Queen Rhaenyra as they recover upon Dragonstone with the rest of the escapees. Unfortunately Lords Butterwell, Stokeworth and Rosby lost their lives in the escape."
"And how do we know those escapees are not spies?" Daemon asked, arching a pale brow. "I find it rather difficult to believe near sixscore prisoners managed to flee King's Landing with no one the wiser, mayhaps it was planned?"
"Well, it would seem the Merling Court member who rescued them can see into the depths of a mans soul, and as such knew if their loyalty to our queen would waver. Those whom did not hold true lost their lives, while those who remained steadfast are recovering here."
Daemon's eyes narrowed, his mind already running through the potential; someone who could see into souls to root out traitors, an invaluable gift in a time where spies were sent. He had only just received the raven telling of the attempted assassination to the queen when he was about to fly from Harrenhall and he had been beyond livid at such a blatant attempt upon Rhaenyra. Especially as he had been at Harrenhall after the queen's coronation, so he had not been there either for his wife when news came of Lucerys's death.
When he received the raven, Daemon had felt immense fury. It was only his knowledge he could not storm King's Landing himself that prevented him from flying there and feeding that fool boy Aemond to Caraxes alive. An eye for an eye, a son for a son, he had sent to Rhaenyra while reaching out for his old companion Mysaria who lived within King's Landing. She would have aided him in his plan to kill one of Aegon's brats- to target the children, the grandchildren, of Alicent Hightower as he knew it was that craven whore's teachings that drove that boy Aemond. He never forgave that Green bitch for injuring Rhaenyra all those years ago at Driftmark at Laena's funeral, if Viserys had any sense he would have beheaded his wife for injuring the heir to the Seven Kingdoms.
Instead Viserys did nothing and they all suffered. As much as Daemon loved- and still did love -his brother, Viserys had been a weak man. He married that Hightower girl and doomed their family, instead of being content with Rhaenyra. Even if Viserys neglected his sons, only loving the child given to him through Aemma, which simply left Daemon even more perplexed as to why he ever took another wife. Even if that Andal bitch had slunk into his bed while mourning the Gentle Queen, it would've been better if Viserys had just quietly poisoned the girl or forced moontea down her throat or banished her back to Oldtown with a bastard within her belly.
But Viserys took the girl to wife and didn't even care about the child she gave him, so Daemon never understood why his fool brother had wed that plain-faced girl in the first place. Daemon did not hesitate to welcome Rhaenyra's children as his own when he wed her. His sons, Aegon and Viserys, may be his sons by blood but he certainly did not spurn Jace, Luke or Joffrey and took them under his wing. The same way Rhaenyra never shied away from lavishing attention upon Rhaena and Baela.
As such, Lucerys became his own the moment Rhaenyra became his wife. But even before that if his niece had told him her son had been butchered he would have sworn fire and blood for her pain. It was why he would have reached out to the Lady Misery and she would have found knives to do his bloody work. They had a long, complicated history but she never shied away from his brutality and in many cases could be ever more vicious than he. Mysaria would have found a way to kill one of the squabbling babes of that boy Aegon and then the Greens would have known the wroth they had unleashed. That even in the Red Keep they would not have been safe, mummers dragons that they were.
But before even nine days had passed since learning of Lucerys's death, a bedraggled raven from Dragonstone appeared. His plotting came to a halt, as the storm that lashed most of the country mean the ravens at Harrenhall had refused to fly much to his annoyance, and he had been preparing one for his Lady of Misery when the storm finally abated when a raven flew into the rookery with a crimson seal letter at its foot. Reading through the letter, his eyebrows had risen higher and higher until he was at the end of the missive where Queen Rhaenyra's seal was.
That Lucerys Velaryon had been found by the Sea Snake, wandering the shores of Dragonstone. With a great wound, red eyes, sharp teeth and white hair, but alive and breathing despite it all.
Even when a flurry of more ravens appeared- from Corlys and his daughters, and another from the queen -they all stated the same thing. The strange transformation even if Lucerys seemed to be recovering due to the care of the priest and priestess of the Merling Court Corlys had taken from Driftmark. The odd flames. Luke's sharp teeth and glowing eyes. Yet still Lucerys did not awake as the days passed, while Daemon flipped through his thoughts of all knowledge of bloodmagic and necromancy, and sent a raven to his daughters who were desperate for advice.
All Valyrian sorcery was rooted in blood or fire, and the Velaryons were of Valyrian stock. Though truthfully a part of him was surprised that Lucerys was indeed Laenor's son; he never cared for rumours about Ser Harwin Strong, for they were Targaryens and bowed to no one, and those boys were Rhaenyra's blood and that was all that mattered. Lucerys rising from the sea proved his connection to it, and regardless Velaryons were of Valyria. That was why he encouraged his daughters to introduce dragonsblood to Lucerys, to see if that could stir him from his sleep, or even perhaps escalate to a sacrifice.
However it seemed dragonsblood did awaken Lucerys as his wife sent him another missive about how her son seemed to drink increasing quantities of it. Later that evening he also got an excited response from his girls.
All his life Daemon had been fascinated by Old Valyria, much like Viserys. Daemon had been interested in the more obscure, volatile parts of it however. The parts both terrible and great. And now Lucerys seemed to be embolden with it, especially when he spoke of his resurrection after Storm's End as Rhaena diligently wrote out.
Citing Laena's involvement, passing through shadow and death. Perhaps even seeing the drowned god before the Handmaiden of the Merling King brought him back.
Somehow, Laena's hand in Luke's resurrection was the easiest for Daemon to understand. Laena had been right by his side in the fascination for Old Valryia and the dragonlords of yore. When they traveled across Essos they even dared to linger by the Painted Mountains and saw the great billows of the Smoking Sea even if they did not to traverse it. The creatures below upon the demon roads were twisted beasts, and he had to wonder what monsters lived upon the smoldering peninsula.
Laena never shied away from fire and blood, she had avidly watched him butcher that fool boy of the Sealord who had been her betrothed after Daemon baited him into a fight. That night she came to him in a translucent gossamer gown, uncaring for any customs or piety, and a fortnight later they were wed. She had laughed when recounting the fight later to a curious Rhaenyra when they met with the princess years later, Laena gleefully recalling all the insults the Rogue Prince had lobbed at the foolish boy.
Laena had been with him when they flew across Essos, from Pentos to Volantis, from the Rhoyne to Qohor and Norvos. They spent many months speaking to pyromancers and maegi, reading through tomes taken from Old Valyria itself. About the twisted things that happened in the city of dragons. They practiced blood magic and other dark arts, delving deep into the earth for secrets and twisting the flesh of beasts and men to fashion monstrous and unnatural chimeras it was said. Laena had always been fascinated by such things, especially so when at Norvos they encountered a chained wyvern.
At its apex Valyria was the greatest city in the known world, the center of civilization and from them came dragons, the greatest creatures in the known world.
So that was why he could understand Laena, even in her death, could have had a hand within Lucerys being dragged from the sea. His late wife had always been fond of Rhaenyra and his niece had flown to Laena's side the moment she had gone into labour with the twins. Then when they were at Driftmark and Rhaenyra at Dragonstone they would oft visit. There were even times Rhaenyra and Laena would spend the night in the same chambers together, usually after a bout of drinking exotic wines and gossiping about the courts. It was annoying that Daemon was not invited though he would wager those two women enjoyed letting him brood upon what was happening between the two, especially as more oft than not Laena would return the following morn wearing something of Rhaenyra's instead of her own dresses.
Laena had just smugly told him 'ladies don't tell' at his questioning which Daemon scoffed at but he knew Laena knew that curiosity was eating him alive and it amused her deeply. It also didn't help that even after Laena passed and he married Rhaenyra, she still refused to clarify what had happened. Simply saying the same thing as Laena had and that if his Velaryon wife did not want him to know then she shall not violate her late good friend's trust.
Troublesome women, the both of them, even if he loved them dearly so. The Greens should count themselves lucky that Laena had not been living when news came of the usurpation, since he knew Laena would not have hesitated to fly to King's Landing and unleash fire and blood upon the traitors and then crown Rhaenyra upon the smoldering ashes. It left him bitter and vicious at knowing those craven cunts only ever felt secure enough to steal the Iron Throne due to Laena's death and that whore-son Aemond thieving a grieving Vhagar.
Yet now it was they who had the last laugh, that even death did not prevent Laena from lashing out at the usurpers. That even while beneath the waves and darkness she refused to stay idle, and instead had dragged Lucerys back from the depths to them. She knew the great love Rhaenyra had for her sons, and Lucerys was the heir to Driftmark. Velaryon and Targaryen, and now even in death Laena was aiding them in the war against the usurpers.
Necromancy was not something foreign to him, even if Daemon had never witnessed it. But from the letters it seemed Lucerys was fully resurrected through godly intervention, through the blood sacrifice of Arrax's death with him, the ancient magic of Storm's End and Vhagar's involvement, who had been Laena's and Queen Visenya's mount.
Even when he went to one of the rooms within the Dragonmont, removing himself from his riding armour and changing into breeches and tunic, he thought over Rhaenys's words and the various letters. That Lucerys was god-touched, capable of strange and powerful magics. That he had flown to Princess Rhaenys's aid at Rook's Rest and now if his cousin said was true, managed to orchestrate a mass breakout within the belly of King's Landing and spirit those loyal to Queen Rhaenyra to safety with those in the city none the wiser.
Strapping Dark Sister to his hip, Daemon rejoined his cousin and daughter where they were waiting for him outside and they began their walk back through the tunnels of the Dragonmont down to Dragonstone. The air was always warm within the tunnels, the volcano keeping even the harshest of the winds at bay regardless of season. The talk between the trio was more sedated, mostly Rhaenys telling him of her recovery and how she was very confident Meleys will recover soon enough once the membrane of her split wing melds.
That did bear the unfortunate news that Sunfyre hadn't been killed or severely maimed but those sheltered cunts of Alicent's had never been in a true battle beforehand and in the very first fight the Queen Who Never Was had sent the Green King squealing.
Still, it was a victory he was not about to deny. Even if now Baela had started to do patrols of the Gullet, even if she was to be used for observation instead of engaging- if she spotted Vhagar, she was to immediately flee back to Dragonstone and alert the queen. Rhaneys was quite certain Meleys could be roused to help if that was the case, even with their injuries.
As they exited the caverns out to the road leading down the rocky terrain to Dragonstone's wall, he noticed a dragon take wing in the far distance.
Daemon was aware at the corner of his eye how closely Rhaenys and Rhaena were watching him as they stopped, but all his focus was upon the dragon flying to them; large, bigger than Vermax and in black and reds. It also had four legs along with its ragged crimson wings, which were so torn all logic said it must plummet from the sky yet still it flew.
It rapidly closed the distance, flaring out its wings as it descended and Daemon could see the exposed muscle and skull face of the dragon and knew it had been the magical beast Lucerys now rode.
The dragon landed several feet away, long talons sinking into the volcanic glass strewn across the mountainside. And perched upon the dark iron saddle at its shoulders was Lucerys, and as the letters detailed his hair was now white, eyes glowing scarlet. He easily jumped down from the dragon even before it had settled, seemingly unbothered by the large drop as the dragon tucked its torn wings against its side.
"Welcome back, good-father," Lucerys greeted him, the boy sounding much the same. Still, Daemon saw the flash of long fangs within his mouth and could not stop himself from reaching for the boy.
Taking Luke's face in his hands, Daemon inspected him closely; the whites of his eyes now black, the red pupils glowing brightly like torches even in the light. The boy did not try to fend him off, even if Daemon noted with curiosity there was a faint dampness to Luke's skin as if he had been misted by sea spray. There was also a smell to him that reminded Daemon of the sea, but also a subtle undercurrent of blood. Even when Daemon pulled back one of Luke's lips to poke at a long fang he did not seem overly bothered. A rather far cry from how shy Lucerys would get under scrutiny.
Then again, none could pass through the grip of the gods and come out upon the other side unscathed.
"Just look at you," Daemon said warmly, cupping Luke's face. "Aren't you marvelous?"
Lucerys smiled, and there was something very endearing about those sharp fangs within Luke's sweet-featured face. Then there was a noise of rocks being disturbed and Daemon's violet gaze snapped to the strange dragon as it shifted in place. Its tail was a mess of great barbs, more spiked than any morning star.
"Do you wish to meet Calypso?" Lucerys asked, pulling away from Daemon. "She will not harm you."
The dragon swung her long neck around, peering at Daemon with glowing blue fire in place of eyes. She had six horns, with four sweeping backwards and the last curling forward like a ram's horns. Her belly was all exposed muscle, with the gleam of her ribs jutting from the flesh. The remnants of her black scales seemed limited to her neck, back, tail and legs. The rest was stripped to the flesh and bone but the dragon seemed very unbothered.
Despite that she smelled strongly of decaying seaweed instead of rotting flesh, even as Lucerys beckoned with a hand and the dragon moved closer with languish movements. Daemon offered his palm and the living dead dragon huffed; her breath was hot, which surprised him. He expected it to be cold like the sea, but instead it was as heated as Caraxes even if there was a noticeable stench to it he couldn't identify.
Studying her intently, Daemon said, "She is unlike any dragon of those born to Old Valyria."
"Of course she isn't like them. She's from a different age."
The tone from Lucerys was quite amusing, as if he was stating the most obvious thing. And perhaps it was to him, having passed through the shadows and fire of death to emerge upon the other side with life still in his lungs.
"I see there is much I must know," Daemon said, even as he rubbed at the bare black jawbone.
"Indeed, cousin," Rhaenys spoke then and he gave the faintest of twitches; he had almost forgotten about their company. "First however, you must report to our queen. Then you may spend the rest of the afternoon prying at our Lucerys."
"Of course, of course..." he knew his duty, even if it was with great reluctance that he dropped his hand.
He was never fond of council meetings and even one within a war council was not much different.
Daemon's first meeting upon his return to Dragonstone was in the Chamber of the Painted Table, with the Black council with the queen at its head. The table was still lit, its surface darkened by hundreds of years of varnish, and painted with the Seven Kingdoms as they had been in Aegon the Conqueror's day; rivers and mountains, castles and cities, lakes and forests and gleaming from the amber below. The large carved table was covered in various small pieces representing various factions and Houses across Westeros, and Daemon added the new pieces to represent their allies upon the move that he had garnered in his time within the Riverlands at Harrenhall.
He did notice a small black ship set within Blackwater bay, in front of the wooden ships signalling the Velaryon vessels and the lone vessel was closest to King's Landing. He picked it up, noticing with immense fascination the ship was utterly exquisite; the detail was beyond the keen even for the artisans and carvers of Qohor, with blue light emanating from the tiny windows. However the most interesting thing was how the little ship was hovering over the base of the piece, a fingers width of empty air between. Even poking at it did not disturb the hovering ship, or even turning it upside down.
There were also three other pieces, not ships but instead tiny, hyper realistic sculptures of people; two rotten men and a white haired woman. Their eyes glowed like the ship windows even if it was red instead of blue, and they stood firmly on their base. One rotten man was at Ashford, crossing the Reach, the woman currently at Storm's End, and the other rotted man at Yronwood all the way down at Dorne.
"Interesting, aren't they?" Rhaenys said. In her hands was a tiny Calypso, the dragon sculpted in flight and just like the ship was suspended over the base. The Hand of the Queen placed the little dragon back upon the gleaming etching of Dragonstone and when Daemon looked more carefully he could see a minuscule Lucerys upon her back.
"Did Luke make them?"
"No, he just pulled them from his pocket and put them upon the table as if they were always there. You will get used to such a thing. But it seems his vampiric...friend has retaken Duskendale and killed the troops Ser Criston left there after he beheaded Lord Darklyn. Lady Meredyth is back in control of the hold, and Lucerys says Captain Burke Black will make sure Duskendale and Rook's Rest remain free of the Green's hands."
"And if they send Vhagar?"
"Lucerys said that did not matter," Rhaenys gave a nonchalant shrug. "That even if they kill Burke Black, Lucerys will simply be able to summon him again after enough time has passed. As it is, the Court member is a fine first layer of defense. There is also the fact he can be used to safely ferry more loyalists to our queen to safety if need be, as he has done so before."
"...I see."
Rhaenys seemed deeply entertained by Daemon's expression, with him not even bothering to keep his rampant fascination in check.
Then Rhaenyra appeared from the stairs, looking just as beautiful and radiant as he remembered, followed by her remaining Queensguard and her council. Daemon also noted the new lords in attendance, the ones who escaped King's Landing, and he could see the effects imprisonment in the black cells had done. Still, he bowed to Rhaenyra as respectfully as he would before announcing Harrenhall's fate and the events happening to the north and across the Reach and those who were gathering for their cause.
Lords Merryweather, Caswell and Bitterbridge had also been messaging their keeps, encouraging the continued support for Queen Rhaenyra within the Reach. Lady Caswell had barred Bitterbridge the moment the usurpation occurred but her husband was steadfast she would offer succor to any who supported the Black Queen after his ravens flew. Meanwhile the Lord Buckler and Lady Fell had been using their keeps as a means to spy upon the activity within the Stormlands, for while Lord Borros Baratheon had not yet marched there was reports of great activity occurring over the lands including movement from the south.
"Would not surprise me those Dornish rats would take advantage of this," Lord Buckler said, a heavy scowl upon his lined face. "Especially with that fool Borros as lord paramount. But if what my daughter says is true, then there are near six thousand men mustering at Storm's End, could become more in time."
"And how accurate is such information?" Rhaenys asked.
"My daughter was handmaiden to Cassandra Baratheon, Borros's eldest daughter. However she had fled during the storm that took Prince Lucerys's life as she could see the way the tides were churning, but she always kept an ear out to the happenings in a coming war even before the first drop of blood spilled. I trust her word."
"Then mayhaps we should let the Stormlands be for this time," the Lady Hand suggested. "If the Dornish do attack, it would mean Lord Borros cannot support the Greens at King's Landing. We could take advantage of this, or at the very least know the Stormlands will not be marching north any time soon as they must deal with the serpents to the south."
There was general affirmation to that, even as Daemon thought over the words. He still wished to see Storm's End burn, as war will end when the heads of the traitors are mounted on spikes above the King's Gate, and not before. Such a thing cannot be allowed to occur again, and vicious consequence must be dealt to those who turn upon the Iron Throne and tried to steal the house of dragons as their own. He could only hope that bitch Alicent died last, after seeing all her children and grandchildren die.
There were more boring reports, mostly stock and food stores and what the Velaryon fleet had in their holds. There was also the interesting knowledge in Lucerys's immense increase in strength and one of the lords mentioned he had even seen Lucerys scurry up the side of the castle walls and easily jump in through a window. That combined with the strange beasts he was summoning from the sea was making Luke's power in the war increase, especially if he could summon more members of the Merling Court to their aid as he had with that Burke Black captain.
That had left Daemon immensely curious and there was an urge to take Caraxes and fly out to see the undead vampire lord out upon Blackwater Bay, especially with the news he had single handedly taken back a castle. It became more apparent Lucerys should be upon the council, just as Prince Jacaerys was. Luke's new gifts could not be squandered, even if Rhaenyra was possessive and fretful over her second born son. Understandable, considering death had been the transformative event for him but at the same time Lucerys being god-touched was something they could not use.
Once the council meeting was adjourned, Daemon went with his wife to the queen's chambers. She immediately clung to him the moment the door closed, svelte body trembling as her familiar scent enveloping him as he held her close. A mother losing a child was never easy, and Rhaenyra had lost two in such short time. Daemon would never forgive them for killing Visenya, for killing Lucerys. They would all die screaming and he would enjoy every moment of it, especially as he knew now Laena was awaiting in the afterlife for the Greens and she was just as cruel and vicious as he could be when roused.
Rhaenyra wept in his arms, citing her fear for Lucerys, for all her children. Of her sorrow over Visenya, her grief over Viserys. Of her despair at having to send her children away from her, of how she could barely sleep for her worry of what fate could be left to them.
Through it all he soothed her, kissing away her tears and promising her that he would never let their enemies harm their children. That the gods were with them and they would bring fire and blood against their foes. Gently he disrobed her, well used to navigating the elaborate buttons and seams of a noble woman's dresses, even as Rhaenyra's hands tugged at his clothes as her tears glistened like tracks of liquid diamond upon her cheeks. Then when they were laid bare he took her to bed and spent the night comforting his queen.
The following morning Daemon inspected the defenses and guard rotations of Dragonstone. The attempted assassination of the queen was something which could not be tolerated ever again. It was then Daemon was introduced to one of the many dog packs roaming the halls and surrounding lands, when Ser Steffon Darklyn explained the beasts had substantially increased in numbers after Ser Arryk's failed assassination attempt. The dogs seemed to have no rhyme or reason to them, simply roaming the castle as they saw fit and as the Queenguards told him they did not seem to eat, sleep or leave any messes behind.
Though, as the knight explained, they could eat but did not seem to have the need to do so. There were also the flocks of bats and when Daemon was inside the Sea Dragon Tower, the immense thing carved in the form of a dragon calmly gazing across the water, and ascended to the top where the rookery was held he noted that along with the gargoyles and wyverns carved upon the balcony outside there was also several giant bats the size of horses. The great beasts did not seem bothered at all by the two, grooming their fur and chittering to one another. Ser Steffon spoke of how Lucerys had summoned the beasts and used them to attack Vhagar during the ambush at Rook's Rest when he flew to Princess Rhaenys's and how the creatures could swiftly carry messages. Their size almost meant they could fly through much harsher weather that a raven would recoil at, and it also would take many more arrows to shoot them down.
At one point Maester Gerardys appeared from below where the maester chambers were within the tower, with a basket of chopped meat in hand. As he fed the ravens, Daemon inquired to the man about Lucerys's condition. The maester explained as best he could, including the slowed heartbeat, but suggested he go to the Merling chapel where the priest and his daughters remained.
"As I informed our queen, I believed Prince Lucerys's condition is much better understood by faith," the man said.
The priest was indeed quite pleased to see Daemon, even if it was mostly asking him about his late wife Laena. Apparently the priest had been collaborating with various sculptors to create an effigy of Laena, the Handmaiden of the Merling Court, and wished to know how accurate the likeness was through the paintings and sketches offered. Rhaenys and Corlys had already been consulted numerous times, and Daemon was not at all surprised Corlys was happily funding it along with the offerings left at the chapel.
Speaking with the priest over Luke's condition was muddied, however. The man freely admitted he had never encountered one such as Lucerys even if he was vehement in Luke being god-touched and all those of the sea were to serve him loyally. The Undying was a title increasingly given to the boy, even if Lucerys did not seem to care either way.
Unfortunately Daemon did not see Lucerys until after noon had passed, as the heir to Driftmark was taking Calypso out with Baela and Moondancer upon a routine check of the blockade despite the very low odds the Greens would assault it. Daemon had to wonder how the living dead beast would fare against Vhagar, if it was possible for one who was dead to die again. Either way it was ever more obvious to him that Luke's presence was strongly radiating through Dragonstone and many were in awe of him.
At one point Daemon swore he could see what looked like a monstrous crab, as big as a wheelhouse, scuttling down the crags to disappear into the sea as he was walking down the narrow land bridge. Then when he was at the courtyard, discussing the armoury with Dragonstone's master-at-arms he saw a maid lean out one of the windows above and toss a fish up for a passing horse-sized bat that snatched it from the air as it swooped by. It seemed regardless of the raw and unknown magic shown, none of the people upon the isle were frightened of it. Even with being used to dragons Daemon expected some level of unease but there was none, just a sense of trust and ease that also seemed to affect himself.
After finishing his patrol and sending Ser Steffon back to Rhaenyra's side, Daemon went to the altar of the Fourteen within the Dragonmont and found Rhaena inside and praying to the great twisted figures of Syrax and Meraxes. Both goddess of motherhood, but upon much different axis; Syrax, for strong children and an easy birth and protector of new mothers and freshly born babes, Meraxes for the unwanted and abandoned with the sacrificial altar for malformed newborns with a red-bladed dagger lying at her feet.
Rhaena's offering had been a chicken, tossed down into the chasm split upon the volcanic rock to the magma below which kept the room hot and dry. When he touched the pink egg at her hip it nearly scalded his hand, to the point he thought it would crack open at his touch.
Rhaena was preparing for her voyage, which was set to leave within a few days for the Vale and she was praying to the two godly mothers of Valyria. He understood his daughter's disappointment at being sent away, but also understood why Rhaenyra was doing so. Daemon had not such compulsions will butchering his enemies in their beds, and Ser Arryk proved the Greens were much the same even if they were far more sloppy at it.
As Daemon and Rhaena walked from the altars, he said a newly born hatchling would certainly keep her occupied while in the Vale along with the care of Tyraxes. He could tell Rhaena was still unhappy but she did not protest or rail against the up coming journey. She had always been calm and collected, more content to embroider or read and swoon over pretty gowns compared to her wilder twin. Laena had once joked that Rhaena was the sea and Baela was the fire of their mixed Targaryen and Velaryon blood and it would seem that remained true.
To his frustration he was unable to find Lucerys even as he and Rhaena parted ways, even if Rhaenys mocked him over his enthusiasm when he passed her. He felt his curiosity towards Luke was quite fitting for the powers being casually shown and Daemon was ever more interested as to what the boy knew. Rhaenyra had not pushed her son in recounting his death or what he learned, for fear of making his relapse, but as Rhaenys said Lucerys had seemed far more invigorated ever since he had summoned Calypso to him. Far more like his past self.
Still, he quickly gave up his search as with the dragon unless Daemon took Caraxes he doubted he could track down Luke. So instead he composed a message to his old friend the Prince of Pentos, for the preparation of Viserys and Aegon to be taken over the Narrow Sea soon before the war could escalate further. As of now they completely outnumbered the Greens in terms of naval strength and should take advantage of that
Afterwards Daemon challenged Prince Jacaerys to a duel and spent quite some time sparring with heir, noting with pleasure the boy remained quick footed and nimble with a blade even if he could not match Daemon's experience. The boy was obviously upset over the changes his brother had gone through and Daemon let the prince exhaust his rage against him. It was a bitter thing to learn that no matter how fierce and strong you could be, you could not protect your closest kin.
He spent an hour with the heir, sparring and offering counsel as Jace exhausted himself. It was only when Baela appeared and immediately began to fuss over her betrothed did he stop trying to beat Daemon. Amused, he watched as his daughter scolded Jacaerys, Baela having not even bothered to change out of her riding clothes before she started lecturing Jace about overexerting himself and then worrying over him. She then shooed Jace off to bathe before giving Daemon a stern glare. Baela was much like Daemon, so he was unsurprised when they butted heads regularly. However she would never back down, not even to him, so he took her scolding easily enough.
Daemon knew she was acting out of concern for Jacaerys, as Rhaenys had confided in how Baela was pushing for them to wed while Jace wanted to wait for the queen to be upon the Iron Throne. Personally Daemon could understand his daughter's actions, especially as it was clearly no longer simple friendship between those two. If Baela and Jacaerys spoke to him about it, then he would gladly give his blessings and pass that along to the queen. For now though, his daughter remained stubborn and he let her be.
To his annoyance he could not locate Lucerys even though he had returned along with Baela from the blockade. Daemon spent some fruitless time searching before giving up, and had been in the middle of inspecting one of the scurvy dogs from where a pack of them were milling about in the great hall when a maid came to him with a summons.
He was heading to the the Chamber of the Painted Table, as there was new ravens from the Westerlands and a council had been called, that Lucerys tracked him down himself.
"Good-father."
The call made Daemon pause, turning to see Lucerys approaching him. The boy's eyes were bright, piercing. Following close behind him were his grandparents, Rhaenys and Corlys.
"I'm off to see the queen and her council," Daemon said in lieu of a greeting.
"I know, that's why I want to speak to you," Lucerys said, tilting his head to the side. "I've been speaking with my grandparents and they agree with my proposal. But I was hoping you would as well, to strengthen my case."
Amused, Daemon asked, "What is it you plan?"
"I want your help in convincing the queen to send me to Oldtown."
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