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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:33,669
The Rat Prince of Westeros
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 29: Lucerys
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"We should bear those messages. Dragons can fly faster than ravens, and they'll be more convincing. Send us," Jacaerys declared.
"The prince is right, Your Grace. It will be quicker and a stronger message," Corlys said.
Lucerys stood between Rhaena and Jacaerys, hands at his side to avoid fidgeting. Even now the idea of an impending civil war felt surreal, knowing that his grandfather Viserys was dead and his uncle Aegon had stolen the throne with the help of his mother and grandfather. The 'Greens' and the 'Blacks' were groups now so intently important. The rival sides as Westeros began to fracture.
Rhaenyra looked far better than she had the previous day when she suffered through Visenya's stillbirth when word came from King's Landing of Aegon's coronation as king. The coup was quiet but the coronation was elaborate and the White Worm had sent word as the new king was sworn in. The news of the usurpation had forced Rhaenyra into early labour.
Lucerys had seen the blood, the pain his mother had been in when they had briefly seen her, but had not seen Visenya's remains until there was the little bundle being burned on the pyre. He had a little sister, even if she had been born sleeping. Forced into the world too soon when Rhaenyra learned of both her father's death and the Green's treachery. She had been shaky and sweaty during the burning, skin a deathly pallor and Lucerys had fretted and worried. Even after the births of Aegon and Viserys she hadn't looked so sickly. Elinda had quietly said it was the pain of the stillbirth, a different agony from one of the lively babe, when Luke had asked her in concern.
Then Corlys and Rhaenys had appeared upon Dragonstone with Ser Erryk Cargyll, walking up the hills to reach the pyre. Apparently their vessel had caught Ser Erryk's and when they searched it he was in possession of King Viserys, King Jaehaerys's crown which he intended to gift to the queen. If the White Worm hadn't informed Dragonstone than Ser Erryk certainly would have.
After the crowning where they all knelt to Rhaenyra, now Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Corlys had requested a private audience with Rhaenyra, Daemon and the children, before they would all meet in the chambers of the Painted Table with the council.
It was there Lucerys learned more of what Rhaenys had mentioned during the last court of King Viserys, of Ikit aiding Corlys in the Stepstones. His destroying of the remaining corsair ships and then him healing Corlys of his injuries with a magic tonic.
And then leaving back to Essos.
He was so close, Luke had thought, despairing. If the usurpation had only occurred even a week earlier than Luke had no doubt his brother would have come back with Corlys. It had been years but Ikit still loved them, Luke knew. He just found it so hard to express that love.
Even Corlys saying how Ikit planned to return to Westeros of his own will at the year's turn was no comfort. The end of the year was moons away, who knew what could happen in the months leading to it? They could all be dead and Ikit would never know. Even if he had told Corlys to pass along his 'Hello' to them, so he was still thinking of them.
Baela mentioned that if he did return to Westeros and found them all dead then he'd kill all the Greens anyway, especially with Corlys's words that Silverwing was now even larger than Vermithor. A strength they could sorely do with but it seems whatever obsession that had caught Ikit across the narrow sea was not about to give him up. They had then been dismissed to the Painted Table, barring Rhaenyra whom Corlys wanted to speak to personally.
When Rhaenyra appeared only ten minutes later she looked substantially better, the tense fragility to her stance gone and a healthy flush to her cheeks. Lucerys didn't know what happened but was glad his mother no longer looked so wounded and hurt. Even if Maester Gerardys seemed immensely curious as to how Rhaenyra had recovered so quickly.
It did not bring back Visenya but he felt less panicked, no longer fearing his mother would collapse before them. Even if the words of war still frightened him dearly, talk of how the Westerlands, the Reach, would all back the traitors. The other kingdoms could as well. Corlys meanwhile was firm in his support for Rhaenyra as did Rhaenys, already planning to see letters to begin to form a blockade with the Stepstones back in their hands.
Then ship came from King's Landing, bearing a banner with a green dragon. King Aegon's new personal herald apparently. But the terms rejected even if Luke was kept with his siblings and cousin near their dragons with Rhaenys saddled upon Meleys, in case it was attempted treachery. Morning and Stormcloud were still so small and Tyraxes had only been ridden twice. Then there were the eggs...
The meeting in the room of the Painted Table after that followed more talk, with Rhaenyra refusing to be the one to attack first. Instead she spoke to Lord Corlys, who furthered his plan to cut off King's Landing from any trade by sea, and then reminding the kingdoms of the oaths they swore to her.
That was when Jace spoke up, offering his solution. To send dragons.
Rhaenyra had stared at them for a long moment before giving the slightest of nods, "Very well. Prince Jacaerys will fly north. First to the Eyrie to see my mother's cousin, the Lady Jeyne Arryn, and then to Winterfell to treat with Lord Cregan Stark for the support of the North. Prince Lucerys will fly south to Storm's End and treat with Lord Borros Baratheon. We must remind these lords of the oaths they swore. And the cost of breaking them."
Luke nodded, accepting the words of his queen. The Stormlands, Rhaenys's kin and his own. Just as the Arryns were.
Then Baela spoke up, "I can take Moondancer east, Your Grace. If I travel fast enough I could locate Prince Ikit. I am sure he will come to our aid if he's aware of the usurpation."
"Essos is far too large," Rhaenys said immediately.
"Grandfather said Ikit informed him he is traveling back to Asshai, to Stygai," Baela argued. "There are maps I could follow, I know the stars-"
"No. Even with a dragon like Meleys it would take a month to reach Asshai and she is the fastest dragon alive and has far larger endurance than Moondancer. For Moondancer, it would take two months, perhaps even three if you get lost within the Shadow. Even then Stygai is a twisted place which Ikit himself mentioned dead-not-dead inhabiting the city still. Moondancer is young, she is still vulnerable to the likes of ballista and scorpions much less other weapons. It would be far too easy for you both to be killed, and myself and Daemon cannot be spared from here."
"Silverwing is now even larger than Vermithor, she is now the dragon closest in size to Vhagar," Baela wasn't deterred as she argued. "If her strength joins ours then it may be the push to force the Green to surrender. The only reason they feel confident in doing such a thing is due to their possession of Vhagar. If we present a dragon whose wingspan rivals her then it may force them down."
"It is too dangerous and the path too unsure," Rhaenyra cut in then, her voice firm. "I...we do not have a means to contact Prince Ikit. It could take months, even as word spreads of the usurpation Stygai is an abandoned city. We- we cannot rely upon him hearing of this in a timely manner. For now we must consolidate our strength and muster allies."
Baela looked unhappy but backed down even if Lucerys could understand her desire. Silverwing would be a welcomed sight over Dragonstone.
It was something he kept thinking of even as he changed to traveling clothes, red and black of House Targaryen, and awkwardly strapped a sword to his hip before he and Jace met with their mother. She was awaiting them upon the ramparts overlooking the sea, her hair and crown glowing gold in the setting sun, and several scrolls in hand.
"It's been said that as Targaryens, we are closer to gods than to men," she said quietly as she turned to face them. "And the Iron Throne puts us a touch closer but if we are to serve the Seven Kingdoms we must answer to their gods. If you take this errand you go as messengers, not as warriors. You must take no part in any fighting. Swear it to me now under the eyes of the Seven."
She beckoned Ser Erryk forward, who had a tome of the Seven-Pointed Star already in hand.
"I swear it," Luke said quietly, touching the book.
"I swear it," Jace's voice was more subdued but resolute. He had voiced nothing about their news of Ikit, nothing about his twin.
She smiled faintly before offering a handful of scrolls to Jace, saying, "Lord Cregan Stark is close to your age than is mine. I would hope that as men you can find some common interest as you remind him of his oath."
"Yes, Your Grace."
She then turned to Luke, who felt even more nervous as Rhaenyra offered him a single scroll, "Storm's End is a short flight from here. You have Baratheon blood from your grandmother, Princess Rhaenys. Lord Borros is an eternally proud man, he will be honored to host a prince of the realm and his dragon. I expect you will receive a very warm welcome."
"Yes, Mot- Your Grace," he corrected himself hurriedly, face flushing. Yet still he couldn't help but say, "Do we, can we not send anything to Asshai? Across the narrow sea? If Ikit knew...He cares, I know it. He would come back to aid us if he knew about this."
Something pained crossed Rhaenyra's face, even as she took Luke's hand in both her own from where he was still clutching the missive. She took a deep breath before saying, "We can try but as both Corlys and Rhaenys said, Essos is vast and the Shadow is a queer and dangerous place. I know the Sea Snake will spread the word of the Green's dishonourable theft far and wide through the ports and we can only hope Ikit hears of it. He's helped already, even if he does not know."
"Is...that why you aren't hurt anymore? From, from..." Luke's voice was hushed, even as Jace cast him a sharp look.
"Yes. The healing he used upon Corlys was in a flask, a tonic he had created. The Sea Snake gave some to me. The physical wounds are healed but..." A pained grimaced. "Visenya is still gone. That is why you are envoys, only. You will deliver these missives and not fight. We will not strike first. Fly swift and come home back to me."
Her queenly poise failed as she stepped forward and pressed a kiss to Luke's temple. She then did the same to Jace, lips soft and hands gentle.
She stepped back, a more wry smile in place as she said, "Now then, go to it."
Arrax was already saddled and waiting, with Vermax by his side. The two dragons flew together out of the cave, with Meleys's giant form over them both as Rhaenys headed towards the Gullet where the blockade would be forming.
He had to be strong. He had to. His family, his mother, was relying on him. So he forced down his nervousness, tugging on the reigns and steering Arrax around to head southward to where Storm's End. He and Rhaenys were apace, the Red Queen heavily slowed as she matched Arrax's speed, while Vermax had already vanished north. Then Lucerys split ways with Rhaenys as they reached Massey's Hook, his nervousness coming back in force as it was only himself and Arrax in the sky. Especially when night fell.
At the very least the keep of House Baratheon was easy to spot as he followed around the coast, and in due time he located it even as the clouds around them grew blacker and shimmering with lightning and grumbles of thunder.
Storm's End was as gloomy as everyone said. Forged of pale grey stone with immense curtain walls to protect its inhabitants from the relentless battering of the sea and winds. It only bore one tower, a gigantic thing that rose into the sky like a huge spiked fist. Torches burned everywhere, gleaming stars across the keep as Arrax flew close.
Down below he saw the courtyard before the tower, large enough to house Meleys much less Arrax. Yet when they flew around the huge drum tower he spotted the gigantic form of a dragon sprawled out further below, so massive she was out upon the stony field before the curtain wall of Storm's End.
Vhagar.
It would seem Rhaenyra wasn't the only one reaching out to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms.
Lucerys felt the nervousness within his stomach shift to outright anxiety and fear. No blood had been shed yet, but it was a budding war. He had read about Maegor the Cruel and everything that happened before the usurper had died mysterious upon the Iron Throne. The deaths of Aegon the Uncrowned and Quicksilver. Torn to shreds by a Conquest dragon. And before that, countless others as Maegor enforced his theft with fire and blood.
Vhagar was so massive, her head the same size as Arrax's body. Beneath him the white dragon let out a low screech, the anxiety leaking across their bond. Arrax beat his wings, circling the courtyard yet not landing.
'No shame in running away, if it lets you keep your tail,' Lucerys remembered Ikit once telling him. It was in one of the times Lucerys would go to Ikit's room when he couldn't sleep, as Ikit seemed more nocturnal than not. His brother never turned him away even if he got grouchy about it.
Lucerys would bring his own books, usually ones about grand warriors such as Symeon Star-Eyes, Florian the Fool and Lady Jonquil, the Grey King and the Winged Knight and so many more. He would read them aloud and Ikit would usually criticize the stories. The ones that heralded grand acts of bravery he would always scoff at. Standing and dying in defiance Ikit always found stupid if there were other means to survive. For him, it would be better to simply flee the fight and live to see another day. Stab an enemy in the groin and then run for it. Throw sand in their eye and flee through the window. Shove a scorpion in their bed while they slept. Honour did not mean much to Ikit, nor did he hold it in high regard and he had always been open in his opinion that Lucerys was a fool for expecting it from everyone.
Even Daemon, for all everyone said he was underhanded and volatile, held a strong sense of pride. He wouldn't just flee from a fight in a way Ikit would suggest. Ikit always valued the ability to live over all else, had made that clear and told Lucerys the same for those stories.
If he was here now, Lucerys felt Ikit would urge him to leave. To steer Arrax away from Storm's End and head back to Dragonstone as with Vhagar present it meant her rider, Aemond, would be as well. And he had hated them since Driftmark. Lucerys knew that simply from the cold glares his uncle kept giving them during their brief reunion to King's Landing. He had never forgiven them and with Ikit gone Lucerys would be the closest target for him to lash out at. Him being here at Storm's End also meant he was furthering the goal of the usurpation.
There were hopes of a peaceful conclusion to the succession but Lucerys had heard everyone talking in the chambers of the Painted Table. They needed more allies, and as Corlys said hope was a fool's ally. It was why he and Jace had been sent, to secure support of the Vale, North and Stormlands. It was why Rhaenyra trusted them with this missive, it was why his mother trusted him. She was relying upon them to help strengthen her position, she needed to know her allies and not yet had anyone died. And down below the watchers had already spotted Arrax. If he turned away now they would all think he was a craven and it would spread far and wide.
I will be here as an envoy, Lucerys said to himself as he tugged on Arrax's reigns and making himself look away from Vhagar's immense form. I am not here to fight. And he's still my uncle.
Nothing was more accursed than a kinslayer, everyone knew that. They all remembered Maegor the Cruel. Lucerys was there as a messenger, not to fight. He was here to deliver the message from the queen and hear Lord Baratheon's reply.
The Old, the True, the Brave. The words of House Velaryon.
He could be brave, even before Aemond with Vhagar. He had to be strong and do as he promised his queen.
So with a flare of his red wings, Arrax and dragonrider landed upon the courtyard and sealed their fates.
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