Violent Tides - Chapter 5: Tension

Half a year has passed and tensions are starting to boil over due to the birth of Jacaerys Velaryon

“C'mon, Jace. Say Lora,” Aelora whispered as she stood next to her brother’s crib inside of the nursery. 

Jacaerys laid on his back, staring at his sister until he started finding his foot more interesting, grabbing his leg, and putting said foot in his mouth. 

Aelora was unimpressed. “Babies are strange.”

“You know Aelora, you were just like that when you were a baby,” Laenor said with a laugh as he watched his children interact.

Aelora was offended by the claim. “No, I wasn’t!”

Laenor turned to his wife. “Rhaenyra, you agree with me, right? Our daughter’s very strange.”

Aelora's face twisted in anger, and she ran at her father, crashing into his legs. The young girl furiously swung her hands at Laenor, hitting him even harder when he continued to laugh.

Rhaenyra remained silent as this was going on, lost within her own thoughts, it was not until Aelora crawled into her lap that she began to focus on her family again.

“What’s wrong, little one?” Rhaenyra asked when she saw the displeasure on her daughter’s face.

“Hmph. Papa is mean. You married a meanie!” Aelora yelled.

“Your papa is a meanie,” Rhaenyra said while not knowing what she was agreeing with and ignoring Laenor's gasp of mock betrayal.

Aelora looked into her mother’s eyes and her anger melted away. “Mama?”

“I'm my little storm,” Rhaenyra said, but her smile did not reach her eyes like it usually did.

Aelora did not say anything, continuing to stare at her mother and Rhaenyra could not help but feel as though her daughter was judging her for lying.

“We should get going, we told my parents that we would be meeting them in the courtyard right about now,” Laenor spoke, walking over to Jacaerys and lifting him out of the crib.

“Are you excited for today, Lora?” Laenor asked as the family of four left the nursery.

Aelora grinned. “Yes! Grandsire said I'll be the captain of all his ships!”

Corlys and Rhaenys had returned to King’s Landing the previous day for the first time in six moons since the birth of Jacaerys, their grandson.

Lord Velaryon had offered to take the family on a boat ride when Aelora asked if she could see his most famous ship, The Sea Snake.

You could practically see the stars shining in Aelora’s eyes at the news, even now, she continued to become more excited as they moved towards the courtyard.

“Aha! There’s my little sea snake!” Corlys bellowed, he dropped to one knee when he saw his granddaughter run at him, his laughter rang out as Aelora threw herself into his arms.

“Grandsire! I missed you!” Aelora yelled.

Corlys rose to his feet and playfully threw the girl into the air a few times, Aelora would shriek every time her grandfather would catch her.

“I'm glad to see that you prefer your grandfather over me, sweetling,” Rhaenys playfully drawled.

Aelora’s head quickly turned to face Rhaenys, her smile grew wider, and she jumped out of Corlys arms and into her grandmother’s.

“I don’t like grandsire more, you’re my favorite,” Aelora loudly whispered.

“You know she’s just saying that to spare your feelings?” Corlys joked.

“Yes, because it’s my feelings that are so fragile,” Rhaenys said sarcastically.

“I am glad that you have finally realized,” Corlys had to keep himself from laughing as his wife rolled her eyes at his comment.

The happy moment did not last long when Rhaenyra and Laenor, caught up to Aelora, the smiles leaving the older couple's faces.

“Father, Mother. I hope you are both doing well this day?” Laenor awkwardly asked.

“We are fine, Laenor,” Corlys replied, a strained smile forming on his while he spoke.

“We should be on our way to the port. We’re burning daylight just standing here,” Rhaenys said, walking to the carriage with Aelora, Corlys immediately followed his wife and granddaughter.

“That went well, I think?” Laenor said after a few moments.

“Laenor…” Rhaenyra groaned, trying not to say something she would regret to her husband. She then took Jacaerys from his arms and climbed into the carriage.

“What? What did I say?” Laenor asked himself before walking to the carriage.

~X~

Rhaenyra could not stop smiling as she watched her daughter with her grandfather.

The second they boarded The Sea Snake and the ship had left the harbor, Aelora had demanded that Corlys teach her everything he knew about ships and the sea. Corlys was happy to indulge her, answering all her questions, explaining the various positions that make up a crew, how to navigate, and about his nine voyages.

Rhaenyra had just left her quarters a few minutes ago after putting Jacaerys down for a nap, the infant had not been enjoying his first time on a ship, spending the last few hours crying and vomiting.

Laenor had joked that their son had simply not gotten his sea legs yet and that he was not much different when Corlys took himself and Laena on a boat for the first time. Laenor said that he mostly remembered spending the majority of the trip with his head over the railing as he threw up while Laena ran around on deck, laughing at his expense, unbothered by the rough seas beneath them.

Rhaenyra would have found the anecdote funny if it were not for the emotionless way that Rhaenys stared at her as she tried to calm Jacaerys.

“Your sister always did take to the water better than you did, my dear boy.”

Laenor playfully rolled his eyes at his mother. “Yes, yes. But Laena was two years older than me, of course she was better than me at swimming and sailing. I still like to think I am the better dragonrider.”

Rhaenys’ eyebrow raised, a smiling forming on her face for the first time since they left the Red Keep. “Should I write to her and tell Laena what you truly think?”

Laenor’s shoulders slumped, and he became embarrassed. “Please don’t. Laena would immediately fly all the way here on Vhagar and demand we compete, then she’d never let me hear the end of it after she won.”

“Laena has always been energetic and competitive,” Rhaenys said.

“Yes, she is,” Laenor agreed. “Aelora reminds me so much of her, sometimes it just makes me miss Laena even more whenever I look at her.”

“Aelora reminds me of Laena as well. They both have that inner fire and adventurous spirt that comes from being the child of a Targaryen and a Velaryon,” Rhaenys said but this time her gaze was focused directly on Rhaenyra.

“Yes, they do,” Laenor said, not hearing the true meaning behind Rhaenys’ words, and he stared off into the distance, thinking about when he would finally be able to see his older sister again.

Laena was more than just his sister, she was his closest confidant, his biggest supporter and defender, his soulmate, and now the two were separated, only able to communicate with each other through letters. Laenor was sure that if Laena could see him now, she would smile and playfully call him clingy.

As he was lost in his thoughts, Laenor failed to notice the tension between his wife and mother. It was then that Rhaenyra made the excuse of going to feed their son to get away from her good-mother’s eyes, spending the next few hours in their room.

Now watching as Laenor joined Aelora and Corlys at the helm of the ship, it was easy for the princess to pretend that everything was fine, that there were no problems within their family.

Since Jacaerys was born, whispers and stares had followed them, most of which came from Alicent and her party, the Greens.

And while the gossip and mockery angered her, Rhaenyra did not regret her relationship with Harwin. She cared deeply about the Commander of the City Watch and if not for him she would not have her son.

Jacaerys may not share his blood, but Laenor claimed him as his own, he told her when they first learned she was pregnant that he would treat this child the same as Aelora, that he would love them the same.

Her own father boasted this sentiment as well, spending just as much time with Jacaerys as he did Aelora. Viserys could often be seen carrying Jacaerys in his arms, even going as far as to hold him during council meetings.

It had gotten to the point where if one did not know any better, they could mistakenly think that Jacaerys was his son instead of one of his grandchildren, especially as the King would dote on Jacaerys more than any of his children by Alicent Hightower, including their own infant son, Daeron.

If I, Laenor, and father say that he is a Velaryon, then Jacaerys is a Velaryon. Even more so as Corlys still maintains that Jacaerys will be Lord of Driftmark after Laenor. Rhaenyra thought, thinking of both Alicent and Rhaenys.

Neither woman bothered to hide the distain in their eyes every time they looked at her, nor their snide comments.

Anger filled her gut thinking about what Rhaenys said earlier, about how Aelora was a true Velaryon just like Laena, implying that her son was not, along with Alicent making similar statements during the past six moons. In Rhaenyra’s mind, these comments were unwarranted as she had done her duty, she had accepted her position as Crown Princess, gotten married, and produced heirs.

These heirs that were under so much scrutiny were her children, they were Targaryens, and that was all that mattered. Her resolve hardened as she continued to watch her daughter, Aelora’s joy was infectious as most people on deck were captivated by her as she ran around.

Rhaenyra knew that she would have to begin fighting for not just herself, but Aelora and Jacaerys as well, to ensure that no one could try and take away the things that rightfully belonged to them.

~X~

The first thing Aelora did once she returned to the Red Keep was run to the nursery. When she got there, she had expected to see her uncles and aunt, but the room was empty. Aelora then took off running again, realizing that the only other place they could all go would be the Queen’s chambers as she did not see them as she entered the castle.

It did not take long for Aelora to reach the Queen’s chambers, her smile growing as she saw Criston Cole standing guard outside of the doors.

“Ser Criston!” Aelora yelled as she came to a skidding stop in front of the knight.

Criston returned the greeting. “Good day, Princess Aelora. I see you have returned from the Blackwater.”

Aelora vigorously nodded her head. “Yes! It was so much fun! I want to tell Ali and everyone about it!”

Criston's lips formed a small smile, “Of course.”

The knight then turned to announce Aelora’s presence to the Queen, and Criston barely had time to open the door before Aelora ran past him and into the sitting room.

Aelora saw that Alicent had been standing in front of Aegon, a frown on her face as she spoke to her son. Aegon glared at the ground, tears sat in the corner of his eyes just waiting to fall.

Helaena sat on the couch playing with a large caterpillar that carefully rested on her left arm. Aemond sat on the floor in front of his sister playing with wooden blocks and Daeron lay awake in his cradle nearby, slobbering on himself.

“Ali?” Aelora asked, her good mood leaving her as she looked between the woman and her son.

“Aelora,” Alicent said breathlessly, almost forgetting that she had allowed the girl into the room. “Did you enjoy your time on your grandsire’s ship?”

Aelora’s grin returned. “Yes, I did! Grandsire taught me everything he knows, and he made me a captain!”

“That is nice. I’m sure you will make a fine captain,” Alicent said, temporarily forgetting the annoyance she felt at her eldest son's actions.

Aelora smiled and turned her attention to Aegon. “Don’t worry Egg, when grow up I'll take you on my ship!”

“You don’t have a ship, Lora,” Aegon responded.

“I’m gonna get a ship! And it’ll be the greatest ship ever!” Aelora exclaimed.

“What are going to name it?” Aegon asked.

Aelora thought about it for a moment before responding. “I'll call it, The Dragon!”

Aegon started laughing, happier in this moment with his niece than he had been all day.

Aelora pouted as Aegon continued to laugh at her, “What’s so funny?”

“No, it's just The Dragon? That’s a great name!” Aegon said between his chuckles.

Truthfully, Aegon thought that the name was unoriginal given that they were Targaryens, although knowing Aelora if she ever did get her own ship, she would name it The Dragon just to spite him.

“It is a great name, don’t be mean!” Aelora said before facing Alicent. “Right Ali?”

“It is a very interesting name for a ship,” Alicent replied, but Aelora knew that she was just placating her.

“Fine then you can just not come on my ship, Aelora huffed and turned away.

“What do you mean that I can't come on your ship?” Aegon asked.

“Only Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron can come. You can stay in the Keep,” Aelora answered.

“Pff. Right,” Aegon mumbled, not believing that Aelora would not let him or Alicent on her hypothetical ship.

Aegon smiled as he saw that Aelora had started pouting again, knowing that she had heard him. His smile grew wider when his niece grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the couch, the prince tuned out Aelora when they sat down as she started telling Helaena and Aemond about how her day went.

Despite her gaze never leaving the caterpillar in her hands, Helaena would nod her head as Aelora spoke and asked questions that their niece was happy to try and answer, with Aemond yelling out strange sounds and random words every few minutes, wanting to be a part of the conversation.

Aegon kept his eyes on Aelora, trying to ignore his mother when she sat down on the chair across from them. Alicent did not pay him any mind as she reached down and pulled Daeron out of his cradle and into her arms.

Just before Aelora had entered the room, Alicent had been berating him about his conduct as few hours earlier, Aegon had been in his numbers lesson with Maester Samwell, the young prince had been bored out of his mind as the maester droned on and on. Eventually, Aegon could no longer take it and had sunk out of the room as Samwell was distracted, the man had his back turned to the prince as he wrote down numbers on a large board. Aegon then ran to the kitchen, stealing some cakes, tarts, and wafers before running and hiding in the castle gardens.

It was not until a bit earlier that Aegon was finally found by his mother's sworn shield and dragged to her chambers. Aegon stood still, willing himself not to cry as Alicent yelled at him, telling him how terrible his behavior has been and how disappointing he is becoming.

“Aegon, you are a prince, the King's firstborn son. You cannot keep acting this way, a prince must be well educated and well-mannered,” Alicent said.

“Why does it matter?! Father doesn’t care if I’m educated, he doesn’t care at all!” Aegon screamed, his voice cracking and his eyes stung with tears that begged to be released.

Alicent quickly kneeled and grabbed Aegon's shoulders, pulling him closer to her. “Your father does care, and he cares about how his son is acting. Your actions reflect on him, on me, and our whole family.” Alicent’s grip then tightened. “You must take your studies seriously. You must show everyone that you are a strong and perfect prince, it is needed for the kingdom.”

Aegon's lips trembled as he kept himself from speaking out again.

The lack of an answer caused Alicent to stand and was about to continue before Aelora had appeared. Aegon hated when his mother got like this, when the smile would leave her face and she would talk down to him. He hated it when she would talk to him about his duty and his responsibilities, especially when the Queen mentioned her husband.

Aegon wanted, desperately needed his father’s attention, his approval, but had yet to get it. He has heard from a few others how Viserys used to dote on him when he was a baby, but he does not remember any of it. Now it was as if he did not exist in Viserys’ eyes, watching as his father would ignore him in favor of Rhaenyra, Aelora, and now Jacaerys.

Aegon did not understand why he was unworthy of his father’s love and affection, why his father ignored him and his younger siblings in favor of their older sister and her children.

When Aelora was first born, Aegon wanted to hate her when he saw how easily she was able to capture everyone’s attention, including his own parents. But he was unable to as even as an infant, Aelora would reach out to him each time she saw him, letting out heartwarming giggles whenever he touched her. She would even start to tear up whenever she saw Aegon try to leave or when one of her parents tried to take her away from him.

As they grew, Aelora would continue to seek him out and for the first time Aegon knew what it felt like to be someone’s first choice, to not be looked over in favor of someone else.

Even with Helaena there, and then Aemond and Daeron joining them later on, Aelora always sought him out before them. She was also the only person he knew that did not expect anything from him, and Aegon never felt like the King's firstborn son around his niece, but just a normal child.

“Are you okay, Egg?” Aelora asked when she noticed her uncle staring at her.

“I’m fine, Lora. I’m only tired,” Aegon replied, his smile strained as he tried to hide how he was feeling.

Aelora said nothing, moving closer to him and grabbing his arm. Aelora laid against his chest and placed the arm she was holding over her shoulder.

“What were you saying about the bug?” Aelora asked Helaena, she was unable to see the surprised look on Aegon’s face as she was now facing the other girl again.

“It’s an emperor caterpillar, Lora,” Helaena clarified, saying its name more clearly than she did most things.

“Tell me about the emperor of all the caterpillars.” Aelora said.

A gentle smile appeared on Helaena’s face, her eyes shining with mirth at Aelora’s demand as Aegon continued to stare at his sister and niece while they continued their conversation. It was times like this that the two girls were alien creatures to him, Helaena with her mannerisms and love of insects and Aelora being wiser and more perceptive than she lets on.

Regardless, Aegon tightened his new hold on Aelora, his niece turned her head slightly and stared at him, she then smiles and turns back around, returning her attention to Helaena.

I’m never letting her go… Aegon thought as he rested his head against Aelora’s, letting the sound of Helaena’s voice lull him to sleep.

~X~

Viserys smiled as he sat at the head of the table, watching the members of his family as they sat together and ate dinner. It was the first time in six moons that they had all been together, and it was just the adults at this dinner as the children had been deemed too young to attend. Rhaenyra sat on her father’s right with Laenor next to her and Alicent sat on his left followed by Rhaenys and Corlys.

“So, how did Aelora enjoy being on The Sea Snake?” Viserys asked looking between his daughter and the Velaryons.

“She loved it, father. I’m sure she will be asking Lord Corlys to build her a ship of her own when she sees him tomorrow,” Rhaenyra said with a smile, thinking of her daughter running around the ship.

“Perhaps one of us should stay with Corlys to make sure this doesn’t happen,” Viserys joked.

“I won’t be building and gifting an entire ship to our granddaughter,” Corlys replied with a roll of his eyes.

Rhaenys scoffed. “Please, all Aelora would have to do is bat her eyes and you would give her a hundred ships.”

“I would not, you speak as if I have no self-control,” Corlys said in mock offense.

“I mean is she wrong, father?” Laenor said, his smile growing wider. “Remember when Laena asked you if she could learn archery? You bought her an intricately carved bow and got her two different teachers. You even cleared out a large field near High Tide that she could use to practice.”

“I fail to see the point you’re trying to make,” Corlys said, his face blank as he stared at his son.

“The point is that you’re weak to the women in your life,” Laenor answered.

Corlys once again rolled his eyes when the others at the table laughed at his expense, but he did not refute Laenor’s statement. He could not deny that since Laena was small, he would give her almost anything she asked of him, leading to Rhaenys having to step in to stop him from giving into her more outrageous demands.

“And how did Jacaerys enjoy the day?” Viserys asked as the laughter died down.

Rhaenyra was confused by the question. "The trip was mainly for Aelora. Jacaerys is an infant, he won’t remember this, I doubt he even knows what a ship is.”

Viserys waved this off. “Aye, I know, but humor me. How was our little prince?”

“A bit of seasickness but he was fine, Your Grace,” Laenor answered this time.

“Oh well, he has plenty of time to get used to the rough seas!” Viserys said good-naturedly, still enjoying hearing of his grandchildren. “Or maybe the next child will share their older sister and father’s love of the water.”

The ailing King failed to see how everyone at the table reacted to his throw away comment, taking it more seriously than he ever intended for them to.

Rhaenyra and Laenor’s smiles were strained, trying not to look at Rhaenys, Corlys, and Alicent, as if there was nothing wrong with what was said, not wanting to see how they felt.

Rhaenys had lost her enjoyment the moment her grandson was mentioned, schooling her features, and hiding the furious anger that was boiling beneath the surface. The Targaryen princess could not help but feel as she did when Jaehaerys chose Baelon over her as his heir, even though by the traditions that governed the land, she had the superior claim. Or during the Great Council when instead of choosing his new heir himself again, Jaehaerys called the lords of the realm, both large and minor, to decide who would rule after him.

Once again, Rhaenys along with her children were overlooked and her cousin was chosen, not because Viserys had the stronger claim or because he would make the better ruler, but simply because he was a man and she a was woman.

Now Rhaenys felt as if the same thing that happened to her, would one day happen to Aelora.

It’s clear that Rhaenyra loves Harwin Strong more than my son, so why shouldn’t she love the child born from love more than the one born from duty? If Viserys could chose Rhaenyra to be his heir and maintain this decision, even after having three sons, what is to stop Rhaenyra from one day choosing Jacaerys over Aelora as her heir? To decide that a bastard son is better than a trueborn girl who does not fit within the perimeters that society has dictated. Rhaenys thought to herself.

Corlys however had different thoughts than his wife. For years, Corlys had wanted to rectify the decision made at the Great Council, to ensure that one day his and Rhaenys’ blood would sit on the Iron Throne. And despite Laenor and Rhaenyra’s actions, he realized that this would one day be accomplished; Aelora would succeed Rhaenyra as Queen of Westeros. Even if she did so while baring the name Targaryen, she would still be remembered as a Velaryon ruler.

For Corlys, even if Rhaenyra loved Jacaerys and any other children fathered by Harwin Strong more than her daughter, Rhaenyra would not replace Aelora with any of them.

And why would she? Even if people voiced their objection to Aelora, she would still be the better option than any bastards Rhaenyra births. If she wants the Velaryon fleet and wealth, Rhaenyra better not think of trying to make Jacaerys her heir instead of Aelora. With Laenor, Laena, Aelora, Vaemond, his sons, and our cousins, House Velaryon will not be in danger of extinction even if Jacaerys becomes Lord of Driftmark. Corlys thought.

Alicent on the other hand, was angered by the leaps Viserys was taking to prove Jacaerys’ ‘legitimacy’ and cover up Rhaenyra’s crimes.

Once again Rhaenyra was able to do whatever she liked and not face any consequences for her actions because she was the child Viserys loved the most, because she was the daughter of his beloved Aemma Arryn, even though Rhaenyra was actively lying about the paternity of her son and throwing the succession of the Iron Throne into question.

She is actively trying to put her bastard in a position of power, on a seat he has no claim to and in the line of succession to the Iron Throne because she cares for only herself. If she were any other woman, she would have been disinherited and exiled, but because she is Rhaenyra Targaryen, it is as if the rules do not apply to her. How can she be trusted to rule the realm as a just and impartial Queen when she continues to show how selfish and how terribly suited for the role she truly is?

“Yes, dear husband, I am sure that Jacaerys will prove to be a great Velaryon lord. After all, it's in his blood,” Alicent said, her voice pointed as a smirk graced her lips.

Rhaenyra clenched her fists under the table and glared at the Queen, she understood the meaning behind what Alicent said, even as Viserys smiled, thinking that his wife was being sincere.

Rhaenyra composed herself, giving the Queen a fake smile. “Thank you, Your Grace. I know my son will prove himself a great lord of Driftmark. Perhaps when Jacaerys is grown he can take my siblings and their children into his household, so that they are not sitting around the Red Keep with nothing to do.”

Alicent's eyes grew colder at that comment, knowing that she was being reminded that her own children were currently set to inherit nothing, unlike Rhaenyra, Aelora, and Jacaerys.

Viserys cleared his throat. “That is a good offer, thank you daughter. But I am sure that your siblings will find something to busy themselves with in the future.”

Alicent clenched her teeth at this, upset but not surprised by Viserys and his lack of interest in their children.

He does not even say that they will have a place in his court or that he will give them land to rule. Will my children just be forever beholden to Rhaenyra’s whims? Alicent screamed in her head.

The rest of dinner was eaten in tense silence, along with short glances at one another, no one willing to try and bridge the gap and everyone waiting for the appropriate moment to leave.