Chapter Text
*Reminder: Words/phrases that are italicized are Valyrian
Prince Baelon and Princess Alyssa had four children: King Viserys I, Prince Daemon, Prince Aegon who died at birth, and Princess Alysanne. Princess Alysanne was a lively young girl born when Viserys and Daemon were nearly men grown. Her death killed their mother which caused them to treasure the little delight. But she grew and was betrothed to another Targaryen and stayed at court, sister to the king. She became with child just after King Viserys and Queen Alicent announced the news of their pregnancy with Prince Aemond. Alicent and Princess Alysanne spent their pregnancy together, planning to raise all their children as friends. But Alysanne died birthing her daughter, Daenyra Targaryen a fortnight after Aemond was born. And Viserys had lost another part of himself. He had lost his wife years before and now his sister.
Daenyra, became an image of her mother as she was raised at court along with her family. She rode the she-dragon Shrya, named after the Valyrian god Shrykos. She trained with her cousins on dragon riding and became fluent in Valyrian by age ten. She was close with her cousin Rhaenyra as a child, learning all of her Valyrian from her. But her story doesn't start with that of her cousins, but rather her own claimed story. She was a forgotten princess, nowhere near any importance to anyone at court.
Except that's not true. She's caught the eye of a forgotten second son.
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"My name is Princess Daenyra Targaryen and I ride the she-dragon Shrya. I have 7 direct cousins who live at the castle with me. My oldest cousin is Princess Rhaenyra, heir to the Iron Throne. She has two sons, Luke and Jace. They are the first three. Then my Uncle Viserys had four more children, Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron."
The Valyrian words came easily to Daenyra as she recited a mini biography to Princess Rhaenyra, but she still struggled to make it sound fluent and easy. Now that the older cousin had taught her all the words and conjunctions, it was about fluency.
"How can I even tell people I'm fluent when that sounded like a cauldron of porridge?'' Daenyra groaned as she leaned back in her chair.
"Dear, being fluent in the language means you can speak it and understand it. You can write it and we're barely approaching your twelfth name day. Do you realize how impressive that is?" Rhaenyra smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes but I don't sound as exquisite as you."
Rhaenyra let out a small laugh. "It's a matter of confidence, cousin. When I was young, I lacked confidence just as you do. It was my Uncle Daemon that helped. He taught me a lot of Valyrian rules they don't teach in books. Things that I have taught you came from Daemon. And that reminds me, our lessons may be slowing down."
"Why?" Daenyra gasped and stood.
"I am with my third child."
Daenyra was happy for her, truly. Rhaenyra was an amazing mother, something she projected onto Daenyra as well. Since her mother died at her both and her father not much after, Daenyra and King Viserys made her feel loved and welcomed. She could not stand the presence of Queen Alicent but Helaena and Aemond were the only ones she got along with. Aegon always got on her nerves.
"I'm very excited for you, cousin. That's amazing. A new baby cousin!" She smiled and reached to hug the taller woman.
"Oh, I wish I had been blessed with you as my child, Daenyra. So many boys running around this castle. How have you been faring with your studies?" She asked.
"I'm ok. I wish I could ride Shrya all day and train with a sword." The young sighed.
"Well, you'll never be permitted to hold a sword. None of the trainers would dare see a girl fight." The Princess smiled, remembering all too well her own desires as a child.
"Well ..." She said, looking down at her feet.
"Daenyra Targaryen, what have you done?" Rhaenyra gasped with a small laugh.
"I convinced Aemond to teach me the basics for at least wielding a dagger. He gets bullied a lot by Aegon and I felt bad so I asked him to teach me something."
Rhaenyra wanted to hide her impressed expression but she had only wished she had a young friend or cousin at that age to help her deny the duties of being a girl. "And when is your first training session? Is he expecting anything from you in return?"
"Yes. I'm going to teach him some Valyarian commands so that he can prepare for having a dragon one day. And I train with him after my lessons."
"Well, I don't wish to keep you. Just please be careful. Your uncle would not be too pleased if you were hurt." Daenyra ran and gave her older cousin a hug before rushing off to her chamber, messing up whatever braids Hoga, her lady-in-waiting, made that morning. She pulled her hair up into one large tie and ran back outside.
They had agreed to go down past the Red Keep, to practice in front of the skull of Balerion, an area with no traffic during this time of evening. Daenyra called it the prayer room with the candles where Rhaenyra taught her how to pray to the Old Valyrian Gods. She didn't know if she'd pursue being a godly woman but she didn't have to make that decision now.
"Hello." Daenyra turned around trying to figure out who was speaking in the worst Valyrian she had ever heard and seen Aemond standing with two daggers.
"You sound worse than me, Cousin." The girl snickered and Aemond shrugged.
"Good thing you'll start teaching me. Come get this dagger, Dany."
Dany. No one had ever called her that before but she was grateful for it. Daenyra could get long and tedious, especially with how close it sounded to Rhaenyra and the previous princess Daella. She loved her Valyrian heritage but the names got confusing. Rhaenyra, Rhaenys, Rhaena, Aegon, Aemond, and the former Queen Aemma. So confusing.
Dany stepped forward and grabbed the dagger. "Luke and Aegon say you're one of the worst fighters, how shall I trust you?" She smiled and held the dagger. "Is this Valyrian steel?" I gasped.
"Yes, I asked my father if he could get a stonemason to make us some. He doesn't know it's for training, he thinks it's a gift for protection, they're matching." He bashed and showed the matching handle with sapphires.
"Wow, Aemond, you shouldn't have."
"You're a lady princess, if you're going to defend yourself you should have the best. I hear the world is unkind to women, even princesses." He shrugged, trying not to seem too enthusiastic. His affection started as a dedication to the family, to perform his duty. He figured she would be betrothed to Aegon and he would have Helaena. But Dany was the kindest person to him and he enjoyed her company. But it was a small crush. They had practically been raised together and even shared a wet nurse. They were friends. And it's not like he was in love with her and doubt they'd ever be more than friends.
"You have no idea." She sighed. "Princesses get raped and defiled. This city, this world is cruel to women. Every time a woman steps outside we risk our lives. Even in the castle. Rumors have it Princess Vaella was defiled by her own sworn sword and some of the male servants. It's an awful world, Aemond. That's why I want to know how to stab someone."
Aemond nodded and looked down at his dagger and attempted to swirl it in his hand but sliced part of his palm. "Fuck! I saw someone do that trick and I wanted to try it." He frowned.
Dany tilted her head and laughed. "Not too bad. I could cut my hand and we could have matching scars."
"I'm a boy, I could pass it merely as a training incident. You, Princess, could not pass a cut. A whole team of people would have to investigate it and this whole arrangement would be put in jeopardy. Until then, teach me a basic sentence and block off my attacks."
"Prince Aemond, there is no basic sentence I could easily teach you. Nothing worthwhile comes easily."
She noticed the increase of confidence in her voice and she smiled. Rhaenyra was right, confidence changes how everything sounds. She was sounding more and more fluent and Aemond looked annoyed.
"How do I know what you just said, Dany?"
"Nothing worthwhile comes easy, Aemond Targaryen."