Chapter Text
Visenya stood tall on the dias, not front and centre but placed behind her twin and her husband as the shrill whispers of the great lords of the realms whistled in her ears as they all waited. She watched as the light from candles, hanging overhead on great chandeliers, danced across the intricate head piece bound in her sister's hair - the delicate gold fashioned in the style of their house with dragons nestled throughout, held only in place by thin strands of white hair and the magic of their maids fingers.
The whispers only got louder and somehow impossibly shriller as the doors to the great hall opened and maesters entered with the chest carrying the councils ruling on King Jaehaerys new heir
She watched as Rhaenys stiffened where she stood, the missive that would declare her future and the future of her family approaching the dias they stood to one side on, the king himself sat centred with Viserys to the right alongside his lady wife Aemma.
As was the way with twins Visenya could feel the fear boiling inside her sister despite Rhaenys cool outwards appearance, fear at the possibility that for a second time her rightful claim to the throne would be publicly dismissed in favour of a males.
As they faced the many hundreds of lords and ladies stuffed into the great hall of Harrenhal, with many more sitting in parlours and bedrooms waiting for an announcement, Visenya pondered on the potential implications of whatever ruling would be made that day. The many great houses that had gathered for the kings Great Council each stood to gain or lose something, dependant on who they supported - many a discussion of conflict, trade and politics had been had and twelve of the fourteen original claimants had already been dismissed for a variety of reasons.
As the maestars reached the steps that would bring them before the king, Visenya turned her gaze away from the chest and its contents and looked back to her sister. As the younger of the pair she had been raised under the belief that Rhaenys would follow their father as heir to throne and be princess of Dragonstone - she had been content with her place and the freedom that allowed; being able to fly Caraxes to her pleasure and under no pressure to marry for anything other than love.
However, upon the death of their father in 92AC and their uncle's appointment as heir, their futures had been thrown into turmoil. Rhaenys had given birth to Laena later that year, their mother not long after joining their father, the older woman having never truly let go of her anger and disappointment at the snub to her oldest daughter - the twins had been swaddled in their grief over the loss of both their parents. Laena's brother Laenor was then born two years later and the children were the sole focus of Rhaenys and Visenya for some years as they both grieved and dealt with their losses.
When Prince Baelon himself then passed away in 100AC, a sliver of hope had settled in Visenya's soul at the thought that her twin may be restored her birthright.
Although they grieved alongside their cousin, the loss of parent before one is ready was feeling the pair were achingly familiar with, they could not but grasp at the chance to reclaim Rhaenys throne. Claims were made and supporters gathered as the realms waited for King Jaehaerys to announce his new heir for a third time but it was with great disappointment they were informed that he would call a Great Council instead and put it to the lords and maesters to decide on whom should take the throne upon his death.
And here they stood.
Cousin stood next to cousin, as they waited for the fateful words that would seal one of their futures. Visenya allowed herself a momentary smile as she spotted Viserys begin to fidget, never having been able to shift his soft and nervous nature despite being a man grown - she watched as he glanced at Rhaenys nervously, the older of the two cousins not lifting her gaze from where it was fixed forward, the princess determined to be strong in front of those who would judge her and her right to rule.
A heavy silence settled over the great hall as the chest was placed in front of the king, the old man grim in face as he watched the maesters remove the heavy lock and reach inside for the council's ruling. Only the quiet shuffle of feet and rustle of fabric could be heard as a scroll was placed in the king's outstretched hand.
Visenya straightened her back, her long black hair rustling as she took a breath, and watched as the king unrolled the scroll - his gaze heavy as he read the sloping script, before he looked out to the waiting lords and ladies, not sparing a glance for either of his grandchildren.
"It is declared by all lords paramount and lords vassal of the Seven Kingdoms... that Prince Viserys Targaryen be made Prince of Dragonstone"
Despite his age and failing health, the king's words were loud and clear as he read the Great Council's decision to those waiting - he did not so much as look at Rhaenys as he turned to his grandson and nodded for him to step forward.
Visenya glanced briefly at her cousin as he took a step towards the king, one hand trailing behind him as moved away from Aemma, with a look of disbelief on his face, her body shaking with rage at the dishonour shown to her twin, her teeth clenched as the masses began to roar in approval and a thunderous applause filled the air.
No longer able to ignore the deep sorrow she could feel swelling inside Rhaenys, she took a step towards her sister, one pale ringed hand reaching out even as Rhaenys turned.
Having faced the traitorous crowds for as long as her heart could bear, Rhaenys turned away from the vision of her younger cousin taking the knee in front of the king and looked only to her sister even as Corlys reached for her. Sparing him only a brief glance, the pity evident on his face enough to roll her stomach, she stepped towards Visenya and clasped the outreached hand, fingers laced as the twins crowded each other’s space.
Fearing embarrassment Rhaenys did not speak as she looked into her twins eyes, her black orbs filled not with pity or sadness but a fire so heavy she feared it may set alight all that which gave her insult. Dropping her gaze to the hands she knew she would not be able to face either her cousin nor grandfather that evening - wanting to distance herself from more heartbreak before the inevitable appearance of tears appeared she sucked in a breath.
Visenya pressed even closer, looking beyond Rhaenys for just a moment before she was happy that all eyes were on Viserys. Knowing her twin would not be able to address this blow publicly yet nor wanting her to have to face ridicule for succumbing to her emotions she gently pressed a kiss to her forehead, the action soft but quick before she then turned away from the masses and with Rhaenys hand in hers stormed from the dias towards the doors that would free them from scrutiny and away from prying wellwishers.
The younger woman knew that Corlys would follow but the old sailor spent too much time at sea and not enough at the homes of the great lords, the path she quickly led her sister down was not one he would know nor be able to navigate. The pair stepped lightly as they cleared through corridor after corridor, torch light casting shadows as they made their way deeper.
Once she was sure there was enough distance between them and anyone who may have been swift enough to attempt chase she slowed their steps, hands still linked as the target of the journey became evident. The large wooden doors that guarded their rooms appeared before them, the Velaryon banner hung either side in conflict with the Targaryen soldiers posted outside in the garb of their house. With a wave of her spare hand Visenya motioned for the doors to be opened and swept Rhaenys in before she turned to the pair, taking in their faces and being pleased with who she saw before she spoke.
“Ser Eldin, Sir Eddin - you are loyal to me, correct? ”
The two men on duty that evening were also a set of twins - by happenstance they had been knighted together in the Stepstones before being sworn into the employ of House Targaryen. The pair had served under her father for many years before his death and after had sworn oaths to both princesses - not kingsguard, so not answerable to any other member of the royal family other than the princesses Rhaenys and Visenya.
“Yes your grace”
It was the younger of the two that spoke, Eldin having served under Visenya whereas his brother served the older of the princesses.
“This night has been soiled with treason - the council has announced the next heir to the throne and for reasons known only to the minds of bumbling, fat and old lords, they have named the prince Viserys as heir”
“We are sorry your grace”
Visenya waved a hand, the act full of contempt for the lords and ladies of Westeros, before she spoke again.
“I do not need your apologies - no one is to enter these rooms. Not one soul is to enter through these doors unless it is myself or the princess - that includes Lord Corlys or the new crown prince”
The words were spat with disgust as she looked between the two men - their faces stoic as they listened to her commands, spears straight at their sides.
“Yes your grace - on our honour”
Having grown under the eyes of the older men, Visenya was satisfied with their acceptance - she knew their loyalty was unwavering even as she demanded confirmation. The pair had served and protected their parents and after their father had been slain in battle they had both sworn service to the princesses.
With a small grateful smile she made to close the doors, only pausing to give one last instruction.
“Whatever you may hear - you are not enter”
Having turned back to their stations the brothers only nodded as they stepped in front of the doors as they closed rather than standing off to the side, spears crossed as they fixed their gazes on the stonewall opposite.
Visenya locked the doors once they were shut - the heavy clunk of the lock loud in the otherwise quiet rooms as she turned to find her sister, the only other sound being that of quiet tears as she spotted her sister’s crumbled form in front of the fireplace.
With no heed for modesty or decorum she hurried across the room, dropping beside her twin even as she pulled her into her arms, long arms wrapping around Rhaenys shoulders and torso as she was pulled tightly against Visenya.
The need for privacy established and with the comforting warmth of her sister wrapped around her Rhaenys’ sobs changed. No longer were her cries quiet or muffed into her hands as she sagged into her twin; they were gut wrenching cries, ripped from her throat as she clutched at the material of Visenya’s dress. Outside Meleys roared, Rhaenys dragon having sensed her riders distress. The dragon had taken roost on the tower their rooms were ensconced in and with an almighty roar she mirrored her rider's sorrow, the very black stones of the walls shaking under the force.
They sat like that - the two wrapped in each other as Rhaenys finally allowed the anguish and betrayal to leave her. Having maintained her facade for the duration of the council, Rhaenys knew nothing other than complete sadness in that moment - that and the feel of Visenya whispering words into the crown of her head.
When she finally ran out of tears she took a deep breath, air filling her lungs even as the pain from her cries made itself known, her throat raw as she took another breath. Once she was sure she could breath without tears forming again she allowed herself to go completely limp against her sister, Visenya all but pulling her into her lap as she continued to murmur into her hair. She listened to the thump of her sister's heart beneath her, the sound loud and reassuring before her dragon’s song caught her ear - the crooning cries wrenching her heart as she listened.
“I think Meleys knows your upset”
Her sister’s words did their job - with a wet laugh Rhaenys lifted her head from her twins chest and looked to the open window nearby.
“She was always too perceptive for her own good - my darling red queen”
As the word left her mouth Rhaenys sobbed again, her hand loosening its grip on Visenya's dress before she pressed it to her mouth. She shook her head, even as she felt the warmth of tears on her cheeks again, determined not to cry out again.
“At least one of us will be queen this day”
“Stop”
Rhaenys looked to her sister again, Visenya’s dark eyes alight with the flames from the fireplace even as she took hold of her sister’s shoulder, setting her back enough to look at her properly.
“You have been robbed”
“There is no poi-”
“It is the very point”
Visenya cut her sister off - despite being the younger of the two she had never been cowed by her sister and she would have her listen if it was the last thing she did. She watched as emotions rolled across Rhaenys face, her pale violet eyes still wet with tears despite her attempts to control them. She raised a hand and wiped a stray tear away before she settled her hand against her cheek, her thumb brushing across her tear stained skin.
“That throne is your very birthright and the lords of this land have stolen it from you. You are the eldest child of that bastard king’s eldest son and heir and primogeniture dictates the succession be yours - I will not allow this”
Her words were spat with fire, her distaste for this farce of a council evident even as she continued.
“Your claim should have been the only one put forward - Viserys may be our cousin but he is the son of a second son who was only heir because of that old man’s desperation. His claim should be forfeit”
“You should not speak of grandfather in such a way sister”
Visenya shook her head in disgust. Despite holding a strong will of her own Rhaenys had spent her life bowing to their grandfather and had never had the strength to disobey him despite her own wishes. Visenya on the other hand was a spare; a surprise to their parents upon the event of their birth but loved regardless by both.
King Jaehaerys had praised the lady Jocelyn for the birth of her two daughters however he had not taken an active interest in the younger of the two princesses, Rhaenys holding his attention being the oldest. She did not hold any blame to her sister for this - Rhaenys had always loved her as an equal but Visenya had been determined from a young age to despise the old king, believing him to be complacent and lazy.
“You are heir by right and I will burn this realm to the dust if that is what it takes to see you on that throne”
Rhaenys had always known that her twin had little love for their grandfather and king - the two had grown up together in the Red Keep but Visenya had very much been ignored by the old man despite their grandmothers and parents best efforts.
“He is king - it is his right to name his heir”
“He is a cunt”
She shook her head at the curse - despite being used to her sister’s loose lips when it came to vulgar language, it was another thing to curse so brazenly at the king. Rhaenys sat back on her heels, giving the two women enough distance to see each other properly.
“The council has decided that Viserys is to be king - I see no point in fighting it, we have no power over this”
Visenya laughed, the sound ugly as she stood and held her hand out to Rhaenys. Allowing her sister to pull herself up she moved them both to the open window. She pushed it open as far it would allow and directed her sister’s gaze outside.
“We hold all the power”
Meleys in her own grief had taken to flight whilst Visenya had comforted Rhaenys, the red dragon circling the tower in which they stood as her cries echoed across the plains surrounding Harrenhal. It had not taken Visenya’s own dragon long to take stock of his rider’s emotion and Caraxes had also taken to wing and joined her song - the two giant dragons a sight to be seen even in this late hour.
“We rule by their power. We hold the throne by their fiery graces”
Rhaenys turned to face Visenya as she spoke - the younger woman’s gaze fixed on the winged beasts singing to each other.
“Our ancestor took this kingdom with the power given to him by his dragon - Aegon and his wives rode their dragons across these lands and all bent the knee. Or died”
Visenya rested both hands on the window and leant forwards as far she could, the night breeze catching at her black hair as she craned her neck to watch Meleys and Caraxes as they continued to soar above them.
“We are of his blood Rhaenys - by the gods we were named after his wives. The right to rule was gifted to us by fire and blood and I will not see your throne taken from you because the lords of this piss stained land can not see past their own cocks”
Rhaenys felt tears stain her cheeks again as she listened to her sister's words - the tone harsh but the contents only a reflection of her own inner turmoil. She began to pull her fingers through the lengths of her white hair, the gems and stones that had been tied in falling to the floor as she freed them from the intricate braids - she pulled harder and harder until she reached the delicate headpiece woven into her hair. It was then she felt her sister's hand take over as Visenya’s long fingers freed the metal from her hair before she loosened the last of the braids, the long white lengths falling loose down to her waist.
“You know what I say is the truth - you are queen by right and I will see you crowned”
“How is it that you, the younger of us, is consoling me? Should this not be the other way around?”
“You may be the eldest of us Rhaenys and raised to be heir - but I was raised to be your protector. There is no one in this realm who will protect and honour you more than me - I am your other half”
“My lord husband may take issue with that”
“Your lord husband is an old man and likely already looking for another conflict at sea to escape to - I know that yours was a love match sister but he has a failing in his inability to face conflict at your side; much rather facing it on the deck of a ship”
Rhaenys no longer bothered wiping the tears from her cheeks, once again faced with the unfavourable truth of her standing. She watched as Visenya stepped back in front of her, her headpiece in hand and in that moment she decided that no longer would she toil in service to the men of this land - for the sake of her children who worshipped her, for the sake of her sister who protected and for her own sake; she would no longer be held in restraints placed upon her by those who would palm off what is rightfully hers.
She wrenched the golden bauble from her sister's hand and threw it into the fireplace - the reflections of the flames shimmering across the metal as the heat began to lick at the edges. Stepping away from the fireplace Rhaenys spun her gaze around the room for the first time since they had entered - taking in the banners and cloths spread across the room all bearing the sigil of the house that had betrayed her for the last time.
Visenya watched as Rhaenys made her way across the room to the nearest banner and laughed when her sister ripped it from the walls. She tracked her sister across the room as books were ripped from shelves and the delicate coverings sat on the low tables were pulled off along with their contents. She lowered herself into one of the great chairs that had been gifted along with the rooms, its high back allowing her to rest comfortably as Rhaenys continued to vent her rage - she crossed her legs, the material of her dress shifting with her as settled and rested her head on her head as she watched.
Rhaenys lost herself in the destruction of everything that reminded her of the family that had shunned her once more - she pulled down every banner that bore the three headed dragon sigil and threw them into the fireplace, ripped the books that glorified her family's history from the shelves and threw them across the room. So utterly absorbed in the freedom her actions provided her she paid no attention to the commotion beginning outside the doors - so focused that she did not hear the raised voices or sounds of weapons being pulled from their sheaths.
“I believe we have guests sister”
Visenya’s words cracked through her shield, the decorative bowl she had picked up having in her hands as Rhaenys spun to face her - the sounds of shouting in the hallway filtering into the room as her gaze moved between the doors and her twin.
Knowing that it could only be either her husband or cousin Rhaenys screamed as she threw the bowl against the nearest wall - the glass smashing into tiny pieces that scattered across the floor. Outside her dragon echoed her cry - the roar louder now that she was echoing anger rather than sadness and the windows shook in their frames.
Rhaenys turned to her sister, the younger woman still sat in her chair with a smirk on her lips. With a raised eyebrow she tilted her head to the doors - the shouting having drifted away and the only sounds being that of their knights shuffling back into their positions.
“They will expect you to fade into the background, sail away on one of your lord husbands ships and be complacent”
“I have no army”
Visenya stood, hands reaching out for her twin as she closed the distance between the two of them, stepping over the destruction her sister had wrought. Taking her sister's hands in her she pulled her back to the window before she spoke again.
“We have dragons. I ride Caraxes, my blood wyrm who has seen a score of conflict and would gladly face more. You ride Meleys the Red Queen, the swiftest dragon in the realms and battle hardened as well”
As if they knew they were being spoken about, the two dragons roared again.
“Vhagar is bonded to Laena despite her not having reached her tenth nameday yet and Laenor has just this year bonded with Seasmoke - aside from Dreamfyre who remains with the dragon keepers in King's Landing and Vermithor who in his old age now resides on Dragonstone there are no dragons who could match ours”
Visenya pulled Rhaenys close so that their foreheads touched, hands still linked.
“There is no force that can stand against the might of our dragons and we will burn any that do where they stand - the very lords who would piss away your throne will either take the knee or join their ancestors as bone and dust”
“One would think that you wanted to go to war sister”
Rhaenys words were soft, her eyes closed as she listened to her sister breath.
“I do not wish for war but I will see this realm burn if it puts you on the throne”
“I do not wish to be a queen of ash”
“You will be a queen of fire and blood, Rhaenys. We will watch them burn to ash and then rebuild it all in your image”
Rhaenys opened her eyes, the stars in the night sky reflected in her pale violet irises as she stared into her sisters dark orbs, the flames of the fireplace behind them making it as if her eyes were aglow.
“We are dragons, sister. Let us burn them all in the likeness of our namesakes and reforge our house and empire. Together”
Visneya reached down and pulled a valyrian steel dagger from a sheath on her waist, a beautiful show of craftsmanship with its delicate blade and jewel inlaid hilt - she held out Rhaenys right hand and drew the blade down the centre of her palm as her sister watched before she then repeated the action on her own hand. Once she was happy with the cuts she replaced the blade before she joined their hands, fingers laced together as their blood mingled and dripped to the stone floor below. Rhaenys nodded as she watched the blood pool on the floor, splashes on the fabric of both their dresses.
“Together”