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It was the name day of the Queen’s son. Not Jacaerys, but her middle son Lucerys. Commoners say that mothers shouldn’t have a favorite child, but the queen most definitely had hers. And it was Lucerys.
In saying that, it was no surprise that Queen Rhaenyra was hesitant to marry her son to her half brother, in her King fathers last orders before he died. She was even more hesitant when she found out that the son her Lucerys was to marry was not Daeron but rather Aemond. The heir pleaded to her father, cried to him on his deathbed but he did not listen to her.
“Please, father, my son is too young to bear. Lest, we should wait for him to grow older.” Rhaenyra pleaded to her father, taking a hold of his wrinkly hand. The king barely opened his mouth, “I want-” coughing, “my son to marry before I pass. I do not have many years.” King Viserys choked on his words, breathing heavily. Rhaenyra let out a tear, fearing for his son.
It did not take long for the wedding to be announced. The king's son did not say anything, but his grandson spent the rest of the time hiding with his mother, sticking to her like twins. The wedding day was a cold day. Nothing was of warmth, and it was obvious to the lord and vassals and commoners that the two did not hold affection for one another. To Rhaenyra, her son was still a child, at six and ten. As Lucerys walked through the guests and to his husband, vhagar let out a loud roar, startling all the guests.
The king died shortly after their wedding. He died happily knowing that at last he got to see the marriage of his son and his grandson. The two stood side by side at the king's funeral. The two also stood side by side at Rhaenyra’s coronation. Thousands came a long way to watch the Queen's coronation. It was a happy day for the family.
And as queen, Rhaenyra had thought of annulling the marriage between her son and her half brother, when an unexpected news arrived from Dragonstone. Her son was with child. Back in Dragonstone, Lucerys was heavy with child. His first child.
—--
It was Lucerys’ nine and tenth name day, and many lords and vassals came to Dragonstone to celebrate. Even the Queen Rhaenyra came on dragon back to celebrate her sons day. It was common to celebrate the prince's name day at Kings landing with the Queen but seeing as Lucerys was with child, everyone came to him.
Many lords congratulated him, and wished him well on his birth. In the three years that Aemond has been married to his nephew, he noticed something about his pregnancy. That this one was different then the ones from before. Lucerys was more tired, and sat down often. In his previous ones he was rather bubbly and quick on his feet.
The queen also realized something. That her half brother was not affectionate enough for her son. The most skinship they would do was hold each other's wrists. Not hands. So it was normal to her when Lucerys let another caress his bump. If the lord father wasn’t affectionate enough for the child in his stomach, another will be.
It did take long for Aemond to notice this. Lucerys wore a long dress that he doesn't actually like but it was the only thing comfortable for him, and he stood as a lord that Aemond recognized was from Lannisport caressed the huge bump on his wife. The two stood smiling.
The anger and rage filled him quickly. He put his glass down and hurried quickly to his wife, ripping the hand off the bump and taking his wife away, trying hard to not cause a ruckus.
“What do you think you're doing exactly?” letting go of Lucerys’ wrist once they were in the quiet halls. Lucerys stood there acting dumbfounded. It was obvious Aemond was angered. He can tell by the expression on his face. “What do you mean husband?” He brought a hand on his belly.
“Why was a lord's hand on my child?” His voice became louder and louder.
“Oh because their father won’t show any affection, so another will.” Lucerys answered honestly, still a hint of innocence in his doe eyes. Aemond growled, turning around and walking away with loud steps. Luke wasn’t surprised. Aemond always walks away. He’s surprised that he hasn’t walked away from this marriage.
The big hall was filled with people, and food. The couple stood on the top of the hall, watching as people feasted on the food. The queen was beside him. “A toast, to the heir to Driftmark, my grandson, on his nameday and his child. I hope you well health.” Lord Corlys toasted bringing his wine up. “Here here,” Daemon toasted. Lucerys smiled for the first time since the guests arrived. A genuine smile. After Corlys many others toasted, to his seat in Driftmark, his future child, his health.
“ A final toast, to my nephew.” Aegon stood, drunk as always. Everyone averted their attention to the prince. Lady Alicent tugged on his son's sleeve. “I hope you great health, a strong child. A child I hope is finally born into this world alive. And not dead by the time it comes out.” Luke's heart skipped a beat. His heartbeat beating faster, his cheeks flushed red. Everyone stayed quiet. “Now that's enough brother.” Aemond said to his brother. “No, no brother. You deserve someone who actually can give you a child.” A chorus of gasps came from the people. Alicent slapped his son, Jacaerys stood up but was stopped by Daemon. Lucerys stood, excused himself and walked away. Away from this chaos.
On the balcony, he took a long breath. He supported his belly from underneath. Luke couldn't help but let a tear out. Why have the gods cursed him with such illness? “Lucerys.” Aemond called out, walking towards him. Once he reached him he reached out his right arm and carefully caressed the bump. It was the first time ever that he did this to Luke.
“My drunk brother did not mean what he said.” he tried soothing his wife. Sighing, “Maybe your drunk brother is right. Maybe I too am not the wife you had wished for yourself.”
“Lucerys.” Aemond's voice, deep and stern. He understood what that meant. Before his marriage with Luke, there were rumors, or rather a true statement that went around westeros. Aemond was seeing a Baratheon lady; the same lady Luke saw enter the castle. She was in this castle. And Aemond had intended to lock in their relationship before the late King announced his marriage to Luke.
“I'm sorry, that I cannot give you a child let alone an heir.” Luke apologized. “But this is the last Aemond, I went through two miscarriages and three stillborns.” He took his hand on his own. “If I pass and this child lives-” Aemond cuts him off, “No, you can not ask this.”
“If this child lives and i dont I want them to be raised where my queen mother was raised, in King's Landing in my late grandfather's castle. I want them to bond with Arrax, in that way they will have something of their mother. I want them to visit my lord grandfather in Driftmark according to their birthright, and regardless of gender they will sit the driftwood throne. Promise me, husband.”
Aemond could not imagine Luke dying, giving birth to a child he did not ask for. In truth, when the time comes he would choose his wife but as if now, he will answer according to his wife's wishes. He nods.
“You and I are blood of old Valyria, so will our children. You will survive Lucerys and so will this child.” The words brought some comfort to Luke as he had never heard such soothing words from his husband. That night, the two laid in bed together for the first time since their wedding night and Aemond slowly soothed the bump on Luke's belly.
—-
A couple of moons later, the prince Lucerys went into labor. He was breaking fast with his lord husband when the pain started. He grabbed at his belly, “Aemond, babes here.” And with that the maesters were collected, and Luke laid on the birthbed.
The pain was unbearable, and he pleaded with Aemond for him to stay. The one eyed could not as he was anxious. He could not see his nephew die in front of his eyes. Luke groaned and screamed. The maesters pleaded with the prince to lay still but the pain he felt was excruciating. One of the maesters approached Aemond, “Lord, I-” he could not speak properly. “What.”
“The babe will live, but I'm afraid of that the prince-” Aemond grabbed the maesters collar, choking him. “When I get back my wife will be alive. If it comes down to the child or my nephew-” he choked on his own words. “My nephew will live.” and with that he left the castle.
Never in his life as Aemond ever been this scared. His palms were sweating, and he was shaking but tried not to show it. He walked to the stony land in the mountains where he and Luke married. He bent the knee and for the first time prayed to the sevens and the gods to whatever was out there.
The prince had prayed before in the customs of his mother, but this time he prayed for himself; that his wife lived. He did not care for a child. They have tried many times and each time his nephew-wife suffered for the both of them. This time was no different. He wanted- no he needed his wife to live.
He did not care if some commoner saw him bending the knee, he needed this. His wife needed this. Sun was falling, and he made his way back to the castle. He stood outside the door and prayed for the strength to open it and see his nephew alive.
The door opened, he made a couple of steps into the room and saw that it was quiet. The bed was painted red, with blood. He did not see anyone there. "Where's Lucerys?” he asked the first maid he saw.
The maid directed him to their room. Without any hesitation he slammed open the door and skipped his way into the room they now shared. His nephew laid there, pale as a ghost. Aemond bent down and checked his breathing. He was breathing. He was breathing .
All his worries collapsed. Grabbing the prince's hands he kissed it. Not far from them a little sound was made. The sound of a child. He approached the baby's cradle and set his sight on the most beautiful being. His daughter. A girl. Purple eyes, Targaryen hair. She had Luke’s nose and features but the hair and the eye color was of old Valyria.
Luke slowly opened his eyes and saw Aemond looking at their daughter. Deep down, he felt betrayed. Betrayed that he left him during the time he needed him most. “Aemond! Aemond, please come,” he had pleaded to the maesters as he struggled. He gripped the cloth he laid underneath begging anyone to bring back his husband who had walked out.
He cried, “You left.” The prince walked over to the laying Velaryon and grabbed ahold of his head. “No, no I didn’t mean to.” They made eye contact, Luke looked exhausted, he was pale and his voice was low. Truly, this child had to be their last. First and last.
The couple announced the birth of their daughter as soon as Luke got better. It had been a long time since the seven kingdoms heard good news.House Velaryon of Driftmark came with their fleets to king's landing, the Lannisters of Lannisport came with their riches, the Arryn of Vale came from the mountains, House Stark from the North came from the winters to see the child. House Martell from Dorne rose from the sands to seek the beauty of the child.
As soon as Rhaenyra had heard of the childbirth she got on Syrax and roared through the skies to Dragonstone with Daemon riding Caraxes, to receive her granddaughter. She bore a gift with her; a dragon egg. Jace later on heard from the North and got on Vermax and flew to see his niece.
The sky was blue as the sea as everyone gathered to see Luke’s daughter. The mother Queen held the child up into the sky, to the seven kingdoms and announced, “Visenya Targaryen of House Targaryen, second of her name, Princess of Dragonstone, may she soar through the skies, grow the beauty of a queen and may she long live.”
Everyone chanted, “Visenya.” Luke stood next to his mother and for the first time he was happy. Truly happy. Aemond looked at the Velaryon prince as he was looking at his daughter smiling.
And as her fate had it, Visenya grew beautiful. She had the beauty of his mother and the strength of her father. She drew a valyrian sword and trained with her father. She showed no interest in being a ‘proper’ princess. And like the queen has said she soared through the sky with her dragon, a dragon in which she shared a cradle with.
Though the two had said Visenya was the last, they had three more children. Two sons and a daughter. When Luke was four and twenty, the Lord of the Tides passed and the throne was ready for Luke to sit. Luke sat his youngest daughter on Arrax and flew to Driftmark. Aemond with their two sons on Vhagar and Visenya on her own dragon.
When Visenya was four and ten, Luke told Aemond, “I want to name my heir.” This caught Aemond off guard. Their two sons were still little. “Not our son. My daughter. My eldest. My miracle child.” Aemond shook his head, “No, this will cause a war. No lady has sat the Driftwood throne” He refused. He did not want to live to see his oldest daughter get rejected. Lucerys grabbed Aemond’s hand that was way bigger than his, “When we couldn’t produce an heir, I had lost hope. I prayed to the gods to give me an heir. And Visenya was born. She was born for this. Just as my mother was the first queen to sit the Iron Throne so will my daughter.” Aemond shook is head.
It took a couple of years for Aemond to finally approve. On Visenya’s name day, she wore a dress including the Targaryen and Velaryon emblems. There Luke announced, “Visenya Targaryen of House Targaryen, second of her name, Princess of Dragonstone and heir to the Driftwood throne.” There were murmurs everywhere good and bad, “Upon my death, my throne will go to my eldest daughter, Visenya, she is a Targaryen on her fathers side but when I pass she will bear the name Velaryon and sit on Driftwood throne.”
Visenya turned around her eyes glowing purple, her dragon roared into the sky, demanding everyone bow down to her. Beside her stood Queen Rhaenyra, and Lord of the Tide. In front of her stood her father Aemond with Vhagar way in the back, on top of the mountain hill. He stepped back, looked at his daughter and bent the knee, “My princess.”