Chapter Text
Daemon Targaryen
He was running.
Daemon was running through the halls of Dragonstone, skidding around corners, and forcing the servants to flatten themselves against the walls to make way. He could hear Maester Gerardys panting behind him, struggling to keep up.
It was time. It was time and he was not there for her. He would kill that twice damned cunt for having him return to Dragonstone to look for some stupid tome. His brother always had a way of fucking up his life. Dragonstone was not where he should be in this moment. He should be with Rhaenyra, at her side.
“My Prince!” Gerardys finally managed to gasp out.
Daemon did not stop to listen, heading out of the castle towards the caves where Caraxes often made his home.
“My Prince there is more!”
“What is it? You have five seconds!” Daemon scowled.
“Ser Laenor has indicated that the midwives suspect the babe will come in the early hours of the morning” The Maester informed him.
Perfect! He and Caraxes should make it back in time.
Fuck Viserys and fuck his stupid book. He can send a servant to continue the search for the damned thing. The only reason he agreed to look for it was because it was partially in his interest to find the book. It contained long forgotten histories and accounts from Valyria and Daemon had a vested interest in such things.
But nothing came before his wife and child, nothing.
Caraxes felt Daemon’s urgency and met him halfway to the caves, lowering his wing so that his rider can mount him quickly. “Valahd, Caraxes!”
Caraxes took to the air in a whirl of circling before levelling off and heading back to the capital. Daemon estimated it would be an hour or so before he arrived and he prayed that the midwives were right and he would not miss the birth of his first child, their first child.
Ser Laenor’s inability to consummate any union between him and Rhaenyra had resulted in them deciding beforehand that their wedding would be a farce. A way to assuage their fathers and nothing more. They had initially decided that they both would keep their lovers, and Daemon would be the one to sire their children. Rhaenyra however, had grown to dislike the thought of having bastards, and feared that should they be discovered the Hightowers would have cause to disinherit her children leaving her without any legitimate heirs. She wanted to be Daemon’s in the sight of the Gods.
It had taken many moons to find a way to have this done. They spent hundreds of Golden Dragons and swore many a man to secrecy or in some cases, relieved them of the ability of disclose their secret. Rhaenyra had her marriage to Laenor annulled within a year and had wed Daemon in a private Valyrian ceremony and a ceremony performed by a Septon so as to appease the Seven.
Viserys, of course, could not know this. Daemon had strived to stay in his brother’s good graces enough to prevent banishment. And Ser Laenor had resided in the apartments that directly connect to Rhaenyra’s. His lover, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth was a constant occupant of his rooms, leaving Daemon the ability to reside with Rhaenyra for about half of the day. They met in her apartments every evening when he came through the secret passageway and spent their nights together. He would leave in the mornings before the servants came and any damage to the sheets was easily suspected of being due to Laenor.
It was not an ideal situation, having to sneak about and use the passages to see each other, but they made it work the best they could. Rhaenyra of course fumed every time she had received a snide remark from Alicent, mocking her apparent inability to have a child during the first year of her ‘marriage’ to Laenor. It was by design, for they had no idea just how long the annulment would take and did not want to risk Rhaenyra having the child before it was all settled.
Daemon looked straight ahead toward the direction of King’s Landing as if the mere thought of arriving will allow him to move faster. Caraxes, ever the loyal companion was moving as fast as he could, Daemon suspected that it was not only by his will, however. Caraxes and Syrax spent most of their days together now, and his poor boy was irritable and grumpy without her.
He could spot the Red Keep a few ways off when he squinted just enough. His sigh of relief was clouded by his worry. Both his mother and Rhaenyra’s mother had died in childbirth. Caraxes landed at the entrance of the dragon pit and based on the looks the dragon keepers were shooting him, they were not pleased to be woken at the late hour.
He did not even bother addressing them, they can take their annoyance out on Caraxes and see where it got them.
Daemon got one of the horses, usually kept in the stables by the pit for times such as these and raced as fast as he could up the King’s Road to the Red Keep.
He could not help his less than pleasing thoughts as he saw the landscape fly by. Rhaenyra is most definitely in pain and her labours started with him on fucking Dragonstone. He had promised her to be there for it all and he failed. The babe was earlier than any had anticipated, and he prayed to all the Gods he had ever learnt of that that did not affect the babe or his wife.
He got flashes of stillbirths and breeched babes and crossed his fingers hoping he was not put in a position where he would have to choose his wife over their babe.
The gates to the Red Keep opened as he drew closer to reveal Ser Erryk in the courtyard apparently awaiting his arrival.
Ser Erryk had been Rhaenyra’s sworn shield from the moment that slimy bastard Crispin asked his wife to run away with him.
Rhaenyra. He asked her to abandon the throne in favour of a pauper’s life and to assuage his regret at soiling his white cloak. The idea in itself was laughable but the reason was as great an insult to him as it was to his wife. Had the fool wanted her to run away because he loved her, Daemon could have forgiven the slight, after all, what man wouldn’t fall in love with his wife after spending days in her company.
Instead, he wanted her to run away for his peace of mind and then immediately begged to be Alicunts sworn shield when faced with rejection.
Ser Erryk was a man of few words, but he was efficient where his twin brother was circuitous. “Right this way, My Prince. The Princess and Ser Laenor are awaiting your arrival.”
Daemon let out a sigh of relief, if Rhaenyra was waiting that means that she was not too far into her labours yet. The look Ser Erryk gave him suggested however, that Laenor was not in fact waiting on him. He, of course had to mention Laenor for the benefit of any ears that may be lurking.
Unlike Maester Gerardys, Ser Erryk proved that he was up to the task of rushing Daemon in the direction of his heart. He moved with such speed that Daemon was in Maegor’s Holdfast in the span of a few blinks.
There in the corridors a crowd of sorts had gathered. Daemon could spot Ser Laenor, of course, but to his right was his lover Ser Joffrey. Rhaenys was also present which meant that Laena was in the birthing chamber with Rhaenyra, something he would have to thank her for later. Daemon strode forward and Laenor was the first to notice him.
“Daemon! Oh, I am so glad you have arrived. Your- My wife has begun her labours.” Laenor stated as though he did not send a raven summoning Daemon back.
“How is she?” Daemon almost did not hear himself. His voice was low and was almost trembling in fear, but he could not allow himself to show weakness now. Not in this. He would not.
“She has been in labour since the hour of the bat. The midwives say that everything is progressing well on their last check”
Daemon let out a sigh of relief at the news.
He wanted nothing more than to be at her side. To be there while she went through what was probably the most pain she would feel in her life. To hold her hands and apply wet rags to her forehead, to just be there. He knew he could not, and it was the worst feeling in the world. He would never forget that even though Rhaenyra was his wife, the rest of the world did not know, could not know. He had to protect them.
Daemon sat on the cobbled walkway of the hall, brought his knees up to his chest and laid his head back against the wall. Looking skyward, he sent up a silent prayer every time he heard a pained groan from Rhaenyra on the other side of the door and fought back every tear that threatened to fall when he thought the worst.
Daemon had lost track of how much time passed. He never changed his position unless it was to listen to the midwife’s report whenever she stepped out of the birthing chamber to update Laenor.
Everything was fine.
The princess is a fighter, she is doing well.
He had calmed his mind with their reassurances, but his heart was another matter. Rhaenys would glance over at him occasionally as if she could her the rapid strum of his heart. Narrowed eyes hid her questions. Why was he here?
Daemon did not care what she speculated in this moment. He would not move; he would never leave her.
The loud sound of armour moving alerted the posse to the arrival of the King.
Viserys rounded the corner flanked by Ser Harrold Westerling. Daemon glanced up at his brother when he was close enough to speak. Viserys could almost be mistaken for a man ten years Daemon’s senior. He was missing an arm and two fingers besides. His hair was thin and straggling. Not the beautiful Targaryen white but a dull gray as though he was nearing his end. His skin was slightly mottled, and he walked favouring his right side.
Viserys had been the reason for much of Daemon’s problems. Denouncing him as heir, even though he named Rhaenyra, which was an improvement, marrying Rhaenyra to Laenor to fix his own slight against the Velaryons.
Viserys caused him much misery these past few years and clearly the gods took issue with that.
“Ah, congratulations will soon be in order Ser Laenor!” Viserys greeted with his usual happy demeanor. Daemon had to fight to keep from scoffing. He only then noticed the Queen and that insufferable Cole come around the passage to stand behind the King. Had he been in his usual mood, he would have made a snarky comment immediately, alas not even Crispin could get his attention from Rhaenyra. While the King had probably chosen to ignore him, Alicent’s eye zeroed in on him right away.
“Prince Daemon. I am surprised to see you here, and not at Dragonstone.” Alicent said with a tight smile and slightly narrowed eyes. Daemon sighed in exasperation. If it wasn’t that cunt of a knight, it was the bitch of the King.
“And why is that? Were you planning to make a trip to Dragonstone to visit me? Take care, my Queen. Your father has declared me a known rogue and a whoreson, being alone in my presence may cause many unpleasant rumors to arise” Daemon said with mock concern.
Viserys interrupted whatever response Alicent was about to spit it at him.
“Daemon. I actually am surprised to see you here. I would have thought you’d hear the news on the morrow.”
“Actually brother, I had decided that my talents could be used better than a fruitless search for a Valyrian tome and decided to return to the Keep early. I was then greeted with the exciting news that Rhaenyra was in labour.”
“Your niece.” Viserys said looking him straight in the eye.
“My niece” Daemon responded, unwavering.
Viserys looked around him then. His eyes landed on Rhaenys, Laenor and Joffrey in turn before looking back to Daemon.
All his life, Daemon was the better reader of people than his brother. Viserys was never able to trick or fool him, not when he wore his feelings in his eyes and demeanor. That did not mean that Viserys always made incorrect assessments about Daemon’s feelings. Right at that moment, Viserys was studying him with eagle focus. Daemon looked away, lest Viserys saw the feeling of helplessness in his countenance and read it for what it was.
The King and Queen lingered in the halls until the midwife gave the next update before retiring for the night.
Apparently, there still was not enough passage for the babe to pass through. Daemon did not even want to picture whatever the fuck she meant.
Eventually, sitting became way too tiring, he needs to move. Daemon started pacing the corridors. He had faced worst challenges in his estimation. The fucking crabfeeder being prime amongst them. If he could run through a hail of flaming arrows without losing his life, he could wait for this. But only the Gods know how different this made him feel. His life was at stake then, but his life was at stake now. He would never survive without her.
Rhaenys stood from her seat where she had been observing Daemon for the past few moments and walked as if to approach him. Their eyes locked on his pass by the door, and he had the fleeting suspicion that she at least suspected the reason for his restlessness. She glanced at Laenor before moving to grasp his hand.
“I’m afraid I am retiring to my chambers now, my son. I trust that the next time I see you, you will have a child of your own.”
Laenor was not paying enough attention to pick up on the true meaning of her words, but Daemon was. The glance she flicked in his direction before leaving was enough of a confirmation to his suspicions.
It was a few hours yet, before the midwife finally gave an update that wasn’t reassurance that all was well.
“The Princess is getting ready to push. In a few moments the babe should be here”
“Finally!” Laenor exclaimed. Daemon shot him a look that had him silent instantly.
“How is she?” he enquired before the woman closed the door again.
“The Princess is doing well; we expect no troubles my Prince.”
“Good, good” he said. And Daemon never moved from his spot by the door until he heard the cry of his first child.
Rhaenyra’s screams as she responded to the instructions to push were enough to root him entirely to the spot. He could hardly breathe, he wanted to do anything to ease her pain, but he also hoped that she had the strength to continue, that she would be in pain until he could see her because if she was in pain, she was alive- he was alive.
When the midwife finally reappeared and invited Ser Laenor into the chambers, he made it a point to invite Daemon as well. Laenor loved Rhaenyra, yes, as one would love their sister. He would keep all appearances to protect her and the child he would claim publicly, while doing his best to help Daemon be there for his wife.
The room had a faint smell of blood, though the linens and everything used for the birth had been either cleaned or discarded. Daemon looked straight to the bed and saw her.
Beautiful. She looked exhausted, but she refused to look away from the bundle that he could now see she held in her arms. Daemon stopped walking. To an outsider, it would look as though he simply allowed Laenor to approach his wife and babe first. Laena stood to greet her brother and allow him to sit beside Rhaenyra. Daemon, however, stood transfixed at the sight.
She was fine. She was fine and their child was fine, and this was the most beautiful he had ever seen her. She was exuding happiness.
Daemon had not realized that the midwives had cleared the room until he heard Rhaenyra trying to catch his attention.
“My love, are you well?” She asked in High Valyrian. Daemon sniffled and chuckled out a “Yes. Yes, I am more than well, my little dragon.”
“Well, come see then. Your little dragon wants to introduce you to our little dragon” She said with a smile. Daemon walked slowly over to the side of the bed that Laenor and Laena did not occupy. Never looking away from her until he sat at her side.
His heart felt like it would burst out of his chest when he looked down at the bundle.
“A boy, My Love. We have a son.” Rhaenyra said to him. She moved the blanket away from his face a bit more. Daemon did not realise he was crying again until he felt her fingers wipe his tears away. He planted a kiss on her forehead, then gently on her lips. “Thank you. Thank you so much. Are you well?”
“I am perfect. Though I think I called the midwife a cunt”
Daemon laughed at that. He had no doubt that she did, he heard her through the thick wooden doors.
“May I hold him?”
“Of course, My Prince”
The weight was strange but not unpleasant in his arms. Daemon looked down at his son. Made from his own body in combination with Rhaenyra’s and saw himself with her features. His hair was white like his, not a pale gold like Rhaenyra’s. He had Rhaenyra’s eye shape and his lip jutted out a bit just like hers, but every other feature was copied from him. His eyes were the exact shade of purple, his nose and ears were also the same. It was almost like looking at a younger version of himself.
His son looked up at him, as if studying him silently and he rubbed his finger against his fat baby cheeks. The hand that grabbed his finger came out of nowhere and was as firm as could be possible for a newborn.
Daemon laughed, “You are agile, you will make a great warrior.” Rhaenyra snorted from beside him. He looked over at her smiling and leaned in once more to kiss her. “He is perfect, Rhaenyra. Perfect”
“We have to decide on a name, my Love.” Rhaenyra reminded him.
Daemon studied the babe in his arms. Born from his seed and the future King. There was never doubt as to what he would name his sons. Daemon valued family above all else, and had long decided to honour his parents and the brother he lost. Baelon, however, was no longer an option for he had lost not only a father but a nephew by that name. Rhaenyra’s loss was too fresh and it was compounded by her also losing her mother.
“Aegon. His name shall be Aegon Targaryen”
“A fine name for the future King” Laena said smiling. And an honour to the brother I never met.
“I find myself agreeing cousin. Though I doubt Alicent will be pleased” Rhaenyra said with a chuckle.
Daemon laughed at the thought of her face when they announced it.
He slowly rocked the babe in his arms as Rhaenyra laid back on the bed. Laenor and Laena finally deemed the time that elapsed appropriate enough for them to leave. He stood from his seat and offered congratulations to Daemon and Rhaenyra, who was practically asleep next to him.
Daemon could not look away from his babe as Rhaenyra slept beside him.
“Do you know who I am? I am your father.” The babe in his arms gurgled. Daemon smiled at him “Yes, that’s right. Your father is very handsome. He is the best warrior in your future kingdom.”
Daemon stood from the bed and walked over to where he had placed the crib in preparation for their new arrival.
“Your father will do everything in his power to protect you and your mother. And any other siblings you might have. I will love you always, my son. No matter what you may hear, no matter what you may sometimes see. Your father loves you, with all his heart and soul.”
He could see that Aegon was closing his eyes, so he gently placed him in the cradle. The thing had cost almost a thousand golden dragons and had to be shipped from Essos. He had it carved in the shape of a dragon and stained red. Rhaenyra had a lot of explaining to do as red was not the colour of neither her nor Laenor’s dragon. They eventually decided to tell people it was depicting the dragon on their banners. It was for Caraxes of course, his dragon would protect his son whether conscious or unconscious.
With that thought, Daemon removed his outer garments and headed to bed. He pressed a kiss to his wife’s forehead and hugged her to him gently.
Tomorrow was going to be a shitshow, he knew. For none could deny that Aegon was Daemon come again.