▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
HOUSE OF THE DRAGONS
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ─── ❛ fire and blood

FIRE ON FIRE ₊˚.༄𖥸 ──
𑁍₊𓄹 -- ❪ house of the dragons ❫. 𓄹
╭ ‧₊˚⊹ 你好，欢迎光临
╰ ✦ loss of eye╭ ᘒ ✦

Just in one night, there had been multiple deaths that had happened. Ser Harwin Strong and his family had died in a fire.

And Laena Velaryon had died, ordering her dragon to kill her. Rhaella felt sorrow for the deaths.

And her family had made their way to dragon stone, to pay their respects for Laena Velaryon.

Rhaella wanted to see Baela and Rhaena Velaryon—pay her respects. They had lost their mother.

Rhaella stood beside her mother and Helaena, holding onto their arms as she watched the casket, listening to Ser Vaemond speak in High Valyrian.

A laugh made Rhaella lift her head up, looking over to Daemon Targaryen with a frown. Ehy had he laughed? It was his wife.

Then, her casket was soon dropped into the water. Rhaella bowed her head once more, watching as the water splashed as the casket fell.

Soon, the funeral had gathered elsewhere, and Rhaella followed her younger sister. But, Baela and Rhaena had caught her eye, making Rhaella pardon herself and move towards the girls.

Rhaella kept her hands clasped in front of her, slowly making her way towards them. When the girls heard her footsteps they looked up.

A sad smile decorated her features as she bowered her head to the pair. "I am truly sorry for your loss." Rhaella softly said as she stood before them. "From what I have heard, your mother was a kind spirit." Baela slowly nodded her head as she squeezed her sister's hand. "We are family and if either of you need anything, I am whom to call." She bowed her head once more, sending the two a smile before leaving them to grieve.

Rhaella crossed paths with Jacaerys, Jace sending her a sad smile. She knew he was sad about Ser Harwin, which made her pause, softly calling him name, to which he came to a holt and turned to her.

Rhaella walked close, her voice in a quiet whisper. "I am dearly apologetic for the loss you have also faced." Jacaerys' eyes widened at her words. "You have a right to grieve for Ser Harwin. I knew he was close to you, your siblings and your dear mother."

Jacaerys recognised that there was no bitterness or harshness in her words. That they were true and genuine.

"He loved you and your family, it was evident." Rhaella squeezed his arm, sad smile still on her face. "He'll always be with you..." she pointed to his chest. "And here."

"Thank you, aunt." Jace nodded his head at her words, making her smile once more, bowing her head before retreating to her siblings.

Helaena was in her own little word, holding onto a spider. And Aegon was drinking, which wasn't a surprise to Rhaella. And Aemond just stood there, his head lowered.

Rhaella stood beside Aemond, looking down at her younger sister with a soft smile. "Must you associate yourself with those bastards?" Aegon's voice made Rhaella frown.

"Watch your tongue, brother." Rhaella quietly warned, holding onto her hands. "One of those 'bastards' is to be your future King." She simply said, looking away from him. "So, you'd do best to continue drinking your cold heart out."

Aemond bit back a chuckle at his older sister's words, casting his head down at Aegon bit his tongue.

It was soon to be night, the sun had been hidden away by the night clouds. Rhaella stood beside her mother, whose eyes were on the drunken Aemond.

"My sweet," Alicent softly spoke as Rhaella hummed, looking up at her mother. "Would you be a dear and help your foolish brother abed?" She asked, holding onto her eldest daughter's face as Rhaella sighed. "Before he makes himself more of a fool."

"Of course, mother." Rhaella nodded her head with a smile, making Alicent smile and squeeze her shoulder.

Rhaella sighed as she held onto her black dress, moving towards her brother, who sat on the steps, leaning against the wall.

Rhaella walked down the steps, looking down at Aegon, who was out of it. She rolled her eyes, crouching down to his side and nudging him. "Aegon." She softly said, but no response.

A groan left her lips as she looked around, seeing that nobody was looking before slapping her brother across the face, making him awaken with a jump.

Rhaella smiled successfully, standing up and brushing off her dress. "Come, brother. Mother requested I help you." She held out her arm.

"I do not—" Aegon slurred as he let out a hiccup. "Need your help, sister." He persisted, making her roll her eyes and grab a hold of his arm.

"Silence." Rhaella cut him off, dragging him up and onto his feet. "Do not make a fool out of yourself." She told him, holding onto his arm and leading him up the stairs.

Rhaella said her goodnights to the people around, leading Aegon to his chambers. She didn't understand his words, but, she nodded her head.

She pushed open the doors, carefully helping him sit down on the bed. Rhaella turned around, walking towards a glass and filling it up with water.

A sigh left her lips as she moved towards her drunken brother and handed hands him sit up, holding the glass to his face. "Drink." She ordered, and he did just that.

Rhaella cared for her siblings, it was evident. As the eldest, she thought she needed to look out for them all. It was easy with Aemond and Helaena, but Aegon...that was a different story.

"There we go." Rhaella breathed out, placing the glass on the bedside table. "Now, you must sleep, Aegon."

And with that, she left the room, retreating to her own room. But before she could, she heard multiple footsteps, running down the corridors.

She turned, only to be almost knocked down by someone bumping into her. But, she stabilised herself, holding her hands on the persons shoulder. "Jace?" She frowned as she looked behind him, seeing Lucerys, Baela and Rhaena. "Are you guys alright?" She looked at them all with worried eyes.

"Someone stole Vhagar." Rhaena quickly said as Rhaella frowned, looking over at the young girl. "We need to go, quickly." Rhaena moved forwards and grabbed her hand, pulling her forwards as the other children followed. "You promised that if we were in need, you'd help."

"Of course, I don't break my promises." Rhaella nodded her head, her pace quickening as all the children ran towards the dragon cave.

Rhaella made sure all the children were there and with her, her being the oldest, and wanted to make sure they were all okay and with her.

They quickly made their way into the cave, Rhaella and Rhaena in the lead. What Rhaella didn't expect was to see Aemond.

"It's him." Baela looked at him as Rhaella's eyes widened.

"It's me." Aemond said, taking off his cloak.

"Aemond, what have you done?" Rhaella softly asked, stepping towards her brother. "Vhagar was Rhaena's dragon—her mother's dragon."

"Their mother is dead, sister." Aemond simply said as Rhaella frowned, looking over to Rhaella and Baela. "Vhagar has a new rider now."

"She was mine to claim!" Rhaena hissed as she stepped forwards.

"Then you should've claimed her!" Aemond argued as Rhaella pushed Rhaena backwards.

"She was grieving." Rhaella voiced her opinions to Aemond, her voice still soft as she spoke to her younger brother.

"Well, maybe her cousins can find her a pig to ride." Aemond harshly spoke, nodding his head at the children behind her. "It would suit you."

Rhaena moved from behind Rhaella and ran forward, grabbing a hold of Aemond, only for him to push her to the ground. That made Baela rush forwards and strike Aemond across the face.

Rhaella backed up, her eyes wide as she stared at the scene. She looked over her shoulder at Jacaerys and Lucerys.

What Rhaella didn't expect was for Aemond to strike against Baela, sending her to the ground. "Come at me again and I'll feed you to my dragon!"

"Aemond, have you gone mad?!" Rhaella yelled, keeping her nephews behind her, not wanting them to get harmed. "You do not hit a lady—family, at that matter!" She moved forwards, helping Baela and Rheana up.

That's when Jacaerys rushed forward and stroked Aemond across the face, only to be kicked to the ground.

Before Rhaella even knew it, the children were fighting all around, and Rhaella didn't know what to do. She didn't want to leave Incase anyone got badly injured, but she couldn't let this continue.

She was about to intervene when Lucerys ran towards Aemond, only to be grabbed by the throat. "Aemond! Let him go!" Rhaella yelled out, her voice pleading as she held onto Baela and Rhaena. Jacaerys went to help, but Rhaella grabbed his arm.

Aemond raised his arm, rock in his hand as he held onto Lucerys. "You will die screwing in flames just as your father did!" Aemond hissed at the young boy. "Bastards!"

"My father's still alive!" Lucerys cried out, pulling at Rhaella's heartstrings. They were all just children.

"He doesn't know, does he, Lord Strong?" Aemond looked at Jacaerys, who was being held back by Rhaella. But Jacaerys pulled out of her grip and pulled out a knife.

"Aemond! Watch your words with them vile accusations!" Rhaella warned him. It weren't the children's fault that their father was indeed Ser Harwin Strong. She didn't fault them, nor did she fault Rhaenyra.

"I speak nothing but the truth, sister!" Aemond declared as he kept a tight grip on Lucerys. "They are bastards!"

"Enough!" Rhaella moved forwards, keeping a distance. "Just let Luke go, and we can leave this—this tragedy." Rhaella slowly nodded her head.

When Aemond hesitated, Rhaella took this as an opportunity to quickly move forwards. She had watched her brothers practice multiple times. She had watched their moves and how to fight.

So, she took this as an opportunity to disarm him, the rock falling from his hands and she kicked his feet from under him. She didn't want to hurt him, she really didn't. But she didn't want anyone else to be harmed.

Aemond fell to the floor, pushing Lucerys into Jacaerys as he landed on the floor with a thud. "Are you finished?" Rhaella panted, looking down at him. Her tone was a slight warning to him.

The children watched with shocked expressions—she had attacked her own brother.

"Are you finished?" Rhaella asked in a louder tone, her eyes pleading. She wanted him to know she didn't want to hurt him, she wouldn't ever again.

But Aemond didn't answer, all he did as grab her leg and pull her to the floor, a yelp leaving her lips as she fell backwards and roughly landed on the rock he had dropped.

A cry left her lips as she moved off of the rock, Rhaena and Baela going to her side to aid her.

Jacaerys charged forwards once more, hitting Aemond across the face and Aemond shoved him to the ground, picking the rock up from the ground.

He hesitated when he looked down at his older sister, who tried to sit up, but the pain in her back caused her to let out a cry.

This have Jacaerys an opportunity to throw the sand into Aemond's eyes, and then Lucerys charged forward, knife in his hand and striking Aemond in his eyes.

Aemond let out a yell in pain, falling to the floor as he held onto his bleeding eye. Rhaella stared at her younger brother with wide eyes, trying to get up and go to him, but she couldn't.

"Cease this at once!" A voice said as a group of guards walked in. One walked over to Aemond as another went to Rhaella.

Rhaella sat in a chair, quietly wincing as her back made contact with the chair. She wasn't damaged, but bruised. It ached, but she'd live.

"How could you allow such a thing to happen?" Her father's angry voice echoed in the room. "I will have answers."

"The princes and princess were supposed to be abed, My King." One of the guards said as Alicent crouched in front of Aemond and Rhaella, looking at them with worried eyes.

"Who had the watch?" Viserys asked, looking around for any answers.

"Young prince was attacked by his own cousins, Your Grace." Ser Criston said, nodding his head at the other children, who crowded together. "As was the princess."

"They did not harm me, father." Rhaella quietly said, looking away from Aemond and up to her father. "I fell trying to stop it." She lied. Aemond frowned at her words, looking at her as she kept her eyes on their father.

Viserys looked at his daughter, then the guards with angry eyes. "You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!" He yelled at them.

"I'm very sorry, Your Grace." The guard bowed his head. Alicent's grip tightened on Rhaella's hand, the young girl keeping her head bowed.

"The Kingsguard has never had to defend princes from princes, Your Grace—"

"That is no answer!" Viserys yelled in Ser Criston's face, cutting him off.

"It will heal, will it not, master?" Alicent carefully asked, her eyes on Aemond and his scarred eye.

"The flesh will heal." The master sighed as he stitched Aemond's scar. "But the eye is lost, Your Grace."

Rhaella closed her eyes, squeezing her mother's hand. This was her fault. She couldn't stop the fight. If she had, this wouldn't have happened.

"Where were you?" Alicent quickly stood, dropping her hand from Rhaella's and moving towards Aegon, striking him across the face.

"Me?" He hissed as he held his face. "What was that for?" He looked at his mother with wide eyes.

"That was nothing compared to the abuse your brother and sister suffered while you were drowning in your cups, you fool." Alicent hissed in a quiet whisper.

Rhaella turned when she heard the door fly open. "What is the meaning of this?" Corlys and Rhaenys walked in, Rhaenys immediately going towards Baela and Rhaena.

Then, in walked Rhaenyra and Daemon. Rhaenyra instantly went to her sons, cradling them. "Who did this?" Rhaenyra asked as she saw the state her sons were in.

"They attacked me!" Aemond yelled at his half-sister, looking over his shoulder at her.

"He attacked Baela!"

"He broke Luke's nose!"

"He hurt Rhaella!" Rhaella tensed at those words, keeping her head low as Alicent turned to her daughter.

"He stole my mother's dragon!"

"He washe going to kill Jace!"

"Enough." Viserys called towards the children's yelling, but he was ignored as they went back and forth.

Alicent moved towards Rhaella, kneeling in front of her as Rhaella kept her eyes closed. She could feel her mother's presence, but didn't open her eyes.

"I didn't do anything!"

"Enough."

"It should be my son and my daughter telling the tale!" Alicent snapped, pointing at herself as she kept close to her children.

"He called us—"

"Silence!"

Everyone froze at King Viserys voice, looking at him at his sudden out burst. Rhaella snapped her eyes open, looking at her father. "Rhaella." Rhaella swallowed thickly as she watched her father make his way towards her. "I will have the truth of what happened."

Rhaella slowly nodded her head, about to speak until Alicent cut her off. "Your son has been maimed. And your daughter has been pained." Alicent pointed at them, then looking at Rhaenyra. "Her sons are responsible."

"It was a regrettable accident." Rhaenerya softly spoke, holding onto her sons.

"Accident?" Alicent scoffed. "The Prince Lucerys brought a blade to the ambush. He meant to kill my son, possibly my daughter."

"They didn't hurt me, mother." Rhaella softly spoke, shaking her head. "Honest." She added, her eyes pleading. She wanted this whole ordeal to finish.

"It was my sons who were attacked and forced to defend themselves!" Rhaenyra held onto Lucerys and Jacaerys, her voice growing louder. "Vile insults were levied against them."

"What insults?" Viserys asked, tearing his gaze from Rhaella and Aemond, and towards Rhaenyra.

"The legitimacy of my sons' birth was out loudly to question." Rhaenyra held onto Lucerys hand.

"What?" Viserys frowned, looking over to Rhaenyra and her children.

"He called us bastards." Jacaerys uttered to his mother, which everybody heard. "Rhaella had no part in it." Jacaerys defended Rhaella, making Rhaenyra squeezed his shoulder. "She was helping us."

"My sons are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace." Rhaenyra stepped towards her father. "This is the highest of treasons. "Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders." Aemond looked over his shoulder at his sister with a raised brow.

"Over an insult?" Alicent breathed out. "My son had lost an eye." She pointed towards Aemond, who turned back around. "And my daughter has been pained to the point she is unable to walk on her own."

Rhaella squeezed her eyes shut at her mother's words. She ignored the pain in her back, shaking her head. Nobody had been listening to her words. She could walk, but with a limp. It was only a bruise.

"You tell me, boy. Where did you hear this lie?" Viserys leaned in front of Aemond, his eyes narrowed.

Aemond looked around until Alicent spoke up. "The insult was training yard bluster." Alicent spoke as Viserys turned to her. "The lot of boys. It was nothing."

"Aemond." Viserys turned back to his son. "I asked you a question." He spoke as Aemond looked at Alicent. "Aemond, look at me." Aemond turned back to him. "Your king demands an answer. Who spoke these lies to you?"

Aemond looked at his mother once more before speaking. "It was Aegon." He said as Aegon's eyes widened, looking up.

"Me?" He uttered, looking down at his brother.

Viserys moved towards Aegon, who lifted his eyes towards him. "And you, boy? Where did you head such calumnies?" Viserys asked him. "Aegon!" He yelled in Aegon's face, his yell making Rhaella jump. "Tell me the truth of it!"

"We know, Father." Was all Aegon said, keeping his eyes forward as Viserys stood at his side. "Everyone knows. Just look at them." He uttered.

There was a silence.

Rhaella looked over her shoulder at Rhaenyra and her sons, a sad look on her face as she saw how bloody they were.

"This interminable infighting must cease!" Viserys yelled once again as Rhaella jumped forwards, squeezing her own hands in comfort. "All of you! We are family!" Viserys breathed out as he looked around. "Now make your apologised and show good will to one another."

Rhaella would apologise to every person if she had to. That was the type of person she was. She'd especially apologise to Aemond for causing him any harm.

"Your father..." Viserys looked between his children. "Your grandsire, your king demands it!" He hit his cane into the floor as his words.

He then walked forwards, walking past them all. Rhaella could tell that her mother wasn't happy at her father's words.

And she was correct when Alicent spoke up. "That is insufficient." Alicent shook her head, tears in her eyes. "Rhaella has been damaged and so has Aemond—permanently, My king." Rhaella breathed out, looking back down at her conjoined hands. "'Good will' cannot make them whole."

"I know, Alicent." Viserys turned to her, a sigh leaving his lips as he walked closer. "But I cannot restore Aemond's eye."

"No, because it's been taken!" Alicent argued, pointing towards Aemond.

"What would you have me do?" Viserys asked her, his eyes wide as Alicent stood up tall.

"There is a debt to be paid." Alicent uttered, her voice breaking as she spoke. Rhaella paused as she looked up at her mother with a frown. "I shall have one of her son's eyes in return."

Rhaella's eyes widened as she looked over at Rhaenyra and her sons. Rhaenyra clung onto her boys.

"My dear wife—"

"He is your son, Viserys." Alicent pleaded. Rhaella was glad the attention was off of her, her brother had suffered a worser fate than she had. She was bruised, he lost an eye. "Your blood."

"Do not..." Viserys warned her. "Allow your temper to guide your judgment." He moved towards Alicent, standing before her before turning back around.

"If the king will not seek justice, the Queen will." Alicent said as she looked up. "See Criston...bring me the eye of Lucerys Velaryon."

"Mother!" Lucerys cried as Rhaenyra pushed him behind her. Rhaella shook her head as she stared at her mother.

"He can choose which eye to keep, a privilege he did not grant my son." Alicent continued, not giving up, even after hearing Viserys protests.

"You will do no such thing." Rhaenyra sucked in a breath, shaking her head as she stared at Alicent.

"Stay your hand." Viserys turned to Ser Criston.

"No, you are sworn to me!" Alicent yelled at Ser Criston, pointing to her chest. Rhaella bit her inner cheek, fidgeting with her rings on her finger.

"As your protector, my Queen." Ser Criston uttered, looking down at Alicent.

Alicent tilted her head, clenching her jaw as Viserys spoke once more. "Alicent, this matter...is finished." He warned her. "Do you understand?" He grew close to her face before turning around and walking away. "And let it be known: anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's sons should have it removed." He warned the people around them.

"Thank you, father." Rhaenyra muttered, clinging onto her sons for dear life before turning around.

Rhaella watched her mother closely, knowing she had not finished. And her point was proven as she stepped forward, grabbing the blade from Viserys and spinning around.

"Alicent!" Viserys yelled as she made her way towards Rhaenyra and her children.

"Hold your approach!" A guard yelled as Rhaella sat up, staring at her mother with wide eyes.

Rhaenyra quickly stood, spinning around as Alicent raised her arm, going for Rhaenyra as the silver haired woman grabbed Alicent.

Rhaella carefully stood up, leaning into Helaena's side as they watched their mother.

Everyone gathered around the scene, Rhaenyra fighting off Alicent as a guard pushed everyone away.

Rhaella gripped onto Helaena, ignoring the pain in her back. "Mother!" Rhaella pleaded, her voice breaking as she watched her mother try and strike Rhaenyra with the blade.

"You've gone too far!" Rhaenyra hissed as she held onto Alicent's arm and shoulder, pushing the blade away from her.

"I?" Alicent scoffed, her voice breaking once more as she stared at Rhaenyra. "What have I done but what was expected of me?" She cried, keeping her arm raised. "Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law! While you flout all to do as you please."

"Alicent, let her go!" Viserys yelled, walking forwards, but was ignored.

"Where is duty? Where is sacrifice?" Alicent continued as the blade inched closer towards Rhaenyra's eye. "It's trampled under your pretty foot again!"

"Release the blade, Alicent." Otto ordered, watching his daughter carefully.

"And now you take my son's eye, and to even that, you feel entitled." Alicent cried, her hands shaking as she spoke.

"Exhausting, wasn't it?" Rhaenyra breathed in, tears in her own eyed as she fought Alicent off. "Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness." She told Alicent. "But now they see you as you are." She uttered the last sentence.

With that, Alicent threw her arm forwards, moving backwards as Rhaenyra did the same, clinging onto her arm.

Rhaella's eyes looked down to Rhaenyra's arm, seeing the crimson drop from her arm. Rhaella's eyes widened, watching as the blade dropped from Alicent's hand. Helaena clung onto Rhaella, moving as she felt Aemond stand beside them.

"Do not mourn me, Mother." Aemond spoke as they all turned to him. "It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye...but I gained a dragon."

Rhaella's eyes were everywhere. Her parents, her nephews, her siblings—everywhere. Her hands shook as she let go of Helaena, arms dropping to her side.

Her gaze shifted to Aemond, who held onto their mother. Everything had happened so quick.

Rhaella's sworn protector had guided her back to her chambers, making sure she was okay before opening the doors.

Rhaella's maids were quick to gather around her. But Rhaella didn't want anyone near her. She wanted to be alone.

She winced as one of the maids helped her change, which made Rhaella hiss in pain as a hand made contact with her back.

"Please, leave me." The young girl spoke, looking at her maids, who quickly nodded their heads and left the Princess.

Rhaella breathed out, finally feeling alone as she slowly made her way to her bed, resting her hands on it.

She squeezed her eyes shut, the memories flashing in her eyes. She had not been able to protect her brother, her nephews, Rhaena and Baela. She had failed.

A quiet cry left her lips as she gripped onto her sheets, bowing her head as she cried...alone.

She wished she could reverse time. She wished she could have protected her family. She had been the eldest child there, perhaps she could have done more—she wished she had done more.

Now, her younger brother was scarred for life. And she felt guilty for having a part in it. And she could not sleep that night at all.

So she sat up in her bed, clinging onto her figure as she looked around, bitting on her bottom lip. She wanted her mother.

And that's where she went. She just wanted to hug her mother. Rhaella had sneaked past the guards, moving towards her mother's chambers.

She sucked in a breath as she saw Ser Criston Cole stand at the doors. His head lifted up as he heard her footsteps, frowning as he saw Rhaella. "Is everything alright, princess?" He asked her, making her nod her head, sending him a small smile.

"Yes, Ser. I just wanted to see my mother." She quietly said, looking down at her hands as they shook. Criston nodded his head at her, knocking on the door before opening it, letting Rhaella walk in.

It seemed Alicent could not find sleep either, standing at the fireplace as she turned her head, looking at her daughter with sad eyes. "My sweet girl, why are you up? Are you in pain?" Alicent immediately asked, stepping towards her daughter and holding her face.

"I cannot sleep, mother." Rhaella uttered, looking up at Alicent with teary eyes. "I fear that it is my fault Aemond has lost his eye, and that he..." She shook her head as her bottom lip trembled. "That he might hate me."

Alicent stared down at her eldest daughter, a sad look on her face. She didn't say anything as she pulled her daughter into a hug, a tight hug. Her arms wrapped carefully around her back.

Rhaella rested her head on Alicent's stomach, arms around her waist as she felt comfort wash over her, merely by her mother's presence.

"Do not blame yourself, my sweet girl." Alicent softly spoke, caressing her daughter's hair as her eyes watered with her own tears. "Your brother does not hate you, not at all."

"But what if he does?" Rhaella softly cried, looking up at her mother, keeping her arms wrapped around her. "I cannot live with what has happened to him tonight."

"That wasn't your fault, my girl." Alicent shook her head, wiping at her own tears as she crouched to her daughter's level, holding onto her face as she stroked her thumb against her cheek. "I assure you, Aemond does not hate you. You are his sister and he adores you."

"Are you sure?" Rhaella's voice broke as she looked down at her mother. Alicent nodded her head, wiping at her daughter's tears with her thumb.

"I am positive, my dear." Alicent nodded her head, flashing her daughter a sad smile. "Just you watch, on the morrow, your brother will speak to you. He knows you did nothing." Alicent promised her daughter, leaning up to press a kiss on Rhaella's forehead.

Rhaella nodded her head, blinking away her tears as she sucked in a breath. "Can...can I stay with you? I don't want to be alone." Rhaella asked her mother.

Alicent immediately nodded her head, pulling her daughter back into a hug, running her hand though her silver locks. "Of course, my love."

Rhaella had stayed with her mother all night, never leaving her grasp. Rhaella liked her mother with all her heart and was grateful for her. That her mother adored her so much.

But when she awoke, she dressed having to face her youngest brother. But Alicent made sure that Rhaella was not to worry. That everything would be okay.

So Alicent helped Rhaella dress, not wanting to put any contact on the growing bruise on her back. There had been a little scar, from where the rock had dug into Rhaella's back.

The two were soon out of the chambers and they had to get ready to leave. Rhaella didn't expect to already see Aemond, waiting.

She sucked in a breath as she saw the patch across his eye, a pang of guilt hitting her like a brick. Alicent also stared at her son with sad eyes, moving forwards to pull him into a hug.

Rhaella stayed behind Alicent, playing with her hands as she stared down at the ground. She wasn't paying attention until she almost jumped at the hand on her shoulder.

She relaxed as she saw her mother, an encouraging smile on her face. Rhaella slowly nodded her head as she looked over to Aemond.

She made her way towards him, a sad look on her face as she stood in front of him. "How are you feeling?" She quietly asked, her voice coming out as if it was a mouse squeaking.

"I am feeling better." Aemond nodded his head, looking over at his mother, then back to his sister. "How is your—"

His words were cut short as Rhaella pulled him into a hug, squeezing her eyes shut. Rhaella was very affectionate when it came to the people she loves. "I am so sorry." Rhaella muttered, holding onto her younger brother. "I am sorry."

Aemond didn't think twice as he hugged his sister back, relieved that she didn't hate him after he had hurt her. "You do not need to apologise, sister. You did nothing." Aemond reassured her as she nodded her head, sad smile on her face as she pulled back from the hug.

Alicent watched her children with a sad smile. Rhaella and Aemond had always been close, the two had always bickering and prancing Aegon. They were partners in crime.

Rhaella clung onto her cloak, the wind biting at her skin as she stood beside her family. They were going back to Kingslanding.

Rhaella's eyes landed on Rhaenyra and her children. She had to apologise for the suffering they had faced last night.

"Excuse me, father, mother." Rhaella bowed her head at her parents, holding onto her dress as she carefully moved towards the family.

Rhaenyra looked up at the girl, her eyes softening. Rhaella bowed to her sister and her nephews. "Sister, nephews." She flashed a sad smile, keeping her eyes on all three of them. "I wanted to apologise for last nights acts." She fidgeted with her rings as Rhaenyra softly smiled at her younger sister. "I did not expect for things to turn out how they had when we went to to dragon cave—"

"You have nothing to apologise for, dear sister." Rhaenyra reached out and cupped her chin, smile still on her face. "You were trying to protect my sons and their cousins." Jacaerys and Lucerys had told their mother everything of what happened the night before, how Rhaella had tried to stop the fight and even attacked her own brother to do so. "Your braveness kept my sons safe, and I am forever grateful to you."

Rhaella softly smiled as she looked up at her sister, then to her nephews. "I wanted to make sure nobody got hurt." She uttered. Rhaella could feel her mother's stare on her, but chose to ignore it. "But everyone did."

"That is not your fault, sweet girl." Rhaenyra shook her head, removing her hand from Rhaella's chin and pulling her into a comforting hug, careful not to put any contact on her lower back.

Rhaella smiled into the hug, wrapping her arms around Rhaenyra before pulling away and looking at her nephews. "A hug for your favourite aunt?" She jested, smile on her face as Jacaerys and Lucerys shared a look before both of them accepted her hug. "I will miss you all." Rhaella breathed out, pulling out of the hug as she stared at the three. "Now I must go." She bowed once more, smiling at the three before turning around and going back towards her parents.

Viserys smiled down at her daughter, pulling him towards her and pressing a kiss to her head. "Sweet girl." Was all he said.

Rhaella smiled at her father, turning to look at Alicent, who's eyes were on Rhaenyra, with a look she did not understand.

Rhaella had always been the softest out of her younger siblings, as well as Helaena. She had a kind heart and showed love to everyone.

That was why she was known as the Realms Darling.

— madeleines notes

WAYY a long chapter but yk, ehehehe

But last chapter of younger Rhaella and next chapter is her older so heheheeh

But I actually adore Rhaella like she doesn't gaf and just loves everyone. Like you can't tell me she isn't a softie who loves her family.

Shes my soft baby, that definitely isn't soft in season 2... oops.

And Rhaella and Alicent's mother and disgusted bond goes down hill... YIKES.

If you can't already tell, she is team black?!? She's with Rhaenyra all the way 🎀

14th July 2024
5710 words