｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆
𝘒𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘥 - 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢 𝘞𝘢𝘳
｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆

Neither of them left the chambers again that evening, except to check on the children. Aruna felt bad leaving her children like that, but the events and the long journey had weakened the pregnant woman a lot and she had slight pains in her stomach. When she had to throw up, Daemon forced her to stay in bed for the rest of the day.

Everything was so much for the woman at the moment. There was too much to deal with and yet everyone was suffering right now. Everyone had a burden to carry or was fighting something. Aruna kept trying to admit this to herself so that she wouldn't sink into self-pity.

Around noon the next day, the council was called to the throne room.

Aruna's condition had improved a little, but the woman was still quite pale. She had to do some convincing to be allowed to attend the council.

With a dissatisfied expression on his face, Daemon looked at his wife when they finally stood in the throne room. His wife, on the other hand, had to stifle a grin at her victory.

On the right side of the room stood Rhaenyra and her children, and Daemon and Aruna and their children. The blacks.

On the left side stood the Queen and her children. Behind them you could clearly see Ser Criston and Aruna's brother Ser Adrik. The greens.

Instantly Aruna felt sick again.

Directly in front of the Iron Throne stood Otto Hightower. Father of the Queen and Hand of the King. Throughout the hall the people present whispered, but when the man began to speak in a loud voice everyone became silent. "Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corly Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark." Otto announced.

Daemon and Aruna had already heard about it this morning. Especially Aruna was relieved that the lord was well. She had always liked him somehow and he had always treated her well.

Moreover, not only Daemon and Rhaena were happy to see Baela again, as she had also travelled to the court with her grandmother Rhaenys. Edith was also happy to see her sister and to get to know her even better. Immediately the three girls had reconnected as they had back in Driftmark and had walked the corridors together.

"As Hand, I speak with the Kings voice on this and all other matter." Spoke the Hand of the King on while Aruna was still in thought of this morning. She loved her children and she loved Daemon's daughters as if they were her own. She would never let anything happen to anyone and she would fight for that today.

But when Otto Hightower sat down on the Iron Throne, the woman was back in the moment and held her breath in shock. For her it was unthinkable that he sat there, and she didn't care that he was the hand.

"The crown will now hear the petitions." He commanded like a real king and certainly he felt like one on the throne. The sight of him made not only Daemon angry. "Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon!"

With sure steps, the man addressed stepped forward and stood in front of the throne, carefully eyeing the Princess. "My Queen." His gaze now moved to Alicent and only then to Otto. "My Lord Hand." He greeted the man on the throne, nodding.

Vaemond then gave a speech about the history of his noble house. It sounded very conceited and self-assured that the dark-haired woman could not listen to him. She had no idea how to rule as a lord or what duties a king had, for all she knew about that she had learned from her late husband and the Starks.

But Aruna was a strong woman and not a lady by birth as she always thought, but a princess. Like Rhaenyra, she was the daughter of the king and the blood of the dragon flowed in her veins. This new knowledge alone caused a new self-confidence in her like she had never felt before.

The most important thing was that Aruna knew she could rule a country or even all seven kingdoms better than Lord Vaemond or the Hand Otto ever combined.

"... I am Lord Corly closest kin, his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins." Vameond continued to speak, but his monotone speech was thankfully interrupted by Rhaenyra. "As it does in my sons, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your houses blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bol das to supplant is rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition."

Rhaenyra avoided eye contact with everyone in the room as she spoke, but her voice sounded so convincing that Aruna could only smile proudly at her, feeling proud of her sister.

But this moment of pride was ruined by the queen herself. "You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard." Alicent said with her head held high.

Ser Vaemond then turned to Rhaenyra and grinned smugly at her. Aruna would have loved to walk up to him and slap him for it. As much as she liked Lord Corlys, she despised his brother Ser Vaemond.

Daemon, of course, sensed his wife's discomfort and then placed a hand on her back. He was as disgusted as she was, only he was the one with less control, just waiting for the right moment. His free hand was already on the hilt of his sword.

"What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldnt recognise it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours!" He still had that disgustingly superior expression on his face. Everyone looked at him tensely in the face and listened as he doubted the paternity of Rhaenyra's children not a single one said a word or moved. "My Queen, my Lord Hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I Place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brothers successor... the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides."

What shocked Aruna the most was that no one spoke about Laenor directly. Everyone knew he was on a ship somewhere, but most assumed he had died in a storm. Not one doubted this theory. There were rumours, everyone had heard them, but Aruna didn't believe them. She did not want to believe that her good friend was no longer alive.

She had tried to reach him just as Rhaenyra had and had sent him many letters, but no letter ever came back and Laenor had not come to King's Landing either.

She just hoped very much that he had retired with his lover somewhere where no one could find him and was living a good life.

"Thank you, Ser Vaemond." Otto took the floor. "Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon."

Rhaenyra had always had a confident aura, for which she was admired by so many. Even now she stepped surely before the throne and spoke confidently, but at the same time Aruna could see how much the situation was getting on her sister's nerves.

"If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very..." Rhaenyra had been looking at the floor when she started to speak, but a loud noise from the doors made her turn around.

Surprised, everyone turned to the door and recognised the old king. A few startled sounds could be heard, because they hadn't seen him for a long time. Especially as he now looked even sicker.

No one had expected him to be here and this could be seen especially on the faces of Alicent and her children. Out of the corner of her eye, Aruna could see Otto standing up quickly from the Iron Throne.

"King Viserys of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm." Viserys wore his cloak and on the left side of his face he wore a golden mask - On the place where yesterday everything had been covered by a bandage. He had to hold on to his walking stick as he walked with slow unsteady steps through the hall to his throne, not saying a word. All that could be heard was the whispering of the people.

"I will sit the throne today." It was difficult to understand his words as he addressed Otto, but they had all the more power and Otto's gaze was priceless. "Your Grace."

Viserys literally struggled up the steps to his throne and everyone could see how difficult this journey must be for him. A knight immediately came to his side to support him, but the king promptly sent him away. He wanted to ascend his throne alone.

With tears in her eyes, Aruna also watched the king, her true father. She was so focused on the old man that she did not even notice how Daemon broke away from her and went to his brother. At the right moment, Daemon was at Visery's side when he stumbled and lost his crown. Daemon carefully picked up his crown as Viserys furiously tried to fight the help. "I said Im fine." He said exhaustedly and only then did he turn his head and recognise his brother.

"Come on." He whispered softly to his older brother that only he could understand. Then he supported the king and helped him up the last few steps. Straining, Viserys then dropped down on the throne and Daemon honourably placed the crown back on his head.

The two brothers exchanged a look of emotion that even Aruna could see from the distance, then Daemon went back to his wife. As if automatically, she then looked at her own brother, only to find that he was also looking at her.

His features softened as they looked at each other, but Aruna didn't know if it was really because of her or because of her tears. Or maybe it was just a trick, since she had no idea who her brother actually was anymore.

Somehow she could understand his actions. He seemed to really love Alicent, as well as his child with her. Actually, Aruna had done exactly the same. She had fallen in love. Neither of the two siblings could help it, nor could they help it that they now had to be on different sides because they loved someone.

"I must... admit... my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present... who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys wishes is the Princess Rhaenys." Viserys explained, still breathing heavily from the arduous journey.

"Indeed, Your Grace." The beautiful Velaryon agreed with him and stepped in front of the throne. Lifting her head, she walked past everyone as she did so. "It was ever my husbands will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son... Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him." Rhaenys announced to those present a matter that was clear to all, but still there were those who disagreed, like Ser Vaemond. "As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corly's granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree." The older woman then added.

Shocked, Aruna looked at her sister and then at Daemon. Her husband did not look surprised. They seemed to have arranged it and it hurt Aruna that no one had told her. They weren't her biological children, but it still felt that way.

But Aruna wasn't the only one who didn't know. The two girls and the two boys also looked shocked.

"Well... the matter is settled. Again." Viserys accused those present almost sarcastically. "I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides... and while we are all gathered, I have one more announcement to make."

Instantly Aruna knew what it was at once and reached anxiously for her husband's hand and for her daughter's. She had never been a religious woman - she had tried in the north, but the gods had never heard her - but right now she was praying to all the gods that existed that all would be well.

"I want to change the line of succession of Dragonstone... I want my first niece to be the heiress of the true home of the dragons. Lady Edith of House Targaryen." He then proclaimed aloud.

Once again, a startled sound could be heard in the room from those present and immediately everyone turned their gaze to Aruna and her first-born. Neither of them had ever felt so uncomfortable. Especially since Edith knew nothing of her parents' plans.

"The truth... is long overdue. Lady Edith was the offspring of the first marriage of Lady Aruna of House Tyrell and my brother Prince Daemon Targaryen. I myself was present at the marriage that day." Narrated Viserys the common concocted lie. "I do not want to hear any more rumours or back talk against the heir of Driftmark and the heiress of Dragonstone."

The discomfort and misunderstanding could clearly be seen on the faces of those present. But in the face of Aruna one could see relief.

At last everyone knew who Edith's true father was. Everyone knew what her right of succession was and that was what Aruna had fought for. Daemon also looked proudly at his brother. But despite everything, Aruna had a guilty conscience, although she should feel good. She had fought for her daughter's right to succession, just as she had fought against her son's right to succession a few years ago.

Another thing Cassian would surely not forgive her when he was older.

"You break law! And centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon." Furious, Vaemond stepped in front of the throne again, speaking indecently to the king. "No. I will not allow it."

"Allow it?" asked Viserys in a raspy voice. He also became visibly angry. "Do not forget yourself, Vaemond."

Aruna would have loved to say something and loudly defend Luke, but she was too shocked and overwhelmed by the situation.

Ser Vaemond, meanwhile, was shaking with anger. "That is not true Velaryon..." Suddenly he turned screaming and pointing at the young Lucerys. Startled, Edith flinched beside Aruna. Calming down, Aruna then stroked her daughter's back, trying to calm herself as well. "...and certainly no nephew of mine."

"Go to your chambers. You have said enough." Rhaenyra rebuked Vaemond, standing protectively in front of her sons. Daemon also took a step forward.

"Lucerys is my true-born grandson. And you... are no more than the second son of Driftmark." Viserys jabbed at him deliberately. The king seemed to enjoy his regained power and now let it live out again. In another situation, Aruna would surely have smiled at that.

"You... may run your house as you see fit... and you may appoint bastards as your heirs, but you will not decide the future of my house. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides. And gods be dammed... I will not see it ended on the account of this-" Vaemond did not speak any further and suddenly the room became quiet again. Everyone watched the situation tensely.

Daemon looked challengingly at the Velaryon and Aruna could hear a soft "Say it." From him. She knew her husband was just waiting for the right moment to finally end this terrible situation and punish him for his insult to Edith.

In Aruna came with Vaemon's accusations a feeling she had felt only once in her life before. The thought gave her cold goose bumps, but no fear of the act nor of herself.

It was the desire to kill someone.

"Her children... are bastards!" shouted Vaemond loudly across the throne room, looking at Rhaenyra and her sons with a look of hatred. "And she... is... a whore."

Viserys stood up from his throne angrily, but sickly, leaning firmly on his walking stick. "I... will have your tongue for that." the king announced his sentence loudly and firmly, pulling a knife from his cloak.

Before Viserys could even go down a step, Daemon walked furiously towards the Velaryon. With a swift slash of his sharp sword, he beheaded Ser Vaemond.

Repeatedly a terrified sound could be heard and Aruna immediately stood protectively in front of her daughter so that she could not see anything. The young woman was glad that her youngest son Cassian was not present.

Ser Vaemond's head was thrown to the ground and his body also collapsed and fell on the floor. "He can keep his tongue." Prince Daemon decided. He had separated the head from the body in such a way that his tongue was still visible.

It was a horrifying sight, but Aruna couldn't help herself and looked proudly over her shoulder at her husband. In an indescribable way, Vaemon's death made her happy, especially the fact that Daemon had killed him so elegantly. In her stomach she felt a knot and she could hear her own morals inside her, but Daemon had not only defended his daughter and Rhaenyra with this deed, but also the children of the princess and the honour of his house.

"Disarm him!" shouted Otto Hightower angrily across the room and immediately Daemon was surrounded by knights who had their swords raised high. Among the knights and guards was Ser Adrik.

"No need." Daemon said calmly as he cleaned his sword on his cloak and put it away again, then went back to his wife and daughters.

The attention of those present was then turned back to King Viserys as he slumped back into his throne, groaning in pain. "Call the maesters!" instructed Alicent, immediately running towards her husband and king. You could almost see genuine emotion from her towards Viserys.

"Father?" startled, Rhaenyra lifted her skirt and ran to the Iron Throne as well.

"Please, my love. You must take something for the pain." Begged Alicent, helping her husband to stand. "I will not cloud my mind." Viserys repeated his point, but had to hold very tightly to the young woman to keep from falling over. "I must put things right."

Several guards came to the king's aid and supported him as they took him out of the room to the maesters. All were far too frightened and could not say anything.

One by one, everyone present left the room until only the Targaryens and scattered advisors like the Hand of Otto were left.

"A clever move, marrying your children to each other." Alicent ended the uncomfortable silence in the room. The queen stood before her three children with her hands clasped. Her father just stood by like a soldier. "Had I known of your first marriage to Prince Daemon, I would never have helped you travel north, Lady Aruna." Alicent's voice dripped with sarcasm and everyone could see and hear that she did not believe the story.

"You didn't know many things, Your Grace." The dark haired one replied. It was the first time she had raised her voice and said anything in this room. Aruna could not hold back now.

Alicent just smiled at Aruna's statement, then exchanged a glance with her father. They seemed to be talking to each other and that was just by looking at each other. "I have a son. You have a daughter. We should also marry our children to strengthen our bond." Suggested Alicent without a guilty conscience. "She may also choose her husband from among my sons. Baela and Rhaena did not have that privilege."

Aruna's words caught in her throat at this suggestion.

"Mother?" asked Edith quietly. She stood behind her mother, looking shocked.

"I would rather feed each of my daughters to the dragons than marry even one of them to one of your sons." Daemon made clear to the queen in a serious voice, taking a dangerous step closer to Alicent so that Aruna had to hold her husband by the arm.

"A simple no would have sufficed, Prince Daemon." Retorted the queen in response. Alicent's sons Aegon and Aemond had a stern look on their faces and yet a slight smirk could be seen on one of them. Alicent's daughter Helaena, on the other hand, was standing there, looking as if her mind was somewhere else.

Aruna remembered the three children very well. She had held them in her arms when they were babies, spent time with them and even read them to sleep.

And then there was another child. A son with brown hair instead of silver.

Daeron was not only different from his siblings in appearance. He was only a few months older than Edith and Aruna thought her brother stood before her as a child. Instead, it was his son.

"You will be amused to know that this is exactly what my late husband had in mind." Admitted Aruna. She didn't want to tell, because she wanted it to be her secret forever, but she couldn't help herself. "I know you two exchanged letters."

She felt terrible talking this out in front of her children and she didn't want Edith to ever know either, but now here they were.

"He told you?" asked Otto in surprise instead of Alicent. It didn't surprise her that Otto was also in on the plan. The thought that anyone would want to decide about her daughter - and she had known nothing about it before Brandon's death - made her angry again.

"No." She answered honestly and couldn't help grinning. "But I found your letters before he was even cold."

Concerned, Rhaenyra looked at her sister. She didn't like the situation at all and Daemon didn't look thrilled either.

He had never known about Brandon's plans because Aruna had never told him. Sadly, he hadn't told her about his twins' marriage plans either, but that had been a last-minute and hasty decision. At that moment, he could understand and sympathise with his wife. He should have told her and most of all he should have told his twins.

"Maybe we should think about it."

- 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 1 -

***

That was the end of
"We light the Way"

I hope you liked it and you are not disappointed now!

And as you already know I'm working on book number 2, a direct sequel to this book without a time jump and from Edith's point of view!

I can't wait to finally share the story with you!♡
Lots of suffering and decisions await Edith, but also lots of hot scenes and fun! I hope you'll give my new story a chance too :)

I wish you all the best and see you soon! X rose