𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 | Weddings

{ Rhaenyra }

✧✦✧

"𝕴t is with great pleasure that his Grace, Viserys Targaryen, announces the start of the Royal Wedding Celebrations." Rhaenyra shuffled in her seat, fighting a smile as she tried to hold onto her image of a passive and calm princess. Inside, her stomach was twisting as she watched the courtiers fill the hall, waiting for Malkym to appear so that this could finally start.

After three years of being betrothed, the week of their wedding and wedding celebrations had finally arrived. After three years of waiting, pining glances, hidden kisses and feelings, they were finally to be married. After three years of being on her own, Rhaenyra would have someone by her side to support her. She would have a family again.

She fiddled with the necklace that was nestled between her collarbones, one of silver and rubies with a pale white diamond in the centre. It had been gifted to Myra when she married Malkym's father, Kieran, and now she gifted it to Rhaenyra, so the girl had a piece of the Thorne family with her. Rubies glinted in the girl's hair, silver rings twinkling on her finger and ruby earrings in her ears. She still kept the pressed lily pinned to the white of her dress, knowing that her mother would wish to see her daughter married.

Lords and ladies filled up the hall, including major houses from all over the south; Lannisters, Velaryons, Strongs. But no matter who came to bow at the dais and wish her well on her marriage, Rhaenyra only looked for one group of people. The Thorne's.

Rhaenyra just wished that this would all hurry up.

"Congratulations, Your Grace." Jason Lannister's voice filled her ears, grating at every nerve in her body as Rhaenyra fought a scowl and focused back on the scene in front of her. "You have made a fine match for the Princess."

"Thank you, Lord Jason." She forced a smile to her face, not daring to comment that she was the one who had decided and made the match, her father had only approved of it. "I can think of no better man than Lord Malkym."

Jason Lannister scoffed at that, his ego still bruised.

"Well, if this is only the welcome feast, I admit, I cannot imagine what you might have planned for the wedding."

"Well, my daughter is the future queen." Viserys sent his daughter a warm look, squeezing her hand. "I wanted this to be a wedding for the histories."

"Where is the queen?" Lord Jason ignored Viserys' comment to ask for Alicent's whereabouts as she was notably missing. "I had hoped to pay my respects."

"I understand the queen is still readying herself for the celebrations."

"This is why men wage war." Jason Lannister nodded sagely. Rhaenyra did not know where this statement was going. "Because women will never be ready for the battle in time."

Rhaenyra and Viserys both pulled similar faces of forced amusement, before the girl's smile dropped.

"Your presence is always such a pleasure, Lord Jason."

"Princess. Your Grace." He bowed before walking away as Rhaenyra leant back to look at her father. Both of them shared a quiet laughter at the incredulity of it all, before someone cut in front of the line to speak with them.

"Your Grace, Princess Rhaenyra. Congratulations are in order." Rhaenyra did not know this man, nor could she remember his face. 

"We are very honoured to have you as our guest, Ser Gerold." Viserys spoke, as the name finally clicked in Rhaenyra's mind. This was her uncle's wife's cousin, someone she had yet to meet even when her uncle married Lady Rhea. "I must say, I was most distressed to hear of the Lady Rhea's tragic passing. I am very sorry for your loss."

"Lady Rhea was a unique character. Her kind is not soon to be seen again." Ser Gerold paused, his face growing saddened at the mention of his cousin. 

"If there is anything the crown may do to aid House Royce..." Rhaenyra was cut off as the drums started to roll, causing the courtiers to hurry back to their seat. The princess looked up, the start of a smile playing at her lips as the doors began to open.

"The Lady Myra of House Thorne and Ser Rickard Thorne, member of the King's Guard," Rhaenyra's grin remained hidden as Myra strode forward, her cane clicking against the ground. The woman was dressed in a beautiful red dress, her dark hair twisted up behind her has her cane clicked on the floor. Ser Rickard stood beside her, his arm out to help support the frail woman through the hall, "and the Lord of Alterwoode, Malkym Thorne. The future king consort."

Rhaenyra's heart seemed to skip a beat the introduction of the title, turning to look at her father as the hall started to applause. Her father merely squeezed her hand, seeing how truly happy his daughter was. 

Rhaenyra turned, before she set eyes on her future husband and if she were a little less composed, she feared her mouth would have dropped open. He stood tall and proud, dark hair brushed behind him and the start of a grin playing on his face. He was dressed in black, hinted with silver and red as his house colours. His sword was present on his hip, along with the dagger he had made the blood oath with. Calym and Michayl walked either side of him, both dressed somewhat similarly and as they drew closer, Rhaenyra could see that all three had sprigs of apple blossom pinned to their doublets. 

Rhaenyra could not help but feel as if she was the luckiest woman in the world, for how handsome her betrothed was and how she was almost marrying him.

Beside her, her father stood causing Rhaenyra to follow that motion close behind as the rest of the courtiers did. They were still applauding, and Rhaenyra caught her betrothed's eye as she sent him a little applause of her own. He chuckled, though she couldn't catch the sound as he was too far away, before bowing his head to her father as his family did.

Malkym stepped past his family, bowing deeply once more, before turning as Rhaenyra abandoned her seat. She hoisted her dress above her ankles, trying her best not to hurry around the table so that she could meet her betrothed.

"My betrothed." Rhaenyra held her hand out for Malkym to bring to his lips, fighting down a blush as he rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.

"My darling dragon." She did blush at the nickname, not being able to hide the wide smile that graced her lips. Cheers started up once more, as Malkym squeezed her hand. "You look most beautiful, more so than anyone I have ever seen."

"Thank you." Rhaenyra accepted her betrothed's arm as he lead her back around the table to sit by her father. He took the seat to her left, with his mother beside him and then his two brothers. 

"My mother's necklace?"

"I thought it only fitting after all, I am marrying a Thorne just as she did." Rhaenyra spoke softly, her hand gripping onto Malkym's beneath the table, hidden from the view of everyone else. He squeezed her hand gently, as they both basked in each other's presence. "It is finally here. After all these years."

"Well, we have a few more days yet." Malkym reminded her. "But what is five more days?"

Rhaenyra hummed, before a lone figure caught her eyes. He strode into the hall, and Rhaenyra's grip on Malkym's hand. She had not seen Daemon Targaryen since he had kissed her and she had fled to Alterwoode. Malkym seemed to take note, shuffling slightly closer.

"I am here should you need me."

Rhaenyra forced a nod, her throat growing dry as Daemon grinned up at her, bowing in a mocking manner. A chair was brought for him to perch on the edge of the table, far from her, though she could feel his piercing stare in the side of her face. 

"You have us." Malkym reiterated, his voice quiet as he smiled down at her. Rhaenyra drew her gaze away from the spot opposite of her, turning to look at her betrothed. Malkym's smile and reassuring words calmed her heart, and when she looked past him, she could see that both Calym and Michayl were watching Daemon with the same dark glare that she had seen often enough on Malkym. Their hands both hovered near their swords, as Rhaenyra smiled. "I told you when I proposed. You may have the dragon, but you have us and we can fit through doors to protect you."

Rhaenyra laughed at that, wanting nothing more than to kiss her betrothed, but knowing that she had to wait until they were married or alone.

"Be welcome, as we join together in celebration," Viserys spoke, stopping Rhaenyra's thought of kissing her betrothed. "Tonight is only its beginning. We honour the newest of our allegiances for the crown, House Thorne. With House Targaryen and H-"

Viserys stopped, causing Rhaenyra's eyebrows to furrow before she turned to see Alicent standing on the steps, dressed in emerald green, a crown glimmering in her hair. She swept towards them, as the hall was prompted to stand, bowing their heads to the queen. Rhaenyra could not take her eyes off of her once friend, who was wearing a colour than incited war. It was well known that Hightower, where Alicent's family hailed from, burned their beacon green when they went to war.

Rhaenyra's eyes narrowed, as she watched the woman come to a stop on the other side of her father.

"Congratulations, step-daughter. What a blessing this is for you." Alicent smiled, though it hid sharp fangs, before leaning up to kiss Viserys' cheek and stand beside him. They were silent for a few more moments, before Viserys sighed.

"Please be seated." Malkym waited for Rhaenyra to be sat before sitting down beside her, reattaching their hands together beneath the table as they waited. Viserys seemed to forget where he was in the speech, prompting a reminder from Lord Strong, before nodding and patting Rhaenyra's shoulder.

"With House Targaryen and House Thorne united, I hope to herald in a more secure age of dragons in Westeros." Cheering and clapping began, people stomping on the floor and banging their glasses on the table as Rhaenyra nodded. "And after tonight's small affair..."

Rhaenyra heard Malkym snort at that, both of them knowing that this was no small affair. Their wedding had been being planned the moment that Rhaenyra had confirmed her decision of marrying Malkym months ago.

"...seven days of tournament and feasting. At the end of it all..." The cheering started up again as Rhaenyra smiled. "At the end of it all, a royal wedding between my daughter, my heir, your future queen, and Malkym Thorne, Lord of Alterwoode."

Cheers started up again, as Malkym shot her a warm look and a smile, which Rhaenyra quite happily returned. His brothers whistled, clapping along with the others as Rhaenyra laughed, shaking her head at their antics, her uncle long forgotten. Myra had tried to hush them, before turning to wish her own congratulations to the couple.

It was a few mere days. They were so close.

✧✦✧

Rhaenyra chuckled at the whistles and cheers that came from Michayl and Calym once more as Malkym took her hand to lead her to the open space between the tables for the first dance of the celebration. He was reluctant to let go of her hand as they came to a stop, his brown eyes following her every step as they took their places.

It was a simple dance, one Rhaenyra had learnt as a girl from her own mother, involving stepping towards the other and turning before circling each other. When she had taught Malkym, one rainy night after they had eaten, she had explained that it was like two dragons dancing. Malkym had joked that he supposed he would have to pretend to be Syrax whilst they danced, but now, with him taking it seriously, Rhaenyra found that Malkym was quite a talented dancer.

He had explained that it was all because of fighting, because what was a battle if not a dance.

"You dance even better than I remember." Malkym complimented, twisting behind her as she smiled. 

"Funny. I was going to say the same of you." Rhaenyra chuckled as she placed her back against his. He still stood taller than her, her shoulders barely brushing the bottom of his.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" Malkym turned, facing her as she did the same.

"Once or twice."

"Then, let me tell you again, for I should have told you a hundred times over already how beautiful you look, my darling dragon." Malkym complimented, extending his arm towards her as they went back and forth. "I do feel a bit stupid."

Rhaenyra giggled as she walked away from him, before twisting and curtsying as the dance finally came to an end. Applause started up again, as Rhaenyra placed both her hands in Malkym's so that he could kiss them.

"It was mightily worth it to be able to dance with you though but I do hope you know, that I will be dancing with you for all eternity." Malkym smiled down at her, as others began to join the dance floor. He had yet to let go of her hand. "Now that I can finally express my love for you freely."

"I will hope to never dance with anyone else then. Except for your brothers and my father."

"I suppose I could accommodate them." Malkym joked as Rhaenyra laughed, before a different dance started up once more. This one involved more jumping and swaying, which gave Rhaenyra free will to stare at her betrothed's face, noting every scar and freckle as he drew closer, and his expressions when he was farther away. 

They continued, before switching partners as Rhaenyra came face to face with Ser Harwin Strong, her father's hand's eldest son. He did not speak much, merely bowing his head, before she switched once more, finding Calym in front of her.

"Sister."

"I have not married your brother yet." Rhaenyra's eyebrows furrowed at the new name they had gifted her.

"You are practically family already. The when and where do not matter to us." Calym lifted her up with ease, as Rhaenyra's heart warmed. She did not like her own new siblings, but these ones? She could grow to like them. "Thank you, for making our brother happy. It is nice to see him like this."

They switched, as Rhaenyra found herself in Michayl's arms, the youngest of the Thorne boys. He was smiling widely, a childish glint in his eyes.

"You look very beautiful. I hope that Malkym has told you that."

"He has."

"He better." Michayl nodded. "If you grow too bored of him, you are more than welcome to find us. We are the most amusing brothers."

"That is because you have stories about my lovely betrothed that you have yet to tell me."

"There's plenty of time for that, sister. We have seven days of tourneys ahead of us before the wedding." Rhaenyra laughed, before she twisted once more, only to end up in Daemon's arms. Her shoulders tensed, laughter stopping in her throat as she stared at him. It only took a few moments, before she was twirled once more, ending in Malkym's arms. His eyes were narrowed, glare dark as he held her waist gently.

"Are you alright?"

"I am fine." Rhaenyra nodded, before smiling up at him. "It is merely nerves."

"I am here." Malkym reminded her before they moved onto the next dance. Somehow, all three Thorne brothers had made it their life's mission to stick close to Rhaenyra, becoming her dance partners along with Ser Harwin and her cousin, Ser Laenor Velaryon. 

At every cheer, the music seemed to go faster as Rhaenyra began to laugh with Malkym once more, her smile growing as he grinned and spun her. She did not notice when a body appeared behind hers, only that Malkym's expression dropped, turning into a dark glare. Daemon reached over, patting the man's shoulder and motioning for him to leave as Malkym stopped. Daemon seemed to grow more insistence, both men laying their hands on their swords as Rhaenyra noticed that Michayl and Calym were growing closer.

Rhaenyra did not wish to know what a fight between Malkym and Daemon would look like.

"Malkym. Malkym, it is fine." Rhaenyra squeezed his hand gently, as Malkym nodded, before retreating to his brothers sides, all three keeping a close eye on them as the dance continued. "What do you want?"

"Is this what you want?" Rhaenyra's nose twitched at the High Valyrian. She knew that Daemon had changed language so that Malkym could not understand them.

"That is not for you to know. You would simply never understand." Rhaenyra spat back as Daemon caught her arm, his grip tight and harsh. Rhaenyra tried to pull away, remembering a grip this tight from weeks earlier.

"This is not for you. Malkym is a good man and a good knight, I am sure, but he will bore you senseless."

"You know nothing about my betrothed or my marriage." Rhaenyra shook her head, finally pulling her arm free. "Do not presume to speak on matters that do not concern you."

His hand grasped onto her cheek, tilting her head back as Rhaenyra took a deep breath.

"I think you two have spoken enough." Malkym hand caught Daemon's wrist, pulling the prince off of his betrothed as he stood in front of her. "You are done here. Leave."

"Do not presume to tell me what to do, boy." Daemon glared at the man. 

"I will presume to tell you what to do when you are harming my wife."

"She is not yours yet." Daemon hissed, as Malkym stepped forward, the start of a malicious grin forming on his face. Rhaenyra reached for her betrothed's back, grabbing onto his doublet. "She will never truly be yours. She is a dragon and she needs a dragon to complete her, not a thorn in her side."

"This is merely you trying to create excuses for the depraved fantasies that run through your head the moment you see my wife." Malkym smiled in an infuriating manner. "Because you attempted to force yourself upon her once and now you feel scorned that she did not choose you, for good reason. She chose me."

Daemon scoffed.

"You merely are scorned that you will never sit on the Iron Throne, not even as King Consort."

Daemon's hand grasped onto Malkym's neck, tightening as Rhaenyra's eyes widened. She grasped onto Daemon's arm, trying to pull him away, as Malkym held his hand out to stop her.

"You will never live to see her on the Iron Throne. I will kill you myself before you can ever take the title." Daemon hissed, as Malkym merely chuckled despite his face growing red. 

"Uncle!" Rhaenyra noted that Malkym's brothers were growing closer, hands on their sword. She did not need them to fight. Daemon seemed to also have seen the others advancing for he let go of Malkym, who rubbed at his neck as Rhaenyra watched him in worry.

"Jealousy is never a good look on a man grown, especially after he murdered his own wife in a desperate plea to marry his niece." Malkym hissed, all the while with a smile on his face. "I hope you enjoy our wedding, I know that I will."

A scream caused both Malkym and Daemon to turn, before something seemed to fly at the trio. Malkym managed to twist, pushing Rhaenyra away as something slammed into him and sent him flying into the floor. Rhaenyra screeched, stumbling as the crowd surged around her, pushing and shoving.

"Malkym!" Rhaenyra cried out, trying to find her betrothed. She twisted back and forth, looking for her betrothed's dark hair and doublet but she could not see him through the now brawling crowd. They surged back and forth, before something went slamming into her, sending Rhaenyra to her knees as she called for her betrothed again. "Malkym!"

She scrambled backwards as someone fell beside her, face bruised and bloody. Rhaenyra called for her betrothed again, trying to find someone to help her.

It was not Malkym who did.

"Sister!" A hand grasped hers, and Rhaenyra was surprised to find a familiar face pushing others away from her. "Calym, I found her!"

"Get her out of here! I'll go and find Malkym!" Calym turned, punching some lord in the head until he was down on the ground. He turned, brushing blood from his face as Michayl helped Rhaenyra to her feet. "Go."

Michayl nodded, as Rhaenyra watched Calym shove through people towards the middle of the brawl.

"I have you. Do not worry." Michayl smiled, pulling her closer behind him as his face turned cold and his smile dropped. "Hold onto me, sister."

Rhaenyra grabbed a hold of Michayl's doublet, as the teenager shoved through the crowd, pushing people aside with a force that she did not know he had. Despite how gentle he was with her, Michayl held no regard for anyone else's safety and well being. He was more than content to push anyone away should they get too close.

"Almost there, sister." Michayl promised, looking around, before finally pulling her out of the thick of the crowd to where his mother and her father were waiting, looks of panic plastered on there face.

"Rhaenyra." The girl sighed, clutching onto her father as he began to check her over swiftly. 

"Thank you, Michayl." Myra patted her son's shoulder as he turned, seeming to debate whether or not to go back into the fight to find the others. Rhaenyra took a deep breath, her hand pressed to her heart as Myra touched her shoulder. "Are you alright, my dear?"

"I-I am fine. Where is Malkym?" Rhaenyra turned, looking through the crowd to find her betrothed. For a moment, she saw nothing, and then she noticed the crowd being pushed apart. The first to appear was Ser Harwin, who's fists were bloody and eyes were dark. Behind him was Calym, scowling deeply and finally, behind him was Malkym. Her betrothed had blood over his face, dripping down his chin and a white cloak in his hand.

He stomped up the steps, glare dark, before dropping the cloak at Viserys' feet.

"Your King's Guard went rabid." Malkym hissed, as Viserys and Ser Harrold Westerling looked on. "I left him alive."

"We'll have him punished, nephew." Ser Rickard stepped forward, sharing a look with Ser Harrold. "Where have you left him?"

"On the floor." Malkym motioned towards the middle of the brawl, which was finally calming. With that, he turned back to face his mother and Rhaenyra. "I am alright."

Rhaenyra reached up, shakily brushing her hand across the blood to try and see how bad it had become. His face was already bruised, new ones forming over the ones that he had just recovered from, and the blood came from a large cut that covered from his temple to cheek.

"He missed." Malkym muttered to her. "He missed and I am alright. Do not fear, Rhaenyra. I'll still be able to marry you."

"Who did this to you? I will burn them alive." Rhaenyra promised, her anger growing as Malkym forced a smile, despite the pain he seemed to be in. "Malkym, Syrax and I will kill them."

"He will get his punishment but I am alive. I do not need to be answered with death." Malkym murmured, forgoing principle to pull her slightly closer as she trembled with fury. Behind them, screams were beginning as her cousin, Laenor, was crying over a different body. "Only the dead call for more death."

"Did you manage it?" Calym and Michayl drew close, as Rhaenyra looked between the trio. Malkym chuckled darkly. 

"Aye. It seemed that it was good for one thing. It provided a distraction."

"What did you do?" Rhaenyra looked between the trio, who smiled innocently. Malkym touched his palm, where the wound for the blood oath was covered, before taking her hand in his. 

"I told you that I would not let Daemon get away unpunished for what he did to you."

"Did you kill my uncle?"

"Of course not. I merely mistook him for someone else. White hair? White cloak? All looks the same." Malkym shrugged and kissed her hand. "If he does not stay away from you, then I shall kill him."

"He is alive, sister. Have no fear. We left him with a parting gift." Calym nudged her, before the trio continued to examine the hall. Rhaenyra looked past them, trying to find Daemon, but she could not see him in the crowd.

✧✦✧

"The Love of the Seven is holy and eternal. The source of life and love." The Septon continued to speak in front of them as Malkym's fingers rubbed over Rhaenyra's, comforting the girl and keeping her attention from the bloodstain a mere few metres away. "We stand here tonight in thanks and praise. To join two souls as one."

Rhaenyra could see Myra, and Malkym's brothers, standing behind him. Each of them had the same look plastered on their face, one that Rhaenyra had seen often enough on Malkym's. They were thinking, brooding over the events of today. 

After they had discovered that one of the Velaryon knights had been killed, by Ser Criston, who had been aiming to harm Malkym, who had dodged and used it as an excuse to harm Daemon, Viserys had demanded that the two be married swiftly, to prevent further uproar and offer Malkym the protection that his new title would afford him. Neither had protested, though Rhaenyra would admit that she was still fuming that he had dared to harm her betrothed.

"Father. Mother. Warrior. Smith. Maiden. Crow. Stranger." With each word spoken by the Septon, the cloak on Rhaenyra's back grew heavier. "Hear now their vows."

Malkym gave Rhaenyra's hand a light squeeze as she turned, letting the cloak drop from her shoulder. The Thorne cloak quickly covered her skin, hiding the trembling that wracked her body as she tried to control the anger and fear that raced through her.

"I am yours, and you are mine. Whatever may come." Malkym's voice was strong and steady, his form never wavering despite what had happened to him.

"I am yours, and you are mine." Rhaenyra nodded, her voice echoing Malkym's. "Whatever may come."

"Here, in the presence of gods and men," Malkym reached up, brushing the blood form the side of his face, causing Rhaenyra's anger to flair. "I proclaim Malkym, of House Thorne, and Rhaenyra, of House Targaryen, to be man and wife."

Despite everything that had happened, those words still made Rhaenyra's stomach flutter.

"One flesh, one heart, one soul." Rhaenyra took a deep breath as she looked up at the man. "Now and forever."

"With this kiss, I pledge my love." Malkym smiled, an eyebrow cocked as he allowed Rhaenyra to reach up and kiss him gently, his hand coming to rest on her cheek. She sighed, allowing herself a brief moment of normalcy at the familiar feeling of his lips on hers, before pulling back. It was at that moment, her father collapsed to the ground and the calm was lost once more.

Hiya,

So, it's a long wedding chapter but we get the chaos of it. Michayl and Calym both call Rhaenyra sister and are very protective, and we also get Daemon and Malkym having a punch up, and Criston Cole tried to kill Malkym but missed, so Malkym took the opportunity to beat up Daemon for going near Rhaenyra. Got to love this chaos and the Thorne brothers.

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx