If Daenys had ever wanted the throne, this was not how she pictured it.

She couldn't recall the throne room having ever been so empty. When she was a little girl, Jaehaerys's courts had been filled to the brim. As a young woman, she'd stood quietly in the gallery on some days and seen how many people came to ask Viserys for his wisdom.

Yet now, there was no point in even entering the room. The Red Keep and especially Maegor's Holdfast had been barred. Only those with Gold Cloaks were allowed to move in and out of the castle gates, and even then they were heavily questioned. Who was there to hold court with now?

Rhaenyra had left with a small band of followers through the Dragon Gate, helped by Mysaria. With her rode the brothers Manderly, the four surviving members of the Queensguard, Ser Balon Byrch, twenty Gold Cloaks, and four of her ladies-in-waiting. Jacaerys and Aegon had had to be disguised, but rode close to her.

She'd said goodbye to Daenys with hardly a breath left in her. She'd cried and hugged her, and Daenys had not even deigned to make empty promises that all would be alright. She wasn't sure anymore. She only asked that Rhaenyra be safe, she kissed her and hugged her like she did when Rhaenyra was a little girl. Then, she watched her slip away.

Daenys had tried to convince Baela and Rhaena to accompany Rhaenyra, but both had passionately refused, stating that their dragons were needed here. Those words, she'd always heard from Baela, but Daenys was admittedly proud to hear them from Rhaena as well. She'd grown fully into herself, especially since Daemon's death. So, Moondancer and Sheepstealer stayed.

Yet, Daenys was not keen on hearing the same refusals from her own children. While Alyssa would never go and Bertram was more important than ever, she knew Gemma had reached a point where she would at last take her mother's offer. Without Starbeam, she no longer felt herself. She could no longer contribute to the war with everyone gone.

"I don't truly want to leave," whispered Gemma sheepishly. "But... but I am afraid, Mother."

"And it is perfectly alright to be afraid," said Daenys, cupping her face. "I have always felt you were strong, Gemma, and there is strength in being truthful no matter what it is you feel. You have helped us so much. You nursed Hugh's daughter back to health, you nursed Jacaerys back to health, you have comforted Rhaenyra left and right... and I am sorry that you were repaid for all that by losing your Starbeam."

Gemma's eyes flickered away. "If it were up to me, if I didn't love you all so much, I would have flown away on Starbeam years ago and never come back. I do admit that, I did think about it many times. I thought I could handle it, but... I am ready to go. I think it's time, Mother. Let me be at Horn Hill, and I will send you all the news from House Tarly. I will treat with House Tyrell, too. I will serve, but... I do not wish to be here if... if... something so awful happens again. I don't think I could bear it."

"You will not have to." Daenys kissed her forehead, then hugged her tight. "I will miss you, my dear. But I will visit as soon as I can. Bertram and Alyssa will escort you and Dyana safely to Horn Hill. It is your choice if you wish to marry Alan upon your arrival or if you wish to wait. Whatever makes you feel more comfortable."

Gemma nodded slowly. She leaned her head on Daenys's chest, sniffling. "I will miss you, Mother. I leave you with all my love. I will pray for you and Father every day. For Cliff, too."

"We thank you, always, for your heart." Daenys closed her eyes as she rubbed the back of Gemma's head. She feared this would be the last time she'd see her daughter, for if the situation worsened, it was unlikely Daenys would be allowed to live.

She tried to brush those thoughts aside– no, she had to live, she had to see Gemma wed, had to meet her first grandchild– sure to come from Gemma and Alan Tarly, for Alyssa would not marry Cregan anytime soon. "It has been my greatest joy to be your mother. I never thought I could make a girl so sweet, for I was never as kind as you."

"Maybe you didn't think you were," said Gemma softly, "but you were always kind to us. Always kind to Father. Kind to Alicent and Rhaenyra. It was why Jaehaerys and Alysanne loved you. You may have been wild like Alyssa, but while most think I am quiet and sweet because of Father, I think that everyone forgets that before the Realm's Delight, there was you. The Darling Daenys that everyone loved. The same one who played with gentle Aemma and Gael."

It warmed her heart and even still made her blood ran cold. I fear I will see Aemma and Gael very soon. After Daemon's death, I've felt even more strongly that mine own creeps near. But she did not disclose this to Gemma. She simply kissed her forehead again and rocked her gently, her darling daughter who'd once been but a small and quiet little babe. She was a woman now, a woman who'd suffered much in this war, and somehow still managed to smile at those who needed it more than she did.

She'd waited for Addam and Hugh to return before she dispatched Bertram and Alyssa to deliver Gemma and Dyana to Horn Hill. The trip was expected to be short, as Bertram and Alyssa were desperately needed in the city, but she knew that if Gemma chose to wed Alan, they would remain there to support her in their parents' absence. Gemma's wedding dress had been tucked in a satchel, one of the few articles of clothing she would bring for herself.

It was unfortunate that Addam and Hugh brought no good news about Sunfyre. They'd searched far around the woods of Rook's Rest and found nothing. Hugh had even been brave enough to search on foot, discovering no caves where Sunfyre might be hiding. It was so odd to Daenys, who recalled mere months ago that men had died trying to finish Sunfyre off. The dragon had been there, yet now he wasn't.

She feared perhaps Alyssa had been right– they should have killed Sunfyre when they had the chance. If the beast somehow took flight again... it was going to go straight for Aegon. If they'd suspected that before, they could have used it to track Aegon down. But they'd not anticipated it; how could they have expected Sunfyre to fly again after how much Meleys tore at him?

At least, the return of Seasmoke and Grey Ghost afforded them to keep four strong dragons on watch around the castle. There was no other choice– the beasts were being housed and fed in the Red Keep, in any courtyard large enough for them to settle down for a nap. They took turns on the watch while Rolf and Daenys spent many hours awake shoring up their defenses.

Daenys and Mysaria had mapped out together all the passages into the castle from the city and had taken care to block off all they could, bringing it rubble from the Dragonpit disguised as material for new beams. Once sealed, they'd moved to lining every rampart with archers, and had removed from each hall and apartment the heavy wooden tables to be torn apart and left handy to throw off the walls if an ambush came. A few of those legs had strengthened towers and gates.

It was a waiting game, that much Daenys knew. Gods, how she'd dreamed of this war ending, and each day it seemed further away. While she knew that the Shepherd's words would soon lose meaning– prophets always fizzed out when naught was accomplished, for while he might've shown them they could kill dragons, his talks spoke of greater power and divinity that would soon fall upon deaf ears– she knew he needed to be silenced as soon as possible. The smallfolk did not often remained focus on one thing, rather, sought a new and stronger leader to rally under.

Gaemon Palehair and this Trystane Truefyre were proving problems even though they were a young and green boy following the orders of puppetmasters. Little could be done to appease the smallfolk unless these idols were torn down.

Daenys offered a challenge, in an effort to break their credibility and demonstrate that their only strength came from madmen bound together. Given that Trystane was being led by the knight he served, a Ser Perkin the Flea who had gathered a force of gutter knights in his name and kept demanding the Red Keep yield to him, she'd spread word that Trystane Truefyre and Ser Perkin the Flea would find the gates open to them... only if they submitted to single combat against her and Rolf.

Within a few days, she was hearing that their supporters dwindled, particularly with smallfolk fleeing King's Landing after the mobs had started to ruin the equal distribution of Tyrell food donations. These would-be kings were weak if they did not dare to face a woman in combat. Daenys's reputation may have preceded her, but men often underestimated her, as they somehow still did with Rolf as well despite him having been master-at-arms for the Red Keep.

Once a raven arrived from Horn Hill, confirming that Gemma had been delivered safely to Horn Hill and was now wed by the Seven to Lord Alan Tarly, Daenys dispatched Addam and Hugh with their dragons to Lannisport to regroup with Cliff. Riding with him already was the twelve-year old Lord Benjicot Blackwood, his aunt Black Aly, Lady Sabitha Frey with her father and brothers of House Vypren, and now Lords Stanton Piper, Joseth Smallwood, Derrick Darry, and Lyonel Deddings. Hugo Vance, the young lord of Wayfarer's Rest, had joined them with three-hundred of his own men and Black Trombo's Myrish sellwords.

Three dragons were much better than one, and the sooner that Cliff seized the port and the Rock, the sooner he and his army could turn to them. Dalton Greyjoy was steadily crawling up the Mander to them, and would likely make it there before Cliff even with all his pit stops harassing what remained of the Hightower army, who was limping back to Oldtown from Tumbleton.

"Gaemon Palehair is surrounded by whores, mummers, and thieves," said Mysaria in her report to Daenys and Rolf. "Those who fight for him are ruffians, sellswords, and drunkards. All think they can reap benefits from his rule, though I've someone who claims that his mother, the new Lady Essie, is lying... he is not Aegon's bastard. I believe this person."

Daenys imagined Mysaria had been keeping track of Aegon's bastards for a long time. Gaemon would not have slipped out of her eyesight, not if those who rose him up were the same whores that once reported to her.

"Lying or not, they accept decrees the boy is supposedly pushing out," said Daenys. "That House of Kisses where this child 'king' sits, it has now stated for all to hear that girls are equal to boys in matters of inheritance, that the poor should be given bread and beer in times of famine, and that husbands who beat their wives should themselves be beaten."

"Don't forget that he believes that men who lost limbs in war must be fed and housed by whichever lord they fought for," said Rolf.

"All these things Gaemon 'decrees,'" said Mysaria, "are of course not his words. My source believes these ideas all come from his mother's paramour, a Dornish whore named Sylvenna Sand. I've already taken care to spread this rumor, so that his credibility declines."

"And what of Trystane?" asked Daenys. "Any word on his own decrees?"

"I've heard some ideas the boy has. He wishes to repeal the Queen's unpopular taxes and divide the coin from the royal treasury amongst his own followers. He wishes to cancel all debt."

Rolf admitted, "These are things the people like to hear, but soon they will see naught will come of it. Trystane and the Flea have no power to cancel debts and at present, are too coward to open the gates for themselves with our challenge of single-combat. I have hopes that they will soon fight amongst themselves, these mummers and thieves with the Flea's knights. They will continue to starve whilst they remain at odds. The Tyrell shipments of food are being fought for in the streets... they will soon turn against one another, this I can assure."

Daenys's lip twitched, "And my old good-mother has surprisingly kept her promise to continue sending that... it is a great debt we will owe her." She drummed her fingers against her hips. "If word is to be believed, Ser Perkin's company is not wanting for food, what with the access to the kingswood. He may use those animals to cancel these debts... and it could potentially prove problematic if he were to use food for alliances."

Mysaria tilted her head. "This could be remedied. If the Tyrell food became the sole source of food... perhaps they would turn on one another sooner. I'll find a weakness within each company sooner than late. At present, the dragons keep them at bay. Perhaps, the dragons will also keep their stomachs empty."

Daenys followed her train of thought. "Sending the dragons to feed in the Kingswood to scare off the animals rather than keep receiving from our stores here. We can eat the livestock instead as we hole up here for a siege. If need be, fires in the kingswood would further empty the Flea's storages."

"Precisely," said Mysaria. "Let the people fight over the food and see that if food is scarce, it is the fault of these other kings as well."

"Good," she replied. "Well, what of this Shepherd? Baela and Rhaena have been tormenting him while he speaks, ensuring the dragons fly high enough to startle the people and roar threats until the people disperse."

"The Shepherd's numbers already dwindle, as you predicted, Princess. The smallfolk awake as if from a bad dream, like sinners waking cold and sober after a night of drunken debauchery and revel. Now, they feel shame. Now, they see what they've wrought upon themselves. The Shepherd has delivered nothing and faith can only bind them for so long. Though they see the dragons were mostly defeated and know the Queen has fled, they still look to the Red Keep as a symbol of security and relief. As long as it still stands, the faith they place on the power of the Iron Throne will always be greater. His power wanes quickly; soon he will be unguarded and able to be killed quite easily."

By the time Alyssa and Bertram returned, their dragons well-fed from livestock in the Reach, they'd established their routine for Baela and Rhaena to feed off the game in the Kingswood. Together, Sheepstealer and Moondancer had managed to deliver elk and deer to Vhagar, who awoke a few times a day to eat. Alyssa had used Frostbite to take Daenys to see her, Vhagar ever happy but oh so tired.

With four dragons to guard them anew, Rolf and Daenys hatched their plan to rob the people of their idols. Two weeks had passed depriving them of food, and already the people turned on each other. Mysaria had informants ready to get Daenys and Rolf close enough to the Shepherd for execution and to Gaemon Palehair for kidnapping. Trystane would be too difficult to access on foot, but with the dragons, anything would be possible.

They'd made their plan after hearing back from Rhaenyra, who'd been having difficulties finding asylum. At Rosby, the castle gates were barred at her approach, by the command of the young woman whose claim she had passed over in favor of a younger brother. Young Lord Stokeworth's castellan granted her hospitality, but only for a night.

Half her Gold Cloaks had already deserted her on the road, and one night her camp was attacked by broken men. Ser Balon Byrch had been felled by an arrow and Ser Lyonel Bentley, a young Queensguard, had suffered a blow to the head that cracked his helm. She pressed on towards Duskendale, hoping for better tidings.

As soon as the Shepherd and Gaemon were dealt with, Daenys had every intention of sparing one of their dragons– be it Bertram, Baela, or Rhaena– to aid Rhaenyra as she fought to get back to Dragonstone. Corlys was doing all he could to secure passage, but little could be managed shut up in the Red Keep without access to the water. He had full faith in his heir, Alyn Velaryon, however, to remain loyal and true to Rhaenyra as Addam had.

In the dead of night, one of the sealed passages had been opened for Daenys and Rolf. They were disguised, of course, which was not difficult to do considering few people had ever seen them so close in their lives. Daenys had cut her long hair– which the people often saw in a battle braid– to her shoulders, then had Alyssa paint it with mud and ink to be as dark as Rhaenys's hair had once been.

Rolf, who had for the longest time refused to completely remove his whiskers, chose to shave away his mustache and beard as well as cut off a great deal of his hair. Daenys thought they both looked so silly, but such was necessary to pass unseen. Maester Gerardys had even given her eye drops to redden the whites of her eyes and obscure the purple irises that shone in the light.

Killing the Shepherd was easiest. They passed in rags to Cobbler's Square to hear one of his talks, and had waited for Baela and Rhaena to swoop down in their usual distraction before they swept behind the Shepherd and cornered him in an alleyway. Daenys held watch while Rolf strangled him, twisting his neck hard to snap it then leaving his body as they doubled back and pretended to be running from the dragons.

The harder target was Gaemon, who was seldom out of his mother's sight. Still, there was a time when Mysaria determined Lady Essie was occupied with Sylvenna Sand. That was when they needed to strike, while the whores entertained and ended the decrees for the day.

It was easy to get lost in the crowd, to kiss each other and pretend to be involved while others drank and fucked in every brothel of the Street of Silk, doors thrown open and no one's passion hidden. Mysaria's source had placed Gaemon at the House of Kisses long ago, and by now Daenys and Rolf had studied its map well enough to know how to get in.

This was where their evacuation would come in. Alyssa and Bertram had swept down once Daenys and Rolf had wrestled the boy away from his protectors and leapt out the first window to a low rooftop. Before their pursuers could come too close, Frostbite and Aegarax snatched them up in their talons and carried them (uncomfortably, Daenys realized) back to the Red Keep.

It was pure chaos the following morning. With the Shepherd dead, his followers began to run amok, speaking of demons and curses on a man who none thought could die. Mysaria had launched a rumor that Trystane boasted the ability to control dragons and another that Gaemon had been taken by the Shepherd. Soon, no one knew what they saw or what to believe, for some had borne witness to Baela and Rhaena's usual taunts– then, somehow, found the Shepherd dead– and others had been too drunk to know exactly how Gaemon was taken.

The boy was treated kindly, for Daenys saw no reason to torment him. He'd be a hostage, to be sure, but nevertheless given all he needed for it was not his fault he'd been placed on the front of a perilous movement. Daenys knew that if Gemma still resided at the castle, she would have doted on him.

Doted on him like a second mother, the way she always did for Joffrey, for Aegon, for Viserys. The way she would have done for Visenya. As now she will for her own children when they come.

How she missed seeing her Gemma's smiles, hearing her soft words and the way she sang lullabies. She missed hearing Cliff sprinting through the halls cackling while Alyssa ran ahead— now Alyssa didn't run. Then there had been the way Aenar and Bertram sometimes sat together pouring over a book, whispering and ignoring the rest of the world. Her sweet children, and now what was left to her?

Rhaenyra, I still have Rhaenyra as well. And she's having trouble getting to where she needs to be. The city was by no means secure for her return. Rhaenyra still meant to push past Duskendale, only, the cost of loyalty paid by House Darklyn had been high.

Lord Gunthor and Ser Steffon had both died in her service, Duskendale had been sacked by Cole. Last they heard, Lord Gunthor's widow was not pleased to see Rhaenyra there, though Ser Harrold Darke had persuaded Lady Meredyth to let her find refuge there. Corlys claimed a ship had been sent to take Rhaenyra to Dragonstone, only, Daenys feared she'd never make it on that ship with such a frail guard left.

It was with great difficulty that she convinced Baela to go after her. Rhaena had much less experience, Bertram was needed here, and Alyssa was already preoccupying herself with the defense of the castle, what with her loneliness growing. She'd felt unable to help at Lannisport, and so she did her part here. Baela was the most sound choice, but the girl had not liked it one bit.

Still, she did so, for she did worry about Jacaerys and their brother Aegon. She need only protect Rhaenyra until she reached Dragonstone, then she could return to ensure the city was safe for her journey back.

Once Baela flew to her aid, Daenys made note of where the rest of their allies were. Last word from Cliff detailed success at Lannisport– Casterly Rock's fall would come soon. The dragons were weary, and Seasmoke was lightly wounded, but as far as Cliff thought, their victory at the Rock was inevitable.

Cregan was moving another army south, and he intended to march with them. He'd warned them before that it had been taking time for him to gather his men in such a large realm, particularly with winter coming soon and there being a great importance in the last harvest. In these ranks, he promised Northerners younger and fiercer even than the Winter Wolves. He'd even asserted his intentions to wed Alyssa at the godswood in the Red Keep, to respect her wishes of having her parents in attendance. That, at least, had brightened Alyssa's mood significantly.

Even Jeyne Arryn was ready to bring men down. She awaited only for Velaryon ships to arrive at Gulltown, where she could then dispatch her army to Duskendale and have them arrive at the city before Cliff and Cregan's armies. Corlys had done all he could to secure it. The problem was the time all this was taking.

"All of this is an idiocy," said Daenys to Rolf, wrapped in his embrace after a long day writing letters and hoping their manual labor around the castle would be sufficient to protect them from any attacks. Already, the smallfolk's desire to break into the Red Keep was dwindling. They were going back to their old lives as best as they could, remembering that the House of the Dragon had always stood as a symbol of hope for them.

"Why do you say that, my love?" asked Rolf. He surely agreed, but Daenys knew he'd gladly indulge her. He wanted to hear what she was thinking of. He liked to hear her talk.

She ran her hand down his chest, pressing her fingertips into the once-firm skin of his abdomen. When they'd met, she and Rolf had been in their prime. Still fairly young, lean, and strong. Their little adventure in the city had been entertaining, but it had been a reminder as well of their age. Daenys's back had ached after seizing Gaemon and Rolf hadn't been able to lift his arms fully since strangling the Shepherd.

"All of this," said Daenys. "This war. How stupid it is, the things that people believe, that which sways them to take one side or another. Otto knew it all so well, how the fools of the Realm would think. But it is not until I've seen it myself that it angers me tenfold more than when he first warned me. How anyone could support Aegon... it is beyond our understanding, but really, if we'd thought about it, we would have known what to expect."

She felt him kissing the top of her head as she ranted, "They all turned against Rhaenyra for the stupidest of reasons, all because she is a woman. When Rhaenyra wished to execute those loyal to Aegon, all called her a madwoman. Yet Aegon did the exact same thing the moment he seized the throne. He butchered men loyal to Rhaenyra and was applauded for it. Rhaenyra was called cruel despite having had no true hand in Daemon sending Blood and Cheese for Jaehaerys... yet no one called Aegon cruel for not restraining Aemond beforehand or even punishing him after the fact when Lucerys was killed."

"He was a fool, too," muttered Rolf distastefully. "The boy never heeded his council, we even heard he told his grandsire to 'spill blood, not ink.' He sent an assassin to Dragonstone like a fool. I cannot claim your brother prepared Rhaenyra for her rule, but at the very least she was around the Small Council from a young age– first as his cupbearer and then as Princess of Dragonstone. Aegon knew nothing. And still, he never tried to know more. He ignored all typical proceedings of war. While she tried to negotiate for peace and stayed her hand as long as she could, he immediately wanted her dead. At the instigation of his counselors, yes, but he was an idiot. Not to mention none shamed him for all the bastards he drops around– the majority conceived by rape– yet that is the first thing on the tip of everyone's tongue when it comes to Rhaenyra."

"Precisely." Daenys was glad that Rolf had always understood her. "They blamed Rhaenyra for the city starving while Aegon was here, because she imposed the blockade in the Gullet. Yet none blamed Aegon for spending the Crown's money and hiding portions of it around, leaving Rhaenyra to impose that wretched tax in the first place. They criticized her for not fighting on Syrax yet Aegon never would have done it either, if not for his own jealousies and stupidities. It wasn't noble for him to be at Rook's Rest, it was reckless. They called her a coward, yet she was recovering from a miscarriage. Him, well, even with his open cruelties and idiocies no one ever criticized him."

"In the end," said Rolf, "Rhaenyra has proven to have more support. The great majority of the Realm supports her. The only difference is that Aegon held onto three powerhouses in the Realm, and that made all the difference when they had the advantage of being here, of hiding Viserys's death for as long as they were able to. I regret having to say this, but Rhaenyra never should have gone to Dragonstone that first time

Daenys nodded. She sat up, running her knuckles down his face. "In all honesty, I think Viserys failed her more immensely than I cared to see. He enabled Alicent's jealousies, he did not impose duty on Rhaenyra until it was too late and then suddenly it was all her fault she had to by force marry Laenor. He never said anything when it was painfully obvious that Alicent was teaching her children to resent Rhaenyra and ignore her birthright. He let her run off to Dragonstone instead of standing his ground and accepting her proposal to marry Helaena to Jacaerys, instead of telling Alicent to be kinder to Rhaenyra. He let Rhaenyra be separated from her future court... and that cost her dearly. I know Viserys even wanted to name Rhaenyra his Hand, but he likely didn't to appease Alicent and the other members of the Council."

He cupped her cheeks. "I know, my love. It is so very frustrating to see how little this could have been avoided. I hope this at least reminds you that you are not at fault for any of it. You've supported her so very much. It is why she trusted you to be her regent."

A knock sounded at their door. Her heart ached, remembering all the times Aenar would interrupt her and Rolf as they were spending time together. "Come," she called, adjusting her nightgown. It was Bertram at the door, not Aenar. Still, she smiled. "My boy, good eve. What is it?"

His face was ashen grey. In his hands was a scroll– a large scroll, from the looks of it. "Mother... Your Grace. I... I..." He approached them shakily, offering her the parchment. "You must read this as soon as you have time. Quickly, for we must gather in the throne room at once."

Daenys's blood ran cold. Your Grace? When had any of her children ever referred to her that way? She didn't even have anyone address her that way since becoming Regent– she had asked them to continue calling her Lady Hand for a reason– she was not the true Queen.

"Bertram..." Rolf had figured it out first. "No. No, please no."

Her son nodded, dropping his gaze to his feet. "Mother, you are now the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Rhaenyra is dead."

-

A/N: I believe next chapter might be the last based off my planning, but I am not entirely sure. Depends where the flow takes me as I start writing it. I already have drafted my next fic (OC x Daemon Targaryen) which I will publish as soon as this one is done. Thank you for sticking with me as we near the finish line! Comment for more.