𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 ; act one

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     "SOMEONE STOLE VHAGAR!"

  Nymeria stirred slightly, eyes peeking open to look at the four other children peering down at her, "What?"

  "Someone stole Vhagar." Princess Baela Targaryen repeated.

  Nymeria let out a slight huff, throwing her covers off of her, eyebrows pulled together in confusion as she looked at Baela, Rhaena, Lucerys, and Jacaerys, "Someone stole Vhagar?" Her words came out slowly, confusion laced through them.

  "Vhagar was Lady Laena's dragon," Jacaerys whispered to her, "Rhaena was supposed to be the one to claim her."

  Nymeria nodded, though, the confusion still ran deep through her — you could steal dragons?

  "Come on!" Baela rushed out, "We have to go."

  "Wait, wait," Nymeria sighed, pushing her pillow out of the way to grab onto the dagger Cregan had gifted her, it was light in her hands, fitting perfectly. She turned around, facing the four children, "Alright, we can go, but careful not to alert Ser Vorian, he's rather protective."

  "We got in here perfectly fine." Jacaerys boasted.

  Turns out, sneaking in had been far easier than sneaking out. Ser Vorian was, like usual, a statue outside of Nymeria's bedchambers. His hawk-like eyes scanned the corridors for any sign of danger, and Nymeria's heart swelled at his dedication to her safety.

  The group of five, slowly and quietly, moved into the shadows of the Driftmark corridors, Baela moving first, then Rhaena, then Lucerys, Jacaerys following him, and last went Nymeria — who had made them all go before her.

  It took a few minutes, but eventually the group found themselves in a small, dirty tunnel that led to the outside. Baela and Rhaena moved forward first, Jacaerys after them, and Nymeria had a tight hold on Lucerys, making sure the boy was shielded with her own body.

  "Nymie, what are we doing?" Lucerys' doe eyes peered up at Nymeria, his fingers tightening on her hand.

  "It's him!"

  "It's me."

  "Vhagar is my mother's dragon!"

  "Your mother's dead," Aemond replied cockily, and Nymeria reeled at the words, her face forming a scowl, "And Vhagar has a new rider now."

  "She was mine to claim."

  "Then you should've claimed her!" Aemond exclaimed, "Maybe your cousins can find you a pig to ride. It would suit you."

  Rhaena rushed forward in a sprint of anger, only to be shoved down by Aemond, but Baela rushed forward as well, her fist connecting with Aemond's face, the sound echoing through the dirty tunnel. Aemond let out a shriek at the contact, rushing back up to punch Baela with the same, if not more, force.

  "Come at me again and I'll feed you to my dragon!" Aemond spit out viciously, looking down at Baela on the floor with an angry scowl.

  Nymeria huffed, grip tightening on the blade in her hand and on Lucerys, in a not-so-gentle manner, she shoved Lucerys back, towards the doorway.

  Jacaerys let out a shout, rushing forward to punch Aemond in the nose, though, it was to almost no avail because Aemond had always been a stronger fighter than Jacaerys.

  "Luke, go get Ser Vorian!" Nymeria shouted towards the middle Velaryon son, shoving him back towards the door once again, "Now, Lucerys!"

  The boy had tears brimming in his eyes, staring at Nymeria with nothing but fear, "I —" The words died in his throat as he hesitated to let go of the hand that Nymeria still had on him, "Nymie, I'm scared."

  Nymeria sighed, glancing backwards to look at the fight that was still happening between Aemond, Jacaerys, Baela, and Rhaena — and it only seemed to be getting uglier by the second —, "I know, Luke, but you have to be brave," Nymeria moved towards him slightly, squeezing his hand gently, "I need you to find Ser Vorian or Lady Erena."

  With those words, Nymeria turned away from Lucerys, only to be met with Baela laying on the dirty ground, Aemond's hand wrapped around Rhaena's neck, blood seeping from her nose, and Jacaerys shuffling towards Baela with worry.

  Aemond had a rock in his hand, lifting Rhaena up off of the ground slightly, bringing the rock up as if he was going to bring it down upon Rhaena's head, "You will die screaming in flames just as your mother did!" Aemond spat out.

  Nymeria had made it to Baela and Jacaerys, their noses were both bleeding, but luckily, the pair were alright. Her frantic eyes flickered between an angry Aemond and a terrified Rhaena, her hands moved before her mind, unsheathing the dagger in her hands, pointing it towards Aemond with an angry glare.

  "Nymeria, don't!"

  Aemond smirked, the cockiness oozing off of him in waves, he shoved Rhaena down, turning towards Nymeria. The Stark girl didn't move first, just as Cregan had taught her, but Aemond moved first. The rock came swinging at her, and Nymeria's eyes widened, moving backward to avoid the hit. Her dagger went to slice at him, though she truly didn't wish to hurt him, only scare him, but as she went forward, so did Aemond. The rock hit the side of her head, the force hadn't been enough to fully place her unconscious, but it had been enough to knock her down on the floor.

  Nymeria let out a gasp at the sight of Aemond standing above her with a smirk, the rock held above his head in such a menacing way, she could only flinch further into the dirt, "She's going to die, bastard, it will be your fault."

  Jacaerys crawled towards her, his eyes frantic as he shook his head at Aemond, his hand shakily gripping the Stark dagger that Nymeria had dropped.

  Nymeria's hands bawled in the dirt, tossing it up into Aemond's eyes, and Jacaerys rushed forward at the same time, knife slicing into Aemond's eye, blood shot out of the boy furiously. A loud scream echoed through the dirty tunnel, Jacaerys shakily dropped the blade onto the dirty floor, his eyes wide as he realized what he had done.

  "Lady Stark!" Ser Vorian's voice was deep and protective as he rushed towards the bleeding girl that laid on the dirt, his armor clunked against the floor as he kneeled beside her, "What happened?"

  Other knights rushed in behind him, going towards Aemond, who laid on the ground, clutching his bloodied eye.

  "What happened?" Ser Vorian's words seemed to fade in Nymeria's eyes as she stared at Aemond in horror — nobody was supposed to be hurt. 

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     "How could you allow such a thing to happen?" King Viserys questioned in a whisper, "I will have answers."

  "They were supposed to be abed, My King."

  Lady Erena's arms attempted to wrap around all five of the children, four of them bleeding from various places, her eyes were the fiercest that Nymeria had ever seen. Ser Vorian stood behind her, resembling that of a dragon in Nymeria's eyes.

  "Who had the watch?"

  "Young Prince was attacked by his own cousins, Your Grace."

  "You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!" King Viserys shouted, his voice raspy,

  "I'm very sorry, Your Grace."

  "The Kingsguard has never had to defend princes from princes, Your Grace." Ser Criston Cole spoke up.

  "That is no answer!" King Viserys screamed in his face.

  Nymeria flinched backward as she watched the King spit out words viciously, her eyes looked up to Lady Erena with nothing but fear. Nymeria's hand gripped onto Jacaerys', Lucerys standing between them, and Rhaena gripped onto Nymeria's free hand, her other hand holding onto Baela's.

  "It will heal, will it not, Maester?" Alicent's voice could be heard, pleading the Maester to give her good news.

  "The flesh will heal," The Maester replied, "But the eye is lost, Your Grace."

  Alicent's lip wobbled as she recoiled away from Aemond and the Maester, turning to Aegon with fury, "Where were you?!"

  "Me?" Aegon's voice held confusion. Alicent's hand reached towards his face, the sound echoing through the eerily silent room, "Ow. What was that for?"

  "That was nothing," Alicent spat, "Compared to the abuse your brother suffered while you were drowning in your cups, you fool!"

  "What is the meaning of this?" Lord Coryls' voice came out in a booming shout.

  "Baela, Rhaena!" Princess Rhaenys' voice held nothing but utter fear as she rushed towards Lady Erena standing with her grand-daughters, "What happened?"

  Nymeria hesitantly let go of Rhaena's hand, watching them embrace their grand-mother, the Stark girl fought back tears, simply wishing her mother was there to protect her.

  "Luke? Jace!" Rhaenyra's voice cut through Nymeria's ears, her brunette hair swinging as she snapped her neck towards the woman, "Nymeria!" The Targaryen Princess knelt down in front of her eldest son and his betrothed, her right hand moving to gently wipe the coat of blood from Nymeria's forehead, and left hand removing Jacaerys' hand from his bleeding nose, "Show me. Show me. Who did this?"

  "They attacked me!"

  "He attacked Baela!"

  "He broke Jace's nose!"

  Their arguing echoed through the room as they went back and forth, Nymeria stayed silent through the whole thing, eyes brimming with unshed tears as her mind went crazy with guilt. Nobody was supposed to get hurt, they were only supposed to scare Aemond. Her nails bit into the flesh of her free hand, teeth sinking into her bottom lip harshly, blood poured into her mouth, coming from her now split lip.

  Nobody was supposed to be hurt.

  "He stole my mother's dragon!"

  "Enough."

  "He was going to kill Nymeria!" Jacaerys shouted, his fingers tightened their hold on Nymeria's hand, eyes flickering back towards her.

  "Enough —"

  "It should be my son telling the tale!" Alicent screamed angrily.

  "He called me —"

  "Silence!" King Viserys shouted, spit flying from his mouth as the room rang silent.

  "He called me a bastard." Jacaerys whispered quietly, looking down at his mother.

  Rhaenyra stood, gently patting Jacaerys shoulder as she turned to face her father and the rest of the people in Driftmark. Her hands came together at the front of her body, fingers twisting her rings nervously, her face blank.

  "Aemond. . ." King Viserys' cane hit the floor as he walked towards his son, "I will have the truth of what happened. Now."

  "What else is there to hear?" Alicent scoffed, "Your son has been maimed. Her son is responsible."

  "It was a regrettable accident."

  "Accident? The Prince Jacaerys brought a blade to the ambush. He meant to kill my son."

  Nymeria looked towards the Green Queen with confusion, "But —" Her mouth moved immediately, eyes snapping towards her, "Your Grace, I brought the blade."

  Nobody was supposed to be hurt.

  Lady Erena's grip tightening on Nymeria's shoulder, her eyes daring Alicent to speak further.

  "It was Nymeria and my son who were attacked!" Rhaenyra spit out, gripping onto Lucerys' hand, "They were forced to defend themselves! Vile insults were levied against them."

  "What insults?" The King's head turned towards his eldest daughter.

  "The legitimacy of my son's birth was put loudly to question."

  "What?"

  "He called me a bastard." Jacaerys spoke.

  Aemond smirked at the words, Nymeria's grip tightened on Jacaerys' hand as eyes turned towards them. The truth of the matter hanging in the air.

  "My sons are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace," Rhaenyra stated, her voice calculated and clear, "This is the highest of treasons. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders."

  "Over an insult?" Alicent questioned in a whisper, "My son has lost an eye."

  "You tell me, boy." King Viserys leaned towards Aemond, "Where did you hear this lie?"

  "The insult was training yard bluster." Alicent came in, quick to defend her son, "The lot of boys. It was nothing."

  "Aemond. . . I asked you a question."

  "Where is Ser Laenor, I wonder?" Alicent's voice came out again, hoping her voice would take the heat off of her son, "The boys' father? Perhaps he might have something to say on the matter."

  "Yes. Where is Ser Laenor?"

  "I do not know, Your Grace." Rhaenyra replied softly, "I. . . could not find sleep. I had gone out to walk."

  "Entertaining his young squires, I would venture." Alicent quipped.

  "Aemond. . ." The King turned back to Aemond, staring down at him, "Look at me. Your King demands an answer. Who spoke these lies to you?"

  Aemond swallowed, his eye moving to look at his mother, and Alicent swallowed at the accusatory looks she was receiving at the moment. Rhaenyra looked at the woman, tears forming in her eyes. The King turned to look at his wife, confusion forming on his face.

  "It was Aegon."

  The King turned up to look at his eldest son, eyes burning with malice.

  "Me?"

  "And you, boy?" King Viserys hobbled over to Aegon, "Where did you hear such calumnies? Aegon! Tell me the truth of it!"

  "We know, father," Aegon replied in a sigh, "Everyone knows. Just look at them."

  Rhaenyra and Erena's hands wrapped protectively around the children, Rhaenyra's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, Erena's gleaming with malice at the looks people sent them.

  "This interminable fighting must cease!" King Viserys shouted, slamming his cane against the floor, "All of you! We are family! Now make your apologies and show good will to one another. Your father, your grandsire, your King demands it!"

  With that the King began to hobble away from his eldest son, and Alicent watched him in disbelief. Nymeria swallowed thickly, glancing over at Jacaerys nervously.

  Good will would not make this situation right.

  Everyone knew it.

  "That is insufficient," Alicent spoke in pure desperation, "Aemond has been damaged, permanently, My King. 'Good will' cannot make him whole."

  "I know, Alicent, but I cannot restore his eye."

  "No, because it has been taken!"

  "What would you have me do?"

  "There is a debt to be paid," Alicent replied slowly, "I shall have either Prince Jacaerys' or Lady Stark's eye in return."

  Nymeria flinched at the words, her eyes widening in fear, body cowering into Lady Erena's.

  "My dear wife."

  "He is your son, Viserys." Alicent cried, "Your blood."

  "Do not. . ." King Viserys started, his voice coming out slowly in a hushed whisper, "Allow your temper to guide your judgment."

  "If the King will not seek justice, the Queen will." Alicent's head was held high, eyes gleaming with rage and tears, "Ser Criston, bring me one of their eyes."

  "Rhaenyra!"

  "Alicent."

  "They can choose who loses the eye, a privilege they did not grant my son."

  "You will do no such thing."

  "Stay your hand." King Viserys commanded.

  "No! You are sworn to me!" Alicent shouted, her voice holding nothing but rage and panic.

  "As your protector, My Queen."

  "Alicent. . . this matter is finished." The King grew closer to his second wife, face close to her as he spat the words, "Do you understand?"

  Nymeria felt the tears streaming down her cheeks harshly, her fingernails dug further into her palm. This whole situation was because of her. Aemond had lost an eye because of her. Someone had gotten hurt because of her rash decision.

  Nobody was supposed to be hurt.

  "And let it be known: anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's sons, should have it removed."

  "Thank you, father."

  Alicent moved quickly, grabbing the dagger from the King's side, and rushing towards Rhaenyra. Ser Vorian moved into motion immediately, grabbing Nymeria by the waist and tugging her backwards away from the scene. Lady Erena gripped onto the Velaryon sons as Rhaenyra stood, gripping onto Alicent's forearm and shoving her backwards slightly, jaw clenching.

  "Do not, Ser Criston!"

  "Alicent!"

  Daemon moved from where he had been leaning, moving into the crowd with nothing but confidence, stopping Ser Criston as he rushed towards the scene.

  "Stay your hand, Cole!"

  "You've gone too far." Rhaenyra rushed out, gripping onto Alicent's forearm, the blade inches away from her face.

  "I? What have I done but what was expected of me? Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout all to do as you please!" Alicent spat out the words in a rage, her voice quivering as she attempted to push the blade further towards Rhaenyra.

  "Alicent, let her go!"

  "Where is duty? Where is sacrifice?" Alicent raged, "It's trampled under your pretty foot again."

  "Release the blade, Alicent."

  "And now you take my son's eye, and to even that, you feel entitled."

  "Exhausting, wasn't it?" Rhaenyra spat out, her voice calm and angry, "Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness. But now they see you as you are."

  Alicent pushed forward, the blade coming down to slice Rhaenyra's arm, both women pushing back. Rhaenyra falling into Lord Corlys and Alicent falling towards her husband.

  Nymeria watched in horror as Rhaenyra's crimson blood dripped onto the floor. Alicent mirrored the Stark girl's expression, the blade that was once in her hand clattered to the ground, her eyes numbly staring at her old friend.

  "Do not mourn me, mother," Aemond had gotten up from his seat, looking at his mother, "It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye. . . but I gained a dragon."

  The room was quiet.

  "This proceeding is at an end." King Viserys stated, his voice holding no room for arguments.

  Nobody was supposed to get hurt.

  Yet, everyone had gotten hurt.

─── NOTE ;
i hope yall don't mind the change
to the og story, but i wanted to show
the ride or die jace and nymeria
relationship more
(and i think it worked??)