00. the start of it all

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IN THE EARLY HOURS of the morning, the waves could be heard crashing against the rocky foundation of Dragonstone, as loud as the crack of thunder. The same could be said about mornings in Driftmark, but Visenya Velaryon would tell a different tale. She would say that the waves assault of the coast never ceased and unlike Dragonstone, it was not just the mornings, it was evening, noon, and night. The water knew within the stone walls sat the Driftmark Throne, and atop it sat the Lord of the Tides — their lord. The waves craved to be within Driftmark. At Dragonstone, they simply lulled, waiting for the day their lord declares war on the Dragons.

Visenya often told that story to her little brothers to remind them that they were not only Lords of fire, but of water, too. And to never forgot that they were Velaryon's first. Visenya was the firstborn child of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon, meaning she was heir to the Iron Throne. She would never inherit Driftmark. Unlike her brothers, she must be a Targaryen first.

Why must that be so when her heart belonged to the sea? Her spirit was as wild and untameable as the waves, her father often said. Her mother countered that those were the qualities that would make her Queen.

Visenya didn't care much for the throne, but it mattered to her mother, and so it mattered. She knew about the doubts the Hightowers cast upon her, that a woman can never sit the Iron Throne. It was of the utmost importance that Visenya represent the Targaryen's perfectly, lest Otto Hightower find a crack in the foundation. Or else her idiot cousin, Aegon, would have a chance.

It was like a game to the Hightowers — which one would live up to their namesake?

Visenya was about to get one step closer. Her handmaidens had woken her early, earlier than her brothers. She had been dressed in black. Her father waited in the courtyard, sitting on the steps with his head in his hands.

"Father..?" She stood behind him, awaiting his words.

He said nothing at first, only patting the cold stone next to him. Careful of her dress, Visenya sat down. He grabbed her hand and held it tight between his. He did not look her in the eye. "Your Aunt Laena has died."

Visenya's blood ran cold as she stared at her father's face. Though he was not looking at her, she could see his tear stained cheeks. She took a deep breath, her chest shuddering. "How?"

"Dragon fire." His voice cracked as fresh tears began to form. He pulled from his daughter and began feverishly wiping them. Visenya realized she had never seen her father cry. Watching him caused her to tear up.

"How?" She repeated her question.

"The baby would have killed her, and she did not want to share the same fate as your grandmother-" His breath caught in his throat, a sob causing him to choke on his words.

Visenya's tears were now free flowing. She reached for her father's hand and rested her head on his shaking shoulders. At the warm touch, Laenor grabbed his only daughter in a viper grip, sobbing into her neck. "My girl..." He muttered over and over again.

Visneya's cries grew slightly louder and she tightened the hug. Her Aunt Laena was the strongest woman she knew besides her mother -- she rode Vhagar, of all dragons. Knowing that her biology that killed her, it planted a bitterness in the young girl -- that she had the misfortune of being born female.

THE SALTY AIR OF Driftmark was like a warm hug to Visenya, despite the unfortunate circumstances. It was a fitting setting, watching the stone coffin of her Aunt be cast off into the sea with her ancestors. She stood next to her father, hand in his shaking hand.

The ceremony was over quickly. Laenor kissed Visenya on the head and excused himself. She was left alone as the mourners around her mingeled. Then, her mother's soft voice pulled her attention. "Ñuha dōna riña (my sweet girl)."

Visenya's puffy eyes found her a short distance away, standing next to her grandfather and hand held out. With shaking legs she walked over, bowed to her grandfather King, and took her mother's hand tightly. "Grandfather, mother."

"Visneya, my child," Her grandfather took her free hand and kissed it gently. "How are you holding up? I know you held your aunt in high regard."

"As well as I can, sire. It is a shocking loss," She said, lowering her head to hide the tears. Her mother squeezed her hand lightly.

"That it is," Her grandfather agreed. "And as sad as it is, an...opportunity had presented itself."

Visenya raised her head with a quizzical brow. She looked to her mother, who smiled softly and nodded.

"As you know, your aunt rode Vhagar," Her grandfather began. At the mention of the legendary dragon, Visenya's heartbeat quickened. Was he about to say what she thought he was? "And you yourself are named after her first and most famous rider. Your mother and I see it only fitting that you be Vhagar's next rider."

Visenya's chest exploded with happiness. On this day of mourning, she was given the happiest of news. "Really?"

Her mother chuckled softly and kissed her head. "Of course, tala (daughter). You are ready."

She looked to her grandfather. "This is a great honour, sire. Thank you." She curtsied low.

"Stand tall, my child. You are fulfilling your destiny," The King said.

Visenya rose, holding her head high. "Kesan daor qringaomagon ao (I will not fail you)."

SHE COULDN'T FALL ASLEEP, not with the knowledge that the morning would bring her a dragon -- Vhagar. Plus the voices of her brothers and cousins did not help. She rose from her bed with an exasperated sigh and swung the door open. Jacaeyrs, Lucerys, Rhaena and Baela all stood in the common room around the crackling orange fire. At the sight of the sleepless princess, their voices fell silent. It was natural, being the eldest of the bunch, that Visenya would intimidate them. So, she gave them a soft smile. "What's all this noise for?"

"Did we wake you, sister?" Jacaeyrs tilted his head.

Visenya softly shook her head, leaning against the doorway. "No...my mind is restless tonight. Did mother tell you the news?"

Her brothers perked up. "News?" Lucerys leaned forward.

"In the morning, I am to claim Vhagar," She said, unable to hide her smile. "Grandfather declared it so."

Visenya was not sure what she expected, but silence from her brothers and cousins was not it. Cheers and claps, perhaps? Congratulations? She looked at Rhaena and Baela. They looked unsure. 

"Our mother's dragon..." Baela spoke quietly. 

Visenya finally understood. She hurried to her cousins' sides. "Baela, Rhaena, I'm so sorry. I should have said no-"

"No, Visenya," Rhaena cut her off. "The King declared it. It would have been wrong to deny. We're happy for you..." She nudged her sister hard. 

Baela nodded shly, clearly not happy. "Yeah..."

Visenya knelt to their level, placing a hand on Baela's shoulder. "She was your mother's dragon. You have a right to be unhappy, Bae. I promise, I will honour her every time I ride Vhagar." 

Baela's eyes watered and she nodded. Visenya pulled her into a hug, allowing the girl to cry.

Then, they heard it. The call of a dragon that shook the palace. Vhagar. Visenya let go of Baela and rushed to the window, her family not far behind. The children crammed around the glass, squinting to see in the dark. 

The giant shadow of Vhagar streaked againts the sky, only visible when her body blocked out the stars. But someone -- no -- someone, stood out. The unmistakable white of Targaryen hair hung onto the massive dragon. Someone was riding Vhagar and it wasn't Visenya.

"Someone is claiming her!" Jacaerys was the one to point out the obvious. 

The group of children, all clad in their pajamas, rushed out of their room, Visenya leading the pack down to the beach. They made it below the castle, in the cave system, where they came face to face with the traitor. 

"Aemond?" Visenya squinted at the boy in the dim firelight. 

Their sudden appearance had frightened him. He jumped, eyes wide briefly before he calmed his breath. "Cousin." 

"What in the hells is going on?" She stepped forward, clentching her fists.

Fidgeting and awkward, Aemond crossed his arms. "What does it look like? I claimed Vhagar." His voice shook, unconfident under the gaze of his eldest cousin.

"Vhagar's our mothers dragon!" Baela cried. 

"Your mothers dead," Aemond spat. 

Visenya clenched her teeth. "She wasn't yours to claim. I was promised her!"

Aemond scoffed, tossing is hair back. "Then she should have claimed her. Maybe your brothers can find you a pig to ride. It would suit you."

In anger, Baela lunged, throwing herself on Aemond to pushed her to the ground. Rhaena retaliated with a punch to his jaw and he returned the favour. Visenya would not stand back and watch her little cousins get beaten by Aemond. Taller than them all, she surged forward, shoving Aemond hard. He cried out as his head hit the hard dirt. "If you ever touch them again, I swear to the Old Gods and the New that you will regret it!" 

Visenya stepped back, allowing Aemond to get up. He narrowed his eyes into a cutting glare. "Bitch." 

From behind, her brothers howled and together they tackled Aemond. The three boys fought in a pile as Visenya helped Rhaena and Baela up. She watched as Aemond bested them, kicking them both off. But her brothers persisted, and Rhaena and Baela joined. Visenya stood back,  watching the scene unfold before her. 

Aemond did not listen to her warning. With a kick each to the gut, her cousins were pushed off. With a punch to his crotch, Jacaerys was down. Visneyna had no time to get to Lucerys as Aemond held him by the throat, grabbing a hold of a rock as he stood and holding over her little brother. "You will die screaming in flames just as your father did; bastards." He looked between Lucerys and Jacaerys, then to Visenya. 

She knew it was true, the whole kingdom did. It was obvious when you looked at her compared to her brothers fairer completion. But they were still her brothers. 

"My father's still alive!" Lucerys sobbed. 

Aemond smirked. He lowered the rock and let go of Lucerys. He looked to Visenya. "He doesn't know, does he?" Then his eyes trailed to Jacaerys. "Huh, Lord Strong?" 

Jacaerys pulled out a knife Visenya didn't know he had. "Jace, no!" She pleaded to no avil as he brother charged at Aemond. He swung the knife and Aemond dodged, managing to knock the weapon out of Jacaerys's hand, and soon Jacaerys followed, backing away as Aemond rose the rock once again. "Aemond, please. Vhagar is yours. Don't hurt them." 

He didn't listen to her pleading, either. 

Jacaerys grabbed a fist full of sand in desperation, throwing it into Aemond's eyes. The older boy stopped, hissing as hand slapped against his face. Visenya didn't see Lucerys in time. Her little brother picked up the knife and swung it upwards, just as Aemond uncovered his eyes. The sickening slice of skin was followed by Aemond's agonizing wails. Visenya rushed to Lucerys' side, ripping the knife from his hand and tossing is aside. She held him as he cried.

She knew on that night, the families of Velaryon and Targaryen would never be the same again.

AUTHORS NOTE

hahahahahahahaha hi! I'm so so so sorry this took so long to get out but AHHHHH here it is! I'm so fucking excited for this fic you have NO IDEA. The family drama is gonna be through the roof.

Lemme know your thoughts about this prologue! How are we feeling??