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Rumours of the Day
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IT HAD ONLY BEEN A FEW DAYS SINCE AELINA HAD MET DAEMON TARGARYEN AND IN THAT TIME EVERYTHING IN HER LIFE FELT IT HAD DRASTICALLY CHANGED. Aelina first learned that Princess Rhaenyra was to marry Lord Laenor Velaryon the day after Daemons exile and then almost coincidently on the same day a raven arrived announcing the death of Lady Rhae Royce... Daemons wife.

News of Rhaes death spread fast and the whispers quickly took over Kings Landing, some said she died in a tragic hunting accident, others said Daemon killed her himself, but, there was no witnesses to account for either claims.

As sick as it sounded Aelina was just glad that for once the whispers surrounding the Red Keep weren't about her.

And on the night of Daemons exile Otto Hightower was removed of his duties of the hand of the king, instead Lord Lyonel Strong took the role and went with King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra the next day to Driftmark to meet with Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys to propose a marriage to join the two houses.

In this time Aelina was left alone in the Red Keep to do as she pleased. Rhaenyra wasn't around to require her presents and she was obviously not needed in court so Aelina took to wandering aimlessly around the castle, she was walking casually through the outskirt of the Godwood before she stopped, hearing voices from the centre.

She crept carefully and frowned when her eyes fell upon the Queen herself talking to Larys Strong and her frown deepened. Truthfully she never liked the man and always thought he was a little strange whenever she came across him and his eyes always seemed to flicker down to peoples feet...

Aelina didn't hear the first part of the conversation and she probably shouldn't have been listening in, if anyone were to see her hearing conversations she shouldn't be involved in—

"Princess Rhaenyra, for example." She heard Larys reply to whatever Alicent had said before.

Aelina watched Alicent pause for a moment, shifting slightly as she thought before asking: "State your purpose, my lord."

"Uh..." Larys began. "I did wonder if she could be relied upon now that she is... unwell."

Aelina bit her lip, whatever Larys was trying to stir up was going to clearly work on Alicent especially when Rhaenyra barely convinced the Queen that she hadn't done anything with Daemon.

"Unwell?" Alicent repeated. "I haven't heard anything."

"Begging your pardon Your Grace, I may have been mistaken." He bowed his head slightly and Aelina narrowed her eyes. Alicent was walking right into this and there was absolutely nothing she could do to stop it. "It's just that on the very same night your father was dismissed, the Grand Maester delivared a tea to the Princess's chambers... along with..." He trailed off.

Alicent frowned. "What is it?"

"A tea to the Tideborn bastard."

Aelina stiffened. That lying cunt. Why the fuck would he bring me into this?

"Tea?" Alicent repeated in a whisper.

"Yes."

"That the Grand Maester himself brought?"

"At the direction of the King, as I understand it. I do hope neither of them are unwell."

"Rhaenyra sailed with the King to Driftmark yesterday at daybreak."

"Oh, what good news. I must've been in error. Oh, a relief." Larys continued, Alicent only stared at the tree, remaining silent and Aelina's heart sank. She believed him. She fucking believed him. "See, I thought for Mellos himself, well... their condition must be something very serious. What happiness it is to have been wrong."

Aelina narrowed her eyes at the back of Larys skull. She had never been an overly violent girl but how she wished she had her dagger on her just to drive it straight through the back of his stupid fucking head to shut him up and silence his fucking lies.

Alicent turned and then left, leaving Larys in the Godwood, he smiled and Aelina felt sick to her stomach with how evilhe looked. She knew she couldn't trust the cunt and she wondered why Larys had brought her into this, what could it possibly bring him to ruin her reputation more than it already was? It was bad enough that Daemon had asked Viserys to legitimise her and she was lucky no one other than her heard that one... unless Larys did? Or he somehow saw her talking to Daemon after Viserys had left...

Her mind spiraled, and until King Viserys and Rhaenyra's return, Aelina felt sick to her stomach. She locked herself away in her chambers, refusing entry to anyone. Thankfully, Alicent kept her distance. The last thing Aelina wanted was a confrontation where she might reveal she had been spying on the Queen and Larys Strong—especially if Alicent brought up Daemon Targaryen.

But whatever fragile peace she found alone shattered when she saw who King Viserys had brought back from Driftmark upon their return.

Her breath hitched as she stood frozen just inside her chamber door. He stood outside, his presence towering, and her stomach clenched at the realization of just how much he looked like their father now. It had been years since she'd seen him, and suddenly she felt like a child again, back in Driftmark, on the day her father told her Vaelor was leaving for the Vale. For Elys Arryn.

She didn't resent him for it—it was his duty as a Velaryon lord. But she resented how far apart they had grown since their father's death. Vaelor had always treated her as family, despite her status as a bastard, until their father was gone, and slowly, he fell under the influence of Vaemond Velaryon—a man who held pure bloodlines above everything. And to Vaemond, a bastard's blood meant nothing.

Why had Vaelor come to the Red Keep? Would Viserys have told him about Daemon's request for her legitimisation? Was he here to scold her, to accuse her of tarnishing the family's name again? Her stomach churned with unease.

"Vaelor," she greeted, trying to keep her tone neutral, but it came out strained, lacking the warmth she intended. He didn't look like he was in the mood for a reunion.

"Aelina." His voice was cool, distant, and his eyes studied her with a seriousness that made her heart race.

"What are you doing here?" she blurted out, regretting the abruptness immediately, almost cringing at how defensive it must have sounded.

"Laenor and Princess Rhaenyra's wedding," he replied evenly, but there was an edge to his voice. His eyes flickered over her, scrutinizing, before he added, "And I heard..." His voice trailed off, leaving the accusation hanging between them like a weight.

Aelina tensed, knowing exactly what he was referring to. Her pulse quickened, her throat tight. "What did you hear?" she whispered, afraid of the answer.

"The Targaryen Prince requested you be legitimised," Vaelor said, his voice barely above a whisper, as if even mentioning it was treasonous.

Aelina swallowed hard, a chill settling in her bones. "Yeah," she replied simply. What else was there to say? It wasn't like she had asked Daemon to make that outrageous demand in front of the King.

Vaelor's gaze hardened. "Why do you do this to yourself, Lina?" he sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.

Aelina's eyes widened, her breath catching in disbelief. "What?" she whispered, her voice fragile with confusion. "Brother, I didn't do anything—"

"You spend one day with Daemon Targaryen and let him stain what little reputation you had left." His words cut through her, sharper than she expected.

Tears welled up in Aelina's eyes. Her chest tightened, hot anger mixing with hurt. "I never had a reputation to begin with!" she snapped, her voice breaking. "I never asked for this life, and I certainly didn't ask for that."

Vaelor's next words hit her like a blow. "Then why did you fuck him?"

Her world seemed to tilt. The accusation struck her like a physical wound, her breath leaving her in a sharp gasp. She stepped back as if distance could shield her from his words. "What?" she whispered, barely able to find her voice. "What did you just say?"

Vaelor's expression was grim, unyielding. "That's what I was told."

Aelina's shock morphed into fury. Her hands shook with the force of it. "Who told you that?"

"Vaemond," Vaelor replied, but there was a faint hesitation in his voice now, a flicker of doubt.

"Vaemond lied," Aelina growled, her voice rising as she shook her head vehemently. She turned away from him, pacing her chambers in a frantic attempt to calm herself. "Nothing happened! Just like with the Princess."

Vaelor followed her inside, shutting the door with a thud behind him, his voice tight with anger. "He took her to a brothel," he hissed, glaring at her. "And then fucked you afterward, Aelina!"

The words were like poison, seeping into her heart, but she refused to let them take hold. She turned on him, fire blazing in her eyes. "Vaelor, you've been fed lies!" she snapped, the sharpness in her voice undeniable. "I did nothing! Do you honestly think I'd be that stupid?"

Her anger was met with silence as Vaelor stared down at her, searching her face for any sign of deception. Aelina stepped closer, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm a bastard, Vaelor. It's bad enough having that whispered about me every day. Do you honestly think I'd risk everything for some reckless fling? Sully myself like that?"

Her brother's gaze softened slightly, though doubt lingered in his eyes. Aelina's breath came in sharp, unsteady bursts as she fought to hold back her tears, the weight of Daemon's name lingering between them like a ghost.

"I only spoke to Daemon because I care about Rhaenyra," she admitted, her voice quieter now, breaking under the pressure of his accusation. "And I started to care for him... but that's it." She lifted her head, meeting her brother's eyes with fierce determination, though the vulnerability in her voice still showed. "I swear on our father's grave, Vaelor, nothing happened."

Vaelor let out a slow breath, a small, noncommittal hum escaping his lips. He didn't say he believed her, but he didn't accuse her further, either. The space between them hung heavy with unspoken doubt, and it took all of Aelina's restraint not to crumble beneath the weight of it.

She sighed heavily, sinking down onto her bed, burying her face in her hands. The exhaustion from defending herself felt like a weight she could no longer bear. "I didn't ask for this," she whispered, her words barely audible. "I was only trying to be a friend."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Vaelor stood unmoving, his posture rigid, as though still waging an internal battle. Then, with a deep sigh, he sat beside her, his presence a reluctant comfort, as though he still didn't know how to act around her now.

"He's dangerous," he said finally, his voice low and cautious, as if testing the waters of her reaction. "Daemon is reckless. He's nothing but chaos."

Aelina lifted her head, frowning as she turned to look at him. "Everyone keeps telling me that," she murmured, her tone soft but edged with defiance. "But he's never laid a finger on me, Vaelor. He's been kinder to me than any man has since father died." Her gaze fell to the floor, her chest tight with the mix of anger and sorrow that had become all too familiar. "He sees me... for who I am. Not as some... bastard." The word left her lips bitterly, a curse she had lived with for so long it had become part of her identity.

Vaelor sighed, his broad shoulders sagging under the weight of their conversation, though the hardness in his expression didn't fully fade. "He's made a mess of things."

"Everyone else did that," she shot back, her voice quiet but filled with lingering frustration. "You didn't have to go along with it. You didn't have to let them send me away from Driftmark."

Vaelor shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Do you think I had any choice in that, Aelina? We were doing what was best for the family. Father's death left us all vulnerable, and you... were always at the centre of things. You had to be kept safe. Even if that meant... distancing you."

Aelina's anger simmered beneath the surface, but she forced herself to remain calm, unwilling to let him see how much those words still stung. "Safe? Or out of sight?" she muttered under her breath.

"The celebrations are to begin in two month's time," Vaelor said, his voice steady and resolute. "Laenor will wed the Princess at their conclusion. Afterward, I shall see to it that a suitable match is found for you."

Aelina's head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with shock. "What?"

"You're twenty, Aelina. If you marry now, we can still salvage your reputation. The rumours will fade," he said matter-of-factly, though there was a hint of something like pity in his tone. "We can fix this."

Aelina scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness. "Your solution is to throw me into a loveless marriage with a man old enough to be our father?"

"We'll find someone... suitable," Vaelor insisted, but Aelina could hear the resignation in his voice.

She laughed bitterly, though the sound held no real humour. "Suitable. Right."

Vaelor didn't back down, and Aelina sat in a stunned silence as he rose from the bed. She swallowed hard. Why didn't she just listen and keep away from Daemon? she thought bitterly. Everything had been so much easier when she was only at the Red Keep as the Princess' companion. But now, she was the subject of the court's gossip. And it wasn't just the fact that she was a Velaryon bastard whispered behind closed doors, but that Daemon Targaryen had taken a liking to her.

"I will find someone suitable," Vaelor repeated, as though speaking the words aloud would make it true. He stood and turned toward the door. "It's for your own good, Lina. The sooner we put this behind us, the better."

She barely heard him though, her hands trembling slightly at his words. Aelina couldn't help herself. "For my good? Or for the family's?"

Vaelor stopped instantly, his hand on the door handle, and turned around to face her. His brow furrowed. "You think I want to do this?" he asked, his voice rising slightly. "I'm trying to protect you, Lina, because the court won't be kind if these rumours take root."

She couldn't help but scoff. "Don't pretend you're doing this for me, Vaelor," she whispered, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "You wanted to get rid of me since father died. And now I've made trouble for you elsewhere, so I'm to be shipped off again." She scowled at the thought. "If you cared, you would've come back for me long before this mess. You would have stopped Corlys from sending me away from Driftmark—from home."

Her brother's expression faltered, guilt flashing in his eyes before he quickly masked it again. "I did what I had to for the house. And now, so must you."

With that, Vaelor turned and left her chambers, the door clicking shut with an unsettling finality, leaving Aelina alone. Her shoulders slumped as the weight of the conversation settled over her. She only had just over two months. Two months before Vaelor's search for a husband would begin, and she would be moved on to become someone else's problem.Aelina spent the rest of the day in her chambers, the silence pressing in on her like a heavy blanket. The hum of the court beyond her window seemed distant, like a world that no longer included her. She had always been on the fringes of the court's attention, a bastard of Velaryon blood, tolerated but never embraced. But now, with the scrutiny of her actions, the weight of her name felt unbearable. The Red Keep's walls seemed to close in on her, suffocating in their grandeur.

She only left her chambers when Ser Criston Cole arrived, knocking sharply before entering to announce that King Viserys had requested her presence at dinner. It was a formal invitation, one she could not refuse, especially not when she knew it was likely arranged in honour of Vaelor's arrival. The pit of dread in her stomach churned, but she forced herself to rise. She hadn't eaten all day, and despite everything, she needed to see Rhaenyra. She needed someone who understood her.

As she dressed, her fingers shook slightly. She chose a simple gown, something that would hopefully avoid drawing any more attention to herself than necessary. The fabric felt heavy on her, and when she finally looked at her reflection in the mirror, she barely recognised the woman staring back. Aelina wasn't supposed to be at the centre of court intrigue, not like this.

She entered the dining hall with cautious steps, her heart pounding as the hum of conversation faltered slightly upon her arrival. The room was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, the long table set with intricate dishes of roasted meats, fruits, and fresh bread. The rich scents filled the air, though they did nothing to ease the knot in her stomach.

Viserys sat at the head of the table, his expression welcoming but serious. Alicent, seated beside him, offered a polite smile, though her gaze held the same scrutinising edge Aelina had grown used to over the years. Vaelor sat beside Alicent, already deep in conversation with the king. Across from them, Rhaenyra sat quietly, her posture regal but relaxed. There was an empty seat next to her, clearly meant for Aelina.

"Aelina." Viserys greeted her warmly as she took her seat, though beneath his warmth was an unmistakable weight in his gaze. One that made her heart sink as the reality of her situation settled over her like a heavy cloak. "You've been a faithful companion to Rhaenyra for years, and the Red Keep has been your home. Now, you are of an age where... certain arrangements for your future need to be considered."

The word arrangements clung to the air between them, and Aelina's heart raced in response. Of course, her brother had already discussed his intentions with Viserys. She shouldn't have been surprised. And yet, for a moment, she wondered who had truly suggested it first. Was it Vaelor, eager to secure her future in a way that best suited him? Or perhaps Otto Hightower had whispered suggestions, always quick to rid the court of any potential scandal. He would be more than happy to see the Silver-stained Velaryon bastard shipped off in marriage to avoid further gossip.

Viserys leaned forward slightly, his voice softening, though there was no mistaking the finality in his tone. "Your brother has shared his concerns with me, and I must say, I see the wisdom in his thinking. It's time to ensure that your future is secure."

Aelina's stomach twisted. Your future. They spoke of it so easily, as though her life was simply a chess piece to be moved at their convenience. Just like Rhaenyra, whose own marriage arrangements had been decided in much the same way. But at least Rhaenyra had the advantage of her birthright. For Aelina, a bastard, marriage was a tool to control her. To silence her.

And yet, no one had mentioned the rumours. Not directly. They hovered over the conversation like a dark cloud, but Viserys would never acknowledge them at dinner. There was no mention of Daemon, no acknowledgment of the whispers that followed her through the Red Keep. But she understood. Viserys was concerned with the stability of the realm, with the marriage between House Targaryen and Velaryon looming, and any whispers of scandal involving Aelina could threaten the careful balance he was trying to maintain.

"I understand, Your Grace," Aelina replied carefully, though the words tasted bitter on her tongue. "Vaelor believes it's time I consider my options."

Viserys gave a small nod, his gaze softening, as if he could see the weight of the situation on her shoulders. "He is right to think so. The court... it can be an unforgiving place for a young lady without a strong, suitable match to protect her. You've grown into a fine woman, Aelina. The right union would ensure your place here, and silence any... unnecessary gossip."

The mention of gossip sent a chill down her spine. It was an unspoken acknowledgment of the rumours that had dogged her every step since she arrived at court. The whispers about her relationship with Daemon, the scandal she had tried so hard to avoid. It was as if her very existence was a source of shame for them to manage.

"I trust my brother's judgment," Aelina said, though her heart ached as she spoke. The words felt false, like a betrayal of everything she truly wanted. "I know he has my best interests at heart."

Viserys smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He seemed tired, worn down by the weight of his own family's troubles. "He does. And so do I. This is for your protection, Aelina. Your place here, your future—it can all be secured with the right match."

Aelina nodded, swallowing the bitterness that threatened to rise in her throat. It was as if her entire life was being planned out for her, and she had no say in it. She had always been aware that her place at court was precarious, but now it felt as though the walls were closing in on her. Viserys wasn't just speaking as a king—he was speaking as a man who had seen what instability could do to a family, to a kingdom. He was worried about more than just her future—he was worried about the survival of the realm.

"I understand, Your Grace," she repeated, her voice calm and measured, though inside, she felt as if she were crumbling.

Viserys seemed satisfied with her response, giving her a gentle nod. "Good. Vaelor will continue to look for a suitable match. The sooner we put these matters to rest, the better for everyone."

Aelina forced another smile, her gaze flickering to Rhaenyra, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. The princess's expression was carefully neutral, but Aelina could sense the tension in her. Rhaenyra, more than anyone, understood what it meant to have your future decided for you. And yet, there was little Aelina could do. They both knew that there was no fighting against the will of the king—and of Vaelor, especially with the seven-day celebration and wedding between the Princess and Laenor looming over their heads.

After eating a small amount of food Aelina pushed her food around her plate and struggled to keep conversation before she excused herself as soon as she found it acceptable to do so, her voice quiet and polite, and made her way back to her chambers. The corridors of the Red Keep felt endless, the echo of her footsteps bouncing off the stone walls as she walked, lost in her thoughts.

When she finally reached her room, the silence was deafening. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment as the weight of the evening crashed down on her. Her hands were shaking, her breathing uneven as she tried to steady herself. Slowly, she crossed the room and sank down onto the edge of her bed, staring at the walls that had enclosed her for years.

The room was too quiet, too still. It felt as though it were suffocating her, the weight of her thoughts pressing in from all sides. She lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind racing. The events of the day spun in her head, a whirlwind of emotions she couldn't make sense of. When had everything gone so wrong? she wondered. When had her life become a series of decisions made for her, without her consent, without her voice being heard?

She had done everything she could to stay in the shadows, to keep out of the court's scrutiny, but it hadn't mattered. The moment Daemon had entered her life, it had all unravelled. And now, she was paying the price for it, her reputation tarnished, her future decided by others.

What had she done to anger the gods so much to create this? she thought bitterly. Was it because she had dared to believe, even for a moment, that she could be something more than the bastard daughter of Driftmark? Had she been foolish to think she could find a place here, amongst the royal bloodlines that saw her as nothing more than a stain on their name?

Her chest tightened as she thought of Daemon, of the moments they had shared, brief as they were. She had never asked for his attention, had never sought him out the way others did, but he had seen something in her—something that no one else had ever bothered to see. And in return, she had started to care for him, in a way that terrified her. Because caring for Daemon was like standing too close to a dragon. And that's what he was—a dragon, through and through. And dragons could burn you alive.

The memory of Vaelor's words echoed in her mind. He's dangerous. Her brother had been right, of course. Daemon was dangerous. He was reckless, unpredictable, and yet, he had been kinder to her than anyone else had since her father's death. He had seen her, not as a bastard, but as something more.

But now... now it didn't matter. The court had turned its gaze upon her, and there was no escaping it. Vaelor would see to that. He would find her a husband, someone suitable, someone who could restore her place in the eyes of the court. And in doing so, he would take away the one thing she had always fought for—her freedom.

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the thoughts to stop, but they wouldn't. The future stretched out before her like a dark tunnel, with no way out, no light at the end. She was trapped, and there was nothing she could do.

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I'm sorry it's a small chapter and probably isn't that interesting but I feel like it's important <3