Daemon watched as Aemond knocked Ser Criston to the ground and the knight got up and congratulated him as he patted the one eyed man on the back, Daemon felt his blood boil with jealousy.

The crowd slowly dissipated as Ser Criston left to go tend to Arianne, Aemond scowled when he saw Daemon walking up to him.

" What are you doing here? " Aemond asked bitterly.

" I've come to see my son " Daemon said.

" You are not my father " Aemond scoffed.

" I need you to advocate for Rhaenyra and Lucerys in the trial tomorrow " Daemon said changing the subject.

" Fuck no " Aemond scoffed out a bitter laugh.

" You are my son..........." Daemon demanded grabbing Aemond's arm roughly " My blood and you will defend my wife and her children..........your half-siblings "

" They are no siblings of mine " Aemond scoffed as he ripped his arm from Daemon's grip " And I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions and not in a million years will I ever defend Rhaenyra or her children ".

" I doubt it........you barely find it in yourself to fight for your own " Daemon scoffed " A mere puppet in this game of thrones ".

" You are terribly wrong, I fight for who I want.......I fight for who I love......" Aemond said " Particularly when they are effected by the selfishness of others and need my support ".

" Who are you referring to? " Daemon asked.

" Arianne.......my beloved mother " Aemond said strongly.

" Why would I care about her? " Daemon asked with a biter laugh.

" Because I care about her....morning, noon and night, I care about her and you hurt her and if you hurt her, you hurt me " Aemond shouted " My mother is who I want to fight for, that is where my loyalties lie, that is who my priority is ".

" Not Rhaenyra the rightful heir to the iron throne " Daemon said " The heir your king named ".

" Don't bring that woman into this " Aemond laughed bitterly.

" Alright, not your father, your own blood " Daemon exclaimed hating that his has turned be turned against him.

" I refuse to be blamed any longer for what happened that night, you keep talking about blood and loyalty but all I keep hearing is lies. You comforted me and then ran off to whore around with that bitch " Aemond exclaimed with no emotion except hate " You were not there when my mother got abused and mistreated by your own brother......you are no father of mine, you make me sick.....Rhaenyra......Alicent.....the lot of you, if you or any one else, dare come any close to my mother rest assured by the sevens.......I will kill you ".

Aemond glared at Daemon before walking away.

—

" Hold your nerve, my queen " Otto said as he, Vaemond and Arianne were in the small council room.

" I must confess a certain uneasiness, now this at hand " Arianne sighed before looking at her father and Vaemond as she slightly shook her head " He may yet live".

" But we must be prepared, if he does not " Vaemond replied as Arianne linked her hands together.

" The realm has enjoyed a long peace, a credit to the work of both Jaehaerys and Viserys but the threat of war looms and may arrive on our shores when it does, will you want a child at the command of the greatest fleet in Westeros? " Otto said.

" We must, of course............act in the interest of our subjects " Arianne replied.

" The next lord of the tides will be deeply in your debt, your grace " Vaemond said
" As will Driftmark in all its strength ".

Vaemond and Otto looked at Arianne, who nodded.

—

It was now nighttime and Arianne was going to check on Viserys and walked in and saw a sobbing Rhaenyra at his bed side.

" Rhaenyra " Arianne called out softly.

Rhaenyra looked at Arianne with wide eyes and tear stained cheeks.

" Are you alright? " Arianne asked as she walked over and layed a hand on her shoulder.

" I'm fine " Rhaenyra sniffed as she wiped her eyes.

Arianne nodded before leaving.

—

The morrow arrived and it was the day of the trial, many lords and ladies stood to see the trial. And the black's stood on one side of the room and the greens on the other as Arianne stood in front of everyone, her back to the iron throne.

" Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survives his wounds.....we gather here with a grim task " Arianne announces to everyone in the throne room " Of Dealing with the succession of Driftmark..............as queen I speak with this king's voice on this.........and all other matters ".

Arianne then sat down on the iron throne, looking like a true queen as the green's smiled at her and the black's glared at her audacity.

" The crown will now hear the petitions..........." Arianne said " Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon ".

Vaemond then walked up and stood in the middle of the two sides as he stood in front of Arianne.

" My queen " Vaemond said to Arianne before looking at Otto who stood with his grandchildren " My lord hand ".

" The history of our noble houses extends beyond, the seven kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria " Vaemond continued " For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas, when the doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their kind, our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that they were to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name.................I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brothers seat.........I am Lord Corlys's closest kin, his own blood..........the true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins ".

" As it does in my sons, the offsprings of Laenor Velaryon " Rhaenyra snapped not looking at Vaemond " If you cared so much about your houses blood, Ser Vaemond " Rhaenyra then looked at Vaemond " You would not be so bold as to supplant it's rightful heir......now you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition".

" You will have a chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra " Arianne said interrupting Rhaenyra " Do Ser Vaemond, the same courtesy of allowing his to heard ".

The green's smirked as Vaemond nodded at Arianne before looking at Rhaenyra.

" What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? " Vaemond asked Rhaenyra " I could cut my veins and show it to you..........and you still wouldn't recognise it, this is about the future survival of my house, not yours " Vaemond looked at Luke before turning back to Arianne " My queen, my lord hand..............this is a matter of blood not ambition, I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all, I humbly put myself before you as my brothers successor........The Lord of Driftmark..... The Lord of The Tides ".

" Thank you, Ser Vaemond " Arianne said.

Vaemond nodded at Arianne before walking off to the side.

" Princess Rhaenyra......you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon " Arianne announced.

Rhaenyra looked at Arianne before walking to stand where Vaemond stood to announce his petition.

" If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very......." Rhaenyra started but trailed off when the door opens.

Everyone looked at the door and to there shock they all see Viserys there, Arianne stood up in shock at the sight of her husband.

" King Viserys of House Targaryen......the first of his name......king of the andals, and the rhoynar and the first men, Lord of the seven kingdoms and protector of the realm ".

Viserys then began to walk towards his throne as Arianne walked down from the steps of the throne over to her children who looked at her in worry and Halaena grabbed her mother's hand to stop her from picking her cuticles, Viserys looked at Arianne as he passed her and then at Rhaenyra.

" I will sit the throne today " Viserys said with a panted breath as stopped in front of Otto.

" Your grace " Otto nodded.

Viserys then tried walking up the stairs but couldn't, a knight tried helping him but Viserys just shrugged him off, Viserys then stumbled but he caught himself with his cane but his crown fell of him head. Viserys sighed in frustration, and shrugged off the person who touched him so they could help.

" I'm fine " Viserys panted, he looked at the person and saw Arianne.

" Come on " Arianne nodded as she picked up Viserys's crown before helping him up the stairs, Viserys flopped into his throne with a pained sigh as Arianne gently placed his crown on his head before walking over to her father and children as Halaena and Aegon grabbed her hands, and Aemond and Daeron stood closer to their mother.

" I must.......admit........my confusion..............." Viserys breathed out " I do not understand, why petitions are being heard over a settled succession, the only one present........who might offer, keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes, is the Princess Rhaenys ".

Everyone looked at Rhaenys.

" Indeed, your grace " Rhaenys said, she then looked at Vaemond before walking to stand in front of Viserys " It was ever my husbands will that Driftmark....pass through Ser Laenor.......to his true born son.........Lucerys Velaryon.....his mind never changed nor did my support of him as a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys's granddaughter's, Baela and Rhaena..........a proposal to which I heartily agree ".

" Well.....the matter is settled......again " Viserys said " I hereby reaffirm, Prince Lucerys Velaryon of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood throne and the next Lord of the Tides ".

" You break law......" Vaemond scoffed " And centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir, yet you dare tell me.............Who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon.........no.............I will not allow it ".

" Allow it " Viserys repeated " Do not forget yourself, Vaemond ".

" That is no true Velaryon " Vaemond yelled as he pointed at Luke " And certainly no nephew of mine ".

" Go to your chambers " Alicent said to her and Rhaenyra's children.

" You've said enough " Rhaenyra snapped at Vaemond.

" Lucerys is my true-born grandson and you........." Viserys said " are no more than the second son of Driftmark ".

" You may run your house as you see fit...... " Vaemond snapped " But you will not decide the future of mine.............my house survived the doom and a thousand tribulations besides " he the turned right face the black's looking at Luke " And gods be damned...........I will not see it ended on the account of this.......".

" Say it " Damon said softly.

Vaemond smirked as he looked at Rhaenyra.

" Her children.........are.......bastards " Vaemond yelled ten spoke slowly " And.....she.......is.......a whore ".

" I........will have your tongue for that " Viserys said as he stood up and pulled his dagger out.

Suddenly everyone gasped as the black's looked shocked and Arianne grabbed Halaena who shielded her face and Aegon, Aemond and Daeron jumped in front of them as Daemon cuts Vaemond's head off.

" He can keep his tongue " Daemon said leaning his hands on his sword.

" Disarm him " Otto yelled as the gaurds pulled their swords out.

" No need " Daemon said as he wiped the blood of his sword with his long tunic, looking at Arianne before walking over to Rhaenyra again.

Viserys then started groaning in pain as the guards rushed to him.

" Call the maesters " Arianne exclaimed as she rushed over to Viserys.

" Father " Rhaenyra called out worried.

" Viserys please......just take something for the pain " Arianne said as she helped Viserys stand as he clung to her.

" I will not cloud my mind " Viserys moaned as he clung to his wife " I must put things right ".

A guard and the maester helped Viserys down the stairs and out of the room, Rhaenyra then looked at Arianne who looked back, Aegon and Aemond noticed this and walked to their mother and lead her out of the room with Daeron and Halaena followed.