ᵈʳᵃᵍᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ

˖⁺‧₊˚🪽.° ༘

[ newly weds ]

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐫𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲. The woman's stare focused to the side as the other lords spoke about the impending war. 

"The purpose of war is to fill graveyards, my dear Lord Staunton," Bartimos said. "The trick is to put more of their men in the ground then your own."

"Easy words for a lord who commands from the safety of his castle," the man rebuked.

"Doesn't make it any less true-."

"The Lord of the Tides!" Erryk suddenly announced. "Lord Corlys Velaryon and his wife, the Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen."

Lord Corlys slowly made his way down the stairs, hobbling on his walking stick as his wife walked beside him, with Baela and Rhaena at their tails.

"My lords," he greeted.

"Lord Corlys," Rhaenyra spoke, smiling slightly as he stopped in front of her. "It brings much relief to see you hale and healthy again."

The man nodded, before speaking, "I'm very sorry about your father, Princess. He was a good man." He glanced up, finding his granddaughters settling beside you and the Velaryon brothers. You offered a warm smile to Baela as she reciprocated it from your side, whilst Rhaena grinned at her betrothed. "Where is Daemon?" he continued in question.

"There were other concerns which demanded the Prince's attention," Rhaenyra informed.

"Mm." Her eyes squinted as she watched him make his way past the lords, gaze raking over the fiery table. "Your declared allies?"

"Yes," she confirmed, walking forward.

"Too few to win a war for the throne."

Rhaenyra blinked before tilting her head a little. "Well, we would also hope to have the support of Houses Arryn, Baratheon, and Stark."

"Hope... is the fool's ally."

"Both Arryn and Baratheon share blood with my house," the Queen explained. "But all of them swore oaths to me."

"As did House Hightower, if I remember."

"As did you, Lord Corlys."

There was silence shared between the pair, a stone-cold look overcoming the Queen's face. Corlys glanced back at the youngest members of the hall at the current moment, watching as Lucerys moved his hands from his sides to clasp them at his front.

"Your father's realm... was one of justice and honor," the lord stated. "Our houses are bound by common blood and common cause. This Hightower treason cannot stand." Rhaenyra glanced to the side, waiting as Corlys stood straighter. "You have the full support of our fleet and house, Your Grace."

He bowed his head in respect, and Rhaenyra's eyes softened. "You honor me, Lord Corlys." Looking back, she found Rhaenys smiling gently as she claimed upon her, "Princess Rhaenys." The tiny grin faded from Rhaenyra as she continued, "But, as I said to my bannermen, I made a promise to my father to hold the realm strong and united. If war's first stroke is to fall, it will not be by my hand."

"You do not mean to act?" Corlys questioned.

"Taking caution does not mean standing fast. I wish to know who my allies are before I send them to war."

Corlys furrowed his brows before walking to the Queen. "The consequences of my near-demise in the Stepstones is that we now control them. I took care to fully garrison the territory this time. A total blockade of the shipping lanes will be in place in days, if not already. The Triarchy have been routed. The Narrow Sea is ours." Rhaenyra's eyes were wide, but she kept a composed face, however her stomach was swirling with gratitude. "If we... further seal the Gullet, we can cut of all seaborne travel and trade to King's Landing."

"I shall take Meleys and patrol the Gullet myself," Rhaenys stated, stepping forward beside Rhaenyra. As the Queen looked at her, she sent a tiny smile to the woman.

"When we drain the Narrow Sea, we can surround King's Landing, lay siege to the Red Keep and force the Green's surrender," Lord Bartimos said.

"If we are to have enough swords to surround King's Landing, we must first secure the support of Winterfell, the Eyrie and Storm's End."

"I'll prepare the ravens, Your Grace."

"We should bear those messages," Jacaerys suddenly suggested, making you look over with wide eyes to your betrothed. "Dragons can fly faster than ravens... and they're more convincing. Send us."

"The Prince is right, Your Grace," Corlys agreed.

Rhaenyra stared at her sons, a feeling brewing inside her as her eldest awaited her approval. Stiffly, she nodded, "Very well. Prince Jacaerys will fly North. First to the Eyrie to see my mother's cousin, the Lady Jeyne Arryn, and then to Winterfell to treat with Lord Cregan Stark for the support of the North." Moving her gaze to her second son, she continued, "Prince Lucerys will fly to Storm's End and treat with Lord Borros Baratheon. We must remind these lords of the oaths they swore. And... the cost of breaking them."

You walked out of the hall with a deep frown settling across your features. You had ignored Jace's whispers of concern, brushing him off as you made your way into the corridors, quickly evading him as you moved through the fortress.

You didn't want him to leave. You wanted him to be here where you could make sure of his safety at all times. If only you could leave with him.

You only stopped when you heard the sound of Rhaenyra calling for you. Turning around, you found her hurrying towards you with a concerned look painting her beautiful pale face. Stopping in front of you, she grasped your hands in her own.

"Whatever has you running away?" she asked.

"Nothing, my Queen," you denied, shaking your head. "I just needed some air, that's all. That hall can get so stuffy."

Rhaenyra tilted her head at you, seemingly deciphering what was truly tormenting you by just looking into your eyes. With a sigh, she took your arm and wrapped it around her own, causing you to trail beside her as she started walking.

"I do not wish to see my sons go," the Queen confessed. "Jacaerys could hold his own, but my sweet Luke... They will take advantage of him, I just know it."

"Luke can be strong," you murmured, offering a reassuring smile as you looked up at her. "Only when it is needed."

"Yes," she sighed, before staring down at you with a tilt of her lips. "You know, I believe that Jace should be accompanied by someone for his travels to the Eyrie and the North." This had your ear perking, and the next words to leave her mouth caused your heart to collapse in your chest. "Perhaps his newly wed wife should join him."

A gasp escaped you as you spun around in her arm, before a giddy giggle erupted from your chest. You made haste in jumping into Rhaenyra's arms, her chuckles reverberating off your corset as you squeezed her tightly.

"Please tell me you are not playing a humorless joke on me, my Queen," you begged with a smile.

"I would never, my sweet girl," she said, tapping your nose with her finger.

"Thank you, Rhaenyra," you cried, before taking off down the hallway, her laughter following you as she watched you with a warm gaze.

Making your way through the corridors, you desperately searched for Jacaerys. You found him down on the beach, training alongside his brother and a few guards. However, his movements were far more aggressive than usual, and as he swung the sword down on one of the knights, they yelled out in caution. 

His mind was plagued with your distraught face. Knowing you were sad or troubled in any sort of way always had him having to let out his anger on not being able to help or soothe you. 

At the sound of your voice, he spun around, watching as you raced across the sand, lifting your skirts so that you could run faster. As he opened his mouth to speak, you had cut him off by leaping into his arms, causing the boy to exclaim in surprise as he fell to the floor. He landed with a grunt on the ground, but didn't have the heart to voice the sudden pain emitting from his back as his eyes raked over your beaming face.

A beautiful smile stretched at your lips, and suddenly pressed against his own, fingers threading through his now sandy brown curls as you kissed him. The knights called out with laughter, and Lucerys was quick to usher them away, shouting at them to give you and his brother privacy.

Leaning back to gather air, you caught your breath and hummed at the feeling of Jace's hands at your neck, thumb stroking the sensitive skin below your ear. You shifted off him to allow the prince to sit up, but your hands never left his body and vice-versa.

"What has you so happy, my love?" he whispered in wander, enamored by the sight of your blushing cheeks and gorgeous grin. 

"The Gods have answered my prayers," you softly uttered, leaning close to his ear and pressing a kiss to the tip of his jawline. "We are to be married."

Jacaerys froze in his spot, before pulling back to look at you. His face was slack, mouth practically scraping the beach beneath you, brown eyes wide as he stared at you.

"Is what you say the truth?"

"When have I ever lied to you, sweet boy?" you murmured with a smile.

"Then by the Gods, will I marry you in haste!" he yelled into the air with a grin as he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you back into his embrace as he fell onto his back. 

As the late noon was consumed with golden light and heavenly clouds, you sighed as you stared at yourself in the mirror. From what you could see, Baela was busy preparing your dress, soothing out every crinkle and tether she saw, brows pulled into a deep frown of concentration. Rhaena was making hearty jokes which lightened the mood, often conjuring laughter from your chest.

Rhaenyra made work with your hair, sometimes whispering soft words in your ear that had you nodding or chuckling. The woman had quickly become a mother figure to you in your first month at Dragonstone, and now you were positively delighted at the fact that she was officially becoming your mother by marriage.

After your hair was done up in a bun intertwined with a flurry of braids and pins, you soon slipped into the dress. The gown was beautiful, made up of an off-white fabric. With long sleeves, and a oval neckline, it complimented you wonderfully, the women agreeing wholeheartedly.

"Beautiful? She's heavenly!" Rhaena exclaimed, grabbing your hands and jumping up and down with excitement, eliciting another laugh from you.

"You both are too kind," you thanked, squeezing the younger girl's hand. 

The two Velaryon ladies left the room after bidding you goodbye, and Rhaenyra soon escorted you through Dragonstone as you received blessings of kindness from the passing noblemen and ladies, and the servants of the fortress.

Soon, you had found yourself breathing in the crisp air of the rocky hillside, smiling upon the sight of Jacaerys. He stood proud and tall in his matching gowns, a smidge of red found atop the cloth on his shoulders. 

Rhaenyra allowed you to walk towards him, meeting him at the edge of the cliff where you faced him. His family watched from the front of the hill, observers of the wedding. Lucerys held a smile, sharing it with Rhaenyra, whilst Baela and Rhaena held onto each other's hands. 

The Septon drew to a close as he spoke, leaving the steps to you and Jacaerys. He looked nervous as he lifted the jagged knife from the tall stone column beside you both. Jace softly took hold of your jaw, swiping a thumb against your cheek, raising it to your lip. With a tiny 'sorry' and an apologetic smile, he sliced the blade down the center of your bottom lip. 

The light pink skin of your lip split open, and a thin trail of blood trickled down your chin, falling onto the callous palm of your prince. He then placed his thumb against the cut, swiping it down to collect the crimson blood, before pressing his finger to your forehead, where a fingerprint of your blood stained the skin. 

Jacaerys handed you the dragon glass dagger, and you repeated the actions. You whispered an apology, but he brushed it off with an encouraging grin. You took hold of his chin with a slight smirk, pulling his face lower to level with your own, quickly swiping the knife down on his lip. 

After drawing the print on his forehead, the Septon then handed Jacaerys the chalice. You followed the ceremony, pressing the sharp dagger against the palm of your hand, hissing softly at the sting of it. Tightening your hand in a fist, you watched as the blood fell to the bottom of the cup. 

Jacaerys then handed you the chalice, and he did the same action of cutting his palm, his blood swirling with your own. Before you drank, you looked up, watching as his hooded eyes took in your state.

"Mēre ñelly, mēre gīs, mēre rybagon. Sesīr mōris," he whispered, gaze never leaving yours. 

One heart, one soul, now and forever.

You uttered the words in full, thankful for Rhaenyra's teachings all those months ago. 

Jacaerys smiled, before raising the chalice to his lips. The blood slowly travelled down the metal, finding homage at his tongue, leaving it an unnaturally dark red. Handing it to you, your face soured a moment later when you tasted the blood. You weren't surprised Jace didn't have the same reaction.

He was a Targaryen.

Finally, you leaned in, taking him by surprise when you kissed him. His hands found warmth as they grasped your neck, and his chin dipped to deepen the kiss. Leaning back, you pressed your forehead to his. 

"My husband."

Jace grinned. "My wife."