(POV: Rhaenys)
Dragonstone was a gloomy capital to rule from, one that did not provide many men to her cause but it did offer a great deal of legitimacy to her. The castle had been held by the heirs of Targaryens, her father and then her uncle and now it passed to her. She had taken the castle with little issue with Viserys having gone to King's Landing. It had been a useless victory for her though.
Already, her new banners were being placed on the walls, a blue dragon on black. For the realm already mocked her for being more seahorse than dragon, she'd show them that she was a dragon and the blood of kings ran through her veins. Corlys had commissioned a beautiful crown for her as well, made of silver with beautiful blue diamonds.
She was crowned by the Septon of Dragonstone, a man appointed by her father to his position. The smallfolk cheered out her name as she flew around the castle with Meleys, the thrill of flying allowing her to relax her mind from the issues presented by her council. In the air she and Meleys were one. They moved together, in sync.
In the chamber of the Painted Table, she and her advisors studied the map. Though new trees had sprouted, the borders had shifted, the land remained the same. Figures had been placed, the men who had declared fealty to her had figures placed upon their lands. House Stark and Baratheon together could provide her enough men for her to defeat most of Viserys's forces. It was the issue of dragons that stopped her from taking the field.
Her cause relied on her. Laenor was too young to ride Seasmoke and Laena had not claimed any dragon yet. Though she had told her daughter that there were many dragons that were available for her, she prayed for her bold, willful child to tame Vhagar. Then if she were to perish, lords would still fight for her daughter and son's claims.
She fingered the dagger her father had gifted her before his tragic death, still awed by the lightness of the steel. Her thoughts inevitably turned to her uncle, Gaemon. One of the last of King Jaehaerys's sons. Her council, Corlys, mostly urged her to offer a marriage alliance, Laena, to one of his sons. He had valuable experience in war, a large dragon and a strong claim. With the two of them allying together, Viserys and Daemon would be crushed to dust. Then.. after that.. There would be more war doubtless.
Besides, Gaemon had already declared his claim to the throne, threatening her own ascension, doing anything short of executing him or sending him to the Wall would be too light of a punishment. She took a sip of her wine, a fine Arbor vintage. The doors to the room entered and Corlys entered, flanked by guards.
"Your grace, I bring great news to you, Lord Davos has managed to get spies into King's Landing. We will know all of Viserys's moves before he has even made them!" He seemed pleased with himself, and why wouldn't he be? She had named him Lord Admiral, refusing to give him title of the Hand despite his attempts to explain why he was better suited to the position, in order to avoid accusations of favoritism. She had instead sent a letter to Lord Borys Baratheon, naming him as her Hand.
She had appointed a slew of minor lords to her council, taking her pick of whoever seemed best suited for the tasks she had in mind. A ghost of a smile graced her lips. "Truly? And what of Casterly Rock?" She turned to stare at Lord Davos Tarth, her Master of Whispers. A wily man, she felt her skin prickle whenever she locked eyes with him. Mayhaps it was his voice, so low that one had to strain to hear it. Mayhaps it was his eyes, a set of blue sapphires that held nothing behind them, there was nothing behind his gaze beyond a bored fascination. She had seen him with that same gaze as he had a guard's skin ripped off slowly for ill-placed words about her. The guard had been lucky that he had not suffered more, Lord Davos had done worse to other traitors.
She broke the staring contest first, coughing loudly as Lord Davos simply smiled. "Apologies your grace, but even with House Velaryon's generous… donations, the guards of Casterly Rock are more loyal than the Gold Cloaks. But I am sure in time, they will break too. The only question is how much gold it will take."
Rhaenys gritted her teeth. "We do not have time, my lords. If I must remind you, my uncle and cousin are too big of a threat to be left to wait. Lords will only support me if they see me as a strong, decisive leader. I cannot be stuck waiting here waiting until Viserys and Gaemon have their armies at my gates, calling for my blood!" She felt like hitting something, anything to get this frustration that had built up inside her out.
Still, she restrained herself, her father had never taken his anger out on others, he had been the perfect prince, always kind, honorable. She would not sully his name by acting like a fool. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and counting, like her father had taught her. 1. 2. 3. She opened her eyes again.
"Of course your grace, forgive my insolence. I shall see to bribing the guards of King's Landing and Casterly Rock as fast as I can." With that, Lord Davos bowed. "By your leave." She dismissed him, staring at Corlys as he stood patiently. When Lord Davos left, he muttered, "I do not understand why you keep him around, he is a leech, he would betray you in a minute to Viserys or Gaemon for his own life."
And you wouldn't? She questioned in her mind. Is it me you fight for or the thought of your blood on the Iron Throne? You claim to love me yet you would replace my council with men loyal to you instead. She interlocked her fingers. "I'd prefer if you did not question those I appoint to my council." Corlys nodded, "As you bid your grace. And have you come to a decision about what we discussed yesterday?"
Rhaenys sighed, rubbing her head as she remembered. Corlys had mentioned to her in their bedchambers, an idle suggestion to have Laena go after Vhagar, accompanied by her. She had said she would think over the matter and had hoped to leave it at that. Now it was clear that her husband would not leave the matter alone.
She did not wish to foolishly risk her daughter's life, but she might not have any other choice if she wished to pose a challenge to Viserys and Gaemon. "Laena is just a child." She reminded her husband and yet he remained resolute, "And she will be a queen, married to Laenor. I do not ask for her to lead armies, but even the threat of Vhagar's dragonfire would keep Viserys and Daemon at bay." He pleaded with her.
Rhaenys felt another headache forming as she weighed her choices, risking her daughter's life or refusing and risking losing the war? Even as a pit formed in her heart, she spoke authoritatively, like she had seen her grandfather speak when he allowed her to watch him hold a meeting with the Small Council, "I give you my permission, I will accompany her and should she fail, I will hopefully be able to take her with me on Meleys before Vhagar..." She did not finish her sentence, the implication hanging in the air.
"Leave. I wish to be alone for a bit." Corlys nodded, turning around and walking out of the door all the while Rhaenys stared at the dagger, eying the Valyrian runes upon it, wondering why her father had gifted it to her, telling her that when he returned from Tarth, he would explain to her about Aegon's dream, of why he had truly conquered Westeros.
He had died before he could, leaving her with more questions than answers. Mayhaps Gaemon knew. She would ask him if she ever captured him. Or if he captured her, her mind whispered as she nicked her finger, blood dripping down the dagger