1 Rhaella

Queen Rhaella Targaryen knelt at the altar, surrounded by statues of the Seven, her prayers echoing off the ancient stone walls. Light shone through the stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the marble floor and illuminating the room alongside the flames from countless candles.

Her prayers were desperate.

"Gentle Mother, protector of the innocent," Rhaella whispered, her eyes closed as she envisioned the faces of the divine statues around her. "Shield my son, Rhaegar, and grant him the strength to survive this ordeal."

She shifted slightly, lifting her gaze to the Warrior's stern visage. "Warrior, lend your sword to my son. Guide his hand so that he may achieve victory." Her prayers continued to the rest of the gods. Rhaegar had left a month ago, and according to reports received a few days earlier, he was soon to give battle to the rebels. In all the three hundred years her family had ruled Westeros, there had never been a rebellion as large as this. Even the Dance of dragons, the most destructive war during their rule was a civil war.

Her thoughts then shifted from her firstborn to her youngest. Viserys had been her source of worry since he fell in the gardens a week ago. He had recovered quickly, but the incident had nearly broken her. She had lost many children until her sweet little Viserys was born; these events along with that of the last year had renewed her fears that her family was cursed. The Targaryen lineage, though storied and powerful, seemed ensnared by misfortune and tragedy in recent decades.

She slowly rose from her kneeling position, trying to suppress the pain in her arms and legs. The pieces of cloth she used to cover her injuries had become unwrapped, the marks on her hands stinging as she quickly rewrapped them. Aerys was not pleased when Viserys fell; he had the maid assigned to Viserys burned, an act she dreaded not only for its horror but also for what Aerys would do to her afterward . She would scream and beg for him to stop as he had his way with her, but no one would heed her pleas.

She slowly made her way out of the sept, her body aching with each step deciding to spend the rest of the day with Viserys, she navigated the silent corridors of the Red Keep towards his chambers. 

Something had changed in her son ever since he woke from the fall; no one else had noticed, but to her, his recent behavior was increasingly alarming. The once happy and carefree boy was now tinged with nervous energy; he was restless and seemed paranoid about everything he even looked at her like a stranger. Rhaella couldn't shake the gnawing fear that history was repeating itself. 

The transformation in Aerys after Duskendale was drastic; was Viserys exhibiting early signs of the madness that claimed his father? Was the fall the cause of this change? Even the way he spoke had changed sometimes he spoke strange words she did not understand. The thought of madness claiming her son quickened her heartbeat, it pounded against her chest like a war drum. With each step toward her son's chambers, Rhaella wrestled with dark thoughts. Upon arriving, she found it strange that the guard was not opening the door for her. She wondered, had Aerys forbidden her from seeing her son as well?

"My Queen," the guard said, bowing, his expression fearful.

"Open the door. I wish to see my son," she commanded.

"My Queen," he began, hesitating as if unsure how to proceed. "Prince Viserys is not here. He... he snuck out earlier."

"Then why are you still here?" Rhaella demanded, her anger rising.

"I found him, my Queen," the guard answered, trembling. "He was with Princess Elia. She commanded me to return."

Without a word, Rhaella turned and walked in the opposite direction. Arriving at Elia's chambers, she encountered a scene that momentarily dispelled any fears she had for her son. Viserys and Rhaenys were playing, surrounded by toy dragons. Their laughter and chatter filled the room. Viserys picked up one of the dragons, waving it in the air as he narrated a story of Aegon the Conqueror to his niece, who listened intently.

Elia, holding little Aegon, looked up as Rhaella entered, greeting her with a respectful nod. "Your Grace," Elia said, her voice gentle, acknowledging the queen's presence with a serene smile.

"Viserys," Rhaella called out softly.

Viserys looked up, his face lighting up with a smile upon seeing his mother. "Mother!" he exclaimed. "I was telling Rhaenys about the Conqueror," he added.

"Egg," Rhaenys interjected.

"No, Rhaenys. Aegon, not Egg," Viserys corrected her.

"Egg," Rhaenys repeated stubbornly.

"Fine, Egg it is then," Viserys conceded, laughing.

Elia let out a small laugh at their antics, and Rhaella, too, found herself smiling, relieved to see Viserys acting like his normal self.

Rhaella sat next to her Good-daughter, watching their children play and laugh, carefree in their little world.

"Has Ashara sent word?" Rhaella broke the silence. Elia had sent Ashara away as the news of the rebellion reached the Red Keep, and also after finding out she was pregnant, Rhaella didn't know who the father was. However, Elia had confided in her that she thinks it was one of the Stark brothers, as Ashara had not even told her who it was.

"Yes, she has arrived safely at Starfall," Elia answered.

"Good," Rhaella said, as silence once again enveloped them.

"Elia, about Rhaegar…" Rhaella began.

"He will be victorious, Your Grace. I have no doubt," Elia interjected, her voice devoid of emotion. She held little Aegon tighter, her gaze landing on her daughter on the floor, laughing.

"Did he tell you about what…" Rhaella attempted to ask again but was interrupted.

"He was so disappointed that day when the maester told him I could not bear another child. He needed more heirs, for the prophecy, he said. That's when he…" Elia's voice trailed off, her eyes distant.

Rhaella remained silent. She had not believed it when Brandon Stark arrived in King's Landing, accusing her son of absconding with his sister, demanding him to come out and die. When Aerys imprisoned him, it was the only time she agreed with her brother. How dare this barbarian accuse her son of such a vile deed, her dutiful, valiant son who was risking his life to dethrone his own father the king to save her and his children? But all that changed when Rhaegar returned to King's Landing. She knew he had done it when she saw the look on his face as he faced Elia. Her heart had shattered knowing what her son had done the son she thought to be perfect.

She let out a mirthless laugh. It seemed her son shared his father's madness, albeit in a different manner. Like her father and grandfather before him, he had fallen into the trap of prophecy and grand destiny, believing his actions justified by the future he envisioned.

"The prince who was promised," Rhaella finished for her.

Elia nodded.

Rhaella was about to speak but was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Enter," she called out, her voice steady.

Ser Jaime Lannister stepped into the room, his white cape billowing behind him, his golden armor gleaming in the soft light of the room.

"Your Graces," he began his expression was unreadable but Rhaella could see sadness in his eyes "the king demands your presence in the throne room immediately"

Rhaella's brow furrowed in concern. "Do you know the reason for this summons, Ser Jaime?" she inquired, her anxiety increasing.

Ser Jaime did not meet her eyes;he could never meet her eyes; he simply repeated the king's command again. As Rhaella and Elia prepared to leave, Ser Jaime chimed in once more.

"The king has also commanded that Prince Viserys, Aegon, and Princess Rhaenys be brought as well," he said, further clarifying his commands.

Rhaella felt a cold shiver run down her spine at the mention of the children. "Why has he asked for the children?" she asked, her voice tight with barely contained fear.

Ser Jaime's gaze finally met hers, a rare occurrence. "I have no answers for you, my Queen. The king gave the command, and I dare not question him further," he responded, his voice low.

Elia, who had been silent, now spoke. "We shall come with the children, Ser Jaime. Give us a moment."With a nod, Jaime stepped aside, allowing Rhaella and Elia to gather Viserys, Aegon, and Rhaenys. 

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Jaime led the silent, solemn procession through the Red Keep's opulent yet cold corridors. Only the soft clinks of Ser Jaime's armor and the sounds of little Rhaenys and Aegon were present. The walk to the throne room was tense for Rhaella, each step heavy with dread. She knew what news awaited her, but she chose not to think of it. Viserys, Rhaella noted, was strangely silent; usually, he would run ahead whenever they received a summons from his father. 

As they reached the throne room, the massive doors swung open, revealing King Aerys II Targaryen perched upon the Iron Throne. His form seemed to blend with the jagged contours of the throne, his expression dark. His eyes then met hers, sending a wave of dread through Rhaella's heart. She recognized that look, a precursor to madness and fury, she braced herself for the storm to come.

"Ah, here she comes, my weak wife who whelped me a weak son," Aerys said, venom dripping from every word.

"My king," Rhaella said bowing, her voice trembling slightly. She knew what he was about to say but would not believe it until she heard it.

With a voice that echoed like thunder through the hall, Aerys declared, "Rhaegar is dead!" Rhaella felt her knees give way as she fell to the ground. Elia quickly caught hold of her, and Jaime came to help her as well. Aerys, unbothered, continued his hate-filled tirade against Rhaegar.

His words cut through the air, each one laden with scorn and malice. "He thought he could usurp me, take the throne for himself. Now look, he could not even defeat a weak stag; he was no dragon," Aerys sneered. "A TRAITOR! A COWARD! A FAILURE!" he roared.

His gaze then fell on Rhaella, weeping in Elia's arms. "Stop your weeping," Aerys commanded. "Your tears will not bring him back. It will not change the fact that Rhaegar was weak."

Then his eyes landed on Viserys. "Your brother is dead, Viserys. Killed by the traitor, Robert Baratheon."

"Aerys, please," Rhaella begged. Her gaze fell on Viserys; he had no tears in his eyes, and for a split second, she thought she saw a small smile on his face. No, no, he was afraid, in shock; he does not understand what is going on, she reasoned.

Aerys continued his rant, railing against those he perceived as traitors and lamenting Rhaegar's weakness.

"He was always weak... weak and traitorous…" he kept muttering.

Then he turned his attention back to Rhaella. "You and Viserys will prepare to leave for Dragonstone. We must ensure the survival of our line."

Rhaella was confused. Only her and Viserys? What of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys? "And what of Elia and her children?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aerys's response was cold. "She will stay. The fate of her and her Dornish brood is yet to be decided."

Rhaella quickly accepted the decree; years of abuse had rendered her compliant, her spirit crushed by his madness long ago. She saw Viserys looking at Rhaenys, his expression alarmed, and to her shock, he ran towards the throne, freed from her grasp. She tried to call out to him, but no voice came from her mouth.

"Father, can Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon come with us, please? I would be all alone…"

Rhaella looked over at Aerys; she saw his anger growing, his face twisting. "You dare question me? Are you following in your dead brother's footsteps?" his voice thundered through the throne room.

"Please, Father..." her son tried again; she heard Elia gasp from behind her.

She saw Aerys descending from the throne, and for the first time in years, Rhaella found the strength to stand up to Aerys. She ran towards Viserys, putting herself between her son and the approaching king.

"Aerys, no, he is just a child, no, Aerys, no!" Rhaella pleaded, her voice finding strength.

Aerys stood before her, his eyes blazing with fury. "The child is too bold, like his brother, questioning his king's command!"

Rhaella held Viserys close. "He is just a child, Aerys," she repeated.

The king paused, his chest heaving with angry breaths, then turned away sharply, waving his hand dismissively. "Take them away! Have them confined until they are prepared to depart," he commanded, climbing up to the throne. His eyes then fell on Elia and her children. "Confine the Dornish woman and her spawn as well. I will not have your brother turn traitor as well." 

Relief and sorrow mingled in Rhaella's heart as she embraced Viserys, whispering words of comfort to him. They were then escorted out of the throne room. Elia took Viserys's hand and laid a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Viserys," she said with a watery smile.

They were being taken to separate parts of the keep. Rhaenys began to fuss as Viserys was taken away in the other direction.

"Vis, Vis," she called out, trying to go in the direction of her uncle and grandmother. "Worry not, my love, we can see them in the morning," Elia said, trying to comfort her daughter.

"Listen to your mother, Rhaenys," Rhaella said, trying to help her good-daughter as they stopped in the corridors. Rhaenys relented and waved to them as she walked away with Elia. Rhaella knew this might be the last time she would see them. They led her to her chambers, where she broke down crying again, holding on to her son for comfort. She did not know how long she cried, as soon exhaustion took her, leading her to drift off to sleep on the bed still holding on to Viserys.

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A Viserys SI focused on him building a trade empire in Essos