"Aemma!" Viserys proclaimed, raising his cup to a filled hall of his lords and bannermen, they had come from all corners of the realm for this moment "To the Queen!" the celebration of his wife pregnancy, the celebration of what he is confident will be his son, his heir. His Baelon.
"To the Queen!" they all shouted back, sitting at the tables set before them in the large hall, he, Aemma and Rhaenyra were positioned at the head of the hall, upon an elevated dais.
"Come, my lords, let us feast and be merry!" Viserys ordered with a smile on his face, a cheer went up in the room as the attendants began to enjoy themselves in the food and revelry. Viserys placed his hand on Aemma's thigh before moving to place it on her swollen stomach tenderly, looking at her with eyes beaming with pride. "My wife." He said.
Aemma smiled "Lord-Husband."
"It has finally happened, our Baelon will be born, a little brother for our Rhaenyra!" he said, looking over to their daughter who was sat eating her food. "Are you not excited, Rhaenyra?"
"Father, what if it is a girl?" Rhaenyra asked.
Viserys laughed "It will be a boy, I am confident." He replied "And we'll name him after your grandfather, you remember him do you?" Rhaenyra nodded her head. Viserys heart was quickly filled with want.
How I wish you were here to see this…
"If it is a girl, can we name her Visenya?" Rhaenyra asked.
Viserys smiled "If it is a girl then, I was thinking perhaps Helaena?." He said looking turning to Aemma who smiled softly back at him.
"I was thinking maybe Alyssa." She said and Viserys wanted nothing more than to take her in her arms tightly.
"Yes, that would be a splendid name." he whispered loudly to her.
"Your Grace." Came a voice in front of them, they all turned their head to see Daemon with his family, Rhea and their sons who had travelled from Runestone for the feast.
"Ah Daemon! Rhea!" Viserys proclaimed, standing from his seat, walking around the table and quickly embracing the two. "Rhea, good-sister, it is joyous to see you well." He then looked down to their children "Little Baelor, how you have grown."
"Your Grace." Baelor said, bowing his head, at eight name days Viserys could see a young Daemon in his face beneath his Royce features.
"And little Rhaegal." He turned to look at the small boy hiding behind his mother's skirts. "A shy one he is." Viserys smiled. "You two will soon have another cousin to play with, are you excited?"
"Yes, your Grace." Baelor jumped to the answer.
"Good lad." Viserys laughed, reaching down and ruffling his hair.
"Your Grace." Came another voice, they looked to see Rhaenys walking towards them with Laena and Laenor beside her.
"Cousin!" Viserys said "Prince Laenor, Princess Laena." He said to them.
"Your Grace." Her children bowed to him.
"Congratulations, cousin." Rhaenys said, a hand placed on both her children's shoulder.
"It will not be long till we celebrate the union of our houses." Viserys said, looking to Laenor who smiled sheepishly at him. "Laena, you look as beautiful as ever."
"Thank you, your Grace."
"Baelor will be a lucky man." He said, Laena looked towards the boy standing next to Daemon.
"When he comes of age." Daemon quickly spoke, a hand placed on his son's shoulder. "That is still some years away." Viserys had known of his brother's new 'redline' of his children marrying until at least two years past their majority; it disappointed him that Daemon would ruin his chance to his blood on the throne over something so insignificant as two years.
Daemon has many a queer idea as of late.
"Of course, brother." Viserys said, patting him on the back, he looked to Rhaenys "Where is your husband?"
"My Lord-Husband has some business with some of the lords in attendance." Rhaenys, Viserys noticed her eyes shift to Daemon as his to her.
Hm, strange.
"Prince Laenor, how has squiring for Daemon?" Viserys asked, sensing the tensions and wishing to rid it.
"Well, your Grace." Laenor said "I have learnt much from uncle- Prince Daemon." Laenor caught himself. "Ser Darklyn has taught me much, he makes sure to involve both I and Malcolm in anything he does when he can."
"The two make me proud." Daemon said "I could not have asked for better squires." Daemon said.
"Where is this Malcolm?" Viserys said, looking around the room, though in truth he did not know the appearance of this young man.
"He using this time to see his mother and younger brothers." Daemon said.
"I hope that scullery maid's son doesn't give you too much trouble." Viserys said to both Laenor and Daemon, it still perplexed him that Daemon had recommended one of the maid's son as a Kingguard's other squire.
"He is not- trouble, your Grace." Laenor spoke quickly, leaping to his defence "I consider Malcolm a close friend of mine." Viserys noticed Rhaenys face twitched at the statement despite her calm demeanour.
Aemma walked towards them, her hand helped by one of her serving ladies with Rhaenyra alongside her. "Aemma!" Viserys said, quickly taking her hand "You should be seated."
"Please Viserys, I am with child not some pretty doll from Yi-Ti." Aemma remarked, placing a kiss on his cheek "Princess Rhaenys, Cousin." She said. "It is good to see and the Prince and Princess." Smiling at both Laena and Laenor.
"Your Grace." They greeted her. "Congratulations."
"I thank you." Aemma said, placing a hand on her swollen stomach.
"Your Grace, my Queen." Corlys walked towards them from behind Rhaenys and their children, slipping between her and Laenor as he placed a kiss on her head and an arm around his son's shoulders. "Congratulations, we are praying for the safe coming of a new Prince."
"We thank you, Lord Corlys." Viserys said, looking to both him and his cousin.
I wonder, does it disappoint you that your son will soon no longer be heir? Even when it is guaranteed your blood sits the throne.
"I apologise for my late appearance, there were matters I needed to discuss with Lord Redwyne regarding the royal navy." Corlys explained.
"You need not apologise, my Lord." Viserys assured "I know matters of state can be consuming."
"We still have that meeting with the Triarchy to grapple with soon enough." Daemon commented, his eyes looked to the side "Speaking of matters of state, the Lord-Hand and his son and daughter are approaching." They all turned to see Otto, his son Bryndon and daughter Alicent.
"Your Grace." He said, his son and daughter bowing their heads.
"Otto." Viserys smiled "I hope you are enjoying the feast."
"We are, your Grace." Alicent said, she looked to Aemma "Congratulations, I pray for the safe coming of the new Prince."
"Lady Alicent, you grow more beautiful by the day." Viserys said "It surprises me that you are not yet betrothed let alone married!"
Alicent blushed at the remark "My wife and I have received ravens for her hand by many lords, we are considering matches but they shall be good ones."
"I am sure many of those lords are in attendance here, come! Dance! And perhaps say to your children that you had spoken to their father this night."
"I shall, you Grace." Alicent bowed her head.
"It is good that you are all here for this moment, I would say the realm has never been stronger than since the time of our grandsire." Viserys told them proudly.
"Quite, barring the issue of the Triarchy, the realm has never been stronger." Otto agreed.
"What will the scholars write out me, I wonder." Viserys jested. "I doubt I will earn a name such as your 'Sea Snake'" he said to Corlys who smiled at him before taking a sip of his drink.
"They may call you 'Great' your Grace." Corlys said, his tone suggesting more of a jest than sincerity, though Viserys did not mind the jest.
"I would hope so!" he replied, earning a laugh.
"An era of peace may likely be your reign, perhaps… 'The Peaceful?'"
Viserys nodded to the name "Would that make Aemma the Peace Queen?" he said, placing his arm around her.
Viserys 'The Peaceful' Yes I quite like that…
It had been a few weeks since the feast, and already Viserys was wishing he could back to those simpler times; he had always wished to head back to the moments when being King meant he could host tourneys in the yard and feasts in his halls.
Now he had to get into the mud of governance; speaking to belligerent merchants who wished to make his life difficult all for trade and money.
As he walked towards the Small council chambers, his brother and Lord-Hand to his side as Otto explained to them had already been discussed and what had been rejected by both his and delegates' sides, he longed for the comfort of his wife and daughter.
Daemon flicked through his large book of notes.
Gods where did you ever get this hunger to write, Daemon.
He still remembered the brash and confident boy that his brother once was prior to his accident, sometimes he wondered how things would have been had he remained as such.
"The rest of the Small Council should be in the chamber already." Otto told him "I had instructed them to help 'ease' the delegates to your arrival."
"Good, I thank you, Lord Otto." Viserys replied.
"I can only hope Corlys hasn't started a fight with them over the trading routes." Daemon commented "Last thing we need is a stand-off once more."
Outside of the chamber, two kingsguard stood guard, one of them being Otto's son and the more senior and seasoned Erryk Cargyll, his twin standing behind Viserys and his group.
"Your Grace." Myles said, bowing his head "The rest of the Small Council awaits you inside with the delegates.
"Thank you, Ser Myles." Viserys thanked the young man. The two guards opening the door to the chamber. As always those already in the room stood up from their seats at his arrival.
One side sat his councillors and on the other side, the Triarchy delegation.
It is always strange to see their colourful hair…
"Your Grace." The Magister Oro greeted him "It is a pleasure to have your company in these discussions."
"I thank you, Magister." Viserys said as he took his seat at the centre his side "I hope we can come to a resolution today, one that both sides can find amicable."
"Indeed, nothing would please us more." The Archon Syrio spoke, Viserys noticed his eyes drift down the table, towards Corlys.
"Please be seated." Viserys said, everyone taking their seats as the door the chamber was shut. "As I understand it in exchange for lowering of tariffs through the Stepstones what you desire is control over the shipping lanes north in the Narrow Sea."
"That is right, your Grace." Magister Oro replied.
"My friends, the Crown values the efforts of the Triarchy in securing the islands from the pirates, many a sailor and merchant will no doubt prefer them under your stewardship than those lawless bands of pirates." Viserys said, trying to get on their good side "You must understand, we can not allow the Triarchy to have control over those shipping lanes."
"That is regrettable." The Tyroshi lord, Syrio, spoke this time. "We had hoped to come to an agreement."
"We still can." Daemon spoke "You must understand, we can not leave ourselves hostage to any outside nation; you would not leave ourselves at our mercy."
"There were many times in the nations of the Triarchy history where we were left at the mercy of others." The Myrish lord, Releqor said "I recall many times where we sought aid from the nations of Westeros only to be met with silence."
"Those were before, this is now." Otto replied. "We acknowledge the importance and the power of the Triarchy, but we can not allow this."
"If you did then you would not treat us with such contempt, mind me saying that your Grace." Oro said. "We have come with various options and alternatives but each one has been spurned."
"One of which was the Crown allowing you to practice slavery on our shores." Viserys said. "Need I remind you all that both the Seven and the Old Gods of the North abhor the practice."
"Coin knows no religion." Releqor commented.
"Putting that aside, we have not heard of any compromise solutions from the Crown." Syrio said. "You ask for lower tariffs but ask that no other costs be incurred while we patrol the waters and clean them of pirates."
"Many a sailor and merchants are said to prefer the pirates to the Triarchy's hold." Corlys said, Viserys grimaced; he knew about the animosity between the Sea Snake and the Triarchy.
"Hold, Lord Corlys." Viserys spoke quickly "Lord Lyman, please."
"We do have a compromise." Lyman said "While we can not allow your total control over the shipping from Pentos to north of the Narrow Sea, the crown is more than willing to share the burden of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea's defence." He turned his head to Corlys who stayed silent "The royal fleet can plan joint works with the Triarchy."
This is a good compromise, they care about their money, we will be saving them the trouble.
"Do you believe us to be fools?" the Archon said "Do you believe that we would allow foreign ships around the shores of our domain? Allow HIS ships near the islands?" he said looking at Corlys, who continued to listen. "Would you allow Tyroshi or Lyseni soldiers on your shores? No? Then why would you believe we would accept the Crown's ships near our ports."
"Perhaps we could subsidise the costs that the Triarchy carries in the islands defence?" Viserys suggested.
"The money you would pay us would still not cover or make it worth our time than what we gain now." Syrio replied.
"Perhaps you should speak plainly." Corlys spoke "What you wish is control; the Iron throne, the lords, merchants and smallfolk all buy and trade from the Triarchy, it makes you wealthy and you desire not to surrender that."
"Do you not feel the same way? Sea Snake?" Oro asked, almost mockingly. "No, we shall not allow the Crown's ships by our shores, we can protect what we had gained without your aid."
Viserys gritted his teeth.
Grandfather, what would you do?
"The Crown's stubbornness on this issue hampers the talks." Releqor said "If you refuse to compromise on this issue then perhaps we should raise the tariffs."
"Insolents bastards!" Corlys exclaimed, standing from his seat.
"This is uncalled for." Daemon spoke this time "You know full well why we cannot acquiesce to your demands; we have tried to find a way around this, to meet you all halfway, but this is beyond ridiculous!"
"What is ridiculous is the throne's demands." Oro said, he looked at Viserys "You may claim dominion over the Seven Kingdoms through Dragons but Essos has been free of the dragons for many generations." The delegates got up from the table "We have spent years here, no longer, it is clear that an agreement cannot be reached, I wish you the best, Your Grace."
Viserys could only watch, trying to hold back his rage and frustration with the delegation.
"Wait!" Daemon exclaimed "If you walk out of that door then you may as well risk a conflict!"
"We know. We are aware." Syrio said. "We thank you for the warning, Prince Daemon." Viserys saw Daemon almost step back in shock. As the delegation left the small council chamber, leaving them alone.
"Bastards." Otto said. "Greedy bastards."
"Damn it all." Viserys said, pressing his fingers against his head, the crown feeling heavy upon his brow. "All of you are dismissed, we shall discuss the repercussions of this at a later time." Viserys looked at his brother, he wanted to comfort him; distraught writ deep within his face as he left the room with the others.
All except Corlys.
"You are dismissed, Lord Corlys." Viserys said.
"Forgive me, your Grace." He said "But I do perhaps have an alternative this issue we face."
"One that you could not bring up moments ago?"
"I am confident they will not have liked it." Corlys said "No one in the chamber at least."
Viserys scratched his chin "Go on."
"What if I told you we could take the Stepstones from the Triarchy."
Viserys scoffed "War is what you suggest? The Crown take up arms."
"Not the Crown." Corlys said "Just an alliance of houses, all of which have a vested interest in kicking those greedy leeches out of the Stepstones."
Viserys stayed silent contemplating "And what would you require? Money, soldiers or more?"
"Only what was promised in the treaty, the support of the crown."
Grandfather… what would you say?
"We shall discuss this more after the birth of my son." Viserys said, he did not know how Jaehaerys would have handled this; mayhaps an idea shall come to him upon the birth of his child. At least that was what he hoped.
"Your Grace." Corlys bowed his head.
The weeks had gone by; many a word, plans and idea brought up regarding the Triarchy, governance and such discussed. When the day he had been waiting for came, the day he prayed for. The midwives and Maester Runciter had rushed his Aemma into her bedroom, closing the door behind them.
Viserys sat in his solar as he waited for the news of the birth; even through his confidence, he still felt the nerves and fear that seeped into his mind and body.
I should see Rhaenyra.
He got up from his desk and left his solar, Ser Westerling trailing his path as he walked from his home. He had made his way to the gardens when he spotted Rhaenyra with her cousins, Alicent and Daemon, sitting under the shade of the Godswood. He looked to be telling the young ones with Laena, Laenor and Alicent sitting around holding them.
"Your Grace!" Laenor spotted him, the others stood up and bowed before him.
"Please, do not stop on my account." He smiled at them. "I see you still taken with story telling brother."
"Well I hear I am quite the story teller." He said looking to the others who watched him. "I was just telling them about the story of Troy; the story before the Odyssey, which is Laena and Laenor's favourite story."
"I would love to read it once I have the time." Viserys said "Mayhaps to little Baelon when he arrives."
"How is her Grace?" Alicent asked, Rhaenyra sat in her lap, crafting a crown from flowers.
"I do not know yet, last I heard she is still in her labours but with Maester Runciter and Daemon's new creation, I know she is in great hands."
"That is good to hear, we are all praying for her." Laena said.
"Thank you, my dear." Viserys smiled softly.
"Your Grace!" a servant called to him, catching his attention "The Grand Maester has called for you."
This is it.
Viserys quickly rushed into through the Red Keep, his Kingsguard behind him as he reached until he reached the door to her apartments. Myles Hightower guarding the door who greeted him.
"Your Grace, the Queen-"
The Door open "Your Grace." Runciter spoke.
"Maester, my wife… my son, are they?"
The Maester swallowed slightly before stepping outside "The birth was… difficult for the Queen; the nursemaids are trying their best to stop the bleeding but we fear it mayhaps have been too much for her."
Viserys heart sank through the floor and into hell, his body slackening at the news "Is she-"
"The Queen is still alive."
"And my son?"
"The Queen had given birth to a daughter." He told Viserys "Thanks to the forceps we need not consider the worse option but… I fear she is now too weak."
A weak mummer escaped Viserys' lips "My- my daughter" the words sounded strange to his ears "Is she well?"
"The nursemaids care for her, she is well." Runciter told him "She sleeps in a cradle by her mother."
"I must see- I must she them." Runciter moved out of the way as Viserys quickly ran into the room. The room smelled sickly sweet, trying to mask the scent of death.
When he saw his Aemma on the bed, lying still looking at a cradle beside her. Viserys timidly walked towards them; first looking at his daughter fast asleep. He had longed for a son and yet his heart melted at the sight of her.
Little Alyssa…
"Viserys…" He could hear weak her breathing was, he turned to her.
By the Gods…
The sheets that covered her were almost soaked in blood and she was deathly pale, every breath looked to be laboured. He quickly took a seat next to her and held her hand.
"Our daughter…" she murmured "Viserys I- forgive me I could not-"
"Rest now, Aemma." Viserys told her "All is well, she is well."
"I am so tired, Viserys…"
Viserys gentle caressed her cheek "You have done well, my love." He smiled at her, fighting back the tears in his eyes and pain in his heart.
Aemma smiled weakly back at him before shutting her eyes. Viserys opened his mouth, his voice sounding distant and timid.
"Aemma?"