Outlines are training wheels some people never take off and that's fine. some writers need every scene mapped before they start. some discover everything as they go. most are somewhere in between. try both. maybe you need bullet points of major beats but improvise the rest. maybe you need character sheets but a loose plot. maybe you just need vibes and a playlist. your outline can be one sentence per chapter or a 50 page document. it can change completely when you actually write. plans are permission to start. they're not contracts. break them when the story demands it.
Chapter Two: Consequences, a Possible Betrothal Proposal and Childbirth
Authorâs Note: We see King Viserys in the Thorne Room
Mother and daughter have a conversation
Rhaenyra begins the start of her birth with Joffrey
Heyo! I am back with another chapter of A Game of Hearts and Flames! Whoo!
We are almost there with episode 6 where the story really kicks off with the plots and Valaenaâs story and her relationships with her family and Aegon and Iâm really excited!
As always I do not own anything from the House of the Dragon fandom, just my OC and plots!
Ooo! I also wanted to give a huge shoutout to someone who has been helping me brainstorm my story! Theyâve been amazing and we randomly found each other after I had posted on Reddit lol so I just want to say thank you to InneadInkWell youâve been amazing (:
Also, I still do not have a beta reader though I did my best with editing using the word document editor tool (:
WP: Curlybookwriter94
A03: Curlybookwriter94
âI will hear the truth about what happened in Godswood.â Valaenaâs grandfather, King Viserys, said authoritatively in the throne room, hunched over on the Iron Throne.
Her grandfather had been feeling ill for as long as Valaena could remember. Always hunched over on the Iron Throne, with a cane that helps him walk. Her grandmother, Queen Alicent Hightower, was standing at her husbandâs side along with her sworn protector Ser Criston Cole and the Hand of the King, Lyonel Strong.
The Queen was visibly angry at Valaena. She may have looked calm on the outside, but her chest that was covered in a deep green dress with a seven-pointed star hanging from her neck was rising with each breath that she would take the more she sneered at her.
âStop playing with your nose,â Valaena heard Aemond said from her right.
The Velaryon siblings were standing on one side of the room with her mother and father standing with them, while the Hightower siblings were on the other side of the room, keeping them separated. There were a few Kingsguard present in the large Great Hall of the Red Keep. She noticed a few familiar faces among the Kingsguards, the Lord Commander, Ser Harwin Strong, along with the Cargyll twins, and Rickard Thorne.
âSpeak!â The King yelled, looking around the room, making her jump when no one said anything.
âIâ âValaena started, shifting in her spot when her grandfather looked at her with his tired purple eyes, âAegon was making fun of Helaena, and I punched him on the nose in her defense.â
It was not a false truth. Aegon was making fun of Helaena, but she knew that if she were to speak the true reason about what Aegon said, it could be treason, meaning her uncle may be punished because of it. She may have disliked him, but she wasnât a total monster.
She stole a look at Aegon, who returned her stare with a shocked expression on his face before turning away. Mayhaps it would be him apologizing to her instead. She smirked at herself.
âIs she speaking true?â her grandfather asked, casting his stare to his youngest daughter from the Iron Throne.
Valaena looked over at the nervous Helaena who was standing close to Aemond, who only nodded at her father. She sucked in her breath when the King looked at her once more.
âValaena, I appreciate you for defending your aunt when needed. And you should not be responsible for Aegonâs actions.â
Valaena looked to see the Queen narrow her gaze at her before placing a hand on her husbandâs shoulder. âShe punched Aegonâs nose, husband,â she bristles, frowning at Valaena. âHer temper is out of control! She needs to face the consequences of harming a Prince.â
âShe was defending my sister,â her mother countered, placing a warm motherly hand on Valaenaâs shoulder, squeezing it tightly.
âYour daughter has a history of losing her temper. Am I wrong, Princess Rhaenyra?â The Queen asks hotly, pursing her lips together.
âOnly when provoked, protecting others around her,â her mother says defensively.
âEnough!â
Valaena flinched at the sound of her grandfatherâs loud voice, startling both her mother and the Queen into silence. She feels her father, Laenor, grabbing her hand, squeezing it gently as he stood next to her. She also feels her mother grabbing her other hand, running her fingers smoothly over her worn knuckles, the same one that she used to punch her uncle on his nose.
âMy wife,â he said to her quietly with a small cough, turning on his head to look at her. âYou will manage Aegon as you see fit and make him apologize to his sister. This is the end of discussion.â
The Queen inclines her head, and everyone bowed as the King slowly got up from the Iron Throne, with the help of his Hand. No one moved until the King and The Hand disappeared from the Great Hall and the Velaryon and Hightower families went their separate ways. Valaena stole a final glance at her older uncle, who was held up by Aemond by wrapping his arm around his shoulders while Aegon was picking at the wrapping that is covering his nose. As if sensing her iliac stare, he turns his head to the side, narrowing his own deep pools of purple, at least he tries to, but not without a flinch.
Valaena shivers at his stare as she walks with her family hand in hand with her mother and father out of the Great Hall and to her motherâs royal apartments at Maegorâs Holdfast across the courtyard. The sun was slowly setting around them, casting a deep orange glow around the hustle and bustle from the people of the Red Keep.
She knows that she should be afraid of her uncle. He was known for drowning in his cups of Arbor red and starting fights at the training yard. Not to mention he had a scandalous reputation with women. He was only three and ten and already considered as a spoiled Prince with a quick temper, while hers were more on the lesser side unless she was provoked enough which can get her into trouble just as it did in Godswood. She needs to be wary of him even though she could handle him herself.
âWho taught you that left hook?â Her father asks quietly. âIt certainly wasnât me.â
âOh,â Valaena mumbled sheepishly, biting the inside of her cheek with her bottom teeth. âIt kind of,â she paused as she replayed the event in her head, shuttering, âhappened. I did not mean to, I swear!â She tells Laenor when he gives her a look of concern.
âYou were only defending yourself,â Laenor reminded her warmly, bringing her closer to his side in a hug. âYou didnât do anything wrong.â
Even though he said that to her, it did not make her any better. It just made her feel worse on the inside.
âIâm sorry, mother.â Valaena said when the family reached inside her motherâs apartments, watching Rhaenyra as she groans when she sits down on a chaise, fanning herself with a hand. âI know that I promisedâ â
She paused when Rhaenyra held up a hand to silence her. Rhaenyra looked around her. âI wish to speak to my daughter,â she finally said then, looking around at the men standing around in her apartments. âAlone.â
Valaena could feel her stomach churn anxiously as she watched Laenor lean down to kiss the crown of her Rhaenyraâs head before stepping out of the chamber. Ser Harwin, her motherâs sworn protector, inclined his head at her, guiding everyone out one by one. Jace gives his sister a sympathetic look as he guided Luke out next with her motherâs sworn shield leaving last, closing the door behind him.
âWhat truly happened in Godswood?â her mother asked her, patting her swollen stomach softly with a hand, âI will not tell my father,âShe reassured when Valaena looked visibly shaken.
âItâs not truly a lie,â Valaena replied cautiously, playing with the hems of her purple dress. âThat Aegon was making fun of Helaena.â
Her mother nods solemnly. âNo one quite understands her like you do.â Rhaenyra told her with a small ghost of a smile. âWhat else happened?â
Valaena swallowed a lump that was stuck in her throat. âHe made an implicationâŚâ
âWhat kind of implication?â
âWhenâ âValaena chewed her lower lip with the bottom of her teeth as she retold the story of what happened in Godswood.
She watched the hard expression on her motherâs face when she finished telling the truth of the event in Godswood. Her motherâs violet eyes sharpened when Valaena finished talking, anxiously waiting for her to say something.
âYou love your brothers that much is true,â Rhaenyra said, turning her head towards the open arch windows that overlook the moonlight water of Blackwater Bay. âAlicent loves her children and I love mine and I wish that we could all just live under one unit.â
âIs there anything that I can do to fix this?â Valaena mumbled, using an arm to wrap herself with the other. âThis is my fault.â
âCome here,â Rhaenyra commanded softly, opening her arms in a gesture to have Valaena step in them carefully with her knees touching the stone floor beneath them. âYou may not understand it now, but when you are a woman grown, I hope you do.â
âWhat do you mean?â Valaena asked, her voice muffled from her motherâs red and black dress. She could feel her motherâs soft hand touching her hair, making her eyes close at her touch.
âI haveââ Rhaenyra trailed off, making Valaena look at her, wondering what she was thinking about. She could see her face wrinkled with worry; her eyes flickered into something unreadable while she was thinking about what to say next. âSome ideas on how to bring our families closer.â
Valaena blinked up at her mother, scrunching her brows in confusion. âWhat sort of ideas?â she asks slowly with a sniffle.
âIn the beginning,â Rhaenyra told her, looking down at Valaena. âI had a betrothal in mind between you and Jace. You and your brother would be ruling the Seven Kingdoms side by side as King and Queen.â
Valaena pursed her lips at the idea. Was that why Jace has been acting weird towards her as of late? Because of a betrothal between them? Jace is set to rule the Iron Throne one day, it would make sense for him to be betrothed to someone especially to Valaena because it was customary for Targaryenâs to marry each other to keep their bloodline pure.
Valaena tries to imagine herself being married to Jace but could not picture it quite clearly, but if her mother did decide to marry them, she would not have a choice but to follow her duty as a Princess and a daughter to the Kingâs heir. She held her breath when she noticed her mother looking at her with a curious expression on her face.
âI firmly believe it would be an appropriate idea for a betrothal between Jace and Helaena,â Rhaenyra said thoughtfully with a sigh. âAnd you, my sweet girl,â she says motherly, using a hand to stroke Valaenaâs cheek. âI believe your betrothal match should be with Daeron. It would bring our two houses united that way.â
Valaena bit the inside of her cheek at her motherâs idea. Uncle Daeron, the youngest child between the King and Queen, is the second kindest person from their children. Helaena was her favorite and her second was Daeron. She placed her tongue to the roof of her mouth, as she continued to think about her uncles and aunt. Aemond does have a soft side, but it is different from Helaena and Daeron. She is not as close to him as she was with her aunt and uncle, and most certainly not close with Aegon.
It could be possible to imagine herself being married to Daeron. He is kind and gentle, and a bit of a charmer. During the late autumn season, as the youngest son, he went away in Oldtown to squire for Lord Hightower. Ever since then, she has missed his presence around the Red Keep.
âWhat are you thinking, my Valaena?â Her mother asks, bringing her back from her inner thoughts.
âIf I have to marry Daeron,â Valaena commented slowly, clearing her throat while shifting in her motherâs arms. âThen Iâll happily do it.â
Her mother smiled with satisfaction. âI know you would, my sweet girl,â she said, leaning down to kiss her on the cheeks. âIâll bring it up to the Queen whenâah!â
Valaena moves away to see Rhaenyra closing her eyes tightly in pain while she grabs her stomach. Rhaenyra stood up from the chaise just when a pool of water spilled onto the stone floor, shocking them both.
âGo,â her mother says in a shaky voice as she winces in pain, âwith Ser Harwin and get the midwives.â
Valaena tries to move closer to her, but Rhaenyra shook her head. âValaena! Go! Ah!â
Valaena flinched and rushed to the door, using a hand to unlatch the lock. She glanced back when she hears her mother yell in pain once more before stepping out to see Ser Harwin standing at his post.
âWhat is it, Princess?â Ser Harwin asked her in a neutral tone.
Before Valaena could respond, her mother yells again, making both her and her motherâs sworn protector look inside the chamber to see her pacing around in circles while holding her stomach.
âIs sheâ âSer Harwin paused and Valaena nodded in response. âWhat does she need?â
âI want my fucking midwives! Ah!â
The Lord Commander and the Velaryon Princess quickly leave her motherâs chambers in haste without command again. Valaena could feel herself heavily breathing the more she ran with Ser Harwin beside her throughout the corridors, ignoring the whispers and stares as she was more focused on her mother.
Her thoughts were running wild when they finally found the midwives, instructing them what needed to be done by her mother specifically.
When they returned to her motherâs chambers, her mother was still pacing around. Her chest was heaving with each breath she took when two midwives guided her onto the bed, laying her down gently with pillows behind her to make her comfortable.
âGo tell my husband.â Rhaenyra instructed Ser Harwin in a whimper.
Ser Harwin left the chamber with an incline of his head, closing the door behind him.
âValaena, Valaena,Valaena,â her mother says repeatedly while the midwives prepped her with water and towels, talking with one another.
âIâm here,â Valaena says, rushing to stand near Rhaenyraâs side, holding her hand tightly. âIâm here.â She lifts her motherâs hand to kiss each of her knuckles.
âStay with me,â Rhaenyra pleaded, licking her lips. âDonât leave.â She whispered.
âI wonât.â Valaena promised.
She knew that her mother was petrified at giving birth. She was so afraid when Luke was born and Valaena stood by her side while her mother screamed with each push. It was long and drawn out, it was later in the day when Luke finally showed up to the world.
Valaena knew it would be the same with the babe and knew that she needed to stay by her motherâs side.
She will never leave her motherâs side, no matter how long this birth will take.
Places/Situations for your characters to wake up in after passing out
Got drugged, hit over the head, exhausted or just had a bit too much to drink? Doesn't always need to end up predictable! Have it lead into your character's next adventure!
on the floor of their room, with no idea how they got there
back home in their bed... and someone is sitting next to the bed
in a cage
in a random side alley with a cat or rat sniffing them
in the middle of the woods, with no further information on where they are
tied up in a dungeon
in an extremely expensive hotel that they definitely would not be able to afford
on a bench at a bus station with commuters giving awkward side glances and a random woman offering aspirin
on a dirty mattress in a typical, creepy basement with a single lightbulb and a genuinely nice guy who lives there and just sucks at interior design
in a freshly dug grave
at a human sacrifice... but as sacrifice or attendant?
in a well, with locals in the process of trying to fish them out
to rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor in a hospital room
in a stable, with a farmer poking them with a pitchfork and asking what they are doing here
Instead of trying to fill paragraphs describing everything, choose one or two things that breathe.
⢠The way the floorboards creak in one specific spot
⢠A stain on the ceiling no one acknowledges
⢠A flickering light that makes gives everyone a slight headache
⢠The smell of something burnt and forgotten
⢠A crooked family photo
⢠Dust in the sunlight
⢠A cracked mug someone refuses to throw away
⢠The hum of an appliance in silence
⢠A chair that wobbles
⢠A window that should open, but doesn't
⢠Shoes lined up too neatly
⢠A plant flourishing, or showing signs of obvious neglect
⢠The sound of neighbors arguing
⢠A clock thatâs slightly off
Specificity creates immersion, not necessarily paragraphs. One good detail can carry a scene.
Weâve done lip biting to death... Letâs evolve.
⢠Eyes flicking to someoneâs mouth mid-sentence
⢠Forgetting what they were about to say
⢠Leaning in unconsciously
⢠Mirroring posture without realizing
⢠Smiling at something that wasnât that funny
⢠Adjusting hair or clothes when the other person enters
⢠Noticing and remembering details no one else bothers to
⢠A pause before pulling their hand away
⢠Shoulders softening
⢠Looking away first and then back again
⢠Swallowing before speaking
⢠Voice lowering slightly
⢠Turning their body fully toward the other person
⢠A delayed reaction to a touch
Summary: Valaena Velaryon, the daughter of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon, and sheâll do anything to protect herself as well as though around her especially her brothers.
Sheâs the daughter to the Heir of the Iron Throne, which comes with responsibilities such as an arrange marriage in hopes to bring their families together as one unit. She was prepared at the thought of marriage with Daeron, the one she doesnât mind, but what she wasnât prepared for was Aegon. Someone who she strongly dislikes.
But in order to survive she has to play the part, even if that meant getting along with Aegon, but could he actually be trying? Could she see actually see herself falling for him? All the while things are changing, her thoughts are changing and she has to decide for herself if sheâs willing to betray those around her when things turn into fire and blood.
They both know that they have a part to play in other peopleâs games, if they stick together maybe they can survive the games of hearts and flames. Will those games tear them apart? Or bring them to victory? Will it bring love? Or will it bring pain and suffering?
Everyone could hear the screams of agony throughout the darkened halls of the Red Keep. It would be loud at first and then it would muffle before it resumes after a minute or so.
AN: Iâve been posting my HOTD story across WP and A03 and Iâm finally getting around to posting it on tumblr so I truly hope you guys will enjoy it on here!! Thank you for reading and let me know what you guys think!
A03: curlybookwriter94
WP: curlybookwriter94
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen was holding onto the silk ropes that was given to her as she pushed and pushed when the midwives tell her it was safe to do so. She closed her purple eyes tightly as the pain of birth was seeping throughout her body. It was not about a year before she was in this very same birthing chamber where she gave birth to her firstborn son Jacaerys Velaryon, who was now one year of age.
âI can see the head, my Princess.â One of the leading midwives says as she crowds around Rhaenyra, âI need you to do a big push for me,â she instructed, looking up at her from underneath the blankets that were shielding her lower body, âcan you do that, Your Grace?â
It was the same midwife that helped birthed her son the year before and Rhaenyra knew that she was an expert at helping royal women giving birth. She even helped the Queen with hers.
âOne more push?â Rhaenyra questioned breathlessly, wincing at the pain that shoots through her body. âAre you telling the truth?â
The midwife nodded with a smile. âYes, Your Grace,â she responds truthfully, bending down to reach into the Princessâs folds. âPush!â
Rhaenyra closed her eyes tightly as she got ready to follow instructions, holding onto the silk ropes with her hands as she pushes as hard as she could as her body allows.
When the Targaryen Princess found out that she was with child again, she was confident that this time this child belongs to her husband Laenor Velaryon. The two had tried to lay with each other before Jace was born but knew Laenor would rather much be with a knight than with a Princess, so she finds herself in the arms of the Lord Commander Harwin Strong.
Jacaerys Velaryon came into the world with pale skin, and brown eyes. Instead of silver hair, which would show his Targaryen and Velaryon linage, his head was full of deep brown curly hair. After his birth, Rhaenyra was worried that no one would believe that it was Laenorâs legitimate child, especially after Queen Alicent who wanted to see the babe right after his birth. She still recalls the way the Queenâs face twisted as she looked down on the babe in her arms.
There were whispers of course throughout the court, but her father, the King, had put a stop to it, threatening to cut out tongues if anyone questions about the legitimacy of her child.
Rhaenyra practically begged her husband to at least try to conceive a child with her so the rumors can finally stop about her son Jace. After moons of trying, she was not surprised at all when she missed her moon blood, or when the maester poked and prodded her to announce that she was indeed with child again.
She hopes that the child that she was pushing out of her body would look like Laenor. She hopes that the child will have silvery locs of hair, and purple eyes that would be a mixture of the Targaryen and Velaryon bloodline so the rumors of Jace being a bastard would stop. All she wanted was to perform her martial duties and then go back to the person that she cares about most.
Rhaenyra gasped in shock when a shrill of cries interrupts her deepest thoughts, sighing as she takes breaths to calm her nerves as she watches the midwives clean her child with a cloth and water. She tried her best to see what the babe looked like but could not because of the crowd of midwives that was surrounding the babe, whispering among themselves.
âYour Grace,â the main midwife says, walking over towards Rhaenyra as she holds the babe carefully in her arms. âItâs a girl,â she says, leaning down to gently pass the babe over to Rhaenyra, âcongratulations.â
Rhaenyra laughs with joy at the news. She had always hoped for a girl but did not think it would happen right away so soon after her firstborn son. The Princess reaches out with excitement as the midwife carefully placed the babe in her arms.
âA girl,â she repeated, looking down upon the babe in her arms. She exhales with relief when she took notice of her daughterâs looks. Her daughter had big beautiful purple eyes, and she could see small strands of curly silver hair on top of her head as well as brown skin, very much like her mother and father from both houses. âFetch me my husband,â she commended to one of the servants that was helping the midwives clean up.
âRight away, Your Grace.â
Minutes later, her husband was sitting next to Rhaenyra on the now clean bed, holding the babeâs tiny finger in his hand. âA daughter,â he said in awe, looking at Rhaenyra with a soft look.
âA daughter,â she told him warmly, using a hand to gently touch the now sleeping babe in her arms. âWe did it, Laenor. Thank you.â
âGlad to be of service, my Princess,â Laenor says with a snort, âwhat should we name her?â
âValaena Velaryon,â Rhaenyra decides with finality, smiling at her daughter.
âThe mother of Aegon the Conqueror, Visenya, and Rhaenys,â her husband says with approval. âExcellent name.â
âPardon, Your Graces,â a muffled voice says from the other side of the closed door. âThe Queen would like to enter.â
Rhaenyraâs body shudders, knowing how well that went the first time the Queen wanted to see Jace the minute after heâd exited her womb. She has this feeling that each time she was with child in the future that Alicent would always want to see the babe, checking to see what they look like.
âShe may enter,â Laenor replied coolly, shaking his head, âsome nerve of that Queen,â he muttered close to Rhaenyraâs ear as the door opened.
Queen Alicent Hightower strode into the birthing chamber with her shoulders straight and with her head held high as she smiles at Rhaenyra and Laenor. âCongratulations.â She says with forced politeness. âIs it a boy or a girl?â
Rhaenyra and Laenor exchange a look before Rhaenyra responded. âItâs a girl.â
âMay I?â Alicent asked her, stretching out her arms, brow lifting when Rhaenyra hands the babe to a midwife and then the midwife hands the babe to her arms. âHmm.â
Rhaenyra waited impatiently as Alicent inspects Valaena closely. She watched as Alcientâs brows knitted together and her lips turned into a closed lipped smile as she handed the babe back into the midwifeâs arms and Rhaenyra held Valaena close to her chest when she was returned to her.
âCongratulations again,â Alicent says with a deep sigh. âYour daughter looks like you, Laenor. You must be proud.â
âThank you, my Queen,â Laenor replied with a forceful smile.
âI shall leave you two be then,â Alicent said, leaving Rhaenyra and Laenor alone at last, closing the door softly behind her.
âI swear, that womanâ â
âHush, now Laenor,â Rhaenyra told him tiredly. She could feel her whole body going to sleep due to the long labors of giving birth. âSheâs satisfied at least.â
âBut you know that it will not stop after Valaena. You know that donât you?â Laenor told her worriedly.
âI know, I know,â Rhaenyra responded, her eyes growing heavy with each breath.
âValaena Velaryon.â Laenor said in a whisper, looking down at his daughter who was sleeping soundly in her motherâs arms. âSheâs so beautiful. Isnât she Laenor?â
âVery beautiful indeed.â Rhaenyra agreed tiredly, finally closing her eyes with Valaena in her arms.
°Ëâ´ SHOW THE EVIDENCE, not the time!! don't say "three months later" and have everything exactly the same. Show the evidence: the houseplant is dead now, there's a new coffee shop, their hair is longer, the season changed, the relationship shifted
°Ëâ´ People don't pause their lives!! during your time skip, other characters didn't freeze. They got new jobs, started dating someone, developed opinions, had experiences. When we come back, there should be GAPS in what your POV character knows
°Ëâ´ Anchor it with a CONCRETE detail!! "The last time she'd been in this room, there'd been snow on the ground. Now the garden outside was screaming with roses." Give the reader something tangible to mark the passage
°Ëâ´ What DIDN'T happen is interesting!! "Six weeks and still no word from him" or "Another year of birthday candles she didn't make wishes on" sometimes the time skip is defined by absence and waiting
°Ëâ´ Compress boring stuff, expand important stuff!! "The trial took three months" can be one sentence. But the five minutes after the verdict? That might be three pages. TIME IS ELASTIC in fiction, use it!!!
°Ëâ´ Characters should FEEL differently about the skip !! time passing changes perspective. Something that felt devastating last year might feel trivial now. Or vice versa. What seemed certain became a mistake. SHOW THE SHIFT
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