Corlys Velaryon Master of Driftmark Lord of the Tides The Sea Snake Proud husband of The Princess Rhaenys Targaryen Proud father of Laena Velaryon Targaryen, Laenor Velaryon and Baby Velaryon Proud honorary father of Queen Rhaenyra Proud grandfather of Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey, Aegon, Viserys, Visenya, Baelon, Aemma, Baela and Rhaena Faithful supporter of and advisor to Queen Rhaenyra Corlys is hailed as the greatest seafarer the Seven Kingdoms had ever known. He has sailed more northern than any other and expended the known world more eastern than anyone, being the first Westerosi to reach Asshai. Corlys is said to be as brilliant as he is restless, and as adventurous as he is ambitious. Corlys is known for his lavish, but personal gifts, often adorned with treasures from far off shores. Though he has accomplished much and more in life, than most, he is seldom satisfied. Corlys still longs for adventure, though he knows those days are behind him, as age has caught up to him. Corlys is known as wise in peace and valiant in war. He is a proud man This is an independant RP-blog for Corlys Velaryon and is in no way associated with HBO, MAX or G.R.R. Martin NSFW and Mature/NC17 themes might occur. {Mun and Muse are both of age} I track the tag: lordhusbandWritten by @SofieAmalieN Part of @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood
Velaryon Chambers, 26th day of the 4th moon, 131AC, Winter
As dusk spilled lavender shadows across the floors of the Velaryon chambers at The Red Keep, Princess Rhaenys knelt on a pillow beside the bathtub, guiding fleet of toy ships through water. Her young daughter, Nyssie, giggled, her cheeks flushed with delight as her tiny fingers sent ripples across the water’s surface, making the little vessels dance.
“See Mua. Sea Snakey!”
“Yes, tala. That one does look like Kepa’s Sea Snake,” Rhaenys said with a gentle smile. Nyssie was ten-and-six moons now and Rhaenys was pleased that she babbled in both High Valyrian and Common Tongue.
“Sea Snakey go wooo!” Nyssie said with a wide grin towards Rhaenys, which make Rhaenys laugh softly.
“Yes, The Sea Snake is Kepa’s fastest ship.”
As the water cooled, Rhaenys scooped Nyssie up into her arms and wrapped her up in thick cloths to dry her. As Nyssie protested Rhaenys reminded her that Joffrey was coming by to spend time with them.
“Goff-goff?” Nyssie said and tilted her hair.
“Yes, your Goff-goff is coming. I’m sure he’ll want lots of kisses and help you build towers with your blocks, before bedtime,” Rhaenys said tenderly as she dressed her daughter.
Rhaenys knew she had been breaking standards for a royal mother’s duties, but she couldn’t care less. She didn’t want to miss a single thing when it came to Nyssie. She had breastfed her for ten moons and unlike royals of the past she did not make use of the shared nursery. Instead, she had had one of the chambers they occupied transformed into a nursery for Nyssie.
Once Nyssie had been dressed Rhaenys put her down and straightened her own clothes before she joined her husband in their sitting room. “Has he arrived?”
Corlys stood by the fireplace, reading the latest raven from Driftmark. He tried to hide his worry and his longing for home, but it was becoming increasingly difficult, even if the updates were steady and mostly caused him no concern.
“Kep-Corr!” Nyssie growled as she ran towards him.
At first, he had been quite puzzled as to why MNyssie would growl at him, but when he learned that it was how heard Rhaenys call for him as “Corlys!” it only made him laugh.
“Hello my Princess,” he said happily and crouched down to her, winching slightly as his knee crackled. “All done with your bath?”
“All done! Sea Snakey go wooo!”
“Oh you played with the ships?”
“Issa!”
Corlys grinned and shifted to sit on the couch and lifted Nyssie up beside him.
“So, are you going to bed now, my Princess?”
“Daor Kep-Corr! Goff-goff come play.” Nyssie said, with such a serious expression that Corlys had to bit down hard to stop himself from laughing. The girl was without a shadow of doubt her mother’s daughter.
Corlys watched as Rhaenys’ ladies’ maid lit more candles before she left. “Now, where’s you muña? Did you splash lots of water on her?” Corlys asked, just as Rhaenys entered.
As always, her entrance to any room he was in, almost took his breath away. She was beautiful. Age had not changed her as it had many others. She was as tall and imposing as ever and Corlys was glad he and everyone around them knew she had a kind heart.
“Goff-goff come?”
Corlys nodded to Nyssie, before turning to Rhaenys. “Not yet, however I am certain he will be here soon. Perhaps he got held up at dinner with his parents or got lost in a fairytale like his muñazma,” he said teasingly.
All day, Prince Joffrey had been looking forward to the time him and his grandparents had put aside for them all to see each other, without any interuptions of the court or others. The freeze had been hard, yes, especially on Prince Joffrey, but this was something to look forward to. A light in the dark of the storm, his family was. With Nyssie there with them, his excitement was even grander.
Everything had been done, his schedule had been all checked off and his room was in perfect condition. Joffrey had just left Harrold, who was now spending time with his twin brother, gave him a kiss goodbye and began to make his way to the Velaryon chambers. It was finally time to see his grandparents, and Nyssie, of course.
The Prince was dressed nicely, as he always was. In Velaryon blues and black boots that clicked as he walked. After arriving, Joffrey entered, slowly, as to not interrupt anything they may be currently doing. "Hello..."
"Grandmother, Grandfather, Princess Alysanne!" He greeted them. But he was unable to keep to his formalities for very long, and then engulfed his grandmother into a hug. "I'm very happy to be here..." He spoke into the hug, almost a whisper.
He hugged his grandfather, then went over to kiss Nyssie on the forehead, bending to speak with her. "How do you fare, dearest Nyssie? I missed you!"
With gentleness, he picked up Nyssie. "We can play until your Muña and Kepa tell us its bedtime, okay Nyssie?" He looked to his grandparents then, knowing afterwards he could talk more with them.
“It’s been a long while since I’ve gotten lost in a fairy tale, Lord Corlys,” she returned teasingly, before she heard the door open. “Joffrey,” she said warmly.
“Goff-goff!”
Rhaenys readily wrapped her arms around Joffrey returning the warm hug. “We’ve missed you so much,” she replied in a whisper against his dark locks. That much was true. Rhaenys adored the time Joffrey spend at Driftmark, loved watching Corlys teach him about the ways of the island and the sea. And she had missed spending time with him in the dragon pit, tending to their dragons and talking about everything big or small.
She settled down as Joffrey went to Nyssie.
“Goff-goff!” Nyssie grinned and launched herself against him. “Goff-goff play!” She agreed readily and placed a sloppy kiss to his nose.
Rhaenys nodded and gestured towards a small crate of toys beside the chair. “Her blocks are in there, but beware, she enjoys knocking over the towers once they get three blocks high.”
She smiled at Corlys’ kiss and leaned against him, aware that Joffrey like his siblings were used to seeing both his grandparents and parents show affection to each other in the privacy of their chambers.
Corlys rose to greet Joffrey, his grandson, Laenor’s boy with a hug. It always made him proud when the boys dressed to show their Velaryon heritage amid Targaryen reds and blacks. Even Rhaenys wore more blues and silver now that Rhaenyra had been crowned, but Corlys knew that it had been to cement her allegiance to Rhaenyra, something he had never doubted, but he liked to see his family in blues.
He closed the door gently and took his seat once more, smiling as Rhaenys joined him. Was this what life would have been like if they had been blessed with all the children they had dreamt of? Maybe. Corlys leaned in and pressed a kiss against Rhaenys’ temple as he watched Joffrey and Nyssie.
“Not too long, it’s getting late for Princess Nyssie,” he said warmly.
“Goff-goff!” Nyssie laughed as she placed a block on the floor in front of him. “Goff-goff tall!”
“And I have some new ship designs I’d like you to have a look at. I am trying to source the wood, but hardly anyone is felling oaks at this time, worried about when new will grow and worried about the saplings and younger trees suffering in the winter. But maybe Winterfell’s many forests can help us out?”
Vaella’s family was excited. Vaella herself was excited too.
Lord Corlys Velaryon and his wife Princess Rhaenys Targaryen-Velaryon arrived to King’s Landing safely after moons of anticipation from their families. Vaella had been worried about the rough weather in the seas and the cold but Gunthor calmed her worries by stating that Uncle Corlys knew how to navigate the seas with perfect precision.
On the day that Lord Corlys arrived, Vaella, Valaena and Gunthor were among the first to greet them, with Valaena throwing herself in Princess Rhaenys' arms while Gunthor and Vaella hugged Lord Corlys in greeting.
Vaella had wanted to tell them the news about her courting but she decided not to as she wanted them to rest up and relax from their long journey.
So two days later when her family (her mother and brother) invited the couple over to their family solar for some tea, Vaella excitedly told them the news.
"I am currently being courted by Lord Doran Yronwood," she gushed.
Corlys was quite surprised when Vaella threw herself in his arms. Pleasantly surprised. He wrapped his arms around her and returned the hug, looking over their family, gathered to greet them. The journey had taken longer than expected, but smoother than before, which he knew his Princess was pleased with.
Once settled in the Red Keep, Corlys and Rhaenys readily accepted the invitation to join the Darklyn’s for tea and family time. Corlys took a seat and exchanged a few words with Gunthor, while pouring a little something stronger into his tea with a mischievous wink in Vaella’s direction.
Soon Valaena was settled with Nyssie near the fire and Corlys had joined Rhaenys and Vaella by the windows overlooking the snow-covered courtyard.
At Vaella’s confession, Corlys raised his brows and looked to Rhaenys, quite unsure whether this was a good match or not. Though he did not believe his cousin would agree to an imperfect match for her daughter. “Well that’s…” He began but fell silent and took a long sip of his tea, allowing Rhaenys to take the lead in this, as she had always been more diplomatic and levelheaded than him. The great council had truly errored when they hadn’t made her queen.
The concept of marriage was not lost on Aemond. He'd seen enough of them in the family, observed how husbands treated their wives, watched how couples interacted. He knew of his mother's marriage; how Viserys was dismissive of his lady wife, how Alicent had done her duty and held her tongue. Aemond had hated it, had hated seeing his mother stifled by Viserys's indifference.
Most of his siblings were married. He remembered how panicked both Aegon and Helaena had been when their betrothal had been announced when they were so young, and how Rhaenyra had stepped in to push the date back until Helaena was eight and ten. Aegon and Helaena were happy, content in their marriage, in love with each other. Rhaenya was happy in her marriage too, far in the North with Lord Cregan, expecting her first baby. He knew she was happy and well looked after from her letters.
But it wasn't like he could go to his siblings to ask about what marriage was like. Aegon would giggle, tease him. He'd already gone to Helaena, and it had helped, but there was still something he couldn't shake. And he certainly wasn't going to his eldest sister. He was marrying one of her daughters. Rhaenyra probably didn't want to hear about Aemond's worries about being a good husband to her own daughter.
And if Rhaenyra knew, then Daemon would know. The Queen and her Husband likely had no secrets. Horrors may persist, but Aemond wasn't sure he could if he had to have that discussion with Daemon...
There was only one man he knew, a man married nearing forty years now, and married to one of the fiercest women in all Westeros.
Corlys Velaryon.
If one man could give him insight on a happy, lasting marriage, it would be the Sea Snake. He and the Princess Rhaenys seemed still passionately in love with each other; they even had a young daughter. He was also Rhaena's beloved grandfather and logically would want her well treatedand satisfied.
So he'd logically be willing to... advise Aemond on how to keep Rhaena, his pearl, the very light of his life, happy. Right?
Aemond had asked to visit, and when he received the invitation, he arrived promptly. The servant at the door announced him, and he found Lord Corlys at his leisure, enjoying the peaceful afternoon. There was no sign of Princess Rhaenys.
“My Lord,” Aemond bows his head respectfully, coming to join him once he was bid to come in. “Thank you for accepting my request.. I’m sure it was odd to come from me.”
Now or never, Aem. Just do it.
“I asked to speak to you this afternoon because I hoped you might give me some advice.. on a personal matter.” Aemond sits when invited too, trying not to look so stiff, so uptight. “I thought seeking you out might be more appropriate, as you have been happily married for many years. And also because you’re Rhaena’s grandsire, and I thought you might.. advise me on marriage..”
“You’re marrying my granddaughter. You’re my adopted daughter’s half-brother. I’ve had stranger requests.” Corlys said as he let go of the map he had been studying when the young Prince arrived. Corlys had returned the respectful bow of the head as the map curled up on the table before him.
Corlys gestured for Aemond to take a seat opposite him, as he took a seat himself. He leaned back, watching the young man speak words that seemed difficult but important for him to say. “Hmm…” He hummed and nodded slightly. “I think this calls for a drink.”
Corlys rose and poured two mugs of mulled wine, placing one before Aemond, before he took his seat again. “Marriage advise,” he mused, running his finger over the rim of his mug. “The simplest and most important thing is to honour and love your wife. Having seen you around Rhaena I have no worries about you being able to do that. Of course, there’s more, when the hardships come, because they will come.” He cautioned. “I’ve seen too many lords and princes not prepared to take the heat when things get difficult. You, however, have known hardship in your early days – in my Hall of Nine.”
If there was one thing Corlys was particularly proud of, that he could not take full credit for it was his marriage to Rhaenys. Over four decades of a united front, though it had not always been easy in private. “I’d say never raise your voice and never go to bed cross with one another. Those have been my biggest regrets and have caused many sleepless nights. And naturally, don’t run off to sea and adventures for seven years without talking it through,” he said and shook his head at his own foolishness, before he took a long sip of his wine.
“Always be honest with your mistakes. That’s earned me forgiveness far faster and far deeper than any jewel or dress has ever managed. But do not stop the gift giving once the courtship ends. Treat her like a queen, no matter her true title.”
"I think everyone noticed. Even when I was trying to be more reserved in my affections." Aemond takes the offered cup and sips, sitting back to give the Sea Snake his full attention. He smiles, slightly torn between pride and embarrassment that he had been so obvious in his affections to Rhaena. He admits. "Rhaena is.. very easy to love."
Aemond didn't flinch from the memory of the hardships. It was truth, simple and unadorned truth. He remembered that day clearly, a sharp blade, pain, blood. His mother's tears and his father.. just being how he was.
That simple truth was another reason why he asked for advice. He lost an eye, and gained an insight no child should have had to. His mother and father's marriage was not a loving one or even one of friendship.
"How do you resolve something when you both believe you're right? I won't treat Rhaena like I would some Lord on the council or in the court. I've no idea how to disagree with my wife and not make her resent me, as my mother resented her husband.." He asks, looking at Corlys earnestly. "Is it better to give us time to cool off from a disagreement, or settle it as soon as we can?"
"I was beginning to worry I'm doomed." He says with a small laugh, saying it like a joke. "I know I will very likely make mistakes, but all I want is for her to be happy with me. I fully intend to spoil her, rest assured in that."
“If it’s any consolation, The Princess Rhaenys noticed the affection between Rhaena and yourself long before I did,” Corlys admitted. When had Rhaenys first mentioned it? It had been before Rhaenyra’s coronation, surely. But after Viserys’ death. How she had noticed that and not her own pregnancy was a puzzle, Corlys was likely never to solve. “Rhaena reminds me of her mother, in that aspect, being easy to love.”
Corlys watched the young man closely. He seemed deeply worried, but for all the right reasons, Corlys could only appreciate the concern Rhaena’s future husband held for her. “You’ll never both be right, and admitting defeat is one of the strongest cards on your hand. In my experience it’s worth taking an extra moment to truly listen to everyone’s argument and reason. More times than not, I’ve found that the middle ground is the true answer.” Corlys nodded solemnly, the marriage between Viserys and Alicent had not been one of love. Sure, they had shared some tender moments, but Corlys could not imagine that sort of marriage for himself, nor any of his grandchildren. He was pleased to hear that even the children of Viserys and Alicent knew that there were better options.
“Personally, my wife’s temper is infamous, and we’ve found that cooling off for a moment, together in silence, is often the best way for us. It might be very different from you and Rhaena. But try to find a way that works for both of you and always attempt to settle hard matters levelheadedly and with advice from those you trust.”
Corlys took a deep sip if his drink. Feeling doomed had hovered above him for years. Every marriage opportunity turned down either by him or the lady he had been presented to. He had been thirty by the time he married Rhaenys, much older than most of his peers. Some had even been on their second or third wife by that age, with children and a settled life. Corlys had travelled, made his name and gathered his wealth, he hadn’t squandered time away. However, sometimes he wondered what life might have been like if he had married younger. “Take her to see the world, for me?”
Mother of the Ruling-Princess of Dorne, Sophie Okonedo, She/Her - @ladyloreza
Welcome, Lady Loreza of House Martell! We’re delighted to see she has arrived safely on her journey to King’s Landing. Around the court the four-and-forty year-old has been praised as charming, exotic and a skilled rider but some have whispered she is also strict, secretive and a practitioner of dark magic.
Upon her arrival, it is clear that she is in support of the reign of Westeros' first Ruling-Queen and while the eyes of our court may be fixed on House Targaryen, Queen Rhaenyra, and the future of Westeros, her true allegiance will always be to her family, Dorne and her own desires and needs.
The concept of marriage was not lost on Aemond. He'd seen enough of them in the family, observed how husbands treated their wives, watched how couples interacted. He knew of his mother's marriage; how Viserys was dismissive of his lady wife, how Alicent had done her duty and held her tongue. Aemond had hated it, had hated seeing his mother stifled by Viserys's indifference.
Most of his siblings were married. He remembered how panicked both Aegon and Helaena had been when their betrothal had been announced when they were so young, and how Rhaenyra had stepped in to push the date back until Helaena was eight and ten. Aegon and Helaena were happy, content in their marriage, in love with each other. Rhaenya was happy in her marriage too, far in the North with Lord Cregan, expecting her first baby. He knew she was happy and well looked after from her letters.
But it wasn't like he could go to his siblings to ask about what marriage was like. Aegon would giggle, tease him. He'd already gone to Helaena, and it had helped, but there was still something he couldn't shake. And he certainly wasn't going to his eldest sister. He was marrying one of her daughters. Rhaenyra probably didn't want to hear about Aemond's worries about being a good husband to her own daughter.
And if Rhaenyra knew, then Daemon would know. The Queen and her Husband likely had no secrets. Horrors may persist, but Aemond wasn't sure he could if he had to have that discussion with Daemon...
There was only one man he knew, a man married nearing forty years now, and married to one of the fiercest women in all Westeros.
Corlys Velaryon.
If one man could give him insight on a happy, lasting marriage, it would be the Sea Snake. He and the Princess Rhaenys seemed still passionately in love with each other; they even had a young daughter. He was also Rhaena's beloved grandfather and logically would want her well treatedand satisfied.
So he'd logically be willing to... advise Aemond on how to keep Rhaena, his pearl, the very light of his life, happy. Right?
Aemond had asked to visit, and when he received the invitation, he arrived promptly. The servant at the door announced him, and he found Lord Corlys at his leisure, enjoying the peaceful afternoon. There was no sign of Princess Rhaenys.
“My Lord,” Aemond bows his head respectfully, coming to join him once he was bid to come in. “Thank you for accepting my request.. I’m sure it was odd to come from me.”
Now or never, Aem. Just do it.
“I asked to speak to you this afternoon because I hoped you might give me some advice.. on a personal matter.” Aemond sits when invited too, trying not to look so stiff, so uptight. “I thought seeking you out might be more appropriate, as you have been happily married for many years. And also because you’re Rhaena’s grandsire, and I thought you might.. advise me on marriage..”
“You’re marrying my granddaughter. You’re my adopted daughter’s half-brother. I’ve had stranger requests.” Corlys said as he let go of the map he had been studying when the young Prince arrived. Corlys had returned the respectful bow of the head as the map curled up on the table before him.
Corlys gestured for Aemond to take a seat opposite him, as he took a seat himself. He leaned back, watching the young man speak words that seemed difficult but important for him to say. “Hmm…” He hummed and nodded slightly. “I think this calls for a drink.”
Corlys rose and poured two mugs of mulled wine, placing one before Aemond, before he took his seat again. “Marriage advise,” he mused, running his finger over the rim of his mug. “The simplest and most important thing is to honour and love your wife. Having seen you around Rhaena I have no worries about you being able to do that. Of course, there’s more, when the hardships come, because they will come.” He cautioned. “I’ve seen too many lords and princes not prepared to take the heat when things get difficult. You, however, have known hardship in your early days – in my Hall of Nine.”
If there was one thing Corlys was particularly proud of, that he could not take full credit for it was his marriage to Rhaenys. Over four decades of a united front, though it had not always been easy in private. “I’d say never raise your voice and never go to bed cross with one another. Those have been my biggest regrets and have caused many sleepless nights. And naturally, don’t run off to sea and adventures for seven years without talking it through,” he said and shook his head at his own foolishness, before he took a long sip of his wine.
“Always be honest with your mistakes. That’s earned me forgiveness far faster and far deeper than any jewel or dress has ever managed. But do not stop the gift giving once the courtship ends. Treat her like a queen, no matter her true title.”
Greetings and a very happy weekend to everyone in our lovely, incredible, spectacular court! There have been some changes amongst our court so here's all the latest updates 💜 💜
Due to player choice, inactivity, or other unforseen circumstances please wish farewell and unfollow:
@l4dy-alla
@celiamarbrand
The following roles and faceclaims are now open:
Lady Alla Florent Tyrell (Lady-Regent of The Reach and youngest sister of Lord Leo Florent)
Lady Celia Marbrand (Lady of House Marbrand, youngest sister of Lord Harwin Strong, and lady in waiting to Queen Rhaenyra)
Ellie Bamber
Dominique Davenport
New members have joined our court! Please give them a warm welcome and follow:
@lady-honeybee
@the-vales-ghost-flower
*Blog for Lord Samwell Blackwood TBD
*Blog for Ser Owen Blackwood TBD
The following roles and faceclaims are now taken:
Lady Ceryse Hightower (Eldest daughter of Lady Samantha Hightower and second-youngest daughter of the late-Lord Ormund HIghtower)
Lord Gilbert Westerling (Heir to The Crag)
Lady Tya Greyjoy-Harlaw (Lady-wife of the heir to House Harlaw, eldest daughter of Lord Dalton Greyjoy, and only daughter of Lady Genna Lannister of Lannisport)
Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Heir to Driftmark and second-eldest son of Queen Rhaenyra)
Lady Cassandra "Cassana" Baratheon (Eldest daughter of Lord Borros and de facto heir to Storm's End)
Lord Samwell Blackwood (Lord of Raventree Hall)
Lord Benjicot "Ben" Blackwood" (Heir to Raventree Hall and betrothed of Lady Abigail Tully)
Ser Owen Blackwood (Younger brother of Lord Samwell)
Prince Maelor Targaryen (of Dragonstone) (Second son of Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena)
Lady Falia Tyrell (Elder younger sister of the late-Lord Lorence Tyrell)
Lady Tanselle Dayne (Lady-wife of Lord Gulian Dayne and younger sister of Lord Jordayne)
Lady Alyssa Baratheon-Penrose (Lady-Mother of the Parchments, older sister of Lord Borros Baratheon, and older sister of Lord Borros Baratheon)
Lady Ceryse Beesbury (Lady-wife of the heir to House Beesbury, younger sister of Lord Leo Florent, and lady-in-waiting to Princess Helaena)
Lady Lynesse Sunderland (Middle daughter of Lord Isembard Sunderland)
Junia Rees
Giorgio Belli
Shannyn Sossamyn
Ben Barnes
Janey Montgomery
Viggo Mortensen
Timotheé Chalamet
Colin O'Donoghue
Oliver Zetterström
Emily Bader
Aishwarya Rai
Anna Chancellor
Nicola Coughlan
Sarah Gadon
It seems the court has been corrected on its previous perceptions so please take note that:
Lady Rowena Grafton's faceclaim has been changed to Daisy Dai / 代斯Daisy, the faceclaim of Janice Wu / Wu Qian is now open
Lady Floris Baratheon's faceclaim has been changed to Annamaria Vartolamei, the faceclaim of Sarah Bolger is now open
Ruling Princess Aliandra Martell is on reserve through August 1st
Lady Hanna Blackwood is on reserve through August 8th
Lady Asha Greyjoy is on reserve through July 29th (extended to August 2nd once the applying writer has joined our discord!)
Full member list under the cut!
~ With Love, Queen Ivory 💜💜
@black-queen-rising - Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
@rogue-prince-rising - King-Consort Daemon Targaryen
@aegontheyoungprince - Prince Aegon III Targaryen
@prince-vis-targaryen - Prince Viserys II Targaryen
@thelittleprincesstargaryen - Princess Visenya Targaryen
@alicenthightowerrp - Dowager-Queen Alicent Hightower
@the-golden-prince-of-dragonstone - Prince Aegon II Targaryen of Dragonstone
@helaenasdreamfyres - Princess Helaena Targaryen of Dragonstone
@jaeheratargaryen - Princess Jaehaera Targaryen of Dragonstone
@the-little-prince-of-dragonstone - Prince Maelor Targaryen of Dragonstone
@rideroftheredqueen - Princess Rhaenys Targaryen-Velaryon @lordhusband - Lord Corlys Velaryon
@addamsseasmoke - Addam of Hull
@arthor-celtigar - Ser Arthor Celtigar
@elindamassey - Lady Elinda Massey
@ladymeredythdarklyn - Lady Meredyth Darklyn
@lady-vaella-darklyn - Lady Vaella Darklyn
@sersteffondarklyn - Lord-Commander Steffon Darklyn
@lord-kermit-of-riverrun - Lord Kermit Tully
@abby-the-writer - Lady Abby Tully
@vvilliamvance - Lord William Vance
@ladylaceyvance - Lady Lacey Vance
*Blog for Samwell TBD - Lord Samwell Blackwood
@heir-to-raventree - Lord Benjicot "Ben" Blackwood
*Blog for Owen TBD - Ser Owen Blackwood
@theonlystarfromoldtown - Lord Lyonel Hightower
@lady-samantha-of-hightower - Lady Samantha "Sam" Hightower
@butterfliesinoldtown - Lady Ceryse Hightower
@ladyoflongtable - Lady Bethany Merryweather
@garmund-hightower - Ser Garmund Hightower
@hearse-or-an-oracle - Lady Falia Tyrell
@lady-honeybee - Lady Ceryse Beesbury
@lady-of-a-thousand-faces - Lady Emma Florent
@jason-lannister2005 - Lord Jason Lanister
@cerellelannister2 - Lady Cerelle Lannister-Vance
@leila-lannister - Lady Leila Lannister
@little-lady-lioness - Lady Myranda "Minnie" Lannister
@heir-to-the-crag - Lord Gilbert Westerling
@themargot - Lady Margot Lannister-Reyne
@the-fair-lady-of-fair-isle - Lady Tyshara Lannister
@the-fair-heir-of-fair-isle - Lord Rodrik Greyjoy-Farman
@toron-heirtotheironislands - Lord Toron Greyoy @thegardenofelyanna - Lady Elyanna Greyjoy-Farman @gysellablacktyde - Lady Gysella Blacktyde
@the-golden-storm - Lady Cassandra "Cassana" Baratheon
@thecleverestorm - Lady Maris Baratheon
@ellynbaratheon-ofstormsend - Lady Ellyn Baratheon @thefourthstormfloris - Lady Floris Baratheon
@little-fawn-baratheon - Lady Meredyth Baratheon
@dearly-beloved-and-dearly-petty - Lady Alyssa Baratheon-Penrose
@ruling-lady-daisy - Lady Daisy Penrose
@hal-the-harper - Ser Harrold "Harry" Penrose
@alesanderpenrose - Alesander "Ales" Penrose
@jeynearrynvale - Lady-Paramount Jeyne Arryn
@sewn-from-stardust - Lady Becca Arryn
@robingrafton - Lord Robin Grafton
@lady-of-sapphires - Lady Rowena Grafton
@ladyofthebite - Lady Margaery Sunderland
@the-vales-ghost-flower - Lady Lynesse Sunderland
@marwyn-corbray - Ser Marwyn Corbray
@lilacs-and-sunshine - Lady Rowena "Rowie" Corbray
@anya-royce - Lady Anya Royce
@creganstarkrp - Lord Cregan Stark
@edrick-stark - Edrick Stark
@lady-of-knives - Lady Berena Bolton
@benjen-mormont - Lord Benjen Mormont
@thesongbirdofwinterfell - Lady Alarra Karstark
@princesscoryofsunspear - Princess Coryanne Martell
@pearl-of-dorne-obella - Princess Obella Martell
@doranyronwood - Lord Doran Yronwood
@davos-allyrion - Lord Davos Allyrion
@just-tanselle-dayne - Lady Tanselle Dayne
@thefallenstarofstarfall - Lady Wylla Dayne
Corlys had been surprised when Daeron had asked to meet up with him. Corlys was quite fond of the boy – no, young man – though his princess wife more so. Corlys was known to carry grudges, but his grudge was not towards Daeron and he knew better than to let earlier generations disdain taint the relationship with the newer generations.
Going outside was not strictly necessary to move between the various apartments and chambers, but it was a shorter walk, even in the blizzard. The wind had let up briefly and Corlys stayed sheltered by the walls and towers as he took the shortcut. Slipping back inside the warmth of the castle quickly enveloped him once more. “That’s a blizzard fit to freeze the blood in a kraken’s veins,” he grumbled, before straightening and set off to meet his nephew.
The invitation had been to one of the rarely used sitting rooms in The Red Keep, however with all the Targaryens’ extended family brought together, every room, chamber and apartment were in use. Corlys wondered briefly if this sitting room had indeed been set up to cater to Daeron. The colours reminded Corlys of Daeron’s dragon, the deep blue touches of silk and the copper statues and trinkets on the shelves. He knew Rhaenys had Meleys-coloured décor to remind her of her dragon and even little Visenya had requested a small sculpture of her pink dragon and jewelry with pink gems. Corlys grinned as he brushed the last of the snow from his shoulders. “Prince Daeron,” he said and bowed his head respectfully. “What do you think of this blizzard?”
“Rhaena?” Rhaenys called out as she and Corlys entered the sitting room where they had agreed to meet. Rhaenys knew this was one of Rhaena’s favourite places and she had not been surprised when her granddaughter had suggested this place.
Even as the winter winds blew outside, coating The Red Keep with another layer of pure white snow, the various rooms, chambers and common rooms were warm. The fireplaces spreading their heat efficiently. Only the outmost walls and hallways had a chill to them, but nothing serious, at least not yet.
The cold season and the close quarters the family found themselves in, offered the perfect excuses to embark on preparations, both practical and sentimental, for Rhaena and Aemond’s upcoming wedding. Rhaensy was thrilled to be included in the preparations, having missed most of Baela’s preparations as she had been pregnant with Nyssie. She hadn’t been deeply involved in the planning of a wedding since Rhaenyra had married Laenor, and that wedding had been less than ideal.
Rhaenys placed a few intricate wooden boxes on the small table by the fireplace, before she wrapped her shawl closer around her. As Corlys placed slightly bigger cases beside her own, she smiled up at him. She knew she had asked for a lot before they left Driftmark, wanting to bring as many heirlooms and treasured items as possible, since they did not know when they would be returning home. “Are we early?” She wondered. They had taken Nyssie to Rhaenyra, who had been thrilled to spend time with her youngest sister. Rhaenys had been much the same with her younger aunts and uncles, and when Rhaenyra herself had been a child she had spent as much time at Driftmark with her cousins as she had in King’s Landing. Handing their youngest over had taken less time than expected, Nyssie loved Rhaenyra as much as Rhaenys and Corlys did.
“Come here,” Corlys said, before pulling Rhaenys down into his lap. After two-and-forty years of marriage he still took pride in keeping their relationship close and physical. He knew many other lords whose relationships grew distant with age and those who considered themselves lucky when they talked about their spouse being friendly. Corlys struggled to image his and Rhaenys’ relationship developing in such a way. The last moons had been rough, ripping up old, fragile edges formed during his travels after the deaths of their children. Luckily, they were both older and wiser now.
Corlys placed a tender kiss against his wife’s shoulder. “I don’t think we’re much early. The coldness in the hallways might simply have made us hurry more than usual,” he reasoned softly. Coldness, snow, ice and freezing nights weren’t unknown to Corlys. In his youth he had attempted to find a sailing route north of The North that they knew, he had been unsuccessful, but it had taught him many valuable lessons in sailing.
One of the necklaces they had brought to show and offer to Rhaena was made from blue jewels Corlys had traded during that journey. The metal for it he had procured on a later journey towards Dorne. While he and Rhaenys had designed it together with one of Driftmark’s skilled metalworkers, it had been Laena who had taken a liken to that specific necklace.
Having these quiet moments alone were getting increasingly rare, especially now that Nyssie was mobile. And now that they faced the hardest of winter any of them had ever faced, at The Red Keep with their family all around them, Corlys knew they’d be rare, as their grandchildren and even Addam seemed to flock around Rhaenys all vying for her undivided attention. He couldn’t blame them, nor could he join their ranks.
Velaryon Chambers, 26th day of the 4th moon, 131AC, Winter
As dusk spilled lavender shadows across the floors of the Velaryon chambers at The Red Keep, Princess Rhaenys knelt on a pillow beside the bathtub, guiding fleet of toy ships through water. Her young daughter, Nyssie, giggled, her cheeks flushed with delight as her tiny fingers sent ripples across the water’s surface, making the little vessels dance.
“See Mua. Sea Snakey!”
“Yes, tala. That one does look like Kepa’s Sea Snake,” Rhaenys said with a gentle smile. Nyssie was ten-and-six moons now and Rhaenys was pleased that she babbled in both High Valyrian and Common Tongue.
“Sea Snakey go wooo!” Nyssie said with a wide grin towards Rhaenys, which make Rhaenys laugh softly.
“Yes, The Sea Snake is Kepa’s fastest ship.”
As the water cooled, Rhaenys scooped Nyssie up into her arms and wrapped her up in thick cloths to dry her. As Nyssie protested Rhaenys reminded her that Joffrey was coming by to spend time with them.
“Goff-goff?” Nyssie said and tilted her hair.
“Yes, your Goff-goff is coming. I’m sure he’ll want lots of kisses and help you build towers with your blocks, before bedtime,” Rhaenys said tenderly as she dressed her daughter.
Rhaenys knew she had been breaking standards for a royal mother’s duties, but she couldn’t care less. She didn’t want to miss a single thing when it came to Nyssie. She had breastfed her for ten moons and unlike royals of the past she did not make use of the shared nursery. Instead, she had had one of the chambers they occupied transformed into a nursery for Nyssie.
Once Nyssie had been dressed Rhaenys put her down and straightened her own clothes before she joined her husband in their sitting room. “Has he arrived?”
Corlys stood by the fireplace, reading the latest raven from Driftmark. He tried to hide his worry and his longing for home, but it was becoming increasingly difficult, even if the updates were steady and mostly caused him no concern.
“Kep-Corr!” Nyssie growled as she ran towards him.
At first, he had been quite puzzled as to why MNyssie would growl at him, but when he learned that it was how heard Rhaenys call for him as “Corlys!” it only made him laugh.
“Hello my Princess,” he said happily and crouched down to her, winching slightly as his knee crackled. “All done with your bath?”
“All done! Sea Snakey go wooo!”
“Oh you played with the ships?”
“Issa!”
Corlys grinned and shifted to sit on the couch and lifted Nyssie up beside him.
“So, are you going to bed now, my Princess?”
“Daor Kep-Corr! Goff-goff come play.” Nyssie said, with such a serious expression that Corlys had to bit down hard to stop himself from laughing. The girl was without a shadow of doubt her mother’s daughter.
Corlys watched as Rhaenys’ ladies’ maid lit more candles before she left. “Now, where’s you muña? Did you splash lots of water on her?” Corlys asked, just as Rhaenys entered.
As always, her entrance to any room he was in, almost took his breath away. She was beautiful. Age had not changed her as it had many others. She was as tall and imposing as ever and Corlys was glad he and everyone around them knew she had a kind heart.
“Goff-goff come?”
Corlys nodded to Nyssie, before turning to Rhaenys. “Not yet, however I am certain he will be here soon. Perhaps he got held up at dinner with his parents or got lost in a fairytale like his muñazma,” he said teasingly.
Ever since Addam had arrived to Kings Landing, he’d been following Princess Rhaenys like a duckling. A very confused duckling.
This castle was unfamiliar to him, the people were rude and all too in his face at all times, and Addam had seemingly hid in every corner he could find. So, at any time he could, he clung to anyone who was a familiar face. Rhaenys and Corlys were more than usually the familiar faces, as well as people he genuinely wanted to spend time with. His family.
While Lord Corlys still remained somewhat awkward and perhaps distant, Princess Rhaenys was all too excited to speak to Addam. And Addam was all too excited to listen to her as well.
He knew how it looked to outsiders. Strange. Strange that this shy bastard of Hull had trailed behind the Lord and Lady of Driftmark, and even stranger that his brother was never nearby. Alyn had no interest in the royal family, and even less interest in dragons, so he always (very rudely) declined.
But the rumors of the truth of Addam and Alyns parentage had only been enhanced by all of Addams time spent with Lord Corlys as his apprentice and Princess Rhaenys. “Was Laenor Velaryon truly these boys parents? Or perhaps…”
And it seemed Kings Landing was a the place for rumors to grow larger and uglier by the minute. But, they were eaiser to ignore when being in the presence of Rhaenys. She was easy to listen to, and she was as comforting as if she had known Addam for years already. He admired her.
The rumors barely mattered to Addam, anyway. He knew what he knew, the truth, and others opinions did not matter. It only bothered him once they approached him… but in the presence of the Princess and Lord Corlys, people did not.
So now, he followed the Princess through the library, not speaking much but letting her guide him. He’d asked her earlier to help him through this vast room of knowledge, as he had already gotten lost here twice.
Lord Corlys followed as well, nodding whenever Rhaenys spoke, but not adding much to what she said. Just as Addam did.
They now walked past books about old Valyria, tales of their ancestry and ones that Addam had never thought to look through before. It was hard to believe sometimes that he himself was now a part of all of this, of people who rode dragons and lived in a castle…
They were silent for a moment, so he decided to ask a question. “Princess Rhaenys? Will you show me a book that you believe highlights our… family history well?” The words were a little awkward, a little shy perhaps, but he knew Rhaenys would have something perfect for him.
It had been Rhaenys’ idea to spend time with the family while exploring the depth of the library at The Red Keep. Corlys had been excited to revisit old hiding places and to spend time with one of the grandchildren. However the person Rhaenys had invited was Addam.
First it had been Alyn, Rhaenys reaching out without warning and Corlys had thought it strange. When Addam had claimed Sea Smoke he thought Rhaenys might be upset, as Sea Smoke had been riderless since Laenor’s death. Corlys believed she hoped Nyssie might eventually claim the dragon.
However Rhaenys had not been upset. She had been elated and had once again introduced herself to one of the Hull boys without Corlys’ knowledge or even a slight warning.
And so he found himself trailing behind Rhaenys and Addam as they made their way through the library. He held no ill feelings towards Addam, though the family connection no longer being a secret had put himself and Rhaenys on the spot for quite for quite a bit of gossip.
As always Corlys took pleasure in simply following Rhaenys around. She had spent half of her childhood amongst these shelves and probably knew more hiding spots and secret corridors than most.
“Oh..!” Corlys had been lost in thought and bumped into Addam by accident. “My apologies,” he said and cleared his throat as he took a step back.
By the tenth moon of 130AC Corlys secures big trades for King’s Landing. By then the journey between Driftmark and King’s Landing could be done in 12-18 hours on The Sea Snake, eight hours on The Danaera, as it had for decades, as it had for as long as Corlys had made the journey frequently.
In the middle of the tenth moon the first failed harvest on Driftmark took place. The weather had turned cold; the nights often cool enough to make still freshwater freeze on the surface. Enough frost to damage the wild rye. One failed harvest was bad, but Driftmark would recover. However, it was only the first of many.
Corlys and Rhaenys’ journeys to King’s Landing in the last days of the tenth moon and the first days of the eleventh moon for family time and meeting in the Small Council took longer than usual, now it took almost two full days. The currents were changing, the weather changed as predicted.
When Corlys’ mother-in-law, Lady Jocelyn Baratheon Targaryen died on the 15th day of the eleventh moon of 130 AC, he journeyed to Storm’s End to join Rhaenys and to carry Jocelyn’s remained to Dragonstone where she was interred beside her late husband Prince Aemon three days later.
The twelfth moon came with even colder weather. The journey to and from King’s Landing now took three days. There was another Small Council Meeting. More planning. More trades. Securing the Seven Kingdoms. Securing the family. By the middle of the twelfth moon, fishermen caught fewer fish and just days later the first iceberg was spotted less than a league from Driftmark’s shores.
Shortly after celebrating Nyssie’s first name day, Corlys brought his family to King’s Landing for the New Year celebrations and for Visenya’s 12th name day. The journey home took four days due to the ice that made the ocean thick and the changing current.
Before the second moon of 131AC rose Corlys and Rhaenys had dismissed many of their staff, urging them to be with their families. Corlys brought ships up on the dry docs to keep them safe from the freezing waters. The decision had been made. They would spend the winter at King’s Landing.
It had not been an easy decision. They both knew Rhaenyra wanted them there. Rhaenys wanted her family close and together. Corlys felt a duty to Driftmark. However, with time they agreed that they were needed the most at King’s Landing, especially as they could leave their stored food and goods to the inhabitants staying on Driftmark. Corlys’ stewards would stay, as would Kezmya who knew herbs and foreign medicine.
Rhaenys made plans for Meley’s eggs. They still hadn’t hatched, but Corlys hoped they would. As long as the dragon was broody, the red queen was less likely to take flight, and he knew Rhaenys missed the open air. Meleys would fly, would follow the ship with her eggs on board.
Two days after Corlys’ 72nd name day, he and Rhaenys boarded The Sea Snake and began the journey to King’s Landing, unsure of how or when they’d return home to Driftmark.
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