Last night's episode of House of the Dragon cemented my fanon au idea where the kids stop the Dance before it can even begin by making peace with each other during the funeral and being a family... y'know, just kids being kids and getting along because they're too young to deal with all the craziness the adults are planning for them.
Instead of walking away from Jace, Aemond gives his condolences. Jace shuffles his feet and apologizes for the pig prank, to which Aemond shrugs it off and offers to go for a leisurely stroll across the beach, even inviting Baela and Rhaena. Jace and the twins hesitantly agree.
What started off as a walk turned into a game of tag. The kids are shrieking and laughing as they run around the beach, grief momentarily forgotten as they chase each other, build sandcastles and even dip their toes in the water.
It doesn't take long for Aegon, Helaena, and Lucerys to find them piled in the sand giggling. Lucerys and Helaena join in on the fun. Aegon tries to hang back, but the kids aren't having it, and they puppy pile him. Aegon whines and grumbles about sand getting in his hair, but the smile he tries so hard to fight back turns into a full-fledged grin, and he joins in on the fun.
Yes, they still bicker and tease each other, but the childish quarrels lack heat and maliciousness. Their time in Driftmark has been extended due to reasons giving them plenty of time to get to know one another and grow closer.
During their time in Driftmark, the kids are seen everywhere together. Playing together, reading together, sitting in a huddle during dinner, talking amongst themselves, even sparring together.
Helaena is just happy to be around other girls in her family. She shows Rhaena her butterfly collection and Baela her centipede collection.
Most of the adults are not too happy about this new closeness. Alicent is foaming at the mouth and outright forbidding her children from being anywhere near Rhaenyra and Daemon's brood, but all three children defy her and their grandfather.
Daemon, being Daemon, is pissed because his daughters are so close to the grandchildren of his hated enemy Otto Hightower and there's nothing he can do about it because, like their father, the twins are rogues who do their own thing.
Rhaenyra is relieved and happy because she genuinely does not want any in-fighting in her family and wants to foster bonds between her children and Alicent's children.
Viserys is just happy that family is getting along for once.
Ser Crispin's attempts to turn the boys against each other again during a sparring session in Driftmark's training yard goes sideways fast when Aemond, Aegon, Lucerys, and Jace gang up on him. If you've ever had a group of children jump you with sticks, you'll most likely not escape unscathed. The boys hit Crispin in the knees with their wooden swords multiple times and promptly start beating the crap out of him until guards pull them off. When questioned sharply about the incident, Aegon and Aemond just shrug and say, "He was insulting our nephews. We did what any dragon would do and put him in his place." Viserys brushes the situation under the rug, Alicent is furious but can't do much of anything because Viserys forbids her from acting out, and Ser Crispin...lets just say that his time in the Kingsguard came to an end the moment a bunch of little kids beat the shit out of him.
Rhaena confides in Aemond about her desire to claim Vhagar in honor of her mother's memory, and during the night, Aemond wakes her up and leads her to where Vhagar is resting. After three attempts and strong encouragement from Aemond, Rhaena bonds with Vhagar, and both cousins clamber onto her back to sail across the sky together. They cheer and laugh, and it's the most glorious thing ever.
Their time in Driftmark eventually ends, but the bonds between the seven kids are iron-clad. The Dance ends before it can even begin. In a rare act of responsibility, Aegon makes plans to ensure Rhaenyra's place as Queen because he doesn't care about the Iron Throne and just wants to live a laid-back life as a Prince.
The kids write letters to each other, send gifts, and even fly together whenever they have the time.
Aemond finally bonds with a dragon and doesn't lose an eye.
