Do you know what's missing in Westeros? A big book with 1000 baby names, they would've avoided so much conflict with more than 2 names and it's variations smh
(Warnings: A bit of angst before a lot more angst. Battle, blood, war, mentions of death and abuse and SA before some more angst with some sad angst in it)
Dothraki will be in bold
High Valyrian will be in cursive
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Rhaella was quiet as she stood upon the hill, overlooking the dark waters of Ironman Bay, attempting to spot the small dingy that Bronn and his nine men had set sail in towards the ship closest to the shore, their orders being to work their way to the main ship but not beyond. If one of the ships were in the way of the main ship, their orders were to clear that ship and move towards the main one, repeating the process until they reached the ship the Red Raider was one, the one where the captives were supposedly held. Once a ship had been taken, they were meant to signal if they found any captives, so a boat could be rowed out and retrieve them. It had been hours since they set out, Rhaella watching in the darkness for any sign, any hint of a light. Raemor was resting further away from the hill, his white and silver scales visible even at night, instead it was Drogon who was resting behind her, his eyes closed as he rested on the ground, but he lifted his head when Daenerys approached.
âYour Graceâ Daenerys greeted and Rhaella turned to look at her mother, a smile forming on her lips as Daenerys moved to stand next to her âso, any signals yet?â
âNo⊠itâs been hours⊠do you think-.... do you think that this was a bad tactic?...â
âNo. Yara and Bronn knows what theyâre doing, if they agreed to your plan, it means that they believe in your plan, that itâll workâŠâ Daenerys stated with a soft smile, Rhaella smiling briefly at her before looking ahead âIâm grateful that youâre here, mother⊠but what about Daron? Heâs so youngâŠâ
âYour father is taking care of him⊠we talked about it before I left. Youâre my child alsoâ Daenerys reminded her and she nodded, letting out a shaky breath, a soft smile on her lips âbut-... Daron⊠heâs so young⊠almost a year old nowâŠâ
âYes, eleven months. Weâll be back before his first name-dayâ she stated softly and Rhaella nodded with a sigh âgoodâŠâ she murmured, a silence falling over the two of them and a sleeping Drogon, the dark night continuing, until the sound of a bell began to ring, her eyes widening and she looked at Daenerys before looking back over the bay, several lights aboard the ships began to be lit and Rhaella felt her heart race. She practically ran back to the romo sheâd been given, Daenerys hurrying after her, finding her almost undressed, a set of armour laid out, ready to be put on and Daenerys frowned with worry âIssa dĆna(my sweet)â Daenerys began but Rhaella shook her head âjust help me into my armour!â she ordered, Daenerys hesitating and Rhaella turned to stare at her with a frown âMuña!... Help me into my armourâ she commanded, Daenerys hesitantly approaching and doing as told, fitting her armour on her before giving her her Valyrian sword, Rhaella already running back outside, Daenerys running after her to find Raemor ready, letting out a loud roar, the distant sounds of fighting commencing along the bay as plan B was put into action. Attack the ships and try to save the captives.
Rhaella crawled up on Raemor with her sword attached to her side, Daenerys joining her on Drogon as Raemor began to get enough momentum to lift his wings and take flight, Drogon joining soon after, both dragons soon soaring above the battles taking place among the ships, Rhaella studying them before noticing the one with the scorpion on top, steering Raemor directly to it, lowering himself, so low that the water almost touched his belly, and just before heâd have to steer up to not crash into the ship, Rhaella jumped from him, Daenerys watching the scene with horror, until her daughterâs head popped up from the water and she began to swim towards the ship, crawling up, unsheathing her sword immediately as Raemor roamed the sky, Yaraâs Ironborn keeping Rhaella safe as she hurried towards the scorpion, the Ironborn creating a wall to keep the raiders from the Queen as she looked over the scorpion, her heart racing with panic and she tried to figure out how it worked, how to destroy it, when suddenly someone touched her shoulder, making her spin around, her sword almost at their neck when a sword met hers, her eyes widening and she lowered her sword, stepping aside âallow me, Your Graceâ he stated with a smirk, lowering his own sword as he moved towards the scorpion, quickly studying it and disabling anything that would make it work, having shot one a few times himself, so he knew somewhat the layout of the contraption. âThank you, Ser Bronnâ Rhaella spoke softly yet loudly enough to be heard over the battle, Bronn nodding with a smirk. âNo problem. You should get back on your dragon, You Grace, this is no place for a lady or a Queen-â
âI will fight alongside my men for the Realm, Queen or notâ she stated with determination before turning to face the battle around them, held off by the Ironborn to keep her safe. âThe captives, where are they?â
âWerenât aboard the ships we went to get here, one of the lads woke up one of the raiders, didnât get to him âill heâd rung the bellâ Bronn admitted with a sigh as he looked around and Rhaella nodded âso the ships between the shore and this one, theyâre checked?â
âAye.â
âGoodâ she stated with spite, turning to look up at her mother as she circled around the scene, knowing that Rhaella didnât want anything burnt unless she were sure the innocent captives were safe. Rhaella caught her gaze as she waved above her head, then gesturing to the ships that Bronn and his men had cleared, Drogon flying directly to them, spewing down fire from above, Raemor joining him, the two of them burning that side of the fleet and Rhaella nodded, looking around the several ships with battles fought on their decks, and probably below. âIronborn! Soldiers of the Crown and Westeros! These raiders are nothing compared to you! You are Ironborn! You are Dornish! You are from the Riverlands, the Westerlands, the North, the Eyrie! They burn your people and homes and steal your women and children! Fuck them up!!â she shouted as loudly as her voice could muster, raising her sword high in the air, the soldiers all on her side beginning to fight much fiercer and she smirked as she lowered her sword from the air, instantly jumping into battle, using Dark Sister as though it was an extension of her arm, Bronn joining in, the dragons burning any who tried to flee in whatever way they could, unless they were heading for the shore. Those that were heading for the shore was in for a shock, most so focused on the chaos behind them that when they got ashore and jumped out of their boats, they froze when they saw an entire army waiting for them in the dark, small lights starting to be lit up on a hill and they were fired through the air, many landing in the sand, the sand catching on fire as it was coated in oil in certain spots, lighting up the ground to provide light and the soldiers charged the second they could see better.
Rhaella was covered in blood by now as she made her way to the captainâs cabin, attempting to rip the door open but when it felt like it was locked, she looked around, waving over some of Yaraâs Ironborn, gesturing to the door and they began to charge at it, the door finally giving in, letting Ironborn spill inside along with Rhaella, her eyes widening in horror at the sight she saw. Children and women were chained to the floor in clusters inside the small cabin, the women filled with bruises, their clothes torn to tatters, many could barely be considered clothed, even the children⊠Rhaella let out a shaky breath, trying to steady herself and ignore her shock before turning to looking around, ehr sword still in her hand âthe captain, the one they call the Red Raider, where is he?â she asked softly, the women and children shrugging, shaking and sobbing with fear and Rhaella nodded âitâs okay, itâs okayâ she soothed, looking over her shoulder at the Ironborn âkeep this area clear, kill any who try to enter if theyâre not on our sideâ she ordered sternly and the men and few women nodded, closing the door as they left the cabin and Rhaella sheathed her sword. âWyla? Is there one among you who is Wyla? Daughter of Jorrick?â
âI-Iâm W-W-Wylaâ a meek voice said and Rhaella hurried over, her hands raised to show that she meant no harm âWyla? Your father sent me, he sent me to get you, get all of youâ she informed to the ground, kneeling down to the ground âIâm going to get all of you out of here, alright? Will you allow me to do that?â she asked, looking around, finding almost all of them avoiding her eyes, cowering away from her and somehow, she knew it wasnât because of the blood she was soaked in from battle. Her heart ached and she felt a darkness in her, an urge so simply leave them there. But she didnât, instead she sighed and looked down before getting out a dagger, Wyla and the others gasping and flinching, Wyla whimpering when it came near her but she froze when she saw Rhaella try to jimmy the lock open with her dagger, straining, trying her best and finally, the lock around Wylaâs ankles dropped, Wyla flinching at the heavy sound of the metal falling from her ankles and Rhaella sighed, giving Wyla the dagger âfree the othersâ she muttered, Wyla hesitantly taking the dagger âh-how?â
âDo what I didâ she informed before stepping back, taking in a shaky breath, turning her back to the captives so they couldnât see the tears in her eyes. She continued to hear the sounds of locks popping open and heavy metal falling to the floor, murmurs and whispers filling among the women and children, the children too scared to look at her when she turned back around to face them. Wyla shakily gave her the dagger and Rhaella took it, forcing a soft smile before sighing, the sounds of battle outside still raging on and Rhaella hesitated before turning to Wyla and the others âIâm sorry for all youâve endured⊠I know what I say cannot undo it, and all I can hope to give you is justiceâŠâ
âM-My father⊠i-is h-he alive?â Wyla asked shakily and Rhaella frowned at her âof course. I offered him a place to stay in the Red Keep while I-... came hereâ she admitted, confusion written all over her face ây-you didnât-... eat him?â she asked in genuine shock and Rhaella frowned âeat him?? Why would I eat him??â she asked with a scoff, Wyla and the others shaking by now and she sighed âIâm not angry, just confused. Why would I eat someone?â
âI-... i-itâs what they say⊠that you eat those who-... displease youâ Wyla admitted and Rhaella looked to the others, some of them nodding hesitantly and Rhaella scoffed again, looking away with fresh tears in her eyes, her jaw clenched as she tried to keep her composure. âI did not eat your father. I do not-... eat peopleâ she trained to keep her voice level and even, turning to look at Wyla, who looked shocked to see the tears in the Queenâs eyes. âIs that what Iâm seen as? A monster who eats people?â she asked breathlessly, the tears still in her eyes and she refused to let any of them fall down her cheeks. Sheâd rather die. âI-... w-we simply-... p-please, Your Grace-â
âYou neednât worry, Iâm not angry with youâŠâ
âYouâre-... n-not?â
âNo⊠saddened? Remorseful? Defeated? YesâŠâ she admitted, the door to the cabin being thrown open and she drew her sword, ready for a fight but it was Bronn who had appeared, panting and out of breath, covered in sweat and blood. âYour Grace, whateverâs left of this fleet, is yoursâ he announced and Rhaella nodded with a forced smile âthank you, Ser Bronn.â
âThe boatâs on the way, though Yaraâs ship can take some now, if itâs alrightâ he stated and Rhaella nodded, looking over her shoulder at the women and children âthe men who took you are dead. There are boats on the way, to row you to shore do you can return home, or you can get on a ship in my navy who can take you there directly immediately, if you donât want to be waiting for the boats to arrive. You will not be harmed. If you require food and water, medical supplies, clothes, all will be given to you, I promiseâ she declared before sheathing her sword, turning back to Bronn âfetch Yara, I doubt many of them want to be led around by a manâ she whispered, Bronn nodding and leaving, leaving the door open to the rest of the deck. âYouâre free, we will help you to shore and clothe and feed you, should you want it. Wyla, I will send a raven for your father, tell him that youâre alive and where you areâ Rhaella informed, just as Yara entered and Rhaella turned to her âlead these women and children to any boats you have, any that do not want to wait for the other boats to arrive to sail them back to shoreâŠâ
âYour Graceâ Yara bowed her head and Rhaella nodded âthis is Yara, sheâs the Lady of Ships and the navy, she will see you taken care of and back to shoreâ Rhaella informed before walking outside of the cabin, letting out a shaky breath before sitting down on the steps to the upper deck, taking her sword off her belt to sit more comfortably, resting it against the railing on the steps next to her. She sat in silence as the captives were led out of the cabin, some of them looking over their shoulders at her, at the dead look in her dragon eyes as she looked off to the side, the dawn breaking on the horizon, Raemorâs silver scales catching the rays of the sun, reflecting them as he soared around, Rhaella studying him before sighing âpile any dead bodies and take them to shore. Our own will be buried with dignityâŠâ
âAnd the rest?â
âThe rest will be food for the dragonsâ she informed in a tired voice, the Ironborn nodding as he went to spread the order, Rhaella leaning against the raising with a sad look on her face that she couldnât hide, her vision blurry from tears. âYou alright, Yer Grace?â Bronn asked as he leaned against the other railing, Rhaella clearing her throat, wiping the tears from her eyes as she sat up straight, forcing a smile âyes, thank you, Ser Bronn. You did excellent workâ she stated with a smile, hoping that that would be it but instead he walked closer, moving her sword to the side, sitting down where itâd been, placing it nearby along with his own sword. âYou know, this is a victoryâ he stated and she frowned with slight confusion âit is, yesâŠâ she agreed quietly, Bronn looking around with a nod ââcourse, no one could blame ya for beinâ... quiet, shall we sayâ he stated casually and she frowned at him âtoday is a victory, we saved lives-â
âAye, but we also took livesâ he admitted and she frowned, studying him before looking down âhas it ever bothered you?â
âNo, not reallyâ he admitted freely, turning to look at her âdonât mean it canât bother others, thoughâ he pointed out and she hesitated before sighing âyou know what bothers me? Not that Iâve taken lives today, itâs that the lives I saved see me as a monsterâŠâ she admitted, looking up at him and he looked around, sighing âdonât have any words of wisdom for thatâ he admitted with a shrug and she chuckled lightly âI doubt many does⊠I didnât ask for this, you know⊠I didnât ask for scales⊠I didnât ask for my eyes to be-... differentâŠâ she muttered, looking down at her dirty hands and he sighed âanyone whoâs different never asked to be different. Think your Hand asked to be different? He didnât. No one asks to be differentâ Bronn stated casually and she nodded âbut people donât make up rumours that Tyrion eats people like a dragonâ she murmured and Bronn scoffed with a smirk âthereâs worse rumours to haveâ he pointed out and she nodded with a scoff âof course there is⊠But I donât want my people to fear me⊠Of course I need them to know that Iâm not some-... meek little girl who will just roll over and do as toldâŠ. but I donât want them to be scared of meâ she admitted quietly, Bronn shrugging ânot much you can do âbout it. You are who you are, canât do much to change thatâ he stated before getting up, groaning quietly, looking back down at her âjust âcause you canât change what you look like doesnât mean you canât be the opposite of what you seem. Donât matter what people think, youâre the Queen. Fuck them and their opinionsâ he stated casually and Rhaella smirked with amusement, looking around as she nodded âyou should return to shore, Ser Bronn, get some food and restâ she ordered softly, Bronn bowing theatrically âas you say, Your Grace. You cominâ with?â
âNo⊠No, Iâll stay here a bit, then Iâll swim, Raemor can pick me up from the waterâ she admitted quietly, Bronn nodding âsounds positively mad⊠alrightâ he stated casually and left to get into one of the remaining boats, Rhaella watching him before sighing softly, deciding to stay a while longer in her own company before sheâd return to shore.
"When a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin. One side greatness, the other madness" đ„
Thanks to @maggie-stormborn for this amazing commission about Targaryens (againâš).
After months of cosmic emptiness, frustration, failed attempts... I finally had the opportunity to dedicate myself to work again. I'm very happy with the result. Maggie's idea was slightly different but she immediately accepted my suggestion (and for that I thank her again).
From left to right: Rhaella, Rhaegar, Viserys, Aerys and Daenerys in the center, balancing on a coin. Around her, obviously, her three dragons.
Oh wow, am I finally posting something after a 2-3 month hiatus? Why yes, yes I am. Now even though this is a sneak peek and not the full piece, Rhaella has always had a sweet spot in my heart when it comes down to ASOIAF characters. Still have one-two more things to touch up on this piece, but hopefully Iâll be able to post it up before the end of this month!
#cats of tumblr
#lana del rey
#horror movies
#photography
