𝐀𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐗 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐑𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄.

There she stood, clad in her dress that had been magically repaired overnight. Her father had not come to see her off, and Rhaella felt largely impartial to the fact.

"I have never known a dragon to leave its rider." Alys's voice appeared behind her.

He comes when I need him," Rhaella responded, hoping that Aegarax would swoop down and take her away from this place.

"Will you not bid your father farewell?" Alys questioned.

"Why should I? He didn't bother with me." Rhaella snapped childishly.

Alys nodded as if she had already expected the answer. Rhaella felt horribly uncomfortable in the witch's presence. She saw right into her.

"Do you know what it means to be loved by death, my lady?" Alys asked,her eyes fixed on the sky as if she were waiting for something.

"No," Rhaella stated plainly. "But I suppose you shall tell me anyhow."

"It is quite a selfish lover, death is," Alys said. "It is not at all interested in sharing you with the others."

Others? Rhaella took care to think carefully. In truth, there might have been one man in this life she'd consider a lover—Her enemy.

"If you wish for me to understand, then speak plainly," Rhaella said.

"There was a parade in Kings Landing today," Alys said. "The head of your grandmother's dragon was displayed for all to see."

Rhaella paused for a moment, her mind stilling completely.

"You lie." Rhaella's voice didn't waver, though the venom's flames slowly licked their way up her body.

"You can see through me as well, can you not?" Alys said. "They are parading around the city as we speak."

At that moment, Rhaella felt an incomparable rage in her soul. She had surely felt anger before, but not like this.

"What benefit do you reap from this?" Rhaella questioned. "I am not so stupid to believe you pay obeisance to my house."

"My obeisance is to the Gods," Alys said. "There are things in this world that are ancient."

A great roar shook the yards of Harrenhal, alerting Caraxes nearby. Rhaella's eyes never left Alys's, though she could feel the presence of her dragon.

Aegarax landed behind her, flapping his wings protectively.

"Let us see then," Rhaella said finally. She hiked up the skirts of her dress and mounted her dragon easily.

"Let us see how the Gods try to stop me."

Rhaella clutched the Cannibal's spines tighter as he prepared to fly. She gave no verbal command—Her mind was far too troubled to speak clearly.

—

RHAELLA DID NOT RETURN TO DRAGONSTONE.

Instead, she found herself gliding over Driftmark. Even from the skies, she could see men hard at work repairing her grandsire's damaged ships.

The screams at the sight of her dragon didn't deter Rhaella in the slightest. Her eyes darted around for a landing place, deciding on High Tide.

The soldiers that stood guard lowered their swords upon seeing Rhaella descend, parting the way for her.

"Where is my Grandsire?" Rhaella questioned one of the soldiers who stiffened at the sound of her voice.

"He is in Hull, my lady," a guard managed to stutter out. The presence of her brooding dragon was both imposing and off-putting.

Rhaella walked off into the direction of the town, she was sure Aegarax would find something to occupy himself with.

The town of Hull was not unfamiliar to her as Corlys had often shown her his many ships when she was a child. Rhaella was not particularly interested in the doings of the sea, but she had a keen interest in ropes.

"Granddaughter." Corlys greeted upon seeing her. "I am told you have scarcely been seen as of late."

"I have found myself quite busy." Rhaella placed her arms behind her.

Corlys smiled,his eyes drifting up towards to skies.

"That beast put the fear of the Gods in my men." His tone sounded prouder than anything her father could've managed.

Rhaella's deadened eyes watched her grandsire carefully, despite his best efforts, it was clear to her that he was not himself.

"Grandmother fought well," Rhaella said. "Aegon is on death's door because of her."

Lord Corlys's face was instantly stricken with grief at the mention of Rhaenys. The hole in his heart was not invisible to her.

Rhaella stepped closer to him,her face warped with a look of sudden intensity.

"I cannot offer you comfort," Rhaella said. "I only promise vengeance for what they've done. "

"And what do you plan to do?" Corlys asked. Rhaella's gaze drifted again. He'd surely try to stop her if she were honest with him.

"I'd need proper armour first" Rhaella looked down at her haggard dress. "Lest I ruin all my gowns."

Before Corlys could respond, another voice cut in.

"The boat is mostly finished, my lord, save for the ropes."

Rhaella turned to the source—A scrawny boy, around her age possibly. Likely one of the many common-borns working for her grandsire.

The boy stopped short at the sight of Rhaella, unable to continue. Rhaella stared him down as if ascertaining something.

"Right. Thank you, Addam." Corlys gruffly cleared his throat. He turned back to Rhaella, but she was unmoved, eyes glued to Addam almost eerily.

"The lady Rhaella requires some assistance regarding a commission," Corlys said. "Would you mind escorting her there?"

"Yes-I mean,no my lord." Addam stuttered out. "At once."

Rhaella allowed Addam to walk a few paces in front of her before catching up. Something about his face was striking to her,she could not quite place it.

"How long have you been in my grandsire's service?" Rhaella broke the silence first.

Addam quickly glanced away from her when she met his gaze. "Since I was a boy, my lady."

'A bastard' Rhaella thought to herself. 'It is plain to see.'

It was not a far away conclusion, Rhaella had since learned that men of the realm rarely hold any deep loyalty towards their wives—Another reason why she'd never marry.

Loyalty was most precious at times such as these.

"I see," Rhaella said. "He treats you well, I assume?"

Rhaella saw Addam's face flash with something brief, confirming her suspicions.

"He has been most gracious to my brother and I."

"I am glad of it," Rhaella responded.

As they stopped in front of the shop, Rhaella's gaze raked over the different swords and daggers arranged on the table. She longed for her own, cursing herself for being so careless in dropping it.

"What can I do for you, my lady?" The Smithy asked.

Rhaella was quiet as she took in all the armor pieces. In truth, she hadn't the faintest clue what she wanted for herself. She refused to have anything similar to Baela and Jace, but not something particularly bulky like her father.

"Armour," Rhaella stated blankly as if it were obvious.

"Ah." The Smithy said. "Gift for the lord?"

Rhaella scrunched her face slightly in displeasure. "It's for me."

Addam flitted between the two of them, worried the smithy would say something to further irritate her.

"If I may, my lady," Addam said. "Perhaps there is something you had in mind?"

Rhaella stared at Addam vacantly, suddenly feeling rather foolish.

"Something...light,I suppose." Rhaella pondered. "I am not too keen on being shot out of the sky."

Addam nodded, somehow understanding Rhaella's admittedly vague descriptions.

"Chainmail then?" Addam nodded to the smithy.

"I have no need for a cape, it will only get in the way" Rhaella added. "And I require trousers."

Rhaella could not stand the premise of wearing skirts during battle.

"I think valyrian steel plates could be useful," Addam said.

Once the smithy handed over everything she'd asked for, Rhaella spun on her heel with a tiny pleased smile on her face.

"Do you need any help,my lady?" Addam rushed by her.

"You've helped me more than you know," Rhaella responded. "Thank you."

Addam smiled to himself. For the first time in a while, he felt useful—Perhaps she could put in a kind word for him to Lord Corlys.

He had seen the Lady Rhaella a few times before, in truth. As a boy he'd duck behind the ship hands as Lord Corlys led her to the docks, proudly showing off the spoils of his conquests.

That had been years ago, and Rhaella had changed much since then. Her silver hair had grown wild like a lion's mane, and her body had outgrown its girlish frame.

One thing remained the same, though—Her eyes, equal parts frightening as well as striking.

He stood a ways behind her as the dragon flew down to meet her. He could only assume this was a recent development, and not a moment too soon considering the realm was at war.

"Addam." Rhaella tossed her things on the dragon's back before turning to him. "Take care of yourself"

Her tone wasn't nearly as cold now,there was a tinge of mystery in it. It made him stand up straighter.

He longed to respond with something witty in hopes of seeing her smile properly,but was unable to conjure anything up.

Addam watched in amazement as the beast adjusted to her commands. He had never been more sure—Targaryens were indeed Gods among men.

                                       —

QUEEN RHAENYRA'S FACE FELL AT THE NEWS.

Meleys's head being shown in the street as some sort of spectacle was the greatest of insults.

"Allow me to respond on our behalf." Rhaella insisted.

"I'm worried what that entails." Rhaenyra shook her head. "You will do nothing."

"You expect me to stand by as the Greens disrespect my grandmother?" Rhaella scoffed.

"What I expect, is for you to respect my authority." Rhaenyra took a step forward. "If not as my stepdaughter, then as your queen."

Rhaella flinched. She had no need for Rhaenyra to mother her, the thought fully repulsing.

"Is this how you plan to carry on, your grace?" Rhaella said venomously. "They will think you weak."

"So let them," Rhaenyra said. "That shall be their downfall."

Rhaella shook her head. She refused to return to weakness to life of invisibility. She had a dragon, a large one at that—She fully intended to make use of him.

For now, Rhaella conceded, choosing to return to her chamber. She passed by Baela's room door and paused for a moment. They had not spoken so much as a word to each other in days—Baela was famously good at holding a grudge.

She couldn't be bothered with her now; No, her mind was occupied with more pressing issues.

So, Rhaella sat on her bed, staring down at her newly acquired riding clothes. She waited till night fell across the sky.

It seemed obvious what she should do. Rhaella heard no whispers of madness in her mind—these actions were all her own, and she was mostly sure of that.

Rhaella dawned her armor as quietly as possible, sneaking out into the halls and venturing outside.

Aegarax was lying outside his cave as if already waiting for her. When she came closer, he lazily raised his head.

"Ūndegon skoros īlon kostagon gaomagon hēnkirī, hm?" Rhaella placed a hand over his head.

'Let's see what we can do together.'

Rhaella mounted him and they took off into the air. Aegarax glided easily as she directed him. Excitement boiled inside of her as she got closer to her destination.

Oldtown.

The Cannibal circled over the pious town a few times as Rhaella mulled over her next moves. She was high enough and the cover of night would cloak her well.

Rhaella's eyes fell onto the Starry Sept—There it stood, mocking and tall like the influence of the Hightowers in the Red Keep.

She hated them. Hightowers,the faith—They thought their Gods more powerful than dragons.

Rhaella readjusted herself, tightening her grip on Aegarax's spines. She descended onto the sept, diving just low enough to be in range.

"Aegarax," Rhaella said, her voice had never been more calm.

"Dracarys."

The Cannibal bathed the sept in his green fire. The smoke remnants brought a wonderful sting to Rhaella's eyes.

The screams of the townsfolk began to ring out, panicked and coated in desperation.

"Dragon!" Some of them screamed. "We're under attack!"

Rhaella's mouth twitched in amusement. Oldtown adored the color green, and she'd given them just that.

The guards lined up with their bows, trying their best to aim for her. Although they could not see her properly from such a distance, Rhaella couldn't help but toy with them a little.

"Embrot," Rhaella said. 'Down.'

Aegarax obeyed, swooping down towards the soldiers. His mouth opened wide, a sure treacherous sight for the enemy. He managed to eat half of them, the gushes of blood coated Rhaella's face.

She allowed one guard to flee, a rather badly burned one. Rhaella hoped he'd drag himself all the way to Kings Landing; She hoped he'd tell the whole pack of those arrogant cunts what she had done this night.

'Let him tell Aemond what I have done on my grandmother's behalf.' Rhaella thought as she let the Cannibal go wild unabashedly.

"May the Gods help us!" A septon screamed towards the skies.

Rhaella scoffed at that. The only Gods that were in the sky were her and the dragon she rode. No mercy would come for them so long as she lived.

The silver locks of her hair whipped around in the wind as she sharply turned Aegarax away when her hunger was sated.

Her gluttony for death had at long last been satisfied

                                        ——-

A/N: hi friends! Rhaella has officially entered her peak and is going to be such a huge problem for everyone,including rhaenyra.

I've been waiting to write this part genuinely from day one so I hope you enjoyed!

Tbh we only have a handful of chapters left in this act so I've been trying to stretch this out for as long as I can Srry for the slow updates🥺

(Aemond eat ur heart out loser)

           Rhaella's official riding outfit!!

I thought it was perfect for her since she's kind of a tomboy? And she's set herself university her own house so I avoided the red and black situation