122 A.C
Driftmark

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

THE AIR AROUND HER WAS HEAVY AND FEARFUL, everyone has awoken from their bed: the King, some guards, and the Queen who resembled pure rage like a wild animal. The Maester was tending to Aemond's wound sewing his eye, Alicent was watching her son with a foolish hope that he shall be all healthy but when Mellos confirmed the scariest truth they all dreaded that Prince Aemond Targaryen had lost his sight at one of his eye and it cannot be healed, the red-haired woman glared towards Rhaenyra's children. Vellena sensed the Queen's gaze staring right through her soul, the princess was not able to speak anything or even breath normally, her cheeks and lilac eyes went dry from all the tears she had wiped. Jacaerys was holding his sister tight to his side, his fingers tangled in her palm around her knuckles, to keep her safe because the monsters have already prepared their claws. Little Luke was clutched to his older sister, both his hand gripping her strongly by the arm while dots of blood dripped from his broken nose staining the skirt of Vellena's nightgown. They were alone against the vultures in that room, that is what triggered a strange sensation of weakness, Rhaenyra was nowhere to be seen making her seem like a terrible mother in the eyes of the enemy.

"How could you allow such a thing to happen? I will have answers" the King Viserys shouted from over the Driftwood throne seat, Vellena's hand grew clincher around Jace's as she stared at the Maester tending her uncle. She sensed the fear on the edge of exploding outside her chest not realizing her grip on Jacaerys's hand was way too firm.
"The princes were supposed to be abed, My King" Ser Harrold answered straight up in attempts of justifying the events were not to be blame on the knights. Jace traced his thumb over the back of Vellena's palm not caring her grasp was too tough that it hurt as he could not feel his hand.

"Who had the watch?" Viserys asked again, his eyes searching for the man irresponsible enough to put his family in danger. The little princess gazed down at her hand that was interlaced with Jace's, his soothing touch bringing a sene of peace through these wicked times begging in this room.
"Young prince was attacked by his own cousins, Your Grace" Criston Cole reacted first defending Aemond indirectly and spreading lies about this horrible incident, the knight would spit everything to put Rhaenyra and her children in a bad light.

"You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!" The King spatted walking down the stairs of the Driftwood throne, supporting on his stick with one arm. Vellena gulped hardly leaning her forehead against Jace's shoulder screwing her eyes tightly as tears glide on the side of her head, Luke encircled his arms around his sister's waist slanting his head on the side of her body under her free arm.
"I'm very sorry, Your Grace. The Kings guard has never had to defend princes from princes, Your Grace" Ser Westerling added short time after Viserys burst his anger over them, and the man was right because not ever in the history of the Targaryen Dynasty their kin, the children, fought and caused damage to one another.

"That is no answer" Viserys said coldly strolling closer to the Maester to examine the wound of his second son. The little Princess Vellena began sobbing silently in her brother's chest, she regretted how unreasonable she acted against her uncle when patience, calmness, kindness and intelligence were the qualities she was known for, cherished for. Vellena did not show any of them in their little fight, she had just listened to her instincts about what Aemond intended to do with that rock, she knew, both her and Baela, that Aemond wished to harm or even slain Jacaerys.
"I want mother..." Vellena mumbled between her sobs, Jace intertwined his fingers with hers before kissing the top of her head to notice the blood in her scalp. Rage overwhelming him as she glanced over at his uncle seated in a chair while The Maester was seeing his lost eye, Jace was aware Aemond did not deserve it but he harmed Vellena and that was something Jace shall never forget, Jace failed again to keep his siblings safe.

Vellena's attention drifted towards the stairs hoping her mother would come to her rescue, to shield her and her brothers from the dark that surrounded them. To her disappointment, it was not Rhaenyra who rushed to check on what has happened but her grandparents, Rhaenys was the one to wrap her three granddaughters under her wigs while Corlys surveyed Jace and Luke.
"Grandmother?" Vellena's voice was lower than even a whisper, she buried her face in the old princess's shoulder clenching her hands into fists until the knuckles turned white and the nails created deep cuts into the fragile skin of her palms. She had no clue what hurt more, the wound on her scalp, that Aemond made, from which stripes of blood leaked draining her light brown hair or the shame and fear flowing through her veins for slashing his eye.

"What has happened?" Rhaenys mumbled stroking Vellena's locks only to notice the blood in her beautiful hair now stained terribly. The little girl gulped seeking an answer in her mind, she knew it was her doing but she had never meant to harm him that severly, Vellena was only trying to protect her brother Jacaerys who would have been dead on Aemond's hand if she did not step in.
"Grand-grandmoth-motherr..." the child stammered clinging tighter to the silver-haired woman's neck while her breathing started to raise due to the panic going through her head. Horrible images coursing inside of how the Queen Alicent would have her hanged or killed shortly without discussion, how she would perish from this world without getting her chance to live a life.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lord Corlys questioned bothered by the sudden perturbation in his home, Lucerys clung to his grandsire's side a bit relieved that someone he could trust had come to the rescue but the children still yearned for their mother who was nowhere near unfortunately.
"Your granddaughter has maltreated my son, Lord Corlys" the Queen spatted firmly emphasizing her first words, it was pure loathe, disgust and rage in her fierce motherly gaze as she glanced at Vellena. Rhaenys wrapped her arms around the scared princess lifting her up like a mere babe, Vellena rested her chin on her grandmother's shoulder refusing to face the King and mostly the Queen.
"And your son was innocent in all?" Rhaenys snapped through gritted teeth, trying to put everything to pieces, it must have been a reason from where the fight had started.

Finally the large doors opened for Princess Rhaenyra to enter in haste, rushing to her children as fear roamed her gaze, she should have been more prudent and cautious about her sweetlings.
"Jace? Luke! Show me. Show me" the woman bent to her son's height checking his broken bloody nose and cursing to herself how a bad mother she proved to be in the moment when her little loves needed her the most.

"Where's Vellena?" Rhaenyra whispered again, her thumb brushing against Jace's cheek as worry creeped over her again before the boy tilted his head to the side pointing at his sister cradle up in Rhaenys's arms. The two Targaryen women nodded to another, Rhaenyra being thankful for the love Rhaenys showed to her grandchildren, at least to ones that came from "Laenor'a bloodline". The Queen Who Never Was, was no fool, she knew better than to ignore the proof that laid in front of her, the nephews Corlys was so proud of were bastards mayhaps along with their sister but there was something about Vellena which did not quite fit because she resembled Rhaenyra's features perfectly except for the hair, a very light brown colour, from a distance many would approve Vellena's hair was Targaryen kin.

"Who did this?" The Princess of Dragonstone asked her beloved boys, yet deep down she had a feeling that the fake shadow flying in a distance on the beach was not only from her dizzy imagination after what had happened with Daemon. The young voices in the room began to shout, spat and scream to one another, even the Queen meddled into the crazy fight of harsh words, nothing could be understood by their hopeful want to seek the justice they all behooved.

"Enough... enough... Silence!" The King Viserys interrupted the unstoppable attacks, he tried other attempts to capture their attention to his tired ugly gaze as he moved with his stick to the right side of his son to search for an asnwer of this unfortunate incident, a very lamentable situation the mighty House Targaryen was going through at that moment.
"He called us bastards" Jacaerys muttered to his mother, Rhaenyra closed her eyes biting the inside of her bottom lip well aware that the question of bastardy shall never end for her dear children. She did not know who to blame, herself for doing whatever she could to maintain the appearance or the Gods for making Laenor that way.

"Aemond... I will have the truth of what happened. Now" Viserys insisted, purple heavy sick eyes gaping in Aemond's remaining one, only few glances at the disastrous wound created by a blade.
"What else is there to hear? Your son has been maimed. Her daughter is responsible" Alicent rasped searching for the reason to finally be able to get what she wanted and now it has been given to her.

"It was a regrettable accident" Rhaenyra uttered firmly standing up holding her two boys by their hands, softly stroking their skin for comfort, she needed to be there, to be the mother they deserved.
"Accident? The Princess Vellena brought a blade to the ambush. She meant to kill my son" the Queen accused once again this time more sharply so the entire room to hear. Vellena clutched her grip around Rhaenys's throat choking the sobs overwhelming her, she was a young girl who never meant to hurt anyone but the way Aemond was acting, threatening them because he had a dragon now, the largest and stolen from Rhaena.

"It was my children who were attacked and forced to defend themselves. Vile insults were levied against them" the future Queen spoke her gaze finding her father's, the old man raised an eyebrow curious of what were those harsh words that had lead to this.
"The legitimacy of my sons' and daughter's birth was put loudly to question" Rhaenys put Vellena down between her two cousins, Baela and Rhaena embraced the little princess younger than them with one year. Even if Corlys was playing foolish in seeing the truth of his grandsons, Rhaenys wasn't yet she would cherish Vellena the way Baela and Rhaena will be, Corlys had his three grandsons to be proud and Rhaenys had three beautiful granddaughters, they were on an equal footing.

"He called me Lady Strong and said my brothers are baseborns" as the room fell silent Vellena whispered loud enough for everyone to discern, Aemond choked a laugh turning on his seat to look behind at his niece, Alicent grinned amusement washing over to her at the sight of how stupid the 9 year old princess appeared, her light brown hair all bloody and lilac eyes swollen red because of crying.
"My sons and daughter are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace. This is the highest of treasons. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders" Rhaenyra sounded like a true ruler mother protecting her lies children from the monsters wishing their downfall, because the woman was not stupid, she knew the legitimacy of her sweet kids was a sensitive subject to bring up and she was not sure if she will be able to tell them the truth.

"Over an insult? My son has lost an eye" Alicent laughed not believing what she was hearing, how immature her once dear friend proved herself to be in the given situation, surely to find reasons she and her 'true born' children were not to blame.
"You tell me, boy. Where did you hear this lie?" King Viserys asked his injured son, of course he was covering for his daughter, Aemond glanced at his mother, as a loyal child he shall not betray her and spill to everyone that The Queen of the Seven Kingdoms was the one to spread lies about the heir to the iron throne.
"The insult was training yard bluster. The lot of boys. It was nothing" the red-haired tried to mask what could be known but Aemond did not sold her out.

"Where is Ser Laenor, I wonder? Their father? Perhaps he might have something to say in the matter" while Alicent kept on changing the subject so her side would not be find guilty, her son was the only harmed in her eyes. The king agreed to his wife, Ser Laenor must be present at this matter "Yes. Where is Ser Laenor?"

Vellena searched around the room hoping her dear father would appear out of nowhere and save her, take her away from all these mean people, she loved her mother deeply but her father was the only one to truly understand her, even if he was rarely present, Laenor always made time to spend two days per week with his daughter.
"I do not know, Your Grace. I... could not find sleep. I had gone out to walk" Vellena curiously eyed her mother then her gaze had drifted towards the door where the same man who laughed at Laena's funeral stood leaned against the wall silently observing the fight.

"Entertaining his young squires, I would venture" Alicent uttered with a hint of mockery but no one took notice of her interruption.
"Aemond... look at me. Your king demands an answer. Who spoke these lies to you?" Viserys requested again, he needed to know everything was just a lie because he believed them to be, his daughter may not be a saint but she would not mother offsprings, or he was too blinded by his love for her to see the mere truth living with him all these past years.

"It was Aegon" Aemond's sudden answer truly shocked everyone but it gave a bit of relief to the Queen and a reason for Aemond to get on his brother after the Dragonpit prank.
"And you, boy? Where did you hear such calumnies?" Viserys moved closer to his eldest son in front of the fireplace. "Aegon! Tell me the truth of it!" the old man yelled loud so his echo broke in the entire chamber, his son needed to be punished after spreading horrible falsehoods.
"We know, Father. Everyone knows. Just look at them" Aegon simply shrugged glaring at his sister's children, Rhaenyra brought her sons closer to her sides while Rhaenys looked after the three girls, Baela and Rhaena tightened their hug with Vellena keeping their cousin between them.

"This interminable infighting must cease! All of you! We are family! Now make your apologies and show good will to one another. Your father, your grand sire, your king demands it!" Viserys shouted walking away with the help of his stick, he was tired of this fight, of the shredding in his family, the family he had ripped in two the moment he chose to marry Alicent but he shall never notice it.
"That is insufficient. Aemond has been damaged, permanently, My King. Good Will cannot make him whole" the Queen spoke terribly disappointed with how her husband handled the matter, she needed to see justice be made for her brave son.

"I know, Alicent, but I cannot restore his eye" Viserys replied tiredly, it shall never be forgotten what has happened today but even the King could not recreate fate.
"No, because it's been taken" his wife was still yearning for something dark, deep, which Viserys could not clearly tell. "What would you have me do?"

"There is a debt to be paid. I shall have one of her daughter's eyes in return" Alicent demanded sharply glaring towards the princess Vellena, the little girl shook her head desperately looking towards her mother, her breath hitched as salty tears started to stain her delicate cheek, warming her cold skin.
"My dear wife" Viserys did all what was possible to calm her, it was outrageous what she was asking of him.
"He is your son, Viserys. Your blood" the woman cried begging for impartiality to be made, Aemond deserved at least to receive equality after what he has been put through.

"Do not... allow your temper to guide your judgment" the King was still trying to calm the spirits down but it was useless, Alicent was not going to change her perspective.
"If the King will not seek justice, the Queen will. Ser Criston... bring me the eye of Vellena Velaryon" as soon as the order was given Vellena screamed running to her mother, she buried herself in the skirt of Rhaenyra's gown sobbing and pleading that she did not want any harm. "Mother... please... please... I don't-don't wish to die... I beg you... forgive me—" Vellena stammered, her voice muffled by the material of the red dress, Rhaenyra shushed her daughter softly stroking her locks as a sign of reassurance that nobody would touch her.

"She can choose which eye to keep, a privilege she did not grant my son" Alicent added sternly only for Vellena to shriek hugging her mother's side tighter, Jacaerys embraced her from behind kissing the back of her head not giving importance to the smell of blood in her hair, Luke wrapped his small arms around his sister's waist nuzzling his face between her and their mother.
"You will do no such thing" Rhaenyra commanded, they wouldn't dare to raise a sword against her daughter or she shall not be merciful.

"Stay your hand!" Viserys ordered, blood shall not be spilled in this family anymore, he has had enough of their infighting.
"No, you are sworn to me!" Alicent snapped back, was she asking too much of a child? Yet her own child was harmed by this girl, she was only seeking correction and fairness as she had been always taught.
"As your protector, my Queen" in all his miserable life, this may have been the most intelligent decision Criston 'Crispin' Cole has ever made to stay out of the conflict.

"Alicent, this matter... is finished. Do you understand?" The King held his hopes up that his wife had finally come back to her senses, he hissed angrily at her before turning around to say one more important matter.
"And let it be known: anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's sons should have it removed" Vellena breathed in relief pulling her face away from the hidden spot of her mother's skirt, her grandsire's word was law and no soul in this Realm would have the courage to cross it.
"Thank you, Father" Rhaenyra nodded, her fingers brushing through Vellena's locks soothing the stress her child was holding inside, Vellena rested her cheek against her mother's belly closing her lilac eyes to let the air fill her lungs again.

Nevertheless Alicent was still thirsting over the damn eye, over blood, in one swift move she grabbed Viserys's dagger and rushed towards the princess Vellena, as everyone started to scream Rhaenyra pushed her daughter aside just for Rhaenys to catch her. The Princess of Dragonstone caught Alicent's arm right on time holding it with all her strength so the blade would not hurt anyone.
"You've gone too far" Rhaenyra whispered so only her once childhood friend would hear, Criston Cole made an attempt to intervene between the two women but the other knights and Daemon stopped him from doing something stupid that would cost his life.

"I? What have I done but what was expected of me? Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout all to do as you please" the Queen wailed angrily, she had done only what others asked of her, only what she had been prepared for and still Rhaenyra was the one to win, it scratched under her skin terrifically.
"Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? It's trampled under your pretty foot again. And now you take my son's eye, and to even that, you feel entitled" none of this was fair but life itself was indeed fair? Alicent had never known fully because all she had achieved was a title and even that was due to desperate times.

"Exhausting, wasn't it? Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness. But now they see you as you are" Rhaenyra whispered staring directly into her former friend's gaze with one quick glance at the dagger separating them, the dagger of only her and her father were aware of the power it was keeping. With one push Alicent pulled away not realizing her movement injured Rhaenyra's arm until blood started to drip from the opened wound under the ripped sleeve on her forearm.
Vellena rushed to her mother clinging to her side and watching as fresh drops of blood drained the floor, she didn't notice Daemon standing behind her until his arm accidentally touched her head, Vellena hugged Lucerys to her side after glancing at Jacaerys who was on the other side of their mother while reminding herself that the reason she had done such a terrible deed was to protect her brothers.

"Do not mourn me, Mother. It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye... but I gained a dragon" Aemond spoke putting an end to this infighting, he was being reasonable but deep down he swore to himself that one day he shall take Vellena's eye and gift it to his mother.
"This proceeding is at an end" King Viserys ordered hitting his stick in the floor loudly for everyone to understand.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

DRIFTMARK
It was already sunrise and The Maester was now tending to Rhaenyra's wound after nursing Luke's broken nose and Vellena's cut in the scalp, hopefully her wound will close and the hair will grow back but until then she barely had few locks loosed making her seem like a boy. The door opened suddenly as Laenor stormed inside terribly concerned of what has happened.
"Gods. Is everyone all right?" he had no time to ask as Vellena practically jumped in his arms, the father chuckled holding her close to him.
"A broken nose and a cut in the scalp are the worst" Maester Kelvyn said finishing to sew the Princess Rhaenyra's wound, Laenor looked down at his daughter seeing her almost bald was rather strange but she was still his Vellena.

"Leave us. You as well. You've already found enough trouble today" Rhaenyra told her children, she needed a word with her husband, millions of dangerous scenarios crossing her mind this last hours of what should she do to protect her claim and her children from the vultures of this court, from the evil Greens.
"Yes, mother" Jace nodded taking Luke's arm, Vellena peeked up at her father, her chin resting on his stomach, she didn't want to go, to leave her father again because she felt the need to confess to someone what truly happened and that only person was her father. Laenor nodded giving her a last kiss on the forehead before pushing her away.

As they walked down the corridors Vellena did her best to ignore her brothers, highly ashamed of what she had done, she couldn't comprehend the way Jace and Luke may never speak to her again.

"Vel?" Jace asked turning behind.
"Lena" Luke smiled hugging his sister so tight that she could lose her breath, no words could express how much Lucerys adored his sister, he admired her like an idol. Vellena smiled faintly running her fingers through his dark curls.
"You must think I'm a monster now. I should have listened to you, Jace. I should have go back to my quarters" Vellena mumbled with a hard gulp, he was the older brother and of course he knew better, she must have known that.

"I'd say a pretty monster. And yes, you should have but it was not your fault, remember that" Jacaerys brought her other hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, Vellena was an angel in his eyes who did not deserve to be part of anything that had occurred.
"Can we go get lemon cake, now?" Luke asked pulling away and rushing down the corridors, this boy was hungry as a babe. Vellena and Jace laughed running after their younger brother, whoever arrived at the kitchens first would take the largest piece!

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