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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 1, 2022 12:33:09 GMT -5
Situated within Maegor's Holdfast are Princess Baela's apartments, close to her twin sister's chambers.
The red and black of House Targaryen is mixed with Velaryon sea-blue across the room. The dragon and the seahorse feature prominently on furniture and tapestries. Even a few weapons from Dragonstone and Driftmark are on display.
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Post by oznerol on Oct 2, 2022 7:03:27 GMT -5
Corlys Velaryon pays a visit to his granddaughter, sole remaining offspring of Lady Laena alongside her sister and twin.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 2, 2022 14:06:35 GMT -5
The elder lord found the Dragon Twin standing on the window sill, the sea wind rustling her short, silver hair. She looked longily out over the city below and the sea beyond.
Upon the entrance of Lord Corlys did Baela turn around. Initially surprised, she greeted her grandfather with a bright smile. She jumped down from the window to embrace him.
"Grandfather! Gods be good, it's good to see you!"
She took a step back and invited him to sit. While she did smile, her purple eyes betrayed a melancholy and bitterness. She poured him a cup of water.
"I remember growing up how much I looked up to grandfather. Few men could measure up to the Sea Snake in my eyes. Few still do, but... a lot has happened since those days, hasn't it?"
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Post by oznerol on Oct 2, 2022 14:39:01 GMT -5
The elder lord found the Dragon Twin standing on the window sill, the sea wind rustling her short, silver hair. She looked longily out over the city below and the sea beyond. Upon the entrance of Lord Corlys did Baela turn around. Initially surprised, she greeted her grandfather with a bright smile. She jumped down from the window to embrace him. "Grandfather! Gods be good, it's good to see you!" She took a step back and invited him to sit. While she did smile, her purple eyes betrayed a melancholy and bitterness. She poured him a cup of water. "I remember growing up how much I looked up to grandfather. Few men could measure up to the Sea Snake in my eyes. Few still do, but... a lot has happened since those days, hasn't it?" Corlys kissed her cheeks. He was frail and looked weaker than before, war, jail and time had taken a toll. He took the seat, no longer nimble or agile, took him longer than it should. "Ah, I'm but a shadow of that man"He coughed to clear his throat. However, many knew he probably was behind Aegon's death and that he undoubtedly lorded over the regency council.
"I'm only the man with the largest shadow because everyone else is dead and the lights are fading. I'm afraid to be past my due"
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 2, 2022 15:35:57 GMT -5
"Same, Baela"Corlys kissed her cheeks. He was frail and looked weaker than before, war, jail and time had taken a toll. He took the seat, no longer nimble or agile, took him longer than it should. "Ah, I'm but a shadow of that man"He coughed to clear his throat. However, many knew he probably was behind Aegon's death and that he undoubtedly lorded over the regency council.
"I'm only the man with the largest shadow because everyone else is dead and the lights are fading. I'm afraid to be past my due" "You're still the Sea Snake in my eyes, grandfather, always will be. And a big shadow seems to be the only thing to keep those fools ruling in my brother's name in line." The older man's talk of age and death, made the teenage princess feel uncomfortable. From her grandmother to her cousins, she had witnessed her family wiped out in this senseless war. She instinctivelly reached for the burn scars on her shoulder, bitterly remembering how her cousin Aegon had planned to have her executed. She quickly dismissed the bitter memories with another smile. "So, will they have me married off or murdered? I doubt the realm will ever allow another woman on the Iron Throne ever again." |
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Post by oznerol on Oct 3, 2022 6:51:51 GMT -5
"Same, Baela"Corlys kissed her cheeks. He was frail and looked weaker than before, war, jail and time had taken a toll. He took the seat, no longer nimble or agile, took him longer than it should. "Ah, I'm but a shadow of that man"He coughed to clear his throat. However, many knew he probably was behind Aegon's death and that he undoubtedly lorded over the regency council.
"I'm only the man with the largest shadow because everyone else is dead and the lights are fading. I'm afraid to be past my due" "You're still the Sea Snake in my eyes, grandfather, always will be. And a big shadow seems to be the only thing to keep those fools ruling in my brother's name in line." The older man's talk of age and death, made the teenage princess feel uncomfortable. From her grandmother to her cousins, she had witnessed her family wiped out in this senseless war. She instinctivelly reached for the burn scars on her shoulder, bitterly remembering how her cousin Aegon had planned to have her executed. She quickly dismissed the bitter memories with another smile. "So, will they have me married off or murdered? I doubt the realm will ever allow another woman on the Iron Throne ever again." He said, somberly. "They will not murder you, but they will try to claim you. You and your sister both are key to mount the iron chair of Aegon"
And the twins were of age to be wed and bed. Corlys worried endlessly about it. "Baela... you're what remains of my Laena, everything else is ash. I will not live for much longer, something is broken in me and I'm eighty years of age"
He moved on the seat. "I did nine voyages, death will be the tenth. My name is preserved in Alyn. He worries me too, but he is a lad, he will manage. You're a lass, no matter if you have fire inside. Like Rhaenys, like your mother"
Corlys missed them both, greatly. The young bastard was now a Velaryon, he would be lord after Corlys' death. "Remember that you're the dragon. I would have fought another war to see you both in the throne, had Aegon died. You're so close to the throne, that is so very dangerous, Baela"He looked into his grandaughter's eyes. "Two choices stand before you. You might marry out of power, but that is a dangerous gambit and might make you suffer: I married my son out of ambition, and he died, and everyone bled for it. Remember it. You might also marry someone that understands you, someone you might even love. But that brought Rhaenyra and Daemon to ruin, for never the realm wanted my son-in-law to be king. Never forget that either"
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 4, 2022 13:02:53 GMT -5
Baela listened intently to her grandfather's speech, purple eyes fixed on his. When he was done she paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on a small painting of her family - her mother and father, and her sister.
"My father held many titles during his life. Prince, knight, dragonrider, commander, master of coin and laws, adventurer, king, exile, consort, protector of the realm. He was both hated and beloved across the realm. But in all things he did, he did it his way. He even died on his own terms, dragging Aemond and Vhagar down with him to seven hells."
She looked back at her grandfather, a defiant fire burning in her purple eyes.
"I will live my life free like my father did, and I will end it on my own terms if I'm ever shackled against my will. I'd rather throw myself out that window than be wed to one of those snakes. When I take a husband it will be one of my own choosing, not theirs!"
She rose and began pacing around the room.
"I will not be some pawn in a scheme against whatever remains of our family. Rhaena needs me, Aegon needs me. And I... I need you, grandfather."
The young Targaryen princess rushed forth and hugged Corlys Velaryon tightly. She smiled weakly into his shoulder.
"I'm sorry to dissappoint you, grandfather. My life would no doubt be easier if I was more like my sister, but the dragon blood within me would tear me apart if I did. I wish to soar free in the sky again, feel the salty seawind in my hair without a care in the world. But that will never be again, all because of this... stupid war! Because you bastards had to ruin it! For a stupid! Iron! Chair!"
Baela fell silent, her breath quickened against Corlys' shoulder. As the princess calmed down, so did the tension in the room. Her next words came out barely as a whisper.
"Don't leave, grandfather. I can't lose you too."
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Post by oznerol on Oct 10, 2022 8:56:05 GMT -5
Baela listened intently to her grandfather's speech, purple eyes fixed on his. When he was done she paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on a small painting of her family - her mother and father, and her sister. "My father held many titles during his life. Prince, knight, dragonrider, commander, master of coin and laws, adventurer, king, exile, consort, protector of the realm. He was both hated and beloved across the realm. But in all things he did, he did it his way. He even died on his own terms, dragging Aemond and Vhagar down with him to seven hells." She looked back at her grandfather, a defiant fire burning in her purple eyes. "I will live my life free like my father did, and I will end it on my own terms if I'm ever shackled against my will. I'd rather throw myself out that window than be wed to one of those snakes. When I take a husband it will be one of my own choosing, not theirs!" She rose and began pacing around the room. "I will not be some pawn in a scheme against whatever remains of our family. Rhaena needs me, Aegon needs me. And I... I need you, grandfather." The young Targaryen princess rushed forth and hugged Corlys Velaryon tightly. She smiled weakly into his shoulder. "I'm sorry to dissappoint you, grandfather. My life would no doubt be easier if I was more like my sister, but the dragon blood within me would tear me apart if I did. I wish to soar free in the sky again, feel the salty seawind in my hair without a care in the world. But that will never be again, all because of this... stupid war! Because you bastards had to ruin it! For a stupid! Iron! Chair!" Baela fell silent, her breath quickened against Corlys' shoulder. As the princess calmed down, so did the tension in the room. Her next words came out barely as a whisper. "Don't leave, grandfather. I can't lose you too." Said Corlys. "My son, my good Laenor. Rhaenys was right, she was not the right husband, despite his good nature and my ambition, he was not"The Strong fatherhood allegations against her children, the taint of bastardy, had helped the Hightowers and the Greens much to ciment their own ambitions. "Daemon was the worst and the best, altogether, that the realm has seen"He looked at his granddaughter's anxiety being displayed. "You do not disappoint me, how could you? You're my blood. The only thing I have left"Corlys caressed the silvery dreadlocks. "You look so much like your own mother. How I could leave you? To life I will cling, like a sailor on a shipwreck, until I know you're both safe, your sister and you both"
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 10, 2022 13:07:45 GMT -5
"How much trouble would have been the realm spared if Viserys had given Rhaenyra to him as wife"Said Corlys. "My son, my good Laenor. Rhaenys was right, she was not the right husband, despite his good nature and my ambition, he was not"The Strong fatherhood allegations against her children, the taint of bastardy, had helped the Hightowers and the Greens much to ciment their own ambitions. "Daemon was the worst and the best, altogether, that the realm has seen"He looked at his granddaughter's anxiety being displayed. "You do not disappoint me, how could you? You're my blood. The only thing I have left"Corlys caressed the silvery dreadlocks. "You look so much like your own mother. How I could leave you? To life I will cling, like a sailor on a shipwreck, until I know you're both safe, your sister and you both" Baela took a step back and laughed, tears rolling down her face. "I will hold you to that, Grandfather. By the gods of Old Valyria and the Merling King, you will know my wrath otherwise." Her smile was filled with a sorrow, yet it shined brightly like the sun reflecting on the roiling sea. After a few minutes of content silence, the princess turned to Corlys again, her smile traded for a clenched jaw. "If... you were to leave us too soon, who amongst the regents can my sister and I count on for support?"
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Post by oznerol on Oct 10, 2022 13:11:56 GMT -5
It took Corlys time to consider an answer.
"Rowan, he you may trust. He lost three sons for Rhaenyra, Thaddeus will no sooner betray the queen's house than his own. Corbray is of good stock, and a Valeman, you can trust their honor. Lady Arryn is resolute in her allegiance and so are his bannermen"
He replied.
"The rest, you might not, some may even harbor simpathy for the Green cause. Still, when I depart these shores... Gods grant me strenght, I expect my grandson to fill my seat, even if not my office. He is Velaryon, to him you might go, seeking help, in case of need. None better"
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 11, 2022 5:52:26 GMT -5
One night, Rhaena discreetly sends one of her servants (a friend, not one of the council’s creatures) on an innocuous mission to fetch her sister to keep her company, as she cannot sleep.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 11, 2022 13:10:04 GMT -5
It took Corlys time to consider an answer. "Rowan, he you may trust. He lost three sons for Rhaenyra, Thaddeus will no sooner betray the queen's house than his own. Corbray is of good stock, and a Valeman, you can trust their honor. Lady Arryn is resolute in her allegiance and so are his bannermen"He replied.
"The rest, you might not, some may even harbor simpathy for the Green cause. Still, when I depart these shores... Gods grant me strenght, I expect my grandson to fill my seat, even if not my office. He is Velaryon, to him you might go, seeking help, in case of need. None better"Baela listened intently before giving an understanding nod. "I will, thank you. Driftmark will always be home, no matter how far it will be from me." Though she did not know her base-born "brother" Alyn, she trusted that the old Lord Velaryon had made a wise choice in legitimizing him and naming him heir to the Driftwood Throne.
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