Chapter Text
Helaena stared nervously out of the window. A solemn expression painted her face and she couldn’t stop looking at the twins. All day she mumbled that the rats were coming as she fumbled with her fingers nervously. Pacing and whispering to herself she was stuck in an endless loop. She couldn't take it much longer. She stepped out on the balcony for some fresh air. She closed her eyes and tried to gaze into the future. It was a jumbled incoherent mess, infinite timeless crossing and colliding like meteors destroying each other and birthing new possibilities. Helaena had been nervous for the past week since Laenors funeral and Princess Rhaena fell into a deathlike sleep.
The servants quickly alerted Alicent that Helaena was losing it. Assuming her daughter was rattled with paranoia she went to Helaena and tried to comfort her. “It was a shame what happened to Laenor and Rhaena, but Rhaenyra works tirelessly to protect us. We’re safe.”
“The rats are coming.”
“What?”
Helaena suddenly lashes out, “THE RATS ARE COMING.”
“What rats Helaena?”
“They’re inevitable. The dance is inevitable. Our fall is inevitable.”
Alicent places her hands on Helaena and tries to calm her but she continues to mumble about a promise to end the night. “Darling, I believe you need rest. I’ll have the servants bring you a calming tea.”
Helaena pauses, “I don’t want to say goodbye mummy.”
“Not goodbye…just rest.”
The servants run away to go fetch some tea. Alicent tries to get Helaena to sit down but Helaena resists her and scratches and claws while shouting, “The rats are coming. Blood and cheese will mark this castle.”
When the servant girls return they hand over a cup of fresh tea. Helaena stares at the tea and then around the room as if she’s coming back to the here and now. “I don’t want tea.”
“I know dear, but it will help. You need to relax.”
With a long sigh she drains the cup. In moments she's resting peacefully. Alicent stays by her side for hours. When night falls she climbs to her feet and departs. As always, she gathers the children to visit Viserys and Aema before bed. Aegon's cluster of legitimized bastards are the first to arrive, they love spending time with their grandparents. They’re all fascinated by his figurines. After Aegon destroyed the first set during his curse, Viserys had plenty of time to build more.
“Viserys, wheres Laenora?” Alicent looks around.
“She’s with Jacaerys. With Aegon and Aemond both gone, He's the closest she has to a father at the moment.” Viserys coughs into his sleeve. Feeling weak, he lets out a jagged breath before he decides he needs to lay down.
Alicent takes a seat and she places the twins Jaehaerys and Jaehaera on the bed to say goodnight. Aema smiles warmly at the children, but her gaze is distant. Alicent wants to reach out, to ask her what's on her mind, but she decides against it. Dying is no easy thing to come back from, but to be dead as long as Aema before being resurrected must be a new type of trauma. Who could possibly understand? Who could relate? For the time that Aema had been back, she’d been very quiet, to herself. It was almost as if she were in a dream: a walking reverie. Alicent couldn’t even begin to imagine what it was like to wake from the dead to find how life moved on without you.
Aema noticed Alicents stare. Her tired eyes fixated on the Dowager Queen. Alicent averted her gaze, shifting in discomfort. Aema voice was a whisper, “Was he happy?”
“What?”
“You gave him not one, but three sons and another beautiful daughter. Was Viserys finally happy?” Aema forced a smile.
Alicent glances over to see Viserys has already fallen asleep. They Children have now taken over playing with his figurines or his hair. Jaehara is whispering to herself in Valyrian. Alicent returns her eyes to Aema, “He was joyous when Aegon was born, yes. But no matter how many children I birthed…you were always on his mind. There were nights he would call out for you. Times he’d mistaken Helaena for Rhaenyra in his sickly confusion.”
“I see.” Aema looked away.
Alicent works up the nerve to finally ask, “What is weighing on you?”
“This isn’t right.”
“Pardon?” Alicent furrows her brows.
“This isn’t how it's supposed to be. As much as I’ve enjoyed seeing my daughter again and her children…this isn’t what was planned.” Aema stares at the door with a solemn expression. “I shouldn’t be here.”
Alicent places a hand over Aemas. “You’re family. You belong here.”
Aema looks from the door back to Alicent. “Where there is death…there will always BE death.”
The door opens and two unfamiliar men step inside. Alicent rises, “You don’t belong in here.”
Alicent notices the sword on the man's hip.
“Make noise and you’ll regret it. Your Knights won’t arrive before we’ve cut you all down.”
“What do you want?” Alicent reaches for her own necklace. “It's worth a lot of money. Just take it and go.”
“We’re not here for jewelry.” The man is massive and burly. His face is haggard and mostly hidden by his unkempt facial hair. The man drew his sword. “Every single Targaryen in this room is going to die tonight. However, I’m feeling kind. I’ll let you decide the order.”
Aema bursts into tears and begins to beg for the children to be spared.
“Mummy?”
Alicent looks over to see Helaena being brought into the room by another figure. A knife to her throat, her eyes wide.
Cheese chuckles, “It appears one of my rats found us another Targaryen.”
Helaena blinks rapidly as she’s hoping to be dreaming. Her breathing becomes ragged and she looks around frantically, on Jahaerys who is sitting in a corner now, his back against a cupboard.
“The babies…” Helaena whimpers. “I’ll do anything. Just spare them. Take my life in exchange, but please please just let them go.”
“Believe me…I have full intention of claiming your head. However,” In one fell sweep Blood has removed the head of one of Aegon's dragon seeds. “I plan to start with them first. Now…choose who goes next or I’ll choose for you.”
The children scream at the unholy sight.
“SILENCE.” Blood places his blade against Helaenas stomach, “Or I’ll gut her like a fish.”
The room becomes dead silent. Alicent gets on her knees and grovels, begging. Aema tries to wake up Viserys.
“Don’t bother trying to wake him. The rats made sure his bedtime tea would permanently put him out of commission.” Cheese smiles.
“Now…choose who goes next.”
“No…”
“One.” Blood swings his sword again. Another dragonseed drops this time Eloise.
“Choose.”
“Please! Stop!” Alicent sobs.
Helaena stares in absolute horror, so shaken by fear she’s unable to move.
“Two.” Blood swings again, another body hits the floor.”
The women continue to sob hysterically.
Blood's eyes fall on Jahaerys who is so rattled with fear he’s sitting in a puddle of his own piss.
“Three.” Blood approaches Jaehaerys and raises his sword.
“HIM!” Alicent points her finger to another one of Aegons dragon seeds. “Take him next…not Jaehaerys.”
Blood moves away from Jaehaerys to do away with the next dragon seed. One by one Alicent sacrifices a dragon seed in hopes to buy time. When there are no more dragon seeds, all that remains is Prince Jahaerys, Prince Viserys the younger, Princess Jaehaera, Prince Maelor and Prince Aegon the younger. Alicent is now left between a rock and a hard place. Helaena looks around and realizes Maelor is missing from the group. He has to be here, he’s not in his nursery. Helaena glances at the cupboard that Jahaerys is positioned against and gives him a knowing look. He’s scared, but he's trying to protect his little brother.
Blood reaches for Jaehara next. The little girl stares at her mother helplessly. A scream tears from Helaenas lips and she struggles against her capturer. She screams and begs to be killed.
“I told you. Children first.” Blood looks Helaena in the eyes. “Now. Choose who goes next.”
A distant look overtakes Helaena as if she's being pulled into a dream. Images flash before her eyes and she's lost in a daze. “The road must lead to Daenerys.” She whispers to herself incoherent nonsense. Before Blood makes the choice for her she raises a shaking finger and sobs. Helaens whispers an apology. Jaehaerys stares directly at his mothers shaking finger. In a blink Jaeharys’ life is claimed as well. Cheese has wasted no time in kneeling on the floor, collecting heads to bring back to Aevor.
Blood looks at the women again. “Choose.”
Aema stands abruptly, “Enough! Take me next.”
“I said children first.”
“I don’t care. I’ve had enough of this nonsense. You said to choose. I’ve chosen.” Aema moves to stand by the window.
Blood huffs and approaches Aema. She keeps her chin held high. For a moment she glances at Viserys’ stiff body, then she returns her gaze to the man standing before her.
“It’ll be swift.”
Aema closes her eyes and lets out a shaking breath. Blood raises his sword. He grunts as he swings. At the last minute she ducks and grabs onto the man, thrusting herself and him out of the window. Helaena takes the opportunity to break free from the Rat. Alicent jumps to her feet in an attempt to disarm Cheese. The women scream for help and struggle with their assailants. Jaehara makes a run for it. Helaena grabs Maelor and flees. She sprints down the empty halls screaming for help. She was horrified to see many of the knights motionless on the floor. “Please. Please.” She begs, gripping her child like iron while she sprints. Her heart flutters when help comes around the corner. Daemon is leading the group of gold cloaks with his sword already raised. A maid pointing them in the right direction.
Cheese abandons his rats in an attempt to escape. Most of the Rats are mowed down quickly. Helaena goes to Aemonds bed chambers to hide. She hums and stares at the while, her entire body shaking.
The next week is eerily quiet and yet so hectic. Between the funerals, preparing for winter and the triarchy, the castle is constantly busy.
Daeron stands outside his sister's door. He isn’t sure what he can say or do, but he pushes inside anyways. Helaena appears disheveled. She's mumbling by the window; it appears as if she hasn’t slept since the blood bath.
“I hear you haven’t been eating?” Daeron breaks the silence.
“I’m not hungry.” Helaena picks at her lip and stares aimlessly.
Daeron slowly approaches.
“Don’t. Don’t come any closer.”
“Helaena–
“No.”
Daeron remains standing in the center of the room. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”
There is a long silence before Helaena speaks. “There was no future with him.”
“Who?”
“Jaehaerys. I was destined to lose him. No matter how hard we fight it…the ending will always stay the same. We’re just characters. Pieces to a puzzle. We can’t choose our destination, only how we get there.”
“I don’t believe in fate.”
Helaena is quiet again. “All roads lead to Danaerys. It's all inevitable. She is inevitable. She and Jon will unite the broken lands and stand against the winds of winter.”
“I don’t understand.” Daeron steps closer.
Helaena looks at him. “Reborn of the salt of the great grass sea Danaerys will wake the dragons from stone. Jon is born of the Ice and Snow, with the winter wolves in the dark alone. A knife in the heart couldn’t stop him, its his fate to be with Danaerys. To unite what's left of our broken house. Theirs is the song of ice and fire, they will end the winter and bring dawn.”
Daeron clings to her every word.
Helaena opens the window and lets in a fresh gust of air. She sniffs her son's blanket, holding it close. “Fire and Ice will save westeros, but the golden dragon will save the fandomverse.”
“Whose the golden dragon?”
“Tell Aegon to trust the cannibal witch, she will save him from himself.”
“What witch?” Daeron stand confused.
Helaena returns to mumbling. For a moment she steps to close to the edge of the window. Daeron closes the space between them to stop her. She blinks a few times. Its as if shes looking at the room for the first time. She steps away from the window and resumes muttering. She paces then suddenly stops. “Aegons home.”
Daeron opens his mouth to speak, but outside he sees Sunfyres golden scales glistening in the morning light. He sighs. “I’ll update Aegon on what he’s missed.”
Helaena returns to mumbling and pacing, whispering about a prince promised.
Daeron goes to meet Aegon at the gate. A broad smile plastered to his face, “Our brother lives Daeron. Aemond he’s alive. I met with him briefly in Winterfell.”
Daeron forces a smile. “Thats its…great news brother.”
“Why do you look so grim? I thought you’d be happy to know Aemond is alive.”
“I am happy brother, but…”
“But what?” Aegon removes his gloves.
“A lot has happened since you left.” Daeron starts walking. “Come. Walk with me.”
Aegon is led to the family crypt where Daeron discloses everything. He speaks of Vermithor, Silverwing, Greywind, and the Cannibal all going missing. He tells him of Laenors murder and Rhaena falling into a death-like sleep. Aegon stomach twists hearing this, but when he hears of blood and cheese, his heart feels like it has sunk into the floor. Daeron tells him that their father Viserys is dead, poisoned by his bedtime tea. Aegons dragon seeds are dead, Rhaenyra is mourning the loss of her mother again. Helaena has lost her mind after losing Jaehaerys. Alicent has been on bed rest, healing from her wounds after resisting her assailants. Larys is working on hiring new maids to replace the ones that had been discreetly slaughtered that night. Daemon has boosted security and sworn in some new knights to replace the ones that had been lost that night due to the assassins. Laenora is still with Baela and Jace on Dragonstone. Lastly Daeron tells him Jaehaera hasn’t been taking the loss of her twin very well either, she's isolated herself. None of the surviving children smile or play anymore.
Aegon flees from the crypt to find Jaehaera. She's sitting on the floor in her chambers staring aimlessly into space. Aegon swoops down to hold her. He kisses her head and rocks side to side. At first it's as if Aegon isn’t even there, but soon she sinks into his embrace. He pets her hair and sings to her. She holds him tightly, but all light has left her eyes.
Aegon stays with her until the sun is low in the sky and she’s fast asleep in his arms. He doesn't dare budge. It's as if he's rooted to the floor. The door opens and Larys steps in.
“My Prince…the last of the rats and cheese have been caught.”
Aegon stares aimlessly into the darkness. “Hang the rats…bring cheese to the dungeon. I want to see him.”
“Yes…of course.”
Aegon tucks Jaehaera into bed before he ventures into the dungeons. The cells are dimly lit and rank. Aegon moves quietly, stiffly. His face is expressionless, but his eyes are burning like wildfire. He steps into the cell where the man is chained. Cheese sings like a canary in hopes to save his own skin. He says he was hired by a man named DickBean to take the heads of the Targaryen broods and their mothers. Aegon doesn’t utter a word while the man spills the beans on all that he knows about Dickbean, which isn't much.
“Is that everything?”
“Yes. Yes, that's all that I know.”
Aegon reaches for a spiked mace. The man's eyes go wide. “NO PLEASE I TOLD YOU THAT'S ALL THAT I KNOW.”
“I believe you.” Aegon calmly palms the mace, “But it's not enough to save you.”
“NO PLEASE–
Aegon slams the mace into the man's skull. Grunting and growling like a feral beast Aegon unleashes a flurry of bashes until his hands are slick with blood. Long after the man is dead Aegon continues on and screams into the stiff air. Once he's satisfied he leaves without a word. Once he's alone in his chambers he takes his frustration out, screaming and shouting to himself. No one dares to enter his chambers in fear of facing his wrath.
Aegon stands in the middle of the disheveled room huffing and puffing when he hears a small knock at his door. “Go away.”
There is silence then he hears the door open anyways. He growls and spins around quickly, “I SAID GO AWA–He grows quiet seeing who is standing in the doorway. His heart pounds in his chest. Helaena walks over to him hesitantly. She sees his hands are stained with blood and his eyes are puffy from the tears. She’s holding Jaehaerys blanket against her chest. Aegons eyes soften immediately upon seeing her. He turns away from her and tosses the mace to the side. He tries to wipe the blood from his hands, but he knows that she’s already seen it.
She walks up behind him. “You’re back.”
“I never should have left.” Aegons voice cracks.
“It hurts…but there was nothing you could do to prevent it.”
“I should have been here.”
“You’re here now.” Helaena places Jaehaerys blanket on a table. “You will be there when the fandomverse needs you the most. You will go beyond ice and fire. Your fate is so much more complicated in this timeline. You’ll be more than yourself.”
Aegon turns around suddenly and kisses Helaena, silencing her. He cups her face. “Aemonds alive.”
“I know. He still has a role to play in all of this. He has yet to reach his final chapter.”
“How do our stories end?”
“We’re dragons Aegon…it will always end in fire and blood.”
Helaena holds his hand. “Except yours.”
“Like the dragons, I will fall no matter what. Aemond will be swallowed in the eye of the gods, dragons will stop singing, and you…you will see victory.”
Aegon kisses Helaena deeply. “I don’t want victory if my family isn’t there with me.”
“Your family will be with you…Always and Forever.”