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Maegella Targaryen wouldn't touch that throne with a teen feet pole, that was a fact written in the stars, from the moment she opened her eyes in this second life, with the feeling of death still clinging to her body.
And yet, here she was, looking at the monstrosity her parents called a throne, the Iron Throne, it was ugly and for sure uncomfortable, but her father didn’t even stir from his place up there, his eyes as solemn as ever, looking down at the court as if sitting high on the skies.
She didn’t want to be here, not at all, she hated Kingslanding as much as she hated this whole world, she had not signed to be reborn in medieval times, much less in a Medieval Fantasy World which was an actual fictional story in her previous life. Most people would have enjoyed it, to be reborn in a magical world? As Royalt? With the chance to make changes to their favorite fictional book? Oh, her brother would be rejoicing, but not her, because she was just unlucky enough to be reborn in a world she barely knew.
Of course, she knew what Game of Thrones was, her younger brother had been a big fan of the books and he wouldn’t shut up about how the TV show’s end was bad, he would also often force her to hear him talking about the world lore, not that she remembered much, she was more of an anime than book fan. So, no, she didn’t like the fact she was here, why couldn’t she be reborn in Naruto or something? She would even take the real life Medieval times instead, at least then she would have some idea of what to expect.
Well, there was no reason to cry over spilled milk, she got over it years ago, this was her life now, at least till she woke up from this very detailed dying brain hallucination.
“Pay attention” Her mother hissed from behind her and Maegella rolled her eyes, receiving scandalized looks from the courtiers close to them.
“I do not see any reason for me to be here” She shrugged, just for Visenya to move and pull her shoulders back in place, taking the opportunity to adjust her posture. “Maegor doesn’t have to”
She was just ten years old, she should be playing around with her brothers, not being forced to attend court. But Westeros didn’t seem to have much respect for childhood, she still couldn’t get over the fact she had to practically teach her brothers how to have fun, she wondered what they would have done without her, Maegor would be forever stuck to the training ground and Aenys would be financing the life of the entire population of bards in this place.
“You can join Maegor in the yard if you want” Visenya's voice was cold but Maegella had long ago learned how to read the humor in it, she pouted. It was no secret that she didn’t enjoy swordfighting, she didn’t like physical activities much at all, and even more one that forced her to spare against the menace that was Maegor with a sword.
“Cheer up Ella, after this it's the smallfolk petitions and I know you enjoy it” Aenys smiled at her side, his hand around another full goblet of wine, she perked up a bit at that. It was true that she enjoyed hearing from the smallfolk more than the nobles, their troubles were easier to solve and it brought her some joy in being able to help, in her past life she didn’t have enough money even to donate to dog shelters.
But it seems that things wouldn’t be so.
“Now, the court calls for Lord Aethan Velaryon to present his grievances or pleas to King Aegon Targaryen, first of his name” The herald said and Maegella sighed loudly, making Aenys hold back a laugh and Visenya tighten the hold in her shoulders.
She didn’t want to be here at all, and now would be forced to hear the long and boring talks of the Master of Ships, Gods be good, her internet rotted brain couldn’t stand this.
Maegella hoped they could return to Dragonstone soon, she loved seeing Aenys, but she couldn’t stand the court. She let herself daydream about it, to run through the beach with Maegor, to read through the library of Old Valyrian tommes, to explore the caves and play with the dragon hatchlings, to fly with Sol.
Perhaps she could convince her father to let Aenys come with them, so she and her brother could race through the skies with their dragons, the only thing she didn’t loath about being reborn here. Maegor could join them too, maybe it would convince him to finally try and claim a dragon instead of waiting for Balerion.
“- in regards to the subject talked in the Small Council, I understand your.. Desires to keep Prince Aenys unbetrothed-” Maegella let her attention focus back on Lord Velaryon when she heard her brother’s name, at her side he tensed up and she signed, honestly betrothals and marriages were the furthest away from her mind, she felt bad that Aenys had to deal with that, but it was true that his wife would be the future Queen. Not that she cared much, from what she remembered from her brother’s ramblings, Aenys would have many children, one of them the so-called Old King from the House of The Dragon TV show, so she imagined he would find happiness either way.
Huh, it had been some time since she thought about the knowledge she still remembered from her previous world, but it was as if her mind was trying to remind her of something important.
“-So I ask you, my King, to find a place for my daughter in your court” Oh, she stopped paying attention again, Maegella needed to stop doing that. Her eyes flickered to the girl beside him, Alyssa Velaryon, she had a polite smile on her face, her long golden curls were very pretty and her green eyes sparkled, Aenys was obviously taken by her beauty, Maegella snickered at that, Alyssa would make a good Queen.
“Your King hear and agrees with your worries Lord Velaryon” Her father started, his voice echoing through the room, he then raised his head to address the whole court “And so I must inform the court that as my daughter is soon to be staying here in King’s Landing, we will be looking for lady companions for Princess Maegella, and Lady Velaryon is to be the first of them”
Soon the whole court was talking one over the other, throwing their daughters at the opportunity, and all Maegella could do was watch with an open mouth.
“I’m what?” She would have gotten up if not for her mother's strong grip pushing her down back in the chair with force.
Oh no, no fucking way she was staying on this smelly fucking shit city.
“But I don’t want to!” Maegella was a difficult girl, Visenya wondered where she got that from. Everyone could agree that Aenys took after Rhaenys and Maegor took after herself, sometimes she thought Maegella took after Aegon, with her brooding and aloofness, she didn’t have any friends besides her own brothers, much like her father, but other times, like this one, her stubbornness and oddities only made Visenya want to feed the girl to Vhaegar.
“I didn’t ask if you want to, I’m telling you what will happen” Visenya bristled, looking at Aegon who just sat in silence at the corner, she held back the urge to sigh “You are to stay in King’s Landing and learn with your father and Aenys about the court”
“Fuck the court!”
“Maegella” Visenya didn’t shout, she never did, just stared down at the girl till she calmed down, she would not let her own daughter talk like a common whore “You are a Targaryen, from the blood of Old Valyria, and you will behave as such”
“I-”
“Maegella, this is not up for discussion” Aegon finally spoke, silencing the room “You will do as your King and Queen commands, as is your duty both as Daughter and Princess of the Realm”
Visenya watched as Maegella stomped away in fury, the dragon blood was strong on that one, as it was in Maegor. Aegon barely had to glance at Ser Richard Roote before the man was moving to follow the girl.
“Do not let Maegella approach her Dragon Ser, she will feed you to it if it means she can escape” Visenya said, it was not true, her daughter was too soft hearted to do so, but the threat was enough to make the man hasten his pace.
As the doors of the room closed, Visenya let herself sit down in the armchair, looking at Aegon who sipped on his goblet and looked over the window with his usual aloofness. The expression so alike Maegella own that it made her huff, the girl would often stare at the sky in the same way back in Dragonstone, as if looking for something in the stars.
“If this is the way she reacts, I fear to know what she will do when we tell her about the Bethrotal with Aenys” Aegon didn’t sigh but Visenya could see the frown on his face.
“That is why we aren’t telling her, or anyone for that matter” Visenya crossed her arms as she approached his desk “We still have much to do before we can even think of that, how is the situation with the Faith?”
“Solved, me and Hightower found common ground, he will make sure to clean the Faith of any troublesome figures for the next few years” Aegon said and Visenya immediately understood the implication of his words, there was only one thing that a man like Manfred Hightower could want, and that made her jaw clench.
“Maegor?” She asked and he nodded, Visenya turned around and walked to the window, looking at the city.
Lord Hightower would want a marriage, it would be the only thing worth facing the faith and trying to get them enough support so Maegella could be Queen, it made her heart ache in a way she couldn’t even describe, knowing she would be sacrificing a son for her daughter. And yet, it was what needed to be done.
Looking at this city that she hated so much, all Visenya could think about was Rhaenys, how things would have been way better if she was here, she would have known what to do, and even if she didn’t she would at least be by their side.
“Is it worth? This Kingdom?” She asked, not really looking for an answer, was it worth it? All they did to take control of a land that wasn’t even theirs, a land that didn’t know of their Gods or Culture, a land that hated them behind the smiles and pleasanties. They lost Rhaenys for this crown, she lost her birthright to become a Queen, when once upon a time all she wished for was to be Lady of Dragonstone beside her siblings.
“It needs to be” Aegon said, his eyes darkening as he pulled up another scroll. Visenya huffed, yes it needed to be, all of this because of a dream, they should never have stepped foot in this damned land of foreign Gods. They stood in silence for some time, Visenya looking at the stars and hearing Aegon’s quills scratching the paper. “And you? Have you done your part on this?”
Visenya crossed her arms, letting him return to the previous topic, the situation with the Faith who wished to erase their tradition from history.
“Of course, the first waves of migrants should arrive tomorrow, are your guards ready?”
“Yes, we set aside a place for them on Rhaeny’s hill”
“Good”
And then the silence stayed for the rest of the night, she wondered when it became so hard to talk to her brother. If it was when he forgave the Dornish for killing their beloved or if it was when she put that crown on his head.
Maegor’s twin sister was a strange creature, he always knew of that, even with being by her side since before birth he never really understood why she acted as she did, just that Maegella only did what she wanted and it usually didn’t make any rational sense at all.
Sometimes he thought of her as someone to admire, how she could walk around without a care in the world, not even the harsh words of their mother could phase her, she was the owner of her own world and on it she was the only one that mattered. Other times however… He just wished she would act more like the Princess she should be.
“Maegella, please let me sleep” He sighed, tired of hearing her talk non stop, it had been hours since she entered his room, without even asking, strode inside as if she owned the place, sat on his bed and started eating through a plate of small pies she brought with her, that without talking about the Kingsguard who followed her inside.
He had been sleeping when it all happened, and it was something that he didn’t even blink, already used with her doing that. They haven’t shared a room since they were five, and yet, she acted as if his room was hers too.
“No Maegor! You don’t understand, mother wants me to stay in this smelly city! I don’t want to!” She whined and Maegor resisted the urge to bang his head against the bed post. Why couldn’t his sister be more mature? She behaved like a baby.
“I don’t care, just do what mother wants, she is the Queen” Maegor shrugged, and that was the fact he lived by, if Visenya Targaryen ordered it then the world must fall backwards to comply.
“Why don’t you have to stay too? Why is it me who has to suffer? You’re the second on line of sucession!” She pointed at him as if it was his fault she was being punished, he frowned annoyed and moved his feet to push her off his bed, she foresaw that and immediately clutched his leg, pulling him out of the bed with all her strength.
They fell to the ground cursing each other.
“YOU’RE SUCH A CUR!” He shouted as he tried to punch her, she was quick and blocked it, moving to grasp his armpits and start to pinch it “ARH MAEGELLA!”
“You’re a little shit” She laughed and Maegor saw fire as he throwed his whole body weight into her, body brawling in his chamber’s floor like hellions.
“Well, I’m surprised you two haven’t killed each other yet” Aenys voice made both of them stop and look at the door, their brother stood there, looking at them with an amused grin.
“Aenys! Help me!” Maegella begged, the laugh in her voice loud enough to fill the room.
“Sure thing” Aenys chuckled and moved as if to pull his little brother up by the arm, however, in what seemed like seconds, Maegor’s eyes crossed with Maegella who waggled her eyebrows at him, all Maegor could do was roll his eyes before moving to cooperate with Maegella and pull Aenys down with them. “A Trap!”
“How are you going to be a King with the survival instincts of a chicken? huh?” Maegella laughed as she sat up Aenys chest, Maegor beside her wondering if it was okay to act this childishly.
Maegella had this effect on them, both on him and Aenys. Since they were just little kids, she would escape their many lessons to run through the beaches, to fly through the skies, to climb the castle’s walls, and she would never accept no as an answer, it didn’t matter if their mother was for sure going to force them to stay awake all night scribing ancient tomes as punishment, even that would become a game for Maegella, who would try to bet which one of them could write faster or invent stories for the people they read about. “I’m going to write bitch every ten words and see if someone notices” she would whisper to him and Maegor would have to struggle through containing a laugh before their mother heard and added another book to their punishment.
When they met Aenys, Maegor had been annoyed. He didn’t like his older brother much, he had the love and attention of their father, something Maegor never seemed to get, he had many friends and the court loved him, he didn’t have anyone telling him what he could or couldn’t do, and yet he still managed to endear himself to anyone who met him. They used to see him only sometimes during the year, on their and his name-days as well on big celebrations, but after Maegella decided that Aenys should visit Dragonstone more, the meetings increased.
At first, he had been enraged, why did Aenys get to have his sister's attention too? Maegella was Maegor’s only friend, Aenys had no right to steal her too. But funny enough, Maegella never seemed to favor one of them over the other, like their parents always did, she liked spending time with Aenys only if Maegor could as well, and then the awkward meetings became elaborate “game nights”, as Maegella called them.
“Don’t you see Maegor? There are way more games that can be played with three people than with two!”
She would say excitedly before teaching her and Aenys the strangest of games, like the floor is lava, truth or dare, Red Light and Green Light, although Maegor still didn’t know what the name meant. She would also race on the skies with Aenys and their dragons, and Maegor won’t lie, he had been jealous, but he had long ago decided that Baelor was the Dragon for him and no other would suffice, so all he could do was huff when Maegella laughed at him before flying away.
As they grew, Maegor thought she would have stopped with it. When they received visits of the Narrow Sea Lords, they would often bring their sons and daughters, and all the Ladies of his sister’s age he met acted completely different, much more like a Lady should, they wouldn’t ever catch themselves playing around with a ball or asking the artisans to build a wooden plank for her to “surf” through the waves in the sea (Maegor had to save his sister from drowning five times that week, he does not regret tossing that plank on the fire).
The boys weren’t much different, they didn’t understand when Maegella invited them to play “soccer” or “volleyball”, some of her weird games, and would prefer to train on the court yard, the only game they seemed to enjoy was hitting each other with sticks, or pretend they were knights and heroes from the past.
And yet, Maegella never stopped, when Mother added more “Lady” lessons on her schedule, Maegella insisted that she was still a child, and when Mother told her she would probably marry in three or four years, Maegella literally threatened to toss herself from the top of Dragonstone if their parents tried betrothing her.
Maegor couldn’t do much but follow his sister. If she wanted to keep playing around as if they were five instead of ten, who was he to stop her? She would just force him to do it anyway.
“Come on! You two are going to scare Ser Richard!” Aenys laughed, a bit strained for the fact he had two ten-name-days-old sitting on his chest.
“Sure thing, brother mine” Maegella smile was more like a smirk as she stared down at Aenys “But first, pay the toll”
“A toll for my freedom?” Aenys raised an eyebrow, a short laugh leaving his lips as he seemed more amused than angry at them.
“Do you not know how much a Prince’s ransom cost? You can’t expect us to let you leave for free!” She crossed her arms and made sure to put more of her weight down on his chest, making Aenys whimper a bit, Maegor couldn’t help but laugh, covering his mouth when this made Maegella look at him with a victorious smile.
“Ser Richard! Save your Prince! Can’t you see these cruel criminals torturing me?” Aenys cried and made sure to even fake a painful sob as he tried reaching for the Knight at the door.
“Huh-” The Knight seemed completely lost at what to do, Maegor would too if he had to see such shameful behavior from the King’s children, that realisation made Maegor face heat up, wondering if the knight would tell anyone about this, his Mother would for sure shake her head with that disappointed cutting look of hers.
“That's enough Maegella, we already tortured Aenys enough” Maegor huffed as he got up and moved to his wardrobe, it would be very rude of him to talk to his siblings while wearing his sleeping robes, he should at least throw something to cover it.
“Traitor!” Maegella shouted as Aenys used the lack of weight to get up and throw Maegella away.
“Aha! Free, now you’re the one who will pay a ransom, sister” Aenys laughed as he restrained Maegella arms behind her back, just for her to stomp on his foot and make him scream in pain before falling on Maegor’s bed.
Why was it that every time Maegella was around things seemed to get chaotic?
“No one can restrain me!” She smirked, moving to sit down in the couch and go back to eating her small pies, this seemed to be enough fun for the night, Maegor huffed as he throwed a random cloak over his sleeping robes and sat down beside her “What are you doing here, Aenys?”
“Well, Father told me how Ella reacted to the news and I wanted to check on her” He shrugged, moving to sit down in front of them and smiling at their sister when she grimaced, being reminded of her predicament “Are you really that upset about staying with me and Father?”
“Its not about you, it's about this city” She huffed, averting her eyes as she sat the empty plate on the side table “I don’t want to deal with this court thing, so much politics and ploys that I don’t care about.. I don’t even understand why I should!”
Maegor noticed that Aenys seemed a bit nervous as he chuckled.
“The city isn’t so bad, you’re exaggerating, I’m sure you will eventually come to like it” He said, but Maegella didn’t seem convinced.
Maegor wasn’t either, Maegella was too much of a free agent to get comfortable with a place as full of responsibilities as King’s Landing, he deep down wished it would be him instead, that their father had asked to stay with him for some time, but it seemed that he would ever only care for Aenys. He didn’t want Maegella to stay either, but he knew it was their mother’s doing and there wasn’t anything he could do, at least he could comfort himself in knowing that their father would send her back as soon as he noticed how difficult it was to deal with her.
“This city barely has more than 20 years of existence and it already smells like a public bathroom had a child with a necrotery” Maegor could half understand her phrase, as she had the habit of inventing words, he hoped she got over it while in here. “I can only dread how it will smell in some centuries”
“Now that's too much Ella, you haven’t even been outside Aegon’s Forth!” He pointed at the windows with both his arms, as if the grand gesture could show her the benefits of King’s Landing
“I don’t want to get some deathly disease or something” Maegella grumbled and Maegor huffed, a small smile taking his lips, it was a bit funny how much Maegella was obsessed with cleanliness, she refused to keep her chamber pot on her chambers, as well as cleaning her hands every time she alleviated herself, she also took baths everyday, and Maegor was a bit ashamed to say he was slowly sharing some of these habits as well.
“You won’t get some disease just from going out there, you know, I’ve been studying the stars recently and they say that this will be a great year, no sickness signs-”
“You can’t see if someone will get sick through the stars!”
“You can know everything through the stars! One of my good friends, a Maester-”
“Those Citadel Rats don’t know shit-”
“Rats? Huh- That isn’t the kindest way to refer to them, they are the guardians of Knowledge-”
“Did you know that they don’t let woman study in the citadel-”
“Aenys, was this your plan to convince Maegella that King’s Landing isn’t so bad?” Maegor cut them both, if he let them go on this would never end. Aenys had the bad habit of being too soft when speaking, never disagreeing or agreeing with someone, and Maegella had the even worse habit of not paying attention to what someone was saying and keeping on her tangents for hours. When they both got into discussions, they went nowhere.
“AH! Yes, thanks for remembering me Maegor!” Aenys smiled excitedly before getting up “Maegella, let's go visit the city tomorrow!”
“Ah?” Maegella frowned
“Yes! Me, you and Maegor, we should visit the city and I will show you why King’s Landing isn’t so bad!” He nodded, his eyes sparkling as if his idea was the best in the whole world.
“Really?” Maegella sighed but at seeing Aenys expression seemed to soften a bit “Alright, tomorrow we can take a look, but if I get sick I will make sure that you will too”
And her threats were not empty, Maegor cannot recall one time that Maegella didn’t get sick or injured without pulling him with her. Once she broke a leg after falling during her climbs and Maegor had laughed so hard at her that she decided to make him share her suffering, by pushing him down the stairs. In the end Maegor, with a new broken arm, learned that Maegella didn’t have any thoughts in her head and she just did things on impulse, and when dealing with someone like that it was better to just not piss them off.
“Great! I will be waking you two up tomorrow then! It will be so much fun!” Aenys did indeed seem excited at the prospects as he got up and hugged them both before leaving the room, probably to get Father’s permission to visit the city.
“Well, see you tomorrow” Maegor got up and moved to his bed, giving Maegella a look that literally said ‘go away’
“Humm, I will sleep here, my room is like- Three huge halls away” She shrugged falling down on the couch, Maegor felt his anger rise up as he tossed a pillow on her head “Thanks!”
“At least I won’t have to deal with this anymore” He grumbled as he took out his cloak and got into bed, if he didn’t know how lazy Maegella truly was he would bet she was doing this just to annoy him.
Actually, perhaps both reasons were true, he huffed.