NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 36: Long May She Reign
"Long may she live, oh dragoness of Old Velaria!" a voice thundered across the skies of King's Landing. The Sea Queen, with her sea-foam green scales glimmering under the sun, soared above, her presence commanding awe and fear. She was a distraction—a way to buy time for the conspirators to finalize their plans.
Flying the length of the capital, the winged prince observed the city below. Tiny figures of gold-cloaked and red-cloaked guards scurried through the streets, joined by those in Targaryen colors, all rushing toward the Dragonpit. Carriages streamed out of the castle and surrounding manses, their raised flags fluttering in the wind. Sensing the moment was ripe, the prince allowed himself a taunt.
"From the stags of the stormy shores to the golden lions of the gilded coasts, to the falcons high in the clouds and the fish at the heart of the riverlands, and to the roses of golden beauty—let all bear witness to Aegon's path! Oh, long may she reign! From the depths of the kraken's dens in dark, muddy seas, to the Dornish sands of rebellious snakes, I say long may she reign!
Her brothers, brave and dashing, dare I say, debonair and dapper!"
As he flew over the ship named The Moon, two silver-haired princes waved up at him. The winged prince's booming song echoed as Velaryon ships docked nearby. They were followed by the fleet from the Stepstones, their decks teeming with armed female spearmen. Among them, a tall, dark-skinned woman stood proudly beside a much smaller, brown-haired girl veiled in mystery. More pirates disembarked, their flags bearing symbols of submission: collars encircling the serpentine winged dragon coiled on a field of black. The procession advanced toward the Dragonpit.
The Dragonpit
After an hour of soaring above the city, the winged prince finally descended, landing among four other dragons. As he dismounted, he pulled out two crowns: a simple circlet and the crown of King Viserys. The prince strolled with deliberate ease, the weight of expectation heavy in the air.
By now, knights and nobles had begun to arrive. Many abandoned their carriages, hastening on foot to where the heir apparent and her family awaited.
As the gathering swelled, the prince's voice rang out again, each line a jab at a noble house:
"The stags of Storm's End—theirs is the fury, so the old lords claimed. I see thy light, O tower; but shadows stretch farther still. Cats are loud when left to roam unchecked."
With each proclamation, a noble appeared, moving closer to the princess. Yet as they drew near, their confidence faltered. The sight of dragons, their immense forms looming above, stripped many of their resolve. Doubt crept in, their thoughts clouded by fear of the Targaryens' power.
Then, a commanding voice broke through the murmurs:
"Kneel! I say kneel to Queen Rhaenyra, First of Her Name, first Queen of the Seven Kingdoms!"
Roars from the dragons punctuated the command, shaking the gathered nobles to their core. The herald continued:
"Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men! Lady of the Seven Kingdoms! Guardian of the blood of Old Velaria! Long may she live!"
Lord Corlys Velaryon, having just arrived, raised his voice in a resounding shout:
"Long may she live!"
His cry was echoed by Aegon the Elder and Aemond Targaryen, their voices firm and unwavering:
"Long may she reign!"
Aegon the winged prince stepped forward, approaching Rhaenyra. Bowing low, he held out the Conqueror's circlet. As her hand reached for her father's crown, Daemon intervened, taking the circlet and moving behind her.
Placing it on her head, he whispered into her ear, his tone soft but firm:
"You are the first queen of the Seven Kingdoms. This is no peaceful transition, my love. Look at them—they fear my sons' reaction, not yours."
Rhaenyra, though momentarily confused, stood tall, the weight of the Conqueror's circlet a symbol of her new reign.
Authors notes
im sorry for this sorry excuse for a chapter i will do better i just have a mental block right now