The Story of Us // Rhaenyra Targaryen // Daemon Targaryen

65. Wagging Tongues

"Aegon."

That was what Rhaenyra declared once her twins were born. Aegon. Avalon saw the wicked glint in Rhaenyra's eyes as she said it. Aegon to get back at Alicent. Aegon because that was the man, the name of the boy that her father had always thought would save them. A future king. Aegon to prove Alicent wrong, to prove Alicent and Otto wrong. Even in just a name. 

"No." Avalon corrected.

"Avalon-" Rhaenyra countered.

"No." Avalon repeated. "That's not-"

"After Aegon the conqueror." Rhaenyra corrected. "After our union-"

"You are doing this to piss Alicent off." Avalon corrected. "I don't want to argue with you, you just had a baby, two babies!" Avalon corrected.

"You are right. I did. They are mine." Rhaenyra agreed.

"rhaenyra. You don't want to name him Aegon." Avalon remarked. "Name him Egon instead."

"Why do you care?"

"Because you and Alicent used to be friends." Avalon remarked. "Naming you son same as him, it isnt... just think about it please." Avalon begged.

"Okay." Rhaenyra agreed.

"He is your son." Avalon agreed. "But you are my wife too which makes him mine." Avalon reminded her. "Not just yours and Daemons. You wanted a relationship with the both of us and I love you Rhaenyra but I don't like the darkness in you that comes out." Rhaenyra slumped back on the bed as Avalon picked up the second of the twins.

"Viserys." Rhaenyra whispered. "That one, that you are holding. I'm naming him Viserys. After father."

"Now that is the name of a king." Avalon agreed.

"I like Egon." She admitted. "I... Alicent just makes me so mad."

"You left the capital and refused to go back, don't you think you can let go of some of the anger towards her?" Avalon countered.

"I try but I can't."

"Try harder. My lovely girl," Avalon sat beside her. "You have such a big heart, don't let anger and hatred drive you." Rhaenyra nodded. "If I was mad at everyone that I didn't like, if I held that baggage around with me forever, I would be a dark storm cloud."

"You are never upset." Rhaenyra countered.

"I'm plenty upset, I was upset when we ran out of carrot cake, I was upset when Amara was coming out sideways. I was upset when Criston attacked that bloke at your wedding. I was upset- I'm upset, I just let things go. I don't hold grudges like you and Alicent are so good at."

"It is her fault too."

"You are the heir, be the bigger person." Avalon suggested. 

"Why do I always have to be the bigger person?" Rhaenyra questioned. Avalon chuckled sitting beside her on the bed. 

"Because you are the better person." Avalon offered kissing her gently. Rhaenyra leaned into her touch. Avalon smiled down at the babies. "They are so beautiful." 

"Where is Daemon?" 

"With the kids." Avalon answered. 

"So we are alone?" Rhaenyra questioned as Egon wailed out. 

"We have how many children?" Avalon countered. "We are never going to be alone again." Rhaenyra ignored Egon's wails a moment longer to kiss avalon more fiercely. 

"You just a baby, take it easy my darling." Avalon requested. Rhaenyra reached out for Egon and Avalon helped him latch onto her breast. Rhaenyra ran a hand over his back. 

"They are precious." Avalon whispered. 

"Twins." Rhaenrya chuckled. "You had two girls and now I have two boys." 

"I have four girls but yes." Avalon agreed. She smiled down at the twins. "People are going to talk, even more than they already do." Avalon realized. she didnt mean to say it out loud but it slipped out. 

"Let them talk, let them say what they want to say, it doesnt change anything, it doesnt matter. Let their tongues wag it does not change succession." 

Avalon chuckled kissing Rhaenyra's cheek. 

"Your father used to the say the same thing after he became king and Rhaenys and Corlys were complaining up a storm. Wagging tongues dont change succession."