Vermax - Blog Posts

Valyrian Demigods of Westeros - Daughter of Vermax

Lady Laena Velaryon held Princess Rhaenyra's hand as she screamed, stuck in the birthing bed for the 5th time. Her brother, Ser Laenor, stood on the other side of his wife, wincing at the hold she had upon his arm but supportive and encouraging. Very few men chose to join their wives in the birthing rooms, declaring it against propriety but Laenor cared deeply for Rhaenyra and would not see her endure this pain alone.

With a final scream, the midwife was able to remove the babe, using a knife to cut the life chord from her body. Wailing, the woman happily announced, "A girl, your highness. Healthy and joyous to be here."

Rhaenyra laughed, as the babe's wails softened. "Clean my daughter first, then I shall hold her."

"Right away, your highness."

The midwife rushed towards the small bath that had already been prepared and began cleaning the babe of fluid and blood, gently cooing to soothe her.

"Do you have a name for her, dear sister?" Laena asked, taking a rag to gently wipe away the sweat upon her brow.

"We do. She shall be Princess Visenya, Second of Her Name." Laenor could not help the cheeky grin that appeared, quickly catching his twins attention.

"What did you do this time?"

Switching to High Valyrian, Laenor explained, "We contacted Doran Martell to talk of uniting Dorne and Westeros. We spent moons conversing through letters and creating a contract for Dorne that would allow them to keep the independence they so desire without being allowed to rise against us. Their are conditions, for both of us, and ours happens to be that our next daughter shall marry their 3 year old son, Prince Trystan Martell, when she comes of age."

"If she wishes to. I will not allow my daughter to be forced into a marriage she despises," Rhaenyra added, wincing and gasping as the afterbirth began.

Luckily, the afterbirth was quickly epxpelled and the healers were able to tend to her. Laenor was forced into the sitting room so they could see if Rhaenyra needed stitches or just the ointment. Visenya was quite small and had slipped out in the height of day after barely a few hours of pushing.

The ointment the used would help her heal and prevent infection, a common disease women caught after giving birth. A cold wetcloth was brought to Rhaenyra to help with the pain from her womb, much to her relief.

"I wish to see my Visenya. And my husband," She added as an afterthought, making Laena snort.

"So dear sister, tell me, did you invite Dorne here for your birth? I heard rumors that a delegation arrived late last night but I was far more worried about you to question it."

"They did come. We plan to announce the contract as well as the betrothal in a few days time. I offered to allow them the chance to meet Visenya first in a more familiar setting, so that Prince Trystan may meet his future wife."

Visenya was gently placed into Princess Rhaenyra's arms as Laenor was let back inside. He smiled down at the adorable babe in her arms, reaching out to run a finger over her little chubby cheek.

She had thick curly silver-white hair, inherited from her father with the same dark skin. Her eyes though were the most beautiful shades of green either of them had seen, stunning all three of them.

"Didn't your grandmother, Princess Alyssa have a green eye?" Laena asked, leaning closer to the babe who cooed.

"She did," Rhaenyra agreed, smiling down at Visenya who reached up to smack at Laenors hand. "Did you pick out an egg for her? Or are we allowing her to claim one as her siblings did?"

"I thought it would be best to give her an egg due to her betrothal to Prince Trystan Martell," Laenor admitted. "I picked one from Dreamfyre's latest clutch."

"Good."

The door opened and a maid stepped inside dipping into a shallow bow. Laena scowled at the disrespect.

"You are in the presence of the future Queen, the Crown Princess, the future King, the Prince, and a Lady of a Royal House, wife of a Prince. You will show us the respect we command," Laena snapped, blue-purple eyes sharp as seaglass. The maid flinched back and dipped into a far deeper curtsy.

"I-I have a message. From the Queen," The maid stated, voice trembling, though none could tell if it was from fear or fury.

"Queen Consort," Rhaenyra corrected. "Queen Consort Alicent is not a Targaryen and as such is not gifted the title of Queen as my mother was."

"What is the message?" Laenor asked, frowning.

"She wishes for the babe to be brought to her before the ceremony so she may greet them. The Queen Consort was upset that she has not been granted the priveledge of meeting her grandchildren before they were introduced to the Realm."

Rhaenyra, Laena, and Laenor had all gone still before the Red Keep shook beneath the fury Vhagar voiced, making the maid flinch.

"Laena," Rhaenyra stated, staring down the maid. She switched to High Valyrian. "Find my uncle and the delegation from Sunspear, bring them to the Queens Apartments. Let them see how the Future Queen is treated."

"Your uncle is with the King, Rhaenyra. Hopefully he will see the kind of woman his chosen consort is. Green as her dresses," Laenor stated, grinning sharply at the woman. "Our mother and father would be most upset to hear what their gooddaughter is going through as well."

"Yes, they will." In a swirl of skirts, Laena dissappeared.

"Get out," Laenor ordered. "We shall bring our child to the Queen Consort ourselves."

"I could take the babe, ser."

"If you lay a hand on my child, I will order them to be removed," Rhaenyra snarled. "Tell your Queen Consort that I will come myself for what kind of mother would I be if I passed my child onto another."

The maid gaped at the blatant insult but scurried away as Ser Harwin, who had entered when Lady Laena had left, reached for his blade. He left behind her, closing the door as the servents, maids, midwives, and healers stared at the door in shock.

"Your highness," A midwife, Laya, began, "It is too soon after the birth. You could hurt yourself from walking."

"The Queen Consort has ordered my presence. Dress me. Please." Her maids immediatley rushed forward, pulling on one of her silk hose and pulled her hair into a simple, messy braid that fell down her back. A soft robe was then pulled over her shoulders and Visenya was cradled back in their arms.

The clothes she had chosen were done on purpose. Alicent would expect a show of power but this would show the Lords and Ladies of how cruel the Queen Consort was, and bring more to her side.

They were interrupted when the egg that had been placed in the fire, cracked and began hatching. A beautiful creamy white hatchling crawled forth, stubby horns of pale gold glinting and black frills swaying as it moved. Laughing to herself, Rhaenyra allowed the hatchling to clamber up her robe and perch on her shoulder, giving it free range to look down at Visenya.

Rhaenyra murmured a quiet thank you to the Gods who had so far shown to be protective of their children with her. Laenor appeared behind her, gently supporting her.

"Shall we, dear wife?"

"We shall, dear husband."

Together they made their way through the halls, Ser Harwin and two healers behind them. They earned odd looks as the Crown Princess was dressed in night clothes, holding a babe, with a hatchling perched on her shoulders. Immediatley whispers spread, so Rhaenyra played into it.

Her voice trembled, "Why would she do this, Laenor? Is she not a mother herself? To order me to have my babe taken to her when she is freshly born? What have I done to the Queen to deserve this?"

She made no attempt to keep her voice low as Laenor soothed her, shaking his head. Around them Lords, Ladies, and servents alike shook their heads in disgust.

Upon arriving at the Queens Apartments, they were met by the Dornish Delegation, the King, Prince Daemon, Princess Rhaenys, and Lord Corlys all of whom looked angry.

Princess Elia looked furious, arms crossed over her chest as her husband, Prince Dorian loomed at her side. Ser Cole looked shocked, furious, and afriad all at once as the King ordered him to open the door.

Queen Consort Alicent turned towards the door as it opened, a poorly concealed smirk on her lips. "Princess–"

She cut herself off, paling as the King stared back at her, flanked by his family and a group of Dornish strangers at his back.

"Husband, what–"

"Did you order my daughter . . . to bring her newly born child . . . to you?"

"My king, I would nev–"

"Ask her maid, Father. The one who came into my rooms, blatantly disrepsected me, and told me the Queen commanded my child be brought to her," Rhaenyra interrupted, looking at the maid who paled dramatically.

"Well," Viserys snarled, looking every bit the dragon he had once been. "Did you? As your King, if you do not tell me the truth, I will have you imprisoned!"

"It's the truth! Queen Alicent sent me to the Crown Princess' rooms to bring her the babe!" The maid nearly sobbed. Alicent looked horrified as the hatchling perched on Rhaenyra's shoulder shrieked in victory.

As Princess Rhaenys and Princess Elia tore into the Queen Consort, absolutely furious that she would abuse her power in such a way towards a member of the royal family.

Noting that it was taken care of, Princess Rhaenyra was taken back to her chambers to rest before the feast that night.

At the feast, Princess Rhaenyra and her husband stood before the masses with the Martells to the right and the King to their left, using a cane to keep his balance.

"Lords and Ladies of the Realm. You have been invited here today to be informed of not one but two miracles," Laenor announced.

"The first is our daughter. Introducing, Princess Visenya Velaryon, Second of Her Name," Rhaenyra called, lifting the babe higher as the crowd cheered. "Whose egg cracked and hatched barely two hours after her birth!"

The dragon on her shoulder shrieked, rearing up to flap its wings.

Lifting his hand, the King called for silence. "When my ancestors came to Westeros, they tried to force Dorne to bend the knee but they fought back. Each King after has tried to do the same, demanding Dorne bow to their true King. But none succeeded. No King was able to bring Dorne into the fold. But the future Queen did.

"A contract has been drawn up for Dorne to be formally added into the Seven Kingdoms as long as a Targaryen Queen or King sits the Iron Throne. As per the treaty, Princess Visenya Targaryen and Prince Trystan Martell shall be betrothed and married upon her six-and-tenth nameday!"

Cheers made the hall itself tremble as the true Heir's supporters made themselves known. Lady Jeyne could be seen holding Princess Alyssa with Prince Jacaerys at her side while Lord Corlys held his heir – as the titles had been relinquished from Ser Laenor. Prince Maegor was in Prince Daemons arms alongside his cousin, Princess Baela as her mother carried her twin sister, Princess Rhaena.

Prince Aegon's supporters, who had grown weaker over the years, gave false cheers, seeking out the Queen who wore black and red upon the order of her husband. Much to Crown Princess Rhaenyra's delight the woman looked pale and washed out in the regal colors of the Royal House. It was a stark reminder that Queen Consort Alicent Hightower was no true Queen for even Aemma Arryn, who was oft bedridden, had looked absolutely stunning in black and red, her maternal house colors.

The strength of the Blacks grew and grew, furthered by the birth of Crown Princess Rhaenyra's fifth child, and second daughter.

Princess Visenya Targaryen, Second of Her Name, Future Princess of Dorne, Future Princess of Sunspear, the Traveler, the Diplomat, the Intelligent, the Learned, had been born.

Pantheon of Old Valyria

The Fourteen Flames

Arrax

Ruler of the Gods

God of Law, Order, Justice, and Governance

Married to Meleys

Aegarax's younger brother

Father of Shrykos and Syrax

Meleys

Queen of the Gods

Goddess of Love, Fertility, Childbirth, and Marriage

Married to Arrax

Mother of Shrykos and Syrax

Aegarax

God of Creation

Married to Tessarion

Father of Gaelithox

Arrax's older brother

Tessarion

Goddess of Music, Arts, Knowledge, Prophecy, Healing, and Poetry

Brother of Vermax and Vermithor

Married to Aegerax

Father of Gaelithox

Gaelithox

God of the Sun, Stars, and Moon

3 children

Syrax

Goddess of Wine, Parties, Chaos, Drunkeness, and Ecstacy

Shrykos

Goddess of Beginnings, Endings, Transitions, and Doorways

Wife of Balerion

Mother of Morghul and Ābrar

Balerion

God of Death

King of the Underworld

Husband of Shrykos

Father of Mirghul and Ābrar

Meraxes

Goddess of the Sky

Sister-wife to Caraxes

Caraxes

God of the Sea

Brother-husband to Meraxes

Vermax

God of Boundaries, Travel, Writing, Communication, Language, and Trade

Brother of Tessarion

Brother-husband of Vermithor

Vermithor

God of Smiths, Crafts, and Artisans

Brother of Tessarion

Brother-husband of Vermithor

Vhagar

Goddess of War, Weapons, and Battle Strategy

Sister of Tyraxes

Tyraxes

Goddess of Reason, Peace, Intelligence, and Skill

Sister of Vhagar

Minor Gods

Morghul

God of Souls

Bringer of Death

Brother of Ābrar

Ābrar

God of Life

Watcher of People

Brother of Morghul

Ānora

Goddess of Blood Magic, Sacrifices, and Woman

Sister-wife to Pera

Pera

Goddess of Fire Magic, Fire, Funerals, and Pyres

Sister-wife to Ānora

Korzion

God of Silver, Steel, and Coal

Husband of Āeksion

Āeksion

Goddess of Gold, Jewels, and Finery

Wife of Korzion

Mazva

Goddess of Building, Carving, Masonry, and Architecture

The Birth of Jacaerys and Lucerys Velaryon - 119

Rhaenyra cursed and snarled at Laenor who looked like he was about faint as he stared down at the midwife who was helping her deliver the first of the twins. The firsts head was out and she was now pulling the babe from within to make way for the second.

His attention was caught when he saw movement in the fire. In awe, even as his hand was crushed, he watched a tiny hatchling crawl forth from the flames.

The green hatchling, Vhagars, Laenor assumed, toddled towards the midwife before screeching and scrambling up the basin to get to the babe. The midwife shrieked, getting everyones attention but a wail from Rhaenyra had their attention turning back to her.

It took at least two more hours for the second babe to be born and he was closely followed by the second hatchling climbing from the fire. The second, silver, hatchling climbed onto the bed and toddled towards where the second babe was being held by Laenor.

The green hatchling screeched at the midwives as he followed after the first babe who had been cleaned. It scrambled up the bed and over Rhaenyra to watch over him.

"So my dear Wife, what shall we name them? Our babes?"

"Jacaerys, after King Jaehaeris. And Lucerys after Lucerys Velaryon the Ship Master." Laenor couldn't help but be amused by how his wife had already picked out Verlaryon names.

Reaching out, Laenor ran his fingers over the chubby cheek of Jacaerys, "The heir to Driftmark. My heir."

He switched his attention to little Lucerys in his arms, "The heir to Crackclaw Point."

Rhaenyra smiled, but her attention was on the green dragon as she ran a gentle finger down the little ones back. Chirping the dragon did its best to clamber up her shoulder to get a better vantage point.

--------------

Eventually the two were old enough to name their dragons.

Jacaerys chose the name Vermax, after the God of boundaries, travel, communication, trade, language, and writing. He had liked the stories and legends as a child and had decided the name was perfect.

Lucerys decided on the name Arrax, after the Ruler of the Gods, Arrax, who was also the God of law, order, justice, governance, and strength. He had always seen the world in black and white and sought to see justice for slights.

The two dragons grew up chasing after their riders throughout the castle, until they grew to large and had to find caves to nest in.

Jacegan week 2024: Day 3. Fire and Ice

Semi-crossover with Ice Dragon short story. 

In this AU, Cregan is born a strange boy. He is born cold, but not dead, with grey eyes and part-grey dark hair. Once he starts to grow up, he becomes even more strange: he rarely smiles but never actually cries(even at his fathers funeral), he actually loves the cold weather and can go out even during the bitter cold and collect the snow even with his bare hands. One day, to the great fear of his cousins, he is found playing with the ice lizards without causing himself frostbites. They told their father about it and Bennard is inferred as hell. 

Cregan also has a tendency to disappear from the keep and return after many hours of absence. When one day he says that he flew on the dragonback, nobody seems to correct him or say that only Targaryens can claim the dragons. They are actually afraid of this strange as hell boy.

So, when one day nobody can find young lord Cregan in his chambers, and another day — when Lord-Commander of Night Watch tells them about a huge dragon(the old men of the Watch say that it’s a same size as Queen Alysanne’s dragon) and his rider taking control of Skagos. Another day, there was a rumor about its inhabitants stopping to eat human’s meat.

Nevertheless, Bennard Stark seizes control over Winterfell. Prince Jacaerys still visits him in attempts to get reinforcements for his mother, but, unlike Cregan in canon, Bennard decides to stay neutral and politely refuses. When Jacaerys flies from Winterfell, one of the old servants tells him about the Skagos and Cregan and his dragon living here. At first, Jace doesn’t believe him, but when the servant tells him about the size of the said dragon, he suddenly remembers Aemond and Vhagar’s size. So, he decides to play safe.

If this thing could be said about traveling even further into the North, to the island where cannibals live or used to live(or so it is told). Where it is even colder than at the Wall. 

Nevertheless, he goes here. 

The place is harrowing, to say at least. There are three keeps left and they seem to be fine, but the island himself seems gloomy. Their lord seems the same. When he looks at him, Jace is ready to laugh at anybody claiming Starks are emotionless. By this man’s standards, lord Bennard seems of one of the merriest people Jace has known. His eyes seem to be made of dirty ice and he watches Jace like his dragon watched the food.

He doesn't know that in fact, he seems interesting to Cregan. While Jace gets trouble with deciding what to promise to him for his help, Cregan decides to join him no matter what and asks him to show him the other kingdoms. While he is content with ruling Skagos and wants nothing other than it and flying on the Snowstorm, he is interested in seeing the world in the South.

Nervously, Jace replies: “And you wouldn’t melt?”

To his surprise, Cregan chuckles and says: “Look at Snowstorm, prince, and think again.”

And then he leads Jace to the dragon. His size doesn’t really surprise Jace: he has seen Vermithor, Silwerwing, Grey Ghost and other wild dragons. He, of course, has seen Vhagar and while the dragon is smaller than her it’s nevertheless big.

What impresses Jace is how the dragon looks. The dragon is crystal white, piercingly white to the point of blue, the shade that is cold and hard even to look at. His whole body was covered with frost, so that with every movement the skin was covered with cracks, like a snow crust under a boot, and crumbled in flakes. The dragon's eyes are clear, deep, and icy.

Huge bat wings, bluish-white with iridescence.His teeth are exactly like icicles: jagged, unequal-length ice spears, lined up in a triple palisade to guard the dark blue mouth.

And when this dragon opens its huge mouth and exhales, it does not emit a stream of fire or a burning sulfur stench from its throat, like its smaller brethren. The ice dragon is icy because it breathes cold.

The dragon truly suits the man of the North.

They fly to Dragonstone. On the way here, Cregan and Snowstorm suddenly separate their ways with Jacaerys and Vermax. Cregan says he needs to examine the bay in case of danger. Jace understands it's the right thing to do(who knows whether Greens have their relatives Redwyne’s fleet or not) and flies to Dragonstone. He regrets his brothers would not see him flying with the legendary Ice Dragon.

But soon he will find another type of regret. 

Cregan is present, when they  bury what remains of Luke and Arrax. He stands still, head lowered. Jace by himself is too busy holding Joffrey, but nevertheless he is surprised to see Cregan being emotional about the boy he never knew. 

After the funeral he asks his guest about it and Cregan replies that the killer of his own kin is cursed in the eyes of the Old Gods. And so, he will remain in the South not only to see it but to punish the man who disrespected Gods's law.

It isn’t a promise and lesser than oath of fealty, but now Jacaerys can believe that he will stay. And for some reason he feels happy for it.

It takes a lot of time to convince Prince Daemon not to send the killers to Helaena’s children. Revenge aside, but one of their major alies will not be pleased by this and probably will abandon them to another side. The size of Snowstorm also serves as the argument in the discussion. Eventually, Daemon gives up. However, he and Mysaria still send the spies into the Red Keep and kidnap prince Jaehaerys and princess Jaehaera. The disappearance of her children renders Helaena catatonic and never allows Dreamfyre to be used by Greens. 

Cregan never says anything about it.

Once a day, he and Snowstorm are patrolling the surrounding bays. For some reason, Jace finds himself following him. He trusts their new ally fully, and probably, he does in order for Vermax to fly more and get bigger. So, they patrol the bays and, as the time passes, they start to speak with each other. They speak about their past: Cregan about how he became ruler of Scagos and how he got out of his house, Jacaerys about his conflicted family situation. Ironically, despite them coming from different regions and cultures, Jace and Cregan find a lot of themes to speak about. They nearly got the cold throat due to it, but it their discussions seems them worth it.

Everything major from here and up to the Gullet goes the same as canon, except the Dragon Sowing. The Snowstorm is the same size as Vermithor and Silverwing, so there is no need to recruit more riders in order to get the advantage over Vhagar after Meleys’s death. So, only Addam and Nettles get their dragons — Seasmoke and Sheepstealer respectively. 

The Gullet goes differently. With Cregan patrolling the Gullet with Jace, they notice the Three Daughters fleet attacking “Сheerful nonchalance” and go to fight(with Addam and Nettles joining them later). Cregan destroys the ships surrounding “Nonchalance” and takes baby Viserys out of the battle and Aegon on Stormcloud follows him. However, while shielding baby Aegon on the Stormcloud, Jace still falls from his dragon into the sea, breaking his hand and ribs. He is fished out of the water by Nettles and put under the maesters’ care after that. 

But nevertheless he lives, which leads to his mother's mental stability. During the month of his recovery, Jace and Cregan spend a lot of time together. Cregan by himself doesn’t know what feeling urges him to spend more time with the prince. While living as Skaagos ruler, he repeatedly heard the words of love his subjects whisper, once he met Jace and moved to the South, he listened to songs about it. What he understands it means being by this man’s side, supporting him and deciding to stay in the South. Jace meanwhile takes every opportunity to show Cregan everything in King’s Landing as he feels it’s gonna change irreversibly soon.

It does not help that Snowstorm does not actually seem to like the South. He likes and cares about his rider, but feels uneasy of him growing up close to a mortal man. The only ones to bond with him were the Winter Children — boys and girls with suppressed emotions, who were born in coldest winters, who never cried and rarely smiled, whose hearts seemed to be frozen. They spent their youth with Ice dragon kins, but when the playful young man or woman with fire in their blood catched them, they seemed  to alienate from dragons and eventually left for them. And this time, it seems no different. 

At least, he is gonna die a good death, at duel with the biggest of Old Valyria dragons.

When Aemond starts to burn and pillage the Riverlands, it’s Jacaerys and Cregan who go to stop him here(Daemon goes after Daeron, while Nettles and Addam stay in King’s Landing and quell the Shepherd’s riot). Snowstorm is way bigger than Caraxes, and while Vermax is still young, both of them are tested in battle. And Aemond knows that no matter of size, Vhagar would not stand the fight against two dragons. 

Before the last battle, Jacaerys, not entirely knowing what he is doing and not really sure they are gonna live after that, kisses Cregan, but asks him to return the kiss after the battle. Snowstorm watches them strangely. The old dragon understands that winter goes out of his rider’s heart, and, then, he will likely leave him. 

The Battle at the Gods Eye, where Cregan and Jacaerys are going against Aemond, happens differently from the canon. They manage to catch Aemond off-guard and Vermax manages to blind Vhagar with one single attack. At the same time, Snowstorm attacks Vhagar, biting her into the underbelly and then using his cold breath to cause even more pain to the beast. Then he bites into the tail, allowing Vermax to attack her in the back.

However, Aemond is not gonna go down simply. When Snowstorm is biting his tail, he orders Vhagar to bite him at at the neck in order to get rid of one dragon and his rider, and then do it with Vermax again. But Snowstorm refuses to give up and digs his nails and teeth deeper in the older dragon’s abdomen. Vhagar roars and at the same time, Vermax tears her wings forcing her to let Ice Dragon go. In the next move, deeply wounded Snowstorm tears Vhagar’s second wing off and the oldest dragon falls on the land, killed by the last creatures anybody imagined. 

Aemond may live after the fall and Jace may take his second eye in revenge for Luke. Or not.

But nevertheless, Snowstorm also never gets to live past the next hours. He uses all of his remaining forces to bring his rider to the land without any harm and he is successful in this. Vermax lands nearby him.

And here, the first time in his life, Cregan finally has the tears to fall on the earth. Jace holds him as he cries for the first and for a most of his time the only friend he ever had in this life. Until the tears end.

They give Snowstorm a funeral pyre, and the battle over the God's Eye goes in history books and songs as the Battle of Fire and Ice