Yes.

Aemma Arryn 👑💙🦅

Queen Aemma Arryn

Queen Aemma married Viserys I, her cousin... so she and all her sibling-in-laws have a Targaryen look about them. She should look like Rhaenyra, but i have her wearing pale blue-purples for a sort of Royal-Arryn crossover as well as slightly more blonde hair and a haggard appearance with her medical complications. Her jewelry and ornamentation references the other Royal Ladies in this series but the gems are bigger, and she has more of a surcote going on because I need future generations to use that as the basis of some of the later fashion in Westeros. Did I make this all a lot more complicated by including my previous redesigns in the same world? Yes, yes I did.

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram, tiktok or check out my coloring book available now \ („• ֊ •„) /

https://linktr.ee/ellen.artistic

the wives of viserys i

Viserys is just as despicable as Daemon and Otto, except in a different way

It's weird enough how King Viserys is widely well seen by the audience despite his evident selfishness, which is perhaps one of the most pronounced traits throughout the show. This perception is predominantly fueled by Rhaenyra's camp, who views Viserys' unequal treatment of his children in her favor as a redeeming quality of his character.

The subtle detail of Rhaenyra eagerly desiring a sister while her mother is still pregnant often goes unnoticed, just like her displease of the life she is supposed to endure going through many difficult pregnancies. Her strong insistence that it will be a girl contrasts with her father's wishes, hinting at an awareness of the changing dynamics within the royal family in case a boy is born. Despite spending her early years as the king's only child, the frequent pregnancies of Rhaella imply the king's persistent efforts to secure a male heir to the throne.

Therefore, Rhaenyra is effectively being sidelined as a potential heir in favor of a yet-to-be-born phantom brother. The king's intense desire for a male heir leads him to make the drastic decision of sacrificing his own wife during childbirth. While it's understandable that a mother would prioritize her child's life over her own, the scene becomes disturbing due to Aemma's clear distress and pleas for help let alone the fact that she was literally cut open while being awake, highlighting the king's unwavering determination that will lead to others suffering and this is a leit motive for the rest of his life, be it physically or emotionally.

The claim that Viserys, a now seasoned king, was manipulated by a teenager into marriage is one of the most absurd ones in this fandom, especially if we take into account how Alicent is portrayed. In reality, it was another self-centered choice driven by his own desires. Alicent, despite being urged by her ambitious father to seduce the grieving king (much to her horror), maintains the demeanor of a respectable lady. During her time with Viserys, the focus is on shared interests such as history and books, creating a dynamic more akin to a father spending time with his daughter. Alicent even mends the temporary rift between him and Rhaenyra giving him genuine advice. Viserys undoubtedly married Alicent out of his own desire, not coercion as some suggest. The scene where he announces it reveals Alicent's almost shocked reaction, indicating her lingering hope that he might not proceed with the idea. If Viserys were a virtuous man, he would have found Alicent a suitable match with a respected lord to acknowledge her services and simultaneously spite her father's ulterior motives.

Viserys continues to treat Alicent as an object throughout their marriage, often demanding her to fulfill his physical needs, even after he is plagued by illness and Alicent shown to be visibly uncomfortable because of it. After a somewhat "honeymoon" phase, which is still marred by a strained relationship between Alicent and Rhaenyra which puts the former in isolation despite her efforts to show support for her as the heir, Viserys is suddenly consumed by guilt for his actions towards Aemma. At this point, Alicent and their son Aegon (and by consequence their future three children) cease to exist for him. It's important to highlight that despite this epiphany and subsequent emotional neglect, Viserys' requests for physical intimacy with Alicent persist, which only makes him more of an hypocrite who still can't help but indulge in his selfish needs at the expense of others.

Viserys' insensitivity towards Alicent is further emphasized when Daemon returns to King's Landing and both he and Viserys mock Alicent's attempts at conversation about the new tapestries. Even Rhaenyra is visibly appalled by their behavior and chooses to support Alicent to prevent her from feeling humiliated. The temporary resumption of friendship between the two women adds layers to their tragedy, as their later falling out is ultimately induced by the men who view them merely as tools of power.

In addition to Daemon's emotional hold on Rhaenyra that will lead to their scandalous marriage, Otto's influence over Alicent, and his manipulative schemes, Viserys perpetuates the conflict through his inaction and convenient stance in the middle ground. He neglects his other children, projecting guilt towards Aemma onto them and Alicent. While he outwardly shows love and favoritism for Rhaenyra and ignores her infractions, it seems more like a projection of guilt rather than genuine support, as he fails to take concrete steps to legitimize her ascension, especially now with the presence of sons. Viserys' actions ultimately work against Rhaenyra's favor, rather than supporting her. His handling of the family feud after Laena's funeral closes the door for any potential reconciliation between the queen and the princess.

The truce dinner in episode 8 is unmistakably a ticking time bomb. The Rubicon was crossed years ago, but Viserys prefers to maintain the illusion of a happy family, akin to the illusion of Alicent being Aemma, for his own peace of mind. Rather than addressing the underlying issues, he opts to create a facade to avoid dealing with the potential chaos of his family members turning against each other once he is gone.

In conclusion, Viserys embodies those problematic people who often evade accountability for their actions due to their seemingly kind and sympathetic demeanor. His ability to project an amiable facade masks the deeper issues and consequences of his decisions, allowing him to avoid the scrutiny he might otherwise face.

I just ... Paddy Considine saying that Viserys never forgave himself for what he did to Aemma, that Viserys died the day she did, that all this time the secret was that it was a love story - Viserys and Aemma's love story - that Viserys didn't really care about himself after he lost her, that he allowed himself to wither away as penance for his sins against her.

The fact that Viserys went against tradition and his brother and Seven Kingdoms to make Aemma's daughter his heir, to give Aemma's child his throne. The fact that he thought of Aemma's daughter as his only child and practically rose from the dead to defend her. The fact that he saw Aemma in his last moments. The fact that they played Aemma's tune at the dinner, the last time Viserys was truly peaceful.

The fact that he kept Aemma's ring, the fact that he mourned her constantly. The fact that he never spoke of his grief, of his loss, because what right did he have? He was the one who had killed her.

I just...

Nobody can convince me Viserys loved Aemma. I don't care what nobody says. I'm not listening. I don't wanna hear it.

And I know Aemma probably in the Seven Heavens fuming- cause imagine your husband murdered you for a son and then later on he gets three sons and neglected them.

HE GETS THREE OF WHAT HE MURDERED YOU FOR AND THEN NEGELCTS THEM!

Viserys deserved the slow death that he got. Infact, it wasn't slow or painful enough.

- You will lie in this bed soon, Rhaenyra. This discomfort is how we serve the realm. - I’d rather serve as a knight and ride to battle and glory.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON (2022—) ✦ 1.01 "Heirs of the Dragon" dir. Miguel Sapochnik

Sian Brooke as Queen Aemma Arryn House of the Dragon - 1.01 “The Heirs of the Dragon” (requested by @cerseicurls)

THE QUEEN'S OF HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

Alicent Hightower, Aemma Arryn

We must learn to face it with a stiff lip.

I have so much respect for HOTD showing some of the realities of childbirth and it’s aftermath, like yeah babies don’t just pop out and everything’s fine and dandy. There’s afterbirth, swollen belly and breasts, leaking milk, blood, and sometimes yeah death. And while some people may be aware of that, this show is forcing many people who wouldn’t be aware to learn.

If you think this world has something deeply wrong in it ,think about the fact that , in another universe , House of The Dragon is a musical.

"Your mother's absence is a wound that will never heal. Without her, the Red Keep has lost a warmth that I dare say it will never recover." — Viserys I Targaryen to Rhaenyra Targaryen (House of the Dragon, S1E02)

Queen of Love and Beauty  || Daemon Targaryen x Reader

Pairing: Daemon Targaryen x Reader

TW: blood and violence (like, a lot of it... they are no good people here)

Summary: The final duel of the tourney is about more than glory. 

The loud voice of the announcer rose over the excited buzz of the crowd as everyone’s attention turned to the grounds. Whether everybody already knows that this fight is not merely for glory, for winning a battle and be rewarded with the cheers of the masses, you are not sure. Whether everybody knows that this battle will not end until one of the men lies dead in the dust. 

The black mare was huffing as impatiently as his rider, proud Sir Dondarrion of Blackhaven, the man to be your husband in a fortnight, was baring his teeth at his rival. That was his most distinguished feature, you thought, his pride. Sir Dondarrion has been well-mannered and always kind towards you, but you remember the evening when swords were drawn at the feast in the Great Hall. Will you fight me at the Red Keep, sir, the Lord Lannister had called, Arbor wine letting the word fall freely from his mouth, behind the same walls the Rogue Prince has fucked the future Lady Dondarrion against. You have no doubts that Daemon Targaryen would have killed him if he were there that day. Always the one to protect his Lady’s honour, you thought, even though this honour was lost years ago in his very own bed.

The ruby eyes of the dragon on the prince’s helmet are piercing directly at his opponent. He had told you once, over quiet talks and limbs tangled in his sheets, that it was intentionally so, that the last things his enemies were to see is the red eyes of the monster and the final blow of Dark Sister. Daemon doesn’t look at you, and he doesn’t look at the crowd as well, pays the cheers from the people no mind for what is probably the first time in his life. His pale eyes are fixed at the knight in front of him, for both of them the battle has already started. 

The announcer shouts something that you don’t really want to hear, because it makes all of this real, presents the Lord of Blackhaven and the Prince of the City and the squire boys move out of the field as the two opponents take their final places before the tourney begins. 

You try to remember how it got to this, how you had begged Daemon to stay out of the lists just this time, as if it were possible. As if he would have listened to you. You pleaded in fury, in tears, but your dragon prince had stood stubborn and unwavering, and you hated him for it. You wondered if it was not planned so from the start, if Sir Dondarrion was not a dead man walking from the very day he had asked for your hand. If the Lannisters had not called on his pride and bride and make him challenge Daemon, would have the prince done it himself?

You remember the tears his calloused hand had to wipe from your cheek, how sweet his kiss had been and his quiet reasoning of I will not let another have you, and you knew there was no way of changing his mind. You had spent the most of the night in his arms anyways, he would not let desperation lurk into your heart. His lips on yours were soft and gentle for the first time in ages and every time you suggested he should get some sleep before the dawn, he would wordlessly spread your legs again and silence you with his body, his fingers or his mouth. 

The whispers in the crowd are intensifying, bringing you back to reality, and at last the announcer makes his way out of the field. Your breath hitches in your throat and you can barely register that the two riders are charging at each other until you hear the sound of their clashing and the roar of the crowd. They turn around at the end of the way and you see the young squires hurry to give them both another lance. The force of the clash made them both turn to shreds. 

The two riders storm at each other again, but the faint smell of copper coming from the grounds makes you glance down before you see them crash. There is no time to clean the blood of the fallen from the battlefield, you think as you watch the dark red stains drying in the dust. The need to turn your head around and vomit the contents of your stomach grows and you have to take a deep breath through your nose. 

You hear the heavy sound of a body hitting the ground and your eyes shoot up to the battle again. Before you can realise what is happening, a hand reaches out from somewhere and grabs yours. Princess Rhaenys does not look at you, her eyes are glued to the tourney, but her fingers are wrapped around your palm and she gives you a firm squeeze. Courage, as if she’s trying to say, you will not face this fear alone. Your stomach turns up. 

Daemon is lying on the ground, unhorsed, and the crowd is cheering. Seven Hells, you know this fight is not going to end now. And indeed, the Rogue Prince stands up, the squire runs with Dark Sister in his hands and hands it to Daemon. Dondarrion is on his feet as well, greatsword in hand and the battle starts again, more vicious than before. You allow yourself a quick glance up, to the Royal Lodge. King Viserys’ eyes are fixed on the fight, and he does not seem particularly worried, even though you can see his silver-haired Queen whisper in his ear, worry evident on her ethereally beautiful Valyrian face. Whether the King puts enough faith in his brother, or he does not truly understand the reasoning behind this fight, you will never know. 

You are not sure how long the battle lasts, for you it feels like forever. The only thing ringing in your ears is the sound of metal meeting metal and the occasional heavy grunts coming from the knights. You let out a quiet, throaty sound when Dondarrion charges, sword landing on the Prince’s shield, the blow strong enough to make him lose balance and allow himself to be pushed in the dust. Dondarrion lifts his sword, gripping it with both of his hands, to aim for the fallen Prince’s head. “He’s going to kill him,” someone whispers worriedly, maybe Alicent Hightower, but you do not turn to confirm your suspicions. You grip Rhaenys’ hand tighter instead and fight the urge to scream. 

Dondarrion hacks down with all of his strength, but Daemon manages to roll to the side and the blow lands a hand away from his head. The Lord’s blade is stabbed into the ground and with his hands clutching the handle, he realises his mistake too late. You don’t even see where the dagger comes from, just the glint of light that reflects from it as Daemon stabs it into his opponents knee. With a cry of pain and surprise, Lord Dondarrion slumps to his knees, hand instinctively reaching for the wound. Daemon does not allow it and his kick lands exactly there, pushing his mutilated opponent to the ground. The audience cheers as the Prince stands up to kick the greatsword away, rising over Dondarrion like a dragon over a sheep, his own weapon in hand. 

The knight doesn’t even have a chance to yield before Dark Sister is plunged straight into his throat and a spray of blood covers the black steel of Daemon’s helmet. The cheers from the crowd quiet down, a desperate mother’s wail comes from somewhere in the lines. But it matters not, it matters not anymore because it’s over now and you can finally breathe with no heaviness on your chest. You are still gripping Rhaenys’ hand, even when Daemon is claimed winner and walks away from the dead body lying in the dust. 

The rose garland is covered in blood when he lays it in your lap and his voice is softer than summer rain. “For you, Milady,” he says, “Queen of Love and Beauty.”