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Rating:
Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of ViolenceMajor Character Death
Category:
Gen
Fandoms:
House of the Dragon (TV)Warhammer Fantasy
Characters:
Ikit ClawRhaenyra TargaryenJacaerys VelaryonLucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Baela TargaryenRhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Daemon TargaryenCorlys "The Sea Snake" VelaryonHelaena TargaryenAddam VelaryonBackground & Cameo CharactersSilverwing | Alysanne Targaryen's DragonOriginal CharactersJoffrey Velaryon
Additional Tags:
Crack Treated SeriouslyCanon-Typical ViolenceThe Dance of the Dragons | Aegon II Targaryen v. Rhaenyra Targaryen EraAlternate Universe - Canon DivergenceCanonical Character DeathCharacter Turned Into a HumanIkit got isekai'd as Jace's twinSkaven Species (Warhammer Fantasy)Death to all GreensHuman ExperimentationScience ExperimentsIkit is his own warningSilverwing still has shit taste in male ridersPOV MultipleBackground RelationshipsBackground Character Deathshow canon onlyDragon RidersAnimal AbuseIkit is an abusive dragonriderTho he's fairly mellow compared to his SkavenselfGood Parent Rhaenyra TargaryenNo beta we die like LucerysDysfunctional FamilyCannibalismBlood and TortureCanon-Typical BehaviorBAMF Helaena Targaryen
Language:
English
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Published:2026-02-26Completed:2026-04-22Words:181,492Chapters:55/55Comments:1,270Kudos:749Bookmarks:160Hits:33,677
The Rat Prince of Westeros
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 41: Addam
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The flight was in silence.
Seasmoke was uneasy beneath him, the pale dragon grumbling and shaking out himself in midair numerous times as they flew.
Silverwing was so massive she was gliding more than flying, a single beat of her wings making three of Seasmoke's. She looked sickly and abnormal, with the green crystalline spikes growing all over her and that bell tower that made Addam nervous if he looked at it for too long.
He had to remind himself he was here to prove himself to the realm. Those of bastard birth were slandered as born of sin and lust by those of the Faith, and as such were rotted with no sense of integrity. Prince Ikit chose to accept his words when Addam had been in the Dragonpit, intending to go and confront his fellow dragonseed for his betrayal. Addam didn't know what had driven Hugh to his changing of sides, the blacksmith never gave the impression he disliked Rhaenyra or wished to support the late King Aegon.
Did he have kin amongst the Hightower host? Addam thought Hugh had claimed Saera Targaryen as his mother, the disgraced princess having worked oft in a brothel before becoming the madam of one in Volantis. And what Addam knew from rumours and mutterings, Prince Ikit had been close to Saera and spent many years as her guest in Volantis. Was Ikit offended Hugh insinuated Saera was his mother? Did he wish to avenger her honour from a bastard dragonrider claiming her name?
They were things Addam thought over as they flew over the Crownlands and entered the verdant plains and forests of the Reach. The largest enemy army would be near, having marched from Oldtown bearing the Hightower sigil. The approaching army had much distressed the people of King's Landing, especially when learning of how violently Bitterbridge and Tumbleton had been treated by the Green forces. Addam tried to keep himself composed, even if besides the Gullet he hadn't fought in a battle. Not one on land at least, burning down ships filled with foreign slavers was far different from burning his fellow countrymen.
But they were traitors and had to be punished and Addam had sworn to obey Prince Ikit. That was the main criteria the prince had demanded, when he interrupted Addam's attempt at saddling Seasmoke with Lord Corlys in tow. Even if Prince Ikit frightened him on a level none other had come close to, even when Seasmoke was chasing him Addam didn't feel the same level of visceral unease.
Flying close to the pillaged town of Tumbleton did let them see Vermithor's form coiled outside the gates amongst the horde of tents. The mander was the river Tumbleton was built upon but the water was filthy and great gouges and scorch marks still smouldered in the area. Numerous buildings within the town had been burnt down and everything reeked of ash and blood. The castle of the town was still standing, with the personalized banners of King Aegon flying along with flags of the Hightower.
They circled the town of Tumbleton once, twice, three times until Vermithor was snarling and snapping down below and all the men were running about like a panicked ant hill. Then they landed a few leagues away, to meet with the sackers as parley.
When they landed Prince Ikit rang the immense bell upon Silverwing's back. The deep sharp toll rang across the land, vicious and threatening as the gleaming green clapper cracked against the side of the bell. Thirteen times it rang until Prince Ikit bade it fall silent and for Silverwing to settle upon her belly to be dismounted. Seasmoke was snarling and spitting in distress, smoke coiling up from his nostrils and limbs tensed as Addam struggled to calm him. The dragon didn't like the sound anymore than its rider.
"My prince," Addam began, when it became apparent the prince would not speak as they waited for the representatives of the Hightower forces to come meet them on the ground. "Should we not have mustered troops for this? From the Riverlands or even the Reach, there are still those loyal to the queen here."
Prince Ikit gave him a sideways glance, "What-what for?"
"For...to bolster our attack against the enemy."
"Bah. Stupid suggestion. Silverwing bigger-stronger than Bronze Fury. Stupid Seasmoke can eat blue dragon. Then we burn-slaughter-kill-kill human army. Stop being annoying."
If it had been anyone else Addam would find the prince's mean of speaking baffling and even amusing. But there was something about his tone, his very voice, that lent no humour whatsoever to his harsh, strange words. It wasn't childish, it was almost like a beast struggling to speak and not caring enough to be true to the language. How sharp the prince's teeth were and his unnatural green eyes made it all more apparent.
"Who will hold the town in the aftermath if we are victorious?"
"Who cares? After we go to Oldtown and beat-beat them, town will live on its own or die. Not my problem-issue."
Addam was about to complain but Prince Ikit cut him off with a sharp gesture. Addam did not like the blase way he spoke, yet at the same time Addam knew he was not to lecture princes. He swore an oath to Queen Rhaenyra and would keep it no matter the cost. He would prove bastards are not just duplicitous grasping cravens, that instead they could be steadfast, honourable and loyal.
Eventually a small group of riders approached, one carrying the banner of the Hightowers. Vermithor took to the skies with a roar, great wings buffeting the air as he flew to them while being followed by a far smaller dragon of blue and bronze. It was barely any larger than Moondancer.
Seasmoke can fight it, Addam thought, keeping himself stiff and blank-faced as the Hightower group finally approached them even if the dragons remained near. He had never been in a dragon fight before and certainly hadn't been riding for years like Prince Daeron but he held hope.
Hugh looked much the same as Addam remembered, if not for the dark circles beneath his eyes. He was still in the red and black armour which had been made for him, something that vexed Addam immensely. The traitor should be in green. There was Lord Ormund, nephew of Otto, and current Lord of the Hightower and the head of House Hightower. There was also a boy that Addam knew had to be Prince Daeron, in green armour and cloak. He bore the traditional Valyrian look, features cold and hard as he came to a half before the two with his entourage.
"In the name of the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms, we demand the pretender queen's unconditional surrender and for her to yield to the mercy of the crown," Ormund Hightower said in lieu of a gretting.
"Which king is that?" Prince Ikit asked around a mouthful of jerky he had pulled from one of his hip pouches. "I bit-tore King Aegon's head off. Which is next?"
Ormund bristled, expression hateful as he said, "That is King Aemond Targaryen. As the current living, oldest son of our late King Viserys, he is the rightful king of Westeros."
"Don't actually care," Prince Ikit said as he chewed. "Yield or die, stupid thing."
"I heard tell of the cruelty of Prince Ikit the Savage, the twisted second son of the sinful princess, and the depravities he committed across the narrow sea," Lord Ormund said coldly. "And now I see it plain before me, further proof Princess Rhaenyra is unfit for the throne.
"Are you the Alicent whelp?" he asked instead, swallowing and looking supremely unimpressed.
Ormund looked offended, "No, and speak normally. It is untoward of a prince to speak so simple and disjointed like some gutterborn."
Hugh did not say anything, instead standing silent with his hands clasped before him and eyes downcast.
Prince Daeron spoke then, chin lifted as he said, "I am Prince Daeron, third-born son of the late King Viserys and brother of the current King Aemond."
Prince Ikit blinked at him, dusting off his hands as he asked, "Who?"
Addam cleared his throat, "Prince Daeron is the fourth child of Queen Alicent and King Viserys, my prince."
"Can't remember this one. Never saw it at King's Landing. No impression whatsoever. Stupid forgotten son. Who cares," Prince Ikit said, making a face at Daeron who bristled. "Surrender or I kill-kill you like traitor king."
"The ancient laws must be upheld, least we wish for Westeros to slide into calamity," Ormund said, voice loud and strong. "Sons inherit over daughters. That is tradition."
"Kings have the ultimate-absolute authority in a kingdom. Which is why it is a kingdom, stupid. Final word upon everything, king chose den mother. Not stupid dead thing of Hightower ilk that I ate. Enough talk, prepare to fight-die," Prince Ikit said, snapping his fingers as if they were all disobedient hounds. "Said I would give chance for you not to die-die. Given and rejected as stupid things want to die. Prince Daeron, I wonder if you will taste like your birthkin."
"Disgusting beast-" Prince Daeron began, only to be pulled away by Ormund.
"Do not listen to it. The boy is addled and sick in the mind, he cannot even speak proper," they all heard the Lord Hightower say as they left back to their steeds.
Prince Ikit just chuckled lightly, clearly finding it funny more than insulting. Addam could not help but agree however, something about Prince Ikit was just so profoundly wrong. He held deep respect for Queen Rhaenyra and Prince Jacaerys, but Prince Ikit just felt twisted and strange. Meanwhile the Hightowers had returned to their respective steeds, arguing distantly about something Addam couldn't make out.
It was then Hugh chanced a backwards glance, Ser Hobert and Prince Daeron out of earshot, to say hastily and lowly, "My prince, the Hightowers- they have taken my wife captive. She came here to be with her family, when I left to Dragonstone. She said she couldn't bear to sit and hear of my death. So she...they had Kat when I arrived, threatened to feed her alive to Prince Daeron's dragon if I refused to fight for them. I had no choice-"
"Shut up, don't care," Prince Ikit snapped, making him fall silent. "I will kill-kill your wife thing myself once done with you."
Then he turned on his heel and strode to Silverwing without a backwards glance, as Addam stood there helplessly.
"Ser Hugh," Addam managed to say to the stricken blacksmith. "Your wife's life will be forfeit anyway. But if you kill the Greens, if you turn on them, maybe you can save her whilst myself and the prince attack. Please. You have all heard the stories of Prince Ikit, the queen is the only thing which restrains him. You cannot win this."
Hugh's eyes were empty and glass-like as he said, "I have already lost my daughter, Addam of Hull. I will not lose my wife. Fight well and we shall let the gods decide."
Addam did not feel victorious or pleased as they left for their respective dragons, even as trumpets and horns began to sound from Tumbleton. Instead he just felt ill as Seasmoke took to the air, tightening the chains around his waist as they prepared for battle.
Notes:
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