Kings Landing, The Crownlands...290 AC...
The sun rose over the city of Kings Landing bright and early, the city waking with it slowly and with purpose. People ate their breakfast and dressed themselves as they prepared to face the day.
The rebuilding of the city was finished now, the new Sept of Remembrance sat on the site where the Sept of Baelor once had. The college that taught diplomacy, economics and sailing was now open with eager students filling its halls. The Royal Exchange was full of wealthy merchants and lords making deals.
The new port was finished and full of ships from all over the world, coming and going with all kinds of goods that were loaded and unloaded everyday. They were always busy and if you needed work quick, the docks would often take you no question asked.
There was a calm and resolute spirit among the people, knowing they were in the city during one of its golden periods. Trade brought much wealth to the city and law and order was strong, crime was still present of course but it was far from rampant.
Shadows moved over the buildings, a sight that the people had grown used to over the years. They barely even looked up now as they all knew what it was.
Two dragons raced through the sky above the city, dancing as they moved through the air. They cried out in joy as they just enjoyed the experience of playing together. These cries were joined by whoops of excitement and happiness from the humans that rode on their backs.
Shaena on the back of the pure white and gold dragon Vallir held on tight as they dared her brother Daeron who was riding his own dragon Artyr to race her back to the Red Keep. They made daring dives and cruised over the ocean.
They were laughing in joy as they enjoyed the flight, they always did whenever they managed to get out of the Red Keep and fly with their dragons.
In the distance as they were getting carried away and losing track of time, a shape loomed. It was awhile before they noticed it and frowned as they realised that they were being called back home.
Kara, the dragon of their oldest brother was watching them with intense eyes. The dragon was now gargantuan in size, easily dwarfing the smaller Vallir and Artyr. When Kara flew over the city it created a shadow that covered whole areas and now was said to be as large as Balerion the Black Dread in its prime or the infamous Cannibal of Dragonstone. It was certainly an intimidating sight whenever the eldest living dragon was around as it dominated by its mere presence a lot like their brother they thought with amusement at how dragons seemed to mimic their humans.
They reluctantly turned their dragons back home, Kara watching them with its sharp eyes all of the way like they were naughty children they thought with annoyance. They were grown adults now but sometimes it felt like their brother and his dragon saw them as the little children they had once been.
They landed in the courtyard and dismounted from their dragons, Daeron was tall and muscular if somewhat slimmer than his oldest brother. He was a handsome man at the age of twenty while Shaena was thought of as the most beautiful Targaryen Princess. Her form slim and elegant with each gesture seeming like it was full of grace, her long and silky silver blonde hair like a waterfall down her back.
She and Daeron patted their dragons before they flew off to hunt alongside Kara who seemed to have appointed themselves as the chief dragon. It always kept an eye on other dragons and kept them in line which they found both amusing and annoying.
They walked through the corridors of the Red Keep and smiled again as they came to the Queen's Ballroom where a heart warming sight greeted them.
Their mother the Dowager Queen Rhaella sat on a comfortable chair as she dined with her many grandchildren and youngest girls, laughing as she ate breakfast with them. Elaena now twelve years of age sat like a perfect princess at her mother's side while mimicking her every move like she wanted to be her mirror.
Aemon and Jasen, now eleven years of age were tall and strong boys who sat together and ate with the ingrained manners that had been drilled into them from the very start. They were such serious boys, everyone thought with some worry that they were missing out most of their childhood but they were just like their father which some said was a good thing for the future of Westeros.
Rhaenys sat on her grandmother's other side, giggling with pure joy as she played with her little kitten that she had been given on her recent nameday. She had called the cute little baby cat Balerion which made everyone laugh at the most fierce-some dragon in history being the namesake of such an adorable creature but she loved the cat and defended anyone who dared criticise it.
Jon, son of Lyanna and Rhaegar sat next to his half-sister looking solemn as always. The poor boy was a good lad, very stoic and honest but he was badly treated due to how his father, Rhaegar Targaryen had acted. He was trueborn but treated by some like he was a bastard due to the fact he had conceived out of wedlock.
Daenerys, Rhaella's last child sat next to Jon. She being the same age as Jon at nine years was perhaps the closest to Jon as they had gone through the major milestone together. They were both very clever and their teachers had nothing but praise for them both.
After that came the younger children of Haeron and his two wives; Aeron the third son was laughing loud and boisterously, he was so full of life and daring that he required constant supervision but like his brothers he was a clever and capable student. In the yard he and the older boys including Jon were showing similar dedication to their training that Haeron had in his younger days not that he did not train just as intently now. His sons were doing their best to emulate him and Jon was following his cousins example.
Haeron's fourth child this time by Evelyn had been a girl, Alysanne. She was a beautiful girl but so serious and studious with her nose always in a book or scroll trying to learn something. Haeron and Evelyn often joked that she was more like Harmony than either of them but they all loved her all the same.
Then came Baelon and Daemon, the twins from Evelyn who were a constant handful. The troublemakers although of the two Baelon was the worst, he had a genuine love of causing trouble not to mention taking risks that were far too dangerous for a boy his age.
Then came Visenya and Rhaella, twin girls that had Harmony as a mother. Visenya was the more rebellious one although nowhere near as bad as Baelon. She was just headstrong and liked to do things her own way, finding pleasure in more artistic pursuits. Then came Rhaella, named for her grandmother obviously who was a more quiet and gentle but she had a soothing presence about her that meant you would never be able to stay angry around her for long, especially when she played music even at her young age of six. No instrument seemed to fail to catch her interest and her teachers spoke of having obvious musical talent.
After them came the youngest child of Haeron and Evelyn sat uncertainly at the table, Caelys. She was a slim and gangly girl not thought by many as beautiful as her siblings or cousins. This combined with the achievements of her parents and the fact she had no real obvious talents made her feel like she did not belong in the same illustrious family or deserve to bare their name and legacy. Her parents and grandmother had told her time and time again that she was perfect and that her true talents would emerge with time but she did not seem to believe it.
Lastly the final young member of House Targaryen, the second child of Rhaegar and Lyanna.
A girl which had delighted her father no end and her mother too as it meant she would never have to share Rhaegar's bed ever again. Amilys was unlike her brother a Valyrian in appearance, her silver blonde hair seemed to simmer in the light and though she was only 5 years of age this year she was a very disobedient girl. Proven moments later when she knocked over a jug full of water in the way of a maid bringing in fresh buttered toast for them. The water spilled all over the floor and the poor maid slipped, the heavy tray she was carrying flying up in the air and spilling its contents all over the ballroom before falling to the floor with a heavy clatter.
Everyone looked over and stared at the scene while the poor maid quaked in fear as she realised that not only had she ruined the royal breakfast but made such a scene in front of so much of the royal family. She was glad to have this job as it paid well and let her take care of her family, she was now terrified that she was going to lose it.
"AMILYS TARGARYEN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" A loud and imposing voice rang out which made the girl who had just a moment ago been so confident and proud of herself stand still rigidly in fear.
"Relax, your position here is secure." Evelyn said to the maid as she came striding into the room with a long purposeful stride. Handing the poor maid a few coins for her trouble and shushed her from the room to go back to the kitchen and get another round before turning back to the little girl who grimaced as she saw Haeron and Harmony who looked equally annoyed at the girl's antics.
"Your aunt asked a question." Haeron said coldly to the girl who was terrified of her stern uncle who she knew loved her like he did all their family but he was not someone to tolerate misbehaviour. He was one of the few that she would never dare lie too or disobey.
"I thought it would be funny." She said in a quiet and timid voice and the three monarchs sighed with frustration before Harmony told her.
"You will clean this mess up. Not the maids or servants...you." Harmony said sternly to the girl who wilted at the command.
"Yes Aunt Harmony." Amilys said with a sad sigh like she was going to manipulate them into lessening her punishment but Haeron merely raised and eyebrow and told her, knowing exactly what she was trying to do.
"Then get to it. Otherwise you won't see the dragons be born later." He warned her and she froze in shock before scrambling to start cleaning up the mess so she did not miss anything. The lure of the dragons was something she would do anything not to miss. They watched her until she was finished and the maids had brought up a replacement platter.
"That girl is trouble." Rhaella said with frustration but it was only slight as she adored all of her grandchildren, Amilys had a daring and bold nature which made her endearing to them all but she was constantly getting herself into trouble. It drove them to frustration but they loved her all the same.
"How are my children today?" Haeron asked brightly as his children all came over to him, he knelt down and gave them all a hug along with their mothers. They all beamed as they saw their parents who always made time to see them everyday. Rhaella smiled as she remembered how improved this was to her own childhood where she had been lucky to see her parents once a week.
"I am told that you are all doing well in your lessons." Harmony said with a smile for her children and for Evelyn's as well who she saw as hers too.
"Very good, make sure you keep it up." Evelyn said with a warm and generous smile. "Now come, spend the day with us."
The children all looked excited as she led them to the courtyard that had the now much larger Aurora sat, the large green dragon yawned loudly showing its large and sharp teeth. However this did not deter the young children, all of them including Rhaenys, Jon and Amilys all leapt forward and started petting the dragon who was the most gentle of all Targaryen dragons.
The dragon proved this true as it let the children pet it without a fuss, calmly accepting it and even let them climb all over it to pretend like they were riding through the skies. The adults all smiled, they loved dragons as much as they did and seeing the children play was truly heart warming.
Aemon was shaping up to be a perfect prince, Haeron and Harmony thought. He was intelligent and determined, he never let any challenge defeat him working towards accomplishing it rather than cheat. Jasen was just like his slightly older brother and they both were already training with the Royal Guard to develop their martial skills. Ser Barristan Selmy was their main teacher who of the old Kingsguard had probably taken to his new role the best. Jon too was training alongside his cousins and doing well by all accounts. He was intelligent if not as driven as his cousins but still he did well.
- x -
Later that day Shaena was standing at the dock side waiting for a ship to dock, it was a frigate much like the Queen Visenya which was moored nearby that had been on a voyage to several foreign ports for a few months making trade deals and alliances around Essos. As it came in her heart leapt as at last after months abroad, her husband was home.
The ship tied up and the sight of her husband on the deck made her smile broadly as at last he would be home. She saw him walk with dignity down the gangplank, Ser Gerold Grafton. A cousin of Lord Grafton he was a not in line to inherit anything so he had become a merchant and made his own living, using his connections in Gulltown to make a good income for himself.
He had become a member of the Royal Exchange and that was how he had met Princess Shaena. Though he was a lesser branch of the nobility he had been honest in his courting of her and her brother though reluctant to allow it had let her decide her own future husband.
He greeted her with open arms and loving hug before kissing her gently on the lips, while they had no children of their own yet it was due to them being apart for so long when he went on these long voyages.
"Welcome home my husband." Shaena said warmly and Gerold smiled back.
"I have missed you my dragon princess." Gerold said back before kissing his wife deeply, not proper of course but neither cared about that. "I secured the new trade agreements so I will be staying here for the immediate future."
"Music to my ears." Shaena said with relief that they would for now at least not be parted again so soon.
- x -
Back in the Red Keep the castle was being organised by the chief of the Queen's handmaidens and effective steward of the castle.
"Now, make sure the gowns are ready. Tonight will be a celebration." Grace told the servants who all bowed to her in acceptance of her orders and went quickly to see them done. While she did miss Tarth she now ran the Red Keep effectively and it certainly kept her busy. She worked with the other stewards so that it was always well provisioned and ran without any issues and she had discovered her own skill at organisation through it.
Being able to spend time with her sister again, a place that she could live with her new husband a good man named Ser Lomas the Loyal. A former member of the Royal Guard who now acted as Armourer for the castle. She was already mother to two sons Trebor and Kelvan who were her pride and joy, they were educated here in the Red Keep and would one day fly dragons much as she did now.
She smiled knowing that tonight one of her dear nephews would be getting a dragon of his own, her boys were still young so they wouldn't be there and remain with their father but she would be there she thought with pride.
She saw Evelyn coming in to the room and again she was amazed at how well her sister had taken to being a queen. She looked so regal and elegant in her silk gown, her beauty having seemed to have grown greater in the years since they had taken the crown. She had confidence, poise and intelligence that just surrounded her everywhere she went. She always looked like a goddess among mortals but she was not at all arrogant about it and in fact was modest. She never saw herself as better than anyone and Grace admired that about her.
It was thanks to her that she had her life here now not least her dragon, she loved flying on Midnight. Cruising through the skies on her dragon's back was an experience unlike anything she had ever imagined she thought with the ghost of the thrill that she felt every time she rode through the sky running through her. She walked over to her sister and asked her.
"Is Jasen excited for tonight?" Grace asked her sister who beamed with pride as she chuckled.
"Of course, he has dreamt of nothing else." Evelyn said with immense pride that tonight her son would become a dragon rider. She could see it in her mind's eye already, her son on his own dragon.
Grace nodded, understanding her nephew's excitement and knowing the incredible new discovery he was about to make about himself and the bond he would share with his dragon. It was more than a mere beast she thought with a knowing look in her eyes that she shared with her sister.
It was a partner for life, one that would never ever be replaced.
- x -
At the same time that Evelyn was speaking with her sister, Harmony was sitting at the table in her son's room with Aemon sitting next to her as she showed him a rendering of Valyria, he stared at it with amazement before she tried to teach him something.
"But they created their own destruction. They tried to control the power of nature itself and it destroyed them and their entire empire." Harmony warned him carefully. "That is something we must always remember. No matter how high you rise, how powerful you become we are nothing compared to the power of nature."
"Yes mother." Aemon said with some fear in his voice but Harmony smiled before putting a gentle hand on his cheek.
"You will, this piece of wisdom will hopefully stop you from forgetting you are only human. You will make mistakes but the important thing is to learn from them. We and your father are not perfect and we do make mistakes. Learn to use this." Harmony said with a gentle finger on his forehead. "And you will be a great king."
Aemon looked unsettled and nodded before he smiled and then she smiled back, confident that he son had understood the lesson.
Vaena Belaerys was standing proudly in her new House of Healing, a place where not only would the city's sick and injured come to be healed but also were people would come to learn how to heal. Without having to go and study at the Citadel, to learn how to mend and heal without oaths of fealty. Midwives would be able to learn how to deliver babes more safely and already they had their first students. People in the city that worked in the docks or forges where accidents happened frequently and woman in the city who could not afford the services of a maester.
The House of Healing was being paid for by donations and some royal and holy support, it would she hoped endure to spread the knowledge of medicine and healing. It would also produce salves and other medicines to sell which would add to their coffers.
Vaena watched as one of the people that she had taught treated a man with a broken arm, showing the students how to set the bone correctly so it would heal cleanly and still be usable once it had done so. She smiled as the students watched intently, learning how broken bones could be mended and need not be a life long curse by healing crooked. A fever needed not kill, ill health need not be a death sentence.
But also Vaena, now owner of the premier Jewel House of Westeros who made jewellery for all of the nobles in Westeros and even in Essos also maker of medicine now had this new honour to her name. It was one of the things that she was most proud...that and her new family she thought with a smile.
She now had children of her own with a husband that loved her, he supported her in all of her works and more so her children would one day ride dragons just like her. Her sons learned from the Royal Guard, a privilege reserved solely for children of the Royal Family and her daughters were potentially future handmaidens to queens. She was the personal healer of House Targaryen, the one they called to attend them if anyone got sick or a child was born.
Her family, House Belaerys was a rising house in Westeros she thought with pride and would hopefully continue to do so.
- x -
Elia Martell meanwhile was standing at the gates of the Red Keep with her daughter standing next to her. Rhaenys was barely able to stay still as she waited for her mother's family to arrive, she barely saw them but it was always fun when they were around.
Her other uncle, the King stood nearby with his usual stern expression. Rhaenys was a little unnerved by her uncle at times as he was a hard and uncompromising man but at the same time she knew there was a deeper part of him that he only allowed to show around their family and the most trusted of his inner circle...a man that cared and genuinely loved them. A man that had stepped into the role of father for her, Jon and Amilys when their own father had failed to do so. Rhaenys remembered sitting on his knee as he held court when she was younger, he had told her the history of their family. Not when they had they had been holding court obviously but he had personally handled some of her education and even allowed her to learn to wield a spear...or at least try too she thought with a smile of pride.
Elia looked at her daughter and smiled warmly, Rhaenys was the light of her life and she never failed to bring a smile to her face. She was so clever, so kind and so beautiful, growing more so everyday. She was glad Haeron had kept his word and treated her as a member of his family, she had grown up with all of the advantages that his own children had. He had been there for her when Rhaegar had not.
Then at last, her dear brother rode into view. The sight of Oberyn after so many years made Elia's heart leap with joy. She had missed her beloved brother so much and here he was at last.
She almost leapt at the sight of him and his sly smile as he rode in, a woman sitting behind him on his stallion was she guessed was his new paramour Ellaria. Elia shook her head that her brother would bring a paramour like this to a meeting with the king but Oberyn had never been one to follow the rules she thought with exasperation.
"Sister!" Oberyn said with a wide smile before leaping from his horse in a graceful effortless jump, he completely ignored the king before scooping Elia up in his arms and spinning her around in joy/. Despite herself she could not help but let out a cry of joy and hug him back. Haeron stood with Rhaenys and shook his head slightly while Ser Lewyn and Ser Barristan stood on watch nearby.
"OBERYN!" Elia said with annoyance despite her smile showing she was not truly angered.
"Sorry sister I could not help myself. It has been so long." Oberyn said with a proud grin before looking at the young Rhaenys who had been very young when she had last seen him. A warm smile crossed his face before he let go of Elia and going over to his young niece, the girl looked up at him in wonder before he smiled and told her.
"I have missed you little one, you have grown so much."
"Thank you Uncle." Rhaenys said with a young and joyful smile that almost made him weep.
Haeron watched with a smile before leaving the Martells to spend some much overdue time together Ser Lewyn staying to see to the safety of Elia and Rhaenys while Ser Barristan and a couple of others stayed with him, all these years he had watched as his family grew and had never been happier. All their children he thought with awe, he had always wanted a large family as either Harry or Haeron and now he had so many children and nieces and nephews.
Dragons were growing in number too, tonight four new ones would be added he thought with a smile and hoped that the young ones were ready for the reality of having a dragon to care for.
He had two women he loved, children he adored, an extended family and a kingdom that was at peace and prosperous. Years of work had given him a life that he had only dreamed of and he would not trade it for anything.
Later that Evening...
The sun was setting in the distance, nearly the entire Targaryen Family had gathered with Elia and Lyanna standing alongside them. Prince Oberyn was there too with his paramour, eager to see something that so far very few had been allowed to see...the birth of dragons.
Elaena, Aemon, Rhaenys and Jasen all placed their dragon eggs in the pit that had been prepared for them and stepped back to stand by their mothers who smiled with warm excitement. Elia and Lyanna had not seen a dragon being hatched before and neither had Oberyn or Ellaria.
Haeron called Kara to them, the enormous dragon appeared and made Ellaria step back in fright at the sight of the enormous beast. She had never seen a dragon before and it made her shake with fear but Oberyn took a hold of her in his arms and kissed her forehead to comfort her.
Haeron smiled before turning to his long time dragon who he could feel was as amused as he was, his dragon was the greatest power in the world now and he was extremely proud of his dragon. Especially now as it brought the dragons back from extinction, once there had been none, then one, then four, now there were eight. Tonight they would add four more to that growing tally, it would be some time before they were fully grown but House Targaryen was now returning to its true power.
Haeron turned to Kara and told his dragon with a confident look.
"Dracarys."
The dragon understood immediately as it saw the four waiting eggs and with a large drawing of breath in before a deep rumble could be heard from its mouth and then a tremendous blast of fire erupted from its mouth. The heat instantly made all of them sweat with its intensity while they all averted their eyes from how incredibly bright it was.
It lasted only moments before it ended and they all slowly opened their eyes before looking at the pit where the eggs had been. The four young Targaryens all eager to see just what awaited them.
There in the blackened stone pit four small dragon hatchlings crawled, crying out almost pitifully when compared to the ferocious roars of an adult dragon. But the four younger members of the family that they belonged too all looked at them with awe.
Elaena, Aemon, Rhaenys and Jasen all slowly walked over to the hatchlings, looking at them like they were the most precious things in the world which to them they were. They each picked one up with the utmost care and cradled them in their arms, bonding with them in their first moments of life.
Elaena held the pale blue hatchling that huddled closely into her with loving affection, Aemon held a grey one that had jagged golden lines along its body which stared at him proudly. Rhaenys held the yellow and orange dragon with gleaming red eyes which cooed in pleasure as she petted it while lastly Jasen held a dragon hatchling that had pure black scales and stood rigidly in his arms with its eyes looking around with interest at everything.
"Now, they only need names." Haeron told his two sons, his sister and his niece who he looked at with pride.
"Storm." Aemon said with pride as he held up his dragon whose grey scales and golden lines reminded him of storm clouds.
"Skydancer." Elaena said with a happiness as there was nothing more that she loved than dancing and the image of her dancing through the sky on the back of her dragon filled her mind with joy.
"Nymeria." Rhaenys said with a smirk that made her amazed uncle Oberyn smirk right back as it honoured her Dornish heritage and specifically the great queen that had led her people to Dorne and founded the throne that her family sat on to this day.
"Harkan." Jasen said with a calm certainty. He was a naming his dragon after a warrior in some old fable that he had read once.
"Then they will be known as that from this day forward." Haeron told the young ones with a smile. It would be a long while before they would be flying on the backs of their dragons but still this was a much a responsibility as it was an honour and made sure they understood that. "The care of your dragon will be your responsibility from this day forward, to make sure they are fed and exercised. To make sure they behave...that is on you. We can guide you but the duty will be yours." Haeron warned the young ones. The four of them looked uncertain for a moment as the weight of that settled on them but then it was replaced with a look of determination.
"We will...your grace." They all said and Haeron sighed while the rest of the family chuckled a little at the formalness with which they spoke to him. He was a family man first and king second but people only saw him as a king these days.
However there were two absences from this gathering, ones that in the moment were barely noticed but still felt.
- x -
While he would have liked to have been there to see the birth of dragons, Rhaegar Targaryen was as ever buried in a mountain of old documents and books. He would never own a dragon, never know the bond that existed between a dragon and their rider. That did strike at him deeply, he thought with a downcast look. He like every member of their family had dreamt of flying through the clouds on the back of dragon, when the dragons had returned he had been expecting or rather hoping that maybe that dream might come true. However when he had misled Lyanna Stark and created his 'Prince that was Promised' in Jon Haeron had made it very clear that he was never going to have a dragon of his own. That he would remain under house arrest in the Red Keep and not allowed to go anywhere unescorted.
He was allowed to exercise in the yard and go to the library but that was the extent of it, he did not even bother to see his three children or two wives. They now held no interest to him beyond the role his children would play in the prophecy, Rhaegar thought and went back to his researches, no longer caring either way.
Ser Arthur Dayne who now acted as a jailer for Rhaegar as much as a sworn shield looked at him with disdain. Years of the man's apathy and detachment from everything that truly mattered in life had long driven any admiration or even loyalty that he might have once held for the prince out of his heart. He had so much time that he had wasted on his ancient tomes and dusty scrolls which told him things that he already knew or nothing at all.
He had never known anyone more unworthy of being called a prince than Rhaegar...apart from Viserys Arthur thought with disgust as he was horrible just in a completely different way he considered with a shudder.
- x -
In one of the most expensive brothels in Kings Landing a fourteen year old was enjoying himself, in a particularly brutal way.
The prostitute was screaming out in pain as the sharp red hot poker was being systematically pressed and stabbed into her skin. Viserys, now growing taller at fourteen sneering with almost orgasmic pleasure as he toyed with the woman. She had come expecting a normal client, then been excited by a prince as she imagined being well paid for her services and perhaps if she was able to make sure she bore a royal bastard then she would be set for life.
She had no idea of the deep and sadistic nature of the prince, the youngest brother of the king who could not be more unlike him or his other elder brothers. There was a joy that he could only feel when he saw pain and suffering in another person, something that grew even greater when he was the one inflicting it!
He in fact could only get aroused when he saw the other person he was with was in pain.
So he had come here to achieve satisfaction tonight.
- x -
Elsewhere the owner of the establishment was counting his money and frowning as he did not make as much as he had hoped in the last year. He was owner of the best whorehouses in Kings Landing and it was only a part of what he needed, Petyr frowned with annoyance as he knew his criminal enterprises were being hounded by the City Watch and Small Council.
He had become involved in everything that he was able to make a profit from; smuggling, kidnapping to sell people to Essosi slavers, fake coin and anything else that he could realistically get involved in. He had been careful and used proxies and false representatives to hide his involvement but it was getting harder and harder to stay ahead of the authorities Petyr thought with growing anger and unease.
He had tried to buy members of the City Watch but they would frequently get caught taking bribes, penalities for getting caught were severe and few were willing to risk it he thought with annoyance as the last five he had bought were all stuck at the Wall as sworn brothers of the Nights Watch if they were lucky, those before them that he had bought...even he shuddered at what had happened to them.
He had no idea just how they were rooting out his men so quickly or how his spies and puppets seemed to be kept away from any important positions. It was like the gods themselves were interfering in his plans Petyr thought with anger. So far it was only his own cunning that prevented him from getting caught but he was not able to rise any higher than he currently had.
That was why he had been open to an...offer he had received he thought with intrigue. It had swelled his coffers with gold and allowed him to do things that he would never have been able to before in exchange for...certain favours he thought with a shrug as he cared not what it took.
A message from them had arrived from Essos, asking him to arrange a meeting between Prince Viserys and one of a group of individuals that had a proposal. He was interested of course and they had offered a lot of gold for this and more lucrative opportunities to make coin in Essos.
Enough that he had agreed without thought and smirking as he had made his own inquiries and they were secretive, but he could guess he thought with a sinister smirk as if he was right, it would mean a lot of chaos for Westeros...and he knew better than anyone that Chaos was a ladder.
For those who dared to climb it and succeeded the greatest rewards he thought with expectation.
- x -
Viserys honestly felt more elated than ever before as he used the poker, which he regularly reheated before returning to continue torturing the whore that had thought she would share his bed this night. She died with a ragged and terrified scream, never having imagined that her life would end here and scared for her soul, having thought she would have a chance to confess her sins before dying but now she never would as she screamed although there was relief...an end to her suffering as she closed her eyes forever.
Viserys honestly feeling like a conquering hero as he stood over the dead whore's body, he dreamt of being seen as the great figure he knew himself to be. He would be a king that would never be questioned, take what he wanted when he wanted it.
Nothing like his pathetic older brother he thought with a sneer. He lacked the conviction, the strength to be a real king like their father had been Viserys thought with disgust at his family's weakness.
The door opened and he turned to scream at whoever was daring to disturb his moment, brandishing the poker like a sword when his mouth fell open at the sight or rather the vision of what greeted him.
A woman of...unparalleled beauty he thought with awe at her physical perfection.
Her hair was like spun gold, shining with an etherial light and her body was like a sculpture in its perfect and generous portions.
"Your grace, how would you like to sit on the Iron Throne? And to have me as well?" She said with a seductive smile, draping herself on the nearby bed with her legs crossed in such a way that her skirt fell away to reveal them. Her breasts the size of melons where heaving in her tight dress. "My family and I have a proposition for you...we have worked to make resources but we need the right man to sit upon the Iron Throne. Does that interest you?" She said with a elegantly arched eyebrow as if daring him to take the offer.
The mere idea of it instantly appealed to him, walking over to her and she smirked as she opened her legs to let him see what she had between them. He was so consumed by that he didn't care about the broach that she was wearing, one made of dark jade and red enamel that looked like his own house's symbol and colours only the background was red and the dragon was black instead of the other way around.
Highgarden, the Reach...
The cries of a babe echoed through the corridors and halls of the greatest castle in the Reach as a cry of anger and frustration that the people who lived and worked in the castle had come to know over the years.
Olenna Tyrell sighed as she knew what it meant more than anyone, Mace was lucky to have fathered two sons first because ever since he had never managed to father another boy. Willas and Garlan were fine boys in their own way as they were both intelligent and uniquely skilled or showed signs of being. She just hoped nothing happened to them and worked hard to protect them from harm, but she consoled herself by the number of girls she had to wed off she thought with a smile and to train in her ways.
Five legitimate daughters; Taena, Margaery, Patricia, Olya and Bethany had been born by Alerie Hightower, Mace's wife. But he had also produced three bastards by several whores which Olenna had made sure were given to the Faith to make sure they would never be a threat. She had taken to educating the girls of Trueborn herself and Olenna was happy to say that Olya and Bethany were despite their youth showing signs of promise in the game while Taena and Patricia unfortunately were empty headed girls...beautiful but simple, Olenna would find good and influential husbands for them to make sure they were cared for.
Margaery however Olenna thought with pride was her prized pupil, the apple of her eye. She learned so quickly and was already starting to grasp the nature of the game and manipulation, she was still too kind hearted but she would gain her thorns in time Olenna thought to herself with satisfaction and assurance.
While the lack of males in the main branch of the family was something of a concern she was not overly worried. Willas already was wiser than his father and far more intelligent even if she knew that was hardly a compliment in the case of Mace, Garlan on the other hand would be a master of the blade, his swordsmanship impressive even while he was still not of age and he trained with a dedication matched or overtaken only by the King himself in his youth.
She was working on gaining a royal connection though which of her grandchildren she would use she did not know yet, wanting to judge them more before trying something that could potentially be ruinous to them. She did not like bold and overly ambitious moves as they would almost certainly destroy them if they went wrong but a measured approach would be better in her mind.
Storm's End, the Stormlands...
The Stormlands was frequently subject to bad weather and this year was no exception, it had never taken advantage of any of the advances being made in the rest of Westeros. That was due largely to the new Lord of Storm's End after the recent death of Steffon Baratheon and his wife of a fever some months ago.
Robert Baratheon rarely left his rooms, only doing so to fight and let his anger out in the yard where men who dared to face him rarely left there alive or uninjured, sometimes in a way that was life altering. He drank and he entertained whores at all hours of the day, never attended to his lordly duties. Administering and managing the affairs of Storm's End and the Stormlands, not to mention overseeing the education of the younger members of the house like Renly, the young lady Jocelyn and Robert's bastard daughter Mya fell onto the shoulders of the ever dutiful if annoyed Stannis.
The cost of Robert's excess was a struggle for him to balance with their incomes, he was staring at the books trying to understand how they were going to maintain their castle and keep it strong. Their parents had always been careful about their wealth and had left a treasury full of coin...within a year, Robert had emptied it.
He was a dutiful son and brother but even he knew this could not go on...but he just did not know how to stop his brother from driving their house into ruin.
Elsewhere in the castle things were hardly any better for Renly, Jocelyn and Mya. They were attended too largely by Maester Cressan who had been serving their family loyally for years before they had been born but it was still far from ideal.
Renly was a kind boy if empty headed, he just wanted everyone to like him, Jocelyn was a brighter girl, much like her mother had been but had no woman around to teach her how to be a woman in this world and Mya, a bastard was sneered at all of the time by the servants and anyone else that dared come to the castle even the whores who served Robert, her wretched father. She was a product of his lechery and no-one ever let her forget it.
Storm's End had once been a happier place but now a dark cloud hung over it that had nothing to do with the storms in the bay beyond that gave the castle its name. The lord was a wreck in many ways, a lecherous fool that had no intention or interest in anything but his vices and it was taking its toll on every one of the Household and soon enough the Stormlands itself.
Winterfell, the North...
The corridors of Winterfell felt a great deal better than those at Storm's End, the servants went about their duties as always and with calmness. Lord Rickard Stark sat at the desk in his solar while looking through the various documents that required his attention, the platinum mine yield report, accounts from his banner-men on their activities, the wildlings and bandit activity and more. He was relieved to see that things were relatively quiet at the moment and little trouble to be found.
The reports on the rebuilding of Moat Cailin and Castle Greenwood were a mark of pride to him, he saw the renderings that the men in charge of the reconstruction and it made him smile with satisfaction. He had restored two of the North's most important castles as holdings for his sons and tightened their control of the North.
Benjen and Ned were married with families of their own and when the time came they would take possession of the two castles. They both had ensured the continuing of House Stark for the next generation.
Brandon though had not yet Rickard thought with concern.
- x -
Catelyn Stark sat in her rooms with her daughters, sewing and teaching her three daughters to do it as they went. She smiled slightly as Sansa, her second daughter was getting very good with a needle Catelyn noticed with pride and honestly she believed she would be better than her soon enough. Minisa her oldest girl and Roslyn were talented enough she supposed but otherwise not very enthused by their work. They had though she thought with pride inherited her own beauty, having the same red hair she did and face along with her crystal clear blue Tully eyes.
When they were grown she thought with vain pride they would be the most beautiful girls in all of the North and Riverlands.
They were her only solace she thought with bitter humiliation creeping in, for not only her failure but the wandering nature of her husband she thought with disgust at the man she was married too.
Although she had given Brandon three beautiful daughters there were no sons she thought with dismay, his frustration at this had made him look elsewhere for an heir even if it would be a bastard Catelyn thought with horror at the idea of the two other girls that Brandon had fathered might take what rightfully belonged to her daughters. Worse he had not allowed her to send them to the Faith in the south to be rid of them, putting them out of the North and away from their true children, in fact he had struck her for even suggesting it she remembered with the sting of it reverberating through her like it had just happened. He insisted on all of them being here in Winterfell, learning along side their own girls Catelyn thought with disgust. She could not stop them from attending to the same lessons with the maester but she was damned if she was going to let them pollute the same space as her girls all the time Catelyn thought with venom.
The two of them, Catelyn thought with revulsion at their presence, were awful girls. Yondi, the eldest was a wild thing that was spat out of Barbary Ryswell one of Brandon's earlier lovers, the mother wanted the girl so why she wasn't just sent her to the Rills Catelyn had no idea. She was a rough and coarse with her language and the other girl Willow that had come from either a servant or a whore or both Catelyn thought with disgust at the profession. Willow was admittedly pretty she reluctantly admitted although nothing compared to her true and virtuous daughters.
If that was the only thing she had to deal with, then she might be able to feel better at her situation but it was the only one part of a never-ending nightmare that had become her life. She had never imagined that her life was going to be like this, she thought with dismay she had been sure that House Stark would openly accept her and that she would have a large family with her sons going on to rule the North. She might even bring some enlightenment to the savages she thought with sadness.
But it had never happened, now the Northern lords worried for the future as the heir to Winterfell had no son of his own. There were many saying it was her fault which she took as a personal insult, Lord Rickard had managed to keep things stable by naming Brandon's younger brother Eddard who was currently down in Dorne with his Dornish wife as Brandon's heir until he produced a son. Eddard had sons she had heard and that grated on her that her daughters would be cheating of their right to Winterfell but at the same time she was deeply disappointed as she had heard he was a far better man than Brandon.
He would never have treated her like this she thought with certainty, she just wished she could have married him instead.
Starfall, Dorne...
The hot Dornish sun took some getting used to but thankfully it was eased somewhat by the cool sea breeze that came off the ocean nearby. Only one of the small party under escort of the Royal Guard was showing no sign of trouble with the heat of the day.
"Its been so long since I visited Starfall." Elia said with a joyful and excited expression on her face as she had been here all the time when she had been a child. Her and Ashara had been inseparable back then, almost like sisters and she had missed her so much Elia thought with a mournful pang that she had not seen her in years and never met her children, the ones that she felt were her honorary nieces and nephews Elia thought with sadness.
"I hope Eddard has been well here." Lyanna said with a smile herself, her own excitement at finally having her brother back in her life making her eager to get to Starfall to see him. Not to mention she was going to meet her nieces and nephews for the first time and she had never been more excited as she was going to be an aunt! She thought with pride and hope that the family sized hole in her heart was at last going to be filled.
"Why is Uncle Eddard here in Dorne and not the North?" Amilys asked from the horse she was riding on, her boldness masking her fears about not being liked.
"Because when he married Lady Dayne, it was an agreement made between their houses to build ties." Rhaenys said with her new dragon, Nymeria wrapped around her shoulders, her cat Balerion sleeping in his basket on the cart travelling with the convoy and beaming with pride still at the amazement of at last having a dragon.
"Know it all." Amilys mocked her half-sister but Jon scolded her.
"Ami, we need to behave ourselves." He warned her, not wanting to ruin this for their mother as he knew how much it meant for her to have her brother back in her life. Amilys glared at him defiantly but relented, not wanting to ruin everything before they even got there.
The castle of Starfall was beautiful made of white stones with many plants and gardens, they rode through the gate and Lyanna's breath caught in her throat as she saw Ned standing there. He looked older but more relaxed than she had ever seen him, had he finally found a way to relax? She pondered before they rode up to Lord Dayne who stood there with his wife, Ned and Ashara and then her breath caught in her throat as she saw her brother's children for the first time. One of them the eldest boy was almost as old as Jon she thought with grief that she had missed so much of their lives already but it was her brother that met her eyes first.
They stared for a moment before his mouth lifted slightly to show a warm smile as they all bent the knee to Elia as she approached and although no-one missed the small smirk she shared with Ashara. That same childish thrill they had known as girls had never gone away nor the flirtation they had as older girls or young women but now it was a deep friendship that would last the ages.
"Welcome to Starfall Princess, it is a great pleasure to see you again." Lord Dayne said with a genuine smile as he had known Elia since she was a girl and honestly thought of her as part of the family. Elia nodded and allowed them to rise.
"It is good to be back Lord Dayne." Elia said with a bright smile and then greeted Lady Dayne with a kiss on each cheek before finally reaching Ashara who she embraced in a warm hug.
"I have missed you." Elia said with a genuine love for her, Ashara returned it equally and just smiled.
Lyanna meanwhile caught Ned's eye and stepped over to him, her heart beating loudly in her chest with nerves before he smiled back and instead being uncharacteristic for him pulled her into a hug. Lyanna was momentarily shocked at her brother before nearly bursting into tears as she hugged him back.
Just held in her brother's arms she was so elated and joyful that she was beyond words to at last have a member of her family embracing her again...something that she had feared would never ever happen again! She thought with tears gathering in her eyes.
She just held Ned while Jon and Amilys felt left out and looked over to their cousins for the first time and found their cousins looking back at them.
One thing that was clear about the children of Eddard and Ashara was that they had inherited the best of both their mother and father. Most of them had deep brown hair, thick and silk like, and had darker grey eyes than their father, maybe due to the purple eyes of their mother mixing with it. They were tall at their respective ages and had an etherial beauty about them that would rival that of traditional Valyrians.
Vorian and Ulrich were boys of nine and eight but tall for their age and showed the slight muscle that came from spending some time in the yard. They were broad shouldered and would no doubt be tall and muscular when they became older, handsome too. The younger two children were Arya, the only daughter and Brandon their third son. They resembled their older brothers although Arya was clearly her mother's daughter with a darker hair that was almost like her mother's and despite being only five years old she would clearly be a beauty in her own right when she was grown. However in her eyes there was a burning violet fire that was similar to the one in Amilys' own eyes, a daring defiance that would not be tamed.
Jon and Amilys stared at their cousins with curiosity while Rhaenys drew the attention of many with her dragon, Ned and Ashara though came over to see them however and Ned smiled warmly as he greeted them.
"Your graces, welcome to Starfall. It is a great honour to finally meet you." Ned said to his niece and nephew, the first time he had seen any members of his family in years. Jon looked at his uncle and couldn't help but smile back, reassured by him in a way that he rarely was with others. He knew from his mother's stories that he was honourable and kind and in his eyes he could see it.
"Why is it an honour?" Amilys interrupted with a frown. "People say that to us all the time but it means nothing." She heard a snort of agreement from Arya, which made her smile and Ashara shake her head in exasperation as the two girls seemed to be birds of a feather in their attitudes and they would need to be kept apart of they wanted there to be a castle here in the morning.
So Ashara decided to change the subject quickly.
"Let's all take a walk around Starfall while your rooms are prepared." She said and Ned nodded before speaking to Jon as they walked into the castle.
"It is good to finally meet you Jon, I have not had the pleasure of meeting my brothers' children yet so you are the first nephew I have ever had." He said with a smile that Jon found himself returning as for the first time in his life he had a male influence that was giving him attention. His father was never there and his uncles Haeron and Daeron were both so busy that he barely got to spend any time with them. Eddard was a warm and nurturing fatherly figure that he was instantly drawn too.
Amilys and Arya were smirking as they shared a silent pledge to have some fun while they were here, meaning causing as much chaos as possible while the rest of the family talked quietly among themselves, eager to just enjoy the day.
Casterly Rock, the Westerlands...
The cries of a newly born child echoed across the castle as another new member was added to House Lannister.
Tywin was sitting in his chair, a glass of wine in his hand as he listened to the cries with a small smile coming to his face as it did.
"Do you think it is a boy or girl grandfather?" A young voice asked him from the other side of the room which made him look over as a young girl of about ten years of age walked over to his chair. She stood at his side and looked at him with warm and inquisitive emerald green eyes.
"It will be a Lannister. That is all that matters." Tywin told his young granddaughter who smiled warmly at him and she was already showing the signs of the great beauty that she would one day become. She was more than that though, he thought with pride. She impressed her teachers with her intelligence and she had a wit that made conversations easy for her.
The perfect future queen he thought knowing she was betrothed to Prince Aemon Targaryen.
He gestured for her to sit next to him and she did as he told her, her face smiling as she looked at him with trust and love which honestly was an experience that he was finding it hard to accept. She was always able to make him smile, just like her grandmother had been and with a name that was unique...Amara Lannister
He saw her grandmother more and more in her everyday; her wisdom, her kindness, her quiet strength and reason. It was a great comfort to him at times he thought with a smile before he told her.
"Have you read this?" He said, handing her a somewhat heavy book to Amara who took it with care given it was an old one. She studied it before shaking her head slightly.
"It is an account of Queen Alysanne Targaryen's life." He told her and her eyes widened with understanding as she now knew its importance and his reason for giving it to her. "Study it so you might understand how queens solve problems."
"Yes grandfather." She said with a calm dutifulness that made him sure she would.
A steward came into the room and bowed to Tywin who looked at him with suddenly stern demand. The earlier happiness banished in the blink of an eye as he looked at the steward who trembled before delivering the news.
"Lady Lannister has birthed a healthy son, named Ethan." The steward told him and Tywin nodded calmly while inside he was deeply satisfied. His marriage to Maylee had proven as fruitful as he had hoped, not only had she given him a son in Duncan, a boy that was already was working in the yard to become as fine a knight and hunter as House Lannister had ever produced and even at his young age he was showing skill with weapons already much to Tywin's pride. Then Maylee had given him Jenna, a girl with natural radiant beauty even at her young age and now this new son.
Not only that but Jaime's marriage to Alicys was also proving fertile with several children aside from Amara which made his options in expanding his influence much greater...yes he thought with quiet satisfaction, it was a good day.
Small Council Chambers, the Red Keep...A Couple of Months Later...
"Now let us move on to the last point." Haeron said as he sat with the Small Council as they discussed the normal day to day matters that came with ruling the realm. The various masters around the table all nodded before Haeron turned to Davos who looked uncertain in his position even after all these years. "Has the construction of the new building and equipment there?" He asked him calmly.
Davos frowned before nodding in acceptance.
"The buildings are finished and the walls erected, the smithing equipment yourself and the queens designed is taking shape, iron ore and lead are stockpiled there along with all the other materials you indicated...your grace...are you sure that this is a wise step?" He asked cautiously as he knew what this place was intended for and the impact that it would have. The other Small Council members all looked over to him in confusion before Haeron made his announcement.
"It is something that needs to happen. As some of you might recall during my journey around the world with Lord Davos, there was a weapon we employed on our ship. Now it is time we reveal that weapon to you." Haeron said and they all leaned forward with obvious interest, eager to finally know just what that was.
"I have named it cannon. A cannon in the singular, a construct of metal that when loaded with a special powder and a lead ball can produce a weapon of great power. I have been working with Lord Davos on a place that will produce cannons and the powder needed along with the ammunition. Think of it like a scorpion or a crossbow but far more powerful." Haeron said calmly as they all blinked in surprise except for Davos who had seen them in action. "They will be perfect as both siege weapons and for mounting on ships. When combined with our new ship designs Westeros will have the most powerful navy in the world." Haeron said with pride even if he was worried about unleashing this discovery on the world.
The Small Council members all looked highly intrigued at this development and he knew they were all going to look into it, he would give them a practical demonstration later when the first cannons were prepared.
"For now though, I think this concludes the meeting." Haeron said calmly and they all got to their feet after waiting for him of course, they filed out of the room with Ser Barristan and Ser Lewyn at his side, smiling slightly as they were having a visitor today that he had been looking forward too.
- x -
The Gates of the Red Keep...Later that Day...
A small party under escort of Lannister men arrived and was greeted by no less than Haeron himself, standing along side him were Harmony and Evelyn, all their children under strict instructions to behave and then there was Ser Kevan Lannister and his family. He was as calm and stoic as ever but everyone else was smiling as some old friends were paying a visit.
Jaime looked taller and more mature than when they had last seen him, still had that smirk of his though they all noticed while Alicys had changed little physically she had a new wisdom in her eyes that came from years of raising a family and helping manage both Casterly Rock and Lannisport.
Around them were their own children Amara and Tommen who rode proudly with their parents, Amara was already a beauty despite her young age while Tommen was growing into a strong and tall boy. Both were the pride of their parents and their uncle as Tyrion had unfortunately not yet found a woman that would appreciate him although his advice and guidance were greatly appreciated and his nephew and niece adored him.
They rode through the city gates and through the city without issue and soon arrived at the Red Keep, they rode through the city gates and there to greet them was Haeron, Harmony, Evelyn and their children. They smiled as they greeted each other and Jaime dismounted from his horse and bowed to his king before rising and Haeron embraced his former squire with a manly hug and back slap while Alicys was embraced by Harmony and Evelyn.
"Its been too long." Haeron said with a smile as he looked at Jaime who was a full grown man now, he had decided against growing a beard but he still had that cockiness he had in his youth even if it was tempered by real world experience.
"Yes it has." Jaime replied with a smile as they separated, it had been years since their travels together but they remained close despite the time apart.
"How's the Westerlands treating you?" Harmony asked Alicys as she looked at the now grown woman and mother in front of her. Alicys smiled before sighing.
"It has its good days and its bad days but I wouldn't have it any other way." Alicys told them as sometimes all the politics and administration that came with running a kingdom was overwhelming but the family she had created with Jaime, the life she had now...it was all worth it she thought with genuine joy.
"We fully understand that?" Evelyn said with a grin as she hated the pomp and politics and ceremony that came with being a queen just as much as Hermione/Harmony did but if they wanted to live with Harry/Haeron it was the price they had to pay and they would gladly pay it.
Aemon meanwhile came up to Amara, his future bride and while she went to curtsey he took her hand gently and kissed it as a true gentleman should. She blushed and smiled nervously at him but it was warm and kind, he managed a smile back for her while Tommen looked at him suspiciously wondering if he was to be trusted with his sister and Aemon's own siblings all sniggered as they looked at their brother deal with his future wife. They quietly followed their respective parents in for lunch as rooms were prepared and their parents caught up on old times.
Later that day Rhaella was sitting in the gardens, enjoying the day with the great view afforded by the gardens position and seeing not only the city and port below but also Blackwater Rush as it sparkled in the sun.
She loved the calm here, it was her favourite spot and where she would often be found but as the Targaryen Matriarch looked out she saw a small figure wandering towards her with a Royal Guard at her shoulder. Rhaella smiled and held out her arms and the little girl of only six ran over to her with a huge smile on her face. The sight made those who saw it smile at the way it pulled on your heart and for how much the Dowager Queen adored her grandchildren.
"My little darling, what's wrong?" Rhaella asked her youngest granddaughter. Caelys trembled slightly in her arms, her grandmother always knew when something was wrong. She cuddled closer to her grandmother before asking her with a scared voice.
"Will I ever be as great as my family grandmother? Will I ever achieve anything?" Caelys asked, she had seen her father and her mothers, they were so powerful and strong and smart. They ruled over all of Westeros and had already become legendary for their amazing deeds. Her siblings were all strong too and would no doubt be great too while she the 'runt' of the litter was sure that she would be nothing more than a footnote in their family history.
Rhaella smiled sadly, her granddaughter was so smart and gifted. Her beauty would be legendary, already was to her eyes and she kissed her on the forehead before telling her.
"You have an incredible light inside you, brighter than any than I have ever seen and I know it will one day come out and shine. You will shine, I know it and when that day comes you will show the world just how special you are." Rhaella said with complete conviction, Caelys looked at her with uncertainty before cuddling closer to her grandmother, not sure she believed her but not wanting to disappoint her.
That Night...
Viserys was coming back through the secret passage he used to visit the brothel without the peasants seeing him leave the Red Keep, smirking as he was about to achieve what his siblings had always been too afraid to give him. His opportunities were so much broader now he thought with complete confidence, they were willing to give him the throne and he would be the only one that had a dragon...he would be the dragon he thought with a growing sense of confidence that he would rule everything! Everyone would bow down to him he thought with no doubt in his mind.
All he needed was a dragon egg.
But he didn't know where the dragon eggs were kept he thought with anger that such information was hidden from him. It was his right he thought with growing insanity he was the dragon he should have the dragon eggs!
They all knew it he thought with disgust at his supposed family, they were scared of him as they knew he was meant for greatness.
He would be the greatest king in history! He thought with both madness and confidence so he would take an egg from one of his less deserving brother's spawn. They did not deserve to lick his boots let alone ride a dragon he thought with disgust so he would take what should be rightfully his.
He did not even care which of his brother's spawn he was claiming the egg from it didn't even matter to him. He went into the room and saw a dragon egg, its scaly surface calling out to him and he walked forward, his hands outstretched as it seemed so close.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING VISERYS!?" A loud and stern voice called out from the doorway to the room.
Viserys froze...it was his mother!
- x -
The Woman as she would refuse to give her true identity to anyone followed the stupid fool they had conned into getting them a dragon egg. It was a slow work but it would eventually it would let them get their own dragons and once they had poisoned and killed the Targaryen dragons they would control the greatest power of the world she thought with certainty.
The fool would get them the egg and they would dispose of him she thought with a sneer, he would serve his purpose and to get rid of him well the world would be all the better for it.
But he at least had shown her a way into the Red Keep where they had found it very difficult to get people into the Red Keep, no dedicated spies which they found incredibly strange she thought confused but it didn't matter. She was glad to get back what was rightfully theirs she thought with a sneer as she reached the Royal Armoury where the weapons of the Royal Family were kept.
She saw the lock and smirked as she produced the key that Viserys had given her and turned it, pushing the metal door open as she looked inside with a smirk of satisfaction.
There at the end were what she had come for, Blackfyre and Dark Sister sitting on a cushion in a metal cage. That she hadn't expected but they were so close she was focused exclusively on the swords. It was a shame that the special sword of Haeron Targaryen wasn't there but these two were what she really wanted right now.
But as she stepped towards them and reached for the cage a bright red light appeared from nowhere and she felt her body freeze like water into ice in a split second, her body buzzing painfully and she was breathing rapidly, terrified and not sure what was happening when a popping sound and a female voice said with derision.
"Magical defences bitch." It said with confidence, leaving the intruder terrified as she was unable to do anything to end her own life and now was in the hands of their enemies.
- x -
"You are in trouble young man!" Rhaella said as she dragged Viserys by the ear towards the throne room with a furious voice that was making Viserys shake with fear but then she added something that made the situation infinitely worse.
"When your brother finds out what you tried to do...You'll be lucky to ever see the outside of your room for the next ten years!" She told him with anger at him trying to steal one of her grandchildren's dragon eggs.
The mention of his brother though is what scared Viserys the most, for all his insane thoughts of his own superiority he was terrified of his eldest brother. Haeron was everything that he could never be and so stern and harsh sometimes that he simply scared Viserys to death and he would do anything to not have to face him. He fumbled, stumbling to get free and pulled a dagger that he kept on his person when he left the Red Keep in case someone dared touch him.
In his blind panic he lashed out with the dagger and a scream of pain filled the air as it encountered something as he waved it wildly about.
He saw his mother was falling to the ground with her throat slashed open, blood flowing freely from the wound as she held her hand to it. He stared down at the body of his mother in complete shock when he then heard the sounds of people running towards towards them, he dropped the dagger and ran his mind consumed with fear that he had to get away...that it wasn't his fault...that they should have just given him the egg and nothing would have happened.
It wasn't his fault he thought desperately to himself.
- x -
Behind him Rhaella lay dying on the floor and one of the first to find her was Haeron himself, alert to any threat after someone had broken into the Armoury just moments ago and his breath caught in his throat as he came across his mother's still barely alive body. She tried to reach out to him but she had lost too much blood and he gathered her quickly in his arms...the Royal Guard with him called out for the maesters but there was no time. She didn't even have time for him to use his magic to try and heal her as she bled out before he could do anything except hold her.
His heart was shattering as she held her, his loving mother in this life who had given him what he had always wanted growing up as Harry...a loving parent was dead before she could even see her grandchildren grow up! Tears gathered in his eyes as he stared at her before he noticed the dagger on the floor beside them, it was a dragon styled one...something he recognised as one that had been given to Viserys on his last nameday by one of the lords in the Crownlands. The blood on it made it clear that it was the instrument of Rhaella's murder and given he had never seen Viserys go anywhere without it made him snarl with rage as he realised who had done this.
- x -
Viserys in a panic was running through the castle, not sure where he was going that he just had to get away before his brother caught him! He was so afraid that he didn't even care how he got away just that he did.
That was when he came to one of the courtyards that was next to the gardens, where Aurora was mournfully crying out as if she felt the death of Rhaella.
In the moment, he didn't even question it. He ran forward and leapt on the green dragon's back. He could feel the dragon did not like it but he slapped the dragon and it reluctantly took off to fly away from the Red Keep while the dragon kept bellowing in grief but flew onward.