Many years ago…

"Here, look at this."

Drakon turned to look at the book Rhaegar held in his hands. The two young men sat against a wall in the library of the Red Keep, tucked away with piles of books beside them. They had spent hours like this, reading book after book as the sun made its journey across the sky.

The book that Rhaegar held appeared to be a chronicle of sorts, but of what, Drakon couldn't tell. He furrowed his brow in confusion. "What's this?"

The beautiful, silver-haired Targaryen Prince showed him the cover, and Drakon recognized the sigil of his house: a black, three-headed Dragon on crimson, which was the reverse of the Targaryen colours. The cover was made of leather that had been made to resemble Dragon scales, and Drakon briefly ran a hand over it.

"It looks like a chronicle of your family" Rhaegar explained, returning to the page he was on. "Here. This is Daemon Blackfyre, your ancestor and the founder of your house."

Drakon stared at the picture, smiling as he beheld his ancestor. Daemon was depicted in a suit of black plate mail with various Dragon motifs. He held Blackfyre, the ancestral Targaryen sword of Aegon the Conqueror and the namesake of his house, in one hand and a black, winged helm in the other. He had the classical Targaryen features of silver-blonde hair and purple eyes, and he was incredibly handsome and clean-shaven.

"You look just like him" Rhaegar said.

Drakon glanced at his adoptive brother, furrowing his brow. "Really?"

"Well, except for this" the Targaryen prince added, gesturing to the last Blackfyre's shoulder-length black hair and black beard.

He flipped through the pages of the chronicle, and he and Drakon saw each of the Blackfyres depicted in their prime. Eventually, they came to Maelys I, his father. Drakon leaned his head back against the wall, sighing. "My family history is filled with rebellion and death. All my forefathers ever did was try to overthrow yours. And now I am the last. My House's future is on my shoulders. What kind of legacy can I, the son of a rebel, leave behind?"

Rhaegar smiled sympathetically. "You won't be like that. I know it in my heart."

Drakon looked over at him. "I promise to repay the kindness your family has shown me. I want to restore my house to glory, to show the world that we can do more than carry out failed rebellions. I love you like a brother, Rhaegar."

"And I love you, Drakon Blackfyre."

The young men returned to their respective books, drinking in the written word. After some time had passed, Drakon said "I imagine you are looking forward to meeting your new sibling."

"How do you know about that? Father made the announcement only yesterday."

The black-haired young man shrugged. "Having grown up in the Red Keep, I know my way around the tunnels and catacombs. You'd be amazed at what one can hear echoing through this place."

Rhaegar smirked. "Mother thinks it'll be a girl."

"Has she decided on a name yet?"

"She was thinking Alysanne, maybe. Or Daena."

Drakon looked down at the Blackfyre chronicle, remembering the story of the woman who his ancestor, Daemon, had loved above all others, and that love had come to define him and his eventual rebellion. "How about Daenerys?"

Rhaegar thought it over. "Daenerys Targaryen. I think that will be an excellent name for a princess. I can't wait for you two to meet."

Drakon smiled. "I look forward to it."

And here it is! Did y'all see the Season 7 premiere? Because, OH MY FREAKING GODS!

I'll be posting this story on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule, so chapter 2 will be dropping this Wednesday. As I am currently working a night shift, you can expect me to post around this time on those days.

I look forward to bringing you the next chapter in the life of Drakon Blackfyre!

P.S. A few minor clarifications: in The Black Dragon, I said that Andar Royce was Lord Royce's eldest son and heir. Actually, Samwell is the eldest, but Andar became the heir after Samwell was disowned. As for Drakon and Visenya's children, their first child was born at the end of Season 4, and their second child was born a month before this story takes place.