The entirety of A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones is creation of George RR Martin and and D.B. and product of HBO. This story is a unique fictional derivative of the original work written by an ASOIAF/GOT enthusiast.
Rated: M
Rhaegar's Lost Song
Chapter 1
Wake the Dragon
His room dark and silent and still with the peace of slumber before the clink of locks and turn of knobs happened at his chamber door. A sliver of red light waxed across the room, bathing his bed in red. He remained silent and still, feigning sleep. They moved with surprising stealth, speaking in soft sighs. He could feel their hesitation. Still he remained. They would need to be closer to for him to catch them. No one trusts a living dragon. It was better to feign defeat in order to realize victory against your enemies. They plucked the courage to move closer. There was creak at his bed post and soft shuffling over his sheets. They hesitated again. Your enemy has to believe in your defeat to entice their pride, to move in closer, to smile and gloat about their false victory. Whispers were within an arm's reach. The hardest part is the wait. He could hear them move across his bed around him. Only then will they abandon their caution. So wait. He could feel them move in closer. Wait. And then they will realize. Feathers of hair brushed his face. They should have killed you in the egg. He opened his eyes.
"FIRE AND BLOOD!" he bellowed seizing the squealing girl on his bed, "You dare to disturb my slumber!" He tossed the girl over his shoulder and spun her about. He looked over at his bed. On it was a chubby babe bouncing on his new found legs.
"Babe-flesh?!" he said. The child grinned delightfully behind his hands. "There is nothing more tasty," he said slowly creeping toward the bed. The child eased over the edge and began to climb to down from the bed."For breakfast," he said "I shall have, babe flesh."
"Run, Laer! Run!" she said over his shoulder. The child took off with all the impish speed he possessed.
"Oh no," he said setting the girl down and catching the chuckling child before he reached the door. He assaulted in kisses and soft bites.
"This child is gamey," he said plopping back into bed.
The girl opened his balcon doors to the east and west and pulled back the curtains. Amber light spilled into his chambers.
"By the gods, Kaela," he said shielding his eyes.
"What?" she said plopping into bed next to him, "You're already awake."
"But not ready to face the light," he said. His eyes adjusted and he looked up into the face of his little sister. Kaela was stringy girl of twelve, tall for her age. She had silky yellow veils of hair that fell over her back and wide green eyes like a summer field. She was as sweet as summer rain.
"What are you doing up this early?" he asked.
"Jaered woke me, told me to get ready,"she said.
"And where is Jaered?" he said.
"In library, I believe," she said. She lay her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around him.
"He's been visiting the library often of late," he said aloud.
"I'd rather him there than bossing me around," she said.
He smiled. Jaered had taken to that of late as well. The babe got up and walked around the bed, shouting. Laer was the baby. A chubby child with a halo of yellow curls about his face.
"How did you get Laer?" he asked.
"I stole him from Septa-"
"Lady Kaela," cut in a sharp voice.
They both got up as Septa Serena soldiered into his chambers. He had always imagined that the septan may have been beautiful once. She would yet be a gently wrinkling rose were it not for the contempt and haughtiness laden the cracks of her face. It was quite unbecoming to become old and surly.
"I have been searching everywhere you. Child? Do you have any idea what I imagined? I almost called guards. Thankfully I looked here first," she said. Anger rankled at him. "Now come, we must begin to get you ready for the day," she said snatching Laer from his bed and grabbing Kaela by the arm. Kaela looked to him for rescue.
"Septa," he said. She stopped with her back to him. She inhaled and turned slowly to face him. Anger rankled him again.
"I will be needing a bath this morning, not my usual rinse. I would like something special. Maybe sandle oil. I hear the ladies are fond of that scent. Also I will be needing large break fast as the day is to be long. A meat pie, with stew and lots meat and vegetation. I would also like tea this morning to keep a clear head."
"Your grace, I am certain your servants and septan will see to your needs. If you would like something special, you need only speak a word-"
"Yes, a word I have spoken to you, Septa," he cut in.
"I am needed for the children," she said.
"I will attend to them," he said with a smile, "while you attend to my break fast."
Kaela snatched away from the Septa and Laer kicked and screamed until she set the child on the ground to wobble-run to arms of his sister.
With a sardonic huff she bowed and marched from the chamber.
"I hate her," said Kaela, "so glad we're getting a new one. Then Laer can deal with her."
"Indeed," he said staring at doorway darkly. "Come," he said grabbing Laer from her, "let's see if any other dragons are awake."
They descended past the chambers of his tower to the rest of the royal apartments and headed to the south past the kitchens and dining hall. Aegon was already awake and half dressed. His coiffed brown curls was scattered about his head and his black eyes looked heavy with fatigue. He had spent the night finishing the invitations he neglected over the season. There was one dragon left to check and even she was awake. Rhaenys was blissfully unaware of their presence in her chambers. Outside they conspired and sent little Laer into her bath chamber. Silently they goaded the babe and Laer jumped into the bath, startling his sister. She grabbed a gossamer, left the tub with Laer in her arms into an ambush of fruit and cheese from her break fast. Laer growled at his siblings for their betrayal and helped fight back from a plate at her bureau.
"It warms my heart to see my children at play," said a soft throaty voice behind them.
She stood in the door with all the causal erectedness of breeding, bedecked in a red gown made of goss and satin, stitched in gold thread. Her deep gold hair glinted in a veil silken twists that fell over her left shoulder. Feathers of curls floated around her forehead and high cheeks while her pale green eyes surveyed the chamber above her straight nose. A measured smiled upon her slender mouth. She was yet the greatest beauty in all the princes and their mother, Queen Cersei Targary.
"Ben Morrow, my Queen," said Aegon with a smirk, "So glad our joy gives you joy. It is a good thing that Canary wanted to play 'wake the dragon' this morning."
Cersei smiled softly before eyeing Kaela with displeasure.
"Kaela, my love, you were supposed to be preparing for the festivities today. You asked if you could dress Laer. Instead you've been playing," said Cersei.
"Laer wouldn't listen and even the-" Kaela began.
"Of course, my love, Laer is a child, a knee babe, he does what he likes. You will be thirteen on your name day. It is time you carry yourself properly. You should have not distracted your elder siblings with these games, my love."
"A welcome distraction, my Queen," said Rhaenys cutting in. Her voice was a warm alto that pitched and cracked in her inflections. Her feet splattered on the floors as she hugged Kaela's shoulders, "It was a delightful bit of sport. And I love sports, they makes a girl Strong."
"And what magnificent strength and wisdom you possess, my dear princess," said Cersei with a smile, "You do so love to sport, with your brothers, with your guards and the squiers, in the castle and in the fields. There is nothing our sweet princess does not know or cannot do. Kaela can only wish to have a portion of your gifts."
"Father loves the sport as well," said Aegon cooly, " I remember we burst into his war chamber one night. He loved 'wake the dragon'. When was the last time you played 'wake the dragon' with Father, my Queen?"
The question hung like a noose in the room. Aegon's smile a shadow of gratuity.
"Must have been a while yet if you have forgot it's delight. You should try it with Father, my Queen. Father loves games."
"Indeed he does," Cersei agreed sweetly, "Well games and sports are all good spirited things best saved for a different morn, without obligations. We all must make sure we do our house and family honor, especially today. Where is Jaered for all this mirth?," asked Cersei.
"He woke me. I think he went to the library, " said Kaela.
"Hm," said Cersei, glacing away, "Well, my sweets, we must suspend the games for the interim. Our house needs us. My sweet prince," said Cersei turning to him, "I understand that Septa Serena had other duties to fulfill for you this morning?"
"Yes, mother," he said, "I traded duties with her. I wished to see to the youngers this morning."
"Such a sweeting," Cersei said, "I am afraid I must take those duties, my sweet prince. I believe in your capabilities save in dressing a young girl."
"It would be no challenge I assure you, m-"
"You cannot," Cersei said firmly. She looked him square in his eyes. "I have word from Maester Pycelle that your father wishes to see you this morning, at the North Face. You should not let your father await your company."
"Aye, mother, I should not," he said.
"So dutiful," Cersei with a small smile, "Well, we must haste for the day. My dears do remember your invitations. My sweet prince, be sure to see to your father right away. Kaela, my love, bring Laer."
Kaela grabbed Laer from Aegon's leg and followed Queen Cersei Targarey from the room. She looked back in the room, at the figure of her brother, his face brooding behind his hair, with a longing in her heart.
"Our beautious Queen," said Rhaenys as he headed for the door, "linger a moment, brother."
He turned back into the room and took a seat across from Aegon tossing cheese into his mouth.
"Do you know what father is meeting you for?" called Rhaneys from the bath between sloshes of water.
"No," he called.
"What?" said Rhaenys.
"No," called Aegon for him.
"I didn't even know he was back from Dragonstone," he said.
"I saw him come in but only because I was already awake at that unholy hour," said Aegon. "So he came in last night?" he asked.
"He came in the night before," said Aegon tossing a piece of cheese in his mouth.
"And told no one?" he asked.
Aegon nodded in affirmation. Rhaenys exited the bath, her body wet and dripping in sight of sun. Rhaenys, was quite similar to Aegon in looks. She was tall like him, deeply tanned, same creamy brown hair. It was said their mother, Elia Targary, had hair black as obsidian and so long that she required maids to carry it off the ground. He figured there had to be some truth to it since Aegon kept his coiffed regularly and Rhaenys' loose, thick coils fell from her forehead past her knees. The sportsmanship she loved so well evident in the rippling muscles over her body and her belly was as hard as any knight's. Aegon got up from his chair to help Rhaenys dress. Though they were happily familiar with each other. He was certain they hadn't consummated their promise just yet.
"Well, there's only a couple of reasons as to why he wants to see you," said Rhae, slipping a loose corset over her shoulders, "And of course, you're going to tell him that you wish to foster with us at Dragonstone."
He could feel their gaze.
"You do want to come with us to Dragonstone?" she asked.
He said nothing again.
"On contrary, I think our brother would rather stay in the Keep," said Aegon slyly.
"Is that what you want?" Rhae asked.
"No, off course not. It's just….I think father expects it,"he said hesitantly.
He stood up suddenly not wanting to be observed any longer.
"He definitely expects me this morning so I should go meet him," he said heading for the door.
"Wait," Rhaenys said.
He stopped and turned back slowly. She walked upon him, slung her arms around his neck. Her water brown eyes looking him square in the eyes.
"He'll give you whatever you want," she said, "Just tell him what you want."
She leaned in and pulled a slow kiss from his lips where her expectations lingered. He backed away and left her chamber, looking at his brother sister in comfort of their company, with a shade of shame over his heart.
A bath and break fast were in his chambers. He made quick work of them both and dressed himself in fine black robes and marching boots since it would be a long day. He grabbed his gloves and sword and left the royal apartments with all haste. Outside the apartments stood Ser Barriston Selmy, straight and patient.
"Your highness," he rumbled with a bow.
"Ben Morrow, Ser Barristan," he said smiling at the old knight, "I understand Father has summons from North Face."
"I am to escort, your highness," Sir Barristan said.
"Well, I should not make my father wait no more than I have," he said.
"Indeed," he said taking off before him.
They headed north through the corridors and halls of the royal suite as servants, maids and cooks and carpenters bustled about them. Then out into the Red Keep and it's vast halls and cavernous chambers. Ser Barristan possessed formidable vigor for his age, and so set speedy march through the castle. At the north entrance, squires and knights bowed on their passing. Ser Barristan took a detour to evade the all the bustle circling the Keep. They eventually found themselves in solace save for a few passersby heading the to Garden of the North Face.
The soft bright musk of the flowers hung in the the breeze. He finally got the steel to ask "Father returned last night?"
"The night before, your highness," said Barristan looking straight ahead.
"From Dragonstone?" he asked the old knight.
"From his travels, your highness," Barristan over his shoulder.
"Did he not travel from Dragonstone," he asked Barriston with a smirk.
"He travels from his destination. Perhaps the young prince should discuss the wanderings of his father, with his father, your highness," Barristan said looking him in the eye.
He nodded. The kingsgaurd were for protecting the king. He should always remember. They eventually passed through the gardens, the air heavy with dew and the smell of flowers. Ser Barristan stopped.
"Here is far enough for me, your highness. I should not intrude upon your time," Barristan said.
"Thank you, Ser," he said clasping his hand.
"My duty," Barristan responded.
And so he left the vigilant and keen old knight on his watch and continued to center of the garden.
He was fond of visiting the garden, usually in the early pre-dawn blue of the morning. The sun was not so high on the east side, bathing the land in a dazzling red. He looked over the walls of garden. They were covered roses purpled and blue-edged. The pollen was heavy, the plant rot faint. High above him stood a white and blue statue in likeness of his mother, Lyanna Targary staring eternally home. And in front of him, at the bottom of the statue in a deep pensive silence stood his father, Rhaegar Targary. Standing behind his father he remarked, not for the first time, the striking difference between him and his father. He had to admit with reluctance, that he, Aerick Targary, had to be oddest of Rhaegar's heirs. Yet everyone insisted he looked most like their father. He could not see it. Where his father was a man unusual height, he was quickly becoming a man of average height. His father's hair was straight and pale as amber flames that seemed to glow, where his hair was a curly bundle the color of smoke. His father's eyes were glowing violets that regarded him closely and he usually lowered his black eyes in hesitation. He silently walked forward to the statue and placed some of the roses at the bottom.
"How fare you this morrow, Aerick?" he said. His voice was a gentle bass that disarming and demanding at the same time.
"I am well, father," Aerick said, "How fare you, father?"
Rhaegar nodded and said, "Well, my son. Well."
"How did you find Dragonstone?" Aerick asked.
"The old fort keeps," Rhaegar said. Rhaegar turned, his eyes glowing the light, "Have you given thought to what we spoke last we met?"
"I have," he said looking down,"and I will do as you wish. I will take Summerhall."
"Good," Rhaegar said.
An expectant silence hung between them.
"And?" Rhaegar asked looking away.
"I wish to foster another year," Aerick said finally.
"You wish to foster another year?" said Rhaegar eyeing.
"I do," Aerick affirmed.
Rhaegar knotted his brow at him.
"If I am to restore Summerhall for you, I need to plan, find the best carpenters, builders-"
"How will fostering another year assist in this? You could have your pick of the finest carpenters and builders and planners in King's Landing. I had already commissioned a maester from-"
"I wish to do it myself," Aerick cut in, "Forgive me, Father. I wish to do it myself rather than have it told to me. I want to take part in every part restoring Summerhall and it's titles. From mind to stones."
His father gave him a long level gaze. He looked above them and a small smile appeared on his face.
"I was rather hoping for an engagement announcement," said Rhaegar walking to the dark side of the garden, "Especially since the ladies of the Riverlands are quite lovely."
Aerik's jaw tightened as he followed slowly behind his father.
"Where is it you wish to foster?" Rhaegar said sifting through the roses, "Dragonstone, I imagine."
"Winterfell," Aerick answered.
Rhaegar paused. "Winterfell?" he said over his shoulder.
"Yes," Aerick said.
"You want to plan a holdfast in the North?" Rhaegar said.
"Yes. It houses the greatest structure on all the princies. The Wall has stood for over a thousands years. Built by men, the First Men, Bran the Builder. He also built Winterfell. I wish the study the structures. To live in them. To bring some of the north back south."
His father looked away, staring into nothing. It was a look he had seen upon his father's since he was a babe. It was look that crossed his face often. It bothered him. His gaze used to clear and determined. Now it seemed tired and confused.
"Yes, The Wall," Rhaegar said after a time, "The last stand between the world and the beyond. There hasn't been a King or Queen on the wall for over two hundred years."
A muddled silence fell between.
"Perhaps it is yet a good thing that you ask this," Rhaegar said turning his head away as if speaking to someone else. He walked around the other side of the statue toward the light and set flowers at it's feet as Aerick followed.
"Go to the Wall. See it, learn it. Tell me how it stands," he said rising to his feet, "I wish to know how the primary defense of the realm fares. I grant you another turn to foster."
"Thank you, father," Aerick said a measured smile.
"Do not. I only grant you leave of the Keep, I give nowhere to foster. It is not my decision to host you at Winterfell," Rhaegar said with a skeptical look, "Prince Eddard Stark and I brothers in marriage, not in bond. In troth, he despises me. Which is why I never asked to send you there."
Aerick stood silent but determined. Rhaegar smiled at him.
"You've been making that face since you were a babe. Your mother made the same face. Very well, may the Seven be with you on your journey to Winterfell. But I do have a condition," Rhaegar said.
"Name it," Aerick said.
"You must announce your engagement on your return," Rhaegar said.
Aerick locked his jaw.
"I kept nothing from you or your brother and sister and I will not. You must make the right match, for the sake of our house. For the sake of the realm. It just a smart match and lasting one. And I expect in this year away for you to make it. So I strongly suggest that you make good inspection during the festivities in the coming weeks. The ladies will not gathered before you again until your own wedding and name day. Next year."
And that was the end of it. A final silence full of expectation was between them.
"Thank you, father," Aerick said finally.
"I deny you nothing, Aerick," Rhaegar said looking up.
Deny nothing, yes, Aerick thought, but expect everything. He turned back to the castle.
"Aerick," Rhaegar called to him.
"Yes, father?" Aerick answered.
"How long has it been since you have been to Summerhall?" Rhaegar asked.
"I have not been since I but nine," Aerick said.
"I know I have never sent you there as I did Aegon and Rhaenys. But why did you never go again?"
"I could not sleep when I was there."
"Night terrors as a child?"
"Day terrors too," Aerick said, bowed and turned away unaware that his father turned eyeing his son anew.
Thank you for reading.
Uitori
Author's Note: This has been edited from the first post. I have decided to changes some elements of the character's names and description just to satisfy my creative license. Below is pronunciation guide, again just for my creative license. I hope you have enjoyed this. Please leave your comments and constructive criticism below. Thank you.
Rhaenys: RAY-niss
Aegon: AY-gone
Aerick: AY-rick
Kaela:KAY-la
Jaered:JAY-red
Laer: LAIR