Chapter One

Author's Note- Thanks for the reviews. This chapter should answer some questions. The next chapter will be out either later today or tomorrow. Like I said, they are all pre-written, I'm just doing a bit of editing.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

They had made it. Thank the gods they had made it to the capitol in time. After docking in the night and finding Lord Varys waiting on them, they were told that the forces of Tywin Lannister were merely hours away. If they intended to escape in the chaos that would soon engulf the capitol, they would need to hurry. Time was of the essence.

Varys told them Jaime Lannister was the only Kingsguard left in the city. Lyanna had seen what he would end up doing to the Mad King, and she had absolutely no desire to stop him. She only wished he would make it hurt more.

It was decided between them that only Ser Arthur and Lady Ashara would be entering the palace proper. Lyanna was simply to large to move around very easily anymore with her advanced state of pregnancy. Lyanna had another suggestion of what Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell could do while the Dayne siblings retrieved Princess Elia and her children. Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell were going to aid a few trusted servants in following a tunnel that led from the very bowels of the Red Keep, where the Treasury was kept, all the way back to the docks. Time permitting, they would empty every last piece of gold and anything else of value they could possibly find, and load it on to the ship. Aerys would be dead soon, and they would need every advantage they could get if they were to all survive exile.

Varys already had things well in hand. The gold cloaks that patrolled the docks that night were paid by him, and would be turning a blind eye to anything they saw. He had also been as good as his word in arranging replacements. As much as she knew she was signing these people's death warrants, she could not allow herself to think of that now. Varys had gotten the agreement of a Dornishwomen and her young daughter that was in the employ of the paramour of Prince Lewyn Martell of the Kingsguard (who had recently fallen at the Trident leading the Dornish forces of the Crown's army). Lyanna did not know, nor did she wish to know if the woman was aware of what was to come. Varys said he had arranged things for Aegon as well, but truthfully Lyanna paid that part of the plan little mind. She did not particularly care where the boy was concerned, except that she hoped he lived. Of course, most people did not know what she knew about the young 'prince'.


Ser Arthur Dayne's POV

Hooded and cloaked, the three elite members of the Targaryen Kingsguard, along with the Master of Whispers, set out in to the night. Before they left, the Princess Lyanna looked at each of them sternly.

"My husband may have passed, but his heirs live on. Protect the Princess Elia and the children. Bring them to safety. Get what you can before the Usurper uses it to hunt us down. Our lives and the life of Rhaegar's unborn son are within your hands Sers. Do your duty," Lyanna had told them as fiercely as any she-wolf.

One by one, Ser Gerold, Ser Oswell, and myself got down on bended knee in front of the strong little slip of a girl that had earned the respect of all present.

"We will not fail you My Princess," the three of us intoned solemnly as one.

With that oath sworn, we departed into the streets of Kings Landing hooded and cloaked as silent as ghosts. This was quite possibly the most important mission of our lives. Failure was simply not an option.

Not far from the docks, a group of men awaited us that had been previously arranged by Varys. They would lead my other two sworn brothers through the tunnels to where Aerys had hoarded his ever expanding treasury for the past two decades. Mad he may be, but the man horded wealth like a true dragon of legend.

I turned to my brothers. Each of us felt we had so much to make up for. If only Rhaegar had allowed us to accompany him to the Trident, none of this would be necessary.

"Gerold, Os; be careful, and good luck. I pray we finish soon and are successful. May the gods be with us tonight," Arthur told them in farewell as they parted ways to set upon their appointed tasks.

"And with you Arthur," Ser Gerold told him while Oswell merely nodded his head solemnly.

Several minutes later, Arthur was climbing down what appeared to be a drainage pipe, but was actually an entrance to the maze of tunnels Maegor had built into the Red Keep. Upon reaching the bottom, a lone torch was on the stone wall to the immediate right. After setting it alight, he began to follow along the path Lord Varys was directing him.

It was rather ironic really. Over the past several years, Arthur had thought Varys to be quite possibly the least reliable man in the King's council. It always appeared to Arthur that Varys was somehow using the King's madness for his own gain; to which he seemed to be remarkably adept at. Most members of the court, Arthur could discern what their aims and goals were. Most were easy enough to distinguish. Varys however, was another matter entirely. He could honestly say he had not the foggiest notion of where the man's loyalties lay. Of course it was entirely possible the man was loyal only to himself and himself alone.

That was the reason for Arthur's surprise that the Master of Whispers was not only helping, but was organizing this rescue in its entirety.

They continued walking through the seemingly unending amount of tunnels ever closer to their destination. Arthur had a few questions to ask at the moment.

"Well Master of Whispers, tell me; how far are the armies of Lord Tywin from the city?" Arthur asked the eunuch.

"Close Ser Arthur, very close indeed. I believe them to be no more than twelve hours out at the most. The Lion is using a forced march. I'm not entirely certain what he intends to do exactly, but I have extreme doubts that it would bode well for any member of the real royal family. It was only when word reached him of the Silver Prince being slain that he decided to crawl out of his Rock. The King has dealt Lord Tywin far too many insults of late for there to be any hope that he has suddenly remembered his loyalty to his boyhood friend," said the Spider darkly.

"Does the Princess know we are coming to extract her?" Arthur asked.

"Indeed. I informed her several hours ago. She will be waiting with the children near the corridor that leads to the royal apartments. The doubles are already in place. They wouldn't fool anyone for long, but then again they don't need to. As you know, the King despises all three of them. By the time he would see them in person it will all be too late," Varys explained.

"Were you able to find an appropriate maester for the Princess Lyanna and the Queen? The Princess will be due very shortly, and the Queen in only a couple of months," I said as I relayed what the Princess's dreams foretold.

"Whether they come from the child within her, or from her own grandmother the Princess Vaella, I know not. Every last one of them however has happened exactly as she has forseen. We must needs do all in our power to ensure both women and the babes survive. The children will be in desperate need of the guidance they can impart." Ser Arthur said stressing what he thought was of the utmost importance.

"Yes, Ser Arthur; I have. The man should already be on your ship. However he is not a maester, though he has studied at the Citadel. He is one of my countrymen from Lys. His methods may appear unorthodox, but they should all but guarantee their lives," Varys said.

Arthur looked at the bald man piercingly through the semi-darkness of the tunnel. He could detect no lie or malice coming from the man. Once again he silently wondered what exactly was the end game of such a person.

"You have my thanks Varys. If all goes according to plan, where would you suggest we go? Even when we reach Dragonstone, the ships of Stannis Baratheon will not be long behind us. I expect us to have enough time to secure the royal navy, that shall definitely be an asset no matter what happens. Besides defense, it could even be used for trade. Would the Free Cities be best, or possibly some remote place in the North?" Arthur asked.

Varys was silent for a long moment as they continued onwards, thinking over the various possibilities of where exactly would be safe for the Royal Family to reside.

"I have a wealthy friend in Pentos that would be more than pleased to host them. There is also a possibility of the Stepstones, you should remember who resides there. It would be defendable, but those islands are rather close. Also, there are remote regions of the North that could be considered. The people are almost fanatically loyal to the Starks, and some areas are so isolated that concealing them all would not be a real problem. The drawback however would be that if Lord Eddard allowed it, he and his family would be in a great amount of danger if the Usurper got even a hint of it," the Spider explained.

"After the Princess and the Queen are delivered, and they are all together, more definite plans can be made. I do know this: when the Mad King is gone, the Old Dragon of the Stepstones will most likely do all in his power to ensure the safety of Queen Rhaella and her family as she has always been dear to him," Varys said.

"Yes, King Jaehaerys's younger brother has no love for Aerys," Arthur said.

The rest of the walk was spent in relative silence as the two unlikely allies were both lost in thought.

Arthur became more alert when they began ascending the rough rock hewn steps that would lead them into Maegor's Holdfast. When they finally exited the secret passage, they found themselves behind a tapestry. Arthur was relieved to see his sister Ashara standing there awaiting them with a servant in Vary's employ.

"Ah, good; you've arrived my lady. Now, when we come out from behind this tapestry we are nearly across the hall from the Princess Elia's apartments. Both she and the children should be waiting just inside. Be as quiet as possible. For the next few hours at least, Aerys still controls the city. Come now, we must hurry," Varys told the Dayne siblings.

Varys slowly pulled back the tapestry and peered down the corridor looking left and right to ensure there was no one else about. He then motioned for them to follow him. They did so quietly and entered the corridor. Elia's rooms were a mere few meters away.

Varys made a scratching sound on the door of the Princess's room that sounded almost like a cat. Arthur figured it must be a signal they had arranged. They followed Varys into the room when the door was cracked open by a servant Arthur recognized from the Princess's household.

Arthur's eyes alighted on Princess Elia holding the hand of little Princess Rhaenys along with a wet nurse holding a baby, and sighed in relief that they were all still safe. Now, he only needed to ensure it stayed that way.

Elia ran in to Ashara's arms and the two friends embraced joyfully.

"Thank the gods you've made it! Ash, it's so wonderful to see you again," Elia exclaimed.

"And Arthur, you are certainly a most welcome sight to these tired eyes. I was beginning to lose hope," she told him.

"We must make haste My Princess," Varys said.

"The King cannot be allowed to find out and the Lannisters are nearly at the gates. We must get you and the children out immediately," Varys explained.

"As you say Lord Varys," Princess Elia said as she brought herself back together and appeared to steel her resolve.

"Come, Sweet Girl. We must be very quiet as we leave the palace. We are taking a secret way, and are about to set off on an adventure," Elia explained to the little princess.

"Yes, Mother. I'll be quiet. Let's go," she said bravely.

Arthur looked towards the little princess. He felt a surge of relief deep in his soul that Rhaegar's eldest child still lived; that they had thwarted the heinous crimes Lyanna had seen in her visions.

"Princess, would you mind if I carried you down to the ship? We must needs be quick, and I have missed you Little Princess," Arthur said to Rhaenys.

They did need to hurry, and he would feel better knowing she was safe in his arms.

Rhaenys bobbed her head up and down as she grinned up at Arthur and raised her arms up towards him. He hoisted her up into his arms and spun her around causing her to giggle as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Princess Elia smiled up at the adorable scene. She knew both Arthur and Ashara loved her daughter as if she were their own blood.

"Quietly now. Let us make haste," Varys said.

Varys was the first one out as he checked the hallway to make certain it was still deserted. One by one they all joined him as he held the tapestry back that was hiding the secret entrance to the tunnel. With a far less anxious countenance than when he entered the tunnel, Arthur held on to Rhaenys tightly as he led the way all through the long and twisting corridors of the serpentine like tunnel.

"Maegor must have been one paranoid bastard to have built all these secret tunnels running throughout his own home," Ashara stated curiously.

Varys snorted inelegantly.

"He needed them my lady. There have been very few men with as many enemies as he made for himself. Not to mention the numbers of paramours the man kept. Though, I would say our current king does come close. I can't imagine many men have had the same ability to turn even the most loyal of men away from the madness that has befallen the Crown," Varys explained.

"Don't I know it," Arthur heard Elia mumble.

They continued walking at a brisk pace even as the light from the torch cast shadows upon the walls that produced a feeling of deep unease. Elia brought him out of his maudlin reverie as he held Rhaenys closer to himself as if to ward off any fell beast that might lurk in the shadows.

"Arthur, how are Lya and the baby doing?" Elia asked him.

He turned his head slightly to see her and smiled to ease her nerves.

"They are both doing very well. Though I must admit that trying to keep a she-wolf relaxed and in one spot, even a heavily pregnant one, is an unenviable task. Lyanna was never one to sit idly by as events carry on. I swear, were it not for the baby, I don't think we would have had much luck at all preventing her from taking up her sword and killing off the Usurper's army's single handedly," Arthur said.

Elia smiled at his that statement of truth.

"I can well imagine her doing just that," Elia said.

"I can't wait to meet my new brother or sister," Rhaenys said.

Arthur smiled down at her.

"Which would you rather have Princess?" Arthur asked the little girl.

Rhaenys was silent for a moment as she thought the question over.

"I think I should like a little brother. Girls are boring, a little brother would be more fun to play with." Rhaenys said.

Little Rhaenys then showed just how intelligent she truly was with her next statement.

"Besides, my little brother would then be king after the Mad one. Any son of my father would be better than Viserys. He reminds me of Grandfather too much," Rhaenys explained.

Arthur was not the only one that was positively shocked by the little girls true understanding of the situation. They were also surprised by her comments regarding the six year old Prince Viserys. She was a remarkably astute judge of character to be able to see the, at present, rather subtle similarities the young boy bore to his mad father.

Everyone was rather quiet as they continued on. All of them were still thinking on the words of the young princess. Yes, young Viserys was somewhat similar to his father, but as long as the Queen survived, she would keep him grounded and hopefully stable. Still, most of them hoped that Lyanna was right, and she was carrying Rhaegar's son instead of another daughter. It would be much better for the future of House Targaryen if Lyanna did give birth to Rhaegar's heir.

It was not much longer before they came to the entrance of the tunnel. They had made it. In this instance at least, the fate that would have befallen most of Rhaegar's family had been averted; for the moment.


Lyanna's POV

'How much longer could they be? Had something happened to them? By the gods, what if they had been caught by the Mad King?' Lyanna thought as various scenario's played out within the troubled confines of her mind. Each thought was more worrisome than the next as she paced the deck of the ship back and forth. It just didn't bear thinking about, but she was unable to still her troubled mind.

Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell had come and gone several times with a rather large number of servants Varys had secured as they steadily emptied the Royal Treasury of everything of value. They had all been stunned, not only by the amount of gold, but by the objects held within that none had known were there.

Lyanna had never suspected the Mad King had been harboring wealth on such a scale. She knew from what Rhaegar had told her that Aerys, despite his madness or mayhaps because of his madness, had been steadily hoarding more and more gold as the years went by. He rarely spent anything that was not absolutely necessary.

'What wouldn't I give to see the look on his face when he found out that all of his preciously hoarded wealth had been stolen right out from under his feet,' Lyanna thought with a smirking smile of amusement.

Of course it was highly likely Aerys would never find out in any case, what with the Lannister army nearly upon them. She highly doubted the mad man would live through the next day.

'It was such a pity,' she thought.

'I would have dearly loved to have been the one to drive a sword through his guts myself for what he did to Father and Brandon,' Lyanna thought savagely.

She would also be highly amused by the sight of Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon's faces when they learned there was naught a single piece of gold to be had; that Robert had usurped a now bankrupt throne. She knew with absolute certainty that one of the main reasons for Lord Tywin's extreme forced march was to be able to lay his golden hands on the treasures he knew to be in the bowels of the Red Keep.

Varys had suprised her yet again. Although she still did not know exactly what to think of the eunuch or have any idea as to what his true motives were, she could certainly not deny his ingenuity. It had quickly become apparent that they would not be able to safely transfer even half of the treasure onto the Dayne's ship. Varys had apparently anticipated this, as he had another ship that was larger and able to hold far more docked next to them ready and waiting to follow them to Dragonstone. Lyanna was relieved that at the very least the Royal Family would not be forced to rely on anyone else as far as their monetary needs were concerned. Those funds would prove very beneficial for their future.

After several more minutes of waiting and pacing on the deck of the ship, Lyanna was filled with a deep feeling of utter relief as she spied Ser Arthur, who was carrying the beautiful little Princess Rhaenys, Princess Elia, a wet nurse holding a fair-haired young babe, along with Lord Varys and Lady Ashara. Lyanna made her way towards the group.

Princess Elia was quick to make her way towards her sister-wife. Elia greeted the heavily pregnant Lyanna with a fierce embrace, so very grateful for the fate she and her child had narrowly avoided.

"Lya! By the gods am I glad to see you," Elia told her.

Elia grabbed her hands and squeezed them gently.

"I will never be able to thank you enough for what you've done for us. If you hadn't come...I can't imagine what would have befallen us. You are a true sister of my heart Lya," the Princess Elia said in true heartfelt gratitude.

"I could do nothing else Elia. We are family, and you and your little girl are as dear to me as mine own blood. Besides, you would have done the same for me," Lyanna replied.

"Still, I thank you; and you're correct. If it were in my power, I would certainly do the same. I swear to you Lya, on the Old gods and the New, I will forever do all in my power to protect you and your child," Elia told her in a serious tone.

Lyanna just smiled to her.

"Like I said, you are my sister; now and always," Lyanna told her.

Arthur had set little Rhaenys down by this point, and she ran up to Lyanna.

"Lya!" Little Rhaenys exclaimed as she gave Lyanna a tight hug.

"Hello, Little Princess," Lyanna told her brightly.

"I have missed you Little One," Lyanna told her.

"Missed you too," Rhaenys mumbled into Lyanna's skin.

What most of Westeros was unaware of was the state of the relationship between the two consorts of the late Crown Prince. Most would think the two would be at the least indifferent towards one another, if not outright antagonistic. That however, could not be further from the truth. Princess Elia had been right there with Rhaegar and had wholeheartedly approved of Lyanna Stark. She was very aware of Rhaegar's need for another high-born wife, and for everything Rhaegar had done to help Elia, she had given him her full support in finding a sister-wife. If the people had any idea of the truth of the situation, they would not be so quick to judge.

"My Princess's; you must make haste. The Lannister forces are approaching the gates. Sail to Dragonstone. Take charge of the Royal Fleet. The Velaryons will aide you. The Queen is heavily pregnant as you know. Get her and Prince Viserys aboard the ships and flee. Queen Rhaella has a relation in the Stepstones that will help you. I also have friends in Pentos that would be more than happy to help. I also imagine Lord Stark will give what aid he can when he learns the truth of the matter. For now, the most important thing is getting yourselves and your children to safety. They must be allowed time to grow. The time will come when they shall return and take back what is theirs with fire and blood," Lord Varys told seriously.

"We shall do as you say Lord Varys. Thank you again for helping our family," Elia told the man.

"It will not be forgotten," Lyanna said.

"May the Old gods and the New watch over Your Graces," Varys told them as the ship began to drift out into the Blackwater; the second ship following them closely behind.

The sun was just beginning to rise as the two ships carrying the Royal Family and three hundred years of the Targaryen legacy made their way out into the open sea.

Princess Elia and Princess Lyanna stood side by side as they looked back towards the capitol. Elia reached for Lyanna's hand when they saw the first of the fires begin and the wind carried the occasional scream through the air to whisper their terror to the princesses ears. The Lion of Casterly Rock had come. It appeared he wasted no time in ordering his men to sack the city. The daughter of the Sun and the daughter of Winter both prayed to their respective gods that the innocents be yet spared.

"One day Sister, I will see to it that the Lannister's pay for their treachery," Lyanna vowed to Elia in a low voice as cold as the Wall in Winter.

Elia just stared stoically ahead as another scream from the capitol reached their ears.

"They will burn," Elia said in complete agreement.


Little did the Lannisters know or understand that even though the people of the capitol city held little love for the Mad King, the same could not be said of the rest of the Royal Family. Tywin Lannister underestimated the loyalty of a people to the family that had not only built their fine city, but had brought them by and large, great amounts of prosperity. The people of Kings Landing had not had their lives threatened since the Dance of Dragons a century and a half before. One insane monarch, who had only been truly insane since the Defiance of Duskendale, (and even then Aerys's antics had not really had much of an effect on their lives) was nowhere near enough for the common people to forget the prosperity Targaryen rule had brought to them. As the Lannisters and Baratheons bled the realm of their life's blood, and the unrepentant extravagance of Robert's reign brought the commoners lower than they had ever been, they would one day pay the cost of their ignorance in a debt of fire and blood.

Soon the capitol had faded completely from view. As they passed Driftmark, young Lord Monford Velaryon came aboard their vessel. His relief on sighting just who was on the ship was palpable. He sent a large portion of the Velaryon Fleet to guard them as he joined them on the short voyage to Dragonstone.

It did not take long before the sharp spires and the massive bulk of Dragonstone came into view. They were all relieved to see the banners of the three-headed red dragon still flying proudly from atop Dragonstone's battlements as well as each of ships of the large Royal Fleet.

They were just disembarking from the ship when Lyanna abruptly grabbed on to Ser Arthur's arm as she was swept by a wave of pain.

She looked down to see her dress stained with fluid...and blood. Her water had broken.

"Arthur, Elia; it's time," Lyanna said as she grit her teeth tightly as she was hit with a wave of pain.

Elia immediately took charge; worry and anticipation swirling in her gut for her friend and savior.

"Quickly Arthur, we must get her into the castle. The Queen will help us," she said.

Elia turned to look at the man that Lord Varys had sent them.

Their eyes met and she silently implored the man to do all he could to help both Lyanna and the babe safely survive the birth.

The man nodded in acknowledgement.

They were soon through the entrance of Dragonstone where they were met with the heavily pregnant form of Queen Rhaella. Rhaella's face showed utter relief when she saw both wives of her son and her grand-daughter being escorted in by three members of the Kingsguard and Lord Monford Velaryon. They widened in alarm however when she noticed Lyanna was apparently in labor. Rhaella took charge of the situation immendiately. If what her sources reported was true, then her good-daughter could very soon be bringing the next Targaryen King into the world.

"Ser Arthur, take the Princess Lyanna to the birthing chambers. They are already prepared for my own delivery," the Queen ordered as she led the way.

She looked to the man Lord Varys's raven had assured her would help in both Lyanna's, as well as her own delivery.

"I do hope, for your own sake, you are as good as the Lord Spider claims," the Dragon's daughter told the man.

He visibly gulped when he noticed the fire in the Queen's eyes.

He would do what he must. He daren't do otherwise. Failure was simply not an option.

Lyanna was soon ensconced in the prepared chamber. Both Queen Rhaella as well Princess Elia refused to leave her side. Ashara was waiting with Rhaenys. She was having an incredibly difficult time during the birth. Her screams could be heard throughout Dragonstone as nearly everyone in the castle waited with baited breath for news. However in the end, the healer sent to them by Varys proved to be a life saver.

The man was originally from Volantis and went by the name of Aelix Vaeloris. He was the son of an old Volantine family and his mother hailed from Lys. No one was sure exactly what his credentials were, but all three of the royal women felt certain he must have some form of magical training.

It was late in the evening when the wails of a new born babe were finally heard after the seemingly unending hours of Lyanna's pained screams.

Eventually, a dishevelled Queen Rhaella emerged from the room holding the babe.

The Princess Rhaenys and the Kingsguard were there waiting.

"My Queen?" the Lord Commander Ser Gerold asked with a look of anticipation.

Queen Rhaella looked tired and beautiful holding the babe, and all present could see the fire burning in her amethyst eyes.

"Gentlemen, Princess Rhaenys, it is my very great pleasure to present to you His Grace King Jaehaerys III Targaryen. King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm," the now Dowager Queen said in a regal voice.

All present got down on bended knee and swore their ever-lasting fealty to the baby king.

Earlier in the day they had received word from the capitol. Jaime Lannister had killed the King, and Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch were thought to have killed Princess Elia, Princess Rhaenys, and 'Prince' Aegon. The Lannister army had completely sacked the city, killing and raping anyone in their path. The Iron Throne had been claimed for Robert Baratheon.

When brought the news, Queen Rhaella seemed snap back even more to life. Ser Gerold had observed proudly as the fiery young princess that had been the sparkling gem of both King Aegon V, and later her father King Jaehaerys II's court, was once again returned to them all. Her tormentor was finally gone. After all these years, she was finally free of Aerys. Now, they could also tell their household the truth surrounding Aegon.

Ser Willam Darry had asked if they should now proclaim Prince Aegon or Prince Viserys king when the new of Aerys' death reached them. He was surprised when told they must wait and see if Lyanna birthed a son.

The man had been shocked senseless when he asked why that mattered as Prince Aegon was next in line for the throne. Queen Rhaella was glad to be able to finally explain the truth to the loyal knight.

And so he learned the true story surrounding the birth of 'Aegon' Targaryen. How after the birth of the Princess Rhaenys, it was revealed that Princess Elia would never be able to conceive again; at least not without the almost certainty of her own death. They all knew that if this news found its way to King Aerys, Princess Elia would not live out the month before an 'accident' of some sort had befallen her. So it was that the roots of the conspiracy that resulted in the Silver Prince's second marriage to Lyanna Stark took place. Queen Rhaella contacted her uncle Daeron Targaryen, who lived in the Stepstones. The man was sent to find an infant, preferably a descendant of the Blackfyres, that could be passed off as the son of the Prince of Dragonstone. All the while, Princess Elia and the few people in on the truth, faked a pregnancy in front of the whole of Westeros. Since she was known not to be able to tolerate Grand Maester Pycelle, Aerys never learned the truth. Accordingly, Elia went into 'labor' on Dragonstone, and brought the Blackfyre babe (that was a grandson of Maelys the Monstrous through the boy's mother) to the capitol to present him to the King. Aerys never suspected a thing. Elia and Rhaegar only planned to reveal the truth whenever an actual son had been born to him by his second wife.

Those who had not known the secret now looked on in awe at who they now knew to be the only son of the Silver Prince.

The Queen had then gone to fetch her last remaining son Prince Viserys. The six year old prince was brought to his little nephew. Queen Rhaella had explained that the bad men had killed his father. Although Rhaella had done all she could to shelter her younger son, he knew enough of what went on that he was not overly aggrieved at the loss of his father. At least now he could no longer hurt his dear mother.

She explained that his good-sister Lyanna had just given birth to Rhaegar's only son, and now his nephew was King. As his elder Uncle, it was now Viserys's responsibility to look after the boy as if he were his own brother.

"Will you do this for me Little Dragon? Will you be a good big brother to Jaehaerys as Rhaegar was to you? He is the King now, and we must do all we can to ensure his safety," Rhaella explained patiently.

Viserys eyed the baby with open curiosity. He had mostly curly black hair except for the front which was the silver blonde of the Targaryens. He looked to be a perfect mixture of Rhaegar and Lyanna.

"Will he be a better king than father?" Viserys asked his mother.

"Yes, Sweetling. We will all make sure of it," Rhaella told her son seriously.

"Alright Mother," Viserys said softly as he got down on one knee.

"I, Viserys of House Targaryen, son of King Aerys and Queen Rhaella do swear my fealty and obedience to my rightful King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, Third of His Name. King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm. From this day to my last. Welcome to the family," Viserys said with all the seriousness a six year old could muster.

This earned his a beaming smile from his mother.

Princess Rhaenys then approached her newborn little brother.

She peered curiously at the babe held in her grandmother's arms.

"Hello, Little Brother," Rhaenys whispered.

"He looks just like Father and Lya," she said.

"Yes, he looks a great deal like Rhaegar," Queen Rhaella said with a pained smile at the mention of her late son.

"Don't worry Little Brother, I promise to always look after you. I won't let the bad men get you too," the precocious little princess promised.

After the Queen returned the baby to his exhausted but alive mother, Princess Elia finally exited the birthing room. She looked as exhausted as the Queen. She held Rhaenys' hand as they looked out onto the sea surrounding Dragonstone from a balcony. Fire and smoke could be seen coming from several ships that had entangled with vessels loyal to the Usurper. Waves lapped onto the sheer cliff walls of Dragonstone, and mingled with the salt that sprayed from the depths. Rhaenys tugged on Elia's hand as she pointed upwards towards the sky. Curious, Elia felt her breath catch as she looked up to see the bright bleeding star, a beautiful comet, trek across the night sky.

"So it has begun," she whispered.

"Born amidst salt and smoke under a bleeding star," Elia said as the words of the old prophecy of the Prince that was Promised came back to her.

"Did you make a wish on the star Mother?" Rhaenys asked Elia.

Elia closed her eyes as she wished and prayed desperately that their children make it off that island, and live to grow up whole and happy.

"Yes, my darling girl. I did. Did you?" Elia asked her curiously.

"Of course Mother," Rhaenys said smiling up at her.

Ser Arthur approached the pair silently.

"How does Lyanna fair?" Arthur asked Elia.

"The birth was extremely difficult. She would not have made it through had it not been for Aelix Vaeloris. He somehow managed to stop the bleeding. He almost assuredly saved her life. Now, she just needs rest," Elia explained.

"I think we all need some rest," Ser Arthur said quietly as he too looked up at the night sky, his eyes widening in surprise. Arthur knew what the signs meant. He too knew of the prophecy.

"So it has begun," Arthur said echoing Elia's own words.

"Indeed," Elia said.