King's Landing 300 AC.
Margaery.
After she had left the Throne Room she'd hurried back to her and Jae's room to see her daughter. To take her in her arms and hold her and though she knew she was and would not be in any danger, the relief she felt when she did so was palpable. She then insisted that Barristan and Loras stay on duty and that Ghost not be allowed outside the room until she'd returned from the tourney grounds. Margaery moving over to speak to the white wolf and tell him herself that she needed him to be by Elia's side.
The ride to the tourney grounds had been one she'd spent in silence and upon her arrival, while she'd waved and heard the cheers, she had simply gone through the motions more than anything. She didn't even truly become aware of her surroundings until the herald called out for the trial by combat to take place. From the moment that Harrold Arryn walked out until the moment that Arthur had struck him down, she'd watched the man's face carefully. There was fear and regret followed by pain and surprise and then there was nothing, the man was no more, his life snuffed out as simply as that. It had relaxed her, calmed her and she was most pleased that Arthur had taken her words to heart and done so quickly and without preamble.
She wished him gone from this world, to cease to exist and for it to be done with as little fanfare and delay as possible. Her grandmother would have seen him suffer more and she feared to think what Jae would have done to him where he here. Though she imagined it would have been either instant in the Throne Room when what he'd done had been spoken of or her husband would have faced him himself and drawn it out for the longest possible time. Margaery though simply wished him gone and once he was she found that small worry that had formed at the pit of her stomach now faded away.
"Who have we put our coin on today, Joy?" she asked as Harrold's body was carried away and they began to make ready for the melee.
"Arryk will win, your grace." Joy answered back more formally than she would normally but there were some seats between them and her voice would carry which meant formality was necessary and Margaery began to see why Jae hated it so.
"We'll see if your right." she said back to the girl with a smirk, knowing that if she said it then she probably was and noticing the pleased look on Brienne's face that Joy had picked her kinsman to win.
It turned out she was right, Arryk fought almost like Ser Walder did and while it pleased her to see the man win, she found herself thinking more on the man who'd saved her husband's life than on the one who'd taken his place in the Kingsguard and on the field. Arryk wasn't the only one to stand out, Cregan, Dacey, Thoros of Myr, all had made it to the last four and she could see that Gerion and Ashara both looked on proudly, as did Jaime.
She was happy enough that the day was done or her part in it at least was. There would be preliminary jousts and she would have no need to be here for those. The actual joust itself was not to begin until the morrow and so as soon as she was able, she nodded to her grandmother and to Arthur and they made their way back to the Red Keep. Again once she reached it, she hurried to her and Jae's rooms and though she was asleep, Margaery spent the next couple of hours just watching her daughter as she lay in her crib.
Eventually, she knew she needed to work and so after leaning down to kiss Elia's cheek, she made her way to her solar and sent for Lord Yohn Royce and Lady Anya Waynwood. The Warden of the East didn't keep her waiting for long and Margaery wondered if the man expected her to call or was he simply that dutiful. Lord Yohn actually arrived before both Jaime and her grandmother and she was pleased when the man accepted tea, and when her grandmother and Jaime then arrived before it did. Both of them took their seats and Margaery readied to tell the Lord what was to happen with the Eyrie.
"Lord Yohn, I imagine you know why her grace has called you here?" Jaime asked.
"To speak on Lord Harrold." Yohn said with disgust in his voice as he spoke the man's name.
"Indeed my lord, as you know we gave the man every chance we could, perhaps far more than we should have but alas it is what it is and some men have no honor or sense." she said.
"On behalf of the Vale and myself personally, your grace, I can only say that it shames me that such a man was made a knight and by mine own hand. What he suggested, with the princess, I could never…." Yohn said and Margaery felt some sympathy for the man, he'd played no part and yet his name would be tarnished because of his association with Harrold Arryn for some time to come.
"I thank you, Lord Yohn and it only shows even more how you were the only man who we could have named to your position." Margaery said and she saw that relieved some of the shame he felt.
"You honor me greatly, your grace." Yohn said as she looked to Jaime.
"With Lord Arryn's shameful death the matter of the Eyrie and who is to hold it becomes an issue Lord Royce, are you aware of their graces' plans for each kingdom to have a representative of House Targaryen in residence? One of royal blood sworn directly to the Crown?" Jaime asked.
"I am somewhat, Lord Hand. His grace and her grace mentioned it to me but that they'd not…The Eyrie, you mean to take it as the seat of House Targaryen of the Vale?" Yohn asked.
"We do, Lord Yohn. It had not been our plan, other than Harrenhal which has great significance to my husband and whose lady is the last remaining of her line, we'd not planned to take any keep that currently had a lord in it or that had someone with a good and true claim to it. With Lord Harrold's actions leading to the end of the Arryn line and for the message it sends.." she said seeing the man nod.
"A wise choice, your grace, on both counts and one that no one can fault you on. As you said his grace and you yourself gave Lord Harrold every chance to be good and true." Yohn said and she was glad to see that he didn't seem annoyed by her decision, not that it would have mattered but it was for the best if he was on board.
"I'm pleased you take no issue, Lord Yohn." she said with a smile.
"It's not my place to take issue with you, your grace, but even were it then rest assured I do not." Yohn said and she nodded at him.
"We will need a Castellan, Lord Yohn and on this I would like your input. Lord Nestor was who served House Arryn was he not?" she asked.
"He was." Lord Yohn said noncommittally.
"And your opinion on the Lord?" she asked eyebrow raised.
"My cousin is a good man, your grace, and given the part you played in Lady Myranda's match, he'd be Leal I believe." Yohn said surprising her that he knew Jae had played any part in that and then realizing that his daughter was one of Myranda's closest friends, yet it was how non enthused he seemed which she and her grandmother focussed on.
"Yet were it you making the appointment, he'd not be your choice." her grandmother asked.
"It would not, my lady. I've kept Lord Nester as Castellan of the Gates of the Moon, but removed him as steward. He was too much Jon Arryn's man and though he's come around and I have no worries about his loyalty to their graces, I would not reward him so." Yohn said and she could see how hard it was for him to do so.
"Were you to reward someone, or should we seek to, then who would you suggest, my lord?" she asked.
"House Waynwood, your grace. Lady Anya is a fine woman and were it not for her and her house then things would have been even more difficult for me after I left Lord Jon's side." Yohn said.
"I thank you, Lord Yohn for your words and your suggestion, The Crown is most pleased to have a man such as yourself as our Warden." she said and the Lord looked far more relaxed when he got up to walk from the room.
Once he left, Mira told them that Lady Anya was waiting outside and Margaery asked her to fetch Ser Richard Lonmouth and to ask the woman to wait a few more moments. She turned to her grandmother and spoke to her about Lady Anya finding out that her grandmother had arranged a match with her when last she visited King's Landing. Margaery remembering that she'd done so seeking a match for Harrold Arryn at the time and that her grandmother had told her of it and she'd thought nothing of it.
But now thinking about what she may be about to do, she found her mind going back to what her grandmother had arranged and smiling at just how fortuitous this would turn out to be. Lady Anya's grandson was to marry Leona, her cousin, it made them kin and as she awaited Ser Richard she found herself knowing that unless he had some serious reservations then she'd be helping Lady Anya's house rise even more. Richard as it turned out not only didn't have any objections, but he seemed most pleased by this turn of events and it was he who named the man most suitable for the role.
"I thank you, Ser Richard, have Mira show Lady Anya inside." she said as she looked to her grandmother and to Jaime both of whom nodded their own agreement.
Lady Anya looked nervous, almost ashen-faced when she walked into the room. Margaery at first thinking it was the death of Harrold Arryn that caused the discomfort. She was right in a way but it wasn't grief or even anger that troubled Lady Anya so. It was worry and so she sought to put that worry at bay as quickly as she could.
"Lady Waynwood, I can only imagine the multitude of thoughts and feelings that you're going through right now, let me try and put some of those to rest. I hold you in no way responsible for Lord Harrold's actions, my lady, and though his death is why I've asked to meet you, it's not for the reasons you may be worrying upon." she said and was happy to see some color come back into the woman's face.
"I thank you, your grace. My ward's actions have shamed me somewhat and I must admit I did fear it had cost me any favor or goodwill I may have gained with your grandmother and with yourself and his grace." Anya said taking a seat.
"It has not, Anya." her grandmother said and Anya welcomed both the words and the tea that was offered.
"The crown is taking the Eyrie, my lady. It's to be the future seat of House Targaryen of the Vale, a seat sworn directly to the crown and one where a child or grandchild of his grace and myself, Princess Daenerys or Prince Tyrion will call their own. However, since no such child has yet been born, it falls upon us to name a Castellan." Margaery said.
"Of course, your grace, a wise choice if I may say so, it's a powerful message you wish to send." Anya said and Margaery smiled as she glanced at her grandmother.
"We intend to name your son, Ser Donnel to this position." Margaery said and though the woman didn't gasp or spill her tea, her hand did shake a little showing her surprise.
"I'm honored, your grace, truly." Anya said when she composed herself.
"Part of Ser Donnel's duties will be to see a seat built for himself also, Lady Anya. In time when the seat is filled by a member of House Targaryen and Ser Donnel is not required to serve it in the same way as he will at first, his grace and I will wish him to sit a seat of his own. A seat sworn directly to House Targaryen of the Vale, similar to how Ser Mychel Redfort and Lady Mya's is sworn to Harrenhal. Funds will be given from the treasury to help with the building of this seat and taxes will be reduced on the Eyrie and its lands to further help with its construction." Margaery said.
"Your Grace, I…this is too much." Anya said surprised even more by the offer.
"It's a reward for true service my lady, both now and in the future. You are not responsible for your former ward's actions, the crown wishes for the realm to know this and we are very much aware of your stance during the War of the One True King. Dragons may not forgive my lady, but they also never forget." Margaery said.
"Nor will I, your grace. On behalf of my house and my son, I thank you once again and though I've already given my oath and pledge, I do so once more. House Waynwood stands with House Targaryen now and in perpetuity." Lady Anya said.
Margaery turned to see the pleased look on her grandmother's face after Lady Anya had left, she'd combined both of her ideas to make the best of the suggestions. She'd intended to buy Nestor Royce's loyalty, instead, she'd done so with Lady Anya, but the difference was she'd truly only strengthened it as the woman was loyal before her actions and after them, she would be devout. She only wished that Jae was here to see it and to tell her that she'd done a good job and he was proud of her. She knew she had, but hearing it from his lips was something she found she needed. Or perhaps it was just the lips themselves she was missing and had a need for.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Oberyn.
He had missed the trial, Margaery holding it early on the day of the melee and Oberyn finding himself lost in Ellaria's arms and so he'd missed it. Whether or not it would have made any difference and it still would have been Arthur chosen to champion his nephew, his nephew's wife, and his grandniece or not, he couldn't be certain. Oberyn didn't believe it would have made a difference, that it would have needed to be a Kingsguard and once that had been decided then it had to have been Arthur. Still, it irked him that he'd missed it and hadn't been able to offer his spear.
Had he done so then it would not have been so quick and the fool would have suffered far more than he had. Later that night at the feast he found out that alone would have been the reason why he would not have been picked. Margaery didn't want the falcon to suffer, she wanted the man dead, she wished him gone from this world as quickly as it was possible to be done. Speaking to Arthur, he found he not only enjoyed his words but the queen's reasoning.
"Her grace wanted him gone, Oberyn, dead." Arthur said as they spoke, Arthur not on duty but being he was Arthur he may as well be.
"He should have suffered, Arthur, you should have drawn it out and made him suffer for daring to threaten my grandniece." Oberyn said bitterly.
"You think I didn't wish to? That were it up to me I'd not have hurt the man greatly. I wanted nothing more than to take him apart piece by piece, but on this, her grace was far more right than either of us." Arthur said and Oberyn could hear it, just how much he wished to do as he said, he could hear it and it gave him pause.
"How? How was her grace right?" he asked curiously.
"She wished him not to breathe the same air as the princess, Oberyn, to have him not be in the same world as the princess for a moment longer than it was necessary. He didn't deserve to live for as long as it took from the trial to his death. Her grace wanted him to live for as little of the princess's life as possible because for every moment he lived that man was an insult to her child." Arthur said.
He smiled at the memory of the night before, on this he was happy to be shown as being wrong. It was what he'd initially wished for The Mountain, Amory Lorch, and Tywin Lannister. Until his brother had told him they needed to wait it was what he had initially wished for. It was what Jae had wished for when it came to Lorch too. Margaery showing she was as much a snake or a dragon as she was a rose and he smiled as he was helped into his armor.
"Is there anything else my prince?" Wyland his squire asked.
"Ready my horse, I've got a joust to win." he said making the lad smile as he raced from the tent.
Oberyn picked up the jug and poured the wine into the glass, drinking it down quickly before he rose and then walked from the tent. Wyland was waiting for him with his sand steed and he moved closer to the chestnut mare, his hands touching her neck as softly as if it was Ellairia's own. He rubbed her softly as he looked into her eyes, speaking in barely a whisper as he readied her for the ride they would be soon taking.
It was only the presentation for now and the lists hadn't even been drawn and yet he felt eager for the joust to begin. Looking around at the others as they climbed onto their horses he nodded to Robb Stark and to Loras, both men smiling as they rode out to the field. He did so too, slowly, almost casually, his mare though was excited and eager. She loved nothing more than being ridden competitively, not even their rides in the desert giving her as much joy as a joust did and he could feel her coiled and ready underneath him.
Lining up with the others he looked to the crowd and saw Ellaria and his girls, sitting close to but not right beside the queen. Today it was her own family and the Lannister's who had pride of place, tomorrow it would be his and the Starks. Ellaria treated no differently than was she Lady Dacey or the Queen of Thorns herself and as it always did when he saw it, it brought a smile to his face. This would have been what it was like had she lived, had they lived, this is how his love would have been accepted by the realm. Her son had seen it so just as she herself would have, and though Jae was not here today for Oberyn's eyes to go to and acknowledge, his wife and daughter were. Oberyn looking at them and seeing the queen holding the princess on her lap, his goodniece and great-niece, his family.
"Your Grace, My Princess, Princes and Princesses, My Lord and Ladies, Good Sers, and good men and women of King's Landing and the Realm. I give you the competitors of the joust at the Tourney of King's Landing 300 AC. A tourney held in the honor of the birth of our Princess, Elia Targaryen, and the wedding of Princess Daenerys Targaryen and Lord Aurane Targaryen.
We are pleased to see such esteemed competitors as Prince Oberyn Martell, The Red Viper. Lord Gerion Lannister, Lord Yohn Royce, Lord Robb Stark, and representing the Kingsguard Ser Loras Tyrell and Ser Robar Royce." the herald said and Oberyn listened to the cheers and felt his mare tense underneath him.
"Soon, my love, soon." he said softly as he rubbed her head to calm her down.
It took some time for the announcement of the competitors to be finished, Oberyn listening as men from Dorne, The Reach, The West, Stormlands, The Vale, the Crownlands, and the North were named. There were even some from the Iron Islands too much to his and everyone else's surprise. By the time it was done and they were riding back he was as bored as his mare was, and so he was glad to find out that he'd actually be competing today. The thoughts of having gotten all dressed up and readying his mare only to then need to sit in the stands were not ones that pleased him.
His opponent was a young knight from the West, a man in service to House Banefort, and Oberyn made short work of the young man. That his day was done after that was a bit frustrating but it did give him leave to join Ellaria and his girls. His wife more than eager for his company and to make sure that he was unhurt.
"He was no true competition, my love." he said kissing her lips softly as she looked into his eyes.
"And yet I worry the gods may seek to take you from me regardless." Ellaria said with a worried look.
"Not even the gods are so cruel, we have a life to live, my love, a princess to watch grow to be a queen and a new niece or nephew to see into this world." he said looking to Elia and to Tyrion and Arianne.
The day soon drew to a close, Lord Robb and Ser Loras had won their tilts and the field had been narrowed down by half. On the morrow there would be two and thirty men left to compete, Five more tilt's, two days of jousting to decide who would win and Oberyn would give it his all to make it be him.
The Joust Day One.
Robb.
He'd ridden well the day before, the Stormlands knight he had faced had been no match for either his horsemanship or his lance work. That it had only been the one tilt had annoyed him a little as he'd felt that by the end of his ride he had only just gotten warmed up. There were so many of them to ride though. Even after he'd realized he'd not be riding again and had seen his horse was well fed and rested before taking a seat beside his wife, the day had stretched on and on.
Wynafred had cheered when Cregan won his tilt and when Jorah won his own. They'd both cheered Loras on also along with some of the others and though he'd used the time to try and study the riders, he was soon bored. He'd spent most of it in conversation with his wife, most of it, as more than once that conversation had turned to kissing. Robb smiling as he remembered that most of all. Neither of them had meant to be so public with their affections, it wasn't something they usually were. Oh, they were never shy about showing how they felt about each other. Robb though wouldn't have imagined they'd have sat in such a large crowd and shared such true kisses.
Yet as he had looked around they'd seen others do so too. Princess Daenerys and her new husband, Prince Oberyn and his wife, Prince Tyrion, and Princess Arianne, even Lord Jaime and Lady Dacey had kissed more than once. So when he'd looked at Wynafred and saw the eagerness in her eyes, he'd taken full advantage and they too had gotten as lost in each other as others seemed to be. Now though she sat with Wylla and Wylla's betrothed Martyn Lannister and Robb chuckled when he looked to them. His wife seemed to wish he was with her and not riding out to cross lances with Ser Jon Fossoway, while Wylla and Martyn seemed to wish they too could be free enough to take part in the kisses that Robb and Wynafred had the day before.
"The lance." he said looking to his squire, Larence handing it to him eagerly.
"Good fortune, Lord Robb." Larence said and Robb nodded to him as he closed his visor.
The force of the impact almost unhorsed him and he felt a fool. He'd been concentrating on all the wrong things and how he was still on his horse only the gods knew. Three tilts he'd rode and he barely landed a blow while two of Ser Jon's had hit home almost perfectly. Riding the fourth he focussed only on the man and horse coming his way, shutting out the crowd, the noise, and anything else from his mind. His lance hit home and true but it didn't unhorse Ser Jon, it took the next tilt for that to happen. Robb relieved when he saw the man fall and when he realized he was to be one of only six and ten men remaining. The wait wasn't long and he soon found himself shocked by his opponent. His cousin laughing with him when he saw the lists.
"At least one of us will make it to the next round cousin." Cregan said.
"Aye, I had hoped it would be both." he said as Cregan slapped his back.
"Good fortune, cousin."
"Good fortune." he said back to Cregan as Robb turned to Larence and they headed back to his tent.
He looked down at the favor tied to his arm, smiling as he remembered her tying it there. The wait seemed to take an age and Robb was given a running commentary of who had won and lost by Larence as he sat there. Loras, Oberyn, and Jorah all coming through their own tilts, and Gerion Lannister beating Ser Robar Royce in seven which Larence seemed most excited about. Eventually, it came to the time for him to ride out once more and he was pleased when he saw Cregan waiting for him.
"Shall we cousin." Cregan said and he smiled as he nodded to him.
They both looked to the stands to see Wynafred and Alys sitting while not together close enough. Alys with her oldest brother while both Ser Wendell and Lord Wyman himself sat with Wynafred and Wylla. He looked to see Sansa wave to them both, while Arya was sitting talking excitedly to Lyanna Mormont and Joy. His little sister both not paying attention and yet doing so at the same time. When Larence handed him the lance he felt nervous, he wasn't afraid to lose and were it to be to anyone then he'd be glad it was Cregan, he just didn't wish to.
At the signal, he rode and when the lances crashed against each other's shield he felt his nerves dissipate. By the second tilt, he was enjoying himself, smiling at the third, and in the fourth, it was all over. His strikes were that little bit truer, his experience that little bit more than his cousin's. Cregan had him beat with a blade in his hands, but with a lance the day was his and as his cousin fell to the ground, Robb found his eyes following him, relieved to see him bounce back up so quickly. He looked to his wife as he rode to the back, could see her pride and relief and then he reached down and touched the favor on his arm he saw her smile too.
The Joust Day Two.
Joy.
This was so much more fun than the melee, not quite as much perhaps as the duels but then they always had a place in her heart that nothing else could match. The joust though, she loved to watched the joust, to see the horses ride so free and yet so focussed. She loved to hear the sound of the lances as they crashed home and even the brief moment where she'd sit with her heart in her mouth as she waited for the loser to rise to his feet once more, was something that she truly enjoyed.
The joust this time was even more special, her papa was taking part and Joy had found herself arguing with him the night before. Why? Why hadn't he told her that he could joust? Why hadn't he taken part in jousts before now? It had annoyed her a little, though when he told her that he didn't wish for her to have to cheer for him when she wished to cheer for another, she did at least understand.
"So you're only competing because Jon cannot?" she asked.
"And I wish to crown someone my queen, too." he said and she shook her head.
"No papa."
"No?" he asked curiously.
"No, Ashara is to be queen." she said determinedly seeing him smile at her as she did so.
It wasn't that she didn't wish the crown or that she'd not have enjoyed it were he to do so but she understood it better now. Sansa had told her, Margy had told her and she understood it now that there were other reasons why you crowned someone, and more times than not it was a sign of love. Her papa loved Ashara and she deserved to be the one he crowned and so Joy would forgo her own to see that she got hers. One day someone would seek to put a crown on her head too she thought with a smirk as the first joust of the day got ready to take place.
Thoros of Myr was to ride against the Strongboar, both men were good but she didn't think either would win the competition. Her papa had ridden better yesterday as had Prince Oberyn, especially against the Lightning Lord. Loras though, Loras rode almost as well as she and Jon did, even more so when he had a lance in his hand. She hoped her papa didn't have to face him, at least until the final. Joy had placed her coin on her papa to win it all, though she'd almost placed other bets too but to win it all she'd put her coin on her papa. She was Lady Joy Lannister of Castamere and she'd never bet against family.
"Who'll win, Joy?" Arya asked as she and Lyanna looked eagerly at her.
"Thoros." she said simply.
She could see the doubt in both their faces, it had been there through both this and the melee, and she'd been proven right there too. It was a game that Jon had thought her, how to look and see what others did not. With swords, it was how they stood, how they walked and how they held the sword. She didn't need to see them swing it unless it was against someone who may be just as good. When it came to jousting though it was all about the horses. True you needed to be able to wield a lance too but were you able to ride and ride well, then more times than not you'd win.
"Watch them Joy, see how his horse tenses up or how it's not as calm as Apples or Winter are?" Jon said.
"I see, why are they like that?" she asked not understanding.
"They're not as one, Joy, not like you or I are when we're with Apples or Winter, they don't feel it how we do, they're not sure they'll not slip or fall off. Do you ever think you'll fall off Apples?" he asked and she giggled as she shook her head.
"I could never fall off Apples, Jon, that's just silly."
"Aye, I know, but when you look at them, you'll see it, you'll see who is easy to knock off their horse and who's not."
She smiled at the memory as Thoros unhorsed the Strongboar, her eyes turning automatically to where Jon would sit seeking him out and waiting to see the little nod he'd give her. It took her a moment to realize that he wasn't there and she felt her sadness come over her, only to see Margaery laughing at something Elia did and it to make her laugh too.
"Your little sister, Joy, just as you are mine, she is yours." Jon said as she sat with him and he held Elia in his arms.
"I'm going to take you riding little sister, tell you stories and take you on so many Yentures." she said as Elia bit gently on her finger.
She smiled as she looked to the field and saw her papa ride out and though she heard Lyanna and Arya cheer for Ser Jorah she wasn't annoyed by them. They didn't ask her who'd win and she was glad of it, she'd seen it as they rode and knew it would be true and so she didn't wish to tell them that Ser Jorah would lose today. Her cheers were loud though when her papa won in five and she waved at him when he waved up at her. Joy then turning to look at the proud smile on Ashara's face and thinking she'd look even more pretty with a crown on her head.
Loras.
His rides had done nothing for him, he'd won but hadn't been tested or rode against anyone of any note. He'd not been the only one either as other than Gerion riding against Robar and Jorah, Thoros against The Strongboar, and Oberyn against Lord Beric and Lord Yohn, none had a joust that would be memorable. He knew Robb would think fondly on his ride against Cregan and perhaps even this one too, but for Loras, he was almost expected to win.
He wished Barristan or Arthur had competed or that Jae was here and had somehow ignored the rules and taken part. It had been gods knows how long since he rode against him competitively and he found he missed doing so. Watching Tommen and Martyn as they trained with both sword and lance had stirred up memories and feelings he'd thought long gone. Time was far too short, life moved far too quickly. Today they were both boys, squires, and soon they'd be knights or lords just as he was a Kingsguard and Jae a king.
Sighing he took the lance and made his way to ready for the tilt, his eyes drawn to the seats where he could see his sister and his niece, his brother, mother, father, and grandmother. Try as he might he couldn't stop them from where they went and he saw him sitting there and tried to turn away. Satin was perhaps the reason he was feeling this way, the reason old feelings had been brought back to the surface. He missed him, what they had, he missed that closeness and so he had found himself dwelling on other things that he missed.
As he rode hard he shook such thoughts from his mind, concentrating instead on the horse, man, and lance that came his way. He blocked it with his shield and felt his own lance break against Robb's giving him the point and yet little satisfaction. On the second tilt, he felt more into it somehow, more focussed and he felt it when Robb moved. It gave him extra focus and incentive for the third and he knew as soon as he struck that he'd unhorsed him. He turned his head and breathed easy when he saw Robb rise to his feet and then he rode to the crowd, a flower in his hand as he approached Joy and let her take it from him.
"I thank you kind, Ser." Joy said with a smile and he smiled back at her as he rode to the back.
He didn't have too long to wait for the draw or to find out his next opponent and when he saw who it was he was glad he'd given her the flower already. It wouldn't be something he could do if he unhorsed her father and yet he felt his heart race for the first time since the jousts began. They stood together as they watched Oberyn and Thoros ride out, both of them knowing it would be the prince who won this match and both of them wondering who out of them would be facing him.
"Cheer up Loras, I hear the ground is soft." Gerion said with a chuckle.
"Thank the gods for that, my lord, I'd hate to see you hurt yourself when you fall." he said to another laugh.
"Nor I, you, my old bones can take it, your young ones haven't even truly grown strong yet." Gerion said.
"Don't let my grandmother hear you say so, she can't believe how strong we've grown." he said laughing as they both began to jape at each other's expense.
They were still doing so as they rode out and he wondered what that looked like to the crowd. Looking to where Joy and Ashara were sitting he could see that while they were nervous, the fact he and Gerion seemed in such good humor soon relaxed them. After bidding each other good fortune, he rode to the end of the field and took his lance from Tommen. He knew he needed a squire, a true one for him and him alone. He'd not gotten around to it yet and he would speak to his grandmother later about it, knowing that she'd no doubt have someone in mind.
"Good fortune, Loras." Tommen said.
"And to your granduncle too, Tommen." he said and the boy smiled at him as he nodded.
Eight tilts they rode to almost no effect, he'd won some of them and lost some and the crowd cheered as each one took place, and yet he felt no closer to winning or unhorsing the man. Riding out on the ninth he wondered if they'd need to call it or perhaps he and Gerion would need to settle it with swords. The latter was far more to his liking than the former and yet it turned out that neither was to be needed. His lance struck home true and good and he deflected Gerion's own. Loras watching almost shocked as Gerion crashed to the ground. Bluebell pulled up as soon as he bid her to and he turned to look to see Gerion rising gingerly to his feet, Loras riding over to make sure he was unhurt.
"I was wrong?" Gerion said a half-smirk on his face.
"My lord?" he asked confused.
"The ground isn't soft at all." Gerion said with a laugh.
Sansa.
She was relieved to see Lord Gerion unhurt and excited that Loras had made it to the final. Willas sat beside her looking at his brother proudly as he rode by them both. As much as she'd have enjoyed been given a flower as a token, Loras wouldn't seek to do so and she welcomed the reason why. She was betrothed, of age almost to be married and sitting with the man who'd one day be her husband. It would be scandalous, even if she didn't know of Loras's preference and it would be a slight to Willas and one his brother would never do.
So slightly disappointedly she watched as Loras handed the flower to a girl who was unattached and then she smiled when she realized just how much it really didn't bother her at all. She had something far more precious than a flower, far truer and it wouldn't fade and wither after but a day or two. It would grow and grow strong, just like her betrothed's House's words and Sansa found herself leaning in to kiss Willa's on the cheek.
"What was that for? Not that I'm against being kissed by you, of course." Willas asked as he smirked at her.
"I'm very much pleased to know you're not against being kissed by me." she said trying not to smile.
"I've very much pleased, you're very much pleased." Willas said making her laugh.
"He rode very well." she said a moment later.
"He did, though I wish it wasn't Oberyn he had to face." Willas said his voice odd and she reached out to take his hand thinking it was his injury that he was speaking off, it was but not how she had thought.
"You think it dangerous?" she asked softly.
"What? No, no, it's not that, I mean every joust is dangerous, but what happened to me was an accident Sansa and Oberyn is a good man, he'd pull his strikes rather than hurt Loras."
"I don't understand, I thought?" she asked.
"Look at my mother, my father, grandmother, even Margaery." he said and she did as he bid.
Lord Mace was holding Lady Alerie's hand tightly and speaking softly to his wife while Lady Olenna's eyes moved from the tiltyard to Margaery who was holding Elia and playing with her while at the same time, doing just as her grandmother was. She'd never seen them so nervous, they'd been worried before, the attack on Highgarden and as much as she loved her brother, he at times made them all worry so. Seeing them like this though was different and it made her begin to worry a little also, something Willas quickly picked up on.
"Sansa, Loras will come through this unhurt, both he and Oberyn, trust me." Willas said firmly and she nodded.
He took her hand in his just as his father had with his mother and as the herald announced Oberyn and Loras, Willas too spoke softly and reassured her. It was the first time she truly saw anything of his father in him and it made her appreciate Lord Mace a little more. Not that she didn't think fondly of her future goodfather, but from what she'd seen none of his children had taken much from him. Lady Olenna was always at pains to point out how Willas and Margaery took after her and all the Tyrell's took their looks from their mother, as did she her own. It made her wonder if there were other traits they'd picked up from their father that she hadn't noticed. Mace despite how people thought of him was kind-hearted and Willas, Loras, Garlan, and Margaery had that in common, so perhaps there was that.
"They're riding." she heard Willas say and it took her from her thoughts.
The first tilt was shared and even, as was the second, Oberyn took the next two, and Sansa felt Willas grip her hand a little more tightly. This time she did her best to reassure him and was happy to see it had the desired effect. Loras was almost unhorsed on the fifth tilt and she watched as he steadied himself. When she saw Oberyn fall from his horse on the sixth, she readied to cheer but found herself holding back until she saw the prince rise to his feet. Once he did, she, Willas, and the crowd cheered loudly before they all went quiet as Loras rode to the garland.
All eyes were on him and Bluebell as they picked up the crown of flowers, as he then rode to the royal box and stopped in front of it. She swore she would have been able to hear one of her sewing pins as they dropped to the floor, so quiet were things on the tourney grounds. The lance was extended and the crown began to slide down it as she and everyone else present looked on.
"I would name The Princess Elia as the Queen of Love and beauty." Loras said as the crown fell into Margaery's hands.
Sansa felt her tears fall as Margaery placed the crown on Elia's tiny head. She'd only just noticed that it had been made specially for her and she realized then that had Oberyn won, he too had planned to name his niece. She wiped her eyes, her smile beaming and she looked to see there were few if any who weren't as moved as she was. When Margaery turned the princess to face the crowd, when she saw those violet eyes look out on all those who looked her way, she felt she looked exactly what she was, the princess and one-day queen of all their hearts.
Chroyane 300 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
He could see the mist-covered city in the distance and he felt the indigo dragon's reluctance to come here. Jae spoke softly to her, telling her that they'd not stay for long and that soon enough they'd be heading back home. It calmed her somewhat but it was more Rhaenix speaking to her than anything he said which truly did so. As they neared the city he saw the scorched earth and the burned bones and he shuddered. The memory of what he'd done as vivid as if it was just today and the smell of the horses burning was as clear as if he'd just given Rhaenix the order.
"It had to be done little brother." Rhaenix said.
"Did it?" he asked unsurely.
They flew over the Bridge of Sorrows and past it to the Palace of Sorrows, the indigo dragon tensing some more when she saw the Stone Men move across the bridge and among the ruins. She had nothing to fear from them, nor anything else that was here. Not even the darkness of this place could affect her, not how it could and had, him. He told Rhaenix to land and then to take to the sky once more. His sister not pleased but doing as he said and the little dragon both wishing to stay with him and yet eager to leave at the same time.
"Go with your sister, land outside, and feed." he said and she chirped her worry for him and then trilled when he touched her head and told her that nothing would keep him from taking her back to Elia.
After they'd gone he moved into the grounds of the Palace of Sorrows, the one time Palace of Love and though it was covered by mist and as ruined as the manses and palaces of Valyria, to him it was not. He could see what it had once been, how the city had once bustled and been full of life. It had been a place of learning, of culture, and great wealth. The palace itself was far larger than the Red Keep and far prettier, on a par with Highgarden in that respect.
Jae moved through the courtyards, looking to the buildings, the mist that covered them to everyone else's eyes had faded away to show them not as they were now but how they'd once been. If he closed his eyes he could hear the changing of the guards, the laughter of the ladies as mummers performed and fools entertained. Walking in through the doors he felt the marble of the floor under his feet, the cracked and broken marble seeming undamaged as he walked across it and into the room he'd visited once before.
The large pillars stretched high to the ceiling, the tapestries covered the walls and the shined steps leading to the throne were so polished that you could see your face in them. As for the throne itself, it was gold and bejeweled, worth gods know how much were it to be broken down and yet it lay untouched and undisturbed. He walked up the steps and took his seat, looking around the room at the Rhoynish ghosts who surrounded him.
Lords, Ladies, Warriors, and servants, they looked to him and as one knelt before fading away. Leaving him in a room full of Stone Men and Women and standing in front of them all, the Shrouded Lord himself.
"My prince." the Shrouded Lord said as he removed his hood.
Then.
He had felt the call as he flew over the city, the need to land and so he did, Rhaenix not wishing for either of them to stay and yet doing as he asked her to. The voices started as soon as he landed, the whispers carrying in the wind and at first, he couldn't hear what it was they were saying. Soon he heard it, the warnings, the threats, the pleas, and the begging.
"Go."
"Leave."
"You do not belong here."
"Begone Son of Valyria, for this place belongs to Mother Rhoyne and not to you or your kind."
"Help us."
"Free us."
"Join us."
The voices were one, many, different and yet the same, two sides, and Jae wondered if they were light and dark too. He felt a voice louder than them all, a presence stronger than all the others and he heard footsteps around him. Rhaenix let out a roar and the footsteps hurried away except for one set, one set which moved closer despite the dragon's warning. Soon the mist cleared and a grey hooded figure moved his way.
"You have come, my prince, is it time?" the grey figure asked.
"Time?" he asked.
"For the curse to be lifted." the grey figure asked.
"Curse?"
"The one your ancestors placed upon this place, the one that only the Prince who was Promised can break. Break the curse, my prince, break it and our swords are yours in the fight to come."
"How?" he asked and heard the disappointed sigh from the grey figure.
"Now is not the time, go my prince, leave this place for I cannot protect you here." the grey figure said as he moved back into the mist "Beware the Horselord for he seeks what he cannot have."
Now.
He looked to the Shrouded Lord, his greyscale far different than the other Stone Men, it was or looked to be a living breathing thing on his face. Always changing, always moving, it would crack and break, and every so often a piece would fall to the ground only to disappear once it did so. Unlike the others, the Shrouded Lord had kept his hair too and it was as dark as his own, his eyes as dark as his own. The Shrouded Lord looked like Oberyn and despite the greyscale, for Jae, it was like looking at his uncle's face and into his eyes.
"You knew." he said looking at him.
"Only death can pay for life, my prince, you of all people know this." the Shrouded Lord said.
"Did they have to die?" he asked softly.
"They did and not just so we could live, had you not done what you did then many would have suffered, the entirety of Essos would have trembled as he ravaged it all."
"The Khal of Khals." he said to a chuckle from the Shrouded Lord.
"Yet another who sought to be more than he was, take it from someone who understands that far better than most. There are only two sides in this world my prince, the dead and the living. I didn't understand that then and so I rose and my people rose with me, we sought to bring Valyria to its knees, and just as I was a fool then, so Drogo was also."
"His people, I killed so many of his people." Jae said shaking his head.
"You showed them what a dragon can do, had you not then in time they'd have crossed the poisoned water, they'd have come to your lands, Drogo sought his bride, my prince."
"His bride? "Jae asked confused.
"The mother of the Stallion who would Mount the World, your aunt, Princess Daenerys Stormborn."
"He, that's why….he attacked because of Dany." Jae said.
"He sought a gift for his bride, my prince."
Then.
Night had fallen by the time he left the city and so they landed nearby, Jae laying down to sleep once Rhaenix had found something for them both to eat. It was his sister who woke him, her worry and concern clear and he was glad she did so. At first, he feared it was the Stone Men from the nearby city but Rhaenix was looking away from the city and out onto the plains and so it was there he looked too. He heard the shouts, the sounds of the horses and he looked to see a number unlike any he'd ever seen before.
It was far larger than the armies he'd marched to war with, all of them mounted and all them heading his way. He hurriedly climbed up onto Rhaenix's back, keen to be in the air and away from this place when he saw them. The arrows filled the sky and came his way and he felt Rhaenix's rage and then his own. His sister let loose her flames as a warning as the arrows fell short and then the second wave of them came, some of them bouncing off Rhaenix's scales and one or two coming close to striking him.
Jae felt it inside him, the need to show them what happens when they dare attack a dragon, it was a need that he felt in Rhaenix too. Whose need fuelled who was not something he cared about at the time, only that he needed to show these foolish men what they had reaped. So instead of flying away and out over the sea, instead of flying home as he would have had he woken this morning not under attack, instead of retreating, he and Rhaenix brought the fire to those who'd stoked their anger.
"Dracarys." he said as she let loose her flames.
"Dracarys."
"Dracarys."
He repeated it more than once and took more than one pass over them. Beneath them, both men and horses burned indistinct of each other. The flames didn't see one or the other, they saw enemies and to their enemies, the only thing the flames brought was fire and blood. The smell of the burning flesh was what stopped him, the voice in his head that said enough was what stopped him, the pained cries of wounded horses were what stopped him.
Those not touched by the flames had retreated and as he looked at those beneath him who hadn't been killed outright he knew what he needed to do. Any that were only wounded enough to survive had already fled, those left here on this field would only suffer in agony for days or even weeks to come. Yet it didn't feel like mercy he gave them and he took no comfort in ending their suffering, nor in landing close to a man who screamed up at them and held his curved sword in his burned hand. Rhaenix didn't wish to land but did as he bid and he moved to the man, his hair had been burned away as had most of his face and yet he shouted in his strange language.
"I zin jin drogo, khal ki khals, anha tikh zhorre jin hake ki mahrazh fin ended anna. " (I am Drogo, Khal of Khals, I would have the name of the man who ended me.)
"Jaehaerys Targaryen." he said though why he did so he didn't know and then he watched as the man fell over and breathed his last.
It sickened him what he'd done and his reasons for doing so, it sickened him and so he put it in a box and hid it away deep inside of himself, hoping to never need to look into that box again.
Now.
"You should not be ashamed, my prince. In time you'll see why it needed to be done, for now, it's time to break the curse, do you know how?" the Shrouded Lord asked hopefully.
"I know how." he said and saw the man nod.
"Our swords are yours, my prince." the Shrouded Lord said.
Jae got up and walked from the room, out through the doors, and he made his way to the rusted cage. He looked up at it, the bones had long since had turned to dust and the clothes too had long since wasted away and yet he could see them and the man clearly. The dark hair, the dark eyes, the pleading as he called for Mother Rhoyne to wash his enemies away. He took out the blood-soaked cloth he'd bound his hand with in Volantis, pulled out Dark Sister, and cut his hand once more, soaking the cloth in even more blood.
The light began to shine as he cut down the cage, the blood began to be absorbed into the broken and rusted steel as he began to hack away at it. He then pushed down with all his might and felt the ground give before he knelt down on one knee. Eyes closed he began to speak, his words sounding far louder than they should.
"Nyke se tresy hen Valyria, Vāedar Suvio Perzo, Kivio Dārilaros, mazōregon aōha fealty. Nyke judge ao iā sȳz vala se drēje, iā dārilaros hen rhoyne se iā pazavor subject hen Valyria " (I the Son of Valyria, the Song of Ice and Fire, the Prince that was Promised, accept your fealty. I judge you a good man and true, a prince of the Rhoyne and a loyal subject of Valyria.).
Then he began to sing, a song that rang out across the Sorrows, a song that stopped the Stone Men on the Bridge of Sorrows, a song that stopped them moving through the Palace of Sorrows, a song not heard on these lands ever before.
Jae woke up in a comfortable bed, his head pounding and with the indigo dragon chirping happily once she saw his eyes were open. He heard her call out in her loudest roar and an even louder one answer her back and as he sat up he felt himself almost wish to empty his stomach.
"My prince, some water." a girl said, handing him a mug and he looked at her, she was dark-haired and skinned, young and wearing clothing that reminded him of what his cousins and Arianne would wear.
"I'm in Dorne?" he asked and the girl shook her head.
He dressed quickly, his armor and sword had been left by his bed on a rack and a young boy helped tie him into it. Walking from the room he looked to the floors and the walls, the marble looking almost new, the walls freshly painted and servants and guards everywhere he looked. When he entered the Throne Room he saw it was full, guards, Lords, Ladies, and servants everywhere, and above them all sitting on the golden throne was a man who looked like his uncle's long lost twin.
"You're awake my prince." the man said and Jae nodded barely able to speak.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"Chroyane, my prince, you're in Chroyane."
He looked at the man as if he had more than one head before he then moved quickly to the open doors that led out to the courtyard below. In the sky, he could see Rhaenix and his sister wasn't worried or concerned but it was the city he looked out on that he found himself concentrating on. It was as he had seen it, the mists had faded away, the palace was again one of Love and not Sorrows and the people moved about without a care in the world. In the distance he saw ships being readied, men in formation marching up and taking their place on board and he turned to look back at the man who had left the throne and now walked his way.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I've been known by many names, my prince. The Shrouded Lord, His Grey Grace, the Prince of Sorrows, Prince of Chryoane."
"Who are you." he asked.
"I am Prince Garin, my prince, your Leal man."
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next, The Squire's Duels, Jae finds out more about Prince Garin, the Rhoynish forces, and the city before flying to Braavos and we take a look at the Riverlands and see some good and true lords and some who are very much not. For those who wish more background on events in the Vale, Ser Donnel, and why Lady Anya is being given so much, I'd recommend my good friends Leilani and Arrows, story, TDC: Missing Scenes and What If Scenarios on this site, you can find it in my favorite author links.
The Sphynx: No worries my friend.
Daryl Dixon: So very glad you liked it.
Cheryl Pollock: I'm in Ireland so I know exactly where you're coming from, hopefully, it's coming to an end soon, don't worry about not reviewing, glad to know that you're safe and well though. Really happy you're still enjoying the story.
Hkt29: Stannis gets regular letters and Shireen sends him things at the Wall, back in his pov when he was attacked it's mentioned that the cloak he's wearing was a gift from her. That was it partly with Marge's thinking, a slow painful death may have in some ways been more satisfying but having it done quickly both took him from this world and out of her sight and sent a message that dealing with threats was very easy for them. We may see some of that with Brienne for sure, one of the things I've always been fascinated by with Erryk/Arryk is that we never see them fight, I get they could be just for show but it doesn't seem likely with Olenna, so I wanted to show that not only do they share the bloodline, they are very capable warriors. That's an interesting idea, I may have to do some thinking on that but we know it has some effect.
Emerald Duke: So glad you enjoyed it, Shireen is very very smart, unfortunately, we don't get to see it because of circumstances, so I wanted to show what she'd be like given the chance. As for Jae, it's, unfortunately, a portent of things to come, the war is coming.
Vfsnake: Jae is getting all his ducks lined in a row, he'll need them as for the falcon, he really tried to fly far too high.
Celexys: Really glad you think so, I know the mystery of the NK, and not really understanding an antagonist can be interesting but we have that in the show/books, I think it's nice to try and give him a motive, a look into his thoughts and since here he and Jae are pretty much opposites, he needs some explaining.
Victoria: Thank you, my friend. Magic is such a big part of the lore of ASOIAF and the show did a very bad job of showing it, it almost ran from it. So when I started this I wanted it to be at its core among some other themes. With Jae/NK they are polar opposites, one wanted to end and the other to create life and so showing some aspects of that and then of course later on trying to explain them is important. Unfortunately with the war, some will fall, I just hope to make the losses meaningful. So very glad you're giving Leilani/Arrow's story a look and are enjoying it. There will be little moments in it that play into things here or give you an extra insight into events, such as with Shireen or with Anya Waynwood and others and they have some really cool chapters to come. There are even some what if's where they take a road not traveled in TDC and go a slightly different way, which are very interesting. On Elia, glad you liked the name, one of the most interesting things for me is how the babes of kings were treated by those around them, every time we hear anyone speak of Rhaenys it's clear they loved her and so with Elia and especially given their feelings for Jae/Marge it's really an extension of that. There will be more, yes boys and girls, one of the things I always think with Jon is women play a key role in his life, both positive and negative. The loss of his mother, Cat, Arya, Ygritte, Val, and eventually Dany, in the books. Here he's surrounded by these amazing women and so I've tried to show that as much as I can. Stay happy and take care of yourself, my friend.
Guest: Shireen is fun to write and it helps to show little aspects of the game continuing, despite it being over and won, there will always be a game going on in some fashion. Glad you liked the trial and the melee.
Remi: Indeed, the thing is had Harrold any long-term planning, he would have waited until after the Long Night and tried then. Jae is the only one who can in Valyria because the magic he embodies both is from that place and can counter that place at the same time, if anyone else was with him, we'd see the truth that Valyria has to offer. Brightroar is coming.
Scarila: Harrold was so very arrogant that it's very hard not to be, it's a bit like Robert though slightly different since as King he could say/do what he wanted. Harrold pretty much strolled around the Vale knowing he would run it one day and so he was allowed to do almost anything he wished, Jae took that from him, but Harrold never lost the attitude, he was humbled but never humble. You're right, you never say things like that, even thinking them is hard enough, but he's never other than Jae/Anya had anyone say he can't to him. I thank you so very much for your thoughts, my friend, much appreciated, it's getting better, slowly but getting there.
Xand007: Thank you, my friend. I could see both sides of it, had it been Jae himself, well Harrold probably wouldn't have made it out of the Throne Room lol, but had he then it wouldn't have been Arthur he fought and Jae would most definitely went that route. They have more than enough now yes, some people will be getting while not full armor, some protection too. I'm a bit like that myself, tbh, I have most of the key points written, just need to add some flavor and flesh some things out, but almost don't want to start it lol. I think you're very right, the world is going to be vastly different, I'm the same with my work too and I can barely remember what it was like to go into a store and buy something, other than food and stuff. Here literally all stores that don't sell the essential items are closed and I miss browsing, in stores not online lol. Stay safe, well, and healthy my friend and hopefully normalcy shall soon return, or a new normal.
Irish Hermit: I was kinda going for that with House Arryn, an arrogance that didn't allow them to see how stupid they were or more importantly that others were both more important or cleverer than them. Oh, they're going to be terrors, I'm kind of in my head basing them off Rhaenys/Balerion and Joy/Balerion here too, so you can imagine the difference it'll be when instead of a demon cat, it's a dragon. Is Jae as blind as the NK is? Or is it simply that because the NK can't see him, he believes Jae won't be able to see him too? Think of it with Bloodraven/Euron, they both thought they were unseen too and while they were able to block Jae somewhat, they weren't able to block everyone. The NK doesn't believe that Jae has the knowledge required to use the power he has, but the NK also isn't counting on just how much the Doom took out of himself. He's not fully recovered from it, which will be an issue. We'll see, it's been a while since Jae truly looked into the Glass Candles for more than just to check up on his wife and daughter.
Lady Ocatarina: I know right, two of the most unpleasant people in ASOIAF and they produce one of the sweetest children ever. I hadn't thought of it that way, I supposed yes it is, he'll at least have his name remembered, just not in a very good way. I did think of that with Thoros, but I wanted both to have the throwback to Thoros winning a while back and the learning from that mistake, and with Bronn while he wished to win for what he wished it for, he wasn't desperate to do so. The thoughts of being burned by fire were too much. I was also thinking of his refusal to face the Mountain for Tyrion, if it was life and death for him then he'd perhaps find a way to beat Thoros, but in a tourney, just like with standing as Tyrion's champion, yes he could one but one hit could end him, so no, not worth it.
Bronn is very practical and Thoros is kinda a bit nuts lol.
Supremus: So very glad you bring up the blood thing, we'll see someone mention that in a little bit, one of the Vale lords, who while not actually against them taking the Eyrie, will bring up the end of the Arryn line and someone else will point out just what you did here.
Jaimerey: Hay planes para Rickon. En cuanto al resto, el problema es que se necesitaría casi una historia para agregarlos así que quizás en una historia futura.
Creativo. Si lees la historia de Leilani / Arrows, aprenderás más sobre la historia de fondo de Sebastion, luchó con Stannis contra Oberyn.
Irishfalcon: I've not done so, Dany's plot has changed but she still got her dragons, Jon got his own because that's the entire plotline of the story, it's setting up Jon as the PTWP to Bring the Dawn, but it's an AU, if you wish to read the canon, then we have canon. The point of the story is to fully show a version of the PTWP arc based on a specific idea of what that arc is while staying through to the world and its lore. This is not a Dany-centric story, her role here is very limited, she's a secondary character and so having her be canon Dany would be ridiculous, as would having Jon being canon Jon. I have other stories that fit more within the canon, but the entire point of an AU is to do things differently, to offer a different take on things. You may as well ask me why have I had Jon foster in the West or marry Marge, as to ask why I've given him a dragon.
Guest56: Not sure if you're the same guest who already asked that question. But not only are there instances of it in lore, but Benjen also has his grandmother's eyes as does Arya for example. But the entire reason for why the Targs look how they do, in this fic is magic-based, Jon when he was born possessed but couldn't access said magic, now he can and it flows within him. So any child of his will be born possessing the same magic and hence Targ features.