New Story time! After seeing House of the Dragon and renewing my love for Westeros, it got me thinking about the first episode of the show. What if Baelon Targaryen lived to adulthood? Would the Dance be different or would it be the same? Let's find out.


Rhaenyra held her little brother in her arms as he moved his body to see all the lords paying their respects and swearing allegiance to him.

It had been a sad day in the Red Keep when Queen Aemma died. Rhaenyra remembered the day it happened. After her father's tourney and the champion Ser Criston Cole had won against her uncle Prince Daemon, the news broke that her brother was born. However, there had been complications of the birth and Aemma had to have her stomach cut open so the child would be born. The birth of a new son was successful but Aemma died of her wounds.

When Rhaenyra heard that was how her brother was born, she had expected to hate it. The babe had taken her mother from her. But when she looked into his eyes and saw he was smiling at her, with all the love a baby has, it quickly disappeared. She would love this child as her own.

It started slowly at first, the babe was in constant care by the maesters as the birth was unusual. They needed to make sure that he would survive. But whenever he was around his father or sister, the babe's face lit up. With the maesters or even Otto Hightower were present, it was indifferent. It was like the babe didn't like them at all. Even Alicent wasn't immune to this, the babe would just stare at her with no expression. The same could not be said for Daemon, as the babe always had a fit whenever his uncle would pick him up. It could have been because Daemon had stolen his egg for his own son, but her brother didn't even like that egg. Rhaenyra knew the child trusted her and her father more than it did any of these others. Her father had said so himself.

"Targaryens must understand this if they are to be king, or queen." Viserys said. "Rhaenyra, I have a son now. You have a brother. You are the very best of your mother. And I believed it, I know she did, that you that you could be a great ruling queen. And I believe he can be the best of all of us."

"Baelon is your heir." Rhaenyra countered.

"He is meant to wear a crown. As are you. This is no trivial gesture. A dragon's saddle is one thing, but the Iron Throne is the most dangerous seat in the Realm. He must be protected. Baelon is the future of our house. And you must teach him. I cannot be here forever, you will guide him to be a good ruler, a just one. One that will be better than our forefathers. Promise me, Rhaenyra. Promise me." Viserys said.

And she would. At council meetings she would listen and learn. And as her brother grew, she protected him more than his own Kingsguard.

There was one instance where her guard went down. Fortunately, it would be for the good. One day they were out on the countryside, enjoying the fresh air. She left him with some of the guards when they heard a thundering wind. She could not believe it. After all these years, Vhagar, the last dragon from Aegon's conquest had returned. And it landed in front of her brother. She called the guards to go and retrieve her brother for fear he was in danger. Only to realize Vhagar was bouncing the boy on her leg. Vhagar had chosen the prince as her rider. Rhaenyra's need to protect him grew stronger, for now she knew the truth. Baelon Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne, will rule. And she will destroy any who oppose him. Including those who plot and scheme to put their own on the throne.


A short chapter, but this gets it started. I'm going to wait for future episodes to kick in, because this is mostly set in the adult years of Rhaenyra and Alicent. So once they jump to that more chapters will follow.