Dance of Ice and Fire

schrutfarms

Summary:

What if the Song of Ice and Fire was played earlier? What if dragon and wolf met during the end of King Jaehaerys's reign and they fell in love? What if the child of Rogue Prince and She-wolf plays the game against the black and the greens and changes the events of the dance?

Notes:

Had this idea running in my head for a long time. Have a plan set for this story and will proceed accordingly.

These characters belong to grrm aside from the OC characters, I do not own any of them.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Jaehaerys POV

King's Landing – Seventh Moon of 98 AC

Jaehaerys Targaryen, first of his Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of Seven Kingdoms, these are the titles that Jaehaerys had worn for almost fifty years. He has sixty and four name days on him and he has seen enough for twice his lifetime. Truth be told, Jaehaerys is tired, he was born in King's Landing and saw his Grandfather, Aegon the Dragon, rule a realm freshly forged. 'Heavy is the head who wears the crown', that is what he used to tell his father and uncle. Jaehaerys could not remember his face for it has overcome with the struggles of his own. He remembered how his mother Alyssa Velaryon fled the capital to Driftmark after the faith attacked their keep. He remembered how his father died and his uncle Maegor took the crown. Jaehaerys remembered her Grandmother Visenya, whose hostage they had become, and how they left Dragonstone after her death with her sword and dragons. Jaehaerys recalled his sweet memories with Alysanne, his defiance against his then regent Rogar Baratheon. He remembered his children who passed away, sweet Daenerys, willful Aemon. He remembered the face of his niece Aerea, who he saw only once after she had returned atop Balerion. Jaehaerys had asked Barth of her condition, but he only said that he does not wish to describe the evil that lies that had possessed her. He remembered that Balerion, the Black dread was wounded as well. The prevalent suspicion had been that Balerion had taken her to Valyria, however, some had suggested that it was Stygai where she went. Jaehaerys missed them all, he even missed his daughter Saera, whose insolence had driven her away from himself. There were times when the father in him wanted to inquire of her whereabouts, he knew that despite his commands that Alysanne still had attempted to maintain contact with her. Yet the King in him wanted to be away from her and her defiance.

Here he was, Jaehaerys had heard of how people called him, the greatest King the realms of Westeros had ever seen, though he could not compare much since there had been only three kings that lived past him, all had encountered more turmoil than peace. He was a father, a grandfather, and God's willed him to name him great grandfather. His grandson Viserys's newborn Rhaenyra, his Granddaughter Rhaenys's children. All of them made Jaehaerys smile, aside from his grandson Daemon's child. A child who Jaehaerys doesn't hate as he has not seen him, but yet hates the circumstances that he was born under. It had all started a year before in a tourney celebrating his grandson's wedding to Rhea Royce. It was an arrangement that was made to set an alliance with a powerful house such as House Royce of the Vale. A decision Jaehaerys feel that he has come to regret later within a year. Jaehaerys should have known better when his fool of a grandson crowned the Stark girl as the Queen of Love and Beauty instead of his wife. Jaehaerys should have known better then, as the Stark girl and his grandson were rather friendly in court. The Stark retinue had arrived three moons before Daemon's wedding to discuss the potential redevelopment of Moat Cailin and a harbor by the Fever River to start trading with Seagard without worrying about Frey's. The idea had merit, Lord Ellard had sent his brother Benjen and his daughter Lyanna and son Rickon to discuss further of this venture.

The relationship with the Starks had always been distant in his reign. Jaehaerys had remembered the cold welcome that he had received when Alaric Stark ruled, not that Jaehaerys would blame the man. The man had felt slighted over the fact that he did not arrive with Alysanne during the royal progress had certainly not helped him. Alysanne had assured that the Lord had warmed up to her, yet he still remembered his cold steel gaze. Jaehaerys recalled the conversation they had in the crypt and how he had subtly placed the blame of the death of his elder brother Walton who had gone beyond the wall to hunt the deserters and the oath breakers who had been part of the army of the Sparrows that fought against his uncle Maegor. Alysanne's charm had warmed the winter Lord a bit and he had allowed his daughter Alarra to join the King's court. His sister had been fond of the Stark girl and had missed her company when she heard the news of her passing. Jaehaerys considered that having Manderly's in the court would have helped build better relationships with the North and in some ways it did. Yet, Lord Benjen had cleared that misconception when he called Manderly's southerner. North Remembers, that is what the saying amongst the Northmen was and it had seemed that while the Starks had accepted Manderly's as one of their main vassals, they had still never truly considered them as Andals. The talks ultimately had coincided with his grandson's wedding. Jaehaerys had remembered lady Lyanna as well and how her beauty had been a talk amongst the Nobles. Lord Benjen had mentioned that in the meeting how some nobles came to him with intentions of marriage yet had to deny them. When asked why the Stark lord said that they had intended a Northern match for her. The girl Lyanna had recently reached her majority, she was a likable and considerate woman. She had a sense of cunning and wit within her that no one saw, but Jaehaerys believed that his grandson did and had attracted her to him. Throughout a moon turn that she had stayed, Alysanne had told of how she had made fast friends with his daughter Gael. Jaehaerys had noticed the change in his daughter's nature ever since she met the lady Lyanna. The rather timid and once simple-minded child was coming onto her own. The she-wolf brought the dragon out of her Winter child and the once timid and sweet child had become more exuberant and strong-willed. Alysanne had considered speaking with Lord Benjen to request her daughter to stay in the court as one of Gael's lady-in-waiting. However, that did not happen to pass.

The traits that Stark girl had possessed not only had attracted the Lords and the knights, but also his grandson Daemon as well. Ever since his betrothal announcement Daemon had been attempting to find his way out of the arrangement. Baelon had told him of his grandson's vices and had hoped that marriage would bring the boy the senses and wisdom that he did not possess. The week before Daemon's wedding, his son Baelon had come asking to break his marriage off for the sake of Lady Lyanna's hand. Daemon had claimed that the Stark girl had favored him as well, however it was too late to break the arrangement off as the Royce's had arrived and the realm was already aware of the betrothal. Jaehaerys had known that it was too late, if he had known earlier then he could have backed the match. Jaehaerys had mentioned that to his son and his grandson. He remembered the resentment he saw in his grandson's eyes at the altar when he hastily brought the cloak over his Rhea Royce. Jaehaerys had still recalled and remembered the events that occurred in the tourney vividly. Jaehaerys had not seen the lady Lyanna for the start of the tourney. However, later on, as it was his grandson's turn to participate in jousting, Jaehaerys had seen the looks the Stark girl and grandson shared. Jaehaerys had known those looks, it was the same looks that he had shared with Alysanne. The same looks that his son Baelon had shared with Alyssa and that was when he had known that there was love between them. A part within Jaehaerys had wanted to stop the tourney there and then, but he knew it would have drawn unwanted attention to it. Jaehaerys had known that his grandson was rather young and there are refined and renowned warriors. Surprisingly, the knights that his grandson faced were rather unskilled and had been capable of unhorsing them rather quickly. His grandson Viserys had noted the same thing as well, but Jaehaerys paid no attention to it. In the final round, Daemon had ended up facing Ser Clement Crabb. The tilt was rather memorable and Jaehaerys was surprised that his grandson Daemon was able to withstand the lances with such resilience. Jaehaerys had wondered what made him endure. Ultimately after the 10th tilt, his grandson unhorsed Ser Clement. Normally, the victor who has been wedded would likely crown their wife as the Queen of Love and Beauty.

Jaehaerys recalled how the smallfolk had cheered at Daemon's victory. However, it was expected that Daemon would have crowned her wife, but instead, he rode past her and placed the crown on Lyanna Stark's lap much to the surprise of everyone. Daemon dared to smirk and walk away from there. The Royce's departed the next day without Daemon and as did the Starks. Benjen suggested that the talks could carry on later and Jaehaerys agreed to it and worked with Barth who would visit Winterfell to further discuss the plans for Moat Cailin three moons later. Gael had mourned Lyanna's departure and the day after Alysanne had told her that she flew on Dreamfyre to Dragonstone. Jaehaerys had remembered the sad smile her daughter had shared with the Stark girl and a prolonged embrace. Gael had credited Lyanna for her newly founded spirit and her courage for being able to mount her sister Rhaena's dragon Dreamfyre. Baelon had also commanded Daemon to leave the Keep and travel to Runestone and not return unless commanded. Daemon flew on Caraxes, but he remembered the last words he had with his grandson when they were alone, "You fought for your Alysanne, mine has left for the frozen shithole you call the North, you may have wed me to the Royce but do not presume to believe that I will forget her". With that his grandson had left, knowing his nature Jaehaerys had sent more spies in Vale to keep them apprised of the movements. Surprisingly his grandson had made no movements only complaints about his new wife. Barth had planned the visit North but was only able to reach White Harbor where he met with Lord Ellard to finalize certain points. The new plan for Moat Cailin was to break down the wooden keep and build a stone one in its place. Also, to develop three broken towers and add four more towers, two watching over the western side and two watching over the northern part. The agreement also included that Stark blood would hold the new keep as its lord. Barth had noted how Lord Ellard would avert any conversations about lady Lyanna, Lord Manderly, and Locke who had been there during their talks also noticed the aversion. Furthermore, they mentioned how lady Lyanna was kept away from the court of Winterfell.

Almost a year has passed since then, it was the 50th year of his reign and a grand tourney was held to celebrate his kingship. It was a true spectacle, Jaehaerys had allowed his grandson to return. He had heard from Viserys of his grandson's dislike in Vale and how he would refer them as sheepfuckers. The tourney was rather a memorable one with Ser Ryam Redwyne facing off against Ser Clement Crabb for thirty-one tilts and ultimately winning the tourney. However, it was during the end of the feast when Jaehaerys had learned from Lord Theomore that lady Lyanna had passed at the start of the year. Her passing had shocked him as there were no news or reports from their spies of it, however, the stout lord had said that it was due to winter fever. When he broke this news to Alysanne, she told Jaehaerys to let her break this news to Gael. Gael had attempted to communicate with Lyanna yet not many ravens were sent as Winterfell was far away. Her daughter had only shared some words of her saying that she had missed her company and had missed the South. There were times within the past year when Gael had asked his permission to visit North, but Jaehaerys had not allowed it at that time. Gael was broken to be fair; she had locked herself in a room for a week barely eating and only accepting visits from her mother and sometimes even Viserys and Aemma. Her daughter had not forgiven him and Baelon for not accepting the match between Daemon and Lyanna. While Gael had locked herself in the room, his fool of a grandson had done the complete opposite of it. Jaehaerys had dreaded what would have happened when Daemon would have heard the news. He instructed Baelon and Viserys to keep an eye on him and not let him go. However, somehow, he got out of the keep to the dragonpit and flew on his dragon. Seven Gods only knew where he went, but Jaehaerys had known better. Jaehaerys had remembered when Alysanne and her ladies were attacked by the fanatics at Jonquil's pool. He had left all his affairs at the Maidenpool castle and ran to her as fast as he could. Travel to Winterfell even in a dragon would take a long time, but if Jaehaerys had known his grandson the distance would not have bothered him.

Jaehaerys had instructed Baelon to indicate that Daemon has flown away and would be visiting Dragonstone and then Runestone, should anyone decide to question. The lie at the time had not mattered, because a moon later a raven had arrived at King's Landing bearing dark words from Winterfell. His grandson had taken a woman and a babe of mayhaps a name day old on his dragon. Alysanne was surprised but had looked fearful, as had Gael whose face had grown pale at the implication. It was then when she had confessed that the night before their departure, she, Daemon, and Lyanna had flown secretly towards a near the city by Rosby and had wedded under the Old Gods and had consummated their wedding. This information was revealed only to the family members and his hand Barth. Barth realized that this explained Lyanna's absence from Winterfell's court and Lord Ellard's aversion to the news of lady Lyanna. Two days later another raven arrived from Dragonstone informing of Daemon's arrival with a lady and a babe. Another raven had arrived from Harrenhall that Lord Ellard, Lord Benjen, and his son Rickon had arrived and departed from Maidenpool and had meant to arrive King's Landing within two days most likely. A knock came on his door that broke him from his thoughts.

"Who is it?" Jaehaerys said

His page entered, "My King, her grace Queen Alysanne, Princess Gael, Prince Baelon, Prince Viserys, and his handship Septon Barth are here requesting an audience with you."

Jaehaerys sighed and nodded at his page, "Let them in".

With that, he left and came back with his wife, children, and friend. Age had finally caught up on his wife, she was panting but still had a resolute face. The wooden cane she was holding on one hand and another behind her hip. Her Velaryon blue eyes and small stature always betrayed her underlying strength and while she had not participated in the affairs of realms for few years, she seemed determined to partake in this one. His son Baelon was rather grim, ever since Aemon's passing, Baelon has had few moments to cherish and smile. Baelon loved his children and Daemon more so because his acts as a child had reminded him of Alyssa. Yet now the boy was just becoming more source of his troubles. His grandson Viserys was always a happy and pleasant man known to please the court. He was an amiable lad, yet he needed to learn to be decisive, it was something Jaehaerys hoped that Baelon would teach him when he is the king. Gael, her winter child, was pale and had reminded him of Alysanne when she was young. Coughing came from his friend Barth, it had seemed that his age has finally begun to catch up on him. He had not been well since the tourney yet it did not do much to hinder him from fulfilling his duties.

"Now that we are all here, let us begin this discussion" Jaehaerys looked around as everybody sat down.

Before he could say anything further, her daughter interrupted, "Father permit me to go to Dragonstone, let me speak with my nephew and bring his son back here."

Jaehaerys flared his nose and retorted, "After what you and Daemon have done, I will not allow you to be close. Your foolishness with that boy has led us to the current predicament."

If this had been his meek, simple-minded daughter she would have put her head down, but she wasn't that, her violet eyes glared at him with intensity as she responded, "Why father I was following your example, are you not the same man who stood up against grandmother and her husband Lord regent when they came to separate you and mother in Dragonstone. You defied the Lords proved yourself the dragon, why should your children and grandchildren have the same opportunity?"

Alysanne looked at her daughter and was surprised by her vigilance and words, "Gael, guard your tongue when you speak to your father."

Jaehaerys raised his hands, age has finally caught up to him but he stiffened his shoulders, "The problem is that I want you to be better than me, Dragons are what grant us power above others and without Dragons, we would be nothing, I want our house to be more than just the dragons. Yours's and Daemon's actions are only going to bring back the discord, the same disorder that I and your mother brought an end to."

They were quiet after his outburst, his grandson Viserys was the one who spoke, "The boy is going to be a bastard, the faith would not accept him".

"The question isn't about the faith; the question is will we accept him as one of ours?" Gael responded while glaring at Viserys.

Baelon finally added his words, "We also have to consider the Starks, because it seems that they had intended to keep the boy hidden from us. What was their play at this? Was he meant to be some pawn to be used?"

Baelon raised a valid point, he was aware that the Starks had a sense of loyalty, but from his history lessons, he had known that not everyone was content with the King Who Knelt. Would Daemon's child be used as a tool to put Northern blood on the throne? The arrangement that Queen Rhaenys made with Torrhen to wed his daughter had worked out as well as his Uncle Maegor ruling. Brandon Stark had supported his rule, yet Alaric Stark was cold. From his recollection and Barth's opinions, there was no hint of disloyalty among either Ellard and Benjen, but that did not provide a guarantee of his successors.

"Barth, what do you think?"

The old man looked at him and gave him a tired sigh, "My King, the points Prince Baelon mentioned are rather valid, Lord Ellard did not seem to be a man to display disloyalty, Lord Desmond Manderly had said that Lady Lyanna was dear to Winterfell. The fact that they kept her hidden and did not proclaim her pregnancy to the North might indicate that they cared more of Lady Lyanna than the hold of Starks."

Everyone was looking at him intently, "Yet Prince Daemon's actions might just give them a reason to work against us. He represented House Targaryen when he visited Winterfell, the seven knows what words were exchanged. I think we should bring Prince Daemon and the boy back to King's Landing. The Starks will arrive soon and we could get clearer perspective from them."

The room was quiet again as everyone was contemplating the words, Gael seemed like a wild dog who simply wanted to escape this room, Viserys seemed like a clueless child who was trying to look up to his father as to how to react to this particular situation. The only person whose words he longed to hear was off his wife who was staring at her first and then turned around to the others, "Everyone leave, I would like to have words with my brother."

Her voice was soft yet her torn was of iron that would give no room to argue. Everyone began to leave until it was only her wife sitting across from her. She reached for the jug of water, but Jaehaerys beat her to it and poured it for her. Alysanne gave a grateful nod and drank the water, "Thank you, my hips are not as strong as they once were, or else, I would have flown away on Silverwing and away from this current predicament." Jaehaerys gave her a soft smile, "If age had been my companion, I would have been right behind you on Vermithor, my love. Alas, the situation demands us to be in the same predicament now and it is not something we cannot turn our back from." Alysanne sighed as she shook her head and looked out at Blackwater bay. "Do you think Aegon, our grandfather thought of the troubles that came when he conquered these lands?"

"I like to believe that when he conquered the lands, he did not think of the troubles that were to come, he was more worried of the troubles that were already there. That is what we must do now, worry of the problems we have now and make the future out of the solutions we have."

Alysanne looked at him with a stern gaze, "You cannot ignore the boy Jaehaerys, he is not some child of tavern wench who was lucky to get a night with a prince. Through that boy lies the blood of two of the powerful houses of the realm. A union of fire and ice, first men and blood of old Valyria."

Jaehaerys sighed and shook his head, he slowly stood up from his chair and walked towards the balcony to look at his city, "I know, I just wished that union came at an agreeable circumstance." He looked at his wife, "Royce's have the blood of First Men within them as well," he was trying to test his wife.

"Royce's are not Starks. Stark's did not submit to Andal rule, Stark's were not beaten by Artos Arryn and ruled as vassals. For almost 8000 years, they ruled the North, a kingdom far larger than ours and one of the oldest surviving houses in Westeros." Alysanne sighed, "What I am saying is that if we play this right, it would just work to build a better relationship with the North."

That's the Alysanne he had missed, they have had disagreements in the past. They have had arguments, more than what the maesters have recorded, yet not even Barth could provide him the advice that his wife would. "Go on".

"If we neglect the child, we draw the ire of North, but if we decide to acknowledge this wedding, we might just face the same situation with Maegor." Jaehaerys flinched after hearing his uncle's name. The man was a dread as the dragon he mounted and he had no issue in killing his kin. "What do you suggest then Alysanne? I do not see a situation where we can overcome without harming our House."

"Our house would be harmed regardless; you conciliated your kingdom together and for 50 years there has been peace. I suggest that you recognize the boy, but not as Prince of Blood. Orys Baratheon was grandfather's half-brother, yet he was not a dragon, not in name at least. The boy can be another Orys, we can acknowledge his existence and his identity and give him a lordship over a keep and lands. He will have a new name, new banner, and from what I have been told that there is a land amongst the North that you have been discussing of."

Moat Cailin, Jaehaerys thought. Those lands were perfect, he could reward those lands to the boy. The agreement was convenient for them as well as a Stark blood would rule upon Moat Cailin as agreed. Alysanne placed a hand on Jaehaerys's hand, "This is your way to truly bring Starks into the realm. We could have the boy raised until he has reached his 8th nameday and then have him move North, where he could be learning more of the lands he is meant to rule."

Jaehaerys considered her words, "Will the Starks agree to this though?"

"They will" Alysanne replied determinedly.

"How can you be sure of it?" Jaehaerys questioned.

"Because I have spent time with Lyanna Stark and I know that their family loves her far more than one would think off. I would like to believe that they would think of the boy as her memory and not as a burden or else they would have sent him away to live in some village and not amongst the family in Winterfell."

Jaehaerys sighed and sat down in his chair, "Very well, I'll have Barth, Baelon, and Viserys over and after that, I'll send Baelon over to Dragonstone to drag the boy back here."

"You know the boy would not be happy when he learns that his son is not a Targaryen Prince of the realm," Alysanne questioned.

"Then he must deal with it anyway, when no one is happy is circumstances that mean that a compromise has reached. This is the compromise that we will have to work with. Just hope that the future of our house could benefit from this compromise." Jaehaerys said as he brought some empty parchments over to write the royal decree.

"It will be, I cannot point my finger Jae, but I have my intuitions that the boy will only lead to a brighter future of our House. I'll have word with Gael, I am sure the girl would want to go with Baelon, hopefully, both of them could work to convince Daemon," Alysanne responded as she got off her chair and slowly started to walk out of his office.

Jaehaerys began writing his decree for Daemon's child, slowly praying to the seven that his decision would be wise enough for the realm and his children and grandchildren.