Hello there, let us begin.
Chapter 1: The Fall of House Targaryen Pt1
Rhaella
The Queen and mother of three, almost four given thought to her family over the last few years.
Starting with her brother and husband, Aerys.
Their marriage wasn't one of love or compassion, it was a duty forced upon them by their parents Jaehaerys and Shaera to marry brother to sister and continue the pure-born bloodline that had once been broken by her grandfather Aegon the Fifth.
She bore six children and only three lived past infancy, the first was Rhaegar, her eldest who had been born shortly after the tragedy that occurred at Summerhall which took the lives of her grandfather, grandmother, uncle Duncan, and even Ser Duncan the Tall.
She can barely recall everything, sorcery to hatch some dragon eggs the King found but the Wildfire ended up consuming them all it was the Lord Commander's valor that saved her, or else she may have died too.
The next was Jaehaerys, after she miscarried was the binding that brought her and Aerys closer though he still kept his mistresses.
Jaehaerys is a quiet boy like his elder brother, and it was he that saved his father from the madness that was taking over him when House Darklyn rose in revolt. Aerys might have left and gotten killed when Lord Darklyn wished to talk at Duskendale.
Instead, her husband and Lord Tywin led 10,000 men to storm the town and bring the rebels to heel.
And then there was Viserys who loved his father, despite his faults, a sweet boy who has more of an urge to learn how to fight than his older brothers.
"My Queen." She looked up and saw Ser Willem Darry standing beside Hand of the King Owen Merryweather.
Recently conflict has erupted within the Realm, she doesn't know all of the details but for some reason, Rickard's son and heir rode up to the Red Keep's gatehouse and demanded for Rhaegar to come out and die. It was only after Lord Brandon and his group's imprisonment that the reason was founded.
Her son had abducted Lady Lyanna Stark, near Harrenhal, and hasn't been seen since nor has her son been home.
"Yes, Lord Owen?" She answered and the laughing Lord coughed a response.
"Lord Rickard Stark has arrived to answer for his son's actions, he demanded a trial by combat." Of course, she held her belly as she rose to her feet, funny that it's only been a month and a half but the babe is already making her kicks though it is likely impossible.
"And who will champion the Crown?" She asked and Owen smiled.
"Ser Barristan has been chosen, his grace has also recalled Rhaegar back home with his prize." She nodded and though she wished this didn't have to happen and that Jaehaerys, Viserys, and younger Rhaenys didn't need to see this but the King's word is the law.
She held her two sons' hands, Lord Stark fought bravely and true but Barristan won out and cut the Lord of Winterfell down.
The trial concluded, Brandon was given a choice of whether to join the Night's Watch or be burned alive for attempting to kill the Crown Prince of the Iron Throne... Brandon chose to curse House Targaryen and burn which incited Aerys wrath.
Her brother may not be completely mad but he isn't without paranoia, demanding Eddard Stark, the new Lord of Winterfell, and Lord Robert Baratheon of Storm's End to come and renew their vows and allegiance, no ravens returned.
House Stark, Baratheon, and even House Arryn, and Tully rose in revolt over the next three months. Owen was removed from office and sent back to his lands for being ineffective in dealing with the problem and made young Jon Connington the Hand instead.
Rhaegar also hasn't returned, a raven only saying that he is getting a force from Dorne to aid in defeating the rebels.
News arrived soon of the Battle of Summerhall, the rebel force under Robert defeated Houses Cafferen, Fell, and Grandison. Before that was the Battle of Gulltown where the loyalists got subdued and allowed the battle of Summerhall to come to pass.
The Crown would get the next victory when word came of House Tyrell led by Mace Tyrell and Randyll Tarly ambushed and defeated Lord Baratheon but failed to capture him. The loyalists then marched on Storm's End, laying siege to it by land and sea.
In response, Jon Connington gathered a host of ten thousand and marched into the Riverlands. Aerys sent word to Casterly Rock, calling for Tywin to join in defeating the rebels but the Warden of the West refused to do so and this led to the Battle of the Bells.
Rhaella would mourn for young Myles Mooten, once Squire and good friend to Rhaegar who will have no doubt heard of the defeat.
The Battle of the Bells was a loss for them, the rebels led by Eddard and Jon Arryn defeated Jon which enraged and further drove Aerys to the deep end.
"Your Grace, your son is here." Rhaegar? She took a deep breath, rising to her feet and leaving the chamber with Jaime following behind her.
The Queen felt great sympathy for Jaime, being made a Kingsguard because of her husband's jealousy toward Tywin. It should have been an honor and instead of that, it was meant to stem any would-be treachery, ironic as that is what is happening with Tywin ignoring the call to arms.
Entering the room she embraced her eldest boy, Jaehaerys and Viserys were there too along with Elia, Rhaenys, and little Aegon. "Where is Father?" She sighed and assumed he was on the Iron Throne like he had been for the last few days.
"He is in despair, four kingdoms in rebellion, and then the recent loss at the Stoney Sept." She shook her head and then looked her son in the eyes, "How many men did you bring?" She asked and hoped it would make a difference.
Rhaegar smiled sadly, "I have 10,000 from Dorne. 25,000 from the Reach, and rose 5,000 from the Crownlands." forty thousand men, she breathed in relief that perhaps they will make it through this.
Jaime stepped forward, "My Prince, I would be honored to fight alongside you." And she would let him if Aerys would allow it.
Rhaegar frowned, "Ser Lewyn, Ser Jonothor, and Ser Barristan will be leading the force with me, you are the only Kingsguard in King's Landing, Jaime. Your place is here." Jaime's proud face fell, Rhaegar then put a hand on his shoulder. "I've made a mess of things lately, I mean to fix it and other things when I return."
Rhaegar then embraced his wife then her once again, "I wish I was a better son, mother. I'm sorry."
"Just think about winning and coming home, Rhaegar, please. Don't make Aegon grow without his father." She said with a stern tone and face.
The family watched Rhaegar leave and she cried days later when stragglers came from the Riverlands, telling of Rhaegar's death at the hands of Robert Baratheon, the battle of the Trident, the second greatest defeat by them in the war. Lewyn and Jonothor fell too, and Ser Barristan was captured along with thousands who didn't retreat after the battle.
Rhaella was in the Red Keeps sept when she heard the sounds of someone stopping at the door, she looked and saw her brother whose face is white as a ghost, dark shades under his eyes from a lack of sleep and she sighed.
"I am a fool, I should have kept Rhaegar home and sent someone else. I should have ransomed Rickard and his pup to sue for peace and strategize a counterattack." There is much that he should have done differently such as not alienating Tywin.
"What is the plan, brother?" She asked and Aerys looked at her with contempt, maybe even a little hate in his lilac eyes.
Aerys straightened his back, "You, Jaehaerys, and Viserys will leave for Dragonstone this night."
Shaking her head, she took a step toward her brother, "What about Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys? Aegon is the heir, now." It's too dangerous for the royal family to remain here, "Maybe we should all leave, the war is lost Aerys."
"Aegon and Rhaenys may go but Elia will stay to keep Dorne loyal, perhaps Doran will send another army." Aerys snapped, then he composed himself, "We can still defeat them, the Goldcloaks are 2,000 strong- 5,000 now that the last of the retreating force returned from the Riverlands." Her brother paused before widening his eyes, "And I have commanded the Tyrells and Tywin to amass a host to defend King's Landing or lose their heads, titles, and lands."
Rhaella can see it, why can't her brother? They have lost and right now, the rebels are marching on the city as they speak.
She would speak with Elia before leaving, and let her know about the plan.
"Elia?" She called and opened the door, the Princess was sitting on her and Rhaegar's bed. "My dearest girl... " She felt for her, Rhaella placed a hand on hers and brought Elia out of her thoughts.
"Is something the matter, mother?" She wished there wasn't, she wished this was all a terrible dream and nothing was wrong.
Elia argued the King's command, she said she wouldn't leave her children but Rhaella asked if she wanted to see Aegon killed or Rhaenys raped by the rebels to which Elia broke down and begged to come with, if only to be with her children.
She knelt and faced the girl, "Listen to me, Elia. The city will fall, I know it and my husband will die just like my firstborn but you may yet live." Elia wiped away her tears, "When the rebels enter the city and break down the gatehouse to the Red Keep, leave for Maester Pycelle's chambers and hide until the fighting dies down, do you hear me?" She ordered.
Elia closed her eyes and nodded, "Yes, mother... I will."
Ten ships departed from the city, some one-thousand men to defend Dragonstone should the worst happen and one week after reaching the ancient seat did the worst occur.
Tywin Lannister led 10,000 men to King's Landing feining protection and once inside did the lions of Lannister sack the city and her husband and brother were later beheaded by the Mountain, Ser Gregor Clegane, and Elia the poor girl was raped, and murdered by Ser Amory Lorch and was thus avenged when Jaime killed Amory in return.
Eight months would pass, and she sent ravens to Celtigar and Velaryon but no word returned from the two families that share Valyrian heritage and history.
"Mother... " She was feeding little Aegon on her breast when her sons entered the chamber, "Viserys wants you to read us a story." Nodding, her second son led Viserys and Rhaenys to her side on the bed.
Ser Willem coughed, "My Queen, it should be done now than later." She eyed her children and grandchildren all watching her and the babe Aegon in her arms yet.
They've lost everything, and these next few months may be their last or perhaps she should send them somewhere else, somewhere safe.
"Tomorrow, our enemies broke our strength and will relax a bit, and Dragonstone is a fortress fortified with food and gold." Willem nodded and closed the door.
The next morning, she brought Ser Willem to discuss what to do inside of the room of the Painted Table.
"House Targaryen lasted for nearly three centuries, we've fought each other several times... " Willem offered comfort, a hand on her shoulder and Rhaella shook her head. "What do you suggest, Ser Willem?"
"I suggest going to Dorne, your Grace. Crown Aegon King and in the future, he will fight for his father's throne." More war, she is sick and tired of war and lost so much.
"Aegon the Conquerer didn't take Westeros with armies, he took them with Dragons, and the Dragons are all gone." Along with the means to hatch them, the last of the dragonkeepers died years before her parents were born though they were simple folk or guards as the dragons went extinct years before that. "I want my House to live, but, Robert Baratheon will wish my grandson and my sons dead, even me and Rhaenys and whatever is growing in my belly."
"Then exile it must be, my Queen. We take any riches we find and flee across the Narrow Sea, where the children can grow. Prince Aegon, Jaehaerys, and Viserys can grow as warriors able to defend themselves. Rhaenys can find a noble to marry, perhaps from Lys or Volantis." Rhaella eyed the table of her family, such a fine and long legacy forged over years of rule and glory.
"No, I won't leave home." She sighed, "I don't feel... " Rhaella collapsed from the stress, her water breaking and making the black stone wet, and heard Willem calling for the Maester and midwives, telling them the baby is coming.
Rhaella felt dizzy, the contractions causing her incredible pain as she pushed for her last child to enter the world.
A storm emerged slowly off the horizon, sending waves crashing against the island of Dragonstone. Queen Rhaella wailed as thunder cracked, and outside the fleet that defended them was being rocked violently and lighting catching many sails on fire.
Men jumped from some of the ships that were burning, swimming to shore as other ships attempted to save their vessels by landing them on the beaches.
Rhaella's eyes widened as far as they could, she can feel blood soaking the bed as the Maester, a man named Kylon attempted to turn the babe and broke skin clutching the sheets so hard and fell back at the sound of a crying baby.
"My Queen." Willem called and had a child swaddled in a red cloak, "It's a girl, my Queen, a Princess." A daughter? Rhaella reached out a hand, caressing the child with her thumb before it fell limp, "My Queen? Is there a name for the babe?"
Daenys? No... "D- Daenerys. She is Daenerys Targaryen." Eyes still, and the last breath left Queen Rhaella Targaryen's body and Willem looked at Kylon and the other midwives.
"Mother is dead?" Willem turned and saw Prince Jaehaerys holding Aegon in his arms, a tear streaking down his cheek.
AN: This is an old story I had previously tried to get started and didn't like how it was going so this is sort of a way to reboot it.
The story itself is AU'ish as in the Wiki, Prince Jaehaerys premature death and poisoning sapped any sanity from Aerys, in this he lives and it changed his descent into madness and only leaves him just at the cusp until after the battle of the Trident where his paranoia takes over but overall he wasn't that bad in this new light and Daenerys is not a child conceived from rape but as usual out of duty.
The Defiance of Duskendale happens but Aerys didn't go alone and instead marched an army up there and House Darklyn quickly repented their reasons and was spared death apart from Lord Darklyn and his wife.
Aegon and Rhaenys also survive in this, Aerys allowing them to leave purely out of familial blood.
With Aerys having a new mindset via Jaehaerys passing his infancy and growing up, the Tourney of Harrenhal was just one extremely extravagant showing of House Whent's wealth and not an informal attempt at a Great Council. And Rhaegar, not wishing to endanger Elia's health settled on Lyanna Starks beauty and mutual attraction and decided to run off to Dorne and take her as his second wife.
Brandon instead is just burned alive with Wildfire, and Ser Barristan championed the Crown instead of the insane way Aerys went about things in canon.
That is all for now, see you all around.