Hello guys and gals, welcome. Sorry for the late updates, was busy.
Chapter 11: Visions in the Flame
Rhaenys
Rhaenys eyed her two uncles' training with Lord Monford Velaryon, it didn't help that Jaehaerys wasn't wearing a shirt and was sweating.
The daughter of Rhaegar and Elia was in a state of despair, despite running the household of people scurrying from several Houses, reaching the second week since the news of King Roberts's departure for the North in the aftermath of Jon Arryns death.
She misses her brother and worries for his safety being so near to the man who murdered their father at the Trident, it hurts to know she doesn't know if he is alive or dead.
And lastly is Jaehaerys, him pushing her away and saying she MUST marry her brother when she has no wish to is as frustrating as it is heartbreaking.
"My Princess, dinner is ready," Doreah said and she scowled, pushing past Jae's paramour and heading for the feast hall.
She was jealous, why wouldn't she be? Doreah gets to have what she longed for years since she flowered, she was also angry at Jaehaerys for this as she wondered if he brought her here to break her affection for him.
Reaching the hall, she spotted Dany sitting and having a conversation with their newest visitor.
She called herself Melisandre, a Priestess of the Red God, R'hllor.
Jaehaerys was curious and wary about her but at Daenerys behest, she was allowed to remain at Dragonstone but only able to wander the castle under the guidance of his sister or her, thankfully, Dany's spent almost every day talking with this woman which is beginning to concern her.
The woman is very attractive, with unblemished white skin and long flowing red hair like burnished copper and slender in shape. The most unsettling is her eyes, the color of blood.
Rhaenys also took note she was rather endowed with large breasts, more pleasing than her own or Daenerys. Everything about this woman seems to be of seduction, she was surprised Viserys hasn't tried sleeping with her or Jae since he now prefers whores to someone worthy of his bed.
"Rhaenys, come and join us. Lady Melisandre was just telling me about her home in Asshai," Dany seemed entranced, she worried for her aunt a little.
"Good morning, Princess Rhaenys." Melisandre then turned to Dany and smiled tenderly, "My home is not Asshai, but it is where I spent much of my life. Traded and used by masters and whipped when I was disobedient until the day I was sold to the temple of the Lord of Light."
Both Princesses frowned, "I am sorry to hear that, my Lady." She said to Melisandre who nodded appreciatively. "You've traveled a long way to be here, so might I ask why you've come?"
The quiet wind from the corridors was the only thing heard when she asked this, and the red-haired Priestess looked right at her like a statue smiling at nothing.
Finally, the woman would answer her, "I meant not to be here, Princess. I was initially sent to King's Landing by the High Priest of R'hllor to convert the King to my faith and forsake the Seven False Gods."
Ah, so that is her goal. "So why change course? Why come here?"
"I saw a vision in the flames before departing on my ship in Lys, I saw the Red Keep with dragon banners on the walls and not the crowned stag of House Baratheon." Rhaenys wanted to laugh, thinking this woman was as mad as one thought of her father or grandfather.
Daenerys was interested in knowing more, "How would you see that? Magic is gone from the world so how would you see visions in a fire?" She would like to know as well, or to at least prove this Priestess a charlatan.
Melisandre got up from her seat, taking a knife with her. The guard standing by the door placed a hand on his sword but Rhaenys gestured for him to stand down. "Come, my Princesses. See for yourself." She and Dany got up and walked over to the brazier. "In your veins is the blood of Kings and Queens, and blood is power." Rhaenys eyed the woman who held her hand to hold one of theirs, "Even just a prick will suffice."
She reluctantly held her hand, pointing a finger over the brazier as Melisandre made a small cut and then began praying. "Lord of Light, I call upon thee, for the night is dark and full of terrors."
She and Dany looked into the flames, seeing nothing and she chuckled, "See? Nothing but... But... "
Rhaenys saw it, a glimpse sure but she saw the three-headed dragon banner atop the gatehouse and the redness of the keep that she could faintly recall.
"Impossible... " Daenerys whispered in awe of seeing it too but then it was gone, and Melisandre smiled and bandaged her finger with a red cloth.
"Not so, my Princess." Melisandre then sat down, "Magic may have lessened in the world but it is still very much alive, I firmly believe restoring the Targaryen family to power will ready us all for the day... " what day? Rhaenys was a little exhausted from all the riddles and half-answers.
"What day is that?" Dany asked, equally frustrated.
Melisandre came clean, "It has been long prophecized that a warrior will draw a burning sword when the sky bleeds, the man or woman be named Azor Ahai and the blade named Lightbringer. Azor Ahai will lead man against the cold and the dark."
And she thinks it is one of them, one from House Targaryen? "Then you seek my brother, he is the head of our House." She told the woman. "I have to go, I am not as hungry as I thought." She sighed and turned, leaving the hall to find Jaehaerys and tell him about what she and Dany saw but also to tell him this woman should be watched.
Reaching the yard, she saw Viserys speaking with Monford and no Jaehaerys to be found. "Uncle!" She called as she approached the two, "Where is Jaehaerys?"
Viserys choked on the wine he was drinking from, and his eyes expressed nervousness. "I uh, I don't know, niece." Her face became still as she realized too soon where he might be.
"... Where is the whore?"
Leaving the yard she climbed the steps of the tower leading to Jaehaerys chamber, Barristan was standing by and stopped her but she ignored the knight and opened the chamber door just slightly and heard the moans of pleasure coming from within but more than that, she heard Jae speak out a name...
"... Rhaenys."
Rhaenys Targaryen backed away, shocked at what she had heard and turned to run off ignoring Ser Barristan's calls for her and then heard two people talking.
The Princess found her chambers and shut them, barring the door and sitting on the bed.
Aegon
The day was here and Aegon's chest tightened with a slight bit of fear as his grace entered Winterfell and embraced Lord Stark.
Robert Baratheon lost none of his visage over the last several years, he was tall with a thick black beard and steel blue eyes that gave him a menacing look and his blackened hair bunned up, and his crown- A golden one, shaped like antlers of a stag.
Theon leaned close to his ear, a cheeky smile on his face, "Better be on your best behavior, Egg. You don't want to end up like you papa." A flash of anger rose in Aegon and he elbowed Theon in the stomach.
Lady Stark gave him and the heir to Pyke a look of sternness, telling them to behave without speaking as Lord Stark talked to Robert Baratheon and the King started going down the rows, introducing himself to each of the children.
Aegon frowned looking at Sansa, her pretty red hair, and remembered a few days ago when Septa Mordane caught him kissing her on the cheek within the Sept.
Lord Eddard was disapproving, telling them that though he doesn't believe they did any wrong but because of WHO they were and who HE was that anything they feel for one another could never be.
The true heir to the Iron Throne understood the true meaning behind his Lordship's words, Sansa was meant for a better man and untainted by the stain that he carries with his hair and eyes, and visage. He both denied and accepted it, and would have asked Sansa what she feels for him.
"Ned, take me to your crypt, I will pay my respects." Robert said and Aegon cursed himself when he met the cold blue eyes of the Demon of the Trident, "You... Never look at me, boy! Never!" Robert seethed and clenched his fists so hard he would've bled if not for the gloves.
Lady Catelyn came to his side, "Go to your duties, Egg, go on." She said and he didn't need to be told twice, scurrying away.
Aegon didn't realize Jon was coming up beside him, Ghost trailed close to his master's side.
"Sorry about that," Jon said and he shook his head at the younger man, eventually, they stopped not too far from the Godswood.
"You needn't apologize, Jon. I was stupid, I wanted to see the Kingsguard and the Queen." A lie, but it was a little lie. "I think I'll sleep in early tonight, the last thing I need to do is run into a drunk Robert Baratheon."
"You want company?" He chuckled and Jon huffed, "Lady Stark will no doubt seat me with the soldiers." That is true.
Jon always had a place at the high table, at dinners, feasts, and on name days. It was only during dignitary visits like today that Lady Stark would make changes and tonight is no different than feasting Lord Manderly or Glover or Lady Maege Mormont.
Smiling, Aegon wrapped an arm around Jon Snow, "Very well, Jon. Let's sup together and get incredibly drunk." Jon chuckled and the two left to find the necessary food and ale.
Winterfell was abuzz with merriment, the men of Stark, Baratheon, and Lannister feasting within the great hall.
Jon and Aegon were drinking and training, Jon imagining the dummy as a Wildling King and Aegon drunkenly believing it to be a smaller and less fearsome Robert Baratheon.
"Take that! And this! Ah, take that!" Jon grunted and whacked the dummy on the side of the head.
"Is it dead yet?" A man asked and both he and Jon saw the First Ranger, Benjen Stark atop his destrier from Castle Black.
Jon embraced Benjen, and Ben nodded to Aegon who rose his cup to the First Ranger. "I've been riding all day and didn't want to leave you alone with the Lannisters," Even in his drunken state, Aegon questioned why Ben would be worried about Jon being around the Lannisters. "You boys look like your having fun, not going to the feast?"
Aegon watched Jon shake his head, "No, Aegon and I are having a good time by ourselves, no need to be around Lady Stark and her guests." The three knew the real reason, and none more so than Benjen Stark.
"You two could always be welcomed at the Wall, no bastard or ward was ever refused a seat there." Aegon pondered on the idea, of him being a man of the Night's Watch.
"How is my kinsmen, my Lord?" Aemon Targaryen, son of Maekar and older brother to his great-great-grandfather, Aegon the Fifth.
Benjen smiled, "Still healthy and hale, Aegon. He'd love to see you, should my brother allow it so." Aegon appreciated that someone he's never met would want to speak and see him. "I should head inside, save my brother from his guests... Winter is- "
"Coming." Jon finished and Ben pat his nephew on the shoulder and nodded at him, it would be a moment before Jon would speak. "Maybe he's right, Aegon."
"What do you mean?" He asked Jon who was wide-eyed and soon enough, so was he, "You're joking, Jon. We have duties here, I am the Lord of Dragonstone- "
"And yet you're still here, Egg. The King won't let you return home and I have no ties here after my father leaves for the South, none." Aegon lowered his head, remembering that Lord Stark was offered the position of Hand of the King and it is likely that the Lord of Winterfell will accept and go. "We could be brothers, together, doesn't that sound better than being a hostage forever?"
"... Jon? Think about this, alright, an oath like the one made of the Night's Watch isn't something you can just take back." He knows they are too drunk to be making these kinds of decisions, "We'll speak about this better with clear minds, alright?"
Jon reluctantly nodded, stumbling back to hit the practice dummy again. Aegon frowned and gulped down the last of the ale, dropping the bottle and sitting down to watch and maybe fall asleep.
AN: Minor change, don't fret, Tyrion and Jon will still sorta have some semblance of the convo they had to spark their relationship but I wanted to focus more on Jon and Aegon and then Rhaenys/Dany/Melisandre.
The next chapter will cover some Jaehaerys and more Aegon in the North as he interacts with Robert's crew and Sansa, plus an interaction with Jaime Lannister.