A/N: thank you SO MUCH for the great reviews, thank you Force Smuggler and kingmanaena! I love reading these :)

One of the things that bugged me in canon was what happened to Rhaegar, where did his body go after the Trident? I wanted to create a story line where he lives and so here we focus on what Rhaegar does following the Trident. This chapter is intended to occur alongside events of the last chapter with enemy ships arriving after Ned leaves Kings Landing. Enjoy :)

Chapter Nine: The Broken Dragons

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Nobody had noticed Rhaellas absence in the rush to sack the city and depose the Targaryen rulers, in fact she had been absolutely forgotten about. The furore over Elias body had delayed anyone asking the question of her whereabouts. This pleased Varys who had smuggled the pregnant Queen out of Kings Landing and sent her to the last Targaryen stronghold, Dragon Stone. He hoped it gave her enough time to find what she needed at the castle and swiftly go into hiding. Rhaella arrived and set their loyal servants to collect their priceless family artifacts and place them into hiding. She would let the Usurpers have their family treasures over her dead body. Standing and staring across the Painted Table, her swollen belly enormous Rhaella cursed her husband and begged the Old Valyrian gods to deliver her son to her. Where in the world was Rhaegar? She knew he was alive, she could sense him but wherever he was he was covered in darkness and close to death.

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Rhaegar again woke in complete darkness, the smell of earth strong and the ground beneath him gritty and rough. He had been laid on a bed on branches and moss making his recovery more comfortable. That much information he could gather without needing his vision. Grimacing at the memory of the pain in his body last time he woke he tried to move, to his surprise no pain shot through his body. He silently rejoiced, where there was pain and feeling broken before he now felt whole again. At his slight movement a sound like hundreds of falling leaves sounded all around him, and hundreds of glowing yellow lights materialised in the air. Blinking his eyes painfully at the sudden change in light, Rhaegar looked all around him and saw he was completely surrounded by countless Children of the Forest. One stood at the front and watched him fondly, and he shuffled forward and pressed a cup to his lips.

"Drink young Dragon," he said as he tilted Rhaegars head back, "this potion is the last of your recovery, and will finish the magic we worked with you to heal you"

"You worked magic with me?" croaked Rhaegar, his throat unaccustomed to speaking after being unconscious for so long

The Elder chuckled, "You know of the magic within you, it was this that saved you from drowning in the Trident and made you strong enough to survive"

Unable to respond with anything else Rhaegar nodded and looked all around him, "What is your name?"

"Humans cannot say our names for we do not speak the same words but you may call me Oak"

"Oak how can I repay you? I would've surely died"

Oak patted Rhaegar's hand, "You only need do one thing for my kind. Restore Westeros when you return and forbid us to be hunted. For too long our kind have been scorned on the lands which were once ours. Our trees destroyed, our families murdered, we just want to live without fear"

The many Children around Oak confirmed his words by murmuring in agreement and Rhaegar gingerly sat up and looked around at them all.

"I cannot reverse the damage that has been done to you, but I know what it is like to be scorned and hunted. I will return, and I will ensure you do not live in fear ever again"

The small Children rushed forward and clambered to crowd around Rhaegar, hundreds of little hands touching him in gratitude. He smiled at the small creatures fondly, they had saved him when they didn't have to. He was in awe of being in their presence, many thought the Children to be fairy tales.

He looked to Oak, "Please tell me how you found me"

Oak slowly sat across from Rhaegar using his stick for assistance, "We heard the battle and watched it with our magic, we saw you fall beneath the water in a hail of blood and rubies. Our trees grasped your floating body and pulled you into our caves, we immediately began to heal you. For we see what is burning within you, and we know the mission which you are on. Our paths will cross again and we will need you in the future when the one with the blue eyes reaches our lands. You know who I speak of"

Rhaegar solemnly nodded knowing who Oak spoke of, "I know nothing of this enemy though"

Oak held up his hand, "One day all will be revealed to you but for now there are more pressing matters"

Suddenly Rhaegar remembered, "My family" and panic rose within him how could he not think of them first? His children, Lyanna, Elia- were they safe? Were they alive?

Oak rose and moved forward to touch Rhaegar, "You cannot change what has already happened, even if you were able to fight for them-"

"Fight for them?! What have I missed?"

"I will not tell you everything because your panic and fear will overpower the magic which is still working to heal your injuries. I can tell you only one has perished and she knew of her role, she foresaw it and she faced it with fire and blood"

Rhaegar's heart sank, "Elia"

Oak nodded in confirmation, "It is so"

Rhaegar stood somewhat impatiently, "I must go, I am healed yes? I need to find what remains of my family and protect them, find a place to go"

"Young Dragon, breathe. We will help you get where you need to go, what did I say already? Panic and fear will undo the work we have done," Oak pulled at Rhaegar's sleeve until he got down on his knees and could look into his eyes.

Oak reached into his pocket and smiled, "Now Young Dragon this will take you where you need to go, do not rush when you get there as one can feel quite sick when travelling this way if you've never done this before"

"How am I travelling?" asked Rhaegar nervously.

"Like this," said Oak and he blew a plume of golden shimmering dust in Rhaegar's face, "Go to Dragon Stone, we will cross paths again Rhaegar"

The dust shimmered and glittered around Rhaegar's face distorting what he could make out of Oak. The dark cave shifted and spun around him making his stomach drop and instantly he felt dizziness descend over him. He felt like he was falling and tumbled through a darkness which spun around him and sounded like a violent wind. His stomach begged to be emptied but Rhaegar held himself together as the shifting darkness began to take form after he felt like he was falling for the longest time. Suddenly he felt sand underneath his fingertips and then waves lapping at his feet, slowly his vision cleared and he was on all fours on a beach. Unable to contain it he retched between his hands and hung his head, the cool breeze blew around him and cooled the sweat that had sprung up on his forehead. Slowly Rhaegar looked up and his eyes fell on the imposing castle of Dragon Stone, he cried out in relief and fell onto his side letting the waves wash over him as he laughed out loud in relief.

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Rhaegar staggered up to the castle, still reeling from his arrival with the magic of the Children and was stunned to find the castle a hive of activity. Targaryen servants scurried all about carrying family heirlooms and treasure chests in the same direction. At first he thought they were looting and stealing but he realised none was carrying anything and leaving. They were ferrying the Targaryen possessions someplace enacting someone's orders it seemed, he approached a servant who seemed to be directing them.

When the man laid eyes on Rhaegar he was shocked, he made to kneel but Rhaegar stopped him, "Do not kneel I won't have a commotion, what orders were you given and by whom?"

"Y-your-your mother my King, she directed us to hide all valuables just before her birth started..."

Rhaegar looked at the man sharply, "Her birth has started?"

The man nodded, "Some time ago, the babe has not been born. She's in the Stone Drum the servants took her to Rhaena's former suite"

Rhaegar barely heard the mans last words before he took off at a run through the stream of servants carrying his families possessions. He dodged this one and that one as he made his way through the Inner Bailey. All the while he assured himself his mother would be fine, she had birthed before why would this birth be any different. As he ran through the castle he began to hear the loud cracks of the storm developing, the wind had picked up and rain could be heard pattering against DragonStone.

Entering the room he noted how many servants were present, they milled around while only one or two seemed to know what they were doing. Immediately he sent majority of them away to help the effort to hide all Targarayen family treasures.

"Ensure everything is stripped from the rooms in the Stone Drum," he ordered them, "put everything into hiding with the rest. We don't want anything of our family left for them to have!"

Several were grateful to be relieved of attending the labour, Rhaella screamed in agony as the storm thundered above them. Rhaegar noticed the copious amounts of blood and saw his mothers movements slowing. His confidence in her ability to birth this time began to wane, he looked over her with fear. One of the maids approached him, pulling him aside.

"I'm sorry to ask this of you my King," started the maid respectfully, "but the time has come, we need to choose who to save"

Rhaegar's heart lurched, no, no he couldn't lose his mother not when he needed her the most. His family had lost so much they couldn't lose her now as well, she always knew what to say and what to do. She was really the backbone of their family.

"Let me talk to her before I make a decision" he replied quietly. The maid bowed her head and stood aside for him to approach his mother who was in the midst of a long and painful contraction.

When the contraction subsided she looked up to her first born, now a man grown and smiled in relief, "Rhaegar," she reached out for him and grasped him hard to make sure he was real, "you're alive"

"Mother," he smiled and kissed her forehead, "can you feel the babe moving?"

Rhaella closed her eyes as the contraction commenced again simply nodding her head as words could not be spoken, "She's alive" she managed to groan as she bore down on her knees.

Not knowing what to say Rhaegar felt deeply out of depth, how could he say to his mother he needed to make a decision regarding her life?

Breathing heavily verging on panting she looked up at Rhaegar, "Save the babe, she's got power I can feel it. You don't need me anymore"

Rhagar clenched his jaw at her words, that wasn't true he did need her. He needed her wise counsel and her guidance, she grabbed his hand tight and pulled him down to meet her gaze.

"Bring up what you find in the caves beneath the castle, go through the stone door in the armory. When you find them you'll know, now go I'm close to being finished but only one of us survives"

Rhaegar opened his mouth to reply but his mother was hit with another contraction and she unleashed a primal scream. He backed out of the room and ran in the direction of the armory in search of what Rhaella spoke of.

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Finding the door was easy it was the only door inside the armory right at the back concealed by old oak barrels. Pushing them aside with difficulty Rhaegar pulled the heavy old door open, which threw up plumes of dust in its wake. Stepping inside Rhaegar felt the slight wind of the ocean breeze and smelt the salty smell of the ocean. It was pitch black, not a sliver of light penetrated down here this far, to find his bearings Rhaegar put his hand on the wall slick with slime and sea water, moving his hands around he felt a torch. His fingers ran along the length of it to ensure he felt correctly and in the pitch black he smiled and opened his palm. A dragon of fire sprung from his palm and leapt onto the torch, burying itself deep into the torch and igniting it. Once lit the dragon leapt around the cave lighting the remaining torches and revealing Rhaegar's pathway through the caves. Looking back Rhaegar couldn't tell where he'd come in, and running his hand along the wall didn't help either. The doorway had seemingly disappeared. Removing the first torch from the wall took some effort after an unknown amount of time in its spot but he grasped it and wrenched it free. And without hesitation he pressed further into the caves, exploring as he went finding treasures hidden in cleverly carved shelves which seemed to be free from the mercy of the tides. Nothing jumped out to him though, the artifacts he found were priceless and dazzling in their quality and history but surely there was something more valuable that his mother sent him down here for? After a time a growling sound began to echo through the caves and the smoke from the torch increasingly burned his eyes so they constantly watered. Looking to circle back and check where he'd come from Rhaegar realised his path was cut off by the rising sea, the growling noise was the tide coming back in. It was too violent to wade through and he had no way of seeing his footing, he hadn't thought to commit his path to memory. Too dangerous to turn back, he pressed on deeper into the cave, slightly panicked and uncertain he'd be able to escape the rising tide.

He pressed further and further on, the sound of the tide growling behind him threatening to pull him under when it caught up to him. Water began to rise around him as he found what seemed to be a dead end, swearing internally to himself and looked all around him. There was nothing but wet rocks, water began rising fast around his calves as the water rushed towards him. Having no other option he looked up, and raising his torch spun around there has be a way out of here. His heart leapt when he saw what looked like a ledge, which was completely dry and had no moss on it. Tossing his torch up first to light his way, Rhaegar scrambled up to the ledge and sat on it catching his breath momentarily as he looked down at the rushing tide coming in faster and faster. The momentum of the water violently lapping against the walls sending spray shooting up all around and concealing where moments before he had stood. Grasping the burning torch he held it out in front of him illuminating his surroundings, there was nothing around him just a small ledge which he sat on. Huffing in exasperation he again held up the torch and saw another ledge higher up, this time he couldn't throw his torch up it was too high. So he begrudgingly bit down on the mid section of the flaming torch and climbed, the smoke from the torch all the while blowing straight into his eyes. Grimacing and not wanting to fall he struggled to pull himself up and fell onto his stomach clenching his eyes shut in pain when he reached the second ledge. Happy to have the torch out of his mouth he spat out some burnt pieces and sat up as more debris from the torch littered his mouth. Stealing a look below his heart dropped as he saw how high above the cave he was now. He was so high the spray from the waves couldn't reach him now despite their best efforts. They crashed against the wall and roared as if they were angry his life couldn't be claimed by the rushing, growling waves. Once again grasping the torch he spun around looking for the next obstacle he had to face. With a start he stopped as the flames illuminated the sigil of his House carved into the rock and as he pushed the torch higher he smiled. Further above him and the carved sigil of his House an enormous dragons head and wings had been carved into the roof of the cave. Feeling renewed energy replacing his hopelessness Rhaegar clambered higher and came to a broad ledge where he was able to stand. He was directly under the carved dragons head now which glared down at him with flames ominously flickering across its face as its stone face remained fixed. Not being accustomed to climbing so high Rhaegar panted with exertion as he waved the torch around the pitch black cave. Unable to contain his surprise his mouth gaped wide open as the flames threw light across the hidden cave where innumerable dragons eggs laid. They were arranged in neat lines and were so numerous they disappeared into the darkness where the light from his torch could not penetrate.

Falling to his knees he cried out in joy grasping an egg in his hand and examining it closely, it was cold and hard. He turned it over in his hands and looked in detail at the markings on the egg, then carefully replaced it and looked over another. It was remarkable, they were all completely unique from one another, yet they all felt cold and had no signs of life. He held two next to one another and compared the markings, some had rather angular markings while others were more circular and fluid. And as he cradled two eggs in his hands a vision of the past flashed into his mind, eggs were ferried up hastily while a man whose face was obscured by shadows directed. Was it Aegon? Rhaegar couldn't be sure, he tried to focus on the face but it remained cloaked in darkness.

"The cold of the cave will keep them dormant," said the man, "if we hide them in the volcano the heat could wake them and is too obvious for thieves. When the time is right our dragons will be unleashed by the Golden Dragon and the glory of our House will be restored"

A woman who arranged the eggs stood, her long silver hair grazing over the eggs as she gingerly returned to the mans side. He draped an arm over her and pulled her close, her eyes shined purple in the darkness and his eyes a lighter purple also shone.

"He will come," she said reassuringly, "and the Old Gods of Valyria will rise with him"

The vision sharply dissipated and Rhaegar was once again alone in the dark cave illuminated only by the torch he carried which lay next to him. He tried counting the eggs but lost count in the dozens, now he knew in his heart what his mother had said when she told him he'll know. Now the only question he didn't know the answer to was how many was he to take with him and which ones to choose?

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The torch burned low and his hand was starting to feel the heat of the torch close by, but it wasn't painful to Rhaegar he enjoyed the sensation of the flames licking his hand. The warmth was soothing and inviting he couldn't let it distract him though, he had no system of picking eggs he just picked which ones he felt wanted to come with him. He couldn't explain it any other way, when he stopped to examine them he noticed that there was an even amount of patterns with sharp, angular designs and circular, flowing ones. Thinking nothing of it he tried to pick up all ten eggs and realised he was unable to do so, their combined weight and shapes meant it was very difficult to hold onto. By this time he was sweaty all over and wiping his forehead trying to think what to do next. He ripped his shirt off in frustration and threw it at his feet, he watched it fall and cover some of the eggs. Quickly he sprung into action as the idea formed in his head, ripping his shirt he formed a sling and secured the dragon eggs inside and tied it around his broad shoulders. Looking down upon them he smiled when they were tucked safely together inside, now he needed the way out. He looked all around, even back down the way he'd come but the ocean beneath him rolled and slapped violently against the walls. That way wouldn't do, that meant there was only one other way which he wasn't really happy about. Looking up his gaze rested on the carved dragons head, for a moment he was transfixed as he stared at its lifelike face and took in the details of its body that seemed to leap from the rock. Slowly he found his body clambering up the rocks eagerly moving towards the stone dragon, after some difficulty he made it to the dragon and came face to face with it. It was impressive, etched from stone and incredibly detailed. When he touched it he could hear the sound of the chisel grinding the rock to enable the dragon to come to life. Rhaegar heard strange words being chanted, over and over he heard those words, what did they mean? Frustrated he looked around, there was nowhere to go, he had reached the top of the cave and looked out at the expansive cave that opened before him. He looked back up to the dragon and placed his hand on its face tracing its features, the words sung in his mind again and echoed through his senses. It was strange that he could taste the words, they tasted of smoke and fire, and he smelled burned meat or flesh of some kind. Absentmindedly he verbalised the words, "Skori se qeldlie zaldrīzes māzigon awaken, māzigon forth hen aōha resting dīnagon se liberate se mēre qilōni seeks ao. Dohaeragon zirȳla va zȳhon path hen destiny uēpa gods, guide zirȳla naejot awaken se ānogar hen uēpa valyrio" * translation below*

Nothing happened for several minutes following Rhaegar ceasing to chant the words, his hand still rested on the stone dragon he looked about in frustration. Looking down at the rolling sea again he resigned himself to sit and wait for the tide to go out and climb down carefully returning through the armory. He would find the way back in.

From behind him Rhaegar was startled to hear cracking noises and looked up to the roof above thinking it was falling in. The roof remained intact and he spun around to be faced with the stone dragon stepping from its resting place in the wall. His mouth opened wide in shock as it shook its head and fixed its glare on him, slowly he stepped forward with his hand outstretched and he noted the dragon slightly bowed its head. Rhaegar's hand gently caressed the side of the dragons face and he noticed how warm and smooth it was, he couldn't deny that it was alive, not very big but still very much alive. It crouched slightly leaving one leg outstretched like a step which Rhaegar used to climb onto its back. In one motion the dragon stretched its wings and launched off the platform, Rhaegar looked back at the torch still burning on the floor of the ledge throwing a shadow over the remaining eggs. In the back of his mind he committed himself to returning and liberating the remaining eggs as the dragon soared away.

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Most of the time on the dragons back Rhaegar thought he surely must be in a dream and will wake at any moment. How was he riding a dragon? One that was a few moments ago made of stone and carved from a cave wall? Despite not having the torch the dragon knew where to fly, torches were still lit sparsely placed around the caves making long shadows and concealing the way the dragon was flying. After several exhilarating minutes the dragon flung out its wings and landed softly on a wide ledge. A torch burned low in the wall, Rhaegar carefully edged from the dragons back trying to keep the eggs in his makeshift sling stay in place. Grasping the torch from the wall Rhaegar looked around and saw crudely chiselled stairs carved leading upwards and curling around into the darkness. He turned back to regard the dragon with a smile of disbelief, "I don't know if you under stand me, I still don't understand what's happening myself. But, thank you"

He stepped forward and followed his instincts, placing a hand on the dragons neck he leant forward and pressed his forehead between the dragons eyes. The energy that poured into Rhaegar's body felt like a shock of burning electricity showering down on him. He felt every nerve in his body tingle but it made something in his blood sing, and the image of the dragons eyes close to his and the feel of its skin against his was an incredible moment for Rhaegar. Stepping back the dragon turned and flew back into the darkness, returning to take its place as the guardian of the Targaryens most prized possession, the cache of dragons eggs.

Shaking his head as if he didn't believe what just happened Rhaegar smiled and ran up the stairs with a sense of renewed enthusiasm. For that moment in time he had forgotten his family had been deposed and they were all fugitives, destined for a life of being hunted and on the run. He climbed the steps for what felt like hours before coming to a wooden door, he pulled and pushed but it wouldn't open. Frustration began to take over as he thought to himself how far he'd come to now not be able to get out. Exhaling loudly he ran his hands down the door, the memory of the dragons skin under his fingertips and the major influx of energy he felt from the Stone Dragon ran through his mind. He knocked his forehead against the door in exasperation and whispered to himself, "Just open"

To his surprise, the lock clicked and the door moved. Not stopping to question he opened the door and ran through it slamming it behind him. He found himself in another cave but this time there was light ahead, moonlight it seemed. Emerging from the cave he was overlooking Aegons Garden. His travels had taken him virtually underneath the entire span of the castle from front to back. Stepping into the moonlight he sucked in huge gulps of fresh air, he hadn't realised how much he had missed the crisp fresh air above the surface.

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Rhaegar had emerged from the caves with the dragon eggs in a very short break of the storm, which unleashed in unbridled fury following him re entering the castle. He surged through the castle to find Rhaella but he stopped in shock when he reached her. Pools of blood lay around the room from where she had been birthing, he looked in shock to her birth attendants who shook their heads sadly. One approached Rhaegar and had a look of pity across her face.

"She is hanging on just," she said quietly, "not for much longer"

"Where is the babe?" hissed Rhaegar noticing the absence of the child. The maids looked to one another and handed Rhaegar a scroll, he knew that handwriting. Damn it while he was gone the baby and his brother had been whisked away from the castle. To somewhere safe he had been assured by Varys in the scroll but Rhaegar was angered by this. Surely family staying together was safer?

Rhaegar and the maid approached Rhaella laying in Rhaena's old bed, blood stained her from the waist down. It looked ugly and painful, Rhaegar looked shocked, she already looked dead.

The maids all stood around her bed, every so often the storm which rattled every window violently would strike causing brilliant light to fill the room. His mother was there barely alive, the babe was nowhere to be seen it was like the baby had never been there.

Rhaegar slowly kneeled by his mothers side putting the dragons eggs next to him, he gripped her hand tightly. He looked her over with worry before exhaling loudly, "Mother, I found what you sent me to get. Please tell me I haven't missed the chance to hear your voice one last time"

Rhaella slowly turned her head to look at him, her eyes sad and glassy, "No son, I held on long enough to see your face once more"

Her hand shakily cupped his face as he felt her shaking slightly at the touch. He closed his eyes and tears silently dropped down his cheeks, he had lost too many in this fight.

"No, no mother we can fix you I'll use my power to-" he started through his tears.

"I forbid it" snapped Rhaella fire flashing in her eyes, "I've seen it. This was my one last act for our family, do not intervene. Do not anger the Old Gods any further"

"Gods? What gods?" he questioned with genuine curiosity, Rhaellas eyes rolled back in her head as she began to slip away. Rhaegar grasped her hand and she focused back on her first born son.

"We strayed from our ways this family, we lost who we once were and stopped praying to the Gods of Old Valyria. They became enraged and came for us, weakening us over time, inflicting us with madness. That stops now, with you. Find the Old Gods of Valyria and save us Rhaegar, until you find them our family," she paused to grimace as she struggled to remain alive, "your family will never be safe"

Her eyes slowly started closing again, Rhaegar grabbed her desperately by the shoulders tears streaming from his eyes .

"No. Mother don't leave us, please! We need you! I need you! The babes-"

"The babes will be safe son, they've been sent away. Do as I said, save our family"

"I can't do it without you mother!" yelled Rhaegar as Rhaella was slipping away before him.

"I won't be gone son," she murmured, "cover the eggs with my blood. I sacrifice my life for theirs. They will show you the way...to...the Old Gods"

And like that Rhaella was gone, the life disappeared from her eyes and the grip from her hand instantly weakened. Within seconds she slipped away and left this world, the only parts of her that remained were her three children.

He embraced her lifeless form and heaved pained sobs at losing her as memories flashed through his mind of all the times he shared with her. The hole left by Rhaella in his life may never be filled, he felt as if his heart would collapse in grief at losing her.

Rhaegar held his mother in his arms, the bed all around her stained red with blood from the birth, he didn't want to let her go. He looked over her serene face and knew she was right, he had to make this work not just for him but for his family. Rhaegar regained his senses and clarity of thought, looking around the room he saw the servants waiting for him. He was now the leader of his House. He looked all around at their faces, theirs were a mixture of fright and uncertainty. One of the men stepped forward, "Rhaegar- our King, what now? The babes are gone, the castle has been stripped of anything of value. We left behind some relics to not arouse suspicions, what now?"

"Let me think-" he started to say as his mind whirred with the possibilities of what he should do next. He felt slightly overwhelmed, what was the next right thing to do? Running his fingers through his hair he felt out of depth for a moment, could he even do this? He wasn't prepared for this to happen so soon, Rhaella wasn't meant to die. He was torn between wanting to mourn his mother and unleashing hell on Kings Landing. The trouble was he knew he was in no position to do that at this point in time. He had no throne, no allies and not much family left. He had often heard the saying a dragon alone in the world was a terrible thing, but he suddenly realised he wasn't alone. He had family, his wife, his children, all of them.

His thoughts were disturbed by some servants bursting into the room, crashing through the door hastily.

"Enemy ships on the horizon My Lord! What will you have us do?" breathed the male servants heavily.

"Did you see their sigil? Who is approaching?" queries Rhaegar, he didn't know which house thought they were brave enough to challenge his.

"The Stag, they're Baratheon ships!"

Rhaegar smiled grimly, he should've known it'd be Robert. He didn't know how but his cousin had gained power and was coming to end the war, coming to end him.

The servants words washed over Rhaegar and something woke in him, determination flashed through his body. He was responsible for these people's lives and he would not disappoint them. His head snapped up and he faced his faithful servants confidently, standing next to the bed where his mother still lay looking commanding, he spoke.

"Build a fire in the throne room, take Mother there and lay her amongst the wood. I'll bring the eggs, once you're done there hide in the hidden corridor by the kitchens. They won't find you, they'll try to destroy the castle but they'll fail. No one but Targaryens know about those passages so they won't look for them, stand in front of Aegons portrait and say "Fire and Blood". The passage will appear, remain hidden until they leave then get to Driftmark"

"Driftmark? How?" questioned one of the men.

"Whatever boats remain after the usurpers forces leave. They'll destroy what they can but can't destroy everything, it'll take too long and they don't have time before the next storm hits. The wood will be too wet for fire, you'll leave after them but before the next storm comes. If you wait too long you'll die in the waves"

The servants glanced at each other nervously at his last words, several looked resolutely at the rightful King.

"I've experience in storms, we'll make it" said one of the servants

"Good I leave you in charge for the voyage to Driftmark. You're the last of my family's loyal servants, I charge you to get everyone safely to Driftmark. Lord Velaryon will take you in"

"What about you King Rhaegar? The Usurper will kill you if you're found"

"I need ten men to come with me, after Driftmark we journey on into hiding until the time is right to return. If they have wives and children they can come too, we take one ship and leave. But be warned we may never return while a Baratheon sits on the throne" he spoke ominously and several maids recoiled at his seriousness.

Ten men stepped forward, and grabbed their wives, before Rhaegar knew it he had his crew and the remainder sprung into action.

As the enemy ships closed in on DragonStone Rhaella was laid amongst the pyre in the throne room in front of the throne. Her blood had been smeared over all ten of the eggs as she dictated before her death. As her body turned to flame and ash the terrified servants hid in the darkness of the hidden corridor. Rhaegars crew and their families readied the sturdiest ship of the DragonStone fleet and brought it to a secret bay near the castle.

Rhaegar watched the flames devour his mother, the blood and the eggs glowing blinding bright in the flames. He shielded his eyes as the light burned intensely bright, lighting up the whole room brilliantly. It could be seen out in the storm as the enemy ships closed in the bright flash startled the captains on those ships who urged the vessels closer to catch the Targaryens still inside.

The light faded quickly and his mother's form had been devoured by the flames, the light in the eggs slowly retracted. Rhaegar hoped whatever magic had been worked was complete, the remaining servants with him frantically reported the enemies had docked and were advancing on the castle. In moments they'd be overwhelmed and all would be lost. Hastily he ordered the men to help him carry the eggs, but none could touch them except Rhaegar. To him they felt warm and inviting, to the others they stung with painful burns and hissing. He didn't have time to question, he scooped the eggs up in a torn curtain from the throne room and ran down a hidden passageway from the throne room. His men followed, none looked back.

Not long after they'd left, the enemies burst into the throne room and were confronted by Rhaellas burning funeral pyre, for a moment they looked on transfixed at what was before them. While the Baratheon men were distracted in the throne room the boat which Rhaegar had boarded slipped into the night. Above them the storm growled angrily and lightning flashed, the waves heaved under the boat. Rhaegar remained on deck watching his ancestral home be swallowed by the night, vowing to return one day and take back all his family had lost.

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Translation from High Valyrian:

"When the golden dragon comes awaken, come forth from your resting place and liberate the one who seeks you. Help him on his path of destiny old gods, guide him to awaken the blood of Old Valyria"