Just a preemptive bit just in case, but essentially last chapter was entirely based on the fact that under close observation, Alliser realized who Jon was. Rhaegar never cared for status, and often played his harp for the smallfolk. I didn't find it too unlikely that he would've known Alliser, considering his house was a loyalist house in the Crownlands. And from there I just allowed him to put the pieces together himself. As for how Aemon knows, well, its implied but not explicitly explained and I'd prefer to leave it that way for the moment. Its not at all original or a twist, I just don't feel like explaining every little thing.
As for the name I chose for Jon, that being Aenar, I felt it was different. Everyone chooses Daeron, Jaeharys, Aegon, Aemon. Those are the main names I've seen. I felt Aenar would be apt though. Aenar, who fled the Valyrian freehold with all the Targaryens possessed and ensured their survival by avoiding the Doom. House Targaryen survived, and eventually thrived due to Aenars actions. Lets see if Jon will eventually live up to his namesake.
And so, on to chapter one.
They thought they had known her better than this. Despite all that had happened since their birth and all that they went through with her, and in part due to her, they had thought that she was someone to protect. That she had earned their care. Their affection. That she, like their two siblings, could be counted as a part of their family. After all, she had done her best to raise them and keep them safe, despite the odds against them.
Ever since coming to the huddle of human dens with the large pointed den overlooking it all, they had begun to feel a change in her attitude regarding them. She afforded less time for them, and out of the three it was the wild sibling that garnered the most attention, despite how unruly and "willful" they could be. Slowly they could feel she was starting to fear them, starting to grow wary of what they could do. Fear should be normal for the rest of the world, but not for her. It never should have been for her.
As their wild sibling caused more trouble around this new human den, she started spending less time with all three of them. More time in the tall pointed den overlooking the surrounding dens and sea. The more peaceful two made sure to keep their distance from the wild one, knowing it was the only way to prevent fights and keep their own food for the moment. Going near could mean injury, and risking her further fear and ire.
They weren't afraid of the wild sibling, but they recognized their superior strength. And the favor they curried with their caregiver ever since the three were born.
When the wild sibling killed a youngling, soon fleeing to be free and do as they pleased for the time being, the remaining two began to worry over what would happen to them. They had committed no wrong, not like the wild one, but they had taken note of the growing fear and cautious glances both from her and from other people who had used to shown care. They couldn't help but be worried as to what it could all mean for them.
They humored her as they allowed her to lead them down underground, into a massive chamber supported by large pillars. Yet it was dark, damp, and altogether unpleasant. No place near worthy enough for one of their kind, especially considering the lack of access to the sky. Initially they simply thought she had the intent to hide them away from the world, to give them a hidden den. The rest of the city, as well as the people of the other cities, had exhibited fear of their power and potential after all. Perhaps she wanted to make sure no one could try to attack them.
It would be a nice gesture, but one that still left them annoyed. After all, neither of them wanted to hide their hide, especially considering how beautifully it shined under the light of the sun. Perhaps it was a bit foolish to let vain ideas of showing off their ideas get ahead of their safety, but on the other hand, who would truly have the courage to try and harm them? If she didn't get to them first with her soldiers, then they would with their teeth and fire.
Yet they still couldn't help but take note of the fact that there was a singular exit, one that could be covered by a single stone slab. Even if safety was the goal, it wasn't completely practical. After all, if too many came after them and made it to the chamber, they'd have no escape route except where their attackers came from. As they were led further away from the exit, they began to worry more that something was remiss. Though they tensed, the light sibling stayed relaxed, willing to trust their caretaker for a bit longer. That didn't make them any less suspicious of what exactly was happening here.
Then they were proven correct for being suspicious in the first place. They looked at the meat she tossed down with interest, taking some bites from it. They were always in need of food, in need of a good source of meat to grow and become stronger. Though they couldn't help but wonder why they were being given meat in this cavern of all places. But then they heard the scraping of stone, the clang of metal banging against stone and other metal pieces. Turning in curiosity, they watched in slight fear and anger as the caretaker began to put a giant shackle on their light siblings neck.
That was enough to push them to action. Enough was enough, it was time to go. Thinking quickly and knowing she wouldn't be hurt, not truly, they let loose a quick jet of yellow flames veined with green at the hands holding the shackle, making her back up and yell at the sudden hostility. She had been startled by his attack, as she should be. She had betrayed their trust, theirs and their light sibling. The light sibling tensed up and threw off their shackle, but didn't turn to fight them. They turned to the caretaker with a hiss.
They both knew the truth now of why they were brought down there to the dark, and they couldn't help but be relieved that their more trusting sibling had finally seen it, and wasn't so stubborn as to see them as being unreasonable. Even if it had almost been too late to do anything about it. They supposed it was better late than never with this sort of thing.
Staring past her stunned form, they looked at the entrance to the cavern they and their sibling had been lead to. She hadn't closed it behind her, likely expecting to chain them up and leave them here, alone in the dark. No space to fly, no plant life to turn into a comfortable nest for a den. A perfect place to hide them away. But it wasn't for their protection. It was to protect others from them.
If she had succeeded, they would've wasted away until their was nothing left of their former splendor. She would've had them face a slow death, all for the sake of a merciful and fair image. Yet she was so selfish she would rather keep them chained and close by rather than free and far away.
That made the decision for the both of them. If she was so afraid of them causing harm to her precious new people, then they would simply remove themselves. They refused to be in chains, like some of the people in the city used to be in. They were not meant to be slaves, kept in captivity till she needed or wanted to use them. If they wished to serve someone, it was due to a bond. It was due to them being worthy. She was no longer worthy of the two of them.
And so with that, despite the small space, they decided to take flight. It would be the only quick way to escape her massive den, to prevent her people from stopping their escape and putting them right back into this underground prison. Fore that was all that cavern was meant to be for them; a prison. A prison for the potential crimes that they could commit, for the crimes their wild sibling had already committed. Actions that weren't their fault and wouldn't happen.
Unjust punishment for them doing nothing wrong. What a grand dragon queen.
They stood in front of the light sibling and flew out first, the light flying out soon after and staying close to them. As they made their escape, determined not to return to the woman who was going to ruin them, they noted her cries and ignored them.
"Rhaegal! Viserion! Please, no! Don't leave!"
And so, despite all her pleas, they left. First the great den overlooking the others, then they left the huddle of dens and the bay itself. The wild sibling, though nearby, didn't try to stop them or attack them for what they did to their caretaker. The wild one viewed her as a mother, and besides that, was fiercely protective of her despite his independence. But they also understood the actions of the siblings, despite knowing of the attempted "attack". They simply hoped they'd stay healthy and return.
Though wild and quick to anger, they did still care for their two weaker siblings.
They would stay healthy as they wished, but return? No. Not unless he came to her, for whatever reason. They already knew where they would go. They had been aware of him since the moment they had come from their egg. The light sibling had been somewhat aware as well, though they hadn't paid him much mind. There seemed to be another on their mind as well. But they had always been aware and focused on him. Now they flew their, the light sibling following in their wake. Despite the other the light sibling knew of, they preferred to stay with their other sibling instead, for the moment.
And so this would be the day that two of the Mother of Dragons own "children" left her. Leaving her to seek out another, one that would respect their strength and power. Not fear it and the potential they held.
They had picked the perfect time, whether it was knowingly or not.
Jon Snow wasn't quite sure what else the watch could do to try and prepare for the oncoming horde that was preparing to attack the walls. At most they had a week or two, at worst a few days before Mance Rayders host of free folk and giants came to try to pass the wall. The North, after the Red Wedding and all the men lost during the war of the five kings, was in no condition to send proper support to the wall to repel the horde and maintain their lands against bandits and the ironborn. Taking care of so many enemies all at once would lead to collapse.
It was possible that with the sorry state the North was currently in, they were already facing collapse. Jon just didn't know it yet. He was far too focused on the Wall at the moment to go out and get news of the kingdom that had been his home.
And of course, the rest of the seven kingdoms simply didn't take the threat at all seriously enough. He knew what their thoughts on the matter were, "Its the Norths problem," "The North will have to handle it," of course, ignoring the potential of an army a hundred thousand strong armed with giants. Ignoring the greater danger that laid at their back, forcing them to cross the wall despite their reluctance to live amongst "southerners" and "kneelers". Though they had yet to send another appeal now that Tommen ruled in Joffrey's place, they somehow doubted the response would be any different. He was too young to properly rule.
He didn't blame the free folk for their trying to cross the Wall, and some of the measures they were taking to ensure they made it south. After all, he had seen the things they were running from try to kill the former lord commander, and Sam had killed one of the Others himself with a dagger made of dragon glass. He wanted to bring them all south of the wall, prevent them from becoming a part of a growing undead horde. But he also recognized the dangers of a large group of people going unchecked south of the wall, able to pillage and rape to their hearts content. Unless Mance had a way to keep them all in line, then the havoc they'd cause would be catastrophic.
Jon himself had been nonstop training with his blade or instructing other members of the watch in the use of a sword, having been made the temporary master of arms, Ser Alliser having been made interim lord commander of Castle Black and the watch as a whole until a new commander could be properly elected. Others were fortifying defenses, preparing barrels of oil, arrows, and stakes to at the very least slow down the advance. South of the wall a trench had been dug in front of the gate, with stakes placed in front and spike walls behind to deter the free folk that had made it past the wall. The gate that lead past the wall had the same sort of defenses in front of it, as well as stakes and spiked wooden fences directly behind it for the next twenty feet to slow down the horde if they smashed the gates with their giants. Many trees had been chopped down in their efforts to prepare.
Though it didn't change the fact that even if they had a million arrows and miles of ground covered in stakes and spiked fence, it would never stop the horde in its entirety. Not with their determination to go south, not with their determination to survive. Jon considered pleading his case again, to send an envoy to speak with Mance Rayder and negotiate some sort of terms for peace until they could figure out a better arrangement. He shook his head and dashed that thought in mere moments, knowing it would only lead to further ridicule and scorn. Thorne would see to it.
Sighing, Jon turned away from the training yard and made his way to the lift, judging it was about time to begin his own watch on top of the wall based off the position of the sun. It was nearing nightfall, and so it would be up to him to keep an eye out for raiders, his wounds from Ygritte having mostly healed by now. Though he knew it was unlikely that the free folk would be lighting, "The biggest fire the North has ever seen" tonight to signal their attack. A move he still found incredibly foolish if they wanted the best chance at taking them by surprise.
Though he also supposed it was the only play they had to alert the free folk they had already sent south that it was time to join in on the assault.
As he was taken up to the top of the wall however, Eddards bastard couldn't help but think of a few dreams he had been having often as of late, since before he had left Ygritte and her group of free folk to regroup with the men of the nights watch. Often enough he still had his wolf dreams, which he had recognized as being Ghost's point of view while he sleeps. These had, oddly enough, become a part of the norm as of late. Yet every now and then, he now had another type of dream that befuddled him. Moreso than the wolf dreams ever had.
Colors were more accentuated and bright, and the first time he had been over an ocean. He could hear the screeching of something beside him, and when he turned to look, it felt like his own heart just about stopped. He was flying, and next to him, was a dragon. Its scales were creme with accents of gold, and he had made the realization he must be in the mind of a dragon. The only dragons he had heard of were the dragon queens in Essos, and they were babies last he'd heard.
So why was he seeing one of their perspectives as if it was Ghost? And why were they going over a seemingly long flight over the ocean, despite their still apparent youth?
It made little sense to him truth be told, but he tried not to think too much of it. Yet lately the dreams had begun to get more frequent. In the most recent dream he saw them flying past a castle with the likeness of a dragon covering its grounds, concluding that this was most likely the famous (Or infamous) Dragonstone, the ancestral seat of House Targaryen. He was starting to get some vague thoughts from them as they traveled, thoughts regarding a 'Caregiver', 'wild sibling', 'Kind sibling' often referred as the 'light sibling' as well. Once he had gotten a memory from them regarding this caregiver, one yelling out the names "Rhaegal" and "Viserion".
The most frequent though was the thought of 'Another whose worthy'. At first he had made the assumption that they were potentially coming to the Wall, to maester Aemon. He was the only other known Targaryen in the world, perhaps they were going to seek him out for the last of his days. Though he hoped that wasn't the case, fore if it was then they'd be in a tough spot. While dragons would be sorely needed against the horde coming and the undead army, they would lose control of them soon after Aemon dies. The old dragon didn't have much longer left among the living in the first place.
Despite that he also had that small childish hope that they were coming to the Wall, so he could finally witness a dragon for the first time.
The second idea that came to mind was that perhaps one of the loyalists in the Crownlands was harboring a hidden Targaryen. Houses Velaryon and Celtigar were two prime examples of houses loyal to the Targaryens above all others, and he had no doubt that they would hide a Targaryen if it was asked of them, to bide their time until they could take back the throne. Though he doubted that idea, considering the only two that could've had a child with enough Targaryen blood was Rhaegar and Aerys. Neither had the chance to have more children, as far as he knew.
He sighed and decided not to put too much thought into it, knowing he would only drive himself mad if he did so. With any luck, the dragons wouldn't offer the watch too much trouble if they did come.
He idley wondered if his sworn brothers would think him insane if they found out he not only dreamed of being a wolf, but of being a dragon. He could hear the laughter now.
Eventually the lift came to a stop atop the wall, allowing Jon to step out of the lift and look around the wall. Turning to his right, he saw Sam and Grenn standing by their post near the lift, having grown silent at his arrival, "Grenn, Sam. Hope you've not been too miserable freezing your balls off while on watch."
Grenn couldn't help but role his eyes at his sworn brother, though he couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face, "At least I got balls to freeze up here, Snow! We both know the only one who has less balls than you is the Spider himself." He barked out a laugh at his friend, with Jon resisting the urge to give some sort of slightly snarky reply back to him.
"So you say Grenn, so you say. Its about time I relieve you and Sam of your watch, Ser Alliser is having me pull another night watch on my own." Ever since he had gotten back, he had to pull night watches alone, in part due to how undermanned they were and the fact that most of their men was being used to prepare their defenses. It was also likely in part a punishment, and just as likely that he was doing it just because of how much he hated the Stark bastard. Regardless, he wasn't going to let it get to him. He had more important things occupying his mind.
'Like dreams of dragons and being a wolf.' He thought to himself, scoffing internally.
"Sorry Jon. I tried to talk to maester Aemon to see if he could do anything to sway him, but he wasn't at all willing to talk to him on your behalf. It was really strange I'll admit and I don't know why he'd refuse, Ser Alliser was sworn to his house after all, you'd think it'd be easy, but perhaps-" He stopped upon Jon raising his hand to halt him, realizing he had once again been rambling on in his nervousness.
Sighing, this time with a small smile and a hint of warmth in his eyes despite the ice in his veins, Jon looked at Sam seeming completely unsurprised, "Its Ser Alliser, Sam. Even if maester Aemon spoke to him, he'd find another way to punish me, assuming he'd listen. In all likelihood, things wouldn't get any better. Thank you for trying though, I appreciate it. Truly."
He could tell his friend was disappointed that he couldn't do anything to help him, but there was nothing that could be done. Ever since he had returned Alliser had been extra harsh on him, now having the authority and no one to stop him from doing as he pleased. When it came to the yard he was more strict, hitting him in the side of his leg with the flat of his blade for each small mistake. He assigned more opponents then the 3's and 4's he had already gotten used to, now giving him five men at a time, and making sure they knew what they were doing. Despite the fact that Jon was supposed to serve as the current master of arms, Ser Alliser still made sure to take the time to torment him.
Though he knew on some level, he was improving further due to Thornes ruthless efforts. He would never let the old knight know that though.
He ended up on top of the wall almost every night since he'd gotten back as well, if he didn't know any better, he'd think the old knight was trying to make him dessert the watch so he could face the executioners block. He knew there was nothing that would please Ser Alliser more than to kill him for breaking every aspect of his oaths, dishonoring him as a coward and the whelp he thought he was when he first joined.
Jon refused to break or bend for Ser Alliser fucking Thorne though.
"Hmph. Perhaps its about time Ser Alliser has a slip on top of the wall. No one would miss the fucking bastard, would be doing everyone here a favor by getting rid of him. People may actually like the Watch as a whole more!" An empty threat, and on obvious over-exaggeration from his friend. Though it didn't change how appealing the thought was for the knight to take a fall and never return.
"Enough of this talk. You two head down, get some warm food in you and get some sleep. You're gonna need to stay well rested for the battle when it gets here, could be any day now." Dismissing his two friends, he turned his back on them and began to make his way further down the Wall, knowing there was no point in wasting more time in talk. Hours could be spent discussing how much of an ass Ser Alliser was, it wouldn't make them any more prepared for the horde.
Or the dragons heading their way. With any luck, they wouldn't torch the crumbling ruins of Castle Black and end their Watch.
Tywin Lannister wasn't quite sure what to make of the reports that began to come in from multiple holdfasts, villages, and the odd minor house castle. Not at first, at least. He had been quite focused on planning Tyrions execution, as well as thinking of an excuse he could use on the side that would reasonably keep him from death. He may have despised him and every breath he took, but as he was so fond of reminding him that he was still a Lannister. Still his son. And like it or not, it wouldn't do for the Lannister name to have the Kings uncle having poisoned him at his own wedding.
'Even if that king was born a bastard of sibling incest.' He had thought to himself, still feeling rage bubble up inside him from merely thinking of the sheer stupidity of his daughter and golden heir. The only luck he had was that no one had any definitive proof of his grandchildrens true origins and what his daughter had done, or the Lannister name would be dragged so thoroughly through the mud it wouldn't recover for years.
Regardless, he was stuck in this horrid situation when he first got a report of some sort of birds, shining in the light and as large as small horses. That one report alone had made him tense, knowing there was no such bird that could fit that description. Knowing of the rumors in Essos that spoke of a dragon queen across the narrow sea. Regardless, he dismissed his initial suspicions out of hand, knowing it would do little to worry over long dead myths and legends.
Perhaps his old age was simply making him more paranoid.
Then in came a few reports from houses Stokeworth, Ryyker, and a number of villages reporting the same sightings of birds that glint in the light as large as horses. Hunters had been sent out to see what exactly these beasts were, only to find where they had landed before taking off once more. Foot prints that seemed as if they belonged to large lizards, with small trenches dug into the earth from the animals taking off.
The earlier suspicions returned as to what exactly had come to Westeros, though as to why remained a mystery. A pair of dragons as large as horses had arrived in Westeros. He remembered the concerns regarding Daenarys Targaryens dragons, how the last Targaryen dragons were as large as house cats before they died. If the reports were to be believed, then these animals had grown to be several times larger and could only get bigger. He wished he could continue to dismiss it, but with all the rumors, he knew that he couldn't.
He wondered what exactly he could do here. If he tried to send out hunting parties, questions would rise and he would be viewed as someone overly paranoid of the monsters hiding in the shadows. It would make him seem weak, despite the threat a pair of unchecked dragons presented. That would encourage certain houses and kingdoms to become more bold in taking action against House Lannister.
On the other hand, if he killed them now, then they wouldn't be able to repeat what happened at Harrenhal later. And he'd also be known as someone who ended the lives of two of the most dangerous monsters known to their kingdoms history. But he'd need to do it quickly and without his reputation being dragged down in the process. He didn't need to be called the man man who cried, "Dragon!"
After some careful consideration, and jotting down some notes on dragons and some of the few known weaknesses they've shown over the course of history, he made sure to jot down notes on scorpion weaponry and distributing high powered crossbows to use last minute, especially taking note of the death of Meraxes in Dorne. The current Lord Paramount of the Westerlands then left his solar within the tower of the Hand, shortly after he arrived back at his quarters where he found a dark haired woman waiting for him.
He couldn't stop the small smirk that crawled onto his face. Whatever he or anyone else said about his son, let it be known he had excellent taste in women.
This is different from what I usually do, I know. I've only seen a few stories where Rhaegal and Viserion go to Westeros of their own free will to join Jon, and in each story they SOMEHOW manage to stay a complete secret. At this age, they're too young for prolonged flights out of sight, especially after having to fly over seas for so long, and besides that, they wouldn't really care if they were seen. I'd envision dragons as being somewhat arrogant, if I'm being honest, as well as vain. I feel they'd want people to see their shining scales and take note of their grandeur.
And I'm also taking all this into account because, to be honest, the dragons were shallow in the show. Drogon went through a mini character arc and that's about it. Rhaegal and Viserion were just the backup dragons for Dany. A part of this fic relies on that fact, and the fact that she was going to fucking imprison them for months for NOTHING! For two things she called her children! Yet when they got out, instead of seeming pissed, they just went right back to helping Dany. Fuck that, there IS another Targaryen here who won't lock them in a pyramid underground.
Also, as y'all can tell, this is right before Tywin does die to Tyrion. But now the seven kingdoms are going to start preparing for the threat of dragons a lot sooner, and have it be a lot more plausible that they have a lot of effective weaponry to use against them. Instead of suddenly having scorpions every twenty feet on the walls of kings landing and on several hundred ships.
On top of all this, I would still like a cowriter of some kind. I intend to incorporate some book elements, and would love a helping hand. After chapter two is officially released, I will not take any offers for a cowriter.
I also do have something special planned for one of the dragons, which you'll have to wait and see ;)
