Aelyx Targaryen sat in Aegon's Garden amidst boggy trees and wild roses. He strummed a cherrywood lute and sang in a light, smooth voice.
"Gentle Mother, font of mercy,
Save our sons from war we pray.
Stay the swords and stay
The arrows,
Let them know a better day,"
Aelyx's voice carried through the trees, echoing ethereally, mixing with the soft rumble of waves on the shore of Dragonstone.
The lordling swept pale silvery hair from his forehead out of his eyes. He bore the telltale traits of the most Targaryens: platinum hair, violet eyes, fair skin. He had an almost statuesque beauty such that even carved marble could not do justice to. When Aelyx finished his hymn, his brother and sister applauded him.
Daerys was indeed Aelyx's brother and one of the triplets, but he bore little resemblance. His hair was dark, almost pitch black, and his eyes were more grey than lilac, traits inherited from their lady mother, a Tyrell by blood. He was also far thicker and more chiseled of muscle than Aelyx, who had a wiry musculature himself. Daerys was more the warrior, not to mention the cherished of his father.
The third part of the triplets was Alysya, a slim beautiful girl who bore more resemblance to Aelyx than Daenerys. She had beautiful snow-white hair which fell in light ringlets about her comely face. Her lips were red and lush, her face youthful and stunning. Her eyes were an astonishing maroon, the color of grapes and deep, sweet wine.
"When you sing, I'm pretty sure the gargoyles want to cover their ears!" Daerys jested. Alysya smacked his arm lightly, her silky blue dress lifting in the light breeze.
"You sing beautifully brother. I just wish father would let you sing at court, the ladies would love it so," the girl praised.
"If only I would have that freedom. Father never did approve of music," Aelyx mused aloud. His voice was soft and calm, a stark contrast to his siblings' excited, gibbering tones.
"I wish Visaenya hadn't gone away. She would have loved to hear your voice," Alysya as aid with a pretty pout.
Visaenya had gone to King's Landing to preach about her Red God. None of her siblings understood her fervor about her religion, especially considering they were all raised in the Faith of the Seven. It seemed Visaenya had converted over night, after a trip into town. Before long, she was ordained as a Red Priestess, and from there she was sent to spread the teachings of R'hllor to the Seven Kingdoms, and beyond.
Despite their different theologies, the triplets loved Visaenya. She always had been a kind and gentle soul, albeit stubborn.
"I know I miss Visaenya too. There is no maid fairer on all of Dragonstone. Where am I to find a pretty woman to bed?" A voice joked from deeper in the woods.
Garett Greyjoy was a well-built, tall boy of the same age as the triplets, sixteen. Their similarities ended there. Garett was nearly as muscular as Daerys, his hair dark and long compared to the short cuts of the Targaryen boys. His green eyes almost shone with luminous glee and energy. He had light stubble across his jaw whereas the brothers were clean shaven.
"You filthy pigson," Daerys amusedly said, approaching his best friend.
"It's true," Garett protested.
"How fair you this lovely afternoon?" Alysya asked, rising from her seated position in the grass.
"Lovely? On this dingy rock? I think not. Bleak is a word more apt," Garett said with a smile.
Garett Greyjoy had been sent to Dragonstone as a ward when he was no more than nine. His older brother had been killed during a Greyjoy rebellion, and Garett had been taken to thwart Greyjoy influence in Westros. He was to be raised under Targaryen care until such a time as they saw fit for him to return to the Iron Islands.
"At least it isn't raining. I can't stand the rain," Alysya complained, toying with one strand of her hair.
"What are you all doing in the garden here anyways? We have our studies in only an hour or so," Garett said.
"We were listening to Aelyx sing. Father doesn't permit him to do so in the castle. He says it's a womanly pursuit and useless besides," Alysya responded.
"Is it not? You can not win a war with song or kill a man with voice," Garett stated.
Aelyx never truly liked Garett Greyjoy. He was rowdy and sarcastic, too much so for Aelyx's taste. However, he was Daerys' closest companion, so Aelyx tolerated his presence when necessary.
"I find that music calms and soothes, and who would remember a battle if a song had not been sung of it first?" Aelyx said.
"You can keep your songs. I'll stick to training with sword and bow, if it please you," Garett said with a mocking bow.
Alysya and Daerys laughed, while Aelyx feigned a chuckle. He was seething on the inside.
"I heard the servants were preparing pudding for tonight's dinner. What say we make sure the batch isn't poisoned?" Garett suggested.
Besides being obnoxiously witty, Garett was always willing to end up in trouble. Alysya and Daerys never put up a strong argument against the ward, but Aelyx tried to be the voice of reason when he could.
"How do you think my father would react if he found out we stole pudding from the cooks?" Aelyx questioned, raising a pale eyebrow.
"Your father never need know," Garett Greyjoy said mischievously.
"Your father never need know what?" A voice asked through the trees.
Lord Targaryen could be frightening at his worst, even terrifying. Aelyx had even taken to hiding when his father was angered for fear of facing his wrath. He did not seem angry right now, thankfully. Instead he seemed curiously amused.
"Nothing, father," Daerys said suspiciously.
"Are you certain? I heard talk of raiding the kitchen for pudding."
Daerys blushed a shade of red and Alysya giggled.
"Is it not time for the afternoon studies?" Lord Baelor II Targaryen questioned.
"Yes father," Alysya and Daerys chorused at once.
"Go on then. Except for you Aelyx," Lord Targaryen commanded.
"Do you know why I disapprove of your interest in music?" Baelor asked.
"You think it is womanly," Aelyx stated bluntly, yet he averted his father's gaze.
"I do not think it womanly. I think that if you devote all of your time to it, you will not survive in the real world. There are people out there who would do you harm. Do not forget that. If you or your brother or either of your sisters were hurt... I don't know what I would do with myself. You must be strong, and more you must be prepared," Baelor Targaryen said. He gave a heavy sigh before continuing.
"I will permit you to continue this pursuit if you promise to train twice as long with the master at arms each day."
"Yes! I mean, thank you father. I will become a better fighter than the Sword of Dawn," Aelyx declared in delight.
"Very good. Now run to your studies, or you will be late," Baelor said.
As Aelyx traversed through the castle, he passed the Chamber of the Painted Table, the war room of Dragonstone, dominated by a large painted table, depicting the landscape of Westros in stunning detail, even down to the ridges of mountain ranges. A conversation streamed steadily out of the half opened doors.
"-will be ready to sail on the morrow. Once we have made it to the mouth of Blackwater Bay, we will unload for the mounted assault. If the gods are good, we will face no resistance and the city will be ours," a stern voice said. Aelyx assumed it was Dragonstone's castellan, Friedrick Sunglass.
"And what of the Tyrell loyalists? And the Small Court?" A woman's voice asked.
"Any opposition will be met with swift retribution. Any members of the King's council who prove unfaithful or even slightly rebellious shall be apprehended and replaced. The Targaryens are the rightful rulers of Westeros, as they always have been. Let us see to it that they are seated on the Iron Throne once more," Ser Friedrick Sunglass said.
The sound of footsteps drew near the door, so Aelyx hurried off to his lessons, pretending to be none the wiser. Westeros might soon be on the brink of a Second Targaryen Conquest.
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So the plot deepens... How was this chapter? It was a little short, admittedly, but I only meant to introduce the current generation of Targaryens, as well as their ward, Garett Greyjoy, submitted by Rougeification. Of you have any questions, comments, or critiques, please review or message me. Also I would like to say that I will be closing submissions temporarily after this chapter, so be sure to send in old people! Well, older than twenty. Also, I've received no men of the Night's Watch and I have only received one commoner and one knight, so more of those would be appreciated! I would also like to point out that House Blackstark and Jon Blackstark were both creations of The Black Knight. Thanks!