Top Harry Drabble: Harry/Aegon I(GoT)
Chapter Summary: In which Harry is reborn during the time of Aegon the Conqueror.
"The Targaryens are coming north. I need all the men capable to follow me. Brother, would you join me?" Torrhen Stark glanced at his younger brother, Prince Harlan Stark, and watched as his brother dipped his head in a nod. It was snowing around them, little flakes of moisture falling onto saddle blankets and cloaks and then melting. It had been a mild winter but one no one would forget. The Targaryens and their dragons had landed in the south.
The sounds of men and horses getting ready to march filled the air, horses whickering and shields being locked into place. Swords went into sheaths and men started to march, some horseback while others were on foot.
Torrhen's brother, Prince Harlan, rode his black direwolf, Godric, ahead of the line of men and horses. Torrhen remembered the very day that his brother, only one year younger than him, had come back from north of the Wall with a pup in his arms. It had made the various lords of the north amused at first, to see the literal mascot of House Stark. Direwolves had come and gone past the wall but this was the first time that someone had carried a pup within his arms.
The wolf was larger than a pony, about six feet in height and sturdy. Harry was thus far called the Stark's wolf rider, and had as much as respect as his brother, the King in the North. The wolf used no bridle or halter, just a small saddle for Harry when it came to long distance running.
Torrhen was glad that Harry was coming with them, for if it did come to battle with this Aegon Targaryen, than Harry would be a formidable ally. He watched as Harry and the wolf galloped ahead, going to scout around the Neck.
By the time that they reached the Trident, Torrhen could see the vast army of Aegon Targaryen. Word must have reached the recently anointed King of Westeros of their coming. It was growing on dark, the sun lowering down in the sky. The chill that had followed them south was still in the air, faint flakes of snow falling onto their shoulders as minutes passed. "Brother! How many men do they have?"
Harry cantered over on his wolf, the gleaming red eyes of the direwolf unnerving him a little, and reached for a flagon on his saddle. Torrhen figured it was water, for his brother never drank ale. "They have more than ours, that I know. I kept out of sight and reach as I scouted south of the trident and they have all three dragons with them. Balerion, Meraxes and Vhagar."
"Can you do something to them?"
Torrhen glanced over at his bastard brother, Brandon Snow, who had ridden over while their other lords were talking amongst each other.
"You are a warg."
"Possibly. But I saw the ruins of Harrenhal," Harry reported, his grey eyes narrowing. "If I fail, I do not want to bring harm to our men. I also do not have the same connection with the beasts like I do with Godric."
"I could kill them," Brandon said, his eyes gleaming with interest. "At night. They wouldn't even know what happened."
"I know you're a good hunter, Brandon," Harry remarked, glancing at their king. "It might not be enough."
Godric let out a low growl in his throat, the sound reverberating throughout the field. Some of the horses nearby whinnied fearfully at the wolf but otherwise didn't move.
Brandon and Torrhen's horses didn't even react, as used to their brother's mount as their humans were.
"I would do it from afar with bow and arrow," Brandon suggested, gesturing to the trees around the bank of the Trident. "We can see the dragons from here even."
"You had better use strong arrows, if you do," Harry remarked, raising an eyebrow. "The beasts are big and strong, their hide even more so."
"I do not want another Field of Fire," Torrhen finally spoke, looking to his brothers. "No one is killing the king's dragons. Harry, you said you weren't seen."
Harry shook his head. "I took precautions."
"Good. I will assemble three maesters and I want you to cross the river and treat with this king," Torrhen said, looking over the river to where Aegon Targaryen and his wives were standing. "Treat with him and see what will be done."
"Shall I appear by myself?"
"No. Go as our wolf rider."
Brandon grinned. "Oh, how I wish I could watch their faces."
Harry matched their half brother's smile, as Godric turned to face the river. "I admit to being intrigued by the man."
Torrhen rolled his eyes, knowing of his brother's desire for knowledge. And his magic. He watched as his brother dipped his head in a nod then patted Godric's neck, the wolf turning his head to look into Harry's eyes. The wolf and man had a special connection, one that Torrhen could only imagine.
Harry kept an eye on the dragons as he and Godric crossed the Trident, the direwolf wading into the water underneath him. The water was shallow in this point only and at the Twins, causing Godric no big effort to cross.
The three maesters behind him crossed with easy effort too, their eyes wide as they took in Aegon's army. Harry could hear them whisper between each other, their thoughts on Aegon taking both sisters to wife and the dragons. Marriages between sisters and brothers was sin in the Faith though Harry had heard that the High Septon had not denounced the king.
The dragons were huge things, almost seeming to be the size of houses. Balerion the Black Dread. Vhagar, her scales the color of blood. Meraxes with her silver scales and golden eyes.
Godric bared his teeth and growled as they jumped up onto the bank, no fear in the direwolf's mind that Harry could feel. Only the urge to protect his rider and friend, his pack. Harry took in the sight of Aegon Targaryen and his two wives, Rhaenys and Visenya.
Visenya had Dark Sister at her hip and Aegon wielded Blackfyre, whereas Rhaenys did not have a sword. Though with Meraxes at her side, Rhaenys was far from harmless. Balerion and Vhagar were next to Meraxes, flanking the Targaryens.
Aegon stepped forward as Harry and Godric came to a stop a few feet away. The simple silver circlet atop Aegon's head indicated royalty and Harry appreciated the simplicity of it. His own brother had a rather heavy crown, the Crown of Winter. Aegon was a mystery to him, his short, silver hair and purple eyes, standing there, with the stance of a king. A man who expected other men to bow to him but also… apart from his sisters, apart from his men. Harry knew of only one friend of the man, Orys Baratheon, who was rumored to be the king's bastard brother.
Orys Baratheon had become the Lord of Storm's End, after Storm Queen Argella Durrandon had been surrendered to the Targaryen forces.
"And who might you be?" Aegon asked, the first person to speak. "You who ride a wolf."
"Direwolf, your Grace. Godric's a direwolf," Harry offered, dismounting from his friend's back and patting his thick fur. "I am Prince Harlan Stark, brother to the King in the North, Torrhen Stark."
"Direwolf?" Rhaenys echoed, her long silver hair unbound and fluttering in the wind.
"Not just a regular wolf, Your Grace. They live north of the Wall," Harry explained, watching as Aegon's eyes narrowed.
The king took another step forward and Harry realized they were of the same height.
"They're bigger than common wolves," Harry said, still staring into Aegon's purple eyes.
"I can see that! He's beautiful!" Rhaenys exclaimed, taking a step in following her brother-husband. "As big as a horse too."
Godric grumbled, closing his lips over his teeth as Rhaenys took yet another step forward.
"Will he let me close?" Rhaenys questioned, looking at him and sparing a glance to Harry.
Harry turned to look at his friend, catching his red eyes. Godric looked at him, the wolf's red eyes glowing almost in the moonlight, and finally deflated, shaking out his fur and unpinning his ears. He could feel the king's gaze on him, the hair on the back of his neck standing up. He could even feel the faint magical aura coming from the three Targaryens, the almost unearthly power that came from dragonlords.
When he had been reborn here, he had been glad of the complete range of magic. Westeros was just full of it, circling around the godswoods in the north to the giants beyond the wall and now the dragons. The dragons were creatures of magic all on their own, wild and ancient and predatory but utterly loyal to their riders. The magic was almost suffocating but Harry loved it. Each dragon had a magical bond with their Targaryen rider, unseen to non-magical people but very much lit up in his vision.
"You can come forward, Your Grace. He won't hurt you now," Harry said, watching as the king's younger wife walked up, slow but there was eagerness in her footsteps. Meraxes dug her claws deeper into the dirt and followed her rider, smoke coming out of her mouth. Visenya dropped her hand to her blade, her hard eyes looking at him, watching if he was a threat.
Rhaenys' eyes lit up as she closed the distance and held up her hand, palm up, and waited. Harry nodded in approval, guessing that the Queen had experience with approaching potential wild animals. Godric took a step forward and nosed at Rhaenys' palm, sniffing her skin, before chuffing and giving her a lick.
Rhaenys let out a laugh, her smile wide and pleased. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Godric. It's a pretty name."
"What of your king?" Aegon questioned, his eyes catching Harry's.
"What is the reason you have come?" Harry asked, gesturing to the army behind the Targaryens. Cavalry and infantry were spread out around the river banks, their backs to the riverlands. None of them were wearing thick cloaks or tunics or anything even remotely warm. Harry had the thought that none of them were prepared to go north for an extended invasion, just like he vaguely remembered Germany trying to invade Russia back in his first world.
But then again… they had dragons. If they chose to, they could burn the north's castles and armies to a crisp. Harry would not let that happen, even if he had to use his magic to do it. Besides, he wanted to meet the dragons, not kill them. And he figured that they had the same idea, with Balerion was staring at him curiously.
"There will be but one king in Westeros," Aegon stated, his voice firm and steady. "Not seven. Not two. One."
"What will my brother be? He is king now. If we submit, bend the knee, what happens to us?"
"Your brother will be my Warden of the North and will guard the north for me. The wildlings are a threat, are they not?" Aegon questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Your mount came from beyond the wall."
"The wildlings are a threat, yes. There are also pirates and occasional raids from the ironborn," Harry remarked, watching as Rhaenys stepped back to stand next to Visenya, her sister-wife.
"I would like to see this Wall," Aegon spoke, staring at Harry intently, his purple eyes giving nothing away. "With your permission?"
Harry blinked. "Now, Your Grace?"
"After your king either bends the knee or decides to fight."
Harry nodded, turning to the maester that held a raven on his arm. "Send a raven to my brother, with the conditions."
Aegon watched as the northern prince sent word to his brother, tucking the letter within a raven's claw. The bird flapped up into the air and flew back across the river to where the northern army was encamped. He turned his gaze to the prince and his mount, the big direwolf that reached up to his rider's shoulders. The wolf was a beautiful animal, his wet fur still soggy and shining under the moon's glow.
The prince himself was beautiful, in a cold way. His dark hair was wild about his head, untamed like a wild direwolf, and his grey eyes were narrowed in thought.
Prince Harlan Stark turned back to catch Aegon's eyes and they looked at each other. He could even feel Balerion's curiosity through their bond, wanting to know who this human was and what the power around him was. Yes, they could both sense the energy around the Stark and he was very sure that both his sisters and their dragons could sense it.
Perhaps when he invited the prince to come with him to the Wall, he could question him about it.
Finally, as the sun was rising on the horizon, Aegon watched as King Torrhen Stark crossed the river. The King in the North was wearing his crown, a heavy piece of metal and iron that was unlike Aegon's. The man was wearing a heavy fur cloak and a direwolf brooch pinned it to his upper chest.
Prince Harlan Stark and his mount stood before Aegon, waiting for his brother, and occasionally glancing at Aegon. The man's magic was powerful and Aegon wondered what it would look like when the man used it. He wondered why Harlan had not used it yet.
King Torrhen Stark stopped a few feet in front of Aegon, catching his eyes, before kneeling. Aegon heard a sharp inhale from the prince as his brother slowly took off his crown and offered it to him.
"Your Grace. My kingdom is yours," Torrhen Stark stated, looking up into Aegon's eyes unlike the other men who had knelt to him. This northern lord looked him straight in the eyes, unafraid.
Aegon reached out and grasped the man's crown and handed it to Visenya, who dipped her head in a nod then went back to Vhagar. Rhaenys and Visenya both went to their dragons and mounted, taking off to fly back to King's Landing.
"My lord, you will be my Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell. Guard the north well."
Torrhen Stark knelt a king and rose a lord, sparing a look to his brother, who had just become a brother to a lord and not a prince.
Aegon's men and armies behind him turned around, marching back south.
"My lord, if you can spare your brother, I would like to visit this Wall," Aegon remarked quietly, looking at his Warden of the North. "I have not seen it yet."
Lord Stark's eyes widened minutely but he nodded. "My brother and I have no other business here. If he is amenable, you can borrow him. The Wall is quite something to behold."
Aegon looked to Harlan Stark, as the northern armies across the river disbanded too, and studied the man.
"Harry?" Torrhen questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"I will be fine. I can show our new king the Wall," Harlan remarked, his grey eyes softening a little. "I will see you back at Winterfell in a few weeks' time."
Torrhen nodded and called for his horse before turning back across the river.
"Harry."
"It's what my friends and family call me," Harlan offered, studying him just as much as he was studying the northerner. "You can call me it, if you like. I want to meet Balerion."
Aegon's eyes widened only a little, having half expected something such as this request already. "You have magic."
"Aye, I do."
Aegon turned towards his dragon, seeing Balerion walk over to them. "Dragons are dangerous to any other creature but their rider."
"You have a bond with him."
Aegon watched as Harry joined him, taking a few steps only to stop a few feet away from Balerion. He dropped his hand to Blackfyre's hilt and watched as Harry stood there, reaching his hand out slowly, palm up.
Overwhelming curiosity came from Balerion and Aegon's lips twitched up into a small smile.
"Balerion." Harry waited, his eyes lit up with excitement.
Aegon was almost entranced, his eyes never leaving Harry as Balerion took one more step before lowering his head down to sniff the man.
Harry stared right into Balerion's eyes as the dragon sniffed him, his warm hide and breath warming him up quickly. Balerion's hide was thick and tough as Harry lay his hand on the dragon and he wondered what it would be like to ride a dragon the size of a one story house.
Godric trotted up to his side, sniffing up at the huge beast in front of them. Balerion just stood there, letting the much smaller creature close.
And just for a second, Balerion lay his head against Harry's before withdrawing.
"Balerion is curious about you."
Harry turned to look at the new King of Westeros. Except for the Vale, Dorne, and Oldtown, Aegon ruled over the rest of the country. He stood Harry and looked a king and half dragon himself. Harry had been right in advising his brother to kneel before this man. If it had been anyone else, Harry probably wouldn't have. This man deserved respect. Aegon the Conqueror. Aegon the Dragon.
And Harry was vaguely sure that his statement about Balerion also counted for the man.
"He tells me he would let you ride on his back," Aegon remarked, his eyes catching the Stark's bannermen turning around and heading back to their homes. He could see the banners of House Manderly, House Mormont, House Bolton and Karstark.
"You can speak with him?" Harry asked, looking at him, heat in his grey eyes.
"Yes, it is how our bond works."
"I would love to ride a dragon," Harry remarked, lifting his shoulders up in a minute shrug. "I have memories of riding a dragon before but this… Balerion is quite a beast."
Aegon blinked, watching as Harry whispered something to Godric before looking up at Balerion. Godric let out a low growl, shaking his big head. Harry sighed and turned to his mount, muttering something under his breath.
"Will you let me ride your dragon, your Grace?" Harry questioned, looking at Aegon.
Aegon dipped his head in a nod before turning around and walked right up Balerion's leg, settling himself on the giant dragon's back. There was a small crook in between Balerion's shoulder and neck that let Aegon sit well and he watched as Harry took the same path, walking slowly up the dragons back.
"He's amazing," Harry whispered, glancing down at his wolf as he sat down behind Aegon. "Godric's going to follow us on the ground. He doesn't think you will let me go afterward."
Aegon snorted and let Balerion know they were ready. "Are direwolves usually stubborn?"
"I am unsure," Harry replied, as Balerion stood up on his legs and wing-claws and beat his wings, once, twice. "I have not met a lot of direwolves. I just found Godric as a pup alone in the Lands of Always Winter."
"You will have to tell me more," Aegon remarked, as Balerion lifted up into the air, catching a wind drift and taking off. He startled a little as arms came around his waist, warm and unassuming. Aegon wasn't used to people touching him idly other than his sisters and Orys; many people were scared of him. But the touch did… feel good, all encompassing in a subtle way.
Harry's answer was lost to the winds as Balerion sped up, flying high in the sky.