Red Keep ― Outer courtyard…

After the tumultuous Battle of Duskendale, Prince Jaehaerys dedicated several days to coordinating relief efforts alongside his siblings. The Blacks, having successfully repelled the attempted invasion by the Caltrops, proceeded to sweep through the Crownlands and reclaim Rosby and Stokeworth. However, the aftermath of the battle brought a wave of refugees to the capital, desperately seeking safety and shelter. These unfortunate individuals had been cruelly used as pawns by Jaehaerys' father, King Aeonar, who had manipulated their lives in order to lure Ser Criston and Aegon Waters into a trap. Despite the Blacks' victory, the situation remained highly precarious and uncertain, leaving Jaehaerys and his family with the difficult task of providing assistance and support to those in dire need. Although their father may have lacked mercy, Jaehaerys and his siblings were determined to show compassion and kindness to those affected by the brutal events of the civil war.

Prince Jaehaerys was known for his commitment to justice and fairness, qualities that were in stark contrast to the growing cruelty of his father. As the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the throne, he understood the importance of being persuasive and knowing when to apply pressure. He sought to maintain a balanced leadership approach rooted in wisdom, empathy, and a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of his people.

"Dragon returning!" one of the scouts called out.

Jaehaerys was interrupted from his focus as he gazed up and saw Meleys soaring above, completing her scouting mission around Rook's Rest before landing. Knowing that the Red Queen was present, he was sure Princess Rhaenys was also there. The Queen Who Never Was dismounted and tended to her dragon while Jaehaerys approached her as her grandson-in-law. "Princess Rhaenys," he greeted.

Rhaenys turned her gaze towards her young kinsman. "It would be appropriate to address me as your grandmother, given that you are now wedded to my granddaughter," she conveyed with a gentle expression and a subtle gesture.

"Oh. I, uh… my apologies, Pri― Grandmother."

"You look troubled. Are things going well between you and Baela?"

"She is always in my thoughts… even when we're far apart. We correspond through written letters whenever possible, but I must admit that I harbor concerns regarding her safety and well-being."

"Baela's strength and fortitude are reminiscent of her mother, my daughter Laena when she was a girl. You are young, Jaehaerys, and I recognize the conflict you are grappling with, even if you don't show it. Nevertheless, we all must prepare ourselves for the inevitable one day. When unknown forces are at play, the great potential for tragedy always looms, posing a risk to one or both parties involved." Rhaenys turned to him. "You are both Targaryens, the blood of the dragon. And you are the son of a king. Each of you has responsibilities which supersede your personal desires."

"The mantle of responsibility is a lifelong commitment to be considered with great seriousness, as I have come to understand. It is a duty I shall not forsake or forswore, even if the weight of such a burden remains a heavy one."

"In uncertain times, nothing can be taken for granted," Rhaenys remarked gravely. "Have you ever wondered what motivated Maegor to do what he did when the Faith Militant took up arms against our house? What led the maesters to label him 'the Cruel'?"

Jaehaerys looked at her. "We have studied what was left of the ancient Valyrian archives the Lykirī Mēre preserved. The Targaryen madness was an affliction that plagued our family since the old Valyrian empire before the Doom. What happened with my father and Maegor wasn't the first time it manifested." He appeared to be lost in thought, with a slightly downcast expression. "According to the old texts from Dragonstone that Maester Alwyn was examining, the Targaryen madness was mentioned multiple times. It appears that intermarrying within the family or selecting a partner outside of it does not guarantee us from potentially succumbing to this madness under certain circumstances."

Rhaenys pursed her lips as she thought for a moment. "In the annals of House Targaryen, the story of Daemion Targaryen, grandfather of Aegon the Conqueror, stands out as a testament to the unpredictability of fate. Born as Aerys' thirdborn son, Daemion was not expected to inherit the lordship of Dragonstone, which was traditionally reserved for the eldest son. However, fate had other plans." She rubs down her dragon, Meleys. "His eldest brother, Aelyx, was a troubled soul. Driven by an insatiable desire for power and glory, he believed he could transform himself into a dragon by carving Valyrian runes onto his body. Despite the warnings of his family and friends, Aelyx threw himself into the fiery depths of the Dragonmont in a twisted attempt to achieve his goal. The result was a tragic and gruesome spectacle, as Aelyx turned to ash before his brothers' eyes."

With a snort, Meleys shook her head while emitting a low growl.

"The second brother, Baelon, was no less eccentric than Aelyx, albeit in a different way. He had a penchant for dancing naked through the castle, much to the chagrin of his conservative family. Moreover, he adopted a monkey from the Summer Islands and claimed that it was his dead son, a claim that was met with disbelief and scorn by his peers. Ultimately, Baelon's strange habits proved his undoing, as he choked to death on a fish bone. Thus, it fell upon Daemion, the youngest and least expected of the three, to succeed his brothers as Lord of Dragonstone. Despite the odds, he proved a capable and wise ruler, laying the foundations for the Targaryen dynasty that would later conquer the Seven Kingdoms."

With rapt attention, Jaehaerys absorbed every word of Rhaenys' discourse on the subject of Targaryen madness. Despite his extensive readings, which included a thorough study of Westerosi and Valyrian history and meticulous research of the old archives, he had never before encountered this information. Even then, information was scarce. It was conceivable that the knowledge had been intentionally concealed, possibly by Aegon himself or one of his progenies. After all, who would welcome a monarch from a lineage associated with mental instability? The Seven Kingdoms dreaded that a second Maegor the Cruel would one day reemerge from the royal family.

Rhaenys continued, clarifying that the Targaryen madness can take on different forms and degrees of severity. "In Maegor's case, it was boundless cruelty. In Queen Rhaena, it was withdrawn apathy; for my aunt Saera, unbridled lust, and in my aunt Gael, a dark depression." Her voice became sad as she spoke. Rhaenys was silent for a long moment. "Your great-grandfather, Prince Baelon, was another. After Myrish pirates murdered my father, Prince Aemon, he was overtaken by rage he had never known. He turned the tides of Tarth red with blood as he exacted his revenge. He showed the pirates no mercy for what they did to his brother even when they had surrendered and begged for their lives; he hung, drowned, burned, and even flayed them."

Jaehaerys felt a deep sense of unease in his gut as he reflected on the words of his father and grandfather regarding Baelon the Brave. Growing up, they had only ever spoken of him in the most glowing terms, praising his virtue and nobility. Even his great-uncle and father-in-law, Daemon, had spoken highly of Baelon. It was, therefore, all the more troubling for Jaehaerys to feel such a strong sense of discomfort now as if some dark truth was lurking beneath the surface of these tales of heroism and honor. So it's true. The madness does not discriminate, no matter how hard we try to avoid it.

Rhaenys looked intently at him. "From what my grandmother Good Queen Alysanne told me, Baelon had admitted to hearing unsettling voices in his head during intense anger and fury. Only after he confronted his immense grief and sorrow over the loss of his brother following the defeat of the last Myrishman the voices finally stopped. As far as I know, there have been no signs of the voices returning since then."

Jaehaerys gave the Queen Who Never Was's words deep consideration, absorbing every bit of information about the affliction that had befallen his father. He was determined to understand the nature of the illness, its symptoms, and any other details that might help him make sense of his father's irrational behavior. At first, he had thought that the rift between himself and his grandfather, coupled with the death of his brother Daeron, had driven his father to this point. However, if Rhaenys's insights were accurate, there might be a glimmer of hope to redeem his father. Admittedly, the task was daunting, but Jaehaerys clung to the belief that there must be some part of Aeonar that his mother saw buried deep within him. "Is it conceivable… for a Targaryen to be pulled back from the precipice?" he inquired.

"I'm sorry, but as far as I know, that task hasn't been attempted before. It would be considered too dangerous to try," Rhaenys said, shaking her head gently. "Besides, your father told me to respond if Prince Daemon needs support despite their misgivings. He would pit dragon against dragon."

"The scale of such proportion will significantly threaten the realm, possibly causing irreparable damage. It has been an exceedingly long time since anyone has witnessed dragons engaged in combat with one another. In fact, it is safe to say that such a spectacle has not been seen since…"

"Old Valyria. In Westeros, when Aegon the Uncrowned challenged Maegor for the right to rule. We are the only dragonriders. And until this Aegon rebelled, we had no cause to fight each other." Rhaenys grimaced as she gazed upward to see Vaelor circling above King's Landing, casting a large shadow over the capital. It would be a tragedy to lose any of them. "I'm told your father is holding Vaelor in reserve, as with Silverwing, Corxes, and Maelyx. He's up to something."

"Grief takes people to dark places," Jaehaerys expressed. "Dragons fighting dragons will only destroy the realm between them, and countless innocents found themselves in the middle of a war they did not want. We must be there to help them return from the darkness into light. One of them, at least."

Rhaenys looks away. "A part of me admires your idealism, Jaehaerys. I share your concern for our family's future, too. What will be left to claim after we have ravaged it?" she rubbed Meleys's snout. "I'll be departing for the battlefield again soon. So I suppose this will be goodbye for now." Before long, the Queen Who Never Was climbed up her dragon's side and fastened herself into her saddle. "The future of House Targaryen rests entirely on your shoulders, but be sure to assess your foe's strengths and weaknesses before setting out."

"Please exercise utmost caution out there, grandmother. Lord Corlys, Baela, and Rhaena have suffered too much. It would be advisable to consider returning for their sake."

"I cannot make a promise I can't keep, but I'll do what I can. As should you. You have your whole life ahead of you - so spend your time wisely and with those who care for you. Perzys ānogār (Fire and Blood)."

"Perzys ānogār (Fire and Blood)."

"*Raaaaaaaaaaaaaa!*"

Meleys gracefully flapped her wings and soared up into the sky, carrying Rhaenys securely on her back. As the Red Queen gradually disappeared from view, Jaehaerys cast his eyes toward the cityscape of King's Landing. On the city's outskirts, the City Watch had already established a series of refugee camps, where kind-hearted volunteers worked tirelessly to provide aid and comfort to the countless smallfolk who had been forced to flee their homes due to the devastating turmoil of the civil war.

The camps had many tents, each surrounded by flickering campfires illuminating the otherwise dark and lonely landscape. Meanwhile, septs and septas dispatched by the Faith of the Seven's leadership were seen fervently praying and offering solace to those needing spiritual guidance. Additionally, some were tasked with maintaining law and order and conducting thorough background checks on the refugees to ensure no spies or potential assassins had infiltrated the camps.

Among the dragons, Silverwing was the largest and most imposing, followed closely by Corxes and Maelyx, both of which were nearly as colossal as the legendary Sunfyre. Providing valuable assistance to the refugees were Aemma and her compassionate team, who were tirelessly working to feed and care for the women and children who had been displaced. Meanwhile, Aegon and Viserys, along with their uncle, Ser Gwayne Hightower, were working diligently to prevent any form of war profiteering.

With a discerning eye, Jaehaerys, as the firstborn son of the Targaryen dynasty, carefully observed the unfolding events around him. As a member of the royal family, he felt a strong sense of duty to rectify the wrongs committed by his father and restore the peace and justice that were once upheld by his late grandfather, King Viserys I. However, his task was made all the more difficult by the actions of the Caltrops - Beatrice, Aegon the Elder, Aemond, Unwin, and Criston - who had undermined the legacy left by his grandfather. These individuals had caused a schism within House Targaryen, perpetuating the disintegration of his family. Turning around, Jaehaerys made his way down the steps to the yard, his mind heavy with the weight of his responsibilities. He put on his riding gloves and approached his dragon, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

Vermithor, having reached a considerable size of 215 feet, was indulging in his morning meal - a bull that had been freshly slaughtered and lay sizzling on the hot, hard stones. As is the custom with all dragons, he had charred the meat to his liking before consuming it. The Bronze Fury tore into the flesh with ferocity and strength. Suddenly, Vermithor sensed the presence of his rider and lifted his head, his eyes shining like molten bronze as he gazed upon him. "*Guuuuuuuuuurh!*" he growled gutturally.

Jaehaerys extended his arm and gently scratched the elder dragon beneath its jaw, soothing the Bronze Fury. Hegrows larger every day. He would resolve to do things differently. "Gīdā, Vērmithari (Steady, Vermithor.)" Jaehaerys said. "Ūbrie sōvegon? (Are you ready to fly?)"

"*Urrrrrrrrrrrrr!*" Vermithor slowly lowered his body to the ground as his rider started to ascend the ropey strands. Once Jaehaerys securely settled onto the saddle, he firmly grasped the reins and locked eyes with Vermithor, displaying a sense of trust and unity between the two. While the Bronze Fury may not have been as large as Vhagar or Vaelor, Vermithor was still a force to be reckoned with. As the second oldest at over a hundred years, he was one of the strongest dragons in Westeros, having lived through numerous conflicts and battles. From Jaehaerys the Conciliator's rebellion against the tyrant Maegor the Cruel to the Fourth Dornish War, Vermithor had seen it all and emerged victorious over and over. His experience made him a battle-hardened veteran. "*Grrrrrrrr!*"

"Sōvēs, Vērmithari! (Fly, Vermithor!)"

"*Gruuuuuuuuuuuuuh!*"

With a mighty effort, Vermithor lifted himself up from the ground, shaking his head as he took a single step forward. Gradually increasing his pace, the Bronze Fury gathered momentum before finally spreading his magnificent bronze wings and propelling himself skyward. As he soared higher and higher, Vermithor beat his wings with powerful strokes, disappearing into the clouds as he made his way westward toward the battlefield. There, he would rejoin the fight against the Caltrops, determined to aid his comrades and emerge victorious in the battle.

With determination etched into his features, Jaehaerys tightened his hold on the reins, his gaze never straying from the distant horizon. He was headed towards the Riverlands, the heart of the ongoing conflict that had plunged the Seven Kingdoms into chaos. As he rode, his thoughts were consumed by the weight of the responsibility that lay on his shoulders; for Jaehaerys knew that the fate of many lives rested on his ability to navigate the treacherous waters of this civil war with calm and unwavering resolve.

Starpike ― Main hall…

Upon receiving news of the loss at Duskendale and the removal of the remaining Caltrops' presence by the Blacks in the Crownlands, the Dowager Queen Beatrice was visibly upset and enraged as she stood before the Orange Council. Her face was streaked with tears, reflecting the depth of her disappointment and anger at the turn of events. "You… walked into a TRAP?!" she shrieked.

"It would seem the Young Dragon is more ruthless and cold-blooded than we originally thought," Ser Tyland theorized. "Aeonar was sending a message – he's everywhere. And given how far he's willing to go…"

"That monster sent assassins. My grandson is dead. Aegon's heir is dead! And that bloody oaf just rushed headlong into battle knowing Aeonar was waiting for him!"

"Forgive me, Your Grace. It won't happen again," Criston apologized.

Beatrice, still seething, glanced at her sworn shield. "There is no need for you to apologize, Lord Commander," she stated dismissively. "According to all reports, you fought bravely against the Blacks. May I inquire about the latest news? Why has my Aegon not yet reported back?"

"We have theories, my queen, but I guess Aegon landed elsewhere away from the field to allow Sunfyre to heal."

"Aeonar will die," Beatrice vows, eyes wild. "He and every beat he's sired. I will leave no man or woman left to challenge my son's rule." She examined the map. "That fool sent those monsters into my quarters, bound and gagged my servants, and murdered my only grandson! So… if it's blood he wants, it's blood he'll get." She turns to Ser Arryk. "You know the Red Keep inside and out. Infiltrate the castle, masquerade as your twin, get close, and take one of the boys as retribution for my grandson."

Ser Arryk, although hesitant, silently nodded in acknowledgment.

"The war has only just begun. We shall not be deterred in the face of a small… setback," Aemond proclaimed with a composed demeanor. "Harrenhal remains the most magnificent castle in the realm, and it is our duty to reclaim it." He tightened his grip on his sword, his determination unwavering. "The Strongs have shown their true colors by not even attempting to defend their home. Such betrayal cannot be left unpunished." Aemond's gaze flickered towards Larys, who stood stoically, his expression unreadable. The Caltrops had already grown suspicious of the Clubfoot, especially after hearing about Ser Simon Strong's surrender. "While they may be formidable as a united force, they are no match for us individually. It is therefore time for me to pay a visit to Rook's Rest and teach them a lesson they won't soon forget."

Chapter End

Author's Note: Following the Battle of Duskendale, the Blacks swept throughout the Crownlands to route any remaining Caltrops before plotting their next move. Meanwhile, Jaehaerys learns more from Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never Was. Considering he's married to her granddaughter and he's more polite and reasonable, Rhaenys seems to be more open around him and passes on what she knows of the Targaryen madness before departing for Rook's Rest. As for Jaehaerys, where in the Riverlands do you think he'll go? Meanwhile, Beatrice is already plotting her revenge for her grandson's death - and Aemond is already on the move. What's in store for the Targaryens? Let me know what your thoughts are.

C.E.W: Nice chapter of Princess Rhaenys the Queen who Never Was explaining the Targaryen madness that has plagued the family for generations. Jaehaerys is trying to keep a good image the best he can for the house but Aeonar isn't making it easier. Jaehaerys misses Baela, and sooner or later it might be good for her to reunite with him. They might get a chance given the Vale is next to the Riverlands.

I was mistaken, I thought the Battle of Duskendale is where Rhaenys perished in the books, but it was Rook's Rest. So now lies the question on whatever or not it will fair any differently than it did in the books. In the books, Rhaenys on Meleys was up against Aemond on Vhagar and Aegon the Elder on Sunfyre. In this story however, Sunfyre is wounded but there is still Hugh Hammer and Ulf White the dragon riders to worry about. The nearest reinforcement for dragon riders would be Jaehaerys with Verimthor and Daemon with Caraxes in the Riverlands.

Unless of course Aeonar might predict that Aemond would will move on individually any dragon rider alone and might ride with his dragon to aid Rhaenys.

Questions:

How badly wounded is Sunfyre?

―His lower half has been badly burned by Vaelor's flames

Isn't dangerous for Rhaenys to go alone on her dragon, knowing that Vhagar is out there?

―Technically yes, if it's just one-on-two. Meleys would have no problem against Vhagar or Sunfyre if she fought either of them one-on-one.

What enemies do the Blacks have left in the Riverlands? The Westerland army is destroyed, and almost all Riverlords loyal to the Caltrops have been brought to heel. The main army of the Vale could be approaching at anytime if not already.

―Almost none, but there are still plenty of refugees in the Riverlands that are exposed.

MichaelBishopone: Man the Targaryen family is so messed up in so many ways. Jesus

randomdude24: Curious what Jay is up to, the Riverlands stand behind Aeonar, im sure some stragglers are still opposing him, but nothing that would be a threat.

Seems Ser Arryk is getting ready to venture out and kill Aeonar and his children, may result in the same outcome as Canon. I do hope it goes differently, Aeonar knows the difference between the twins which could provide an opportunity if taken alive he could be used to denounce the Caltrops even further.

Aemond's hatred for House Strong runs deep, question regarding that. In canon he kills them all, for "turning traitor", even the children even though fighting back would against Daemon is a guaranteed death. If that goes down the same and Aemond kills them, would the clubfoot begin to question his loyalty to the Caltrops?

―I think the Clubfoot is more in for himself like Littlefinger was in his pursuit for power