Whispers In The Wind: The Song Begins

I've had this story in the works for years now(yikes). The only thing really stopping is my creativity, not a lack of it but too much of it. I get new ideas as I write and attempting to integrate them derails what I already have planned out or just lengthens the process. I've finally decided to streamline the original idea I had. I can't promise a steady update schedule but I'll drop this and hope to gauge the interest, maybe it'll motivate me to make some time to write.

Prologue

King Aegon V Targaryen

King's Landing, 240 AC

He could count on one hand how many times in his life he had felt an anger of this magnitude. Though he could only blame himself, he let Duncan marry as he pleased, it didn't help that she was a commoner, a supposed wood witch at that. Things were bad but they could've been disastrous for his house and his kingdom. He tried to temper the flame raging within him, it would not do him any good to release such a blaze. Taking a deep breath he allowed the fire raging inside him to slowly cool. Opening the door to his son's room he saw him standing stiffly at the window.

"Jaehaerys." He called out, mustering his kingly voice.

Still, his son did not turn from his spot at the window. Aegon shook his head, he could feel his anger slipping away more and more, only for it to be replaced by guilt and pity.

"Look, Jaehaerys, I understand how you feel-."

"No you don't, you married the woman you loved!" Jaehaerys finally turned to face him.

"You let Duncan marry a commoner and Daeron broke his betrothal himself. Why can't Shaera and I marry for love?"

Tears threatened to fall from his son's eyes but the fire within them dried them before they could. It hurt to see his son like this but he could not be weak on this matter. Not again. Jaehaerys so brazenly speaking of his failings only strengthened his resolve. If his children, who loved him dearly, didn't respect his word, why should a stranger who had never met him? No, this was where the failures stopped.

"You are right, son. But that only proves that I have to do this. Duncan's love caused a rebellion and Daeron spurned one of the wealthiest Lords of Westeros and I cannot afford for that to happen again. You are young, you might come to love your new wife."

Jaehaerys' eyes flashed with a passion Aegon recognized all too well and he was in his face in an instant.

"I will never-!"

The words died in his mouth as Aegon wrapped his arms around his son. Just like that the dragon in Jaehaerys retreated back into the darkness. He didn't know how long they stood there but he held his crying son until he collapsed.

"Why father? Why can't we be together?"

The king looked down into his son's eyes, his heart clenching as he did. No parent should ever see such defeat in their child's eyes.

"When the Conqueror became king he placed a burden on all that came after him. We have a responsibility to the people of Westeros. That means we don't always do what we want but what needs to be done. That is why you will marry Celia Tully and Shaera will marry Lord Stark."

"Lord Stark?" Jaehaerys recoiled in shock, "You can't be serious, father? What happened to the Tyrell?"

"After they heard of what you and Shaera tried the slight was too much to ignore. Luthor Tyrell has chosen to wed Olenna Redwyne, Daeron's previous intended. Though there are still some concessions to be made."

"Why Lord Stark, father?"

Aegon sighed, "He is your mother's cousin. His wife just died of a bursting belly. It is an unfortunate circumstance but it would do us well to be tied to the north and that is a tie we need, the powers are shifting against us."

"The Starks have nothing to give us, what would marrying into that house give us?" Jaehaerys asked in frustration.

Aegon scoffed, "The Starks are one of the oldest and greatest houses in Westeros, Jaehaerys. You don't rule for eight thousand years and have nothing to give, boy. Not only are they the ruling lords of the North, they hold the loyalty and respect of their vassals. The Starks will be staunch and valuable allies. There is power in their name and blood and you will respect that."

The king hoped his son hadn't caught the undertone of worry but judging by the look in his eyes, he had. The Starks would be valuable allies but he feared even with their promised princess things would not be on even ground. If any house had been slighted by the crown, it was surely the Starks.

"Allies, they are our vassals, father. Has something happened?"

Another sigh escaped his mouth, he was starting to feel a lot older than he was. He was never supposed to sit the throne. He knew what it did to men, he saw what it did to his father. It was times like this where that small bit of resentment for Aemon reared its ugly head. He loved his brother but there would always be a part of him that hated Aemon for running from the crown.

"A lot has happened, son. Nothing is simple when you're king. Everything you do has consequences, even things you don't do. I know you don't like it but Shaera has to go north and you have to marry Lady Celia. You will be king after me, only then will you truly understand."

The boy kept his gaze for a while, eyeing him with the gaze of a dragon before the fire died and his shoulders fell.

"I understand, father. I will do as you bid."

Aegon hugged his son one last time before leaving. He stopped in front of the two kingsguard knights stationed in front of his son's room.

"He goes nowhere. Am I understood?"

The two knights shook their heads affirmatively. A small weight lifted off of his shoulders. Jaehaerys had been dealt with, hopefully his wife was having a better time with Shaera.

Page Break

It had taken much placation to soothe the wounded pride of his lords. If the words of his Master of Whispers were true, a civil war nearly broke out. Jaehaerys married his Tully bride and Shaera was traveling north. There were still threats out there but he had room to breathe and go back to his studies.

Dragons were truly fascinating creatures. There was lore about them from all over the world. They even once inhabited Westeros, according to some old texts. History was muddled and he had an idea why. It was why he did his best to learn from anyone that wasn't a maester. It was one of the few things of being king that he liked, he had the resources to expand his knowledge. If he could do the impossible and bring dragons back into the world, his family would be safe.

"Aegon, my dear." A sweet, yet strong voice sounded behind him as a set of slender arms wrapped around his neck.

All his worries melted away. He pulled her around to face him and placed her in his lap before she could do anything. She released a quick yelp at the sudden action.

"You look tired, my love."

"I am. My naivety could've caused irreparable damage. I would've been known as the king who couldn't control his children."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Aegon. Children have minds of their own. You cannot always be in control."

His queen's voice was strong, leaving no room for argument. It was one of the many things that made him fall in love with her. She wasn't a simpering maid licking his boots just because he was a Targaryen. He knew he would need a strong woman and he found her, vowing to the gods, old and new, that he would never let her go.

"I know but I am not only their father, I am their king. I'm responsible for the things they do. We're lucky they were caught."

"It couldn't have been that serious." Betha said, massaging her husband's temples.

"You see what Lord Lyonel did, besides, wars have been fought over for less. The lords of the kingdom were already in fuss about my laws concerning the smallfolk. If Lord Tyrell was not such an amiable man, we'd have a full blown rebellion on our hands. Do you think I'm a good king?"

The dark haired woman grabbed him by the face and gazed fiercely into his eyes.

"You are a great king and a great father and don't you ever think differently. Don't let some pompous lords get in your head. You are a dragon and you fear none, bow to none, and follow none. You are the penultimate power in Westeros."

His wife's words lit a fire inside him. It made him want to bring dragons back even more but first he had to sate another desire.

Boom! There goes the prologue. But I'm not going to lie, I've changed the diverging point of this story, maybe three times and this is the latest and last time. But this really spiced the story up even more than before, it set up a lot of drama in the future. I have a few chapters between now and the start of GOT, would you rather I skip those chapters and go straight to that time or post the chapters that are set before then?