Notes:

This is a story based on the Game of Thrones books and TV series, but be warned, it's a very AU (Alternate Universe) story. If you're someone who doesn't enjoy a story that deviates a lot from canon, where certain characters may act out of character, or if you're not a fan of romance with a good amount of fluff, and a story that ultimately has a happy ending, then this may not be the right story for you.

Chapter 2: Confusion

Valyrian Peninsula

From the humblest inhabitants to the members of the Triarchy, the entire peninsula mourned. "The Event," also known as the Night of Tears or the Dark Night, had extinguished the lives of hundreds of thousands of Valyrians in an instant. An earthquake, followed by an intense light and total darkness, had plunged the land into chaos.

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows of her manse, Elaena rose from her bed and prepared for the emergency meeting.

Two hours later

Lost in her thoughts, Elaena made her way towards the Senate, battling a sense of hopelessness that threatened to overwhelm her. She knew she had to remain strong.

Elaena took a deep breath, pushing back against the tide of despair. With renewed determination, she entered the Senate chamber, ready to face the challenges ahead.

Inside the Valyrian Senate, the tension was palpable, reminiscent of critical moments during the long conflict with the Ghiscari Empire thousands of years before.

After an hour of heated discussions and disorder, order was finally restored. The Senate agreed that the first step was to determine whether "The Event" was caused by natural phenomena or magic. Once a consensus was reached, a course of action would be decided.

With weary eyes, Aelora Balaerys, marked by a sleepless night, addressed the august body.

"Conscript fathers and mothers, as a member and spokesperson of the Triarchy, I authorize the following members of our ranks to approach the dais and provide their expert opinions on magic and natural phenomena," Aelora declared. She named Sorcerer Supreme and member of the Triarchy, Balemond Aekylosh of House Aekylosh, and Supreme Authority in Volcanology Studies, Laenor Batorian.

As Aelora sat down, she looked sadly at Elaena, who had remained silent throughout the discussions. Among the Forty families, House Targaryen had suffered the most losses, with the majority being outside the peninsula.

Balemond Aekylosh addressed the Senate grandly. "Your Eminences, originally, there were plans for separate expositions. However, based on the physical evidence discovered by Laenor and his acolytes near the Fourteen Flames, we have concluded that the event was a combined occurrence of both natural phenomena and magic."

Gasps and murmurs filled the chamber.

"Due to the magnitude of the eruption in the volcanoes, conventional spells designed to control them proved insufficient," Balemond continued. "The eruption was so powerful that it should have caused the death of every living being in the peninsula, including the dragons. The peninsula itself should have fractured into numerous pieces."

Aelora called for order as the senators erupted into a frenzy. She urged Balemond to continue.

"How are we alive, then?" asked one of the senators, desperation evident in his voice.

Balemond, with his body slightly agitated and sweat trickling down his face, took a deep breath. "We have concluded that this catastrophic event triggered a last-resort spell cast by powerful sorcerers long ago. This spell transported the heart of the Freehold, the peninsula, to the future—to the very place where we stand today."

"How many years?" All eyes turned to the Targaryen senator, who seemed to be lost in thought for a moment before finally speaking. "How long into the future?"

Her mind was racing with thoughts of her family, especially her brother Aenar and his young daughter Daenys, who had the foresight to warn the Valyrians of the impending doom. She whispered to herself, "Smart little girl," before apologizing to her late brother, whom she knew had been ridiculed for his prophecy.

Laenor Batorian stepped in to answer Elaena's question. "Senator Targaryen, we don't have an exact figure, but we estimate it to be between 300 and 500 years."

Silence enveloped the Senate as the magnitude of the situation sank in. Even those who had been critical of the Targaryen family looked at Elaena with amazement and regret.

With a twinkle in her eyes, Aelora Balaerys addressed Elaena in a formal tone, "Senator Targaryen, on behalf of the Triarchy and the entire Senate of Valyrian Freehold, we offer a public apology to the Targaryen family, especially Aenar Targaryen and his daughter Daenys." She paused briefly before continuing, "Aenar, we should have listened to you, dear friend."

Elaena nodded slowly, her eyes filled with tears as she contemplated the weight of her family's sacrifice. It was bittersweet to hear the apology, but it was a small comfort to know that her brother's warning had not gone entirely unheeded.

Aelora then turned her attention to Balemond Aekylosh and Laenor Batorian, saying, "Excellent report, gentlemen. The team of magicians must investigate the ancient magic section in the central library of Valyria to find how this spell was created in order to replicate it. Additionally, I request the development of new spells exclusively designed to control the activity of the volcano."

"To the team of volcanologists, carry out constant monitoring of the volcano's activity and submit a weekly report to the Senate."

Then, addressing the Senate, she proposed, "I suggest that tomorrow we summon the commander of our armed forces to provide us with a report... What is happening?"

At that moment, an icy wind swept through the windows of the building, briefly cooling the interior. All members of the Senate stared in disbelief and fear at Elaena Targaryen, whose eyes had turned white, seemingly in a trance-like state.

"The night is dark and full of terrors, the day bright and beautiful and full of hope. One is black, the other white. There is ice and there is fire. Hate and love. Winter and summer. Evil and good."

"Death and life. Everywhere, opposites. Everywhere, the war."

"Darkness descends upon the land to wrap the world in night's black embrace. The restless dead stir in their ancient tombs, and creatures born of shadow riseto quench their savage hungers. Whispers echo from the crypt, beckoning with the promise of dark desire. And those who heed their call are forever lost in the night."

"Magic is returning to the world for the first time since the Doom. Fire and Ice both grow stronger."

"To the west, in the land of the First Men, where a great ancient battle between the living and the dead decided the fates of men, you will find the dragon who refused the crown, the old bear of the North, and the brave scout wolf. Find them at the Wall, follow the path of the Lord of Light." Aelora heard these words with widened eyes, shocked and chilled, remembering her previous conversation with Elaena about the mysteries hidden within the Wall.

"When this great winter comes, all of Westeros must stand against it. And if the world of men is to survive, then a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne. A king or queen strong enough to unite the realm against the cold and the dark."

After reciting these words, Elaena Targaryen collapsed to the ground, and the cold that had invaded the Senate premises dissipated.

Hours later

Slowly opening her eyes, Elaena, as if awakening from a long sleep, found herself no longer in the Senate chamber. It was now nighttime, and she was in a room, with Aelora Balaerys, Balemond Aekylosh, the magician member of another Triarchy family, and Baesenarr Valitheos, a member of the third Triarchy family, watching her curiously.

"Elaena, we need to talk," Aelora said, her voice filled with concern. "Hundreds of years ago, we didn't pay attention to your niece's dreams, and we made a grave mistake. It won't happen again."

Elaena slowly rose to her feet, her mind still reeling from the prophetic words she had spoken. "What... what just happened?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Westeros, King's Landing, 283 AC

Jaime Lannister sat in his chambers, lost in contemplation, reflecting on the events of the past few months. "I am a warrior, not a monster," he muttered to himself, his mind retracing the steps of that fateful night.

"Ser Jaime, well done... come, we must hurry," Varys said, beckoning him to follow. Jaime complied, cradling the Targaryen children in his arms as the eunuch led them towards a concealed door behind a nondescript tapestry. In that moment, Jaime silently thanked the gods for Maegor the Cruel's paranoia, for without this secret passage, escaping through the city amidst his father's army would have proven nearly impossible.

"This passageway leads to a small, out-of-the-way dock behind the castle," Varys explained. "The ship waiting there, manned by loyalists, will take both children," he continued, referring to Prince Rhaegar's son and daughter.

Jaime nodded, relieved that the children would be safe from the wrath of Robert Baratheon, who had sworn to exterminate every last Targaryen in vengeance for the Mad King's atrocities. Yet, as he handed over the children to the ship's captain, a lingering uncertainty gnawed at Jaime. What destiny awaited them across the sea?

The memory of that night continued to haunt Jaime. He had forsaken his oath as a Kingsguard to protect the king, but he could not bear witness to Aerys Targaryen burning the city and its inhabitants. In a moment of desperation, he had ended the king's life, and with Varys' assistance, had clandestinely smuggled the Targaryen children out of King's Landing, ensuring their safety.

Jaime couldn't shake the feeling that his role in the Game of Thrones was far from over. The Seven Kingdoms were embroiled in chaos and turmoil, with new perils and challenges arising each day. However, for now, he would rest and gather his strength, well aware that the battles that lay ahead would be arduous and blood-soaked.