King's Landing, The Red Keep – 122 AC
As I boarded the ship bound for Old Town, resentment simmered within me like a slow-burning ember. Why was I being sent away? What had I done to deserve exile from my home, from my family? These questions gnawed at me, fueling the fire of bitterness that raged within. Old Town greeted me with its ancient streets and towering buildings, but its grandeur offered little solace for the ache in my heart. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and distant voices, I felt adrift in a sea of strangers, longing for the warmth and familiarity of home.
Fortnights turned into moons, and moons into years, yet the sting of abandonment refused to fade. I immersed myself in my studies, seeking refuge in the pursuit of knowledge, but even the vast archives of the Citadel could not fill the void left by my absence from King's Landing. Then, one day, I returned. The sight of my mother waiting for me at the docks filled me with a sense of relief and belonging that I had sorely missed. Her embrace was a balm to my wounded soul, her love a beacon of hope in the darkness that had consumed me.
In her presence, I found reassurance and strength, a reminder that no matter how far I roamed, my mother's love would always guide me home. Yet, as I stood before her, enveloped in her embrace, a realization dawned upon me like a bolt of lightning. As I gazed into my mother's eyes, I knew that the blame lay squarely upon my father's shoulders. It was my father who had sent me away, who had deemed me unworthy of his attention and affection. His neglect had driven a wedge between us, poisoning our relationship with bitterness and resentment.
Before returning to King's Landing, I had been tasked with one special mission by my granduncle Ormund. Despite the warnings from my Hightower kin about not letting the Blacks win and putting Aegon on the throne, I found myself stuck in a bit of a pickle when it came to my siblings. Aegon was already showing signs of his drunken ways, far from the noble knight or righteous king our family hoped for. Raised to see Rhaenyra as nothing more than a loose woman, and looking at Helaena, I couldn't see her ruling the kingdom either.
It was like being caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, I wanted to do right by my family, honor their wishes, and make sure the right person ended up on the throne. But on the other hand, I couldn't ignore what was staring me in the face: Aegon's flaws and the doubts I had about my sisters' capabilities to rule. Caught between the teachings of the Seven and the expectations of my family, I felt like I was stuck in a never-ending limbo. The Seven taught me about righteousness, justice, and the qualities of a good ruler. And when I looked at my family, I couldn't see anyone who embodied those qualities.
Aegon's drunken escapades and Rhaenyra's tarnished reputation clashed with everything I had been taught. Even Helaena, though kind-hearted, seemed too fragile to bear the weight of the crown. It was a bitter realization, knowing that the ones closest to me were not fit to rule.
But then there were the family orders, the expectations placed upon me as a Hightower and a Targaryen. My loyalty to my kin ran deep, and I couldn't simply turn my back on them. Yet, it was the head of House Targaryen who had named his daughter as heir to the Iron Throne, and I couldn't ignore the weight of that decision either.
There was also the issue of navigating the dynamics within my own family, you never knew when someone might set something off. Rhaenyra's icy stares made it crystal clear that I wasn't part of her family. Jacaerys, though, tried to extend an olive branch, but my mom's disapproval always hung over us like a dark cloud. It tugged at my heartstrings to see the yearning in Jacaerys' eyes, to sense that connection between us that could never fully bloom. Mom's strict rules kept me at arm's length from the other kids in the family, even if we shared the same blood.
And Helaena, she was like a mystery wrapped in a delicate shell. I couldn't quite figure her out, her emotions hidden beneath that fragile exterior. Then there's Aegon, always with his mean jokes and wild antics, a constant reminder of the not-so-pleasant side of our family tree. In the middle of all this chaos, I felt lost, craving a sense of belonging that always seemed just out of reach.
In the midst of all that family drama swirling around the Red Keep, I found my solace in an unexpected place: little Joffrey. Sure, he might be another one of those baseborn kids, but there was something about him that just melted my heart. Maybe it was because my mom softened up a bit around him, thanks to Lucerys doting on his little brother like there was no tomorrow. Watching Joffrey toddle around, his little giggles filling the air, gave me a sense of peace that I couldn't find anywhere else. I'd spend hours playing with him, making silly faces, and building block towers, feeling like all the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. It was like he had this magical way of making all the chaos fade into the background, if only for a little while.
As for Lucerys, she was like this elusive legend roaming the halls of the Red Keep, and I swear, every time I turned a corner, someone was whispering about her. They talked about her like she was some kind of magical creature, capable of turning the darkest days into something bright and beautiful. And you know what? I couldn't help but be intrigued. She was my only niece, the only trueborn child of my sister Rhaenyra, and yet I'd never even laid eyes on her. But from the way small folk raved about her, you'd think she was the Maiden herself. They said she had this smile that could light up a room and a laugh that could chase away all your troubles. Heck, even the grumpiest of guards couldn't help but crack a smile when she was around.
I couldn't help but wonder what all the fuss was about. What was it about Lucerys that had everyone talking? Was she really as charming as they said, or was it all just a bunch of hogwash? I had to find out for myself.
So, with every tale I heard about her, my curiosity grew. I wanted to meet this mysterious niece of mine, to see for myself what all the fuss was about. Maybe she really was as special as they said, or maybe she was just a regular kid like the rest of us. Either way, I couldn't wait to finally meet her and see for myself what made her so darn special.
It was only when she returned from the Stormlands that I finally saw her grandeur for myself. Lucerys was like this ray of sunshine that just brightened up the whole darn place. I mean, I'd heard all these stories about her, how everyone adored her, but I never realized just how special she was until I finally met her. From the moment she walked into the room, I could see why the small folk and courtiers couldn't stop talking about her. She had this way about her, you know? Like she could turn even the gloomiest of days into something magical. And I gotta say, she had a knack for bringing people together. Even Helaena, who was always so quiet and reserved, seemed to come out of her shell when Lucerys was around.
And me? Well, let's just say I never thought I'd get along with Jacaerys, what with all the tension between our families and all. But there was something about Lucerys that just made it easy to let go of all that baggage and just be friends. Sure, mother didn't exactly approve of our little friendship, but she couldn't fault Lucerys for wanting her brother and uncle to get along. And you know what? I couldn't blame her. Lucerys had this way of bringing out the best in people, of making even the toughest of situations seem a little less daunting.
So yeah, meeting Lucerys was like a breath of fresh air for me. She made me feel like I belonged, like I was part of something bigger than myself. And for that, I'll always be grateful to her. However, Aemond's attitude towards our niece raised a few eyebrows, to say the least. It was like he was staking some kind of claim on her, and I couldn't help but notice. I mean, sure, she was my niece and all, but the way he hovered around her was just plain weird.
So, I did what any self-respecting brother would do—I made it clear to Aemond that there was nothing going on between me and Lucerys. I mean, come on, she's family! But Aemond was always a bit on edge when it came to her, like he was afraid someone might snatch her away or something. It took some convincing, but eventually, Aemond backed off. I guess he figured out pretty quick that I wasn't trying to steal his thunder or anything. Besides, I had my hands full with Joffrey, anyway. That kid was like a magnet, always drawing people in with his infectious charm.
I don't know what it was about him, but there was just something special about Joffrey. Maybe it was those big, amethyst soulful eyes, he was the only one of his siblings who had inherited his mother's eyes. Or that mop of curly hair that always seemed to be in a perpetual state of disarray. Whatever it was, I couldn't resist him.
And then there was Aemond, shooting me these knowing looks like he was in on some big secret or something. I mean, what was that all about? Was there something I was missing? I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than met the eye, but try as I might, I just couldn't figure it out.
Aemond's knowing glances might have thrown me off for a moment, but I decided to brush them off and focus on what really mattered—my newfound bond with my older brother. When Aemond offered to teach me about our Valyrian heritage, I jumped at the chance. It felt like I was finally getting the big brother I'd always wanted, someone who looked out for me and cared about my well-being.
For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged, like I was a part of something bigger than myself. Aemond's guidance and mentorship gave me a sense of purpose, a connection to my roots that I had been missing ever since I left Old Town.
As for Aegon, well, let's just say he had his own priorities. Between his endless drinking and carousing, it was hard to imagine him ever taking on any kind of responsibility. I mean, sure, he was the heir to the throne and all, but most days you'd be more likely to find him stumbling out of a tavern on the Street of Silk than attending to his princely duties.
It was frustrating, to say the least. Here we were, living in the midst of a deadly game of thrones, and Aegon was off gallivanting around the city, drowning his sorrows in whores and ale. It was no wonder that his behavior often landed him in yet another screaming match with our mother.
I had decided to pay a visit to my mother, hoping to find solace in her presence amidst the chaos that seemed to swirl around us constantly. But as I approached her chambers, the sound of her raised voice stopped me dead in my tracks. I hesitated outside the door, unsure whether to enter or retreat, but curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself lingering just outside, straining to hear what was being said.
Inside, I could hear the familiar tones of my mother's voice, stern and commanding, as she delivered yet another scolding to Aegon. It seemed like a scene that played out all too often in our household, with Aegon bearing the brunt of our mother's frustration and disappointment. As I watched yet another argument unfold between Aegon and our mother, I couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that washed over me.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair when it came to my eldest brother, Aegon. It was like he was living in a world of his own, completely oblivious to the dangers that surrounded us. I couldn't help but wonder if Aegon understood the gravity of the situation we were in. Did he not realize that our very existence was a threat to our half-sister's claim to the throne? Or was he simply too lost in his own world to see the danger that lurked just beyond the palace walls?
As I listened, my heart sank at the seriousness of their conversation. Rhaenyra was going on a royal progress. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks – this was no ordinary tour. Rhaenyra was traveling to the Crownlands, the Riverlands, and the Vale, accompanied by her husband and three children. The gravity of the situation was not lost on me. Rhaenyra was gathering supporters for her cause.
As I processed the news of Rhaenyra's royal progress, a pang of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. Why hadn't she included the Stormlands in her tour? It seemed like a glaring omission, but then it dawned on me – perhaps it was a deliberate choice to avoid showing favoritism, especially after Aemond, Lucerys, and Rhaenya's recent visit there. The Targaryen House couldn't afford to be seen as playing favorites. At least, that is one lesson she had learned, compared to our father.
But the realization brought with it a sobering truth – if Rhaenyra and her family were embarking on a tour of three regions, they would be gone for at least a year. The mere thought of such a lengthy absence made me wince, knowing the impact it would have on my family, particularly Aemond.
I couldn't shake the image of Aemond's reaction upon learning that he wouldn't see Lucerys for a whole year. The bond between them was undeniable, the thought of them being separated for such an extended period... Aemond would not cope well with her absence. He will feel lost without her by his side and take it out on everyone else. I, myself, was not feeling great about Joffrey leaving King's Landing for that long.
As I pondered these, I was startled by a commotion nearby. Feeling curious, I followed the maids' whispers and bows, making my way to the hall corridor. Giving them a nod in return for their bows, I peeked through the window to see what had them all worked up.
And there it was, against the blue-sky backdrop, two massive dragons gliding gracefully over King's Landing. Dreamfyre and Ghost, shining like gems in the sunlight, moved in sync like they were dancing up there. I couldn't tear my eyes away. The sight of those dragons soaring was downright breathtaking.
Turning to one of the maids, I couldn't help but ask, "Are my sister and niece up there riding their dragons?" It was more of a rhetorical question, because I knew Lucerys and Helaena's dragons were like giant puppy dogs, always sticking to their riders' commands. But it did make me wonder how folks still called Ghost "mellow" after he torched a whole bunch of Dornish soldiers.
The maid didn't miss a beat. "We reckon so, my prince," she replied.
I let out a sigh, scratching my head in confusion. "I'm pretty sure my sister's never taken Dreamfyre for a fly, and I know for sure Ser Laenor said my niece couldn't ride her dragon until she turned at least ten namedays." It was all a bit baffling, to be honest.
Shaking my head, I shrugged it off. "Ah well, that's not my problem to deal with," I muttered to myself. No skin off my back. I made a mental note to give Mom the heads up that her daughter had snuck off.
The maids gave me a respectful bow as I turned to head back to Mom's chambers. This time, though, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Targaryens, dragons—what could possibly go wrong?
