So, I know that in the previous chapter I left a message saying I was taking a break from this story, but inspiration struck me and now I am truly going to take a break after this chapter. The message will be deleted from the previous chapter, so I will be adding it below for those who have not read it.
Hi! How is everyone doing?
I hope you've all been enjoying this story as much as I have. Thank you for all the kudos and comments, they always bring a smile to my face whenever I see the notification.
With this chapter, the first part of this story is over. Now, as much as I would love to continue with these weekly updates, I've been feeling burned out with this story lately. As such I will be taking a small break before going back to finish it. Don't worry, it will be two or three months at most.
Thank you all for your support and please comment!
Driftmark, High Tide - 125 AC
We left for Driftmark the day after the Baratheon ships headed back to Storm's End. It was me, Aems, and kekepa Corlys, sailing away while mumuña Rhaenys stayed in King's Landing with muña. They figured one of them had to stay behind. With kepa busy with his squires, Ralph Buckler and Selwyn Tarth, Jacaerys will be mostly left to the care of muña. Even taking into account that Jace would be squiring alongside the young lords. Kekepa Corlys and mumuña Rhaenys didn't think muña was the best influence on him, especially since he's gonna be king one day.
So, mumuña Rhaenys stayed to guide Jacaerys, while kekepa Corlys decided it was more important to make sure me and Aems were ready to handle Driftmark. I overheard their whole talk with the ears of a cat, thanks to my skinchanging. It was kinda funny, really. They didn't trust my muña to teach Jacaerys right. And you know what? I don't blame 'em. My muña's got her own way of doing things, but it's not exactly queen material. So, I was cool with kekepa Corlys and mumuña Rhaenys thinking that way.
I was expecting the next two years in Driftmark to be interesting, arduous with a lot of work, but interesting, nonetheless. What I had not been expected was to go to sleep in my cabin in my kekepa's ship, only to wake up facing the God Arrax. The Ruler of Gods, law, order, justice, governance, and strength. I knew that I was still sleeping in my cabin, that it was my soul the one that was pulled from my body- astral projection the Gods had explained in the previous times that it had happened. Still, it did not stop leaving me feeling dizzy and nauseous.
I bowed at the God, who simply motioned for me to sit down in front of him, so I did. Taking a good look at him, he was like something out of a legend. He had this humanoid shape but with all these dragon-like features—horns, serpent eyes, scales, fangs, pointy ears, forked tongue—you name it. And his skin was as white as pearls, with eyes shining like gold. The Gods had explained to me that when a Targaryen names their dragon after a God, that God takes on the same coloring as the dragon. I found it fascinating and mourned the fact that I could not share this information with my family.
"I must say, I had not expected you to be so effective," Arrax praised me, and I felt my cheeks heat up. Coming from the Ruler of Gods himself, that was a big deal. "You've done an incredible job so far. The Greens' power base is all but gone. If they even try to make a move, everyone will see them as usurpers."
His words hit me hard, though. Sure, we'd knocked the Greens down a peg or two, but war was still on the horizon. I couldn't help but feel a heavy weight settle in my stomach. "So, there will still be war," I said, my voice heavy with resignation.
Arrax just shrugged like it was no big deal, but it kinda pissed me off. Didn't he care about all the soldiers who'd end up dead because of this? "It was to be expected," he said, like it was all part of some grand plan. "The Hightowers won't stop until one of their own is on the throne. They've been at it since Aegon conquered Westeros, and they won't ever quit, especially with the Faith whispering in their ears."
I let out a frustrated groan at the mention of the Light of the Seven. Those fanatics were becoming a real pain in the neck. "They're growing more bothersome by the day. But at least they don't have the same power they did back in Joanna's time. With the Hightowers losing allies left and right, they'll probably try to rally the Faith Militia again. And that might just be what we need to make sure they never get as powerful as they once were. Plus, I finally get a shot at getting rid of the Lannisters for good."
Arrax stared at me for what felt like ages before he smirked, but it wasn't any ordinary smirk. It was a grin full of teeth and hunger, the kind I'd only ever seen on my uncle Daemon's face. "I didn't expect the honorable Joanna Snow to be so cunning," he said, his voice dripping with something dark. "I thought the Starks had softened you too much for that. Especially not after I gave you the life of the meek Lucerys Velaryon."
I blinked, feeling a bit taken aback, but then I nodded. He had a point. "I don't see myself as Joanna Snow, bastard of Winterfell, or Lucerys Velaryon, bastard of Driftmark," I admitted. "I'm the trueborn daughter of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Laenor Velaryon. Granddaughter of the Queen Who Never Was and the Sea Snake. Cunning and bloodthirst are in my blood."
Arrax let out a laugh that sounded like a dragon's roar echoing in my ears. "Well said, princess! You're finally a true Targaryen!"
I smiled, feeling kinda proud of myself, but then my smile faded. "It just saddens me that two lives had to end because of my birth," I admitted, my voice heavy with regret. "Joanna Snow and Lucerys Waters died when Lucerys Velaryon was born... And just like them, Aegon, Viserys, and Visenya will never be conceived."
Arrax fell silent for a moment, his gaze intense. "I can't say anything to ease your pain about Joanna Snow and Lucerys Waters. Your words ring true," he admitted. "But remember, they'll live on in your memory."
I nodded, grateful for his words, but then he dropped a bombshell that left me speechless. "As for Aegon, Viserys, Visenya, Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor, they will be born."
My jaw practically hit the floor. "How? My mother won't betray Ser Harwin, and Jacaerys is supposed to marry Helaena!" I protested, unable to comprehend what Arrax was saying.
He nodded in understanding, acknowledging my concerns. "Do you think our pantheon would betray our most faithful followers? We're not like the Seven with their greed and contempt. We adore our descendants of Old Valyria. We didn't agree with everything they did back in the day, and we put a stop to it. We made sure only the good line would survive."
My breath caught in my throat. "You mean... the Doom of Old Valyria was your wrath?" I asked, stunned by the revelation.
Arrax nodded solemnly. "We could have guided Daenys's dream to go to Westeros and build a power base against the Others. We could have done it all without destroying Old Valyria. The Targaryens were always hungry for conquest."
I scoffed bitterly. "Tell me about it."
Arrax gave a sardonic smile before growing serious again. "But their blood magic and slavery? That we couldn't condone. A lesson had to be taught. House Targaryen learned, only to get caught up in other bad habits. Bowing down to the demands of another faith? Not allowing equal rights to women? What a mess!" His frustration was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards my own family's mistakes.
My mind was still spinning from the information Arrax had just dropped on me. Once I managed to collect myself, I had to ask, "But what about Maegor the Cruel? Aegon the Unworthy? Or... or Aerys the Mad? How can you say our line was the good line?"
Arrax frowned, his expression grave. "Maegor the Cruel was the result of Visenya dabbling in blood magic, the same magic we punished House Targaryen for. And as for Aegon and Aerys, and all the bad kings in between, they were the result of the lack of dragons."
I tilted my head in confusion. "Lack of dragons?"
Arrax nodded. "Why do you think House Targaryen is so important? We blessed you with magic, but magic without an outlet? That leads to madness. Not all the bad kings can be blamed solely on that, though. Aegon the Unworthy? Yeah, he would have been a horrible king regardless. But Aerys? Your grandfather was a good king... until he was driven to madness."
My face darkened when I realized what he meant. "Duskendale."
Arrax nodded solemnly. "Duskendale was a tragedy that never should have happened, but it did. And the Three-Eyed Raven didn't help matters either."
Confusion creased my brow. "Three-Eyed Raven?"
Arrax waved away my worries. "Never mind, we've made sure he'll never be born. So, don't worry about that." His words offered some comfort, but the weight of everything he'd revealed still hung heavy on my shoulders.
I brushed aside the mention of the Three-Eyed Raven, focusing on what mattered most to me. "Aegon, Viserys, Visenya, Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor will be born?" I asked, needing confirmation.
Arrax nodded, his expression serious. "Helaena... we tried to prevent the Dance of Dragons through her once, but it didn't work. We only brought her suffering. This time, we've made sure to give her a husband who will adore her as she deserves. With your help, she's been learning to control her dreams. It'll be good for Jacaerys's reign. It'll be a good reign, I assure you."
A surge of happiness flooded through me as I realized what Arrax was saying. "Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, and Maelor will be Helaena and Jacaerys's children!" I exclaimed, beaming.
Arrax smiled fondly at my joy. "They will be, although I think Helaena will want different names for them. But as for Aegon, Viserys, and Visenya... it's not so simple. Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon's prayers still echo with us, even in this altered timeline. They prayed for her to live, but you see, Visenya was stillborn. She never got the chance to live. It is a big ask to give life to death. A prayer like that comes with a big price."
My heart sank with the weight of his words. I knew what he was getting at. "A life for a life. The Aegon that Daemon and Laena mourned... was Aegon the Broken." The realization hit me hard, a mix of sorrow and understanding flooding through me.
Arrax nodded solemnly. "Viserys and Visenya will be reborn, but since Princess Laena cannot have more children, they will come from Prince Daemon's line."
A fond smile tugged at my lips, though it wasn't as bright as before. "Baela and Rhaena."
"Viserys, who was named after a kekepa in one life, will be named after another in this new one," Arrax explained.
I paused, pondering his words for a moment before it clicked. "Of course! Why would Baela or Rhaena name their child Viserys when kekepa treats their family so horribly? They'll name their son after their kepa, Daemon!"
Arrax laughed, and I couldn't help but join in. It felt good to have a moment of lightheartedness amidst all the heavy talk. "You're getting quick!" he praised. "That cleverness will serve you well in the years to come. Remember, when you turn ten and four, a war will begin!"
With that, I left the astral projection and returned to my cabin, waking up to the gentle rocking of the ship. My head was spinning with Arrax's warning. A war? Why hadn't he called it the war for the throne? Would there really be another war? Gods, what a mess!
