Alysanne Targaryen (Third Moon 95 A.C.)
Skies of above Dragonstone
The winds above Dragonstone were brisk and laden with the salty tang of the Narrow Sea, whipping through Alysanne Targaryen's silver hair as she guided Silverwing in graceful arcs through the skies. Her grandson's delighted laughter carried even over the rush of air and the occasional roar of a distant dragon. Alysanne smiled to herself, a warmth spreading in her chest. Little Aemon was fearless, full of questions and wonder—a true dragon in the making.
If the boy loved anything, it was flying. From the moment he had been old enough to toddle about, Aemon had been fascinated by dragons and the skies. Alysanne had marveled at his precocity. He had walked, talked, and exhibited uncanny intelligence by age three. Now, at the age of almost four, his questions about Balerion had become a regular refrain. "When can I ride him? When will he let me?" And Alysanne, though patient, could not help but worry. Balerion, that great, ancient beast, seemed strangely drawn to the boy. Even now, as they circled the Dragonmont, the Black Dread's golden eyes followed their flight.
"It's wonderful, isn't it, Aemon?" she asked, her voice carrying despite the wind.
"Kessa," Aemon replied, using his special word for "yes" as he clung to her waist. He squeezed her arm in excitement. "When can I go flying? With Bale?"
Alysanne chuckled, her amusement tinged with worry. "Not for some time, my little dragon. You are far too young."
"Bale's a good friend," Aemon argued, pointing a small finger toward the looming shadow of Balerion on the mountainside. "Wanna play with Bale. Fly with Bale. He wouldn't hurt me."
As if to affirm the boy's words, Balerion released a low, approving rumble that reverberated through the air like distant thunder. Alysanne's brow furrowed. How was it that this ancient dragon, so aloof and mighty, responded so instinctively to her grandson? It was a mystery she could not solve, and it unsettled her.
"I know you think that," she said gently, "but even dragons we bond with are dangerous. Silverwing would never hurt me, but that doesn't mean accidents can't happen. Dragons are large and powerful, my little one, and one wrong move can mean the end of a life. You must be patient."
Aemon pouted, his lower lip jutting out in a way that made her smile despite herself. "Okay," he relented. "I will try."
Satisfied, Alysanne turned Silverwing toward the Dragonmont, the great dragon descending smoothly toward her roost. Once they had landed and dismounted, Baelon Targaryen strode forward to greet them. He enveloped his son in a warm hug, ruffling his hair.
"Mother, how was your flight?" Baelon asked, his voice tinged with affection.
"Very well," Alysanne replied, brushing strands of wind-tossed hair from her face. "On Silverwing's back, I'm always at peace. Little Aemon, though, has been asking when he can fly on Balerion."
Baelon chuckled, shaking his head. "One day, my boy, you will. But not yet. We don't want another situation like Aerea's, do we?"
Aemon's face scrunched in annoyance at the reminder, but he said nothing, earning a chuckle from both adults.
As they entered the castle's grand hall, the roaring hearth's warmth greeted them, chasing away the lingering chill from their time on the Dragonmont. The rich aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, accompanied by the quiet hum of conversation and the clinking of goblets being set upon the long tables.
At the head of the hall, Aemma Arryn sat with her serene smile, her sliver-golden hair catching the flicker of the firelight. Beside her, Viserys Targaryen leaned back in his chair, his easy grin widening as he spotted them. Daemon Targaryen, as ever, seemed restless, tapping his fingers idly on the edge of the table as he glanced over the gathering with a sharp gaze. 'That boy has been sour since Aemon's birth, and Lyanna's current pregnancy hasn't helped. Neither did his marriage to Rhae. She hoped a strong-willed woman like Rhae would have balanced him, but sadly it didn't. Having to marry her only seemed to anger him. I suppose I can be grateful Daemon came, at least.' Alysanne thought glumly as she looked from her grand to her gooddaughter.
Lyanna was seated beside Aemma, her dark hair braided intricately in the northern style. She was softly rocking one-year-old Rhaenyra in her arms, the little princess giggling and reaching out toward the shimmering silver goblet her grandmother held just out of reach. Aemma smiled at her little daughter.
"Grandmother, father, Welcome," Viserys called out, rising from his seat to greet Alysanne with a kiss on her cheek. "Did the little dragon enjoy his time with Silverwing?" His eyes twinkled as he crouched slightly to be at his brother's level. "Or was he plotting to fly off on Balerion already?"
"Always," Aemon said with a smirk, and Viserys laughed, ruffling the boy's head. Baelon shook his head and walked over to his wife, kissing her. "How is the realm delight?" Baelon asked Aemma as he sat down beside his wife. "Well, Rhaenyra and Syrax seemed to be bonding." Baelon nodded.
"Viserys, where is Gael?" She asked. "She went to get grandfather," Viserys replied. 'Of course, the man was always working. It was one of the things she loved about her husband, his drive. Yet also one she hated. His duty took first place over his family on most occasions.' She thought sadly.
"Alys," Alysanne turned around at a familiar voice. Saw her daughter in hand with her father. "Jae, working again." She said that as she gave him a kiss on the cheek, Jaehaery's nose wrinkled. "Hmm, you smell of dragon, my dear."
"I'm a dragon," Alysanne replied with a smirk. "That you are, my dear," Jaehaerys said with a laugh as he took her arm, and they walked to the table.
"So tell me, sister, how about spending time with Bartimos?" Baelon asked with a smirk after all had taken their first bite of food.
Her daughter blushed, and Alysanne smiled. 'It seems she had a good time.' "Good brother, I gave him a tour around Dragonstone. He was gracious and less nervous than he was when the betrothal was announced in the Throneroom two years ago. I think I can be happy with him." Gael explained with an ever-growing blush.
"Good, you tell him, sister, if he hurts, Vhagar is only a short flight away," Baelon said with a smirk. "I shall, brother, but I doubt I need to remind him," Gael said, smiling.
'She will be happy. She has grown over the last year, and Lyanna made the right suggestion. The girl had been too shielded, now she was happy with the man she would marry.' Alyssane thought happily. Lyanna had been the baggage that had healed wounds in their family. Healed Baelon's heart, and healed her marriage.
Alysanne took a sip of her wine and bit into a sausage. After a while, she looked over at Lyanna. "So, Lyanna, are excited that your father and mother are coming to the wedding."
"My mother is excited to meet Aemon and Visenya. She has Rickon, but she wishes for mine, too. I waited quite a long time before giving her one." Lyanna said as she kissed Baelon's cheek.
"Father also said it would give Benjen some time to learn to rule on his own, with Winter Coming. He needs the experience. I don't say this lightly. My father is old, and I don't know if he lives through another winter." Lyanna said sadly. "Well then, you can see him again." She said. Lyanna nodded in return.
"Grandpapa is a fierce wolf of the North. Mama spook of him fighting in Essos, the Wandering Wolf," Aemon said proudly. "That he is. Little Dragon." Lyanna said as she traced Aemon's cheek, causing a giggle to escape from the boy.
Then, irritated puff. "Dragon, that boy isn't a dragon." All eyes went to Daemon, who gave them a drunken mocking laugh. "Daemon! I have said this to you over and over again. They are your kin, so now leave the form here. Before I break a promise to your mother to do something I would never do." Baelon commanded as he rose from the table.
At that, with an angry growl, Daemon stormed from the table.
"I'm sorry, Lya," Baelon said, taking her hand in his. "It's fine Baelon. I have tried to have him come around over the past five years. Yet, some things you can't change." Lyanna replied with a deep sigh.
"I know, yet I still hoped he would change his view," Baelon said as he looked toward the door. "Kepa, me Vis will prove him wrong," Aemon said sternly.
Alysanne smiled sadly. "You will, Aemon." Jaehaerys proclaimed and looked strangely proud at her grandson. Then, the prophecy of Aegon's dagger played in her head. 'from my blood will come the prince that was promised, and his will be the song of ice and fire.' Did Her husband think it was Aemon? The Starks were Ice, and they were fire, and Aemon was both.' She looked then confused at her husband.
"Thank you, grandpapa," Aemon said in High Valyrian. "You're welcome, my boy. I know you are a dragon. I haven't seen a bond with one like you have, Balerion, before. You make us all proud." Jaehaerys added.
Aemon smiled widely and jumped off his chair, giving Jaehaerys a warm hug. She looked at the scene and smiled, but she would discover more of her husband's plans tonight.
Jaehaerys and Alysanne's chambers
Alysanne sat near the window seat of the widow when her husband walked inside. He smiled at her kind before sitting opposite her, poured wine on them both, and gave her a look. "What is it, Alys?"
"You think it's him. You think Aemon is the Prince who is promised." She stated without question.
Jaehaerys gave her a smile. The smile that had made her fall in love with him. "There is a possibility. The signs are all there. Baelon falling for his mother, yet my main thought is as to why he is the Prince that was promised Balerion. Alysanne Balerion the dragon was dying when he returned from Valyria or whatever dark place he traveled to when he disappeared. When Lyanna's first pregnancy began, Balerion slowly gained strength, and with the birth of Aemon. The dragon flew into the sky in decades. Then, when Baelon takes Aemon into the sky, Balerion follows whenever Aemon flies with someone. He is the one Aegon dreamed of, which means the form of darkness in the North is coming."
She sighed and nodded. All his explanations were valid. "So, what will we do." She asked. "Guide him as best we can. He is already betrothed to Laena, connecting him to Aemon's line. He will have his own power base in the North making it stronger, and we plan to make sure Aemon's children marry Viserys, his son, or his son. So, the throne stays connected." Her husband answered.
"That's why you agreed for him to be fostered in Winterfell and his seat to build in Sea Dragon Point. Instead, near the Dornish border because you think we need it for whatever comes from the North." She said, and he nodded. 'She wasn't there during the discussion with Rickard Stark. Her husband did. Now she knew why that was the place that was chosen for Aemon's future seat.'
"Well, we shall. Our duty to the realm. I know he will do great things." Jaehaerys said as he gave her a bright smile.
The dim glow of the chamber flickered from the hearth, casting long shadows on the stone walls. Alysanne sat in silence, gazing into the fire as her thoughts tangled together. Her husband's words echoed in her mind, weighing heavily upon her heart.
Jaehaerys, ever the serene ruler, stood by the window, looking out into the darkness. The moonlight shone through the glass, its pale light illuminating the silver of his hair, but there was a glint in his eyes that spoke of burdens too great to share. "You do not doubt it's him, or hope isn't him, do you?" he asked softly, his voice low yet filled with purpose.
Alysanne finally turned her gaze from the flames, meeting his steady eyes. She shook her head, the weight of the prophecy settling in her chest. "I do not doubt him," she murmured, her voice carrying the sorrow of a mother who knew her son would be drawn into something beyond his years. "But I do fear the cost. Duty has cost us much, Jaehaerys."
"If we didn't want the duty. We shouldn't have been king and queen. My dear." Jaehaerys said sadly. "True, sometimes I wish we could return when we were here on Dragonstone. When we were young and didn't bear the burdens we do now." She said.
"Same, but we can't look back, only forward," Jaehaerys said. "Yes, if I look back, I'm lost in the faces with their closed eyes I saw closed before my own." With that said, she went to her bed with a heavy heart and closed her eyes. "Sleep well, my love." She heard before she drifted off.
-
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