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In the Red Keep’s art studio on a night that would later prove be unlike any other, a painting was nearing completion. The room was filled with many paintings in progress, but King Aegon II Targaryen concluded this one was special. It stood to reason to assume it was dedicated to him considering how Jaehaera and Jaehaerys were allowed to view it, and not him. He could always order it shown to him, but Helaena had pleaded with him to refrain from such an action.
His wife had been painting the canvas for weeks now, always taking time in her day to make progress. She was Queen now; she could do what she liked. Aegon was King and could not. The realm required his utmost attention. Lately it had cut into the time he would usually dedicate to his family.
The fact he was able to get time away from his duties at all amazed the man. He prayed the opportunities lasted. Messages to Rhaenyra had not been answered yet. His Small Council was certain she was plotting to steal his throne through eventual conflict. The Iron Throne was Aegon’s and he would fight for it, but he did not wish to go to war.
War would take him away from his family. Helaena, Jaehaera, and Jaehaerys were his, nobody else’s. The four of them were a thunder of dragons, and separated dragons were more vulnerable. Yet, a king must lead in war or else he was no true king. If Aegon was worthy of the Conqueror’s name, he needed to prove it by riding Sunfyre into each battle if necessary. For the realm. For his family.
Until word was received from a raven or his Hand, Otto Hightower, all was well. His Master of Ships, Tyland Lannister, ran most of the day-to-day activities in the meantime, which suited Aegon just fine. He would sit right here in the studio, in a chair, blindfold on his face. Jaehaera and Jaehaerys were painting on canvases behind him while his wife worked on the one she insisted was almost finished. From his point of view that was not true, but he had never been a patient man.
Still, every moment spent with his children was a gift. Aegon knew he had a reputation as being difficult to deal with, but that side had morphed into his King side. His Father side was separate and would always remain that way, or so he told himself. He was raising Jaehaera and Jaehaerys to be better than him, and he would see that through until his last day. They seemed to idolize him, so he must be doing something right.
Speaking of his two human dragons, they were beginning to converse with one another.
“I made purple!” he heard Jaehaera exclaim.
“On my canvas!” Jaehaerys protested.
“We’re doing the same thing!”
The twins were inseparable, but like all siblings, they had their occasional quarrel. While Helaena was preoccupied with her finishing touches, it was up to him to prevent them from breathing too much fire.
“Jaehaera, please allow your brother his own splash space,” Aegon told his daughter. “He has his, you have yours. You should respect his boundaries.”
“Yes, Daddy,” his daughter sighed.
At least his dragons were currently tamed. One day his daughter would grow into adolescence, and then the real battle would begin in his parenting.
“Hey!” Jaehaerys shrieked.
“Um, Your Grace,” he heard Kingsguard member Ser Willis Fell address him.
Aegon had decreed Willis Fell be assigned to protect the twins. His Small Council had protested stating that perhaps Ser Willis would be better off assigned to a specific one. They had suggested Jaehaerys, since he was the king’s heir, but Aegon would not allow one twin to be prioritized over the other. They were basically one person anyways. He had put his fist down and won that argument, as he found he was capable of now that he was king. Thus, Ser Willis Fell protected both of his children during the day.
“Tell me, Ser, are my twin dragons’ claws out? Are they locked in ferocious battle?” Aegon asked him, sighing. He would rather the man not speak. The Kingsguard’s job was to protect the royal family, not become involved in their ongoings.
When it came to childish conflict, however, Aegon could allow some exceptions.
“No, Your Grace,” Ser Willis relayed to him, “but it may come to that soon. The Princess Jaehaera has splashed paint over the Prince Jaehaerys’ clothes with her brush.”
“And the Prince is not happy!” Jaehaerys shouted.
“Come here. Both of you,” Aegon ordered, beckoning behind him with a finger.
“Hah!” Jaehaerys blew a raspberry at his sister as he no doubt led the way to their father.
Their little feet echoed across the room as they got closer. Once the footsteps ceased, Aegon held both arms out.
“Each of you, take a hand. A separate hand,” he added quickly to avoid any more potential squabbles.
The blindfold remained on, but he felt small hands touch his.
“Good. Now, listen closely, my little dragons. The House of the Dragon must not fight over such silly things. We must set the correct example and lead by it.”
“Nobody’s here, though,” Jaehaera pointed out.
He squeezed her hand tenderly. “I am. Ser Willis is. Your mother is, or so I’m led to believe. I have not heard her speak at all in what feels like an hour. My Queen, are you present?”
“The reds must be painted ever so delicately lest the imagery be tarnished,” he heard his wife reply.
“Thank you for your contribution. I’ll take it from here,” Aegon said lightly, smiling so his children would know mommy and daddy were not fighting.
“She splashed me! Look, Daddy!” requested Jaehaerys.
“Oh, I would, but as you can see, I…cannot see. Your mother has taken my eyes away!” Aegon gasped, grabbing onto his children’s hands, and moving them towards his face.
The desired outcome was reached in the form of Jaehaera and Jaehaerys giggling as Aegon put on a jester persona. He rarely let this side of him out. Only when alone with his children did he release it. Outside of Helaena and the twins, Ser Willis Fell was the most familiar with the rare character trait of the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. Every member of the Kingsguard was sworn to keep their king’s secrets, so he need not worry about word getting out.
His little girl giggled and tried to outsmart him once more. “Daddy, your eyes are underneath the…what is that?”
“What’s what?” Aegon pretended to be clueless.
“This!” she laughed, tugging on his blindfold.
“Oh, that…you see, Jaehaera, this is your mother’s eye-kidnapper. Once it’s on, only she can take it off. When she does, I must pray I can see again!”
Jaehaerys’ next words assured the king that his heir had not forgotten about the little fight with his twin. “We can take it off! Daddy needs to see what you did so you can get in trouble!”
Their hands that were not trapped in his much larger ones began picking at the cloth.
“Seven save me! My Queen, you must know, my vision is slowly returning. Are you finished yet?”
“You must stave off our twin dragons for now, my King,” Helaena called over to him. “The transformation must remain secret.”
Helaena was capable of completing her project; she just needed time. In order for that to happen, however, Aegon needed to hold out a little longer, or else the surprise she had in store would be ruined. At least, so she said. When his wife spoke, it was best to listen.
“May Sunfyre be my strength!” Aegon roared, standing up and keeping his attackers at bay. He let go of their hands and put his own on their heads as they futilely ran in place towards him.
“No fair! Sunfyre is bigger than ours!” Jaehaera complained.
“Yeah!” Jaehaerys agreed with his sister.
That was good. The more he could get them to not fight, the more convinced he would become that he was worthy of being a father. Doubts regarding his capability occupied his mind more than ever now that he had immense responsibilities outside of his personal family. With kingship came great sacrifice.
Aegon stepped away from the chair, doing his best to remember where the tables and supplies were located. He was pretty sure turning right would break something expensive, so he went left.
“Morghul and Shrykos are no match for Sunfyre’s speed!” Aegon taunted, flapping his arms as if they were wings. He felt his knee strike the corner of a table. “Ow! Seven He-”
He caught himself at the last moment. Cursing was not what his children needed from their king father. Helaena had insisted he cut down ever since she had given birth, and he had done his best to oblige her when around their offspring.
His stumble cost him his lead. He heard more footsteps and felt a twin grab onto the back of one leg each.
“But together, we’re fast!” Jaehaera proclaimed.
“Ahh! Ser Willis, save me!” When he heard armored footsteps, “I jest, Ser. Return to your post.”
The heavy sounds receded. Aegon liked to imagine the man was backing up rather than turning around. Any chance to increase the contentment he was feeling, he would take.
“We got you!” the twins yelled in unison. “We win!”
“It appears so,” Aegon conceded, completely relenting from his movement when his toe struck something. He would not put his little dragons in harm’s way.
“Come on, Daddy, faster, faster!” Jaehaerys pleaded, punching his father’s thigh as if to urge him on.
As much as he wanted to continue the game, he had to accept he was not sure where he was in the room any longer. Perhaps Ser Willis could assist him, but he wished to keep his time with his children between the three of them.
“It is time for us to land. Hop off, both of you,” Aegon said reluctantly, causing Jaehaera and Jaehaerys to both let out disappointed noises as they obeyed.
“If you’re not gonna fly, can I ride Morghul?” his little girl inquired. She was quickly showing herself to be the more daring of his two children.
“I wanna ride Shrykos!” Jaehaerys threw in, not wishing to be left out.
Again, they both spoke simultaneously. “Can we, Daddy? Please?”
Aegon chuckled to himself and had to admit, he was tempted to take them down to the Dragonpit himself right now, but his wife would be hurt. She had requested they all come to this room, and duty permitting, he would not leave until she was satisfied.
He took a quick breath as he delivered the bad news. “One day…but not today. A time will come when you two will be the best dragonriders in the Realm. Before that day comes, you must first ride on land.”
The twins did not immediately speak. He pictured them turning their heads towards each other in response to their father’s last words.
Jaehaera tried again. “We know how to walk! We wanna fly! Can we, Daddy? Please?”
As fun as this was, Aegon knew he needed to shut down the idea now. Children must obey their father, even ones as precious as these.
“No. You’re too young and will hurt yourself…or worse. Have patience, my daughter.”
“Okaaay,” Jaehaera replied, finally accepting defeat.
He hated telling his children ‘no’, but limits had to be set. The bond Aegon had with Sunfyre was special and took years to accomplish. Dreamfyre was bound to Helaena and obeyed her, but his wife was not Dreamfyre’s first rider. Their ancestor Princess Rhaena Targaryen had that honor. Morghul and Shrykos were both young and had never been ridden before. Pursuing such a dangerous feat at the twins’ age was begging for disaster.
No disaster would ever reach Aegon’s babies. Not if he could help it.
Aegon sighed as he came back into focus. He was beginning to tire of not being able to see anything. “My Queen, please do tell me you’re wrapping it up.”
His wife responded. “Twin dragons, please guide His Grace over. The eye restoration is within sight.”
“Yay!” the twins cheered.
Each grabbed onto one of their father’s hands and tugged him. Eager to both make his children happy and reacquire his sight, he allowed himself to be pulled. With each step, the end of the wait drew nearer.
He felt the twins stop, almost bumping into them as he stilled his own feet. The suspense was killing him. He wished his shrouded eyes were capable of shooting flame.
At last, Helaena gave her permission. “You may gaze upon it, Your Grace.”
Aegon clawed the cloth off, tossing it on a nearby table. He blinked a few times, his eyes readjusting to the lighting throughout the room.
He covered his mouth at Helaena’s work of art.
Sunfyre was in the room with them, despite currently residing in the Dragonpit.
The revealed canvas contained his beautiful dragon. Sunfyre’s gorgeous gold scales gleamed in the light of the sun Helaena had painted, pink wings capturing most of the light from the star centered behind the beast. Against the light blue sky, Aegon knew it was the most beautiful painting in existence. This would be hung up for all to see. Where, though? No one place was worthy of displaying this masterpiece. This must be discussed in the next Small Council meeting. He would call a session first thing tomorrow.
Aegon finally found his voice. “This is…magnificent! My Queen, you have created the most stunning piece of art in the world.”
Helaena gave him a happy look. “We’d have to see the others to be certain, Your Grace.”
“I would burn all paintings those claimed were superior. No, this…I am grateful. Thank you.” He had to fight back a tear. A king did not cry.
Jaehaera and Jaehaerys jumped up and down. Their father’s happiness was apparently contagious. The twins ran in circles around the painting.
“Careful, now!” Aegon cautioned. “You must not damage the- erm, damage yourselves.”
He could have slapped himself at almost saying “the painting.” Of course his children were more important, but Targaryens were tough. They could withstand injury more than any other bloodline, or at least the worthy ones could. His children were certainly worthy of the name, but he didn’t think letting them believe he cared more about a painting than them would be proper, even if his intentions were not bad.
Helaena chided their children, and they slowed their pace. Aegon approached her.
“My love,” he whispered, stroking one of her cheeks. He kissed her lips lightly. “Words are not enough. This was most kind of you to produce.”
She nuzzled herself into his hand affectionately. “His Grace deserves the best for being the best father.”
Aegon’s heart swelled. “We must begin planning celebrations. I will order a feast be prepared for the morrow, with the painting in prominent view! It must have a name.”
Jaehaera stopped her game with Jaehaerys, approaching the painting in silence. She gazed at it, clearly deep in concentration.
“The colors! Sunfyre…gold…’Sunfyre the Golden!’” she proposed.
Every day, he became more and more impressed with his little girl’s sharp mind.
“That’s a brilliant name, Jaehaera! Very good!” Aegon praised her. He held out an arm, a silent invitation for her to gather towards her parents.
She ran over, Jaehaerys on her heels.
The king shared a hug with his queen, his heir, and his clever, clever daughter. In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not Rhaenyra, not the Realm. Only his family.
The peace was interrupted when the previously shut door to the studio was opened. In stepped Ser Arryk Cargyll. The king squinted in annoyance at the knight, who gave the king a quick look before making eye contact with Willis.
His children’s protector went over to his Kingsguard brother and the two whispered covertly. Willis glanced over at his king, then back to Arryk. Then the worst way that exchange could have ended occurred.
Willis began walking towards him.
The knight approached timidly. “Your Grace, I hate to intrude, but-”
“Can this wait?” Aegon could barely contain his snarl.
A moment of silence, then, “No, Your Grace. It cannot. Lord Tyland is outside the room. He insists on speaking to you at once."
Ordering Tyland away was tempting, but Aegon knew he had to stop being a father and start being a king again.
He had no choice. “Very well.” To his family, “Release your grip.”
Helaena, Jaehaera, and Jaehaerys backed off. The twins looked between their father and Willis a few times, clearly not understanding why the wonderful embrace had to end so soon.
Aegon changed his demeanor and walked away, towards the door. Arryk held the door open while Aegon entered the hall, in which stood Tyland Lannister.
“What is the meaning of this?” Aegon demanded. “I ordered not to be disturbed!”
Tyland bowed his head. “Yes, Your Grace. Please accept my apologies. Your brother Aemond has returned from Storm’s End. He is demanding an immediate war council.”
War?
No. No, not now.
What had Aemond done this time?
Aegon’s night began to crash down on him. It had been shaping up to be the best night of his life since he had been crowned. His brother had put that in jeopardy. He didn’t want to go.
“Please don’t take me away from my family,” he pleaded to his loyal Council member, so soft that Arryk could not hear.
Tyland blinked at him a few times. So far in his reign, Aegon had always kept his Father side separate from his King side. This was the first time one had bled into the other.
“I…I’m sorry, Your Grace,” Tyland said helplessly, giving him the traces of a sad look.
The king felt powerless. He slowly nodded. “Wait for me. I will be out in a moment.” He didn’t give Tyland time to respond. Aegon turned around and reentered the studio.
Waiting for him a few paces inside were Jaehaera and Jaehaerys. Helaena was sitting in a nearby chair, giving him a knowing look. She understood. Now he needed to break his children’s hearts.
He ordered Willis to shut the door. “For a moment only,” Aegon assured. “Now.”
Willis obeyed. As soon as the view of the hall vanished, Aegon got onto one knee, inviting the twins in for one last hug.
With them in his arms, they squeezed each other. He had to check himself so that he didn’t accidentally begin suffocating them.
“Daddy must work. It’s important, else I would not leave your side. I hope you know that.” He struggled to keep the emotion out of his voice.
Instead of breaking their hearts, Jaehaera broke his with her next words.
“Can we come with you?”
Then in sync with her brother, “Can we, Daddy? Please?”
He had to fight back more tears.
A king did not cry.
“No. No, stay with your mother and Ser Willis. Be good for them. I do not know when I’ll be back. You both will likely…likely be in bed by the time I am.” He kissed a cheek on each of his precious children. “Goodnight, my little dragons.”
“Goodnight, Daddy!”
“Goodnight, Daddy!”
With great reluctance, he broke away, standing up as Helaena approached. She took his hand and squeezed lightly, giving him a sad smile.
“I do not wish to leave,” Aegon told her, kissing her one last time for the night.
“I know,” she said, running a thumb over his knuckles. “Yet you must. I will see the children to bed. Sunfyre the Golden will remain stationary for now.”
Aegon mustered up his last smile of the night and separated their hands. He began out of the room, not once looking back.
On his way out, he leaned in towards Willis. “Watch over them. Keep them safe.”
“With my life, Your Grace.”
The king nodded and stepped out into the dark hall. He walked beside Tyland, with Arryk not far behind. They headed towards the Small Council room.
When the king heard about what had transpired near Storm’s End, the first thing he wanted to do was hold his children and never, ever let go.