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Prologue
“One day, sweet sister, you will be mine and together we will rid this castle of these false dragons... Dornish dragons… Snow dragons… we must be kept pure. Do you understand why?” Jaehaerys heard the voice ask.
He was not where he was supposed to be, he was not doing what he was supposed to be doing, Ser Jaime would undoubtedly smack him once or twice with the training sword once he returned. But if he was already going to be punished, there was no point in returning. Might as well push returning at all until he got caught.
He crept through the cramped passageway, soot and dust getting all over his new clothes. A dark red velvet doublet slashed with black cloth. It seemed Ser Jaime would not be the only one punishing him later.
“Brother… Dornish dragons… Snow dragons? They are our family.” He heard another, feminine, voice speak. It was Daenerys, a small smile grew on his face as he realized this.
The voice which likely belonged to Viserys scoffed. “Family? I see no family of mine here. Our family is the blood of the dragon, the seed of the conquerer, and the legacy of Old Valyria. Our brother has disgraced himself by breeding with those no different than the smallfolk we claim superiority to. All is not lost, however, there is still myself… you… us.” Viserys had calmed down, almost purring his last words
It was quiet for a moment and so Jae inched further so that he could perhaps see what was going on. He moved quietly, not wishing to make his presence known until he stopped just in front of the false wall. He leaned in so that he could try and gaze out the small crack between the false and real wall. He could not see much… Perhaps Viserys was comforting her?
“But Viserys, I do not care about any of that,” Daenerys said, pushing Viserys away, gently, and standing from the bed. She remained still for another moment before huffing quietly and standing up straight. “Brother, do not speak of our family that way. I love them and they love us. I do not care about ancestors long dead nor purity long lost.” She spoke, on the edge of trembling he could see now.
Jaehaerys’ chest warmed at his Aunt’s words. Viserys had been talking about him, he realized. Aegon, Rhaenys, and his family were being insulted, but Daenerys was standing up to her brother for them. But why was she so scared? He argued with his own siblings often. Aegon and his arguments even sometimes became physical. But they were still brothers and even the worst argument did not make them fear one another.
Viserys stood and Daenerys took a small step back. Jae could see that she was trembling ever so slightly. Viserys must have noticed too because he reached an arm out to comfort her, taking her upper arm in his hand.
While it was true that he would be punished regardless of if he waited to return to Jaime until after sunset or before, it was likely that it would be far worse. He still had plenty of time despite that, if he could figure out how to clean his clothes, or at least make them look presentable, before then as well, then he could likely avoid his mother’s wrath.
Perhaps a maid would be willing to help? That or he could take his clothes down to the bay and simply wash them himself. He sometimes saw commoners do it, though not often enough. How hard could it be?
“You are hurting me,” he heard Daenerys say. He returned his attention to focus on the crack in the wall.
“And you hurt me, sweet sister, when you say things like that. My own sister turned against me. How am I supposed to feel about it?” Viserys asked softly.
Jaehaerys’ soft, ponderous smile faded as he watched the scene in front of him.
Why does she cry? He wondered, realizing Viserys must be hurting her somehow.
“I have not turned against you, brother, but Rhaegar is as much a brother to me as you are. They are his children and I love them as my nieces and nephews.” Daenerys stated simply.
Her soft trembling did not stop, but she held her head high and did not look away from her brother. Jaehaerys had no intention of interrupting their argument. That was until he noticed Viserys’ lips beginning to curl slightly.
Acting quicker than he could think, Jaehaerys shoved his shoulder into the false wall and fell into the new opening. Dany and Viserys quickly moved to the opposite side of the room, obviously startled, and Viserys even went for his sword.
Jaehaerys pulled himself to his feet and dusted himself off before looking back at the destroyed fireplace. Good thing it had not been lit, the passageway likely would have been much, much more uncomfortable.
He looked sheepish for a moment before a half smile broke out on his face. “Sorry about that, uncle, but do you think I could borrow Dany for a bit?” Jae asked, stepping forward toward them.
Viserys, who had his sword out now, made no move to react as he stared at the dirty prince with wide eyes. “Wha- what in the Seven Hells are you doing?” He finally stuttered out, glancing between Jae and the fireplace.
The door to the room burst open and in poured Ser Jonothor Darry with his own sword held out. His eyes were wide and frantic as he glanced around the room looking for the threat. When he found Jae, he instantly lowered his sword. “Prince Jaehaerys?” he asked, confused, glancing at Viserys and Daenerys.
Dany was quicker than either to recover. With a glance at her still-dazed brother as well as Ser Jonothor, she slid out from behind Viserys and smiled brilliantly at Jaehaerys whose heart leaped suddenly.
They walked past Ser Jonothor who held out a hand to stop them but hesitated at the last second.
Laughter nearly escaped them but they stifled it as best they could as they fled Viserys’ room and ran into the wider corridor. Viserys and Ser Jonothor had evidently recovered as he heard shouts erupt from behind them. It only increased their giddiness and made holding their tongues harder and harder.
They ran and ran, passing servants, guards, courtiers, and courtesans alike.
However, they could only last so long and eventually, they broke into fits of laughter.
Jaehaerys leaned forward, holding his hands on his knees in a desperate attempt to get as much air possible in between each round of giggles. After a moment, he pulled his head up to see how Daenerys was taking it. She was in a similar state, wiping a tear or two from her eyes as she leaned back against one of the walls. Her pale hair hung messily but he did not mind.
Daenerys opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by the echoes of distant shouts. They glanced back down the corridor they had come and hesitated, quieting their laughter so they could hear. The shouts were becoming louder and louder and Jae prepared to run.
“Come with me,” Daenerys said, suddenly rushing forward and grabbing his hand. She started running once more and pulled Jae along. The shouts from behind them became quieter once more as they ran further and further away.
But Jae was not focused on the shouts or those who may be chasing them. His eyes were focused on the girl pulling him along. Her hands were soft, he noted, very soft. It was in contrast to his own which had begun to get toughened by training. Daenerys laughed heartily and his own laughter faded as he began to focus solely on hers.
He shook the thoughts from his mind and then pulled on her hand to get her to stop. “I think we are far enough away now,” Jae told her while simultaneously, and as smoothly as he could, he pulled his hand out from her grasp.
The pair slowed to a stop and stifled their laughter to listen for shouts or footsteps. Satisfied, Daenerys nodded once and sighed loudly. “We are going to be in so much trouble for this.” She pointed out, however, not seeming at all worried about that part.
Jaehaerys snorted and shook his head. “Maybe you will, but I was already going to be in a lot of trouble. What’s one more reason at this point?”
Daenerys' eyebrows quirked in amusement. “Punishment is punishment, true, but do not pretend there are not varying levels to it” She stated with a smirk. Jaehaerys shrugged and turned away from her, continuing down the corridor.
“Where to now, now that you have stolen away with me?” Daenerys asked, skipping steps to catch back up with him.
“Is that the story now?” He asked.
“It will be when Mother questions me. Oh, Mother, he was truly a brute. After seeing what he did to Viserys’ fireplace, how could I not help but feel threatened to go with him?” She spoke with a sing-songy voice.
Jaehaerys ignored his aunt’s words and continued to walk forward. “What were you doing back there? Spying? I do not think even Viserys knew about that passage.” Daenerys mentioned, a small smile growing on her face as she thought back to her brother’s face.
“I just found that one today, pity. I am sure my father or Viserys will have it filled in. Not that it matters as everyone knows of it now.” Jae answered sadly. He liked to explore the castle, he especially liked finding all the hidden passageways.
“You just found that one today? As in, you go looking for them?” Daenerys asked with a small grimace.
“You do not find them interesting? They have been built, used, and hidden by generations of our ancestors... It is said that only a Targaryen can know all the secrets of the Red Keep and one day I will.” Jaehaerys told her excitedly, though the mildly disgusted look on her face did not fade.
“And until that day you will always wear dirty clothes.”
“There is nothing wrong with getting a little dirty, Dany.”
“Not according to my mother,” Daenerys said matter-of-factly.
Jaehaerys snorted again before speaking. “It is as according to mine.”
The pair let the issue drop as they continued walking through the castle. They walked quietly and in a portion of the castle rarely needed or used. As such, the number of guards that patrolled the area was smaller than anywhere else in the castle. Though, they still had to be careful and duck out of the way once in a while.
“So what do we do now?” Daenerys finally asked after they had been walking silently for, evidently, too long.
Jae looked at his aunt weirdly for a moment before beginning. “Anything? Nothing? Is that not the point? On our own, we may choose to do as we please.”
“We may be alone, but we are not on our own, Jaehaerys Targaryen. And never may we do as we please.” Daenerys answered slowly.
Jae turned his head to the side and watched his aunt walk for a moment and waited for her to return his gaze but she did not. Eventually, an idea crossed his mind and he blushed lightly. Acting quickly before he could convince himself otherwise, his hand shot out from his side and latched onto her own.
“Jae?” She just barely asked before being pulled forward into a run a moment later. “Where are we going now?” She asked as she began to laugh once more.
…
“Should we announce ourselves, Majesty?” Arthur asked from beside the king, standing on the catwalk that overlooked the courtyard.
Rhaegar watched his son and sister for a long while with an unreadable expression. He’s getting worse, I feel I hardly know him anymore, Arthur thought to himself, though he cursed himself for such thoughts. It is not his place. But as he watched his king he could not help but feel a sense of detachment where there was once brotherhood.
Finally, Rhaegar spoke with a slow drawl. “No, let them turn themselves over to us willingly, let them believe they are making the correct choice rather than being forced into it.”
Arthur nodded quietly for a moment, accepting the answer. Barristan, however, asked, “believe they are making the correct choice? Is it not?” Rhaegar did not respond to his question, instead watching the children for a moment more in silence.
Suddenly, the king turned away and began walking back to the throne room. Arthur and Barristan fell into step, lagging just behind their king, neither expecting an answer.
Their king greeted courtiers and guests alike with a smile as they walked past, his previous heavy mood seemingly forgotten. Arthur often wondered how his king was so good at that, separating the king from the self; the kingdoms from the emotions. Perhaps Rhaegar truly had been born to rule.
When it was only just the three once more, Rhaegar spoke without looking back at them. “Once, when I was still young and naive, I hated my great-grandfather for what he did. He nearly brought our family to ruin in his quest to return the dragons; he did bring our family to ruin. But now, after so many years of rule, I have begun to understand him more and more… Was he mad like some claim? Or was he simply a tired old man, des-“ Rhaegar cut off suddenly, and stopped in the corridor.
He breathed in once, deeply, and turned around. Arthur’s heart began to beat quicker with each second. Why was his king reminiscing about Aegon the fifth like a man on his deathbed going on about his life’s regrets?
His grace studied Barristan for a moment before his eyes moved to Arthur. What is he looking for? Arthur questioned, standing up straighter.
“You asked me what the correct decision was but I fear I no longer deserve an opinion, for the decision I have made is surely the wrong one and enormous in consequence.” His king said in one breath.
“What decision, your grace? If you know it is incorrect then why have you made it? Why can you still not change it?” Arthur rushed out the question, unable to stop himself. This is not Rhaegar, my king, who is this? he found himself wondering once more.
Rhaegar smiled softly at his friend for a moment before it faded and his king was left to address him.
“One day, you two will have to answer a question. While I do know what the question is, I can tell you neither it nor the correct answer. I can tell you it will be yours to make, yours and yours alone. Should you come to the wrong answer, you will have to live with it for the rest of your life.” Rhaegar swallowed deeply, turning back around and beginning his walk once more.
“As I have had to with mine.”