Chapter Text
Aegon's mother, Alicent, had decided that he would be king a long time ago. It didn't matter what Aegon thought of it or that Rhaenyra was appointed heir by their father already. It was a fact carved into the stone of his life. Aegon was the first born son of the king, so Alicent had no intent of letting Rhaenyra take the throne after Viserys’ death. He drained another glass of wine, feeling its warmth crawl down his throat and settle heavy in his chest. Wine didn't yell at him or scold him or remind him of all he had done wrong. No wine just accepted him with its bittersweet embrace.
“Bring me more wine.” Aegon slurred his words as he spoke. He liked coming down to the bar, the smallfolk were much friendlier than the castle courtiers. The bartender poured him another cup of wine. Aegon took it greedily, drinking fast enough that the froth clung to his lips and dribbled onto his tunic. He thought of what was awaiting him back at the castle. His mother who he could never please, and his father who had weakened so much these past months. Aegon and the king had never been close before, and his “father” never made an effort to get to know him.
Aegon leaned back in his chair, letting the fire’s glow wash over him. He traced the rim of his mug with a finger, watching the froth cling stubbornly. He could almost imagine, if only for a moment, that he wasn’t a prince with a crown hanging over his head, but just another face in the crowd. A man who laughed too loudly, drank too much, and told tales no one would remember in the morning.
“Excuse me, your grace but I would like to go home some time soon.” The bartender said, snapping Aegon out of his thoughts. Aegon's drunk mind took a minute to process what the man had said.
“Right…right.” Aegon replied, his words coming out slowly. He stood up, his legs almost giving out beneath him. “I…i will leave you to it then.”
Cold air met Aegon as he stepped outside. The people of King's Landing paid him no mind as he stumbled through the street. Aegon wondered what it would be like to just fly away from it all. He had often daydreamed of it. Just hopping on Sunfyre and flying as far as possible. But House Targaryen had bigger faster dragons who could easily catch him and drag him back, whether he wanted it or not.
Aegon laughed bitterly to himself at the thought, his boots scraping the ground. He could never escape the Targaryen legacy. Aegon looked up at the looming castle, Red Keep. Inside those walls his mother waited, with her sharp eyes and sharper words. She would speak of his duty, of his legacy, of the throne that felt more like a prison sentence than a gift. Aegon approached the castle, going through the tunnels to avoid the knights.
Aegon walked through the halls of the palace, feeling shame. The tapestries depicting the Targaryen victories of old seemed to mock him with their frozen triumphs, their dragons alight with fire he had never felt he could wield. Aegon approached his room but Alicent was already there waiting. She already knew that he had been drinking, that he had wandered the streets pretending for a few fleeting hours that he could be anyone else. Alicent dismissed the servants with a wave of her hand, and they quickly scurried away, not wanting to be caught up in the coming argument.
“Aegon.” Alicent started, her voice like a sword. Aegon grimaced, feeling nauseous. “You've been drinking again.”
“I-” Aegon started, before getting cut off.
“Do you think your people will respect a king who goes out every night? Drinking the pubs dry and wandering the streets like a lost boy?!” Alicent got closer as she spoke.
“Rhaenyra is going to inherit the throne, not me.” Aegon responded. He was already tired of his mother's diatribe.
“The realm will never accept a girl Aegon. She was made heir out of desperation. The throne is rightfully yours.” Alicent scoffed. Aegon gritted his teeth, if it was his fate to inherit the throne then why didn't his father bother appointing him as heir? It has been 15 years already, Aegon didn't want to be caught up in this plot to usurp his sister.
“Rightfully mine? My father had plenty of time to make me his heir, but he never did. He doesn't care about me.” Aegon slurred, he ran his fingers through his hair. All the wine was making him more emotional than normal.
“Look at you Aegon, you can barely stand. You are a Targaryen. Start acting like one.” Alicent responded. Aegon was tired, he honestly just wanted to lay in his bed instead of being subjected to his mother's scolding. Thankfully she didn't continue. She only shook her head and walked away.
Aegon entered his chambers and plopped down on his bed, feeling exhaustion creep into his bones. He wondered if Rhaenyra ever felt this way. If she ever felt trapped, like whatever she did wasn't good enough. He had looked up to the woman when he was a child, before his family broke. Maybe it had always been broken, collapsing under the weight of upholding the Targaryen legacy.
He thought of his brother Aemond. He had been the only one without a dragon when they were a child. It turned him bitter, bitter enough to verbally attack Rhaenyra's children and their cousins, Jace and Luke. That night had caused him to lose his eye, and gain a dragon. Aemond wasn't the same afterwards.
Was this how Aegon really wanted to spend his days? Miserable on a throne he didn't want, having only the reassurance that he had at least kept his sister from assuming the throne? He'd have to kill her and her family so they couldn't challenge him for the throne. Despite all their problems with each other, Aegon didn't want to see them beheaded or hanging in the square like common criminals. He rolled over onto his back, and stared at the ceiling.
The stone was sturdy, like his family. His mother's words rang in his ears. Aegon sat up and hesitantly stepped off his bed. He couldn't be made king if he wasn't here. The thought tempted him again. Aegon stood up and walked down the hall. His mother and father were asleep.
On the way to the dragon pit, Aegon constantly looked over his shoulder. Feeling as if someone was going to come after him, that his family somehow knew what he was planning and sent someone to fetch him back. He half expected Syrax or another dragon to swoop down and carry him back to the castle.
‘Don't be ridiculous Aegon, all of the dragons are chained in the dragon pit.’ Aegon told himself. He approached the looming building. Large wasn't enough to describe it, it was massive. Towering over even their biggest dragon, Vhagar. Aegon opened one of the doors, wincing as it creaked. He made his way down to the Dragonpit. Dragonkeepers eyed him warily, but relaxed once they realized he was a Targaryen.
“Fetch me my dragon, Sunfyre.” Aegon commanded. It must've been a crazy sight, the prince, clearly drunk, demanding his dragon. But the Dragonkeepers nodded loyally, and sent one of them to fetch the beast.
The man came back, Sunfyre in tow. Aegon smiled. His dragon was beautiful, the most beautiful in all the land. He had golden scales that shimmered in the sunlight and red wings. Though it was the middle of the night, the dragon's beauty was still immeasurable. The moonlight complimented him, making his gold scales look almost white.
“You are dismissed.” Aegon said as he climbed onto his dragon's back. The Dragonkeepers hesitated for half a heartbeat, glancing between Aegon’s unsteady posture and the great dragon lowering his neck for his rider. Loyalty won out over doubt. One by one, they bowed and backed away, the echoes of their footsteps swallowed by the vast hollow of the Dragonpit.
Sunfyre rumbled softly, a low, questioning sound that vibrated through Aegon’s bones. The dragon’s warmth seeped through the thin soles of his boots as Aegon settled more firmly against the saddle, fingers curling into the familiar leather straps. He led the dragon out of the Dragonpit and they took off into the night, leaving King's Landing behind. Aegon looked behind him, King's Landing was getting smaller as Sunfyre flew away.
King’s Landing spread out beneath them, a sprawl of flickering lights and dark alleys, small and insignificant from above. The Red Keep loomed on its hill, a jagged silhouette against the stars. Aegon didn’t look back for long. He couldn’t. If he did, doubt would creep in. Then he would turn around and go back to living a life of nonstop orders. Aegon had to force his gaze away, despite all its flaws, King's Landing was his home. The only one he had ever known. Before he knew it, small, cold tears rolled down his face.
Aegon flew the rest of the night, and half the morning before all the wine finally wore off and the gravity of what he had done sunk in. He snapped out of his sleepiness and looked around, he definitely wasn't in King's Landing anymore. Aegon and Sunfyre were flying over a dense green forest; he could see a city in the distance, most likely Harenhaal since they were flying north. The 2 could land there. Aegon considered it, but decided to keep going north.
“What have I done?” Aegon whimpered. He felt his breath getting quicker. Sunfyre let out a soft coo, sensing his rider’s distress. He had fled like a coward in the night, leaving behind a kingdom that wanted to chain a crown to his head. His mother would be furious. No, furious was too small a word, Alicent would tear the realm apart to find him. If he truly wanted to escape his family, he'd have to leave Westeros all together.
Although now that he was sober, Aegon was having second thoughts. He had no idea where he was going, and Sunfyre was clearly exhausted from flying for so long. Aegon gave the command for him to land, and the golden dragon slowed down and landed beneath the trees, his talons sinking into the warm soil beneath them. The trees overhead cast a shadow and hid them from the warm sunlight, and any potential pursuers.
Aegon slid from the saddle, legs shaking as his boots hit the ground. He barely stayed upright. Sunfyre lowered his great head, golden eyes fixed on him, warm breath puffing against Aegon’s chest. Without thinking, Aegon leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the dragon’s scaled snout. Sunfyre was the best thing in his life, he never demanded anything from him. He never judged him. Sunfyre rumbled again, a protective sound, and curled slightly around him, a living wall of gold and heat. Aegon let out a shaky laugh that bordered on a sob.
The forest was teeming with life, and Aegon slid down Sunfyre's side. All around them were sounds of the forest life, birds, insects, a stream not too far away. The wild life seemed a little freaked by the dragon. Aegon figured he better head to that stream, in his drunken stupor he hadn't packed any food or water. Maybe stopping in Harenhaal was a good idea after all. However news would spread to King's Landing of where he was like wild fire.
“Just a little while.” He murmured, patting Sunfyre's neck. “We'll rest, then we'll move on.”
Sunfyre huffed in response, the warm air stirred the leaves at Aegon’s feet. Sunfyre laid his head down, and Aegon left him to sleep. Aegon wandered into the forest following the sound of the stream. Wet leaves squished under his feet. Aegon scooped some water up in his hands and splashed it in his face. It was cold and woke him better than his servants did. He scooped some more up and cautiously brought it up to his mouth to drink. It tasted like dirt, but the last thing he had drank was wine so Aegon lapped it up graciously.
After he was finished with that he decided to get back to Sunfyre. Admittedly he did get lost at first, but Sunfyre's snoring alerted him to where the dragon was. Aegon sat down beside him, his stomach grumbling. He was usually fed by now. This was gonna be harder than he thought. After a couple of hours of chasing around forest animals trying to catch something, he finally woke Sunfyre up.
“You're gonna have to catch something for us.” Aegon said sarcastically, climbing onto his saddle. Aegon decided to give up and head towards Harenhaal. He needed warmer clothes and food. Aegon and Sunfyre flew towards Harenhaal, when it dawned on Aegon that he had no money. Maybe it would be better to just fly back to King's Landing, he had all he needed over there. Aegon shook his head and steered Sunfyre northwest. They were leaving Westeros.
…
Turns out trying to take a young and inexperienced dragon across the sea with no plan and little supplies was a horrible idea. Who would've thought? Perhaps Caraxes or Vhagar could've made the flight. But Sunfyre was 15 years old, and was only used to flying short distances.
The wind off the sea was cruel. It howled around them, sharp and wet, whipping salt water into Aegon’s face until his eyes burned. Below them the water stretched endlessly, dark and restless, rising and falling like some vast, breathing beast. Sunfyre’s wings beat slower now, the powerful strokes from before reduced to labored motions that sent tremors through his golden frame. The cows Aegon had traded some of his jewelry for were wearing off.
“I’m sorry,” Aegon whispered hoarsely, leaning forward in the saddle. His fingers ached where they clutched the straps, knuckles white. “I didn’t think this through.”
The wind was picking up, and clouds were forming above them. Shit. A storm was the last thing the two of them needed right now. Sunfyre roared, they were too far out to turn back now. Sunfyre's beautiful golden scales were dulled by the salt water spray.
“Just a little further Sunfyre!” Aegon shouted over the loud wind. Sunfyre rumbled, but flew on.
Panic clawed its way up Aegon’s throat as the first cold raindrops struck his face. Then more followed, heavier, relentless. Rain soaked into his clothes, plastering them to his skin, dragging heat from his body until he began to shiver uncontrollably. This was the furthest he had ever gone without alcohol dulling the edges of his fear. Without wine, everything felt sharper, every thought louder, every possibility more terrifying. His mind raced without mercy, spiraling faster with each beat of Sunfyre’s wings.
This was how he was going to die wasn't it? Not by sword or of old age, but by drowning alone. Far away from his family and throne. All because he foolishly tried escaping his fate. Would his family find out? The thought of his family never finding out what happened to him only made him panic more.
Rain battered them now, drenching both dragon and rider, weighing them down physically and spiritually. Aegon shoved his hands into his pockets in a futile attempt to keep warm, though it did nothing. He was soaked to the bone, teeth chattering violently. Then, through the curtain of rain and mist, he saw it.
Green.
“There Sunfyre. Land.” Aegon gasped, Aegon gasped, barely daring to believe it. He tugged weakly on the reins, turning the dragon toward the distant patch of color. Sunfyre roared, summoning what little strength he had left, and angled toward it. As they drew closer, Aegon’s hope faltered. They weren’t cliffs or a coastline. They were islands, dozens of tiny islands. Too small to land on. Aegon urged Sunfyre further. It was too much though. The wind was too strong, the dragon too exhausted. Sunfyre faltered, his wings starting to give out.
“No, no, Sunfyre. Just a little further.” Aegon urged. The dragon began to plummet, his wings beating uselessly. They were falling toward an island, it was covered in forests to break their fall. Sunfyre ripped through the pine trees like paper. Sharp leaves slapped Aegon in the face during their free fall. Then they slammed into the ground, the impact knocking him out.
…
Hiccup angled towards the ground, landing softly on the docks of Berk. The fisherman slid off the dragon's back gratefully.
“Th-thank you Hiccup.” The fisherman, Mulch, said through chattering teeth. “I hadn't expected to get caught up in that storm when I set sail.”
“It's no problem Mulch, though I wouldn't go out fishing when the sky looks like that again.” Hiccup responded. The fisherman had gone out before the storm rolled in and hadn't returned. Fearing the worst, Hiccup and Toothless sailed out to find him. His intuition had been true, and he had found the man clinging to a piece of wood.
“Alright bud, how about me and you get out of this storm huh?” Hiccup asked. Toothless huffed and Hiccup took that as a yes. Toothless took to the sky and hovered over Berk as they sailed towards their home. But something caught Hiccup's eye. Something golden was streaking through the sky, like a piece of the sun fell. Then it landed in one of Berk's forests. Toothless landed on the house and watched in awe.
“We're gonna go check out whatever that was, aren't we?” Hiccup asked. Toothless watched the treeline intently, ears swiveling. He let out a soft click. Hiccup sighed and patted Toothless’ neck. The two took off. The rain was relentless, leaving the forest slick and glistening. The scent of wet pine and earth filled the air, and somewhere in the distance, a river gurgled, swelling from the rain. Hiccup hovered over where the golden object had fallen and realized it was a dragon. A beautiful golden dragon ridden by a boy no older than he was with blonde- no silver hair. Both him and his rider were out cold. “Looks like we're gonna need some help.”