I walked through the dimly lit corridors of the Red Keep, my mind fixed on my little sister. My feet carried me to her favorite spot without hesitation—a quiet, secluded balcony overlooking the Blackwater Rush.
I looked behind and saw a shadow there, good you should witness this.
As expected, she was here, curled up against the stone railing, her small frame trembling with silent sobs. The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow, illuminating the tear-streaked face she tried to hide from the world.
I didn't speak at first. I simply sat down beside her, allowing the silence to stretch between them. I knew better than to push her when she was upset. My sister was a warrior after all
Minutes passed, her sobs gradually fading into sniffles. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she spoke.
"You lied to me."
I didn't respond. I knew she wasn't finished.
"Why did you lie to me?" She turned to face me, hurt and betrayal clear in her violet eyes. "You said it was my right to claim a dragon. Why?"
My heart clenched at the pain in her voice, but this was necessary.
She needed to understand—truly understand. But I needed to do this, I needed for her to understand this pain. Only through pain you can be truly understand value of piece. Maybe the age of 8 is a bit early in his past world, but this world is not kind based on age.
And he needed Alyssa to be better, she was one of the most important player in this game. "I didn't lie to you, sister," I finally said, my voice steady. "It has been a right since the days of the Valyrian Freehold. But why do you think Father refuses to allow you to claim a dragon? To deny you that right?"
Alyssa's face scrunched in frustration. "I—I don't know. Maybe because I'm a girl? But Mother is also a woman, and she—"
She stopped, realization flickering in her eyes.
"Do you want me to tell you?" I asked, watching her closely.
Alyssa's head snapped up, her desperation clear. "Yes! Yes, please, brother."
I leaned forward slightly, my expression serious. "But you must promise not to speak of this to anyone. Not even to Mother."
No, she needs to be ready. The Alyssa is that alternate timeline had unmatched potential, a warrior queen she might have been. A shield for her younger siblings, instead she was jealous, short tempered, selfish. Not anything bad, just waster potential. But in this timeline, I will mold her to be the best.
That Alyssa who insulted Vaegon, this Alyssa will Vaegon's best protector. She will protect her young sisters and guide them. I knew I will be increasingly busy, in upcoming years and with all my plans, I needed an assistant, someone to guide family in my behalf. I need someone who will follow my plan, even something which might seem crazy.
Who would be better than our future Queen.
I can't let everything to chance. There are infinite possibilities, I could simply die from a bandit attack. I can't let this chance let be wasted by my death. But I can't tell anyone everything. It wasn't that I didn't trust my family, but I didn't trust human nature which I has seen plenty enough from my past world.
Aemon was the first option, but Aemon was too much like Jaehaerys and not suitable, proven as of late. Alyssa's strength will be the bond which hold this family together in my absence. But she will need to be prepared immensely.
She hesitated, her young mind weighing the significance of my words. Then, with determination, she nodded. "I promise."
I exhaled and looked out over the waters before speaking. "What do you know of Maegor the Cruel?"
A sensitive topic no doubt, especially with the listeners.
Alyssa blinked, taken aback. "You mean our grand-uncle? Son of Queen Visenya?" She frowned. "Not much. The maesters don't speak of him often. They say he tried to kill Mother and Father, that he betrayed our family."
I nodded. "That's what they tell you. Father had made his name a taboo. But there's more. Maegor was the son of Aegon the Conqueror and Visenya, yet he was always second to his half-brother, our grandfather, King Aenys. Unlike Aenys, Maegor was a warrior, feared and strong. Maybe even more that the Conqueror. When he claimed Balerion, the realm divided. And when Aenys died, Maegor seized the throne, killing our uncles, Aegon and Viserys."
Alyssa's fingers gripped the folds of her gown. "That-What does that have to do with me?" She looked at him, fear creeping into her voice. "I don't want the throne from Aemon."
I shook my head. "It's not about you and Aemon. Father knows you love our family. He knows you would never harm our siblings." I placed a hand on her back, rubbing soothing circles. "But that isn't the point."
"Then what is?" she whispered.
"Dragons are power, Alyssa. And power divides. Maegor became a kinslayer because our house was not united. Now, imagine if another house—one outside of our family—gained the ability to claim dragons." I looked her in the eyes. "Do you think the greedy Andals would continue to bow to us if that happened? Or would they rise up and destroy our family, every last one of us? Even little Daella and Saera?"
Alyssa's breath hitched. The thought of their tiny sisters in danger sent a shiver down her spine. She clutched her head, as if trying to push away the terrifying idea. Her sweet and cute sisters. "No… they wouldn't… they couldn't…"
"They could, and they would," I said firmly. "That's why Father is afraid. If our sisters were wed to great lords and bore children, those children might one day claim dragons of their own."
Alyssa wiped at her wet cheeks, thinking deeply. "So… if Targaryen women marry outside our family, their children can't claim dragons?"
I nodded. "Yes. And it's not just you. Even Vaegon."
Alyssa frowned. "But Vaegon loves Aemon. He would never betray him. How can our own father not trust us?"
I sighed. "That's not the point. Power makes men paranoid, even good men. Our Father understands this. He fears what could happen, even if there's no reason to. After all, he was the one who witnessed Maegor's terror."
At this Alyssa fell silent. She was smart, she knew there's nothing she could do. It was not a debate, it was just the common way of thinking. Her mother has always told her, duty of a lazy and princess of House Targaryen. She knew she will have to marry anyone her father decides. She felt suffocating, she wanted to fly. She felt defeated.
I knew this was my moment. This was a performance with the audience watching.
This day will be a new dawn for this Family.
"So, this is the true Alyssa Targaryen. A sad, defeated girl who accepted her fate and surrendered her life to his parents." I said in a cold voice. I needed to this right, similar how 'James' did it.
Alyssa turned sharply to look at me. She was no doubt shocked, she has never heard me speak like that to her, she has always been my beloved sister.
"Why? Why say that? You know I can't do anything?"
"Says who? Do you think just because you swing a sword you will be Queen Visenya? I didn't think you so weak?" I pressed where I know will heart.
"I am not weak!" She said as her eye never looked redder and shouted, "You don't have these restrictions, you don't have to be judged by father. I feel caged."
I, then leaned back looked straight at the full moon shining and said in a sad voice.
"You don't need be worrying sister? You will marry inside the family? Father just can't allow you before Aemon claims one." I said pouring water and stunning Alyssa but I knew better.
"My little sister, did you know in Old Valeria and even with our grandfather Aenys, we used to place dragon eggs in cradle of new born babies? Did you know why that stopped? Why not place eggs in my, your, Vaegon and other's cradle?"
Alyssa didn't this and was already sobbing to say something and just shook her head saying no.
"because our father was afraid too many dragon riders will intimidate lords and ladies of Westeros and grew unrest in the realm. (canon theory)"
I could see Alyssa listening, truly taking in what I was suggesting.
"And on the other hand, did you ever imagine what will happen if Vaegon and our future siblings never claim a dragon in their lifetime? They will be mocked by the same lords and ladies of the Seven Kingdoms as dragonless, called bastards and other cruel insults. They will harass our sweet sisters without fear of retaliation."
I had more to say, but that would come later. For now, I let the weight of my words sink in.
Alyssa's world seemed to crumble before my eyes. This was supposed to be her name day—a day of joy and celebration with her family. A beautiful day. But instead, it had turned into a nightmare. Her dreams, her hopes, all shattered in an instant. She had longed for a dragon of her own, for the thrill of soaring through the skies, and now she was being denied that right. But more than that, she was now burdened with the knowledge of her siblings' fates. Would they not feel the same helplessness she did now? Would their futures, too, be decided by others?
The realization struck her like a blade. The same lords and ladies they ruled over had the power to make their lives miserable, to chain them with expectations and traditions.
They won't let us fly and won't let live on the ground. And if that was the case, then what was the purpose of all this? Why had Queen Rhaenys and Queen Visenya fought to build this kingdom? What was the point of everything they had achieved if their own family could be so easily bound by fear and politics?
But then, another thought took root. While she herself might never marry outside the family, her sisters—or the future generations of House Targaryen—would. And if they did, then Baelon's words echoed in her mind, chilling her to her very core:
"They will destroy our family, every last one of us. Even little Daella and Saera."
Her hands clenched into small fists, her anger rising like dragonfire. She would never allow it. She would never let anyone harm her family. If the world sought to cage them, she would be the one to burn those chains away.
Baelon saw the fire in her eyes, the determination settling in. He knew he was on the right track. She just needed one final push.
"Alyssa, did you ever wonder how I know all of this?" I asked, watching her closely.
She blinked in surprise, then hesitated. Before she could answer, I continued.
"Because I fear the same thing," I admitted, my voice heavy with emotion. "I have tried to protect all of you. I have tried to keep you away from this pain, from this burden. But I failed."
I let out a shaky breath, allowing a few tears to fall. It wasn't difficult. All I had to do was think of everything I had seen, everything I remembered—every tragedy that could have been avoided.
Alyssa gasped. "No! No, brother. You didn't fail," she sobbed, shaking her head fiercely. "I am sorry. I didn't understand you all this time."
Then, without hesitation, she threw herself into my arms, hugging me tightly.
I held her close, allowing her to feel the comfort of family. Then, softly, I spoke the words that would change everything.
"Then, will you help me, sister?" I whispered. "Promise me that you will protect our siblings. That you will never abandon them. That you will ensure our house is never divided again. Will you be their big sister in every way that matters?"
Alyssa pulled back, her violet eyes shining with fierce determination.
"Yes! Yes!" she cried. "I will help you, brother. No one will harm our family. I will be the best big sister!"
I smiled, satisfied. She had taken the first step. The rest would come in time.
"Now it our responsibility to help and make sure our house isn't divided, prevent any conflict, then prove to father that we can be united. Without the fear of betrayal, we can all have dragons. You just listen to me ok." I said.
Though I know it isn't that simple, presently, there is no possibility that father will allow this. This isn't just about our siblings, but what about their children and eventually one of the princess will marry outside or like Valerions in that alternate timelines. It will create many branches of house Targaryen, and all it takes is one incompetent king in the royal family and it all comes crashing down.
I don't wish for a feeble rule of our house, for the sake of doing right by siblings and them having a dragon. It must have a stable foundation not only against outsider that also against the family.
It will ultimately lead to a Dance of Dragons. But Alyssa doesn't need to know that. She's now ready to whatever it takes to help me shape our siblings' future, with loyalty and love for this family.
"Very well, I am sorry your name day turned out to be this."
"It's nothing, brother. At least now I know what I must do to preserve our family," Alyssa said, her back straight with newfound determination. The bravado in her voice was endearing, and I couldn't help but find her resolve admirable.
"There's my warrior sister," I said with a small smile. "Now go to sleep—it's already late. Apologize to Father and Mother in the morning, and then I'll tell you the plan moving forward."
I stood up, brushing the dust from my clothes, and Alyssa followed suit.
"Good night, brother," she said, her voice softer now.
"Good night," I replied, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Sleep well, sweet sister."
Alyssa gave me one last look before turning toward the door. I watched as she walked away, her small figure illuminated by the silver glow of the moonlight. For a moment, there was only silence—the soft hum of insects in the distance, the whisper of the wind howling through the trees.
And just like that, the night would have carried on but.
"Did you enjoy the show?" I said to particularly no one, but two people heard me. As they came out from shadow.
..
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Author's Note :
A bit late. Had a busy week. Hope you like it. Will try upload the next one soon. Please share your thoughts on the chapter and comments.
I know long flashbacks is not good writing, but it was good opportunity. Next chapter will conclude this flashback. Then we will be inpresent with Plans of Dragon and Baelons trips to Oldtown with Starks. Hope you like it.
Thanks for reading.