Hello - so this has been long overdue and I've noticed that my most popular fanfic on tumblr, Beautiful Anomaly has been gaining a lot of new readers because of the new Sandman season and some readers might be unaware that the fic is completed 😅. All fics I've listed down will be available on my AO3 account. This masterlist will gradually be edited to include everything I've written but as of writing this post will focus on the big stories that I have (Beautiful Anomaly, Higher Intervention, We have it all, and Even when the night changes which is incoming).
I. Fandom: Sandman (Netflix) - Completed
Title: Beautiful Anomaly
Premise: A slow burn romance between Dream of the Endless and the reader who is Life Incarnate (Morpheus x FemReader [present day, its a little hard to explain]).
Ship(s): Morpheus x FemReader aka Life Incarnate
Rating: M - mature themes, a death scene and one implied sex scene at the end
Tags: Canon compliant in terms of the events, not canon compliant in terms of the Sandman lore.
Disclaimers and Additional notes:
1.) This is all based on the Netflix show and I have 0 background on the graphic novel it is based on (so don't expect it to be faithful);
2.) This is a fan work, the only benefit I derive from this is sharing it with the community.
Additional disclaimer given the recent events surrounding NG. I made this and completed this story after Season 1 of the Sandman and before the recent revelations of his sexual assault came out. In light of this I'm not actively promoting his work.
To be honest this work is so influential to several of my later spin-off fanfictions that references the love story here (such as Higher Intervention). I can't ignore that the Netflix version of the world of the Sandman has played a huge role in my later stories.
But I just want everyone reading this to know that I do not condone NG's actions and that the testimonies of his victims should be listened to.
AO3 link
Tumblr posts per chapter: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Bonus scene (tumblr exclusive)
II. Fandom: House of the Dragon (mainly) and Sandman (Netflix version) - Completed
Title: Higher Intervention
Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra’s children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.
Ships: Aemond Targaryen x Fem Reader aka Alys Velaryon
Rating: M - mature themes, death, torture, and non-graphic sex scenes
Tags: Canon divergence to accommodate romance and Sandman elements. Some characters may be out of character.
Disclaimers and Additional notes:
So this is a spin-off on my fanfic Beautiful Anomaly which is now completed. But you don't need to read that story to understand this one because this happens in the distant future after the events of Beautiful Anomaly has finished.
Additional disclaimer given the recent events surrounding NG. I made this and completed this story after Season 1 of the Sandman and before the recent revelations of his sexual assault came out. In light of this I'm not actively promoting his work.
I do not condone the actions of NG. Please listen to the stories of his victims. But I also cannot deny or erase how influential the world of the Netflix version of the Sandman was to this work.
AO3 link
Tumblr posts per chapter: Part 1 / Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11/ Part 12 / Part 13 / Part 14 / Part 15 (FINAL)
III. Fandom: Tian Guan Ci Fu (TGCF) aka Heaven Official's Blessing - On going/In progress
Title: We have it all
Premise: Not long after comforting a bullied girl named Meng Ai, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian find themselves adopting her and together they form a family they didn't know they had needed for awhile.
Ships: Hualian (Hua Cheng x Xie Lian), Lang Qianqiu x Original Female Character aka Meng Ai
Rating: Unrated as of now but it might go into "M" for later violence and sex scenes.
Tags: Slice of life-ish (mainly), Family focused, Hua Cheng's houses finally become homes, there may be an overarching story but that's not the focus, Hualian being parents, Fengqing being uncles, Lang Qianqiu falling in love with someone who was raised by the Xianle squad, technically post-canon
Disclaimers and Additional notes:
I wrote the first few chapters before finishing the books so there are some canon discrepancies.
IV. Fandom: Phantom of the Opera (mainly ALW with some Kay and Leroux) - Ongoing
Title: Even when the night changes / AO3 LINK
Premise:
"Everything that you've ever dreamed of. Disappearing when you wake up. But there's nothing to be afraid of. Even when the night changes. It will never change me and you." - One Direction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Erik Destler is highly aware that he has many similarities between him and the Phantom of the Opera. He has a deformity in half of his face and has a passion and talent for music.
But he begins to have memories that offer a different version to the story that is well known. Memories that include Christine Daae never calling him Angel, Raoul de Chagny relaxing with him in Box 5...and frequent letters to a woman unknown to any version of the Phantom's tale.
Meanwhile Raoul and Christine have found each other and have memories of their first lifetime. And after remembering what happened, they are both determined not to make the same mistakes. Especially when it comes to the man they both love. But will being in his life bring more joy or tragedy? Especially to someone who seems satisfied before they both appeared in his life.
Ships: Erik Destler (the Phantom) x Original Female Character aka Kassie Dela Vega, Christine Daae x Raoul de Chagny, Erik Destler x Christine Daae x Raoul de Chagny, Original Female Character (Kassie Dela Vega) x Erik Destler x Christine Daae x Raoul de Chagny
Tags: Fix-it, Reincarnation, Two sets of soulmates becoming an exclusive polycule, angst (on Raoulstine's part in their pursuit of Erik - not between themselves but between Raoulstine and everyone else who doesn't want them near Erik), Erik is with his soulmate and is not love deprived anymore (which is why it's going to be challenging for Raoulstine), There's going to be two halves - the Erik half and the Kassie half.
Rating: Either Rated M or E for mature themes and probably graphic sex scenes. But while it is ongoing I'll label it as unrated since I won't know how graphic I'll make the scenes (or if I might include them at all).
If you want spoilers on what the story will be about here's my post.
Chapters: 1, 2,
One-shot fanfics which serve as a preview or an extra to the main story:
1.) A debt to be paid /AO3 link
Rated: T
Premise:
Apollonia (original female character) is a witch who has been helping Raoul and Christine explore the memories of their past lives that have begun reappearing. And after hearing what they plan on doing, she gives them a stern warning.
No one should be deprived of their soulmate.
2.) Show them who you really are (Erik x Original Female Character oneshot) / AO3 link
Rated: T
Premise:
Set in the modern day, Erik's girlfriend Kassandra "Kassie" Dela Vega finally graduates from law school. In the days leading up to her graduation she confides to him her insecurities since she feels that she's not making any progress in her review for the upcoming bar exam.
Erik never hesitates to offer comfort and reassurance.
Higher Intervention: Aemond x FemReader (House of the Dragon x Sandman fanfic) Part 6
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven't read Fire and Blood and most if not all that I know is from the TV show.
Gif by veinereastath
Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra's children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.
AN/CW: PLEASE READ THIS FIRST! This chapter contains some torture scenes that are not suitable for all audiences. I did my best not to be too graphic to the point of it being gory and mainly focused on the feelings being experienced. Having said that I'm not entirely sure if it will be your cup of tea so if you see this " XXX " This means that this is the start of the torture part and it ends with seeing this sign again. I made sure it was still fine for readers who wants to skip the torture scenes.
Anyway other CWs include: Suicidal thoughts, thoughts of self-harm, and various forms of abuse including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. A mention of sexual objectification as a punishment.
If you wish to read the previous parts (which I recommend you do if you haven't read them yet):
Part 1 / Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5
Taglist (comment down below if you want to be included): @winxschester @memento-mora @mxrgodsstuff
Also tagging:
@lady-phasma @aemonds-war-crime @adderess @princeaemonds because some of their ideas of Aemond have undoubtedly influenced my work.
First, the confession.
After meeting with the contacts provided to work out the possible logistics and implementation of your proposed counsel as well as making sure some clarifications were addressed, you made your way to the place that filled you with dread for what you are about to do. Vereena and Kayla had made sure you had a full stomach filled with your favorite foods in your chambers. Both of them know what is to come and that you won't be able to eat good quality food for awhile. How Kayla was able to convince the Yi Ti delegation to give you another roasted duck in the way they did it was beyond your understanding. You also return to your father his guards who have served you well, although a part of you knows that he will probably still send them to keep an eye on what you're doing.
"What do you wish to confess child?"
The septon looks at you with no judgment, or at least that's what he believes he is doing.
You sit beside him as you pour your heart out.
You need to believe in this for this to work.
Believe that the things you now confess are going to be yours now.
On your soul.
On your being.
Your confession and your repentance must have worked. You were guided to a room in the dormitory of sinners. Since your clothes were already quite plain you didn't need to change into the garb that they would have repentant sinners change into. You were given simple yet hearty meals. It wouldn't help any of them if the Targaryen they were going to publicly punish would be dead before they made their point.
But you didn't miss the look of sadistic delights among the members of the Faith militant as you surrendered yourself to them.
Second, the penance.
This in itself is divided into several different parts.
The first part of this was admitting your sins to the parties you've wronged. According to the Faith militant the more humiliating the experience is, the more pure the process of purification is for the repentant sinner.
You weren't surprised when from their Cloister Sept they wash and bathe you in preparation for your penance.
"You just need to say your sins and to apologize to every person you have offended child." Says the Septa who was braiding your hair so that it will be out of the way. After braiding it she ties your hair into a bun. You were given a clue of what they have in store for you once your penance in court was concluded. You were allowed to have one last time of full rest before your suffering would begin. One last hearty meal before you began your journey walking towards the Red Keep from the Cloister Sept. On foot this took several days, with you at the center while you were surrounded by Septons, Septas and laypeople. You recall how you once travelled this road by carriage, and now you and the Faith militant are now travelling by foot. You all would rest in every Sept that was planned out along the way. They choose to suffer with you as they believe that their sins would also be purified along with your suffering.
You finally arrive at the entrance of the Red Keep. The guards were initially hesitant to allow non-nobility who were not part of the staff to enter. But then they see you at the center. It was only then that they were comfortable allowing your group to enter.
You and your group enters the court room. The last time you made a dramatic entrance in court was in your first few days have when you assisted your grandfather in intervening in the Driftmark trial.
And now as you enter again - the king is now on the Iron Throne. A lot healthier and much more mobile than he was last time. Still old and at risk for impending death, but there's no denying that he was a lot better than he was previously. Same as before, the blacks and the greens were on their respective sides. And once again everyone was staring at you. In particular both sets of your siblings, Aegon, Helaena, Ser Cole, Lord Larys Strong, and of course Aemond.
"What is the meaning of this?!" The King angrily says the moment you meet his eyes from where you were.
"Why do you have my granddaughter in shackles before me?!"
"Your grace." The lead septon says with two armed members of the Faith Militant on either side. He takes his time until some of the chatter has died down. With his back to you, your guess is that he must be revelling in his new found power at having you in his mercy.
"We are the Faith Militant. We are the armed forces of the Seven and no one wishes our wrath upon them. Need I remind you that Maegor only won our uprising against the crown by sheer luck?"
"Untrue septon! Do you forget septon that my family has dragons at our disposal?"
"To execute your own granddaughter - for the sins she has done against you? Why not? After all maybe we can now finally test if dragonfire is truly purifying." At the mention of you possibly dying the King calms down reluctantly. But you can see that your father's hand hovering over his sword or dagger. Aemond's expression is unreadable but you wager that he is doing his best to not act impulsively.
"May I remind you your grace, that this is not a matter of politics but a matter of faith. Right now if any of us are harmed by any of your guards, family, or courtiers, then that is a sign of religious persecution. Something that you don't want if we, the Faith Militant would continue tolerating the kind of marriages your family thrives on." And this was the final nail as the King and everyone begins to realize who exactly has the power this time. Both factions are involved in strategic incestuous marriages and neither side can afford to have those marriages be declared invalid.
"Aren't you lot disbanded? Or so that's what I hear since your defeat by Maegor."
"Only as an independent group. But we are still very much in the service of the Seven Prince Daemon." The lead Septa says as she tugs on the chains of your shackles as she goes behind you in facing your father. He snorts in amusement as he continues glaring at the Septa behind you.
"Yet even now you hide behind my daughter. Release my daughter and I'll forget you were even in my presence."
"Prince Daemon, she came to us."
"It doesn't matter, whatever she has done should be sorted from within my family. Not in a faith that is more than ready to punish any strange women."
"This is part of her penance Prince -" Your father draws his sword aiming for the Septa behind you but was deflected by one of the armed members who are with you.
"Daemon! Brother stand down."
"Rhaenyra and I married under the traditions of Old Valyria. We are not under these shits who say they have authority."
"If you don't want us to consider your marriage illicit you will put your sword down." The lead septon says as calmly as he can.
"No, let him draw his sword." You feel yourself pushed forward till your father's sword is almost touching your skin.
"If he wants to draw blood, then it should be the blood of his own stepdaughter. Every suffering she survives is a step closer to her purification." You try to calm yourself as your father's sword is close to your neck. You do your best not to look scared or cry.
But your father notices your expression. He notices the feelings you tried to hide.
And it was only then that he stands down and withdraws his sword safely away from your skin.
"Alys Velaryon is not here as a Princess. She is here as a repentant sinner - here to confess to you the crimes as part of her journey towards purification. We of the Faith Militant have decided to bring her here before you today since everyone she has committed an offense against would be present. Once she has finished her confession of sins she shall begin her actual purification on front of everyone." The lead septon then tugs on your chains as he forces you to walk on front of the King, and the main members of both factions.
"It's time to confess before your victims, sinner." With one last tug, you were made to kneel before everyone.
"I, Alys Velaryon, confess to the following offenses before his grace, the King, and all who hear me today." You take a breath before you begin what may be the most difficult part of it all.
But you need to believe they are yours.
These sins are now yours to claim.
And to suffer for.
"First, with the assistance of Larys Strong, I raped Ser Criston Cole in his sleep. Second, it is I who told Aemond of Vhagar no longer having a rider. Third, once he has claimed Vhagar when he was on his high after claiming Vhagar - it is I who punched him after he called me and my siblings bastards. It is I who slashed his face and made him lose his eye. It was I who betrayed him and ended our friendship in Driftmark."
"No."
"What in the Sevens is she doing?"
"Does she really expect us to believe this?"
"I don't entirely understand what she's doing."
"Whatever it is, things are going to get interesting."
"She was practically skin and bones when she emerged from Ser Cole's room. I have a hard time believing she's the one who forced herself on him."
"We all know this is bullshit - why is she claiming to have done these things?"
"Alys - granddaughter why? Why are you doing this to yourself?" At the sight of the King's face you decide to mix as much of the truth that would blend in with your confession.
"Because - because you have failed to solve this infighting!" You couldn't help the tears that are beginning to gather on your eyes. This was too important to suddenly ignore it through your tears.
"You have only tried solving the symptoms of the problem, not the problem itself. And the moment you die this infighting will become a civil war forcing our family to kill each other. And I am too weak and tired to let this go on any longer!" You breath back in some of your mucus that was threatening to pour out along with your tears.
"When Ser Cole called me a witch for exercising control over any man drawn to me, it began my reflection and realization that I was the source of the problem. I am a fraud! I am not a princess! I am only a bastard whore who deserves the worst treatment for tearing this family apart because of my sins." You straighten your back as you slowly stood up and met the King's worried eyes.
"And so I went to the Faith Militant to finally pour out my guilt and to seek repentance. Through their education I know now if I survive this purification, I will be nothing more than a slave to serve whomever master they sell me to. I am already ruined, and they are placing me back on the path of repentance."
There were more gasps and more comments but you couldn't bother. You could feel every single eye from both factions judging you.
"Well done sinner."
"Ouh." A choker made of thorns was placed on your neck from behind. You could feel the thorns piercing your skin little by little.
"Take her to the gallows. Now begins her next stage of purification."
"Wait - what's going to happen to her?" You hear Luce ask as you feel yourself dragged and pushed out.
"Oh just the standard torture methods -" You weren't able to hear beyond that as you were dragged to the gallows area. On the journey there you feel yourself being slapped, spitted on, and your plain clothes were being torn apart. What remains is your shift underneath your clothes
XXX
Before you knew it you were on the gallows. Gathered on front of the crowd.
And someone was pushing your head in a deep bucket of water.
"Repent."
"But I am -"
Underwater again.
"Claim your faults"
"I do."
Suffocation again.
"Suffer for your salvation."
You weren't able to respond. Your head was back in underwater. You weren't sure how many times more you were dunked.
Probably because you were brought back to the present when you felt the first sting of the whip on your bare back.
You just realized as another whip hits your back that your hands were now shackled around a wooden post. Your shift was sliced or torn open to reveal your back.
"Ah" You try to hold back from saying any sound. The thorns around your neck pressing against your skin by being pressed against the post was painful enough.
"Um." The stings become even more painful as they became faster and multiple people began to participate in injuring your back.
At some point you looked down and noticed some tiny streams of blood flowing down your chest. Probably from some of the thorns now piercing your skin.
Your mind began to numb as the whipping...were they even using whips?...Became more severe as they move to your sides. Maybe it was your own way of making sure you could endure this first part of the suffering. It was only when they had stopped because it was getting dark and rain was starting to fall down, that you realized that you had been crying out in pain. You could taste your own tears, and your throat felt dry from exhaustion.
Members of the Faith Militant then splash your back with salt water. You could feel the sting from the high concentration of salt in it. Then they unshackle you briefly only to move you into another contraption.
XXX
After the first part of your punishment was finished. Or so it seemed. The members of the Faith Militant now shackled you - this time from behind - around a metal post. The metal post had the seven pointed star in your head area. It's points mockingly acting as some sort of crown surrounding your head. If earlier the thorns were piercing the front of your neck, this time you had to be careful not to lean against the post. There seemed to be not much thorns compared to the front of the choker but if you could help it you would reduce the amount of suffering you currently had to endure - after all there was only more to come when you went back to the cloistered sept.
"It appears that the Seven has now blessed us with an incoming storm filled with lightning and thunder!" The lead septon cries out as you feel some of the pain that you've endured from earlier creep into your muscles.
"We have shackled the sinner into the symbol of the Seven! This is her first divine test! If the Seven spares her from being struck by lightning and thunder, she shall proceed to walk back to our cloister sept for her 30 days of solitude. And if she manages to survive those 30 days, then we shall give Prince Aemond the chance to remove her left eye for the offense she has caused him. And then she shall be given as a slave to Ser Criston Cole!"
The storm pours stronger and everyone else quickly go in search for shelter. If this is how the Seven or any divine being decides that you should die then so be it. You were too exhausted and in pain to even attempt to control the incoming lightning that was headed your way.
"If anyone out there can hear me - if you wish me to die, then smite me quickly!"
More rain, and now you hear the thunder. The sky was now dark and black with only the fires through the windows giving any sense of light amidst the continuing heavy downpour that was making things worse to see through.
"I'm too tired...I'm not strong...I'm too weak to be strong...to any being out there - end my misery...smite me in my sleep as I hang...as I hang from this post."
You feel the thorns prick against the underside of your chin as you surrender yourself to the whims of the thunderstorm.
You weren't able to enter into your dream bedroom nor play with Gregory or meet with the Sandman and his lovely wife.
Instead you had a dreamless sleep. Funny how you were also too exhausted to dream after the events of the day.
If you died now. Perhaps this was the best way.
After all you've already said your piece to everyone involved in the infighting. If you were to be the first casualty...
You just hope that the White Worm would keep her promise about being the one to make your proposed solution come true.
"Princess?" A soft voice slowly awakens you from whatever rest you had given yourself.
"Ser Arari?"
"It is about to be dawn. Quickly open your mouth. Drink some warm water." He guides you as you drink from his cup. As you slowly become more awake, you notice that he was not alone.
"My lady, here have some food. This porridge is still really warm. Priestess Kara made it herself when she and the other Holy women noticed the rain was ending."
"Don't worry Lady Alys, the three of us had made sure that none of the Faith Militant noticed our presence." Ser Ion says as he rubs salve over your wounds.
"Bu - but why?"
"My lady, we all know of the suffering you are about to endure. Allow us to help you alleviate some of it while we still can."
"That was really brave of you my lady." Your heart feels like breaking as Ser Kormy gives you a reassuring smile from under his hood.
"You are one of the strongest people I know. And what you have done really proves it."
"The acolyte is right. Dramatic? Yes, but sometimes dramatic measures needed to be taken for the point to be heard."
"I'm still rather upset that you didn't even attempt to at least guide the lightning away from you." You do your best to give him a sad smile.
"I'm sorry - I feel so exhausted to try and do it. And you've always said it's better to stay safe than to accidentally guide the lightning towards yourself."
"...It pains me to hear you say those words."
"What words Ser Arari?"
"That you're sorry."
"My colleague, at least this time she's saying it to something she has actually done."
"Or rather hasn't done. Oh I'm sorry lady Alys - I didn't mean -"
"It's fine Ser Kormy. I'm as fine as I can be."
"Oh Princess...your cries of pain as they dunked and whipped you had put a pain in our hearts."
"Why won't you let us help you? Or if not us then why not your allies in court?" Ser Ion asks in a mix of pain, anger, and sadness.
"Be - because...it is necessary...that I do this alone...there is no...other way for them...for them to -" You coughed heavily as all three of them looked at you in despair.
"Thank you, you three. But...I...need...to do this."
There was a reluctance in all of their ends to leave you. But after making sure that you ate enough and drank enough, they left as quickly as they came.
And that's when the sun rose.
And you were unshackled from the metal post with the seven pointed star.
Only for your next task to carry it on your own as you walked on foot to the way back to the cloister sept.
"Stop this." Aemond tries demanding the lead septon.
"Your highness, as a devout member of the Faith, surely you must know that this is necessary for her purification."
"I also know that the Faith highly promotes the truth. And the truth is that she is innocent of all the sins she has admitted to yesterday." You hear his tone become even more dangerous, but from what you can tell with the lead septon's back to you - Aemond was starting to get frustrated.
"And even if she were - she still bears so much guilt. Trust me your highness, we have all heavily evaluated her and all agree that this is the appropriate penance for her purification." Of course the Faith Militant wouldn't let you go. Now that you were under their power they will take this opportunity to sadistically release all their rage against your family. You were a bastard, a woman, accused of witchcraft, and most important of all - you did not have a dragon. Of all the members of your family who could've been placed in their power to abuse, you were the best one they could have hoped for. Someone with little to no power to retaliate against them.
The lead septon moves to order your unshackling before Aemond tries once again.
"Does the Faith not also prize forgiveness?"
"Of course it does your highness."
"Then as the alleged victim of one of her offenses, I forgive her from her sin against me." He does not let the septon's eyes out of his gaze.
"I forgive her for any sins she has done against me. She has suffered enough. She already has my forgiveness, let her go." There was a pause.
"Your highness..."
"Let her go, I will personally make sure she makes amends for all of her sins. She does not deserve this septon."
"... Your highness..."
Another long pause.
"...You are merely another member of the Faith. You may have power over the next ruler, the lands, or the skies with you and your dragons. But we, the Faith Militant, have the power over souls and over things the Sept alone cannot do. True, you may have forgiven her. But unless the High Septon himself intervenes - neither you nor any member of your family has power over her purification. She is after all the cause of your infighting."
You could only guess that his frustration now showed on his face as the metal post was placed on your back as you began your long walk from the gallows to the cloister sept. Members of the Faith Militant kept a close distance. To make sure that nobody helped you carry the metal post; and to make sure that if any of your relatives decided to use their dragon against them, their positions would guarantee that any dragonfire aimed at them would also kill you too.
After several days of walking while carrying the metal post, eating the bare minimum meal that they've given you to ensure you don't die along the way, and of sleeping on the floor - your group was now back in the cloister sept.
Just a little more...
Just put the metal post on the altar...
"An applause for a task well done!" You were numb to the applause given by those around you. You were too exhausted to really appreciate it anyways. The metal post was somewhat bearable. But after being food deprived, sleep deprived, and pain induced for several days, you were surprised that you were able to make it.
"In celebration of her first major penance, she shall be given a heavier meal to prepare for the next stage of purification."
The meal it turned out didn't matter so much. It was probably one of the last sources of relief before they placed you in an entirely different room.
This room was painted white all around. The window was high enough that you couldn't reach it, but also small enough to only allow air flow to pass in the room. There was no bed, only a hay mattress with reed mats on the floor. The walls were close together - not allowing for much room to move around except perhaps to walk towards the chamber pots. One for urine, one for feces.
And nothing else.
"This room is especially designed for reflection sinner." The septa says as she removes the braids she has previously made.
"No distractions. Just thoughts and reflection. Now hold still."
She then begins cutting off your beautiful long hair.
"This is to remove your sin of vanity. After all, it would simply get in the way of your purification now in your 30 days of solitude." Maybe vainness was a sin of yours after all. Your heart breaks everytime you feel your head getting lighter. Today was the second day of your 30 days.
The next time you were brought out of your room it was about the fifth day in your thirty days.
This time they removed the thorn choker they had placed on you.
What brief relief.
And after making sure the wounds made by the thorns were cleaned and treated.
The relief ended.
XXX
"May this suffering purify her!" Someone said as they lay you on your back with your arms outstretched and your legs spread apart.
And you had to maintain that for what seemed like hours on end. If you moved, they would place it back into position. You knew when it was over because then they would make you stand before escorting you to your room of reflection as they call it.
You lost the count of when you were on your days in your 30 days of solitude. They made sure to only bring you out of your room rather sparingly. You weren't sure if you were just becoming insane at the loss of anything to do while you were just kept in your room. Even meals and hygiene washes became another chance of simply having something to do apart from your thoughts.
Your penance through stillness has evolved. This time instead of your arms outstretched, you were to keep your arms straight above you as you held various sacred objects of the Faith. Once again for hours on end. On the good side, it meant that you didn't have to be in your room as much. On the bad side, it meant more active torture from the Faith Militant.
You don't know which you preferred more. A room alone with your thoughts without anything to do and no one - not even the beings you've met in your dreams - to talk to; or actively suffering as the Faith Militant take sadistic delight in it. You pretend not to know that some of them were pleasuring themselves on the sides as they watch you struggle to endure your suffering. But even they cannot hide the smell of their sex and their releases from your senses.
Soon it evolved once again.
This time it was placing needles under every toenail as your arms struggled to keep their strength and rigidness of carrying whatever object they have you carry for that day. You thought you knew how painful needles were since you would occasionally prick yourself while doing needle work with Rhaena or Helaena. But it was an entirely different and much more painful experience when needles would be jammed underneath your toenails.
You really tried hard not to cry.
And soon because of your reactions - a lot of them you couldn't control - if there was something that they didn't like, whether it was how your tears began running from your eyes or if they didn't like your expression or how you reacted - your torturers would now quickly remove any object you were holding, stretch your arms wide, and insert needles under every fingernail.
You had to endure these things for hours on end.
You don't know how much time has passed before the lead septon had a special set of tools that was being prepared in the fire of your torture room.
"And now to remind you of the power of the Seven, we shall now place on you their star on your body." Your eyes widen, someone starts saying a prayer as you were forcefully made to lie on your back. They immediately close your legs and settle your feet on the table.
"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, by placing your star on her body, purify her foul sins and save her from the Seven Hells."
It began with your left foot. On the space between your toes and the joint where your leg and your foot meets. They had to hold you down, but allowed you to cry and scream in agony. All the while repeating the same statement over and over again.
"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, by placing your star on her body, purify her foul sins and save her from the Seven Hells."
Then it was your right foot.
Then the leftside of your hip.
Then the right.
Then your left hand inside your palm.
Then the right.
Then finally you were made to sit up.
To be branded on the back of your neck.
The only benefit you could see was that at least now you had something new to think and ponder about as you stay in the mental shackles of your room.
XXX
Whenever you rested in between your sessions of suffering you believe you have begun to lose your mind.
Perhaps they have slipped in something hallucinogenic in the food and drink they gave you to make sure you were alive for the next session.
But as you allowed your mind to rest from your waking suffering, you began to notice figures of those familiar to you.
"You've done well Alys." Says the figure of your mother. It was her voice, her mannerisms.
But it was not her.
"Trust your instincts." Says the figure of Ser Ion, nodding towards you as you notice that he and the figure of your mother have the same aura.
"You're noticing the clues fast." The figure of your father, Daemon, smirks and gives a nod to the figure of your mother.
"What else did you think?" The figure of Aemond retorts as he crosses his arms. His sword and dagger sheathed and yet something told you that he was ready for a fight at any time.
"You all vastly underestimate her."
"Including Alys herself." The figure of the Prophetess Agnes appears, judging both you and everyone else.
"And you warrior -" Aemond's figure then turns to face Agnes.
"You think yourself exempt? Only she had the balls to allow this suffering to happen to her."
"Quite true." The figure of Vereena responds gently as she appears beside Agnes.
"And yet she calls herself too weak to be considered someone strong."
Wait.
Your mother, your father, Ser Ion who teaches about Balerion who was a blacksmith and inventor, Aemond who was the best swordsman among the greens...
Then the Prophetess Agnes, the eldest among the Holy Women, and Vereena, your handmaiden...
"Are you the Seven?"
"Yes" You turn around and there was the androgynous hooded figure of the Stranger. Even the Stranger's voice is neither male or female.
"Am I hallucinating? Is this a dream?"
"We are in between the state of being awake and the state of you falling into deep sleep." Says the crone through Agnes.
"Don't worry, we have asked permission from the Sandman to meet you like this." Vereena, or rather the maiden adds.
"Alys dear." Your mother - the mother moves forward and gently holds your face in her hands.
"I am so sorry that you have to suffer like this from my followers."
"Our rather uncritical, hypocritical and fanatic followers. This was not what we had in mind when the Faith Militant was formed."
"There's no use dwelling on that, Great Father, none of us, not the Sandman, not his wife, or any of us in the divine realm can interfere with the free will of mortals." Ser Ion - the Smith says in hidden retort.
"Then why did you want to meet with me? Was it just so I have proof that you exist?"
"Our meeting is to assure you that you are where you are meant to be." Vereena says.
"Your suffering is about to end soon." The Stranger says ominously.
"Your sacrifice has inspired many things to happen. You'll find out soon, but do not lose hope Alys."
"Yes, just what the warrior has said. You are starting to remember who you are. You are far more than what you think you are."
"Don't spoil the surprise Great Mother." Agnes warns as your mother chuckles.
"Now rest. We shall see you soon. The Sandman will be peeved if we keep you from sleep any longer than necessary."
"Easy for you to say Maiden." Your father scoffs, and soon they all fade away and you once again enter into a dreamless sleep.
Your next encounter with the seven was when your torture first introduced the needles to be included in your torment.
You could still feel the pain from their new torture toys as you lay down on the mattress on the ground. They didn't give you much for supper. Just some soup and water. You were still famished and also exhausted as the only thing you feel like doing is laying yourself to rest.
Once again, they meet you in a state between deep sleep and being awake.
"You are still sleeping, just lightly." Says the Maiden, in the form of Vereena.
"If I am only lightly sleeping, then why don't I wake at the sound of something that would alarm me?"
"You're sleeping deeper than what would ordinarily be considered light. But you are not yet in the state of deep sleep. Which is why you initially thought you were hallucinating."
"Sometimes I believe I still am Ser Ion - I mean, Smith." He chuckles at this. It was trying to mimic Ser Ion's laugh but you couldn't point out why there's something odd about it.
"To be fair the Smith is currently in the form of another being."
"Another being Great Mother?" You ask.
"You'll find out in time." Answered the Great father as he settles himself beside the Great mother.
"May I ask you all - why are you doing this? Helping me? Reassuring me that I'm not going insane?" You couldn't see all seven but you can feel all their eyes on you.
"We made a promise to both the Sandman and his wife to protect you while you are in this world." The warrior using Aemond's form and voice says as he goes closer to you until your gazes meet as he lowers himself to your level.
"Or at least to do our best to protect and help you without interfering with free will." The warrior says softly, his gaze infinitely more softer than you've ever seen on the actual Aemond.
You were confused.
By now you know that you must have been close with both the Sandman and his wife. After all they reintroduced you to Gregory. It was clear that they care for you and are watching over you even now.
"I know they care about me, and I probably care about them. But why would they be so concerned about my life here? I'm just a strange mortal who has developed powers that no one else in Westeros has. And even if they happen to be secret Targaryen powers, of all people why do I have to be the one to inherit them?"
The warrior, the smith, and the father chuckles. The mother, the maiden, and the crone exchange knowing looks.
"I'm afraid we cannot answer that." The stranger goes closer to you. Oddly you can feel an aura of gentleness from the androgynous being.
"You do not know it yet, but you already have the answers you seek. If we told you now it would only cause more harm than good."
"We understand your impatience to know." The Great mother says as she walks towards you. The warrior making room for her to hold your hands.
"And if it were up to us - and many beings who have been watching over you - we would have already told you. But if we did, you wouldn't be able to grow."
"To do that would be to mess with Destiny!" The crone adds to the mother's comment.
"To mess with Destiny is to make the path harder and more difficult." The crone says ominously.
"And none of us -"
"Not we, the Seven -"
"The Sandman -"
"His wife -"
"And even Destiny -"
"None of us -"
"Want that for you."
Then all the seven merged into one androgynous being. You could only see the silhouette of a human body, the light emanating from the form prevented you from seeing any specific details beyond the silhouette.
"There are other beings who already seek to harm you. Both mortal and divine. Which is why you must trust yourself to find the answers you seek on your own." The being's voice is a combination of all the voices you've heard by being in various forms that were familiar to you. With the Stranger's voice being the lead voice to make everything clearer.
"Is my only choice to wait for the memories to comeback? Is there no other way?"
"Allow yourself to dream once again. You know by now that it's easier for you to remember in the world of dreams."
"I find myself too exhausted and too frightened to dream while I am here."
"Then allow me to assist you. I shall make sure you are allowed a full night to dream and a full night to rest."
"But - but what if the Faith Militant forces me to wake up in the middle of it all? After all you cannot interfere with free will."
"True, but I can still exercise my influence over my devotees...Perhaps it is about time I enlighten them on a few things. And don't underestimate the Sandman's ability too."
You give the being of the Seven a nod as you feel him guide you. Soon enough you feel the presence of the Sandman as you also feel yourself relax even more.
You see him on front of you in what appears to be a garden.
"Thank you Septimus."
"You're welcome Sandman." The Sandman says as you take his hand.
"I shall see you later Alys." The being then fades away.
"Septimus?"
"One of the Seven's many names. They adopted it whenever they choose to appear as a singular merged being. The name simply means 'Seven' or 'the Seventh' in an existing language. But enough of that - how are you? Truly?"
It was in seeing the care and concerned in his eyes that you find yourself breaking down. You couldn't help but simply cry heavily on his shoulder as he embraces you and rubs on your back.
"I'm - I'm - I'm so sorry ...that I'm..."
"It's fine. Release everything you feel inside."
For awhile it seemed all you did was sob on his shoulder as he rubbed your back and gently rocked you to soothe you as you released your sobs.
When you calmed down and released him from your embrace in his hands was a napkin and a large crystal goblet filled with the bubbly water.
"Do you...Do you think I've taken it too far? By allowing myself to suffer at the hands of the Faith Militant and claiming many of my family's sins as my own...Is it too much?" You ask him as you take occasional sips from the large crystal goblet. The bubbly water refreshing you.
"I think that you made the choice that you believed would solve the problems that you see are emerging. And with the limited information that you have and the limited options given the recent circumstances surrounding your kidnapping...it was the choice that was the most promising." A part of you wishes Gregory would appear, but you're also too exhausted to do anything but pet him. Besides you need an outsider's perspectives on your journey so far.
"Is it worth it? Was my suffering worth it? Or was all the pain just done to me in vain?"
"Alys." His voice was soothing as he offers you his shoulder once again. This time you lay your head sidewards.
"If it's any consolation, my wife and I experienced our own kind of suffering watching what they were doing to you...And yet knowing that we cannot intervene...However only you can tell me if your voluntary suffering was worth it."
"But I'm still stuck, here in this place of suffering. And I have no idea if my pain has any effect beyond the Faith Militant abusing me sadistically. I am now an outlet for their wrath and ill will towards my family."
"I may be able to give you some encouragement if those are your worries."
"Oh? How?" You turn to face him, his eyes still gentle but his voice had a hint of authority.
"I cannot tell you the details - but know that there are discussions now made among various influential authorities."
"On what?" He remains silent.
"That's already a sufficient hint for you to not lose hope. You're beginning to awaken, it won't be long now. You're doing very well." You awaken, finding yourself well rested for the first time in a long time.
The next timeyou encounter the seven was after you were branded with the star of the seven in seven areas of your body. Or rather it wasn't an encounter in the present time. It was an encounter with them in a memory. A memory which felt too odd to be real, but it had the same familiarity as your other memories that you've experienced so far.
"Are you ready?" You ask the same merged androgynous form. It was early morning and the sun had just risen up. The merged form that the Sandman has called Septimus, nods at you and before your eyes the form divides itself into seven spheres of floating energy. You feel yourself gathering energy and making it flow to the seven floating shperes. Slowly but ever surely, as they get more of the energy you were guiding towards them, all seven spheres slowly mold into humanoid figures. It was hard work, this process taking several days, but by the time the sun sets on the seventh day of you essentially feeding energy to the seven figures, they were now fully formed aspects of what once was one. All seven of them were now able to to move independently, yet connected from each other,
"Oh thank you, thank you so much!" The figure of themaiden cries, but nearly stumbles before the figure of the smith caught her before she fell to the ground.
"Careful Maiden. You're still a new being; made from the thoughts and beliefs of the people here in the Andal Hills. You all must take the time to practice moving as people do. Adjust yourselves to -"
You feel something move in your pocket of your dress.
"Excuse me for a moment." You go outside away from their presence. Not for the sake of privacy - they were still divine beings who had better hearing than any mortal even if you had guided life force energy in their separate aspects - but rather to be able to check the item moving rapidly.
You take out what appears to be a bronze circular brooch. Inside the circle was a cross and two lines diagonally placed. All of them meeting at the center.
The sign of the crossroads.
You instantly knew who was trying to call you.
The memory ends before it was revealed. But you had a feeling of dread, that it was about to lead to something horrible.
Some time after you've experienced that memory, you were brought before the lead septon of your torment. Or purification as they say. According to him and other members responsible for your "Purification", they've decided to give you an option on how to proceed.
Or rather it's an illusion of choice.
"You want me to become a sex slave?!"
"One of your sins is for the rape of one of the Kingsguard. It's only fair that since you did not value your virtue and gave in to your lust, we believe the most adequate way to purify you and show you the error of your ways is to be in relieving others."
"What's wrong with my penance so far?"
"You are not yet adequately broken sinner. If you choose to accept being in service for the next two weeks we won't give you as a slave to Ser Cole anymore upon your last day. Surely you would think this is an opportunity that must be taken." You hear the soft chuckles of the Faith Militant surrounding you.
So this was their plan?
To break you through torture just to violate you sexually under the delusion of purification.
You see it all now.
You may have never been with a man but this isn't how you would want your first experience to be.
"I refuse."
"I had a feeling you were going to say that. We'll be adding 40 more days to your purification here."
"But - But you said that it will only last for 30 days -"
"That was before we found out that you are not yet truly broken."
"And how do you expect to tell the public that?"
"The public and your family have all forgotten about you by now. Why do you think that no one has intervened on your behalf sinner? Even they agree that you are better off here than in court."
You were dragged back into your room.
XXX
For awhile you are simply left to your room, your imagination taunting yourself at what they may possibly have in store. What seemed like days later, they brought you again to your room of torture.
Here once you laid back they place a piece of cloth to cover your entire face. And then they slowly dripped water - or at least you assume it was water - on to the cloth.
Before you knew it you found yourself suffocating.
XXX
"Accept the offer, and you shall be free before you know it."
Don't lose hope
People kept telling you mysteriously to not lose hope. The Priestess Kara, the Sandman, the mysterious being who spoke through Ser Kormy...they all kept emphasizing not to lose hope.
Not to give up.
You weren't sure how you were able to do it, but you managed to survive each suffocating session.
And soon they started to feed you something strange. Probably drugs mixed in with the food that they gave you. You were more than sure that your imagination wasn't this crazy or vivid within the blank walls of your room.
Soon they made sure that you were in a state of high vividness and you took in even more of whatever they were feeding you. It made the sessions even worse.
But still you would not give in.
You would not lose hope.
You would rather have the Stranger take you than to serve their sexual needs with the excuse that you were purifying yourself. Better to die a virgin then.
Your hallucinations got even worse as time goes on.
It was tricky trying to distinguish what was your imagination and what was hallucinations mentally choking you.
All this within the confines of the blank walls.
You don't want to lose hope but you were exhausted.
"Given how she is, it's possible she could expire any day now."
"Isn't the food and the drugs helping?"
"The drugs absorbed quickly because of how little she has taken food. She only takes liquids now." You hear them when they think you are asleep. Strangely nowadays you find yourself too exhausted to even sleep right away.
You began to notice how serious it is when they begin sending the confessor septon to you. Him dressed in all black with a black hood concealing his face.
"Why black?"
"It's because the Stranger may claim you anyday now. You have become too fragile for any active forms of purification."
"Is it because my body now rejects any food other than soup?"
"Perhaps sinner."
He was one of the more gentler confessors. They would change who got to be your last confessor everyday. Their times unpredictable but they always came in a black hood covering their faces.
Your mind was too tired and too drugged on whatever substance they keep feeding you till now. It was too exhausting to remember the various different voices. They were all different and yet so the same.
You don't know how long you've been here anymore. It must be longer than 30 days. Or maybe it only seemed to be longer than 30 days.
You don't want to give up hope.
But you also want it to end.
All your supernatural experiences seemed to tell you that if you didn't immediately remember your much needed memories, everything might come back after you die.
If that's the case then maybe you should at least prepare. You feel yourself going colder each day.
You decide to make a confession to whomever comes to you next. The Seven had promised you, the Sandman, and his wife, their protection of you. Surely they could understand why you did what you've done. You weren't going to force your death - you couldn't even intentionally harm yourself. But if you were to die, at least you told someone everything.
You were not giving up hope.
There's a chance that your confessor could somehow contribute to whatever the White Worm has in mind.
Have faith, have hope.
Once again you find yourself struggling to sleep. Finding many thoughts in your head and too exhausted to simply sink into a deep slumber. They must have increased the dosage of the drugs because you find your mind numb, and your mental images even more vivid than before.
A black hooded figure once again enters your room.
There was something different about him from your other confessors.
The way the figure moves with both strength and remorse.
Oh
Now you understand.
"Have you come to be my final confessor Stranger?" Who else could it have been? The being of the Seven did promise to see you later.
This must be your time.
"Alys?" Strange, the voice sounded really similar to Aemond's. Why switch up forms now?
Oh
"I see you want me to be comfortable with what you are about to do. And so now you appear before me in a form that pleases me." How ironically fitting that the Stranger is going to take you in Aemond's form.
You cared for him.
You aren't sure if this is called love.
You weren't even sure if this was infatuation or lust.
But since there is no point in running away from the inevitable...you may not know what name to place on your feelings, but you cared for him deeply.
If only the two of you were born in different circumstances.
"Alys, its me-"
"I know Stranger, but there's no point in hiding what you are about to do. Please Stranger, before you take me to be judged by the Great father. Please hear my last confession before you take me. And please, for my dying wish...please take me in my sleep. I'm so tired and exhausted, I want it to be as painless as possible. At least in my sleep...in my dreams, I could be free to who I am. Even though I don't quite know what that is yet."
The Stranger pauses.
"...Very well, what is your last confession?"
Slowly yet surely you pour out everything that had been plaguing your heart and mind.
"Then why? Why did you choose this? This suffering for the sins that are not yours?" Odd, there was something in the Stranger's voice. A mix of sadness, anger, frustration, and pain.
"Because they were all hurt by those sins. No one was going to do anything to solve the problems. Instead they let it foster until that hurt makes them inflict the hurt on others. Everyone, including my own mother, has too much pride and ego to have a heart to heart talk. I know how messy these kinds of talks are, but we are born into a system wherein there is too much at stake. And it seems only I - all I want is to not have bloodshed. I don't need them to be friends, but I want a solution that will stop the dispute without killing anyone."
"...Some people say that would be too good to come true." You couldn't help but smile at this.
"My father has already said that. Even Aemond, the one whose form you are in has the same sentiments. But if dreamers are powerless, then why were we spared from the Doom of Valyria because of a dream? Why did Nymeria become the ruler of Dorne with only a dream along with her army? Without the ability to dream of better things...better changes...then we resign ourselves to only being satisfied with far less than we deserve."
"Then don't you think that even you deserve better?"
"Of course, but just as the White Worm says, everything worth doing has always some risk. If this is to be my last few moments then I'm happy that the people will remember me for being the ultimate traitor who was the source of the family infighting. After all what else could unite people of all kinds than a common enemy? I already know that by claiming those sins as my own, both factions and everyone at court wishes me to suffer and die. All I'm doing is simply giving everyone what they want."
"And what makes you think that this is what they want?"
"Simple, through my solution, my brothers would be released from my mother's schemes of using them for positions they don't even want...my -" You cough a few times before resuming.
"My uncle, Aegon, would be free from a postion he doesn't want without having to flee to Essos or to die. My own mother and Aemond will be forced to be tested which of them would be a better ruler - and this will hopefully put an end to the dispute. Because whomever becomes the victor will have the people by their side, not just the disputable whims of the King. Of course not all would be satisfied - which is why whomever loses shall still have a permanent place in the counsel to keep the balance."
You take a heavy breath as you feel yourself getting colder.
"I know it's idealistic. It will probably never be implemented. And yet even now I can't afford to lose either hope or faith. It's the only way I see that gives the opportunity for those who don't want to rule to step aside; for those who wants to rule to assert themselves; and for them to be vetted by the people they will rule over. After all Aemond has been doing his best to prepare to rule, but has simply never had the opportunity."
Your eyes start to close.
"It...it seems that is all the breath...I have for a...a last confession...but you and...and the other Seven...probably already know ... my own thoughts and feelings..."
You feel the Stranger move to take your hands.
Funny how warm they are.
"Alys."
"You can take me now...thank you for listening Stranger."
You feel someone move to carry you, vaguely hear shouts, and someone else who touched your hands.
The Stranger feels so warm as you are cradled like a baby.
You then succumb to the darkness of rest.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: DON'T WORRY SHE'S NOT DEAD! She's just knocked out into a coma. You'll see in the next chapter:
1.) If it isn't obvious already, I took a lot of inspiration from the Passion of Jesus Christ (out of season I know. In a few days its supposedly the celebration of his birth - never thought my culturally forced Catholic education would be used this way but here we are). In some ways I reversed the order of the Passion by having the "Cruxifiction" part be done first and to aggravate it by making her carry the metal post to the place where she would be "purified";
2.) Some of the tortures used are a mix and match of real life medieval torture of alleged witches during the Spanish Inquisition era. I stayed away from any genital related tortures because that was personally too much for me;
3.) I know the Faith Militant was only revived during the GOT time of events and they are disbanded during the Dance of Dragons. How I decided to write it is that they are only legally disbanded but unofficially and in practice they are still very much present and the main branch of the Faith just ignore what they're doing since they benefit from having them as both the more radical branch and as their unofficial armed forces/torturers. And since they are also still angry at the Targaryens, the moment Alys goes to them they are going to milk that opportunity as much as they can;
4.) I was really excited to write this part because it was one of the first scenes or parts that was in my head when my real life friends and I were discussing what would be a challenge or a situation that could not be solved by Aemond's overcompensating in his mind, and abilities. And as @aemonds-war-crime has already pointed out, Aemond is just as devout as Alicent to the Faith of the Seven. Having a branch of the Faith actively torturing and only seeing him as not a Prince but simply another member of the Faith would force him to seek another way of helping Alys;
5.) At first I was wondering how to introduce the Seven to Alys, but then I recalled someone say how sometimes deities adapt the forms of people you love or are familiar with in order to make you comfortable or to get the point across. Also by having an aspect of the Seven adapt to the form of Aemond it also allows her to confess to Aemond while thinking he is the Stranger who has come to take her and end her life (I mean in a way she has died, but its not physical);
6.) If you're wondering why I didn't allow her to confess her feelings for him, it's because her feelings play a role later. But if it helps, Aemond is starting to suspect both his own and how she feels for him; and
7.) For the bronze brooch featured in the memory with the Seven- imagine an asterisk inside of a circled border. That is essentially what it is 😅; and
8.) I got the name "Septimus" from Stardust (Yes I know another Neil Gaiman property).
Higher intervention: Aemond x FemReader (House of the Dragon x Sandman fanfic) Part 1
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven't read Fire and Blood and most if not all that I know is from the TV show.
Gif by queenage
Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra's children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.
So this is a spin-off on my main fanfic Beautiful Anomaly which is concluding soon. I personally don't consider this a spoiler for the conclusion of Beautiful Anomaly (since it's more of a manner of "how" than "if"). I personally consider this a standalone story since the story takes place in the distant future of Beautiful Anomaly. For those waiting on Part 8 it's coming out soon. I just need to release this from my mind so that Aemond can relax in my little piece of the dreaming realm.
Taglist (comment down below if you want to be included): @winxschester @memento-mora
Also tagging: @rinadragomir I know you're team black, but I really want to know if I wrote them in character 😅
The stars had decided to shine their light to a wanderer. Though he did not need it, he can do just fine whether he was taking his slow travel in their presence or in the presence of the sun. Chained to himself is the book which contained the universe itself, and all the possibilities explored in such universe. A subsection of this book contained details of the Dance of Dragons in a small dimension. The results of which lead to the deaths that only brought further downfall.
After such details, was the details of an experimentation that tested the extent of change and free will. An experiment that he must initiate for the benefit of all involved and to satiate his curiosity. Would this make any real substantial change to such that would occur? Nevertheless he is as dutiful as he ever was. Ever the observer, never the participant. Participants are only ever so focused on what is directly within their reach and influence. And it is from an observer such as himself that he must watch such experiment to its completion.
And as the book stated, this experiment would only help in developing her power.
"Take your time." He speaks from his hooded self towards you.
"You are only in the beginning of your development." You can't help but feel your heart throb in a mixture of fear and curiosity.
"Everything will come to pass, everything in its right time."
You open your eyes.
You feel bewildered.
Glancing at the window you could see that it was dawn and the sun had just started to appear.
This dream was the clearest it had ever been and you didn't know what to make of it.
"Alys?" Your mother enters concerned. Her blonde hair was still frizzy from just having awakened. You were frightened for your new sibling in her belly and she shouldn't be rushing by your side when your sibling in her womb was making it difficult for her till his or her birth.
"I'm fine mother, just another odd dream."
"The same one with the hooded figure with a book chained to himself?" She takes a seat at the edge of your bed close to you.
"Yes, but this time it seems like he was speaking to me. He was saying something. About taking my time and everything will fall into place."
"Well" your mother puts both hands on each side of your head. You lean in to her touch and it always had a calming effect on you.
"Perhaps your dreams are trying to tell you to not worry so much on what you're going to do in the future."
"I just want to make you proud mother." You take a breath as you fell her thumbs massage the sides of your head.
"I feel like compared to Jace and Luke I'm the most useless one. My dragon egg hasn't hatched while theirs didn't take long to hatch."
"Alys dear." She wiped a tear that began falling from your eye. You hadn't noticed that you began crying.
"Listen to me. Just because our family prides ourselves with our connection to the dragons, that doesn't mean you are useless or any less important just because you don't have a dragon to ride." Seeing the doubt in your face she sighs and sits closer to you.
"My mother, the late queen Aemma didn't have a dragon. And yet she is one of the reasons why I am the person who I am now. Don't think yourself as so insignificant just because you feel you are lacking in something others have. Alright?"
"Yes, mother." She leans in and kisses your forehead as she helps you to get ready even though you have a handmaid to do it for you and your mother should be practicing more care. She was now in her ninth month and your sibling could begin to appear any day now.
You decide to spend your time in the library. Trying to find anything that could explain who the hooded figure in your dream was. The closest thing that you found was that it might be the Stranger. The aspect mose closely associated with death and the unknown. But none of the texts had stated anything about a book chained to his hand.
"Alys."
"AAH." You only realized that you had bumped your head when you felt the pain. And from what it appears your surprise companion also suffered the same consequence.
"Oh I'm so sorry Aemond. You startled me."
"I can feel that." He groaned as he has a hand on his head. But after a few moments of discomfort your eyes met with smiles on both of your faces.
"What are you reading in this part of the library anyway? It's so far from the window and there are barely any nearby torches or candles."
"You know me, I don't want go too far from where the books are placed. It's not my fault that the librarian chooses to store the books I need in this area."
"Yes but your eyes will regret that."
"Oh leave me alone. Are you going to join me or have you come just to annoy me out of my task?"
"And what task is that?" Aemond grabs a chair and a candelabra from a nearby table adding much needed light to your reading space.
"I woke up with the dream again."
"The vague hooded figure?"
"Yes, but this time it was a lot clearer. Last night my dream showed that he has a large book chained to him. He was a man. And it seemed like he was telling me something."
"What did he say?"
"I can't remember his exact words but he was telling me that everything will happen in its right time and that I was just in the beginning of something. That's all I can remember."
"Hmm, have you tried reading up on the stranger?" This was one of the things that you liked about Aemond. For all the time you found yourself a fellow outcast in the Targaryen family. No dragon, and having to find some other way to compensate. It was times like these that you appreciated his observant nature.
"I've already did but none of the texts mention about a book chained to his person."
"Maybe that part was a result of your imagination."
"If that's the case then what could the stranger be trying to tell me? Why would he tell me that everything will happen at the right time or that this is just the beginning of something-"
"Alys, sometimes dreams are just dreams nothing more."
"And yet Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys came here with dragons and a dream. How is this any different?" He raises an eyebrow before you hear a long whistle.
"My my aren't the two of you getting comfortable." Aegon chuckles mockingly as he leans against the edge of the book case. It was only then that you realized just how close your face was to Aemond's. Any sudden movement may cause your heads to clash again if you weren't careful.
"Brother." He says coldly. And it was then you knew it was time to return the books in their respective places.
"Oh don't stop on my account. I think its adorable that the only two people without a dragon are so close with each other."
"Your mother didn't approve of my mother's proposal." You say as a matter of fact as you return another book in its place. Frankly you were relieved that you didn't have to marry Aegon despite both of you being the eldest of your families.
You hear him snort.
"No offense to you Alys, but I prefer my women to be more developed than you are. A kid like you couldn't keep up with me."
"Considering what you like to do fun, I'm glad I don't have to lower my standards and make myself more stupid." You hear Aemond beside you holding back his laughter and tried to disguise it as a cough.
Aegon rolls his eyes as he leaves the two of you alone.
"You didn't have to do that for me."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I did that for myself." You say lightheartedly but by the way Aemond was smiling you could tell he was nevertheless thankful.
"Then let me make sure I keep up with your standards by bringing you to your room." He places the last book back on the shelf as you blow out the flame from the candles he brought to the table. He holds out his arm to you which you take as the two of you semi-skipped exiting the library.
"So are we going take the ordinary way or your way?" Aemond gives you a smirk as he leads you into one of the many hidden passage ways. He takes your hand before the two of you begin running and laughing as you travel through the various routes of the hidden passages.
You finally reach your room, out of breath but with smiles on both of your faces.
"This is...where...I'll...say goodbye."
"Take...a...breath first. Hoo it's always fun travelling with you going to my room."
You both managed to calm down enough for both of you to say your goodbyes.
"Thank you for being with me today."
"Thank you for insulting my brother." You share one last smile with each other as he makes his way to his room and as you finally enter yours.
Had you known this was going to be among the last carefree memories before everything became so complicated, you would've done more with him.
First came the news that your biological father, Harwin Strong has died in a fire in Harrenhal. You don't know how long you've known, but for the sake of your mother you simply refuse to say anything about it and if you were asked if you were looking forward to being a Queen in your own right after your mother, you would simply say that the future is uncertain and that you needed to survive childbirth first. In truth while you did want to serve the people, you've felt that a part of you wasn't meant for the throne. Not because of the questionable nature of your parentage but for the lack of desire to engage in the politics at court. If you had it your way, you secretly hoped a third party would just be blessed by divinity and become the ruler. That way no more infighting will need to happen, and the pressure that the Iron Throne would have on this new ruler would be motivation enough for them to do a good job. You didn't like the taste of not being able to directly help people. Otto Hightower would always say that whatever he has done was for the sake of the realm. But you find it difficult to believe it when the people themselves weren't asked and all of his moves in court just simply seemed like a prideful powergrab.
Second a new development within you has occurred. It started by accident. You were simply by your window in Dragonstone when you found yourself sneezing. A spark came out along with your spittle, startling and frightening you. After calming yourself down you returned to your High Valyrian writing exercises but eventually noticed that the candle flame was following the movements of your hand as you write each sentence. You stop for awhile.
"Kelis" you say towards the flame as you direct your attention towards it. Testing to see if it did anything, you begin writing again.
It didn't work.
You were getting stressed and worried about how to make the flame stop following your hand when your brother Jace informed you through the door that it was time to sleep. You hoped your reply was loud enough for him to hear you and not enter. Your heart is relieved when you hear his footsteps fading away.
"How do I get you to stop?" You ask frustratingly. You couldn't risk any accident happening while you were asleep. Leaving an open flame as you slept was out of the question.
Giving up, you blow the candle's flame out before going to bed.
After that incident you were even more careful around fire. And you also had more motivation to carry around a napkin in case you found yourself coughing or sneezing. Less for propriety and manners but more to conceal the possible sparks that could exit you. It was already bad enough that people stared at you because of your evident illegitimacy in yours and your sibling's looks despite your father figure, Laenor Velaryon claiming that you were his true born children. You did not want to accidentally hurt somebody from the powers that it seemed you were beginning to develop.
In spite of the obvious drawbacks, there was actually a benefit to your abilities.
Whenever your brothers would end up with injuries from their training, you worked alongside the maester in healing their injuries. Like with how you first encountered your first two abilities, you didn't notice it happening right underneath your nose. You were healing your twin Jace, as he has a nasty swelling that was going to make him wince for a while. You decided to gently massage the nearby area close to the swelling. Whenever your mother did it for you it always made you feel better, it couldn't hurt to try. The maester was close by treating Lucerys, so if something went wrong you could simply ask him.
As you massaged the area, you began to feel his blood circulation slowly increase. Not to a noticeable degree, it was only later that you've realized what you actually did, but it definitely was a little bit faster than how it previously was going. It was only when the day after the day following that did the Maester did a checkup and was pleasantly surprised that the swelling has significantly reduced.
"My lord Jacearys you must have good health or good luck for the swelling to have been reduced by this much."
"It's all thanks to Alys. She's getting better at massaging people. Not like our mother yet but Alys is close."
"I appreciate that Jace." You roll your eyes in mild annoyance as he laughs at your reply. You turn to face away from him as you hide your shock.
You decide to test it upon yourself later that evening if it really was your newfound powers or if it's just your delusions. Placing your fingers on your non-dominant arm you begin gently massaging. Soon you could feel the energy in your blood, and an idea of how your pulse is currently beating. You make different movements with your fingers as you experiment with controlling the pace of how your blood circulates and towards which areas of your body. This energy, this force that helps you live, you're not sure what exactly to call it yet.
Had you known this ability would soon become very useful in your visit to Driftmark for an aunt that you barely know, you would have read more books about healing, and spent more time learning from the Maester how to heal injuries.
The incident that broke your heart and had widened the discord in your family.
You and Aemond didn't spend much time together in the funeral. He didn't know what to say to you. Your father, sir Harwin, was no more. How secretly you weren't mourning for the stranger that was your relative whom you barely knew, but for the father whom you have lost. The father whose only sin was to sleep with your mother but was a good man. When you were scared that your mother could die giving birth to Lucerys, and your father Laenor was with his own lover, he spoke to you of how no matter what happens, he will protect you. And how you've been a good daughter to your mother. Your mother was a woman with the blood of the dragon in her veins.
"If she survived giving birth to you and Jace, she could survive this." He says comfortingly to you as you cry in his shoulder as your mother screams out in pain.
And now he was gone.
You know your mother is powerful woman but you've never felt more scared in your life. Knowing the whispers at court, you were already aware of some people who are interested in you ending up dead simply because of your parentage, what you symbolized, or any other reason that was simply beyond your control to change.
And those things have now caused you pain in your bond with Aemond.
You could tell he was more distant than normal. He had always been dutiful to his role as a prince. But he still gave you looks of sympathy.
Not much words were exchanged between the two of you. You don't remember what you really said, but you vaguely remember offering to come to his room later to show him of your discoveries about yourself. He only nodded and told you that it'll have to be late in the evening since there was something he had to do. His last words to you was to make sure to awaken later and not turn your nap into a deep sleep. You were notorious for being a deep sleeper the moment your eyes closed. There were plenty of times when you fell asleep on his shoulder and he would need to shake you awake or ask for assistance in carrying you to your room.
"Maybe that's why you have vivid dreams." He once teased when you were still in King's Landing.
You were still uncertain if your deep sleep that evening served to your detriment or benefit.
You find yourself waking when the moon was full and the night was at its darkest. But as you grabbed your dark cloak, you were startled to see and hear a lot of people still awake. The atmosphere was tense and everyone was gathered around the main hall. You decide to hide yourself in an alcove that still allowed you to listen to what was going on.
That was until people began exiting the hall and you were nearly trampled as you hid in your cloak. Until ser Erryk found you and was able to protect you from getting injured. You know it was ser Erryk because you could see the black corded necklace on his neck. You don't recall who exactly gave him a necklace with a simple sigil of protection. His twin has always fancied something a little more bold and showed of his pride in serving the King's family. But ser Erryk was satisfied with a simple corded necklace.
"Ser Erryk what's going on?"
"Lady Alys what are you doing here? You could've been injured."
"I was going to meet with Aemond." You notice how tense his face has become.
"I don't think that's a wise thing to do my Lady."
"But why? What happened." He looks around before he brings you into a hidden corner and kneels down to meet your eyes.
"It's all a mess, but I will do my best to explain what has happened."
And it was through him that you've learnt that Aemond has claimed Vhagar and got into a squabble with Rhaena. Baella joined in to protect her sister. Aemond in the heat of the moment called Jace and Lucerys bastards, and the squabble resulted into Lucerys slicing Aemond's eye.
"N-No."
"It's true my lady. And just now the Queen has asked for an eye from your brother in exchange for blinding Aemond in one eye. She even ordered ser Criston Cole to do so. And when he was prevented from doing so, the Queen took matters into her own hands and using the King's blade attempted to do so. Your mother held her back with an injury on her hand."
"Oh no, but I need to see Aemond."
"My lady, it's safer if you return to your chambers. The Kingsguards who are allied with the greens are not so friendly to anyone from the blacks now."
"That's why I'm wearing a cloak ser Erryk, but it's important that I need to -"
"It's okay ser Erryk." You turn to face Aemond who was standing nearby. In a cloak of his own hiding his hair.
"I would like to speak with her alone ser Erryk. I won't hurt her."
"Very well my Prince." He moves to give enough distance for the two of you to talk but close enough to intervene if anything should happen.
"Aemond."
"You just woke up." The hidden meaning hurt you. And you feel yourself beginning to cry.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't there to do anything." He sighs and walks to you in the deep alcove. He was like the stranger coming for your death with the torches flaming behind him. And maybe it was a death of some kind. A death of your childhood together.
"Alys, this is goodbye."
"But why? It's our families who are quarrelling."
"You know how I feel about your brothers."
"I also know how you feel about my parentage but why does it have to end between us?"
"Ah Alys don't you get it? Unless you switch sides and support my brother's claim for the throne it's not going to work between us."
"That's your mother talking."
"It's the truth."
"Does she hate me? Even though all I've ever done was to spend my days with you?" You begin to stutter as you can't hold back your tears anymore.
"She hates your mother, and I know you love her very much."
"Another thing we have in common."
"Alys, you're not making this any easier." He begins to raise his voice a little but even you could see him begin to cry from his remaining right eye. At this moment you wished that the two of you had been born under different circumstances. No interfamily politics, no possibly deadly assassinations, just the two of you together.
"May I see it?"
He walks toward you as you gently reach out and touch his face. Careful not to touch the stitches. You clearly couldn't try massaging it but you use the brief time you have to do your best to use the energy in his blood to reduce the swelling.
"It's gone for good. You must think me hideous now."
"Everyone is hideous when they are hurt." You feel rather than see him wince at your comment. You do your best to be as gentle yet as efficient as possible.
"Are you going to force me to hate you when I let you go?"
"I cannot force you to do anything. I'm telling you things you are blind to when you are around me."
"Are you going to hate me now?" He has no reply but simply bows his head down.
"If only you were born as my sister. If only you were born to anyone but them."
"But I'm not. What sin have I committed against you to hate me so?" No answer.
"It's getting late, we depart as soon as possible away from Driftmark." He pulls you in for one last hug before he reluctantly pulls away and runs to his room.
And that was when you truly began to weep.
For days, you acted like you were in mourning. You gave your brothers the silent treatment to satisfy some arbitrary punishment from your end. They have your mother to scold and punish them. You have your silence.
But even you can't stay mad at them for long. No matter how much time you spent with Aemond, all of you were still children. And they were simply only doing what they thought was right. You are still uncertain if what Aemond did was right or wrong, but the results of that squabble made everything so much more worse.
In your period of silence, you find a what appears to be a prayer book. Not for the faith of the seven but rather for some of the Gods of Old Valyria. It being an old book, which was hidden away in a part of Dragonstone, you decide to take it to further your studies in High Valyrian. You were not yet fluent in the language but it was better to start somewhere than not starting at all.
As you progressed in your studies you began learning more about the mere scraps of Old Valyria's religion. Merexes, the Goddess of marriage, protection, mothers and women. In the Old Valyrian religion she was prayed for protection and defensive strategies of war. Her spouse, was the God of the Heavens, aggressive warfare, rulership, and men. His name was lost to time. Their son, the God of fire, volcanoes, warfare of all kinds, mining, and blacksmithing was Balerion. From the texts it suggests that he was a rather popular God despite having no wife or main consort. Dragons were his sacred animal, and was said to have been responsible for Dragons being able to bond with people at all.
If there is anyone who could help you understand and manage how to use your powers it must be him. The God with seven faces condemns any type of magical ability (or so the Septas and the Septons claim) and so you doubt that he would be useful for what you need to do.
A week after your sixteenth nameday, was your first prayer to Balerion. You decide to do it in the common tongue since you weren't confident in your abilities in High Valyrian just yet. And besides, if he's a God surely he will be able to understand your intent at the very least.
First part, state the aspects of the God you feel the most important for your request:
"Balerion of the fire;
Balerion of the volcanoes;
Balerion the creator of weapons through the divine forges"
Second, state your plea:
"I have abilities that I do not know how to control, I do not have anyone else to turn to."
Third, state why you need the God specifically:
"Your domain is fueled by the most sacred of energy that has brought both enlightenment and destruction. You are knowledgeable in the nuances of such energy."
Fourth, what do you plan to do should this happen:
"Help me, Great Balerion, whose sacred animal is the Dragon. Help me, and I will help your people in whatever I can."
Fifth, saying farewell:
"Consider my plea, Great Balerion, thank you for hearing me."
You spoke this prayer as much as you practically can. Which meant at least once a week. But it seems your prayers are not answered. Nothing has happened except self-exploration and secretly testing your abilities when no one is around. Your faith begins to waver and soon you forget your weekly prayer. Life goes on and before you knew it, you begin to simply control yourself through brief meditation. The maesters have given you a small time glass which was sufficient enough to help be mindful of the thoughts you have and the powers you possess. It turns out this had allowed you to at least have safe control over your hidden powers and prevented them from having another accident.
At least that is what you hoped.
Around this time you've also began having even more vivid dreams that didn't make sense. There was an air of familiarity, like you've known these people for a long time. You resided in a grand castle, grander than the Red Keep or any of the castles you have seen in person. The front door was guarded by what appeared to be a dragon, a griffin, and a winged horse of some kind. You recall reading and talking in an everlasting library close to the throne room. How you seem to instinctually know this is a mystery to you.
Speaking of mysteries, sometimes you find yourself spending time with a man dressed in all black. You could sense he had incredible power over this world and everyone at least paid him respects as he passed by. Sometimes he alone was with you, and other times a beautiful woman with long wavy raven hair, beautiful deep brown eyes, and a voluptuous body, dressed in white with ever shifting patterns and colors that just seemed to make her even more beautiful, accompanied him to keep you company. Her necklace appeared to have a pendant of crow skull. And on his finger was a rose ring. You don't know why these things seemed significant but it seemed so. You are guessing she must be his wife since the way they are in each other's company reminds you of Corlys and Rhaenys. One of the few married couples who had a successful marriage.
"It will rush towards you." You recall her saying assuredly.
"When it does, just focus on your breath and what you have been doing for awhile. Otherwise you might get lost in it."
"Get lost in what?"
"You will find out soon Alys." The man says in a surprisingly gentle way.
It was one of the few things that you could still recall the moment you've awakened. You're not sure if this is Balerion's answer to your prayers. But you were thankful that you have at least someone among the divinity saying that you were doing well and to just keep it up.
Soon you recieve word from your mother and stepfather that you would be returning to King's landing. There was contention over Lucerys' position as heir to driftmark. Vaemond Velaryon seeks to claim that he has a better right over Driftmark than Lucerys and allegedly wishes to keep Driftmark within the Velaryon family.
"If he wants to keep it within the Velaryon family, why is he not petitioning on behalf of Baela and Rhaena?"
"Good point, you should tell Rhaena to say that. But nevertheless it is because he wants to embarass Lucerys and your mother." Your stepfather replies as you make your preparations to enter court.
"Father, I think Alys should be the one to make that statement. She's next in line after stepmother."
"No Rhaena this is something you should do."
"Alys, if you want to support Lucerys and make sure that Driftmark doesn't go to the greens, then you should make the statement."
"And I've told everyone in our eighteenth name day that I have no plans on actually ruling and so the next in line is Jace because I don't want to be involved in court politics." You find yourself catching your breath after you quickly try to convince Rhaena that you shouldn't be involved at all.
"It's a little too late for that I'm afraid. You'll have to learn to play it whether you like it or not." Your stepfather says, his tone one of gloom. He could tell you didn't want to do anything with courtly life and yet you have to.
"Is it too late for me too runaway to Essos?"
"I'm not sure you'll like it in Essos. You haven't developed anything that could help you survive there."
"But you'll love Pentos. They have an unfamiliar worship from either the Gods of Old Valyria and the Faith of the seven, but I'm sure you'll love it there."
"Pentos is an exception Rhaena."
"We still have our home there father, how about we ride there after all the court affairs have been resolved."
"Rhaena I don't have a dragon."
"You could ride with me."
"Rhaena, Morning is not yet ready for two riders."
"It's okay Rhaena." You finally reassure her that a dragon ride to Pentos was appreciated but is not feasible at the moment.
You wonder how Aemond has changed. Does he hate you now and now plans and assists in your murder? You at the very least know that Lucerys is in danger whenever he is in Aemond's presence.
And you couldn't help but sympathize with both of them.
You arrive at King's landing and the first place you've decided to go to once you've settled in you decide to go to the library. You began looking for any books concerning the Gods of Old Valyria. Particularly Balerion, maybe you've done something wrong that he has decided not to answer your prayers.
"An interest in Balerion the dragon?" You look up to see a man who seemed only a little bit older than you. Black haired with a bit of a stubble. He was attractive, his body (from what you can tell), was at the best midpoint between muscular and lean, his shoulders broad, and his hands big. Unsurprisingly he was at least a foot taller than you.
"Oh no, I am more interested in his namesake, the God Balerion. I've only heard and read about Balerion the dragon but not whom Balerion the God was."
"Oh? Quite the curiosity you have in exploring other religions when the God of the Seven is almost hounded on us here daily." You couldn't help but chuckle a bit.
"Let's just say I find the God of the Seven to be lacking in sympathy for who I am. And so I am striving to learn more about Balerion who might be able to help me. I'm sorry but I don't know your name good ser." He laughs and you couldn't help but feel your heart beating.
"I have many names. But you may call me Ion."
"A bit unusual for a name."
"I am someone unusual, around these parts at least."
"I see, where are you from and how did you end up in King's landing?"
"Do you have time? I might be stealing you from your duties here my lady."
"I do, as long as I don't miss dinner with my family I should be fine."
"And what may I call you? I would be at a loss if I did not know your name."
"Alys Velaryon ser Ion."
You two find a table and from your conversation you learn that he is a scholar and a warrior of some sort. He wasn't planning on joining the Kingsguard and yet he is not a sellsword. He was in the Red keep to meet the person who has acquired his services.
"You say you are not a sellsword and yet you are here to meet the person who has need of your services."
"My lady Alys I never mentioned that my services are that of a warrior. I am here in my capacity as a teacher for someone who had felt lonely for awhile."
You didn't know why this had touched you deep in your heart. The conversation ended there, but the two of you agree to meet again as he escorts you to your room to prepare for a dinner with your family.
"How will I know what hour you are available?" He smiles at you with a tenderness you never knew you were somehow missing. Almost as if you were being blessed just by gazing into his eyes.
"Trust me my lady. I will know when you are there." And then he leaves.
"Made a new friend?" Your mother asks as she sees you about to enter in your room.
"Maybe." You say coyly as you enter your chambers and you see your mother smiling at you with a knowing look.
Your days were filled with conversations with him to your surprise. A part of you was saddened that you haven't met Aemond yet. Or any of the main members of the Green faction. They may have seen you around but you may have been blind to them. Ion was there and had become your main escort around the Red Keep. You've learned that his interest in Old Valyria was about his heritage as well as his family. It was only up close that you noticed his eyes were a lighter shade of brown. In certain ways it was almost as if there was a hidden fire in the shade of his pupils.
Your conversations somehow was stirred toward the direction of how the Gods of Old Valyria may have wielded their power in their respective domains.
"They simply are. Merexes is the defense measure because her domain is to protect women, mothers, and the family. Balerion at his core is the fire that wields, that warms, and destroys. The Gods simply are, along with all their complexities of each."
"Ser Ion, may I ask your opinion...do you think Balerion did not answer my prayers because I am an unusual mortal?"
"Lady Alys, I believe he did not answer your prayers in the way that you expect. From what you have told me you have prayed to him to be able to control your powers. But underneath that, what you really are also seeking is a solution that would solve the divide and discord in your family and thus setting you free to be yourself. As you are, without judgment." You feel another shard once again pierce your heart as you feel the truth has been laid out on front of you.
"...You say that the Gods simply are?"
"Yes, even the God of the seven simply is. Even though the faith likes to exaggerate every now and then."
"Do you think, that it could work for someone like me? To simply be?" It was hurting you not to be able to tell him of your powers but you also don't know if he's secretly going to use this against you. Apart from Helaena by personality alone you are aware that there were talks of how unusual you are since you did not actively force your way into having a dragon. You were rather dull and someone who would rather spend her days in the library, in the beach, or in the garden.
"Yes, just see the parts of yourself in the abilities you wield. That is how I believe the Gods control their powers. It is why your mother is so admirable in my eyes. She may practice restraint and has to temper down and play the games of courtly affairs. But she simply is herself."
"Oh, thank you so much Ser Ion. You have no idea how much that has enlightened me. Oh I hope I haven't stolen you from the person you were bound to meet." He chuckles and you can't help but lighten up with what he says next.
"You're welcome, you haven't stolen me from anyone. You cannot steal what was never theirs in the first place. And you are more than worth any meeting I have had this far."
That evening, you decide to accompany your mother as she visits your grandfather in the evening. Tomorrow was the day of the trial, and if it was to be run by the hand, it would inevitably be decided in favor of Vaemond. Without your grandfather's help, you and your siblings by ser Harwin are doomed to be condemned in court. This was going to be your first visit to him, and from what you now see, his condition is worse.
"Hello grandfather, it's me Alys." You say as you sit on his right side and taking his hand. You allow your mother to take the side that was uncovered. As your mother pleads and talks with him, you do your own secret work by focusing on the energy that still exists within the blood. Compared to what you have experienced, this was far slower and it was closer to getting stagnant. You'll have to be gentle, otherwise you may accidentally start a war without even having met Aemond.
"Simply be." You tell yourself as you somehow give some of your energy into him. Encouraging blood circulation to areas that are crucial for him living.
"May I stay with him longer mother? This is the first time I've seen him."
"Of course darling. I trust you can find your way to your room?"
"Yes mother."
She leaves you as you go to his uncovered side and repeat what you have done. No one escapes death, but the least you could do is to delay your grandfather's death long enough for him to help your mother tomorrow. Slowly and ever surely as you gently introduce more energy into his blood, his breathing begins to be more normal than it was earlier. His pulse now at a healthy rate than the dangerously slow speed it was in.
That must be enough for now. If he can make it through the night, then you'll just repeat what you've done tonight to give him more strength to be able to assist in the trial.
You make your way to the Sedan that was adequate enough for you to lay your head as you began to sleep and restore your own energy.
You awaken not long after your grandfather begins to call for you.
"Ah Ahlys, you are still here?" His voice was much more clearer now than when your mother was talking with him.
"Yes grandfather I am here."
"Help me child. We need to go."
"Grandfather slow down." You immediately catch him before he fell over trying to stand up.
"Do you remember what my mother?"
"Something about a trial. Am I right child?"
"Yes you are grandfather."
"Then help me dress. Don't alert the servants, I'll dress simply. Your mother needs me."
"We all do grandfather."
You proceeded to help him dress, and to fasten his mask and delivered to him his cane. At first you thought you were ready to leave when he stopped you before you could help him out the door.
"Alys, go to the chest over there. Change into the violet dress."
"We don't have time for that grandfather."
"We do. It's important I...I want everyone to know that I want peace, and I need someone to represent that. It was your grandmother's favorite dress, and I just couldn't bear to part with it till now. Plea-please-"
"...Okay grandfather." You say as you make him sit as you quickly change behind the dressing screen. Putting it on now, you realize why it may have been grandmother Aemma's favorite. It was easy to put on while still being regal without being too grand. You arrange your hair in a simple half bun secured by the hairstick that accompanied the dress. Allowing your face to be seen while also allowing your own wavy hair to flow naturally.
The two of you make your way to the throne room. You pray to Balerion or whomever God or Goddess is listening that neither of you were too late. The Kingsguard offered to assist him but he refused them all and told them that you helping him was more than enough.
You were now on front of the doors. You hear some loud voices. You felt nervous, but your mother needed you. You take a breath before opening the doors.
Everyone turned to look at you. Otto Hightower was standing on front of the Iron Throne. Now is not the time to lose focus.
"And who might you be? We are currently in the middle of a trial and we would appreciate it if there be no more interruptions."
"I am a granddaughter helping her grandfather." You didn't pay attention to the startled gasps as you turn around and immediately assist in helping your grandfather walk straight towards the Iron Throne.
"That's Alys Velaryon?"
"Seven help me."
"I am starting to understand why Rhaenyra and Daemon didn't want her to be seen."
"I wonder what Aegon feels now that she has made her appearance."
"Oh I think we all know the real person we should be making that inquiry to."
"I wonder if they have already met in private, they were incredibly close before the incident at Driftmark."
"I can't read his expression, maybe he doesn't care about her anymore."
You block out anymore gossips that you inevitably heard and focus on helping your grandfather take his place on the Iron Throne.
"I will be sitting today Otto." He says before taking your hand as you help him. Along the way his crown falls and he nearly fell over reaching for it had you not had a steady hand and was insistent that he be seated first. From your periphery you see Daemon reach for the crown and reverently places it back on your grandfather's head. Once that was done, you turn to make your way down, but your grandfather stops you.
"Alys dear, please stay by my side. It'll be easier than having to come back here just to assist me."
"Very well your grace." He was acting as the King now and you carefully step to the side and turn to face the crowd for the first time.
It was also your first time seeing him.
Who else would have an eyepatch if not Aemond.
From where you were standing, he now towers over his siblings. And has now grown into a man.
Your gazes meet.
You couldn't tell what he was feeling. Maybe it's the distance or maybe it's because he has learned to hide how he feels. Both are reasonable.
"Before we begin, I'd like to say that my granddaughter Alys looks beautiful in the violet gown she is wearing. Wouldn't you agree Rhaenyra?"
"Yes your grace she looks quite wonderful. It fits her quite well."
"And do you remember this dress?"
"It was my mother's favorite dress." You could see Alicent's eyes widen.
"Aemma has always said that violet was the appropriate color for peace. It's a product of talented dyers and artisans to make such a vibrant color. And it is because of this cooperation that clothing in this color was almost always the best. To Aemma it proved that it was possible to rise above pettiness and to actually achieve what was best for the realm. I feel like this needed to be a reminder to everyone."
A figure in the distant corner of the room caught your attention. But you couldn't be too obvious as to who it might probably be. You fix your gaze straight ahead as you use your periphery to see who it was.
Ser Ion looked relaxed in his hidden corner. You may not be able to see his expression, but you felt reassured that what you were doing was right.
At the same time you could also feel Aemond gaze at you. You feel your blood rush. You're uncertain if it was because he has any ill will to you or maybe it was just out of curiosity.
Either way, you're bound to find out soon enough.
Bonus:
Before puberty.
Aegon: I am so glad I'm not marrying Alys, she's a dragonless twit like you.
Aemond: Leave her alone she's my best friend.
After puberty.
Aegon: FUCK she could've been my wife? Mother why did you reject the proposal?
Aemond: Leave her the fuck alone she's mine.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed this. I'm wondering if any of you have caught the seeds to the main conflict. Please leave comments or feedback. Thank you :)
Higher Intervention: Aemond x FemReader (House of the Dragon x Sandman fanfic) Part 7
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven’t read Fire and Blood and most if not all that I know is from the TV show.
Gif by jjangredpanda
Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra’s children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.
If you wish to read the previous parts (which I recommend you do if you haven’t read them yet):
Part 1 / Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5 / Part 6
Taglist (comment down below if you want to be included): @winxschester @memento-mora @mxrgodsstuff
Also tagging:
@lady-phasma @aemonds-war-crime @adderess @princeaemonds because some of their ideas of Aemond have undoubtedly influenced my work.
Darkness.
Nothingness.
You forgot how suffocating it could be.
But somehow you find yourself being one with it.
How odd that you still have your thoughts even though you have died.
You feel light amidst this dark nothingness.
You feel so light that you just feel that you need to move.
Somehow some way you feel that the more you move - though you did not have a form - the more a spark inside of you was made.
Eventually that spark lead to a fire coming from inside you.
Heat
Energy
Yes
Energy
You feel the energy spread out from you the more you move.
Soon because of your movements, what once was simply darkness and nothingness now served to show the different spots and streaks of energy you've left behind. Soon you feel tired from playing around in the vast darkness. A darkness that has been balanced by the little splots of energy that you've made.
In your stillness you gaze out as you see what you've done. It looked like what the stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies appear. You were astonished by their beauty. They filled and balanced the vast darkness. It wasn't that the darkness was bad, but it can be overwhelming. Still you can't believe such beauty emerged from your random movements.
As you continue to be still and gaze in wonder at what you've unintentionally created, you begin to feel another change from some of the energies you've left behind. It was still energy, but there was something special about it. Not only did it seem to have more energy or more movement...it seemed to be calling for you.
You move toward it as you feel yourself reaching out to the special energy. So eager, so scared...so full of life...so complex...and yet so simple...
You feel yourself become one with this special type of energy. It was taking over your entire being. As you feel yourself becoming more powerful, you also feel the Universe supporting you, and giving you form. And yet it is not fixed but also yours to wield with the help of your newfound powers. Soon it was finished and you somehow find your way into the meadow.
The meadow in the realm of the Sandman.
And soon you see him and his wife - both looking at you with joy and delight.
"See beloved, she has now come into her power."
"You know me Morpheus, I couldn't help it."
You feel yourself running towards them and ending up embracing both as they hug you back.
"Congratulations my darling."
"Is...is this real?"
"It is very real." She says as she pulls you for another tight embrace. It was when she releases you that you noticed your hands - or rather your entire being - is glowing.
"It feels different, doesn't it?" The Sandman says. So his wife calls him Morpheus. Something inside you says it was a preferred nickname. If your encounter with the Seven and the Sandman has taught you anything, it's that divine beings can have many names.
"Is this how you and everyone else feels? Fueled by energy and - and life force?" He chuckles softly at you.
"Similar, but not identical to yours. It seems you have found your domain."
"My domain?"
"Yes, my darling." His wife says in excitement. But she calms herself down as she puts her hands on your shoulders.
"Be still for a moment. Close your eyes, remember what was it that called you. This is how you will know your name."
"My name? But I am -"
"My darling, we will always know you by that. But that part of you...she is already dead, even though you are one and the same." You nod, of course she was right. The only way you were able to be who you are now was if you first had died in your human life.
You become still.
You close your eyes.
You remember the energy.
Then the special energy that calls you.
So vibrant, so complex, so simple...
so alive.
Alive.
What a concept it is to live.
Even if it may not always be what you want it to be.
You feel yourself open your eyes.
At first you were confused as to why your surroundings have changed.
Where did Morpheus and his wife go?
You wanted to go back to their warm and comforting embrace. You felt safe there. Safe to be yourself and who you are.
"You're still upset with me."
You turn to a glowing ethereal feathered serpent. Fiery reddish orange all over.
This was you.
That was your voice.
You recognize it somehow.
This was a memory.
What you experienced before - that was also a memory too. You're sure now because you in your glowing feathered snake form was confident and at home with her powers and her being.
"I disagree with your punishment, but I also understand where you are coming from."
You turn to see another ethereal feathered serpent. This time green or rather it was a beautiful blend of "Kastra" colors that blended his body and his feathers.
"Quetzalcoatl, my love, it seems you do not truly understand what it is to be human."
"Of course I do. Among all my family and peers I seem to be alone in loving humans." He slithers and intwines himself to you in a way that was similar to human cuddling.
"Your one day of being human does not count. You would have had more ground for your argument if you didn't commit suicide soon after realizing what you and your sister, Quetzalpetlatl, had done."
"I was filled with grief and remorse."
"It was a mistake, yes, but neither of you were in your right mind. That's what happens when people indulge in too much pulque. Plenty of errors have been committed by people who have indulged too much, but suicide is not the first thing people do after realizing their mistakes while inebriated."
"What are you trying to say?"
You see yourself slither out of his form as you turn to face him.
"Spend more time among them. I don't mind you disagreeing with my decision to give the man gradually more energy until he finds himself to be always restless, but you need to stop thinking that humans are simply at the mercy of anything their environment throws at them. There's more nuance than that. That man had broken my laws by trying to put Divine life force on things that were long dead and have already become one with the environment in many ways."
"You didn't care that he stole the Divine life force from us?"
"I do, but that part is under your jurisdiction. I'm not about to usurp that."
He thinks for awhile before giving you a nod.
"Would you mind accompanying me?"
"Of course, who else is going to be your guide? A lot has changed, and I like to believe that I am young enough to make sure you don't get lost in the changes that were made so far."
You see yourself allow him to once again intwine himself around you. The two of you were cuddling once again but this time with more certainty.
"Then let us be human together."
Strong winds suddenly surrounded you and made you dizzy.
Once it all stopped you were in a different environment.
A different memory.
This time you were once again re-enacting it in the body of your past self.
It was the sunset, as shown in the window.
You and Robert were simply laying with each other watching it descend.
This was to be his last sunset.
It was beautiful; it was bittersweet; it was the course of life.
"I want to tell you that you could still change your mind. But knowing you, you wouldn't like it."
He kisses your forehead as you snuggle closer to him.
"Even if I didn't volunteer for it I don't have much time left. I've seen others of my kind and species spend their last days not being themselves. I would rather die with my full self intact and not a destructive shadow of who I once was." True, a vampire no longer in their prime and slowly descending into death was more destructive for everyone involved. Or at least that was the case with lesser vampires, vampires who were born human before becoming a vampire. Greater vampires in the same species were those who were born as vampires.
But even they would expire once they've outlived all of the humans.
"I am thankful for our marriage. I was worried that you would reject me - after all I was just a fan of your performances."
"Oh come now, you were there because you managed to get a free ticket, then you promised to compose for the company owner for a chance to meet me."
"Very well - a very well connected fan." You both laugh at this for awhile before you both get up as the sun descends.
It was time.
But still just a little bit more.
"Thank you - thank you Robert." You press your forehead against his,
"Thank you, Jessamy."
Jessamy? That was your name?
Jessamy Rizmon
So familiar yet unfamiliar.
It's been awhile since you've heard that name. Or hear anyone refer to you as that name...For a long while you've known yourself as Alys Velaryon...
...and something else.
V...
Vi...
"Thank you Robert, for being my first love."
"Thank you for being my last." You two share one last kiss, before you head out.
He was among the vampires who has volunteered to drink the nuclear waste. Once all of it was cleaned out, they would be staked and burned to avoid further contamination.
You'd rather not watch him die, as far as you know these were going to be your last few moments together.
Suddenly you find yourself on front of the fireplace.
The fireplace in your dream bedroom.
It feels like you've been staring intently at the flames for awhile now.
You make a few slow movements to relieve your body.
It didn't feel like a memory this time. You stand to stretch yourself even more - yes, no longer a memory that you were immersed in. You were back in your present.
Which means you were still very much alive and the Stranger for some reason didn't take you.
"She thought that I was the Stranger - she thought that she was going to die."
"Aemond if you don't move aside then the Stranger will come to take her sooner than we want."
Aemond? Helaena? You were pretty sure you didn't intentionally think to hear them say that. Wasn't this supposed to be your dream?
"She's getting colder - her pulse is still there but it seems to be slowing down your grace."
"Aemond, please step aside - the Holy women and her friends have arrived."
"And how are they going to help? We already have all the maesters here and they've been working relentlessly for the past 2 days - what difference does it make?"
"Step aside nephew. I only let you carry her because I know you don't have the balls to kill any of her fucking abusers -"
"You have no idea what I would do -"
"She's still my daughter. I would rather have the Holy women treat her than any of these fucking maesters."
"YOU TWO! Please we don't have time. I'll be damned if my granddaughter dies before me. That's another death that I cannot take. The more we squabble like this the closer she is to death! Aemond, my boy I know you also care for her, let them help. The maesters have done everything they can."
"Am I doing this?"
"No." You hear the Sandman - Morpheus, say from behind you.
"You are in another coma, and your body is working hard to keep you alive."
"I...I thought I had died already. And the Stranger was supposed to deliver me for judgment."
"Fortunately you were just heavily exhausted. What made you believe that you have died?"
You and he go and sit at the couch.
And you do your best to describe what you experienced. Or rather what you've already experienced and how powerful, connected, and near omnipresent you felt. Like you could suddenly feel and connect with any energy - particularly special life force energy - in the universe. But it was also almost overwhelming that you were glad that you currently didn't feel such sensation.
"And then you and your wife was waiting for me in the meadow nearby the castle. We embraced - and I noticed that my entire being was glowing. Oh and also she called you 'Morpheus'"
"One of my many names. It's her favorite name of mine."
"Don't worry Prince Aemond, we'll take care of her - acolyte! Get into position. You'll be guiding the fire to me."
"Yes Priestess Kara!"
"Ser Ion, Ser Arari, they may watch but only the two of you may assist us. I repeat to all of you, do not interfere if you want her to live. Are we clear your grace?"
"Yes...yes Prophet Agnes."
"One last thing - make sure not to touch her from this point on. You may look, you may even feed fuel to the fires, but do not touch her. Not only will you risk the healing process, but you will also be burned. Even if we are certain of our abilities the outcome is still uncertain and every care must be taken."
"We...we understand mystic Reyna. Please - please save my daughter."
Your heart breaks as you hear your mother plead.
"I'm not surprised that even they are involved in this." The Sandman says as he seems to have a revelation - a familiar revelation - when he hears the voices of the Holy women.
"You know them?"
"In a way."
"What do you mean?"
"I know of them, I know when to go to them, but I remain cautious of them." How ominous.
"Then why are they helping me? If they have an ulterior motive then why?"
"Don't pretend you also don't have one in wanting the succession dispute to be over. Without that threat you could be free to travel around and explore to your heart's delight without fearing of being in exile." His point was made even more poignant as he looked into your eyes.
"Besides, their ulterior motive is to comply with the design of destiny."
"Destiny?"
"Yes. Think of them as the ambassadors of Destiny's design."
"I refuse to believe that everything is pre-determined for me."
"Think of Destiny's design as a map marked with the locations you are going to visit. How you get there is up to you. Sometimes those three could play around with it - make the journey quicker, slower, mundane, exciting, or anything in between. But it is still up to you and how you respond to get to such destination. Even though you may not always be aware of where you are headed."
You suddenly feel a warmth spreading throughout you.
Feeding you.
Cleansing you.
Healing you.
"My advice to you is to make sure that you don't actively make them angry or upset with you. I have first hand experience of the consequences and I would rather you avoid it. You have their favor so far since they are now active players in your journey as the three Holy women. But do note that just like them and just like yourself there are others now involved."
"Others?"
"Other beings like yourself, like the Holy women, and like the Seven."
He must mean others with some amount of power, divine power. From what you've gathered from your memories it seems that before you were born as Alys Velaryon, you were a divine being.
After all how else can you explain how you bonded with the energy and the universe? What would normally kill a mortal or any other living thing instead feeds you and calls to you. Even the special life force energy itself has different aspects of it - roughly speaking a mortal aspect and the divine aspect.
Divine life force.
"How? How is it not cremating her?"
"Come here, Prince Lucerys - yes right here by my side - this is a safe distance to observe. As you've seen earlier we have prayed and placed a healing spell on her. Now do you see what the fires are doing?"
That was the Mystic Reyna speaking. You imagine she guides Luce to the answer he is looking for.
"It's ...it's dancing on her skin?"
"Yes, my prince. Do you notice how it's gently going inside her scars?"
"Yes."
"The flames - these sacred flames blessed by the Red God - they both feed her and cleanse her. We will know when it's finished because the flames will become the common color red."
"Oh?"
"I'll take it from here Mystic Reyna. Prince Lucerys is not the only one confused. Now that all we need to do is feed the sacred fires surrounding her as it treats and heals her we now have time to explain."
"Very well Priestess."
"From the look on yours and everyone else's faces, you were all confused why we made the flames violet before guiding it all over her body, yes?"
"Well yes - I thought it was just because it's the main color she currently wears."
You hear the priestess giggle a little before responding again.
"Actually Prince Lucerys, there are many colors of fires that exist. The common red or reddish yellow flames are actually the coolest temperature for fires. This violet flames on the various couldrons and portable fire pits surrounding her are the hottest temperature for fires that exist. And because it's hotter than any common fire you're more likely to get worse burns than when the fire is the common red. The hotter the temperature of the flames, the more energy it has, and the cooler the temperature, it has less."
"That's .. really interesting priestess."
"Thank you Princess Rhaena, now the healing prayer and the healing spell guide the fire to heal her. Since she's in one of the worse cases I've seen anyone in and she was close to dying, we needed to use the violet flames to intensely heal her. Of course it's still on a case to case basis, but since we were losing her quite quickly we decided to use the most certain tool we have. As her body gradually heals and gets better, the temperature of the fires will begin to cool because it will not need as much energy to help her. The color of the flames will indicate this. From violet it will turn white. From white it will turn blue, then green, yellow, orange, and then the common red. Hope and pray that the fires turn red. We will all be personally watching over the flames since this is a very special case. I'll be taking the first vigil for tonight as the one who lead the healing work. Acolyte you shall stay here with me to make sure the fire sources have fuel."
"Of course priestess."
"Can some of us stay with you Priestess."
"Princess Baela, if you stay with me then you shall obey whatever it is that I tell you."
"I will."
"Baela you need to sleep."
"Jace I can rest later, I wasn't allowed to join the rescue, please let me help her this way."
That explains why you're now feeling more warmth, and nourished. Nourishment from energy.
Energy.
Wait.
"Something's happening!"
"It's another memory."
"But-but"
"You'll be fine. Just call me."
And with that you were brought into another memory. You hope it's one of the good ones.
You find yourself in a banquet. Or rather it appears to be a banquet but really it's a private gathering that you were invited to.
"Right this way my lady, the both of them had been expecting you." A handmaiden guides you as you both travel to a private place. An indoor garden filled with cool ventilation and the comforts afforded from having it indoors. The food was plentiful and the fountain - the fountains, you mentally corrected yourself - was filled with drinks. The main fountain at the center was filled with drinkable water while the other two were filled with wine and milk.
Up ahead were two figures being...well.
"It seems you two have forgotten that I was invited?" The two women break their kiss and intimate embrace. One of them you remember was the one you called "Mera" and had the classic Valyrian features of having silvery white hair and violet eyes. The other woman had golden hair, but still blonde. She didn't have the violet eyes but her skin was practically gold made flesh. Even some of the battle scars that you could see were made more alluring and attractive. You weren't surprised that this could be the case for her, what mortals deemed ugly or horrific she made it look alluring.
"You know you could join us, Glaesēt mōrqitta." The golden lady said smiling unabashedly not bothering to fix her dress that revealed her left breast that Mera was in the process of removing. Mera, while not embarassed at being caught unaware fixed it for her.
"She's right Glaesēt, what can we do to convince you?"
"Hmm maybe ask me another time when I need it. I know you both are just teasing me."
"It's not a tease Glaesēt, Meraxes and I are both quite fond of you."
"Vhagar you are the God of war and sex, surely you must already sense that Quetzalcoatl has already satisfied me." At this the golden lady - Vhagar laughs and pats on the spot beside her.
"Quite true Glaesēt. Mera, next time we should ask before her flying serpent visits her."
"You should be informing me when she's alone and frustrated raqiarzy."
"Out of curiosity you two - how does the God of the Heavens feel about this? Isn't he also a war deity?"
"We overlap. He was mainly worshipped when wars were still more akin to raids. But because there is no way to distinguish the two he is still considered a war deity. I govern war in it's ugliness, it's raw power, the desire to fight for the people you love and the violence it entails - that is what I govern. It's also why it's actually complementary to my other domains of love, sex, fertility, and justice."
"And political power."
"We overlap there ñuhe jorrāeliarza, but you are better at it than I am. It's why I argued and fought for you to be our Queen."
"Don't underestimate yourself raqiarzy, why do you think I made sure you were my head guard in times of peace?"
"Are you two sure you still want me here? Shouldn't you be enjoying officially being married to each other and being each other's consorts?" You tease as you drank a large cup of divine milk. It wasn't long ago when the God of the Heavens himself practically made various events happen just so these two would finally admit their feelings for each other. From how you understood their system, he and Meraxes were rulers because they were believed to be the best deities for the job. They were attracted enough to each other to marry and occasionally lay with each other, but it was a job more than anything else. Since polygamy was allowed both ways with some parameters, it wasn't really an issue when either side also married other people.
"Issa Glaesēt, it's about my son, Balerion it seems he needs your help."
"My help? In what? Enough people are currently thinking and believing in him. He's still a minor God but nevertheless -"
"He has problems with his powers. We know that it might have something to do with energy but we don't know which kind. We were thinking maybe you could help him with that?" Ah, you see now.
"Sure, where is he?"
"Probably in the library. But he'll be so intent with his studies with an impatience of almost speeding through with what he reads that I'm not quite sure he really absorbed what he has read. I'll introduce the two of you later at dinner. For now let's catch up. Tell Vhagar and I more about this um what do you call 'home dimension'?"
The memory ends but you recall it was indeed one of the good memories you've had. And how it was now one of the most precious few that you now hold dear.
Something happened.
Something related to the Doom of Valyria.
You couldn't put a finger on it but it felt like a mystery you needed to solve.
Because somehow you were responsible for it. You don't know how but your instincts were telling you this.
As you return to the present, now lying in a comfortable outdoor bed which had the frame of a swing, you wonder how Aemond would react if he found out that his dragon was named after a God of war, sex, fertility, love and who was also the wife, head guard and main consort of Meraxes the Queen of the Valyrian Pantheon. He would probably raise his eyebrow, think you were making it up and would need some sort of evidence to prove it.
It was fine, you enjoyed this part being yours alone for now.
"Alys."
Oh
It's him.
"I don't know if you can hear me. But here I am, holding a vigil for you as the sacred fire continues to heal you. The Prophet Agnes is watching me. Even though I am whispering, I still feel she could hear every word I say."
You wonder what time it was in the waking world. You know how time works differently in dreams. Right now the sun was up but the rays didn't burn your skin since you were under a canopy as you relaxed in this swinging bed. A respite from the influx of memories you've had.
"Where do I begin? I must admit for awhile I hated you for what you've done. How dare you suffer for the sins of your brothers? How dare you claim to be the one who encouraged me to claim Vhagar as my own? How dare you say that you are the cause of our quarrels?! Nobody, not our family, the nobles, the smallfolk, or anyone else - nobody believed that you have committed those sins. Tell me Alys, did you know how much your screams and cries gave me more sleepless nights more than I can remember? How for awhile it didn't seem to matter whether it was just a nightmare or remembering how much they whipped you and how your back was bleeding heavily in several streams? Did you know how much I wanted to kill the lead septon when he refused to let you go? Did you know that I began to thirst for the day when I would make them regret all the suffering they have inflicted on you?"
He pauses to gather himself. You begin to hear not only pain in his voice, but brokeness, helplessness, and powerlessness.
"Did you know how much pain you have caused our family? You must have, how else...why else would you have made yourself to be the villain? The most innocent person in this family who wanted to resolve this crisis...Hah- You..."
He's struggling.
This isn't like him.
If anyone was struggling it should be you.
He's the one who was always composed, always witty, always ready.
You hear him sigh before he continues.
"You...have done what I couldn't do. You have done what I thought was impossible...You forced this family, from the King to your second brother, you have forced us to be honest with each other. To finally treat the wounds I thought would just stay there. All of us, from both sides went to the High Septon, and together with another Septon they mediated us. I don't know who this other Septon is, but he was really good in seeing what was hurting all of us."
He sighs as he takes time to gather himself once again.
"It took awhile - it took too long. It wasn't perfect but it was a start. It was painful, it was hard, but hearing your screams and seeing you carry the metal post of the seven pointed star without anyone to help you...remembering how fast the Septa placed that thorn choker around your neck that caused your first cry of pain...For the first time in a long time I felt like powerless. I never felt this way since I claimed Vhagar as my own."
It breaks your heart to hear his voice breaking. But a part of you knew this was necessary in order for him to truly heal.
"Did you know that growing up I also envied you?"
Oh? This was new.
"I was jealous at how content you were - even if your dragon egg also didn't hatch just like mine. I was numb, I felt like I was simply a body moving in the world meant to be forgotten, when you were alive, daring,bold. While I hid and buried myself desperately in my studies to be better than everyone, you buried yourself with me because you had a thirst to know more. I had always saw them as tools, you had always saw them as another star shining a light in the darkness of the world...And I always wondered why I couldn't simply be content like you? Do you know how many nights I wished that it was I who would bring color to your world just like how you did with mine? Hah...but then again your world was already quite colorful. Growing up I thought that you chose to ignore the dark realities. How you focused so much on the importance of dreams, the ideal world, even when it was so out of reach...It's now that I realized that you didn't ignore them - no, you chose to use them to make the world better. To make the impossible happen."
You wish you could reach out to him. But you know you couldn't. He cannot depend on you what is his alone to heal. You could help, offer some sort of comfort, but true healing must come from him.
You couldn't believe you were starting to sound similar to everyone around you. Maybe there was some truth about how interfering would only hinder the growth of a person.
"Prince Aemond, the mystic Reyna has arrived. I suggest you go to bed and rest."
"I think I prefer to stay here."
"And do you think she would want that? To have you deprive yourself of rest when she has sacrificed so much just for the in fighting to stop?"
A moment of silence passed.
"There is still so much that I need to tell her."
"That can wait till you have rested. She'll still be here. And look, the flames are now changing color into white. The violet color is now only at the very edges but the core of it is undoubtedly white. She's healing."
"How long?"
"Hm?"
"How long will it take before the flames turn red?"
"Even I don't know that answer your Highness. It had taken nearly a week from when we started to see this progress on the flames. Even fires when they are healing can be unpredictable."
You sit up from your swinging bed as you think over his words. A part of you feels embarassed at not believing that it was actually him. You begin to ask yourself why he went along with it and allowed himself to be your last confessor? Maybe it was out of pity - you were clearly high on whatever drugs they gave you. It was difficult discerning what was real, what was your own imagination, and what was vivid hallucinations.
Perhaps...perhaps it was meant to be this way. Had you known it was really him you're not sure if you could so easily make that last confession. Maybe through his questions it was also his chance to know why you allowed yourself to go through all this pain and suffering.
You have hope that from the bits and pieces you've heard, the High Septon and his companion septon managed to mediate and at least start healing the wounds that have gone too long untreated. Too long have they only made any pain worse and risk putting the realm through turmoil. This was the key. This is what you and the White Worm were hoping would happen. There was hope in your heart that the risk of your suffering was finally paying off. Had they rescued you without the High Septon's approval, it would make things even worse. Like what the lead septon of the Faith Militant said, this was not a matter of politics but a matter of faith. To kill off or to even attack the Faith Militant without some sort of approval or decree from the High Septon releasing you from further 'purification' would be religious persecution of one of the biggest religious groups in the realm. And that kind of attack - even if it was on the more radical branch of the religion and not the main religious branch in itself - would turn plenty of the small folk and some within the nobility and gentry to turn against the crown. Since there was still a succession crisis and no firmly resolved solution yet, this is the last thing either side would want.
You hear footsteps running toward you with huffing and puffing. And before you know it Gregory was now beside you on the swinging bed.
"Borf"
"I missed you too little boy."
He lies down beside you as you turn to your side as you begin petting his fluffy back.
"Hungry?" The Sandman's wife asks as she settles herself on the nearby table with a picnic basket.
"A little bit."
She nods as she begins taking out food from the picnic basket.
"Do you remember what this is?" She shows you a plate filled with colorful circular things. One of them has what looks like a fried shrimp tail peeking out.
"Wait..." You close your eyes as you now actively search or call your memory of that food from your mysterious consciousness.
A brief scene appears in your mind. It was a long break and you, the Sandman, his wife, and four other people - two women and two men - were in a restaurant. The food was on the expensive side but because it was so good and well made it was understandable why. Instead of knives and spoons you were instead given two metal sticks which was narrowed down on one side. The server places these same exact food right on front of you and you remember thinking how it wouldn't take long for you to finish them.
"...I think it's Ebi Tempura rolls? Sushi?"
"Yes! That's right. I'm actually surprised you know remember their specific name. I would have accepted 'sushi' as an answer."
"Is it another one of my favorites?"
"Yes, sometimes we would tease how that's when we know how hungry you are. If you were really hungry you could finish two batches of these - and one batch has eight rolls."
"Woof"
"No Gregory you may not have these, this is for Alys."
"Woof woof."
"I can't recall the name of the stick utensils - I know it starts with a 'C'."
"Do you remember how to use them?" She asks after making dogfood appear as she places it on the ground for Gregory.
"Mm let me try holding it." She gives you a pair and as you touch it a memory appears.
"No, Renée you hold the chopsticks like this." You say as you teach a boy, one of the boys that have also appeared in the restaurant memory, how to use them. This time however he was a lot younger and was undoubtedly a little boy.
"First stick is held in the space between the thumb and the pointer finger and then you use your ring finger. The second stick is held like a pencil."
"Can't I just use a fork?"
"We're going into a Japanese restaurant there are no forks there."
"I bet they do!"
"They don't"
"Nuh - uh -"
"Children."
The memory ends with the voice of the Sandman's wife with a warning tone.
"Chopsticks? Am I right?" She smiles at you as she hands you a plate of the Ebi tempura sushi.
"You are, at this rate I have faith that you'll remember who you are sooner than you think."
"I don't know about that. I'm still trying to understand my memories. I know enough that I must be a supernatural being myself. Being close friends with Queen Meraxes and her wife Vhagar the God of war and sex among other passions was what enlightened me in this. I assume my former lover Quetzalcoatl is also a divine being. I've seen how he slithers and embraces me in my serpent form. If I am able to have a form like that and feel how malleable I must be, I now wonder if this is the source of my powers? The powers that have made me more cautious about who I reveal secrets to. The same powers that have been a nuisance for awhile because for most of my life as a young lady I did not know how to control them and yet they came to me so suddenly."
She gives you a soft yet approving smile as she picks up one of the sushi slices - Salmon sashimi, your memory says - before eating it up with her own chopsticks.
"You have now answered one of your own questions. And finally I can give you some clarification." You give her a pointed look.
"I was right?"
"Mostly. You are right - your powers involving control over various different energy sources are indeed from your being. They came to you as your mortal body - or more accurately your mortal shell - changed into maturity. However this is only a small fraction of your power."
"Huh? Why?"
"Simple, there is only so much a mortal body can take. This is by the design of the Universe for anything alive. There is a balance that must be maintained in order for life to continue to thrive. It is when this balance is no longer feasible that it ends. The powers you have now at your disposal are within the parameters that will not immediately kill your mortal body."
"So...what you're saying is that for me to go back to the being I once was...for me to gain access to all of my powers...I must die?"
"It is not a 'must' but 'when' . While you are indeed slowly realizing and remembering who you are, this is not your goal. Otherwise what would be the point in having you reborn temporarily as a mortal?"
She had a point. Why would you - a being who is already an immortal - be bothered to be reborn as a mortal if it's simply to know more about yourself? If that was the case then why bother being and living as a mortal at all? There must be something else.
"May I ask...how do you know all this? I'm starting to realize that the Sandman's domain and powers involve dreams since this is how you two talk to me and how you let other supernatural beings talk to me. Is your domain balance? The balance of the Universe." She chuckled lightly at you but it wasn't mocking.
"In a way yes, I'm waiting for a little bit more memories for you to remember but you are on the right path. Once you remember who I am to you, it will become very obvious. I have a theory that once you either remember your name or our relationship then everything will become a lot more faster." You think back to your memory with Meraxes and Vhagar.
They called you "Glaesēt mōrqitta" in High Valyrian.
Endless life force.
"I recently remembered a memory involving myself, Queen Meraxes, and Vhagar her wife and a God of war and passions. They called me 'Glaesēt mōrqitta'. Is that my name? Or is that a translation of my name?"
"Yes it is. Like the Sandman and the Seven you have many names. Glaesēt mōrqitta is one of the more literal translations of your name. That's only the clue I'm giving you."
You nod at her. At least you were now closer than you've ever been previously finding out about yourself.
"Another question...I have this feeling from myself that I might be responsible for the Doom of Valyria. Both times when I have a memory of interacting with the Valyrian deities there is a bittersweetness to them. Inside me I feel guilt and remorse that they are no more and that it was my fault that they perished along with Old Valyria... Am I overthinking it or was there a hint of truth?"
At this her face becomes unreadable but sympathetic.
"In a way, yes you are."
Oh no.
"However, it is still debatable."
"What do you mean debatable?"
"Based from what you have remembered so far, all I can say for now is that you are only one part of it. If anything it shows that in some ways it was inevitable that Old Valyria would fall. Much like a dragon, it died because it didn't know when to stop growing. Until it grew too much that it can no longer hold everything together."
You were about to ask her for a clue when once again you hear voices near your body.
"Good morning, Alys. It's been awhile and you are still laying there slowly being healed. I miss you so much, I wish you would tell me bed time stories again like how you used to do sometimes in Dragonstone."
You wish you could wake up and wrap your arms around Joffrey. Do something to make him laugh. But you were still too weak to even open your eyes just a little bit. You don't need to see him to know that he was tearing up. It was all in his voice.
"I don't know if you know this but your fires are now blue. I think its been five weeks that it remained being white. It was only yesterday when members of the Faith of the Seven would have their weekly gatherings that it finally became blue. Everyone was worried for awhile because the flames only remained white and it seemed like nothing was changing. I'll be honest, I only came to ask if I could meet you in my dreams. I miss playing with you and having you all to myself since I'm not old enough to join our brothers in actually sparring. I'll understand if you're too busy healing yourself - I don't want you to die. I just feel so lonely now more than ever. Everyone is preparing for some fancy counsel - I don't really understand what's going on. They keep saying something about the people's representatives - it's strange grown up things that just puts me to sleep."
"Prince Joffrey, it's time for your morning meal!"
"Thank you Priestess! I'll be there soon. Goodbye Alys I hope you get better soon. I love you so much! OH and your three admirers, Sers Ion, Arari, and Kormy have also been guarding you alongside the Holy Women. So you'll never be lonely like me. Bye for now."
Oh Joffrey.
"It's been 5 weeks already?"
"Time moves differently here in dreams."
"Do you...do you think I could meet him? In his dreams? I also miss him too."
"I think that may be reasonable. We'll have to ask my husband first."
"Um - isn't he here? Couldn't we just call or summon him?" She stands up as she waves her hand and all the now empty cups, plates and utensils disappear.
"Right now he's in his sibling's domain. One of the nicer siblings might I add. At first she may seem eccentric but she means well. This is why neither of us could call or summon him at the moment. He did promise to break bread with her and visit her more often."
"Oh."
"But as his wife and consort I believe it is within my power to help you meet your little brother in his dreams. We just need to check with Lucienne first to make sure it also doesn't hinder your own growth. Come let's go to the library."
"Awo?"
"Haha yes, you too Gregory. Come along."
Aside from your bedroom, the library must be your favorite place in the castle. According to Lucienne the librarian and the Sandman's right hand who takes over running the affairs of the dreaming together with his wife when he is away, every book in existence and every book that has yet to be written is stored within the library.
"Do you think it's too late? Is it dark already by now?"
"Calm down Alys. Your brother Joffrey is not dreaming tonight but simply sleeping." Lucienne says as she checks Joffrey's book from the vast library. Each person has a book about them written and it features everything that has happened so far. But since this felt wrong to peak into simply anyone you know, you sit across Lucienne and the lady as they read it and check other books to confirm what they've read.
"Everything appears to be fine. If Morpheus isn't back before Joffrey has his next dream then I'll personally send you to him. Or would you prefer it if Joffrey came to you?"
"Hmm I think it would be best if we met by the meadows not too far away from here. I still want to keep some parts of myself, well to myself, but I also want to share a few things with him."
"Very well. Would you like Gregory to join you?" As much as you loved playing with him and how right now he is staring at you with his big round puppy dog eyes, maybe for the first meeting should be with you alone.
"Sorry Gregory, but not yet. He doesn't know you yet and I don't want to scare him off. If he wants to meet with me again then I'll introduce the two of you."
"Awo borf!"
"Gregory, listen to Alys."
"You know Alys you can just send him to his bedroom. That way he won't bother you and Joffrey."
"No Lucienne, I'll take care of Gregory for this one. Knowing him he'll just rebel if he doesn't at least watch over what goes on with Alys."
"Very well my lady."
"I think I'll be in my room for awhile. Just call me when he's about to come here."
"Of course darling, you can also rest yourself while waiting. I know how exhausting these influx of memories and actively dreaming can be." She says reassuredly, you thank her and call Gregory to follow you.
It's funny how you don't remember thoroughly exploring this place and yet it seems you know the way back to your bedroom. You settle in your luxurious bed while Gregory sleeps on his own bed close by the fireplace without blocking any paths to the couch and chairs.
You allow yourself to be still and to relax as you feel yourself getting nourished by the sacred fires. So energizing yet calming and soothing at the same time. It was warm enough for you to not need the blanket but it was cool enough to still be comfortable underneath one layer of it.
You don't know how long you rested. But in the waking world some time has definitely passed.
"My dear Alys, I don't know if you can hear me. A lot of us have been talking to you for quite some time. How funny is it that I don't know if all this is in vain...I know I'm not the perfect mother. I know there are many things that you disagree with. Maybe this is why what you've done has given me so much pain. Oh Alys, I'm so sorry for using your brothers so selfishly - you would think that as your mother I should know better."
She gathers herself. You don't know how but you could feel the tears running down her face.
I'm so sorry too mother.
I love you but it needed to be done.
"I...I don't know if anyone else had told you already...but as a tribute to you, the King has ordered your proposed grand counsel to be implemented. It's almost three months ago that your fires have turned from white to blue. Or a darker shade of blue. I ... I can't recall when was the time it changed into a lighter shade of blue. It gave me hope that you are indeed getting better, even if we can't really see it yet. All of us who are going to make our case for being the next ruler of the realm are now preparing our cases with the knowledge that we will all probably end up in the counsel of whomever wins. The chosen representatives of the people from all over the realm are now making their way here along with the lords from all the houses. It is grander than before because as you've designed it's not just the lords anymore but everyone who is a chosen representative of their community."
She takes a moment to gather herself. Even now as you lay there healing, she wishes to show herself as someone you could go to even if she felt so helpless.
"I won't lie, I wish I didn't have to do this. But in some ways you've always been more sharper than me. Seeing things that I am blind to. And if this will be what it takes to finally bring peace, even if it hurts my pride and annoys Daemon...then I'll accept whatever decision the council makes. It's more important that the realm is united rather than divided. Even if it won't be me on the Iron Throne and even if my advice may go unheeded as I sit on their council. Even the King cannot deny the ruler the people would want among us who are going to make their case...I just want to say how proud I am of you for making this change...for making this solution. People think I should hate you for what you've done, but I think it has made me love you even more. Even if you weren't born as my daughter, I'd like to think that I would support this solution. When all this is over...why don't we spend some time together? Just the two of us as mother and daughter. I know it seems I've given almost all my time to Daemon and your siblings - and maybe I have. If you want to travel to Essos and visit the remnants of our Valyrian culture then I shall do my best to make that happen. Maybe as an unofficial diplomat. Unofficial of course because you don't like being tied to politics. And after all that you've done, you more than anyone deserve to be free from that burden."
You couldn't help but smile as tears come down your face.
Your suffering was bearing fruit. You now have more hope that this will put an end to the dispute.
Although it bothered you that the lady hasn't called you to meet Joffrey yet. Maybe he was either not able to dream and had just been having dreamless nights.
"Alys." You open your eyes to see the Sandman and his wife in your room.
"Take your time getting up. Joffrey is going to meet you in the meadow in a few moments."
"Really?"
"Yes, the timing is right. And I am able to create the circumstances for the two of you to meet."
"Oh thank you! Thank you so much."
And meeting him was worth it.
"ALYS!"
"Joffrey!" He runs towards you tumbling both of you on the soft grassy meadows.
"I miss you so much!"
"I missed you too. What's been happening?"
"Your fires turned green today! The priestess says that if the fires manage to turn yellow, then that means you're almost finished. Yellow, then orange, then when it turns red that means its safe enough to remove it and you would wake up soon. Oh and according to father, I grew by this much."
"Oh my that's huge." You say as he shows you a rough estimate of the space between his pointer finger and thumb.
"Uhuh oh and Aemond was chosen to be the next ruler! That's why everyone is making such a big fuss about your fires today. When our whole family visited you, to tell you of the news after the People's minister - a different person from the hand I think - told you the result, right on front of us your fires slowly turned from light blue to green!"
Oh that is a big event. You weren't sure how much time has passed but it must be several weeks if not months at least.
"Joffrey, may I ask how long has it been since the last time my fires have changed?"
"Oh I think it's about six months."
"Six months!?" That was really long. Even the last Great Council was only 14 days long with 13 claimants to the throne.
"Uhuh it was really long even though there were only 3 of them and both mother and Princess Rhaenys are both going to be in his counsel anyway. The new representatives asked a lot of questions and took awhile to decide. But I don't understand, if the losers is still going to be in their counsel anyway, why vie for the Iron Throne? It's scary and you could hurt yourself."
"Oh um well it's there to make sure that the winner doesn't have a big ego like how sometimes I do with Jace."
"Oh" He says wide eyed at you.
"Why did it take 6 months for them to decide?"
"Oh because all three travelled to all parts of Westeros. One of the complaints from the last great council was that none of the claimants actually interacted with the people. And because one of the main things you insisted was that the next ruler should also be chosen by the people that they were going to rule so they needed to travel around first after they have presented their claim. From what Jace told me, the people tell their representatives who they want then their representative votes on who. Can we play now? I'm just confused by all these boring things."
"Hahaha alright, tag you're it."
"HEY!"
"Hahahaha."
You spend the rest of his dream playing tag or hide and seek. And since you were in the realm of dreams, time passed by quickly.
"Wha - what's happening?" He asks as he notices he's starting to fade away.
"You're waking up Joffrey. It's fine, will you tell Aemond congratulations for me?"
"Um okay, I'll try."
"Sometimes that's all it takes."
And then he was gone.
And once again you were alone in the meadows.
Until the Sandman joined you.
"Don't worry, he wants to dream with you again. I'll bring him to you the moment he next sleeps."
"Is it fine though? I wouldn't want to monopolize his dreams. This meeting was enough I feel. I got what I wanted - more than what I wanted. It makes sense that I wouldn't hear everything they tell me because time works differently here."
"It is and I insist. I took the chance to also visit your physical form when your brother Lucerys fell asleep attempting to hold a vigil for you."
"How long ago was this?"
"Not long. About the time you and Joffrey were still playing around. If it's any consolation you're starting to look healthier than when you were first rescued. Your hair is starting to grow back - though I think it would still be too short for your preference. Your muscles and flesh are beginning to be filled once again. You can still see the outline of your bones but it was much prominent before. The wounds that you've obtained have now become scars. You might have to learn how to live with those marks for the rest of your human life."
"...I think they are a good reminder of what I would do or what I am capable of doing and enduring."
"They are - come, my wife wants to show you something."
You arrive at the throne room wherein there was a floating fluid circle on front of his wife. Her back was facing us.
"Come you two - you're just in time."
"In time?" Both of you go to each side of her.
"This is a portal showing what's happening in the Waking World. It doesn't always appear because of the time difference but it was being cooperative right now."
"Which means for now my realm and yours are on the same time and pace."
"Exactly."
"Your realm? I thought since you two were married your realm is also this one made of dreams?"
"In a way I am but it is not my main domain."
"Her domain is much more expansive than this one."
"Since it's safe for you to know this - my realm is actually the waking world. And just like how I am a consort to this one since Morpheus is its ruler, my main domain is everything to do with being alive while you are awake, although that's not the only thing I do. Morpheus is a consort in that dominion of mine and could share in some of my responsibilities just as I help him here."
"Oooh." That's ... actually quite romantic! The Sandman governing the realm of sleep while his wife governs the realm of the waking world.
"Um Aemond." You see little Joffrey accompanied by his nurse. It appears that Aemond was spending time with Helaena and her children.
"Joffrey?" He keeps his voice neutral but questioning. Helaena and her children were there for one and Aemond knows better than doing anything now after all that has happened this far.
"Oh hello Joffrey, would you like to play with us?"
"Um thank you Princess Helaena, but I - I have a strange thing that happened to me. Um..." He takes a breath before turning to face Aemond.
"Alys came into my dreams, she told me to tell you congratulations."
"She did?" It was easy to miss but he was startled before quickly going back to a neutral expression.
"Yes, maybe she was getting annoyed with me always asking her to be in my dreams but she finally appeared last night."
"Well come, tell us more Joffrey." Helaena says as she pats the space in between her and Aemond.
He settles himself more to Helaena's side but still beside Aemond. You couldn't blame him, Aemond could be intimidating to anyone he wasn't close with.
"I don't think she could always hear us when we talk to her. She was asking what happened and she was really surprised to hear that it had been six months already. She didn't even know her fires turned green!"
"Is that so?" Aemond asks as non-threateningly as he can. He was now curious.
"Uhuh when I asked her about it after we played tag and before we played hide and seek, she said that in the realm of dreams time moves differently. She says that the last time she heard anything from outside was from our mother when her fires turned blue. To her it only felt like a few hours ago."
"Oh just like me! One time I dreamt about eating a big piece of cake and that was all I dreamed about and just when I finished eating it I woke up! It felt so short." Jaehaerys says from his spot.
"Yes! It was exactly like that! My dream also felt too short last night." He then turns sheepishly back to Aemond. "Anyway that's all she wanted to tell me to tell you."
"Mmm hmm, I see, thank you Joffrey."
"Why don't you go play with Jaeherys, Jaehaera, and Maelor now."
"Is...is it okay?"
"Yes, it is, go on." After encouragement from Helaena Joffrey then went to play with her children.
"She's still alive."
"You're excited aren't you?"
"Helaena...do you think -"
"If you're going to ask me once again what I think she'll say, you'll have to be patient till the treatment is finished. But knowing her I think she'll forgive you for everything you've done before her 'purification'. The four of you have begun to at least be civil to each other with a common understanding now. That was more than before wherein there was no understanding at all and you were barely civil with each other." Helaena then pauses and she began to mutter.
"For she is what the Gods desire, the desire of the Gods who desires none of them."
"A prophecy?" She nods at him as she continues.
"For she is what the Gods desire, the desire of the Gods who desires none of them. For she is what the Gods desire, the desire of the Gods who desires none of them."
The scene ends and you realize you are about to enter yet another memory.
You were an old lady, and a beautiful woman with a black blouse was sitting beside you.
"Will...will it hurt?"
"You won't feel it. Your body probably will, but you won't feel it." You find yourself looking at her still worried.
"What if? What if I don't become an Endless like the rest of you? What if I simply die?"
"Oh Jessamy." She takes your hand as she massages round circles around it.
"Do you know why your parents named you after Jessamy the raven?"
"I...I think I've forgotten."
"Then let me be the one to remind you. You were named after her because she was the first one with the guts to make them realize after more than a millennia just how much they still loved each other after they stopped talking for awhile because of an argument they've had. They may have taken still a longer, but she was the driving force that made them realized that in themselves."
"Hmph it took awhile before mother learned that her feelings were actually returned and father wasn't just being a gentleman."
"My point is that she was one of the first things that made them change and become better. Your parents saw that in you the moment your mother felt your life from her womb and they rejoiced. Your mother has never had a child that was solely immortal. After all a lot of her functions is made within the mortal shell in each lifetime she has. It was with your father that she allowed herself for the first time to actively use her own powers to ensure that you too would also be a part of the Endless once your human life ended. Was it a risk? Absolutely, you'll be the first one among your siblings. Do we all have faith and hope in you? Absolutely."
"I'm not sure Desire and Aunty Despair also feels that way for me, and Grandfather Destiny probably already knows what would happen but he refuses to say anything."
"Nothing new there."
"But-but what if nothing really does happen and I end up just being a mortal?" She gives you an assuring look.
"If that happens, then I escort you to the Dreaming as per your parent's request." Your slowly beating heart was relieved. You close your eyes as you take your last few breaths.
"Thank you Aunty, I'm ready now." Before you know it you found yourself standing beside her looking at your own corpse.
"Is this - is this what your gift will always feel like?"
"Most of the time, though there are exceptions." You nod at her as you hold her hand. A little girl enters your room, she doesn't see the two of you standing there.
"Grandaunty Jessamy, grandaunty Jessamy my mom made breakfast, grandaunty Jessamy?" She starts shaking your corpse rapidly as she begins panicking.
"MOMMY DADDY!"
"What is it honey?"
"Mommy Grandaunty Jessamy doesn't want to wake up anymore."
"Come Jessamy, let's see what awaits you."
"Okay, before anything happens, I just want to say thank you Aunty." She gives you a warm embrace.
"Come on, let's take you to the Universe now."
Then darkness.
This time this darkness wasn't from your memories.
This darkness was where you are now.
"Mmph."
You feel light shining through, but it wasn't from your powers or anything that you did.
Instinctually you feel your hand remove the crumby little things you would sometimes get after sleeping for awhile.
And then you finally opened your eyes.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: See I told you she wasn't dead. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I made sure to put in a lot of worldbuilding things to relieve the pain from Part 6:
1.) Ewan Mitchell's interview has been very influential in making this chapter. Aemond's loneliness and mere existence before claiming Vhagar really helped in fleshing him out even more and what differentiates him and Alys when they were children and even up till now;
2.) Speaking of Vhagar, we learn from the same interview that Vhagar is named after a God of War and speaks to her battle experience. I couldn't help but be inspired by multiple Gods of war who are also Gods of sex, love, fertility, and passions in general. Since in part 1 I've already established that Balerion was the only remaining God still worshipped and he was also a war God, I decided to make Vhagar the God of passions in addition to war. This will play a part later on as Alys recovers more of her memories;
3.) The colors of the fires and the healing process is based on a mix of actual science and color light theory (this is fiction so please don't call me out on using pseudoscience);
4.) Again in some ways this (and probably the next one) was more of a filler worldbuilding chapter though it was emotional writing some of the dialogues Aemond, Rhaenyra, and Joffrey were telling Alys. I had to take more breaks in between because I kept crying; and lastly
5.) Glaesēt mōrqitta is not an actual High Valyrian name or word (well except for the "mōrqitta" which means Endless). I was searching almost every term I could think of that could be a synonym for her actual name, but since there is so far no direct translation I just used the prefix word for life "glaes" and combined it with the perfect tense word for force or use "sētan". I have no idea if this is the proper grammar or portmanteau for her actual name in High Valyrian.
Thank you once again for reading and for everyone who supports me.
Higher Intervention: Aemond x FemReader (House of the Dragon x Sandman fanfic) Part 5
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven't read Fire and Blood and most if not all that I know is from the TV show.
GIF by helaenahightower
Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra's children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.
AN: I'm finally back! And also we are finally getting to the parts I've been dying to write about.
If you wish to read the previous parts (which I recommend you do if you haven't read them yet):
Part 1:
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven't read Fire and Blood and most if not
Part 2:
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven't read Fire and Blood and most if not
Part 3:
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven't read Fire and Blood and most if not
and Part 4:
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven't read Fire and Blood and most if not
Taglist (comment down below if you want to be included): @winxschester @memento-mora @mxrgodsstuff
Also tagging:
@lady-phasma @aemonds-war-crime @adderess @princeaemonds because some of their ideas of Aemond have undoubtedly influenced my work.
"Are you sure we had more than sufficient training to...control my talents?"
"What seems to be happening is that you need a sufficient outlet in order to prevent any surprises. It worked when Ser Ion began training you on your fire powers, I have high hopes that your sparks or lightning would also work the same way." You both approach the entrance of the dining room. The dinner this evening was a requirement for both factions to be present. This was the King's attempt to persuade both sides to set aside their differences and to remind everyone that the Targaryens are one family.
While you appreciated his effort and intentions, you were very well aware that it would take more than just one dinner to solve a dispute involving many years and now multiple generations. Including your own. He was solving only the symptoms of the problem, not the problem itself. Perhaps it's because it would force the King to actually admit his own flaws from several years of silence and lack of communication.
He was a good man, but perhaps a questionable King.
But then again what ruler did not have their own share of dissenters. It was simply a part of life.
This was also going to be the first time both factions would be having dinner together. With most of the prominent direct members present. Your experience with having dinners with the Greens was mainly limited to Aemond, Helaena and her children. Sometimes Aegon would briefly join if he was bored, or if his friends were too busy to be with him. It was an overall pleasant experience so far. It almost made you forget that you weren't an ordinary family even just so briefly. It was one of the many benefits actively being neutral from the dispute afforded you.
This evening would be the first time that you would be dining with the Queen and the hand. And even though you may know your way around your generation, it was still not lost on you that they weren't too happy about you interacting with them even if you were neutral. No matter how much Aemond and Helaena would reassure you, it's still difficult to untangle yourself totally from the sins of your mother.
After all, not only were you the first born child who presented "Strong" features with the exception of your face shape and your violet eyes, out of all your full blooded siblings it was you who might have actually been the closest to your biological father. Ser Laenor was excellent in telling you stories that would help escape the problems of the real world for just a few moments. Ser Harwin was the person who somehow always found the time to listen to your worries and insecurities. Worries that you couldn't bring yourself to tell your mother because of her own problems in court that plagued both her and Ser Laenor.
"Your parents and your siblings all want to fly and reach the heavens by being dragonriders. But even you can reach the sky without being one." He was sitting with you after you and Jace had an argument. You were annoyed, you blew up at him, and you were annoyed that he was bragging about having Vermax to your face while your blue and black dragon egg still lay unhatched.
"Even if Jace likes to show off Vermax to me?"
"Even then. Jace needs a dragon to fly, you have your mind." You stare at him in confusion.
"My mind?"
"Yes, your mind. You don't need a dragon to fly. Your mind is so vast that you were able to describe what it's like touching clouds without being on a dragon and flying to the skies. Jace could only begin imagining after experiencing it. This is why he and Luke would like to go on adventures, whereas with you, you could make your own adventure from here." He places a hand on your head as he pets you and calming you down.
That night you and Jace made up.
Whenever he would bring up Vermax you now just have to remember the words of comfort Ser Harwin has told you. Even if it was just metaphorical.
"Are you ready Princess?"
"As ready as I can be. I'm fortunate that the King is not yet here. I thought I would be late because of today's training. I just don't want any accidents to happen."
"With how exhausted you were just before your handmaidens dressed you for tonight, I think your mind would be more at work this evening rather than your hidden talents."
"You really think so?"
"Certainly, no accidents have occurred after your training with both myself and Ser Ion. Have faith in both us and yourself." He smiles at you reassuringly as you and he stops at the door.
"Thank you, Ser Arari. Sometimes I envy you in being free from these political messes."
"If it's any consolation Princess, you don't appear nervous. And you look beguiling in that violet dress."
"Ser Arari you flatterer." You laugh as he gives you a small bow before he leaves you. You were wearing your hair in a half updo in the first violet dress that was made for you specifically. While you treasure the few violet gowns from your grandmother and were now altered to fit your measurements, you were happy for this simple gown that you now wear. Deep violet with many drapes that you can afford. On your waist was a gold girdle criss crossed before being tied on the front.
You take a breath as you prepare yourself in what would inevitably be a battlefield. Both sides would inevitably find something to use against you - no doubts Daemon and Otto Hightower may already have - which is why you need to be different from your grandfather's approach of forcing everyone to simply reconcile. Socialize with both sides to show that there is more to lose if this political fighting turns into an actual civil war.
You enter into the dining room. Your mother and the Queen sitting on opposite sides of the King's chair. The blacks were on the right and the greens were on the left.
Everyone turns their attention to you.
"I'm sorry for being late. I did not notice the sun going down so soon. It seems I was lost in my own world again."
"Oh don't worry Alys, I've long accepted you and your day dreams for as long as I can remember." Jace says from his place beside Baella. Baella doesn't bother hiding her laughter, but you know that at least it wasn't from a place of malice.
"Alys you're finally here. Don't worry you're not late. I know what it's like to forget how time flies. Aemond was just scolding me about drinking more than a Braavosi seahorse." Aegon goes to your side as you move forward to the dining table.
"I'm still amazed at how much you can take in and that you willingly take in."
"See Aemond, she actually appreciates me."
Aemond looks at you, his expression stoic but by now you could tell that he doesn't want to bother rising up to Aegon's comments.
The King's entry was announced, everyone went to their respective places on the table as he was assisted into the chair that was directly across yours. To your right is your twin Jace, and to your left was Aegon. Aemond occupied the edge of the side of the Greens directly across Luce and Rhaena.
A toast was made celebrating the new engagements of both sets of siblings to each other. This was the first battle that you needed to resolve.
"Well done Jace, you'll finally get to lie with a woman. You do know how the act is done, I assume?"
"Hold your tongue before my betrothed."
"Mm - hmm"
Sensing that there might be an ensuing argument if nothing was to be done, the King intervened by making his speech about having your house be united and how the in fighting needs to stop. You will admit that it was an emotionally powerful one. He was the only one truly uniting everyone in this table. You aren't sure what everyone else feels, but you were now more determined to find a solution to this in fighting. Something told you that if it wasn't stopped, not only would there be casualties among the people seated in this dinner, but their deaths would be - in the grand scheme of things - pointless.
"Your job is to try to prevent blood being shed from the in fighting. We'll see if this civil war is truly inevitable."
You recall a voice in your head saying that. Probably a remnant from one of your dreams, even though you can't recall who said it. Nevertheless, if you can you would do your best to prevent some things from happening.
Sensing the tension still in the air, your mother swallows before raising a toast to the Queen. This was perhaps the most diplomatic that you've seen her do. But it was a wise move for her to be first to break the tension. By being the first one to attempt to make amends, through her actions she admits to her faults. And is opening the door for possible reconciliation.
She seems to be genuine in it.
But knowing her - even if it was only a performance, the point was to at least show good faith on front of the King who wanted the same things as you do. To have no bloodshed because of internal fighting. There would be too much at stake for the realm.
It was one thing if it was a war with other territories or groups outside of the seven kingdoms. Preferrably there wouldn't be any war, but between an internal war from within your family and an external war defending the seven kingdoms, you would prefer the latter.
To your somewhat relief, the Queen responds in kind. While not exactly a condonation of what your mother has done, her toast to her had the same point. Opening a path to reconciliation through diplomatic means.
The tension in the room was considerably less after that. It was still there but it was in a more manageable level to at least allow some sort of civility among opposing factions.
Not long after that you see Aegon from your periphery stand up and head towards Baela, going in between her and Jace.
"I regret the disappointment you are soon to suffer. But if you wish to know what it is to be well satisfied, all you have to do is ask."
You immediately step on Jace's foot to prevent him from standing.
"URGH!"
"Jace are you alright?"
"Yes mother I'm fine. Errgh."
"Forgive me, that was my fault. I guess my feet are in need of a dance companion." You say with a sheepish smile before standing up and turn to face Aegon.
"I believe I owe you a dance uncle? Since you claim to be an expert of what satisfies a woman."
Aegon laughs as he takes your hand at the center of the room and the King asks for music to be played.
"I was just teasing your twin."
"Hmm if that's so then you should have no problems keeping up with me. After all it seems between the two of us you're the one fixated on us not being married." He shrugs as you both begin the dance.
It went as you had expected.
It was clear to everyone watching that Aegon was a decent enough dancer but the dance was only saved because you had the talent and skill to dance for the both of you.
Being truthful with yourself, you revelled in scaring him into thinking that you were about to step on his feet or accidentally knee his balls. At least he was sober enough to step away from making either situation come true. He mainly just stood and did the minimum steps required to make it look like you two matched but other than that it was you mainly doing the work moving as if you were one with the music.
Soon the dance ended and both of you bowed. Or rather you courtsied and it was only then that he realized that the dance was over.
"Well now uncle, how do you feel?"
"I'm ... hah...happy with that. How about you?" You chuckle at his obvious exhaustion despite doing literally doing less work than you did. Sure you were also breathing a little heavily but not as breathless as Aegon was.
"I think the festivities are only starting. How about another?"
"Really? You're...hah...not tired...after all that?"
"Of course not, that was just to prepare for other dances I had in mind." Aegon looks at you in disbelief as he begins to catch his breath.
"How many dances were you thinking of doing?"
"As many as it takes till I'm satisfied."
You hear Daemon's and Baella's laughter getting louder and Aegon makes his way back to the table in defeat. Caught up in being smug at Aegon - who obviously could not keep up with you - you were almost startled by your next dance partner.
"Shall we?"
"Of course."
Aemond orders another dance from the musicians. A level more advanced than your dance with Aegon. But unlike with Aegon you were at least confident that this dance would not have you doing most of the work.
The moment you two started dancing, there was only him, only you, only the space for the dance, and only the music.
Similar to the dance you two shared in the minor ball, he lead you, but you also guided him, especially when you were moving into his blind side. Despite all your disagreements you find yourself trusting him into leading you into more advance moves. He was there to catch you and safely put you down without your feet having to bear the blunt force of the impact made while landing. He was confident moving along with you and you found yourself having the freedom to not worry about adjusting to the point of annoyance for your partner.
A little too soon the dance ended and both of you bowed and courtsied to signal its end.
"Well?"
"Now I'm satisfied. Thank you Aemond."
"The pleasure is mine, Alys."
You both hear clapping and you turn to see the King and Helaena were clapping to your performance and slowly your mother and the Queen join in. You both give each other one last glance and one last nod before returning to your seats.
"Wonderful as always you two. Isn't it wonderful how they complement each other?"
"I will admit they do." You were startled when it is the Queen who comments this. You hope your surprise didn't show in your face but her small nod to you contradicts this.
"Oh Alys that was wonderful. I think I would like to dance too. I think I've made some progress with you as my teacher."
"Then go on and choose a partner, Helaena. I'll observe."
"Very well, Baela would it be fine -"
"Of course your highness." Baela says as she jokingly pushes Jace towardss Helaena.
"Enjoy yourself your highness. My betrothed is quite a... satisfying dance partner." Baela emphasizes the word "Satisfying" towards Aegon. You knew Baela could be brutal but this was just rubbing salt on the wound. Albeit it is a wound you made at Aegon's expense but -
"Speaking of marriage, I believe there is a gift for you from the representatives of the Kingdom of Yi Ti that just arrived this afternoon. After paying their respects to me they were actually looking for you."
Interesting.
"Yi Ti?"
"Yes, it was something edible, oh here it comes." A servant brings in what looked to be a finely roasted duck that was placed gently on front of you. Steam was still emitting from the duck as you take the knife in order to start dividing it.
"This is quite different from the duck dishes that we have here."
"The Yi Ti diplomats have said this is one of many dishes served to their Emperor and his family. Should you accept their marriage proposal for their crown heir, you will be getting plenty of this from them."
With the duck divided and now more available around the table you finally partook of the crispy skinned roasted duck.
"Oh my - it's so delicious."
"I will say that the Yi Ti representatives really know how to make a case for their sovereign. Courting my daughter through her stomach."
"Don't worry mother, I won't be persuaded just simply because of such gifts. But this is not the place to talk about such things is it?"
"Hahaha at least we know where she gets such sharpness from, eh Rhaenyra."
"Sometimes father I find she is sharper than me."
It was no question that such courtship gifts were originally meant for Helaena. But somehow as they travelled nearer to Westeros they learned that Helaena was already married, and since you were the next lady in the family who was still unmarried - they quickly acclaim it was you whom the crown prince was planning to marry.
That was all your guesses after seeing what appears to be Helaena's name in light Andal script scratches on the side of the platter served.
After dining a little bit more on the duck and some food on the table, you begin to notice the King get more and more exhausted as he struggles to maintain the appearance of being well enough to continue being in this dinner.
"Grandfather, are you alright?"
"I'm fine Alys dear, just a little bit exhausted that's all."
"Viserys you should rest now. It's not good to overly exhaust yourself in your condition."
"But Alicent, the dinner."
"We'll take it from here."
"Father would you like Alys to accompany you? Since she has been a great aid to your health?"
"But I wouldn't want to remove her from her first time dining with everyone."
"It's fine grandfather, I'll comeback after assisting you."
"Please, Viserys, for the sake of your health." After seeing the looks of the Queen, your mother, and you from across himself he finally relents and the guards carries him outside with you following not far behind.
Once he has been settled into his bed you take his hand and immediately get to work.
Normally only one treatment was enough for a day, but based on how his blood is slowing down, it seems that he will need your assistance twice a day now. Once in the evening and once in the morning. If this is what is needed to keep him alive before an accepted solution could be found and implemented then you would visit him as much as possible.
You were filled with energy since you've just finished your dinner. You were rather quite full already and would prefer not to overstuff your stomach. But if on the way back you would find yourself exhausted then you'll have to eat more soon.
When you were satisfied that he would at the very least survive the night, you gently assure him that you had enjoyed yourself and are on your way back to the dining room.
Looking back now you wish that you had requested Aemond to accompany you to ensure that you've had an escort.
A few steps after leaving the King's chambers you find yourself cornered.
"Lord Larys Strong, Ser Cole, is there something you need from me?"
"Certainly Princess Alys." A gust of strange smoke or mist was suddenly in your face. The smoke forced you to close your eyes. You were coughing and felt breathless. Before you knew it you fell asleep.
You found yourself back in your bedroom within the dreamy whimsical world. This time you were still wearing your violet gown. You stand up from the bed, it's comfort not soothing your alarm at what just happened to you.
"What happened?! How do I get back?!" You move around your room in a panic. From what you could remember, either Lord Larys Strong has caused the smoke on your face or someone allied with him who was in your blindspot.
"You were sedated." You turn around quickly and see the mysterious man whose skin was paler than you're used to seeing. His eyes dark, his black hair messy, and wore an entirely black attire that you feel is familiar to you and yet you've never seen it worn by anyone when you are awake.
"Oh it's you. I don't know your name and yet you appear every now and then in my dreams. May I know what it is?"
"You may call me the Sandman for now." He says in his a low yet gentle tone. The kind that you wish would tell you bedtime stories to help lull you into sleep.
"For now?"
"You shall remember what you used to call me when you remember who I am."
"Can you not just tell me who you are?"
"As much as I want to, it would be to your detriment. Come have a sit by the fireplace, you have some questions for me, yes?"
You nod at him as you sit beside him. Once again on front of the fireplace with the short table on front of you.
"Forgive my slowness Sandman, but what do you mean by sedated?"
"Larys Strong had made a modified smoke bomb that would induce you to falling asleep rather rapidly." Damn, you really should have listened to your instincts to just ignore him. Even if biologically he was your uncle, he was firmly on the side of the Queen.
"I am starting to regret not ignoring him and to simply return to the dining room."
"On the contrary Alys, this incident is actually a necessary part for you."
"For me?" You look at him in confusion.
"As a result of this, you will be in a coma - a coma is a long sleep lasting several days rather than just hours. And the consequences for this will be your first major battle in preventing internal bloodshed."
"Your job is to try to prevent blood being shed from the in fighting. We'll see if this civil war is truly inevitable."
"Were you the one who gave me this job...this mission...to try and prevent internal bloodshed?"
"No, but I know the one who gave you that mission. You will recall who he is in due time."
"I am getting annoyed by all this vagueness that surrounds me when it comes to inquiring into anything supernatural." He gives you a sympathetic smile.
"You are not alone. We all want to tell you and talk to you about many things that we could not discuss yet now."
"We?"
"Yes, we. Myself, my wife who checks on you every now and then, and many others whom you have yet to meet and remember."
"So...the woman with the beautiful black wavy hair who wears a crow skull pendant on her necklace - she's your wife?"
"Yes, the pendant is not a crow skull but rather my helm. It is my sigil, just as I wear her sigil, the rose, on my ring that she gave me."
That explains why those details seemed so significant. They were signs that these two were married.
"How long will I be here?"
"As long as you like."
"I mean how long will I remain asleep in a - coma? Did I use that right?"
"Yes, you did. As for how long you'll be asleep, even I do not know. Though based on the amount of sedative used in the smoke bomb, it may be at least three or four days."
"THREE OR FOUR DAYS!" You're shocked. From what the maesters have told you, the human body may survive for a month without food, but only a few days without water. How were you going to survive with your body not being able to have fuel.
"You will inevitably be hungry and thirsty. But don't worry your body is healthy enough to survive this incident. Although I recommend not to force as much food down once you do."
As if sensing your hunger even if this was supposed to be a dream. He summons a round piece of pastry filled with cheese that made you salivate.
"This is called Pizza. It is essentially a cheese pie with a tomato base and topped with melted cheese. This was your favorite dish before you were reborn in your current lifetime."
The smell was amazing as he uses a triangular shaped tool to cut and place a slice of it on a plate before giving it to you. You smell the melted cheese, the smell of the tomato sauce that was so foreign yet so familiar. What appeared to be Basil herbs scattered on the slice made it even more enticing.
You take a bite, and you moan in delight as the flavors spread in your mouth. The cheese deliciously melted was so euphoric as it meets the tomato sauce that balances it out.
"Mmm this is so good."
"This is called Margherita Pizza."
"I'm starting to understand why this was my favorite food! This is so good." You hear him chuckle as you find yourself easily finishing the slice you were given.
"There are more than one type of pizza?"
"Plenty. There are plenty of varieties of pizza, but you always preferred cheese and maybe some herbs to be the only things on a pizza."
"How come this doesn't exist in Westeros yet?"
"Simple, it has not yet reached your grounds. But no worries, after a major event - Westeros would have access to it." You raise an eyebrow at him as you finish your third slice.
"Let me guess, you cannot tell me yet?"
"Not only that, it is also dependent on the choices you make once you awaken. Even I and other supernatural beings who are watching over you are unsure of what will be the ultimate outcome."
RAT-TAT-TAT
A knock on your door startles you once again.
"She's here beloved. The door is unlocked."
In comes his wife, the beautiful lady who has been in your dreams more often. She's now wearing black trousers that shapes her legs nicely with a pure white blouse with a v-neck that showed off a hint of her cleavage. On her neck was the Sandman's pendant sigil as her long wavy black hair is tied up in a half bun.
"Hello my darlings. Oh Alys I would like to reintroduce you to someone."
Following behind her was a cute midsized fluffy white dog with big golden ears and round black eyes. The dog eagerly ran from behind her towards you.
"WOOF!"
"Oh hello." You laugh as he begins licking you excitedly standing on his hind legs with his front paws on your lap.
"By any chance do you recall his name?" The Sandman's wife asks in a light teasing tone.
You think for a moment.
Gr...
Gre...
"Gregory?"
"WOOF! WOOF!" He now jumps on the couch in between you and the Sandman as he continues licking your face and almost pinning you down on the couch. You notice his tail wagging heavily and it would have hit the Sandman on the face had he not moved away.
"See Gregory, she still remembers you."
"Clearly you remember your pet here. Hopefully this is a sign that you'll begin remembering a lot of things soon."
"I hope so too - Gregory I love you but please calm down." Gregory began to settle down by sitting in between you two as the Sandman's wife begins petting him on the head.
"I hate to break this bonding moment between the two of you but Lucienne and Matthew are calling for you darling. I'll take care of Alys."
"Ah of course. Alys I'll need to go now, but you may call on me or my wife should you need any help."
"Alright, thank you so much Ser Sandman." He gives you a small grin before standing up. You see him and his wife move to a corner, probably to have some privacy. You turn your attention away from them in case they wanted to have a private romantic moment like how your mother and Daemon sometimes engaged in.
"How are you little boy?" Now that he was alone on the couch with you he lied himself down with his belly up.
"Awo" Oh you remember this. He wants a tummy rub. You begin petting and rubbing his belly as he arches himself towards your touch. You missed this, slowly some memories of you rubbing his belly on a meadow with the sun on the sky that strangely did not burn your skin. You recall how you would train him with something called peanutbutter placed on various vegetables. You also recalled how sometimes he would lick you awake if he was also sleeping in your bedroom.
Feeling your hands get tired you temporarily stop to take a drink of what appeared to be fizzy water or water filled with bubbles. A part of you knows that it was you who brought it into existence here in this dream of yours but you can't recall why you wanted it when this was the first time you've seen it. You proceed to pour some in a nearby glass, and the moment you took a sip, suddenly you recall the taste and some of the memories that made you crave for a drink.
In a well lit dining room filled with natural sunlight, there was a machine that made the water have bubbles.
"This is the family sparkling water machine, a birthday gift from my ex." Says a man or a teenage boy about the same age as Jace but with black hair and almond eyes.
"Oh please Reneé, don't make me regret introducing you to one of my friends." You feel yourself say in the memory.
"AWO!"
"Oh sorry for taking a break." You say sarcastically as Gregory grunts and begins moving his paws to convince you to continue giving him belly rubs.
"Borf"
"You'll need to forgive him. He really misses you."
"Obviously." Getting tired once again you stop giving him belly rub as he then moves to place his head on your lap.
"Is there anything that I could call you at least for now? Your husband has already told me to call him Sandman."
"I'm actually fine with 'My lady', I'm patiently waiting for the name you would remember calling me."
"But what if I don't remember you? What if I die without remembering?"
"Then you will recall after you die. Have more faith in yourself and your mind." She says gently as she gives you a reassuring smile.
"Now I assume my husband has told you that you're going to spend some days here?"
"Yes he has."
"Has he told you that there are chances that some of your old memories will begin to start rushing towards you?" What? You stare at her in puzzlement.
"Your face says no. Very well, since you are in the world of dreams, memories from before you were born would have an easier time returning to you. Sometimes it's just in your mind, sometimes it would play out on front of you with you watching a version of yourself that would seem like a stranger, and sometimes you would find yourself acting it out."
"Oh my."
"Remember what I told you before, just breathe. If you find yourself overwhelmed, breathe and let the memory play. I cannot guarantee that all memories would be good. But know that by exploring them here, you are in a safe place."
"I just let it happen?"
"Yes, whatever returns let it happen. Allow yourself to feel what you feel, and then let them go and learn from them."
Your time in your dreams was a mix of playing with your dog Gregory, bonding with the Sandman and his wife, as well as being introduced to the Librarian of his palace Lucienne. Every now and then your memories would return to you, giving you more clues as to who you were before you were born.
It's difficult to explain how you know it was a memory but you just knew.
You remember laughing with a beautiful blonde woman. Not too dissimilar to how some of your family members looked. She was one of your best friends, and there was a supernatural glow around her.
"I'm thankful to you that you've decided to share this with me. You say it's chocolate?"
"Yes." You assure her as you pour a pitcher of "Chocolate" into her goblet.
"Quetzalcoatl had given me too much. I might as well share it with you since your people have yet to discover such a bittersweet delight."
"Your flying serpent lover must have known of your generous nature."
"Honestly, I've had my fair share of this in my first lifetime. Go on Mera, take as much as you like."
Mera? Who was she? And why did you feel like crying at the mention of her name? She mentions a being called Quetzalcoatl who seems to be one of your past loves. Who was he?
Soon another memory came to you.
This time you were exhausted, and you felt so hopeless and how it seemed to be your own fault that you seem to not understand any of the legal procedures.
"Please universe, help me understand. Help me pass this."
You feel tears flowing down your face - the memory was brief, but you felt the despair in your heart as you let the memory and emotions pass.
Somehow this blended in with the next memory.
🎵"There are moments that the words don't reach
There's a grace too powerful to name
We push away what we can never understand
We push away the unimaginable
They are standing in the garden
Alexander by Eliza's side
She takes his hand"🎵
You pause as your co-star sings her line. You were on stage, playing the role of Angelica. The musical Hamilton was one of your favorites and you could hardly believe that you are still able to both perform on stage while studying the law. Through generous contract negotiations, you were able to work out a schedule that complemented both of your schedules. You weren't one of the main performers featured on the programs and the playbills but you were one of the alternates when the main cast member needed to rest or have a break. Tonight you were in the role of Angelica and earlier in the afternoon matinee schedule you were Eliza. The main actor for Eliza was supposed to have a break today due to family commitments. Unexpectedly the Angelica's main actor who had acted with you in the earlier show had accidentally sprained her ankle. Fortunately Eliza's main actor had family who wanted to see her perform since they've never heard or seen of the show before.
Before you knew it, it was the curtain call and you were met with a standing ovation. You and your castmates then retreated to your dressing rooms to change out of your costumes. Everyone was chatting about their plans for dinner and their commute home. You were supposed to join a group of your friends to commute home with but you quickly turned around because you almost forgot your phone charger - whatever that was - in your dressing room. Your friends agreed to wait for you as you quickly return to retrieve it.
"Ms. Rizmon you're still here!" The stage manager says in surprise.
"Yeah, I forgot something in my dressing room but I'll be off now."
"Oh wait if you could just wait for a moment. I have someone who wants to meet you."
"A fan?"
"A fan from a very special community." Suddenly you understood. "Special Community" was one of the code words for "Magical Community." A community of supernatural beings that were hidden from the ordinary mortal world for the purposes of safety from persecution and for survival.
"Very well, lead the way Madam Stage manager." She rolls her eyes in good faith teasing as she leads you to the now empty stage save for a few lights that were still on.
The figure was unfamiliar to yourself in the memory but was very familiar to your current self. The same black hair, not too bulky muscled figure.
"Ms. Rizmon may I introduce Monsieur Robert Vernier."
"Actually Mademoiselle, it's pronounced Row-bear Ver-nee-yay." As the stage manager was apologizing, you notice something in the relatively close distance between the two of you.
He had sharp fangs.
Easy to miss from afar.
Normally they would be more hidden but it seems he was hungry.
"Don't worry Mademoiselle Rizmon." He takes out a rather large bottle filled with whitish translucent liquid. He noticed that you have noticed who he was by now. He quickly downs the entire bottle which must have been about half a liter.
As much as you hate to admit it you were a bit relieved when his fangs retracted into his gums.
"Are you sure you that would be enough?"
"Oui, I drank my fill of rouge before seeing the show. And I'm quite enchanted by your performance as Angelica Schuyler. This blanc while not as delicious as rouge satiates my hunger long enough."
"Are you sure you didn't just call me here to taste my 'rouge'? No offense but I've had a lot of your people wanting a taste of me out of curiosity if it would taste different from other mortals, considering who my parents are." He chuckles and raises both of his hand in surrender.
"Non, I'm in the minority who drinks rouge more out of necessity rather than excessive delight. I would like to ask you out on a date." You felt surprised but also flattered and delighted.
"A date? To where?"
"There is a contemporary classical music concert in the theatre near the City of Dreams. I was wondering if you would be interested?"
The memory ends but a part of you sensed that the date was a success. Or rather now you know that your spouse in your previous life who looked a lot like Ser Ion was named Robert Vernier and your previous maiden name was Rizmon. This did enlighten you a little bit on why in one of your memories you've said that there was a difference between vampires and zombies. You may not remember everything yet, but you understood enough to know that vampires, or at least your former husband, vampires still had consciousness in them to live.
The flow of the life force between the vampire creator and any human created into becoming a vampire was unbroken.
These three were the memories that stood out to you the most. Most other memories of yours were just random things. You in a dining table with the Sandman, his wife and many other eccentric beings including the hooded man with a book chained to his hand. You signing the roll of attorneys. You ending a visit to someone with what looked like a harp in his hand...These were just too vague for you to make adequate sense of for now.
"Awoor"
"Gregory what is it?" He sniffs you and his expression became even more upset.
"You're waking up." The Sandman says as he pets Gregory's head trying to comfort him.
"Oh? So soon?"
"It's actually been three days dear." His wife says as she opens her arms for you to embrace her.
"Really? It feels like it's only been a few hours."
"How do you feel dear?"
"Relatively rested. Although I wouldn't mind if I could spend a little more here."
"You'll come back here as long as you dream." The Sandman says as he now carries Gregory in his arms. His tail no longer wagging but instead was very low.
"You're needed in the Waking World. You will need all your energy to win your first battle."
You feel yourself beginning to wake. It seems like you are fading away from a prolonged dream.
"We're always with you." Was the last words the Sandman says before you find yourself awake in an unfamiliar room. As you slowly move, you feel the onslaught of hunger and thirst from your stomach.
"So you're awake." You hear a voice filled with hatred as you slowly begin to realize where you were. It seems you were in Ser Criston Cole's bedroom since it was relatively smaller than the bedroom you were familiar with.
"What - what happened?"
"Shouldn't you be the one telling that to me?" The anger in his voice cautioned you to be as non-provoking as possible.
"With all due respect Ser Cole, the last thing I remember is seeing Larys Strong in the hallway before a gust of smoke came upon me. Whatever you think I did, please tell me." You say as politiely and diplomatically as possible.
"You really think I would believe you? If it really was Larys Strong then how did you end up sleeping in my bed since the evening of the King's supper?" It's clear that no matter how honest you were, he's never going to believe you. Something tells you that it had more to do with you being a child of your mother than anything else.
"Ser Cole...I mean this with all due respect." He scoffs at you but you wait for him till he returns his attention back to you.
"If you're not going to listen to me, then at least let me go and I will do my best not to bother you."
"Oh stop pretending - you have been bothering me since the moment you've arrived." This was news to you.
"How have I done that?"
"As if you don't know."
"I don't. I haven't even seen you until the trial regarding the Driftmark-"
"I KNOW YOUR SECRETS WITCH!" Your heart was rapidly beating as he suddenly moved closer to you.
"I don't know what you've done to Aemond but whatever spell you've placed on him remove it. NOW!" Huh?
"Spell? What spell?"
"Whatever it is that you have over him. Remove it, and only then I will let you go."
"What made you think that I am a witch or that I had anything to do with Aemond?"
"Ever since you have arrived - instead of the thirst for revenge he now has a thirst for you. You have become his new obsession whether he admits it or not. And I will not have him fall for you. Not you, a witch - just like your mother. You want to be free? Remove it now!"
"What else made you think that I am a witch? Also do you not have faith in Aemond? Nobody can tell him what to do when he puts his mind on something. Even I do not have that power over him."
"You are a bastard, of course you are a witch. Why else would both Aemond and Aegon be charmed by you. Whatever your plan is I will make sure that none of you, especially not your mother - gets the crown. I suggest you flee bastard, because the moment the King dies it is Aegon who will get the crown."
"...What has my mother done to you Ser Cole?" You ask after a moment of tense silence pass between the two of you. You've noticed that all his arguments was rooted in his hatred for your mother. Or at least that's what you're reading from him since he refuses to tell you what exactly you have done that caused him such offense.
"As if you don't already know - how else could you have learned to be the seductress you are otherwise. And now you lay on my bed for these past three nights trying to tempt me into ravaging you. Well - I'm sorry to disappoint you witch, but your mother has already done that to me. And now I'm going to protect Aemond for falling for the same tricks."
So that's what happened. He and your mother had sexual relations. It seems she has moved on while he has only ended up with an intense hatred for her.
Considering how important the Queen's faction placed on the faith of the seven is and how important honor is among its main supporters, your mother must have refused to either marry Criston Cole or any other action that might be considered honorable for that sexual encounter. Maybe your mother tricked him into doing it with her and he is now taking his anger out on you and your siblings. Since you and your siblings are products of another illicit sexual encounter between your mother and Ser Harwin Strong.
"Ser Cole...if your plan for protecting Aemond is to starve me to death by not letting me go...then you might as well just behead me while I am in your control." Is this the battle the Sandman and his wife were talking about? You could see why now.
"I will have none of your tricks witch."
"It isn't. I would rather have a swift death than to endure unnecessary suffering." He scoffs at you as he moves away.
"I've heard that you have no problems in killing, especially when you are filled with rage. What's stopping you from just bashing my head against the wall or putting a dagger through my heart?"
"Because you are a witch! If I give you what you want that only means you're up to something."
"Is this what you think of anyone who is simply related to my mother? Do you not understand what the word neutrality means?"
"When it comes to your lot, words lose their meaning. You've been dancing around with both sides for your selfish desire while stringing Aemond along!"
"I do not understand you Ser. First you want to protect Aemond from me, now you allege me of playing with Aemond's feelings and that I somehow should be the one to resolve it!"
"BECAUSE YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM!"
"HOW AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR THINGS THAT I HAVE NO CONTROL OF OR EVEN KNOW ABOUT?!" You were done playing diplomacy. You had forgotten who had said it but apparently it is true that you can't debate with someone who refuses to listen.
You were half tempted to start bashing your head against the wall till it bleeds. If he wasn't going to kill you then at the very least you were going to give yourself a way out. But you stop yourself from dwelling more on that thought since it is possible that he could use that to prove your insanity and that wouldn't help your family.
"Ser Cole?" The voice of Ser Harrold Westerling came from the otherside of the door.
"I hear screaming is everything alright in there?"
"Aye." "NO!" He gives you a glare as Ser Harrold manages to enter the door. His look is startled upon seeing you.
"Princess? This is where you've been all along?"
"It seems that way Ser Harrold. I had just woken up a few moments ago and found myself here in Ser Cole's room."
"Don't listen to her, she planned this."
"How do I plan for being drugged after helping my grandfather?"
"You were drugged Princess?"
"By Ser Larys Strong, Ser Harrold, he made smoke suddenly appear that caused me to sleep. And I had just woken up and I'm wondering what is going on and what happened."
"As if you yourself don't have that ability to make smoke appear witch!"
"Watch your tongue Ser Cole." Ser Harrold says sternly.
"Don't forget that you are only still here because of the Queen. I will not allow you to continue treating the Princess here as such. The King is still very much alive and has been worried for the past three days. Unless you are planning to kill the King through a heart attack and a worrisome heart over his granddaughter going missing." For now that seemed to hinder Ser Cole from making more remarks and yelling at you.
"Come Princess, let's get you to your parents."
You did not forget the look filled with hatred in Ser Cole's eyes. But you more than anyone knows how this might now look as you exit his chambers in the late of night. Soon the news will inevitably spread through the various spy networks to the ears of various nobles in both factions. It doesn't matter if you were drugged by Ser Larys Strong or if nothing happened between you and Cole. Your reputation and your claim for neutrality might as well have been ruined.
You'll need to think of something fast and soon. But at least its clear that Larys Strong wanted to destroy you. For what reason you don't know. Ser Criston Cole will now have his eyes intently on you and your mother. He'll probably look for any excuse to bring you down.
"My lady Alys?" Your handmaiden calls your attention. Vereena Westerling, one of Ser Harrold's relatives who has found a place in court by your side
"Yes Vereena?"
"May I recommend someone who may help you with your dilemma?"
"Oh? Who?"
"The White Worm, I can arrange for a meeting between the two of you tomorrow." You study her face for awhile. She's nervous, but she is sincere.
"Can the White Worm be trusted?"
"As long as you are for the people my lady, then yes the White Worm is a worthy ally."
"Hmm alright. I'll meet the White Worm."
"Very well my lady."
Tomorrow came as Kayla Westerling, Vereena's little sister who was younger than her by two years and who was also your handmaiden, was sent to tell Sers Ion and Arari that you would not be training today. You didn't need to worry about either Aemond or the King, both demanded that you should take your time to recover since according to them and every member of your family, you became fearfully underweight and everyone has noticed that you're more easily exhausted than you were before the night of the King's dinner. Thus ever since you re-emerged for Ser Cole's room and after telling everyone that Ser Larys Strong had startled and essentially drugged you after you finished treating the King that night.
"Don't worry my lady, some of your father's guards are with us. I've prepared for your safety first before presenting this suggestion to you my lady."
"Thank you Vereena." You were calmed down as you see a few familiar faces in a measurable distance. Your guards give you a subtle nod when they notice you were looking for them. Ever since your kidnapping your Stepfather Daemon has bestowed on you his most trusted guards. Unlike the Kingsguard, your father's private guards were more discreet and stealthy.
"My lady, here she is. The White Worm." A woman in a white dress and a blue cape with long black hair tied into a bun and even darker brown eyes.
"Good morning Princess."
"Good morning Madam White Worm."
"Hm, no need to be formal with me. White Worm would be fine."
"You're not going to tell me your name?"
"My name is only for those who have adequately proven themselves. You need my help more right now."
"Fair point." You concede as you both settle in. You dressed in your plainest clothes, with a wool scarf tied around your head. Your hooded cloak was too fancy for this meeting. And since you had brown hair which was common among the small folk then your makeshift scarf hood was more for warmth and blending in rather than simply as a disguise.
"I suppose Vereena has told you of my problems?"
"Yes, and the possible consequences your kidnapping has to your standing in court."
"She has also told me that as long as I strive to serve the people, you are a worthy ally."
"She is also correct there. She and Kayla are some of my eyes and ears in the palace. I made sure to have them become your handmaidens the moment I heard of your neutrality over the succession issue. Both of them have assured me that unlike the rest of your family, you genuinely want peace and improvement for us the small folk."
"Call it instinct or a divine sense, but a part of me believes that if this infighting continues and not resolved the civil war that would come once the King dies would only have pointless bloodshed. I'm tired of the infighting. Because of the infighting my friendship with Aemond has been broken and I'm trying to rebuild it back up." She stares at you, her face still unreadable to you.
"I know you don't care for my personal affairs, but it seems I'm the only one who is willing to find a solution that would resolve the issue."
"What did you have in mind so far?" You take out a journal with your notes on the topic in it.
"So far the only way that has any chance would be to call for another grand counsel."
"There was another grand counsel last time who placed the King on the throne instead of the Princess Rhaenys. What makes you think this time would be any different?"
"This is where I'm trying to find a way to change that. My ... unusual idea is to open up the choice to representatives of the people." It may have been a trick of the light, but a part of you wants to believe that this is where the White Worm got interested.
"One of the flaws last time is that it was restricted to lords. The people didn't exactly get a voice. Logistically if it were opened up to everyone, there could be cheating when it comes to the votes. My proposal is for a counsel with the people's representatives of their choice to represent the small folk's voice in the choice for the next ruler."
"I will admit it's not bad. What stops you from making such proposal?"
"Lack of allies in court who is willing to support such a proposal. All the nobles want is to marry me the singular neutral party, hide from the infighting and once that's over I'm obligated to exercise my influence over whomever survives the bloodshed."
"How typical."
"Exactly, and while the Red Keep has it's library and scholars it is admittedly biased over the current system of succession. Not that I'm surprised since that is the system that keeps my family in power."
"Hmm." She takes your journal and writes down a note for a while.
"Here is the first proof of my assistance to your cause and proposal. I assume that in this system only those who truly desire to rule shall be voted on?"
"Yes, that way nobody has to kill anyone who doesn't want to rule. And also it serves as a testing ground for whomever does want to rule. Since it is expanded to include the voice of the people, there is less potential for bloodshed since there is no ruler without the people."
"It sounds promising Princess. I can also understand why neither faction would want to support such an idea." You simply nod as she gives you your journal back.
"Speaking of ideas."
"...You have convinced me enough to have some of my help. You will need to earn the rest of it."
"That's fair." She takes a breath before continuing.
"I will admit, you will not like what I have to suggest to you. But from mine and the perspective of my close associates, this may be the best chance for you to recover your standing in court."
"What is it?"
What she tells you sends a shock to your heart.
"But -"
"Think about it Princess, you and I both see that there are deeper problems that is causing the infighting. And while you have your neutrality in order to find a solution, you said it yourself that the only solution those nobles see is a marriage to you which would not solve anything. If you want the infighting to stop you need to force them to resolve the deeper issues. But not like the King."
"This would bring me suffering."
"Everything worth doing has a risk. If you decide to proceed you will have my full support and my contacts and I will make sure your version of the counsel will be done. Never underestimate the power of the people."
As you and Vereena head back to the Red Keep you both hear arguing with what appears to be your brothers Jace and Luce with Aemond and Aegon.
"Well if it isn't the Strong boys."
"Jace don't do anything we're in public."
"Oh don't worry Lucerys, Jace here has to worry about satisfying Baella more than anything else."
"Besides, he's only capable of punches. Unlike you who is capable of cutting out an eye."
"Look we're going to avoid you from now on unless necessary. Now let us pass."
"I don't think so."
"Why? Because you're the first born son?" Oh no Jace why?
"It seems I keep calling you Strong boys but perhaps you need to prove if you are indeed Strong."
You and Vereena look at each other and nod that it was time to intervene before a fight breaks out. And in just that conversation alone that you realized that the White Worm was right. While your mother and the Queen have begun to reconcile, this is a feeling that has not spread to your generation of the family.
"Vereena, I need you to go ahead and get some guards. And tell the White Worm that I will do as she suggests after I meet the contacts that she has given me."
"Yes my lady, but what are you going to do?"
You take a deep breath.
"Confess everything I really feel. Now go."
She runs ahead while you make a turn just in time before any physical fighting actually began.
"What do I need to prove?!" All of them turns towards your disappointed face. All of them stunned with only Luce showing any sign of plain embarassment.
"Alys, you're back. How was your trip from town?"
"Enlightening Aegon. Just as how your argument and almost fighting have enlightened me how it would take drastic measures to truly resolve any infighting."
"Alys this is between your brothers and I-"
"And it seems I have not interfered long enough. After all you were planning on beating them up to prove how 'strong' they are right?" He stares at you silently. His expression was enough to show you that you were right.
"Look we'll just go on -"
"Not so fast you two!" You turn towards both Jace and Luce startled at your outburst. You were getting a feeling that everyone this evening was in for a shock at your explosion.
"You're not innocent in this either. Yes you two would have been acting in self-defense should anything happen but you provoked the pain Aemond has been trying to deal with for all these years! Unlike Aemond I have grown a resistance to your teasing so I know better than to take it seriously. But Aemond has only had teasing from Aegon which is vastly different from how you both tease." Both of your brothers began to look ashamed.
You turn back towards Aemond and Aegon.
"Let's make a bet, I am the weakest member of this family - after all I am a woman. If I can prove how strong of a person I am you will all support me in my solution to the succession crisis we have."
"Alys don't be ridiculous-"
"Wait you've found a solution?" Aegon asks suddenly very interested.
"Yes, but it will require great change. If I can prove how strong I am, then I win the support of all four of you."
"No - Alys what if you lose?"
"Then at least we'll have some good memories together Luce."
"NO - Alys whatever you are thinking -"
"Are you taking the bet or not? Answer me Aemond."
"No, this was as you say just teasing. Me teasing my nephews."
"If that's the case then I think we shouldn't see each other anymore."
"What? But Alys -"
"Do you know what Ser Cole said to me when I woke up on his bed?" Everyone became silent as your tone became deadly serious.
"He called me a witch. He said that ever since the moment I've arrived here I was using witchcraft to make you, Aegon and practically every single man except my brothers... utterly besotted with me. He accused me of using some type of spell to have my hold over you. According to him it was the same spell that my mother used to make him besotted over her and how he hated her for it. I tried telling him that there was no way I have a hold over you, but he kept putting the blame on me." You breathe back the tears that were threatening to come out.
"I'm not telling you this to cause discord between you and Ser Cole. He was more of a father to you and Aegon more than the King ever was, and I am a better person than that. In a way he was only doing what he thought was right by protecting you from me. I'm telling you this so you won't be surprised when the time comes. After all based on how I was found, everyone already thinks I'm a whore even though all I ever did was sleep and I had absolutely no idea how I went to his bed after Ser Larys drugged me." And with that you quickly step away and make a run for your bedroom where you broke down and cried.
You needed to shed your tears now for the sacrifice you were about to do.
A sacrifice you may not even survive.
And yet now it seemed to be the only way to bring about true change.
Author's notes: I hate reading cliffhangers but this seemed like a good place to stop.
1.) The dress Alys wears in the infamous dinner is this one:
This is not mine, but I found it through Google images and it lead me to this link: mujer vintage medieval vestido victoriano renacimiento gótico vestido de traje largo campana manga vestido | Shopee Chile
2.) The roasted duck from the Yi Ti delegation is just an in world version of Peking duck;
3.) The infamous "Strong boys" toast and brawl still happens off-screen. But given with her kidnapping and drugging by Larys Strong everyone involved in the brawl is a little reluctant to tell her immediately. Helaena tells her about it though but I deleted it because it broke the flow of the story for me;
4.) To the Sandman fans, yes Gregory the dog is a tribute to Gregory the gargoyle (just using my dog though his name in real life is Jack-Jack);
5.) Originally I wasn't going to include the pronunciation because I always thought of Robert Vernier as French. But upon the suggestion of my friend I included the pronunciation;
6.) The "rouge" referring to blood and "blanc" as a healthy and filling blood substitute is not mine but I just stole it from Ikemen Vampire an otome game; and lastly
7.) "It's Quiet Uptown" was written and composed by Lin Manuel Miranda and Alex Lacaimore and originally performed by Renée Elise Goldsberry; and lastly
8.)To those who have figured out who she is and/or what her relationship is to the Sandman and his wife, do not spoil it for others. If you have any guesses just DM me.
Higher Intervention: Aemond x FemReader (House of the Dragon x Sandman fanfic) Part 8
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven't read Fire and Blood and most if not all that I know is from the TV show.
Gif by useraelin
Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra’s children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.
AN: So I've been excited to write the last scene of this chapter because it was one of the scenes that inspired me to just go ahead and write this story. Please don't forget to leave a comment.
If you wish to read the previous parts (which I recommend you do if you haven’t read them yet):
Part 1 / Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7
Taglist (comment down below if you want to be included): @winxschester @memento-mora @mxrgodsstuff @thepowerstoner
Also tagging:
@lady-phasma @aemonds-war-crime @adderess @princeaemonds because some of their ideas of Aemond have undoubtedly influenced my work.
You awaken to a familiar sight. This was your room. The fireplace was cackling loudly and from your periphery you could see the six dragon eggs currently in your possession. Five borrowed and your unhatched one, the blackish blue one. Although the table was moved more to the corner perhaps to make room for the couldrons and fire pits that they must have used for your treatment. Your throat felt dry, almost similar to when you would awaken after sleeping through the night with your mouth open.
As you slowly moved to get up to satisfy your thirst with water from the carafe nearby, you feel the star shaped scar in both of your palms. A permanent reminder of your suffering, even though it was now a long time ago, maybe at least a year by your estimate. The window showed that it was still dark out. There wasn't much fires or lit rooms from what you could see, therefore it must be pretty late.
You stretch yourself, almost as if you were teaching your body and the aching muscles how to move again. You felt really energetic, almost as if you have a little bit of excess energy left in you. You close your eyes, being still you try to see if you can redirect it to some parts of yourself that might need additional help.
Instead you felt the special form of life energy call to you once again. It was within reach, calling for you to help it somehow. But why?
Help
Help us.
No matter, its someone or some being who needs help. Focusing on the special energy, somehow, someway, you were able to reach within yourself and give to whomever was calling the life force energy it needed. You don't know where it was going, but you were striving to help it nonetheless. It was almost similar to what you've been doing to the King for these past few days - or rather for the past days before the whole Faith Militant incident. When you felt that the call was satisfied you allowed yourself to relax and let go of your hold. This had exhausted you to the point where you felt the need to sleep again even though ironically all your body has been doing is simply sleeping.
And yet no matter how hard you try, you find yourself sinking back in to your pillows in a different position to once again let sleep take you.
For the first time in awhile you had a dreamless rest.
"My lady?"
"Shh softly Kayla. Let her awaken on her own. It's enough that plenty of people want to force her to wake up."
"Oh right."
"Vereena, Kayla?"
"Slowly my lady."
"Here my lady, have some water first." Vereena hands you a cup of water as Kayla sets up your table for you them to make you presentable. The six dragon eggs were placed back in their respective boxes to make room for the various grooming and cosmetic tools Kayla has prepared.
"The bath is ready for you my lady. The water is on the hotter side of warm, just as you like it. Would you like our help?"
"Yes...yes Vereena I would. It seems my body isn't used to moving around much anymore."
"Of course my lady." As they helped bathe you, they inform you of plenty of things that you've been wanting to know. It's been about 9 months since Aemond has won the votes of your grand counsel - which has been renamed officially into the realm's counsel since he has decided that one of the wisest things to do was to codify the processes of it so that any future succession issues could be avoided.
"Your fires finally turned red three days ago. The Holy women have begun the process of removing the sacred healing fire which was just completed yesterday. Everyone is anticipating your presence. Especially your grandfather."
"He's still alive?!"
"Yes, my lady. He has begun taking treatments from the Holy women instead of the maesters upon the suggestion of your father and with reluctant acceptance from the Queen. While he has improved he's still quite weak. Prince Aemond has begun taking charge over the affairs of state with counsel from your mother, Princess Rhaenys, and the also voted People's minister Jorah Praden."
"Is he related to the Praden that I met?"
"Yes my lady, you've met Brandon Praden, his younger brother. Jorah also has the support of the White Worm and her associates." Thus ensuring the people will actually have a say in the affairs of state even if the ruler will have the final say. It was further balanced out by having the losers be mandated to be in the winner's counsel to keep the balance in check.
They help you out of the tub and after dressing you in your stockings, shift, and corset just tied to your liking and they erred on comfort without sacrificing support for your breasts, they continue answering what they can.
"Your three admirers have also greatly anticipated your presence as well."
"Admirers? Kayla Sers Ion and Arari are just my friends and teachers of their respective fields that I sought to learn more about. I'm aware of Ser Kormy's infatuation for me, but I don't reciprocate his feelings."
"Oh their actions speak otherwise my lady. From my observation, there seems to be a hidden agreement among them when it comes to you. Ser Kormy acts like a student - quite fitting since he is one of Priestess Kara's acolytes - but his feelings for you are sincere and warm. Whereas there is some sort of possessiveness, hope, and obsession for you coming from Ser Ion. Almost like how he wishes to either consume you or for you to join him in spreading such consuming passion for the things you both love."
"That...is a surprisingly sharp observation on both of them Kayla."
"Meanwhile Ser Arari has a different type of passion. Depending on what he feels is best, he could be either patient and mainly fair, but if you incur his wrath he will find a way to have his retribution. This is how he was able to remove Larys Strong from influence here."
"Well, he and Ser Ion that is. Ser Ion is much like a raging fire and would want to take action immediately. Ser Arari is like a gradually turbulent storm. He would make people think that you've experienced his wrath, only for him to do something that may shock everyone just like how storms may or may not have thunders or lightning."
"Were they really that bad?"
"We'll let you decide my lady. Ser Cole is still here because of the Queen's favor, but ever since your sacrifice they have been keeping an eye on him ever since. And they have been instrumental in removing Larys strong and his spy network from influence in court. From what I managed to hear every now and then, they've essentially managed to turn his allies and spies against him. I don't know what they've done to convince them but whatever it is there's an air of mystery around it. Now just relax my lady as I'll just trim a little bit of your hair. It's not as long as it was before but at least now it's long enough and has grown past your shoulders. I'll just neaten it up a bit."
"While they were doing that, Ser Kormy is the one mainly making the treatments that the King is now taking. Since he is now in a much clearer mind than before and some of his lesions have healed, there is an unspoken divide now between those who rely on maesters and those who rely on the services provided by the Holy women, even though the Holy women keep repeatedly saying that the maesters must be consulted first before going to them for healing treatments. But given how the King's being has improved and how now not only are you awake and alive but mostly back to health, a lot of courtiers are now mainly consulting the Holy women, and they have now grown in influence."
"And what does Prince Aemond think of it?"
"As long as they don't interfere with his ideas and policies he gives them the same respect he gives to the ministers. Especially recently since your fires turned orange."
A knock on the door and Vereena headed towards it.
"That's your morning meal to break your fast my lady." You give her a subtle nod, your stomach reminded you of how long you've gone without eating.
After dining for on a hearty meal with some of your favorite breads. You decided to make your appearance privately known. You decided to make your appearance to the King. You hear Aemond, your mother, Princess Rhaenys along with many others in your family was currently holding counsel, you didn't want to disturb them. Kayla was informing the White Worm that you have awaken. While Vereena lead you in a less travelled route to the King's chambers. You see the faces of Sers Stefon Darklyn and Lorent Marbrand look at you in delight before resuming a neutral face as they both greet you as Vereena holds your hand as they let you in your grandfather's chambers.
"Is he awake?" Ser Stefon nods.
"He's been waiting for you." Ser Lorent says as he opens the door.
"Alys? My dear is that really you?"
"Grandfather?"
"Oh come, come." He was on a seat near his model of Old Valyria.
"Careful my lady, you haven't walked for a long time." Vereena holds you as you almost trip.
"Thank you Vereena, but I'm getting better."
"Oh Alys, come here, take your time." Once you were close to him you and he embrace. For all his faults he was a good grandfather to you.
"Grandfather I -"
"All is forgiven, thank you for still being here. Thank you for helping our family, especially with how imperfect we are. It's clear that we've forgotten that sometimes." After a few more moments you settle down in the couch together and you reach for his hand before he refuses you.
"Save your energy Alys, I have the treatments from the Holy women."
"Grandfather please, allow me."
"Mm perhaps tomorrow or later. You've just awakened, many - ough ough - excuse me."
"Grandfather." After he sees that you're not taking no for an answer he finally let's you hold his hand and you begin the treatment.
"What has happened so far? How long has it been?" You ask to distract him from the treatment.
"If my memory is correct, it's been about two years since the Faith Militant took you. Um Ser Lorent!? Am I correct in saying that it has been two years since the Faith Militant has taken Alys from us?"
"Aye your grace. It's been two years."
"Ugh it was painful Alys, what you made us do. But I could now see why you did it now. I've been so blind."
"You were trying to do what you thought was right." You say before he berates himself any further.
"Oh here I am beginning to just ramble on. When I'm supposed to be telling you what happened these past two years."
"Don't stress yourself grandfather, I'll just make my inquiries to the others once they are finished with their counsel meeting."
"You don't have to wait anymore." An all too familiar voice says behind you.
"Aemond, she's back. She just woke up."
"Alys? Is that really you?" An initially unfamiliar face coming beside Aemond asks. Quite similar to Aemond but his face is not as sharp.
"Daeron?"
"Yes! Oh my it's finally good to talk to you and to see you moving around. Whenever we would visit you it almost felt like visiting someone slowly cremating and we're all just waiting for this fever dream to end. Thank the Gods that reality is better."
"Oh I'm sorry to scare you like that. It must be the timing of it all."
"I'm glad that I'm finally here, do you know how jealous I was of everyone else who got to spend time with you?"
"Really? In spite of recent events?" You ask raising your gaze to meet Aemond's behind Daeron who doesn't seem to notice the underlying message you gave to his brother.
"Well I wasn't really a part of them, but hey you brought a solution that gave almost everyone what they wanted and you're back. Why dwell on the past?"
"From what I've learned Daeron, if one doesn't reflect on the past then mistakes are bound to be repeated again." You say as you slowly make your way to Aemond. His face is still unreadable as he meets your gaze.
"Wise words Alys."
"Aemond why don't you explain what has changed, its been two years and you two have a lot of catching up to do."
"With pleasure father."
"Oh well for one thing your siblings Baella and Jace just got married -"
"I'll take it from here Daeron." He then offers you his arm not breaking the gaze that you initiated with him. You take his arm to glance at Daeron.
"It was nice finally speaking to you."
You say as you take Aemond's arm as he escorts you to his chambers. Once you arrive you two settle down across each other.
"Where do I start? It's...it's been so long. I can't believe I've been away for two years."
"Two years and some months. The King counted since the day we rescued you. But you have been gone from us - you've been in the hands of the Faith Militant for two months and 3 weeks."
"Oh my...time really does disappear in isolation. It almost feels like I'm still in the realm of dreams." You say as you rub your forehead gently as you feel yourself overwhelmed by your recent discoveries. His face softens as he sees how you are still disoriented.
"So that message really did come from you."
"Yes, I'm not entirely sure how I ended up in Joffrey's dream but I heard his request and have asked the beings in the dream realm for us to meet in his dreams. And from my guess what felt like moments for me took months here in the waking world."
"Waking world?" He raises his eyebrow as he asks out of curiosity.
"I'm sorry, it seems I'm discussing nonsense when all everyone has been doing has been watching my body heal among other things."
"After what I've experienced, I can't afford to disregard your feelings on anything."
"Is this because I submitted myself to the Faith Militant?"
"Not only that, your solution radically changed how rulers are chosen. You've made us even more in debt with the people. Because of you things have improved."
"Things may have changed, but only time will tell if it is for the better. I just didn't want any bloodshed to happen when the King dies."
"Why don't you have more faith in yourself? Do you know how it was practically a miracle to have both sides united on the same cause even temporarily? You have made the impossible happen."
"Aemond, I may have started it, and I may have risked my own sanity and life, but it was still everyone here who cooperated who made it happen. Everything is possible because you all allowed my proposed solution to solve the crisis. I had little to no control while I was suffering at the hands of the Faith Militant or while I was in my healing sleep. You won the grand counsel by the will of the people. I merely helped in making the opportunity happen. You have earned the right to be the next ruler." He was silent for a moment before he touches your hand across the table.
"Then as the next ruler, allow me to make amends to you, for everything-"
"I know, I heard you when you spoke to me then."
"Then let me say it. Just so we are clear." He takes both of your hands now as he gazes in remorse and sincerity.
"I cannot change how I am. You already know that I strive to be better every single day in every single moment. There are going to be things that you don't approve of and that's fine. I cannot change the past, but I hope you will forgive me for any offense I have done against you." The apology was there but he was holding something back.
"There's something you're not telling me is there?" He sighs in reluctance.
"I may have lead the people's attack against the Faith Militant." Ah now you understand. From his expression he was reluctant to tell you such news but not that he did it.
"How? I thought you were a devout member of the Seven?"
"When the High Septon had given us his approval for your suffering to stop he also gave his written approval that should the Faith Militant not want to release you then we have permission to enforce legal action against the members who played a part in abusing you. I wanted to save you right then and there, but our mothers advised us to send spies and informants first to gather evidence and to time when the best time to rescue you was. Once our spies have told us of their plans to place you into sexual service we began preparations to attack in order to rescue you. It was that night when I came to your cell that you mistook me for the Stranger and I heard your last confession. Once I had you in my arms and once Daemon had killed the lead Septon he, Jace, and I with you in my arms went back on dragonback to start the arrests, trials and subsequent executions. Of others who were able to escape from us." He gazes back at you when at some point he placed his head down.
"This may frighten you, but I wasn't sorry for any of them being tortured and eventually executed. A part of me wished that Daemon did not kill the lead Septon because I wanted him to suffer more for the things he has ordered to be done to you and for how they treated you." He glances at your hands. He may not see them but he was thinking of the branded star scars on your palms. He was reliving the suffering all over again.
"Do you think any less of me because I found pleasure in making them taste the suffering that they have inflicted on you?"
"Hmm I thought I would. But a part of me is glad that you did it."
"Really?"
"Yes. I don't think I could ever be as devoted as you or your mother but I'm also glad that for now, the Faith Militant is gone. Devotion is one thing but uncritical belief is another." He breathes out a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad you think that way. It was one among many things that made me popular with the small folk. To them I was the Prince who saved the People's princess. They don't know about how I took pleasure in making sure those abusers who survived had intense and miserable suffering before their execution." You begin touching what skin his hands allow you to touch as he still holds your hands. Firm enough to keep them there but not enough to hold you hostage.
"The People's princess? But I've only interacted with the small folk here in King's landing."
"You truly do not know? Your name and influence and stories about you has spread from here. Some all the way up to the north. I would tell you about them but I don't know how you got involved in a story about how the sun came to be." That made you chuckle, and based on his smile this was his intended effect.
"Aemond, it's fine now. Knowing that things had turned out the way they are, you and everyone else have been forgiven. Everyone is ugly when they are hurting." You pause as you allow a cough up your throat.
"Ough ough. Sorry it seems my body is still adjusting."
"You should rest, you are still recovering."
"Aemond I have been resting for more than a year now. Any more and I'll be bedridden."
"Then at least don't inflict any unusual suffering on yourself."
"Hmph no promises though, but fine I will do my best." He smiles warmly at this. Neither of you need to say it. This was a new stage in your lives and though not everything was said, what mattered was that there was mutual understanding that you've forgiven him and many others involved.
"Now tell me, Aemond what has you and my mother so aggrieved? Or at least that's what is sounds like when I passed by on my way to the King's chambers earlier." He groans at this as he let go of your hands as he leans against his chair.
"Everyone here has been anticipating your awakening and ever since your fires have transitioned from green to bright yellow your mother has been receiving many marriage proposals for your hand from various nobles, foreign delegations, and even from the younger brother of the People's minister - a new position that was included in your proposed solution but you left it unnamed."
"I felt it wasn't my place to name it since I'm still part of the privileged nobility - wait Brandon wants to marry me?"
"Why are you surprised?" He asks. On the surface his tone was a matter of fact but you could hear the bitterness underneath the neutral tone.
"He and his brother have been trying to find a way to get the voice of the small folk in court and you've given them that. I'm just more surprised that it is his younger brother who is involved in a proposed marriage to you since Jorah Praden is still unmarried."
"Brandon is the one that I've met and consulted with before I gave myself to the Faith Militant. He and his friends and colleagues helped me refined my proposed solution and discussed the logistics of implementing it."
"Mm hmm you'll be pleased to know that they were also the ones who rallied behind your rescue and called for your version of the grand counsel to be done."
"You're not happy about it?" Another sigh before he straightens his back.
"I have complicated feelings about it."
"How so?"
"On one hand I'm glad that because of both your efforts I am now chosen next to rule..."
"But?" You gently encourage him, patiently waiting for his response.
"But I also hate that politically speaking...this might be the best match for you." His grimness on this startles you. It wasn't that you didn't think that he doesn't care for you. His words that reached you and the actions he has taken since then was an indication that he does care. Even though you don't know how exactly he sees you as, it was clear to you that you were important enough to him to hold a place of affection within him. You thought however, that even he knew that you needed to marry someone out of security and need rather than actual love. Your mother's marriage to Daemon was the only real life exception to this rule and even then, it was because she was still favored by the King. And he was right. Currently the realm is in the midst of change because of your actions and a marriage between a relative of the People's minister to a relative of the royal family could be a way of uniting the two families and show that Aemond approves of this relationship.
On the surface at least.
"Is this what has you so aggrieved?"
"Let's just say you have plenty of suitors and it's getting tiring. Your suitors want my support for their marriage proposals in order to convince your mother to approve of their proposal for you. Your mother and I firmly believe in waiting for your say. You were neutral in the dispute it's only fair that you should decide whom you choose to marry. Your Brandon was just very insistent earlier. Trust me when I say that I was startled that your mother and I would agree on something that both of us were aggrieved on your behalf. If you think we sounded aggrieved earlier, that was just us holding back. We have received word from your handmaiden that you have awakened. But had you still been asleep I would have no problem reminding him of his place here in court." He was getting aggrieved again just from thinking about it. This wouldn't do and you quickly reach for his hands to bring him back to you.
"Aemond, Aemond I'm here now." His gaze meets yours again.
"If you want my opinion on it, I think you're wrong in thinking that it is my best match."
"Why would that be?"
"Because the point of the position of the People's minister is to represent the people. It's a position that is voted upon every 8 years and is necessarily not tied to any nobility. Any marriage to a relative to our family would only undermine this system and would make the small folk think that their representative has been corrupted by our interests. It might be fine later on when this new system is more established. But right now we must uphold the integrity of this new system and avoid marrying any relatives of any of the People's representatives, especially the position of their minister." He breathes out a sigh of relief as he holds your hands firmly in his once again.
"Maybe you should remind him of this reason. So that if he doesn't listen to you I would have the right to suspend his appearance from court and my presence for a few weeks."
"Don't lie to me Aemond, you want to punch him if he doesn't listen to me." He chuckles as relaxes his hold on your hands.
"That and more."
"It's a little too soon to be slicing him into Vhagar's meal."
"Hmph, he's lucky that he is a legal scholar and his perspective is valuable."
"Why else do you think he was recommended to me?" You both chuckle at his. Once you've both calmed down you ask something you've come to suspect.
"And how about you? Any wife or future wife I should acquaint myself with?" Uncertain tension once again creeps in.
"Aemond?" Once again his grip firms up.
"Do you want to know why I was really bothered by all your suitors?" You nod, your fingers try rubbing his skin once again to show how there's nothing to be nervous about.
"I was bothered because before any of them had begun sending their marriage proposals, the first thing I did when it was announced that I had won the decision of the grand - no, the realms' counsel - the very first thing I did was to ask for your hand in marriage." You can see his anxiety in his face as you feel your face getting hotter. You feel your pulse race as you feel your fingers intertwine.
"Aemond -"
"I know you have much to say about this. Please hear me first." All you could do was nod as you hope your own heart would quiet down.
"Ever since you've tried to goad me into that bet of yours I have been trying to delude myself into thinking that I did not need you or your advice or your opinions. But when you appeared in court in shackles surrounded by the Faith Militant I couldn't deny it anymore. As much as I hated you for claiming to be the offender of our family's sins, it was a burden knowing that I was part of the cause of your suffering. And in the past two years I have realized the exact nature of my feelings for you. For too long I thought I might simply rekindle our friendship and I would at least have someone in court who isn't afraid to speak frankly with me. It was when I began to be annoyed how you seemed so much lighter around Ser Ion. I envied how it seemed he could do the very thing that I couldn't do. Add color to your already colorful world. Knowing how you were understandably more cautious around me because of the dispute and in fighting which made you go to Ser Ion more and more...it made my blood boil. And soon you were this way when Sers Arari and Ser Kormy whom you know is infatuated with you. It was only remedied whenever you would seek me out or confide in me what you haven't told anyone else apart from them. I tried to ignore this insecurity by telling myself that you were a childhood friend who didn't ask anything else but for my companionship. And when you sought drastic measures to change our circumstances, it was during the several days of mediation by the High Septon and his companion Septon that I had spoken how much I loved you." He takes a breath to gather himself before continuing.
"I remember just shouting it in rebuttal. I've forgotten to whom, but someone was accusing me for being the person behind your suffering. With you gone, war almost became inevitable. Hargh, it's hard to believe that with how ugly this family is, we were able to even allow ourselves to be mediated upon just to save you. Then when you provided me the opportunity to get what I have wanted, I had begun to fall even more in love with you. And this was even knowing what you were reading and drafting while you were in the library. When I won the position to be the next ruler and gave the marriage proposal to your mother, she asked me if I believed being the Queen was what you really wanted. This - this was the cause of my anxiety from then till now." He takes another breath as his hold on you becomes more firm but still comfortable. Your gazes meet and you could see how in spite of his anxiety, his vulnerability at your possible rejection and yet there was hidden strength that even if that were to happen, he wasn't sorry for laying himself bare to you.
"You know how I truly am. You are more than aware that for all my politeness in court I am too far from a Holy person. And I am more than aware that by asking this of you I am only bringing more of what you dislike from court. But in spite of these things, I plead you to consider taking me as your husband. Not only would we formally unite both of our factions together once again, but in exchange if you do not feel the same way as I do for you, I will support whomever you choose as your spouse. You will always have my support and protection no matter what you decide." And with this he lets you go and departs from you.
Take your time.
The hidden message that went unsaid but nevertheless you received it.
For awhile you just sat there in shock.
You never expected a marriage proposal from him. He was too duty bound, too ambitious, too focused. He more than anyone would know how love in a marriage was rare. It was why you thought when he heard you confess that it was the Stranger took his form to make things easier for you to accept death. To accept that he would probably be married to someone else and shower his future wife with all the love he could give.
After all it was easier to love someone from afar when you were already dead and the person you loved was very much alive.
And if he was unhappy with his marriage, well there were plenty of ladies in court and serving girls who would be more than happy to provide him whatever he lacked. He was popular among the ladies for a good reason, even if he wants to deny it.
"But you have already given him what he has wanted for such a long time." Your mother says as she takes you horse riding in the woods that was used for when monarchs wanted to go hunting. With some of her guards not far from either of you but far enough to allow privacy for the two of you.
"That doesn't change the fact that he needs to think carefully about whom he takes as a wife. He became the next in line from unusual circumstances that will hopefully become the new norm for choosing successors. I don't want to be the cause of either of the sacrifices we have made to be in vain."
You both find a spot to rest. It was near water which allowed your horses to have a drink while the two of you sat nearby.
"Alys, haven't you listened to a word I've said." Your mother says as she settles herself across from you.
"I did hear! That doesn't change the reality of the situation." She gives you a pointed look in disbelief.
"This coming from the very person who gave an unusual solution to a multigenerational problem. The very same unusual solution which solved multiple problems all at the risk of her own life and sanity."
"In my defense, there might have been a war and I had to act."
"That's not the point and I know you are smart enough to know that."
"Mother! Just because I was able to do that two years ago doesn't mean I could do it again. The circumstances have changed - its critical that he chooses the best person to be his queen."
"And what makes you think you aren't? You've seen by now how the smallfolk love you. You were able to hold your own in court during the days you were neutral. And you are more than capable of doing what needs to be done for the sake of the realm and of peace. And now you are being rewarded by your past deeds to be with the person you want. Why won't you let yourself be happy?"
"It's because I'm scared!" You scream out to her. Your heart heavy as you feel immediate guilt for shouting at her. She wasn't surprised by this.
"I'm scared that if I'm allowed to be happy with him again, another Driftmark incident will happen to force us apart again. I can feel it - somehow - I don't know why but it's there. My heart wants to go to him immediately and accept the proposal. But my head and my instincts are warning me that it's just too good to be true. It's that part of myself that's telling me he should be with someone else. Perhaps Ellyn Baratheon or maybe even one of the Lannister ladies. Because then at least neither of us could miss what we've never had."
"Alys do you know what I've realized these past two years?" She holds your attention still with gentleness in her voice. She moves herself closer to you so that she has your undivided attention.
"I've realized that this entire dispute could have been avoided if we were just a little bit more honest. With both ourselves and each other. Maybe had I just had the guts to choose your father before mine made me marry Laenor, then you wouldn't have this burden on your shoulders. If maybe I had trusted Alicent more to tell her with whom I actually slept with that night, then maybe we could have still been friends instead of the acquaintances we are now. And if I could travel back in time I might have advised my younger self to tell Criston that I was just using him to satisfy myself, then maybe he wouldn't have called you a Witch and all those horrible things he has said about you. But if I did that, then your Aemond wouldn't have the father figure he needed."
"I'm afraid I have made that relationship complicated."
"Children will eventually have complicated feelings about their parents as they start seeing that we are flawed too. It happened to all of Alicent's children with the King and now it's happening with Ser Cole and Aemond. You realized that in an early age and acted accordingly. And we are now here because of your discernment."
"Mother it was a group effort. It's a risk that I took and I wasn't sure if it would result into anything."
"Give yourself credit. If it weren't for your risk with the Faith Militant we would be at war now. And now that many of our problems have been resolved, allow yourself to go after what you truly want." She stands up and offers you her hand. You take it and the two of you head back to your horses.
"Or rather whom you want. We only have this lifetime in this world Alys. Don't let this opportunity pass by, otherwise you'll just regret it for the rest of your life. If you think it's painful seeing him, talking with him, and dancing with him these past several weeks not knowing what to tell him as he awaits for your answer - it would be much more painful if you're not allowed to be with him in every way you wanted. All the while knowing you had let that chance slip by."
Her words haunted you.
She had a point.
But you aren't sure why your head is being so stubborn.
"My lady may I ask you something?" You ask the Sandman's wife as she sits with you in the swinging bed in the same place that you two were eating sushi with chopsticks.
"Of course, what is it my darling?"
"If the Sandman had proposed to you, but despite loving him with all your heart and being, would you still accept his proposal if your instincts and thoughts keep telling you that the happiness you will have will only be torn away again, and that all the sacrifices you've made so far would simply be in vain...would you still accept his proposal?" She gives you a knowing but gentle smile.
"I would."
"Even if it won't last long?"
"Especially if that's the case, that only means the happiness you share with him needs to be savored because it is only so brief." She brushes a strand of hair that was going to irritate your eyes.
"Do you recall your past loves?"
"Yes, my heart breaks as I recall the happy times we've shared. How before he died, Robert Vournier was my Phantom and I was his Christine. Our relationship may have started with our mutual love for music, but it became so much more. He was so gentle, sensitive, yet passionate and moved me with either his music or stories from his 300 years of experience. And Quetzalcoatl before we separated had restored some of my faith in humanity by his almost childlike fascination with them. We fell out of love and simply became friends after I wanted to have children but he wasn't ready for it. Those two are the ones I remember for now."
"If you had the chance to go back in time to reject sharing your life with them because you now know how it ends. Would you?"
The answer was obvious.
No
No you wouldn't.
You didn't have the heart to.
Not when you recall how happy Robert would be whenever you would bring one of his songs to life.
Not when you recall how Quetzalcoatl loved travelling the world with you.
"No, I couldn't. I wouldn't want to."
She gives you a knowing smile.
"Then you have your answer. You know what to do."
Yes you did.
"And what a day to do it too. Your name day, and I hear there is a celebration prepared for you and your twin."
"Oh my, so much has happened that I almost forgot that we wouldn't be having a private celebration this year."
"Can you blame them? Their princess woke up this year and Jace is expecting his first child with Baela three months from now. There's a lot to publicly celebrate. And that's excluding a possible formal engagement between you and Aemond."
"Hahaha you're right." You say this time smiling and you find yourself glowing a little bit.
"Happy 21st nameday. Now wake up and run to your lover before he holds counsel. Or before the King wants to give you his nameday gift first."
And that was what you did the moment your handmaidens finished dressing you for the day. The celebration ball was still later, which was why you wore the bare minimum number of layers that could considered to be modest before taking long strides to head to the door.
Only for him to be there already.
"Vereena, Kayla, may I speak with his Highness alone?" They both nod and promised to be discreet as they head out and you pull him in.
"Alys -"
"I accept." You say quickly with a smile.
And before you know it his lips were on yours.
You respond in kind.
He breaks away first as he leans his forehead against yours.
"Are you certain?"
"Issa, ñuhe jorrāeliarza. Vūjigon nyke." And he resumes. This time the kiss started slow, as if both of you are taking your time to savor your first kiss. The first physical sign of feelings that have been there for awhile now.
You don't know how nor do you care that you ended up in the couch still in each other's embrace.
The same couch wherein you first revealed your powers to him. Gave him his first true relief from pain since the days of Driftmark.
And now you two revelled and savored each other.
"I didn't know I was also recieving a gift today." He says as he kisses the spot behind your ear. Before lightly biting it and sucking on it. Trying to make sure he left a mark.
"Wouldn't - mmm Issa - wouldn't you be late?"
"Mmm hmm, it's fine. I didn't want to - " You feel his kisses on that spot become more intense as his lips travel to the joint wherein your neck meets your shoulder.
"I didn't want anyone else - mmm - greeting you first." You bring his lips back to yours as he molds your torso into his. The contact made you crave more.
RAT-A-TAT
"My lady, there are people looking for his Highness." You hear Vereena say as you broke the kiss.
"Thank you Vereena."
You give Aemond one last deep kiss before breaking it just as both of you were tempted to do more.
"You can announce our engagement later."
"And here I thought you were going to be generous to your twin." You couldn't help but laugh. Even this wasn't going to ruin your day.
"Take this opportunity while I'm feeling like it. Besides it had always been my job to keep Jace's ego in check."
"Then I shall see you later ñuhys ābrazȳrys."
Later couldn't have come sooner.
You and Jace were dressed in some of your finest. Him in black with gold embroidery and you in dark violet that showed the gold embroidered tulip designs on it.
Jace entered with Baela proudly showing her pregnant belly.
A bit later to much fanfare Aemond escorted you inside the celebration ball.
The engagement was not yet announced in words but in your actions of being escorted to sit by his side and being your first dance partner for tonight, the underlying message was clear.
You have chosen him.
He has chosen you.
It was time to give up the marriage proposals while he wasn't in the mood to humiliate any of them.
"Finally, I was starting to be sick of seeing the two of you dance around each other." Baela says as she takes a drink of water.
"I had a lot of reflection. I actually just told him my answer this morning."
"Hmm so that's why he changed the order of the petitions earlier."
"Huh? What did he do?"
"After being half an hour late he rearranged the petitions. He very smugly rejected all other marriage proposals to you. We knew then and there, but some of your suitors almost didn't understand the clue he was giving them."
"Oh my."
"Oh yes." She laughs as she carves a piece of ham and bread.
"You should have seen the face of Tyland Lannister when he was told. 'But I could buy her new clothes.' he said and your betrothed replied 'I'll personally make sure she'll need some. After all there are still five unhatched dragon eggs in her possession.' Hahaha." You couldn't help but join. You feel vindicated for having to endure him as one of the worse dance partners you've had.
It felt well deserved after all you've had to experience getting to this point.
"Enjoying yourself?" He asks after he finishes dancing with Helaena.
"Very much so. I thought our engagement would be announced just before the first dance?"
"The King wanted to announce it himself when he makes the midnight toast. We've given him so much grief that I just allowed him to do this one."
"Hmm so just a couple more dances before then?" He smirks as he casually drapes his arm outstretched on your chair. He then leans in to whisper in your ear, not bothering to hide how intimate it looks.
"It won't be long now before you'll be in my bed as I make sure to give you so much pleasure as part of my own personal penance to you."
"What makes you think this will happen in your bed? I like the view from my room."
"Mmm and I prefer the view before me now."
"And here I thought this dress wouldn't get ruined by us." You both share a knowing look before you were interrupted by Vereena.
"My lady I'm sorry to interrupt but it seems you were right. None of your three admirers are in here tonight. Which is odd because the Holy women are here."
"That's fine Vereena. Has anyone seen them?"
"Not since this morning my lady."
"Thank you for informing me Vereena."
She bows before you both before joining her sister.
"They must have known and wisely decided not to bother showing up."
"Still I couldn't help but find it strange. Ever since I've awakened they have been inquiring about how I personally feel about each of them. Well I've already gently turned down Ser Kormy before he could ask Priestess Kara's permission to marry since marriage is allowed under R'hllor. Then I turned down Ser Arari because he was more of an associate than someone I feel close to. And I tried to explain to Ser Ion that I only thought of him as a friend whom I could confide in while I'm here. He was upset, but I don't know what else to tell him."
"Leave them alone. If they refuse to be here because they can't stand seeing you with me then it's their loss." He takes your hand in his and you intwine your fingers together.
"You shouldn't be forced to feel something for the sake of friendship."
"Might I have everyone's attention please." The King with the assistance of his cane stands up. It was time for the Midnight Toast.
"Though I do not have a cup, I would like to make the Midnight Toast. To my first grandchildren Alys and Jacaerys Velaryon, tonight on their 21st nameday! Let us all wish them a happy nameday."
Everyone raises their glasses to you and Jace and you raise your glass in thanks to them.
"Now for another exciting news, which must have been obvious to many of you. My dear granddaughter Alys is finally engaged!"
And then all the fires died and the room descended into darkness.
"Alys! Alys are you alright?" Aemond takes your hand amidst the darkness and the panic in the room grows.
"Aemond - don't let go of me."
"I'm not losing you again."
"Bold words your Highness." That voice! You turn to see Ser Ion at the center of the room. A large fire coming out from his hand.
"What is the meaning of this? Restore light in this room now. As your King I order it." He chuckles at your grandfather.
There was something sinister about it.
"With all due respect, you have no power over me."
"You are in my court Ser Ion, I expect you to respect which jurisdiction you are in. I'm sure that even other citizens of Volantis would know that."
He restores some of the light in the room, but it had significantly became more dimmer than before.
"Guards seize him!" But before any of the guards could restrain him he has surrounded each of them individually in a circle of fire.
"Ser Ion! What are you doing?" You feel Aemonds' thumb rub the skin of your hand in an attempt to calm down your anxiety.
"I'm here to present to you once again my marriage proposal."
But before he could continue, lightning accompanied by a deafening thunder striked down just outside the window.
"And here I thought I was going to be first."
You turn and see Ser Arari who appeared suddenly just underneath the window.
Aemond's free hand hovers over his dagger.
"You're too late, I'm about to give Alys my proposal."
"She hasn't accepted yours yet, an engagement is not a marriage."
"Ser Arari, Ser Ion, I don't know what's going on. But whatever it is, I have already turned you both down. Please this is my nameday."
"Which is why it should have been handled with more tact." A somewhat familiar voice says from above. A red sphere descends down to join in.
"Hello Alys, happy nameday." Says the voice from the redsphere.
"I'm - I'm sorry but I don't know who you are."
"Of course you do." And before yours and everyone's eyes the red sphere went to the ground and formed itself into a very familiar boyish face.
"Ser - ser Kormy?"
"Well it seems the disguises must now be shed. The Red God here has not bothered disguising his entrance any longer." Says Ser Arari in a mocking way.
Wait
WAIT
"Red God?" You ask in shock, still gripping Aemond's hand.
"I have more tact compared to the two of you." Ser Kormy - no, the Red God - says. His voice now carrying the gravetasque of divinity.
The very same voice you heard coming out of his body when he gave you the dream consultation on what was his nameday.
"This was supposed to be a celebration, and instead Balerion here decides to cause mass panic by extinguishing all light in this room and the Storm God with no regard to the innocent bystanders arrived here with a lightning too close to the window!"
Balerion?!
Storm God?!
"Well now that we don't need to introduce ourselves thanks to the Red God."
From what was the form of your former husband, Balerion transforms into his true form. Silver hair, violet eyes but not in the way you had imagined. What should have been white with a colored pupil. The white part of the eye is violet almost similar to dark Amethyst. And for pupils are bright orange fires flaming in a circular manner.
"May I remind you Red and Storm God, that she prayed to me first before either of you have discovered her existence. And in her prayer she has promised to help my people in whatever way she can in exchange for my tutelage in controlling her fire powers. I have more right to have her as my wife than either of you."
"You boast Balerion but she has yet to hear your actual proposal." The Storm God, now made of clouds and occasional blasts of lightning serving as some sort of humanoid skeleton, remarks insultingly.
Trying not to be intimidated you face Balerion, never once letting go of Aemond.
"Now, as I was saying before I was interrupted. I have come to present my marriage proposal. Alys Velaryon, as the one whom you have made a worshipper's promise to, I ask now that you be my wife." You feel an eerie chill down your spine as you feel yourself regretting it. Balerion smirks and his voice becomes more seductive and enticing.
"As you can see for yourself, the descendants of Valyria need help. If you marry Aemond Targaryen, you shall only become Queen of this realm. I ask you, Alys Velaryon, why simply become a Queen, when you can be a Goddess by my side."
"Balerion if she picks any of us three she'll become a Goddess either way. Stop pretending you are the exception just because you are the only God in your pantheon to survive the Doom of your home."
"You'll have your time Storm God, this is still Balerion's turn to present his marriage proposal to her." The Red God scolds before Balerion continues.
"By becoming my wife and helping me restore Valyria back into a liveable state, you shall become the mother Goddess of all who come to reside there. You may choose which domain or dominion you want to preside over as a Goddess. And since your dragon egg has still not hatched and since it is your nameday -" Using the fire he wields right then and there on front of you he makes what appears to be a baby dragon sleeping on his hand.
"Behold, I give you the very thing that has made you an outsider in your family. My nameday gift to you."
"How do I know that you won't take this gift away from me or have this gift turn out to be one of your spies?"
"I swear upon the Three who are one in their function as the Fates of the Universe and Destiny of the Endless that this dragon shall not be one of my spies nor will I take it from you. This dragon will only come to life the moment you command it."
Using the fire he wields he transports the sleeping baby dragon on front of you. Upon closer inspection, the dragon was mainly red with black speckles all over it and black wings and a black snout which faded into red just before reaching the eyes.
Then in the form of a great fire he exits through the windows.
And then as quick as lightning the Storm God takes his place on front of you.
"Balerion and the Red God may have control over dragons of fire. What they neglect to say is that dragons of fire die after growing too much, dragons of ice are at home with being giant and easily dwarf any dragons of fire."
Like Balerion, using the clouds, and lightning he begins to form a baby dragon on front of you.
"You have greatly excelled in guiding lightning Alys. Become my wife, and you shall be given control over the ice dragons who lay waiting in lands of ice still unknown. Just like Balerion I offer to make you a Goddess of a dominion of your choosing. In addition to this you shall be Queen of the Heavens. While Balerion will have you tied only to Valyria and of Valyrian culture, I offer you the vastness of the sky."
Like Balerion, he uses his his clouds to place the sleeping baby ice dragon on front of you. This one was light blue with white spikes on its dorsal area. Or rather they looked like spikes but they are in fact ice.
"I too swear upon the Three who are one in their function as the Fates of the Universe and Destiny of the Endless that this dragon shall not be one of my spies nor will I take it from you. This dragon will only come to life the moment you command it."
Then he left as quickly as he came.
Compared to them, the Red God was gentle and warm. Offering you some sort of relief from your previous two divine suitors.
"I was hoping to do this differently and more privately, but my two rivals have made things worse than it should be. I shall thus be as quick and concise as possible." He says as he begins forming what was another sleeping baby dragon.
"Alys, I don't know what it is about you. For even a God like myself could not figure out why you have such excellent energy in you. Perhaps it comes from your heart and your strength as you have shown me and everyone here. If you become my wife, perhaps at last we shall finally defeat the darkness together. It is clear that I am not the only being who loves you. After all your nightmare was so vivid and that warning could only come from someone who loves you dearly and desires to protect you. I don't know who this being is, but I strive to protect you, just as how you have protected this realm from war by sacrificing yourself."
The sleeping baby dragon now on front of you was violet with Yellow spots on its wings and tail.
"This dragon can blow fires of varying temperatures from the hottest Violet flame, to the coolest red flame. It also has the ability to make these flames a source of healing rather than destruction. A tribute to how you sought to heal the wounds of your family than let further inner destruction destroy them even further." Now in a red sphere he puts some distance between himself and the gift.
"I too swear upon the Three who are one in their function as the Fates of the Universe and Destiny of the Endless that this dragon shall not be one of my spies nor will I take it from you. This dragon will only come to life the moment you command it."
As the Red Sphere departs he restores the light in the room to the brightness it had before.
But your mood was anything but.
"Alys" Aemond says with concern in his voice.
"Aemond - oh Aemond what have I done?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE: AND FINALLY WE GET TO THE MOST EXCITING ARC! I had been waiting to write this moment of the reveal of the true nature of the three admirers. I hope you all enjoyed :D
Higher Intervention: Aemond x FemReader (House of the Dragon x Sandman fanfic) Part 14
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven’t read Fire and Blood and most if not all that I know is from the TV show.
Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra’s children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.
If you wish to read the previous parts (which I recommend you do if you haven’t read them yet):
Part 1 / Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11/ Part 12 / Part 13
Taglist (comment down below if you want to be included): @winxschester @memento-mora @mxrgodsstuff @thepowerstoner Also tagging:
@lady-phasma @aemonds-war-crime @adderess @princeaemonds because some of their ideas of Aemond have undoubtedly influenced my work.
After two months of remaining shrouded in the woods of Ifequevron, you decide to begin making your journey to Kayakayanaya. Before departing your immortal parents gave you three guards. Three female nightmares stabilized by the powers of your mother to be more durable in the waking world. A Manananggal named Urduja who prefers the organs of males than females but should you be threatened she would not hesitate to switch to her regular diet. A Siren named Thelxiepeia with her wings hidden. And a female vampire, Valeska whom you assigned as the leader of your guard for her level headedness. Your little dragons tucked in a satchel and Maegella swaddled in your arms. You begin your journey towards the town as your family returns to fighting the war.
Since they didn't need sustenance they didn't mind being assigned to carry the supplies you and your children needed. A tent that shrouded and protected all who went inside from natural disasters and had a protection charm to make people go around it. Your party is nearly close to departing from the realm of Jhogwin when another volcanic eruption, still from Valyria, was made. This time it was from another part of Valyria by a very active volcano, and while the eruption was shorter, it was more massive and had more poisonous gases, lava, and volcanic rocks than the first eruption that happened before Maegella's birth. Once again fire rained down from the skies.
"Mama." Meraxes snuggles close to you quickly after a large flaming volcanic rock landed on front of your tent.
"Stay close to me darlings." You say as you breastfeed Maegella with one arm while placing your children as close to you as you possibly can. As long as you all stayed in your tent you were protected. Your guards will inform you if the calamity was over and if it was safe to travel again.
"It's going to take awhile." Valeska says as the three of them enter the tent.
"Balerion must be furious, this seems stronger than the last one."
"Oh he is Vitality, in his anger he has begun burning some of his own cities in Volantis." Urduja says as she settles down near the entrance.
"It's alarming that he has also told his people to seek refuge in Sothoros. It might mean that he has begun the search or harvest for the flora containing your Divine Vitality. Don't worry I've already informed your brother Knowledge about it." Thelxiepeia says as you all move to dodge another close volcanic rock falling a little too close.
"Ladies surround her. Vitality, children just remain down."
"What are you going to do Valeska?"
"Well little one we're going to make a protective dome covering all of you. Don't worry we'll be fine." She reassures Shaena as you place your children down and switch breasts so Maegella could continue feeding. You lie on your side in a fetal position as your children huddle close to you. Your guards then place a force field like dome over all of you.
Just in time, a volcanic rock landed on top of the tent. While it slid down the side the gases slid inside. If it weren't for the dome you would all be coughing or possibly choking to death.
"No!"
"Shaena, tala, just look at me. Don't look at the entrance, just look at mommy."
She scurries to your face and curls up around your neck. The six of you remain curled up for what felt like days - maybe that's how long it took, you have forgotten. It was only when the ashes have finally settled down and the air was not as dusty that your guards remove the dome of protection from you and your children.
"We must go, who knows what could be following us." Valeska says as your party begins to travel again on the path to Kayakayanaya. Not just because it was the closest city. But it's also because it was the first among the cities in Essos that neither Balerion nor the Storm God has influence over. Their society was run on warrior women and most of their men become eunuchs with only the chosen few spared to fertilize many of their women. From what you know of their society, only women who have given birth were allowed to be warriors. You aren't sure what their attitudes toward foreigners and possible refugees, but you have hope that at least they will allow you asylum for just a few days. If you are turned away then your party shall make your way to Trader Town in Yi Ti territory. Knowledge and Connectivity have already informed and confirmed that the Gods of Yi Ti are expecting your party and the moment you and your party step into Yi Ti territory, you are safe. Since the Storm God had rejected the kastra daughter of their main God, the Jade emperor, the Storm God has been unwelcomed ever since, starting with the cities founded by the patriarchs of Hykroon.
When your party finally arrives at the walls of black basalt, iron, and yellow bone, fortunately you were all allowed asylum. Mainly because you and your guards were all women, and you were a new mother still nursing her newborn daughter. You were provided a shelter for your party among the refugees and adequate amount of privacy since you all said you were a family and that your guards were your sisters. They set the tent inside your room to give you more privacy and you let your children out of the satchel.
Then and only then did you allow yourself to actively go back into the Dreaming to check what was going on in the war as you and your little family are in hiding.
And my have plenty of things have happened.
You have been informed that it has roughly been about three months and some weeks of travel from the realm of Jhogwin to Kayakayanaya. Because of the eruptions and the toxic gases and ashes from Balerion's second volcanic eruption, your travel had taken much longer than it normally would when travelling on foot.
There is an unspoken ceasefire since Westeros, Saath, and Volantis all had some loses on significant farm lands because of Balerion and the Storm God's acts of terror through the rain of fire and volcanic rocks. During which the ashes had covered the sun for at least three days. The world to the west of Valyria was covered in darkness as a result of the actions of your rejected divine suitors who are still pursuing you.
But now the battle among the divine is now taking place, and people are talking and writing about it.
First was the flood of Valyria caused by the Drowned God's tsunami.
Second was the great wind provided by Septimus turning the Drowned God's tsunami into a typhoon over Volantis and the Ghiscar areas.
Third was the Ghiscari Gods beginning to send plagues to Westeros and everyone allied with Westeros. Various insects and animals preying on both the food and spreading disease. Your mother quickly mitigated and eventually healed everyone affected while making the lands more fertile and the survivors of what would have been a fatal disease immune.
Fourth was the great literal fire wall of protection which surrounded your allies and significant areas of resources provided by the Red God. Violet flames for the followers closest to the calamities and lower temperatures for those who are distant from the calamity. People have begun writing about how violet flames surrounded your allies in Volantis and Braavos was doing well being surrounded by white flames. The entire eastern boundary of Westeros facing Volantis and the free cities were surrounded by dark blue flames of protection.
In this unspoken ceasefire, both sides knew as they rested that they were watching their Gods battle it out.
And that was when three familiar women appeared to you once again.
You found yourself just finishing with dinner with your children when you feel a flash appear before you in your tent.
"Good evening Vitality." The Crone starts. Scaring all your children as they begin to press themselves to you.
"Who-who are they?"
"They are the Three who are one, Shaena. They are the enforcers of our Fates. They are some of the most powerful beings in the Universe."
"They're scary."
"Are they going to hurt us?"
"Why are they here now?"
"Shh byka riñar it's fine, they are just here to talk."
"Uhhh." Aeraea the normally fierce little dragon hides herself within the folds of your dress as you cradle Maegella who had just finished feeding.
"Good evening to you ladies."
"We have a proposition for you." Says the Maiden.
"What is it?"
"We will give you the tools -" Starts the Mother.
"And the information -"
"To defeat Balerion-"
"And end this world war." They all say unanimously.
A flash of lightning happens outside the window of your room. They use this to change positions.
"I am grateful for the help you have given me. But I also know how you work."
"Hmph she has learned."
"Now sister - self she is being cautious."
"After all it is only fair that we be thorough what our proposition is."
Another lightning, another change of positions.
"Well then, what offering are you asking from me?" You feel anxious already before even hearing what is required of you.
And it turns out you were right to feel that way.
"Your offering is your children -"
"Just the dragon children -"
"The ones whose souls came directly from your own vitality."
You were in disbelief that you were scared of speaking in case you accidentally offended them.
"What are you going to do with them?" You ask as you bring your children closer to you.
"There's no need to fret."
"We will be taking care of them temporarily."
"They will not feel like time has passed if you put them in our care."
"And before you -"
"Or they know it -"
"You will be reunited."
A flash of lightning once again makes itself present and once again they change positions.
This is a big decision. You need to consult with Aemond first and foremost as their father.
"May I consult with them and Aemond first? This is a big decision."
"Of course Lady Vitality. We didn't expect your answer right away."
"Though don't take too long, if the war prolongs longer than necessary you will bring more harm than good."
"Especially if you are to finally punish Balerion for breaking your laws. And to be able to return to your original form and not be trapped in this mortal shell forever."
One last flash of lightning and they vanish.
Your heart beats rapidly.
"Mama, if we go with them...will the war end?" Meraxes asks softly looking up to you.
"Oh Meraxes, I need to talk with your kepa first and your other siblings before then."
"But if we go with them, then they can help you punish Balerion and end the war."
"Rhaegar darling, it would also break our heart. And it will break this family apart again." You do your best to keep your voice from breaking.
"Children, let's discuss this first alright? Let's meet with your father before deciding on anything."
You didn't dream that night. You were still in a state of shock till a few days later the world began freezing and snowing over Essos and the normally summer parts of Westeros. This however was countered and melted away by the Red God's efforts by turning the snow into rain.
It was only then that you finally told Aemond in the Dreaming the offer of the Three who are one.
"Why do they want them?" You could hear the distress in his voice and see the pain in his expression.
"They said they were going to take care of them. But-but I..." He embraces you as you allow yourself to cry your pains on his shoulder.
It didn't help that you could hear all your children - except Maegella who was in your father's arms - laughing and playing around nearby on the sprawling grass as you and Aemond were talking in the porch.
You loved them.
They were your children.
The Three who are One has assured you that it was only temporary. But reading between the lines its most likely that you won't see them in this lifetime. Why else would they ask for them if they were soon going to give them back to you once the war was over. Since they were offering crucial information that could lead to the end of the war and how seemingly close it was tied to you punishing Balerion, you think it might have something to do with your eventual mortal death.
They were giving you reasonable time to decide. But the warning that you couldn't take too long made you all the more anxious.
You both consulted with your parents on the offer that was given to you.
"I may not know their design nor why they choose to do it this way, but you can trust that they will not harm them." Your father says as he gives Maegella to your immortal mother.
"My guess is that they are a form of pledge to make sure that you actually punish Balerion this time. Punish him at last and the war ends."
"But mom, to punish him I need to resume my Endless form. That could only happen after I die."
She and your father exchange looks.
"Not necessarily, and I think this is the route the Fates want you to take. If they were going to kill you, you would have known by now." She says as she rocks Maegella in her arms.
"How do I punish him then?"
"That is for the Fates to reveal. And also because it is different for everyone."
You and Aemond spend another week discussing it with all your children. Ayrmidon was understandably upset this would mean removing some of his friends and siblings away from his life, Maekar wanted to march up to the Fates and tell them not to separate this family again, Saera was crying at the thought of not being able to see you or any of your family again for awhile, Rhaellor wanted to negotiate with the Fates to take only him and not all nine of them, and Visenya declared that she would run away or fly away from the Fates.
Aemond resolves this by saying that we'll wait to see if the offer still needed to be taken. He ends on an encouraging note. Your side has now secretly sent a group of magically enhanced volunteers to Sothoros to find the plant containing your Divine Vitality. And perhaps he, his soldiers and your allies might be able to end the war sooner than expected.
Soon he had to leave for battle.
This time he joined his brother Aegon as they attacked the fire dragons of Volantis. He was alerted by your brother Knowledge that the dragons of Volantis were headed to Qohor. After duelling them with only injuries but they've decided to retreat, they pursued them back to Volantis. Or at least to the city of Selhorys. They burned down the farms and placed military camps on the lands near Selhorys. They may not have been able to penetrate Balerion's barriers but they have at least established a camp with armies from Braavos, Norvos and Pentos in addition to the Westerosi army.
Your mortal father together with Daeron attacked the cities of Loreth and Saath as Ice and Water dragons from your side once again engaged in battle with the Storm God's Ice dragons and Balerion's fire dragons.
You don't know the specfic technical details, but your mortal father was able to breach into Loreth and take control of it with help from arms from Braavos.
Daeron while he had less luck with Saath, the main city of the Storm God, was nevertheless able to severely damage their fields as he and Tessarion narrowly manages to escape an attack from an ice mage.
And before you know it , it had been one year later.
One year since your kidnapping, and while indeed there was hope, at this point both sides were starting to feel the exhaustion that the war gave. Unlike previous wars, this one involved nearly everyone. Yi Ti has now officially begun joining Westerosi's navy in battling the Ghiscar area. While Westerosi's navy mainly focused on fighting Volantene territories, Yi Ti's navy focused on fighting Ghiscar. From what you hear it might be revenge for attacking and blocking both merchant and military ships during the preparations for this war.
You knew what must be done but still you hesitated.
You didn't want their hearts to be broken nor did you want them to think you were just using them.
Then in the dreaming as Aemond was telling you of his plans for defense since one benefit to now having Yi Ti water dragons was that at the very least there was assurance of fresh water in Westeros after Balerion tried to dry up Westerosi fresh water sources; your children gathered around you, including Ayrmidon who was looking upset.
Meraxes and Rhaellor steps forward.
"Mama." Meraxes starts.
"You can bring us to the Fates."
"Meraxes."
"Kostilus kepa, everyone is starting to be tired. Even if we have control now you're facing against the other worldly."
"And kepa Meraxes said that the Fates told Muña that they will be taking care of us. I think the reason why they told muña to make a decision quickly is because the solution may take some time. Which is why she needs to make a decision as soon as possible."
"Rhaellor...if I give you all to the Fates, I don't know when I will see you all again. And I promised not to split this family apart."
"But mama we won't be split apart. The Fates promised that we will be reunited if you give us to them. And Grandpa said that they are not unnecessarily cruel." Meraxes says in earnest.
You and Aemond share a look.
"You are all willing?" All of the baby dragons nod. Some like Maekar, Saera, and Aelyx more reluctantly than others.
"Ayrmidon? Darling do you want to say something?"
"It's so unfair muña! I want you back but I also don't want to lose them. Why must the Fates be so cruel!"
"Ayrmidon, we don't like this too!" Visenya says as she and Aeraea go to him as he quickly hugs them. Soon you all have one big embrace, the last embrace you'll have with them before the Fates take them.
When you wake up on your mat in the tent in your room, you, Meraxes, Aeraea, Shaena, and Rhaegar share one last hug before you ask your guards to make sure you were uninterrupted. After feeding Maegella from both breasts you stand up and begin summoning the Three who are one.
"I, Alys Velaryon, Vitality of the Endless, summon the Fates." A lightning flashes on front of you.
"The Three who are One."
Another flash with an ambiguous figure.
"The One who is Three."
Another flash with the mother figure's face more clear.
"The Hekate."
One last flash before all three appear before you.
"So you've made your decision child." Says the Crone.
"Yes I have." And now the most painful part.
You turn and gently pick up your dragon children as you give them to the Fates.
"Don't worry little ones, you'll see your parents again."
"Once they finish their human lifetimes."
"In the mean time we will be taking care of all nine of you."
They turn to you for one last time before you give a reluctant nod.
"How do I end this war and punish Balerion?"
"We will come to you again soon."
"Once we have taken the others and have ensured their safety."
"But be rest assured, you will have our help and you've made the right timely decision."
And through a flash of lightning, they and your children were gone.
And then you lay down and wept.
"Aemond? They are with the Fates now."
"I know, they've just taken our children here too."
You could hear the pain and remorse in his voice.
"You must hate me for this."
"I'm not happy with it, but I understand why. But I couldn't hate you."
There was a brief moment of silence as you continued to weep.
"Ayrmidon is here, he's still upset."
"Tell him I'm upset too. I'll meet him in the Dreaming soon."
As promised the Fates return to you and tell you the solution to end the war while you are in your mortal shell.
"You must engage in a duel with Balerion."
"You must win so that you can lock him up in the depths of your mind."
"So that when you die, the energy that you have given him will return to you and he will meet his demise by no longer being worshipped upon."
"Right now he is still so strong because of the amount of belief he feeds on."
"You know this already, remove the belief, the worship Gods feed on and you remove their power."
"This is why you need to make the decision quickly."
"May I clarify something ladies?"
"You may." Says the Maiden.
"A duel with Balerion may kill my mortal shell - unless by then he has force fed me and locked me into my mortal shell - how can I engage a duel with him without being killed by the consequences of his choices."
The maiden shows you a black dress that also had the aura of armour.
"This dress Vitality is what will allow you to survive any choices he makes during the duel."
"Simply think of it and it shall appear on your body."
"All you need to do now is to prepare by reducing his power."
Then they left and you went to work immediately.
"Gods feed on worship, if there's a good time to pray, now would be the time while you and everyone rests." You say as you meet both your mortal family and your immortal family in the library conference room in your father's palace in the Dreaming.
"So we just need to remove their worship? Their belief?"
"Yes Jace, but it's going to take some time. In order for this to end, we will have to remove the spark of belief they get from prayers and their worship. So much so that their name is simply a name. Their status as a divine being simply reduced as a character of a story."
"Or simply a name or a concept from a bygone era." Aemond adds.
"Exactly. You'll need to make anything else more appealing than worshipping Balerion or the Storm God. And the most effective cannot be done by force. More frequently the use of force will only make them cling to their beliefs more often than not."
"And you know this how?"
"The history of my home dimension Aegon. Think about it, if you were forced to do something like give up drinking wine entirely, you would only want to drink more. But if you had to choose between sex with your ideal woman and drinking wine and you can only choose one, then you might be more persuaded."
"Hm I see your point."
"Just to give you all a concrete example: Many old polytheistic beliefs have been wiped away by a religion in my home dimension called Christianity. It's similar to the Faith of the Seven but there is a central savior figure at the heart of it all."
"Jesus Christ? As mentioned by Balerion?"
"Yes Aemond, the same one. Although having visited him let's just say the man himself wasn't expecting to have a religion after himself, but that's a story for another day. Generally speaking Christianity's main appeal was the assurance of a good after life if followers simply believed and were good to one another. Compared to what the after life had in store from some of the older polytheistic beliefs, this was a worthy trade of incentive. So much so that it is now currently one of the largest religions of the world. Additionally they adapted local beliefs into it by making new figures called 'Saints' to convince many different people that they are still connected to the main God even if they pray to these Saints. Some of these saints were actually notable real life people who had died for their beliefs."
"Although it is worth mentioning that like their followers the Gods and beings who do manage to survive for so long also change according to the beliefs of their followers. Some followers disagree with the philosophy or practices of the main religion and so they split off and make their own religion with their own beliefs to the same Gods or beings. They are then adjusted to such beliefs." Your father adds, his voice speaking from a breadth of experience.
"It will have to be a balancing act. No culture wants to lose it's stories, but enough of the general population needs to be persuaded to at the very least stop believing in them." Your mortal mother says placing a hand on her chin from where she was seated.
"The main priority is stopping the belief in Balerion. Without Balerion, the Storm God is more vulnerable. But at least with the Storm God he has the Drowned God to balance him out. And by the time I win the duel with Balerion he may have lost interest in me by then."
"I don't know Alys. It's been some time since you've publicly rejected the Storm God and he is still pursuing you." Rhaena says in counterpoint.
"Then we'll just have to do both then. Send missionaries from the Red God and from the God of the Seven." Aemond says as he eyes the territories in Balerion's and the Storm God's control.
"You will need emissaries that knows the culture and knows how to introduce critical thinking. When there is even the idea effectively implanted, Connectivity can do her work and encourage new bonds to form." Knowledge says as contemplating on the possible strategies to be employed.
"I have actually already begun subtly implanting those ideas among their dreams. From what your mother and I have learned from their thoughts, there are still some doubts that this war isn't also a war among Gods but rather simply Gods defending their followers."
"What do you suggest father - in - law?"
"Now that we know that the key to ending this war is by allowing Balerion to be punished by my daughter, you may need to call a ceasefire."
"But-but we are now just outside of Selhorys."
"Aegon, listen to us." Your mother begins.
"We need you to call a ceasefire so that the we and the Gods may finally unleash our fury. We're not asking you to move. Daemon if you use this opportunity to show that our side is favored in Lorath then we may finally reduce the Storm God's power."
"If we call for a ceasefire, will we have your protection?" Aemond asks to all the other worldly beings present.
"Of course." The Red God nods.
"Most definitely devotee."
"Absolutely, I believe all here will do their best to avoid harming anyone on our side." Says the Drowned God.
The ceasefire was made, and as per instructed by the otherworldly beings, the ships were docked on neutral territories, and the military camps were blessed with protection spells by priests and mages on your side. Mostly specifically made by Red priests and priestesses.
And then the war among the divine has begun.
Not liking that there was a ceasefire, the Storm God has sent yet another strong storm. Your mother planted hallucinogens carried over by the Storm God's actions, aided by the Lord of Darkness, the Great other who was the enemy of the Red God. Septimus made sure those hallucinogens were planted on enemy fields of food and wherever Balerion and the Storm God's followers got their food. Through the hallucinogens, people became more susceptible to hallucinations which Imagination exploited to target their fears and their insecurities. As they were recovering from their high they became more sensitive to pain thanks to Sensuality. And soon this drug was used as a means of escape and broke down several strategic relationships thanks to Connectivity.
But they still added to Balerion and Storm God's strength through their worship.
And so like the Almighty in that famous story of Exodus, your mother began sending plagues. Targetting Volantis with animals and insects feeding on their food. And Targetting Saath by sending disease specifically to their Ice Dragons. A first in recorded history in this world. Not long after she then began infecting the fire dragons on your enemies side. Once they were infected, she sent parasitic blood thirsty mites that caused them discomfort and spread disease among the dragons.
Not all dragons survived the plague your mother gave them. This was true for both Ice and Fire dragons. You sensed the cries of pain when another dragon fell victim to the disease and funerals was held for the dragons who died from it.
But they weren't the only ones who suffered.
Septimus sent the plagues of rats, frogs, gnats, locusts, mosquitos, drought drying up water sources, and infertility to the land.
Balerion countered this through another volcanic eruption with the lava going into the affected areas in his side of Essos while strategically sending volcanic ash and soil to the Storm God's side to bring back fertility to the soil.
Only for the Drowned God to send a massive tsunami on both sides that was so great and devastating. And with it came several deadly animals. They were lucky if all they encountered were some toxic snails or a still living jellyfish. The unlucky ones had to face against sea monsters coming to shore. Ibben was the unlucky one who had to quickly shift it's focus to battling with a kraken like creature that was so giant two of the Ice Dragons who were well needed to be used against it. They were able to kill it but they too sustained great injuries. One died later while the other can no longer participate in the war.
Not taking this well, the Storm God then proceeded to send another massive storm on Westeros. The Red God countered with the firewalls he surrounded Westeros to now pierce the skies and used the Storm God's own storm to spread healing flames throughout the land.
The Storm God then sent a devastating hail towards your area but you were protected by the Gods of Yi Ti and Kayakayanaya by redirecting the hail towards the plains of Jhogos Nhai. Offerings were made from some of the Jhogos Nhai captured and attacked Kayakayanaya. This gave their Gods the strength to push the hail away from your area. The Gods of Yi Ti countered by sending a devastating acid rain from the gases Balerion released from his volcanic eruptions and from the storm that the Storm God was sending.
Amidst all this calamity, the propaganda war against Balerion and the Storm God was starting to progress. Knowledge had his own emissaries sharing enlightened ideas that were more akin to science while Meleys helped and watched over the volunteers in Sothoros. The bad news was that the Westerosi volunteers were not the only ones looking for the flora of Divine Vitality. The good news is that they were able to take a lot of it. Some of them have died protecting the flora as they escaped and made their journey back to Westeros. Meanwhile Meleys had engaged in her own fight with Balerion. Severely attacking him with her magic while she, Septimus, and the Drowned God protected the remaining five volunteers out of the many who left. Then immediately Knowledge, Meleys, the Yi Ti mages, and the Alchemists' Guild began work on making an anti-dote with the Ghost grass that was imported from Asshai through mages in the Red God's religion.
"Muña?" Maegella now three years old calls to you.
"What is it tala?"
"Why is the rain going towards Ghiscar?"
"It's the work of the Gods protecting us riñītsos. Come here let me wipe the dust out of you." Her straight brown hair was dusty from the volcanic ash that was blown towards where you were. She and the other children she had been playing with were all covered in it. You focus also on her eyes since her violet eyes were easily irritated from the dust.
Balerion had made another eruption, but this time it was more ash than lava. This time the ash was spread by the Storm God towards the east of Essos, aggravating the effect of the ash from the desert sand prevalent throughout Essos. With each storm and eruption made, the world began to be more colder. It reminded you of how scientists from your time discovered that the mini ice age and perhaps even the ice age itself from your dimension was made by volcanic eruptions rather than a meteor landing on earth.
Since the moment of peace among the succession of calamities, plenty of civil wars among the territories of Balerion and the Storm God began appearing. Given your own efforts in preventing one back in Westeros, Aemond knew that this was the best time to not interfere and to subtly increase reinforcements and resources to wherever they had military camps and territories that they controlled. He and the others were also keeping an eye on the dragons that were still alive among your foes.
Through a mix of underhanded tactics and some divine encouragement and a generous dosing of charisma from Imagination the sides favoring you among the civil wars won out. It was only in the capital of Volantis itself, New Ghis, Mantarys and in Yunkai that Balerion was still worshipped. And even his cult was significantly reduced by either new converts for the Red God, Septimus, or new nuanced disbelief. There was a rise in preserving the cultural aspects of what his cult entailed while not actually worshipping him. Of course there was also the fact that people died both in defending him and both as a sacrifice to him.
It was on the day that you were kidnapped years ago that your immortal family came to you.
"It's time Vitality." Your mother says.
You nod and give Maegella into their care.
"Maegella, they will bring you back to Westeros."
"Will I finally meet kepa and lēkia outside of my dreams?"
"Issa Maegella. You be a good girl while waiting for me, alright?"
"Issa muña." You kiss her forehead before she goes into the arms of her grandmother, greeting her with enthusiasm.
Knowledge gives you a large vial.
"Drink this now, so that no matter how much Balerion feeds you the flora of Divine Vitality, your mortality is ensured. I verified it with Aunty Death."
"Kirimvose valonqar."
"Biarvose mandia."
You take one last glance at Maegella being carried by your mother and who was laughing at the abstract things Imagination was showing her.
"It's better when you did it in my dreams qȳbor!"
"I had direct access to mind then."
Feeling assured you drink the vial till not a drop remained.
Then after a couple of hours as you watch your mother and your siblings escort your daughter back to Westeros. Your father takes his sand and brings you to the place where Balerion awaits you.
In Valyria itself.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Only two chapters left in this story. Well technically one chapter with the final fight and an epilogue. I did promise a happy ending for these two.
Higher Intervention: Aemond x FemReader (House of the Dragon x Sandman fanfic) Part 13
Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven’t read Fire and Blood and most if not all that I know is from the TV show.
Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra’s children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.
AN: We are now at war, and the battle of the Gods and of men has officially begun. This version of the Dance of Dragons involve both men and the other worldly and is now not just a Westerosi concern. This might seem a bit rushed because I'm trying to finish the story before my next semster classes officially begin. Or at least before I officially become focused on it. Also while there is background geopolitics, I'll mainly still focus on the love story aspect.
If you wish to read the previous parts (which I recommend you do if you haven’t read them yet):
Part 1 / Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11/ Part 12
Taglist (comment down below if you want to be included): @winxschester @memento-mora @mxrgodsstuff @thepowerstoner
Also tagging:
@lady-phasma @aemonds-war-crime @adderess @princeaemonds because some of their ideas of Aemond have undoubtedly influenced my work.
You find yourself in a strange state of unconsciousness. Not awake enough to fight back against the Storm God, but not deep enough to be able to enter the Dreaming. Credit where credit is due, whomever thought to keep you in this state was wise and that you were practically useless in this state.
All you can do is somehow hope that Aemond had heard your cry as you were kidnapped by the Storm God and Balerion. You remember that you thought initially it was just a thunderstorm. You should have known to be skeptical of a thunderstorm suddenly appearing so conveniently once Aemond's party has arrived in the North, far away even on dragonback, to return to King's landing right away.
You hope that Aemond either heard your cries or that he would learn of it soon, You hope that your dragon children are fine and have managed to escape the conflict somehow. You wouldn't put it past Balerion or the Storm God to also capture and to use them as leverage against you and against your family.
You steady yourself as you check on your unborn child. If either Balerion or the Storm God has caused any harm on your fetus then you will be more than pissed and you would ensure that these two would suffer a fate worse than death. Fortunately you feel it still getting your energy and to your relief, it didn't seem to have suffered any injury.
"You are not going to die." You tell your unborn child.
"Your father and I have worked hard to conceive you." You say to it mentally as you reach into yourself to give it a little more life force - more vitality - for your peace of mind. After awhile as you rest and recuperate whatever energy you can, you hear voices as you slowly find yourself waking up.
"How dare you do this to my muña?!" Meraxes?!
"I don't expect a child like you to understand."
"I understand that she loves my kepa very muchand he loves her too. Why can't you understand that?!"
"Oh? Let's see if he still loves her when she is over here, and he is back in Westeros." You hear Balerion leave wherever it is you and Meraxes are in.
"Mera...Meraxes?" You call to her softly as you awaken in a sparsely covered room. The bed you were laying in was decently warm and comfortable amidst the cool winds that were coming from windows that were too high up for you to be able to close down. As you move to sit up you realize that the room was gently rocking. You and Meraxes were on a boat somewhere. Probably shrouded - making wherever you are hard to find.
"Muña?" You feel her go to you as she settles on your lap. You finally look down on her as she gives you a look mixed with expression of relief mixed with worry.
"Meraxes, what are you doing here?"
"Balerion aslo took us muña."
Oh no.
You feel dread and fury rise in you.
"All of you?"
"No mama, just nyke, Araea, Rhaegar, and Shaena. Uncle Luce and a Yi Ti magic person saved the others. They fought for awhile and somehow Uncle Lucerys was able to slash Balerion's eye. This distracted him while the Yi Ti magic person grabbed the others before they ran away."
You are relieved, better than having all of them kidnapped but you were still concerned that some of them were with you as captives.
"How did the four of you got captured? I'm not mad, I need to know how so that I could inform your kepa."
"I screamed when I saw you being taken and Balerion heard me. Rhaegar, Araea, and Shaena were beside me as we tried biting and attacking him but he put some type of sētera on us that turned into chains. Araea got really mad when Balerion said that he knows she and the rest of us couldn't make dragonfire yet because he created her and we were his sacred animal. She tried biting his finger off. Uncle Lucerys tried getting us but we were dragged away by Balerion."
Oh dear. It was sweet that they tried to do something to save you but this was one of the times when impulsive actions were a bad idea.
You pick her up and bring her to your eye level. You notice that you were no longer shackled as of now, but you don't want to assume anything. You, your unborn child and four of your dragon children are now officially prisoners of war. You now need to play your cards right and ensure that all of you survive this war and return home.
"Meraxes, ñuha tala, we will need to be very careful now because we are now currently in the hands of our enemies. Understood?"
"Issa muña." She says both remorsefully and intelligently at the same time.
"Now where are the others?" She turns her head and you see your three other children slowly waking up. The first to wake up was Aerea, the nameday dragon that Balerion gave you. She chose the name because it was the closest to the Andal word for air. Next was Shaena, the sole ice baby dragon, she chose the name because she loved the way it was distinctive compared to the other names that other women in your family had. And finally Rhaegar awoke as he joins his sisters in sitting on your lap.
"Muña? Where are we?" He asks.
"It appears we are in a cabin in a boat."
"Ugh, I think this is why I feel dizzy." Says Shaena as she puts her light blue divinely iced head on your lap in trying to control her dizziness.
"So you've finally awakened." Balerion says as he appears from the fire.
"Balerion."
"You stay back from my mama!" Aerea says as she quickly goes on front of you.
"Aerea let muña handle this. Alright tala?"
"Issa muña." She says reluctantly before you face Balerion's violet flaming eyes.
"If this is your plan on stopping me from punishing you, it's not working."
"Honestly Glaesēt I fail to see why marrying me won't solve the problem. You get to monitor me while I ensure you'll be in power."
"Are we really going to argue like this again? Your power came from me when you were only a minor war God. You cannot offer me something I already have Balerion. I may only have a fraction of it now since the rest of it would only be incompatible with my mortal shell but the moment this shell dies, you will no longer escape the punishment I should have brought upon you long ago."
"You mean 'if' your mortal shell dies." He says sinisterly as he goes closer to you and your children press themselves closer to you.
"You may have forgotten Glaesēt that by giving me some of your Divine vitality several centuries ago that I have managed to imbue it on some of the flora here. I have it hidden in the depths of Sothyros along with the other creations of mine that you have despised. And I have begun gradually feeding it to you ever since we have boarded this ship. You are too beautiful in that form, even now when you are gestating the mortal's child. But mark my words, you cannot punish me if you cannot die, and then your only choice would be to bind yourself to me in marriage."
"Have you no remorse left within you?!" You ask with disdain.
"Have you not learned what happens when you break the laws we the Endless are made to enforce? Do you really not mind losing Meraxes -"
"Don't you dare talk about my mother." He says with a dangerous tone. But you didn't care right now.
"She was the one who convinced me not to punish you. Of course we are talking about her. Isn't losing her enough? This is what happens to you and the world if you continue this way. The Doom of Valyria is what happened when you broke my laws and you were left unpunished. Now you want to break the laws of both my mother and my aunt just to avoid punishment from me?"
"We are currently in the midst of change Glaesēt." He says as he stands up and heads for the door.
"From what I know of your father's story since his imprisonment by a wizard, even the Endless cannot avoid change." With that he leaves.
"You're right Balerion, we too are susceptible to change, just not like this." You mutter as you stand up to stretch your legs.
"Mama? What do we do?"
"For now Aerea, we must stick together. We were forced apart from our home and family, I'm not allowing that to happen to us again."
They nod as you feel the ship stop and you and your little family was escorted into the territory of Ibben. One of the Storm God's major cult centers, though he is not the only God worshipped here. As you were escorted into their control you see some of the Ice Dragons in your periphery coming out of the shrouded mist to bow before their master the Storm God. So that's why you were placed here. Ibben was protected by the Storm God's Ice Dragons. Even if spies were to report back to Westeros, it wouldn't change that any violent rescue mission would mean getting through at least ten Ice Dragons from what you could see.
You were essentially placed under house arrest and not allowed to step foot outside of the gates of one of the more luxurious places available. Even though you weren't shackled, you could feel your movements being stifled.
You understood why they placed you in a luxurious place, and it had nothing to do with the fact that you are a Queen. It had more to do with the fact that should you change your mind and marry either the Storm God or Balerion then this was also going to be the place wherein the marriage would be consummated. Perhaps both of them were still traumatized and took pity on you when you voluntarily submitted to the Faith Militant.
No matter, it seems you and the little ones will be here for awhile. And you need to rest once again. Your unborn child needs some energy, and it's easier to do that passively as you rest. After you make sure all of your dragon children were comfortable on the couch near the fire place that was more than enough for all four of them to sleep stretched out; you then allow yourself to drift to relax as much as you can.
"Alys? Alys can you hear me?" You heart leaps as you finally hear his voice in what seemed like a while.
"Aemond darling, I'm about to sleep. Can we meet in the dreaming?"
"Of course, I'll see you there."
Not long after, you both meet in the Dreaming, you find yourself sleeping on top of Fiddler's Green in a beautiful starry sky as Aemond rushes to you holding a torch.
"Alys!"
"Aemond!" He quickly tosses the torch and it turns into a campfire as the two of you embrace and kiss in longing.
Once the two of you settle, you tell him what happened the day you were kidnapped by Balerion and the Storm God.
"I should have known that our defenses was not enough. Maybe if I had given more investment to the Alchemists' Guild -"
"Aemond darling, we all thought that way. But even the finest guards and the finest defenses were nothing compared to the strength of Gods."
"We also had Gods on our side. Even your family is on our side."
"Balerion and the Storm God have my aunt and my relative on their side too. And they are still more powerful than the five of us combined. My siblings and I are still in our adolescence - maybe we are even still children - in the age of the Endless. Aemond my love, don't blame yourself. At least Ayrmidon is safe with you." He sighs.
"Your instincts were right. I'm still trying to see how to best explain to him what's going on."
"He doesn't know yet?"
"He does." Aemond brings you closer as the two of you snuggle by the fire.
"He has yet to understand what's going on."
"Tell him I love him alright. Right now I'm focusing on protecting our unborn child and our four dragon children here with me."
"Hmph, to think that the same move that cost me my eye has saved the other five here now." He runs his fingers through your hair as you feel him relax from his worries even just briefly.
"I'm not sure how much time we have left here so I'm going to tell you plenty of things that you might want to look into. We are currently in Ibben, in a luxurious dungeon since they have us in house arrest and we are not allowed to step beyond the gates of our little area. From what I briefly saw, Ibben is surrounded and guarded by at least ten Ice dragons. Balerion plans to make my mortal shell an immortal shell."
"Hmph? How?"
"I don't know the specific plant, but he says he has cultivated a plant with the Divine Vitality I gave him when I first bestowed on him his powers over fire and vitality energy. He plans on feeding it to me to lock me inside this mortal shell. If I can't die, he cannot be punished."
"Wouldn't that be breaking-?"
"That's what I told him but it seems he hasn't learned. If the Doom of Valyria is the consequence of him going unpunished for breaking my laws, I'm not sure the world would survive if he broke the laws of my mother and aunty Death."
"Then I shall have to make sure that you do die." He says with an underlying dangerous tone as he gives you a kiss on the forehead.
"The plant is somewhere deep in Sothoros. But be careful, that's where all his other blood experiments are aside from Valyria itself."
"Oh fuck." He curses as he leans back.
"What is it?"
"The slaver's cities, Mereen, Yunkai, and Astapor have all sworn allegiance to Balerion. And according to the new batch of Yi Ti magic users and soldiers, their ships were blocked and attacked by the ships of New Ghis. They were saved mainly by the magic users who have brought some of their own water dragons and by the Drowned God and the God of the Seven."
"Oh no." He looks at you grimly before continuing.
"They were forced to travel along the coastlines of Sothoros to avoid any more attacks toward their naval caravan. Fortunately they were able to rest and recuperate in the summer islands before travelling to the ports of Old town and of Flint's finger."
He takes your hand in his as he leans in till your foreheads touched and your noses brushed.
"Alys, this is war now. And I promised that I would protect you." Even if I have to do things that you don't agree with or find detestable, is what he was trying to tell you. He wasn't asking permission, but gently reminding you that there was no turning back and everyone involved would have to bear with the sins that you're all about to do.
Such was the realities of war.
Of protecting what one loves.
"I know, just make sure not to forget our own people." You say reassuringly before leaning in for a kiss.
You knew that falling in love with him would not change his ways. But you also didn't want to. He is who he is and you love him for it.
It's just that now he has an opportunity to unleash it.
After all, what King wouldn't protect his Queen?
And that was how the first year of the war began.
Fortunately, Pentos, Norvos, and Qohor are all on your side. With Aegon and Daeron staying in Qohor in exchange for security and for the forges of Qohor to wield and your father on standby with Caraxes in Norvos.
Unfortunately Lys swore allegiance to Balerion. You couldn't blame them, they shared interests after all in restoring Old Valyria. Plenty of Old Valyrian blood runs in Lys and they were the closest free city to Volantis, Balerion's city.
This in turn caused Tyrosh and Myr to be neutral in the face of war. At the heart of it these two cities would rather engage in trade than get involved in an ever increasing world war.
"Be careful my love." You tell him through the ring as he dresses in his armor as he prepares to mount Vhagar and lead the charge against Lys. Wisely so, since your family did not have much experience no matter how much studying they did with the ice dragons and the water dragons, they knew their way more around a regular fire dragon. Their strategy was to target Volantis and Ghiscar. Since these are the areas that both sides rely on for their supply lines, if they control this area they could monopolize the area for supply lines for your side.
"For you and our children I will. The sooner this war ends, the better." He says with determination. From what you have been hearing from your father, your Endless family as well as other beings are all waiting for the actual fighting to begin. If they act too early, it would give themselves away to your relatives, Desire and Despair, and would make them vulnerable.
That is not to say that they didn't do anything though.
Sensuality improved Vhagar's senses and brought it back to her prime when Visenya was still her rider. She has also given those riding the Ice Dragons on your side provided by the Drowned God heightened senses that were compatible with the cold, increased warmth and heightened vision among others. Not too much because the better and more heightened the senses, the greater the pain when it's exploited against them. The price of sensitivity.
Connectivity strengthened the bonds in your side, especially the ones working together as a team in fighting your enemies. She worked hand in hand with Knowledge in helping spies from your side to stay loyal and to lure other strategic persons to your side among enemy areas. Once the fighting actually begins she plans to weaken certain strategic bonds to weaken your enemies.
Imagination from what you have understood, has already done some preliminary work. Playing to the fears among your enemies while playing to the motivation to act in your side.
They were all waiting for the actual fighting to start before they could go wild in their fury.
You feel him mount Vhagar.
"Sȳz biarves Aemond. Avy jorrāelan."
"Kirimvose, avy jorrāelan Alys."
And so began the first battle of this Dance of Dragons.
While he lead the charge against Volantis, he assigned Baela (and also Jace but he would never publicly admit it so Baela is taking charge) to lead the attack against Lys.
While the three of them were fighting, as expected attacks from Lorath and Saath towards Norvos and Qohor also began. Specifically the Storm God's Ice Dragons. Hopefully having your father, Aegon and Daeron waiting there would finally payoff.
"The Greyjoy navy is delighted to finally be fighting. Though I don't understand why they won't have some of the Yi Ti magical practitioners with them as they fight an Ice Dragon with a Saathi mage as a rider." Knowledge tells you through the dreaming.
"They are filled with pride in their skills brother, even though they may die doing so, it's in their culture among the Iron Born."
"Hmph, at least the other Iron Born have at least two Yi Ti mages with them on their ships." You laugh as you take a sip of milk laced with nectar in the dreaming.
"Speaking of mages, I hear that you have some involvement with an intelligence mission regarding Balerion's plants of divine vitality?" He nods at you grimly.
"Meleys is actually heading that but I am present when they need to clarify a few things. As much as I hate to admit it, Balerion was wise to invent a new plant that contained the Divine Vitality you gave him. That way his only being is not his only source of it should he find himself suddenly in need of turning a mortal immortal."
"Damn I was hoping this wasn't the case." You say as you place a hand on your eight month belly. You know that he hasn't begun feeding it to you yet, but you now worry if he does it would lock you in this shell till some sort of antidote or your aunt helps you find a way to die.
"There is some hope dear sister." Knowledge says as he gets up from his seat.
"The brew that he plans on force feeding to you will require also the involvement of Ghost grass to ensure nourishment to the spirit. The mages in collaboration with the alchemists' guild have now begun experiments on making any people we send there more durable and more aware of the possible dangers of Sothoros." This gives you mixed emotions. You knew very well what he was implying.
"Are...are they making magical mutants?"
"I suppose you could call them that." He doesn't need to see you for him to feel your conflicted feelings about what they are currently doing.
"I just fret at what happens after the war. I'm thankful that there is effort in getting to the mysterious plant that has Divine Vitality but even this will have consequences afterwards."
"In war dear sister, everything has a risk and it's price."
"I know Knowledge, I just wish there was another way."
But even then, the realities of war had it's price. You knew this as you hear reports of your family, both mortal and immortal, causing devastation in the lands of your enemies. You hear about how Vhagar decimated the fields providing food and resources to those inside the Black walls of Volantis, while the fields dedicated to the Red God was ever as fertile for the followers of R'hllor. Causing a civil war inside the capital of Volantis.
You hear about how under Baela's leadership and diplomacy with Vermax hovering not too far away, Lys changed it's stance from being in Balerion's side to being neutral. While many of Old Valyria seeks to return home, even they don't want their island paradise destroyed after living in it since the Doom of Valyria.
And of course, you hear about the new dragonriders of Volantis duelling with Vhagar, Moondancer, and Vermax above the naval battle below them. Vhagar won, while Moondancer and Vermax were at a stalemate with theirs. But according to Aemond, both of them were able to inflict serious injuries on their opponents who were both larger than they were but not as large as Vhagar. His begrudging tone through the ring suggests that it was true.
"Who is leading the attacks against the Storm God's ice dragons?"
"Cregan Stark is my general there. You've been feeling the attacks there...haven't you?"
"I have, it has begun snowing and being a lot more colder than usual. Or so that's what my Ibbennese captors and caretakers say."
"Mmm hmm I hope they have been treating you and our children kindly." You couldn't help but snort a little bit at that.
"Think of it more as reluctant kindness. They know of the consequences that will happen if anyone deliberately hurts me, but their hatred for me - for us - is quite obvious. I'm suspecting that there are plans to assassinate me once I give birth."
"If that happens then I'll tell Mui Lan that she and the other Ice and Water dragon riders have my permission to be harsh toward the Ibbennesse."
"Still, even our children are feeling that something is not right and I agree. I'll need to find someway to escape here after giving birth. Maybe even with the umbilical cord still attaching me to our child." You sense a presence going inside your room.
"Aemond, I'll meet you in the dreaming, someone is here to see me."
"Be careful raqiarzy."
You quickly put down your ring as you quickly gather your dragon children close to you as the Storm God makes his presence known.
"What do you want Arari?" You try to keep your tone as neutral as possible. You know what Balerion wants, but you have yet to hear what the Storm God wants beyond simple desire for you. But now having experienced the powers of your relative first hand, you know better than to underestimate what Desire mixed with some sort of Despair could do.
"I have come to present to you my offer. An offer I believe would be more appealing than Balerion's."
"You would really betray your ally when you both already know that I would still choose Aemond over both of you?"
"We'll see if that remains true once you hear my modified proposal." He settles himself on front of you as you feel your children snuggle to your side. Both wanting comfort and to somehow feel they are also protecting you.
"Once you give birth and once you have finished nursing your child, I propose that you marry me. Become my wife and Queen of the Heavens and I shall help you punish Balerion for breaking your laws, and I shall willingly enforce them by your side."
"And if I still refuse?"
"Then the deaths of the innocent shall be in your hands for what I am about to do." He adds a thunder at the end of his voice. It still surprises you but you refuse to budge.
This was war, nobody but the farmers and other small folk providing for the very sustenance are innocent. You could only hope that someday their souls would understand or at least give you mercy for not giving in.
You are an Endless.
You are bound to the Universe.
Not to anyone who seeks to possess you.
Balerion was your obligation to punish. And no one else should interfere with that. It was your laws he broke, it is therefore you who should deliver the punishment on him for using the very gifts you gave him to violate them.
"With all due respect, I still refuse."
"Then I hope you can live with yourself for the incoming deaths that are now on your hands."
He disappears and once you sense his presence is gone, you take a breath in relief.
"Muña, what do you think he will do?" Rhaegar asks looking up from your womb.
"I think he's going to make the entire world freeze. Or perhaps he and Balerion together will make a firestorm. This time attacking what is crucial for us and not just to shroud their crimes."
"Daor, daor, daor." Shaena says in despair as she shakes her head. You pet her head to comfort her as her eyes starts to tear up.
"Mama, I'm sorry my creator is doing this to you."
"It's alright Shaena, you do not control what your creator does."
"Muña, I think kepa is in the Dreaming now." Meraxes says as she looks at the now glowing hands on your watch.
"Would you like to join us?" You ask softly and they all nod. Your heart breaks a little as they were now more cautious than they were before. They've been angrily stared at and almost screamed at when they were just playing around being themselves. You miss their enthusiastic replies when they didn't have anything to fear.
But this was the world now, and you need all need to adapt accordingly.
You gather them into your arms as you lay them on one side of the bed as you draw the translucent curtains around the bed's canopy for warmth. Then the five of you settle down and allow yourselves to dream.
As you feel yourself enter the dreaming, you find yourself and your children in the library. Roughly you were near the entrance from the throne room. As the five of you make a turn, you spot a familiar figure with your immortal parents and Lucienne.
"Kepa!" Meraxes and Aerea excitedly say. Aemond turns with a smile he reserves for you and your children.
You chuckle as they fly to his arms and in his embrace. They may not be able to fly in the waking world but in here they could fly as high as they want without being harmed.
You take your time walking towards them as your parents go to your side.
"Sit, whatever you need just dream it up and summon to you." Your father says as he makes a lazy boy chair appear for your comfort.
"The little one is going to arrive soon, rest while you can." Your mother says as she summons some of the foods you have been craving, mainly apples and hard boiled quail eggs.
"By any chance, is there a way that you could be the one to help me give birth, mom? I'm suspecting my child won't be safe with the midwife they give me."
"That is actually what we were talking about before you arrived." She says with an assurance that at least there was a plan in place.
"Kepa, my creator threatened muña. He might do something to you." You hear Shaena say as her siblings fly off to where your other dragon children were in the dreaming.
"Oh? What did he say?"
"He says that if mama doesn't marry him then the deaths of the innocent people will be on her hands."
"Shaena, don't worry it's not your muña doing those things. He's just trying to convince her that it's her fault, when really she has just been protecting you. You did a good job by telling me, alright?"
"Issa kepa." He embraces her before he releases her to join her siblings.
They all inform you of the plan and what ideally is going to happen. Since the Yi Ti mages along with the Iron fleet simultaneously with the Ice Dragons and the Water dragons on your side will be making an aggressive attack soon. They cannot tell you when just in case someone was secretly reading your mind.
It is then that you will be making your escape.
"How is Ayrmidon?" You ask Aemond after your parents and Lucienne discuss more logistical matters.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" And soon you hear your little boy racing towards you.
"Muña!"
"Trēsy!" You embrace him as he carefully embraces you and your pregnant womb.
"I miss you muña. I shouldn't have left with kepa."
"Daor Ayrmidon." You have him sit between you and Aemond.
"I'm the one who told your father to take you on that trip. It would be more difficult and more stressful if you are physically with me right now. Our enemies might kill you." You gently but firmly say.
"Also you would break our heart if you were suddenly gone trēsy." Aemond adds as he adjusts Ayrmidon to face you.
"Oh I'm sorry muña."
"It's fine darling. Now tell me, what has been going on? Tell me while we have this brief time together."
For the rest of your dream, you listen to the stories Ayrmidon tells you about his life since your kidnapping. How he and his dragon siblings have been studying on reading and writing, and mathematics much to his chagrin.
"Aelyx and Rhaellor really like mathematics. But I prefer the stories Uncle Imagination or Grandpa Dream tells us."
"Oh another thing that you inherited from me."
"Oh you have no idea raqiarzy." He says teasingly until you both notice that Ayrmidon is starting to wake up.
"No! Daor I just started!"
"Don't worry trēsy, this won't be the end."
"How come kepa is not waking up yet?"
"I was tired Ayrmidon, but don't worry just go and start eating breakfast. I'll be there soon."
And with that Ayrmidon fades away as he wakes up.
"He was sleeping beside me. It turns out none of us could sleep alone without you. And so the seven of us are in the same room almost every night."
"Same here with us." You say as your hands find each other.
"I told them that we are going to stick together and none of us are going anywhere without the rest of us. It's already horrible that we have been kidnapped and kept as captives among people who hate us. We can't afford another forced separation."
"With what we have planned, ideally there shouldn't be."
"You be careful too. I don't know what Balerion and the Storm God have in mind but it's not going to be good." You notice him beginning to fade.
"Take care of them." And then he fades away as he wakes up.
Unfortunately you didn't have to wait long to know what the Storm God was threatening to do. And you were right, he and Balerion worked in tandem to deliver what has now been called "The plague of the skies."
It started when the largest volcano of old Valyria made a massive eruption. An eruption so large that it had lasted for one week. During the eruption, there was an unusually strong wind that was able to spread the ashes and heated volcanic rock all throughout Westeros, and the western side of Essos covering the rest of the Free cities. The large ash clouds had covered the sun for several days. It reminded you of one of the ten plagues the Almighty sent to liberate the Israelites from a very stubborn Pharoah. Fire literally raining down for awhile from the skies. Or so the story goes at least.
Even Ibben was not spared from the flaming volcanic rocks coming from Valyria. If you and your children were hated before, now it became increasingly dangerous for you to remain in Ibben longer than necessary. Volcanic ash was prevalent in the wind and was frightening for you for the sake of your unborn child.
The moment the ash began to fade, the Ice Dragon and Iron Fleet began it's attack.
And that was when your parents in disguise finally came to aid you and your children make your escape.
Your father placed your captors to sleep while your mother places a charm over you and your children to hide you from the consciousness of everyone else. Knowledge was waiting with a boat to port that all of you use to travel to the mainland of Essos. Still concealed your family makes your way to the shelter Knowledge made among the woods of Ifequevron.
And just in time, your labor has begun.
Your other siblings arrive soon after. They explain that the Gods are mainly on duty in Westeros now. You were just glad that you and your children are not alone.
Imagination, Knowledge, and your father concealed your living area and had even recruited some spirits to work with them. You cling to Sensuality's hands as the all too familiar pain of giving birth has now arrived. Your mother was acting as the midwife and Connectivity was assisting her by helping you bend your legs.
"Is muña going to be fine?" You hear Rhaegar ask as he and his siblings watch from the side.
"Don't worry ñuhys trēsy, I'm not going to die today."
"Don't look away children, this is part of life. If ever you plan on having children in your human form, this is what the mother will have to go through. Don't push yet." You hear your mother say as she checks to make sure that the umbilical cord was not choking your baby.
"Everything is fine. If you feel the need to push -"
You pushed.
You kept pushing amidst the pain.
"Argh."
"Good good keep going."
Oh my, this felt to you to be larger than Ayrmidon.
Or at least this baby had a larger head.
"UGH!"
"Alys?!"
"Not now Aemond, I'm giv - AGH FUCK!"
"Good good, keep pushing."
You pushed.
You screamed.
You cursed.
And before you know it, your mother was placing your newborn on your breast as your child was kicking and crying.
"A baby girl."
"WAAH! WAAH!"
"Riñītsos...ñuha tala." You say in relief as your mother helps you to breastfeed her and give her nourishment. You feel yourself push out the placenta as you feel your mother and your sisters clean you up.
"Is she healthy mom?"
"Very much so. She has your hips, which is why you had a bit difficulty after the crowning."
"Īlva tala?"
"Oh issa Aemond. would you mind if I named her Maegella?"
"After Princess Maegelle for entering the sept?"
"In a way, this entire pregnancy has been affected by the divine. But she will still have her say in how she interacts with them as they put us through hell in this war." He chuckles at that. Now that you have your daughter in your arms his laughter now soothes you.
"Then I shall do my best for this war to end so I can bring you all home."
"Tell them for me. According to my mother she has my hips which is why I was still cursing after the crowning."
"Nyke ryptan ao. Especially when you were cursing. I'm just glad both of you are safe."
"Children come, meet your little sister." Connectivity says as she gathers them in her arms and sits beside you.
"Ooh, she's bigger than Ayrmidon." Shaena says as she observes Maegella still suckling your breast.
"She's so round and cute!" Maegella then cries out releasing your breast.
"WAAH! WAAH!" Still hungry, you reposition her as she quickly begins suckling your other breast.
"Is she still cute Meraxes?"
"Issa Aeraea. Skoro syt?"
"She's really loud."
"Of course she's loud, she's a baby."
"Ayrmidon wasn't this loud Rhaegar."
"Maybe it's because she's bigger?"
"Daor Meraxes. Maegella is just really hungry right now. She's not louder just because she is bigger." You say firmly before any body shaming implications might possibly arise unknowingly.
That night in the dreaming, Aemond and all your other children who has not yet seen your daughter is introduced to her for the first time. You take this momentary moment of peace before you need to move again. You relax in your bed surrounded by your dragon children and Ayrmidon sitting beside you. Aemond held her as she enjoyed playing or chewing on his eyepatch.
"See even she prefers you without the eyepatch. And she's only a few minutes old." You tease as they return to your side with Aemond being careful around your dragon children.
"I'm not surprised. She's starting to take after you."
"She has your nose kepa. How come I didn't get your nose?"
"Huh? Ayrmidon your nose is fine." Rhaellor says confused as Maegella reaches out to you and Aemond places her back in your arms.
"But I want to look like kepa."
"Hmm? Ayrmidon you already look a lot like me."
"Ñuha trēsy, you are handsome the way you are."
"Really?" Maegella blows a bubble from her saliva at Ayrmidon, then giggling after.
"See, Maegella likes you already."
She plays with Ayrmidon's fingers before she begins playing with your hair. You spend the rest of the evening catching up with your family before you all wake up and continue fighting on.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm not going to lie, this was a mix of Trojan war/WWI/The ten plagues from the Prince of Egypt.
