20. Alyssa III/Maegor XI (Patreon)

Alyssa III

28AC

As the horsehair brush passed smoothly through silver-gold hair, Alyssa could not help but smile. Her daughter Rhaena had grown up so much over the last five years it was almost hard to believe. 

Rhaena was a quiet child, shy and nervous around everyone except her family. Yet she was beloved by the court all the same. Especially because a certain other Targaryen was nowhere to be found. 

Alyssa had done much for her daughter, she had picked fights with the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms herself to protect her future, and she would do it all over again if she had to. Alyssa would do anything and everything to protect her children, and by the god's grace, the new one she had on the way. 

Thankfully she had a long respite from fighting for her children’s future. Prince Maegor Targaryen had thankfully been pulled away from the fawning court and it allowed her children to truly shine. 

‘Prince Maegor Targaryen.’ Even saying his name in her mind made her upset. He had shown his true colors just before he left for Dragonstone almost three years ago. Openly feuding with her had brought down a veritable firestorm upon her. Ever since then, her suspicions and wariness of Queen Visenya and her ilk had proven most fortuitous. 

Luckily for Alyssa, her enemies seemed fit to go away, at least for a time. Prince Maegor was safely stuck in the Stepstones. ‘If the gods are good, mayhaps a pirate will get a lucky shot,’ Alyssa thought with a little smirk. Wishing death upon your kin was frowned upon but so long as Maegor lived, he posed a great risk to her family. 

Then her mortal enemies, Queen Visenya and her troublesome pet snake had long since moved to Dragonstone. Alyssa was having the time of her life, her enemies were far away, her children safe and growing strong, and most recently, the great news that she had another on the way. 

“Mother, when will Father return?” Alyssa heard her daughter say in her shy, quiet voice and her heart nearly melted at the thought. 

Aenys had gone on a progress not long ago, a short one, just around the Crownlands and the Riverlands before returning. She would have gone with him but she had become with child a few moons ago and what she could do had been severely limited. 

“Soon, Rhaena, and when he does, he will take you flying on Quicksilver,” she promised her little girl with absolute certainty, she knew her husband well enough that he could not refuse. 

“Alright Mother,” Rhaena whispered again and Alyssa wanted nothing more than to just sit in their manse and brush her hair all day. Unfortunately, she had prior arrangements. She had agreed to meet with her brother Daemon. 

She stepped up from her stool and placed her brush on the small desk of the vanity. 

“Rhaena, why don’t you go play with Aegon?” she asked her sweetheart of a daughter and was met with a small smile and her daughter running off. She was glad her children were close. She had fought hard so they could have a future together.

…

Her brother came to her manse instead of Alyssa going to the Aegonfort. Alyssa did not know why but he had asked to meet her here, but she was not going to complain. The Aegonfort was frankly terrible and most people were just waiting for King Aegon to begin renovating it. Especially since the Dragonpit was nearly complete. 

“Good day Daemon,” she gave her big brother a hug and was met with a smile and a returned hug. 

“Good day, little sister, how are you feeling?” Daemon asked as he took a seat in her husband’s personal solar. It received little usage and he was away from the city for now, so they decided to meet here. 

“I am just fine, with any luck, we will have a new prince in a few moons,” Alyssa said with a smile, rubbing her quickly expanding stomach. Thankfully the gods had already blessed her with a son, so Alyssa would not be upset if this next one is a girl. ‘Mayhaps she could even marry little Corwyn,’ Alyssa thought with a small smile, though a second son to be Aegon’s hand one day would also be wonderful. 

“That is good to hear, thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” her brother continued and Alyssa was growing more confused. 

“Of course Daemon, what did you wish to discuss?” she asked her big brother again.

“I have just received a letter from Father, the war has ended, Sargoso Saan is dead,” her brother said flatly, and all the joy Alyssa had died in an instant. 

“What wonderful news,” Alyssa said through gnashed teeth. Even knowing she would see her father again was overshadowed by the prospect of Prince Maegor returning. Court would no doubt be occupied by him once more. 

“Alyssa…” her brother began but Alyssa would not hear it. 

“No… I refuse,” Alyssa quickly cut her brother off and he sent a scowl her way. He had tried this several times throughout the last few moons and she did her best to avoid speaking about it with him. 

“Alyssa, your feuding with Prince Maegor and Queen Visenya needs to end,” her brother implored her again and Alyssa returned a blank stare. 

“What needs to end is your endless defense of our enemies,” Alyssa said with a sneer. Her brother was supposed to be her biggest supporter, yet even he had fallen under Queen Visenya’s spell. 

“Our true enemies are currently in the Small Council, sister. They have wormed their way into King Aegon’s head and they will do the same for his son. Our house can not survive the disfavor of two kings, even now we are the weakest we have been since before the Conquest,” Daemon spoke with a false sincerity and Alyssa felt sickened by it. 

“Our true enemies are Queen Visenya and her ilk, Daemon. They are pushing for the throne and have torn our power apart. Have you forgotten it was Queen Visenya who destroyed our hold over the Small Council? Have you forgotten that Queen Visenya tried to betroth her son to Rhaena? Have you forgotten that Prince Maegor is practically worshiped by all the lords around the court?  How can you not see what they are planning?” Alyssa implored her brother to listen, to see the truth. All of Prince Maegor’s kindness, his relationship with Aenys, and his time spent with her children, it was all a power play. 

“Alyssa… picking a fight with Prince Maegor will only push him to be the enemy you fear he is. He will be lorded even more when he returns. Father wrote that Prince Maegor led the final battle and that news will spread when the soldiers returned home. Not to mention that his wedding is soon. If you will not make peace, at least do not make war. You will not receive a slap on the wrist this time!” her brother was practically pleading with her and Alyssa was disappointed once more. 

Even her brother, who was the smartest of her siblings, who was her biggest supporter, who was her closest friend, even he could not see the truth. 

“I will hear no more of this, I will speak with Father once he returns, mayhaps he can make you see the truth,” Alyssa said after a sigh and she dismissed her brother. ‘Father will see the truth,’ Alyssa thought as her brother calmly walked out of the solar. 

…

The fanfare and celebrations surrounding King’s Landing made Alyssa sick to her stomach. The army had returned not even a day ago and yet the whole city celebrated like the conquest had been won once more. 

King Aegon was preparing a fantastic feast for this accomplishment and even her husband was getting in on the celebrations. Much to her disgust, he had been practically glued to Prince Maegor’s side since the moment he returned to the castle with the head of the Pirate King. 

Yet she had other business now, the celebrations going on around her allowed her to move with ease and would also hopefully allow her father to see the truth. If he sided with her, even Daemon and her little brothers could be made to see the truth. 

It seemed the world deemed fit to distract her though, as she spied the distinctive blonde hair and green dress of one Ceryse Hightower walking towards her. 

Alyssa quickly dismissed Ellaria Massey as anyone with an ounce of sense could tell Lady Ceryse wished to speak with her. 

“Lady Alyssa, might we walk together?” the tall blonde asked and Alyssa stifled a sigh. 

“Of course, Lady Hightower, let us walk the halls for a bit,” she answered easily. She would rather not walk with this troublesome scion of her House’s second greatest threat but appearances must be upheld. 

“What do you think of the celebrations, Lady Alyssa?” Lady Ceryse opened the floor and Alyssa could feel that she was playing at something. 

“They are wonderful, the feast will be a wonderful change from the rather drab meals we have had the last few moons, don’t you agree?” Alyssa replied coolly and she was searching Lady Ceryse’s tone. 

“Indeed,” Lady Ceryse said with an empty smile and Alyssa could almost spot a smirk on her face. 

“I have heard King Aegon is pulling out all of the stops, even the storage of spices is being opened to celebrate my betrothed’s victory,” Ceryse finishes saying and Alyssa could tell what this is. 

Ceryse Hightower was a guarded woman. It was no real secret that Prince Maegor was avoiding her but it seemed the whispers had finally gotten to her pride. Ceryse was here to flaunt her rising status while denigrating Velaryon achievements. 

“It must be a grand relief to you, to finally be in the presence of your betrothed once more,” Alyssa said with a coy smile and she caught the look of irritation on Lady Ceryse’s face. If she wished to play at this game Alyssa was more than happy to play back. 

“Indeed, the warrior prince returns once more,” Ceryse responded in kind and this time it was Alyssa’s turn to narrow her eyes. ‘Was that an insult to Aenys?’ Alyssa thought with a righteous rage. Her husband had his flaws but he was certainly better than the detestable beast that was Maegor.

“Ah yes, Prince Maegor,” Alyssa said with a veneer of pleasantness, she could at least fake her affections with her goodbrother, so long as she was not speaking directly to him. 

“A warrior tried and true, and like all warriors, he knows when to pick his battles. Tell me Lady Ceryse, have you finally gotten a date for your marriage set?” Alyssa responded in kind and she could feel the quiet rage wafting off Lady Ceryse. The constant pushbacks of the marriage had obviously grated on the haughty woman, especially because she was already six and twenty years old. 

“Of course, we shall be wed in three moons time, just long enough for all the lords of the realm to arrive. I so look forward to calling you sister,” Ceryse said with a completely false sense of wonder. 

‘Is House Hightower planning something too?’ Alyssa thought with a little trepidation. All of the prestige and wealth of house Hightower being thrown behind Maegor was a substantial threat, even more than she was dealing with now. 

“How wonderful, let us hope for no more delays,” Alyssa said with a fake smile and she could practically feel Ceryse bristling. Maegor had managed to push back their marriage once already, Alyssa had little doubt he would do so again. 

“Indeed, my lady,” Ceryse said again with a false veneer of happiness and Alyssa slipped away. 

“I apologize Lady Ceryse, but I must get going now, I must meet with my father,” Alyssa said with a practiced ease and did not even wait for the reply before turning on her heel and walking away from her newest foe. 

…

Slipping into the solar of her father was an easy thing to do. Daemon had relinquished his post the moment their father returned and now her father had assumed his full duties as Master of Ships once more. 

“Good evening Father,” Alyssa said with a smile and she was greeted with a tense stare from her father in return. 

“Did the campaign go well?” Alyssa asked with a bit of nervousness and her father shook his head no. 

“No?” Alyssa asked with a little worry. ‘Was he injured?’ Alyssa thought with a hand raised to her mouth before her father began speaking in earnest. 

“The campaign revealed some truths to me, it also revealed the path forward for House Velaryon. Forgive my trepidation I am merely making plans, my sweet daughter,” her father reassured her and Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief. 

She quickly took a seat across from her father, before she could begin interrogating him he began first. 

“You must apologize to Queen Visenya and Prince Maegor,” her father said quickly and Alyssa’s hope nearly died there and then. 

“Why in the seven hells would I ever do that?!” Alyssa said with a quiet rage and shock and Aethan sighed heavily. 

“Because it is what is best for our house,” her father said, and before she could retort she was met with a lecture from her father. 

“It is clear to me now that Prince Maegor will one day be Hand of the King. He is competent, well-liked, energetic, and willing to do the dirty work. There is no doubt in my mind your husband will name him Hand the moment he ascends the throne. Hells King Aegon may even appoint him to give him some experience before Prince Aenys ascends to the throne. We must end our feud with Queen Visenya and her line now before we lose the chance to at all.” 

“Should we get back into at least a working relationship with Queen Visenya I can work with her to get King Aegon to change Prince Maegor’s betrothal. Should he marry the Hightower we may be lost. The unification of our enemies and Prince Maegor’s close relationship with your husband could very well spell our doom. We cannot dislodge him, so we must take every available opportunity to court him. There are several possible matches in our extended family line, then marrying his children to yours would secure peace for the foreseeable future.” Her father finished his tirade and Alyssa could not repress the rage. 

“Have you gone mad!?” she nearly roared at her father and it looked like he was hit in the face.

“Queen Visenya? Working with you? With our house at all? Do not make me laugh father, that ship has sailed. They are our enemies, why should we court their favor?” Alyssa entered a tirade of her own and she spotted the enraged expression on her father’s face. 

“Because she is my cousin! Because we have no other choice! How many times must I repeat this to you that he is dangerous? We do not want him as our enemy, if I must degrade my honor to save our house I will do so,” her father said and Alyssa wanted nothing more than to leave. 

“I wish you good luck then father, you have three moons to figure something out,” Alyssa said with a haughty tone and her father’s face grew red with rage. 

“And you call me mad?! You are a fool, Alyssa! Your actions will lead us to our doom! If you seriously wish to continue antagonizing the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and her son then you will do so alone!” her father roared in rage and Alyssa calmly stood up. 

“I am no fool Father, I am merely the only one who can see the truth of the matter. The die is cast, we will either win or die, there is no exception,” Alyssa said with a chilly tone and her father gave her an alien look. 

Her father stood up then, gathered a few papers, and moved to exit the solar. 

“I will entertain your delusions no longer, I will neither protect you nor aid you. I am sorry my daughter but my only goal now is to make sure House Velaryon weathers the coming storm,” her father said with a defeated tone as he slinked out of the room. 

‘Coward,’ Alyssa thought with contempt as she watched her illustrious father stoop so low. 

______________________________________________________________________________

Maegor XI

28AC

Retelling all of your accomplishments and mistakes to your father was not something many people wished to do. Yet I had to all the same. 

Every blunder, every triumph, my father wished to know each and every detail of my campaign in the Stepstones. With my oh-so-helpful sworn shield behind me confirming everything I said. 

After I finished telling of our final push through the caves my father changed his expression from that of a completely neutral face to a genuine smile. 

“That is good, you may go now Ser Robin. I wish to speak with my son alone,” my father said with a smile from ear to ear and even I had to smile a bit at Ser Robin being sent away. He was a hardass in the not-fun sense. At least Ser Gawen could crack a joke or two. 

“Congratulations my son, it appears you did a wonderful job. We can go over some of your mistakes later but for now, I want you to celebrate your victory,” my father said with a smile and I was a little thankful he was not upset at my taking command. I was certain that Ser Osmund and Lord Aethan would get a lecture later but at least for now, I could enjoy my victory. 

“Speaking of congratulations,” my father began and I sucked in a breath. I knew this was coming, I just hoped I could perhaps not think about it for a few more days. 

“Your marriage date is finally set. You will wed in three moons in the Sept of Remembrance,” my father said with a genuinely pleased look on his face and it just left a sour taste in my mouth.  

“Father…” I began for what felt like the hundredth time. I had begged and pleaded with my father on too many occasions to count. Each time I grew more and more disillusioned with my father. 

“I do not wish to marry her, please cancel the match Father, I will do whatever else you ask, just please not her,” I tried one more time. Aegon Targaryen was a stubborn man, I learned that the hard way since being reborn. Unfortunately, his stubbornness was something I had to try and overcome. I just could not see a life with her. 

My father let out a long sigh before he clasped his hands together. 

“Listen Maegor, I have told you this before and I will tell you this again, House Hightower is the best available match. Her maternal house is one of the most powerful in the entire realm, with deep pockets and ties to the Faith. Your children by her will have access to all of that, wealth you cannot even fathom, you need only look at the Dowry, it practically paid off the construction of the Dragonpit in full,” my father began again and I wanted so desperately to tune him out. Hearing this spiel for what felt like the hundredth time was exhausting. 

“Father, please, I cannot see a life with her. She does not excite me in any way, she is ten years my senior. Please, Father, cancel the match. I will do whatever it takes. I will pay off the dowry myself if you ask of it. Please,” I tried my desperate plea once more. 

The situation I found myself in sucked. I was in a delicate balancing act between the expectations placed upon me by others and myself. I wanted a family in this world, I wanted to leave a legacy, I wanted companionship and love, yet I saw none of that when I looked at Lady Ceryse Hightower. 

Yet I also wanted to uphold my father’s expectations of me, to change the world for the better, to help my brother rule, to be a part of this family. So I pleaded once more, I did not want to rebel against my father’s wishes. I would concede to anything else he demanded, I just wanted to marry someone I wanted, someone I could see a life with. 

“Are you so willing to pass up on all she brings Maegor? Think of your children! Think of the future they could have with Ceryse Hightower as their mother,” my father implored me again and I was kind of shocked. He normally dismissed my concerns, not debate me on them. 

“I do not care for any of that father! I have all the prestige I could ever ask for, I am a scion of Old Valyria. I ride a dragon and my children will too. I can make my own wealth, and get my own connections. Not that we would need any. Please, let me pursue my own destiny, I wish to love my wife, not extract benefits from her for my children,” I pleaded once more and I heard my father sigh again. 

“Maegor, please listen to me. Not every marriage is destined to blossom into love. Your brother was very lucky in that regard. It is the duty of every nobleman and woman to marry and produce heirs. As your father and king, it is my responsibility to find you a suitable match. Even I had to marry for duty Maegor, it is something we all must abide by,” my father said with sincerity and I responded with a scowl. 

‘We all must abide by?!’ I thought with balled-up fists at my sides. This damn hypocrite was completely seriously saying that I needed to follow my duty when he took a second wife aside from my mother. ‘To directly insult my mother to my face?!’ I thought with a genuine scowl.

“Please trust me Maegor, do not write off Lady Ceryse, she is a good woman, kind, strong, beautiful, I am certain that if you do not find love, you will at least find companionship and children,” 

“Yet none of that matters to me, Father! What companionship can I have with a woman ten years my elder! What life can we have when she is destined to leave me behind long before I expire,” I tried a new angle and it seemed my father was growing exhausted. 

“Please Maegor, just listen to me for a moment, I am going to tell you something I have shared with nobody until now,” my father said easily and I was stunned into silence. 

“There is a reason I wanted you married so early Maegor, there is a reason behind my actions. The sooner you married and began having children of your own, the sooner they would be available to marry into Aenys’s family. Our house is in a precarious position, a dragon slipping out of our grasp and into the house of another through a wayward daughter could spell our doom. Your line would not only expand our power further but also secure our future.”

‘So that is what this is,’ I thought with a deadpan expression. Suddenly all of my mother’s words flashed through my mind. All of her words exclaiming that my father cared nothing for us, that he only cared for Aenys. It all rang true. Aegon Targaryen is a raging hypocritical man-child, who cannot even love his second son enough to let him pursue his own destiny. Everything I do is to support my elder brother. I am nothing more than a useful tool to him.

I stood up without a word and walked out of the room. Ignoring my father’s calls to continue speaking. 

…

The celebration of our victory was a grand one. The main hall of the Aegonfort was filled with merriment, cheer, laughter, and music. The plates were filled with the most extravagant food I had seen in years, and Every glass in the hall was filled to the brim with fine Arbor Gold. Yet it all felt hollow to me.

Revelations I felt foolish for not seeing before, along with my impending fate. It all weighed heavily on my mind.

It also did not help that I was sat next to someone I wanted nothing to do with. To my right was my father and to my left was Lady Ceryse Hightower. My mother had been seated across from me. With my father organizing this so I could not avoid interacting with my betrothed on my left. 

“What do you think of the steak, Prince Maegor?” Ceryse’s voice entered my ears once more and it brought me back to reality. 

“It is good, my father really pulled out all the stops,” I said through my displeasure and I spied my father perk up at the compliment. Though he continued speaking to my elder brother. 

“Indeed, it feels as though the whole kingdom is here to celebrate your victory,” Ceryse said again with her normal false smile and I tried. I really did, to see something in her smile. To see something in her blue eyes. To see some sort of future I could have with her. 

Yet I saw no such thing. All I saw when I looked at her was sadness. I knew she was barren, she was ten years my elder, and she was glued to people who hated my very existence. No matter how hard I tried I could see nothing we could achieve together. 

“Hmm,” I answered noncommittally. All I wanted was to escape this damn place. 

“Though I am sure even more lords will arrive for our wedding, I dearly hope you are as excited as I am,” she said with another false smile and I was kind of shocked. Ceryse had deemed fit to ignore me for the most part since she arrived in King’s Landing almost four years ago. Yet now she was practically draped over me. ‘Did someone tell her to secure this match?’ I wondered as I downed another glass of Arbor Gold. 

“Mmmh,” I hummed a response, not wanting to give my father the satisfaction of a hearty conversation with this woman. 

“Oh! How could I forget? You just have to tell me of your campaign Prince Maegor, I have heard rumors but I just have to know the truth,” Ceryse gushed again and I had to begrudgingly admire her effort. She had turned the charm up to one and ten and was trying her damnest to earn my approval. 

“What is there to tell, I spent most of the campaign flying my dragon or sleeping,” I answered quickly and Ceryse looked unfulfilled at my response. 

“Please do not be so modest, I have heard tales of your valor and glory on the battlefield, surely you must have something to tell,” she said again and I was starting to notice something. 

She wanted to know what I did, not how I felt. She showed no consideration for my life or efforts, merely wishing to bask in my accomplishments, mayhaps flaunt them to her friends and enemies. 

Taking another long sip from my refilled glass I let my eyes begin to wander. Scanning past my mother’s shoulder and spotting a head of pure white hair sitting at another table. I let my eyes linger for perhaps too long and my mother came to bail me out again. 

“Indeed, my son, how about you enthrall us with some of your tales? You need not be so modest,” my mother drew my attention away from the woman I would much rather be with right now and I was honestly thankful for her. Getting her sent away right now would have only dampened my mood further. 

I deliberately focused on my mother as I began telling of the last battle, of our valiant push through the caves to finally fell Sargoso Saan. Yet the whole time I spoke, I could not help but think of red eyes and a wide smile. 

…

The next two and a half moons were about as close to torture as I could get as a Prince of the realm. My father must have noticed my displeasure as he forbade me from returning to Dragonstone until after my wedding and I was assigned a new Kingsguard, the much more energetic though just as vigilant Ser Raymont Baratheon. 

Ceryse had also begun sticking to me like sap. Everywhere I went she was there too. She dined with me, I was expected to spend time with her, and worst of all I had to dine with her family a few times. 

All of it grated on me heavily. My father spoke the truth when he told me he wanted no more delays. More and more lords were arriving in the capital for the wedding and the preparations had long since been underway. The whole city seemed excited at another wedding yet I could not feel the same joy. 

Objectively speaking, from an outsider’s view. My father’s wish for me to marry Ceryse made sense. I could understand it, but I could not agree to it. I knew she was barren, I knew she was not someone I could genuinely pursue, and most of all. I already had another I loved. 

I let out a long, fake yawn atop my horse and I saw it catch the attention of Ser Raymont Baratheon. 

“Tired, my prince?” he asked with a smile and I would have smiled back had he not been my babysitter. 

“I suppose I am, I think I will retire to my mother’s manse for some rest,” I said easily and I spied the questioning look Ser Raymont gave me. 

“Right, let us head there then,” he said easily and I decided to try and play my hand. 

“Might I get some privacy Ser Raymont? I have been followed for several moons now, I am just going to my room to sleep,” I played up my sensible nature and I could see Ser Raymont’s mind churning. 

“Unfortunately Prince Maegor, I am assigned as your guardian, leaving you would break my oaths,” he said with what sounded like genuine sincerity and I felt bad about lying to him. Ser Raymont was always a good man, every interaction I have had with him has been pleasant. 

“Then might I get some privacy in my own home? Guarding the manse technically fulfills your oaths right?” I said with a smile and I saw his eyes narrow. 

“Come now Ser Raymont, I am not my mother, I just wish for some privacy,” I reassured him and he sighed before nodding his head. 

“Fine, I trust you will not make a fool out of yourself or me,” he said with a huff before we both departed towards my mother’s manse. I just needed a little privacy. I needed to speak with Shiera. 

‘Shiera…’ I thought in my mind and memories and plans were racing in my head then. All the way through the city and to the manse I thought of my white-haired companion. 

Ceryse might be the better match on paper but I could not get Shiera out of my head. I could see a life with her, I could see us starting a family on Dragonstone. Perhaps marrying into my brother’s family, perhaps carving out our own destiny. I could see her as a companion, as someone I could genuinely love. 

Yet I knew pursuing her would have grave consequences. My father was dead set on the match with Ceryse and flagrantly sidestepping that would no doubt incur his wrath. My mother had already expended all of her goodwill with my father, there was no way he would take such an action well. Yet I wanted to do so all the same. 

Such thoughts repeated in my mind over and over again as I finally reached the walls of my mother’s manse. It was not a far horse ride and I thankfully saw Ser Raymont remain at the entrance of the manse instead of following me. 

I walked quickly through the halls, spying a few servants and guards as I closed in on Shiera’s room. I had to make a decision quickly. My marriage was just a sennight away now. It was now or never. 

…

The door felt much heavier than it really was as I opened the door after knocking and being acknowledged. I slipped inside quickly and spotted my white-haired companion reading at her table. 

“Maegor!” she practically yelled and was going to rush to hug me but I stopped her. 

“We need to speak,” I said with a downcast expression. I had no idea what to do here, all I knew was that I needed to speak with her. 

I took a seat on the end of her bed, stepping over countless books and scrolls and manuscripts to get there. I sat down placed my hands on my knees and just stared at Shiera. 

She stared back with her red eyes seemingly boring a whole right through my own before I began speaking. 

“So how have you been?” I tried before she rightly shut it down, we hadn't the time to waste. 

“Cut that, your wedding is soon,” Shiera said in an instant and I just did not know how to answer her. 

“Indeed it is,” I offered diplomatically but I had no real idea of how to move the conversation. My conflicting desires and obligations warred in my head. 

“So… what do you want to do Maegor?” Shiera said with some hesitation in her voice and I wanted to hit myself for my weakness. I should be decisive here, either shut her down or pick her up, yet I was paralyzed. 

“I do not know,” I said through gritted teeth. ‘Do I pursue my own happiness or continue along the path life set out for me?’ I thought with a scowl. 

“So have I failed then? Have I failed to win you over?” she asked with a defeated voice and I hated myself even more then. 

“It is not your fault Shiera, it is my father’s for setting up this whole mess,” I tried to reassure her but the words felt bitter on my tongue. 

“Are you already resigned to your fate then?” she poked a hole in what I said and I brought my hands to my face. 

Flashes of faces and futures went through my mind then. Of war and famine and death. Of pain and suffering and loneliness. The faces of my mother, brother, niece, nephew, and then… my father.

“Fuck it!” I said in an instant and stood to my feet, knocking books all around the room in my haste. 

“Lady Shiera of House Qoherys, will you marry me?” I asked in an instant and the smile she beamed at me gave me all the gratification I needed. 

“Yes!” she answered and practically threw herself at me. 

I held her hug for but a moment but quickly separated us afterward. 

“We haven’t time to waste. We must go see my mother now,” I said with determination in my tone and Shiera quickly nodded her head. 

We slipped out of her room easily and practically ran towards my mother’s solar. Where privacy and a plan no doubt awaited. 

We did not bother knocking as the door was opened and we flew inside before closing it behind us. 

“About time,” my mother said with a huff and I would have laughed if we were not in such a precarious position. 

Shiera and I took our seats across from my mother who quickly shuffled her paperwork off her desk. 

“Alright, I assume you two know this will not come without consequences?” she asked once before Shiera nodded her head and I answered in kind. 

“To hell with the consequences,” I said with a stern glare and my mother nodded knowingly. I had spoken to her sparingly since I returned but she knew that I spoke with my father. 

“Right, I have all we need on Dragonstone, we just need to get there, soon,” she said with a sneer and I felt the same way. I was done dancing to the tune of my father. I would pursue my own happiness. 

“Getting there is the issue, it was quite the effort to shake Ser Raymont,” I continued and my mother looked deep in thought. 

“We will go on dragon back yes?” Shiera questioned and both me and my mother nodded. We needed to do this quickly. Risking being found out or outmaneuvered because we were slow to act could not happen. 

“The main problem will be getting Shiera close to Terrax,” my mother said and Shiera and I looked at each other confused. 

My mother merely smiled at Shiera before saying. “Traditions dictate that a wife without a dragon of her own rides only her husband’s dragon,” my mother said with a smile and I spotted a flush appear on Shiera’s cheeks. 

“We are not married yet, besides, getting her out on Vhagar would no doubt be easier,” I said quickly. I cared little for tradition, I just wanted to get to Dragonstone quickly and safely. 

“Regardless, I too am being watched,” my mother said while shrugging her shoulders. 

“So what do we do?” Shiera asked again and I racked my brain for an answer. 

“What if we did this in the cover of night?” I asked my mother and she hummed in response. 

“I can say that I want to go for a late flight on Terrax. I am supposedly resting right now so my late sleep will be explainable. Shiera can wait near the dragons, out of sight but close enough to rush with me to Terrax. Then we fly high and just fly straight for Dragonstone,” I offered and my mother nodded but doubt was still in her eyes. 

“It is risky, besides, we would be found out quickly once you fail to return,” my mother offered but I shook my head. 

“What if you departed for Dragonstone to prepare a “wedding gift” for Ceryse?” Shiera offered and both me and my mother perked up at the suggestion.

“Would that work? Would Father buy that?” I asked my mother and she looked deep in thought.

“He just might, though he would expect you back quickly likely the next day at least, though he would surely question why not just send a servant to fetch this ‘gift’ instead of you personally flying all the way out,” my mother once more proved to be rational and I kept thinking for a solution.

“Do we even need a convoluted plan? My wanting to fly my dragon later at night would not raise too many eyebrows. So long as we do not depart at the same time we should have no trouble slipping out of the city. By the time Father learns of this, Shiera and I would already be wed,” I offered again and my mother hummed before nodding her head. 

“That works I suppose, I can depart for Dragonstone now, so everything will be ready when you arrive,” my mother said before she stood up abruptly and moved towards the door. 

“Shiera, you best disguise yourself, lest you be discovered,” my mother offered one last piece of advice before she slipped out the door. 

“So what now?” Shiera asked and I hummed in thought. 

“I think we must separate. You should return to your room until the time is right, my being seen with you would go poorly right now. I will meet you near the dragons at sundown,” I said with assurance before Shiera leaned in and kissed me. 

I held her there for a time before I had to separate us. We were in de facto hostile territory and we were playing a dangerous game. 

“For good luck,” Shiera said with a smile before she also departed my mother’s solar, no doubt on her way back to the room. 

…

I waited in the solar for perhaps another hour, before I returned to the Aegonfort for the rest of the day. The whole time, the plan we made rushed through my head. I did not regret the decision I made but I had certainly put myself in a precarious position. 

I had to put on my best performance as I acted completely normal. Spending time with my brother, my niece, and my nephew. Spoke with Ceryse again at supper, and finally, a short conversation with my father once more before the time was finally upon me. The sun was reaching its nadir and it was time to act. 

I took a direct path out of the Aegonfort, with Ser Raymont tailing behind me. Ever since my father first established this ramshackle city, the plan had always been to house the dragons in a Dragonpit on Visenya’s Hill. Yet even though the building was almost complete, it was not yet, and so the dragons remained on Aegon’s High Hill instead, safely tucked away from the populace behind the Aegonfort’s walls. 

It also meant I had easy access to my dragon, I led Ser Raymont all the way down to the slope where Balerion, Quicksilver, and Terrax were currently sleeping and I could feel Ser Raymont grow nervous behind me. 

“Flying? At this hour my prince?” he asked and I waved him off. 

“I am a Targaryen, Ser Raymont. I will fly whenever I please,” I dismissed him easily and he looked apprehensive but turned back around. Allowing me to close in on my dragon. 

The plan seemed to go off without a hitch as I soon spotted a cloaked figure appear from one of the nearby bushes. Quickly standing up and running over to me. 

I brought Shiera into a hug before we both nodded and rushed towards Terrax. We had to move quickly lest we be spotted. 

Terrax remained a good dragon and patiently lay there as I clambered atop him and pulled Shiera up behind me. I quickly strapped her left leg into the saddle before I strapped my right leg into the right buckle. This was technically a saddle for one but so long as I did not do any barrel rolls we should be fine. 

I felt Shiera’s thin arms wrap around my chest and that was the signal that she was ready. 

“Soves!” I whisper yelled and my dragon perked up before batting his wings and taking us skybound. 

We went up and up and up, my holding the reins and Shiera holding onto me to make sure she did not fall off. Before long Terrax’s stomach was facing the tallest point of King’s Landing and we began our flight east. With as much haste as we could safely do. 

Our flight was thankfully uneventful. It was cold so high in the air but we were not in the air long enough to freeze to death or get frostbite or anything. Terrax dutifully brought me home and before long, the light emanating off Fortress Dragonstone and the town below was in sight.

I decided to bring Terrax down in the courtyard instead of at the Dragonpit, knowing every wasted second would no doubt harm us. I shuffled Shiera off my dragon first before I dismounted myself. With a mental command of ‘sleep’ sent to my dragon, I could rest assured that he would cause no problems. Nobody on Dragonstone was stupid enough to approach him.

I took Shiera by the hand as we rushed through the halls of Dragonstone. I would have preferred to give her a more proper tour but time was of the essence. My mother met us in the Stone Drum and nodded approvingly. Handing us white robes and telling us to get dressed, though she went into the same chambers as Shiera, presumably to help her get dressed. My mother told me to meet them in Aegon’s Garden.  

I breathed a long sigh of relief once I entered my chambers. I was safe at last. The entire day I had been stressed beyond belief but I felt safe here, even if it was a false sense of security. The four walls that I had known my whole life provided a sense of comfort nowhere else could.

I quickly threw on the very loose white robes and exited my room. The garb that my mother had chosen was loose even on my hulking form and I wondered if it was a traditional Valyrian thing. I gradually walked towards the Dragon’s Tail which would lead me to Aegon’s Garden. 

Unsurprisingly, I beat them both there. Shiera’s outfit was no doubt twice as complex as my own and so I was afforded some alone time. I sat on one of the many benches and tried to steel my nerves. 

‘I was not this nervous for any of my battles, why is this shaking me so?’ I thought while trying to calm my shaking hands. 

Before long a few guards also showed up and with them arrived my bride-to-be and my mother. My eyes skipped over them all, rushing immediately to look at my wife-to-be. 

The white outfit chosen for her suited her well. It did little to hide her many curves and her white hair complimented her white veil to the point it looked like it was all an extension of her. 

I stood up then and moved towards an impromptu altar. Whereupon my mother handed me a banner of our house but I spotted the Dragonglass dagger on her person.

I tried my best not to stare at Shiera as I listened thoughtfully to my mother’s words. 

“You are all here today to bear witness to this union, between Shiera of House Qoherys and Maegor of House Targaryen,” she addressed the crowd first before she turned to me next. 

“Place your cloak on your wife,” she said easily and I nervously walked around Shiera, clasping the unfurled three-headed dragon banner to her shoulders. I had no idea if this was a particularly traditional wedding but I also did not care. So long as it was officiated by my mother, it should stand. 

After I finished I returned to my original position and my mother handed me her dagger next. 

“You will each cut your palm, whereupon you will join your hands and repeat the vows after me,” she laid out the rest of the wedding ceremony and I noticed Shiera suck in a breath. I imagined the idea of harming herself did not appeal to her greatly. 

I took the dagger first and left no room for hesitation. The razor sharp dagger glided across my palm and soon a steady trickle of blood was produced from the wound. 

I then flipped the dagger around and sent a reassuring smile Shiera’s way. A little pain was worth it in my opinion, I hoped she shared the same sentiment. 

Shiera took the dagger and repeated the same action as me, albeit with more hesitation and a louder wince once she finally mustered her courage. She then passed the dagger back to my mother and she discarded it without a thought. 

I took Shiera’s hands in my own and patiently awaited my mother’s words. 

These are your vows, you will say them at the same time, then you may kiss the bride and you will be wed. I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life,” my mother said the words and I committed them to memory in an instant. 

Me and Shiera then each took in a breath and began our vows. 

“I, Maegor of House Targaryen, take you, Shiera of House Qoherys, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”

“I, Shiera of House Qoherys, take you, Maegor of House Targaryen, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”

We finished our vows on queue and I then raised my hands to lift her veil. Her red eyes were revealed to me in the dim lighting we were working with but they soon disappeared. As she practically threw herself at me. 

“I pronounce you, husband and wife,” I heard my mother say from her position at the altar and I could almost feel the devilish smile on her lips. 

Speaking of lips, neither me nor Shiera truly wished to end our embrace but we had some… other matters to get to. 

I peeled her off of me and then we kind of stared at each other awkwardly. We both knew what was coming, and it seemed my mother was reveling in our embarrassment as Shiera and I were led to my… no, our chambers.