Dragon's flame

[Year 115 AC]

Above King's Landing, a colossal green dragon soared through the skies, its massive wings cutting through the air with ease. A snowy-haired youth sat astride its back, gazing down at the scene below. The royal family stood in the balcony, transfixed as the dragon belched fire into the sky, performing a series of graceful, daring dives.

The dragon was accompanied by another green beast, even larger than Syrax but smaller than Meleys, ridden by a silver-haired girl. The two dragons weaved and danced among the clouds, their movements synchronized, while the people of King's Landing cheered in awe.

Viserys, rarely one to smile, wore a rare, genuine expression of joy. His gaze followed his children, Aelyx and Daenerys, as they commanded their dragons with skill and confidence. The sight filled his heart with pride.

"When Sunfyre is old enough, I'll join Aelyx and Daenerys on a flight," Aegon said, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation.

Viserys chuckled, the sound rich and full of warmth, but Alicent's expression remained stern, her brow furrowed.

"You've already spent the entire day with your dragon," Alicent said, her tone firm. "You won't fly until you're sixteen."

"But Aelyx rode a dragon when he was only five," Aegon retorted, a playful grin dancing on his lips.

Viserys laughed again, a rare sound in the halls of the Red Keep. The joy of watching his children flourish was a gift beyond measure.

Screeeee!

Suddenly, a red-colored dragon descended from the clouds, flying toward Vhagar and Vaxylis, who had been gliding alongside each other. It was accompanied by a larger brown dragon. Viserys's expression darkened.

"Lyonel, to the council room," Viserys commanded, his voice low and serious. He turned and strode back into the keep, his footsteps echoing on the stone floors.

The people of King's Landing watched in awe as they had never seen four Targaryen dragons in the sky together, a rare and awe-inspiring sight.

"Looks like you're enjoying yourselves, niece and nephew!" Daemon called, his voice carrying easily across the distance.

"Uncle, Aunt…" Aelyx replied with a wide smile, his eyes bright with affection.

Aelyx held deep respect for Daemon and Rhaenys, despite their often rebellious natures. Daemon, though unpredictable and ambitious, had always cared for his house's legacy and had loved his brother Viserys until the very end. Aelyx admired those qualities, understanding that beneath Daemon's wild nature lay a fierce loyalty.

The dragons landed gracefully near the dragon pit. Vhagar and Vaxylis flew toward the King's Wood, their place of rest. Craxes and Sheepstealer were ushered into the dragon pit for safety.

Aelyx's POV

It had been two years since I met my ancestor, Maegor. The dreams had stopped, and though part of me feared I would never see him again, another part of me wondered if I ever truly would. Perhaps it was for the best.

Danny and I made our way toward our chambers to receive the latest reports from Dragonstone. Over the years, we had secured full control of the island—Dragonstone Castle, the surrounding villages, and the dragon caves were now ours.

"We need to deal with the dragon eggs in the pit and Dreamfyre, the egg-laying dragon," Danny said, her voice serious, the weight of the situation clear in her tone.

"Aemond is still dragonless and far too young. Aera's dragon egg has hatched into Sundancer, and Aegon rides Sunfyre. Yet there is no one left to tame the new dragons," I concluded, a sense of concern creeping into my thoughts.

"Yes," Danny agreed, her gaze darkening. "And Rhaenyra's bastard will soon have his dragon egg hatch. That one, I imagine, will come from the bloodline of House Velaryon, though his appearance is too much like Harwin Strong."

My thoughts lingered on Rhaenyra's son, jacerys whose dark hair now seemed too much a reminder of the Strong family, even if the court had accepted the explanation that he was of Baratheon blood. The resemblance was uncanny, and it raised more questions than it answered.

---

[In the King's Council Room]

The atmosphere in the council room was thick with tension. Lord Corlys Velaryon's eyes were sharp and glaring as they locked onto Daemon, who lounged casually at the table, his nonchalant demeanor at odds with the grim situation. Flanking him was Laena, her expression serene yet filled with underlying concern. Rhaenys's face was neutral, though her heart raced with anticipation to speak with Aelyx and Daenerys.

Lyonel, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard; Harhold Westerling, the Master of Coin; and Lord Lyman Beesbury, the Master of Laws, were also present, each wearing the weight of their responsibilities like a cloak.

"Today, you are gathered for the first war council of my reign, under Viserys Targaryen," Viserys declared, his voice carrying an authority that silenced the room.

All eyes shifted to him, and even Daemon, who had been leaning back in his chair with a smirk, straightened, sensing the gravity of the situation.

"Years ago, my wife Aemma," Viserys continued, his voice faltering with emotion at the mention of her name, "died giving birth to my children, Aelyx and Daenerys. But recently, it was revealed to me that Aelyx's blindness was not a divine punishment—it was part of a plot. Aemma was poisoned—poisoned in a way that would blind a child without harming the mother, so as not to raise suspicion."

The weight of his revelation struck the room like a thunderclap. Every face in the room changed, anger and disbelief replacing the usual calm. Daemon's fist slammed onto the table with a resounding crash. To think that someone had dared to harm his family, the true queen… The rage within him burned hot.

Rhaenys, too, was consumed with fury. She had always considered Aelyx her own, and the idea that he had been harmed deliberately reignited her inner fire. Her dragon blood surged in response.

Lyonel and Harhold exchanged a look, their expressions resolute.

"Who did this?" Lord Corlys demanded, his voice low and filled with menace as it was an act of war

"House Mooton, House Staunton, Dorne, the Ironborn, and the Triarchy—all of them are conspiring to use instability as a pretext to ignite rebellion and seize as much territory as they can," Viserys announced, his anger no longer concealed.

"Dorne!" Daemon growled, his fury palpable. "It had to be them!"

Corlys's face contorted with rage at the mention of the Triarchy, who had caused his house significant harm in the past.

"Brother, let's burn them all," Daemon spat, his voice sharp and eager for action.

Viserys's eyes burned with the same fire. He, too, was no longer the peace-loving king he had once been. The blood of the dragon stirred within him, and he was ready to make the realm feel it.

"It's time to show the realm the meaning of 'Fire and Blood,'" Viserys roared.

"Fire and Blood!" Daemon echoed, his grin widening.

The servants entered, unrolling a large map of the Seven Kingdoms, and the plan for war began to take shape.

"I suggest we strike at the Triarchy first, cutting off their support from Essos," Lord Corlys proposed, his voice steady and commanding.

"Lord Corlys, according to our intelligence, their immediate target is Dragonstone and Driftmark," Lyonel countered. "It would be wiser to wait and then strike when the time is right."

"Lyonel is correct," Viserys agreed. "We will send Laena and Laenor to Driftmark to ensure a dragon is always there for its defense."

Laena nodded, prepared for whatever came next.

"No," Daemon interrupted, his voice firm. "Laena is with child. She will not go."

Though Rhaenys and Corlys shared a brief, knowing look, they understood the seriousness of the matter. This was not the time for distraction.

"Very well," Viserys said. "Prince Laenor will go to Driftmark for its defense, and Princess Daenerys and Prince Aelyx will go to Dragonstone."

Laena agreed, though her concern for her own family's safety was apparent.

"Daemon, you will lead the bannermen from the Crownlands to attack House Mooton and House Staunton from the south, while the knights of the Vale will attack from the north," Lyonel instructed.

A mischievous smirk tugged at Daemon's lips. Chaos and war were exactly what he craved.

"Cousin Rhaenys, you will go to Storm's End and help defend it against the Dornish while we deal with the traitors inside the Six Kingdoms," Viserys ordered, his voice steady but filled with the weight of command.

Rhaenys nodded without hesitation, prepared to defend her family's honour and power.

"Send ravens to the Westerlands and the North, directing them to attack the Ironborn and devastate their forces as much as possible," Daemon suggested, eager to strike while the iron was hot.

Viserys waved his hand in assent, signaling Lyonel to act.

"I suggest the Reach strike House Dayne, to minimize the chances of a Dornish attack on Storm's End," Lord Corlys proposed.

The final battle plans were set in motion. Ravens were sent out, and the first war of Viserys's reign—the peaceful king turned dragonlord—was about to begin.