Dragonstone, 282 AC
Three weeks after the Battle of Dragonstone
- POV Viserys Targaryen
I watched as my mother's dead body slowly disintegrates into nothing but ashes.
It's the way of every Targaryen to die; we came from fire, and we go through fire.
And for a fleeting moment, I see her in the flames, looking at me as if asking me to join her in the fire.
Gods, it's going to be so easy. If I do it, I will die like every other Targaryen.
For a brief moment, I consider it, and as I am about to step towards the flames...
But just then, I feel something hugging me and pulling me back from the fire.
Rhaenys hugs me like I am about to do something stupid.
And I curse myself for being so weak and stupid. How can I take the easy way out, you coward?
I have to protect them. I can't die—not now, not tomorrow, not anytime soon.
"It's okay, Rhaenys, I won't do anything stupid," I say as I put my hand on her head and ruffle her hair.
"I will always be with you."
"Promise?" she says with teary eyes.
"I promise I won't ever let you and Visenya be alone."
"Good, because I can't lose anyone else," she says with conviction.
"You won't. I promise you won't."
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Three hours later
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"My prince, we will be ready to depart the Island in a week's time," said Ser Herald.
"Good. You are to be with Ser William and the rest of the men who are going to the Disputed Lands."
"Ser William is a good man, but there may be times when he hesitates to do what is necessary. You are to make sure that won't be his undoing."
"As you command, my prince."
"Good. See yourself out and take a good rest; you will need it."
"Have a good night, my prince," said the knight as he left the chamber.
As I prepare to get some well-deserved rest...
"WHY ARE YOU GOING TO VOLANTIS?"
"Shut up and let me sleep!"
"I haven't slept enough in weeks."
"ANSWER ME THEN! WHY ARE YOU GOING TO VOLANTIS!?"
"You seem to not like Volantis. Is there a reason for it?"
"OF COURSE I DON'T LIKE THOSE ANIMALS WHO DO NOTHING BUT SELL PEOPLE!"
"Then you are a greater fool than I imagined you were."
"Now be gone!"
- POV Eddard Stark
I never thought I would step foot in this cursed castle ever again.
Once I would have been honored to be here; now I wish to burn it all down to the ground.
"Ned!! You're finally back; gods, I missed you!"
Robert's voice pulls me out of my thoughts as he comes up to me and bear hugs me.
"I am back, my king."
"None of that, Ned! Stop being so mad about the death of two dragonspawns."
"Now tell me, where is my Lyanna?"
"She is dead, your grace," I say to him after he lets me go.
"How?"
"I know not, your grace; when I got there, only the Kingsguard were there."
"Damn you, Ned!"
"Stop calling me that!"
"They were children!!! Robert, children!!!"
"They killed a boy who was not even off her mother's milk."
"And that girl, Robert, that girl! They killed her like an animal!"
"And you rewarded them with a queen!"
"We started the rebellion for justice, not to kill babies and girls!"
"Ned, stop! You are too tired from your travels; perhaps you need to get some rest."
Jon Arryn's voice pulls our attention away from each other.
"Perhaps I do," I say after a few seconds.
"With your permission, your grace," I say as I walk out of the throne room.
Four weeks after the Battle of Dragonstone
- POV Viserys Targaryen
"We are ready, my prince," said the captain.
"Good, set sail," I said as I walked towards my room.
As I opened the door to my room, I crashed into my bed as I muttered,
"It's all because of you, know that right?" I said to him.
"I KNOW BUT..."
"But nothing! Shut up and let me rest; I need it!"
"YOU WILL UNDERSTAND MY INTENTIONS ONE DAY!"
"IT IS ALL FOR THE GREATER GOOD!"
"Shut the fuck up, cunt! Let me sleep!"