Chapter 7.

Aemon Targaryen, 103 AC. 

Aemon had dreams. Dreams he couldn't explain. Once, he had dreamed of the Doom of Valyria. He could see the mighty volcanos destroying everything in sight, dragons and their riders falling from the sky in the hundreds, people being burned to death as they screamed and begged to be saved. This was his first weird dream, a dream he woke up from sweating and out of breath. But recently they had become closer to home. He had dreamed about their family.

In some of his dreams, he saw two massive dragons, one red and the other green and missing one eye, fighting above the Gods Eye, and both perished as they fell through the sky. Another dream he had was of a silver dragon mourning a bronze one that was laid down on the shores, unmoving. The silver dragon nudged its wings three times, as if trying to get it to fly again. After failing, it let out a cry of pain before flying away into the horizon. But the worst dream came recently. He dreamed of his sister Rhaenyra. She was older, and her face carried many scars of grief and pain that only came after much suffering. She was staring at a massive golden beast that was right in front of her. She could smell the beast's foul breath that smelled like sulfur. She closed her eyes one last time before being devoured alive by the beast, her screams of pain echoing through the room.

Aemon jolted awake, screaming, "Rhaenyra! Rhaenyra!" He was desperate; the thought of losing his sister and only companion filled him with dread like nothing else. He would rather die a thousand deaths than let that happen.

Rhaenyra, who was sleeping beside him, also woke up because of his screams. She asked, confusedly, "What's wrong? Did you have another nightmare?" She was aware of his recent dreams, especially because of their family's history with dreams and prophecies. She took his dreams very seriously and always tried to analyze them and keep them in mind for the years to come. But this was the first time she saw her brother, who even if sometimes not the most mature one, was very stable and not easily affected by anything. She saw his foggy eyes, filled with dread and pain, and for the first time in her life, she saw him crying. That sight took her by surprise, and her heart ached at the state of her brother. He almost jumped into her arms when he saw her and kept crying while asking her not to leave him alone and if she was safe. She was confused at first, but gradually realized that his dream must have something to do with her. It was a warm and dreadful feeling, to know that her brother, whom many considered the perfect and flawless prince, would be in such a state just out of worry for her. But it also got her worried that his dreams were indeed prophetic and that something bad would happen to her. 

For now, she just hugged him while humming a song that she liked in her past life, sometimes reassuring him that everything was alright and that she would not leave him no matter what. "Shh, Aemon," she whispered softly, running her fingers through his silver hair. "I'm here, and I'm safe. Nothing will happen to me, I promise."

Aemon clung to her tightly, his sobs gradually subsiding as her presence and her words calmed him. "I can't lose you, Rae," he murmured, his voice still shaky. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"And I won't let anything happen to you, either," Rhaenyra replied firmly. "We'll protect each other, always."

They stayed like that for a while, holding onto each other, finding solace in their bond. Eventually, Aemon's breathing evened out as he fell back asleep in his sister's arms, still clutching her as if she might disappear. Rhaenyra stayed awake a bit longer, staring into the darkness, her mind racing with thoughts of prophecies and the uncertain future. She vowed silently to herself that she would do everything in her power to ensure that they both survived whatever challenges lay ahead. For now, though, she just held her brother close, a silent guardian in the night.

The morning after was somewhat awkward for the pair of siblings. They had always slept together in the same bed, but separately. This was the first time they had hugged themselves to sleep. Aemon couldn't deny that it was perhaps the most comfortable sleep he had in many years, especially given his recent awful dreams. Rhaenyra, better off the two of them, tried to summarize it as just family affection. It was normal, she reasoned, as they were just kids, and no harm was done. However, that night sparked a fire inside them that would only grow with time, but only time would tell how it would manifest.

~~O~~

Aemon Targaryen, 103 AC. 

Aemon sat in his solace, reading a letter addressed to him and his sister out loud. The letter was a summons to visit their great-grandfather, King Jaehaerys I. His health had declined greatly over the years, and he felt like his life was nearing its end. He requested to see his "favorite little dragons" before it was too late.

Rhaenyra, after musing for a few seconds, said, "I guess it's time we visit him then." Since they had moved to Dragonstone with their father, they barely saw the old king. The travel back and forth would take weeks, and they had many duties to attend to now. Their father, although not a bad heir, was horrible with politics and management, so they could only help him smooth things out during his transition as the new heir. He was extremely grateful for their assistance, saying, "As expected of my perfect children," his tone full of pride but also tinged with a bit of hurt by the fact that he was incompetent enough to throw his responsibilities onto the shoulders of his children, who were barely six at the time.

Aemon glanced at his sister, seeing the determined look on her face. "We should prepare to leave as soon as possible," he said. "It's been too long since we've seen him, and we owe him this visit."

Rhaenyra nodded in agreement. "We'll need to inform Father and make the necessary arrangements for the journey. It's not going to be easy leaving our duties behind, but this is important."

Their father, Viserys, was in the main hall, poring over scrolls and documents when they found him. He looked up, his eyes lighting up with a mixture of relief and weariness as he saw his children. "What brings you two here?"

Aemon handed him the letter. "Great-Grandfather has summoned us. He wants to see us before... well, before it's too late."

Viserys read the letter, his expression softening. "Of course. You should go. I'll manage things here while you're away. This is important. I'll join you as soon as I can."

Rhaenyra gave her father a reassuring smile. "Thank you, Father. We'll make sure everything is in order before we leave."

As they prepared for the journey, Aemon couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had been haunting him since his last dream. He hoped this visit would provide some comfort to their great-grandfather and perhaps even some clarity for himself. The bond he shared with Rhaenyra had always been his anchor, and he felt a renewed determination to protect her and their family, no matter what the future held.

The journey to King's Landing was long, but the twins were accustomed to travel by sea. Aemon used the time to hone his skills with music, something he had come to learn and love over the last few years. Luckily for him, the Targaryens had a natural charm, and most of them had amazing voices. All he had to do was learn how to play an instrument and apply his voice perfectly. After a few lessons from some local bards and music teachers, he could already outsing almost every single one of them. 

His mother, after learning of this, was ecstatic and immediately asked him to play a few songs for her at gatherings she attended. His young and melodic voice melted the hearts of the older ladies, and some of them even asked Aemma if they could bring their daughters with them next time, so they could enjoy Aemon's singing and perhaps even seduce the young prince. That, combined with his beautiful Valyrian features, gained him the moniker "The Silver Minstrel," something that Rhaenyra had yet to stop mocking him for.

She approached him from behind with a smug smile on her face as he prepared his beloved lute, a gift from their mother. "Are we about to witness the great Silver Minstrel play for our mortal ears? How fortunate I am~" she mocked him as she sat beside him. Although she liked to tease him, she actually enjoyed his singing very much and sometimes even asked him to play for her as she read some books.

Aemon just shook his head, unbothered by her words as he knew they were only jokes. Soon, he finished making his preparations and began to play.

(Play Royal Galley Acoustic by Falconer)

"By the rail he stands, on black waves he rides

The tomorrow belongs to him and the queen by his side

Do not fear the storm, master the oaken galley

And be brave at heart for your king and country"

As he sung the first lyrics while masterfully playing the notes on his lute, the crew of the ship stopped what they were doing and listened to his somewhat childish but at the same time grave and enchanting voice.

"Turn the prow towards the storm

For it's too late to turn back

Royal galley under the sky

Ohh, ohh

Breaking waves oh, so high

Ohh, ohh"

His voice reverberated through the ship, and even the wind and the waves calmed down, as if also stopping to listen to the young prince.

"The ship is swaying, great white sails are torn

Work harder faithful crew or you'll do nothing more

The firm hand of doom, makes the ship heal

Rocking out of control, bending up its keel

The imposing galley twists and turns

Struggling in the wild waves"

Rhaenyra stared at her brother, his eyes closed as he sang his heart out. She could feel that music had become something very important to him, a way to let out his bottled-up feelings. She couldn't help but watch his small but firm hands playing the lute skillfully and notice the blisters and scars on his hands, a result of not only their physical training but also his devotion to the instrument.

"Royal galley sailing no more

Ohh, ohh

The ship is doomed forevermore

Ohh, ohh

Royal galley sailing no more

Ohh, ohh

The ship is doomed forevermore

Ohh, ohh"

She saw him open his gorgeous purple eyes and stare fixedly at her, and for a moment, her world seemed to stop, as if only the two of them were alone in this vast space. For some reason, that got her very flustered, and she closed her eyes to just enjoy the music and calm down the storm of feelings going through her heart.

"Royal galley lost at sea

Ohh, ohh

Down in the deep, restin' in peace

Ohh, ohh

Royal galley lost at sea

Ohh, ohh

Down in the deep, restin' in peace

Ohh, ohh."

As his hands stopped and he played the last note, a deafening silence took place, only the distant sounds of waves crashing against the ship could be heard. Soon, exploding cheers echoed through the ship as the crew sang praises to the young musician.

Even the captain came to him and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "That was really something else, lad. I'm glad we could hear something this good for a change, and not some screeching sailor singing, am I right, Ally?" he said while looking at a young sailor who just scratched his head in shame.

Rhaenyra, after getting her emotions back to normal, opened her eyes and shook her head a little as she joked, "Couldn't you choose a less frightening song to play on a ship?"

Aemon, remembering the lyrics of the song, was taken aback and could only smile apologetically at the crew. They roared with laughter at the twins' antics and got back to their work. The sea voyage continued, but now the air was filled with a sense of camaraderie and lightheartedness brought about by Aemon's music.