Chapter 2: Thing Start Changing

Tonight, it was happening again. He could sense it. The air on Dragonstone was once again tainted with magic.

Familiar magic

The others couldn't understand, or rather, they were incapable of understanding. They weren't there when their true home was ruined, only he was.

They'd often bother his sleep. Expressing sadness and mourning but not knowing the cause, but he knew. He knew where this sadness was coming from and the source.

They might have never seen it, but they were Valyria's children. Their blood instinctually cried out for a home they didn't know existed.

A home they were constantly reminded of every night as the magic sung of past glories.

He couldn't help them, nor did he have the answers they desired, so they turned their attention to the source.

That troublesome Targaryen boy.

Some wanted to know more about him and his connection to Old Valyria. Others simply wanted to burn the boy and get rid of this aching feeling he produced. Fortunately, he made sure that they all understood that no one was to involve themselves with the boy.

Or else.

He knew he was being quite harsh with them. He was the oldest of a dying breed. It was his duty to protect them, but they couldn't understand.

Dragon Dreams, that's what the Targaryens called this magic that reminded him so deeply of home. The last time this happened was with that Daenys girl, and she foretold the Doom of Valyria.

What will the boy prophesize?

What did he see?

The uncertainty grew with each passing day. He sensed the magic every night, which further made him nervous. Daenys never Dragon Dreamed so frequently, was the boy more powerful than her?

Truthfully, a part of him did also want to just burn the boy alive. Things used to be much simpler, but ever since this all started, everyone has been restless. It made sleeping difficult for him because he could feel the tension in the air.

They were all waiting for it

They didn't know what it was just that something was going to happen, but the waiting was torturous for them. They were all anxious and angry, this silence before a storm was more unnerving to them than the actual storm.

Damn that boy!

Was he not allowed to sleep in peace?

Regardless, this tension wasn't any good for him or his old bones. Perhaps some fresh air would help relax him.

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He closed the distance instantly and sent a wild swing forcing her to block just as he predicted. Quickly redirecting his blade, he moved to take advantage of the opening presented however she was unfazed as she shifted to the side completely avoiding his attack.

Aegon knew in that moment that he had lost. He was too hasty, wanting to finish the battle before his sister could get the chance even think let alone collect her bearings and he was proven right as Visenya appeared to become a blur as she disarmed him and held her blade against his throat

He knew his problem. He might be physically stronger than her, but Visenya had practically mastered every sword technique taught to her. She had more control of her blade and knew how to properly conserve energy leading to her dictating the flow of most of their battles.

To call it a battle was a disservice to very word. As always, with them, it was a one-sided beating.

Aegon collapsed on the ground breathing heavily. Visenya still stood over him with her sword aimed at his throat, "I concede."

"You're hand..." Visenya said faintly with a thoughtful look as she lowered her sword.

"What?" Aegon looked back to her in confusion.

"It was shaking when you got here." She narrowed her eyes. Aegon could see the suspension in her violent eyes.

Dragon Dreams

Aegon knew that that was the only possible explanation for what was happening to him, but he still didn't know what to do as there were barely any record of Deanys' dreams beside the Doom of Valyria. No past Targaryen had bothered to research or explain the topic so the only source of information he had was the journal of Aener Targaryen however despite Dragon Dreams saving his house the man seemed to barely care in mentioning them besides a few passages here and there while the rest of the journal was dedicated in spouting on and on about and his glory and achievements.

In short it was completely useless. He heard rumours that Deanys herself wrote a book about Dragon Dreams but if such a book did exist it certainly wasn't on Dragonstone perhaps the Maesters of the Citadel had the book? Aegon heavily doubted it though.

For some reason his dreams had always been physically painful for him. Aegon often woke up felling like he was being burnt alive while also being simultaneously stabbed a hundred times. Whether that was a common aftereffect of Dragon Dreaming, Aegon was uncertain but until he had enough information, he felt uncomfortable in telling others about this. He didn't want to deal with the pointless sympathetic looks and hollow pity, and he most certainly didn't want them to think that he was insane or delusional.

These were Dragon Dreams; he was sure of it. He was not crazy.

Right?

He let out a nervous chuckle and tried to avoid her gaze, "Well, you see..."

Aegon didn't know what to say, and fortunately, he didn't have to because in that very moment, everyone on Dragonstone was awoken.

From its current lord to its lowest peasant, not a single soul was asleep.

They all heard it when it released a guttural roar that seemed to shake the ground.

When it fluttered in the air, they all felt the strong winds that uprooted men and houses.

They all stared above as it flew high and covered some villages in complete darkness

Some ran and hid wherever they could, others fell to their knees and prayed, but most simply stood there and watched. Regardless of what the smallfolk did, they all shared a single grim thought.

'Gods save me.'

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"That's his dragon, isn't it?" A young boy turned to the woman by his side who was still enraptured by the dragon flying in the distance.

"Not now, Orys." The woman had a melancholic look as she answered back.

"It is, isn't it. That's Aerion's dragon!" The boy didn't bother to hide the bitterness in his voice as he looked back up at Balerion with resentment.

"That's Lord Aerion to us." She answered back automatically. Having grown used to correcting the boy.

"He's not my Lord. Not after what he did to you." The boy was slowly turning red with rage the more he spoke.

"Please, Orys. Let's not do this today." The woman turned to walk away, leaving the boy there.

"One day…" The boy whispered giving the dragon on last look before he turned to follow.

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The only ones that weren't deeply troubled by the giant abyssal dragon in the air were two children with silver-gold hair. They simply stared up with confusion instead of fear.

"Father never rides Balerion," Aegon stated as fact. Aerion Targaryen never used Balerion. The man was simply content to revile in his feasts and decadent gathering up in Dragonstone, calling him a Dragonlord was a joke amongst the siblings considering how indulgent he was and how he seemed to do everything except ride his dragon.

"Then perhaps it isn't Father," Visenya said absentmindedly.

Aegon knew what she was implying, but he doubted the possibility." Why would Balerion willingly leave his haunt?"

Visenya merely shrugged, "I haven't the slightest clue."

It was slightly awkward as they stood there in silence. Most of their interactions simply involve training, so they never really talk much outside of that. Visenya was always a distant person who favored solitude while Aegon was currently dealing with the magical affliction that's affecting him they didn't exactly prioritize casual conversations.

'I'm certain Rhaenys never deals with this' Aegon's thoughts drifted to his energetic sister who seemed to be able to strike up a conversation with anyone that caught her fancy.

Aegon then suddenly perked up as he remembered something, "Oh, that reminds me. Rhaenys was caught sneaking into the Dragonmont again."

"She still hasn't given up?" Visenya asked in exasperation, but Aegon noticed the faintest of smiles. Even the mighty Visenya couldn't resist Rhaenys' charm.

Aegon gave a fond smile, "Have you known Rhaenys to ever give up? She won't stop until she gets that dragon. "

In general, there is no set age for when a Targaryen may claim a dragon, some have claimed one in their adulthood while other have done it before they could even walk. If you feel like you're ready, there's nothing really stopping you, but it is recommended that if you want to claim an older, larger dragon you shouldn't do it as a child.

Dragons generally get more prideful and violent as they grow up, which makes them difficult to control when claiming. A child has a much easier time claiming and controlling a fledgling dragon than a fully grown one.

But for some reason, Rhaenys just can't seem to grasp that concept because she's been trying to get a certain dragon of 25 while being on 13.

Rhaenys was always a stubborn one.

"She already has a name prepared; you know." Aegon said. Rhaenys would talk fondly about that Dragon even though she only observes it from a distance, yet she was absolutely certain that it's the one for her.

"What's the name?" Visenya asked.

Aegon smiled, "Meraxes."

His sister nodded in approval, "A good, strong name. It's good to see that some of us haven't forgotten our Valyrian roots" They both knew that jab was directed at their father, the 'Dragonlord' but they didn't comment on it any further.

The silence between them had returned and Aegon contemplated just leaving at this point. Even after his best attempt it seemed like there was still a wall between them.

"It irks me so much…" Visneya spoke up staring up at Balerion, "They're so powerful, so majestic and yet fate has condemned them to a slow death as they're forgotten by the greater world, much like us."

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the last Dragonlords, but the truth was that the world was slowly forgetting them and the dragons they once feared. Perhaps it was because they had effectively exiled themselves to this small island, but no one seemed to care about them anymore.

"Those Magisters should be lining up to offer us tributes and gifts in fear of our wrath. The Dragons should be seen and heard by all as they used to be. Instead, those cities fight and bicker trying to be the successors of the Freehold when it's us! We're the true successors to Valyria yet we do nothing but sit around as those dogs steal our inheritance all the while forgetting who they truly belong to!" Visenya's breathing was labored as she continued to rant, Aegon's eyes widened as he had never heard his sister so passionate. She turned to him, her eyes filled with rage that could match a dragon

"Everything that they are, everything that they own rightly belongs to us Aegon and I'm growing steadily tired of it all. We deserve more than this." Visenya there was a ferocity and bite to her tone that could have scared anyone else but to Aegon it did nothing but interest him.

'We deserve more than this' her words echoed in his mind. It was clear that Visenya desired to reclaim the Free Cities that had once belonged to the Freehold but while her confidence in the dragons was endearing from a practical standpoint a campaign on that level was simply impossible even if their father and all three siblings had dragons.

For one while dragons where excellent in destroying armies and sieging fortresses they couldn't do much besides that.

You'd still need loyal men who could enforce your rule in conquered territories acting as Vassal lords. Soldiers who could hold castles and land if the dragons aren't there or preoccupied. You'd need to create a single unified currency instead of the multiple that the Free Cities used. A countermeasure for magic was also required considering how prevalent it is. That's not to mention the logistics involved in moving resources on such a scale.

Such a conquest was simply impossible with the relatively small men the Targaryens had at its disposal.

'Unless we assimilate existing armies as we progress further into Essos' Aegon thought his mind racing with ideas. 'But there'd be no guarantee of loyalty. They might kill us in our sleep or run away the first chance they get.'

Aegon shook his head, he had gotten carried away by the foolish idea. It seems like Visenya's speech had more of an impact than he had imagined.

"Conquest, what a silly thought," He chuckled

However, for a moment Aegon was reminded of the man from his dreams who sat on a throne made of swords.

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Character ages

Visenya: 16

Orys: 16 (Older by a few months)

Aegon: 14

Rhaenys: 13