Chapter 10: King’s Landing

"Wheeee!!!!!"

Alyssa giggled and shrieked as her father made Caraxes twirl and dive through the sky. She had never been as happy as she was in that moment, strapped to her father's chest and pressed between him and Baelon. This dragon ride has even surpassed her first, since Daemon made the dragons do tricks in the air. Her father was smiling and cheering just as much as her, encouraging his daughter's passion in dragon riding.

"Are you not enjoying yourself, my son?" It seemed that father had noticed Baelon's mood as well.

"I enjoy flying in the sky Father, but not while I'm turned upside down once every two seconds." said Baelon, while gripping the saddle tightly. 

Daemon laughed heartily. " Baelon, you must embrace the wildness of the dragon's flight. This is the pride of the Targaryens. Our ability to bond with our dragons is our greatest weapon."

Alyssa, her eyes sparkling with excitement, chimed in, "Yes, Baelon! It's like dancing with the wind! Father, make Caraxes do another loop!"

"Hold tight then," Daemon smirked. With a swift command, Caraxes soared upwards before looping back down in a graceful arc, the world spinning around them.

Baelon tightened his grip, feeling his stomach churn, but Alyssa was the opposite. She took the turns with excitement affecting Daemon to increase the intensity of their stunts.They soared above the vast oceans, near the clouds. The sun was shining brightly. It was a moment of peace amidst the chaos of their adventurous flight.

When the sun began to set, Daemon brought Caraxes down to an island to rest for the night. To his surprise, the island that they were brought down to already had a small castle with dozens of servants and guards posted.

"Father, I thought that we would find something like a cave to rest for the night." said Baelon.

"A cave? Do you think I would let my four-years old son and daughter rest in a cave?" asked Daemon.

Oh right. Baelon was still a child and a prince. Daemon probably thought that he was pampered, or he would complain if he was forced to sleep in the woods or caves for the night.

"I wouldn't complain father. I don't mind sleeping outdoors." said Baelon.

"Really," said Daemon,"Can you sleep on the hard ground when you have been used to the soft mattresses your entire life. Can you bear the cold winds of the night? Can you stand guard against the wild animal attacks?"

"Maybe I can, maybe I can not. Until I try, I will never know." said Baelon.

"Baelon, lets not sleep outside." Alyssa gave a pitiful glare at Baelon. It seems like the animal attacks and the cold scared her.

"Okay Alyssa," Baelon relented,"I wasn't planning on it. I just wanted father to know that we can if we had to."

"Your mother would tear me apart if I let both of you sleep in the forest." said Daemon.

The local lord was a minor knight who was granted land for his meritorious services to one of the noble houses. He maintained a respectful smile the entire time, probably intimidated by the giant dragon outside. That, and the fact that he was taking care of members of the royal family kept him up all night. 

Alyssa pouted as the servants brushed her silver hair. She always didn't like anyone new touching her hair, but she stopped making a fuss, something which Baelon appreciated. An uncomfortable silence ensued in the room.

Alyssa looked at Baelon, wanting to say something, but he stopped her from speaking with a shake from his head. This silence was deliberately created by Daemon, causing Baelon to guess that Daemon wanted to say something important.

"With father dying, Vhagar will be riderless," Daemon finally spoke. "Once you are about seven or eight years old, I expect you to try and tame Vhagar."

Alyssa looked excited. She looked at Baelon, expecting him to be happy as well, but Baelon did not look as excited as her. She tried to get Baelon to try now," Why can't Baelon try and tame her now?" 

Daemon didn't answer, causing her to reflexively shirk, thinking she said something wrong.

"Baelon are too young," said Daemon. "I had similar thoughts at your age, but the fact remains that it's too dangerous."

"Aren't you forgetting something? What if I don't claim Vhagar?" said Baelon.

"Then you can still try Vermithor or Silverwing when you're older," said Daemon.

"You can do it Baelon," said Alyssa.

Baelon just shook his head. He didn't say anything.

…

"Ugh, what's that smell," said Baleon. A foul odor assaulted Baelon's nose as they flew through the skies.

"That smell, is the smell of King's landing. Its a sign that we are coming close back home." said Daemon.

"Your home maybe.." muttered Baelon. Seeing Daemon turn, he asked something else,"Why do the books not mention anything about the smell."

Daemon shrugged," I don't know. You'll have to ask the citadel about that."

They weren't even allowed to change before meeting their other grandfather. As soon as they landed, Daemon let the tired Caraxes rest, before rushing to the Red Keep, castle of the king. The guards didn't even stop to check their identity. Deciding that they weren't going fast enough, Daemon picked his children up and carried them to a room where a man wearing white armor was waiting. 

Inside the room, a man who looked like an older version of Daemon was laying down. He had wrinkles around his mouth and eyes. He had pale violet eyes, and more golden than silver hair. He laid down on a bed, with several blankets covering him. Another man, around Daemon's age was sitting besides him, on a chair.

The older man struggled to get up. He smiled faintly at his grandchildren," You have never met me before children, but I am your grandfather, Baelon Targaryen."

Alyssa looked at Baelon for confirmation, to which he nodded. Alyssa said," Nice to meet you. I am Alyssa Targaryen and this is my brother Baelon Targaryen. Why are you named after my brother?"

Baelon stifled a laugh, but the other adults in the room did not have such restraint. Seeing them laugh, Alyssa's cheeks grew red. She wanted to say something, but Baelon interrupted,"It't the other way around Alyssa. I'm named after our Grandfather."

"Oh," she said nothing, blushing fervently.

The first Baelon chuckled,"Not only is your brother named after me, you are named after my mother, Alyssane."

Alyssa rolled her eyes at the obvious fact. She grew up hearing that fact several times. "This one has some spirit to her," Baelon the first chuckled.

"It's Daemon's daughter, what else do you expect father," said the other silver haired man in the room.

Since he called Baelon father, that meant he was … "Of course brother, she inherits my fire," said Daemon, confirming his suspicions. That means, the other person was Viserys Targaryen, the older brother of Daemon Targaryen. In other words, his uncle.

After this the adults got into a huge discussion, speaking in Valyrian. Alyssa tried to follow, but she couldn't understand. Baelon was better, at least he understood what they were saying.

"Who could possibly have a claim greater than yours," said Daemon.

"Laenor Velaryons is the grandson of the king's oldest son," Viserys pointed out.

"Laenor is a child."

"A child dragon rider."

"That child rides a dragon no larger than a mutt." said Daemon dismissively.

"His mother rides a dragon comparables to your Caraxes. Not to mention the fact that he has the full treasury and the fleet of the Velaryons behind him along with all the Baratheon men. They could have King's Landing surrounded without us being able to do anything about it."

"Jaherys will name you heir and all the lords will flock to you, even if his mother Rhaenys try to push the claim to her son."

"And if he doesn't?"

"The father of my bronze bitch is the warden of the east, he could easily."

"If he does that, he won't remain the warden of the east for much older."

Daemon was silent, agreeing with Viserys. Alyssa brushed against Baelon's arm, but he shushed her, trying to hear whatever was going on.

"Vaegon is Jaehaerys'es last remaining son," said Viserys.

"He's fourty years old with no heirs. He has no allies, no dragons. It's definetly impossible for Jaehaerys to name him." said Daemon dismissively. Even the pessimistic Viserys had to agree with him.

"We still have an aunt living besides Jocelyn." said Viserys.

"That whore? She was disinherited because she slept her way through all the sworn swords and ladies in waiting." At this point, Alyssa gave up dragging Baelon into whatever game she was playing and just looked around, bored.

"In the end, it will be up to me and Rhaenys. Jaehaerys will choose me and Rhaenys will attempt to place Laenor on the throne." said Viserys.

"Then let her try to do that Viserys," said Daemon," I will fly Caraxes to Storm's end and see how loyal Boremund is when his land is burning with dragon flames."

"Enough!" Alyssa was startled when Baelon the First cried out from bed," I will not spend my last hours listening to my children conspire against their own blood. Daemon, take your children and eat with Viserys, Aemma, and Rhaenyra. I'm sure that they're hungry after their long journey."

"Understood father. I'll bring the children tomorrow," said Daemon.

"I will look forward to it." said Baelon the First, as he slowly eased himself back onto the bed.