Chapter Text
The twins were strong. Rhaegar and Helaena Targaryen were the pride of Daemon Targaryen alongside their older sister. His three children were the ones that kept Daemon on his toes, mostly Aemma, but he knew once the twins were walking, they would be like their sister.
He had placed the dragon eggs in their cradle, and the dragon had hatched. It clung to his son, who cooed at the creature. Daemon knew that perhaps his Helaena would get a dragon from the Dragonpit when she was older. Aemma was still young and would also get a dragon; Daemon knew it. His children would get dragons and take to the skies alongside him. Even with those happy thoughts, the dreams still troubled him. He did not know who the girl was or what the cold even meant. What was the Song of Ice and Fire? He hadn't told Alicent any of this, not yet. They had to focus on their children; he could think of those dreams later. So he played the part well even with the echoes of that simple question in his head. The young girl’s voice still echoed.
Who are you?
He did not have a dream about the young girl. The dream did not change until the child until his fifth child was born.
116 AC
The birth of another prince was announced to the court. Queen Elinore had given birth to the long-awaited son of King Viserys, naming the princeling Aegon. Otto was proud as Lord Hubert Hightower sent lavish gifts for his grandson and daughter.
Alicent was more so blissfully with her small family. Aemma was growing fast as was her babes, but it frightened her how much Helaena cried. Daemon would take turns to keep the little princess quiet while Alicent fed Rhaegar. They couldn't have known, not until she was old enough for her parents to understand the dreams she would have.
There would be more news to go around as Viserys finally announced the marriage between Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen to Ser Harwin Strong. A lavish ceremony and an even lavish dress for the bride. Even after the bride and groom had gone off to Harrenhall since the ceremony, Daemon was relieved to see his niece leave the chaos that would soon erupt in the Red Keep.
Name Days came and went for his children. Aemma turned four and the twins turned one. Daemon would proudly take his children to the Dragonpit to show Caraxes and some of the other dragons. Rhaegar's dragon was a blue beast and pretty, while Aemma had yet to still have one. Her dragon egg hadn't hatched but Daemon knew there would be plenty of dragons for his children to pick from. It would be his children after him who would take the throne, he would make sure of it.
Alicent watched as her ladies were all court men. Johanna was expecting her first child with Lord Jason Lannister while Lady Cassandra was to be betrothed to Lord Marbrand, a great honor for them. There were tourneys that came and went, as well as new Kingsguards. Ser Lorent Marbrand was a good man who shadowed Alicent and her children after meetings. Daemon wanted a sworn sword for Alicent since Harwin was now in Harrenhall and Lady Eddara was to be betrothed to a Karstark soon. She understood and had picked Ser Lorent and Ser Erryk as her swords to protect her. Alicent knew that with Rhaenyra gone it would be a battle to get the King's attention from her father. Daemon had told her that he was trying to find ways to oust her father from the position of Lord Hand. It needed to be done because if Daemon would be King, Otto Hightower would not go quietly. Not with his niece as Queen and giving birth to the long-awaited heir, not likely. Alicent was just grateful but confused that Viserys hadn't changed the proclamation, continuing on that Daemon would be his heir after he passed.
She knew the whispers that many were saying, that Alicent's husband was vying for power.
That they were Maegor and Ceryse reborn once again to fracture the kingdom.
Daemon called them lies. The Lord Hand called it half-truths which incensed Daemon even more. Johanna and Alicent continued to be servants of the realm to Viserys. A month after Rhaenyra's wedding, it was announced that the Princess was expecting her first child. Near the end of the year, Rhaenyra gave birth to a boy named Jacaerys Strong. Viserys had gone to Harrenhall with Lord Strong to visit their grandson. Alicent sent gifts to her friend, welcoming the addition into the family.
Alicent, at the end of the year, told Daemon that she was again expecting. Daemon was elated and when Viserys announced it, the court erupted with cheers for the Prince's growing family.
Yet as she looked at her husband, there was concern in his eyes.
121 AC
At the beginning of the year 117 AC, she gave birth to her second son, whom they named Aemond. His sister, Aemma was happy to meet her new sibling and with her father's help gave the prince a dragon egg, leaving it in the cradle.
No other children had come to the King and Queen. But it was different for Daemon and Alicent. They now had four children and were happy. Content in their lives even if there was danger for them.
It still made Alicent worry when Daemon looked at their children. There was a haunted look in his eyes when he saw Rhaegar play with his sisters or when he looked at Aemma and Helaena.
Aemond fussed in her arms as she looked out the sea into the small garden. She had invited Laena and Laenor to eat with her, extending it to Rhaenys as well. They had come and an hour later, Alicent was pleased to see them. They chatted. Alicent asked about betrothals for Laena who did not care for them much to Alicent and Laenor’s amusements.
The couple and perhaps the kingdom as well as the court thought that they would be done having children. Four Targaryens born, two boys to continue the line of the dragon. Not to mention how overjoyed Viserys was with the birth of his grandsons. But when Alicent told Daemon she was expecting, he was happy. Princess Aemma and her sister Helaena were growing into beauties, but intelligent maidens that made both parents proud.
In 121 AC, Alicent gave birth to their third son. Daemon chuckled when both Aemma and Helaena pouted that it wasn't a sister. "Don't worry, we'll give you a sister." Alicent raised an eyebrow at her husband who grinned cheekily in response to her question.
They decided on the name Daeron and the King was overjoyed, having the bells ring for the birth as he had done for the other children of his younger brother before. But to the Hightowers, they seethed over the fact that Alicent had five children while the Queen had only one but the succession was still the same. Daemon Targaryen was still Prince of Dragonstone, putting him on the path to be King of the Seven Kingdoms and Alicent, his Queen. That is what their anger was towards, not to the son that could easily be molded but to the second son that had could not be stopped in his path towards the Iron Throne. Otto could see the danger of having Daemon Targaryen as a King, he tried to voice his concern but Viserys shut it down. "Your daughter has vouched for her husband, I think Daemon will be a great king after I am gone. There is nothing to worry about Otto. It seemed fatherhood had mellowed him out."
Otto Hightower did not buy it one bit.
In another part of the castle late in the night, it came back to Daemon. There he was once again in the throne room looking at the young maiden with purple eyes and red hair. She asked the same question once again.
This time, he answered her. "I am Daemon Targaryen. Who are you?"
"How are you here?" She then seemed to think to herself and said it aloud. "Dreams... dragon dreams."
"Aye," She looked at him as if trying to see that he really is Daemon Targaryen. "And I am Sansa."
Sansa is the same name as his wife's mother's name. A Northerner name holding the throne with purple eyes and auburn hair. He looks closely at the child and spots a sliver of silver blonde in her hair. It is a streak just like Rhaegar's hair. A streak of red, a streak of white blonde hidden. She was a Targaryen, she was of his blood. His descendant.
"You shouldn't be here," Her voice sounds mournful.
"What do you mean?" He tilts his head to one side inquisitively.
Sansa looked upward for a moment before looking back at him, gripping Dark Sister tightly in her hand. "You shouldn't be here. You should be dead." He expects that, somehow. He knew that this child, perhaps wasn't his child but a descendant, and of course, he would be dead. Sansa continues, "I do not know why I see you. Sometimes, I think I am cursed."
"Why would you be cursed, child?"
"Because I am alone. The dragons are no more, I am lost." He is looking at her, suddenly it feels as though he is looking at Alicent. Too young to bear the weight of a crown on her head and wielding Dark Sister. What happened to you, child? What has happened to House Targaryen to sit a young girl on the throne? "I need your help."
"How?"
"I don't know," She answers truthfully. "I don't know, Daemon. All I know is this, fire and ice will be the standing place for House Targaryen. That with you on the throne, enemies will not be stopped."
"Then what must I do?"
"Help me, go to the Godswood. I think it will be there," Sansa said.
"What will? Sansa, speak truthfully!"
She just gave him a look that reminded him of Alicent. One that chided but also understood his lack of patience over the situation. Was it a Stark thing? He was sure of it.
"Go to the Godswood, Daemon." She sounded exasperated it reminded him of Viserys a bit. "Speak with your brother."
Daemon woke up, sweat on his body as his heart was beating in his chest rapidly. Next to him, Alicent slept unaware of the troubled dream her husband had moments before.
The dream as well came to Viserys. He felt so much younger when he saw the young girl with red hair and purple eyes. No pain or loss of limbs on him, he was youthful as he came upon the child that had changed everything for him and put trust in his brother.
"Hello Sansa," Viserys spoke softly to the child. It frightened him just like Daemon how young this child was on the throne. Younger than their grandsire, Jaehaerys Targaryen when he was crowned at fourteen. She looked to be about twelve or thirteen, Viserys was not sure.
She acknowledged him with a smile of her own. "King Viserys." She looked sad and her eyes flickered at the sound. It sounded like a roar in the distance, like a dragon. She had told him that there were no dragons, barely any when she was born.
"Child," He never asked or questioned but it ate him alive. "What had happened to our family, our house?"
"It will come to happen and when it does, we will bring forth our fire." He looked at her, demanding a true answer. A straight answer. Sansa smiled but it did not reach her eyes. "I will come from the line of Daemon and Alicent, it will be true. My birth won't happen for years to come but mine will be a tragedy."
"You will be crowned young," Viserys spoke. Sansa nodded. "A great weight had been placed on your head, I am sorry for what has happened to you. But why will it be a tragedy? How can we stop it from happening?"
She looked at him with a sad smile on her face. Once again, faintly the roar of a dragon announced itself. Viserys wanted to know more. He wanted to know how the downfall of his House had come to be. He
"Daemon and Aicent will be seen as another Maegor and Ceryse. But not to history, to the Hightowers and the lickspittles now in your time that is the title they will bestow upon my ancestors. I ask you this Your Grace, nuncle, is to defend them. Talk with Daemon about the dream."
"Will it change?" Viserys asked.
Sansa could only shrug. "Perhaps, perhaps not. That is for the Gods and fate to decide but I think so. I hope so, for my sake."
"Why?"
She could only look at him, big round eyes that seemed to hold the future. Viserys could his daughter and his nieces in Sansa. She was too young to hold the weight of the crown, of the realm yet here she was doing so. Because the dragons died, because something would happen to their house, their family to have a young maiden of twelve on the Iron Throne as its Queen.
"Daemon will be King and his line will continue till I am here."
I am proof of them, Sansa thought to herself. I am their future and it hangs in their hands now.