The Red Keep basked in the soft warmth of a clear morning, its stone walls gleaming in the sunlight. Servants bustled along the cobbled pathways, as squires sparred with wooden swords in a courtyard nearby.
Baelon sat alone in a quiet corner of the Red Keep, his back pressed against the cool stone of a shaded wall near the Godswood. A thick leather-bound book rested in his lap, its title embossed in dull bronze across the cover: A Compendium of Dragon Dreams.
Cracking it open, Baelon began to sift through the contents, brow furrowed. Compared to other books he had read, this one was written entirely in High Valyrian, the words proving stubbornly difficult despite his study.
"Dragon Dreams. It is an ability inherited through the Targaryen lineage. The most prominent Dragon Dreamer was Daenys Targaryen, whose visions allowed the Targaryens to avoid the Doom of Valyria…"
"Nevertheless, since Daenys, Dragon Dreams had appeared intermittently across the Targaryen bloodline. Referring to history, it is clear that Dragon Dreams do not always depict absolute destiny. Some manifest literally, others more subtly. Perhaps some even depict a time in complete antithesis to our own—a 'what if?' scenario."
"Nevertheless, while these dreams can be misinterpreted or perhaps are wholly incorrect…you ought not change what is foreseen; any attempts will lead to tragic consequences, a truth learned through bitter pain and experience…."
Baelon pressed his lips together tightly, eyes flicking over the book as he watched the young girl playing before him.
Helaena crouched low in the grass, her violet eyes alight with curiosity as she examined a small cluster of insects she had discovered. Tiny beetles crawled over her fingers, and a millipede wiggled through the folds of her hand. She giggled softly, completely absorbed in her own world.
"Looks like someone's forgotten all about yesterday's dream…" Baelon muttered, shaking his head with equal parts relief and amusement.
Though a nagging worry gnawed at him as he remembered what he had seen in his dream yesterday.
According to this book, is such a thing inevitable? Or, does his absence from her side mean that it came from a world not his own? Or was it an incorrect or even a false prophecy?
'No!' He thought. 'I cannot risk this on such fragile hopes. I have to find a way to control my future… but how? All the records show these dreams should not be challenged.'
'Unless…' Baelon chewed on his lips. 'I can find a surefire way to protect Helaena. But is that even possible? Or… perhaps we don't have to use force? Why fight if you can hide?'
"Brother?" Helaena called, spotting his gaze. Curiously, addled over to him, clutching something in her hand.
Soon, Baelon sat shoulder to shoulder with her, watching as she pointed out the millipede wriggling in her unfurled palm. "See? It's so tiny, yet it moves so fast! Look at how many legs it has!"
Baelon snapped out of his thoughts, tapping the top of her silver head with mild exasperation.
"Come now, Hela, what will Mother say when she sees you like this?"
Helaena scrunched her nose. "As long as we don't bother dear Aegon, I don't think she cares, brother."
A wry smile crossed Baelon's face; she was right. His mother truly doted on Aegon, though he was hesitant to call it love.
As the millipede wriggled off Helaena's hands and into the dirt, a question rose in Baelon's mind, his eyes brightening. A naïve idea appeared in his mind.
"Helaena?" he called softly.
She looked up, brushing dirt from her palms. "Hmm? What is it, Baelon?"
He hesitated, weighing his words before speaking. "Where would you want to go… in the future?"
"What do you mean?" She tilted her head.
"We've rarely left the Red Keep. Wouldn't it be… interesting to see the rest of the world? The Free Cities of Essos? The Titan of Braavos? The Wall in the North, which has stood for millennia? Or… even the shadowlands of Asshai?"
"Maybe?" She shrugged. "Why do you ask?"
Baelon almost spoke of their dreams but held back, feeling no need to remind Helaena of them.
She, however, knew him well enough already. Scooting closer, her violet eyes met his so intently he could see his own reflection.
"Is this because of all those dreams? Are we in danger?" She whispered.
Baelon sighed. Despite his reluctance, she had understood exactly what he meant. Her eyes seemed able to pierce into his mind.
"Yes," he admitted.
"Then we'll go together?" Helaena moved so her back rested against his side, and before long, her small head leaned onto his shoulder.
"Obviously." Baelon rolled his eyes.
What else was he supposed to do? Toss her aside?
Oblivious to his thoughts, Helaena giggled. "Then, isn't it fine if we go anywhere we want? As long as we're together, it won't be boring."
Nevertheless, Helaena was not one for sentiments as her focus rapidly shifted to what Baelon had just mentioned.
"The Wall? The massive one all the way up north? They say it stretches as far as the eye can see, cold as ice and solid as stone."
Baelon's mind wandered. "I remember some legends claim that it was built to guard against the Others."
"The Others?" Helaena shivered. "Do you think we'd survive if we went there?"
Baelon smiled wryly, though his brow furrowed. "We'd need more than courage, Hela. Strength, perhaps. And even then, some luck."
She bounced slightly on her heels, her silver hair catching the sunlight. "We have both. Or at least… we will."
Baelon let out a long sigh, a mixture of exasperation and laughter. "It's all well and good to dream, Hela, but we're merely children. How are we ever to travel to such places? Let alone survive."
Helaena tilted her head, thinking. "Then we'll grow up, won't we? And, we have the blood of the dragon." Looking at her brother, she teased him. "What scared you won't be able to claim a dragon?"
Baelon had already considered this. "Need I remind you, sister, not all of us are guaranteed dragons. Even if we do claim one, it must not be a hatchling, or we wouldn't be able to fly properly for some time."
Helaena paused, thinking over his words. Then she straightened, eyes alight with memory. "But remember that one dream? I seemed to be riding Dreamfyre…" Confidence radiated from her small frame as she stood. "I see now. You're worried you might not claim a dragon."
Like a small adult, she nodded solemnly before giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Worry not, brother. Even if no dragon chooses you, I can surely convince Dreamfyre to carry you once I claim her."
Baelon's lips twitched. "Thank you, kind sister. Your care is… much appreciated." The last words were through gritted teeth.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Their playful exchange was interrupted by approaching footsteps. Turning their heads, they saw a young boy slightly older than them, silver-haired and violet-eyed, like themselves.
Nevertheless, unlike them, his eyes held a solemn look whilst his mouth seemed fixed into a perpetual pout.
Baelon rose at once, narrowing his eyes as he took Helaena's hand, her fingers limp. He stepped forward, placing himself between her and the figure approaching across the grass.
"What do you want, Aegon?"
Aegon's answer came with a lazy, mocking laugh. "I heard the servants gossiping that our sweet princess was in the Godswood… playing in the dirt." His eyes slid over the two of them with a smirk. "Hardly surprising. One eats dirt, the other daydreams about dragons he'll never ride."
He clicked his tongue, shaking his head as if the very sight offended him.
Baelon refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. He tightened his grip on Helaena's hand and attempted to guide her past him.
But she didn't move.
Confused, Baelon turned back. Helaena stood rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed ahead. Blank and unblinking.
Helaena didn't look at either him or Aegon as she began to speak; her eyes stayed fixed on the empty air ahead.
Her mouth parted as she began to whisper, prompting Aegon to scoff. "What is she doing now? She won't actually become crazy?"
Despite his words, Helaena continued murmuring, her voice gaining volume and becoming audible to both her brothers.
"Oh, Aegon. You chase after things you think will make you great," she murmured. "But even if you grasp them, they won't make you the one they follow."
Shifting her gaze, her light purple eyes fixed themselves on Aegon. "Aemond will need no titles, yet men will turn their heads when he walks by. Daeron will face dangers you never would, and they'll call him brave for it."
Her gaze drifted toward Baelon, then beyond him, as if seeing something far away. Too far away. "And Baelon and I… we'll walk our own path or die trying. Untouched by the shadows you're so desperately trying to outrun."
She blinked slowly. "You reach so high, Aegon… but it's your brothers they'll look up to."
As Helaena's final words faded into the air, a suffocating stillness settled over them. Even the wind seemed to withdraw. Aegon stood rigid, chest heaving, fury twisting every line of his face.
"What," he whispered, and then exploded. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
The veins at his temples throbbed. His eyes bulged with disbelief as he jabbed a trembling finger toward her.
"YOU dare to claim I'll be overshadowed by a bug-addled girl, a book-sniffing whelp, a craven, and a babe still sucking at its nurse?!"
Spittle flew with each word, flecking the grass. Baelon recoiled, more disgusted by the spray than the insult.
"Quiet, Aegon," Baelon said sharply. "That is no way to speak to your siblings. You know full well how Helaena is."
"SHUT UP!" Aegon roared, the sound cracking with unhinged rage.
Baelon barely had time to tense before Aegon lunged. A fist crashed into Baelon's cheek, snapping his head sideways.
Pain burst across his jaw, and the world tilted as he stumbled and fell hard onto the packed dirt, his book thrown out of his grasp.
Stars pricked his vision as he tasted blood. Aegon loomed over him, drawing his fist back to deliver another blow, but he never got the chance.
Helaena let out a furious cry and hurled herself at their brother with all the ferocity of a cornered kitten. Her tiny arms wrapped around Aegon's neck as she sank her teeth into his shoulder.
"GET OFF ME!" Aegon yelped, staggering as he tried to pry her loose, his balance faltering.
It was all the opening Baelon needed.
He surged to his feet, anger burning away the pain, and drove his foot straight into Aegon's groin.
Aegon collapsed with a strangled gasp, folding instantly. Helaena tumbled off him as he curled on the ground, wheezing.
Baelon didn't hesitate. Fury flooded him; he had tried to be civilised, but this pathetic whelp of an older brother could not help himself.
Even Helaena soon joined in, smacking him with her tiny fists, wild with protective rage.
"STOP! STOP! GET OFF—!" Aegon shrieked, trying to shield himself as the two younger children swarmed him.
It was pitiful. And, yet, it was deserved.
Their assault might have lasted longer, but movement at the far end of the path caught Baelon's eye.
Dyana, his and Helaena's young maid, was sprinting toward them, skirts in hand, guards rushing behind her.
Baelon exhaled sharply, frustration replacing adrenaline.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.
Before stepping back, he delivered one final kick to Aegon's stomach—quick, precise, and remarkably satisfying.