Disclaimer: This is a story based on ASOIAF and Marvel characters and all recognizable characters, plots, belong to GRRM and Marvel. I have no ownership to it.
Chapter 8 :Logan
Baelon moved forward to support Gaemon as he stumbled a step after standing up from the bed. But even before Baelon could reach him, Gaemon corrected his posture and stood tall, as if there were no pain or life-threatening injuries on him.
"I am all right, brother," Gaemon said, raising his hand to stop Baelon. Baelon frowned, while Aemon snickered at him.
They reached the center of the Dragonpit, and Baelon watched as Gaemon approached Balerion, inspecting every healing wound and injury on the Black Dread. No one else but Jaehaerys dared to walk up and touch the healing injuries to examine them.
Jaehaerys looked around. There was no one nearby, not even if they shouted.
"Now, it is time," Jaehaerys said. "Gaemon, tell me the truth. Who are you, or what do you know?"
Baelon gaped at the question, and he knew Aemon had a similar expression. Of all the things their father could ask, he never thought such a question would be posed.
Alysanne scoffed in derision. "Come on, brother. Do not waste Gaemon's rest with such meaningless questions."
Jaehaerys ignored everyone else and observed Gaemon. Baelon followed his lead, surprised to see the weary look in Gaemon's eyes.
"I am Prince Gaemon. Who do you think I am?" Gaemon said with a shrug.
"Gaemon, do you know that it was I who pulled you from the fire when you were revived from death? And no, Alysanne, it was not a near miss. Gaemon had clearly died that day, and only the sacrifice of the dragon egg brought him back. The black eyes I saw that day had too much intelligence for a newborn. Over the years, everything only strengthened my assumption. Now, with your powers, it is confirmed for me, Gaemon. Now answer the question. Do you have dragon dreams, or who are you really?"
Gaemon remained silent, thinking through the possibilities. He had never suspected someone would reach the insane conclusion of body swapping or replacement.
He was ready to lie and claim dragon dreams, but then he looked at his mother and siblings. For all their shortcomings, they never lacked love—especially Alyssa and his mother, who had looked after him these past few days. Logan remembered his insane brother, Sabretooth, and his new brothers in this life. The difference between their relationship is the size of ant and an elephant. He loved and cared for his new family and for someone who even agreed to this life for his daughter, it was a balm to his soul. He thought of all the stories of mutant parents who once appeared loving, only to turn to fear and hatred when the truth of abilities emerged.
He wondered whether this new magical family would be different. Even though his father was a cold and calculating king, he did look after the Targaryen family in his own way, using them to their maximum potential. Gaemon sighed, realizing that at the very least, his mother Alysanne deserved the truth and if the truth make them hate or fear him, then it all became very easy for him, going forward. He could just get on Balerion and fly away to travel and live in the wild for now.
"You are correct, in a sense," Gaemon finally said. "I remember everything from the moment I became conscious in that fire. I also remember scattered memories of a past life. I have lived a long life, forgotten much, loved and died in that life. I even know things about this world—some fragments of its future."
Immediately, a sword was at Gaemon's throat. Dark Sister's hungry steel almost touched his neck.
"Give me back my brother, you thief," Baelon snarled in anger.
Gaemon looked at him sadly. "I am your brother, Baelon," he said with a small smile. "The proof is behind me, now wondering if you would make a good meal after all the cows and goats he has eaten these last five days."
A hiss of warning echoed from Balerion, and Baelon's hand trembled. Moments later, the roar of Vhagar echoed through the Dragonpit as the ancient beast emerged from her cavern.
"Enough," Jaehaerys ordered. Baelon instinctively lowered his sword and stepped back.
"Gaemon, what do you mean by that?" Alysanne asked, still crying softly.
"I assure you, even though I had regeneration in my last life, I had no talent to bond with animals like I just did with Balerion. Only being Gaemon made that possible. My past life—Logan—may influence me through centuries of memory, but I am still Gaemon. Otherwise, I would not have been able to bond with Balerion. It really is that simple."
"He is correct," Jaehaerys finally said. "Just as all our children grew with their own unique paths, Gaemon simply had a different life from the very beginning."
Alysanne nodded in acceptance, and Baelon sheathed his sword, though he still looked conflicted. Alyssa and Aemon accepted it without question—Gaemon was Gaemon, regardless of what memories he may carry.
"So what do you know about powers like mine, Your Grace?" Gaemon asked shrewdly. "You could not have reached this conclusion about me unless you already knew of some other example."
"Yes, you are correct, Gaemon," Jaehaerys said with a sigh. "It seems fate will not allow me to carry this secret to my grave. Does anyone here know why Old Valyria tried to conquer Essos, or why they followed in the Ghiscari's footsteps with slavery? Or why we never turned to Westeros, when at first glance, it would have been easier? Or why Valyria built a watchpost on Dragonstone?"
Everyone looked intrigued, but no one had an answer.
"It is because some people are born with incredible powers. The Ghiscari used slavery to find them, then used them in magical rituals to usurp their abilities. Even when Valyria was blessed by the Fourteen Elder Dragons and their legacy, these anomalies were dangerous. One in a million, perhaps, but still incredible. Valyria used dragons and their own gifts to conquer the Ghiscari, Rhoynar, and the rest of Essos."
"Mutants," Gaemon whispered, though only Jaehaerys glanced at him, curious.
"Though the Forty Families ruled in council, some were always more powerful. The most powerful was House Belarys, and that was because their immortal head could possess anyone and take over their body completely."
Gaemon almost paled. He whispered, "Apocalypse."
"Each time he possessed another, he grew stronger. Only the threat of the Elder Dragons and dragonriders kept his ambition in check. Then we turned to Westeros and discovered their own strange magics—skinchanging, green dreams, even the power to change the nature of the world itself. Belarys was deeply afraid of the skinchangers and convinced the council to issue a decree of non-interference regarding Westeros.
"Nearly a decade before the Doom, anomalies….. no mutants, had become concentrated in Valyria itself. Those outside the Forty were sacrificed to steal their powers. Eventually, Belarys became powerful enough that he sacrificed fourteen powerful mutants, usurped their abilities, and attempted a ritual to possess one of the Elder Dragons. But he underestimated the Dragon Gods. The Doom was the result.
"Belarys was cursed—banished and transformed into a dragonlike being, trapped in eternal pain and slumber in Valyria. The Elder Dragons also cursed the world so that no more mutants would be born."
"And yet here you are, Gaemon," Jaehaerys said solemnly. "An anomaly. A sign of divergence in the song of this world. More than that, you bonded with Balerion, one of the few quarter- Elder Dragons still alive. If any red priest or black sorcerer of Essos learns that a mutant has returned, it could spark a war to end all wars."
"Well, I have fought in those before and ended it. Let the idiots come. It is not the first time I have been hunted down by some power hungry monsters," Gaemon snarled as coiled power swelled within his body.
"Enough, Gaemon," Alysanne snapped. "There will be no wars, and you are banned from ever leaving Westeros or setting foot in Essos. Fortunately, I have managed to control the news of your miraculous healing. You are safe for now."
Gaemon growled in irritation but did not argue back, since he had no intention of stopping himself for the sake of some monsters. If they came, then he would deal with it as usual. In his eyes, slavers deserved nothing less than death.
Baelon and Aemon looked at each other with a mixture of wonder and worry.
"So, Father," Aemon started, "why does the world not know the truth?"
"Aemon, there are still tales of incredibly powerful people, even though they are now almost revered as gods. The Doom and the Century of Blood erased many bloodlines, and knowledge has been permanently lost. Only the pseudo immortals remember the truth now and are still waiting for the resurgence of mutants."
"Is that why Aegon didn't look to the east but turned to Westeros after seeing no more skinchangers or greendreamers?" Baelon asked with curiosity.
"Yes, that was one reason for his decision to become king of Westeros. Another was that he had a vision of the end of mankind as it is, caused by some catastrophe from beyond the Wall. Knowing the truth, he decided that if he truly wanted to protect the North from the threat beyond the Wall, then he would become king to do it—enjoying the benefits while taking on the unasked responsibility of stopping the future threat he foresaw.
Now here is Gaemon, who claims to know some future events. Tell me, Gaemon, was the vision true or not?" Jaehaerys asked.
"The vision is true. I do not know what change mutants might cause, but the Others—or White Walkers—are slumbering in the lands of always winter and collecting dead bodies for their undead army. I know that they will attack in 300 AC, and a Baratheon will sit on the throne after a rebellion."
Aemon's eyes widened. "What Baratheon? They are my family, and we are tied by more than blood. Even if they could claim dragons, why would any Targaryen allow that?"
Gaemon concentrated, trying to remember anything he could, then replied, "Because by that time we were at our lowest, since there were no more dragons. I only remember that all the dragons were killed shortly after a civil war called the Dance of the Dragons, fought by the children of Viserys. I do not remember anything else."
"Children of Viserys? What will happen to me, Aemon, and even Baelon?" Alyssa asked in panic.
"I do not know, sister. I know many of the ladies die in childbirth. It makes you wonder why they die like that, even with the utmost care, provided by the greatest maesters."
Jaehaerys remained silent while the others started to argue about the latest information.
"Enough," Jaehaerys's voice pierced through the loud argument. "Nothing is to be gained by arguing here and now. Gaemon, you will share anything else you remember or see in a vision."
Gaemon just shrugged.
"Now," Jaehaerys continued, "Aemon, you will be my new Hand, while Gaemon will help establish new techniques to improve whatever he can. It is evident that his suggestions come from his other memories."
"Nope," Gaemon snapped immediately.
"Baelon will help Gaemon to—" Jaehaerys stopped, as if only then registering Gaemon's refusal. "What? What do you mean by no?"
"The same as when anyone says no. I will not help you improve anything because you do not deserve my help. I have asked for two things from you until now, but you denied both of them because of your selfish need to establish our house's reign over the needs or wants of individuals. Now one of my sisters is dead because of you, and the dragons are free from their chains because Balerion is free. Therefore, I will not do anything for you. I will only do what is necessary when Aemon becomes king—or maybe his children, or even Viserys, if the gods have cursed us with that fate. I have time, after all."
For the first time, Baelon saw his father truly surprised. Jaehaerys looked as if he had been slapped in the face.
"You will deny your king and father just like that?"
"Yes, I will deny you just like that," Gaemon replied with a shrug. "I will do what is necessary if I believe it is needed or to protect my siblings. You have shown that you value the idea of House Targaryen more than the living, breathing people in it."
"It seems to me that enjoying the privileged life of being a prince of the blood has made you forget who you should be thankful to," Jaehaerys said pointedly. "Your dragon just consumed ten thousand gold dragons' worth of food, and you think you do not owe anything in return?"
"Well, if you want to talk about money, then call it protection fees."
Jaehaerys looked confused and whispered, "Protection fees?"
"Yes, your grace. Protection fees for not killing and eating Dreamfyre, Silverwing, or even Meleys. Balerion needed sustenance immediately. Even I could not have controlled him if food had not been provided. So, it was protection fees," Gaemon said.
Jaehaerys was speechless as he tried to come up with a rebuttal.
Alysanne, who had been wiping tears from her eyes, sighed, took a deep breath, and then opened her eyes.
"Enough of this, Jaehaerys. Balerion has given this house more than enough for us to care for him in return. And do not dare to extort our children anymore. Maybe I should have followed Gaemon's suggestion regarding Daella and at least waited, but your order to find her a husband by the end of the year was the main reason for the choice I made two years ago.
"And Gaemon, do not antagonize your father for any reason. You may have different views because of your... your previous memories," Alysanne said with a hitch in her voice. "But you live in Westeros now, and this is how things are. I do not know how your relationship with your other parents was, but you should not compare it with our relationship, Gaemon."
"Oh, it went wonderfully, Mother," Gaemon said with a snort. "Long ago, I was the son of a wealthy landowner, and my relationship with my parents was fine—until our groundskeeper, Logan, who had been fired, came and killed my father. That trauma awakened my powers, and I killed him. Then I found out I was actually his illegitimate child. I ran away and lived in the forest for a time, becoming the Wolverine. I stayed there until my brother and later sworn enemy, Sabretooth, came to find me. We served in the army, fought in World War One, and then he betrayed me. To be honest, this Targaryen family is way better and far more good to me. So when I see my family in danger because of idiocy and pride, I cannot forgive or forget."
"Oh." Everyone looked at Gaemon with wide eyes, not knowing what to say or how to react to the new information.
It was Alyssa who broke the silence.
"I am sorry, brother, that your memories are so tragic," she said with a consoling voice and hugged Gaemon tightly.
Gaemon just patted Alyssa's back as he looked at the others with helplessness. He was happy that at least his family was not screaming for his head in fear or hatred after hearing the truth. Maybe being magical was the true reason they accepted him.
"Well," Jaehaerys's calm voice pierced the warmth, "as much as we are fascinated by Gaemon's memories, we have more relevant things to decide and consider. Alysanne, do not blame me alone for Daella's death. She was my own daughter, and I mourn her just like I mourn the other children we lost. You do not understand the pressure of being the king and making decisions to protect us. The world is in a delicate balance, and I had to maintain that balance in Westeros so no one from Essos would get ideas. It is now more important than ever that the House of the Dragon stays united, especially since the first mutant in a century was born in our house."
Gaemon just snorted.
"You do not have to worry about me, your grace. I am capable of surviving whatever this world throws at me."
Jaehaerys looked intrigued for a moment before frowning.
"I am not worried about you, Gaemon. I am worried about the rest of us. If the matter of your miraculous regeneration comes out, then those who know will target the rest of our family. Tell me, what could innocent little Gael do against mages and shadowbinders?"
Gaemon's eyes widened as he realized his foolishness. Of course, no matter the world, evil would always go after the innocent and the weak.
"Then the world will remember why it was Balerion who broke Volantis's century of blood and conquered the Seven Kingdoms," Gaemon snarled.
"Aye, I know you will have your vengeance, Gaemon, especially against enemies. There is no doubt about that, even when you are punishing even me—your father—in the matter of Daella," Jaehaerys said. "But prevention is better than cure, and I want you to support us, not go rogue."
Gaemon frowned.
"I have said it before. I will always protect my family and help them when needed."
Jaehaerys nodded and smiled.
"Then it would be best for you to marry Rhaenys and become king after Aemon. I will betroth you to her, and you can even marry her after she turns eighteen."
"No." Both Aemon and Gaemon looked surprised to hear each other yell the same word.
"Oh brother, do you think you are too good for my daughter, the future queen?" Aemon teased, hiding his grin.
"On the contrary, brother. I think I am bad for our future children. In my memories, I know for a fact that incest has been proven to lead to fatalities, including madness. Why would I want to subject my children to that willingly?" Gaemon replied calmly.
Jaehaerys just snorted.
"Gaemon, do not be naive. Valyrians have been doing it for millennia, and nothing happened because it was necessary to maintain the magical purity of our blood. As I said earlier, we are descendants of the elder dragons, and the more we preserve the blood, the more power we retain. In fact, every one of the forty families underwent magical rituals to ensure nothing harmful would happen due to incest. Selective breeding was also important because we needed to preserve any mutant abilities in the family and not given away."
Jaehaerys then looked at Aemon. "Why did you say no to my proposal?"
"I said no because I already promised Rhaenys that she could choose her own husband. I also do not want my brother to be her king, because he is a stubborn mule and would casually usurp her authority, especially now that Balerion is his dragon. But I will make this proposal to her, and if she agrees, I will give my permission to the betrothal."
Jaehaerys was ready to argue with Aemon, but seeing the angry expressions on Gaemon and Alysanne's faces, he decided to let the matter run its course for now.
"Your grace," Gaemon interrupted, "if the matter of ritual is true, then Viserys or Daemon would be the better choice for Rhaenys. Her blood is already diluted by her mother, a Baratheon."
Gaemon had realized that if such a ritual existed, then why were there mad kings in the Targaryen line? The only conclusion he reached was that the dilution of bloodlines brought the problems of other blood with them.
For a moment, even Jaehaerys looked startled as he just realized the same fact.
"No. Even then, there will be no betrothal," Aemon interrupted, noticing the king's expression.
Gaemon just shrugged.
"Well, I just informed you. It is your choice to do what you will."
"Husband, is it necessary to discuss marriages right now when they are still so young? We have time to plan," Alysanne said pointedly.
Gaemon almost rolled his eyes at the silent communication between his parents. He understood that they had decided to get their way by manipulating him and his cousins, even without an outright command.
Gaemon knew his sisters were beautiful and otherworldly. Even so, he never felt anything sexual toward them. Maybe it was because he was an old soul, and watching the children grow in front of his eyes and become young girls made him feel like a creep for even imagining marrying them.
Jaehaerys just nodded.
"Of course, sister. Let us table the matter for now. Gaemon, I now know you do not like me, but we must have a cordial relationship if we are to survive what is coming," Jaehaerys said.
"For what is coming?" Alysanne asked.
"Yes, my dear, for what is coming. The curse the elder dragons placed on this world was that no more mutants would be born. But there was a prophecy which said that if even one mutant is reborn, then it would mark the return of magic and might to this world. Who is to say that another two or three mutants are not already on the verge of awakening, even now, due to trauma and violence? Then the pseudo immortals will look at our family—the last surviving dragonlords—and they will realize the truth behind the rumours about Gaemon. They will come for Gaemon. It took millennia of brutal war and conquest for the dragonlords to mitigate the threat and ensure that no more powers landed in the hands of the unworthy. It may come to that again."
Gaemon looked intrigued.
"Pseudo immortals? Who are they?"
"There are many. The most famous are the Red Priests of R'hllor, some shadowbinders, the blood drinkers of Ussos, the warlocks of Qarth, and the leader of the Faceless Men. These are just a few examples of long-lived individuals," Jaehaerys said, and everyone was surprised that the normally unflappable king appeared rather pale as he listed their names.
"Well, that is interesting to know," Gaemon said with a shrug, showing no fear or worry, which surprised the others—until they remembered his confession about fighting in a world war.
"Anyway, we can discuss threats later, Father," Aemon said as he looked at Gaemon. "Even now, he looks like he is one breeze away from fainting. Let him rest for now."
Jaehaerys nodded in acceptance.
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Authors Note: I had no plans for including mutants at first, but in last chapter realised that using same Valyrian backstory as ADS is boring and wolverine is pretty op in canon got world .. so decided to add mutants in backstory and see what happens.. as for future lets see what happens…
Also Gaemon coming clean was also not at all planned but happened during writing. Thinking back logan agreed to this for living with his daughter after this life, and when he get a whole lot of family who loves him in their own way, he cares for them and wanted them to live happily...
Powers inspired from xmen may or may not appear in the future....
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