My consciousness was hard to achieve fully at the beginning, over a unknown amount of time trapped together with only fleeting thoughts to keep me company alongside periods of sleep. Lost.
Floating in darkness, clarity then came to my thoughts. That which used to be the norm once upon a time, but that seems to have been a lifetime ago so to speak.
So to speak, because my last clear memory was of dying alone lost without any idea how to achieve my dream.
Dreams huh I could never get that one out of my head.
And this seems to be if my guess is correct the womb of a woman, well a man can hope no? If it isn't then what the hell other possibility awaits? Hmm strange I can't seem to even 'shiver' any more what a terrible day I'm going back to sleep.
Time passes but things stay the same.
Thankfully that's not actually true this time, there's been regular movement detected through the walls. I've been regularly patrolling the perimeter of my cozy prison.
Which translates into, putting my hand up against the walls and feeling for vibrations from walking around or other activities.
That's been my current experience with 'vision' as I currently can't even open my eyes, let alone see anything in here.
This is getting old nothing else to do but sit, wait and listen for when someone finds the key to this place, along with springing me from baby jail. Shaw! shank style, but just exiting through a different kind of tunnel I suppose.
Patience is the name of this game, my only other activity I've been doing is a bit of meditation I improve in this skill when I get jostled around in my container and succeed in keeping calm when being thrown around.
I've been getting better though, what with the utter darkness that is my life!! Might as well call my experience the no sensoring at all party no one else invited. Though at least I can move my body around and feel things through touch.
I just wish all my eggs weren't in one basket is all praying hard not crack when coming out.
Finally, my eyes are working, that must mean it's getting close to spring break right?
Right?
Hello?
Whoa these waaaaaves duuude, wait oh thank goodness it's time to get out of here I've appreciated the alone time, I did get pretty good with meditation and calming myself down. Hopefully that at least helps with something.
Thanks for the free rent but, I've been a coach potato long enough! Hold up what was the best chance of coming out not looking like a omelette again? Feet first or head first? Ahgh I don't know I'll roll the dice on this one fifty, fifty odds sound alright.
The birth of Aegon
20th day of the 10th moon 86 AC King's
Landing
Alyssa Targaryen
The pain. Coming not in waves but falling upon me like a ocean through the entire birth.
It's over or at least eased, leaving me exhausted and drained of all energy.
The babies screams echo off the walls. Hopefully that means he's well. Neither Viserys or Daemons births were this rough.
The midwife had been nervous I could tell, the Maester meanwhile had been doing his best to hide the scowl that became more serious on his face through the birth.
Now the Maester is focused on cleaning up after checking little Aegon. The midwife holds him close bundling him up to make sure he's warm.
I wasn't scared, I could handle the pain and being sure of my decision to have many children with my husband. This would pass, then I would have more children with Baelon.
I will promise him twenty children, when he is back in the room. I wish to give him many children.
Aegon Targaryen
Senses still scrambled but slowly adjusting to the light and sounds. Being hit on the back is quiet a blow to a young babe, I suppose it is necessary if the baby does not come out screaming like me.
Once two people look me over, I'm then curled up in a cloth of some kind. Not being able to make out much at all, I hope that they are indeed people I can still barely see. It's all a big smudging of colours with barely any outlines at all.
Whilst my hearing improves from being a little disjointed voices become a bit clearer to make out, there is a man's as well as two women's voices I suppose one of the women is my mother. Whilst figuring that out Aegon is taken over to a worn out Alyssa his mother.
There she looks over him, seeing his unfocused eyes understanding that her son went through a difficult birth as well just in a different way. She prays for Aegon's good health and that he recovers well.
Aegon is still quiet curious hearing the people in the room speaking, as much as he can make out it's actually English this being a great cause for celebration. Although after being fed by his mother for a while, he is rather tired so he'll get round to that later. Hoping that he ended up in a good place he closes his eyes to sleep.
Although it's a very refreshing sleep, my determination to find out where the hell I am in the universes of existence roused me quickly in the morning. Well assuming it's the next day because the early morning sunlight is shining through a window.
A new born baby should normally have a shorter sleep cycle no?
Oh. Would you look at that my vision has cleared up, it's been so long since I've been able to see, this morning is a fantastic morning indeed.
Allowing my eyes to adjust I turn my head to scan the room.
Taking a look around the walls are made of stone and although the coloured fabrics on the walls and beds seem to reveal little of anything. The room is not coming across as very twenty first century culture but maybe my parents are just eccentrics, could happen to anyone I suppose.
Also very richly decorated now that I'm getting a long look at a lot of the stuff they seemed like you could sell them to a history buff , charge whatever you wanted and they'd still probably buy it.
The items vary from a massive wardrobe, ornate chairs, a beautiful painting and a really expensive rug or two. You know the usual stuff that everyone comes home to.
There's also a woman with a needle and thread sitting near me, could be the midwife from yesterday? Couldn't make out their features with my poor eyes at the time, so could've been anyone for all I know. Her clothes were old looking though, not old as in she needs some new once's but as in dressed in very old fashion.
Medieval old perhaps?
On the outside of the clothes I could see the old timey seams and a few bits where it had been mended. So I'm probably not in her bedroom, considering the difference in projected wealth maybe I'm in my room that would be nice.
She had brown hair, with blue eyes. She looked to be in her mid forties.
After a while the woman having noticed my movement in the cradle, moved over to the door telling a guard outside to call for a wet nurse to come and feed me. Yep don't think I'm in cansas anymore.
Later in the day I was visited by a man and what appeared to be his two sons. This was soon confirmed by one of them asking "father can I hold Aegon" which was very on the nose as all three had silver hair.
The younger one then asked the same question asking to try as well, what am I a toy? This was much to my dislike as he was rather rough with me probably from his young age.
Their clothes made them look like the richest period reenactors I'd ever seen. Though I haven't seen many if I was being honest so what would I know? Well they could go for being Targaryen roll players I suppose but wearing it to go see a child is a bit much.
That name Aegon huh that is some coincidence I had just been reading one of Martin's books recently before I died.
Upon spotting my tough situation my dad I guess? Came to my rescue. "Daemon be careful with you're brother he's only just been born"
"Ok father" Daemon replied. Not changing what he was doing in the slightest, maybe not even listening either too busy shaking me around trying to see if money fell out or something if I had to guess.
Not seeing any improvement any time soon dad comes in with the save pulling me away from my demise!! Thank goodness, wait.
Aegon? Daemon? Now you would only nee-
"Father can I hold him again? Pleeeease" The older boy asked.
"I'm sorry Viserys but you mustn't bother your brother so much he needs his rest like you both did when you were in your swaddling clothes." He then gently placed me back in my cradle.
Well ok. That just about confirms it either I've got some LARPers on my hands or I'm in
Mr Martin's fun, fun ride of medieval torment great! Oh wait, Daemon as in Caraxes and Daemon? As well as his older brother Viserys then that could only mean that.
No way.
The guy I've been calling dad is Baelon 'The Brave' Targaryen but then, well shit. Dramatic back story aquired I guess considering my mother is most assuredly Alyssa Targaryen
Alyssa Targaryen who died six months after giving birth to a son named. You guessed it Aegon who also died before his first name day...buuuuut we can look past that for now. Don't mind me just going to start praying to a bunch of Gods in the world of A Song Of Ice And Fire!
What could go wrong?
The time after my first visitors energised me with the truth. Combined with my coinciding revelation of who I was and who I was born to, time seemed to pass agonizingly slow a surprise to no one. Having been terrified of getting this second ridiculous chance at life then it being revealed I had been plopped into one of my favorite book universes of all time, then realising I was meant to die before I'm one years old. Made the time pass crazy slow, having no ability to ask for or help myself as a zero year old. To put it mildly really sucked.
The reason I couldn't speak yet was because my small drunken baby lips dance all over the place when I try to say anything. With it coming out as garbled baby noises so talking is on the back burner till I grow up a bit. Oh silly how could I have forgotten, I'm not going to grow up as I'm going to fucking di-
Alyssa showed up.
After my morning meal on my third day on Planetos, the assumed midwife of my birth was knitting something new she seems to have been given the job of looking after me.
As she only leaves once my father returns, near the evenings.
Whilst my thoughts were on why a southern woman with at minimum a high paying job would be knitting as that's a primarily northern thing as far as I know. Someone stumbles through the door, looking over I see my mother straining and struggling to walk.
I... what the hell?
Father stands with her supporting her as she continues to come over to me. By the time she makes it, there is a thick sheen of sweat on her forehead and no wonder. Women even in my old world with modern medicines don't start moving around until after one or two weeks! What the hell is this woman made of. That timeframe is for a straightforward birth not one so draining on the mother she becomes weak and dies within the year.
"Aegon, huuuyuuu. I wanted to see you, these Maesters don't know what they're doing can't eve-" ahhk breathing in she recovers. "What does he think, that I can't even see my own son in my room?" Picking Aegon up then cradling him in her arms a flash of vulnerability across her face. Then goes back to her smirk.
Alyssa Targaryen was skinny on a regular day but the birth seemed to have sapped away a lot of her energy she had before the birth, this leading to make her seem thinner still. With her mismatched eyes and dirty blonde hair, not looking much like a Valyrian but she had a nose that had been broken once maybe even twice. The only similar Valyrian feature was one of her eyes being
After practically being dragged away by the Maester and Baelon she reluctantly returned to rest.
After finally properly meeting my mother what I knew of her still stood true. Strength? Well I think that stunt she pulled right there would count enough for that by itself. Seemed much more tomboyish with the way she acted but of course I couldn't miss a mother's love in her eyes and the care in which she held me.
After staying awake a bit longer it was time for a nap.
Seemingly from out of a story book, wait wrong description I'm 'seemingly' already in a story book universe so scratch that.
Anywho before long the King and Queen came to see their new grandson, very nice or it would have been if I didn't get my chubby cheeks attacked by the vicious monster. Called GRANDMA , she attacks oh no! It's super effective. Noooooooo!
Alysanne picked Aegon up then smiled warmly.
"Awww look at him, Alyssa did so well, I bet Baelon is a bit disappointed though, he prayed for a daughter after all" said the Queen finishing the sentence with a small laugh and a tickle of Aegon.
"That he did, Alyssa is a strong woman going through such a long birth. We can only hope she recovers soon." said the King with concern written across his aged face.
They're names are of course King Jaehaerys as well as the ambush granny Queen Alysanne who if I remember them right rule nearly the whole of Westeros for a total of fifty five years a whole five decades, a entire half a century ridiculous. Especially for a Targaryen.
Though that number is of course by the time they both die within a span of a few years in 100 AC for Alysanne and 103 AC for Jaehaerys. Currently the decade we are in after the conquest should be the 80s as in the years 80 AC to 89 AC, can't remember the exact date of Aegon's birth he wasn't that major of a character cause of the hole dead within a year thing.
Well anyway, what other ways to say they were dope as hell badass ruling couple hmm. Plenty of cool stories from what I remember off the top of my head. Alysanne surviving a assassination attempt in some type of bathroom. They flew the length of Westeros for multiple royal progress's. Oh yes now I remember they have one of the coolest pair of Dragons! Well more like the cutest the way their relationship was described in the books little snuggle bugs.
Are those a thing in Westeros? Hope not.
They are called Vermithor and Silverwing. They are more than likely being influenced by their riders the King and Queen, well it's a unconfirmed as far as I know theory that, Dragons get influenced by their riders relationships and feelings. Leading to them even after the King and Queens deaths the two Dragons stay a confirmed couple who nest with each other and are probably super adorable when they go to sleep all curled up together awwwww.
So cute, any who these are indeed what the people would call the GOATS with a big G because they ruled for so long and they are both cool Dragon riders.
I'm sure they stayed for a while and spoke cute little baby talk noises at me but I wasn't paying attention sadly. As soon as the my mind focused on Dragons I seemed to have gone into a sort of flow state where nothing else matters other than Dragons.
Hope I'm not sick too. Who am I kidding that's nothing new I'm in love with Dragons they're the best!
In other news, I've been guzzling enough milk so frequently that the wet nurse is complaining that it feels like taking care of two babie's needs instead of just one. I've been doing this in the event it could help my body fight off the clutches of death with enough nutrition. Of course it's a long shot but I've got no other outlet, it also helps that once I'm full I get sleepy real quick so I can skip any side quests that pop up.
The I suppose, man from my birth called in this universe by the term Maester checked in on my health every day for weeks concerned with my recovery from the birth. If I had to take a guess because he didn't talk much.
Though he seemed pleased by whatever the hell he was testing for so I suppose that's a slight positive on the health front. The negative on the health front was that he seemed to be looking after my mother Alyssa, it seems what I feared would happen is coming to pass. After his check ups with me the midwife would take me on occasion to my mother where I could see that she had not recovered at all!
I'm so confused, is there nothing to be done?
Are things truly destined to happen as I read them with no way to change anything?
Following the same event in the book she must have been weakened by the pregnancy. I am trying to understand my lot in life and this isn't helping... I'll pray for her recovery.
The Maester waits for Baelon every day in the bedroom in the evening to give any changes to Alyssa's condition, I don't know what they speak of. She was so strong in the books! Why, why can't she recover? Even now, this is reality can't anything be done?!
Every time even when I get a second chance why?
Months passed by, every day I prayed for a improvement something anything to help but there was nothing I could do. My father's face turned sadder and my hope dwindled soon visits to Alyssa stopped all together.
By the fourth month or moon as they call it here things had only gotten worse for my mother Alyssa, I was taken infrequently by Baelon to visit her as they were both concerned that I would get sick as well if I stayed too long or visited too frequently. She had come down with a fever whilst still not being able to recover from the birth.
Trying to keep my mind occupied with anything else was a difficult task and I didn't want to turn away from what was happening to her. Even so I did turn to something in my time of stress when it all got too much sometimes, language specifically the difference in words between English and the common tongue that being the language of mainly spoken in Westeros.
Having forgotten how many words are different here and how many words are just missing, mainly more twenty first century lingo and some changes or additions if you could call them that. The way the nobles speak compared to the average commoner, of course my study doesn't account for local accents and the learning of those. As well as the colloquial terminology for different areas in Westeros, abbreviations, slang or speaking in the old tongue although I do already know a few words in High Valyrian from seeing them in the books.
Just going through my memory mostly, trying to remember certain words and in what context they were said in.
Even with all the different meanings to words I can't get the blurred image of my mother out of my head that being the first time I saw her. I've been praying every day since she first met with me I don't know to who really, I wasn't particularly religious in my previous life and now I'm even more confused about who I should be praying to. If nothing else I will continue to pray for her health.
She was described as one of the toughest women I've ever heard of, a broken nose in a spar. Walked it off! Still when the body is weakened in numerous ways people become more susceptible to illness. When it also happens to a woman in a medieval type of setting after giving birth the chances of them dying is ridiculously high compared to a place with modern medicine and hospitals.
Meeting her got harder over time. The deterioration clear in my eyes it would have been fine with a normal kid surely they would have forgotten about this by the time they grew up. I'm not gonna say it wasn't good getting to spend time with her and try to make her smile. What with my crazy baby antics I could pull, but it was rough and the hole time it felt as though it was inevitable.
Not the normal kind of inevitability you see in the family member slowly losing the fight but still putting in one hundred percent to give it all they had, although I did feel that crushing my heart. This feeling was like dancing and singing in a performance on a stage and loving every second of it. Only to take a bow then spot a little thread, it's very thin maybe from your costume hanging seemingly loosely on your arm then as you leave the stage thinking you'll have to talk to some of the clothes guys you pass a technician throwing a wave and a quick "thanks!" To him as you walk by.
They continue walking you think it's strange but maybe he just didn't hear you not to be discouraged you continue on to the dressing rooms. Except you can't, there's this strong resistance like moving in quick sand having come over your body. Before being able to take this fact in you are yanked back through the curtains and flopped back on the stage.
Then you begin to dance whilst the realisation settles over you and you actually take in your audience then your 'little' thread. Both are terrifying, the audience seemingly having their bodies controlled by invisible hands being the first then you look down and look at the thread. It wasn't coming from your clothes but from your arm itself and as your arms then legs move up in a dance you spot three other threads the same as the first attached to the other three limbs.
You can't make any choices well not any that will make a difference.
The soreness in my eyes was getting worse I had been crying myself to sleep for the past few hours. Baelon was not in the room tonight, he hadn't came back to bed. Hearing crying children in the corridor yesterday and Baelon not showing up, realistically what else could it have been. Can I do anything to help anyone? Save anyone? I just couldn't do anything even when I tried with a hundred percent effort trying day in and day out to think of something...…..
Anything
Puppet on strings
On the thirteenth day of the second moon 87 AC Alyssa Targaryen died