A Crown for Aegon (ChatGPT)

[The royal bedchamber glowed softly in the candlelight as King Aegon VI and Queen Rhaella prepared for bed, their eyes continually drawn to the three dragon eggs resting on velvet cushions beside them. The distant echoes of the celebration's final hours drifted through the balcony doors—drunken laughter, the occasional lute string being plucked, and the rhythmic clatter of servants clearing the feast.]

QUEEN RHAELLA: (running fingers over the cream-and-gold egg) "Do you think they're still alive in there? After all these years?"

KING AEGON VI: (examining the scarlet egg's swirling patterns) "Maester Pycelle says no. That they're just pretty stones now. But what does a grey rat know of dragon dreams?"

[The third egg—midnight blue with silver veins—seemed to shimmer as a draft made the candles flicker. Rhaella pulled the blankets up, watching the play of light across its surface.]

QUEEN RHAELLA: "Grandfather tried to hatch eggs with wildfire and blood. It killed him, our parents, half the court..."

KING AEGON VI: (placing the scarlet egg between their pillows) "Which is why we'll do it the old way. The slow way. Like Alysanne did with Silverwing's last clutch."

[A comfortable silence fell. Outside, Prince Daemon's voice carried from the gardens below, slurred with wine as he argued with Oberyn Martell about something undoubtedly foolish.]

QUEEN RHAELLA: (smirking) "Should we tell the children? Rhaegar would probably compose ballads to his egg. Daemon would try to drink with it."

KING AEGON VI: (chuckling) "Let's wait. If nothing happens in a year, we'll pass them on. The scarlet one to Rhaegar, the gold to Daeron—"

QUEEN RHAELLA: "—And the blue to Daemon, though Seven help us all if that one hatches first."

[They settled into bed, the eggs resting between them like strange bedfellows. The castle was finally quieting, the last drunk lords being escorted to their chambers.]

KING AEGON VI: (quietly) "Do you ever wonder what Illyrio truly wanted in exchange? No merchant gives away treasures without reason."

QUEEN RHAELLA: (yawning) "Probably the same as everyone—a Targaryen favor to call in later. But tonight... tonight we have dragons again, in our own way."

[As the candles guttered out, the eggs seemed to drink in the darkness, their stony surfaces holding secrets older than the Iron Throne itself. Somewhere in the night, a lone wolf howled—whether in warning or welcome, even the gods might not know.]

[The royal bedchamber was bathed in an eerie glow as King Aegon VI and Queen Rhaella jolted awake to the sound of cracking stone and strange, high-pitched chirping. The scarlet and cream dragon eggs had split open, revealing two squirming hatchlings—one as red as blood with golden eyes, the other pale as moonlight with shimmering silver scales.]

KING AEGON VI: (rubbing his eyes) "By the Seven... Rhaella, am I dreaming?"

QUEEN RHAELLA: (reaching trembling hands toward the golden-eyed hatchling) "If this is a dream, don't wake me."

[The red hatchling sneezed a tiny puff of smoke, making them both jump. The third egg—midnight blue—remained still, its surface cool to the touch compared to its siblings.]

KING AEGON VI: (laughing in disbelief) "Half a day! The maesters said it took Aegon the Conqueror's sisters months—"

QUEEN RHAELLA: (gently stroking the pale dragon's snout) "And we're not even full-blooded Valyrians. Grandmother Betha's Blackwood blood runs strong in us, yet..."

[The red dragon suddenly flapped its tiny wings, tumbling into Aegon's lap with an indignant squeak. It promptly bit his thumb.]

KING AEGON VI: (hissing) "Little demon! I think this one takes after Daemon."

QUEEN RHAELLA: (cradling the silver one) "And this sweet thing must be Rhaegar's counterpart. Look how she nuzzles!"

[They sat in awed silence for a moment, the reality settling over them. Outside, the first hints of dawn colored the sky.]

KING AEGON VI: (grinning) "Fenrir. For the wolf-blood in our veins and the dragonfire in his belly."

QUEEN RHAELLA: (kissing the pale dragon's head) "And Tiamat, for the queen of ancient waters. Though we'd best keep her away from the kitchens—this one keeps eyeing the smoked meats."

[The third egg gave a faint shudder, making them both freeze. But it stilled again, its blue surface dull compared to its siblings' vibrant scales.]

KING AEGON VI: (sobering) "This one waits for another. Rhaegar, perhaps? Or..."

QUEEN RHAELLA: (smiling knowingly) "Or our little Viserys, when he's born. Or Daenerys, if the gods bless us with a girl."

[Fenrir chose that moment to belch a tiny flame, setting Aegon's sleeve smoldering. As they scrambled to douse it, distant voices echoed from the corridor—Daemon's loud complaints about "another boring Small Council morning" drawing nearer.]

KING AEGON VI: (panicked whisper) "The children can't see them yet! Not until we—"

QUEEN RHAELLA: (stuffing Fenrir under a pillow) "Quick! The dressing chamber!"

[They scrambled to hide the dragons just as the door burst open, revealing a disheveled Prince Daemon holding two empty wine bottles, with a long-suffering Prince Daeron behind him. The third egg sat innocently on the bedside table, its blue surface gleaming in the morning light—waiting.]

[The morning sun streamed through the stained-glass windows of the royal chambers, casting colorful patterns across the rumpled bedsheets. King Aegon VI stretched with a wince as Fenrir's tiny claws dug into his shoulder, the crimson hatchling gnawing playfully on a strand of his silver hair. Queen Rhaella stood before her mirror, trying in vain to keep Tiamat from unraveling the intricate braids her handmaid had just finished.]

QUEEN RHAELLA: (gently prying Tiamat from her hair) "No, my darling, mother's braids are not your breakfast."

FENRIR: (belching a tiny smoke ring) Squeak!

KING AEGON VI: (rubbing his temples) "Gods be good, I haven't been this exhausted since Daemon learned to walk and immediately tried to jump off the Maidenvault."

[A soft knock interrupted them—the distinct pattern of Prince Rhaegar's hesitant taps.]

PRINCE RHAEGAR'S VOICE: (through the door) "Father? Mother? The Small Council awaits—"

QUEEN RHAELLA: (panicked whisper) "The dragons!"

[Chaos ensued. Aegon dove for the dressing screen while Rhaella stuffed Tiamat into an ornamental chest. Fenrir, sensing mischief, flapped his wings and landed atop the canopy bed just as the door creaked open.]

PRINCE RHAEGAR: (peering in) "Am I... interrupting something?"

KING AEGON VI: (smoothing his robes with suspiciously singed sleeves) "Not at all, son! Your mother was just, ah... rehearsing a mummer's farce."

[A muffled squeal came from the chest. Rhaegar's violet eyes narrowed.]

PRINCE RHAEGAR: "Why does your wardrobe appear to be... breathing?"

[Before they could answer, Prince Daemon burst in, still wearing last night's rumpled doublet.]

PRINCE DAEMON: "Seven hells, the whole castle's buzzing! They say you two were shouting about 'Fenrir' and 'Tiamat' last night—are those new Dornish wines or—" [spots the third egg] "Wait, is that a—?"

PRINCE DAERON: (entering with ledgers) "Father, the guild reports are—" [freezes at the sight of the blue egg] "Is that a dragon egg?!"

[An awkward silence fell. Then the chest burst open, revealing Tiamat tangled in Rhaella's finest Myrish lace. Fenrir chose that moment to swoop down and land on Daeron's meticulously organized papers, promptly setting them ablaze with an experimental puff of flame.]

PRINCE DAEMON: (grinning wildly) "I KNEW IT! I'm naming mine Balerion the Second!"

PRINCE RHAEGAR: (staring at the hatchlings in awe) "The songs spoke true... the dragons have returned..."

KING AEGON VI: (sheepishly) "Surprise?"

[Chaos erupted as the princes swarmed the dragons. Daemon immediately tried to teach Fenrir to steal spoons, while Rhaegar gently examined the unhatched blue egg with reverence. Daeron—ever practical—began calculating the cost of dragon-sized portions in his ledgers.]

QUEEN RHAELLA: (sighing) "Well. At least we won't have to call a family meeting."

FENRIR: (belching another smoke ring) Squeak!

[As the chamber descended into happy pandemonium, the blue egg gave an almost imperceptible shudder—as if waiting for its destined rider to come of age.]

[The royal common room buzzed with excitement as the Targaryen family gathered around the crackling hearth. Fenrir and Tiamat perched contentedly on their respective owners' shoulders, occasionally nipping at stray strands of silver hair. The midnight blue dragon egg rested on a velvet cushion in the center of the room, its surface shimmering in the firelight.]

PRINCE DAEMON: (leaning dangerously close to the egg) "Come on, little killer! Hatch for uncle Daemon!"

PRINCESS ALYSSA: (shoving him aside) "Back off, pest. Father said it's my turn first."

KING AEGON VI: (placing a restraining hand on Daemon's shoulder) "Patience, son. The egg chooses its rider—we're merely giving it options."

[Queen Rhaella gently lifted the egg and placed it in Alyssa's lap. The princess stared at it skeptically.]

PRINCESS ALYSSA: "So I just... sit here like a broody hen?"

QUEEN RHAELLA: (smiling) "For a week, yes. Sleep with it, talk to it—"

PRINCE DAEMON: (snickering) "Compose it terrible poetry like Rhaegar does!"

PRINCE RHAEGAR: (flushing) "I do not—"

PRINCE DAERON: (consulting a ledger) "Actually, historical records show dragon eggs respond best to—"

FENRIR: (interrupting with a loud squeak and puff of smoke) Ptooo!

[Everyone coughed as smoke filled the room. Tiamat, ever the dignified lady, flapped her wings in disapproval.]

KING AEGON VI: (waving smoke away) "Right. Alyssa gets first attempt. If nothing happens in seven days—"

PRINCE RHAEGAR: (eagerly) "Then I—"

PRINCE DAERON: (adjusting his glasses) "Actually, by birth order, as second son I should—"

PRINCE DAEMON: (throwing a grape at them) "I call third! I want to see if mine hatches while I'm drunk!"

PRINCESS ALYSSA: (cradling the egg protectively) "None of you barbarians are getting near my egg. This little beauty's going to hatch for me, just you wait."

[The egg gave a faint wobble in her hands, making everyone gasp. Then it stilled.]

QUEEN RHAELLA: (exchanging a look with Aegon) "Well. That's... promising."

KING AEGON VI: (clapping hands) "Right! Family wagers? I give 3-to-1 odds it hatches for Rhaegar."

PRINCE DAEMON: "5-to-1 it cracks open during one of Daeron's boring guild lectures!"

PRINCE DAERON: (indignant) "My lectures are not—"

TIAMAT: (suddenly sneezing a tiny flame that singed the rug) Fwoosh!

[As the family dissolved into laughter and good-natured bickering, the blue egg sat quietly in Alyssa's lap—waiting, watching, and dreaming of the dragon yet to come.]