6th First Moon 275 AC

  Strange how such a simple letter can cause one's thoughts to stir. Aelyx's request to set up residence on Dragonstone was unexpected, yet with what I've heard from the court I can hardly blame him. Yet I am sure there's more to it then simply wanting to get out from Father's instability. My brother has always been... different - touched by something beyond what I can imagine or mayhaps it's beyond my understanding. The servant's in the Red Keep always called him "the Stranger's own" not to anyone's face of course but everyone knew of it. I see something more in his eyes, they aren't the eyes of a boy barely of nine name days. His eyes and sometimes the way he acts or speaks is far too old for someone so young. Aelyx has never been what one may consider normal, apart from right after being born he never cried.. he only stared with curious yet insightful eyes. Sometimes it's almost like he fostered those rumours himself, always acting distant and maintaining that strange cold yet polite face. As he's grown he has become more talkative yet I would still consider him strange. Perhaps it's simply effect of our bloodline but no I wouldn't say he has the same... mentalities as our Father.

  As for the King, convincing him to move Aelyx here was easier than I thought it would be. In his lucid moments he still listens to my council as his heir at the very least. The idea of maintaining a strong Targaryen presence on our ancestral seat appealed to him. Or maybe it was some form of his remaining sanity wanting his son away from that pit of vipers?

  Though his paranoia grows daily. he seems to harbour less suspicions towards Aelyx than even me or what little friends he has remaining. Perhaps even through his delusion he senses what I do - there is something unique and strange about that boy, he is definitely a Targaryen, despite his peculiarities.

  Or perhaps because of them.

  The dragon must have three heads... I know this for a fact but what it truly means still alludes me. As soon as I read those words all that time ago, they haunt my very dreams and nightmares. I had thought it could refer to... but no. The signs point elsewhere and I cannot shake the feeling that my brother is related or at least has a role to play.

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  I keep my distance as both a custom and a caution, it's necessary much to my dismay. The game of thrones makes brothers strangers and tears close families apart, our own history shows this all too well. Yet sometimes I catch him watching me with his knowing eyes, I wonder... no I know he understand more than what I know he does. Does he know of the ice and night that plagues my dreams? Does he know or understand the weight of the prophecy our line bears? His presence on Dragonstone should be interesting to say the least. The island still holds many mysteries even with the purges undertaken by Kings Jaehaerys and Baelor. Aelyx has always had a unique gift for uncovering things that are meant to remain hidden. I should warn him of certain certain passages, certain rooms to direct his attention away from others. Though he'll inevitably find them all, perhaps he shall discover new rooms unknown to me. He'll find them all, he always does.

  I remember him as a babe, already so serious and intent. Even then he seemed to look through people rather the actually at them. Mother doted on hi, perhaps she saw something in the way he behaved as a respite from our Father's growing instability. I tried to be the brother he needed, though I know I've failed far more often than not. The maesters say he spends hours in the library, studying texts that most grown men would find an impenetrable fortress to read, let alone comprehend. The guards report him sometimes walking along the Keep battlements at night even when locked in his chambers, he always seems to just be able to escape. He speaks to himself in a strange language sometimes, no one recognises it. I should be concerned, instead I'm almost fascinated. What does he see that the rest of us miss?

  When he arrives, I'll have rooms in the Sea Dragon Tower prepared for him. Close enough to maintain some kind of propriety, far enough away to let him have some form of privacy. As little privacy we get as nobility. I'll make sure certain tomes and materials are made available to him.

  Sometimes I wonder if he knows. If those too-knowing eyes see the destiny, the doom that our house and the realms of men must face. There are times where he looks at me with pity though I can't fathom why? If he knows does this mean I fail?

  I shall have to train more and increase my efforts to strengthen the realm. Perhaps between the two of us we shall discover something and uncover the truth.

  Sometimes I wonder - what dreams do dragons dream?

  ~ Prince Rhaegar Targaryen of Dragonstone