Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Truth of the Past
Chapter 6: The Truth of the Past
Date: June 10, 104 AC
Location: Red Keep, King's Landing
Age: 3 years and 5 months
Baelon sat quietly in his father's study, gazing out at the bustling city of King's Landing from the large window. His violet eyes were filled with an intense curiosity that had only grown over the past few years. Today, he had a question that had been on his mind for quite some time, and he had finally decided to ask it.
King Viserys I Targaryen, who had been carefully inspecting a map of the kingdom, glanced up as his son approached. The king's silver hair shimmered in the light, his golden crown resting upon his brow. He smiled warmly at his young son, who was quickly becoming a keen observer of the world around him.
"Father, may I ask you something?" Baelon's voice, though still small, held a seriousness far beyond his years.
Viserys raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Baelon. What is it?"
Baelon hesitated for a moment, then asked the question that had been troubling him for some time. "Why did I never meet my older sister, Princess Rhaenyra, before today?"
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A Father's Burden
Viserys' expression softened, and he leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the distant shores of Black Council's distant past. He had never spoken much about Rhaenyra's early years, and there was a reason for that. A burden he carried in silence, one that weighed on his heart like a stone.
"Baelon," Viserys began gently, his tone far more somber than usual, "there is much about the past that you do not yet understand. You see, your sister Rhaenyra was born many years before you."
Baelon's eyes widened slightly, though his face remained calm. "How many years, Father?"
Viserys sighed, rubbing his temples before continuing. "Rhaenyra is six years older than you. She was born during a time of great difficulty for our family, a time when House Targaryen was already struggling with its own internal conflicts. Your mother, Queen Aemma, and I—well, we were in the midst of trying to solidify our claim to the Iron Throne."
Baelon's young mind tried to process the information, but it still seemed unclear. "But why couldn't I meet her, Father?"
Viserys hesitated, then continued with a heavy heart. "Rhaenyra's birth came at a time when the politics of the realm were much more dangerous. Your grandfather, King Jaehaerys, had already chosen a successor, but there were those who desired the throne for themselves." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "When you were born, the situation had grown even more precarious. Your mother and I feared for Rhaenyra's safety. There were whispers in the court, rumors of plots, and dangers lurking in the shadows. We wanted to protect her, and so we made the difficult decision to keep her away from the public eye for a time."
Baelon's brow furrowed as he listened intently. He had always felt a strange distance from his older sister, but now the pieces were beginning to fall into place.
"But she is my sister," Baelon said quietly, his voice filled with a newfound sense of understanding. "Why keep her hidden from me?"
Viserys looked down at his son, his eyes filled with a deep, fatherly affection. "You were just a babe when we made that choice. Your safety, your future, were far too important to risk by exposing you to the political scheming of the court. And as for Rhaenyra, we wanted her to have a chance to grow and thrive without the weight of the crown pressing down on her. There were times when she felt isolated, but she knew that she had a family who loved her, even if they couldn't always be together."
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The Weight of the Crown
Baelon was silent for a moment, processing the information. He understood now, the complexity of the decisions that had shaped his family. The weight of the crown and the throne had always loomed over them, affecting every decision they made.
"So, you kept us apart to keep us safe?" Baelon asked, his voice soft but thoughtful.
Viserys nodded. "Yes, Baelon. But now that you are older, I felt it was time for you to meet your sister. I've watched both of you grow, and I believe that the bond between siblings is too important to ignore. You and Rhaenyra are heirs to the Targaryen legacy, and it is my hope that you will stand together in the future, as brother and sister, to safeguard the kingdom."
Baelon looked up at his father, his expression serious but determined. "I will protect her, Father. I will protect the realm."
Viserys smiled, a look of quiet pride in his eyes. "I know you will, Baelon. I know you will."
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As Baelon left his father's study, the weight of the conversation lingered in his mind. The mystery of his sister, the reasons behind their separation, and the burden of their family's legacy—these were things he had only begun to understand. But one thing was clear: the bond between them was now stronger than ever. And Baelon Targaryen, with his sharp mind and quiet resolve, knew that he was destined to play a key role in the future of House Targaryen—and in the fate of Westeros itself.
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