Chapter Text
Jacaerys' heart raced as he listened to Vermax's screams. He couldn't take flight, he couldn't stay upright. Vermax was screaming; Jacaerys couldn't tell if it was from pain or pure anguish, but it hurt as if it were his own screams. The water was swallowing him and pulling him down under the deadly weight of his dragon, his best friend, his connection to what remained of Valyria. He gasped for air and sank. With his knife, he severed the tethers that held Vermax submerged and watched him descend.
He wanted to cry, but he wouldn't. He surfaced and breathed. He realized he could still contact Baela to get him out of there. Being in that position would attract the attention of his enemies. He swam to one of the posts and forced himself to stay on it. His ribs burned, his mind raced, and he couldn't see anything through the thick smoke that obscured his vision.
There was a second of absolute silence before an arrow shot out, striking Jacaerys's shoulder. He whirled around, his eyes wide with terror, realizing that an enemy ship was closer than he expected. The blow was fatal, piercing his back: Jacaerys was sinking, deep and deadly in black waters that seemed to destroy everything in their path.
Jacaerys awoke and his first instinct was to scream. His throat felt dry, his body was still tangled in sheets, and his mind couldn't form thoughts in the complete darkness. He moved and kicked, again and again, until a light was switched on, revealing his mother… and Laenor Velaryon.
"Darling, are you alright?" His mother was pregnant. This was her room in King's Landing. Jacaerys, terror in his eyes, saw his mother looking at him. His mother, with whom he had fought to go to the Battle of Gullet. When had he…? His chest ached, and his breath was ragged. He was dead, he was sure of it. He could feel the eternal peace they spoke of before returning to this time.
"What day is it?" His voice was that of a child.
"We're almost at the end of 119 AD," Laenor said, and for a moment Jacaerys wanted to forget the ghost in the room. He would die in a year, he reminded himself. So much would happen in a year. He could still feel his chest heaving, but he didn't want to think about it.
His mother was hugging him and whispering sweet nothings in his ear, so he allowed himself to cry that night while he could still feel his whole body trembling.
Jacaerys barely awoke and thought he would travel through time again, but no, his body was that of a six-year-old boy. Someone had to hate him. He got ready with the help of the maids and left his room. He wanted to see Vermax, to know he was still alive. He moved through the castle with a strange cunning for someone so young as he made his way to Dragonpit. A Dragonkeeper greets him and asks if he's going to see Vermax. He nods, but doesn't pay much attention. He remembers what happened with the Dragonkeepers and how they left after feeding the bastard dragons. He doesn't say much and then walks inside with the other man.
The Dragonkeeper calls for Vermax, and the dragon appears quickly. He was still a young dragon, probably about six years old and barely the size of a large dog, but he still remembers feeding him with a cry of "Dracarys."
"Sōvves, Vermax," he says, and Vermax obeys, displaying his body and moving wings. He looks beautiful, with shimmering green scales and golden eyes that seem to devour his soul. Jacaerys wants to cry because he remembers Vermax's cries of agony. He approaches cautiously, even though the Dragonkeeper seems to be saying something. Vermax offers his head, and the Dragonkeeper leans against him. He breathes a sigh of relief when he realizes that Vermax might remember him. "Lykiri." Bisē vami rēbagon zūgje kessa, jorrāelan
—Prince, this way.
The already nervous Dragon Keepers nods, but doesn't let it disturb his peace of mind at having seen Vermax. He leaves the room and walks toward the enormous hall when he hears a child's voice. Suddenly he remembers, Lucerys.
He runs as fast as his small legs will carry him and sees him playing with a miniature of what appears to be a dragon. He makes sounds with his mouth next to his nanny, who curtsies as soon as she notices him. Lucerys's green eyes appear, radiant and beautiful. He can feel his legs weaken as he falls to the floor. He hears "Prince" before a couple of servants help him up. Lucerys approaches him, his curls cascading onto his bed. He hugs him with all the strength his body can muster.
His mother is beside him. It was a miracle he hadn't seen Aemond or Aegon, or even Alicent, but he didn't want to. His family was complete; his brother hadn't been born yet. He still had a year, a year to sort out as much as he could about his family. To clarify loyalties, to show things as they were, to prevent as many tragedies as possible.