𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍.
THE TALE OF DRAGONS

"The Dance of the Dragons is the flowery name bestowed upon the savage internecine struggle for the Iron Throne of Westeros fought between two rival branches of House Targaryen during the years 129 to 131 AC. To characterize the dark, turbulent, bloody doings of this period as a "dance" strikes us as grotesquely inappropriate. No doubt the phrase originated with some singer. "The Dying of the Dragons" would be altogether more fitting, but tradition, time, and Grand Maester Munkun have burned the more poetic usage into the pages of history, so we must dance along with the rest." ━━ Excerpt from Fire & Blood, Chapter 13 - The Dying of the Dragons: The Blacks and the Greens

𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 the "Dance of the Dragons" to the birth of Arrax Targaryen or the bitter relationship between childhood friends Queen Alicent Hightower and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, others the death of Lucerys Velaryon heir to Driftmark and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryens' third oldest son at the hand of his uncle, "Aemond One-Eye the Kinslayer". But we are not here to talk about the tragic death of a young Strong boy who ironically died atop his dragon in the air during a massive storm and plummeted into the sea like any Velaryon wanted by the hand of his uncle.

No, we are here to read about the life of Arrax Targaryen the Flame, the Green King and his occasional lover and nephew, Maegor Velaryon the Ruthless, The Black King. It was said that Arrax Tararyen, first son of King Viserys Targaryen the First and the Green Queen, Alicent Hightower never wanted the crown nor the throne, he believed the true heir to the throne like many was Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen who was named heir to the Iron Throne at the age of ten and six by her father, King Viserys. His love for Rhaenyra's first son was also a major contribution to this belief and he eventually wanted to see his nephew atop the Throne and become his protector.

Arrax Targaryen was the realm's Prince, the one they wanted to see on the throne before a woman. He grew up with the whispers of his family and the people wanting him as king but it was never something he wanted, he disdained the very thought of doing something as unhonorable as stealing his half-sister Thorne. No, all little Arrax wanted to do was ride his dragon and train with the only love of his life, Maegor, despite the whispers of Rhaenyra's children being bastards due to their brown hair and dark eyes.

The children looked nothing like Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon - her first husband who was known to have a pension for men. Despite being so-called bastards as the whispers of the court said and the complaints of Queen Alicent Hightower in the shadows of her children's bedrooms the children had the blood of the dragon in them with their vicious tempers and ability to hatch and ride dragons.

While Arrax's childish wishes of riding his dragon and spending his time with the brown-haired and dragonless son of Rhaenyra, Maegor, he never lost sight of his duty and never shirked his responsibilities. He listened carefully to the Maesters, memorized all he needed to be a smart and wise prince and even soon unified his house by marrying his younger sister, Helaena and even having children. Despite not loving Helaena as a wife or even a lover, he did his duty in having heirs and taking care of his sister-wife and his children. He was a family man after all.

Though his new family never swayed his heart away from his first and only love, Maegor. Queen Helaena understood this and accepted it for she never loved Arrax more than a brother and a strong father figure for her children. They were comfortable in their marriage but Arrax never touched another woman or man that was not Helaena or Maegor.

This was something that still baffled the common people and nobles alike, with all the power and people under his command, King Arrax never took pleasure in anyone else besides the man who had his heart the moment they met. Some still talk about the everlasting love Arrax had for Maegor even after the war and some said Arrax died more from a broken heart than a knife to the chest.

While Arrax held a high loyalty for his family, his mother and uncle cursed him for being weak as they wanted him on the throne too. But he saw his duty as a prince, not a king. That all changed with the death of King Viserys, his absent father, and the promise that his family would be in danger from the ruthless Princess Rhaenyra. King Arrax was a good man and an even better king during a civil war and was dubbed a usurper by most people. He was merciful, kind and willing to hear his people's pleas and worries and the people loved him but subjects were a fickle thing to a king in war time.

He rallied his men with his quiet courage and charm that spoke of his slight unwillingness to bring war to his doorstep. While his story starts and ends with bloodshed, deep down he was a pacifist, he truly hated seeing people hurt. Some would call him weak-willed with a heart of a woman but he wasn't when the time came and his genuine love of life is what drew Maegor in like a dragon to a flame.

There were many rumours of the two being lovers, though never spoken in the presence of either, not because they were afraid of the retribution the rumours would have on the two eldest sons. Maegor Velaryon was quite upfront about his carnal desire, be it wine, gold and even bed warmers who varied in sex. It was because Arrax Targaryen was considered religious, like his pious mother who believed in the Faith of the Seven despite having the name "Arrax" who was the Dragon Ruler of the Gods, justice and order etc, and even naming his dragon, "Aegarax" another Dragon Flame of the Old Valyria Religion who was the creator of the first dragon - which thus gave him the moniker, Arrax the Flame.

Despite his belief in the Faith of the Seven and the occasional prayer to the Dragon Flames he laid with a man which was forbidden in the Seven and considered a sin. It did not become a surprise to anyone who had ever had the pleasure or displeasure of meeting Maegor Velaryon. Even as a child Maegor was charming yet strong-willed and had most if not everyone in the Court around his finger despite the treasonous rumours of him being the bastard son of Rhaenyra Targaryen (like most of her oldest children were rumoured to be). Most found it hard to displease the future heir to the Iron Throne, not because of his title or the meaning his name held.

While by most accounts spoken about Maegor Velaryon spoke of him walking with a silent rage and a large looming shadow it was noted he held a kindness to him, not nearly as it is said Arrax held. But Maegor Velaryon was dutiful and respectful of even servants despite him walking around with a flat smile whenever his family was not nearby. The Strong boy embodied the blood of the dragon despite not having a dragon himself for a long time which made people pause at the whispers of him being a bastard with his curly brown hair or his dark grim brown eyes that bordered black.

Maegor Velaryon was not like Maegor the Cruel but that did not mean his moniker was for show or a one-time insult that stuck. Maegor was ruthless on the battlefield and in training, he had a strong build and an even stronger strength and it was said that many wished not to trade blows with the Black King because of this even before the Civil War. Maegor Velaryon was a quiet boy and was often seen lost in thought walking through the gardens carrying books when not trading blows of steel. When he was younger most called him Maegor the Graceful for his regal appearance and personality that bleed into his shadowous walk, formality of speech and how even drenched in sweat the gods seemed to shine upon his glittery skin. Most called him that to try and ward off the curse of his namesake, Westorians are a superstitious people even to this day.

But when talking about Maegor Velaryon, some have to consider his bastard step half-sister who was even more ruthless and a terror than he was which earned her the moniker, Adira the White Terror. If one ever mentions the Dance of the Dragons, most are afraid of even mentioning the cannibalistic white-haired bastard of Daemon Targaryen as if she would jump out of the shadows like the ever-looming Stranger and drag you screaming to the Shadowlands.

Adira Tagaryen was as loyal as a child could get and had seen bloodshed even before the civil war between the house of the dragons. Growing up in a fighting pit within Flea Bottom had all but ensured she would see bloodshed and inflict it. She was cursed the moment she crawled her way out of her whore of a mother's womb barring her teeth and howling like a dragon, drenched in blood. Everyone called Adira Tagaryen a monster and it was easy to see with her filed teeth and sharp claws she called nails, courtesy to the vile Masters of the Pit. The White Terror was not named a monster because of her appearance or even because of her habit of biting her enemies' necks and feasting upon their flesh, it was because the Targaryen bastard had done something no one ever had; She claimed the wild dragon.

The Cannibal (or as she called him, Issaros as homage to her only god; The Stranger) whose diet consisted of dragon eggs and their parents. Everyone foolish enough to try and claim the beast died screaming, limbs missing and blood staining the very ground they stood on. Perhaps the Cannibal allowed the girl to claim him because of how similar the two were, no one ever knew why and how she did it. All they knew was Adria and her dragon were not a welcome sight shadows always lingered and they were heralded as an omen of death for years.

𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 separated and divided, the realm had no choice but to choose. All had to pick a side, no matter how powerless or powerful they were. The only great houses to choose to stay out of the squabbles amongst the Dragons were Houses Martell and Tyrell.

The Black Faction backing Queen Rhaenyra rule as the named and rightful heir and her future heir, Maegor Velaryon were the Velaryons who were their strongest supporters due to Rhaenyra marrying Laenor Valaryon and having three Velaryon heirs. The Velaryons aided them with their naval power and Corlys Velaryon acted as Hand to the Queen. House Celtigar and most Houses of the Crownlands and the Reach and House Greyjoy supported Queen Rhaenyra strongly. House Stark was also their most loyal supporter till the end mainly due to Jacaerys Velaryon, the second son of Rhaenyra, which came as a surprise to many due to Cregan Stark's love for the Bronze Queen's handmaiden, Ursula Allen.

House Tully the ruling house of the riverlords supported the Blacks after the timely death of Lord Grover Tully who supported the Greens. While Grover Tully's ruling descendants led the riverlords to numerous battles in the name of Queen Rhaenyra during the Dance, some Riverlands houses that were attacked by pirates and Ironborn decided to support the Golds.

The Green Faction backed King Arrax Targaryen and his family the Hightowers who were known for their green attire and greedy ambitions. While the smallfolk were glad to be ruled by a man instead of a woman, they also loved Queen Helaena and King Arrax. Their most notable contributors to his rule were House Lannister, House Baratheon and the Lord of Harrenhall and the head of House Strong, Larys Strong.

The Green faction had five dragons to their side, Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, Tessarion, Arragax and the largest living dragon in the known world, Vhagar who was ridden by his younger brother, Aemond Targaryen. By having Vhagar on their side, Queen Rhaenyra was hesitant to fight against them even while having six dragons and component riders after the death of Lucerys which spurred on the need for Dragonseeds.

While Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and her family were heading to Dragonstone, King Viserys I Targaryen died in his sleep. Thus the young prince, Arrax usurped the rightful heir and his half-sister, Rhaenyra Targaryen. This action while most say was spurred on as an act of self-defence as he was afraid for the life of his family if Princes Rhaneyra ever became Queen of the Seven Kingdoms - something his grandfather and mother pushed onto him for years. Otto Hightower, the hand of King Viserys and his favourite grandson King Arrax was the pushing force for the usurpation with his cunning and ambition of legacy.

By usurping Princess Rhaenyra and essentially Maegor himself, Arrax had ended all ties with the other side of his family, especially his lover Maegor. Thus the saying, "Care for lovers scorned, thy equal only in death" was born to discourage lovers from having ambitions over the other and a testament to the fact there is no love in duty nor is there a place for love in the palace between the royal folk. 

While the Greens and Blacks were fighting against each other and only focused on the other side being spurred on by revenge another faction was quickly gaining power. While the Golds, spearheaded by the twin children of Daemon Targaryen and Rhea Royce, rulers of Runestone were gathering support and power due to smallfolk tiring of the Targaryens and their dangerous squabbles with their dangerous power - dragons - at their beck and call. It helped Ryella Royce and Baelor Targaryen, who were kind and fair rulers dealing with the barbarians and free folk running amok within the Eyrie which the Targaryen rulership did not care for. Lady Ryella Royce, named Lady of Runestone at the age of ten due to her mother's passing was the only 'Bronze Targaryen' with a dragon, Sunstealer.

While the Gold faction didn't have much manpower in terms of Dragons against the numerous ones on either the Green or Black side they made it up in their large armies and the 'barbarian berserkers' that used to run rampant through the Vale until Baelor took them under his command. They also had two unwed Targaryen royalty to be used as bargaining through marriage alliances. They also had the help of Lady Saera Arryn, Lady of the Eyrie who called for banners under the Gold faction and her dragon, Grey Ghost. While Lady Arryn was the only acknowledged help to the Gold cause and it was suspected she, herself was a past scorned lover of Daemon Targaryen there were other contributions though they were swept under the history pages.

There was another house that crept through, the large household of First Men descent, House Allen of Hardrock, a powerful and rich vassal house of the Vale located southwest of Strongsong due to their land of Mountain that harbour precious stones and metal. House Allen were good friends and allies to House Royce due to them aiding King Yorwyck VI Royce in the battles against House Sheet and House Grafton and joining House Royce and other First Men houses during the Andal invasion of the Vale. While they submitted to House Arryn and accepted Ser Artys Arryn as King before Aegon's Conquest they were still powerful in their own right with a large army proudly barring the house sigil of the Hardock stone fortress on a dark blue field, overflowing coffers and were ruled by strong and capable lords and heirs.

While the household itself was secretive even in the history books and most of it was speculation at worst, it was hard not to contribute the Gold's somewhat win to House Allen's oldest daughter, Lady Ursula Allen, cousin to Saera Arryn, a rumoured skin-changer of old and alleged lover of Lady Royce when she was fostered in Runestone and acted as her handmaiden, then fought with a sword and bow by her side during the Civil War (despite not being a dragon rider) and soon became the Lady of Winterfell not long after the war.

Like the Green and Black faction, the Gold faction was spurred on by revenge and that was pointed at Ryella and Baelor's father, the King Consort of Queen Rhaenyra, Daemon Targaryen, for his hand in the murder of their mother and his wife, Rhea Royce. When the Lady of Runestone died, the Eyrie and all her vassals turned against Daemon Targaryen and were in quiet contempt of the Targaryen household due to their free rein in doing what they wanted without consequences.

It didn't help matters when it was barely a month after the death of Lady Royce when Dameon petitioned to be Lord of Runestone despite his numerous verbal insults against his late wife and her household. He unknowingly became the laughing stock of the Vale when it became apparent he did not know he had two children by Rhea Royce who were now the sole rulers of Runestone.

Thus the war between the Greens, Golds and the Blacks was started, the fight between the heir succession that would doom the realm and the Targaryens themselves.

"The crown was not a duty Arrax Targaryen the Flame wanted but he served the realm well despite his grievances for the so called "ugly chair". Arrax Targaryen had the blood of the dragon in him, he wanted to soar the skies instead but he knew his duty and he never soared again after the Dance. Despite not wanting to rule, his duty remained to his family and his house, the Hightowers even if he truthfully wanted Maegor Velaryon the Ruthless to rule by his side." ━━ Written by Grand Maester Orwyle in 131 AC

DISCLAIMER,
While this an AU I do not own fire and blood or a song of ice and fire, all rights go to George R.R. Martin and HBO!! This will mainly follow the book and show at the start but will deviate.
BUT! I do own my oc's and their scenes and plot lines. I also own the mood boards I make but the photos aren't mine and neither are the gifs. While I write the characters and their plots, some of these oc's aren't fully mine and their rights go to their makers.

WARNINGS,
Mature content, profanity, lgbt+ characters and relationships, era revelant homophobia, religious themes and trauma, mentions of rape and sexual assault, angst, child abuse, manipulation, pregnancies and miscarriages/moontea (potentially underage), violence, self harm and body mutilation, emotional abuse, murder, death & character and dragon death :(, war, underage drinking/alcoholism, blood, gore, cannibalism, sexual context, good ol' targaryen incest, age gaps/underage sex, power imbalance — anything else related to the hotd/got fandom! If any of these topics make you uncomfortable please have a think of you really want to read this. This fic will go in depth into these topics!

MATURE WARNING,
I'm rating this 18+ due to the amount of death and gore and sexual content in this. I'm not your mum but I really don't want anyone under 16 reading this because it's gonna make me uncomfy and I don't really care if you've watched HOTD/GOT and you're like 12. So please if you're young, don't read this then hold me accountable for the content because you've been warned.

TIMELINE,
Due to the tv series changing it's timeline compared to the book, I've changed a few things to fix ages. All will be explained in the coming chapters but remember this is an AU. I've added two years before Laena's funeral and another year before the Driftmark succession and even then some ages might not fit the timeline or my timeline so don't look too hard into the ages. The chapters will have the year on top.

POV,
Like the big man George, this will be POV narrated so expect unreliable narrators, misinformation, character bashing etc. I decided to do multi-pov (sorry for anyone who doesn't like that) to go deeper into the characters and their mindset during conflict but to also show the different sides in the war. To show that each character have their own flaws and each side has reasons for their actions and that there isn't a true good side. While I'm team black and think Rhaenyra is the true heir (by right) I do think the Greens had their reasons and deserve some sympathy because they are just kids growing up in a toxic environment with toxic parents and influences. So strap in for a long and bumpy ride that hopefully fills you with dread, happiness, melancholy (and the occasional horny moment) and you shed a tear or two.

𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒:

ACT I — HOTD S1 EP3 - EP7

❝ BLOODLINES AND BASTARDS ❞

( C.H. 1 — 32 )

ACT II — HOTD S1 EP8 - EP10

❝ TITLES AND TIDES ❞

( C.H. 33 — 54 )

ACT III — HOTD S2 EP1 - EP8

❝ WILDFIRE AND WARFARE ❞

( C.H. 55 — ? )

"All would do well to remember that the Dance of the Dragons was not just a civil war filled with death, betrayal and broken oaths but a tale of forbidden lovers and that duty is the death of love to some." ━━ Written by Grand Maester Orwyle in 131 AC