-Aemon's POV-
When I heard Princess Gael had gone into labor, I came to sit with my mother and grandmother. I knew how this story ended—stillbirth. I couldn't stop that. I couldn't even prevent all this from happening as well , her staying on Dragonstone and no exact time of her running off. But I could stop what came next.
I kept my guitar nearby, ready. Zalrazar too.
I'd already asked the dragonkeepers to make a saddle for him, but they refused. Said I was too young. So I stole an old saddle from the stores. Worn, but it would work.
Then the news came.
The babe was stillborn.
The King made sure no one outside the castle would ever hear of it. Not the pregnancy, not the birth, not the death.
But that wouldn't stop what was about to happen. I was just waiting for the right moment to act—and praying that my mother, Queen Alysanne, and Grandpa Baelon would support me afterward.
Later that day we visited Aunt Gael. She looked… gone. Like something inside her had died too. Her face was blank, hollow. No tears, no rage. Just silence.
My mother tried to console her. Queen Alysanne too. Even Princess Rhaenys came flying in on Meleys from Driftmark to see her. It surprised everyone.
But I knew none of it was enough.
Tomorrow. That would be the moment.
I barely slept. At first light, I was already up and watching. I told Ser Lorence Roxton of the Kingsguard to stay alert for anything strange.I stationed myself by the windows and alerted Ser Lorence Roxton of the Kingsguard. When I spotted a cloaked figure slipping from the castle—dark clothes, slow steps, alone—I knew. It was time.
"Inform the family, I saw someone leaving the castle" I told Ser Lorence. "Saw it going towards the cliffs."
He ordered me to remain in the children's wing and hurried to raise the alarm.
I didn't.
I slipped out the window with a rope I'd tied earlier, took my guitar, and whistled once.
Zalrazar came. My dragon. My shadow in the sky.
I climbed onto him. First time ever. This act would make me the youngest dragon rider . No time for fear.
"Soves, Zalrazar," I said.
He ran, spread his wings, and we were off. My heart felt like it would explode. Below us, Dragonstone looked small, cold. I pulled the reins to turn him toward the cliff.
And there she was. Alone. At the edge.
"Bēvilza, Zalrazar," I whispered.
He landed, and I climbed down.
-Princess Gael Targaryen's POV-
The wind howled across the cliffs of Dragonstone. The waves below crashed like war drums, daring me to take the leap. I stood at the edge of the world, the child within me gone, the man I trusted vanished into song and shadow.
What was left of me?
A disgrace. A burden. An empty vessel.
I closed my eyes. The silence of the sea was calling.
Then I heard it—a sudden gust, a low thunder above.
I opened my eyes to see a shadow descend before me. A dragon—small, sleek, unfamiliar. And upon its back, a child.
Aemon.
He slid off his dragon, landing clumsily but with purpose. He looked so small compared to the beast he rode, yet his presence stilled the wind.
"You don't know your worth," he said. "You might think you don't matter, but you do. Don't leave us. We'll overcome this together. I promise."
His words, spoken with such honesty, struck something deep within me. He was only a boy—wasn't he? Yet his eyes were ancient. Wiser than they should be.
"There is no meaning to life anymore," I whispered. "I am not pure, of no use to my father. All that's left is to be wed to a nameless lord and serve as a broodmare. I'd rather end it on my terms."
He didn't reply. Instead, he pulled a strange instrument from his back. Long, wooden, with strings , looked like a lute . He sat on a nearby rock, adjusted the strings, and began to play.
The sound was unlike anything I had ever heard. Gentle. Sorrowful. Hopeful.
And then… he began to sing.
[ Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara] - ( common tongue = old medieval english )
[ lyrics are changed to fit the theme]
🎶 She just wants to be beautiful
She goes unnoticed, she knows no limits
She craves attention, she praises an image
She prays to be sculpted by the sculptor… 🎶
My breath caught in my throat.
He was singing… about me.
About every doubt, every scar I tried to hide. I took a shaky step back, unsure if I was dreaming.
From behind, I heard footsteps. A voice called my name.
"Gael?"
Queen Alysanne. She arrived with Aemma, Baelon, and even Rhaenys . All of them stood frozen, watching the boy sing.
🎶 Oh, she don't see the light that's shining
Deeper than the eyes can find it
Maybe we have made her blind
So she tries to cover up her pain and cut her woes away
'Cause noble girls don't cry after their face is made… 🎶
Alysanne's eyes welled with tears. "Gods," she whispered, hand clenching her chest. "How is this possible? "
Aemma covered her mouth. Rhaenys blinked, shocked. Even Baelon, ever the soldier, looked shaken.
🎶 But
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful… 🎶
My legs gave way. I collapsed to my knees.
That line—just the way you are—broke something inside me. Not in pain… but something I can't explain .
Aemon's voice didn't waver. He kept playing, singing not just to me, but to everyone who had ever felt cast aside.
🎶 She has dreams to be an envy
So she's starving, you know, noble girls eat nothing
She says, "Beauty is pain and there's beauty in everything… 🎶
Viserys arrived, breathless, confused—until he heard the lyrics. He turned to Aemma.
"Did… Aemon write this?"
"I don't know , never heard of this song" Aemma whispered, eyes wide with awe. "Never heard anyone sing like that as well"
Baelon stared at the boy with something between awe and reverence.
🎶 She don't see her perfect, she don't understand she's worth it
Or that beauty goes deeper than the surface… 🎶
Alysanne stepped forward and hugged Gael , tears slipping freely now.
🎶 So to all the girls that's hurting, let me be your mirror
Help you see a little bit clearer the light that shines within… 🎶
I looked up. His eyes met mine.
And I broke.
Tears spilled down my cheeks—not from shame this time, but release.
I was still here.
He was showing me the mirror I had smashed with grief… and I saw myself again.
🎶 There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are… 🎶
Rhaenys was shaken looking as everyone to make a sense of this moment.
Viserys muttered, "I can't believe this… a child can be this good."
"No," Baelon replied, voice hoarse. "There is nothing childlike about this."
🎶 No better you than the you that you are
No better life than the life we're living
No better time for your shine, you're a star… 🎶
The sun rose behind him as he strummed the final chorus.
A golden dawn breaking over Dragonstone.
🎶 Oh, you're beautiful
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are… 🎶
As the last note faded, silence fell over the cliffs.
Even the sea seemed hushed.
Sun rising behind a boy that sang to the world .
I stood slowly.
The edge no longer called to me.
I stepped forward, and without hesitation, wrapped my arms around Aemon. My voice cracked as I whispered, "Thank you."
Behind me, my family was still in awe, unable to speak.
Queen Alysanne wiped her tears. "That song just saved her life , he is blessed by Maiden & Crone. "
Baelon nodded, stunned. "And that boy…how can anyone write a song this beautiful."