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aliceofasshai · 5 months ago

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Daella's fears and her sisters' fates - a clue to Gael's death?

In my post about king Jahaerys' reign I noticed that Daella's fears were connected to tragic fates that befell her sisters. I went through the book again and here's what she was scared of:

Alyssa

Vaegon

kittens

dragons, even Silverwing

a prince from Summer Isles, dark-skinned, with a feathered cloak,

singing (by herself)

bees

horses

old gods/marriage before weirwood

pregnancy

She cried because of:

Vaegon saying: "She should find some lord in need of stupid children, for that’s the only sort he will ever have of her.”

scoldings

being asked to read from Seven-Pointed Star

a boy trying to kiss her without permission

maester not letting her hold her newborn child (that one sounds like a normal reaction to her current situation and not having any prophetic reasons)

Jaehaerys listed the major fears of Daella when talking to Alysanne:

"Find her someone. Someone gentle, as she is. A kind man, who will never raise his voice or his hand to her, who will speak to her sweetly and tell her she is precious and protect her…against dragons and horses and bees and kittens and boys with boils and whatever else she fears.”

5 fears, 5 sisters:

Kittens - Daenerys had a kitten, cats hunt rats, rats carry disease, Daenerys died of Shivers.

Boys with boils - Maegelle nursed patients with greyscale, got infected and died (also reading Seven-Pointed Star could have reminded Daella of her sister's future death, causing her to cry).

Bees - Saera's disgrace was caused by her affair with Braxton Beesbury. Additionally, it would explain Daella's fear of flirting squires. (Crack theory because we don't know how Saera died, but it would be funny if she was allergic and died because of a bee stinging her when she was living in Volantis.). Also, Saera said she might like to marry a trader from Summer Isles, which could connect with Daella's fear of the prince of Summer Isles (another theory - maybe Saera lost her virginity with that trader, after all later she was experienced when she corrupted Perrianne and Sweetberry and she did say that the 3 boys were silly and all thought they were her first, implying that they actually weren't. Summer Isles are known for their sexual liberation). Daella's fear of scoldings could be connected to Saera's interrogation/trial by Jaehaerys.

Horses - Viserra dying because she was racing while drunk and fell off a horse. She was also meant to marry a Manderly, probably having a wedding before the old gods, which could be the connection to Daella's fear of weirwood. If Daella's prophetic ability allowed her to see the outcome of different choices, maybe Viserra was doomed to die anyway as a result of that marriage. Or maybe she was doomed to die while running from that marriage - so it was the major, underlying cause of her death.

Dragons - ?

Dragons aren't connected to any of Daella's sisters deaths. The only left are Alyssa and Gael. Alyssa was a dragonrider, but she died from complications after childbirth: "She never fully recovered from Aegon’s birth, and died within the year at only four-and-twenty." This fits with Daella's fear of pregnancy and how she purposely chose a suitor that already had children, thinking that he wouldn't force her to get pregnant (unfortunately for her, lord Arryn was a sicko that "loved her for years" and just wanted to have sex with her). I guess her fear of Vaegon could be connected to the fear of pregnancy as initially Vaegon was supposed to marry her. Though I'm not sure why Daella was afraid of Alyssa as she didn't cause anyone's death and even defended her from Vaegon's hurtful words. (Crack theory without any basis in text whatsoever - Vaegon took revenge on Alyssa by ordering the maester that was taking care of her to do a shit job and that's why she didn't recover after childbirth. If Daella knew, maybe that's why she was scared of Alyssa, probably she was just avoiding her. Sadly, she still caused Vaegon's grudge against Alyssa who humiliated him to defend Daella.)

That leaves Gael. Her fate is described like this:

"A sweet-natured girl, but frail and somewhat simpleminded, she remained with the queen long after her other children had grown and gone, but in 99 AC she vanished from court, and soon afterward it was announced that she had died of a summer fever. Only after both her parents were gone did the true tale come out. Seduced and abandoned by a traveling singer, the princess had given birth to a stillborn son, then, overwhelmed by grief, walked into the waters of Blackwater Bay and drowned."

Daella's fear of singing fits with the traveling singer causing Gael's downfall. However, Daella was afraid of being asked to sing. She had a positive reaction to a Blackwood suitor's singing to her. That makes the involvement of a traveling singer in Gael's death very doubtful. On the other hand, the last clue and fear of Daella that's not connected to any of the other sisters, was fear of dragons.

The strong connection between Daella's fears and her other sisters' deaths should mean that Gael's death is connected to dragons. In addition, it makes the whole "true tale" of Gael's death suspect because Daella did not fear water or drowning - she visited Driftmark to see Corlys who was one of her prospects and she only got seasick on the boat. Oddly, that one voyage she took didn't cause any fear or tears.

Some fears/causes of death were literal, like kittens and horses, so it could be that a dragon caused Gael's death. Maybe she tried to claim one on Dragonstone and it burned her or she fell from its back and drowned in the sea. Would Jaehaerys cover it up? Probably, it would look bad for his propaganda how Targaryens are special and godly if it was known that his daughter was killed by a dragon like any commoner.

Fears of singing and dragons can be connected - I'm basing this on HOTD, not the book. In the show Daemon was singing to dragons to prepare them for new riders. Maybe Gael tried singing to a dragon she wanted to claim but it didn't work and she was killed?

The whole theory with Gael failing to claim a dragon assumes Dragonkeepers were sleeping on a job as Jaehaerys created their order to prevent any unsanctioned claiming of dragons after Saera's attempt. However, she may have tried to claim a wild dragon on Dragonstone, so the theory that her death was caused by a literal dragon can't be entirely discarded.

On the other hand, the fear of bees connects to a Beesbury, which is a metaphorical interpretation. Therefore fear of dragons may refer to a Targaryen causing Gael's death but which one? The list of suspects is: Alysanne, Jaehaerys, Baelon, Viserys, Daemon. All people who had access to Gael.

Events surrounding Gael's death:

92 AC - Aemon's death, Baelon becomes Prince of Dragonstone, Alysanne quarrels with Jaehaerys about succession and goes to Dragonstone

93 AC - Alysanne's last flight on Silverwing, birth of Laena, Viserys claims Balerion

94 AC - Alysanne and Jaehaerys reconcile, birth of Laenor, Balerion's death

95 AC - Alysanne breaks her hip and starts using a cane to walk

96 AC - Maegelle's death

97 AC - birth of Rhaenyra, Daemon's marriage to Rhea Royce

98 AC - great tourney at King's Landing, whole family gathers, Septon Barth's death a fortnight after the tourney

99 AC - Gael gives birth to a stillborn child and dies, then Alysanne returns to Dragonstone; Baelon becomes Hand

100 AC - Alysanne's death

101 AC - Baelon's death, Great Council

103 AC - Jaehaerys' death, after his death the "true tale" of Gael's death comes out; Viserys is king, Daemon is brought back to court

It's hard to say what was the order of events within a year because Gyldayn sometimes mixes it up. For example, it's unknown if Baelon became Hand after Gael's death or before.

Alysanne could be indirectly responsible for Gael's death due to smothering she did to the girl. Maybe the life under her mother's thumb, never allowed to grow up and be free was the cause of Gael's bad decisions leading to her suicide? Counterarguments: Alysanne was infirm, walked with a cane and was going deaf (couldn't hear singing), I doubt those last few years Gael didn't get more freedom. What's more, Daella worshipped her mother, she was never afraid of her. Gael died in 99 AC, Alysanne in 100 AC from wasting illness and grief over losing her last daughter. I think Alysanne didn't cause Gael's death.

It's important to determine Gael's whereabouts. The quote says that she "remained with the queen" but "in 99 AC she vanished from court, and soon afterward it was announced that she had died of a summer fever". Alysanne went to stay on Dragonstone after Gael's death. So Alysanne and Gael were in 98 AC in King's Landing for the tourney. And that's when Gael became pregnant. Presumably she vanished only when the pregnancy was impossible to hide but Alysanne stayed in court. Where did Gael go?

Out of all elements of the "true tale", Gael giving birth to a stillborn seems the most likely to be true. It's a shame of the family so if she didn't have a child, then the "true tale" wouldn't mention its existence at all and just said that she killed herself because her traveling singer left her. It seems to me that other elements that are questionable and don't fit with Daella's fears are obfuscating the most important mystery - the identity of the father of Gael's child. And the official version of the story is obfuscating it on purpose because it's so scandalous for the man. That man wasn't a mere traveling singer. One of her own Targaryen male relatives seems most likely to be the father and fits with Daella's symbolic fear of dragons as well as known incestuous preferences and traditions of the family. Three of the suspects were married (Jaehaerys, Viserys, Daemon) and one was a widower with a reputation of total loyalty to his dead wife (Baelon). Having a bastard with Gael would cause a big scandal for any of them.

If someone wanted to hide a visibly pregnant Gael, especially from her infirm and overprotective mother, where would he take her? I think the answer is easy - Dragonstone. A place she could try to claim a wild dragon to run away from her captor. Conveniently, Baelon was the Prince of Dragonstone, meaning it was his seat of power and he was ruling it. The same year Gael died, 99 AC, Baelon became Hand, therefore he had to take residence in the Tower of the Hand. Alysanne returned to Dragonstone after Gael's death. If Gael still lived when Baelon became Hand, his absence could have been the perfect time for her to try to claim a dragon (or kill herself). Though Baelon becoming Hand after her death also works.

Baelon spiriting Gael away makes sense thematically within ASOIAF - we have the famous tale of BAEL the Bard kidnapping the king's daughter and impregnating her. In the main story Petyr BAELish kidnaps Sansa and hides her away in his own seat of power. The name BAELon is pretty damning. The connection with the "true tale" is clear: "traveling singer" -> Bael the Bard -> Baelon. Furthermore, the peak of Targaryen romance is "take me to Dragonstone and make me your wife" just like Jaehaerys and Alysanne.

Baelon being the father of Gael's child makes sense. He was a widower and heir, but he couldn't marry her because of Alysanne. Previously Alysanne actively prevented him from marrying Viserra and he was feeling bad for what happened to his sister, wondering if it was his fault. "Prince Baelon was greatly distraught as well, wondering if he should have spoken to his sister less brusquely the night he found her naked in his bed." Baelon had a good reason to hide the affair and pregnancy from Alysanne and also a close place to hide Gael. After Gael died Baelon kept visiting Alysanne. "Only Baelon the Brave remained near her till the end. Her Spring Prince visited her as often as he could and always won a smile from her". He knew how much the loss hurt his mother and tried to make it up to her, probably out of guilt.

Baelon also had a good reason to hide the affair from Jaehaerys who the last time personally killed the man that seduced his daughter (Saera).

Despite all above making Baelon the most likely suspect behind Gael's disappearance, a case can be made that he wasn't really the father of her child, just the person hiding her away. Let's examine the other suspects.

Jaehaerys - it's in line with the theory that he was molesting his daughters. In 98 AC all of them were dead (and Saera was in Essos), except Gael who Alysanne always kept close and protected. In addition, his most trusted advisor, practically his conscience and moral compass, Septon Barth died that year. Maybe after that Jaehaerys took the opportunity to go after the last untouched daughter. Then Baelon realized what was happening with Gael and hid her on Dragonstone, finally saving one of his sisters from her abuser. Hiding this from Alysanne made sense, if she knew, it would break her heart. Whether Jaehaerys knew where Gael was, it doesn't matter, either way he would want her pregnancy covered up to preserve his own reputation.

Viserys - that one seems the most unlikely of all suspects. He was married, Rhaenyra was born in 97 AC and he was probably optimistic about having a son with Aemma. Additionally, he just doesn't seem like the type to have dangerous affairs like that. No true motive. He even had no dragon to kidnap her. I'm crossing him off the list of suspects. However, the "true tale" comes out after Jaehaerys' death, when Viserys was king. He would want to preserve his father's memory as a perfect prince and heir so he would cover up Baelon's involvement in Gael's disappearance. Same if the baby's father was Jaehaerys.

Daemon - it could have been him, he was unhappily married to Rhea Royce and had a known preference for Valyrian maidens. Gael would have been a suitable royal match for him, but Alysanne wouldn't allow her to marry anyone. It's possible that Daemon took the chance at the tourney to seduce Gael and later his father hid this from the king and queen. However, later on we have an incident with Daemon being found in Rhaenyra's bed, when he hoped to get annulment of his first marriage and marry the princess instead. Why didn't he try causing the same sort of scandal with Gael? It must be because he knew that Jaehaerys would just kill him like Beesbury, instead of granting him anything. Viserys posed no danger to Daemon's life on the other hand. On top of that the time of the "true tale" coming out means that if Daemon was Gael's seducer Otto would have probably used it to exile him sooner. It wouldn't be "traveling singer" but the "Rogue Prince" and everyone would know. Therefore, the chances that Daemon seduced Gael are very low.

Did Gael really commit suicide?

A real or figurative dragon's involvement in Gael's death is possible in accordance with Daella's prophetic fear. However, it's uncertain how much Daella knew or understood about her visions. The only people she was afraid of were Alyssa and Vaegon and they didn't kill any of her sisters. She didn't fear lord Arryn who caused her own death from childbirth. She wasn't scared of Jaehaerys, Alysanne, Baelon or any of the other suspects in Gael's case but on the other hand she cried because of boys similar to Saera's boyfriends.

The suicide by drowning can't be entirely ruled out as the cause of Gael's death. Daella wasn't afraid of water or drowning, but maybe she just didn't receive a warning vision because Gael chose to die. All the tragic fates of the other sisters were beyond their control. They all wanted to live and find happiness, but it was taken away from them.

Why would Daella fear suicide? She never wanted to kill herself, instead she worked hard to avoid death and misfortune. Drowning by choice was never a danger to her.

It's hard to say if the tale of Gael's suicide is true or a fabrication. Her situation on Dragonstone may have looked so bleak that it was possible she decided to kill herself. There's no mention of any suicide note which is a reason to question and doubt that the suicide happened at all.

Too many things are unknown, especially in regards to the "true tale" and how exactly it came out. We don't know if Gael's body was recovered, proving that she drowned, if there were any witnesses to her fate and what did they say before being silenced that the official story had to acknowledge their testimony or cover it up for some reason.

Was drowning real or a cover-up for a dragon-related cause of death? Was Gael truly trying to drown herself or did she attempt to escape by swimming away, back to her mother? We don't even know if she tried any other method of suicide or if it was it her first, successful try.

The true cause of Gael's death will remain a mystery as there's not enough evidence to be certain.

Congratulations to those who read this whole long theory post, I hope I wasn't rambling too much and the reasoning was easy enough to follow. Did I connect the dots? I'm open to thoughts about this.

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aliceofasshai · 7 months ago

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I get so mad when I think about how Alyssa Targaryen was the only true “semi empowered” daughter of Jaehaerys & Alysanne, the only one of their daughters to ride a dragon and this was purely because she was always meant to be their beloved Aemon or Baelon’s wife.

The wife of the heir or the spare.

The narrative further highlights this because for all of Alyssa’s “willful” nature.

One of the few lines she gets is there to serve as a reminder that she is happy to exist as Baelon’s childbearing wife. That what she wants is to give Baelon children.

That is why she is allowed to “matter” to Jaehaerys & Alysanne that is why she’s allowed to be a dragonrider.

Maegelle is simply given to the faith.

Jaehaerys tells Vaegon to be “sweet to Daella” when they are children because she will one day be his wife. However once it is clear Vaegon holds no interest in any of his sisters. Jaehaerys loses his patience with Daella wanting her married immediately within the year.

Daella is only about to turn 16 and that is the age of “womanhood” in Westeros. She’s not an old crone by any means. Daella is also later dead by 18 from complications in childbirth.

The speculation that was married and impregnated too soon.

Saera has none of the fears that Daella did and yet there is nothing written about her claiming a dragon as Alyssa did. No rather she is immediately framed as a monstrous child. A monstrous child who is getting drunk beyond belief at 12 years of age.

What is the reason for Saera to feel the need to become an alcoholic at 12?

The kindest description we have of Saera comes from Septon Barth who makes it clear she is simply ignored by her parents and she lacked care and comfort.

Her relationship with Jaehaerys is perhaps the most disturbing of all. In a family where incest is encouraged. The entitlement Jaehaerys feels towards Saera’s sexuality is even more appalling.

It’s stated she is granted most everything by her father. She finds no sway with her mother who seems almost contemptuous towards her. Yet all the things that are given to her by her father appear to be trinkets and trifles. Nothing of real substance or power. No where are we told Jaehaerys grants Saera the care and comfort she desires.

A scandal erupts that results in Saera telling her parents she is no longer a maiden. Simultaneous to this "horrifying outrage" that leaves Jaehaerys speechless. Is that fact that she is not ashamed. So much so that when she compares herself to men like Aegon and Maegor. Her father descends into a rage. She is locked in her room begging her father for mercy. Not her mother, Not Septon Barth, No one else but her father.

This entire issue around Saera stems purely from the fact that she had sex that Jaehaerys did not consent to. That is her great crime. Worse still we are told that Saera instead of going to her room that night attempts to steal a dragon and isn’t allowed one by the dragon keepers.

This girl who is described as so willful and vivacious. This girl who reportedly wants everything, does not have a dragon. While there is a chance she simply never tried for one. I find it hard to believe that Saera did not want a dragon of her own. Rather I think she was never allowed one. It shows in the fact that she attempts for one when she is the most desperate. This is the birthright of her house and yet she can’t have one?

Why? Because she had sex. Would the situation have been different for Saera if say Vaegon had shown interest in her? Vaegon who Jaehaerys crowed as third in line to throne. Vaegon who escaped the fate of so many of his sisters because he was given another option on account of his gender.

Sickeningly enough, Jaehaerys who never seemed to have any special interest in his daughters. Takes special interest in punishing Saera. She is forced to watch from the window of her cell as Jaehaerys tortures one of the knights she dallied with.

The boy is bleeding from half a dozen wounds before he falls. She is later forced into the faith. "For a few years" to "redeem" her. Poor Saera endures her hair being shaven, and being beaten by a cane for over a year before she is able to escape.

Saera is actually willful. Here is a Targaryen Princess that isn’t happy to make babies for her Targaryen brother. That makes her a problem. Saera doesn't compare herself to the women in her family when she is being interrogated by her parents. Not even the powerful conquerors - Visenya and Rhaenys.

No she compares herself to Aegon & Maegor who had multiple brides. Saera knows where the true power lays even in her family. The most tragic part again is the text made it clear to us that Saera is not the evil little girl she is seen to be by those around her. Rather a little girl in need of comfort. Yet Saera ends her story working as a whore. Scarely at 18. When she makes her great escape she does not seek comfort or help from her family. Not her parents, Not her brothers, Not her friends. No one. Jaehaerys himself not in grief but disgust mocks Saera as a whore, for having to buy her passage to Lys by doing sexual acts to get there.

This powerful Targaryen Princess, Daughter of these beloved Monarchs. Had no options to her.

Viserra like Saera is served worst of all by her parents. However unlike Saera it isn't by Jaehaerys this time rather Alysanne.

Alysanne Targaryen who when informed she was being set to wed a man she didn't want. A man ten years older than her. Went directly to her brother. The man destined to be King and told him what was planned. Alysanne ends up escaping into the night with her beloved brother. Married to him and with a Queenship confirmed for her. A Queenship that allowed her to be as influential as she is remembered. This very same Alysanne is contemptuous towards Viserra who she labels "slyer" than Saera. An ill comparison knowing how Saera was treated. A daughter she views as power hungry for not wanting to be sent off to the North to marry a man so much older that he had outlived four wives. Viserra is only 15 at this time. Viserra who is described as intelligent knows that the only way she will be granted some agency, some power in her house is by marrying her brother. We are told by Alysanne of all people that Viserra does not love Baelon. As if it is a great character flaw.

Yet one night, 15 year old Viserra drinks so much she needs two maids and a knight to bring her back to her bedroom. Why? because she had went naked into her brother's bed in the hopes that him sexually desiring her. Would save her from the unwanted marriage her mother was forcing her into.

A page right out of Alysanne Targaryen's book and yet it comes across so much more twisted. We are told that after this disturbing incident. Alysanne simply makes arrangements to have Viserra sent off to the North.

Viserra dies at 15 from a broken neck. This child who is framed so negatively in the text - Just wanted one last night of laughter. Interestingly enough, Viserra's last night of joy did not include anyone in her family.

When Princess Gael dies too. Alysanne attempts to reach out to Saera and yet all her letters are unanswered. Vaegon dutifully responds to his mother's letter but coldly and with distance. In the end she does have Baelon. The son who was 29 when she protected him from her sly 15 year old daughter Viserra. The daughter she had little empathy for and could not see herself in. Jaehaerys dies soon after as well but not before ensuring his granddaughter is also robbed of her birthright. Not only that, but also setting in the eyes of many. An iron precedent that no woman from his house will ever rule. He dies being read to by Alicent Hightower who he mistakes for his not one but many of daughters. In the end he believes precocious Alicent was his daughter Saera. Returned to him from beyond the narrow sea. Surely it couldn't have been guilt?

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