An AU where the Battle of the Trident took place, but just between Rhaegar Targaryen and Robert Baratheon. Their duel and its outcome have ramifications that none could foresee. In the world built afterwards, dragons once again rule and roam Westeros, among them the son of a northern beauty and the king. Prince Jon and his kin, Stark and Targaryen alike, face new challenges from both without and within. Whatever the future holds, the Seven Kingdoms will learn that, whether in a coat of red or a coat of white, a dragon still has claws.
Dragons of Red, Dragons of White
is an A Song of Ice and Fire AU fic by Nightdrake where Rhaegar survives the Trident and becomes king after the death of his father. Jon, his youngest son, is sent to foster with his mother's family when he turns seven. Eventually, things begin to move similarly and differently from canon.
This Fan Fic provides examples of:
- Adaptational Nice Guy: Catelyn and Sansa are much nicer and more affectionate to Jon, thanks to knowing about his parentage.
- Adapted Out: As Jaime suffers Death by Adaptation, presumably none of his and Cersei's children are born. Cersei ends up marrying Viserys in this continuity.
- Affectionate Nickname: Aegon insists on being called "Egg."
- Annoying Younger Sibling: Viserys, to his older brother Rhaegar.
- Anti-Hero: Rhaegar is an overall good man, who nevertheless cheated on his wife and endangered his family thanks to running away with his mistress.
- Badass Adorable: Jon, at the tender age of seven, has the guts to stand up to Gregor "The Mountain that Rides" Clegane, to protect two children from his thugs.
- Big Brother Instinct: Aegon loves Jon, and one of the reasons he doesn't like Viserys is because, as noted below, he's especially cruel to Jon.
- Broken Pedestal: Rhaegar becomes this to his wife and daughter due to his affair with Lyanna. While he did leave Jaime to protect them and seemingly got Varys to provide an escape route, he still left them in danger and Elia was almost killed by Aerys. His son Aegon and his younger sister Daenerys don't have this attitude as they were too young to remember any of it.
- A similar case with Barristan Selmy as he kills Aerys to save Elia from him and becomes known as a Kingslayer. Even though he was protecting Elia and Aerys did not deserve his loyalty, Barristan had broken his oath to his king, leading to this trope.
- Childhood Friend Romance: Jon and Sansa grew up in Winterfell together, and have developed feelings for each other.
- Death by Adaptation:
- Jaime Lannister dies helping Elia Martell and her children escape the Red Keep, holding off their pursuers until he was overwhelmed.
- Robert Baratheon dies to Rhaegar in the Duel of the Trident, ending his Rebellion.
- Decomposite Character:
- Elia takes on Catelyn's resentment of Jon from the books.
- Daenerys also seems to take on some of Sansa's naivete.
- Dies Differently in Adaptation: Barristan Selmy is the one who kills Mad King Aerys in this continuity, to save Rhaegar's family.
- Elephant in the Living Room: Jon's parentage is this at court. Everyone knows the events surrounding his conception and birth, but no one talks about it.
- Everyone Can See It: All of Winterfell can see Jon and Sansa have feelings for each other.
- Evil Uncle: While Viserys is cruel to everyone, as Aegon notes he's especially cruel to Jon.
- For Want Of A Nail: The divergence is that rather than crossing the Trident, Rhaegar decided to hunker down and wait for Robert's forces to attack. This led to a parley where Ned Stark ended his support of Robert following a letter given to him by Rhaegar and a duel between Rhaegar and Robert which ended with the latter's death. This would have several repercussions.
- Jaime Lannister dies getting Elia and her children to safety, leading to Tywin anointing Tyrion as his heir. As a result, Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella are not born.
- Barriston Selmy kills Aerys II to save Elia, leading him to become the Kingslayer rather than Jaime. This affects his reputation and his character as the story goes on.
- The different circumstances at the Tower of Joy has Ser Arthur Dayne surviving. Gerold Hightower and Oswell Whent still die but not at the hands of Ned and his men.
- Arthur would become Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and loyally serve Rhaegar.
- Jon being Rhaegar and Lyanna's son becomes widespread knowledge when he and Ned return to King's Landing from the Tower of Joy, leading to a minor scandal over the king having a bastard. To quell discontent and keep Jon safe, Rhaegar legitimizes him and raises him in the Red Keep until he is fostered by Ned in Winterfell, seemingly as part of an agreement with the latter.
- Aegon is the Crown Prince of Westeros since he was not killed in the Sack of King's Landing. He eventually becomes king following Rhaegar's assassination.
- After Robert's death, several Stormlords attempted to rebel against Rhaegar but were defeated. Stannis and several other rebel lords were sent to the Wall, bolstering its numbers with more personnel and soldiers. Stannis becomes Lord Commander and seemingly leads a more competent Night's Watch than the sorry state it was in canon. Also, Renly becomes Lord of Storm's End as Stannis is no longer around.
- Rather than serving in the Night's Watch, Benjen Stark lives in King's Landing as a guest of Rhaegar and becomes a member of the Kingsguard after gaining a knighthood putting down the rebellion in the Stormlands.
- Overall, the political situation in Westeros is different under Rhaegar's rule. In fact, it seems to be more unstable than under Robert's rule in canon. Several Houses do not trust him due to how he turned a Rebellion into a coup against his father. It is due to this that Rhaegar sent Viserys, Aegon, and Jon to be fostered in Casterly Rock, Highgarden, and Winterfell respectively so he can gain loyalty and reconciliation with their respective Great Houses.
- Going Native: After the Time Skip, Jon has embraced the ways and culture of the Starks, after fostering in the North.
- Horrible Judge of Character: Rhaenys appears to be convinced that Jon is up to no good even though the latter has been nothing but loving and supportive of Aegon.
- The Ingenue: Daenerys isn't stupid, but seems to be pretty oblivious to her niece Rhaenys's resentment of Jon, and her displeasure at the betrothal between Jon and Sansa.
- In Spite of a Nail: Lyanna still dies at the Tower of Joy.
- The Greyjoy Rebellion still happens and Theon is still taken as a political hostage after the Iron Islands are defeated, although he is sent to the Westerlands rather than the North.
- The Stark children still get the same direwolves as pets after the execution of a Night's Watch deserter who saw the Others.
- Jon Arryn becomes the Hand of the King and still dies fifteen years after the war.
- Littlefinger is still involved in the Small Council.
- A king still makes the journey to Winterfell before going back to King's Landing.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Elia can come across as cruel concerning her attitude towards Jon, but she still has every right to not want him around her family.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Aerys dies by being burned to death in greenfire, the same death that he subjected to many of his victims.
- Like Father, Like Son: Jon may not look like Rhaegar, but he has the same quiet nature and solemn attitude.
- Like Father, Unlike Son: Aegon, on the other hand, is exuberant, adventurous, and playful, quite unlike Rhaegar.
- Mythology Gag: In Chapter 7, Tyrion Lannister used a chain to trap the Ironborn fleet in Lannisport so they could not escape while the Lannister forces counterattacked, mirroring the plan he used against Stannis during the Battle of Blackwater Bay.
- Obnoxious In-Laws: "Obnoxious" may be stretching it, but it's clear that Ned and Rhaegar don't get along very well.
- Older Than They Look: Rhaegar is pushing forty when he visits Winterfell, but still looks like he's in his twenties.
- Parental Substitute: Eddard and Catelyn essentially become Jon's parents when he fosters with them.
- Perfectly Arranged Marriage: Jon and Sansa are both delighted when they learn about their betrothal.
- The Resenter: Both Elia and Rhaenys resent Jon's presence at court, as he's a living reminder that Rhaegar chose another woman over his wife and family. Aegon, being too young to remember the circumstances, is only too happy to call Jon his brother.
- Royal Brat: Viserys, having grown up in King's Landing, proves himself to very definitely be one of these.
- Shipper on Deck: Ned and Catelyn are both eager to have Jon marry Sansa.
- Spared by the Adaptation: Rhaegar and his entire family. Arthur Dayne, for that matter, doesn't die at the Tower of Joy.
- Wicked Stepmother: Elia is a downplayed example, much like Catelyn in canon. She's never abusive towards Jon, but she makes it very clear she doesn't want him around.
