Caraxes, Blackwater Bay...291 AC...
The frigate newly built and named for the fierce dragon that Daemon Targaryen 'The Rogue Prince' rode during the Dance of the Dragons cruised through the waters of the bay, heading for Duskendale where a new type of ship was due to be launched.
And on the bow, the captain stood eagerly, not wanting to be late.
Ser Daeron Targaryen smiled brightly as he felt truly at home on the water, it was where he was most comfortable and with his dragon flying above him where he was sure he belonged.
He was now a captain in the Royal Fleet, commanding Caraxes and he was now travelling to each of the navies in the kingdoms and ensuring they would be ready should they be called on. Foreign ports were something that he enjoyed seeing when he could having made trips to Braavos and Pentos frequently. He had just established the first embassy of the Iron Throne in Braavos and he knew his brother was intending to have him create more in the days ahead.
The trust was gratifying as he did feel like his older brother's shadow enveloped them all too much sometimes not that he blamed Haeron for that he thought with a warm look in his eyes. That was his brother's way, he had achieved greatness and he could be quite dominating without meaning too be. But given he had been the sole reliable male figure in his life and had been somewhat a fatherly figure for him as well as an older brother. Aerys had been a monster he thought with disgust and Rhaegar a fool, even after years under house arrest Rhaegar had not shown any remorse for nearly starting a civil war or any interest in his three children.
Something that he swore that he would not be with his own family when he had one.
He saw the shipyard of Duskendale coming into view, so he smiled as he saw the slipways and docks that were busy with many people moving around them like insects at this distance.
But his sight was drawn to the largest and newest of the slipways in the shipyard, a vessel larger and taller in the water than the frigate he was sailing now. One that had three gun decks and massive masts and sails that reached into the sky above. It was an enormous ship and would no doubt be a leviathan when it was finally in the water.
The Caraxes pulled into the dock nearby and he saw Lord Davos Seaworth standing there to greet him, standing there with the same rigid formality that he was known for and Daeron smiled. The man was highly respected by their family and one of the few that he knew his eldest brother truly trusted but he never forgot his manners and that they could appreciate.
"Your grace." Davos said in greeting with a formal bow as they disembarked from his ship and Daeron nodded before replying.
"Lord Seaworth, it is good to be on our native shores again. How is the Queen Rhaella?" Daeron asked, referring to the new vessel. Davos looked over himself to the shipyard and smiled at the impressive ship.
"Nearly ready, she will be a beast on the sea when she is finished." Davos said proudly as the ship took shape, named for the late great queen herself she would be the pride of the Royal Fleet and lead them in any battles that would be fought in the future not that he hoped there would be many, Davos thought privately to himself.
Daeron nodded in agreement, a floating fortress of guns that would devastate anything that came across her path.
He would look forward to seeing that he thought with amusement.
Rosby, The Crownlands...
The lands of Rosby along with some other parcels of land were rich and full of potential, Vaena looked out with a smile. The castle was small but comfortable and fortified, with fields that they would be perfect for growing crops. Where her children could one day fly over with dragons of their own she thought with a smile as her own dragon flew overhead. A colony of Valyrian Silk Worms was now ready to be set up in the bowels of the castle, promising to make a lot of coin for them. They had been given a royal charter to be the sole provider of the amazing material which already was widely sort after.
Vaena would also have her herbal business as well the jewellery house she thought with pride, House Belaerys was now fully established in Westeros and she would make a great future for her and her family she thought with determination.
- x -
Massey's Hook, The Crownlands...
Grace meanwhile was looking at her own new lands from the back of her dragon, not just the fair sized castle and the villages around it that had once belonged to House Massey who had given it the name but also additional lands that meant they owned the entire peninsula. Forests with lumber and large fields of crops that spread as far as the eye could see.
The fact she was now a lady of a castle of her own was both daunting and incredible at the same time, she would have a place to raise her children and one day she would fly with them on the backs of dragons. She was pondering just what she might do with her new lands but the fact she had a castle half way between her family on Tarth and her sister in Kings Landing was even better as she could visit both whenever she wanted.
While she knew this holding had been given because the previous owners had turned traitor but that didn't matter to her she thought with a smirk. She could give her her children a home of their own and something that they could call their own.
That was the best legacy she could give them she thought as she flew over the lands to survey them fully.
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...
The castle was busy as usual, men and women rushing around to see to their duties while the Royal Family went about their own business.
Lyanna came in dressed in her riding leathers, smiling from ear to ear as she led her own children and Rhaenys into the Red Keep with a a buck, a doe and a boar carried by servants behind her.
"Mother, I want to be able to ride as good as you." Amilys said with awe at how well her mother had handled a horse, the most temperamental steed was so well behaved in her hands. She wanted to be able handle a horse and dragons as well as she could.
Lyanna smirked a little as she saw her daughter's admiration, Jon and Rhaenys both looked impressed too and she told them with satisfaction that she had something worthwhile to teach them after all.
"I would love to show you." She said, a warm feeling in her heart that she had at last found something she could bond with her children doing and even Rhaenys too. They might be one day riding dragons but riding any creature required knowing how to ride at all.
"Impressive game Lady Lyanna." A voice said from the side and they turned to see Queen Harmony standing there with a smile on her face. Her beauty was a little harsher than her fellow queen Evelyn but she was still one of the greatest beauties that Westeros had ever seen.
"Thank you your grace." Lyanna said with a slight bow of her head, grateful that they allowed her to go out riding now albeit under escort of the Royal Guard especially with her children and Rhaenys accompanying her. Elia was at present visiting her family down in Dorne so she had been left responsible for her until she returned. She didn't mind as she owed Elia so much for how much she had taken care of her when she had first been forced to live here.
"They will be on our dining table tonight, well done. Eat heartily as you will have a long journey ahead of you soon." Harmony said with a smile which confused Lyanna, Jon, Amilys and Rhaenys who soon became worried.
"Have I displeased you your grace?" Lyanna asked with a slight tremor in her voice as she did not want to be separated from her children. Jon and Rhaenys both shared a look of fear at the idea while Amilys shouted in sudden anger.
"YOU CAN'T SEND HER AWAY!"
Harmony looked at her without apparent concern, merely raising an eyebrow as she stared at the fuming child before explaining what she had really meant.
"I merely wanted to inform her that my husband has granted permission for her and indeed you and your brother to travel to Winterfell on our behalf." Harmony explained calmly.
The news that she would be visiting Winterfell finally sunk in and Lyanna realised that she would be able to go and see home again her face lit up with joy, even better she would finally be able to show her children just where their family came from she thought with joy.
"Thank you your grace." Lyanna said with genuine joy in her voice at the opportunity. Harmony nodded before explaining further.
"It is time for our family to reveal a secret that we acquired on our journey around the world. The secret to the production of Valyrian Steel. With the dragons now of large enough size to aid in the process and the materials secured we intend to reward our vassals who have served well. House Stark fought hard for us and lost much in the last war so we intend to give them something back. This to be precise." Harmony said as she produced a sword from a scabbard on her waist which looked strange on her silk dress but she handled it with skilled hands.
It was a bastard sword, its steel bright and clean but with the words 'Winter is Coming' in gold letters along the blade. The hilt was shaped in the side like two golden wolves snarling and the handgrip was wrapped in black and white leather with the pommel that looked like the direwolf House Stark used as its standard in gold.
Lyanna and the others were in awe of the quality of the blade, looking artful and yet still deadly as blade with the telltale ripples of Valyrian steel. Harmony took the scabbard from her waist and sheathed the sword in it before handing it to Lyanna who took it with great care.
"What they do with the blade is up to your brother of course, we are planning to give other weapons to other houses in Westeros for their service. Now enough of that, tonight is a time to celebrate." Harmony told them all which made them all smile while the others thought on how House Targaryen had apparently discovered the secret to Valyrian Steel something that had eluded the rest of the world for centuries. It seemed impossible but they knew that the King and Queens kept many secrets and wondered if they had anything else up their sleeves.
- x -
Meanwhile Rhaegar had slunk back into the library and was again researching ancient and frail texts in the hopes of finding information for the darkness that he knew in his heart was approaching closer and closer every day.
He had learned very little despite years of effort, he knew the winter was the most likely time for them to come. That they could not cross the Wall as long as it was whole. That the servants of the White Walkers were called wights and were animated corpses that needed no food, water or rest becoming relentless killers that would never give up. They could be killed by fire or decapitation while the White Walkers themselves were much harder to destroy Rhaegar thought with worry.
So far he had determined that not only were they stronger than normal humans but like their wights they would not get tired. Steel or other metals would shatter on contact with their frozen bodies and while fire would destroy their servants the wights they themselves were too cold for it to work...even dragon fire would not work although perhaps wildfire might he conceived with some thought given how that burnt through everything it touched.
The only confirmed ways to kill a White Walker that he had found so far was to use a blade of dragon glass or a blade of dragon steel. Dragon glass existed in abundance on Dragonstone and on an island called Skagos in the North so they would have access to that when the needs arose. Dragon steel though he thought with a puzzled expression, what would that be? He had done as much research as he could and even dared go into the rare Valyrian texts that his brother had brought back from Essos and that did not help much although he had not managed to access all of them yet.
Dragon steel, he thought, pondering just what that could mean. It could be anything but the closest thing that he could think of was Valyrian Steel. He had heard dragon glass was part of the process of making it so maybe that might be it he considered and was therefore extremely grateful to learn that his family now could produce the incredible metal. When the time came they would he hoped be able to make enough to arm men to fight against the enemy.
He was still looking into any potential information he could gain access too in the hopes of anticipating any potential issues the enemy might bring but also to see if there was any other weakness that they might be able to exploit.
- x -
The forges of the Red Keep were busy as the smiths were hard at work producing the Valyrian Steel they had just been shown how to create. It was an amazing sight to see the weapons take shape but there were also large moulds for armour that were being used to make the dragon armour. The dragon disliked wearing it but the sight of it was enough to make the dragons look even more fierce while being far better protected and not compromising speed or movement too much. This would need to be redone every few years as the dragons grew but they could melt down the steel if needed.
All the dragons of House Targaryen, Belaerys and Tarth of Massy's Hook would soon have the armour although it would not be worn all of the time. It was a struggle to get the dragons to wear it in battle let alone on a constant day to day basis.
The individual Valyrian Steel weapons they were making was being styled each house in question; the longsword for House Tully, another for House Arryn and House Tyrell. House Martell meanwhile were being given a spear while House Tarly would have a shield given they had a sword already.
The heads of the Blackfyres and their supporters were currently on spikes displayed from the walls, it was gruesome display but the practical reason for it was as important now as it had been in times past. Showing what happened to their enemies made a statement that would not soon be forgotten, they had vials of their blood set aside so they could find the other Blackfyres in Essos. All the ones in Braavos and Pentos had been accounted for but they were still out there and still a threat.
Plans to remove them were being drawn up every waking moment.
Winterfell, the North...Two Weeks Later...
The cold Northern air was something that might make her children shiver despite their furs but to Lyanna it was like silk against her skin. She had thought that she would never feel it again she thought with a heart that was almost soaring, she was going finally going to see her home again.
She would finally meet all of her nieces and nephews for the first time, the only ones she had previously met were Ned's own children but now she would at last be able to meet Brandon's daughters and Benjen's sons she thought with excitement at the chance to see her extended family.
The fact that Brandon and father would not be there and her children would never know them, that struck her heart with sadness and grief.
When they rode over the hill and Winterfell finally came into sight, the ancient castle seemed grim to Amilys who just looked unimpressed but to Jon it was striking and even awe inspiring. It had so much history, so much of their blood in its walls...he had long read about Winterfell but now he honestly felt the stories he had heard of the ancient castle were true.
"It looks bleak." Amilys said with a raised eyebrow while Lyanna sighed and Jon looked at her affronted.
"Its the oldest castle in Westeros. The castle of our ancestors and our family, ruling the largest of the kingdoms under the Iron Throne. Show some respect." Jon censored her and Amilys looked ready to argue but Lyanna not wanting the day spoiled by her children fighting spoke up.
"That is enough. We will show respect...understood?!" She warned them both and surprisingly both of them even Amilys fell silent. Ser Arthur Dayne who was leading the Royal Guard that was protecting them, smiled slightly and he was actually feeling glad to see his sister and her children in their new home. His sister was now Lady of Winterfell and one day his nephew would rule the North from here.
They rode forward and through the gate where Ned was standing with his family, the sight of him dressed in the warmer furs and leathers as Warden of the North with Ice at his side made Lyanna smile slightly as he looked every bit the Northern Lord and she just wished their father could see him now. Ashara stood with her four children and by them was Benjen with his two sons. The sight of her other two nephews made her smile in how much like their father they looked.
Then she saw her nieces standing alongside them, their mother Catelyn Tully nearby. The red haired woman was glaring at her quite openly which instantly made her lose her smile and wonder why the other woman was looking at not only her but her children with such hostility.
The sight of the dragons on the shoulders of Jon and Amilys instantly made people look at them stunned, small though the dragons might be it for now they were still amazing little creatures while Lyanna, Jon and Amilys were drawn to the sight of the direwolves at the sides of all the blood Starks. They were standing there like well trained hounds even at the sides of the girls Catelyn had.
Lyanna dismounted from her horse followed by her children and Ser Arthur, she looked around the familiar courtyard and smiled again as it looked just like it had when she was a girl. The inhabitants of the castle might change but it never would.
She walked over to Ned and while he looked ready to give her the usual pomp and stiff reception people would usually give a member of the royal family even if she was only married into it she didn't let him and pulled him into a hug which surprised him but he soon hugged her back while the other Starks and Lyanna's own children smiled.
She might be a Targaryen by marriage but she was a Stark by blood and she would always be...as their father had said, the Lone Wolf might fall but the Pack survives.
Ned untangled himself from Lyanna who then hugged Ashara and Benjen who accepted it before she turned to her children.
"While me and your uncles talk, why don't you explore Winterfell with your cousins?" She said, urging them to go so she could speak to Benjen and Ned alone.
Ashara nodded and understood so she told her oldest son.
"Vorian, show them around. Take your time."
Vorian ever the good son nodded and led them away while Ned, Benjen and Lyanna went somewhere more private to speak.
- x -
They were unaware of the glaring eyes that Catelyn was using to stare after Lyanna, she was so caught up in this she did not even notice when her daughters went off with their cousins, eager to see the dragons more closely.
That hussy had borne a bastard, two as far as she was concerned as the Seven only permitted one wife...she could never be a lawful wife in her eyes. That she dared consider herself a princess or even be the presence of the true Starks with her illegitimate spawn left a sour taste in Catelyn's mouth.
Those two, they would try to take what was not theirs she thought with sudden fear and disgust at them trying to take what should belong to her daughters. Catelyn fumed and instantly wanted them gone but at least had the sense to hold her tongue. Those blasted dragons should die she thought with anger, they were unnatural...like the wolves she thought but for the moment just fumed.
In the lord's solar that had once belonged to their father the three elder Starks stood, the place they had all been disciplined by their father and been told they would be wed or whatever. The desk and chairs were the same and you could almost feel his presence here.
The three of them stood around before Lyanna grabbed Benjen in a hug that he awkwardly returned, Ned smiled sadly that it had taken all of this misery to finally allow Lyanna to come home. She smiled sadly too before taking something from around her waist. Benjen and Ned looked at it with some confusion before she presented it to them.
"A gift, from my goodbrother in gratitude for the loyalty House Stark has shown." Lyanna said with a smile as Benjen took the bastard sword from her and pulled it from its scabbard. The sight of the decorative blade with the ripples of Valyrian Steel like in Ice which Ned carried himself made both men look amazed and awed at the intricate blade.
"What you do with it, they leave up to you along with the name." Lyanna said with pride at their family now having two such swords. One that the legacy of which would be decided by them. Ned looked at the sword and smiled, turning to Benjen.
"I have Ice, this one is yours. What will you name it?" Ned asked Benjen who looked stunned at being presented with the sword, not feeling worthy of it at all and said so.
"You are the Lord of House Stark, you should..." Benjen said but Ned cut him off and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You held the North until I could get here. You know the North better than I do. You deserve it brother." Ned told him with a certainty that seemed unshakable and Benjen saw Lyanna giving him the same look.
Benjen reluctantly accepted the honour, not believing for a moment that he had truly earned it but he didn't want to argue with his brother and sister so he took it.
"Winter's Howl, that will be its name as the new ancestral sword of House Stark of Greenwood." Benjen said with reluctant pride and they nodded, any animosity that might once have been there long forgotten as now for the first time in years all of the Starks of Winterfell were home again.
- x -
In the Godswood Jon and Amilys were staring at the thick wooden area with the enormous Weirwood at its heart. The one in Kings Landing was tiny compared to this one and the deep pool at its base made them both wonder what lied at its bottom.
The direwolves all around them were both majestic and intimidating, they seemed to be enormous even the pups and their dragons were actually scared. Something they had never imagined before as the dragons of their uncles and aunts seemed so untouchable, so powerful and fearless.
Granted their dragons had a long way to go before they reached that size but still it was strange to them.
The Starks were finding the dragons no less strange, they had imagined them as the huge raging beasts that the elder Targaryens rode into battle. Seeing them this size was really strange but knowing that they would likely grow to the gargantuan size of Kara the Great or Balerion the Black Dread was incredible.
Willow as she cuddled her direwolf was smirking slightly as she knew that Yondi was going to be so jealous that she had missed the chance to see an actual dragon close up.
Vorian stood, trying to be the leader that he knew would be expected of him as his father's heir despite knowing that two of his cousins were a prince and princess by birth.
"The land is as much as part of us as our blood and hair." Vorian told them which made Arya and Amilys scoff openly.
"Melodramatic much." Arya said with sarcasm which made Ulrich and Jon frown at their younger sisters.
"Be respectful...it has made our family strong, we would not exist without it." Ulrich said with annoyance at the flippancy with their origins. Jon himself looked annoyed before Sansa interrupted.
"No fighting...we're family." She said softly, she disliked fighting. Her mother did not like her spending with her extended family but she was in the presence of a prince and princess with actual dragons she thought and did not want to make a bad impression.
"Yes we are." Benjen's eldest son Edwyk said with a finality while his brother Martyn nodded in agreement.
Minisa, Brandon and Roslyn nodded in agreement which made the others follow suit, settling any argument before Amilys made a suggestion.
"We should play a game. What about tag?" She suggested, wanting a game that she knew that she was good at. The others all looked at her like she was crazy before they all started nodding eagerly and got to their feet before Amilys without warning poked Jon in the shoulder and told him with a cheeky grin.
"Tag your it!" She then started running off followed by the others while direwolves all happily ran after them and Jon sighed in exasperation before running off after them. It would be quite some time before they emerged from the Godswood but when they did they were all smiling and laughing having had fun together all afternoon.
The distance between them now gone as they were just family and children playing together, the direwolves smiling in their way with tongues lolling and the dragons riding on their backs like they were just a part of the pack.
The adult Starks all smiled warmly as they saw the new unity between them even if Catelyn was glaring secretly when no one saw her, not liking this at all and making a point to speak to her daughters and make them remember how they should be behaving.
Casterly Rock, the Westerlands...
From the balcony of his solar Tywin Lannister stood and looked over the ships heading west and considered the strange events that had happened following his brother's death.
Kevan's end had been a shock and inconvenient for him Tywin thought coldly, it had at least to his mind weakened the Lannister's influence in the capital and he had been concerned that some other family would take advantage of the situation to force them from their rightful place at the centre of power in the kingdoms.
But it hadn't happened, he thought with surprise because the son that he had thought the embarrassment and humiliation of House Lannister had actually managed to take over the position of Hand of the King and successfully installed himself in the centre of power or as close to it as they could get at the moment.
He had managed to earn the power and influence that frankly Tywin had thought was beyond him, he had acquired a low born wife but she had managed to ingratiate herself with the queens and was already from what he had learned was pregnant with a Lannister child.
He was tense about that, not sure how to feel when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder.
"You are thinking about Tyrion...aren't you?" Maylee asked him with a warm and concerned voice.
He went to take her hand off but she held firm, letting him know she would not be pushed away. He had a great respect for her quiet strength.
"Yes." He acknowledged with a slight nod.
"He has proven that while he might not be your favourite son, he is your son." Maylee said calmly which he felt a stab of anger at but she was not letting go. "You are a great man my husband but as you know well we will all die sooner or later. We need to learn to trust the next generation to continue what we build, you have taught them...just like you are teaching our children and your grandchildren now. That is your legacy, what you leave behind." She told him steadily.
Tywin honestly wondered just how his second wife had become so wise and cunning, she like Joanna knew how to bring him back to sense and to remind him that he was only a man...a man could only do so much on his own. He had to trust that the rest of the family would be able to carry on without him, he was not immortal...he would die if not soon or so he hoped Tywin thought with some modesty. He would prepare the next generation and let the burden fall on them as it should, the family would carry on he thought with certainty before going back to his bed with his wife.
The Tower of the Hand, The Red Keep...
Tyrion Lannister was doing what all fathers do when their child is being born and they are not able to be in the room...he was pacing.
He could hear Tysha's cries and it stabbed him in the heart, he hated to hear her in pain but the fact his child was being brought into the world in that room was such a strange feeling that he did not understand how to deal with it at first and it made him wonder just how his brother Jaime dealt with it.
The hours passed extremely slowly, painfully so and he honestly was about to barge into the room a dozen times but the midwives and Grandmaester waved him off every time.
The sun was peeking over the horizon when at last the cries of pain ended and a new smaller one began, a babe's cries!
Tyrion at last managed to burst into the room and saw on the bed that his beloved Tysha was leaning back against the pillows with her face drenched in sweat and looking more exhausted than he had ever seen her but being placed into her arms was a tiny bundle wrapped in white cloth.
He walked over and got onto the bed as she smiled weakly at him and showed him the face of his child.
A girl he thought with awe, not the least put off by his first born being a daughter. She was beautiful he thought with an almost glow to her. She had clear emerald eyes staring up at him and a tuft of blonde hair on her head. He knew with complete certainty that she was going to be a great beauty and gracious like her mother.
Or maybe she might have a mind like his? He pondered before dismissing those thoughts as for the moment she was just a child and there would be time for that later. For the moment she was a babe and they would be responsible for being her parents and teaching her.
Tyrion pressed a kiss to Tysha's head which she leaned into with a sigh of contentment at the little girl finally being here and having a child of their own.
"She will need a name." Tysha said with a small smile and Tyrion nodded before making a suggestion.
"What about Lanna? After my ancestor Lann the Clever?" Tyrion suggested, feeling or rather hoping that his daughter would be intelligent and cunning. Tysha gave him a look of exasperation before nodding in agreement.
"Then Lanna she will be. Lanna Lannister."
Tyrion nodded before holding his wife and child, content in the moment that he now had a real family of his own.
- x -
King's Solar, the Reed Keep...The Next Day...
Haeron was meeting with an old associate that morning to secure their position in Essos.
"Greetings Sealord, it has been some time." Haeron said with a polite smile and Sealord Ferrego was much more respectful than he had been the last time the two of them had met Haeron noticed with a slight bow.
"Indeed it has...your grace." Ferrego said politely before taking a seat at the desk with Haeron on the other side.
"Now, let me be the first to reassure you that I have no designs on Braavos beyond making a firm and secure alliance. I will respect and observe the sovereignty of Braavos." Haeron told him plainly and without lies. He had no intention of invading Braavos as it was always useful to have somewhere neutral to meet with others outside your own domain and Braavos was perfect for that.
"I should hope so." Ferrego said with an intense glare, knowing not to press the issue with a dragon but needing the security for his city. "The city would resist any occupation by Westeros fiercely."
"I am sure it would but I want a partner, not another vassal." Haeron said with a smile that looked like a dagger was masked behind it which only made Ferrego grimace with fear. Haeron then outlined his terms. "A treaty signed by myself and you to that effect, Braavos ships would be welcome to all ports under my reign and also benefit from my protection should it ever be needed. I know that another city is planning an attack against me as we speak so I have no intention of starting yet another war when it is not needed." Haeron told him honestly.
His allies in the city in question and Varys along with Shaena had all informed him that indeed one of the Free Cities was planning to attack Westeros in the hopes of stopping him advancing further into the continent. He was more than prepared for it when it came but it was the perfect pretext to counterattack when it was done and allow him to expand further south.
He knew it was ruthless but like he had told Jaime many years ago, to make a change he would need an army and now he had one.
Ferrego looked unconvinced but knew it was the best offer that he was likely to be able to negotiate with someone in such a powerful position. Having Haeron killed would not help, he was well protected and the Faceless Men would not even try it for some reason. Besides it would only bring the wrath of the dragons down on the culprits should they even succeed, House Targaryen was no longer one to be crossed and now its power was greater than it had ever been in all of history. They had dragons, cannons, all of Westeros and now Pentos at their feet. That kind of power was unprecedented except for the Valyrian Freehold and the idea that it was now being reborn was a topic of hot debate in the Free Cities.
Ferrego would sign the treaty to hopefully secure the protection of Braavos should that future come to pass, he had no doubt that another of the Free Cities would soon be flying the banner of the Dragon and could only hope it would not be his.
- x -
In the secret halls inside the Red Keep later than day with the treaty signed the Targaryens were training in magic, casting small spells to help build up their strength and focus.
Basic disarming charms and summoning spells were today's lesson, they all stood in pairs and cast their spells at each other.
Aemon and Jasen were leading of course, being the oldest they practised together while the others worked in their own small groups under the watchful eyes of Harmony and Evelyn.
Baelon was standing with Daemon, his twin and felt the sword was pulled from his hand as Daemon successfully disarmed him. Baelon cast the spell back to take his brother's sword but the sword remained firmly in his hand.
Baelon glared at his brother and felt his jealousy rising sharply as he saw the dragons on the edge of the room, one of them should be his he thought with anger and hate pouring through him. He deserved a dragon he thought with anger, he should have real power he thought with spite pouring through him.
His magic was weaker than his siblings but emotions had always been like fuel to the fire when it came to magic and Baelon was full of emotion...specifically bad ones like anger, jealousy, fear and more.
His emotions focused on his twin brother who had been given a dragon when he had been denied one and lashed out with his magic.
Daemon suddenly dropped to the floor, screaming with pain that seemed to come from nowhere. His siblings and both queens looked over in shock and saw Baelon staring at Daemon with an intense stare but the flickering of a smile on his face.
The sight of this was momentarily enough to shock them but only for a second as Harmony quickly cast a stunner and knocked Baelon down.
Daemon was cowering on the floor, scared and not sure what had just happened while Evelyn came over and comforted him as much as she could. The other children where moved out of the room by Evelyn while Harmony looked down at the boy she had stunned with worry as she had heard about this sort of thing before.
And so had Haeron or rather as Harry he had.
- x -
"He did what?!" Haeron said with his head in his hands, devastated by what Harmony and Evelyn were telling him. He knew what this sort of thing indicated, using powers like this to harm others purely because you could.
Like Tom...he thought with disgust at the idea of his own son following in that path. He could only imagine just what Baelon might become if they did not put a stop to this right now, he did not want his other children to potentially have to kill their own brother or have him causing the sort of chaos that Tom had.
"He cursed him, I managed to stop it before it went too far and while it wasn't as intense of the Crucio curse it was a close second." Harmony to him regretfully, knowing like him that this was something that would need harsh action to prevent getting any worse.
"He has no guilt about anything bad he does, none. He knows right from wrong, he just doesn't care." Evelyn said with a deep worry in her voice.
The three of them fell silent, not sure just what to say or do now as this was never going to be something they could fix.
Only something they could respond too.
Haeron knew they had to deal with him, looking at his son as he slept looking almost innocent in a way that he never was when awake. He raised his ring and with a steadying breath he said a word that he never wanted to ever use.
"Obiliviate."
The bright white light engulfed the room, Harmony and Evelyn both looked on in shock as Haeron wiped Baelon's memories of his magic, going through each memory and wiping them away. He hated doing this but he could do nothing else short of killing him. When he was done, he then carefully carved a small rune into his son's skin on the back of his head. It was a magical suppression rune, one that would ensure he could not use magic as long as it was there. It was something that the Valyrians used on magical prisoners and when it was done, he turned back to his wives who looked at him with sad eyes.
"Tell the other children that they must never mention magic around him, the charm should keep him from learning of it but I won't take any chances. When he is old enough, we will send him to the Wall." Haeron said with a depressed look in his eyes. Condemning his own son to that hurt but he could not allow him to be free.
Harmony and Evelyn nodded slowly, not liking it any more than he did but knowing it was necessary. Baelon could not be allowed to cause any more damage.
The Godswood, The Red Keep...
Daenerys sat at the base of the large Weirwood Tree at the heart of the small wooden area. It was peaceful here and she loved being here, it was her special place to be alone. Elaena and her often spent the day together but now they had dragons they were spending more time apart. Her little dragon lay in her lap as it slept, a sweet smile on her face as she gently petted her little dragon so glad that it was finally here and that one day they would soar through the skies together.
Maybe with Jon at their side she thought with a blush coming to her cheeks at the thought of him.
She had missed him every day since he had left with his mother and sister to go and see their family up at Winterfell. She wished she could have gone with him but they hadn't wanted anyone to guess what was growing between them.
It was something that belonged only to them she thought with smile.
She heard footsteps and looked over which made her heart leap as Jon had returned! He was looking for her she realised with a grin and got up carefully with her dragon now in her arms while his was wrapped around his shoulders.
"Dany." Jon said warmly, his voice caring and steady which wrapped around her like a warm soft blanket.
"Jon. How was the North?" She asked quickly.
"Cold, but it has a life and charm to it that is hard to describe." Jon told her before producing a book and opened it. Inside was a pressed flower...a rose she noticed but it was blue. She had never seen a rose like this one before and traces of its sweet scent lingered and made her wish she could capture it forever.
"Winter Roses. They grow them in glass gardens there." Jon told her with an eagerness to share something of his journey with her. "I will take you to see them some day."
"I'd like that." Daenerys said with hope, that maybe one day they would be more than relatives...more than friends.
A Few Days Later...
Haeron looked out across Kings Landing from the balcony of the Red Keep, the sun casting long shadows over the city and its buildings and making everything seem so small from up here.
At his side Aemon and Jasen stood with their own expressions intrigued by the sight, listening keenly though as Haeron told them.
"A kingdom is only as strong as its people, as a ruler we are responsible for the lives of all of the people sworn to us. Regardless of their station people are much the same regardless of where they come from. They have needs, wants, vices and more that differ from person to person but we all have them none the less." Haeron told his two oldest sons, eager to give them some lessons that he hoped would serve them well in their future roles.
"So we should lift them all up?" Jasen asked with confusion before Haeron told him with a smile.
"Ensure they are fed, yes. That they are secure in their freedom and their safety, yes. But it isn't possible to lift or please everyone. There will come times when we must make sacrifices for whatever it is we need to do. Do things we don't want to do...but that is the reality of being grown up, let alone ruling." Haeron told them with sadness at having to pass along this lesson. Both boys looked at him silently for a moment before Aemon asked timidly.
"Like you did with?" He started to say and knowing just who he was talking about Haeron nodded with grief.
"I hate myself for doing it but people like Baelon never get better, only worse and more cunning about it. He cannot remain or have the ability to use magic as he would use it to hurt others, like he did with Daemon. He is my son and that is the only reason he even still breathes. But he can never know what he can do, understood?" He asked the boys who nodded, they hated their brother for what he had done but even they found this hard to swallow. Magic was wonderful to them and there was so much to do and explore, something their brother would never know.
It was terrible but something that they needed to do so they would not face another family betrayal.
Sunspear, Dorne...Some Time Later...
The harbour of Sunspear and its small city Shadow Town was busy as always, considered the gateway to the Narrow Sea it was a place for ships to stop and pick up supplies before heading northwards, westwards or eastwards to wherever it was they were going.
This brought the city a great deal of trade but it also made them vulnerable as any attacking force from the south east had to pass close to it, or to take it over to gain a foot hold in Westeros.
The sight of ships on the horizon was nothing new to the Dornish but that many at once was something to be feared. War galleys and other smaller ships coming in great numbers bearing the flag of Myr. The largest war-fleet they had ever assembled with large scorpions ready in case any dragons showed up. The sellswords and sellsails aboard were all very confident in their success, they had so many large warships, the element of surprise and weapons that could bring down dragons...victory for them was a certainty.
But unknown to them their people had been observed, the fleet's construction and hiring that many sellswords and buying slave soldiers in such high numbers made detecting such an attack easy for Varys and Haeron's own agents.
All along the bay where the ships came close enough to the shore cannons with long range had been set up, more than that though from the west another fleet emerged, the Redwyne Fleet armed with cannons and elements of the Royal Fleet with them. A force that matched the enemy fleet when combined with the coastal emplacements.
The cannons opened fire first, striking the Myrish forces with shocking strength, the Myr sellswords all screaming in shock as attacks came from the shore. The heavy trees camouflaged the cannon positions and just as they were reeling from that, the Targaryen Fleet closed off any chance of escape. The ships closest to the enemy fleet opened fire now too, shredding the Myr ships, men flying or diving over the side to try and escape as explosions ripped through the ships as they were hit again and again with cannon fire.
Most of the men could not swim and many were wearing armour in anticipating the invasion of Sunspear or carrying weapons. They sank to the bottom as soon as they hit the water.
Haeron and Daeron watched with Prince Doran and Prince Oberyn from the balcony of the Sandship, the Martells smiled with satisfaction as the so called invasion.
"That was pathetically easy. Your new weapons are incredible your grace." Oberyn said honestly with amazement at the sheer power they brought.
"But this will need to be answered your grace." Doran said and Daeron nodded with a smirk.
"Already a counter invasion is being prepared. Lord Baratheon and Lord Seaworth have been gathering men and warships for our army while we were dealing with the Myrish here." Daeron told the two Dornish princes who looked astonished before Haeron then made a request of them.
"It will leave the Stepstones cut off from support when Myr is taken, Dorne can be assured of our support if it chooses to take advantage of this situation." Haeron said to him, Daeron would support their campaign to let him make his own mark on history which he knew he wanted. He was not blind to the fact that his brother and sisters wanted to establish their own legends, they did more than deserve it he thought with some guilt for leaving them in his and his wives shadows.
Doran and Oberyn instantly looked interested as they would long have control of the islands that had been the bane of their coast for centuries. From where pirates and raiders had plagued their people and then slithered back to hide in. Where some unfortunates had been taken to be sold into slavery when kidnapped from their shores.
Now the opportunity to put an end to all of that was at last in their hands...and they would not waste it.
Myr, Essos...A Month Later...
The Sea of Myr was calm and a strong wild pushed the Westerosi Ships forward, the city finally coming in sight. On the deck of the Queen Rhaella Haeron and Shaena stood with Robert Baratheon and Davos Seaworth, the large deck of the Man o War was full of men manning their battle stations ready to engage the enemy. This was always the moment that was the most tense, the waiting before action was joined. The calm before the fight when they all knew what was coming, a fierce battle where many would die but for the moment they could only wait before it all happened.
The harbour chain, something that would have prevented their ships entering the city rose out of the water. It was thick copper coated steel to prevent rusting.
However although the ballistas mounted all over the city made dragons too dangerous until they were sure the armour was strong enough to protect them, that didn't stop the Targaryens from using a little magic to cheat.
Harmony apparated in near the chain's massive winch, the slaves there who were forced to operate it, the men were shocked to see her and she used that moment of hesitation to blast them all with stunning charms. With them unconscious she waved her hand at the massive winch which unwound quickly with her magic, Harmony smirked as as she began wiping the slaves memories of her. She pitied them as she saw their marks, clear signs of whipping and who knows what other abuse she thought with anger but comforted herself with the knowledge that they would soon be free.
Back with the fleet the chain fell quickly into the water, allowing the ships to continue on, a sight that made Robert Baratheon laugh with laughter while the others stayed silent although Haeron was smirking inside as nothing could stop Harmony.
A pair of large war galleys sallied forth with vicious looking rams on the front charged towards them but on Davos' command the Queen Rhaella swung to the side, revealing its side to the enemy. This would seem like a suicidal move with those rams coming at them but then the large number of gun ports opened on the starboard side. The cannons poking out of the side where three decks high, over fifty cannons on just that side alone. Then with a thundering blast they unleashed a wall of lead at the two war galleys, shredding them and the men on deck into pieces, the masts were shattered and collapsed dragging the sails down with them. Leaving both ships wrecked and vulnerable as two Brigs pulled up alongside to finish them off with their own cannons.
The crew of the Queen Rhaella, the best trained in Westeros reloaded the cannons and seeing the gathered sellswords and slave soldiers on the shore to resist their landing they fired their cannons again. The lead wall hit them with brutal effectiveness, killing men in the blink of an eye or leaving them terribly wounded, causing the remaining men to scatter like panicked animals.
That cleared the landing zone, allowing their soldiers in the other ships to approach and beach themselves. Under the cover of archers the men ran down the planks that were lowered and surge into their groups as they formed up for battle given the necessary time by cover from the ships. Haeron and Robert came ashore in a smaller boat in their full armour, Robert was in his full general role as he commanded men, having a strong defence perimeter set up as they established their beachhead quickly and efficiently.
Haeron looked out at the city as he drew both Blackfyre and Crimson Heart, joining his men with the Royal Guard around him Ser Barristan and Ser Lewyn first and foremost as they moved into the city and the battle for Myr began.
Once he had come here as a trader and an exile, now he was here as a conqueror, it was a sobering change but one that he would accept if he could keep his homeland safe and break the chains of the people held in bondage here.
He led them through the streets towards the Magister's Forum, a group of sellswords stood in his path and without waiting he engaged them. His swords slicing through the air, his speed and strength still great and he cut them down in mere moments with ease. Any that he didn't get the Royal Guard did, forcing their way into the Magister's Forum where Haeron saw many of the men that had ordered the attack on Dorne. He did not hesitate and cut them down with deadly efficiency before turning to Magister Grahor Haelmor who was looking at them calm resignation along with the other members of the city's elite who had joined his Trade Guild years ago. Haeron nodded to them as he sheathed his blades and told them.
"Greetings, not how I intended to return to Myr but regardless it is good to see you again. Now, I understand your fear but I assure you there is no danger to your own lives. I bare you no ill will and instead will be making you an offer, to rule this city under its new Princess." Haeron offered them with a grin.
They all were astonished but the chance to not only survive but in fact truly rule this city and more with the dragons and cannons enforcing their rule instantly caught their attention. But the mention of a 'Princess' made them frown with concern.
"Who will this 'Princess' be? Your Grace." Grahor asked cautiously and Haeron smiled slightly, before telling them.
"My sister Shaena Targaryen."
- x -
Slave Pens, Myr...That Moment...
The massive slave pens were revolting in not just the smell and appearance but also in just how many people were held there. The fact so many could be held in chains disgusted her so much and as she approached the men, women and children trapped behind the gates in pens so small that they had to stand up to even have room to breathe.
It made her sick, so she struck the gate's chains with her sword and broke them open.
The slaves looked on in confusion before Shaena told them loudly in Valyrian.
"From today no one will be bound in chains, you will all be free and never again live under the whip." She told them and the slaves seemed unwilling to believe it at first, not willing to dare hope that she was telling the truth and actually they would no longer be slaves.
That they were free, it was too much to hope for at first.
But then some of the children, the most innocent of all of them started chanting loudly and in joy as they ran out of the pens with the parents following behind. Slowly more and more people began to add their voices to the chanting until soon the entire camp was cheering the same thing.
Breaker of Chains.
Shaena felt very strange in that moment, not just elated but...powerful. Like she was truly in control and it was both intoxicating and frightening at the same time. She wondered if this was what her brother had felt when he took the throne but dismissed that thought as unimportant, as he had told her.
Having power is not as important as what you do with it.
She was she decided in her own mind to protect the liberty and security of her people...as the new Princess of Myr.
- x -
Blackfyre Manse, Myr...Same Moment...
Harmony looked down at the bodies of the Blackfyres, she had killed them. She looked coldly down on them with disdain, they had been big slave traders here and made much coin that way, that was enough to disgust her on its own but they had been from what she had been able to gather planning to murder the Magisters of the city to seize control of it for themselves.
Something that she was glad would never happen now. The documents they had found along with the gold stored here would be very useful in the days ahead as they tracked down these bastards she thought.
- x -
Large Manse, Myr...Next Day...
"In the Light of the Gods, in the name of the people and by law of the Iron Throne...I crown you Shaena Targaryen Princess of Myr and confer on you the right to rule this city and its lands." Haeron said as his sister sat on the throne they had made for her, placing a Valyrian Steel Crown decorated with diamonds and golden dragons on her head.
"Long may she reign." Haeron said clearly with a smile on his face as he considered his sister, now a ruler in her own right. He could only hope that Rhaella was seeing this somehow as her daughter took a crown for herself, she would be proud of her Haeron was sure of that and he certainly was too.
"Long may she reign." The assembled crowd echoed loudly and the now freed slaves cheering the loudest of all. Shaena managed to smile as she got to her feet, looking resplendent in her silver Valyrian silk dress with the crown on her head.
"I vow that I will rule this city with decency and dedication to its welfare. That I will watch over my people and do my utmost to ensure the well-being of all the city. As part of the growing domain under the Iron Throne I will honour my brother and his trust in me, staying true to my duty and my family." Shaena said with a smile as she looked to her brother who nodded slightly with a smile of his own.
The moment between siblings was broken by the cheers of adoration for the city's new princess and the celebration feast began.
Haeron saw Robert Baratheon speaking to a group of men and loudly laughing at the stories they were telling, he then came over quite boldly and proposed something to Haeron.
"Your grace, me and the boys were thinking of spending some more time in Essos. We want to see about hunting some Dothraki and maybe having a go at Norvos and maybe Qohor. With your consent of course." Robert said for once minding his manners.
Haeron was a little surprised at his audacity but if any man could break cities like Norvos and Qohor it was Robert Baratheon and it would be a good was to expand in land. They needed to get the Blackfyres hiding there anyway and told him sternly.
"If you wish to try then by all means but I will expect to be told when you make your move." He warned Robert who laughed in joy at permission being given and told him.
"I used to hate House Targaryen, still hate your fucking brother but you have made it good to serve under a Targaryen again."
The statement was surprising and more than a little insulting but in terms of Robert it was he supposed a compliment, he would keep an eye on him but let him prove his steel to the world.