This is my version of the events that led up to the Blackfyre Rebellion. It is going to differ from the ASOIAF Wiki entry on the subject so bear with me. Since there is a span of ten years between the death of Aegon IV and the actual rebellion, this story is going to focus much more on how it happened rather than the actual rebellion. A lot of the events are going to be made up since so few sources talk about this period. Please review, I read and appreciate all of them. Enjoy!

Cregan

The bells of the Red Keep tolled the hour of noon. Inside the castle of Aegon the Conquer, all was quiet. Soldiers solemnly stood guard throughout the halls and servants scurried silently back and forth. The entire court had converged outside Maegor's Holdfast and whispered only one subject: the king was dying.

Deep inside Maegor's Holdfast, in the Royal Apartment, King Aegon IV lay dying in his bed. The king, who was called the Unworthy, has ruled the Seven Kingdoms for 12 years. During that time the court has seen no shortages of scandals as the king took one mistress after another. Aside from his two legitimate children, Aegon also fathered four bastard children. Now, on his deathbed, the four bastards knelt besides him.

"You-you are all my-my children," the king said weakly, turning his head so he can see them. "Mem-members of House Targaryen."

Cregan Stark, the Hand of the King, who had been standing in the far corner of the room, coughed to himself. But that didn't interrupt Aegon. "Daemon," he wheezed. "You-you're a great warrior, a warrior w-w-worthy of Aegon the Conqueror himself. I present to you Blackfyre, the sw-sword of kings."

Cregan studied Daemon carefully. He exhibited the hallmark features of House Targaryen; the silver-gold hair, deep purple eyes, fine features of almost inhumane beauty. He wore his hair long, with broad shoulders, big arms, and a clean shave. He looked like a typical warrior, as opposed to his father, who was fat and unkempt.

The king waved his arms around weakly, indicating to Cregan that he wanted Blackfyre brought out. Cregan bowed as he walked to the other side of the room, where a large wooden chest was kept against the wall. He took a silver key out of his pocket and slipped it into the lock. There was a crack as the lock sprang open and he lifted up the lid of the chest. A plume dust flew into the air, causing Cregan's nose to tingle. Carefully, he took out a large sword wrapped tightly in red clothe and brought it over to the king.

"Him. Give it to him," Aegon said, pointing to Daemon. Cregan walked up to the young man and presented him with the sword. Daemon stood up and bowed as he received it. He said nothing but Cregan could see tears forming in the corner of his eyes.

One by one Aegon legitimized his bastards. Whether this was for better or for worse Cregan did not know but all four of them seemed ambitious. There was Daemon, the model Targaryen male and a great warrior. Matching him in size and strength was his half brother Aegor Rivers. He was only half-Targaryen, so his hair was black. Then there was Aegon's daughter Shiera Seastar, whose beauty was said to be unmatched in the Seven Kingdoms. It was said that countless knights had perished trying to win her favor, a rumor that reminded Cregan of the trouble Aegon went through to bring the girl's mother here.

Those three alone could probably raise an army of followers to unseat Prince Daeron but it was the fourth bastard that Cregan feared most. He was Brynden Rivers, more commonly known as "Blackraven", an albino with milk white skin and deep red eyes. He has none of the handsomeness of Daemon nor does he have the warrior appeal of Aegor Rivers but what he lacks he makes up for with a sinister reputation of being a spymaster and a sorcerer. For his services to the realm, Aegon had awarded him "Dark Sister", the sword of Visenya Targaryen.

"Serve the realm well," Aegon said hoarsely. He tried to muster his strength and say something else but all that came out was a series of coughs. Then his small eyes grew large as he began gasping for breath. His body became rigid and he croaked a word that sounded like "regret". Finally his body relaxed and his eyes closed and Aegon IV was no more.

Cregan opened the door of the Royal Apartment and walked outside, followed by the four bastards of Aegon. When the court saw the solemn looks on their faces, they assumed the worst. Prince Daeron, who stood in the front, bowed his head. "Long live the King," someone said. Soon the chant filled the air as lords and nobles bowed before Daeron.

"Rise," he said in a commanding tone. There was a certain pleasure in the tone of his voice. "You may go."

The four bastards left without saying a word and Cregan watched them darkly. Daemon seemed especially displeased by the fact that Daeron was now king and his pledge of fealty sounded forced. Daemon had also been proud of his lineage and his prowess and now that he was given Blackfyre, it seemed to expand his arrogance further. Cregan sighed as he began to make his way out. Now that Aegon was gone, he felt himself no longer worthy of being Hand of the King. No doubt Daeron would want to make his own appointment and so it was only fitting that he hand in his pin and return north.

"Lord Stark a word please," the new king said from behind.

Cregan turned around and bowed as Daeron walked up to him. "Your grace."

"I want to know what happened in that room," Daeron said in a low, serious voice.

"I don't understand?" Cregan replied.

"You know what I mean Lord Stark," Daeron said. "What did my father say to those four?"

"The late king legitimized their status and recognized them as his own children," Cregan said. "He gave them the right to create their own Houses but did not award them any land. It's all in the King Aegon's will; if you like I can call a servant to bring it forward."

"No, no that won't be necessary," Daeron said, waving it off. He seemed distracted by some troubling thoughts. Was it the fact that Daemon and the others were legitimized? Cregan could only guess.

"There is one more thing," Cregan said. "The late king gave Daemon Blackfyre, the sword of Aegon the Conqueror."

"He what?" Daeron was as much shocked as he was troubled. "Not good, not good at all."

Cregan knew Daeron shared the same fears as him, fears of a possible uprising led by Daemon. Armed with Blackfyre, the so called Sword of Kings, Daemon can easily muster support for a bid on the Iron Throne. However Cregan considered himself an honorable man and did not like to scheme. And so while he sympathized with Daeron, he found himself unable to help him. "If your grace would permit I would like to resign from my post as Hand of the King and return to Winterfell," he said quickly, taking advantage of the moment.

"What? Oh yes, of course," Daeron replied. "Just hand your pin to the Council and be on your way Lord Stark." The fact that Daeron didn't ask Cregan to stay for his coronation meant he was still troubled by the Daemon issue.

Cregan bowed and left the chamber, making his way towards the Tower of the Hand. He still needed to pack his belongings and make one final stop at the Council chamber to take care of some unfinished business. Then it would be a long march up north to Winterfell, to his home. A home he hasn't seen for nearly two years. The thought of Daemon walking out of the room with Blackfyre was still on his mind. Maybe winter is coming…