Through the Eluvian
By J.C. Vascardi
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Disclaimer: All characters and places featured in this story that relates to the computer game series Dragon Age, the A Song of Ice and Fire books, or the Game of Thrones television series are the property of their respective creators. I am not profiting from this story and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only things about this story that I own are the storylines, places, and characters that are not featured in the official mediums.
Crossover: Dragon Age/A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones
Warnings: Alternate Universe, Canon Divergence, Slash, Background Het, Mpreg, Language, Canon-Typical Violence, Harem Pairing
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Act II, Part VII
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Lady Olenna's Solar, Castle of Highgarden, The Reach; 27 Frostfall/Tenth Turn 298 A.C.
Willas and Garlan Tyrell were preparing to leave Highgarden when one of the stable hands reported that their grandmother wanted to see them before they left. While their Lord father had ordered them to join with Renly's forces at Bitterbridge, they weren't fool enough to blow off a meeting with their grandmother. Heading back into the castle and up to Lady Olenna's private solar, they knocked and entered when told to do so.
Their always formidable grandmother was seated in a high-backed chair near the fireplace, which still being summer wasn't lit.
"Sit down, both of you," Olenna commanded, motioning to the chair across from her.
Willas and Garlan looked at each other for a moment, before Willas, as the eldest and having a bad leg sat down in the chair, while Garlan perched on the arm. There was a time when they were much younger and their grandmother summoned them to her sitting room that they could both sit in the chair side by side, but those days were long past.
"You asked to see us, grandmother?" Willas asked.
"Yes, I did," Olenna said. "I'm going to ask that you do something and you're probably not going to like it, but it is necessary."
"What do you want us to do?" Garlan asked.
"Ignore my fool son's orders," Olenna answered, prompting her grandsons' eyes to widen, as they looked first at each other and then back to their grandmother. "I know, I know, he's the Lord of Highgarden. However, many times since your grandfather died and Mace became lord, he's proven to me again and again just how much of an imbecile he truly is. And promising Margery's hand in marriage to your brother's lover and agreeing to support Renly's weak claim to the Iron Throne not only takes the cake, it takes the whole god-damned bakery."
"You think we should be supporting Stannis instead?" Willas asked.
"No, I don't," Olenna said. "Of all the possible candidates for the Iron Throne, there's only one which I feel House Tyrell should put their support behind. And if your father was astute, which you both know as well as I do that he isn't, he would have already put his support behind them. Instead, he's intent on casting our lot with the losing side of this war by supporting a weak claimant who wouldn't know his own arse from a hole in the ground."
Garlan would have said that was a little harsh, considering that before all of this started, Renly Baratheon had been the Master of Laws under King Robert, but he honestly couldn't bring himself to say it, given what he knew of the man.
Because of the fact that Loras and Renly were shagging, Garlan knew Renly better than most. And while he could admit that Renly was a competent warrior and had plenty of charisma, he was still not impressed. How could he be?
His only real qualification for being the Master of Laws was that he'd been King Robert's little brother. Most people were blinded by his friendly nature and charisma, but for those who knew him well, he made no secret of the fact that he despised reading and book learning. Both things would be preferable for the person in charge of laws and the legal system to not have an issue with. Loras had even confided in his older brothers that Renly thought that only maesters should read books.
Well, that wasn't entirely true. Renly did like books… as long as they were short on words and heavy on scandalous drawings that would make a Septon go blind… as those were the only books that Renly owned and actually enjoyed.
"I take it then that you mean to support the northern bastard."
"If what my spies tell me is true, he's not a bastard, Garlan," Olenna said. "He's the trueborn son and rightful heir of the late Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen."
"Are you sure it's wise to support a Targaryen?" Willas asked. "The last one was a raving madman."
Olenna nodded to Willas. "True, but by all reports, Jaeherys Targaryen, formerly known as Jon Snow is as sane as you or I. As for whether or not it's wise for us to support him, have you forgotten the history of our house? It was the Targaryens who put us in charge of the Reach, after the destruction of House Gardener."
When both of her grandsons remained silent, Olenna added, "Just think about it boys, which side of this war do you really want to be on? Renly's? Or the man who commands at least two full-grown dragons, and a rumored third?"
"Well, I admit that the dragons certainly give me pause," Garlan said. "Nobody else can claim to have dragons and they do tend to even the odds."
"And his odds are pretty good even without the dragons," Willas said, as he thought about it seriously. "He pretty much has the guaranteed support of the North due to his engagement to Lord Robb Stark… which also gives him a connection through marriage that could see him gaining the support of both the Vale and the Riverlands."
"Indeed, and according to my spies, he's currently in Dorne as we speak," Olenna revealed. "It would seem that his Aunt Daenerys has returned from Essos, with three more baby dragons by the way. It would seem that they're currently engaged in negotiations for a marriage alliance with House Martell."
"A Targaryen-Stark-Tully-Arryn-Martell alliance would be hard to beat," Garlan said. "Add the dragons and he does have a formidable force behind him."
"Indeed," Willas said. "So, what exactly is your plan, grandmother?"
"The men under your command are loyal to you, correct?" Olenna asked. "They'll follow where you lead them?"
"Yes, for the most part," Willas answered. "Some of them might take issue with the idea of going against father's orders, but since his orders aren't issued directly to them, but to us to disseminate, we can fairly easily claim that we've been given a different mission."
"And they're far less likely to question us since our father is the Lord of the Reach," Garlan added. "So, if he's going to trust anyone with any kind of secret mission or mission that differs from what is given to the rank and file, it's more likely to be us."
"Good," Olenna said. "Good. So what I want you to do is this…"
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Guest Suite, Water Gardens, Dorne; 27 Frostfall/Tenth Turn 298 A.C.
Meanwhile, Jon, Aegon, and Daenerys were gathered in the sitting room of the suite they'd been given at the Water Gardens. It was a three-bedroom suite of rooms, that were all connected by a central sitting room. There was also a balcony overlooking one of the many gardens.
They'd just arrived back to their rooms to rest and freshen up after having breakfast with Doran and Oberyn. Joining them were Oberyn's paramour Ellaria, and Princess Arianne, and Princes Quentyn and Trystane, who'd all arrived from Sunspear late last night after being sent for by Doran upon concluding the initial meeting with the three Targaryens.
"Well, if this morning was anything to go by," Daenerys said, "If it's still your intention to fulfill Trystane's desire to join the Kingsguard, I think if a Targaryen-Martell marriage is going to happen, it'll have to be between Oberyn and me."
Jon nodded. "Yes, Quentyn did not seem comfortable around Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion."
Shaking his head, Aegon said, "I think that's an understatement, Jae. He practically jumped out of his skin every time they moved."
Nodding her head, Daenerys said, "Yes, and the dragons didn't seem to care for him much either. None of them seemed to want to go near him, but Drogon most of all."
"He does seem to have taken a liking to Oberyn and Ellaria though," Jon noted. "Any thoughts on them?"
"Oberyn is attractive," Daenerys said after a few moments of quiet contemplation. "I'd say more so than Quentyn, to be honest. As for Trystane, I know we're the same age, but he looks younger than he actually is." Shaking her head she added, "So, it's probably a good thing that he wants to join the Kingsguard because I don't think I could marry him. I'd feel like I was robbing a cradle."
"Very true," Aegon said. "Honestly, even though he's eighteen, he looks more of an age with Bran and Tommen then he does you, Aunt Dany."
"Aegon, please, just call me Dany. The whole aunt thing doesn't work for me, not coming from my nephew who's nearly two years older than me."
Aegon nodded. "Okay then. Honestly, it does seem a bit strange to me as well. Maybe we could just think of each other like siblings instead of nephews and aunt?"
Daenerys smiled. "I think I'd prefer that."
Nobody said anything else, because it was at that moment that a raven flew into the room through the open balcony doors. A moment later, there was a momentary puff of black smoke and a few quick arcs of lightning as the raven grew into Theron.
Jon smiled as he stood from his chair and gave Theron a quick kiss on the cheek in greeting. Jon, Robb, and Aegon had all grown closer to Theron on their trip east to collect Daenerys and since their return to the Stepstones, they'd talked and decided to give the four of them a go.
Aegon and Theron were still in the early stages of courtship with both each other and with Jon and Robb, but all four of them were interested in seeing if something more could develop.
As Jon sat down, Theron took the empty chair between him and Aegon, as the latter leaned over and pressed a quick kiss of his own to Theron's other cheek.
"Robb sends his greetings," Theron said. "He wanted to come himself, but he also wanted to spend some quality time with Sansa and Bran, after having not seen them for several months now. Plus, they're both understandably upset since Joffrey forced them to watch Eddard's execution. So they needed some time together as a family."
Shaking his head, Jon said, "That demonic little shit is going to wish he had never been born."
"Yes, Robb said pretty much the same," Theron said. "By combining his house words with yours."
"Really?" Aegon asked.
Nodding, Theron said, "Yes, his exact words were 'winter is coming for you Joffrey, and it'll be filled with fire and blood.'"
"I approve," Aegon said, as Daenerys nodded, and Jon said, "I knew there was a reason I loved that man, other than him being drop-dead gorgeous, that is."
Aegon and Theron smiled and agreed that Robb was very easy on the eyes. Even Daenerys agreed, although less enthusiastically than the boys since she knew that Robb only had eyes for males. Mostly for Jon, although he was quickly warming to Aegon and Theron.
"So what brings you to Dorne, Theron?" Jon asked.
"Just thought I'd drop in and give you a status update," Theron said. "A raven arrived from Winterfell. Maester Luwin wanted you to know that Eddard's remains have arrived and that he'll make all the necessary arrangements for a service to be held as soon as the family can get up to Winterfell."
"Well, we'll have to get there soon then," Jon said. "Anything else?"
Theron nodded. "Yes, we also received a raven from Castle Black. From Maester Aemon."
"Hmm," Jon said. "I suppose we probably should go up to the Wall and see him. He is family after all."
"Indeed," Aegon said. "I know that Maesters and members of the Night's Watch are supposed to abandon their surnames, but as the oldest living Targaryen, he is essentially our family patriarch now."
"Yes, apparently Maester Luwin contacted him," Theron said. "Thought he had the right to know about the return of dragons and that a Targaryen is massing an army to retake the Iron Throne."
As the others nodded in agreement, Theron added, "Speaking of maesters, a representative from the Citadel arrived at Bloodstone this morning. An archmaester named Marwyn."
"I've heard tales about him," Jon said. "He's known as Marwyn the Mage. I guess it's no surprise that he came to Bloodstone since I have several mages in my employ."
"He actually didn't know about the other mages and I," Theron said. "It was the rumors of dragons being back that got him to come to investigate. He seemed upset that he couldn't see the dragons himself but agreed to wait at Bloodstone for your return. Morrigan and I opted not to tell him about our shapeshifting abilities for the time being."
"That's probably for the best," Aegon said. "Unless he proves himself trustworthy, it's probably something that as few people as possible should know about. Harry and I have already sworn the Golden Company to silence on the matter."
"And I've done the same with my khalasar," Daenerys added.
Placing a hand on his temple, Theron closed his eyes for a few moments, making Daenerys tilt her head and ask, "Is he okay?"
"Yes, it's probably the voices of the well talking to him," Aegon answered before he and Jon explained to her about the Vir'Abelasan and how Theron occasionally heard the voices of the past high priests and priestesses of Mythal speaking in his head.
After a few minutes of silence, Theron opened his eyes and said, "Actually that wasn't the priests. That was Mythal herself. Or Flemeth, I suppose."
"She can speak to you too?" Aegon asked.
"So it would seem," Theron answered. "She was just sharing some dragon lore and information about Valyria with me."
"How would a witch from another continent know anything about Valyria?" Daenerys asked.
"Because she lived there for about a decade," Theron answered. "About fifty years before the Doom."
"What? How is that possible?" Aegon asked. "The Doom was over a century before Aegon's Conquest."
"True," Theron said. "It was in 5:23 Exalted by the Thedosian calendar, which is 102 BC in Westeros."
"But how could she possibly be alive fifty years before that?" Daenerys asked before she cocked her head and asked, "And how exactly does this Thedosian calendar work, by the way?"
"Well, she did say that she was a very old, old woman when Robb and I first met her," Jon said. "Although I didn't realize she was that old."
"She's definitely that," Theron said. "Considering that Flemeth, as a mortal woman before she became the Vessel of Mythal was born in 3:00 Towers. Or 325 BC."
"That means she's 623 years old!" Aegon exclaimed after a moment, as he did the math in his head.
"Well, I guess her description of herself definitely fits," Jon said.
Theron nodded. "Indeed. Anyway, Daenerys, Thedas uses a system of ages. Currently, it's 9:42 Dragon back home. So, the Ninth Age, called the Dragon Age, and the 43rd year."
"43rd year?" Aegon asked.
"Yes, many people get that confused," Theron explained. "Even those of us who are used to the calendar mess it up from time to time. But, even though numerically it is 9:42, it is technically the 43rd year of the age, because there are a hundred years in each age that are numbered from 0 to 99. So we count 0 as a year, so 9:99 Dragon would be the 100th and final year of the Dragon Age. At which point, whoever the Divine of the Chantry is at that time will name the next age."
"So what were the names of the other ages, just out of curiosity?" Aegon asked.
"In order, they're the Divine, Glory, Towers, Black, Exalted, Steel, Storm, and Dragon Ages. Everything before the Divine Age is represented in negative numbers and referred to as the Ancient Age. It's the one and only age that has more than a hundred years in it, as it stretches back thousands of years."
"How are these ages named exactly?" Jon asked. "I mean I understand that the head of the Thedosian Church names them, but where do they come up with the names?"
"The Divine picks them based on some significant event or portent that happened prior to the start of each age," Theron answered. "The Divine Age was so named because the very first Divine of the Chantry, Justinia I, was installed at the as yet unfinished Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux, the capital city of the Empire of Orlais. Glory was named by Divine Hortensia I, who predicted an age of grand rebirth following the end of the Second Blight in 1:95."
Pouring himself a glass of wine from the bottle on the nearby end table, Theron took a drink, before he said, "The Grand Cathedral, which featured two towers that could be seen for miles around, was completed in 2:99 Glory, leading to the Towers Age. Late in that age, there was a schism in the Chantry which led to the Tevinter Imperium electing their own Divine, known in every country in Thedas other than Tevinter itself as the Black Divine. So, when Divine Joyous II died in 3:99 Towers, the Black Divine declared a holiday and the entire Tevinter Imperium celebrated her death, leading to the Black Age."
"What was the cause of this schism?" Aegon asked.
"A difference of opinion in regards to magic," Theron said. "All the way back in the very beginning of the Divine Age the use of magic was declared illegal in Orlais by anyone who wasn't using it under the auspices of the Chantry. As the Chantry's influence spread to other countries, so too did the magic ban."
At the confused looks, Theron added, "Throughout Thedas there are several Circles of Magi. Which are what some would call homes for mages, while others would call prisons. Essentially, every child who is discovered to have magic is taken from their parents the moment that their magic is discovered and they're then raised in one of the Circles, under the watchful eyes of the Templar Order. They're an order of knights that serve the Chantry and have the ability to nullify a mage's powers, usually temporarily."
"Usually?" Daenerys asked.
"There is a ritual known as the Rite of Tranquility," Theron said. "When performed on a mage, they're branded with the Chantry's sunburst logo on their forehead. It cuts off their access to the Beyond, or what the Chantry calls the Fade, which takes away their ability to dream, use magic, or to feel any kind of emotion."
"That seems rather, well, barbaric," Aegon said.
"As a mage, I'm inclined to agree," Theron said. "Anyway, the Imperial Chantry in Tevinter allows free use of magic throughout the Imperium, as they don't agree with one of the main tenets of Chantry policy, which is that magic is meant to serve man, but never to rule over him. In Tevinter, the entire government is run by mages and having magic is a prerequisite to basically any position of authority or power."
"Ah, so were you in one those circles before coming here?" Jon asked.
Shaking his head, Theron said, "No, the very first time I set foot in one of the Circles was during the Fifth Blight in Ferelden. I had an old Grey Warden treaty promising the Circle's help with the Blight that I had to enforce. Prior to that, I was the First of Clan Sabrae, one of the many clans of Dalish Elves who wander Thedas, seeking to regain the lost knowledge and lore of the Elvhenan. The Dalish also reject the idea that we should be subservient to humanity, or live in poverty in their slums as second or third class citizens and treated like veritable slaves."
"That sounds horrible," Daenerys said.
"Well, I'm sure it is for those elves who actually live in the human cities," Theron said. "For me, I grew up with my clan and I enjoyed life. In case you're wondering, each clan is headed by a wise and learned elf known as the Keeper. The First is their apprentice, who will one day become Keeper themselves, upon the death of the previous Keeper. That would have been my life if I hadn't ended up joining the Grey Wardens."
Taking a sip of his wine, Theron said, "Anyway, the other ages. There were several Exalted Marches, otherwise known as holy wars, against Tevinter during the Black Age including one that was still ongoing in 4:99 Black, leading Divine Justinia II to name the Exalted Age. The Exalted Marches against Tevinter finally ended in 5:12 Exalted with the outbreak of the Fourth Blight in Antiva, which ended in 5:24 Exalted with the death of the Archdemon Andoral at the hands of an elven Grey Warden named Garahel. And before you ask, no that didn't make humanity treat elves any better."
Shaking their heads at the continued injustices that were apparently commonplace for the elves in Thedas, Jon, Aegon, and Daenerys motioned for Theron to continue.
"5:99 Exalted saw Queen Madrigal of Antiva assassinated, her body being found with four steel swords plunged into her chest, leading to the Steel Age. The next age was named the Storm Age as Divine Hortensia III foresaw a growing storm of violence across Thedas."
"The Blessed Age was so named as the Divine foresaw an age of bounty and prosperity for Thedas following the birth of twin sons to the then Emperor of Orlais. Due to a prolonged period of the Emperor having no children, there were worries of an impending civil war between claimants to the throne upon his death, but the birth of his sons put that worry to rest."
"And the Dragon Age?" Daenerys asked. "What prompted that name?"
"Just as they were here, dragons were long assumed to be extinct in Thedas," Theron answered. "At least until they reemerged, first in Antiva, and then devastating sections of rural Nevarra and Orlais, and another one being spotted on the Orlesian side of the Frostback Mountains between Orlais and Ferelden. The Divine had been ready to declare the Sun Age, but with so many dragon sightings, opted instead for the Dragon Age."
"Are there many dragons in Thedas?" Aegon asked.
"I couldn't even begin to tell you how many there are," Theron answered, slightly uncomfortably considering that he'd actually killed one in the past. Two, technically, if one counted the High Dragon at the Temple of the Sacred Ashes and Flemeth, not that the latter actually died. "Although there are absolutely no dragonriders in Thedas. All of the Thedosian dragons are wild beasts that cannot be controlled and will attack and kill anyone who gets too close. There are also some notable differences between Thedosian dragons and the ones on this side of the world."
"Like what?" Daenerys asked.
"Well, here dragons are all essentially hermaphrodites," Theron answered. "In that, they can spontaneously change their sex based on their environment. In Thedas, that isn't the case. All dragons, as they'd be recognized here in Westeros and Essos, are female. The males are called drakes, are less than half the size of the females and can't fly because they never grow wings."
"Hmm, yes, that would definitely be quite a difference," Daenerys agreed. "All of my dragons were born male, although I imagine once they're older, at least one of them will probably change their sex to female so that they can lay at least one clutch of new eggs."
Nodding, Theron said, "Yes, that's probably true. Another difference that's immediately apparent in Thedosian dragons is that they don't all exclusively breathe fire."
"A dragon that doesn't breathe fire?" Aegon asked, his tone suggesting that he was having a hard time believing or even imagining that.
"Yeah, I know it seems hard to believe, but it's true," Theron said. "There's several different breeds of dragon in Thedas, which differ not only in the color of their scales but also in other ways, like the shape of their heads and bodies. The Fereldan Frostback, Abyssal High Dragon, Sandy Howler, and Highland Ravager breeds all breathe fire like the ones you're used to."
"And the others?" Jon asked.
Theron smiled. "The Greater Mistral, Hivernal, and the Kaltenzahn breeds all breathe ice. Meanwhile, the Northern Hunter, Gamordan Stormrider, and Vinsomer breeds breathe lightning. While she didn't name them, Flemeth did say there were a few breeds from further north or west in Thedas then I've ever been that breathe acid or poison."
"Wow," Daenerys said, as Aegon and Jon nodded, "And I thought that Thedosian dragons being exclusively female was a big difference." Shaking her head, she said, "So, what bits of Valyrian lore did Flemeth share with you?"
"Well, apparently the Valyrians sometimes made use of an item called a dragon horn to control their dragons. They're carved from the horns of a dead dragon and bound with red gold and Valyrian steel, with Valyrian glyphs engraved upon them."
"Does that mean we'll need one of these horns in order to control Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion?" Aegon asked.
Shaking his head, Theron said, "No, we won't. Flemeth taught me some spells which will allow for more direct control of them without a dragon horn. Which is a good thing because no mortal person can sound one of them and survive. When blown they burn red hot and will burn the lungs of the person who blew it to ash, killing them."
"Well, it's good that we don't need one of those horns," Jon said. "We're going to need all the help we can get to take the Iron Throne and I really would rather not go around killing my future subjects if it can be avoided."
"Quite," Theron said. "Thankfully, the spells that Flemeth taught me will also make Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion immune to the control of a dragon horn, even if somebody were to find one. The spells will, however, bind the dragons to their rider's will so that while they'll still retain their free will most of the time, they'll have no choice but to obey if given an order by their rider."
"Well, at least I needn't worry about anyone stealing my children away," Daenerys said, who couldn't help but worry what would happen if somebody found one of those horns somewhere. She didn't know if any had survived the Doom, but it was still an issue that had worried her as soon as Theron mentioned it.
"Yes, good to have one less thing to worry about," Aegon said. "It's also probably a good safety measure, as they might be babies now but they will grow up and reach a point where they make us look tiny by comparison. Having the means to keep them from attacking innocent people is a good thing."
"Yes," Theron agreed. "Flemeth said that I should cast the spells to bind the three of you to your respective dragons as soon as possible, although we'll have to wait until you return to Bloodstone as I'll need the others to help me cast these particular spells, as they require more power than I can put into them myself."
Turning to Daenerys, he added, "She said that they'll still recognize you as their mother, Daenerys, and will be protective of you as a result, but Rhaegal and Viserion will be bound to Jon's and Aegon's wills respectively once the spells are cast. So, any orders they give them will countermand anything you tell them. You will, of course, still have Drogon."
Daenerys nodded. "I understand. While I would prefer that they retain their free will, I can understand why it would be dangerous for them to do so."
"Yes," Theron said. "According to Flemeth, your ancestors didn't have the spells she taught me as they were developed by the Evanuris, aka the Old Gods of the Forest, and the Valyrians didn't worship the Evanuris. This is why once Westeros was conquered, the Dragonpit was built and the dragons were put into it. It gave your ancestors control over them and kept them from rampaging and pillaging the city and surrounding countryside whenever they pleased."
"Didn't you say that the Dragonpit was partially to blame for the death of the dragons?" Jon asked.
Nodding, Theron said, "Yes. Dragons need to be able to fly free and can breathe better at higher altitudes. So being stuck in the Dragonpit did not do their health any favors, which is why none of the pit dragons ever reached the size that Balerion did, for example. Of course, Flemeth also told me that there were other reasons beyond just the pit that the dragons died the first time."
"Did she share them?" Aegon asked.
"Yes. The primary reason was the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Many of the dragons died during it, killed by dragons on the opposing side of the conflict. Flemeth did share with me a means of preventing that from happening again."
"Oh? Do tell," Jon said.
Theron smiled. "Once this war is over and you're sitting on the Iron Throne as the undisputed King of the Seven Kingdoms, she taught me a further binding spell which will bind the dragons to the Iron Throne. They'll still be bound to the individual riders, but you'll be able to overrule the riders should they attempt to use their dragon against the Seven Kingdoms or to harm its people."
Pausing for a moment, Theron added, "The binding to the throne is permanent once cast, and will automatically switch to the next monarch after Jon eventually passes away. Thus, the binding can essentially be used to settle any inheritance claims because whoever has control over the dragons is the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms."
"So, I assume this binding will prevent the dragons from being able to go wild if their bound riders die?" Aegon asked.
Theron nodded. "Yes. Even if their bound rider dies, they'll remain bound to the throne and the monarch, so they won't be completely without direction between riders. So no need to worry about a wild dragon burning down half of King's Landing without a rider to stop them."
"Well, that sounds like a good failsafe," Daenerys said.
Jon, Aegon, and Theron nodded in unison, before the latter said, "There were two other reasons that the dragons went extinct the last time. One being their breeding pool was too small, as, by the time they went extinct, almost every single Targaryen dragon was a direct descendant of Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes. According to Flemeth, repeated breeding between their descendants made them grow weaker over time."
"Did she tell you how we could avoid that?" Aegon asked.
"Yes, seek out and hatch as many dragon eggs as possible," Theron said. "And not just here in Westeros, but any that can be found abroad as well. She also suggested that you not keep dragons strictly for Targaryens only, but to also allow the Velaryons, the Celtigars, and the Great Houses of Westeros access to dragons."
"She thinks we should share the power of dragons?" Daenerys asked.
"Indeed, she does," Theron answered. "She said that's precisely why the Valyrian Freehold existed for as long as it did and why their dragons remained strong and numerous. Of the forty-score noble families of Valyria, half of them were dragonlord houses. Apparently, even though many of the dragonlords were rivals, that rivalry did not extend to mating their dragons. It seems they made sure through detailed records that their dragons never mated too closely to affect their health."
Taking another a sip of his wine, Theron said, "Flemeth says if you keep the dragons limited to House Targaryen only, it'll be impossible to keep a large enough stable of dragons to ensure their health isn't negatively affected like it was the last time and even if it takes two hundred years, you'll just be dooming them to extinction all over again."
"Well, we can just hatch dragons and bind them to the throne without riders, right?"
Shaking his head negatively at Daenerys's question, he said, "They have to be bound to their first rider before they can be bound to the throne, so for every dragon hatched, a rider is needed."
Looking over at Jon with a grin, Theron added, "So unless you intend to have a hundred or more children, you're going to need people outside of House Targaryen to become riders."
"Yeah, definitely not planning on having that many," Jon said, as he looked a little green at the thought of having a hundred children. "House Targaryen may be dangerously close to extinction, but I have no intention of even trying to single-handedly save it from that state."
"Understandable," Theron said. "On a similar note, she also cautioned against engaging in too many incestuous marriages between siblings or other close relations. She said doing that too often can lead to physical and mental issues, including poor health and madness, both of which I'm told the Targaryens have had issues with in the past."
Sitting up straighter, Aegon said, "Does that mean that I can't marry Jon?"
Theron shook his head and said, "No, you two can still get married. Flemeth says that because you're only half-brothers, it isn't as bad as if you were full brothers and shared both parents. She did caution, however, against allowing your children to marry each other. The fact that Rhaegar brought new blood into the family with Elia and Lyanna was a good thing, so she strongly suggests that you make sure that your children and if possible your grandchildren do the same by not marrying within the Targaryen family."
"But won't that weaken our dragon blood?" Daenerys asked.
"No, it won't," Theron answered. "Flemeth says that there's really no such thing as dragon blood. At least when it comes to humans or elves, or any other non-dragon species. Dragons have dragon blood, but humans have human blood. What actually allows humans and other races to bond with and control dragons, assuming a fire-breathing dragon, is having magical blood that favors elemental fire."
Theron could see the war of emotions on the three faces around him, especially for Daenerys who'd grown up with Viserys telling her about dragon blood and how the Targaryens could control dragons because they were dragons.
"It just so happens that most of the Old Valyrian families like the Targaryens, Velaryons, Celtigars, and the dragonlord families of old have fire-oriented magical blood that was often mislabeled as dragon blood. Probably because some Valyrian a few thousand years ago liked the idea of tying themselves closer to their dragons, so with some well-placed rumors and gossip, the rest is history. They're not the only families that have magical blood, however."
"They're not?" Jon asked.
"No, Jon. Case in point, the Starks also have magical blood. As do the Baratheons and any other family line that has ever married somebody of Valyrian, Rhoynish, or First Men descent. Here in Westeros, it's only those of pure Andal descent that wouldn't normally have magical blood, although, after thousands of years of interbreeding between the various families, Flemeth said it's highly unlikely there's anyone left who can claim one hundred percent pure Andal descent."
"I'm sure there's plenty of families who would dispute that," Jon said.
"Oh without a doubt," Theron agreed. "But for most, if not all of those families, while they may remain culturally Andal, that's all they really are. So while it may be true that historically the Andals hated and feared magic, one's culture has absolutely nothing to do with bloodline and the Andal families would have died out centuries ago if they didn't mate with the families of First Men, Valyrian, and Rhoynish descent."
"The Starks have never had magic as far as I know," Jon said.
"Haven't they?" Theron asked as he raised a brow at Jon. "And what exactly do you call the fact that almost every Stark male since time immemorial has been a bearer, Jon? Males being able to both sire and bear children is a magical ability, so any confirmed bearer is guaranteed to have magical blood."
"So, that means," Jon hesitated for a moment, before he said, "That Robb, Bran, Rickon, and myself and our Uncle Benjen all have magical blood?"
Nodding, Theron said, "Yes. It also means that had they been so inclined your late uncles, Brandon and Eddard, could have borne children as well. Of course, just being a bearer means nothing if you don't lie with other men since a male bearer can only bear children if another male sires them on them."
"So what about Sansa and Arya?" Jon asked.
"No clue," Theron said. "As they're both girls, they obviously aren't bearers in the same way that you, your cousins, and uncle are. They can naturally bear children, of course, but they can't sire them. Although being able to bond with direwolves could be a sign of magical blood, as direwolves themselves are magical creatures who generally do not take to mundane creatures, let alone form bonds as deep as you and your cousins seem to have with them."
"So, could the Starks or the Targaryens or any of the others ever produce mages like you, Garrett, Max, Vivienne, Morrigan, and her son?"
Theron looked speculative for a moment before he addressed Aegon's question. "It's hard to say but I wouldn't say it's entirely outside of the realm of possibility. The fact that the Starks have managed to consistently hang on to the bearer ability despite the Dragonlord's Curse which would have likely wiped it out if that was the only magic that they possessed would suggest it's possible."
Finishing the last of his wine, Theron sat the glass aside and added, "As for the Targaryens, I don't know, as I don't really know enough about what powers they might have had in the past, beyond the ability to control dragons."
"With the Curse breaking down now, does that mean they could?" Jon asked.
"Are you asking if you and Aegon could ever be full-fledged mages?" Theron asked, prompting Jon to nod.
"Flemeth didn't say," Theron responded. "Although, again, she stressed that it would be in our best interests to seek out and hatch more dragon eggs. As many as possible, as doing so will break down what remains of the Curse faster than it'll break on its own."
"It's already lost the ability to affect new people, right?" Daenerys asked, causing Theron to nod. "So, how exactly does hatching more eggs help us?"
"By breaking down the remains of the Curse faster," Theron said. "As it stands, while it can't affect new people or anyone born after the dragons, it is still in effect and will remain so for decades to come, unless dragons make a serious and resounding comeback. As for what that would do? It would strengthen the chances of mages being born to those families with magical blood and likely also make their magic stronger."
"Of course, the priests are telling me that bonding with a dragon has been known to provide a power boost to the rider," Theron added. "Basically as the dragon grows in power, so too does their bonded rider. Although they caution that it doesn't always translate to magic ability. Sometimes it can manifest instead as increased strength, dexterity, intelligence, or overall health and endurance."
"Interesting," Aegon said. "So, what was the other reason that Flemeth gave you for the extinction of the dragons? You said there were two and that the close breeding was one. So what was the other?"
Theron sighed. "The Maesters of the Citadel."
Now it was Jon's turn to sit up straighter as he asked, "What?"
"It's not all of them," Theron was quick to say. "Although Flemeth said that there is a faction within the Citadel who would prefer to completely eliminate magic from the world, or from Westeros at the very least. So they were happy when they found records of the Valyrian Dragonlord's Curse. Any records of which they promptly made disappear here in Westeros and wherever they could abroad without risk to themselves."
"So what did they do with this information?" Jon asked.
"They then began to nudge events to cause the Dance of the Dragons," Theron answered. "Then after the war had taken care of most of the dragons, they began poisoning those remaining or any known eggs, so that any dragons born would be sickly and deformed."
"You mean they were actually trying to make dragons go extinct?" Aegon asked, looking both shocked and angry. "In order to enact the Dragonlord's Curse?"
"Yes, they were," Theron confirmed. "Thankfully, the faction inside the Citadel that holds these beliefs is small. Flemeth said it's only about a fourth or less of the total number of maesters that have actively participated in or are aware of the plot. But, for those that have, enacting the Dragonlord's Curse wasn't the end goal."
"What was?" Daenerys asked.
"Wiping out all magical blood," Theron answered. "She said that in many of the families that have longstanding issues with infertility or numerous, repeated miscarriages or stillbirths, it's because the family's maester is in on the plot and the family was known to have strong magic before the Curse."
"Are you saying that they've been poisoning people too?" Aegon asked.
Nodding, Theron said, "Yes, trying to wipe out magical families so that even if dragons ever did come back and the Curse broke, magic would still be gone. Thankfully, as I said, it's a small faction. The majority of maesters would be horrified if they knew what some of their brethren were up to."
"I can see why," Jon said. "If this got out on a wide scale, there'd be calls to arrest every maester throughout the kingdom and destroy the Citadel."
"Did Flemeth tell you which maesters are in on the plot?" Aegon asked.
Shaking his head, Theron said, "No, she didn't see fit to provide me with a comprehensive list. She did, however, say that no maester who has even one Valyrian steel link in their chains is a member of the plot, as the maesters seeking to wipe out magic avoid anyone who shows any interest whatsoever in the higher mysteries, otherwise known as magic."
"Well, at least we know that Maester Luwin isn't involved," Jon said. "Robb will be relieved. Although considering that only about one out of every hundred Maesters has a Valyrian steel link, it doesn't narrow things down quite as far as I may like."
Theron nodded. "Yes. That also means that Archmaester Marwyn isn't involved either since he not only has several Valyrian steel links, but also the Valyrian steel rod, mask, and ring of an archmaester."
"Indeed," Jon said. He paused here, as silence fell over the room. Finally, he shook his head and said, "Well, we should probably go out to the gardens for a while and spend some time with our hosts. Did you want to join us, Theron?"
"No, I think I'm going to head back to Bloodstone," Theron said. "This was supposed to be a quick trip to update you and I've already stayed longer than I intended. I have to gather the necessary components for the dragon binding spells and I've got a meeting with Bianca, Dagna, and the smiths, as there was something they wanted to show me. So, as much as I'd like to stay, I should go."
"Okay then," Jon said with a smile as he stood up and wrapped Theron in a hug, kissing him on the forehead, as he added, "Give Robb a kiss for me, will you?"
Theron grinned. "I think that can be arranged."
Aegon stood up at this and approaching Theron from behind, wrapped his arms around both the elf and his half-brother, as he placed a gentle kiss on the tip of Theron's left ear, which sent shivers of pleasure and lust down his spine as the tips of his ears were among his most erogenous zones… something which Tamlen had always taken great advantage of.
In fact, it was the memory of Tamlen kissing his ears that had prompted him to name his staff Tamlen's Kiss.
Thankfully, before Theron could think too much about his lost love, Aegon said, "Give our sexy northern lord a kiss from me too."
"Will do," Theron said with a smile, as Daenerys just smiled and giggled at the boys' actions.
-o-0-o-
To be continued…
And there you have Part Seven of Act Two of 'Through the Eluvian'.
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