Game of Thrones
The Moon's Child
Chapter 30
A New Dragon
305 AC- Kings Landing- The Red Keep
Bran's eyes lose their milky white hew and return to their normal colour. He sits up straight in his chair. And casts his eyes towards the fire burning in the corner. "Brienne" He called out.
"Your Grace" His Lord Commander bowed
"I've seen something troubling." He said coldly
"What have you seen?" She asked as she took a step closer.
"A Targaryen has landed in The Stormlands, claiming to be the rightful King."
"A Targaryen?" Brienne asked "Jon?"
"No." Bran said distantly
"Then who is he?" Brienne asked
"He claims to be Prince Aegon." Bran looked off into the distance "Rhegar's first son."
"Can't you see?" Brienne asked "I mean, can't you go back and look?"
"I have been trying." Bran's voice was empty "He has a sorcerer with him, she is somehow shielding his past… a very dark magic."
"Well whoever he is, he's committing are our rightful King."
"Yes… I am." Bran nodded "He has a strong host Brienne, summon Tyrion, I will have a meeting of The Small Council."
"Yes Your Grace." She bowed.
"Lets see if we can find you." Bran spoke to the empty room as his eyes clouded over again.
…
280 AC- King's Landing- The Red Keep
Chaos reigned in the streets of King's Landing, as Targaryen soldiers and men of The City Watch battled with the invading Lannister Army. There were fires, there was screaming and crying. From a window high up in the Royal apartments, Elia Martell, a Princess of Dorne watches the madness unfold. "Princess Elia." A soft voice called to her. She spun round with a fright, clutching her daughter's hand.
"Varys" She breathed heavily, the eunuch stood before her clutching a small bundle "Varys what is this?"
"The Lannister Army have joined the rebels and are sacking the City in Robert Baratheon's name, they have breached the walls and greatly outnumber us. Some of their advanced forces have breached the Walls of The Red Keep. I believe they mean to kill King Areys and all of his family members. You must flee, this baby will take your son's place. And buy you some time. Separate the children Princess, they will stand a better chance of survival."
"Separate them?"
"I will take the babe." Varys told her, "it will be easier to disappear with him."
Elia ran to her infant son's crib and scooped him up in her arms "Ashara!" She called out, as her Lady in Waiting came running.
"Elia" She breathed "What's happening.
"You have to take Aegon and go with Varys" She kissed the babes head and then gently on the mouth before handing the baby over."
"Elia?"
"Just go, go now. The Lannisters are in the castle"
Varys placed the babe he was carrying in the royal crib and took Ashara by the arm. "Come there is not much time, Princess, Jamie Lannister is leading the defence of The Castle, try and get to him, I don't believe the Lannister forces will kill Tywin Lannister's first born son. There is still a garrison at Dragonstone, try and sail there, if not head to Pentos, seek out a man called Illyrio Mopatis."
"I'll look after him" Ashara told her, "We'll see you soon."
Elia gave a sad nod as Varys led her away into a passageway that sealed behind him.
"Come on Rhaenys." She called her daughter to her "Guards!" She called "We need to get the children to Jamie Lannister. Guards?" She heard commotion outside, a brief clang of steel on steel. Then silence. There were heavy footsteps, the door to her chambers were kicked to splinters. Elia's eyes filled with tears, all she could do was hug her daughter closely and beg The Mother's forgiveness for the innocent infant laying in the crib. A giant stood in her doorway. She kisses Rhaenys head, as the giant walked towards her.
…
305 AC- The Stormlands- Griffin's Roost
Although a squat tower on a rocky outcrop, the highest chamber in the castle allowed for panoramic views of Shipbreaker bay. In this chamber today, the dragon who would be king sits at the head of a long table, atop a chair carved into the likeness of a Griffin. A long sword rests on the table in front of him, a half sun on its hilt. His silver gold hair tied back away from his face. Sat around him, the ageing Jon Connington, now wearing the pin of the Hand of the King, Ashara Dayne, The Prince of Dorne, The Fox King of Old Town, and the beautiful and mysterious Sheira Seastar.
"To business." Aegon spat "The politics of this realm will be left to Lord Connington and I. Uncle." He spoke to the Dornish Prince. "I would not be here if it were not for you. House Martell has undergone betrayal after betrayal from The Usurper and his Lannister and Stark dogs. For your loyalty, I name you Master of War."
"Your Grace" The Prince bowed
"I shall not make the same mistake my forebears made, I will not stay on Dragonstone and invade the mainland. I will make my power base here in The Stormlands. However I have promised the rest of The Nine, free run of The Narrow Sea. Send two thousand of The Golden Company to retake Dragon Stone, have the Narrow Sea Lords pledge fealty to me."
"Of course Your Grace."
"The Fox King" Aegon smiled as he looked at the dishevelled man in the fox furs sat at his table "The Master of The Low Tower. Ruler of The Old Town Undercity- tell me do you have ears in other Under Cities?"
"In Planky Town and Gull Town, in White Harbor and Duskendale, in Lannisport and of course King's Landing. If a dice is thrown, if a purse is cut, if a whore spreads her legs… I know about it, and take my cut."
"Then I name you Master of Whisperers." He turned to the woman sat at his left side, Ashara Dayne. He reached out and placed a gentle hand on hers. "You have been a mother to me my whole life."
"Only because your own mother was stolen from you." She said softly
"You made me the man I am, bestowed me with Dawn." He said seriously "There is no one wiser or more just in this world. I name you Master of Laws."
"Your Grace." She said softly
His eyes fell to the beautiful Shiera Seastar, she stared back at him beneath her own silver mane, one blue eye, one green eye. "The Order of Maesters have long interfered with the realm, pouring poison into the ears of Lords and Kings alike. In my Kingdom they will learn their place. Lady Shiera is older and wiser than any of those old fools in chains. She will replace the role of Grand Maester. Jon"
"Your Grace" His hand replied
"I don't plan to stay bottled up here forever. I want you to send word to this crippled King, inform him The Stormlands and Dorne are now under my control and I expect the other Kingdoms to be returned to me immediately. Send word to his sister as well, The North is to take its place in The Realm again."
"Of course Your Grace." Connington bowed "It is said that he has a strong grip on The Crownlands, his Uncle rules the Riverlands and his Cousin the Vale. His Lannister Dog rules the Westerlands, and his sellsword has The Reach. The Iron Fleet appears to be loyal to him as well."
"Noted." Aegon nodded "Can we bring the others in now please."
The Fox King opened the door to the chamber and beckoned in some people waiting outside. Une, Ky, Albert and Gendry were brought into the room. Une dropped to a knee, followed by Ky and Albert and finally a reluctant Gendry. Jon Connington got to his feet "You are in the presence of Aegon of House Targaryen the sixth of his name, by right of blo…"
Aegon held his hand up "I think we can do without the titles." Connington sat back down "Rise gentlemen." The four stood back up. "Lord Une! I would like to thank you for your service in bringing me here. There will likely be fights to come, with Lord Connington as my Hand I would like you to take control of The Golden Company, and name you My Warden of The West."
"Thank you Your Grace" He bowed
"I will have a task for you soon."
"Your Grace" He said hesitantly as he cast his eyes to Gendry
"Do not worry Lord Une." Aegon told him "He is no longer your prisoner." Une bowed and left the room. "You two." He said firmly, casting his violet gaze to Ky and Albert. "My fellow Nine have been telling me lots about you two."
The two looked at each other for a moment "Is that a good thing?" Ky asked nervously
"I keep hearing how you two find yourself in the midst of great adventures "Fighting for a Usurper."
"To be fair, Your Grace." Ky interrupted "Stannis was…"
"I haven't finished." Aegon snapped "I hear you also assisted my aunt in landing here, and you fought the dead as well. Sorcerers and Faceless Men… and a rather special child I hear."
"Superstitious nonsense Your Grace." Ky told him "You know what these religious types are like."
"I know what Lady Shiera tells me." Aegon said seriously "Still… that is a conversation for another day. In the meantime your service will be rewarded. Reeve… I'm giving you Nightsong."
"Your Grace?" Ky asked with a hint of uncertainty
"I'm raising you to Lord, and giving you Nightsong" Aegon repeated himself "Pick a sigil and some words and serve me. I don't care how you split the profits between you but Nightsong is your reward."
"No titles for me then?" Albert sighed
"The Nine have a separate interest in you Albert." Aegon told him "A title will only be a detriment."
"I was afraid you were going to say something like that, Your Grace." Albert flinched slightly
"What about Lord Tristian?" Ky spoke up
"Your Little Lord has already been compensated." Aegon dismissed his concerns "I trust you've met Lady Caron?" Ky and Albert nodded in unison "Forceful woman, do you know what her name was before she married a Caron so far removed from the main line most people had forgotten he existed?" They shook their heads in unison "She was Ariana Storm, a High Born Bastard, her father… Lord Selwyn Tarth of Evenfall Hall. Your Little Lord is to be the Evenstar, when the current one dies… and believe me she wants that to be sooner than later. Does that answer your question?"
"Your Grace" Ky nodded
"You'll be formally invested as Lord once my declarations have been heard throughout the realm. I'll send for you both soon." With a wave of his hand, he dismissed The Reeve and Albert, as they bowed and took their leave Albert cast a glance to Gendry.
"Good luck" He whispered.
"The son of Robert Baratheon." Aegon studied him closely "The Lord of Storm's End" Gendry stood there defiant and clenched his jaw. Aegon glanced at his small Council "Leave us." He dismissed his advisors.
…
281 AC- Dorne- Starfall
The Torrentine, a rare refreshing sight in the Red Mountains, a mighty, life giving source that empties itself in the Summer Sea. On an island in this river stands Starfall. Thousands of years ago a star fell to the earth, the first Dayne followed its path to the small island, he forged a sword from the star's heart and raised a castle to commemorate it. The castle stands to this day, connected to the mainland by a single bridge, the castle has never fallen.
In the heat of the Dornish sun a single rider approaches, a lithe young man with sandy blonde hair and the hint of a beard dismounts. He wears thick brown leather armour not suited for this weather. He dismounts as a guard approaches him and speaks to the man. He takes a long thin bundle out of his saddle and shows it to the guard who hurries off at once.
…
High up in the Palestone Tower, the highest point of Starfall. She waits eagerly in The Lords solar. A Dornish beauty with violet eyes and silky black hair, she is dressed in a thin purple gown the colours of her house. Ashara Dayne paces anxiously back and forth until a knock at the door causes her to jump out of her skin. "Enter" She called out eagerly. The door opens and he steps through with a bundle under his arm, dusty and windblown but otherwise as she remembered him. She waited for the door to close behind him. "Ned" She breathed excitedly as she ran towards him, She cupped his face and traced every feature "Can it really be you? How I've missed you, and now you've come for me." She tightened her embrace of him as he shifted uneasily and pulled away.
"My Lady." He mumbled
"Ned whats wrong?" She asked, before stepping back and hanging her head slightly "Is this because I lost our b…"
"I'm married now Ashara." His voice cracked "Whatever we had… we can't have it again."
"I see" She nodded coldly "And this new wife…. You love her more than me?"
"Ashara please don't." He shook his head
"That's not a no."
"You know how much I lo…" He closed his eyes tightly "...but I've made an oath."
"Then why are you here?" She demanded
"This belongs at Starfall." He said reluctantly as he handed her the bundle.
She took it nervously and laid it out on the table, slowly unwrapping its binding. She unwrapped it, a sword with a pale blade, and a sun at its hilt "This is Dawn, why do you have it?" A wave of realisation swept across her face "Where's Arthur?"
"I had to find my sister, I thought she had been taken. Rhaegar ordered Arthur…"
"Where is my brother?" She screamed
"He fell in battle" Ned told her mournfully "By my hand."
"No." Ashara shook her head "The man I love has not killed my brother."
"I killed him Ashara." Ned sighed heavily "He's buried at one of Rhaegar's towers, next to Ser Gerrold Hightower and five of my men."
"And yet you are here?" She gasped, almost desperately "You expect me to believe that you… you bested the Sword of the Morning? No… no I think not."
"Ashara, I am so sorry."
"Sorry" She spat "I haven't heard from you since I lost our... And you come here to tell me you are married and have killed my brother? Why did you come here Ned? And don't tell me it was to return the sword."
Ned hesitated for a moment "Robert is King now. Six Kingdoms and The Riverlands recognise his claim. You can speak to Doran Martell… convince him the war is over… we've all lost so much already."
"Some of us have lost more." She sneered "Your new king… he had his Lannister dogs kill Princess Elia and the children?"
"Ashara I had nothing to do with that."
"Get out." She said coldly."
…
She looks down at the sleeping Prince in his cradle, her friend's youngest son. She assumed it was only a matter of time before the Usurper took Dragonstone, and what happened to Elia and Rhaegar's children would no doubt happen to Areys' children as well. "You could be the last dragon little one." She smiled sadly as she turned to a loyal knight of House Dayne stood in the corner of the room "We have to disappear." She told him "You and the wet nurse only, we'll take the boy… and the sword, and disappear."
"The sword as well My Lady?" The Knight asked "It should only be wielded by a Dayne."
"I'm the only mother he has now." Ashara sighed "That makes him a Dayne."
"My Lady" He bowed "Where will we go?"
"To Pentos" she said distantly "We need to seek out a man called Illyrio Mopatis"
…
305 AC- The Stormlands- Griffin's Roost
Gendry sits at the end of the table looking at the dragon that would be King. "Your father killed my father." Aegon said coldly
"I didn't know he was my father until a few years ago." Gendry shrugged
"And yet here you sit, The Lord of Storm's End, with your father's name, words and sigil."
"I've got your kin to thank for that." Gendry reminded him
"Yes, I heard you fought for my aunt." Aegon got up from his seat and walked to a side table and poured a cup of wine for Gendry and himself. "Your father was a Usurper." He told Gendry as he placed the cup in front of him "He was a whoremonger and adulterer who left a string of bastards from the Arbor to the Wall." Gendry shifted in his seat and had to bite his tongue "And my father… was an adulterer, who set his wife and children aside, and left them to die with the Mad King, because he had his head turned by a teenaged girl from The North." He held out his cup for Gendry to toast "Looks like we both got off to a bad start." Gendry clinked his cup against Aegon's. "I hear you grew up a bastard in Flea Bottom, and I grew up in several different army camps."
"Why am I here?" Gendry asked
"Until all the Kingdom's are mine, I plan to make Storm's End my seat. I am not taking it from you, I will need it temporarily."
"I don't have much choice do I?" Gendry half laughed "Why am I really here?"
"Our father's tore this realm apart because they couldn't keep to their vows. I do not intend to make my Realm bleed. They were cousins you know, shared a Grandmother. Do you know how House Baratheon came to be?"
"I do." Gendry nodded
"Orys Baratheon was The Strong right hand my ancestor and namesake The Conqueror. The Realm was Stable when it was whole, when Targaryen and Baratheon stood side by side. You served my Aunt, I ask when the time comes you serve me. I will need a Strong Right Hand of my own soon."
"Lord Connington…" Gendry begun
"Lord Connington is dying." Aegon told him honestly "I will need a new Hand soon, born of Westeros, of a noble family that isn't corrupted by the politics of The Realm."
"Brandon Stark is the rightful King."
"Why?" Aegon laughed
"A crippled sorcerer? Should that man be King? Tell me Gendry, what has Bran the Broken done for the people?"
"I'll not betray him." Gendry said defiantly
"You'll see in time cousin." Aegon smiled "I know you're fond of The Starks. I don't wish them any harm either. I hear one of them is very beautiful, in charge of one of my Kingdoms and unmarried."
"Sansa." Gendry laughed "Good luck with that."
"Quite the woman I hear, even managed to kill the Night King."
"No" Gendry shook his head "That was… the other sister."
"Siblings" Aegon laughed to himself "Speaking of which… I understand I have a brother. Tell me about Jon Snow."