A/N: apologies for the break. I needed some down time after the festive season :) and I needed some time to let the story sit and do some reading. I just finished "Your Grace" by supremechancellor8991 and I absolutely loved it. Great story about Daenerys being brought back to life...

Anyway...new Year new chapter! Happy New Year to all my readers...hope 2021 is better for all of us

This chapter is short and marks the beginning of the end...I've been grappling with how to end the story and I'm considering adding a few extra chapters at the end to round it out to 40 chapters in total...thinking of some short stories from Valyria and Valreos. I have some interesting ideas of small points of the story I'd like to touch on. If anyone has anything from Valyria or following the establishment of Valreos they'd like to see as a short story please comment :)

Chapter 35: Choices

Dragons from all over Westeros began arriving for the first meeting of noble families since repopulation of Westeros. Members of the ruling council were present with their noble spouses, and remaining nobility were present with their Valreon spouses. It was the first peaceful union of Westerosi nobility in the longest time possibly since the tourney of Harrenhal. It is quite auspicious that Harrenhal be the next meeting of that nature.

Aeyrelin Valreon stood and cleared his throat, "Welcome everybody to our first meeting, today we come together to choose two rulers of Westeros, one from Westeros and one from Valreos. Those rulers must both agree on matters of the state along with the ruling council. All matters must be voted on and agreed by these parties and not enacted unless approvals are in place. Failure to follow protocol or approve anything without consultation results in immediate expulsion from the role. This is the same for Valreon as well as Westerosi placed in this position. Power is always abused by those who rule solely, hence why we seek to place two in power. One male, one female and they must align with the council. This is an unprecedented move in this continent and also for our own where we place the power into the families who founded Valreos. If we move forward together in strength we need a new way"

The people present listened albeit some not happily at the new way being thrust upon them.

Feeling the tension in the room Aeyrelin continued,"Yes, at first the new way may feel uncomfortable but we are doing it this way so we are equal and it suits both sides. We came and liberated the lands from the Night King and rebuilt everything in disrepair. We simply want to come together and expand in strength"

He looked around the room, half their faces were sour the others were smiling. It was better than everyone miserable so they continued. Qaeryis held up a dragon goblet, "Cast your votes into this goblet, simply speak the name and your vote is cast. Today we elect a Valreon man and a Westerosi woman to become First Man and Lady of Westeros"

Many of the Westerosi men looked annoyed at the chance to rule being taken away from them.

Edmure Tully stood angrily, "A woman? You make us all swear fealty and then a woman leads our people?" He slammed his fist down hard on the table looking across the room enraged.

Aeyrelin turned to Edmure calmly, "Lord Tully you have two choices, wait 5 years for the next vote which will be for a Westerosi man, or" he pulled out a slender dagger, "I cut you to resemble a woman so you can be voted in now?"

The other Lords looked between the men to see who would fold, many of the Lords accepted the idea of a female Westerosi ruler. There were some who clearly objected though, who were now silenced by Aeyrelin's proposal.

Edmure sank to his chair under Aeyrelins glare ending his pointless campaign.

Jarryis addressed the room, "this new way will see rulers elected for five years. You cannot vote for yourself which means you'll all have to co operate with each other if you want to have a chance at ruling."

The Westerosi looked uncomfortable, this was so far removed from their experience of power they didn't know how to adjust.

"The grudges you had before the evacuation don't matter anymore, war between regions will not be tolerated. If war breaks out the leaders will be removed and immediately exiled or put to death. New families will be promoted into position, and then the same rules apply to them." as Aeyrelin spoke some nobility blanched at these new restrictions. Not able to declare war? They were not enjoying these new guidelines.

Aeyrelin looked around the room, Xaeron spoke from behind him, "You've all been briefed on your responsibilities as rulers and signed blood oaths in agreement of these points. Now let's get on with the voting, vote for one Westerosi woman and one Valreon man"

"We hardly know any of the Valreon men", argued Baelor Hightower, "how can we vote on a party we don't know?"

"Fair point," said Qaeryis from the table of the council, "for the first election, we will vote a Valreon representative and you vote a Westerosi. Next election both sides vote for both parties"

Baelor nodded and accepted.

Some of the Lords didn't appear pleased despite this turn of events.

"Men of Westeros stop looking so glum" smiled Aeyrelin, "cast your vote go back to your regions and begin your campaign if you want to rule. You need to convince your peers you are fit for the job"

Despite grumbles in the room no one else objected and the votes were cast.

The meeting adjourned until later in the day, Xaeron took the floor in front of the assembled nobility.

"Tallies for Valreon ruler, Aeyrelin Valreon 3 Raeylion Aelleron 2

Tallies for Westerosi, Sansa Stark 6 Brienne Lannister 6 Yara Greyjoy 4, Talla Tarly 3, Obella Sand 2. Due to Sansa being married to Aeyrelin she is disqualified, therefore the Westerosi ruler is Brienne Lannister"

Brienne looked shocked at her appointment to First Lady, Jamie clapping loudly for his wife but many faces in the room were still dark with displeasure. There was much muttering of displeasure as the Lords of Westeros cast dark glances towards the golden haired Lannisters. Once again Lannisters held power and this brought up dark feelings for many of the nobility. Sansa hugged Brienne in congratulations while Brienne continued to look on in disbelief. Obella Sand and Yara Greyjoy exchanged charged glances at this unexpected turn of events, being wary not to betray their thoughts with the powerful dragon lords in the room.

Raeylion stood and the room silenced at his usually smiling face appearing grim, "the room has spoken, the First Man and Lady of Westeros are Aeyrelin Valreon and Brienne Lannister. We recognise our people need to build deeper relations with you all, which we pledge to do. For we are stronger together which some of you will come to see in time," his gaze raked specific people in the room, Edmure Tully, Yara Greyjoy and Obella Sand.

"For now we move forward with who we have chosen. In 5 years we reconvene on new leadership where we will welcome a Valreon woman and a Westerosi man to take power. If you want to rule do as Aeyrelin said, convince your peers you are fit to rule, not just with your words. Because words are really meaningless, show the people you are ready, show your peers you deserve their vote. Otherwise someone else will get the chance to rule in your place, the time for grudges and revenge is over. We all start anew from this point on, and who more fitting to lead your people than Brienne the Brave. Please Brienne, come and address your people"

Nervously and reluctantly Brienne stood and self consciously grasped her weapons belt in a sign of nervousness.

She cleared her throat and hesitatingly begun, "I know majority of you are thinking, 'not another fucking Lannister'" which drew unexpected laughter from the nobility, "but those of you who know me would remember what I stand for, honour, loyalty, bravery." She looked around the room feeling more courageous, "I know majority of you don't know me and probably don't want me standing here in power, I never wanted this. I never sought out power or the adoration of any of you in this room. Which is why I'm the best person to take us into the new age, we need to embrace the new way and we can't do it with thoughts of the old way. Be patient with me moving forward but please approach me with any concerns you have. I want us to thrive, together"

Suddenly feeling nervous and awkward she simply nodded her head at the end and sat clumsily by Jamie who patted her on the back proudly. The room was silent momentarily before Sansa and Arya enthusiastically clapped, and slowly the whole room followed suit.

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The Great families of Mereen had begun receiving news of Westerosi events. They held crisis meetings to discuss strategies should the fast rising dragon lords turn their attention next to them. Hearing about scorpions and going over crude designs, prototypes were developed and tested. The masters of Yunkai and Astapor joined forces with the families in an underground attempt to destabilise Daario Naharis who was rapidly losing his power in the city following news of the Dragon Queens death. Without Daenerys his position in Mereen was becoming increasingly dangerous and pointless.

"Attack on the great pyramid is a must!" thundered Azzak zo Ghazeen, "if we aren't ready we will fall to the dragons again"

Many nobility nodded their heads, and looked around the room for the next directive. Alrak Rhazeen rose and looked around the room, "Tonight we rise and reclaim the city we lost to that silver haired witch. United we will fight against the dragon lords and return to the great age!"

He clicked his fingers and directed the nearest slave to fill his cup and the others so they can toast. The young slave girl obediently fills their cups carefully pretending not to listen to their plans. Her eye flashing milky white for the briefest time.

Daario had retired to bed plagued by turbulent thoughts and uncertainty of his future at the front of his mind. His grip on Mereen was tenuous at best and despite forming relations with the remaining families and even marrying one of their daughters he knew it all meant nothing to these people. Laying next to his beautiful, noble wife the feeling of dread just wouldn't leave him. Even after his wife pleasured him he couldn't relax, he just knew something bad was brewing. Falling into a fitful sleep he didn't hear the slave slip silently into their chambers. In the dead of night a lone figure crept through the extravagant room and shook Daario awake.

He sleepily opened his eyes to see the slave girl of a noble house over him. He became alarmed and looked at her as she held her finger to her lips and pointed to the balcony.

Without a sound he followed her to the terrace and looked at her apprehensively.

"What is it?" he said sleepily and irritably.

"You must leave the city" spoke the slave in her thick Mereenese accent.

"Leave? I can't leave"

"You must, they come for you. They seek to destroy you and retake the city. You must leave, now"

"Now? And go where?"

"There is safety, we will take you"

There were too many uncertains to this, it could very well be a trap.

"How do I know you're not sent here to lure me away to be killed?" he said suspiciously

"You don't" shrugged the slave, "but if you enjoy being alive you will come with me"

"My wife-" he started as the slave turned away

"Is one of them, she will never betray her people or family. You have no children, leave her"

Daario didn't really love the woman but he had come to care for her. They had grown to have some level of care for one another and she was exceptionally beautiful.

"I can't say goodbye?" said Daario as the slave guided hun safely out of the pyramid.

"You are not leaving Mereen forever" said the slave cryptically as she continued scurrying through the pyramid.

"Be quiet now, they are here"

She grabbed him and slipped into a dark hallway as a group of men quietly slipped by them metres from their hiding place. Weapons drawn already covered in the blood of what he assumed were his men. It felt like they waited quietly in the shadows for long minutes as more muffled shouts could be heard and the sound of a skirmish which the slave girl used as their cover to slip away into the night.

On and on they scurried through dark tunnels of coloured brick, splashing through foul smelling water at one point and crawling through the smallest of spaces not long after. Daario was exhausted from the journey to what he was convinced would be his death, but a strange feeling in him urged him on. Just when the walls around them seemed to press against his patience he felt gusts of cool air and could see the dark of night up ahead. The slave girl motioned for him to wait and she flitted forward and whistled low and soft. The sound was returned to her and she beckoned Daario forward. His heart thumped in his chest with the adrenaline of running for his life and the uncertainty of what waited for him. The slave girl helped him clamber down the rock face to a black ship waiting in a hidden bay. In the dark of night the ship was almost invisible being the same ink black as the water and the sky. It had no sails up and it appeared as if the vessel was empty. This only heightened his anxiety and made him wish for his blades.

"You don't need those" chastised the slave girl irritably, "I could have killed you many times over"

She ushered a stunned Daario to a waiting row boat where a man who looked Westerosi in the darkness waited.

The slave girl made to assist him into the boat and he waved her away before turning back to her.

"Thank you, without you I'd be-"

"On a spike in the city for all of Mereen to see" finished the girl before bowing and slipping back into the city walls.

Daario watched her leave still bewildered by her appearance and desire to help.

He turned back to the waiting man, "Where are you taking me"

"Once you're on the ship you'll find out" said the man cheerily, "I must say I've missed smugglin'."

Daario looked confused in the darkness and the man smiled, "How rude of me? Davos Seaworth"

Ser Davos dipped his head rather than shaking his hands which were occupied rowing them to the almost invisible ship.

"Seaworth? That's a Westerosi name"

"Ah yes it is lad, I'm also known as the Onion knight"

This made Daario look even more confused which made Davos chuckle as he rowed, "Sorry lad I won't say anything else to confuse you even more"

"I'm being rescued by Westerosi? How did you even know I was in danger?"

"I can't answer your questions boy but all will be revealed when we get aboard"

Clambering aboard Daario follows Davos under the deck, the smuggler leads him into a cabin. Waiting for him is a very old woman who looks extremely frail, except for her vivid purple eyes.

"Daario Noharis, welcome aboard the vessel that's come to save you"

Daario looked puzzled at this woman's appearance and knowledge of his name.

"Thank you Lady-"

"Alaerya"

Daario dipped his head, "Thank you Lady Alaerya, but can I ask why? Why did you save me?"

"You have an important role to play in the wars to come. And your survival ensures a quick end to the Masters of Mereen, Astapor and Yunkai. For they all conspired in your death this night, and you'll have the chance to avenge that"

Despite being thankful he was still confused, "How do you know that?"

The woman smiled and next to her materialised his first and only true love, Daenerys. He stepped back in shock and looked to see a chair had materialised behind him. Sitting he looked around for a drink and a goblet materialised in front of him.

"You're safe here with us, now drink. You have a lot to catch up on"

Grasping the drink he drunk deeply until the glass was empty, it refilled before his eyes and he drunk deeply again.

"You're my kind of people" he smiled giddy from the alcohol, "Now tell me who are you and where are we going?"

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The voyage had been hard on Alaerya and once they rounded the Valyrian peninsula she simply disappeared from the ship and reappeared in her home. Satisfied with progress it was time to enact her final plan, slipping into a dream walking trance under the heart tree. She opened her eyes and sat under the tree and from behind the veil Aeyrelis slipped through and sat next to her in the roots.

"I'd forgotten how beautiful our lands are" he said as he sat next to his wife, he was young and handsome she was old and bent.

"We've come a long way" was all Alaerya managed to say her voice thick with emotion.

"Are you ready to come with me now?" he said gently to her slipping an arm around her.

"Soon"

"The children all wait for you, as do many others"

Alaerya looked across the garden and saw her children standing on the other side of the veil. Waiting anxiously for her to join them, their smiling faces made her heart ache. Visions flashed in her mind, memories of birthing and feeding them by breast. She had firmly closed off her grief at losing her children for so long but it now opened and came flooding out.

Her tears splashed on the roots of the weirwood tree as she felt the emotions rising fast in her like a tidal wave.

"I'll be with you all soon, Vaella is ready to leave. She barely leaves the volcano anymore, her size and age is too much for her now." she wiped the tears from her face steadying her emotions.

"She really is the biggest dragon to ever live." Chuckled Aeyrelis, "The world is terrified of Balerion but Vaella is bigger and more intense"

Alaerya smiled fondly, "She has been there through the years. All the hurt, the pain. It's been just me and her through it all"

She began to choke up again at the thought of what was to come even though she knew her body couldn't go on much longer.

Aeyrelis pulled his aged wife close and held her, "This is much better than the alternative"

Alaerya nodded, he knew she had seen a life where she was useless at the end and she refused to burden anyone. This reminder steeled her for what she was to do and why it was important.

"I will come when the pieces of the next stage arrive here, once I have them in place then I'm coming. I'm going to call them here now"

Aeyrelis smiled at his wife, the woman who had saved a large portion of their society and grown it to become a super power. She had successfully navigated expanding their territories and extended their ties to others.

"I'll be waiting close by" he said as he planted a kiss on her forehead and disappeared. The scene shifted and Alaerya felt them before she saw them, they stood looking confused in the weirwood forest.

"I need you all to come to Valreos and do not delay" she started looking around at them all.

"Is there a problem?" questioned Aeyrelin.

"I have something important for you all here and you must leave immediately and come"

Aeyrelin and Sansa nodded and disappeared from the meeting, Arya and Gendry looked confused but did the same. Aerylle and Jon left without question, and Alaerya cut the connection before anyone else could ask questions.

The following day they began arriving, Aerylle and Jon arrived first followed closely by the Baratheons, the Lannisters, and the Starks. Tywin and Kasarra were on Aeyrelos so made the short journey when they saw the dragons arriving.

Alaerya instructed her servants to leave them instructions of where to find her and with one last look at her home left for the last time.

Entering the powerful volcano on Allarian island Alaerya recalled when she first entered with Aeyrelis. How amazed they had been at what they had discovered and everything that had happened from then on. She found Vaella her oldest friend sleeping in the largest cavern near the lava. At her touch Vaella opened her eyes and slowly stood, her size and age making both difficult. Alaerya couldn't see the top of Vaella any longer, she had grown so enormous with the extra years and magic. It was unbelievable how immense she was. Her scales once a brilliant green were now dull and dark. Her eyes once a beautiful golden were milky white, she welcomed seeing Alaerya. Vaella knew her last ride was coming.

Alaerya's and Vaella spent long minutes together exchanging magic and reminiscing.

One by one they began arriving, Aerylle and Jon, Sansa and Aeyrelin, Arya and Gendry, Tyrion and Raena, Tywin and Kasarra and finally Jamie. He came on his own as Brienne didn't get pulled into the dream walking and so remained behind. All of them looked shocked at why they were here and the size of Alaerya's dragon.

Alaerya turned and smiled sadly to them, these people had ignited big feelings in her heart.

"The world doesn't stop turning for one person, all of Westeros thought Tywin was dead and didn't stop for him. Valyria died and the world adjusted. No one knew of our existence and went about with their lives. The world won't stop without me, even though many people may feel that way. I can't live forever and I don't want to. I've mourned too many people that passed before me and I refuse to live to see you all pass into the shadow too. Just know that when you do I'll be one of the first people waiting" spoke Alaerya.

Arya began crying silent tears as she understood what this was, this reminded her of the day she watched her father be executed. She pressed her head into Gendrys chest trying not to believe this was true.

"I'm leaving you all with special gifts that will reveal themselves to you in time, some will come sooner than others. My living descendants will also receive gifts, and my intention with what I'm doing here today is that I will give my life to make everyone stronger. The web of magic in this volcano will increase exponentially and all my people will benefit from it. Which will help you all in the times to come"

She held out her arms and they all came forward and embraced her, Jamie looked confused why he was there as he had t really spent any time alone with Alaerya.

He hugged her all the same and she whispered in his ear, "We still have some things to discuss, there are other ways for me to visit"

He didn't look sure of what she meant but he nodded all the same and she patted his arm reassuringly.

Slowly Alaerya removed the Ruby choker that never left her neck and handed it to Arya, "You'll know what to do with this" spoke Alaerya looking deeply into Arya's puffy eyes.

As Arya watched the glamour spell dissipate from Alaerya's form she aged even more considerably. Wasting away before their eyes, it was hard to watch but they remained all the same. Patting Vaella affectionately she slowly climbed onto the old dragon with difficulty and slowly Vaella took flight. The force of the dragons wings blowing all the hair from their faces as they watched what was to come next. Alaerya looked so small and old on her back she could hardly be seen. Circling around the enormous cavern once Vaella and Alaerya flew straight into the lava dissipating into innumerable particles as they gave their lives to the volcano. The ground rumbled beneath their feet and shook violently as Alaerya's magic exploded into the magic of the volcano. A blast of energy and heat exploded from the lava knocking them all back causing some alarmed fire priests to run into the cavern and stabilise the magic. The magic blasted everyone in the room and their bodies struggled with the changes. Their eyes all glowed bright as their magic was powerfully activated. Alaerya's magic spread all through Valreos and Westeros through all the people and places under their control. It made those of magic stronger and those with some magic more capable. While those who carried no magical talent remained unaffected. Alaerya and Vaella chose to die in a way that those they left behind were stronger for it.

Arya held the Ruby choker in her hand feeling the magic coursing powerfully through her and felt the urge to wear it.

Slowly she fitted the choker to her neck and felt the powerful surges of magic intensify within her. Her eyes glowed Ruby red and bright, Gendry grasped her hand and at her touch felt the jolt of magic course through him. His eyes glowed intensely before settling down again.

Everyone in the cave grappled with their grief that Alaerya was gone, really gone and slowly they all began to feel lost without her. The world felt less magical without her physical presence brightening it. Sansa and Arya hugged visibly shaken and grief stricken, many others just watched the space where Alaerya disappeared with ashen faces. It almost seemed they thought she would return from the lava anew, but Alaerya never came.

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Flying into the lava had been a huge release for Alaerya, both her and Vaella instantly felt relieved of the burdens of their bodies. The detonation of her energy catapulted her energy particles up and out of the volcano. She encircled the islands she once called home and swept through activating strong magic in her people. The winds spread her throughout Westeros too, from Dorne and Oldtown up the magic swept through the continent. Activating some nobility while not affecting some others, strengthening her people and causing the dragons in Westeros to sing a sad and mournful song. All over Westeros and Valreos the dragons sang in mourning for the mother of their people. People stopped what they were doing in the dark of night and watched the mourning begin.

As the magic swept north and swirled through the continent Alaerya began slipping away, coming closer to the veil which awaited her. At last the magic settled and Alaerya passed through the golden shimmering veil riding atop Vaella. Blinking and looking around at the crowd waiting to greet her in the afterlife, arriving to rapturous applause. Vaella screeched and extended her wings as she felt strong and vibrant again free of the limitations of her aged body.