Chapter XXIV

Jaehaerys

Jae smiled as he put Daeron atop his shoulders, the young Targaryen smiling and mimicking the noise and movements of a dragon around the room. Visenya was in a corner, not doing much, sticking on the bed as Arianne played with her.

As Daeron grew tired, he finally got a moment's respite, and decided to gently let the two-year-old heir to the Seven Kingdoms down, placing him on the bed next to his sister. Daeron slumped on the bed, right on top of Ghost, who jerked upwards in surprise for a second, before slumping down again.

Recent days had been hard for the direwolves, with the loss of Summer affecting all of the pack it seemed. Ghost had made longer and longer trips to the Kingswood, sometimes leaving for a week without coming back to the capital.

Deep down though, Jae knew his companion would always come back to him, whenever he would need him.

"They just don't stop, don't they?" Arianne said, pulling Jae out of his reverie as they left the twins to their nap.

"No, they don't." Jae chuckled, "I cannot believe they haven't been giving Jeyne and Sarella a hard time."

"Well, Sarella manages. Lady Swann on the other hand…well she'll want to go back to the Stormlands if things continue this way."

"I can understand that. Being around these two isn't the easiest thing."

"Well…it's about to get worse." Arianne smirked.

"Yes, I can't wait till they hit six or seven years old. Then the trouble is just going to get bigger."

"Oh, I wasn't talking about that." She smiled. "I'm talking about a third."

"You…" Jae gasped in shock. "You're…again?"

"Sarella confirmed it." Arianne nodded. "It's only a matter of months now."

"Well, Ari, that's wonderful!" Jae gasped, as he brought her into a tight hug.

"Now that we are on the topic of children. I've gotten news from Quentyn." Arianne answered as she broke off their embrace.

"Have he and Gwyneth consummated their union? I wasn't aware of this."

"No, Gwyneth needs one more year, according to Maester Caleotte." She shook his head. "Nymeria has given birth."

Jae stiffened.

"And?"

"Well, the girl has Nym's looks. Darker skin, dark hair…"

"It's a girl then. But whose?"

"That's the problem, Jae…we still don't know." Arianne shook her head. "Her eyes are purple, and it could be yours as much as Edric's."

"Shit." Sighed Jae.

"Don't worry." Arianne put a hand on his shoulder. "You know how we treat bastards in Dorne. Quentyn won't let anything bad happen to her. Samira will be fine."

"I promised myself I would father no bastards, Ari."

"And you still could have not." Arianne shrugged. "Mayhaps she is Edric's. We don't know, and will likely never will, unless her hair colour changes, or her eyes become grey. Do not worry, Samira will grow a happy young girl, and Quentyn will raise her in the Water Gardens alongside all the other noble and smallfolk children."

"I trust you, Ari, it's just…"

Arianne brought him in for a long kiss.

"You worry too much." She said, bringing him back to a calmer state. "Now come, we have matters to attend to, I believe."

"Ah, the reform of the Watch, is it?" Jae sighed. "We better get on it, then."

Both of them left the children to the cares of Ser Archibald and Lady Jeyne, and made their way towards the council chambers, where the small council was already present.

"Your graces." Stannis bowed as they entered.

"Lord hand." Jae acknowledged. "How are matters?"

"Well enough." The grim stag nodded. "We've been waiting for you to confirm the two appointments to the kingsguard to replace Ser Daemon and Ser Andrew."

"Olyvar Frey and Arys Oakheart, is it? You have my approval, provided Ser Balon confirms it." Jae nodded.

"Good additions to the guard." Ser Balon nodded. "I shall give no opposition to this."

"Good." Jae nodded, sitting down alongside Arianne, as he looked over a few papers. "Let's start with the Night's Watch, shall we?"

"Since the Night's Watch serves no purpose now, it has been transformed according to your wishes." Stannis nodded. "The oaths will not be for life, unless a capital crime is committed. The Night's Watch will continue to defend the realm against wildling attacks, but also help restore the realm's infrastructure and work on various projects across the Seven Kingdoms. Have we forgotten something?"

"The current sentences." Jae replied.

"The current sentences will be reviewed and dealt with by various northern tribunals under Lord Stark's authority. Lord Commander Jaime Lannister will oversee the handing out of the new sentences as well."

"Have the people I requested sent to me, do not forget."

"I won't."

"And how goes the planification of the New Flea Bottom?" Arianne inquired.

"We've done some good progress, your grace." Davos Seaworth replied. "A third of the slums have been rebuilt, and the new sewer system has nearly been finished. We've managed to get rid of the stink, and the new roads will soon be paved."

"Do you have an idea on how long it will take to finish?" she continued.

"Around a year, at most." Ser Garlan, who had been invited to retain his position as Master of Coin and "guest" of the Iron Throne, answered. "The crown's finances should be able to handle this, especially since erm…the Lannister and Tyrell payments will be due soon."

"Good." Jae nodded. "Lord Monford, how goes the rebuilding of the fleet?"

"Slow, but steady." The Velaryon lord nodded. "We should bring the Royal fleet to full capacity at Dragonstone within five years."

"Good." Jae nodded. "The Stepstones should be our goal at medium-term. I'm done with these pirates harassing us. A campaign with the Essosi Empire should bring them to heel, but I do not wish to rush things."

Suddenly, a few knocks were heard at the door, as Ser Brienne entered the room.

"My apologies, your grace, but the Reachmen are here." The knight intervened.

"Ah." Jae nodded. "Very well. I'm sorry, my lords, but I'm afraid I will have to cut this meeting short. Lord hand, Lord Garlan, you may stay. The rest of you may take your leave."

The men nodded and quickly vacated the room, leaving he, Arianne, Stannis and Garlan Tyrell alone, as Brienne showed the men in.

"Your grace." The men and women bowed before them. There were a sizeable number, but Jae managed anyways.

"My lords and ladies, welcome to the capital." Jae nodded. "I'm sorry for not coming to greet you in the throne room, we've been quite busy as the realm needs repairing."

Jae then proceeded to greet each of the lords, from Rowan to Hightower, before his eyes settled on Randyll Tarly.

"Lord Randyll." Jae smiled as the lord look confused, only watching as Jae turned to Samwell and acknowledged him. "Lord Tarly."

The man bowed.

"I serve, your grace."

"Erm, my excuses, your grace." Randyll Tarly, asked confused. "I am Lord Tarly, and my son took the black, he is no longer entitled to Horn Hill."

"He isn't?" Jae acted surprised. "Well, this royal decree says the opposite. It names Lord Samwell Tarly as Lord of Horn Hill, and it sends you to a lifetime term in the Night's Watch."

"What?" Randyll Tarly gasped in shock.

"Well, the penalty for kinslaying is death, but my wife here did point out that you only threatened your son with death if he didn't join the Watch, so it was only fair to send you there in his place."

"This is preposterous!" The former lord of Horn Hill cried out.

"You threatened Sam?" his wife, Melessa asked. But before she even got a word in, she slapped him hard. "You told me he joined willingly!"

"Well, he didn't, my lady." Jae shook his head. "And now, he will take his son's place. If he covers himself in half the glory Lord Samwell did…well then, I'll commute the sentence. But I fear this will be a tall task."

Jae smiled, before continuing.

"In the meantime, chambers will be prepared for you, and a feast will be served tonight. Except for you, Lord Randyll. You're under arrest." Ser Brienne instantly came to the old man's side, stopping him from trying anything. "Lord Hightower. Lord Tarly. Please stay. We have more matters to discuss."

Once the room was empty, Jae finally relaxed, as he nodded to Lord Tarly.

"Lord Tarly, have you met Lord Baelor Hightower?" he asked. "Lord Baelor is the new Lord Hightower after his father passed away recently."

"My condolences." Lord Tarly nodded. "I don't think I ever had the pleasure."

"Well, we knew it was coming." Lord Hightower sighed. "My father was old, he wouldn't have held another winter."

"In any case, you two are the lords I can trust most, and I will need you for a special operation." Jae smirked. "I wanted to trust Lord Willas with it, but ever since the incident…"

He glared daggers at Garlan Tyrell, whose face reddened.

"Well, you know. I turned to you."

"What kind of operation?" Lord Tarly asked.

"Ever since House Targaryen has been put in place." Stannis started. "A conspiracy has arisen amongst the maesters of the citadel. One to wipe out the dragons as they presented a true obstacle to their point of view: that magic must be eradicated. Their point is good, but their ways of doing so isn't. For years and years they've worked to hamper House Targaryen and eliminate any trace of magic from the realm, which nearly doomed us during the War."

"And if they did it once…" Arianne shrugged. "They won't hesitate to hamper our efforts again."

"Maester Alleras has given us records of the citadel. These fuckers were so adamant they wouldn't get caught or betrayed that they kept a record of everything." Jae smiled.

"The king tasks us to bring this conspiracy to an end. A permanent one." Baelor Hightower nodded to Samwell Tarly, who continued reading the parchments.

"This is treason of the highest order…" the Lord of Horn Hill gasped.

"Indeed." Stannis nodded. "Which is why you two will form an alliance to take out the conspirators root and stem. The crown will follow any action you deem necessary. However, since maesters have eyes and ears across the realm, you must stay as discreet as possible."

"And this alliance of circumstance…well, Lord Tarly…it must be sealed somehow." Baelor nodded. "And this is why I came to offer my eldest daughter Thea in marriage, to seal the pact. You may meet her if you wish. She's a clever woman, and will make you very happy."

"I…don't know what to say." Samwell gasped.

"Don't say anything." Jae replied. "Get some rest…and then go meet your betrothed. I believe you've got a lot of things to do."

Lord Tarly nodded.

"Right. Here are more details…"

Arianne

Arianne smiled as she received news from the Reach. It seemed that the maester's conspiracy had been put to rest, with news spreading quickly over the realm as lords were made aware of their maester's potential treachery. It seemed like there would be quite a stir in the days to come.

She thought that Jae would feel happy that the maesters were no longer a threat, yet when he appeared in their chambers, he still had a worried look on his face.

"What's troubling you?" she asked.

"News from the Vale." Jae replied, holding a raven scroll. "Read this."

Arianne read the small raven scroll quickly, before nodding.

"Robert Arryn is dead." She groaned.

Jae nodded.

"This means the last of the Arryns has died."

"Which may lead to war…" Arianne shook her head. "The last thing we need as these kingdoms need to heal. We've already got enough problems with the plans to avoid a famine."

"Aye." Jae nodded. "However, Lord Royce went two steps ahead of us. He already has proclaimed Harrold Hardyng as ruler of the Vale. This Harrold was conveniently married to one of his daughters, Fiona, for two years."

"You think Royce is behind this?"

"I don't think he would kill the boy, but I damn well think he knew it would be an inevitable possibility."

"Who would contest their claim, then?"

"Houses Waynwood, Redfort, or even the Arryns of Gulltown." Jae sighed. "If we do not confirm Harrold Hardyng as ruler of the Vale, we will have civil war soon."

"And if we do, we risk dividing the Vale."

"But we might keep the peace."

"Does this Harrold have a daughter, or a son?"

"He has two, I believe. Two daughters."

"Offer to confirm Harrold's appointment as Lord Paramount of the Vale in exchange for fostering their eldest." Arianne replied. "You confirm the appointment, but their heir will stay with us, which will hamper the Royce's decision to take control in all but name."

"That might be the smartest decision indeed, although I don't like taking hostages."

"Tell that to the six or seven reachmen and women we have here."

"Different circumstances."

"Circumstances that could have led to war." She shrugged. "You know it will save lives in the future, and being fostered in the Red Keep is an honour."

"Well then, you always had the better ideas."

"I know." Arianne smiled and kissed him. "And I wonder what you would do without me."

"A lot of stupid things, I expect." He chuckled.

"Not as much as I." Arianne scoffed in response. "Have you thought about Visenya's gift, as well?"

Jae nodded.

"Harrenhal…I don't like that place." He confessed. "It is too dark, and cursed as any place. Honestly, I just plan to make it a military fortress, and give the surrounding lands to neighbouring riverlander houses."

"How about Duskendale?"

"Too close to King's Landing for my liking. Besides, it is hardly a castle."

"What, then?" Arianne asked. "Daeron will have a crown, but what will Visenya have. Brightwater Keep?"

"The Florents weren't all loyal to Stannis." Jae replied once more. "Alester Florent will get to keep his castle, although most of his lands will be forfeit."

"Where, then? Essos? Dragonstone? Or some keep in the North? You told me about Moat Cailin."

"I plan on rebuilding Summerhall."

"Summerhall…" Arianne whispered. "Why not Dragonstone?"

"Dragonstone is reserved for the heir to the Seven Kingdoms. It will be Daeron's title to have. Summerhall is a ruin, and is located in a strategic position between the Reach, Stormlands and Dorne. An ideal place to build a castle."

"I see." She nodded. "And has your small council been made aware of this?"

"Not yet. Garlan Tyrell will be fuming since he already has to deal with the reconstruction of the capital, the royal fleet, and the Northern keeps."

"Not to mention the fit your hand will throw."

"He'll come around eventually."

"Not to mention the debts owed to the Iron Bank…"

"Oh, don't get me started!" Jae laughed. "These ones will try to squeeze every last gold dragon out of us even though if it weren't for us, they'd be undead ice men right now. Garlan will have some work ahead of him."

"This means less work for us." Arianne smirked.

"What do you mea…" Jae asked, before he was cut off.

Instead, Arianne cupped his cheeks with her hands, bringing them for a long and passionate kiss, as they had done thousands of times before. She could never get tired of tasting his tongue as they danced together.

Both of them slowly collapsed on the bed, as she tossed Jae's clothes aside, while he roughly undressed her, setting aside her intricate azure dress. As they roamed each other's bodies, Arianne looked at her husband up and down, before smiling wildly.

"I love you." She said with a wide smile.

Jae laughed and kissed her forehead.

"I love you too, my queen."

"Then prove it and make love to me, my king." She smirked in response.

Jae didn't have to be told twice, and got to work. Sometimes life was worth living just for moments like this. The two of them, in control of the Seven Kingdoms, enjoying each other's bodies, as they headed towards a new era in the history of Westeros. And they'd enjoy it together for as long as the gods allowed it.

Well that is the end of the "main" story, it has been quite the ride since the start! However, this isn't the complete end, as there will still be a couple epilogues coming your way, including something I promised long ago. Stay tuned for more this week-end.