A/N: Wow here we are at the final instalment of the Valreos series. I wrestled with how to end this story and had to let it sit for a long time because I wasn't happy with the ideas I had at the time. I didn't want there to just be happy endings everywhere and no hardship because that's not the GOT world. And up until now there had been loss but a lot of winning as well...so here we are!
I have also started another fan fic which centres around a different aspect of the story but still heavily involves the Starks and Targaryens...I will post the first two chapters in here for a preview. I also toyed with the idea of doing some short stories from Valyria and Valreos. That might come in the future once I wrap up what I'm currently working on. I am also going to rewrite the earlier chapters of this story to make them a little more refined :)
I want to finish my longest note by saying a massive shoutout to everyone who has taken the time to follow and comment...even if those comments expressed dislike of the story. I appreciate it all. I never thought this many people would read and follow this story! Thank you :)
Chapter 38 Farewell
The Citadel OldTown, Grand Maester Sand's Office
20 years later
Grand Maester Sand sat at her desk, her long dark hair streaked with more grey than black, trailing down her side touching the ground. her slender dark hand elegantly dipped the quill in the ink and wiped the excess slowly away. Her keen eyes glittered as she tirelessly recorded endless streams of words in the enormous book on her desk. The room was quiet except for the scratching of the quill and the screeches of dragons as they flew over her tower. Sarella paused and looked up at one dragons screech and slightly shook her head smiling, she knew the sound of her dragon like a mother knowing the cry of her babe. After a long time she rested the quill to the side and examined her work, with a curt nod to herself she began cleaning the quill. Satisfied that she had done enough for today, glancing up at the knock which sounded at the door momentarily her eyebrows knitted in concern. Flicking her eyes across the room she found her jewelled and inscribed sword, a gift from the previous Westerosi ruler Aegon 'Jon' Targaryen. Silently the sword obeyed her magic and flew to her hand, placing it across her lap discreetly Sarella cleared her throat.
"Enter" she spoke commandingly, with her hands crossed calmly on her desk.
The great door slowly creaked open to reveal Samwell Tarly in the doorway, the years had been harsh on Lord Tarly yet he still managed to smile at Sarella.
Awkwardly he bowed respectfully, "Archmaester Sand"
Sarella's face relaxed, "Sam! I wasn't expecting you to come at this hour! Where are the children?"
"I left them at Horn Hill with my advisors," he slowly crossed the room and sat across from Sarella, "I came because I think we have a problem"
Sarella gazed at Sam calmly as she pondered what this problem might be, the kingdom of Westeros had been peaceful and prosperous under the guidance of the Valreons. Problems lead to upheaval and that could be a dangerous thing. Using her magic she rolled her mind through Sam's but only met barriers, she smiled he had been practicing magic of his own to have that level of protection in his mind.
Sam had gone through extreme heartache since returning to Westeros with his wife, the lines on his face showed his grief for all to see. And he was no longer the round overweight Lord he had once been, the weight had gone giving way to a large solid frame which was still soft but much thinner. He had a sad wiseness in his eyes now though, the years hadn't been able to dull that.
"What problem do we have Sam?"
Momentarily Sam glanced down at his hands, "Someone is trying to raise the Night King"
Sarellas eyebrows returned to being knotted together in concern, "He's gone forever Sam, we were assured-"
"No, he isn't gone not completely. Well, he is gone but his power is still here alive in the world"
"What are you saying Sam? Is the North in danger?" hissed Sarella urgently, her mind flicking to those she loves who are in the North.
Sam slowly nodded, "If Jon fails we are in danger Archmaester, and we will need to be prepared for what's to come"
Sarella reached onto her lap and stroked her sword, its jewels glowing brightly at her touch. Slowly she raised the sword and placed it on the desk between her and Sam. Her eyes hardened and determined.
"Whatever is to come we will be prepared. There will be no fight this time, I'll prepare the city and send word to the other schools and temples. Who is trying to raise this evil?"
Sam looked conflicted and sad at the same time, Sarella could see he was reluctant to tell her a name.
"I swore the secret-"
Sarella raised her hand, "I already suspect I know, please just tell me this. Are her powers developed or is she still learning?"
"She's-she- still learning" he stuttered in response.
Sarella nodded slowly, "Let's hope Jon succeeds then, it will destroy him to have to kill his daughter"
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Moat Cailin, House Targaryen
Jon stands on the bank of the Neck, Moat Cailin and the surrounding town which he rules behind him. The wind is whipping loose strands of hair wildly around him a mix of black and grey now, his stern face turns to look up at the sky around him. A dark and intense storm is brewing all around him which matches the emotions he feels inside. Returning his gaze to the bank of the Neck he recalls how he felt the first time he saw what she was capable of. When he knew in his heart he might have trouble later on, but he ignored it in the hope her education on Valreos would help her through.
The memory came thick through his mind of that day, when he saw his daughter conjure a dragon of ice from the water in the swamp. Little did he know that's how she would escape when she couldn't handle the growing power any longer. The loud sound of wings pulled Jon from the vision in his mind and he looked up to see Rhaegal flying with his mate. It pained Jon to see them together, Rhaegal had mated with Aerylle's dragon. Jon watched them fly together in perfect unison, rolling around each other gracefully owning the skies around their offspring which littered the sky. Jon's mind wandered to Aerylle and he quickly shut his mind off to all thoughts of her. She was gone and no amount of thinking brought her back or made life easier. Yet his mind wandered again, and again until he became so tired every day he would slip into painful dreams.
The scroll in his hand flapped in the wind as he read it, news from the south from Sam. He had spoken to Sarella, the southern cities would be secured. He felt relieved and thankful of Sam, his faithful friend who didn't ask questions but knew exactly what was going on. He never once questioned Sarella being informed of the turn of events. Jon felt he owed it to her after what had happened between them. Sighing deeply at what lay ahead he knew it couldn't wait any longer, the time to act was now. Rhaegal pulled away from his mate and dived to the ground, Jon vaulted off the ground using his magic to get height and they flew North directly into the storm. The air was cold and frosty as they climbed higher, but Rhaegals warmth kept Jon somewhat warm as they flew through the wild winds and angry clouds. Jon knew he couldn't fly directly over the wall without visiting Winterfell so dragon and rider diverted to visit the Northern capital and his sister who ruled there.
Circling the enormous castle Rhaegal chose to land in the Godswood, coming to land amongst the dire wolves who lived at Winterfell now. Jon dismounted and turned to see a smiling Sansa waiting for him, they embraced warmly and she smiled at him. But when she looked in his eyes and saw the anguish she knew something was wrong.
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"How long do we have?" asked Sansa stiffly
"I don't know," replied Jon blankly as he stared into the fire, "Not long"
"How long has she wielded this power?" said Sansa with barely a whisper as she came to sit beside Jon at the fire.
"Less than a year, I thought she was ready. She showed so much promise" his voice cracked as tears slipped from his eyes.
Sansa placed a hand on Jon's forearm and wrapped her other arm around him pulling him close. He cried silently into her shoulder.
"Jon-" he looked up at his sister as she spoke, "Come I need to show you something"
Jon looked confused but followed Sansa deep into the castle, looking around her Sansa lightly touched the wall and a panel slid aside revealing a hidden tunnel. She quickly shoved Jon inside and directed him to walk, "This place has many secrets brother, this is one of hundreds tunnels in the castle that I discovered when I found the plans originally written by Bran the Builder. You'd be surprised just how many secrets this place has"
"Where does this go?" asked Jon squinting into the dark tunnel.
"It goes to a secret chamber where there is a hot spring under the castle, I'm sure you remember your history lessons. Winterfell is warmed by hot springs, well those hot springs have a system of caverns that accompany them. I've been exploring them as part of my work with the dragon hatchery and I found something. I could only find one written article of it in all of history but if it's what I think it is you'll need it"
Jon followed Sansa as he felt the warmth growing around them until it was very hot, with no where to go the heat made the caverns almost unbearably hot. Sansa seemed unaffected by the heat so Jon pressed on, despite sweat springing from his brow. A light began to lead them forward and Sansa put the torch on the wall and beckoned for him to follow her. When they entered the cave Jon was taken aback, in the middle of the cave floating in mid air was a flaming sword. Jon's mouth was open in disbelief, "Is this what I think it is?"
Sansa nodded slightly, "I think so"
Jon stepped forward reverently and stared at the sword as its flames danced enticingly for him.
"How did you find this?" He asked without turning to look at Sansa.
"We need more space for dragon eggs, every year our dragons lay more and more eggs but we didn't think this many would need storing. Seeing as I'm a Stark I told everyone to remain in the dragon hatchery so I could explore the caves alone. I found many amazing and priceless artifacts hidden among the caves, when I found this sword it was laying wedged in the wall of the cave. When I removed it the sword burst into flames and burnt my hand," she showed Jon her hand the ugly burn still marred her skin, "lucky for me I can work magic so I brought it into one of the caves connected to a secret passage and hid it there"
"I take it you didn't try and touch it again?"
Sansa laughed, "No, definitely not. But when I touched it," she paused and stepped closer to the sword, "I saw you and I saw Lyanna. I don't know what this means but I think you have more chance of surviving with this blade"
Jon stroked Blackfyre, and he felt his fingers sizzle in response but in his heart he knew Sansa was right. Lightbringer was what he needed, a tear slipped from his eye and he hastily wiped it away.
Sansa saw and put her hand on his arm and started to speak but Jon wrenched away and crossed the cave to have a moment to himself .
"I have to kill her don't I, my own daughter named after my mother as well" he laughed bitterly, "you'd think with what lives inside me it would be easy. But it's not, it never is"
"That's what sets you apart from anyone else who becomes a custodian of this power Jon, the power it brings has no effect on you"
"Who do i pass this curse onto if my beautiful daughter couldn't resist it?"
"Well she chose to become who she has, but you remained unchanged. It all comes down to choice"
Jon mutely nodded, it still didn't dull the ache in his gut that wanted to save his daughter.
He turned back to the sword, "what do I do with it?"
Sansa smiled and shrugged, "I have no idea, just try and touch it"
Jon stepped closer and the heat was burning him, shakily he reached out his hand and screaming in pain grasped the hilt and held the sword in his hand. The flames disappeared when he grasped his hand totally around the hilt, breathing heavily Jon looked at the blade turning it in his hands. When the flames extinguished the sword was really just a plain sword, no embellishment or special detail to give its identity away. Jon sheathed the sword across his back and turned to Sansa, "I best get on with this then"
His face was grim and set with determination. If he failed who knows what evil would be unleashed, at least Westeros was United and would be better equipped to fight unlike last time.
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Flying with Rhaegal over the wall was bittersweet for Jon, he had been north of the wall since the defeat of the Night King but now he was going back to his favourite place with a grim task at hand. The air was cold and frosty, the ground was free of snow for the first few leagues after the wall. He saw crops and herds of animals below him, large villages had been set up and life above the wall had really flourished since the dead were defeated. Ahead he could see a dangerous storm brewing in the distance, and he knew that could only be the magic that was within Lyanna. Pushing on with Rhaegal Jon landed in the eye of the storm, they had dived through the eye of the storm and landed in a whirlwind that swirled all around them. An enormous ice castle had sprung from the Mountainous terrain, imposing with thousands of ice crystal spikes protruding from the exterior. Jon nodded to Rhaegal and mentally told him to watch from above and come back only if he was in trouble. The dragon screeched in response and disappeared above the clouds showering Jon with ice crystals in his wake.
"Of course you came" snarled a voice behind him.
Jon turned and his heart broke to see his daughter dressed in black armour wearing an ice crystal tiara.
"Lyanna-" he started, but she wordlessly snapped her foot on the ice and raised the rocks under his feet, opening a chasm for him to fall into. He magically sprung into the air over her head and she hurled ice spears at him magically. He just managed to avoid one as he bent his body and twirled as a shadow. Angrily she strode forward her eyes glowing blue as the ground under Jon's feet opened up to swallow him. Again he vaulted away from her attacks but just as he landed dozens of ice arrows peppered him. Several struck his shoulders and he grimaced in pain ignoring the throbbing sensation growing in the area and pulling them from his body. Remembering his training from so long ago he put aside that this was his daughter and strode towards her. As he strode an armour of shining blue ice crystals enclosed his human form and his eyes crystallised as the energy dormant within him took over. Lyanna laughed maniacally and attacked him, enormous legions of undead rose from the snow and rushed at Jon as she glared down at him. The undead rushed all around him and snapped, snarled and slashed seeking to tear him apart. Their attacks were meaningless and after several minutes of swarming him they ceased their attack. Lyanna glared down angrily face contorted in disbelief as her soldiers disobeyed her command. The undead stood aside and Jon glared up at her as her soldiers dissolved back into the snow. With an unearthly shriek she hurled her own ice sword directly at him, it hurtled true aimed straight at his heart. The point of impact never came, the ice sword shattered in the air and a piercing screech sounded through the air. The ground rumbled and shook, rising and falling as if it were water, Jon disappeared into a shadow twirling through the turbulent wind and snowfall. Landing behind Lyanna he silently drew his sword and struck at her as he furiously strode forward. She spun lightning fast and their blades clashed, ringing loudly causing snow to crash down from the mountains around them. The pair ducked and weaved around each other's attacks, however Jon pushed Lyanna slowly towards a trap. She saw this and smirked, Jon heard several growls and thuds around them as they fought. Looking up he saw four enormous dragons made of ice, their bodies cracking and grinding as they moved. In unison their eyes glowed blue and they unleashed their icy fire all at once. The fire struck Jon powerfully, he screamed in pain as the ice fire immobilised him momentarily. He felt a sharp stabbing in his back and slicing as Lyanna drove a dagger through his chest from behind. Grinning with greedy hunger she sliced into her fathers chest and reached in with one hand. She pulled hard and her hand emerged with Jon's heart in her hand, it was black and bleeding down her arm. Staring down at the power she held she knew this heart needed to be hers if she wanted to become the most powerful wielder of ice magic. Aiming her dagger at her own chest she pulled back her hand to cut into her chest. At the point of impact a bright purple light cut through the air knocking Lyanna from her feet. The ice dragons ceased their attack on Jon and he crumpled into the snow, lifeless his heart in Lyanna's hand. The purple flame cut through the ice magic and formed glowing purple ropes which bound Lyanna's hands, feet and mouth rendering her useless. She struggled but it was futile, the magic and the power within it surpassed her own. Her hands still covered with her fathers blood were fused to her sides, Jon's blackened heart lay in the snow in a pool of blood. The ice storm began to settle as Lyanna's magic became contained, through the storm clouds vortex flew Sansa. Her eyes glowing purple as she worked her magic, landing on the snow she saw Jon dead in the snow. Her eyes grazed across the terrain and saw the bloody pile nearby, reaching down she pulled his still beating heart from the snow and rolled him onto his front. Undeterred by the blood Sansa slid the heart through the bloody cavity and replaced it in his body, using her magic to return it to its original place. Rhaegal landed with a thud and Sansa merely glanced up at him and stepped away allowing Rhaegal to grasp Jon in his claws and whisk him out of the storm. Sansa watched him go her heart aching at the possibility of Jon dying on the flight back to Winterfell which is where she knew Rhaegal was taking him.
She was roused back to the task at hand by the sound of struggle and snarling from behind the bindings her magic had created. Slowly Sansa turned to look over the monster in her nieces body and scowled with hatred. The ice in her glare stilled the hopeful Ice Queen and they regarded each other coldly for a moment.
"I knew your Father despite his training would struggle to do what has to be done. Deep down he knows but he will never accept that you're gone Lyanna. Taken over by a power you didn't ask for and had no hope of controlling, so now I'm here"
Black armour emerged from Sansas skin that resembled dragon skin, spiked spines clicked out all along her spine as she smiled and stepped forward. Holding out her hand blackened with the armour a great sword materialised, a plain sword with no embellishments but a power that was palpable in the air. The fire magic emanating from the sword burned through the ice magic controlling her and was agonising, her screams were blood curdling even though she was gagged. That was the last sensation she felt as Sansa brought the sword down with great force and destroying the evil heart in her nieces chest. Upon impact Lyanna's body shattered and a powerful force exploded outward in all directions, screeches and screams echoed all around Sansa that took her back to when the undead had defeated Westeros all those years ago. In response a surge of purple flame rose around her in a vortex and exploded outward, silencing the evil screeches of the ice magic. Immediately the storm disappeared and the last of the storms snow fell to the ground, all around Sansa. She stood panting from exerting such powerful magic leaning on the sword which was slick with dark blue blood. She grappled internally with the reality she had killed her niece, a child she had loved immensely and had shared countless memories with. When the last of the snow had fallen she called out to her dragon to come, the leathery sound of wings came moments before she landed behind Sansa. Turning to mount the dragon Sansa saw something twinkle slightly under the snow, it was a blue stone ring. Bending down she gingerly wiped the snow away which revealed a hand, she recoiled in shock before frantically uncovering more snow. She found silver hair matted with snow and let out a ragged sob, it was Lyanna. How she was back in one piece Sansa didn't know but she used her hands to melt the snow around her and uncovered her body from being buried by snow. She looked over her form and some tears fell from her eyes as she looked over Jon's daughter crumpled and lifeless in the snow. Wiping them away hastily Sansa turned and mounted the waiting dragon who lumbered forward to grasp the body of her niece before launching through the clouds.
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Jon floated in painful darkness for what felt like an eternity, plagued by nightmares and anguish. He saw his family slaughtered by his own hand, his daughter attacking him laughing maniacally as she plunges lightbringer in his chest as she becomes the Night Queen. Then Aerylle is standing over him holding his heart in her hand smiling maliciously as she crushes it before him. He thrashes and cries out but the visions never stop, at one point he is covered with the blood of every soul who has ever died and he struggles to breathe….
He hears muffled voices talking all around him as if he's under water, voices he faintly recognises. Frantically he runs towards the voices, pushing through an endless sea of dead bodies. Bodies of his friends, family and everyone he's ever known. He steps on faces and hears bones crunch sickeningly as he rushes through a veil of light. The pain cascades over his body as his eyes open and he sees he is surrounded by golden strands of light. The voices become thunderous and cause his head to pound in agony but he can't move his hands to relieve it. The voices pause and footsteps that sound like earthquakes thunder towards him and he cries out in pain. Jon's eyes focus and he sees the room around him, his heart skips a beat as he realises where he is. The Temple of Healers on Valreos, standing above him are his former mentors from the Temple of Healers and the Temple of Shadows. One looks ethereal and the other demonic, his eyes flutter painfully as he struggles to keep them open.
He pants in pain and says with a strained voice, "I'm dead"
"No Jon you're not dead, but you have plenty of healing to do" says the Head Healer
"Let me die" he says through gritted teeth
"No" says the Shadow Master, "Death is not an option, shadows don't give up. No more talking until your healing is complete"
The golden cocoon is suspended magically in the air of Jons room in the Temple of Healers, the magical golden strands transmit powerful healing energy through his body, restoring and regenerating the devastating injuries he sustained. This is a form of healing not used often only for the most dire of injuries.
"How is he alive after this?" hissed the Shadow master quietly as they watched over him with worry.
The Head Healer continued gazing at her former student, "Nothing in our writings have an answer for this, my guess is when our magic activated what was latent in their people it created something new. Something powerful, whatever it is we will decipher it. Alaerya would've known what to do, I'll consult the Ruling Council for access to her writings"
"What of his daughter?" said the Shadow Master telepathically.
The two women looked to one another, "She lives but is stripped of all magical abilities. We will leave it up to the Westeros council to decide her fate seeing as she's their citizen. She has no memory of who she is, I tried to retrieve her memories but…..they're completely gone"
The Shadow Master pursed her lips together, "if he lives through this send him to me when he's no longer weak. Seems our training must resume"
The Head Healer bowed her head in acknowledgment and continue to feed the healing cocoon with magic. The process would be complete within a day and the long recovery process would begin.
Recovery was painful and long, Jon didn't want to live and that made the process even harder. He was in constant pain from the damage Lyanna did to his body which was magically healing. Part of his spine had been crushed, his heart removed from his body and the damage which couldn't be seen took time to heal. Slowly he improved over months of being watched over by the Head of the Healing temple. One night she was cleaning his wounds when he looks at her squarely as says, "What happened to my daughter?"
Sighing she set the bowl of herbal cream aside and replied, "She survived but lost all her memory. She is also here at the Temple"
Jon's face dropped in surprise, "She's here?!"
"Yes Jon," said the Healer sternly, "but you're not ready to see her. We haven't assessed her properly yet"
"What do you mean assessed her?" he replied hotly, tears stinging his eyes.
"She hasn't spoken a word since she opened her eyes, and she has no memories for us to access. We don't know if she still poses a danger"
Memories flashed through Jon's mind of his daughter from childhood, how she was a sweet beautiful girl.
"My daughter is not a risk anymore, the magic has been destroyed"
"We don't know that yet" returned the Healer firmly, "I don't trust she's been completely purged of that evil. We have no way of knowing, we need to be cautious-"
Exasperated Jon threw his hands up and limped away to brood at the window.
"I know she's your daughter and you're protective but we don't know we can trust she's been completely cleared of that power! We can't risk anymore lives, you almost lost yours that is too much. Until we have a clear path to proceed we tread carefully"
Jon ignored her and remained at the window, he had grown so tired of everything. Since Lyanna had turned on him he hadn't felt any sense of happiness in his life. A part of him died on that mountain and not even being back on Valreos could revive any sort of happiness or passion he had for living.
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The Halls of the Temple were pitch black, only his senses as a shadow guided him through the maze of hallways and obstacles. He followed the scent he knew so well, Lyanna. When he found her room rather than opening it he exploded into a shadow and seeped through the gaps around the door.
Returning to his physical form he saw her sleeping in the middle of the room, his heart wrenched as the memory of seeing Daenerys like this returned to his mind. Pushing it down he approached her silently and when standing by her side took her slim hand in his. He cried as he looked over her, remembering when she was born on the voyage her mother died on. All the memories of her first step and first word made his head pound painfully, where was she now?
Her eyes fluttered open and she blearily looked up at him, "Father?" she said weakly.
"Sshhh, it's ok" he said softly smoothing back her silver hair, "I just wanted to see you're alright, I'll leave you now"
Lyanna nodded and laid back down as he began to leave the room, but when he reached the door it was covered with ice preventing him leaving. Jon turned back to see Lyanna standing behind him smiling maliciously.
"How easy it was to fool everyone I'd lost my memories, when I wiped them months ago when I overcame little Lyanna"
Jon froze as the words washed over him, wordlessly the frozen armour materialised and his eyes glowed blue. It pained him physically to do this but he ignored the pain and let it happen.
"You lost to me before Father, you'll lose your life now"
Lyanna pulled a sword from the air, Jon immediately recognised it as Lightbringer. How did she come to have this?
He ducked out of her strikes and spun around her fast kicking out her legs sending her crashing to the floor. Lightbringer clattered across the floor.
Before she had a chance to reach Jon sent a stream of ice blasting Lyanna which was too powerful for her to resist. It sent her flying across the room as the Ice beared down on her. Freezing her to the wall and rendering her immobilised. She laughed and laughed like she could easily free herself.
"You can't kill me Father," she paused and continued in a mocking voice, "You're the shadow that can't kill his little girl"
Jon's heart hardened in anger as he felt the dark energy take hold of him, he held out his hand and Lightbringer obeyed. The cold steel in his hand comforting and familiar, Lyanna was still talking and mocking him but he could only hear the pulsing of fury. He strode towards her and without warning drove Lightbringer deep in her chest. Her words caught in her chest as Lightbringer glowed bright blue, blinding Jon with its brightness. The cold crept up his arms as he felt her life force dying away, when he looked back up at his daughter she had gone. Yet Lightbringer was still glowing blue, he wrenched the sword from her chest and blood spurted across the floor around his feet. Jon exploded into a shadow and knew where he was going next, the ice door had melted and he dissipated into the night.
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Jon materialised at the foot of the great Weirwood on Valreon Island, he retched on the ground from working too much magic when he was so weak. The world spun and he struggled to gain composure after killing what was left of his daughter. What he struggled with the most was that he didn't feel any guilt or remorse, he would do it again. Even though he reasoned to himself that the evil had killed off Lyanna before him it still didn't stop the sick feeling in his stomach.
"No one can be trusted with this," he moaned as he realised the implications of his words. His vision steadied and his hands changed from blurry and numerous to just one set of hands amongst the blood red Weirwood leaves. He opened his eyes and looked up at the great tree, or should he say great trees. The Weirwood was actually two trees entwined around each other like two lovers in the throes of passion. Now he remembered a second tree had been planted when Alaerya died, the first tree held Aeyrelis ashes and the second was in memory of Alaerya. Feeling overwhelmed Jon cried out in agony, physical and emotional pain washed over him as the events of recent times felt like it was crushing him. Why did his life never get easier? After Aerylle was poisoned nothing good had happened in his life, and he lived with the guilt that the poison was really meant for him. He suddenly remembered that day when he was Leader of Westerosi. An inocuous toast at a party in his honour was being made, two glasses were set before them and Aerylle was smiling up at him. Pride and love across her face, absentmindedly she picked the glass meant for him. Thinking nothing was amiss Jon picked up her glass, everyone toasted and drank. Aerylle was dead before the glass was emptied, and no amount of Jon's healing powers could rescue her from the other side of the veil. Pounding the ground in front of him Jon felt the leaves of the Weirwood all around him, the rustling of the leaves doing anything but comforting him. Grasping the cold steel of Lightbringer he saw it still glowed blue, he looked up at the tree. Jon hobbled forward on his knees and reached out to the tree, he heard a shout behind him but ignored it. The moment he touched the tree he plunged the sword through his own heart. For a moment he felt nothing, then the feeling of an explosion was his last memory. Jon's blood gushed over the roots of both Weirwood trees, which soaked straight into the tree and disappeared. Lightbringer glowed blinding bright encasing the Weirwoods in a bright bubble preventing anyone approaching it.
The Head Healer had shouted out to Jon, she had seen him kneeling in front of the tree reaching out to touch. Wanting to stop him she called to him, then he simply exploded and sent her flying back to land next to Valreon House hundreds of metres away.
When the light subsided she ran to him, he lay face down on the roots of the tree, Lightbringer lodged in his chest. It still glowed blue, when she tried to remove it she was burned and it hissed at her.
Footsteps behind her made her turn, startled to see the Masters of the Temples behind her looking on sadly, Jon was beloved in Valreon society. The Shadow Master stepped forward, "Allow me to help, this sword possesses great evil now, and it's resting place isn't finished"
At her last word she exploded into shadow which twirled and whirled around the blade of Lightbringer until it began to dislodge from Jon's chest. A loud click sounded when it fell on the roots, returning to her form she hastily beckoned the Healer to move back. Lightbringer rattled and danced on the roots of the tree before the roots began crawling over it and absorbed it into the tree. The bright light of the sword could be seen inside the tree until it slowly ebbed away.
The Head Healer fell to her knees as she watched tears streaming down her face, tears streamed down the face of every Temple Leader at Jon's sacrifice.
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Sansa stood on the docks of White Harbour in her black dragon leather armour draped in black veil bearing the three headed Targaryen dragon with a white wolf alongside it. Her eyes were red rimmed but without tears, she had cried too many tears upon receiving the news from Valreos. Arya stood beside Sansa wearing the same but tears rolled down her face, fresh and anguished. Behind them most of the North stood in various stages of mourning. Over head dragons lined the entrance to the bay in two rows, and Jon's boat silently glided between them. An enormous pack of direwolves had somehow made their way to the top of the buildings which looked over the bay and howled continuously when his ship breached the horizon. Jon's children stood in a row behind Sansa and Arya, devastated that two of their family members returned home no longer living. Jon's remaining three children with Daenerys comforted their younger siblings, all five of them. Sansas heart wrenched for those children who had now lost both parents at a young age, she knew how that felt.
When Jon's boat docked the dragons began to sing in unison such a sad song every person and animal on the docks cried with them. Their song penetrated into the heart pulling sadness and grief out in droves. It was the most emotional scene many had endured since losing so many to the undead many years ago. Brienne was in the crowd to farewell her old comrade remembering how she had escaped Westeros on these docks many years ago, Jamie by her side. Tyrion was atop a horse with his wife and Sam and Gendry hugged unable to look at Jon's body being carried on a pyre covered with flowers from Valreos.
Sansa and Arya grasped hands tightly as Jon and Lyanna were carried from the ship by Valreon workers. The dragons swooped all around as the procession to Moat Cailin began.
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At Moat Cailin Jon's eldest son, and heir to the castle, Eddard lead the procession. Tears stained his cheeks but his face was hardened in resolve. He had followed and watched his dad for years especially when he was leader of Westerosi for five years. He had learned a lot from his father and had grown to be a good man like him as well. Everyone gathered under the enormous Weirwood in the centre of the castle grounds. The resting place also of his mother Daenerys and his step mother Aerylle.
Jon's body lay under the weirwood tree, dozens of dragons flew overhead. Rhaegal and Drogon sat still on the battlements of the castle, they extended their huge wings and landed alongside the tree. Their forms so huge they almost crashed into the castle walls, they crouched down and as the Valreon priest chanted the funeral rites both dragons bathed his body in fire forming ashes in the shape of an egg. The egg floated over the Eddard's hands, he felt mixed emotions as his fathers life came to end in this way. As fresh tears spilled down his face he bowed his head sadly and released the egg to bury in the soil at the foot of the tree. The Weirwood roots immediately surrounded Jon's ashes and absorbed them in the ground. The tree grew in response even taller and the face of the Weirwood shifted, Jon's face looked out at all of them.
Sansas eyes filled with tears as she came to grips that her big brother was gone, after giving Eddard a reassuring hug she hastily exited the mourners to return to Winterfell.
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Across the sea in Valreos the two weirwood trees sway in the wind as the dragons sing their mourning song. People weep in the streets as they hug each other close and remember the hero that saved the world alongside their beloved leader Alaerya. Targaryen House on Valreos was flooded with Valreon flowers and sentiments, and so was the Weirwood tree where he died. The roots were strewn with flowers and magical amulets for the afterlife.
The trees swayed as they had always, and how they always would as they watched out on the world that stretched in front of them.
Some people swore they heard the voices of Aeyrelis and Alaerya if she sat long enough amongst the roots. Yet today no one sat under the tree among the roots, on days of mourning the tree was left alone.
The trees rippled slightly as the veil that held them in the physical world shifted. Aeyrelis and Alaerya stood on the other side of the veil looking out at the world they had left behind for different reasons. Hands clasped together they just smiled and turned to look at one another, the space above their eyes glowing. They both were drawn into a dream walk to the past, back to Valyria.
They were young lovers then, two young naked bodies entwined around the other after enjoying their young love together.
"One day my love, our House will rule all of Valyria. I will build my house with you by my side my love, we will be unstoppable. Our enemies will not be able to touch us"
Alaerya laughed at Aeyrelis, "Really, is that your whole plan?"
Aeyrelis face became serious and jumped from the bed, "Every House in Valyria vies for greatness, if we do not make a move soon House Ballaer will have both of us killed!"
Alaerya looked at him seriously and seductively climbed off the bed and walked slinking across the room to press her naked body against his.
She stared powerfully straight into his eyes and smiled sweetly, "We will rule Valyria my love, but what I'm trying to say is why stop here? If we can rule Valyria then our family can rule the world"
She wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped up to wrap her legs around him and pointed back to bed.
He laughed in between her kisses, "Ok my love, first Valyria and then…..the world"