Prince Daemon Stark

Summer, beautiful summer, where the sun shone and lit up all it touched, a beautiful thing summer in the north. The people no longer needed to clothe themselves in heavy burden clothes, but could get away with wearing just a doublet and breeches even in the further northern parts such as Last Hearth. Summer had brought with it good trade and the lands of the north and the Iron Islands prospered and coin filled the coffers of the royal treasury, the people were becoming fat off of the produce of the land, noble and peasant alike and Daemon was happy for that. Peace was a good thing to have, it meant wounds could be healed and that the people could work together to ensure that there was nothing left to chance should something go awry come autumn.

It also seemed that with the coming of summer, the gods had seen fit to give Daemon the answer to one of his long held prayers. A raven had come from Sunspear some two days ago, from his brother Gyles announcing the crushing of the Targaryen invasion of Dorne and the death of the barbarous traitor Duncan Targaryen, who had died by Gyles' own hand. Whilst, Daemon was somewhat disappointed that it was not he who had been able to snuff the life out of the Targaryen dragon spawn, he was happy enough that at least Gyles had been the one to do the deed and it had not been some other Dornishmen. This had been a family matter and now that one part of it had been dealt with there was some satisfaction for Daemon. He no longer needed to spend time going over in agonising detail how he would kill Duncan the Small should their paths ever cross, and now he felt himself returning to some form of normality with part of his desire for revenge sated. That Aegon Targaryen still lived as did Duncan's children was still a pain for Daemon, but it would be a short lived pain for Daemon was already making plans to deal with the fools who had dared kill his father.

His brother had detailed the defence of Dorne with some detail and Daemon had once more felt pride for his brother, pride that his brother had single handily now not only conquered Dorne but had also led its defence. Killing Duncan Targaryen and forcing Lewyn Martell and the remainder of his men to flee northwards when the final push had come. Once more the Starks had shown up the folly and madness that had become King Aegon Targaryen in the south, they had once more shown the world that the Targaryens were egoistical bastards who would stop at nothing to get what they thought should be theirs by rights, even if the people they thought to conquer rejected them and fought them tooth and nail. From what Daemon had heard from their spies in the south, there was a great deal of tension in the south, Aegon Targaryen was treading a fine line now, he had waged two wars that had ended in humiliating defeats for him and his lords were growing weary and tired of war. That was good for Daemon and for what he was planning, for it would make it a great deal easier to achieve if the lords of the south were contemplating removing Aegon Targaryen from the throne.

Daemon also had other reasons to be happy for his brother, whilst he still remained a widow, his brother had wedded and bedded some girl from House Toland and had of course gotten her with child almost immediately. Gyles wrote that his children continued to grow daily and that he deeply wished that they could meet their northern cousins but as his duty dictated him to remain in Dorne for now, they could not. Whilst Daemon understood his brother's desire to ensure all was well in Dorne before he ever tried to bring his children north, he could not help but think that perhaps his brother was beginning to view Dorne as more of a home than the north had ever been to him. Daemon had always had the feeling of belonging in the north, that he supposed his brother bastard as he was had never felt or had, and so if Gyles felt more compelled to remain in Dorne where he felt welcomed and honoured then so be it, whatever he chose to do Daemon would respect his wishes.

He knew well enough that his grandfather had grown tired of waiting for him to chose a bride for himself. They had reached an agreement about that, but Daemon had at first been quite reluctant to properly put his heart into the matter so deep was his grief over Samaira and Jorelle's deaths that to even consider replacing them seemed like an insult to their memory, and that it was because of his grandfather that they had died, Daemon could not truly go through with it. After his grief had faded, Daemon had spent some time looking over the various options that were available to him, women from Houses Dustin, Ryswell, Umber, Dreadstark, Greyjoy, Karstark all over the kingdom came before him, to try and win his favour, he found none he liked, some became good friends of his and some even bed companions but none were women he would wish to wed.

Eventually the time came where a raven from Volantis arrived announcing that Visenya Blackfyre the last of two Blackfyres in the world had flowered and was ready for marriage and so Daemon had met with his grandfather and consented for a betrothal with the girl. She had come by ship with her brother Maelys, who himself was quite an intimidating man though a tragic character with his deformity, as well as two members of the golden company. Their party was in Winterfell for two moons and during that time Daemon got to know his betrothed. She was a fierce girl, just turned fifteen at the time she had come to Winterfell, a life on the run had taught her how to defend herself and whilst he found that endearing and useful he could not help but resent her for what she represented. They were betrothed and then married on the last week that Maelys Blackfyre was in Winterfell. A short ceremony done in the godswood, not done with as much pomp as what had happened for his marriage to Samaira, and that was because of what he had asked for. That had been six moons ago, and his wife was with child now, she thought it would be a boy, and as such they had discussed all sorts of names for the child, his wife he had learnt was stubborn on most things but willing to compromise on the names of their unborn child though she was not, she insisted on giving it a valyrian name and though Daemon did not want a child of his bearing the names of people who had brought nothing but suffering to his home, he agreed eventually. As such he was convinced it would be a girl, something inside of him convinced him of that fact.

He shook his head and brought his attention back to the discussion raging on in the small council chamber. The members of the council were all present today, Grand Maester Aemon, High Steward Lord Edwyle Stark, High Admiral Lord Edrick Cassel, Lord Treasurer Lord Edwyn Berstark, High Shadow Lord Donnor Reed and finally Daemon's own grandfather King Daeron Stark. Lord Reed was speaking most animatedly. "My excursions to the wall have shown me that the Night's Watch is nowhere near ready for the type of invasion that the wildlings are planning, they are deeply undermanned and the fact that the southerners are content to let the wall rot for their own selfish reasons means that there is a lack of fighters there who know how to instruct and teach. I am telling you my prince, without sufficient training and preparation the watch will be overwhelmed when the wildlings come marching and then we shall face a threat from the north, the like of which has not been seen since Bael the Bard."

Lord Edwyle spoke then. "So what do you suggest we do Lord Reed? Do you propose that we send our best fighters to the wall in order to train those whose duty it is to defend the realm from these savages as best as possible regardless of what their own struggles might be? We have enough issues to be thinking over without this one hanging over our heads as well."

Maester Aemon spoke then his voice ponderous. "Perhaps what Lord Reed says is not so farfetched Lord Edwyle. After all though the night's watch is sworn to defend the realms of men from whatever lurks beyond the wall, the watch is not what it once was, and has not been an instrument of pride for some time. Perhaps it is time to change that, second and third sons from the lords of the north would see it as an honour to serve the realm in any capacity and if it means going north and perhaps taking the black or serving as trainers for the new recruits the watch has then I do not see why that should be an issue. After all, there will be no more wars in the south that we have to worry about."

Lord Edwyn spoke then his tone brash as always. "I have to disagree with you there Maester Aemon. Those sailors who come to port at White Harbour have been bringing tales of the growing tension in Essos between Volantis and various others of the free cities. And Lord Manderly has heard reports from his own sources that Lys means to launch an invasion on the sisters and the eastern coast."

Lord Reed spoke then. "My sources have not reported anything of the sort my prince. Though it is possible they missed something considering the fact that I have been sending them north of the wall to make assessments of the wildlings."

Maester Aemon soothed whatever worries Reed might have had. "And you have served the crown well Lord Reed. We have made many preparations for the impending invasion from the wildlings and I am sure Prince Daemon will take into consideration your reasons for sending men north to better prepare the watch. But this issue with Lys must be considered as well, we cannot let another front of war open up on the eastern coast."

"I believe we must send men north to the wall. It would not do to have the watch fail, and have wildlings scampering about the countryside. We saw what chaos they caused during the time of Raymun's invasion and they were stopped at Long Lake at that point. I say the Lyseni are laying a false trail, but what they hope to accomplish by doing that I know not." Lord Edrick said.

"Men will be sent north to the wall, Maester Aemon send out a raven for the lords of the north and the isles, if any second or third sons wish to join the watch or head north to help defend their kingdom then they are welcome to do so. Ships will leave from the Stony Shore and from White Harbour as well as from Pyke. Lord Edwyn you say that there are threats coming from Lys, find out what you can and next time we meet I want a fully detailed report. If we are to face another invasion I want to be able to crush it before it begins." Daemon said.

"My prince whilst the ravens are a good idea, there will need be some sort of push a figurehead will be needed to show the lords that they are not sending their men to empty glory or dreams, someone will be needed to show them the glory in what they are doing." Maester Aemon said.

Daemon was silent for a moment and then said. "Well my uncle Jonnel has done nothing of note since coming back from Essos, he can lead the campaign. Send him on the recruiting drive and more men will rally to the cause."

Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen

Summer was sweltering in King's Landing, it always had been. When he had been younger, a child really he had always marvelled at how hot the city could become, and before he had truly understood just how his health prevented him from doing the things he wanted to do, he had played with his brother and sister and cousins in the courtyard, in the streets and had gone swimming in the Blackwater, doing things that would give him a coughing fit nowadays. As he had grown older and had grown more aware of what he could and could not do he had grown to despise King's Landing and what it represented, preferring to spend his time in Summerhall with Aelix and then later with his mother.

But now here he was in King's Landing, the hand of the king, to his father King Aegon, and he hated every moment of what was happening in the city of vipers, to his family, and to the kingdom that they ruled. When he had married Alysanne, Jaehaerys had never truly considered the repercussions of what marrying for love would have on the kingdom, he had been young and foolish and had wanted to follow his heart, after all his father and mother had. It just happened to be that Alysanne came from a family, who were slowly on the rise back up to power, the Osgreys had grown rich and wealthy following the survival of Lord Addam Osgrey after the Blackfyres, and Jaehaerys marrying the man's granddaughter had made it so that Lord Harrold Osgrey no longer thought it wise to fight for the black dragon.

If only Duncan's marriage had been as convenient as his own had been. Duncan, his big brother the man the crown and all its problems and woes were meant for. Duncan who had always been popular and well liked, who was able to charm anyone with a few words and a smile, Duncan who could have had any maiden in the kingdom and yet had fallen for a common girl. As much as Jaehaerys liked Jenny, he could not help but resent her somewhat, she had caused his brother to not do his duty and she had also made it so that Duncan's position as heir to the throne had come into question and though their father had continued treating Duncan as the heir, Jaehaerys had taken up much more responsibility and had been given Dragonstone as well. The pressure of living up to his brother had always caused Jaehaerys problems, but now it caused him headaches and sweats, it was painful.

Duncan was dead now though, killed fighting in Dorne, fighting another one of their father's wars. Their father had cost them another brother in the war before, the war he started against the north, Aelix had died trying to prove himself to the world that he was more than just King Aegon's son, that he was a skilled warrior or more so than his brother, he was dead now though, dead and buried as was Duncan. Jaehaerys mother Rhae had gone into a fit of grief when the news of Duncan's death had reached the capital, the whole city had mourned the passing of their brave prince, and there were murmurs of the gods wrath coming down on them for the sins of previous kings. Including Jaehaerys own Grandfather King Maekar who many still called a kinslayer. Jaehaerys mother had died some two moons ago, from a fever the maesters said, though Jaehaerys thought it was more than likely she had simply given up hope, dying a relief for her, away from King Aegon and his madness and plots. Oh how he envied her, he wished sometimes that he could die, but he could not, he could not leave the kingdom to his father's growing madness and insatiable desire for dragons, he needed to curtail it as best as he could, whether he would be able to he knew not.

He had after all caved into his father's demands and ordered his son and daughter Aerys and Rhaella to wed each other, though he had been trying to organise suitable marriages for them both. He knew Aerys had had a liking for Joanna Lannister and had thought that perhaps a match between Targaryen and Lannister would be a good thing; it would help to have the gold of the rock behind them even if the rock was ruled by a weakling and a coward. As for Rhaella, Jaehaerys was not sure who he would have wedded her to if not her brother; his little girl was such a fiery little thing, passionate, strong and smart, and more than a match for any man. He knew she had had a fancy for some knight from the Stormlands Hasty he remembered the lad being called but the lad was no match suitable for a Targaryen Princess. Perhaps Jon Arryn, might have been a good call, but for now such thoughts were no longer needed.

He regretted caving into his father's demands that Aerys and Rhaella wed, he regretted ever reading that damnable book about the prince who was promised that had given his father the idea to listen to that damnable wood's witch. He should have stood up for his children and told his father no, he should have done so many things, and that he had not done them would continue to haunt him he was sure until his dying day. He only wished to see his sister one last time as well if he were to die, he wanted her to be there, Rhaelle, his sweet and beautiful sister who had always had his back no matter what, she and Edric had always been Jaehaerys closest friends but now they seemed so distant and he knew why it was, and that only made him regret not standing up to his father all the more painful.

Still that was done now, Rhaella was with child, and hopefully the succession would be secure with the birth, as for now though he had a council meeting he needed to attend. Accompanied by Ser Gerold Hightower of the Kingsguard, Jaehaerys walked from the throne room to the small council chamber where Ser Gerold joined his fellow sworn brother Prince Lewyn on guard. Inside the room, the king, master of coin Ser Monford Tyrell, master of laws Lord Horras Bolton, master of whispers Ser Dontos Waters, master of ships Lord Maegon Velaryon, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Duncan and finally grand maester Pycelle were already present. Jaehaerys excused himself for being late and then sat down. Once he was seated Grand Maester Pycelle cleared his throat and then said. "Your Grace, my lords there has been word from Dorne; it appears that there has been an attempt to put the Martells back in power and it was crushed."

Jaehaerys nodded, this was no news, Loreza Martell had written to them of the plot her friends had concocted and though his father had given his approval to it all, they had never thought it would work. The king spoke his voice weary and tired. "Who were the leaders of the rebelling forces?"

Pycelle looks at the paper in front of him and says. "Ser Alric Gargalen and Ser Olyvar Allyrion Your Grace. Both men as well as their commanders have been executed and their bodies hung on display throughout Dorne as an example for those who would try and rebel again."

"Send word to Summerhall, Loreza will wish to know." The king said to maester, and then he asked. "Now what other issues are there that we need to discuss?"

Waters speaks then and says. "It appears as if the northerners have fallen for the little ruse we put in store for them with regards to Lys and their intentions. Daemon Stark has ordered his lackeys to strengthen White Harbour, the eastern coast and of course Stony Shore. These acts have of course caused Jon Arryn and Tytos Lannister to strengthen their own coastal defences, as well as causing awkward trading relations with Lys themselves for the north. Soon enough whatever trade they had with the city will disappear."

Jaehaerys saw his father smile then. "Good," the king said. "Continue spreading the seeds of doubt and remove the weak link in our chain in the north before Aemon comes to know about it Ser Dontos." The knight nods and then the king ask. "Now what of the Iron Bank have the gotten back to you Ser Monford with regards to the loan they claim that we have taken out?"

Ser Monford Tyrell uncle to the fat flower Lord Luthor Tyrell was a capable administrator and as such was confident when he answered the king. "Indeed I do Your Grace. The Iron Bank's ambassador admits now that they got the loans mixed up with the ones put in by Aerion Targaryen, and as such have recompensed the royal treasury for the hassle they put us through."

"That is good, that is very good. Now what word of Blackfyre? Has the boy moved from Volantis since we last met?" the king asked.

Ser Dontos spoke then. "He has Your Grace, he met with a group of cutthroats and pirates and has formed an alliance with them. They call themselves the band of nine and aim to work towards getting each other what they desire."

"Pirates and cutthroats? I am sure they can be bought off then to remove Maelys Blackfyre from trying to gain Westeros." Lord Maegon said.

The king paid no attention to his goodbrother and instead asked. "Have they made any progress this band of nine and are they getting any support from Volantis or any of the other free cities?"

Waters is silent for a moment and then he replies. "Volantis remains neutral, it appears that Aerion means to keep the peace in his lands for now. But they have the support of Lorath and Qohor, though those two cities cannot do much in the way of men and arms. Still they managed to take Tyrosh quite easily and have installed Alequo Adarys as the Archon of Tyrosh with Maelys being the one to slay the previous Archon. My sources within the company report that they have set their sights on the Stepstones now."

Jaehaerys looked at his father and saw that King Aegon seemed tired and worn out, more war it appeared would be on the cards. The king's voice was determined when he spoke next. "Very well, I want you to keep using the chain we have in the north. Lys cannot support the Blackfyre cause, and we must keep the Starks distracted for long enough. I want the warden titles activated, when Maelys Blackfyre lands on the Stepstones he shall meet the lords of Westeros, and the Blackfyre shall end once and for all."

"There is one more thing Your Grace," Ser Dontos said. When the king nodded the man continued. "Blackfyre has a bastard son, born from a daughter of Shiera Seastar and Aegor Rivers. It is said the boy is no older than a year but still a bastard could still pose a threat."

Jaehaerys looked at his father and though he knew what was coming next he still felt physically sick when he heard the words coming from his father's mouth. "Very well, the bastard cannot live. Send a knife close to the man to do the deed. Now everyone but Jaehaerys and Dunk leave."

The members of the council filed out and then Jaehaerys spoke once the door was closed. "You cannot seriously mean to kill a babe father! The child is not even legitimate it is but a bastard."

His father had a hard look to him when he replied. "Bastard or no, the brat could still be used to present a threat towards us and the dynasty. I will not have someone like Daeron Stark use the child to continue this gods damned war. No once the bastard is dead the Blackfyre line will end for good. For none will fight for that whore Visenya Blackfyre. Now are the preparations for Dragonsville complete?"

Jaehaerys sighed. "Yes father, when are we leaving for Dragonsville?"

His father had a glint to his eye when he said. "Once Blackfyre is dead, in two moons time we leave for Dragonsville and this time we shall not fail. The dragons will live once more."