King Jaehaerys II Targaryen
Sometimes he'd wake up in the middle of the night sweating and panting, images of the manor burning brightly in his mind, fixed to his eyelids unable to leave his mind, so engraved were they in his conscious. The Tragedy of Dragonsville had erupted from a simple ritual, trying to bring the dragons back, and it had come and claimed the lives of Jaehaerys father, goodsister, nephew and niece as well as the man who had been as good as an uncle to him in Ser Duncan the Tall. The flames could apparently be seen from as far as Harrenhal according to what Jaehaerys had heard after returning from Darry. His arm had been badly burnt during their escape from the burning manor. His right hand was so badly burned that Pycelle had told him he had two options either he could have the hand cut off or he could continue to apply lotions to it for the rest of his life and numb the pain. Jaehaerys already knew what he was called behind his back, he would not give his enemies more reason to gossip about him by having his hand cut off, instead he would keep the hand and deal with the pain.
It would serve as a reminder for the follies of trying to bring back the dragons, creatures that their family had chased for so many years and that as ever remained elusive. The dragons had brought nothing but sorrow to his family since they had died during the time of King Aegon the Dragonbane. Bringing them back was nothing but madness and would serve no purpose other than to make war a much higher possibility. Jaehaerys can still remember seeing the flames rising high in the air as he and his children fled Dragonsville, he can still hear the screams of those who died within the manor house as it erupted, they had arrived in Castle Darry bedraggled and injured, Rhaella had had contractions for an hour before they reached Darry, and it took all of Jaehaerys patience to get them into the castle whilst Lord Darry was out trying to deal with peasants.
Rhaella had given birth to a boy who she and Aerys had named Rhaegar, a boy who was so small and peaceful that Jaehaerys wondered what the woods witch had been prattling on about when she said that his grandson would be the saviour of the world, a heavy burden to place on such a small child. Jaehaerys was determined that his family would never again fall victim to the prophecies and the ramblings of mad men that had driven their ancestors to near ruin. He had ordered the books relating to the damnable prophecy that his father had been so engrossed in burnt and destroyed, other books he had mo0ved to his own personal library and instructed the gold cloaks and the Kingsguard that they were not to allow anyone but him into the library. He would not have anyone else suffer for the madness that had once more shown itself within their family.
He had also ordered that Dragonsville remain a ruin, a testament to the folly that would haunt House Targaryen from time to time and to remind them that they were nothing but mortals, not the gods that some still thought of them as. Jaehaerys also needed to make changes to his council, Ser Duncan had died in the flames and as such had been replaced by Ser Gerold as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and Ser Barristan Selmy one of the heroes of the War of the Ninepenny Kings had been named to the Kingsguard to fill the vacancy that Dunk had left behind. Jaehaerys had also named his uncle Lord Maegon Velaryon as hand of the king, and though he deeply hated having to admit it, due to his ill health, his uncle had more than proved his worth as hand, taking care of the more mundane matters of court and running the realm that would only serve to worsen Jaehaerys health.
Jaehaerys would often spend a large amount of time thinking back on the Tragedy and the things that perhaps they could have done differently and perhaps the things that they should have noticed. He knew that his father had not asked for Wildfire that was not part of the ritual that would supposedly bring the dragons back, that it was present at the ritual and under the exact spot where the fire was lit had made Jaehaerys very suspicious. The tragedy, though it was of course a mishap and an accident had been made to go wrong from the very beginning, he was convinced of that now. He had put Ser Dontos Waters to good use to find out more about who and where the people who had been working in the manor house, a place that the royal family had not frequented since the days of King Viserys II had come from.
His findings had turned up inconclusive though Waters had said that various lords had definitely conspired with one another to see an end to his father and his nephew and niece, whether they thought by putting him on the throne they would have more chances at getting what they wanted or whether their intent was to eradicate what was left of the Targaryen dynasty and cause a succession crisis, Jaehaerys knew not all he knew was that there were dangerous people out there and never again could his family take their hold on Westeros so lightly. With this in mind he had made concerted efforts to ensure that the realm healed following the tragedy, he sent out ravens to the lords who had been slighted or would have cause to feel anger with his family, and he spent his time bringing them back into the fold and making them fast friends, he spent time with the lords who had remained steadfast to his family through all the troubles to show them that their loyalty would be rewarded and that they were not forgotten.
There was only one most definite way to ensure that the peace that had been established following the death of Maelys Blackfyre would last. And that was to create a peace treaty that could last, and that would appeal to both sides. Daeron Stark was an old man and rumour had it that he was dying, his heir Prince Daemon though known as the angry wolf was not known for his interest in the south, and Jaehaerys was convinced that he could get the two to agree to a lasting piece, especially considering that Maelys had only left a bastard son and that both kingdoms desperately were in need of a lasting peace. He just needed to convince his council and get them to sign off on the treaty he had created with his uncle.
With this in mind he had summoned his council to discuss the treaty and anything else that might need to be discussed. They were all gathered in the small council chamber, hand of the king Lord Maegon Velaryon, master of coin Ser Monford Tyrell, master of ships Lord Edric Baratheon, master of laws Lord Horras Bolton, master of whispers Ser Dontos Waters, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Gerold Hightower and Grand Maester Pycelle. Jaehaerys cleared his throat and began speaking. "My lords I thank you for coming today. As you know, there is one major issue that we have left to discuss before peace can be achieved in Westeros for the good of all. Though there are those who would want the wars between us and the kingdom of the north and the kingdom of Dorne to continue, to do so would be to raise the body count beyond measure and would bring us no benefit. Peace must be achieved and I believe I have found terms that both sides can agree to. Maester Pycelle."
The young maester nodded and unfurled a piece of parchment from his robes. He looked at it and then spoke. "In order to bring peace to the seven kingdoms once more, his grace King Jaehaerys Targaryen second of his name King of the Andals and the Rhoynar King of the South, does propose the following terms for the peace treaty for acceptance by King Daeron Stark, King of the North and the Iron Islands. As the proclamation states, King Jaehaerys is willing to accept House Starks rule over the north and the iron islands as the two kingdoms sovereign and overlord and that the lords in those kingdoms will pay homage to Winterfell as their king, in exchange for this his grace requests that House Stark recognise House Targaryen as rightful rulers of everything south of the neck and the Iron Islands, these kingdoms including The Riverlands, the Reach, The Westerlands, The Vale, the Stormlands and that this kingdom be acknowledged as the kingdom of the south. Furthermore, in order to further consolidate the peace, King Jaehaerys proposes that formal trade agreements be set up between the two kingdoms and that these trade agreements include protection for both kingdoms merchants meaning that no attacks should be waged on them unless it is a time of war, and that the Ironborn must not raid the mainland Westerosi lands belonging to the kingdom of the south. King Jaehaerys also requests that House Stark and House Targaryen of Volantis prevent themselves from trying to claim the Iron Throne with accordance of the earlier requests in this treaty. In return for this, House Targaryen of King's Landing the rulers of the south will agree to relinquish all control of the north, the iron islands and Dorne."
Pycelle finished speaking and Jaehaerys looked at the lords of his council waiting for one of them to speak. As expected his uncle Lord Maegon spoke first. "A sound treaty Your Grace. And one that will further reinforce the image that it is you who is making the first step to getting the peace in place. Something that the various lords of Westeros shall be very grateful for."
Lord Horras Bolton a sly snake if ever there was one spoke his agreement as well. "Truly well written and phrased Your Grace. Once the treaty becomes common knowledge your lords will know that it was you and not Stark who broached the official peace. That will only strengthen support for House Targaryen."
Jaehaerys goodbrother though voiced his disapproval. "I still think you are being too lenient towards Stark Your Grace. It was he and not you or the Targaryens who started the previous wars other than the fifth Blackfyre war and that too ended in defeat for the north. Why should the throne have to give so much up to that mad man when it was he who put himself in this position in the first place? If nothing else he should be begging for peace."
Ser Dontos spoke then and said. "Whilst what you are saying might be true Lord Edric, the north remembers what started the fifth Blackfyre war and Daeron Stark old and crippled as he is, is too proud to come begging. Would you rather have peace for your children and grandchildren to grow up in or risk facing another war led by Rhaegon Blackfyre?"
His goodbrother grumbled. "The bastard has not been legitimised by the iron throne and remains somewhere in Essos, no doubt being taught lies. He should be killed Your Grace. And has the throne given up on retaining Dorne?"
Jaehaerys sighed then and said. "Edric I appreciate your concerns but we must chose our battles carefully here. We have a chance to have lasting peace I will not risk that for something that not even Aegon the conqueror could achieve with dragons. The time will come when Dorne realises they need to be part of Westeros again and when that day does we shall welcome them with open arms. This treaty must stand, and it will only stand if it has your approval, as members of my small council. Now does it?"
There is silence and then the members of his council all voice their consent to the treaty and six days later Jaehaerys, Lord Maegon, Ser Gerold and Ser Barristan ride north with twenty other members of the court to seal the peace that will hopefully prevent further bloodshed, whilst Lord Edric and Prince Lewyn ride south to Dorne to bring the peace treaty terms there.
King Daeron Stark
The year had been welcomed in with the birth of his seventh great grandchild, Daemon and Visenya's daughter Princess Daenaera Stark had been born on the first day of the first month of the 260th year after Aegon's Landing. Daeron had seen his mother in Daenaera's little face, she was so sweet and peaceful with both her parents' valyrian colouring, the silver hair and purple eyes, a happy child she would be and peace she would know hopefully. Daeron prayed that she would know peace now, what with both Aegon the brat and Ser Duncan the false knight both dead, the last antagonists towards the north were gone, and his son had been avenged. Daeron still harboured guilt that had it not been for his promise and for his obsession, Aegor would still be alive, so many people would still be alive had he been a sensible man, but then again he had always been too led by the heart and by his sense of duty and honour.
It had cost him in more ways than one, his relationship with most of his children apart from Elaena was nonexistent at best, cold at worst. He supposed that was what happened when your father spent most of his time obsessing over something that they could not understand or comprehend when it seemed doomed to fail from the off, he realised that now, though the wars had weakened House Targaryen's strength and made it so that they could not really threaten the north, they had also cost the lives of millions and millions of people., and it had all been because of him and his obsession, the guilt did gnaw at him daily, and sometimes he worried that he would never see the end of the grief and the torment. Only his rock of a wife Dacey, Elaena with her unending reserves of strength and his younger grandchildren and great grandchildren kept him from despairing so thoroughly.
Some part of him was also relieved that Aegon and Duncan the Tall were dead as it meant that his grandson Daemon had gotten his vengeance for the deaths of his father and for his first wife and daughter. Daeron had seen from the outside just what an obsession could do to a person, and he had feared that his grandson would succumb to the same madness that he himself had, and he had not wanted that for his grandson. For his grandson had it in him to be a great man, he was already on his way to achieving greatness, he was dedicated to his family and to their people. And was steadfast in what he believed in and worked tirelessly to see the north and the iron islands brought to greatness. Yes Daemon would be a great king, and the kingdoms would be in good hands once he himself was dead. He was more than grateful that Aegon d Duncan were dead, at least this way Daemon would also get time to spend knowing his new wife and daughter away from the shadow of of his dead spouse and daughter.
Daeron knew his time was running out, he was old and he had no more reason to truly be on this planet. Maelys, the last of his brother Daemon's descendants was dead, true the boy's bastard son Rhaegon was here, and was a lovely and sweet child, but Daeron no longer wanted to fight and cause bloodshed. He had done enough of that already in his life top last him many lifetimes, now he just wanted to spend time with his family and make up for the time he had lost when his madness had taken him. His gooddaughter Visenya was a sweet lady, fierce and strong, she would make a great queen perhaps even better than Samaira would have done, and she would be exactly what Daemon would need in the times that were to come, whether he wanted to admit it or not. Elaena of course would be there to help guide Daemon through what troubles would come and through whatever plans his grandson made for the north, as would Edwyle and Dacey. His wife, his rock, how she had remained with him through this all he knew not , all he knew was that he would never be able to truly repay her for everything she had done for him. All in all he was convinced that his family was being left in safe hands and he was grateful that at least he had not been a complete failure as a parent or grandparent and that he had been able to pass on some of what he had learnt to his descendants.
There was also the fact that peace had finally been achieved between the kingdoms as well that was something Daeron was grateful he had been able to achieve before he died. Jaehaerys Targaryen, Maekar's grandson had come north with two members of his Kingsguard and his uncle Maegon Velaryon in order to have a formal peace treaty signed that would bring a lasting peace to Westeros. Daeron had been more than happy to rouse himself from his bed and from his slumber to personally deal with the treaty, he had signed the treaty having found the terms agreeable and at the end of it all, felt as if a huge weight had been lifted of his shoulders. Now there would be no need to worry unnecessarily about potential threats from the south or from the sea. Jaehaerys seemed like a amiable fellow and no nearly as treacherous as his father had proven to be, perhaps Daemon and Jaehaerys would be able to develop the peace further and do what Daeron and the kings who had come before Jaehaerys had not been able to do.
Daeron had also managed to have a brief conversation with Ser Barristan Selmy, the new knight of Jaehaerys Kingsguard and the hero of the last war that had seen Daemon's descendant Maelys die. The man had killed Maelys himself and whilst at first Daeron had wanted to scream and shout at the man, when actually present to speak with him he found he could not do it and so instead had simply sat down with the white knight and asked him about his great nephew. Asking the knight if before his death Maelys had fought bravely and honourably in a fashion honouring his grandsire Daemon, and the white knight had replied that he had, and that had it not been for luck, Maelys would have won their duel and that there had never been a finer fighter that the knight had ever seen. Daeron was happy with that, atleast his brother's grandson had gone with a fight and not like a coward.
Jaehaerys Targaryen and his company had left some two moons ago, Daeron had been bedridden since then, his strength and his will to live slowly leaving him now that the peace had been signed, there were a few things that he had needed to oversee before he could finally leave this world and now that they had been seen to he was ready to go. That was why he had summoned his wife Dacey, his grandson Daemon, his favourite grandson Daeron Reed, his sons Jorah and Jonnel and his daughters Elaena and Lyanna as well as Visenya and Rhaegon and Edwyle. He spoke slowly his words soft. "My family, all of you are my family, and I do not have much time left, but you must know how much I love you all and care for you. Edwyle, I thank you for your unwavering loyalty and service, a finer High Steward I could not have found. Jorah and Jonnel, fine warriors and men, you have done myself and your mother proud. Lyanna, you remind me so much of my sisters that I know you will always do well in life." He took a short breath and Dacey's grip on his hand tightened. "Elaena, my sweetling I have always loved you the most. I am so proud of what you have become and I know that you will use your gifts to benefit the north for generations to come. As will you Daeron, do your mother proud and I know you will do the north proud as well." He took a breath and then looked at his wife and said his voice beginning to waver. "Dacey my love. I know not what to say that would thank you for helping me through the dark times and the good times. All I can say is that I love you, and I hope you can forgive me for my past wrongs."
His wife nods, a tear in her eyes and Daeron continues this time looking at Visenya. "Visenya, I know that we have had very little time to know each other, but I know you will make a fine queen and I know you will be a great mother. Raise Rhaegon in a manner that would make your grandfather proud." His gooddaughter nods and then he asks for his grandson Daemon to come closer which thankfully he does, he then whispers. "Daemon my boy, I know I did wrong by you many times. But I know you will make a great king, learn from my mistakes and see to it that the north only prospers and be good to your wife when things get tough she will be the only one you can count on."
With his farewells said Daeron Stark closes his eyes and then stops breathing, Daeron Stark, King of the north and the iron islands, the Winter Dragon, son of Willam Stark and Daena Targaryen, dies at the age of eighty eight on the seventh day of the ninth month on the 260th year after Aegon's Landing. A legend has gone from the world.