"He looks like the last dragon prince…"

"Rhaegar's son…"

"The dragons have returned at last."

Aegon smiled and nodded at smallfolk who had gathered at Duskendale. He'd disembarked from the Pride of Driftmark – a warship Lord Velaryon had gifted to him – with Lords Velaryon and Celtigar and Harry Strickland at his side. Lord Bar Emmon and Lord Sunglass would arrive soon with more men. Those two lords – and Lord Velaryon – seemed utterly loyal already; Lord Celtigar was more tricky. At times the sour-faced lord would offer helpful advice; sometimes he ranted on about the troubles his House faced after the defeat of the Targaryens.

"They're pleased to see you my king," commented Lord Velaryon. "It is a good sign is it not?"

"Very much so my lord." Aegon mounted his horse and his lords followed suit. The smallfolk parted to create a road for him and his party. Aegon gave them all a second smile as a thanks of appreciation. "What of this Lord Rykker?"

"House Rykker fought for your grandfather during the Usurper's war. I do not think Lord Rykker will fight for House Baratheon."

Slightly reassured, Aegon slowly made his way towards the castle under Lord Velaryon's quiet directions. For the first time in his life, Lord Connington was not at his side, hissing advice and complaints into his ear. It felt refreshing to ride on the cobbled streets of the port town without feeling Lord Connington's blue eyes on him the whole time. I will always think of him as a father, Aegon thought as he rode passed a large building that stood like a giant in the middle of a line of small buildings. I am glad for a little bit of freedom though.

"That is the Seven Swords." Lord Velaryon nodded at the huge building they'd ridden passed. "The biggest inn in Duskendale. An immensely popular inn as well. Over there is the Dun Fort, the seat of House Rykker."

The Dun Fort was a squat square stone castle with big drum towers. It did not take Aegon and his party very long to ride there and when they arrived, the Lord of Duskendale was already waiting for them in the courtyard with his family and household. The two black warhammers crossed on a white saltire on blue sigil of House Rykker were emblazoned on the standards that flew proudly atop all the towers of the Dun Fort. Aegon was pleased that word of his arrival had spread; it would shorten his journey around the Crownlands considerably. The lords of the Crownlands can gather and swear allegiance to me here, Aegon reflected. It won't take long for us to march to King's Landing and force Stannis Baratheon to yield. A fool can even tell it is time to surrender. From what he heard in gossip, Stannis did not get along with his usurper brother – why would he remain loyal and hold the Red Keep for his unappreciative king? Stannis Baratheon wouldn't be allowed to remain Lord of Storm's End, but if he yielded swiftly, he might be permitted to be a man of the Night's Watch.

"Your Grace," said Lord Rykker, bowing deeply as Aegon dismounted from his horse. "What a great honour! Dun Fort had the pleasure of serving many kings of old and will be happy to serve another."

My grandfather King Aerys did not enjoy his stay here. "Your people are pleased to see me," remarked Aegon. "They lined the streets to greet me. It was quite the warm welcome, my lord."

Lord Rykker beamed with delight. "The people of Duskendale have oft prayed for the dragons to return, Your Grace, and our prayers have been answered!" He raised his hands. "The Seven have blessed you Your Grace."

Aegon smiled. "May I present Lords Montford Velaryon and Ardrian Celtigar?" He gestured to the Narrow Sea lords. "And Harry Strickland, the Captain-General of the Golden Company." Margaery had told him the names of all the lords of the Narrow Sea in private shortly after they had sworn their allegiance to him.

"My lords." Lord Rykker nodded at Lords Velaryon and Celtigar. "Captain. I am certain you know who I am, but for formalities sake, I'm Renfred Rykker, Lord of Duskendale." He stepped back and motioned for a pretty woman with curly black hair and dark brown eyes to step forward. "My wife, Lady Ceryse Manning," Lord Rykker introduced, "and our children: Raston, Jarwell, Alyce and Cerissa."

Aegon nodded at each Rykker child when Lord Rykker named them.

"You must be hungry Your Grace," Lord Rykker said to him. "Come, we'll break bread. You wish to talk, yes?"

"Of course." Aegon handed the reins of his horse to Monterys Velaryon who he had taken into his household as a page. Lord Velaryon did not seem as thrilled as Aegon anticipated, but Monterys was elated. Aegon followed Lord Rykker inside the castle and into the Great Hall. His heart warmed with pleasure when he saw a Targaryen banner hanging in the Great Hall beside the Rykker banner. A spark of hope blossomed in Aegon's heart. Did Magister Illyrio speak the truth when he'd said women sewed dragon banners in secret?

After everyone sat down at the high table and the servants began putting food in front of them, Lord Rykker began talking again. "I have already summoned my men," he informed Aegon. "By tomorrow at dawn, all my soldiers will be ready to follow you into battle Your Grace."

"Thank you my lord," said Aegon, sipping the wine Lord Rykker poured him. "I am grateful. Your aid will not be forgotten, Lord Rykker. I will always reward and honour my good allies." Perhaps if Margaery gave him a number of sons, the last would wed Lord Rykker's future granddaughter. "Will you be leading your men?" he inquired. "There will always be a place for you in my war council."

"Oh no, I fought in enough wars Your Grace." Lord Rykker chuckled. "A bit too many. My son Raston will be leading my men."

Aegon nodded thoughtfully. "I plan to march to King's Landing once all of the lords of the Crownlands swear allegiance to me. You do not mind if I hold council here for a few days, my lord?"

The look of delight returned to Lord Rykker's face. "Honoured, my king!"

A speck of suspicion flashed across Aegon's mind. In his meagre experience in dealing with Westerosi lords, convincing them he was truly Rhaegar's son and to help restore him to the throne were always the most difficult of problems Aegon had faced so far. Usually the solution included making a dozen or so promises of more land, more gold, perhaps a future betrothal even. No lord had so far greeted Aegon so warmly before. What if Lord Rykker was only feigning loyalty?

"The road to King's Landing won't have many obstacles Your Grace," Montford Velaryon told Aegon. "Many lords have died recently and their lands inherited by children. The Lady of Hayford is a child of three; still mastering walking I believe. Lords Edgerton and Cressey fought in a duel and both died, leaving their lands to their sons who have only begun ruling by themselves. Both of them will be easily swayed to join your side, Your Grace. Lady Stokeworth will probably declare for the king who agrees to marry her second daughter Lollys to an important lord or promises to grant House Stokeworth the Rosby lands. Currently the Rosby lands are under the nominal rule of the late Lord Rosby's ward. I doubt he will be much trouble, Your Grace." He smiled.

"There are still many obstacles," objected Lord Celtigar grumpily. "There's the Chytterings for one. Last time I went to court, I saw a Chyttering serve as page to the king! Those Chytterings and Baratheons were always close." He scowled and began to rant on about how one of his great, great, great aunts was initially to be wed to the Baratheon Lord of Storm's End when she was repudiated in favour for a Chyttering girl.

"Thank you my lord," said Aegon politely. "I'll remember House Chyttering as one loyal to the Usurper."

"There are other Houses too," Lord Celtigar warned.

"There are plenty of Houses loyal to His Grace," said Lord Rykker at once. "I've heard the Mootons and Darrys are waving the dragon banners once more."

Lord Velaryon chortled. "That'll be trouble for Lord Tully. It seems His Grace's letters from Dragonstone have already reached the Riverlands."

Aegon smiled. Excellent. Before he left Dragonstone, he'd written letters that'd stated his heritage and his desire to reclaim the Iron Throne as was his right. The noble Houses that flock to him would be richly rewarded; those who fight for the Usurper would not fare so well. If the Starks, Tullys and Arryns bend the knee to him, they would be forgiven for all past actions. If those particular Houses plan to fight for the Usurper once more…

There would be no mercy for them.


The banners of different noble Houses throughout the Seven Kingdoms waved wildly in the courtyard of the Dun Fort. When Aegon looked down from the stone balcony, he could not resist a grin. Instead of Aegon himself searching for allies, a dozen or less lords were here, clamouring to his side.

Lord Connington counselled for me to wait, contemplated Aegon, walking down the stairs to the Great Hall. It was his seventh morning breaking his fast with the Rykkers at Dun Fort. Lords Sunglass and Bar Emmon had joined them with their joint ships joining Lords Velaryon's and Celtigar's fleet tied to many docks in the harbour in Duskendale. Every day a lord or two arrived at the Dun Fort to swear allegiance to Aegon and were welcomed to share in Lord Rykker's hospitality. If I had waited, all these lords would be feasting with the Usurper's son, not promising me their armies and declaring their delight in my House's long last return. He then thought about his lady wife. They had exchanged few letters since Aegon left her at Dragonstone, in fear their ravens would be shot down and their letters read by their enemies. Aegon hoped he would receive a letter soon stating that he would be a father. He was the last male Targaryen – he needed sons.

Not the last Targaryen though. There was his aunt Princess Daenerys who still dwelled in the North. Once I sit on the Iron Throne, I will tell the Seven Kingdoms that the bastard they know as Daenerys Sand is in truth Daenerys Targaryen, only surviving daughter of King Aerys II. Now that would shock the northerners.

Before Aegon could sit down and eat, he heard excited whispers between Lord Velaryon and Lord Rykker. Frowning slightly, Aegon joined them. "Is there news, my lords? Perhaps Stannis Baratheon surrendered?"

Lord Velaryon snorted. "Forgive me Your Grace, but do you know Lord Stannis Baratheon? He'd rather die than surrender."

Aegon thought it would actually be better that way. The less Baratheons alive, the better it was for him to rule in peace – not that he would ever sleep well with the notion of even one Baratheon-blooded human being still alive and skulking in the Seven Kingdoms. I will not murder them. No, I am not a cruel man.

"A rider earlier this morning from the Riverlands," said Lord Rykker excitedly, rubbing his hands together. "Apparently-" He broke off as the heavy doors of the Great Hall swung open and a cluster of men in Tyrell colours marched in. Aegon's mouth dropped open.

The Tyrell men were guarding a woman.

A woman.

Highborn, certainly, by the look of her richly embroidered gown and rather icy expression, but why did she require the protection of so many men?

"You must be my grandson-in-law," declared a different woman's voice. Aegon watched as a tiny ancient woman tottered out to the front, her lacquer black cane tapping the stone floor. "Aegon Targaryen is it?"

"Yes," said Aegon cautiously. The old lady tsked. "You do not sound so certain, young man," She shuffled closer to Aegon and squinted at him up and down. "You seem healthy enough," she announced loudly. Aegon glanced at the other lords in the Great Hall. Some looked nervous; others seemed to be refraining laughter. "It is always a grandmother's desire to have healthy grandsons-in-law." The old lady eyed him for a moment. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Will you not be greeting your grandmother-in-law?"

Oh.

Oh…

"It's good to finally meet you, my lady," Aegon said, recovering rapidly. "I have heard a great deal of-"

"Kind words?" The Queen of Thorns cut in with a sharp laugh. "I thank you for your politeness Your Grace. We must have a little chat soon." She smiled – or was it a smirk? "Now," she said briskly. "If you still have a speck of doubt on believing or trusting House Tyrell, allow me to put you at ease." She waved a spotted hand at the Tyrell men. They instantly stepped aside and the highborn lady reluctantly stepped forward, stony-faced. "This is Lady Catelyn Tully," said Lady Olenna with a rather victorious grin. "Wife – now widow – of Robert Baratheon and mother to the new Baratheon usurper."

Aegon felt a smile spread on his face. What a prize! Though Lady Catelyn Tully wasn't the king or even a prince, she was the queen mother and with her here as an honoured guest, the Tully, Baratheon and perhaps the Arryn forces would not be so quick to ride down and attack. Yes, the Tyrells had done very well indeed.

"My lady," said Aegon, giving the expressionless Lady Catelyn Tully a suitable nod. Though she was the Usurper's widow, she was still a highborn woman. "It is a delight to meet you. Welcome to the Dun Fort, Lord Rykker's keep."

"You will be safe here," said Lord Rykker helpfully. "Upon my word Your Gr – I mean my lady, that no harm will come to you here in my home and every comfort will be given to you."

"Everything except my freedom," the Tully lady said icily.

"That cannot be helped," said Aegon in what he hoped was an apologetic tone. "This is a time of war my lady, and your presence here may…postpone any hopes of further bloodshed."

"You are a stranger to me." Lady Catelyn's blue eyes glared at Aegon. "For all I know, you could be the son of a tanner who happens to have Valyrian features. It might be possible that you are a well-educated man from Dragonstone who has a desire to be king. You could've concocted a story that convinced the Dornish and the Reachmen, but I know Rhaegar's son died in the Sack of King's Landing."

"You were only told that," said Aegon calmly, "probably by Varys, your father, other lords or even by Robert Baratheon. You weren't at King's Landing then. It'd be impossible for you to know Prince Rhaegar's son died. He wasn't. Certain men still loyal to my House smuggled me out and replaced me with a peasant's son. It was what happened and here I am, reclaiming my birthright."

Lady Catelyn's eyes grew frostier. "My son is the king now."

"Another usurper." Aegon returned to his seat. "I am a merciful man though. It is not in my interest to see more blood spilled than necessary. I will give you pen and parchment. Write to your son. Tell him to give up his claim and I will permit him to take the black. His younger brother can too. You can visit them as well my lady. Would that not be more pleasant than you mourning their deaths?" He gave Lady Catelyn a moment to think before turning to Lord Rykker. "My lord, will you have a servant prepare a chamber for Lady Catelyn? One befitting her status as a lady of a Great House of course."

Lord Rykker bowed. "It will be done at once Your Grace."

Aegon waved his hand and the group of Tyrell men escorted Lady Catelyn out. He looked at Lady Olenna. "My lady, would you care to break your fast with me? I will be honoured-"

"No need to say anymore," interrupted Lady Olenna, tottering up the few steps to the dais. "I am feeling rather peckish this morning." She gestured for one of the servants to come forward. "Soft bread and cheese!" she barked.

"You have done so much for the Targaryen cause," said Aegon quietly. "I thank you for it, my lady. If you, Prince Doran and Varys had not done what you did, I'd still be stuck in Pentos dreaming about Westeros."

"The dragons had always been better friends to House Tyrell than the stags of Storm's End will ever be."

"Your granddaughter was married to Renly Baratheon and Willas married the Usurper's eldest daughter. That is quite a sign of friendship." He broke his bread and dipped one end into a bowl of creamy soup. Lady Olenna snorted. "Margaery was to wed Renly since Robert Baratheon took the crown. It was expected. As for Willas and Lyanna Baratheon…" She paused thoughtfully. "That was not a sign of friendship. It was caused by Robert Baratheon's fury at losing a Stark good-son. A match that delighted my oaf son, but complicated matters for your cause. I doubt Willas and Lyanna's marriage can be annulled, but if you wish, I'll arrange for my grandson's lady wife to remain in Highgarden until the end of her days. They will still have children though," she warned. "Tyrell children."

"There is no rush dealing with Lyanna Baratheon. Her brothers are concerning me presently. A pity the Usurper was poisoned. I would have liked to defeat him, perhaps at the Trident."

"Fool." Aegon arched an eyebrow. "The stag king was never to die in war," the Queen of Thorns said, sipping her wine. "It had been decided years ago that he'd meet his death at a feast. Poison is much more subtle."

"Who poisoned him?" asked Aegon bluntly. "It couldn't be my uncle."

Lady Olenna's eyes glinted. "I poisoned Robert Baratheon."

Aegon stared at her. "No. Lord Connington mentioned this Lenn the Red. What is his real name? It cannot possibly be you my lady."

"A clever little name don't you think?" Lady Olenna sipped her wine again. "It's my invention of course, not the Spider's. I am old and most lords and ladies that I knew since my childhood are dead. The only lord still alive is Walder Frey and he will probably outlive us all. Most people forget that I married into House Tyrell – I was born a Redwyne of the Arbor. You've yet to meet my Redwyne relations. All of them have red hair and my hair used to be that red. Lenn the Red. Me."

"Did anyone know you were Lenn the Red?"

"Only the Spider."

Varys the Spider knew everything. "You must've poisoned Renly too."

"Of course. Kill two stags with one poison. Very convenient. Have you met the Spider yet, Your Grace?"

Aegon shook his head. "I hope he comes soon. I do not wish to burden the Dun Fort with more men and the sooner I take the Red Keep, the better. I was told the Red Keep had many secret passages built in. It would be useful for us. If Varys is willing to share his knowledge on secret passages with us, we can send men to be a decoy for Stannis's forces and then sneak into the castle via secret passages and secure our victory from there. There wouldn't be many deaths and the armies of the Reach, Dorne and the sellsword companies will still be quite intact to face the armies the Usurper's allies would send."

"A sound plan. What if the Spider does not appear?"

"We have enough forces to surround the city. More lords will join and I believe with them, troops. We could prepare for a siege, or even launch small battles at a number of gates to tire out Stannis's men."

Before the Queen of Thorns could remark, the doors banged open and a guard hurried in with another man Aegon couldn't recognise. "Please," said Aegon, with an impatient sigh. "Can it not wait a few more minutes?"

"There's no need Your Grace." Lady Olenna had risen and seemed to be staring at the stranger with faint dislike. "This is Petyr Baelish, the former Master of Coin in the Usurper's small council."

"Lady Tyrell." Petyr Baelish's grey-green eyes twinkled. "A pleasure to see you again." He swept Aegon a low bow. "Your Grace."

"I have never heard of House Baelish before," said Aegon flatly.

Baelish laughed, amusement not reaching his eyes. "A small House in the Vale, Your Grace. I can be of service to you, Your Grace. I know many ways of locating a great deal of men to serve you. I am even willing to lend you my gold. Though I'm a mere former Master of Coin, I do own quite a deal of establishments and I have many connections still. I can be a great help to your cause, Your Grace."

"Why did you decide to support me? Why not the Usurper's son?"

"The Baratheons have looked down at me for years Your Grace. I served them well and what was my reward? A dismissal!"

Aegon looked at Petyr Baelish thoughtfully and inwardly shrugged. There was no harm in accepting a minor nobleman's offer of gold and troops. "What is it you wish?" Aegon finally asked. "Lands, titles?"

Baelish's eyes gleamed like jewels. "I would be grateful for lands and titles, but what I truly desire Your Grace, is to take a wife. For my gold and aid Your Grace, I wish to have Lady Catelyn Tully as my wife."


I always like writing the Aegon chapters :) So, what do you think if the Season 7 finale?