Aftermath

The War of the Wings, as the battle became known as was the bloodiest in the history of Westeros. By the battle's end the Blackreynes lost 30,000 men, while the Targaryens lost 120,000. To make matters worse all three of their dragons had been knocked out of the fight.

Aegon and his army whent limping back to Oldtown where he called a council. He eyed the lords around him and spoke, "does anyone care to explain to me WHAT IN THE GODS' NAME WAS THAT BACK THERE?"

Loren Lannister was the first to speak, "your grace, I swear by all the gods that none of us had any idea the Blackreynes posessed such creatures."

"Or that such creatures even existed," Harlen added.

"Thestrals," Rhaenys corrected, "the Blackreynes called them Thestrals."

Aegon was unconvinced, "they are large horses with wings and spit lightning. How could you not know of their existance?"

"Mainly because, since the time they arrived in westeros they NEVER used them before until now." Sharra Arryn retorted.

"Then why now? Why of all times do they use them against us?" Rhaenys wondered

Visenya rolled her eyes, "why do you think sister? Because we forced their hand. We came into their kingdom with three fire breathing dragons, we left them no choice."

Aegon sighed and turned to lord Tyrell, "you are quiet my lord, have you not any opinion?"

Harlen Tyrell sighed and turned to his fellow lords. "None of you seemed to get it do you. All this time, all this fighting. The Blackreynes could have bowled over our kingdoms easily without breaking a sweat. They had the power to bring us all to heel. But they didn't, they didn't use their thestrals because they knew they didn't need them to beat us. The only reason our kingdom's exist is because they allow it. We mean little to them."

The room was silent from Harlan's speech and they all thought on it, Loren turned to Aegon. "What do you want us to do now your grace?"

Aegon sighed, he was smart enough to know he was in no position to challenge the Blackreynes again. His army was broken and too heavily demoralized and his dragons were still trying to recover from the battle. Vhagar was still unconcious. Aegon considered his other options, either allow the Blackreynes and Starks to remain independent or accept King Dalton's offer. Before he could speak, Rhaenys beat him to it. "There is only one thing we can do brother."

Aegon grasped her hand, "Rhaenys."

She looked into his eyes, "we cannot rule a divided kingdom and it will not be long before the Blackreynes pick it off bit by bit. Westeros must be united to end these thoughtless wars."

Visenya placed a hand on her sister's shoulder, "are you sure you want to do this?"

Rhaenys nodded, "these people have bled enough, Peace must happen and if an alliance is the price we have to pay for peace then it will be worth it."

Aegon bowed his head, 'Dalton Blackreyne had beaten him at his own game,' he admitted. With a nod of assurance from Rhaenys, Aegon ordered the lords to sent what remained of their army home it did them no good now. Afterwards Aegon went to visit Orys who was still recovering from his battle against Ciron.

"How are you feeling?" Aegon asked his half brother.

"Like I just got my arse handed to me,"Orys replied with a half smile. Aegon returned it as Orys continued, "he hated me. I could see it in his eyes, he wanted to kill me."

"But he didn't," Aegon assured him, "he tried and failed."

Orys shook his head, "it had nothing to do with luck Aegon. Ciron let me live, he beat every inch of me then spared my life, he didn't even take me captive. I cannot fathom why a man with such hate for me would do that."

Aegon frowned, "I wonder the same thing about Dalton, he did the same thing to me. I intend to ask him when we negotiate."

"Is that your intention now?" Ory asked weakly.

Aegon nodded, "do you disapprove?"

Orys shook his head, "I'll support whatever decision you make brother. Personally I believe it's a reasonable choice."

Aegon's smile returned, "thank you Orys, now get some rest, I have a raven to sent."

That night Rhaenys came to his chamber, "how are you feeling?"

Aegon shook his head, "I was a fool," he muttered. Rhaenys placed anhand on his shoulder and he slammed his fist against the table. "How could I be so blind, I was so sure, so close, so confident of victory. I blindly challenged an enemy I didn't know or understand. My lords all pleaded with me to be cautious but I chose to throw it to the wind. Now the people who trusted me and followed me have paid a heavy price for my arrogance."

Rhaenys sat down beside him, "how could you have known."

Aegon sighed, "Dalton was right, I rely so much on our dragons that I couldn't fathom a battle without them. In the end they too paid the price, Vhagar's in a coma, Meraxes is badly wounded and Balerion was dazed."

Rhaenys rubbed his back and Aegon embraced her knowing that while he and his followers were reling from the loss their was like =ly great celebrationg in the Blackreyne camps.

As the Targaryen host was limping back home, Dalton Blackreyne, Torrhen Stark and their allies were celebrating their victory. They were in Oldstones drinking and cheering at the fact that they had preserved their independence. Mead and ale flowed like a waterfall and fists punded the tables.

"For House Blackreyne," Torrhen roared raising his goblet.

"IRON AND BLOOD," the crowd chanted.

"For House Stark," Dalton responded with the same gesture.

"WINTER IS COMING," the crowed chanted once more.

Dalton drained his goblet and spoke once more, "to our brothers in arms House Reyne of Castamere and House Royce of Runestone. May our brotherhood stand through all ages, steadfast and strong. Against the oppressors, the corrupt and the test of time."

"And the Most Devout," Torrhen added with a grin.

That got the men roaring with laughter, "Did you see the look on the High Septon's Face?" Ronald Reyne asked

"It's a miracle he's able to runs with all that shit in his breeches," Yonaton Royce replied.

"A miracle he's able to run at all," Ronald quipped earning more laughs.

The Arnorians began to chant pounding their fists on the tables, "Dalton, Dalton, Dalton."

The chant continued and soon the northmen the Reynes and Royces joined in until one of the Arnorians climbed up on the table and broke into song. "Dalton, Dalton, Dalton, Dalton."

He faced the mighty dragons

When other men would freeze

But then my lords, he raised his sword

and brought 'em to their knees

Dalton, Dalton, the bravest of our kings

Dalton Dalton, He broke the dragon's wings

Dalton Dalton

The Country fell to Darkness

And Shadows ruled the night

No sign of Dawn, he soldiered on

And led us to the light

Dalton, Dalton, he never shook your faith

Dalton, Dalton, let every cup be raised

Dalton, Dalton

He offered us protection

When Tyrants ruled the land

One by one he took them on

They perished at his hand

Dalton, Dalton, he'll fight another day

Dalton, Dalton, just hear this when I say

Dalton, Dalton

He rose up like a savior

When every hope was gone

The Dragon gored and peace restored

His memory will live on

Dalton, Dalton, now and forever

Dalton, Dalton, let every cup be raised

Dalton, Dalton, Dalton

As the men continued to celebrate, Torrhen met Dalton on the balcony. "I must admit Dalton I had my doubts," he admitted as he drained his goblet.

"You would have been a fool not to my friend," Dalton replied. He picked a pitcher of mead up from the floor and filled Torrhens goblet as well as his own.

"Why didn't you tell me about those ...Thestrals was it?" Torrhen wondered, "it would have eased my conscious to know we had something to counter Dragons."

Dalton smiled, "I couldn't risk Aegon finding out, the key is that it needed to be a complete surprise to them in order to throw his army off it's guard."

Torrhen shrugged, "fair enough," as he too a sip of mead. "So what now your grace?" Torrhen asked, "will we march south and finish them off?"

Dalton smiled and shook his head, "no my friend, we must save our energy it's wasted on kicking a man while he's down. Let them lick their wounds, they know they can to no harm to us now." Torrhen shrugged and took another sip.

"Do you think they will agree to your terms?" he asked.

"If he wants peace and a united westeros yes," Dalton replied.

"So you intend to bend the knee if you marry Rhaenys?"

"I intend to submit to the Targaryen reign, I gave Aegon my word on that."

"You may not like being under his rule."

"That is not my intention."

Torrhen turned to Dalton confused, "But you just said-"

"-I said I would submit to his family's REIGN," Dalton clarified, "but I made no promises about his rule. The Targaryens may reign over us for as long as they wish but they will never rule us."

He turned to Torrhen, "of course he doesn't have to know that."

Torrhen smiled nw after all this time he understood, Aegon will take the weight of the crown without getting full control over them. So if they did bend the knee it would be on their own terms. "You are one sly little snake Dalton," he said with a smile, "I'm glad I never have to fight you."

Dalton left early to his guest chamber where Daala was lying on the bed naked save for a sheet. He stripped down and kissed her neck causing her to stir. She smiled as his kisses trailed down the small of her back. "You're early tonight," she said seductively.

Dalton smiled, "it's going to be a busy day tomorrow, I will need my rest." He threw the covers off and crashed his lips on hers."

They broke the kiss and Daala spoke again, "you know brother I've been thinking."

Dalton smirked, "about what?"

We could have stopped the Targaryens at any time, but instead you chose to let them conquer the other kingdoms, the Vale, the Reach the Westerlands and even the if we had acted sooner our brother would still be alive."

"What happened to Tyron was a tragedy," Dalton relied. "But the Targaryens are not to blame, the spineless andals hold to loyalty like a child with a bar of soap. Storm's end would have been able to shrugg off dragonfire but Argilac's lord with their seven pointed star had no faith at all."

Daala nodded, yes they do that quite a bit, but the fact remains." She looked at him, "you wanted the Targaryens to subjurgate the other kingdoms."

Dalton's face remained stoic, "what if I did?"

Daala frowned, "just tell me why."

Dalton shrugged, "why not."

Daala straightened up, "I'm serious, for thousands of years has worked to keep the power of the Valyrians in check. Not the last of their ilk has made plans to conquer westeros and you let him."

"And?"

"Dalton you are far too calculating for this to be a lapse in judgement. Why would you want to give the Targaryens power?"

Now it was Dalton's turn to frown, "because it's the only actions to take that would make a real difference in Westeros."

Daala shook her head, "forgive me but I cannot follow."

Dalton stood up and walked over to a table with a map of westeros on it. Daala followed both naked as their name days. His fingers traced the borders of the seven kingdoms and a smile came to his face.

"I had a vision Daala, of Westeros without Targaryens. The monarchs go back to ruling over their little kingdoms and dogpiling over petty grievances and measly gains. But you know what? It was so boring. We have played this game before and have gotten nowhere fast. The Targaryens are just what this country need to shift the pieces around in just the right way. Let's give the newcomers a chance to earn their merit and when the time it right, Westeros will be talken out of chaos by someone with complete control."

A fortnight later Aegon Targaryen and Dalton Blackreyne met upon the highest hill of Tridenton which overlooked the sea. Their siblings and allies accompanied them. Ageon and his sisters arrived on Balerion, Dalton and his siblings came riding seven thestrals. Dalton saw their faces fall at the site of his thestrals."

A long table was set and the two groups sat down, Aegon and Dalton stared each other down before they each bowed their heads in respect."

"Aegon."

"Dalton."

Aegon didn't know how do begin, yet Dalton broke the silence with the last question Aegon expected him to ask, "how are Meraxes and Vhagar?"

Aegon was surprised not only by the question but that fact that Dalton seemed genuinely concerned about the dragons. Finally he said, "Meraxes is very weak but she will recover with time, Vhagar has yet to regain consciousness."

Dalton nodded, "well she did take a nasty hit." A pause hung in the air before he spoke again, "if it's any consoulation you did better than you think."

Aegon and his sisters looked at him as Dalton continued, "Grendall and Dakkon were our most expierienced veterans. Tha fact that your dragons were able to slay Grendall and incapacitate Dakkon is a considerable achievement."

He turned to the other lords and interlocked his fingers, "I'm sure you all have questions, so feel free to ask them."

"You and Ciron made it clear that you could have killed us easily," Aegon said. "Yet you spared us and didn't even take us captive. Why?"

"The dual was not about killing you enemy," Dalton replied. "It's about proving a point, that would be hard to do if your dead, since the point becomes useless."

"What was the point, how badly you could whip us?" Orys asked.

Dalton shook his head, "no the point was to humble you. Never think you are invincible, for their is always a bigger fish redy to sswallow you whole. Besides killing you two would be wasteful and unessessary."

Rhaenys spoke next, "Jaenara Belearys traveled to Sothoryos. and we've seen it's people, their barely human. You people look nothing like them."

Dalton shook his head, "no we wouldn't, if only you had seen the continent and it's people during the golden age. Things were so different back then."

Now Visenya spoke, "Veiga said you bred these things a long time ago, why?"

Dalton shrugged, "Essos had Dragons and Sothoros had Wyverns, our people didn't have anything to protect us against them. So we got creative and made beasts of our own."

"I must know," Sharra Arryn spoke up. "How long have you had these creatures."

Dalton shrugged, "give or take, 10,000 years, according to the ancient scrolls."

Aegon nearly choked at that before letting out a short derisive laugh, "you're telling me that your family has owned lightning spitting flying horses this whole time. Why have we not heard of them before."

Dalton smiled slyly, "that's because we never used them before."

"And why not," Aegon challenged. "with creatures like that you could bring the world to heel. You could trample over anyone that dared oppose you , With those thestrals and your military prowess, it would be easy."

"Aye, and that's the point," Dalton replied leaving Aegon confused. "IT'S TOO EASY. It would be a glorious thing to conquer the world with Thestrals, and even more glorious to do so WITHOUT them. That is true power Aegon Targaryen, that is what seperates you from us."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Aegon demanded.

Unlike you we do not treat them as beasts of burden. Thestrals are our companions, not tools of war, their power is wasted killing talking monkey's."

"We do not treat them as beast of burdon," Aegon insisted.

Dalton cocked an eyebrow, "really than why are they fighting your war." He smirked, "name one time you didn't use your dragons in a fight, you name one time and I swear I'll take it all back."

That silenced Aegon and Dalton continued, "besides if we started conquering the world it would only be a matter of time before we crossed paths with House Whitehall and that's the last thing we want is to catch these people up in a war that isn't their concern."

"House Whitehall?" Aegon wondered intrigued.

"House Blackreyne's feudal enemy," Torrhen Stark explained. "Surely you are aware of a growing power in the east."

Visenya snapped her fingers in realization, "the kingdom of Alvion, a feudalistic society of religious fanatics. Some of the dragonlords tried to traveled there, but those that went never returned."

"Arch enemies?" The high septon wondered, "perhaps we should ask them to help us beat you to the ground."

Instead of growing worried the Blackreynes only laughed, Dalton nearly fell out of his chair before responding. "I admit that would be quite an encounter. If you think we treat you bad, wait until they get a hold of you."

"Why would the Whitehalls be hostile towards them?" Harlen Tyrell asked.

Dalton smiled, "one of the few things our cultures have in common is our respect for the Children of the Forest, but the Whitehalls believe that any enemy of the children is unworthy of life." He then waved his hand, "but that is a tale for another time, what matters now is negotiating a peace between out kingdoms to avoid any more unnessessary bloodshed."

"We have made a decision Dalton," Rhaenys replied. "For the sake of peace let us unite our houses in marraige."

Dalton turned to her, "I do not wish to force you into something you do not want, Rhaenys," Dalton said. "Think carefully before you say anymore, " He locked eyes with her, "is this truly what you want."

Rhaenys nodded slowly, "it is."

Dalton studied her for a moment trying to find a trace of falsehood in her. When he found none he nodded and turned to Aegon. "Then I will bend my knee to you and shall serve you faithfully. But make no mistake King Aegon should you prove to be a tyrant I will not hesitate to bring you down, and you know now that is not a mere threat." With that he removed his crown and placed it on the table.

Aegon sighed and turned to the Starks, "What of you, will you follow your friends example?"

Torrhen nodded, "Dalton and I discusssed this and I'll not be the one who shattered a good peace." So Torrhen followed the Blackreynes example and removed hos crown and placed it on the table.

The next day Aegon's official coronation was held. All the Lords of Westeros had gathered. As Rhaenys placed the crown of Valyrian steel on Aegon's head the Great Lords bowed, followed closely by their bannermen.

Once his coronation was complete Aegon started giving the new titles to his new Bannermen.

Harlen Tyrell was named Warden of the South while Loren Lannister was named Warden of the West. Sharra Arryn became Warden of the East and Torrhen Stark was named Warden of the North.

Dalton Blackreyne was given a seat on the small council as Master of War and the new titles of Warlord of Troyad and Warden of the Seas.

Not long after the coronation of Aegon Targaryen Dalton Blackreyne and Rhaenys Targaryen were married in a Targaryen ceremony in Tridenton since Blackreynes never practiced such things. Aegon had renounced the faith anf returned to the gods of his people. Converting didn't seem to matter since he realized no mattter who he chose someone would be vexed

A great feast was held and as the night went on Rhaenys found herself enjoying Dalton's company. It was like he was a copletely different person. The stern hard, calculated man had melted into a warm friendly and pleasant persona."

"It seems I had judged you wrong Lord Dalton." she said.

"A man must become a different person in a time of war, Dalton explained. "Now that the war is over their is no need to be cold and hard."

Rhaenys nodded and kissed his cheek and took his hand, standing up she beckoned him to follow her, Dakton smiled widely as he happily oblidged. She led him to the godswood where there was a spring at the foot of the heart tree. She stripped off her dress as Dalton underdened himself of his own clothing articles.

They took a moment to eye each other both comparing each other to their own sibling lovers and happy with what they saw. After a moment they embraced crashing their lips to gether in a passionate kis theit eyes filled with lust as they sank into the pool and their in the sight of the old gods they made love under the light of the full moon.