Aemon

The days that were were filled with constant bickering among the brothers of the Watch. Rumors about the Lord Commander's sympathy for the Wildlings was turning brother against brother.

Maester Aemon was not near any of it, however. His health was failing him and his strength waining from the world. But he found a bit of it when Samwell had come to him in the library with a report from Mereen, a report about Daenerys.

"And though Daenerys maintains her grip on Slavers Bay, forces rise against her from within and without. She refuses to leave until the freedom of the former slaves is secure." Samwell concluded the reading of the raven scroll to Maester Aemon. "She sounds like quite a woman."

Targaryens were always ones to impress whether it was with madness or greatness. Aemon was grateful that Daenerys wasn't the former. "And she's alone. Under siege. No family to guide her or protect. Her last relation, thousands of miles away. Useless and dying."

"Don't say that Maester Aemon."

Aemon always appreciated Sam's kindness. "A Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing."

Their conversation was stalled when the sound of approaching footsteps against the wooden floor grew louder. "Maester Aemon." Jon Snow said softly as he entered the room.

"Lord commander," Aemon replied.

"Sam, I'd like to speak to the Maester alone." Sam immediately gather his things and left Jon with Maester Aemon. Jon took the seat Sam was using and faced the Maester. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he removed his gloves.

"Oh, like a hundred-year-old man slowly freezing to death," he replied with a chuckle.

"I need your advice. There's something I want to do, something I have to do. But it will divide the Night's Watch, bitterly. Half the men will hate me the moment I give the order."

"Half the men already hate you lord commander, do it!"

"But you don't know what it is-"

"That doesn't matter, you do." Maester Aemon placed his hand on Jon's face as a father would to his son to give him comfort, but also to feel the warmth that he had. "You will find little joy in your command. But, with luck, you find the strength to do what needs to be done. Kill the boy, Jon Snow. Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy, and let the man be born."

Jon let the words sink into his mind before he felt the motivation from them. 'Kill the boy, let the man be born'. "Thank you, Maester Aemon." Jon stood up and made his way out of the library.

"Be sure to send Samwell back in," the Maester called out. Almost instantaneously, Sam had re-entered the library and took his seat by the Maester.

"Is everything alright?" Sam asked with a tone of concern in his voice.

"For now." He stood up and held his arm out to Sam. "Escort me to my chambers, there is something I need to retrieve." Sam did as he was told and guided Maester Aemon to his chambers. Maester Aemon sat in his chair next to the empty fire pit, shivering from the cold. Sam noticed this and went to retrieve some wood for a fire, but was stopped. "Just a moment Samwell." Sam looked at him, confused and curious. It was fairly cold and it would only get colder. Maester Aemon motioned toward the empty hearth. "There is a secret underneath there. A secret I have kept hidden since before my time here at Castle Black. I want you to see it."

Sam approached the fireplace and noticed that the main slab of stone in the floor of it was loose. He traced his fingers along the ends of a large stone slab in the center and found a place to grip it. He pulled as hard as he could but found that his strength was probably as much as the Maester's. Eventually, he pulled the slab out of place and dragged it out of the fireplace. He looked at the space revealed and couldn't believe what he saw. Underneath the fireplace were two large stones covered in ash. Both of them had a matching scaled texture, but different in color. One was blue like the sky in the morning, and the other was as white as Ghost.

"Are these what I think they are?" He asked looking wide-eyed at Maester Aemon.

"Bring them here," he said, holding his arms out.

Sam brought them to Maester Aemon, who embraced them. His eye's closed as he took in the moments he had with them. "Do you know what these are?"

"I think so, but I just can't believe it. I never would've thought there to be dragon eggs in Castle Black."

"These eggs were given to me by Brynden Rivers before he joined the watch. Since then, they have been under my care until they were ready for the one Brynden said was to have them."

"Who?" Samwell asked with great curiosity.

"That answer shall be revealed soon." He opened his eyes and revealed a mix of joy and sadness in them. "I can feel my time coming to its end, Sam. I've barely the strength to stand on my own now."

"Don't say that, Maester."

"Sam, I have been on this earth for a hundred years. I have not a clue of any other who has lived that long. I have lived through great wars that painted this country red with blood, but only as one to hear of them. And I cannot bear it." Aemon could feel the sadness from Sam. "When my time comes, place these with me on my pyre. But until then," he held them out to Sam "keep them safe."

Sam took each of the eggs in his hands, still marveled at them. "Maester Aemon I-"

"Samwell, I must ask you not to question me on this. It is what must be done."

Sam's eyes fell to the eggs and he could still feel the heat they gave. It was comforting and reminded him of when we would hold Little Sam in his arms. "Yes, Maester Aemon."

"Now, put the floor back in its place and get a fire going. If I freeze any more than I am now, not even dragonfire could warm me up." Sam smiled at his remark and did as he was told.