Kings Landing 298 AC.
Margaery.
She was nervous when she saw the walls in front of her, far more than the excitement she had expected to feel it was this which caused her to breathe deeply. It had been her idea to ride rather than sit in the wheelhouse and she was beginning to regret that choice the closer they got to the gates. Loras and Barristan were at either side, their white cloaks fluttering in the wind, and closest of all to her walked Ghost.
Just seeing him as he looked up into her eyes calmed her down, almost emboldening her and she sat straighter and held her head a little higher as they entered the gates themselves. Jae had sent an escort and when she'd seen the riders bearing the Three-Headed Dragon she had for a moment thought he'd have been with them. Quickly realizing that despite his own feelings, he could not or would not be allowed to leave the keep. Protocol demanded he be waiting there to greet her and her family and while she knew her husband cared little about such things, she also knew he'd for this stick to it.
Entering through the King's Gate they were soon on River Row and the crowds had already lined up to welcome them into the city. There had been some debate between her father and her grandmother about whether to enter by the Gate of the Gods or the King's Gate, Margaery herself deciding the shortest route was the one to take. It had to her mind being a practical decision and now as they rode it a thought struck her, did Jae know? Or were there crowds at other gates ready to welcome them in also? This and all other thoughts were soon the last she had on that subject as the crowd began to cheer and welcome her and her family.
"Hail to House Tyrell."
"May the seven bless Good Queen Margaery."
"The Golden Rose.
"The Hidden Dragon."
"Hail to the queen."
Each cheer, each roar of approval was met by a wave and a smile. She saw women look to her and whisper to those nearest to them as they smiled beamingly at her. At least she thought they whispered as single voices became very hard to pick out, such was the noise of the crowd. When she heard people cheer for the white wolf she swore she saw Ghost puff out his chest, though he'd have some way to go to match her father in that regard. Never had she seen him prouder than he was right now and she did not begrudge him that nor the little waves he gave the crowd. Though she had to bite her cheek to stop from laughing as she imagined her grandmother's face.
She felt it again, that little nervous hitch when she saw the Red Keep itself, knowing that he was inside those gates waiting for her. Once a long time ago she had came here to try and enrapture a prince and had thankfully failed. By that time her heart was no longer hers to give away anyway, even if she was too young to know it. Now she came here to be a queen, a wife, and it was actually the second of those things she was the most excited about. When they reached the courtyard she saw them, Jaime Lannister, Prince Oberyn, and finally Jae looking every inch a king. His black and red marking him for the dragon he was and yet he wore no crown. The smile on his face she knew was matched by her own and when she saw him break from the line to help her down she almost giggled. There was only so much protocol they'd get him to follow after all.
"My queen." he said as he reached up to help her down, Margaery feeling that hitch once more.
"My king." she said softly.
She heard a cough and smirked when she saw it had come from Jaime Lannister. The Hand of the King reminding Jae of some words he'd forgotten to say and she did finally giggle when she saw the look her husband gave him back. Where she in any doubt of how Jae felt about her, which she was not, then the fact he rolled his eyes at Jaime and then looked abashed as he remembered what it was he was supposed to say would quickly remove them.
"King's Landing is yours, my queen." Jae said and Margaery did a small curtsy at the bow he gave her.
"I thank you, your grace." she said and she knew her grandmother would be proud that she kept her own composure.
Speaking of whom, her grandmother and mother soon climbed from the carriage, Sansa, and Willas too. Her father and Garlan were also moving her way and Jae looked to her almost confused, so she leaned in close and whispered in his ear.
"You should go back in line and we can do this properly, Jae." she said softly and he looked at her and nodded though he reached out his hand and she knew that there were only some levels of propriety he'd accept also.
Before they got the chance though Ghost decided he wished to be welcomed too and again Jae showed himself to anything but a king who cared about propriety. He let go of her hand and knelt down, rubbing Ghost behind the ears and Margaery listened as he told the wolf how happy he was to see him, how grateful he was for looking after her when he could not. She smiled when she saw it, remembering reading of King's offering men who'd done them a great service untold riches and wealth. Ghost having to settle for a large leg of elk it seemed, though the wolf seemed both happy in the reward and in being with Jae once more.
Walking back with him she saw her grandmother's smile, all the talk the previous night about said propriety has gone now it would seem. Instead, she looked pleased with the reason Jae had lost his sense of if. As was Margaery herself and just walking with him holding her hand felt different to her somehow. Soon they were standing together and her father walked their way. Jae stood a bit stiffer to greet him and her family as a king, instead of the husband trying to be a king he'd greeted her as.
"Lord Tyrell, I'm honored to see you." Jae said his voice having taken on a more neutral tone.
"Your grace, it's I who am honored, may I present my wife, Lady Alerie."
"My lady." Jae said kissing her mother's hand.
"Your grace."
"My mother, Lady Olenna."
"Lady Olenna, a pleasure." Jae said and she saw her grandmother taken aback by the smile and the way he said it, a small part of her worried about the argument they'd had no doubt.
"Your grace."
He did well she felt, right up until Sansa was standing in front of him and then the king was gone and a brother stood in his place.
"Your grace." Sansa said with a perfect curtsy, even Margaerys's own couldn't match it and she knew how much it took for someone to get right.
"Little sister." Jae said sweeping her up in his arms, Sansa giving at first a surprised squeal before her laughter rang around the courtyard.
"Jo..Jae."
"It's so good to see you Sansa. Uncle Ned and Robb are inside, I'll have someone take you to see them as soon as you're settled." Jae said.
"They are well?" Sansa asked.
"Aye, very much so."
"Your grace, perhaps we should show Lady Margaery and her family inside." Jaime said his smirk and tone one of chiding playfulness.
"Of course Lord Hand, my queen if you'd do me the honor." Jae said holding his arm our for her to take.
"I'd be delighted, your grace."
They were brought inside and she found they were to be housed in the royal apartments. Jae telling her that he had wished to place her in the queen's chambers but had been overruled, something about her not being crowned yet.
"I don't get it, neither have I yet I'm allowed in the King's Chambers, these rules are stupid." he said and she laughed softly.
"Perhaps it's because of the adjoined door, your grace." she said and he looked at her and blushed adorably.
She felt a little flutter in her chest at that, which was or should have been odd she thought. They had shared a bed together more than once, of course, they'd gone no further than kissing and maybe the stray touch here or there, but they'd lain in each other's arms. Yet the thought of an adjoining room, or perhaps that the next time they did lay together would be when they were in the eyes of the seven, man and wife, caused her heart to beat a little faster.
"Thank you for the crowds, Jae, their welcome removed my nerves."
"What crowds?" he asked.
"The ones who met me along the way, those lined up on River Row." she said and he laughed.
"Marge, I never organized any crowds, those were there simply for you."
She looked at him to see if he was japing with her, making a jest at her expense and she expected that at any moment he'd burst out laughing and yet he did not. He was telling no lie, he'd not organized them to meet her, they'd done so themselves, they'd lined up to greet her without any prompting. She felt it then, the responsibility, the desire to help that she'd felt when she and Jae had seen people go hungry in Flea Bottom. The wish to make people's lives better when they'd walked in Wintertown and saw the difference in their eyes. She felt what it was like to be a queen and as she walked down the corridor, she knew she was ready to be one.
King's Landing 298 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
That she was finally here was like having a huge pressure lifted off his chest, he felt as if he could breathe again. More than anything he just wished to be alone with her, to spend time with her, but he knew that needed to wait. Margaery needed to settle in and as much as he wished to take the day and help her do so, he was a king and he had work to do. So after kissing her far less than he wished to and leaving her to settle in, Jae walked to deal with one of the many issues that needed his attention.
Ever since Jaime had spoken to him of his uncle's meeting with Jon Arryn he had done his best not to think the worst. He knew that his uncle's sense of honor was not something he shared with him, it was not even something the man his uncle had gotten most of those notions from shared with him. That his uncle was upset upon learning that Robert was dead was not a surprise to him. Despite everything, the two men had shared many good years together and Jae wouldn't begrudge him some mourning of the man. Even his own dealings with him had not been all terrible and at times Robert had shown signs of goodness.
Jon Arryn though had not, the man was duplicitous, conniving, two-faced, and as far from his house words as a man could possibly be. Even the Tully's despite their many flaws at least at times tried to live up to at least one of their words, that they failed constantly was another matter. But as High as Honor, that really was a jape when it came to Jon Arryn, that man knew nothing about honor. Jae met with Arthur and Jors and they walked down to the dungeons. Despite everything he had done, Jon Arryn was being kept in comfortable surrounding's, Jae wanted the man healthy and alive to face justice and not dead in a cell.
At present, though he'd been moved to a different cell for this meeting, one with chains to bind him to the wall. After hearing what he had tried to do to his uncle after surrendering, Arthur and Jaime would take no chances and even though Jae had no fear of a one-armed man, he'd not either. As he entered the cell he saw the angry glare Jon Arryn shot him and found it made him smirk, something which displeased the falcon lord greatly.
"Leave us." he said and Arthur moved to the door, out but not completely, and knowing how fast Arthur truly was, Jae wouldn't be surprised if even from this distance he'd beat him to Jon Arryn.
He looked at the man, glad to see him healthy and well. Even his stump looked as if it had been treated with great care and diligence, he'd need to thank Grandmaester Gormon later for that.
"What do you want boy?" Jon Arryn said and Jae chuckled.
"I came to see a falcon with one wing." Jae said motioning to the stump that was chained to the wall.
"Came to gloat more like."
"Aye, that too. Your trial is coming up soon, I came to wish you well." he said and Jon Arryn glared at him.
"Going to try me like your mad grandfather boy? What's it to be wildfire or will you strangle me like your uncle was strangled?"
"You give me too much credit falcon, our way is the old way." he said seeing the man gulp just a little.
"Maybe I'll call for a trial by combat." Jon Arryn said and Jae smiled openly now.
"Do so if you wish. Now I wonder, who could you possibly get to defend you in such? I mean I already know you're a fool but is there someone even more foolish than you? Someone willing to go up against The Bold or Lord Jaime or Prince Oberyn or the Sword of the Morning, hmmm I doubt it." he said looking at the man.
"I still have a son." Jon Arryn said and for the briefest moment Jae's expression changed and Jon Arryn seized upon it "Aye, didn't think of that did you boy, I thought him well."
He moved quickly, his hand grabbing the man by the throat and watching as his face went red from the pressure he put on it.
"Out." he shouted when he heard the footsteps enter the cell, be it Arthur or Jors he knew not which.
He finally let go when the falcon turned puce, giving the man time to breathe before he moved in close and reached down to take his knife out, the thin blade looking even more deadly as close as it was to Jon Arryn's neck. Jae saw the fear in the man's eyes and reveled in it, enjoying it when after a couple of coughs Jon Arryn spoke.
"You think I'm scared of you?" Jon Arryn said trying his best to sound brave and unafraid.
"Sure you are. And if I take a knife to you you'll be scared worse and a long time dying." he said and saw the man gulp.
He looked at him for some time, the knife moving in front of the old man's eyes and finally, he stepped back, slowly putting it back on his hip.
"There is only one thing we say to death, falcon, not today. Remember that when you're laying in your bed this night and the next. Your death is not today only because I deem it so, your life is mine and I'll take it when I wish."
He turned and walked out and nodded to Arthur, glad to see the knight wasn't looking at him as if he was a monster or had done something dishonorable. Jae wanted Jon Arryn scared, he deserved it for everything he had done and the man was feeling far too cocky altogether. As they walked though Jae himself began to feel some doubt, surely his uncle wouldn't think to do such a foolish thing. To stand for Jon Arryn even as a character witness would be damning politically, to do so in a trial of combat would break them.
Either Jae would be forced to allow his uncle to win and therefore Jon Arryn to be freed, or he'd be forced to see his uncle dead. Was his uncle counting on that? Did he think that he'd not choose Arthur or Barristan to stand for him? Jon Arryn was certainly counting on it but surely his uncle wasn't contemplating such a thing? When he reached the floor where his rooms where he called for a servant and sent them to fetch his uncle, he needed to speak to him urgently. In the end, it took far longer than he had hoped and Jae had spent most of the time sitting at his desk stewing and allowing his anger to build.
"Lord Stark, your grace." Tommen said.
"Send him in." he replied simply.
He never even gave him a chance to sit down, as soon as the door was closed behind his uncle, Jae rose to his feet.
"What the hell were you thinking?" he said loudly, not quite a shout but close enough.
"Your grace?" his uncle asked confused.
"Meeting with Jon Arryn constantly, speaking to him daily, what the hell were you thinking uncle? And if you think I'll let you stand for him, fight for him then you're a damn fool." he said angrily to silence from his uncle.
The Wall 298 AC.
Daenerys.
Sandorix had decided to join them, she'd said her goodbyes to him and Rhaegal, and then she and Tyrion had taken off from the Dragonpit the day after they'd dealt with the false dragon, but now as they flew to the wall so did he. In a way, though she was glad of his company, her son being the only one without a rider always made her feel a little sad for him. Even the short time they'd been apart was something she at times still felt guilty about. The idea that he had been alone always hitting her when she and Shiera flew and she saw him alongside them. Tyrion carried food and drink in his saddle and Dany had once again looked jealously at it. resolving once again to speak to Jae about getting one for herself and Shiera.
Both Grey Worm and Sandor had almost demanded she bring a guard and she knew Tyrion had been told to do likewise but Dany wasn't comfortable enough to fly with people yet, Tyrion only barely so himself. Knowing that they were not just going to meet their grand-uncle but to take him back to the Red Keep. To have him there when Jae was crowned, when he was married, Dany could barely contain her excitement at the thoughts of it. Tyrion too was as excited as she, something that she was pleased about. Though her brother was also nervous about being the one who'd have to fly with Aemon beside him.
She looked to Tyrion as the skies began to darken, her brother seeing it too, and soon enough he pointed down to a large open field. While she carried both her new daggers and her sword, Tyrion only carried a small axe and Dany didn't know this country well. Still, she landed when he did and as she gathered wood for a fire and Tyrion set up an area for them to sleep in, she felt she was in no danger. Not just because they had three dragons with them, though that certainly helped but for some reason she believed that here, now, finally in this place she was safe. As she sat by the fire she looked at her brother as he looked into the flames, Tyrion was contemplative she found, a good conversationalist but sometime's quiet too.
"You thinking of her again?" she asked.
"What? Oh, aye, I was. The news about her father, even after what he did..I..they were close."
"I thought she didn't trust him?"
"No she didn't but he was her father still." he said and she nodded.
"Do you think this affects your wedding?" she asked curiously.
"I don't, but it may. I know we'll wed, but maybe Arianne will need some time to settle into her new role first, so it may be delayed."
"Or it may be that she wishes to wed quicker." she said enjoying the smile that appeared on his face.
"Aye, will you come?" he asked nervously.
"Of course, I'd love to see Dorne and even more to see my brother wed." his smile bigger now as he looked at her.
"What of you?"
She found herself blushing, was her brother really asking her about her love life? Did she even have one?
"There was a man in Essos that I felt something for but I've never…we never." she said blushing more.
"Maybe you'll see him again." Tyrion said trying to reassure her.
"When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves." she said softly, Tyrion looking at her confused "That's what he said to me when I left, that we would meet again one day."
"He sounds like he loved you." Tyrion said with a soft smile.
Dany said nothing looking into the fire once more, did he? Or did Drogo just want her? Who knows what love is any way she thought and then she wondered if she'd know it if she ever felt it.
"I'm sure he wasn't the first to love you and he won't be the last." Tyrion said and she went to sleep with that thought in her head.
They broke their fast the next morning and Tyrion told her to put on some warmer clothing, that they'd soon be in the North and she'd feel the cold once they were. She found however that she did not and also that when they flew Sandorix flew ahead of them, her son seeming even more eager than they were to reach the wall. It was later that afternoon when they flew over a large keep, it's grey walls huge and imposing and she wondered if this was Winterfell and the home of the Starks. Whether it was or was not she'd not find out for some time as they flew on, even when night began to fall. She was about to tell Tyrion she wished to land when she saw it in the distance, the Wall, something she had only ever read about.
If she had thought the grey walls were imposing then compared to this they were anything but. It was huge and looked even bigger the closer they got to it. When she looked to Tyrion he seemed to be just as impressed as she was, before finally he pointed down and she saw the buildings at the base. She felt her heart race as they landed and once she dismounted she had to walk to Sandorix who seemed agitated and excited about something. Dany whispered to her son that he needed to eat and rest and almost felt like he was telling her no. it took some time for him to join his sister and Lygaron in the air and once he did, Dany could still see him look back longingly at the Wall.
She looked to Tyrion who nodded and they walked to the gate, Dany feeling an altogether different emotion the closer she got to it. Here? Her granduncle had come here? He had spent almost seven decades here in this terrible place. Dany didn't hear Tyrion speak to the man guarding the gate and was inside before she knew it, not enjoying how it looked from the inside any better. Shaking her head she saw a man with dark hair and a long face and some others walk their way and she looked to Tyrion and placed her hand on her sword.
"Jae's uncle, Benjen Stark." Tyrion whispered making Dany relax.
"Tyrion Lannister?" Benjen said only for Tyrion to correct him.
"Tyrion Targaryen, newly legitimized by our king, may I present the Princess Daenerys of House Targaryen."
"Princess." Benjen said and Dany looked on as the other two men took a knee and looked to her, she turned to Tyrion in confusion as she'd read the Night's Watch took no sides or followed no king.
"Your grace, Ser Jaremy and I are at your service, we'll shield your back just as we did his grace's when he visited." the grey-haired man said.
"Ser?" she asked.
"Ser Alliser Thorne, your grace, I served your brother in the rebellion as did Ser Jaremy."
"I thank you for your service and your offer, Ser Alliser, Ser Jaremy."
"Perhaps you can see rooms are prepared for the prince and princess, Ser Alliser?" Benjen said and she watched as the man named Thorne raced off to see that it was done.
She heard Tyrion and herself being asked to follow and they were led up some stairs into a warm room where they were offered some warm cider to drink, something she accepted gratefully. It soon became clear that the man in front of them was the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and she listened as Tyrion told him more of the men who'd seen be joining them.
"How Many? The Lord Commander asked incredulously.
"4,500 of the Golden Company and another dozen or so Lords and knights from the Dornish armies." Tyrion said as Benjen looked at him with disbelief.
"I also carry this." Tyrion said.
She watched as the Lord Commander read the letter from Jae and then heard him sigh before he handed it to Benjen Stark.
"He's releasing the loyalists from their vows, along with Maester Aemon and myself?" Benjen asked Tyrion.
"His grace made a promise to those men, Benjen, and he'll not see you and Aemon at the Wall." Tyrion said.
"And if I refuse?" Benjen asked.
"Then I'd imagine our nephew and Rhaenix would fly here and drag you out himself." Tyrion said with a chuckle.
"Fine, I'll accept and so will the loyalists, but not until the other men have arrived and are settled." Benjen said and though his voice sounded annoyed, she did catch the small smile on his face.
"Now, if you could direct us both to our uncle?" Tyrion asked and Benjen nodded.
They walked from the Lord Commander's office, down some stairs and across the yard and then up some more and into a room. Dany gasped when she saw him, her uncle was sitting by the fire and looked old and frail and she wanted nothing more than to rush to him and take him in her arms.
"Who is that with you Benjen?" Aemon said and she looked to Tyrion who nodded to her.
"I'm your niece uncle, Daenerys Targaryen, I've come with my brother Tyrion to see you." she said her voice almost breaking.
"Daenerys, it's truly you, oh child, please come closer." Aemon said and though her eyes were wet and glistening from the tears that were already falling, she still could make out every feature of his face.
He was older than a man had a right to be, frail and tired, his silver hair gone to grey, and whatever color his eyes had once been was hard to make out now they were whitened over. That he was blind was clear to her and yet he seemed to see her, his finger's reaching out to touch her face, and then she felt him sob as she embraced him.
"Oh Daenerys, long have I wished to meet you niece, from the moment our nephew came and spoke of you I've wished it so. Tyrion, come closer, nephew."
She heard the hesitant footsteps of her brother and looked over her shoulder to see that he too seemed on the verge of tears. Aemon reached his hand out to take his and bid them sit by the fire, Benjen Stark quietly leaving them alone in the room.
"We received a raven, it's done? Our family sits the throne once more?" Aemon asked hopefully.
"It' is uncle, Jaehaerys is to be named king and married soon, he wishes you there. We wish you there." Dany said.
"I fear I'm too old to make such a journey, the horse, the ship, my bones won't take it." Aemon said sadly.
"We've come to take you home uncle, to fly." she said and saw the smile on Aemon's face.
"Your dragons are here?" he asked.
"They are uncle." Tyrion said and Dany felt happy that they'd managed to make it and determined that whatever time Aemon had left would be spent with family.
King's Landing 298 AC.
Gerion.
He stood in front of the looking glass and was glad that it was still a few days until Ashara and Joy arrived. Genna too as his sister would also give him a piece of her mind if she saw him this way. It was bad enough that Jae had done so already, though he was grateful both for that and for Cregan just sitting with him and allowing him to try to deal with things himself. In the end, it had been both of them who'd made him see sense.
That Jae had actually left the Red Keep to come to the tavern had shocked him, though he really should have expected it when he ignored the request. He smirked as he remembered the shock amongst those drinking that the king of the seven kingdoms had not just come inside but he'd done so not to get drunk as was Robert's wont. Jae had practically dragged him up the stairs and being berated by a boy you'd helped raise was somewhat discomfiting.
"What are you doing, Gerion?"
"I'm drinking, your grace, now if you'll excuse me I'd like to get back to it."
"No, you're done." Jae said.
"Leave me be."
"No, I'll not have you like this, I'll drag you back to the Red Keep and lock you in a damn dungeon rather than see you this way." Jae said loudly.
"You don't understand, Jae, you don't know what I've done."
So he had told him and they'd argued, Gerion giving Jae just the barest pieces of the story. He blamed himself for Briony's death but wouldn't say why and told him that the Tully's played their part. When he told him about killing Edmure, how it had felt at the time and that since doing so he'd felt nothing but shame, he'd expected judgment or scorn. Instead, Jae had sat him down and looked him in the eye and told him something he'd not expected, something that he'd told no one else and that Gerion knew he wouldn't wish anyone to know.
"When Margaery was attacked by the Darkstar, what I did was instinct, Gerion, panic, fear, worry call it what you will but I needed to stop him and so I did."
"Aye, he deserved to die."
"And what of the man who sent him?" Jae asked.
"Him too." he replied.
"And that's how I felt and when I found out that the very same man had sent an army to take her from me, that he planned to hold a knife to her throat to get me to do his bidding. That was it not for Ghost and her brother and mine own arrival he could have done so, then I wished him dead more than anything in this world. I hated him Gerion, with everything I have, more than I've ever hated anyone. Not the Maesters, Not Robert Baratheon or Jon Arryn, not my grandfather. There's no man I hated more than him and so I ended him, I took his life and my only regret is that he didn't suffer more."
"He deserved it." Gerion said before he realized who it was Jae was speaking of.
The drinking he'd been doing though not leaving him fall down drunk, had dulled his mind just enough for it not to be clear at first that he was speaking of Doran Martell.
"I'm glad he's gone, Gerion, glad it was me that saw him dead and that it was mine own hand that did the deed. But had I lost Margaery to him then I'd feel no comfort in his death, no peace of mind, for it wouldn't bring her back would it?" Jae said.
"No, it wouldn't."
"You need to move on, to get right with things. Ashara is coming, Joy too and they'll need you, I need you." Jae said as he got up to leave.
"Jae, Joy, you'll be there for her won't you, when I..when she…"
"Always, Gerion, she's my sister and I'll be there for her whenever she needs me. Just as I will be for her father also."
He took the blade from the bowls and wet his face, the stubble on his chin needed to go. The clothes he wore needed to be clean and new and not the same ones he'd worn for days. After shaving he walked through the keep and soon found his way to Cregan's rooms, the boy looking at him relieved to see him back to somewhat his old self.
"Come. Let's go have a spar, I feel the need the get my hand and arms working once more."
"Of course my lord, perhaps if we're lucky we'll find a Sand Snake or two to test you out against?" Cregan said with a chuckle.
"Maybe we'll leave facing opponents other than you for another day." he said and Cregan laughed a little fuller.
"What's wrong my lord, not quite up to it, well I suppose I had better go easy on you myself then, you are getting old after all."
By the time they reached the yard both of them were laughing and aiming barbs at each other and Gerion felt the last few days beginning to be a distant memory. He had lost himself and there was a time when the only one to find him would have been Genna. She'd berate him, set him straight, and tell him to fix himself up, he was a Lannister of Casterly Rock she'd say, and soon enough he'd act like one once again.
He was a different man now, there were others who cared for him, and apparently he had a king to berate him should it be needed. Though he also had a young man who'd sit with him, let him try and find himself too and he was glad to have both of them in his life. Gerion was no longer a Lannister of Casterly Rock, no longer was he a lion without a pride, or one who didn't have pride in himself.
'I am a Lannister of Castamere." he thought as he dodged away from Cregan's sword, his smile true as he moved forward to aim his own blow.
King's Landing 298 AC.
Ned.
He'd been summoned to join the king, not requested, not asked, summoned and he found it a hard thing to accept. Though he knew in his head that Jaehaerys was the king now and that he rightly had to defer to him. But even knowing that he had been so for some time, it was still strange to get used to this new dynamic as no matter what he still at times saw him as the boy he had been. It wasn't his age or his presence that was lacking, it was more the knowledge that where before he was asked to do something, now more often than not he was told to.
In the throne room when Jae had let an assassin go, he'd stood there and been confounded. It was different he knew, the situation, the reasons, and perhaps had it not been for the wildfire itself then he may have spoken differently about it. But he couldn't change how he had and so what he had wished to frame as a question came out as if it was a judgment. Instead of his nephew, he'd seen his father and brother when the wildfire was alight, and then instead of Jaehaerys, he'd seen Robert when he'd seen a killer being set free with no charge for their crime.
He knew it was unfair and the situations far different, later on as he sat in the room he felt as if he deserved the barb Jaehaerys sent his way. That it was a knock on how he'd treated Jaime Lannister wasn't lost on him either. Still, it had hurt at the time and he was already hurting some before that, he had been since the Trident in truth. Robert was not the man he'd been when they were boys and for that man, he mourned not. For the brother, he'd had by choice if not blood he did though. He was not ashamed to admit he'd wept some for that boy with his easy smile and japes, the boy who'd made him feel welcome so very far from home.
It was that boy he'd gone to mourn with Jon Arryn, that boy he'd seen his former foster father weep over. Yet Jon's tears rang false and his words even falser. So he'd gone to speak to him daily and played up being a northern fool. He'd listened to the plans he'd made, the plots he'd suggested and though the man was clever enough not to outright ask him to commit treason, he came damnably close at times. Mainly though he'd listened to his explanations, to his justifications, and tried to reason out what arguments he'd make during his trial. He'd obviously not been as circumspect as he had thought he'd been or Jaehaerys was having him watched.
"Meeting with Jon Arryn constantly, speaking to him daily, what the hell were you thinking uncle? And if you think I'll let you stand for him, fight for him then you're a damn fool." Jaehaerys said as Ned tried to think of what to say, and tried not to let his own temper loose, failing at the latter.
"You really think that little of me, your grace? You think I'd fight for…for that man after what he did?" he said angrily.
"He told me himself, uncle." Jaehaerys said.
"Aye, and he's a liar in case you've forgotten, fight for him? For him? I'd rather rip his dawn throat out with my bare hands than fight for him after what he's cost me, what he cost us both. I'd set Lya on him before I'd ever fight for the damn man." he said and his nephew looked at him confused.
"I don't understand, if not that, then why? What were you speaking to him about?"
"I was trying to find out things he'd tell only me, your grace. Things he'd reveal if he thought me on his side, plots, plans, how he may speak during his trial. What lies or untruths he may tell. I wished to know how he'd try to justify his actions, what lies he'd spread to cover them up or paint then in a favorable light." he said and saw his nephew chuckle.
"You've been playing him?" Jaehaerys asked smiling.
"I'm a slow learner that's true, but I learn." he said as Jaehaerys laughed loudly.
"What has the world come to, Ned Stark is playing the Game of Thrones." Jaehaerys said and despite himself, he laughed also.
He watched as his nephew went to the door and asked for refreshments to be brought and then once they had he told him all he'd learned, Jaehaerys seeming to think on it for some time before nodding.
"I thank you for this uncle, and I apologize for doubting you."
"I've given you many reasons you should over the years, but I'm on your side Jaehaerys, always." he said and his nephew nodded.
"I wished to speak to you on the North also uncle. I'd ask you to take a seat on my council if I thought you'd accept."
"I thank you for not." he said which made both of them chuckle.
"Instead I intend to ask Lord Wyman to take a position."
"Aye, that's a good idea, you'll make him a master?"
"Aye, though of what I've yet to decide, I need to speak to my Hand and to my wife." Jaehaerys said Ned trying not to laugh when he saw how wistful his nephew looked when mentioning Margaery.
"Whichever you decide I'm sure the North will welcome it, your grace."
"I also intend to appoint Uncle Benjen to a role." Jaehaerys said surprising him.
"You're freeing him from his oaths?"
"Dany and Tyrion have the papers with them, they're headed to bring our other uncle back here. But aye, he and the loyalists are to be freed, I'm sending them more than enough men to man the wall. I need him here with me, I wish to name him the crown's Northern Envoy, the first of seven such I'll name. People who'll speak for each of the kingdoms and see their wants and needs are addressed."
He listened and found himself nodding along, this was much better than having a seat on the council, especially if it was a man like Benjen who was to hold that position. The North would have a voice at the table, a voice that the king would listen to and it could only be a good thing. When Jaehaerys finished telling him of his plans, he felt it was time to speak on his own, and having his nephew's input would be useful.
"Robb and I have spoken on Cregan, I know his truth will soon be revealed and I'd only ask you to hold off on it until I've spoken to my nephew."
"Of course uncle, you have a plan?" Jaehaerys asked.
"Aye, I intend to ask him to be Lord of Sea Dragon Point. We need a keep there with all the trade we do and I also intend to name him admiral of a western fleet." he said looking to see his nephew's expression.
Jaehaerys sat contemplating what he'd said and that he'd not ruled it out, at least showed it had some merit.
"If he accepts we could give him a new House Name, make him a cadet branch of House Stark, it would solve a lot of issues." his nephew said.
"You think it a good idea?" he asked and Jaehaerys nodded.
"I do, arrange a dinner, I'm sure Sansa would wish to join you, speak to him and let me know what he says, if he wishes it then maybe the crown can provide some funds to help see it done."
"Thank you, your grace." he said standing up.
"Uncle, about earlier, I'm sorry."
"That's quite alright nephew." he said as he walked from the room.
He felt a lot better leaving than he had when he arrived that was for certain and though he still wasn't used to being ordered around by his nephew, that was he knew more about him than Jaehaerys. Even already he could see how much better suited he was to be king than Robert and maybe even his father had ever been. Despite his own issues with fostering, it had benefited Jaehaerys more than most. He'd learned perhaps more about the kingdoms than any king before him.
Born in Dorne, raised in the North and the West, his wife being from the Reach and given who he'd fought against and who had fought with him, he knew all about the Stormlands, Riverlands, and the Vale. He knew the Lords of the Narrow sea and the Crowlands too and had already dealt with the Iron Islands. There was perhaps no one better served to be a king of the seven kingdoms Ned felt and that alone was enough to make him hopeful for the future.
King's Landing 298 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
He was actually nervous, so much so that he couldn't button his damn coat. it was incredibly frustrating and he was glad that Jaime or Arthur wasn't' around to see it. Both of them had been at pains to tell him that a king didn't dress himself alone, that he had a manservant or someone to do that. Jae laughing at them sure it was yet another jape at his expense, something Jaime took great pleasure in doing most days.
But apparently it was an actual thing he found out to his surprise. He'd told them he wasn't a damn child or incapable of dressing himself and now standing in front of the looking glass he was proving at least one of those to be false. Damn stupid buttons he thought as he finally managed to get them to go where they were supposed to. That he knew that Loras was outside waiting on him only made him feel even more embarrassed, his friend had always been the one out of both of them who'd been able to dress so comfortably. Loras was always able to wear clothing that to Jae looked far too fancy and yet he'd find out it was really not. Even when they had the same things tailored, Loras's always looked better somehow, though he knew now that was because he was far more comfortable in them than he.
Were it up to him, then he'd be wearing one of the same three or four outfits, was it up to him though he'd be having dinner alone with Margaery and not a formal dinner welcoming her family to the Red Keep. While not quite a feast, it was almost the same thing in Jae's mind, that it was private being the only concession that was made. Even that meant they needed to be seen to go to a private dinner, rules, propriety, protocol, gods he hated it all. Leaving the room he looked to see Loras and he sighed, once again his friend making it look ever so easy. They walked with Barristan and Ser Richard, Arthur guarding Margaery tonight, and soon they reached where the others had gathered.
"Your grace." Margaery said.
"My lady." he said having actually been told off for calling her his queen by her grandmother of all people, something which did make him chuckle though.
He offered her his arm which she took and they set off. They walked through the Great Hall and past the assembled Lords and Ladies and then out the other side, down a hall, and into the private dinner chambers. All of this when he could have just met them there. Though he knew it meant a lot to Lord Mace and Lady Alerie and that Lady Olenna enjoyed the pageantry of it all. Margaery seemed like him to almost be embarrassed by it, she grinned and bared it though and relaxed some when they took their seats at the table.
Given that they would need to have a feast after his coronation, not to mention their wedding feast and another once all the lords and Lord Paramount had been addressed, rewarded, and then sworn their fealty. Not to mention an opening and a closing feast for the tourney. Jae was glad that at this was at least somewhat private and he saw Margaery smirk when instead of the seat at the top of the table, he sat down beside her.
"Shouldn't you be sitting there, your grace." Margaery whispered her smirk in full effect as she looked at him.
"Gods don't you start too." he said to a giggle.
He looked to see Sansa speaking to Willas, his little sister, and goodbrother laughing at something one or the other had said. Loras was talking to Garlan and Leonette while Mace, Alerie, and Olenna were speaking together. Jae had to admit he felt some relief at that when the first dish was brought out, he'd half expected this would end up even more formal once inside and yet it had quickly turned into an ordinary family dinner.
"The coronation your grace, when will that happen?" Lady Alerie asked.
"In a few days my lady, there are still some people to arrive. Lady Genna and Lord Kevan along with Lady Ashara and Lady Joy from Casterly Rock. Lady Ellaria and my cousins From Dorne and my cousin Arya and Lady Lyanna Mormont from Bear island. My aunt Daenerys and uncle Tyrion have also traveled to the wall to bring my uncle Aemon back." he said smiling when Margaery squeezed his hand.
"I'm looking forward to meeting your aunt, your grace, rumors say she's the very image of her dear mother." Lord Mace said and Jae nodded.
"She is my lord, though Dany may not be what people expect from a Targaryen princess, my aunt Shiera may conform more to what people expect, she's more a Rhaenys to Dany's Visenya." he said happily.
"It's true then, Shiera Seastar lives?" Willas asked.
"Aye she does, I had hoped she'd join us but she's still settling into life back here in the Red Keep."
"Your uncle Aemon, your grace, he must be close to a hundred namedays old by now." Olenna said and Jae looked at her.
"He is my lady, he's spent almost seventy years as the Maester at the Wall, forgotten and alone. When I visited the North with Loras many years ago we traveled to the Wall to see him. He, my uncle Benjen and some loyalists who were sentenced to the Wall." Jae feeling it best to put it that way rather than say who refused to bend the knee considering what Lord Mace had done "Have all been released from their oaths, they should never have been there."
He felt Margaery squeeze his hand once more and enjoyed the comfort it brought him. The conversation flowed easily enough and though they spoke on the tourney, the trial, and of course the upcoming wedding, it was the lighter topics that he enjoyed. Willas asking him if there was an aviary here in the Red Keep and a kennels, and Loras speaking about his room in White Sword Tower. Mace and Alerie asking him how he was settling in and Olenna thanking him for their rooms. When the meal eventually ended and they retired to a large room to sit and speak some more, he knew he'd need to at least brooch the subject of rewards.
"Lord Mace, Lady Olenna, I hope you know I've not forgotten both your parts in helping me regain my throne and our agreements. Lord Jaime will wish to speak to you on the morrow Lord Mace, certain considerations in regards to taxes and the likes and if we could break our fast together Lady Olenna perhaps you, I, and Margaery could speak on some other matters?"
"Of course your grace, I'd be honored." Olenna said, Mace following her.
Jae then spoke briefly to Willas and then spent some time with Sansa. His little sister seemed to love the idea of staying in the Red Keep. He asked her if they could spend some time together in the next day or two, just the two of them, and Sansa's smile was the only answer he needed. As he left them to their rooms that night he saw the half-grin Olenna gave him when they walked past Margaery's and he didn't leave her inside. Instead having his wife accompany him while he said goodbye to the rest of her family.
"Remember your grace, you're a knight too" Olenna whispered as he bid her goodnight.
He held his wife's hand as they walked back down the corridor. Then he made sure no one was in the halls before they ducked into her rooms and as soon as the door closed behind him, she was in his arms. Their first kiss was frantic, both of them eager and almost fighting for control. When he finally broke away from it just seeing the look in her eyes made the second just as passionate. It was only the third which finally allowed them to slow down and enjoy the feel of each other's lips. After a few moments, they moved to the bed and Jae laid down, Margaery soon lying in his arms, her head resting on his chest as his fingers brushed through her hair.
"I missed you so much." she said and he kissed her forehead.
"Aye, you too. I swear each day I've been almost beside myself waiting for your arrival, just the thoughts of being here alone was enough to make me almost lose my mind. Were I not already certain how much I need you with me Margaery, than each day I've been here has only made that more clear."
"Has it been that terrible?" she asked a small smile belying the concerned way she did so.
"No, but only because I knew that each day I got through brought you closer. I can't, I don't want to do this alone."
"You'll never be alone again, my love." she said kissing him.
"Does your mother, grandmother, do they know how quickly we can be wed?" he asked and she chuckled a little.
"Now that dear husband is just what a wife longs to hear, her love's eagerness for their wedding."
"Eager, I'd have it on the morrow if I could." he said to another giggle.
"As would I. We'll meet with the High Septon and once everyone is here I'm sure we can organize it most quickly, I have all I need and I see even you seem to be dressing better now too." she said and were it not for her lopsided grin he'd have been affronted.
"Really, you too." he said threatening to tickle her.
"Jae, Jae, I'm sorry." she said laughing as she moved away from him "Loras bid me say something." she said giving up when he kissed her neck instead of doing what she had expected him to do.
"Did he now, it seems I must teach my goodbrother a lesson on the morrow."
"Jae I…" she began nervously.
"Marge?"
"I know why I'm not staying in the Queen's Chambers, how improper it would look before we were wed but I..when we're wed…"
"Margaery."
"I'd not wish to stay there." she said biting her lip, he looked at her not understanding for a moment until he saw the way her eyes couldn't meet his and then he knew he blushed and so he kissed her both to relieve her own nervousness and to hide his embarrassment.
"I'd not wish you to either. I wish us to be together Marge, completely and always. Lord Jaime and Lady Dacey share a room and don't use separate chambers and I doubt anyone would claim them unhappy, I wish that for us too."
He felt her relax and they lay there together, speaking on their wedding, the days to come, and the things both of them wished to see changed. When he told her that he wished for her to be a queen, to play her role in all that was done, to offer her opinion, attend the council meetings if she wished, and to bring up the changes that she wanted to see, he felt how eager she was to begin.
"We, Marge, we together." he said as she snuggled up against him.
"Aye, we together." she said as he kissed her once more.
Though he wished nothing more than to fall asleep in her arms, he knew the servants would arrive early in his and her rooms in the morning, and feeling her drifting off he bid her goodnight and made his way to his own room. He found once he got there he couldn't sleep and so he walked the halls, Ghost, and Arthur alongside him. Jae found the Red Keep to be a wondrous place at night, the activity of the day almost as if it belonged in a different world. Eventually, he felt some degree of tiredness and took to his bed, waking not more than a few hours later, and after washing he made his way to break his fast.
"Lady Olenna, Margaery not here yet?" he asked when he walked in the room, Olenna's smile was brief before she answered.
"No your grace, apparently my granddaughter was most tired this morning, I do hope you didn't keep her awake the whole night." she said and Jae found himself splutter and spilling some of the orange juice he was drinking, more at how she said it then at what she said.
"I assure…"
"We missed each other grandmother, as well you know." Margaery said walking in, looking at her grandmother before she walked to him and kissed his cheek.
"Of course Margaery." Olenna said and Jae once again saw the little smirk on the woman's face, knowing now she truly was jesting with him.
He took his seat and they ate and then once they had and the plates were taken away, he turned to them both to speak on some of the matters at hand.
"I know I'd rather not discuss these things so soon, but we have much to do my lady and so please forgive me if I'm blunt and feel free to speak just as bluntly." he said seeing Olenna nod "I believe as part of your agreement with Lord Jaime, a place on the small council was discussed?"
"It was your grace."
"Please, call me Jae, at least here in private, I'm starting to forget my own name with how many people call me king or your grace." he said to chuckles.
"Of course Jae, but then you had better call my grandmother Olenna or she'll not be best pleased." Margaery said and Jae smirked.
"I'd ask Willas to be my Master of Coin, Olenna." he said seeing the woman nod her agreement "I'd also ask you to act as a special adviser to the crown my lady. While not officially being named to the small council, more because I'd wish you to be free to come and go as you please rather than because I don't wish you to be or because you're a woman."
"So you have no problems having a woman on your small council?" Margaery asked.
"Why would I? Some of the smartest most capable people I know are woman, I'm sitting with two of them after all." he said looking to see the approving look Olenna gave him "I know Margaery would appreciate your counsel Olenna and I too would value it. You'd when you could attend the small council meetings alongside Margaery and myself, and though you'd have no set or defined role, it's an important one I'd have you play."
"I'm honored your grace and I accept." Olenna said and Jae saw Margaery's smile which alone would have made the offer worthwhile, though it was for her counsel and not his wife's approval that he'd decided this.
They were speaking on other appointments and some of the changes he wished to bring about when the servant arrived with the note, Jae looking at it excitedly.
"Forgive me Olenna, Margaery, the Lion's Roar has been spotted in the bay." he said rising to his feet.
"Joy is on board?" Margaery asked and he nodded happily.
As it turned out he being a king was not allowed to go to the docks to greet the ship, Jaime, and Gerion doing so instead. He felt like a petulant child when he'd argued and only that Margaery explained it to him, he'd have ignored what was being said and jumped on Winter and rode her to the docks himself. Instead, he was forced to wait and then greet them outside in the courtyard, even that something he'd had to fight on but since he'd not sat the throne yet, something that he actually won.
When he saw the carriages and that both Jaime and Gerion weren't riding he knew they were there and then soon enough they were in front of him. Lord Kevan and Lady Dorna were first out of the carriages with little Janei, then Lady Genna and Emmon, followed by Jaime, Dacey, and Joanna and then Ashara and Gerion. Then finally Joy climbed out and he was momentarily taken aback. She'd gotten taller, her hair done up much differently and though it had been only moons since he'd seen her last, the changes made it seem like years.
The little girl was gone and this young woman had replaced her and he felt a little bit sad that he'd missed it. She looked nervously at him too and he tried not to frown, instead putting a small smile on his face as he greeted each of the new arrivals. It was hard hearing people who'd been family to him for so long call him Your Grace or My king and even more so when Joy stood in front of him and gave him a curtsy.
"Your grace." she said all prim and proper.
"Joy." he said and saw a flicker in her eyes and a look to Genna and then back to him "Yoy." he said.
"Yon." and then he was hugged so very tightly that he could barely breathe, he hugged her back though just as hard as she did him,.
"I bloody told you all it wouldn't last." he heard Genna say as both he, Joy, and soon others began laughing.
The Wall/Dragonstone 298 AC.
Aemon.
He sat up most of the night speaking to his niece and nephew, finding Tyrion to be a very clever and learned young man and hearing the tales of his niece's adventures and the places she'd visited to be enlightening. In her young life, Daenerys had seen more than most people. She'd visited almost all the main cities in Essos, from Volantis to Myr and pretty much everywhere in between. She'd met Horselords and Red Priests, Magisters and Merchants, fought against sellswords, and brought dragons into the world. Even his nephew's story had a lot to live up to when it came to Daenerys's, no Dany's he thought with a smile.
Eventually, though he could stay awake no longer and they bid him goodnight. Aemon going to bed that night and knowing that on the morrow he'd be leaving never to return, he thought he'd feel sadness at that, and yet it was only excitement and eagerness that was in his heart. His dreams that night were of flying with two dragons beside him, of dipping down in the water to capture the whale, all of which took on a different meaning when he woke. Dreams they may have been but today he'd see them true. No matter what else happened with his life or how long he had left in this world, today he'd fly on a dragon.
After breaking his fast and saying goodbye to the Lord Commander and some of the men he considered friends, they made their way to the gate and he heard the gasps from those behind him as the dragon landed in front of him. He felt it then, the draw, the pull, and he moved from Dany's arm and walked in the direction of the voice that called out to him. Reaching out his hand he felt the scales against his fingers, then he heard a sound he'd never heard before and one he could tell was one of joy as he stroked the dragon's head.
"Sandorix." he said softly and the dragon trilled once more.
"Come uncle." Tyrion said his voice confused as he led him away, the sound the dragon making as he moved anything but happy, yet he heard his niece speak to Sandorix as he was led to another.
Tyrion despite his small size helped him up on the dragon's back and he felt something soft and leathery instead of the scales of a dragon that he'd expected.
"A saddle?" he asked.
"Aye, Lygaron and Rhaenix brought them to us, Jae said the dragons found them in Valyria." Tyrion said much to his shock "Are you, ready uncle?" Tyrion asked a few moments later.
"For this, nephew, for this I've been ready all my life." he said with a laugh.
"Sōvegon Lygaron" (Fly Lygaron) Tyrion said and Aemon smiled, Valyrian the dragons responded to Valyrian he thought, and then before he knew it he was in the air.
It was like nothing he could ever imagine and though he couldn't see the ground beneath him, he felt they soared high. When they finally landed he knew he couldn't be in King's Landing already, fast as dragons were surely they couldn't cover the journey that quickly. To his surprise he found he was in the Riverlands and it was just getting dark The dragons may not have covered the full distance but in less than a few hours of flying they'd covered the entirety of the North.
The Wall to Winterfell took over a moon to travel, to the Riverlands, it would take just as long and they'd done it in less than a full day. He marveled over this as they ate that night and he was still doing so when he fell to sleep, his dreams that night were of resting happily and feeling complete. They broke their fast the next morning and were soon back in the air and Aemon welcomed the milder weather. Soon he felt the sun on his face for the first time in years and then heard Tyrion say they were there.
As he was helped off the dragon he heard voices, a woman's that was soft and melodic and finally his nephews, the boy who'd taken back their family's throne. Many years earlier he'd felt alone and lost and knew his time was nearing an end and his nephew had come to him when he'd needed it most. Now he'd sent for him and brought him here, Aemon eager to meet Jaehaerys once more, but he heard arguing, and then his nephew was beside him.
"Uncle, it's so good to see you again." Jaehaerys said as other voices spoke in hushed whispers.
"Your grace, gods I've wished to say that for so very long." Aemon said with a chuckle.
"Uncle I know you're tired and would perhaps wish to rest but I found something, something I think will help me greatly. I ask you to bear with me for a little longer and if I'm right then after one more short flight things will be much different. Can you manage a trip to Dragonstone uncle? I swear it if I'm right on this it'll be worth it."
"You believe this necessary Jaehaerys?"
"Vital uncle."
"Then let's fly once more." he said happily.
It was Jaehaerys who took him with him this time, and Aemon felt the difference both in the size of the dragon underneath him and the comfort in how he flew. Lygaron didn't struggle in the air, far from it, but compared to Rhaenix it was a sparrow to an eagle. The larger dragon's wings, it's strength, making it fly easier than the smaller. He was surprised a little by that too and he wondered if the smaller dragon moved easier and more swiftly when it changed direction, something he'd ask his nephew about later he thought.
"We're here." Jaehaerys said and they landed comfortably, Aemon stepping foot in a place he'd not been since he was a boy.
"This is truly Dragonstone, nephew?"
"Aye uncle it is." Jaehaerys said smiling "Uncle have you been having odd dreams?"
"Odd?"
"Of dragons?"
"Aye, I have, I dreamt I was flying, Jaehaerys." he said and felt his nephew's hand on his.
"I believe you've bonded to Dany's riderless dragon, uncle."
"Sandorix." he said smiling.
"Aye and if I'm right about that then I'm right about this." Jaehaerys said handing him a pendant of some sort with a chain on it.
Aemon felt the stones on the pendant, the three-headed dragon carved in and covered in gems of some sort, before he could ask more he heard the other dragons landing and his nephew leaned in close.
"I ask you to trust me uncle, no matter how strange what I say, back me up on this I beg of you.." Jaehaerys said his voice soft and pleading.
"I will nephew."
The argument was brief once he did as Jaehaerys had bid, Aemon listening on in disbelief at what his nephew as saying. Only one voice other than his own was agreeing with what needed to be done, a voice he now knew to belong to Shiera Seastar, his great aunt which was just mind-blowing even to him. When Jaehaerys asked him to cut his hand, Aemon did so and held the pendant in it until his nephew asked him to hand it back and then moved away.
" Dohaeragon nyke, syt iā aōha kipagīros Sandorix." (Help me, for your rider Sandorix) he heard Jaehaerys say and he heard the loud trill the dragon made, it's wishes clear and Aemon smiled at that.
What happened next he couldn't tell, it was as if there was no sound to be heard and then he felt rather than heard his nephew walk towards him.
"Uncle, I need you to put this on." Jaehaerys said handing him the pendant.
"You're sure, Jaehaerys?" he asked.
"As I am about anything, uncle."
He put it on and felt no different for a moment and then he felt very much so, falling to the ground more out of shock than pain, though his niece and nephew didn't realize that for a moment.
"I'm well." he said and that was the first he noticed it, his voice not how it usually sounded.
He reached out to take his nephew's hand to help himself up and yet found he could rise to his feet far easier and then he noticed how they looked at him and more clearly what they looked like. Jaehaerys with his dark hair and grey eyes looking more like the Prince of Dragonflies than anyone else he could remember. Daenerys looking like Visenya herself and reminding him of Rhae and Daella. He saw echoes of all of them in Shiera and she looked just as she had the last time he saw her, Tyrion was as he had imagined, small in stature if not presence.
"Wait, I can see, how can I see?" he said as he looked to see the dragons and his king looking at him with great interest, none more so than the golden dragon, Sandorix's eyes never leaving his own.
"Magic uncle." Jaehaerys said as he pointed to the pendant Aemon now wore on his chest, Aemon moving his hand to the pendant and noticing something else, his hand was no longer wrinkled, it no longer pained him to move it.
He ran past his nephew's, his niece and his aunt, the small puddle of water his destination, and when he reached it he dropped to his knees. The man staring back at him was someone he'd not seen in many years, seventy maybe even eighty years he thought as he ran his fingers thought his long silver hair. His purple eyes alight as he did so and then he saw his nephew appear behind him.
"Come uncle, it's time you claimed your dragon." Jaehaerys said smiling beamingly at him and Aemon had never heard words before that made his heart soar as much as these did right now.
"Aye, nephew it is."
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed, Due to the site hiding so many for so long I'm in the process of answering them and don't want to miss any, so the next chapter will have them all, bear with me to then. Up Next, as the last of his family arrive a king is crowned and sets immediately to work, changes are made and trials begin. Sansa tries to figure out her feelings amidst Willa's new appointment and Ned and Robb make Cregan an offer, while Margaery plans a wedding and spends more time with Jae.
