AEMON II

When he is alone Aemon cries bitterly. Would this rebellion still have happened if he had been King. Fear drove him away, fear of his own blood magic. Fear of his Dragonblood and what he is capable of doing. Aemon falls asleep, "Wake the Dragon." He jumps up sitting in his bed.

"Are you alright Maester?"

"What time is it Darwyn?"

"Almost midday…Are you hungry?"

"Yes I could eat something." Aemon goes about his duties enraged, but he does not show his emotions. He performs his duties as he always does. "If only I were a younger man." Six months pass and Castle Black receives a visit in the form of Lord Eddard Stark, Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell. After speaking with Lord Commander Mormont he asks to speak with Maester Aemon.

"Lord Eddard Stark…To what do I owe the honor?"

"I am delivering prisoners of the war to join the Watch. I also wanted to speak with you…About your nephew Rhaegar…"

"What of him?"

"I…I wanted you to know that I, did not believe he kidnapped and raped my sister."

He grunts, "I did not believe those things either. Do you know who started the rumor?"

"Some say the Mad King…Others say it was Grand Maester Pycel."

He frowns, "Pycel…Yes it was most likely him. He was always Tywin Lannister's lap dog."

"Um…I…"

"You don't have to say it Lord Stark…I know! I know what the Mountain did! I know what Lorch did! But tell me…Why didn't you take the Iron Throne?"

"Forgive me, but I did not kill Rhaegar."

BLOODRAVEN

He was known by many names and fathered many children in his quest for power, his desire to see the Dragons return, and to fulfill the prophecy of the Prince that was Promised. Brynden Rivers now lives in a cave among the Children of the Forest. Through his Dragonblood Bryden became a Warg and a greenseer, but as powerful as he had become, he was not the Prince that was Promised.

He is in his trance like state and once again he watches as Lyanna Stark gives birth to a son. He had seen the event before it happened, had seen it when it happened and now he watches it again for the third time after it happened.

"Yes…I think your son is the Prince…Lyanna Stark…But what shall become of your son if he is raised by your brother?" Brynden goes into his trance like state. Many images flash before his mind and then…

SEVENTEEN YEARS INTO A POSSIBLE FUTURE

"I'm not a Stark…" Jon Snow son of Prince Rhaegar and Lyanna Targaryen says.

"I want you gone! Gone from this place!" Lady Catelyn Stark says to him.

"The next time I see you we will talk about your mother…I swear." Eddard Stark says.

Jon joins the Night's Watch and is eventually chosen as Lord Commander. As Lord Commander, Jon makes several decisions, such as allowing the wildlings to settle south of the Wall in order not to be killed by wights. He organizes a rescue expedition to Hardhome with Tormund, and he manages to rescue some wildlings. However, many black brothers grow distant from him, due to his sympathy for the Free Folk. As a result of this, he is later murdered in a mutiny

When Brynden awakens Leaf the leader of the Children is standing in front of him, "How long was I gone this time?"

"Two days…Eat." The Immortal replies.

"Well Aemon Targaryen…We cannot allow this future to come to pass…Hopefully the magic in your blood is strong enough to do what must be done…" He smiles, "A test…Yes a test I think." Brynden says as he eats. "But we must wait…Ten years seems like a good number."

AEMON

"Are You Maester Aemon?"

"Who asks?"

"I am Alliser Thorn…I served Prince Rhaegar…I serve you My Prince."

He smiles, "I am an old man…An old man who has sworn to serve the Night's Watch…"

"Nonetheless My Prince I am yours to command in all things. And not just me…There are others here."

"Why would you say such things to me?"

"As we traveled North I and my Companions we all shared a dream…In the dream a Dragon told us to serve the Old Dragon at Castle Black."

"Interesting. Very well I shall accept your vow."

TEN YEARS LATER

Aemon prepares to go to sleep and when he falls asleep he dreams…

"Hello."

"Hello Aemon Targaryen."

"You! I have seen your picture before…You are Bryden Rivers."

"Targaryen…My father King Aegon the Fourth legitimized me." In the dream both men are young men in their early twenties.

"I mean no offence. Was it you who Spoke to Alliser, Rykker, and the others in their dreams?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

He sighs, "In my life I sought to bring about the prophecy…I laid with many women and fathered many children…All across Westeros…I also sought to strengthen my blood magic and bring the Dragons back…When I learned of the Children of the Forest I joined the Watch and faked my death…I found the children and in learning their secrets I became bound to the cave I am in…

I cannot leave it…If I could I would seek revenge on those who bought ruin to our family and legacy…Which is why I speak to you now…If your blood is strong enough, then I will show you the path to vengeance."

When Aemon awakens he breaks his fast alone in his room. Then he has Darwyn fetch him a dagger, a candle bowl, flint, and kindling. He lights a fire in the bowl and then runs the blade across his hand. He drips the blood into fire and he can feel the heat grow stronger. Aemon smiles…

WINTERFELL – JON SNOW

"Good night Jon."

"Good night father." A ten, year old Jon Snow says to his father. As soon as Eddard Stark leaves his room the fire in the fire place changes colors. Then the flames take the shape of a young man. Jon sits up in bed, "Who are you?"

"I am your Great Uncle Aemon Targaryen."

He frowns, "How can you be my Uncle?"

"Your mother was Lyanna Stark…Your father was Prince Rhaegar…You have the blood of the Dragon in you."

He shakes his head, "No…No Eddard Stark is my father."

"He lied to you, in order to protect you from the Usurper…Your mother made him swear before she died to protect you."

"No! No!" Jon jumps out of bed, opens his door and runs up the hall to the family wing and to his father's room. He pounds on the door.

It opens, "Jon?"

"Why is that bastard disturbing our rest?" Catelyn asks.

"Are you my father? Is Lyanna Stark my mother?" He asks in tears.

Catelyn Stark sits up as her husband pulls him into the room, "What did he just say?"

"Nothing he had a bad dream…Didn't you Jon?"

"You are the son of Prince Rhaegar." He hears Aemon say.

"No!" Jon says stepping back, "Lyanna Stark was my mother wasn't she?"

"Ned?"

He looks at his wife and then Jon, "Yes…And Prince Rhaegar was your father." He looks at Cat, "I couldn't tell you because…I promised Lyanna…"

She gets out of the bed, "You didn't trust me?"

"We did not know each other back then."

AEMON

He watches until the fire goes out. "So your magic has not dulled from lack of use."

"It would seem not…Now what?" The next day Aemon summons Alliser Thorn, Jeremy Rykker, Clinton Flowers, Alyn Blackwood, and Michael Brace. "Good men…I have a request of you. Head North to Craster's Keep and bring the old goat to me. Do not ask me why…Do as I ask without question. Bring him bound and gagged to the Heart Tree…When it is done build a fire stake and send for me, I will come to you."

It takes two weeks by horse to travel to Crasters and back. Michael Brace comes to tell Aemon they have him. Darwyn has two horses saddled and then they ride out to the Heart Tree. When they arrive Craster is gagged and tied to a stake. "Well done gentlemen." Aemon says as Darwyn helps him off his horse.

Aemon walks up to Craster who growls from under his gag. He takes a dagger and stabs him in the side while speaking in Old Valyiran. Then Aemon smears the blood on his face. Then he cuts his right hand this time smearing the blood on Craster and dripping some on the wood. Aemon climbs onto the base. "The torch." Alliser hesitates. "You swore to obey me Ser…Do as I command." He hands Aemon the torch reluctantly as Craster's protests grow louder.

Aemon drops the torch on the wood and it immediately bursts into flames. Craster starts to thrash, and growl as the flames grow higher. His clothes and skin start to burn, while Aemon remains quiet. They all watch in wonder as the flames engulf Aemon. The fire turns bright red and the group of onlookers have to step back.

After a good while the flames die down and sitting on a pile of ashes is a young Aemon Targaryen. His hair is long thick and white. His purple eyes almost glow and his naked body is well muscled with no wrinkles on it. He stands up laughing, "It worked. It worked!"

Ser Alliser, Darwyn, Jaremy Rykker, Clinton Flowers, Alyn Blackwood, and Michael Brace. All fall to one knee. "Blood of my blood. My Prince." Ser Alliser says.

"Blood of my blood." They all repeat.

"Rise my good men." He looks at Darwyn, "Darwyn hand me those clothes you bought with you. The cold does not bother me…But I think it not good to walk around like this."

"Are all Targaryens as hung as you My Prince?" Clinton Flowers asks.

Aemon smiles as he dresses, "Your sword Alyn lend it to me." It had been years since Aemon held a sword. He makes a few practice swings, twirls the sword from side to side as he fights an invisible enemy. "It is all coming back to me." They mount their horses and ride back to Castle Black. As Aemon rides through the gate the men stare at him. Aemon dismounts his horse and heads to Lord Mormont's solar. "My Lord.
He stairs at Aemon for a long time, "I see the old man in young form standing before me."

"It is me Old Friend."

"How is this possible?"

"Fire and Blood." He explains to him the ritual he performed.

"So what now?"

"I must take my leave of you…I must go gather my family and take back our legacy. But before I go there are things I must tell you."