AEGON
"What do you want?" Lyanna Mormont asks breaking the silence. She is only nine years old, but has a commanding presence and is well respected among the people of Bear Island.
"Revenge...For my family and the North..."
"What of the Iron Throne?" Small Jon Umber asks.
"I intend to take it as Aegon Targaryen the Seventh of his name..."
The hall breaks into an uproar, "SILENCE!" Lyanna Mormont yells and almost immediately it goes quiet. "Do you expect us to bend the knee?"
Jon sighs, "I am the son of Prince Rhaegar, but I am also of the North by my mother Lyanna Stark...Lord Eddard Stark raised me as a Northman...When I take the Iron Throne I intend to support the North's independence...And we will be united through my blood...I am not asking any of you to fight with me...But I am asking that you make peace with the Free Folk..."
Again the hall breaks into an uproar, "Peace! With those savages!"
"Aye peace..." Jon replies raising his voice. "You all know what Lord Commander Mormont bought before the King when he came North. There is an enemy beyond all of us and if we are to survive we will need the Free Folk...Before they died...Lord Stark, King Robert , and Lord Mormont were commited to making peace with the Free Folk...To prepare for the Long Winter...I ask you all to do the same..."
It was Lyanna Mormont who spoke up in favor of making peace and convinced the Northern Lords to do the same. After the meeting they go to the courtyard where Roose Bolton, Ramsey Snow, and Theon Greyjoy are all tied to joined fire stakes. There is a nest in the center where the three poles connect. Jon takes the egg from Sam and places it in the nest. Then he sets the stakes on fire. Theon is the first to cry out, then Roose Bolton and finally Ramsey is the last to cry out. The fire belches and burns brightly; the heat is so intense that people back away. Many disapprove of Jon or rather Aegon burning these men.
Eventually the fire dies out and a small screech echoes across the courtyard. Jon walks up to the ashes and removes a baby Dragon. It climbs onto his shoulder, spreads its wings and screeches.
"Blood of my Blood!" Falco and the other Dothraki say falling to their knees.
"Blood of my Blood..." Lyanna Stark says taking a knee. The rest of the Northern Lords take a knee.
"My King." Samwell Tarly says.
Strickland walks up to Jon, "Blood of my Blood...The Golden Company vows to serve Aegon Targaryen the Seventh of his name...We are yours from this time until world's end..."
Later Jon meets with Sam, "You wanted to see me?"
"Aye I did..." Rickon is with Aegon, "I spoke with my brother and we have decided to give you the Dreadfort…"
"I don't know what to say."
"Say yes." Rickon replies.
When word arrives that Rodrick Forrester has taken back Ironrath Jon marches towards Castle Black. "Did you give him a name yet?" Sam asks holding the baby Dragon.
"Rhaegal after my father..."
When the army stops to make camp in the lonely hills Aegon uses his fire sight He sees Stannis sailing out of Braavos with a sell sword company named the Lost Legion. Then he sees Olenna Tyrell and Petyr Baelish plot to poison Joffrey. Joffrey dies and Sansa escapes King's Landing with Baelish's help. The next thing he sees is Brynden the Blackfish taking back Riverrun. Just before he breaks the sight Aegon sees Bran and Meera with a Child of the Forest. "We must hurry to castle Black..." Aegon says to Strickland.
"Why?"
"Time is against me...Stannis will cross the Narrow Sea with an army soon...I need to settle things with the Free Folk before that..."
"Forgive me Your Grace, but if we push the army too hard; they won't have the strength to fight when we get there..."
At sunrise the next day they break camp and move on. Their march takes the through the lonely hills and into the edge of the wolf's wood. They cross the river near Last Hearth. When they stop to rest it is to drink water and eat before moving on. The army does not bother with making camp per the King's orders. Aegon walks through army getting use to the idea of being called Your Grace. He never wanted it, but if peace is to truly return to Westeros then he had to be its King. He had to succeed where his father failed and write the wrongs of his Grandfather the Mad King.
He finds his core group sitting around a fire, Sam, Donovan, Roland, Martlyne, Able, Falco, Rufus, Kano, and Abo. Donovan and the rest were like an unofficial King's Guard. As usual Rhaegal sits on Aegon's shoulder. "I read Dragons can breath fire after their two weeks of life..." Sam says. "Has he breathed fire yet?"
"Not yet...Nor has he eaten..."
"Don't worry he will as soon as he starts breathing fire...They only eat things they have roasted in their fire..."
Aegon takes a piece of cooked meat and offers it to Rhaegal. He stares at it first then he snatches it out of his hand.
CASTLE BLACK
After a forced march they arrive at Castle Black. Aegon rides into the courtyard with Donovan and Falco in the vanguard. Strickland rides beside him with Sam and the rest of the guard behind. Rhaegal is in a cage on a cart.
"Lord Stark welcome back to Castle Black." Thorne says with Janos Slynt at his side.
"This is Aegon Targaryen!" Strickland announces, "Seventh of his name...Son of Prince Rhaegar and his second wife Princess Lyanna of Winterfell...Rightful heir to the Iron Throne...King of the Andels and the First Men...Lord of the Seven Kingdoms...Protector of the Realm..."
As he speaks Aegon dismounts his horse and removes Rhaegal from his cage. When they see the Dragon the men of the Watch fall to one knee. Later Aegon meets with Maester Aemon and Benjen in private. "I never thought I'd get to be in the presence of Dragon..." Aemon says with tears falling down his cheeks. "Our House shall live again...House Targaryen will be strong again..."
"Yes it will..." Aegon replies smiling at his Great Uncle's joy.
"I can't believe my brother kept all this from me."
He looks at his Uncle Benjen, "The Lannisters and the Freys will pay for what they have done..." Then he tells Benjen about Arya.
"Why didn't you make her come back?" He asks almost yelling.
"Arya has always been wild and...Her destiny lies with that boy Gendry and the Faceless Men..."
The next day Aegon meets with the senior members of the Watch. "My Uncle Benjen has agreed to take five of my men under peace banners and go North to find Mance Rayder...I need the Night's Watch to make peace...Together we are strong divided the Free Folk add numbers to army of the dead..."
"You ask a hard thing Your Grace...But the Lord Commander's last wish was that we make peace with the Wil...I mean Free Folk..." Thorne looks at his fellow members, "We discussed it and...It shall be..."
"Good!"
Six days later Benjen Stark returns with Mance and the Elders to discuss terms. They are invited into Castle Black. The Free Folk are hesitant, but Aegon gives them his word that they will be under his protection. Lords Glover, Karstark, Forrester, Umber, Ser Wylis, and Lady Mormont are also present. Aegon starts the meeting and then both sides express their desires for the peace treaty. The meeting lasts from high noon to sunrise the next day. A few arguments start and are ended by Aegon and Aemon. Lady Lyanna is able to stop a few arguments, but eventually a treaty is settled upon that is mutually beneficial.
After a day of rest Aegon prepares for Stannis' arrival. "I want all my archers on the wall..." Strickland, Donovan, Mance, Benjen, Thorne, Umber and Karstark walk beside him.
"They are already in position Your Grace..."
"Good." He looks at Mance, "Anyone who can shoot a bow will be stationed outside the wall..."
"Aye my giants can help as well while we get the women, children, and old inside."
"My Calvary will also be in position..."
Aegon sends the Calvary through the tunnel then the old, women, and children go through the tunnel. A defensive line is set up and just as the last stake is set up a horn sounds and Stannis arrives with his army. The army is set up in such a way that Stannis' forces cannot flank them. Aegons forces are in the Vanguard. The Free Folk archers are divided to the left and right flank with the infantry at the center. Aegon had given Sam special instructions. He watches as Stannis raises his hand. His forces stop and then after watching for a few seconds; Stannis, Melisandre, and Ser Davos approach with ten men.
Aegon gives the signal and he breaks away from his army with Strickland, Donovan, Roland, Martlyne, Able, Falco, Rufus, Kano, and Abo. Aegon is wearing his Targaryen armor. Roland is carrying the Targaryen Banner while Rufus carries the Stark Banner.
"Lord Stark...I am surprised to see you here...And brandishing the Targaryen banner..."
"My Uncle Lord Eddard Stark gave me the name Jon Stark...My mother Princess Lyanna Targaryen nee' Stark named me Aegon the Seventh of his name...I am the Son of the Dragon Prince Rhaegar...and the rightful King of Westeros..."
"What game are you playing boy?" Ser Davos asks.
"No game! Donovan...gives this to Lord Stannis..."
Donovan takes the letter and urges his horse towards Stannis who takes the letter. He reads it in silence and then hands it to Davos. As Davos reads it Stannis looks at Melisandre. "Your god didn't see this coming..." She remains silent. "Even if this is true. So what! House Targaryen was put down."
"And is on the rise again...Both here in Westeros and across the sea in Essos..." He replies as Donovan takes the letter back and returns to Aegon's side. "Bend the Knee and I will spare your life...I have the Free Folk as allies and over half my army here...Ten Thousand men of the Golden Company..."
"Where did you get the gold to buy the loyalty of the Golden Company?"
"A secret treasure chamber on Dragonstone left by Aegon the Conqueror..."
Stannis sneers, "You steal from me and call yourself King!"
"I only took what is mine by right...Now will you bend the knee or die?"
"My brother and I fought to bring down the Targaryens and I will be damned to the Seven hells before I bend the knee to Rhaegar's spawn!"
"Your Grace..." Ser Davos says. "Perhaps you should reconsider...we are outnumbered."
As they talk they fail to notice Aegon give a head signal. On the top of the wall Sam waits with Rhaegal in a cage. He opens it and the Dragon glides down to Aegon screeching. The noise stops them from talking as Rhaegal glides down and flaps his wings next to Aegon. He stares at Stannis as Rhaegal looks at him, "DRACARYS!" A burst of flame erupts from Rhaegal's mouth and hits Stannis. He screams in pain as his body burns. His horse rears throwing him off and he hits the ground burning to death. The snow melts around him as he thrashes on the ground and dies.
"You can bend the knee!" Aegon says addressing the Lost Legion. "Or you can follow this false King in death decide now!" Every soldier dismounts their horse and bows to Aegon. Melisandre and Ser Davos are the last to bow.
Later Selyse and Shireen Baratheon are bought before Aegon in the main hall of Castle Black. Rhaegal sits on the table eyeing them. "So it is true..." Selyse says.
"Aye it is..."
"And what becomes of me and my daughter?"
"The two of you will become my wards...Behave and no harm will come either of you..."
"And the Iron Bank my husband borrowed gold from them and they will expect payment back."
Aegon leans forward, "How did your husband convince the Iron Bank to loan him the gold?"
"You will have to ask Ser Davos."
After Selyse and her daughter are dismissed Ser Davos is summoned. "Your Grace you wish to see me?"
"Yes be seated..." Davos eyes the Dragon nervously. "He will not harm you unless I command it...And I won't command it unless you give me reason...Now tell me Ser Davos...How did Stannis convince the Iron Bank to loan him the gold?"
"I was the one who did the convincing..."
Aegon listens as Davos explains how he convinced them, "Stannis chose well his Hand...I too am in need of a Hand. Will you be mine?"
"I...am flattered Your Grace, but you don't even know me."
"I know enough and I can see why Stannis chose you..."
He sighs, "Before I give my answer I must ask...What do you intend to do about the debt to the Iron Bank?"
Aegon sighs, "I guess I will assume the debt as Lady Selyse and her daughter are now my wards..."
"Then I agree..."
After Davos leaves Melisandre is announced by Donovan. "Show her in."
"Your Grace..."
"Lady Melisandre...What may I do for you?" She tries to convert him to the lord of light, "I'll stop you right there...I follow the old gods...And when I take the Iron Throne men will be free to follow whatever faith they wish..."
"Of course...I only wish to serve the lord's chosen one..."
"Chosen One?"
"I thought Stannis was the Prince that was Promised..." She sighs, "...I was wrong."
"And you think I am the one?"
"There is another who may be the one..."
"Who?"
"Daenarys Targaryen."
"I see...I have my doubts about you...I know how you and Stannis burned people who do not accept your faith...I will not tolerate that here."
"I have many mistakes Your Grace...Allow me the chance to prove myself to you."
"You will have your chance...There will not be a second..."
"Thank you Your Grace..."
Aegon decides to linger at Castle Black. As he waits he sends a man with a message to his aunt Daenarys who is now in Meereen ruling. Then he sends a messenger to the Iron Bank with payment for Stannis' loan. "Why are we waiting?" Strickland asks two days after Stannis is dead.
"For my brother..."
As Aegon said his brother Bran arrives with Meera and a Child of the Forest named River. "Jon or should I say Aegon..."
He smiles, "Bran...that was foolish of you to go beyond the wall."
"Foolish but necessary..."
They hug, "Welcome home...We have much to discuss..."
After Aegon and Bran talk Aegon finds River with Rhaegal. "What are doing?"
"This is for your Dragon...It will help him..."
"What is it?"
"Sap from the Weir-Tree mixed with water and my blood..." When she is done, River gives the bowl to Rhagel and he drinks. Then she looks at Aegon, "Bran told you about the sword..."
"Yes..."
"You are the only one who can stop the Night King...Bran is marked by the Night King...The magic around Castle Black in the wall has been weakened...When the Night King comes he will strike here..."
"We have time..."
"Do not linger too long in the South..."
"I will be back before the snows start..."
The next day Aegon says his goodbyes to Maester Aemon and Benjen before departing. "Something wrong? Aegon asks riding up to Sam.
"Rhaegal won't fit in his cage...He has tripled in size overnight..."
"Let him fly tell the men to make sure he is well fed so he won't go looking for food..."
Through forced march they travel down the King's Road to Winterfell. Aegon had left five thousand men at Castle Black to insure the peace between the Night's Watch and the Free Folk. Half were of the Golden Company and half the Lost Legion. The army marching with him numbered 18,000 strong including men from Ironrath who helped Rodrik Forrester reclaim his home and defeat the Whitehills. When they reach Winterfell they rest for three days before marching south. Before leaving Winterfell Aegon sends a message to Riverrun. Bryden Tully had retaken the castle. Aegon asks him to attack the Twins from the West side while he assaults the East castle.
By the time they leave Winterfell Rhaegal is half the size of an Elephant.