King's Landing – 123 AC
Giving Vaemond's spoiled brats and a Lannister an island, took everything in me. Even the token to that misogynist Baratheon was a little too much. At least, Borros had changed with time and started to see the good in my rule. Vaemond was still the same piece of crap as he had been in the other timeline. Maybe keeping his sons away from him, with their own keeps, will be enough to stop them from getting their greedy little fingers on my son's inheritance this time around.
It also aided the fact that Borros' heirs will be daughters and having more House Head Ladies in the realm, no matter how small the house is, will do good. The fact that I doubled the Crownlands and the crown will be getting double taxes was a bonus.
I sometimes truly hate politics and playing this game. It leaves a bad tase in my mouth afterwards. Well, anyhow, I gave those three the worst isles in the archipelago. The Starks will enjoy good and rich islands. After all they had to suffer from the ironborn, they deserve it. It will also make sure Cregan's cousins never try to usurp him, like their father did. With each having their own state, will kill the North united and strong.
"Long live the Dragon Queen!"
"Long live the Golden Queen!"
"Long live the Targaryens!"
"Long live the Crown!"
I snapped out of my dark mood, as I heard the crowd cheer. I smiled and waved from above, though I doubt that anyone could see it while I was raiding Syrax. I laughed, head thrown back as the cheering got louder. Once upon a time, when I took King's Landing from the Hightowers I was met with scorn, even though it was my birthright. Ironically, now that I took Old Town from the Hightowers, which was their birthright, I retunred home and was met with a warm welcome.
Choices truly pave the way of our future, I thought in amusement. Back then I made all the wrong choices, but it seems that this time I made all the right ones.
"Your Majesty," my mother bowed, as she greeted me by the steps of the dragon's pit, my sons all standing in line, waiting impatiently. "Congratulations on your victory and welcome back home. King's Landing is yours."
"Muña," I smiled at her warmly, as I descended from Syrax. "It's good to see you back. Thank you for taking care of the realm in our absence." I hugged her, before turning to my sons and kneeling. "Come my children, muña hass missed you all so dearly." They rushed into my open arms with cries of: "Muña!" All except Viserys, who was in Laena' arms. "My sweet baby," I picked up my youngest and kissed him. "How are you cousin?"
"Good, missing my husband," Laena replied. "Muña is waiting for us in the Red Keep, taking care of the royal welcoming as Hand of the Queen."
"Good," I nodded pleased. "As for our husbands, they'll be coming home in a week. I just could not wait anymore. I missed my boys."
"They've missed you to," she smilled at me warmly.
I waved and smiled at my people, my open carriage was filled with flowers as we made my way towards the Red Keep. In there a grand banquet awaited us and many ladies and lords, though mostly ladies, paraded in front of the high table, congratulating me for my victory.
However, my attention was on my sons. Oh, how much they've grown in only a year. Especially, Visery! My sweet baby was ready to say his first at any momento now!
"Any troubles Harwin?" I asked my past Sworn Shield later that night.
"None at all, Your Majesty," he answered me, relief and joy clear on his face.
My sweet Harwin, always so loyal and kind, I thought warmly. This time you will get the happiness you deserve.
"I would have thought the cowards of the Hightowers would have sent an assassin or two," I frowned, hand gently caressing the scar on my shoulder. "They are known for that… well, were known for that."
"Hobert was not as smart as his brother," Harwin answered me slowly.
"You know, my uncle said the same thing," I commented with a dry snort. I do have a type, I thought in amusement. "Not that it matters, they paid for their treason with Fire and Blood." I turned to smile at him. "How's Harrenhal coming along?"
"Thanks to your grand donations, it's coming on nicely!" He smiled widely, gratefulness clear on his tone.
It was the least I could do, as your and Lyonel's loyalty had meant the world to me in both lives, I thought grateful, while outloud I said: "You father and ancestors have done a great job. The Hall of a Hundred Hearths, kitchens, brew house, stables, kennels, mew's, smithy, hunter's halld, armory and barracks were done with before I could even do a thing."
"Yet it was thanks to you that the King's Pyre Tower and the Tower of Dread are now reconstructed!" Harwin exclaimed with eagerness. "With the dowry we got from Clarissa's marriage, he will following with the reconstruction of the Wailing Tower."
"I am glad," I smiled warmly at him. "Then there will only be two more towers to reconstruct and Harrenhal will return to its original glory!"
"One day," Harwin's smile was wistful. "But for now, we are glad with what we've got."
Which makes you such Good vassals, I thought in admiration. If only others were more like you.
"Good night, Ser Strong," I teased him.
"Good night, Your Majesty," he chuckled leaving my chambers.
I calmly went to my bed and slipped in, not liking how empty it felt. I might have rushed to King's Landing in impatience, but I miss my husband. Sleeping on my own, was not the same.
Which was further proven when my dreams were plagued with dreams.
In them I saw how my son suffered under my druken brother's reign. I smirked as Aegon II Targaryen was known as the Usurper. Serves him right! His line died with his daught, who he had forced my son to marry but gave him no child. Hightower blood ruled for such a little time, that I wondered if it was worth all the bloodshed.
Was that what Alicent wondered as she rotted away, alone, and forgotten?
Not that it matters, that Alicent had made her bed and laid on it.
Still, I watched in horror as the last dragon died with my son. How my line produced mad king after mad king. How by the end of it all, the Baratheons usurped us and killed all dragons but two. The Sack of King's Landing disgusted me beyond words. Raping a mother after making her watch as his son's skull was bashed in… As the blood of her son soaked her body as she was violated…
I knew the Lannisters were stupid, but I never thought of them as cruel.
I seethed as the lion bitch preached about bastards, while having hers usurp a throne. The incest and bastards did not bother me. I am a Targaryen and my first three children, in one time were not trueborn, but the hypocrisy! The hypocrisy got me!
I've never met a most hateful and cruel person in my entire life! Not even Otto! If I had stayed out of his way, he would have done the same… to a certain degree. He reasoned his actions and weighted his choices. He reminded me more of Tywin Lannister. But Cersi and Joffrey, oh the irony that my sweet boy and this moster shared the same name!
Those two… they were mad, stupid, and cruel. Entilted on the worst way. The things they did, shocked me. And I am not easily shocked.
My view went further up North, where septons and septas now instructed young lords and ladies. Where were the governors and governesses? Why is most of Dorne followers of the Seven? Mother Rhoyne's teachings limited to such a small number of dornishpeople…
And what in the Fourteen Flames name is that mosntrousity doing where my Tessarion Academy should be?! The Sept of Bealor the Blessed? What happened to our religion?!
Right, my son was raised by a fake Targaryen who was raised by a religious bitch… shit!
The future was a mess. The drunken stag driving the realm into debt and oblivion, as my family was in Essos, the Wall, or disguised as a bastard. The Prince that was Promised treated as a bastard!
My heart almost stopped as I watched him take the black. When I saw what's beeyond the wall and all he had to sacrifice to save us all. I mourned, but understood when he became a kinslayer and seethed when he was exiled beyond the Wall. He was the last Targaryen, the rightful King of Westeros!
As I raged, the scene changed. Where the Sept of Baelor used to be, now stood my precios Tessarion Academy tall and proud. I smiled as Lord Samuel Tarly and Prince Jonothor laughed, descending the stairs and into the carriage. They were coming out of class and heading back to the Red Keep. There they were met with the King Rhaegar and Queen Lyanna, Jonothor's half siblings, Rhaenys, his future sister-wife, and Aegon.
I beamed as I saw Rhaenys being crowned the second Queen of Westeros, after her brother-husband had saved them all with his dragon Arrax and direwolf Ghost. Wielding Dark Sister against the Night King. Arrax for another sweet prince, who would rather protect and support other from the shadows, than rule himself.
I smiled warmly as my son's dragon found the perfect future rider.
My smile widened as Clarissa Strong stood behind Rhaenys, as she was crowned with my crown, as the new Lady Commander of the Queensguard. Harrenhal was now completely reconstructed, standing tall and proud… and still totally loyal to the Crown.
Tear rolled down my cheeks, as my rule passed down as the greatest in the history of Westeros.
The Golden Era.
I woke up with a gasp, hearing commotion around the my chamber. I frowned in confusion, as my gaze landed on the beautiful, yet worried, black eyes of my husband.
"Shouldn't you be one week away from King's Landing?" I asked him confused.
"It's been a week my love," Qoren kissed my forehead sweetly. "You've been asleep for a while. You've worried us. We thought you might have been poisoned for a second there, but the healers could not find anything."
"I saw," I murmured, feeling him still. "I saw faraway… and it was beautiful."
A/N: The main arc of the story finishes here. From now on there will only be filling chapters to close any open endings. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I did writing this story.