Prince Aegon Targaryen

The flames shone brightly, and smoke was wafting through the air. Aegon stood as close to the pyre as he could possibly bear, and yet his eyes did not water, he wondered about that, was it because he was blood of the dragon, or was it simply because he had no tears left to shed? Rhae had died in her sleep last night, succumbing peacefully and so suddenly that Aegon had found himself completely caught off guard. There was a hole in his heart where Rhae used to be, a very, very large hole that would not be filled at all if ever again.

He had been married to Rhae since he was twenty, he was now 59 and his hair was turning white, and his bones were beginning to ache. Rhae had been the healthy one, she always had even when they were children, filled with so much energy and life as she had been. It seemed strange that she was gone whilst he was still here. It made little sense to him, when he thought of the vows they had sworn to each other, that long ago day in the Sept. None of it made any sense; it felt as if his world was being turned upside down.

He looked at his children, Duncan who was stood solemnly next to him, his shoulders drawn tighter than a bowstring. Jaehaerys, who was blinking furiously, obviously was trying not to cry, Aelix who was holding tightly to his wife's hand, and Rhaelle who was crying into her husband's arms. These were his children, his and Rhae's, she had always looked so beautiful when she was with child, it was as if her skin always glowed when she was pregnant. And now she was gone, dead, reduced to ash, the flames were dying out now, and still Aegon stood in front of the pyre, watching and waiting, not wanting leave just yet.

He was still standing in front of the pyre when the flames died and ash was all that was left. Duncan moved forward and put the ashes into a jar that would be buried in the crypts of Summerhall, where their father and mother had been buried along with Daeron and Aerion. His children hugged him and then walked back inside, as did Brynden, his cousin and king, Daella too hugged him and then walked back inside. Still he remained standing in front of the pyre, lost in his thoughts and memories. They had wed shortly after a tourney in King's Landing, held to celebrate King Aerys' nameday, their father had not been pleased when they had brought the news to him, he had wanted to wed Rhae off to some Baratheon or Tully lord, but Aegon and she had been in love for some time now and Rhae had been pregnant with Duncan, and so there had been no other option.

Once Aegon had been knighted, Prince Maekar had insisted that they move back to Summerhall, in order to keep a better eye on affairs there and on their brother Daeron. They raised Duncan there, and Rhae came into her own as a manager of the household, things that their mother had often despaired she would not be able to do. She had prospered during their years of marriage, holding the fort and looking after their children when Aegon was in King's Landing. She had been alive to see all their children wed, Duncan's marriage had come first to that Jenny of Oldstones girl, then Jaehaerys' a marriage Aegon was convinced would prevent further Blackfyre invasions though Brynden was not convinced, Rhaelle's to that fool Baratheon who she loved so fiercely, and of course finally Aelix's.

Their youngest son had been worse than Duncan when it came to marriage, they had had offers from all sorts of houses for his hand, but Aelix kept turning the offers down and instead preferred to go travelling round the kingdoms and even Essos. And though Aegon did not approve he knew his son had spent a bit of time fighting in sellsword companies such as the Second Sons and the Company of the Cat, though of course he had been careful not to stray too close to Tyrosh.

When Aelix had wed Genna Lannister, the ceremony in the Great Sept of Baelor had been lavish just as the feast after it had been. That Genna Lannister had originally meant to be betrothed to a Frey was a matter no one seemed to have remembered, that the wedding had taken place a few moons ago in itself was an indication that both the king and Tytos Lannister were eager to see relations between their two houses repaired. Aegon was not sure whether he liked the move or not, a match with the Hightowers perhaps would have been more to his liking.

Gone were the days that Brynden listened to him though, the King spent much time in Edwyle Stark's company and that of his wife and eldest daughter than he did with Aegon. It had not been so in the early days of his cousin's actual rule, where he had spent every possible moment with him, Aegon had found such things annoying then but now he missed them. He missed his cousin's questions and his laugh, and his curiosity. He was not entirely sure whether he was happy with the way Stark had influenced his cousin, turning him from a carefree youth into the grim and solemn man he saw before him, a man who put duty in front of all else, including his family.

Edwyle Stark was a man Aegon could not truly understand. He had been Aegon's father's squire for a long time, whilst Aegon was off travelling with Dunk, Stark was in court learning how to play the game of thrones, and endowing himself with prestige and Prince Maekar's praise. That was one thing that Aegon did not like about Stark, how easy he had won Prince Maekar's praise, Prince Maekar had been a hard man, hard to impress, and the fact that Edwyle Stark seemingly won his praise with very little effort had always been rather frustrating for Aegon, but now he was a man grown and he would put such issues behind him, he was only grateful Stark had remained in King's Landing, otherwise he didn't think he'd be able to hold back his temper.

The days turned into weeks and Aegon remained at Summerhall ensuring that all was set to rights. He interred his wife's ashes in the crypts and said a few final words to her, before he sealed the vault once more. He spoke with his sons about making sure Summerhall remained secure whilst he was away, there had been an increasing presence of bandits near the Dornish Marshes as of late, and Aegon did not want them coming near his home, as such he order Ser Tallad to increase patrols of the area and to call upon Lords Grandison and Fell should the need arise. He also spent a lot of time speaking to Duncan and trying to convince him to wed again, but his son had inherited Rhae's stubbornness and plainly refused to do so, Aegon tired of the argument let the issue drop and returned to King's Landing where he was greeted by a council session filled with grim tidings.

"There has been news from across the sea Your Grace." Prince Maron Martell, the master of whispers said. "The band of nine has taken the Stepstones."

There was silence for a long time and then the King spoke. "What happened to the defenders we posted there?"

Aegon watched as Maron Martell sweated under the king's piercing gaze. "They were caught unawares Your Grace. Maelys Blackfyre and the Golden Company descended on them with great speed, and slaughtered every single one of them."

Tyrek Baratheon speaks then his voice quiet. "What of my brother Harbert? Did he survive?"

Maron Martell shakes his head and Aegon's good son puts his head into his hands. The king speaks once more. "Very well then, what plans has Blackfyre made with his allies then? I know they hold Tyrosh and Myr, but do they plan on conquering anywhere else?"

Martell is silent for a moment before he replies. "Well, apart from planning an invasion of Westeros, they have not set their sights anywhere else. The Prince of Pentos is sending Maelys Blackfyre men, and Blackfyre is beginning to prepare a fleet with which to raid along the coast of the Reach."

Aegon speaks then. "A fleet you say? I thought the man already had many ships at his disposal courtesy of those pirates that are on his side?"

Aegon sees the master of whispers grimace then. "Yes my prince, they do, but Blackfyre has sent those ships to Pyke with which he means to treat with Quellon Greyjoy and bring the man onboard."

"He will not succeed there. What does this man mean to offer Greyjoy?" The king asked.

"His sister's hand in marriage. His sister is a young woman, and Quellon Greyjoy has many sons with which he needs to provide for." Martell replies.

At that Aegon sighed deeply. "Then it is likely we shall have to deal with the Iron Fleet. The Greyjoys have always felt deserved to be kings."

"Blackfyre's offer shall not succeed." The king said.

Aegon looked at his cousin, and was surprised to see a look of joy on his face. "What do you mean Your Grace?"

Brynden looked at him then and his face split into a wider smile. "Quellon Greyjoy will reject Blackfyre's offer because, his daughter Alyssa shall be wed to Aegyl when they both come of age. The betrothal was finalised earlier this morning. The Iron Fleet is ours."

Aegon was shocked by this announcement as it seemed were all the other members of the council apart from Edwyle Stark the hand. Aegon was not sure about the wisdom of such a move, the Greyjoy's were notoriously fickle people aloud though he merely said. "So what have you asked Quellon Greyjoy to do when the pirates come knocking at his door Your Grace?"

His cousin was silent for a long moment and then he said. "He will burn their ships and kill any of the men who set foot on his lands. His bannermen have been told to do the same."

Aegon nodded and then asked. "What of Maelys Blackfyre, though surely he will be getting more ships if not from the Iron Islands then surely from elsewhere?"

Brynden smiled slightly then and said. "Aye he can try, but whilst he is waiting and plotting we shall be marching on him and his. Maester Pycelle has sent word out to all the Lords Paramount, they are to call their banners, using some of their men to defend their coasts and rest are to join us here in King's Landing before we march for the Stepstones."

Aegon nodded and then Martell spoke once more. "Your Grace, there is one more issue that needs to be discussed that is of great importance." Aegon saw Brynden nod slightly and then Martell spoke once more. "My sources in Pentos report that The Brightflame's eldest bastard sons have left the mansion that we have placed them in to go and fight for Maelys Blackfyre. They will make up part of the force that arrives from Pentos in a few short weeks."

Brynden's voice is deathly quiet when he replies. "Kill them then. Have your men kill them. They have betrayed their family and will die. Have them killed and keep a closer eye on their trueborn siblings. I will not have them join this fool of a rebellion."

Martell nods but Aegon speaks then, his heart and not his brain leading his words. "You would kill your own blood Your Grace? They are just boys!"

His cousin's tone was cold and brooked no further argument when he replied. "They have betrayed the trust that I have shown them, they are not my family. They will die now, and will never set foot in Westeros." On that ominous note the council meeting comes to an end though Aegon still feels sick to his stomach at the thought of killing his own blood.

It took two moons before the armies of Westeros could be assembled completely in King's Landing, two moons in which Aegon prepared himself for yet another battle, it had been ten years since he had last fought in a war, and he needed to remind himself of what was expected of him. News came from Pyke, the pirate ships sent to bring Maelys Blackfyre's offer had been put to the torch whilst at anchor along with their crews and captains. Those men that the Prince of Pentos had sent for the Stepstones had met a very unfortunate ending somewhere in the narrow sea drowned the report read. Sabotaged Aegon thought.

Once the lords paramount and their armies were assembled the Redwyne, the Velaryon and the Royal fleet transported the soldiers and their lords from King's Landing to the Stepstones. The King had decreed that Edwyle Stark was to remain in the city and rule in his stead, the man's son Rickard would lead the northern forces; also remaining in King's Landing other than Pycelle were Maron Martell and two of the knights of the Kingsguard, the rest were all coming with the king and his son Aenar. With Aegon came his sons Duncan and Aelix, as well as his trusted companion Ser Duncan the Tall.

They docked in at Tarth before moving on for the full assault, and that was where the King decided to hold his war council, with the lords paramount and Aegon and his two sons present as well. As Aegon sat in the command tent, his sons sat next to him he spent a few moments observing the various lords paramount. Lord Tytos Lannister was a weakling, that much was evident, but he had answered the call and that was enough for Aegon, Lord Hoster Tully was young and green but seemed a capable warrior and had a sound mind for strategy, Tyrek Baratheon Aegon's goodson was a fool who just happened to be a good warrior that was a rare thing to see. Rickard Stark was a quiet and solemn man much like his father, though he did seem to brighten up when he spoke with his brother Ser Brandon Stark. Luthor Tyrell was a fool and an oaf, whilst Prince Lewyn Martell of the Kingsguard was leading the Dornish forces in his sister's name. These were the men who made up the war council.

The King spoke in clear voice then silencing the general chatter that had developed. "My lords I thank you for coming. You all know why we are here, another pretender has emerged to challenge my hold on the throne. I mean to see that this is the last threat that my family ever faces. I would hear your thoughts on how to proceed before we sail on for the Stepstones."

There was silence and then Rickard Stark spoke, his voice soft. "Well Your Grace, we know that Maelys Blackfyre knows that we are sailing for the Stepstones, yet he knows not when we shall be approaching. I suggest that move off into a pincer movement and send troops to each of the different islands of the Stepstones and engage the men there."

There is some murmuring at that, and Lord Jon Arryn speaks up in agreement. "I believe Lord Stark's suggestion has much merit Your Grace. Maelys Blackfyre knows that the pirates he sent to bring the Greyjoys to his side have been dealt with. He has very little sea power left; he will wish to make a final stand on the Stepstones. We have the strength to out manoeuvre him if we plan ourselves cleverly."

Lord Tytos Lannister ever the sheep voice his agreement as did Tyrek Baratheon. Luthor Tyrell though voiced some doubts about what was being suggested. "Your Grace, whilst Lord Stark and Lord Arryn's suggestions have merit, would it not be more prudent to attack in force to throw the Blackfyre army off course?"

Aegon laughed then. "My lord of Highgarden, doing such a thing would expose ourselves to the force of the army that the pretender has. No, it would be better if we sent separate forces out to assail the forces that Maelys has on the different islands. They will not be united and it will be easier for us to take advantage of that."

Brynden spoke then, his voice hard and firm. "We shall send forces to assail the different islands. If the reports are correct Blackfyre has allowed the Ebon Prince command over one of the islands, and the fool has spread his men over the whole island. Lords Stark and Arryn you shall combine your forces and attack that island. Lords Tully and Lannister you shall combine forces and attack the Gallows. Lords Baratheon and Martell shall join the royal army in assailing Bloodstone."

Curiosity got the better of Aegon and he had to ask. "Why Bloodstone Your Grace?"

Brynden is silent for a moment and then he says. "Because that is where Maelys Blackfyre is camped. It is the main island of the Stepstones and that is where the fool shall make his last stand."

Aegon does not need to know how Brynden knows that, a hawk has been following their ship since they set out from King's Landing, its eyes the same startling grey colour of the hand's. They set out from Tarth two days later and arrive on Bloodstone some four days after that. Aegon feels the old nerves and fear begin to return, though before they dismount and readied them for the carnage that would unfold; Aegon told his sons "Stay close to myself or Dunk, or failing that one of the Kingsguard." Ser Quentyn Bracken and Ser Harrold Grandison had been tasked by Brynden with their protection, and Aegon intended that should it come it, they would be needed. The plank was lowered Aegon put on his helm and drew his sword. "See you on the other side." He said to his sons and long time friend. And then he charged off the ship and the battle began.