Queen Dacey Stark
The fourth Blackfyre war had ended in defeat, Aegon and Jaehaerys Blackfyre's blood had stained the ground with which the battle had been fought on. Dacey's husband Daeron Stark, King of the North and the Iron Islands had led the retreat, and there had been so much death and destruction during the war, though it was not as long as the previous war had been. Many of the north's most valuable commanders had been lost during the war, dead during the battles or from the wounds they received afterward, Lord Ethan Glover Lord of Deepwood Motte, Lord Rodrick Greyjoy Lord of the Iron Islands, Lord Tormund Umber Lord of Last Hearth, the Lords of Karhold and Dreadfort, Bear Island were amongst the notable. All had died and their houses had lost men during the fighting, and for what Dacey could not understand. Another failed war, another dead king, Aegon was wed to Daena, Dacey's stepdaughter, when Daena had received word of her husband and her son's death she had gone mad with grief, her suicide two moons ago had not come as a surprise, she had been so torn with grief and sadness, her direwolf had died as well.
Aegor Stark had died as well, Dacey's stepson, but he might as well have been her own son they were so close. Aegor had become very resentful of Daeron in his later years, feeling as if his father only cared about the dragon scum as he called the Blackfyres, and he felt his father had become a hypocrite. Telling Aegor and his siblings' one thing and then doing another, bleeding the country dry to feed an obsession Aegor called it. Dacey had thought he was simply angry about the fact that Daeron continued to pressure him into wedding someone from the north or iron islands in order to better secure the succession and to stop fooling around with his bastard cousin Elia Sand. That had been her view until Daeron had come back from the war. Dacey had been a good wife, she had stayed in Winterfell and helped her son Jonnel rule as the Stark in Winterfell but she did not see her husband mourn his sons, Aegor and her Brandon who had died during this war. She did not see him mourn the countless others including his brother Theon who had died during the war, a war he had started, and she could not take it anymore.
She had confronted him one day after he had attended a council session, and had stopped him from doing anything else until he had given her an honest answer. She had asked him if he felt anything, grief or anger it mattered not but she wanted to know if he grieved for his sons and for the countless others who had died during the war, if he grieved for the daughter who had killed herself, her grief was so strong. Daeron had simply looked at her then in silence for a long, long time and Dacey had feared he would never answer her, and then he had spoken his voice soft. "I do not feel anymore. I cannot feel anymore. I must see a Blackfyre on the throne, everything else is secondary." That was what she had gotten from her husband and his explanation, and it had broken her heart. The Daeron in front of her had not been the Daeron she had married, the man who had been passionate and so full of life. Now he was just a shell, a man on the brink of madness and his obsession was costing them everything.
Already Jonnel had left Winterfell, declaring he did not want to live in the same place as the dragon scum and his father, her baby son had left and gone to Essos to join one of the litany of sellsword companies there. Daeron had done nothing, had not tried to convince Jonnel to come home or even try to communicate with him as far as she was aware. He had simply let it be and had gone on planning and plotting his next move with his council of yes men. Daena had killed herself and Daeron had not batted an eyelid he had simply taken the news stone faced and continued on with his day as if nothing had happened. The man who had cared so much for his children was gone, what this man was who had replaced him Dacey knew not nor was she sure she wanted to know.
And so she had left Winterfell a moon ago, taking her grandchildren Daemon and Gyles (who was Aegor's bastard son by his bastard cousin Elia who had died giving birth to him) with her to the Wolf's Den. She did not want her grandchildren influenced by whatever hell their grandfather would soon inflict on the north once more. She had said nothing to Daeron about her plans or the reasons for them; she had simply upped and left during the middle of the night, taking the children as they slept and riding out alongside a warrior of the winter's guard. They had arrived at White Harbour some days later, and had been accepted into the city and shown to the Wolf's Den, the place of Dacey's childhood, where she had grown up. She had not been back to the Wolf's Den since before she had left to fight in the Bolton rebellion against her father's orders.
It was much the same, the massive walls, the wolf head gates were still present and the sounds that would drift in from the city centre still came in. All in all, Dacey found that she preferred the Wolf's Den to Winterfell, away from court and all the scheming and the bastard yes men her husband had found himself surrounded with. She revelled in being able to meet with the friends of her childhood without a care in the world, and she enjoyed seeing Daemon who had turned five a few days ago come out of his shell and socialise with the other children her brother's great grandchildren, and Gyles who had turned one sometime ago, was beginning to walk and talk. All of these things she witness and filled her with sadness for the fact that Aegor would never get to see his children live and love and grow because of the war that had claimed him.
Today however was not the time to think such dark thoughts. She was meeting with her brother, her eldest brother Donnel Berstark, lord of the wolf's den and admiral of the narrow sea. Donnel was the eldest of Beron Stark's children and the eldest of Cregan Stark's grandchildren and as such had always had an aura about him that even made Daeron speechless though that had been before whatever madness had gripped him had taken hold. Donnel had always been a pillar of strength, their father's strong right hand and a very good soldier and lord, he had served on Daeron's council for a short while before resigning, he kept the title though. Dacey had not had the chance to speak with him before now, for he had been very ill and had just woken up.
Dacey opened the door to her brother's chambers and found him sat by the window, staring out into the sea beyond. Donnel Stark was an old man now, the oldest of Cregan Stark's grandchildren had turned sixty eight whilst younger men had been away at war. A once strong man his muscles had been thinned and wasted away, his hair once a magnificent brown was now white, his face was filled with many lines. His ears were still sharp though. "Ah Dacey, so you have come at last." Donnel said his voice thin.
Dacey sat down in the chair next to her brother's. "Of course I would come. I have not seen you in so very long brother."
"I wish I could show you round Dacey, but I am not as strong as I once was and walking has become difficult without aid. Still I am sure Edwyn could show you around if you wished." Her brother replied.
"It's fine Donnel, truly I remember my round my old home trust me. I see you removed those ghastly gargoyles that father had here." Dacey said.
Her brother chuckled then. "Aye, that was Edwyn's idea as well. He's a good lad Edwyn, if a tad hot headed at times. Though I suppose I was just as hot headed at his age. Of course father was a much stricter disciplinarian than I am."
Dacey laughed then as well. "Aye father was quite strict, though he was harder on you and Willam than he was on me and Lyanna and Jeyne."
Her brother grew somber then. "Aye, but you were his lovely girls he could never harm you. Myself and Willam, well we needed to be disciplined. But they are all dead now, Jeyne, Lyanna and Willam. Only you and I are left of father's children. And I am dying Dacey, slowly but I am dying nonetheless."
The thought of a world without her big brother in it terrified her and so she found herself saying. "Don't be silly Donnel, you'll outlive us all. You are the oldest and you'll still be here when we're all dead and buried. Father always said so."
Her brother sighed then. "I do not want to live forever Dacey. I have enough demons as it is, seeing you all die would drive me mad. Just as it is driving your husband mad."
Dacey sighed, so they had reached that topic then. "How much do you know about that brother?"
Her brother was silent for a moment as he always was when they talked of the big things. The he spoke. "I know that this thing Daeron has of fighting for the Blackfyres has gone well beyond duty. It has become an obsession, and obsession that is slowly eroding at his mind and is eroding the loyalty of his lords."
"How do you mean? Has there been talk brother?" Dacey asked.
Donnel was silent and then he replied. "Talk aye, there has been plenty of talk. Manderly and Flint and Wooldfield all talk about how your husband's constant warring for the black dragon is damaging trade with Essos, the Targaryens have allies in the east, allies who are cutting of trade. The lords close to the Harbour, Hornwood in particular. They mutter about why the king continues fighting for a cause that is clearly lost. If he keeps doing what he is doing, there will be a rebellion soon enough. And this time the Wolf's Den will join in."
Dacey was stunned. "What do you mean you will join in with the rebels' brother? Daeron is your brother by marriage, and surely you do not mean to renegade on the oath you swore to him?"
Her brother was angry now. "What of the oath he swore to his people? When he was crowned I was there that day, he swore to always protect his people and uphold their rights and cause. What good a king is he if he continues to waste northern lives in the south? If he wants the south so badly he should take the Iron Throne for himself and leave his grandsons as Kings of the North. The north wants no part in the south and yet your husband keeps dragging her into it. We will never know peace as long as he does this."
"Then what do you suggest we do brother? For Daeron will never abandon the Blackfyres, he holds his oath to a dead man more dearly than our own marriage vows, and the lives of his children." Dacey said dejectedly.
Donnel was silent for a long moment and then he said. "We wait, and if his madness continues to worsen our position, then we act. Not until then. Otherwise there will be a full scale civil war in the north, and this time none will side with Winterfell. Edwyn already wants us to rebel; he was the one who suggested the name change. He no longer wants us directly associated with Winterfell."
"Not after his father died then I take it?"Dacey asked.
"Much before that in fact. Edwyn's father was my grandson, but after Rodrick my own son died at Redgrass I questioned the whole cause to the south, but father's hand kept me still. Now with mine own descendants dying for a failed cause I cannot understand why we should keep supporting the dragon scum." Her brother replied fire in his tone now.
Maester's Deluge.
Maekar Targaryen's death during the fourth Blackfyre War sparked for the first time since the Dance of Dragons a succession crisis in the Targaryen Dynasty. The king had had four sons, one of whom was Grand Maester of the north and as such was no longer counted as part of the succession, the eldest Daeron the Drunkard had lived up to his name and had died from a drunken night of debauchery having caught the pox leaving behind only a feeble witter daughter, who though she could be used effectively as a pawn would not be truly in line for the throne given the rules of succession that the Targaryens followed. That left just two sons of Maekar Targaryen. His second son Aerion Targaryen who was wed to Shiera Blackfyre, and had served with the Golden Company for sometime, and had three children by the Blackfyre girl. And Aegon Targaryen, Maekar's fourth son, who was known as a war hero having fought in three previous Blackfyre wars and having commanded in two of them earning some renown for his quick thinking and battle prowess.
The Lords sworn to the Iron Throne were not sure who to choose between the traitor who might bring an end to the fighting, and the war hero who promised his lords plenty and a hard-line attitude to traitors. And so a Great Council the first since the Great Council of 101 A.L. was called, it was held in Harrenhal and all the great lords south of the neck and their most important bannermen attended the council. Lords Lannister, Crakehall and Lefford attended from the Westerlands, Crakehall and Lefford old and wizened Lannister a weakling a mewling Lion cub fresh from the wounds of battle. Lords Tully, Mallister and Bracken attended from the Riverlands, all reeling from victory and the wounds the riverlands had taken once more during the fighting. From Dorne came Martell, Yronwood and Dayne, the divisions there all the more apparent for the evidence that Yronwood would want a Blackfyre on the throne. From the Reach, Tyrell, Redwyne and Hightower came, all wanting Aegon on the throne from the beginning. From the Vale, Arryn, Corbray and Royce, all bearing the wounds of battle, Lord Jon a boy was fiercely proud to be asked to the council. And finally from the Stormlands, Baratheon, Connington and Swann.
Before the lords met for the council, it became clear that the contest was between Aerion and his brother Aegon. For none would ever consider a lack wit be they boy or girl, and none would consider the two men's younger sisters Daella and Rhae for though they were of the blood they were female and the laws of succession dictated that no female could inherit whilst a male of unquestioned Targaryen blood still lived. Things were weighed more in Aegon's favour from the off when Aerion Targaryen refused to leave the sanctuary of Tyrosh to come to Harrenhal, the Brightflame prince as he was known in Westeros had said that he would only come to state his case for what was rightfully his if the council was held in Dragonstone and he could attend with a squadron of guards. This demand to the vast majority of the lords made it seem as if the prince was guilty of plotting something, and those lords who were old enough, still remembered his displays at Ashford and other events before his exile and were not so willing to give him this much leeway no matter how much some claimed he had changed. For memories run deep in Westeros and what was can be called upon at any time to be used against one or the other.
Prince Aegon arrived in Harrenhal though, to state his case and to represent himself and his family. When asked by the council of assembled lords why they should make him king, the Prince had been silent for a minute and then replied. "I believe that in this time of war it is important to have a king who can guide the kingdoms through these turbulent times, and as much as my brother claims to be a changed man, we will only know through seeing first hand. I am not willing to stake the future of the kingdoms on the sanity of a man we all know was once stark raving mad, Furthermore, I am wed and have four children who are reaching their adulthood quite soon and as such the line of succession is secure, there will be no threat to them or their future spouses given the stronghold my family has, whereas there would always be doubts over the security of the succession should my brother become king due to his past and current dealings."
There was much discussion over what Prince Aegon had said, and it seemed as if his little speech had fully swayed the riverlords, those who had always been fiercely loyal to House Targaryen despite their divisions. Even Lord Matthew Bracken son of the Brute of Bracken, whose grandsire had sided with the Black Dragon believed that the king should be one who knew how to fight a war and win it, not one who "Would kowtow to that barbarian and madman Daeron Stark. We want a king who will stand up for us and will now bow to the pressures of outside influence., Aerion Targaryen will do just that if we make him king. My father and brothers did not die so that a coward could sit the throne. House Bracken is for Prince Aegon."
Bracken's words caused the other lords assembled to discuss the issue of Daeron Stark and the threat he continued to pose. Lord Tyrell, that boy who thought himself a man spoke then and asked Prince Aegon. "If we made you king my prince, how would you deal with the traitor Stark and the north?"
It was a loaded question for those present knew somewhat of the friendship between King Maekar and King Daeron and of the way in which Daeron Stark had allowed Aegon to leave Winterfell when he could just as easily have kept him a hostage. Aegon Targaryen to his credit held his nerve and replied honestly. "Stark continues to plot treason as far as I am concerned. Past relations matter not to him, and his people bleed, my people bleed for his mad efforts. If I am made king I promise you Daeron Stark and his line shall end and a more suitable house shall rule the north, and we shall have peace."
That caused quite a stir amongst the lords gathered, and it became more and more obvious that Prince Aerion had harmed his cause by not deigning to attend the council. For Prince Aegon was able to convince the lords present with his words and his promises, and those who were alive when the prince's uncle was still alive, were reminded of the confidence and surety that Prince Baelor Breakspear had had, and that swayed them. Lord Swann announced that his vote had gone to Prince Aegon within five hours of the council being convened that was two houses for Prince Aegon. None for Prince Aerion.
That did change though, Athell Connington who would later admit that his visit to Winterfell some years before had influence his thinking spoke next and what he said resonated with those lords who were on the fence for most of the rest of the council. "Prince Aegon, whilst I appreciate that you have done much to ensure the peace in the kingdoms, what you say about your brother Prince Aerion does sound as if it is tainted by bitterness and past experience of a man that is no longer there. How do we know that you would be any different? After all, peace is what we all seek and would not Prince Aerion be better for that? House Connington is for Prince Aerion."
There was more discussion that lasted for a few more days, arguments were given for both sides, and some lords see sawed between one prince and the other, cases were made examples were given, at the end of it all though there could be only one king, and that too went down to the nail, the votes were held once, then twice after Lord Swann announced he had had a change of heart, and then thrice after a recount was needed and the on the fourth time, the result was finalised. Maester Serret sent by the citadel to oversee the council and from whom this account has been taken, announced the result, his tone timber and iron at the same time and the result would have resounding effects for all for years to come. "Prince Aegon has won the council votes, beating his brother by a margin of three votes. All hail his grace King Aegon Targaryen, the Fifth of his name."
The lords congratulated the new king, and wished him well on bringing the peace back to Westeros once more. Athell Connington Serrett notes hung back from the well wishers, a distant cousin of the new king one could see that he thought a wrong decision had been made, and yet the king did not begrudge him his opinion and as such offered him a position on the small council which Connington asked for time to consider. With the council over, King Aegon sent for his family, Queen Rhae, Prince Duncan, Prince Jaehaerys, Princess Rhaelle and Prince Aelix who were all residing in Summerhall, he asked them to leave for King's Landing and sent word ahead to the Grand Maester that preparations be made for his coronation and all that would follow it.
Once Aegon had been crowned on the fifth day of the ninth month of 233rd year after Aegon's Landing, he made fast work of appointing a small council. As hand of the king he named Lord Domeric Bolton a man who had proven his loyalty time after time for the Targaryen family, master of laws was Lord Boremund Swann the man who had named Aegon the king first, master of coin was meant to be Athell Connington but after some long deliberating, Connington refused and so Lord Matthew Bracken was given the position, master of ships went to Lord Tytos Lannister's younger brother Edrick Lannister a warrior and a smart and shrewd man. Master of Ships was given to Lord Maegon Velaryon, Aegon's goodbrother though the Sealord's marriage to his sister Daella, the final new appointment was Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Duncan the Tall was given that title, and Grand Maester remained as Maester Justin a capable man albeit a tad slow on the uptake with the reforms the new king was implementing.
The new king spent a great deal of time looking inward trying to aid the kingdom as it healed from a very destructive war, Harrenhal was given to Lord Damien Whent and his family, who had served loyally for centuries since the Targaryen conquest. Lord Tully was given permission to begin the restructuring of Riverrun with higher walls and more posts for sentries and defenders after it had been destroyed twice during the last two wars. Once the peace had been restored to his own kingdom, Aegon looked northward, and to the Stark lord who had caused so much death and destruction to the south. Envoys were sent northward, Lord Swann and Ser Gerold Massey were sent north to bring terms to the so claimed King of the North, peace and the ending of raiding on both sides, should one side break the treaty that would be cause enough for war to begin.
That Stark agreed to the treaty and peace was achieved once more is no surprise. His cause had taken a huge hit after the untold number of deaths during the fourth Blackfyre war and he could not afford to alienate his bannermen by waging more war before they were ready, for sources tell us that the north was a cauldron and that tensions were high all around. Though how true the rumours of treason brewing in the north were we shall never know. Still peace was here for the time being, but the cauldron would boil sooner or later.