116 A.L. King's Landing

King Aemon I Targaryen

For three years now the kingdom had been at peace, the Three Daughters had been successfully integrated into the kingdoms under the throne's dominion, thanks mainly to Lord Celtigar and his political savvy appointing men from the Daughters into middling roles in the government there who knew how to make things go smoothly. Celtigar had also appointed many men from Westeros to important positions and as such had given them a sense of import and a way in which to make sure that all was well within the Daughters. The Stepstones were finally free of any trouble and his nephew Daemon seemed to be thriving in actually ruling and leading the cutthroats and pirates under his command, who it seemed had a certain sense of loyalty to him. Aemon was glad of that, for the only reason he had ever waged war in the first place was to ensure that his children, grandchildren and people could enjoy the peace that would come from such a war and conquest. He knew he was too old now to see the fruits of his labour, but he was glad that he had lived for long enough to see the end of conflict between Stark and Arryn, as well as the ending of tensions between the Marcher lords, and the fact that Dorne was now successfully included within the kingdoms and Lord Tyrell was not fool enough to try and continue waging a war against the Dornish. Overall Aemon felt his policies had paid off in the long run even if during the time they had seemed questionable and sometimes frustrated him.

Aemon was hopeful that the peace that had now been found could last through the reigns of his children and grandchildren. If they never had to face the hardships and challenges that he had to face as King he would be very happy. As he thought about it, he knew now why his father had often been frustrated with him and Baelon when they had demanded more action, peace was a boon and a gift not to be wasted. Aemon knew that his daughter Rhaenys would be the one doing the main ruling, the politics and playing the game, for though his son Aemon had shown some courage and guts, largely he was still too dependent on Rhaenys and as such would be eaten alive by the lords if he tried to make a move on his own. That his son seemed to have accepted as such reassured Aemon to some degree. That Rhaenys had finally birthed a son whom she had named Aemon did fill him with some relief. For one thing it meant that both his children were no longer so stressed and pressured and for another it meant that there were no longer any wolves knocking at the door trying to push them in. He knew his son was simply relieved that Rhaenys was no longer beating herself up over some perceived personal failing in not having a male heir, and Aemon also knew his daughter would treat her Aemon as if he was the world, and that she would conquer the whole world for him if she could. As for the rest of the family, well his eldest granddaughter Alysanne had wed Aenys Celtigar during the war and now had two sons with him Aemon and Baelon their names were, his second granddaughter Vaelana had wed Rickon Stark and had a son with him whom she named Cregan, the rest of his grandchildren were growing up far too quickly and in them he saw different parts of his children and he was proud. Of his nephews, well Viserys and his wife Aemma were much happier now than they had been before, his great niece Rhaenrya had wed Ser Harwin Strong the heir to Harrenhal and had two sons with him whom she had named Jacaerys and Lucerys. Daemon and his wife Alysanne had four children now, three girls and a son whom they had named Aegor. All in all it seemed his family was safe and content, but of course for Aemon the nights were now lonely, Jocelyn his beloved wife had died a year ago, in her sleep of all things, and he missed her more and more every day, there were days where he simply waited for death to come for him so he could be reunited with her, and then there were times where he wished for nothing more than to sleep. It was during these times he flew away on Vhagar his old companion and would leave King's Landing to his children and his nephew.

Of course now was one of the rare occasions where he had decided to attend a council session. His nephew was still hand, Lord Lyman remained master of coin, his granddaughter's husband Ser Aenys was master of laws, Lord Corlys Velaryon was master of ships, his son Ser Laenor was master of whispers replacing the traitor Ser Larys Strong who had been fed to Vhagar for his treasons just as Grand Maester Runciter had been, Runciter had been replaced by Mellos a man whose loyalty was to the throne. And finally there was the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Harrold Westerling a good and honest man. His two children were in the council chamber when he entered. Aemon smiled at them both before speaking. "Well my lords, it has been sometime since I last attended a meeting. As such I would hear what state my kingdom is in."

Lord Lyman spoke then. "Well Your Grace, with the resumption of normal trade, the royal coffers have seen an increase in gold entering them. At present the royal balance stands at 5 million golden dragons, and the debt we owe to the Iron Bank has been paid off now. So soon enough we should see another 1 million dragons entering the fold once the latest round of taxes comes through."

Aemon nodded and then turned to Viserys and asked him. "What news is there from Dorne? Princess Loreza said she would write to me about what she meant to do about those bandits and yet she has not written."

Viserys was silent for a moment and then he said. "She has sent word that arrived just this morning. It seems the bandits have been dealt with most effectively by Prince Daeron and as such will no longer trouble trade or commerce whatsoever. She writes that she would have written earlier but she has just been allowed to return to her duties, having given birth to a girl some three moons past."

Aemon was silent for a moment and then said. "She gave birth to a child and did not think to let us know about it before now? I suppose the bandits were worse then we all thought, either that or there is something more going on then we know. Whatever the case, send a raven congratulating her and Daeron, and tell her that next time something like this happens, the throne will stand behind her." Viserys nodded and Aemon asked. "Now what more is there?"

Ser Laenor a brash man spoke then. "My sources tell me that there has been some action from Volantis. It seems they are working on building an army to attack Slaver's Bay. Pentos is thinking of allying with them and has sent a raven to us asking if we would consider sending some of the dragons to aid in the war."

Aemon closed his eyes as he thought on the matter and then said. "No, we shall not aid Volantis or Pentos in any war against the Slaver cities. Tell them that so long as they stay away from the Daughters, they are welcome to do whatever the hell compels them. But should they step within the lands of the Daughters, I shall burn them down to dust. We shall have no more war, not during my reign."

Rhaenys spoke then. "But father, surely doing this could gain us a foothold in Essos that could be used to more securely tie up the Daughters and make sure we never have to go to war again once this deed is done?"

Aemon shook his head and in a very tired voice replied. "No Rhaenys, sweetling. There has been enough bloodshed on my account and on my watch. We do not need Volantis or Pentos, we needed the Daughters and the Stepstones and we have them now leave the rest of Essos be and we shall have peace, the peace to raise your children in peace. A peace I never knew growing up."