Aemon The Conqueror: The Rise of the Dragonknight

by Alperez16

Aegon and his sister-wives looked East instead of West and the Valyrian Empire was born. Jon Snow, a prince of the empire and the first Dragonknight in over a hundred years was born to wage war and strike down the empire's enemies. Exiled to Dragonstone because of his desire for his sister, how will the Seven Kingdoms react when the Dragonknight seeks to unite them under 1 King.

15. Our House in the Middle of Our Lands

A.N: For those who dislike such things the first pov has Lemon, it's marked clearly where it starts and ends, so you can skip past it and miss nothing.

The conquest of Westeros XXXVI

Dragons II.

Over the years many dragons just as their riders have carved their name in the annals of the Empire. From Balerion the Black Dread, Vhagar, and Meraxes who were ridden by the conqueror and his sister-wives to Meleys the Red Queen, Vermithor the Bronze Fury, and to the Dragonknight's own Gaelithox the Blood Wyrm. Some have had had multiple riders such as Balerion who by all accounts was the oldest and longest-lived at his death, while others have had one or even none.

Some have been known to travel far and wide after their rider's death and are believed to have themselves then perished in Valyria. A return back to their homeland once the bond between rider and dragon has been severed becoming a rite of passage. For those who survive the breaking of such a bond, it's to Lys and the new home of dragons they travel. There to await another bond to be formed or to live out their days alone and unbonded.

Other than the dragons hatched by a Dragonknight none others have ever been seen to hatch by any other than their rider or those who shepherd them on Lys and how long they live after a bond if formed or broken is a closely guarded secret of House Targaryen and one they share with no one. What is known is that once a bond is formed between a dragon and its rider then nothing or no one can break that bond other than the god of death himself and a bond between a Dragonknight and their dragon is rumored to be stronger even than that.

Myths and legends state that when a Dragonknight falls so does their dragon and yet there have been tales of Vhagar, Caraxes, and others still flying out there somewhere. West of Westeros, East of Essos, South of Sothoryos, or North of Ulthos. In the Lands of Always Winter or the Lands of the Never Setting Sun. Whether that is true or not no one can tell for sure. As is the way with all myths and legends though, truth is lost among the tales and is out there waiting to be discovered. One day perhaps we'll find it for ourselves.

A History of the Conquest of the Dragonknight,

Marwyn the Mage.

Harrenhal 300 AC.

Aemon.

Lemon Begins.

She moaned loudly as he took her nipple in his mouth, Rhaenys both arching her back so he could take it more firmly while at the same time almost pulling away from him when he bit down gently on it. His hand moved between her legs, his finger lightly brushing over her sex as he teased, promised, and yet delivered far too little for her taste. When he stopped moving his hand and his fingers she cried out and demanded he continue.

"Aems, please…"

As much as he wished to draw it out and make her beg, knowing that the release she'd find would more than makeup for it, he could as always deny her nothing. So he bit down a little harder and moved one of his fingers inside her, feeling how warm and wet she was for him and how tightly she gripped the most welcome digit. When his thumb brushed over her nub she called out loudly, Aemon thinking she sounded so much like her dragon at that moment.

He let go of her nipple and felt her sigh at the loss of the pressure of his mouth and then he heard her excited gasps as he began to kiss down her stomach and made his way to the space between her thighs. The cold air he blew against her did little to cool her down or to stop the fires that were threatening to be unleashed and when his tongue reached out to taste her, he half expected to be burned by the flames.

"Aems, Aems…"

Slowly at first, he let his tongue brush over the entirety of her sex, from top to bottom and then back up. He pushed it inside her and she cried out, he licked it slowly over her nub and she moaned and then he felt his own fires begin to rise and his hunger for her took over. Rhaenys tasted like the very best meal he'd ever had and he devoured her completely. Long after she'd fallen over the first peak he was still lost in what he was doing.

When her hands began to push at his head, when he felt her fingers in his hair and felt the pain as she both pushed him away and pulled him closer, he redoubled his efforts. His tongue was joined by one and then two fingers, his other hand holding her open so he could look at her and reach more of her at the same time. He felt her thighs as they wrapped around his head and then the world went silent. Were it not for the shaking of her body as he came, again and again, he'd not have known that his work was achieving its desired effect.

"Stop, Aems…Please, I...Oh Aemon…."

He kissed each of her thighs when she stopped shaking, then began to kiss up her stomach, her breasts, her neck, and finally her lips. Seeing her eyes closed he wished so much to make her open them and look into his own, yet he knew she need some time to recover and so he moved off of her and poured them both some wine. A few moments later she opened her eyes and he handed her the glass which she drank down quickly.

"My turn." she said and then he felt her tongue on his chest as she kissed her way down his body.

Rhaenys didn't tease, she didn't waste a moment's time trying to draw out his pleasure, instead, he felt her tongue touch his manhood only briefly and then he was inside her mouth. He almost dared not to look at her as she sucked his cock, so sure was he that the sight would be more than he could take, that he almost dared not to. Curiosity, eagerness, knowing it would only add to his pleasure, whatever you wished to name it, it won out and he almost lost himself at the sight she presented to him.

"I can't, I need to be inside you." he said almost unable to get the words out and he swore she smiled when she slipped his cock from her mouth and moved up so that she was now holding it in her hand and brushing it against the wetness of her sex.

"Tell me."

"Rhae."

"Tell me." she said smirking now as she allowed just the tip to slip inside.

"I love you." he said and with each word she took more and more of him inside of her until she'd taken all of him.

Once she had done so it was time for payback for her little game and so he grabbed her hips and placing a hand on her back he bent her forward so she was laying on top of him. With his mouth close to her ear he began to whisper.

"Tell me."

"Aems.

"Tell me."

"I love you, I love you, I love you." she said as he began to move inside of her, his thrusts powerful enough to make her catch her breath each time.

It didn't take them long to settle into a rhythm, the two of them knew each other's bodies so well that within a few moments she was riding him as he pushed up inside of her. Aemon timing his thrusts with her descent and feeling both of them drawing ever closer to their releases. She laughed when he rolled over so he was on top, her eyes alight as he was now in control and he chuckled when she slapped him when he moved too slowly.

"Aems."

That was all it took, one word and he was as lost as he ever was when he was with her. His movements quickened, his hands began to move between them and sought out her nub, and then he felt it as she began to fall over the edge and as he fell with her. No more words were spoken, no names called out, just two sets of eyes looking deeply into each other as both of them gave in to the intense pleasure they'd only ever known with each other.

Lemon ends.

Sleep came easily to them after they'd exhausted themselves with their lovemaking. Aemon finding his to be a dreamless one and waking up far earlier than Rhaenys as usual. Despite wanting to spend his morning in bed with his wife, he rose and dressed and instead went about his morning routine. Nodding to the two guards he'd had placed on their door, he moved through the keep and down into the open yards below. Harrenhal was just as impressive inside as it was out and the more he saw of it the more he was sure he was making the right choice.

When planning his takeover of Westeros the first thing that came to mind, other than the details of the conquest itself, was what to do once he'd conquered the lands. He and Aurane had spoken as he had with Marwyn and some inescapable truths had soon come to light. Dragonstone for all it offered was not Volantis and wouldn't serve as the capital for the kingdom he wished to forge. He needed somewhere far more central and while in time he'd need a port city, for now, what he needed more than anything was a defensible keep and lands that could provide for it. Which had made Harrenhal pretty much the best and only choice.

Seeing the inside of it as he moved around the keep, judging its defenses through the lens of them being guarded by his men and thinking about the ground with dragons in mind, he was sure now he'd made the right choice. He was just reaching the sparring yard where he heard her voice call out to him, Aemon turning to see that Rhaenys had followed after him and was moving towards him quickly. A look on her face that showed her annoyance and one that almost brought a smile to his own.

"I told you to wake me., Aems." she said glaring at him.

"You're not a morning person, Rhae." he replied to a shake of her head.

"I wished to explore, now come, show me."

The determination in her voice and how she grabbed his arm left him with no other choice, not that he wished for one. He had intended to show her the grounds and more of the keep itself, to have her give her opinion on whether or not this would suffice as the seat of their House and as the capital of their kingdom. She had looked so peaceful while sleeping that he'd not had the heart to wake her and so he had intended giving her more time before he did so, he was glad she disagreed with that plan.

"Is that the Godswood?" she asked pointing to the gates and he nodded, he'd mentioned it as a place for the dragons to name their own and she'd seemed keen to see it for herself. Other things though had soon drawn her attention which had led to them retiring early the night before.

"It is. It's far too big to serve simply as a place of tress and serenity. We can give half of it to the dragons and still have more than enough spaced to use as was intended."

"Does it have a Weirwood?" she asked excitedly and he nodded, Aemon then leading her to the giant white tree.

It was huge and very impressive, even the hateful face that was carved into it appealed greatly to him, as did the small stream that ran just a little way off from it. Rhaenys too seemed impressed by it and when Aemon led her to some small rocks she was more than happy to sit down on them beside him.

"Mother Lyanna was so right, it is peaceful." Rhaenys said after a few moments of silence.

"She said that about Winterfell." he said softly, his wish to visit the keep his mother was born in still as strong as ever.

"All of them, Aems. She said anywhere that had a Weirwood as its Heart Tree was peaceful. It was why father tried to…" Rhaenys looked at him when she mentioned their father knowing how difficult a subject he could be for him at times, Aemon though had made peace somewhat with what his father had done, his anger at him had subsided greatly now that she was by his side.

"He tried." he said and saw her small smile, for all the issues he may have had with his father over the years, his love for his mother had never been one of them.

"Do we really wish to spoil the peacefulness here by making a Dragonpit?" Rhaenys asked and Aemon shook his head.

"It won't be a Dragonpit. Rhae. We make a place that's sheltered and feels like a cave and leave the ground around it as it is. The dragons will forge it into how they wish from that point." he said and she nodded.

The rumble of her belly soon had them walking from the Godswood, Aemon looking to see that Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan had joined them without him noticing and he nodded to both men. As they were walking through the gates he saw Aurane walk his way. The look on his brother by choice's face was one that didn't bore well for the peaceful day doing little he had intended to enjoy.

"What?" he asked more curtly than he had intended.

"The northern army rides this way, Aemon. All of them." Aurane said and Rhaenys looked at him worriedly before Aemon shook his head.

"The keep is unassailable to an army, any army other than us that is." he said reassuringly to his wife before he turned to Aurane and Ser Arthur "Have the gates closed and the men form up on the walls. We'll soon find out if my uncles wish to parley or have they made a far more stupid choice." he said and rubbing his hand down the soft material of the clothing he was wearing, he knew it was time for him to change into something far more appropriate.

The conquest of Westeros XXXVII

The Dragon Nursery of Lys.

A rite of passage, a forming of a bond, the proof of just how strong the dragon blood your carry inside yourself truly is. Many things have been said about the Targaryen pilgrimage to Lys. Sometimes a dragon may call out to a newly bonded, sometimes it may seek them out and at others, it's only when they make the pilgrimage that the dragon makes its feelings clear. When the Targaryens decided it was to be done this way no one can truly tell. Some say it was Visenya herself who decreed it so, others point to the fact that the nursery only opened during the reign of the Conciliator and so it's to him and his wife Empress Alysanne the Good that the tradition is ascribed to.

Some who travel to the nursery seal their bond with a dragon that had previously bonded to another, while others come away with a hatchling of their own. More come away with none and why that is no one can truly tell. There are more than enough dragons for every member of House Targaryen the Dragonknight had said more than once, though never had he uttered the reason why some remained dragon less. The closest he ever got to do so was during a conversation with his wife the Queen Rhaenys when he opined that magic was a tangible and true thing and that only so much magic could be allowed to exist lest it ran out.

His Granduncle many times removed and his namesake, Prince Aemon the Wise, once was heard to say that in times of great need the dragons would come. That were it ever to be required bonds would be formed and those without dragons would soon join their kin and fly high in the sky. That until or unless that day came, dragons waited and watched and judged only those worthy to be bonded to. True or not I cannot say, for some secrets and truths were not mine to discover and only known to those of the blood.

The thoughts that there were more dragons than riders though were comforting as was the knowledge that worthiness played its part in seeing a bond be formed. What it would take to see them all be brought to bear was not something worth thinking about. Though at night my dreams were filled with images of the sky full of dragons and of how glorious a sight that would be.

A history of the conquest of the Dragonknight,

Marwyn the Mage.

Harrenhal 300 AC.

Rhaenys.

She had hoped for a day spent by her husband's side, which she supposed she was getting still, though just not how she had wished. Standing and looking at herself in the looking glass she looked like a true daughter of the Empire. Her black dress was tinged with red and other than the sigil she wore, she'd have looked as she would have was she back in their father's court and readying for an official gathering. It wasn't three heads of the dragon that she bore on her chest though, but two. The silver head of Meraxes and the blood-red one of Gaelithox. Both dragon's heads facing each other and the two dragons themselves coiled around each other in a lover's embrace.

With a nod to no one in particular, she turned and walked from the room. Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan both waiting for her and the white cloaks they wore made them stand out even more. While they still wore the same armor, both men looked closely enough attired to mark them out as being part of the same order. In time her and Aemon's sigil and specially designed armor would become something all members of the Kingsguard wore. For now, this would have to suffice. She walked to the large Great Hall, its sheer size making it as big as the Imperial Seat in the Grand Palace of Volantis, though its decoration would need some work to make it their own.

Taking her seat on one of the two large chairs, Aemon having got ride of the throne as he wished for two to be commissioned for them both to sit on, she sat and waited. The wait didn't take long and seeing Aemon walk her way and wearing a smile on his face, she quickly rose to her feet and moved to him.

"It's to be a parley, some riders have arrived to ask for leave for my uncles and their lords to meet with us both." Aemon said and she nodded relieved.

"Do we invite them inside or do they seek it elsewhere?" she asked and Aemon shook his head.

"They do It here, Rhae. They come to us, we don't go to them." he said and she looked at him curiously.

"Aems…"

"They aren't family, Rhae. Not until we know where they stand. For now, they're like any other kingdom we seek to bring to heel. The only dragons here are you and I, it's time for us to….

"Be dragons." she said finishing off what their granduncle would tell them before each meeting or ball, feast, or dance they attended, the smile on her face one that Aemon wore too and she leaned forward to kiss his lips softly.

It took some time for the Northern King and his lords to arrive. Rhaenys sitting on her seat nervously as while what Aemon said was true, it was very much not as well. They may have been a kingdom that they wished to bring to heel, but they were also kin. These were the first members of her husband's other family that she would meet and she wished it was under better circumstances. Her desire for them to like her was just as strong as her desire for them to accept Aemon and her as who they were.

"King Eddard and Prince Benjen Stark. Sers Brynden and Edmure Tully. Lord Jon Umber, Lady Maege Mormont, Lord Roose Bolton, Lord Rickard Karstark, and Ser Wylis Manderly." Marwyn shouted out, the mage serving as their herald for his own reasons "Lord William Mooton, Lord Tytos Blackwood, Lord Jonos Bracken, and Lord Jason Mallister." he added while she took in the sight of the men in front of her.

Aemon's two uncles looked like brothers and shared looks with what she could remember of his mother. Neither of them had Lyanna's beauty though as their features could best be described as plain. The two Tully's shared looks too, the older man's auburn hair was more grey tinged and the younger's was more vibrant but it was close enough to name them kin. Lady Mormont was as far from a lady as one could imagine, she wore britches and looked as fierce as any of the men with her, even the large almost giant like one. There was a clear difference between the Northmen and the Riverlords she noticed. The men from the North looked rougher around the edges and would be more to Aemon's liking than the smoother Riverlords.

On their side of the Great Hall, Ser Denys Arryn, Lord Yohn Royce, and Lord Jon Arryn stood representing the Vale. Aurane, Daario, Thoros, and some of their men stood too while behind them both stood Ser Arthur, Ser Barristan, and Torgho Nudho. She had no fear the men in front of them would break guest rights, Aemon had already assured her so, and Ser Barristan and Marwyn had both agreed with him. So it was more for a show of power than anything else that they presented themselves this way.

"You stand in the presence of their graces, King Aemon and Queen Rhaenys of House Targaryen. The Dragonknight and the Queen of the Sun, Dragonriders to Meraxes and Gaelithox. The Lord and Lady of Harrenhal and Dragonstone." Marwyn said and she saw the moment the man was going to speak before he perhaps even had the thought to do so.

"King and Queen of what?" the large giant-like man spat out disrespectfully.

"Of whatever I wish it to be Lord Umber. You should keep that in mind before you next speak in such a manner. Here you may have guest rights, out there you do not and I've already shown my blade is truer than your own, that should be enough to give you pause about facing it for true." Aemon said and his words even chilled her a little such was the coldness he spoke them with.

"We are not here to trade insults or barbs. My husband has made it clear he will not tolerate such and it gets us nowhere. Wars have been fought for stupider things I wager but few of them. Let's not start one because of harsh words and cock measuring." she said and she saw the small smirk on Lady Mormont's face.

"There are those amongst my men who believe you responsible for our king's death, your grace. I am not one of them but on their behalf, I must seek answers." King Eddard said and Rhaenys looked at the man curiously.

"As I told King Brandon and yourself when last we met, I played no part in my grandfathers' death and I seek to bring his murderers to justice. I gave my oath that I'd seek no hostilities with the North until I did so, was this not true?" Aemon said looking at his uncle.

"It was."

"Yet your lords think I would break my oath and attack more kin of mine unprovoked? That I would become a kinslayer twice over? I've many things I may need to answer for, your grace, that is not one of them. I once again give you my solemn oath that I played no part in our kin's death, I do so even though I have no need to speak on such. I accept your need to ask it of me, but I'll accept it no more. The next man who names me a kinslayer will do so with a sword in hand and across from them I'll be holding mine own and we can let that man's gods decide if it's the truth I speak or not." Aemon said and she was pleased he kept his anger in check because she could feel it come off him in waves.

"I accept your oath and your words, your grace." King Eddard said and Aemon nodded at his uncle.

"There is much we need to speak of, discussions that need to be held and accords reached or not. You are all welcome to say in Harrenhal as our most welcome guests or to stay with your men should you wish. Tonight we invite you to a feast to celebrate our taking of this keep, on the morrow we shall speak on what's next to come." Rhaenys said and then she and Aemon rose and walked from the Great Hall, Ser Arthur, Barristan, and Torgho Nudho following after them as they did so.

Less than an hour later she was sitting in a much smaller room with Aemon beside her and Torgho Nudho and Ser Arthur at their backs. Looking to the door as it opened she smiled to see King Eddard and Prince Benjen being led in by Ser Barristan and she rose as Aemon did to greet them.

"Uncles, may I introduce you both to my wife, Rhaenys. Rhae, these are my uncles, Ned and Benjen." Aemon said and the difference in how he spoke from earlier on was startling.

"I've long looked forward to meeting you both." she said happily as both men smiled at her and she saw it then, Aemon and Lyanna were both present in those smiles.

Dorne 300 AC.

Oberyn.

For almost the entirety of the journey back to Dorne he contemplated on what he'd learned. Elia, Rhaegar, Aegon, Viserys, Varys, and some of the other council members and even the aged and blind Aemon Targaryen had all told him pretty much the same things. Only fools messed with the Dragonknight and were he and Doran to be so foolish then they'd find no aid from the Empire. If anything they may find they'd made an enemy of it instead. Was that all he'd learned in Volantis then it would have been enough, but it wasn't. In talking to some of the soldiers, the leaders of the Empire's armies, and the red priests from the Great Temple, he'd learned more, much more.

He'd heard the tales of Aemon's exploits over the years, as a man who cared for military matters they'd interested him greatly, and even though when he'd heard them it was with no intent to ever need to face Aemon himself, he'd still listened to them all. It seems though he'd listened only to the cleaned-up versions of them. The versions told to the masses and not the ones spoken in hushed whispers by men who'd seen the truth of them or the carnage left behind when Aemon had won one of his victories.

When it came to war, there was no limit to what Aemon would do to win, that's what he'd been told by men he respected. Men who he knew would march against any army all told him the same thing. They were relieved that Aemon was on their side and not against them and they pitied those who had found themselves on the opposite side to the Dragonknight. It reminded him of something that Arthur Dayne had told him many years earlier, something said after they had sparred and something he'd not taken much note of at the time.

"Dragonknights are the true weapon of the Empire, Oberyn, just like dragons they're forged in fire and Aemon is like Balerion the Black Dread reborn."

It had made little sense at the time, comparing a boy to a dragon had just seemed odd to him. Over the years he'd given it little thought and even after Aemon's letters and Rhaenys's visit he'd not given it much mind. Now though he was finally seeing what Arthur had meant, the analogy finally becoming clear to him and as he stood and watched Sunspear come into view he shuddered. Aegon and his sister-wives had forged an Empire and while Visenya and Rhaenys and their dragons had played their parts, it was Balerion who perhaps had won them their victories more than most. Not just by what the black dragon had done, but by what it represented, Dread.

"My love. Ari awaits." Ellaria said from behind him and he realized he'd been off in his head for far too long and so he turned and placed a kiss on her cheek before taking her hand and making his way to ready to disembark.

His niece was happy to have him back and they spent that night in the Old Palace being feasted and enjoying good Dornish fare. The next morning they made their way to the Water Gardens and once again Oberyn found himself in his head. Ellaria was speaking to him as they rode in the carriage and he had barely heard a word she'd said.

"Forgive me, my love." he said softly, taking her hand in his and raising it to his lips.

"What bothers you so, Oberyn?" Ellaria asked worriedly.

"The news I have for Doran will not make him pleased and I worry what actions he would have us take. Elia made it clear, as did many others, Dorne can not hold against my niece and her husband." he said and was surprised by how firm his voice was.

"We are unbowed, unbent, unbroken, Oberyn. Not even dragons can make us so."

"You sound too much like Doran, my love. Sooner or later every bows and bends or they end up broken, and given who we face, burnt."

He hated that his words caused the look on his love's face, the worry and doubt he'd just instilled in her was something he wished he could take away, but if he couldn't do so for himself, then he could not for her either. When she changed the subject he welcomed it and this time he did listen to what she had to say. Finding out that Ser Gerold had behaved how he'd expected him was not a surprise and no matter what course of action Doran sought to take, Oberyn's course with the Darkstar had been just been set. The man was fool enough to try the same behavior with his niece and so it would be to his uncle that he'd send him. He'd wager it would be the last he or Dorne ever saw of Ser Gerold Dayne.

When they arrived at the Water Gardens it was to his daughters that he went to first rather than Doran, surprised to find that his brother was actually with them when he did so. Though given the look on Doran's face it was more because he'd expected this was what Oberyn would do, rather than because he too had wished to spend his time with the younger girls. After a far too brief greeting with his youngest daughters and with a promise to spend time with them later in the day and to do as they wished of him, he, Doran, and Areo Hotah made their way to his brother's solar and he spent the next few hours speaking of all he'd done and seen.

"Our sister has abandoned us." Doran said angrily.

"She has picked her family over us, brother, as you or I would should it ever come down to it." he said knowing full well that was it a choice between him and Arianne or Obara and Quentyn, Nymeria and Trystane or even he and Doran, his brother would make the exact same choices as he would and as Elia had.

"Aemon is not her family"

"Rhaenys is." he said before adding "And she sees him so, regardless of who his mother was."

"Allies, did you find allies who wish to see Aemon brought low?" Doran asked eagerly and Oberyn shook his head.

"Far too many men fear him, brother, they fear what he would do were he to turn his attention their way, and yet even more so than that, they wish him on their side should any dare threaten the Empire and they know that he would come should it be so."

"What of our nephew, is he not fearful of his brother seeking his crown?"

"Aegon fears Aemon as much as you fear me, brother." he said and Doran nodded.

"Then we are left with no choice." Doran said and Oberyn breathed relievedly only to end up shocked at what his brother said next "An alliance has been proposed, one I was unsure of but now I find it our only course of action. A union between our House and House Lannister, sealed with a wedding, and together we can do what alone neither of us can."

When he woke up that night from the nightmares that had come it was to find himself covered in sweat which was no real surprise. Hus dreams had been of fire and of the desert alight and he had felt the heat from the dragon's flames and had liked it not.

Harrenhal 300 AC.

Ned Stark.

He half expected to see Harrenhal's walls melted or signs of the dragon's flames to be everywhere he looked and yet there were none. A part of him thought they'd arrive at the keep being besieged or had it fallen, sacked, and yet he and the Lords of the North and Riverlands had found neither. There were those amongst them who wished him to attack his nephew's men the same way they had the Hoares, but they could not. For unlike the Hoares they'd not caught these men by surprise and even without the dragons, the numbers were far too weighted in his nephew's favor.

The Vale and Stormlands had both fallen and now named his nephew and his goodniece as their King and Queen. Still, some on his side felt the North and the Riverlands should fight against Aemon, his men, and those he'd brought to his side far more quickly than any could have imagined. They hadn't even had time to speak to Stannis Baratheon or Jon Arryn, to find out their reasons for kneeling and why they didn't look displeased by doing so. Less than an hour after being greeted by a king and queen and sending The Blackfish, Howland, Maege, and the Greatjon to find out all they could from the Stormlords and Knights of the Vale, he and Benjen had found themselves sitting across from his nephew and his sister who was now his wife.

"King Eddard, Prince Benjen. I hoped you've found your rooms to your liking?" Rhaenys Targaryen asked and Benjen replied for them both while he found himself staring at the women who'd captured his nephew's heart so completely that he now sought to forge a kingdom because of her.

Rhaenys was a beautiful young woman, her skin was tanned and her hair was as black as a raven's feathers. She had the most incredible dark purple eyes and wore an easy smile on her face when she spoke to Benjen. Each movement she made was graceful and every so often she'd touch Aemon lightly or stroke his hand and his nephew seemed to study her just as much as Ned was doing right now. Sitting and looking at them both reminded him of himself and Cat, of Benjen and Dacey, and of Brandon and Barbrey and perhaps it was that last one that caused his expression to change and drew Aemon's attention to him.

"What happened to King Brandon, uncle?" Aemon asked and Ned was pleased to hear him name him so, he hated the formality and wasn't used to being addressed as king or to be seen as such.

"He and his men were ambushed in Wendish Town, by men who made themselves seem to be your own." he said with no recrimination or accusation in his voice and it was something that Aemon seemed pleased by.

"That's twice now people have sought to blame me for my kin's murders. The tarnish to my name I cannot and will not accept and yet on this I find I care not. My grandfather wished not to know me and refused me leave to come North and see where my mother was born. My uncle, I believe understood I played no role in his death and I swear on my mother to you both that I played no part in either of theirs. I meant what I said Uncle Ned, Uncle Benjen, I am willing to suspend all hostilities with the North until the men responsible are found and face the fate that is demanded of them." Aemon said firmly and Ned saw Benjen nod and yet he could not, he was here acting a king too and not just an uncle.

"And after?" he asked.

"We offer you the same as we offered the Lords of the Stormlands or the Lords of the Vale, with one added proviso. As kin to my husband, House Stark will gain extra favor under our rule. We would name your our Warden in the North, King Eddard, and see you given the same freedoms as Braavos or Norvos. You'd be a kingdom in all but name and would benefit from our favor more so than any other save for mine own kin in Dorne." Rhaenys said and it was a tempting offer and yet one he could not accept.

"My lords won't kneel, your grace, were I to ask it of them then I risk losing their support." his words he hoped struck home and they did but not how he wished them to.

"I've said I'll hold my hand until we find the men responsible for killing our kin, uncle, but once we do and should the North still not have sworn to me, then I'll hold my hand no longer. You saw what I did to the Ironborn at the Neck, I did so to aid my mother's family and to men that I named as no enemies of mine. Speak to the Lords of the Vale and have them tell you what I did at the Bloody Gate. Speak to the Lords of the Storm and ask them where Robert Baratheon now rests and who sent him to meet his gods" Aemon said, his voice like ice and fire combined, and Ned looked on as Rhaenys took his nephew's hand in hers "My wife would seek a peaceful accord, uncle, as would I, but I've often sought peace from those who choose war before and each time it ends the same and I get my way. I will get my way on this too, have no doubt of that."

"What of the Riverlands, Aemon?" Benjen asked giving Ned time to think over his nephew's words.

"The kneel, uncle. They kneel and swear themselves to Rhaenys and me and Harrenhal becomes our seat. Unlike the North they get no offer of being like Braavos or Norvos, they don't even get the choice of being Lys or Pentos. Harrenhal may not bear the beauty of Volantis but it shall serve the lands around it the same way, as the seat of House Targaryen and as the capital of the one kingdom that seven shall soon be." Aemon said and Ned could hold his tongue no more.

"I will speak to my lords, though I fear I already know their responses to your offer, your grace. As for who killed my father and brother, on that we serve a common cause, nephew. So I accept your offer to cease any hostilities between us until those responsible are found." he said rising to his feet and he saw Rhaenys look to Aemon and then the small nod his nephew gave her.

"My husband has long wished to visit his mother's birthplace, King Eddard, to walk the grounds of Winterfell and to see its heart tree and meet those who may have known things of her that he was not aware. I had hoped we would reach an accord and an offer to visit would be extended, but since you believe we will not, I would ask on his behalf for that offer to be extended now." Rhaenys said and Ned looked to Benjen who nodded.

"We look forward to your visit, your grace, and your's too, nephew." he said with a soft smile on his face.

"Rhaenys." she said happily.

"Rhaenys." Benjen said as they turned to walk to the door.

"Uncles, I thank you for the chance to see where my mother was born and implore you both to speak to your lords. Have them see the light uncles, don't force me to bring them the darkness that I'm capable of." Aemon said and Ned was sure he heard regret in his voice.

As he and Benjen walked down the corridor and made their way to meet with the lords they did so in silence, Ned only speaking when they were far enough away so that his words would go unheard.

"Well?" he asked quietly.

"We see what the lords say, but you know what we must do." Benjen said and Ned nodded.

"Aye, kneel or be brought to our knees." he said as they reached their rooms.

Braavos 300 AC.

Tyrion.

Seeing the Titan and Braavos itself was enlightening, as was seeing just how differently the people were compared to those back at the Rock or in Lannisport. Other than the times that traders would come to Lannisport and he'd be lucky enough to be there, or his trip to Dragonstone, he'd not really had much contact with Essosi and he'd rather forget his trip to Dragonstone. He'd actually thought he'd achieved something, that he was to be heading back to his father a success, only to find out he'd been played completely. Something that had been hard for him to take and had made him just as keen as his father to seek a way for Aemon Targaryen to be brought low.

Where this any other city than Braavos he'd fear for himself here because of his reason for coming. The empire's reach was long and any who dared threaten one of its sons or daughters wouldn't last long in a city that was directly under its control. Braavos though had more freedom, more leeway, and was run almost like a free city. It was more akin to Lannisport than Casterly Rock. Still under the empire's control but not as tightly as other cities were. His research had led to many discoveries and as they walked around the city, he tried to put that research to good use.

Courtesans and their pleasure barges, Braavosi challenging people to duels, the Sealord's Palace, and the Red Temple. He looked for and saw them all and then he saw the two buildings that had truly captured his interest from the books he had read. The House of Black and White looked much smaller than he had expected, though perhaps it was how far away he was from it and the island it sat upon. Home to the infamous Faceless Men, it was a place that he would need to visit before he was done here. Yet the building he was more focussed on was as imposing in its own way as the Rock was.

The Iron Bank loomed large over the square it dominated, its thick walls seemed carved out of some stone he'd not ever seen before and it just oozed wealth to him. He made his way to the large double doors and was surprised to see no guards and no one else trying to enter, Tyrion looking around before he pushed the door which opened easily. Entering the building he was even more impressed by what he found inside. While barren of any decorations or obvious sign of wealth, for the keen eye those signs were still there and he had a keen eye. One that was taking in every inch of the large open hall and the numerous doors that led to he knew not where.

"Father would be impressed." he said softly, his voice almost a whisper.

He was still standing there taking it in when the man came to him. Tall and thin and no older than himself, the young man had a look of boredom on his face and Tyrion almost embarrassed himself by naming him a banker rather than the servant he was. The young man moved as if he hadn't a care in the world and the bored expression only changed when he reached him. A small put-on smile was now being worn as he greeted him.

"Welcome to the Iron Bank of Braavos, how may we be of assistance today?" the young man said in an accent that lilted slightly.

"I've got an appointed to see Petyr Baelish." he said as firmly as he could, glad to hear there was no nervousness in his voice and that he'd kept that where it belonged.

"I'm afraid he is not here, Lord?" the young man asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Prince Tyrion Lannister." he replied not sure if he could get away with lying to even this servant and worried if he did that he'd not get his meeting.

"Ah, Prince Tyrion. A letter was left here for you, now if you'd please take a seat." the young man said and Tyrion noticed how his voice had changed and his expression too now seemed more friendly.

He was about to ask him where Baelish was only for the young man to move away from him and leave him with no choice but to take a seat. Tyrion looking around the room until he found some chairs against a wall near the middle of it and moved to them. He was annoyed that this was how he was greeted and that Baelish hadn't had the courtesy to meet him personally. Yet he for now forced that annoyance down deep inside and waited for the young man to return, thankfully he didn't have to wait too long.

"From Petyr." the young man said fondly as he handed him the letter "If that will be all, Prince Tyrion?" he asked before Tyrion had a chance to even open the letter, Tyrion suddenly getting the impression he'd just been dismissed.

"May I know where Baelish is?" he asked and the young man smiled at him and shook his head.

"If Petyr wishes you to, then it shall be in the letter, if not, then I'm not at liberty to speak on it. The Iron Bank's business with you is concluded, Prince Tyrion, we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors."

That truly was a dismissal and angrily he rose to his feet and moved to the door, the young man watching him all the way until he had left and Tyrion felt his anger threatening to get the better of him as he walked out into the square. Opening the letter he read it and felt somewhat calmed by the words it said, the meeting was simply postponed for a few days and he'd not wasted his time coming here. Though he was still annoyed that Baelish wasn't there to greet him personally. He was Prince Tyrion Lannister of House Lannister, the son of King Tywin Lannister, a Lion of Casterly Rock, people deferred to him not the other way around.

His annoyance lasted until late into the night, the wine and food they'd eaten in the place he and his men had taken their rooms and the company of the young girl he'd paid for, finally making him forget the earlier slights he'd received. With a couple of free days, until Baelish was to deign him with a visit, he spent the first of them sightseeing and purchasing gifts for his niece and nephew. He hoped for a glimpse of the Black Pearl or better yet a chance to taste her favors for himself, but her client list was long and the woman picked and chose who she lay with for reasons other than coin. So on his third day in the city, he and his men hired a small boat and were brought to the House of Black and White.

Only he was allowed inside and after entering he found he was more scared and nervous than ever before. So much so that when the young woman placed a hand on his shoulder, the yelp he let out was a loud one. Her expression never changed though, she simply ignored the fact that he'd cried out like a girl and was standing there shaking still and simply motioned for him to follow her to the fountain in the middle of the large open room. He did as he was bid and as they reached it he saw the man sitting there with his hand in the water. The grey robes the man wore were threadbare and other than his red hair and its white streak there was nothing remarkable about him at all. Tyrion though felt in this man's case, appearances were deceitful.

"A man wishes to know what service you ask of the Many-Faced God." the man asked, his accent different than the Braavosi he'd heard speaking since arriving in the city and so he wagered he was not a native.

"My name is…"

"A man knows a prince's name, so once again a man asks what service do you ask of the Many-Faced God."

"I seek a man killed." he said and the red-headed strange speaking man simply nodded leaving Tyrion so confused that he didn't speak for a few moments and it was the man and not he who actually spoke next.

"A man would require a name."

"Aemon Targaryen, The Dragonknight." he said adding the title when he remembered there was another Aemon Targaryen who was much older and less of a threat to the one he and his father wished dead.

Two days later.

This entire visit had been a complete waste of time, he'd achieved nothing, and even going home empty-handed had its appeal where once it did not. He felt he needed to be away from this city and soon. His sleep was nonexistent, his libido even less so, he had no appetite for food and only drank to settle his nerves. At any moment he expected to find a Faceless Man standing over him or to have guards from the Empire coming to have him dragged off to Volantis.

The words spoken to him by whomever it was he spoke to in the House of Black and White had been enough to leave him in no doubt that he had outstayed his welcome there and probably here too. Not only were they refusing his contract, no matter the price he offered but word of him seeking it would be discussed with others. He shuddered at just who those others would be, be they more of the Faceless Men themselves or someone in the higher echelons of the Empire's hierarchy. Either way, it would be better for him if he was long gone from this city beforehand. He was in the middle of gathering his things when Baelish arrived. Tyrion was stunned to see the man standing at his door and it was the clothing he wore and the words he spoke which made him welcome him inside and not slam it in his face in fear.

"Prince Tyrion, I see you got my message. We have much to discuss."

"Such as?"

"The fall of dragons, my prince, the fall of dragons."

Harrenhal 300 AC.

Ser Brynden Tully.

Walking around a keep that you'd only ever seen from the outside was a unique experience and one he was not likely to forget, as was seeing dragons for the first time. Never before had what he'd heard about something been so completely overshadowed by what the truth of them truly was. Seeing them in the sky was impressive, seeing them on the ground was frightening. As was looking around at the army that Aemon Targaryen had now gathered for his own.

A dragon and 5,000 men were already a tall order for any of the Seven Kingdoms, two and more than 50,000 was just too much to ever be taken on. It would take the remaining kings coming together and uniting their forces even to have a chance and not only was that never going to happen, but Brynden was pretty certain even if it did the result would be the same. With Harrenhal now in his possession as well, he far surpassed the threat that Qhored and the Hoares had always posed to them. They couldn't force him to give up the keep, nor could they beat him away from it and as he talked to Lord Yohn Royce and asked why the Vale had knelt, it became clear that they couldn't even hide in their own keeps.

"He did what?" he asked incredulously.

"The Bloody Gate is no more, Ser Brynden. Had I not seen it with mine own eyes I'd not have believed it. He and his dragon just made it irrelevant and though I mourn the men we lost there, good men and true each and everyone one of them, I like Lord Denys can't argue with the King's reasoning nor blame him as much as I'd like to."

"He attacked your lands, Lord Yohn, killed your men, and yet you don't blame him for such?" he asked while shaking his head.

"We lost less than a thousand men, Brynden. Men I'll mourn as I said, but men who in death have given a service to the Vale few in life could ever match. For were it not for the Bloody Gate and the men who perished there, then I and my fellow Knights of the Vale would have marched out to face King Aemon and his army. We'd have marched and far more than those who already do would be mourning the lives he took." Lord Yohn said and Brynden looked at him disbelievingly.

"You're saying there is no hope? That kneeling is the only option?" he asked and Lord Yohn chuckled.

"Aye, that's what I'm saying. Not even flight avails for who can fly faster or for longer than a dragon. He's a good sort, once you're on his side. His wife too, and though I'd not have thought so had he not done what he did. It's for the best that we named him king and the Vale will prosper because of it." Lord Yohn said with a sigh.

"His wife is his sister, Lord Yohn, that's an affront to the Seven." Brynden said and he felt the man's hand on his shoulder.

"A word of advice, Ser Brynden. Never speak those words aloud again lest you wish to lose your head and be thankful that I'm understanding of the shock and turmoil you're going through. You've just insulted my queen and were this not today then I'd take mine own issue with you. Were King Aemon to hear you say those words then there is not a man nor god that would save you from his wrath."

"And this is the man you'd have me kneel to?" he asked disdainfully, the idea of a man seeking his death for him speaking up for his gods was not a pleasant one and the thoughts of kneeling to such a man were not thoughts he wished to ponder on for long.

"Insult a man's wife and you reap the whirlwind, Ser Brynden. Insult a king's and it's dangerous to your health. Insult my king's and what happened at the Bloody Gate, at the Neck, those would be pleasant alternatives to the punishment you'd receive, believe me. King Aemon accepted exile rather than do as his father the High Emperor wished, his love for his wife is as strong and true as any I've ever seen before, name that as wrong and be it on your own head. For not I, not King Eddard Stark and the Lords of the North and not each and every man of the Riverlands could save you then." Lord Yohn said before he walked away from him and Brynden looked at the retreating figure through much different eyes than he had when he greeted him.

After lunch that day he spoke to Stannis Baratheon and the Lords of the Stormlands, finding out what had brought them to their knees and he was stunned to hear about a Trial of Seven and what had happened during it. Seven of the finest warriors of the Stormlands including, King Robert and Barristan the Bold, had faced off against King Aemon and his men. Lord Jon Connington, Ser Godry Farring, Ser Richard Horpe, and King Robert himself had fallen along with Prince Elbert Arryn who had turned his cloak and attacked King Aemon while he and King Robert fought. Hearing that it was Aemon's own blade that ended Robert Baratheon proved that the man was not just a king in name nor just a man who relied on his dragon. He was a formidable warrior in his own right that only worried him even more so.

At the meeting with King Eddard and the Northern and Riverlords later that day he was stunned to hear King Eddard suggest that kneeling was the only course of action. The Lords of the North, some of them at least shouting this down loudly. While amongst the Riverlords there was more than one who bore the same look on their faces as he and King Eddard did.

"We all know what the Dragonknight did to the men who awaited us at the Neck, how easily he simply ended more than 5,000 men. Just he and his dragon ended them in mere moments as if they were nothing." King Eddard said his voice firm and enough to quieten the angered shouts for now "I've heard it said and no doubt some of you have too, that the Bloody Gate is no more, that again it was Aemon and his dragon who saw it so."

"Aye."

"Aye, we've heard it said." voices called out from those sitting in the large room. Both Northmen and Rivermen amongst them.

"Two kingdoms already have knelt and then they marched here and took this keep without fighting a battle. Aye, let that sink in before we speak more on this. This unassailable keep was taken with nary a battle being fought, proving that it's not just might my nephew possesses, but insight too." King Eddard said.

"You would have us kneel, my king? Give up all that we are?" Lord Karstark shouted out.

"I would have us live, our people live." King Eddard said and then Prince Benjen stood up.

"I know what thoughts are in your minds, for I share them and my heart names this as wrong too." Prince Benjen said "Yet like each and every man here I've got a family whom I love and who my first job is to protect. There are Northern sons and daughters that we all seek to see grow to be the fine men and women they'll become. War against King Aemon will put paid to that. For either none of us will be around to see them as they age or they themselves will fall long before they do so." Prince Benjen's words sending shivers down some of the men and women present.

"I was named your king by the will of the North, I can only do as you bid me to. Fighting against my nephew is not only akin to Kinslaying but it's a fight I don't believe can be won. Robert Baratheon believed he could do so and his bones lie ready and waiting to be taken back to Storm's End. His brother kneeling rather than seeking vengeance for his loss. The Vale saw their defenses wiped away in the blink of an eye and even though defeat was certain, were still offered gracious terms, as have we been."

"What terms, Ned?" the Greatjon shouted out loudly.

"That we'll be a kingdom in all but name, that we while sworn to my nephew, won't be treated as lesser than any. Family ties mean something to King Aemon, he seeks justice and vengeance for the deaths of my father and brother, for they are his kin too. He offers us the chance to kneel rather than to be forced to our knees and yet he offers us the chance to rise back to our feet just as quickly. Allegiance, not subservience is what he offers, I say we take it, but on this, it's not me who'll decide." King Eddard said and again the voices rang out and the words he heard surprised him.

When the meeting was done he spoke to his Goodnephew and Prince Benjen, asking them what it was that the new King had in store for the Riverlands and he was surprised by what he heard and yet not at the same time. Harrenhal was to become the Capital of the newly formed kingdom, one that already included the Vale and the Stormlands and that he and his fellow Riverlords knew that they had no choice to accept. As for the Lords of the North, a stubborn lot they were, but not a foolish one and with some further considerations which his Goodnephew was sure would be forthcoming, they too would fall to their knees.

In less than a few moons Aemon Targaryen had taken four of the Seven Kingdoms for his own, he'd fought no battles, besieged no keeps, and won no wars, not on the field at least. Would the other three come so easily, Brynden knew not, but as he watched the dragons fly over his head while he and the Riverlords rode back to their keeps, as he watched them head off to he knew not where. He was glad he was part of the four and not one of the other three.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. I'm sorry for the delay but work is a nightmare and not showing any signs of letting up, it'll be at least two weeks until the next update, maybe even three so bear with me. Up Next Aurane leads a force on foot to Tumbleton and is surprised by another dragon's appearance. Aemon and Rhaenys arrive to meet a Queen of Thorns, a reluctant king, and a prickly lord. Tywin finalizes an alliance with Dorne and Tyrion and Petyr speak while Ned is reunited with his family and word spreads of the fourth kingdom to kneel.

Daryl Dixon: You got your wish.

Zyrus: Had they done this right, then Robb would have been king and nothing would have gone against it, Ned pretty much got it on a technicality. Robb was Brandon's heir but Brandon was the Prince of Winter, something you need here to become king. In a different scenario, when Brandon was crowned, Robb would have been named but here it just didn't happen and so legally they could do this, and then it becomes a 16-year-old boy vs. Ned. The biggest issue the North faces is the same issue that they faced in canon, yes they can hold out, they can fight, but in the end, they'll lose. There is this great myth among some people that the North can withstand the dragons, let's be clear, they can't. Hell in canon they couldn't withstand a few freaking pirates. The North's biggest strength is against a marching army who have to use the Neck to cross, but what would they do against an army that came by sea? Or here one that came by air?

Killing a dragon here doesn't work as in canon, there isn't just to left, there are multiple dragons and to kill one is to bring the Empire's entire might down on you. That's even if you could manage to do it. The Rhoynar killed two dragons in canon and brought the freehold down on them, leading to Nymeria abandoning Essos because it was game over. Dorne got lucky with a shot and in the end, Aegon stopped, Daeron conquered it and made it kneel and while they took it back and broke parley to do so, it too can be subjugated. Aemon here has experience in doing just that.

Guest; Hope you liked this, the North will be getting a visit from Aemon soon enough and we'll meet our favorite wilding characters, Dany is up next.

Iota: Yes it would, but unlike Robb in canon, Ned sees the issue of it the problem with it. The Riverlands are still as hard to defend as in canon, but that's not even the full reasoning behind it with Ned. Him being king of the Trident was supposed to be with Brandon as KITN and with Robb as Brandon's heir, Bran as his. Brandon's death means he needs to concentrate on the North and he already knows what he needs to do, in terms of kneeling. It's much easier to kneel for one kingdom than for two.

The Lion's pride. You can argue it should be Muna and Kepa, but I was trying to show the influences that Viserys had in his life. Here he's basically been raised by Elia, Lyanna playing her part too. So he grew up with Aemon, Aegon, and Rhaenys calling their mothers, mother and their father, father, so it's kind of become a thing, the Westerosi influence more so than the Valyrian one.

Real Mirror: I think Viserys it's more nurture than nature, Dany goes out of her way to say he was a good brother for so long, which really suggests that. It was the time on the run, the pressure of looking after her and trying to take back the throne, all while alone. Dany in some ways is protected from that aspect of it, in that it's not until later on the pressure of the throne for example becomes her issue. So for me if you take that pressure away, give Viserys both a decent upbringing and support and a purpose, this is more what you get. Glad you liked the fluff with the children, I really wanted that to be something he felt. The confidence in Aemon may seem a bit much, Viserys was being a bit hyperbolic and Aemon doesn't do it all alone either, so it was more to make a point.

On the battles, the thing is I'm kind of saving it, this is kind of the intro to the tales of what he's done, to have people learn and hear but not know, then to have them seek out the truth of those tales. So you see it a little with Oberyn here, where he has realized there is a clean for mass consumption story and then the truth. We'll see it in the plans going forward too where people discuss some of the tactics and battles he's fought, but there was kind of no real need for them to be brought up, because no one really knows the truth if that makes sense. Even Tywin is kind of dismissive, but events have forced him to think differently so we'll have some of the know your enemy aspect coming up.
I hope this explains more about the dragons, if there is more you need to know, feel free to ask and I'll see if it works better in a direct answer or like it is here as part of the lore from Marwyn's books. Yep, Ser Gerold was always going to do that, Oberyn pretty much hoped for it because he's been that way around Arianne too and he's just been looking for a reason to get rid of him.

That's very much what I was going for with Dany, she's a couple of steps above canon Sansa, but again with no real hardship (even her mother's death here didn't really affect her because she had, Elia/Lyanna) she's not hardened. Rhaenys is a bit like her too, though Dany has had even a more sheltered life than she, but we'll be seeing some of her more canon-like traits soon enough.

On the past of Westeros, this is the tricky line, because to show it you almost need to step out of the story and yet I get you, you want to see what shaped it too. For me I need to find the reasoning to show it, rather than simply put it in, I need the parallels so that in showing it I'm adding to the story. Someone made me a map, which I'll try and show off somehow, which kind of shows the borders aren't exactly the same, other than the North. The funny thing is about the constant state of war, it never actually achieves anything, other than the Andal influence, the kingdoms pretty much remained constant. You have events like the sacking of HG and the Dornish attacks, but again each time they were usually forced back and things reverted back to what they were. You kind of need a strong determined and implacable leader to do more and up to now, Westeros hasn't had one, just as in canon it took an Aegon. Tywin would seek to control more, but Tywin is also a man who uses various different means and he can be content too, He waits until he has the complete edge or is forced to move, like canon. It's mentioned in his early povs how he reached out to the Empire to try and get an alliance, and he like Rickard had been planning moves for a long time, they just never found the conditions for those moves.

So with Randyll, it's more the unwillingness to fight based on some legend he doesn't really believe in that's his issue. He's also prickly about Olenna and the Tyrells as canon too. We'll see about Brienne.

On the religion thing, it's not just there for show, so we'll be seeing some of the piety being an issue, a little here with the BF but he's not devout, but it will become a thing more and more and it is a battle that's coming. With Robb it was more to give us a look into him and kind of a first pov, we'll be seeing more and I'm saving his thoughts on Aemon for when they meet. The OG deal with Rickard was Ned as King and Bran as heir and so the Riverlords were trying to live up to that, plus they felt with Ned leading them they have a better chance against Aemon, you're right about the BF, not sure what role he has as of yet though.

Picking up story: That had so been my plan, then work bit me in the ass.

Leonel: Aemon wouldn't be happy about Daario, it's a betrayal of trust and that's a big thing for him. So with Tarly, it's the fact they're not even considering fighting that's his issue, along with the fact that he feels that his daughter should be queen, not Marge. You have to remember that in canon with the Tyrell's even though it's nearly 300 years since they were named Lords of the Reach, some still see them as stewards, here it's been literally a few moons. Oh there will be conflict, shock, and awe and logic works only so far, some won't be shocked or awed and won't be logical and so will need to be brought to their knees.

The Godswood at Harrenhal is 20 acres, just let that sink in for a moment, Waterfall's is 3 in comparison. Size-wise Harrenhal dwarfs any other keep and spreads out over more land than any other keep too. Just the Godswood alone would easily take Winterfell and its godswood with room to spare. Aemon flying in on Gaelithox at night, landing in the middle of something that large, it's not something that would be expected because it's not something that anyone would have ever even considered. So even were they to hear Gaelithox, would they even think what it is? I mean would they look up or would they look to the gates thinking an attack coming that way? Aemon we can speculate has done this before, that he knows how to get in and out without being heard/seen, so again under the cover of night, unexpected and not being something you've ever seen nor heard about, it can be easy to be missed.

Imagine if you will that in every single siege you faced, it was always siege towers, that the ladder was not something you'd ever seen before. Would you be on the lookout for ladders?

On Aemon's past deeds, we've not seen them or really heard about them for deliberate reasons on my part. There is no real reason to show them unless they correlate to a particular part of the story. I wanted to show hubris, to show him being almost hand waved off which then forces them to actually find out more, so it's coming and I hope it works how I envisioned it when it does.

So with Robb, we'll be seeing a lot more of him and we're soon to get our first view of the Wall. You're right though it's far better manned.

Jessicanightmarewolf: In some ways yes it will be, thought Dany won't be romantically involved with Aemon/Rhaenys. I hope you like what I did with Harrenhal here.

Celexys: Harrenhal is such a big advantage, if it's manned right and housed right it can be the true Red Keep, though things will need to be done about King's Landing, or a version of it too. Glad you liked Barry's use, he's such a cool character and we'll be getting his pov soon.

Xan Merrick: Thank you, my friend, glad you liked it.

Creativo: .No había pensado en la comparación de la vida real jajaja, pero sí, y bueno, él no tiene tendencias suicidas.

Dunk: I agree the canon conquest was easy enough, here Aemon also has the looming threat of the Empire too, which does make people hesitate just a little. We'll see Ned seeking the killers soon enough, a unique way of finding them too, a canon character about to make an appearance, one known for mysterious prophecy and no not that one lol. Robb and Aemon are to meet soon enough. Dany will find romance in Westeros won't say who, but in regards to Willas, he has no limp here. Oh, you may be right with Gwayne and Tarly too. You called it with Doran/Tywin it really is the only move either have.