Oldtown 1 BC.
Visenya Targaryen.
At times Visenya was insatiable, Aemon too. They couldn't get enough of laying together and each night they went to their bed was another night they did so. More than once on most nights and even more so on others much to her delight. Visenya found that while she at times instigated their coupling, it was when Aemon did so that brought her the most pleasure. To see her husband want her so desperately, to feel his passion as he took her, that alone was more than enough to almost drive her to the edge. Never had this been more true than the night they spent together after dealing with the Faith and the Citadel.
All her life she'd been second best and second choice when it came to Aegon's affections. With Aemon, even though he'd been wed before and a part of him still loved his first wife, she never felt that way. From the moment they had truly gotten together, Visenya always felt it was what Aemon wished for. That she was what he desired most in the world and over the times they lay together, she'd come to understand the little things that raised those desires. More than that, she did so in a way that she had never known how with Aegon.
Mayhap it was love that truly made it so, or so she wondered. That when Aegon was with Rhaenys, they too felt how she did with Aemon. All she knew for true was that it was a feeling she never wished to end. So the more they did in changing Westeros, the more worried she became that something would steal that feeling away from her. Challenging the Faith and the Citadel, was a fight she had worried a little about. Now, it very much was not and so mayhap that was why their coupling that night had felt how it did. As she felt her breath return to her and looked at her husband, her mind went to a place she wished it had not. A fear that she had done her best to fight down and had managed to somewhat at least had now raised its ugly head once more. Her frown did not go as unnoticed as she thought either.
"You're doing it again." Aemon said and Visenya snorted and tried to deny his words "What troubles you, my love?"
"Nothing."
"Senya," Aemon asked softly.
"Dorne Aemon. What you said about Rhaenys and Meraxes…"
"Will not take place. Dorne is not ready for the war we'll bring them. Trust me it will not be the one they expect."
"Dorne is not the Faith or the Citadel, Aemon. Meria Martell is not Loren Lannister or Mern Gardener and she's certainly not Sharra Arryn."
"No, she's not. I know how the Dornish think, my love. I was born there you know." Aemon said with a chuckle, trying to put her at ease.
"And how long did you stay there?" she asked before answering her own question "A moon or more was it not."
"Aye."
Aemon rose so he was leaning on his elbow and facing her, his expression one of worry and concern and she welcomed seeing that he was at least taking her own concerns seriously.
"My brother and sister's mother was Dornish. Elia Martell. I told you what happened to them did I not?"
"You did," Visenya said with a shudder. Their fates were amongst the cruelest that any of her House suffered and that they were kin to her husband, only made that even more so to Vienna's mind.
"Elia's brothers both sought vengeance and justice for their deaths in their own way. Doran was a calculating and dangerous man. A man who plotted and planned and waited like a snake in the grass for his prey to step close enough to strike. Oberyn was different. He was passionate and reckless, the kind of man who'd strike fast and hard and whose temper was not something you would wish to nor need to wait to see unleashed."
"Did they blame you?" she asked "Because of your mother, did they attach any blame for your siblings and their mother's deaths to you?"
"They did." Aemon said sadly "Yet there were others more to blame than I. So while they didn't truly support me in the war for the Iron Throne, they were on my side all the same. The enemy of my enemy and all that."
"What did they do, Aemon?" she asked curiously.
"I sent word seeking their spears, offered them the chance of vengeance and Doran sought a bride for his help." Aemon said and Visenya almost snarled at the very idea of such a thing "Oberyn, however. He asked me for only one thing, blood. To be given the chance to spill the blood of the men who killed his sister and her children and the man who ordered it."
"Did you?"
"I offered him the vengeance he truly desired and so Oberyn, his daughters, and men he knew from Essos fought on my side. Dorne did not."
Visenya knew there was more to it than simply that and yet, for now at least, it seemed that was all Aemon wished to speak on the events of the past. Instead, it was to the events yet to come that the conversation turned to.
"So I know Dorne as well as it knows itself, Senya. I've even been both Oberyn and Doran in my time. As I said, I was born there and while the North was always my home, I may have the heart of a Dornishman beating in my chest."
"No, you have the heart of a dragon, Aemon," she said, to a broad smile from her husband.
"Aye, that too."
"You truly fear not what we face in Dorne?"
"I fear not," Aemon said and Visenya did her best to allow that to be her guide. To allow Aemon's lack of fear to be what she herself felt.
Sleep though was hard to come by and so after Aemon drifted off, Visenya found herself sitting up in bed reading the book he'd taken from the Citadel. Daenys had written of many things, some of them Visenya believed referred to Aemon himself. A shadowy figure that watched over House Targaryen and yet had at times not been made flesh. Her ancestor wrote of a mighty dragon that would swoop down and set their House to right. Yet she named it not as Rhaegal and it too was cast in shadow.
At times the book was nonsensical, or it was simply that Visenya found certain parts of it to be that way. While at others, it spoke of battles, wars, deaths, and destruction that seemed to mirror how the Conquest had or could have gone. It seemed to Visenya that there were almost two separate versions of events. One involving three heads of a dragon and another with an added fourth. Given the truth of Aemon, she wondered if Daenys had seen a time when he didn't arrive as he had on Dragonstone. Unfortunately, by the time morning came, Visenya was no further along in understanding Daenys' mind or the dragon dreams she'd had.
"You stayed up all night?" Aemon asked and Visenya nodded "Reading?"
"I wished to know her mind, Aemon. To see if she saw the things we face."
"She saw it all, or so I believe. Though I can say that most of it was lost to me when I read that book the first time."
"Lost?"
"Pages missing, words faded. It was never as complete as how it is now."
"And you don't wish to read it more? To see what it is you missed?" she asked, confused as to why he'd not wish to do so.
"Life is better when you don't know, I find. Had I read that book and it told me I'd lose my heart to you, then would that have changed what happened between us? Were I to read it now, would it change my heart or make me think myself more a pawn than I already at times know I am."
"You think yourself a pawn?"
"We're all pawns in someone else's game. Once you know that, then and only then can you rig that game in your favor."
"And that's what you're trying to do?"
"Every damn day." Aemon chuckled.
Before she could speak more, Aemon kissed her cheek and rose from the bed. Visenya watched as he dressed and heard him speak to Martyn Rivers a few moments later. Knowing full well that it was the sparring yard that Aemon was heading to, she rose and dressed and made her way to break her fast. As early as it was, it was a surprise to see Lady Argellla and Orys up already. They were all just finishing their meals when firstly Rhaenys and Aegon arrived and then Aemon did a few moments later.
Visenya waited until Aemon was finished eating before then asking him to take her to the Citadel. They'd be leaving for the Iron Islands before the day ended and she wished to take a look at some of the Maesters and Archmaesters for herself. There were books too that she wished to take with her when they left. Books that she hoped would help answer some of the questions she had in her head and which may even offer up some more insight into Daenys' mind.
Along with Ghost, fifty guards, and both dragons flying overhead, they made their way to the Citadel and were welcomed warmly. Aemon introduced her to the Seneschal who took great pains to say that they were already in the process of making rooms available for their future female acolytes. Visenya asked the man where the oldest or the most comprehensive books were on the subjects she wished and told him that some of those books would be coming with her when she left. In time they'd be returned and as the Seneschal directed her to where she wished to go, it was Ghost and Martyn Rivers rather than Aemon who walked with her.
"You are a most learned woman, my princess." Seneschal Aurell said as Visenya handed Martyn another book to add to her collection.
"Knowledge has always been a pursuit of mine, Seneschal. Which is why we seek other women to have access to it."
"Indeed, a wise decision, my princess," Aurell said and Visenya caught how Ghost silently snarled at the man.
Not in the humor for any more conversation now that she knew the Seneschal couldn't be trusted, Visenya instead allowed Ghost to lead her to where she wished. How the white wolf knew a certain book was here or there, Visenya knew not. Watching the look on the Seneschal's face as she simply pulled down the one she wished for with no direction from him, was almost priceless. Knowledge was power and it was why these men sought to keep it for themselves. Aemon had used that against them when he had brought them to heel, it seems that now she with Ghost's help was doing likewise.
"I believe that's all I need, Seneschal. Your man has taken a note of which works I've gathered?" Visenya asked.
"He has, my princess."
"Good, in time they'll be returned."
With that, she and Martyn followed Ghost back to where Aemon awaited. Why her husband had not joined her, she knew not. Though knowing Aemon as she did, there must have been a good reason for it. She'd find out that reason once they left this place and so after thanking the Seneschal for his help and bidding Martyn to share the load he carried with another, Visenya moved to Aemon and readied to do so.
Later that night, she and Aemon flew on their dragons and Visenya carried a bag containing some of the most interesting of the books she gathered. They slept in a warm covered cave on Southshield, or Aemon slept as Visenya once again spent most of the night awake and reading. A book on Starks and their lineage and legends which told much of the history and their customs having kept her enraptured for most of the night. One passage, in particular, seemed to add a little to what she'd read regarding the shadow in Daenys' book on her dreams. Putting the book to one side and looking at her husband and Ghost who both slept peacefully, Visenya couldn't but help to wonder.
"When the end days are upon us, the white wolf will walk among us once more," she whispered softly.
Winterfell 1 BC.
Brandon Snow.
They returned to the North not as glorious victors, though thankfully not as vanquished losers either. His brother no longer wore a crown and while a Stark would still sit on the Winter Throne, he would not do so as a king. Amongst their men, the loudest voices that should have been most against what Torrhen did had been quietened by the words spoken by Brandon, Torrhen, and by Jojen Reed. They'd listened to each of them speak about the things they'd seen on the Isle of Faces as well as the offer they'd been made by the Dragons. Even though they were stubborn and proud men, they'd, in the end, accepted that Torrhen kneeling had been for the best.
Brandon wondered how much of that was down to the promise that Aemon Targaryen had made to see the North rise high. How much of it was the respect that Torrhen was held in and how much was the fact that he himself was so accepting of it? Aemon had told him that in another life, at another time, he'd not done so. That he and his brother had fallen out and it had been the lands of the east that he'd sailed off to and died in. Exile and death, never seeing the North again and his bones resting in foreign lands. Was it not for all the other things he'd shown in regard to Aemon, then he'd not have believed it. Then again if it was not what he'd been shown in regard to Aemon Targaryen, he'd not find himself looking even further North than he'd ever traveled before.
While the army they had gathered slowly broke up and the lords brought their men back to their lands and keeps, Brandon, his brother and Jojen Reed traveled on to Winterfell. They were welcomed back by his Goodsister and his niece and nephews, Brandon finding himself for the first time happy to have no other family to name his own. It now made him wonder if the reason for that was the journey he was soon to undertake, or in another life, had taken. Was he always meant to be a free man with nothing to tie him down but the love for his brother and his brother's family? Would it now mean that he'd find someone to call his own and raise a family with? Aemon's words now came to mind and despite his tiredness and even though he needed to find his bed, it was over an ale that Brandon contemplated upon them.
"The North has the lands, but not the people. The Reach can call on at least twice its number, thrice if it truly wished to. The West has almost as many. While each of the other kingdoms can at worst match its numbers if not the ferocity of its fighters."
"Aye, I'd name a Northman worth two or even three of these southern cunts." Brandon said with a loud laugh and while Aemon smiled, it was a brief thing.
"Numbers don't just count on the battlefield, Brandon. When an army marches it needs to leave behind enough men so that its lands don't get taken and it finds itself with a need to rush back to protect those it left behind. Even that is only part of the true strength that numbers bring. As who tills the fields and sows the crops when all men of age are off fighting in a war?"
"Numbers bring their own problem too, Aemon," Torrhen said and Aemon nodded, Brandon, looked at them both confused for a moment.
"Aye, it does. But more farmers means more crops. More men to hunt and fish, and there are other ways to see food grown or even purchased."
"We are not a rich land." Jojen Reed said.
"And were not so in mine own time either. Yet the lands nearest the Wall are good lands and with the right people, could be even more so. The pact we've signed will see what you already pay for food will be offset some by the crown and the mountains and beyond the Wall hold riches and wealth that will see the North rise. Once they have a man to see to peace between those on either side." Aemon said looking directly at Brandon.
They'd spoken privately later and Aemon had told him more about the Wildlings, Free Folk as he named them. Listening to his kinsman speak about them, Brandon almost felt a kinship with them and so he was glad when Aemon said that he too had felt that way.
"The Free Folk don't know how to lie, Brandon. Their words are their bond and while they are a hard and hardy people, they live and die with honor too. Remind you of anyone?" Aemon asked with a soft chuckle.
"How do I bring them to my side, to our side?" he asked curiously.
"The same way you would any enemy, Brandon. First, you beat them. Then you wed into their clan."
"You would have me marry a fucking Wildling?" he shouted rising to his feet.
"They have beauties among them, Brandon. Spearwives as fierce as any man and beauties as true as even a queen." Aemon said, turning to look to where Visenya and Rhaenys were talking to Aegon "I'm not telling you to wed one. What I'm saying is that you may find among them what you've not found thus far in your life. Just keep an open mind and remember, they follow strength above all else and care for flowery words about as much as you or I do."
He had laughed loudly at that. Flowery words needed to be spoken at times and yet, Brandon had always hated them. Look a man in the eye and tell him the truth of things. That was all he wished to do or have anyone do with him. It was why even before he'd seen the visions that the gods had shown them all on the Isle of Faces, he'd at least respected the dragons they were treating with. Whether it was because of Aemon's presence or the truth of Aegon's own character, the words while still a little too flowery for him, were clearly true ones.
Feeling himself nod off, Brandon rose and made his way to his room. No sooner had he arrived than he'd all but collapsed into his bed and was asleep barely a blink of an eye later. His dreams that night were of a fierce and proud people. Men and women who did not kneel and yet named him as their king. He dreamt of two young boys and a girl who named him father. Brandon felt hot breath against his neck and the feel of soft lips as a blond-haired faceless woman kissed her way to his face. Her blue-grey eyes stared deep into his as her smile stilled his heart.
Waking up the next morning, he found to his dismay that he couldn't picture her face or the faces of the children he'd seen. Yet what he felt for them in his heart was as real as he hoped they would one day turn out to be. After breaking his fast, Brandon set about gathering the men that would travel to and beyond the Wall with him. None of them with families of their own or with sweethearts they'd be leaving behind. All of them were as fierce in a fight as Brandon himself was. Torrhen had seen to it that enough supplies to last him moons were gathered and made ready for him. An easy thing to do since they'd brought enough to feed an army when they had headed south.
Supplies were gathered for the Night's Watch too as well as a letter from his brother. Though Brandon believed his own words would be enough. Once the supplies were loaded and the men were ready, it was to the Godswood that he and Torrhen went. They both knelt and offered prayers to gods they were now even more certain were real. Then they rose and embraced each other. Hopefully not for the last time.
"A year brother. One year and then I'll march beyond the damn Wall and seek you out should you not have sent me word."
"You could just send a dragon." he japed, garnering a sad smile from his brother "I'll send word, brother. Jojen should return within a couple of moons if he's right."
"Be careful, brother. Aemon spoke words we both believe and the gods may grant you favor in what you're trying to do, but…."
"Aye, me too," he said embracing his brother once again.
Riding out the gate at the head of a force of three hundred men, Brandon wanted to but did not look back. He refused to take a last look at Winterfell because he was certain that it would not be the last time he saw his home. Thinking of the blond-haired woman and the children from his dream, Brandon wondered if one day he'd take them to see Winterfell. He offered another small prayer to the Old Gods that he would and then Jojen Reed spoke words that but a few moons ago would have had him name the man a fool.
"Dreams are strange things, Brandon. Last night I dreamt of a raven in a tree and a king without a crown. I dreamt of the children born to that king and how a man who wished not to kneel to dragons, would one day lead men and women who do not kneel. I saw your children, Brandon. They were enough to make any father proud."
Settling himself on his horse, Brandon almost wished to force his mare to ride faster. What awaited him beyond the Wall was the thing of dreams it seems. He'd find out soon enough if his dreams came true. For if they did, then the North would gain much from them.
Iron Islands 1 BC.
Aegon Targaryen.
While most of the fleet had sailed to Dorne, twenty ships had left Oldtown for the Iron Islands. He, Rhaenys, Orys, and Orys' wife Argella sailed on the largest of them while Aemon and Visenya flew on ahead of them. Aegon expected little if any true fighting to take place once he reached the islands. The war against the Iron Born was won the moment he had taken Harrenhal and their so-called king had met his end, this was just the leftover from that war.
A part of Aegon had considered leaving the Iron Islands for much later. To take and solidify his control over the rest of Westeros before then moving to take the less valuable parts that hadn't yet truly knelt to him. After speaking to Aemon and asking him what he knew about the Iron Islands, however, those plans were changed. Given that they were easier to sail to from Oldtown than anywhere else other than Lannisport or the North, Aegon had taken that into account as well. As for what he'd do and who he'd name to rule over the Iron Born, on that he was still undecided. Given what Aemon had faced with them in his own time, he may let that be his guide.
"You know much of the Iron Born, Aemon?" Aegon asked as he, Rhaenys, Orys, Argella, and Visenya finished their meal."
"Far more than I wished to know, Aegon."
"Tell us of your dealings with them, Aemon, what we should expect from them?" Rhaenys asked curiously.
"They cannot be trusted, Rhaenys. Or at least they could not be in mine own time." Aemon said looking to Argella and seeing Orys nod to let him know that she knew some if not all of his story "When I was six Namedays old, they rebelled, and my uncle, the North, and the rest of the realm set sail to bring them to rights. Upon his return to the North, my uncle brought the last remaining son of Balon Greyjoy to stand as a hostage to his father's good behavior." Aemon said almost sneering as he spoke the words.
"I take it that it worked not?" Orys asked and Aemon nodded.
"When the next war came, the war in which I took my throne, I had just reached my five and tenth Nameday. By that time my brother Robb had become good and what he felt was true friends with Theon Greyjoy. So much so that in a vain effort to bring more allies to his cause, he sent Theon back to his father with an offer."
"Forgive me, Aemon." Argella said interrupting "If the war was to bring you a throne, why did your brother decide such a thing?"
As questions go it was a good one. For as much as Aemon told them about his life and that he, Rhaenys, and Visenya had seen, there were things that they'd just not covered. The war that brought their family back to the Iron Throne and which led Aemon to become king had so far simply been told in abstract, and so had not fully been fleshed out. To hear more of it was something that all at that table seemed most keen on.
"I had not yet joined my brother, Argellla. While my uncle had named me as who I was and I myself had learned of it, I had not yet made it to Moat Cailin and been named king by the Lords of the North. My brother was Lord of Winterfell and the North followed him. Had I been there, then I never would have allowed Theon to leave. Not that I believe it would have made much difference."
"What happened, Aemon?" Visenya asked.
They listened as Aemon told of Theon's betrayal and of Iron Born reaving the North. An attack that Balon Greyjoy thought would go unopposed given that the Northern Army marched south. Had it not been for the alliance garnered because of who Aemon truly was and thus the men that alliance brought with it, then the North could have suffered greatly. Instead, men were sent back that would have been needed to deal with the Lannisters and Baratheons, while the Iron Born were chased from the North and ran like the cravens they truly were.
Aegon looked to Argella and saw that amongst the things that Orys had certainly told her, was the part a descendant of theirs had played in the events that had almost ended House Targaryen. He caught how she looked to Rhaenys, Visenya, Aemon, and himself and how relieved she looked when none of them bore angry expressions that they directed at her. Orys was not to blame for what a descendant of his had done in a life that would now never come to pass. So Argella would face no reprimand for it either.
"You say it may have mattered not, Aemon. That even had..what was the name again?" Rhaenys asked and Aegon looked back to the conversation that was still happening around him.
"Theon."
"That even had this Theon not been sent back, it may have mattered not." Rhaenys continued.
"I don't believe it would, though I can know not for sure."
"Afterward, Aemon. After you'd dealt with the enemies in the South, what did you do with the Iron Islands in your own time?" Aegon asked.
"By that time, they'd fallen into a civil war of sorts. Balon Greyjoy was murdered by his brother, a man who was even more of a cunt than he. Theon had disappeared, so couldn't sit his father's seat and so by the time his sister Asha came to seek my aid, the choice was pretty much decided for me."
"You named a woman to rule did you not?" Visenya said almost proudly.
"I did, even though I wished to end House Greyjoy and wipe them from existence."
The thoughts of doing the same filled Aegon's head and so he went looking for Orys to speak to him and know his mind on what they should do when they left the Iron Islands behind. To his surprise, it wasn't with Rhaenys and Argella that he found his brother by choice. Instead, Orys stood atop the deck of the ship and so Aegon joined him there.
"I had thought you'd be with your wife." he said as he took his place beside Orys "Surely you're not bored of her already." he japed and enjoyed the laugh and shake of Orys' head that his words provoked.
"Far from it, Aegon. " Orys said as he turned to face him "I wished for her and Rhaenys to get to know each other better. They've spent some time together, but not truly time alone. This trip to the Iron Islands and then when we travel onward to Dorne, it allows for that."
"They seemed to be getting along well from what little I saw of them."
"It pleases me to hear it," Orys said as Aegon rested a hand on Orys' broad shoulder.
"The Iron Born, Orys, what are your thoughts?"
"Honestly?" Orys asked and Aegon nodded "I'd almost wipe them from existence. They are not to be trusted and we both knew that even before the words Aemon spoke."
"True."
"Yet we can't do so, I know that." Orys sighed "What of Aemon's words on House Greyjoy?"
It was Aegon's turn to sigh. Despite it all, Aemon had suggested that they allow the Iron Born to choose their leader and have that leader then kneel to them. When Visenya brought up that they may choose House Greyjoy, Aemon had simply said that at least then they'd know what to expect. Other than once at their own behest and briefly once later on, the only true time the Iron Born rebelled was during Aemon's own time.
"Sometime's it's better that you know what form the monsters will take, Aegon."
Aegon was about to answer when the sight of the first of the Iron Islands came into view. It was not the only sight that did, as resting on the rocky cliffs, Aegon could see Balerion, Meraxes, Vhagar, and Rhaegal. It took him a few more moments before he caught sight of Aemon and Visenya and when he did it was as they climbed up onto their dragons. Then all four dragons took to the sky and landed on a small stretch of beach.
Rhaenys had joined him and Orys on deck as had Argella and Aegon only needed a brief look at his wife to know her mind. Ordering for a boat to be lowered and then shaking his head at Orys when he asked should he join them, Aegon, Rhaenys, and four men to guard and row the boat, made their way t shore. He could feel Balerion's eagerness for them to fly together and seeing how Rhaenys sat in the boat, his wife could see or feel Meraxes' just as keenly.
Aemon helped to drag the boat in and then he and Visenya helped Aegon and Rhaenys out of the boat. A moment later, they both stood at their dragons and only the fact that they needed to put on their armor stopped them from taking to their backs and flying over the island. While Visenya helped Rhaenys, Aemon showed his own experience with armor in just how quickly he was able to help Aegon put his on.
"You faced no trouble, Aemon?" Aegon asked and Aemon shook his head.
"After Harrenhal, I doubt any are fool enough to challenge a dragon, Aegon."
"Good." he said, smiling as he looked to see that Rhaenys had beaten him and was already atop Meraxes "Then we should fly," he said to a nod from Aemon who moved to Rhaegal.
The island they'd landed on was called Saltcliffe and it was one of the smaller of the Iron Islands. To its east lay Pyke, which was home to House Greyjoy. While further east lay Harlaw and to the north, Grey Wyk, Old Wyk, Orkmont, and Blacktyde. Aegon was unsure if they'd have to visit each of them in turn of just here and Pyke and from there bring the Iron Born to them. For now, all he knew was that it was time to send those on these islands a message that would be heard loudly and very clearly.
With Balerion leading the way and flanked by Meraxes and Vhagar, Aegon led them towards first the small village and docks and then the largest of the keeps. Turning his head to see that Aemon covered their rear and was ever watchful, Aegon nodded to his kinsman and then turned to Rhaenys and Visenya. Four dragons roared as one and the sound was almost deafening. Below them, men, women, and children sought cover and after they'd flown over the keep one more time, Aemon and Rhaegal landed while the other three dragons hovered above them and out of arrow range. Aegon watched as the lone horseman came to speak to Aemon and then rode back to the keep. Then at Aemon's signal, he, Rhaenys, and Visenya bid their dragons to join Rhaegal on the ground.
"All is well?" he heard Visenya ask Aemon.
"All is well," Aemon replied.
They stood and waited for no more than a few moments until a group of horsemen including the head of House Saltcliffe and the heir of House Sunderly made their way toward them. At a nod from Aemon, the men dismounted and soon were on their knees pledging fealty to Aegon and Rhaenys. Aegon bid them to await a raven then to do as they were bid once it arrived and then he sent them on their way.
"To Pyke," he said and Aemon nodded, then all four dragons were flying once more and below them, the ships followed.
Dorne 1 BC
Princes Meria Martell.
Each piece of news she received from the other kingdoms was another that caused Meria great distress. First Harren the Black had found that his great keep provided no safe haven from a dragon's flames. While the Stormlands too proved themselves unable to stand in House Targaryen's way. Meria knew not what had occurred with the men of the North. She'd expected that King Torrhen would at least test the might of the dragons but for some reason, there hadn't even been a fight.
Had they come to terms?
Were they allies?
What did the North offer that she had not?
Would they join with the Targaryens when they turned their eyes toward Dorne?
Those questions had found no answers thus far. So Meria did all she could, she watched and waited and discarded plan after plan. Meanwhile, more and more of Westeros fell to the dragons though only one true battle had taken place since the opening ones. The Field of Fire her people had named it. Between them, King Loren Lannister and King Mern Gardener had gathered probably the largest single army that Westeros had ever seen. An army that dwarfed the one it faced.
'For all that good that did them\ Meria thought worriedly.
Now, King Loren named Aegon his king while king Mern spoke only to the gods. In one fell swoop House Gardener had been wiped from existence and had become the second Great House of Westeros to suffer that fate. Feeling the slight tremble that ran through her old bones, Meria tried with all she could muster to come up with a plan that ensured House Martell didn't become the third. The problem was that so far, other than kneeling she'd found not a single one. Rising to her feet, Meria made her way to the rooms in Sunspear that she'd taken to hold meetings with her war council. Arriving at them alone other than for her trusted guard Maron, Meria felt every inch a woman who'd reached her eightieth year.
She welcomed the glass of wine that Maron poured for her and though her eyesight had started to fail her, Meria looked down at the map and the figures placed upon it. Seeing just how dire things were, she would have almost welcomed having no sight at all. Sighing, she took a seat and then bid Maron to send for the others. Her granddaughter was the first to arrive. Deria walked into the room and placed a soft kiss on Meria's cheek before taking her seat. Nymor followed with Maester Darius and Maron arrived back a few moments later with the rest of her war council. The Lords of Yronwood, Godsgrace, and Hellholt all offered her nods of their heads as they took their seats.
"You all know what it is we're here to discuss, I would have your thoughts," Meria asked.
For the next two hours, Meria was forced to listen as ever more ridiculous plans were put forward. From sending assassins to kill the Targaryens where they slept, to sending brave fools to attempt to poison the dragons themselves. One fool even dared to suggest they abandon Dorne, though the look he was given by Meria was enough to still his tongue. In the end, the meeting provided little of anything of note. There was no consensus, no true plan, and what was worse, it seemed that all there wished for Meria to come up with the solution to the Targaryen problem. A solution that had so far eluded her for moons.
Dismissing them all, other than her granddaughter, Meria bid Deria to help her back to her chambers. They walked there in silence and only once they reached her rooms and were inside, did they speak on anything at all. That they spoke of dragons shouldn't have been too much of a surprise and Meria was keen to hear all that Deria had learned about the one dragon that she knew so little about. Aemon Targaryen.
"He is wed, grandmother. Visenya Targaryen and he are wed."
"I had thought…"
"As had I. However, Aegon has now only one Sister-Wife and the other is married to his kinsman Aemon Targaryen. They've been named as the prince and princess of Harrenhal and Wardens of the Trident." Deria said as Meria listened keenly.
"A wise choice. A second House made up of Dragonriders and placed in Harrenhal, a wise choice indeed."
"Given where it seems that Aegon is building a new city, between them they can easily control the vast majority of the lands of Westeros. Aemon and Visenya to deal with the Vale, West, and even some of the Reach as well as the North..."
"While Aegon and Rhaenys look after the Stormlands and ourselves," Meria said shuddering as she completed her granddaughter's words.
"Could a marriage alliance not work now?" Deria asked and Meria had no answer to offer in return.
Deciding to hold that back for now, she instead asked for her granddaughter's thoughts on what it was they should do. Meria was unsurprised that most of those thoughts lined up with ones that she herself had pondered on. Her granddaughter's mind was much like her own and while Deria at times saw things with the eyes of youth that Meria no longer possessed, often they'd come to the same conclusions. As they did here once again.
"You have the right of it, granddaughter. Ask Maron to join us."
A moment later, Maron walked into the room and took a seat when Meria bid him to.
"Deria suggests we send an army to the Prince's Pass. What are your own thoughts on this?" Meria asked.
As was his wont, Maron said nothing for a few moments before then offering up his thoughts. It was one of the many things that Meria liked the man for. He contemplated, considered, and only once he was ready, did he then speak. Compared to most of the men she knew or had dealings with, it was a welcome change.
"I believe Princess Deria has the right of it, my princess," Maron said.
"Explain your thinking further, Maron," Meria said bidding him continue.
"I would have thought we'd have needed to split our men, my princess. To guard both the Prince's Pass and the Boneway. Given that Aegon's brother by choice is now in command of the Stormlands, I'd have worried they'd attack from there."
"Now you do not?" she questioned.
"According to our reports, Orys and his new wife along with their army sailed to Oldtown, my princess. They will march now from the Reach I would wager."
"How long?" she asked, happy she needed to ask no more than that.
"Two moons for them, one for us," Maron replied and Meria nodded.
"Send word to each keep, tell them to make ready to abandon them and head for the mountains and the deserts at the first sight of dragons. Have riders readied to bring word should ravens not be able to fly." Meria said rising to her feet "Ask Nymor to join us, Maron. My son will need to lead as much as anyone."
There was no sleep to be found for her that night. Nor the next. For three days straight, Meria Martell went not to her bed and instead planned for an invasion that she knew was now a certainty. She spoke to her son and then waved him off when he and Maron rode out to lead their men to the Prince's Pass. Deria, she wished to send further away, but her granddaughter refused to leave her side. For now, Meria would welcome her presence, but when the dragons finally turned their attention to Dorne for true, she very much would not.
She would not survive the war to come. That much was a foregone conclusion. It however mattered not as long as Dorne and her House survived. Meria now looked North and hoped that the preparations she had made and the plans she'd put in place would be enough. Should the dragons come at them with all their might, then all that availed was flight. To the deserts and the mountains of Dorne, far from a dragon's flames. Or so she hoped and prayed.
Pyke 1 BC.
Orys.
Argellla and he had their first fight when the fleet reached Pyke. Aegon had used dragons alone to bring Saltcliffe to heel, Pyke required men as well and so Orys had asked Argellla to stay on the ship. His wife was not best pleased and had shown that just like the lands and House she hailed from, she too could bring the storm when she wished to. So reluctant though he was to do so, Orys bowed to his wife's wishes and Argellla joined him in leaving the ship when it docked.
All in all, they had close to a thousand men who disembarked from their fleet. The rest of the fleet itself kept on standby in case it was needed. Above their heads, Aemon and Visenya flew atop their dragons and made their point most emphatically. It wasn't just men at arms who were stronger and better than them that the Iron Born would face, it was dragons too. Dragons that had already seen their former king into the Drowned God's embrace and who would have no qualms about reducing the small village to ash if provoked.
To Orys and Argella's surprise, Lordsport though small was a well-built and laid-out dockside village. Given the amount of trade that House Hoare had once controlled, however, it should be far larger. As his men surrounded them, offering Argella cover should any fool dare try to harm her, Rhaegal and Vhagar let out loud roars to once again force home the warning. With that done, the two dragons then flew to where, more than likely, Aegon and Rhaenys awaited them. Orys turned to his men, ordered them to form up for true, and then he moved to the horses they had taken from the ships. It would be an infantry-only march to the Greyjoy Keep, but both he and Argella along with his other commanders would ride there.
After he'd mounted his horse, Orys took one last look at the village and its inhabitants. They were wary and angered, yet not a single one of them seemed brave enough or foolish enough to do something stupid. He hoped that those in the keep were much the same.
"We march to the keep," he called out, his voice booming and his command answered without hesitation.
It took them less than an hour to march to the home of House Greyjoy. Orys had thus far found the island to be almost barren and inhospitable. He remembered then what Aemon had said were House Greyjoy's words were.'We do not sow'. With so few trees and cover, the wind howled and though it was a mild day, it was not a pleasant one to Orys' mind. Argella though showed no signs of discomfort, and if anything, she almost seemed to far prefer the weather on this godforsaken island than she had in the Reach. After asking her one too many times if she was comfortable, Orys had learned his lesson and so he simply accepted her expression as true.
Soon enough the sight of the keep itself came into view and it looked just as pitiful to Orys as it had from the deck of his ship. Pyke as it was so originally named, was in fact three small keeps rather than one large one. Spread across three small islands and made up of slim towers, it looked just as inhospitable as the island it sat upon. Orys looked and could see the rope bridges that joined each of the keeps and the thoughts of using one of those to move from one to another were not ones he dwelt upon long.
Looking to see where the dragons were, it took him some time to find them. 'They must have been feeding,' he thought when he saw them fly in not from the land side but from the sea. Flying far too low for his liking, as one they landed. The sound of the doing so was heard even from how far away from them Orys and his men were. Orys was happy enough to see that none of the riders dismounted and so after bidding the men to march a little more quickly, they soon reached them.
"Form up. Defensive positions for now" he ordered before he and Argella and then all four of the Targaryens dismounted from their respective mounts.
It warmed his heart to see Argella move to speak to Rhaenys and Visenya. Orys had feared that either they or his wife would find some fault in the other. That for some reason they'd not get along and it would cause friction between his newly formed House and House Targaryen. True, most of his worries about that had come from what Aemon had told him about his descendant's betrayal, but it had been a fear he was most happy to see was unfounded. So while Argella spoke to the queen and princess, Orys moved to do likewise to the king and prince.
"You faced no trouble?" Aegon asked as Orys greeted him and Aemon.
"No, Aemon and Visenya's dragons saw to that," Orys replied, offering Aemon a nod of his head by way of thanks.
"You expect some here?" Orys asked to a shake of Aemon's head.
"They'll kneel. Their issues will mostly be with each other first." Aemon said as Aegon then bid him continue "I believe we're early, Aegon. Or mayhap my memory of things is hazy. I unfortunately know two versions of Iron Born history. One of them was more horseshit than truth, given to be expected I wager, considering the source. The other to my recollection said that after Harrenhal, the Iron Islands fell into a civil war of sorts."
"Because House Hoare was no more," Aegon said and Aemon nodded in agreement.
"So either it hasn't yet happened, or is about to," Aemon said.
It was as they were discussing what they'd do if that civil war was still to break out that the riders rode out under a flag of truce. Orys and Aemon both moved their hands to their swords while Rhaenys, Argella, and Visenya moved to join them. The four men who arrived looked at them, their men, and their dragons warily before asking for a parley. When Aegon told them he was willing to speak to their lord, but only out in the open, the men quickly agreed and then hurriedly rode back to the keep. Rhaenys then turned to Aemon and bid him tell them more about how the Iron Born chooses their leaders and whether or not they should interfere more directly in that choosing.
"What was it you called it, Aemon, a moot or something of that ilk?" Rhaenys asked.
"Aye, a Kingsmoot," Aemon said to a snort from Aegon. "The name matters not, as they'll never choose a king again, your grace," Aemon added looking to Aegon who smirked back at him, pleased by his words.
"And you still believe that it'll be a Greyjoy they choose?" Visenya asked, showing her own distaste for that particular House.
Orys knew that even despite what the Greyjoys did in Aemon's time, it was them that Aemon wished to see rule the Iron Islands. He knew too that there were conditions to be applied to that rule that House Greyjoy may not welcome and yet all he cared for was that they would accept them. While a part of him felt Aemon was mistaken in his belief that it was better to know the monsters you faced than to find out about them only when you did so, another felt it was folly. He'd shared his concerns with both Aemon and Aegon, and while they'd been listened to, they'd not been acted upon. Just as he was about to raise them again, the riders returned and this time they did so with a member of House Greyjoy at their head.
"Your grace." the tall proud man said as he addressed Aegon, his words finding some favor amongst those who watched keenly.
"Lord Greyjoy. You no doubt know why we're here and so I'll ask but the once. Do you swear your fealty to myself and my wife and our House forevermore?"
"Without hesitation, your grace." Lord Greyjoy said looking first to Aegon and Rhaenys, then to Aemon, Visenya, and finally to the dragons.
"Then we would seek a Kngsmoot to be ordered and held and a leader to be named as Lord Reaper and our Lord Paramount of the Iron Islands."
"It would take some days to do so, your grace."
"And you would win it would you not, Lord Greyjoy?" Rhaenys asked.
"I believe so, your grace."
"Then mayhap we need to speak our further terms here and now," Rhaenys said.
"Further terms, your grace?"
A week later they sailed away from the Iron Islands. The new Lord Reaper, Vickon Greyjoy, had proved true to his word and was named almost unanimously. That it seemed he had the support of Aegon and his dragons, may have played a part in it or it may have always been he who'd be named. What was not in doubt was that had Aegon wished for a different outcome, then that would have been what had occurred. House Greyjoy ruled now because Aegon willed it so. Aemon had gotten his wish and Orys prayed that it was one they'd not live to regret.
As for the further conditions, well they at least brought a smile to Orys' face and showed that Aemon was thinking far ahead. A son and a daughter of House Greyjoy was to be wed into two Houses in the North. One to wed a son or daughter of Brandon Snow's newly formed House and the other into House Manderly. The bonds of kin were not guaranteed to stop certain ambitions from coming to the fore, but they had a better chance than not of doing so.
Had the North its own navy already, then Orys may worry that Aemon was strengthening them too much. If he had any doubts about Aemon's loyalty being to House Targaryen first and foremost, he may be concerned that it was House Stark that he truly cared for. Orys though had taken the measure of Aemon Targaryen and had not found him wanting. While they'd never be as close as he and Aegon were, he was a man he was happy to name a friend. A man he trusted. There were few enough of them in this world as it was.
With the Iron Islands dealt with, all eyes now turned to Dorne. They'd stop off only to restock at Lannisport and so that Aegon could take the measure of Loren Lannister and the Lords of the West once more. Then, it was on to Dorne and a true battle and Orys found himself looking most forward to it. It felt like years since he'd bloodied his sword and yet had been mere moons. Though he'd be a liar if he said that he didn't wish he was marching to war without his wife by his side, he welcomed having Argellla with him too. Aegon had Rhaenys and Aemon, Visenya.
'So mayhap it was only right that rather than leave your wife behind when you waged war, you instead brought her with you,' Orys thought.
"Or mayhap like those two fools, I too am a fool who loves his wife too much to be parted from her," he said softly as he walked into the cabin where Argella awaited him in their bed.
Dorne 1 BC
Aemon.
Sitting at the desk in their cabin, Aemon looked down at the map of Dorne, and yet as much as he tried to concentrate on what was to come, his mind was far more on the woman who lay in their bed.
For the first time in days, Visenya slept while he did not. His wife had been fascinated by the books she'd gathered from the Citadel. She had said that she needed them to answer questions that Daenys' journal raised and while the book had raised questions of his own, Aemon was not yet ready to truly ask them. A part of him feared the answers if he was being truthful. Afraid that was he to poke too much at the wound of how he got here, it would lead to feelings he'd no wish to feel. Better to just accept that this was part of some plan he knew not about and simply play his part, or so he'd tried to tell himself.
So while Visenya read, Aemon had planned. The first of those plans was dealing with the Iron Born. When it had come to him, he knew not. Only the idea of them being tied to the North by blood seemed too good a one to ignore. That it may help the North rebuild the navy it once had, could only be beneficial in the years to come and should Brandon be as successful as Aemon believed he'd be, then Beyond the Wall, it could be a huge boon.
Aemon had fought down his instincts to end House Greyjoy. To remove them root and stem and see them gone from this world. As he'd told Aegon, it was better the monsters you knew than the ones you did not and both House Targaryen and House Stark as well as others would be left in no doubt of the monsters that some Krakens could be. Be wary and ready, and at the first even inkling that they showed disloyalty, then end them for once and for all. If he could accept Orys, Loren Lannister, and others, then Vickon Greyjoy needed to be on that list too. Or so Aemon believed.
With that done, all eyes now looked to Dorne. His most of all. They were early, or so he believed. Things had gone much more quickly than they had in the past which was now his present. Aemon remembered Theon's tales of his ancestor besting everyone so he could be named Lord Reaper. While he put little stock in the words of his uncle's former hostage, Asha too had spoken much the same. Yet they'd arrived to find the Iron Islands relatively at peace, which meant that they had moved early, and so it stood to reason that Dorne would be the same. Aemon hoped his memory about what had happened there was as good as he believed it to be. That the lessons he'd learned from Maester Luwin, from Aemon at the Wall, and from Jaime Lannister were as full as he believed them to be.
"What truly happened to Queen Rhaenys, few know, but can any of you tell me the tale?" Luwin asked as Robb, Theon, and Aemon sat looking at the Maester.
"The Dornish killed her and her dragon," Theon said cockily.
"A scorpion bolt in the eye," Robb added.
"A lucky shot," Aemon said.
Later from his great-uncle, Aemon learned even more. Hellholt and Rhaenys flying alone. A lucky shot that took a dragon from the sky and ended both it and the queen who rode atop it. Yet that was not all that Aemon had learned about the First Dornish War from his great-uncle. Tales told to a son by his mother that the wizened old man was only too happy to share. A proud people, stubborn and somewhat ingenious. An attack that wasn't truly one and negotiations that were always doomed to fail.
From Jaime Lannister, he'd learned what the Old Lion had said about the folly of Aegon's attack on Dorne. How he'd attacked it as if it was just like the rest of the Seven Kingdoms and how it was anything but. Jaime had told him that his father had his own invasion plans for Dorne. That he'd always had them ready to go if needed. Just as the Old Lion had for the Reach, Stormlands, Riverlands, and even the Vale.
"But not for the North?" Aemon asked.
"No army has ever taken the North, your grace. My father may have wished to carve his name in legend and being the first to do so may have helped in that regard, but my father was no fool and he saw no benefit in it."
"He'd not have left it unmolested," Aemon said and Jaime shook his head.
"No, your grace. He'd have starved it out."
The time he'd spent with Oberyn and his daughters had given him an even truer glimpse into how the Dornish fought and with Ned Dayne, even more so. Soon enough, Aemon would be putting all that he learned to the test. Blood would be spilled and the sands would run red with it and black with the ash from the fires the dragons brought to bear. They had the men, the ships, and of course one extra dragon to do so.
"Come to bed, Aemon," Visenya said and Aemon chuckled as he got up and moved to join his wife, her eager look offering promises that Aemon looked forward to seeing fulfilled.
"Aye, my wife has the right of it, as always," he said as he kissed her soft luscious lips and felt her hand as it began to wander.
"Aemon," Visenya whispered huskily into his ear and he was as lost as he always seemed to be when in his wife's embrace.
Aemon was woken by the sound of his wife's wretches. Jumping from the bed, he ran to her to find her emptying the contents of her stomach into a pail in the corner.
"Senya?"
"I'm well, Aemon. It's just sickness of the sea."
"You're sure?" he asked as he held her hair and rubbed her back softly.
"I'll be good once we're on land once more."
"Mayhap we should fly the rest of the way?" he asked worriedly.
The small nod of her head was the only answer he was to receive. Visenya then lost what little she'd eaten the night before. Once she felt ready to leave the pail behind, Aemon helped her to their bed and bid her dress. As she did so, he moved to the door and walked from the room. He carried the pail now in his hand and once he reached the deck of the ship, he emptied it overboard. It took him a few moments to find Martyn who too was suffering from the sickness of the sea and after checking on the young man, he called for Ghost to watch over him before then seeking Rhaegal out.
Aemon knew not exactly where they were, other than they were now sailing east rather than south. He would wager it was still the lands of the Reach rather than Dorne that they sailed by and yet in truth it mattered not. If his wife was feeling this badly now, things would only get worse for her the more they sailed. So it was time to once again take to the skies. Looking at the other ships, Aemon could see their flagship and he wondered if Aegon and Rhaenys were finding sailing better than their sister was. Orys' own flagship was further to the eastern side of their fleet and Aemon could barely make it out, but given the more than a hundred ships that sailed, that wasn't truly a surprise.
After telling the captain to make ready a boat to take him, Ghost, and Visenya to shore, Aemon made his way back down to his and Visenya's cabin. He entered to find his wife looking far better, though he believed it was a mummery she was performing. Moving to her, Aemon reached his hand to her forehead and felt the warmth that came off her in waves.
"You're sure you don't need to see a Maester?" he asked to a shake of his wife's head "We'll row to shore, Rhaegal and Vhagar await.
"I.."
"Will feel better on solid ground and we can see more while in the sky anyway."
"Thank you," Visenya said softly.
"There is no need, my love," he said, kissing her cheek.
Aemon bid Martyn take to his bed and told him that he'd seen them when they landed at Starfall. Then, he, Visenya, and Ghost along with two men to row the boat all climbed down from the ship and headed for land. Rhaegal and Vhagar awaited them and no sooner had they landed than Aemon set up a fire and began to cook the meat he'd brought with him for Visenya to break her fast on. Once she'd eaten, they mounted their dragons and took to the skies.
Firstly they flew over the fleet, Aemon looking through Rhaegal's eyes as he sought Aegon and Rhaenys' flagship. Once he found it, he bid Rhaegal drop low and as they flew over the deck, he dropped the stone with the note he'd wrapped around it. Looking behind him, Aemon could see it had been picked up and Aegon was reading it. Knowing now that their absence was somewhat explained, it was back to land, and then on to Dorne, they flew.
The night was not too far away when they reached Starfall and the keep and the island it sat upon was just as Ned Dayne had described it. Aemon could see the Palestone Tower that Ashara Dayne had thrown herself from. So even though it had not yet happened or mayhap now never would, he offered a prayer to the Old Gods for the woman who could have been his aunt and who was one to a man he had named a true friend. With that done, Aemon took note of what preparations had been made in the keep and then Rhaegal and Vhagar flew north. He soon saw it in the distance and closing his eyes, Aemon looked and eventually found a small mouse that named it its home. To his surprise and delight it was empty and so after flying a little further to ensure they were truly alone, they then landed at the tower.
"Aemon?" Visenya asked as she climbed down off Vhagar's back.
"I was born here." he said softly "In mine own time it was but rubble. Destroyed by my uncle. But I was born here and be it the gods will, we are alone."
They left early the next morning. A night spent with little sleep on his part and a morning where despite not being at sea, Visenya lost the little food she'd eaten the night before regardless. His worries for her at least made her agree to be examined by a Maester, and so with the comfort of that in mind, they flew to the Prince's Pass. Seeing them there, Aemon smiled before motioning with his hand for Visenya to join him as Rhaegal turned and headed south. His plan was now set in his mind and the course was now one that he knew he'd stay.
"The Battle for Westeros is over. The Battle for Dorne is about to begin," he said to the wind as they flew back to Aegon and the fleet.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next, Dorne faces the dragons for the first time. Aemon's plans are shown in full and he, Visenya, and Ghost face a fight for their lives before four dragons use their flames to melt Dornish spears. A fleet arrives and cuts Dorne off from much-needed supplies while a Dornish Princess finds herself face to face with a queen and being threatened by the one dragon who could maybe get her knees to bend.
For those following my other fics, next week will either have the final 3 chapters of Am I my Brother's Keeper.
Missed reviews.
Zero1734; CH.4. I think given the size of a dragon it'd be an easy thing to manage, and given its Ghost and Jon, one that could be done.
Ch10; So glad you think so.
Ch11: The Targs won't take a holdfast in the North, but there are big plans for the Gift and New Gift yes. We'll see them as we go forward and then even more when we jump in time.
Chapter 12 reviews.
Matt M1: Unfortunately not, no. Only Jon, Rhaegal, and Ghost can jump through time.
Rhatch: So glad you liked it.
Dunk: I had hoped to get the battle for Dorne started, but it just felt like there was another chapter needed before then, it is coming next though and Aemon will be very ruthless. In regards to the Citadel/Faith, you could well be right, though Aemon will be there to remind them in different timelines if needed, and should they not listen, he'll be far more firm in how he does so. The book is Signs and Portents, Daenys' journal of the dreams she had, and in canon, it's got some pages missing, which I decided to play a bit with here. How it ended up at the Citadel will be explained later on.
Lady Octarina: As I mention above, Signs and Portents which is basically Daenys the Dreamers journal.
Celexys: So glad you liked it. That's a key thing with Visenya and it's something that we'll see a lack of in his future jumps, as once he realizes he's not staying in a specific timeline added to losing Visenya (not saying she's dying btw, just that Aemon is jumping in time) will have an effect on him. As for the Citadel and Faith, this could be the opening salvo in a long battle with them. By that I mean when Aemon jumps through time, he may have to deal with them again or not.
Biohazard: So glad you enjoyed it.
Irish Hermit: Or, Aemon could very well have just instigated the conspiracy, dun dun dun lol. But I agree with you completely, they are not a force for good and needed to be shaken up. Aemon has started it here, we'll see if they take his warning to heart. Very much so with the Religious Zealots, it's funny because we see it with Melisandre too, and it's why the Old Gods sort of seem the lesser of all evils, though you can argue that Bloodraven or Bran, later on, are zealots in their own way. I think with the Faith especially, they need to be curtailed from early on. Hell, they literally waited only until Aegon was dead to begin to agitate, so here they've been warned and the plan is for all religions to be equal, we'll see if they accept it.
So for me with Dorne, you have to remember that Daeron conquered it without dragons. That should always be kept in mind. The biggest issue with Dorne for Aegon was that he treated it as if it wasn't a different type of battle, he expected to fight the same war he'd fought in the rest of Westeros and so he was unprepared for the war he fought in Dorne. Aemon is prepared.
Princess of Greenwood: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.
DoRodrigo: Really glad you enjoyed it.
Xan Merrick: Thanks my friend and you're spot on, he's very much not. The Jon during the dance will be much different than this one, more bitter and angry.
Thesumeata. So glad you liked it.
Kaa696: Lol, It's such a cool song and I try to use song titles for chapters a lot.
Aegor: Signs and Portents, Daenys full journal.
Robobrain: It very well could yes, that's going to be the plan, but whether or not they get to carry that plan out, we'll see.
Creativo: LOL, de hecho lo sería.
Supremus: It's not so much an extra dragon, though that does obviously help, it's more Aemon himself really, and for a few reasons. The first is that his presence simply changes Aegon's plans. Part of the reason it failed was that Aegon expected to fight a certain type of war and faced a far different one. The second is that Aemon is aware of Dornish tactics, and the tactics used in Aegon's conquest, and obviously Hellholt and Rhaenys and Meraxes. Last is well, you'll see that when I show it next chapter, but it's something unique that Aemon brings to the dance so to speak. One thing you also need to bear in mind is Dorne was actually conquered. Daeron beat them. True it cost a great deal and they took their lands back, but they were beaten, and had they not resorted to tactics as underhanded as Bloodraven, Tywin, or Walder Frey, they may have lost the second time to Daeron too.
Keb: Thanks for pointing that out, it helps a lot.
Shieltor: I can't spoil the Strong Boy's aspect, but even without Harrenhal there is nothing to suggest that Rhaenyra wouldn't still take Harwin as a lover. It wasn't so much that he was anything to do with Harrenhal that garnered him Rhaenyra's favor, more he was captain of the City Watch and even as simply a knight, it wouldn't have made much difference I don't think. So it could still happen. All I can say regarding the Dance part of this series is that Aemon will arrive a little before Viserys dies, I'll leave it at that. It'll be more book based, too. I hated the show changes, to be honest.
Naida G: Lo siento, los problemas personales me retrasaron, todo está bien ahora, por lo que la próxima actualización será más rápida
BriSha: El libro es Signs and Portents, el diario de Daenys the Dreamers y cubre gran parte de la línea de tiempo de House Targ.
Someone else: Sorry for the delay.