WILOW-Ch.445: The Last Piece for Peace
Storm's End, Stormlands
POV of Domeric Bolton
Domeric first went to King's Landing to check on the situation, but after receiving general reports, he learned that the coronation preparations would take a little longer.
Therefore, he left the preparations to King Aegon and King Eddard. He told them to report any matters concerning him to Varko.
And in the meantime, he decided to take care of another task.
So now he stood atop the tower of Storm's End, watching the Unsullied army below.
After Admiral Muron took the Royal Fleet ships, he left for King's Landing to gift the Royal Fleet to the new King of the Iron Throne on his behalf.
The only ones left here were 5000 Unsullied, some 40 ships, and a lieutenant under Admiral Muron named Lieutenant Gevin.
He apparated once again and entered the camp of Lieutenant Gevin, who was looking over the logistic reports with more than a little bit of worry.
"Gevin." He said as soon as he emerged after the almost silent apparition.
Gevin jerked up and readied his sword before he realized who was in front of him and lowered his sword.
"Your majesty." The man said with a huge smile, "What can I do for you?"
"Nothing," he replied, "But tell the Unsullied that a woman in a red dress will be coming out through the gates in a few hours. They're not to harm her."
Gevin nodded and was about to leave the tent before he stopped and looked back at him with some embarrassment. "Your majesty, Admiral Muron didn't leave me with much food. Could you… do something about that."
He nodded and handed him a bottomless pouch. "That should cover you until you reach King's Landing. You can restock your food supply there once again."
Gevin gave him a grateful bow before leaving.
Once Gevin left, he sat on a chair and wrote a quick letter for Melisandre.
Once the letter was done, he conjured a giant hawk, tied the letter to its talon, and sent it to Lady Melisandre.
An hour later, he was casually reading a book on the magic of Valyria when the tent's flap opened, and Melisandre walked in.
"Wyvern Lord." The woman said, with the look of someone who had lost everything in their life.
Gone was her confidence. And gone was her faith in her lord.
Domeric could sense her magic roiling around her. It was weak and without any direction.
"Wyvern Lord?" He snorted and removed the glamor from around his face, allowing her to see his Valyrian features.
She gasped, and he barely restrained a smile at her reaction. "More like Dragon Lord. But I suppose calling me a Wyvern Lord would not be wrong either. However, Your Majesty or Emperor Domeric might be more appropriate in this case."
The woman merely nodded her head and gestured for her to take a seat in front of him.
"I assume you know about the death of your King at the hands of Aegon Targaryen?" he asked.
The woman nodded, looking defeated. He supposed this was what usually happened when someone lost the whole purpose of their life.
"Why have you called for me, Dragon Lord?" Melisandre asked, her eyes fixed on the table between them, and he had a feeling that she was only half there in the meeting, and the rest of her mind was preoccupied with the identity crisis she was feeling.
"You thought that Stannis Baratheon was Azor Ahai." He said, and the woman slowly looked up at him, her expression not changing in the least, "Or that's what you guessed from your visions and then tried to push him in that direction. To become the King of Seven Kingdoms and save it from the creatures of the dark."
The woman gave him a slow nod.
"You invested a great deal in Stannis." He said, "You gave him your loyalty. You gave him your advice. You gave him your time. You even used your shadow magic to help defeat his brother. I cannot imagine what it must feel like for someone who has given so much to in the end learn that the goal they were chasing was the false one."
The woman slumped further in her chair, looking more tired than ever. "What is it that you want, Dragon Lord?"
"The person you once thought was Azor Ahai is dead. But the White Walkers and their wights continue to walk. They won't stop until they've defeated and destroyed everything in their way. And at the end of the day, as a servant of the Lord of the Light, it is your holy duty to fight against the coming darkness, is it not?"
The woman nodded, straightening her posture on the chair.
"I have learned a long time ago not put too much thought into prophesies." He said, "If they're real, then they would happen no matter what. And if they're false, then they won't happen no matter what. If the prophecy about Azor Ahai, the prince that was promised, is true, then the saviour would appear no matter what we do. But until then, we must use all we have to fight against the darkness."
The woman showed no expression on her face, and she just stared at him, then asked, "What is it that you want of me, Dragon lord?"
"It's quite simple, actually." He said, "Now that we have won the war, we must establish the peace and start preparing for the upcoming Winter. After what I did to the Westerlands, they no longer have the power to cause trouble. And when we put someone in charge who supports Aegon and me, the other lords will eventually fall into line. I will personally handle the Iron Islands. On the other hand, I have already managed to bring Dorne to my side. And now I want to win peace with the Stormlands as well. So, when the Long Night eventually comes, we'll be better prepared for the horrors that come with it."
Melisandre still looked half dead on her feet, but now there was a small spark in her eyes.
"Do you want me to convince the Stormlanders to surrender to Aegon?" she asked.
He shook his head, "No. I want you to convince Queen Selyse and Princess Shireen to surrender to the Iron Throne." He said, "That way they would be able to keep Storm's End and retain their position as the Lord Paramount of Storm Lands. And when the Long Night eventually comes, they can support Aegon in the war against the White Walkers."
Although it was only for a short time, Stannis had seized the Iron Throne and ascended to the throne as King. Moreover, many believed the throne rightfully belonged to Stannis.
Therefore, after Stannis' death, the throne should have legally passed to his descendants.
Of course, this was no longer possible, but Domeric didn't want Stannis' descendants to instigate a rebellion to seize the throne in the future. Even if they didn't want it, those who wanted to overthrow the current regime would use these people.
The best way to prevent this was to ensure that Stannis' wife and daughter renounced their rights to the throne.
Melisandre blinked a few times before she looked at him and stared for a good while before nodding. "I… I don't know how effective I'll be in my endeavour." She said, "All of my loyal followers were shaken after the death of King Stannis. I don't know if they'll follow me again. But I'll try."
He nodded and clapped his hands, startling the poor woman. "On that note, I am rather curious about the glamour that you and the rest of the Red Priestesses wear. Can you show it to me for a moment?"
The woman looked hesitant for a long moment before she finally took the choker from around her neck and gave it to him.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.446: The Coronation Day
Ch.447: Mingling in the Great Hall
Ch.448: Gifts for Kings