Chapter 27: The Passing of the Second Dragon (191-220 AC)
The years flowed seamlessly, each one building upon the meticulously laid foundations of King Viserys I's reign. By 191 AC, King Aemon I had long since established himself as a wise, just, and profoundly effective ruler. His reign was a testament to the success of the Dragon's Gambit, a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and innovation for Westeros. The realm Viserys had unified with an iron fist, Aemon now governed with a firm but empathetic hand, solidifying the loyalty born of fear into genuine devotion.
Under Aemon's continued stewardship, the Royal Army remained the continent's premier fighting force, its training methods constantly refined, its logistics impeccable. New advancements from the Royal College of Administration and Scientific Research, under the tireless direction of Prince Daeron, continued to trickle into every facet of life. Improved farming implements increased yields even further, rudimentary printing presses (though still slow and expensive) allowed for the wider dissemination of royal decrees and educational pamphlets, and advancements in medical understanding led to healthier cities and a reduction in child mortality. The Royal Dragon Bank's dominance was absolute, its financial web so deeply ingrained that no major economic activity could occur without its involvement.
The subtle preparations for the Long Night, the secret burden passed from Viserys to Aemon, continued unabated. Aemon consistently championed the Night's Watch, ensuring they were the best supplied and manned they had ever been. He ordered strategic reinforcements to their castles and sponsored exploratory expeditions beyond the Wall, ostensibly to map the wilderness and monitor wildling movements, but truly to watch for the creeping cold. The unbreakable bond with the North remained paramount, solidifying the bulwark against the true enemy.
The King's Children and Grandchildren: The Legacy Matures
King Aemon's own children and grandchildren thrived, ensuring the dynasty's future was secure for generations.
King Aemon and Queen Lyanna Stark's eldest son, Crown Prince Jaehaerys (now in his early forties), had matured into a king-in-waiting of exceptional caliber. He possessed his father's strategic mind and his mother's deep sense of duty and connection to the common people. His dragon, Vermithor, was a powerful, loyal mount, a living testament to his Valyrian blood. Jaehaerys had become King Aemon's steadfast Hand, effectively managing the day-to-day governance, deeply involved in all major policy decisions, and often representing the Crown on crucial diplomatic missions across Westeros and to the Free Cities.
Jaehaerys and his wife, Queen Valaena (now in her early forties), had blessed the realm with several children, continuing the pure Targaryen line. Their eldest, Prince Aegon, born in 188 AC, was a strong, silver-haired boy with keen violet eyes, destined to be the next Crown Prince. They also had daughters, ensuring the continuation of the line and providing future strategic marriage opportunities.
Princess Visenya (now in her late thirties), Aemon's fierce warrior daughter, remained a formidable presence. Her black dragon Nymeria was one of the largest and most terrifying in the skies, second only to Balerion himself (who remained on Dragonstone with the aged Viserys until his passing in 180 AC). True to Viserys's vision, Visenya's marriage to Ser Laenor Velaryon had cemented the Velaryons' loyalty without granting them a new power base. Their children, carrying both Targaryen and Velaryon blood, were raised primarily within the Red Keep, groomed for service to the Crown. Their eldest son, Valerion, bonded with a young grey dragon, promised to be a formidable naval commander for the Crown's growing fleet. This intricate intermarriage ensured the security of the bloodline.
Prince Daeron (now in his late forties), Viserys's youngest son, continued his profound work at the Royal College. Under his direction, the College's "scientific research" division delved deeper into metallurgy, agricultural engineering, and even rudimentary cartography, producing increasingly accurate maps of the known world, and pushing the boundaries of Westerosi understanding. He maintained his close bond with his wife, Princess Shaera, who became a leading figure in the royal court, managing intricate social networks and advising on diplomatic matters.
The King's Choice: Abdication
By 210 AC, King Aemon I, having ruled Westeros for over four decades (including the years before his father's passing), was approaching his mid-seventies. His silver hair had thinned, and lines of wisdom and weariness etched his face, but his mind remained sharp. He had overseen a period of unprecedented stability and growth, carefully tending the realm his father had forged. The foundations were not just laid; they were robust, tested, and thriving.
He had fulfilled his secret duty, diligently continuing the preparations for the Long Night, ensuring the knowledge of the coming darkness was passed to Jaehaerys, strengthening the Wall, and cementing the North's allegiance. He had seen his grandchildren grow, capable and ready. The realm was secure, the succession clear, and his legacy assured.
Just as his father had done before him, Aemon chose to abdicate the Iron Throne. This was not a retreat from weakness, but an act of supreme confidence and strategic foresight, a final, deliberate act of control. He knew Jaehaerys was ready, perhaps even eager, to take the reins. A younger, more vigorous hand would ensure the dynasty remained dynamic and responsive to future challenges, particularly the existential one looming in the distant future.
In a solemn ceremony in the Great Hall of the Red Keep, reminiscent of his own ascension and his father's abdication, King Aemon I passed the crown to his son, Crown Prince Jaehaerys. The realm, accustomed to the seamless transition of power under the Targaryens, accepted it with calm reverence. Jaehaerys, now King Jaehaerys II, took the throne with a quiet, confident resolve, embodying the strength and wisdom of two generations of unprecedented rule.
Aemon, accompanied by Queen Lyanna, retired to Dragonstone, just as his father had. He spent his final years in the familiar tranquility of the island, watching the sea, flying on Argentia, and enjoying the company of his remaining children and growing host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would often visit his father's tomb in the Dragonmont, a silent communion between the architect and the builder of the Golden Age.
The Last Breath of the Builder
Many years passed after his abdication. King Aemon watched his son, Jaehaerys II, continue the meticulous preparations for the Long Night, building on the foundation he and Viserys had laid. He saw the innovations from the Royal College flourish, the Royal Army grow ever more professional, and the Crown's influence solidify globally. He witnessed the birth of more grandchildren and great-grandchildren, ensuring the Targaryen bloodline remained pure and strong.
In the early months of 220 AC, Aemon, now nearing his mid-eighties, felt the inevitable approach. His body was weary, but his mind remained lucid, filled with memories of a life well-lived, a kingdom well-built, and a secret well-guarded.
He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dragonstone, surrounded by his beloved Queen Lyanna, his children King Jaehaerys II, Princess Visenya, Prince Daeron, and Princess Shaera, and his many grandchildren. Argentia, his loyal dragon, let out a mournful cry that echoed across the island, signaling the departure of another great Targaryen.
King Aemon I had been the steady hand that transformed his father's bold gamble into an enduring reality. He had cemented the golden age, ensured the purity of the dragon blood, and faithfully carried the burden of the prophecy. His reign marked a period of unparalleled stability and progress, a testament to the success of "The Dragon's Gambit." His legacy, like his father's, would endure, preparing Westeros for a future still hidden in the mists of time, but for which they were now, finally, ready.
This chapter completes the narrative arc of King Aemon's reign and his eventual passing. What would you like to explore next as the story moves forward through the generations towards the inevitable Long Night?