Howland Reed
Castle Black
Howland Reed looked toward the future as they walked back through the gates of Castle Black. Shireen Baratheon and Aemon Targaryen, the last true heirs of two great houses, were at the forefront of his thoughts.
"He rode the black beast, and she the silver one. Marriage is no longer not a option. Even before, it would have been the best option politically," Maege said as they both watched the pair interact.
"Mmm, uniting both claims," Howland replied thoughtfully.
"My Lord, my Lady," Aemon greeted as he approached them.
Howland still found it unsettling how Aemon now looked, the white hair and those red eyes, even still holding the little flecks of purple. "Your Grace, Princess," Maege noted.
He paused and turned to Howland. "Your Grace, you have now claimed the black one as your mount?"
"Nightwing and I are bonded, yes, as has Shireen," Aemon replied with a smile, and the princess looked proudly at him. Nightwing. A fitting name for the Cannibal, and Aemon and Shireen together wouldn't be a problem, he thought.
"Good. It will protect us for what is to come and help us rid the North of the Boltons," Howland said. Aemon nodded, his gaze shifting to Princess Shireen.
"The Princess has claimed Silverwing as her mount, and I believe the match is perfect. Silverwing was ridden by the great Queen Alysanne, and I have no doubt Shireen will make her proud," Aemon said kindly, causing the young girl to blush at his words.
"Your Grace," Howland began, "I know it has been a short while since your return, but the time has come to discuss what lies ahead for the North and the rest of Westeros."
"Very well," Aemon replied. "Let us retire to the King's Tower and plan for the wars to come."
The wars to come, Howland mused. Arthur Dayne had been right all those years ago. He thought sadly of what could have been, what Rhaegar's son might have become had he been raised by the Sword of the Morning as the true heir, rather than as a bastard under Ned Stark's protection.
Lost in thought, Howland followed the King to the King's Tower.
King's Tower
Soon the tower was filled with people, Howland thought, perhaps holding Aemon's highest trust.
"Well, first, we need to send word of my return and announce my claim as the heir to my brother Robb, or cousin. Yet I know Bran and Rickon are still somewhere out there, and if the gods will bless me with their return. Winterfell and the North will be theirs once more, as it was before this whole mess started. If Rickon or Bran do not return, perhaps a future child of mine, if I am blessed with two, could take the seat of the Kings of Winter, and take the Stark name." Aemon began.
"You will not announce your claim to the Iron Throne yet?" Maege asked.
Aemon shook his head. "No. First, I will free the North of the Bolton turncloaks. Once that is done, I will announce myself as the heir to Rhaegar and the Iron Throne."
"If I may, Your Grace," Howland interjected. "Many in the realm will say the Targaryens lost the throne by conquest. They may claim you are illegitimate. Some will look to Princess Shireen, as she is the last true-born Baratheon, or to this supposed Targaryen who has landed in the Stormlands, your so-called elder half-brother."
Howland thought grimly of the boy in question. He is not Aegon. I saw the bodies of Elia and her children in the throne room.
"Hmm, I know. However, many forget that Robert took the throne partly because of his blood claim. His grandmother was a Rhaelle Targaryen. Although the man would have liked to kill off my blood, he would have had to cut his own throat to see it done," Aemon replied coldly.
"As for the other matters we need to discuss, there are ways to unite Shireen's claim with mine. However, I would rather discuss that privately." Aemon turned to Shireen, his gaze softening. "I assume you agree, Princess?"
Shireen nodded in agreement.
"Good. As for my supposed brother," Aemon glanced around the room, his expression serious, "what I am about to tell you all stays in this room."
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment.
"I know he is not who he claims to be, because part of my brother is in Nightwing. When I died, I saw my family, my sister, my mother, my father, and also Aegon, so I know he is not him."
Most of the room widened their eyes in shock, except Shireen, who seemed unsurprised. Clearly, the two had already discussed this revelation.
"That is a good thing," Howland murmured. "The boy is likely Lyseni or Essosi, with silver hair and purple eyes."
Aemon shook his head. "No, their boy is Blackfyre, the last of them. My father said, 'A black dragon is still a dragon.' I can see the path to ending the bloodshed caused by the Blackfyre Rebellions. We can reintegrate them into the realm as a cadet branch of House Targaryen, just as House Baratheon is, or as the Karstarks are to the Starks. With the end of the world looming, this may be our best chance."
"A Blackfyre?" Maege questioned. "But the line died out with Maelys the Monstrous."
"Yes, but through the male line. He is likely descended from the female line, though I am not certain. For now, our first priority is the North. Between Tommen, the Blackfyre boy, and Euron, the South will be preoccupied. That will give us time to secure the North," Aemon replied.
"Ever since the Crow's Eye took the Seastone Chair, the Ironborn have been failing in the North," Howland added. "Reports say he has been reaving the southern shores of the Sunset Sea."
"Well, the fewer Ironborn in the North, the better," Aemon said. "Asha was exchanged for Lord Halbert Glover's wife and children. Perhaps the girl will cause trouble in the Iron Islands. The more, the better."
Howland leaned forward. "And the North, Your Grace? The Boltons will not yield without blood. While many in the North still despise them, turning their bannermen to our cause will take effort."
Aemon turned to him, his voice soft but firm. "The Boltons' crimes have earned them no love, not even among their own. The North remembers, Howland. It remembers its honor, its loyalties, and its oaths. I will give them a Stark to rally behind. And if they still doubt me, they will see dragonfire cleanse the filth from Winterfell's halls."
Maege smirked, her eyes gleaming with approval. "Spoken like a true wolf. But you will need Mormont mace at your side when the time comes. We will fight for Winterfell and for you."
Aemon inclined his head in gratitude. "I will not forget it, Lady Maege. When the time comes, the Mormonts will have a seat of honor among the wolves and dragons."
Shireen then spoke up, her voice steady and resolute. "My father's remaining men will rally to me. They are still loyal to House Baratheon and will stand with you, cousin."
Aemon smiled warmly at her, and Howland saw the resemblance between Rhaegar and Aemon in that moment, the same radiant smile.
"Well, first, we need to rally the mountain clans," Aemon continued. "They are the closest and can be mobilized quickly. I know Stannis rallied some, but he focused on Deepwood Motte. Tormund, how are the Free Folk? Will they support us?"
The big red-haired wildling grinned. "We follow you. You are our King now, the one we chose. You helped us when you did not need to, saved Mance's child, and let us not forget you came back to life, walked out of the flames, and brought a being of fire to save us. Fire is the great enemy of the monsters that slaughtered my people. So yes, we will follow you."
"Thank you, Tormund," Aemon smiled fondly and patted the wildling on the shoulder. "It will not be forgotten. We are all First Men here, and the Free Folk will have a place in the North from now on."
"Your Grace, is that wise?" Maege asked. "The Free Folk raided our lands for generations. Can we trust them?"
Aemon met her gaze, unflinching. "I understand your hesitation, but soon I will show the realm and the world what lies beyond the Wall. The Wall was not built to keep other men out. It was built to guard against the White Walkers. The Free Folk have shown their worth. They were more loyal to me than my brothers, protected the Wall after I fell, and kept order. They had the numbers to kill everyone, yet they did not. They also knelt to me. I am their King, and they are under my protection. They have already agreed to follow the laws of the land when they passed under the Wall. Take my word as a Stark, they will be handled." Aemon ended, looking from Maege to Tormund.
Maege relented, nodding. "As you say, Your Grace. Seeing you speak like this reminds me of your mother. She too stood by her friends and allies. Howland knows all about that."
"That she did," Howland murmured with a small smile.
"Good. Now, it seems I have letters to write. Edd, prepare gallows on the other side of the Wall. Tomorrow, the traitors who murdered me will hang. Judgment will also be passed on those who tried to burn Princess Shireen. Melisandre and Queen Selyse will face the same fate, though the Princess still has to decide her mother's fate." Aemon turned to Shireen, offering her a warm smile.
"As you command, Jon," Eddison Tollett replied. "I will prepare the gallows. I have wanted to hang them for some time. Fate must have willed it that they receive judgment from the man they murdered."
"Very well, my friend. That is all. You are all dismissed," Aemon ordered.
"As you say, Your Grace," Howland said, bowing as he left the King alone with the Princess.
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