Here it is, the last chapter. After 2 years of work, the journey has come to it's end. Firstly, I would like to give a heads up, a major change was made and the size of the epilogue was basically cut in have. Even still, this is over 12,000 words and I sincerely hope you all enjoy every word. With this conclusion, new stories shall begin. My other Fic the Ghost shall be resuming soon and I will be writing a time travel fic (need a beta still if anyone's interested). Thanks for sticking this far and I dedicate this to my Beta, MSquared79 and all those who've helped me write this as well.

Jon

Six years had passed since the day that the last war had been won. Westeros was finally able to find peace once again and heal its wounds from the many battles and bloodshed. Winter was over and spring had come again. Homes were rebuilt and crops resewed.

The Royal Family had been conducting a tour to each Kingdom to assist and tend to the recovery of the great wars for the past two years. Dorne had been first and aside from Sunspear, the Targaryens sailed to Starfall to see it's completion.

After Dorne was the Reach and one of the larger issues there was the debate of Highgarden and who it would go to. There were several Houses that had Tyrell blood and in the end, it was given to a branch of House Meadows because of their unyielding loyalty to House Tyrell when Randyl Tarly rebelled. The new Lord was named Raymond and he was quick to be friends with his liege lord given that he shared an equally large love for being a scholar rather than a warrior.

By the time House Targaryen reached the North, the last snow of the season had fallen and the sun became much warmer. The Wall had finally seen its first real summer last year after thousands of winters had passed. Much of it had melted and a lake formed and drowned two of the castles to the west side. Castle Black was going to be rebuilt as a new keep a temporary capital for the new kingdom of the Winterlands.

With the White Walkers gone and peace made with the wildlings, the lands north of the Wall could be properly settled and ventured. In ten years, Jon hoped that a castle would be raised at the Fist of the First Men and become the true capital. One thing that made him unsettled along with Daenerys was the question of surnames given to bastards. It wasn't a pleasant discussion, but they chose to have it be Winter. Although it was made before the Winterlands themselves also saw their first spring and summer for the first time in thousands of years. The Night King's magic had kept it a cold wasteland but his demise freed it of such a curse.

"Are we there yet, mama?" Aemon asked as he bumped up and down on his silver pony. They had been riding nonstop since sunrise and it was now midday. Despite that they had entered the city gates not an hour ago, the question seemed to repeat itself through the lips of an impatient boy. They came into the Castle's private grounds just moments ago, leaving behind the many commonfolk that gathered in the streets to see them all.

"Almost, my little dragon. Once we get clear of the trees, our new home will be in sight." Daenerys told him. The six years of waiting had finally come to an end. Hundreds of builders had been working hard to reconstruct the Dragonpit into the new castle of King's Landing.

"And how much longer is that?"

"Not far. Show some patience and you shall be rewarded." Daenerys hid it from her son, but she was just as eager as he was to get there, but the child within her prevented any galloping. It would be only a couple of months until her fifth-born would enter the world.

Jon rode atop his black destrier with Matthias who was still too frightened to ride by himself. Rhaella, his and Daenerys's first daughter was asleep in the carriage with her baby brother, Baeristan, and Missandei. Rhaella was born with Dany's silver hair and Jon's Grey eyes while Baerristan looked completely Northern.

The carriage the children rode in was guarded by all ten of the Royalguard. Daenerys decided to have three more positions made and it wasn't until two years ago that they were all finally filled. And since the ten would be guarding the King, Queen, and the Royal children, renaming them from the Kingsguard to the Royalguard felt more fitting.

"Papa, look!" Matthias pointed up as Drogon and Lyarras both flew overhead. Both of the twins laughed joyfully when they saw the dragons. Though Jon felt slightly saddened that Rhaegal could not fly with them. The great dragon had been resting in the ruins of the Red Keep for so long and he would continue to do so.

"We can't let them beat us!" Aemon said. "Ya! Ya!" He whipped the reigns of his pony but the creature remained at a walking pace.

Dany smiled brightly at their son. "They're just as excited to see our new home as we are. But when has there ever been a horse that could outrun a dragon?"

Aemon pouted as he looked on ahead.

"Papa?" Matthias asked.

"Yes?" Jon replied.

"When will our dragons hatch from their eggs?" Matthias looked up at Jon with the eyes of his mother, only his were more a red shade of violet than Dany's.

"That, I do not know, my little wolf. I only know that when they do, it will be when the time is right." With those words said, the trees ended and the royal family behind the new castle of House Targaryen.

Instead of Red, the stone that made the foundations were pale white, almost silver reflected in the daylight. Four great towers surrounded the base. At the top of them were statues of the sigils of each Warden. A Direwolf to the north, a Lion to the West, a Falcon to the east, and a Hunter to the South. Atop the main castle was a dragon roaring up to the sky, challenging the gods above.

Jon smirked when the children were wide-eyed and speechless. "Welcome to Dragonrise, my sons."

The boys were both very excited. Even Dany shared some of it as they passed under a grand looking portcullis gate design like a dragon's mouth with its teeth bared and ready to fall on any that would try to come unwelcomed.

The many residents of the castle, the servants, guards, from the highest ranks down the lowest, all gathered in welcome of House Targaryen to their new home.

Dany smiled warmly at them and waved here and there while Jon kept a brooding expression. Aemon saw that on his father. "Mama, papa's making that face again." He tattled.

Dany scoffed at Jon when she looked at him. "You being stoic makes me want to laugh at you."

Jon failed to contain a grin and joined her in waving to the people. She was right. He didn't have much to brood at anymore.

The current heads of the castle came into sight in the middle of the large courtyard. The Stablemaster and a dozen stable boys came rushing over to take care of the horses the entire party rode in on.

Jon dismounted and lifted Matthias off his horse before going to Daenerys and assisting her as well. Together, the approached Lord Tyrion and those with him. As soon as the King and Queen halted, all around got down on one knee, bowing before the King and Queen of the Nine Kingdoms.

"Stand," Jon ordered and all obeyed.

Tyrion stood up with a pleased smirk on his face. "Dragonrise is yours, your grace." He said to both Jon and Daenerys. "We've been most eager for your return."

"It's wonderful to be back," said Dany.

"Mama," Aemon tugged on the hem of Dany's dress, "can we see the castle now?"

"Of course. Lord Tyrion, will you give us the honor?"

"Sadly, I must decline. I have a few urgent matters that I must see to. The steward of the castle is the better choice anyway. He knows every nook and cranny of this castle as I would a woman."

"What's that mean?" Matthias asked.

Jon lightly groaned at such a question. "You'll find out when you're older."

They were led by one of the stewards of the castle, a man from the Reach named William who once served the Tyrells. He first brought them to the private training yard, although it was actually a balcony the size of a courtyard. Here was meant to be for Jon so could train and practice with the other Kingsguard and knights sworn to the castle. Though Jon felt an obligation that he should also train with the common soldiers as well in the future.

With the Unsullied and Dothraki returned to Essos where they belong, the Crown was in need of a new army, not the ones of those sworn to them. Over the past few years, it had begun rather small, smaller than the Night's Watch even before its disbandment, but it gradually grew. In a decade or so the size and strength would become grand and mighty.

By the time the Royal bedchambers were shown and the boys found their rooms, Rhaella had woken up and wanted to be with Jon. He carried his daughter in his arms and she hugged close his body. As they continued to be shown the great many features throughout the castle, Jon decided to break away from the official tour for the want of some time to relax from the journey.

Both he and Rhaella were joined by two of the Royalguard, Ser Jaxley Rivers and Lonnel Fenn. They were dressed in black gilded armor that was decorated with dragons of House Targaryens and the personal arms of the individual knight. Ser Lonnel had water lilies while Ser Jaxely chose to have his armor be barren given his name and lowborn birth.

"Where are we going, papa?" Rhaella asked.

"To the Godswood. I want to see how some of the trees I planted have grown."

"Aw, but trees are boring. Flowers are better. They're pretty and colorful."

"Aye, I won't disagree with that. But I think you might like these trees. Do you remember the one with Red leaves in uncle Rickon's home?"

Her head perked up at the mention of it. "It looked scary. I don't like its face. It was so sad."

"Don't worry. These ones won't have any faces."

He journeyed out of the east side of the castle which was where the godswood was located. Many of the trees were originally part of the small wood that was around the Dragonpit but a few new ones were planted. Some were torn down so that Daenerys would have her own garden.

Most of the trees were newly planted and grown into saplings by now and they were beginning to loom over as a giant would. The smallest of them all in the center, the three new weirwoods he planted just before the Targaryens set off for their tour of Westeros.

"Rhaella, look at these." His shy daughter turned her head to see the new weirwoods growing.

Bran had given him the seeds five years ago and now to see them for the first time grown as saplings was a sight to behold. It was strange to see them without faces, in fact, it felt wrong. But there was no one to carve them. Men of the past tried with iron and steel daggers both of battle and of woodworking but it was a fruitless attempt. Only the Children of the Forest could carve the magic into the faces they made.

"What are they, papa?" She asked.

"These are the weirwoods. I planted these when you still growing in your mama's belly." he fell to one knee and set his daughter down. He watched as she slowly approached them and then brightened up when she saw no faces on them.

"They grew big like me!" Rhaella said pleasantly.

Jon smiled at her. "Yes, yes they did. And soon they might grow as big a tower!" He joked. She was still too young to fully grasp a weirwoods meaning and value to her bloodline. But one day she would.

They only spent a few minutes before they rejoined Daenerys and the boys, except for Baeristan who was still asleep, outside of the throne room. William stood proudly as he gestured some of the servants to open the large wooden doors. They creaked heavily like a moaning man as they swung on their hinges and revealed the inside of the throne room.

The children were speechless just as Jon and Dany were. The inside burned with gallant looks and beautiful decor. Atop a set of steps was a single throne built of grey stone instead of swords. The hand rests shaped into heads of dragons and a great pair of wings formed the backing. The most noticeable detail of the entire thing, however, was not the craftsmanship for the material but the seat itself was not meant for a single person but instead for a king and queen to rule together.

"Tomorrow, we shall take our seats as King and Queen," Daenerys said. "After six years, it will all finally be official."

Jon looked around at all the surroundings that made the throne room. It was three times the size of what once was the throne room of the Red Keep. Pillars reached high up to the ceiling. Hanging down were many banners of different dragons.

A dragon colored black and red spewing fire over a field of golden, a Green Dragon soaring high above a winter night. A bronze dragon spreading its wings and roaring out. A white dragon perched on a wall of ice with her blue sister dragon. Joining the dragons in the form of another banner was a direwolf of House Stark but the colors were reversed. Instead of a grey wolf on white, it was a white wolf on grey, the eyes changed to ruby red.

The walls surrounding the Throne room were just as beautiful but even more detailed. Carved into one side, the side that was to the west, were characters of wolves and crows and monsters lurking beyond the Wall. It was telling the story of Jon Snow until it came to a point where the wold had died and a dragon was born alongside two others.

On the east wall, the story told of a woman sold and wed to a great Horselord before becoming a mother of three dragons to unite three great armies and break the chains of all who were enslaved.

"Who's idea was that?" Jon asked Wlliam.

"Lord Tyrion's," William replied as he walked over to the east wall with a proud look. "He said that as the beginning of a new age, we mustn't ever forget the stories of the two that achieved such a glorious victory." He looked back at Jon. "There is no story nor legend that can compare to either of yours'. We shan't ever forget what united the Seven Kingdoms as one in the darkest of nights and neither will the people."

Daenerys walked to her wall to were it displayed two great stallions galloping in the flames that bore four dragons. "It's all so beautiful."

It certainly felt grand and had the presence that defined royalty.

Jon was worried that it was too much though. He promised himself he wouldn't let being a King change who he was but everything around him was changing. He worried the effect so much wealth the castle itself was would have on his children and theirs after. He didn't want them to become spoiled like Joffrey the Bastard.

Maybe he would send them to live in the North when they were older. To learn to appreciate the roof that protects rather than the decor that makes it pretty.

"It's marvelous." He was grateful though. To see the stories of him and Daenerys carved into the stone itself.

Jon and Daenerys joined the other members of their small council in the new small council chambers. In the center was a round table and standing by waiting for the king and queen were its members. The Hand Lord Tyrion, the Master of Ships Ser Davos, the Master of Law Yohn Royce, and Lord Commander Will Cole of the Royalguard. The Master of Whispers was currently away on a diplomatic task given by Daenerys and The Master of Coin was at Castamere negotiating with Lord Bronn.

Jon and Daenerys both took their seats and all the others did as well after them.

"Lord Tyrion," Daenerys said, "you have proven well overseeing the construction of the castle."

"I did next to nothing aside from giving a few opinions and ideas," Tyrion said with a smile. "Oh, I nearly forgot. Lord Royce, I have something that may be of interest to you. Our builders clearing out the last underground passageway found something of yours amongst the rubble and debris. I made sure it was restored to its former glory. I hope you'll be pleased."

Lord Royce was clearly confused. "Found what? My lord, I have only been here once and never down below…" his words fell short when one of Tyrion's personal servants, a young man in red and gold colors, entered the small council chambers with a sword and scabbard in his hands. He gently laid it before Lord Royce on the table and took his leave. "It cannot be."

"Oh yes it can," Tyrion replied, "Lamentation, the lost Valyrian sword of House Royce has been found." The hilt was decorated with many runes engraved and inlaid into it and the scabbard equally so.

Yohn drew the blade only a few inches few and silently marveled at the ripples of the many folds in the steel. "You have my sincerest gratitude, my Lord Hand. I will be sure to repay you however possible.

Tyrion rather doubted that but chose to say to make no comment about it. "Well, then, shall we carry on with the business of Westeros?" he asked instead, waving in the direction of the Small Council chambers.

As evening came and the twilight hour lingered, Jon took to his chambers with Daenerys. Rhaella was still awake but the boys had fallen asleep for the night. Dany was in bed with their daughter, humming a song to her as she played with a small wooden knight to rescue Rhaella's princess doll.

While Jon removed his cloak, William knocked before entering the room.

"Yes?" Jon asked.

"Forgive my intrusion, your grace. A raven from your cousin came just now." He offered a single raven scroll to Jon.

When Jon took it, he was surprised that it wasn't stamped with the Stark direwolf sigil but instead a three-eyed raven. Bran rarely made contact with anyone these days ever since he went to live with the Reeds in the swamps.

Jon opened the scroll and found only a single line of words was written.

-A gift has been left in the godswood for you-

"What is it?" Daenerys asked.

"Apparently, there's something for me in the godswood." He folded the scroll and set it aside. "I'll be right back."

Jon left his chambers and before his personal guard could follow he ordered them to remain. He had a strange feeling that this was meant just for him to see for now. Bran wouldn't have sent a raven if it wasn't something of that nature. It took quite some time and a long climb down a flight of stairs. As he finally made it to the godswood, he looked all around for anything that might be a gift. He didn't need the light of a torch given how bright the full moon's light was. It was practically morning light it was so bright.

He felt like he looked at every part of the godswood and nearly gave up his search for the evening. But then he finally saw it, or them. The three sapling weirwoods each bore a face looking back at him. All of them were smiling as they laughed victoriously. The cuts in the wood were fresh and red sap leaked from the eyes and mouths. Three laughing weirwoods, three laughing trees.

A sudden rustle of dirt and leaves made Jon reach for the hilt of Wintersong. He drew it halfway as he spun around. "Who's there?" He called out. He was answered by the sound of a raven cawing at him from the branches of an oaktree.

Daenerys

The semi-final of the melee was just about ready to begin. Many had silently hoped that this matchup would come to pass but no one thought it would actually happen.

Daenerys felt herself scoot to the edge of her seat on the royal dais and a hand lightly squeeze around hers. Rhaella was just as nervous yet excited to see the duel as she was.

Matthias held his Valyrian steel sword Winterfyre in both hands and stood defensively as Aemon held his own Valyrian steel sword Dragonclaw in one hand and a shield in the other.

Two brothers who were both twins each looked the exact opposite of the other in their armor and their weapons. The swords were gifts from Jon last year when they each turned eighteen. Winterfyre had much more of a Northern look to it while Dragonclaw had many decorations like Oathkeeper and Widow's Wail.

Dany stood from her seat and walked forward to the edge of the dies. There was a great weight of anticipation for the match to begin. "Let the match commence!" she announced and a loud horn blew. Many people cheered as both brothers mindfully approached each other. 'Be safe, my sons.' Dany prayed.

Aemon made the first real move as Daenerys sat herself down. Unfortunately, she didn't pay heed to how fast she did and a light pain went through her belly. "Mmmm…" she groaned.

"Are you alright, mother?" Rhaella asked.

She smiled at her daughter and retook hold of her hand. "Perfectly fine. We both are." she rested a hand on her large belly and rubbed it softly. This would be her seventh and last child she would have with Jon. After Baerristan, she birthed another girl who had the opposite coloring of her sister. Dark brown hair and violet eyes, Arya Targaryen. After she was another boy who had every trait of a pure-blooded Targaryen, Jorah.

Rhaella was the only one of her children currently able to watch the match with her. Arya was undressing from her armor after losing to her cousin Eddard Baratheon who lost to Matthias afterward. Baerristan was sitting over by Lord Jamie Lannister and his two children, Joanna and Torwin. Jorah was being looked after by Arthur as they watched as close as they could with the rest of the Daynes.

Edric had taken part in the melee but lost his match against his long-time rival since the duel of the Dragonpit. He no longer carried Dawn with First Light, Arthur had the honor of becoming the next Sword of the Morning. Ashara was sitting with her mother and eagerly watching the match. Sansa had adjusted to Dorne quite well after she finally wed Edric.

"I wish Ned came. I think he would have been champion." Rhaella sighed.

Sansa's son, Eddard Snow, had been a ward of House Targaryen alongside Arthur. But ever since his parents wed four years ago, he took the responsibility of ruling Queenscrown in his Mother's stead. But while he lived at Dragonrise, he and Rhaella had grown quite close and had the makings of mischievous young love.

It was quite clear why Rhaella wanted a tourney for her 17th nameday. She wanted a chance for Ned to come back and show how skilled he was, maybe even to crown her after the joust. But it wasn't so. There were many Northerners that had come, however. Lord Rickon Stark lost to Andar Royce in the second match of the melee and some speculated that the Mystery Knight that appeared was of the north as well. The only identity he had was the shield he carried that bore a red shooting star over a single weirwood, an image in tribute to the Knight of the Laughing Tree and Ser Duncan the Tall's personal arms.

"I wish he had come too-" The sound of clashing steel and a silenced audience brought her attention back to the dueling field. Aemon was disarmed of his sword and on his back in the mud.

Matthias stood above him with Winterfyre aimed down at his brother.

"I yield," Aemon announced.

Matthias pulled his sword away and offered helped his brother to his feet. The many onlookers applauded and cheered for both young princes' skill and honor in such a duel.

Daenerys sighed in relief that both of her boys were alright but then tensed up as the final match was about to commence, the match between father and son. As things were getting prepared, she noticed her youngest boy rushing through many people to get to her. He climbed up the stairs slowly and rushed over to her, clamping around her leg and hugging it tightly.

"Did you like the duel?"

Jorah nodded lightly and reached his hands up to her. Unfortunately, Dany did not have the current strength to pick him up. He was such a clingy boy, but he was still only three years old. "Rhaella, would you please?"

Her daughter obliged and sat Jorah in her own lap and watched with him. "More shords!" Jorah chirped as he waved a hand in the air pretending he held a sword of his own.

"Almost, little dragon. Do you want to be a knight too?"

"I wanna be a dragun knighd!" Jorah loved Jon's bedtime stories so much and he was always desiring to hear of the dragon knights of old. Those were his favorite. "When mah egg gonna, mama?" Jorah's egg was considered to be the richest given how golden it was. It was originally Rhaella's, but she never held the egg since she realized that the dragon inside was not meant for her and she proved it greatly when last year she became the first rider of Lyarras.

"Maybe when you're old enough to take care of the dragon within." The audience roared as the final match was about to begin. Matthias wiped himself clean of as much dirt and mud as he could and stood like a solemn statue as his opponent entered in all of his grandeur and glory.

Jon stepped into the ring clad in his Valyrian Steel armor and carrying Wintersong at his side. He finally had Gendry make a helmet for him after many years of being without. A black cape draped over his shoulders and it swayed with each step Jon took.

The announced spoke with his booming voice. "The final match, King Aegon Targaryen against Prince Matthias Targaryen! May the Gods bless them both in battle!"

"Do you think father will go easy?" Rhaella asked.

"He promised the boys he wouldn't. This will be a breathtaking duel to behold." Jon would spar and practice with the boys often, but he never fought with his uttermost skill and determination as he would in battle.

Jon's squire came and undid the latches of his cape. After Jon drew Wintersong free his squire undid his sword belt and bolted as fast as he could from the dueling grounds.

Both father and son raised their swords and stepped cautiously to each other. It was already a great duel before swords were swung. They were battling in the mind, predicting the moves the other would make.

But one of the most distinct advantages Jon had over Matthias was patience. Matthias tended to do things a bit rash just like Daenerys would sometimes. Their son displayed that quite well when he proclaimed his love for Lord Jaime's daughter when he went to squire at Casterly Rock.

Matthias made the first move and charged forward.

Despite the armor and the purest faith that neither of them would get hurt, Daenerys sucked in a breath when she watched as father and son clashed the sharpest of steels.

"Matty!" Jorah cheered. He was keen on his father losing ever since he got punished for getting into the stores of honey in the kitchens.

"Shush, Jorah!" Rhaella pleaded. She was looking more worried than anyone. "How can you pick sides at a time like this?"

"Let him have his fun. He's just a babe." Her attention went the seating as Arya had finally returned from preparing herself.

"Damn, I missed Aemon." She cursed. She was so much like her namesake, both in appearance and attitude. She wore dark brown clothes and breeches instead of dresses. Although whenever the occasion called for it, she wasn't afraid to wear a silk gown and appear like a lady of the court.

"Damn!" Jorah mimicked.

Dany looked sternly at him. "You watch your language. Both of you."

"Sorry, mother." Arya apologized as she took her seat.

The match came to a sudden halt the instant Wintersong struck Winterfyre out of Matthias's hands. The sword flipped through the air and pierced the ground, standing upright.

Matthias fell to his knees and lowered his head from such a defeat. As the crowds cheered for Jon's victory, Dany and the older of their children watched silently but applauded to give praise to Jon and Matthias.

Jon stabbed Wintersong into the dirt and lifted Matthias from his knees and gave him a fatherly hug. He muttered something to him, probably words of encouragement before the announcer could declare the Melee champion.

"Behold our champion of swords, the Hero of the Wall, the Winter Dragon, the White Wolf! King Aegon Targaryen!" Dany gave the crowds a smile as she stood from her seat and clapped for both her husband and son.

With the Melee won and over, the tourney grounds would begin setup for the joust. The only member of the Royal Family that would be participating would Aemon. Jon didn't like jousting to begin with and Matthias shared his father's feelings.

Daenerys took her leave during the wait and found Matthias's tent. Jon had just come out, still dressed in his armor and sword at his side.

"Is he alright?" she asked.

Jon looked back and sighed. "He's acting well about it. But it's just acting. I think he'll do better from your company."

"You both fought wonderfully and I'm glad you're alright." She gave him a quick peck on his lips.

Jon muffled a light laugh. "Must we return to court after this? It seems like its been years since we've had some time out of politics and ruling."

"Did you forget the picnic we're having tomorrow with the Lannisters? While the children are playing, we have time. It will be wonderful." She bid Jon farewell for now before entering Matthias's tent. Her son was sitting down, working his fingers at the straps of his breastplate.

His head perked up when he noticed her walked in. "Mother…"

She walked behind and did the straps for him. He had no squire of his own out of a stubborn gesture that he felt too young to have one. He could put on and remove his armor by himself, but his present frustrations affected his ability to do so.

"You fought wonderfully today. I would say you're better than your father when he was your age."

He snickered at her remark. "He always says that training yards and tourneys are a child's game compared to war and battle. But what was I supposed to expect? He slew the damn Night King!"

Dany undid the last strap and helped pull the steel plates off her son. "When the stakes are high as they were back then, you would never fight harder in the rest of your life."

"But I'm the heir. I have to show that I can be just as great as him! What can I compare to Aegon the Hero? I trained so hard…" His voice started breaking and breathing became heavy. "I wanted to win so badly!"

"Aye, your father is a great warrior, but he does not fight to seek glory. At heart, he still acts like a man of Night's Watch at times. And so should you. They served a realm as a King should, not for titles, not for glory, but to defend the people."

"Mother, please don't turn this into another lecture. Father says enough already. Always about honor."

"That is the lessons he learned from his father," Daenerys reminded her son. "And they are good lessons. They make him one man among ten thousand. He tries to teach them to you so it can be more than just one."

Matthias shook his head at her and sat himself down. "I'm not him. Aemon gets this better than me but I just can't."

"Do you think I did when I first met your father? All his talk about honor, the Army of the Dead, It was such a nuisance and a bother to me. I was blinded at the time by my desire to restore our family to the Iron Throne. I did not believe there could be such a thing anywhere. And I nearly lost him before he was even mine because of it. It is a hard way to live, honor being paramount. But it is how kings should be. We are not crowned to be mighty and revered, we are truly the shields that guards the realms of men."

Matthias stared off a thousand yards away, pondering his mother's words.

Dany gave her son a light touch on his shoulder, comforting him all she could for now.

"Is that enough though?" Matthias asked.

"That's for you to discover when you are King." With that said, she took her leave from her son to join her husband at their afternoon rendezvous while the joust was still being set up for the next hour.

They met at a private wheelhouse and rode together to the new nesting grounds of the dragons.

Their children had claimed the land where the ruins of the Red Keep were. Some of the nobles and common folk had to be moved from the surrounding area in order to keep a safe distance.

Drogon claimed the deepest part of the nest that almost tunneled underground. He would guard and protect the eggs laid and the dragons that hatched. Matthias and Aemon's eggs both hatched when they were only fifteen years of age. Matthias's grey and black dragon was named Asher and Aemon's red and orange was given the name Tormaeaxys after his favorite Wildling Warrior of Jon's stories.

Lyarras kept close to Drogon and the eggs. She would fly often with Rhaella as her rider. Rhaegal claimed a small lump of the ruins as a perch where he would sit and watch as the other dragons would fly while he could not.

The wheelhouse stopped at the bridge that had to be crossed to reach the nest. No one except those named Targaryen had the courage to go any further at the risk of being burned into ash. There were still scorch marks on the stone from when a thief tried to steal an egg but failed terribly.

Drogon loomed over the other dragons as he came to his mother. The ground rumbled with every great step he took. His head lowered in eagerness of Dany's touch. He growled calmly as she stroked her hand on the scales of his snout.

Daenerys caught Jon smiling at her. She laughed when he was nearly pushed to the ground as Rhaegal nudged his head into him. Her child had been rather greedy as of late for attention from his rider.

Jon got back his feet with a smirk on his face.

"Go on." She granted.

Jon didn't hesitate as he walked to Rhaegal's neck and ascended atop his dragon. Rhaegal stirred greatly and turned about as Jon gripped on tightly.

"Vlahad!" Jon commanded.

Rhaegal charged out of the nesting grounds and took to the air, rapidly climbing as high as he could. Every time he took flight, it moved Daenerys greatly. Everyone except for her and Jon lost faith that her child would find the strength to fly again, and yet he defied them all last year.

Asher and Tormaeaxys followed after Jon and Rhaegal into the air. Lyarras and Drogon stayed in the nest to watch over the other eggs.

Daenerys always felt overjoyed in the presence of her children. It was when she was with all of them that she felt the warmth of home fill her up.

Rhaegal banked overhead and dove down to the ocean, almost diving underneath the waters but pulled up just before reached the surface.

Dany rolled her eyes at the display that her child was showing her.

Returning to the tourney for the Joust, Jon and their sons and daughters joined them watching from the royal dais. They cheered loudly when Aemon had his first match against Ser Samwell Tarly II. Unfortunately, he lost after three tilts, being knocked off of his horse and into the dirt. There were a few women that let out quick shrieks in fear of the beautiful prince being injured, Arya included, but Aemon rose to his feet and waved to them all.

Arya breathed out and slumped back into her seat. "I was afraid he'd broken a leg or something."

"Break the leg!" Jorah happily repeated over and over.

"Shut up, Jorah!" Baerristan hissed out. "Mother, tell him to stop. It's getting annoying."

It was Matthias who went over to his baby brother and picked him up from his seat and settled Jorah on his shoulders. "Come on boy, let's go watch with Reeds. You can play with Arrana. You like her, don't you?"

"Arry! I wanna play with Arry!" Jorah responded happily.

It was the final joust. Everyone was so eager to see who the victor would be ever since the silent knight appeared and unhorsed three opponents in a row. Now, it all came down to Ser Brienne Lannister against the Mystery Knight. His official title was Knight of the Winter Star. It was the only thing the man said before the tourney began.

Lord Jaime Lannister sat at the front of the seats with his son who cheered loudly. Joanna didn't share her brother's excitement but still gave praise to her mother happily as both knights faced off with their lances at the ready.

"Who do think is going to win?" Rhaella asked.

Daenerys shrugged her shoulders. "I haven't the faintest clue. The Mystery knight certainly has skill but Brienne has far more experience. Despite her age, she is still one of the strongest fighters in all of Westeros. What do you think, love?" she asked Jon.

He had a brooding look as he inspected both knights. "I would have to say Lady Brienne. She has more stamina since she wasn't in the melee. However, from what the Mystery Knight has displayed, he's a great rider."

Daenerys felt herself hold in her breath the moment before each lance broke into splinters against the shields. Both contestants got new lances and charged again. Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight lances were broken by both knights but neither of them gave in to the other. Before the ninth tilt, Ser Brienne rode her horse and met the mystery knight in the middle of the tourney grounds. They were conversing with each other, but their words were too quiet to be heard and their helms covered their facial expressions. Suddenly, Ser Brienne looked over to Rhaella for a moment and then from the looks of it was laughing.

Both knights returned to their sides and equipped themselves with lances. The charge was made but instead of a great duel, both knights raised their lances declaring the match to be a draw. Some of the onlookers booed but many applauded for their efforts.

"I don't understand," Rhaella confessed, "what happened?"

"He showed her mercy," Jon explained as he finished clapping. "The Mystery Knight does have the strength to go on, but Ser Brienne does not. Having the match come to a draw preserves her honor by letting her finish proudly." He stood from his seat and stepped forward to the two knights. "Well done. You have both shown marvelous skill and determination."

Both knights bowed their heads in respect. Only Ser Brienne removed her helm. "Thank you, your grace. While this has ended in a draw, I would declare that the Knight of the Winter Star be given the title of tourney champion. He deserves it."

Jon smiled at her and nodded. "Very well. Our champion, the Knight of the Winter Star!" While the crowd cheered, one of the servants brought Jon the velvet pillow with the freshly made crown of winter roses. He gave it to the mystery knight. "And who shall you crown as the queen of love and beauty?" He asked and immediately got his answer.

The knight's horses trotted past the king to the royal booth and he extended his arm out to the women. In previous tourneys, the champion would sometimes Crown Daenerys out of admiration but this time it was her that the crown was aimed at.

Rhaella stood from her seat and approached the mystery knight. "Good Ser, will you not remove your helm and show me the face of my champion?"

All she got in reply was a whisper that only she heard. His face turned a light shade of red as her knight placed the crown on her head and rode off.

"Our Queen of Love and Beauty, Rhaella Targaryen!" Jon announced and many cheered for her. She became much redder in the face when she retook her seat.

Arya started to giggle seeing her sister get flattered so much on her nameday. "What did he say to you?"

"Nothing for you to hear." Rhaella almost snapped at her. It was starting to show that she was a bit embarrassed as well.

"Whatever he said," Daenerys said, "I'm sure it wasn't anything profound?" The last thing she needed was some wild man filling her daughter's ears with his desire to open her legs.

"Of course not. It was something sweet."

"Oh, well good. He is the most valiant. Now come you two, it is time to get ready for tonight."

Arya rolled her eyes as she gave an arm to her mother to assist her to her feet. "A tourney and an evening dance. You're spoiling her too much."

Rhaella scowled back at her. "Says the girl who wants an entire castle for her own!"

"But at least I would be giving back with taxes and grains for the winter. It will be glorious. A castle with only women warriors. We'll kick the arse of any man who whips his cock out saying he's better."

"You shouldn't say things so profound!" Rhaella argued.

Daenerys couldn't help but smile and contain her laughter from the arguing of her two daughters. Jon said that they reminded him of Sansa and Arya's relationship before their father died. Their daughters were a handful whenever they argued, but she believed that one day they would look back on them all in amusement and laughter.

Evening came quickly and all the women were joined in Dany's personal quarters. Arya was changed out of her leathers and into her gowns just as Dany and Rhaella changed into gowns that did not have traces of dirt.

Rhaella continued to wear her crown as Jon and the boys came to escort them all to the Throne room where the dancing would be held.

They entered to the sounds of a band of local musicians strumming at lutes, gambas, picking at harps, and playing flutes.

Daenerys and Jon took their seats on the throne before their children were seated on fine wooden chairs they would use whenever they attended court. Jorah was still a bit fussy and was sitting on Matthias's lap.

Jon stood up and let his voice boom throughout the room. "Tonight, we celebrate the nameday of princess Rhaella Targaryen, or rather our Queen of Love and Beauty." Many clapped and raised glasses of wine to Rhaella. "As such, I believe it to be proper for her to have the grace of the first dance tonight. Who would come to lead her?"

As the crowds shuffled with many young men making their way forward, Rhaella stood from her seat and Jon took his.

Daenerys noticed her husband's hand linger over to the pommel of his sword and rest there. She squeezed his arm and gave him a cold stare which brought his hand from his sword to hers. She smiled at him for his restraint and watched with him as six men lined up in front of their daughter.

The first, a Dornishman based on his physical appearance and his style of clothing, announced himself. "My princess, I am Ser Derek Allyrion, and I would be honored to lead you in the first dance."

These men didn't just want to lead her to dance. No, they wanted far more than that. Tyrion and Daenerys told her about this approaching time. Now that Rhaella was a woman grown, she was able to wed properly and being a princess made the pressure of a union that much worse.

Many suitors might seek her daughter for political gain only. She didn't want though. That was where she and Tyrion differed. She wanted her daughter to have a marriage she would find love within.

Rhaella smiled at each of her suitors as they introduced themselves. Allyrion, Swann, Marbrand, Algood, Blackwood, Redfort, all of the men were young and handsome but Rhaella hardly knew of them aside from small talk from the tourney. Ryon Redfort had asked for her favor at the tourney but didn't get it. He took the fifth place in the joust, unhorsed by the Mystery Knight of the Winter Star in one tilt.

Before Rhaella made her choice, the was a shuffle among the nobles and lords watching. From the crowd, a young man emerged late and rushed to join the other men asking for her hand in the dance.

Daenerys was disapproving at first for the boy to cause such a scene but contained a smirk when she recognized his red hair and those dark violet eyes. It was about he showed his face.

Ned bent the knee to Rhaella and rose up. "Princess Rhaella, I am Ser Eddard Snow, the Knight of the Winter Star." His announcing earned many second glances and whispers. The mystery knight's identity was finally revealed. "Would you allow me to lead you in the first dance?" Unlike the others, Ned was the first to actually ask Rhaella instead of saying how great an honor it would be.

One of the other men gathered had the nerve to snicker at Ned. But his pompous expression vanished when Rhaella offered her hand out to Ned. "I would love for my champion to lead me, Ser Eddard." Ned smiled at her and took her hand.

The rest of Rhaella's suitors grimaced and scowled as they went back to the crowds while Rhaella and Ned faced each other on the floor. Ned's hand crept behind Rhaella's back and she clearly sucked in a breath of excitement just before the music began to play and dancing began.

Daenerys was surprised at how gracefully Ned moved along with Rhaella. When he was a ward to her and Jon, dancing and other courtly things did not seem to grab his attention and yet he was displaying such skill that was far better than the King himself. Although given how bad Jon was and still is, the bar was not set very high.

A sudden 'oh' went throughout the nobles and lords watching and NEd lifted Rhaelaa and spun her around in one smooth movement.

After a long minute, Jon and Dany stood from the throne hand in hand to join in the dance. They kept things simple as to not embarrass the other in front of the crowd but also to accommodate for Daenerys's pregnancy.

The music continued on and others started to join in as well. Before a flock of women could swarm Aemon, Arya saved him by being his partner.

The dancing continued on and Daenerys felt herself almost winded from the first. Her pregnancy was certainly reminding her of the weight it had.

"Some water, your grace?" A servant appeared from almost out of nowhere holding a tray of glass chalices filled with water.

"Yes, thank you." She took one and gladly sipped down the cool water. It almost had a sweetness to it. She looked back and saw Matthias joined the second dance with Joanna Lannister as his partner.

Aemon had many maidens flocking to him at times and many lords offered their daughters as a wife for him but he refused them all. He wasn't one to be attracted by pretty dresses and perfumed hair. He had interests in women, but what he wanted was one that was a fighter like Arya Baratheon or Brienne Lannister.

Daenerys took another sip of her water before Jon whispered to her. "Matthias plans to ask for Joanna's hand tonight."

Daenerys almost choked on her water and he shot a look of surprise to Jon. "Are you certain? When did he tell you?"

"After our fight. He said he wanted to win to impress her."

"That wasn't the only reason he wanted to win."

"I know. I know the doubts he has. I just wish I had Tyrion's way with words so I know what to say. I was never compared to my father growing up or Lord Commander Mormont."

She wrapped an arm around his and leaned on him as she looked out to their children. "You'll know what to do and I'm certain that Matthias will understand what he needs to do as well." They couldn't just tell him how to great or respected, it was something that he would have to make on his own. "It's about time he asked Joanna. Has Tyrion ever told you how she secretly fauns over our son?"

"Does she?"

She couldn't help but giggle. "She thought his confession of love was the most romantic thing that ever happ…" She suddenly started to feel light-headed and weak. Her chalice slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor before she felt herself collapse.

"Daenerys!" Jon caught her and slowly lowered her to the ground. "Dany! Dany!" She could hear his words but she couldn't respond. Everything was so dizzy until a sharp pain in her stomach shot through her. She could feel herself groaning before a loud scream echoed throughout the hall.

Jon

The throne room was packed more than it had ever been before. Hundreds of Lords and Ladies had come to bear witness to this day and join in the celebrations of a new beginning.

Jon sat alone on the throne and felt a thousand stares on him. Tyrion was spending his last days at his vineyard and Daenerys was in her garden in the godswood.

He stood from the throne and all was deathly quiet. Thirty-five years he reigned as King. His health took a sudden decline yet he was perfectly healthy. The archmaester couldn't explain it, several grandmasters could not explain it. He could feel himself growing weaker every day. And now it was time to pass the crown on.

The doors of the throne room opened. All of his children entered through with their families. Matthias led them all with his wife Joanna Lannister. Behind them was Aemon and his wife Alys Greyjoy. Ned and Rhaella followed next and after them was Baerristan and Sansa Baratheon. Arthur led Arya with his arm given how her heavily pregnant stomach made her stumble now again. Jorah had not married and chose not to ever since his return from the Winterlands. Instead of a wife, Jorah walked together with his sister, the youngest of them all, Lyanna. Just like her older brother, Lyanna had every trait of a Valyrian. She had the most gentle features about her an equally gentle heart.

Jon's grandchildren were all in attendance with the court, watching eagerly. It was their beautiful faces that eased the anxiety of today.

The husbands and wives of the princes and princesses joined their children while all of Jon's bent the knee to their father.

Jon made sure to let his voice be heard by all who came to bear witness to this momentous occasion.

"Long have I served as Lord of Westeros. Long have I ruled as King to the best of my abilities. And now, it is time to for my successor to rise up and take his place." He locked gazes with Matthias and smiled proudly at him. Matthi-"

"Father." Matthias interrupted. "I need to speak before you do."

A great many whispers arose and Matthias's head fell down for just a moment. He knew full well how disrespectful this was going to be considered.

"Then speak."

Matthias breathed for a moment, gathering his courage. "I am your firstborn. By right of birth, I am your heir. But… if I stand and accept your crown, then there would be no greater mistake made by you." The whispers became murmurs but Matthias did not falter. "I can't do it. I know it in my heart and every fiber of my being. I am not the right choice." he lifted his right arm and pointed to his brother. "But he is."

Aemon became wide-eyed when all eyes were on him. "What?"

"What?" Alys nearly exclaimed.

There were many collective gasps throughout the court. Even Jon nearly broke his regal form. But he kept himself as a King should and raised a hand to silence the court.

"Why?" Jon asked.

Matthias lifted his head but he did not stand. "If I were to sit upon the throne, wear the crown and rule as a King, it would just be a fact of my birth. If I tried, I might be able to rule well and wisely, but it would nothing to me without my heart in the same place. Aemon's is. He has served in the place of Tyrion at times and has done marvelous work. More so, he loves it. The people deserve a man that is eager to rule and not one doing it simply because it is his right."

Jon could not detect a shred of doubt nor dishonesty from his son. He was confused just as a great many were, but understanding. Matthias' heart belonged where his joys were. His family, the Winterlands, that was where his destiny was.

"Is this truly what you want? What your family wants?" Jon took a quick glance at Joanna and her children and saw them calmer than anyone else. It was clear that they knew this was going to happen. This wasn't. Something spur of the moment.

"It is."

Jon took a deep breath and with it accepted this decision. "Aemon Targaryen, will you serve the realm as Lord and rule faithfully and loyally as King? To protect your people and the peace that holds us together?"

There was a pregnant silence that followed. The words that left Jon's mouth were half rehearsed and half from the heart. But if he had to, then he would continue on if his son could not.

"I will," Aemon replied.

Jon walked down the steps of the throne and stood above his son. In one motion, Jon lifted his crown from his head and placed it on Aemon. It was a perfect fit as it was for him.

He took a few steps back. "Rise, not as a prince, but as a King, our King, my King."

Aemon rose up and stood tall in the throne room.

"Hail, King Aemon Targaryen!" Jon declared before falling down on one knee. All who gathered did as he and kneeled before the king. "Long may he reign!"

"Long may he reign!" the Lords and Ladies of Westeros repeated in chorus. "Long may he reign!"

After the coronation, Jon had privately passed down the rest of what he had to his son. Wintersong and his armor were now Aemon's to use to fight for and protect his Kingdoms now.

He went to his room afterward. Dressed out of all of his courtly clothes and into something for comfortable, he leaned on the balcony that overlooked the north. He thought back on his younger days. Growing up as a boy in Winterfell, serving as a man in the Night's Watch. Perhaps he would go on a journey to rekindle the joy of old memories.

"Father?"

He turned and saw Lyanna standing quietly.

"Is something wrong, sweetling?"

"You're not mad at Matthias, are you?"

He smiled warmly and held his arm out to her. She quickly came and wrapped her arms around him. "No. Just surprised is all. I thought he was ready. I guess it shows how much I pay attention."

"Don't say that, please."

"Sorry." It was true though, he had been rather distant for years now. It wasn't until his children began marrying and gave him grandchildren that he began to realize it. "Aemon will do well."

"I know so too." Lyanna agreed. "I think I'll miss being called a princess."

That made Jon chuckle. "You'll always be a princess to me, Lyanna. But now that the crown is off of my head, I'll have more time for you all."

"Really?"

"I promise. Tomorrow, we'll go riding together. After that, maybe Jorah could take us up north. I've been longing to go up there again. Not for politics, just to be home."

"Will we go to Winterfell?"

"Of course. One does not simply go to the North and pass Winterfell."

"I hope Jon isn't busy when we do."

"Oh? Hoping to spend much time with Lord Stark's son?"

Lyanna reddened and smiled just a little.

Jon smiled back at her and gave her a light kiss on her forehead. "Come on. It's nearly time to get ready for the feast."

"Yes father, I'll see you there." Lyanna rushed out and Jon took one last look over his balcony. In a sheer instant, he didn't recognize what he saw. King's Landing wasn't the city smelling of shit and overrun with beggars and thieves. This was a shining jewel of Westeros, one that Daenerys fixed.

At the peak of the twilight hour, all had gathered outdoors in the plaza of Dragonrise. Nobles, Lords, even commonfolk were present to join in the celebrations of their new King.

Aemon was dressed in new clothes that made him look like the King he was. His wife on the other hand, wore better clothes than she usually did.

As a daughter of King Theon Greyjoy, Alys was given fine clothes to wear but she never once wore a dress. She wore a coat that had long tails, disguising it to almost look like a dress.

Jon sat with Lyanna and Jorah for the feast. Lyanna had brought her egg with her, feeling a great desire to have it in her arms.

The rubies of Aegon the Conqueror's Crown glimmered in the light as it rested on Aemon's head. He stood at the head of the great table where his wife and children were placed. He raised up a silver goblet up above. "Tomorrow, we shall begin to live the start of a new one. Tonight, we celebrate the ending of a great reign that shall never be forgotten. To Aegon Targaryen and his legacy!"

All raise their cups and cheered in a chorus. "Aegon Targaryen!" Everyone partook of their chosen drinks. Jon himself had to keep to water. After he swallowed though, he began to cough so much that he nearly fell forward. It felt like a rat was clawing its way through his throat.

"Father!" Lyanna stood with him. "Are you alright?"

"It's nothing, dear. Don't worry." He tried to conceal what happened what already there were some unwanted stares that made him uncomfortable.

Once the music began, however, everyone became merry and enjoyed the evening. Delicious meats were served, friends and family gathered to share stories and jokes, it was a wonderful night.

After much time, Jon excused himself from his son and daughter to have a word with his eldest. Matthias was just finishing a joke Tyrion had told him long ago about a honeycomb, a jackass, and a brothel.

Laughter erupted as Jon made his way to the one who was clever enough to cause it.

"Father," Matthias greeted after a swig of ale. He set his goblet down and the people around dispersed. "I wonder what history will name me. Matthias the Fool? The Prince who didn't want it?" He took a seat and Jon sat next to him.

"It all depends on what you make of yourself from here on out. Do you want to be remembered as a Fool or a man who made a choice he believed was right?"

"What do you think? Did I?"

Jon shrugged. "I suppose we'll find out. At least you lot don't have to suffer from prophecies."

"No, just dreams and visions of what might be." Matthias took another quick sip of his ale. "Do you think Mother would approve."

"Absolutely," Jon said without hesitation. He placed an arm on his son's shoulder. "She will be proud of you…" his moment was interrupted by another coughing fit.

"Father?"

"Don't worry," Jon assured him. "I'm turning in for the night. I'll be with your mother in the godswood. Make sure you see her before you leave."

"I never come here without doing so. Goodnight, father."

Jon took his leave from the festivities to go join Daenerys in the Dragonrise godswood. The walk wasn't a long one, but he always enjoyed it, it gave him time to gather his thoughts and have moments to himself. The times he went there were the times he could forget about being a king and just be himself with his wife.

Passing through the mouth of the entrance, he came into the godswood. He had it done in the same way Winterfell's was, filling it with oaks and pines and ironwoods. Each was located in a different corner of the godswood, but Daenerys was with the laughing trees. She always liked them more than any other weirwood. Jon had a small garden of flowers grown there for her. Unexpectedly, a group of Winter Roses grew around the laughing weirwood.

Daenerys was sitting off to the side of the weirwood like she always was, looking down at the flowers that grew around her. She always smiled ever so slightly, but she looked as happy as the days that their children came into the world.

Jon, unfortunately, did not have the strength he once did and had to have a stone seat made for him. Tonight it was covered in a light layer of snow he had to brush off before he sat down.

"I think I've had my fill of parties for the year after that. Honestly, I've never seen so much wine in one place." He chuckled to himself but Daenerys remained silent. "And Matthias, I never expected him to just stand down from the crown and give it to Aemon. It's not my place to say, but Aemon would be the better King. He always did have more of you in him, but I can't blame Matthias. His work settling the Winterlands is only just beginning."

Daenerys continued to remain silent.

Jon reached his hand out to his wife and caressed her cheek. It was cold, but stone tended to be that way on an autumn night. "Arya and Arthur have another child on the way. They think it's going to be another girl. Baerristan and his family finally moved into Summerhall, and Rhaella's study at the citadel is proving fruitful. She understands the dragons more than you or I ever did. Jorah… I see why you were fond of my brooding now. He does it a little too often, ever since his return from King's Stand up north all those years ago. And Lyanna, heh, she thinks her dragon egg is going to hatch soon."

Jon felt himself growing sad. Every night that he would come here for the past eighteen years, he half expected that one of those nights Daenerys would be actually there to hear him. But every night he did, his words were only heard by the stone of her statue.

Daenerys had passed away long ago in childbed. She wasn't awake for Lyanna's birth until after it happened. He never forgot how she looked, sad and worried and barely awake. But when she woke, she only said a few words to him. 'You have to protect her, promise me, Jon. Promise me…' The same last words of his mother before her passing.

Lyanna was a silent babe, not uttering a single cry when she was born. The Grand Maester said that she was meant to die, but instead, she lived and Daenerys died. But Jon felt it wasn't as it seemed. Daenerys told him about a priestess who visited her a year before the birth, warning her that there would come a time when she would have to choose which life to save and which to give up. It hurt so much that day, more than any wound he ever took in battle.

Daenerys chose to save their daughter, entrusting the future of her life to Jon along with the rest of their children.

Many at court had wondered if Jon would ever remarry, but he would not. He could not find it in himself to love another like he did Daenerys. Only their children had the privilege of that kind of love.

"I wish you could be here, Dany. We all do-" Jon broke into a heavy cough, his throat burned and lungs began to throb with pain. If felt worse than it ever had before. He covered his mouth with his fist out of habit, but when he stopped he noticed blood on his knuckles.

Without warning, a great pain jolted in his chest, so great that Jon cried out and fell forward from his stone seat. He knew this pain, he felt it before, he felt it that night in Castle Black. The night his brothers betrayed and killed him. He was on his hands and knees and started to cough again. He couldn't breathe and was losing all strength in his body. But a sudden dragon roar broke through his pain.

Jon had felt a presence nearby, a kind he hadn't felt in a few years. He lifted his head up and saw someone he never thought to see standing before him. "Bran?"

"The reign of the Winter Dragon is at its end," Bran told him before another dragon roar sounded out into the night, followed by the roar of every other dragon. "You may rest now, Jon. The dragons shall sing you to your sleep as you have for them." Bran disappeared from sight instantaneously.

The roars had suddenly sounded different. No longer the cries of beasts, but the voices of a wordless song. It all sounded so clear to him, and it was beautiful. Jon found his strength and pulled himself from the ground and back to his chair. He no longer felt pain, but a great fatigue that came over him. The song soothed him to sleep and he had no chance to fight it.

"Matthias, good luck on your quest in the north. Aemon, reign well and true. Arya, be like your namesake." He had one last bit of laughter, but it was soft. "Baerristan, remain a good knight and a better father. Rhaella, look after Lyarras with love. Jorah, thank you for coming home. And Lyanna, I'll be sure to tell your mother how much you miss her." He took in more breath, and the air had been sweeter than anything he ever tasted. "My watch... has ended."

Matthias

"I'm turning in for the night," Father said. "I'll be with your mother in the godswood. Make sure you see her before you leave."

"I never come here without doing so. Goodnight, father."

Father left the party alone. He always wanted privacy when he went to be in the godswood and at the memorial made for mother. Thinking about her always made him sad.

"Is something wrong, love?" Joanna asked.

"Come here." Matthias shared a kiss with his beautiful wife. She was always able to bring his spirits up. "How did I end up with a wonderful wife like you?"

"You can thank my uncle for that. But it did help that I like the snow. And if the maesters are right, the next winter will bring plenty of it."

Jeor's Stand at the Fist was where they ruled in the Winterlands. House Targaryen was an independent House apart from those that governed over the rest of the lands. Matthias spent his time and wealth to further settle north.

"Hopefully it's not as long as the one we were born in. Regardless, we will pull through it. The crops at the Fist yielded an abundance for the entirety of the Winterlands. We can live off it for two decades."

"That's more than enough. We can sell the harvest we don't need." Joanna was going to continue, but she paused when she saw Aemon approaching. "I'm going to get the boys. I think it's time they get ready for bed." They had one last kiss before she took her leave.

Aemon sat down in the seat next to his brother and leaned his arms on the table. "You know, the Blackfyre rebellions began because of something just like today."

"Daemon wanted to be King and the Lords that followed him were idiots who thought a sword was a crown." He took a swig of his ale and looked at his brother's eyes sternly. "I can't do it, Aemon. We both know, I'm only willing to admit it. You are the right choice, the real choice."

"I wish you spoke to me first. Alys wants to beat you bloody with her ax." Both of the twins' dragons laughed at such a remark given how truthful it was. "What about Daevos and Leorin? I know they're just boys, but all it takes is a silver tongue of a venomous snake to have them yearn for what their father gave away."

"I know. I spent the last month talking with them about such things. I wouldn't have done what I did without absolute faith and consent in them. Their eyes are set on the Winterlands and I will always protect them from plotters and conspirators. What was it Lord Tyrion said to us as kids?"

"A mighty King could win a war with a single battle, a clever King could win it with words, but a great King could make it so it never happens… Do you truly believe in me that much?"

"Yes, but I don't need to when it's already the truth."

"I suppose all I can think to say right now is that I will not fail you. But in gaining a crown, I feel that my arms have become rather full. Too full for everything Father has to give…" He smirked as he got up from his seat and began undoing his belt.

"Aemon…" Matthias could not deny that he dreamed of wielding his father's sword as his own. He admired the legendary blade all of his life, all of his brothers did. "It's the sword of the King. I'm not even a prince anymore."

His brother said nothing as he removed Wintersong from his side a wrapped the black leather belt over the weirwood scabbard. Many around them paused their conversation and gazed in silence. "Just try it, you idiot."

Matthias sighed at his twin as he took the sword in his hands. The moment his fingers touched the handle, a strange sensation ran throughout his body, a feeling of peace."

"How heavy does it feel?" Aemon asked.

"It's rather light, more than my sword." Which was strange since Winterfyre was smaller.

"Then there's no doubt. The sword is meant to be yours."

"What do you mean?"

"It's too heavy for me. It feels like a war hammer in my hands."

Matthias could tell if his brother was lying or exaggerating. This wasn't one of those times. He pulled the blade free and realized how right it felt to hold in his hands.

"Matthias Targaryen," Aemon spoke with a loud voice purposefully, "my reach can only go so far as a king. With you in the Winterlands, I have no doubt they will be protected. I name you the Dragon's Warden"

Many people around raised their drinks and cheered for the new title bestowed upon Matthias.

He didn't know what to say. He sheathed Wintersong and strapped it to his hip.

Matthias's attention was drawn over to Lyanna. Everyone at the feast was celebrating and happy except her. She was sitting alone with her egg.

"Are you alright, Lyanna?" Matthias took a seat next to his little sister. She held her silver egg close to her as she always would. "You haven't looked this gloomy since Jorah left home. You seem sad."

"I'm sorry, Matt. I just have a strange feeling, like a thought that was just forgotten and I can't remember it."

"Oh don't worry. Happens to me all the time. It will come back-"

Matthias was interrupted by a small sound, a crack. Both he and Lyanna's eyes darted down to the silver egg and saw a long crack going down the shell. Another cracked formed, but the sound was overpowered by a roar of laughter. Matthias stood from his seat and turned to the crowd. "QUIET, ALL OF YOU!" The entire courtyard fell silent and all eyes were on Lyanna and her egg.

The egg justled about before a large piece cracked off and a tiny head poked out. Many gasped at witnessing the hatching of a dragon and began to gather around. Aemon, Arya, Baerristan, and Jorah pushed their way forward as the dragon pushed its way out of the egg and onto the table in front of Lyanna.

Matthias had a great love for his mighty dragon, Asher, but he would be betraying himself he didn't think that this baby dragon was the most beautiful of all the dragons. Its scales were like pure silver glistening with starlight and its wings had hints of purple that was just beginning to brighten up. But the eyes, the eyes were familiar, so much that Matthias found himself shedding tears when he saw them. They were the same eyes that he once knew, his mother's.

The tiny dragon hopped from the table onto Lyanna, its small claws tearing through bits of Lyanna's dress as it climbed onto her shoulders and then cried out a tiny roar. The dragon was singing for its birth, singing for life.

"What will you call it?" Aemon asked as he walked up to inspect the dragon.

Lyanna didn't answer immediately. She shared a gaze with the baby dragon, almost like she was waiting for it to tell her its name. "Muña. For mother."

The baby dragon chirped out again as if crying for victory or singing a song, and the sound was followed by a greater one from beyond the castle. Matthias knew the roar well, it was Rhaegal. Rhaegal was roaring out and joined by Drogon, and then Lyarras and the rest of the dragons.

All of a sudden, Lyanna began to cry. At first, Matthias thought she was overjoyed, but realized that she was sad.

"Lyanna, what's wrong?" Matthias asked.

"The dragons are singing. They're singing father to sleep."

Father. He was in the godswood alone at Mother's memorial. Without even thinking, Matthias was sprinting away from the party to the godswood.

The moment he entered the sacred ground, he couldn't contain his worry. "Father!" He rushed past the trees and became relieved when he saw his father sitting on his stone chair. But his relief disappeared when he didn't see a single solitary movement anywhere from him. "Father?" Matthias rushed over and knelt before his father, looking up at his face.

Father's eyes were closed shut and he almost appeared sleeping, but he wasn't, he was gone.

Matthias dropped his head in sadness, but his eyes found their way to something his father was holding in his left hand. He opened his father's fingers and found a blooming winter rose. The moment he saw the flower, a lone snowflake drifted onto one of the petals. Matthias looked up and saw a flurry of snow beginning to fall all around.

"Matthias," Aemon's voice said.

Matthias turned his head and saw his siblings all standing behind him.

"He's dead," said Jorah.

Matthias shook his head as he stood up and faced them. "Through death, father's life will become a legend, and now he'll live forever."

The End

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full
I've traveled each and every highway
But more, much more than this
I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that
And may I say - not in a shy way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way

Yes, it was my way

Thanks for reading my story