An End of an Era

King's Landing 

Dawn rose over the Seven Kingdoms as another short Winter was over and a new Spring was just beginning for the people living in the Ream, King's Landing was quiet as within the rebuilt Sept of Baelor was being used for the passing of Queen Sansa Targaryen.

It was an illness she fought for two years, finally taking her after a peaceful rest beside her husband on the coast, wanting to see the Braavosi firework show that the city puts on every five years in Westeros.

Daeron had her beside him for forty-three good years, and now he must go on ahead without her in his bed... His heart started to break all over again.

"Father." The King turned slowly and smiled at his son, his and Sansa's only child as any time they tried the babes wouldn't come to full term.

They had their son, though, and Eragorn grew up to be a courteous and brave man. "Son." He greeted and hugged him tightly.

Eragorn took his eyes and half of his mother's hair, the left half of his hair however was silver and much like his own.

"Aela is with you, and the children?" He asked after the Prince of Dragonstone's wife.

About twenty years ago, Sansa thought meticulously about their child's wife and future Queen but the boy found one of his own within their domain at Driftmark.

Aela Velaryon was a bright young woman, Sansa adored her and he took that as a good sign and accepted his son's decision though he would ensure that their children would need more of a political marriage than one of love considering what happened after his thirtieth year as King.

Lady Lysa of the Vale revolted with her son, splitting the loyalties between those living in the kingdom. Worse is that Daario proved too power-hungry, raising his levies and rising in rebellion as well.

Fortunately, his well-placed fortresses were able to work well in putting both revolts down without the need of him using Vaeleris or Daegon to bring the disloyal to heel.

He was betrayed again by someone he considered a friend, gave him both lands and titles and a place at his court but he still wanted more. Daario had no excuses, saying that it was an honor to know the Father of Dragons which made it even more upsetting when he was hanged, his lands given over to House Hawick.

Lysa and Robert put up more of a fight, winning two battles but fell to his garrison force and House Royce who he rewarded as the new Lords of the Vale and Wardens of the East.

Other than that, it was a peaceful reign until now, as his wife crosses to the other side to join her family.

"No, she and your grandchildren will be here within the next few days but I wanted to leave early and see you," Eragorn said and he nodded, the both of them walked over to the pedestal where Sansa lay, "Kind of wish mother's brothers and aunt Arya was here." He smiled.

Brandon is supposedly sending Rickon to pay respects as the wheel-bound Lord was bedridden, Jon is mourning with his family and having a statue made in Sansa's image which is where his wife wanted her remains to go. And Lady Arya? She is still in Essos with her band of soldiers the "Wild Wolves", he did send someone to her temporary home in Braavos to deliver the news.

"Your uncle Rickon is coming, son." It will feel nice to have some more well-liked faces in the Red Keep as the little friends he has either retired to their homelands or have died over the years.

There is still Grey Worm, and Jaime Lannister is fine company when he isn't in his cups over Tyrion's death just three years ago and is his oldest Kingsguard member. Kovarro missed his grasslands of Vaes Dothrak, he let him go and from the letters he sends, the former Kingsguard is now a Khal of his own with ten-thousand riders.

The rest are either genuine or ingenuine, the game never truly ends is something Varys said to him at his lowest moment after the Long Night.

"Are your feet as tired as mine?" He laughed and knew his son was right, gesturing for Eragorn to follow him out of the hall and leave Sansa in peace as the Silent Sisters prepare her for travel to Winterfell. Outside, the noise of children can be heard, it made the King smile.

"Do you remember when you were a boy, I would have to chase you down because you were playing with your friends?" He asked and reminisced and Eragorn nodded, "Your mother and Lady Brienne would be worried sick for you and me."

"Brienne would prefer to be called Ser, Father." His son said and reminded him, to think he is well past the years of youth and still getting things wrong.

Outside of the Sept, Ser Brienne and new member, Davos Baratheon followed behind to the carriage where Ser Arys, former guard of Myrcella was waiting beside Varys and his current Hand, Arlan Tyrell who is the son and heir of Highgarden.

He's had only two Hands in his reign, Tyrion and the Lord Arlan. When Tyrion died, he had sent word to ask Jon Connington but by the time his raven reached House Connington's seat, Jon also passed in his sleep so he spent a whole year with his Small Council on who should hold the position and Arlan's intellect was much praised.

"Where is Jaime?" He asked Varys who informed him that the knight was at the Red Keep with the other Small Council members. "Then I suppose we should go to them."

Sitting down comfortably, Daeron turned to the ageless Varys, "Gods, forty years and you look no older than when we met." Arlan and Eragorn laughed and Varys shook his head.

"Since your dragons were born almost forty-four years ago, magic started to resurface and in that time, certain poultices were made to make me look younger but I am no less old, your grace." That is true, Daeron leaned out to look at the Dragonpit where Vaeleris, Daegon, and the four new dragons named Blckfyre, Dawnfyre, Halfmoon, and Starlight were resting.

It took many years after the wars for his children to procreate, only ten years ago did the then four hatchlings come out of their shells.

Daegon now blackens the sky like Vhagar, and Vaeleris a mighty calmer than Daegon with age.

"Eragorn, you should teach your children to ride." He said with encouragement and his son nodded but was reluctant to do so. "Our House didn't respect or appreciate the dragons enough, threw them away fighting each other and that left us open to destruction."

"I understand, father, we will teach Arylon, Catelyn, and Eddard when they arrive with Aela." Good, they need to learn and ride them well.

He wished he could ride them again, it's been too long since but he's always made time to visit them and feed them a goat every now and again when out in the city or other matters weren't calling for his immediate action.

"You could teach them politics too, my Prince. Prince Arylon is fifteen, and charming I hear." Arlan said and Eragorn shook his head no, suppose it isn't time yet for his grandchildren to learn the game.

They reached the Red Keep and entered the Tower of the Hand where the rest were waiting, the session was rather tame and calming as he watched his son make decisions on his behalf, he was so proud of him and knew Sansa was too.

Sunset came too soon, he was tired and exhausted and he's held back the tears far too long.

His son guided him to his chambers, got him in his bed, and sat by his side and he leaned over. "I'm proud of you, son."

"Not as proud as I was to have parents like you and Mother, I miss her already." So does he, he reached over by his bedside table and reached inside and pulled a pin, handing it over to his heir who looked confused. "What is this?" Eragorn asked.

"This belonged to your aunt, Daenerys. I carried it all this time but I would like you to have it, son."

Eragorn set on his doublet, he smiled and thought he looked very Kingly. The fire flickered in the hearth, he felt so relaxed and comfortable.

His soul was at rest as his son spoke about his time away, his limbs seems still and not as sore as they used to be and his heart slowed.

Flashes of his wife's smile crossed his mind, he dreamt of her touch and the feeling of her kiss on his lips. He also thought of Jorah, Barristan, Rhakaro, Tyrion, and his sister and Missandei. He wished he could see them all again, just once...

In Eragorn's musings, he didn't notice his father was dead and gone peacefully. "Father?" He called out with hope for him to turn and face him but the weight hit him as he began to tear up. "Guards!" He called and it was Grey Worm to answer it. "Gather the Small Council... My Father is dead." The aging Lord Commander choked down the tears, nodding to him.

"Of course, Eragorn."

King Daeron of the House Targaryen, the Third of his Name died peacefully in his sleep just days after Queen Sansa Targaryen. His heir, Eragorn Targaryen, and Aela Targaryen would be crowned King and Queen two months later in a grand wedding and memorial of the late King and Queen.

Each of the Eight Kingdoms joined in mourning the King, praising his life and regretting his death.

The Legend of the Father of Dragons would live on through the generations after him...

AN: So ends Within the Blood is the Fire. I sorta wished the story was longer, maybe I made some arcs too short but I hope you all have enjoyed it.