Bound by Blood and Oaths

Epilogue

Casterly Rock
40 years later

Daenerys watched the Summer Sea as a gentle wind swept through her silver-grey hair. The silver had slowly been turning to grey with time. For her, it came early, the signs of old age. She would have liked to have grown old where her ancestors lived and ruled. Stone by stone, it was slowly being rebuilt.

Their family had grown significantly. What joy it was to see the children running around. She couldn't have asked for better daughters and sons. Even those that were from Jeyne, she saw them as her own. Daenerys looked one last time to the sea before rising from her seat.

The Rock was nice enough to live in. The lands around the castle were comfortable, and the climate was gentle and temperate. The people within the Westerlands were suspicious of them at first. Even after what the Lannisters did to all of Westeros, they would have rather seen a Lannister rule over them. Yet Jaehaerys forced all the lords to where King's Landing was. After they saw what had happened, no one uttered another complaint.

Daenerys breathed out a sigh as she started to descend the long staircases. One thing she would say she disliked was the stairs. The Rock was so tall, one could not avoid the stairs that ran throughout it. Lord Commander Aemon Targaryen was close behind her. She was proud of her youngest son and was certain Jorah and Barristan would be as well. A worthy successor to famous knights.

"Mother," Aemon greeted her the moment she stepped out of her room. "I have just been told that father is not doing well. It won't be long now, I fear."

Age had slowly been catching up with Jaehaerys over the years. More so than compared to her or Jeyne. She was most days next to her brother, especially over the course of the last month. Only today she took a moment to step away to be alone. It made her chest tighten and tears prick her eyes to see Jaehaerys slowly passing away. To be the first of them to pass on. It made her sad and filled with grief.

"I feared as much," Daenerys said with a tight throat, her voice cracking. "Is he in pain?"

"No, he is only tired and weak," Aemon answered. "Jeyne is already there with most of the family. He will pass in the presence of family and loved ones. Jaehaerys will be happy to pass away surrounded by his children and wives. Especially you."

"I'll miss him deeply," Dany whispered. Her bottom lip trembled as she held back the tears. The thought of going through her final years without him felt cold. A comfort to know her family would be there for her. Yet she couldn't deny Jaehaerys would leave a hole that would never be filled.

"We all will," Aemon said, a hand on Daenerys' shoulder to comfort the queen. "Stay strong, mother, you're not alone."

"My son, I have been my entire life," Dany said as she glanced at him. "I'm tired of being strong, Aemon. I'll cry and sob and scream... he made my life worth living. He and I have been through hell together. Every day, he was there next to me. You don't know how much pain I feel, how much it hurts to see him go. The love of my life is passing while I continue without him."

Aemon was quiet as Dany could feel the tears rolling over her cheeks. She let him pull her into his embrace. The strong arms holding her in comfort and warmth. She couldn't hold back anymore as she cried within the embrace. For seconds Aemon consoled Daenerys in the middle of the hallway. Only as the tears started to lessen did Daenerys let go.

"Thank you, Aemon. I am... okay for now."

"We're here for you, mother."