The Necromancer King Chapter 125: Under The Stars

"Married again, hm?" Doran Martell smiled slightly as he saw Aerion in private. It looked like the lord paramount had aged a decade or two. "The Dragon Emperor of the World… the man whom even the queens of the past cannot escape. Your magic has become capable of things most wouldn't even dream of. Even I find it hard to fathom…"

"Let me heal you."

"No… you've done enough, my dear nephew." Doran exchanged looks with Aerion, sighing. "Don't look at me with those big puffy eyes."

"Uncle…"

"I've made my peace with death. All the wishes I ever could've had have come to pass…"

"Why embrace death?"

"And why must it be fought?" Dorian questioned. "Perhaps one day, you will truly understand. Though… you were always restless. I believe you would sooner become a God than find peace with yourself."

“You would be right.” Aerion admitted, frowning slightly. “But… how could I ever find peace with the way things stand? I swore to restore the lives of those whom I hold dear. What kind of necromancer would I be if I could not achieve that end?”

“And who would you restore, Aerion… Ser Jaime?”

“One of several.” Aerion replied, nodding. “My Aegon and Rhaenys deserve to live.”

“Aegon and Rhaenys… they have been dead for many, many, years.”

“They are my full-blooded siblings.”

“They died as children, Aerion. However much you might dislike it… let go.” Doran sighed, shaking his head. “You are the Holy Valyrian Emperor, a man who should seek only the future for his people. The distant past should be left behind where it was.”

Aerion recalled a similar conversation with his mother. Letting go wasn't one of his strengths, not at all. He recalled the sweet memories they shared in that parallel world, where he had grown alongside his siblings.

“Come with me…”

He stood up slowly and walked alongside Aerion. They had a walk through the Old Palace’s walls, where Doran observed the sea beyond. The sun was falling slowly as night approached.

“The sun falls, and night comes. Yet, the sun always returns…” Doran observed. “The time of my sun has passed, Aerion. It is time that another takes my place.”

“... I disagree.”

“Always so stubborn and willful…” Doran smiled, raising his hand and patting Aerion’s shoulder. “I… hardly remember when you arrived at Sunspear for the first time. A boy of three, without an ounce of fear in his heart. So small, yet the shadow behind him loomed large as a dragon.”

Aerion saw himself run across the sands and leap into the sea. He saw himself spar with the Kingsguard, play with Arianne, the sand snakes and recalled all the lectures Doran would give him. How quickly he had wanted to leave home and fulfil his ambitions during those days…

He didn't quite see all that he had before him.

“...” Dorian looked at his expression and kept his smile. “You are a dragon like no other, Aerion. Do not weep for me. Do not mourn me. All I ask is that you remember all that I’ve taught you in the future that you seek to create. That is how I wish to be honoured.”

“I will miss you, uncle…” Aerion took a deep breath as he clenched his fist, observing the setting sun. He then relaxed and smiled. “Not just me… countless people will. You were one of the greatest Princes that House Martell ever knew.”

“Don't flatter me, Aerion.” Doran smiled, his eyes shining a little as he turned back to the sun. “Raising you was my finest act. In other matters, I was no better than most. Even then… you were born to be great.”

“You are too modest.” Aerion held onto the hilt of Ambition. “You are a man who put your people before all else. They didn't fight any needless wars and only knew prosperity under your wise rule.”

“Hm.” He nodded. “There is your Realm, the first Daenerys said…”

“Remember them, in everything you do.” Aerion finished, smiling slightly as he mimicked Doran’s voice. “It is an easy thing for a prince to call the spears, but in the end the children pay the price. For their sake, the wise prince will wage no war without good cause, nor any war he cannot win.”

“The best trait of yours when it came to teaching was your sharp memory, which would make valyrian steel cry in shame.” Doran chuckled. “The worst was when you refused to listen.”

“...” Aerion chuckled. “Forgive me, uncle. For being difficult at times.”

“You are still difficult.” Doran sighed with a smile. “... I wonder, if Rhaegar had known who you would grow to become, would he ever…”

Doran paused, shaking his head.

“No use in bringing ghosts to life. I know he would've been proud of you, however. As proud as any father could be…”

“I know,” Aerion remarked, recalling the short time they had spent in the trial of the mind. ‘His life’s greatest pride.’

“There is one thing I might ask of you. I wish for everyone in our family to gather in Sunspear. Do not tell anyone of my looming passing…”

“... Are you certain it’s what you want?”

“I would not seek to pass on a whim. I’ve given it quite some thought.” Doran smiled, shaking his head. “This life that I’ve led… has been most fulfilling. There is not much left for me here.”

“Mother, uncle Oberyn, my cousins… Arianne.” Aerion furrowed his brows. “I could extend your life for decades to come. Isn’t it selfish to deny my magic… it’s no different from killing yourself. Wouldn’t you want to see your grandchildren grow into their own? Your family needs you.”

“...” He took a deep breath. “How will I teach this lesson to you?”

“... Is that the reason why?” Aerion raised an eyebrow. “Uncle, surely there are better ways to do that than killing yourself.”

“You should cease chasing ghosts of the past and look towards what you do have, however hard it might be. If you had been here instead of your adventure into the past, would Ser Jaime have fallen? Your family needs you… and it is here.”

“...” Aerion stopped for a moment, acknowledging that Doran used his words against him. “Yes… you are right. If I had been here, there would be no rebellion in the first place. Even if there were one, I’d crush the rebels and have that witch’s head on a spike before the moon could turn.”

“What if next time you disappear for ten years?” Doran questioned. “Thirty? Fifty, a hundred? Do you know how to wield this power?”

“If I mastered it… I could walk the world at any time and return to the very moment I had left.”

“If you mastered it. How much time would you go through until you reached a fitting resolution?”

“As much as I need to.” Aerion reaffirmed with a determined gaze. “I am not one to speak false promises, uncle. Especially to those whom I love. I will conquer time and space itself if that’s what I have to do to achieve my ends.”

“Those eyes of yours, brimming with ambition and the will to carry it…” Doran observed, smiling. “Alas… it seems there’s no use in advising you to do otherwise.”

“Though… I will not leave as carelessly as next time.” Aerion promised, placing his hand on Doran’s shoulder. “When I do leave, it will be with every last matter set in order.”

Light magic flowed into his body and cleansed all impurities, leading to Doran looking far younger.

“You are not even sixty, uncle. You still have plenty more to live for.” Aerion’s smile went straight for the heart as he used blood magic to influence his emotions. “If you’re so tired of ruling, let Arianne take your place. She is more than eager to rule Dorne… in truth, I had intended her to. Advise the youth like you advised me. Plant the seeds of the future and see the majestic trees grow.”

“... You magical child.” Doran sighed, shaking his head. Suddenly, he had no will to die. If anything, every fibre of his being sought to live. “I… know that you did something.”

“For the greater good.” Aerion smiled, shaking his head. “You only wished to die because of the illness that had consumed you… but I’ve gotten rid of it. Instead of having everyone gather before your passing, it shall be an occasion to celebrate Arianne’s ascension to Empress.”

“Very well...” Dorian turned away from the sunset. “This old sun will shine a little longer.”

“More than a little.” Aerion chuckled, his face lighting up with an infectiously cheerful expression. “Come, old man. We have to make preparations for this grand occasion.”

‘Mayhaps one day I will embrace that lesson… but that day is not today.’

Aerion thought to himself.

~

1st day of the third moon, 303 AC.

It was as if the entire Realm had gathered once more to Aerion’s will, turning Sunspear into the liveliest city of all. Not only was it the day of Arianne’s crowning but also the Holy Valyrian Emperor’s very own name day. Men from across the known world came baring all the gifts they could muster.

Arianne looked absolutely stunning in her elaborate dress which put all others in the known world to shame. Today was her day, which lead to quite a number of envious expressions - especially among Aerion’s other consorts.

They gathered at the beach with thousands upon thousands of witnesses.

“I, Holy Dragon Emperor Aerion of the House Targaryen, First of my Name, ruler of all matter of men and women from West to East, North to South, Protector and Guiding Hand of the Known World… in my undying love, hereby crown…” Aerion raised the magical crown he had forged himself. “My first wife, Queen Arianne of the House Martell, as the Queen of Queens, Empress of Dorne! May no man, woman or even god command her… other than her most beautiful husband, of course.”

Arianne smiled as Aerion placed the crown atop her head. He spun his lady around and pressed his lips against hers. A round of thunderous applause and cheers followed, as the first Empress in Westeros’ history emerged.

…

They dined in the halls of the Old Palace, with Aerion sitting beside Arianne the entire time. He spoke of his victories in the Age of Conquest with slight alterations in the form of a song, taking her heart all over again.

“This feels more like a second wedding than a crowning.” Viserys smiled as he approached his nephew. “I am happy for both of you. Though, it does create a strange power imbalance… I am Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, yet an Empress presides over one of my Kingdoms.”

“Dorne will be independent from the Iron Throne and be ruled directly by my family,” Aerion replied simply. “I trust that you find no issue with that, Viserys.”

“If that is your desire, Your Magnificence.” Viserys lowered his head in a bow. He then smiled before raising his head again. “Enjoy yourself.”

“Oh, I will.”

Viserys raised his cup.

“To the House of the Dragon and Holy Valyrian Empire.”

Aerion did the same, nodding.

“To the House of the Dragon.”

They both drank up and Viserys, seeing that Arianne had Aerion chained down for tonight, decided to leave him to it with a smile. Jon, Robb and Artos came to the same conclusion. The boys decided to spend the night without him. Aerion eventually grew bored of sitting and stood up, taking Arianne with him.

“The night is calling me.” He spoke, smiling.

“And where might you be taking me?” Arianne raised an eyebrow, though her lips curled into an excited smile.

“We’ll have to find out.” Aerion spread out his wings and lifted her up, carrying his Empress across his arms.

“... You have no idea, do you?” She chuckled.

“I’m feeling adventurous.” His eyes glowed a wondrous lilac colour as a charming smile graced his godly visage. “This night is ours and ours alone.”

He took her to the skies, soaring ever so freely. The wind was light as he began slowly, increasing his pace over time. Then… he really sped up, giving Arianne an adrenaline rush and making her cling to him in fear of falling. He chuckled, keeping pace.

After some time, they made it to the Stepstones, where he landed on a little nameless island. There seemed to be some fishermen occupying the island… some of them observed Aerion with caution, and others with admiration.

“Leave.” Aerion simply commanded, and they obeyed without a word. He then turned to Arianne. “This seems like quite the little paradise for some lovemaking, don’t you think?”

“Anywhere is a good place with you, my love.” Arianne rested her head against his shoulder.

“Hm.” Aerion smiled, caressing the side of her face and brushing her long, thick black hair delicately. “The best part about that lavish dress is that I will be the one to rip it to shreds.”

“Don’t you dare…” She pouted slightly. “I find this dress to be quite pretty; I’ll have you know.”

“And I find that my lady looks far better bare…” Aerion moved forward to press his lips against hers, but she raised a finger against them.

“Before that… I want to become like you.”

“Like me?” Aerion raised an eyebrow as he questioned.

“I don’t want to grow old and haggard while you remain young as ever…” Arianne’s eyes twinkled with a bit of sorrow that grasped Aerion’s heart.

“So, Daenerys spilled the truth.” Aerion lowered his head slightly. “It has its benefits and disadvantages, most of which I’m able to avoid due to my magic… but you…”

“I don’t care if I can’t see the sun again. As long as I am with you forever… I will be more than happy with whatever consequences that it brings.”

“... Very well.”

Aerion bit his tongue and grabbed her finger, lowering it. He grabbed her face with his other hand and pressed his lips against hers. Then he bit her own tongue, moving his blood into hers. They kept kissing, and their enflamed passion only grew with each passing moment as they made love under the shining stars.

One soul, one heart, now and forever…

During that night, it felt more true than ever before.