The Ruins Of Kings Landing (Page 93)

~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: Outside Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 18 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 302 AC)~~~

Rhaenys stands tall and ready next to me as I stare at the smoldering ruins of Kings Landing and the crumbling Red Keep. Tywin outplayed me. Cursed my future as the ruler of Westeros. By destroying King's Landing with Wildfyre, he's ruined my family's chances to rule.

Oberyn and his forces are doing a count of the dead on our side. He was the first to start digging through the ruins of the Red Keep. After a few days, we recovered the bodies of Joffrey and Tywin.

I know I should be furious at what happened on the eve of my victory. But I'm not as angry or upset as I should be. It's not madness or enjoyment at the sight.

It's acceptance.

Ever since Rhaenys and I left Asshai, it was victory after victory. I was undefeated in combat and war. Winning every battle I've been in. When those green flames of Wildfyre burst forth from beneath Kings Landing, I knew I had lost the war.

The survivors are gathering outside the city in a makeshift town. Made from rubble and tents. I haven't had the gall to visit them, and none dare to approach Rhaenys.

"Have I failed... In the end..."

I can't help thinking that I've brought nothing but heartache and ruin to the future of my house and my children. When I'm gone, what will happen to them... When they're old enough to know what I've done, will they curse me too...

I've always known I'll be written in the history books, but now I'm certain I'll be remembered for atrocities instead of benevolence.

"Ruuuu..."

The deep and rumbling purr from Rhaenys pulls me from the monsters in my head. A deep breath fills my lungs, and I can still smell the burnt flesh from the dead. When I close my eyes, I can hear their screams.

Women and children burning...

All because of me...

I couldn't temper my patience. I could've waited and used paper, words, and promises. Instead, I fell for the same trap all Targaryen conquerors have fallen for. I used steel, fire, and blood. Choosing violent conquest instead of peace.

"My sins will stain my family for generations to come..."

It's too late to take back what I've done. To ask for forgiveness from the ones who suffered the most from this. I don't know what I'm supposed to do next.

Even the Iron Throne, the object I did all of this for, is destroyed in the ruins of the Red Keep. Not even a chair to sit on when I start my rule.

My eyes turn to the setting sun on the fourth day after my actions to take Kings Landing. I shield my eyes from the brightness but still try to take in the beautiful sight.

It's almost unfair that the world can produce such a scene after the tragedy that's befallen Kings Landing these last days of the Lannister's rule. All I can say for certain is the road ahead is rough and filled with holes.

One's deep enough to swallow my whole family.

"The Dragon of Blood..."

That's what they've called me... That's the moniker I've earned... After this final battle for the throne, I wonder what I'll be called...

The man who abandoned the Smallfolk?

The Dragon of Death?

The Failed King?

"If Gods are listening to me right now, please don't let my children pay for the sins of my failures... They are innocent in all this..."

That is what takes my heart the most...

The thought of my babies taking the punishment for my actions.

A failed father and a failed King.

What a legacy...

~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: Bedroom, Narrow Sea, Dragonstone)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 18 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 302 AC)~~~

I sit in my bed with Margaery beside me. We both stare at the paper in silence. It tells us what we were waiting to hear but brings horrid news for our future.

'Tywin used Wildfyre to burn Kings Landing and the Red Keep to the ground. I didn't anticipate such a tactic, and I have failed our family. Forgive me, Dany and Mary... I know the people and the Gods will not...'  

My eyes dance across the page repeatedly, and before anything can be said. Wet droplets hit the page. That's when I feel the tears falling from my eyes and the whine of pain leave my lips. Mary takes the page from me, and sets it to the side.

She wraps her arms around my form and brings me in. She's not letting out any noise, but I can feel her own tears starting to soak through my dress near my shoulder.

"I know, Dany... I know..."

That's all she says as she rocks me from side to side. I decide that it's not the time to be strong. I break down entirely and wrap my arms around her, too. Letting the tears fall freely, and my cries echo through the room.

Deep down, I'm so grateful that Rae is unharmed and victorious. But at the same time, I can't believe everything we've worked for has crumbled to the ground. The Lannisters have made sure the Targaryens after us will be hated.

My babies...

Mary's babies...

They will be hated and despised forever after us. All I can feel now is how much we've lost for the future.

We were beaten in the end.

We've lost.

"Mary... I don't know what Rae plans to do after returning here... Going to Kings Landing... Ruling Westeros... All of it has been taken from us... Dragonstone is all we have now..."

Mary entered our family with the promise of ruling beside Rae and me, becoming Rae's consort, bearing his children, and falling in love.

Now, the reason she's done all of this has been taken. I wouldn't blame her if she decided to leave and return home. To run from the brand that's coming our way. She's not a true Targaryen, after all. She doesn't have to stay behind with us.

"Don't speak such nonsense, Dany... My home is here with Rae, you, and our children. This is my family... Rae will find a way to rule Westeros, I know it..."

Then you have a stronger belief in the forgiveness and acceptance of the Smallfolk than me, Mary... Let us hope you're right...

~~~(POV: Oberyn Martell)~~~

~~~(Location: Tent, Outside Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 46 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 302 AC)~~~

Raenon has decided to return to Dragonstone and has left me in charge of the efforts here. I don't blame him. When he returns to his home, I'm sure he'll find the comfort he needs.

It's not lost on anyone who is aware of what's going on and what's happened. Raenon has lost the war. Sure, his enemies are dead and defeated, but the whole reason he's done all this is forever out of his reach.

The Smallfolk will never forgive him.

If he had never tried to take the Iron Throne, none of them would have burned with Wildfyre and died. That is the reality. If he just stayed away and ruled in Essos. All of their lives wouldn't be destroyed right now.

It won't matter if Raenon wasn't the one who lit the candle. He was the reason the candle was lit in the first place.

He'll be the one taking the blame for all of this.

My thoughts about the results of our war are interrupted as one of my officers in charge of cleaning up the destruction of King's Landing walks into my tent. The morning sun is starting to take away the night cold in the process.

"Mi'lord. The clean-up will take a long time if we only use our soldiers. Might I recommend we use the survivors to help us clean up?"

It's a cruel thing to do, but I don't see how we'll clean this up in any measurable time. There are thousands of unused hands and bodies.

"Make sure you only take those willing to help. Don't force people to work if they don't want to or have the stomach for it. There are going to be thousands dead and burned under lots of rubble. Most will be lost loved ones."

I won't make them work. They've been through a lot already. The man nods his head and leaves the tent. My eyes turn in the direction of the two tables in my tent. Both are holding a body with a sheet covering them.

Tywin is dead.

The Mountain is dead.

Joffrey is dead.

My sister and her children are avenged.

In all honesty, I don't care how we won. Kings Landing could burn for ten more years if it meant I got my hands on the people responsible for Elia's murder.

"It's been a long road, but I've finally done it."

Elia would hate what I've just admitted or partaken in. In the process, many children and innocents have died, but it's over.

All that's left of the Lannisters are being cared for by one of their own. Tyrion has taken Casterly Rock, and Cersei is captured along with her children. I don't know what's in store for them.

But I'm willing to bet that Raenon will show them mercy. The masterminds behind everything are defeated.

"I wonder what's in store for him back at Dragonstone... A warm and loving welcome, or cold and empty words... Daenerys will always love and cherish Raenon, but I can't say the same about Margaery. Only time will tell..."

All that's left to find out is how the story of House Targaryen's return to Westeros ends.