12 The Wall 287-88 AC

Author's note: Hey guys! 3.75k words for you. Gotta admit I had some troubles with the last POV here. It was quite hard getting it just right, but I think it turned out quite well in the end.

A lot happens in this chapter, and I am trying to pick the pace up a bit.

A few have been asking about the abilities and magic etc. so I will put out a chapter where I explain how it works in ASOIAF and my own additions based on deductions. GRRM is leaving it kinda vague, so I will try to make it more concrete.

I can do that, or I can let you discover it along with Aegon, I'll post two comments in the comment section, and you can upvote the scenario you like the most.

Enough of my ramblings! Enjoy:)

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Dorne, The Water Garden - 288 AC

POV | Ser Arthur Dayne/Eric Sand

More than six moons. It had taken him more than six moons to find out what had happened to his King. His King had been ambushed, fought against impossible odds, and survived. Arthur had never been as relieved as the day he finally got news of the supposed Bastard of Winterfell.

To think that merchants would be faster at delivering information than his own sources. 'Well, no one ever called me Master of Whispers. Should I employ the merchants? I can think about that later.'

When he finally got the news, he was thrilled. His King was well, and he had even gained the respect of lowborn and highborn alike. Something few men ever managed, and even fewer Kings still.

The Wall. That was the second thing he heard. His sources had said that one of his best relationships were with his Uncle Benjen Stark of The Night's Watch. He had been slightly nervous the first time he heard that.

Surely Lord Stark would not push his nephew towards The Wall. The fact Arthur is biding his time in Dorne, did not make it any easier for him. He would need to travel for moons on land to reach Winterfell, even with fresh horses. Even by ship, he would be far too late, if his King took the vows of The Night Watch.

'Please, Old Gods, New Gods, Harpies and R'hllor, do not take the vow. Everything will be lost if you do.'

The dreams, the age-old prophecies being brought to light, a young boy using a spear as his main weapon when almost all would have chosen a sword. Blood of Valyria and The First Men, Ice and Fire as written By Lord Cregan Stark and King Aegon III Targaryen. Taming a Shadowcat and several other animals.

With all these signs already, how could he not actually start believing the words of his Prince?

'A Prince of Light and Dark, His Spear will bring Death or Salvation.

Will he Break or will he Prevail? The Prince of Ice and Fire.

His Flames burn hot, and his Ice runs cold for Two.

The King of Beasts, the Sum of Old and New.

The Song and Dance of Ice and Fire,

The God of Stagnation,

Undo.'

He had to sit and contemplate for a little while. 'Should I tell her the truth yet? She is 10 name days and quite level-headed.' He had a few concerns with doing that. Whilst his little surrogate daughter was the most level-headed amongst the group of sisters and cousins, he was afraid that the truth would change that.

He did not want her to do something in youthful wilfulness that she would end up regretting for the rest of her life.

The name Aegon was an issue, but it was the only way to truly show that he was Rhaegar's rightful son. At least that had been Rhaegar's plan. One Arthur did not quite agree with any longer.

'People have started believing that all the Targaryens turned mad in the end, even Rhaegar, and him giving what looks like his second son, the name Aegon, is going to be an annoying hurdle for him to combat. At least it won't be a problem as long as no one knows except I knows the truth of the first Aegon, may his soul rest in peace.'

He could only hope that his King knew who he was or would be told before something stupid could happen. 'Hmm, didn't Rhaegar stay in contact with his granduncle at The Wall? If they meet, I hope that he will recognize him with his hands.'

The only thing Arthur knew for sure now, was that he would stand by his side, as soon as Aegon needed him. 'Should I join The Night's Watch?' He would have to think on that. He heard Aegon would be there for five years, so he had some time to plan for it and ease Arianne and Nysreah into it. 'My sister will kill me… sigh.'

In the meantime, he will keep his King's family safe and his skills sharp until he can stand by his side once more.

He looked at Oberyn's eldest daughter, Obara, wielding her spear against three men at once. She was whittling them down with a masterful display of wits, strength, and endurance. Had her spear been sharp, they would have died several times already. 'Hmm. I wonder if Aegon will allow for women to join The Kingsguard?.

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Castle Black, The Wall - 287 AC

POV | Maester Aemon (Targaryen)

Aemon sat quietly in his solar and contemplated the missive that had asked him to send Benjen out on a ranging before he travelled to Winterfell. 'Why would Maester Luwin want to delay the young Snow's travels to The Wall?'

Not that The Wall could be considered a nice place for children, especially a highborn bastard, but they did have decent experience considering the many wildling boys who were a part of their order, because their parents had tried to kill a 'Crow'.

'The plan did not go as planned by Maester Luwin, it might actually have worsened the young boy's travels, but what can you do? No plans survive reality.'

Aemon had grown up in The Red Keep, worked as a Maester for his elder brother and he gave his crown to his younger brother. He knew politics, and he knew plots, and even though their relevance was less felt at The Wall, they were still a part of life here. So, even though his political mind had become less shrewd, he could still smell politics from miles away, and this was definitely it.

He could hear shouts and movement outside. 'Seems that the young men have arrived.' He stood and walked his memorized route to grab his coat. He might not be able to see, but he was still very curious about the boy. Alas, he was a Maester who enjoyed his work, he was curious by nature.

"Shadowcat! Watch out!" One of the brother's shouted in shock.

He could hear an animals move speedily across the courtyard and men retreating in fear. The commotion was stopped by the sound of someone dismounting a horse and a young voice that emitted a feeling of calm and trust.

"Relax, they are with me and will not attack unprovoked. Beware though. They can smell fear and treachery, and if anyone decides to attack me, they will neutralize you."

A sharp breath escaped Aemon at that. That voice. He couldn't be.

"Permanently, if I wish so." The voice turned frigid and the calm from before turned authoritarian.

He could almost see the regal stature of the boy and the cowed brothers of The Night Watch.

He had the same slight melodious growl despite his young voice. 'A King. Of my own blood.' Aemon cried silent tears of relief and joy.

'Rhaegar succeeded.' He had slept fitfully for almost 8 years since Robert's Rebellion. All their work, all their plans and all their hopes. It was almost too heavy a burden to bear when it all came falling down. 'He failed but he succeeded. He should have brought it with him instead of giving it to an old man like me for safekeeping. His son would have had a father and the Realm a Targaryen King.'

The young boy had started moving towards, and Aemon almost started fidgeting. He wanted to pull his young nephew into a hug, but he kept himself in place.

The rest of the watch had returned to their posts and Aemon was alone with the boy in the courtyard.

The boy's aura had changed from the frigid cold to a warm sun and Aemon could almost feel himself becoming rejuvenated as the boy stepped closer with the sound of paws following after him.

'A Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing.'

Just as Aemon thought the hidden dragon would stop in front of him, he felt himself be pulled into a firm hug. Aemon was surprised by the gesture as well as his size, but nothing surprised him more than the words the young man whispered. "I am Aegon Targaryen. Your nephew, and you have no idea how glad I am that you're here."

Aemon smiled through his tears. 'Silly boy, of course I know. I am not alone anymore.'

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Castle Black, The North - 288 AC - 10 moons after his arrival at Castle Black

POV | Aegon Targaryen (Bald again)

Aegon was having a lot of fun at The Wall. If he had been slightly unsure of his stay before, then those fears had been alleviated greatly. He had absolutely loved his time here.

Some of the members had been absolute cunts, but after his first sparring session with Benjen, no one fucked with him anymore. They already feared him because of his huge feline companions, and seeing his own abilities with a sword and spear as well as his knives? Most did not favor their chances in such a battle.

Aegon had also decided to use the opposite strategy of Jon Snow when he sparred with the recruits. He attempted to teach them as best he could, and even though he was small, he managed to earn their respect. He ate with them, trained with them and he had never complained, even when he was given a considerably dilapidated room.

'They honestly work a lot more than I expected. The show barely showed how much these guys have to do.' Benjen never stayed more than 7 days at a time.

'Heck, I've had to rely on Hugin, Munin and Mimir to send messages back and forth between us and Winterfell. I haven't been there for a year, gods I miss Robb, Sansa, and Ned. I haven't even gotten to know Arya yet, and she is probably able to walk at this point. Benjen is being run ragged, and he probably wants to visit as well. We should arrange something soon.'

Everyone was working around the clock, even Ser Alliser Thorne was constantly away with Jeor Mormont and Lord Commander Qorgyle.

Ser Alliser is even on a ranging with the Lord Commander right now. Qorgyle was a damn slavedriver who had his men on constant scouting missions, much more than he had ever heard Jeor do as a Lord Commander. 'When did he take over again?'

He hoped it would be soon, because he had already become well-acquainted with Jeor, and he was someone he respected immensely. 'I'll have to stop Jorah from marrying Lynesse, his father is so proud of him, and I can only imagine the heartbreak he would feel at having his son betraying everything he ever taught him.'

Jeor had literally left his position as Lord of The Bear Islands and his Valyrian Steel sword just so his son would have a better chance at finding a worthy match. 'The absolute love of a father. I can only hope to match that someday.'

It was almost as if the gods were against him and Alliser meeting, considering that every time Ser Alliser was at Castle Black, Aegon would be out hunting materials for rituals, and food for his own training as well as for his companions.

Aegon smiled at the number of things he had collected. He was a rich man in fur alone by now. Two of his now four bags of holding were full of fur and meat, he did not have to hunt again for a long time. He touched his bald head slightly. 'It's so worth the sacrifice. The stasis in the spatially expanded pouch only makes it more so.'

Aegon had been having fun at The Wall, he spent most of the day with his three companions, one larger than the other as well as his grandfather. He did not know when he had started thinking of him like that, but one day he had called Aemon, 'Gramps', and the old man had been so happy that he had continued to do so.

'It's definitely not because I like calling him that. It's because it makes him happy. He is just a cute old man; it would be terrible to make him sad.' Aegon was absolutely sure of that.

By the laughing sounds from his familiars, it seemed that they did not quite agree. He looked at the three humongous beasts before him, and he could only marvel at their growth. He had only grown a few inches in the last 10 moons, whereas they had become much larger.

Hel should have been a teenager when he found her, and her growth in its final phases, the fact that she used to be as large as a Bengal Tiger, notwithstanding. Her previous length of 13 feet from tail to snout was now 17 feet. Her height of 4'3" had increased to 5'1", just as tall as himself. Even her weight of 485 lbs. was increased to a staggering 660 lbs. of pure muscle.

'I can ride on her back, no problem.'

His second greatest surprise was Fenris. His homeboy was a freaking mythological monster. A canine. How he had not realized sooner, he did not know, but his grandpa had realized after a single roar from the muscular beast Fenris had turned into.

Fenris was a Hellhound. An honest to gods Hellhound. Mythological reaper of souls and absolutely vulnerable to cuddles and belly rubs. 'He is so not living up to his species in personality… Except for when we go hunting.'

Fenris has grown from 3 feet in height to an enormous 5'5" and his length had reached 15 feet with an insane weight of 1100 lbs. His boy had become a horse. His saddle fit him, and Aegon was using him for that exact purpose now. Fenris was faster, stronger, had better endurance, and he could move quietly. Best mount in the world. Period. 'Especially because he is mine.'

His greatest surprise was his cute little Freya. Housecat turned Tiger. Who would have thought that his cute and cuddly companion would turn into a white copy of Hel with green glowing eyes. They were so bright that they were literally glowing. Everything down to her measurements were almost identical now. 'Her weight is lower, and she is considerably faster, but everything else is almost the same.'

He was honestly perplexed by it, but after contemplating the insane changes, he had created a working theory. Freya wanted to protect him and fight alongside him. She hated the thought of leaving him, and whatever old bonding ritual she had used, helped her grow into what she is now.

He was also sure that his bonding with Hel just after had played a considerable role in her final evolution. Especially since she started looking like a lioness for some time, but then continued growing and finally turned into a white/grey and black striped tiger. As if the form of a Lioness was too weak.

Aegon had just finished saddling Fenris, he was going to visit the Weirwood Tree North of The Wall. He had visited for a few times, but it had almost felt like he was there too soon, whenever he was there. Today had made him feel restless, so he needed to go.

He could feel the ill tidings and if he was lucky, the Old Gods agreed and would send him some sort of warning.

"Let's go!"

Fenris sat of in a sprint and Aegon held his reigns with a mad grin on his face. Horses could reach 44 mph at best, and tigers could run 40 mph on Earth. This was not The Earth, and Aegon enjoyed the fact that he had been born here more than ever.

Hel was the slowest at 80 mph, Freya followed at 90 mph and Fenris could reach 100 mph, with Aegon on his back, and the huge canine was the god of stamina and strength. Hellhounds were that fast and with the supernatural strength of Fenris, he could definitely hunt bears and mammoths.

Something finally clicked for Aegon as he thought of all these developments. 'Magic.'

He laughed out loud as Fenris sped towards the large Weirwood with Freya and Hel hot on his heels. 'That's why Ghost grew so fast. It's why I am becoming so much stronger. It's the reason for the crazy mutations of my rituals and it's the reason behind the strength and growth of my familiars! Fuck, even Daenerys' Dragons grew a lot in The House of The Undying.'

His grin grew to maniacal proportions. 'I owe Uncle Ned a huge favor. Damn! Winterfell might be magical, but it does not hold a candle to the magic and rune work used on The Wall.'

He was not quite sure how he had missed the passive nurture from the Wall, but now that he knew, he would have to start looking for the rest of the companions he wanted immediately. Polar bear, Harpy Eagle and a Direwolf. A mammoth might be a bit too much for now. The amount of Food he would need would be an issue as well right now.

He had a year to get the last ingredients for his rituals as well. He was definitely doing the three next rituals on The Wall as well, or at least two of them, the third needed a special location.

Fenris was slowing his pace steadily and the huge Weirwood was now close. He moved up towards it. Unguarded.

Nothing except a few harmless animals were within 1 mile of the Tree, and unlike the restlessness he had felt the previous times, it was as if they had come to some sort of understanding and were now ready to tell him.

His mage sight confirmed his feelings when he could see the calm magic of the tree instead of the angry vortex, he had almost become used to seeing.

It beckoned him closer.

He answered it's call. A blooded hand was sent through his mind, and he did as they asked. He made a small cut and let his blood drip on the tree.

Six dragons. One, old and obviously at the end of its days. The five other's flying in the air, except that one of them was different. Smaller and in reverse colors. Blackfyre.

A shift. A young dragon of duality. Ice and fire. A crossroad. A dilemma, but only one true choice.

A shift. Wolves being ripped apart from all sides.

A shift. Reversal. Wolves ripping everything apart.

A shift. Crossroads. Blurry figures. Chaos.

A shift. Darkness.

A gravely voice that sounded like it came straight from Hell, sounded:

"Salvation or Death. Force or Cunning. Righteousness or Wickedness. Black or White. What is your path?"

It was a sequence of simple questions. Yet, the pretentiousness in them… Made Aegon angry. 'One or the other? What sort of crap is that?'

Just as the thought hit him, it felt like thousands of eyes were looking at him at once. Judging him. His senses went haywire, and then… Darkness claimed him.

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Braavos, Ragman Harbor - 288 AC

POV | Viserys Targaryen

He looked at the sleeping form of his 7 name days little sister. She looked almost peaceful, and Viserys envied that she could find some sort of peace despite their current situation. Everything had been fine. Almost fine.

'Nothing is ever fine.' He clenched his fist tightly as he tried to keep his tears, of frustration and loss, at bay. He felt the weight of the world on his 12 name days old shoulders.

They had been thrown out of their house as if they were dogs. Ser Willem was dead, and he, Viserys, third of his name, was a boy in way over his head. He looked at the ocean with a brief glance. He could not keep his eyes on it for long, it felt suffocating.

It felt as if it pouring in over him from all sides, pressuring him, tearing him apart. Forcing him to drown. He choked back a sob, he had to stay strong. He patted his pouch a few times, the crown of his late mother was the only thing that still kept him strong.

'She crowned me. I need to stay strong for her and Dany. We need the Throne back. It IS MINE.' He sneered as the thoughts of the rebellion hit him. The treachery of lesser men killed his entire family. He only had his little sister now.

'We leave tonight, and with a bit of luck we'll find support in Lorath.'

He was only 12 name days, but he knew he had to move. It would not be safe to stay in a place without support.

He closed his eyes. Images of his father telling him how to rule flashed by. He could still he the voice of his father that made lesser men flinch back in fear.

"Be a Dragon, Viserys. If they wake the Dragon, then they must pay."

He had to do as his father told him. 'Be a Dragon. I can do that. No. I have to be. Even if the world has to burn, they will PAY.'

Tears trickled down, drawing lines on his face. He imagined the sweet smile of his mother as she told him everything would be okay. The easy smiles of Ser Willem as he promised his help.

'Promises. PromiSES! PROMISES!' He could not trust anyone. Promises were just words that everyone around him broke. 'I AM A DRAGON.' An eerie glow shone in his eyes, as they reflected the fire of a lantern.

'I'll do whatever it takes. The Iron Throne will be mine, as is MY RIGHT!'

A traitorous thought hit him suddenly. The thought of child. A human child. 'I just want to be safe and free.' A sob almost escaped him, but he stopped it in time.

He knew better than that. Grim determination was etched across his juvenile face. He was a Dragon, and a Dragon had no care for safety, because a Dragon would only ever be free on The Iron Throne. His hand found the crown of his mother again.

He would take it back. No matter what. No matter the cost, and he would bring this crown with him, so he could show her that he did not break his promise. That she could be proud of him.

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Author's note: Sooo, I bet you did not expect that last POV:)

Lord Qorgyle was said to send his rangers on constant missions, whereas Jeor is much more sporadic and lax.

Don't worry about the interactions, there will be more of Aegon interacting with the others in the next chapter.

Freya is now Freya 2.0, and freaking badass. I you upvote for a special chapter with the magic explained, there will be much more on that. If not, then you'll have to learn as Aegon does, and I will cease to answer questions about it.

I have done a lot of reading to collect the different tidbits we've been given by GRRM, and I think a have pretty comprehensive grasp on it now.

Also, answering every single question is starting to get kinda hard on my time. So I have to prioritize answering questions or actually writing, since I can't let my schoolwork suffer, and I am confident that we would all prefer that I write more actual content.

See you soon :)