63 The Emperor's Return

"A living, three-headed, dragon..."

Everyone present was shocked with the result of the ritual, including Aerion. He had expected three dragons or none at all... but a three-headed dragon? Now that certainly came as a surprise.

The black-scaled dragon eventually got onto its feet and rose to the sky with ease, dancing around Aerion seconds after. Then it landed on his head.

"Ow... you're a spirited one, aren't you?" Aerion chuckled. He removed the dragon from his hair and placed it on his left shoulder. Surprisingly enough, the dragon did not resist much.

"It is truly wonderful to see the birth of such a dragon," Viserys remarked as he looked upon the dragon.

"The title of Dragon Emperor will now have another meaning. If the dragon lives long enough to mature, that is." Jaime stated.

"I will take good care of it, you can be certain of that." Aerion replied as he felt the little dragon's wings.

"The dragon is wonderful and all but how will we leave Valyria?" Oswell inquired.

"Clearly, normal means would take quite some time. Our choices would be to build a ship or wait for one to arrive. However, we do not have the luxury of time to waste it on either of those. Instead, we will ride a few Soul Dragons and reach Volantis within a day or two." Aerion stated as he channelled his strengthened magic vitality.

A menacing veil of fog appeared in the clear blue sky, from which six ghost-like emerald dragons descended onto the fields of Valyria.

"Pack everything onto them and we'll be on our way."

"What about me?" Euron inquired.

"Sure, you can tag along. On one condition; you swear loyalty to me. Otherwise, I will have to leave you stranded here for quite some time."

"Only if you will return the Old Way, my Emperor."

"The Old Way?" Aerion scoffed. "You Ironborn... perhaps the Seven Kingdoms are better off without you. Under my rule, raiders of any kind will be hunted down like any outlaw. I believe in order, unity, prosperity and peace... and so, there will be no place for your kind."

"Peace? Ah, but you are the one who has waged the largest war since Robert's Rebellion. And you were once the Pirate King, were you not, my Emperor?"

"I have still achieved greater peace through war, Ironborn." Aerion countered. "Reaving leaves little in its wake while occupation leads to a new beginning... and a greater end, under the right ruler."

"As for the title of Pirate King... it was a mere stepping stone. A place to start from, if you will." Aerion turned and faced Euron. "However, House Greyjoy needn't fall. Abandon the Old Way and I will give you more fertile lands instead of the Iron Islands. Lands outside of the Seven Kingdoms where you may sow."

"... More fertile lands?" Euron chuckled. "We Ironborn are proud of our Islands."

"Despite them being so infertile?"

"There are plenty of fields within the mainland for that, my Emperor-"

Aerion released one fireblast and burned Euron to ashes. Afterwards, a thought that had crossed his mind a few times prior had re-emerged.

"Another bites the dust." Viserys remarked as he looked down at Euron's ashes.

'How should I deal with House Greyjoy and the Ironborn...?'

No matter what he decided to do, his decisions would lead to a mixed reaction. If he did show mercy, then the Ironborn would overall continue to persist as they had been before the second Rebellion or even profit from it... which would make his people look at him with raised eyebrows. On the other hand, if he were ruthless and cruel, then the Ironborn would forever have great hatred towards him.

Change was necessary, Aerion knew this, but in which direction?

'Reform is necessary for the Seven Kingdoms to be whole...'

It took a few minutes to pack everything onto the Soul Dragons as there was plenty of valuables. Around this time, Jaime happened upon a strange Valyrian steel greatsword that none of them had recognised. Well, none of them had seen it before at least.

"It is certainly well-forged," Jaime remarked. "A golden lion's head for a pummel..."

"It may be Brightroar." Aerion had read about King Tommen II Lannister and his voyage to the ruins of Valyria so it could've found its way to this reborn Valyria. Perhaps a minor blessing that He had left behind.

"Brightroar?" Jaime observed it once more, taking a few swings with it this time. "Are you certain?"

Aerion took a closer look... and the system confirmed it.

"There's no doubt about it."

"My father has sought out Valyrian steel for quite some time... to no avail, however. I'd love to see the expression on his face when he hears that Brightroar is in my hands."

Aerion's expression hardened for a moment before he returned back to normal.

"...It would be quite a sight."

~

Afterwards, the six Soul Dragons lifted off into the air and flew towards Volantis. They only landed a few times in between the journey, for small breaks and meals. It took over a day to reach Volantis, though not by much. It was the break of dawn when they had arrived on the outskirts of the city.

From first glance, Aerion could not see much change. Until he noticed that his other two ships bearing the Targaryen banner had left the port, that is. This made him speculate on why such a thing would happen. Did the Soul Knights decide to become part-time traders in his absence? Hell, anything was possible.

However, he knew one thing. Daenerys was the one to give the order.

He left returning the transfer of his valuables to the Soul Knights, walking ahead to the palace with his Kingsguard and Viserys. It was quite a group of people with Aerion and a white-gold set of brilliant yet slightly dirty clothing, the Kingsguard with their cut and not-so-shiny white armour, Viserys with dirty and blooded black robes and a small but growing three-headed black dragon.

"Is that a real dragon!?"

"Our Dragon Emperor has returned and with a living dragon by his side!" One valyrian cheered. "He has done the impossible once more!"

"Hail to the Emperor!"

"Hail to Aerion 'Stormcaller'!"

Aerion chucked as he watched the residents of Volantis, noble and slave alike, make away for him. Their cheers were quite heart-warming, especially from the valyrians and those who followed the faith of R'hllor. He had considered making Volantis the capital of the New Valyrian Empire... which may still happen, however it would be a temporary title.

The true capital would be built where Valyria once stood. Aerion had decided that he would claim the Valyrian peninsula and rebuild what was ruined centuries before. This project would not be short, even with all the resources at his disposal, but Aerion was determined to have the capital, at the very least, built within his reign.

Eventually, he reached the Black Walls of eastern Volantis and continued onwards to the palace where his council of magisters would gather. It seemed livelier than he had expected as it was the break of dawn and they would only gather occasionally.

As he entered, the entire room turned to him.

"The Emperor...!"

"We are truly blessed to have you return at this time, my Emperor."

"Why is that?" Aerion looked at the magister before turning his violet gaze to Daenerys.

"The Princess of Volantis had waged war against King Robbert the Usurper and the Iron Throne in your absence. Without your presence and divine strength, we grew worried about the outcome of this war."

"I have nothing against the Princess, but you, my Emperor, should be the only one to wage wars. The New Valyrian Empire was forged by you and so, it should only be led by you." Another magister added.

"I'm quite flattered by that comment, magister... but an Empire.... a Dynasty, cannot rely on one single man." Aerion countered as he moved forwards and gestured towards the door. "Now... I would like to speak with Daenerys first. Uninterrupted."

The magisters nodded and left the room. Even the Kingsguard were left to guard the door along with Viserys.

"I can't believe what I heard..." Viserys stated, rubbing his chin in thought. "Daenerys would never do something like this. Not the Daenerys that I know, at least."

"It seems that a position of greater power has changed her." Oswell replied.

"Changed... or revealed something that was hidden all along?" Ser Arthur added.

"It may very well both." Ser Barristan gave his point of view. "For better or for worse."

~

"I cannot tell if you're impressed or disappointed..." Daenerys remarked as she observed his expression. "I've always felt that there was a veil of mystery around you. More so now than ever, in truth."

"Why, I like to think of myself as a blunt person." Aerion chuckled. "Your decision to wage war came as a surprise to me... a pleasant surprise, to be precise. I thought that you would never think for yourself and continue in the lead of others, wherever it would take you. You proved me wrong... to a great degree, might I add."

"Waging war in my stead was quite drastic and rash. However, I will be willing to overlook it if the act was reasonable. If it was not... then I would have to punish you instead."

Aerion took a seat at the table and poured some wine for himself, showing that he had no intention of interrupting and was more than willing to hear the entire story.

"Once the Usurper was convinced that you would not strike King's Landing in the near future, he moved the reinforcements for the garrison west to fight the Ironborn. With only the usual City Watch guarding King's Landing and the fleet in Braavos, I saw an opportunity. The second Greyjoy Rebellion was coming to an end so this opportunity would not last for long... this was the main reason behind my decision to act."

"I was unsure when you would return and where you went in the first place. No one did, for that matter."

"And who would lead this war?" Aerion took a silent sip of his wine.

"Lord Stannis of House Baratheon and the Sealord of Braavos would lead your army."

"Capable men." Aerion nodded, showing his approval of the decision. "My knights would crush the defences of King's Landing and occupy it within a few hours under their leadership. Now, how would you proceed after that?"

"I would have sought the armies of Dorne and the Reach after taking King's Landing. Although, I am not certain whether or not they would stand behind me."

"I am uncertain as well. However, you wouldn't need to fight if Stannis were to secure the Usurper's children and wife. If the Usurper is not entirely foolish, mad and cold-hearted towards those he loves, even he would back down and surrender." Aerion stated.

"I would have won with a single battle?"

"Indeed, you would have." He smiled, finishing his chalice of wine. "It seems that I have no reason to be displeased."

'A swift and decisive conquest... it seems that she learned from the best, after all.'

Aerion stood up from his seat and walked closer to Daenerys, within arm's length to be precise. Daenerys still seemed uneasy so he decided to show his approval in another way. A more meaningful way.

And so, he embraced her lightly.

"You have made me proud, Daenerys."

Aerion's tone was heartwarming, much like Doran's but even more so. This was mainly due to his overwhelming charisma that could even move mountains.

Daenerys blushed slightly, surprised by Aerion's sudden yet decisive embrace. However, she did welcome it.

"It was because of your teaching that I was able to succeed."

"I'm glad to hear that..." Aerion stepped back. "Now, when was it that you put this plan into action?"

"Only a few days ago."

"Then I will reach King's Landing first."