Whisperess of Dragons•Jon Snow

The last days of Maekar Targaryen

297,the day of Aeron of Asshai's arrival and the day after

"How have they been treating you?" Prince Maekar asked his daughter.
"Well," she replied in a quiet voice.
Daenyra looked tense. She couldn't meet his eyes, and if there was one thing about his daughter, she would always look people in the eyes, no matter the situation.

She looked down at her hands.
"Father-"
He held his hand up.
"Look at me," he demanded.
Her beautiful violet eyes met his own.
"None of this is your fault."
"Father I will leave you the keys so you can escape. I brought you this blue coat so your eyes won't be noticeable, and I will bring you that hair dye I have from Tyrosh."
He shook his head.

Maekar knew that he would die here, and so did Daenyra.

"Why won't you fight?" she screamed.
"What will I do without you?" She broke down.

Maekar's heart shattered.

He tried to take her hands, but she pulled away.
She stood and turned her back to him.

So that he doesn't see her cry, he realized.
But he could see her shoulders rise.

He stood as well and pulled her into his chest.
Daenyra leaned into him as he began to caress her hair.
"Do not cry, my sweet raven," he said as he played with the one dark strand of her hair.
"You are my daughter. You are the best of me and of your mother. You will never be alone."
"I feel alone."

As do I, my darling, so do I.

She stayed in his arms as long as she could.
She must've been in his cell for hours until a man dressed in red came in.

"Valar morghulis," the man said.
"Valar dohaeris," Meakar replied.
"Father, this is Aeron, you remember? My friend from Asshai."

Maekar nodded to the young man.
"Lord Stark is outside; he says it's time for you to leave," Aeron told his daughter.
Tears filled her eyes again.
Maekar pulled her closer, breathing her in.

"Do not forget my love for you."
"This is not a goodbye, father," she said in denial.
He gave her a small smile.
"You will never be alone," he repeated to himself, but this time he nodded toward Aeron.

Aeron took her by the arm and led her outside.
In the distance, he could hear the man say, "I tried to keep him away as long as possible."

He had stayed outside for hours, he realized.

He sat back down on his bench in the cold cell.
He heard the heavy door close.

Maekar Targaryen, the most charming man in Westeros, had fallen deep.
He had nothing. He didn't have his family or his once charming personality. He was a shell of the man he used to be.

The door opened again.
"Maekar?" Ned's voice asked
"I am here, here where you left me."
"Maekar," Ned said tiredly.
"I am only joking."

Ned took out his keys when he reached Maekar's cell.
He sat next to him and sighed.
"A raven came."
"My death order, I reckon."
"Yes."

Ned sighed again.
"I don't want this."
"I know."

"My daughter will make your every day miserable; you are aware of that."
"Oh yes." Ned laughed until his laugh turned into a cry.
"She has her mother's temper," he said in tears.

Ashara.How he longed to see her again.
Maekar knew Ned felt the same.

Maekar touched his shoulder.
"Yes.She does."
"Don't worry, Ned, I am not angry at you."
"What Robert commanded me to do, Maekar..."
"There, you said it yourself. Robert commanded you. I will be fine. I will be with Ashara and my beloved sister."


The next guard came to get him.
He was allowed to dress in his nicest clothes; he was allowed to die a Targaryen.

He was walking through the yard of Winterfell.
He greeted and smiled at everyone he passed.

Prince Maekar could die his charming self,he decided.

They first led him to the great hall of Winterfell, where all the Starks sat.
His daughter, her red priest, and someone he didn't recognize sat there as well.

"My lady," he said, greeting Catelyn Tully. She was Catelyn Stark, he remembered.
"Prince Maekar."

They had met during his short time at Riverrun.

He nodded to Ned and sat next to his daughter.
She took his hand underneath the table.

Maekar looked at the children.
"You are Robb, aren't you?"
"I am."
Maekar smiled.

"And you are the little lady," he said, pointing at Sansa.
"Sansa yes?"
"I am my lord."
"Your dress brings out the color of your eyes."
She blushed.

He could see how much that meant to her. She wanted to be a Southern lady, he noted.
She will regret that.

He pointed out the rest of the children.
Arya, the third child, asked him questions eagerly.
"Do women really fight in Essos Amber?"
"They do. In certain places, only women are allowed to kill. They are of the opinion that only women can take life since they give it."
Her eyes widened in joy.

"Is it true that there is a city of bones? Amber said so."
"Yes, it is. It is dangerous.People will kill there for bones. They even have dragon bones there," he answered Bran. He had the same reaction as his sister.

He looked around, and his eyes landed on the young man he didn't recognize.
"I do not know who you are."
"I am Theon Greyjoy, heir to the Iron Islands."
"Nice to meet you."

His eyes finally landed on Jon.
His nephew's son
Maekar wondered if Ned knew that he knew.

"You are Jon."
"I am my prince," he replied.
"I have not been called a prince in Westeros for a long time, so I thank you."

He was the carbon copy of Lady Lyanna, but if one knew Rhaegar, they would see his father in him.
Maekar wondered how long it would take for his daughter to figure it out.

A maid came and put a plate in front of him.
"I am not hungry."
Daenyra gripped his hand.
"Let us get this over with."
Both Ned and Daenyra looked like they would throw up.

Ned stood.
"Get my sword," he commanded Jory.
"Robb, Jon, meet me in the godswood."

Ned would give him a holy death.

"No, "Daenyra said.
He pulled his hand away and stood.
Maekar looked at his daughter one last time and began walking.


"Maekar, I-"
"Do not apologize, Ned. Just promise me you will take care of my daughter."
"I promise the old gods and the new."

Maekar kneeled in front of the large tree.

He closed his eyes and awaited the cold kiss from the ice.
Before it came, he heard a scream.

"NO!" his daughter's voice interrupted.
"please no."
Aeron was running right after her.

Daenyra dropped to her knees.
"Lord Stark, I beg you, please spare him."
"Daenyra go!" Maekar commanded his daughter.
"No."
She turned to Ned.
"If you kill him, look me in the eyes. Look me in the eyes as I curse you."

Ned raised the ice while looking his daughter in the eyes.
Daenyra turned her face, but not away.
No, his daughter wouldn't.
She faced him.

He took her in.
Her eyes were sad, her silver hair with a streak of darkness was down, and her gown was black.

Aeron, who was matching her, pulled her to her feet and held her by the waist.

Ice finally met his head, and the last thing he heard was his daughter saying, "You will rue this day, Lord Stark."

And Maekar of House Targaryen was gone, leaving his sister Gael and daughter.