Chapter 87: Apologies and the Wall
Inside the Crypts. Robert stood in front of the statue of Lyanna. He suddenly kneeled down and prayed. "I hope you are in peace. I am sorry I was a real dumbass back then. No better than Wildlings or Freefolks what they are called now. I should have treated you better. It took me some time but in the end, my thick head understood that you had fallen out of love for me after Mya got born. Can't blame you, who would have married a drinking and whoring bastard like me.
I have changed now, I wish you could have seen me like this. Maybe then... things would have been different. I am not sure what happened at the rebellion, I don't know if you went with that silver boy willingly or unwillingly and honestly, I don't care. Not now, not ever. I probably started the rebellion just for the sake of using my Warhammer.
When I look back at my actions now, I question myself many times. Was it the right thing to do? And I don't know the answer. But I do hate being the King. I wish I could go back to being... just me. A better and free me. Argh... I must be boring you now... Rest in peace, Wolf Girl" He said. His voice turned a bit shaky at the end. He must have remembered a lot of things while sitting there.
Unknown to everyone except Alexander. Lyanna heard everything from a hidden corner. She had slight tears in her eyes, but also a small smile. She also remembered the few good memories she had of Robert.
Alexander's company was at least doing something good for Robert. Maybe, in the end. The world would see a Robert Baratheon no one expected to see.
After coming out of the Crypts. They all sat down in the gardens. It was probably the best place Alexander had made in Winterfell. Many kids played there together, running around. Making the air cheerful. Rina and Mya were in front of them teaching other kids how to ride bicycles. However, Godswood was still a place to calm down. Speaking of Godswood.
~I nearly forgot about that god-level peeping tom. I must go north of the wall again.~ he made a mental note.
...
The two weeks of moon festival were amazing. Robert spent more of his time with his illegitimate children than his 'real children'. Smallfolks enjoyed their time watching various sports
Then the time came for the closing ceremony and it was reserved for giving awards. After all the winners were awarded. It was time for the civilian award.Alexander hadn't planned for this but when he remembered the guy who got injured due to Ironborns invading the castle last year. He decided to create this honor.
"Now for the awarding of the highest civilian honor award. Vinicius, a citizen of Wintercity, saw the Ironborns invading on the Wolf's night. He showed selfless bravery and fought them. Slowing them down so that the guards could catch the infiltrators. In the process, Vinicius also got injured. For his bravery, he is being awarded the medal of Wolf. The highest civilian award. The receiver of this award will get many other benefits as well." The announcers announced.
Then the young adult came on stage and received the award from Alexander. Looking at that scene, many Lords had the idea to do that as well.
After that, all the people started to return to their places. Some headed to the Wintercity Docks to catch a ferry to Norgold. Some took trains to go back to Moat City. Before going, Jon and Robert signed the deeds for the development of Railways in their lands too. Though it was also agreed that Alexander would operate and earn the money from it for as long as he doesn't recover the cost of creating it.
Riverrun was currently ruled by Brynden Tully, who had agreed to hold the fort until Edmure finishes his studies and returns. Normal to say, Alexander already had the permission to expand Railway there. He secretly already owned the whole of Riverlands as most of the houses there were neck-deep in debts to the Iron Bank.
Only Tywin didn't sign it. He said he needed time. Oberyn said that he would talk to his brother about it, Doran Martell had started to get a Gout now. He would soon not even be able to walk. Stormlands were under Stannis so Robert had to first talk to him. Oleena already agreed and said that she would send the deeds as soon as possible. So, Alexander was going to be very busy now. He had 3 kingdoms and 1 Crownlands to work on. Stormlands would 99% agree too. Stannis already held Alexander in highest regards and wouldn't deny it. Dorn and Westerlands were doubtful.
Tyrion walked to Alexander before boarding the train. "Lord Stark, please do tell me when you start that sightseeing resort near the wall. I am very much interested in seeing that grand structure."
"Absolutely, son. It should be ready in a few months. By the way, did you think about my offer to study at the Tower of Knowledge?" Alexander asked.
"I did, and I would like to go there and drown myself in books. But my father didn't allow me." He sadly replied.
"Oh, he would never allow you to do anything. And why do you even need to listen to him? You are 15 now and already a grown man. Shouldn't you make your own decisions? Here, if someday you change your mind. Show this coin to any northern ship in Lannisport and they will bring you north. Without anybody knowing it." Alexander said and handed him a golden coin with a tower engraved on it.
Tyrion quickly took the coin and safely hid it in his clothes. Then he nodded, "I should be leaving now. Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Stark"
~haha... I really want to see his face when he remembers me from when he was 5 years old.~
After everyone had gone, Alexander decided to go to the North. Set up the Wall Resort and also deal with the three-eyed peeping Tom.
"Dobby, I am going to the North. Tell Elina that she's in command," Alexander telepathically informed. Dobby was somewhere in the castle.
"Alright, Boss." He simply answered.
...
Alexander flew in the air towards the north. It only took him a few minutes to reach the Castle Black.
There he found 2 guys he wanted to meet. Jeor Mormont, the ex Lord of the house Mormont of Bear Island. He voluntarily took the black. Then there was the old boy, Aemon Targaryen. Though most didn't know he was a Targaryen. He was probably the most normal Targaryen of all. He voluntarily rejected the throne when his chance came and decided to take the Black and become its Maester.
"Welcome to the castle Black my Lord" Jeor welcomed him.
"Thank you for receiving me, Lord Commander." Alexander greeted.
"Please follow me. Maester Aemon would surely like to see you." Jeor led the way.
They soon entered the Maesters quarters. Aemon Targaryen was the elder brother of King Aegon V. He's the great-great grand uncle of Rina and Jon. And the great grand uncle of Daenerys.
The old man had turned blind now. But it still didn't deter his maester skill. The writing part was a bit problematic though. As soon as the door opened, Aemon turned his face towards them.
"Maester, Lord Stark is with me." Jeor introduced.
"Oh, Lord Stark. I have been hearing so much about you. It is really an honor meeting you" Aemon warmly walked to Alexander and held his hand.
Alexander could feel the loneliness in the man's voice. He probably thinks that he's the only Targaryen left in the world.
Shocking to Maester, as soon as he held Alexander's hand, he felt like a warm wind entered his old cold bones and rejuvenated them. He felt like his hunchback was no more now. Then suddenly, the darkness he had made himself accustomed to started to fade away. In its place, many lights started to appear. He was shocked, but couldn't take his hands away from Alexander.
In a matter of seconds, his vision came back. He looked around the dark-room. Candles burning here and there. Then he looked at the person in front of him. The kind old face. He remembered that face. How could he ever forget it?
He spent so much of his time in the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing before joining the order of Maesters. How could he forget the face of the Supreme God? And what just happened wasn't something any mortal or sorcerer could do.
The old man's eyes teared up a little. Then he noticed that Jeor wasn't moving or speaking. He looked at him and the man wasn't even blinking. Like the time had stopped.
"Once a little boy told me, holding a sword only gets you killed faster. Look how far that concept got you. The official oldest man in Westeros." Alexander joked.
"All-father, it's you" Aemon rejoiced.
"Yes, I am, child." Alexander said and thought, ~Ah, It feels so weird calling a man looking more physically older than me a child. How do other gods do it?~
"H-Have you come to take me?" He asked.
"Where do you want to go?"
"I am the last of my line. I think I would like to see them again." Aemon sadly requested.
"Okay, I will tell someone in the Citadel to reassign you to Winterfell. You can meet them there."
Aemon looked shocked, "what? Y-You mean. T-they are alive?"
"Yes, you got 3 little great-great-grand nephews and niece in Winterfell. They are called Rina, Eric, and Jon now." Alexander replied.
Aemon's eyes once again teared up and bowed. "I thank you, All-father."
"Pack your luggage. I will come back soon. If everything goes right. There will probably be another of your line joining you." Alexander said.
"Who?" Aemon interestingly asked.
"Brynden Rivers, the bloodraven. The illegitimate son of Aegon IV and your uncle." Alexander dropped the bomb.
"What? How can this be? We both joined the night's watch together but he went missing in a ranging mission. He's still alive?" Aemon asked.
"Yes, he is. He was saved by the children of the forest. They probably used magic and combined him with a weirwood tree. Since then, he's been living in that tree." He briefly explained.
"This... This is really surprising to me. All this time, I had no one and now I have so many of my family." Aemon sounded conflicted.
"And you should be happy about that. Now, I need to go. I am really Lord Stark by the way. Don't call me All-father in front of people."
________________________________
30 Advance chapters are available on - /misterimmortal
Thank you for supporting!