Chapter Text
Dyanna had passed away two and a half years after giving birth to Rhae. Her condition worsened, and five mornings ago, Maekar woke up with a cold and stiff Dyanna on his side. He didn’t even cry. He can’t. In his mind, this was just one of Daeron's nightmares, and he was just trapped in it. Myriah, Baelor, and Rhaegel, and many of Dyanna’s relatives had come from King’s Landing and Starfall.
Many had tried to comfort him, but he just nodded and kept quiet. Myriah handled the children while Baelor had tried to cheer him up by saying how smart Daeron is, arranging all the funeral procession diligently. Rhaegel didn’t say anything, he just held his little brother tightly. That’s when Maekar finally broke down in tears. After crying so much in Rhaegel’s arms, he isolated himself in his chamber, not letting anyone in. He looked at the ceiling of his bed. It felt weird to sleep on his bed, as he always slept in Dyanna’s bed after she got sick.
A falling star brings luck to those who see it. She once said it after forcing him and their children to stay all night waiting for a falling star. Her brother had told her in a letter that there would be a falling star that night. She was weak and pale, but she waited eagerly. The children were cheering loudly when they saw it, and Dyanna smiled widely at them. That’s nonsense. I saw it too, and now you've left me alone. How’s that a luck, Dyanna?
He heard a soft knock on his door. He ignored it. The cremation won’t be done until tomorrow. He can’t bring himself to face anyone right now. “Father, it’s Aemon. Please let me in. I can’t stand grandmother’s kind words anymore. She won’t leave me alone. I need peace and quiet.” Maekar sighed. He opened his door and let him in. Aemon curled up to his embrace and didn’t say anything else.
.
He was holding Rhae, who was hiding her face on his chest. Aegon and Daella were clutching in his cloak. He felt his mouth was dry, and he couldn’t muster a word to comfort his children.
Before they light up the pyre, the septon asked an immediate family member to say their last words. Maekar couldn’t speak, while Daeron and Aerion had frozen, seeing the flaming torches around them, prepared to take their mother’s body. 7-year-old Aemon steps forward. His childish, shaky voice conveyed how amazing his mother was, and how he and his siblings will preserve her memory by living their fullest and best lives.
“Sometimes it’s hard to turn the page when you know someone won’t be in the next chapter, but the story must continue.” Aemon ended his speech solemnly.
He watched as the pyre turned her body into ashes. He remembered a fortnight ago, Dyanna begged him to let Aemon go to The Citadel. “Too much dragon is not good, your father said. Besides, Aemon loved learning, we are not talented enough to educate him. Promise me, Maekar, if I die, you won’t hold him here.” He was angry at her at the time. He told her she won’t die and Aemon will get the best education as he deserves. I just lost you, and now I have to lose him too, Dyanna? Why don’t you just take me with you? He felt a hand holding his arm tightly, restricting his movement. He didn’t realize he had walked towards the pyre. It was Baelor’s hand, he shook his head and slowly pulled Maekar into an embrace. Myriah quickly took Rhae from his arm, and Rhaegel softly took Aegon and Daella’s hand, pulling them to stand with him.
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233 AC, Starpike
He couldn’t feel anything, and he couldn’t see anything. There must be something wrong with his head. He prayed to The Warrior and The Mother to protect his boy, Aegon. Their sweet wild boy. Aegon had fought beside him with Aemon as their war Maester. Aemon is safe, he thinks. He was in the castle, tending the wounded. He felt guilty because he didn’t have time to appoint him as the heir. He thinks about his daughters’ husbands. Lord Warrior, Lady Mother, please protect them, too. My daughters still need their husbands.
Egg will protect them. He heard a voice. He turned and saw Dyanna in her silk lilac dress in the rose garden, her cheek is blushing and healthy, smiling at him. Then he saw everyone else. His parents, his brothers, his boys, Daeron and Aerion, her. All smiling at him.
Dyanna, I failed them… I’ve failed Daeron and Aerion, I can’t fail the others too…
Dyanna shook her head. It’s their destiny, my dear. You’ve done your best.
Maekar turns to face the others. I have failed you all. Baelor smiled his soft smile. Come on, brother. We did our part in history, and so were you. None of this is your responsibility.
He looks at Dyanna again. She took his hand. Come, your time in this realm is done, now you can join us. Believe me, they will survive. The giant protects Egg, and Egg will protect the others. He nodded. Right, the giant knight is a sworn protector of his son. He will be safe. He followed her to the light and didn’t look back.