[Edric's POV]
Precisely twenty years since I was born... fifteen since I gained consciousness. Fifteen years since I first met Raiden Shogun. Nearly eight years since I became King. Six and a half years since the Battle of the Orange Shore...
Time passes ever so quickly.
I stood at the exact point that I recall being struck by lightning for the first time. The sky was beyond dark, as it almost always would be these days. Sunlight was a great luxury. The rain smacking against me could nearly wash away my dismay… almost.
"Old habits die hard, eh? In some ways, you're still the little boy I remember."
A familiar voice remarked.
I smiled, glancing to the side. It was Cortnay Penrose.
"Few things are as comforting as the pouring rain," I replied.
"Hm, well I can't quite agree. It's cold enough as is," He said, standing under shelter. "How quickly time passes by… once, you were firing off your little bow around these parts, reading about the kings of old and struggling to make any friends. Now… your bow can put the fear of the gods into any army, you are greater than those kings and a married father of five with the most loyal of brothers by your side."
"So much of the Realm worships you… seven hells, the boys love nothing more than archery practice. A whole lot of them wear gloves on their left hand as well while the other is bare."
I chuckled. "Now that you mention it… yes, I've noticed the little fashion trend."
"A fresh wave of Edrics rose as well," He added. "A bit too many."
Daenerys approached from a distance. I smiled slightly.
"Am I to be dismissed?" Cortnay questioned in a friendly tone.
"I'd reckon… but before that, come here, old man."
"Old isn't the kindest word," Cortnay smiled.
"Experienced, then."
I embraced him, patting his back.
"Thank you for everything," I said sincerely. "You played a great part in the man I am today."
"You've always made me proud, Edric. Always."
"Don't let the cold get to you, old man," I smiled, stepping away. "I don't want you dying anytime soon."
"Then you'd best end it with your magic, eh. Speaking of... did you accomplish what you wanted to here?"
"Yes, I did."
"Good. You've never lost a battle, and now would be a terrible time to start," Cortnay remarked.
I laughed.
"You're right, it would be. Not to worry, though... I will do my duty. The Realm will be protected."
"Am I disturbing anything?" Daenerys joined us.
"No, I was just about to say farewell," I took a deep breath. "Live well, sir."
"And you take care of your wonderful family, Your Grace."
"I will," I nodded.
...
We rode out of Storm's End and gave the local village a little visit. It looked all too dire, so I handed out some of my personal supplies to help feed those who were less fortunate. With Daenerys' help, we gave them some relief.
Although... even that was temporary.
I sat on a hill of snow overlooking the village, recalling the days of summer.
"Everything is slowly dying, withering away... with no end in sight."
"It can't be this way forever," Daenerys said. "With each winter comes a new spring..."
"It won't simply pass, this one."
"Is it related to the Night King?"
"Beyond even that... but to reach the core of Winter, I'd have to go through him first."
"Did you temper your Lightbringer?"
She looked at me. I closed my eyes, shaking my head.
"It would be mad to try the same thing I've tried over a hundred times. The prophecy seems rather... inevitable."
"You've changed my fate, not once but thrice," Daenerys rested her head on my shoulder. "Surely you can change your own."
"I... truly wish I could."
"If that is the truth of it... I want you to know that these past six years have been the most joyous and peaceful of my life. You've given me so much I never thought I'd have. A home, three wonderful children to call my own... and love. True love. Even as the world freezes over, I feel no less warmer by your side."
"... Once, that was all I ever wanted," I admitted. "I had no purpose; there was no light at the end of the tunnel, and I felt the reality of the world crushing me in every direction. All I wanted was someone to share the warmth with... all I wanted... was to be happy."
"I know what you want to suggest, Dany... but I will have none of it."
"I'd gladly give my life for yours. For our children - for the Realm and the world beyond that. I've come to terms with that," Daenerys shook her head. "I'll be the Nissa Nissa to your Azor Ahai if that is what it takes."
"... What would I tell our children?"
"They would understand someday," Daenerys smiled slightly. "I know it is difficult, but if there truly is no other way, then... you must do it. Why doom everything for one queen, who would be doomed along with the rest of the world regardless?"
"..." I took a deep breath. "I'm not sacrificing you. I'd sooner..."
"Sacrifice yourself?" She questioned. "You are the Storm Emperor, the man who will take the world into a new age. Your life means so much more than my own... it's not even funny. If you won't do it, I'll stab myself with the damn sword..."
"You're not even touching it," I scoffed.
"Edric, you have to make the right choice, and... it couldn't be clearer. Azor Ahai did it and you-"
"I am not Azor Ahai, and I never will be. I shall earn victory with my own hand... most notably without resorting to piercing my wife's heart to enchant some magic sword. Nothing you say will change that."
"Now is not the time to be stubborn, Edric."
"You were right before. I can shape my own destiny."
"... Are you saying that so I wouldn't worry?" Daenerys raised an eyebrow.
"You truly shouldn't," I smiled, pecking her on the cheek. "All of this will be over soon."
"..."
Daenerys' concern didn't wash away as I had hoped. Mayhaps I was far too truthful to begin with.
I should have lied... but I couldn't.
"Let's not waste any more time and fly over to Highgarden."
I stood up, full of energy.
"Of course... you've done what you set out to do here already."
~
There were few things as exhilarating as taking flight. All three of Daenerys' dragons had grown large enough to carry me, thanks to a lucrative yet controversial arrangement. The dragons had plenty of food to grow, but that came at a great cost to many smallfolk across the Realm. Given the long Winter... I had earned much of the blame for the famine. Was it truly my fault? Not quite, spreading out the food the dragons ate to everyone else wouldn't change much.
It was like sharing a million pounds with a hundred thousand people... it's ten bloody quid. Or, the tiniest bit of scrap to everyone who, to put it bluntly, were not going to make as much of a difference as a flying nuke. It was a simple equation.
Now, why Highgarden? Well, I had the children go on a little vacation. First, they were with me in Storm's End, and then they were sent off to Highgarden. In part, I wanted to see it... and it was where the other half of Alysanne's and Garth's family was.
We descended upon one of Highgarden's larger courtyards. It was quite the sight, even when covered in snow… mayhaps even more so than usual (I wouldn't know). It had a nice little Winter Wonderland vibe to it.
Of course, to those occupying the courtyard, my appearance was quite the shock… along with the huge dragon.
"It's the Emperor!"
"Sorry to stir up your day," I smiled, patting Viserion and letting him fly off. "Anyone know where my wonderful cubs are?"
"Right this way, your Eternal Grace."
The 'Eternal Grace' thing wasn't something I thought of… but once the first person said it, such a way of addressing me became all too common.
I nodded, choosing to follow the servant along with Daenerys.
"As of now, Alysanne is rather… sick. It is said that she has been pushing her abilities to reverse the effects of winter… and it worked for a short while, but…"
"That girl…" I sighed. "I already warned her against it."
"She has an overly kind heart, your Eternal Grace…"
"Could you take me to her first?"
"Of course, that was my plan from the beginning."
"Smart girl," I remarked.
...
While I went to scold Alysanne, Daenerys split off to find her children.
"Alys, are you fond of losing your abilities... or dying altogether?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. "That's where you're going to end up if you continue this reckless pursuit."
"... But... I just wanted to help them... and I could, so I did."
My heart sank as I watched her sad, sparkling blue eyes. She was the most endearing girl in the world. My little angel, my favourite child... but don't tell that to the others.
I sat down beside her on the bed, smiling.
"And how much would it help me if I found out that my little girl lost her precious gifts, or worse yet, died?" I tilted my head, stroking her long curly brown hair. "It would be crushing. It would, in truth, kill a huge part of me."
"I'm sorry..." She looked down guiltily, locking her feet together.
"It's okay to push to your limit, but pushing even a little beyond that carries dire consequences. Please don't ever do it again, alright?"
"Yes, father," She nodded. "I won't."
"Promise me."
"I promise I won't."
"Good," I smiled, kissing her forehead. "Now, let me see if I can soften the blow."
While I helped substantially by making up for Alysanne's drained elemental reserves. They were surprisingly quite big, a great improvement from the last time I observed them (which were already impressive). Still... I was able to fill it without too much effort. My reserves were akin to a never-ending ocean.
It's a shame I didn't possess the abilities to counter the effects of winter on a large scale. My magic, in the end, was mostly destructive and combat-suited. If I possessed Alysanne's dendro, I'd likely be able to sustain an artificial summer across the Seven Kingdoms. At least, half of it...
The best I could do was keep a city decently warm with great concentration (it's easier to blow it up)... but sunlight and the kind of magic that accelerates the growth of vegetation? Far from my repertoire, unfortunately.
"I feel much better already, father," Alysanne smiled warmly, embracing me.
"Let your body recover, sweetheart. Don't use a drop of magic anytime soon... I'll be watching you."
"Okay," She nodded. "But... I'll feel bad."
"Winter will end in less than a year," I smiled. "And so will the struggle everyone has to endure. Don't put it on your little shoulders to solve it... for it is my problem, first and foremost."
"Less than a year? That's very quick..."
"I'll be working hard to make sure I see it through. But you... for now, don't worry about anyone but yourself - for me."
"Mhm... I'll try not to."
"Now go to sleep."
I patted her head and put her to sleep. It took a little bedtime story, but I was a professional by now. During that time, I did encounter the mother herself.
"She is... all too much your daughter at times," Margaery remarked, sighing. "Stubborn in her own way."
"It's in the blood..." I smiled. Most Baratheons were notably stubborn individuals.
"A heart so precious and kind, I wonder if it's... too much. I fear that the truth of the world would break it."
"It won't," I shook my head, holding her little hand. "It is kind and precious, true, but strong and unwavering all the same. She would fight for her beliefs to the bitter end, much like a warrior. A champion of virtue."
"... You seem so certain," Margaery blinked.
"I've seen the kind of remarkable woman our Alysanne becomes... I assure you, nothing could break her. She'd sooner mend a world of darkness and fill it with light."
"..." Margaery smiled. "I see."
"She possesses my greatest traits, without any of the bad."
"And what would be so bad about you, Edric?" She questioned, leaning against me. "You are a wonderful father, a great and dutiful king who puts the Realm before himself."
"Many would argue otherwise for the latter..."
"Then they wouldn't know what they were speaking of."
"Right..."
I smiled.
Although Margaery and I hadn't exactly 'rekindled' that fire from our night together, we had something else... something more meaningful. A bond between father and mother, wholly united by wanting the best for their children. We were not lovers, but... I did treasure her in my own way.
After spending some time together, I decided to have a look at what my other little gremlins were up to.
I did miss them, after all that time spent with my head in the forge...