Epilogue

So, ya its official I am done with this story. I just can't get in the mood for it so I wrote a quick epilogue to end it. I just can't get pass that last season and I am just done. I was done years ago but I kept trying. Maybe one day I will write another story, but it will break with the TV show. As I just couldn't stand it in the end. So, I am sorry if I let you all down. Really, I am but those are the breaks.

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Time is a funny thing. It passes quicker than we think it does. One moment you're standing on top of the world, the next it's over. Your time at the top passes and you must make way for the next generation. This is how it is and no body no matter how powerful, must accept it as the inevitable truth.

These were Lelouch's thoughts as he sat in a chair outside in the yard of Winterfell. Remembering a time that had long passed. A time when he and his siblings used to play in the snow, building snow castles, playing knights and training for war. Oh, how much he missed those times. Even though he often had other things on his mind he took immense joy in watching his little brothers and sisters play. So carefree and happy they all were.

The man Lelouch called father often standing there with him as they watched on. His mother by his father's side. Both now long since dead, his father killed by those who tried to take power for themselves and his mother near 33 years later of breast cancer. Lelouch had never let himself wonder what his father would have thought about all he had done. Never really allowing himself the time to do so. But now that the end was coming, he allowed himself to think about it for the first time. Would he have been proud? Would he have been ashamed?

Lelouch honestly hoped that he would be proud. Though that probably was just hopeful thinking. While his father understood what needed to be done when he was alive for the protection of their family. He never let Lelouch take things as far as he could have. After his father's death however the chains that held him down were broken. Allowing him to do what was needed for not only their family but for the world. Sadly, the truth was his father more than likely wouldn't have been proud but then nor would he have been ashamed. Just resigned to fact that what Lelouch had to do needed to happen.

His mother on the other hand? Well, Lelouch couldn't help but smile at the thought of her. They were never what you would call close. He loved her of course and she him but she was in truth a simple woman. Unable to understand him in the slightest. Though they did grow closer after his first child was born. In the end she was both content and proud of him.

Looking around at the empty yard Lelouch could have sworn he heard the voices of those long dead. Frist among them being his brother Robb.

"Ah Robb my dear foolish little brother. How I miss you." Lelouch says to himself.

Thinking of his brother, and friend Lelouch smiles. Once Lelouch took power he had appointed Robb as his Prime Minster. A new title for what was once called the Hand of the King. A new title for a new kingdom. Robb would remain in that position until his death at the age of 64. Helping him build the Empire of Westeros after destroying the old kingdom. It was a hard and long road full of blood and guts. But not once did Robb shrink from his duties. No matter how hard it was Robb did his duty. Earning himself a reputation for brutality that few in history could match.

But that was only to the outside world. Within the confines of their family Robb was such a sweet man and would stay that way till the day he passed. Aways worried about his sibling, including Lelouch and wanting nothing but the best for his child. All 7 of whom turned out to be every bit like their father and mother. Foolish and sweet with a strong dislike towards their uncle.

"Gods Talisa never did like me" Lelouch said with a chuckle. Not that he really blamed her. After all it was due to him that Robb missed much of their children's childhoods. But her dislike of him was a better pay off than her and the children hating Robb.

Next, he hears the voice Jon calling him to play knights with him. Feeling a tear come to his eye Lelouch wipes it away. Gods he missed his brother dearly. After Jon and Bran's journey Beyond the Wall where his young brother got powers of his own. Jon had taken up the position of captain of his personal guard. And there Jon was supposed to stay for years to come. Sadly, in the final battle against the Others fate would take a different turn. Jon would die at the hands of the Night King in its desperate attempt to overcome the trap Lelouch had laid for it. Killing it in turn Jon would die a hero whose story would end up being told in every bedroom to every of children in the known world.

Lelouch was only thankful that Jon and Ygritte had been able to have a child before his death. Who Lelouch and Ygritte showed all the love and care Jon didn't have growing up. Laughing to himself Lelouch wondered what Jon would think if he knew his son Ned would go on to become a world famous playwriter. Ygritte didn't take it well, that was for sure, but Lelouch had a feeling Jon would have.

Then there was his little sister Sansa. After the wars in Slavers Bay that saw the end of slavery in that part of the world. Sansa, after arranging his 4th marriage to Daenerys Targaryen had married on his request to Lord Loras Tyrell. A sham marriage that Lelouch had designed to give his sister the happy ending she always wanted. And it worked for behind closed doors his sister and Diana André who in turn never married at all remind together till Diana's death at the age of 71. His sister followed soon after leaving behind Loras's and her supposed son Jorrel. In her hands at her death was a lock of hair that many believed was that of her son's but was in face that of her love.

It was a dull life for his oldest sister in the end and one that wasn't mirrored by the Shewolf of Winterfell. Now there was a tale to tell if there ever was one. Too young to take part in the war or contribute at all in the early days of the Empire, Arya had made it her mission to leave her mark on the world. After the marriage of Theon and Obara she had set out with them on their so-called honeymoon. Which happened to be an attempt to circle navigate the world five years after the final war with the Others. Oh, how their mother protested letting her Arya go. But there was no stopping the Shewolf when it came to what she wanted.

After their success return from their trip around the world, however his sister was far from done. For Arya would both go on to join and lead other explorations around the world. Mapping out new lands and finding new civilizations. Losing both arm and an eye in her journeys. A sacrifice she was more than willing to pay for the fame that followed. She risked it all repeatedly till at the age of 41 on her 3rd exploration into Sothoryos she had made her last gambit. Dying in that untamed land at the claws of a Wyverns. It was a good death for his sister and while he missed her Lelouch didn't mourn her as much as the others. For she lived her life on her terms and died how she lived. In a blaze of glory.

And it wasn't like she was ever far from his thoughts. As even to this day she was around. Only this time as a symbol of the women's liberation movement. Her accomplishments in life were too great to be downplayed by those men who feared the rise of women in positions of power. Lelouch still got a kick out of how much the traditionalist hated her for what she brought about. Of course, they still had a long way to go before they could ever hope to be equal to men and in some ways would remain unequal in some ways. The walls, however, were closing in on those traditionalists and they knew it.

After Arya of course came Bran. Ah what was there to say about the three-eyed raven. After his trip Beyond the Wall with Jon he came back with a type of foresight. That was instrumental in Lelouch's victory over the Others. But foresight or not there were some things that even his little brother couldn't foresee. Like his unexpected marriage to Arianne Nymeros Martell. It still brought a smile to Lelouch face when he thought about how Shirley's cousin showed up with his brother in toll to demand his hand in marriage. When they had become so close even Lelouch didn't know. As they had hid their relationship successfully from even his spymaster John André.

It was a sore subject for his old friend even to his dying breath. As after the marriage between Bran and Myrcella was called off. No one had thought his brother would ever get married. Especially to a woman over 10 years older than him. But like the old saying from his old world goes. Age was nothing but a number and they married. Having a score of children just as hot headed and reckless as their parents.

The last of his siblings was of course his babe brother Rickon. Well, there wasn't much to say about his little brother, Lelouch thought to himself. Rickon lived a rather extraordinary life. Married at 20, to a girl of humble birth, was the closest thing Rickon ever did to standing out. But after that he just kind of disappeared from the limelight. Preferring just to spend time with his wife and children. Rasing them in peace and quiet. Happy to let the world forget him and to forget about the world.

Oh, how he missed his sibling dearly. Each having passed on so long ago now. Even his own wives and some of his children were now gone. Having left him behind to rest. It hurt so badly and none more so than his beloved Shirley. She had held on the longest of all his wives. Having passed peacefully at the age of 87. Leaving behind children and grandchildren who loved her dearly. So well-loved was she that even their enemies had behind closed doors mourned her death.

She was the glue that kept him and his other wives together during those early years. And not just because she found a way too, Lelouch guess you could say tricked them to share a single bed together. Her love for her sister's wives and their children as well as her own kept any potential infighting to a minimum. Even allowing Lelouch to retire from his kingship at the age of 61 and handing over the reins of power to his eldest Nunnally. Who in turn would retire her queenship to her son Eddard the 4th sixteen years later.

Come to think of it, all his children were outstanding in their own ways. From his first child with Euphemia, Cornelia, who much like his sister from his other life went on to have an outstanding military career. Despite the odds that were stacked against her. To his 5th son and 2nd child from Margaery, Wyllam who became a world-famous musician. All his children found some type of success in some way or the other. Even those born from his union with Daenerys. A union that was in some way always cold.

It wasn't as if they hated each other but there was always a wall of bitterness between them. Daenerys never liked the fact that without him and his sister she would never have held on to power in what was Slaver's Bay for as long as she did. And that at the end of the day she had to marry the man she felt had wronged her family's history by blowing up their ancestor castle and melting down the Iron Throne for scrap metal. Oh, sure she got along fine with her sister's wives, as shown by the many nights they enjoyed each other in bed. But it was only in those moments where they somewhat got along. Past that they didn't really get along.

That said he got along well with their children and while many looked at Jaehaerys and Visenya with suspicion. They proved later that they held no desire for the throne. Their mother's during no doubt and their love for Shirley who had both become close to them. In some ways more than with their own mother. Especially young Visenya who took after Shirley more than even her own children. Loving the freedom of choice Lelouch allowed her and was like his loving wife a sexual deviant of the highest order. Something that annoyed Lelouch a lot.

Sadly, children would be children and look to break away from their parents. Looking to spread their wings and find their own way. Not always for the better and a number of his children had died before their time. That was life, however, and while he mourned them dearly, he had to move forward. For even in his so-called retirement years there was no rest for the wicked. Because while his children never truly fought over the throne due to how close they were and the fact that Lelouch was still very much alive. That didn't mean others didn't look to overthrow the Stark family as the ruling monarch.

Many nobles who survived the so-called War of Unification and the rebellion that followed which was called Cry of the Nobles were unsatisfied. Of all the noble houses that survived a good half had rebelled during the ultimate battle with the Others. Losing of course to his brother Robb and good-father at the battle that was later called the Field of Crosses. Where after the battle Robb and Oberyn had crucified nearly 300 nobles that were captured. Showing no mercy whatsoever and bringing the noble houses to heel for the last time. It was kind of sad honestly as most of those nobles had come from the Vale. Who had benefited greatly due to the close relationship their ex-Lord Jon Arryn shared with the Stark family.

Their cousin however was always a stupid boy and grow to be an even stupider man. For all his abilities Lord Arryn was ever able to teach Robert how to be wise and think before leaping. Often Lelouch wondered what was going through Robert's head when he led the rebellion. What or who had convinced him to even try or was it his own weak mind that allowed him to even think about it. Perhaps he thought that even if he failed, he would not share the same fate as his bannermen. He was right in a way as he didn't share their fate. Lelouch only had him hung, drawn and quartered. Cruel, yes to do to a family member but it sent a message to the world not to fuck with the Stark family.

After that of course came the grandchildren. While the transfer of power from him to Nunnally had been peaceful and her 16-year rule was marked by peace. The same could not be said for her transfer of power to Eddard. That was for several reasons. While the wise understood that the demon hiding under their bed was alive and well quite a few had forgotten. Or for some reason thought that Lelouch had become a kindly old grandfather with little if any power.

It was a delusion that only the truly inept could think up. The inept in this case being a sizable number of his grandchildren who to be honest Lelouch wasn't remarkably close with. It wasn't because he didn't wish to be or was too busy. It was just in the 2nd year of Nunnally rule she had moved the capital from Winterfell to Camelot. The castle that replaced Harrenhal after it was torn down. A controversial decision that didn't sit well with a lot of the Northern lords who were the real power in the land along with the lords of Dorne.

Yet controversial as it was it was also a necessary move as the North was loyal, and Nunnally's husband was of House Uller. She also had a questionable relationship with her cousin Princess Nira Nymeros Martell. Laughing a bit on thinking about this Lelouch thought truly his children took after Shirley when it came to their sexual desires. He had tried to temper them as much as he could in that regard but well Shirley was always more loved among his children than he was. Regardless with the unquestioning support of the North and Dorne all Nunnally needed to do was truly bring together the others to form the Empire.

Her success, however, had the unfortunate effect of making them forget about him, however. As she didn't need her father, he had ended up being a background character on the world stage. Fools all of them Lelouch thought to himself. How that death was so close Lelouch would make sure no one ever forget that even an old wolf could still bite.

Hearing footsteps coming from behind him Lelouch hears a voice that sounds so much like Jeremiah say, "My lord all is prepared."

Nodding his head slowly Lelouch says, "Thank you Bedivere. It would seem it is time for me to leave the stage and make way for new actors to take the stage. Be sure to serve young Ned as well as your grandfather did for me. He is a good boy but too much like her great grandfather."

"I will my lord, you have my word on it." Lelouch hears Bedivere say to him.

Rasing his hand to look at it Lelouch sees the hand of an old man. All spotted and skin and bones. They didn't look too bad for 112 years old. Placing his hand back down Lelouch says, "Go."

Wordlessly Bedivere gives a salute and takes his leave. Once more, leaving Lelouch alone in the courtyard.

"You never do stop planning do you Lelouch?" Lelouch hears a voice he had not heard for a long, long time.

"Ah death you have finally come. I have been waiting." Lelouch says to the voice of death.

"Yes, I apologize, but I had assumed you would not have accepted an early death for the crimes you have committed." Death says to Lelouch.

Giving a dry laugh Lelouch says, "You would be right but that is not surprising coming from a being such as yourself. Now let's not keep hell waiting any longer. I am sure it is looking forward to my arrival."

"You sound so sure that you are destined for hell. Do you truly not feel that after saving a world and being peace to another that you do not deserve some type of reward?" Death asks Lelouch.

"Reward? Ha, for all the death and destruction I have brought to both. Perhaps if I was a fool who truly believed that what I did was for the greater good I would believe so. But I did what I did for selfish reasons. All the good that came from it was little more than a byproduct of those selfish reasons." Lelouch says.

And if death could smile it would at hearing this. "Indeed, the self-rightish always think that the evil they commit can be pushed aside by the good they do. And perhaps they would be right if they had truly only done what they did for less than selfish reasons. But few have ever done so and like you have said you have never done anything for anything less than selfish reasons. With that said, however, Lelouch I cannot bring myself to let hell claim you. So, I offer you this, go to hell and suffer for you crimes or be erased like your father."

With a smile on his face Lelouch says, "Then I pick to be erased. While it is a far worse punishment for my crimes it is no less then I deserve."

"Very well Lelouch goodbye." Death says to him and slowly Lelouch starts to disappear form existence.

As he does Lelouch says, "I am sorry my loves, but it seems I will not be joining you like you had all hoped."

"It's okay Lelouch we love you. No matter how horrible you were we know you loved us." Lelouch hears the voices of his loved ones say to him and a tear comes to his eyes as he fades away. Leaving behind an Empire that would last for ages and another world that wouldn't forget him.