Chapter Seven: Laena I
Maegelle's Sept was large, many times larger than the royal sept within the Red Keep. Though it was not as big as the former Sept of Remembrance, which sat upon Rhaenys' Hill before being burned by Maegor the Cruel, it could still fit hundreds of people inside. Maegelle's Sept, which sat on Visenya's Hill, had seven sides, as all septs did, and each corner had a large, grey statue standing vigil, each one depicting one of the Seven. All of the statues faced the crowd inside, all except the Stranger, which always faced the corner.
Laena Velaryon and King Viserys stood next to each other on the marriage altar, in between the statue of the Father and the Mother, facing the High Septon, who wore his flowy cream and red robes and giant seven pointed crown which glimmered in the light. Laena was wearing a beautiful wedding dress of silk and Myrish lace that was so long it dragged along the steps behind her. Her dress was a shiny aquamarine, the colors of House Velaryon, and was decorated with cloth-of-silver wave patterns across the skirts. She also wore four large silver necklaces, each one studded with diamonds and emeralds and sapphires, which weighed her down when she walked. On her small ears were little silver seahorse earrings, and her curly silver hair was shaped into a crown and covered with a hairnet decorated with even more gemstones. Laena wore her maiden's cloak on her shoulders, which was aquamarine silk and had a cloth-of-silver seahorse embroidered onto it.
Her future husband had chosen a more modest piece of clothing, however. The King, who was twice Laena's size, and more than twice her age, wore a black leather doublet that was embroidered with the red dragon of House Targaryen embroidered onto its chest. He wore one golden neck chain that was studded with seven rubies, and atop his head was the crown of the Old King Jaehaerys. The crown was a golden band, set with seven gemstones of seven different colors. He held his bridal cloak in his left hand, which he would place upon Laena to signify their union.
"We stand here in the sight of gods and men to witness the union of man and wife, now and forever," declared the High Septon, in a booming voice that echoed all across the sept. "Lord Corlys Velaryon, as the father of the bride, you may now remove the maiden's cloak from the Lady Laena."
Laena's father, Corlys Velaryon, gently removed Laena's maiden's cloak softly, patting her shoulders as he did so, while the King unravelled the bridal cloak he would place on Laena. The cloak was the black and red of House Targaryen, with shining rubies set into the four corners of the silken cloth.
"King Viserys, you may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection."
The King and Laena turned and faced each other.
Gently, the King draped the cloak onto Laena, then he took her hands into his.
Laena always had a desire of marrying a king one day, though she did imagine herself so young as she was today, but her father said marrying now was essential to their house and the realm.
She had also imagined the king that she would marry would be a king more kingly than King Viserys. The King's brother, Prince Daemon, was more kingly in Laena's eyes, as well as younger, fiercer, and braver. King Viserys was gentle, laid back, and calm, and he seemed to be a man more interested in books and gardening then riding on dragonback.
This King still was the last rider of the Black Dread, remember.
The High Septon then tied a red ribbon around their interlocked hands and continued with his speech. "Let it be known that King Viserys, of the House Targaryen, and the Lady Laena, of the House Velaryon are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek tear them asunder! In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon each other and say the words."
As one for eternity.
Together, they began, "In the sight of the Father, the Mother, the Warrior, the Smith, the Maiden, the Crone, and the Stranger..."
The King took a deep breath before he said his vows.
"I am hers and she is mine. From this day, until the end of my days." Said the King, his voice shaking.
Laena gulped.
"I am his and he is mine. From this day, until the end of my days." Laena said, solemnly.
Until the end of my days.
"With this kiss, I pledge my love," the King said as he gave Laena a small peck on her forehead.
"And with this, I proclaim King Viserys, of the House Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, and his wife, the Queen Laena of the House Velaryon, to be of one!" announced the High Septon.
The sept exploded in applause.
Together, they turned and faced the crowd with smiles on their face. Laena beamed at the audience and looked at her mother and father. Both of them clapped, and her father cheered and shouted, "Long may their marriage be, and Gods bless their children!" while her mother smiled warmly at her.
After the applause died down, the onlookers came and gave their congratulations to the newly wed couple. First, were Laena's mother and father. Her father, dressed in a silk and cloth-of-gold doublet and an aquamarine cloak, and five golden chains, each studded with gemstones of every color hanging from his neck, gave Laena a tender hug and kissed her on the cheek.
"I am proud of you daughter," he smiled.
Laena's mother, in a light blue dress which was adorned with silver gemstones, came up to Laena and gave her an embrace and smiled at her.
"Congratulations daughter, I am so happy for you," she said warmly, but with a hint of melancholy in her voice.
Next came the Princess Rhaenyra, arm in arm with Laena's brother, Laenor. After them came the Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower, and his daughter Lady Alicent. Next was Laena's uncle, Ser Vaemond, and his wife, the Lady Valaena. After her were the members of the small council, the brutish Lord Lyonel Strong, the old Grand Maester, and the even older Lord Lyman Beesbury. Then came all the many Lords and Ladies in attendance, two Lannisters who were twins, the tall Lord of Baratheon and his wife, the Lord Hightower, the Lord Tully, and many others who Laena did not even know, who bore sigils of houses Laena did not even recognise.
All these people, and Father says my future son is to be the King of them all.
Once all the guests had offered their congratulations, Laena and the King, hand in hand, made their way out of the gargantuan doors of the sept into the city and were greeted by an even more rapturous applause.
Together, smiling and waving, they walked towards the royal carriage and climbed in, to head back to the Red Keep for the post wedding feast, the first of nine days of feasting, tourneys, and celebrations.
Once they climbed into the carriage, Viserys took a long sigh and slumped into the seat, before removing his crown and placing it beside him.
Laena took one last look out of the window at the crowd before the carriage set off.
When she exited the Red Keep for her wedding in the morning, she was Lady Laena Velaryon. Now, this afternoon, she would re-enter the Red Keep as Queen Laena Velaryon.
