Viserys the Virulent

Of all the children of King Aenys, First of his Name, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, none are more regarded with suspicion and befuddlement by history than his second son Viserys. Viserys was born in 29 AC as the third child of King Aenys I Targaryen and

While his elder brother, Aegon was robust and fierce and had "a warrior's look about him from birth, Viserys bore the plainer face of the commons who adored him so despite his valyrian ancestry which he sported through his dark lilac eyes and his father's curly hair which put to bed many a salacious rumour about his origins.

Little was made of the prince in his youth save he was beloved by the commons as he would often make merry with them, visiting orphanages and reading to the children as well as bringing them toys or feeding the beggars of Flea-Bottom, always flanked by armed guards, causing some among the smallfolk to take to calling him Virtuous Viserys and 'the kind dragon'.

He even befriended those serfs who attended the Aegonfort, with one reported case of asking Grand Maester Gawen to tend to the burns of a scullery maid who had dropped his breakfast, scalding her legs.

He was fond of watching his sister Rhaena fly about on her young dragon Dreamfyre after she bonded with it in 32AC.

During one feast hosted by his grandsire King Aegon, the question was put to the prince Viserys by Samatha Stokeworth, stalwart companion of Rhaena Targaryen when he would mount a dragon of his own to which he responded curtly "when the time is right".

Many speculated the question had been addressed to prince Viserys to save face for Aenys' firstborn, prince Aegon, who also remained dragon-less.

Viserys spent little time with his siblings it was said and preferred to study statecraft, history and accountancy excelling at an early age in his studies under the Grand Maester Gawen who reported the prince possessing 'a quiet wit', yet it wasn't until Maegor' Reign that this became ever apparent.

He did however, spar with his brother Aegon regularly and proved to be skilled at arms. After Aegon Targaryen passed due to a stroke in his 37th year in the Chamber of the Painted Table, prince Viserys sang a Valyrian song as the fires engulfed King Aegon I atop his funeral pyre in the castle yards of Dragonstone, surprising many in attendance with his talent.

During the royal progress to Oldtown wherein Aenys would receive the blessing of the High Septon, the Princes Aegon and Viserys were said to have comforted his elder sister Rhaena as she seemed to revert to the shyness of her youth without the company of her dragon, Dreamfyre, with Viserys even going so far as to sing on his sister's behalf at Storm's End before Lord Baratheon when she refused.

When Goren Greyjoy defeated the Rebel King Lodos the Twice-Drowned, it was rumoured prince Viserys had urged his father not to give leave to expell all the septons and septas who had come to the Iron Islands after the Conquest to convert the ironborn to the worship of the Seven as reward for his service.

When Lord Goren asked for exactly that, many in King's Landing questioned the prince's insight, some going so far as to say he had used glass candles or some form of Valyrian sorcery to divine Lord Goren's heretical motives as a true son of the Drowned God. Suffice it to say, the Faith of the Seven remained on the Iron Islands thereafter.

Prince Viserys continued to implore his father, King Aenys, to take stock of the growing discontent amongst his subjects following the exile of prince Maegor Targaryen and protested against the appointment of Septon Murmison to the office of Hand of the King. "This fool can no more heal the sick than he can keep your counsel" Viserys remarked to his father in 39AC whilst breaking fast.

Prince Viserys was also said to have made common cause with the Dowager Queen Visenya, albeit begrudgingly, to implore his father to mount his dragon, Quicksilver and fly to Oldtown to burn the Starry Sept down around the High Septon's head for his continued disrespect of the Targaryen regency.

Sadly, his father, as was his nature, remained indecisive. Upon making plans to remove himself to Dragonstone with Queen Alyssa and their younger children due to the growing tensions with the Faith surrounding the incestuous marriage of Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaena, prince Viserys again implored his father to take up arms against the Starry Sept after the attempt on his life by two Poor Fellows, militant soldiers of the Faith.

Upon his father's death in 42 AC on Dragonstone, Prince Viserys, now a boy of twelve, mounted Quicksilver and fled Dragonstone to burn alive the thousands of Poor Fellows who besieged Crakehall where his elder brother Aegon and sister Rhaena had been made reluctant "guests" and was therefore not present when Maegor arrived for his coronation alongside his mother Visenya. It was rumoured that this too was due to Prince Viserys' sorcerous foresight while more learned men chalked it up to insight from an uncommonly astute young lad.

Whilst Maegor secured victory against the Warrior's sons atop Visenya's hill, Viserys burnt thousands of Poor Fellows alive in what came to be known as the 'Scourge of Crakehall' with the remainders fleeing only to rejoin their fellow Poor Fellows during the march towards King's Landing. Accompanying his siblings to Casterly Rock where the two took up residence with Lord Lyman and Lady Jocasta Lannister, Aegon was reported as having been disheartened by the fact his younger brother having claimed their father's dragon, Quick-Silver before Viserys left on their father's dragon.

Though the dragon was as much a boon as a target on the young Prince's back as among his first acts as King, Maegor ordered that his nephew Viserys return to King's Landing 'to swear obeisance to the one true king'. Prince Viserys proclaimed he would 'flee from Westeros' and bid his brother follow suit before leaving Casterly Rock, lest he endanger his 'unborn children', referring to the fact that princess Rhaena was with child which was then confirmed by Lady Jocasta Lannister & several maesters. Prince Aegon denounced his brother Viserys as craven, stating Quick-Silver was wasted on his cowardice. "Better cowardly than dead sweet brother mine" Viserys said before flying from Casterly Rock and Westeros.

During his time in exile in Essos, Prince Viserys joined up with the Company of the Rose, a company of sellswords founded by men, and according to some accounts also women, of the North who rejected Torrhen Stark 's submission to Aegon the Conqueror and thus chose exile over bending the knee. Though initially wary of the descendant of Aegon, Viserys found great success as a sellsword of the Rose due in no small part due to Quick-Silver who became fond of swallowing hordes of Dothraki bloodriders who came to refer to him as 'the White Shadow Stallion'.

Meanwhile, in 43AC whilst Maegor lingered in Oldtown having reconciled with House Hightower after the appointment of a new High Septon and the ordainment of King Maegor I, Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaena stole away to the Free Cities with their children Aerea and Rhaella who had been born in 42AC thanks to the aid of Lord Lyman who provided them with gold to buy a ship to Tyrosh where the four proceeded to dye their hair and hide among the populace.

By 44AC, it was rumoured the two Princes meant to rouse an army of Unsullied to take back their father's throne though Prince Viserys reportedly expressed no interest in returning to Westeros.

"Quick-Silver couldn't face either Vhagar or Balerion in single combat, never mind both at once" Viserys was quoted as having said in a pleasure house in Lys.

A strapping fifteen-year-old youth, Viserys had continued mastering his skill at arms with sword, lance and axe under the Northmen of the Rose, gaining infamy as the dreaded Captain Viserys White Shadow, named for Quick-Silver's appearance.

When word of his exploits reached Maegor' ear, he openly mocked his nephew at court, referring to him as the "White Craven", too scared to face either his grandmother nor his uncle in battle, same as his brother Aegon.

In 46AC, Maegor still without a son, not even a bastard who might be legitimized, decided to wed again given it did not seem likely Queen Tyanna, his third wife would give him the heir that he desired. Therefore, he took Lady Jeyne of House Westerling and Lady Elinor Costayne, both would come to be known as 'the Black Brides as they were both widows of men killed by Maegor and his followers.

Elsewhere, across the narrow sea, Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaena had taken up residence in Tyrosh under the protection of a wealthy magister and the same year a son was born to them, Vaelon Targaryen, though the boy's existence remained a secret at the time with magister having several of his servants put to death for gossiping. Though a joyous salve to their misery, Aegon remained discontented by the losses he had suffered.

It wasn't until the forty-eight year since Aegon's Conquest that Aegon was bid to return to Westeros by way of missive from his mother who had taken up residence at Storm's End with Rogar Baratheon and his two younger siblings to help them do away with "the abomination on the Iron Throne". Reports claim Rogar pushed to have Jahaerys assume the mantle of king though he refused, stating "by the laws of gods and men, my brothers have the better claims". It was rumoured afterward that Lord Lyman had been approached by Queen Alys' spies to ascertain the whereabouts of Prince Aegon.

Prince Viserys received a similar missive, now ten and seven, the Prince turned sellsword captain agreed to lend his aid, rumoured to have sired multiple bastards across the Free Cities in his travels, though reportedly steering clear of Pentos due to Queen Tyanna's affiliation with the city. While Viserys, Aegon and Rhaena approached from the east, the Stormlanders marched north from Storm's End to secure Dragonstone, led by Princess Jahaerys Targaryen who was fourteen years old and rode a great bronze and tan beast called Vermithor while his sister Alysanne, a maid of twelve commanded her own dragon, Silverwing. Upon arriving in their ancestral home, Lord Rogar Baratheon proclaimed Aegon Targaryen, second of his name, to be the true and lawful king of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men and Prince Aegon II named Lord Rogar Hand of the King. Drawing Dark Sister from its scabbard, he held it aloft the castle yards of Dragonstone and vowed to end the reign of his usurping uncle, whatever the cost. After which he proceeded to claim his real prize, Vhagar. The she dragon had taken up residence on Dragonmont since the death of the Dowager Queen Visenya in 44AC. With Viserys arrival three days later, Aegon II counted four dragon riders against Maegor' one, including the mighty Vhagar.

Lord Velaryon of Driftmark was amongst the first to declare for Aegon. As the Velaryons were the realm's traditional admirals, Maegor woke to find he had lost the entire royal fleet. The Tyrells of Highgarden followed, with all the power of the Reach. The Hightowers of Oldtown, the Redwynes of the Arbor, the Lannisters of Casterly Rock, the Arryns of the Eyrie, the Royces of Runestone…one by one, they came out against the king. In King's Landing, a score of lesser lords gathered at Maegor's command, amongst them Lord Darklyn of Duskendale, Lord Massey of Stonedance, Lord Towers of Harrenhal, Lord Staunton of Rook's Rest, Lord Bar Emmon of Sharp Point, Lord Buckwell of the Antlers, the Lords Rosby, Stokeworth, Hayford, Harte, Byrch, Rollingford, Bywater, and Mallery. Yet they commanded scarce four thousand men amongst them all, and only one in ten of those were knights.

Maegor brought them together in the Red Keep one night to discuss his plan of battle. When they saw how few they were and realized that no great lords were coming to join them, many lost heart, and Lord Hayford went so far as to urge His Grace to abdicate and take the black. His Grace ordered Hayford beheaded on the spot and continued the war council with his lordship's head mounted on a lance behind the Iron Throne. All day the lords made plans, and late into the night. It was the hour of the wolf when at last Maegor allowed them to take
their leave. The king remained behind, brooding on the Iron Throne as they departed.

Lord Towers and Lord Rosby were the last to see His Grace. Hours later, as dawn was breaking, the last of Maegor's queens came seeking after him. Queen Elinor found him still upon the Iron Throne, pale and dead, his robes soaked through with blood. His arms had been slashed open from wrist to elbow on jagged barbs, and another blade had gone through his neck to emerge beneath his chin. The reign of King Maegor I Targaryen, known to history and legend as Maegor the Cruel, lasted six years and sixty-six days. Upon his death his corpse was burned in the yard of the Red Keep, his ashes interred afterward on Dragonstone beside those of his mother. He died childless and left no heir of his body.

Aegon II Targaryen ascended the Iron Throne in 48AC at the age of nineteen and would rule the Seven Kingdoms for the next _ years, until his death of _ in _AC. His son, Vaelon, was named Prince of Dragonstone that very same year, having only recently turned two but proving a hale and hearty child.

In the chaos that had followed the discovery of Maegor's body, Lord Rosby drank a cup of hemlock to join his king in death. Buckwell and Rollingford took ship for Pentos, whilst most of the others fled to their own castles and strongholds. Only Darklyn and Staunton had the courage to remain with Lord Towers to yield up the Red Keep when Prince Aegon II and his siblings descended upon the castle on their dragons.

The court chronicles tell us that as prince slid from the back of Vhagar, these "three leal lords" bent their knees before him to lay their swords at his feet, hailing him as king with Lord Towers producing Blackfyre, the Valyrian ancestral sword of House Targaryen. "You choose now to swear fealty, after the battle is over and done" spat Queen Rhaena. At his command, the three were immediately put in chains, though some of the prince's party called for them to be executed on the spot. In the black cells they were soon joined by the King's Justice, the Lord Confessor, the Chief Gaoler, the Commander of the City Watch, and the four knights of the Kingsguard who had remained beside King Maegor.

A fortnight later, Lord Rogar Baratheon and Queen Alyssa arrived at King's Landing with their host, and hundreds more were seized and imprisoned.

Be they knights, squires, stewards, septons, or serving men, the charge against them was the same; they were accused of having aided and abetted Maegor Targaryen in usurping the Iron Throne and in all the crimes, cruelties, and misrule that followed.

Not even women were exempt; those ladies of noble birth who had attended the Black Brides were arrested as well, together with a score of lowborn trulls named as Maegor's whores. Lord Rogar convinced King Aegon II to pardon those who swore obeisance to him as King of the Seven Kingdoms. Queen Rhaena reluctantly agreed, understanding the toll an extended conflict could have on their family and remembering the years they'd spent in hiding.

Upon the return of her children, Queen Rhaena's mood improved dramatically as well as the return of her long-time companion Melody Piper. During the trials, the Kingsguard, Ser Harrold Langward, demanded a trial by battle at which point Prince Viserys requested the honour to act as champion of the crown, much to the dismay of the Dowager Queen Alys Velaryon and Hand of the King Rogar Baratheon. King Aegon consented and Prince Viserys made short work of the elderly Ser Harrold for which he was knighted by King Aegon.

Prince Viserys then set to work utilising his newfound station, as King Maegor's efforts to exterminate the Poor Fellows and the Warrior's Sons had set many pious men and women against him, and against House Targaryen.

Accompanied by his trusted comrades in arms from Essos, Ser Lucas Snow and Benjen the Bear {who claimed to be descended from a bastard of House Mormont}, Ser Viserys led a campaign against Septon Moon and his followers camped beneath the walls of Oldtown, defended by Lord Oakheart and Lord Rowan and their knights.

"I hear this man's cock is of the gods, let's send it back to them" remarked Ser Benjen as they marched from King's Landing with a company of Stormlanders with Viserys atop Quick-Silver, true to his name, speeding toward Oldtown ahead of his host and torched the encampment outside the walls of the ancient city.

When news reached of the Prince's departure from the capital, Lord Rickard Rowan decamped within the hour, with all his knights and men-at-arms. Lord Torgen Oakheart followed the next day with many hedge knights and all but the staunchest Poor Fellows following suit, some of which being cut down by Stormlanders upon their retreat led by the prince's own companions and Ser Gyles Morrigen, leaving only a couple hundred dedicated devouts. It was said Ser Gyles had been disappointed he had not gotten the chance to stand as champion for King Aegon

The stench of the bodies, smoke and screams stayed with the populace for the days and this event came to be known as the 'Fall of the Moon'. Many children living close to the walls of Oldtown in the slums were said to have taken ill due to prolonged exposure to the smokes emitted during this dreaded period, leading to Prince Viserys being derided as 'Viserys the Virulent', though upon catching wind of the title, his loyal followers from King's Landing recalled the prince saying that that was very probably "his favourite of all his many titles". Ser Viserys was then joined in the aftermath by Lord Hightower's boldest knights who rode forth from a sally port. Having cleared the way to Oldtown, coronation took place in the Starry Sept in the waning days of the 48th year. It was said Ser Viserys awaited his king at the foot of the Starry Sept, remarking upon how he had once bade their father to destroy this 'beautiful place', laughing at the irony of such folly. Aegon II embraced his brother, thanking him for his leal service and apologising for questioning his honour years prior when he claimed Quick-Silver. One might wonder how history could've transpired had Viserys the Virulent not claimed his father's dragon, would king Aegon II have still gone into hiding in Tyrosh where he would sire a male heir in Vaelon by his sister wife Rhaena? This of course, is conjecture ultimately.

The High Septon—the High Lickspittle that Septon Moon had hoped to displace—anointed the King Aegon himself and placed the conqueror's crown upon his head. Seven days of feasting followed, during which hundreds of lords great and small came to bend their knees and swear their swords to Aegon, second of his name.

Amongst those in attendance were his sister wife Rhaena, his sister Alysanne; his three children, Aerea, Rhaella and Vaelon ; his mother, the Queen Regent Alyssa; the King's Hand, Rogar Baratheon; Ser Gyles Morrigen (who assisted Prince Viserys in rounding up the remainders of Septon Moon's Poor Fellows the prince had failed to immolate outside Oldtown, including Rob the Starvling and was named Lord Commander of the Kingsguard thereafter), Grand Maester Benifer and the assembled archmaesters of the Citadel.

Lady Lucinda Tully of Riverrun were notably absent during these proceedings however due in part to Lady Lucinda piety causing her to offer support and connivance to the Red Dog of the Hills, Ser Joffrey Doggett, who had taken up the mantle of Grand Captain of the Warrior's Sons after their massacre by Maegor.

It was speculated the 'Falling of the Moon' had caused many to fear King Aegon II would not treat with faith militants or those devoted to the Seven and none gave mention to the Swords and Stars in his presence.

Nine days after the coronation, the king departed Oldtown for King's Landing.

The 49th year after Aegon's Conquest, Ser Joffrey Doggett, Grand Captain of the infamous Warrior's Sons, appeared in King's Landing alongside Lord Tully and Lady Lucinda Tully to appeal the King to reinstate the Warrior's Sons and the Faith Militant.

King Aegon was not swayed by the appeal, having no fond memories of the Poor Fellows since his time at Crakehall and their denouncement of he and his Queen Rhaena as abominations, he denied his request, stating it was he and House Targaryen that would keep the peace henceforth.

It was rumoured Lord Rogar Baratheon suggested having Ser Joffrey admitted to the Kingsguard to which Queen Rhaena strongly opposed, citing his affiliation with their captors as reason enough to distrust him.

Ser Joffrey Doggett was offered clemency provided he travel north and join the Night's Watch. "I rose against your uncle just as you did," replied the Red Dog of the Hills, defiant. "Take care you do not share his fate, dog!". Ser Joffrey departed King's Landing the next day travelling to join the Night's Watch where he would succeed Lothor Burley as Lord Commander.

Upon his return to King's Landing, Prince Viserys was said to have visited several orphanages and septs he had endowed as a child and sent a request to have some of the funds he had deposited in the Iron Bank of Braavos from his days as a sellsword captain in Essos distributed amongst the masses.

The prince's frugal sensibilities became legendary in the weeks to come as not only donated to these meagre establishments but used his cumulative funds to invest in shipping and trade, purchasing crops and silks when they were plentiful and selling them when they were scarce.

He referred to his practices as 'making your gold work for you as opposed to leaving it to languish in a treasury'. He also cautioned to always put aside 1 tenth of your income, citing a fable he recalled entitled 'the Richest Man in Valyria' though no historical record of such a story predates this statement, leading many maesters to speculate it was of the Prince' own imagination. Prince Viserys would, in his later years, go on to transcribe the lessons from the fable into a short novel which became well-received by many Maesters at the Citadel.

Lord Rogar was wary of the Prince' propensity for treating with commoners and cautioned the King that such actions might reflect poorly on the Royal Family in the eyes of the Lords of Westeros. However, due in part to his success in amassing such a fortune to privately fund his exploits and his knowledge of accountancy, King Aegon second of his name saw fit to name his brother, Prince Viserys, master of coin in 49AC.

When Lord Rogar Baratheon's requested his king's leave to take his mother, the Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, to wife, Prince Viserys advised appeasing the lord to King Aegon "the Stormlanders have stood behind the Crown often in the recent times, adjoining our houses may prove to strengthen that bond for future generations" Viserys said during the small council meeting where the subject was broached.

The wedding of the King's Hand and the Queen Regent was to be a splendid affair. The High Septon himself would perform the marriage rites with the assurance of safe conduct by King Aegon II, on the seventh day of the seventh moon of the new year.

The site would be the half completed Dragonpit, still open to the sky, whose rising tiers of stonebenches would allow for tens of thousands to observe the nuptials. The celebrations would include a great tourney, seven days of feasts and frolics, and even a mock sea battle to be fought in the waters of Blackwater Bay. Many lords used this opportunity to treat with their new king, Aegon II who was well received among them, citing the strength and air of authority of his grandsire.

It will be recalled that three of the seven knights who served as Maegor the Cruel's Kingsguard were dead; the remaining four had been sent to the Wall to take the black. In their places, King Aegon II had thus far named only Ser Gyles Morrigen.

It was the Dowager Queen, Alyssa, who first put forward the idea that the remaining five vacancies be filled through test of arms, and what better occasion for it than the wedding, when knights from all over the realm would gather? "Maegor had old men, lickspittles, cravens, and brutes about him," she declared. "His Grace should have the finest knights to be found anywhere in Westeros protecting him. Let them win their cloaks
with deeds of arms, whilst all the realm looks on" to which King Aegon agreed as did his younger brother Prince Jahaerys who saw wisdom in such a decision.

The War for the White Cloaks marked the end of the festivities of what soon became known as the Golden Wedding and six champions were chosen to don the White Cloaks, Ser Lorence Roxton from the Reach, Ser Victor the Valiant from the household of Lord Royce of Runestone, and Ser Willam the Wasp, who served Lord Smallwood of Acorn Hall.

The youngest champion, Pate the Woodcock, fought with a spear instead of a sword, and some questioned whether he was a knight at all, but he proved so skillful with his chosen weapon that Ser Gyles Morrigen settled the matter by knighting the lad himself, whilst hundreds cheered.

The eldest champion was a grizzled hedge knight named Samgood of Sour Hill, a scarred and battered man of three-and-sixty who claimed to have fought in a hundred battles.

Strangest among these champions however was the slender mystery knight known only as the Serpent in Scarlet also had a great following; when finally defeated and unmasked, "he" proved to be a woman, Jonquil Darke, a bastard daughter of the Lord of Duskendale.

Fond of using poison to compensate for her wanton strength, the woman killed several men at arms and knights in the melee through her skill with a blade and venomous edge before being unmasked by Ser Samgood.

"A woman cannot be a knight!" protested Lord Rogar loudly when Prince Viserys pleaded the lady's case, with many lords assembled echoing the sentiment to which Prince Viserys pointed out the Poor Fellows and his own friends within the Company of the Rose included women amongst their numbers.

He went on to name some of the companions who had saved his life over the years during his time in Essos including a daughter of House Karstark who saved his life from an Unsullied spearman outside Pentos and a she-bear of House Mormont who cleaved men in two with her two-handed longsword and had fought back-to-back with the Prince, separated from Quick-Silver when caught unawares by a small contingent of sellswords from the Free Company. The credibility of these claims was accredited by Ser Lucas Snow and Ser Benjen the Bear.

"Let me fight for you King Aegon and I'll prove my worth" protested Jonquil and with the King's leave, having been inspired by the woman's strength at arms and her brother's insistence, Prince Viserys knighted her Ser Jonquil Darke, first female knight of the Kingsguard which was met by some hesitant applause led earnestly by Queen Rhaena and Princess Alysanne who approved the decision.

It was rumoured thereafter in the coming weeks Ser Darke had been a lover of Prince Viserys and that it was only for her carnal powers over the prince that she was admitted into the Kingsguard. Though slanderous and likely untrue given Prince Viserys bookish nature, with even sellsword friends commenting that he could more oft be found with his head in the pages of a book than whoring after a battle, this rumour did however, raise an important issue that had yet to be addressed.

In the weeks following the Golden Wedding, the topic of Prince Viserys' marriage came to be discussed at the small council, to which Prince Viserys himself was 'thoroughly entertained to be party to' according to Grand Maester Benifer given his position as master of coin afforded him to sit on these meetings, despite Lord Rogar' protests.

Lord Rogar, who was known to harbour thoughts of extending the power of the Iron Throne across the narrow sea to Essos, put forward the notion of forging an alliance with Tyrosh by wedding Viserys to the Archon's daughter, a comely girl of fifteen years who had charmed all at the wedding with her wit, her flirtatious manner, and her blue-green hair.

King Aegon was in favour of this idea, having grown fond of Tyrosh during his years in hiding there with his family however Prince Viserys pointed out that wedding foreign royalty, especially from Tyrosh of all places, could embolden the pious once more.

Several counsellors, including Grand Maester Benifer himself agreed with the Master of Coin, pointing out the simmering tensions between the Faith and commoners against the Crown, aware the pious would oppose the girl bitterly, for it was known that the Tyroshi kept not the Seven, but worshipped Red R'hllor, the Patternmaker, three-headed Trios, and other queer gods.

"Best we let sleeping dogs lie with that one, goodfather" mused Prince Viserys, harkening back to the incident with Ser Joffrey Doggett, the Red Dog of the Hills.

Ultimately it was decided the prince would wed a younger sister of Lady Lucinda Tully, lady Roslyn Tully, at the time being seventeen years old and known for her piety which was seen as a good way to appease the Riverlands and Faith as well as Lord Prentys Tully, the lord justiciar. Prince Viserys gave no objection.

The two were wedded in the Dragon-pit in 50AC and there's would prove to be a fruitful if heated marriage. "If I told my lady wife snow was white, she would insist it was as black as night" mused Prince Viserys to his companion Ser Benjen as the drank wine together on one occasion. It was feared Prince Viserys disliked his new wife however those who knew him best knew Viserys took joy in Lady Roslyn's unyielding nature.

"Only such an unyielding woman can ride the White Stallion bareback!" roared Ser Snow during the two's wedding feast to a stunned crowd of high lords and ladies when questioned on their perceived bickering by a Knight of House Costayne, causing Lady Roslyn, according to eyewitnesses, to turn 'red as the Fossoway apple' in the face as her prince husband burst out into a fit of laughter. No bedding ceremony took place due to Lady Roslyn piety though she was still wedded and bedded by Prince Viserys that evening all the same.

Viserys took to his duties as prince-husband as fervently as he did his role as Master of Coin. He made sure to break-fast with his lady wife, speaking with her in his free time on all manner of subjects from theology to accountancy to ancient Valyrian customs which Lady Roslyn found 'unnerving and strange' but adjusted to with time. The two agreed on the importance of raising their future children to be clever and kind though they differed on what other qualities they should bear.

Despite Lady Roslyn's pious disposition, she proved a dutiful partner and even match for Prince Viserys glib nature and brazen attitude at court, helping to reign in her husband's worst impulses and outbursts towards arrogant lordlings and merchants. She grew fond of his work with Septs and the poor and often accompanied her husband when he travelled through the city to help the people of Flea-Bottom in his leisure time.

They would often be joined by Prince Jahaerys and Princess Alysanne who had grown closer to their brother upon his return from Essos. Whereas Jahaerys was dutiful and patient, Viserys was rambunctious and glib but both grew to enjoy each other's company especially with their mutual concern for the well-being of the Small-Folk.

He also admired his brother Visery's skill at arms and humility, rarely if ever boasting of his victories with the Company of the Rose.

Prince Jahaerys was keenly aware his father, King Aenys, had been slighted as weak, in part because he was not the warrior that his brother Maegor was.

Jaehaerys was determined that no man would ever question his own courage or skill at arms and so he began training under Ser Samgood of Sour Hill, one of Aegon's Seven and grew to be a capable fighter, following a strict regimen wherein he trained with sword and spear and mace and axe.

Roslyn was not fond of the Targaryen custom of wedding brother to sister but grew very fond of Princess Alysanne' amenable nature, with the two often sharing tea in the gardens of the Red Keep.

For a time, it was believed the Faith had been sated with Viserys' union to the pious Lady Roslyn, though there distaste for the incestuous marriage of King Aegon II and Queen Rhaena remained a constant concern amongst the Small Council which was only exacerbated by Prince Jahaerys, the King's youngest brother and his sister Princess Alysanne.

Both siblings had grown up expecting to wed, just as their elder siblings Aegon and Rhaena had as well as having always been close and strong in their affection and regard for one Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon begged her son Viserys to intercede on her behalf with King Aegon II, having long since lost his ear following his exile in Tyrosh.

"You expect me to speak ill of this Targaryen custom to the very king who practices it, I'm afraid your cause is lost mother" chastised Viserys when confronted by Queen Alyssa and Lord Rogar. Lord Rogar,

Hand of the King and a proud man to boot, attempted to coerce the young Jahaerys to pursue other women through a lascivious young Lady Coryanne Wylde who attempted to bewitch and bed the young Prince, thereby shaming his betrothed Princess Alysanne but was rebuked by Prince Jahaerys and expelled from the capital by Queen Rhaena, much to the ire of Lord Rogar. Suffice it to say, the two followed their siblings' examples and were wed in the Dragon-Pit in 50AC with Jahaerys sixteen at the time and Alysanne fourtheen.

This inflamed the Faith of the Seven when news reached Oldtown of the union. Lord Rogar protested loudly and with great fury to the marriage of Jahaerys and Alysanne but was increasingly met with less and less support amongst the lords at court until such time as in the early half of 51AC he was dismissed as Hand of the King, replace by Lord Daemon Velaryon, king Aegon II's own uncle.

Lord Rogar, though livid at the insult, had grown wary of challenging his Grace openly especially as he spied the growing resentment from the Master of Coin for his impudence.

Prince Viserys may have become less wild with his marriage to Lady Roslyn, but he was no less blood of the dragon and had little patience for insults against their House.

"The Sellsword spendthrift means to cut my throat" said Lord Rogar in confidence to his personal maester before departing King's Landing for Storm's End. The Dowager Queen accompanied her husband, after some coaxing by princess Alysanne with the promise they would write to one another and she was visit astride Silverwing often.

Following his marriage, Jahaerys grew more and more verbose, bringing the problems plaguing King's Landing and the Seven Kingdom as he and his wife Alysanne perceived them from their interactions with lords and ladies at court.

He also called for the instatement of a young septon named Barth from Highgarden to advise the king and replace Septon Mattheus, a fat and furious prelate who had fulminated loudly against incestuous unions and the king's own marriage, much to the dismay of Queen Rhaena. This dismissal would later embolden the Septon to decry the Targaryens in the years to come, citing the 'Falling of the Moon' as one such instance where the dragons brutality was evident. With Visery's backing, King Aegon heard his 'little' brother's case and agreed to the instatement of Septon Barth who proved a capable advisor and fast friend to king Aegon II.

Prince Viserys introduced taxes surrounding goods such as samite; cloth-of-gold and cloth-ofsilver; gemstones; Myrish lace and Myrish tapestries; Dornish wines (but not wines from the Arbor); Dornish sand steeds; gilded helms and filigreed armor from the craftsmen of Tyrosh, Lys, and Pentos.

On top of this he introduced a crenellations tax which he claimed came from a point made by Jahaerys concerning the boldness of Lords to follow Black Harren's example, building tall imposing castles and feeling tempted to defy the Realm as a result. Thereafter, any lord who wished to build a new castle or expand and repair his existing seat would need to pay a hefty price for the privilege.

In 52AC, Lady Roslyn gave birth to Prince Benjen Targaryen, named for the Prince's close friend from the Company of the Rose, Ser Benjen the Bear who had joined up with the Gold Cloaks under Commander Corbray. "I'd say he's the first Targaryen to bear that name anyway" teased Prince Viserys to his Lady wife Roslyn who was contented with the choice.

Prince Viserys had made a point of staying by his Lady wife's side during the late stages of her pregnancy, fearful of any unforeseen complications though Grand Maester Benifer and the septas present assured him all was well. Benjen Targaryen bore a mop of reddish brown hair, as was a common trait of his mother's kin and the dark lilac eyes of his father.

With the Crown' Treasury slowly swelling due in no small part to the keen insights of Prince Viserys set to work purchasing merchant ships who, under the protection of the Velaryon fleet, shipped goods from Westeros across the narrow sea.

He also set to work employing clever new methods of farming, including what came to be known as the 'four Dragons' system whereby Prince Viserys reasoned if 4 different types of crops were grown in close proximity to one another, those parts of the soil each crop subsisted on might differ and the different four crop seeds could swapped between the four segments so as to not wear down the soil.

Though many questioned the feasibility of such a system, it proved fruitful as the turnover of crops in the Crownlands, increasing the export of said yield via the Prince' own trade ships, further increasing the Crown's coffers.

By the end of 52AC, the Crown's treasury was filled to bursting due to the ingenious efforts of Prince Viserys, who came to be known as 'the Prince of Coffers'. The sellsword turned bookkeeper proved equal to his task.

By this point King Aegon II had appointed Prince Jahaerys as Master of Laws due to his continued good counsel, replacing Lord Prentys Tully who returned to Riverrun with his Lady wife Lucinda. Though she was remiss to leave her sister and nephew Benjen, the Lady of Riverrun had grown to respect and admire Prince Viserys for his devotion to Roslyn.

Queen Rhaena, on the other hand, was less beloved. Among the women at court, her tempestuous nature had led many to admire her but she kept counsel with few friends, the majority of which were made up of 'pretty young flowers' as Grand Maester Benifer accounted in his recordings of the events of Aegon II's reign.

The king seemed to pay little mind to the Queen's companions however and it was even rumoured they would oft-times join the couple in their marital bed. This promoted sultry rumours among the commoners, denoting Aegon II and his wife's entourage as the 'recluse and his whores'.

Though harsh, there words rung through, king Aegon II rarely if ever left the capital preferring instead to treat with lords from his seat of power. It was the young master of laws who first broached the idea of organising a royal progress but was met with many reservations.

"Last we journeyed out, we were set upon by Poor Fellows and made captives of at Crakehall, you'd have us repeat such folly!" barked Queen Rhaena to her youngest and wisest brother.

"Now, your Grace, you would not travel by horse but by dragon. Let the realm see your might and grandeur" said Jahaerys, soft spokenly as was his nature. Though reluctant, king Aegon II saw wisdom in this counsel and bade Viserys remain behind with his counsellors to help 'keep the realm afloat' in his absence to which he replied "if you're looking to keep something afloat, the Lord Hand Velaryon is the man for the job" he mused.

Riding atop Vhagar alongside his wife on Dreamfyre as their children rode along in a palanquin though Aerea was dissatisfied, having recently turned ten and longing for a dragon of her own though prince Viserys cautioned that they choose wisely which dragon to bequeath her lest the beast' overpower her own and bid that she claim one of the three wild hatchlings that had recently been birthed on Dragonmont.

In this, king Aegon II gave careful consideration, thinking of House Targaryen's sigil and the providence of having three children to match these three new dragons born atop their ancestral home.

Beginning their journey at the island of their birth before heading north along the eastern coast, what followed became known in years to come as 'the Search for the Three Young Wyrms'.

Of these three young wyrmlings, the grey dragon that would later be claimed by Vaelon as Pale-Shadow proved the most elusive, shy by nature it took the knights and men at arms of Dragonstone a week to corner the beast, having caught the other two only days prior.

Aerea received the oldest and wildest dragon given her willfull and stubborn temperament, black as coal with menacing green eyes she dubbed him Emerald-Fyre.

Rhaella, a shy and timid child received the second eldest, "a middle dragon for a middle child" reasoned Queen Rhaena. Rhaella was initially quite frightened by the brown creature but, like her mother before her, as time passed she began to amass confidence upon bonding with a dragon, naming her new companion Miera in honour of a child she'd befriended in her years in Tyrosh.

Leaving their children behind to become 'acquainted' with their dragons, Ser Pate remained on Dragonstone with the prince and princesses as king Aegon II and Queen Rhaena completed the progress, visiting houses throughout the Vale including Belmore, Corbray, Templeton and Royce. Whilst the king hawked and feasted with the lords, Queen Rhaena, it was said, enjoyed the company of their lady wives

Expecting trouble, king Aegon II was insistent to be given guest rites while beside Vhagar each time he landed in a keep or stronghold. After completing their tour of the Vale, the royal company travelled east to the Riverlands and feasted with Prince Visery's goodbrother, Lord Prentys Tully who warned the king of mounting tensions within the Faith concerning the marriage of his siblings. This darkened the king's humour, it was said, so much so he spoke little at the welcome feast that eve at Riverrun.

Upon returning to King's Landing two weeks later, he called for his two brothers' audience in his solar to discuss what was to be done about the Faith. Prince Viserys spoke the truth as he saw it, either the Faith show fealty to the king or it should be swept aside. This was thoroughly opposed by Prince Jahaerys who, as was his nature, counselled peace and diplomacy.

As the hours waned, the three brothers argued incessantly, at one point going so far as for Prince Jahaerys to turn on his brother Viserys, spitting venomously "if you would do this how are you any better than Maegor?", to which Aegon II stared on incredulously while Viserys merely shrugged "well I'm better looking" he pointed out.

They argued into the wee hours of the next day and it was said as the sun crested and light beamed back down upon the three brothers, King Aegon II made his decision. "It is the dragons who rule Westeros, not the Faith and it is time these Andals remember that!".

Albeit reluctantly, the three brothers rallied their forces and flew south, lady Roslyn was noted as not being among Queen Rhaena and Princess Alysanne giving their farewells the day the Princes flew south, no doubt sickened by this heresy.

Away on the Iron Islands, conflict broke out as devotees of the Drowned God led by Lord Goren Greyjoy's own son Morgan Greyjoy he cursed his father's weakness in allowing the Faith of the Seven, citing the King's own campaign against the Faith as proof the Andals time had come.

Calling his liege lords to arms, the Crownlands marched alongside the Stormlands where Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon had recently bore Lord Rogar a son by the name of Boremund in 52AC.

King Aegon II saw this as good chance to 'test' the loyalties of his leal lords. Those who stood behind their king would be the ones to keep his counsel in years to come.

Calling their banners in the far North, Lord Alaric marched south across the trident alongside his winter wolves. Assembling at Bitterbridge, the seat of House Caswell house the Targaryen host boasted eighty thousand men as they marched on Oldtown from an assembly of Stormlander, Crownlanders and Northmen. The Reach, Westerlands and Riverlands were notably absent from this contingent.

"Your wife's own people abandon us!" shouted Aegon II to Viserys who appeared unperturbed. "They're devout Andals, they'll take to the new order of things with time".

"Perhaps that is sign enough that we should reconsider…" began Jahaerys, ever the conciliator.

"NO! If I march home now, I show myself a craven like our father. We march on Oldtown and we put the Starry Sept to the torch!"

The day Vhagar' shadow was spotted above the streets of Oldtown, the people were unsure what to make of it, though delaying Donnel Hightower was all too aware. Having assembled his forces upons news reaching him of the King's host, his men had captured and enchained ever septon and septa they could get their hands on, raiding the motherhouse and Starry Sept themselves.

Among these, the High Septon's steward Casper Straw was first to beseech the king to be merciful. King Aegon II was also presented with the head of Septon Mattheus, Lord Donnel hopeful this too might sate the king's longstanding animosity with the Faith. Vhagar breathed fire down on the Starry Sept that afternoon and as fires engulfed the sacred site, prince Jahaerys was quoted as saying "and now it begins" as the last fires died around the soot covered husk that had once been the headquarters of the Faith of the Seven.

The smallfolk were sent into a panic, many calling for justice against the heretical king. Lady Lucinda Tully went so far as to suggest to her Lord husband Prentys in the presence of their maester that they spirit little Benjen away and crown him to which her lord husband was unamused.

"Riverrun will not be another Harrenhall".

During his counsel, it was Alaric Stark who suggest they install the Old Gods in place of the Seven to which Viserys agreed, seeing the practicality in this less demanding faith structure.

King Aegon II then visited the homes of each liege lord who failed to assemble at Bitterbridge. Lord Lyman begged before the king when he arrived at Casterly Rock, having put his septons to the sword hoping it might appease the king.

King Aegon II took counsel with those loyal lords who had answered the call, some cautioning a new High Septon be installed, others the Old Gods be made anew and even a few that the king take those gods of Tyrosh where he spent the better half of a decade. Noting the Stark's long-time service, he called for the planting of Weirwoods throughout the Seven Kingdoms, visiting the Isle of Faces so as to allegedly gain a better understanding of the old ways by treating with the Green Men there. Though not a pious man, Aeon II grew fond of the more simplistic ethos practiced by those who worshipped the Old Gods.

Prince Jahaerys was put to work outlawing septs and coming up with ways to spread the teachings of the Old Gods amongst the populace. So as the Drowned God's support rose on the Iron Islands, the Old Gods found new purpose under the Targaryens.

Many septons and septas decried the king's actions as against the will of the gods, with former Poor Fellows rising up, assaulting king's men in the streets of King's Landing and across the Crownlands. Lady Roslyn reclused her to the royal apartments for the better part of a year before finally making peace with her husband Viserys for the sake of their son Benjen.