The King's Feast 12: Viserys III
"We must continue with the celebrations, Your Grace. If we wait until the morrow, it shall no longer be Prince Daeron's name day." said Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, petulantly.
Queen Alysanne, one of the royal galleys, was spotted heading up the Blackwater that morning. It was carrying Viserys' daughter, Rhaenyra, who had decided to cut her marriage tour short. Viserys had wanted to postpone the celebrations for Daeron's third name day until the morrow, so Rhaenyra could attend as well, but the Sea Snake insisted that they hold the event today.
The Sea Snake loves to insist that he knows best, doesn't he?
When the Grand Maester notified the council of Rhaenyra's early return, Viserys was furious. He and Otto Hightower had spent so long planning this entire tour, inviting lords and heirs from all across Westeros. And she chooses to end it early? No father would usually give their daughter the liberty of choosing their own husband. I give her the choice of any man in the realm, and she chooses to spurn every single one of them?
Despite Viserys' fury at reading the message, he knew better than to voice his displeasure, especially not towards his councillors. I cannot let people think that the house of the dragon is in turmoil.
Upon hearing of Rhaenyra's impending return, the Sea Snake was just as furious as Viserys was, proclaiming that this was not behaviour suitable to the heir to the throne. He will use any excuse to make his grandson the heir. The Sea Snake then suggested that if Rhaenyra could not find a suitable husband, she could marry her own half-brother, just as Targaryens usually did.
If Rhaenyra does not want to marry some of the most eligible bachelors in the realm, how would she react if I were to force her to marry her three year old brother?
Meanwhile, Otto gave a long sigh, likely due to all of his effort arranging the tour going to waste. That and the fact that his son did not get a chance to court Rhaenyra. Thoren Hightower was a good lad, nonetheless, he was well versed in books, talented with a sword, and had the grace and chivalry of a true knight. He got along with both Viserys and Rhaenyra, and would certainly be a better match than most, despite him being of lower standing than noble lords such as Jason Lannister or Borros Baratheon.
If I were to make Rhaenyra marry Ser Thoren, mayhaps she would not mind. Maybe I should.
All the while Viserys had to deal with Rhaenyra ending her marriage search early, she had to deal with the party for Daeron's third name day. All the attendees of the celebration would certainly be trying to curry up favour with Viserys, as everyone who spoke to Viserys usually did. And the Sea Snake would certainly be trying to push the King to name his grandson heir.
Just another political headache to add to the pile.
The Sea Snake was correct, however. Cancelling the celebrations because your daughter has shirked her duties would just be asking for rumours to spread. So, continue with the celebrations, they did.
The royal gardens were so large that you might get lost walking around it. It was full of exotic trees from the Free Cities of Essos, bushes cut into the shape of dragons and castles, and flowers of every color and size. Viserys stood in the central area of the garden, next to a statue of a man and a dragon coupling. On Viserys' right was Otto, in his customary dark green and black doublet, with his golden Hand pin on his chest. On Viserys' left was his wife, Queen Laena, in a black and red gown that had a dragon embroidered on. Restlessly clutching Laena's left hand was the young Prince Daeron, looking all the part of a young prince with his small black doublet lined with cloth-of-gold, and bright red cloak, and in Laena's arms was Viserys and Laena's second child, the Princess Baela, who had taken a break from crying and shouting for once.
Viserys cleared his throat and looked at the small crowd. "I thank you all for attending this celebration. In truth, this is a modest celebration for a prince, but that does not mean that today is still not a happy day! Before we begin, I would like to make a toast, to the good health and fortune of my son. To Prince Daeron!"
The crowd cheered and clapped, and Viserys heard small shouts of "To our lovely Prince!" and "May the Seven bless him!". Ser Vaemond Velaryon even shouted "To our future King!"
The party was as Viserys expected, words spoken sweeter than lemon cakes, and courtesies emptier than a peasant's plate. At least the selection of wines did not let Viserys down.
About an hour into the event, Viserys was already tired of it all, as was Baela. She had starting crying, likely at the all the new faces present, so Laena took her leave, with the screaming one-year old in her arms, quickly followed by a flock of handmaidens.
"Children, eh, Your Grace?" laughed Ser Gwayne Hightower, whilst his siblings Alicent and Ser Thoren gave a small look at each other.
Viserys gave a forced laugh in response. "That is very true. How fares your daughter, Ser Gwanye? Young Jocelyn is of age with Baela, is she not?"
"Jocelyn does not cry as much as the Princess Baela, yes, but she is still a babe, and babes are not easy to look after, as you most definitely well know, Your Grace," replied Ser Gwayne, as Alicent smiled in response to that.
Viserys felt a small pity for Ser Gwayne. He had lost his wife when giving birth to Jocelyn, and Lady Mullendore's passing was said to have not been easy on him.
We are similar in that regard.
"It is a wonderful celebration, Your Grace. I pray that the Seven bless Prince Daeron with a long, healthy life." Alicent smiled.
"Thank you, Lady Alicent. You are too kind."
"In truth, Your Grace, I wasn't going to attend this celebration," whispered Ser Gwayne, leaning towards Viserys. "But I heard of all the various selections of wines, so I had to do my duty and attend."
Viserys gave a laugh that was honest that time. "Ahh, wine is always something that can be relied on, that we can agree on, Ser Gwayne."
"Your Grace..." Ser Thoren said, nervously. "I heard the news about the Princess. Does that mean she will not continue with the second round of her tour?"
Viserys sighed. I am surprised it took this long to reach the topic of my daughter's marriage.
"It seems that she will not, Ser Thoren. Is that all?"
"Yes, Your Grace. The..." gulped Ser Thoren, before taking a small glance at his older sister. "That is unfortunate to hear, Your Grace. In time I hope the Princess will find a good husband for herself."
"I hope so too." Viserys responded, bluntly.
Later, Viserys was drinking a cup of Arbor gold while talking to the Grand Maester, after having to suffer through every guest asking about Rhaenyra.
"Mellos, it seems that every lord here has their own interests placed above the realms. I trust you can give me... some... impartial advice?"
The Grand Maester shuffled and looked around before answering. "Why... yes, Your Grace, always. What... do you... need advice about?"
"Every bloody person here either wishes to marry my daughter, or have their son marry my daughter, and my daughter does not wish to marry anyone. Mayhaps giving my daughter free reign over her marriage was… a mistake. In the scenario in which I... must choose a husband for her, as much as I would mislike it, who would you suggest for my daughter?"
"Well... Your Grace," he responded apprehensively. "There are... many a choice for a woman of such high standing as the Princess... of course… Targaryen's do marry… brother to sister, as you are... of course… familiar with... but I do remember your… dismissal at such proposition. There are... the Lannisters of course, a rich... but… ambitious house. There is also Lord Borros... with the Baratheons being kin with House Targaryen... or even... outside a Lord Paramount... there is Torrhen Manderly...but not all... Ser Laenor Velaryon is unwed... but I suppose Your Grace... would not..."
"Would not what, Mellos?"
"Forgive me for this, Your Grace, but... Lord Corlys is already extremely… influential in the realm with… Laena married to you… not to mention his... incredible wealth... as the opinion of someone who serves the realm... a marriage to Ser Laenor... may result... in a lesser house... being just as... if not... more powerful... than the royal house..."
I would certainly not want to give the Sea Snake any more power than he already does.
There is also... the young Cregan Stark... though he is still only three... mayhaps even a Hightower would serve for the Princess... Lord Hobert's son is married of course... and Ser Otto's firstborn has his own daughter... but young Ser Thoren may still be a strong choice... and also… Lord-"
Suddenly, the air was cut by a loud, shrill screech, and above, the large shadow of a dragon engulfed everyone in the garden. Above appeared the dragon, with its slender body, and blood red wings on its arms and legs. Atop the dragon was its rider, Prince Daemon Targaryen in his black, scaly armor, and long silver hair which flapped in the wind.
Caraxes landed clumsily in the garden, crushing the statue of the man and the dragon, and let out another scream. Daemon hopped off the dragon and walked towards Viserys, smirking at all the guards which had surrounded him and his dragon.
Daemon unsheathed Dark Sister, his Valyrian Steel sword.
He took a few more steps towards Viserys as the guards shouted at him to move away, with their own swords drawn too, whilst Caraxes roared back at them. Once he was only a few steps away from Viserys, Daemon kneeled, his head bowed in submission, and offered Dark Sister to Viserys.
"Sheathe your swords." Viserys commanded, as all the Kingsguard knights reluctantly put their swords away.
Slowly, Viserys walked towards his brother and accepted the sword. "Rise," said Viserys.
As Daemon got up, Viserys embraced him. Caraxes gave a small roar of approval as Daemon rested his head on Viserys' shoulders.
"Welcome home, brother," whispered Viserys, as the onlookers broke into a rapturous applause.