"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, I am his/hers and she/he is mine from this day until the end of my days." Aegon and Daenerys spoke in unison as the High Septon married them with rainbows recasting on them from his crystal.. hat or whatever they call it. Jon has truly never witnessed a Andal wedding, at least not like this. The faithful he knew tended to know wanted to live more simply in order to be closer to the gods of the seven.
Hundreds of lords attended the wedding of his brother and aunt. They cheered as the new couple passed them through the Sept with smiles on their. But Jon could see through them and the envious looks on many lords and ladies, likely jealous to have lost the opportunity to marry their wed daughters to the crown prince or be wedded by him. Yet they cheered and clapped and hollered as if they truly supported the match all the same.
Flowers were hurried around as the couple began the walk from the Sept to the Red Keep. The hundreds of lords and ladies had their voices drowned by the rallying cheers of thousands of smallfolk as the process walked across the streets.
The crowd was like an endless sea. Children watched from the rooftops and ledges of homes and orphanages , adults from the bath houses of the city, even whores from brothels. And thousands of smallfolk lined the streets held back by the gold cloaks. Somehow Jon doubts he or Rhaenys would receive such a reception. From what his brother told him the smallfolk love Daenerys for her charity work such as helping the orphans of the city. Though intelligent Rhaenys is apparently shy and hardly ever leaves the castle instead spending her time learning and reading books.
Jon waited for his moment to slip away from his guards. For weeks he planned his escape from this place of false promises. Rhaegar didn't want him leaving until after his "marriage" but he didn't care for it or being named Prince of the West. Not that Rhaenys isn't a beautiful woman or that her personality isn't. But he came to meet his father not to gain power and marry his half sister.
As he blended into the crowd he left for the mud gate. There on the docks a merchant ship was waiting to head west. From there Jon planned on either going home or head to the Red Rills mayhaps. Maybe even the Wall, that is if he wanted to die fighting some wildling raiders.
As Jon walks through the gate he spots the inconspicuous ship a little way down of the dock. Ghost padded by him as he walked. As he approached the ship Jon could see the water around the ship swaying back and forth. The captain of the ship approached him "Wait, wait there. You'd said nutin abot a wolf. If ya want to brin itt, it'l cost ya more". Jon sighed in frustration realizing how he should of thought of this.
Jon pulled out his coin pouch before he heard a commotion behind him. He saw the clambering of armored guards moving through the docks. Leading them was none other than Ser Arthur Dayne in his gleaming white Kings Guard armor. And to the other dock of the dock was strangely armored guards know as the Sharp Claws, from a extinct but skilled New Realm clan. Before Jon could react the ship raised its plank and fled in panic leaving him to his fate.
Jon stood there defiantly as the guards broke to allow Ser Arthur to stroke towards. He noticed the Dayne ancestral sword Dawn strapped to the mans belt 'Artie will sure be jealous I met his uncle before him' he thought as Ser Arthur stared him down. "Your coming with us your grace. Your father the king wishes to see you". He had little other than follow. Jon looked to Ghost who had the fur on neck raised "Ghost to me" he said as the young padded his way to him before they left the docks and his only escape.
Instead of heading towards Aegon High Hill, he was lead through the streets and up Rhaenys Hill. From the top Jon could see the walls of the Red Keep on Aegon's High Hill and the Great Sept of Baelor on Visenya's Hill. They moved through the ruins of the dragon pit where Jon was to to the center where father stood.
Rhaegar looked over and nodded at his guards "Arthur have the guards surround the entrances of the pit. And Sh'ar have the rest of the Sharp Claws rout out Varys damned little birds and any other spy overhearing us" the bald brown skinned nodded and his "claws" left as well as the Sword of the Morning and his men.
Silence grew between them as Jon refused to speak first. Rhaegar sighed as he "We need to talk my son.." but Jon interrupted him "We have nothing to talk about. I know you just want to use me. I don't care for the power you want to give, I wouldn't be your damned puppet Your Grace".
Rhaegar a disappointed look as he muttered "I failed you, I know. All my life I've prepared the Realm for the war to come. The only one that matters". Jon stared at him confused "I know you wouldn't believe me anymore than the others but the long night is returning and the Whit" but Jon interrupted him "the others exist, I know this".
This Rhaegar it was Rhaegar who was surprised as Jon explained " In Frostros they attack from time to time. It's why the Shipwrights crew managed an alliance with the shaggy men. When I apprenticed with the Wolf Rangers, the New North's Rangers, we aided against an attack. They.. they were terrifying" Jon said with a forlorn look.
"Then you know what we face. The Mooncast Sea connects Wonderos and the Far East of Essos. So I wonder if one charts through the land of Always Winter, if they would wind up in Frostros" Rhaegar caressing his chin in thought but shaking his head "No matter. Since the threat, then I assume you know the next Long Night is coming"
Jon spoke up then and asked him "But even if they take Frostros, Wonderos would still stand and Westeros has the Wall to defend it".
Rhaegar smiled sadly as spoke "Ever I was a boy younger than you I had a dream. Not just any normal one, but a dragon dream. In this dream I saw the dead March. I saw the Wall in ruins as Westeros was raped and defiled by the dead. And I will do everything in my power to stop that. The prophesies lead my actions. The dragon must have three or so I thought".
Rhaegar took a moment to continue "I have loved your mother like no other. With me and Elia we were friends but never held strong enough feelings, other than those for our shared children. With Cersei I've never dishonored her but I can't even say I ever loved her. I needed Tywins money to rebuild the realm and to enact my plans. But more than the Lannisters have been growing in power because of their new mines in Lannos. Our house is on an edge of an abyss and if play our cards wrong we will all fall. As the Starks say winter is coming and House Targaryen must lead the way or all will fall with us. That's why I want to be the new Prince in the West. Not to just be another puppet prince be to rule in truth. For if me and Aegon fall here it will be up to you to save the realm. And also that's why when I die the two of you will be named The King and Queen of the West. You don't have to like me, I understand your reasons, but will you accept this duty my son" Rhaegar.
Jon wanted to rage, to scream he doesn't want power and only wants his father as tears threatened to escape his eyes. But that won't help him or his people. 'Even if fathers wrong about the long night, then this will be a chance to help my people'.
Jon around the pit. The pits walls blanketed and shadowed half the arena. Broken stone remained from where the mighty were crushed by the smallfolk years ago. And Jon made his choice. "Aye, I'll do it. But this.. wedding it will happen on my terms". Rhaegar nodded as they outed out the pit.
A fortnight later here he was, waiting for Rhaenys in a sept. Not the great sept but a simpler ceremony. One of his terms, along with another wedding his mother could be apart of.
Rhaenys hair normally spirally brown hair was tied in a knot, with only her sliver strand out. She had a nervous smile as she took her place beside him.
The septon droned on on. Jon pretended to know or care for the words. Until finally Jon was asked to exchange Rhaenys three headed dragon cloak for his new one. He chose a white and dark four legged grey dragon soaring high behind a light blue background. A dragon wolf soaring high and free.
They said the words afterward as the septon announced as husband and wife. The only ones in attendance were the king, his grandmother, his brother, and some of Rhaenys Dornish relatives including her mother Elia.
The septon spoke "All rise for lord and lady Westark, Prince and Princess of the west"
The feast that followed was larger. They served freshly hunted stag slavered in honey and covered in white rice. Jon could see the Queen boring a hole in the back of head. He knows she wanted Rhaenys to wed her Ill tempered son. By the look on her face Rhaenys seemed pleased to avoid such a fate.
Then said brother Daeron clearly in his cups spoke up "It's time for the bedding" he said a slurr and pleased smile. That started a chant for the bedding. Jon knew from lessons this what Westerosi nobles were liked to do, but he grow up such archaic things are very rare, only done by strict traditionalist nobles. So he spoke up "There won't be a bedding ceremony" and that's he had to say.
Many of the drunken feast goers were clearly disappointed but its not like its unusual to forego it here either. Darron's face on the other hand was almost as crimson as mother house's banner. 'This isn't good'.
"There will be a bedding. She was sup-pops-ed to be my bride, not yours bas-ttard. If I can't havvee I willl see the whorree nude" Daeron the fool said. He looked close to unsheathing his sword.
"ENOUGH" the king billowed deeply. Rhaegar's place was a deep red as ordered "Ser Barristan, take my son Daeron and make sure he doesn't receive anymore ale tonight. Clearly he's too deep in his cups". Daeron screamed and hollered as he was dragged from the room. The Queen was anger as well and took but not before the king said to her "and for information Cersei, I have never consider Daeron for my Rhaenys" leaving the crimson in the face. Her glare to Jon was like seeing wildfire burning through ones eyes.
Later that night Jon and Rhaenys were in new room in Maegor Holdfast. Jon was nervous as didn't know what to do "I won't bed you, at least until you want it" he told her.
Rhaenys held a curious look "I want, I want to know something". Jon nodded at to ask away "What is the New Realms like, I've only about them".
That night rather bedding each other the two spent their talking. Over the people of the New Realm, some of its history and it's possible future. They talked until the candles went out and they fell asleep.
In the morning Jon woke to Rhaenys curled into his chest. They might not have done anything the night before, but now he doesn't he'd be opposed to it anymore.
After they broke their fast they readied there things. Today he finally leaves the city, but with Rhaenys. They board his uncles ship he arrived in, the fanged wolf.
Rhaegar, Aegon, Daenerys, Rhaella, Elia and Oberyn Martell saw them off. Oberyn suprised Jon when walked up to him whispering to him "If you ever hurt I will know and you death won't be pleasant" and then joined on the ship with three of his daughters. Jon ignored the lustful eyes of Tyene and Nymeria as the ship off.
As Kings Landing grow distant he couldn't say he would miss it. He wonders why the his ancestors didn't make Dragonstone the capital, it's better protected. Then again they probably wished for a quiet from the vipers that surrounded the court.
He noticed standing next to him petting Ghost. She smiled at him and he smiled 'maybe going here wasn't all bad' he thought as he looked out to the open sea 'But home is where I belong'.