THE TARGARYENS
VISERYS - BRAAVOS -SEVEN YEARS AGO
His world had been turned upside down, the dynasty of House Targaryen had fallen into obscurity. Prince Viserys and his sister Daenarys are the last of the Targaryens or so he had been led to believe. "Can't you shut her up?" He screams at the nursemaid holding his baby sister.
"Forgive me your Grace..." She stands with the baby and makes a quick exit from the cabin. It was hard enough to form a thought without a baby whaling all the time. With some quiet he can now orders his thoughts. The Sea Dragon is docked in a port in Braavos. Viserys and his new baby sister had to flee Dragonstone after receiving news that Stannis Baratheon was sailing to the Island. Viserys had ordered the Captain to sail to Dorne, but he suggested Braavos. It made no sense to Viserys and it still didn't make sense to come to Braavos when by law of marriage House Dorne was obliged to help him.
The doors to his cabin opens and in walks Ser Darry, "About time...What took so long..."
"Apologies your Grace...I found us a place to live..."
It was a small modest house with a red door, five rooms, and a yard, "This is a dump...Not fit for a Prince and Princess..." Viserys complains.
"Forgive me Your Grace...but we do not wish to draw attention to ourselves...And our funds are limited..."
"Right..." The food was just as meager that first night especially with Viserys complaining at every turn. The next morning after they break their fast Viserys stands up at the table. "I think I will pay a visit to the Iron Bank…"
"I would not advise that Your Grace…" Jon Connington says. He had joined them when they arrived in Braavos and renewed his oaths to House Targaryen. "People think you are dead and that is good…It allows us more freedom to move about…"
"Fine!" He replies aggravated. "What of House Martell…shouldn't we contact them?"
"You must be patient Your grace…Your time will come…"
Patience was not one of Viserys' strong suits and everyday he found something new to complain about. Placating him was becoming an everyday task for Ser Darry and Lord Jon Connington. They received little to no news from Westeros.
Two years would pass before aid finally came for the Targaryens. A knock came at the door one afternoon, "Take the Prince and Princess to the other room…" Jon Connington says commanding the Handmaiden; she obeys and the door is locked.
Viserys impatiently waits, but he doesn't have to wait long. "Your Grace…It is safe please come out…"
When Viserys exits his room he frowns, "Who are you?"
The man bows, "I am Ser Paul Drake a Knight of House Romyn…Lord Julian Romyn sent me with a thousand men, servants, a Maester, A Septa for the Princess and 3 million gold Dragons…If it please Your grace I have taken the liberty of purchasing a mansion for the King and his Sister…"
"My thanks to Lord Julian Romyn…Please lead on…" Viserys and Daenarys who is now two years of age are taken to a two story fifty room mansion. There are servants already there setting up furniture and decorating the mansion. "Now this is how a King should live…"
The people Ser Drake mentioned are waiting in the foyer. One by one they bow and introduce themselves, "My name is Lester Axel…Accounting Master…I will aid his Grace with increasing his coffers…House Romyn has given you three million gold Dragons if used rightly I can triple your gold through several business ventures…"
"Maester Olyse I was sent at the request of House Romyn to continue his Grace's education…"
"Holland Cavenaugh of Port Romyn…Chief Steward…"
"Septa Kayland…Your Grace…"
With the arrival of the soldiers and servants Viserys felt that things could only get better for the first time in his life. Early sunrise Viserys found himself with Maester Olyse learning history, politics, and other things to one day rule Westeros. "House Stark…The Starks…"
"Are my enemies!" Viserys says interrupting, "All I need to know is do they have any rivals in the North worthy of replacing them as Wardens?"
"House Bolton while sworn to the Starks have always resented their rule…At times they have challenged the Starks…They have two banners…House Whitehill and Warwick…The Houses are currently ruled by Lords Roose Bolton, Ludd Whitehill, and Torrhen Warwick…" Viserys gets offended when someone refers to his father as the Mad King. He also gets up upset when Olyse tries to tell him the reasons Houses Baratheon, Stark, Tully, and Arryn rebelled.
He tells Viserys about potential allies with Houses Frey, Baelish, Cobray, Tyrell, Martell, and Romyn. "When the time is right I will offer the Boltons, Freys, and Cobray Wardenship over their Lords…"
When Viserys' lessons with Olyse are done he reports to the yard for sword training, "This one is Armondo Sartan…Braavosi sword-master…A man was hired to teach his Grace the sword…" The lessons do not go well and Viserys is very arrogant boasting of his skills. Eventually he grows board with the lessons and leave.
A month later he has a meeting with his councilors, "News from the West…Your Grace…" Jon Connington says starting the meeting. "Robert Baratheon has married Cersei Lannister…House Romyn has won its independence from the Iron Throne…"
Viserys grows angry, "Does Julian Romyn plan to call himself King of the Western Expanse?"
"No your grace…" Ser Drake says quickly speaking up, "…Their Independence allows them to operate more freely…This way the Lannisters cannot exploit the Expanse of its resources…When House Targaryen is back in power on the Iron Throne the Romyns will publically declare for you…"
"So long as they recognize me as King…"
Lester Axel clears his throat, "Your Grace I have placed one million in gold with the Iron Bank…Five hundred thousand will be used to run the Household for now…and the rest will be used to invest in several business ventures…As your wealth grows it can be used to train an army loyal to you…"
"I am required to pay back this gold to House Romyn?"
"No Your Grace…It is a gift…"
Viserys smiles, "I suppose they expect a reward…"
"Only that they be reinstated as Wardens of the West…"
"What else I grow bored with this meeting?" They quickly lay out the rest of the topics that had to be addressed before retiring. Later Varys lays in bed staring at the ceiling, everything is coming together a bit slowly, but soon he will be back in King's Landing sitting on the throne that is rightfully his. Viserys oversleeps the next morning and has food bought to his room. He skips his lessons and training session with the sword master. At midday he gets out of bed dresses and leaves his room. When he reaches the yard he finds the sword Master giving a lesson to his baby sister he often refers to as Dany.
"What are you doing?"
"Teaching her to fight…Your Grace…"
"She is a girl…Why would a Princess need to learn to fight…"
"Your ancestor Queen Visenya wielded the sword Dark Sister and killed the Laughing Knight in single combat…"
"Well go ahead and teach her…She will never be as good as I am…"
DAENARYS
She is often referred to as Dany, by her brother. Daenarys was born during a terrible storm that raged around Dragonstone Castle. As a baby she was unaware of the dangers she faced as she, her brother, and loyal servants fled Dragonstone after her birth. Growing up Daenarys is a shy young girl, but she has the Handmaiden Ayreen and Septa Kayland to look up to as mother figures. Jon Connington is like a father and the one she confides in the most besides Viserys.
As she gets older Daenarys starts noticing things about her brother. His mood swings and irrational behavior. "Is it true Septa Kayland…"
"Is what true my little Princess?"
"Well Viserys told me that one day he and I would marry…I asked him why and he said that all Targaryens marry brother and sister…He said our mother and father were brother and sister…" Dany is eight years old.
Kayland sighs, "Well…part of that is true…Most of the time Targaryens married brother and sister…Your brother Rhaegar was the exception. He married Princess Elia Martell of Dorne…Maegor married Ceryse Hightower…And Aenys the First married Alyssa Velaryon…"
"I don't want to marry Viserys…"
"Few women born into powerful Houses get to marry whom they will or for love…"
Later Daenarys has a wooden practice sword training against Armando. As usual Viserys skips his lessons today. "Ouch!"
"Ouch…The little Dragon is distracted…Her mind is elsewhere and now she is dead…"
"I'm sorry…"
"Dead people do not get to say I'm sorry…They are dead…Why is the Little Dragon distracted?"
"Nothing!" Daenarys takes a fighting stance and attacks. Later she is lying in bed thinking on what Septa Kayland told her. The next morning she breaks her fast with Jon Connington, Ser Darry, and too her shock Viserys comes to the table to eat.
"Your Grace we need to have a meeting…" Jon looks at Daenarys, "I think the Princess should be present as well.
Daenarys pauses in eating as she is never invited to meetings, "Fine whatever…"
"Your Grace…Princess…I have fabulous news…" Lester Axel says, "All of your investments have come back…We have a triple return on everything and I am glad to report that we have a steady flow of gold from two sources…One is shipping and the other is in spice trade…"
"Good…But how soon can we start building an army?"
"Actually Your Grace I am leaving for Astapor to broker a deal with Krazyns mo Naklos to start training an army…The Masters of Astapor are famous for training the Unsulied Soldiers…"
"What are Unsullied?" Daenarys asks.
"Dany shut up!" She lowers her head, "Continue…"
"The Unsullied are slave soldiers trained by the Masters of Astapor…" Jon says answering the Question. Dany smiles.
"You didn't have to answer her stupid question!" Viserys growls. "Go to your room!"
She jumps up and runs off crying, when she reaches her room Dany locks the door and lies on her bed weeping. After a while there is a light tap at the door. "Go away…" She sheepishly commands.
"It is me Princess…" The sound of Jon's voice causes her to get up and go to the door. She unlocks it and turns to walk back to the bed, but Jon grabs her. "Hush now…You are the daughter of Dragons…The blood of Old Valyria runs through your veins…A Dragon does not cry…" He raises her head from his chest and wipes the tears away from her cheeks.
"Why is he so mean?"
"Your father was mad…The Mad King they called him…I'm afraid the same has happened to your brother…"
"Will I go mad?"
He smiles and looks at her, "No Princess I do not think you will go mad…"
Feeling better Dany leaves her room for evening meal. As she is walking Viserys approaches her and stops her, "One day you will be my wife! As my wife and Queen you need to learn your place and fast…"
Jon Connington's words echo in her mind, "I will never marry you…"
"What!"
"I would rather die than marry you!" It happened so fast. Dany didn't think he could move that fast nor did she think he was that strong. The slap to the face sends her to the ground.
"Don't you ever speak back to me like that again…I am the eldest! I am blood of the blood of the Dragon!" He grabs her by the hair and that is when Armond pinches the nerve in between his neck and shoulder.
"Let her go…nice and easy…" Four guards show up with Jon. "Go to your room little Dragon and lock the door…" Septa Kayland appears and helps Dany off the floor. She looks back as Viserys is now on his knees gritting his teeth with Armond still holding him by the shoulder.
"Are you alright Princess?"
"A little shaken up, my face hurts…"
"Well the pain will pass…Next time duck…"
"It happened so fast…" Food is bought to Dany's room and when the door opens she notices the two guards at her door. "Is Armond alright?"
"He's fine…Viserys ordered the guards to kill him, but they refused his command…"
"Why?"
"Well for one Armond is not one of his subjects…And secondly…Well I will tell you when you are older…"
The next day Viserys shocks Dany by apologizing under the supervision of Jon Connington and Ser Darry. When she sees Ser Darry she runs up to him and hugs him. "I am so glad you are alright…"
"Of course Armond is alright…Now we train even harder…So the next time he or any other man swings at you…You will see it before it comes…"
He teaches Dany to observe body and eye movements to know what her opponent will do and react accordingly. She dodges a stick as he swings and stabs it at her. Armond has her stand on one foot, sometimes on one hand. As time passes Dany becomes proficient with a dirk, daggers, the Quarterstaff and with a bow and arrow. Maester Olyse teaches her about poisons, politics, healing, and other matters. As she gets older her body starts changing and Dany grows into a beautiful young woman.
Only one other time did Viserys attack her when they are alone, but she grabs his wrist and flips him over. Then she places her foot in his throat; while on the ground he begs her to let him up. "If you ever try to put your hands on me again…I will wake the Dragon dear brother and I will end you…" She releases him and kicks Viserys in the balls before walking away.
At the age of thirteen Daenarys starts asserting herself and running the House; as the people of the House start referring to her rather than Viserys. "What is this?" Daenarys asks to Lester looking through his accounting book.
"Well um…You see Your Grace we had to make some less than honorable investments to get the income we make…"
"Where does it come from?"
He clears his throat and shamefully replies, "Slaves…We uh…we purchased two hundred slaves for breeding and sell the babies throughout Essos…"
"I want it stopped now…" She commands. "The slaves are to be given their freedom and five pieces of gold…"
He coughs at this, "Forgive me Your Grace…But we have orders that must be filled…"
"Return their money now!"
"Yes at once…Um may I suggest we send the slaves West to the Iron Isles…"
She frowns, "Why?"
"Well you see House Romyn in the past has purchased slaves given them their freedom and trained them as soldiers…Six years ago the Iron Born attacked Port Romyn and the Romyns were able to annex the Islands…They rule the Iron Islands…They have been cultivating the Islands for the past six years…"
She nods, "Alright do that…Do we do anything else that involves slavery?"
"No your Grace…The business is run through a third party…"
"These are the expenses for feeding and training the army?"
"Yes."
"How many troops do we have so far?"
"Six thousand…The goal is ten thousand at the most, eight at the least…The Masters of Astapor are also training Unsullied soldiers…They have eight thousand half of which have just completed their training…"
"Tell me again…How do they train these soldiers?"
RHAENYS – DORNE
Rhaenys was just five years old when her father died on the battlefield and her brother died of sea sickness on his way to Sunspear in Dorne. Her mother Elia had tried to give Rhaenys a happy childhood, but her mind was Fire and Blood. The Blood of Baratheons, Starks, Arryns, Tullys, and Lannisters.
From the age of six Rhaenys trained daily with spears, swords, daggers, and bows. She became proficient with all. She also learned poisons from her uncle the Viper Oberyn Martell. Rhaenys enters the arena in the training private dojo. She is armed with a practice sword, her long dark hair is a braid draped across her left shoulder.
She is surrounded by her cousins Obara, Nymeria, Sarella, and Obella. Tyene and Dorea stand off to the side watching. Obara attacks first thrusting her spear, but Rhaenys spins into her deflecting the spear off her sword. That is when Nymeria flicks her whip catching Rhaenys around the arm. Sarella runs forward into a flying kick. Rhaenys ducks and sweeps her legs from under her. Then she places the whip in the path of Obella's sword. Rhaenys sidekicks Obella in the throat and rolls toward Obara. She stops on her knees and blocks the spear.
Rhaenys grabs her leg and puts Obara on her back. "Dead!" She declares placing the sword to her neck. As she gets to her feet the remaining three sisters converge on her. Rhaenys blocks left and thrusts forward catching Sarella in the gut, down she goes. "Dead!"
"Cocky bitch!" Nymeria yells cracking her whip twice and thrusting her dagger. Eventually she is elbowed in the side of the head.
"Dead!' Rhaneys says thrusting the sword at her heart. When she turns to Obella, she drops to one knee.
"I yield…"
But Rhaenys places the blade to her throat, "I do not beg for mercy nor do I give it…" When the training session is over they all go riding through the countryside. Two days later Rhaenys waits at the docks as her mother's ship returns to port. They hug after she walks down the ramp, "Mother!"
"My beautiful daughter…"
They start walking leading their horses up the path to the main castle, "So when are you going to tell me the truth…"
"About what?"
"About where you go every two years…"
She sighs, "I guess it is time you learned the truth…Come…"
Rhaenys follows her mother to a private room. Soon her Uncle Prince Doran and cousins Princess Arianne and Prince Quentyn enter the room with Prince Oberyn. "So the time has come and all of you are of age…" Doran says.
"Of age for what?" Arianne asks.
He looks at Elia, "As you know your father was accused of kidnapping and raping Lyanna Stark…"
"Yes you told me this was a lie…"
"What I didn't tell you is that Lyanna had a son…She named him Aegon Targaryen…He has been raised by Julian Romyn all this time…Lord Julian named him Jon Romyn…Your Uncle Prince Viserys and Aunt Princess Daenarys have been living in Braavos all this time…They do not know your existence…"
"Arianne I have promised you to Lord Julian's eldest son and heir Jordan Romyn…" Doran says speaking up.
She shakes her head, "I will not marry him…I am your eldest child and by right I am the heir of this House…"
"Heirship will pass to your brother Trystan…"
"And what of me?" Quentyn asks.
"You are promised to Princess Daenarys Targaryen…"
"Lady Margaery Tyrell will marry Prince Trystan…"
"The Baratheons and Lannisters will not sit still while we plot against them to put the Targaryens back in power…" Arianne says, "The Starks…"
"Will side with us…Especially after we tell them of Lyanna's son…"
"Why would the Starks believe us?" Rhaenys asks.
"Before she died Lyanna wrote a letter…I have kept it all this time…Also our agents report that Queen Cersei's children were all fathered by her brother Ser Jaime Lannister…"
"Fuck me!" Arianne says.
Doran shakes his head, "You have been hanging around the Sand Snakes too much…They are having a bad influence on you my daughter…"
"I want to meet him…Prince Aegon or Jon as he is called…I want to meet my half-brother…" Rhaenys declares.
"In time…"
AUTHOR NOTES:
House Romyn's military strength – Some reviewers have expressed disagreements about House Romyn's military strength…If you read carefully you will see that they use their wealth to augment their military forces with trained freed slaves from the east…So yes they are able to field 30,000 troops to aid Rhaegar…The bulk of the military strength would have come from House Romyn had Houses Reyne and Tarbeck been patient
Independence – Yes House Romyn asks for independence, but they do not refer to themselves as Kings or a separate Kingdom, their honor would not allow them to do so…Their independence keeps them from answering to the Lannisters or Robert…As for Robert he agrees to the deal because he believes that his champion can defeat Julian in single combat…Julian says his house will bend the knee if he is killed in combat…Why wouldn't Robert accept the deal…and Jon and Hoster advise him to accept the deal because they are tired of war and the only blood that would be shed is that of the combatants…Even if Robert stormed the gate many people would die trying to breach the Western Gate…
The taking of Lannisport – Tywin knows that the Romyns are in league with House Reyne and Tarbeck…He attacks Crakehall to take it back and draw the Romyns from behind their wall…Caster sees through this and attacks Lannisport drawing Tywin away from his brother's castle…Since the Romyns have always been loyal to the Targaryens and technically Tywin drew first blood and broke the King's peace. People would see the city being taken as the spoils of war…Tywin backed down because he is named Hand of the King…and he hopes that one day his daughter will be Queen…So they can take it back and humble the Romyns…Its complicated…
Aegon's conquest – Yes House Lannister and Gardner were allies, but not until after Aegon landed on Dragonstone and when Aegon landed on Dragonstone House Romyn pledged themselves to Aegon…So technically the Lannisters couldn't touch the Romyns without incurring their wrath…after the war Aegon elevated House Romyn to Wards of the West…Wardenship was returned to House Lannister by Aerys Targaryen who befriended Tywin
Bran and Daenarys – No! For all others concerned about matchings in this story…There will not be a Dany - Jon/Aegon matching…Jon will meet Rhaenys and fall in love with her…Daenarys will meet Hector Romyn and fall in love with him - More duels are coming like the one Baelish fought Brandon Stark over Cat