King Aemon I Targaryen

As King Aemon looked out over the balcony of his and his wife's chambers, he could hear the bustle of the city and people below. His thoughts were drifting, he had been king for four years now, and in that time there had been some tensions negotiations with the North and with Dorne, both realms were at peace now but there was always the lingering chance that Dorne might cause more trouble. The Stepstones, those islands were pirates had the run of things since the age of heroes, were now an official part of his kingdom and his rogue of a nephew Daemon was in charge of them. Daemon actually seemed quite well suited to the role of Lord Paramount, ruling over pirates and cutthroats, he had brought order and trade to the Stepstones and had finally settled down and wed Alysanne Velaryon and had a daughter with her whom he had named Vaella after the aunt he had never met. Of course there were more pressing concerns for Aemon closer to home with regards to his family. The lapse of judgement his nephew and hand Viserys had shown in bedding Alicent Hightower and then being caught in the act by his wife Aemma could have blown up in all of their faces, after all Aemma's brother Jonnel was a fierce man and a valuable ally, and had Aemma expressed any distress at the whole thing to the man, whether he was dying or not the Vale would have risen to defend her honour. Viserys had shown his political tact and had spoken to Ser Otto and had apologised for the whole deal and Alicent had then returned back to the Hightower though she had since returned as a lady in waiting to Aemon's own wife Jocelyn. That was one headache that seemed to be linked to the fact that his own daughter had not yet produced a son. His daughter had so far birthed three daughters, Alysanne, Vaelana and Visenya and whilst Aemon loved them all, and he loved his daughter and in no way blamed her for the lack of male heirs, he knew that unless a male heir was borne for his son his lords would begin making their own moves on the throne. He had brought the matter up with his son, tentatively mentioning that perhaps he might consider taking a second wife who might be able to produce a male heir, or that Rhaenys might step aside and Aemon could take another wife. His son's reaction had both been angry and ferocious, Aemon had looked at him and said in no uncertain terms that should anyone be so foolish as to offer him a potential bride, he would offer these potential brides and their fathers to Meleys as an anniversary present to Rhaenys. His son's anger and rant had reminded Aemon that no matter how weak or uncertain his son might sometimes appear he was still as much a dragon as Aemon himself or Rhaenys, and in a way that made the king more proud.

A knock on the door brought him away from his thoughts. He found Ser Harrold Westerling the new Lord Commander of the Kingsguard following Ser Ryam's death standing in the doorway. "The members of the small council are in the council chamber as you requested Your Grace. They await your presence." Aemon nodded, and followed Ser Harrold into the council chambers where he found his small council waiting for him. They were all loyal to the crown either due to them being family or because they hoped to gain something by being loyal. His hand Viserys was smart and loyal a cunning man who worked hard and tirelessly, Lord Corlys Velaryon the master of ships was a man who he considered a friend and a brother a man he knew he could rely on through thick and thin, then there were his two children Aemon and Rhaenys who were there as advisors, Rhaenys often did most of the talking for the pair in council meetings and had shown herself to be a very shrewd political operator, then there was Lord Boremund Baratheon his master of laws, a bold and strong man he knew when to make a comment and when not to and finally there was Lord Lyman Beesbury who as master of coin had seen the realm into an era of financial prosperity. These were the people whose loyalty was unquestionable, then there was the members excluding Ser Harrold Westerling whose loyalty was in question. Master of Whispers Lord Larys Strong a quiet and devious man who would likely stab Aemon and his family in the back for the highest bidder, Grand Maester Runciter who worked for Ser Otto and fed him information, soon enough Aemon would need to feed him to Vhagar. Aemon bid them sit down and the spoke. "My lords, I thank you all for coming today. I know the hour is late and that it is hot as the seven hells, but it has been sometime since we last met. I would know what is happening in my realm. Lord Lyman why don't we start with the accounts?"

Lord Lyman nodded and then looked at the papers in front of him. "Well Your Grace, in the royal coffers after the latest round of tax collections there is 6 million golden dragons and some 500,000 silver stags. We have no outstanding loans or debts to the Iron Bank, nor to the faith. This does mean that there should be enough money to have the Sept of Remembrance expanded and made more inhabitable for the High Septon and his followers."

Aemon nodded and then turned to Lord Larys and asked him. "And what is the word on the street in King's Landing and Oldtown about the plans to move the Faith from Oldtown to King's Landing my lord?"

Lord Larys was silent as he always before he spoke. "Well Your Grace, those in King's Landing seem very happy with the development. They have long believed that the Faith should be housed in the same place as the royal family, to show that the promise the old king those many years ago will actually ring true. As for those in Oldtown, well there are some very mixed signals coming from the Hightower. Lord Leyton Hightower has long been in favour with the Faith and he strongly believes that the Faith must remain in Oldtown as that is its traditional seat, and he fears that if the Faith moves from its traditional seat, then things will change beyond what he could hope for. There are others within the city who share this view, all of them are imploring the High Septon to refuse the offer Your Grace was so kind to offer him. Then there are those who believe it is only right that the Faith be housed in King's Landing. They believe that it would solidify the alliance between House Targaryen and the Faith and perhaps encourage less considerate practices by the Iron Throne."

Aemon nodded and knew that sooner or later the issue of the incest his house had practiced for many long years would become an issue once more. Still he had other matters to focus on. "What news from the north Lord Boremund, has Lord Benjen written as to whether the Night's Watch needs more men or not?"

Lord Boremund was silent for a long moment before he replied. "No Your Grace. There has been no word from Stark since the last raven he sent, that stated what he was doing to deal with the potential of a wildling invasion. I will send another raven if you wish?"

Aemon shook his head. "No let the matter rest for now. When the time comes Stark shall reply. There are more pressing matters that we must focus on for now. How is Ser Luthor finding his role as commander of the gold cloaks?"

Lord Boremund nodded and said. "Aye Your Grace, Ser Luthor has fitted in quite nicely. He has maintained the good work of Prince Daemon and as such King's Landing has seen a steady period of safety in her streets and a drop in crime to levels not seen since the early days of the conqueror's rule. Peace has well and truly returned to King's Landing."

Aemon nodded and then turned to Grand Maester Runciter. "Now maester, what news has there been from Dorne? Has Princess Loreza replied to my offer?"

Runciter was an old man whose loyalty Aemon questioned on a daily basis and yet he was good at his job. "She has Your Grace. Princess Loreza writes that she would be more than happy to wed Prince Daeron and to have the wedding in Dorne. She also writes that her lords and herself are more than happy to have this marriage be what seals Dorne's entry into Westeros on a peaceful basis."

Aemon nodded and then asked. "And what of the final demand I had asked of her, before this marriage could go forward?"

Runciter looked at the letter in front of him and the replied. "She says that she accepts that term as well. Though she shall allow it with a heavy heart, she understands why her father had to go. And she writes that those lords who once supported her father even through his imprisonment now understand why he must go, and that they accept Dorne must join Westeros and the Iron Throne for peace to be everlasting."

Aemon nodded and said. "Very good, at last we can be ensured of peace and prosperity within the realm. And Aegon the Conqueror's dream of seven united kingdoms has finally come true. I believe that is all the discussion we need for now." With that the council meeting ended and roughly three weeks later Aemon, his wife, his children and Prince Viserys as well as half the royal court had travelled to Sunspear for the wedding of his youngest sibling Prince Daeron Targaryen to Princess Loreza Martell. This was the wedding that would join Dorne to the Iron Throne, his brother Daeron was a shy lad, a more bookish than martial man, and someone who had held their mother's heart through everything. His brother was very shy and yet from watching him interact with Princess Loreza it seemed as though he had finally found someone who could bring out the charmer in him. The Princess was a very beautiful woman, tall with dark brown hair and green eyes, her skin was olive in colour and every move she made seemed to be a seduction, but whenever his brother was in the room she had eyes only for him. They looked very good together, and Aemon was happy for his brother.

Aemon listened as the High Septon led the couple through their vows and once they had kissed and the crowd had cheered, and the feast had begun Aemon got up and said a few words. "My lords, my ladies. People of Dorne, tonight we are here to celebrate the uniting of Dorne with the Iron Throne. Today we have achieved what the Conqueror could not achieve, Westeros is finally united, seven kingdoms have finally become one with this marriage. I wish my brother Daeron and his wife Princess Loreza all the happiness in the world. And I wish them the best for their marriage, let it be joyful and beautiful. Let us drink to their health and harmony."

A general roar went up at that and soon enough food and merriment had given way to calls for the bedding and whilst everyone else had left their tables for the activity, Aemon and his wife Jocelyn were left at the high table. Aemon took his wife's hand in his own and spoke softly. "I made the right decision to have Daeron wed to Loreza did I not my love?"

Jocelyn ran her finger down his palm and said just as softly. "I believe so my love. Look at how happy Daeron looked tonight, I have not seen him that happy since mother was alive. He seems to be smitten with Loreza and she with him. Yes I do believe you have made the right choice. This union will bring the peace to Westeros that we have all been searching for. Embrace it my love, and know that you shall be remembered for this if nothing else."