9th Moon, 101 AC
Aurions Chambers, Within the walls of Vaemonds Holdfast, Kings Landing
The Prince opened his eyes, the effort of that alone causing a dull ache in his head, the surrounding room was blurry and unclear, though he could make out a figure standing by his bedside.
''He's opening his eyes...get the Grandmaester.'' The voice said, familiar sounding but Aurions mind was still too foggy to make it out.
''Can you see Aurion.'' The voice said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
His vision slowly adjusted to the dark chamber and his confusion slowly dissipated, turning towards the voice, recognizing it as that of his Uncle Aemorys, armored in the white plate of the Kingsguard.
He nodded slowly, grimacing as the movement caused another dull flash of pain in his head.
''Drink this.'' His uncle commanded, handing him a skin of water, which he greedily drank, downing the entire skin at once.
Hearing footsteps, he turned and saw aged and plump Gradnmaester Desmond walking in, chain rattling.
''Welcome back to the land of the living, your Grace.'' The man said before laying a hand on his forehead ''The fever seems to have passed…..how are you feeling.''
''Tired.'' Aurion said, accepting another skin of water, his throat still dry.
''That is to be expected.'' The Grandmaester said, exchanging a strange look with his uncle Aemorys.
''How long was I….'' Aurion asked, in truth he remembered little of what came before, only a night of terrible pain, discomfort and fatigue and being carried to his sickbed by his uncle, having been fine at dinner and only hours later growing very ill.
''You were in and out of consciousness for three days….but it had been more than half a day since you had lost opened your eyes, we were beginning to fear we had lost you as wel…'' The Grandmaster began, stopping himself suddenly before looking at the Lord Commander again.
Suddenly Aurion felt very nervous, that something was not right, he forced himself into a sitting position with his back to the pillow, facing his uncle ''What is it.''
''Your mother.'' The Lord Commander said sadly after a moment of silence.
Aurion felt a chill run through his body countered by the presence of hot tears forming behind his eyes, a lump in his chest.
'Wh..What?'' He forced himself to gasp out, his voice little more than a croak.
''The sickness took her…I assure you we did all we could….but her condition….'' The Grandmaester answered.
Aurion wiped his eyes quickly, aware of both of their eyes upon him, he wanted nothing more than to collapse into his bed, memories of his mother flooding into his mind, but a King did not cry.
After a few moments after composing himself slightly he spoke ''Did…Did she suffer?''
''No…it was over in a day and she was not awake for most of it….we gave her milk of the poppy and she gently slipped away…..she just simply did not have the strength to fight it my Prince…she was buried beside your father in his mausoleum within the Red Keep'' The Grandmaester answered.
He took the news in silence, it was a small comfort, but it was something ''My brothers?'' he asked.
''Word has been sent to Valerion in Stonedance and it has surely arrived…..as for your other brothers, we thought it best to say nothing….she requested they be brought to her side but we did not wish to endanger the princes….they have been told nothing.'' His uncle answered.
Aurion nodded slightly and slowly pushed himself upwards with great effort, getting out of bed.
''My Prince….what are you doing…you must rest…I can get milk of the poppy.'' The Grandmaester began hurriedly but Aurion shook his head.
''My brothers need to know…..it needs to be me….not some…stranger'' Aurion said.
''I'll have them brought here your Grace.'' His uncle said.
He returned a short while later with the Princes younger brothers in tow, led by six year old Vaeron whos long silver hair shone in the candlelight, holding their infant brother Balaerons hand. Behind him stood three year old Matarys and five year old Aelor.
''I'll be at the door.'' The Lord Commander said gently, giving them some privacy.
''Aurion!'' Vaeron said excitedly, running to his older brother as he got out of bed and embracing him.
The Prince reciprocated though the effort caused him much discomfort and he gently pushed his little brother away, kneeling and gesturing all of his brothers to gather around, placing his hands on the shoulders of Vaeron and Aelor.
''I…..I have some bad news to tell you.'' Aurion began, barely composing himself against the tears as the reality of his mothers death truly sank in.
''Our mother…she was…was very sick…..she's….gone now…I am so sorry.'' He forced himself to finish.
His brothers took it very differently.
The happiness on Vaerons face at seeing his older brother almost immediately contorted and he began to cry, which instantly caused little infant Balaeron to join in.
Three year old Matarys stood there in confusion, his eyes wide on his plump moon shaped face as he asked repeatedly where mother was in a quiet tone.
Aelor was silent for a moment before he pushed off Aurions hand off of his shoulder.
''WHERE IS SHE.'' He screamed, looking at Aurion with angry blue eyes, and in that moment Aurion realized how much he looked like their mother, having the same brownish auburn hair and blue eyes of the Tullys, but where his mothers eyes had been full of kindness and love, his little brothers were full of only rage and fear.
''Shes..Shes gone Aelor…..but I will look after you now'' Aurion said, but his little brother was hearing none of it.
''I DON'T BELIEVE YOU'' He shouted, running from the chamber.
Aurion saw his uncle make a move to stop him but he shook his head.
''Let him go uncle.'' Aurion said tiredly, doing what he could to comfort his brothers before returning to his bed, exhausted and orphaned.
9th Moon 101 AC - 10th Moon 102 AC
The outbreak of the Bloody Flux in King's Landing, though deadly and accounting for several thousand deaths, was luckily quite short lasting with the pestilence dying out by the end of the year 101 AC.
Just as this hardship was overcome however, new challenges quickly presented themselves this time on the realms frontier territories in the Stepstones.
The area had long faced consistent pirate raids from the raider fortresses which infested the area, but these were manageable to an extent and scarcely afflicted more than one island at a time. However in the year 102 AC, perhaps hoping to take advantage of the crown's regency, the Pirates descended upon the crown's territories like locusts.
1200 raiders from the Harratys pirate family on Wreckstone landed on Bloodstone, raiding the surrounding fishing villages though not attempting to attack the fortified stronghold of Bloodstone Keep itself, eventually leaving, laden with loot, plunder and slaves.
This was followed by some 1500 Ironborn and essosi raiders from the Skulls landing upon Nerrissa on the orders of King Todrid Drumm of the Skulls, driving the Lord Elesham into hiding once again and taking salt-wives and plunder.
News of these incursions quickly reached Aegon Bar Emmon, the Hand of the King, and he immediately tasked Lord Massey of Stonedance, the realm's master of ships, to assemble a force of ships and men in the narrow sea.
Lord Massey raised some 1900 men and 50 war galleys and cogs, composed of ships and men from Dragonstone, and levies of Houses Celtigar and Velaryon and set sail to the Stepstones, no doubt hoping to replicate Prince Vaekar Targaryens scouring of the Stepstones decades earlier.
The campaign began with modest success as Lord Massey ordered a sortie onto the lands of Wreckstone, and at the cost of around 120 dead and wounded manage to inflict 300 casualties on roving bands of pirates on Wreckstone, thus avenging the plundering of Bloodstone, with this done, the expedition set its eyes towards the Ironborn of the Skulls.
The Ironborn would prove to be a much more capable foe however, experienced at fighting at sea, and when word came of the royal fleets approach they quickly abandoned their positions on Nerrisa and took to the sea in between Nerrisa and the Skulls, Lord Massey would order an immediate pursuit.
Lord Massey was a capable commander, experienced and skilled in the art of naval warfare, but even the best of commanders make mistakes. The Ironborn, who had anticipated this pursuit, would lay a trap.
The royal fleet was a strong one, comprised of some 50 ships, both war galleys and transport cogs, but this size made it rather cumbersome and slow. Whilst sailing between two islands in a narrow straight, the slower transport cogs soon lagged behind the faster war galleys of the fleet.
The Ironborn, who had some 20 fast longships waiting around the bend of the corner would pounce when the slower ships were separated from the war galleys, swiftly striking the back of the fleet, while the ships further ahead could only watch in horror as the Ironborn massacred the ships in the back, trying in vain to turn against the wind and reinforce them.
What followed next was a slaughter, as the swift Ironborn longships, crewed by Ironborn reavers and local pirate auxiliaries boarded the ships and put them to the torch. Some 340 men of the royal fleet died that day, with six ships sinking to the bottom of the narrow sea. Among the dead would be Lord Tahaelor Celtigar, with the wounded elderly man being bound and ordered thrown into the sea by Falia Orkwood, the Warrior Dowager Queen of the Skulls as a sacrifice to the Drowned God, though a loyal man would manage to hide his Valyrian steel ax Crab's Pincer and return it to Claw Isle.
The only saving grace of the event was that Lord Massey and his ward Prince Valerion Targaryen were not in the rear and thus saved from the massacre, but this battle would prove the end of the campaign as it was deemed untenable to drive some 2000 Ironborn out of the Skulls and the royal fleet limped back to Westeros.
The problems with the pirates would not end here, as in an especially daring raid a fleet of pirates from Grey Gallows in the Stepstones would sail along the southern coast of Dorne towards the riches of Oldtown, taking several ships just miles away from the great city before returning to their fortress laden with spoils.
Despite these troubles, in the grand scheme of things they were not alone enough to threaten the stability of the realm as a whole and the main preparations and focus of the year 102 AC centered around preparing for the coronation of the prince Aurion, who was approaching his 16th nameday.
Aurions father had been coronated in Kings Landing after summoning the High Septon to the capitol to personally crown him, but Lord Bar Emmon, a pious man found this display of power and disregard for the faith was unseemly and it was decided Aurion would be coronated in the city of Oldtown in the manner of the Conqueror, Vaemond the Strong and Laena, Queen of Skulls.
In the 9th month of the year, Aurion and the royal court set off for Oldtown for his coronation. There he was greeted by a truly enormous crowd, much bigger than the one that had been present for his great grandmother and even rivaling that of King Vaemond the Strong, who had also been crowned as a young man of 16. The Prince had a good reputation throughout the realm, as most all those that had journeyed to the capitol in the past came away thinking he was a young man of great potential, courteous and noble, as well as tall and kingly, nobles from every corner of the realm came to see their new King.
The young Prince by all accounts acquitted himself very well at the coronation, greeting lords and ladies he had never met before by name and politely inquiring as to the state of their domains, or asking questions of their history. Aurion had received a courtly education and was a diligent study, resulting in the young man having a thorough knowledge of heraldry and histories of the houses of the realm, great and small. This proved to be a great delight to many of the Lords and Ladies in attendance who were all too willing to tell the histories of their houses and were pleased that such a powerful figure was largely familiar with their backgrounds.
Following his arrival and mingling with the nobility on the first day, the next morning Aurion rode through the streets of Oldtown surrounded by a raucous crowd, following the same route of his forebears to the Starry Sept, his uncle Aemorys close behind him.
Once inside, he was anointed by the High Septon and knighted by his uncle, following which the crown of the conqueror was placed upon his head and he was officially crowned Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and Protector of the Realm.
Aurion Targaryen, First of His Name had come into his throne.
There was to be a great feast held later that night that Aurion announced the crown would personally pay for, with no Lord or Lady, now matter how humble their house would be allowed to attend, with hundreds of trestle tables being set up in the courtyards and gardens in front of the Starry Sept.
Before this feast however, the young King was invited to have a light meal with his Holiness, the High Septon, which Aurion accepted.
10th Moon, 102 AC
Solar of the High Septon, The Starry Sept
Aurion paced around the Solar of the High Septon, examining the private collection the High Septon kept in his chambers, within glass were showcased many relics, fingerbones of past holy men, swords and shields of Andal heroes who had brought the faith from across the narrow sea, as well as shrines to each of the seven, encased with silver, gold, copper and onyx, no doubt for the Septons personal use.
Looking outside onto a small courtyard and garden adjourning his chambers Aurion saw a strange device in the courtyard, a magnificently painted and golden inlaid circle on the ground with some sort of golden instrument above it.
''A sun dial.'' A voice came from behind him, causing him to turn.
It was the High Septon, an old and plump man with wispy gray hair and a long thin mustache that gave him the appearance of a large richly dressed rat, though despite his appearance Aurion got the sense he was a good sort, if a bit arrogant and egotistical.
''Prayer is best suited for certain hours and feast days, and precision is best suited for such things.'' The old man explained and Aurion nodded, he remembered reading something about Sun Dials in one of his lessons.
''Approach my child.'' The High Septon continued, gesturing him forward and placing a hand with a crystal ring upon one of the fingers out.
Aurion dutifully bowed his head and lightly kissed the ring as a sign of respect. He knew the High Septon was likely testing him and hoping to exert some authority which he had lost when Aurions father had summoned him to the capitol instead of traveling to Oldtown, and Aurion could not imagine his father kneeling to kiss the man's ring. Aurion was not particularly thrilled with the idea himself, but there was no sense in making an enemy of the faith, he knew first hand what could come of conflict with zealots.
The old man nodded in approval ''Humility before the gods is a great quality in Kings…you exhibit much more of it than your father I am glad to say…I told him the same thing, but he refused to submit himself…but each man receives their just reward from the Gods.''
''I apologize for making you wait…..following its use the Sept must be cleansed and the holy anointing oils safely stored away….a great many matters require my attention.'' The man continued.
''It is no trouble.'' Aurion said, accepting the man's gesturing to take a seat at the richly carved table.
What the Septon had described as a light meal before the feast turned out to be a multiple course meal of rich food which Aurion forced himself to only eat small amounts, he was to dine with the Hightowers personally that night while the rest of the nobility feasted outside the Starry Sept and it would not be courteous to arrive stuffed.
''I sense a great deal of potential in you Aurion…..you have been raised well, and I am told you have a most honorable temperament ... .but I have some advice for you..'' The man said.
''I would of course welcome it.'' The young King responded.
''It is one thing to be honorable in mind and temperament ... .but to truly be noble…to truly gain the favor of the gods, one must do honor as well….to think honorable thoughts and let the opportunity to put them into practice slip by is a sin.'' The High Septon said.
Aurion nodded, thinking for a moment before responding ''You mean the pirates?''
''Not just that….in everything you do…but should the crowns position against these cruel savages be one of force….the Faith would be all too happy to support these efforts.'' The High Septon answered.
The two talked for nearly an hour about things great and small, and even both made joint preparations for any leftovers of the feast to be given to the less fortunate of Oldtown. By the time he left, the young King Aurion did so with his relationship with the faith secured.
Later that night, the great feast began, and after welcoming all the hundreds if not thousands of nobles in attendance and wishing them well, Aurion ascended the Hightower to feast with the Hightower family, the rulers of Oldtown, personally.
Later that Night
The Hightower, City of Oldtown
It was a pleasant dinner, the High Hall of the Hightower was small but intimate with richly carved tables and beautiful tapestries, a comforting breeze from the Sunset Sea entering the hall from the open balcony.
It was a rather small dinner, with the only people Aurion had brought with him being his Uncle Aemorys, Hand of the King Aegon Bar Emmon, and his younger brother Valerion, as the rest of his brothers had remained in King's Landing.
Present for the Hightowers was the Lord of Oldtown, Wendell Hightower, a young man of 19 who Aurion was not particular impressed by despite the man being three years his senior he had the temperament of a lazy and spoiled youth, being finely dressed was perhaps the only positive thing that could be said of him, sitting next to him was his brother young Luthor Hightower, a boy of six.
Wendell's widowed mother, Lady Graceford, a plump and unassuming woman was also in attendance, joined by Ser Denys, a rotund yet jovial old man and the castellen of Oldtown, Aurion gathered that the man was some sort of baseborn uncle of Wendell Hightower, the brother of the former Lord, and was perhaps the true power in Oldtown as he handled much of the cities affairs for his disinterested nephew.
Of far greater interest to Aurion however was Alicent Hightower, the young sister of Wendell Hightower, a girl of his age with a head of silver curls and friendly blue eyes. She had immediately caught his eye during his arrival into the city and other than a brief introduction he had little opportunity to speak with her during his time in the city, though it appeared that would change as the two had been seated directly next to each other.
''I think it is wonderful that you have decided to donate the leftover food from the feast your Grace, I know the motherhouse will make good use of distributing it to the less fortunate.'' Alicent said smiling, and Aurion once again found himself noticing the blue color of her eyes.
He quickly composed himself ''I cant take all the credit for it…it was as much the High Septons idea as mine.''
She turned her eyes to her brother ''It is something I have suggested to my brother many times ... .perhaps your example will change things.'' Alicent finished, a slight bite in her tone.
Wendell Hightower grew red ''We have been over this….food is expensive….I am sorry that I do not wish to give away every bottle of wine in our stores to a bunch of peasants….if they want to eat they can work for it….besides the peasant palate is not well adjusted to fine food.''
Alicent looked like she was about to deliver a scathing retort when Ser Denys quickly cleared his throat, preventing the argument from continuing.
''I hear tell that you have brought the dragon Vhagar into the city.'' The old man asked the King.
''I have….I thought it better to ride into the city on horseback however…It is resting outside of the city…I thank you again for the supplies of sheep you have provided by dragon keepers with…I will of course see that you are reimbursed for that expense.'' Aurion answered.
''No need for that your Grace….it is our pleasure.'' Ser Denys answered, ignoring an annoyed glance from his nephew.
''Speaking of the dragon Vhagar your Grace, It was my great honor to see the beast once.'' He said.
''Really?'' Aurion asked, intrigued.
''Your late Great Grandmother Laena arrived in Oldtown on the back of Vhagar for her own coronation….I was just a young boy then but I remember it clear as day….how your Aunt flew the dragon just feet away from the Hightower and stepped off, bold as you like…..I must say I am pleased you did not arrive that way….if you don't mind a bit of humor our stores of white pants were much diminished after that.'' Ser Denys said with a good natured laugh, earning a chuckle from the table.
''I would very much like to see a dragon.'' Alicent mused, to no one in particular.
A silence fell over the table, before Aurion, not even thinking blurted out.
''With your brother and uncle's consent I could arrange that.'' He said, giving her a glance, causing her to break out in a beaming smile.
''Well….I am not quite su…'' Ser Denys began.
''Please Uncle…please.'' Alicent begged.
''I think it would be a wonderful idea for the two of them to spend some time together…..and I am sure it is quite safe?'' Lady Graceford, Alicents mother said, giving Ser Denys a rather odd look, to which Aurion nodded.
Ser Denys cleared his throat ''Well….of course…if your Grace wishes it…of course the both of you must go.''
Alicent, wasting no time, grabbed Aurions hand and led him out of the room excitedly, ignoring Ser Denys's plea to wait for an escort.
Lord Commander Aemorys gave his nephew a glance, a small smile on his face, and Aurion shook his head slightly, insinuating that he was not in particular need or want of an escort.
The two walked down the many steps of the Hightower.
'''It is good to get out of there, one course of pork was enough for me and I had no wish to spend any more time with my pig headed brother.'' She said and Aurion laughed.
''I suppose you must think me terribly impolite.'' She said, studying his face.
''No…..not at all.'' Aurion managed, once again caught looking at her eyes.
The two of them took a boat to the shore and found horses at the stables to take them outside the city, they rode through the cobbled streets of Oldtown with Alicent pointed out locations of note in the distance and close by. Townspeople stopped in wonder as the new King rode by them, calling out greetings, but Aurion paid them little mind, his focus on Alicent.
Eventually they made it to the space outside of the city where Vhagar was resting, surrounded by a pile of charred sheep bones, Dragonkeepers closely watching the beast.
The two of them dismounted, and for the first time Aurion saw a hint of doubt run through her eyes as the enormity of the beast became clear ''It is safe?'' she asked.
''So long as I am here, yes.'' Aurion said, putting a hand on Blackfyre reassuringly.
''Good.'' She said, the doubt erased on her face and replaced with a smile.
She marched towards the sleeping dragon confidently, pausing for a moment before placing a hand on the dragon's nose.
''It's so warm.'' She said with a slight laugh.
Her laugh stopped when the massive dragon slowly opened its large eyes, causing Alicent to step back hesitantly, Vhagar lifted its head and began to snarl.
Aurion quickly stepped between the two ''GĪDA Vhagar!'' He said, commanding calm.
The dragon, hearing the familiar sound of its master's voice slowly rested its head down, though its bright green eyes remained locked on Alicent.
Aurion climbed up the netting on the side of the dragon, and in a moment of boldness, extended his hand and gestured for her to follow.
''I'm not a mountain goat.'' She protested, but managed her way up the netting, being helped up to the top by Aurion.
She wrapped her arms tightly around his stomach.
''I would advise not letting go.'' Aurion said lightly, and Alicent laughed, shouting excitedly as the young King urged the massive dragon into flight.
Dawn had been replaced by the early night sky, and the stars were out in force as they circled the city of Oldtown, the beacon of the Hightower glowing in the distance as they flew among the stars.
At dinner and on their ride outside of the city, Aurion had decided that he quite liked this Alicent Hightower…..by the time they had landed he had decided that he wanted to marry her, with the young King marching off to his hand, Lord Bar Emmon and announcing his intention, and it must be said that the Lord Bar Emmon did not seem particularly surprised and it is worth speculating that the seating arrangements at the feast in the Hightower were not made entirely by coincidence.
King Aurion Targaryen and Lady Alicent Hightower would be wed shortly after in a great ceremony in the Starry Sept, the first royal wedding to be held there since the marriage of King Vaemond and his sister Nyel, though the more recent wedding was viewed much more favorably in the eyes of the realm.