Here we are then! The first chapter proper of the shorter sequel story to The Golden Dragon is here. The previous update was simply a family tree to get everybody caught up on the current state of things with the Great Houses, though if anybody has a request for another House (that I've actually worked on) then simply ask and if it's worth it, I'll add it in.
This is something really different for me too. The world is the same one I've been invested in for almost 2 years constantly at this point but thinking this far into the future for such an extended time is something I only tend to do on CK2, not for a story. I hope you all enjoy this little jaunt into the future!
A reminder that bold speech indicates the characters talking in High Valyrian, and that I don't own anything recognisable from ASOIAF or Game of Thrones. Only the OC's are characters I can lay claim to.
326 AC – 25th Year of Lucerys I Targaryen's Reign
The Red Keep was abuzz with activity. In every corridor or crevice of the famed castle there was movement, be it cooks rushing around with ingredients, seamstresses running to get their fabrics to the right place or guards on additional duties in preparation for the upcoming festivities. Prince Aegon Targaryen could only laugh as he made his way down through Maegor's Holdfast towards the Throne Room, where the impressive Iron Throne sat proudly.
King Lucerys I Targaryen was about to enter his 25th year seated on the Iron Throne, and for the most part those 25 years had been peaceful and prosperous for the realm. There had been the odd dissenter here or there, though Aegon smirked at the thought of how those Lords inevitably would shit themselves at the darkening sun that indicated the presence of the King's dragon, Valaxes. Only once in Aegon's memory had there been war…
Stopping himself there, the Heir to the Iron Throne walked along the golden carpet towards the Iron Throne, quickly spotting two armoured individuals in white cloaks stood outside the doorway that led to the Small Council antechamber. Reaching the end of the room and glancing once more at his future seat, Aegon turned to the taller of the pair and the man that usually was assigned to guard him on excursions away from the castle. "Am I late?"
Ser Daeron Waters shook his head. "No, My Prince. The King is just early."
"How many times must I remind you." Aegon rolled his eyes. "We are family, Dae, there is no need for titles."
Daeron grinned from beneath his helmet. "Always once more, My Prince."
Tutting, Aegon turned to the other man stood in the doorway. "Ser Jorah." He bowed his head.
The grizzled Northern Knight bowed back. "Prince Aegon." The Mormont knight had supposedly sought out a role on the Kingsguard after the death of Aegon's aunt 19 years before, and though his hair was all but gone and he had passed 70 years of age, he had been an ever present in Aegon's life for as long as he could remember, still capable with the sword that his hand very rarely left.
Excusing himself from the two on duty Kingsguard knights, Aegon entered the Small Council room. There were only three occupants at the moment, though one of them was his royal Father. Moving to the seat of the Master of Laws, Aegon bowed his head towards his Father before scraping the chair back. "Father, Ser Rolly, Lord Hand." He greeted the King, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and Aegon's own Goodbrother, Lord Edric Dayne, in turn.
"Ah, Aegon." Lucerys stated happily. The King of the Seven Kingdom's had now seen 47 years, though despite the fact that his hair was starting to show some grey strands in between the silver and age lines were more frequent around his face, the former Captain-General of the Golden Company still looked as fit as a man half his age. "Is it time?" The King asked, flattening the creases out of his now traditional black clothing.
"Almost." The Prince stated, placing his documents down on the table. Once his things were in order the door opened once more so that Lysono Maar and Lord Monford Velaryon could enter, before finally came the remaining two members of the council, Lord Edwell Celtigar and the Grand Maester, Theobald.
Once everybody had taken their seats, Lord Edric began. "We have plenty to do with regards to the King's Anniversary tourney, so let us get started quickly. Lord Edwell, are the prizes in order?"
Aegon turned towards the Lord of Claw Isle and Master of Coin, remembering the circumstances as to how he had received his role on the Small Council over the aging Harry Strickland. At the Hand's question, Lord Celtigar nodded. "All the coin is accounted for and has been placed in a secure vault before the proceedings start, Lord Hand. 5,000 Dragons for the archery victor, 12,000 for the melee victor, and 20,000 for the joust, with suitable runners up prizes."
Aegon winced at the figures. "So much?" He asked.
Lucerys simply smirked at his son. "I only hope you make it to 25 years sat atop the Iron Throne, Aegon. If you do, you will surely be just as lavish during your celebrations." Turning to Edwell Celtigar, Lucerys then nodded his approval to the Master of Coin. "Very good, Lord Celtigar."
Lord Edwell looked pleased with himself before turning to Aegon. "Surely you fancy yourself for the joust prize, My Prince?"
Aegon grinned. "Of course, Lord Celtigar, though my personal coin is not the realms coin. It would feel like stealing from my Royal Father."
Lucerys laughed. "Win the joust boy and I'll add on a bonus just for you."
"There will be fierce competition." Lysono Maar began. "Lord Tyrell has been seen near Tumbleton, whilst even Lord Stark is attending with his heir, Robar."
That surprised Aegon, and he noticed that his Father had perked up at the latter news too. "Jon's coming?" The King asked.
"I've never known Lord Stark to travel south of Moat Cailin." Monford Velaryon stated.
"He doesn't." Lucerys replied. "I've had to fly North to see him in the past."
Aegon had joined his Father on one of those trips, and the sight of the rebuilt Winterfell was one that stuck in the memory. The castle had improved its defences since it's destruction 18 years earlier and now had a second curtain wall with a moat running between the two, whilst the towers on the inside had all been rebuilt similarly to how it had been before the White Walker attack, though the Crown had financed the completion of the Broken Tower and First Keep to return Winterfell to a state it had not seen in hundreds of years.
Aegon knew he needed to turn the conversation back to the tourney attendees however, though his news wouldn't go down quite as well as that of the Stark's attendance. "Davos is attending." As expected, the room fell silent. At the looks certain members of the council were throwing at him, Aegon wanted to throttle them. "His mother, the Lady Shireen, is remaining inside Storm's End however."
"That's a relief at least." Monford jested, though his smile fell when Aegon shot him a glare.
"Have a care, My Lord." Aegon said coldly. "The feelings on Storm's End in this council are well known to me, but House Baratheon are my kin."
"Your wife's kin, My Prince." The Grand Maester corrected.
Aegon glared at the chained man. "And also our three daughters, therefore they are my kin too, Grand Maester."
"Enough." Lucerys said firmly, and all noise inside the room stopped to which Aegon was grateful for. He knew the topic of his marriage was a touchy one, with the scars of the fall out still evident in the Stormlands to this day. Aegon would never apologise for falling in love with Jocelyn Baratheon however, no matter how much his Father hated it, and by proxy the Small Council did too. "Thank you for the update, Aegon. The sight of the Baratheon banners will stop certain whispers, I am sure." The King then turned to Maar once more. "Visenya?"
That caused Aegon to grin once more as his older half-sister was a spirit unto herself these days. It had been a decade since the eldest child of the King had mounted her dragon and left Westeros, running away from a wedding she had never any intention of seeing through. Since that day she had returned for a few weeks each year, but she was always off flying on her travels, never being able to rest in one place for too long. In the more recent years she had brought Aegon's three girls gifts from as far away as The Thousand Isles and Yi Ti.
"The Princess has embarked on a grand journey this year. She was spotted in Qohor before heading southwards to Volantis, Your Grace." The Spymaster explained.
Ser Rolly groaned. "Seven Hells, this time she'll come back a sorceress."
Aegon grinned once more and Lucerys chuckled aloud. "My daughter will do as she pleases as she always has done, but she knew of my plans. She will be here for the celebrations, I am sure of it."
The talk of attendees continued as names from each region were called out, though it seemed like the vast majority of the realm would be in attendance, something which the Grand Maester commented on. "This seems like it will be the best attended tourney since… well, since Harrenhal, Your Grace."
Lucerys' face gave little away as he looked over at the Grand Maester, though Aegon knew that inside his Father was gritting his teeth. "May the Seven grant the realm less trouble than we received in that aftermath, Theobald." The King finally managed to let out.
That was Aegon's cue. "Trouble will be dealt with, Your Grace. Lord Celtigar's cousin Ser Damon has the Gold Cloaks trained exceptionally well and patrols throughout the city are increasing. The criers are reminding the people of the increased punishments for all crimes. Already we have dealt with decreasing numbers of thefts and rapes especially throughout the city."
"Thank you, Prince Aegon." Edric Dayne nodded approvingly. "This will be the largest gathering in King's Landing outside of war for almost 30 years. We must all be at our best to ensure the tourney runs smoothly."
"And we shall be." Lucerys insisted, rising to his feet. "I shall call this meeting there, My Lords. Unless there is anything else?" Nobody spoke up, and so the King clapped his hands together and said. "Good! Until the morrow then."
Ser Rolly quickly joined his King on foot and followed the Targaryen out, and by the time Aegon had gathered his things the only remaining occupant of the room was the Lord Hand. "You didn't mention Saella as an attendee." Aegon noted.
Edric Dayne had been married to a Volantene noble's granddaughter that had crossed the Narrow Sea with Aegon's aunt some years ago, but a tragic birth 9 years previous had taken both Lady Talisa and the babe, a boy posthumously named Lucifor Dayne. After some time in mourning and to stop the risk of yet another royal scandal, Aegon's younger sister Saella had been married off to the King's former squire, and had recently given Aegon his first nephew before Lord Dayne had been called upon to take over as Hand of the King from the retiring Lord Tarly. At the comment, Ned Dayne simply shook his head. "She will remain at Starfall, despite my encouragements to mend bridges. It seems things are still too raw even 5 years later."
Aegon frowned, but he let it lie, knowing that if Saella wanted to be there then she could travel quicker than most atop her dragon, Orbaros. "A shame." Was all he could bring himself to say.
"It shall still be spectacular." Ned Dayne said confidently. "Though you best win again, Aegon, I have 50 dragons on you already…"
Laughing, Aegon patted his Goodbrother on the back. "I best get practicing then." He jested, walking out of the room. He was quickly joined by Daeron, though when the Kingsguard kinsman asked about the meeting Aegon thought it best to not rehash the conversation he had just had with his Kingsguard kin, for obvious reason.
His first stop after the Small Council meeting was to drop his documents off in his office, before locking the door and making his way back to Maegor's Holdfast. Even before he entered the chambers historically belonging to the Prince of Dragonstone he could hear his daughters, and with a smile he pushed open the doors.
"Father!" The eldest of the trio, seven-year-old Alyssa cried out, and before Aegon knew it he was jumped at by a black-haired bundle.
Wrapping his arms around her and holding her up, Aegon looked into the blue eyes of his eldest. "Now what have we here?" He asked, pressing quick kisses to his daughter's cheek and relishing in the giggles. Soon after that his middle daughter, the 5-year-old Rhaella, wanted to join in the fun, and so Aegon was forced to move around his table with a black-haired girl in either arm, moving to the armchairs where his wife was sat, holding their youngest, one-year-old Elaena. He pressed a kiss to Jocelyn's cheek before throwing his daughters safely onto the largest sofa, grinning at their giggles.
"How was it?" Jocelyn asked as Aegon moved to pour himself some Arbor Red.
"As you can imagine." Aegon told her. "This Lord is coming, and that Lord is coming, and Father is wasting far too much coin on it as I suspected."
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. "And when they heard about Shireen?" Aegon shook his head, not wanting to say anything in front of the girls who loved their aunt dearly. "Ah."
They were interrupted as Alyssa started tugging on Aegon's sleeve. "Can we go to the Dragonpit tomorrow?" She asked.
Jocelyn tutted. "Alyssa, you know where we are going tomorrow. Just because we are back in the Red Keep doesn't mean you get to miss out on the Sept."
The eldest of the young girls pouted. "But I want them to hatch my egg."
Aegon winced. As the Prince of Dragonstone his family had been housed on the traditional Targaryen island since after Greenstone so none of the girls had truly known the Red Keep other than the occasional visit after Aegon's appointment to the Small Council, and as a result they hadn't been privy to the numerous whispers that resulted from their colouring along with their dragon eggs not hatching. He picked Alyssa up and placed her on his knee. "Be good tomorrow, and then maybe we can go and see Aeksidar afterwards."
That brought a big smile to the girl's face. "Thank you!" She grinned. "Come on Rhae, let's go and see the eggs!"
Aegon laughed as his two walking children ran off into their shared room, hearing the faint conversation of what they would name their respective dragons. Feeling more comfortable talking now however, he turned back to his wife and answered her question from before. "They were glad."
Jocelyn scowled as she swore under her breath. "No matter how long it's been, no matter how loyal I prove myself to be… I'll always be known as that Baratheon whore who bewitched the Crown Prince, won't I."
Aegon moved to kneel before his wife, grabbing her hand and pressing his lips to it. "Not by me. Never by me." He insisted.
He saw his wife's smile was forced however, and he let her run her fingers through his lengthy silver-gold hair. "And I love you for that." He heard her say. "At least I'll have my maternal kin in attendance too."
That caught Aegon's attention. "I knew my cousin was bringing his son and heir from Winterfell, but that was all we heard about the North. Is Eddard coming?" House Karstark had been struck among the hardest in the Great War, and of the 4 brothers Jocelyn's mother Alys Karstark had once had, only one had survived the many years of fighting in the early years of the century. Though she resided permanently on Dragonstone with Jocelyn and the three girls, Lady Alys would often go back to Karhold to visit Eddard and his family when Jocelyn herself would travel to Storm's End in visits to her half-sister.
Jocelyn nodded. "Aye." She said, her northern dialect appearing. "And he's bringing Rickon too. A lot of Northerners are attending, Aegon. They still revere your Father for the Long Night after all, they want to celebrate."
Aegon nodded. Lucerys was known as Wintersbane in some parts of the continent because of his actions in the Great War, the North chief among them. An amusing title, the Prince thought, given how cold the man could often be to those who actually knew him. "Well then, some new challengers to beat in order to rightfully name you my Queen of Love and Beauty."
Jocelyn grinned at that, lifting Aegon's head up so she could plant a kiss on his lips. "I've grown used to that title." She admitted. "I would so hate to part with it."
"As you command, My Lady." Aegon grinned back, kissing her once more before he moved back to his own armchair for a moment of relaxation before the many guests from all over the realm arrived.
One of the things King Lucerys had seen as important in the early years after the defeat of the Others had been to truly reunite the Crown with the Faith. The Grand Sept had been built atop Visenya's Hill as the first major project after the Great War. Built in similar Red Brick to the Red Keep it was a large heptagonal structure, with a crystalised roof all reaching up into a single point, each side showing a different colour of the Faith. Aegon himself couldn't remember anything differently, and the sight of the religious centre of Westeros always humbled him slightly.
All of his family inside King's Landing was there to attend the service. The King himself was at the front knelt beside Aegon's mother, Queen Margaery of House Tyrell. Then knelt Aegon and Jocelyn, followed by his two eldest daughters. Aegon's youngest two siblings, Daenys and Jaehaerys, knelt the other side of the King, listening to the High Septon finish his last speech of the day, a message about forgiveness.
When it was over, the Targaryen party were the last to leave. Aegon was quickly gathered by his Mother as she snuck her arm around his on their way out of the Sept. "Are you returning to the Red Keep with us?" She asked.
Aegon however shook his head. "I promised the girls a visit to the Dragonpit." He explained. Margaery Tyrell had for as long as Aegon could remember been terrified at the thought of her children riding dragons, and the look she gave Aegon was one that he had seen a thousand times, despite the fact that Aegon rode Aeksidar, Saella rode Orbaros and even young Daenys, only 15 years old, was a keen rider of Sōnar. "It is a part of us, Mother, you know that." He rolled his eyes.
"I know that dragons are dangerous." Margaery shook her head, before coming to a halt in the Sept doorway and tucking a strand of Aegon's hair behind his ear. "And I will never stop worrying about you."
Long past the age where affection from his Mother would have embarrassed him, the Prince hugged the smaller woman tightly. "I am perfectly safe." He reassured her, before turning around to spot his daughters, holding their own Mother's hands but looking at him expectantly. "Come on then girls." He muttered. "And you, Jae."
Aegon's younger brother was a boy of 13, but built like a man 4 years older. Tall and stocky, he would be a fearsome warrior one day, Aegon was sure, and the heir to the throne could think of no better squire. Jaehaerys had some temper on him however, which usually came out when the conversation of dragons came up. Noticing the boy scowling, Aegon rolled his eyes and placed an arm around his brother. "One day, you will take flight. Be that on your own hatchling or a wild dragon, I know not. But it will happen."
"That's easy for you to say." Jaehaerys mumbled.
"I was 6 when my own dragon hatched, Jae." Aegon told him as he led his brother and daughters down to their carriage. "Many thought mine wouldn't hatch because I was too old."
"6 is not 13." Jaehaerys scoffed. "I'm basically a man grown."
"Aegon the Conqueror first mounted Balerion as a man grown." Aegon explained. "He is no less of a Targaryen because his hatchling failed to appear, is he?" Jaehaerys didn't answer, but when they reached the carriage and Jae went inside without complaint, Aegon knew that he had gotten to his brother. He quickly helped his girls into the carriage too before stepping inside himself. "The Dragonpit, please." He told the driver, and before he could settle into his seat, the carriage was off.
The Dragonpit was another building that King Lucerys had scheduled for redevelopment, though with Winterfell and the Grand Sept, the dragon palace had fallen behind in his list of priorities, though that had led the King to bring Aegon into the planning process, knowing that he would likely be the one to finish it. Even so, the old ruins of Aegon's childhood had been stripped away and the underground dragon lairs had been cleared for housing the creatures, and all that was left was the actual building of the large palace. As they neared the underground entrance Aegon noted the amount of blocks that had been piled up already in preparation for construction.
Reaching their destination, Aegon once again helped his girls before grabbing their hands tightly. "You are not to run off." He warned them. Once all of the occupants had stepped out, Aegon led them all into the wide-open space before descending the stairs to the caverns below.
Their first stop was an open space that housed the Dragon Keepers. "Prince Aegon." The lead keeper bowed.
"Ayrmion." Aegon greeted the lead keeper. "How are they?"
The balded man tutted. "Valaxes is restless. Sōnar sleeps. Aeksidar is calmed." The man explained.
Lucerys quickly thanked the man as they moved further into the labyrinth of caves. The first dragon they heard let out a deep rumbling growl that scared Rhaella so much that she quickly ran to her Mother and wanted to leave, but Alyssa and Jaehaerys were still determined to continue, and so Aegon waited for Jocelyn to ascend the steps to the surface before speaking in a slow whisper. "That, is Valaxes, the dragon of the King." He began. "He's a vicious one, and a big reason why neither of you are to come down here without either myself or the King." He looked at Jaehaerys mainly when he said that. "Remember, dragons are a law unto themselves, and if the King isn't here Valaxes is just as like to eat you as he is to let you pet him."
"How big is Valaxes?" Alyssa asked.
Jaehaerys was the one to answer. "Father says he is as big as Balerion the Dread was."
"Father exaggerates." Aegon stated bluntly. "But Valaxes was big young, and grew quickly." He had only heard small details on how Lucerys had become the Father of Dragons, but the little bit he did know about blood magic seemed a bit too intense for his 7-year-old's ears. "Now he is roughly the size that Vermithor was."
Jaehaerys was wide eyed in awe. "Vermithor's skull is in the Throne Room."
Aegon nodded. "It is." He began to walk on, further into the wide caverns as he decided to test his charges. "What other dragon skulls are there?"
Jaehaerys thought for a brief moment. "Caraxes, Silverwing…" He trailed off for a moment. "The big three, of course."
"Balerion, Vhagar and Meraxes." Alyssa input.
"Very good." Aegon nodded, turning a corner towards his own dragon's lair.
"Silverwing and Meleys too." Jaehaerys explained. "And… Dreamfyre."
Aegon smiled, nodding more. "And lastly, Viserion's skull sits high above the Iron Throne."
They turned one more corner, and Aegon led them down a path to where his own dragon was housed. Aeksidar had hatched later than most cradle eggs, but now at 17-years-old the aptly named Lord of the Skies was large enough for Aegon to ride. Reaching for a torch, Aegon shifted Alyssa over to his left hand and held it high enough for the light to shine on the purple scaled dragon.
"Dohaeras, Aeksidar." Aegon stated in a firm, low tone. "Dohaeras."
"What are you saying?" Alyssa asked.
"He's telling Aeksidar to obey him." Jaehaerys was the one to answer.
Aegon nodded. "Very good." He handed Jaehaerys the torch and moved closer to the dragon, feeling the confusion in its mind. "These are family, Aeksidar." He told them. "Be calm."
Aeksidar snorted, but lowered his head to rest on the ground allowing the trio to get closer. Jaehaerys was quick to shine the torch to illuminate Aeksidar's large golden horns. "He's gorgeous." The younger Prince whispered.
Aegon could only grin as he ran his hand along Aeksidar's snout. "That he is. As shall your eggs be once they hatch." He said to the pair of them. "Keep them warm, and keep talking to them, and one day I am sure it will happen." Jaehaerys still looked unsure as he stared down at his boots, and so Aegon, feeling the unease of Aeksidar from within, pulled an enamoured Alyssa away from the purple dragon and wrapped his now free arm around his brother's shoulders. "You have to believe."
"What if I'm too old?" Jaehaerys asked.
Aegon simply shook his head. "How old was Father?"
"That was different…" Jaehaerys muttered.
"How old?"
Sighing, Jaehaerys answered. "21."
"So if Father can wait until then, you can be patient now." Aegon told his brother. "Now come, or Mother will worry that you've been eaten."
Alyssa giggled at the thought, but the three of them returned to ground level and the glowing summer sun of King's Landing, only to see that their carriage had seemingly be joined by a glorious white stallion, and stood talking to his wife, was Daeron.
"Uncle Dae!" Alyssa called out, causing Aegon to clench his jaw together. Daeron's father was a closely guarded secret within the Targaryen family, but the Kingsguard knight had been raised so closely with the King's other children that even though none of Saella, Daenys and Jaehaerys knew the truth, they viewed Daeron as a brother. Saella in the more, traditional way, Aegon remembered.
Putting all that aside, Aegon allowed Alyssa to go running up to the White Knight. "Little Princess." Daeron smiled brightly. "Have you been to claim a dragon?"
Alyssa shook her head. "But I touched Aeksidar!"
Daeron chuckled as he picked her up. "The bravery of a Baratheon and the lust for dragons of a Targaryen. A dangerous mix Princess." He then turned over to Aegon. "I've just been hearing that my old egg still isn't hatching for Rhaella?"
"It seems not, it's a stubborn old thing." Aegon shook his head. "To what do we owe this pleasure, cousin?"
Daeron didn't even pause. "The King requests the presence of yourself and Prince Jaehaerys in the Throne Room, My Prince."
Aegon frowned. "Regarding?"
"He would not say." Daeron admitted. "But I was told to escort you with no delay."
Sighing, Aegon took his daughter from the Kingsguard's arms and placed her back in the carriage. "Well we best not keep His Grace waiting." Aegon stated dryly.
As Aegon led his brother through the doors towards the Throne Room his eyes were immediately drawn to the King sat atop it. Lucerys Targaryen was still an incredibly imposing figure when sat atop the seat of kings, his golden dragon sigil draped underneath the skull of Viserion above him. The sight always made Aegon think on how he would look when his time came, listening to the calls of Aegon the Sixth of his Name…
He was brought out of his daydream when he spotted Lord Velaryon stood to the King's side and the question of why both Aegon and Jaehaerys had been summoned sprung up again. Nevertheless Aegon made it to the end of the golden carpet and bent his knee quickly. "Your Grace." He greeted.
"Your Grace." Jaehaerys repeated from beside him.
"Stand, my sons." Lucerys stated, his voice echoing around the room powerfully. "Thank you, Daeron. You may stand outside."
Aegon didn't need to turn around to know that Daeron had frowned. He was ever faithful however, and the heir heard the White Knight's retort. "Your Grace." Before the footsteps faded and the doors shut once more.
Rising back to his feet, Aegon looked between the King and the Master of Ships and immediately thought of war. "What has happened?"
Lucerys shook his head. "Nothing like that." The King said calmly. "Jaehaerys."
"Yes, Father?" Jaehaerys said eagerly.
Lucerys pushed himself up to his feet. "You are nearly a man grown now, and Aegon here praises your conduct as a squire. The time is right for us to begin thinking upon your future."
"So long as I can serve you, My King." Jaehaerys bowed his head once more.
"And you shall." Lucerys said with a fond smile. "By wedding the Lady Laena when she reaches adulthood."
Laena Velaryon was the youngest child and only daughter of Ser Monterys Velaryon, the Master of Ships' son and a popular sailor, having had a freedom that a son of House Velaryon had not seen since the days of the Sea Snake and Oakenfist. In the years following the Great War Ser Monterys had embarked on a trio of great voyages ranging from Slavers Bay, Yi-Ti and the coasts of Sothoryos. His daughter as a result was an extremely sought after match despite only being a girl of only ten. Aegon quickly felt a familiar sense of dread as he suddenly knew exactly what was happening at that moment and his mood visibly turned sour, though his brother once again bowed before their father. "I shall do as you ask, Father." Jaehaerys stated proudly.
"Laena will travel here to be a companion of Princess Daenys." Monford explained. "It would be wise for you to spend some time with her, My Prince. We can arrange walks and outings on the Blackwater for the pair of you. It would do you well to get used to the seas."
"I would like that, My Lord." Jaehaerys stated.
Lucerys had a smile on his face and walked down the steps from the Iron Throne to embrace his youngest son. "It is a fine match, Jaehaerys, our ties with House Velaryon go back to before the Doom, to renew them 400 years on will be good for the realm, and good for you personally."
Aegon nodded curtly. "Together we shall start a more naval education. Congratulations, brother."
Jaehaerys grinned widely at Aegon, before once more deferring to their Father. "That is all, Jaehaerys." Lucerys stated. "Why don't you go with Lord Velaryon and speak with him about the history of your future family."
Jaehaerys bowed once more before he almost skipped out of the Throne Room, closely followed by the Lord of the Tides. Aegon then relaxed his fake smile and turned onto his Father. "Have we not learned our lessons on betrothing Targaryen's too young?"
Lucerys frowned at him. "Jaehaerys will do his duty."
"You said the same about Visenya." Aegon stated bluntly. "You said the same about Saella."
Lucerys took a deep breath in as he walked back up towards the Iron Throne. "Saella did her duty and married Lord Dayne when instructed to."
"Only because you shipped Daeron away in the middle of the night!" Aegon exclaimed, raising his voice. "She was bereft! She thought you'd killed him for a time!"
Lucerys' lips tightened. "Saella knew full well that her wishes were a mere fantasy. Our house has been blighted too many times in its history by wilful individuals fighting against the good of the House."
Aegon scoffed at the hypocrisy. "In multiple generations, it seems."
That caused the King's eyes to narrow. "Choose your words carefully, boy."
"Visenya ran. Saella will never forgive you." Aegon continued, not caring about how angry his Father was growing. "I suppose I should be thankful that I fell in love with an appropriate match, or only the Crone knows what you would have done."
"You caused a war!" Lucerys roared at Aegon. "Your dalliance with the Baratheon girl caused irreparable damage in the Stormlands, Aegon. The husband of my Lady of Storm's End, dead because you had to taste what was in between that whore's legs."
Aegon took a step forwards threateningly. "You may be my King, Father." He spat bitterly. "But never speak of my wife that way."
Lucerys closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as he relaxed back into the Iron Throne. "This is away from why I called you here." He said after a moment of angry silence. "The absence of Saella is why I asked you here. Her son will inherit Starfall after Ned passes. I would like such an important castle to remain closely allied with the Crown."
Aegon couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped his lips. "You cannot be serious."
"Asher is close in age to Rhaella, or Elaena." Lucerys continued. "I shall leave the choice to you."
Aegon shook his head. "Asher is two." He spat. "Rhaella is five! Elaena is not even out of infancy! They are too young."
"They are Targaryen's!" Lucerys exclaimed. "And our Family must stick together."
"You never even look at them! They are only useful to you when they can bring you something." Aegon spat, before he let out a frustrated growl and took a step away from the Iron Throne. "Please, Father. Stop trying to live your failures through us. I truly cannot imagine the horrors you faced during the Great War in losing my Aunt, but your lost love cannot be replaced by forcing marriage upon your young grandchildren."
Lucerys' features had gone cold. "I will have an answer. Be grateful I have allowed you to think on it rather than told you what would happen." He said in a tone that matched the ice of the Wall. "That will be all."
Aegon took a breath and bowed quickly, before turning quickly, billowing his cloak out behind him and skulking away from the King on the Iron Throne, knowing that the pair would make up on the morrow, but hoping that this time, for once, Lucerys Targaryen would thaw out and change his mind.
And there is chapter 1! I hope you all enjoyed it. Some things are similar, and some have changed completely as 18 years of time passing would do. I've really enjoyed moulding brand-new personalities for the now grown-up children though, and it's one of the main things I wanted to do this story for.
Next Time: Some familiar faces arrive in King's Landing for the tournament, and the jousting gets underway!
Reviews:
DarkJon: I hope Google Translate has worked correctly and you've spoken about Jon and the Stark children. I won't delve too deeply into them, Jon has a little part in this story, and Robar has even less. As for Myrcella, she won't run away, her life has been chosen for her and she won't be escaping it now.
C.E.W: The Velaryon's are close! Monterys has had a number of successful voyages and with the backing of Luke they're up there as a major power once again. As for dragons, there are currently 6 rideable dragons (Valaxes - Luke, Rhaegal - Jon, Bloodwing - Visenya, Aeksidar - Aegon, Orbaros - Saella and Sōnar – Daenys) as well as 4 eggs.
DonquixoteMel: Daeron was treated like one of the family. He's a product that shows that wars and other peoples decisions have a long-standing affect and of course he misses his mother and wishes things were different but he's not the Knight of Shells, he's an honourable man that has found a purpose in his life.
KingInTheNorth27: That's a fun side project that I rarely look at. I've got the first scene written after a moment of thinking about it but it's a completely different style of writing and a story I have no idea where it will go, so I wouldn't expect anything on that in the foreseeable future.