Chapter 2 - Crypts, Crowns, Weddings
(Red Keep - King's Landing, Crownlands - 11th Moon 259 AC)
Jaehaerys II:
Two months, that how long it had taken before Jaehaerys Targaryen, the Second of His Name , King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm had wished that the fires of Summerhall had consumed him. His two-month reign so far had been marked by nothing but bitterness and sorrow, his only distraction from which had been the dull affair of trying to find a replacement for nearly every position at court. Or failing that trying to attend to his new duties each more depressing than the last.
First, had been the coronation which had been a rushed private affair, the quickest and dullest coronation ever. It hadn't even been conducted by the High Septon because, like many at court, he had been and perished at Summerhall, so Jaehaerys had had to make do with a simple Septon someone had grabbed to perform the coronation. The whole thing had been stumbled through by the terrified Septon who had almost fainted three separate times during the act. The speed of the ceremony was large because of the urgency of needing to confirm him as King so he had the undisputed authority to start appointing people to key positions and to prevent panic.
His second and first real official act as King was the public funeral for his father and brother. He had argued for a large affair befitting the status of a King and a former prince of Dragonstone, with weeks of mourning. However, it soon became apparent that wasn't going to happen even if Jaehaerys had demanded it, his father Aegon V had not been popular with the nobility and those who did like him or would have at least pretended to mourn his passing had died at Summerhall. The crown was already weak and couldn't afford a public embarrassment at this time, so instead what had occurred was a quick, meek affair with few mourners apart from himself, his wife and his sons.
His sons.
It was that very topic that had led him from the confines of the small council chamber to his present position on the courtyard balcony that overlooked the Red Keep's training yard. Jaehaerys watched as his sons trained and sparred under the watchful eye of the Kingsgaurd.
The remaining Kingsguard.
He had to remind himself, another bitterness he had to swallow. Summerhall had devastated their numbers as much as it had the royal family, they had marched from the capital with the 7 finest knights in all Seven Kingdoms and returned with just 2.
Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Harlan Grandison were all that remained, he owed both of them much, if they had not survived the flames and gone back in to search for survivors he doubted any would have been saved. However, there was a ray of hope, the guard's numbers had recovered a little, he had just named Ser Gwayne Gaunt and Ser Jonothor Darry to the guard, and the new Hand of the King, Ormund Baratheon, had been charged to fill the remaining positions. So there was little doubt the vaunted guard would be back to strength in no time, healing one scar that Summerhall had inflicted.
If only it was that easy to heal the scars dealt to my house.
That thought caused his mood to sour, the Royal house had never been exceedingly large but it was now on the verge of extinction. He looked at his two sons, Aerys and Aegon, the last threads of the mighty house of the dragon, both barely more than boys themselves the eldest 15 and the younger 14. Aery's marriage to his sister had already helped alleviate some of the fear from his heart, despite their protests and tears, his children had married and his wisdom had borne fruit, his grandson Rheagar.
The realm's succession is safe' Jaehaerys reminded himself, it was that sole thought that helped him push on when all else had seemed lost. 'First Aerys and then Rheagar, the family has time, time to recover. Time to be great once more'
However, it was now his younger son Aegon that plagued his thoughts, he had been overjoyed at a second son, any father would have been, but that joy had been muted as no more children had followed or would follow. His sister-wife was past the age that baring children was safe, and even if she hadn't been, both their healths were fragile now, his had always been bad, but smoke and ash from Summerhall had made sure neither would live long now. So there would be no daughter for his youngest to marry, no Targaryen blood to keep the family pure, and with the deaths of his brother at Summerhall no nieces either.
It made his stomach churn but Jaehaerys knew what had to be done, they would need a bride from outside the family for Aegon. As much as that thought was repulsive to him, it was necessary. But who?
That was the question that had plagued him and was causing no amount of debate amongst his newly assembled Small council. She would have to be highborn from a suitable house, ideally from a family with Targaryen blood and she needed to bring some boon, some tangible strength for the throne with her too due to the small council's other topic of debate.
War.
The Blackfrye pretenders were rearing their heads again, however, this time they had decided to ally with a league of thieves, scum and filth to try and claim the throne. The Band of the Nine they called themselves his late brother Ducan had called them what they really were The Ninepenny Kings. A group of opportunist scum who his father had been content to let flounder and die in the Free Cities, picked apart by the constantly warring city-states.
'Expect that they hadn't' Jeaherys had to remind himself, which is what had led to the current crisis. 'Maelys Blackfyre and his allies hadn't floundered or perished they had flourished."
The scum had proved more resourceful than anyone would have guessed, they had not only managed to conquer the Disputed Lands in Essoss but also hold them for nearly a year. They had followed up that impressive feat by managing to sack and capture Tyosh for one of their number, giving them even more resources to work with. However, what troubled him and the small council most was their latest target of conquest, The Stepstones. If they fell then Maelys Blackfyre, would have a base to plan and then launch an invasion anywhere in southern Westeros.
'There could only be one choice, war. Smash the upstarts before they can reach us' Jaehaerys reflected as he watched Aegon's blade slam into the training dummy he was fighting with such force it shattered its pretend shield.
However, Aegon paid a price for his victory as he quickly dropped the blade shaking his hand in pain. The scene caused Jaeheryes to smile and shake his head, whilst below Aerys moved to check on his brother whilst the newly minted Lord Commander Hightower shook his head and walked over to the lad.
"And what keeps the King from his duties?" The voice of his sister-wife and queen Shaera Targaryen, caused him to turn away from the scene below him.
"At this moment, just fresh air," Jaeheryes replied smiling at his queen, a smile that strained as he saw the paleness of her skin, the tiredness in her eyes and limbs. "You should be resting,"
"So should you, but there is a little chance of either of us doing what we are supposed to. Especially with how loud your Small Council argues," Shaera teased coming to stand next to her brother-husband as she gazed down into the training yard.
"Oh….so you've heard about the arguments," He grimaced slightly at his wife's teasing, he really had hoped that no one knew about the arguments, he needed to present a strong unified front to the realm.
"My love, they could likely hear the arguments themselves in Pentos, Lord Ormund is not exactly quiet" Shaera chuckled an act that caused him to smile as well, her face quickly fell, however. "So is it true about the Stepstones? Will there be a war?"
He wanted to assuage the fear he saw in her eyes but couldn't lie to Shaera he never could so instead just out a deep troubled breath and leaned on the bannister before him. He looked down at his sons, his future and felt the crown that had been placed on his head become twice as heavy
"Yes, The Nine have already taken half of the Stepstones, and are currently besieging Bloodstone. Lord Velaryon states if that falls the remaining restraint in the region will collapse." Jaeheryes grimaced at the report, it caused his eyes to return to his son Aegon. "The Blackfyre pretender will not be content with rocks and pirates for subjects, Daemon Targaryen wasn't. No, if we don't fight them on the Stepstones, we will ourselves fighting on the steps of our keeps, as our Kingdom burns."
Sheara looked at her husband, whatever she was thinking he couldn't tell but he knew that if Sheara was aware of the arguments about the upcoming war she was also aware of the other argument that had plagued the council. A bride for Aegon the last unattached Prince of the realm, his suspicion of her thoughts were confirmed when her eyes turned from him back to the training yard and fixed squarely on Aegon.
"So will there be a wedding then a war? Or a war than a wedding?" Sheara asked, all the teasing had gone from her and so too had the fear as well, what stood next to him was a woman of iron, a true dragon.
"We need a bride first," Jaeheryes responded, sighing as he did so, there were very few candidates for Aegon, many suitable maids had perished at Summerhall and the few that remained were barely suitable for his son. "A bride that comes arms, ships or coin,"
"What about Prince Martel's younger daughter? The future Princess of Drone's sister?" Sheara offered her mind evidently trying to make a list in her head just as Jaeheryes had been trying to do for the last few weeks. "She would bring all of Drone with her, the Marterls have Targaryen blood in them as well, diluted as it maybe"
"She has been considered." Jaeheryes lightly responded hoping the careful wording would get him out of having to reiterate the argument this potential had stirred in the Small Council.
"But?" Sheara pressed, fixing him with a gaze that caused him to sigh.
"Ormung and much of the Council is… against a Dronish match." Jaeheryes eyes remained on Aegon as he spoke, the flash of grimace on his face showed that he was being polite about what the Small Council had said. "Besides, Dorne will give us their full strength regardless of a match, the Stepstones are on their doorstep and they are threatened more than anyone."
"There is the Lannister lass, the one Aeryes was infatuated by, the gold of Casterly Rock would be useful for the realm" Sheara offered, her face forming a frown as she tried to recall the name of the girl, Aerys had begged to marry. "Jennifer? Jeyne?... It was something with a J?"
"Joanna Lannister, I would prefer to keep her away from Aerys, so he has no distraction to his duties. She is also only Tytos' niece" Jaeheryes quickly shot down Joanna's candidacy, she was unsuitable for a number of reasons "And besides, do we really want a kitten from The Laughing Lion's pride? Oh, imagine the fearsome grandchildren we'd have. By the gods, their meowing would terrify all!"
Jaeheryes' small joke worked as his wife chuckled, fighting back a deeper laugh, which was only prevented because of her polite nature. Tytos Lannister was always good for a laugh; the Laughing Lion's actions had left House Lannister in such a state that it was now a joke, a bad joke but still a funny one.
"Okay, okay," Sheara managed to keep her face straight and prevent herself from losing her decorum, when her laughter finally ceased in her chest, her mind conjured up another name. "What of Bethany Redwyne? The daughter of Lord Redywne of the Arbor?"
"Bethany Redwyne? Why her?" Jaeheryes said the name, his eyes darting from Aegon to his wife he searched for the girl in his mind. Sweet pretty girl with freckles, orange hair, and was pleasant enough at court, no great beauty but not ugly.
"House Redwyne is respected, has a long storied history, and has always been faithful servants of the crown," Sheara responded, looking down at the training yard as her sons started to finish for the day.
"You've just described half the houses in Westeros, my love," Jaeheryes stated bluntly, his eyes going to his sons and then to his wife, his eyes lingering on her as he watched the wheels turn in her head. "House Redwyne also does not have the Blood of the Dragon."
"Yes, I concede that but I fear for Aegon we must set that aside my love, few houses have our blood in their veins, and those that do we have few suitable candidates" Sheara sighed, finding the admission as painful as her husband would, they had married for love and to keep the blood pure despite their late parents protest "Also Aegon is not Aerys and will likely never sit the Iron Throne, we'd not be so worried for his line. Besides, it's not the girl but what she brings with her we should focus on."
"Which is?" Jaehereys looked at his wife with curiosity, she had always been the smart one of the two of them ever since they were children.
"The Redwyne Fleet, the most powerful fleet in the Seven Kingdom." Sheara smiled as she saw the look of understanding and budding acceptance starting to appear on his face. "If we are to wage a wage for the Steps we will need ships, a lot of ships. The girl's aunt is also Olenna Tyrell, Luthor Tyrell's wife. The girl would bind the Reach and Tyrells to us without seating the Rose too close to the throne."
Jaehaerys' face formed a grimace, he knew what he wanted, he wanted a daughter of pure Valyrian descent for his son, to keep the bloodline pure. However, that wasn't to be, he would be a fool to stamp his feet and complain about something that couldn't be changed, even a King had to bend at times. His wife made a decent point, it was Aerys' line that would rule, and Rhaella was young she would surely protest a host of boys and girls that would wed each other so that the bloodline would stay pure. Aegon's duty was different to his brother's, his was to marry to provide some benefit for the Throne, and the Redwyne fleet would be needed for the coming war.
"How old is the girl?" Jaehaerys asked, his eyes finally leaving the training yard below fully as he moved away from the balcony, his wife following in lockstep.
"Sixteen, fully flowered, and still pure from what I know, but I'll ask the Master of Whispers to confirm it." Sheara kept her voice level and composed as they walked fighting back the urge to smile at her successes "If she is suitable, and the Small Council finds no fault, House Redwyne is sure to agree to the match. We can have them joined just after the new year, just after Aegon and Rhaella nameday."
Jaehaerys kept silent as they walked, his mind was already running through the idea, seeing if he could see any fault with it, but found none that the Small Council could use to try and block the match. Despite what a few thought, they were going to war and the Redwyne fleet fully committed to the cause would be an invaluable aspect. Especially in the Stepstones, if they could not command the seas then any hope of supplying an army let alone fighting with one would be impossible.
'Not invaluable,' He reminded himself, the thought was bitter so bitter he could almost taste it. 'No, the value would be one prince, one prince for a fleet, a very large fleet.'
"He'll need his own seat," Jaehaerys words caused his wife to look at him in confusion, he however just kept his face passive "Aegon may never sit on the Iron Throne but I will not have any son of mine be little better than a hedge knight. He is a Targaryen, and that must command respect…..especially now"
His wife looked at him, a smile on her face as he showed the love for their children he promised he would on the wedding day. She nodded approvingly and he could see the wheels in her great mind already turning, thinking of what land and title could be given to their second son. The pair walked for a while heading back to the Throne room, where no doubt a horde of partitioners were waiting for them.
"Summerhall, Aegon will have Summerhall," Sheara finally spoke after
"It is a ruin," He responded the idea of Summerhall had briefly crossed his mind but the recent tragedy had quickly snuffed it out
"It is traditional, and we need to keep to traditions to show continuity. Ruins can be rebuilt," Sheara responded her mind already coming up with a reasoned and balanced response to the fair point he raised. "It will also be a show of strength to the realm, show that we are ready to put the Tragedy behind us and that the House of the Dragon is not cowed by flames,"
"It will cost a fortune," Jaehaerys' spoke softly, he didn't want to seem against the idea, in fact, his wife's reasoning was very sound, but as King, he had to be mindful of the cost such endeavours would cost the realm.
"Oh, my love, that is a simple problem to solve." Sheara smiled at her husband with a mischievous grin appearing on her face.
"It is?" He raised one of his eyebrows at his wife, both curious and a little concerned at her smile.
"Why of course, we will simply ask Tytos to pay for it," Sheara's mischievous grin reached her eyes as she revealed her plan to rebuild Summerhall without spending a halfpenny of the crown's wealth. "He'll likely be so grateful, he'll pay for two keeps."
Jaehaerys couldn't help himself he let out a laugh at his wife's clever plan and joke. However, just as they reached the doors of the Throne room, his laughing turned to coughing and before anyone could move to help him he was almost keeled over a hand raised to his mouth. He quickly waved his wife and the guards away as he stood up tall once more, fixing a regal expression on his face as they entered the throne room, arm in arm.
However, whilst the waiting courtiers and partitioners were unaware that Jaehaerys' hand had thick blotches of blood on it and his lungs were on fire. Sheara said nothing, instead, she merely moved her arm forward a little so that the bloody hand was well out of sight and hidden in the folds of her dress. He squeezed his wife's hand and prayed to the Seven to let him live long enough to see the realm safe and Aerys ready for the throne.
(Royal Apartments - King's Landing, Crownlands - 12th Moon 259 AC)
Rhaella Targaryen:
The woman gathered in her private solar were nearly as quiet as Silent Sisters, as they sipped their drinks and went about their embroidery. They were her Ladies in Waiting, well hers in name perhaps, but Rahealla hardly knew any of the women personally, her mother had chosen each and every one of them. She quickly eyed the ladies near her wondering which ones were just here for show and which were here to keep an eye on her for her mother.
A few she was starting to become fond of, Lady Martell was nice even though she was 10 years her senior, and Joanna Lannister was pleasant as well she had been brought to court only last week. Joanna's placement had only come after a great deal of debate as Rahealla knew about her husband's infatuation with the golden-haired beauty. However, politics had won out in the end, despite being only Tytos Lannister's niece she was the most senior unwed maiden of the Westerlands not to include her would have been seen as an insult, especially after the mountain of gold her father had borrowed for Lord Tytos.
'Can't have that, now can we,' Rhaella mused as she gently picked up the pace of her embroidering 'Not when father will need coin and man he can get for the war'
War…..That word was hanging over everyone and everything these days.
Her father had surprised many at court and across the realm when he had declared that the Iron Throne would see the Stepstones free and the Band of Nine thrown back. He had called all the Lords of Westeros to attend him and bring every man they could for war. It had been a bold decisive move, which she knew many had thought her father incapable of, however, her father had done it and the realm had answered the call.
She knew what the lords thought of her father, weak, and sickly, her father's health like hers had always been delicate and to the marital lords of the Seven Kingdoms, physical weakness was the same as weakness of character. She knew how they had snickered and snared behind his back ever since she was a little girl and likely long before she was born, the pale dragon is what the polite ones had called him, the impolite ones had named him the prince of the privy. A man to be tolerated whilst he wore the crown, to be paid lip service to whilst they simply waited for him to pass on.
However, none of them saw what she saw, her father was up before dawn every day and would not sleep until long after dusk, he read every report put before him and listened to council before making a decision. Sick, tired, coughing up blood and unable to sleep her father was twice the man of any knight in the Kingsguard and a hundred times the man of any great lord of the realm. Her father was dying, he had been for a long time, the tragedy and the crown had just made it more evident, but despite the pain and his decline in health her father got up every day and ruled.
'By the Seven father had been planning on leading the campaign to the Stepstones himself,' Rhaella mused remembering the incident last month when she had accidentally overheard the conversation between her uncle Ormund, her mother and father. 'Father had been ordering new armour and a sword, it was only the combined effort of his hand and his queen that has stopped him…that and the bucket of blood he had coughed up when he had tried shouting them down.'
The thought sent pain through her heart, not only for her father but herself as well. 'When father is gone Aerys will be King and I will be his Queen.' That thought chilled more than any other, she didn't want to be Queen she never had, there had been a hundred ladies who desired the position and would have gladly married Aerys. He had had his own desires, more than a few ladies had shared his bed and he there had been one he had desired more than any other that he would have gladly taken as his future Queen.
'None have the blood though, the precious accursed blood of the dragon that drives men and women mad.' Rhaella felt her hands tense as the memories came flooding back of her forced marriage and her mother's unsympathetic and unrelenting resolve to see her children married. 'Only a Dragon is fit for a Dragon, we must keep the blood pure that had been her mother's words, then when she had protested her mother struck her and that had ended her dreams of choosing her own love'
"Are you well your highness?" The soft gentle voice caused Rhaella to snap out of her thoughts and look at the woman next to her.
"I'm fine, just…..tired is all, thank you for your concern." Rhaella smiled, dispelling the grimace that she had evidently allowed to form whilst her mind was distracted, it worked as the Lady just smiled and returned to her embroidering.
The Lady who had asked the question had been Lady Bethany Redwyne of the Arbor, the newest addition to her retinue and the only one whose purpose she truly knew. Lady Bethany was attached to her only for as long as it took for the wedding to be arranged, which had been announced a fortnight ago and then she would have her own ladies and position at court, as Aegon's wife. That caused her to look at the young woman again, 16 years of age with light freckles on her slender long face and flame-orange red hair, she had a somewhat attractive figure and a gentle smile.
Pretty was the word that came to Rhaella's head when she looked at her future sister-in-law, searching her for any hint of anxiety, joy or worry at her upcoming union. Pretty and quiet Rhaella mused Bethany Redwyne had spoken little since arriving in the capital, which she supposed was not unusual. Outside her family, Rhaella supposed many would think her quiet, the quiet, well mannered and ever-courteous Princess, after all, ladies were excepted to be seen not heard.
'What will Aegon make of her?'
Rhaella couldn't help the thought as she looked at the Reach Lady in her southern dress and her fine silk Reach-style dress. Despite him being her twin brother and having grown up next to each other Aegon was still at times a mystery to her. Aerys was easy to understand, he was generous, resolute, ambitious and had an undeniable charm that he used well to cover up his faults mainly that he wasn't very diligent or intelligent, mostly and perhaps worse of all he was very fickle.
Aegon however was in a way the opposite of their elder brother, where Aerys was loud, Aegon was reserved and quiet almost stoic at times. Aerys spent money easily and drank late into the night spinning tales for his guests, Aegon wore simple black tunics, spent little and disliked frivolous endeavours. No, Aegon preferred the training yard or the library to the brothels and taverns Aerys frequented.
To his credit, though Aegon was not just the reverse of their brother, he could be charming when he wished and had a wicked sense of humour it was just he was more private with it. He also scared her at times with that memory of his, Aegon never seemed to forget anything, he could read a book once and it was like a copy was lodged in his head. However, Aegon also had a rage and anger in him that when roused could be worse than Aerys, he was a lot more controlled with it than their elder brother and she had only seen it once but it was enough that she never wanted to see it again.
As she thought of Aegon and then looked at his future bride, she couldn't help the strain that came to her careful delicate smile. There was the other thing about Aegon that she had noticed over the years but never brought up, that that he se-
"My ladies, your highness," Rhaella's found her thoughts cut off as she looked at her solar door, seeing one of her mother's heralds had arrived, he gave a deep bow before he addressed her in an overly formal tone. "The Queen's evening meal is to take place in the gardens of the outer courtyard, she has invited the Princess and her retinue to attend."
"Thank you, tell her grace that we are delighted to attend and will be there shortly," Rhaella tried her best to sound formal and regal, she was still getting used to the fact that she was now the lady at court.
The herald quickly bowed and backed out of the room with expert skill as his head never left its bowed position. With his departure, the ladies quietly and carefully laid down their embroideries and waited for their handmaidens to gather their things. What Rhaella always found amusing was that this was always done in nearly absolute silence, the ladies all just stopped what they were doing shifted a little and then just waited for their maidens to collect their things. It was all perfectly done and Rhaella knew from her own experience that each lady here had had this drilled into them since before they could walk by Stepas and teachers.
They all waited patiently until she was ready and only rose from their seats after she did. Then they all formed a perfect little semi-circle around her as they walked through the halls of the Red Keep, with each Lady slotting perfectly into place. Rhaella was at the centre and forefront, then directly to her right was her future sister-in-law Lady Redwyne, to her left was Lady Martell and to her left was Joanna Lannister, the rest slotted in where their social status dictated where they should be. They all had moved so seamlessly that any man coming across them would have thought it practised and rehearsed, when in fact this was just a result of training no less intense than theirs.
They chatted as they walked, it was the idle chatter and gossip that Rhaella had grown used to, having grown up in Kingslanding she doubted anyone was as skilled as her in the art of idle chatter. However, this idle chatter and gossip was only a thin veil, a veneer of normalcy meant for the snakes and spiders that haunted the Red Keep. No, it was when people grew bored of watching the women or else when they were truly alone did the true conversations start, where secrets were whispered and truths were told.
"Pivot, then strike!" Lord Commander Hightower's booming voice caused Rhealla to jump slightly as they descended the steps that led to the outer courtyard.
The new Lord Commander was not in sight and she knew from experience that the training yard of the outer courtyard was a good 100 or more feet from her. As she and her ladies walked each step made the Lord Commander's voice louder as he shouted more instructions to his unseen charges. However, all was revealed as she turned the last bend and was greeted by the site of large outdoor banquet tables that had been placed squarely in front of the training yard, all the seating positioned on one side to face the yard.
'So we are to dine as we watched the men knock each other about? Hardly a subtle approach mother' Rhaella thought to herself as her presence was announced and she made her way to sit next to her mother. As she looked she could see most of the table was already occupied by her mother's ladies and a few noble ladies who had arrived over the past few days. 'Get them all together so that they can watch the brave knights and men trained. Impress them with these idle feats so that they will go off singing our praises and get more men to join us.'
As she sat down she noticed that it wasn't just ladies at the table her brother-husband Aerys and his friend Tywin Lannister were already seated. The pair were clothed in leather armour and by the sweat, on their barrows and the marks on their armour, it was clear that they had finished their training session a while ago. Rhaealla suppressed a smile, knowing what had happened, their mother had waited until after Aerys was finished before starting this little spectacle, and she knew why Aerys was a poor swordsman.
"Block, block, BLOCK!" Lord Commander's Hightower's voice quickly drew her attention to the training yard where currently a single figure wearing onyx black full plate armour stood in the middle fighting three men in leather training gear at once. "You have a shield! USE IT!"
The figure quickly took the Lord commander's advice lifting his left arm up and blocking an incoming blow, then lashing out with his sword to strike at his nearest opponent. His strike knocked the man back but he was unable to press the advantage as his third opponent moved in and took the man's place. The black armoured man however quickly recovered twisting his shield to push his first attacker away from him giving him room to move.
Rhaella let her smile freely as she watched the precise and measured sword swings rain down on the man whose allies were temporarily unable to come to his aid. The man did well blocking a few strikes but was soon overwhelmed and knocked to the floor. The black armoured warrior wasted no time his blade moving in a whirlwind of motion as he pressed his attack, it was to her like watching a dancer find their rhythm.
"Ser Orland, Buckwell, Pyne, Farring, Stokeworth," Lord Commander looked at the five plate-armoured knights who had been waiting with a group of others at the edge of the yard and gestured for them to rush in. "Get in there,"
The lone black armoured warrior turned his head to glance at the rushing Knights, he however focused on the task in front of him. He quickly slammed his shield into the man in front of him and brought his sword down striking the man's chest and forcing him to yield, before twisting and parrying a blow from the second. Their two blades locked for a moment before the black-armoured warrior took a step forcing his opponent to overreach, which allowed him to force the man's sword away and then hammer him with two quick strikes to the chest.
With his initial foes dispatched the warrior turned to face the five fully armoured knights charging at him. He lifted his shield only for it to shatter under a blow from Ser Stokeworth's mace, causing Rhaella to wince at the sound of shattering wood and the grunt that escaped his lips. The warrior quickly moved backwards trying to keep from being surrounded as he threw his shield away and brought two hands to his sword.
For a moment everything was still as the warriors and the knights squared off from each other, the lone warrior moving his feet and grip slightly to prepare for what was about to happen.
"AAAAH!" Ser Buckwell's cry broke the silence as he charged forward his raised to strike which was parried by the black armoured man.
Rhaella's eyes struggled to follow what happened next as everything became a confused mess. Her eyes tried to keep track of what was unfolding but could make out little from the mass of crashing limbs and hammering of blunted weapons against each other. The raging battle lasted longer than Rhaella thought it would as the black armour managed to keep himself from being surrounded his footwork was excellent as he almost glided around the yard.
The knights eventually proved too much for the lone warrior, as the men worked in tandem and their years of experience overwhelmed the lone fighter's skill and training, hammering him with blows and strikes. The warrior, however, did not go down easily, his sword moved in a flurry of parrying and he moved quickly despite being in full plate. He managed to strike Ser Pyne on the shoulder with an overheard strike that floored the man, removing him from the contest and Ser Farring was knocked to the floor when he overheard.
CLANG!
The abrupt sound caused Rhaella to almost jump to her feet as the black-armoured warrior collapsed to one knee, his sword falling from his hand. Ser Stokeworth's mace had split past the warrior's defence as he raised his sword a fraction of a second too late resulting in it connecting with the warrior's head. The train yard froze as Lord Commander Hightower quickly moved forward gesturing for Ser Stokeworth to back off.
"My prince, are you okay?" Lord Commander Hightower quickly moved over dropping to his knees as well as looking at the dent in the prince's helmet.
"Shit, fuck," Aegon cursed as he pulled the large helmet from his head and spat blood from his lips straining the ground before looking at Ser Stokeworth giving the knight a nod. "Well struck Ser, well struck indeed."
"Thank you, my prince," Ser Stokeworth visibly sighed relieved that he hadn't seriously injured the prince.
Ser Hightower took the prince's head by the chin and turned it to look at where the mace had struck his eyes narrowed for a second before he scoffed. "You'll live my prince but next time, duck."
Aegon nodded and got back to his feet which earned a round of applause from the observers which caused him to lift his sword in acknowledgement, before moving off to have his armour removed. Rhaella's eyes tracked her brother as he moved over to be attended by servants ignoring the knights and other men that took his place on the field. Her focus was so on her brother that she didn't notice that Bethany Redwyne's were also fixed on him.
"Does the prince often train against so many?" Bethany's light voice caused Rhaella to look at her brother.
"It was the late Ser Ducan's direction, all male members of the royal family and kingsguard train that way. He used to say In battle it is seldom one against one, so best be prepared." Rhaella replied politely a smile on her face as started to truly speak to her future good sister. "Aegon however has always been gifted with the blade, Ser Ducan thought him the next Dragonknight."
"Practice," Aegon's voice caused both women to turn to see him striding over to the table, a blush came to Bethany's face and Rhaella's eyes rolled as Aegon was only wearing a loose tunic that showed a great deal of his chest. "My skill with a blade and lance is mere practice, dear sister, you would be skilled as well if you spent 10 hours a day training."
"Do you truly spend so much time training my prince?" Lady Bethany asked trying to keep her eyes from lingering on her betrothed barely covered chest.
"There is little else for me to do my lady, apart from my books" Aegon turned his lilac eyes to Bethany who froze under his gaze, but she relaxed when he smiled. "As a second son, my duties are light, my days primarily dull and I find the lessons of the Maesters…unimaginative. So it's either the training yard or boredom and I don't do well with boredom"
'Dull and monotonous is what he means' Rhaella thought to herself as she looked at her brother interacting with his future wife, the two making polite conversation whilst she sipped her wine. 'The Maesters taught by repeating everything over and over again, hammering the knowledge into your skull until you remembered it.' For me and Aerys, it had been tedious but Aegon had found it hell not that because he couldn't keep up but because the lessons moved too slowly, her brother only needed to hear or read a thing once and it was lodged inside his head.
She also smiled at Aegon's admittance of his inability to deal with boredom well, Lady Bethany had taken it as a modest joke made at his own expense however Rhealla knew the truth. Her brother was underselling his fault if anything, whilst her brother-husband could spend days being idle Aegon was climbing the wall after an hour. She remembered when her mother had given him a day off from his duties as a present for his 10th nameday, it had taken Aegon was then 3 hours before he was in the kitchens demanding to be taught how to bake. He had ended up covered in flour and had made Selsa the chief cook storm out from her own kitchens before their mother had found him with half-baked lemon cakes and decided never to do it again.
"So are you to accompany your brother and the Hand to war, my prince?" Bethany's question caused Rhaella's mind to snap back to the conversation at hand.
"I am, my brother is to serve directly under Lord Ormund as his squire alongside Ormund's own son Steffon. Whilst Ser Hightower has deemed me worthy to be his squire for the campaign," Aegon revealed his stoic face passive as ever revealing nothing of what he himself thought of the situation.
"Father is sending you both?" Rhaella couldn't the blunt question slipping out, causing the light conversation to suddenly become tense and awkward.
Aegon's lilac eyes drifted from his betrothed to her. Many like Bethany froze under her brother's intense penetrating gaze, finding the look even more discomforting because it came from one so young. Their mother claimed it was a gaze that all those with the blood of the dragon could perform, although Rhaella had never seen Aerys or either of her parents do it as well as Aegon. However, she did not cower, she was not as charming as Aerys or as sturdy as her twin but she was still a Targeryn and Targeryn's never blinked.
"He is," Aegon's reply was given with the usual briefness he always used when he didn't want to talk about things.
"What did mother say?" Rhaella asked not caring about the bluntness of her questions nor the awkwardness that Bethany Redwyne was now sitting with whilst looking between the two.
"For that, you would have to ask mother," Aegon answered before he quickly drained the goblet that he had been sitting in front of him but he hadn't yet touched, his eyes darting to the woman in question.
She followed her brother's gaze for a moment and saw her mother smiling politely with strained lips as Aerys was enthralling a group of young maidens that included Joanna Lannister with one of his fantastic stories. Their mother looked ready to clip Aerys on the ear for the way he was nestled next to the Lannister maiden, smiling at her with hopeful eyes and likely would have if the act wouldn't cause a scandal. She knew she should care more about her husband's trysts and infatuation with others but in truth, she didn't.
'Let mother worry, she's the one obsessed with bloodlines and purity. My sweet darling Rhaegar is enough for me.' Rhaella thought to herself as Aegon turned away from the scene and signalled for a servant to come over.
"Would you like another glass of Arbor gold, your highness?" The servant bowed his head respectfully whilst gesturing
"No, water and I want some hot broth and warm bread," Aegon ordered his eyes glancing to the servant who shifted at both her brother's gaze and the request
"My prince….um, uh, we are not serving broth, the queen has ordered that we are to serve food from the Rea-" The servant just stopped and gulped as Ageon's turned his head fully to look at the man.
"That was an order from your prince," Aegon didn't need to say anymore, as the servant just bowed and then all but ran towards the keep to get the prince's order.
"Are you not a fan of Reach foods, my prince?" Bethany's voice caused both Aegon and her to look back at the young maiden who was trying to keep the smile on her face and move past the awkwardness in the air.
"It all tastes like ash" Aegon's blunt answer caused his betrothed to deflate believing his statement on her region's food was potentially directed at her, causing Rhealla to cough and kick him under the table glaring at him. "Apologies, I have nothing against the delicacies of the Reach, my Lady, in fact, I use to be very partial to lemon cakes. However, since the tragedy, everything tastes the same."
"Oh….." Bethany became stiff and awkward again trailing off as she glanced nervously away from Aegon to Rhaella for help.
"Has Pycelle not been able to help?" Rhaella's face fell as she asked the question.
She was aware of the issue that her twin had developed since Summerhall, Aerys and their parents too had stated food tasted different but their sense of taste had returned whilst Aegon's hadn't.
"No, he and about a dozen Maesters have examined me. Pycelle says it was the hot ash and smoke I breathed in, and if it hasn't returned yet it likely never will." Aegon's face formed a quick grimace as he spoke about the Grand Maester before it returned to its normal stoic passiveness.
"May I ask why the broth and the bread than my Prince? Is it the only food you can still taste?" Bethany asked, her voice was light now and curious as she hoped to learn more about her future husband.
"I find it's the only food's texture that doesn't make me gag," Aegon replied bluntly before his face managed to twitch into a smile as Rhaella kicked him again. "Um, also…please call me Aegon, we are to be man and wife after all."
"I will my princ-...Aegon, but only if you call me Bethany," The young Reach maiden smiled at her betrothed fighting the urge to blush, at the sudden consideration she was receiving.
Aegon was saved from making a reply as the servant suddenly reappeared with a hot bowl of broth and bread placing it in front of his prince with a graceful bow and the deference that only came with years of service. Bethany left her betrothed to eat his meal, politely turning to talk to Rhaella starting up a conversation about her son Rhaegar and how he was doing. Rhaella smiled and picked up the conversation gladly talking about her new favourite topic her son willing to discuss every new thing he did no matter how small or trivial.
However, as she did she quickly glanced at Aerys, her brother-husband who was now whispering into the ear of a young lady from the Stormlands now that Joanna was exchanged speaking to her cousin Tywin. She then glanced at Aegon quietly sitting in his sweat-drenched open tunic eating his broth and bread, a picture of stoic clam as like with everything he did his entire focus was on the task in front of him. She couldn't help but compare the two even though she knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help the thought in her head as she looked back to Bethany Redwyne.
'What kind of husband will Aegon make? Will you be attentive, kind, cruel, dull, engaging or dismissive? Is there anything under that stoic stone face of yours?'
(Great Sept of Baelor - King's Landing, Crownlands - 1st Moon 260 AC)
Aegon Targaryen:
The floor was cold.
That was the sole thought occupying Aegon's thoughts as he lay in the centre of the large hall of the Sept of Baelor, now 15 years of age his nameday having passed not four days ago. The hour was late, the blackest part of the night had passed and so with it the hour of the wolf, if he had to guess he suspected it was close to the hour of the nightingale if not a little past it. He just stared up at the tall seven-sided vaulted ceiling, both sleep and interest failing to come to him.
The morning would be the first morning of the new year and his wedding day, his wedding day to Lady Bethany Redwyne and his official confirmation as Prince of Summerhall. However, any trepidation, worry or concern he had about the day had long since been eclipsed by the sheer boredom of the absurd ceremony he was going through. It was an old Andal tradition not commonly used any more, where a man kept lone vigil in a Sept before his wedding day in order to gain the Sevens' blessing, some even did it for Seven nights. He so supposed he should be thankful that he hadn't been forced to do it for longer than a single night, who in the Seven Hells thought he needed this?
'You know who and you know why' Aegon mused to himself knowing full well who had planned this even if she hadn't taken public credit for it, nor revealed her reasons 'Mother, always interfering in her children's wedding. Does she think that a night in the Great Sept could purge me of what she and others think I suffer from?'
Aegon smirked at the thought, he knew what people especially his own family whispered about him behind his back. Every boy and squire who spent hours in the training yard had the same rumours float about them, some proved true some just lingered before being dismissed by a night drinking and whoring in the Street of silk. He knew about the rumours, how people sometimes looked at him and whispered about how he seemed to spend all his time in the yard or in the library in the company of men.
A creaking noise broke him from his thoughts, he lifted his head from the cold marble floor and looked at the great double doors of the Septs main entrance. Both were still firmly shut indicating that the noise wasn't from the Kingsguard's knight his father had placed outside to guard him. Instead, he turned his head to the statue of the Stranger placed in one of the seven alcoves of the Sept seeing a flickering light he let out a groan.
"I swear brother, if you've brought another whore to keep me company I will punch you, crown prince, or no, I will draw blood" Aegon placed his head back on the cold floor, closing his eyes wishing he could just sleep.
"Aerys' brought a whore? Really?" Aegon's eyes opened and brought his head back up and saw it was his twin Rhealla, not Aerys appearing through the secret passage placed in the Stranger's statue. "That explains where he was tonight at least,"
Aegon was surprised for a few moments before chuckling and pulling himself up so that he was now sitting on the floor than kneeling. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the lack of light but Rhaella's hooded form came quickly into focus as did the bundle of cloth under her arms. Aegon looked at it before seeing a bottle of Dornish red and a few loaves of bread, understanding coming to him, his sister had brought a snack.
"Yes, he actually brought 4 of them, just after the hour of the bat. Said it was his wedding gift, or at least I think that is what he meant, he was drunk." Aegon shrugged, as he gestured to the floor in front of him where his sister quickly sat down and placed the food she brought.
"Well, I guess I should be glad you didn't take the gift," Rhaella chuckled as she poured the wine and offered Aegon a goblet, she which him down it and then take a loaf of bread to eat.
"Well seeing as it's my wedding day I didn't think it appropriate, and besides I have no interest in my brother's discarded…..interests" Aegon smirked as he eat his bread downing it with a gulp of the wine, the taste of the ash still in present in his mouth.
"Yes your wedding day, to a woman Lady Bethany Redwyne. Today. So….." Rhealla started before training off glancing at Aegon and then at her goblet before taking a sip to steady herself and then looking at her twin. "So do you have any questions or want to talk about anything?"
'Ah! So not just sisterly concern and comfort me before my wedding day. I wondered when she was going to bring this up with all the glances and concerned looks she's given me since the engagement was announced. If I didn't know better I would half suspect that mother put her up to this, although I suppose I am going to have to sit through mother's less friendly version in the mourning.'
"Rhaella you know I've been with a woman before right?" Aegon asked the question, and just watched as his twin's eyes became as wide as tourney shields.
"WHAT?!" Rhealla's shout was quickly followed by her clamping her hand over her mouth and then looking at the main doors, when they didn't open she continued with a much lower voice. "You have? With a woman? When?"
"About a year ago, Aerys dragged me to the street of Silk after dark, forcing me into this perfumed silk-laden house. Brought out this blonde-haired girl, with a coy smile and sapphire blue eyes." Aegon recounted the tale, his tone was flat and his demeanour unchanged as he continued to chew the bread in his mouth as he spoke. "Told me it a nameday gift, he seems to only one these days now that I think about it…..Anyway said it was time to get it wet,"
"Oh….." Rhaella shifted uncomfortably as she listened to the tale, but then bit her lip, uncertainty was still evident in her eyes "So did you, you know….do it?"
"Yes," Aegon sighed, more so that his sister's doubt about him than actually revealing the event. "And before you asked, the…..act was pleasant enough but in truth, I don't see the interest in it."
"Really?" Rhaella's surprise was understandable, the only point of reference she had was Aerys who took to the act like a fish took to the water, he was eager even with her although she knew she inspired little in him compared to others.
"It was enjoyable in a way, but nothing spectacular nor anything I truly feel compelled to do again, truth be told," Aegon replied, he looked at his twin with the same confusion he suspected she had, he got the act was necessary for children but didn't see what the fuss was about.
"Well, you are going to have to do it, Aegon. Today will be your wedding, a bedding is needed." Rhaella tried to sound normal again and teased her brother a chuckle escaping her lips. "I'm sorry I pushed. In truth, I was worried about you holding no interest at all in your wife-to-be. Especially with that nasty rumour about you and that Squire from House Caswell, making its rounds last year."
"Harrion? Huh, I didn't think anyone knew. He was pleasant and sweet, not a bad kisser to be fair." Aegon's statement caused Rhaella to freeze as she stared at her brother her mouth just opening and closing.
"You just said? But….wait so that rumour is true?" Rhaella's head was spinning as she tired to make sense of what she was hearing from her brother before she looked Aegon straight in his piercing lilac eyes. "Are the rumours….true?"
"About me and Harrion, yes, although it was brief less than a month I think it lasted." Aegon finished off the last of the bread and left what little remained of the wine for his sister who quickly down it "As to the rest of them none at all,"
"So you do like….boys?" Rhaella asked as she finished the last of the wine, which helped steady her.
"Not really, I found being with Harrion the same as the blonde girl. I thought it might be different but at the end pleasurable but nothing overly special." Aegon admitted remembering the hot summer night by the lake at Summerhall he had spent with Harrion.
He found that the memory was just that to him a memory, nothing special nor enticing trying to get him to recommit the act or really remember it as something special. He looked at Rhaella who was now staring at him like he had three heads like their family sigil.
"So you don't like…either?... Or do you?" Rhaella's face was one of pure confusion now as she clearly had not thought this was in the realm of possibility when she had snuck out to visit him.
He just let out a deep sigh as he tried to think of the right words in his head to describe his thoughts and feelings on the matter. "I have no preference sister, man or woman, the same is the same to me, but mainly….I just don't really have an interest or desire as I think others have."
Rhaella looked at him the confusion not entirely leaving her face although it was clear she was trying it was just that the concept of someone liking both genders but also not being interested was confusing. In truth he didn't blame her it confused him as well, he had tried to discreetly read up on matters of attraction but found nothing of substance or help. So in the end Aegon had contended himself to just keep private about his lack of interest in either gender and just let the court gossip.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have pried it's none of my concern, I just…..worry about you at times Egg," Rhaella sighed as she smiled at her twin, she had just wanted to comfort him like he had her the night before her own wedding.
"Oh by the mother, do not start calling me Egg again, Ella or I will put a stary cat in your bed again." He groaned at her use at the childhood nickname he had inhierted from his grandfather along with his name.
"You would dare attack the royal bed chambers of the crown princess in such a manner?" Rhealla teased back taking on a mock tone of shock and horror.
"Your dam right I will, you know I hate being called…that" Aegon chuckled feeling suddenly more at ease as the two traded barbs like they use to when they were little.
"Okay, okay, as my gift to you on your wedding day I will not call Egg ever again Aegon," Rhealla smiled leaning back as she looked at her twin clearly at ease herself.
Aegon wasn't sure how long passed as the two of them just stayed there on the Sept floor laughing and joking as they use to. He suspected that the Kingsgaurd knight outside was aware that Rhealla was there as the two chatted into the night but made no move to remove her. They talked about things they use to, gossip about the court, what pain their parents could be, jokes about Aerys' fickle nature and of course they talked about Rhaegar.
He couldn't help but smile at how his sister brightened when talking about her son, which was only paled when she was with the babe. He knew people what people thought of his fragile and delicate sister, with some whispering that was too weak-willed to be a queen, but none would say that if they saw how she was with Rhaegar.
'She is the Mother herself with the babe in her arms, glorious, radiant and more lovely than the sun' Aegon mused remembering how Rhealla glowed when holding the babe and the joy she got when he did anything, 'She deserves her happiness, she has suffered for it well enough. First, Ser Bonifer was denied her, then Aerys forced on her and finally, Sumerhall robbed her of years of peace now she is the centre of attention, the future Queen, with little time to be with the one thing that gives her joy'
The thought made Aegon turn to his own upcoming wedding, he knew the troubles that Aerys and Rhealla's marriage suffered through and wanted to avoid them as best he could. Largely that meant not leering at every woman in sight, visiting brothels every other day and not changing his mind every hour so not too difficult. But still, he wanted to be a better husband than his brother had proven to be, and was resolved that even if he could not be affectionate to his wife he would try at least to make her happy.
He was under no illusions that the match was political and that it was all being done so that the full might of the Redwyne fleet would sail to the Stepstones in a few months. Aegon would do his duty to his house and the realm, he would marry the girl he was told, and even if she had been spiteful and ugly he would marry her. He might be unsure about much and spend days trying to perfect skills he might never master but duty was something Aegon understood, and it was something that he took seriously even if his elder brother did not.
'I will have a duty to the Lady Redwy-... To Bethany too, as her husband, I am to pledge her my love, to keep her well and to protect her.' Aegon's thoughts caused him to look at the man altar located between the mother and father where he would soon be wed, steel-like resolve entering his heart. As he looked at his sister who he knew had suffered too much from her own marriage and gained only one thing from it, her darling boy Rhaegar. Even that had come at a high price, Aegon thought as the images of Summerhall flashed in his mind.
'I might not be capable of the love but I will keep to the other duties I am to swear to. I will keep my bride as happy as I can make her, and I will protect her from all I can.' Aegon vowed silently hoping that he would not prove himself false as he looked at his twin sister who smiled at him as the first rays of dawn started to break through the large stained-glass windows of the steps. ' I will not be Aerys, I will not be Aerys, I will not be Aerys'
It was that echoing thought that remained with him as Rhealla quickly left before her absence was discovered, disappearing through the secret passage that led to the Red Keep. As he returned his head to the cold marble floor, looking back up at the vaulted seven-sided ceiling he found the thought would not leave him. Before he knew what he was doing he whispered his second vow of the new year out loud.
"I swear I will not be Aerys"