279 AC – King's Landing, CrownLands – Seat of Power: Aerys II Targaryen
The day of the Wedding arrived and to say a crowd had not gathered, it would be a lie. Many nobles brought their gifts and came to be present at one of the most important weddings of the year.
The Dragon Princess finally would get married and the Great Lion of Casterly Rock would no longer be a widow. It was an unexpected thing to be announced, the matching being rather unique to those who were not aware of the professional relationship between the two of them.
Yet, the event was said to be the talk of Westeros since for the first time in History, a Lion and a Dragon would unite. If one considered how influential and powerful both houses were, one might wonder why such a match hadn't taken place before.
No one had the answers to that but no one truly cared, since they could be present for the wedding instead.
Visenya was in her room, the maids working for a while now to ensure her dress was perfect. It was a white dress made of the finest of materials, the colour so bright it could reflect the sunlight like a mirror.
It was a strapless dress exposing her cleavage slightly, her neckline, back and shoulders. It stopped just in front of her toes, tightly wrapping around her toned legs and if the light fell through it properly; one could barely see the colour of her skin.
A skirt was attached on top of it, spreading over her hips and meant to flow behind her when she walked. On top of the dress was a white and golden corset. The golden material was extra, embroidered on top of the corset and with a slight transparent nature it fell over her legs into two strips.
The most outstanding design of the dress, however, was the metallic armour-like parts meant to decorate and complete the outfit. A golden thick belt was the most noticeable accessory, followed by the golden upper bread plate that was shaped to cover the beginning of her dress and offer the slightest of modesty to her cleavage.
The last part was the golden arm braces that were placed on her upper and lower arm, similar to armour's arm guards.
Her hair had been braided the night before and as they were released, they fell around her face and on her exposed back in gentle small curls.
The outfit was one of a kind, a dress the world had never seen before and it was not Visenya's idea. Instead, responsible for the wedding and the dress were her sister Rhaella and her-to-be good-sister Genna Lannister.
The two women had worked rather well and had managed to plan anything, leaving Visenya in the dark until the wedding day.
"Honey, you look as if you are about to get married and then lead an army to victory" Genna commented, sitting on the princess' bed while holding a goblet with wine.
The Queen Consort was making sure her sister's hair was perfect, a smile on her lips as she admired her younger sibling in the mirror. "You do. If Grandfather could see you now, he would have brought up the day you were named" she said with a tired but gentle smile.
"What about that day?" Visenya asked, glancing from her reflection to her sister.
"I never told you why we named you after the first Visenya, didn't I?" she questioned, giggling faintly.
"Oh, I want to hear that story as well," Genna said as she stopped leaning so much on the mattress and straightened her back.
Rhaella smiled as she sat on a chair. "Well, when you were born your cries echoed across the Red Keep. Grandmother pointed out that it was as if you were leaving out your own war cry and that had Grandfather ecstatic. You even held your right hand up as if you were lifting a sword and he joked that you were a reincarnation of Visenya herself, only to shortly after choose to name you after her"
The story made Visenya smile, somehow feeling nostalgic for the good old times they short-lived as children.
"And my brother is taking you? I will pray to the Seven to survive under the same roof as you" Genna joked, emptying her chalice before moving towards the jug to refill it, again.
Visenya glanced at her future good-sister and realized that she did enjoy her presence, most of the time. Over the course of months to prepare for the wedding, she had the chance to truly get to know her.
"I do believe he will survive. We have done well so far" the Dragon Princess pointed out.
Genna turned to face her with her goblet full of wine. "Oh please, deary. You were not sharing a room and a bed all the time. One time doesn't truly count" she said, dropping the bomb that she was aware of that night in Casterly Rock. "That is of course, if it was only a single night"
Visenya felt her cheek turning a faint pink and she cleared her throat while trying to look away. She managed to turn her head, only to see Rhaella staring at her with her lips parted in disbelief.
"Visenya Targaryen, you didn't," she said through a mixture of gasping and hissing. "Out of wedlock?" she added, her voice now much lower.
Since it was only the three women present, there was no fear of exposing any secrets but they did remain careful for any snoopy servants walking outside the room.
"It was only one night, in my defence and it's been more than a year" she said, glancing at Genna.
"Not surprised there, hon. The fact that you managed to drag my stone-hearted brother in bed and later marry him, is an achievement I did not expect it to be possible" the Lannister said and drank from her goblet.
Rhaella placed her hand on top of her sisters. "Well, at least I know you are not fully marrying out of duty" she said and before her younger sibling could protest, she continued. "It might start that way but something tells me it will not remain. You two have feelings for one another"
Before the younger Targaryen could say something, there was a knock at the door. Exchanging a look, Genna was the first to head towards it and opened it rather sharply. In front of her stood Kevan, who was not surprised by the annoyed look of his sister.
"What is it? It is not time for the Wedding yet" she pointed out, one hand on her waist and the other holding her goblet.
"This is for the bridge, from Tywin" he said after rolling his eyes at the drama. He glanced into the room, getting a quick glance of Visenya through the mirror. He gave a friendly smile. "I will see you at the Septa, Princes"
He said no more words as Genna slammed the door to his face, one hand holding the box Kevan had given her. "Don't mind him. Let's see what my dear brother sent you" she said as she sat on the bed again and Visenya took the box from her.
She pulled off the lid and was met with red velvet fabric, covering an object. She gently pulled the material away and she heard Genna gasping faintly above her shoulder, having stood up to have a better look at it.
Inside the box was a beautiful bronze necklace. The front part of it was flat and long, meant to cover a bigger skin surface. In the middle of it, another bronze piece had been carved and melted into; this one represented the head of a male lion. Decorations were on each side of the head while rubies were placed as decoration, with the biggest ones being the eyes of the lion.
"Visenya, this is beautiful," Rhaella said, inspecting it under the light.
The bride turned her head to look at Genna, seeing a look of recognition in her green eyes. "You know what this is?"
The Lannister emptied her cup in one go by tossing her head back. She then looked at Visenya with a smirk that would make many feel uncomfortable. "Of course I do. This is the ceremonial necklace worn by every soon-to-be Lady of Casterly Rock. Oh, Tywin is definitely serious about this union" she said, mostly mumbling the second sentence to herself.
Visenya looked at it, passing her fingers gently over the material. She could see it was old but the metalwork had been amazing on it. She thought of the title 'Lady of Casterly Rock' and could not help but give a small weak smile.
"Let me help you" Genna added as she took the chance to take the necklace from the small chain.
She was careful as she passed it around her neck and then tied it, letting the slightly heavy material fall against her skin. Visenya looked at herself in the mirror, seeing how the sun made the rubies glow; as if the Lion itself was alive.
"Now it's my turn," Rhaella said out of nowhere, surprising the other two women.
"Your turn?" her sister asked.
The Queen grinned like a little girl and walked towards the armchair she was sitting comfortably on before. There was a silver box placed there and she gently opened it before taking the object that was inside and showing it to them.
It was a beautiful silver headpiece that was meant to be worn similar to a crown. The metal was valyrian steel and the design was that of a dragon. It looked as if the body and head of the dragon were lying in the middle of the head while its wings were wrapped around and met under the head.
The work was made in a vague expression, the wings and body mostly represented by branching pieces of valyrian steel braided into the design, with the head of the dragon meant to stop at the forehead.
"Now that is a very fitting piece of jewellery" Genna pointed out as Rhaella approached her sister.
"It is not just a piece of jewellery" Visenya corrected her as her eyes never left the item.
Rhaella moved to stand behind her sister, holding the headpiece right on top of her; ready to crown her. "This is the same headpiece the first Dragon Whisperer in Westeros, Naelys Targaryen, wore at her wedding. It is meant to be worn by every Dragon Whisperer getting married, in the old Valyrian Ways"
"But this is a wedding of the seven" the lioness reminded.
"It is still the same. It is Visenya's birthright and I prefer seeing it on her than on a self-gathering dust" Rhaella argued and then gently placed the headpiece on her sister's head.
Visenya slowly stood up from her chair and admired herself in the mirror. She looked like a true Warrior Queen, dressed in metal and silver while the lion and the dragon were a reminder to every one of the two houses she would represent.
A knock on the door made the small moment to be interrupted but before Genna could go and scold whoever disturbed them, Rhaella beat her to it. Upon opening the door, Rhaegar took a step inside.
He wore a black matching attire with the three-headed Targaryen Dragon embroidered on the back and above his heart, with a dark cape held by two red Targaryen pins; one at each shoulder.
He had his hair groomed and neatly pulled back to frame his face while in his hand he held a ceremonial Targaryen Cloak.
"Rhaegar, is it time already?" Rhaella asked, admiring how good her son was looking.
The Crown Prince gave a formal bow to the ladies. "Queen Mother, Lady Lannister, Aunt Visenya," he said and straightened his back again. "It is time"
Genna smirked and placed her goblet on the table. "Better not to be late then" she said and with a nod, she left the room with the Queen; leaving Rhaegar alone with his aunt.
Visenya turned to face him and started to march his way in slow steps. There was this smile on her face, proof that this wedding was not truly burdening her. The more she spent on preparing herself, the more she felt the initial guilt washing away.
She looked up and down at the outfit of her nephew, seeing him being a full-grown man. Rhaegar would be the one walking her to the Septa since Aerys would be with Rhaella as the King & Queen.
Although, the family knew it was mostly because Aerys did not wish to walk her down the aisle they did not mind, for Rhaegar volunteered with more than enough happiness.
"You look beautiful, Auntie," he said as he unfolded the black cloak with the red dragon.
"You look rather handsome as well. I cannot wait to see you at your wedding" she said and let him wear the family cloak over her shoulder and tie it with the red string across her neck.
"Well, the betrothal is over. I do believe the wedding should be within the next year" he said as he offered his elbow for her to take.
"Ellia Martell is a lucky woman"
Visenya chose to ride on top of her horse than to take the carriage and no one dared to say anything. Targaryen soldiers rode around her as they passed through the roads of King's Landing.
Many common folk had climbed on rooftops, gathered in balconies or at the side of the streets to catch a glimpse of the Princess heading to her wedding. Many stared and commented on her beautiful attire as she kept riding like a warrior but had the beauty of a true Queen.
Eventually, they reached Visenya's Hill and the Great Sept of Baelor.
The sept was an impressive marble dome structure with seven crystal towers, each of which had its own bell. The lofty dome was made of glass gold and crystal while past the doors was the entrance hall of the sept, also known as the Hall of Lamps.
Inside the Sept were statues representing each one of the 7 Gods; Father, Mother, Maiden, Crown, Warrior, Smith and the Stranger. The wedding ceremony would take place in front of the statues of the Mother and Father.
Visenya dismounted from her horse and accepted Rhaegar's elbow once again. They exchanged a small smile and the bride quickly put on her usual face as they started to walk into the Sept.
A crowd had gathered outside but the majority of the nobles had been seated inside. To the very front, close to the Septa, were the King and Queen.
At the other side of the Septon, but a little bit below him were the Lannisters. Jaime and Jaime had already reached the age of 3 and 10 while Tyrion was 6 instead. They stood next to their uncles Kevan, Tygett, Gerion and their aunt Genna while Tywin had taken his place in front of the Septa.
He stood with his hands behind his back, the ceremonial red cloak with the golden lion falling across his shoulders while he was dressed in a mixture of black and gold, with pieces of red as well.
He waited patiently, his face not once giving away the many thoughts passing through his mind all this time. He had never expected himself to marry again and yet here he was. Surprisingly, he felt no guilt of marrying after 6 years; since the passing of Joanna.
He did question his choice faintly, wondering how things would turn out now with a lady by his side; after all those years. However, when the crowd started to whisper and murmur and his eyes fell on the approaching form of Visenya; did everything became quiet in his mind.
He watched her with silent admiration as she was led towards him by her nephew.
Her dress was reflecting the white light coming through the windows, making her look ethereal and even inhuman. Her white hair seemed to match the dress and yet they had a glow of their own, making the dragon crown upon her head stand out.
Gold arm guards and other decorations reflected the light back, giving the impression that she was wearing some sort of Golden Armour given to her by the gods. Lastly, his eyes fell on the jewellery around her neck; the red eyes of the Lion looking back at him as the person that wore it kept walking with pride.
She looked incredibly beautiful at that moment, nothing compared to the usual simple image many used of her. Like a proper lady, Queen of Thousands of Armed Soldiers, she marched towards the Septa without a single drop of hesitation.
Once she reached the respective place and let Rhaegar go, she turned to face her husband-to-be. The corner of her lips curved up faintly, offering him a ghost smile. He returned the action, the movement of his lips barely visible but Visenya knew what it meant.
The crowd quickly quietened down after the grand entrance of the Princess and the Septa could now start the ceremony.
Giving a nod, the Septon allowed Rhaegar to gently remove the Targaryen Cloak from her and then walk back to his place; next to his parents.
"You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection."" the Septon said and Tywin untied the knot of his cloak and removed it. With a graceful move, he wrapped it around the shoulders of his bride-to-be and tied the golden thin rope around her neck to secure it.
Visenya kept her small smile, feeling the foreign and slightly heavy cloak around her shoulders but her mind was oddly quiet as she kept looking at Tywin; her head not once bending.
"We stand here in the sight of gods and men to witness the union of man and wife: one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever." The Septon continued and the couple lifted their hands at the same time. Their fingers interlocked and somehow they both felt as if this was how it was meant to be. His bigger hand was at the bottom, cupping and supporting hers as her thin fingers secured their grip around his.
Calluses from the use of swords and other weapons could be felt against but no one truly seemed to mind, both more than experienced with that by now. Then, the Septon started to wrap a white ribbon around them, firmly securing them in place.
"Let it be known that Visenya Targaryen and Tywin Lannister are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder. In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words." The holy man instructed.
The two of them turned to face one another now, their hands still tied together. They recited the first part of the vows together. "Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger..."
As it was expected, Tywin had to start first. "I am hers and she is mine. From this day, until the end of my days,"
Visenya almost forgot hers for a moment upon hearing him recite those words like a poem but she could still tell there was something more behind them. Without making others wait, she spoke her part."I am his and he is mine. From this day, until the end of my days"
"With this kiss, I pledge my love" Tywin continued and used his free hand to gently hold her chin as he brought his lips forward.
She met him halfway, sealing the wedding quite literally with a kiss as was expected. It lasted only for a few seconds but both felt the need to continue it, brightly remembering the night at Casterly Rock where they gave themselves to one another.
The crowd cheered and congratulated the newlyweds as the Septon removed the white Ribbon. The now Husband and Wife did not break apart yet as they turned slowly to face the crowd, showing the unity of their two houses.
They exchanged a silent look but spoke of nothing else as the day was still young and the celebrations were far from over.
A feast held place at the Grand Banquet of the Red Keep which all the noble Lords and Ladies attended. Tywin sat with Visenya on the Royal Table, this time not just as the Hand of the King but as the good brother of the King.
His children had also attended, doing their best to be presentable and not disappoint their father. Even young Tyrion seemed to behave, often looking in the direction of Visenya like he had done all those times they had broken fast together.
Cersei had passively glared at her good-mother since the beginning of the ceremony, clearly not happy with this arrangement. She did not wish for a second mother, no matter who that might be.
Jaime, on the other hand, seemed happy for his father but also to finally have Visenya as part of their family. He had started to like her ever since the Jousting Tournament in Casterly Rock and he enjoyed her company.
The King and the happy couple got plenty of approvals, kind words and blessings from all of the guests. The married couple were presented with various gifs as well and always did their best to give just enough smile or expression not to offend them.
Truth be told, Visenya and Tywin both wished to leave the banquet and the loud party. They preferred the company of one another or that of a good book than the fake smiles, half-hearted blessings and unnecessary gifts.
Yet as the main couple behind this event, they had to persevere for the majority of the time and enjoy the delicious food; while the crowd around them was loud.
Eventually, the time had come and they could leave the festivities. They stood up, drawing the attention of the guests, who already knew what was meant to come. A tradition that existed and one that both Tywin and Visenya hated; the bedding.
According to tradition, they both were to walk towards their chambers while Lords and Ladies started to undress them as they walked. The men would take over Visenya while the women would do the same at Tywin.
The lion found this practice unnecessary and he had managed to avoid it when he married his cousin since the wedding was small. However, Visenya was of the noblest of lineages and anyone could see greedy lords wishing to touch her in ways they would not be allowed any other time; without losing their heads that was.
He offered his hand at her, seeing the faintest tension in her jaw as many Lords and some ladies started to get up from their positions as well. She gently placed it in his and kept her head high, refusing to show any moment of weakness; to any of them.
They descended the steps and left the royal table behind them. Visenya glanced at him, seeing him narrowing his eyes at the Lords that started to approach; clearly not happy with the idea.
She squeezed her fingers faintly against his hand for reassurance and offered him her famous Targaryen smirk. She pulled her hand away and started to take confident steps towards the double doors as Lannister and Targaryen men had positioned themselves to form a passage.
Two steps front and a few men grew greedy, not wishing to wait. To everyone's surprise, though, their hands never touched the Dragoness as the sound of swords being pulled out of their sheaths echoed in the room.
A few people gasped and many Lords felt themselves paling as dozens of blades were aimed at either their necks or their hands.
To everyone's surprise, some of the King's Guards like Ser Barristan had moved to defend Visenya, along with the Royal Targaryen Soldiers. Amongst them, Lannister soldiers did the same; their eyes daring any of those fat men to approach her.
"You will not touch our Lady" a familiar voice said as one of the Lannister soldiers was Kevan himself.
Visenya smirked and turned to look at Tywin, who had a few Lannister men ready to keep women at bay but without their swords drawn. He looked at her and his pride seemed to grow, a feeling of approval glowing in his green eyes.
He had not orchestrated any of this and the men had moved on their own to protect her. She was their Lady and their princess respectively. She fought with them, she made plans to ensure they did not die in battle and she had earned their respect.
It was becoming clear now, who the soldiers favoured and already looked up as their Lady and leader; official wedding or not.
"I do believe there will be no need for the bedding ceremony. Don't you agree, dear wife?" Tywin said, offering his hand once again at her.
"I believe the soldiers have spoken, though anyone is free to try passing past them" she added, placing her hand once again in his.
Without any more interruptions, any more chaos; they could finally retire away from everyone else. And so, they marched out of the banquet hall with their heads held high, the soldiers following close behind them as they silently showed everyone who truly had the power.
[A/N] - 4,411 words - my longest chapter yet. I could cut it into two chapters, but I thought it would be better to leave you with a big one for a change.
Day of the wedding! I hope you enjoyed it and worry not, more intimate moments between Visenya and Tywin will come...and a surprise in the next chapter ;)
Let me know what you guys think and what you expect to happen next. I am always open to suggestions and ideas you might have and will be more than glad to make them part of my book if they fit the plot.