Aenar had flown on Cannibal's back to Harrenhal, leading his host of a thousand and five hundred freed Unsullied and a little less than half the builders that came from Qohor and the Smiths. The other half remained in King's Landing as the capital was being called, beginning construction of a Castle where a log and earth palisade stood. Maesters from Oldtown were called by Aenar before he left, imploring his brother to make use of their assistance in planning a city around the castle. Oldtown was one of the, if not the finest of cities in all of Westeros, and the Maesters were knowledgeable men. Aenar did not doubt that with their help even King's Landing could grow into a proper city.
And whilst Aenar travelled to Harrenhal with his men and builders and smiths, a letter was sent from Dragonstone. The raven flew from the Valyrian Stronghold to the Martell's Old Palace. And once the Martell's had written their reply, the raven had flown back. By the time Aenar had returned, the Doornish reply had arrived.
A marriage pact could only be agreed upon if Aenar were to live with Deria at Dorne.
She was the heir after her father and Meria Martell did not wish to part with her granddaughter.
There were two varying reactions to this reply. Aegon and Visenya were disappointed that common ground could not be met, while Rhaenys was happy that she would not be sacrificing anyone she loved. Aenar though felt nothing by the reply.
Thus came the end of the understanding between Houses Targaryen and House Martell, officially pitting them against one another. But first blood would not be spilt yet.
Aenar believed that there were still chances for Quills to win battles before they had to resort to the sword. So multiple ravens were sent to Dorne, but none to House Martell. The contents of the letters were simple;
Anyone who lays their swords down and bends the knee to Aegon Targaryen, First of His Name, King of All Westeros, and Shield of His People, will be dealt with the same open-handedness as those that bent the knee before them were dealt with.
It was not a shot in the dark and hoping for the best kind of ploy. Aenar had studied Dornish history (and was filled in by the Shadow that resided in him) and from there he knew that not all houses were happy about following House Martell.
Especially House Yronwood, who was the first to join Aegon's cause. There was no common ground between Aegon and Lord Yronwood, only the promise of him ruling Dorne as the representative of the Throne encouraged him to do so.
Following his example, Houses Allyrion, Blackmont, Gargalen, Jordayne, Manwoody, Qorgyle and Wyl joined Aegon's cause. All of them were once bannermen of House Yronwood when House Nymeros Martell began their conquest of Dorne.
But before the conquest of Dorne could begin in full, there was a wedding to accomplish.
"We should not be having a wedding at this time, so close to another war" Aenar complained while the servants got him ready for his ceremony.
"I think this is the perfect time to have this wedding. It would tie House Hightower to us even stronger and they'll be invested in helping us out more than they already are" Aegon said with a cheeky grin.
With Deria Martell out of the picture, there were only five girls that Aenar's siblings found were eligible to marry their younger brother (Aenar had left the matter of his marriage to his siblings completely).
First, there was Sarra Stark, the daughter of Lord Torhhen Stark, a year younger than Aenar.
Then there were the three daughters of Lord Edmyn Tully, Lucinda, Celia and Melessa Tully. Melessa was the closest to Aenar's age (just a year older) while Lucinda was the furthest (three years Aenar's elder).
And finally, there was Gwyn Hightower, the youngest and only unmarried daughter of Lord Manfred Hightower, two years Aenar's elder.
Rhaenys and Visenya thought over the choices more than Aegon (as Aegon let them play with the matches) and eventually decided that Aenar would marry Gwyn Hightower. Gwyn came from a powerful old family, her family came with great military powers and she shared a liking for music like Rhaenys. The last reason was all Rhaenys needed to be convinced while for Visenya it was the military backing.
Which was why Oldtown was hosting the wedding, paying a little less than half of the expenses. They were more than happy to pay for the whole thing, but Rhaenys insisted that they share the burden. They were hosting after all, and if it were up to Rhaenys she would be paying for the whole thing.
"Visenya said that didn't she," Aenar asked dryly and Aegon laughed.
The King and older brother stepped forward, planting a hand on Aenar's shoulders.
"If Mother and Father were here to see this day, they'd be extremely proud," Aegon said, his voice choking up slightly, so he coughed and cleared his throat.
"Father would care only because I was marrying a powerful family" Aenar pointed out with a roll of his eyes.
"Wrong," Aegon said with a sad smile, "Father did care. He was a man who did not find it easy to show it. With me it was easy, I had the sword and the dragon as he did before me. We had things to bond over. With you, well he acknowledged that you had skills far superior to mine, but—"
"It's alright brother, you don't need to say anything" Aenar smiled, patting Aegon on the shoulder.
Aegon sighed, before pulling something from his pocket and running a thumb over it. "After you were flown away, Mother fell into a depressive state and mourned your death. Father believed you were still alive. He showed his worry by eating too much. He became fatter every day until his belly burst. The maester suspects the burst belly may be from all he ate, but that is all speculation. A few days before he died, he called him to his study and explained all the happenings of Dragonstone to me. It was like the man knew his time was coming" the King inhaled to steady his breathing. "He also gave me this, told me that the day you are to be married, I pin this on you."
Aenar watched his brother pin the broach on him and then traced it. He recognized the thing immediately.
"I loved this when I was little" Aenar muttered with a smile, remembering the hours he'd just stared at the Valyrian Steel dragon's head broach pinned on his father's coat.
"It was a wedding gift from our Grandfather to Father," Aegon said with a smile. "He said to pin this on you on your wedding day, as his gift to you."
Aenar ran his finger over it once more, smiling softly.
"I do miss him. I miss them both."
"So do I, brother. So do I."
The Starry Sept of Old Town was shaped like a dome. The building had black marble walls and arched windows, a wide marble plaza outside with mansions of the pious clustered near the building and a motherhouse attached to it. It was the residence of the High Septon, who had his own bedchambers in the structure. Crypts below the sept contained the bodies of the deceased High Septons, and members of the Most Devout would gather in the sept to choose his successor.
The Most Devout were gathered today as well, but not to select a successor. For today they were guests of Aenar's, to feast at the wedding with the rest.
The preparations done were a little too extreme for Aenar's taste, but seeing how happy Rhaenys was with it he only smiled and complimented them. When his sisters saw him, both grew emotional. Especially seeing the broach pinned on his vest.
Lords from all over the kingdom had gathered, each one coming to congratulate the Lord of Harrenhal for his wedding. There were many familiar faces among them, and then there were some Aenar did not recognize but were acquainted with them from then on.
Soon the ceremony began and Aenar stood at the end of the aisle. The High Septon was presiding over the wedding and for now, was preaching prayers from the Holy Book of the Seven, while children sang hymns and whatnot.
And soon Manfred Hightower was walking his daughter down the aisle towards him.
Gwyn Hightower looked the picture of elegance and sophistication. Her dress was completely white, close to the colour of the marble that the High Tower of Oldtown was constructed with. It was possibly made from silk or perhaps satin or velvet (Aenar didn't know for certain since he never paid much attention to clothes of all things). But he knew it was made from the very best material, to show the wealth of House Hightower. Embroidery of the High Tower itself, stars and flames were embroidered in a slightly different shade of white in such a way that it blended in well with the rest of the attire. With every step she took her dress flowed elegantly. She had her maiden cloak around her, clasped by a broach in the shape of a tower. A tiara rested on her head, her silver-gold hair done in an elaborate updo of braids, adorned with delicate hairpins. Much wasn't done to her face, just enough to highlight and enhance the best parts of it, her bright blue eyes and her pretty pink lips.
Once Gwyn reached the end of the aisle, Aenar helped her up to stand before him. Her father took off her maiden cloak and Aenar replaced it with his cloak, signifying that she had moved from her father's protection to his now.
"We are gathered here today to join Aenar of House Targaryen and Gwyn of House Hightower in the holy bonds of matrimony" the High Septon declared, before speaking about various verses from the Holy Book of the Seven.
"With this kiss, I pledge my love…" said both Aenar and Gwyn when the High Septon urged them to exchange vows.
"… and take you for my lord and husband," said Gwyn.
"… and take you for my lady and wife," said Aenar.
The two then share the pledged kiss and the guests rejoice through gentle and polite clapping.
"I now declare them to be man and wife, one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever."
Gwyn let out a meek 'eep' when Aenar swooped her off her feet and walked her back down the aisle and towards the feast, the guests following after them.
The feast that followed was an even larger extravagance where the guests and the poor were both fed to their bellies full (separately of course and at Aenar's insistence). There were songs, dances and even short plays of popular stories. Rhaenys insisted that there would have been a tourney to celebrate as well, if not for the war looming over them all. A wedding pie was presented during the feast, and when Aenar and Gwyn cut open living Skylarks flew out.
And then finally there was the bedding.
Gwyn was carried off by men, who undressed her on the way and made some bawdy jokes about the night, while the women carried Aenar off doing the same.
Almost nude and both a little awkward, the two stand before one another, the guests that 'escorted' them to the bridal chamber shouting ribald suggestions through the door from the other side.
"You look," Aenar cleared his throat, "you look stunning."
"Thank you, my Lord," Gwyn said shyly with a blush.
Gwyn was the first to let go of her clothes and stand fully naked. Aenar took his clothes off fully a heartbeat later.
"I have never done this before" Aenar confessed, much to the surprise and slight amusement of Gwyn.
"I haven't either" Gwyn murmured, but took a step forward. "But I have read some… books. Stories that are not for the modest ear."
Aenar snorted but extended his hand and took hers in them.
"Perhaps you should lead the way then?" he suggested.
Gwyn grinned, slowly tugging him along to their bed.
Aenar was born in 15 BC, ten years after Rhaenys. He was flown to Valyria in 6 BC. He returned after almost four years from Valyria and helped his siblings in the war. His marriage takes place before the Dornish War, which is around 4 AC.
So he was around 9 when he was whisked away to Valyria, returned around 13 and is marrying at age 19 or so. Gwyn is two years his elder, so she's 21.