The Three Heads of the Dragon

by The Author of Qarth

In the 105th year of Aegon's Conquest, King Viserys I named his daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen the heir to the Iron Throne. In 112ac, Queen Aemma would perish birthing Prince Baelon though the King had his desired son, he refused to name him heir. His Grace would remarry and in the 113th year, his new Queen, Alicent Hightower would give birth to Prince Aegon.

1. Chapter 1

Viserys I Targaryen became King on the Iron Throne in the 103rd year of Aegon's Conquest. After the passing of the Old King, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, known as the Conciliator.

He had one daughter with his wife and Queen, Aemma of the House Arryn. His daughter, the Princess Rhaenyra was his only child in the eleven years that the King and Queen were married and in the 105th year after yet another crushing stillbirth, the Queen managed to convince his Grace to name the Princess as heir apparent.

Some inside the royal court were understandably unhappy and furious with the King's decree. The King's brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen ranted and raved which strained the relationship between the siblings until the 112th year of Aegon's Conquest.

It was in this year that the Queen gave birth to a son, her Grace however would not survive the day and some on the Small Council thought the same of the young Prince.

As seen in the years of King Jaehaerys. War, recklessness, and sudden illness led to the deaths of many would-be heirs to the throne and it was in this wariness, that the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, and others on the Council pressured the King to remarry... And to change the succession.

The birth of Prince Baelon was a boon to the more conservative members of the court and council, and some whispered a boy must hold precedence over a woman as Jaehaerys made plain during the deaths of Prince Aemon and Baelon the Brave.

However the King upon hearing the rumors held steadfast in his decision. "It was my late Queen's desire, and I shall hold true to my choice of heir." His Grace said upon the Small Council but despite this, the desire for Prince Baelon to succeed the King upon death never ceased.

During the beginning of the 113th year, Viserys finally remarried and chose Lady Alicent of the House Hightower to replace his wife. In the same year they would welcome another son, Prince Aegon and in the following years would multiply three more children. Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron.

His Grace wouldn't be alone in these years of happy births. To placate House Velaryon and their Lord, Corlys Velaryon for prior slights imagined and true. Viserys arranged for the marriage between the Princess of Dragonstone and the heir to Drftmark, Ser Laenor Velaryon, and the union would bring forth three sons and Princes. Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon.

The King's brother would find union with Lord Velaryon's daughter, Lady Laena after the death of his first wife, Lady Rhea Royce of Runestone. The Rogue Prince would have two daughters with Laena. The Lady's Baela and Rhaena Targaryen.

Many Targaryens walk the realm and ride the sky, and as unified as Viserys I desired the House of the Dragon to be... It is no more than a slumbering volcano, ready to erupt at a moment's pause.