I don't own House of the Dragons.
Prologue
Gargon the Guest was considered the most lustful man in the seven kingdoms. You could say he loved taking maidenhoods from brides before their husband could have their chances with their new wives.
The last descendant of his came through his known illegitimate son's name, Killian Rivers born from one of the noble wives who he had taken to bed before her husband.
Killian Rivers grew up under the guidance of his stepfather's father to be a ward and give him better chances to be a knight. After years of hard work, he became a knight, and he married the daughter of a merchant from Myr.
With his wife's family adopting him as their son, he created his family name, Darlington, for he was called Darling of Myr. He worked hard to create a stable home and had three children with his wife—good merchants who could give trading and goods to every content of the Seven Kingdoms without hesitations.
Years of them grew, but Killian wanted more for his children than being merchants. He started to be ambitious to make their descendants great.
That opportunity came years later when Maegor the Cruel took the Iron Throne and took the kingdom by storm.
Killian quickly helped Jaehaerys and Alysanne escape by order of their mother the queen. It was risky for them to get involved in the royal family, but the results are worth it. They spend every copper to help Jaehaerys fight Maegor and win the crown. He knew that the future would not allow marriage alliance with his granddaughters, but all he asked for was a merchant license to travel further to the Free cities and find the so-called West.
Jaehaerys agreed to that promise.
Jaehaerys became Jaehaerys I king of the seven Kingdoms had won the throne.
At the insistence of his sister-wife Alysanne, they should promote Darlington to be given titles and seats.
Killian was given the merchant license, but Jaehaerys also wrote another paperwork. Their family will have titles as Lords of Oldstones and be proper nobles.
Killian never considered being a lord and tried to convince him to give it to someone of the noblest blood. Though, by making peace, queen Alysanne spoke, "Yes, in case we should give the seat to nobles, but we considered you and your family humbler to compare to others. You took a great risk to save our lives. It is the least we could do to be assured that our children have loyal bannermen at our call."
Killian thinks back, his first and second sons wished to follow their father to make a fortune in the new world. Plus, they have daughters from their wives, but his third son was younger than they are and could be taught to be a good lord of the seat.
At Killian proposal, his youngest son's name Daeron Darlington can take that seat and be its lord of Oldstones with proper marriage to any maiden of the kingdom of their choosing.
The King and queen agree. They understand that Killian wants to continue to be free and create his path rather than of Lords of the Seat.
Daeron was brought up by the King and queen as their ward to train him as the future lord of the seat. It was a tearful goodbye to their family as his mother gave her youngest son, Hydrangea plant to remember them.
Daeron Darlington decided on his new family sigil and word. To remember both his mother's gift and his father's words.
Their family sigil is a Hydrangea flower and the color of its plant is purple with pink lines and blue background.
Their words, "Go for the Great!"
He has close relationships with Prince Aemon and Prince Baelon. Almost like brothers, but Daeron knew he could not treat them the same way as his real brothers. After all, he was an upstart noble lord compared to the real ones.
Daeron was at the proper age when he could leave to start his job as Lord of Oldstones. He still had his family connection with other merchants to help rebuild his castle. It was magnificent.
Inside he created the beauty in the structure with art, flooring, and tapestry of his Myrish root.
He even made a portrait of his family members his father, mother, brothers, their wives, and nieces. He even created a wall to carve his family tree. He has written their names and the offspring of their roots.
Why go through all that trouble you say?
The reason was simple, he wanted his future descendants to remember where they came from.
He became a handsome man and kind lord who made his riches and made common lives better with fair and tough laws to follow. He is a knight and is often called, Ser. He grew Beardstache and a textured French Crop with Taper Fade. His clothes were styled in embroidery and a tunic of his sigil of Hydrangea petals and full plant. He always wore his long black coat.
Yet he is a bachelor lord who can have any woman in the kingdom, but sadly there were no wives nor lovers he has taken.
Daeron trusted the king and queen enough to decide his bride-to-be. That is why he left talks of marriage to the King and queen to see any worthy maidens he could marry. However, they failed to realize that man with no nobility of blood.
Noble families dislike the idea of being blood-related to an upstart nobleman who is in favor of the Royalties. Daughters of their families hated the idea of carrying children with his common blood or his father's bastard lineage blood.
He was around his forties a still healthy young lord. He almost believed that he was destined to be alone and not pass on any children as he had hoped.
Which is a shame as he dreamed of having a big family so that his family could visit one day.
"Oh!" A little girl stumbled and fell to the ground. "ow."
Daeron gasped and ran to help her.
When he did, he was shocked by her appearance, red/orange hair, and she appeared to have a few freckles on her nose. She is wearing a dress that seems too long and dragging her feet.
"You are?" He questioned her as she stiffened, and a mumble came from her mouth as she gave a terrible curtsy.
"Forgive me." She looked nervous and lowered her head. She is blushing at the sight of this handsome lord who could very well be old enough to be her uncle or father. She wanted to make a good impression, but she has always been clumsy and trips over everything.
She was a walking disaster.
While her older cousins and aunts are elegant as swans she is considered an ugly duckling.
'Oh, mother is going to get angry again.' She whines in her mind.
"What is your name, my lady?" He gently looked at her and he smiled.
"My name is Christiana Redwyne, my lord." She shyly answered.
A ten-year-old girl smiled at him.
Daeron had become fond of this new ward of his as her mother couldn't take her since she was on her second marriage, and her daughter passed around cousins and family members' households.
Years later she grew from a child to an eighteen-year-old women.
Christiana Redwyne had married into the family. She is what many would call a Panther. Since childhood, she lost her father at a young age cause he died for King Jaehaerys I against Maegor the Cruel. Her mother had struggled financially and was dependent on the Redwyne family. Christiana was more interested in older gentlemen since she never had a father in her life.
Daeron Darlington spared no expenses and married a girl with a little dowery to her name as his wife. He invited the king and his court if they wished to see him wed. The king quickly ordered them to pack their things to see the wedding of their dear ward.
His Measter Aristotle had written the event of the wedding.
"It was the most historical wedding since Aegon's conquest. There was wine that never stopped flowing for everyone to drink both high and low. Food was spread for the people as they feasted for the wedding. They celebrated for nine days as per the custom of Myr had done. Then the tenth day, it came. Flowers were thrown into the air as the common people danced and paraded their lord's future wife. Everyone cheered for Lady Christiana.
She dressed beautifully in a white and pearl pattern on her dress. She looked like a fae maiden entering the world of men to wed a lord and master of the lands. She rode on a white mare as music blared loud for all Riverlands to hear them.
Lord Daeron invited Lord Tully to come and see the wedding and he presented himself as did other bannermen and lords followed.
Dragons flew high in the skies as the king and his family including his court came swiftly to see their former ward to marry.
King Jaehaerys hugged Daeron as if he were a son. "Congratulations, my boy!"
He gestured for Prince Baelon who is now crown prince since Aemon Targaryen died. His niece, Princess Rhaenys brought her husband Corlys Velaryon. Prince Viserys Targaryen with his wife Aemma, Rhaenyra, and Daemon came as well. Young strong lads if he does say so himself.
As Daeron Darlington took his wife they had the best feast display fit for a king.
It was the memory they wished to keep forever."
Daeron Darlington enjoyed his years with his wife until tragically he died from coughing blood. He was no more than seventy years old.
Christiana was a widow and regent to her husband's estate and lands. She is still young and beautiful as she has given him three children.
His eldest daughter, Jesmyn Darlington, is no more than eight years old.
His second and firstborn son, Edward Darlington, is no more than three years old.
His second and last daughter, Mary Darlington an infant.
During years of marriage, he outlived many of Targaryen these years. It was good, and Christiana felt her world was dead as her husband was no longer here.
She felt a hand grab from a smaller one. She was out of thought as she was brought back when she looked down on her eldest daughter, Jesmyn. Jesmin looked determined and spoke, "Don't worry, mother. I'll protect you."
Fresh tears formed in Christiana's eyes as she knelt and hugged her daughter. "Thank you, my Darling."
What she didn't know was her eldest daughter Jesmyn was born from another world and she would protect her family.
'After all, the Dance of the Dragons is just around the corner. I need to prepare for the Riverlands.' Jesmyn hugged her mom tightly.
Reviews are welcome.
Next Chapter, reviewing her birth memories, Jesmyn planned.
Oldstones Castle is based on Orsini-Odescalchi Castle.
