Author's Note: So I had some questions and would love to answer them.
(To Lazyfox1991) Yes and no. You could say it will be a realistic marriage according to the time period. They may yet forge a connection over time.
(To Legend3881) In a way, you are correct, but marrying her ensures the Velaryons don't easily side with the Blacks or the Reds and may stay neutral if they come to blows.
(To 12char) The Hightowers may be tricky to bring on side, which is why Baelon befriended their liege lord and neighbors in House Tyrell and Redwyne. A marriage between Baelon's heir and Jaehaera could be planned so as to tie the three factions together.
Rhaena was watching over her new brothers while reading a rather interesting book on Valyrian ancestry she found in her uncle's room.
It has been a day since her cousin and mother, Rhaenyra, informed her and her sister about their new and future husbands. She would be lying to say she wasn't keen on such a marriage to Baelon as Baela was over the moon to be betrothed to Jacaerys.
She had a conversation with her sister about how Baelon had passionately defended his brother's decision to claim ownership of the dragon Vhagar.
It was an insult to ask her to set aside what happened so she could marry the would-be conqueror of the Stepstones, something her father had already accomplished years ago.
"I would sooner marry Lucerys... " She had told vehemently.
Luke was kind and gentle, keeping her company when Baela was off on her dragon, Moondancer. He would have been the perfect husband if she had a chance to choose one for herself.
Even despite her stepbrother having his own dragon, Arrax. He would talk with her and, at one time, was with her when she attempted to claim a dragon of her own.
Baela leaned forward and cupped her cheek, "If he proves a terrible husband, then I am sure Father will handle him, sister." Oh, is that what he will do? Rhaena shook her head at the notion and left her sister then, to think about her uncertain fate.
It was where she now sat, watching her little brothers play with their wooden knights and dragons.
"Rhaena?"
Turning her head, she smiled as Joffrey walked in, guided by Luke.
Joffrey was nearly six. Now, his dragon Tyraxes is nearly the size of a large dog and will be big enough to ride—more so than Aegon's Stormcloud, which had so recently hatched.
Her younger stepbrother looked like his brother, charming and gentle.
"Good morrow, brothers." She greeted and Joffrey walked over to Aegon and Viserys, sitting down to join them in play while Lucerys took a seat next to herself, "I thought you would be training with Jace, Luke."
"I didn't feel like it. And Jace went out riding with Baela." They seem the perfect couple, then? A King and Queen to be proud of. "Mother said you are to marry Baelon."
"It's not my choice at all... I don't want it." Her voice betrayed her confidence. She was fearful of the day she would stand beside Prince Baelon.
Lucerys offered her a comforting hand, "I can speak to Mother and change her mind." He smiled and pulled away, "I can offer myself in exchange for your husband; I'll be Lord of the Tides soon and the third most powerful Lord in the Realm."
She wished she could hope for success, but her father spoke of a need to gather support for his wife against the Greens. They need Baelon to be on Rhaenyra's side if anything comes out of the passing of the King.
She also knows how Luke feels about his fate as the Lord of the Tides. He doesn't feel worthy of the title of heir, and from what Baela said, their uncle Vaemond feels the same and covets the Driftwood Throne just as the Greens seem to covet the Iron Throne.
And she herself would be an idiot not to see why Vaemond feels what he does.
"I want some fresh air," she said and rose from her seat. "Elinda, can you keep them company for me?" The daughter of Lord Gormon Massey nodded, and Joffrey remained as she and Lucerys exited the chamber.
"Rhaena? Tell me you don't want this, and I will try to make it right." His cousin's words were passionate and convincing; she almost wanted to say yes and hope he succeeded, but in the end, she wouldn't wish him to be so disappointed.
She embraced Lucerys tightly before pulling away. "Thank you, Luke, but I will manage... I have to." She was still a dragon, even if she didn't ride one.
Baelon marched through the city streets down the road of silk; he looked from side to side, and his brothers followed behind.
Well, all except for Aegon, who he had gone in search of.
"Blasted fool wanted to go flying on our dragons, and he stayed out with his whores and lickspittles instead!" Daeron cursed, and Baelon laughed, whereas Aemond remained as quiet as Vhagar.
After last night's horrible news, he wished to spend time with his brothers, perhaps convince Aemond and Daeron to be on his side when the inevitable happens, but most of all, he wished to get a sense of Aegon's leadership.
They checked the brothel he remembers Aegon frequented, knocking on the Peach's door for several minutes until the Madam of the house opened it.
"Oh my," the woman gasped in delight. What fine young men will come to my door!"
The whore was a woman their mother's age or perhaps more. She wasn't a beauty but voluptuous and fine enough for a tumble. "We are here looking for our brother. You might have seen him?"
"I might have... For a price."
Baelon smirked, wondering if she was asking for coins or pleasure in payment for her loose lips. "We are urgently looking for him, you see... He is the Prince, Aegon Targaryen." His whisper was husky on her neck as he leaned in to whisper it.
"Hmm, I should have known. He's too good-looking to be a merchant or lord's son." She opened the door wider. "He is upstairs, busy with my best girl. Though, I could have your own company arranged, if you so wish it, my Princes?"
Aemond was quiet as usual and Daeron was blushing more red than Meleys. "Come on, brothers, let's enjoy ourselves as Egg finishes up."
"I'll wait outside, you lot are lecherous as the Seven Hells." Their little brother said and exited the house to stay with their horses.
Aemond, not shy, requested the madam's company, while Baelon chose two of Sylvie's loveliest women.
The pleasure was a blessed reprieve. With his paramour far away and the servant women of the Red Keep far too timid, he preferred a woman who went for what she wanted and did not question her decisions.
It made him wonder how life with Rhaena would be; she appeared fierce when they were children. The problem is that she is Daemon's daughter, and Daemon will support Rhaenyra even if the Velaryons don't.
He remembered tales of the Sealord's son, who was supposed to marry Lady Laena Velaryon; even when the Sealord died, and the son spent all of his father's wealth, he still sought the marriage, but Lord Corlys stalled.
Baelon could do the same and, in the same way, search for a powerful ally to rely upon, such as Dorne or the Stormlands.
A groan escaped the Prince as the first whore straddled his cock and the other kissed his neck, Baelon reached one hand to the first woman's breast, and his other rested on the other girl's ass.
Just before he was finished, the door to the room burst open, and Aegon waltzed in with a grin and a cup of wine in his hand, dressed in naught but trousers and a shirt.
"Didn't anyone tell you the rules of visiting a whorehous, Egg?" He asked his fool brother with another grunt; the girl on top of him began to pace closer to her own climax.
Aegon cocked his head sideways, "Brother, I do say one of your balls is bigger than the other, haha!" Baelon's muscles tensed as his seed spilled into the whores womb, his breath was heavy, and he quickly pushed her off.
Getting to his feet, he slipped on his own pants and found his own glass of wine. "You didn't return to the Red Keep last night after making us promise to go flying," he said.
"I was having a bit too much fun to want to sleep next to my dutiful wife." Aegon said and looked at the two girls' asses as they left the room with their coins, "Aemond and Daeron with you?"
"Yes, our little brother must be bored. The little flower didn't want to get plucked quite yet," Baelon said after gulping down a drink. "And that wife is our sister, so perhaps you might show a little respect, if any."
The brothers left and, exiting the brothel, saw that Aemond was standing beside Daeron, "Can we go flying, now?" Daeron asked with a hopeful look.
"Yes, little brother, let us go flying."
As the hour passed, the majestic dragons Archonei, Sunfyre, Vhagar, and Tessarion spread their wings and soared into the sky, embarking on their journey towards the Blackwater. As they ascended higher and higher, their powerful forms gradually disappeared into the thick, billowing clouds that veiled the sky above.
It was an hour or so when Baelon landed Archonei down by the Wendwater, Vhagar not far away and Sunfyre and Tessarion still in the air.
Aemond patted Vhagar on the back and dismounted as Baelon approached. "You and Sylvie, is she your paramour?" His question may have been wild and made up of nothing, but he wondered why Aemond chose an older woman over the more lithe and youthful girls that were offered.
"Don't be a fool," Aemond said confidently, then frowned. "She was my first... I don't know how to explain it." There was no need; he understood a little about what Aemond felt.
The brothers walked away from their dragons and looked upon the Blackwater; he felt Aemond look at him, "Does it irritate you?"
"What?" Aemond pointed to his scar, "No, not in years. I should be thankful as Luke nearly took my eye."
"In saving me," Baelon frowned this time. "I want to thank you, big brother, for putting yourself in the way. I don't think I would be the same without you."
Aemond turned quiet and then spoke in their tongue, "Nyke enkagon ao. Lēkia (I owe you. Brother.)"
Baelon looked down and then up, wondering if he should attempt what he could not take back, and went for it. "Iksis ziry naejot sagon ondoso ñuha paktot? (Is it enough to be by my side?)" Aemond furrowed his brow, and his jaw tensed. "Aegon iksis iā mittys. Ao gīmigon bisa. Kepa brōstan īlva mandia se dārilaros yn kesan daor mazōregon ziry. (Aegon is a fool. You know this. Father named our sister the heir, but I will not accept it.)"
"Ao nūmāzma naejot ivīlībagon se dēmalion? (You mean to fight for the throne?)" Baelon nodded to Aemond's question.
"Nyke gīmigon se Hightowers kȳvanon naejot Aegon va se dēmalion. Issa iā se nyke epagon ao naejot nyke. (I feel the Hightowers are planning to seat Aegon on the throne. It is a mistake, and I would ask you to support me.)"
There was a long silence, and he dreaded the answer given.
Daeron was raised by the Hightowers, and Aegon will do whatever the Queen and Hand tell him; with Aemond and Vhagar, the battles ahead will be easier for him.
Aemond contemplated and Baelon almost hesitated on doing something drastic. His mind debated whether to make Archonei burn Aemond or to beg his brother not to say anything to his mother.
"I owe you for protecting me, Baelon, so let this be repayment for that act of familial love." His brother started and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Do not be in King's Landing when our father finally passes on; leave soon or tonight and go back to Highgarden or the Stepstones, for if you are here when he breathes his last, then you will bend or you will break."
So that is how it is?