There was a festive mood in the air as Jaehaerys hosted an impromptu feast with those present in the castle. They all gathered at the Great Hall where the cooks were working overtime as the king ate and drank like never before.
"You should watch yourself, my love," Shaera said with a small smile tugging her lips. Rhaegal was on her lap, the one year old observing the festivities around him in silence. His mother Rhaella was beside them while she held his brother, Rhaegar. Some would say that they were much too young to be here where the wine was flowing nonstop, but Jaehaerys insisted on their presence. Aerys had agreed.
"This is a momentous occasion!" Jaehaerys placed his mug on the table, his cheeks flushed. "My grandson, a true Valyrian pyromancer. I never would have dreamed of it!"
All the worries from the past year seemed to have left him on this day.
Rhaegal found it funny. At first, he had not known what to expect when his powers had manifested themselves a couple of days ago. Fire magic was not something that had ever been seen in Westeros as far as anyone knew. How would his family take it?
He had been worried for nothing it seemed. Whatever the realm at large would make of his abilities, it was comforting to know that he at least had his family on his side.
Dragons had to stick together. The rest would bow or be burned away.
'Hmm.' Rhaegal paused, his mind going back to how his father had behaved when the Grand Maester and the Velaryon lord had questioned his claim. His father was boastful and proud, and more and more Rhaegal found that he had inherited those traits from him.
'I need to control myself more.'
He was proud of his power, but he could not allow himself to become conceited by them either. That road would lead him to isolation, and it was the furthest thing that he wanted.
"It is an extraordinary thing for sure," Mina Tyrell said softly. "I doubt my cousin would believe it until he saw it with his own eyes."
"Ha, let the fools try to argue against the truth." Aerys scoffed. "My son shall put any doubt to rest!"
His father probably didn't realize that he had just inadvertently insulted the young girl's family member, whoever he was.
Thankfully Mina Tyrell didn't appear to take offense, or perhaps she had enough sense to not provoke his father further.
"Ravens must be sent out at once!" Jaehaerys declared with much enthusiasm. He was probably drunk already. "The realm will know that the house of the dragon still stands strong! The tourney will be a great time to show our strength!"
While Aerys cheered alongside the king, Shaera and Rhaella only just smiled at their enthusiasm and drank their wine in peace. They were a lot more graceful with their celebration.
Meanwhile Rhaegal eyed his grandfather's cape which concealed one of his arms, an arm which he had not shown once. How curious.
His curiosity was put to rest for a moment when Rhaegar tried to reach over their mother to grab him, much to the delight of his grandmother and mother.
"Look at these two," Shaera cooed. "They are just too adorable."
"They are." Rhaella's eyes glowed in happiness.
Rhaegal found that he much preferred to see his mother smiling like this. It made her all the more beautiful, not that she wasn't already. She was the classical Valyrian beauty that many would find irresistible.
The small feast continued throughout the day as his grandfather and father became progressively more drunk. It got to the point where two of the Kingsguard had to drag the two men away to their respective rooms to retire for the evening.
"I swear, those two." Shaera sighed in exasperation. "We should be thankful that only your ladies and Lord Velaryon were here to witness this. They should conduct themselves more befitting of their station."
Mother and daughter were walking together through the halls of the castle, one of the Kingsguard following after them in silence. Shaera still held Rhaegal with her while Rhaella carried Rhaegar.
"I think it did them some good. Father did not look so well when he first arrived."
Shaera looked conflicted for a moment before schooling her features. "It…has been a trying time."
"You do not have to hide your pain from me, mother," Rhaella told her softly. "I know how much you and father are suffering right now."
A moment of silence passed between mother and daughter.
"Being queen…I always knew this moment would come. I knew for a long time now, but I never imagined it would come like this. Even wearing my mother's crown right now pains me. I want nothing more than to see her one more time. To see all of them one more time. To hear their voices, there is nothing that I would not give for that privilege."
The confession was uttered softly, but it was still heard.
Rhaegal listened even as Rhaegar tried to get his attention by grabbing him again.
'There's so much pain.'
The house of the dragon was suffering right now. It made sense as to why his grandfather had welcomed his abilities so readily. It was almost like his birth made up for a tragic event that would haunt them for the rest of their lives. Not that it did. Those that died were still dead and would never return, but it probably helped to pretend otherwise.
For that reason alone, Rhaegal was grateful for his abilities. He might be focused toward the future, but the present was also important. And in the present, his family was suffering.
Rhaella tried offering comforting words, but Rhaegal knew that they would sound hollow to his grandmother.
The two entered the makeshift nursery that had been made ever since he and Rhaegar had arrived on the island. It was just one of the rooms in the castle that had been transformed under Rhaella's instructions.
Unlike their cradles, Rhaegal shared a crib with his brother. He did not mind this, even if Rhaegar could get clingy when they slept at night. This was his brother, and he was going to make sure to be beside him at all times.
"Ser Barristan." Shaera called to the Kingsguard that had been following them.
The knight quickly bowed his head as Rhaegal silently admired the Kingsguard armor.
"My queen."
"My husband and I have agreed to station you here with the twins. From now on, you are to be their protector. Is that understood?"
"Of course, your Grace. I shall not fail."
Shaera's smile was soft. "No, I do not believe that you will."
Rhaegal and Rhaegar were then placed inside the crib. Despite his wishes, Rhaegal felt tired. It was an awful thing to be stuck in a body so young. He required a lot of sleep. Thankfully his sleeping periods had decreased significantly compared to his earlier months in this life.
His mother and grandmother exchanged a few more words before the queen departed, leaving Ser Barristan stationed by the door. Rhaegar was already fast asleep, but Rhaegal stubbornly clung on to stay awake for as long as possible.
"I know it's a bit early, but you've had an exciting day, my joy." His mother's words were soft and full of warmth. "There's no need to fight your sleep."
She could read him that well, huh. When it came to his mother, he just could not win.
Rhaegal allowed sleep to claim him, for his mother's sake. He loved her that much.
---
Many ravens were sent throughout the night to all the corners of the realm, informing the lords and ladies that the upcoming tourney had a new cause for celebration.
Among the ladies-in-waiting for Rhaella, Joanna sent a private letter of her own. While her father had perished in the war, there was still someone she wanted to get in touch with. The one person she saw herself giving her heart to.
Tywin Lannister.
It would take several days for the ravens to reach Casterly Rock, one meant for Tywin while the other was addressed directly to the young man's father, Lord Tytos Lannister.
Tywin read through his cousin's letter with firmness, his eyes widening marginally by the end of it.
"Magic? Impossible."
He could not believe what he had just read. If he did not know Joanna personally, then he would assume that she was mad. But she was far from that. She had a sharp mind that he greatly admired, rivaled only by her beauty. If she sent this letter to him, then it must be true.
'The king will also be sending letters to all the lords of the realm.'
The king was no fool. If Joanna's claims were false, then the king was inviting all the houses to mock house Targaryen.
Then it must be true, but if it was….
'Magic.'
Tywin was still trying to wrap his head around this development when there was a knock on his door. He beckoned the person to enter. The one to do so was none other than his younger brother, Kevan. His younger brother's face was filled with alarm.
"Tywin, there are news. Father just received a raven from the king. He's declared that his grandson is some kind of Valyrian pyromancer!"
So it was true then.
Tywin tossed Joanna's letter on his desk, his brow furrowing.
"The tourney is going to be a grand affair then," he muttered, mostly to himself.
Kevan looked confused. "Brother, you don't seem surprised."
"Joanna sent word to me. As you know, she is one of princess Rhaella's ladies."
Kevan nodded in understanding. "I see. What do you make of this?"
"I have half a thought to call the king mad, but we shall soon find the truth for ourselves."
The tourney at King's Landing would reveal everything. Or maybe Aerys would send him a letter boasting about his son first. The latter was probably more likely.
"Never mind that for now. We have other concerns plaguing us for the time being."
Whether or not Aerys' son was some sort of Valyrian sorcerer could wait for now. Tywin had a more pressing matter to deal with: restoring house Lannister's reputation. Before he set off to King's Landing with his family, he would lay the groundwork for his future plans.
One way or another, he would undo his father's mistakes.
---
Rickard Stark was a man who was now forged in war. When he had left Winterfell to join the rest of the realm to drive off the Band of Nine, he had still been but the heir to Winterfell and the North.
Now, with his father's recent passing, he was the Lord. He was the man the North looked to for guidance. He had not thought to again travel down south so soon, but he had to make his oaths before the Iron Throne. He had no interest in the tourney itself, and yet the letter placed before him spoke of a momentous change in the kingdom.
'The king's grandson is a pyromancer?'
Rickard could hardly believe it. Unlike those in the south, the North was more open to the idea of magic. They were surrounded by it all the time. The Wall was proof enough of it. And yet, this new development left him deeply unsettled for reasons he could not fully understand.
'The future…it looks uncertain now.'
There had been a sense of optimism with the ascension of Jaehaerys to the throne. Rickard's father had not cared much for southern politics, but news of the lords' discontent with king Aegon V's policies had even reached Winterfell. The North had a more positive view of the now dead king. After all, during the harsh winters of 230 AC to 236 AC, it was Aegon V's mandate that food be sent to the starving north that saved many lives in those later years. Supposedly, his son and now king Jaehaerys had a more conservative view, and so many lords welcomed this new monarch with open arms. It also helped that he shared the same name as the famed Conciliator. Many wanted to see a return to what was hailed as the most prosperous time in the history of the Seven Kingdoms.
Perhaps people glorified the Conciliator's reign a bit too much, but it was true that Westeros had not known a more peaceful time. Apart from some skirmishes with the Free Cities and Dorne, the realm had been largely stable. With the Blackfyres now gone and a more conservative king in power, perhaps the lords were expecting to see a return to those days.
Rickard could not fully fault this view. After all, the War of the Ninepenny Kings had seen all of Westeros come together like never before. Even the damn Ironborn had taken part, contributing much with their navy.
And it was thanks to the war that Rickard found himself looking southward in a way that no Stark had done since the Dance.
But Rickard was getting ahead of himself. Right now, there were still other concerns that worried him more.
There came a knock to the door of his solar. His stern face softened when his wife walked in. In his eyes, Lyarra Stark was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"You look troubled tonight, my husband."
Her voice snapped him from his thoughts as she came to stand beside him.
"Yes." He glanced down at the letter. "There are news from Dragonstone. It appears something remarkable has occurred in the royal family."
After he gestured to the letter, Lyarra reached for it and began to read it. Her face crunched up in disbelief.
"One of the princes is a pyromancer?"
"It would appear that way."
"How can this be? Surely the king cannot be serious."
"He just sent ravens to every part of the Seven Kingdoms. I doubt he would take such an action unless he was absolutely sure."
Placing the letter on the desk again, Lyarra looked at her husband. "And why does this concern you so? I admit, it's a fascinating story if true. But we've never gotten ourselves involved with the dragons."
"The realm was looking for things to quiet down after the war," Rickard murmured. "For there to be peace. But now this happens? I fear what might follow."
"I think you're looking too deeply into things. You told me yourself that the crown prince was a respectable young man. I'm sure the king is just looking to put his grandson on display before the realm."
That much was true, but still. Rickard couldn't help but be apprehensive about what all of this meant and how the rest of the realm was going to take it.
No matter how he felt, he still had a trip to continue to plan for. Maybe he might just be able to get a good look at this new Targaryen prince for himself.
---
Steffon Baratheon was merely four and ten and already he found himself taking the mantle of Lord of Storm's End. It had been his right since he fist came into this world, but he had not expected to fill the role so quickly.
And without either of his parents.
It was a hard thing to acknowledge, to realize that both of one's parents were gone. It was the hand that destiny had given him, losing both of his parents within a year of one another. First his mother during the fire at Summerhall. And then his father during the war against the Band of Nine, cut down by the Monstrous himself.
Storm's End had never felt emptier than at this moment.
"My lord."
Steffon set aside his depressive thoughts to give his maester his attention.
Maester Cressen, newly apportioned to Storm's End. At the moment, he was Steffon's closest confidant.
"My apologies, Cressen. I was lost in thought."
The maester tilted his head ever so slightly. "No one can fault you for that, my lord. Not after everything that you have gone through."
Comforting words, but they did nothing to fill the hole in his heart.
"I must apologize for pushing this on you, but the letter from Dragonstone requires your focus."
Ah, yes. News had come from the ancient Targaryen stronghold. Supposedly his dear friend Aerys had gone ahead and fathered himself a pyromancer, just like the stories from Old Valyria itself. Steffon was a Baratheon, but his mother had been a Targaryen princess. That heritage flowed through his blood too.
Despite himself, Steffon found that he was excited to see whether these news were true or not. No, they had to be. Otherwise, there was no way that the king would have so brazenly announced it to the realm like this.
All of this presented another set of problems.
"The king is trying to use his grandson as a symbol," he said, mostly to himself.
Cressen nodded. "Indeed. There have been some whispers about the king's weakness for some time now. I'm sure that he's trying to use the prince to put these rumors to rest."
The image of Targaryens as gods among men. They had long since been trying to cultivate that image, ever since Aegon first conquered the continent. His uncle had struggled to try and live up to that image. Unlike his brothers, he had been born sickly and had to often battle illnesses of many kinds. He bore the look of Valyria with his silver hair and purple eyes, but beyond that he did not possess the martial inclinations of the kings of the past.
"There will be many who will not take kindly to the news," Steffon added.
The Faith came to mind. They were distrustful of magic of any kind, and that was putting it lightly. They had been forced to accommodate the Targaryens and their ways in the past, but this was new territory. Apart from Visenya and Maegor, Steffon could not recall any Targaryen in history wielding any sort of magic, be it true or false.
"We are stepping into unknown territory, my lord," Cressen advised gently. "I know that the royal family is your family as well, but some might suggest that taking a step back to judge the situation might be most prudent."
The thought had never crossed Steffon's mind for a second.
"I will not. Aerys is my cousin and my friend. The king is my uncle. I will not abandon those ties just because the situation seems daunting."
Besides, they had no way of knowing how the rest of the realm was going to take these news. They had accepted many realities from the Targaryens before. Was this any different?
'Magic is always different,' he reminded himself.
"Of course, my lord." Cressen dipped his head. "I just felt it prudent to point this out. There is also the possibility that many will use the prince as a rallying cry to bind themselves stronger under Targaryen rule. And of course, there is a matter of succession to consider."
Yes, the succession. Steffon had forgotten about that.
"Aerys will not hesitate to do what he wants."
And what he would want was quite clear to Steffon. He knew his friend well. He was the crown prince now. He was going to use that to his advantage.
He shook his head.
"Maester Cressen, continue with the preparations. We will ride to King's Landing at once."
He had more reason to go to the capital now beyond just the tourney. He wanted to see for himself just how true these claims were.
And after….well, he had a wedding to prepare for.
His wedding.
---
It took the king and his family a couple of days to leave Dragonstone and sail back to King's Landing, accompanied by the many ladies that made up Rhaella's inner circle.
At the moment, the royal family was lounging in the personal cabin of the king as they continued on their journey across the Blackwater Bay.
"By now, many of the lords will have received my message."
Jaehaerys felt pleased with himself. He felt like a younger man in fact. Not that he was too old mind you.
"It was a decisive move, your Grace," Ser Gerold praised as he stood guard behind him.
"Yes, the realm must be made aware that the blood of the dragon is still strong." Aerys agreed with his decision wholeheartedly as he paced around the cabin. "We must make sure that the tourney is one of the best. Appropriate prizes must be prepared. It is being held in my son's honor, after all."
"I thought that it was meant to celebrate the victory over those nine rogues?" Shaera pointed out innocently. She was bouncing a giggling Rhaegar on her lap.
"Our victory over those fools was always assured, mother." Aerys scoffed. "No, this is far more important. The realm must know of my son."
Rhaella planted a kiss on Rhaegal's forehead as she held him. "I know you are happy, brother, but some restraint would be wise."
"I must agree with the princess, my prince." Pycelle spoke up from the corner of the room. "We do not yet know how the rest of the realm will take to the news."
"They will be delighted of course!"
As per usual, Aerys let his enthusiasm get the best of him. It was a trait that Jaehaerys was hoping would leave his son before he became king.
"We must remember that many are true believers of the Faith, and the Faith often speaks about the dangers of magic," Pycelle reminded his son. "Lest we not forget the tragedies of the past, I suggest that caution should be the policy of the day."
"The Targaryens have never bowed to the Faith," Aerys nearly growled. "We have always existed outside of it, or have you forgotten, Grand Maester?"
"Aerys, calm yourself." Jaehaerys raised his hand to catch his son's attention. "Pycelle speaks the truth. I am aware that some will not take kindly to this revelation, but it is a necessary move. While we may alienate some, others will gravitate towards us."
The house of the dragon was dangerously isolated, in no small part thanks to the actions of himself and the rest of his siblings. His father had tried to cultivate alliances, but they all withered and died with the choices that they had made.
But it was a new age, and Jaehaerys meant to use Rhaegal to usher it.
"The succession might make this difficult, your Grace," Pycelle said after a moment's silence. "After all, I was led to believe that prince Rhaegar was the first-born of the twins."
Yes, this was true. They had not accounted for Rhaella to be carrying twins. Pycelle had named it a mere possibility when his daughter's pregnancy had first been announced on account of the intensity of the symptoms that she had been experiencing. Otherwise, if Rhaegal had been born first, then he would have been named Rhaegar.
"That is also not a concern to us," Aerys dismissed Pycelle's concerns once more. "I have already decided. Rhaegal is to be my heir."
Rhaella looked at her brother with alarm. "Brother, you cannot mean to disinherit Rhaegar!?"
"Of course not, just that Rhaegal will come before his brother."
"If you don't disinherit prince Rhaegar, it would be setting a dangerous precedent, my prince," Pycelle said.
Aerys scoffed again. "What precedent? Rhaegal is a pyromancer. His blood is more pure than that of his brother's. The realm will understand my judgement."
Shaera glanced at him, and Jaehaerys knew that she was waiting for him to step in. The only problem was that he agreed with his son. Jaehaerys did not want to play favorites as he loved both of his grandsons dearly, but he also understood the point that Aerys was making. Rhaegal was going to become a powerful symbol in the coming years, but how strong could that symbol be if he had to play second to his twin brother?
"You cannot mean this, brother!" Rhaella said with frustration.
"My mind is already made up. I will not hear otherwise."
Aerys did not bother to entertain his sister's concerns, and Jaehaerys kept his silence.
And so it would be. Rhaegal was to become Aerys' primary heir.
---
No formal proclamation was made yet, but Joanna was already aware of what Aerys had decided. The young man was noted to often change his mind, but on this he remained firmly set. No matter how many times Rhaella tried to change his mind, how many times they argued, he would not hear of it. It only became worse when the king finally broke his silence and supported Aerys.
There was nothing for Rhaella to do at that point, much to her growing anger.
Joanna did not fully understand why Rhaella was so opposed to the idea, but maybe it was because she was not a mother yet. Her friend probably did not want to play favorites with her sons, but Aerys was of a different mind.
'Such is the game of thrones,' she thought to herself as she walked through the halls of the Red Keep.
They had arrived at the capital a few days ago. Right now the castle was filled with movement as courtiers and other servants prepared for the upcoming tourney. It was still a few weeks away, but it would not take long for the first of the lords to start arriving. It wasn't just the tourney that was going to be drawing them in, after all.
They were all going to want to get a look at this supposed magic wielding prince.
Truth be told, Joanna was excited too. It was almost like she was witnessing the start of a new legend, just like in the age of heroes. Of course, she was no main character. She was a Lannister, true, but she wasn't the daughter of the lord. No, she was the daughter of a second son, meant to inherit nothing. She had achieved some renown on her own, even becoming a lady-in-waiting to the next queen. If she played her cards right, she could remain at King's Landing for the rest of her life, living a comfortable life.
Not that Joanna was going to let herself be content with this. She had her own ambitions. Tywin was going to be arriving at the capital soon, and it was then that Joanna would start making her next move.
After all, while she wasn't a main character, there was no reason to think that her future children couldn't be.