Rhaenys Targaryen

Dragonstone Manse, 400 years after the Doom

"Mother?"

Rhaenys asked as she turned to face the older woman who looked so much like her who was currently helping her oil her hair back for the cast to be moulded to the shape of her head. Elia humming lowly and giving her a smile in the looking glass that she was asking for her to continue.

"Where is mother Lyanna and father? Should they not be here for the fitting too?"

"Your father is with Aegon for his own fitting currently, your second mother is cleaning your little sister who threw a blood orange at Alys Ryswell at morning meal which the younger returned earnestly."

Despite herself, she found a small smile appearing on her lips, easily picturing such a scene. Both herself and Aegon had broken their fasts earlier than everyone else in the family this day as they were being fitted for the elaborate headdresses that would be worn for the sacred oaths. There were separate headdresses for the blood oaths, and they would be passed from her father and blood mother to both herself and Aegon. Then when herself and Aegon had babes of their own and married, they would then pass the headdresses to them. For hundreds of years they had been in the family and it showed considering the obvious wear and tear of them. Said to have been designed by Lord Freeholder Gaemon and Lady Freeholder Daenys when their eldest two children were bound as one. Her mother finally combing the last section of hair away from her ear and begin fanning at the strands until they had dried otherwise the cast would not take.

"How is Aegon?"

She asked, having not gathered the courage to ask her brother herself how he felt about everything. Her father knew, as did her mothers and her youngest two siblings, yet her eldest brother was unaware of her thoughts. Rhaenys knew why marriages as such were practised, to keep their blood pure so they could keep control of their dragons. The results of thinned blood from other families confirmed that the less pure Valyrian blood a person had, the less control they had over their dragons. Dragons were not beasts they could take such a risk with. It didn't mean they had to be pleased by it though, and many were not but still carried out their duty. Reaching over for a cloth and soaking it in a bucket and begin to wipe away at her chest and watching as the stain flaked off leaving a deep burgundy pattern on her chest. Only herself and her mother had to keep their stain on longer than everyone else as it took longer for it to develop on their darker skin.

"Aegon is accepting of the changes."

Her mother spoke, the way her voice was clipped confirming she was also of the same mind. Neither of her mothers were Valyrian (although her blood mother did have a Valyrian ancestor), and both were openly against some of the traditions of the Freehold. Yet they were of the Freehold, and therefore abided by the laws of the Freehold. Looking out of the window to see the many guests walking around the grounds and wondering to herself what was occurring outside the gates. Despite Dragonstone Manse being deep within the city, it did not feel or sound like it. Birds were chirping as they flew by, wind was whistling, and there was a faint scent of smoke which was common on the island due to the Dragonmont still being active. A soft knock at the door broke her from her thoughts as she turned around to see her second mother enter the room with an obvious annoyed look on her face.

"Rhaella has not calmed since she went to Winterfell, then?"

Mother Lyanna gave her a glare at the words which brought the grin back to her own face and her blood mothers. Aemon had already told her such a thing was true but if anything, she had only grown wilder in the two years she had been gone from Dragonstone other than a handful of visits. Noticing then she was carrying the attachment that would link to what would be cast to her head once the oils had dried enough. The colours being ones she was very familiar with. For Dragonlord families, these headdresses were shaped and coloured to match their mounts and so hers was magenta, violet, and pale gold. It being placed down on the table in her room at the manse before her second mother walked over to them.

"Not long now, my little sun."

"No, it isn't."

Clearly she noticed the way her tone dropped and understanding what was on her mind.

"You know your blood mother and I are not pleased by the match and we know you and Aegon are not, yet you know why it has to occur."

Rhaenys did know. For them, it wasn't solely about keeping their blood pure. When her father had taken not one but two non-Valyrian's to wife there had been rumours spreading that House Targaryen were beginning to break from the tradition and were willing to risk loosening their bonds to their dragons. Rumours as such the family knew that others were plotting to take their place as one of the most respected House's in the Freehold. Her father had gotten ahead of the rumours which she was not yet old enough to know about by betrothing herself to her eldest brother, her youngest brother to their aunt, and her sister to who would one day be the Heir Freeholder of Mantarys. The latter being made to pacify the Eastern Valyrian's.

"The oils have dried now, my daughter. The cast is very cold and is very thick but it will harden in a few minutes."

She nodded as mother Lyanna scooped some of the grey paste out and begin to spread it evenly over her head. Despite being warned of it being cold, it was much colder than she had expected. Causing a shiver to wrack down her neck and spine and having to grit her teeth together to stop from moving as she could already feel the paste hardening. Being of a texture alike a thick soup and it was far from pleasant. Luckily, only a thin layer was required and soon both her mothers were helping to remove it from her head.

"We will help you wash the oils from your hair. The others are all currently in the water outside to enjoy the sun."

Her blood mother seemed to see the question that was on her mind as she was about to ask such a thing. Pulling on a thick red robe and moving to the large tub that had been drawn which was slowly cooling. Slipping free of it and stepping into the steaming water and wasting no time in dunking her head back to allow the heat to loosen up the oil. Remaining there for a few minutes before lifting her head up as mother Lyanna began to comb through it and once a section was combed free her blood mother would braid it away to stop it getting tangled with the rest. By the time it was cleansed fully the sun was at its highest point in the sky and not bothering to dry her hair if she was going to be joining her siblings and cousins in the water outside.

Whilst not the same as the natural hot springs that occurred in the North, the many pools and streams around the city were naturally incredibly warm due to the volcanic activity. Aemon had even suggested at one point to take influence from what Brandon the Builder had done when he had built Winterfell by placing pipes strategically throughout the walls. Yet nowhere on Dragonstone needed it. Even on the coldest days it was more a cool breeze than truly cold. The manse was busier than usual still despite most of the family being outdoors with people preparing everything for the wedding that was now only a matter of days away. Turning a corner and yelping at the sudden appearance of someone unexpected.

"I apologise, my Lady."

Prince Robb spoke, his auburn hair appearing brighter than usual from the sun streaming in from the many open windows of the corridor they were currently in. Hoping that no one had seen her jump but alas, this was not to be as a laugh that was incredibly familiar to her broke the silence. Eyes narrowing as Haelysanne made her way towards them. Looking directly at her, one would not know she was Valyrian. Being the only one of her siblings to take after their mother with her pale red hair.

"You will tell no one of this. Especially my siblings."

The older woman simply grinned and Rhaenys knew her threat would not be heeded. The Prince looking to her curiously and knowing what he was thinking.

"Cousin, this is Haelysanne Mellarys. Lady Admiral of the Stepstones."

His cheeks reddened a little at not realising as he muttered apologies. Haelysanne taking them in her stride before heading back to where she had come from.

"She doesn't look Valyrian."

"Nay, she does not. She got her mothers hair. Due to such Aemon and myself have that in common with her."

Also due to this they were relatively close with one another. It had been sworn in that Raerion and Haelysanne's two children were betrothed to one another, yet if they had another and herself and Aegon had one in a similar time frame, they would probably consider such a match. Not only would it be advantageous to both the Stepstones and Dragonstone, it would further tighten the loosened ends that had formed when her father had taken both of her mothers to wife. Falling into step with her cousin by marriage as they made their way through the many corridors of the manse.

"Why are the Stepstones considered a city?"

Rhaenys was confused by the question, confirmed with the words that left her mouth.

"Because it is a city?"

"It's a series of islands?"

Only then remembering that whilst it wasn't uncommon for numerous islands grouped together geographically to be considered as a single area, but never as a singular city. It hadn't always been such, much like Dragonstone had once been a series of villages.

"Do you know the story of how the Stepstones came to be?"

"No."

They came to the marble stairs which were inlaid with gold and had banisters of carved parasponia in patterns so ancient their meanings were no longer known yet they were still beautiful to look at. Their feet clicking against the polished marble with every step and echoing due to the lack of people indoors currently.

"Essos and Westeros were not always separated. There were once connected through a stretch of land called the Arm of Dorne. Conjoining Ghost Hill in Dorne, to Tyrosh in Essos. When the Children of the Forest were at war with Man, to prevent more Men coming across the Arm of Dorne, they used ancient magic which caused a wave of the likes never seen before. This wave covered the land mass wholly so only portions of it were still above ground, creating a series of islands."

"Surely magic as such has never been performed- "

Prince Robb scoffed which caused her to quirk an eyebrow up his way. Mayhaps it would sound ridiculous had she not have the blood she did in her veins. Through her blood mother she had the blood of the Rhoynar in her right this very moment. Mayhaps it was because the idea of magic wasn't strange to her considering she also descended from people who participated in magic both foul and great.

"My Prince, you forget us with dragons blood are able to see things that have occurred with glass candles. There are many areas in the Stepstones, Tyrosh, and southeastern Dorne which confirm this did indeed happen. When it happened is more difficult to answer. Anyway, to answer your question. The Stepstones are considered a single city despite being a series of islands is due to a series of bridges between every island made of molten stone. When the Mellarys' were exiled from the Freehold of Old, they also took a handful of mages so these bridges are of the purest and strongest form. They will never deteriorate. They are still to this day used rather frequently."

He let the words sink in before nodding in acceptance. Now they were on the bottom level of the manse and entering the main entryway .

"Where are Aemon and Daenerys?"

"Likely laying together."

She wasn't sure if the words were true but it would not be surprising.

"It is not sinful here? What if she were to get with babe?"

"It is against the gods to bring forth a babe before marriage. If she ever were to get with babe prior, she would need to drink lakoriks. As for laying together, it is not sinful to lay with ones betrothed before marriage. Only their betrothed though."

If anyone was caught with someone who was not their betrothed, it wasn't even an embarrassment. In most cases it led to said person being banished but occasionally the most senior person would challenge the other to a duel. If the duel was won, the other left with their head still attached to their body. If the duel was lost- well, they became meat for their mounts.

"Have you and Aegon ever?"'

"Nay. I love my brother dearly but I do not love him in such a way. We'll do our duty but it will be nothing more than that."

No further words were spoken as they made their way outside and eyes widening for a moment from just how hot it was outside. Whilst it never really got cold on Dragonstone, it also wasn't somewhere that got very warm often other than the ground from the active volcano nearby. The water being filled with all ages from babes being held by their parents, to young children, to a few adults. Spotting both of her brothers already within and giving each other a look which confirmed they were plotting something. Said something being Aegon diving under the water and swimming over behind Aeressa and jumping on her which brought on a round of raucous laughter from Viserys and Monterys at her expense.

"Who is that with Rhaella?"

It took a moment for Rhaenys to spot her sister given she blended in the most out of them all with her traditional Valyrian looks. Seeing her seated on one of the stairs which entered the deeper portions of the water whilst gripping the edge so she could kick her legs. The boy beside her one she knew well.

"Jaehaerys Tarennis- or Vaelaleas depending on who you ask, they're betrothed to one another."

A look of understanding overcame the younger stood beside her as they walked along the edge to sit down on the tiles surrounding the water to enjoy the heat before the welcoming festival this evening. Normally she enjoyed them, but this one was a reminder that in only two days she would be a married woman and that was a thought that had yet to fully set in.

"How can he be both a Tarennis and Vaelaleas?"

Clearly this was something that was not understood on the mainland or those sworn to the Kingdom's on the mainland. All children took their fathers name if their parents were wed to one another no matter the situation.

"His mother is Helaera Tarennis and his father is Jaeremon Vaelaleas. By rights he is a Vaelaleas but as there are no official heirs to either House Vaelaleas or House Tarennis, they came to an agreement. Their eldest son Taemalys will take the Vaelaleas name once he becomes Lord Freeholder and will be wed to their sister Saera, whereas Jaehaerys will take the Tarennis name and carry on the line."

"That's rather convoluted, is it not?"

"It is, yet it will continue the lines of two of eleven remaining ruling families. It's a downside to our custom of intermarrying, as it leaves little choice."

It was one of the reasons her great-grandfather had sought matches to those with more distant Valyrian blood for her father. Her mother wasn't the first to be considered. First, they had considered an Archon or a Triarch. Second, they had considered someone from Lys who could prove their lineage came direct from one of the Forty and not simply believed to be from the Forty. Third, it had been considered to have one of the noble families within the black walls of Volantis. Only once all had bore no fruit, had her mother been considered.

"Many Valyrian's have married outside the Freehold. You yourself are a result of such a union."

All she could do was hum at the words for they were true.

"I am. I am also seen as a stain by many other Valyrian's for such a thing due to not being as 'pure' as they are. There is something to take note of, my Prince. Even though some Valyrian's marry non Valyrian's, to keep the peace in the Freehold the descendants of said unions are married back either within the family or within the Freehold. Which is why Aemon is betrothed to our aunt, and I am betrothed to my own brother. There were talks to have Rhaella and Aemon to be betrothed to one another too and she would be a second wife but it was eventually agreed she be wed into another House to be closer in age with her betrothed."

"What happens if a direct descendent are of the same gender? Two men cannot be betrothed to one another."

"In that case they marry into other families closely tied and then their own children are betrothed to one another to tie both sides together once more."

The way his nose turned up at her words confirmed he found the idea disgusting.

"I'll never understand the custom."

"You're not the first to say such a thing, nor will you be the last. I must leave now for I have a fitting to attend for the welcoming in a few hours. Please get my siblings attention to let them know too because the last thing I want to witness is mother Lyanna's anger."

The latter clearly amused him as his lips cracked open in a grin and simply nodded to confirm he would do just that. Looking around and spotting a small ball and looking up at everyone to see that currently she had a perfect opening to hit Aegon with it. A grin coming onto her face as she eyed Robb before reaching for it and taking aim. Flicking her wrist and watching as it hit him in the back of the head making him yelp and turn to glare her way as she and Robb laughed merrily.

"A question. If the descendent with non Valyrian House's to be married back were upheld, why were the Baratheon's not married back into the Freehold?"

The laughter slowly came to a stop as she stood up and began to make her way back into the manse. Already seeing her blood mother stood at the door looking directly at her but also with a hint of a smile on her face which confirmed she had witnessed what had just happened.

"Your sister posed a similar question a few days prior but with another previous member of our House. Those of the Eleven believe that if there is an act carried out by anyone which goes against the gods, that person is no longer considered of the blood. They're not even considered family anymore and are wiped from records as if they never existed in the first place. Therefore, neither Robert nor Stannis are considered to have Valyrian blood even if they do."

"Yet not Renly, Robert's children, or Stannis' girl? I forget her name now."

"Renly was a boy at the time, he carried out no action against our grandfather or the Freehold. Nor did Shireen, she was not born yet. Mayhaps both will be wed back into the Freehold one day but I cannot say with certainty. As for Robert's children... I doubt my father would allow such a thing considering it was Robert himself who ordered our grandfather be shot down outside Storm's End. Mother Lyanna likes to say my father is as stubborn as a Northerner in said regard."

Elia Martell

Dragonstone, 400 years after the Doom

It was wonderful to see the whole family again. Despite Sunspear being relatively close to Dragonstone, they rarely visited for more than a few reasons. With what was due to happen in two days though, no one had been left behind. Her brothers had come, Ellaria had come, all the children had come, even her estranged Norvosi goodsister had come whom she had not seen in many years. Being glad that Dragonstone manse was large enough to have rooms to accommodate everyone adequately.

Although, Doran's refusal to remain in the manse had stung. He may have said it was due to his gout which was slowly destroying his legs that he could now barely walk on without being in agonising pain- she knew. As did Rhaegar, and he was not subtle in his anger over such a thing. When Aegon and Rhaenys were younger and prior to the agreement that they be betrothed to one another, her brother had written to her with a proposition. One which would've been accepted without question outside of the Freehold, but in the Freehold it was lower than an insult. Especially to Eastern Valyrian's. He'd wished for his daughter to be betrothed to Aegon, and for Rhaenys to be betrothed to his eldest son.

Elia recalled her husbands rage well from when she had handed him the letter, along with the way her wife had rolled her eyes in annoyance too for she saw it for what it was too. Worded as an exchange to better an alliance, but in truth was a way for her brother to dig his fangs into the Freehold and try to leech off the power he could get from such a thing. Proving one of the rumours that was spreading throughout the Freehold that if they ever did marry outside the Freehold too many times, they would become lesser beings. Valyrian's took no greater insult than being called something other than what they were-being very proud of their blood and stations.

Then when the agreement was made for her own children, he had offered a match for Viserys and Daenerys instead for a similar reason, which had angered Rhaegar even more. Alas, her brother did not get his wishes in such a thing and ever since he had never so much as entered a room with her brother without multiple other people in attendance so they would not be forced to talk. Never was it brought up for Aemon or Rhaella, the exclusion being obvious to the three of them. Her brother saw her children by marriage as nothing but bastards and an insult to herself despite how many times she tried to talk to him on the matter. She loved them both dearly, especially as after she had torn so badly when birthing Aegon it was confirmed she would never carry a babe to term again.

"Can you help with my hair, mother?"

Rhaenys asked, turning her head as she appeared from behind the screen in a gown of deep orange with an intricate chain going from the centre of her chest to either hip that had multiple citrines that were hand carved by the master jewellers of Mantarys dangling from them. The first time Elia had seen such work she could not believe it was possible, yet she had seen them actually carve them with her own eyes. Now every year on her name-day, Rhaegar and Lyanna always got her a new pendant from them with a new design. The one she was wearing meant the most to her though, as it had the Martell sigil of a sun and spear carved into the garnet.

Guiding her eldest to sit in the chair and smiling when she said she wished for a more traditionally Rhoynar style for the night. Hopefully such a thing would not cause a fight of any kind from some of the purists. Loose twists at the sides and leaving some strands loose to fall over her cheeks, tying it together at the nape of her neck, then braiding in an upwards motion and finally circular until no hair was left hanging. Pinning in place with a carved wooden comb encrusted with sunstones and citrines. Jewellery was added then, no expense being spared with the gold from her earrings to her bracelets to the ornate necklace she wore around her neck. Every step Elia could've sworn she heard every jangle of the jewellery and dangling gemstones.

The wheelhouse was waiting them already, seeing the rest of the family both by marriages and by blood waiting on them. Lyanna beaming when she saw Rhaenys and seeing the faintest of smile on her husbands face as he took her in. Three wheelhouses were needed- one for the Stark's and Ryswell's, one for the Martell's, and the other for them. Taking them along one of the many dragon roads within the city towards the Bōjurlion for the festivities. The journey taking a little longer than an hour and once exiting seeing the numerous stalls outside of residents of the city taking advantage of the number of guests that were in attendance.

Oberyn's children and Lord Brandon's children wasted no time in heading towards some of them to see what was there as did Sansa Stark and Jeyne Poole, yet the others remained as they entered the large arena. Two flights of stairs and through a tunnel only accessible when Valyrian blood was presented (courtesy from Rhaegar pricking his finger and pressing it against the crack) which opened to the box where only the family of the ruling House were permitted within. Their view was directly central to the ground below and the seats were filling up from other families, Archon's, Triarch's, the Sealord as well as his sons too she could see to her right, and many more she could not put a name to currently.

Music was already being played, the wooden flutes playing a jovial tune and some dancers slowly making their way around the edge of the arena in time to each beat. Many dragons were flying overhead too of many breeds and sizes and colours. Noticing Rhaella's hatchling was currently perched on her forearm as she was now too large to fit on her shoulder. A servant appeared with an array of fruits and small bites and everyone took a few pieces. Princess Arya looking at the candied physalis strangely before taking a timid bite and eyes widening in delight as the sweetly sour fruit burst on her tongue.

It wasn't long before the others joined them having been allowed through the barrier by Aemon who had gone to find them. Her son by marriage sitting beside his betrothed who leaned in slightly to him so he could wrap an arm around her lower back. Times like this it was clear to see the two did love each other, and despite the thought of them being aunt and nephew seeming strange to her still, she could not deny the truth. Daenerys was younger than Aemon, she'd been conceived only a couple of weeks before Aemon had been born. She'd flown with Rhaegar to Winterfell to be with Lyanna as she had wished to have her first babe in her home when she gave birth and when she was deemed healthy enough to travel back to Dragonstone had found out they were to have a new sister before the end of the year. The birth had not been easy on her mother by marriage, tearing much like she had done with Aegon but also having the fact she was considered too old to carry a child to term anyway having been thirty-nine when she'd had Daenerys. The bleeding had not been able to be stopped for long enough for the tear to be stitched and she perished that very night.

She shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts as this was a celebration, not the time to think of things that had occurred in the past. The music was getting louder now and some drums were now added in, knowing the parades would begin not long after. The doors slowly opening as many Valyrian horses entered with the riders dressed in the finest armour the Freehold had to offer. Splitting into two and forming two lines facing one another before the rider moved their feet so subtly it was only visible if looking very closely which caused the horses to make movements that appeared they were dancing. Moving in a sideways circle first and slowly widening out before swords were drawn and the riders charged at one another in a grand melee. Noticing the boys who had never witnessed a welcoming pointing and gaping in awe at the moves that were being made. No blood would be shed though, for this was not the time for blood to be spilled. Blood was sacred, and therefore was only used for sacred rights.

The men got off their horses once the melee came to an end other than the one who had one. This portion being one which always caused her to wince for she did not believe them when they said it did not hurt. The winner proceeding to stand atop his horse as the other men formed a circle around him, the winner removing his sword and stretching his body as straight as possible. Before lifting his sword blade down to his mouth and slowly sliding it down. Princess Sansa let out a yelp at such a thing and from a quick glance she saw Arianne, Jeyne, and Jonathor peeking through their hands. A moment later only the hilt was sticking out of the mans throat as he raised his arms in victory before leaning forward to prove it was indeed inside his throat and was not a trick. Reaching up a moment later to slowly remove it before jumping back onto the saddle like it was another day and riding out of the arena with the other men who had mounted their own horses again.

The dancers appeared then. A mix of those who delicately moved on the tips of their toes and those who would look as though they were not moving at all if it weren't for the clicking of their shoes on the ground confirming they were. The clicking joining in with the music and taking an already jovial tune into one that was difficult not to dance along to. Strings appeared not long after this which only added to the mood in the arena. More food was brought out then, the roasted pig being placed on a table to the side so they could take as much as they wished alongside the caskets that were brought out of a series of drinks. Pouring herself a glass of Dornish red and taking a long sip. Fire breaths joined the dancers now, the dancers expertly moving around the flames so as not to be burned and seeing the hoops with ribbons which the dancers took and added them seamlessly to their routine. Spotting some of the girls eyes glued to the movements.

No expense was spared. Cyr's came out after the dancers left and many people took to them and spun around the arena in them, people began to balance atop one another and jump from a tower of people to be caught effortlessly by another tower of people. The horses came out again cantering in specific angles to create patterns which were visible from how high they were. Archers were firing flaming arrows at the many troughs that had been arranged to bring light as the night steadily got darker until it was the only source of light once the sun was far below the horizon. The fires granting the heat that was now missing from such a thing. Trumpets played a melody which was the signal this would be the end of the ceremony as those who had dragons stood to their feet, raised their left hands, and called to their mounts. The dragons flying above the arena and lighting the highest troughs on the outer walls until the entire building looked like it was glowing before leaving to wherever they had made their nests whilst here. The awe in the eyes of those who had not witnessed such a thing was clear, and she could not help but wonder how they would react to the glory that was a Valyrian wedding.