Letters
“In the year 114 AC, Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon were wed in a ceremony that was spoken of by even the most distant of peoples, the festivities lasting seven days as the townsfolk celebrated outside the gates of the Red Keep.
The wedding was an uneventful event, apart from the ill-fated attempt by Otto Hightower, who tried to incite a war between two factions, what Otto himself called the Greens, Prince Aegon's supporters, and the Blacks, who were made up of Princess Aegon's supporters. Rhaenyra.
Otto's supporters were all dressed in Hightower green, the same green that shone in Hightower's lighthouse when war was announced, all of them, from Otto himself, to his older brother, their wives and their young children, wore green, dressed green, green pants, green shirts, green scarves, green everything.
The Greens were waiting for Queen Alicent, who was supposed to be dressed in an emerald green that would be the beginning of the war, and then the Queen entered the room in a blood red dress, accompanied by Prince Aegon, Princess Helaena and the newborn Prince Aemond, they were all dressed as Targaryens, all glowing red and black that made it clear where the Queen's loyalty lay.
Then the Queen is said to have looked into her father's eyes and smiled, with an evil wink, and ever since, they have called the Queen's red silk dress the Dress of Revenge, not revenge against a person or a family, but Revenge against the ideas that Otto imposed on a weak part that believed men were better than women.”
- Passage written by Prince Aemond Targaryen III in the book "The Life and Death of Alicent Hightower" in 876 BC
October 19, 2018 - Hightower University Museum
— Historical finds about the Targaryen family are still few and far between. — the woman speaking was blonde, tall, in a pair of black pumps, a gray pencil skirt and a well-fitting couture suit that looked very expensive, the woman seemed suitably interested in what she said, community college students, by the way, on the other hand, they looked suitably bored. — Of course, we have books written at the time when Rhaenyra Targaryen was Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, but few accounts that were written by Targaryens themselves at the time, we have “The Letters of Betrayal”, a compilation of letters exchanged between Lord Otto and spies no name and we have “The Hands of The King” written by Viserys the Younger the latest discovery however… — The woman snapped her fingers, drawing the attention of the bored youths.
— Pay attention, I'm giving a test on this next week. — the teacher whispered, a stern tone in her voice, her glasses resting on the end of her aquiline nose, the students squirmed in discomfort.
Everyone knew who the Targaryens were, they had, after all, conquered the Seven Kingdoms two thousand and seventeen years ago and since then had been in power as the most enduring Kings and Queens any dynasty had seen.
The Targaryens were everywhere, on magazine covers, on gossip pages, on Instagram and in the reign of the Seven Kingdoms, they were few among them, maybe seven or eight in total, but they had dragons flying through the skies and dragon skulls decorating their homes, they kept dragons alive for two thousand years in a Fire and Blood dynasty, and would keep for another thousand if it was up to them.
— The most recent discoveries, however… — The woman's voice caught the students' attention again. — It was the letters exchanged by royalty, especially in the year the Princess took her place as heir to DragonStone, it's six years of letters exchanged between the most influential people of the first century, we still can't read and scan and put them all in order the letters found about a year ago, but the few we got give us a very good view of what happened in the period when the Targaryens were at the height of their economic, social, cultural power and dictated the rules of society as if were gods.
The woman finally opened the double doors behind her, inside were a series of dusty old books lined up on tall shelves and three slightly tilted computer screens with yellowed pages displayed on the screen.
— Don't touch anything behind the red tape and don't put your dirty little fingers directly on the books, if I see any of your filthy hands coming into contact with my books I'll fine you so big your grandchildren will be bankrupt. — the museum lady said, taking a menacing step forward and looking the students in the eyes.
— Don't you find that a little mean, Cerelle? — the teacher, Jeyne, asked lightly, Cerelle smiled slightly.
— We Lannisters call and pay our debts.
***
Dear Rhae,
King's Landing has gotten terribly boring since you and Daemon left, your father is duly grumpy, Aegon is cranky and Helaena asks for you every night, Aemond doesn't seem to know much about what's going on but searches for something with unfocused eyes and I wonder how much he became attached to you.
Among other notes, Lord Otto has been driven from the city, the Lannister Lord, Gerold, is rumored to be planning a wedding for Lady Cerelle, I know you had plans to put her in the post of Master of Coin, and I admit it would be a good idea, your friend has the eyes of a hawk, but be careful, Lannisters pay for their lives and Gerold is nothing but an ambitious man who has coveted dominion of Casterly Rock ever since Cerelle was a girl in her mother's skirts.
Still in court gossip, it is well said that Lady Laena Velaryon is due to return to Driftmark for her wedding to the Prince of Pentos, it is also rumored that Ser Harwin is planning an escape from the Gold Cloaks, I wonder if you have any ideas if these rumors are true or not.
I miss you and it hasn't been half a moon since you left.
Love, Alicent.
Lady Ali,
Dragonstone is terribly… gray, for lack of a better word, it's pretty boring here, there's no childish giggles, no sound of swords from the training yard, no lessons from the Maester, but there's so much to do.
Did you know that the entire castle is staffed by just two servants, a shepherd who takes care of the sheep and two cooks, there are no kittens in the kitchens and I am startled by the size of the cobwebs that are on the ceiling.
The guards are dreadfully rusty and fat and Daemon found perverse pleasure in beating them, in his words, until they are real men, the folk are also quite rough and suspicious and one of them stole some of my coins when I went to the markets. .
Sometimes when I'm silent I wish I could have brought you with me, the silence is overwhelming and even Cerelle and Laena can't fill the void that's left in my chest every time I sit in my office and don't hear the loud laughter of Aegon, Aemond's cry or Helaena's loud screams.
I don't think we should worry about Gerold Lannister either, yes they pay their debts, and they're dreadfully ambitious and malicious, but they're not a concern, not when Cerelle has already begun marriage negotiations with Ser Adrian Tarbeck, I've met Ser Adrian in person. and the man is not very handsome, but he is as clever and sharp as the sword he carries, and Lord Lannister is in no condition to go to war with a Tarbeck, the more so when Lady Reyne is Ser Adrian's sister.
I don't know what Laena knows about the Prince of Pentos but she got weird when I mentioned the wedding, I also don't know what Ser Harwin Strong is planning but I think it has to do with Laena, she got weirder when I mentioned what he looked like want to run away.
I miss you all and wish you could visit me.
I love you, Rhaenyra.
My little princess,
I miss you darling, the Red Keep is awfully silent without you my precious child, now that you are far away I realize how your company brightened my days and made me as happy as possible, as with your mother I miss you both in equal measure.
It is very annoying not to have you as my cupmaid at Small Council meetings, Lord Lyonel believes that in a few years, you will be ready to take over as Lord Hand and accept some of the tasks he performs.
Of course I can't help but ask how is life at Dragonstone, life with Daemon, I know my brother, and I know what he can be like, anyway, if you need any help, let us know, I'd raise an army for you , dear.
Missing you daddy.
Father,
You could teach Aegon, Helaena and Aemond how to build your model Old Valyria's little houses, they are eager students and very sweet children, I'm sure you wouldn't be so lonely if you spent time with them.
I believe that for years to come I can gladly assume the role of Lord Lyonel.
Dragonstone is great, Daemon too, leave the armies where they are.
Rhaenyra.
Your Grace, the excellent Queen Alicent Hightower, the most tongue-cutting Queen in all the history, Maegor with Tits,
Her daughter has been panicking for at least two moons, and I know you've noticed, the influx of crows coming and going has lessened considerably, Rhaenyra has found out from Maester Gerardys that she is pregnant.
Since then, life has become amazing, Rhaenyra has been caught between being happy and excited about the baby and being terribly depressed and hating me, alternately wanting me close, alternately wanting me so far away that she had Myranda, our servant, tidy up my clothes. bags and put me, and by extension Caraxes, out of Dragonstone and asked me never to come back, then, before we could leave, asked me to come back.
Now I'm relegated to eating in the filthy kitchens with the servants because the "sound of your chewing annoys me, Daemon, get out of my way," and then I'm forced to shower without my inspirational Princess because "you smell just like the of a dead dragon, Daemon, get out of my way,” I'm good to get out of my way now and sleep alone in a room with a single bed because Rhaenyra tried to smother me in the night.
Life has been miserable.
Fix it.
And fix it quickly, or Rhaenyra will be a widow because I died, rejected by a Princess who no longer wants me.
Terribly hurt, Daemon.
Daemon, the man I should have banished,
I'll cut your tongue out if you persist in calling me Maegor with Tits, the servants now call me that in whispers, and first of all, stop laughing, you arrogant idiot, it's not as funny as it sounds.
Rhaenyra is scared, she lost Aemma to the bloodiest birth I've ever heard of, and then almost lost me when Aemond and Daeron were born, all she can see at the end of that pregnancy is a bloody bed, a widowed husband and a dead child. mother.
Comfort her, you are her husband, you must make her happy and make her the happiest woman in the Seven Kingdoms or else I will cut her throat myself while you sleep.
Give her options, Moontea is one of the options, and since no letter announced the pregnancy, you might as well take care of it without anyone knowing, talk to her first and stop hiding from her like I know you are doing, be considerate and courteous, and make it clear that you will accept her decisions.
I can't fix life, you have to do it yourself and learn from it.
I'll send Nana to Dragonstone, just in case.
You will not die, not before me, as your Queen I forbid it.
The Queen, Alicent.
Lady Ali,
I'm pregnant, and scared.
Me and Daemon will keep the baby.
I hope it's the right decision.
I'M GOING TO BE A FATHER.
I miss you, Rhaenyra.
I don't miss you, Daemon.
Dear Nyra,
Maester Kaeth said I should write to you to practice my writing and reading, the words are hard to write and I forget a few letters, but he said I'm learning and that in time, I'll write as well as you do.
I started training with swords, but I'm not very good at it, I think I'd like to make swords much more than hitting people with them, Mom took me to see the blacksmith in the castle when I behaved super well in the tournament that the did, I didn't even insult Lady Tully's very ugly hairdo, and I didn't even pull Lord Corlys's hair, even if I wanted to.
The blacksmith, Ser Hugh, he said he's not a Ser, but I know he is, how can he make so many swords if he's not a Ser?
I asked him if he could teach me how to forge Valyrian steel, I want to make a necklace for Mother's nameday, but Ser Hugh said no one can forge Valyrian steel, which I think is a lie, because you and Uncle Daemon both know a lot, so I told him that my uncle Daemon and my sister Rhaenyra knew how to forge Valyrian steel, so write to Ser Hugh and tell him that you and Daemon can make Valyrian steel.
Helaena said she loves you and Aemond said exactly bububabababubu, I think that means he's hungry.
I love you, Aegon.
Dear Aegon,
It's good that you're practicing your writing, I don't think you forget as many letters as you think, you're very good at writing and I know you'll get better if you keep writing me letters.
Well, you need to train with swords to defend yourself against men who mean harm to us Targaryens, but also because it's a good skill to have, and a man who can't handle a weapon is a man despised.
I don't think you should mention Lady Tully's hairdo to anyone, and neither should you pull Lord Corlys's hair, I think you'd both be very angry.
And Ser Hugh seems like a very interesting man, but unfortunately you're right, little brother, the secret to forging Valyrian steel was lost to time, in the Doom of Valyria and not even I, Daemon or any other Targaryen know how to forge Valyrian steel.
Tell Helaena I love her too and can't wait to see her, all of you, in fact, and for Aemond, I wish he finds sweet cakes to satisfy her hunger.
I love you as big as Vhagar, Rhaenyra
Princess Rhaenys,
I'm pregnant, there's nothing you can do about it, and before father comes up with stupid, insipid ideas, Ser Harwin didn't kidnap me, please, I ride Vhagar, Queen of Heaven, do you really think man could force me to do anything?
On another note, the Prince of Pentos won't be a problem, the man will be dead by the time you get this letter and I'll be married to Ser Harwin.
Laena Velaryon.
House Baratheon of Storm's End,
It is announced with great jubilation the birth of Prince Jaehaerys “Jace” Targaryen on the twelfth moon of the year 114 BC.
House Targaryen
Lady Laena Velaryon,
It is with immense regret that I announce the illness of Lord Lyonel Strong, Maester Kaeth does not know what has happened, but Lord Hand's health deteriorates considerably, it is not known whether it is the flu, a case of smallpox or something worse.
In any case, when this letter reaches Pentos, I hope there will be improvements, otherwise I wish your daughters, Baela and Rhaena, were born healthy and are holding on strong.
Queen Alicent Hightower.
Lady Ali,
Daemon got me pregnant, again.
Jace can barely walk, what the hell am I going to do with two kids that young?
Jace is constantly looking for you, I think you're his new favorite person and the little monster doesn't even have a moon name.
In addition, Dragonstone has prospered, we managed to establish trade routes, agreements and solved the problems with the rebellions in the city, Daemon assembled a team of Gold Cloaks that watches the city streets, crime has decreased considerably and we are much safer now.
About the problem of city sewers, I think I found a solution, but I intend to test it in a smaller project, for now, these are just ideas.
Maester Kaeth wrote to me, is it true, about the father? Did he really have necrotic hands and arms on the Iron Throne? What does this mean for us?
I miss you, Rhaenyra.
House Stark of Winterfell,
The birth of Prince Baelon Targaryen on the fourth moon of the year 115 BC is announced with great joy.
House Targaryen
Dear Rhae,
I know that Lord Strong said you could assume the Lord Hand in the year 118 AC, after Aenys was old enough to travel, and I know that you received the raven that heralds Lord
Lyonel Strong's death from the mysterious disease that afflicted him. ravaged.
And you also know that a strong man like Lyonel wouldn't be killed easily by anything but poison.
What I kept hidden from you, out of fear perhaps, was that your father was considering letting Lord Otto Hightower retake the post of Lord Hand, I tried to stop him, but after he lost his arm your father was more determined to have his voice. heard.
I tried to stop him but I couldn't.
Don't come to King's Landing, make up an excuse to stay in Dragonstone, but keep yourself, and especially the children, away from my father.
Stay away from here, Rhaenyra, at least until my father is a matter to be dealt with.
I miss you, Alicent.
Hi Nyra,
Mom said maybe I should write to you since I don't talk much.
I learned to paint on canvas, mum discovered that the essosi have a stiff cotton fabric that allows me to run my brush through it so I can create pictures, she also got me little pots of fabric paints that paint the cotton well.
I like to paint canvases, but I can't send them by crow, they are heavy and crows are light.
I miss you and wanted to visit you, but Lord Otto said it's a terrible waste of coin to mobilize a ship just because a stupid child wants to see an evil sister who will kill her when she becomes Queen.
I don't believe it, you always took care of us and you stayed with us even when mother was very sick and you send Aemond books on dragons even though he can't read very well.
I hope you and Uncle Daemon are doing well.
I miss you, Helena.
Lady Ali,
I know you told me things were being sorted out in King's Landing and that I should stay away and keep the children even further away, but Aemond sent me a letter, asked me if I could be quick when I killed him.
Aemond, my little brother who dreams of riding a dragon, asked me if I could kill him quickly when I became Queen because grandfather Otto said I was going to kill him when
I reached the capital.
I don't know what's going on, or why the children are hanging around with this vile man when I know you repeatedly drove him out of the Capitol in an attempt to get him away from us, I know you would protect Aegon and Helaena repeatedly, just like that. like you did with us and that nothing would stop you from that, but honestly, you don't understand what's going on.
The ship is being readied, we'll all go to King's Landing and see what we can do.
I still love you, Rhaenyra.
Dear Rhae,
I love all my children.
But I feel like I'm constantly trying to build a house of cards in the middle of a storm when I'm trying to protect them from people who shouldn't need protection.
I have tried to keep the children as far away from Otto as possible, unfortunately their father has become more and more invested in doing things for himself, he took Helaena out of sword lessons and forced Aegon to start his again just as he made Aegon learn all court proceedings even though he was not the heir.
Viserys has it in his head that family unity is necessary, since you, Daemon, and our three grandsons are at Dragonstone, we're stuck with feasts, tournaments, and family dinners.
I don't think your father even realizes what he's doing when he forces the kids to spend time with Otto, I've tried to stop him but he's adamant about being dominated by a woman and I know it's my father whispering in my ear.
I'm sorry, I can't protect you from him any more than I can protect Helaena, Aegon and Aemond.
Alicent.
Lord Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen,
It is with great regret that I inform you of the death of Lady Laena Velaryon and her stillborn child in the flames of Vhagar.
We will send her ashes along with her husband and two granddaughters.
Sincerely, Curator Villar.