Part Two - News from Westeros (3)
Red Keep (While Gwayne was in Stepstones, trying to court Rhaenyra)
“And where is young Gwayne, Otto?” Viserys said jovially as they met for breakfast. Around the table, Alicent was enjoying the repast as their children nurses struggled to feed the children. “He hasn't joined the family meals for awhile.”
Otto smiled in satisfaction at the thought Viserys considered the Hightowers as his family but said offhandedly, “He is away, courting. In fact, you might know the lady, it is your daughter, Princess Rhaenyra.”
“R-Rhaenyra?!” Viserys gaped gormlessly at him. “But she is just a child!”
“She is of age, Viserys.” Otto said with a kind voice. “She is sixteen, almost seventeen. She is in the prime age to be married.”
“But Gwayne?” Viserys couldn’t help but ask dubiously. He likes the young man, he did great work with the City Watch according to Otto but surely there are better candidates for her?
“Why not?” Otto laughed as he sipped his morning wine. “What better way to strengthen our family bonds by having our children married? My son Gwayne Hightower is an incredible option, your grace, he comes from an impeccable lineage. And what better spouse would the princess need as Lady Paramount for Stepstones than my knightly son? At least we can keep Stepstones in the family.”
He has a point there , Viserys mused, especially as Alicent chirped, “I would love to meet Rhaenyra after so long. We would make good in-laws and we can have her here in Red Keep rather than being so far away from the Kingdom.”
Viserys nodded cheerfully. To have Rhaenyra back again and by his side after so long would be a great way to sooth the break within his family.
“That’s a great idea! Write up a marital contract Otto, and perhaps some land to grant to your son so people won’t grumble about the disparity of class between the two.” He said in delight. He turned back to his breakfast, not noticing Otto’s and Alicent’s satisfied smile.
Driftmark
Vaegon frowned as Grey Ghost landed into the courtyard, Meleys roaring her welcome from her perch on top of the castle.
Princess Rhaenys Velaryon-Targaryen was waiting by the door, staring at them especially when Joffrey Arryn and Layla dropped gingerly off Grey’s back, wincing as they did so as they were unused to the long flight. (So has he but he wasn’t plebeian enough to show pain in public, hmph.)
“Uncle Vaegon.” The Lady of Driftmark nodded her welcome. “We weren’t expecting you.”
“I was on my way to King’s Landing and thought I should pay a visit on the way, to see if Corlys had any issues with the marriage contract." Vaegon sniffed loudly.
Rhaenys pursued her lips tightly but didn’t say anything. “I haven’t spoken to him yet. He was still in Spice Town when I arrived home but will return later today.”
“Wonderful.” The elderly Targaryen Prince said dryly. “We can lecture him together over his presumptions then.” Rhaenys smiled ruefully but let the way to the main sitting room where they enjoy a light repast and Rhaenys catching him up on unnecessary Stormland gossip (he can feel Layla planning her letter back to Stepstones; they really need to get Mysaria to train Layla in the art of spywork) when Corlys came into the room.
“My Lady, I saw another dragon outside,” he said absently as he perused a sheaf of papers, “did Princess Rhaenyra come to visit her betrothed’s home?”
“You should get your eyes checked if you can’t tell the difference between Syrax's golden scales and my Grey Ghost’s white and silver scales.” Vaegon’s tone was glacial to the point both Joffy and Layla visibly shuddered behind him. “And you’re just in time, your wife has something very important to tell you.”
Rhaenys glared at her uncle before determinedly turning to her husband. “I am unhappy to find out that you sent my son to Stepstone with a betrothal contract for Rhaenyra. Must you keep on blindsiding me when it comes to our children?!”
“It is his own good.” Corlys tried to placate his angry wife. “He is of age to get married and what better bride than his own cousin?”
“No, it is for Driftmark’s and Velaryon's own good, you just wanted control over Stepstones to fuel your own ambitions.” Rhaenys said bitterly. “Our children are not your pawns, Corlys!”
“It had to be done, Rhaenys, the Crown have disrespected us far too long. By allying with Stepstones, we can finally have an upper hand over them.”
Rhaenys’s laugh was ugly. “So all this is because of your stupid pride, Corlys? You are not the man I married years ago.” She hissed.
"I did it for us!"
Vaegon, tired of the drama, cleared his throat loudly. “As entertaining as this is,” his acerbic tone suggested otherwise, “your schemes didn’t work, Corlys. Your son is married. To Lord Celtigar’s youngest niece and my secretary, Prunella Celtigar just two days ago.”
“What?!!” Corlys snarled as he stood up abruptly, his seat crashing behind him. “Without my permission?! I will have it annulled!” He snarled.
“You will not.” Rhaenys said fiercely. “It has been consummated and the marital contract has been signed.” She threw the contract at Corlys’s face. He watched as the man read it, knowing he would be surprised at the generous terms between Stepstones, Claw Isles and Driftmark and the two dragon eggs.
Corlys looked as if he was doing some serious mental calculations before making a decision. “No, this is not enough. I will petition an annulment for Laenor. I don’t believe they had consummated that marriage; we were all aware of his preferences.”
“And you wanted to marry him to my granddaughter?!” Vaegon snarled, suppressing the urge to throw his goblet at the man’s head. Outside, Grey roared his displeasure. “Believe me, it is consummated.” He snarled. “In fact I’m not surprised if the girl conceived.” Vaegon knew quite well Lady Wen had met the couple to discuss the treatments.
“You will not annul this marriage, Corlys, or you would not like what I would do to your little whore.” Rhaenys snarled. “What, do you not think I didn't find out about the captain you play house with down at the Hull or the two brats running around in the shipyard?! You insult me with their presences, Corlys!!”
Vaegon sighed as his niece and her husband screamed at each other. Welp, time to go. He stood up from his chair when two pairs of hands grabbed him. He turned around incredulously to see Joffy and Layla watching the screaming match with such interest.
He sighed.
I guess I have to stay the night, he thought in boredom as the children drank in the drama in front of them.
Red Keep
(The Small Council Room)
“Your Grace!” Lord Lyonel Strong, Maester of Law said in horror. “This is against the contract you signed with the Princess Paramount. She and she alone has the control over her marriage.” He clutched the contract the King and Lord Hand had made behind their back.
“Nonsense, Lyonel!” Viserys waved his concerns away. “I am her father, of course I would have any say over her marriage.”
Lord Lyonel and the Master of Coin, Lord Lyman Beesbury exchanged looks of concern but before they could say anything, a page hurriedly entered the room and whispered into Lord Hand’s ears. His expression alternated between fury and concern.
“Otto, is there something wrong?”
“Your Grace, I -”
The room suddenly shook as a loud roar could be heard across the city. Viserys perked up in delight at the sound while Otto oddly turned pale. “That sound! It can’t be!”
Ser Erryk Cargyll quickly entered the room. “Your Majesty, a dragon is seen circling around the city!”
“It must be Rhaenyra, she has come home!” The king said in delight. “The meeting is adjourned!” He said hurriedly before fleeing the room, followed by council members.
The Main Courtyard
Everyone gathered in the courtyard, staring in wonder at the dragon dancing in the air over them.
“Why, that’s not Syrax.” Viserys said sadly.
“That’s not Princess Rhaenyra’s dragon, Your Grace?” One of the court ladies asked bravely.
“No, if I’m not mistaken, that is Grey Ghost, one of the wild dragons in Dragonstone.” Viserys tried to see if the dragon was carrying a rider.
“All due respect, Your Grace, let us be in a safe place, we do not know if the dragon has a rider or if the rider is friendly to the Crown Family.” Ser Harrold Westerling urged the king.
But before the king would say anything, the dragon suddenly swooped down, landing gently in the courtyard amidst the screaming.
To everyone’s surprise, the former Grand Maester Vaegon slid down from the dragon’s saddle, followed by two young adults, one running toward them the moment the dragon landed.
“Father!”
“Layla!” Lyonel couldn’t believe his eyes to see his youngest daughter after so long. “You look just like your mother.” They hugged tightly in front of the court. (Unseen by everyone, Layla sneakily put a letter in her father's surcoat and smiled mischievously as he looked down at her.)
Viserys smiled at the scene before turning to Vaegon. “Uncle Vaegon! I didn’t know you are a dragon rider!”
“Viserys, we have a lot to talk about.” The elderly Targaryen said dryly. But before he could continue, Otto coughed loudly. “Your Majesty,” he said to Viserys, “all due respect, the dragon should be chained in the Dragon Pit for everyone’s safety.”
“I would like to see you try.” Vaegon sneered. “ Sovegon , Grey Ghost.” The court shrieked again as the dragon launched itself into the air. “Now, show me to my rooms. Or have the court forgotten their manners?” He said acidly.
The Hand’s Tower
“What do you mean the Princess rejected you?!!” Otto screamed at Gwayne, who looked like a commoner with the bruises covering his face. “You were supposed to charm her, not antagonize the brat!” He had fled to the Tower after the court dispersed, knowing his son, newly arrived from Stepstones, were waiting for him there with sorely needed information.
“I did! She just turned down everything I do, plus I had to compete against Laenor Velaryon, some Essosi tart and some blacksmith or something she has been courting.” Gwayne sulked.
“Blacksmith? Essosi tart?” Otto asked, intrigued.
“A Dornish blacksmith or some servant of some sort, I couldn’t get some clear confirmation on it. The Essosi is a pirate that comes to the Islands every few months.” Gwayne sneered. “The servants in Stepstones are surprisingly tightlipped and I couldn’t even do the other task you asked me, father, not the way they kept us under surveillance at all time.” The knight reminded him of Otto asking Gwayne and his retinue to see if they can find out where the Princess kept the eggs from Syrax’s clutch and if he could steal them.
“Then she is a whore.” Otto rubbed his chin, seeing a possibility to turn the matter to their advantage.
“No,” Gwayne said sourly, “whatever she did with them, they kept it clandestine and with chaperones. The princess is still a virgin, the Maiden reincarnated according to her people.”
“But Viserys doesn’t know that. If we spin this information correctly, we can still gain control over the princess and Stepstones.”
A loud knock stopped Otto from his scheming as a servant entered the solar. “My Lord, His Majesty summoned you for an emergency council session.”
The Small Council Room
Otto looked around as everyone gathered in the room except Viserys and judging from their expression, they too, didn’t know why they gathered there.
“His Majesty the King! And Prince Vaegon Targaryen of Stepstones.” The herald by the door suddenly called out as Viserys and Vaegon entered the room, the latter followed by the unknown young man and the Strong brat.
“All due respect, they,” Otto looked pointedly at the two intruders, “they shouldn’t be here.”
“All due respect,” Vegan sneered, “you should mind your own business. Lady Layla Strong and Ser Joffrey Arryn are here to assist me.” He said to Viserys, who allowed it, too intrigued to know why his uncle was here after so long.
Otto gritted his teeth in frustration as Lyonel and Lyman swallowed their satisfied smile at the put down.
“Lord Vaegon, I-” “You should address me as Prince Vaegon, Ser Hightower. I might not be a Grand Maester anymore but I’m still a member of the Royal Family and clearly outrank you.” He said tartly as he sipped the clearly substandard red wine. (Oh, what would he give for a glass of Stepstones spiced rum right now).
"I have called this council session to discuss the reply from my daughter over her betrothal with Ser Gwayne Hightower." Viserys turned expectantly at his uncle, hoping for some good news.
“There is nothing to discuss. Princess Rhaenyra rejects Ser Gawen” (“Gwayne.” Layla coughed loudly) “ Hightower’s offer of courtship on the basis of incompatibility. She would also like to remind the Crown that only she has the right to choose her husband and no one else, especially the King of Westeros.”
“I am her father!” Viserys complained. "Surely I can have some say!"
“And yet you signed that privilege away when you exiled her to the islands.” Vaegon snipped.
“The princess needs a strong husband to support her rule over the island.” Otto argued.
“And what makes Gwayne a good candidate for that?” The Prince snapped back.
“He is from an impeccable lineage and a well-verse knight in matters of court -”
“He is still a second son from a second son who brings no monetary value or connection to the marriage, not unlike the current queen.” Vaegon reminded everyone how Viserys waved the non-existent bridal dowry when he married Alicent. “If you wanted to marry Rhaenyra off, you could have at least offered a better choice of groom, and not some power-grasping wastrel.” The prince sneered.
Otto opened his mouth to argue over the insult the Targaryen Prince laid upon his son when the room turned dark as if something was covering the huge windows surrounding the room.
Almost everyone in the council room screamed as Grey Ghost peered into the room, rumbling at his master, having sensed his bad temper. Vaegon, Layla and Joffrey, on the other hand, didn’t even react, far too used to the silly dragon’s antics, even when knights poured into the room, their swords unsheathed, yet didn’t made a move, too horrified at the dragon head in the room.
“You acted as if you had never seen a dragon before.” Vaegon scoffed.
“This is normal?” Lyonel asked, horrified, especially as his daughter giggled.
“As I was saying,” Vaegon ignored the dragon behind him, “The Crown has no say over the Princess Paramount’s matters especially in her marriage. Now, is there something else we need to talk about or are we done for now?” he snorted as everyone shook their heads wordlessly.
“Oh, get off from there, you silly dragon.” Viserys gaped as Vaegon stood from his chair and smacked his hand on the dragon’s snout. Everyone braced for carnage and yet all the dragon did was grumbled. “Oh don’t give me that look, you know you’re not supposed to cling against the castle! Go on, shoo.” with a loud rumble, the dragon withdrew his head and flew off.
He then turned to see everyone (Joffrey and Layla were on the side, rolling with laughter) stared at him in horrified fascination.
“What?!!” Vaegon spat out, rolling his eyes. Fool, he’s surrounded with fools.