CHAPTER II
The Rhaegar Period: 289 a.C - 299 a.C
In the year 289 a.C, Westeros was enjoying a long peace. It was a period of economic prosperity, one of the longest summers of the Targaryen reign, and a hopeful future. It was in this year that Prince Baeryn was born, and the rivalry between Queen Lyanna and Princess Rhaenys was still something distant. But why talk about facts? It's common sense, and none of it contributes to the learning of a Maester or a Historian. We will go back to that period, which covers 10 years, for other reasons.
The Iron Stag and The Queen That Once Was
The Iron Stag and The Queen That Once Was is a song composed by a bard named Perryn which became popular throughout the kingdom. Despite being a romanticized version, it records one of the most important events of the kingdom in 289 BC.
Stannis Baratheon led the resistance of Storm's End in the siege that struck the castle during his brother's rebellion. When Robert was sent to the wall, Stannis bent the knee and was named Lord of the Stormlands. Despite this, Targaryen-Baratheon relations never recovered. Storm's End was ostracized by the crown, subjected to heavy war reparations, and Renly Baratheon was sent to Grandview as a hostage.
This caused resentment from the vassals, but Stannis knew how to get around it. A tough but honorable man, he soon won the trust of the nobles. In 287, the Swann of Stonehelm rebelled. One of the most brilliant generals of his generation, the revolt was soon contained. Old Lord Swann joined Robert in the far north, and his children were forgiven. When he didn't ask for hostages, the new Lord of Stonehelm would have asked him
- I don't need hostages. If you and your siblings repeat your father's behavior, your line will come to an end. - Stannis would have said. - I will cut off your heads myself.
But his allies were worried about the succession. Renly was not a particularly exciting heir, and they were pressuring Lord Stannis to marry. At this point, he was about 24 years old, and surely every single lady in the kingdom would like to marry him.
- Renly will succeed me. -He always said-My duty is to the people for whom I must govern.
- Your duty is also to bear an heir, my lord. - His Master replied.
The bard Perryn sings that Stannis won a tournament at Sunspear and named a woman he fell in love with at first glance Queen of Love and Beauty: Princess Elia Martell.
This version is unlikely, as Lord Baratheon rarely participated in jousting. However, everyone who had been to Storm's End after the union said that Elia was the only person who made Stannis smile. Maester Cressen, who has served the Baratheon since he was a child, says the first time she saw Stannis smile was at her wedding. And Perryn ends his song by saying that The Queen That Once Was found happiness in his life.
Whether they were lovers or not is of little importance to us. Maester Pycelle reports that Rhaegar was furious at his unauthorized marriage.
- How dare they?! - Rhaegar shouted - Listen to Prince Doran's petulance! "I announce the marriage of Elia" He informs the king?! Elia is the mother of my children and Dorne should ask my permission first!
"That you would refuse," Lord Tywin replied.
- And wouldn't you do the same, dear Hand? - Said Queen Lyanna ironically - Stannis and Doran have many reasons to hate the King. This marriage indicates that.
“You are the only one who cannot see, Lord Tywin. - Mace Tyrell said - If these two rebel against the king, my lands will be invaded.
Tywin glared at Lord Tyrell, and replied:
- Stannis Baratheon is loyal. And from the little I know of Doran Martell, he would never be that impulsive. In fact, what makes them think that Elia would be part of a conspiracy that would put her own children in danger?
- Elia can be a pawn. - Rhaegar spoke.
"Your Majesty." Tywin went to the corner table to fill his wineglass. - Maybe this situation is a boon for you.
- Explain - Asked the King.
- With Elia married, those who still oppose you lose their strongest argument against your union with the Queen: you live in sin. And they will never dare to call their children bastards.
Lord Tywin's argument was extremely persuasive, and the king ceased to oppose the union.
* After Prince Aegon was born, all the Maesters who examined Elia considered it impossible for her to become pregnant again. In 294, however, a miracle happened: Elia became pregnant, spent the pregnancy bedridden, came between life and death, and gave birth to a child, which the Maesters said would not last that night. Elia lived, and so did her son. Named Steffon Baratheon, that boy defied all odds, and one day his name would be remembered throughout the kingdom...
The Wolf and The Sun
In the last chapter we covered a little bit about engagements and the beginning of the rivalry between Queen Lyanna and Princess Rhaenys. But at the beginning of 297 a.C, the King had reason to believe that things could be resolved... if the feud hadn't erupted once more that year.
During a banquet at the court, the Queen took the opportunity to speak, thanking all the lords who attended her party. Rhaegar had placed the Princess and Queen side by side, perhaps to show the kingdom that their family was united. But if he planned it, he failed. Witnesses said the princess was overcooked in Dornish wine. After the Queen's speech, she asked to speak:
- Let's toast my dear stepmother! My father's
second queen!
The king was furious. That was a clear provocation. He ordered Lord Commander Barristan to lock her in her quarters until further notice.
It is unknown if alcohol made her make this decision, but the princess donned servant clothes and fled the Red Keep, bound for Dragonstone, where Aegon was.
She was received by Ser Jaime Lannister, the prince's royal guard.
- Sister - The prince spoke - What are you doing here?
- I need you, my dear prince. - Rhaenys said with a sweet voice.
Nobody really knows what happened. Pycelle says that Rhaenys seduced her brother. The Master of Dragonstone swears that Aegon was in love with the princess. The fact is, the next morning a septon wed Aegon and Rhaenys. (The maester says the screams the night before were unmistakable. Jaime Lannister also guarantees that the marriage was consummated the night before)
When the news reached the Red Keep, Rhaegar was furious:
- STUPID CHILDREN! HOW COULD I HAVE HAD TWO IRRESPONSIBLE LIKE THEM?
A silence fell over the council. Even the Hand of the King was silent. Ser Myles Moonon was the one who broke the ice.
- Maybe we can annul the marriage... If they haven't consummated yet.
- Do you think we're fools, Ser Myles? - Said the queen - Rhaenys is not a silent sister. Aegon may be inexperienced, but I assure you that my dear stepdaughter is not. She must punish them dear.
- Take Dragonstone from the boy. Name Prince Aemon - Mace Tyrell suggested. - Your great-grandfather did the same thing when your Duncan disobeyed him!
"Duncan married a peasant girl, Lord Tyrell," Lord Varys replied.
- And Rhaenys is no peasant, on the contrary - Tywin took the word for himself - She is a princess, and loved by the people. And what about Aegon? As far as I know, the knights regard him as Aemon the Dragonknight, reborn.
- Engagements have been announced for the entire kingdom! - Protested the queen - They were married on our backs and the nobles! It will be a scandal!
- ENOUGH OF THAT! - Fired the King - Maester Pycelle, immediately call my sons to court. I will work it out.
Rhaegar calmed down. He paid well for Dragonstone's servants and the Septon not to leak the secret marriage. He threw a grandiose party for his children's wedding and closed the matter. Furthermore, he announced that now Aemon and Visenya would marry when the girl was old enough.
Aegon and Rhaenys remained at court for some time, and it reignited an old rivalry.
When Robb Stark was sent to King's Landing as a hostage when he was 7 years old, the queen insisted that her nephew be raised with princes. The heir of Winterfell and his cousin Aemon were inseparable, and he was on good terms with the other three and even Rhaenys. However, early on, Robb and Aegon feuded. Whether it was for the girls' attention or small disputes in training, they always fought. This affected as they both grew up, but changed during the wedding festivities.
Ned Stark attended with his other children, Alarra, a 13-year-old girl, Jonella, 9, and Bran, 7. The boys are young, and they will appreciate wine at a party. The trouble began when Prince Aegon decided to ask Lady Alarra for a dance. Robb found it disrespectful.
- You just got married and you ask my sister to dance?! he said indignantly.
Aegon disagreed. He said he was being gentlemanly. The two continued to quarrel, until Robb drew his sword in the middle of the hall.
- Duel with me, if you are worthy of your title!
- You sure aren't. - Provoked Aegon - Get out of my way, you piece of shit.
Robb fumed and put the sword in the way. Aegon was about to pull his own when the King intervened.
- You two! If you can't behave yourself, leave the party! Are you really going to ruin your marriage, Aegon?!
Aegon then gave up taking any thoughtless action.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- Apologize to each other! - demanded the king
The two guys shook hands and apologized, but clearly there was no sincerity between them.
Even in this period, the kingdom lost the great Barristan, the Bold. After serving three kings, the old Lord Commander died peacefully in his quarters.
Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, was named Lord Commander, but it didn't last long. 1 year later, Ser Arthur died while hunting bandits outside of King's Landing.
Jaime Lannister was called Dragonstone and was named Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. The king gave vacancies to Ser Jacelyn Bywater and Ser Lyn Corbray.
In 299 a.C, the Dowager Queen Rhaella died. She never recovered from her husband's abuse and spent the last few years quite isolated in her quarters.
From the Vale came the news that the little Senhora do Vale had died. Many suspected that she had been murdered, by her cousin and heir, Lord Denys Arryn. This was never proven, and Denys inherited it with no problems.
Princess Daenerys was sent to Highgarden, where she married Lord Willas Tyrell, and Viserys eventually married Alysandra Lannister.
That same year, Princess Visenya reached the age of marriage. The king would not spare any money and announced that he would hold a tournament to celebrate the union. The entire realm had been invited, and an event of this pomp would be perfect to close the second century of Aegon's Conquest.
From that moment on, tensions would only increase.
