Chapter 20: The Dragon's Covenant and the Northern Frost
The year 130 AC found King Raegon I's reign solidified into an era of unprecedented order and ambition. The realm, once a tapestry of fractured loyalties and simmering resentments, was now a disciplined, prosperous entity, each thread meticulously woven by Raegon's hand. He was the architect of a new age, building not just castles and coffers, but a future.
Queen's Solace
Queen Rhaenyra often found herself watching her husband, King Raegon, from afar, or in the quiet intimacy of their chambers. His transformation since he received that "gift from Rob" in his youth had been profound. The lithe, agile boy had become a man whose very presence radiated power, a physical manifestation of his unyielding will. He moved with a silent grace that spoke of supernatural strength, his touch on a blade turning him into an instant master, and his whispers to the dragons held an ancient authority that even Vhagar acknowledged. He was a force of nature, disciplined and directed by a mind that saw not just days, but decades, centuries.
She saw the realm prosper under his rule, the capital cleansed, the trade routes secure, the royal coffers bulging beyond any king's wildest dreams. Her children, his sons and daughters, were growing strong and purposeful, their futures meticulously planned. Jacaerys, already Lord of Dragonstone, was a steady, thoughtful boy, a perfect reflection of his father's calm resolve. Aelor, with his quiet affection for Helaena, showed a gentle side that surprised her, a softness within their formidable lineage.
Yet, Rhaenyra also saw the burden he carried. The prophecy he had revealed to them, the chilling truth of the Long Night, weighed heavily on his shoulders. She often found him gazing into the fire, his eyes distant, seeing the future not as a dream, but as a terrifying reality. He was so utterly alone in that foresight, driven by a destiny no one else could fully grasp. She was his confidante, his partner in this terrifying knowledge. In their most intimate moments, he would lean into her, the silent weight of his burden momentarily lifted by her presence. She understood that every move he made, every alliance forged, every marriage decreed, was a piece of this grand, desperate puzzle. He was preparing the world for a war no one else yet believed was coming, and she stood by him, unwavering, the strength in his quiet storm.
The Targaryen Congress: A Family Forges Its Future
The Targaryen Congress Hall, now a symbol of the House's renewed unity, hummed with a quiet intensity as its sessions continued. Raegon guided the discussions with his characteristic blend of firmness and foresight, ensuring that every family member had a voice in the future of their House. The resolutions confirmed what Raegon had already proposed, solidifying his vision through the new, collective will of the family.
The union of Prince Aelor and Princess Helaena was formally approved. Their affection, though quietly expressed, was evident, and the Congress saw the wisdom in binding the main lineage with Queen Alicent's bloodline, healing old rifts. Similarly, the match between Prince Aemond and Lady Jocelyn Baratheon was given the Congress's blessing, a strategic union that would tie the formidable Stormlands even closer to the Crown. Discussions also began for the future marriages of Princess Visenya and Princess Rhaella, with suitable candidates from powerful houses across the realm being considered, all aimed at expanding the Targaryen influence and creating new branches of the family, loyal to the main line.
A Northern Spark and a Prince's Seat
Amidst these busy days, Lord Cregan Stark remained in King's Landing, a quiet, observant figure amidst the Southron court. He had come to swear fealty to the new King, and Raegon had, as per his established small council, appointed a trusted Northern lord, Brandon Umber, as his Master of Coins. Cregan often frequented the castle libraries or training yards, a stark contrast to the colorful lords of the South. Princess Visenya, drawn by his quiet strength and honesty, sought him out. They spoke for hours, of the stark beauty of the North, of ancient duties, and of their shared understanding of honor. Their conversations were brief but deeply felt, a silent connection passing between the dragon princess and the wolf lord, hinting at a future connection that went beyond mere politics. Rhaenyra, observing her daughter, felt a flicker of hope that perhaps, even in this age of dragons, deep, genuine bonds could still form.
Meanwhile, on the northern coast of the Reach, Prince Aegon's new seat was rapidly taking shape. A formidable keep was rising from the earth, designed by Raegon's own vision to be both beautiful and impregnable, a true Targaryen stronghold that would command the western coast. As the Master of Ships, Aegon oversaw aspects of its construction and the fleet's readiness. With its progress, Aegon's own future was sealed. He married Lady Lyra Royce of Runestone in the Vale, a ceremony held at his burgeoning new castle. Lyra, intelligent and capable, proved a worthy consort, her house's ancient ties to the Vale strengthening Raegon's influence in the East.
Dorne's Unification: A Diplomat's Triumph
The long-standing impasse with Dorne finally found a resolution under Raegon's pragmatic hand. Following his private, revealing conversation with Prince Maron Martell, the Dornish Prince presented a groundbreaking proposal to his own council. Raegon, supported by his Hand of the King, Daemon, had not demanded submission; he offered partnership. The final treaty, painstakingly negotiated, acknowledged Dorne's unique laws and customs, allowing them to retain significant autonomy. In exchange, Dorne would formally join the Seven Kingdoms under the Iron Throne, contributing to the Crown's treasury and military, and becoming an integral part of the unified realm. This diplomatic feat, achieved without a single drop of blood spilled, was Raegon's quiet masterpiece, a testament to his understanding that true power lay not in force, but in foresight and shared purpose.
The King's Burden: The Prophecy Shared
Among his most crucial duties was the preparation of his family for the true threat. Raegon had already gathered his children – Jacaerys, Aelor, Visenya, Rhaella, Aenar, and Daenys – along with his half-brothers, Aegor and Aemond, to reveal the chilling truth. In the quiet solemnity of a hidden chamber, he laid bare the prophecy of the Long Night, of the Others, and the coming great war for the dawn. He explained that his every action, from the amassing of wealth to the forging of new alliances and the expansion of their House, was driven by this singular, terrifying truth. The revelation left them shaken, but also instilled in them a profound understanding of their King's motivations and the gravity of their own Targaryen blood. They were no longer merely princes and princesses; they were the guardians of the world. Prince Aegor, now diligently serving as Master of Laws, approached his duties with a newfound earnestness, the prophecy giving him profound motivation.
The Heir Secured: Dragonstone and Oaths
To solidify the succession and prepare the future of his House, King Raegon made a definitive move. He formally declared that his eldest son, Prince Jacaerys, was the undisputed heir to the Iron Throne. He then made a momentous announcement: "My son, Prince Jacaerys, will now assume the ancient title and responsibility of Lord of Dragonstone." This appointment placed the heir on the symbolic ancestral seat, giving him a tangible domain and experience in governance.
To further affirm this, Raegon dispatched ravens to every lord paramount and major house in the Seven Kingdoms. The command was clear: swear fealty to King Raegon I, and recognize Prince Jacaerys as the undisputed heir to the Iron Throne. The responses, though varied in their enthusiasm, were unanimous in their compliance. Raegon's reign had solidified the succession, stamping out any lingering doubts with the force of his will.
With the realm unified, the family strengthened, and the future understood, King Raegon's reign ushered in an era of unprecedented peace and preparation. The construction of Dragon's Rest on the Stepstones continued apace, a constant reminder of the Iron Throne's newly claimed dominance over the seas. Rhaenyra watched it all, her heart a complex mix of love, awe, and the chilling weight of a shared secret.
Ages at 130 AC (End of Chapter):
* King Raegon I: 37 years old.
* Queen Rhaenyra: 33 years old.
* Prince Jacaerys (Raegon's son): 17 years old (Married to Baela, Lord of Dragonstone).
* Prince Aelor (Raegon's son): 17 years old (Betrothed to Helaena).
* Princess Visenya (Raegon's daughter): 15 years old.
* Princess Rhaella (Raegon's daughter): 15 years old.
* Prince Aenar (Raegon's son): 9 years old.
* Princess Daenys (Raegon's daughter): 9 years old.
* Prince Aegon (King Raegon's full brother, Aemma's son): 19 years old (Master of Ships, established at his new seat, married to Lady Lyra Royce).
* Prince Aegor (Queen Alicent's eldest son): 18 years old (Master of Laws).
* Princess Helaena (Queen Alicent's daughter): 17 years old (Betrothed to Aelor).
* Prince Aemond (Queen Alicent's son): 15 years old (Betrothed to Lady Jocelyn Baratheon).
* Queen Baela Targaryen (Daemon's daughter): 14 years old (Married to Jacaerys).
* Lady Rhaena Targaryen (Daemon's daughter): 14 years old.