This story was inspired by George R.R. Martin's works of 'A Song Of Ice and Fire' and 'Fire and Blood.
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Sounds of Happiness and Bells rang throughout the entirety of High Ardent, the capital of the broken continent, Varelia.
Oaths had been taken, and now, it was time for the groom and bride to show themselves to their subject.
A crowd was gathered beneath the castle, eager to see their future king and queen.
The Crown Prince, Kaeryn Valemyr, hand in hand with his wife, Princess Aelindra of Clan Caerlyn, smiled at the crowd and waved his hand. Both of them stood in the large balcony of the castle.
Aelindra grabbed a fistful of coins from a pile of golden coins laid on the table beside her, and threw them into crowd.
People rushed and fought for the coins, one man hit a old woman in her head and took the coins from her hand and ran away. Others fought and wrestled for the coins as the Princess threw more and more coins.
A few gold coins of such purity would be enough to sustain an entire family for years to come.
From behind the Prince and Princess, watched Aerdran Valemyr, The Black Flame, the Emperor, alongside his second wife, Queen Alyssa of Clan Vornhall.
The King's first wife, Queen Melis of Clan Dareth, died a year after giving to his second child, Princess Vaelira. Because of a infection from a wound she sustained.
The King was broken because of his wife's death, his councel, his father and brother, all advised him to marry again, but he refused to do so for two years.
Then, his father convinced him to marry Alyssa, so the bloodline could expand and the marriage could benefit the rule.
Clan Vornhall was a wealthy house, their Kingdom, Veron Valley, was a fertile land, not only that, adding to the fact their Kingdom had its own port, they were also engaged in sea trading. They had mercenaries aswell as knights, their sigil was a golden crane, with a fish in its mouth and wheat at its feet.
After Two years of their marriage, The King's second son was born, Prince Targan Valemyr, 5 years younger than his elder sister, whom he was set to marry.
Clan Valemyr was a proud Clan, so much so that to preserve the bloodline and to ensure that it stays pure, marriages inside the family were done. This was also the reason that now a very little amount of Valemyrs remained, without counting the children of the King, only 4 Valemyrs remained.
The King Aerdran, The King's old father, Kaeran, The King's younger brother, Jaera and the King's cousin sister, Aelisa Dareth, who married the late former queen's brother.
The King's brother, Jaera, was married to Maela Aeremir, the first born child of Lord Aeremir.
Prince Jaera hated his wife and the clan Aeremir, he believed they were fanatics, and refused to even fake having a happy marriage, which was arranged by his father.
The Clan Aeremir was an ancient clan, they were a clan of seers and priests, they had firm religious beliefs and were known for their prophecies. Their Kingdom was in the West, amidst a thick beautiful forest, The Green Reach. It's Sigil was a violet serpent coiled around a orb.
Kaeran Valemyr was now nearly 70 years old, sick and dying, not because of old age, Kaeran's father, the Great King, Saelo, the White Dragon, lived to be over a hundred years old, dying only two years ago, but was only able to sire 3 children in his long life, all 3 of them sons.
Kaeran's two older brothers, Saeren and Kaeryn, both died in their 20s, leaving Kaeran as the sole heir to the throne. Prince Kaeryn I sired a daughter a few years before his death, Aelisa.
It was not until that Kaeran was 50 years old that he was named King, his father's reign lasted more than 60 years, the longest of any king of the Valemyr dynasty ever.
Lord Kaeran was wed to Lady Sherny of Clan Ygranth, with whom he had 3 sons, Aerdran, Jaera and Targan.
Targan died at a young age of only 11, he was killed by a deer during a hunt, trampled by the beautiful beast after he fell down from his horse.
Aerdran named his eldest son in the memory of his uncle and his youngest in the memory of his little brother.
Clan Ygranth is a powerful clan, they are a strict and disciplined group of people, they specialise in the art of forging weapon and armor and possess a large army of strong and trained soldiers. They are situated in the eastern highlands, their Kingdom is named The Iron Peak. Their sigil was an Iron hammer on top of hot metal.
The Ygranth Clan was powerful, but not nearly as powerful as the ruling Clan of all the 6 Kingdoms of Varelia, Valemyr.
About 250 years ago, the Valemyrs came to the continent of Varelia, following the disasters faced by their ancient home, Valdyra, faced.
The then rulers of Varelia, Clan Norwyn, were destroyed by King Xaer Valemyr, using his fire-born creatures, with the help of the Caerlyn and their wolf and bear controlling warriors.
The Kingdom of Clan Norwyn was destroyed during the war, now it's a ruin geographers like to visit, it was once named Paradise by King Kyaren Norwyn, now it's called the Ruins of the Forgotten city.
Now, very few Norwyns remained, hiding away, refusing to live under the rule of the "Usurper" family.
King Kaeran had to give up his position as the king to his son because of a disease, he could hardly walk, would vomit blood and had trouble relaxing his bowels. His heartrate also increased alot.
Now, the disease had taken hold of King Aerdran.
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Targan's POV
Everything was going good, everyone was one was happy.
My father now had less things to worry about, ever since four years ago, when one of the seers from Clan Aeremir told us that Kaeryn had to wait from getting married, otherwise a tragedy would fall on him and his wife, father had been restless, worried.
Some said that it was a curse, laid on us by our enemies, the ones who felt anger towards our family.
But all that doubt was erased last month, when the same seer came to the castle and said that the shadow that loomed over Kaeryn is gone and that he was free to be married.
My father was overjoyed and threw a feast that day, he sent ravens to Caerholt and told the Caerlyns to come to High Ardent and prepare for the wedding immediately.
I was standing near the curtain behind father mother, beside sister Vaelira.
My mother had beautiful blonde hair and my father had silver hair, just like my other siblings, I had a blondish silver color of hair, which seperated me from my siblings.
"Kaeryn is a drunkard, she seems happy right now, but it won't be long before she loathes him. I hope he improves like Lady Alyssa said he would." Vaelira spoke from beside me, looking at Aelindra and Kaeryn.
Vaelira was tall, just like brother Kaeryn said Lady Meris was, I could barely reach her shoulders, and I was taller than every boy my age, atleast the ones I had seen.
Brother Kaeryn was ten and nine, Vaelira was ten and seven while I was ten and twelve.
"Brother isn't that bad," I said looking up at Vaelira, "are you still angry at him for beating you in that sword duel?"
Vaelira snapped her eyes at me, "Nonsense. I merely speak the truth, besides, he only beat me because I was distracted during the midst of the duel. I was looking for my little brother and future husband's support, but you were just sitting there, eating cake."
I looked at Vaelira's eyes and stepped back a little, but she followed, "Uh.... I am sorry, I guess?"
Vaelira snorted and looked ahead again, "You should be." Her ears perked up and she looked up at the sky, she pulled me closer and raised my head, "Look, she'll fly over us soon."
A deep, majestic roar was heard from the skies above.
Everyone in the crowd and everyone on the balcony looked up, Father smiled, it was Dranyara, my father's dragon.
A large shadow was cast over the crowd, gasps of awe were heard, and father's chuckles.
"She always liked to showoff and make an entry." My father said, pressing the side of his head to my mother's.
It was a white dragon, with spikey scales on my It's head, covered in grey scales. She was big, very big, only three dragons were bigger than her.
Dranyara was almost as old as my father, she hatched and was gifted to him by Grand-uncle Kaeryn when he was 7, she has been his ride ever since than.
Dranyra circled stop the croud and then roared and perched on top of a tower, staring at father.
Father smiled at Dranyra, and for a minute, they locked eyes, as if talking with them.
Seemingly having finishing talking, Dranyara spread her wings and roared proudly, and took off.
"I am always amazed by how beautiful she is." I murmed, look at the tower where Dranyara had perched.
"She is the most beautiful dragon ever for a reason." Vaelira said, raising her head and crossing her arms on my chest, "I wish Larexes was beautiful and big like her, but she does continue to grow."
I placed my hand on hers, looking up at her, "Do you think I'll get a dragon?"
Vaelira sighed and pressed my head against her, "I don't know. Your dragon never hatched, but maybe, you'll bond with a dragon later, like maybe Caelax or Balion."
A sweet wisp reached my nose, it was chocolate.
Vaelira turned towards the source of the scent, a chocolate cake, while I continued to look out at the balcony.
"You can hold me later, brother." She released me and walked towards the tray.
"Wha-" I looked at her walking towards the tray, but then a voice called out.
"Targan! Sweety! Come here!" My mother called out, having to yell so her voice could be heard over the noise.
I smiled and walked towards mother and father, the grow called out my name aswell when they saw me.
As I got closer, father turned around me and smiled and placed his hand around my shoulder and put me between him and mother.
Kaeryn and Aelindra finished talking to the subjects and had turned around by now.
Kaeryn smiled at me and then looked up at mother and father and bowed, "Please lend us your blessings.
Aelindra also bowed with him, smiling at me, looking up a little.
She was only a little bit shorter than Vaelira, and that's saying something.
Mother placed her hand on Aelindra's head and father on Kaeryn's, they both said, "May you have a marriage full of happiness and love."
And then father spoke up, patting Kaeryn in his back, "And little grandchildren for us and Nephews and Nieces for Targan here."
Kaeryn and Aelindra both blushed and Father and Mother chuckled, I had just been told the process of copulation last month by my uncle, Jaera, so I too blushed, my mind imagining them- no.
Kaeryn and Aelindra stood upright, Jaera smiled down at me and wrapped his hand around my head and hugged me to his chest, "I'll be King and you'll be my hand when I become King, little brother, and King after me."
Father told me that Kaeryn always wanted a little brother, and that when I was born, he was so excited that he cried when grandfather took time holding me.
He was my brother, my big brother, he was the one who started to teach me archery, swordsmanship, and taught me about our history.
Though, he himself wasn't the brightest in academics, he was obsessed with the Valemyr name and its history, he would read entire books to me on occasions.
Prior to this, I never really had much of an interaction with Aelindra before, it was just simple greetings.
Mother smiled down at me and pushed my back, "Come on, is staying silent how you congratulate and greet your now sister-in-law? She is only 6 years older than you."
I nodded and smiled sheepishly and gently grasped Aelindra's hand and raised it up a little and gave her a peck on her hand and looked up at her, "Welcome to the family, Lady Ael-"
Aelindra placed her finger on lips before I could finish and grabbed both of my hands, "Just Aeri, please." And kissed my cheek.
I felt a little of bit heat rush into my cheeks, as I stared up at her pretty face, "Aeri." I finished my sentence.
Aeri smiled down at me before raising both my hands and leaving a peck on each wrist, "I am fortunate to have such a cute brother-in-law." She said and gently let go of my hands.
I chuckled and Kaeryn eyed me a little bit and then looked behind father, "I think it's time you come here, Uncle Jaera and Aunt Maela."
The usually stoic uncle Jaera cracked a small smile and walked forward, the ever gentle aunt Maela smiled at me followed uncle.
Uncle Jaera first patted my head, "You are already set to marry someone, remember that, it won't be pretty if you feel a bit too much affection for your sister-in-law and she for you, with your sister around."
I snorted and then smiled at him, "Don't worry, Uncle." I looked at aunt Maela, her beautiful eyes that always entranced me, deep violet orbs with a certain mystery to them, "Hello, Aunt Maela." I walked towards her and bowed before kissing her hand the same way I did with Aelindra.
Aunt Maela closed her eyes and smiled at me, she gently grasped my head and brought my head closed and pecked my forehead, "You've been growing fast, my little prince, I miss you quite alot and your sister, it's been a while since I last saw you."
I smiled, "I've missed you too, aunt Maela."
"Tell me, have you been having any nightmares or people troubling you?" Aunt Maela asked, her hands firmly holding as if giving assurance.
Uncle Jaera immediately turned around and snarled at Aunt Maela, "Woma-!" He was about to yell something but was interrupted by my father's firm voice.
"Shut up, you fool." My father said, pressing Uncle Jaera's shoulder.
Uncle Jaera looked at Aunt Maela for one last time before turning around.
I narrowed my eyes at Uncle Jaera.
Why did he hate Aunt Maela so much? She was very beautiful and was kind too, her voice was so soft, one could to listen to her talking for an entire day.
I turned around and looked at Aunt Maela and shook my head, "No, nothing of that sort."
She nodded, as if in approval, "Good."
My mother had now come to my side, she first settled her palm on Aunt Maela's shoulders and then embraced her.
"You should come here more often." She said normally, then in a hushed tone, she said, "Fuck that ass Jaera, you can come here yourself if he doesn't take you."
I raised my eyebrows at mother.
Maela looked at me and then chuckled, "Perhaps you should've been quieter, sister. He heard you."
Mother released Aunt Maela and then looked back at me and then into the hall, "Everyone, let's go, it's time for the feast!"
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The grand hall of High Ardent was alive with music, laughter, and the clinking of goblets. The long tables groaned under the weight of roasted meats, fresh bread, spiced wines, and sweet pastries. Banners of the Valemyr sigil—a crimson dragon coiled around a silver sword—hung from the rafters, illuminated by the flickering light of countless candles.
I sat between Vaelira and Uncle Jaera, though my sister was more interested in her plate than in conversation. Across from us, Kaeryn and Aelindra—no, *Aeri*—were whispering to each other, their fingers intertwined. She giggled at something he said, and he grinned, his silver hair catching the torchlight.
Father sat at the head of the table, his crown resting atop his brow, his expression relaxed for once. Mother was beside him, her golden hair woven with pearls, laughing at something Grandfather Kaeran had muttered. The old man was propped up in his chair, his face gaunt but his eyes still sharp.
"Tell me, Targan," Uncle Jaera said suddenly, his voice low. "Do you still practice with the sword?"
I swallowed a bite of roasted duck and nodded. "Every morning. Ser Daryn said i am improving."
Jaera nodded approvingly and patted my back, "Good, I'd train you myself every day if I could, but I have a lot of business to take care of."
"You-" I swallowed a piece of meat, "seem very busy."
Uncle Jaera chuckled and nodded, "That I am." He looked at Kaeryn and Aelindra, "Look at them."
I looked at them, "What is it?"
Uncle Jaera scoffed, "What do you think about your wedding?"
I refocused on the plate, "There's still two years remaining for that."
Uncle Jaera leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine. "Two years pass quicker than you think, boy. And when they do, you'll be wed to your sister. Best prepare yourself."
I frowned, stabbing a piece of meat with my fork. "Vaelira isn't so bad."
Uncle Jaera sighed and looked up at the ceiling and threw his arm around my shoulder, "You know, there was a time when I wanted to marry Aelisa."
I raised my eyebrows and left the fork on the plate, placed my elbows on the table, and looked at uncle, "Really?"
Uncle Jaera chuckled, "Yeah." He grinned, "She was really beautiful back then, she is getting old like your dad now."
I scoffed, "Anything else?"
Uncle Jaera nodded, "Oh yes, once I wanted to marry Lady Cicilia Dareth, Aelisa's sister-in-law. Then when she got married off to someone else, I wanted to marry your mother, but she called me little brother and married your father."
I shook my head, "Uncle. You have a wife now, these aren't the type of things you wanna be talking about, your marriage is as old as me."
Jaera hmphed, "And what a happy union it was."
Loud steps were heard, all heads turned to the source.
A large burly man, with a face riddled with scars, dressed in black royal attire, but the most notable thing about him, a wolf head on his shoulder with its skin around his neck, Lord Valic Ygranth.
The Caerlyns on the table immediately got upset. Aelindra, her father, Lord Arin Caerlyn, and his wife, Lady Cassey.
Behind Lord Valic were his wife, Lady Alisandre, and his son, Lord Trent.
Lord Valic smirked at Lord Arin and sat down beside my father, Trent came and sat beside my uncle and Lady Alisandre went to my mother's side.
"It's nice to see you again, Valic." My father, placing his hand on Lord Valic's back.
"Indeed, " my mother spoke up from the other end of the table, "It's been such a long time since your family was last here."
Lord Valic nodded up and smiled at father and then at mother, "It's our pleasure really, as Lords we have little time to meet and greet." Then he looked at lord Arin, "though it looks like someone people aren't thrilled." He said in a low tone, but loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.
My grandfather finally spoke from the end of the table, "Still angry and causing trouble huh, you dimwit." His words directed at his, nephew, Valic.
Lord Valic sighed and lowered his head, "Hello to you too, Uncle."
And then grandfather turned to Uncle Jaera, "And you, stop crying about your regrets to my grandson, it would be better to give him wise advice or information, instead of crying about how many women rejected you." He said in his hoarse voice.
Chuckles were heard from people on the table, Uncle Jaera's face turned red and he stayed silent, as to not incur more wrath.
Grandfather's eyes landed on me, "Come, with me, you've eaten enough."
I looked down at the remaining meat and took one big bite before standing up.
Grandpa coughed into his sleeve, leaving a few feckles of blood on it, he raised his hand for me, "Here, help me up."
I walked over to him and saw the blood on his sleeves and then looked at him, "Grandpa, you need to rest-"
Grandpa slapped my hand, "I'll rest when I am dead! And it will be in a few years. Now help me up before I hit you with this stick!" He showed his iron forged Ygranth stick me.
I gulped and put an hand around his back and helped him up.
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Thoughts?