Chapter 6.

Rhaenyra Targaryen, 101 AC.

As the first century of the Targaryen dynasty came to a close, the health of the Old King, Jaehaerys, was failing. House Targaryen stood at the height of its strength, with ten adult dragons under its yoke. No power in the world could stand against it. King Jaehaerys had reigned over nearly sixty years of peace and prosperity, but tragedy had claimed both his sons, leaving his succession in doubt.

Over a thousand lords made the journey to Harrenhal to resolve the succession crisis. The original plan had been to have about five hundred lords attend, but the gravity of the situation drew an even larger crowd. Fourteen succession claims were heard. Among them was a man claiming to be the son of Maegor the Cruel, but he was dismissed as it was commonly believed Maegor was sterile. Another bold claimant declared himself a bastard son of the king, a declaration that earned him a fate in the dungeons, his final destiny unknown. Most claims were dismissed as weak, leaving only two serious contenders: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the King's eldest descendant, and her younger cousin, Prince Viserys Targaryen, the King's eldest male descendant.

Those were the true contenders of the night, though the stigma of being a woman in the realm heavily disadvantaged Rhaenys. Rhaenyra, standing with her brother Aemon, had no desire for the throne herself. To her, the Iron Throne was a cursed and ugly object, holding no value. Her concern lay solely with her brother and their family, who were caught in the midst of this political storm.

After many hours of heated discussions and even some physical altercations, the results were finally announced. King Jaehaerys I rose from his seat with a letter in hand. Before opening it, he glanced in the direction of Rhaenyra and Aemon, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Aemon. He cleared his throat and spoke in a solemn tone, "It is declared by all lords paramount and lords vassal of the Seven Kingdoms that Prince Viserys Targaryen be made Prince of Dragonstone."

Rhaenys, a woman, would not inherit the Iron Throne. The lords had chosen Viserys, their father, instead. Both Viserys and Aemma looked relieved, while Rhaenyra squeezed Aemon's hand to reassure him, and he squeezed back to let her know he was alright.

Across the room, Rhaenyra felt a gaze upon her. She saw Corlys Velaryon and his family standing regally. Corlys wore an expression of frustration, clearly unhappy with the decision. Beside him stood his wife, Rhaenys. She, like all Targaryens, was beautiful, but unlike Rhaenyra and Aemma's delicate beauty, she had a heroic, warrior-like presence. Rhaenys nodded at Rhaenyra, a gesture filled with hidden meaning. Rhaenyra nodded back, admiring the fact that even in loss, Rhaenys stood tall and proud.

Rhaenyra also noticed two other gazes directed at her brother. Two small children stood beside Rhaenys and Corlys—Laenor and Laena Velaryon. They had a more tanned complexion, not as dark as their father but not as pale as their mother. Combined with their white locks and purple eyes, they possessed an exotic and unique beauty only Valyrians had. Both stared unblinkingly at Aemon, as if enamored by him. Rhaenyra smiled slightly, musing to herself, 'Looks like my stupid brother has gained a pair of admirers.'

A servant approached their father and whispered something in his ear. He gave the servant a strange look before nodding and dismissing him. Turning to Aemon and Rhaenyra, he said, "The king has requested your presence in his quarters later. He said he has things to discuss with you." His tone was odd, as if trying to discern why the old king would want to speak with them at this late hour, especially after the day's tumultuous events.

Aemon and Rhaenyra exchanged looks of confusion but simply nodded to their father before walking away to prepare for whatever awaited them. As they left, Rhaenyra could still feel the gaze of the Velaryon siblings following them. Her brother, the unwitting perpetrator of their admiration, walked beside her, completely oblivious to their heated stares.

When Aemon noticed her looking at him, he wore an expression that said, "What?" She just shook her head at her dense and now confused brother, silently vowing, 'I'll have to train him not only in spatial awareness but also social awareness...'

With these plans in mind, they walked to their quarters to prepare for the encounter with the king.

~~O~~

Jaehaerys I, 101 AC. 

Later, after freshening up and donning more formal attire, Aemon and Rhaenyra made their way to the king's quarters. The corridors of Harrenhal were quieter now, the earlier buzz of the council and the succession debate having settled into a heavy silence.

As they approached the king's chambers, they were met by two of the King's Guard, who nodded and opened the doors for them. Inside, the room was dimly lit by the flickering light of a few candles and the hearth. The old king, Jaehaerys, sat in a high-backed chair, looking even more worn and weary than before. Despite his evident fatigue, his eyes held a sharpness that belied his age.

"Come in, children," he said, his voice softer than it had been in the council chamber. "Sit with me."

"You both must be wondering why I called you here," he began. "Today has been a momentous day, one that will shape the future of our house and the realm. But there are matters of even greater importance that I wish to discuss with you."

He paused, his gaze intense as it moved from Rhaenyra to Aemon and back again. "The realm will soon look to your father as their king, and to you, Aemon, as his heir. It is a heavy burden, one that requires wisdom, strength, and unity."

Jaehaerys leaned forward slightly. "I have seen something in both of you, a potential that exceeds even your years. You have been observed, not just by me, but by those who serve this house and the realm. Your talents and your bond are unique, and it is imperative that you continue to nurture them."

He paused for a second, and then said.

"Have you considered marriage yet?" the king said, his voice laden with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

The question elicited very different reactions from the twins. Aemon immediately went into a fit of coughing, his face turning beet red with surprise and confusion, clearly taken aback by the king's unexpected question. Rhaenyra, on the other hand, managed to maintain a composed, albeit awkward, smile. The topic made her uncomfortable, but she remained calm.

The old king, with a twinkle in his eye, observed Aemon stealing unconscious glances at his sister, as if trying to gauge her response. This amused him greatly. He nodded sagely while chuckling to himself. "Hoho, it seems I don't have much to worry about," he muttered happily.

Rhaenyra, catching her brother's glances, decided to address the matter head-on. "Your Grace, we are still quite young and focused on our studies and training. Marriage is not something we have given much thought to."

Aemon, still flushed, managed to stammer, "Yes, Your Grace. We're, uh, very busy with our duties."

The king's eyes twinkled with amusement, but his tone turned serious. "I understand, but you must also understand that as members of House Targaryen, your marriages are not just personal matters—they are matters of state. Alliances forged through marriage can strengthen our position and secure the future of our house."

Rhaenyra nodded, her mind already working through the implications. "We understand, Your Grace. We will consider it when the time is right."

Jaehaerys smiled warmly. "Good. It is not something to rush, but it is something to keep in mind. The bond between you two is strong, and that is a great foundation for the future."

The king's words hung in the air as Aemon and Rhaenyra exchanged a meaningful glance. They knew their bond was unbreakable, but the idea of marriage, especially to someone chosen for political reasons, added a new layer of complexity to their relationship.

As the twins prepared to leave, Jaehaerys called out one last time. His face contorted with hesitation, as if he was grappling with whether or not to say it. In the end, he closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them again, his resolve was clear.

"Aemon, Rhaenyra," he began, his voice softer yet filled with an unusual gravity. "There is something you must know. It is a burden I have carried for many years, a secret that must now be passed on to you."

Rhaenyra and Aemon exchanged a brief glance, sensing the gravity of the king's words.

"There is a prophecy," Jaehaerys continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "that has been passed down through our family. 'From my blood will come the Prince That Was Promised, and his will be the Song of Ice and Fire.' It is a prophecy of great significance, one that has guided our actions and decisions for generations."

Aemon felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of the prophecy, recalling his own musings and the king's previous behavior.

"I believe," the king said, "that one of you, or perhaps both, may be connected to this prophecy. Your abilities, your bond—it is unlike anything I have seen in my long years."

Rhaenyra's mind raced, piecing together the implications of the king's words. She squeezed Aemon's hand, feeling his tension mirrored in her own.

"What does this mean for us, Your Grace?" Aemon asked, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment.

"It means," Jaehaerys said, his eyes alight with a fire that defied his age, "that you must be prepared for the challenges ahead. You must continue to grow, to learn, and to protect one another. The future of our house, and perhaps the realm, may depend on it."

The king leaned back, the firelight casting long shadows across his face. "Remember, children, the strength of House Targaryen lies not only in our dragons but in our unity and resolve. Whatever comes, face it together."

Aemon and Rhaenyra nodded, their resolve hardening. They had always been inseparable, but now they understood the true depth of their bond and the responsibilities it entailed.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Rhaenyra said, her voice filled with determination.

Jaehaerys nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Go now, and rest. Tomorrow begins a new chapter for our house, and you must be ready."

As they left the king's chambers, the weight of his words settled over them. They walked back to their quarters in silence, hand in hand, ready to face whatever the future held.

And just like that, two years have passed.