Chapter 20: The Union of the Three Heads - Part 1

Aemon Targaryen (107 A.C. Second Moon)

Kingslanding - Aemon's chambers

He sat on his bed, nervous for the day to come as it was the first day of the wedding celebrations. 'I'm to wed my loves Laena and Rhaenyra. To think I would never wed, to avoid disgracing my children with the surname Snow. Daenerys, I wish things were different, but my feelings for her shattered when I told her about his parentage. She cared more about the damn throne than me. After all that heartbreak, to be sent back in time and betrothed to Laena, someone he started caring for more than Ygritte and Daenerys combined. Their relationship was built on years of knowing each other, and that first kiss on the beach of Dragonstone cemented it.' He thought happily.

Then Aemon's thoughts went to Rhaenyra. 'Rhaenyra, his silver-haired and purple-eyed niece, is a true Valyrian beauty. For me to love and hold. He would not forget Aemma's and Baelon's death, he vowed to protect her, and after this week, he could, to the best of his ability.' He thought as he stood up and started to dress himself. In the Targaryen, black and reds and a version of his personal sigil is on his chest. A white wolf and black dragon dancing around a weirdwood. 'I'm part of the North and will always be proud of that.' He thought as he looked at himself in the mirror.

"Brother, you look pretty. Also, congratulations on your nameday," his little sister said as she walked in with his mother. Both of them had a smile on their faces that warmed him. 'I have been given them both and will always be grateful for that. Yet some of my family was left behind; only Arya was truly missed, as she was the only one he still cared for. Brandon was already dead, and Sansa had betrayed a vow in front of weirdwood. Visenya was a lot like Arya but was more dutiful and less brash. She had her wildness, but she was a Royal Princess and understood her duties. Plus, being a dragon rider gave her some leeway.' He thought as he looked at them.

"Thank you, sister. It is always a pleasure to see you smile or receive a compliment," he said and hugged her. "Well, son, you are five and ten namedays now. Congratulations. I still remember when I held you in my arms for the first time," his mother said as she looked at him, embracing his sister. She mouthed the word 'both,' making him chuckle.

"We thought of giving your nameday present, now." His mother said after they also embraced. "I hope you wear it during your wedding." His mother walked out the door and came back toward them with a cloak. It was a white cloak, mostly of a snow bear, with an embroidered dragonwolf on it—a laughing weirwood.

"Thank you; it is a wonderful gift. I know both of you aren't the most patient with embroidering, especially with preparing two bridely cloaks," he said with a smile and gave them both a smile. "And yes, I shall wear it during my wedding. Let's go to break our fast," he said with a smile.

Not much later, they arrived in the dining room, where Rhaenys, Laenor, Laena, and Lord Corlys were already seated. "Good morrow, my prince; may I congratulate you on your nameday," Corlys said as he arrived and bowed his head. Laenor did the same, and Rhaenys gave him a smile and nod. Laena walked over and kissed him on the lips, making Visenya gag and receiving a laugh from the table.

"Oh, Vis, one day you won't know what hit you when you find someone you love like that. Some, even two," he said after he sat down next to Laena, leaving the chair to his left free for Rhaenyra, who arrived in a black, white, and red dress with a white and black dragonwolf on it. "Morning, Princess," he said, stood up, and pulled a chair out for her, but not before kissing her. He would make damn sure he wouldn't neglect one for the other.

"Congratulations, too, Uncle. I shall present my gift to you during the welcome feast," Rhaenyra said and smiled at him after she had sat down.

"I shall wait for it, my betrothed; I'm sure it is wonderful," he said with a broad smile. After some time of speaking with both Laena and Rhaenyra, his future goodfather started to speak.

"My Prince, my brother has written; half of the fleet is ready in Driftmark. If I'm correct, we can launch the expedition in two or three moons," Lord Corlys said. "Good, I have already sent part of my ships from White Harbor to travel Driftmark. Five are mine, and the rest of House Manderley has decided to join the endeavor. My uncle has sent his 2000 men toward White Harbor and 1000 to Seadragon Point. I also have 30 ships ready for war in Seadragon Point, with 1500 sailors. With 2000 men ready, we are waiting for the men of Winterfell. They will set sail for Old Town when they arrive. We push the Stepstones from both sides of the sea and the sky and feed the crab feeders to his crabs," he said with a smile.

"Welcome news; we show the power of the sea and sky for all to see," Corlys said with a grin. He turned to kin. "Yes, fried crab tasted quite good," he said with a smile. The group around the table laughed.

Lyanna Stark Targaryen (107 A.C. Second Moon)

Kingslanding - Throneroom

She had sobbed a little when the first day of the wedding festivities arrived. Her boy would marry, a thing she thought she would never see. 'When she held little Aemon for the first time, she was weak and tried to take in all of her sons. But the last thing she remembered of that moment was placing him in her brother's arms.

Now, her son was soon to wed. Not one but two women, both from what she had seen, loved her son. Aemon had always been great with other people. He charmed and made other people flock to him. Something that reminded her much of her brother. Brandon had the same, but her son was more tempered; it seemed he was a combination of the wolf and dragon. Ice, fire, and a true song; sometimes prophecy does speak true. Although the whims of the corrupted will make that still great, it can fall into ruin. And a world of men fall into darkness and despair.

But for now, the world seemed fine; the pieces on the damn board of the Game of Thrones seemed to be in place. Aemon's power in the realm slowly increased, and after the war in the Stepstones, he and the crown would control the Stepstones. A hold for trade and protecting the realm.

Another power base was built for the house of the dragon. Her son had already transformed an outpost in the far North into a structure not seen built since the doom. A true work of art, and he had two of the most loyal companions that anyone in the world ever had. A dragon and a direwolf symbolize power, fire, and ice.' She thought as she waited at the main table in the Throne room where the families of the brides and groom would sit.

It reminded her of her own when she married Baelon. Sweet, kind Baelon, a man struck down too soon before his time. She sat beside her daughter and Lady Jeyne Arryn, who had decided to come as a princess cousin from her mother's side. She had liked Lady Arryn, a strong but kind woman who had ruled the Vale for the past four years. Although she had never taken a husband, she suspected the reason. As the tales of history had, Jeyne Arryn wasn't attracted to men and was most likely fearful of being pushed out of power by the man she married if it came to that.

They had spoken before when her son was being proclaimed heir before the kingdoms. However, it was mostly small talk, and she was curious about her stand. Regarding support toward Aemon, it seemed as long as Aemon wouldn't push her out of her rightful claim.

She found it was unfortunate that her kin wasn't around. They had decided to stay in the North, as Aemon wanted to marry his brides in Winterfell in front of a hearttree. However, there was one in Kingslanding. But marrying in the North also showed Aemon's respect for his other homeland. It would happen after the war in the Stepstones, as that was the next thing on everyone's mind.

As she looked at the table, Viserys, the man, seemed to have grown weaker. Then he did a moon ago, but she saw him occasionally touching his left pinky, one that was in a clove. She was curious what had happened to him. Looking at him, she became increasingly relieved that her daughter didn't have to marry the man. Still, Viserys was kind but not the most strong-willed, except when it came to Rhaenyra, Aemon, and Daemon. Those were the closest to his heart, even now since Aemma's passing.

She looked at the center of the table, where three open spots were beside the King. Where her son and two brides would sit. Laena and Rhaenyra seemed happy tomorrow, seeing Aemon laugh and kiss his brides. It gave her a feeling of joy she hadn't felt since Visenya came into the world.

Then, a drum ruffle and a slow rimmed announced the arrival of the brides and the groom. "Prince Aemon Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone and Lord Seadragon Point and Heir to Iron Throne. Future husband to Princess Rhaenyra and the future Princess Laena Velaryon. The future King of the Seven Kingdoms," Ser Harrold announced as her son walked into a throneroom beside him Ghost. Making some who hadn't seen the wolf before gasp in shock. He wore the cape she and her daughter gifted him in the morning. Under it, he wore a black tunic of white and red and a dragon and silver embroidered wolf on his chest. He also wore a beautifully grafted Valyrian steel necklace, very similar to the one of his own crowing. It had all the symbols of the great houses, with the dragon in the center. 'He looked like a true King,' she thought.

"Your grace. You certainly have prepared a wonderful feast for my wedding and nameday. My deepest appreciation." He said with a bow and walked to his seat, taking the one in the middle of three vacant center seats.

Not much later, another drum ruffle, "Princess Rhaenyra, Daughter of our Good King Viserys Targaryen and Queen Aemma. The Future Queen Consort of the Seven Kingdoms." Rhaenyra walked in, dressed in a pearly white gown with gold and silver embroidered on the dress. Three images of a white wolf, a black dragon, and a golden-yellow dragon were embroidered on the dress. The companions of Aemon and Rhaenyra's Yellow Lady.

Aemon stood up, walked toward her hand, took her hand, and kissed it for all to see. "My betrothed," They both said, and the groom and bride genuinely smiled. Viserys seemed to brighten, seeing his daughter and brother so happy.

They both took their seats and Aemon, being a gentleman, pulled the seat out for her. Leaving her future good daughter smiling in happiness. 'Aemma's my friend if she can only see your daughter now. She looks beautiful and happy. Her heart ached a little for the loss of her friend.' She thought as she looked at the scene.

She looked at where the Hightower group sat, and she, the future Queen, sat with a fake smile. It was more of grief and pain. It also seemed she was sick. Was the little Hightower with child, she wondered as she looked at the red-brown hair woman in her blue dress. 'She loves my son and would never have him.' She thought.

Then, the final drum ruffle. She knew what that meant by the arrival of the Velaryon family. "Lord Corlys of House Velaryon. Lord of the Tides, and master of Driftmark, Master of Ships. With his lady wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Their son and daughter, Laenor Velaryon, Heir to Driftmark, and Lady Laena Velaryon, the future Queen Consort." Lord Harrold announced, and the same as with Rhaenyra and Aemon, the crowd stood up and applauded. Laena was in a black, red, and blue dress with a seahorse and a dragonwolf embroidered in silver and gold. The candlelight very beautifully caught the silver of her. A handsome group they would make, and a powerful one at that, she thought with a smile.

Like he did Rhaenyra, he walked over to Laena, took her hand, and kissed it. "My betrothed," they both did as well. And then three dragon roars were heard above the sealing of the throne room. 'It seemed Balerion had wanted to make his appearance. Announcing the bond between Aemon and him and the power of House Targaryen, not even the conqueror had a bond with dragons like Aemon Targaryen did.' She smiled at the thought.

Then, her stepson stood up to speak. "Be welcome as we join together in celebration. Tonight is only its beginning. My heir shall wed and unite the bloodlines of the dragon. With hearts intertwined, we gather to witness the forging of a new chapter in the annals of house Targaryen. This chapter pays homage to the indomitable spirits of my revered uncle Aemon and my valiant father Baelon." He paused for a moment.

His words, spoken with a measured cadence, carried a weight that transcended mere ceremony. "In adherence to the sacred doctrine of 'The Dragon has Three Heads,' my heir, heir to the legacy that courses through our veins, is destined to unite with my cherished daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Alongside her, he shall stand united with the luminous Lady Laena Velaryon, scion of one of our most steadfast allies, House Velaryon." Her stepson said, and he pressed home the doctrine.

"May their union be fruitful and unite us for many centuries to come. Let a new age of dragons be born." Her stepson said, and applause was heard around the room.

After a silence, "Of course, that is not the only cause for celebration. My brother and heir, celebrating his five and ten nameday. May he have many more to come and grow old and grey. Let's also honor him, and Lord Corlys Velaryon and all the others soon depart for the Stepstones to fight for the kingdom." Her stepson said, and he smiled at his brother and Corly, who both gave Viserys a nod and smile.

"May gifts be present to my heir after the union dance. Let's all celebrate this wedding and nameday after tonight's small affair, four days of feasting and tourney at the end of it all, a union sealed." Her stepson ended, and another round of applause came through the hall.

Then her son and she and his brides began their dance, and it reminded her of a watch at dancing she had seen Balerion do with Syrax and Vhagar, a mating dance of dragons. All three of them were, and are, very synchro, and she was impressed by how well the three clicked together. A testament to the ease they felt, or so she assumed. As she looked, a smile and the three of them were giving the three of them. At the end of the dance, another applause for the new three heads of the dragon.

Laena Velaryon Targaryen (107 A.C. Second Moon)

Kingslanding - Throneroom

The dance with Aemon and Rhaenyra was magical; she had initially worried that a divide would come between her and Rhaenyra. But she wasn't concerned anymore during the dance and the glances she received from both.

'They now sat together, the three of them. Rhaenyra sat beside her father, and on the right side of Aemon, she was on the left. Her own father sat on her left. He had a proud look on his face, and she understood why. Although this match was irregular, she and Rhaenyra would be the future queens of the realm and wives to a man that any maid would want. Aemon was to be her husband, and she never imagined anyone else. She had been betrothed to him since birth, and it had remained that way all her life, and she would never change that.' She thought as she took his hand and kissed it.

Aemon gave her a bright smile, which always made her happy. 'I'm going to miss that smile when he is gone.' Then, her thoughts were interrupted as the first well-wisher arrived. Lady Paramount of the Vale, Jeyne Arryn, Rhaenyra's great-cousin. "Cousin, my prince, and my Lady, may I congratulate you on your wedding. The welcome feast is a grand affair, and I'm excited about the wedding at the end of all this. May I present my gifts?"

"Please, Lady, Arryn, my future wives and I are both honored by your coming," Aemon said, and Lady Jeyne spoke again. "For my cousin, I grant you these dresses in the style of the Vale, as well as this pearl necklace made in Gulltown." 'They were beautiful gifts. I wouldn't mind a pearl necklace from Driftmakr.' She mused. "For the Lady Laena, I have this hunting falcon, bred in my falconry, and a War Galley with your name. May your hunting be true as the wind in your sails. For my future King, I offer 500 men for your war in the Stepstones. May you fight in honor of the kingdom and not make these two ladies widows too soon." Lady Arryn said, and the group at the table laughed as she ended.

"Thank you for the gifts, my Lady, your support for the war, and your kindness toward my future wife. After the good Queen Aemma's death, I will always be grateful," Aemon said after acknowledging the gifts.

The second well-wisher was her father, who walked over from his place to stand before them. "I know I had my reservations, but seeing the smiles on the faces of my daughter, my princess, and my future good-son, I don't have those anymore. House Velaryon will stand ready for the call of the house of the dragon. May these gifts for your nameday, my prince, and wedding be an appreciation of my support." He said, pointing at the door. Three chests came in, each one with a dragon, a seahorse, and a dragonwolf carved into them.

They were opened, and all of them were filled with gold dragons. Making many in the hall gasp in shock. "Another gift I can't grant yet. I have started the preparations to build another High Tide on Driftmark to celebrate your union. So, you may visit my Isle. Also, I grant ten war galleys to my future King and good-son." Her father said and gave her a bow. 'It good to see him happy.' She thought happily.

"It is much appreciated, Lord Corlys. I would certainly appreciate a keep where my future family may stay in times of peace," Aemon said to her father with a smile. "A gracious gift indeed, Lord Corlys. I am quite sure my future husband and sister-wife will be eager to have a place on the Isle of Driftmark. My visits to the Isle were always comfortable." Rhaenyra said with a wide smile. "A great compliment from my princess," her father said with a bow. He smiled at her before leaving to return to his place at the table.

As the festivities continued, the atmosphere was filled with joy and celebration. Guests from various houses mingled, and the sounds of laughter and music echoed through the hall. She couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment as she looked around, surrounded by friends, family, and her soon-to-be sister-wife and husband.

The next to approach was Ser Lyonel Strong, the master of arms at Harrenhal. He brought a beautifully crafted Weirwood Bow as a gift for Aemon. "May this bow serve you well in the battles to come, my prince. It's crafted from the tree in Harrenhal's godswoods," he said, bowing respectfully. Aemon graciously accepted the gift, expressing his gratitude.

The feast continued, and the guests indulged in delicious food and fine wines. She found herself engaged in lively conversations, her worries about potential divisions in the realm fading away in the face of the unity and joy displayed that evening.

As the night wore on, the dance floor became a focal point, and Laena found herself twirling and swirling in Aemon's arms. The dance was magical, mirroring their enchantment in each other's company. Rhaenyra joined them, and they danced together, symbolizing the unity that House Velaryon and House Targaryen would bring to the realm.

"I like the gifts," she said as they were together in an embrace. "But this togetherness I enjoy the most." She said, and the other two nodded in agreement. As they sat back down, another group of well-wishers came around.

As Ser Otto Hightower approached the soon-to-be wedded group, there was a discernible tension in the air. He handed Aemon a gilded book, but the discerning eyes of those present could sense subtle disapproval in the gesture. The book, adorned with the Seven-Pointed Star, was a traditional gift, but Otto's gaze hinted at his reservations about the union.

"I present you with this book of the Seven," Otto said, his tone formal but lacking the warmth usually associated with such gifts. "May it guide you in the ways of the Faith and provide solace in times of uncertainty."

Aemon, noticing the subtle tension, accepted the book with a polite nod, though he couldn't ignore the underlying disapproval. She exchanged a quick glance with Rhaenyra, acknowledging the unspoken tension. 'Oh, that one. The man will get burned for his brazenness,' she thought.

Meanwhile, Viserys stepped forward with a lavish golden enameled shield for Aemon. "May this shield protect you in times of need, my son. May it serve as a symbol of the strength that comes from unity," Viserys declared, emphasizing the significance of the union between House Targaryen and House Velaryon.

To honor Rhaenyra and Laena, Viserys Targaryen unveiled a pair of exquisite dragon-shaped pendants, each adorned with a rare black pearl. "May these dragons always remind you of your strength, resilience, and the fire within your hearts. Wear them with pride, for you are the future queens of the realm," Viserys said, placing the pendants around the necks of the two brides.

As the festivities continued, a moment of reflection came. The King raised his goblet in a toast, "To Aemma, the mother of my daughter who watches over us. May her memory inspire love and unity in this new chapter of House Targaryen and House Velaryon."

The guests, moved by the sentiment, joined in the toast, raising their goblets in honor of the late Queen Aemma.

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