'As the first century of the Targaryen dynasty came to a close, the health of the Old King, Jaehaerys, was failing.
'In those days, House Targaryen stood at the height of its strength with 10 adult dragons under its yoke. No power in the world could stand against it.
'King Jaehaerys reigned over nearly 60 years of peace and prosperity. But tragedy had claimed both his sons, leaving his succession in doubt. So, in the year 101, the Old King called a Great Council to choose an heir.
'Over a thousand lords made the journey to Harrenhal.
'Fourteen succession claims were heard but only two were truly considered: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the King's eldest descendant, and her younger cousin, Prince Viserys Targaryen, the King's eldest male descendant.'
... The bid of Princess Rhaenys for the throne faltered, much to the bitterness of her followers, who, soured by defeat, blamed gender for her loss.
Yet, they recognized the deeper currents at play. The realm's favor did not lean towards Viserys for his virtues. Far from it.
The true allure lay in his son, Prince Rhaenar I Targaryen.
At the tender age of eight, Rhaenar already possessed a remarkable eloquence, he who could read and write before he could even walk.
Amidst rigorous studies and royal obligations, Rhaenar found time to indulge in painting, breeding new artistic movements at astonishing pace.
But his appeal wasn't just his artistic genius or the fact that he sparked a new economy based on art collection. Nor was it because his presence drew in the bright and beautiful.
Choosing him felt inherently correct. Rhaenar had a soft-spoken kindness that was willing to listen to his tutors and counselors. Any potential shortcomings of Viserys as a king were deemed temporary, overshadowed by the promise of Rhaenar's eventual appointment in the Small Council, where he was expected to govern with compassionate heart.
Or perhaps it was because Viserys distanced himself from dragon-riding, a trait that separated him from the soured legacy left by Maegor the Cruel.
Princess Rhaenys, however, was beacon of political strength and skill in dragon riding, her spirit as fierce as her intellect was sharp — a combination that surely ignited envy.
Moreover, her union with Corlys Velaryon, Westeros' most famed seafarer, added another layer of prestige. After his Nine Voyages across the ocean, Corlys had amassed wealth rumored to surpass even the riches of Casterly Rock.
The lords of the realm faced a stark decision: crown Princess Rhaenys, aligning themselves with a dragon rider married to the wealthiest house, and gain the support of Corlys Velaryon, a man known for getting things done.
Or opt for Viserys, perceived by many as the next conciliator, whose gentle demeanor and reluctance to claim a dragon resonated with skeptics and opportunists alike.
Rhaenys' children were poised to inherit her dragon-riding prowess, promising a formidable legacy.
In contrast, Viserys' son, Rhaenar, initially displayed minimal interest in dragon riding and seemed inclined to heed the counsel of others.
On the surface, Viserys appeared as the more cautious, less disruptive choice between the two. More grounded and down to earth, if that were possible for a Targaryen...
The finer points of these dynamics may forever elude us. Even the final vote, tallied by the maesters of the realm, has never been officially disclosed.
'Our story begins on the ninth year of King Viserys I Targaryen's. 172 years before the death of the Mad King Aerys and the birth of his daughter, princess Daenerys Targaryen.'
... Or so it seemed.
The threads of time, whether woven in darkness or bathed in light, must have been disturbed, for everything shifted with the arrival of Rhaenar.
He and his elder sister Rhaenyra weren't destined to be twins. Quite frankly, Rhaenar should not exist. He should have never been born.
Rhaenar's existence was an anomaly, a mystery yet to be unraveled from his perspective. Going as far as to claim he'd been reborn into this world.
The intricacies of his birth will be explored in due course. For now, understand that this tale predominantly centers around Rhaenar Targaryen.
It draws from his personal accounts, those who journeyed alongside him, historians who chronicled his life, seers who glimpsed fate through the trees, creatures of the land who shared their whispers with men, the Keepers of temples devoted to his name, and the countless individuals — nobles, knights, slaves, soldiers, and commoners alike — whose recollections of Rhaenar have stood the test of time.
For better or for worse, all absorbed and brought to you by this medium, of which you will have to excuse the artistic liberties that shall be taken in its telling.
... Sadly, that doesn't mean that chronicling Rhaenar's story gets any easier. There are many a paradox involved with the information.
As soon as you look in one place, mysteries spring in another.
Why do Rhaenar's personal writings date events that historians largely agree happened two years later? This trend also extended to those around him. Did they experience some kind of time dysphoria?
How is it that Rhaenar would be sighted at multiple places at once? Does this suggest some nefarious relations with the House of the Undying, or worse... the Faceless Men?
What is DEYEA? Does it even exist? Did anyone ever solve Rhaenar's Riddle? Hell, was there even a riddle to begin with? Where did Rhaenar disappear during those two years? What was the true reason for his return?
To all these questions and more, you have (hopefully) come to the right place.
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What follows is a case study of bad writing. Embellishment. Intellectual masturbation. And a public showing of a novice narrator trying to improve.
But it is also a story of hope. Love and greed. Human nature and admiration of fantastical worlds. An exploration of the World of Ice and Fire set during the era of the Dance of the Dragons.
This is for the shitters and giglers, my wiggas and niggas, from the L to the T plus the Q-I-A.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. It's all fun and games at the end of the day. Or else we may as well delete this app and go fuck our uncles. (Daemon x Rhaenar incoming?????)
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The question should remain: if the succession was so obvious, why did the Old King call all the lords to settle in a definite manner?
'Jaehaerys called the Great Council to prevent a war being fought over his succession. For he knew the cold truth.
'The only thing that could tear down the House of the Dragon... was itself.'
-Rhaenyra Targaryen.