Rhaenyra Targaryen (Fourth Moon)
Gates of the Moon
She entered the courtyard of The Gates in the Moon, the formidable stronghold of House Arryn, her presence commanding attention. A small gathering had already formed, and her eyes settled on her cousin, dressed in the familiar colors of their house—white and blue. The resemblance to her late mother was uncanny, a fact not lost on her.
"Ah, dear cousin, the savior of the Vale and dispenser of justice, welcome your grace, the Gates of the Moon are yours" Lady Jeyne greeted her, prompting the others to offer their respects, and kneel. "Please, do rise," she continued, dispelling the formality. "I merely fulfilled my duty in protecting our kin and maintaining the king's peace. Let us not forget Princess Rhaenys, whose aid was invaluable in our fight against the rebels."
As they embraced, she couldn't ignore the fiery red locks of Lady Jessamyn Redfort, standing beside her cousin—a detail that had not escaped the court gossip.
"Well, I must confess, when the siege engines began their assault, I feared the rebels might succeed," her cousin reflected, her tone tinged with sorrow. "But you came to our rescue, quelling the treachery of our own blood. It's a tragedy that even kin would turn against us. I'm grateful our uncle Arron passed before witnessing his son's betrayal." Her words carried the weight of loss, a reminder of the price of rebellion.
"He has faced justice now, sent into the depths of the seven hells by Meleys," she reassured her cousin, though her own belief in such matters was uncertain. "Yes, I hope so; the man didn't deserve much any less. If Rodrik lives, he must face the consequences, be it the sky cells the Wall, or the headman's axe. But let us discuss such matters come morning. For now, let us feast and revel in our victory over the oathbreakers."
"That would be welcoming. I had a long day; we flew around half a day from Runestone. Lady Rhae sent this message to you. She also gathers men to ride to your support; Lady Rhea's cousin, Ser Gerold Royce, is leading them," she reassured her cousin.
"Good, I didn't expect much less. Her father was a wonderful teacher and regent for me. I also will have a party ready to await Princess Rhaenys when she returns; she doesn't deserve any less," she smiled at her cousin. "Yes, a dragonrider like Rhaenys of old." She said, and Jeyne smiled back at her words.
Dinner
The great hall of The Gates of the Moon was adorned with banners bearing the sigil of House Arryn—a falcon soaring against a clear blue sky. Tables were lined with sumptuous dishes, a feast fit for royalty. The air buzzed with anticipation as guests filled the hall, their voices mingling with the sounds of laughter and music. She enjoyed it all. As the feast started to get underway, her cousin stood up.
"To Princess Rhaenyra and Princess Rhaenys, saviors of the Vale!" Cheers from the gathered folk erupted loudly.
"Let this stand as a testament to those who want to break the king's peace. On the morrow, we shall justice these traitors to the Vale and Crown. Let's set aside the turmoil and darkness of these days and embrace the kinship Princess Rhaenyra has shown us. She is of the Vale, and today she has upheld the values for centuries. All hail Princess Rhaenyra and Princess Rhaenys." Jeyne's words warmed her heart and made her blush.
"I thank you for your words, cousin. I have long wanted to see the Vale again. It has been some time since my beloved mother and I traveled here. Now I have come in war, yet I shall leave this land in peace. With justice served for those who wished to have broken the king's peace and supplant its rightful lady. To my cousin Lady Jeyne Arryn, Lady of The Vale." She spoke loudly, and cheers echoed across the hall of the Gates of The Moon. She sat down and started to talk to Jeyne, asking her about all her own experiences in the Vale.
When Jeyne spoke of her father, who was her uncle, and whom she never really met or knew, the way Jeyne spoke of him was a true pity—a chivalrous man who died before his time, fighting against the mountain clansmen of the Vale. To do his duty, like she, and Aemon had done. Yet he paid the ultimate price for duty.
"I really have to return to the Vale after my husband has returned, to show him where my mother grew up and where part of my family makes its home. I feel at home here. It's much the same as Aemon speaks of the North." She smiled as she thought of Aemon.
"Well, I don't really know your husband, but from what I have seen from your wedding and his coronation ceremony, Prince Aemon seems like a good man. Someone who could raise wise heirs to take up the mantle of king. I don't know if I will ever marry, yet I need an heir, and on the morrow, I wish to discuss this with you privately, princess." Hmm, the word princess made her words sound serious.
"I think it's wise, to have a clear heir shall hopefully cause for peace to be settled in the Vale, The King has given me leave to act on the crown's behalf. I also suspect with me around, we can bring in the other houses that have fought against you to heal more easily. Yet as you said, we shall discuss it tomorrow. I rather wish to hear more about the Vale from you, cousin." She smiled and took Jeyne's hand in hers.
Jeyne's Solar
"Good morning, cousin. The chambers you offered were fine. I understand now why my mother spoke so fondly of this place. The landscape and castle give off an aura of history. Unfortunately, now some of it is marred by war." She looked out of the window and surveyed the blackened landscape outside.
"Yes, a true pity that oaths sworn against me are so easily disregarded. It seems even blood hasn't given them pause. Rodrik still lives, but he will not live out here, he is now on his way here, and judgment will be given. I propose he will live the rest of his life on the Wall. He wasn't the leader, and he was the second son of House Waynwood. It wouldn't cause to much uproar with Waynwoods. They will also have see increase in their taxes, as I don't believe they are entirely innocent of a son their houses crimes." Jeyne's words were laden with bitterness and sadness.
"Yes, some of them have taken up arms. Yet what we have seen is similar to what happened with Aegon the Uncrowned—second sons and bastards taking up the sword. Yet they brought over the Company of Cats, three thousand strong, as they were before Syrax and Meleys burned them to ash. I have no idea who they got here, considering the Stepstones War. It seems they have a backer that has either gold or influence in the Iron Bank." She had thought of it. Arnold wasn't a lord, yet he had connections in Gulltown with traders and had won some renown in the lists. But hiring a sellsword company from the east during a war on their own soil, to go to Westeros—it had to be someone with enough gold to pay them.
"Yes, that was my thought as well. House Grafton is partially responsible for their arrival. Even that younger son has said he misled his father and older brother. They didn't inform me of their arrival, nor did any of the other houses whose banners were partly raised. The total numbers were around 7000 men; 4000 men of the Vale march to supplant me. I asked you to be with me when I take action against them. The crown must be shown to be on the side of justice; it always will make them yield more easily against our demands." Jeyne's words were correct, and her father had given her leave to act on behalf of the crown.
"Yes, I agree. I have my duty to oversee this process on behalf of the crown. We gather future information about this rebellion and make sure the houses that were partially responsible are punished." She would; they had attacked her kin, and some who were family. Arnold and Rodrik hadn't acted like kin and didn't deserve her mercy.
"There was a thing my father had spoken about during our discussion of this rebellion. He was more than willing to let you be and not send aid. However, the future succession of the Vale, what caused the spark to ignite into flame, and this backer we have yet to identify. You said yourself you wish to discuss it last night." She bit her lip, thinking if she should speak to her cousin about her preferences, yet who was she to say something on? Thinking back on what she had done with Laena.
"Yes, this matter of succession, and me not marrying, has caused discord," Jeyne replied, her tone serious. "With the recent turmoil that has befallen the Vale, it has become clear to me that I must secure the future of House Arryn. You and the Small Council are right in this."
"True, you can no longer name your cousin Rodrik, of course, and Arnold's child still lives; his name was Edric if I'm correct. You also have distant cousins, and there is a branch of Gulltown Arryns." She said aloud.
"I have given this much thought, and perhaps if my cousin hadn't been so opposed to me, I might have named him an heir. Yet here we are, and have lost two family members to treason. So I believe that it is in the best interest of our house for one of your children to be named as my heir," Jeyne stated, her eyes unwavering.
Her brows furrowed slightly in surprise. Yet she was her cousin, and the blood of House Arryn flowed through her veins. "Are you certain of this decision, Jeyne?" She asked, needing to be certain of her cousin's intentions.
Jeyne nodded firmly. "I am. Your future children would have the blood of House Arryn, and they carry the legacy of our house within them. You have also shown your loyalty to me, even if it was your duty as a princess of the realm. You still came, and it would also calm the situation down with House Royce. Considering their newfound acquisition of dragons, a decision I still regret. It would balance the scales. I'm wrong—all your children would be granted the privilege to claim a dragon."
"Yes, that would be their right," Yet Aemon had written that House Strong would marry into the Royal family. Visenya would be betrothed to Lord Harwin. Or so was the case, if the two of them could bond in the coming years. There was also a pact written that if their children became dragonriders, their future match would be with someone of House Targaryen. To hold the dragons in the Targaryen family, Laena's marriage had already caused part of the reconciliation of the power of the dragon.
"I'm honored you have placed your trust in me. Yet I'm not yet a mother. Also, this decision is one I cannot take alone. I shall write to my husband to see his reaction. Yet I suspect he will allow it." She said, and Jeyne nodded. "True, Prince Aemon would wish a voice in this, and that's an expected requirement. Having him back this proposal would dishearten many of my vassals. He is both feared and admired in the Vale—the rider of the Black Dread, Dragonwolf, The White Dragon." She chuckled.
"As for the succession, what do you have in mind, actually? As I might imagine, the heir would like to carry his family's name and sigil. Perhaps a variant of the two, as well as a change in the sigil and name to honor both houses." She questioned.
"Yes, that would be true. It would also show to the Vale the close bond we have with the crown. It is something we have to discuss, as well as other details, but that is something we have to do with your husband as well. If we announce the future heir, it would, at the very least, quieten down the descent in the Vale." Jeyne's answer, her voice had relief in it. True, having Aemon's agreement about the future heir of the will was something that could be done, if not the details of it.
She squeezed Jeyne', feeling the warmth of their familial bond coursing between them. "Very well, Jeyne. I will write to my husband this evening, and a letter will be out in the morning. Hopefully, after, we are done serving our justice in the Vale, the announcement about the future heir will be made."
"There is something I wish to ask you, though?" She was curious if the rumors were true, and that was the reason. "Why don't you wish to marry? I have, and I love my husband, and I wish for a future with children. Don't you have that desire?" And Jeyne gave her a sad smile.
"I wish I could, but my heart and position wouldn't allow for it. I love Jessamyn; I could be with her again if I were to marry. A husband would never allow it." Well, she wasn't sure, but then again, Aemon was also married to Laena. So he probably wouldn't mind if they had a relationship with each other. It seemed to have stirred him even on in the bedchamber. "Ah, cousin, it's true sadness, yet I understand more than you know." Jeyne frowned, her clear blue eyes looking at her with confusion.
"I have a familiar relationship with Laena; she is my partner, my wife, or whatever you call it. Me, Aemon, and Laena are one together, and I do love Laena in the same way as I do my husband. Maybe not totally the same, but similar. So you have my support if you need it or to talk with someone about Jeyne." It was then that the walls between Princess and Lady Paramount broke away, and they embraced as if they were family.
"You are lucky, cousin. I suppose I shall have Jessamyn's love, but she shall always be at my side as a lady-in-waiting. No more, unlike your cousin. Yet it feels freeing I can talk to someone about other than Jessamyn." Jeyne's voice was low and filled with longing, something she recognized when she herself spoke of Aemon, Laena, or her mother.
"As long as I'm around, you will have my support, cousin. I want you to be happy, and if everything goes as we hope, the succession will be fine, and stability in the Vale restored." She smiled at her cousin, who nodded.
"Now, let's start with the bitter work of dealing with these traitors." She nodded to her cousin. "Yes, with fire and blood, and as high as honor."
Arryn Family Tree
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