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It was a regular small council meeting when the chamber doors suddenly opened. The calm atmosphere of the room was interrupted by a few whispers before a raven was passed to Lord Strong. The man read it quickly before lifting his head to address the rest of the room's inhabitants.
“It seems that Lady Rhea of Runestone has recently passed away. She took a fall from her horse while hawking. Apparently she languished for three days as the maesters attempted to save her before succumbing to her injuries.”
Gentle murmurs spread around the room at the news.
Lord Strong shook his head slightly as he rolled up the raven.
“This is a sad day indeed. We will have a letter of condolences sent at once.” The King said gravely.
The men around the table nodded at the King’s words before naturally quieting for a moment of silence, the more devout men saying a quick prayer for her passing.
“Your Grace, I hope I do not offend by speaking so quickly but I do feel it is wise to discuss when the wedding will take place?” Lord Beesbury said gently.
The King’s eyebrows rose on his face.
“Wedding? What wedding?”
“The wedding between Prince Daemon and the Crown Princess, Your Grace.” Lord Beesbury answered. “I’m aware there is the mourning period to consider but since the Prince has never made it any secret how he felt about his first wife, I sought to inquire whether you will insist on observing the full period of mourning?”
Lord Beesbury exchanged an uncomfortable look with Lord Strong before continuing.
“I do not mean to be crass, Your Grace, but we are all well aware of how quickly you married after the passing of the late Queen Aemma. Your love for the late Queen was well known and yet you only waited a few moons before marrying again. It seems . . unnecessary for the Prince to observe the full mourning period when he held his first wife in such disdain.” The man finished.
The King could not have looked more flabbergasted, the whites of his eyes on full display.
“Lord Beesbury! What nonsense are you speaking of?! Why would my daughter be marrying my brother? It is absurd!” He exclaimed.
“Forgive me, Your Grace,” Lord Strong interjected, “But I must agree with Lord Beesbury. Now that the Prince is no longer married, he is the logical choice for a husband for the Crown Princess and likewise,” He nodded his head to his fellow councilman, “I do not see any reason to delay the wedding.”
“This is ridiculous!” The King shouted. “My daughter will not be marrying my brother! There are plenty of other eligible men in the Seven Kingdoms for Rhaenyra to choose from.” He said resolutely as though it were the end of the discussion.
Glances were exchanged once more before Lord Strong spoke.
“I see.” He said hesitantly. “I was unaware you were fully committed to breaking with Targaryen tradition, Your Grace. Forgive our oversight. I’m sure the faith will be most pleased with your decision.” He bowed his head in deference.
The King looked ready to move on until Lord Strongs words seemed to register. His head tilted in confusion as he regarded his new Hand.
“Of what are you speaking, Lord Strong? I have no intention of breaking any Targaryen traditions. And why exactly would the faith be pleased?” He asked in bewilderment.
Lord Strong regarded the King for a moment before he blinked a few times and proceeded to answer the questions posed to him.
“Well, Your Grace, Targaryen tradition dictates that an unmarried Targaryen woman would wed her closest male kin. Prince Daemon is certainly a better and more appropriate option than the young Prince Aegon. If you are against such a match and seek a husband for your daughter from one of the other great Houses then we can only assume you plan to continue with your previous decisions to . . . put aside your Valyrian traditions.”
Lord Strong said delicately, in regards to the King’s own Andal bride.
“Put aside my Valyrian trad . . “ The King said under his breath before Lord Strong cut him off.
“As for the faith, well, it is a surprise to no one that they disagree with many of your family's practices, the doctrine of exceptionalism especially. If you have decided that the Crown Princess shall wed someone of Westerosi descent that would be the end of any more pure blooded Targaryens. Over time your Valyrian blood will become mixed with the rest of Westeros.”
“The end of any pure blood . . “ King Viserys mumbled.
“If Prince Daemon and Princess Rhaenyra do not marry, being the last pure blooded Targaryen man and woman of reproducing age, then obviously the next Targaryen generations will have equal amounts Westerosi blood as Valyrian. The Velaryons are, of course, also of Valyrian descent but let us not pretend they are the same. Lady Laena and Ser Laenor have only been able to bond with dragons due to their mothers Targaryen blood. The Velaryons themselves have never had such an ability. And given the rumors of Ser Laenor’s preferences, it is not likely the boy will ever have his own children thus limiting, even further, those that might pass on the potential to bond with the beasts.” Lord Beesbury added in support of the Hand.
“Exactly.” Lord Strong nodded to the master of coin. “The faith has never been comfortable with many of the Targaryen ways, your bond with dragons another offense in their eyes, and with so few of you remaining it seems likely the House of the Dragon will forever be altered. You, yourself have chosen to marry a woman of no Valyrian ancestry, further diluting the Targaryen blood. None of your children by Queen Alicent have hatched a dragon’s egg nor bonded to any hatchlings. It seems . . likely that by marrying Prince Daemon and Princess Rhaenyra to others that the Targaryen ability to bond with dragons shall cease to exist altogether.” Lord Strong finished very matter of factly.
The King’s mouth had dropped open the longer the men spoke, horror growing with each word.
That very same day ravens flew and summons issued. Despite the very clear warning, the King was still hesitant about marrying his eldest daughter to his rogue brother. However, the Crown Princess proved every bit the hot blooded dragon of her ancestors and refused any other hand offered to her; especially as soon as it became apparent her father might actually consider her uncle an option. The stubborn Princess proved to be too much for her aging and ailing father and before long invitations were sent to the far corners of the Seven Kingdoms.
There were those who objected, the Queen chiefly among them, however as others had learned before her, it was not so easy to go against the House of the Dragon. Her objections became so strong that she woke the ire of the usually docile King and he threatened to send her back to Oldtown if she did not cease her complaining. The threat, such an unusual occurrence, seemed to shock the Queen into blessed silence allowing the plans to proceed unimpeded.
It was only a few moons later that Lords Strong and Beesbury stood drinking arbor gold as they watched Prince Daemon and Princess Rhaenyra dance around the room. The celebration for the royal wedding in full effect, showing the splendor of House Targaryen. The men shared a conspiratorial smile before clinking their glasses. Thanks to their efforts the House of the Dragon was primed to last at least a few generations more.