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Many had thought the young Princess Rhaenys, at this point a strong-willed dragon rider of five and ten, would choose Lord Corlys Velaryon as her husband, but as King Jaehaerys’ second progress reached Greenshield and the two Targaryen’s, along with Vermithor and Meleys, enjoyed the comforts of Lord Chester’s Hall, the Princess’ announcement shocked all within.
“If it please, Your Grace, I have made my choice of husband.” Maester Bryen writes the Princess as saying, with words that sounded far older than her years. “Though I fear you will disagree.”
“Speak plain, child, what is it you wish of me?” His Grace countered. Bryen also notes his fears that the now well-established issues between King and Queen had soured Jaehaerys to any thought of matrimony, but as Princess Rhaenys began her declaration, that as her father’s only child it stood to reason that the realm would soon look between her and her cousins by Baelon and Alyssa as rivals to the Iron Throne. Viserys was then two and ten while Daemon a boy of eight, a fact that Jaehaerys pointed out to the Princess, though Rhaenys, as she ever did in her long and fruitful life, bit back sharply.
“Boys grow and lust for power, Targaryen’s perhaps more than most. Your rule has been prosperous and peaceful, Grandfather, but do the Gods share with you the foresight to presume? Did Aegon the Dragon also presume that your uncle would surrender his lust for power when King Aenys had a daughter?”
It was a bold move, Bryen tells us. Jaehaerys’ face reddened in rage at the mere mention of Maegor and the King stood up slowly. “Baelon is no Maegor.” He stated coldly. “And your father has time yet to sire a son.”
“Father has had 15 years since my birth, and not even a whisper of a son has sprung.” The Princess bit back, not cowing to the King. “If you will not think of usurpation, then think of the dragons.” Rhaenys countered. “Who is to say mine own descendants will not feel aggrieved at an inheritance lost. A war between dragons will destroy the realm and all you have built. Marry me to Viserys, combine my Father and Uncle’s claims into one, and the House of the Dragon shall stand united for generations.”
It was then that the King departed, dragging the Princess by the arm into a private audience, Bryen tells us. Nought is known of what was said between King and Granddaughter, but the pair departed that evening atop their dragons and less than a week later, the announcement was made that Princess Rhaenys would wed Prince Viserys in 93 AC when he turned four and ten, a day that would become more known for the Flight of the Dragons, as Viserys claimed Balerion and rode with Rhaenys on Meleys in celebration of their union, in what became the Black Dread’s final flight before succumbing to old age.