Chapter 26: The New Order's Ascendancy (181-190 AC)
King Viserys I had indeed passed peacefully in 180 AC, but his vision and influence had long since been woven into the very fabric of Westeros. His son, King Aemon I, had effectively held the reins of power for many years prior to his father's demise, meticulously continuing the work of unification and advancement. Aemon's reign, initially overshadowed by the legendary figure of his father, quickly blossomed into its own era of strength and enlightened progress, a testament to the seamless transition Viserys had orchestrated.
By 190 AC, Westeros was a realm unrecognizable to anyone who remembered the feudal squabbles of a century past. The Royal Army, a permanent, professional force, ensured unwavering internal security and projected undeniable power abroad. The Royal Dragon Bank was the undisputed financial heart of the realm, its Dragon Notes the standard currency, and its branches the trusted repositories of wealth for lords and commoners alike. Under Prince Daeron's visionary leadership, the Royal College of Administration and Scientific Research continued its quiet revolution, introducing improved navigation tools, rudimentary printing presses for royal decrees and educational texts, and even experimental agricultural machinery. The Riverlands, now Crownlands, flourished under direct royal administration, serving as a model of efficiency.
Aemon, now in his mid-fifties, possessed his father's strategic acumen but ruled with a deliberate emphasis on justice and welfare, ensuring the realm's prosperity benefited all strata of society. He understood the unspoken burden passed down by Viserys – the prophecy of the Long Night – and quietly continued the preparations. The Night's Watch received unprecedented support, its castles reinforced, its ranks bolstered by volunteers drawn by tales of service to the Crown and the legendary threats of the deep North. Diplomatic ties with the North remained paramount, the Stark alliance a vital shield against the coming darkness.
Uniting the Blood: New Royal Marriages
The perpetuation of the strong, pure Targaryen bloodline, and the continued binding of powerful Houses to the Crown, remained a central tenet of Viserys's legacy, meticulously executed by King Aemon. The next generation of royal marriages was carefully planned to secure the dynasty's future even further.
Crown Prince Jaehaerys (now 29 years old), Viserys's eldest grandson and the designated heir, was already a figure of immense capability and quiet authority. He embodied the perfect fusion of Targaryen majesty and Stark stoicism. For his bride, the choice was clear and strategically vital: Princess Valaena (now 26 years old), daughter of Prince Daeron and Princess Shaera. This union was the ultimate expression of Viserys's original vision – keeping the dragon blood pure and consolidated within the direct royal line, eliminating any potential for internecine conflict over claims.
The marriage of Jaehaerys and Valaena was not just a political calculation; it was a union born of genuine affection and shared intellect. They had grown up together, studying in the Royal College, discussing the realm's future, and sharing a deep understanding of their unique heritage. Valaena, with her sharp mind and passion for knowledge, complemented Jaehaerys's thoughtful pragmatism. Their dragons, Jaehaerys's powerful red dragon Vermithor (which he had bonded with at a young age, displaying his inherent dragon-riding prowess) and Valaena's cream-colored Vermax, often flew together, a breathtaking display of Targaryen power.
Their wedding, held in the Dragonpit in 186 AC, was a magnificent event, celebrated throughout the realm as a testament to the enduring strength and purity of House Targaryen. The roar of their dragons, circling above, sealed their vows in fire and blood. The union promised a future of unchallengeable Targaryen rule, with a clear line of succession overflowing with dragon-blooded heirs.
Simultaneously, King Aemon orchestrated the marriage of his spirited daughter, Princess Visenya (now 27 years old). Visenya, bonded with her powerful black dragon Nymeria, was too valuable a asset to be married off to a major House that might gain too much power. Her fiery spirit and martial prowess made her a formidable figure, but also one whose loyalties needed to remain firmly within the direct royal family.
Aemon's choice for Visenya's husband was a strategic masterstroke, echoing a part of Viserys's original intent to keep powerful bloodlines close but controlled: Ser Laenor Velaryon, a talented and charismatic knight from the prominent House Velaryon. Crucially, Ser Laenor was a younger son, with no direct inheritance to Driftmark or its vast wealth. This ensured that while the Velaryon name and their renowned naval prowess were brought into the royal fold, their independent power base remained distinct from the Crown's direct control.
> "The Velaryons possess the finest fleet in Westeros, save our own Royal Fleet," Aemon explained to Visenya, "and their blood is as ancient and Valyrian as ours. By taking a son with no claim to Driftmark itself, you bring their naval strength closer, without granting them undue influence. Your children will be Targaryens of the purest blood, bound to our throne, while still carrying the esteemed Velaryon name."
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Visenya, pragmatic like her father and grandfather, understood the wisdom of the match. Ser Laenor, for his part, was honored to marry a Dragon Princess and gain such proximity to the Iron Throne, regardless of his lack of direct inheritance. His ambition was to serve the Crown directly, leveraging his naval expertise. Their marriage, held a year later in 187 AC, strengthened the bond between the Crown and its most crucial maritime ally, without creating a new rival power base.
The most critical aspect of these marriages, meticulously planned by Viserys and executed by Aemon, was the future intermarriage of their children. The children of Jaehaerys and Valaena (the direct heirs) would marry the children of Visenya and Laenor (the highly loyal, dragon-blooded secondary line). This intricate web of alliances ensured that the purest Targaryen blood remained within the ruling family, perpetually reinforcing their strength, guaranteeing a continuous supply of dragonriders, and preventing any future family feuds by always keeping key claims and powerful dragons tied to the main line. The seeds for a multi-generational dynastic security were sown.
By 190 AC, Westeros stood as a unified, powerful, and remarkably stable realm. King Aemon I ruled justly, yet with the firm hand his father had taught him. The children and grandchildren of Viserys, now grown into capable adults, were poised to inherit and continue the "Golden Age" he had so meticulously crafted. The Dragon's Gambit had not ended with Viserys's death; it had simply entered its next, enduring phase, securing the Targaryen dynasty for centuries to come, and quietly, patiently, preparing for the true, ancient darkness that lay ahead.
This chapter details the crucial dynastic marriages and sets up the future generations. What do you think of this progression?