With the birth of Daemon, King Jaehaerys felt an urgent need to arrange the marriages of his adult children, especially his daughter Daniela Targaryen, who had come of age the previous year.
Daniela, born in 64 AC, was now seventeen. The previous year, King Jaehaerys had issued an ultimatum to the queen: Daniela must marry before the end of the year, even if it meant marrying a mere swineherd. If she failed to do so, she would be sent to the Silent Sisters, as the princess could not yet deliver public speeches or eulogies.
Despite the challenges, Daniela had grown braver with Gaimon's guidance, though she still could not speak in public. When Gaimon learned of the king's decree, he quickly sought out King Jaehaerys and pledged that he would marry Daniela once she came of age. Only then did the king withdraw his ultimatum.
Though their marriage was not born of romantic love, Gaimon knew it was the only way to save his sister. Since childhood, Daniela had admired Gaimon, who, despite being younger than her, had always protected her like an older brother. When she learned that Gaimon was willing to marry her, she agreed happily.
Originally, King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne had planned for Daniela to marry her brother Vaegon Targaryen. But Vaegon's cold and distant temperament made him a poor match for the delicate and timid princess. Without Gaimon's intervention, Daniela would have been married at seventeen to the slightly overweight and balding Lord Arryn, a widower in middle age. Two years later, she would have given birth to a daughter, Emma Arryn, only to succumb to postpartum complications at the age of eighteen. Gaimon's decision prevented this grim future.
Though the age difference between Gaimon and Daniela was eleven years, King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne consented to the union. They recognized that while Gaimon might not be the most suitable match for their son's ambitions, he was undoubtedly the safest and most protective partner for Daniela. What mattered most to them was that their daughter would have a home and someone capable of guarding her well-being.
With Daniela's marriage arranged, attention turned to Vaegon Targaryen, now studying at the Citadel. Born in 63 AC, Vaegon was eighteen, slightly older than Gaimon. Both Aemon and Baelon had married and started families by this age, and the Targaryen dynasty's third generation was already underway. Vaegon's seeming indecision and distance from his family, however, made him appear more striking in comparison.
King Jaehaerys initially planned to summon Vaegon forcibly back to King's Landing. Yet Gaimon intervened:
"Father, if you force Vaegon to return, he will only grow more distant. It is better to let him plan his life and allow time to guide him."
Gaimon's words struck the king. He knew Vaegon well enough to recognize his stubborn nature; once Vaegon decided on a course of action, nothing—neither mountains of swords nor seas of fire—could sway him. Forcing him back would achieve nothing but resistance. Better to let events unfold naturally. Perhaps, as Gaimon suggested, time would mend the gaps that authority could not.
Reflecting on his family, King Jaehaerys recognized that the Targaryens had reached a point of strength. Aemon, as Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne, held the crown's future in his hands. Baelon, the second son, worked diligently to establish his own territory, and Jaehaerys had already planned a fitting title for him: Prince of Hroy. Hroy, meaning "hero" in Valyrian, corresponded perfectly to Baelorn's territory, known as the Land of Heroes, and mirrored his character.
As for Gaimon and his youngest brother, Viserion, Jaehaerys had no concerns. Gaimon had always been cautious, exceptionally capable, and blessed with magical abilities. His insight and dedication had already made him indispensable, the glue keeping the family united. Indeed, Gaimon's efforts had held together a family that once teetered on the brink of disintegration.
There is an old Westerosi saying: the only threat to the Targaryens is themselves. Only when the family stands united can the dynasty command the respect—and fear—it deserves. Jaehaerys now realized that letting go, allowing his children to grow and make their own decisions, was not negligence but wisdom. Some truths are only understood when one releases control, as the king now comprehended.
During the months following Daemon's birth, Gaimon remained in King's Landing, assisting Queen Alyssa with her recovery and discussing governance and territorial planning with Bellon. Bellon's approach to the Hero Territory differed from Gaimon's urbanization-focused vision. Strategically located between Teng Town and the Royal Forest, the Hero Territory sat on a major trade route. Both Rose Avenue and King's Avenue passed through it, and collecting tolls from these roads had already generated substantial income for Bellon.
However, the flat terrain offered little defensive advantage. To address this, Baeron chose a high point within his territory to build a fortress-like castle, eventually named Knight's Castle. After three years of groundwork, the foundation was laid, and walls and towers were under construction. Even with a dragon's assistance, full completion would take several years due to the castle's scale.
Gaimon advised Bellon to establish the economic hub of his territory near the castle. By aligning the construction of the castle with urban development, new towns could arise around it, and trade could flourish. Leveraging the strategic traffic through the Hero Territory, tolls could be reduced to attract merchants, while inns and markets provided resting points for travelers and nobles. Simultaneously, the territory could develop a robust manor economy, boosting agricultural and livestock production and positioning itself as a key granary for King's Landing. Over time, these efforts would secure the Targaryen presence firmly in the region.
As Gaimon guided his siblings, he remained mindful of the delicate balance of power, protection, and family harmony. He knew that arranging safe marriages, fostering individual growth, and promoting territorial prosperity were all pieces of the same puzzle: preserving the Targaryen dynasty's future.
By ensuring Daniela's safety, respecting Vaegon's autonomy, and strengthening the Hero Territory, Gaimon proved his unparalleled value. He was more than a brother or son; he was the family's anchor, the unseen hand steering both hearts and lands toward stability.
King Jaehaerys, observing the progress of his children and the subtle transformations in their characters, felt a quiet relief. The heirs were coming into their own: Aemon as the determined prince of the Iron Throne, Baelon as a diligent lord carving a legacy in the Land of Heroes, and Gaimon as the steadfast protector and strategist. Even Viserion, the youngest, possessed the potential for greatness.
The king's heart softened as he looked at his family. Time, which he had once tried to command, was now proving itself a more effective teacher. His children were learning, growing, and preparing for the challenges ahead. And with Gaimon's guidance, the Targaryens were poised to remain a dynasty that the world would both respect and fear.
The marriages, the territorial plans, and the careful cultivation of each child's strengths were not merely acts of governance—they were acts of survival, protection, and hope. And for the first time in many years, King Jaehaerys could look at his family without anxiety, knowing that the Targaryen legacy was in capable hands.
In the coming years, as Knight's Castle rose and towns flourished, the Hero Territory would not only serve as a stronghold but as a testament to foresight, unity, and the enduring strength of a family bound together by love, duty, and unyielding loyalty. Gaimon, the youngest yet most capable, had ensured that the Targaryens' flame would continue to burn bright, illuminating the path forward for generations to come.
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