Chapter 53: The Eagle God's Blessing
Red Keep, night banquet. Everyone was beaming, full of cheer.
Everyone had a reason to celebrate, Rhaegar thought.
Celebrating Ser Steffon Baratheon and his wife, who had brought Roberta and Robert from Storm's End to King's Landing to visit their grandfather Lord Ormund Baratheon. Celebrating Lord Tywin Lannister's wife, Joanna, who had just given birth to the golden twins, Jaime and Cersei. Celebrating Lord Jon Arryn, who had traveled from Gulltown to King's Landing to visit his wife, Rowena Arryn, and their child, Elbert Arryn.
Also celebrating Queen Rhaella for adding new members to the royal family: Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys.
Rhaegar sat beside King Jaehaerys II, watching the delicious dishes being served one after another.
Lemon cake, roasted sea fish, roasted steak, bison with roasted onions, honey chicken, rose cake, cream of mushroom soup, and so on. Of course, the main course was still roasted bird, this time roasted swan.
Rhaegar was already tired of roasted swan. The lords always liked to serve large birds like peacocks, swans, and geese as the main course, but the taste was truly only barely edible.
Golden wine flowed, and King Jaehaerys II was already intoxicated, seeing so many people in attendance. The Targaryen family was flourishing, which was a blessing for the dynasty.
"These two little fellows are also healthy. Although not as tall and strong as Rhaegar, they are still warrior material. In the future, they will surely be able to assist their elder brother in stabilizing the realm," Jaehaerys II said.
Rhaegar looked at his two younger brothers, with silver hair and purple eyes. These were excellent assets for political marriages and warfare. If properly trained, they would become his left and right hands in the future.
The primogeniture system in Westeros was indeed cruel to younger sons. Younger brothers obeyed their elder brothers, just as subjects obeyed their king. Most younger sons lived in the shadow of their elder brothers, finding it difficult to surpass them.
Prince Aerys was also very proud. He had emerged from the shadows and now felt that staying home with the children was not bad.
Rhaegar felt that his father, Aerys, was not like his grandfather Jaehaerys, nor like his great-grandfather King Aegon V. Instead, he seemed closer to King Aegon IV, equally susceptible to lust, flattery, and pride. However, after being admonished by King Jaehaerys II and with the addition of new family members, he had become much more restrained.
"Long live King Jaehaerys II! Today, we raise our glasses to thank the King for his wise rule!" Lord Jon Arryn raised his goblet. Now that the heir had been successfully born, he had fewer worries and more joy—a healthy baby boy, the Young Falcon of the Vale.
Jaehaerys II continued his policy of reconciliation, easing relations with the great lords. Many regarded him as a wise monarch, adept at balance and compromise.
Rhaegar also sensed the scent of iron and blood on Lord Jon Arryn. The Lord of the Vale had ruled for decades with firm authority, suppressing internal unrest whenever it arose.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Wine glasses clinked together, ringing with warmth and celebration.
"Rhaegar is still too young. If he were a little older, he could be my cupbearer," Jaehaerys II said with a smile.
"Being a cupbearer is too dull. I would rather practice swordplay with Ser Barristan Selmy and Sersa, or travel and explore," Rhaegar replied.
"The King's arrangement can wait. I invited Prince Rhaegar to visit the Vale long ago," Lord Jon Arryn said warmly.
"The Eyrie is cold and perilous. Why not come to Storm's End instead?" Ser Steffon said. "Rhaegar can spend time with his younger siblings."
"In the Vale, under the falcon and moon of House Arryn, the Prince will be well protected," Lord Jon replied. "We will stay at the Gate of the Moon, at the foot of the Giant's Lance."
"All right," King Jaehaerys II decided. "Lord Arryn is an elder. Rhaegar may go with him first."
Lord Jon raised his cup again in gratitude.
"Prince Rhaegar will travel with me by ship from King's Landing," Lord Jon said.
"Please look after him," Queen Rhaella said gently.
"Do not worry, Mother," Rhaegar smiled. "I am fortunate."
Laughter followed.
"The Vale is as unshakable as its mountains," Lord Tywin Lannister said calmly.
"Mountains and seas are gifts of the gods—and burdens as well," Lord Jon replied, thinking of the Mountain Clans.
"These pests should be wiped out," Prince Aerys muttered.
No one responded. Such thoughts were easier spoken than accomplished.
The feast soon ended.
Before departure, Rhaegar made preparations of his own.
"It's you—the Golden Three-Headed Eagle."
The dragon king's ring opened, revealing the Golden Three-Headed Eagle kindling.
The three eagle heads—young, mature, and aged—formed a triangle, gazing in different directions.
Rhaegar absorbed the kindling.
A vision surfaced: a forgotten tribe worshipping the Eagle God, until destroyed by Valyrian dragonlords, the statue claimed as spoils by House Baelarys.
Kindling Devoured: Golden Three-Headed Eagle God
Blessing gained: Eagle God's Vigil
His senses sharpened dramatically.
More importantly, a constant, instinctive awareness settled upon him—a warning of danger within his surroundings, whether waking or asleep.
A three-headed eagle circled invisibly above him.
On battlefields where swords showed no mercy, such a blessing was priceless.
The timing could not have been better.
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