In 263 AC, the approaching Golden Wedding sent King's Landing into a frenzy.
Every great house sent representatives; some lords even came in person.
People said this celebration would rival the Golden Wedding of Lord Rogar Baratheon and Queen Regent Alyssa.
However, when Rogar and Alyssa wed, the realm had only just begun to recover from the brutal reign of Maegor the Cruel; the land had been far more broken then.
Now, with the marriage of the Master of Coin, Tywin Lannister, whose house was already wealthier than any kingdom, sparing no expense, and the King wishing to flaunt the unbreakable alliance of Dragon, Lion, and Stag, extravagance was inevitable.
The only flaw was the absence of dragons to bless the ceremony...
The Red Keep, usually a domain of power, men, and strife, now took on a softer, feminine air, thick with the scent of perfume and the glitter of jewelry.
Rhaegar found the Red Keep still cramped, its lower levels riddled with spider-ways; rumors claimed the palaces of the Golden Empire of Yi Ti covered more ground than the entire city of King's Landing.
In the castle gardens, Rhaegar watched the crowd surrounding the groom-to-be, Tywin, laughter ringing out constantly.
King Jaehaerys II and his Queen, along with Lord Ormund and his Lady, represented the older generation, the era slowly passing.
Ser Steffon and Lady Cassana, Prince Aerys and Princess Rhaella, Ser Tywin and Lady Joanna represented the sworn brotherhood of Dragon, Lion, and Stag. The Princess of Dorne, a friend to both Queen Rhaella and Joanna, had also traveled all the way from Dorne.
Prince Rhaegar, still a child, served as an impromptu page for the day.
The infants Roberta and Robert, held in the arms of two wet nurses, were growing fast, hungry and sleepy, much to the nurses' distress.
House Baratheon was famous for robust physiques and warriors with thick necks.
The twins were so young that Cassana had intended to leave them behind, but Lord Ormund declared their bloodline was tough and their health strong; he was eager to see his beautiful and sturdy grandchildren.
Rhaegar thought the most awkward absence was the groom's father: Tytos Lannister, depressed at the thought of his son feasting in King's Landing, refused to come, more likely, he was simply bewitched by his wet nurse's ample bosom. With Tywin now in control of everything, Tytos was happy to be idle, content to be a puppet.
Prince Aerys looked somewhat downcast, but there was a newfound docility about him; he no longer indulged his lusts openly. Rhaegar did not pray for miracles, only that his father would act with caution.
Rhaegar opened his status panel and found a new title: Son of Summerhall, Lucky Rhaegar (Lady Luck favors you; the lucky one wins the bride. Wealth is hard to find, but luck is priceless.)
New achievements appeared as well: Fire Eater (Kindling, treasure of the world, legacy of House Belaerys; you devoured the Riverlord Black Fish, the Rhoynar Holy Spring, and the Spring of Youth) and Fate Changer (The forest branches endlessly; the path you chose has birthed new history).
Titles ranked just below identity, a rare honor in itself.
Rhaegar felt he was always striving to make himself the focal point; now another title hung before his eyes, soon, the string would be long enough to entangle anyone.
Hundreds of flowers bloomed in the castle garden, their scents mingling, but the beauty of the women outshone the blossoms.
Men's task is to conquer the world; women's task is merely to conquer men, Rhaegar mused.
The ladies' gowns were dazzling, adorned with gems and gold, patterned with stags, red dragons, or lions.
Everywhere there were shimmering gowns of burgundy, silver, green, and gold.
Lady Joanna, silver-blonde curls, emerald eyes, slender figure, was said to make the Kingdom's treasury smile. Queen Rhaella, with silver hair and purple eyes, radiated the majesty and brilliance of a Valyrian dragonlord.
Princess Loreza of Dorne, olive-skinned with dark hair and eyes, looked delicate and frail, but she was older than her two friends and already a mother of several children. Lady Cassana was plump with green eyes, bequeathing the Baratheon blue eyes to her children.
They were all beauties, each blooming with a different radiance.
Princess Loreza, Lady Cassana, and Lady Joanna had once been Rhaella's handmaidens, and their bond was deep. Though Cassana came from lesser stock (House Estermont), she was now a Baratheon bride and a member of the sisterhood.
People had begun to jokingly call them the Four Sisters of King's Landing, the Four Roses.
All four came from prominent backgrounds and were related to Rhaegar's mother, representing House Lannister, Martell, Targaryen, and Baratheon, keeping the friendship of Dragon, Lion, Stag, and Spear alive.
Rhaegar commented inwardly: The Iron Islands and the North never played these courtly games, House Tully kept a low profile, and the Falcons of the Vale shut themselves away.
Perhaps someone from House Tyrell could match them, but since the Lord and Lady of Tyrell had been spurned by the dragonlords only to marry each other later, they felt too awkward to face the dragons now.
Rhaegar studied Lady Joanna, beautiful, gentle, almost fragile, and wondered, how could her future children be so messed up?
"Come, little lord, meet your sister and the little warrior." Lady Cassana waved to Rhaegar.
Rhaegar stepped forward and looked at the little girl, the Doe of Storm's End. Roberta had pale skin, hair thick and black as a raven's wing, and eyes deep as the sea, truly beautiful. The girl noticed Rhaegar and smiled at him.
"I swear you must have swallowed candles and books when you carried him, he is so serious," Lady Cassana said to Queen Rhaella.
"Not at all. He is a good child, never cries; he pours all his energy into spears, swords, and study. Ser Barristan and Master Sessa both say he is a born warrior. He loves the Red Keep's library and training yard," Queen Rhaella replied with a smile.
"Look at the two of them; they are fated," Lady Cassana said to the Queen.
Hearing this, the expressions of the Princess of Dorne and Lady Joanna changed. They might be sisters in spirit, but there was only one crown. The garlands of love and beauty faded, but the crown of a queen lasted a lifetime.
The Princess of Dorne's eldest daughter was sickly and rarely traveled. Considering the dragon blood flowing in the Baratheon line, their chances seemed slim.
Ignoring the inner storms of the women, Rhaegar simply gazed at the lovely little doe-girl, so quiet and sweet.
Just then, little Robert grew hungry and wailed at his nurse. The little girl reached out and pinched Robert's cheek hard.
"None of that, my treasure. This doe is far fiercer than her little brother. If we blink, she beats him black and blue," Ser Steffon responded with a laugh.
Rhaegar felt a chill, docile as a doll on the outside, but a spicy sister on the inside.
"Ser Tywin must have guessed what gift he would receive, but House Lannister is so wealthy that nothing ordinary could move you," Ser Steffon said.
Ser Tywin smiled slightly but did not answer.
It was the Princess of Dorne who spoke. "Your Grace, what you desire most is surely a Valyrian steel sword!"
"A beautiful dream, but I fear difficult to realize," Tywin replied. Brightroar was lost, and even the Lion of the Rock felt the sting of it. Despite possessing mountains of gold, he still could not obtain a Valyrian steel sword.
When the topic turned to Valyrian steel, both Tywin and King Jaehaerys II looked uncomfortable.
Valyrian steel swords were exceedingly rare now. After House Lannister's famous blade Brightroar was lost on an expedition, they had offered a fortune for a replacement, but no lord, high or low, would sell their heirloom.
The dragons cringed at the mention of Valyrian steel: Blackfyre had vanished without a trace, and Dark Sister had been taken by Bloodraven to the Wall.
Currently, the only long weapon House Targaryen possessed might be Rhaegar's own Shadow Blade.
Rhaegar witnessed the disappointment of Tywin and Jaehaerys II. After all, Westeros was a martial kingdom of nobles; possessing a Greatsword of Valyria was a badge of honor, yet such swords were nearly extinct. The price House Lannister would pay for one could raise an army.
I still need a sword, Rhaegar thought.
Blackfyre symbolized kingship, Dark Sister the warrior, I need a sword that belongs only to me. To find a Valyrian steel sword, I must go to Essos, to the ruins of Valyria, or rely on my Dragonlord Ring; there are too few in Westeros, unless taken by force or theft.
"Enough. You men are always obsessed with horses, spears, and battles. Let us talk of the children," the Princess of Dorne said.
"Indeed. We have decided that when the children grow up, they can marry one another," Lady Cassana added with a laugh; her beautiful blue eyes evoked the sea.
"Impossible, the Martell children are all older than ours. Cunning Dornishmen as always," Lord Ormund joked, his armor clanking as the iceberg melted.
Laughter flowed like a river through the garden.
The voices of women were soft as silk, the voices of men strong as steel.
Flowers bloomed, and people were young, power had not yet changed their faces.
Rhaegar looked at their laughing faces and wished time could stop in this moment forever.
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