Sunshine was bright and flowers bloomed as Prince Rhaegar returned once again to his loyal city of King's Landing.
Standard-bearers marched forward holding massive banners high, one of which depicted a black dragon on a red field.
Black dragons on red, blue-and-white crescent falcons on blue, silver seahorses on blue, and leaping trouts.
The people cheered for Rhaegar. Dressed in black scale armor with a black cloak embroidered with the red-and-black dragon sigil, the cloak snapped in the wind raised by his steed, making the Prince look even more handsome and charismatic.
Following closely behind Rhaegar were five knights: Ser Barristan "the Bold", Ser Brynden "the Blackfish", Ser Joffrey Arryn "of the Vale", Ser Corlys "of Driftmark", and Sessa "of Braavos".
Their armor shone like the sun. People recognized the sigils: wheat, trout, crescent falcon, and seahorse.
Everyone knew the sky-blue cloak came from the Vale, the red-haired man was the second son of House Tully, Ser Brynden, and the white armor belonged to Barristan the Bold. The knights surrounded the Prince like stars around the moon, yet they could not outshine his brilliance.
Accompanying them were four hundred handsome young men. They were stunned by the enthusiastic scene; the noise of King's Landing impacted them greatly. Sugar-coated shells could cause considerable damage too.
Rhaegar's silver hair had grown longer; though still short, he looked spirited.
With his beautiful silver hair, indigo eyes, gentle smile, and handsome face, Rhaegar still shone like a sharp blade.
People chanted his names: "Silver Prince!" "Lucky Prince!" "Rhaegar the Spear-Breaker!" "Rhaegar the Victor!"
The cheers grew louder. It proved that good looks were a huge advantage; if he were a dwarf, he'd probably be called the "Imp Monkey."
Most residents of King's Landing didn't know where the mountain clan strongholds were, as the city relied mainly on sea trade. But they all knew the Prince had won a great, decisive victory in the Battle of the High Road.
Spotting King Jaehaerys II, Rhaegar dismounted quickly and stepped forward respectfully. The other knights also dismounted and bowed to the King.
At home, they were grandfather and grandson; outside, they were monarch and subject.
King Jaehaerys was surrounded by a group of lords and ministers: various ministers and minor officials of the Crownlands, the Hand of the King Lord Ormund, Master of Coin Lord Tywin, and Master of Ships Crown Prince Aerys.
Not seen for a long time, Tywin looked even more triumphant. The Laughing Lion was buried; House Lannister had a new helmsman. Perhaps only Crown Prince Aerys felt slightly uneasy, as he currently held no significant office.
But Rhaegar knew his grandfather might not be so relaxed. New policies were being implemented in King's Landing, and conflicts were intensifying.
Heralds loudly announced the identities and names of the triumphant knights, drawing cheers from the crowd and blasts from bronze horns. The King had gifts and rewards prepared for everyone.
Sessa handed a gift to the Prince. Rhaegar stepped forward and bowed to King Jaehaerys.
"I killed the usurpers, seized their crowns, and I dedicate these crowns to the true King."
Rhaegar presented the gift to the King—a crude crown from the mountain clans. Made of bronze, rough and ugly, set only with diamonds and gold, and worn askew.
But this was Rhaegar's trophy; in the eyes of the wildling tribes, the chief was a king.
If the dragons could fly, this ceremony would have been even more spectacular.
Jaehaerys II hugged Rhaegar, his face full of joy. Then he returned the crown to Rhaegar. "Thank you for your gift, my grandson, but this trophy should be kept by the victor. It is a symbol of your merit."
"As your King and elder, I also have a gift for the scion of House Targaryen. A warrior needs a heavy gift, and now is the time for you to formally possess it!" King Jaehaerys signaled, and Lord Ormund, the Hand of the King, presented a curved sword to Rhaegar.
It was a Valyrian steel scimitar, its hilt made of dragonbone, named "Shadow of Lys." The blade was black as ink, its surface rippled.
Lord Tywin's eyes were filled with envy. A skinny dragon is bigger than a horse—how does House Targaryen still possess Valyrian steel weapons?
Although this scimitar was far less famous than Blackfyre or Dark Sister, and its shape was strange—not the longsword popular in Westeros—it was still a Valyrian steel weapon. Valyrian steel was extremely rare now; who would complain of having too much? Tywin had approached many impoverished nobles, but even offering enough gold to build an army couldn't persuade them to trade.
Rhaegar received the sword respectfully with both hands and displayed it to the crowd.
In the age of knights and nobles, Kings and Great Lords had to lead charges personally. Neither Prince Rhaegar's grandfather nor his father were outstanding warriors, but this Prince seemed to have rekindled the Dragon Blood—the blood of Aegon the Conqueror.
Nobles and commoners erupted in deafening cheers. House Targaryen had produced countless great warriors and heroes, but the Silver Prince would write an even more brilliant chapter. They rejoiced at the inheritance of the royal bloodline, for a powerful warrior symbolized a kingdom solid as rock.
"How can a warrior be without a good horse?" Lord Ormund chuckled, and servants led a black warhorse to Rhaegar.
Rhaegar's eyes lit up immediately. The steed possessed the majesty of a dragon and was exquisitely beautiful. Even if he could ride a magic dragon, he would never refuse a fine horse.
Rhaegar thanked Lord Ormund as well.
Applause rang out again, pushing the warm atmosphere of House Targaryen to a climax.
Rhaegar didn't care about the smiles and flattery. When my magic dragons grow up and soar over King's Landing, that will be the greater glory.
After the celebration, the feast continued.
King Jaehaerys held a banquet in the Throne Room, packed with distinguished guests.
This was not only for Rhaegar's military achievements but also to prove to other lords that House Targaryen still possessed the blood of great warriors... The next day, after a self-indulgent revelry, King Jaehaerys summoned Rhaegar to the Small Council chamber.
Rhaegar had already learned the new news of King's Landing from the rat-catchers: the King and Hand had given Lord Tywin greater power and adopted Tywin's suggestions, bringing Westeros into the era of Tywin's New Deal.
Lord Tywin's policies included lowering tariffs in the three major port cities, pleasing wealthy merchants and boosting trade; deepening ties with Free Cities and abolishing unreasonable taxes, also boosting trade; building and maintaining roads for easier travel; preparing for a tourney to please commoners and lords; and severely punishing dishonest merchants who mixed sawdust in bread or sold horsemeat as beef, which worried the common folk (in a good way, presumably, or made merchants worry).
However, Rhaegar heard Tywin's New Deal had reached a critical moment, with conflicts with the nobility most prominent. The laws limiting noble privileges enacted by the "Peasant King" Aegon V were facing fierce debate: abolish them completely, or just modify them slightly? Many lords united to demand the complete abolition of Aegon V's policies, pressuring the Crown.
King Jaehaerys was now in a dilemma. If he abolished all laws, he didn't want to sacrifice his father's life's work—work that had offended countless lords. If he didn't abolish them, his own policy of reconciliation with lords and nobles would fail.
"It is good the Prince brought back four hundred guards. Four hundred warriors, even young ones, are better than useless drunks. More importantly, Prince Rhaegar showed courage, fearlessness, and ruthlessness in the Battle of the High Road—he is a qualified warrior, enough to make challengers reconsider the Royal Family's strength." Tywin said. He was no longer just a knight but a lord in high office. He not only held an important seat on the Small Council but was also a creditor to the Crown. It was Tywin's gold that solved the debt crisis between the Crown and the Iron Bank.
"Exactly, the four hundred warriors under my son are heroes. Those lords clamoring that the King doesn't respect noble rights are inviting Dragon's Fury," Crown Prince Aerys added. He constantly shouted about Dragon's Fury, but no one took him seriously. For instance, his proposal to gather an army, build the world's largest fleet, attack Braavos, make the Titan kneel, eventually became a laughingstock.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Ser Tywin and Prince Aerys speak true. We cannot completely abolish the late King's laws; that would only make those unruly nobles think us weak and incompetent. Ser Tywin and I have drafted a plan to abolish the harshest laws. If anyone resists after that, it is treason." A glint of coldness flashed in Lord Ormund's eyes. Though noble-born, he had to consider the feelings of the smallfolk.
"Do as you say. Abolish the harsh laws first, keep the lenient ones for now." King Jaehaerys nodded. "Rhaegar, speak your thoughts."
"I wish to pledge loyalty to the New Deal," Rhaegar said loudly. Staying close to the smallfolk was the most precious legacy left by his great-grandfather, the Peasant King Aegon V. These policies embodied Aegon's deep love for the common people, even if they brought him much hatred.
Rhaegar didn't just want to be a good person, but he was willing to do what he could to make the world a little better, because someone had once cared for him that way.
"Then it is settled. Once the decrees are issued, we must first observe the reaction of the lords near the Crownlands, such as Maidenpool..."
Hearing the name "Maidenpool," Rhaegar's heart skipped a beat. Would Maidenpool be among the hostile nobles this time?
"I would like to request a place within King's Landing to station my army," Rhaegar said.
"As long as it's not too excessive, it can be arranged," King Jaehaerys nodded in response.
"I want the Dragonpit," Rhaegar said.