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123 AC, King's Landing
Corlys Velaryon sat in the Red Keep's Great Hall, surrounded by the most powerful lords of the realm, and yet, he couldn't help but think about how things could have changed so readily. He had bargained much to be remembered as the grandson of a King.
It was simply so fitting as the end of the tale of the Sea Snake, the man who had braved the horrors of the Summer Sea, and sailed to the edge of the Known World, through the Jade Sea, the man who married the princess, and led a campaign against the Triarchy alongside the Rogue Prince, a man whose son married the first Crown Princess in the history of the Seven Kingdoms, and whose grandchildren ruled the Iron Throne.
That was to be the tale of the Sea Snake. It mattered little that Jacaerys was not truly of his blood. He would have a Velaryon queen in the form of Baela, and none would care in a century or two anyway.
Alas, it was not to be, for Rhaenyra Targaryen had foolishly done her best to throw away what little goodwill she had by trusting Red Priestesses of all things and involving herself in an attack on the Capital that involved the Shadowbinders of Asshai.
It had taken some time to confirm what truly happened, and not whatever Viserys wished for them all to know, but it seemed that Asshai had truly fallen. A few merchants from Qarth had apparently sailed there and found the entire city to be deserted, and the story had travelled like Wildfire to King's Landing, where he had confirmed it. It was likely some sort of foul sorcery. Corlys remembered his brief time in Asshai, the horrors that he had witnessed, and what he had lost there. He had prayed many times over the years for the Gods to punish them, knowing that it would achieve very little. Alas, it did happen, and Asshai was no more.
If there was some joy or victory he could feel in these times, that alone would have made it all worth it.
However, Asshai had remnants, and they foolishly decided to attack House Targaryen's dragons for some strange reason. It mattered little, for they were all finally dead, or used as pawns of the Red Faith, given the involvement of the Priestess that had started all of this. Daemon had confessed to him, while drunk, that Rhaenyra had thoughtlessly accepted a bargain with the Red Witch, despite the obvious dangers that such a thing presented, and by doing that, she had lost everything.
If only the stupid girl hadn't ruined so many of Corlys's plans in the process. He had known that Rhaenys had planned something in the Capital that involved her antagonism towards Rhaenyra, and he understood the reasoning. She and Daemon had disrespected Laena's death by marrying too quickly, and Laenor's death was very suspicious, to say the least. But unfortunately, Rhaenyra remained the best chance for House Velaryon to soar, for the Hightowers would do everything to see them fall, just as they had during the conflict in the Stepstones.
If he were honest, he had only expected Rhaenys to subtly show that Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey were bastards, and subtly undermine Rhaenyra's position, which was exactly what happened when they had first set foot in the Capital for Viserys's ridiculous tourney.
Corlys had, in fact, planned for it and already had a grand journey ready for Jacaerys and Lucerys to use the gifts that they gained from the Potters, and go on a great journey of their own to Leng or Yi-Ti, and return with riches and tales of adventures. People forgot rumours so easily, especially given that he knew that Viserys would never tell anyone of their heritage, for he loved his grandchildren, baseborn or not. The Sea Snake would have used the Crown Princess's drop in reputation to raise that of her sons.
However, he did not expect the depths of Rhaenyra's delusions. Seven hells, even Rhaenys had not expected it.
No one could have expected that Rhaenyra Targaryen would no longer be Viserys's heir after the King had spent over a decade defending her claim. No one could have expected that he would not name Jacaerys as his heir despite defending his parentage since the boy's birth. No one could have expected a Second Great Council to take place, and yet, despite the odds, that was exactly what occurred.
Corlys would admit that it was clever, and he saw his wife's hand in it. Jace, Luke, and Joffrey would remain princes in name, as no Lord would have chosen to be ruled by bastards, especially ones with no deeds to their names aside from claiming young dragons.
He had chosen Jacaerys in the Great Council, of course, for it was the better choice for House Velaryon, but there was no changing the fact that Aegon Targaryen would likely become Viserys's heir, making the Hightowers all the more powerful.
Hard times were ahead for his house, and Corlys had grown old enough that he needed to train an heir and quickly at that, both to stop Vaemond's ambitious grasping, as well as the true enemies of his house.
And despite Daemon's surprising calmness since the attack, he knew that things would eventually come to a boil. They had done their best to push Jacaerys as a candidate towards the lords of the realm, but they could promise very little, for they both knew that the boy would lose, and any promises they made would be for nothing.
Of course, they had received rather strange looks from many Lords of the Vale, as well as the Lords of the Stormlands, but what did he expect from trying to push a bastard, though not officially, to become the next king of the Seven Kingdoms? He tried with the Northmen, but they had all bluntly told him that they would all follow Cregan Stark's choices, and that he had chosen Aegon Targaryen to be his king. A few Riverlanders were receptive, as well as Reachmen, under House Tyrell's umbrage, who seemed to oppose House Hightower's rise, but it was a pittance compared to the previous Great Council. Alas, there was very little that he could do now, for the lords of the realms had cast their votes, and they all awaited with bated breath the identity of their new king.
House Hightower's victory would be all but a fact, and it would only take so much until Daemon realised the truth of a realm governed by the house of his hated enemy, despite Otto's death. Lords would prod him until he lashed out. Corlys also fully expected Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey to, one day, rebel against Aegon's rule. The Great Council might have bought the realm a few years of peace, but war would remain on the horizon, nonetheless.
"Are you finished with your brooding, husband?" A familiar voice spoke next to him.
Corlys turned to see his wife giving him an amused look. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed her sitting next to him. A part of him wished to be angry with her for what was to come, but he knew that there was very little that she could have done to stop Rhaenyra's madness. Perhaps, no one could have, aside from the Potters, of course.
They had been there at the start of the attack, and Princess Helaena miraculously being saved from being killed by her sister in a burst of light was more likely their doing than some miracle from the Seven Who Are One for Otto Hightower's sacrifice.
Corlys was only happy that his granddaughters were not involved in any way. He still had nightmares involving Pyke, and the fact that the Capital remained standing and that they had not all perished in some kind of magical blast was something to be thankful about.
Still, the Sea Snake gave his wife a commiserating look, "Perhaps if my beautiful wife were to keep me company, my mood would have improved."
Rhaenys giggled at that, "Believe me, I would have much rather come with you than speak with Vaegon Targaryen once more. One would have thought that age would have made him less of a prick…"
"Vaegon Targaryen is here?" Corlys asked, utterly surprised by this.
"For over a fortnight at the very least. The man hadn't even attempted to greet the King or any member of House Targaryen. Seemingly, the Citadel had sent him to oversee the Great Council, but the only reason that I know of his presence was that the rest of the Maesters accompanying him had fallen ill quite suddenly."
The Sea Snake furrowed their eyebrows, "Poison?"
"I do not know. The Grand Maester is seeing to them, while Vaegon decided to meet with me to amend how we would count the votes. We settled on three isolated rounds of counting, where everyone would be searched at the beginning and at the end by the Kingsguard to avoid any falsehoods. First would be the Citadel Acolytes that had come alongside the Maesters, then, chosen representatives from the Master of Coin and the Master of Laws, and finally, members of the Faith. They would all reveal their results in complete isolation so that we may confirm that no falsehoods occurred, else they would lose their heads, and then, Vaegon shall provide the King with the official results."
In Corlys's opinion, that seemed like far too much effort when the Great Council would undoubtedly result in Aegon Targaryen's favour. Perhaps, Vaegon wished to set a precedent regarding the rigour of votes in Great Councils. The man had been involved in the first one, after all, and there were risks for corruption from whoever was involved in it.
Rhaenys seemed to also be of the same idea, given the look on her face, though she did not voice them, "There was something strange as well. Vaegon asked to speak with Viserys and me later, after the Great Council. He seemed strangely… cordial when he did."
"Perhaps, he wishes to speak with you regarding the crates of books that are currently being added to the Red Keep's library."
And wasn't that a surprise? Someone had spent decades copying every book in the Citadel and suddenly sent them all to each of the Great Houses in Westeros, with the obvious aim of weakening the order of Maesters.
Many had tried to create other orders of knowledge over the centuries, even if they were purposefully erased from history. After all, wasn't the Citadel the one involved in recording it in the first place?
They had all failed because they lacked the resources and knowledge to do it, something akin to the library within the Citadel, one that was no longer unique to Oldtown anymore. It had been a great blow to the Hightowers as well, something that Corlys did enjoy quite a bit. It would make sense that the Citadel would wish for the tomes to be returned, but he knew that no Lord with an inkling of a working mind between their ears would do it.
After all, even if they did not treasure knowledge, books were very expensive commodities, ones that collectors across the Narrow Sea would pay greatly for. Sure, it would be foolish to sell these books in the long term, but he expected many houses to suddenly come across piles of gold, at the very least.
The Sea Snake wished that whoever was responsible would have done the same to Driftmark, as it was likely, after the Capital, the place that would have used this the best. After all, Castle Driftmark was empty, so he could easily turn it into some sort of Citadel. He had the wealth necessary to truly do it, and it would have been something that would have been a great addition to his legacy.
Given that it was spread equally between Great Houses, including House Baratheon, whose Corlys suspected of being illiterate, made him believe that it was likely something that Jaehaerys the Conciliator planned. He could certainly believe that the man would set up schemes that would outlast him by decades, especially given that he had sent his son to join their ranks.
He would have suspected the Potters, but he didn't think it was them. After all, they were hardly subtle, even if not every one of their 'adventures' ended like Pyke or Harrenhal. There were often great flashes of light, monsters appearing out of nowhere, and he had heard of no such thing in Oldtown.
Nevertheless, Rhaenys didn't seem to agree with him, "No. I… I know Vaegon. He would not have acted the way he did for such a matter. This… This is something else. I know it."
"I suppose we'll know it then," Corlys commented, "Does Viserys know?"
"It's certainly possible," his wife answered, "But he is more preoccupied with the Great Council."
Corlys looked up to the High Table and saw Viserys laughing alongside the uncomfortable Lannister twins, who stood before him. He did not know why Tyland constantly nervously turned towards Princess Helaena, but that was likely just a trick of the light. Jason, on the other hand, seemed quite wary of the King. If he had to guess, it would have been the tales regarding what happened to the Red Faith, or as they called it, the Red Scourge.
After all, Lord Jason had been most vocal about going to war against the Essosi faith, ignoring the fact that it was spread across the continent. Of course, the King had smiled and said 'All in due time', and not a fortnight later, the temple in Volantis was in flames, the High Priest was dead, and most of the leadership had fallen to infighting.
He knew that many blamed Viserys for this, though Corlys himself had doubts, ones that Rhaenys confirmed as the King's Hand. No, the Iron Throne had nothing to do with the fall of the Red Faith, and it made the sudden wariness of the Lords when speaking to Viserys all the more amusing.
Suppressing his mirth at this, the Sea Snake peered at the rest of the High Table, where every claimant sat there. Aegon Targaryen, the boy who would likely be King, seemed strangely sullen and defeated, though he smiled briefly whenever his wife spoke to him, or when he looked at his children. It was a complete contrast to the Queen, who looked utterly ungraceful in her victory as she wore a green dress, and his brothers, who did not look particularly bothered by the event.
A large contrast would have been the Black's side, where Rhaenyra had been allowed to come. She wore a black dress as well, though she looked gaunt and thinner than she used to be. Once more, her eldest children remained there, showing the contrast of their parentage for everyone to see, in case anyone forgot what occurred before the Shadowbinders attacked. Even the babes were not spared, with young Aegon and Viserys being tended by nursemaids at the side of the table.
Daemon, Rhaena, and Baela sat on the side, obviously part of the royal family, but not claimants to be chosen in the Great Council. He could now see the man clenching his fist as he realised that his throne, his House's legacy, would soon be under the control of the blood of his most hated enemy. He'd need to speak with the man to ensure that he would not do anything impulsive. After all, they had time to rectify this, with Viserys's health returning, even if it had little chance of success. Hard times were ahead of them all, but they would persevere.
Finally, the familiar form of Vaegon Targaryen, though he looked much older than Corlys had last seen him, opened the doors to the Great Hall, and all the Lords of the Realm stopped and walked back to their seats. Silence reigned as two of the Kingsguard picked up a chest and slowly moved forward towards the King, crossing the full hall.
For the minute that it took for it to finish, the silence was utterly deafening, only broken by the steps of the Kingsguard. Corlys could feel his heart beating loudly, and he found himself grabbing Rhaenys's hand for comfort, for it reminded them both of the first Great Council over two decades past.
Finally, the Kingsguard set the chest before the King's seat, and the man stood up, nodding to them both. Vaegon Targaryen handed him a key, with a bow, and Viserys nodded, and grabbed it, opening the chest. From it, he took out a single scroll of paper, which he looked at neutrally.
He then unfurled it and spoke up, "It is declared by all of the Lords Paramounts, and lords vassal of the Seven Kingdoms, that Prince Aegon Targaryen…"
The spectators started to applaud loudly, with Queen Alicent practically preening, as well as many of the Reachmen hollering, though strangely, many seemed silent at that. He saw Rhaenyra and Daemon scowl, but more tellingly was how devastated the actual victor, Aegon Targaryen, seemed completely and utterly dejected by it, with his wife taking his hand to comfort him.
That was until the Kingsguard slammed their swords with their shields with a clang in unison, letting silence return. The King gave them a grateful nod before continuing, "…That Prince Aegon Targaryen, the younger, son of Daemon Targaryen and Rhaenyra Targaryen, shall become Prince of Dragonstone, and Heir to the Seven Kingdoms."
That brought many lords silent, and Corlys found himself widening his eyes in realisation. He saw most Lords of the Reach and the Riverlands stand there in complete shock, with even Ormund Hightower's goblet slipping from his grasp and spilling onto the floor. The Queen was no better, for she fainted in shock, but he could visibly see Aegon, the Elder, slump in relief.
He remembered it then, the betrothal between young Aegon and Jaehaera, a union of both Black and Green factions, who were nought more than children, back on Dragonstone. He had thought it symbolic then, or perhaps a way to force Rhaenyra and Alicent to get along, but that had always been the plan, hadn't it? He had been confused when even the young children had been allowed to sit on the High Table, but it certainly made sense now, didn't it?
He looked at Viserys, and he knew deep down that he was right, that this was his desired outcome, a true way to stave off a war that no one expected, and he found himself chuckling in sheer amusement and perhaps in pure incredulity. Viserys Targaryen had truly played them all for fools, and yet, somehow, the realm would be better for it.
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The Great Council of 123 AC and its Ramifications
By Archmaester Aemon of King's Landing
The Great Council of 123 AC was in many ways very similar to that of 101 AC, for both took place for a single reason alone, and that was to stop a war between two branches of the House of the Dragons, and in both cases, it was successful.
The main difference was the rumoured involvement of Viserys 'The Peaceful' Targaryen in the choice of his successors. There had been many hints regarding his chosen successor, or at least, one that would have stopped a possible war between the branches of House Targaryen that descended from Queen Aemma Arryn, and that of Queen Alicent Hightower, mostly through the announcement of the betrothal of Aegon 'The Uniter' Targaryen, and that of Jaehaera Targaryen, which had been strangely announced to every Lord of the Realm moons before Rhaenyra, the foolish, had been disinherited by her father for her actions during the 'Darkest Day'.
This, of course, framed the attack very differently, with many considering that the surprisingly low number of casualties of the attack to be proof of some kind of collaboration between the Crown and the Red Faith, with the aim of removing Princess Rhaenyra as heir, given the fact that war was upon them.
Many often celebrate this as the day that Viserys 'The Peaceful' truly gained his title and showed the world that he was a true successor to Jaehaerys 'the Conciliator', both as a ruler, and in his ruthlessness, even towards his family. Strangely, certain accounts consider Princess Helaena Targaryen, the King's future goodmother, to have been a central reason for the vote, though others claim that the Hand of the Queen, Rhaenys Velaryon, had been the one to approach them first. However, most consider it part of many lords' hope to discredit the woman, as she became a central part of Aegon the Uniter's life as he grew up, with many accounts speaking of her in fear and utter terror, which conflicts with many accounts of her personality from her youth until her death.
Given concern of young Aegon and Princess Rhaenyra's rumoured instability, the newly crowned Prince of Dragonstone, accompanied by his younger brother, Viserys, would stay in the Capital to learn under his grandfather, the King, and his Hand. He would grow alongside his betrothed, Jaehaera, and often consider Helaena Targaryen as his mother. His true mother would be banished to Dragonstone while her dragon, Syrax, would remain caged in the Dragonpit in King's Landing, earning her the moniker of Rhaenyra the Dragonless, though most preferred Rhaenyra the foolish. King Aegon's father, Daemon Targaryen, was said to visit him often, sometimes even staying years at a time, alongside his sisters, Rhaena and Baela.
As for Great Council, many consider that the decision originated from the results of an agreement between the North, the Vale, the Stormlands, Half of the Westerlands, and the Iron Islands, mostly Kingdoms who were relatively united under their respective Great Houses, hence why many consider it to be proof of the Crown's involvement in the outcome of the Great Council.
Events following the Great Council do lend some corroboration, with the Crown offering aid to the Vale regarding Jeyne Arryn's campaign against the mountain clans, the aid provided to the Stormlands during the skirmishes with Dorne that followed, the tax exemptions provided to the North, as well as the suspicious return of House Lannister's Valyrian Steel sword, Brightroar, which few people claim to have been the price of their vote in the Great Council. Of course, very little proof supports claims of such a conspiracy, though a few members of the Citadel of Oldtown did write some disparaging tomes regarding it.
House Hightower, under Lord Ormund Hightower, had vehemently claimed that the vote count was false in the years that followed. Of course, it might be attributed to the decline of his house, both because of the loss of impact of the Faith of the Seven and the issues that plagued the Citadels of Oldtown until its full dissolution decades later. The support of the Crown could have changed much of their fate, something that they found themselves lacking as the Small Council feared a reappearance of tensions should House Hightower regain a foothold in Court.
However, none could deny the truth that the outcome of the Great Council brought prosperity to a realm that could have easily fallen to a war between dragons, and that Viserys Targaryen's wisdom and foresight made it all possible. Whether that wisdom was born of careful design, quiet manipulation, or mere good fortune is a matter scholars may continue to debate, but the fact remains that the realm was spared flame and blood when both seemed all but certain. In the end, the Seven Kingdoms endured, and in times such as those, endurance is victory enough.
AN: Well, that's the Great Council finally done. That chapter got away from me a bit. Sorry if it took some time; I had a bit too much fun with the previous interludes. As for this chapter, I sort of regretted halfway through choosing Corlys for this POV. I think Vaegon's POV would have been more interesting, but I do have plans for him later. Corlys felt a bit like an outsider enough to be taken off guard by the decision while also knowing enough about the Potters that he'd suspect something, but not exactly accurately.
I also felt that even with Daemon's new temperament, there was no way in hell that he'd have been happy with Otto's blood on the Iron Throne, and that people would push him or his descendants to rebel eventually, which is why I went with this outcome.
As for the Potters, we should get back to them in the next chapter, which is something I'm looking forward to. As usual, please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions.
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Thank you guys for your support in these hard times.