Evening settled over the Red Keep. King Jaehaerys, exhausted from Gaimon's persistent demands throughout the day, finally decided to grant his sons a piece of territory of their own. The idea had been repeatedly suggested by Gaimon, and after careful consideration and persuasion, the king agreed. Yet, determining the size, scope, and location of these fiefdoms was no simple task. The king needed time to think, weigh options, and research the matter thoroughly.
With the assistance of his Hand, Septon Bath, King Jaehaerys conducted a detailed review of the royal lands. The research revealed that most of the lands held by the royal family were concentrated in the Crownlands. This was a consequence of Aegon's conquest: at the time, few noble families existed in the region, so most of the land had remained under the Crown's control.
Even so, much of the territory was clustered near the Crab Claw Peninsula and on the islands of Blackwater Bay. The areas near the Royal Forest, which logically fell under Stormlands, remained unused for enfeoffment and were preserved as royal hunting grounds. They were considered crown property but had never been allocated for settlement or governance.
After careful study, four pieces of land were identified as the closest unclaimed territories near the royal domain: the Royal Forest, Bay Forest, Wende River Forest, and Buck Deer Plain. Together, they encompassed roughly 60,000 to 70,000 square kilometers—ample territory to divide among the king's children.
Westeros had always followed a feudal system, but it differed from the absolute feudal structures of earlier ages. Since Aegon's conquest, all nobles were required to swear allegiance to the Iron Throne, whether or not they were direct vassals. By logic, any unclaimed lands in Westeros belonged to the crown. However, in this era of limited administrative technology, the royal family had no means of accurately assessing which lands were unclaimed unless the areas were well-known or especially fertile.
At present, the main sources of the royal treasury were taxes from nobles, port tariffs, and seigniorage from coinage. The only lands directly under the crown's administration were those generating revenue near King's Landing. Without a steady income from lands, the Iron Throne often had to resort to loans from the Iron Bank of Braavos, even for projects as simple as maintaining the King's Road.
From Gaimon's perspective, the Iron Throne's power was more symbolic than practical. Without dragons, the Targaryens' influence relied heavily on perception rather than actual strength. But if the royal lands could be developed and properly administered, they could provide not only sustenance for the family but also substantial political and military power.
Whether these measures would prevent future disputes over the Iron Throne was beyond the king's control. Any Targaryen with a dragon could rebel if they so desired, regardless of territorial holdings. Yet, strategically, granting lands to family members served to appease other noble houses. In the event of family disputes, these nobles were likely to side with the crown rather than challenge it.
After determining the feasible scope of the lands to be divided and consulting with Queen Alysanne, King Jaehaerys prepared to announce the new arrangements to his sons. Though Gaimon had been the catalyst for these changes, the king had his own reasons. Above all, he sought to maintain familial unity and ensure equality among his heirs.
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Red Keep Banquet Hall
The dim glow of candlelight filled the small family banquet hall. Unlike the grand halls used for state affairs, this room was modest, intended only for private family gatherings. A long wooden table ran through the center, around which the family had gathered.
Aside from the king and queen, only three male members of House Targaryen were present: Princes Aemon, Baelon, and Gaemon. These were all the adult male Targaryens residing in the Red Keep at the time.
"I have called this banquet to make an important announcement," King Jaehaerys began, his voice calm but firm.
The announcement caught everyone off guard.
"You are all aware that Gaimon requested a portion of land. After discussing the matter with your mother, we have decided to implement some reforms within the royal family. Now that you are grown and married, the Red Keep, though large, can no longer accommodate everyone indefinitely."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "From now on, every royal family member who reaches adulthood and marries must move out of the Red Keep. Those who remain in King's Landing will receive an annual allowance to support themselves and their children. However, if you wish to establish your own estates, the crown will allocate unclaimed lands for you to govern. The choice is yours."
Prince Aemon reacted immediately, his voice anxious. "Father, I accept the idea of dividing lands, but there is no need for us to leave the Red Keep. It is large enough for all of us."
King Jaehaerys shook his head, his tone resolute. "No. Some matters are better decided early, before they escalate into irreparable problems."
The room fell silent. It became clear that the king's decision was final. Each prince now had to contemplate their future.
For Aemon, the heir to the Iron Throne, this decision was largely irrelevant. His life path had been determined long ago. Gaemon, always seeking independence, had already been inclined toward establishing his own domain.
Baelon, however, pondered deeply. The royal family only possessed large swathes of undeveloped land—wastelands requiring tremendous effort, money, and manpower to cultivate. Though his current life was comfortable within the Red Keep, leaving it meant starting from scratch.
He looked at the map of the territories spread before him and considered the daunting challenge. Yet, as a warrior, Baelon's spirit was undeterred by difficulty. Though it would be arduous, having a land of his own offered the promise of legacy and true authority.
King Jaehaerys studied Baelon closely, noting the determination on his son's face. "So, what is it you want? Money or land?"
"We want land!" Baelon replied firmly.
Gaemon echoed him without hesitation. "We want land!"
"Very well," the king said. "I have prepared several plots for you to choose from. Take your pick."
Grand Maester Fenil stepped forward, unrolling a silk map nearly a square meter in size. Embroidered with intricate detail, it depicted the lands surrounding the royal domain, including forests, rivers, and plains. The map had originally been crafted to mark the territories of Westeros' noble houses but now served to guide the Targaryens in selecting their own fiefs.
Baelon and Gaemon leaned over the map, examining the potential of each plot. The Royal Forest offered dense woods, teeming with game but requiring extensive clearing. The Wende River Forest promised fertile soil near its banks, ideal for crops and settlements. Bay Forest's proximity to trade routes made it commercially appealing, while Buck Deer Plain, vast and open, demanded ingenuity to cultivate but offered limitless possibilities.
The decision was not merely a choice of land—it was a test of vision, ambition, and endurance. Each parcel presented unique challenges, and the one who could harness it effectively would secure not just wealth but influence and legacy.
Baelon's fingers traced the Wende River Forest. Its fertility and water resources appealed to his practical side, though he knew the labor required to transform it into a thriving domain would be immense. Gaemon, meanwhile, gravitated toward Buck Deer Plain, drawn by the challenge and the opportunity to carve out something monumental from untamed wilderness.
King Jaehaerys watched silently, satisfied that his sons understood the responsibility and potential of their choices. This was not a matter of mere inheritance—it was the forging of leaders, capable of shaping the future of the royal family and the kingdom.
As the evening deepened, discussions continued late into the night. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the walls, symbolizing both the uncertainty and promise of the paths ahead. By the time the banquet concluded, the brothers had made their choices, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for House Targaryen—one in which independence, initiative, and governance would define their destinies.
The royal reforms, initiated by Gaimon's suggestion, had now been set in motion. The family's future was no longer confined within the walls of the Red Keep; it stretched out into the forests, rivers, and plains of Westeros. The Targaryens were about to embark on a journey that would test their courage, wisdom, and unity, shaping not only their own fates but the very destiny of the Iron Throne itself.
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