OF BASTARDS & DRAGONS || Aenar Targaryen [1]

02 • THE DRAGON TWINS

King Viserys I Targaryen had a generous, amiable nature, and was well loved by his lords and smallfolk alike.

The reign of the King, as the commons called him upon his ascent, was peaceful and prosperous. His Grace's open handedness was legendary, and the Red Keep became a place of song and splendor.

King Viserys and Queen Aemma hosted many a feast and tourney, and lavished gold, offices, and honors on their favoriteAt the center of the merriment, cherished and adored by all, was their only surviving children, twins; Princess Rhaenyra and Princess Daenerys.

The little girls, the court singers dubbed "the Realm's Delight and the Realm Dearest."

Rhaenyra is a bright, bold and witty and Daenerys is audacious, and pretty. Only dragon's blood can be beautiful.

At six, the twins became dragonriders, taking to the sky on the young dragon Syrax and Drogon, named after a goddess of old Valyria.

At eight, Rheanyra was placed into service as a cupbearer, while Daenerys chose to remain by her mother's side. But at table, at tourney, and at court, King Viserys thereafter was seldom seen without his daughters by his side.

Meanwhile, the tedium of rule was left largely to the king's small council and his Hand. Ser Otto Hightower had continued in that office, serving the grandson as he had the grandsire; an able man, all agreed, though many found him proud, brusque, and haughty.

The longer he served, the more imperious Ser Otto became, it was said, and many great lords and princes came to resent his manner and envy him his access to the Iron Throne.

The greatest of his rivals was Daemon Targaryen, the king's ambitious, impetuous, moody younger brother.

As charming as he was hot-tempered, Prince Daemon had earned his knight's spurs at six-and-ten, and had been given Dark Sister by the Old King himself in recognition of his prowess. Though he had wed the Lady of Runestone in during the Old King's reign, the marriage had not been a success.

Prince Daemon found the Vale of Arryn boring and soon developed a mislike of his lady wife, despite how he advised his brother, Daemon turned deaf ears.

After many petitions to have his marriage set aside. Viserys keeps denying the request, but did allow Daemon to return to court as made him Commander of the city Watch.

And Aenar, his younger brother and member of his small council, the most sort after bachelor, handsome amongst them, a fierce and gallant knight with charisma, has still refused to marry, all he does to break the hearts of maidens and turn down betrothals.

Both brothers always getting on his nerves, their actions gives him a sigh that neither of them will inherit the iron throne.

Presently without an heir, Viserys eagerly awaits Aemma to give birth to a son. He does not wish for Daemon or Aenar to succeed him, he remains fond of his brothers, and is quick to forgive their many offenses, but only his blood will wear the crown.

The King sat at his old desk, hunched over a pile of documents illuminated by a solitary desk lamp.

The deft scribbling of his old pen a family heirloom older than he was and detailed with Valyrian Steel that had filled the room instantly quieted. His shoulder slumped backward with exhaustion as his doors are opened.

"Rheanyra?"

"It's not Rheanyra father, it's me Daenerys." the girl's voice corrected.

"Oh dearest..." he exhaled with a tired sigh on the brink of exasperation. "My girl, how are you this morning." he added with a quiet tenderness as she approached him.