Matarys was his mother's son. He was proud and stubborn. All referred to him as a precocious child, bold, bright and handsome. At the age of four and ten he was proclaimed to be the finest bachelor in all of the Seven Kingdoms. Though Matarys could...
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In the year 120 AC, few months after Matarys departed for the Vale, the Lady Laena Velaryon died in childbirth, her babe along with her.
Matarys hadn't been particularly close to his Aunt, but his father was and he was deeply struck by these news.
As any dutiful son, Matarys left the Vale, even though it was the last thing he wanted, and rode on dragon back to Driftmark, a journey that took some days. But it was the fastest way to get there.
Aegarax was still young, and such a journey was tiring for him, however Matarys pushed him forward. He thought Aegarax should get used to the long journeys now, and train himself. He wanted his dragon to grow strong, and fierce.
A young boy's mind was always stubborn.
Matarys had been growing accustomed to the Eyrie. He had been training with the Master at arms regularly and had gone on long hunting trips in the Vale. He was quite content there, and felt as if he was learning how to become a man.
His father, Ser Laenor Velaryon, had often forgotten about him when Matarys still lived in the Red Keep. Laenor only showed up when Rhaenyra demanded it, or when one of his brothers was born. But most of the time, he appeared when he wanted something. Permission to leave for Driftmark, or go on a hunting trip, or depart the city with his companion.
Matarys caught on quite quickly because it was he who was stuck caring for Jace and Luke. He who was deprived of the chance to go on a hunting trip himself for fear of leaving his pregnant mother alone.
Thought Matarys had to be truthful, and admit that Laenor did spend some time with him and his brothers. Suppers, where he told stories of his youth. In those moments, Matarys knew what it was like to have a father.
But he was suffocated quickly by the responsibility of being his mother's heir. By the weight of expectations. Most of which he had for himself.
And as Matarys stood beside his mother and brothers who he had not seen in moons, he realized that one day he will have to do this too. Watch his mother's funeral.
Rhaena and Baela must have been inconsolable. And with a Father like Daemon.
"We join today at the Seat of the Sea", Ser Vaemond spoke in High Valyrian. Matarys could understand some from his lessons in the Red Keep, and in the Vale but it was still quite hard.
The wooden coffin had been carved and stained to look as if Lady Laena was sleeping. It looked nothing like her, yet it managed to convey some features. Her silver wavy hair was the most prominent.
"to commit the Lady Laena Velaryon to the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King. Where He will guard her for all the days to come".
Matarys looked over at his grandsire, the King Viserys. He looked more aged and frail than he last remembered, but it could be just his mind. Queen Alicent wore green, as always. Matarys did not look at her for long, he was well aware of her hatred toward his mother, and that made her nobody to him.
