The Age of Daenerys Targaryen

Part 80: United

The huge main hall of the Red Temple was full, as were the galleries. The smell of incense filled the air. High Priestess Kinvara stood at the end of the room behind a fire ditch that would play a part in the wedding ceremony. In the background, the Flaming Heart of the Red God was emblazoned on the back wall, flanked by two large Targaryen banners. The groom was waiting by the side a few yards away. Jon wore a black robe made of precious brocade and black leather boots, but no jewelry. His beard was neatly trimmed and Longclaw hung from his belt.

Everyone was just waiting for the bride.

The entrance portal swung open and Empress Daenerys stepped in to slowly walk down the aisle between the two rows of pews. She wore a dress made of thin purple silk that reminded Illyrio Mopatis of the one she had worn when she married Khal Drogo. But one thing was different: like Jon, she carried her sword. A murmur went through the hall when the wedding guests saw this.

The Empress wore her hair down. It gave her something angelic, innocent. Even those among the guests who were not well-disposed towards Daenerys - Samwell Tarly, for example - were not unaffected by this impression.

Jon caught his breath. She had never been so beautiful. A chorus of red priestesses started a solemn song in High Valyrian, but Jon barely listened. All his attention was on his bride.

"R'hllor", Kinvara recited now. "You are the light in our eyes, the fire in our hearts, the heat in our loins. Yours is the sun that warms our days, yours are the stars that guide us through the darkness of the night."

"Praise be to R'hllor, the Lord of Light", came from those wedding guests who worshiped the Red God. Of course, the Westerosi and other people of different faiths were not expected to join in.

Kinvara continued: "Today two stand before you to unite their lives. Fill their hearts with fire, Lord, that hand in hand they may forever follow your shining path."

"Lord of Light, protect us", shouted the believers. "Lord of Light, bless your children." The priestess raised her hand and the trench fire blazed. "Oh Lord of Light, we thank you", she sang into the flames. "We thank you for Daenerys Stormborn, who by your grace is our Empress. Guide her and protect her, R'hllor. Protect her from the betrayal of bad people and give her the strength to crush the servants of darkness."

Jon had been prepared in advance for Kinvara to say these words, otherwise he might have flinched now. But now he knew that the 'betrayal of bad people' did not apply to him.

"Give her strength", shouted the audience. "Give her courage. Give her wisdom. We thank you for the sun that warms us." Now Jon had to suppress a cough. With the constant heat in Volantis, his gratitude was limited. It would look different in the North. "We thank you for the stars that watch over us during the night. We thank you for our hearth fires and for our torches that protect us from the grim darkness. We thank you for our blazing spirit, for the fire in our loins and hearts."

"Now let those who want to unite come forward", said Kinvara. "Daenerys Stormbon of House Targaryen, Empress by R'hllor's grace, will you share your fire with Aegon and warm him when the night is dark and full of terrors?"

"Until his blood boils", Dany replied, her purple eyes fixed on Jon.

"Aegon of House Targaryen, would you like to share your fire with Daenerys and warm her when the night is dark and full of terrors?"

"I swear", said Jon. "By the flames of the Red God, I will warm her as long as I live."

"Then come to me and be united", said the High Priestess solemnly.

Dany and Jon took each other by the hand, then jumped side by side across the fire ditch.

"Two went into the flames", said Kinvara. "They came out as one. What the fire has united, man should not separate."

"What the fire has united, man should not separate", echoed the followers of the Red God.

Now finally the bride and groom kissed to the cheers of the guests. Hymns of praise were sung again while the Dany and Jon slipped on the gold wedding rings that were shaped like writhing dragons. That ended the ceremony, and Jon and Daenerys strode side by side, to thunderous applause, down the aisle to the portal that opened as they neared. Outside on the raised forecourt, a battalion of Imperial soldiers was waiting and forming an honor guard. Jon and Dany walked past them to present themselves to the tens of thousands of citizens gathered in front of the temple, as well as to those low-ranking guests who had no place in the temple.