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Post by Aerys on May 29, 2009 17:32:58 GMT -5
Aegon smiled.
"The suggestion doesn't necessarily mean myself. Any male Targaryen descended in a legitimate line would do. How many are there?
"The husband you take from any other family would merely excite jealousy from amongst his peers. Would a Reachman recognise a Lannister as King? Would all of Westeros follow a Martell, a Hightower or one of the Ironborn? The Baratheon could do...but as I said by all of Westeros' customs and law your successors would be Baratheons...not Targaryens.
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Post by Marie on May 29, 2009 17:44:07 GMT -5
"There are a few male Targaryens," Rhaenys answered. "And some bastards too. I could marry one of them, yes, but I would sooner marry someone who brings me a strong ally and the male Targaryens wouldn't. As to the name of my children, as a queen I would have the right to insist that my heirs bore my own name, as if the rule with any heiress. Besides, my mother asked me to have my husband take my name, as a woman normally takes the name of her husband, so you are worrying for nothing, cousin. I will marry no man unless he agrees to the terms I shall set out for him."
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Post by Aerys on May 29, 2009 18:14:23 GMT -5
Aegon studied his kinswoman for a long moment.
"You may of course take or reject my advice as you see fit Rhaenys.
"I was an exile for most of my life, as you were. Naturally now that we have returned to Westeros after many years of exile, the welfare of our house here is my over-riding concern.
I would advise that you think more long term than just the need for a strong and perhaps temporary ally. Your three younger sisters may be used to forge alliances with the various houses, if needed. Take a Targaryen as your husband...a legitimate descendant. Breed a new dynasty of true-born Targaryens that will rule Westeros wisely and well."
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Post by Marie on May 29, 2009 18:43:10 GMT -5
"I am considering it," she answered, getting impatient with him now. "Look, Aegon, I'm not quite ready to make my decision. I will let you know when I do. Make no mistake, the choice will be my own, and my children will be Targaryens no matter who their father is."
Rhaenys paused and looked him in the eye. Her expression was deadly serious.
"I will warn you not to continue in your current vein. I need to be first in the realm and that means I cannot have a husband who tells me what to do. I will be mistress, in public and in private. I'm not sure you understand that, Aegon."
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Post by Aerys on May 29, 2009 22:40:31 GMT -5
Aegon grinned, not at all cowed by Rhaenys' annoyance.
"Oh I understand perfectly well, Rhaenys.
"As Queen, many may fawn over you, but I'm no sycophant or how do they say it in the Free Cities.....a... 'yes-man'. I'll say it as I see it. Some rulers find that valuable - others prefer that they are not questioned.
"As I said, you can take or reject my advice as you see fit. The decision on who you take as husband will of course be completely yours."
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Post by Marie on May 30, 2009 6:16:50 GMT -5
She itched to use stronger words than she thought advisable.
"I am thankful that you speak what you believe not what you think I wish to hear, but you are speaking more forcefully than you ought. I would make my kin part of my council but I cannot allow my future counsellors to believe that my cousin has too much influence over me. Maekar and Saenerys may be bastards but they are closer kin than you. Now, tell me, since we have exhausted the subject of my marriage, do you have anything you personally hope to gain at campaign's end?"
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Post by Aerys on May 30, 2009 17:18:33 GMT -5
Aegon leaned back in his chair, wincing slightly as he did so.
"The usual.
"Lands of my own. A title. Something useful to do when peace is restored. Mayhap marriage."
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Post by Marie on May 30, 2009 17:30:34 GMT -5
"Would you care to marry an heiress? There must be many girls who now have lands because the male heirs have died out."
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Post by Aerys on May 30, 2009 17:38:09 GMT -5
Aegon clasped his hands behind his head.
"So can I conclude the only way I'll be granted lands or a title of my own is by marrying an heiress?"
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Post by Marie on May 30, 2009 17:49:25 GMT -5
"No. I could grant you lands and title if you prove yourself worthy of them in your own right, but I will not hand out lands willy-nilly just because you are my kin."
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Post by Aerys on May 30, 2009 18:18:16 GMT -5
"I need to prove myself worthy? Three years of fighting for Saella is not enough? Have you forgotten that it was my ships that brought her - and you - to Westeros in the first place.
"I have ability as a Battle Commander. How then could I further prove myself 'worthy'?"
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Post by Marie on May 30, 2009 18:32:19 GMT -5
"Every man here has proved himself worthy of lands and titles. How can I favour you above them?" She demanded. "Some of them have ancestral claims to lands that I ought to grant, besides."
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Post by Aerys on May 30, 2009 18:53:57 GMT -5
Tell me Rhaenys, what plans do you have for your sisters? You will be favouring some above others when you finally come to bestow their hands, will you not?
"How could I further prove myself 'worthier' in your eyes?"
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Post by Marie on May 30, 2009 19:12:13 GMT -5
"I do not know," she sighed. "There is much to be done to free the kingdom from our enemies, though. As to my sisters, of course I will have to favour some lords above others when it comes to marriage but I am happy to recommend you as husband to a girl of high birth."
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Post by Aerys on May 30, 2009 19:28:31 GMT -5
"Very well then Cousin. We've danced around for a while now. Let me be direct."
"I am going to request that I be made commander of the Targaryen followers, acting on your behalf and leading them in battle, as we move south. There's about two hundred of us left. I've led men for three years and fought well. You will find it difficult to find a better battle commander than I. And I have the added advantage of being kin. At the end when you are safely and indisputably queen... naturally I would expect further reward...a title.... lands...perhaps somewhere in the Crownlands or perhapos one of the islands in Narrow Sea. My nephew Lord Velaryon is lord of two or three of them....I'm sure he might be able to spare one."
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Hope you all are well and happy.