Matarys
The flames licked at the body of his father, and the priests of the Green Men spoke their prayers in the old tongue. It was the fumes that were making his eyes water, Matarys was trying to convince himself of that, it was not the fact that his father, his hero was dead and that he was now king, and that he was utterly terrified. Beside him he heard his sister Alysanne sniffle slightly, and he pulled her close to him. Alysanne's husband had begged off from coming to King's Landing for the funeral sighting that he was too ill to attend, Matarys did not believe him for one second, but now was not the time to mention that piece of scum. He looked across the flames towards where his mother stood with Laenor and Serenei, her face was a mask, though Matarys knew she grieved deeply for father, they all did. Their father had brought the realm back together after the Dance of Dragons, and though some of the fools who called themselves lords had rebelled, their rebellions had never lasted long. His father was a proud man, an honest man, and a loving father, and Matarys missed him fiercely.
It seemed wrong that of all the things that would have killed King Valarr, it would be a fever he would fall to. Somehow to Matarys, it seemed wrong that his father, the strongest man he had ever known had not died in battle, fighting some foe who threatened the realm, but instead had died wasting away from a fever that was only just beginning to die down, after seemingly claiming its most valuable prize. Eventually the priests stopped their chanting and their prayers, and silence fell in the godswood, Matarys bowed his head and said a prayer to the old gods, the gods his father had worshipped. Keep him happy for now; let him have the peace he never knew in life. Matarys knew that his father would be with his other mother now, Queen Sylvia who had died seven years prior to a fever as well. Only Matarys own mother Baela was left alive now, and she seemed to not wish to do much anymore, spending her days sat before the fire in her rooms, sewing and spending countless hours in the Dragonpit with her dragon Moondancer.
Eventually Matarys let go of his sister, and allowed her to go and comfort their mother, he stood in front of the fire for some more time, as the other members of the family and the court trailed away back to the Red Keep. Back into the warmth, winter may be waning but it was still very cold, and yet as Matarys kept his vigil, he felt neither cold nor warmth, he felt nothing, merely emptiness. His wife was dead, he had no heirs of his own body, and now his father, his hero was dead. He would have much to do, but for now he was content to merely stand near his father's funeral pyre and wait for the flames to die before he moved from the cold. Orys, dressed in the white of the Kingsguard stood vigil with him for a time, before he too decided to return to the warmth of the Red Keep. Ser Madden Darry, the Demon of Darry and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and Ser Tom Costayne stood a respectable distance behind Matarys as he stood with his head bowed.
Eventually the flames died down, and Matarys lifted his head and walking towards the pyre, he saw that all was left of his father was ash. I will keep the kingdoms safe father, I will keep our family safe and I shall make you proud. Matarys vowed to the ashes of his father. He stood for a long moment at the foot of the pyre, watching as the Green Men began collecting the ash, they had distinct orders to give the ash to Dragonstone, Matarys knew his mother would be making the trip, and with her would be going Orys as a member of the Kingsguard, Alysanne would also be going as would Rhaenrya. Helen, Laenor and Serenei would have to return to their various homes now. Eventually Matarys moved away from the pyre and began walking back toward the Red Keep; he still did not feel the cold, though his voice was thick with emotion when he spoke. "Ser Tom, find Prince Viserys and Lord Cregan and bring them to my room. I mean to speak with them before the council meets."
"Yes Your Grace." Ser Tom said before he departed.
How strange, Matarys thought, he was twenty seven years of age, and now he was King. He felt terrified that he would not live up the example his father had set. His father who had healed the realm no matter the challenge asked of him, his father, the Vindicated. There was still things that needed to be done, Dorne needed to be brought into Westeros, but for now that could wait. Matarys walked back to the rooms he had had since he was a child, and sat in the chair next to his study waiting for Ser Tom to come with his uncle and Lord Stark. Eventually they were shown in and Matarys waited for them to be seated before speaking. "Uncle, Lord Stark. I have asked you here now, to discuss certain issues before the council meets. One such issue includes the issue of my sister Daenys wedding. Daenys is now twenty one, a maid flowered for five years, it is time she were wed. Lord Stark, your son Willam is eighteen now is he not? Why not strengthen ties between our two houses and wed my sister to your son?"
He saw Stark's jaw tighten then, it was as he had thought. Stark would not accept the offer, and yet he was trying to think of a way to deny the offer without coming across as too dismissive. Matarys uncle Viserys spoke to fill the silence. " A wise move Your Grace. Tying the north and the south closer together. However, no offense is meant Lord Cregan, but do you not think it would be wiser to wed Princess Daenys to someone other than a Stark? After all two Targaryen brides have already been provided for previous Stark lords. Perhaps a match for House Strong?"
Matarys remained silent waiting for Lord Cregan to speak, the silence stretched on for a long time, and Matarys found his mind going back to what his father had once told him about the Starks. "A grim lot to be sure. Loyal aye, but grim and solemn, and not ones to ever mince their words. Be careful with that you say around them son, for they know how to nurse a grudge."
Eventually after what seems a lifetime Stark speaks, his voice calm and measured. "Whilst I thank Your Grace for the offer, I must reject it. For whilst there are merits in such a match, I must agree with Prince Viserys, it would be wiser if the princess was wed to another house, perhaps someone such as Ser Matthew Strong heir to Harrenhal, in order to make sure the house remains loyal to the throne, now that Lord Larys is dead."
Matarys is silent for a moment before saying. "And what other reasons do you have for rejecting such a match my lord? Other than what you have just stated."
Though he asked the question in calm voice, he notes that Lord Stark seems nervous now. His voice though is calm when he replies. "Because Your Grace, though Starks and Targaryens have married in the past, perhaps now is the time for the throne to look to other families from which to wed their daughters and sisters to. It would serve to keep the peace in the realm more lasting."
Matarys nods then, and says. "Very well, that is that matter put to rest. Now we must meet with the rest of the council and the court." Sure enough, a day later, court is called into session, and Matarys sits for the first time on the Iron Throne, the throne his ancestor Aegon the Conqueror built from the swords of his defeated foes. The chair his father often said was not meant to be comfortable, it was meant to keep the person sitting on it alert and non complacent, and Matarys can understand why, the blades are sharp and make it so that he sits on the edge of the throne not at its back. Once court has been settled, he speaks. "My lords and ladies, welcome to court. I thank you all for your condolences with regards to my late father's death, they are much appreciated. This court session has been called so as to settle the issue of the small council, Maester Godrick."
The old maester stands up then from the council table set at the foot of the throne, clears his throat and speaks in a clear tone. "It is the desire of the King, that his uncle Prince Viserys be named as Hand of the King and recognized as such. As the King commands it, so the council agrees." There was no murmuring at that, it was expected, and there was no one that Matarys could trust more than his own uncle. Maester Godrick continued. "It is the wish of the King that, Lord Alexander Blackrush comes forth from Blackrush castle and assumes his position as Master of Laws. As the King commands it the council agrees." At this there was some murmuring, House Blackrush had been started by Matarys' great grandfather's best friend Daven Blackrush, a boy from the streets of Fleabottom, they had been the key power in the Crownlands during Matarys grandfather's reign as well as during the Dance, though the deaths of Lord Daven and Lord Orys and then Lord Corwen had hampered their growth somewhat, they were still a powerful family, and Matarys intended for them to become closer to the throne. Next Maester Godrick unravelled yet another letter and spoke of the decision that Matarys had decided to make with regards to his sister's betrothal. "His Grace has decided that his sister the Princess Daenys Targaryen shall wed Ser Matthew Strong heir to Harrenhal. As the King commands the council agrees their wedding shall take place in a moon's time" Matarys saw his sister frown slightly, but it mattered not, Daenys would do her duty she always did. "Finally," Maester Godrick said loudly. "His Grace commands Lord Aelix Stonefyre Lord of the Gates of the Moon to come to King's Landing to assume the position of master of whispers."
With that the main announcements of court were done, and Matarys spent the rest of the day listening to his lords and the common folk alike come forth to bring their grievances to him, and he provided what he thought would make the best solutions to the best of his ability. Eventually as the sun was setting court was ended and Matarys tiredly stepped down from the throne, and accompanied by Ser Madden Darry and his brother Orys he walked towards his mother's rooms, he would need to speak with her about a variety of things before she left for Dragonstone, in two days time. Upon reaching his mother's rooms he found the door slightly ajar and he heard his mother sobbing slightly. Concerned he motioned for Ser Madden to stay where he was and with Orys following him he walked into the room. His mother was stood looking at a portrait of their family that had been done perhaps nine years ago, her eyes were red from crying. "Mother?" Matarys said tentatively.
Queen Dowager Baela Targaryen had always been a proud woman, Matarys did not think he had ever seen his mother truly shed a tear until Jacaerys had died. "Yes Your Grace?" his mother asked curtseying slightly.
Matarys groaned then and said. "Please mother, don't bow to me. I'm your son. What's wrong mother? I heard crying."
His mother wiped the tears from her eyes, and said softly. "Oh nothing sweetling. I was merely being silly that is all."
Matarys wishes to ask more, but he know his mother will not elaborate, he is much the same and so instead he says. "Very well then mother. I have come to speak about the arrangements to Dragonstone."
His mother looks at him then and says. "Go on…"
Matarys swallows then and says. "Well since you shall be leaving in two days time, and the seas are relatively calm, I shall be sending ten other ships along with the Bronze Fury Ser Bryce Lannister shall be captaining the ships and shall see you safely to Dragonstone with father's ashes. I expect that you shall wish to ride the dragons, but with things being the way they are now across the sea in Essos that would be inadvisable so perhaps if you wish for the dragons to come they shall have to go on the ships."
His mother nods and then says. "Is it truly necessary for those other ten ships to come with us? We shall only be going to Dragonstone."
Matarys sighs. "Yes mother it is. Though the dragons shall be going with you, Alysanne and Rhaenrya's own dragons are still quite young and are not battle experienced, and Moondancer seems as if she shall be laying eggs soon enough, it is necessary for there to be extra protection in case Bravos or rebels from Ibben try to accost the ship. But we cannot send so many ships it looks like we are moving for war that will attract too much notice."
His mother smiles slightly then and says. "Very well then sweetling. I intend to remain on Dragonstone for sometime afterwards though. There is little left for me here now that your father and Sylvia are gone."
Matarys had expected that and says. "Very well, but you will be here for Daenys wedding won't you? She will expect you there, and I shall be expecting you there as well mother."
His mother smiles sadly then and says. "Yes I shall come back, but on Moondancer not by those blasted ships. And I shall be here when you wed Daena as well sweetling. You must wed her soon enough otherwise the lords will get ideas into their heads."
Matarys nods and says. "I know mother, but she has only just flowered. A girl of twelve, and I am expected to get her with child soon."
His mother runs a hand through his stubble then and says. "Sweetling, you are kind of heart, but being so will not win you any favours with your lords nor the gods. You must get an heir on Daena and soon."
With that Matarys nods and leaves his mother's rooms for his own and spends the next few hours before he goes to bed writing letters, and thinking up of ways to make his marriage seem more appealing. Two days later his mother and two sisters as well as his brother depart for Dragonstone along with their dragons and ten war galleys. "I shall see them safely there and back Your Grace." Ser Bryce Lannister says, and as much as Matarys loathes the man he knows he must listen to his words. In the moon that passes between his mother and sisters going to Dragonstone and coming back for Daenys wedding, Matarys meets with the council to discuss amongst other things how the rebuilding of Gulltown is going, what their stance should be on the pleas Bravos has made for help against the Volcarys empire- eventually they decide to remain neutral until more is known- and plans are made for his sister's wedding, normally Targaryen princesses would be wed in the sight of the old gods but Daenys took more to Sylvia's Seven than the old gods and so Matarys acquiesces and speaks with the septon in King's Landing and so the wedding will take place there.
The wedding itself is a grand thing, the ceremony and pomp of wedding in the sept of King's Landing, with the High Septon having come from Oldtown to officiate makes Matarys wonder how those that still keep to the seven can stand the duration of such ceremonies he finds them suffocating. Daenys however, glows like one of the maiden's in the fairytales and songs she used to love so much, and at feast it seems as if the cares of the world have disappeared from everyone's faces they dance, drink and are merry. Matarys sits with his uncle and Hand Prince Viserys as they watch the guests frolic in the throne room. "Soon enough we shall have to bring things round to discuss your own marriage Your Grace." Matarys hears his uncle say.
Matarys sighs, once before he was king, he would have spent the night down there on the floor dancing and charming the lords and ladies alike, and winning the favours of the beautiful ladies of court, those who were so much more interesting than the wife the Dance of Dragons had thrust upon him. "I know nuncle. She is still a child though. And surely the kingdoms can wait; there will be peace for years now."
His uncle looks at him then and says. "If you truly believe that, you are a fool Matarys. Already, Aelix Stonefyre is trying to bring his own daughter to court for you to look at. Lord Tyrell has a sister he believes you will find most attractive, as does Lord Lannister."
Matarys sighs. "If that is so, then why not accept an offer from one of the great houses nuncle? Targaryens have wed each other for years now, and yet the great houses continue to make alliances without us. Father never officially announced my betrothal to Daena anyway, what is there to stop me wedding one of these other women?"
His uncle sighs then and says very quietly. "Because then, the other Great houses would be offended that their daughters or sisters were not chosen. We cannot afford that, the throne is secure for now, but Daena is of Targaryen blood, it is whom her father is and that she is blood of the dragon that the lords will focus on when you wed her not her last name. You must wed her and bed her, and soon."
Matarys takes his uncle's advice to heart and a moon after his sister's wedding to Ser Matthew Strong, he is wed to Daena Arryn, his cousin in the godswood of King's Landing before the entire court. He kisses her, and she blushes sweetly, but when it comes to the bedding that night he hesitates, but Daena, bold Daena makes the first move, and with a boldness surprising in a twelve year old straddles him and they make love, and strangely Matarys finds that he likes it.