#jon snow is a targaryen | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

agentofscifi · 2 years

Text

I Only Married You For Duty

Margaery had everything she'd ever wanted, everything she ever dreamed of, and yet it felt empty and wrong. How can you have everything you wanted, and nothing you wanted at the same time?

*Warning: Critical of the Tyrells, Not for Tyrell Fans

_______________________________________________________________________

Margaery couldn’t believe how badly this was going. She’d done what she was meant to do, become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Well, she was technically one of the Queens, but she knew she was the true Queen. Margaery Tyrell was a true southern lady, she had impeccable manners, she was a devoted follower of the Seven, and she had mastered the womanly arts. She could sew and embroid perfectly, play the vielle, harp, and flute to perfection, sang beautifully, was a fair good artist, even practiced hawking with her brother Willas, and she knew how to run a household as large as the Royal one. Most importantly, she was fertile; her mother had successfully delivered 4 children with no stillbirths or miscarriages, and she would be no different. She was exactly what Jaehaerys Targaryen needed for a Queen.

And yet, he didn’t care. He paid more attention to his first wife than he did to her. He always had.

Princess Clarissa Martell, Prince Oberyn’s only legitimate daughter by a Northern Lady. The brief whirlwind romance that ended when Amelia Mormont, twin of Jorah Mormont, died of childbed fever, just a few months before Robert’s Rebellion broke out. Oberyn Martell never married again, but he did sleep around the world.

Clarrisa Martell was an obscure member of the nobility. She never showed up to tourneys, never came to King’s Landing, and there was very little gossip about her. The only thing anyone really knew about her was that in 290 AC she was sent to Bear Island in the North to be fostered with her Mormont relatives, and then in 295, it was said that she was in Essos looking for her criminal Uncle. She was said to wield a multitude of weapons, including a bastard sword, a bow, a spear, and something from Yi Ti called a kyoketsu-shoge. She rode her horse astride, she wore breeches under her dresses, and she never acted her station. Until the reveal, her largest indiscretion had to be her marriage to the Bastard of Winterfell 296 AC, someone so far below her station that there had been calls to strip her of her title as “Princess” and remove her from the nobility.

And yet, despite all of these indiscretions, Clarissa still had seniority over her. She had taken over running the entire Targaryen household when the truth came out, even after her own marriage to Jaehaerys, Clarissa still ran everything. Clarissa was the one to sit in on Small Council meetings, the one to attend executions and even perform them, and the one the nobles and commoners came to for petitions. Clarissa was the true Queen in the eyes of all of Westeros.

When the War of the Five Kings broke out after Eddard Stark’s beheading and everyone began declaring for someone, all of Westeros had expected Robert Stark to declare for Stannis Baratheon, Robert Baratheon’s rightful heir. Instead, shortly after her first marriage to Renly Baratheon, they declared for Jaehaerys Targaryen. A story came out, about a love story between Elia Martell, Rhaegar Targaryen, and Lyanna Stark. A story of misunderstandings and manipulations. A story where the Honorable Eddard Stark claimed his nephew as his son to save him from death.

Most of Westeros had been skeptical, her own family had been skeptical until tales of a dragon came down from the North. The Greyjoy fleet, the one that had been raiding and reaping across the North, had been burned. The story continued to say that the Iron Islands no longer existed. The various salt wives that had been held hostage over the years had returned to their homes, their young children alongside them. The thralls were sent home as well. The various noble lines from the Iron Islands had all been sent to the wall or killed, the women were all allowed to relocate to Essos or join the faith. Even the Greyjoy line was gone, with Balon beheaded, Asha Greyjoy dying with her fleet, and Theon Greyjoy was currently at the wall after he attempted to take over Winterfell. That Jaehaerys Targaryen had burned the island so badly that the various stone buildings and castles were heaps of still-warm rocks. Jaehaerys Targaryen was riding the Wild Dragon Cannibal.

She’d been worried then, when they heard that story, as she had still been married to Renly at the time. Fortunately, and she never says that to anyone else, Stannis used Shadow Magic to kill his brother, in public. In the wake of Renly’s death, her father had made for Riverlands and the Targaryen Army. They’d arrived a few weeks later, and seen the King.

He took after his Stark mother, with his dark brown hair and long face, but his eyes were a dark purple, almost grey in some lights. And yet, he was much more beautiful than his Stark cousins and much more than Renly. His father had pledged the whole of the reach to Jaehaery’s cause, with one condition, that he make Margaery his Queen. She remember that day like it was yesterday.

“Let me see if I understand this correctly,” Robb Stark is glaring at her father. “You want my brother to marry Margaery Tyrell, who was just recently made a widow, despite the fact that he’s already married and had children.”

“His father did,” Her grandmother had come, of course, and was present in all of the negotiations. “Rhaegar Targaryen already had a wife and two children when he married Lyanna Stark. What’s the difference here? And regardless, he is your King and your cousin, not your little brother, you can hardly order the man to do anything.”

“The difference,” Robb Stark is glaring at her grandmother now, “Was that Elia Martell couldn’t have any more children, she was also involved in picking her sister-wife.”

Her grandmother rolled her eyes. “This is all moot. Either he marries Margaery or we try our luck with Joffrey. Now, what will happen to all your armies, all your people when winter comes and we control all the food? The Riverlands don’t have anything to give anymore, and I know the North doesn’t have enough money to buy enough crops from Essos.”

“Lady Olenna!” Robb Stark had looked thunderstruck, as did all the other Northern & Riverland lords present. “That is-”

Jaehaerys had raised a hand, quieting his cousin. “I will speak to Clarissa and see if she is amicable to a sister-wife. We will break until tomorrow morning.”

Grandmother's face filled with a smile. “That is agreeable, now if-”

“Lady Olenna, don’t ever undermine my brother again, do you understand me?” Jaehaerys had fixed her grandmother with a stare. It had been captivating and awoke something inside her. It made her whole body tense as she waited for her Grandmother to respond.

“Yes, Your Grace, I understand.” Her Grandmother, who never cowed to anyone, had been cowed. They were going to be perfect together.

They had not been perfect together. Jaehaerys had agreed to the marriage the next morning, his wife giving a verbal agreeance herself. Two months later, they’d married. The wedding was not as grand as she’d hoped or planned, she wanted another wedding in the Great Sept of Baelor after they won the war. Regardless, she was a Queen now, wed and bed, already planning the name of the child she’d soon be carrying. No child came from that wedding night, and soon, Jaehaerys was off fighting in the Westerlands. She’d been content, she’d have a child when he returned, and started to spread her influence to build her court.

Only, no one respects her. Clarissa had outdone her almost instantly, as shortly after the wedding a baby bump became visible, and she announced that she was 6 moons along. This would be her third pregnancy. She’d felt a small amount of satisfaction when the pregnancy resulted in twin girls. This meant that while the King had seven children now, only one was a boy. It didn’t matter if Clarissa had a hundred children if all she gave her king were girls. However, everyone praised Clarissa, who went right back to running the war after giving birth.

She felt further undermined when a rider man to Harrenhall, which is where Jaeharys had established himself after taking the castle back from Tywin Lannister, came to Clarissa to announce the death of Stannis Baratheon. Again, when Lady Shireen arrived at Harrenhall, she presented herself to just Clarissa, not Margaery and Clarissa or one and then the other. Lady Shireen bent the knee before Queen Clarissa Targaryen and gave her vow of loyalty to her.

She hadn’t been able to understand it, still couldn’t. She had been the one to bring in an alliance, she brought the Reach and all its men with her marriages. When Jaehaerys identity had been revealed, the Martells didn’t join the cause. They even married Myrcella to Trystane. The only people who had joined the cause had been the elder four Sand Snakes, who were hardly worth her army of 75,000 men.

Lady Shireen’s arrival sparked the start of the hectic year of 301 AC. Laena & Rhaella had been sent up to Winterfell with Lady Sansa, who’d been rescued for King’s Landing nearly a year before, to be with the rest of their siblings. Clarissa left shortly afterward to work with the Crownland Lords to rebuild the royal fleet and take King’s Landing. Just weeks after their departure, it was announced that Joffrey had died at his sister’s wedding to Trystane Martell. Tommen Baratheon was declared King. Tyrion Lannister was found guilty of the murder in a trial by combat and executed a week later.

A few weeks after that, ravens announced that happy union between Lysa Arryn & Peytr Baelish. Before any plan came about from that announcement, another raven came from Lord Royce, announcing that Lysa & Robin Arryn had been murdered by Petyr Baelish. The new Lord of the Vale was Harrold Hardyng, now Harrold Arryn, who came and bent the knee to Jaehaerys.

Any sort of sense of victory was soiled when Jaehaerys announced that Clarissa was once again pregnant. The woman stayed with the royal fleet, even as her womb grew. She stayed with the royal fleet as they besieged King’s Landing from the seas, while Jaehaerys besieged it from the surrounding lands. They surrounded that castle for three days when the gates finally opened. The people of King’s Landing had risen and overthrown the Lannisters. Cersei, Tywin & Jamie Lannister were presented to Jaeharys by the people. Tommen had been sequestered in his room.

Jaehaerys, along with Clarissa, were greeted with cheers from the common people of Flea Bottom as they rode to the Red Keep. She’d been at Harrenhal for all of this, “for her own safety”. She’d immediately ridden out for King’s Landing, despite having not been called, and arrived to a muted greeting with her Grandmother. The people were more interested to hear about the newest Prince and Princess of the Realm, Prince Aemon & Princess Rhaenyra had been born three weeks after the siege was lifted. Still, she’d had hope, even after she’d been placed in the Maidenvault with her Grandmother, Lady Catelyn, and Janei Lannister, who’d been in King’s Landing during the siege. Jaehaerys was currently living in the Tower of the Hand, as Maegar’s Holdfast needed to be cleaned out and fixed up from several of Cersei Lannister’s tantrums and the King’s Chambers still held all of Joffrey’s things, which included a variety of dead animals. She hadn’t know where Clarissa and the children were living, and she hadn’t cared. She was more interested in getting her husband’s attention now that they were both in the same location for more than a few days.

Cersei, Jamie, and Tywin were all executed, along with Pycelle, Petyr Baelish, and a failed maester named Qyburn. She’d wanted to throw a banquet of some sort, or a tourney to celebrate the victory. This was shot down, as the war was not done yet, and the Crown was now 8 million golden dragons in debt.

The war finished rather quickly. Prince Doran Martell arrived with all three of his children, Myrcella Baratheon, Prince Oberyn Martell, his paramour, and their 4 younger bastards. Prince Doran bent the knee, but Jaehaerys has not been as forgiving as some might have predicted. Arianna Martell was named the new Lord Paramount of Dorne. Jaehaerys forced Prince Doran to step down from his position and all of its benefits and duties. He was spared being sent to the wall due to his gout, but that had been all. Myrcella and Trystane’s marriage was not annulled either, forcing Prince Trystane to stay married to Myrcella even after she was officially denounced as a Lannister bastard born from incest. Still, Dorne was returned to the fold.

The Westerlands folded quite quickly after that, and the Lannisters were removed from power. All of the men in the family were sent to either the Wall or the Citadel, and most of the women were made to either join the faith as a Septa or a Silent sister, with a few remaining women being promised to various loyalists. Jaehaerys had decided to keep most of the Westerland houses, with a few like the Clegane being removed from existence, but had a variety of loyalist daughters married to eldest sons and daughters sent away to marry loyalist sons. It wasn’t until after that she realized that none of these arranged marriages took place with any Reach house that the Tyrells had recently married into. Essentially, none of her cousins were married to Westerland lords and ladies.

Jaehaerys younger cousin/brother, Rickon Stark, was named the New Lord Paramount of the Westerlands. He was placed into an arranged marriage with Janei Lannister, with the Blackfish being named his regent. The marriage would take place 6 months after Rickon turned 18, so Janei would be 17 for her wedding. It was also decided that when Rickon would start a new house and take a new last name when he married. The Redstarks was currently in discussion, but nothing had been decided.

Jaehaerys was finally crowned King in the Great Sept of Baelor, and all of the Lords and Ladies kneeled and pledged their loyalty to the new monarch. She’d been on top of the world for those few days. She’d dressed in fine silks of red and black, with hints of greens and golds. She’d worn fine jewelry and the gorgeous crown her father had gifted her after their wedding. She’d been seated to the left of Jaehaerys for all of these events. But soon, the excitement had died. Winter was officially on them and all the armies started to return home. The Westerland houses were forced to send some of their saved food with the Northern and Riverland men to make up for all the crops that were burned.

The seven kingdoms had finally settled in 303 AC. Maegor’s holdfast was fixed up and Jaehaerys finally moved into the King’s Chambers. The royal nursery was prepared for the Prince and Princess, who were already on their way down to King’s Landing with Lady Sansa and an honor guard of Northern men. They’d be met at White Harbor by Velaryon men to guard the royal children. The Maidenvault was starting to clear out. Lady Janei Lannister would be fostered in Winterfell with her future husband for the next several years. Lady Catelyn was prepared to return with her son to the North. Her Grandmother’s rooms remained in place, and no one asked her to leave. The rooms left for her various Ladies-in-waiting were the same. She’d been a little surprised when no rooms were prepared for Lady Sansa, wondering if the girl would be leaving as soon as she arrived. Regardless, she’d started to subtly pack so that the move to Maegor’s holdfast would be seamless. Only, she was never told to move.

Instead, Clarissa had settled into the Queen’s chambers. A large room in the Holdfast, only trumped by the King’s, Queen’s, and Heir’s rooms, had been prepared for the triplet Princesses Alysanne, Lyanna, and Amelia, who were now 6 years old. The heir’s room was prepared for Prince Duncan and Princess Daena, who were now 5 years old. The nursery was prepared to take in the Princesses Laena & Rhaella, who were now 3 years old. Basic preparation for Prince Aemon and Princess Rhaenyra, who had just passed their first birthday, and would be moving into the nursery in a few short months. Lady Sansa even had a room prepared for her in Maegar’s holdfast, as the Lady Governess to the royal children. She hadn’t thought it could get worse. It did.

Clarissa, just after her children all arrived, announced that she was once again pregnant. Her stomach seemed to swell even more quickly this time, as the weeks quickly passed.

It was beginning to become a taking point. She’d been married to the King for three years and in that time Clarissa had been pregnant twice and delivered four children. How the people would talk; how Queen Clarissa had successfully delivered nine children in just seven years of marriage while helping run a war for four of those years, while Queen Margaery was yet to even fall pregnant.

She’d thought she’d finally get her chance with Clarissa finally being pregnant, as most men needed to find pleasure while their wives were pregnant and unable to lie with them. She’d be the perfect person to go to him, seeing as she was also his wife, so he’d be able to keep the honor her husband desperately clung to.

She’d gone to his chambers in nothing but a robe and waited for him on his bed. He never came. Not the first night, nor the second, or any night after that. For nearly a month she tried this but to no avail. She never did figure out where her husband was sleeping during those nights. She tried joining him on hunts, watching his training sessions and even sitting with him when he held court and worked through the problems of the people. Nothing caught his interest. She would have believed he was like her brother, preferring men, if not for how he looked at Clarissa. Her Grandmother gave her tips, and she tried them all. Nothing ever worked and before she knew it, Clarissa had given birth.

For nearly a day and a half, Clarissa held the whole Keep hostage before she finally delivered. Margaery had thrown a glass dish at the wall when she heard. Queen Clarissa had given birth to Princess Deanaera, Prince Maekar, & Prince Jacaerys early that morning. Now, the woman had twelve children. Four sons and eight daughters.

Her Grandmother became even more insistent that she get pregnant now. A girl, her grandmother told her, so that her child could marry Prince Duncan and eventually be Queen herself. With four sons already born, no son of hers would even sit on the Iron Throne.

Margaery was starting to go insane. Jaehaerys has started doing day visits around the country, or weekend trips with his eldest daughters by riding Cannibal. Storm’s End and Winterfell turned into his favorite places to visit, though he made just as many visits to Casterly Rock to supervise the regency of the Westerlands. No matter how many tricks she tried, the clothing she put on, or the various things she did, Jaehaerys refused to come to her bed.

A year had gone by, from the last birth, when Clarissa had fallen pregnant, yet again. She’d retried her old skills from Clarissa’s last pregnancy, and none of them worked. For three months she showed up, lewdly dressed, to his chambers to entice him to bed. Yet again, he never showed up. She still had no idea where he was going. For the entire pregnancy, she had been desperate to get her husband to bed. Anything so that she could show him the skills she had and tempt him back to her bed. He had not touched her since their wedding night.

And yet, halfway through 306 AC, Clarissa gave birth to two more children, Princess Valaena & Prince Lucerys. So now, Clarissa had fourteen children and she had none.

Today, however, she had finally snapped. Lord Monford Velaryon had arrived just two days earlier to meet with the King and she just found out why. Lord Monford’s only son, Monterys, was formally engaged to her stepdaughter, Princess Amelia. Monterys was only thirteen and Amelia was only nine. The marriage was years away, and barely tentative, but there had still been a discussion and she had not been a part of it.

She pushed open the doors to the Small Council Chambers. Jaehaerys didn’t even look up from his papers to look at her. Ser Davos, the Master of Ships, had glanced at her before returning to his own papers. Lord Royce, the Master of Law, had actually rolled his eyes when he was who had stormed in before looking back at the current speaker. Wendel Manderly, the Master of Coin, didn’t stop in his explanation to the King ignoring her existence. Ellaria Sands, the Master of Whispers, and hadn’t that been an insult, having a bastard woman on the small council instead of one of her relatives, simply smirked at her and refused to look away from Margaery’s face. Grand Maester Theobald stared at her eyes wide open from his spot like he was unable to believe she was actually here. Lord Commander Selmy doesn’t look at her, nor does he bow from his spot behind Jaehaerys.

She tunes herself into Lord Manderly’s discussion when it becomes clear they weren’t going to stop for her. “Now, we’ve been able to severally reduce the original debt of 9 million dragons. The 4 million owed to the Lannisters was immediately erased. The 750,00 dragons owed to the Faith were paid off by selling the various jewels, tapestries, and clothing of Cersei Lannister. The remaining 4.25 million had been slowly worked through. After going through the remains of the Iron Islands, Lannisport, and Casterly Rock, we were able to pay off 1.25 million of the debt. Taking back the 500,000 Dragons that Baelish had stolen were also paid back, along with the other money in his account. The legitimate business that he owned had been used to collect money to continue to pay back the crown. As of right now, we only owe 450,000 dragons, which I estimate we will have paid off in 15 months. If you wish to start putting money aside for your daughters’ dowries, we can reduce our current payments. I have a plan created, which would have us paying off the loan in 21 months instead of the original 15. This would allow you, your Grace, to put roughly 10,000 Gold Dragons for each of your eldest three daughters, 7,500 for Princess Daena, and 5,000 for Princesses Laena & Rhaella over the next two years. Does this sound agreeable to you, Your Grace?”

I cross my arms over my chest and clear my throat, staring at the side of my husband’s face.

Jaehaerys looks over the sheet before him, ignoring me. “Is the Iron Bank agreeable to this extension?”

“I’ve spoken with a representative. They’re agreeable, so long as the debt is paid within the next three years. They’re also willing to start the paperwork for the Princesses’ dowry accounts. Once we’ve paid off the debts we can lower taxes slightly as well as start the accounts for the other Princesses.”

I clear my throat

“Good. Get started on the paperwork for the Princesses’ accounts. Thank you Lord Manderly.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Jaehaerys looks around the room, still avoiding looking at me. “Anything else pertinent?”

“No, your Grace, I think that is everything we needed to cover today.”

“Good, I’m dismissing the council for the day. We’ll adjourn in a week, as usual.”

“HUSBAND!”

There’s a heavy sigh. “I’ll see you all in a week, good day My Lords, Ladies.” The small council starts to fill out of the room, so that soon only Jaehaerys, Ser Selmy, and myself were present. Jaehaerys finally looks over at me. “Margaery, what can I do for you?”

“I would like to speak to you, privately.”

Jaehaerys’ eyes bore into her. “Lord Commander, please wait outside the room, please. I’ll be out in a minute.” Ser Selmy gives a small bow and leaves the room, closing the door behind him. “What can I do for you Margaery?”

I openly glare at him, every lesson my Grandmother and Mother had taught me was being ignored. “You don’t treat me like your wife?”

“Are you being mistreated?”

“Yes! By you! For 6 years we’ve been married, 6 years and you have not bedded me since our wedding night. Clarissa had been pregnant 6 times, she’s had 14 children. I know you’re capable of having children, so why are you avoiding my bed?”

“Margaery,”

“And another thing, why do you favor her? I gave you an army. My marriage gave you 75,000 men to your cause. Clarissa only brought you 4 bastard sisters and one Dornish informant. That is nothing compared to what I brought into this marriage. So why, why do you love Clarissa more than you love me?”

“I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. It’s obvious that you love her more than me.”

“I don’t love you.”

I freeze. “What?”

“You’re right, you gave me 75,000 men to my cause, but only because of our marriage. My ancestors raised your family up from mere stewards 300 years ago. My family made your family possible. And you were loyal, until recently.” Jaehaerys stands from his seat. “Your father sat outside Storm’s End, feasting away while my father fought on the trident. If he had allowed half of his army to assist in the Battle of the Trident, the Targaryens would have won. My father would be alive, my brother, my sister, my stepmother, hells, my mother might even be alive. Mace Tyrell did not need an army of 60,000 men to hold a castle with barely 500 men who were all starving. And then, your father goes and ignores the natural right of succession. Ignoring my existence, Renly could never have inherited before Stannis. Your family’s allegiance was only done to serve yourself. You proved that when you came to me and only promised your army in return for our marriage. You all proved your selfishness when you threatened to starve my people to get what you wanted. Well, you got what we wanted. The marriage was done and we consummated it. We are married for all intents and purposes. The only way you can get out of this is if you join the faith.”

I stare numbly at him. “Why won’t you bed me?”

“I won’t have another Dance of the Dragons. Alicent Hightower usurped the rightful heir to the throne by naming her son and threw the whole of Westeros into a civil war. Despite the illegality of it all, despite King Viserys’ will, people still followed the usurper. I have angered some of the Vale, all of the Westerlands, and even some of Dorne. I’m not stupid enough to think that you and your family wouldn’t kill my children to put your son or daughter on the throne. That you wouldn’t throw Westeros into a civil war to see your child named King or Queen. Therefore, I will not give you a son or daughter to use against my family.”

“How-how have you resisted? Every man has a weakness. Every man wants pleasure.”

“I have a wife, Margaery. A woman who I share a bed with every night. I have a multitude of children whom I love. It was not difficult to ignore your advances, they only work on the weak-minded. I married you for an army. I married you so that I could win the war more quickly and with less bloodshed. I did not marry you for love. I did not marry you for lust. I married you for duty and duty alone. I will not pretend otherwise.” Jaehaerys stands up and starts to walk past me. “Oh, and Margaery, the King's Guard had been informed. I will no longer tolerate you showing up to my private chambers unannounced. They’ve been informed to bare you from Maegar’s Holdfast from now on.

I will also warn you not to use your family’s power to punish anyone. If I find you are unnecessarily raising crop prices or limiting shipments to the North or the Riverlands, or anywhere else in an attempt to get revenge. I will strip your family of your titles as Lord Paramounts. I will strip them of their nobility and leave your family as commoners. I will also formally set you aside. Being a footnote in a history book is better than being known as the wife who was set aside by Jaehaerys the Conquer, isn’t it? And before you say anything, most of the Reach Lords won’t care, they’ll probably start pounding at my door to be named Lord Paramount themselves. The few families that do care, well, I have Cannibal. Have a good day, My Lady.”

I hear Jaehaerys push open the door. “Ser Selmy, shall we go watch Duncan's sword lessons? It’s been a few days since I’ve been able to see his progress.”

The doors shut, blocking out any response. I collapse into an empty chair. All of my family’s hopes and dreams were disappearing in a puff of smoke. There would be no Prince or Princess from the Tyrell line. No Son of mine your sit on the Iron Throne, like my family had always planned. No daughter of mine would marry the Crown Prince. There would be no way for my family to achieve all that we had dreamed of and worked for.

I would be nothing more than a line in a history book, the Tyrell Queen who died childless after decades of marriage. The Tyrell Queen who was second best in everything. This was not what she had dreamed, not what she had hoped and prayed for.

And yet, she couldn’t stop that small voice in the back of her head asking, “Would things have worked out better for herself if her Father and Grandmother hadn’t demanded the marriage?”

That same little voice answered back, “Yes.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

King Jaehaerys “The Conquer” Targaryen was the fourteen Targaryen King to sit on the Iron Throne. The son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Princess Lyanna Stark was born after the end of Robert’s Rebellion. He inherited the Throne from his Grandfather after the death of his father and elder brother, Aegon.

King Jaehaerys was raised in secret by Eddard Stark in Winterfell, under the pseudonym Jon Snow for over a decade and a half. The truth of his birth was only revealed in 298 AC when the War of Five Kings broke out. His identity was formed by Lord Howland Reed and by the Citadel which held the appropriate documents. The War raged on from 298 AC - 303 AC, coming to a close after King’s Landing was retaken and the Westerlands forced to formally submit and bend the knee. Throughout the war, King Jaehaerys was rarely without his Dragon, Cannibal, or his Direwold, Ghost.

King Jaehaerys was married to two women. He and his first wife, High Queen Clarissa, were married in 296 AC in Winterfell’s Godswoods. They were happily married for 79 years. High Queen Clarissa died peacefully in her sleep in 375 AC, at 96 years old. Together, King Jaehaerys and High Queen Clarissa had a total of 19 children during their marriage, with a total of 7 sons and 12 daughters, all of which became dragon riders in their lifetimes.

Their issues included:

Princess Alysanne Stark-Targaryen; Lady of Winterfell, Wife of Lord Eddard Stark, son of Lord Robb Stark, Rider of Winter

Princess Lyanna Targaryen; Member of the King’s Guard, Second Woman to Join, Replaced Lord Barristan Selmy in 316 AC, Rider of Skyfyre

Princess Amelia Velaryon-Targaryen; Lady of Driftmark, Wife of Lord Monterys Velaryon, Son of Lord Monford Velaryon, Rider of Tsumami

King Duncan Targaryen the First; Married Queen Visenya Targaryen, Daughter of Empress Daenerys Targaryen, Rider of Shadowfyre

Princess Daena Targaryen; Queen Consort of Dragon's Bay, Married Emperor Aegon of Dragon’s Bay, the Son of Empress Daenerys Targaryen, Rider of Stormrunner

Princess Laena Tully-Targaryen; Lady of Riverrun, Wife of Lord Brynden Tully, Son of Lord Edmund Tully, Rider of Riverdancer

Princess Rhaella Martell-Targaryen; Princess of Dorne, Wife of Prince Morgan Martell, Son of Princess Arianna Martell, Rider of Sunrays

Prince Aemon Targaryen; Prince of Summerhall, Married Lady Samantha Tarly, Daughter of Lord Dickon Tarly, Rider of Winter Rose

Princess Rhaenyra Royce-Targaryen; Lady of Runestone, Wife of Lord Larence Royce, Son of Lord Andar Royce, Rider of Tessen

Princess Deanaera Targaryen; The First Ever Female Grand Maester of the Realm, Archmaster of History & Sums and Numbers, Rider of Quotient

Prince Maekar Targaryen; Archmaester of Magic & Higher Mysteries, Rider of Valyria

Prince Jacaerys Targaryen; Archmaester of Medicine & Botany, Rider of Abrasion

Princess Valaena Arryn-Targaryen; Lady of the Eyrie, Wife of Lord Jon Arryn, Son of Lord Harrold Arryn, Rider of Windfyre

Prince Lucerys Targaryen; Prince of Harrenhal, Married Lady Minisa Tully, daughter of Lord Edmund Tully, Rider of Bronzeclaws

Prince Daemon Targaryen; Prince of The Gift, Married Lady Lyarra Reed, Daughter of Brandon Reed neé Stark, Rider of Gift

Princess Daenys Baratheon-Targaryen; Last of Storm’s End, Wife of Lord Davos Baratheon, Son of Lady Shireen Baratheon, Rider of Sandstorm

Princess Elaena Redstark-Targaryen; Lady of Casterly Rock, Wife of Lord Benjen Redstark, Son of Rickon Redstark, Rider of Sunset

Prince Daeron Targaryen; Prince of the Red Keep, Commander of the City Watch, Married Lady Rhea Hightower, Daughter of Gunthor Hightower, Rider of Redfyre

Princess Baela Lefford-Targaryen; Lady of the Golden Tooth, Wife of Lord William Lefford, Son of Lady Alysanne Lefford, Rider of Goldfyre

His Grace married his second wife, Queen Margaery Tyrell, in 300 AC. No issues were ever borne from his marriage and Queen Margaery died childless in 342 AC after she fell from her horse.

King Jaehaerys is credited with the destruction of the Iron Islands and the freeing of the Iron Born Salt Wives and Thralls. He is also credited with ending the Lannister family name and leaving the Westerlands in the hands of his younger brother-cousin Lord Rickon Redstark of Casterly Rock, formerly Rickon Stark of Winterfell. His the first known rider of Cannibal The Wild Dragon. He found and returned the Family Swords Blackfyre and Dark Sister to the Family in 312 AC. He wielded Blackfyre himself until 358 AC when he handed the sword to his son King Duncan. Dark Sister was given to Princess Lyanna Targaryen after she was Knighted in 314 AC.

King Jaehaerys is forever remembered as the King who brought back the Targaryen Dynasty in Westeros, united all of the Seven Kingdoms through his children’s marriages, and brought back the Dragons to Westeros. He was also referred to as “The White Wolf” and “The Ice Dragon” throughout his reign.

He was succeeded on the Throne by his son, King Duncan Targaryen the First, in 382 AC. He was succeeded as the rider of Cannibal by his Great-Grandson, Prince Gaemon Targaryen, who would eventually become King in 402 AC, after the Death of his Grandfather, King Duncan the First in 391 AC, and the Death of his Father, King Aegon the Sixth, in 402 AC.

_______________________________________________________________________

Rough Timeline of Events for the Story

279 AC

Clarissa Martell is Born

280 AC

Jaehaerys Targaryen “Jon Snow” is Born

296 AC

Jaehaerys & Clarissa Marry in Winterfell

297 AC

Alysanne, Lyanna, & Amelia Targaryen are Born

298 AC

War of Five Kings Starts

Jaehaerys True Identity is Revealed to Westeros

Duncan & Daena Targaryen are Born

299 AC

Jaehaerys destroys the Ironborn fleet & Islands

Renly dies, the Reach provisionally pledges to Jaehaerys

Sansa is rescued from King’s Landing

300 AC

Jaehaerys is forced to marry Margaery for an Alliance in Riverrun

Laena & Rhaella Targaryen are Born

Stannis Baratheon is denounced as a Kingslayer, he’s killed by a random soldier whose brother he burned for following the Seven

301 AC

Shireen Baratheon is declared the Lady Paramount of the Stormlands, she declares for Jaehaerys Targaryen; she rejects a marriage alliance with Tommen Baratheon

Joffrey dies at the wedding of Princess Myrcella to Prince Trystane, Tyrion is declared the murderer, tried & executed for the crime, the real murderer is Cersei, as she was trying to kill Prince Trystane

Petyr Baelish marries Lysa Tully-Arryn

Petyr kills Lysa Arryn and Accidently kills Robin Arryn

302 AC

It’s revealed that Robin Arryn was Petyr’s son

The Vale declares for Jaehaerys Targaryen

King’s Landing is Taken from the Lannisters

Aemon & Rhaenyra Targaryen are Born

303 AC

The Westerlands are Defeated just in time for the official declaration of Winter; Dorne bends the Knee

Jon declares Arianna the Lady Paramount of Dorne, forcing her father to step down

Jaehaerys announcing that Rickon Stark is the New Lord Paramount of the Westerlands with his marriages to Janei Lannister, with the Blackfish as regent

304 AC

Deanaera, Maekar, & Jacaerys Targaryen are Born

306 AC

Valaena & Lucerys Targaryen are Born

307 AC

Daemon & Daenys Targaryen are Born

310 AC

Elaena, Daeron, & Baela Targaryen are Born

#game of thrones #jon snow #jon snow is a targaryen #jon snow is king #margaery tyrell #r+l=j #targaryen restoration #song of ice and fire #cannibal the dragon

19 notes · View notes

catofadifferentcolor · 6 months

Text

Terrible Fic Idea #73: Game of Thrones, but make it Lancelot

As anyone can tell you, I have a terrible weakness for female Jon Snow fics, largely because a female heir to the throne allows you to combine claims and explore facets of Westeros in a way that can't be easily done with rival male claimants. And then I thought: if I can have an Anne Boleyn, why not a Lancelot?

Or: What if Jon Snow, the most famed knight of his generation, had an affair with the Queen of Westeros?

Aka: The Lord Protector Fic

Just imagine it:

Everything follows canon, except Cersei Lannister dies in childbirth with her second child, Myrcella. This bothers her husband not at all and, despite Jon Arryn's urging him to remarry to secure his throne, Robert works his way through a series of brothels and mistresses before being forced to marry 14-year-old Margaery Tyrell in 297 in exchange for House Tyrell paying off some of his debts.

When Jon Arryn dies the following year, Robert and his court head north as per canon. While there, Sir Barristan takes interest in young Jon Snow - perhaps he sees something of Rhaegar in the boy, maybe he imagines he sees something of his presumed uncle Arthur Dayne's talent in him - and offers to raise him to knighthood with the aim of one day serving in the Kingsguard.

Ned is unable to turn down the offer, and reluctantly allows Jon to accompany them to King's Landing.

Jon quickly gains a reputation for gallantry and chivalry to rival either Barristan the Bold or Arthur Dayne - he intervenes when Joffrey tries to have Lady put down, makes a strong showing in the Hand's Tourney, and preforms several small acts of standing up for ladies/smallfolk/children that are quickly mythologized. Within two years he's knighted, with some asking if he will be allowed to take up the Sword of Morning as a presumed bastard of House Dayne.

Princess Myrcella is particularly taken with him after he defends her from Joffrey and demands he become her sworn sword until a position opens up in the Kingsguard.

His actions also draw the attention of Queen Margaery, who is even less happy in her position as queen than Cersei was but much better at hiding it. At first it's just friendship couched in a courtly love tradition, but by 299 they're lovers. When she gives birth to Prince Harlen a year later there's no doubt in her mind that Jon is the father.

Meanwhile, King Robert is almost as taken with Jon as his wife and daughter, for here is a version of Ned Stark who is also knightly, willing to take part in tourneys and feasts and dancing, and cannot help but see Jon as the son he never got to have with Lyanna. Instead of allowing Jon to take a position the Kingsguard as they open up, he showers Jon with riches and titles.

After winning a huge purse at the tourney in honor of Prince Harlen's second birthday - and Queen Margaery's second pregnancy - Jon is named Lord Cargyll, taking up the name and lands of the extinct Crownlands house of the same name, changing the golden goose in their banners to a golden direwolf.

After a falling out with Renly a year later, Jon is named Master of Laws...

...and six months later Robert's vices finally catch up with him, infamously being found dead in brothel of particularly ill-repute following an orgy.

Joffrey, now 17, is still very much his mother's son. One of his first acts on being named king is to declare his father's second marriage invalid and his half-siblings, Prince Harlen and Princess Lenna, bastards. His second act is to declare most of his father's Kingsguard and small council traitors for allowing his father to be "lured" to the brothel where he was "assassinated by Targaryen loyalists."

This naturally goes down badly, and though some of the lords named are captured and executed - Ned Stark, Petyr Balish, and Grand Maester Pycelle among them - most manage to escape. Jon in particular is able to get Margaery and the royal children to his lands in the Crownlands, and start raising a rebellion in Prince Harlen's name.

Robb ends up leading an army south to avenge his father, as per canon, but is never named King in the North. He does win several key victories against Tywin Lannister in the west, eventually taking Tywin himself captive. His victories earn him the nickname the Hammer of the West, a la Edward I.

Jon leads the fighting against the Lannister forces in the east, eventually taking King's Landing. The fact that he's able to keep his army from sacking the city and offers Joffrey the chance to take the black earns him the nickname Jon the Just. (Joffrey naturally refuses, tries to attack Jon in a rage, and is very swiftly killed in self-defense.)

In the aftermath, 4-year-old Harlen is crowned king. His mother Margaery is named Queen Regent, with Jon being asked to serve as Lord Protector of the Realm instead of taking one of the open spaces in the Kingsguard. He agrees, and two years later weds Margaery in a ceremony forever known as the Rose Wedding. (It's not as flash as the Golden Wedding, but is still something else.)

Meanwhile, Tywin is sent into exile for his part in abetting Joffrey's actions, with Tyrion taking over as Lord of the Rock. He and Sansa eventually wed and, though their marriage is never one of love, both are are content with their choice.

Robb marries Myrcella. Theirs does end up being a love match, becoming taken with each other when they first meet in the aftermath of Harlen's Rebellion. After their marriage they seem to make it their effort to make up for all of House Stark's losses, eventually having eleven children live to adulthood and marry into various important houses. By their deaths they're known as the Grandparents of Westeros.

Jon goes to his grave thinking he is Ned Stark's son, not knowing he's inadvertently brought about a Targaryen restoration.

Bonuses include: 1) the full force of angst and drama being brought to bear on Jon and Margaery's relationship, from its start as a mutual crush when they first come to each other's attention on the journey from Winterfell until they finally marry in 306. This should include Jon's desire never to father a bastard, Margaery's awareness that infidelity in a queen is treason, and their inability to keep away from each other. Extra bonus points if Margaery is able to pass Harlan and Lenna off as Robert's even to Jon, and not admit the truth until many years later; 2) every possible Camelot illusion that can be made to King Robert's court, made with the full knowledge that the beauty and glamor and chivalry of both courts is just smoke and mirrors, and one doesn't have to go looking very hard to find the gritty, painful, ugly reality beneath; 3) Jon using his time as Lord Protector to force through something like the Magna Carta, which enshrines basic rights that even kings must follow far more than the RL document actually did; and 4) Sansa having a prominent B-plot, slowly realizing during her time at court that not everything can be a song. The turning point of this is not Ned's execution, but her discovery of Jon and Margaery's affair years before - and her active choice to cover for them so that someone at least gets their happy ending.

And that's all I have. As always, feel free to adopt this plot bunny, just link back to me if you do anything with it.

More Terrible Fic Ideas

#plot bunny #fic ideas #game of thrones #a song of ice and fire #got #asoiaf #jon snow #jon snow is a targaryen #secret affair #chivalry #courtly love #robert baratheon #margaery tyrell #Jon x margaery #targaryen restoration

34 notes · View notes