I don't know if you readers already know, but Dragonstone is a little bit different in this AU, with more land on its beach for the port city. There is a larger population of Valyrian heritage, initial followers of the Targaryens.
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As they descended the road to the city-port at the foot of the island, Rhaegon could see the three ships of House Durrandon getting close to the piers. But even then, they weren't the only ones, as the sea was filled with ships from all kinds of individuals, whether merchants, private travelers, or lords who came to the island for business or the incoming festivities. After all, the tournament they would celebrate had a whopping reward in gold coins for the winner, whether in melee, archery, or jousting.
The city-port, though born a fishing village clinging to the rocks, had been reshaped by coin. What was once little more than wooden structures and muddy paths had been changed into a proper port at first, followed by a boom in infrastructure thanks to commerce and an increase in people. With a main street connecting directly to the port made of smooth flagstone, wide enough for two wagons to pass abreast, and constantly kept clear of debris by the port watch. The side streets, twisting alleys between the warehouses, shops, and houses, were paved with uneven cobblestone, still echoing with the roots of the old village they once were.
The port thrived on dragon wine, but the island offered little else. He knew that this illusion of a place couldn't appear in this place otherwise. Its cliffs yielded no harvest, its winds discouraged pasture, and its people, once fisherfolk or shepherds, now lived by trade, craft, and the favor of their lords. Every crate, every barrel, every bolt of cloth, and salted meat was brought in from Essos or Westeros.
That's why he intended to relocate these people in a few years, make them thrive inland, prosper and grow, make the Valyrian blood great again. While making this place still be a port but a... military port.
Now, the streets were different from years before; they were packed with people and even more because of the start of the festivities the next day. Merchants shouted their wares above the din, from silk tunics dyed with Myrish indigo to whale-bone combs and Dornish peppers. Children wove between legs, clutching coins or pastries, and street musicians played lutes or beat drums carved from seal-hide. But as the Targaryen retinue made its way down the streets leading to the port, all parted.
Black-armored guards rode ahead and behind them, Rhaegon on his horse. Behind them rolled smoothly in the center two carriages, and after them another line of guards.
The people of Dragonstone knew their lords living in the castle. Whispers turned to shouts.
"My lord, Rhaegon!" cried someone in salute, and where it was one, others followed.
"My lord!" a group of people of all ages shouted from the side of the road, their voices high and shrill with excitement.
He gave them a nod, lifting one gloved hand as he rode through the cheering masses. When he reached the harbor, just as the lead Durrandon ship began its mooring, a crowd had already formed on the dock, craning their necks for a glimpse of who their lord came to welcome.
Rhaegon dismounted, handing the horse to a guard, and moved to help the ladies descend from the carriage.
He opened the door and peered inside. "How is it? We have arrived already."
"There are a lot of people looking here," Evelyn said as she took his hand to descend the carriage.
"They are excited to see the fun," he said, smiling at her as he grabbed Cassandra's hand to help her down.
"They cheered loudly for you as if you were some kind of hero, my love," Seraphina chuckled.
"I am their hero; I brought modernity to this place."
"Wasn't your mother the one who did all these changes in this place?" Lyanna asked curiously with her bright eyes.
Rhaegon was left awkward there as she was right. "She did, but she did what I envisioned."
"Really, love?" Evelyn looked at him mischievously. "I believe Lady Visenya should be the one with credit for all this."
"Girls..." Rhaegon said, chuckling. "Don't make me spank you all in public."
The Hightowers looked at each other shyly and didn't say anything more.
Seraphina coiled around one of his arms. "Are you excited about your new girl?"
"How is she?" Lyanna asked as she grabbed his free hand.
"Maybe." He answered Seraphina before kissing her lips.
Then he looked at Lyanna. "I don't know her too well, really. She seemed like a good girl like you four for the short time I met her."
"Is it her?" Cassandra asked as they saw some women in beautiful clothes about to descend the ship just as the gangplank was lowered.
"Indeed, she is. I don't know the others, but the raven-haired girl in front is her."
Argella descended first. She wore no veil, only a dark cloak with a stag in gold sewn into it over her dress. Her hair was loose down her back, the wind lifting strands of it as she paused at the bottom of the plank. Her eyes swept the dock, and then—found him in front with the girls.
Her mouth changed into a smile. Seeing the other women around him, her eyes had a light in them as she walked toward him like a queen, her ladies following close behind.
"Rhaegon Targaryen," she said as she halted before him. "You look more... tamed than I remember."
"And you more wild, Princess. I take it that's the Stormlander way?"
"Only when needed."
He stepped forward and took her hand. She allowed it as her fingers softly touched his. Rhaegon then kissed her knuckles as Argella looked at him in his eyes.
"You've arrived at last. I thought you weren't coming," he said.
"Rhaegon, how could I not come? My fiancé is getting married to his sisters. What kind of woman would I be in their eyes if I were not to appear? I don't want to start on bad terms with my would-be sister wives." Argella said. "That would be the term?"
"It will be fine, Argella. Don't worry." Rhaegon said to her with a smile. "Maybe you should call them directly sisters. What do you think?"
Argella rolled her eyes at him.
Behind him, Seraphina gave an exaggerated sigh. "She's pretty."
"And fierce," Cassandra added. "Dangerous combination."
"Who are these beautiful ladies accompanying you?" Argella asked Rhaegon as she eyed the girls.
"Oh. Let me introduce you to my fiancées: Evelyn Hightower, Cassandra Hightower, Seraphina Hightower, and Lyanna Hightower."
"Ladies," Rhaegon said, turning slightly, "may I present Princess Argella Durrandon."
The girls exchanged pleasantries; the tension was palpable, but not bitter. There was heat in it. Rhaegon suppressed a sigh. This would not be simple.
"I imagine," he said dryly, "you'll all soon become great friends and sisters."