King Valarr I Targaryen
The fire burned brightly in the hearth of the small council chamber, Valarr rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and it would not do to appear tired in front of the council, not when he had been the one to call it. To his left his son and heir Matarys yawned loudly, Valarr frowned slightly, the boy was tired that was plain to see and yet he had insisted on being present for this early morning council meeting, Valarr would need to speak with him about this and so much more once this meeting was over. The council had been called together to discuss amongst other things the worrying lack of an heir from Matarys and Jaehara union. It had been almost two years since the couple had wed and yet despite his son's best efforts there was still no child on the horizon, such a situation could not stand.
The council door opened and the other members of the small council walked in, there was old and stooped Lord Larys Strong the master of whispers in name as well as act, tall and proud Ser Bryce Lannister cousin to Lord Tyland Lannister, Strong and bold master of coin Lord Simon Toyne his black hair gleaming in the fire light, and finally Grand Maester Godrick Manderly walked in his chain clanking as he did so. Ser Madden Darry the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard was sat to Valarr's right, the man had replaced old Ser Ryam following the battle against the Slaver Alliance, where Ser Ryam had cut down twenty men before being brought down by a giant of a man. Ser Madden had earnt his name the Demon of Darry during the Dance of Dragons, fighting bravely wherever Valarr sent him.
"Where is Lord Corlys?" Valarr asked, for it was not like his hand to be late for a council meeting. As far as he knew, the man had never been late for anything in his life.
"Perhaps Lord Corlys has slept in Your Grace. Shall I send Ser Tom to get him?" Ser Madden asked.
Valarr nodded. "Very well, send Ser Tom to the Tower of the Hand to get Lord Corlys Ser Madden. In the meantime, what is the opening round of council business?"
Ser Madden stood up and walked to the door opening it slightly and speaking a few words to Ser Tom Costayne who nodded and then walked off towards the tower of the hand. Valarr turned his attention back to the council table, and found that Lord Larys was waiting for his approval before speaking. Valarr nodded and Lord Larys spoke in that soft voice of his. "Well Your Grace, my sources report that the final ships of the Pentoshi fleet have now been burnt and reduced to ash. The Slaver alliance's ships are burnt as well, though some twenty of them managed to escape. My sources report that King Baelon Volcarys and his men will be waiting for them near Tyrosh, they shall not make it back home alive."
Valarr nodded and the rest of the council murmured happily. "What else is there?" Valarr asked, knowing the old master of whispers as he did, he would only have such a serious expression on his face if there was more for him to report.
Lord Larys smiled slightly and said. "My sources report movement in the Stepstones, it appears that a Pirate King has arisen and has crowned himself King of the Tides. It seems as if he is looking to conquer the Dornish coast, my sources report that the Prince of Dorne is very nervous about that and the ever expanding presence of House Volcarys in Volantis, and may be looking to Bravos for an alliance in dealing with the threat."
"What does this have to do with us though Lord Larys? If Dorne wishes to ally with Bravos, then the Prince of Dorne has become old and senile. Bravos will never ally with them so long as Baelon consents to leave them alone." Valarr replied.
The master of whispers merely smiled once more and said. "Because Dorne might try and go raiding along the border with the Reach to fund a war with the Pirate King. And with Lord Tyrell no more than a stripling boy, who is to say what could come of it."
Valarr sighed and said. "Very well then. Maester Godrick I want a raven sent to Nightsong and another sent to Horn Hill, Lords Caron and Tarly must be made aware of the potential threat, and I want your sources keeping an eye on what this Pirate King does, Lord Larys."
Both men nodded, and then Ser Bryce Lannister spoke."If I might speak freely Your Grace?"
Valarr sighed, he had his suspicions on what the man was going to say. "Go on Ser Bryce."
"Why not send the Royal Fleet out to deal with this so called Pirate King? It would make our lives much easier, as we would not need to worry about whether or not the man will ever set his sights on Westeros, and it will also make Dorne further indebted to us." Bryce Lannister said.
It was Matarys who answered the man, his voice bold as brass, as only a young man's voice can be. "Because doing so would invite yet another confrontation with a foreign power Ser Bryce. And after the war with the Slaver Alliance has just ended, we do not need more war, not now. There must be peace first. And besides the Royal Fleet is nowhere near completion."
Valarr smiled slightly his son was smart; definitely smart he was just sometimes a bit too rash. Ser Bryce blustered. "It is near enough complete my prince. Near enough that it would be able to easily deal with a few haphazard ships collected together by some Pirate King."
Matarys spoke once more. "But we know not what the strength of this Pirate King is Ser. We know not whether he has ten ships or a hundred ships. And until we do know that, we should not take any action, as it could potentially be suicidal for us."
Valarr smiled once more and then spoke before Ser Bryce could speak. "Lord Larys, do your sources know how many ships this supposed Pirate King has?"
Larys shook his head slightly. "No Your Grace. He keeps the number hidden to himself, and none of my sources have been able to get in close enough to access that number."
Valarr nodded and then said. "Make sure next time you report on him, we have a number of ships."
Lord Larys nodded, and then Lord Simon Toyne was about start speaking when there was a knock on the door. Valarr called for it to open, and there he found Ser Tom Costayne and Baela standing in the doorway, Baela looked harried and nervous. Valarr stood up then all thoughts of the council meeting leaving his mind. "Baela, my love what is the matter is something wrong with the children? With Sylvia?"
Baela shook her head, but seemed unable to speak. It was Ser Tom who spoke. "It's Lord Corlys Your Grace. He has had a heart attack. Maester Frenken is tending to him now."
Valarr closed his eyes briefly and then walked towards Baela who was staring into space, turning round he looked at Matarys who stood up as well, and then to the small council and said. "Maester Godrick come with us, my lords forgive me but I must go." And with that he walked out of the room. He turned toward Baela then, who seemed to be walking as if she was in a dream, he knew how hard this must be for her, she was very close to her grandfather. "What happened Ser Tom?"
Ser Tom spoke then, his voice deep. "Her Grace found me as I was walking toward the Tower of the Hand, and informed me that Lord Corlys had been visiting the Princess and Prince when he had fallen over and his heart had been beating rapidly. He is in the extra room Your Grace."
Valarr nodded and soon enough they had entered the room, and Valarr found Maester Frenken checking Lord Corlys' pulse, and gathered around the bed were Lady Rhaenys, as well as Valarr's own children, Orys, Alysanne, Daenys, Jacaerys, Laenor and Serenei. Upon seeing them Sylvia who had been standing in the shadows came and hugged Valarr tightly before moving to comfort Baela who stood as still as stone next to Valarr, Matarys had gone to be beside his siblings then. Maester Frenken looked up when Maester Godrick came to kneel beside him and looked to where Valarr stood. "He is asleep Your Grace. His heart rate has calmed slightly with help from milk of the poppy."
Valarr nodded. "What caused his heart to give way maester?"
It was Maester Godrick who spoke then. "Lord Corlys has been suffering from a chill for some time, which coupled with his age and the stress of being hand, must have crippled his heart, making it unable to maintain a steady pulse. Leading to this Your Grace."
Valarr felt guilt instantly, he had been relying heavily on Lord Corlys whilst he had been away from the capital, to make sure everything was kept in order, he had not thought to spare a thought for how the man must feel with so much pressure being put on him. He found he could not speak; he simply pulled Baela and Sylvia flush against him then, and held them tightly.
Later Valarr will not remember how long they stood there, in the room watching as the two maesters spoke and conferred with one another and did all they could to make sure Corlys Velaryon stayed in the land of the living at least for a little while longer, and yet when the sun set and the maesters ushered all of them except Lady Rhaenys out, Valarr felt as if he had awakened from a dream. "Send someone for me if he wakes." Valarr told the two maesters, or if he doesn't went unspoken.
He walked both of his wives back to their room, and then they went to sleep, it was an uneasy one, Valarr was plagued by nightmares the sounds of the dead screaming and pointing at him accusing him of crimes against mankind, the same dream he had had for the past sixteen years since the Dance had ended. It kept him awake until the sun came up, his two wives fast asleep in his arms. He stared at the ceiling until he heard a knock on the door, getting out of bed as softly as he could; he put on a dressing gown of red and black and opened the door slightly, to see Ser Jeffrey Norcross standing in front of him. The white knight bowed his head slightly before speaking. "Lord Corlys has awoken Your Grace. He wishes to speak with you." Valarr nodded and then closed the door slightly before putting on a doublet and some breeches and then opening the door once more he walked out and followed Ser Jeffrey to the room where his hand was being kept.
Lord Corlys looked pale and almost shrunken his pale blond hair sticking to his head, his violet eyes seemed glossy, and yet they flickered with attention when Valarr came to kneel beside him. "You called for me Lord Corlys?"
The Seasnake smiled slightly then, his lips cracked. His voice was wheezy when he spoke. "Aye Your Grace. I have come to ask your forgiveness."
Valarr was confused. "Forgiveness, what have you done wrong that deserves forgiveness old friend?"
The Seasnake laughed slightly at that. "Many things Your Grace. But no I speak of one thing only. That I kept my illness hidden from you and the council for so long. I knew I was not long for this world, a year ago and yet I hid the knowledge from all save my wife. I did so because I did not wish to cause anymore pain or trouble for you. I know how much energy running the realm is taking out of you Your Grace; it is not good for you." Valarr was about to protest when the Seasnake spoke once more, his voice even softer. "I am not long for this world now Your Grace and I know you will do a fine job of running the realm without my guidance. I simply wish you keep Baela and the children well, and make sure that oaf Alyn does nothing stupid."
"I will old friend. Do you wish to see Baela and the children?" Valarr asks.
"Please." Lord Corlys manages to whisper.
Valarr walks to the door where Ser Tom and Ser Jeffrey stand guard and in a deep voice he says. "Go and bring Queen Baela and the children here." They bow their heads and Ser Tom walks off to fulfil the order. He then turns to speak with Maester Godrick who stands beside him. "How bad is he Maester?"
Maester Godrick is silent for a moment and then says quietly. "He will live perhaps another two or three days, nothing more than that. He is lucky to still be alive now. His heart was decaying from the inside." Valarr's face must show the horror that he feels for Maester Godrick then says. "His chest is very, very lumpy, his heart was clearly outlined through his chest and ribs."
Before Valarr can respond, the door opens and Baela, Matarys, and the rest of the children stream into speak with Lord Corlys. Valarr stands to one side and watches them speak about whatever takes their fancy. After a while Lady Rhaenys comes to stand next to him, and she whispers softly. "It is a shame Rhaena could not be here. I do not think Corlys will be able to hold on much longer."
Valarr would offer to go and fetch Rhaena himself from the Driftmark, but then that would involve having to bring Alyn with him as well, and right now Valarr is not sure whether or not he can deal with having Alyn Velaryon in the same place as Baela or Sylvia. So instead he keeps quiet. "Rhaenys." Comes the weak murmur from the bed and in an instant, Rhaenys Velaryon is sat beside her husband holding his hand, talking softly to him before the words stop and Corlys Velaryon chest stops moving. Valarr summons his children away from the room in order to leave Rhaenys to her grief, once they are outside the children hover unsure of what to do but, Baela his beautiful strong wife cries into his chest then.
A week later Corlys Velaryon's body is burnt and his ashes are given to the sea in traditional Velaryon style, the Lord of the Tides and Master of the Driftmark was seventy five when he died. A true and loyal lord to the Targaryen Dynasty, he had served as Lord of the Tides since his twenty-fifth nameday, father to Laenor and Laena Velaryon, and grandfather to a queen. Ser Alyn Velaryon comes a week later with his wife and cousin Rhaena to swear fealty to the Iron Throne as the new Lord of the Tides and Master of the Driftmark, Rhaena's belly heavy with child. Valarr accepts their oaths and turns to Lord Larys and tells him to keep a watch on Ser Alyn., Rhaena he trusts but Corlys' words haunt him still, he will not fail the man who was like a father to him he will not.
After three weeks have passed Valarr decides to stir himself and his family from King's Landing, and leaving the ruling of the city in the hands of the remaining members of the small council he heads for the Vale, where his brother Lord Aegon Arryn resides. With Valarr and his family come the dragons, Vermithor, Moondancer, Orgul, Urrax, Mellario, Errol and Hrurax. As well as a the knights of the Kingsguard, Lord Commander Ser Madden Darry, Ser Jeffrey Norcross, Ser Tom Costayne, Ser Olyvar Frey, Ser Humfrey Hardying, Ser Olyvar Oakheart and Ser Giles Greycloak. As well as fifty odd retainers and twice as many other members who make up the entourage. They are greeted at the Eyrie with Aegon, his wife Jeyne and their children three year old Daeron-heir to the Vale-, Baelor- the spare- and two year old Daena and their newborn daughter Rhaena.
Valarr notes the darkened complexion of his brother and bids him and the household rise when they arrive a moon after leaving King's Landing. The feast that night is something to behold, all the chivalry of the Vale has come to attend the king and the royal family, along with dwarves, jesters and singers almost as if there was a wedding going on. The next day once, all has settled down, Valarr and Aegon go for a walk around the gardens of the Eyrie close to where Stormcloud and the royal dragons are being kept for now. "So do you keep in touch with Viserys brother?" Valarr asks.
Aegon stiffens slightly as Valarr has learnt he is won't to do. He speaks in that solemn tone of his when he replies. "Aye I do Your Grace. I know of his wedding to Aleana, and the birth of their children Aegon, Aemon and Naerys. I know you built a castle for him on the border with the reach, the Stormlands and Dorne."
Valarr nods, his brother had wed their youngest sister some ten years ago, a request Viserys himself had made, for love he said, and Valarr was not wont to reject him. "What more has Viserys told you?"
"That you have offered him the position of master of laws, and that the council is growing old and tired." Aegon smiles slightly then. "I know that you wanted me down in King's Landing after the war, but I found I could not bring myself to go back to that Viper's nest. No matter that it had been our home for so long."
Valarr nods and says ruefully. "I know brother, trust me I do. Sometimes I wake up thinking if I was truly meant for all of this, or if the gods were cursing me with the crown for some sin I committed in my younger days. If there is one thing I have learnt though, it is that doubt and self pity will ruin you in King's Landing, and with Maelor dead there are many things that need discussing especially Oldstones."
Aegon grimaces at that and his voice seems sharper to Valarr when he replies. "Oldstones should rot for all I care Your Grace. That seat has given our family nothing but trouble."
Valarr laughs and says. "Ah brother you have become so solemn up here. Come south with me, come serve as my hand brother and we can solve everything together. We can show this bloody nobles what it means to be dragons again eh?" Valarr turns serious then and says. "Aegon Arryn, I would name you the hand of the king."