Chapter 205: The Silver Dragon King Arrives in Loyal King's Landing
The massive procession ascended Aegon's High Hill. To welcome the triumphant royal army returning from the Battle of Bloodstone, King Jaehaerys II personally came to the King's Gate. This was an unprecedented victory: a crushing defeat of the Triarchy and the securing of control over the Narrow Sea and the Stepstones. For a long time to come, no more pirates and slavers would prey upon honest folk, bringing peace to the Seven Kingdoms. Furthermore, the Triarchy had signed harsh treaties, strengthening King's Landing's finances and military influence. Spirits throughout King's Landing soared, and the authority of the Iron Throne had been firmly restored.
Leading the procession were seven knights, symbolizing the Seven Gods. They were Ser Steffon Baratheon of the Stormlands with his antlered stag helm; Prince Lewyn Martell of Dorne with his spear-and-sun sigil; Ser Barristan Selmy the Bold; Ser Brynden Tully of the Riverlands, commander of the Narrow Sea Guard with his fiery red hair; Bronze Yohn Royce of the Vale in his famed bronze armor; Ser Lucerys Velaryon, commander of the Narrow Sea Fleet with silver hair and purple eyes; and Cesar, the Braavosi swordsman deeply trusted by Prince Rhaegar.
Each knight appeared proud and spirited, intoxicated by the sweetness of glory. The bright and noble warriors raised their banners high, displaying family sigils upon shields and standards: the red dragon on black, crowned stag, roaring lion, silver seahorse, runes and pebbles, leaping trout, and many more.
Also present were Ser Joffrey Arryn in blue-and-white armor, Ser York Clawber wielding his great axe, Ser Lyn Corbray, and many others. There were also Rhaegar's three squires: Myles Mooton, Jon Connington, and Jaime Lannister.
After the lords and knights came the Dragon Guard warriors, clad in black scale armor and dark cloaks with the image of a Silver Dragon emblazoned across their chests. Their dragon-headed helms possessed winged crests that fluttered in the wind. These young warriors, broad-shouldered and powerful, carried the pride and ambition of conquerors. They had come from every corner of Westeros and beyond, an iron torrent that currently seemed unstoppable.
Behind the Dragon Guard marched supporting soldiers from the Stormlands, Dornish spearmen, Crackclaw Point warriors, elite men of the Narrow Sea Guard, and even the Free Army. Yet distinctions remained clear through their equipment and bearing. The Dragon Guard possessed the finest black scale armor, followed by the others, and finally the men from Crackclaw Point.
But everyone knew the spectacle had not yet reached its peak.
The climax would be the return of the three dragons and the Young Dragon King.
Amid thunderous cheers, the dragons finally appeared over King's Landing, accompanied by a roar like rolling thunder.
Their wings beat powerfully through the sky.
At first they appeared only as shadows.
Then they became moving flames.
Gradually the dragons descended lower and lower until the crowd could see them clearly: their ferocious jaws, curved horns, winding necks, gleaming scales, and vast leather wings.
When the dragons flew low, they stirred frenzied winds across the city.
People saw the three dragons representing majesty and power: the proud Silver Dragon, the untamed Black Dragon, and the noble Purple Dragon.
The dragons seemed born of fire itself.
Heat shimmered across their scales.
The breath issuing from their mouths carried the scent of sulfur and flame, causing noble ladies and servant girls alike to shriek in excitement and fear.
Rhaegar Targaryen, riding Silver Emperor, circled King's Landing three times before the dragons finally landed before the King's Gate.
He dismounted and took hold of his black warhorse.
Today Rhaegar wore magnificent black armor adorned with a radiant Silver Dragon across his chest, while his black cloak bore a rearing Silver Dragon.
His helm resembled a dragon's head, complete with winged crests and ruby eyes.
Rhaegar's silver-gold hair, deep purple eyes, and strikingly handsome face ignited another wave of cheers.
He was tall and graceful, like a sword given human form.
As he passed, people shouted his name, lifted children for blessings, and scattered flower petals before his horse.
In the world of ice and fire, a nobleman needed only several simple things to win admiration:
First: appearance.
Second: martial prowess.
Third: talents such as wisdom and political ability.
The first was simple—one had to be tall and handsome.
Most of Westeros judged by appearances.
The great houses produced famous features: House Lannister's golden hair and green eyes; House Baratheon's black hair and powerful builds; House Stark's solemn long faces; House Arryn's blond hair and blue eyes.
And then there were the silver hair and purple eyes of Valyrian blood.
If someone was ugly, unfortunately they often became objects of mockery and discrimination.
For example Tyrion Lannister. Because of both his appearance and dwarfism, he had long been viewed as evidence of divine punishment upon House Lannister.
Even after saving King's Landing, he was still mocked as the Imp.
Second, one had to be a formidable warrior.
Martial prowess represented kingship.
Knightly culture had spread across nearly every corner of the Seven Kingdoms.
Compared to weak scholars, people naturally admired legendary warriors and peerless knights.
Personality, culture, and art all came afterward.
King Aenys excelled in those qualities, but the lords still considered him weak and looked down on him.
In these regards, Rhaegar was simply too perfect.
He was tall, agile, handsome, heroic, dangerous, scholarly, and skilled in battle.
He possessed the blood of Valyria—the bloodline of Dragonlords.
Rhaegar's eyes flashed like lightning and his presence felt overwhelming.
Across both sides of the Narrow Sea, there seemed no one capable of standing against him.
People compared him to the Young Dragon, but he appeared even more brilliant than Daeron I.
The Silver Dragon King.
Especially after his victory over the Triarchy.
People felt as if they were witnessing a silver flame descending into the world, like a silver sun illuminating all things.
The screams of noble maidens became deafening.
Each carried impossible dreams in her heart.
Rhaegar rode forward before dismounting before King Jaehaerys II.
The King took the hand of Bloodstone's savior and proudly presented him to the crowd.
The cheers exploded like a tidal wave.
The atmosphere reached its peak.
Jaehaerys II wore his crown of black iron and red gold, adorned with sharp points.
Rhaegar then greeted the assembled nobility before the King: his parents, his younger brother, and the envoys sent by the great houses to witness the celebration.
Lord Jon Arryn and Lady Rowena Arryn of the Vale had come alongside their heir Denys Arryn.
Princess Lorenza Martell, ruling Princess of Dorne, had arrived.
House Tyrell had sent Lord Luthor Tyrell and his family.
House Baratheon of Storm's End had also arrived.
The Lord Paramount of the Riverlands had not attended, but had sent Lord Hoster Tully instead, considering family ties.
The old trout likely wished to avoid embarrassment.
Even House Stark had sent an envoy.
Brandon Stark.
Among the assembled crowd, Rhaegar noticed several unexpected individuals.
There was Brandon Stark, heir of House Stark and son of Rickard Stark.
The future Wild Wolf.
Tall, long-faced, dark-haired, and gray-eyed.
Far taller and more handsome than Eddard.
He possessed the unruly confidence unique to an eldest son—the famous "wolf blood" of House Stark.
In this regard, Rhaegar thought Brandon and Robert Baratheon would get along very well.
There was also someone hidden among the commoners whose aura immediately repulsed Rhaegar.
The bloodline of the Drowned God.
The same sea-stench he sensed from Squishers.
Blood and soul.
Rhaegar saw him hiding in disguise among the crowds:
Balon Greyjoy.
Heir to the Iron Islands.
A young kraken.
Black-haired, black-eyed, tall and broad-shouldered, with a chest like a bull and the body of a warrior.
Currently the fiercest and strongest of Quellon's sons.
Balon and his brothers had constantly urged their father to restore the Old Way.
The Ironborn learned sailing from childhood.
But the overwhelming strength of the Iron Throne had forced such ambitions into silence.
Rhaegar felt Balon posed little threat.
Balon knew no magic.
And frankly, he lacked brains.
Rhaegar looked at Balon.
The man was disguised.
If he died here today in King's Landing, few would care.
Still, perhaps such fools were more useful alive.
Jaehaerys II then presented Rhaegar with a beautiful insignia.
This was a new title conceived on a whim:
Admiral of Triumph.
Rhaegar declared he would devote everything to becoming the sword and shield of the Iron Throne.
Then he joined the assembled nobles.
Next came the heroes and knights of the Battle of Bloodstone.
The gathered lords, knights, squires, and wealthy merchants erupted into applause.
The entire city became a sea of noise and celebration.
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