A Better Conquest

Chapter 3

Dorne and the North

Prince Nymos Martell of Dorne was a hard man, with, in Earth terms, a Spanish complexion. He had three sons, the oldest of which just saw twelve namedays, the youngest, four namedays. His wife was dead, she died after the birth of her last child.

Originally, the plan was to marry a Princess of Dorne.

Shit.

…

"So, tell me, King of Westeros, have you come to conquer us? To have us bend the knee or die?" Prince Nymos asked mockingly.

"No. I could not conquer Dorne as an outsider, I would need help from a native lord to conquer it, just as Nymeria did. Which is close to impossible because your House is loved."

"Oh. We'll I'm glad. Why then have you come?"

"I wish to be King of all Westeros, that much is true. But a man must know when he is at a disadvantage and to seek another path if possible. My offer to you is marriage, not now, but in the future. I would have one of my daughters wed into your family, and one of your daughters or granddaughters into mine."

"Would they become Queen one day?"

"Yes. Hopefully, if that son of mine is worthy of the throne. The rules of the inheritance for the royal family will be different to suit the needs of the realm. Instead of only firstborn sons inheriting it, it shall be passed onto the oldest Targaryen male of the time. This comes with the expectation that they pass a queensmoot. All Targaryen Ladies, whether they be born or wed into the family, shall hold a council to ensure that the man is worthy of the Crown."

"Hmm. That is an interesting idea. It does also prevent younger siblings from killing older ones because they would have to pass the queensmoot to become King.

"Exactly, and it provides a man to rule a kingdom, not a boy."

"Very well. I shall agree to these terms."

And with that, the Pact of the Snake and the Dragon was made.

…

Aegon sat in Harrenhal, relaying what happened in Dorne for his siblings and Lords to hear.

"What's next, the North?" Visenya asked.

"Yes, I think the best solution is to just meet the King of Winter himself with the dragons. They say Starks are honorable, and they swore oaths to protect their people. I think he'll bend the knee." Aegon said.

"As you wish brother," Rhaenys replied. The Tullys had successfully conquered the Iron Islands with minimal losses due to Meraxes. Sometime during the endeavor, Rhaenys and Edmyn had a little fun… and his sister being pregnant was the result. She would not be going North with her three siblings.

…

King Torrhen Stark, the unknown number of his name, saw the three dragons of Aegon Targaryen and felt truly worried for his people. He could fight this would-be King of Westeros and suffer the cost of his pride, or kneel to him and likely maintain a powerful position for the Starks, and the lives of his people would be spared.

Making a choice, the King of Winter parlayed with the King of Dragons and knelt.

"Rise, as Lord Torrhen Stark, the Lord Paramount of the North."

In the background, the three children of Torrhen watched. Looking towards them, Aegon was intrigued. The oldest was women of twenty with a sword on her hip. She had glittering grey eyes with long black hair.

"Who are you, my lady?" Aegon asked.

"I am Lyarra Stark, your Grace." She said this not mockingly or with anger. It was indifferent.

"What do you make of me, my lady?"

"I do not know what to make of you. You have tried to be merciful for the most part, but also demonstrated your power when needed. It is nothing less or more than what my own father would have done."

"Would you do me the honor of being my queen, lady Lyarra?"

Looking to her father, he nodded, and she agreed to the request.

They married that night in front of the old gods.

…

Visenya came forward. Lords and Ladies were gathered on both sides of the Great Hall of Harrenhal to witness this event. Lyarra kneeled beside himself waiting for her good sister to come towards the King and Queen.

Finally, she was about a meter away. At this point she stopped. In a loud, clear voice, she intoned, "Today marks the first day of his grace's reign over Westeros. To truly be a King however, one needs a crown, and a throne. For that, I have this crown-"

Holding it up high for all to see, it was made of Valyrian steel with rubies adorned to it.

"-and these thrones-"

Behind the King and Queen, a white drape was dropped, showing for all to see two thrones. The first was a masculine black marble throne. It was simplistic in design, with only the three headed dragon carved into the back of it. The second was a feminine white throne, with carvings of decorative flames surrounding the bottom of the throne.

"-for a new King and Queen. Long may they reign!"

All the men and women broke out into shouts of "Long may they reign!"

At this point, King Aegon and Queen Lyarra, first of their names, were standing high on the raised platform before the lords. Silencing the hall, Aegon gestured for Orys to bring him something. It was a silver circlet with a blue sapphire attached. All the ladies gasped for it was truly something for a Queen.

Placing it on Lyarra's head, Aegon took her hand in his and raised their conjoined hands.

"Time for the feast!"

...

AN: So I'm tempted to go agricultural revolution first, but I might go for exploration Columbus style first. I mean, that'd be fun. Or I could form Academies/schools whatever name I decide on. There's a lot I want to go over. As for the end of this fic, I'm thinking that I'll end it with Aegon's death. That won't be for sometime, especially if medicine and such knowledge was implemented.