Chapter Text
Nine years had passed since King Naekar Targaryen ascended the Iron Throne. In anticipation of Princess Maera's wedding, the king had called a retinue of ladies from all the Kingdoms, even Dorne, so that Maera might choose some to attend to her and keep her company.
But before that, the Princess had never truly known a proper friend; she found no common ground with her sister Gael (who was but a child); her uncle Fraerys was ever occupied with his family and his duties as Commander of the City Watch; her other uncle, Gaevenar, had departed from the capital to marry a Dornish lady when Maera was but nine years of age; the closest to her in age was Lady Rhaenyra, with whom she shared a cordial bond, though differences did arise been the two at times.
At court, there were a few ladies whom the Princess found both interesting and agreeable; Princess Margaery Martell had taken up residence in the Red Keep in the year 111 AC, accompanied by her dear friend Lady Aemma Dayne. Lady Leah Baratheon, a second cousin to Maera, and Lady Alaera Arryn from the Vale. All these ladies were allowed to remain at King's Landing for various reasons and Princess Maera chose them as companions, along with two others: Lady Clodine Dondarrion, cousin to Princess Margaery, and Lady Alicent Manderly, betrothed to Daemion Velaryon.
Princess Maera's ladies-in-waiting became not merely her dearest friends; they were also indispensable for the preparations of the forthcoming royal wedding, something that held little interest in the princess. She enjoyed herself more by riding her dragon Nox, and training with the sword under the guidance of Ser Criston Cole, a young knight of nine-and-ten who served as the Princess' personal guard, thanks to whom, Maera was fairly skilled even at her young age. Often she trained alongside her friend Princess Margaery, who excelled with the spear as a true Dornishwoman, while the other ladies contented themselves watching them.
Princess Margaery Martell, with her Dornish easiness, brought tales of sun-soaked sands and the customs of her southern homeland, a welcome diversion from the more somber traditions of King's Landing. Lady Aemma Dayne, her loyal companion, played the harp with such skill that her music often filled Maera's chambers with enchanting melodies.
Lady Leah Baratheon, spirited and bold, shared a blood tie with Maera and enjoyed referring to it as much as she enjoyed shooting with the bow. Lady Alaera Arryn, descended from the high peaks of the Vale, offered a jolly presence that tempered the more ardent natures of the group. Lady Clodine Dondarrion, known for her sharp mind, provided counsel both practical and amusing. Lady Alicent Manderly, brought a touch of northern practicality and spoke of her many travels.
Together, these ladies-in-waiting formed a retinue as diverse as the realms they hailed from, each bringing their own strengths and charms. They supported Princess Maera in her duties and brought light and laughter to each other's days, making the rigours of court life more bearable. With their aid, Princess Maera prepared for her wedding, which would bind her to new duties and a new life, even as her heart remained free, soaring upon the wings of her dragon Nox, swinging the sword under Ser Criston's vigilant eye and drinking and feasting with her friends.
~~~
The first rays of dawn filtered through the windows of the Red Keep, casting a gentle glow over the sleeping figure of Maera in her chambers. Ser Criston Cole stood silently outside the door, ever vigilant, even in the early hours. As the first lights touched the walls, the young knight could hear soft murmurs of approaching voices down the hallway. Soon, Lady Clodine, Lady Alicent and Lady Aemma stood before him.
"Good morning, Ladies." Ser Criston greeted while slightly bowing his head respectfully. The ladies smiled at the handsome knight in return. "Is there any chance the Princess is already awake?" Lady Clodine asked looking up at the guard.
"None at all." He replied with a hint of a jest. "It is far too early for the princess to wake up on her own." He said jokingly. The three ladies exchanged amused glances and chuckled softly agreeing with Ser Criston's comment.
Lady Aemma, still with a smile on, stepped forward and asked, "May we enter? We wouldn't want for the princess to be awakened too harshly by her mother."
Ser Criston nodded, knowing how intolerant and bitter the Queen could be. "Of course, my ladies. Please, go ahead."
He stepped aside, holding the door open for them. The ladies entered Maera's chambers quietly, careful not to disturb the tranquility of the early morning. The room, lighted by the gentle morning sun, was a chaotic blend of the princess' varied interests and restless habits. Clothes were strewn across the floor, a few daggers lay haphazardly on the dresser, and a couple of books were stacked precariously on the bedside table. Empty goblets were scattered about, and that was not much of a surprise either.
Lady Clodine raised an eyebrow at the sight of too many goblets for only one person. "It seems our princess had quite the night with Leah, Margaery and Alaera" she remarked with a soft laugh.
Lady Alicent shook her head, her eyes almost twinkling with regret of not joining her friends the night before. "Indeed. I'm starting to regret not joining them." she finished with a loud whine.
Lady Aemma, ever gentle, moved closer to the bed. "Shall we wake her up then?" she said, her voice tinged with amusement.
Clodine approached the bed, her footsteps light but purposeful. Maera lay amidst the tangled sheets, her silver-gold hair cascading in loose curls around her.
"Maera, wake up," Lady Clodine said, her voice firm but warm as she gave the princess a gentle shake. "It's already morning, and we have much to do today."
Maera groaned and turned around burying her face deeper into the pillows. "A little longer." she mumbled, her voice muffled.
Alicent, growing slightly impatient, pulled back the curtains, letting in more sunlight. "You had your fun last night, but now it's time to face the day."
Aemma, not one to be deterred, leaned over and pulled the blankets. "You can't stay in bed forever, Maera. We have much to plan." Clodine quickly added. "And you know you'd much rather have us wake you up than her grace, the Queen".
With a sigh of defeat, Maera rolled onto her back, rubbing her eyes with the palms of her hands. She eventually opened them, squinting up at the trio and groaning once again at the mention of her mother. "The Queen seems to enjoy scolding me more than she does her own husband" she complained, sitting up, a hint of a smile playing on her lips despite her reluctance. "Why do mornings seem to arrive ever earlier?" Maera chuckled.
"It's always so when duties await you," Lady Clodine replied, offering a hand to help her friend up. "And we wouldn't want to delay them." Once Maera was up, Clodine pulled her hand slightly and with a serious and slightly annoyed expression asked. "Would we, Princess?" Maera scoffed at the remark, for everyone knew her procrastination did nothing good.
———
Some time later, after Lady Aemma had departed to wake Princess Margaery, Lady Clodine had set about awakening Lady Alaera, and Lady Alicent had ventured off to find Lady Leah, a table had been prepared for eight ladies, in case Rhaenyra wished to join them.
Yet only six were present. Princess Maera, who had been the first to be awakened that morning, was notably absent. As minutes stretched into a half-hour of waiting, Lady Alicent finally took charge, deciding they should commence their discussion without her.
The others nodded in agreement, well aware that Maera's interests often lay elsewhere, particularly when it came to the preparations of her impending wedding.
As the ladies settled around the table, their murmured conversations filled the morning air. Lady Alicent, with a touch of authority in her voice, began outlining the day's matters, discussing the details of Maera's upcoming nuptials. They spoke of floral arrangements, the seating plan for esteemed guests, and the menu fit for a royal feast.
Meanwhile, down a winding path, Princess Maera strolled at an unbothered pace, flanked by Ser Criston Cole, her ever-present protector. Her pale-gold hair stretched down past her waist in loose curls, softly pinned away from her face. She was dressed in a simple gown of deep green, and she moved with a tranquility that ignored her great lateness.
As they approached the table where her ladies-in-waiting convened, Maera could already hear the distant hum of their voices. It was precisely what she had hoped for; they had started without her. She cast a side glance at Ser Criston, her lips curling into a faint upside-down smile, a silent jest between them. His stoic expression softened briefly, acknowledging her unspoken amusement with a small smirk.
Stepping into the garden, Maera's presence drew immediate attention. The ladies rose respectfully, their faces lighting up with warm smiles that masked any true frustration at her lateness. "Good morrow, Princess," Lady Clodine greeted, her words carefully measured. "You've finally decided to join us, albeit late."
Maera chuckled softly, the sound carrying a hint of mischief. "My apologies," she said, her voice carrying the weight of authority tempered with amusement. "I was delayed by my betrothed; he stopped me in the hallways to speak. Then Ser Criston and I took the liberty of having a morning stroll through the gardens." She took her seat at the head of the table, her posture regal yet relaxed. the ladies knew well they were but excuses. At least the first one seemed untrue, the second one was surely more reasonable.
Lady Alicent, ever practical, resumed their discussion with almost an annoyed tone. "We've begun without you, Princess," she remarked, her tone laced with slight annoyance. "We were just discussing the arrangements for the floral displays. Princess Margaery had some beautiful ideas."
Maera, seated at the head of the table, leaned back in her chair with an audible sigh, her expression betraying boredom. Her gaze flickered to Ser Criston standing nearby. "Ser Criston," she addressed him with a soft voice that carried authority softened by familiarity, "you may take your leave for now." Her dismissal was gentle but firm.
The loyal knight nodded respectfully, offering a slight bow before departing with a quiet step. As the sound of his boots on the garden path faded, Maera turned her attention back to her ladies-in-waiting, her demeanor now more relaxed yet purposeful.
"Ladies," she began, her voice now tinged with the thrill of excitement, "I propose something far more captivating than mere floral arrangements." She leaned forward, her eyes alight with the fire of her idea. "Since the festivities span four days, with my wedding taking place on the final day, why not demonstrate the true power of House Targaryen?"
Her gaze swept across the faces of her companions, judging their reactions. "A dragon flight," she continued, her voice vibrant with enthusiasm. "I myself could fly alongside my father the King, Uncle Fraerys, and perhaps even my cousin Rhaenyra." Her eyes lingered momentarily on an empty seat, wondering aloud, "Speaking of whom, has anyone seen her this morning?"
The garden fell into a thoughtful silence, punctuated only by the rustling of leaves in the morning breeze. Lady Clodine exchanged a glance with Lady Alicent, a flicker of question passing between them. It was Lady Alaera who spoke up.
"I believe I heard Syrax flying over the Keep earlier this morning." Alaera stated softly. "She might have still not returned."
Maera nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. "Very well then," she replied, her mind already turning to the logistics of her proposed dragon flight. "Let us ensure Rhaenyra is included in our next discussions. For now, let us speak of the details of this grand spectacle."
The ladies began to discuss the logistics of the dragon flight, their voices blending in conversation. Maera listened attentively, her initial boredom now replaced with a keen focus on planning an event that would exhibit the might and majesty of House Targaryen during the upcoming festivities.