(Third Person POV)
The Royal Wedding took place not long after Aerion's Knighting Ceremony, gathering many Lords and Ladies of the Realm in the Great Sept. They were excited to finally see Princess Rhaeynra, the Heir to the Iron Throne, to finally wed.
And what better match than the youngest Knight of The Seven Kindgoms, Aerion Targaryen. Many were more excited to see Aerion himself, tales of his battles in the Steptsones had reached every nook and cranny of the Realm. Many have dubbed him the Warrior Incarnate as only someone as mighty as that would survive a bloody war without suffering a single injury.
Many saw the serious look on Aerion's face the entire time and could not help but be intimidated. His presence was powerful, enough to shake anyone in their boots. They thought they would see a simple boy who was fortunate enough to be a prodigy when it comes to fighting but what they saw was a Knight, a Dragonrider, a Lord with a fierce look in his eye that would make anyone soil their pants.
Despite the look in his eye, Aerion was kind to Rhaenyra. The Heir was nervous about the whole ordeal, emotions filling her completely as she was finally to be wed. She was holding Aerion's hand without even realizing it, something that everyone present realized.
While the truth was that Rhaenyra was nervous, people took it as a sign of faith from her side; believing that she had fallen to Aerion already. Whether that is the case or not, nobody knows but one thing is for sure; she was giving off a good impression to everyone. Aerion, however, did not mind at all, he simply stood there, unmoving and listening to the Septon speak.
Daemon Targaryen, Aerion's Father, was standing next to his wife, Lady Rhea Royce, watching this unfold. It is told that the entire time, Daemon had a smirk on his face, watching his only son be married to the Heir.
One would say that he was happy that his line would continue with a claim to the Iron Throne and the other says he was simply mocking Rhaenyra as their constant arguing and fights when she was a young girl were known far and wide. But the truth was that Daemon was simply proud and happy, genuinely, for his son to finally marry someone worthy of him.
The King and Queen were also watching this, with their children standing next to them. The Young Princess and Princess were a bit taken aback, seeing how Aerion's face had not changed at all, even during a wedding ceremony. Queen Alicent was perturbed by Aerion's eyes, prior to claiming that there was nothing but darkness in them. King Viserys dismissed her remarks and told her that Aerion had always been a serious boy.
Everyone present at the ceremony was accepting of this ceremony, knowing full well that this was a wedding for the ages. Despite that, it seemed as normal, as mundane, as a regular Noble Wedding.
Of course, everyone awaited the celebration banquet that King Viserys had planned. And possibly the Tourney in their honor but Aerion himself had refused a Tourney, something that Viserys was surprised by. Regardless, it was unknown if a Tourney were to take place.
But all of that said, it had finally happened.
Rhaenyra Targaryen, the Heir, had finally taken a husband.
Now, it was up to the bedding ceremony to confirm whether she was a maiden or not. This was something that Daemon along with members of the Court were curious about.
However, their biggest obstacle in confirming was not Rhaenyra, but Aerion Targaryen himself. Nobody knew if Aerion would be willing for them to witness the bedding, seeing that he is a very serious individual.
Lady Rhea Royce and her kin knew the answer to that ridiculous question and did not show any care or concern.
Aerion was not going to allow anyone to disrespect Rhaenyra.
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"I would like to personally congratulate the two of you." Lord Corlys Velaryon said as he stood in front of the table, "This is but a major occasion, The Princess Rhaenyra has finally taken a husband. I am glad to be a witness to it."
Aerion nodded, "Thank you, Lord Corlys."
Rhaenyra smiled slightly, "Yes, thank you."
"I had wished for Laenor to be present but knowing him, he would simply be a nuisance...with his cups and war stories, that is." Corlys chuckled, "Perhaps House Velaryon will build a stronger alliance with the two of you, My Princess and My Lord...."
"Perhaps." Rhaenyra nodded, "We thank you for the kind words."
Corlys nodded and walked away, not saying another word.
Rhaenyra sighed, "That makes the tenth lord coming up to us...." She said softly, "How many more?"
"I do not know." Aerion said, "But it is boring me."
"We can agree on that." Rhaenyra chuckled as she looked at Aerion
She saw that Aerion simply sat there in a straight posture, staring off into the distance with that serious look in his eyes. His body language had not changed since the moment he had returned. Even in the Wedding Ceremony, he was rather stoic.
But despite that, Rhaenyra could feel a bit of a slight change in that serious look. When they announced their vows to each other, Rhaenyra saw a bit of light in his eyes. To her, she was probably imagining it but she thought that this probably meant something to him.
"Is there something on my face?" Aerion asked without look at her
"No." Rhaenyra said, "Why do you ask?"
"You are staring at me." He said
"I cannot do that?" Rhaenyra asked
"You can." Aerion said
Rhaenyra reached for his hand, grabbing it, "There is no need to act so cold." She said softly, "We are husband and wife....we will be together now..."
"I suppose that is true." Aerion said
Aerion then noticed his father approaching with several servants behind him.
"Ahem!" He said loudly, "I would like for everyone's attention to fall upon the newlyweds and well, myself!"
Everyone watched as Daemon reached the table where Aerion and Rhaenyra sat in. Even Viserys and Alicent, who sat at another table, were looking at this with a bit of surprise.
A servant then placed a small wooden box in front of Rhaenyra who simply looked at it.
Daemon gestured at it, "Go on." He said, "Open it, niece."
Rhaenyra hesitantly took the box and opened it, glancing at Daemon with a serious look. Upon opening it, she saw that it was a necklace made out of valyrian steel, with some red rubies adorned on it, the Targaryen sigil engraved on it.
"Oh...." Rhaenyra said as she took the necklace out and held it in her hand, "I-It is.....it is beautiful..."
"Yes, of course it is." Daemon said smugly, "It is befitting a Targaryen Princess and the future Queen."
"Thank you..." Rhaenyra said softly
Daemon then gestured at the servants who had a much longer box in their hands, "Go on."
They then walked over and placed the box in front of Aerion, who was looking at Daemon with a raised eyebrow.
"Now now." Daemon said with a smirk, "Do not give me that scary look, son. Open it, you do not get things like these."
Aerion stood up and opened the box, revealing a Bastard Sword laying in it. The moment Aerion laid eyes upon it, his face softened a bit with surprise. The sword was of Valyrian Steel, the handle had bronze scales on it and the head of a bronze dragon was adorned on the hilt.
"What...." Aerion said under his breath
"A blade worthy of my son, Aerion Targaryen." Daemon said with a slight smirk, "A Valyrian Steel Edge that will cut far more easily than any regular blade. If The Bronze Dragonlord was able to vanquish foes with ease using high-grade iron, imagine what he could do with Valyrian Steel!"
Aerion grabbed the sword and lifted it up, pointing it to the sky as he examined the blade. There was a hint of admiration in Aerion's eye, something that Rhaenyra saw right away. To Aerion, a blade was much more than a tool, it was but a companion for battle. And while the sword he wielded from a young age was something he was content with, this was something better.
Aerion Targaryen had finally obtained the Valyrian Steel Sword he had wanted.
He had earned it.