Saerys Velaryon

Daeron Targaryen

Malentine Velaryon

Vaegon Velaryon

Saerys is the dowager queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Her son, King Viserys Targaryen rules the Seven Kingdoms.

## Appearance and Character

Despite her nearing her fifth decade in this world, Saerys retains much of her regal grace and beauty. Her platinum blonde curls cascade down to the small of her back, atop a high-cheekboned face, featuring bright violet eyes, an elegant aquiline nose and lips accustomed to laughter and cheer. Somewhat tall for a woman, she stands about 5'9", with a curvy build that has grown softer with age, much to her chagrin.  Saerys is a learned, accomplished woman, but with little mind for politics of the court or realm. She is fiercely protective of her children and refuses to see faults within them.

## History

### Early Life

Saerys was born in 51 AC to Lord Corwyn Velaryon and Jeyne Swyft.  From the moment of her birth, it seemed her destiny was not her own to steer.  Indeed, before she had spoken her first words, she had been promised to the young King Rhaegar Targaryen, reinforcing her great family’s connection to the Iron Throne.  Thus, she was immediately, and vigorously trained to be the perfect noblewoman, for nothing less would be acceptable for the future queen of the Seven Kingdoms.  Fortunately for Saerys, lessons with her septa and maester came easily to her sharp mind, and even at a young age, she dazzled the household with her charm and grace.  With such talent came creativity and ambition, and her spirit yearned to explore the world beyond courtesies, conversation, and bloody embroidery. Alas for such an important child, there was no room for risk taking in her upbringing, and her desires went ignored and stifled.

### **Velaryon Teens**

Saerys was the firstborn of the main Velaryon line, and the next three children, all boys, came into the world in rapid succession, only a year separating each of them.  And her brothers could not be any different in disposition. The oldest, Corlys had eyes only for the sea. The next, Aethan, only had eyes for the sword. And Malentine, well behind those eyes, she only ever found coldness.  However, as they entered early adolescence together, Saerys required a confidant - someone she could trust when the pressure of being the perfect young lady was just too much for her to handle. Such companionship rapidly manifested between her and young Aethan.  Indeed, an uncanny bond formed, for it seemed whenever she felt her spirit grow low, he was at her side with a small jest or token, to lighten her soul. Though she would not dare to admit it herself, she slowly began to only have eyes for Aethan.

Such an infatuation was dangerous, and Saerys knew the dire consequences.  For she was betrothed to the King, and the perfect queen could not afford any dalliances, least of all with her own brother.  Thus, she continued to stifle her wants and desires - with one misstep. A particularly trying day during a visit to Nightsong culminated in a passionate kiss with Aethan.  And in proof that the Gods are wrathful, such an act was witnessed by a servant, and their father was immediately informed. Lord Corwyn’s anger was terrifying, indeed tempered with fear of losing the betrothal to the Crown, and Saerys further dampened her feelings.

### The Queen

Finally Saerys was of age, the time had come for her to marry King Rhaegar, and take her place as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.  This being the first royal marriage since the accursed Maegor married his Black Brides, no expense was spared, as the Crown orchestrated the grandest ceremony the realm had ever seen.  Despite the pomp and spectacle of love everlasting, the principal participants, Rhaegar and Saerys were far from a match of souls. The reserved and detached king could never provide the lightening of the heart Saerys required.  But she turned on the charm and grace nonetheless - a show of unity and pride for her family, and her kingdom.

Such a display did not come easy, for Saerys seemed to truly fail for the first time in her life, as the Mother refused to bless Saerys with child in the first five years of marriage. To offset this shameful dereliction of her duty, she threw countless balls and celebrations, of the most elegant nature.  In her way, she hoped to soften the edges of Rhaegar's firm rule

Finally, in 71 AC, her belly swelled large, and a blessed son, a long awaited heir, was born to the realm. Aenar, they called him - the future king. And all signs pointed to him being fit for rule. To add to their happiness, a beautiful daughter soon followed. Little Jaehaera was the darling of the court, and everything seemed right in Saerys’ world for a blissful moment. But the Gods give and take as they please, and in 77 AC, they cruelly claimed Aenar with a devastating plague that claimed many a son throughout the realm.   Such a loss was ameliorated by the birth of a second son, a new heir, Viserys. However, the ache of losing Aenar would haunt Saerys to the end of her days.

### Hook Uprising and Female Fellowship

The plague, now known as Maegor’s Breath, would do more than claim the heir to the throne. Such a tragedy would lead to food shortages, which would lead to higher taxes, which ultimately turned to rebellion.  Nearly half the noble houses of the Crownlands rose up against the Iron Throne, in what would become known as the Hook Uprising. While military matters and warfare were far from Saerys’ purview, she immediately took notice of the distressing effects the uprising had the noble ladies of the court, many of whom came from families on the wrong side of the rebellion.  The compassionate queen organized a safe forum in one of her chambers, where noblewomen of either side could meet, discuss, comfort each other, and receive updates on the status of their warring families. Even after the rebellion had been quashed, Saerys continued to host this forum for noble ladies of the court, encouraging a more educational direction, where women were free to openly discuss unladylike topics such as politics and science.  This salon of sorts would cheekily become known as the Queen's Sewing Circle, despite the lack of needle and thread at the gatherings. Unbeknownst to her, many of her ladies-in-waiting utilized this gathering for more cunning purposes.

One blessing that came from the wretched uprising, was Saerys’ brother Aethan proving his valor, and earning a position among the famed Kingsguard.  Saerys had her adolescent companion, her most trusted confidant, back in her life, and she could not be happier. Sure she had her ladies and companions of the court to comfort her, but no one could ever match Aethan’s gentle words and soulful heart.

Once again all seemed right in Saerys’ world.  There was peace in the realm, she had a clever, charming daughter, a strong, healthy heir, the adoration of the smallfolk, and her Aethan at her side.  To add to her bliss, she found herself pregnant once more, ultimately birthing a squalling baby boy, Daeron. A spare!

### Rosegold Rebellion

For the most part, calm had reigned for the Iron Throne. Sure there was some scuffle in the south with the obnoxious Dornish, but in Saerys’ mind, she had helped rule over a peaceful time for over a decade.  Her relationship with both her sons grew closer with every passing year, and she experienced satisfaction like she never had before. But that all came to a crashing halt with the death of the king.

There was little love lost between Saerys and her husband, but it had been Rhaegar’s firm rule that truly held the realm together. To add fuel to the dragonfire, her son Viserys, now King Viserys, did not take Rhaegar’s death well. In Saerys’ eyes, her son was the perfect heir in every way, but the unbiased eyes of the court saw a different man - a disinterested, uninspiring man, unfit for rule. Such fears manifested to life quickly, at Viserys’ own coronation feast. A drunken tirade by the newly crowned king became the spark that lit the fires of rebellion under the lords of the West and Reach.

For her part, Saerys fiercely defended her son.  She was convinced these traitorous lords had been looking for any excuse to rebel. Indeed, she insisted her son was every bit the King the realm needed. And her belief was vindicated when Viserys proved himself in battle, and in diplomacy after helping organize peace.

### Deaths

Although peace would hold for the next five years, the Stranger would still take his due. Prince Aemon, the Hand of the King, and a rock of leadership, would pass, followed by the new queen, Myranda Arryn, and most cruelly of all, Viserys’ infant son, the heir to the Iron Throne. Such tragedy sent Viserys into a spiral of despair, and as any compassionate mother would do, she coddled him. She indulged his grief and insisted he take as much time to recover as he needed. Meanwhile the leadership of the crown crumbled.

It took a harsh slap of reality from an unexpected source, Saerys’ other son, Daeron, to come their senses and see the poor state of the Iron Throne. Now she sees Balerion’s death as a fresh slate, and is determined to help her sons restore the realm to order.

## Family

* Lord Corwyn Velaryon, d. 78 AC

* m. Jeyne Swyft
	+ **Saerys Velaryon**, Queen Dowager, b. 52 AC
	+ m. Rhaegar I Targaryen, King of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, b. 48 AC, d. 93 AC
		- Aenar Targaryen, b. 71 AC, d. 77 AC
		- Jaehaera Targaryen, b. 73 AC
		- m. Edmyn Tully
			* Aerys Tully
			* Aelinor Tully
		- Viserys I Targaryen, King of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, b. 77 AC
		- m. Miranda Arryn, Queen Dowager, b. ?, d. 97 AC
			* Valarr Targaryen, b. 97 AC, d. 97 AC
		- Daeron Targaryen, b. 78 AC
	+ Corlys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark b. 53 AC
	+ m. Alysanne Florent, Lady of Driftmark
		- Daella Velaryon, b. 79 AC
	+ Aethan Velaryon, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, b. 54 AC
	+ Malentine Velaryon, Lord-Regent of Driftmark, b. 55 AC
	+ m. Alys Bar Emmon
		- Vaemond Velaryon, b 75 AC
		- Lianna Velaryon, b. 81 AC
		- Valaena Velaryon, b. 89 AC
		- Delaenora Velaryon b. 90 AC, d. 90 AC
	+ Vaegon Velaryon, Co-Regent and Castellan of Driftmark, b. 58 AC
	+ m. Meredyth Rosby
		- Rhogar Velaryon, b. 87 AC
		- Laena Velaryon, b. 90 AC
		- Daemon Waters, b. 84 AC