Chapter 16: Matters of Some Consequence

The time is almost at hand. The Reach is concerned with some internal squabble and the North reeling from Jarl’s renewed attack, with Mole’s Town changing hands yet again. I have gathered the support of numerous lords including, most significantly, Lord Paramount Harmund of the Iron Islands and the High Septon. Given the High Septon’s frosty attitude towards me I can only assume that he either sees my ascent as inevitable, and wishes to be in House Targaryen’s good graces, or that he expects his support will earn him a measure of control over me.

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Precisely as I am readying myself for the trial ahead, a raven brings news that shatters my plans. Apparently, Anslem Tyrell has taken the opportunity of the recent wars and the cover of some internal dispute to proclaim The Reach an independent Kingdom once again, and he now seeks to install Tya Lannister in the Westerlands. Presumably he has proposed restoring their house in exchange for their support, though whether he seeks to rule the Westerlands indirectly or to simply create another independent power I cannot say. It hardly matters. I cannot allow the Kingdom to break, and so I answer the King’s call to arms.

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And then I send my message anyway. I can always put the Seven Kingdoms back together, but the chance to take my throne, that is a rare opportunity. The chaos of war is the perfect time to do just that. I send the letter, knowing the only reply will be an attempt to arrest me, because such are the forms we must observe.

I am stunned into silence by the reply.

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He accepted.

I can only suppose that the long task of ruling a kingdom torn apart by over ten years of war has grown too much for him.

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The consequences are dramatic and immediate. Lord Anslem has recalled his troops to The Reach, presumably because he fears a Targaryen far more than an Allyrion. Aside from this, the realm is actually at peace, on the surface. I then demand control of King’s Landing from Alaric, who was clearly upset by all he has surrendered, but complied nonetheless. As I stride into the Red Keep, the first Targaryen to do so as ruler since Rhaegar offered his surrender to Stannis Baratheon sixty years ago, I see the place in a new light.

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There is so much work to do, and so little time to do it. My first task is to establish my Small Council. In fact I bring my previous council from Sharp Point with me, for I have assembled advisers who are competent and trusted. I will, when peace is secured, review this once again - it will not do for long to deny Lords and Ladies Paramount positions in this body - but for the time being I need competence from trusted people. The only significant change is to assign Franklyn Tully to be Master of Laws, a position he will be good in. I also assign Kennett to be Commander of the Goldcloaks. I need them to be a fine and loyal force, and I can think of nobody more appropriate for this than my dear lion. Imagine it: Tywin Lannister’s goal was always to take control of the Iron Throne, and now if there is one person in this world whose advice I take to heart, it is my Lannister husband.

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The High Septon agrees to Crown me Queen. I am not surprised by this, as he did after all support my reclamation of the Iron Throne. I am however saddened to learn that a cabal of Crownlander lords are refusing to attend. This is a grave insult but, I perceive, also a warning - it was their support which won me this throne bloodlessly, and their support could as easily topple me once again.

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My much bigger concern, however, is The Reach. After The North, the homeland of the Tyrells is the largest of the Seven Kingdoms, but it is infinitely richer and more valuable. If I allow The Reach to retain independence for long my rule will be weakened, perhaps fatally so. It would be of little use for House Targaryen to regain the Iron Throne and then find ourselves in control of just the Crownlands. But before I consider how best to act towards The Reach, my Coronation draws near.

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I have ensured that it is a lavish, opulent affair. The people have suffered under years of war and I may soon ask it of them once again. I have no desire to see the smallfolk suffer, and it is vital that they see the rumors of the old “Mad King” are false, and that a Targaryen is the best - the only - ruler for them. So it is that the High Septon officially crowns me Queen Rhaella Targaryen, First of My Name, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. In AL 284 the Targaryens were deposed. It is now AL 347 and at the age of 43 I have taken the Iron Throne, restoring the Targaryen dynasty to our rightful position.