Difference between revisions of "Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)"

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Princess '''Rhaena Targaryen''' was the eldest of the six children of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] and Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} She was a [[dragonrider]] and rode the dragon [[Dreamfyre]].{{Ref|tpatq}}
 
Princess '''Rhaena Targaryen''' was the eldest of the six children of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] and Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} She was a [[dragonrider]] and rode the dragon [[Dreamfyre]].{{Ref|tpatq}}
  
Following her marriage to King [[Maegor I Targaryen]], Rhaena became known as one of his '''[[Black Brides]]'''. During the reign of her brother, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], Rhaena became known as the '''Queen of the West''' during her time on [[Fair Isle]],{{Ref|fab|A Surfeit of Rulers}} and as the '''Queen of the East''' during the years she held [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|fab|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
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Following her marriage to King [[Maegor I Targaryen]], Rhaena became known as one of his '''[[Black Brides]]'''. During the reign of her brother, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], Rhaena became known as the '''Queen in the West''' during her time on [[Fair Isle]],{{Ref|fab|A Surfeit of Rulers}} and as the '''Queen in the East''' during the years she held [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|fab|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
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Rhaena was born in {{Date|23}} to Prince [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]] and Lady [[Alyssa Velaryon]]. She was named in honor of Aenys's late mother, [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]. Rhaena was the first grandchild of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], and it is said that he wept the first time he held her.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} Following Rhaena's birth, people suggested that her uncle [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] would fall behind her in the line of succession, as she was the eldest (and at the time only) child of Aenys, the heir to the throne. The next year, Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] suggested a betrothal between her son Maegor and Rhaena in order to settle the succession issue. Both Rhaena's parents and the [[High Septon (Aegon I)|High Septon]] protested the match. The High Septon instead suggested his niece, Lady [[Ceryse Hightower]], as a bride.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}
 
Rhaena was born in {{Date|23}} to Prince [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]] and Lady [[Alyssa Velaryon]]. She was named in honor of Aenys's late mother, [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]. Rhaena was the first grandchild of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], and it is said that he wept the first time he held her.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} Following Rhaena's birth, people suggested that her uncle [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] would fall behind her in the line of succession, as she was the eldest (and at the time only) child of Aenys, the heir to the throne. The next year, Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] suggested a betrothal between her son Maegor and Rhaena in order to settle the succession issue. Both Rhaena's parents and the [[High Septon (Aegon I)|High Septon]] protested the match. The High Septon instead suggested his niece, Lady [[Ceryse Hightower]], as a bride.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}
  
As a child, Rhaena was shy, preferring the presence of animals over that of other people. At age of nine Rhaena was presented with a [[dragon]] hatchling. She bonded instantly with the dragon, whom she named [[Dreamfyre]]. At the age of twelve Rhaena flew upon Dreamfyre for the first time. Shortly thereafter,  Rhaena became good friends with her cousin [[Larissa Velaryon]]. The two girls were inseparable, until Larissa was suddenly betrothed and wed to the second son of the [[Evenstar]] of [[Tarth]]. Rhaena next befriended [[Samantha Stokeworth]], the daughter of Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]], the [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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As a child, Rhaena was shy, preferring the presence of animals over that of other people. At age of nine Rhaena was presented with a [[dragon]] hatchling. She bonded instantly with the dragon, whom she named [[Dreamfyre]]. At the age of twelve Rhaena flew upon Dreamfyre for the first time. Shortly thereafter,  Rhaena became good friends with her cousin [[Larissa Velaryon]]. The two girls were inseparable, until Larissa was suddenly betrothed and wed to the second son of the [[Evenstar]] of [[Tarth]]. Rhaena next befriended [[Samantha Stokeworth]], the daughter of Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]], the [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} Rhaena would have a number of favorites, all of whom she would shower with affection and attention to such extends, that it was cause for whispering at the court.{{Ref|fab|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
  
 
Rhaena and her eldest brother [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] were close during their childhood, and Rhaena would sometimes take him with her to fly upon Dreamfyre. Rhaena doted on her siblings, and it was said that she placed a [[dragon egg]] in the cradles of her brother [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and sister [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], from which their dragons [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]] hatched. Although she would sometimes take others flying with her upon her dragon, Rhaena most often flew Dreamfyre by herself. When she [[age of majority|turned sixteen]], she declared herself to be free to fly wherever she wanted.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}
 
Rhaena and her eldest brother [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] were close during their childhood, and Rhaena would sometimes take him with her to fly upon Dreamfyre. Rhaena doted on her siblings, and it was said that she placed a [[dragon egg]] in the cradles of her brother [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and sister [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], from which their dragons [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]] hatched. Although she would sometimes take others flying with her upon her dragon, Rhaena most often flew Dreamfyre by herself. When she [[age of majority|turned sixteen]], she declared herself to be free to fly wherever she wanted.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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Although she honored Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], grudgingly, for supporting Jaehaerys against Maegor, Rhaena could not forgive nor forget his inaction when her husband [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] had [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye|fought]] Maegor. When her mother [[Golden Wedding|married]] Lord Rogar, later that same year, Rhaena did not attend the wedding.{{Ref|fab|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Instead, she remained on Fair Isle, and men in the westerlands, [[Reach]], and parts of the [[riverlands]] began referring to her as the ''Queen in the West''. As time passed, Rhaena also began to resent the fact that her claim to the throne, and that of her daughters, had been dismissed in favor of Jaehaerys, to whom she began to refer as "''my baby brother''". In addition, Rhaena begrudged her mother for promoting Jaehaerys's claim over her own.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
 
Although she honored Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], grudgingly, for supporting Jaehaerys against Maegor, Rhaena could not forgive nor forget his inaction when her husband [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] had [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye|fought]] Maegor. When her mother [[Golden Wedding|married]] Lord Rogar, later that same year, Rhaena did not attend the wedding.{{Ref|fab|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Instead, she remained on Fair Isle, and men in the westerlands, [[Reach]], and parts of the [[riverlands]] began referring to her as the ''Queen in the West''. As time passed, Rhaena also began to resent the fact that her claim to the throne, and that of her daughters, had been dismissed in favor of Jaehaerys, to whom she began to refer as "''my baby brother''". In addition, Rhaena begrudged her mother for promoting Jaehaerys's claim over her own.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
  
When Lord Marq died in {{Date|50}}, [[Franklyn Farman]] became the new [[Lord]] of [[Fair Isle]]. He ordered Rhaena to leave the island, allowing her to bring Androw with her, but forbidding her to take Elissa. Rhaena would not stay where she was not welcome, but ignored Lord Franklyn's second demand and took Elissa with her. Rhaena left on dragonback, while Elissa and the rest of Rhaena's companions departed the isle on Elissa's ship, the ''[[Maiden's Fancy]]'', for [[Lannisport]].{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
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On Fair Isle, Rhaena became fast friends with her sister-in-law, Elissa. Together with two of Rhaena's oldest friends, [[Alayne Royce]] and [[Samantha Stokeworth]], they formed an inseparable group which Ser [[Franklyn Farman]], Elissa and Androw's brother, called "the Four-Headed Beast". Yet despite the welcome Lord [[Marq Farman|Marq]] had given her, others were less pleased with the presence of Rhaena and her dragon on the isle, chief among them Ser Franklyn. When Franklyn succeeded his father as the [[Lord]] of [[Fair Isle]] in the early weeks of {{Date|50}}, he ordered Rhaena to leave Fair Isle, and to take her dragon, friends, and husband with her. He insisted that sister Elissa, however, would remain at Fair Isle. Rhaena refused to stay where she was not welcome and left that same night. She ignored Franklyn's second demand, however, and took Elissa with her. Rhaena left on dragonback, while Elissa and the rest of Rhaena's companions departed the isle on Elissa's ship, the ''[[Maiden's Fancy]]'', for [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
  
Rhaena and her court toured the [[westerlands]] for a time, even being guests of [[House Lannister]] at [[Casterly Rock]], but Rhaena became increasingly unwelcome and realized that most of the lords wanted to take advantage of her, were afraid of her, or worse, that they desired her [[dragon]] [[Dreamfyre]] or Dreamfyre's clutch of [[Dragon eggs|eggs]] so they could have dragons of their own. Rhaena and her friends briefly stayed at Casterly Rock, [[Ashemark]], [[Castamere]], the [[Golden Tooth]], [[Wayfarer's Rest]], and [[Pinkmaiden Castle]]. Upon hearing in {{Date|50}} of her brother's second marriage, she and her court departed for [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}  
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Rhaena and her retinue were taken in by Lord [[Lyman Lannister]] and his [[Jocasta Lannister|wife]]. They remained at Casterly Rock for more than a month, until Rhaena began to realize that Lord Lyman wanted more than a guest: he wanted an alliance with the Iron Throne by wedding either his [[bastard]] brother or one of his trueborn sons to Rhaena, and he wanted a dragon of his own. Rhaena and her court took their leave of Casterly Rock and traveled the [[westerlands]], visiting [[Ashemark]], [[Castamere]], the [[Golden Tooth]], [[Wayfarer's Rest]], and [[Pinkmaiden Castle]]. At every seat she encountered the same problems: all of the lords wanted to take advantage of her, were afraid of her, or desired a [[dragon]] of their own. Eventually, in {{Date|50}}, Rhaena returned to King's Landing where she was a guest for the second wedding of her brother Jaehaerys and sister Alysanne. Rhaena met with Jaehaerys after the wedding, and told him of her troubles. Insisting on having a seat of her own, Rhaena requested to be granted [[Dragonstone]]. In addition, she asked for her daughter Aerea, Jaehaerys's heir who had been living with him at King's Landing, to be returned to her care. Jaehaerys granted both her requests.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}  
  
Although newly married, her brother King Jaehaerys still had no children of his own body, and as such had his niece, Rhaena's eldest daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], named his heir when coming to the throne. Aerea lived in the [[Red Keep]] at [[King's Landing]] and loved the court life, along with the attention she received as the king's heir. Rhaena arrived to join the celebrations of Jaehaerys's second wedding. Afterwards, she confronted her brother about her own troubles. Rhaena had no desire to stay in King's Landing, with its memories of her time as [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]]'s forced wife, so she made two requests from Jaehaerys, which he granted: [[Dragonstone]] as her own seat, and her daughter Aerea, the king's heir, returned to her care.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
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===Queen in the East===
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On [[Dragonstone]], Rhaena came to be called ''the Queen in the East''.{{Ref|fab|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Although Rhaena was content on Dragonstone, her friend [[Elissa Farman]] and daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] grew more and more unhappy on the island. Elissa often spoke of returning to the western seas. As she was denied any incomes from [[Fair Isle]] by her brother, Lord [[Franklyn Farman|Franklyn]], she petitioned Rhaena for sufficient [[Currency|gold]] to build a ship  to sail the [[sunset sea]]. Rhaena denied her request, stating she could not bear to see Elissa go, opening a rift in their
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relationship. In {{Date|54}}, Elissa announced to Rhaena she was leaving the island. Rhaena received the news stone-faced. A fortnight after Elissa had departed, it was brought to Rhaena's attention that Elissa had stolen three of the [[dragon egg]]s. Enraged by the betrayal, Rhaena commanded Ser [[Merrell Bullock]], the commander of her garrison, to question the grooms and stableboys sharply, and expelled Merrell and [[Alyn Bullock|his son]] from the island when the questioning did not turn up answers. She further expelled a dozen others, and even summoned her own husband to demand if he had known anything of Elissa's theft. She only grew more enraged when he denied any knowledge, being unable to believe he had not been Elissa's accomplice.
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When Androw asked to be appointed as Ser Merrell's successor, Rhaena and his companions laughed at him to his face. Rhaena sent men after Elissa, but after the trail had gone cold  Rhaena traveled to King's Landing to inform King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]]. Jaehaerys warned her that, should one of the eggs hatch, they would have no choice but to go to war.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
  
===Queen of the East===
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Rhaena's mother, Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]], had meanwhile grown great with her second child by Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]]. However, her health took a turn for the worst and before the child was due. When Rhaena learned that her mother was on her deathbed, she flew to [[Storm's End]] on [[Dreamfyre]]. When her husband, [[Androw Farman]], announced that he would accompany her, she mockingly refused him, just as she had refused his offer to accompany her to see Jaehaerys at King's Landing following the theft of the dragon eggs. Alone, Rhaena flew to Storm's End to make amends with her mother, but arrived too late. She was livid, blaming her mother's death on Lord Rogar. She threatened that if he ever married again, she would personally kill him. , before returning to Dragonstone.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
On Dragonstone, Rhaena came to be called ''the Queen in the East'', in reference to both her previous moniker and her new location.{{Ref|fab|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Though Rhaena was content on [[Dragonstone]], her friend [[Elissa Farman|Elissa]] and Rhaena's daughter, Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], were unhappy with their lives on the island, and the pair grew close due to their mutual discontent. Elissa often spoke of returning to the western seas with the young princess. As Elissa was denied any incomes from Fair Isle by Lord [[Franklyn Farman]], she petitioned Rhaena for [[Currency|gold]] sufficient to build a ship that could sail the [[sunset sea]]. Rhaena denied her request, stating she couldn't bear to see Elissa go, and a rift thus opened in Elissa and Rhaena's relationship. In {{Date|54}}, Elissa petitioned Rhaena to leave once more. This time Rhaena permitted her request stone-faced, while Aerea wept for Elissa. Neither [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] princess knew of Elissa's destination, and she discreetly stole three [[dragon egg]]s from [[Dreamfyre]]'s clutch. Furious at the betrayal, Rhaena summoned her husband Androw and demanded to know if he knew anything. His tearful denials only enraged Rhaena further. The marriage between the two, though never passionate, became loveless. Rhaena, suspicious of everyone, dismissed Ser [[Merrell Bullock]], who had been commander of the castle garrison. Once Elissa's trail had grown cold, Rhaena informed King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] in King's Landing. Jaehaerys was alarmed by the news; if the eggs were to hatch, there would be a [[dragonlord]] in the world that was not a Targaryen. That was just the beginning of Rhaena's woes that year.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
 
  
News later came that her pregnant mother [[Alyssa Velaryon|Alyssa]] was on her deathbed. Rhaena arrived too late to see her mother one last time before her death. The princess was livid, blaming her mother's death on Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] and threatening that if he ever married again, she'd kill him herself, before returning to Dragonstone.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
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Following her return to Dragonstone, a strange sickness fell over the island. Rhaena's [[maester]], [[Culiper]], was the first to die, suddenly and mysteriously. One by one, Rhaena's close friends fell sick and died as well: [[Cassella Staunton]], [[Septa]] [[Maryam]], [[Alayne Royce]], [[Samantha Stokeworth]], and finally [[Lianna Velaryon]], who died in Rhaena's arms. Rhaena had Dragonstone closed and barred, and sent word to King's Landing, where Lord [[Rego Draz]] recognized the described symptoms as the result of the [[tears of Lys]], a deadly [[poison]]. Jaehaerys dispatched a raven to his sister, and when Rhaena read the letter, she realized at once that her husband had been the culprit. She and her garrison found Androw after a long search in the [[Painted Table|Chamber of the Painted Table]], where he confessed. Rhaena ordered him [[Eunuch|gelded]], and determined that his private parts were to be cooked, and that he would be forced to eat them all before his death. However, Androw jumped from a castle window, denying Rhaena her revenge against him. Instead, Rhaena had his body hacked apart and fed to her dragons.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
 
 
Later that year, which would become known as the ''Year of the Stranger'', Rhaena's [[maester]] on Dragonstone, [[Culiper]], died suddenly and mysteriously. Many suspected Culiper had died from an unknown illness, until one by one, Rhaena's close friends died also: [[Cassella Staunton]], [[Septa]] [[Maryam]], [[Alayne Royce]], [[Samantha Stokeworth]], and finally [[Lianna Velaryon]], who died in Rhaena's arms. When [[Rego Draz]] recognized the described symptoms as the result of the [[poison]] known as the [[tears of Lys]], an urgent [[raven]] was dispatched. Maester [[Anselm]] was found killed in the rookery with a dagger in his back. When Rhaena read the message, she knew at once who was responsible. She and the garrison found her husband Androw in the [[Painted Table|Chamber of the Painted Table]], where he confessed all. Rhaena ordered him [[Eunuch|gelded]], but instructed the guards to keep him alive. His private parts were to be cooked, and only when he consumed every bite would he be allowed to die. Androw jumped from a castle window, denying her revenge against him. Rhaena ordered his body recovered so it could be hacked apart and fed to her [[dragon]]s.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
 
  
 
Her sister, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], arrived on Dragonstone to try and comfort Rhaena, who had become numb due to betrayal and grief and was unresponsive. Her daughter Aerea, feeling more and more isolated on the island, begged her aunt to take her with her back to [[King's Landing]]. Rhaena coldly refused, stating that Alysanne had everything and would not have her daughter too. Yet before the year ended, Aerea disappeared from Dragonstone, as did [[Balerion|Balerion the Black Dread]]. Mounting Dreamfyre, Rhaena flew to the [[Red Keep]], sure Aerea had gone there, but the court had seen no sign of her. Many believe Aerea had become a [[dragonrider]] in order to escape the isle and had chosen Balerion, the most powerful living dragon, as her mount so her mother could not force her to return. Rhaena despaired and traveled all over [[Westeros]] searching for her daughter, even flying to [[Fair Isle]], where Lord Franklyn received her coldly. Rhaena left, but not before telling him how Balerion had enjoyed eating his brother, Androw.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
 
Her sister, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], arrived on Dragonstone to try and comfort Rhaena, who had become numb due to betrayal and grief and was unresponsive. Her daughter Aerea, feeling more and more isolated on the island, begged her aunt to take her with her back to [[King's Landing]]. Rhaena coldly refused, stating that Alysanne had everything and would not have her daughter too. Yet before the year ended, Aerea disappeared from Dragonstone, as did [[Balerion|Balerion the Black Dread]]. Mounting Dreamfyre, Rhaena flew to the [[Red Keep]], sure Aerea had gone there, but the court had seen no sign of her. Many believe Aerea had become a [[dragonrider]] in order to escape the isle and had chosen Balerion, the most powerful living dragon, as her mount so her mother could not force her to return. Rhaena despaired and traveled all over [[Westeros]] searching for her daughter, even flying to [[Fair Isle]], where Lord Franklyn received her coldly. Rhaena left, but not before telling him how Balerion had enjoyed eating his brother, Androw.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

Revision as of 22:12, 16 January 2019

House Targaryen.svg
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Rhaena Targaryen
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Rhaena Targaryen 23.jpg
Rhaena Targaryen, as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in The World of Ice & Fire.

Aliases
Titles
  • Princess
  • Queen
Allegiance House Targaryen
Race Valyrian
Culture Crownlands
Born 23 AC[3]
Died 73 AC[2]
Harrenhal[2]
Spouses
Books

Princess Rhaena Targaryen was the eldest of the six children of King Aenys I Targaryen and Queen Alyssa Velaryon.[4][5] She was a dragonrider and rode the dragon Dreamfyre.[6]

Following her marriage to King Maegor I Targaryen, Rhaena became known as one of his Black Brides. During the reign of her brother, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, Rhaena became known as the Queen in the West during her time on Fair Isle,[1] and as the Queen in the East during the years she held Dragonstone.[2][7]

Appearance and Character

Rhaena had lively lilac eyes and silver-gold hair. She was small at birth, but happy and healthy. By the age of fourteen years, Rhaena had grown into a beautiful young girl.[8]

Rhaena was a shy, dreamy child, more comfortable with animals than other children. She would often hide behind her parents as a child when near strangers, and never warmed to any of the female companions her mother presented her with. She much more preferred books. After bonding with her dragon Dreamfyre, however, Rhaena began to overgrow her shyness. Although she would remain quiet, she could no longer be considered timid after she had flown for the first time. Shortly thereafter, Rhaena made her first friend. Numerous female favorites would follow throughout her life.[8]

Rhaena had an exquisite singing voice. At eighteen, Rhaena was considered brave, fierce and headstrong.[8] Due to numerous betrayals and tragedies in later life, she became withdrawn and detached. In her last years her hair had turned completely white.[9]

History

Early life

Rhaena was born in 23 AC to Prince Aenys Targaryen and Lady Alyssa Velaryon. She was named in honor of Aenys's late mother, Rhaenys Targaryen. Rhaena was the first grandchild of King Aegon I Targaryen, and it is said that he wept the first time he held her.[8] Following Rhaena's birth, people suggested that her uncle Maegor would fall behind her in the line of succession, as she was the eldest (and at the time only) child of Aenys, the heir to the throne. The next year, Queen Visenya Targaryen suggested a betrothal between her son Maegor and Rhaena in order to settle the succession issue. Both Rhaena's parents and the High Septon protested the match. The High Septon instead suggested his niece, Lady Ceryse Hightower, as a bride.[4][10][3][8]

As a child, Rhaena was shy, preferring the presence of animals over that of other people. At age of nine Rhaena was presented with a dragon hatchling. She bonded instantly with the dragon, whom she named Dreamfyre. At the age of twelve Rhaena flew upon Dreamfyre for the first time. Shortly thereafter, Rhaena became good friends with her cousin Larissa Velaryon. The two girls were inseparable, until Larissa was suddenly betrothed and wed to the second son of the Evenstar of Tarth. Rhaena next befriended Samantha Stokeworth, the daughter of Lord Alyn Stokeworth, the Hand of the King.[8] Rhaena would have a number of favorites, all of whom she would shower with affection and attention to such extends, that it was cause for whispering at the court.[1]

Rhaena and her eldest brother Aegon were close during their childhood, and Rhaena would sometimes take him with her to fly upon Dreamfyre. Rhaena doted on her siblings, and it was said that she placed a dragon egg in the cradles of her brother Jaehaerys and sister Alysanne, from which their dragons Vermithor and Silverwing hatched. Although she would sometimes take others flying with her upon her dragon, Rhaena most often flew Dreamfyre by herself. When she turned sixteen, she declared herself to be free to fly wherever she wanted.[8]

Reign of Aenys I

By the time Rhaena was eighteen, she had numerous suitors, but she gave no encouragement to any of them, preferring instead her siblings, animals, and her newest favorite, Alayne Royce. In 37 AC King Aenys I Targaryen, Rhaena's father, ascended the Iron Throne. When King Aenys went on a royal progress, he took his eldest three children, including Rhaena, with him. Rhaena loathed being separated from her dragon Dreamfyre, and her most recent favorite, Melony Piper. As she toured the realm with her father, she reverted back to her former shyness and became sullen at feasts, refusing to partake in any of the festivities. After Queen Alyssa Velaryon summoned Lady Melony to join the progress, Rhaena's mood improved.[8]

By 41 AC, Rhaena spent much of her time with her siblings, cats, dogs and her friends, including her newest favorite, Lady Alayne Royce.[8] That year, Rhaena was betrothed to her eldest brother, Prince Aegon. It was rumored, although never proven, that Rhaena had given her maidenhead to a man.[N 1] Archmaester Gyldayn has suggested that, due to these rumors, he wished for Rhaena to marry as soon as possible. As, according to Gyldayn, Rhaena and Aegon had likely expected to be wedded to one another ever since they were young, neither objected. The Faith of the Seven, on the other hand, did not accept the incestuous match. The High Septon wrote that the marriage would be "an obscenity" and that any children born from the marriage would be "abominations in the sight of gods of men".[8]

Despite this reception, Rhaena and Aegon were wed in the Sept of Remembrance, while Warrior's Sons stood in the streets, making note of every wedding guest. After the wedding, King Aenys decided to send his children on a royal progress, remembering the cheers of his own progress when he ascended the throne. Rhaena asked her father's leave to bring her dragon, but Aenys forbade it, fearing that Aegon, who had not yet claimed a dragon of his own, might be considered unmanly by the lords and commons if they saw his wife on dragonback but him on a palfrey. During their entire journey, Rhaena, Aegon, and their escort were jeered by crowds. When, at one village, Rhaena and Aegon were pelted with dirt by a group of Poor Fellows that far outnumbered their escort, Rhaena rode up to them to threaten them. The High Septon continued to speak against the marriage, and the pious of the realm heeded his words, starting an uprising against the Iron Throne.[4][8]

By the start of 42 AC, Rhaena and Aegon found themselves besieged at Crakehall by members of the Faith. Upon learning of this news, Rhaena's father, King Aenys I, collapsed, and died three days later on Dragonstone.[4][8]

Reign of Maegor I

Upon the death of King Aenys I Targaryen, Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen flew to Pentos to retrieve Aenys's brother, Maegor, from his exile. On Dragonstone, Maegor claimed the throne for his own, ignoring the claim of Rhaena's husband, Aegon.[10][3]

When the Poor Fellows who had besieged Crakehall finally departed for a march on King's Landing, Rhaena and Aegon took their refuge at Casterly Rock, where Lord Lyman Lannister protected them by extending guest right. There, Rhaena discovered she was pregnant. Her twin daughters, Princess Aerea and Princess Rhaella, were born at Casterly Rock the following year, in 43 AC.[3][5][8] Following their birth, the High Septon proclaimed them to be abominations, born of lust and incest. According to the maester serving at Casterly Rock at the time, Rhaena begged Aegon to flee with her across the narrow sea, out of Maegor's reach, stating that she would be willing to give her life for Aegon, but was unwilling to risk the lives of their children. Aegon refused, however, as he was determined to claim his throne.[11]

Although Lord Lyman refused all of Maegor's demands to turn Aegon and Rhaena over, he also refused to pledge his swords to Aegon's cause.[12][3] While most of their companions abandoned them, Rhaena's friend Alayne Royce stayed by her side, while Melony Piper arrived at Lannisport with her brother to give their support. In late 43 AC, Rhaena and Aegon took advantage of Maegor's half a year absence from King's Landing. They managed to successfully infiltrate the city with the help of several collaborators within the city. They did not dare seize the throne, knowing they lacked the strength to hold it. Instead, they had come for Rhaena's Dreamfyre, and for a dragon for Aegon. When Rhaena and Aegon left King's Landing, they did so flying side by side, Rhaena on her Dreamfyre and Aegon on their late father's Quicksilver.[8] Rhaena and Aegon returned to the westerlands to assemble an army, gathering an army at Pinkmaiden Castle. When Aegon marched to war against Maegor, Rhaena did not accompany him, although it is not know whether the choice was hers or Aegon's. Aegon fell to Maegor in the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye. Rhaena received the news of the deaths of her husband Aegon and her loyal friend, Lady Melony Piper, in stony silence.[8][10]

Rhaena returned to Lannisport and next fled on to Fair Isle, where she was given hospitality by lord Marq Farman. On Fair Isle, Rhaena disguised her daughters and sent them away with allies, ensuring even she was unaware of where her daughters had gone, so she could not reveal their whereabouts under torture. However, disguising herself was impossible, due to her dragon Dreamfyre. Instead, she remained on Fair Isle, where it is said that she grew fond of Lord Marq's second son Androw.[8] However, according to Maester Smike, the maester of Fair Isle, it was Androw's sister Elissa, who was Rhaena's true love.[1]

In 47 AC, Lord Daemon Velaryon, Rhaena's uncle and a member of Maegor's small council, advised Maegor summon Rhaena and wed her, thereby uniting their claims and prevent new rebellions. Later that year, Maegor summoned Rhaena to King's Landing, taking her to bride in a triple ceremony, together with Elinor Costayne and Jeyne Westerling.[8] Although many present for the wedding believed that Rhaena would give a show of defiance, the revelation that Queen Tyanna had found Rhaena's disguised daughters, whom she presented at the wedding, ensured Rhaena's cooperation. Together with Jeyne Westerling and Elinor Costayne, Rhaena became known as one of Maegor's "Black Brides".[13][10][3] Rhaena would later claim that she attempted to kill Maegor with a dagger hidden beneath her pillow during the wedding night.[8]

Immediately following the wedding, Maegor declared Rhaena's eldest daughter Aerea as his heir, until he had sons of his own, while disinheriting Rhaena's youngest brother Jaehaerys in the same decree. Rhaena's youngest daughter, Rhaella, was instead sent to Oldtown to be trained as a septa. Rhaena herself remained at King's Landing until 48 AC. When she learned that Jaehaerys had announced his claim to the Iron Throne, she escaped King's Landing in the night on Dreamfyre to join Jaehaerys's cause, taking her daughter Aerea and the Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre, which she stole from Maegor while he slept, with her. Enraged, Maegor sent a rider to Oldtown commanding Lord Hightower to behead Rhaella as punishment for Rhaena's betrayal. Hightower refused, and instead imprisoned the messenger.[10][3] Rhaena flew to Storm's End, where Jaehaerys was gathering his support. Following Maegor's death, Rhaena and her siblings Jaehaerys and Alysanne flew on their dragons to King's Landing to claim the throne for Jaehaerys.[3][8]

Queen in the West

Following Maegor's death, discussion arose as to who had the better claim to the Iron Throne. There were some who suggested that Rhaena's claim, as the firstborn child of King Aenys I Targaryen and Queen Alyssa Velaryon, was the strongest. Her gender argued against her, however, and Rhaena herself had come to loathe King's Landing and its court. The claims of her daughters were argued for as well. If Maegor was to be considered a usurper, the true king would have been Rhaena's husband, Aegon, who had claimed the throne before Jaehaerys had. As such, some suggested the throne should pass to one of his daughters by Rhaena, Aerea and Rhaella. The girls did not have much support, however, and Rhaena herself agreed that the crown should go to Jaehaerys instead.[14]

In late 48 AC, Rhaena traveled to Oldtown with the court for the coronation of Jaehaerys in the Starry Sept by the High Septon. Nine days later, Jaehaerys departed Oldtown for King's Landing with Rhaena's elder daughter Aerea, whilst her younger daughter Rhaella remained in Oldtown. At the time, it was widely believed that someone had switched Rhaena's twin daughters, disguising Aerea as Rhaella and Rhaella as Aerea. Archmaester Gyldayn has suggested both Rhaena and her mother, Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, as the person responsible for the switch.[14]

Rhaena accompanied Jaehaerys on until Highgarden. From there, she flew to Fair Isle, to return to Lord Marq Farman's seat.[14] Within a fortnight of 49 AC, Rhaena married Lord Marq's second son, Androw in a quick and small ceremony. Lord Marq presided the wedding, and Lord Lyman Lannister, his wife, Lady Jocasta, and two of Rhaena's friends, Samantha Stokeworth and Alayne Royce, attended the wedding. Days after the wedding, a raven was sent to King's Landing from Casterly Rock, to inform the new king and his court of the marriage. Rhaena's mother, Queen Regent Alyssa Velaryon, was deeply offended that she had neither been informed of nor invited to the wedding. According to chroniclers in King's Landing, this caused a rift between the pair. Lord Rogar Baratheon, the Hand of the King, was furious about the fact that Rhaena had not asked the Crown's leave to wed. King Jaehaerys himself, however, and Rhaena's younger sister Alysanne, welcomed the news, and dispatched gifts in celebration.[15]

Rhaena's choice of Androw as her husband was another matter. Lord Marq's second son possessed neither martial skills, nor was he considered clever, and the maester of Fair Isle claimed he could hardly write and read. Some have suggested that Rhaena married Androw as a way of showing gratitude to his father, Lord Marq, who had sheltered Rhaena after King Maegor had killed her husband. Lord Farman's maester, Smike, speculated that Rhaena had taken Androw for her husband not because she loved him, but because she loved his sister Elissa. Due to remaining in the Westerlands, the realm began to refer to Rhaena as the Queen in the West.[1][15]

Although she honored Lord Rogar Baratheon, grudgingly, for supporting Jaehaerys against Maegor, Rhaena could not forgive nor forget his inaction when her husband Aegon had fought Maegor. When her mother married Lord Rogar, later that same year, Rhaena did not attend the wedding.[15] Instead, she remained on Fair Isle, and men in the westerlands, Reach, and parts of the riverlands began referring to her as the Queen in the West. As time passed, Rhaena also began to resent the fact that her claim to the throne, and that of her daughters, had been dismissed in favor of Jaehaerys, to whom she began to refer as "my baby brother". In addition, Rhaena begrudged her mother for promoting Jaehaerys's claim over her own.[1]

On Fair Isle, Rhaena became fast friends with her sister-in-law, Elissa. Together with two of Rhaena's oldest friends, Alayne Royce and Samantha Stokeworth, they formed an inseparable group which Ser Franklyn Farman, Elissa and Androw's brother, called "the Four-Headed Beast". Yet despite the welcome Lord Marq had given her, others were less pleased with the presence of Rhaena and her dragon on the isle, chief among them Ser Franklyn. When Franklyn succeeded his father as the Lord of Fair Isle in the early weeks of 50 AC, he ordered Rhaena to leave Fair Isle, and to take her dragon, friends, and husband with her. He insisted that sister Elissa, however, would remain at Fair Isle. Rhaena refused to stay where she was not welcome and left that same night. She ignored Franklyn's second demand, however, and took Elissa with her. Rhaena left on dragonback, while Elissa and the rest of Rhaena's companions departed the isle on Elissa's ship, the Maiden's Fancy, for Casterly Rock.[1]

Rhaena and her retinue were taken in by Lord Lyman Lannister and his wife. They remained at Casterly Rock for more than a month, until Rhaena began to realize that Lord Lyman wanted more than a guest: he wanted an alliance with the Iron Throne by wedding either his bastard brother or one of his trueborn sons to Rhaena, and he wanted a dragon of his own. Rhaena and her court took their leave of Casterly Rock and traveled the westerlands, visiting Ashemark, Castamere, the Golden Tooth, Wayfarer's Rest, and Pinkmaiden Castle. At every seat she encountered the same problems: all of the lords wanted to take advantage of her, were afraid of her, or desired a dragon of their own. Eventually, in 50 AC, Rhaena returned to King's Landing where she was a guest for the second wedding of her brother Jaehaerys and sister Alysanne. Rhaena met with Jaehaerys after the wedding, and told him of her troubles. Insisting on having a seat of her own, Rhaena requested to be granted Dragonstone. In addition, she asked for her daughter Aerea, Jaehaerys's heir who had been living with him at King's Landing, to be returned to her care. Jaehaerys granted both her requests.[2]

Queen in the East

On Dragonstone, Rhaena came to be called the Queen in the East.[2] Although Rhaena was content on Dragonstone, her friend Elissa Farman and daughter Aerea grew more and more unhappy on the island. Elissa often spoke of returning to the western seas. As she was denied any incomes from Fair Isle by her brother, Lord Franklyn, she petitioned Rhaena for sufficient gold to build a ship to sail the sunset sea. Rhaena denied her request, stating she could not bear to see Elissa go, opening a rift in their relationship. In 54 AC, Elissa announced to Rhaena she was leaving the island. Rhaena received the news stone-faced. A fortnight after Elissa had departed, it was brought to Rhaena's attention that Elissa had stolen three of the dragon eggs. Enraged by the betrayal, Rhaena commanded Ser Merrell Bullock, the commander of her garrison, to question the grooms and stableboys sharply, and expelled Merrell and his son from the island when the questioning did not turn up answers. She further expelled a dozen others, and even summoned her own husband to demand if he had known anything of Elissa's theft. She only grew more enraged when he denied any knowledge, being unable to believe he had not been Elissa's accomplice. When Androw asked to be appointed as Ser Merrell's successor, Rhaena and his companions laughed at him to his face. Rhaena sent men after Elissa, but after the trail had gone cold Rhaena traveled to King's Landing to inform King Jaehaerys. Jaehaerys warned her that, should one of the eggs hatch, they would have no choice but to go to war.[7]

Rhaena's mother, Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, had meanwhile grown great with her second child by Lord Rogar Baratheon. However, her health took a turn for the worst and before the child was due. When Rhaena learned that her mother was on her deathbed, she flew to Storm's End on Dreamfyre. When her husband, Androw Farman, announced that he would accompany her, she mockingly refused him, just as she had refused his offer to accompany her to see Jaehaerys at King's Landing following the theft of the dragon eggs. Alone, Rhaena flew to Storm's End to make amends with her mother, but arrived too late. She was livid, blaming her mother's death on Lord Rogar. She threatened that if he ever married again, she would personally kill him. , before returning to Dragonstone.[7]

Following her return to Dragonstone, a strange sickness fell over the island. Rhaena's maester, Culiper, was the first to die, suddenly and mysteriously. One by one, Rhaena's close friends fell sick and died as well: Cassella Staunton, Septa Maryam, Alayne Royce, Samantha Stokeworth, and finally Lianna Velaryon, who died in Rhaena's arms. Rhaena had Dragonstone closed and barred, and sent word to King's Landing, where Lord Rego Draz recognized the described symptoms as the result of the tears of Lys, a deadly poison. Jaehaerys dispatched a raven to his sister, and when Rhaena read the letter, she realized at once that her husband had been the culprit. She and her garrison found Androw after a long search in the Chamber of the Painted Table, where he confessed. Rhaena ordered him gelded, and determined that his private parts were to be cooked, and that he would be forced to eat them all before his death. However, Androw jumped from a castle window, denying Rhaena her revenge against him. Instead, Rhaena had his body hacked apart and fed to her dragons.[7]

Her sister, Queen Alysanne, arrived on Dragonstone to try and comfort Rhaena, who had become numb due to betrayal and grief and was unresponsive. Her daughter Aerea, feeling more and more isolated on the island, begged her aunt to take her with her back to King's Landing. Rhaena coldly refused, stating that Alysanne had everything and would not have her daughter too. Yet before the year ended, Aerea disappeared from Dragonstone, as did Balerion the Black Dread. Mounting Dreamfyre, Rhaena flew to the Red Keep, sure Aerea had gone there, but the court had seen no sign of her. Many believe Aerea had become a dragonrider in order to escape the isle and had chosen Balerion, the most powerful living dragon, as her mount so her mother could not force her to return. Rhaena despaired and traveled all over Westeros searching for her daughter, even flying to Fair Isle, where Lord Franklyn received her coldly. Rhaena left, but not before telling him how Balerion had enjoyed eating his brother, Androw.[7]

In 56 AC Princess Aerea finally returned to King's Landing on Balerion. She had been infected with an insidious disease that killed her that same day. Septon Barth believed Balerion had involuntarily taken her to his birthplace, Valyria, where the Doom now ruled. Rhaena arrived just after her daughter's death, and after Aerea was cremated, Rhaena flew high on Dreamfyre and released her ashes into the wind.[9]

Harrenhal

After her daughter's death, Rhaena did not wish to return to King's Landing or Dragonstone, as both places were now filled with bitter memories to her. Instead she went into self-imposed isolation at Harrenhal as a guest of House Towers. She made her residence in the Widow's Tower of the castle, and befriended the sickly and impoverished Lord Maegor Towers, who was the last of his line. She even took care of his household after he passed away in 61 AC. Rhaena became in effect the Lady of Harrenhal in all but name. Though travelers arriving at the castle were given shelter, they were denied being in Rhaena's presence, as she wished to be left alone. Though she still flew on Dreamfyre, she was rarely seen in person and some of the ignorant smallfolk began to spread the tale she was a witch. Rhaena remained at Harrenhal until her own death in 73 AC. Her body was cremated at Harrenhal and her ashes interred there.[9]

Quotes by Rhaena

I do not have time for tears.[8]

—Rhaena after hearing the news of the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye[8]

Quotes about Rhaena

My brother Aegon died at the hands of our uncle in the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye. His wife, my sister Rhaena, was not with him at the battle, but she died that day as well.

Jaehaerys I Targaryen at Rhaena's funeral pyre[9]

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valaena
Velaryon
 
Aerion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visenya
 
Aegon I
 
Rhaenys
 
 
Orys
Baratheon
 
Argella
Durrandon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceryse
Hightower
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aenys I
 
Alyssa
Velaryon
 
 
House Baratheon.svg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elinor
Costayne
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alys
Harroway
 
 
Maegor I
 
Rhaena
 
Aegon
 
Viserys
 
Jaehaerys I
 
Alysanne
 
Vaella
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeyne
Westerling
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tyanna of
the Tower
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaella
 
Aerea
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House Targaryen.svg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Notes

  1. Stories have suggested a hedge knight, a singer, a blacksmith's son, and a village septon.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 The Sons of the Dragon.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  5. 5.0 5.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
  6. The Princess and the Queen.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
  8. 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  11. Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragons.
  12. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
  13. The Rogue Prince.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Fire & Blood, Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.