Springtide

The celebrations surrounding the wedding of Aegon and Rhaenyra Targaryen, coupled with the elevation of Aerion Targaryen to Prince of Summerhall, were heralded to be amongst the most awe-inspiring affairs in living memory for the adolescent generations.

A bitter winter made its retreat to the furthest reaches of the North in the early moons of 428 A.C, leaving the realm in the bountiful cradle of a newly blossomed spring. As flowers bloomed and bread was abundant amongst the smallfolk once more, the populace was renewed with vigour. There existed a no more auspicious time to celebrate.

In the middling moons of the year, King Rhaegar II and his wife Rhaenys held a Grand Tournament in King’s Landing to commemorate the events, complete with all the expected extravagance.

The First Coming of Spring
Rhaenyra Targaryen had ever been a devout traditionalist, a fact aptly represented in the extensive proceedings precipitating and during the elaborate ceremony beneath the Mother that transformed sister and brother into man and wife. Aegon looked, in all manners, the part of a future King; though it took no astute mind to guess he had not overseen so laborious a rite. The Conqueror’s Crown was destined to rest upon his brow, and little could change that.

Crowds of unprecedented numbers lauded the royal procession back to the Red Keep. Even the lowest of men were struck with a sense of wonder by the sheer magnitude of the trouble gone to. Whilst Rhaenyra and Aegon had enjoyed relatively premier status in the capital by virtue of their birthright, marriage skyrocketed their traction. Despite a steely coolness to the pair, the admiration of the people came easy when food flowed freely at royal behest. It mattered not that Rhaenyra did not smile, nor that Aegon did not wave. Their conservative nature only heightened what they and their marriage conveyed; the sanctity of duty and family, as was Targaryen tradition.

A sumptuous banquet was held as the evening function, with the lowest of vassals to Lords Paramount in attendance. Rhaegar and Rhaenys, along with their children, made up the royal table that sat closest to the newlyweds, the rest of the realm sprawled before them in a hall gilded at every corner. The affair was both traditional and ostentatious, in every respect.

Gifts beyond counting were brought, but predictably did the most notable come from the King and Queen. To match the majesty of the aurelian dragon Silanax, an expertly crafted saddle was gifted to Rhaenyra. Hardened leather studded with polished citrine that imitated the beauty of her scales. With jewellery, dresses and trinkets galore from the rest of the Kingdoms, the saddle resounded as the most personal; a reminder of the hawkish nature of the Princess and undoubtedly her dragon, evoking in many the memory of the Gilded Queen before her. Similarly was Aegon inundated with armour and weaponry, befitting his future role as Protector of the Realm.

For their part, Aegon and Rhaenyra seemed contented - perhaps even pleased - with their betrothal finally being realised in matrimony. Even the most cold and detached in attendance found their smiles, the air filled with the happy excitement and expectation for the young couple. Ever was a royal celebration cause for joy, perhaps never more so than when a new union freshened the political turnstile.

The Prince of Summerhall
Aerion Targaryen had long been favoured by his parents; it seemed only natural that he, their second son, take the title once held by his mother Rhaenys - notably, at her persistent insistence.

An elaborate ceremony before the Iron Throne saw the comely Targaryen prince drawing the eye of near enough every eligible attendee. King Rhaegar II bestowed upon Aerion the title Prince of Summerhall, and all the trappings that came with his new station, under the proud eye of his mother who watched from the dais.

Upon his brow was placed a ruby and onyx diadem, similar in style to one worn by Rhaegar himself when he stood not as King, but as the Prince of Dragonstone.

Having spent much of his childhood in Dorne, Aerion arranged that the commemorations of his elevation reflect his origins. Lavish soirees were styled in a Dornish fashion, filled with far too much wine and far too many paramours. Lasting weeks in King’s Landing and protracting beyond, the party followed the Prince from the capital to his new holdings of Summerhall, and it is said decadence reigned there in full swing for an entire moon after.

The Grand Tournament
True to the largely martial interests of the Targaryen brood, there could be no more fitting festivities held in their honour.

From all across Westeros participants of every origin came to try their hand in the myriad of trials. Whilst some undoubtedly sought the fame and glory of title, others were drawn to the capital by the siren song of a generous coin reward for any who could see themselves named champion.

The Great Hunt
Preceding the commencement of the tournament proper, an extensive hunt was held in the Kingswood. Headed by King Rhaegar, much of the expected pomp and  ostentation was foregone. Instead raw competition that would see the lavish feasts to follow, lined to the brim with home-caught game, was encouraged.

Several sets of wild and exotic ground animals from across the Narrow Sea had been corralled and set loose, with the rare hide of such a beast sufficient enough prize for any who could catch one.

As a gift from the Lord and Lady of the Arbor, the famed Redwyne hawks were brought for attendants who did not favour hunting themselves, instead trying their hand at falconry. Though few were practiced austringers, the opportunity to even see the birds in action was a favourite for drawing crowds.

The Melee
Swordsmen of many varying callings poured forth to test their mettle in the great melee; from Ironborn berserkers to a singular exotic Yi Ti sellsword, the tournament was a beacon for men hailing from every known corner. Alas, few were proven to have what it takes.

To the great awe of the Reach in particular, the penultimate rounds of the melee saw Jaime Rosby facing off against his childhood friend, Garlan Tyrell. Many rose from their seats to angle for a better view in the close-cut final moments of their round, but ultimately was it the second son of the Mistress of Whisperers that took the victory.

Though he went on to be defeated by the champion of the melee, the impressive performance of a man of nineteen did not go unnoticed by several significant figures in attendance.

Great clamor wracked the stands when the culmination of the primary rounds saw a final bout between Jaime Rosby and Lewys Dondarrion. In the end, the Stormlander prevailed, earning himself great recognition.

The Joust
The most prestigious - and popular - of the sports, the joust took place over seven days with knights from across the Seven Kingdoms entering. It commenced in the days following the ceremony in the Sept.

Favourites and new entrants alike brought their most magnificent destriers, the sheer size and stock of some horses drawing impressed murmurs from the gathered crowds.

Limited bloodshed bespoiled the proceedings, with only one or two errant lances resulting in fatalities. For the sheer number of competitors it seemed fortune smiled kindly upon them.

The final round pitted the young Criston Lannister against Abelar Arryn, a seasoned knight of the Vale. Though Criston's unexpected series of victory gave him great momentum, in the end the more experienced rider claimed the victory.

Following the conclusion of the festivities and their felicitous spring timing, thereafter was the Grand Tournament of 428 A.C. colloquially known as ‘The Springtide Tourney’.