Aeryn Targaryen

Born a bastard, Aeryn Targaryen is the Prince of the Narrow Sea, and the only son of Evaeline Targaryen and the Braavosi merchant Calogero Antaryon. Though his father offered to take the child to Braavos and raise him as his own, Evaeline declined, preferring to keep the child close.

With his mother holding a seat on the Lysene Council of Magisters, Aeryn's childhood was one of luxury and prosperity. His father regularly sent money and letters for his son, and when he was ten, paid a semi-retired bravo to travel to Lys in order to guard and train the child. When he was sixteen, Aeryn was a lithe figure, but since coming into rulership of the Stepstones, he has taken on the exercise routine of a sailor, and is more muscular as a result, whilst still staying as lean as possible.

Appearance and Character
Aeryn has his mother's dark lavender eyes and his father's curly hair, diluted to a golden blond color. More than a hand's-length taller than his elder sister, he has the slim and muscular build of an expert bravo.

His hair aside, Aeryn has the look of an ancient dragonlord; his high cheekbones, aquiline nose, and strong jawline leave him rarely in need of paying for company. Growing up in a house dominated by women, Aeryn is the stuff of many a lady's dream: gentle yet forward, flattering yet genuine, romantic and a skilled hand at pleasuring a woman.

On the streets at night, it would be hard to recognize the cheerful and fun-loving Aeryn in the lean and harsh swordsman willing to duel at any insult to his house. Even as a child, Aeryn was eager to pick fights over what he perceived as slights; more than once, his ability to scramble up a clothesline and escape over the roofs of Lys has saved his life.

History
During a year-long sabbatical to Lys to improve his health, Braavosi merchant Calogero Antaryon fell madly in love with magister and courtesan Evaeline Targaryen. Though Evaeline did not return the man's love, she was flattered and amused by his persistent attempts to woo her as though she were a maiden of honorable noble blood. Finding herself enjoying his company before long, they fell into a relationship. Calogero was married, his wife still in Braavos, but childless; when Evaeline told him she was pregnant and the child could only be his, the Braavosi was delighted. Though he offered repeatedly to take the child to Braavos and raise it as his heir, Evaeline refused. So it was that only a few months after Aeryn's birth, Calogero kissed the babe and his mother goodbye, never to see them again.

Early Life (391-401)
Despite Evaeline's riches and high status, Calogero regularly sent money for Aeryn, along with letters. The boy first learned to read by following along as his sister Selenya read them aloud. With his mother returning to the Council of Magisters not long after his birth, his elder sister - "Senny", as he still calls her - was his primary caregiver. With Senny teaching him to walk, talk, and keep his head high, Aeryn remembers his mother as a mostly distant figure.

Aeryn had a golden childhood, climbing trees, exploring the alleys and tunnels of Old Lys. Yearly he had the chance to escape the city to participate in the grape-harvesting festival, and to travel down to the sea to celebrate the festival of rising lights. Though he was usually the one to start a fight, especially over the honor of his house, his mother, or his sister, he won and lost in fair proportion, learning humility and a sense of fair play at the hands of other children.

At the age of ten, Aeryn's father sent his last and greatest present: a semi-retired bravo, interested in life on a warm seaside, hired to guard and train Aeryn. Loreto Maros found the humid climate easy on his joints, the lovely women easy on the eyes, and his young pupil easy to teach. If Aeryn had been any more eager to learn the ways of the bravos, he would have packed his bags and swum to Braavos.

The Dragon Bravo (401-407)
While Selenya made a name for herself in the pleasure palaces and the Lysene underground, Aeryn did the same in the streets of Lys. Though at first, the only points to his benefit were his enthusiasm and determination, he practiced in almost every waking moment. When Septa Malora visited the household, Aeryn barely noticed. When Evaeline received word that Selenya's father had died, Aeryn barely noticed.

It was only when he was herded into his mother's sickroom to bid her goodbye that the boy realized he had been neglecting his duty to his family. When Selenya received her mother's dragon egg and was determined to hatch it, Aeryn supported her. When Selenya fell pregnant, Aeryn supported her. And when Selenya travelled to Harrenhal, Aeryn supported her.

In the Sunset Kingdoms (407 - 408)
It took little time for Selenya and Aeryn to grow apart again. Whilst the two often stayed in contact, Selenya had left to serve under Visaera I and the new Master of Whisperers, and Aeryn had left for the Stormlands, as a squire to Lord Gwayne. Initially resenting the fact that he would have to serve the Lord Baratheon, and fight like a Westerosi, the young man became almost accustomed to the barbaric style that was common in the Stormlands. When he saw a body hanging from the walls of Storm's End, however, Aeryn felt disgusted, but had his faith in the Westerosi returned when Gwayne Baratheon suggested a way to save the man.

It was not much later when he watched the duel between Alester Steelsong and Padriac Baratheon, that he developed an interest in the knightly way of combat. The crude, yet calculated strikes were a far cry from the elegant parries and thrusts of water dancing, and the armour that the two men wore would have been impractical at best for a Bravo. But for a knight, the protection was necessary. Aeryn's wonder of how Westeros and Essos could have developed in such different ways was shattered when a bolt struck Steelsong in the back. At that point, he was aware of what made Westeros and Essos so similar. Their love of betrayal.

Alone (408)
Aeryn had been in the service of Gwayne Baratheon, squiring for the Lord of the Stormlands, when news of his sister's death came to his ears. It was at the same time that he heard rumours of a great charcoal dragon roaming Westeros, unridden. Taken by grief, Aeryn requested that he would

Quotes about Aeryn
"Quick as a cat and just as willing to bite. I'm glad the wicked little lad's mine to train, rather than mine to fight." - Loreto Maros, former swordsman of Braavos.

"If you touch so much as a hair on my brother again, you and yours will know the true meaning of Misery." - Selenya Targaryen.

Quotes by Aeryn
"I am sorry that I must disappoint you, my lady. I am no prince, only... a humble admirer of beauty." - to Lady Meredyth Brax.