Chapter 41

Chapter 41

- [90 AC]

The grand wedding and its many celebrations had filled Ael'tharion with joy for days. Laughter echoed in the living halls, and the sweet sounds of music had floated through the air. A feeling of peace had settled over the grand capital. But this peace was not to last.

Kaelen's Point of View:

I sat in my private study, a quiet room deep within the Heartwood of the palace. The room was simple, with smooth, living stone walls and a small waterfall flowing gently in one corner, its water glowing softly. I was thinking of Aerion and Viserra, of the bond they had forged, a link between our ancient High Elves and the fiery humans of Westeros. The wisdom of centuries flowed within me, calm and deep.

Then, a sudden knock. A normal elf messenger, his face drawn and tired, stood before me. He was a trader, one of our vassal citizens from the far western coast, where our ships met the human lands. He bowed low, his hands trembling slightly.

"My Emperor," he said, his voice urgent, "terrible news. The Triarchy... they attacked!"

My calm outward form did not change, but inside, a cold knot formed. The Triarchy. A harsh group of human city-states from Essos, known for their greed and their slave trade. "Speak," I urged him.

"They attacked the port of Silverflow! Our vassal city," he gasped. "They burned the docks, stole our trade goods, and... and they took citizens, Emperor! Men, women, and even children! Dragged them onto their ships as slaves!" His face was filled with horror.

My hand tightened on the armrest of my chair. To attack a city under our protection, to take our free citizens as slaves... this was an insult beyond measure. This was a challenge to the very heart of the Silvanor Empire. "They dare," I murmured, the ancient power within me stirring. My patience, vast as it was, had limits.

I called for a council at once. Not in the grand Throne Room, but in the Stone Chamber, a room for serious talks, deep underground, where our voices would be heard only by those gathered. The chamber was unadorned, made of strong, ancient rock, lit by steady, calm glowing crystals.

My children came quickly. Aerion, my firstborn, still with the joy of his wedding in his face, but now a serious frown. Elaron, calm and thoughtful, already looking for solutions. Aelia, her bright spirit dimmed by the news, looking worried. Valerion, watchful and silent, missing nothing. And gentle Lorien, filled with sorrow for the taken. Their youthful appearance, masking their deep experience, was a striking contrast to the grim news.

Many of our trusted normal elf advisors and strong military leaders also joined. The Targaryen King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne also sat in silence, watching, listening. This was our problem, but it would soon affect them too.

"The Triarchy," I began, my voice clear in the quiet room. "They have attacked our vassal, Silverflow, and taken our citizens." A wave of murmurs, then anger, went through the room. "What is your counsel?"

A general, a strong normal elf with sharp features, spoke first. "We must strike back, Emperor! Swiftly! They must know the cost of touching our people!"

An older, wise normal elf advisor spoke next. "Retaliation, yes, but with wisdom. We must understand their strength, their intentions. Is this a probe? Or a true declaration of war?"

My High Elf children also spoke. Aerion, now a married High Elf, spoke with a new kind of authority. "We cannot let this stand. Our word protects our vassals. Our people must be freed." His voice held a clear edge of command.

Elaron, ever thoughtful, suggested, "Perhaps we send scouts first, hidden by magic, to learn their numbers. To understand their ships."

Aelia looked upset. "To take people as slaves... it is an offense against life itself! We must free them!"

Valerion spoke quietly, but his words were sharp. "Their ships are strong, but slow. Our Great Apes could sink them at sea, if we choose that path." He often spoke of our strong beasts.

Lorien, gentle as ever, simply murmured, "They are in pain, Father. The taken. They need us."

I listened to them all. The Triarchy was known for its arrogance. They thought our peaceful nature meant weakness. They would learn otherwise. We had avoided human wars for centuries, focusing on our own growth, but this was different. This was a direct threat to our very being, to the freedom of our people. The roaring presence of the Great Apes, though not mentioned loudly, was always a silent promise of our power.

King Jaehaerys leaned forward slightly. "This 'Triarchy'... are they so foolish?"

"They are arrogant, Your Grace," I told him. "And they do not understand the true power of the Silvanor." My words were calm, but they carried a warning. "They will learn."

The council continued for hours. Plans were made. Decisions were taken. Our power would be shown.

It quickly became clear that the serious nature of this attack, and the large conflict it might bring, meant the Targaryen family could not stay. Their visit was for a wedding, not for war councils. King Jaehaerys understood this. He expressed his strong support for us, but knew they had to return to Westeros.

Soon, the great Targaryen fleet began to prepare for its journey home. The grand ships, which had seemed so big when they arrived, now seemed to carry a heavy weight.

Viserra's Point of View:

The news of the Triarchy attack was like a cold cloud settling over the joyful glow of my wedding. One moment, I was a happy bride, exploring Ael'tharion with Aerion, feeling like I was in a dream. The next, there was urgency, serious faces, and my new home felt very different.

My family was leaving. My father, King Jaehaerys, my mother, Queen Alysanne, and all my brothers and sisters, and the lords who had come with us. It was time for them to go back to Westeros. I stood on the main dock of Ael'tharion, where the large Targaryen ships waited. The dock itself was made of glowing, smooth stone, curving out into the clear, blue water.

Mother Alysanne pulled me into a tight hug. "Oh, Viserra, my sweet girl," she whispered, her voice a little shaky. "Be safe. You are so far from home now."

"I will, Mother," I promised, my own voice tight. It was strange. Just days ago, I felt excited to marry Aerion and stay here. Now, a part of me wished I could go home with them, even though I knew my place was here. "I will miss you all."

Father Jaehaerys put a hand on my shoulder. "You have married into a great and powerful house, Viserra. They have ancient wisdom. Listen to your husband, listen to Emperor Kaelen. And hold to your own strength." His face was serious. He knew the Silvanor were about to face a war.

My brother, Prince Aemon, came next. He gave me a quick, firm hug. "Take care, little sister. Don't let these elves turn you too strange," he joked, trying to make me smile. I knew he worried.

"I will visit!" I told them, looking from my father to my mother, then to my other siblings and the lords. "Once this... this trouble with the Triarchy is over, I will come to Westeros. I promise. I will fly to you."

My husband, Aerion, stood beside me. He placed a gentle hand on my back. He understood my sadness, even with the looming conflict. "She will visit," he said softly to my parents, his expression holding a deep promise. "We will ensure it."

One by one, they stepped onto their ships. The sails, red with the Targaryen three-headed dragon, began to unfurl. The ships moved slowly away from the glowing docks of Ael'tharion, out into the bright, clear sea. I watched them go until they were just small shapes on the horizon, getting smaller and smaller. A part of my old life sailed away with them.

I turned then, my heart feeling heavy but also strangely strong. Aerion was still beside me. Before us lay Ael'tharion, shining and vast. A new battle was coming, and I was part of it now. My new home, my new people. My new future.

#NOTE: the Triarchy alliance formed earlier then in the book because of the empire

And Targaryen wedding they attacked