Daenarys took a long look at the mirror in front of her and examined her dress. It was a masterpiece of Myrish silk craftsmanship, black coloured and with a flowing red cape that bore the red dragon of House Targaryen. Today was going to be her wedding day and her emotions couldn't be more heightened.
For one, she was still surprised she was marrying Aegon. She had grown up believing that when the time was right she would marry Viserys like their ancestors did in order to keep the bloodline pure. The idea that she was to marry another required her a long adaptation time.
Not that she was against it, quite the contrary, she was ecstatic. It was obvious for her that Aegon was a far better man than Viserys. Not only was he kinder to her and would never hurt her, he also had the better claim to the Iron Throne and the actual armies to back that up. The Golden Company itself had already gathered more men in preparation for the invasion. Now it boasted more than 15 thousand men with many more still expected to come in the next days. Most of those were Westerosi, hoping to find their way back home and perhaps even some military merit worth lands and titles. One would be hard pressed to find anyone hailing from Westeros in any other of the nearby mercenary companies.
There was also the matter of Dorne. Prince Oberyn Martel had arrived a week before with overtures to the Targaryens. They promised their support for the war and even suggested Sunspear as a landing ground for the invasion. That, of course, provided Viserys honored the secret marriage pact and married Ariane Martel and Ser Gregor Clegane received proper punishment for Elia's and Raenys' deaths, as well as further compensations coming from House Lannister. With one of the Seven Kingdoms already on their side, it would only be a matter of time before Aegon sat on the Iron Throne.
He was the best hope she had of ever returning home. Of ever being safe and without fear of the Usurper's assassins. Of, perhaps, ever finding true love. She only hoped she wouldn't disappoint him.
When she was finally satisfied with her garment and her emotions were somewhat in order, she signaled the maids tending to her and they guided her out of her room and through the opulent corridors of Magister Ilyrio's palace.
At first, the plan was to hold the wedding in the palace gardens since the view and space would be more pleasant for the guests. Upon Septa Jordane's suggestion, however, it was moved to the local Sept. This would ensure that the Targaryens would be seen as pious by the southern nobility of Westeros and would add bonuses to their cause alongside the most devout believers of the Faith of the Seven, especially in the Reach. Jon Connington was quick to support the idea and Aegon approved it.
A sedan chair awaited her at the entrance and Harry Strickland helped her inside before mounting his horse and leading the small escort that took her to the Sept. The chair was comfortable and the silk curtains kept her away from prying eyes, while at the same time allowing the breeze to flow through and refresh the inside.
Daenerys didn't really like being carried around like that. Although the servants tried to mask it, she could notice that they were making a great physical effort. She knew they were barely paid for it and this injustice gnawed at her heart. She kept a mental note to ask Ilyrio to double their payment, as well as Lord Connington to prepare a small reward for them. She wasn't fully sure the magister would follow through with her request so there was this second plan.
After half an hour she finally arrived at the Sept. The streets around it had been blocked off by the Golden Company and the guards of some of the Magisters who had come as guests to the wedding. People piled up against the barrier made by the guards to see what was going on and who was so important to warrant such security measures. The stares made the Targaryen girl uncomfortable, even from a distance. She was still getting used to receiving a lot of attention, though her instructors and Aegon had praised her evolution.
A brief look at the entrance of the Sept made her heart quicken in worry.
Viserys wasn't there.
He was supposed to wait for her at the entrance. Since he was her last living relative apart from Aegon, it fell on him the responsibility of delivering her to her husband. It seemed, however, that her brother had other plans as it was Jon Connington who she found waiting for her as the steps of the September.
"Your Highness" he bowed.
"Lord Connington, where is my brother?"
"He… he hasn't arrived yet, Your Highness. He's not in the Magister's residence either. We've sent men to search for him, but no luck so far. Prince Aegon commanded me to wait for you in your brother's stead. I beg your forgiveness if this offends you in any way. If it pleases you, we can wait a while longer for Prince Viserys or we can commence the ceremony immediately."
She didn't answer at first. She took a good look around, hoping that her brother would be marching in on a horse from one of the adjacent streets with an apology and a perfectly reasonable explanation for his delay so they could go in and proceed with the ceremony as a united family.
That was the last time she felt hope that her brother would show any sort of decent behaviour. When she was sure he wasn't going to show up, the illusion was shattered to never be rebuilt and Daenrys vowed to never expect good from her brother again. She was no longer the fragile girl that hid behind his shadow. If he didn't want to be a good family to her, she had another family now. She had Aegon.
"Let's not delay any further, Lord Connington" she said, trying to mask her sadness with a polite smile "As my late brother Rhaegar's fiercest and most loyal supporter, I'd be honored to have you deliver me to my husband."
The man couldn't hide his wide smile at the mentioning of his loyalty to Rhaegar, which was quickly substituted by grief at the loss of his best friend. He recomposed himself, helped her adjust her cape, bowed to the Princess again and guided inside.
Decoration wise, the September of Pentos wasn't as grand as the Great Sept of Baelor, but it still held some refinement. The statues of each of the Seven were finely carved on wood and the windows made of Myrish stained glass portrayed religious scenes of local martyrs and the main tenets of the faith.
Most of the Magisters of Pentos were present, as well as the higher officers of the Golden Company, the Dornish delegation and a few prominent nobles from the Free Cities that happened to be in Pentos and were invited as a courtesy hoping to forge new ties with the future monarchs of Westeros.
At the end of the hall stands Aegon, who beams a smile at her as soon as she crosses the door's threshold. She didn't know it, but at that moment, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and the fact that he was to marry, and then bed her, gave him unending joy on that day.
All guests stood stunned at her magnificent appearance and elegance as Lord Connington guided her through the main corridor of the sept towards the altar where the septon and her future husband awaited.
Daenarys could feel the man's shaky hands and she couldn't help but feel sympathy for the man. It had become clear to her from her talks with Aegon that Jon Connington was truly devoted to her brother Rhaegar and that his death had shook the man more than he'd ever admit. It was clear that her previous words to him had a great effect.
As she approaches the altar, the septon's voice echoes through the temple.
"Who comes to be married under the light of the Seven?"
"Princess Daenarys of House Targaryen" says Jon Connington.
"Who delivers her?" continued the septon.
"I, Lord Jon of House Connington, deliver the bride to be wed." he answered, puffing his chest without even noticing.
"And who takes her?"
At this moment, Aegon moved forwards and took Daenarys' hand from Jon Connington and placed a kiss on its back before addressing the septon.
"I, Prince Aegon of House Targaryen, take this bride."
"So, under the mercy of the Seven, we can begin the ceremony. As customary, we start with our prayer, so that the gods may bless the couple and aid them in their future life together."
The words of the septon were repeated across the room by those who followed the Faith of the Seven. It wasn't the whole room, but a large enough quantity to make it feel as if it was.
"We ask the Father to grant you his justice, so you may always know how to be fair to one another, as well as everyone else."
"We ask the Mother to grant you her fertility, so your house may be filled with the laughter of children."
"We ask the Warrior to give you his courage, so you may face all the challenges of life together and head on."
"We ask the Maiden to grant you her love, so you may enjoy and take strength from each other's company and so that your marriage is filled with such loyalty that none may take you apart."
"We ask the Crone to grant you her wisdom, so you may deal with all problems, inside and outside of the wedlock, with grace and effectiveness and so that none may outwit you or manipulate you into leaving one another."
"We ask the Smith to grant you his ingenuity, so you may always find new ways to love and support each other and keep each other safe and prosperous, as well as your future family."
"And finally, we ask the Stranger to take a long time in coming, so that you may live a long life of partnership filled with beautiful memories and that, when the time of separation comes, may it be a peaceful transition into heaven."
Once they were finished, the septon turned to Jon Connington and motioned for him to proceed with his part. The Lord of Griffon's Roost approached Daenarys again and gently removed her cape, folded it and then took a few steps back.
Then, Aegon took his own cloak and placed it over her shoulders. Normally that would have changed the bride's overall outfit significantly. However, since both were of House Targaryen, the only difference in her appearance was the slightly thicker black cloak on her shoulders, with the same red three headed dragon.
They approached the septon, who tied their hands together with a ribbon and spoke.
"In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one, for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words."
"With this kiss I pledge my love" both said in unison.
"and take you for my lord and husband"
"and take you for my lady and wife"
"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, I am his/hers and she/he is mine from this day until the end of my days." they ended and the septon pronounced to a crowd of applause.
"From now on, under the light of the Seven your are one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever"
Aegon didn't need any encouragement from the septon to grab his now wife by the waist and kiss her passionately as soon as the man was done with his words. The people present cheered, especially the men of the Golden Company, who saw in the new couple their best chance of going home.
With that, Aegon and Daenarys left the Sept and were escorted in a double sedan chair back to Magister Ilyrio's palace. Now comes the feast and soon the bedding ceremony. One would have difficulty knowing who of the two was more excited for the latter.