บท 112: Chapter 97
Maegor's regency over Westeros began with a firm hand, as he sought to restore order and weaken the power of the Faith of the Seven, whose influence had nearly cost him his family. As Regent for the young Jaehaerys Targaryen, Maegor wasted no time in imposing strict laws on the Faith. He reclaimed vast lands they had acquired over the years, redirecting them to the crown or other loyal houses. Additionally, he introduced taxes on the Faith, a move that sent waves of protest through their ranks. Yet the Faith, still reeling from the destruction of the Starry Sept and their bruised reputation after the public hearing on Aenys's assassination, dared not push Maegor too far. Their position was tenuous, their voices muted by fear and necessity.
In the capital, Merlin, ever the steadfast ally, aided Maegor in solidifying his rule. With Merlin's magic, the Red Keep—Maegor's vision of a grand and formidable castle—was completed in record time, its red stone walls rising as a symbol of Targaryen power. The castle's presence loomed over King's Landing, a physical reminder to all of Maegor's authority and Merlin's mystical influence.
One evening, Merlin found himself gazing across the Godswood, where his son and Lena Targaryen stood by the heart tree, its ancient, carved face silently watching them. The two were deep in conversation, laughter spilling between them. They were betrothed, though in no rush to marry or bear children, knowing they had the gift of time, their agelessness ensured by the mysterious power of Melange.
From behind him, Maegor and Visenya approached. Visenya's usually stern face softened as she watched the young couple. "They are perfect for each other," she remarked, a rare glimmer of affection in her voice.
Merlin nodded, though his eyes held a hint of thoughtfulness. "How fares the council meeting?" he asked.
Maegor let out an exasperated sigh. "Irritating, as ever."
Visenya added with a wry smile, "The Faith has stepped back, for now, and the other lords are wary. They remain loyal to Maegor, at least publicly."
Merlin hummed, his gaze still fixed on the heart tree. "But the southern lords hold grudges. Maegor has made powerful enemies there."
A scowl crossed Maegor's face. "If they threaten my family, I will burn them alive."
Merlin placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Even with dragons, you must tread carefully. They will not strike openly—they will aim for what you hold most dear."
A dark frown clouded Maegor's features, but he gave a sharp nod, acknowledging Merlin's caution.
Visenya's face grew serious. "Jaehaerys, too, has been speaking with various lords, gathering allies. It's clear he views you as a usurper, Maegor."
Maegor's eyes narrowed, frustration simmering. "The boy is naïve," he growled. "He doesn't see what I've done for this family—what I've protected."
Merlin's gaze shifted from the young couple to Maegor. "He is young, but he will come to understand—or he will not. Keep your watchful eyes open, Maegor. The seeds of discontent can flourish in unexpected places."
Maegor gave a curt nod, while Merlin turned his gaze to Visenya, an inquisitive glint in his eyes. "Still taking the Melange potion?" he asked with a wry smile.
Visenya's stern demeanor softened as she returned the smile. "I'll keep taking it," she replied, "at least until I have a grandchild to dote on."
Maegor let out a snort, though a rare smile touched his lips. The thought of family—of a legacy that might endure beyond the blood and fire he'd unleashed—seemed to warm even his steely resolve.
Merlin's expression grew thoughtful. "In a few days, I'll be setting out for Yi Ti," he said, his voice calm but laced with purpose. "There are matters in the East that require my attention."
Both Maegor and Visenya nodded, a mutual understanding passing between them. They knew Merlin's counsel was indispensable, yet his ventures into distant lands had a purpose they could only begin to grasp.
"Safe travels, Merlin," Visenya said, her tone conveying both respect and a hint of worry. "And may you return with more of the wisdom that has guided us so far."
Merlin bowed his head, taking in the solemn moment. Paul Emrys would later marry Lena Targaryen, they will only have children 30 years later. While Maegor would step down from being a Regent 8 years later.
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During his tenure as Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Maegor Targaryen established himself as a strict but impartial ruler. His governance was characterized by the imposition of rigorous laws that ensured order and justice across the realm. Under Maegor's watch, trade flourished, and crime rates plummeted to unprecedented lows. Even the nobility, often accustomed to preferential treatment, found themselves held to the same standards as the smallfolk. During Maegor's regency, offenses against the smallfolk by nobles reached their lowest recorded levels, an achievement that endeared him to the common people despite his controversial methods.
Although history would later celebrate Jaehaerys I Targaryen, the "Conciliator," as one of the wisest and most beloved Targaryen monarchs after Aegon the Conqueror and Queen Visenya, his early years were marked by contentious decisions. At the age of fourteen, Jaehaerys began viewing Maegor not as a loyal regent but as an usurper. This perception persisted despite the efforts of his mother, Queen Alyssa Velaryon, who counseled her son to trust that Maegor would relinquish the throne once Jaehaerys came of age. Ignoring her advice, the young prince began quietly gathering supporters, many of whom harbored grievances against Maegor.
Among Jaehaerys's most notable and controversial allies was the Faith of the Seven. This was a shocking development, given that Maegor's regency had successfully marginalized the Faith, stripping it of political power and exacting retribution for its involvement in the assassination of Aenys Targaryen and his sons. To secure the Faith's support, Jaehaerys made significant concessions: he promised that the crown would always protect and defend the Faith and offered a white cloak to Ser Joffrey Doggett, a former Warrior's Son who had survived Maegor's infamous purges. This reconciliation restored the Faith of the Seven to a position of influence, a decision later criticized as a misstep in Jaehaerys's otherwise celebrated reign.
The consequences of Jaehaerys's alliance with the Faith reverberated throughout Westerosi history. His decision to reintroduce the Faith into the political sphere would eventually contribute to the destabilization of the realm during the reign of his great-great-grandson, Baelor the Blessed, known to history as Baelor the Fool. Additionally, Jaehaerys's choice of heir would spark the catastrophic Dance of the Dragons, a civil war that devastated the Targaryen dynasty and fractured the Seven Kingdoms.
Another controversial decision during Jaehaerys's reign was his decree to expand the borders of the North by twenty-five leagues southward, beyond the boundaries previously established by Brandon Stark.
Jaehaerys I Targaryen's attempt to expand the borders of the North by twenty-five leagues southward, beyond the boundaries established by Brandon Stark. While Jaehaerys intended this decree as a reward for the loyalty of the Night's Watch, it sparked fierce resistance from Northern lords, particularly Alaric Stark, the Warden of the North.
The rationale behind Jaehaerys's decree was to grant the Night's Watch additional lands and resources to sustain their critical role in defending the Wall. However, Alaric Stark and his bannermen viewed the move as a veiled attempt to undermine Northern authority and impose greater influence over their territory. The North had long supported the Watch by supplying food, workers, and tax-free land for those who labored to protect the realm's northernmost frontier. Alaric argued that this arrangement had served both the North and the Night's Watch well and that the crown's intervention was unnecessary and intrusive.
The decree also alarmed the Reach and Dorne, the North's longstanding allies, who interpreted the move as a broader assertion of royal authority in regional matters. These tensions exacerbated an already delicate balance of power between the southern and northern regions of the realm. While Jaehaerys's actions unintentionally sowed distrust among the great houses, creating a rift between the North, the Reach, and Dorne that would resonate for generations.
In the face of Alaric Stark's staunch opposition and growing discontent among the northern lords, Jaehaerys ultimately abandoned the decree. However, the damage to interregional relations had already been done. Although Jaehaerys's reign is remembered for its prosperity and unity, these early missteps served as a reminder that even the wisest rulers must contend with the unintended consequences of their decisions. Maegor's regency, though harsh and divisive, provided a brief era of stability and justice that some historians argue was necessary to maintain order in a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos.
Excerpts from The Regency of Maegor Targaryen and the Early Reign of Jaehaerys I by Scholar William from North Tower.
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