The Chronicle of Emperor Richard I Baratheon and Empress Dowager Daenerys Targaryen
By Archmaester Theodric of the Citadel
Origins and Early Years
Richard Baratheon
Richard Baratheon, born in 280 AC at Storm’s End, was the third child of Lord Duncan Baratheon and Princess Rhaenyra Daeragon of House Daeragon. From his father he inherited the storm-born vigor of the Baratheons, and from his mother he bore the violet eyes and fireblood of Old Valyria. Unlike most of his kin, Richard was raised speaking High Valyrian fluently, taught by his mother, and would later make it the private tongue of his court and family.
Called Rhaegor Daeragon in Valyrian, Richard was marked by destiny from youth: storm-tossed, dragon-bound, and fire-forged. He bonded with the dragon Caesarion, the Golden Dread, the largest ever seen, mightier than even Balerion the Black Dread. In Caesarion’s shadow, Richard grew to be the most feared warrior of his age.
Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen was born in 281 AC at Dragonstone, during a storm that heralded the fall of her dynasty. She was the youngest child of King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella. When Robert’s Rebellion toppled the Targaryens, Daenerys fled into exile across the Narrow Sea with her brother Viserys Targaryen. Her brother’s cruelty and desperation marked her early life, until his death at the hands of bandits in Pentos, which freed her to shape her own fate.
Alone but unbroken, Daenerys carried the last embers of House Targaryen — until fate entwined her path with Richard’s, where storm and fire would unite.
A Union of Fire and Storm
Richard and Daenerys met in the crucible of war and politics. She, the last daughter of the dragon, and he, the Storm Dragon, bonded not only through ambition but also through love. Their marriage was both a union of houses and a marriage of hearts, strengthening Richard’s claim to the throne and restoring Daenerys to the station her family had lost.
Together they became Emperor and Empress Consort of Westeros, and later of the vast dominion that spanned Westeros and Western Essos.
The Birth of the Empire
Richard’s reign began with fire and war. First crowned as King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, he soon saw beyond kingship. After subduing the great lords and defeating Tywin Lannister’s rebellion, he established the Empire of Westeros, abolishing the feudal patchwork of Seven Kingdoms.
Later, through conquest of Braavos, Pentos, Volantis, and the Valyrian Peninsula, Richard proclaimed the Empire of Westeros and Western Essos. His throne, the Golden Throne of Westeros, stood in Rygoros, the majestic capital he built in the Vale’s mountains. From here, Richard ruled with the authority of an Emperor, Commander-in-Chief of the Order of the Golden Sun and the Imperial Fleet.
Daenerys, ever by his side, wielded both her dragon Drogon and her voice as Empress, her counsel softening Richard’s iron. Together, they were fire and storm incarnate.
Their Children and Legacy
The union of Richard and Daenerys was blessed with eight children, each a living bridge of Baratheon storm and Targaryen fire:
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Emperor Daemon I Baratheon (b. 299 AC) – Crown Prince, later Emperor after Richard’s death. Bonded with his own dragon.
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Princess Elaena Baratheon (b. 299 AC) – His twin, the image of Daenerys in face and spirit.
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Prince Aegor Baratheon (b. 300 AC) – Later Prince of Pentos and its Governor.
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Princess Rhaella Baratheon (b. 301 AC) – Named for her Targaryen grandmother.
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Prince Rhaegon Baratheon (b. 303 AC) – Warrior prince.
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Prince Duncarys “Duncan” Baratheon (b. 304 AC) – Black-haired, violet-eyed, named for his Baratheon grandfather.
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Princess Rhaenyra Baratheon (b. 305 AC) – Black hair, violet eyes, beauty of mixed storm and fire.
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Princess Alysanne Baratheon (b. 305 AC) – Silver-haired Valyrian beauty, beloved of the realm.
Each child bonded with a dragon, ensuring the dynasty’s unbroken fire.
The War Against the Dead
Richard’s reign was tested most fiercely in the war against the White Walkers. The Horn of Winter brought down the Wall, and the Night King marched south. Richard, wielding both Caesarion and later the Firewyrm Verman (whom he alone tamed, owing to his fire-immunity), led the Order of the Golden Sun into battle.
At the Battle of Moat Cailin, he struck down the Night King, fulfilling prophecy as the Prince That Was Promised. With the undead destroyed, the Free Folk bent the knee, and new provinces were carved beyond the Wall.
Later Years and Death
Richard ruled for sixty years, longer than even Jaehaerys the Conciliator. His reign brought peace, wealth, and unity to realms that had known only war. In old age, his hair silvered but his eyes still shone violet as ever. Surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren, he died peacefully — the longest reigning monarch in Westerosi history.
The Legacy of Daenerys
Daenerys outlived him, raised to the dignity of Empress Dowager. She counselled her son Daemon, the second Emperor, guiding him as she once had Richard. Beloved across the Empire, she became a living symbol of endurance: the last princess of House Targaryen, and the mother of an Imperial dynasty. She passed in her old age, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her name immortal.
Judgment of the Maesters
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Richard the Great, the Storm Dragon, shall forever be remembered as the last king and first Emperor, breaker of kingdoms and maker of an Empire that spanned continents.
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Daenerys Stormborn, Empress Dowager, shall forever be remembered as the last daughter of Old Valyria and the mother of a dynasty that would outlast fire, storm, and time itself.
Together, their chronicle is not of two lives but of one destiny: the Song of Fire and Storm.
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