Vaegon Targaryen

In 101 AC, Prince Baelon died, and another crisis over the succession to the Iron Throne ensued. Archmaester Vaegon, bearer of the ring, the staff, and the yellow-gold mask, became one of several options to succeed King Jaehaerys, but few considered him a viable choice. Despite this, King Jaehaerys himself summoned Archmaester Vaegon to King's Landing, and they spoke privately. The exact details of their conversation are unknown, but it is implied that Vaegon did not want the throne. During the conversation, Vaegon suggested to the King that he convene the great lords of Westeros for a Great Council to decide on the succession to the Throne. So the King eagerly seized upon the solution offered and the Great Council of 101 was held at Harrenhal, where Prince Vaegon was quickly dismissed because of the votes as Archmaester, leaving only Prince Viserys Targaryen, eldest son of Baelon the Brave, and Laenor Velaryon, descendant of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Prince Viserys was elected as successor to the Throne.[1]

On Prince Vaegon's 15th birthday in 78 AC, King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne asked Grand Maester Elysar if Prince Vaegon might have the makings of a Maester, but Elysar bluntly replied no, for despite his unquestionable intelligence, the prince lacked the aptitude for people and simple menial tasks, but it was quite possible he might have the makings of an Archmaester, and advised the King and Queen to send him to the Citadel. Three days later, King Jaehaerys summoned Prince Vaegon and announced that he would be going to Oldtown in a fortnight, saying that it was up to him to determine his own future. Prince Vaegon agreed promptly, as usual. Thus, Prince Vaegon became an Archmaester at the Citadel, becoming an even colder and more distant man. He wrote, as was proper for a son, and despite his respectful words, they contained no affection whatsoever, and in the last years of Queen Alysanne's life, she had not seen Vaegon for years, and of her living children, only Prince Baelon remained present before the queen's death in 100 AC.[2]

Having difficulty finding a betrothed for Prince Vaegon because of his personality, King Jaehaerys thought it would be a good idea to introduce his son to the arts of sword and shield, and asked Prince Baelon to teach him fencing. However, Prince Vaegon detested the lessons and proved to be a pathetic warrior who failed to improve at all with the sword. For a year the lessons continued until Prince Baelon had an idea to encourage Prince Vaegon: to use his enmity with Princess Alyssa Targaryen (because of the incident with the Golden Tree) in the training courtyard to motivate his brother. But the strategy proved disastrous, as Princess Alyssa ended up humiliating him several times in the courtyard while Princess Daella watched until Prince Vaegon, embarrassed beyond measure, threw his sword to the ground and left, never to return to training.[2] As time passed, Prince Vaegon learned to be a little more courteous and, even though he was not handsome, he caught the attention of some maidens, but the prince himself paid no special attention to any of them, preferring books. Grand Maester Elysar gave the prince a volume of erotic drawings, hoping that the images of naked ladies joining with men and animals and other ladies might stimulate Prince Vaegon's interest in feminine charms, but it did little to help.[2]

Prince Vaegon was born in 63 AC and from infancy, Queen Alysanne thought he and Princess Daella should marry, however, as the children grew up, it became evident that the two were not a good match, as Prince Vaegon tolerated his sister's presence, while she, in turn, seemed afraid of her grumpy brother. The prince thought the princess was an idiot; she thought him a brute.[2]

The mutual hostility only worsened over time, until in 73 AC, when Prince Vaegon was 10 years old and Princess Daella was 9, one of Queen Alysanne's ladies-in-waiting jokingly asked the two when they would marry, but Prince Vaegon publicly humiliated the Princess, saying he would never marry such a foolish woman. Princess Daella ran away, and her older sister, 13-year-old Princess Alyssa Targaryen, poured a jug of Golden Tree Wine on Prince Vaegon, but even that didn't make the prince regret it, saying it was a waste of good drink. After this event, King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne agreed that they should find another betrothed for Prince Vaegon. The King and Queen thought that perhaps Princess Saera or Princess Viserra could serve, but they soon discarded the possibility, as Prince Vaegon had never given his princess sisters a second glance before.[2]

Vaegon had the silver-gold hair and violet eyes of the Targaryens. However, he could not be described as "handsome": he had a long face and broad shoulders, even at a young age. He always had a sour and constricted expression on his mouth. [2]

Vaegon was never robust. People considered him bitter, and he had the ability to make everyone around him unhappy. He was not a coward, but he did not appreciate the martial studies of squires and pages. He was a mediocre fighter and was not well trained in weapons. He was a studious lad and preferred the library, where he could often be found. Vaegon was also remarkably uninterested in sex or romance; books were his only passion. [2]

Vaegon was quiet and cautious as a boy. [2] Even as a child, Vaegon was not very well-liked, something that did not change over time. When he had to speak, he was often direct, though never intentionally cruel. He always complied with formal courtesies, but nothing beyond that. [5]

Around the age of forty, Vaegon had become pale and frail. He was devoted to alchemy, astronomy, mathematics, and other arcane arts. [5]

As archmaester of the Citadel, Vaegon possessed the yellow gold ring, staff, and mask,[1][5] symbolizing his specialization in mathematics or economics.[6]

Aliases
Vaegon Targaryen
The Dragonless One [1]
Vaegon, the Dragonless
Titles
Prince
Archmaester of mathematics or economics
Alliances
House Targaryen
The Citadel
Valyrian Race
Culture of the Crown Lands
Born 63 BC [2]
He died in or after 101 BC [3]
Father Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Mother Alysanne Targaryen