The grand doors of the throne room creaked open with regal weight as Rodrik Arryn was escorted through the hall. His eyes moved over the gilded pillars, the soaring ceilings, the storied walls that had seen centuries of rule. With each step forward, he remained composed, despite the weight of eyes watching his every movement—nobles, courtiers, and guards all curious to see the young man from the Vale who now stood at the center of whispers throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
At the far end of the room, King Viserys Targaryen sat upon the Iron Throne, its jagged blades catching the light like fire. Princess Rhaenyra stood beside him, dressed in royal silks and adorned with the subtle elegance of the Targaryen line. Though young, she carried herself with grace, and her recent encounter with Rodrik still lingered in the air. Her polite smile held a touch of curiosity.
Rodrik stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Your Grace," he said with solemn respect.
Viserys nodded, appraising the boy—no, the man—who had transformed the Vale into the most prosperous region in the realm. "Lord Rodrik. I've heard much of your accomplishments. It pleases me to finally meet you."
"The honor is mine, Your Grace," Rodrik replied.
Viserys gave a light chuckle. " I hope your journey have been uneventful"
Rodrik smiled, then turned to the king with a gesture. "Yes Your Grace, if it pleases you, I have taken the liberty of bringing a few tokens of your continues & prosperous reign.
The king laughed heartily & nodded. "Let us see, then."
Rodrik gave a small signal, and a pair of his retainers wheeled forward a tall, veiled object—nearly nine feet high. The court murmured, intrigued by the sheer size and mystery of the item.
Rodrik looked to Princess Rhaenyra, bowing slightly. "This first offering is especially for the Princess. May I request that she come forward in front of the structure?"
Rhaenyra, slightly surprised, stepped forward with poised interest. As she stood in front of the veiled object, Rodrik grasped the edge of the cloth and pulled it away.
Gasps rippled through the court.
Before Rhaenyra stood a mirror like none had seen before—clear, flawless, and sharp as the surface of still water. It captured her reflection in perfect clarity, unmarred by the blur of polished bronze or warped silver that had previously passed as mirrors in the realm.
She stood stunned, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes searched the reflection as if to confirm it was truly hers. "Is this magic ?," she murmured, the words barely escaping her lips.
Even Viserys descended from the Iron Throne to approach, curiosity piqued. He studied the mirror in silence before nodding approvingly. "It is... remarkable."
Rodrik bowed his head & turned towards Rhaenyra & said "This gift will allow you to see how the whole world sees you Princess"
Rhaenyra turned to him, a genuine smile touching her lips. "Thank you, Lord Rodrik. This is a gift I will cherish."
Rodrik gave a soft smile and nodded. "There is one more item, if it pleases the court."
He motioned again, and this time a smaller, more intricately constructed case was brought forward. He opened it carefully to reveal a finely crafted helmet—slim yet durable, adorned with silver trim and custom-fitted eyepieces. He lifted it gently and stepped closer to the throne.
"This, Your Grace," he said, looking toward the king, "is a helmet designed specifically with dragonriders in mind. It features an adjustable lens system—crafted with magnification in mind. One of the lenses works as a far-seeing glass, allowing the wearer to see long distances even in flight, despite the rush of wind."
Daemon who was standing at one side in court & Rhaenyra's eyes widened slightly, their minds already considering the possibilities. "A spyglass... built into a helmet?"
Rodrik nodded. "Yes, Princess. It should allow clearer visibility during high-altitude flight or when scanning terrain. I imagined it might aid the riders of House Targaryen."
Viserys nodded thoughtfully. "A practical innovation. One with military and scouting implications."
The court buzzed with murmurs of admiration, some envious, others intrigued.
Rhaenyra accepted the helmet carefully, lifting it in her hands. "You've given much thought to this."
"I have, Princess," Rodrik said humbly. "The skies belong to your House. I merely hope to make them easier to rule."
The King smiled. "Well spoken, Lord Rodrik."
With the two gifts now unveiled, Rodrik stood silently as the court absorbed the magnitude of what had been shown—not mere tokens of wealth, but of advancement, purpose, and vision.
And for the first time in the Red Keep, the Vale's reputation as the rising star of the Seven Kingdoms was no longer a matter of rumor. It was fact.
After which many gifts like fine jewellery, Clothes & spices were presented but these all faded in comparison to the first two gifts Rodrik has presented.