(Valyrian and Valyrian adjacent edition)
Mary Linton Making Mary a Hightower is partially inspired by Alicent Hightower, BUT this is in no way personality wise. Rather, I like the idea of Mary coming from an ancient and very religious house to explain why she and Arthur could not marry despite both (eventually) being of noble standing. Whatever relationship they had in their youth happened BEFORE Arthur was legitimized, and once Mary’s father found out, he immediately separated them and married Mary off to a Targaryen. I am still deciding if she was married to the heir and became queen, but she was at least married to someone close to the throne.
Her and her older husband had one son in this au, who they named Baelor after Baelor the Blessed (religious theme here). If this kid is the heir to the throne at some point, he might have to look out for Dutch. Potentially, Arthur may turn on Dutch for this reason as well, as he cannot support the man in killing a child (especially one of his previous lover), and ally himself with Mary’s side instead. I do see Arthur being a part of the small council after the death of Mary’s father, who would have otherwise probably have a stroke at the notion. The Braithwaites Speaking of proximity to the crown, the Braithwaites are Targaryen but so far from being in line to the throne it’s funny (like the king’s grandfather’s third cousin’s descendants or something). Catherine Braithwaite reminds me of Vhagar, and I really like the idea of her overdoing the whole ‘blood of the dragon’ rhetoric and clutching onto whatever political power she has despite not being the actual royal line. I would put a bet on one of Catherine’s sons being named Aegon and another Maegor. Additionally, Dutch literally calls them “inbred trash” in the game; making them anything other than Targaryens would be criminal. Dutch is related to them in this au because he’s a Blackfyre, but he’s ironically closer in the lineage to the throne than any of Catherine’s offspring. Catherine also definitely suggested killing Dutch while he was still in the cradle and not yet legitimized. That woman is 100% bastardophobic. Penelope definitely runs off with Beau (haven’t decided his house yet) at some point like she does in the game; she hates it there.
Charles Smith I felt so smart when I made him a Velaryon. He is indisputably a part of the small council and an incredibly important advisor for Mary if she rules as queen dowager, having the realm’s best interest at heart. Spontaneously, I decided to give him an older sister that marries a Targaryen (Mary's husband's younger brother), which would further solidify specifically Charles's proximity to the Targaryens. I also just like the idea of him being an uncle.
I like to think that given the history with Velaryons and respecting bastards (Corlys Velaryon recognizing Rhanyera’s children as his son’s kids), Charles would be one of the few lords willing to recognize Arthur as the lord of Storm’s End after he was legitimized. He would definitely recognize how much of a valuable ally Arthur would be when Dutch rebelled, both due to Arthur being the lord Paramount of the Stormlands and also because of his history with Dutch. Here is a family trees for them (updated from the last one related to the Targaryens):
