"Born a moon's turn before she was expected, late into 66 AC, it was not anticipated Haera would survive more than a week. Those reflecting upon the princess's birth now remark all should have foreseen the headache she would grow to be with how ferociously she fought for life.
"Joy filled the Red Keep once the Grand Maester pronounced the girl to be healthy and robust, vanquishing any fretting over the squalling babe. Once her struggle was over, Haera became a lively creature, often screaming for the teat until red in the face. Never before, and never since, has the Keep seen so many wet nurses filter in and out. A young Lady Roslyn, who attended to the queen's correspondence, expressed concern she would grow fat lest her appetites be controlled. The king and queen, for their part, waved off such fussing, instead spoiling the wee thing until her rancorous cries turned to satiated coos. For those not attending Court, the rumors of the lusty Targaryen babe sent wrinkled lips pursing. For those privileged few chosen to be courtiers, the babe's large, dark violet eyes melted the heart. Her tiny hand curling around outstretched fingers, a soft gurgle on her lips, unmade even the most hardened of men. From the adoring looks her parents gave their girl bundled in their arms, it was clear to all neither would hear a word of urging them to show restraint. They were too in love.
"Haera grew into a girl of immeasurable charm. Possessing the unearthly beauty of dragonlords even as a youth, there was little she could not get away with. Even Jaehaerys in his stern scoldings of her softened like wax at her drooping frown and eyes welling with unshed tears. Alysanne was notably less affected, thus the only member of Court able to tame the beastie. From her mother, she learned to be polite and genial. However, her most important lesson was in patience. 'Act as though their defiance matters not. Turn your eyes to other matters, and watch how they scramble to please,' her mother advised. 'Men admire obstinance in their king, but chafe when a woman stands in their way. Play them as you would an instrument, and they shall dance to whatever pretty tune you deign.' And how Haera loved to see men dance for her.
"Haera was greatly adored by her older siblings, though to various degrees. Baelon and Alyssa took the greatest shining to her, delighting in the proud tilt to her chin and glint of mischief in her eye. Yet it was Vaegon who captured Haera's attention the most. Much to her brother's chagrin, Haera was never too far behind him. Whether he sequestered himself in the scriptorium or stalked off to a hidden corner in the courtyard, Haera found him and hung onto him. The boy oft wore a sour scowl, responding sharply to her incessant questions, though notably he never shrugged her off the way he did the rest of their siblings. 'Annoying though she be,' he said to Aemon one day, 'she is not wholly without wit and humor.'
"But Haera was not one to tolerate being snubbed. Seeing Vaegon skirt the edges of the Keep to avoid her, she let him. With two younger sisters, each of increasing beauty, Haera had much to keep her occupied. While no one could know at the time, many now guess the seed of Saera's defiance was planted in these days, having learned her sister's arrogance yet none of her discretion. Vaegon enjoyed his days of peace. For the first time in years, he did not drag an unsolicited shadow behind him wherever he went. With no one clinging to his arm and asking him a litany of inquiries, he read his tomes in solitude. It wasn't until a feast was held for his nameday that he noticed where Haera's attention had turned. Sat beneath the high table, she was surrounded by lordlings--some even lords, themselves, despite their youth. Each uttered fair words that elicited a giggle from the princess, and each one made the furrow between Vaegon's brow deepen. It was an odd feeling watching the sister who trailed after him as though he forged the sun itself have her eyes on someone else, one he did not understand. Even when he strode over to her and bade she sit beside him, he knew not why. Her smile thinly veiled her triumph.
"The cat was not done playing with the mouse, however. Vaegon, despite the growing discomfort he had when Haera was attended by others, did not warm to his sister. He continued to behave coldly, not bothering to conceal his mounting annoyance. It only made Haera smile more. Haera encouraged the attention of the boys at Court, let young ladies stroke her face adoringly, and even played the shy maid with men who made flirty remarks. Each one left Vaegon scowling, knuckles whitening from how tightly he clenched his fists. Haera reveled in his fury.
"With Vaegon thoroughly ensnared in her web, she laid the final trap. Arm in arm with the son of a lord visiting the Crownlands, the pair wandered the grounds of the Red Keep. The lordling plucked flowers for her, as though they were his gardens and not hers. Once they rounded the corner, the lordling made his move. Despite the danger to her virtue, Haera never despaired for she knew what would happen next. Unfortunately for her young friend, he did not until Vaegon shoved him bodily to the ground. Were it not for his status as prince, there was no doubt the lordling would have beaten him bloody. His look of ire even sent a shiver down Haera's spine. 'Should you sully my sister with your unworthy presence again, I ensure your future will be at an end.' If the lordling had any retort, neither remained to hear it. Vaegon dragged his sister away, his grip painful but she made no protest. When they reached a place shadowed from prying eyes, he kissed her with all the unpracticed, fiery passion of youth. 'Never let your eye wander again,' he ordered. 'You are mine alone.' Haera laughed at his faux authority. 'Nay," she said, stroking his hair, 'I am my own. 'Tis you who belongs to me, body and soul.' Vaegon bristled at his sister's conceit, but found no argument to the contrary could be made.
"When Jaehaerys offered to send Vaegon to the Citadel, the king was turned down with a snide sneer and a huff. 'Who else but I could tame Haera?'
'Oh, dear boy,' Alysanne tutted affectionately, 'I fear it is you who has been tamed.'
"The following year, 79 AC, Kingslanding was flush with guests for the marriage of Vaegon and Haera. No two were so perfectly made for the other. While Vaegon's scowl and Haera's smile were different as night and day, the condescending, judging amusement in their eyes were a matching set. It came as surprise to none their marriage proved more fruitful than even their parents."
