#rhaenerys

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Interviewer: Taena Merryweather with Valyrhīa Publication, here today with the youngest doctor of anthropology, Dr. Rhaenerys Targaryen. Our former Westeros It Girl became the curator at King’s Landing Cultural Museum after having done her doctoral thesis on the Doom of Valyria and having lead a successful dig in the ruined city of Valyria proper, uncovering several artifacts now currently on display at the museum in the new exhibit on the mysterious land. How are you today, Doctor?

Rhaenerys: I am great actually, especially with that glowing introduction Mrs. Merryweather. How about yourself?

I: I am doing well. I know I’m not the only one wanting to know but, what prompted you to leave behind Valyrian Holdings and pursue anthropology?

R: Honestly, I just love culture and history, especially pertaining to the loss of what was once a vast empire that had an impressive impact on the world as we know it today. Obviously, I myself and my family derive ancestry from Valyria, as well as the Velaryons and Celtigars here in Westeros. I also love the language, and have spoken it since I was a girl. My dad took over the company after my grandfather, Aegon, passed but even though I attended a few meetings in my youth, I found it was just not what I wanted so I chose differently for myself.

I: We love to see a woman chasing her dreams. Did your family and friends support your choice of career?

R: My mother and grandmother did from the beginning, though my dad had hoped I would become the first female CEO of Valyrian Holdings at first. He did however come around after virtually no time at all when I told him I wanted to learn more about our family and culture. Then there’s my cousins, the children of my late uncle Aenys. They were all pretty mixed about it, though I can say for certain that Aemond and Daenyra were supportive, though Aemond was much more quiet about his support at the time. Aegon however, was definitely confused why I would pass up the opportunity but he came around in time. In fact, he actually bought us matching KLU sweatshirts and had us pose for a picture I have hanging in my office now.

I: It’s always really great to see your family gather round and support you but I imagine even you have experienced hardship. Tell me, what challenges have you faced, both with your schooling and your career?

R: Oh gods, I think the hardest thing was really finding that balance between work and personal. When I started college, I was already a bit ahead and since I decided to double major, I just stayed focused on my school work when class was in session. I didn’t really make time for my classmates outside the lecture hall. If it wasn’t a trip to the library or a study session at the cafe, you would not see me at any event. It wasn’t until I met Sihtric at the end of my Masters program before I really started slowing down and taking time to enjoy life rather than solely focus on my studies. I know in the days before my social media presence was basically just pictures of me in libraries or at home, but I am definitely getting out more now thanks to my doting husband.

I: You seemed to have found that balance well, I think everyone can agree you do have a seemingly perfect life. You are the woman who has it all; beauty and brains, and the right people around you. So Dr. Targaryen, what was a significant moment in your career or life? Your ‘I made it’ moment as it were.

R: I wouldn’t call my life perfect, but I am certainly happy with the one I get to live now. As for big moments, I’ve actually had several. One of the first was meeting Sihtric. I remember being absolutely captivated by his eyes at first, but I didn’t really think he and I had a chance, mostly because I was so driven to finish my studies and get to work on my doctorate. I was proven wrong, and I’m glad for that because he’s a good man. Another moment was when we finally made headway on that expedition in Valyria. Being unable to uncover that first building beneath the ash and learning it had been untouched by treasure hunters was a feeling I can’t describe. I actually called my grandmother first and cried on the phone with her for like 45 minutes just in that little dug out space as I looked at the mural on the wall.

I: I can only imagine the level of pure elation you felt in that moment. That brings us to our next question actually. What motivates you to keep sharing your knowledge and findings with the world?

R: Knowing where we have come from and where we have been is so important in the grand scheme. Especially with the political state as it is, it’s important to know how past events have shaped the world we live in today. Even though it’s outlawed now, knowing that Valyria partook in slavery is vital to our world’s history; we can’t just forget the bad and only focus on the good. We have to be willing to tell ourselves the truth about our history, no matter how unsavory, if we want to do better than previous generations moving forward. Then of course there’s my family, I am passionate about learning their own cultures outside my own Valyrian heritage. My mother and Sihtric, along with the rest of the Starks, are all First Men and what we know about them is shrouded in old legends and I want to learn about it so that I might better understand how their current culture came to be. I can safely say my success comes from my family and the love I have for them.

I: I think we can all agree that you truly are a family woman, and that is only further shown with how often you are spotted out with your cousins and in-laws now. But, I want to focus on one in particular; your husband, Sihtric Kjartansson. How did you end up with a boxing legend in the making and what does a relationship between two seemingly different people look like?

R: We first met at one of his matches. My dad had been following his career for a bit, saying how “the boy has potential to go far” to all his golfing buddies. He and I often make time to do just father-daughter outings, and I decided I wanted to see what boxing was all about. We went to the match, Sihtric won and then we all met up at a little private after party. Fun fact, he did not know who I was for the first few minutes of our conversation. Once he realized who I was though, I saw the panic in his eyes, especially when my dad walked over and joined the talk. We started dating a couple months after that, before our interactions where basically liking and commenting on each other's posts. My dad wasn’t too sure about the relationship at first, but mom thought Sihtric was just the sweetest and my dad saw how happy he made me. I am truly blessed to have such a thoughtful man like Sihtric, I could not ask for a better husband.

I: I can see the dreamy look in your eyes when you talk about him, and it is wonderful to see. I always love seeing yours and his posts, because it is proof that having a steady and reliable relationship is not just a fairytale. All our readers, and myself if I’m honest, want to know. What does your day-to-day look like now that you have the man and the career?

R: My days consist of work at the museum; whether that’s managing the collections we have, acquiring new pieces and authenticating them or doing fundraising or hosting events to display new collections. When I’m not working, I’m usually with Sihtric or my family. He likes to spoil me, constantly treating me to home cooked meals or surprise trips out of town for the weekend. There’s also Sihtric shifting his focus from doing actual fights to spending more time coaching, so our schedules are starting to align more now and we have more time with each other. And now that we’ve gotten settled into married life, we have talked about expanding the family beyond Abraxsas and Cupcake.

I: Potential Targaryen-Kjartansson babies in the future? Oh I just know they will be the cutest kids and I for one cannot wait for the announcement. Let’s wrap this interview up with one final question. What advice do you have for others who have lofty aspirations like yourself?

R: Don’t be afraid to chase those high goals. Sure, I could’ve fallen into the trap others in my family did, relying on our name and money to solve my problems, but I set higher expectations for myself. I found what made me happy and I pursued it unashamedly. If you know what you want to achieve in life, you have to be willing to go after it. Do it scared, anxious, or unsupported. Because the moment you are standing exactly where you once dreamed about, you will feel more accomplished than any amount of temporary setbacks you faced getting there.

I: Ending us on that inspirational speech, this has been the most fun I’ve had interviewing in a while. Thank you for the great conversation and your time today, I know you have to jet back to work now.

R: No kidding, we have a few new pieces for a special exhibit that is coming up and I just have to see them. Thank you for this as well, Mrs. Merryweather.

A crossover series between The Last Kingdom and A Song of Ice And Fire, this mini series will take place during season 2. It will be a rewrite and deviation from the show, but certain major events will still happen.

The Seven Wives of Maegor: A Precursor History

Part 1: “Two children, born of cruelty, one of fire and one of ice. Of old and new, by fire and blood, a story unfolds.” -prophecy spoken by Visenya after the birth of her granddaughter.

Part 2: Rhaenerys meets Sihtric and unfortunately, Guthred and Eadred.