Besides the influences of his councillors, Daemon had come to resent having the status of bastard and what it represented. Aegor pressed him to proclaim his claim for the Iron Throne, and after Daemon agreed to a betrothal between his eldest daughter, Calla, and Aegor, his efforts increased. According to King Maekar I Targaryen, it had been both Aegor Rivers and Ser Quentyn Ball, the master-at-arms at the Red Keep, who had played the largest role in convincing Daemon. Maester Yandel considers it likely that it had been Aegor Rivers, Daemon's younger half-brother, who had managed to convince Daemon in the end. Men began to approach Daemon, but it took them many years to convince Daemon to declare his claim. Meanwhile, the growing influence of the Dornish at court, the Dornish appearance of Daeron II's heir, the sudden change of Dornish enemies to Dornish allies, Daeron's rumored illegitimacy (started by King Aegon IV during his reign), and Aegon IV's previous public gift of Blackfyre, the 'sword of kings', to Daemon caused several nobles and knights to start mistrusting Daeron II and Baelor, while seeing promise in Daemon. He was defeated in the final tilt by Prince Baelor Targaryen, Daeron II's eldest son. In 187 AC, Daemon participated in Princess Daenerys's wedding tourney. They were followed by five more sons, and at least two daughters. Their twin sons, Aegon and Aemon, were born later that same year. Daemon and Rohanne had a fertile marriage. He refused to allow Daemon more than one wife, paid the dowry his late father had promised to the Archon of Tyrosh, and saw Daemon wed to Rohanne in early 184 AC, granting him a tract of land near the Blackwater on his wedding day, with the right to raise a castle. Daemon's trueborn half-brother, Daeron II Targaryen, ascended the throne following Aegon's death. At this point Daemon may have been given the title Prince since he is referred to as such by Ser Eustace Osgrey, however Ser Eustace was one of his followers so this may just be his reverence for Daemon showing instead of Daemon actually being granted the title of Prince. In 184 AC, while Aegon IV was on his deathbed, he legitimized all of his bastards those born to noblewomen, including Daemon, became known as the Great Bastards. Daemon's supporters would later claim that Daemon had desired to marry his younger half-sister, Daenerys, instead and that King Aegon, who desired the marriage alliance to Tyrosh, had promised Daemon that he could have more than one wife. King Aegon IV negotiated a betrothal for Daemon to Rohanne of Tyrosh. Following the acquisition of the sword, Daemon took the name 'Blackfyre' for himself. Aegon's public gift of the sword would eventually start the first talk that Daemon should be king. There were some who felt that the sword symbolized the monarchy as it had been the sword of King Aegon I Targaryen, the Conqueror, and had been passed on from king to king ever since. King Aegon IV Targaryen personally knighted Daemon and publicly bestowed the Targaryen Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre on him, finally acknowledging him as his son.

In 182 AC, when he was twelve years old, Daemon participated in a squire's tourney, which he won.

ĭaemon was raised in the Red Keep and was taught arms by Ser Quentyn Ball, the master-at-arms at the Red Keep. Although Daena refused to name Daemon's father, many people suspected the involvement of Prince Aegon Targaryen. He was named for Daena's grandfather, Prince Daemon Targaryen, 'for the Prince Daemon who had been the wonder and the terror of his age'. In late 170 AC Princess Daena Targaryen gave birth to Daemon in King's Landing. He won friends easily and women were drawn to him. His armor was ornate and costly, all black and red plate, and his warhelm was distinctive, with batlike steel 'dragon wings' on the sides.ĭaemon matured into a man of considerable charm and strength, mastering all weapons of the battlefield, but with the sword Blackfyre in hand he was said to fight like the Warrior himself. Almost inhumanly beautiful, Daemon looked every inch the warrior, and many thought that he strongly resembled portraits of Aegon the Conqueror. He always went clean-shaven, with neither beard nor mustache. He had strong Targaryen features, with deep purple eyes and silver-gold hair which he wore long, flowing down to his shoulders in a silvery-gold mane. Targaryen on both sides, Daemon had all the hallmarks of his house. Daemon was tall and powerful, with broad shoulders, muscular arms, and a flat stomach.

Blackfire