lady ilyn

Lady Ilyn Serrett, hailing from the modest but respected house of the Westerlands, carved a complex and controversial path into the annals of Westerosi history as the second mistress of King Baelon I Targaryen. Born the youngest daughter of Lord Symond Serrett, her family’s influence was far overshadowed by the mighty lions of Casterly Rock. Nevertheless, Ilyn was known for her sharp intellect, a keen understanding of courtly intrigue, and a striking beauty that was said to rival even the most celebrated ladies of the realm.

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It was during a royal progress through the Westerlands that Ilyn first caught the eye of Baelon Targaryen. Tales say her presence commanded the room, her golden hair glimmering like sunlight against her signature gown of emerald green. Though her family’s position was modest by comparison to other great houses, Ilyn possessed a natural charisma and an effortless grace that set her apart. She became a lady-in-waiting to queen alerie, a role that would place her at the very heart of Targaryen politics and, eventually, at the center of Baelon’s affections.

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As the king’s mistress, Ilyn’s influence at court grew steadily, though it was never without controversy. She bore Baelon two children: a son, Jaehaerys Waters, and a daughter, Naerys Waters. While bastards of royal blood were not uncommon, the legitimacy of Ilyn’s position as mistress, as well as her ability to secure her children’s favor, became subjects of fierce debate among the lords and ladies of the realm. Her ambitions for her children’s future only deepened the hostility she faced, particularly from the queen’s faction, which saw Ilyn as a dangerous interloper.

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Her rise also embroiled her in a bitter rivalry with another of Baelon’s mistresses, the formidable Cerysse Baratheon. Known for her fiery disposition and boldness, Cerysse was a daughter of Storm’s End and possessed the tempestuous spirit for which her house was famed. Cerysse held the king’s favor long before Ilyn arrived at court and was said to have a particular hold over his affections. The two women could not have been more different: where Ilyn wielded charm and subtlety, Cerysse was direct and forceful.

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The rivalry between Ilyn and Cerysse was not limited to whispered barbs or icy stares. Their opposing ambitions created factions within the court, as lords and ladies aligned themselves with either the emerald-hued grace of Lady Ilyn or the tempestuous power of Lady Cerysse. Tensions boiled over when it was rumored that Cerysse had sabotaged an audience Ilyn had arranged for her son, Jaehaerys, with the king. In retaliation, Ilyn reportedly orchestrated a scandal implicating one of Cerysse’s allies in a plot against the crown, though nothing was ever proven.

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Despite the shadow of rivalry, Ilyn maintained her influence through careful alliances and a mastery of courtly games. Her son Jaehaerys was said to inherit her keen mind and was regarded as a potential steward or advisor, though his bastardy always placed a ceiling on his ambitions. Naerys, meanwhile, grew into a young woman of remarkable beauty, often compared to her mother. Ilyn’s hopes for her daughter rested on securing a prestigious match that would elevate the Serrett name and cement her children’s place in history.

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Lady Ilyn’s later years were marked by growing isolation as her influence waned. Cerysse’s dominance over Baelon’s affections persisted, and the emergence of younger, more alluring women at court challenged her position. Nevertheless, her legacy endured through her children, who, though denied the crown, remained fixtures in the Targaryen court for years to come.

To this day, Lady Ilyn Serrett is remembered as a figure of both admiration and disdain—a woman whose ambition and cunning carved her a place in history, but whose path was marred by controversy, rivalry, and the unyielding tides of power at the Targaryen court.