not to be that person (and I always thought that there had been nothing between rhaenyra and criston) but in AFFC, arys' pov, it says: “A few whispered that Ser Criston had been Princess Rhaenyra's lover[...]”. the book tells us it happened before cole took the white but that might just be george changing idea in the years.
Anon I don’t want to be that person but literally my last post answers your question if you read it until the end. 🤦🏽♀️ And on this note, if I have answered something anyone is asking before, or if the answer is in one of my posts from now on I will straight up delete the asks. Come. On. I already spend enough time writing as is and searching up things. I have about 70 asks again. Fics to update. People left and right asking “when is X being updated”. On top of this I work a full time job that actually pays me (good) money. I have a house and responsibilities.
I love interacting with you all but I expect that you at least do the bear minimum and search for recent posts before sending me asks...
But let’s go. Friendly reminder you can check here for a more extensive explanation.
The only book that calls Rhaenyra and Criston lovers is indeed “A Feast For Crows”. Neither in “The Rogue Prince”, “The Princess and the Queen”, “The World of Ice and Fire”, or in “Fire and Blood” does anyone call them that or suggest that. Comparing it now let’s see with the rumoured (lol rumoured) romance between Rhaenyra and Harwin we have multiple sources saying that they were indeed lovers, and more than once Harwin is referred to in such terms as for instance the “purported father of Rhaenyra’s sons” between other terms. Honestly y’all can go to the books and check because at this point I am tired. Never, not once is Criston referred to in such terms (believe me I checked multiple times - or don’t believe me and check yourself). Never. Not once. And indeed none of the sources in any of the four books I have cited refer or suggest that they were ever lovers.
There is only one person who says something that could be a hint (maybe?) that something was going on. You know who that was? Someone want to guess? *ding ding ding* Alicent Hightower. When does she says it? Before 111 AC, to be more precise somewhere between 109 and 110 when Rhaenyra was between 12 and 13. When did Daemon return to King’s landing? 111 AC.
What does Alicent say *opening my very used ratty copy of Fire and Blood*
“Ser Criston protects the princess from her enemies, but who protects the princess from Ser Criston?” (Fire and Blood, pg. 365)
Now, Alicent was no fool, and in my opinion I think at around this time she was catching some weird vibes from Criston. Given his behaviour later on in the books I think this is what makes most sense. At the same time at around this time, Alicent and Rhaenrya were not on good terms and many young men were already starting to be interested in her, so saying something like this at court, would be a way to cast a bit of doubt about Rhaenyra’s reputation.
But ok no problem, let’s say that even with a (very) big stretch and little to no evidence, what Alicent is implying that they were lovers and that they were indeed lovers before Daemon returned to King’s Landing in 111 AC -> Friendly reminder that no one and nowhere implies anything went on between them between 111 AC - 114 AC check here or check Fire and Blood pages 369 to 373. Don’t take my word for it. - So the sequence of events would be at around 12 or 13 Rhaenyra starts an affair with Criston. If this is true, then Mushroom can’t be right because if they were having an affair then she can’t at the same time want to seduce him and being rejected. That would be like saying I ate at 9pm and then at the same time saying I couldn’t eat at 9pm because I had no food at home. Those things are contrary hence cannot exist simultaneously. Thus, Septon Eustace’s version has to be correct and Rhaenyra had an affair with Daemon. For arguments’ sake let’s say Eustace didn’t know or lied about her and Criston (though this is a dangerous route to go with because then you can make this argument literally about anything. I could even say Rhaenyra’s brother Baelon lived until he was 2 and then died but the Maesters changed the history books) and so he thought she was still a virgin when Daemon came along. Our sequence of events would be Rhaenyra and Criston become lovers when she is between 12-13, then Daemon comes along in 111 AC, she decides to ignore Criston and spend her whole days for 6 months (Fire and Blood, pg. 367) with her uncle, they become lovers, she asks to marry Daemon to Viserys, he says no, Daemon is exiled. Now I ask, wouldn’t Criston find it odd that his lover now acts like he doesn’t exist and spends her entire days with another man? Wouldn’t he mind? Wouldn’t he say something? How could he find it all well? Because we know that either he or her scorned the other yet this only took place in 114 AC. So wtf happened? It was like “ah yeah I was with my uncle but I am back now :D”.
Uh?! Is this a believable sequence of events to anyone? Is this how anyone thinks humans would act?! Especially considering everything that happened afterwards?
It would also make Eustace’s claim that he confessed his love for her in 114 AC (before she wed Laenor) very strange since they were lovers before 111 AC.
Now about the claim in “A Feast For Crows”, Anon.
Criston joined the Kingsguard in 105 AC -> check Fire and Blood pg. 359. What age was Rhaenyra Targaryen in 105 AC we now ask? Check Fire and Blood pg. 352. And according to Fire and Blood pg. 352 Rhaenyra was born in 97 AC. At this point I don’t know if anyone wants to say that this was another lie by the Maesters and that she was actually older. Honestly at this point I don’t put it past people.
So, now we turn again to the year of 105 AC and we ask the books and gods of Math. “Books and gods of Math, pray tell how old Rhaenrya Targaryen was in 105 AC”? 105 - 97 = 8. Answer: 8 years of age.
Conclusion: When Criston and Rhaenyra met he was 23 and she was 8, and he joined the Kingsguard that same year. So before he joined the Kingsguard Rhaenyra Targaryen was 8 years old.
Repeating what I said in the post that answers your question, if they were lovers before he joined the Kingguard and people want to suggest it fine by me, but please be aware that Rhaenyra was a child of 8 and so that would make Ser Criston Cole even by the asoiaf standards a pedophile.
And now, because I have already written extensively on this I will go ahead and use the copy past function and answer the rest.
“Oh but we are told as such in Feast for Crows!”
Ok I’ll bite. You are also told in “A Game of Thrones” that Rhaenyra was one year older than Aegon II and that Viserys II was Aegon III’s fourth son.
You also have zero mentions of Daemon anytime the City Watch is shown yet you keep having mentions of every Targaryen who did X thing every book - like Baelor and the Sept he built.
Rhaenyra was once planned to be married to a Lannister and then to Lyonel Strong.
Alysanne was meant to be tall, and later was changed to be petite.
Alyssa was meant to be older than Baelon.
Alysanne was first written as Maegor’s daughter.
Should I go on?
A Feast for Crows was written in 2005. The Princess and the Queen was written in 2013. The World of Ice and Fire was written in 2014. The Rogue Prince was written in 2014. Fire and Blood came out in 2018.
Clearly to me the story has been changed. Even though is also important to make a note of the fact that a Maester telling the story quoting multiple sources of people that lived during the time the events were taking place versus Arianne Martell or Arya Stark talking about whispers. I would say the first would be the one I think would be more knowledgable of what indeed took place. Kind of like if a Doctor tells me I am sick and my friend who has no degree tells me I am fine, I would go with the Doctor’s opinion. But that’s just my take.
I am tired.
Another important point I wish to make. With how much Mushroom sexualises Rhaenyra and says this person was f_cking this person - hell he even says Alicent was in bed with JAEHAERYS! - do you think that if Rhaenyra was doing (lol) Criston Musroom wouldn’t have yelled it to the seven winds and beyond? This f_cking dude had everyone in bed with everyone but he would lie about Rhaenyra and Criston? Why? He literally makes her look like a desperate Lolita thirsting for d_ck -> only until 120 AC and until she marries Daemon curiously. Makes sense. - So why would he lie about this? This all said and even his version makes a lot more sense than redacted.
Important Note: All of this information is related to the asoiaf/book canon and about canon Criston Cole and canon Rhaenyra Targaryen. The g*t version of events is following g*t canon which is very different. So anyone considering g*t canon please now I am not discussing the same characters and events you are seeing.
All the best to you!
