Bracken
Lord Bracken was the lord of Stone Hedge during the reign of Aegon IV Targaryen, whom he served as Hand of the King. His daughter Barba became the king's mistress, and their union produced Aegor Rivers, the boy who would later be known as Bittersteel.
The Bracken family's pursuit of royal favor shaped much of Aegon IV's court politics during those years.
Chapter 1
The Hand of the King
171–172 ACBooks only
Before Aegon IV came to the throne, his sisters Daena, Rhaena and Elaena Targaryen were kept in the Maidenvault of the Red Keep. Several lords used the chance to place their own daughters there as companions and win royal favor; Lord Bracken sent his, Barba, with the same idea in mind.
King Baelor I's death in 171 AC changed things: his successor, Viserys II, ended the confinement and freed the princesses and their companions. The heir, Prince Aegon, then Prince of Dragonstone, took notice of Barba, and a year later, now crowned king, he made her his open mistress and named Lord Bracken his Hand.
Chapter 2
The bastard and the banishment
Books only
Queen Naerys gave birth to twins, and barely fifteen days later Barba bore the king a son: Aegor Rivers. With the queen close to death after the birth, Lord Bracken went so far as to suggest to Aegon that, should she not survive, he marry his own daughter.
The queen recovered, and Ser Aemon Targaryen, together with Prince Daeron, pressed the king to send the Brackens from court. Lord Bracken, Barba, and young Aegor returned to Stone Hedge without the favor they had sought.
Chapter 3
The return and the fall
177–178 ACBooks only
Away from court, Lord Bracken and Barba placed their hopes in another daughter, Bethany, to win back the king's favor and displace Melissa Blackwood, Aegon's new mistress. The chance came in 177 AC, when the king traveled to Stone Hedge to meet his son Aegor: Bethany caught his eye, and she, her father, and the boy all returned with him to court. Lord Bracken was restored as Hand of the King.
In 178 AC, the king found Bethany with Ser Terrence Toyne, a knight of the Kingsguard, and had her executed along with Lord Bracken; Aegor and Barba were spared.
