#and Alice <33 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

damn-stark · 23 days ago

Text

Chapter 33 Ding dong the King is dead!

Chapter 33 of Moonlight

A/N- I hope you guys like it!!

Warning- PTSD, ANGST!!!, swearing, violence, blood, and DEATH. SPOILERS!! FOR FUTURE EVENTS OF HOTD, USING FIRE AND BLOOD, long chapter.

Pairing- Aemond Targaryen x Velaryon!fem-reader, Cregan Stark x Velaryon!fem-reader

Episode/Pages- 549-561

(If you want to be tagged let me know)

————

There’s always something so beautiful about snow storms, whether it's big or small, quiet or loud with their howling wind, and delicate yet sharp icy flakes of snow all individually unique in design.

Maybe spending 25 years living in the cold and distant land has warped your mind into believing that the bitter snow falling over the piles of snow is enchanting and comforting, but it doesn’t make your statement any less true.

The question is would you spend any time outside in the storms like many of the locally born citizens do? No, you still crave warmth and a sun so hot that the only way to cool down is by being embraced in a cool and never-ending body of water—that has never changed in all your years. However, once in a while, when the winds aren’t as sharp and strong, you do like to walk into the swirling snowstorms to be a part of its dance. Is it perhaps a little mad? Some people don’t think so, they say you’ve embraced the Northern lands and its beautiful qualities. Whilst other people think you have gone completely mad for basking in such conditions. You, albeit don’t think so, in some ways it’s comforting. And you’re not the only one who thinks so it seems.

On your way to the Godswood, you come to a stop as you catch a pair of footsteps leading to the gardens. They’re slowly getting buried under the sheets of falling snow, but you don’t need them to guide you. You know the way and thus you take the path toward the gardens rather than following your original path.

Once you find yourself passing the archway that leads to the gardens, there in the center you find a young man hardly covered by any furs. Which is a bit daring, but he does say that he’s not bothered by the cold like you are.

In any case, you make your way to the young man, letting him hear your crunching footsteps so he can be aware of your presence rather than interjecting to gain his attention. When you fall by his side you steal a glance at his face molded into his usual state of soft melancholy almost as if he’s years ahead of where he actually is. You then follow his line of gaze to the statue that stands at the center of the garden.

You like to give credit to the bunch of Blue Winter Roses that surround the statue for stealing all the attention the vivid and enchanted garden has to offer. However, others insist that the statue steals the attention from the garden because it’s you.

Now you are a bit of a vanity, even in your old age, but your statue always has a way to make you feel flustered. Maybe it’s the meaning behind it because when you get reminded of it you swoon like a love-struck idiot. Or maybe it's because you look at the face carved on the marble stone and hardly recognize the young woman you look at. Whatever it is you don’t think you’ll ever get used to seeing yourself every time you enter the gardens

“Did your father do a good job at commissioning me? Or was he terribly off? From what you know I mean?” You finally break the silence and speak over the howling wind.

The young man, and your youngest child out of seven, Torrhen, tilts his head and then stretches his arm out to dust some snow off Astraea forever wrapped around your shoulder. “I think Astraea turned out smaller than she was.”

You snicker, and a warm and sweet smile that could melt the wall of ice tugs on his sweet face.

“Yeah well unfortunately the sculptor did not have enough material to sculpt her true to scale. Maybe as my dying wish, I’ll have someone sculpt her to size.”

Torrhen chuckles. “I’m afraid it would take up the entirety of our home,” he comments, making you shrug.

“You could move somewhere warmer.”

He scoffs lightheartedly, but then that smile that painted his face slowly fades away, making your own smile fall as you grow worried.

“What was it this time?” You probe as you gently cup the back of his neck to offer him some comfort since you know that his dreams and visions take a toll on him. More so now that he’s older and they get more vivid.

“Just…” Torrhen trails off quickly and drops his head to look at the rings around his fingers.

“If you don’t wish to tell me that’s fine,” you assure him as you cup the back of his neck. “Just tell someone. Your brothers…your friend. Just don’t sit on it. Keeping it all inside will eat away at you from the inside out.”

Torrhen slowly drifts his gaze to you, letting his glimmering eyes lock on you before he sighs and looks at you with sorrow.

“You may see glimpses of the future, but, my boy, you can’t change it. Don't tear yourself apart trying to piece it together.” You try to offer him some advice from what he’s told you in the past.

“I know,” he whispers. “I know I can’t change it, but what if by not trying something changes? What if I doom the future? Should I not at least try in the same way I helped you when you needed it?”

Alys says Torrhen is a greenseer, and you know he’s also a dragon dreamer the same way Helaena and a few before him were. He’s cursed with the knowledge of the future, and of the past, and because of it he wants to be so much more than what he already is. Is it to silence his visions and dreams? Or is it to simply help in hopes he can change the unchangeable?

Maybe it's both, you don’t know. You just know that it takes so much away from him and it’s in a way that you can’t truly help him feel better.

“You can’t change the future Torrhen. Everything you see is a story,” you try to offer him some consolation. “You told me that. Alys told me that. And I will remind you again because it’s not your job to change the future.”

Torrhen sighs deeply and you slide your hand down to stroke his cheek.

“You already helped me get here, is that not enough?” You ask and hum softly.

“Did that not lead to change?” He quips and looks down at the snow as more snowflakes pile on.

“No,” you rebuttal. “You guided me. You shed a light on my already marked path.”

Torrhen keeps his head hanging and mutters. “If only I could have helped more.”

You sigh and cup his cheek to tilt his head up. “Oh, my sweet, sweet boy. As hard as my past was, I have made peace with it now.”

“Have you?” He asks with genuine concern as his dark eyebrows knit together.

“Yes.” You nod. “All of it. I am haunted by some parts of the past, but I’m afraid I cannot change that. And it’s okay because I found my way through the noise.”

Torrhen hums and you add on quietly.

“Some people did not like the way it happened, but…”

“It had to be done,” he finishes for you, making you smile sweetly before you nod gently.

“Yes. Yes, it did.”

——

*NOW*

Twenty-five men were marked for death, and twenty-four of those men were killed for being loyal to the wrong man. You only took care of slaying one of those twenty-four men, but you wish you could have added a second to that list. If not more than five, at least a second man who was marked for death, but alas, you did choose poison as your weapon of choice for a reason.

Besides, Ser Cane says if people had seen you slay Aegon, everyone would turn against you even if it was deserved or not. Not because they love him; the smallfolk hate Aegon, and almost all of the people working in the Red Keep hate him too, but you’ve already committed a great sin they judge you for, and kinslaying Aegon would have only given the right excuse to go after you. Thus you let the poison take the credit for his death to let the people always wonder who gave him said poison.

The knowledge that he’ll die is your only consolation and the one thing holding you back from taking his life with your own bare hands. However, you won’t let the tightness around your throat loosen, not until you see his dead body, and see for yourself that he’s no longer breathing and his heart is no longer beating.

Until then you return to the royal apartments to take care of one last person before you can reach the throne, and that’s Alicent. The mother of the broken king and the one person still blindly supporting him after all this time.

You actually find her and her handmaidens on the serpentine steps heading back to her chambers.

“Alicent,” you call out even though you know she can hear the echoes of footsteps and rattling armor as you approach her with your men.

“Your Grace,” she responds quietly before she turns around and blinks as she goes wide-eyed at the sight of you and your men in your shining armor. “What’s the meaning of this?” She cries out as she takes a step down to get closer to you.

You tilt your head up and glance out the window as Astraea flies by to remain close to protect you if need be, and also be a menacing presence from the outside.

“I’m sure you have an idea,” you mutter as you take in the warm sunbeam that casts through the window. “You are not as dumb as you feign to be.”

Alicent scoffs as her eyes stay locked on your face finally giving an ethereal glow against the sunlight. Even though the silver chains cascade over your face and shine brighter, your beauty is far more spectacular as the grief and agony is replaced by pride, malice, and determination.

“I’m sure I don’t know,” she snaps, pulling your head down so your eyes can fall on her once again. “Why don’t you tell me.”

“Your Grace!” A voice calls out from the bottom of the steps, followed by hurried footsteps that echo as they approach.

Once the guard finds you they hand you your Valyrian sword Blackfyre, and the Valyrian dagger your grandfather Viserys used to carry before Aegon got a hold of it.

“Thank you,” you tell the man before he scurries off and leaves you alone with Alicent once again. This time as she sees you hang the sheath around your shoulder, she lets herself grasp what’s going on and why the Red Keep has gone so quiet all of a sudden.

There is a moment where she wants to be in denial but then the men behind you depart from their spot and charge after her guards like a pack of ravenous animals. After her guards drop to the ground with their blood spilling over the stone steps she looks rightfully horrified. You can see her mind racing behind her eyes, but rather than asking for her last remaining son, the target of this coup, she asks about someone else first. “Jaehaera? Where is she?”

You hook the daggers sheath around your waist first before you reassure her. “She’s safe. She was taken to safety with my children and my brother. Don't worry, no harm will come to her.”

Alicent blinks repeatedly and lets out a deep and shaky breath. Silence then follows in which you don’t try and fill it. You let her gather her thoughts which is a kindness she doesn’t deserve, but alas, it does go with the punishment you have for her.

“And,” she quietly speaks up and brings her hand to her lips to gnaw on her cuticles. “Aegon?” She lets herself ask a question that has an obvious answer, but what mother would she be if she didn't at least try and be oblivious just once in hopes she’s wrong?

Nevertheless, you don’t answer right away, cementing that horrifying truth in her already battered heart. Instead, you unsheath the dagger and raise the Valyrian weapon to look at the reflection you don’t recognize looking right back at you.

“This is the dagger you used to go after my mother,” you interject, making Alicent gulp. “With this dagger, you demanded the eye of my little brother because he defended Jace and me from Aemond,” you mention and lean the tip of the dagger toward the scar on the side of your face that Aemond made that day.

“And sure,” you continue and twirl the dagger around as you break away from your spot and slowly start taking steps toward her. “Jace did take a blade first, and that wasn’t good, I admit it, but,” you sigh and snap your eyes to her from behind the chains that cascade over your face. “Have you thought that if it wasn't for your animosity toward my mother, none of this,” you say as you spin the blade around to also talk with it. “…would have happened.”

Alicent’s face falters from its grief to flicker on disbelief and more horror at the sound of your true words.

“Helaena would have married a good man,” you mention to pierce her heart. “A man that could have loved her, and a man that she could have loved. Aemond,” you pause, and your breath trembles as you think about him. “My Aemond could have met his daughters and could have raised his children. He would’ve been such a kind and good man if things had been different.” You say as you reach her and tilt the dagger toward her, making her grow stiff and start to take labored breaths as she thinks the worst.

“Daeron,” you scoff. “Would have still left to be someone’s ward, but he would be alive and not in two pieces—did you know that I intended to bring you his head.” You chuckle and watch her bottom lip tremble. “But I got hurt and his head rotted in my saddle bag. Which ruined it by the way. It was a good leather saddle bag too.” You pout and watch her quietly break into tears so you mock her crying face for a brief moment before you grow serious and pierce a menacing glare into her.

“So much potential wasted,” you scoff. “All because of your jealousy and your pride. You were Queen and you let yourself be puppeteered by men. What a shame your children had to pay the price.”

Alicent gasps as she weeps harder.

“And you,” she says in between gasps “Will you rule or let men rule in your stead?” She tries to counter spitefully in an attempt to catch you off guard, but you only smirk.

“My brother will rule. Not because men demanded it because if I wanted to I would have grabbed them by the balls and told them to shove it, or,” you snicker. “I would have burned them. Whichever fate they decided they wanted, I have a dragon and I am Targaryen with fire-made flesh after all, but alas, my dreams aren’t what they were two years ago. I’m tired,” your voice falters along with your smirk. “I just want to raise my children and grieve in peace.”

Alicent faces you with her chin up and trembling, but she still tries to keep herself poised.

“Anyway. If things were different Aegon would not be dead, but things aren’t different and he’s dead now.” You pause and take a step back to let her take a moment to process what you told her even though in the back of her head she already had started to grieve for him.

“You’ll be given the chance to say your goodbye,” you offer her kindness. “Which is much more than my mother had. Four of her sons died and she never got to see them one last time. They were all lost or eaten.”

“Gods,” she whispers and you glance back at the sunlight peeking through the window and shake your head. “No. There are no Gods. We were abandoned a long time ago. Put her in chains,” you change the subject and direct your orders at your men. “And bring her to the throne room. Ladies,” you direct at the handmaidens. “You may go. No harm will come to you.”

The flock of handmaidens offer you a shaky curtsy before they run off just in case you decide to take back your mercy. However, they would have been wrong because they aren’t your target. Your target is just what remains of the Greens.

“Oh, and Alicent,” you add in a much more serious and angry tone. “Just so you know, you will live on. If you don’t want to eat you will be fed. If you even think of a way to end your misery short it will be diminished. You will live the rest of your life in chains, and you will be living to regret the path you took in this life. Don't worry though…I’ll let you see your grandchildren so don’t mess that up.”

You nod slowly and let out a deep sigh as you hold her watery gaze before you let your men take her as you put the dagger back in its sheath, and then turn around swiftly to march toward the Throne room.

On your way there you pass by a green banner sporting a golden dragon and you're riddled with disgust and rage at the mere sight. Before, when you would pass by them, you would be riddled with the same emotions, but you could never do anything about them but grow angry and disgusted by the sight. This time you grab the edge of the banner and yank it off to signal the death of Aegon’s tyranny and the beginning of a new reign under the rightful King, who sports the original and proud black banner with the red three-headed dragon.

Finally, Aegon Targaryen, Second of his name, and his Green faction are dead. Finally, there will be peace in the realm, and finally, you may know peace as well…

Albeit…when you approach the Throne room. When you slowly trudge down the great hall, passing cold sunbeam after cold sunbeam with your eyes never parting from the lonely throne made of swords, you realize that you don’t know what peace really means.

You reach the steps that lead up the great throne and slowly ascend them watching how the sun seems to play a neat trick by smiling down at the Iron Throne with its bright and illuminating hue as if passing a message from the gods of their contentment. Yet you fail to feel that great thing because it costs so much to attain and you lost so much of yourself to take it back from the enemy.

If only your brother Aegon could claim his prize now so you may find peace and bless your sights by no longer having to see the throne so much blood was shed for, but alas, Aegon the Younger is but a boy. You have to continue laying your eyes on the Iron Throne and rule in his stead. At least until this noise of war and the aftermath of it is resolved.

“Your Grace,” you recognize your grandfather calling out as he walks into the throne room.

When you turn around you see him approaching you with a couple of his own men.

“Lord Corlys,” you greet him and climb down one step.

Said man comes to a stop at the foot of the steps and after a labored breath he shares what brought him to you. “All of Aegon’s men have been slain…”

You smile at the news, but he takes another deep breath, making your smile fall, and making you look at him with confusion.

“And the Riverlords are approaching the city gates,” he announces, perking the corner of your lips to a genuine and bright smile.

“That was quick. The thought of battle must have excited their spirits. Alas, they’ll be disappointed to know that there is no more fighting.” You scoff and peer back at Ser Cane. “Have it seen that they’re greeted properly and brought here immediately, I would like to greet them with their new king.”

Ser Cane offers you a comprehensive nod before he marches off to do as he’s told, leaving you alone with your grandfather to ask him one single question. “What of Aegon? The second?”

Your grandfather glances at Alicent in a far corner and then returns his gaze to you. “Dead. His body is being brought here as we speak.”

Your eyes flicker down and you let out a relieved sigh and nod gently as you let your mind and your heart progress the news. Not out of shame or regret. You could never feel bad for killing Aegon. The news just feels surreal that’s all.

No matter how much you thought of it, and even though you had given the news to Alicent before it could be confirmed, hearing that the man responsible for so much of your pain is at last dead and no longer here to terrorize you and the realm, is surreal.

“Have my brother brought to the throne room,” you direct at your grandfather. “I’ll greet our guests.”

Your grandfather hesitates, but he does as he’s asked, letting you descend the steps and stride out to the courtyard with an army of Velaryon men and houseguards at your back. It’s not to intimidate the Riverlords, but more so it’s a show of power to everyone who inhabits the Red Keep, and those Smallfolk who will sneak a peek inside the castle gates. You’re actually more than eager to welcome not only men who you spilled blood with, but also friends, and lately, you’ve been in dire need of friends who don’t scorn you.

It's why you wait for them at the courtyard with the castle gates open, and the house guards standing in parallel lines, because you want them to know that they are welcome, and because you want to show them as proper of a welcome as you can muster.

And once the Riverlords finally reach the castle gates, your stiff stance loosens, and your serious demeanor falls as a warm smile starts to spread on your face.

“Welcome!” You greet the Riverlords riding at the head of their endless train of muddy warriors.

“You stand in the presence of the Queen Regent of house Velaryon!” Ser Cane’s voice booms as he climbs off his horse and walks to you as you make your way to the Riverlords

“Here we came salivating at the thought of our next fight,” Lord Benijcot Blackwood is the first to interject as he hops off his horse and bows first before he meets you halfway. “But instead, we’re greeted by The Blood Hound not covered in blood, and saying that you are now Queen Regent. What’s that about?”

You flash him and the rest of the Lords behind him a proud smirk. “King Aegon is dead and the Realm is now under the rule of the rightful ruler.”

Murmurs are passed throughout the crowd and you can see that their faces start to brighten with excitement, but you cut them off before they can celebrate just yet. “Let’s talk inside, My Lords.”

The boy Lord offers you a sly grin before he turns and lets Lord Kermit and his younger brother Ser Oscar Tully greet you with a proper bow before you shake their arms with the same warm smile.

“I hope the greeting was to your liking.”

Lord Oscar huffs and shrugs cockily. “Ladies kissed our feet and threw their napkins at us.”

“It’s beats getting swung at as a greeting,” Lord Kermit chimes in, making you chuckle softly before you move on to greet the other Lords and Ladies of the Riverlands. After you’re done and intend to lead them inside, Lady Alysanne Blackwood, aunt to Lord Benjicot, and Lady Sabitha Frey, come forward tugging at leads.

“Your Grace,” Lady Alysanne, or Black Aly as she’s called, yanks at the lead to pull forward her prisoner, Ser Jason, whilst Lady Sabitha pulls forward none other than Lord Larys—“we came across these men past the city trying to escape by horse.”

You drop your eyes on the pair of men and take a long look at them before you step back and raise your chin to look down at them between your lashes with a cocky and malice look.

“My Lord. Ser,” you greet them both with a hint of amusement. “Why am I not surprised you tried to flee? Here I thought you weren’t going to do me no more wrongs, My Lord,” you spat and snap your eyes to the crooked man.

“As if you would have spared my life the moment you took back the throne in your mother's name,” Larys rebuttals correctly because it’s true, you were going to kill him the moment Aegon died.

“No, I wouldn't have spared you. That’s right,” you say without shame and start to stalk around the men brought to their knees. “But you tried to kill me and my children. And I would be stupid as to trust you. I do applaud your attempts at fleeing though, but alas, cockroaches are not immortal.” You snicker and then shift your eyes to Ser Jason and immediately scowl rather than look smug.

“Once a coward always a coward.” You huff and look up at the sky mere seconds before Astraea’s shadow casts the courtyard before she flies over and lets everyone know she’s close and ready for any command you might give her.

“Death by dragon fire is far too quick,” you interject and blink before you look back down at the men before you. “So another death sentence will be thrust upon you, and no, you may not have a trial by combat. You will, however, challenge your death sentence,” you explain and Lord Benjicot and the other lords and guards around you grow eager as they know what’s coming.

“In two days you will face each other in a bloody game where you will fight to survive.”

Lord Larys drops his head as all the color flushes from his face since he knows now that he’s a dead man.

“The first round is against each other and then the winner would face me,” you continue smugly and tauntingly. “But I did promise Lord Benjicot he would get to participate in the next game, so,” you sigh and flash them a wicked grin. “Be prepared.” You shimmy your shoulders before you peer back so your own men can come forward and take the prisoners to their dungeons.

“Thank you, my Ladies,” you offer Black Aly and Lady Sabitha before you take another step back to get a better look at everyone from the ground. “Now if you will all come inside with me, I have a few words and an announcement to share,” you let them know with a faint smile before you turn on your heels and march inside with the Riverlords, men and women you fought alongside with, Velaryon men, house guards, and Ser Cane, all marching behind you. Another and a more tremendous show of power that has passing servants reeling to the shadows, and has other bystanders catching their breath as they watch the great show of strength marching down the halls.

Now no one dares to sneak any dirty or judgmental looks your way with the army of bloodthirsty men at your back. They all make way for the Queen and her allies without realizing what’s happened, but all those who are clueless will know soon enough, and those who did have a clue about what transcended only get a firm confirmation when you all walk into the throne room and get greeted by the dead body of King Aegon Targaryen, and the mournful wails of the Dowager Queen.

For some, the body is harder to see than others, but they all know what they see. There’s no denying or asking questions, it’s really him. King Aegon is lying dead on a bier beneath the Iron Throne, and as you reach him you grow rigid and feel your breath catch in your throat.

Once again you’re struck with surreal disbelief. More so now as Aegon’s poisoned body is before your very eyes.

After all this time. After all the fighting, and after losing so much, there he is no longer drawing breath, and with no beating heart—you make sure that his heart is no longer beating by pressing your hand on his chest to prove to yourself that he’s really and truly dead.

It’s truly unbelievable how someone so terrible could have lived so long to terrorize the world, but now…now he’s dead, and your mother's ghost still haunts you.

You see her now too standing at the other side of the bier. Her blue eyes are stuck on you, but she’s not burnt like many times before. She’s as beautiful as she was the last time you saw her, but she wears a melancholy look on her face.

“Welcome,” you let your voice carry out throughout the hall as you remove your hand from Aegon’s corpse and pull your eyes away from your mother's ghost to look at your brother with his caretaker—“My Lords and Ladies. My fellow comrades, and everyone else who finds themselves here today,” you say as you slowly move away from the bier to approach your brother. “I know some of you came here expecting a fight, and I’m sorry that you were disappointed, but there’s no need to be upset because I can now offer you peace.”

You approach your brother and he finds you right away and leans toward you to stretch out his hands so you take him instead.

“I know it’s confusing as to how we achieved it,” you continue and finally face the attentive crowd. “But you don’t need to look far. It’s all of you who made it possible. It’s because of every single one of you that there’s at last peace in the realm, and the tyranny of Aegon the Second has come to an end! So thank you for fighting, and thank you for sacrificing so much. It wouldn’t be possible without you and what you did every day for the past two years.”

You offer them a proud smirk that’s illuminated by the sunlight casting inside.

“Queen Rhaenyra might not be here to bask in the triumph or proudly wear the crown on top of the Iron Throne, but her blood will,” you carry on and glance down at your brother Aegon, and caress his cheek as he rests his head on your shoulder. “The reason you fought so hard did not go to waste when she died, it lives on in him. Aegon Third of His Name. Queen Rhaenyra’s last remaining son will sit the throne as your King.”

Gasps fill the hall and you walk to the Iron Throne before you cut off the whispers already being shared. “I would have taken the title of Queen, but…” you pause and swallow thickly. When you reach the foot of the throne you face the crowd all before you and draw out a deep breath before you continue to address them. “I can admit that when my brother grows of age he will make a much wiser King. He will maintain peace with his wife Jaehaera Targaryen.” You nod and caress your brother's back as he refuses to face the crowd as he hides his face in the crook of your neck.

“They will make a great King and Queen with the guidance of wise men and women who have learned from the past. I know it and I swear it to all of you. So,” you roll out with a growing smile, and pride in your voice. “Ring the bells for Aegon the Second is dead, and cheer for your new king, King Aegon the Third!” You exclaim and flash them all a beaming grin.

The crowd does as you say, finding nothing wrong with your brother taking your place. They embrace the change with an explosive cheer and their feet stomping against the ground as they chant for their new King.

“LONG LIVE THE KING!”

——

*SOMETIME LATER*

The exhilarating bloodbath you had promised in two days’ time unfortunately had to be delayed with so much aftermath to be handled.

For example, the garrison at Dragonstone was defiant to denounce the dead king. It took three days for them to finally give up and it was not out of their own will, the people working at the castle took up arms as they slept and killed some whilst they delivered others to Alyn as prisoners. You almost had to fly out there with Astraea to flush them out, but luckily people stood up against the traitors and returned the castle to its rightful king.

Next, since your brother is young and unable to assist in any way you’ve had to send ravens to Oldtown, the Reach, Casterly Rock, and Storm’s End, promising them pardons and safe conducts as long as they rode down to swear fealty to their new king.

And lastly, you had to deal with Aegon’s body as it was decaying faster due to the poison in his system, but you couldn’t be there. You couldn’t give him the satisfaction of having someone else besides his mother attending his funeral. Nor could you give him a traditional Valyrian funeral, no matter how much Alicent asked, your pride and everything besides couldn’t permit him to be burned away with dragon flames. So his body was turned to ash by traditional fire, while other people besides his mother watched because Ser Cane says that the people hoped to witness the bad omens and hatred his reign brought burn away with him. After there was nothing left of him you had his ashes lost at sea so he may drown in darkness for all eternity.

After that was handled at last you could bring your focus back on your prisoners and the bloodbath you promised, making it like a disturbing reward after so many long days.

“Silence!” A speaker makes his voice loud and booming to silence the eager crowd of Rivermen, lavish Smallfolk, Velaryon guards and soldiers, and the men from here.

“You are now in the presence of her Grace, the Queen Regent of House Targaryen, Lady Baela of House Targaryen, and the Lords and Ladies of the Riverlands!”

Applause and cheering breaks in the cold air that drifts through the crevices and gaps permanently marking the once great Dragonpit, but most of that shared excitement comes from warriors you fought side by side with, and men from your own Velaryon home. The Smallfolk made their discontent for you obvious with silence, displeased stares, and a cold stiff welcome.

However, you can be petty too, so you summon Astraea to accompany you; out of protection, intimidation, and well, now that the Dragonpit is ruined there’s room for her to sit behind you, so she descends from the thick grey clouds threatening to bring rain to the city, and forces those Smallfolk who refused to spare you any kind of kindness to clap and welcome you with a frightened and feigned excited welcome.

“Welcome!” You address the crowd. “And first off, thank you for joining me today. I know the wounds of war are fresh, and this may be the last place you want to be, so thank you. Now I promise—no I swear.” You flash a feigned beaming smile. “That I will not disappoint with today's trial.” You say with a grin before you look down at the guards below and offer them a quick and stiff nod that sends them away to bring out the prisoners in chains.

“Here before you,” you continue as you step toward the edge of the high designated and roped-off area to look down at Ser Jason and Lord Larys with a slow-forming glare—“…stand two traitors, Lord Larys who not only betray his Queen and his King by switching sides to where he deemed fit, but sent assassins to kill me and my unborn children.” You scoff and the corner of your lips form to a scowl, while the crowd share gasps of shock and disgust.

“And the other is Ser Jason Waters. My former Sworn protector who took the cravens course by turning his cloak the moment I needed him most. Perhaps if he had done his job and been braver, my mother would be here, but he…” you trail off and swallow thickly. “…turned his sword against me and delivered my mother, your new king, and me to our enemy.” You finish with disgust and dig your glare into him before you step back into the shadows to avert your gaze from his pathetic face.

“Thus for their crimes, they will face each other in a fight to the death. The winner will then face Lord Benjicot Blackwood, and if they win against him their life will be spared, but if they don’t then…” your trail and huff with a smirk since it’s easy to fill in your silence.

“Ser Cane,” you say over your shoulder, and right away your sworn protector approaches the edge to throw down two sharp metal swords for the prisoners to use.

“Guards take off their chains. Gentlemen take your weapons, and my beloved audience grab your seeing glasses, place your bets, and feast your eyes on the spectacular blood trial to the death!” You exclaim and thrust your arms out in the air, causing the crowd to fill with a blood-pumping and ravenous excitement that erupts throughout the Dragonpit.

“Oh,” you add and glance down at the men. “And gentlemen may you be the last.” You flash them a mischievous smirk before you step back to take your seat.

“Ladies, may you want to place your bet?” Ser Oscar Tully interjects right away as he pushes himself off his seat to lean in between you and Baela.

“This fight obviously already has a winner,” Baela counters as she looks over her shoulder. “To bet my coin on this fight would be an insult.”

“An obvious scam since Ser Oscar has obviously lost his earnings at the brothels,” you remark lightheartedly and look away from Ser Jason trying to show Lord Larys some mercy to twist around and look at the young man with a teasing smile. “Isn’t that right, ser?”

The young knight grows as red as his hair but he manages to quip. “Here I thought you were busy.”

You shrug. “I’m Queen Regent and you are my guest, I have to be informed of your whereabouts before they blame me for anything that may happen to you,” you rebuttal since Lady Alysanne Blackwood has spoken against you over Aegon’s death, calling it a coward's weapon. She nor any other discontent lord have outwardly pointed their finger at you, but they do suspect it.

Which in their case they would be right, but they don’t dare and accuse you.

“Hm,” Ser Oscar hums before Lord Benjicot bounces in.

“Fine then bet for me. Unless you think I might lose against your former sworn protector?” He presses with a quirked brow.

You scoff and pass him a faint smile before you turn around and face the arena below, catching Ser Jason still being reluctant to swing at Lord Larys—“I know you will win but I am Queen Regent, I cannot be seen placing bets.”

Lord Benjicot chuckles and grabs your shoulders before he looks at Baela. “You my Lady?” He probes.

Said woman glances at him and sighs before she hands Lord Kermit her bet, making the boy lord snicker and shake your shoulders before he looks at your sworn protector.

“You, my infamous Blood Hound? What way do you lean toward? Or does your ranking as the Queen Regent's protector forbid you from such a sin?”

Ser Cane keeps his eyes scanning the Dragonpit for any potential dangers, but he doesn’t keep quiet. “Oh you’re sadly mistaken my young lord, I have made no such vow. I placed my bet,” he says nonchalantly. “And her graces bet as well,” he adds in a quieter voice, making Lord Benjicot hit your shoulders before he laughs in your ear and then throws himself back to his seat.

Now as all your attention is on the prolonged fight you notice that the crowd is getting upset for the lack of a fight from either man. Thus without passing any command, and speaking from your intertwined connection, you have Astraea let out an annoyed roar, forcing the men to move forward and lift their weapons.

Nevertheless, anyone with a brain would see how this fight would end. It was a rather pathetic fight, but you didn’t want to give Lord Larys the satisfaction of a quick death. You wanted to make him suffer so you had him fight, and lose.

Yes, Lord Strong did try, he swung his sword, but Ser Jason is quicker and smarter given he’s playing with his life. The traitorous knight kicks in Lord Larys twisted leg, sending him to his knees before he lunges forward, and swings his blade across Larys neck to bring his life to a violent end.

The crowd immediately cheers, but they’re not enthusiastic about this fight. Nor are you. A faint proud smirk tugs on the corner of your lips, but that's all you muster, pride for the now-dead traitor. You’re not excited that Ser Jason won and you don’t want him to think you are, so you quickly proceed to clench your fists and your jaw as you keep your gaze on the arena below to await the next fight just like the rest of the audience.

The moment Lord Larys is being dragged off the arena, the crowd starts cheering for the young Lord Benjicot, unaware that they’re only stroking his ego and overfilling him with an almost boyish excitement.

“Good luck nephew,” Black Aly directs at the young lord, but he only shrugs her off.

“As if I need it!” He exclaims as he jumps off his seat and shrugs off his cloak before he walks down and stands before you.

“Your mother will be avenged and you will have your justice today, Your Grace.”

You offer him a sweet smile and stand to your feet to grab his cheek and then lean in to press a light feathered kiss on his other cheek. “Be careful, my Lord.”

The young man offers you a sheepish smile as his cheeks grow a light shade of pink that he hides by bowing his head. “Your Grace.”

You slide your hand off his cheek to let him turn away and eagerly descend to the arena. Once he reaches the last barrier he hops over it and lands on the ground, raising a cloud of dirt that he quickly breaks by striding forward.

“It saddens me to let such a talented man go to waste, but it also makes me glad that I’ll be the one to do it.” The young lord interjects as he unsheathes his sword and begins to slowly trudge around the traitorous knight like a predator stalks its prey as he grins and swipes his tongue over his teeth before he makes the first move by swinging.

Albeit Ser Jason quickly blocks his attempt just like the next, and the others that follow.

The young lord chuckles softly out of amusement before he shoves Ser Jason back, and then follows by thrusting his blade forward to try and pierce the traitorous knight. However, Ser Jason jumps to the side and captures his arm, and pulls him closer, making you hold your breath.

Lord Benjicot proceeds to slap his hand on Ser Jason’s shoulder and quickly thinks to headbutt the traitorous knight, letting you draw out your breath and rise off your seat as Ser Jason stumbles back whilst his nose starts to bleed.

After that the young lord doesn’t rest, he swings up, but Ser Jason throws himself back and swings his sword up, making the metal swords clash and ring against the silence. Ser Jason then proceeds to stretch his other arm out to capture Lord Benjicot’s wrist, making the young lord react quickly by pulling a dagger out and swinging, however, Ser Jason captures his wrist yet again.

“Come on Ben!” Black Aly exclaims as she rises off her seat.

And as if fueled by her encouragement the young lord snatches his dagger arm away from the knight's grip, and lets his sword go to twist his wrists and grab the Lord's hand. He then lunges forward to twist the knight's arm back.

Yet the man turns his body and tries to thrust his sword, but Lord Benjicot lets go and slides back, leaving himself unarmed and leaving Ser Jason the chance to win his fight now.

With that in mind, you slowly rise off your seat, catching the traitorous knight's attention and turning his face towards you.

“Yield boy,” Ser Jason warns the young Lord in between a deep breath whilst he keeps his eyes on you, and you hold his gaze with a piercing and venomous glare.

“No,” Lord Benjicot seethes before he runs forward and swipes his weapons off the ground, forcing Ser Jason to turn around and once again face his opponent.

“You will die today Ser,” Lord Benjicot tells the traitorous knight before he kicks dirt up at the knight, clouding his vision so he can charge forward and swing low.

However, the knight had quickly shielded his eyes and slid back out of the way, leaving each other open once again. This time they proceed to swing at each other and once again they clash against each other's swords with each block. Neither can gain the upper hand until Lord Benjicot thrusts forward with great strength, managing to scrape the knight's side, but not knocking him down. The knight ignores his wound and twists down to swipe Lord Benjicot off his feet.

The crowd all reacts with gasps and you stand on your feet while you walk forward and hold your hands tightly together.

“Yield!” Ser Jason yells at the young lord, but the young lord is proud. Even more so as he’s facing his opponent, so he just flashes him a crooked grin and shakes his head before he raises his leg and kicks Ser Jason back to the ground.

When the young Lord pushes himself back to his feet he quickly stomps his foot on Ser Jason’s ankle, causing a crack to echo throughout the Dragonpit before Ser Jason cries out, providing a tense air that makes your heart start to race.

“Do it, Ben!” Black Aly cries out.

And so Lord Benjicot stomps toward Ser Jason’s side. You grab the rope and lean forward with your eyelids slowly peeling back as you grow excited and eager yourself.

“Come on, come on,” you whisper, hearing Astraea shift in her spot before she raises her head.

“I told you,” Lord Benjicot tells Ser Jason. “You’d die today.”

Ser Jason swallows back thickly and his breath shudders as he breathes out, but he doesn’t let his sword go. He looks Lord Benjicot in his eyes and lifts his chin, making the young Lord scoff proudly before he thrusts his sword down.

Nevertheless, just as the young Lord is going to pierce Ser Jason. The traitorous knight uses all his will to throw himself up and shove his own sword up as he also grabs a hold of Lord Benjicot’s collar and pulls him down against the tip of his sword.

“Ben!” Black Aly exclaims and runs to where you are.

“Heh,” Lord Benjicot chuckles, making you and Black Aly share a worried look

“Smart,” the young Lord praises the knight while he fixes his grip around his blade. “But. I. Will not. Yield today.”

Without moving his side away from the tip piercing into him, or adding anything else, Lord Benjicot presses his sword through Ser Jason’s unprotected belly and pushes deeper and deeper into the man’s flesh until he hits the ground.

You let out a breathless chuckle, but before you can catch Ser Jason’s reaction or anything else on that matter you’re called out with urgency. “Your Grace!”

You groan and snap around. “What?” You growl in annoyance.

The innocent messenger bows and then takes a breath before he shares what brought him here. “Lord Stark is approaching the city.”

Just like that, you lose all interest in the fight and Ser Jason’s death. Your heart comes to a sudden halt, and a surprised breath leaves your lips.

“H…how? He was still days away? How did you miss him and his caravan?” You throw your questions out of panic and sudden worry.

“We didn't,” the man says back in his defense so he wouldn’t get in trouble. “He’s coming alone with just a few of his men. He rode ahead of his men.”

Alone?

You nod lightly. “Okay. Thank you, I’ll return to the Red Keep now.”

The man bows his head and turns to rush back out, letting you turn to face the arena and make sure that Ser Jason is dead and that Lord Benjicot is okay and not dying.

“But a scratch!” The young lord cries out as he thrusts his arms in the air which only makes the crowd get carried away with much more excitement.

“Good,” you breathe out and turn to his aunt. “Lord Stark is approaching the city. Stay with Lord Benjicot while he has his moment and then join us in the throne room.”

Black Aly doesn’t argue besides your indifference. She nods and you then walk away to address the people you came with. “I know you all intended to celebrate Lord Benjicot’s victory, but Lord Stark is approaching the city, so our duty comes first, meaning we now have to welcome him as I welcomed you. So please if you will return to the Red Keep with me that will be very much appreciated,” you finish and walk ahead, making Astraea rise off her spot and flap her wings to ascend to the skies, and follow you as you make your way back to the Red Keep.

Once you’re in the throne room, Aegon is brought to you and the hall slowly fills with Lords of the Riverlands, your current Small Council, and others who are a part of the court.

Maybe that’s why the throne feels so stuffy? Or maybe one too many hearths are blazing?

You remove the silver chains you wore over your face and fell like a glistening veil, leaving your silver circlet on your head that matches the chest armor wrapped around you. Yet it doesn’t make it any easier to breathe properly (not like the chains were a problem to begin with).

Maybe it’s the chest armor itself? Maybe Vanessa put it on too tightly?

No. You just need to breathe. Breathe. Breathe…

After a while, as the sun is starting to set and shining brightly through the tall windows behind you, creating an almost mythical aura around you, the doors are opened and in marches none other than Cregan.

“Lord Cregan of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North!” The guard announces and you slowly let your eyes fall on his presence, noting right away that his grey eyes are hit by the same shining sun setting behind you, causing, for the first time in a while a warmth to unfurl over your chest, whilst your heart skips a beat as if reviving your withered soul before it slowly picks up its pace as he gets closer to the steps that lead to the Iron Throne, and that you stand on.

Now it would be a lie to say that he wasn’t blinded by the mere sight of your presence before the sun even hit his eyes, because he was. For so long he could only rely on words from the mouths of others to know if you were well or not, and words from strangers were never enough. They couldn’t compare to the sight of you before his very eyes. So now that he’s walking down the great Throne Room of the Red Keep, nothing interests him more than you.

You are the sole keeper of his attention; you and your flesh body untouched by any illness, or crippled by any wounds. You are the sole captor of his breath as the sun shining behind you makes you look divine, and your eyes giving off a sparkle without the touch of any light give his longing heart much-wanted relief.

“You stand in the presence of King Aegon of House Targaryen, Third of his name, and his Sister, the Queen Regent, of House Velaryon!” The guard shares and proves right the news Cregan had heard on the road. Now, the warmth that your presence spread over his heart fades, and he once again turns cold.

“Lord Stark, welcome to Kings Landing,” you interject loudly and with a genuine smile on your face. “I am surprised to have you here so early. It was said you still had a couple days left to reach the city.”

Cregan’s grey eyes bounce to your grandfather, Ser Perkin, Baela, and all the guards that stand in front of you and Aegon before he returns his gaze to you and makes his deep-set frown prominent.

When you notice you blink and swallow nervously before you drop your smile, and your own warmth washes away.

“The North Remembers, my Queen. I came here to make good on my promise to your brother Prince Jacaerys, by ending this war in favor of the slain Queen Rhaenyra,” Cregan’s voice booms while his dark eyebrows start to pinch together, painting his usual hardened expression on his face.

“You come too late, My Lord,” your grandfather chimes in for you as you take note of Cregan's voice and his grey eyes brewing a storm that chases away all the rest of the warmth he held for you just now. “For the war is done, and the King is dead.”

Cregan clenches his jaw and lowers his chin to pierce his cold glare at your grandfather. “By whose hand and at whose word, I wonder?”

Your grandfather doesn’t give his answer away with his eyes, instead he answers as he holds Cregan’s gaze. “By the Queen Regent and the rest of the small council.”

Grey eyes fall on you, and you try to challenge his hardened gaze, but your eyebrows falter and your eyes can never express the tension. Just yet.

“It seems you have a lot to say Lord Stark, and this may not be the place to say it for we will surely bore the court,” you interject. “Swear fealty to your new king and we may retreat to more private chambers.”

Cregan parts his lips to argue, but he sees that you’re right so he lets out a deep breath and walks forward to get down on one knee and reaffirm his loyalty to your brother King Aegon, making the tension only rise now that everyone knows what followed.

“Return the King to the royal apartments, have him continue his teachings,” you tell his caretaker, and then watch him be carried out with an army of Kingsguard surrounding him.

Once your brother has left the hall you turn to the audience. “You may go my Lords and Ladies of the Court,” you say before you then shift your attention to Cregan and the others. “Lord Stark and my Riverlords, follow me.”

When you file out, any attempt to get a word in between you and Cregan is blocked as Ser Cane follows at your tail and other guards accompany him. That’s if Cregan even wanted to try and talk to you directly before you reached your intended hall, he’s upset and it’s not hard to guess why.

Cregan is a proud man and even though his honor falters when it comes to you, when it comes to matters of his duty as Lord, that’s where he doesn’t falter. So even though you wished to speak to him, you don’t know if he wanted anything to do with you. And you can’t even read him because you’re separated by a barrier of men up to the point you reach the hall.

Now all you have in return is a high tension that lets you truly harden your face to mirror Cregan’s.

“If every one of you believes the war is truly done, you are sadly mistaken,” Cregan gets right down to business before the other lords can even finish filing in. “Others may have started the war, but I intend to finish it. I will continue South and crush all the remaining Greens who placed Aegon the Second on the Iron Throne, and fought to keep him there,” Cregan continues to share his plan with such a burning passion that he doesn’t often share with the masses unless provoked. Other times his fire would burn you too, but right now all he does is start to irritate you.

“First I will reduce Storm’s End, then I will cross the Reach to Old Town. Once the Hightower has fallen I will take my wolves north along the shores of the Sunset Sea to pay Casterly Rock a visit,” Cregan finishes expressing his passionate plan, leaving the other Lords untouched by his own flames.

“A bold plan,” Maester Orwyle says cautiously, but with no intention to back up said plan.

“Storm’s End, Old Town, and Casterly Rock are as strong as your own army, if not stronger.” Lord Kermit interjects with disagreement, gaining Cregan’s attention, and letting you share a speechless look with Baela. And even though you both haven't reconciled since your fight, you still have the instinct to look at one another to share your disbelief and her taunting.

“Neither castle will fall easily. If it all.”

“Lord Kermit is right,” Lord Benjicot echoes the young Lord, which brings your attention to Lord Benjicot and makes you realize that you hadn’t noticed when he returned from celebrating his victory at the Dragonpit, until the moment he spoke. You were so lost on Cregan to remember about him.

“Half of your men will die, Lord Stark,” Lord Benjicot adds in an attempt to warn Cregan, but he is in no need of it. He wasn’t as inexperienced or as young as they were.

“They died the day we marched, boy,” Cregan mutters in a deep and intimidating voice that again, would have made you burn and get all flustered, but right now, you find his persistence annoying.

“The killing has gone on too long,” your grandfather tries to ease the tension Cregan had bombarded everyone with. “Rhaenyra and Aegon are dead. Let their quarrel die with them. You speak of taking Storm’s End, Oldtown, and Casterly Rock, my lord, but the men who held those seats were slain in battle, everyone. Small boys and suckling babes sit in their places now, no threat to us. Grant them honorable terms, and they will bend the knee.”

As if the words of peace have gone to deaf ears, Cregan presses his hands on the tabletop and leans forward to argue. “Small boys become large men in time. And a babe sucks down his mother's hate with his mother's milk. Finish these foes now, or those not in our graves in twenty years will rue our folly when those babes strap on their father's swords and come seeking after vengeance.”

Much one like the other, your grandfather isn’t easily defeated either. He talks in your stead as you choose to remain seated and silent to listen to the arguments thrown across the table.

“King Aegon said the same and died for it. Had he heeded our counsel and offered peace and pardon to his foes, he might be sitting with us here today.”

The crease in between Cregan’s eyebrows only grows deeper as he scowls before he spats back. “Is that why you poisoned him, my Lord?”

You don’t react. You can’t because it would give away the truth behind Cregan’s remark, and since he can read you with ease, you know he would gain the answer to his accusation that your grandfather ignores.

“Small wonder why you are called the Sea Snake,” Cregan continues as he glowers. “You may slither this way and that way, but, oh, your fangs are venomous. Aegon was an oathbreaker, a kinslayer, and a usurper yet still King. When he would not heed your craven’s counsel, you removed him as a craven would, dishonorably, with poison…and now you shall answer for it.”

You look at Cregan with confusion and share that same emotion with Baela and the other Lords before the doors burst open and Cregan’s men barge in pointing their swords at the guards with the intention to what? Take over? Do another coup? Take the power right from under you?

No! You have sat in silence long enough. You have let Cregan drag on and accuse and insult your grandfather, but you will not be made small. Not by him. And you surely won’t let anyone take your power. Not anymore.

“Enough!” You bark and slam your hands on the table to steal everyone’s attention. “Who do you think you are?” You hiss as you slowly stand up and dig your glare deep into his grey eyes that falter at the sound of your voice.

“Do I need to remind you who you are, Lord Stark?” you spat and slip away from your seat to start stalking toward him with Ser Cane passing you Blackfyre as he trails behind you. “You are a Lord. You are not King, nor are you The Hand. You are not a part of the small council. You are a Lord. You cannot come into my brother's castle and demand this and that, or throw accusations at his Lords. You cannot have your men barge in my halls like these are your lands.”

Cregan’s glare falters again as he feels taken back by your fire directed at him. You get angry at him, but never have you gotten this mad that you look at him with a threatening and burning glare, or talk to him like you don’t know him. So hearing and seeing you be so enraged at him throws him off, and has him pushing himself away from the table to watch your every move as he can’t help but feel more enticed by your show of power and fearlessness.

“You may be a dear friend, Lord Stark, but don’t mistake my kindness. I will arrest you as a rebel and if you still don’t stand down I will reduce your men to ash,” you roll out with ease, and this time Cregan snaps from his stupor. He mirrors the fire of your glare and also starts to stalk toward you, however, to anyone paying close attention neither of you are tense. Your shoulders are resting, and neither of your bodies scream the need to lunge for an attack even if you hold your Valyrian sword.

“Just as you reduced those innocents to ash?” Cregan remarks thinking you’ll falter, but you just hold your head high and defend what you did.

“I had the courage to do what was right for our realm. I brought security by burning away any chance for the people to rise up against the crown after they killed the dragons. I brought justice after they killed my brother and chased their Queen out of the city. I returned fear after they joined a false prophet. And I will do it all again,” you roll out of your tongue almost seductively. “So tell me, Lord Stark, do you want to meet the same fate?”

Cregan scoffs and you meet each other halfway, but your proximity doesn’t make either of you falter under the pressure of each other's warmth or tension that is quick to spring up as your lips are close, and your hands are closer.

“I want justice too. The same as you, My Princess. I made a vow I intend to follow not only as a friend to your brother but as Lord to my Queen. This war is not done. No matter what anyone says. Not even you.”

His eyes show a flicker of warmth, but it was quick to vanish as you don’t break.

“Are you babes in swaddling clothes, to be cozened by flowers and feasts and soft words?” Cregan then directs at the other Lords around the table. Those he wasn't accusing.

“Wars end when the defeated bend the knee and not before.” He berates them, and you tilt your head and keep your eyes on him as he’s looking away—“Has Oldtown yielded? Has Casterly Rock returned the Crown’s gold?”

Silence follows and you spare a glance at the other Lords, but immediately look back at Cregan to await the next words that will come out of his mouth just in case you need to take measures you never thought you’d use against him. And well, you also can’t keep your eyes away. His scent is intoxicating and his eyes tempting.

“The Stormlanders were beaten and don’t have the strength to field another army,” Lord Kermit protests, but nothing changes Cregan’s mind.

“Aegon sent envoys across the narrow sea, any of whom might return in the morrow with thousands of sellswords.”

“All of whom were sent offers of pardons,” you cut in, but Cregan just rebuttals.

“Queen Rhaenyra believed herself victorious after taking King’s Landing…”

You finally avert your gaze and clench your fists.

“Aegon thought he ended the war by feeding his sister to a dragon,” he continues and only infuriates you further. “Yet the Queen's men had remained, even after the Queen herself was dead, and Aegon was reduced to bones and ashes.”

“I said the war is over, Lord Stark,” you interject with spite and without looking him in the eyes. “Rise your sword against me if you dare to challenge the King's word, but I will not have you take control, nor intimidate my guests.”

Cregan’s eyes fall on you, but you don’t look up. You clench your jaw and keep looking away. A moment of silence follows where all you hear is Cregan breathing as he remains close.

“You are right, I am just a Lord. I don’t have much power here, so I demand to be Hand. I will question the people who might have had a hand in killing Aegon because I want the same as you, to get rid of any seed of rebellion before it can take root. What do you think people will do when they see that there are no consequences for poisoning a king?” He asks, but you don’t answer, letting him add on. “Besides, I intend to keep my promise to your brother.”

Your eyes start to sting at the mention and the softness of his voice, so you draw in a deep breath and look to your grandfather for guidance. And since it was between agreeing or bloodshed, he passes you a stiff nod, making you draw out a deep breath and roll your head up to meet Cregan’s attentive gaze.

“You will be my hand, but if you raise your sword against us again you will be punished,” you mutter before you face the others. “Meeting dismissed.”

Without lingering you pass your sword to your sworn protector and then turn on your heels to storm out in a huff, making sure Cregan noticed.

And of course, he did notice. He watched you leave and didn’t dare to miss a single step. He has the intention to follow, but with you as upset as you are he knows to wait instead. Even though you would have welcomed his company right away.

Alas, he doesn’t follow.

——

*LATER*

“How dare he come here and…” you trail off as you feel at a loss for words. “…he,” you grumble and shake your head out of frustration, letting Vanessa finish for you.

“<Vex you?>” She quips in Valyrian so neither the guards nor the servants would hear you and spread it like gossip. “Fluster? Or make you feel hot?>”

You snap your gaze to her and roll your tongue along the inside of your cheek to hide your amused smile. Vanessa however, knows you well so she nudges your arm and smiles proudly at herself since she made you smile

“Annoy me,” you quip and roll your eyes. “He comes here and tries to take command of the place as if he doesn’t know the struggles I already face by simply being a woman!” You remark and throw your hands out. “Had there been more men there I would have been shoved aside…” you trail off in a whisper as you lower your head to let out a deep sigh.

“No matter how good they are, men can still be inconsiderate and for Lord Stark, his duty comes first,” she tries to comfort you, and you listen to her, but you think about Aemond too; he could be selfish but he would have put you first.

“That’s right,” you whisper and draw out a deep breath to push that matter aside before you get enraged again. Instead, you bring up another matter. “I thought that I would take the twins and Aerion for a ride on Astraea…the twins haven’t met her and they’re getting older, I don’t want them to be scared of her.”

The corner of Vanessa’s lips tug up softly and her eyes widen with disbelief as you’re finally starting to warm up to your children.

“That would be a great idea,” Vanessa encourages you. “I could come with you to help you.”

You offer her a sweet smile and nod. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Vanessa mirrors your gesture, letting that be the last thing you see before you set your eyes on the Red Keep’s Godswood, and someone else; Lord Kermit Tully playing his lute as he sits against the Weirwood tree.

The moment the young lord notices you and your company trailing behind you, he drops his lute and pushes himself to his feet to bow your way. “Your Grace,” he greets kindly.

Once he stands at his given height, and you meet his dark blue eyes that appear almost black under the shadow of the Weirwood tree, you return his kind greeting with a warm smile. “My Lord.”

You then glance at the holy Weirwood tree with its bold red leaves, and then look back at Lord Kermit with his striking red hair and your smile widens. “I was taught that the Tully’s followed the New Gods, am I wrong?” You probe as you walk away from your train of people to be closer to the young lord who isn’t as young as his brother is; he’s actually the same age you are, but you still consider him young because you like to think you still are even after all the lives you’ve lived these past two years.

“No, no,” he shakes his head and lets out a nervous chuckle whilst he steps back and starts to grow as red as his hair. “You are not. We follow the Seven, but at home, I like going to the Godswood to find silence, or practice my lute where there are no others who I can curse with my awful playing.”

You chuckle and his eyes widen in disbelief, whilst he seems to only grow a deeper shade of red as you continue to fluster him.

“Then I apologize for disturbing your peace,” you tell him lightheartedly with a faint smile playing on your lips. “I will leave, but I need to tell you that I think you play swell. Now, and at the campfires when we camped together.”

Lord Kermit scratches the back of his neck and drops his head as he laughs nervously. “Well, I was drunk then so I don’t think it counts.”

You huff. “Drunk men tell true words. So I think the saying would go for your playing.”

Lord Kermit laughs and you giggle before you get closer with no true intention to actually leave. “You’ll have to play around a campfire soon so I can sing. All these duties have really stressed me out, I need to release it somehow.”

The young Lord's eyes snap up and his lips part with more surprise. “Are you sure that I would be the right man to follow your singing?”

You nod eagerly. “Yes of course.”

Lord Kermit scoffs softly and bows his head. “You flatter me, Your Grace.”

You offer him a wider smile and then turn to face the Weirwood tree, making the young Lord bend down to collect his lute off the ground. “I will leave you be—”

“No, stay, it’s really, truly fine,” you assure him and reach out without grabbing his arm. “I would like the company. I don’t mind. Without my brothers or my aunt, the castle is…really just too big and haunting.”

Lord Kermit blinks repeatedly in surprise, but after those swirling emotions pass he can’t help but smile softly as you’re welcoming his company. You, the Queen Regent.

“I also…want to thank you,” you continue and turn your head to have him in your sights. “When we were in that meeting you stood your ground and had my back when you could have sided with Lord Stark. I know he can be intimidating, so…thank you, My Lord. It really means a lot.”

Since the young lord keeps getting hit with surprises he doesn’t respond right away. His shoulders fall from their tense hold that you put them in whilst his eyes meet yours before he parts his lips. “It’s my duty to my Queen. And my King. Besides, I trust you. We fought together at Tumbleton. It’s not every day a royal fights with their armies, especially not ones made of Rivermen and Northmen, so having you there fighting with us while you were with child with twins no less,” he clarifies loudly so you can hear his awe—“was truly inspiring. I will always support you and respect you until the end of my days.”

Maybe it’s because after so much heartache and trials and tribulations all you want is someone to tell you kind words, or maybe it's because he’s sweet when he’s sincere, but your eyes water and your smile wobbles at his simple words. “Thank you, My Lord.” You whisper and inhale deeply as you look back at the face carved on the white-wooded tree.

“By the way, how are your twins? Your dragon took you and we never saw you until we arrived here,” he interjects in the short silence you left in your own awe.

“Fat,” you let him know giddily. “They have no wars to fight or meetings to lead, so they eat all day. They’re fat.” You giggle, making the Lord nod in comprehension and smile proudly.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it, and envious, maybe.”

You continue to laugh and just continue to heighten his disbelief.

“Well, you know you do have your liberties. Your brother sure knows how to use them,” you retort and he huffs and rolls his head away.

“My brother,” he scoffs. “He’s young and full of temptation. He also doesn’t have to carry the same weight I do as Lord.”

You hum and he mindlessly starts to rub his fingers together as he continues. “But I suppose as an older brother it doesn’t really bother me. In a lot of ways I’m glad I’m the only one cursed with the burden of Lord.”

Your heart skips a beat and your brothers come to mind. Not Aegon, your other brothers, the ones you grew up with.

“Yet another burden we carry as the oldest don’t we?” You whisper just loud enough so he can hear. “No matter what, we always want the best for them.”

“Like a parent,” he adds what you were thinking. “But I suppose this burden isn’t as heavy as the others.”

The corner of your lips pulls up and you nod slowly in agreement. You get ready to add on with a different comment, but then you’re interrupted. “Your Grace.”

You and Lord Tully turn around and you see Cregan walking over without caring to wait to be invited over. He just stomps over with his eyes hardened and focused solely on Lore Kermit.

“My Lord,” Cregan greets the young Lord in an intimidating way that makes the young lord grow stiff once again.

“Lord Stark,” Lord Kermit greets the man and bows his head.

“I pardon the intrusion, but I desire to speak to the Queen Regent, alone,” Cregan doesn’t waste a second to get right to what he wanted.

“Of course,” Lord Kermit gives in and turns to face you. “Your Grace.” He bows his head.

You offer him a sweet smile and reach over to take his hand in yours, causing Cregan’s eyebrows to furrow deeper.

“I hope we talk again soon and not just to share a song,” you tell him, making the young Lord's breath falter as he looks between your united hands, and your eyes softened and looking at him with kindness.

“Of course, your Grace,” the young lord agrees quieter and offers you a quick smile before he pulls his hands out of your grasp and walks away.

The moment he’s past you you face the Weirwood tree again with your hands clasped and your nose high in the chilly air, while Cregan watches the young Lord leave until he’s finally out of sight and no longer in earshot.

“No smile for me?” He quips lightheartedly as his eyes fall on you and he acts as if he didn’t just challenge you in that meeting room.

“Or do you plan to take a third husband? Maybe the third one is the one?” He adds in hopes of gaining your attention and getting you to smile and laugh, but you continue to avert your gaze and just draw out a long and deep breath.

“You made me look a fool in that meeting hall,” you remark without any sort of warmth.

“You’re upset,” he mutters and drops his head to gather his thoughts since you want to pick on the matter.

“Of course I’m upset,” you rebutt bitterly and snap around swiftly to face him. “You waltz in like you own the damn place and try to take it from under me, Cregan. Do I mean nothing? Do those deep insecurities I trusted you with not matter, huh? Because you tried to undermine me. You.” You hiss and hit his chest with the heel of your palm. “Out of everyone,” you then mutter softly as your disbelief overpowers your rage. “Why you?”

Cregan slowly faces you with his eyes caught in a storm and his eyebrows furrowed, letting go of any warmth he also walked over here with.

“Because there was injustice done in the Red Keep,” he remarks. “And I’m not talking about you burning part of the city, but the poisoning of the King.”

“The king?” You scoff and look at him like he’s spewing madness. “The King was broken. He was a usurper, an abuser, and a sick man—”

“Perhaps but he was still the King and your husband and you went behind his back and—”

“And what planned a coup?” You cut him off just like he cut you off. “Those are fair. That’s no injustice unless your loyalties were never with my mother.”

Cregan’s eyebrows pinch deeper as your words hit his ears. “You know that’s not true,” he defends himself and flashes you a second of disbelief in his grey eyes. “I am loyal to your mother, but I also know when an injustice has been done and so should you. Love or not poisoning a king rather than facing him is a treason that you should punish.”

You scoff and step back, letting him bury his eyes deep into your gaze and see what he failed to capture before. Your own part in the entire ordeal.

You don’t need him to throw you any accusations. You see him start to question if it was truly you or not with the way his eyebrows unfold and his eyes widen just slightly because you can read him too.

“Would he have not deserved it?” You ask without admitting to any of his suspicions that are growing behind his eyes. “Besides what was known about him, he also carried the crime of killing my mother. Right in front of me,” you say as you take your step forward once again so your heartache can be as clear as day.

“He killed his own sister. No amount of crying or begging stopped him,” you continue as your voice gets shaky and your eyebrows knit together while your eyes start to fill with tears. “He killed her. I saw her get eaten until there was nothing left of her. I screamed, I tried to run over and save her because I can withstand fire, but when it came down to that moment in time, all I could do was watch her burn to death, and then get eaten until there was nothing left of her but a single limb. A limb that I have not gotten back yet to burn by the way,” you add grimly.

Cregan watches you with pity, but it doesn’t change his mind. His duty still comes before his pity for you.

Thus you continue to try and sway his stubborn mind. “So tell me now Cregan if he did not deserve what he got? Would you not want him dead if you still heard your mother’s screams?” You ask in the same haunting way that you spoke in before, bringing a chill to the back of his neck as well as bringing a deafening silence.

“Because I hear her screams every day. I hear her cry out for help, but the thing is that she never actually cried out for help. It’s a figment of my traumatized mind,” you can’t help but cry. “And because my mind is so messed up I see her too. Her burnt corpse. And not just when I sleep, but when I’m awake. In dark and enlightened corners alike. I see her die at every waking moment of my life, and every day that she dies I die with her because the truth is that whatever was left of me died that morning with her. Every bit of who I used to be. My soul and my heart. So tell me if Aegon would have not deserved his tragic end? Tell me, Cregan!” You press him sharply.

Said man swallows thickly and keeps his eyes on you as he sighs and lowers his head. “He deserved to die, but not that way,” he keeps arguing, making you scoff in disappointment.

“Ask me then,” you spat and sniffle as you slowly raise your chin and point your nose in the air as you await his accusation.

“Was it you?” He asks and hides his own hurt over having to ask you.

You sigh deeply and look him in the eyes to lie. “No, but if you wish to interrogate me, do it. If you wish to question everyone in the Red Keep, do it. Do what you need to do, Lord Stark. Kill me if you have to, I have nothing left to lose anyway. It seems I lost everything I loved anyway.”

His lips part as a breath escapes him, while you steal one last glance at him before you turn away with tears crawling down your face and walk away.

“Wait,” he calls out, but you ignore him and keep walking as you keep crying quietly.

A/N- Cregan baby…

Tagged- @namelesslosers @stargaryenx @chainsawsangel @lauftivy @winxschester @cloudroomblog @llarue @padsdarlg @sofietargaryen @gracielikegrapes @dreaming-of-the-reality @itzelpeyton @patdsinner33 @mrsdominickstark @elaena-aerrin @todoroki-slut @snh96 @urmomsgirlfriend1 @nifujiswhore @sweethoneyblossom1 @kaetastic @lightdragonrayne @squidscottjeans @oh-you-mean-me @wallacewillow0773638 @icefrye19 @thescottpack @fiction-fanfic-reader @crazymusicgirl104 @r-3dlips @strangersunghoon @just-pure-trash @ethereal-athalia @missyviolet123 @callsignwidow @xunquish-blog @tabathastan @weepingfashionwritingplaid @answer-the-sirens @silverlightsaber @rosey1981 @amortentiaaaa

78 notes · View notes