“Even in cases of disease or injury, I’m extremely reluctant to leave my fate in the hands of a doctor.” -From the Saga of Tanya the Evil Vol.
7
Alicent squeezed her eyes shut; it had happened again.
She was now carrying the King’s child for a fifth time.
How many more could her body handle bearing into the world?
She had survived four, but each time it seemed harder to recuperate her figure and energy.
Each time she had to be more drastic in altering her routine to return to her proper figure, and each time she grew more and more weary.
She knew that once the babe was born, she would love him or her.
All her children were growing, and even thriving.
Aegon had thrown himself into swordsmanship and Ser Criston had said he had a passion for it that few could eclipse.
He cautioned that he did not have, as of yet, a natural talent or impressive reflexes, but he would be better than average if he kept to his training.
Helaena always seemed to be in another world.
Elaena had introduced painting and drawing and the little girl had thrived with that outlet.
Some of her paintings were quite disturbing.
Dragons breathing fire, a small child’s head cut off, and more.
Alicent liked the one of Aegon wearing a crown, and had even had it sealed in a protective layering and placed in her chambers.
Aemond was a fierce boy, but more disciplined than Aegon.
He was quick to anger, but better able to control it, and was already begging to begin training with the sword as well.
Little Daeron was still too young to form much of a personality, but he had learned to toddle about quicker than Aegon and Helaena.
Despite the onrush of self-pity the pregnancy had brought, Alicent was much more content now that Rhaenyra had gone off to Dragonstone.
Already she had started to slowly pull influence from the Blacks still in the capital.
Singers and bards were selected and told to play certain stories, the ones where black-hearted bastards committed evil.
These were not new made-up stories, but ones that have lived for hundreds of years; Alicent made sure they were played often.
Her husband’s small council was a mixed bag.
She knew his Hand could not be swayed, so it was not even attempted.
Jaspar Wylde, the Master of Laws, was quite sympathetic to the notion of Aegon inheriting.
He had told her, “Boys inherit before girls, I hope Viserys comes to realize the proper course in due time.”
Tyland Lannister, the Master of Ships, was also an ally.
He was circumspect and was not as bold as Lord Wylde had been, but he made it clear in so many words that Aegon would be his preferred choice.
The Grand Maester also hinted that he would advise the King of ‘tradition and its import’ but was even more vague than Tyland.
The Master of Coin, Lyman Beesbury had been a true disappointment.
The man was fully loyal to Rhaenyra, despite his house’s close relationship to her own.
He would not even hear her out and had been borderline rude to her, as he stated he was busy with an important work.
She told Viserys about her pregnancy over dinner and her husband looked at her with happiness.
“That is wonderful!
The child will be of similar age to Jace and Luke.
I still have fond memories of my adventures with Daemon, why one time…”
Alicent listened politely as he shared his tales of childhood, all the while irritated that he had not even mentioned Daeron.
It was almost worse that he did not slight her intentionally, for he seemed not to notice how blatant his favor was for Rhaenyra’s children, over his own with her.
“Ah, those memories, we never knew the danger were we in at times, but experiencing some of those bruises, stings, and fear was good for us.
Hmm, that reminds me, perhaps I should reconsider allowing Elaena to go flying further.”
Alicent did not like the sound of that.
She had not yet reached her 9th name day!
“I don’t know if that would be safe, you know I disapprove of her flying for the hours it takes to get to Dragonstone and Driftmark.
Even if she has an escort for such a journey, what can they truly do in a dire circumstance?”
Viserys moved his head back and forth while thinking, “Yes, well maybe later.
Still, she seems really enthralled with the idea of visiting Oldtown.”
Alicent paused, “Oldtown?
Does she wish to visit with my family there?”
“I’m sure she would, but her primary aim is to study at the Citadel for a time.”
She bit her lip.
She did not like the idea of extended dragon travel for her daughter in all but flesh, but it would be good to have her interact more with her family in Hightower.
It had not gone missed that her daughter preferred silver, gold, and blues over black and green for her dresses.
Elaena always changed the subject when Alicent tried to speak of Rhaenyra’s faults.
While it hurt that Elaena was not clearly favoring her, she understood.
It would be like someone asking Alicent to choose between her father and her brother, she would prefer not to make the choice at all.
“She has always loved reading, more so than anyone I have ever known.
Perhaps we should not deny her this.”
Viserys raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?
That is quite a distance to travel, even by dragon.”
Alicent was torn between concern for safety and in what her father would want her to do in this scenario.
“I am not a rider of dragons, you are, is it safe?”
Viserys patted her on the hand.
“A Targaryen’s connection with their dragon is different than the way someone cares for a horse or hound.
They are still of flesh and blood, so by no means is safety ever guaranteed, but I would trust dragon-back more than I would a ship.”
“In that case, let us allow her to do so.
I will have my father give her a proper escort and guard while she stays in the city and visits the Citadel.
The King smiled at her.
“Well, this is a turnabout!
I will let her know in the morning and we can begin making arrangements.
I believe a moon’s turning should be enough time to scratch her bookish desires.
I would not wish to part from her for longer than that.”
On that, they both agreed.
Alicent hoped her children would not make too much of a fuss over being separated from their sister.
…
“I would have my small council advise me on two proposals.
The first, sending the Targaryen dragon riders to the Stepstones and demonstrating our commitment to ensuring the safe passage of trade ships.”
There was a certain amount of shock around the table.
Several of his advisors looked to each other before anyone spoke.
“I cannot advise on how effective the dragons will be, nor about the potential consequences of such an action,” Lyman began, “but I can say that the distraction of the pirates has led to more trade vessels reaching their destinations, without harm.
It has been good for the realm.”
“Piracy is a scourge, Your Grace, the more we do to eradicate it, the better.” Lord Wylde replied.
it seemed to Viserys that Jaspar was in ardent support of the action.
The Grand Maester shook his head, “Your Grace, ever have you been a man of peace, if you do this, it will create an escalation.
Remember, it was Dorne who slew Meraxes, and we risk all-out war with them by such a course.”
Tyland Lannister spoke next.
“As Master of Ships I can tell you that dragons are unquestionably a nightmare for ship captains.
I do not see how the Triarchy, even with Dorne, could stand against several dragons working in concert.”
Surprisingly, Lord Strong was not in favor.
“Your Grace, I must agree with the Grand Maester.
Outside of the conflict in the Stepstones, and a few isolated incidents, we have had peace with our Dornish neighbors.
If that changes the Dornish Marches will be far bloodier in a moon’s turning than many years of conflict on the Stepstones.”
“Then we will smash them in the field as well!
It is well past time we bring those oily Dornish to heel,” countered Lord Wylde.
“Would it even come to war?” Tyland asked.
“It isn’t as if Dorne has a hope of invading, the best they can do is raids and then hide in their sun-drenched sands.”
“So too thought The Conqueror, and it cost him his sister,” Mellos pointed out.
…
Who knew?
So …
just keep tossing them 😉
…