The tragic love story of Prince Aerys of House Targaryen and Lady Alicent of House Hightower was a well known tale told by mothers to their children and to their grandchildren for centuries to come. The story had been heard from so many mouths that...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The halls were dark and empty, no servants scattered around, no guards stood at their post. It was eerie how quiet it was, the only sound was Aerys and his knights footsteps as they walked to the small council's meeting chamber.
Two King's Guards stood posted at the door as Aerys rounded the corner, both glanced at their prince out of the corner of their eyes before facing forward.
"Open the doors." Aerys ordered. When neither made a move, Aerys tried again. "I am the crown prince. If I find that either of you are conspiring against the crown, you will be stripped of your cloaks and then put to the sword after being sharply questioned. Then I will have no choice but to question your families to see if they share the same sentiment."
The guards turned their heads this time and glanced at each other. A moment of silence passed before they opened the doors.
The heads of the small council all turned to the doors, surprise clearly written on their faces. Well all except Lord Beesbury, who laid dead on the table, his blood pooling around his temple. Aerys felt sorry for the elderly man, he had been quite a bother to speak to but he was loyal to the very end. Aerys decided then that House Beesbury would be handsomely compensated.
"I apologize for being late, I was not awakened for this meeting."
"My Prince-" Otto Hightower tried to begin.
"Odd isn't it? I wake to find my brother is dead and there is a Small council meeting taking place that I was not made aware of. Any ways it does not matter you all shall be dead sooner or later."
"Excuse me?" Tyland Lannister spoke. "Dead?"
"Well you are committing treason are you not? Besides, Ser Criston has murdered a member of the Small Council. I could not just let this go, could I? I am Viserys' successor, after all."
"King Viserys named Aegon heir, it was his last dying wish." Otto said, a pompous look on his face.
"And who heard such a thing?"
"His wife."
"What did he say, Alicent?" All heads turned to look at where Alicent sat at the head of the table. When she made no move to speak, Aerys continued. "Let me guess, Aegon's dream. A song of Ice and fire? The prince who was promised?"
Alicent's face fell at Aerys guesses. "How do you know this?"
"Viserys has been speaking of this fairytale for as long as I can remember. It meant nothing, Alicent. He didn't want Aegon to be king, if he did he would have named him sooner." Aerys turned to the guards behind them. "Take them to the dungeon, I wish to speak to my brother's wife alone."
"As you wish, my prince."
Three knights quickly rounded up the members of the Small Council, much to their protests. While the other two approached Ser Criston. Aerys watched as the man looked around the room, searching for an escape.
"I wouldn't do anything stupid if I were you, Ser Criston. The queen has already seen one death tonight, do not make her see more bloodshed."
"Please Ser Criston, cast aside your sword." Alicent begged, tears welled in her eyes as her father was taken away. Soon he would be dead, and she might follow. Everything was crumbling around her, she had thought Viserys finally cared about their son but even that seemed to be a lie.
Ser Criston did as his queen asked, throwing his blade on the ground and following the knights out of the room. He had accepted his fate long ago and now it was finally catching up to him.
The door swung closed behind the traitors and Aerys' guards signaling to Alicent that she was now cut off from everyone else. All she could do now was pray from mercy, and hope Aerys might spare her and her children like he had promised. Oh, she had been so stupid to even think she could succeed with Aerys and Rhaenyra still in King's Landing.
"Alicent?" Aerys called, causing Alicent to look up from her hands. The Prince now sat beside her, one hand outstretched waiting for her to accept it. Alicent didn't even have to think as she placed her hand in Aerys', his warmth engulfing her. " I meant it when I said I would take care of you and your children."
"I truly believed Viserys cared about me and my children for a moment."
"I know. I do not blame you, If I were in your shoes I would have thought the same thing. While Aegon might not be king, he will have his place in my court along with Aemond and Daeron. I only need to ask one thing."
"What?"
"After I am King and you have properly mourned your husband, will you marry me?"
"What of Rhaenyra."
"She will remain my first wife, but I would like you to be my second. I know it is strange but I have never stopped loving you."
"I still love you too." Alicent smiled, for the first time in years she felt truly happy. She would finally be able to be Aerys' wife. "What about Rhaenyra? Will she not be angry?"
"We have her blessing."
"Then yes, I will marry you."
"You don't know how long I've dreamed of hearing you say that." Aerys spoke pulling Alicent from her seat and onto his lap. One of his large hands cupped the side of her neck, his thumb caressed her jawline. "Can I kiss you?"
"Yes." Alicent whispered, and for the first time her lips met Aerys'. She felt complete, she felt safe, she felt loved. Alicent knew all would be alright.
AN Did I cry writing this? Absolutely, I'm so happy my babies are getting their happy ending.
