Legacy of the White Dragon: A Dance of Dragons

Chapter 35 : Second of his name : Arrival

Alicent Hightower (109 A.C. Ninth Moon)

Kingslanding

The smells, around the luncheon were wonderous, and especially the smell of bacon, it had been one of her cravings when she had gotten with child. The smell of roasted pork made her stomach growl, and she would mind a bite. Yet the smell was a mere distraction to the men and woman who hung around her, the King, and her son.

"He has his mother's hair, Your Grace, yet some silver streaks, like his royal father." Lord Tyco Ryene spoke, his voice low, full of admiration for her son. Yet there were words she didn't enjoy, as they sounded insincere. "Well, my queen has wonderful hair. I like the combination of us both in the boy." Viserys's words were nice, but his words never warmed her. She smiled nonetheless, a face for the public.

"He has his grandmother's eyes, your grace." Jasper Wylde said the Lord of Rain House. The man was of broad build, with black hair and a bushy beard. As far she knew of the same age as your Tyland was, both in their twenties. Yet the man already had four children. His first wife died in a child bed a year prior. From what her father had told, the man had arrived at Kingslanding to seek out a new bride and mingle with the court. The man was stiff a bidder of the law and a fact that her father was more than willing to exploit.

"Yes, he does. It will be a wonderful reminder of my mother." She smiled at Viserys's words, even though they were untrue. They were grey, and the other purple Aegon had the eyes of Aemon and Baelon.

She glanced at her father, who was conversing with her uncle, and something her father said made him frown. She suspects that it was because of the succession. Yet she knew Viserys would never change. Rhaenyra nor Aemon would ever forgive him if he did. If not, then it would because of the worth it would provoke in Velaryons. If one's again, their chance for their blood on the throne would be denied.

She looked back to Aegon as Viserys spoke again and poked his nose. "You also have my nose, don't." The group gathered and giggled at his words. Some might be true, but that was life at court, falsities everywhere.

Tyland Lannister then walked up to the King. "Your Grace, I have come with a request. It's of some of the gathered lords and those of the realm regarding Stepstones. With the fall of the Crabfeeder, Your Grace, can't we recall the men? Prince Aemon and Lord Corlys, in their expedition, succeeded. Surely, the men can leave their post and return to their respective houses." Viserys smiled at the man, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Not today, Tyland. My brother has done an excellent job for the crown. Some of these men, according to the reports of my brother and Lord Lyonel, wish to stay employed in those lands. Under the command of the Prince. Also, it has been two and a half years, so it can wait another three days." Viserys said, walking toward the table with food.

"Come eat, fortify yourself for the journey," Viserys said as he walked toward the arranged luncheon. She agreed, and she needed some food before the journey began. "Is everything ready, the baggage train?" Viserys questioned lord Lyonel. "It is presently massing at the River Gate. Lord Jason, expect us to be in the Kingswood before midday." Lyonel answered, and Viserys nodded. "Have you seen Rhaenyra?" Rhaenyra hadn't been around much since her return, being absent and flying back and up from Kingslanding to High Tide to be with Laena.

'Laena was carrying Aemon's child, not his first, but still, the one he could love like a true son, not like he had to do with Aegon. He could only care for Aegon as an uncle, caring for a nephew.' She felt a pang of jealousy at the thought. 'Of Aemon hold his openly and love his child, and his wives. Oh, how nice it would be to have something like that. The dreamy fantasy of the songs the bards sing about.'