GREEN & BLACK /// HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

{7}

𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 & 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊

Eirene waited with a straight back as the council gathered, awaiting news or an arrival of their queen. she shared a look with Jacaerys who stood besides her, his hands clasped together over the hilt of his sword.

he had seen Syrax approaching with Seasmoke was a distance as he stood on the balcony of her office, hours after the news of his mother's disappearance. and he was livid. Baela stood on Jace's other side, holding his elbow tightly, using herself as an anchor to prevent the boy from lashing out at people.

he had growing anger issues, so to speak.

then, Ser Lorent walked inside, mildly out of breath, his face showing signs of relief and lingering concern as he spoke. "the queen is unharmed."

"what of the rider?" Corlys asked from across the room, nursing a cup of mead in one of his hands as the used the other to balance with his cane.

"he seems to be a shipwright under your employ, Lord Corlys." Grand Maester Gerardys replied, his hands clasped behind his back.

Eirene felt Jacaerys flinch from besides her as her brows furrowed. what?

"a commoner?" Lord Bartimos asked incredulously. "with respect to your workers, Lord Corlys, a low-born cannot go around seizing dragons. has the thief been secured?"

"her grace has commanded that he remain here as a guest." grand Maester Gerardys explained pointedly, earning scoffs and disbelieving murmurs from around the table at the mentions of a low-born sleeping under the roof of noble houses, let alone the queen of the Seven Kingdoms. "she wishes for him to be instructed in the art of dragon riding, and that i should teach him some high Valyrian."

Eirene cleared her throat quietly, shifting on her feet as Jace grow more and more tense, causing the hair on her skin to prickle.

"what say you, Lady Hand?"

Eirene snapped out of her sympathetic daze, for she knew the full reason to Jacaerys' blooming frustration. she stuttered for a moment, taking a beat to remember the point of conversation before she could reply. "you will do as her grace requires. treat this man as a guest, until given further instruction."

"you cannot truly be considering this, Eirene?"

"that's Lady Hand, or Princess to you." Eirene sharply corrected, glaring harshly at Lord Bartimos. "who do you think you are? my job is to ensure my queen's wishes and desires are fulfilled, and so is yours. if i catch you disobeying the orders you have been given, i will not hesitate to have you sent to the wall. i have had enough of your improper treatment. do not forget yourself. that applies to all of you."

the table grew quiet as Lord Bartimos stared at the princess who awaited his reply. yet gained nothing.

"you're all dismissed."

𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 & 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊

"you asked to see me, your grace?"

Eirene's heels clacked on the ground as she entered Rhaenyra's office, only she flinched as Jacaerys barged past her, knocking his shoulder into her own carelessly. he didn't look back, even as she winced relatively loud, lifting her hands to cup her shoulder.

Rhaenyra sniffled and wiped her face with haste, before she nodded and waved her over. "yes, we have important matters to discuss." Eirene shuffled over slowly, still rubbing her aching shoulder carefully, her mind pondering over Jacaerys' obvious anger. "Addam of Hull has claimed Seasmoke."