The Heir // King Viserys Targaryen // Daemon Targaryen

15. Coping

Evermore // Bran Stark out now!!

'The Valyrian capital was built into a volcano, much like Dragonstone. And the dragonlords, the highest of the nobility, lived here, at the volcanic face, closest to the source of their magic and power. And this was the Anogrion." Viserys told Alicent as she tried to win her way into the kings heart.

"Where the bloodmages worked their craft." Avalon declared coming up to them. Alicent noticed how Viserys lit up when he saw his little sister, she needed to get his attention back on herself.

'It is truly wondrous what you've built.' Alicent remarked stepping closer to viserys.

'Oh no. I only pore over the histories and provide the plans. The stonemasons built the structures.' Viserys corrected.

'Kings just sit back and drink and bark orders. Right brother?" Avalon teased, he smirked pulling her to him.

"Do you believe that Westeros can be another Valyria, Your Grace?" Alicent pondered again trying to get closer.

"That depends, whether you speak of the Freehold at its height or at its fall. Over a thousand dragons, a navy large enough to span the seas of the world." Avalon told her.

"The glory of Old Valyria will never be seen again." Viserys remarked but his cup slipped through his fingers crashing to the ground. 'Seven Hells.' He muttered.

"I got it.' Avalon assured. He sucked in a deep breath looking to Alicent.

'Tell me, how is Rhaenyra?'

'What do you mean?' Alicent questioned and Avalon looked up to them picking up the broken shards.

'Well, these days, she doesn't say more than a few words to me. I think she might find it difficult... to discuss personal matters.' Viserys told her. Alicent had visited him often, which he found he enjoyed talking history with her but he felt bad spending time with Rhaenyra's best friend instead of his own daughter.

'Have you ever known how to talk to your daughter?" Avalon questioned. Viserys tipped his head back and forth in contemplation. 'Our father didn't know how to talk to me.' Avalon remarked.

'It will take time. It did when I lost mine own mother.' Alicent informed him trying to get his focus off of Avalon, but how was Alicent supposed to compete with a woman, a sliver haired beauty that already had his heart.

"I wish she would approach me." Viserys told them softly.

"What if you went to her?" Alicent offered.

"There are times when I would rather face the Black Dread himself than mine own daughter of 15." Viserys informed her bleakly. Avalon chuckled.

"You are ridiculous.' Avalon told him. 'You don't have to make it so formal, go for a walk or met us by the dragons.' Avalon suggested. "You don't need to worry yourself about it.' Viserys nodded, could it be that easy?

"I think she would open herself to you if invited. You do have such an easy way about you, Your Grace." Alicent remarked.

"Um..." Viserys took a step away from Alicent as Avalon disposed of the broken cup. 'you do not mention our talks to Rhaenyra, do you?' Viserys questioned and Alicent stared at him a moment longer confused. 'I just... I fear that she wouldn't understand them.'

'No, Your Grace.' Alicent assured.

+

"If you are worried-'

'Of course I am. It has been moons and I barely spoke a few words to her.' Viserys reminded his sister.

'And daemon being daemon doesn't help.' Avalon added. Viserys nodded in agreement. "I'm here for the both of you. I know Rhaenyra can be... well more like me at times but she had your heart.' Viserys stared down at Avalon he didn't realize how much he missed her until she was a constant in his life again.

'What do you think of Alicent?"

'What do you mean?" Avalon questioned.

"Her... coming to me... talking with me... is that strange?" Viserys questioned knowing full well it was but he needed a sound mind to tell him that.

"It...' Avalon hesitated. "Do you enjoy your talks with her?" Avalon countered.

"I...' Viserys thought about it. "At times it is nice to speak to someone about the histories yes.' Viserys told her.

'But other times?" Avalon questioned.

"It feels like a secret, like talking with the girl is something scandalous.' Viserys admitted.

"Do you want to keep talking history with her?" Avalon offered.

'I would rather talk history with you.' Viserys assured her. "I feel bad speaking with Alicent when I cant even speak to my own daughter."

"Yes... I noticed that." Avalon agreed. "Alicent is a sweet girl but...' Avalon bit her tongue it was not her place.

"What?" Viserys urged.

"Not my place." Avalon told him.
"I welcome your honesty always." Viserys assured.

"I just don't see her with Rhaenyra as much, I see her coming and going from your rooms but... but maybe I'm wrong." Avalon told him. "I don't know perhaps they meet in secret as well.' Avalon mused. Viserys bit at his lip.

"Go on.' He requested softly as they sat down.

"I just find it strange that she spent hours with Rhaenyra and then..." Avalon stopped herself. Surely the child wasn't trying to woe her brother. Surely. "She lost her mother, she is trying to help you. From what I heard Otto Hightower did not handle his wifes death well.'' Avalon went on. ''Perhaps she is trying to keep you from turning into her father.'' Avalon offered.

''Otto is a good man and loyal friend.'' Viserys told her.

"When the heart breaks it is hard to piece it back together.'' Avalon told him.

''That is true.'' Viserys agreed. ''you sound like you know from experience.'' He mused

''oh, no.'' Avalon said sheepishly.

''just your romance books.'' Viserys pondered.

''I like my romance on the page, less chance of heart break.'' Avalon told him. ''yet I have had my heart broken by a countless amount of fictional characters.'' She added.

'Heart break through the pages...' Viserys chuckled. Avalon shrugged.

''Usually easier to recover from.' Avalon admitted

''So you have spoken to Rhaenyra then?" Viserys asked.

"She is... coping.'' Avalon offered. 'But I do think you talking to her would be beneficial. I can be a buffer, keep things from getting awkward if you want?" Avalon offered.

''Yes.'' Viserys agreed. "I would like that.''