dancing with our hands tied | r. targaryen

xvi.

114 A.C.
KING'S LANDING
•••

"WE SHOULD HEAD BACK TO CAMP," ALAYNE SUGGESTS AS THE SUN HAS SET AND DARKNESS BEGINS TO FILL THE SKY. She wasn't afraid to be out in the Kingswood alone at night, she was however afraid to be alone with Rhaenyra in the Kingswood at night.

"Camp will be there in the morrow," Rhaenyra responds.

"We do not have a fire. Or supplies. Or weapons. We're ill-prepared to spend the night out here," Alayne says as she looks around.

"We're fine," Rhaenyra tells her as she shows Alayne her dagger, "And I have this."

"We're not fine," Alayne says more firmly, "And we would have to sleep on the ground."

Rhaenyra chuckles, "Are you scared of sleeping on the ground?"

"No," Alayne responds as she looks at the ground, "It's just – it is quite dirty. And I am surprised that you, a Princess, are willing to sleep on the ground."

"I'm willing to do anything to prolong our time away from camp," Rhaenyra says with a sigh, "I'm surprised you're so eager to return. You'll have to deal with Borros. He doesn't seem like the type of man to handle rejection well."

"No, he is not," Alayne mutters, "Especially since he has all but claimed me."

"I understand that you are under the impression that you have to marry well, but what if you didn't?" Rhaenyra asks and Alayne seems prepared to protest, but Rhaenyra stops her, "I simply meant why not marry into a lower house? Your station will not change. You are sister to the queen, and I would not do away with you once I'd taken the throne. By marrying a lower station then you can stay with me while fulfilling your duty to your family."

It was an idea that made sense. Alayne could certainly see the logic behind it. Even her ambitious father had not married to raise his position. But he was a man, he did not need to marry to get power, he could rise on his own.

Alayne no longer wanted to speak about herself, however.

"You should marry Harwin Strong," Alayne states.

Rhaenyra rolls her eyes, "This again."

"He is a good match," Rhaenyra insists, "He is kind, and it will set me at ease if you marry him."

"Why should I set you at ease when you refuse to set me at ease?" Rhaenyra asks, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Because it's different. I am trying to prevent someone from using you to elevate their status."

Rhaenyra rolls her eyes, "You're telling me to marry Harwin Strong!"

"His father is Master of Laws! And he is a knight through and through. He cares little for politics which means he does not care if he is your consort," Alayne explains, "He will not try to rule in your place."

"And you think Borros is going to let you rule in his place?" Rhaenyra asks.

"The way I see it he will grow extremely tired of me and begin fucking countless whores. Once he begins doing that he develops a drinking problem, he puts on weight, and is constantly tired. From there he develops poor health and is wounded while hunting. He's bedridden and I have command of Storm's End."

Rhaenyra stares at Alayne slightly alarmed, "You have carefully thought that through."

"Borros is an idiot," Alayne states, "But he's a gullible idiot. If only Brandon was the heir."

"He could be," Rhaenyra says, "If Syrax eats Borros."

Alayne narrows her eyes at Rhaenyra, "Syrax is not eating anyone."