Ashes In The Castle ||| Aemond Targaryen

forty-two

"Our situation is dire, Your Grace. The riverlords march for King's Landing and we have no armies. Cregan Stark and soldiers from the Vale march to reinforce them. In two months' time, they will descend upon us. And we have no answer."

The council was seriously concerned with their situation. They had very few options.

"Our only option remains to surrender, Your Grace. To keep them from sacking the city, from killing our people."

Aegon was angry with Corlys for even suggesting such a thing. He hated having the man in his small council, he would have had him killed if Larys Strong hadn't talked him out of it.

"We will not surrender. House Targaryen doesn't surrender. Besides, we still have a dragon. Send the princess to burn their armies. They need to learn to fear us once more."

Aemond clenched his fist. "You will do no such thing, Your Grace."

With an accusatory glare, Aegon looked at his brother. To question his authority in such a manner of offending. "And why is that? Has she refused to fight? Does she need to be reminded who we hold in our dungeons?"

He guessed it was the best time out of any. "My wife is pregnant, Your Grace. I will not risk her or my child with an action that will only work to ensure further war."

There was quiet at the table after Aemond admitted it. Corlys sat up in his seat, Alicent gazed at her son with an indescribable emotion. Aegon paused, he couldn't fight to send a woman pregnant with the future heir.

"If you burn the riverlords, the North and the Vale will come prepared to deal with a dragon. The war will never cease," Aemond added in an attempt to ensure it didn't seem he was only self-interested.

"He's right, Your Grace. We cannot risk our last dragon to further prolong the war. We must find a solution otherwise."

That council ended without a clear resolution to their problem. The King refused to consider surrender and his solution would have them at war for longer.

When it was over, Alicent found her second son. Since the night he lost his eye, she'd been partial to him, nurturing.

"Why did you not tell me?" Alicent asked, holding onto Aemond's arms as he looked down at her.

"Fear."

It was simple, blunt, and straight to the point. Aemond was afraid of it all, how things would change. Telling others meant it would be true. But they had to know eventually.

Her face softened. "My dearest. You and she will be absolutely fine. I promise you." She leaned up and kissed his cheek. No matter whose descendant he was married to, Alicent wanted to see her children happy.

***

Naerys returned from seeing her brother when Corlys found her. He embraced the girl and held her face, tilting his own as he looked down at her.

"Prince Aemond told the council this afternoon."

She didn't need any more clarification than that. Naerys gave her grandfather a bit of a shy look. It didn't matter, though. He picked her up into another hug.