Tied Together With A Smile // Aegon Targaryen

12. Tell Him

My tears ricochet // Alicent Hightower out now!!

''Who knows?'' Otto questioned as Alicent had told him of Viserys passing.

''My handmaiden, Talya. Some of the servants.'' Alicent answered. "I saw him last night... before he..." Alicent leaned back in the chair, a shaky breath on her lips. ''He told me he wished for Aegon to be king." Alicent relayed and Otto stared back at her from the fireplace. ''It is the truth. Uttered with his own lips. His last words to me and I was the only one to hear it. And now he's dead.''

When Cassie woke the next morning Aegon was already gone. She had told him that they were leaving in the morning. They got the ship working well enough and didnt want to cause more problems. She figured he wouldnt take it well but to leave before she got up so she couldnt say goodbye...

She got dressed and searched for him but she couldnt find him anywhere. She thought to write a note, a letter telling him something, anything but thought that would hurt too. 

Best if he just forgot about her entirely she supposed. 

"Rocket?"

"Cassie, lets go." Rocket declared pushing on the back of her legs. 

"What's in the bag Rocket?" Cassie countered. 

"Nothing. I always have a bag stuffed to the top with trinkets and jewels." Rockets corrected. "I'm like Santa fucking clause!"

"He gives gifts he doesnt take them." Cassie reminded him. 

"Shut up." Rocket spat as he ran down the halls. 'Meet you there, dont dilly dally!"

"Did you steal Aemond's eye back?" Cassie questioned. 

"Of course!" Rocket agreed. 

"Good." Cassie chuckled as she woke Peter up. 

+

''What is it that could not have waited an hour? Was Dorne invaded?" Tyland mused as they gathered around the council table.

''The King is dead.'' Otto told them all. Alicent sat at the kings seat silently. Tears in her eyes her hands clasped on the table. ''We grieve for Viserys the Peaceful... our sovereign... our friend. But he has left us a gift.'' Otto went on calmly. ''With his last breath, he impressed upon the Queen his final wish: that his son, Aegon... should succeed him as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms." There was a small sigh of relief as the council was eager to get this started for Aegons rule.

''Then we may proceed now with the full assurance of his blessing on our long-laid plans."

''Yes. There is much to be done, as we've previously discussed." Otto agreed. Alicent stared at them in disbelief.

''Now, there are two among the captains of the City Watch that remain loyal to Daemon.''

"Let us replace them... Lord Lannister." Otto encouraged

''The Treasury is well in hand. The gold will be divided for safekeeping." Tyland assured. Alicent stared confused and speechlessly

''Let ravens be sent to our allies, Riverrun and Highgarden." Otto went on.

" Am I to understand that members of the small council have been planning secretly to install my son without me?" Alicent finally spoke up

''My Queen, there was no need to sully you with darkling schemes." They assured 

+

''Where is Aegon?'' otto demanded looking around.

''N-Not here.' Helaena answered as though Aegon was ever with her.

''He's not in his rooms.'' Alicent informed her. "If we find the girl, he is probably with her." Otto marched back out "Father." Alicent called after him but he didn't stop.

''What's happened?' Helaena asked and Alicent sat next to her.

''Your father...'' Alicent began.

''There is a beast beneath the boards.'' Helaena hissed. 

+

''Ser Erryk.'' Otto remarked walking up to him in the gallery sharpening his blade. ''Where's the Prince?''

''Forgive me, Lord Hand. I do not know.'' Erryk admitted rising before him.

''But you're sworn to protect him.'' Oto reminded

''He exploits his authority to order me away, and then he evades me, my Lord." Erryk answered

''I believe he may have left the Keep secretly, gone into the city. Find him.'' Otto instructed and Erryk nodded immediately. 'Take no one else but your brother. And remove your white cloaks. None can know who you are or what you seek... including the Queen."

" My Lord." Erryk agreed

''Bring him to me, and me alone, Ser Erryk.''

+

''Prince Aegon's not to be found within the castle walls, Your Grace." Criston informed Alicent. "Your father has sent Ser Erryk into the city to find him. Ser Erryk knows Aegon. He has the advantage." Criston remarked and Alicent nodded.

"I trust again to you, Ser Criston, and to your loyalty." Alicent told him and Criston nodded. "Aegon must be found, and he must be brought to me. The very fate of the Seven Kingdoms depends on it." Alicnet instructed. Criston nodded. ''Everything you feel for me... as your Queen." Alicent whispered bringing her face closer to his.

''I will not fail you.'' Criston assured.

"I'll come with you." Aemond said getting up.

''That would not be my desire, Aemond.'' Alicent told him honestly. ''If anything has happened...''

''Cole needs me, Mother. Ser Erryk isn't the only one who knows Aegon's doings.'' Aemond reminded her. 

+

"You!" Alicent hissed pointing a finger at Cassie. 

"We are leaving. Don't worry." Cassie assured. 

"Where is Aegon!"

"I don't know." Cassie answered. 

"Where is Aegon?" Alicent demanded. 

"I don't know." Cassie repeated. "Honestly. He was gone when I got up." 

"Why don't I believe you?" Alicent countered. 

"Thats your own untrusting brains fault. I'm very honest. Bluntly so." Cassie informed her. 

"I never want to see you or your pets in westeros again." Alicent demanded. 

"Thats the goal." Cassie rasped. "When you find Aegon-" Alicent was already marching down the hall. "Tell him I loved him." Cassie whispered with a heavy sigh as she headed to the ship. 

Sunfyre huffed a breath and Cassie moved to him. 

"Tell your daddy I say goodbye." Cassie instructed as Sunfyre lowered his head to her. Cassie ran a hand over his snout. "Look after him for me." Cassie thought it sounded like Sunfyre was purring into her. "Bye sweet boy..."