Enchanted // Rhae Royce

67. Rule The Runes

It's Time to Go/ Criston/ Harwin out now!

Rhae lay on the ground unable to move, the pain started to fade to numbness, a tingling throughout her spine, extending to her arms and legs before she felt nothing at all. The last thing she saw was Taelon.

+ 

''Your Grace.'' Corlys remarked as he approached but Viserys kept coughing.

''Rise, Lord Corlys.'' Viserys said in between coughing fits.

''Be welcome. May I offer you a chair?'' Corlys questioned as the door opened yet again and Rhaenys came in.

''Cousin!'' she declared

''Princess.'' Viserys said kindly but he cringed in pain as she hugged him.

''Are you well?'' Rhaenys asked skeptically.

''Very.'' Viserys assured.

''I congratulate you, Lord Lyonel. I can think of no man more suited to be the Hand of the King.'' Corlys said kindly but there was still a thick tension in the air.

''That is very kind of you to say, Lord Corlys.'' Lyonel replied. ''His Grace has honored me with the post.''

''Pity about Ser Otto." Corlys added.

''Despite spending most of my days amidst the grandeur of the Red Keep, the halls of High Tide never fail to impress.'' Viserys remarked changing topic.

'You flatter me, Your Grace.'' Corlys told him, forcing a smile. 'Though I do wish we could meet under happier pretenses.''

''How so?''

'Taelon's wife, the Lady Rhea Royce, has passed''. Corlys informed them. Viserys took a step back, unable to process, he hadnt heard. Was Taelon alright? The boys? What happened? His mind raced but he found it hard to breath. Lyonel offered his arm seeing the kings distress. 

''A hunting mishap. She was thrown from her horse. Her neck and skull both crushed in the fall.' Rhaenys added

''A most surprising end. Lady Rhea's skill as both rider and hunter were well-known.'' Corlys agreed

'The gods are cruel.'' Rhaenys added

''Indeed. Lady Rhea was a fine woman and a, uh... good wife to my boy.'' Viserys told them holding back the pain that he knew so well of losing the women he loved. "To the children..."

''She stood to inherit Runestone.'' Corlys reminded him. "I suppose that goes to Thorin now." 

+

''In truth, if it had to be someone, I'm glad it is you. I know this union is not what you would choose. I hold nothing against you, cousin. No, I... Rather... Dare I say it is a matter of taste? I prefer roast duck to goose. I cannot say why. It's, it's not for a lack of trying.'' Rhaenyra offered

''There are those who like goose very well.'' Laenor offered confused.

''I find it a bit greasy for my taste. I know that whatever agreement being struck up there will not change your appetites, nor will it change mine." Rhaenyra offered as her and Laenor walked the shores of driftmark.

''And what do you propose?''

''That we perform our duty to our fathers and to the realm and when it's done... each of us dines as we see fit.'' Rhaenyra offered

+

 ''I fear I must question you on a, on a delicate matter, Ser Criston.''

''I am your servant as always, my Queen.''

''It concerns our dear Princess Rhaenyra. Please.'' Alicent pat the spot next to her and waited for him to sit next to her. hesitantly he removed his sword from his hip and sat stiffly next to her.

''You are her sworn protector and rightly loyal to her.'' Alicent remarked.

''I am.''

''The night of Daemon's return... there's been a rumor... or rather, my father received an accounting of... a lapse of morals that may have occurred between... It is, of course, unthinkable for me to question the virtue of the Princess, whom I hold in highest regard, but, I-I, I did, however, wonder if... I'm not unaware that in flush of youth... there may be errors made...'' Alicent didn't know how to say it but she needed to know her father was a good and right man. Alicent let out a long sigh as she looked to Criston.

''breaches in resolve, breaches, or rather lapses...''

''It happened, Your Grace. The sin you allude to. I have committed it. At her instigation, it is true, but that should... It is no excuse.' Criston agreed as he stood up. ''My oath has been broken. I have dishonored myself. I deserve no consideration. But if... as a clement Queen, you are inclined to pity... I would ask only this... that rather than gelding me and having me tortured... you would sentence me mercifully to death.'' Criston offered.

''Thank you for your honesty, Ser Criston. You may go.'' Alicent informed him and he stared back at her but she seemed content in his answer. 

+

"Tommen where are you going? We just got back? Is Taelon-" Nyra stopped herself seeing Tommen's pinched face. 

"It's Rhae," Tommen rasped. 

"What?" Nyra countered.

"I need to be with Taelon and the boys." Tommen breathed out as he rode off. 

"What happened?" Nyra called after him. "Is Taelon alright? TOmmen!"