Dragon's roar (House of the Dragon)

020

Chapter 20: "I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife" Take me to church, Hozier.

Casterly Rock was situated above high cliffs, just like Dragonstone. The journey took some time even though they almost didn't stop. Alannys decided to fly ahead of the troops to inspect the situation. She ordered Vermithor to land on a hill to observe the castle. She immediately noticed Vhagar near a tower. Men were gathered all around the castle. They were preparing to go into battle.

"Should we do it with fire ?" asked Baela who landed next to her on Moondancer.

"No. The Queen said we mustn't act reckless. I am not reducing Casterly Rock to ashes. We cannot do that to the people."

"You are right. Do we apply the plan ?"

"We do."

The plan was for them to distract Vhagar while Cregan and his men took on the castle. The Velaryon lady hoped their strategy would work. She also hoped that Vhagar was not with her rider.

Moondancer flew on Baela's order to catch the old dragon's attention. When Vhagar flew, Alannys noticed the flash of white hair on her back. So Aemond was there too. She wasted no time in giving the signal for Cregan Stark and his men to attack. Then, the Velaryon lady ordered her own dragon to fly into the battlefield. The Bronze fury roared, making most of the enemies run away, out of fear, and making it easier for the Northern soldiers.

When it was done, Alannys flew away to go and help Baela who was still being chased by Aemond. Vhagar was the largest dragon in the world so her rider would not expect someone to attack them from above. At least, that was Alannys' theory when she approached him from behind. As Vhagar was about to scratch Moondancer, she ordered Vermithor forward. The bronze dragon opened his jaw to close it on Vhagar's neck. As the young woman predicted, the prince did not see her and fell off his saddle. Baela caught him thanks to her dragon as Vhagar tried to fight the other old dragon.

Alannys withdrew Vermithor from the fight as Vhagar was already wounded. She then flew above the battlefield. The lord of Winterfell and his men seemed to have taken control of the castle.

"Seems like we did it boy, we took Casterly Rock" she thought out loud, addressing her dragon. 

They landed on the hill they were before and she climbed off the saddle, patting his neck. She walked to the battlefield where she encountered Cregan Stark.

"We waited for your orders, my lady. What should we do ?"

"Take the decision makers to cells in the dungeons. Lead all the other men in the main yard" ordered the Velaryon woman.

"As you order. What should we do with Prince Aemond ?" wondered the lord. "He has been captured by Lady Baela."

"Bring him to an apartment you can find. I will interrogate him myself."

Everyone obliged. It seemed very natural for Alannys to give orders. She appeared at ease ruling all these people.

She walked to the entrance of the castle removing her riding gloves. The doors of Casterly Rock welcomed her. The two lion statues at the entrance seemed to roar in recognition as she passed before them. The Lannister blood in her veins was boiling more than ever. In the yard, nobody was there except one or two servants. She granted them with a small smile before joining the middle of the yard where the soldiers had created a small platform with boxes. Soldiers of the West as well as the staff were gathered in the main yard. The lady addressed the crowd.

"I am Alannys Velaryon. My lady mother was Cora Lannister which means I am also a child of Casterly Rock. I did not come here to bring you harm, on the contrary. Your lords and rulers have pledged allegiance to an usurper and they shall answer for their actions in a trial. However, Queen Rhaenyra and I consider ourselves to be willing to let the justice rule. None of you have committed anything against the crown. For those who are not from Casterly Rock, you can go back home to your families. As I said, we wish you no harm. Casterly Rock was the home of my mother and I intend to treat its people with the decency that is requested."

Then, people did something Alannys did not expect : they bowed before her. It was as if she was newly appointed Lady of the Rock by the people. A special and unknown feeling flowed in her. She began to give orders as members of the Castle's staff asked her how they should organise everything. Strangely enough, Casterly Rock began to feel like home.

Later in the evening, after everything was settled, Alannys decided it was time to pay a prisoner a visit. As she went in the halls, she tried to compose herself. She could not let him unsettle her again. They had not seen each other since Kingslanding so there would obviously be tension. As she entered the chamber, the Velaryon lady noticed Aemond was seated on the bed, his back facing her.

"You took time to come see me. Was the lioness afraid ?" wondered the prince.

"I will have you know that I just took back a castle so I had a few things to tend to. I don't see why I would be afraid, I defeated you, prince Aemond."

Her voice was like some deadly curse that he had longed to hear again. Aemond had a duty toward his brother and he failed him. He failed to keep the control of Casterly Rock and the West even with Vhagar. And who defeated him ? The object of his poisonous obsession. And there she was, tempting him again. He turned to face her and slowly walked up to her.

"You defeated me, I am your prisoner. How funny is that ? Some time ago, it was the other way around" stated the prince, grabbing a strand of her hair to play with it.

"Indeed. But you will not escape this" promised Alannys, getting away from him. "Why were you at Casterly Rock to begin with ?"

The young woman approached the window refusing to face him. Who knew what would happen if she allowed herself to get lost in his violet gaze ?

"So that is why you're here. And I was thinking you missed me" mocked Aemond as he approached her.

"Why would I miss you ?! You are a coward and a traitor" accused the Velaryon lady as she could feel his breath against the back of her neck.

"And you...you are the dutiful ward that was adopted into the family. Except that I know you are not that dutiful."

Alannys closed her eyes. His smell was intoxicating as well as his mere presence. She hated herself for thinking of him this way. He was the enemy and yet she wanted to let her hands run along his shoulders.

"And what makes you say that ?" breathed out the woman.

"You react to me. You want this as much as I do but I am your enemy, right ? You are torn between what you desire and your loyalties" tempted Aemond as his nose came in contact with the skin of her neck ; where she cut her hair, where laid the scar he gave her as a child.

"Yet, I do not surrender to some primal desires. I am stronger than you are, Aemond. For you cannot resist it, can you ?"

Slowly, her hand grazed his arm to go and settle behind his neck. She applied a small pressure, and the prince exhaled sharply. She was playing with him as he was playing with her. Maybe Aemond had underestimated Alannys Velaryon.

"And what would you Queen think about you touching me ?"

"What she doesn't know can't hurt her" stated Alannys before pulling on a strand of his hair, making him get away from her. "You are a prisoner here, Aemond, do not forget that."

Without sparring him another glance, the lady exited the chamber.