Dragon's roar (House of the Dragon)

021

Chapter 21 : "Where there is desire there is gonna be a flame" Try, P!nk.

The great hall of Casterly Rock began to fill with people. The trial for the traitors would take place right there. People of House Lannister were curious to see how the daughter of the late lady Cora intended to pass her judgement. Aemond had been brought along with other prisoners, including the former lord of the castle. They were all waiting to hear their sentences. This is when the doors opened. The prince's eye drifted to the two ladies and the lord entering the room.

"Lady Alannys of Houses Velaryon and Lannister. Lady Baela of House Targaryen and Lord Cregan from House Stark" announced a guard.

Aemond's gaze was immediately captured by the form of Alannys. She wore a velvet pitch black gown. The neck of the dress was very high, hiding the scar just under her hair. She also wore an impressive golden necklace representing a lion with sapphire eyes. Alannys was channelling the three colours of her Houses : Velaryon blue, Lanniste gold and Targaryen black. According to the blonde prince, she looked like a real queen : lethal and powerful. The lady came to the High table and sat in the middle.

"You all know why we are reunited here. I am Alannys Velaryon and I was granted the title of 'Princess of the realm' by the rightful Queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen. Today, I am here to give justice in her name. I first call Prince Aemond Targaryen."

The guards pushed the man toward the great table. The Velaryon lady finally looked him in the eye. The ever-present fire in her gaze seemed to burn every inch of his skin. The blonde prince was forced on his knees.

"Prince Aemond, you are accused of being complicit with treason and usurpation. The usual sentence would be death but the Queen decided to show you mercy as you are of her own blood. You will stay here as a prisoner under my personal guard."

It might have been slightly unhinged but Aemond had never wanted anything more than the woman before him. It was instinctive, maybe irrational. Aemond Targaryen was totally consumed by Alannys Velaryon and he was ready to get burned. The lady made a quick gesture for the guards to take him back to the end of the room. Then, it was her uncle's turn.

"Lord Jason, you are accused of treason against the crown and you..."

"I will not stand in my own castle and be accused by a little empty-headed girl. You are nothing like my sister was and you are no family of mine" responded the Lannister lord.

Alannys only raised her head, refusing to let him see the hurt, before answering.

"Your words could constitute treason, my lord. As I was saying, her Grace has granted you a choice. If you bend the knee right now and acknowledge her as  the rightful Queen, your life will be spared. If you refuse, you will be sentenced to death."

Silence followed her declaration. Everyone seemed to hold their breath but the lady kept her composure.

"I will never bend the knee to your so-called Queen. King Aegon has been made king by the Great Septon and is the one sitting on the Iron throne. You will not dare to kill me. If you truly believe that you are a Lannister, you will not dare behead your own kin !" spat lord Jason.

Alannys looked to Baela on her right. The younger woman nodded. They had to be firm if they wanted to appear strong. Rhaenyra ordered her to pass the sentence if need be. She could not appear as a leader who was not true to her words. It would be in Aegon' favour.

"Lord Jason Lannister, in the name of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, I Alannys Velaryon, sentence you to death" she announced before turning to Cregan Stark. "Lord Cregan, what was that saying in the North about the sentence ?"