Fetish / Larys Strong

79. Falling was Easy

Downfall was a complex yet it was so simple too. Alicent stared back at Aemond as he remarked what had happened at storms end. Tears in his eyes, as he rasped out the words. Blyana shook her head confused what did he mean dead? What did he mean fall?

Falling was so easy... if you fall you never stop falling. Until you crash. And from dragonback that was a harsh fall. Thats how it felt, the Hightowers ultimate Downfall was coming. ALicent could feel it in her core, they were going to die, all of them. One by one. Was this the beast beneath the boards Helaena was hissing about for years, had their time of chaos and destruction finally come? 

Alicent didnt have a moment to comprehend all of the enormous changes in not only her life but the capital. The king was dead- her husband was dead, her father still wanted to kill Rhaenyra and Daemon, their children as well, any and all claims. Then Aemond came in with a new twist of fate that captured her attention.  Alicent thought that was just what they needed now, the final straw, for the moment they knew there would be no peace, there would only be death. 

Aemond was supposed to go storms end and offer Borros a union. Aemond and one of Borros daughters. But he came back with not only a union agreement and a treaty of peace he had become the bearer of death. Death, death, death. Blyana held to her babies glad they were not dragonriders now for death by dragon being torn apart didnt sound pleasant but what death sounded pleasant?

"Mother? Mother... Mother did you hear me?" Aemond questioned. "Lucerys Velaryon is dead." Blyana was sure that was the only time Aemond ever called him Velaryon instead of Strong. 

Alicent brought her hands to her mouth nausea filling her, Blyana was dizzy and had to sit both women feeling like everything she did and tried to do was failing. 

Alicent had tried to be a good mother, had tried to be a good wife, had tried to be a good queen and it was all falling apart. Just like that. She felt herself wanting to beg for the Mother's mercy. But she knew there was no point. You want something done right, you do it yourself but this was different.

This was the point of no return, this was the moment both sides, the whole realm since Viserys death and Aegons ascend to the throne had been waiting for. This was their downfall. Larys warned her previously that love was downfall yet he loved Blyana, maybe that it. The more you loved the more vulnerable you became, the easier it was to be broken and attacked. The easier your downfall. 

This was the false step that would bring war and the fault would fall on Alicent Hightower. VIserys was gone, not that he ever got any blame, it was always alicent. Rhaenyra did something wrong, Alicent was the villain, now would be the same.  Alicent would be to blame and Rhaenyra would want her head on a spike, all her children, Blyana's as well no doubt to try and make them all pay. 

Until that very moment Alicent had thought that war, real war between Rhaenyra and herself was an abstract, distant concept but now... Luke was dead. Aemond had... No. Vhagar had. Dragons were dangerous. They were deadly. Aemond didnt do it, he lost control, thats what Blyana kept telling him, you didnt mean to kill him, you are not a killer but Aemond shook into her. 

"I didn't mean to." Aemond agreed. 

But now and always there would be a price to pay. Even though Alicent demanded an eye for an eye all those years ago. This was death. Blood always called for blood, and she knew that Lucarys death would soon be avenged trice fold.

"What have you done, Aemond, what have you done?" Alicent whimpered out tears in her eyes. Fear radiating her voice.

"I did not want to kill him, I did not mean to, Mother, mother, I just wanted to scare him. I didnt... I didnt want to... I never meant to... mother, you have to believe me, I have just lost control of Vhagar and–" Aemond rasped out. Alicent nodded holding him closer, he wrapped his arms around her as she gently ran a hand through his hair. Alicent looked to Blyana and she nodded. They would get through this, they always did. 

"It's okay Aemond, I wont let them hurt you. I promise." Alicent whispered.

"They will want blood."

"They will not have yours." Blyana declared with complete certainty. 

Aegon was king, they were trying to celebrate such occasions when the awful news struck and put a damper on the fun. Not that Larys was having any fun, he knew the party was just for show, to show strength and that they were not worried but he knew war was brewing before Aemond returned. 

Among the celebration for their new king, Blyana thought it was a shit time for a party as well but aegon was the king and they had to show strength, that they were not worried, they have everything under control. Even if she was terrified. Aegon and Otto were talking strategy whiling sipping their drinks.

Aemond forced a smile at his brother, he wanted to be king, but maybe it was not in the cards for him, he felt such shame and fear for what he had done. Killing Luke, he added to the pain the fury. Aegon didnt seem to concerned but Aemond worried for the future, worried for his family. Alicent looked to Aemond but he couldnt looked at her. He knew he added to the chaos and he had always tried to be a good son and now he was hurting his family unintentionally. ALicent watched him move to Blyana and as if Aemond was still a young child, Blyana held him closer and stroked his hair kissing his temple and whispering sweet promises she couldnt keep in his ear.