Dragon's roar (House of the Dragon)

026

Chapter 26 : "I'm taking back the crown" Emperor's new clothes, Panic at the disco.

"We are reunited because we need to decide on what is going to happen to the accused" stated Rhaenyra.

She tore her gaze from the window. The Queen turned to the room where all of her closest advisors were reunited. Corlys, Jace, Daemon, Cregan Stark and herself were gathered in what used to be the chamber of her father's small council. For a brief moment, Rhaenyra's mind wandered to Alannys. She felt guilty that she forced the young lady to engage in such a war. Rhaenyra made her own choices, some uglier than others but her daughter was just brought into all of that and had to make some 'ugly choices' herself. The sovereign knew she would never forgive herself for all of this War.

"I think that Cole and the Hightowers should be executed" stated Daemon. "They are the ones who plotted this treachery."

"I know but it would mean having the whole of House Hightower and Oldtown against us" answered the Sea Snake.

As Jace was going to propose something, he was interrupted by the opening of the doors. Entered Baela and Alannys. The latter passed the guards without any hesitation, a bit dishevelled and looking angrier than ever. She put both hands on the table, her eyes never leaving Rhaenyra.

"What are you doing here ?" asked Daemon.

"I am the one who took back the West and Casterly Rock. I tamed one of the oldest dragons in the world. I am the one who killed the usurper. Don't think for one minute that locking me up in my chamber would keep me from being at the table of negotiations for the aftermath of the war. So I am here because this is my place and if you disagree, there is a dragon outside this castle that would gladly show you why I shall be here" angrily ranted the Velaryon lady.

Everybody kept quiet as the tension grew thick in the room. Nobody dared say anything, seeing the look of pure rage on the face of the woman who killed Aegon. However, her mother was the one to break such silence.

"Well, have a seat Alannys and Baela" ordered the Queen.

The debates about their plans for the future could continue after the interruption but the tension was still there. Alannys fully intended to make her voice heard, she was over being an obedient and blind little girl. It was time for her to stop being a coward and defend the people she cared about.

"Maybe we can offer the Hightowers and Cole a choice. If they bend the knee to the Queen you can always exile them to Essos, to prevent another treason. If they refuse, you can execute them" suggested Baela to which Rhaenyra nodded to approve.

"As for my sister Helaena, she will be pardoned just as her children and Daeron, as I decided to follow the advice of my Hand. However, I fear that Jaehaerys might be led to believe he is Aegon's heir by some ill-intentioned people. He must be kept under a watchful eye" added the Queen.

"We could keep him at the capitol as we send Helaena to Dragonstone" proposed her husband.

"No! The young prince mustn't be separated from his mother and his twin. Helaena will not suffer any more than what was already inflicted to her during this war. I will personally take all three of them with me to Casterly Rock to be under my personal protection" interjected Alannys.

Rhaenyra had asked her daughter to rule over Casterly Rock and become Warden of the West. The lady accepted for the memory of her birth mother. However, she did not forget what Baela told her. She would protect Helaena and her children whatever it would take. She owed her old friend that.

"Well if we all agree, that could be a solution" proposed the Queen as everybody nodded in agreement. "Right, I guess we have settled everything."

"And what about prince Aemond ?" wondered Jacaerys.