The Grey Wolf & The Golden Dragon | Aegon Targaryen II

One Hundred Dresses, One Thousand Stars

Alysanne

As she had requested, Aegon seemed sober by the time she and Elin joined the family for supper. To her shock, there was an empty chair at the center of the table and, shortly after they arrived, the King hobbled into the room, leaning heavily on his cane and looking like he was soon to meet the Stranger.

"I...must apologize... for my absence..." he offered, struggling to get the words out through pained wheezes. "I have been abed..."

"Your Grace," Alysanne offered her best curtsy as she came to stand beside him, offering her hand.

"Lady Gilliane," he greeted, pressing a soft kiss to her hand, unexpectedly. The words were that of a sick, confused man, but his innocent mistake hit Alysanne like a blow to the chest.

"Lady Gilliane was my mother, your grace," she replied, smiling through the ache that remained inside her. Years had passed, but the pain lingered. "She died many years ago."

"Of course, of course," the King murmured, dipping his head, "My apologies..."

"This is Lady Alysanne Stark, my love," the Queen interjected. "She is Aegon's betrothed."

"Aegon... Prince Aegon... Ice and fire... The cold..." Alysanne pressed her lips in a tight line, swallowing the bitter taste in her mouth. The King's condition was far worse than any of the whispers had conveyed; far worse than she had ever imagined.

"Yes, your grace, it is cold in the north. Still, Winterfell has a sort of bitter charm, some would say." Alysanne offered with a soft smile. "I'm so thankful for the hospitality that I've been shown since my arrival. I look forward to the day out houses are joined." She gave his withered hand a warm squeeze.

"Good, good." Otto approved softly as she finally took her seat. Even the Queen gave Alysanne a look of gratefulness for her ability to smooth over the King's disassociated mumblings. Aegon was staring at her with a look of awe as she took her seat, shooting him a reassuring smile. Ill king or not, she had to continue to make the best of whatever situation she was presented with.

Still, the lump in her throat refused to dissipate and she pushed the food around her plate, unable to eat. The King's reminder that she looked like her mother had almost been too much to bear. It wasn't often that she was forced to think about her parents, in fact, she preferred not to.

It had been a decade since she had lost her father and even longer since her mother had passed. Memories of Rickon and Gilliane had faded to little more than whispers. Alysanne could no longer recall their faces but, every once in a while, a sound or smell would make her think of them.

The majority of supper was eaten in awkward silence, the King's presence unsettling everyone. Beside her, Helaena sent her polite smiles throughout the meal, but Alysanne couldn't find comfort. The King had mentioned the cold; the same way Helaena had mentioned fire and ice... It was enough to make her head explode and, by the time their meal concluded, Alysanne was massaging her temples. As everyone departed, desperate to find relief, she did the only thing she could think of; something only Aegon would do.

As the room was nearly empty, Alysanne didn't bother with propriety, ignoring the cups and picking up the jug of wine. Tilting the edge to her lips, she swallowed repeatedly, until her belly was completely filled with the sinful crimson liquid.

Aegon

"Fucking hells, Annie..." Elin whispered, her blue eyes wide with shock as Alysanne slammed the jug down on the table and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. The two women exchanged a wordless conversation before Elin's shoulders relaxed.