Suburban Legends / Alicent Hightower / Criston Cole

1. Prayed for Her

Alicent x Criston- Aranyani younger years.

Jacaerys x aranyani
I have an Aranyani reading list and wanted to explore her younger years with her mama Alicent and more with her siblings. Enjoy!

A few years ago Alicent had given birth to Aemond and she so desperately wanted to love her children but she wanted one that was hers. Not viserys but hers. She prayed and prayed for a little girl. She prayed for a girl like herself. One that she could see herself in. Not the queen, not the Targaryen silver hair of royalty but the girl she used to be. The one filled with love and life and wonder. The girl she used to be.

Alicent sat on the ground, dirtying her dress as she leaned up against one of the trees in the palace gardens. She had twirled a rose Criston had given her in the moonlight and prayed for a daughter.

She prayed for life and love and passion. For her child to get every thing she ever wanted and more. She prayed as she twirled that rose, thorns prickling at her fingers drawing back blood but she was used to the pain.

She prayed every night for a daughter and the next time Viserys mounted her Alicent quickly left his chambers and pulled Criston to her.

"Make me forget." Alicent begged kissing him again and again. He barred the door and as he turned back to her she was kissing him again.

It wasnt the first time but it felt different. Maybe it was the euphoria of Criston loving her right, maybe it was her prayers being answered.

When she birthed Daeron into the world she felt a surge of disappointment. Her prayers were not answered. Why did she think they would be. Her teeth chattered as she felt the pain of Daeron ripping through her.

"Somethings... not right." Alicent declared. She watched the wet nurse duck her head down between her legs.

"Another."

"Another?" Alicent countered.

"Another your grace." She agreed. "Hiding in there."

"Hiding." Alicent rasped as they demanded she push. Alicent pushed like her life depended on it.

"Little one she is."

"She?" Alicent questioned using all her strength to try and sit up through the pain.

"A little girl." She held Alicent's baby girl up. Alicent reached for her cradling her baby to her.

"A girl. My little miracle." Alicent whispered looking to her dark little tuffs. She didnt make a peep. Just coed contently. Alicent looked to her son and reached for him as well. Feeling like a terrible mother for not. She looked between them and Alicent held her baby a little closer. Her prayer was answered, the Gods heard her.

"Well done your grace."

"Aranyani Rose." Alicent declared without second thought.

Aranyanid little eyes opened at her name as if she approved, the deepest of greens stared back at Alicent.

"Aranyani, Aranyani, oh my little Ara." She repeated kissing her little head. "My little miracle."

⚔️

"Sorry I couldnt be there for it." Criston remarked.

"Tis not a mans place." Alicent assured as he sat beside her holding little Ara in his arms. She looked so small when criston held her. She brought a hand to his leg as she leaned into him.

"Look what you created, Alicent." He whispered kissing her temple. "Shes so precious."

"Look what we created." Alicent corrected.

"Alicent-"

"I have a feeling. Deep in my gut. I know she is a twin but she is yours. I prayed for this. I prayed for you. I prayed for her and the gods finally took pity on me Criston. They gave me someone to cherish thats all mine." Criston chuckled despite himself

"I really thought you were going to beat around the bush more keep me guessing and wondering when I can tell." Criston admitted. "Shes got my eyes." Aranyani blinked up at them before taking a deep breath and falling back asleep.

"To be baby again. She doesnt know how good she has it."

🌻🌻🌻

Alicent

Criston

Daeron

Aranyani