𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬

Rhaenyra Targaryen

Council meetings were tedious. Whether it was the same problem being brought up or an ignored issue getting out of control, these meetings drive Rhaenyra more insane than anything else.

"It is Lord Blackwood's contention, therefore, that the Brackens moved the boundary stones in the dead of the night..." Rhaenyra was tuning everything out until she heard that. What problem did they have in the Riverlands now? "...and put their horses to graze in his field."

Annoyed, the princess sighed and slouched, very unladylike, in her seat. That's what this was about. In her youth, she had heard of the legendary Bracken-Blackwood feud, but this is ridiculous.

"Why was this issue not brought before Lord Grover?" The queen asked tiredly. It's not often Rhaenyra agreed with Alicent, however, she had to at this moment. Not out loud of course. "Has he grown so feeble a quarrel over rocks?"

"I've heard tale that Lord Grover's son now rules Riverrun in all but name." Lord Jasper Wylde, the Master of Laws, sounded just as aggravated as the Princess and the Queen.

"Well, he's also a Tully and this remains a Tully problem." Alicent concluded.

"I would agree." Viserys stated, shocking a few members of the council. Despite being king, he hardly spoke in these meetings.

Tyland Lannister, the man appointed Master of Ships after Lord Corlys' departure, praying this topic was finished, wished to leave it be. "If we may move on, my lords-" But no. Princess Rhaenyra wasn't done.

"And yet, the Brackens and the Blackwoods will use any excuse to spill each other's blood." She looked up from her marble to see Alicent staring at her with a weird expression. Not being able to bear the warm brown eyes boring into her purple ones, Rhaenyra looked away again. "So this dispute bears looking into."

The queen rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe the barbed words the princess threw at, then tried to take the high road. The princess turned to Lyonel Strong, the Hand of the King. "There will be countryfolk who know where the lines have been drawn for generations."

Thinking the idea was sound, Lord Lyonel agreed. "That is easy enough."

Glancing between the Hand and the Princess, Alicent scoffed and sipped her wine. "Of course." He would agree with her.

Both of them turned her way, yet neither said anything. The tension in the room was building. "Ser Tyland." The Hand called out, trying to wipe away the awkwardness.

"We should address the latest development in the Stepstones."

The king sighed wearily and rhetorically asked, "Will we ever be shut of that blasted place?"

"If you ask me, I think the Blackwoods have the upper hand." Lord Beesbury stated boldly. Almost everyone in the room stared at him. The man was old and losing his memory, he may no longer be suited for the council. Rhaenyra would have asked her father to release him from his position, but that would be insulting. Plus, she needed all the allies she could get.

"No." The new Grand Maester, Mellos, told him. "We've moved on to the Stepstones, Lord Bessbury."

"And the Triachy's new alliance with Dorne." Ser Tyland stated a bit too loudly, hoping the old Lord of Honeyholt would understand.

"I was hoping our negotiations with Sunspear might persuade them to see reason." Viserys coughed wetly into his handkerchief. Rhaenyra hated seeing her father like this. But there was nothing the Maesters could do. "To trust a Martell is to be disappointed."

"Where, I wonder, is our Prince Daemon?" Lord Jasper asked, his tone suggesting that he didn't particularly care at all. "Or I suppose I should call him King, as he styled himself when he won a battle there...once."