The Grey Wolf & The Golden Dragon | Aegon Targaryen II

Uncertain Decisions

Alysanne

The room was painfully silent as they all gathered around the table in the Small Council chambers. Alysanne never imagined she would be standing beside a red-nosed, teary-eyed Alicent as they decided the fate of the Kingdoms. Leaning against the edge of the table, she tried not to sway on her feet, completely exhausted. Aelys had been handed off to the nursemaids just before dawn, but Alysanne hadn't seen a moment's rest during the night.

Within hours of leaving the King's chambers, Aemond had appeared in their quarters, reporting that his father had passed in his sleep. The sun had risen on the horizon, and yet, the Council had yet to be called, as Aegon could not come to agreement with his mother and grandfather.

"So, is Aegon King, then? Or must we now kneel and kiss the old whore's cunny?" Aemond asked. Alysanne grimaced at Aemond's crude words, shaking her head. He really hated his half-sister and her children, didn't he? Still, the way he loved Elin, Helaena, even her... She had to give him some credit.

Aegon was leaning over the opposite edge of the table, his head hung low, breathing unsteadily.

"Your father did say that you would unite the realm. I heard it with my own ears," Alysanne told him softly as she rounded the table and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know this isn't what you want, but you can be a good King, Aegon." When no reply came, she added, "I will stand by your side, whatever you choose."

"Whatever he choose? No... This must be done." Otto insisted.

"Must it?" Aegon asked bitterly, finally raising his violet eyes to glare at his grandfather. "What kind of brother would I be; what kind of man would I be, to steal my own sister's birthright?" Alysanne felt a small swell of pride in her chest at her husband's words. Gods, he's so good...

"This isn't merely a matter of your desires, or lack of, Aegon!" the Queen snaps, "You are the eldest son, the rightful heir! To deny it puts us all in danger!" Alysanne knitted her eyebrows in confusion.

"How would—"

"You don't think Rhaenyra will cut off any challenge to her succession?" Alicent pressed, "All of our lives could be threatened. That means Aegon, Aemond, Daeron, even your own son..."

No... She wouldn't...

Alysanne had only met Rhaenyra and Daemon the once, but they seemed like relatively decent people. They had laughed and jested along with her and Aegon at that family supper; Rhaenyra had said she wanted them to be friends...

"They wouldn't—"

"Are you so sure, Alysanne?" Otto countered, "Daemon killed his first wife with the hopes of marrying Rhaenyra. The pair of them murdered Laenor Velaryon, in his own home, so that they could wed. The pair of them will stop at nothing to ensure they get what they desire."

There had been rumors of such things for years, but Alysanne had never heard them said outright. "So, tell me.... Are you sure enough to risk your own life; your husband's? To risk Aelys? The babe you did everything to save when he was ill... The princess knows that the realm will never accept her as long as Viserys has trueborn heirs. Do you trust Rhaenyra enough to put the life of your son in her hands?" Staring into Aegon's sad, violet eyes, she considered the question. Neither of them wanted to rule. They just wanted to be happy; to be with each other. But the thought of losing her sweet boy...

"No," she finally answered after an uncomfortably long silence, "Not enough to risk my son..." She bowed her head, sorrow weighing on her, for she knew her answer would also be Aegon's. "This just feels..."

"Wrong." Aegon finished for her, reaching for her hand. "It feels wrong."

"Sometimes there is no right and wrong, just the best of whatever shit choices are laid in front of us." Aemond interjected with a shrug.