Fragile Things / Alicent Hightower / Criston Cole (2.1)

4. Thrones

Use Me / Cersei Lannister out now!
"I want to have supper, Otto." Viserys remarked.

'It is the morning, Your Grace.'' Otto said gently

''Tonight. The whole of my family... are gathered at the Red Keep. I want us...'' Viserys struggled to keep his breath. ''to dine together.'' He groaned as he moved, the pain to much.

''Bring milk of the poppy.'' Otto instructed.

''No. Just arrange the supper.'' Viserys murmured "Ah Avalon!"

"Hi honey," Avalon moved swiftly to him. "How are you feeling Vis?"

"Just right." Viserys assured. "I want you to sit the throne today."

"Me?" Avalon questioned glancing to Otto. Yes she had told daemon and rhaenyra such things but she was fibbing at the time.

"Yes, you my dear. Please."

"Vis I dont know that I can be partial-"

"You will do whats right." Viserys countered.

"Will I?" Avalon countered. "Luke stabbed my boy's eye. He took Aemond's eye and I..." Avalon felt a heaviness in her chest. "Viserys I havent been able to look at any of them face to face yet." Avalon countered. "I know I preach forgive and forget with the kids and their kerfuffles but..."

"I believe you will do as I would." Viserys countered.

"You put too much faith in me brother."

"I put just enough."

''Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As queen, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters.'' Avalon remarked sitting as bravely as she could muster on the throne. "Rhaenys I shall hear you first."

''It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his true born son... Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys's granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree."

''Well... the matter is settled. Again. I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides." Avalon agreed. "Council adjurned."

"You didnt even hear-"

"I was tasked with doing as Viserys my husband the king would do and he would be appalled at you, Vaemond for trying to steal your brothers throne. Rhaenys is doing a fine job in her husbands absence and... I pray that Corlys is alright. But as Rhaenys said, he wanted it passed down to his grandson. Laenors' boys." She said stiffly.

''You break law... and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me... who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon.'' Vaemond shouted in outrage. ''No. I will not allow it.''

"Allow it"?" Avalon chuckled. "Look at you, look at me. Do not forget yourself, Vaemond.'' Avalon warned. "I hold the power here. I am the queen the current and future queen. When my husband passes I will continue to sit the throne, you dont want to make an enemy of this woman."

"A woman cannot rule alone it is mine!" Vaemond shouted.

"Yet you Vaemond... are no more than the second son of Driftmark. You may run your house as you see fit..." Avalon declared ''but you will not decide the future of anything else.''

'' My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides." Vaemond hissed ''And gods be damned... I will not see it ended on the account of this...''

"What ever do you mean?" Avalon questioned.

''Say it.'' Daemon said softly from behind him.

"Her children..." Vaemond shouted ''are bastards! And she...'' he pointed at Rhaenyra ''is... a whore.'' Avalon sighed she was vocal on this as well so she really knew that as an unbiased voice in the matter she should stay quiet. But she was glad someone shouted it out. But daemon was never one to stay quiet. Daemon stepped forward slicing his head free from his neck is an elegant swoosh.

''He can keep his tongue.'' Daemon remarked calmly. Avalon looked to Vaemond's head, indeed his tongue was intact.

"Gross." Vaera declared.

"EWWW!" Alyssa shouted turning and hiding into Aemond's chest.

'' Disarm him!'' the guards shouted

''No need.'' Daemon said putting his blade down.

"So damn dramatic Daemon." Avalon tsked. "Honestly." Daemon smirked back at her. "Scaring the children." Avalon sighed shaking her head.

"I think we are adjourned, thank you for coming to such a... entertaining show." Avalon declared rising up. "Someone mop Vaemond up. I dont want him staining the floors."