Fragile Things / Alicent Hightower / Criston Cole (2.1)

7. Breaks Like a Heart

"Avalon-"

"I'm going for a walk." Avalon whimpered. 'or a fly..."

"Do you want company?"

"No." Avalon corrected softly, her voice broken.  

''Here I am, trawling the city, ever the good soldier in search of a wastrel who's never taken half an interest in his birthright." Aemond remarked as they walked. 'Tis I the younger brother who studies history and philosophy, it is I who trains with the sword, who rides the largest dragon in the world. It is I who should be..." Aemond went on but Criston stopped walking staring back at him

'' I know what it is to toil for what others are freely given.'' Criston remarked.

" Mm... And we can't find him, Cole. You are a decent man with no taste for depravity." Aemond said stepping closer to Criston. "His secrets are his own... and he's welcome to them. I'm next in line to the throne. Should they come looking for me, I intend to be found." Aemond assured him.

Vaera try as she might couldnt fond the strength to move. Aeron tried to comfort his big sister. But vaera couldnt be consoled.

"Vaera. Vaera... I love you. No cry." Aeron begged.

"Daddy is gone Aeron. Hes gone. I cant stop Crying." Vaera corrected.

"I am still here vaera." Aeron corrected. "Im still here."

Avalon found aegon in the pits unintentionally. He was staring up at sunfyre debating flying away from his responsibilities.

"Aegon."

"Mama." Aegon answered wiping at his eyes. "Why are you crying?"

"Why are you crying?" Avalon countered hugging him tight.

"It's father isnt it?"

"Why were you crying honey?" Avalon questioned not letting him go.

"I'm a failure." Aegon admitted.

"You are not."

"My mother thinks so."

"She does not." Avalon corrected. "She loves you so much, she cares about you so much Aegon..."

"Father... he was sick a long while."

"Yes." Avalon agreed.

"I'm sorry."

"He was your father-"

"He loves you most." Aegon countered honestly.

"I'm sorry he wasnt there for you more when you needed him." Avalon admitted.

"me too." Aegon agreed. "Can we blame my failings on an absentee father?" Avalon choked out a laugh and she was crying again.

"You are not going to fail my darling boy. You are going to succeed. Because you have us by your side." Avalon corrected. "Come back so we can burn your father together."

"Im sorry i ran off."

"Why did you?"

"You got into a fight with rhaenyra. I knew what that might mean for me."

"What do you mean honey?"

"grandfather wants me to be king. But im not meant to rule." Aegon corrected.

"Your father thought differently. With his dying breath he told your mother that he wanted you to be king. You Aegon." Avalon assured.

"I doubt that..."

"Come on honey. We smell of smoke." Avalon reminded him. Just walking into the pits gave you a stink of dragon.

Best get this over with before she lost her nerve to burn viserys.

Avalon watched as Mouse stood at the top of the hill. She couldnt burn Viserys. She couldnt. They were supposed to have more years together he was supposed to be healthy damn it, he was supposed to live. He wasnt that old his body was just weak, the maesters were stupid. Alyssa leaned back into her as she stared at Viserys wrapped up body.

''I can't....'' Avalon whispered. ''Mouse can't I can't-'' she whimpered. Aemond kissed her temple.

"Sunfyre." He suggested nudging Aegon. Vhagar would burn them all unintentionally of course. "Dont worry mum." Avalon stumbled teary eyed and Criston stepped forward grabbed her arm stabling her.

"He's gone" she whimpered.

Avalon stood long after viserys body was ash, the flames burned out and the embers gone cold before she allowed herself to be led back in.

This world can hurt you it cut deep and leaves a scar but nothing breaks like a heart.

🐉

"My sister is the heir, not me," aegon reminded them.  "What sort of brother steals his sister's birthright?"

Only when Criston convinced him that the princess must surely execute him and his brothers should she don the crown did Aegon waver. He looked to his mothers and then to little Aeron. Aemond and Aeron were his heirs since he had no children and no wife.

"Whilst any trueborn Targaryen yet lives, no Strong can ever hope to sit the Iron Throne," Criston remarked. Avalon tensed. "Rhaenyra has no choice but to take your heads if she wishes her bastards to rule after her."

"Oh Gods," avalons chest felt tight at the words. Rhaenyra had been vicious and cruel and she would do it too. She would seek vengeance upon them all no matter what. Especially after avalon spoke so openly about rhaenyra.

It was this, and only this, that persuaded Aegon to accept the crown that the small council was offering him. Because looking at his mother avalon he felt her fear that this would turn into a war. One they needed to win. Even if that meant taking the throne. Especially if that meant taking the throne.