Ice and Fire (Rhaenyra Targaryen x male reader)

Regent

*The next day*

Rhaenyra and Eddard are looking up at the sun across the Narrow Sea as they mourn the loss of Princess Rhaenys "The Queen Who Never Was" Targaryen

*Sometime later in the Chamber of the Painted Table*

The marker at Rook's Rest is knocked down as a Hightower marker is put above it

"Our fastest dragon has been killed. Criston Cole marches about the Crownlands unchallenged. Duskendale and Rook's Rest are gone." Ser Alfred reminds the Black Council. "We still have no ground army because the northern army is still marching south and eventually will be stuck at the Crossing unless House Frey lets them pass, and the army we hope that Daemon will raise." he continues. "He who has left us..." he drags out. "after some familial spat." he finishes angrily.

Lord Celtigar groans quietly

"Do you take issue with us, Ser Alfred?" Rhaenyra questions him.

"My loyalty to you is proven, my queen." Ser Alfred responds. "And to your husband." he adds.

"Your loyalty, perhaps," Eddard agrees. "but your willingness to give her deference in a time of war is severely lacking." adds.

"I could never doubt your capability or your quickness of mind." Ser Alfred tells Rhaenyra, looking at her. "It's merely that the gentler sex, heretofore, has not been much privy to the strategies of battle or their execution." he explains.

"Be careful of how you speak, Ser." Eddard warns him. "Rhaenys is more of a warrior than you'll ever be." he informs him. "She willingly was ready to defend Rook's Rest and weaken Cole's army as much as possible. She gave her life for us. She died a dragonrider." he reminds him.

"Before this war, there has been peace in our lifetime." Rhaenyra tells Ser Alfred. "You've seen no more battles than I have." she informs the knight. "The only one who has seen any battles and participated in them is my husband. He fought in the Stepstones when he was but 20 years old." she reminds him.

This silences the knight while Eddard smiles proudly. Rhaenyra then sits down, followed by Eddard and then the rest of the councilors

"Send to Maidenpool and to Crackclaw Point. Let them man their garrisons and give them stores or weapons if they find them wanting." Rhaenyra orders. "If Cole pursues his campaign, our allies must be ready." she tells her council.

"We must answer Rook's Rest, and Duskendale." Ser Steffon urges.

"They are lost already." Lord Celtigar informs him. "But Vhagar is depleted after such a hard-fought battle against 2 dragons." he continues.

"If Aegon is dead--" Ser Lorent tries to say.

"We will soon know it." Ser Steffon responds.

"'Twould be a victory in name only." Lord Massey admits. "They will soon prop up another in his stead." he states.

"The time is ripe." Lord Celtigar tells him. "If we can strike King's Landing before their dragon is recovered--" he begins to explain.

Eddard can see Rhaenyra looking back and forth between the lords talking

"Then I myself must do it." Rhaenyra finishes.

"My queen, you are the crown." Lord Massey reminds her. "It is out of the question." he tells her.