Fragile Things / Alicent Hightower / Criston Cole (2.1)

10. Almost There

"Almost there Cannibal, I know you big baby, its getting colder." Vaera agreed. "Aemond got to go to rain and we got snow. Vhagar is a big bitch she could have made the journey, stop grumbling." Cannibal shot out a blast of fire and flew through it. "You know I know that was because you are mad but honestly it felt nice and warm, do it again." Cannibal turned his head glancing back at her. "What? You want manners?" Vaera questioned. "Please? I'm cold and fragile." Vaera sassed. He huffed out a hot breath and she soaked in the warmth. "Thanks baby." she cooed.

Mind your posts!" Arryk declared. "Keep your focus, men!"

" Dragon!"

"Arm the scorpion!"

" Arm the scorpion!" they shouted out as a dragon flew overhead getting closer.

"Approaching from the southeast! Get around!"

" Scorpion ready!"

" Halt!" Arryk shouted. They echoed him. "Stand down, it's Vhagar!" Arryk corrected.

"Stand down!"

"Standing down!"

"Aemond is home." Avalon declared rushing forward. "Oh my sweet boy. Tell me it isn't true." Aemonds victorious smile fell.

Alicent went pale when she heard what Aemond had done, crying, "Mother have mercy on us all."

Nor was Otto pleased. "You only lost one eye. How could you be so blind?"

"He didnt mean to." Avalon sobbed out holding tightly to Aemond. "He didnt mean to. It was Vhagar, dragons are dangerous!" Avalon shouted.  Her perfect baby boy couldn't have done this. He wasn't A Killer.

"They will come for him." Otto warned.

"This never would have happened if you didnt push him to go to storms end!" Avalon hissed.

"I... I'm so sorry mummy." Aemond whimpered into her. "I didnt mean to, I didnt mean to... I just wanted to scare him a bit." Aemond lied. He loved his mother and hated to see her so distraught but he wanted the bastard to suffer.

"I believe you honey but..." Avalon couldnt breathe. She looked into his teary eye and kissed him gently.

Aegon himself did not share their concerns, however. Aegon welcomed Aemond home with a great feast, hailed him as "the true blood of the dragon," and announced that he had made "a good beginning."

"Aegon-"

"You wanted me to be King. This shows strength. We cannot show weakness in a time like this." Aegon corrected.

" you sound too much like your grandfather for my liking" avalon warned. Otto however, was not pleased with this. Yes, he wanted power in total control, but a death like this would need to be avenged. Avalon knew it they would come. They would come for her children now.

"Winterfell, they will know we are here." Vaera informed Cannibal as if he cared. "Keep an eye out for any dragons." He nodded looking around scanning the area. Vaera strut through the gates and was glad to see Cregan waiting for her.

"Hi Cregan. Did you miss me?" Vaera purred.

"Hey Vaera." Cregan answered looking her over. He moved to her wrapping a cloak around her, she smiled pulling it closer, it smelt like him. "Come on in, I have to kill Jacaerys then we catch up."

"Oh... take your time." Vaera offered confused as a wolf ran up to her. "One less thing on my to do list."

" are you not worried?"

" of course I'm worried." Avalon assured

" you hide it well." Criston remarked. Avalon gave him a sad pointed look. " what I mean is you're doing a good job coping with all of this. If you ever need anyone to talk to my shoulder to lean on I'm here for you."

" Thank you criston." Avalon answered. " right now I'm just really worried about vaera. She's so far away. And after the unfortunate incident at storms end... I'm just worried what she's facing there."

" you could go to Winterfell if you wanted." Criston offered. " I will keep an eye on the king and the hand." he offered knowingly.

"Otto is... I'm worried he's the one that started all this.  But he's not prepared to finish it if you know what I mean." Avalon offered cautiously.

" he pushed for aegon to be king but I played a part in it too. I'm not innocent in this if that's what that look you're giving me right now means." Criston reminded her.

" you told him the truth. That rhaenyra would try and vanquish us all. Larys believes that it might've been do you remember that attack a while back years ago really I still think about the times... he believes she might've been somewhat behind that attack." Avalon admitted.

"No! Really?"

" he is an awfully resourceful man." She offered. " I didn't want to believe it. But what you told him... It's... it Could be true. I would hate for it to be true, but I don't know her anymore."