Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? / Aemond Targaryen / House of the Dragon

8. Pick Pocket

''Is everything all right, Your Grace?' Alicent questioned coming up to a large and crackling fire where Viserys stood, needing solace.

'You know, I... I named her... to protect the realm from Daemon. She was my firstborn child. "The Realm's Delight." I named her out of love because I no longer believed...''

''Believed what, my love?' Alicent questioned and Viserys sighed, glancing to Avalon instead. His precious Avalon, would she have turned against him under the pressure?

''Many in my line have been dragon riders. Very few among us have been dreamers. What is the power of a dragon... next to the power of prophecy.' Viserys told her

'The hour is too late, husband.'' Alicent was in no mood for riddles, she was too pregnant for this, her feet were tired and sore, her stomach made her lopsided, she wanted to go home. 

''When Rhaenyra and Avalon were children... I saw it in a dream... as vivid as these flames, I saw it. A male babe born to me... wearing the Conqueror's crown.' Viserys told her confidently. 'And I so wanted it to be true, to be a dreamer myself. I sought that vision again, night after night... but it never came again. I poured all my thought and will into it. And my obsession killed Avalon and Rhaenyra's mother.'

'Viserys.' Alicent tried to calm him. It did him no good to dwell on the past. To dwell on what happened back then. 

''I thought Rhaenyra was the way out of my abyss of grief and regret. And naming her heir would begin to set things right.'

'Oh, it did.' Alicent assured but alicent wasnt so sure of that. 

''I never imagined I would remarry... that I would have a son.'' Viserys told her his confidence wavering. 'What if I was wrong?' 

"You were." Davina answered. "Excuse us kiddo." Alicent quickly made her exit. 

"I thought you left." 

"I did." Davina agreed. 

"What are you doing back then?"

"I needed more cake." Davina offered innocently. 

"Where did you go?"

"I went for a ride.' Davina answered innocently. 

"Davina-"

"You need to tell that girl- not Alicent, but your daughter, you heir that she is not in charge." Davina remarked. Viserys shook his head. "Oh, I'm sorry am I talking to the dead?"

"WHat?" viserys countered. 

"Are you dead Viserys? Is Rhaenyra in charge already? I must have missed the coronation, did we burn you brother?"

"Davina," Viserys groaned. 

"I'm serious. You are the king-"

"You never told me-"

"Vis," Davina shook her head this time, she didnt want to talk of it. 

"You never told me," Viserys demanded. 'What happened to you, where you go, any of it. I didnt push because I was and still am just so glad you are back but Dav-"

"Vis, I love you. But some things are best left in the dark." Davina corrected. 

"Where are you going?" Viserys called after her, listening to the steady steps she took away from him. 

"More cake."

"It's past Aegon's bedtime." Avalon murmured. "Are they ever going to come back."

"You just want to go riding with Ser Tyler when he gets back." Alicent corrected. Avalon blushed. "I suppose even if they catch it, the king wont want to leave until Rhaenyra returns."