Castles Crumbling / Helaena Targaryen/ Taelon Targaryen

15. Black Hearts

"Thank you helaena."

"I will gladly help you put the children to bed." Helaena added.

"Thank you. That would be a great help." Taelon agreed.

"Are they staying in your chambers?"

"They are." Taelon agreed as they walked. Taelon had a sleepy child in each arm. Helaena fiddled with the hems of her sleeves as they walked.

''There is a debt to be paid. I shall have one of her son's eyes in return.'' Alicent declared

''My dear wife.'' Viserys said, annoyed thoroughly.

''He is your son, Viserys. Your blood.''

''Do not... allow your temper to guide your judgment.'' Viserys warned as the onlookers started to murmur.

"Whats going on in there?" Helaena questioned

"I thought everyone was asleep." Taelon countered stepping closer to the shouting.

"Give me the children." Helaena suggested. Taelon handed off corey.

''If the King will not seek justice, the Queen will. Ser Criston... bring me the eye of Lucerys Velaryon.''

''Mother!'' Luke shouted nervously. Taelon tensed. He wouldnt have his children near such violence.

''Alicent.'' Viserys warned

''He can choose which eye to keep, a privilege he did not grant my son.'' Alicent said confidently Criston stared down at her.

''You will do no such thing. Stay your hand.'' Viserys told Criston

''No, you are sworn to me!'' Alicent shouted

''As your protector, my Queen.'' Criston reminded her, he was not about to take the boys eye.

''Alicent, this matter... is finished. Do you understand?'' Viserys hissed as he started to walk away ''And let it be known, anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's sons should have it removed.''

''Thank you, Father.'' Rhaenyra said hopefully but Alicent grabbed a knife charging at Rhaenyra and her sons, it all happened so fast. Taelon watched wide eyed there was nothing he could do. He still had elio in his arms and he wasnt about to rush forward into a knife fight with his child.

''Your Grace. Stay with the King!'' Harrold demanded

''Alicent!'' Viserys shouted

''You've gone too far.'' Rhaenyra warned

''I? What have I done but what was expected of me? Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout all to do as you please.'' Alicent spat, Rhaenyra held tight to Alicents arm, the blade gripped tight in Alicent's hand.

''Alicent, let her go!'' Viserys warned

''Where is duty? Where is sacrifice?'' Alicent questioned her anger pushing Rhaenyra back

''It's trampled under your pretty foot again.''

''Release the blade, Alicent.''

"Mother," helaena rasped shaming her head as corey stared wide eyed. Helaena spun him around.

"What?" Corey questioned. "We play?"

"No. Its time for bed." Helaena corrected heading to taelons chambers.

''And now you take my son's eye, and to even that, you feel entitled.'' Alicent cried out. Taelon looked to aemond and a shudder filled him. His eye. Gone.