The White Dragon

SIX MONTHS LATER

THE WHITE DRAGON CHAPTER 13 : SIX MONTHS LATER

A FANFICTION ON HBO'S HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

COUNCIL CHAMBERS : DAENERYS

Six Months had passed since Rhaenyra had been named heir to the Iron Throne and the marriage between Aerys and Alicent Hightower which had brought two things. The first being that the realm is now slightly more at peace with Daemon's banishment from the Capital and Viserys naming an heir, despite some not liking who he named, and the second being Alicent being heavily pregnant with Aerys' first child.

Daenerys had been thrilled when her brother Vaegon announced Alicent's pregnancy and even more delighted to see that Aerys and Alicent had been very close during the pregnancy, the pair often spending time discussing names, clothes and even which features the child will take.

It wasn't surprising that Alicent had become pregnant seeing as Aerys and Alicent hadn't left their wedding chambers for a full week after their wedding, choosing to dine on each other and have food and refreshment sent to their room. Yet Aerys still chose to return to the Capital since Alicent pleaded that Rhaenyra still needed her friend and Aerys wanted to stay with his pregnant wife.

These interactions made Daenerys remember the early days of her own marriage where Aegon had tried to be supportive and followed her like a lost puppy and there had almost been a point where she thought that she could love her brother. If only her life had been like the romantic stories that Daenerys read in her youth regarding Jonquil and Florian the fool. Sighing woefully, Daenerys holds her glass out for Alyssa to refill while focusing back into the council meeting.

Alyssa refills the glass carefully as Viserys speaks on the recent passing of the Lord Commander of the Kings Guard, who was a good friend and supporter of Daenerys "Ser Ryam was a strong Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, but he was ill for quite some time. He passed in peace I hope."

Mellos answers Viserys with a small nod and a plain smile "Yes, your grace. He passed gently in his sleep. His body is being prepared by the silent sisters as we speak. Lord Harrold Westerling, the succeeding Lord Commander, would like to find a replacement as quickly as possible."

"Are we sure that you didn't smother him while he slept. Confused him for another pregnant woman?" Daenerys asks curtly and she notes how Viserys heads hangs low and the other members of the council faces pale as they glance at one another with fear and trepidation in their gazes.

Ser Harrold bows and clears his throat before speaking up "Your Grace. My Lords, My Ladies. The Kingsguard must soon be restored to it's full complement of seven. With the Help of the Hand, I have invited a number of fine candidates to court. All have passed fair trials."

The council are then interrupted as Lord Corlys barges into the Council chambers crying out in wanton fury "Four Ships have now been lost! The last one was flying my banner! The Stepstones have now grown into a conflagration, yet you sit here and dither about court business!"

Otto answers in a bored tone "If you have something to discuss Lord Corlys." Daenerys sighs and rubs at her temple  "He clearly wants to know what will be done about his ships and his men, you blithering idiot."

Otto glares quickly at Daenerys before looking back at Corlys and clears his throat "The Crown will compensate you, Lord Corlys for your ships and crew, and will make a generous offering to those mens families." 

Corlys scoffs, shaking his head while glancing towards every member in the room and responds "I don't want compensation. I want to seize the Stepstones by force and burn out this Crabfeeder!"