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

34. Sit Down

Full Bloom / Alicent Hightower out now!


''Whether it was one of you, or all of you, I care not." Beesbury yelled. ''I will have no part...'' he moved to leave but Criston slammed him back down.

''Sit down!' Criston demanded and Beesubury screamed out before his head was slammed into the stone. His blood oozing on the table as he slumped lifeless before them.

'' Ser Criston.'' Alicent warned.

''Throw down your sword and remove your cloak, Ser Criston.'' The commander demanded pointing his blade at Criston's armored chest. Criston pulled his blade free but didn't put it down. He held it out pointing his own blade at the commander. ''I am your Lord Commander, Ser Criston. Cast down your sword.''

''I will not suffer insults to Her Grace the Queen.'' Criston warned

''There was no insult to me, Ser Criston.'' Alicent said weakly as she sat back down. ''Y... Put aside your blade.' She requested  ''Has it come to this? Lord Commander, enough.'

"Where is Aegon?" Otto questioned.

"As if he would be here?" Maeve countered, Otto stormed out just as quickly. "What happened?" she called out. "Alicent?" she questioned before looking at Criston in the hallway. "Ser... Criston?" She whispered moving to him. "What's going on?" She touched the splattered blood on his cloak. he lifted a hand touching her cheek. 

''Prince Aegon's not to be found within the castle walls, Your Grace." Criston informed Alicent.  "Your father has sent Ser Erryk into the city to find him. Ser Erryk knows Aegon. He has the advantage." Criston remarked and Alicent nodded.

"I trust again to you, Ser Criston, and to your loyalty." Alicent told him and Criston nodded. "Aegon must be found, and he must be brought to me. The very fate of the Seven Kingdoms depends on it." Alicent instructed. Criston nodded. ''Everything you feel for me... as your Queen." Alicent whispered bringing her face closer to his.

''I will not fail you.'' Criston assured.

"I'll come with you." Aemond said getting up.

''That would not be my desire, Aemond.'' Alicent told him honestly. ''If anything has happened...''

''Cole needs me, Mother. Ser Erryk isn't the only one who knows Aegon's doings.'' 

Maeve looked between them. Criston kissed her forehead as he headed off, Aemond smiled grabbing her hand. Promising to return soon. Maeve looked to Alicent and she offered Maeve a soft smile. 

"What are you up to?" Maeve demanded. 

Avalon sobbed over her father when she found out what had happened. Otto suggested locking her in her chambers but Alicent corrected that she would never do that to her friend.

"I'm going to die without scars. Without experience, battle wounds, signs that I've ever lived. Without ever actually learning the high valyrian language, or being kissed." Helaena decided until she met Arthur lannister. He was perfect. He would bring life into her weary bones.

"I can help with one of those right now." Arthur offered. Helaena nodded and he leaned in whispering in her ear. "Dracarys, i think i said that right." Helaena laughed out. "Was that not the one you wanted to learn right now?"

"No." Helaena declared. "I want you to kiss me Arthur!" withuot warning his lips slammed against hers it was a symphony of passion building between them. She didnt know or care what was happening, she just loved that Arthur was at the capital. 

"Let me go! Brother! Ahh! Let me go! I have no wish to rule! No taste for duty!" Aegon pleaded. "I'm not suited."

"You'll get no argument from me." Aemond said dully.