Traitor / Larys Strong / Otto Hightower (3)

4. Dont Go

"Mama dont go!" Lila begged. Aelsa sighed sitting back down beside her on the bed. "Another story."

"Its so late honey."

"But i didnt see you all day!" Lila objected.

"I know lila. Im so sorry. With everything lately- you know this is the reason i wanted to quit because i didnt want to lose my precious time with you-"

"Another story." Lila repeated.

"Of course." Aelsa agreed laying back down beside her.

"Do the voices like daddy." Lila requested snuggling into aelsas side.

Aelsa slumped off to bed after that. She peered into atticus room and he was fast asleep but saw a candle flickering through the crack in Ollivanders door.

"You are doing great." Larys assured

"I am not. Im a child."

"You are not more child than aemond-"

"Dont compare me to him father." Ollivander begged.

"Im sorry I just meant-"

"Hes a murderer and im-"

"Brilliant. Skilled. Charming. Kind." Larys answered. "But what i meant was that you are the same age as he."

"And hes going to be leading armies while im-"

"The youngest master of coin there ever was."

"Only because mother is hand-"

"Do not sell yourself short." Larys countered   "Yes your mother is hand but she wouldnt have given you this responsibility if she didnt think you could handle it. Didnt think you would do a good job. She does. I do. And you are." Larys assured.

"Im grateful for lord Hightower." Ollivander admitted. Larys clenched his jaw. Way to ruin a good moment. "He is teaching me a lot but more recently its been a lot of writing."

"Yes. He is old fashioned." Larys agreed.

"Hes really smart too." Ollivander added.

Aelsa gave a gentle knock and the door pushed open.  Larys was grateful for the interruption. He could bare to hear his son speak highly of otto hightower.

"Your father is right Olli." Aelsa added. "You are doing great. I wanted to quit the other day remember? This job is hard. Its stressful and we are all in new territory. So try not to be so hard on yourself."

"Thanks mum... and thanks dad." Ollivander agreed.

Aelsa was certain as soon as her head hit the pillow she would fall asleep. She was wrong.

" Maybe being a traitor to the crown wouldn't be so bad. I mean, if you think about it, it would be foolish of them to come after us. They have more important things to be worried about."

" you were too good at being hand we will figure this out we will get through this. Together." Larys promised.

"Olli Is right, however, about aemond. He's a killer and he showed no remorse.  Maybe it was because he was on Dragon back. He's not taking responsibility for it claiming it was his dragon. Putting distance between himself and the killing."

" or he has been an angry isolated boy for the past six years and finally got his revenge." Larys countered.

" Speaking of killing. Have you investigated the capital staff?"

"Yes my love." Larys agreed.

"And?" She rolled over in bed kissing his shoulder.

" I have gotten rid of the problematic staff."