Traitor / Larys Strong / Otto Hightower (3)

6. Victory

" I find myself wondering... do we pursue the same end?" Alicent questioned. Aelsa sighed, she wanted to go home not deal with an insecure Alicent. 

"I must admit, there are days where I myself can't be sure." Aelsa agreed. "You want to caudle your children and I need them to be warriors." Aelsa agreed. 

"Not that." Alicent countered. 

"THen tell me and stop with these riddles because  I grow tired of the capital." Aelsa instructed. 

"It's victory."

"And how would you define "victory"?" Aelsa pondered. 

"Rhaenyra bending the knee and Aegon sitting the Iron Throne, in peace. As Viserys wished." Alicent added

"Well, if that's how you describe it, then we are aligned." Aelsa agreed. "Because I dont want my children to be a casualty to this war. But we both know Rhaenyra will never bend. Not after what aemond did."

"He didnt mean it-"

"He did." Aelsa corrected. "He wants them all dead. He wants them all to suffer as he suffered. He wants them to feel weak and helpless and he did that. He was foolish and idiotic because your peace-" Aelsa grabbed a glass and threw it hard to the ground, it shattered at their feet making alicent jump. "There is your peace. Put it back together and let me know how it looks." 

Aelsa strut off wishing she was in bed right now. Otto smiled back at her when he found her. 

"It's past your bed time old man." Aelsa mused. 

"Yet it is you that is yawning, my lady." Otto countered. Aelsa chuckled. "Shall we... enjoy a night cap?"

"I should go home. I have been spending more time here than at home recently. Lila will be waiting up for her bed time story and it is past her bedtime."

"Then allow me to walk you." Otto requested. "Dont object, its late." 

"Your Grace." Jace and Baela approached before she headed off and Jace stepped forward holding back his pain. "Lady Jeyne Arryn has pledged her support in exchange for a dragon to guard the Vale. And Lord Cregan Stark... has promised 2,000 men..." His breath shook as Rhaenyra moved to him wrapping her arms around him.

"Alyrie Florent." Alicent whispered lighting a candle. "Viserys Targaryen." She said softly lighting another. Hesitating she stared at a third candle for the dead. "Lucerys Velaryon."

The ceremony was small just family. As they placed their sacrifices to Lukes burning body. Tears in their eyes, there was something about the way the eerie wind blew and the fire crackled, it seemed like the beginning of a true war. A silent battle cry for revenge. 

Daemon sailed up the shores of kings landing, ready to avenge Luke. While Aelsa bundled up moving past the herds of guards patrolling. 

"Larys vetted the staff but not the guards, not the knights." Aelsa remarked suddenly feeling anxious. "There are many people in the castle. He handled the problems but..."

"You are worried." Otto agreed. 

"Daemon was the commander of the white cloaks. He was their buddy. I worry." Aelsa agreed. "That they are still loyal to him." 

Daemon gave a little whistle from the gates. Aelsa's ears tuned into the sound before hearing shouting from above. 

"A tribute." Daemon offered as the guard approached. The coins jingled in the pouch.

"Commander?" Blood questioned.

"Never gone for long." Daemon agreed. "I'm told you bear a mislike for the Hightowers."

"Fuck the Hightowers." he agreed

"Any news from the ravens?" Aelsa questioned. 

"Aemond thinks it a waste." otto remarked. 

"We should speak to him. He is going to do something stupid again." 

"What better time than the present." OTto offered. Aelsa hesitated at the gates of the capital. "You know Aelsa it is foolish for the hand of the king to live so far away. You could move your family into the castle, it would be safer." 

"It's their home, I'm not uprooting them." Aelsa countered. 

"You could see them more, they would see you more." Otto reminded her. He would get to see her, walk her to her chambers, maybe kiss her goodnight or steal her away to his own chambers like they used to. But Aelsa pulled back. 

"I'm going to talk to Aemond. Goodnight Otto."

"Allow me to join you." Otto requested.

"I think I have to do this alone." Aelsa countered. Otto deflated. "You are too charming Otto, we can't be what we once were." She reminded him. 

"We could." He countered. 

"We can't. I'm married. Larys is good to me..." she pulled her hand from his. "You can't look at me like that." 

"Like what?"

"Like you love me still."

"I can't help it." Otto countered cupping her cheek. "I will always love you Aelsa Lannister."