Fragile Things / Alicent Hightower / Criston Cole (2.1)

12. Admit It

"Then we shall move onto the matter of your unions." Otto agreed.

"What?" Alicent countered.

"We need as many unions as we can get, what better than the former queens. You are both still young and-"

"Father." Alicent demanded. Aegon looked between them, it made sense. Aemond tensed however, he didnt want his mother to move on and remarry, he didnt want her pulled away from them.

"Alicent, dont make a scene." Otto commanded glancing around the small council. Alicent huffed a breath. Criston looked to Avalon as she was unusually quiet.

"Alicent, we can't just allow our children to form unions. The council is right." Avalon admitted that evening.

"Avalon," Alicent begged holding tightly to her hand as they stared back at each other, their heads on the same pillow. "I have given my life for the crown and the realms, I can't give my body away again."

"I'm not asking you to." Avalon assured. "I loved Viserys. I love you." Avalon added. "But I can't ask my children to form a union for us when I refuse to do the same. Your father- as much as I hate to say it, is right."

"And you hate admitting that." Alicent agreed.

"It will strengthen us to have another union underway." Avalon admitted.

"Who then?" Alicent countered. "Who is good enough for you? Who won't steal you away from me?"

"Someone already at court."

"Ser Criston..." alicent whispered smiling back at her. Avalon blushed, how could she know? "I know he is smitten with you," avalon shook her head slightly. Yes she adored Criston, she trusted him but it wasnt a union that would really benefit the crown.

"He is a wonderful man that i would have entertained the idea of in another life perhaps." Avalon admitted. "But his house is small we need someone with strength and lands... if I am to remarry for power, it has to be a house that has something we need. Not just a man I want."

"All hail King Aegon!" Leon Estermont declared as they walked to the throne, the people parted for them. "Aegon the Magnanimous Second of His Name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. Hail King Aegon!" Aegon glanced back at him.

"The Magnanimous"? Aegon countered, Leon shrugged.

"Your Grace."

"Let's have the first petition, my good Lord Hand." Aegon told his grandsire.

"Did he really mean it?" Alicent questioned.

"What?"

"Us remarrying." Alicent declared. "You agreeing so easily?"

"Alicent," Avalon chuckled. Alicent couldnt get her head around the idea of starting this over again, marrying and being sold off. She liked her life with avalon, she couldnt bear the thought of losing her.

"Hugh, Your Grace. The smiths are all proud to support Your Grace against Rhaenyra."

"But?"

"But... iron costs have grown. A lone scorpion takes weeks to build. To put it simply, we are struggling. If we could but have the Crown's coin before we started work, it would bring great relief. Not just to me, but to all the smiths serving your cause." Aegon nodded.

"You shall be paid and paid well." Aegon agreed, Otto turned towards him. "My army cannot win a war without your weapons. You should continue their making. Our victory depends on the efforts of the smallfolk." Aegon added, Otto headed back to his post.

"You have my most sincere gratitude, Your Grace."

"I'll hear the next petition." Aegon agreed feeling useful for once.

"We should get out of bed."

"The sun has long since gone down in the sky. There is no. Eed to get up now..." avalon objected. "And i was up all night."

"Which is why we should get up. The realms-"

"Ali, cant we just say fuck the realms and run?"

"Run where?" Alicent countered. "Its too late for running."

"Your Grace, it filled my heart to see you on the Iron Throne." Larys remarked. "I was only a boy when Jaehaerys last graced the seat, but you brought forth memories of him, and you have such a deft touch with the smallfolk, just as your father did."

"Thank you, my lord." Aegon answered not wanting to deal with the cripple.

"I wonder, do you have a moment for a quiet word?" Larys added. "It is the Hand's wont to keep a firm grip on things."

" Daughter." Otto answered. "Oh. Your grace." He looked to avalon lounging on the bed with Alice in her arms.

"I requested an audience hours ago." Alicent barked.

"There were many petitions." Otto countered. "Is this about my requests for you to marry?"

"No."

"I am debating it." Avalon countered.

"Good." Otto agreed. "I have a lost of possible prospects."

" father I find myself wondering... do we pursue the same end?" Alicent cut in.

"I must admit, there are days where I myself can't be sure." Otto agreed. Avalon sighed trailing her hands along alice little arms and legs.

"I shall tell you mine." Alicent answered. "It's victory."

"And how would you define "victory"?"

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

Avalon still didnt understand. She did and she didnt. Aemond was more studious always tended to his siblings and his training. But aegon was a good boy and viserys eldest son.

"Well, if that's how you describe it, then we are aligned." Otto agreed.

" Then be my ally."

" I am."

"An ally would not repeatedly cut my legs from beneath me at that table of men!" Alicent demanded. " I sit there and I feel your anger."

"Frustration. These critical days since Viserys's passing haven't gone to plan."

"The Hand to three kings." Avalon cut in. Otto looked to her. "My grandfather. My husband. And now aegon." Otto. Odded. "You served them well. Aegon is ever-eager to prove himself and Aemond... Aemond is angry. As was i. Rhaenyra's son took his eye and was never punished for it. I understand his anger and i wish i would have put up more of a fight back then. What he did, however vicious..."

" The caprice of youth." Otto assured.

"I could only hope." Alicent countered taking a seat. Avalon picked up a sleeping alice she snuggled into avalons chest.

"Aemond erred. But he is fiercely loyal. He wishes to please."

"And Aegon still heeds me. In private, at least." Alicent mumbled. "But if you undermine my voice and avalons, both those boys will grow deaf to it."

"Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."

"Did you find what you needed?" Daemon questioned bringing his forehead to Rhaenyras, she nodded. "Your council stands at the ready, Your Grace." Daemon demanded ."I will fly to Harrenhal at your command and set our toehold in the Riverlands."

"Your Grace, my lord husband's blockade of the Gullet moves into place." Rhaenys added. "All seaborne travel and trade to King's Landing will soon be cut off."

"I want Aemond Targaryen." Rhaenyra demanded. Fury building in her eyes