Fragile Things / Alicent Hightower / Criston Cole (2.1)

18. Fearsome

"Otto Hightower would never have allowed this." Rhaenys reminded Rhaenyra. "Hotter blood has prevailed, I think. The young men have taken the bit in their teeth. They wish to punish, to avenge. Soon they will not even remember what it was that began the war in the first place." Rhaenys went on.

"That is easy enough They usurped my throne." Rhaenyra corrected.

"That is one answer." Rhaenys agreed. "Or was it when the child was threatened to be beheaded? Or when Aemond killed Luke... or when Luke took Aemond's eye?" Rhaenys informed her calmly. " We teeter now at the point where none of it will matter. And the desire to kill and burn takes hold and reason is forgotten. There may be another way."

"You think my aunt will listen?"

"I think she almost lost her child and she doesnt want to see his little head severed like your husband had planned. "

"Daemon loves his sister. "

"He thought he was doing what you wanted." Rhaenys corrected. "getting justice. Revenge"

"I wouldnt... not to Aeron, he's a babe."

"Is all well, lord Hand?" A squire questioned. "Only they'll be waiting." he added. Green dragon banners hung the walls as Criston made his way to the small council meeting. His new presence of hand and commander made him no friends. A smile curved his face seeing avalons smile.

" Good morrow, Your Grace. My lords. " Criston said sitting at hand of the kings chair. He reached out kissing avalons hand. "My queen." He repeated low. She blushed. Alicent noticed raising a brow. "Forgive my lateness."

'' Important business, no doubt." Aegon assured.

"You've appointed new knights" Criston countered. " to the Kingsguard, Your Grace."

" To replace those we lost."

"The last one needlessly, some might say." Alicent added.

"Ser Arryk was awarded the great duty of ending Rhaenyra's challenge." Aegon agreed. "He failed to discharge it."

"He failed because the scheme was rash." Alicent agreed.

"Perhaps, Your Grace, but we cannot all hide in our castles waiting for war to come to us." Criston looked pointedly to Alicent. Avalon sat silently between their bickering.

"As now it surely will." She agreed.

"As, now, it already has." Aemond answered. Avalon looked to her baby boy he held himself with such dignity like he should have been king. "House Bracken took it upon themselves to attack the Blackwoods, who declared for the pretender. Lord Samwell Blackwood himself is slain."

" Good. First blood in our name."

Avalon never wanted blood shed she wanted to prevent it more looking around she realized how little control she had. She didn't even need to be here they would listen to her or Alicent.

"Both sides took heavy losses, Your Grace." Tyland countered. "I-I'm not entirely certain we can declare this a victory. The Blackwoods and the Brackens have feuded for centuries. This is nothing more than an excuse for them to indulge their ancient grudge. It's no true war."

"Call it what you will... I call it war." Aegon corrected stabbing his dagger down. "And so will Dragonstone." he added. "The question is, what are we going to do about it?"

Alicent reached out grabbing her hand noticing her distant stare. It wasn't like Avalon to remain quiet. Not like this.

"Your lord uncle Ormund marches from Oldtown at the head of a great host, Your Grace. And your brother Daeron's dragon nears fighting age. Call on them to suppress the Riverlands." Jasper suggested.

" Alas, they are months away. My lord brother Jason is raising a great army at Casterly Rock. In a matter of weeks, he will be able to harass the Blackwoods from the west." Tyland assured.

"Should we not aim to unite these armies" Orwyle countered. "and then strike as one?"

"Ah, the great military mind of the Citadel." Tyland agreed.

"The both of you!" Avalon finaly spoke up. "Enough!" The men settled. "We cannot avoid a war so.,. The Riverlands are one key to the war." Avalon decided. "And with that Harrenhal is the key to the Riverlands. We need harrenhal. With or without old lord tully." She realized.

"I will ride out with those I can muster here. Men I know, men I've trained." Criston agreed.

"You need time to raise the numbers to challenge the Rivermen." Alicent corrected.

"Speed is my ally. I will turn the Crownland houses who declared for Rhaenyra to our cause. We will add their numbers to our own and then turn west. Where I will enlist the Brackens, subdue the Riverlands, and take Harrenhal." Criston corrected. "Trust me, avalon."

"Her grace." Aemond corrected. Criston glanced to aemond.

"So impatient to ride with so few men. So like to be destroyed by the first stronghold you meet." Alicent demanded. "A bold scheme indeed."

"Well, the gods favor the bold." Criston countered.

" They did not favor Ser Arryk." Avalon challenged lightly.

"What say you, my king?" Criston countered.

"And you'll take Aemond and Vhagar?" Aegon pondered. Avalon sucked in a tight breath and criston reached out grazing her thigh.

"Vhagar will remain here..." Criston corrected, Aemond hesitated turning a coin over his knuckles. "to defend the city."

"Good. To war, then." Aegon declared. "I'll come, too, with Sunfyre."

" Aegon." alicent begged.

"Your Grace." Criston agreed.

"Sweetie please," avalon countered.

" You'll need a dragon." Aegon corrected

"If they need a dragon mouse and I can join them."

"My plan is not to draw attention." Criston corrected.

"And-And what will you do if you encounter one or more of Rhaenyra's dragons?" Aegon countered. "She'll want to answer for Ser Arryk."

"We will be more like to encounter one if we field one of our own." Criston corrected. "No mouse either." Criston countered although he did love seeing avalon on dragon back. Her smile when she rode.

"That is precisely why you must remain, brother." Aemond added. "It's a brave thought, but we cannot risk your loss." Aegons lips pursed.

"I'm as fearsome as any of them."

Avalon moved to him kneeling beside aegon.

"You," she stroked his cheek. " are still my baby boy. I need you alive and safe. The realms need you safe."