Fragile Things / Alicent Hightower / Criston Cole (2.1)

20. Conqueror

" Ser Gwayne! Halt!" Criston rode ahead. "Ser Gwayne, our company is camped back yonder." Criston wanted to claim harrenhal and return to avalon victorious and now he had to babysit Gwayne. Heavens.

"On the cold, hard ground. Which is why we make for the Bull," Gwayne agreed. "a tavern with an excellent reputation on the Rosby Road, not two miles away, if memory serves."

" We march to make the first strike in the name of His Grace."

"I assure you, my nephew will not begrudge me a night of comfort." Gwayne countered the men stared off. "If it soothes your brow, Cole, we will rendezvous with your army at first light. Or, if their wine is good, perhaps a little after first light."

" We're exposed." Criston countered noting the shadows in the clouds.

"You arent thinking marriage anymore?" Alicent questioned. 

"Marriage?" Avalon countered looking up from Aeron playing while alyssa colored. 

"You said before, when my father..." Alicent reminded her. 

"Oh. I havent given it much thought as of late." Avalon admitted. Alicent nodded. 

"It is selfish but I dont want you to marry anyone that isnt me." 

Moondancer roared out swooping down from the clouds.

"A good showing, Ser Criston." Gwayne admitted. "I am in your debt."

"They know we're abroad. They'll be hunting." Criston realized. "And we must move under the trees and by cover of dark, starting tonight. And no fucking inns."

Rhaenyra saw avalon and  alicent heading in, her guards remained behind, now was the time.

"I hate this alicent."

"I know my love." Alicent agreed. "Im sorry... but we lost our power you see that. War is inevitable now. If it ever wasnt..."

"I thought prayer was supposed to help but it just feels... all of this feels so..." 

"I know." Alicent admitted. "But people dont bother us here." 

"True enough." Avalon agreed. 

When rhaenyra knelt beside alicent, alicent hesitated before recognizing her. Avalon didnt look up muttering that the stupid candle wouldnt light because of course that would be her day.

" No, no. Shh." Rhaenyra begged as alicent rose up, she looked to the blade in rhaenryas hand. Avalons eyes shot to them.

" What..."

"Shh." She demanded pointing the blade her.

"Rhaenyra!" Avalon demanded.

"Not a word." Rhaenyra corrected.

"What... H..." alicent gasped back. Avalon grabbed tight to her hand.

" I must speak with you auntie."

"Dont you auntie me. You sent men to kill my son. What happened with luke was an accident with dragons but that was purposeful and- and i will scream."

"Your knights would find me. I would be taken or slain, though not before I killed alicent." Rhaenyra corrected.

"And then what?" Alicent demanded.

"Rhaenyra what the hell?" Avalon demanded.

"W..." Rhaenyra hesitated. "I have begun badly." She realized and alicent scoffed.

"You think?" Avalon glanced around looking for help.

"We watched the tourney together, you and I... the day my brother was born. We knew, even then, that men trained up for battle are eager to fight, to seek blood and glory. But you are... I know you do not have that desire within you. Rhaenys has counseled me. She said she saw in you, alicent a wish to avert the worst of what may now come. And i have never known you to be vicious auntie."