The Gentle Queen: HOTD

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"Where to Your Grace? Ser Arryk asked his queen as they walked through the halls away from the great hall.

"You are dismissed for the night, Ser Arryk. Do as you please. I wish to be alone for a little," Lillian answered as she stopped walking, turning so she was looking at him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, concerned for her safety.

"I am sure. Thank you now. Goodnight," Lillian said, walking down the hall and making her way outside, needing fresh air after the events of the night.

She rubbed the swell of her belly as she walked, making her way to the Weirwood tree, where she noticed a bloody white clock before her eyes landed on Ser Criston, who held his sword up, ready to drive it through his heart.

"Ser Criston?" She whispered, making him look up, alarmed. "My...my queen," he whispered, trying to get the right words out, but he couldn't.

"Please lower the blade," she asked quietly, and he did, letting the blade fall to the ground.

"Why?" she asked, making him look down.

"I am not worthy of this cloak. Your grace—I do not deserve it. I have broken my vows twice now. The guilt. The pain of knowing what I have done."

"So you are going to kill yourself?" She practically shouted, taking a deep breath and sighing.

"Come with me," she demanded, making him stand up, grab his cloak and sword, and follow her confusedly as they made their way back into the castle. Through the halls, many sent looks to the knight as they saw him follow their queen, looking ashamed.

"your grace" Ser Arryk was greeted as the two arrived at the queen's chambers.

"Ser Arryk I excused you for the night," Lilly countered, confused.

"I am aware I checked on my brother and then came here; it is my duty to watch over and protect you," he said, making her smile slightly.

"Very well, thank you," she whispered, her heart warming at being cared for. She pushed her door open.

"Come in, Ser Criston," she said, letting the knight come in, still confused. He watched as the red-haired queen rang the bell for help before setting the mental pitcher in the embers of the burning fire in her room.

"Sit," she demanded, pointing to a chair nearby before walking to a chest in her chambers. He listened, confused out of his mind, before looking at the doors as they opened and a maid walked in.

"Your grace," the maid greeted, bowing to her queen.

"Maya, hello, can you please check on Aegon and Helena? Grace and Claire should be with them and excuse them for the night if the little ones are asleep, please," she requested.

"Of course, your grace," Maya said with a smile before leaving the room.

He watched as she grabbed a towel, carefully taking the now-hot pitcher from the fire and bringing it to the table next to where he sat.

"What you did was stupid," she stated quietly as she dipped a clean rag into the hot water, ringing it out and handing it to him.

"I know"

"Clean up your face; you have a cut that needs to be cleaned," she ordered as he took it. "Thank you," he sighed out, wiping his face before setting it down, watching as she soaked and rang out another rag, grabbing his bloodied hand.

"Why did you attack Ser Joffrey? You were standing there when he approached you. Your words were exchanged, and then you were tackling him down the stairs and began beating him to death, might I add?" She said, focusing on his hand, not noticing the way he was staring at her with a small smile as he realized she was watching him, but the smile quickly fell from his face.