Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? / Aemond Targaryen / House of the Dragon

52. Barn Owls

" Come." Alicent rasped. "Lord Larys." she looked pale, a hot pack against her stomach, her breath wheezing.

"I thought I'd look in on you, Your Grace, after your absence from the small council." Larys added. "I feared something was amiss." He didn't want to miss anything when he reported back to Avalon his one true love.

" You're kind to do so, my lord, but indulgence was my sin. I... ventured into the lamprey pie at last night's supper. Too far, I fear."

" Mm. That is a rich indulgence. But I believe it is a sin to deny your appetites. They are what make us fully alive as mortal men." Larys agreed looking around.

"Was anything of note discussed at the council?"

"Daemon having seized Harrenhal and His Grace's resulting displeasure."

" I would've thought you would be the most aggrieved, my lord." Alicent countered

"I see it as a loss for our greater good. Dragonstone's attentions are greatly divided. First in the Riverlands and the Gullet, and now the Crownlands. Ser Criston wins every challenge he faces there. That truth alone is like to incite Rhaenyra's fury."

" He's covered himself in glory, to be sure." Alicent agreed.

"And you must worry for him? Your sworn sword.. on the march, ever exposed to dragons?" Larys looked to her. "It is a perilous road."

"Ser Criston is the Hand of the King. We should all pray for his victory and safe return." Maeve agreed entering Alicent's chambers.

"Indeed." he agreed rising up. "My queen," he bowed his head to her.

"Sit lord larys," Maeve assured handing off an herbal tea to Alicent to help with the nausea.

"Thank you sweetie." Alicent whispered taking a sip.

"If I may be so bold, my queen... you have not seemed yourself of late."

"Only weeks ago, my lord husband was alive and the realm was at peace. Now, I've... barely had the hours to grieve one tragedy before suffering the next." Alicent agreed. "I regret if I have not been myself..."

Morgana sent out a raven to Winterfell, she was capturing harrenhal, Vaera couldn't stand up against her father, that was futile. They could only hope that Robbie had more luck at high garden.

"Rhaenyra's supporters will believe what they wish" Alicent corrected. "And so will Aegon's The war will be fought, many will die... and the victor will eventually ascend the throne. The significance of Viserys' intentions died with him." Larys sealed the book.

"Yes, it did."

"It's a touch late to be stalkin' about a strange castle, putting its people to the sword." Morgana remarked when daemon stumbled upon her.

"Who are you?" Daemon kept his sword pointed at her.

"I'm called Morgana."

"Strong?" he noted her thick black hair.

"my last name is not important." She corrected.

"A bastard then." Daemon agreed.

"Once you get to know me, you'll find I'm not so bad if you are on my side." morgana assured.

"So what are you then? Some kind of maester?" Daemon questioned watching her work with herbs.

"In a manner of speaking, I am what I need to be and as of today and tomorrow and until my duty is done.... I inherited the duties after the last one fled in the night."

" Fled? Why?"

"Just never settled in." She chuckled. "How are you settling in? I've come to know the face of tortured rest well enough. Sleep can be... thin in this place."

"What would you know of my sleep? ''

"Harrenhal's been cursed since its first stone was laid." Morgana informed him. "Black Harren felled the grove of weirwood trees that grew on these lands. Heart trees, imbued with the spirits of those who lived long before he came. It's said their whispers can still be heard sometimes."

"A midwife's tale."

"Mm, the very bed you sleep in was made from such a heart tree." Alys Rivers corrected coming in behind Morgana.

"Who are you?"

"Alys Rivers. We work together. No need to be scared of us girls." Alys added.

"Have you experienced anything... of note?" Morgana pondered.

"You are a strange kind of woman." Daemon decided.

"I'm no woman at all. I'm a barn owl." Alys corrected. "And Mogana is black cat. Both cursed to live in human form." she chuckled as daemon looked her over curiously.

" So, you've come here after quarreling with your wife?" Morgana added.

"What?"

"You arrive here alone to claim the castle and yet, send no ravens. Do you now plan to make your own claim?" Alys questioned. " Perhaps to prove yourself to her".

"Do not try me with your insolence, witch."

"Oh witch, careful boy." Morgana whispered.

"It's a hard thing, I imagine, to give obeisance to one who replaced you as heir." Alys went on.

"And a woman too. A... girl child you bounced on your knee. I mean, does it please you that her legitimacy is contested? As you stand here... with a castle and a dragon... attempting to draw an army of men..." Daemon stared down at her. Morgana smiled in answer.

"Here. Drink this. You'll need your sleep if you're to win this place to your side." Alys added. 

"Thank you old friend." Morgana whispered when daemon left.

"Of course, you know I love this sort of fun."