The White Queen

Chapter 14

Aemma Arryn
Royal Garden, King's Landing: Late 113 AC

Aemma watched with a fond smile as Daena crawled around the royal garden. This garden was strictly reserved for the royal family and their most trusted servants. Daena turned to the pond and Aemma got up.

"Oh no no, Daena." she said, picking up her baby girl and placing her in a safer spot. I'll have a barrier put around the pond... prevent any little ones from falling in. Aemma decided. She sat down on a bench, book in hand but watching her sweet girl.

She spotted a familiar head of auburn hair. "Lady Alicent." she called out, forcing a polite smile on her face. The Hightower girl yelped and turned around. Aemma recognized Helena Hightower (nee Tarly) favorite gown on her daughter's body, Alicent's hair pulled into an elaborate but elegant style.

"Queen Aemma." the girl said nervously.

"What are you doing in the royal garden?" Aemma asked, getting up an walking over. "I-I thought King Viserys might like this book." Alicent squeaked, and Aemma spotted the book in her hands.

"Well, I can give it to him. No need to go alone into my husband's and I apartments." Aemma said coldly. "And why are you in the royal garden? Last I checked Rhaenyra is still in Dorne, and you are not one of Aelinor's Ladies in Waiting."

Alicent's face soured at the mention of Rhaenyra's marriage and Aemma grimaced. So the Hightower girl was in love with Rhaenyra. Unfortunately for Alicent, Rhaenyra had found a wonderful match in her marriage with Qoren, and reports from Aemma's spies all had the same summary: Qoren loved Rhaenyra and Rhaenyra loved Qoren.

The Martell Prince had even ordered the construction of the Water Gardens for her daughter, and Rhaenyra, in a wonderful move, had decided that the in construction Water Gardens would be open to both common folk children and noble children.

Alicent handed her the book and Aemma took it. She watched as the Hightower girl left. "And Alicent? A bit of advice." the auburn haired teenager turned to her.

"Whores are not appreciated in the royal court." Aemma said, her voice full of cold fire and she turned away.

Aemma was an Arryn yes, of the Eyrie and the Vale, of honor and loyalty.

But she was a dragon as well, and her fire was not like the rest of her family's.

It was not Damon's explosive dragon fire.

It was not Rhaenys's sudden and consuming firestorm.

It was not Aelinor's calculated, icy fire that no one had yet to thaw.

It was not Rhaenyra's consuming, brutal but calculated wildfire.

It was not her husband's volcano like temper. Dormant for years and years until he snapped and it all came out.

Her fire was like the tides. When it was far off, it looked small and harmless. But when it got closer, it was high and daunting, unescapable and dragging her target(s) down to drown.

And Alicent Hightower, the daughter of a second son and nothing more, had her ire.

Notes:
BAMF Aemma Arryn. Her anger always struck me as what I described it as. And I honestly think Viserys's temper is like a volcano everyone thinks is dormant but it's not, just building up power.

Have a nice day everyone!