Shattered Rubies

Chapter 10

Rhaenyra walked down from the council room, a mission on her, "Thank you Elinda" Mysaria turned and noticed the Queen, Elinda bowed and left the room, "What do you know of the movements of Alicent Hightower?"

"W-Would you take her hostage or kill her outright?" Mysaria asked confused, Rhaenyra took a step closer, "I would speak with her, myself. Elinor too if possible."

"Killing her would be easier" Mysaria joked around but it was true if Rhaenyra were to be in Kingslanding killing Alicent would he a good option.

"If war can be averted, it is my duty to avert it" Rhaenyra reason with Mysaria, she was basically showing her the reason why she wanted war to be stopped, I have reason to believe she may be of the same option" Rhaenyra continued.

She stopped for minute, thinking back to the raven Alicent sent, "She sent a raven, she has expressed her remorse."

"I can have a message brought to her, in secret" Mysaria informed, message asking for clarification, what Viserys actually said, but Rhaenyra shook her head.

"She would not agree to it. She would suspect some subterfuge, as would I, if I received such a message" Rhaenyra confessed, she didn't want to admit it but she and Alicent were or might still be of the same mind.

"I must see her, face to face."

"She is Queen Dowager. She goes no where without many eyes watching her" Mysaria stopped for a moment, thinking back when she as in Kingslanding, "Unless..."

"T'is fraught."

"Speak it." 

"There are fishing boats aplenty in the bay. The city depends on them. Daemon made the journey unhindered" Mysaria took a few steps closer to the Queen, Rhaenyra drew in a breath, this was a bad plan.

"But if I'm recognized-"

"You may be surprised to learn, but most folk pay no mind to a woman who has not dressed as a queen, or allured herself for the eyes of men" Mysaria confirmed.

"So I make my way to the Red Keep, I presume, and ring the bell or do I scale the wall and enter at her window?" Rhaenyra questioned, she did not want to be unprepared, seeing as this is her plan.

"There is a place Alicent goes outside the castle walls...where you may yet find her alone" Rhaenyra nodded.

****

"Join me" Alicent asked as she entered Elinor's chambers, finding Elinor with Helaena, "Join you for what?"

"Pray, in the Sept" Elinor instantly shook her head, "I've stopped doing that" she stated, it was true.

"Helaena?"

"I want to stay with Elinor" Elinor smirked, Alicent scoffed, rolled her eyes and left the room, Elinor turned back to Helaena, continuing their conversation, "Have you had any dreams of late? Anything?"

Helaena shook her head, "All I dream of is a dragon falling" Elinor nodded, "Who's flying the dragon?"

"I cannot see, but I keep hearing betray" Elinor placed her hand over Helaena's, "We will find out what it means, soon before it has the chance to even happen" Helaena smiled softly.

"I'm with child" Elinor confessed, she had to tell someone, she didn't want to tell Alicent of course and Helaena would keep her little, not-really, secret.

"Does Aegon know."

"Yes."

"And it's a boy?" Elinor looked down at her belly, "I don't know, maybe. Aegon needs a heir" Helaena nodded, "Maybe another girl?"

"Maybe" Elinor said with a smile, "Your grace" a squire said as he walked into the chamber, "A raven" Elinor quickly thanked the squire and sent him off.

Daemon has taken Harrenhall, sorry dear niece but it was either I bend the knee or die and I like my life

-Simon Strong

Elinor sighed as she closed the letter, "What is it?"

"Daemon took Harrenhall" Elinor said as she sighed, "I'm sorry" Helaena said as she offered a hand, Elinor shrugged, "What could I have possibly done to keep him away?"

Lying on the ground, Elinor looked up while her hand rested in her stomach, Helaena looked to her friend and laid down beside her, "Maybe it's for the best?"

"Maybe" Elinor whispered, mostly to herself, Helaena slid her hand over to Elinor, "I'm here for you."

"Thank you."