Shattered Rubies

Chapter 14

Elinor ran through the halls of the Red Keep, her skirts in hand, mind flooded with thoughts of Aegon. Just yesterday she saw him, she saw him healthy and hale and now she heard word that he was being carried in.

Nearly falling, Elinor stopped just outside Aegon's chambers, a big wooden box took up the space of the room, one of the guards took out his swords.

Her heart dropped, her stomach twisted, her breathing heavy. No. Four men grabbed hold of the blanket, carried his body to the bed. Tears blurred her vision.

Elinor swallowed back a sob, she shouldn't have let him gone, she shouldn't have fought with him, so much should've yet she did nothing.

Closing her eyes, Elinor allowed the tears to fall. She suck in a breath and walked into the chamber, slowly approaching the bed.

Maesters all around him, working their best, Aegon looked horrible, "Aegon" she whispered out, her hand on her belly, tears falling.

"Is he alive?" Alicent finally spoke, her hand on her chest, "His Grace...is still with us" Maester Owlye confirmed, working hard, "For the moment" Elinor's breath was shaky, she slowly rounded the bed, watching as they removed his armour.

As they removed the torso part of Aegon's armour, Elinor covered her mouth as she gasped. She turned, Silent Sisters stood ready at the door, Elinor turned back to Owlye, "Is my husband going to die?"

"I'm afraid I cannot say" Maester Owlye stated as he turned to the Queen, "And now if you excuse me, your grace, these next hours are most critical" it felt like Elinor's heart was being ripped from her body and chopping into tiny pieces.

She couldn't stop the tears from falling and she couldn't move, her eyes remain on Aegon's body, who did this to him? Was this Rhaenys's doing? "Your grace" Elinor felt an arm around her shoulder and she turned seeing Ser Martyn with a sad expression.

"Come on" Elinor slowly nodded her head and followed him out, she felt so vulnerable, so useless. Aemond walked into the chamber, Elinor caught sight of Aegon's dagger.

****

Ser Alfred knocked away the marker, placing the Hightower one over Rooks Rest "Our largest dragon has been killed" he said, "Criston Cole marches about the Crownlands, unchallenged. Duskendale and Rooks Rest are gone. We still have no ground army but the one we hope Daemon will raise."

Rhaenyra's eyes remained on the table, everyone else all looked at Ser Alfred, understanding his anger, "He who has felt us, after some marital spat" he spat at Rhaenyra, she looked up to him, "Do you take issue with me Ser Alfred?"

"My loyalty to you is proven my queen" she scoffed, "Your loyalty perhaps but your willingness to give me deference in a time of war" people turned their heads back and forth as the two argued.

"I could never doubt your capability or your quickness of mind" Rhaenyra let out a breath, looked to the table then back at Ser Alfred, "It is merely that the gentler sex here to for has not been much privy to the strategy of battle or their execution."

"There has been peace in our life time, you have sen no more battles than I have" Rhaenyra shot back at Ser Alfred, it was true, men in this age only knew of tourneys where they die cowards.

The table feel silent and Rhaenyra went to take her seat, Ser Alfred doing the same. "Send to Maidenpool and to CrackLaw point, let the men their garrison, give them stores and weapons if they find them wanting. If Cole pursues his campaign our allies must be ready-"

"We must answer Rooks Rest and Duskendale" one of the Kingsguard spoke up, "They are lost already but Vhagar is depleted after such a hard fought battle. If Aegon is dead will soon know it."

"Should be a victory and name only, they will soon prop up another is."

"The time is ripe" Lord Bartimos argued back, Rhaenyra turned her head to each member speaking, "If we can strike Kingslanding before their dragon is recovered-"

"Then I myself must do it!" Rhaenyra spoke up among the men, "My queen, you are the crown. It is out of the question."

"What would you have me do?" The table went silent, no one dared to speak, no one wanted to say what everyone thought. Nothing.

****

Later that night Elinor tossed as she tried to sleep but her thoughts kept traveling back to Aegon and wandering whom had done that to him.

Staring at the ceiling Elinor quickly got out of bed and made for Aegon's chambers, a candle in her hand, her other gripping the dressing gown.

Slowly opening the door, Elinor surprisinh found Aegon's chamber empty but brightly lit with candles, Elinor suck in a breath.

His body was bandaged up, his face covered, burnt marks still visible, tears swelled up in her eyes as she walked to the bed.

"Aegon" she whispered, her eyes never felt his body, slowly she squatted down on the right side of the bed, where his face and body hadn't burnt much.

"Who did this to you?" she asked, her voice now lower than a whisper, after no response Elinor dropped her head, she looked up to his body once more and took his hand in hers.

She couldn't believe she was going to do this, she say down on her knees and folded her hands over Aegon's, her eyes closed, praying to the Gods to wake him up.

"Please Aegon, just wake up" she whispered as she opened her eyes and slowly placed his hand back down, "I'm here Aegon, I'm right here, just wake up."

But he didn't, she sighed. She wasn't going to leave him, not now, not when he needed her most. She stood up and went over to the nearby couch by the window.