Heir of Shadows, Rhaenyra x Alicent

Chapter 2. Fighting and Forgiveness

Alicent's time in Kings Landing had been short-lived and soon she was back in Oldtown. Three years had passed since she first met the Prince and from that point forward they had been in constant contact through letters. They had met a few more times in person whenever Alicent visited the capital or when Rhaegar had been touring the Seven Kingdoms but for never more than a few days at a time. 

At seven-and-ten, she was still not married nor close to it and her Father was itching to marry her off. Although the Prince had been of age for 2 years, he had not attempted to create marriage alliances with any family, much less hers. Otto reported that more and more marriage proposals were being sent to Rhaegar, although most were rejected. Hightower was a powerful house but other much larger houses were also looking to marry their daughters to the Prince, so she was not sure she stood much of a chance.

Otto wrote to her weekly to check on how she and Rhaegar were getting along and to keep her informed about business in the capital. It was nice to know what was happening politically in the capital but most of her information came from Rhaegar. She had learnt he was quite a gossip, often writing about new rumours he had heard. 

Even though she had not seen the Prince since his six-and-tenth name day half a year before, she still considered him her closest friend and ally. They always had so much to discuss in their letters and found common interest in most things. Alicent could not think of a better marriage candidate than Rhaegar. A marriage with her closest friend would be the best scenario, a man she cared for platonically who shared similar interests to her.

They would of course have to complete marriage duties which Alicent worried about. She had never found herself attracted to men, especially not in a sexual way. She always thought something was wrong with her, the attraction or 'butterflies' had only ever come around other girls. She always tried to shove such sinful thoughts into the back of her mind but as the years wore on the thoughts never stopped, no matter how hard she prayed. 

She would lay with Rhaegar because it was her duty. Alicent was fairly certain once she had experience with a man the romantic and sexual feelings would appear. She would be fixed and her sinful thoughts would cease, at least that is what she told herself. She had heard stories about historical leaders who had slept with members of the same sex, but she was not like them. She could not be. 

Rhaegar's most recent letters had been about Laena Velaryon and how she had visited the Red Keep. She knew the two of them had been close as children, but now Laena posed a risk to Alicent's future. If the Prince decided to marry Laena instead of her she risked losing everything. A good marriage pact would appease her Father and grant her more freedom, without it she was doomed to live as a helpless damsel forever. Locked in a tower and forced to squeeze out heirs for some noble twice her age.

She knew if she did not act soon she would lose her chance. That same day she wrote to her father about her plans to travel to Kings Landing to secure a marriage alliance with the prince. She felt bad knowing she would be leading Rhaegar on, but he had never seemed too keen on marriage, so he would perhaps prefer this arrangement as well.

Three weeks after the letter was sent to her father she arrived in Kings Landing. As her carriage entered the city she noticed a dragon circling above them. It took her breath away, a brilliant golden-yellow beast that cut through the sky like an arrow. The Dragon was impressive, but who was riding the dragon excited her more. Instead of stopping at the Red Keep as planned, Alicent ordered to be taken straight to the Dragon Pit.

Just as she arrived and was getting out of the carriage the great beast landed in the courtyard beside her. She looked up just in time to see Rhaegar slipping off Syrax's back. He wore his scruffy riding gear and she could smell the stench of dragon from 400 yards away, yet she did not care. She was so excited to see her friend again that she almost tripped down the last step of her carriage in her rush to meet him.