The Dragon Queen

CHAPTER 42

Viserys was placed between Alicent and Rhaelys. As he sat everyone followed after.

"How good it is to see you all tonight, together."says Viserys breathing heavily due to the effort he has to use.

Alicent looked to Viserys. "Prayer before we begin?"

Viserys nods his head. Everyone closed their eyes waiting for Alicent to begin. Rhaelys looked at her father. She could see that he was slipping away. She had gotten many Maester to treat him but it seems nothing was working, the poison had already taken root.Rhaelys closed her eyes as Alicent began.

"May the Mother smile down upon this gathering with love, may the Smith mend the bonds that have been broke for far too long, may the seven protect the house of the dragon."

When Alicent finished off everyone opened their eyes.

"This is an occasion for celebration it seems my grandsons, Jace and Aerion will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena, further strengthening the bonds between our houses. A toast to the young princes and their betrothed."

"Here here" Daemon said as everyone lifted their cups.

"Another toast, to prince Jacaerys, the possible future lord of the Tides."

Rhaenyra frowned but raised her cup nonetheless.

'It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow, to see all these faces around the table, the faces most dear to me in all the world,yet grown so distant from each other."

Rhaelys felt a a shiver going down her spine. "The king will fall and a queen will rise."She mumbles under her breath.

Rhaelys turns to her father who looked to be undoing his gold mask. "My own face is no longer a handsome one, if indeed it ever was."

"But tonight I wish you to see me as I am, not just your king, but your father, your brother, your husband and your grandsire. Who it seems, may not walk for much longer among you. Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts, the crown cannot stay strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided but set aside your grievances. If not for the sake of the Crown than for the sake of this old man, who lives you all, so dearly."

Alicent and Rhaelys looked to Viserys. Alicent helped Viserys place his mask back on. Rhaelys looked back down before swiftly standing up and raised her cup.

"I wish to raise my cup to my stepmother and my dear brothers and my sweet sister Helaena. The days that you were born were the best days of my life, cause you reasons I was not so lonely anymore. And to my children, you have made me very proud."

Everyone raised their cups. Rhaelys sat down.

Rhaenyra stood up. "I wish to raise my cup to her grace, the queen. I love my father, but I must admit no one has stood more loyalty at his side than his good wife. She has tended to him with unfailing devotion, love and honor and for that she has my gratitude, and my apology."

Rhaelys rolls her eyes. Alicent smiled, "Your graciousness moves me deeply, princess, we are both mothers and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow. I raise my cup to you and to your house."

Aegon clears his throat and stands up. " I'd like to toast to my sister, Rhaelys. She has loved and cherished me as if I was her own. You will make a fine queen sister."

Rhaelys smiles and raises her cup. Aeron stood up and walked to Baela. He grabs something from the table. "I'm sorry for the dissapointment you are soon to suffer, but if you want to know what it is to ride a true dragon I'm sure Maelon wouldn't mind."

Jace banged his hand on the table as her stood up. Aemond and Aerion stood up ready to defend Aeron if Jace were to attack. Aeron smirked and walked back to his seat.