Oneshots (Gwendoline & others)

Only You (Alicent Hightower, fluff/NSFW)

Trigger warnings: depression, loneliness, mental breakdown, crying, stress.

Alicent Hightower had grown wary. Despite being the Dowager Queen, the importance of her role at King's Landing was steadily diminishing. A terrible war was brewing yet nobody chose to listen to her, not even her children. One was a foolish King on the brink of death, another was lost in her own world mourning her murdered child, and the third was a ruthless Prince hellbent on power and revenge.

The Red Keep was in a state of filth and disrepair, allies were wavering, the people had started to revolt and turning against her family at a crucial time. But whenever she put her views forward or tried to assert her power she was overthrown and eventually ended up being thrown off the council, by her own son.

Her husband was dead, her children ignored her, her father had been banished, her brother and former lover were away in battle and the friend she once trusted most in the world was now the leader of the opposing side in the war. The loneliness weighed down on Alicent's shoulders heavily. But she wasn't entirely alone, there was still one person she could count on. Her personal guard, Lady Nadya Blacktyde.

Alicent and Nadya had become close friends once Nadya was assigned to the queen. Alicent felt somehow more at ease with a female guard protecting her and often confided in her about personal matters. Nadya was kind and patient and always made time for her, her loyalty was unwavering.

Alicent was also impressed by Nadya's combat skills and the other soldiers spoke highly of her prowess on the battlefield. She showed great strength along with surprising dexterity. Alicent would often visit the training yard to observe her from afar, silently cheering her on.

But Alicent wanted to leave, to run away, forget about her duties and escape life at King's Landing. Even if it was just for a single day. She knew exactly what she wanted to do and who she wanted with her.

One day Alicent called Nadya to her chambers.
"You wished to see me your grace?" she said as she entered, standing to attention in her immaculate armour.
"Yes, I wish to take a trip into the woods for a few days" Alicent replied firmly.
"Ok..." Nadya replied with a hint of confusion, "I'll arrange for a group of guards to escort-"
"No guards".
"Well...I can get some handmaidens-"
"No handmaidens. Just you".
"Me?"
"Yes. I'm sick of this place, sick of the people and the whispers. I need to leave. The sooner the better" she said solemnly.
"But you have duties to attend to and your children-"
"Let's face it Nadya, if I ran off today and never came back I wouldn't be missed".
A wave of sympathy washed over Nadya as Alicent spoke, she hated to admit that there was a sad truth behind her words.
"There would be some that would miss you your grace" Nadya said shyly.
Alicent knew exactly who she was referring to and it warmed her heart.
She stroked Nadya's cheek and spoke softly, "which is why I only want you to accompany me".
Nadya smiled, "then I would be happy to".

*

The next day Alicent and Nadya went off on their trip. While Nadya set up camp with tents and a small fire, Alicent took a stroll to a nearby lake. For a while she stood there watching the water flow. The only sounds to be heard were the rustle of trees, birds chirping and the gentle trickle of water. She basked in the tranquillity and for the first time in years her soul was at peace.

The lake looked so inviting, so Alicent stripped down to her smallclothes and walked into the water. She felt it rising up her body with every step, it was surprisingly cool despite the steam emanating from it. She laid on her back and drifted along the surface weightlessly, her auburn locks spreading out behind her. She looked up at the clouds and contemplated her existence.

Once Nadya had finished building the camp she went to find Alicent. She eventually found her in the lake and was entranced by what she saw, she looked...beautiful. She watched her elegantly sway her wrists to keep herself afloat, lost in her own thoughts. Nadya smiled to herself, the idea of this trip had been a little strange to her at first but now she realised it was just what Alicent needed.