A Beautiful Tragedy

Chapter Seventeen

Maester Orwyle pushes Aegon to walk by the orders of Larys. Aegon falls screaming out in pain. Aegon cried as Orwyle tries to get him to stand up again, Larys comes over and helps pick him up, leading him to his bed. Aegon whimpered in pain in his bed, Larys asks him to work harder. Before speaking to Orwyle on his own and telling him to continue despite Orwyle pleas that he was too weak and needed rest.

Alicent travels in the wilderness, frolicking in the water and riding her horse, before going back to the campsite, Ser Rickard questioning when they would be returning, Alicent wasn't sure she ever wanted too. Helaena the only reason she would go back.

Jace fights with Rhaenyra over her decision to call for lowborn bastards to claim dragons, Jace disagrees and believes this undermines the authority of House Targaryen. He worries that if they succeed they will want to have a claim to the iron throne too. Rhaenyra asks what else could she do? They need more firepower. To end a needless war. Jace asks,

"And when you die?"

Rhaenyra chuckles thinking it was obvious that he was her heir. Jace snapped angrily,

"Did you think I would have dark hair? When you took Harwin Strong into your bed, did you think I might favor him, or did it not cross your mind?"

Rhaenyra stood up, hurt filling her heart, as Jace ignored her and kept expressing his feelings,

"I'm no fool, Mother! The proof is here for all to see. You are married now but before makes my claim tested. Yet I may argue my legitimacy to succeed you because I have a dragon. And now you say you will strip that from me too."

Rhaenyra walked to her son and placed her hands on his cheeks, tears welling up in her eyes as she sniffled out,

"I mislike all of this."

Jace begs his mother to not pursue it, Rhaenyra tearfully declares that she cannot ignore what the gods had laid out before her. To make sure none of her family dies again.