The Gentle Queen: HOTD

Mend the Rift|5|

"It is stupid for you to do such things and say such things." Lilly snapped at Criston who sat watching her rant while she paced back and forth.

"I am aware of your grace," he replied.

"Then why say it? Your anger is towards Rhaenyra for whatever reason, not her sons, who are innocent and will not face the punishment for their bitch of a mother's sins. Those words you uttered were questioning their legitimacy, calling her sons the bastards everyone thinks they are." Lilly yelled. She was angry. His actions were careless and stupid. His words could have killed him.

"My anger towards the princess is for how she treats you and your children, whom I vowed to protect. I know I shouldn't have said what I said. I shouldn't have encouraged Aegon to continue. I will admit my mistake. I will apologize for it if that makes you happy."

"You not doing anything like that again would make me happy. You may have been to war with Criston, but Breakbone's is his nickname, which you should know as he broke your nose," she snapped again, making him wince at the mention of his broken nose and her tone, which he decided he didn't like when she was angry with him.

"If Rhaenyra wishes for you to be punished, she will go to Daddy, dearest, the fucking king, and what if he decides to punish you? Send you to the wall or hang you," she whispered, and he knew she was angry but more afraid.

"I know, but will you please stop pacing yourself out? It is not good for the baby, so sit," he pleaded, making her do as asked.

"I need you here. My children trust and look to you for support and protection. Helena does not trust any other guard except you and Ser Arryk. I do not trust any other guard except you and him. Please watch your words. I cannot lose you if you leave. I am alone." She cried softly, breaking his heart as he kneeled in front of her, grasping her hands gently.

"I promise I will not leave you nor the children; I will be here by your side until the gods decide differently, and hell, I will fight them if I need to," he promised, making her nod before he gently wiped her tears.

He was the only man besides Daemon to ever touch her so gingerly and softly without an ulterior motive; he was just simply wanting to comfort her and didn't expect anything back.

"Now, you have a council meeting to get to because, let's be honest, they would be lost without your guidance and help," he joked, successfully getting a giggle from her before helping her stand up.

"Thank you, she whispered before they left the room and went to the council room.

"Queen Lillian," the guard announced, and everyone but Viserys and Rhaenyra stood up in respect as she smiled at them all before taking her seat, which was to the left of her husband and king and across from Rhaenyra.

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"It is therefore Lord Blackwood's contention that Brackens moved the boundary stones in the dead of the night and put their horses to graze in his field." Lord Lyonel Strong declared

"Why was this issue not brought before Lord Grover? Has he grown so feeble he cannot settle a quarrel over rocks"? Viserys countered

"I've heard tales that Lord Grover's son now rules Riverrun in all but name." Jasper Wade remarked

"He is a Tully; this remains a Tully problem." Viserys spoke clearly, making many lords nod in agreement.

"And yet the Brackens and Blackwoods will use any excuse to spill each other's blood. So this dispute bears looking into the fact that there will be county folk who know where the lines have been drawn for generations." Rhaenyra disagreed, shaking her head as she played with the marble ball.