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AELORA RETURNED TO the castle and has been greeted by her mother's call to the table map. "You called me, mother?" She steps forward into the room and Rhaenyra turned from the fire-pit to her. Aelora glanced to the side and notices Mysaria, standing on the side of the table. She slightly bowed her head to the heir out of respect as Aelora stood on the end of the table.
"Come, my sweet dragon." Rhaenyra tilted her head, motioning to the fire-pit. Aelora made her way to her with suspicions going through her mind. The mother placed her hand into her daughter's and they both turned to the fire as Rhaenyra crossed Aelora's arm under hers.
Rhaenyra took a deep breath and could feel the slight worried feeling from her daughter as she got straight to the point of the reason why she was called. "In the morrow, I...will be going to King's Landing by sea." She started calmly. Aelora turned her head to her with shocking expression—yes, she is a skilled fighter and has a dragon with her, if she was found the only thing the Blacks would lose is an heir and the biggest dragon they have. If Rhaenyra goes it's a different story, however.
"To meet Queen Alicent and sue for peace."
Aelora understood her mother, she is her first child whatsoever. Rhaenyra never wished for the conflicts, murder of her son or even war to come. The princess bit the inside of her underlips and nodded, "I understand."
Rhaenyra lips parted and she turned to Aelora with the same expression she had—shock. She thought of the worst scenarios; Aelora would scream and shout at her out of fury and worry, or she would leave the room without a word. The princess took the Queen's hands in hers and squeezed them softly out of comfort,
"But please, be safe. If you would be found...." Aelora didn't want to say the next if she is discovered. She couldn't even imagine it. ", I will never forgive myself for letting you go."
Rhaenyra smiled softly and placed her palm on Aelora's cheek, "The Council will not react as you, however. You must tell no soul of my whereabouts, especially Jace. It pains me to do so, but It's for the best. Until my return, it is on you to calm them—not send them off to battles." Aelora nodded firmly. Rhaenyra pulled her daughter in an embrace before sending her back to her chambers to rest.
________
"Ser Criston Cole's host has taken to exploiting the tree cover, to conceal its movements. He now only travels by night to confound our dragons." Baela explained in the meeting.
"And what is Cole's headings?"
"It was difficult to say, but there were signs of an army moving northwest, I believe." Baela answers. "She believes." One of the men mocked and she made her way to her betrothed. "Both of you should've burned them when you had the chance." Ser Alfred spat, and before Aelora could speak, Baela did. "Perhaps you can, Ser Alfred, when you next sight them on your dragon."
