Heir of Shadows, Rhaenyra x Alicent

Chapter 10. Syrax

Alicent felt lonely on Dragonstone without Rhaenyra, she still had Edya which was nice, but she and the princess had just started exploring their relationship and now she was gone for a week. 

She occupied her spare time decorating different rooms and helping the servants unload all their belongings, they had moved to Dragonstone a month ago but it still felt like they had barely unpacked. It technically was the duty of staff to unpack but as she had little else to do she decided to help out sometimes. 

She was organising one of the bookshelves with Edya when there was a knock at the door. "Enter."

The door opened and Ser Harwin walked in. "Lady Alicent." he greeted 

Alicent looked over at him and smiled. "Ser, is something the matter?"

"A dragon has been spotted a few miles off, it is Prince Rhaegar."

"It cannot be.. are you sure?" Rhaenyra was not due back for at least another two days.

Harwin nodded. "Yes, he will be arriving soon."

She and Edya shared a look before they both got up and rushed out of the room. They went to the Dragonpit and made it just in time to see Syrax land.

Rhaenyra slipped off the beast's back and walked over to them. "Rhaegar? What are you doing here?" Edya asked.

Rhaenrya ignored her, which was unusual for him, and grabbed Alicent's hand. "Have you received a raven?"

Rhaenyra looked very distressed. "Um.. No? What is wrong?" she asked. 

"Thank the Gods.." Rhaenyra murmured, now seeming far more relaxed. She took a moment to catch her breath. "We should speak in private."

Aliccent felt her heart drop, she had never seen the girl look so serious. "You are scaring me, Nyra.. what happened?"

"Alicent.. I am so sorry.. I have news. But I cannot tell you in public, people might overhear and I do not want to spread gossip."

She nodded. "Fine, let us go to our chambers. We can speak there."

Edya offered to stay back but Alicent insisted she come as well, she thought that no matter what Rhaenyra said it would be better to deal with it together. The three of them had become a trio ever since Rhaenyra returned from the Stepstones, this was the first time Alicent had ever had a close group of friends. 

They went back into the castle and up to her and Rhaenyra's chambers. Rhaenyra had all the servants and guards leave the nearby area and sat them down on the bed.

Once they were all comfortable Rhaenyra began to explain. "Ali, it.. it is your father.. My Uncle has exposed one of his plots and he is now under suspicion of treason."

Alicent did not know what to think. She was not particularly shocked as she knew one day her father's ambitions would catch up to him but he was her father, the only parent she had left, so she still felt upset. "He has been plotting again? What was it this time?" She asked.

"He was planning to have me killed after we had heirs so you could rule as dowager and our son would rule when they came of age.. " Rhaenyra explained.

"Has.. has he been imprisoned?" Alicent could barely believe it, plotting to have her woo the king was one thing but plotting the murder of the crowned prince? He had gone too far this time.

"No, I managed to convince my father to allow him to return to Oldtown but it is not good.. he is under strict watch and if he makes one wrong move he risks execution.. Daemon has taken over as Hand."