OF BASTARDS & DRAGONS || Aenar Targaryen [1]

55 • END OF THE BEGINNING

Alicent's emerald green dress, raked the floors elegantly with venom, her head high, her heart strong as stone, each step she took tore the love she bared for Aenar and Rheanyra, all that was left was hatred

Head lowered in shame, Ser Criston follows the Queen until they reached her door.

"Come in Ser Criston.......Take a seat." Alicent opens it, and enters into the cellar. The knight sat at a corner as the Queen came back with a pitcher and towel to clean his wounds. Then gave him a fresh towels to clean his face, rang the bells for her handmaids to bring food and wine for him to break his fast.

"What you did with Rheanyra was.... unwise... what you did tonight..." Alicent hesitated as she took a step closer." Did the knight say something? Know something? Offend you perhaps?" She offered.

"He was Laenor's sworn sword...." Ser Criston held the Queen's gaze, gulps his wine.

Alicent nods in understanding. "Then why did you kill Ser Joffrey, if you knew he's sworn to Laenor Velaryon."

"He......I shouldn't have." Ser Criston acknowledged. "I was foolish. I acted brashly, I disgraced my house, stalled my oath....I...I can't live like this Your Grace."

Alicent sighs and goes to pour herself a cup of wine. "We all deserve a second chance Ser Criston." She drank and gulped. "Except the order of the Kingsguards is different. You will cuckold, gelded or beheaded, but as Queen I could grant you a petition."

Ser Criston shudders. "He spoke about knowing what happened between Princess Rheanyra and me. Then spewed lies that were treason." He admitted.

"What words could he have spoken that resulted in such brutality?"

"He spoke of the King's mistreatment towards you, Lady Francesa having an affair, me sleeping with you and Rheanyra....Your Grace I couldn't watch him dishonour me or you any further."

"Your moment with Princess Rheanyra was a lapse of judgement that you regret, but the words about Lady Francesca's infidelity are true." Alicent admits.

Ser Criston widens his eyes.

"Though, I do not excuse your actions, but you protected the crown's image and my honour. So you will not be sent to the Wall. I'll make sure of it"

"Your Grace...."

"You have two options Ser Criston, either I let the King take your titles and your head, which is a great shame, or you come into my service and become my Queen's guard, I'm need people I can trust, someone who'd protect me and my children. What say you?"

The Dornish knight was silent.

"I offer a fresh start. A clean slate under the eyes of the Seven Gods, into the light of the Faith. You will live a man reborn reborn again. A repentent man."

"Your Grace...."

"You have been very honest with me Ser Criston." Alicent remarks. "You could have easily lied to me today. But you respected me enough to tell me the truth, even though you knew it will mean your death. You are a brave man, a good soilder, and perhaps you'll be of service to me in the future."

Ser Criston held the Queen's gaze.

Tightening her grip on the goblet, she began. "I have no one Ser Criston, no one. My mother is dead, my father has been dismissed on the account of partiality, the doings of the sinner Francesa, gods rest her soul. Rheanyra and her Uncle....Aenar, both deceivers, I don't even know if I have allies at court. All wish for Aenar to be heir, but that doesn't make any sense, because Aegon is the rightful heir, Aegon is his so......I am alone Ser Criston. All by myself." Alicent pursed her lips.