Autumn Kiss 💋🍁 || Criston Cole

033 • AUTUMN KISS

Dowager Queen was noticed by a few as re-entered, dignified and quiet. She sat down in front of her children.

Aemond asked her seriously "Are you faring alright, mother? Is there anything I might do for you?"

Alicent turned to face him when she replied "Yes, Aemond. I'll be fine. I just…needed a moment in the Sept. Thank you for your concern." She gave a comforting smile and then turned around again. She was proud of herself for maintaining her composure again, hard-pressed though she was.

Daemon had been laughing and chatting away all this time. "My lords and ladies, forgive my animated nature, I happen to find myself in the most delightful mood as of right now."

Once he had subsided and came to stand back by the throne, Queen Rhaenyra spoke again "Onto the next matter, then. Bring before us Sansa Snow." In walked a girl barely out of childhood, twenty at the most, along with a small band of other lords and attendants.

Clearly quite nervous, she kept her head bowed when she stood in front of the throne. The Queen addressed her "Sansa Snow, you are Cregan Stark's half-sister, are you not?"

"Y-y-yes, Your Grace."

"And since his death, who is it that rules in Winterfell?"

"W-well…I am lady of the castle until…one of my cousins' claims is selected over the rest. Then t-they will be regent until my nephew comes of age."

Rhaenyra looked at her sympathetically and spoke a bit more softly "Have no fear, lady snow, you are in no danger." Sansa nodded

"Yes, Your Grace. Thank you."

"Now…all the Northern houses are aware your brother faced my brother in single combat over claims to wardenship of the North."

"Yes, my queen, many were there for the combat."

"And they are aware that Aemond was the victor, yes?"

"Yes, my queen."

"So… the crown wishes to know whether they will honor the terms their lord agreed to before his death?"

Sansa hesitated "Well, my Queen…to tell truth, the Northern Lords are much enraged. They are first outraged at how my brother offered up lordship over them all and their lands based on a single fight. My brother's memory…has also been besmirched by his dishonorable behavior towards the Prince. They are not at all happy about this situation…but reckon they are honor-bound to concede, lest they all be oath-breakers. Cregan may have done wrong and stained his honor…but he was still a Stark and no lord in the North would contradict a Stark."

Rhaenyra replied "I am glad to hear this, but I would have them say it themselves. Aemond Targaryen, step forward and kneel."

Aemond was not a man of emotion, but everyone could see he was feeling it as much as he ever had.

As he knelt to the ground, Rhaenyra stood "Aemond of the House Targaryen, I, Queen Rhaenyra of the House Targaryen, name you Warden of the North."

The two had never been close, but Aemond did speak truthfully when he said "Thank you, sister." with an undeniable air of gratitude.

Rhaenyra was frozen a moment to take in that moment, then nodded in acknowledgement. Aemond, hard-hearted as he was, now had some spark of positivity for his sister within him.

"Now then, send ravens to all the Northern lords. Let them assemble at Winterfell to swear allegiance to their new overlord as soon as time permits. Brother, do you intend to take up residence in the North?"

Aemond thought on it and replied "Perhaps…I will arrange for a keep to be put up on some lands. For now, I will be here and will announce before court if I intend to take my leave."