The Bronze Dragon-A House of the Dragon fanfic

Chapter 41

What I am about to describe to you was the most horrific incident of the war, and one of the worst crimes committed during it. It is certainly not the only crime committed during the war, but is almost unique in how horrific it is. There was no reason for it. There was no purpose to it. It was simple cruelty, and I would strongly suggest that anyone rationalising it is not entirely sane.

There is never any reason to murder a child.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

King's Landing

Nesaena smiled as she handed out bread to the people reaching for it. She had come down into the city with a small escort to distribute food to the people of King's Landing, and it seemed to be having the desired effect, particularly as she'd brought Jaehaerys and Jaehaera with her. No one could be angry at a pair of six year olds. She saw her son pass a chunk of bread to another boy; his tattered clothes contrasted with the fine doublet that Jaehaerys was wearing.

"Mama, why are we doing this?" He asked for what must have been the hundredth time today. Nesaena smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Not everyone is fortunate enough to be born a Prince or Princess, Jaehaerys. We must look after our subjects." She said. And ensure that we are seen in a positive light as well . Her grandfather had stressed on her the importance of winning the people over to their side, and Nesaena had never done anything to antagonise anyone, unlike Aegon or Aemond. As it was, her brother-husband had held a feast the night before to celebrate Aemond's killing of Luke. It would be neccessary to lessen people's anger over it.

"Alright, mama." Jaehaerys smiled. Jaehaera meanwhile remained impassive as she handed some bread to Nesaena, who handed it to a woman with a babe at her breast. Jaehaera had never displayed many emotions since she was born, and that had been something that Nesaena initially despaired at.

"Will we see Maelor soon?" She asked out of nowhere. Nesaena smiled at her daughter.

"Yes, Jaehaera, we will see Maelor soon. He's sleeping right now." She smiled and turned to the crowd. "This bread is given to you by my husband, King Aegon. We will not allow the people of this city to starve despite the threats of the Black Queen!" She proclaimed. "Your King and Queen will never see the people of this city suffer under the misrule of her and her mad husband!"

"Aegon! Long live King Aegon!" Shouted some of the crowd. Others shouted her name. Good; the people of the city would soon be on their side permanently.

"We have not flown to confront our enemies on dragonback because the safety of our people will always be paramount." She continued as the last of the food was passed out. "You may be assured, you will always be safe and happy under the watchful eye of your King and Queen."

"Whore!" A shout came from the crowd. It was only one voice, and Nesaena was able to pick out who it had come from almost immediately. He was an older man, with greying, unkempt hair and roughspun clothes, and frightfully thin, but he spat defiance. "Your brother's a kinslayer! Your king is false!"

"You challenge the succession, ser?" Nesaena asked, her eyes narrowing at the man.

"Rhaenyra is Queen!"

We shall see about that. "Ser Rickard, seize this man."

Ser Rickard Thorne nodded his head and waded through the crowd with two men of the City Watch, seizing the man by his shoulders and dragging him before Nesaena. Jaehaerys' eyes widened at the display; Mama had said that this was going to be fun, but this man was shouting bad things at them.