OF BASTARDS & DRAGONS || Aenar Targaryen [1]

113 • HUSBAND AND WIFE

Midnight. Torches reflected at every corner of the walls, lights flickered into the large room, casting shadows on the mahogany table, illuminating the crystal balls in tbe dishes, while the small council conveyed, discussion political matters in the King's absence.

Aenar had left for DragonStone, for one week. Daemon and Criston were still on the hunt for Otto Hightower and his cohorts. Queen Berenice had began her manipulation into gaining supporters for her son, Queen Cersei still continuously beds her twin brother Jamie, in the absence of her lovers:Vaemond and Daemon, Lady Laena is in a state of confusion, whether or not to divorce Daemon and marry Lord Gwayne Hightower, due to her pregnancy, or better still confess the truth to the royal family, or flee to Pentos with Vhagar.

Howbeit, Queen Alicent held audience with her subjects to know the developments around the realm, giving that she is the Hand of the King, the second powerful figure in the Seven Kingdoms.

The walls were hung with tapestries from Norvos and Qohor and Lys, and a pair of Valyrian sphinxes and Targaryen tapestries flanked the door, eyes of polished garnet smoldering in black marble faces.

As the king's advisor, Alicent Hightower was dressed in her usual emerald green dress, sitting at the head of the table of the small council with her green ball in the dish, her badge gleamed gold, matching her dainty gold jewellery around her neck, wrist, and ears. She alluded the authority and power.

The chairs had sigils of the Targaryen embroidered in red, black with a little daint of gold thread on its pillows as well as the rest seats.

Haughty Queen Cersei, begrudgingly was seated, bitter with rage as Alicent sat at the head table, wearing the badge of the Hand of the King. That position of hers was meant for Daemon, yet her stupid husband made a snake his advisor.

"The Blackwoods and the Brackens are requesting assistance from the crown, they have been having fierce disagreements" Ser Tyland Lannister said.

"I believe it would be wise to heed their request." Lord Celtigar, the Master of Coin, chimes in.

Queen Alicent sighs, the damn Riverrun again. How she wishes Aenar were here. He's been absent from the Red Keep, since three days. Gods know where he had gone to.

"Can we afford it?" Alicent looks around the table.

"I believe so, Your Grace'." Lord Celtigar assures

"Very well, come to their aide."

The council discuss other things, then is silent for many moments and Alicent let's out a long awaited breath of relief. This meeting has gone on far later than intended.

Suddenly the doors are opened and in walked Ser Harrold, striding across the room to meet with Alicent. "The King has arrived from DragonStone. He demands an audience with the you." He says lowly.

Alicent smiles faintly. "If there is nothing else of importance then let us be finished." She announces. and stands, taking her leave.

The men bow before making their own way out. Except for Cersei who stood tall defiantly jealous with loathe.

Exiting the council chamber, Alicent is speed walking through Maegor's Holdfast, greeting anybody along the way with a gracious smile. From handmaidens to kitchen workers, to lords and ladies, they all stopped in their tracks to curtsey before their beloved Queen consort and Hand of the King.