✦ New Faith ✦ Aegon Targaryen

○ fourty five ○

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As I sat in the hall with several noble ladies, we spoke in hushed, strained voices, hoping to distract ourselves from the tension that pressed on the city from outside. Topics shifted from idle gossip to embroidered patterns, yet I could hardly focus. My mind lingered on my family, on the thought of home, on the child growing within me.

Suddenly, I heard the familiar sound of clinking armor, and I looked up to see Ser Davian approaching with a sealed letter in his hand. He bowed slightly. "A letter has arrived for you, my queen," he announced, his tone formal yet touched with a softness he reserved for delicate news.

I felt a thrill of relief, a warmth flooding my chest. “From House Sunglass?” I asked, a smile breaking through my composed demeanor.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I stood, clasping my hands tightly around the letter as if it might disappear. Turning to the ladies at the table, I gave a polite nod. "Forgive me, ladies, but I must take my leave. We’ll catch up tomorrow, as promised.” They curtsied, each with expressions of understanding, and I made my way to my chambers.

In the quiet solitude of my room, I set the letter on my desk, pausing to take a steadying breath before breaking the seal with the golden star of my house. My hands trembled slightly as I unfolded the parchment and read.

Dearest Tanda,

Your letter filled us with such joy, and the news of your child warmed our hearts. Nothing would make us happier than to be by your side, to share in this blessed moment as your little one enters the world. Your father and I have prayed for you daily, knowing how much comfort family brings in times like these.

But we must tell you, with heavy hearts, that reaching King’s Landing has become impossible. Rhaenyra’s forces have imposed a blockade around the city, and no ships are permitted through. We’ve tried to make arrangements, but each attempt is thwarted. It grieves us to know we cannot be there with you as you welcome this new life.

Hold fast to the Seven, dear one, and know our love and prayers are with you always. When this turmoil finally lifts, we’ll come to you, and we hope to hold our grandchild in our arms. Until then, may the gods keep you safe, and may you find strength in your faith.

With all our love,
Mother and Father

The words blurred as tears rose, my heart twisting painfully. It felt like a blow to the chest, hollowing me out with an emptiness I hadn’t known I could feel. I set the letter down, clutching my hands tightly, repeating in my head like a chant: I need my family. I need them here.

My sorrow turned, gradually hardening into something sharper, a cold blade of anger. Rising abruptly, I grabbed the letter and made my way to the small council chamber, Ser Davian following close behind as I strode purposefully through the halls. I could feel my frustration simmering beneath my calm exterior, my grip on my emotions loosening as we approached the council room.

“Queen Tanda Targaryen,” Ser Davian announced, holding open the chamber doors. I stepped inside, ignoring the startled looks from the council members and the assessing gaze of Alicent. My eyes found Aegon, and I focused on him alone, standing before him with the letter clutched in my hand.

“Aegon, you must take me to Sweetport Sound on Sunfyre,” I said, my voice cold with determination.

Aegon blinked, looking at me in a fog of confusion. “Why… why now?” he mumbled, still half asleep, his eyes darting to Alicent and the others around the table.

I felt my frustration burst through, sharper now. “Now!” I repeated, my voice laced with anger I could barely restrain. “I sent for my family so they could be here for the birth of our child. But they cannot come because of the blockade. We must fetch them ourselves, on dragonback.”

A tense silence fell over the room, broken only by the sharp, disapproving voice of Alicent. “You’re being reckless, Tanda. It’s too dangerous for the king to leave the city, especially under such conditions. Suggesting such a thing shows a lack of caution.”

I turned to face her, my voice lowering but seething with barely controlled anger. “You will address me as your queen, Alicent. And you would do well to remember that Aegon is my husband, my king, not your pawn.”

Alicent’s face drained of color, her lips pressing into a thin line. Her gaze was hard, but I saw the flicker of shock beneath it. I glanced at Aegon, waiting for his support, the hope in my chest dimming as I watched him waver. After a long, tense pause, he looked away, swallowing hard.

“Go with… Aemond,” he muttered, the words tumbling out as if they physically pained him.

The suggestion sent a chill through me. I clenched my hands, struggling to hide the trembling that threatened to take over. Aemond… to ride with him, to put myself and my child in his hands? The thought of his cold, unyielding demeanor, his violent determination — and the reminder of what he had done to Rhaenys — filled me with an uneasy dread.

And yet, I could see in Aegon’s face that he thought this the only answer he could offer. I forced myself to breathe, to steady my emotions as I nodded, willing myself to accept his words even as they cut deep.

“Very well,” I murmured, casting a final glance at Aegon, hoping he might change his mind.

But he only looked away, leaving me standing alone amidst the council, feeling the full weight of my isolation in a court that, more often than not, seemed ready to swallow me whole.