Two Burning Flames

Part 3

"Your father and I have spoken," Alicent began, her voice measured but firm. "Ever since the events at Driftmark, there has been a rift between our families. We both believe it is best for you to marry Jacaerys when he comes of age."

Aellys's eyes widened in disbelief. "You want me to what?" she hissed, struggling to comprehend. "You want me to marry that bastard? He's partly to blame for Aemond losing an eye, yet you expect me to leave my family and live with them?"

"Aellys, watch your tongue. If your father heard you, I don't even want to imagine what he'd do," her mother replied, striving to maintain composure. "Your brother is already betrothed to Helena, and their wedding is in just a few weeks. It is time for you to make a match as well. It is either Jacaerys—or, if I thought you would prefer it, your younger brother, Aemond."

"Oh gods, what fantastic options I have, Mother!" Aellys said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. Her gaze flicked toward Criston, who stood silently nearby, but she quickly returned her focus to her mother. "You're giving me no choice in this matter, are you?"

"Think of it as a blessing," Alicent insisted. "You wouldn't even have to marry for a few more years since he is younger than you. Your father believes this will help prevent further turmoil and mend the rift between our houses from that dreadful night."

Aellys clenched her fists, trying to steady her racing heart. "But at what cost, Mother? My happiness? My freedom?" She stepped back, the weight of her mother's words crashing down like a wave.

"Aellys," her mother said, urgency creeping into her voice, "you must understand the situation. Alliances matter more than feelings in our world. Marrying Jacaerys could unite our houses and bring stability. We cannot allow personal grievances to dictate our futures."

A surge of anger welled within her. "Stability? Is that what you call this? Sacrificing my choices for an alliance? Nothing we do will fix what happened that night!" She glanced at Criston, silently seeking support, but he remained poised, expression unreadable, watching her with quiet understanding.

"My child," her mother said softly, stepping closer, "I know this is difficult. But you have power, even here. If you marry Jacaerys, you could influence him, shape the future. Don't you see?"

Aellys shook her head, fighting back tears. "You're asking me to be a pawn. I refuse to be used like that." She drew a deep breath, attempting to regain composure. "What if I don't want to marry anyone? What if I want to choose my own path?"

Her mother's expression hardened. "That is not how our world works, Aellys. You are not alone in this. Duty—family—"

"Duty?" Aellys interrupted, voice rising. "And what of my happiness? Why doesn't your children's happiness come first?"

"I am doing what I believe is right for you," Alicent said, frustration creeping into her tone. "You will see one day that this decision is for the greater good. Jacaerys may be young, but that is precisely why you can shape him into the man you wish him to be. He will one day sit the throne after Rhaenyra, and as his wife, you will be queen with influence and power."

Aellys exhaled slowly, bitterness lacing her words. "Power?" she echoed. "I never asked for that."

"You are being naive," her mother snapped, voice sharp. "You will listen to me. You leave for Dragonstone the day after your brother's wedding."

Aellys's eyes flicked to Criston. "At least I can bring Ser Cole with me as my sworn shield, right?" she asked, the hint of desperation barely concealed.

Alicent's sympathetic look did little to ease her. "I'm sorry, Aellys. Your father has decreed that Ser Cole remains here. All he said was that Rhaenyra will allow you to choose a guard if you wish, but it will not be Criston."

As if her fate couldn't get any worse, the one person she trusted most on Dragonstone—her closest friend, her confidant—would be forced to stay behind. He had been her shadow for five years, always near, always steady. Now he would be absent when she needed him most. The thought struck her like a final blow, and Aellys felt her strength falter.

She bowed her head, too exhausted, too overwhelmed to argue further. The weight of her future pressed down on her like iron chains, and for the first time, the world felt unbearably heavy.
With a heavy sigh, Aellys turned and began walking down the cold corridors of the castle, Cole's measured footsteps following some distance behind. Slowly, she made her way back to the garden she had retreated to earlier. She sat on the familiar stone bench, opening her book, yet the words blurred on the page, and frustration soon forced her to slam it shut.

Cole remained a few feet away, giving her space, yet saying nothing.

"I hate this!" she exclaimed, tears slipping down her cheeks and landing softly on the back of her hand.

Cole's expression, usually calm and unreadable, shifted to one of sorrow. He longed to comfort her. Spotting a red tulip nearby, he plucked it carefully and approached, standing directly in her line of sight. When Aellys opened her eyes and saw the bright bloom, she lifted it in her hand, managing a faint smile as she looked up into his warm gaze.

"Don't cry, Princess," he said gently.

"Why not? I'm leaving, Cole! Didn't you hear? I'm being sent away from my family, from my home," she replied, voice breaking as silent tears continued to fall.

"It won't be for long," he assured her, his voice steady and reassuring. "When you return, everything will be as it was. Whether you believe your mother or not, if you become queen one day, you will hold more power than you can imagine. I promise to always be by your side, to help and protect you however I can."

Aellys inhaled the tulip's fragrance, her smile widening with a genuine warmth. "Thank you, Cole. But even you can't protect me from this fate," she admitted, though the comfort of his presence made the moment slightly more bearable.

⸻

The day of Aegon and Helena's wedding arrived far too quickly. A pang of sympathy struck Aellys as she considered her twin brother and little sister, forced into a marriage just as she was being compelled to wed one of Rhaenyra's bastards. Her resentment for Rhaenyra still burned fiercely; that woman had avoided the consequences of bearing illegitimate children while Aemond had lost an eye simply for speaking the truth. Even their father's inaction had left a bitter mark.

"Aemond, go check on Helena. I'll see how Aegon is doing," she instructed.

"Of course, sister," Aemond replied, leaving promptly.

As she made her way through Maegor's Holdfast, she spotted Ser Erryk and Cole stationed outside Aegon's chamber. "Cole, what's going on here?" she asked, approaching cautiously.

Both men straightened immediately. "We were ordered to ensure the prince does not leave his chambers until instructed otherwise by the Queen or King," Cole explained.

"Very well," Aellys said, stepping past them and closing the door behind her. She surveyed the room; it was dimly lit, cluttered, and in disarray. "Aegon, the ceremony is about to start. Why aren't you dressed?" she demanded, beginning to tidy up after him.

Aegon groaned and propped himself up on the bed. He grabbed a half-full bottle of wine and took a swig just as Aellys dashed around to snatch it from his hand, spilling some onto her neck and chest in the process.

"Gahh, Aegon! Let go! You've already made a mess—I'll have to change now!" she exclaimed, frustration lacing her voice.

"I'm just getting the celebration started early. Why don't you join me?" he replied, looping an arm around her waist and attempting to tilt the cup to her lips. More wine spilled in the effort.

"Aegon, enough! Let go," she insisted, pushing against him. She understood his fondness for wine, but ever since the announcement of his betrothal to Helena, his drinking had spiraled. More than once, she had helped him into bed and cleaned up after his drunken escapades.

His playful demeanor shifted suddenly to one of hurt and anger. "They should've married us instead," he said, the words hanging in the air. Aellys froze, stunned by the raw honesty of her twin's confession.