"They have killed him!" cries the Queen.

"Nonsense," says Viserys.

"How can you be so blind!" screams Alicent.

"There were witnesses," says the King, "the servants saw him quarreling with his knight."

"They have arranged it!"

"Alicent," insists Viserys, "they have not."

"Find you not it suspicious," demands the Queen, "that they left without him to Dragonstone, grabbed their children and fled."

"You demanded her son's eye," replies the King.

"And the next morning. The next we find Laenor's body in the fire."

"Alicent"

"Why leave without Laenor?"

"You yourself pointed out that he was nowhere to be found. They left word for him on their way out the castle."

"It was their plan!" insists the Queen, "How can you not see it?"

"Rhaenyra took her children back to Dragonstone as a result of your –" Viserys closes his mouth before trying again, "You threatened violence to her children."

"Hers had MAIMED poor Aemond."

"Who stole Laena's dragon out from under two grieving daughters," sighs the King. "And unless you are suggesting that, too, was my daughter's intent, I command that you cease this nonsense!"

"And what now?" demands Alicent. "What shall you do? She and Daemon are in Dragonstone alone with their children. Alone. And unmarried."

"They are grieving," says the King. "And I suggest you do the same. Lord Corlys and Lady Rhaenys have lost their only remaining child. It is a dark day indeed."

Rhaenyra stands on the bridge, watching the waves. She has scarcely eaten since they left Driftmark. Should Laenor fail… she shall not go there. They had plotted it out thoroughly, even with her hasty departure.

Daemon approaches. She sees a letter in his hand, and her mouth goes dry.

"I have received word," he says as he reaches her, "that Ser Laenor has been killed."

Rhaenyra draws a shaky breath.

"He was spotted by a servant quarreling with one of his knights. The servant fled for help, and when he returned with Lord Corlys, the lord had been slain," continues Daemon. "They found his charred body in the fire."

"And they are sure that it is him?" asks Rhaenyra.

"Yes," replies Daemon, "for though the face was marred, the body was dressed in Laenor's clothes."

"I see," she says, "what of the knight?"

"Also missing," says Daemon with a smirk. "I am dreadfully sorry, Rhaenyra, for your loss."

Rhaenyra shudders with relief and tears fall from her eyes. She has not cried so much since the passing of her mother, yet it is good, she thinks, to let out what is stored within her. "Thank you," she says.

Daemon's eyes twinkle in the sunlight.

"We must send for the priest," Rhaenyra begins, "and settle this matter. We must do it now before they have a chance to pull us apart."

"Indeed," replies Daemon. "We shall be wed at once."

"Yet let us tell no one," continues the princess, "until after we have lain the body to rest. For we must maintain the appearance of grief. At least in the immediate aftermath."

"They will still question us," says her uncle, "when it does come out."

"Let them," replies Rhaenyra, "and let them fear us. For once we have united our dragons, we shall be formidable against the greens."

"War is coming," murmurs Daemon, "I saw it in her eye even before she attacked you."

"I know," says the princess.

"And the loss of Vhagar has upset the scales," he continues, before switching to High Valyrian, "but I shall fight by your side until the end."

"Then let us begin," replies his niece, placing his hand on her growing belly. "We have a wedding to arrange."