The King's Feast 32: Alicent V
Alicent sat in her cabin in the bottom deck of Vigilance, an enormous carrack that was the new flagship of House Hightower, leading their newest fleet to the Stepstones.
Her cheeks were dry and salty, and her green and black dress was soaking wet, because she had just finished crying her eyes out for the second time that day. However many times she had cried on the voyage, she did not know.
Now, compose yourself... you are a woman grown, set to marry... you cannot let people see you like this.
She knew that Gwayne was in the heavens now, reunited with their mother, but the fact that he was gone still hurt. Her brother may have been miserable in his last few years, and in truth, Alicent had become tired of his antics years ago, but she would have wished for him back more than anything, except her mother.
He is in a better place, that is what matters most.
Alicent took a deep breath and stood up. She wore a thick, black, lambswool cloak over her dress to cover the wet tears, but also because it would be cold above decks. The cloak was warm on her shoulders and felt like someone was hugging her.
I wish I could hug Gwayne again... I didn't even hug him the day he left.
After she wiped some more tears away from her eyes with a black cloth, she exited her cabin and made her way to the top of the deck. The deck of Vigilance was huge, the ship over a hundred feet from the prow to the stern. The wooden monstrosity did not need any oarsmen, instead it relied on three massive masts that jutted out of the deck of the ship, held by long ropes connecting all across the boat. On the masts were massive grey cloth sails, that flapped in the wind, and atop the ship flew the banner of House Hightower, the white high tower on a field of grey, with its small green flame burning at its top. On their voyage, the winds were good, so their journey from Oldtown to Bloodstone was quicker than expected.
Standing at the prow, looking out at the grey island of Bloodstone in the distance slowly getting closer in the vast blue sea was Alicent's father. His grey and brown hair flapped in the wind, along with his large black wool cloak, but he stood completely still, watching the dark waves crash against each other. He turned when Alicent approached him, and he gave took her in a small embrace, before letting go to look at his daughter. His eyes were red from crying too, and he had a small frown on his face.
Alicent almost said to her father that Gwayne's death was partly his doing, since it was clear that he was in no position to go off and fight in the Stepstones, but she held her tongue. A day before they heard the news of Gwayne's passing was the Archmaester Vaegon's funeral, where her father cried like a young child, but only when they arrived in their private quarters. Alicent had never seen him cry like that, not even when her mother passed.
I do blame him somewhat, but Gwayne was still father's son too... and I know that he is still hurting inside, just like I am.
"We are to arrive tonight, father, are we not?" Alicent instead asked, looking out to Bloodstone, where the grey island still had plumes of smoke and small fires popping out from the sea surrounding it, as two dragons, one larger than the other, but still so tiny from so far away, circled the island.
"An hour, mayhaps." He replied, sadly, turning to face Alicent, his red eyes looking at her. "Since the day is still long, we shall hold a funeral for Gwayne, as well as all the others who perished, and then the morrow shall be reserved for your wedding."
In the night we shall all mourn, and in the morn we shall all celebrate. How quaint.
"At Gwayne's wedding to Lady Mullendore, he said that he would be at my side whenever I would marry." Alicent sighed. "I guess he was not wrong, for his resting body shall be with us too on the island."
"In spirit, he shall be watching you wed from above. I am sure of it." He simply said, before turning to face the sea.
"F-Father..." Alicent said.
He turned again, to look at her. "Yes?"
"I-I'm sorry... about Vaegon Targaryen too... I know his passing has affected you too."
His small frown turned to a small smile, and tears welled in his eyes, before he quickly wiped them away, so nobody would notice. He cleared his throat put his hand on her shoulder.
"T-Thank you, Alicent." He gruffly said, before quickly letting go and looking out to Bloodstone again.
She turned and walked away from her father, down the creaky wooden steps and the deck of Vigilance. Crew members of the ship nodded to her silently as she passed, as if she was a queen, but they were paying their respects to her fallen brother.
I could have been the Queen if things had gone differently so many years ago.
By the centre of the ship, her uncle Hobert, and her cousin Ormund were stood discussing something, and when they saw Alicent, they both smiled and made space for her to join their conservation.
"Lady Alicent." Uncle Hobert said gently.
"Cousin." Ormund said, smiling and putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Uncle. Ormund." Alicent nodded in return.
"How fares Jocelyn? Did she take the news well?" Ormund asked.
"She refuses to speak to me." Alicent laughed bitterly. She told her niece that she would be moving to Driftmark along with Alicent following her marriage to Ser Laenor. The five year old started quietly sobbing at that, for she had grown fond of life in Oldtown along with her cousins.
I had to move away from Oldtown at such a young age too.
"Bless the girl." Ormund replied. "Lyonel and Martyn also shall certainly miss her. And she did love playing with little Garmund. It is also such a shame she did not get to meet mine and Ceryse's next child."
"Oldtown shall always stand with Jocelyn, in spirit. She is to be our future Queen Consort in time, and has done House Hightower a great honour." Uncle Hobert replied.
Yes, Uncle, it is always your political ambitions that are more important than a five year old. And it was you who forced father to send Gwayne off. Mayhaps my anger should be directed towards you.
Alicent's face turned to a small scowl, and she clasped her hands together. Before she could say anything she would regret, she quickly smiled to her uncle.
"Oh, absolutely, Uncle." Alicent replied.
"At least there is respite in that she no longer needs to suffer from seasickness now that we arrive later today." Ormund said, offering comfort.
"That is, until we depart again for Driftmark, for how short our stay on Bloodstone shall be." Alicent responded.
"Yes, that is true." Ormund replied, dejectedly. "Mayhaps you can show her the dress she shall wear for the wedding; it could improve her mood somewhat."
"I shall do that then." Alicent said, before quickly nodding to her uncle and cousin before going back below decks to see Jocelyn.
Jocelyn's cabin was next to Lyonel's, and opposite Alicent's. Inside was a small straw bed, and a wooden table by the bed. A small, dim lantern was hanging from the wall, and there were no windows in the room, which only made the smell of sick even worse. Jocelyn's previous cabin had a little window that overlooked the sloshing waves, but that only made her sickness worse, so she swapped with Martyn, but the swap barely had any effect, in truth.
The young girl sat there, quietly, whilst Betha, the handmaiden, read her a small story. Jocelyn wore a grey dress decorated with white and blue flowers that was stained by puke, and bloodshot eyes similar to her grandfather's. The handmaiden closed the book and gave Jocelyn a small embrace before leaving the room, nodding to Alicent as she left. Alicent went and sat next to Jocelyn, and put her left arm around her.
"What was Betha reading to you?" Alicent kindly asked, as Jocelyn's head rested on Alicent's chest.
"Florian the Fool and Jonquil." Jocelyn sighed, before looking down at the wooden floor.
"We are to land on the island today, Jocelyn. Mayhaps that shall liven your spirits." Alicent replied.
She just continued to stare at the floor, so Alicent stood up and unravelled the dress that Jocelyn would wear for the wedding.
"Look, the cloth-makers from Oldtown made this, especially for you." Alicent said, laying it down neatly on the straw bed. It was a grey dress, stitched with green and blue flowers. It also had blue and green gemstones embedded in the bodice, as well as a ruffled collar made of Qartheen Silk. "It's a beautiful dress, for such a beautiful girl like you, isn't it?"
"It is pretty..."
"Someday you shall get married too, to a handsome young Prince, and your dress shall be even more beautiful than this one."
"I don't want to get married." She said, staring at the ground again. "I want to stay in Oldtown with Lyonel and Martyn and Garmund and Uncle Ormund. And we will go on a boat again after to our new home, won't we?"
"Yes... but it won't be all bad, dear." Alicent pleaded, putting her arms around Jocelyn again, clutching the child. "I will be with you as well."
"But we will not be at home. I want to stay at home."
She reminds me so much of me when I was younger.
"I know, Jocelyn. So do I." Alicent replied to her, stroking her short chestnut hair.
After a while, Jocelyn pulled away from the embrace, and looked at Alicent. Her sad, brown eyes were filled with dried tears, and her mouth was shaped into a frown.
"I wish I got to see my mummy. She could have come with us to the new home. Was she a nice woman, Aunt Alicent?" she asked, innocently.
I wish my mother was here with us too.
"Yes, your mother was nice. Very nice. She would have loved you a lot, Jocelyn."
"What about father? Did he love me? Even when he was here, I never saw him..."
"Your father..." Alicent began, tears bubbling in her eyes. "Yes... he loved you very much... even if he didn't... he loved you more than anything."
"Don't cry, Aunt." Jocelyn quietly said, gently stroking her aunt's shoulders with her small hands, which only helped make Alicent cry even more.
"Gods... you're a stronger girl than I am, dear." Alicent spluttered, wiping away her tears with her sleeves before they were interrupted by a loud horn coming from the deck of the ship.
DOOOOOOOOOOOOT!
"Have we arrived?" Jocelyn asked.
"It seems we have, Jocelyn. Come now." Alicent said through heavy breaths, standing up and wiping her eyes once again.
Compose yourself, Alicent, even a five year old can hold back her tears better than you.
They made their way back up to the deck, where the harsh winds hacked at their hair and skin. Jocelyn wore a thick black cloak that covered her head, and luckily, she did not throw up this time. Lyonel and Martyn ran up to her when they saw her, similarly dressed in heavy wool cloaks twice their size, whilst Jocelyn gave a small smile to her cousins in return. Alicent went to stand by her father, who were with her uncle; his wife, Lady Lynesse; Ormund; and his wife, Lady Ceryse; by the prow of the ship.
The mountain that was on Bloodstone towered over them, but half of it seemed to be knocked off. On the island, there were green and grey and blue tents erected, some flying the banner of House Hightower, and others of Velaryon, and some flying the banners of smaller houses. The ground was a muddy grey, but green was starting to appear in patches on the island. There was wooden posts sticking out of the sand, and mangled ships littered the beach.
Standing on the coast were a host of people waiting to greet them. Alicent recognised the Sea Snake, with his long silver hair, as well as the Queen, who wore silver and red armour, and also Princess Rhaenys and her jet black hair. Next to her were two small children wearing long black cloaks, the younger one around the size of Jocelyn. Flying around the island was a large bright red dragon with bright copper and scarlet horns all around its body, along with a slender pale grey dragon the colour of smoke. On the ground, however, sitting just behind the host was a dragon even larger than the other two, who had massive bronze wings and blueish green highlights on its body. It's wing, however, was punctured by holes, and on its stomach was a large open gash so big a small dragon could fit inside it.
That must be Vhagar! Gods, I never thought dragons could ever grow that large!
At first, Alicent did not realise Thoren was there with the group, but he stood in between Corlys Velaryon and Ser Qarl Correy. He had grown taller, and his face was covered by a large, bushy beard, and had long, chestnut hair, tumbling down his shoulders. He had a solemn look on his face, not at all like the cheery younger lad Alicent remembered.
"Gods... is that my little cousin?" Ormund exclaimed.
"He has grown so much..." Alicent said in bewilderment.
The island and the people edged closer and closer until the crew of the ship threw down an anchor in which a Velaryon knight in the water took and hung to a wooden post. Ormund was the first to disembark, stepping onto the wooden pier, before helping Lady Ceryse off too. Next was Uncle Hobert, and then Alicent. The wooden pier creaked under them as she stood on it, and waves splashed onto her dress, soaking the bottom of it.
Once all of the children had exited Vigilance, the crew began to unload all the cargo, and Velaryon men prepared for the entire Hightower fleet to disembark too. Slowly, they all walked to the group standing by the beach, and Corlys Velaryon stepped forwards to greet them.
The Sea Snake was in a black leather doublet that had the Velaryon seahorse embroidered in black on it, with a large sable cloak on his back, and chains made of black metal hanging from his neck. He shook Uncle Hobert's hand and exchanged pleasantries, before doing the same with Alicent's father and Ormund. When he reached Alicent, he took her hands and kissed them, before smiling slightly.
"Lady Alicent." He said, bowing his head. "I am sorry for your loss. Your brother was a brave man, and I would not be alive if not for him. May the Seven grant him rest."
"Thank you, Lord Corlys." Alicent responded, with a small smile.
After he had met all of Alicent's kin, they went forwards onto the beach, where the others greeted them, Ser Vaemond; his son Daeron; Rogar Velaryon; Ser Lyonel Massey; Ser Joffrey Lonmouth; and others. When she reached Princess Rhaenys, the woman gave her a small embrace.
"I am terribly sorry for your loss, Lady Alicent. Though in time, wounds shall heal, as it always does." Princess Rhaenys mused sadly.
Does it?
"Thank you, Princess." Alicent replied.
Prince Daeron and Princess Baela stood patiently there, both of them shaking Alicent and everyone else's hands, and Prince Daeron was made to give little Jocelyn a hug, much to the little Prince's embarrassment. Next, Alicent came face to face with the Queen.
"Your Grace." Alicent said, getting to her knee. "The whole realm cannot be more thankful for your bravery, to come and provide aid to everyone here when they needed it most."
"It is nothing, Lady Alicent. Vhagar was injured slightly in the fighting, but I had to fight for my family. And as you may have heard, my Lord Husband is keen to say that this was his suggestion too." Queen Laena scoffed, looking at the old she-dragon, who sat on a hill, staring and grumbling at everyone on the beach. The wound going down her side was even larger in person, and smoke seemed to be coming out of it.
Alicent stood up and then went to greet her brother and when they finally came face to face, he wrapped her in his large arms for an embrace.
"You've grown, brother." Alicent said to him, letting go from the long embrace.
"As have you, Alicent. It has been too long. You are to already marry tomorrow." Thoren replied, calmly.
"I just do wish Gwayne could be here." Alicent said, frowning.
"Me too, sister." He responded, his face as still as a statue.
Next, Thoren shook hands with their father, then their uncle and Ormund and everyone else. He made sure to give Jocelyn a large hug, but the girl shied away when he embraced her, likely due not recognising him with his large beard. After everyone had greeted each other, Corlys Velaryon invited everyone to make themselves comfortable, to be ready for the mass funeral that would take place.
Alicent walked with her father and Thoren back to his tent, followed by a flock of servants carrying a change of clothing for the funeral.
"It must not have been easy, living out here for so long." Alicent said.
"No... but after a relief fleet arrived from Driftmark some weeks ago, and Queen Laena burned the Myrish fleet heading here after we took the island, it hasn't been too bad, in truth." He replied.
He is nor sad about Gwayne, nor happy about the victory or the wedding. This isn't the brother I remember back from Oldtown.
They marched back to his tent in silence, through mud and rock and sand, and past camps where men sat around, passing skins of wine around the campfire and sang songs. Thoren's large grey tent was just beneath the rise, in between smaller tents reserved for lower ranking men.
When they entered, he finally took a deep breath, and sank on his chair, before tears flooded down his cheeks. Alicent quickly went and embraced her brother, which just made him cry even harder. Snot dribbled down his nose like a baby, and he sobbed into her black cloak.
It was a front. Thoren is still the same, a young man in truth.
"H-He's g-gone, Alicent... gone!" he sobbed, through a flurry of tears.
"It's... it's... he is with mother now, and his wife, in the heavens..." Alicent replied, but she could not stop herself from crying too.
"He wanted to lead the vanguard... I should've stopped-"
"No, no... Thoren... the Seven wished to take him then... so they did then, he died a warrior's death..."
He eventually calmed and pulled away from the embrace and turned to their father.
"It... he should never have come... you sent him, father!" he shouted now, his sadness turned to fury.
"I..." their father replied, lost for words.
"What are you going to say, father? It was his duty, even though he was in no shape?! Or will you say that Uncle Hobert forced you?! What was it?!" he demanded. his tears and spit and snot spraying everywhere.
"No... Thoren... son..." their father replied, sighing. "I… I'm... sorry... I should not have... it's on my hands..."
I did not expect father to say that.
Thoren just started sobbing again before being taken into an embrace by their father, as if he was a seven year old lad again. Alicent joined the embrace too, and all three of them, clad in black, stood sobbing into each other's shoulders in a cold tent in a cold camp in the middle of an island in the Stepstones.
Later, they all stood by the beach on Bloodstone for the mass funeral. Alicent wore a new dress, which she would have anyways, even if the previous one hadn't been soaked in tears. She wore a long black funeral dress, decorated with Myrish lace on the sleeves, and a black hat with a sheer black veil covering her face. On her neck was a necklace made of black steel that had a single black gemstone embedded in it, and small black gemstones hung from her ears.
Most of the bodies of the common soldiers had either been buried, burned, lost, or out at sea, but those who were significant enough and their body was also recoverable were laid out on small tables in front of seven rocks that were raised to resemble statues. Lord Bar Emmon laid there; and another table was set for Malentine Velaryon; and also a chest of bones for Ser Daemion Velaryon, who had passed some years ago; and other Crownlander and Reachmen lords and knights who had also perished in battle.
Alicent stood there, with little Jocelyn stood by her, in a small black dress. Next to her was Thoren, and their father next to him. Up in the sky, the dragons of Ser Laenor and Princess Rhaenys circled the skies, as if they were also mourning the dead, whilst Vhagar sat lazily on the beach, staring at the funeral beneath her. The sunset was behind her, which illuminated her statues and corpses ahead of her, but ahead the blue sky turned purple and black on top of the dark sea.
"All of these men that passed over the past few years were brave men, fighting for a cause they believed..." Septon Eustace began, before he continued on about the Seven shall bless them all, and then started talking about a horse he once owned, and then a story about his ever so eventful youth. Alicent stopped paying attention during the Septon's eulogy, instead staring at the corpse of her brother. The Silent Sisters that had come with them did the best they could with his body, but it had already rotted by the time they arrived. He wore polished Hightower armour, with a dark green surcoat on it. He lacked an arm, and half of his face was rotted off. Two eyestones covered his destroyed face, but hair and beard were neatly trimmed for the funeral, whilst mouth had somewhat crinkled into a smile.
It seems as though death came as a relief for him.
"...may the Seven rest all of their souls." Septon Eustace announced, concluding the funeral service.
"May the Seven rest all their souls!" the whole crowd responded, before slowly dispersing back to their tents or to pay respects to their dead.
After Alicent paid her respects to the other fallen men, she went up to Gwayne and held his bony, rotting hand, one more time, and put her other hand on his chest.
"Goodbye, brother, though I shall see you again someday, along with mother." Alicent whispered. "I shall swear to raise Jocelyn to the best I can, I swear that you, Gwayne."
She let go of her brother's hands and made her way back to the crowd. The Silent Sisters then carried off some of the bodies to their tent, where they would stay, in the care of death's handmaidens, until they would return to their homes for their final rest. Ser Daemion and Malentine Velaryon's bodies, along with some other Velaryon knights had chosen to die at sea, to return to the halls of the Merling King, so their bodies were all released out into the night on a small boat, and they sailed off into the horizon and the blackness.
After all everyone had started to disperse, Alicent took one last look at the funeral procession, an empty black field with seven stone stumps and smouldering fires, with a tiny black boat getting smaller off in the distance, before she went to sleep.
Now tomorrow, my wedding.
The next morning, Alicent woke up, well rested, despite her tent being cold and windy.
I guess it is better than a boat.
She couldn't remember the dream she had that night, but it must have been a nice one, maybe with her mother and Gwayne, because she woke up in good spirits.
Handmaidens brought her a small meal to break her fast of berries and oatcakes, before washing it all down with a honeyed wine that came with her from Oldtown. After that, a few maids came with a large bucket of hot water, where they wiped her down with a cloth until she smelled fresh, then lathered her in scented oils that reminded her of winter roses and fresh fruits. They then placed on her wedding dress, a long grey gown, that had green leaves embroidered with cloth-of-silver all across the skirts and bodice, long sleeves that reached the ground, and her chest was covered with a sheer grey Myrish lace. On her neck was a gleaming silver necklace with seven dark green emeralds on them, and small silver seven-pointed-stars hung from her earrings. Her hair was tied into an intricate bun and was covered with a hairnet decorated with tiny green emeralds, and her face was covered with the same sheer grey Myrish lace that covered her chest.
After she was fully dressed, she stepped out of her tent, and to the beach where she would marry. The location was a far cry from the sept in the Red Keep, let alone Maegelle's Sept of King's Landing or the Starry Sept of Oldtown. Her and Ser Laenor stood in between the statue of the Father and the Mother, though in truth all seven of the rocks looked exactly the same to Alicent. She stood on a plank of wood, as to be raised above the crowd, whilst Septon Eustace stood behind her. The crowd stood around them, some outside the circle the seven rocks made, some inside, and about half the people dressed extravagantly, as if they were in Oldtown or the Red Keep, not a cold island in the Stepstones. The other half were simple knights with no lands or titles, and wore the same hauberks and boiled leather they had worn for months or even years.
The wind hacked at them whilst they recited their vows, so Alicent had to hold her dress so it would fly up into the hair. Luckily, her hair was tied neatly into a bun, but her veil flapped across her face, and Ser Laenor's curly silver hair fluttered in the wind. Her husband was wearing an aquamarine doublet, with a dark blue surcoat above it. His surcoat had tiny silver seahorses on it, and a silver belt, studded with sapphires was tied across his waist. On his neck hung a shiny silver chain, that was studded with even more sapphires.
"Ser Otto Hightower, as the father of the bride, you may now remove the maiden's cloak from the Lady Alicent." Septon Eustace said, in his soothing voice.
Her father removed the cloak from her shoulders, and neatly folded it in his arms. The cloak was originally Alicent's mother's and had become threadbare over the years. It was black with a green tower embroidered on it, with cloth-of-silver stitched on the edges, along with a few grey gemstones.
"Ser Laenor, you may now cloak Lady Alicent under your protection."
They turned and faced each other, and Ser Laenor draped his cloak on her with his gentle fingers. This cloak was new, a bright aquamarine colour, with a silver-gold seahorse on the centre, with cloth-of-gold waves running across the sides. Alicent and Ser Laenor then said their vows to each other, before he gave her a small kiss on her lips. His lips were soft, and his breath smelt of mint leaves and lemon.
I hope my breath smelt as nice.
"And with this, I proclaim Ser Laenor, of the House Velaryon, Heir to Driftmark and future Lord of the Tides, and his wife, the Lady Alicent, to be of one!" Septon Eustace announced. Everyone watching applauded, but it was slightly subdued, as the mood was still sombre from the funeral yesterday and the fact that blood that been spilled for the past few years was on the very ground they stood on.
I am now Alicent Velaryon, that shall take getting used to.
Later that evening, Alicent changed for the evening feast and the bedding ceremony after that. She wore an aquamarine dress, with a low cut, baring her shoulders and the upper area of her chest. The dress had long sleeves, and blue and cloth-of-silver waves stitched onto the skirts. On her neck was a simple pearl necklace, and she wore a white hairnet decorated with aquamarine gemstones. On her back was a thick aquamarine cloak, lined with white wool to protect her from the cold.
The colours of House Velaryon.
This time, the feast would be held in a massive tent erected in the middle of a field. Inside were small campfires, and lanterns hanging from wooden sticks. Tables were laid out all across the large tent. In the centre, some space was made for the ball, and at the end, were a few raised tables. On the left was a table reserved for the Hightowers, Alicent's father; uncle; her cousin Ormund; all of his children; Aunt Lynesse; Lady Ceryse; and of course; little Jocelyn. The table on the right was for the Velaryons. Corlys Velaryon; Princess Rhaenys; Princess Baela; Ser Vaemond; and some other would sit there, whilst a small raised table, just next to that of the bride and groom, was placed for Queen Laena and Prince Daeron.
Alicent sat on the raised dais in the centre, next to Laenor, who had worn a golden and blue doublet, decorated with wave patterns, and had small golden seahorses going down the doublet. He had a beautiful golden chain hanging from his neck, that was studded with green and blue gemstones. He also wore a thick cloth-of-gold cloak that was draped over his shoulders and was attached to his doublet with another golden chain.
"Let us hope that does not contain part of Cragas Drahar too." Laenor whispered to her, as they tucked into stew of lobster, saltcod, and crab.
There were only two more courses for the remainder of the wedding, and whilst they sat enjoying a lamprey pie, entertaining various guests who offered their congratulations, Queen Laena came up to the table. Unlike the Hightowers who wore greys and greens and blacks, or the Velaryons who wore blues and greens and silvers, Queen Laena and her children wore the colours of her husband, and House Targaryen, red and black.
"Laenor. Lady Alicent. My best wishes to both of you." She replied. Alicent did not know for certain of what to make of the Queen. Despite her being friendly enough to Alicent, she deemed somewhat distant, though Alicent couldn't blame her.
Life alone in King's Landing away from her family must be difficult.
"Thank you, Your Grace." Alicent replied with a smile.
"You had better take care of my brother, Alicent, now that you are married." Queen Laena laughed.
"I shall make sure of it, Your Grace."
"Please, we are good-sisters, now. Refer to me as Laena." She scoffed.
"Absolutely You-Laena." Alicent smiled, before Laena chuckled slightly.
They both then turned to face the Hightower table, where Prince Daeron had gotten to getting to know little Jocelyn. They were both engrossed in some conversation about whatever little children found interesting these days.
"It seems as though the betrothed have gotten acquainted with each other." Laenor laughed, taking a sip of his wine.
"Daeron is a good lad and will grow to make an even better King. Jocelyn shall have a good husband soon enough; I am sure of it." Laena smiled. "And soon enough, I may become an aunt." She said, gesturing to Alicent and Laenor.
Laenor laughed again at what his sister said, whilst Laena made a funny face.
"Do not fret, Alicent. Childbirth is not too difficult. Both Daeron and Baela came out without struggle." Laena reassured her, ignoring the laugh of her brother, before quickly leaving to catch Baela who had taken to chasing around little Martyn around the tent and smacking him with a wooden spoon. When Laena left, Laenor leant in again, this time him voice more serious.
"My lady, I am sure by now that you are well aware of my..." Laenor sighed.
"Y-Yes... Laenor… but we must still try for an heir... it is our duty to..." Alicent whispered back to her husband.
"Yes... I know that, my lady... but mayhaps we could strive for other methods if I cannot..."
"Other methods?"
"If I am unable to provide you with a child, then we could use some other man... a man that looks like me..."
"You would have me have children with another man?" Alicent gasped. "The children would be bastards!"
"Only if I am unable..."
"Then we would try until you can, Lord Husband... We could get your squire, Ser Joffrey, wasn't it, to... help you, or I could dress as a knight... but I would not pass off illegitimate children to become heir to your house... not a chance… we shall try and try until we have a child."
"I shall do my duty, then." Laenor relented, taking another drink of his wine.
After the feast, there was a small dance, and some knights played the drums on the table badly since there were no musicians in attendance. Alicent danced with Lord Corlys; her father; Ser Vaemond; Uncle Hobert; Ormund; Ser Lyonel Massey; and some others. Her husband danced with Lady Ceryse and Lady Lynesse, as well as with his own mother and sister. During her dance with the Sea Snake, she spotted little Prince Daeron and Jocelyn having a small dance together, and the young girl had a small smile on her face for the first time in a long time.
They are both gentle children. Let us hope when they grow and eventually marry they shall remain that way.
The dance was short, and somewhat sombre, and when it was time for the bedding ceremony, there would be no ripping off clothes or bawdy jokes. Instead, their families would escort them quietly to their tent where they would complete their duties.
Outside the large tent, the sky was dark by now, the sun already set in a dark, muddy pool. The wind was even heavier, and it slashed at Alicent's open neck and chest. Quickly, they ran for their tent, which was right next to the main wedding pavilion. Before she went in, she looked at the beach where they sent Gwayne off for the last time, before closing it behind her.
Yesterday, we said goodbye to many old lives, and tonight, we shall try for new lives.
Slowly, Alicent stripped off her dress, whilst Laenor reluctantly took off his golden doublet, carefully placing his and her clothing neatly on his clothing table. Once she was in her smallclothes, she was shivering from the cold, even though a small campfire was lit inside the tent. She then put on one of Laenor's doublets and breeches, and hid her long hair underneath a hat, so she looked like a man.
Laenor gazed at her, only a thin pair of breeches covering him. His manhood slowly grew underneath his breeches, which sent a strange feeling down Alicent's body.
"Should we do our duty, my lady?" Laenor asked.
"Yes, we shall." Alicent replied.