The King's Feast 33: Viserys VII
Viserys stood facing the Iron Throne. It was so quiet he could hear a pin drop.
Suddenly, the sound of bells rung.
DING! DONG! DING! DONG!
The bells continued to ring, getting louder and louder as they rung.
DING! DONG! DING! DONG!
They didn't stop, and they became so loud Viserys' ears started ringing too, and he felt a heavy pounding in his head.
DING! DONG! DING! DONG!
He quickly turned around so the bells would stop. And when he turned, it did. The throne room was full of people, all of them spoke and laughed and shouted and cried, but Viserys could not hear any of it.
There should have been noises, noises from outside the hall too, the noises of dragons roaring, steel clanging, and men dying. But there was no noise.
Viserys looked at the people standing in the hall. All their faces were familiar to Viserys now, but for some reason they were slightly different, as if something had changed about them.
He squinted his eyes, to try and take a closer look at them, and the faces became clearer.
They are Targaryens, every one of them.
Everyone in the hall were kin to Viserys, and they wore either long red or blue robes.
He looked at the person closest to him. It was Rhaenyra, his daughter, and she had a yellow flame burning above her head. But she looked older, more matronly, a bit like Aemma. She was also rounder in the cheeks, and had a pudgier belly. Viserys also recognised Daemon, his brother. He had a long, red flame burning above him, and he looked older as well. He had a silvery gold beard now, and his purple eyes looked tired. Viserys' wife, Laena, also stood there, but no flame burned above her. Laena's mother, Princess Rhaenys, stood at the edge of the room, her eyes sad, with a beautiful scarlet and pink flame twirling above her jet black hair.
Some of the faces instantly became clearer too. Daeron and Baela, Laena's children with Viserys, stood near each other. Both of them were adults now, and Daeron had a cobalt and copper flame that was twisted and angry, while Baela had a pale green and white flame dancing above her. Viserys' grandson, Baelon, also stood there, with stunning golden and pink flames burning above his messy golden hair.
There were some faces Viserys did not recognise too, a young lad no more than eight that looked just like Viserys' father; two twins, a boy and a girl, both with silver hair that had golden streaks; an angry man with one eye; and another young man that had curly brown hair and brown eyes. Some of those faces had flames above them too, flames of green and red and flames of blue and silver, majestic silver flames dancing with bronze flames full of fury. Before Viserys could look closer at these faces that were so familiar but so strange at the same time, the bells started ringing again.
DING! DONG! DING! DONG!
Now, all the flames began dancing with one another, in a cacophony of colours and death. Some flames devoured other flames, whilst others cannibalised each other, until there was only one small pink and black flame left, no larger than a kindling.
DING! DONG! DING! DONG!
The ringing continued, and Viserys' head pounded like a drum, until his vision became blurry, and his legs gave out underneath him.
DING! DONG! DING! DONG!
Next, he was falling.
"Y-Your Grace...?" a soft voice called.
Viserys woke up in his bed, sweat pouring down his forehead, and a shiver ran through his spine.
Gods, those damned fever dreams.
The fever dreams had become less common ever since the Grand Maester's new treatment had taken effect. That was to say, the dreams certainly hadn't ceased. However, his health had definitely improved following consumption of the new poultices Orwyle had cooked up.
Viserys looked down to his hands. The right one was still whole, but the left was just a stump, ending where his wrist was.
That is how I know I am not dreaming.
"Yes... you may enter." Viserys responded to the call from outside of the room.
Instead, it was Ser Arryk Cargyll who entered the chamber. He had a momentary look of pity on his face when he looked at Viserys, but then returned to a blank expression instantly.
"Your Grace. It was a page boy from the Hand, to inform you about today's Small Council meeting." Ser Arryk said.
Viserys gasped and exited his bed quickly, looking out of his window. It was already noon, and he was running around an hour late for the meeting. He leapt from his bed too quickly, it seemed, judging from the spike of pain in his head and knees.
"Tell the Lord Hand I shall be there in a moment..." Viserys groaned, as Ser Arryk nodded and left the room.
He quickly put on his black doublet and breeches, before putting on his leather boots on either foot. Before he left his room, he took a quick drink of wine to wake him up, and then strapped Blackfyre and Aegon's dagger to his hip. When he was halfway out of the door, he swiftly turned back, realising he forgot something.
My crown.
The crown, a golden band set with seven different colour gemstones, was resting beside Viserys' bedside table. He placed it on his head, combing his greasy hair backwards with his hand out of the way as he did. On the way to the chambers, Viserys noted the strong smell of sweat on him.
Gods... this doublet has not been washed, nor did I have time to bathe.
With his clothes smelling and his body rotting, Viserys made his way to the Small Council chambers, flanked by the twins Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk. When he entered the chambers, everyone was already sat at their chairs. On the right of the Viserys' seat was Lyonel Strong, his Hand, and then Rhaenyra, his daughter. On the other side was Jasper Wylde, then Grand Maester Orwyle, Lyman Beesbury, and Larys Strong at the corner, whilst Jason Lannister was sitting directly opposite from the King's chair. They all stood up when Viserys entered, and only sat when Viserys sat and placed his marble ball on the table.
Behind Viserys, standing still like a white wraith, was Ser Criston Cole, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. When Laena had flown off to the Stepstones without Viserys' permission, Ser Criston had been with the Queen on Driftmark, along with Daeron and Baela. And he remained there with the Prince and Princess until Laenor Velaryon's wedding, where he finally returned to King's Landing, allowing the two children to head to the Stepstones with their grandmother. Upon Ser Criston's return to King's Landing, he was apprehended by his other Kingsguard brothers and brought to Viserys.
"Did you either allow Laena to fly off to the Stepstones, willingly putting the Queen in danger, or were you unaware of her plan, showing your unfitness at being the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard?!" Viserys shouted at Ser Criston, before confining him to his quarters in the White Sword Tower.
Jason Lannister had suggested to dismiss Ser Criston from the Kingsguard for breaking his oaths, but Jasper Wylde swiftly reminded him that such a thing had never happened in the hundred year history of the order. Jason Lannister then suggested the headsman, which Viserys laughed away swiftly. Only when Ser Rickard Thorne, the acting Lord Commander following Ser Criston's leave, had brought a petition to Viserys to not punish Ser Criston, defending his honour, and stating that he was fulfilling his oaths by following Queen Laena's orders, who he was sworn to.
"He is sworn to my lady wife, yes, but her plan to fly away was against my orders!" Viserys replied to him.
"Your Grace, did you not say that you allowed Queen Laena to aid her kin in the Stepstones yourself?" Ser Rickard retorted. Viserys then accepted Ser Rickard's petitions and Ser Criston returned to his post, only after being reprimanded by Viserys.
Clever man, I'll give Ser Rickard that.
Sometime earlier, when the news broke that Laena had flown away on Vhagar, instead of returning to the capital after a fortnight, Viserys had no clue what to do. Jason Lannister, as always, was furious at Laena's actions, demanding that Daeron be disinherited, and Baela and Laena sent to the Silent Sisters, but when his tempers cooled, it was him who had suggested the solution.
"The Queen has made the Crown look weak by flying away against your orders and participating in a war you were strongly against, yes, but we may still be able to turn this in your favour." Jason Lannister said.
"And how would I do that?" Viserys responded.
"You say that Queen Laena was given your explicit permission to go and aid the Stepstones, but her alone.. It shows your mercy and compassion, that you could not bear to see Her Grace's kin in such mortal peril... and it shows your strength by not bowing to the Sea Snake's demands."
The solution did work, and when a raven arrived declaring victory in the Stepstones, Viserys hosted a massive feast, announcing that the Stepstones were now dominion of the Iron Throne. The smallfolk cheered Viserys and Laena's joint victory, and Viserys made sure to always thank his not present wife for playing a key role in the victory, but also definitely made sure to emphasise how it was his decision to allow Laena to go and attack the Triarchy fleet.
"But one thing, Your Grace." Jason Lannister warned. "Despite your public appraisal of Laena, make sure to reprimand her harshly in private whenever she returns. You must put on a front for all the onlookers, yes, to make sure the Crown remains strong and steadfast in the eyes of the realm, but you must also not let your own lady wife disobey you in such manner again."
We shall see how Laena reacts to this when she returns. I dread the day.
"...Father?" Rhaenyra asked, and Viserys snapped back to the council.
Gods... I need more sleep...
"Yes... sorry... what is the first matter to be brought to the council today?" Viserys asked, whilst everyone sat there glared at him. Rhaenyra, Lyonel Strong, and Grand Maester Orwyle looked like they felt pity on him; Jasper Wylde looked bored; Lyman Beesbury looked to be even more sleepy than Viserys; Jason Lannister looked somewhat disgusted; whilst Larys Strong had the same, friendly smile he always had.
"Your Grace." Grand Maester Orwyle began. "We shall begin today's council on some news from across the Narrow Sea. Pentos and Braavos have announced an official peace treaty, following their many years of proxy wars. They mean to seal this treaty through a betrothal between the current Prince's daughter and the Sealord's son."
"Their alliance could lead to the formation of a second power bloc in Essos, and following the Triarchy's recent defeat, they seem poised to become the new powerhouse across the sea." Lyonel Strong said, worriedly.
"We should reach out to them, in order to forge a favourable trade deal." Jasper Wylde remarked. "At least before Volantis or the Triarchy can."
"Yes, that shall be added to the agenda..." Viserys replied, before moving on to the next subject.
"I have some... positive news to bring to the council on this day... Your Grace..." Larys Strong chirped.
The man rarely speaks in council meetings, and never does so without prompting.
Everyone turned to face the Clubfoot, equally as surprised to hear him talk during the meeting.
"The so-called Shepherd has plagued King's Landing for years now... with his warnings about doom and other half-mad ramblings... but now I can happily say that he is a problem no more... my men found the preacher... and he is currently being held in the Black Cells... but I assure you, he shall no longer be spreading his... inflammatory words in the state that he is in..." Larys said, a small smirk growing on his face.
"Well that certainly is some good news-" Jason Lannister replied, before a servant burst in through the doors.
"Your Grace!" the servant huffed, his face red from exhaustion and sweat soaking through his grey tunic.
"Can't you see that we are in the middle of a bloody council?" Jason Lannister angrily said to the servant, but the boy ignored him.
"It is urgent... Your Grace... please..." the servant panted, wiping sweat off his forehead.
"What could be so urgent that it needs interrupt this meeting, lad?" Lyonel asked.
"They... Your Grace... some spotters on the city walls bring news... they have spotted a galley with the Velaryon sigil sailing up the Blackwater..." the boy responded exasperatedly. "Along with a large bronze and blue dragon circling the ship!"
Laena!
"Gods... Lyonel, send for the cooks and servants, prepare for a feast for my wife's arrival. Lord Jason, Rhaenyra, we are to ride out to the docks to meet Laena. The council is dismissed!"
The council members quickly dispersed, everyone heading to their quarters or to make the necessary arrangements. Viserys noticed Jason Lannister marching off with Rhaenyra, an angry scowl on his face as he went.
A sudden waft of sweat came to Viserys' nose, and he decided to head back to his own chambers instead.
I should not be meeting my wife after so long stinking of sweat.
"Boy!" Viserys asked to the young servant, who was about to scurry away too. "How far away was the ship?"
"Y-Your Grace... I do not... I think the spotters said three hours... but that was before..." he spluttered; his tunic fully soaked by sweat.
At least there is someone else here that sweats more than me.
"Yes... thank you, boy. Run along, now." Viserys said, before quickly (as quick as he could limp on his cane) marching across Red Keep's yard and back to Maegor's Holdfast, followed again by the two twin Kingsguard brothers. "And send for a bath to be filled in my chambers!" he called out.
When he finally reached the chambers, the bath was already prepared, filled with steaming hot water, and Viserys could smell the fragrant oils the handmaidens had put into the tub. A handmaiden gently stripped off his doublet, then smallclothes and helped him into the bath. It was hot on his flaky skin and sent a soothing feeling across his body when he sat down in the bath.
That does feel good...
A few handmaidens scrubbed his body with cloths, whilst two washed the grease out of his silver-gold hair. One young handmaiden gently caressed his arms and chest, and Viserys closed his eyes while she did, imagining it was Aemma, and then he felt his cock harden between his legs.
The handmaiden then yelped and jerked her hands away from Viserys' body at the sight of it, before the lead handmaiden smacked her and whispered something in her ear, to which she began to scrub his chest again.
Gods... I have not enjoyed the company of a woman in too long... it may be a good thing my lady wife has returned after all...
After his bath and after he got those intrusive thoughts out of his head, the handmaidens rubbed scented oils that smelled of cinnamon and fresh grass on him, before they helped him wear his clothes. He wore new black and gold robes, with long cloth-of-gold sleeves that had glimmering rubies stitched onto it. On his waist was a gleaming golden belt, that matched with the glowing golden chain that he wore on his neck, which had all the sigils of the Great Houses of Westeros, with a golden dragon right at the centre, larger than all the other sigils. He also wore a beautiful cloth-of-gold cloak on his back, and this time he did not forget his crown.
When he was finally dressed, he made his way out of Maegor's Holdfast and up the serpentine steps, clutching tightly onto the railings that were installed on there, whilst Ser Rickard held his cane as he ascended. Though it was a chilly day, the stone steps were not as slippery as the day he fell. After he finally completed the climb, he breathed a long sigh of relief before taking his cane back and walked slowly across the middle bailey towards the outer yard.
Everyone was already waiting in the yard, standing by their carriages and horses when Viserys arrived. They all had somewhat of a bored look on their faces when they kneeled, before getting into their carriages for the ride out of the city.
I must have taken too long.
"Your Grace, the ship is nearly arriving by the port, we must ride quickly to get there in time." Ser Rickard whispered, before he helped Viserys into the carriage.
"Yes... yes..." Viserys sighed, knowing how painful the ride down Aegon's High Hill would be on his body. "It is no issue... we ride quickly then..."
As soon as Viserys was seated comfortably in the carriage, a shout came from outside, and they started moving instantly. Viserys sat alone on the carriage, normally he would be joined by his wife, or his children, but his wife was the one he was riding to go and meet. Rhaenyra, meanwhile, would be in a separate carriage with her husband, and little Prince Baelon, who was in a foul mood this morning. Supposedly, he insisted on eating porridge with his hands, and when reprimanded by his father, threw a tantrum and the three year old was sulking ever since.
The only company he had was a cup of a heated drink, made from brown beans all the way from Qarth, that Grand Maester Orwyle claimed would help wake him if he was sleepy. It tasted bitter, and the heat from the drink burned the top of his mouth, but after drinking it, he certainly did feel a bit more awake than he did. He wiped the off the stains that dribbled down his chin with a cloth, and sat patiently as the carriage bumped around, whilst riding through the hook and into Fishmonger's Square. They stopped for a brief moment, before he heard the creak of the River Gate opening and they headed out of the city gates.
The Fishmarket had been cleared out temporarily by angry Gold Cloaks, commanded the humongous Harwin Strong, shouting at all the peasants to move away. Ser Rickard helped Viserys out the carriage again, and he climbed out onto the muddy ground below. His boots dug into the wet floor, and they all lined up by the Blackwater, awaiting the arrival of the Velaryon ship.
Luckily, they had arrived just in time, and Valyrian, the flagship of the Sea Snake's fleet was sailing alone up the river, its massive blue sails flapping in the winds, and all of its many oars moving in perfect synchrony against the muddy water. Viserys stood there, leaning on his black cane, his arm and legs beginning to hurt.
Valyrian docked by the port, and out climbed some Velaryon guards, one carrying Prince Daeron, and another carrying Princess Baela. The children both wore matching black cloaks with black breeches and boots, with little red collars poking out underneath of their cloaks. Ser Criston rushed to the boat and helped Baela out of the boat, giving her a little hug when he plopped her on the floor.
After both Daeron and Baela were safely on the dock, Laena climbed over, wafting her hand away at any guards who tried to help her. She made a small jump as she landed on the dock and turned to face Viserys. Daeron and Baela stood at her side, each one holding either of her hands, whilst Ser Criston stood right behind her.
Before they could walk towards Viserys, a loud roar shook the air, and a dark figure cave diving out of the clouds above.
Vhagar flew downwards, narrowly missing the boat and all the people stood there, before landing on the opposite side of the river, crushing a few trees as she landed. Viserys heard a few gasps and shouts from behind, whilst Vhagar roared at everyone there, bronze and blue flames spitting out of her nose. The dragon was gigantic, big enough to crush and burn everyone standing there. Underneath her chin her skin sagged, and her green eyes were filled with malice.
It is still not as big as Balerion was when I rode him.
The she-dragon looked at everyone again, letting out another loud roar. On her stomach was a massive gash, the size of a tower, that had blood and smoke seeping out of it. The wound looked like it had been festering for a while, and seeped hot yellow pus that dropped onto the ground underneath, sizzling as it hit the ground.
"Our saviour in the Stepstones, the Queen of all Dragons!" Jason Lannister shouted, gesturing at Vhagar, which was met with a nervous applause from the crowd but later turned into loud cheers when Viserys clapped too, hitting his cane on the ground.
Vhagar turned and flew away, smashing a small fisherman's boat with her huge tail when she went, and disappeared into the clouds again.
Laena finally walked towards Viserys, clutching both of her children's hands as she went, followed by her sword shield, Ser Criston Cole. She wore a bright red cloak, embroidered with a three-headed dragon on it. On her back was a white and brown cloak, which protected her from the cold winds. It seemed to take an age for her to finally reach Viserys, where she stood a few yards from him, staring coldly at him with her lilac eyes.
The tension was finally cut by Daeron running up to Viserys and giving him a long hug, followed by his little sister. The kids were now seven and five respectively, and had grown so much since Viserys last saw them. Daeron's silver hair fell to his shoulders now, but Baela's curly silver-gold hair was still cut short.
"My children." Viserys said, softly. As much as he dreaded to see his wife, the sight of Daeron and Baela still made him feel somewhat happy. "And my lady wife, Laena. It is good to see you all."
"The King and Queen of the Narrow Sea!" Jason Lannister called out, as the crowd broke out into applause again.
Laena's face remained cold, but a small smile came to her face when she saw her children deep in embrace with Viserys. She then joined the Viserys for a quick embrace, before quickly letting go, pulling Daeron and Baela away from Viserys.
"Come... you must be hungry... we have prepared for a feast in the Red Keep." Viserys said, as they all turned back to the carriages.
Baelon jumped up and down at sight of his uncle and aunt, running to hug Daeron and Baela. Baela begged Laena to let her and Daeron and Baelon travel in the same carriage, and her mother relented at the five year old's demands. On the ride back, the three children would be together, joined a group of handmaidens to mind the children, whilst Viserys would have the company of his wife, daughter, and Jason Lannister.
That shall be fun.
The return to the Red Keep felt twice as long as the journey from there. The first half was spent with Viserys and Rhaenyra trying to ask Laena questions about her time away from the capital, which was met with either one word answers or cold stares. In the second half, the carriage was quieter than a library on the Iron Islands, with everyone desperately avoiding eye contact with each other. Rhaenyra played with her rings, whilst Laena stared out of the windows, and Jason Lannister twirled around an empty cup in his hands. Viserys just helped himself to a cup of that drink he had earlier, and then another two cups of wine after that was finished.
Rhaenyra helped Viserys out of the carriage when they arrived, and Viserys headed back to his quarters to speak with his wife in private, before the feast later that afternoon.
"Remember what I told you, Your Grace." Jason Lannister whispered to Viserys, just before he walked off.
Viserys and Laena walked side by side towards Maegor's Holdfast, in silence. They finally got to their chambers, and when Viserys closed to doors, he took a deep breath.
"So, I'm guessing you have some words to say to me now that you deemed not seemly to say in public earlier... Lord Husband." Laena scoffed, slumping down on a wooden chair.
Remember, you are the King.
"What you did, was clearly disobey my explicit orders towards you. You almost made me look like a fool." Viserys said, angrily drinking a cup of wine that was on the table.
"Yes... almost." she laughed. "Had you not taken credit of something I had done, by myself."
"You left me with no choice!" Viserys responded, his blood starting to boil. "If I hadn't, it would make me look weak, and would breed rebellion-"
"You left me with no choice!" Laena shouted; her fist clenched into a ball. "My own father and brother would have died had I not gone there, thanks to your refusal to send them aid! And now you choose to say that this was all your idea in the first place!"
"This was my idea, at least publicly, and it must remain that way." Viserys said, trying to remain calm.
"And what if it doesn't?" Laena asked.
Viserys took another breath.
"If it doesn't, then you shall remain within house arrest in Maegor's Holdfast."
"You forget one thing, Lord Husband. I have a dragon now." She responded, smiling.
"So you would burn down the Red Keep in response? I know you are not such a fool to do such a thing."
"I shall fly away again then." Laena blurted. "And I will take Daeron and Baela with me."
"No." Viserys simply said.
"No?" she repeated.
I do not want to do this, but I must.
"You would not do that. You wish for me to change the succession line, don't you? Flying away would mean nobody in the realm would ever support you, then. But I shall not deprive you of riding your own dragon, I am merciful in that at least. You shall be allowed to ride on Vhagar, but only once per week at most, and only after receiving my explicit permission beforehand. You shall be escorted to and from Vhagar by my own guards when you go, but you shall not be allowed to take Daeron nor Baela with you on those days... outside of that, you shall be permitted to freely walk around the Red Keep, and see your children as much as you can."
"I am a prisoner in this castle, then?" Laena asked, her face twisted in disgust.
"Not a prisoner, no. It is better than most husbands would treat you. Jason Lannister said to restrict you from seeing your children, and King Maegor would have locked you in your chambers... I am better than that."
"That is a low bar." Laena laughed.
"As much as I do not want to do this, you have left me no choice. So, are we clear on those terms?" Viserys asked, a hint of regret in his voice.
"Do I have a choice?" she scoffed. "Yes, we are clear. Now... may I have the room to myself, I must change for this ever so thoughtful feast you have prepared for me."
Viserys nodded silently and left the room, limping on his cane as he left.
When he was out of the room, he stopped to lean on the wall, his head pounding in pain.
What choice did I have?