ALICENT


"We should accept the peace," Alicent said,"We are not like to receive a better offer."

Silence greeted her as Alicent looked around the Small Council table. Ser Jasper and Orwyle's cheeks were stiff, and her father's smooth face was furrowed as his eyes darted across the sheet of white parchment. Even Ser Tyland could not maintain the illusion of comfort in being Aegon's dog, and his golden hair began to become more tousled as his brows creased. She did not see Lord Strong, but silence would be no great change for him.

Only Helaena's face saw no change of expression. Her violet eyes were hard and cold as she stared at the parchment in Ser Otto's hands. She had sent for Aegon as soon as Orwyle brandished the letter from the ravenry, and the king soon arrived in the Council Chamber escorted by Ser Criston.

"Read us Jacaerys Strong's letter again," Helaena said,"The king should hear it. Strong's terms sound generous, but there may be much that we have missed."

Ser Otto handed the parchment to Orwyle, who began again in his gravelly voice: "Prince Jacaerys of House Velaryon offers a peace in the name of his mother Princess Rhaenyra of House Targaryen. He offers obeisance to King Aegon should the king renounce all claims that he, Prince Lucerys, and Prince Joffrey, are bastards of Ser Harwin Strong but are indeed trueborn sons of Princess Rhaenyra and her first husband Ser Laenor of House Velaryon."

"Those are not all the terms," Helaena said,"Continue."

"Furthermore," Orwyle said,"Prince Lucerys's claim as heir to Driftmark will be protected by the Crown. Princess Rhaenyra will be granted Dragonstone as her seat with Prince Jacaerys confirmed as her heir. He begs forgiveness of the Crown and wishes to end the war before any further slaughter can ensue."

"Is that a blanket pardon he wishes from me?" Aegon asked.

"I do not know," Orwyle said,"The prince made no mention of pardons."

"Did the prince ever style himself the Prince of Dragonstone?" Aegon asked.

"No…" Orwyle said,"but he did wish to be named heir to Dragonstone. Perhaps the wish of treason still lingers."

"You need not perhaps, Orwyle," Aegon said,"I will give him that title." Aegon turned to the table,"Prince Jacaerys's terms are generous, and we will not have a second chance at such a favourable peace. Answer Prince Jacaerys that I shall agree to grant my half-sister Dragonstone and rescind Prince Daeron's claim to Driftmark. I can even give Prince Jacaerys a blanket pardon out of my mercy, even though he was a fool to not ask for one."

"But the claims of bastardy," Ser Jasper said,"Prince Jacaerys shall not make peace lest Your Grace renounce that he and his brothers are bastards, elsewise they will not have inheritance of Dragonstone or Driftmark."

"I will not renounce the truth," Aegon said,"but I am the king, and I can legitimize bastards. Write that I will do so in the cases of Princes Jacaerys and Lucerys."

"Your Grace is wise," Alicent said,"At last, Your Grace has secured the Iron Throne." She was relieved that someone on the other side of Blackwater Bay saw sense, and she need not resort to that other peace. Aegon seemed to be drifting farther and farther away in the last moon, but she knew in the end that he was of one heart with her. He wanted peace.

"If I may speak, Your Grace," Lord Strong appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"You may, my lord," Aegon said.

"Prince Jacaerys's terms are generous," Lord Strong plucked the parchment from Orwyle,"because they are a lie." He gently set the letter on the table and tapped it,"Look here. There is nothing that would make a peace last. No betrothals, no exchange of hostages, and most importantly no requests for pardon. His Grace is wise to note that Prince Jacaerys would be a fool to ask for a peace without pardon. Prince Jacaerys is no fool."

"Lord Strong speaks what I have suspected," Alicent's father said as he looked around the table,"and what other men of wisdom have also suspected. This peace is a ruse of sorts. I fear that it is what we discussed the last time we met."

"Your fears are not unfounded, my Lord Hand," Lord Strong said,"I have received more detailed tidings from my sources in Dragonstone and the other lands sworn to Rhaenyra. Lord Bartimos Celtigar is marching south from Harrenhal leading a host twenty-eight thousand strong, newly augmented by the forces of the Freys and Mallisters after the Stone Hedge fell to the traitors."

"Are there no loyal lords left in the Riverlands?" Lord Jasper asked.

"Only those closest to Lord Jason," Lord Strong said,"But most are petty lords, the largest of which is a cousin of Lord Tristan Vance who holds Atranta, but Lord Tristan himself has sworn to the traitors. Most of the Riverlands are cowed by Meleys."

"Any word from Lord Grover?" Lord Jasper asked.

"Lord Grover is deathly ill," Lord Strong said,"and his grandson and heir Ser Elmo has taken charge of Riverrun. He frequents with Frey and Mallister, and has even hosted in his halls Lord Benjicot Blackwood and men who had fought for Rhaenyra."

"We must operate under the assumption that the Tullys have joined the traitors," Ser Criston said,"and they have sealed their doom. If Lord Celtigar is marching south, then the Riverlands themselves are empty." "Ser Tyland," Ser Criston said,"Your brother should march down from his hills this instant and reclaim the Riverlands for the king."

"My brother is rallying the Westerlands for that very course," Ser Tyland said,"A host twenty thousand strong under Ser Hunter Banefort, Ser Raynald Westerling have marshaled at Banefort, which will soon march down the Tumblestone. Another twenty thousand have marshaled southat the Golden Tooth under the command of Lord Humfrey Lefford, Ser Adrian Tarbeck, and my brother himself, ready to march down the River Road. Even with many Westermen garrisoning his western coasts from the Ironborn, my brother will amass enough to take the Riverlands."

"There will be resistance, of course," Lord Strong said,"I have confirmed reports that Lord Bartimos has dispatched the Pipers and their Vances to garrison their west."

"Lord Strong tells me they boast at most five thousand," Ser Tyland said,"not a major concern. We will snatch the traitorous Tullys between the two claws of a golden lion.

"Glad tidings may that be," Alicent's father said,"That will not help us when the strength of Harrenhal marches south."

"The strength of the Riverlands is not all that will accompany Lord Bartimos as he marches south," Lord Strong said,"The Vale Knights have amassed at the Bloody Gate under the command of Lady Jeyne's cousin and Ser Corwyn Corbray. Five thousand heavy horse with thrice times the amount of levies and attendants, poised to join Lord Bartimos as he marches south."

"Have we word of Lord Borros?" Lord Jasper asked,"Last I heard, he was fending off some Dornishmen."

"A new Vulture King," Lord Strong said,"and he is there still."

"No doubt those Dornishmen are in the employ of the Whore of Dragonstone," Ser Criston said,"I would not put it past Martell to kiss the whore in order to sow chaos in the Seven Kingdoms."

"Send a raven to Baratheon nonetheless," Aegon's voice pierced through the din,"Tell him that he must march north in an instant, or I will make good the promise the Old King made Lord Rogar."

Alicent turned to Aegon, and saw that her son's face had grown purple from the soft pink it had been when he arrived. The rubies glinted on his black crown, and his hand was set upon Blackfyre.

"Your Grace," Helaena said,"Perhaps we should not use those very words." She turned to Orwyle,"Prepare a letter telling Lord Borros that Aemond should like to wed his bride, and needs his attendance."

"Aye, Your Grace," Orwyle answered.

Aegon's face did not change its shade,"My lords. I think you have failed to recognize what would truly be our downfall. You look north and south, and fail to see the danger right in front of your eyes."

"We had discussed Dragonstone, Your Grace," Alicent's father sighed,"and we recognize its dangers."

"You have come up with no solutions," Aegon snapped,"What I was left with last council was sure defeat as you promised that you would deliberate. Well, what is the result of your deliberation?"

There is a result, Alicent knew. But she also knew that her father would never speak it in the face of Aegon's anger. Her son was brave, but sometimes bravery was not the way forward.

"We have received letters from the Triarchy," Alicent's father said evenly, trying to ease Aegon with other gladder tidings,"The thirty-three of their ruling council has come to a decision favouring our cause, and their fleet has set sail under command of Admiral Sharako Lohar of Lys. Ninety great warships swearing to the golden dragon shall be in the Gullet in a moon."

"We do not have a moon, Grandfather," Aegon slammed his hand on the table, and pointed his finger out the window towards Blackwater Bay,"My half-sister is right there, with ten dragons."

Alicent froze in place, and the Small Council was silent until Helaena put on a hand on Aegon's arm,"Your Grace, calm yourself. Everyone here is trying to find a way to defeat Rhaenyra."

Aegon's eyes was still hard as he turned to her,"My queen. Do you have an idea as to how we can defeat Rhaenyra?"

"I believe Grandfather has a way," Helaena turned to Alicent's father.

So she knows what we discussed, Alicent was not surprised. Sometimes, she wished that Aegon had a bit of his sister's cunning.

"In King's Landing," Ser Otto said,"We are at a great disadvantage. We are beset by enemies from both sea and land, Lord Corlys's fleet strangling us while only a small buffer of Crownland lords lie between us and Rhaenyra's strength. And our location is made all the more perilous in that we are only a days' flight from Dragonstone, and Rhaenyra may strike at any moment. King's Landing is no longer a fit seat for a king. The wisest course would be to retreat from this city into the safety of the wide Reach, where neither Rhaenyra's men nor her dragons can hope to reach."

Aegon's face was frozen, his lilac eyes unreadable. At least he is not raging, Alicent knew. That meant that her son was at least considering the course.

"You would have me be named a craven like Aenys," Aegon said,"To die a penniless death in some foreign hold. Not even Maegor abandoned King's Landing, even when all the realm rose against him."

"And Maegor died," Ser Otto said,"Murdered by his own men, no less. Need I remind Your Grace that Prince Daemon has many in the city who worship his name in the same breath as the Warrior?"

"You would have me give up the Iron Throne to Rhaenyra," Aegon snarled,"The Seven Kingdoms see a king because he sits the Iron Throne. What would they think if he abandons that seat to his half-sister? I might as well crown her myself."

"The Iron Throne will be retaken," Ser Otto said, his voice hard,"That, I promise Your Grace, if Your Grace would only listen."

"What is the harm in letting Rhaenyra try the seat, Your Grace?" Alicent said,"She will only cut herself, and the realm shall see whom is the true king."

Aegon seemed to stir at her words, but his eyes were still sharp as he stared at Alicent's father,"Tell me how you will win back my kingdom."

"I cannot tell Your Grace here," Ser Otto said,"I trust each member of the Small Council, but there may be ears within the walls."

"If I do not know how my kingdom can be retaken," Aegon was adamant,"You shall have a king who will take his stand in King's Landing, however many dragons he faces."

Alicent opened her mouth to speak, but found no words. Father will know how to convince him, but Ser Otto was silent when Alicent glanced at him. The rest of the Small Council became cravens again, and each one seemed to shrink in his seat.

"Aegon," it was Helaena who spoke at last,"You can make a valiant last stand, but there are those who do not ride Sunfyre or wield the Conqueror's sword. Your children should have had no part in this war from the very beginning. Jaehaera is safe, but your two heirs are still in danger. If anything, send Jaehaerys and Maelor away when battle comes to King's Landing. I will stay with you and Aemond on Dreamfyre, for you shall need all the dragons you can have."

"Helaena," Aegon said,"If it comes to a dance above King's Landing, you will die. Me and Aemond can face our deaths with sword in hand, but our children need you."

"I will be powerless to protect them if you and Aemond die," Helaena said,"A lone dragon does not bode well against ten."

"So all in all," Aegon huffed,"you are telling me the only way forward is to abandon King's Landing."

"You will live to retake your throne," Helaena said,"rather than die defending it." She pointed at Ser Otto,"Trust our grandfather. He has a plan."

Aegon locked eyes with Ser Otto for a long moment, then nodded. "Tell me how we shall retreat."

Ser Otto had Orwyle bring out a map, and Alicent's father unfurled it with his thick hands. "Rhaenyra shall be expecting us to retreat down the roseroad," he pointed at the road from King's Landing to Highgarden,"so we cannot take that path." "Instead," his hand traced another route,"We shall travel west on the Goldroad until we reach the Pearl Mountains, where we will turn south-west and pass through the Poacher's Pass to Tumbleton. There, we shall sail down the Mander to Bitterbridge, Longtable, Cider Hall, and then Highgarden."

"Are we all going on this journey?" Helaena asked,"Rhaenyra can just follow the river and find us. We cannot even hide amongst the barges, for we have three dragons."

Only two, Alicent knew, but they were not to know that part yet. "Four," Ser Otto said,"We have reached tidings that my nephew Lord Ormund's host has passed Bitterbridge half a fortnight ago and are marching for Tumbleton. Scarce two days after the Tyrells swore to the king, Lord Benjamen Footly of Tumbleton sent his own raven of fealty. You shall meet Lord Ormund and Prince Daeron at Tumbleton, and they will deal with any chasers. We hope that Rhaenyra will send chasers."

"There will be another host, right?" Aegon asked. He was beginning to understand, Alicent smiled.

"Aye," Ser Otto answered,"The host moving southwest will only be that of the royal refugees. They will include Prince Jaehaerys, Prince Maelor, and my daughter. Ser Jasper, Ser Tyland, and Grand Maester Orwyle shall also accompany this host with several score leal lords and their retinues and levies. But seven thousand picked men shall join Ser Criston and I as we march south down the Kingsroad and join Lord Borros in the Stormlands. We will dispatch ravens to Storm's End, Crow's Nest, and all of the marcher holdfasts where he may be staying. But if he remains resilient, there will be a summons that he cannot ignore."

The preparations for the retreat took the better part of a day, until the afternoon sun was burning through the autumn chill and sweat was glistening on Alicent's hand. She rubbed it away with her sleeve, and her sleeve began to itch. Alicent glanced at Helaena, who was speaking with Ser Tyland about possible wage increases for the men during the march.

"Father," Alicent said,"Could you tell me again what day are we to depart?"

"Whenever Prince Aemond returns," Ser Otto sighed as he turned back to his parchment which stewards timely brought him and delivered away.

"Your Grace," Alicent said to Helaena,"Do you know when my son would return with Vhagar?"

Helaena turned to Alicent with a sharp look in her eyes,"Aemond left two days ago. He promised that he would take at most three days, so he should return on the morrow."

"We will be able to leave as soon as he returns," Alicent smiled,"Though without Your Grace, we would not be able to leave at all."

Helaena glanced at Aegon, who was poring over war maps with Ser Criston and Ser Arryk. Alicent knew to nod and turn away. Helaena wanted her to wait for Aegon to depart.

It was only when night arrived when Aegon at last left his war table with Ser Criston and adjourned to his bed. Aside Alicent, Helaena, and Ser Arryk, only Ser Otto and his sworn sword Ser Laith remained in the chamber.

"You should have spared me the flattery, Mother," Helaena said,"I did not convince Aegon for you." She glanced at Ser Otto,"Or Grandfather. His Grace needed a way out in which he did not seem a craven, and I gave it to him. I gave him what you never could and never would. He wants to be a king, a great king like his namesake the Conqueror, not some boy behind his mother's skirts. And what a king truly fears is being choked of his power, like you have since that day you decided to seat him on the Iron Throne. Twenty-three years at the side of House Targaryen, and you still do not know how to dance with dragons."

"We have a war before us," Alicent said,"and we know who the true enemy is. I only ask for a moment of peace in our own house."

"You closed that door a long time ago," Helaena turned away.