Everyone gathers at the shores of Driftmark as two Velaryon men wrap the strong rope around a stone sarcophagus to pull it out to the sea. Inside the sarcophagus were the remains of Lady Laena Velaryon, who died from birth complications. The child couldn't come out, and the maesters of Pentos exhausted all the options, which led them to consider cutting Laena open to get the baby out, although there was no certainty that the child would survive. But, not wanting to be killed in that fashion and seeing there was no chance of her or her child surviving, Laena wanted to die her own way, and she did it by ordering her dragon Vhagar to burn her alive to end her suffering.
Everyone was in deep grief for Lady Laena, Daemon standing beside the sarcophagus in stony silence, Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys comforting their granddaughters', Baela and Rhaena. Ser Laenor was in deep grief for his sister as Aelys, Rhaenyra and her sons, Jace and Luke, were beside him.
The King, his Queen, and children also came to give their respects along with the small council members, including Ser Otto Hightower, who returned to his position as the Hand of the King. Lord Lyonel and Ser Harwin Strong both died in a fire at Harrenhal, which was shocking all of the sudden deaths, but many blamed the so-called cure of Harrenhal, which was placed at the stronghold after Aegon the Conqueror killed Harran the Black in it with dragonfire.
The sarcophagus was then pushed to the sea as it sunk to the ground to lay Laena Velaryon to rest with the ancestors.
Aelys was up standing outside of the High Tide almost ready to fall asleep standing up when Jace and the others rushed up to her.
"Aunt Aelys," Jace said urgently, "We need your help."
"What's going on?" Aelys asked, noticing their disheveled appearance.
"Something happened," Rhaena exclaimed, her voice trembling.
Baela chimed in, "We saw someone stealing Vhagar."
Aelys's eyes widened in shock. Vhagar was one of the greatest and deadliest dragons in the world. Without hesitation, she followed them outside to verify their claim. As they walked through the corridors, they encountered Aemond striding confidently towards them.
"It's him," Baela said, pointing at Aemond.
Aemond raised his chin proudly. "It's me."
Aelys confronted him with a look of confusion. "Aemond, what are you doing here?"
"Doing what you said," Aemond replied, "Not waiting for a dragon, but claiming one."
Aelys's eyes widened in realization. "You claimed Vhagar?"
"Yes, I did," Aemond said with a sense of accomplishment.
Rhaena stepped forward, anger and desperation in her voice. "You have to do something. He stole my mother's dragon."
"She was my mother's dragon," Aemond retorted, "And Vhagar has a new rider now."
Rhaena argued fiercely, "She was mine to claim."
"Then you should have claimed her," Aemond shot back.
"Alright, that's enough," Aelys said firmly, sensing the escalating tension. "I'll go get Ser Criston to handle this."
Aelys left to find Ser Criston Cole, who was in command for the night. Instead, she encountered Ser Harrold Westerling and quickly explained the situation. They both returned to the corridor, only to be horrified by what they found. In just a few minutes, a chaotic scene had unfolded. Baela and Rhaena were huddled together, while Jace lay on the ground near Luke, who was clutching a knife. All of them were covered in bruises. Aemond was also on the ground, wailing in agony and covering his bleeding eye.
"Stop this at once!" Ser Harrold commanded, his voice stern.
Aelys rushed to Jace and Luke, her heart racing. "Jace, Luke, what happened?" she asked frantically, pulling the dagger from Luke's hand. "What are you doing with a dagger?"
Ser Harrold examined Aemond's injury and could only look on in horror. "Gods be good," he muttered.
"How could this happen?" Viserys demanded, standing before the driftwood throne in the Hall of Nine. His voice echoed through the grand chamber, demanding answers from all present.
"The princes were supposed to be abed, my King," Ser Harrold Westerling explained. "It wasn't until Ser Aeron alerted me of the situation that we took action."
Aelys, standing with Jace and Luke nearby, glanced nervously at the scene unfolding before her. She had been with them throughout the ordeal and now observed the gravity of the situation. Aemond sat on a chair, a maester stitching his left eye closed as Alicent watched helplessly, her face etched with worry. Aegon, Helaena, Ceraella, and Baelar stood close by, their expressions ranging from concern to frustration.
"Who had the watch?" Viserys asked sharply.
"I believe it was Ser Criston, Your Grace," Aelys answered, her voice steady despite the chaos. Jace, Luke, Baela, and Rhaena huddled behind her, seeking protection. Aelys's mother stood beside her, offering silent support.
"The young prince was attacked by his own cousins, Your Grace," Ser Criston Cole defended himself.
Viserys's anger only grew. "You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!"
"I'm very sorry, Your Grace," Ser Harrold apologized sincerely.
"The Kingsguard has never had to defend princes from princes, Your Grace," Ser Criston continued to explain.
"That is no answer," Viserys raged.
Alicent turned to the maester. "It will heal, will it not?"
"The flesh will heal," the maester said, finishing the last stitch on Aemond's eye. "But the eye is lost, Your Grace."
Alicent and Viserys lamented the grim reality that their son would have only one eye for the rest of his life. Baelar, visibly shaken, touched the scars on his right arm, recalling the burn he had received years ago. Aelys and the others thought of similar painful memories.
Alicent then confronted Aegon. "Where were you?"
"In confusion," Aegon replied before Alicent's slap surprised everyone. "Ow! What was that for?"
"That is nothing compared to the abuse your brother suffered while you were drowning in your cups, you fool," Alicent seethed.
"What is the meaning of this?" Lord Corlys demanded as he and his wife descended to see what was happening. Once they reached the floor, Baela and Rhaena went straight to Rhaenys, showing their bruises from the altercation with Aemond.
Suddenly, the grand doors opened, revealing Rhaenyra with her clothes and hair disheveled. Daemon stood behind her, leaning on the doorframe. "Jace? Luke!" she called out, rushing to them and noting Lucerys' broken nose as Aelys remained close by. "Who did this?"
"They attacked me," Aemond accused the other children.
Jace defended, "He attacked Baela."
"He broke Luke's nose," Rhaena exclaimed, leading to a cacophony of shouting among the children, drowning out the adults' attempts to understand.
"Enough!" Viserys commanded, but the children did not hear. "Enough!" he said again, louder, but still, no one listened. "SILENCE!" he roared, finally commanding everyone's attention.
"He called us bastards," Jace whispered to Rhaenyra, who stood protectively in front of her sons.
"Aemond," Viserys said as he approached his son. "I will have the truth of what happened. Now."
"What else is there to hear?" Alicent exclaimed. "Your son has been maimed. Her son is responsible."
"It was a regrettable accident," Rhaenyra defended.
"Accident?" Alicent repeated. "Prince Lucerys brought a blade to the ambush; he meant to kill my son."
"It was my sons who were attacked and forced to defend themselves," Rhaenyra proclaimed. "Vile accusations were leveled against them."
Viserys looked at his daughter. "What insults?"
"The legitimacy of my son's birth was loudly questioned," Rhaenyra said, her words heavy with accusation.
"What?" Viserys asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Jace then said, "He called us bastards."
Everyone tensed, fully aware of the implications of Rhaenyra's children being considered illegitimate. Rhaenyra pressed forward. "My sons are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace. This is the highest of treasons. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned to uncover where he heard such slanders."
The room fell silent, shocked by Rhaenyra's willingness to subject Aemond to harsh interrogation. Aeron, Melina, Draqeo, and Areqo Sorren, who remembered similar threats from years past, exchanged uneasy glances.
"Over an insult?" Alicent questioned incredulously. "My son has lost an eye."
Rhaenyra remained steadfast, but Viserys turned his attention to Aemond. "You tell me, boy. Where did you hear this lie?"
Alicent interjected. "The insult was mere training yard bluster. Boys will be boys. It was nothing."
"Aemond," Viserys persisted, ignoring Alicent's remarks. "I asked you a question."
Aemond remained silent, his one good eye meeting his father's gaze.
"Where is Ser Laenor, I wonder?" Alicent asked. "The boys' father?"
"Yes, where is Ser Laenor?" Viserys agreed, looking at Rhaenyra.
"I do not know, Your Grace," Rhaenyra flustered. "I could not sleep. I went out for a walk."
"Entertaining his young squires, I would venture," Alicent japed, drawing glares from Corlys and Rhaenys. Ser Criston chuckled, only to receive a stern look from Ser Harrold.
"Aemond, look at me," Viserys commanded. Aemond slowly raised his gaze, his expression angry. "Your King demands an answer. Who spoke these lies to you?"
Aemond glanced at his mother, who appeared nervous. Viserys then returned his attention to Aemond, who finally said, "It was Aegon."
"Me?" Aegon repeated, confused by his brother's accusation. Alicent looked at her son in disbelief, realizing he had inadvertently revealed the truth.
Viserys walked to his eldest son. "And you, boy? Where did you hear such calumnies?"
Aegon remained silent, terrified. Viserys pressed harder. "Aegon! Tell me the truth."
Finally, Aegon spoke. "We know, Father." He looked his father in the eye. "Everyone knows. Just look at them."
The room fell silent, as Aegon's words rang true. Rhaenyra and Laenor had Valyrian features, while their sons did not, making Aegon's statement unsettlingly accurate. Viserys's gaze shifted between Rhaenyra, Alicent, and the others, each avoiding his look. His attempts to unify his family seemed futile, leaving him overwhelmed.
Finally, Viserys bellowed, "This interminable infighting must cease! All of you! We are a family! Now make your apologies and show goodwill to one another!" He slammed his cane on the floor. "Your father, your grandsire, your uncle, your King demands it!"
Viserys glanced at Aemond, who looked down, and Aelys, who felt sympathy for the boy. Baelar looked at Viserys with disbelief, feeling that his own grievances from years past were being ignored. As Viserys walked away, he tried to avoid his wife's angry gaze, knowing she was disappointed with his handling of the situation.
"That is insufficient," Alicent said, drawing Viserys's attention. "Aemond has been permanently damaged. Goodwill cannot make him whole."
"I know, Alicent," Viserys admitted. "But I cannot restore his eye."
"No, because it's been taken," Alicent argued.
"What would you have me do?" Viserys asked in frustration.
Alicent looked at her husband angrily. "There is a debt to be paid." Turning to Lucerys, she added, "I'll have her son's eye in return."
The court was in an uproar at Alicent's chilling demand. Murmurs of shock and disbelief echoed through the Hall of Nine as all eyes turned to her, struggling to grasp the gravity of her words.
"My dear wife," Viserys said, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and sorrow, "Please, this is not the way."
"He is your son, Viserys," Alicent insisted, her voice breaking with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched at her husband's sleeve. "Your blood, your flesh."
"Do not let your anger cloud your judgment," Viserys implored as he moved closer to her, trying to reason with her. His own anguish was evident, but he could not bring himself to agree to her demand.
Seeing that Viserys was resolute and unwilling to act on her demand, Alicent's frustration boiled over. "If the King won't seek justice, then the Queen will. Ser Criston," she commanded, turning to the knight with a steely gaze, "Bring me the eye of Lucerys Velaryon."
"Mother," Lucerys called out, rushing to his mother, his voice trembling with fear as he grasped her arm. "Please, don't."
Alicent's eyes were fixed on her target, her anger blinding her to the pleas and the escalating tension in the room. "He can choose which eye to keep," she spat, her tone bitter. "A privilege he did not grant my son."
In the chaos and desperation, Aelys, who had been standing in the shadows, moved forward with a determined look on her face. She could not stand by and let her family suffer further. She made a frantic dash towards Alicent, trying to intervene and stop her from making an irreversible decision.
However, in the heat of the moment, Alicent's hand slipped, and the dagger she had been wielding was knocked out of her grasp. It flew through the air, the blade gleaming ominously as it spun. Aelys, caught in the desperate attempt to disarm Alicent, tried to intercept the falling weapon. The blade, however, struck her in the abdomen with a sickening thud.
Aelys gasped, her eyes widening in shock and pain. She staggered back, clutching her wound as blood began to seep through her fingers. The court fell into a stunned silence, the horrific scene unfolding before them. Alicent's eyes widened in horror as she realized what had happened. She sank to her knees, the weight of her actions crashing down upon her. "No, no, no!" she cried out, her voice cracking with remorse and panic.
Rhaenyra and Daemon moved to help, their faces pale as they saw the severity of the wound. The maester, who had been attending Aemond, hurried to Aelys, his hands shaking as he began to tend to her injury.
Alicent stood frozen, her face ashen as she looked at the blood-stained dagger in her hand, realizing the gravity of her actions. "No… no," she stammered, tears streaming down her face. "Aelys, I didn't mean—"
The hall erupted into chaos. The once-formidable Queen was now a figure of horror and regret. Ser Criston and Ser Harrold struggled to contain the situation, while Lord Corlys and Rhaenys looked on in stunned silence. The children, witnessing the violent turn of events, huddled together, their faces pale with fear.
Viserys, his heart torn between fury and sorrow, turned to Alicent. "What have you done?" he demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of grief and anger.
"I…" Alicent began, her voice cracking under the weight of her guilt. "I am sorry, Viserys. I was blinded by my grief."
"Someone help her!" Rhaenyra shouted, rushing to Aelys' side, her own face pale with shock. "Aelys, hold on!"
Viserys, struck by the gravity of the situation, moved to Aelys with trembling hands. His face was a mask of anguish as he knelt beside her. "Aelys, stay with me. We'll get you help."
Ser Criston, initially paralyzed by the scene, quickly snapped into action. He moved to assist Aelys, his face a grim mask as he helped to stabilize her.
The hall was filled with cries and shouts of alarm. Baelar and Aeron looked on in horror, their faces ashen as they witnessed the tragedy unfold. Rhaena, clutching her brothers, was overcome with fear, while Jace and Luke stood stunned, the reality of the situation sinking in.
As the court's chaos intensified, the once-grand Hall of Nine seemed to become a place of utter despair. The weight of loss and conflict pressed down on everyone present, leaving them to grapple with the consequences of a single, tragic moment.
Aelys slowly regained consciousness, her vision blurring and then slowly clearing as she woke in her bed at Driftmark. The pain in her abdomen was dull but persistent, a reminder of the earlier chaos. As her senses came back into focus, she found herself surrounded by a familiar and anxious group.
Rhaenyra was the first to notice her waking, her face softening with relief. "Aelys," she said softly, her voice choked with emotion. "You're awake."
Aelys tried to sit up, but the pain stopped her. She looked around and saw Viserys, his face lined with worry but also relief, standing close by. Daemon, who rarely showed his softer side, was visibly distressed, his hand gripping the edge of Aelys' bed.
Baela and Rhaena, with tear-streaked faces, hovered nearby. Baela reached out and gently took Aelys' hand. "You scared us," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We didn't know what to do."
Rhaenys and Corlys were also present, their expressions a mix of concern and relief. Corlys' usual stoicism was softened by the sight of Aelys' awakening. Rhaenys had tears in her eyes but a smile on her lips, a silent thankfulness that Aelys was still with them.
Jace and Luke stood at the foot of the bed, their faces a blend of guilt and concern. Jace's eyes met Aelys' with a pained expression. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "We didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Luke, still shaken, nodded in agreement, his own remorse evident. "We were just trying to protect ourselves."
Aelys managed a weak smile despite the pain. "I know," she said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I'm just glad everyone is safe."
Viserys approached the bed and gently placed a hand on Aelys' uninjured shoulder. "We're all grateful you're awake," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "There's much we need to talk about, but for now, just rest."
Daemon, still visibly shaken, nodded. "We'll figure things out. For now, focus on getting better."
As the family gathered around Aelys' bedside, a sudden commotion at the window drew their attention. Verdant, the large dragon, was attempting to peer through the small window of the room, his massive head pressing against the glass.
Rhaenyra, noticing the intrusion, turned with a mixture of concern and amusement. "Oh, not you too, Verdant," she said, trying to hide a smile.
Colrys, who had been standing near the window, turned to face the dragon with an exasperated sigh. "Shoo, Verdant! Shoo!" he commanded, waving his hand as though trying to shoo away a large, persistent cat.
Verdant, seemingly unfazed, let out a huff of smoke right into Colrys' face, creating a small cloud that made everyone laugh despite the tension. Colrys coughed and swatted at the smoke, his irritation quickly giving way to bemusement.
"Blast it, Verdant," Colrys said with a chuckle, wiping the smoke from his face. "If you're going to insist on intruding, at least try not to smoke me out."
Verdant, with a slightly indignant snort, withdrew his head from the window, leaving behind a lingering haze of smoke. The dragon's antics brought a moment of levity to the room, breaking the heavy atmosphere and drawing smiles from those present.
Rhaenyra looked at Aelys, her expression softening as she saw the corner of Aelys' mouth twitch into a faint smile. "Even Verdant is concerned about you," she said, her voice gentle. "He's always been like that—always trying to look out for everyone."
Aelys managed a weak laugh, her eyes filled with gratitude. "I'm glad he cares," she said. "It's comforting to have him around."
Aelys' gaze wandered from one familiar face to another, trying to piece together what had happened before she lost consciousness. Her voice was hoarse but determined. "What happened... to Alicent?" she asked, her eyes seeking answers from those gathered around her.
Rhaenyra's face grew somber as she took a deep breath. "Aelys, it was… chaotic. After you were hurt, Alicent demanded Lucerys' eye as retribution for Aemond's injury."
Baela, who had been silently holding Rhaena's hand, added, "Aelys, you tried to protect Lucerys from Alicent's demand. There was a struggle, and in the chaos, Alicent accidentally—"
"—stabbed you," Viserys interjected, his voice filled with regret. He took a step closer to the bed, his face etched with concern. "It was a tragic accident. Alicent didn't mean to hurt you. She was overwhelmed with grief and anger."
Daemon, who had been standing near the window, nodded gravely. "The situation spiraled out of control. The guards intervened, and Alicent was restrained. It took time to settle everything down."
Colrys looked at Aelys with a mixture of sympathy and frustration. "The wound was severe, but the maesters say you'll recover, though it'll take time. The wound was deep, but thankfully it wasn't fatal."
Aelys nodded slowly, her mind racing to understand the full scope of the chaos that had unfolded. "And Alicent?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern despite her own injury.
"She is deeply distressed," Rhaenyra said softly. "She was devastated by what happened, especially knowing it was her actions that led to your injury. She's been confined and is under watch, but she's not in a state to be of much use right now."
Jace, who had been standing quietly at the edge of the group, spoke up. "She's been punished and is under guard. The Queen's actions have not gone unnoticed, and the court is dealing with the fallout."
Aelys closed her eyes for a moment, processing the gravity of the situation. When she opened them again, her gaze was steady. "Thank you for telling me. I need to understand everything to make sense of it all."
"Of course," Rhaenyra said, reaching out to gently squeeze Aelys' hand. "We'll ensure you get all the information you need. But for now, focus on your recovery. The family will handle the rest."
Aelys nodded before she drifted off to sleep again.