Champagne Problems// Laena Velaryon

21. Rise Up

''Ser Criston... you've been summoned.''

''I left the Princess just minutes ago.'' Criston countered

''Not the Princess, ser. The Queen.''

"Ser Criston, Your Grace." A handmaiden said as the door swung open, Criston took cautious steps into the queens chambers.

''That will be all.'' Alicent agreed and passed off her screaming daughter, she tried with her children, but they were difficult, she tried to bond with them, she tried so hard but she was a child having children. ''I fear I must question you on a, on a delicate matter, Ser Criston.''

''I am your servant as always, my Queen.''

''It concerns our dear Princess Rhaenyra. Please.'' Alicent pat the spot next to her and waited for him to sit next to her. hesitantly he removed his sword from his hip and sat stiffly next to her.

''You are her sworn protector and rightly loyal to her.'' Alicent remarked.

''I am.''

''The night of Daemon's return... there's been a rumor... or rather, my father received an accounting of... a lapse of morals that may have occurred between... It is, of course, unthinkable for me to question the virtue of the Princess, whom I hold in highest regard, but, I-I, I did, however, wonder if... I'm not unaware that in flush of youth... there may be errors made...'' Alicent didn't know how to say it but she needed to know her father was a good and right man. This was about her father. Her once friend. She needed to know if she was wrong, if Rhaenyra had lied to her, misguided her into thinking she was innocent.  Alicent let out a long sigh as she looked to Criston.

''breaches in resolve, breaches, or rather lapses...''

''It happened, Your Grace. The sin you allude to. I have committed it. At her instigation, it is true, but that should... It is no excuse.' Criston agreed as he stood up. ''My oath has been broken. I have dishonored myself. I deserve no consideration. But if... as a clement Queen, you are inclined to pity... I would ask only this... that rather than gelding me and having me tortured... you would sentence me mercifully to death.'' Criston offered.

''Thank you for your honesty, Ser Criston. You may go.'' Alicent informed him and he stared back at her but she seemed content. 

+

"Taelon?" Nyra questioned as they landed. He glanced back at her as he sent Rok to his cave. "I... well... I sort of made a deal with Laenor."

"A deal?"

"Laenor has a lover, he can keep his. I don't want to lose you I want to love you for the rest of my life." Nyra whimpered.

"Nyra-"

 "And if I can't have you as that then I need you as my brother. My friend. The person I go to when I need a hug or need to tell a secret to." Nyra felt tears on her face. "Taelon I love you. Please, I need you."

"The future is uncertain." Taelon agreed. "But Nyra-"

"Don't let this stupid union be the end of us."

"Nyra." Taelon wiped at her cheeks.

"Taelon please. You promised you promised me I would always have you. Don't break that promise." Nyra sobbed.

"Nyra love." Taelon whispered hugging her tight.  "You will always have me. I'm your brother, I'm always going to be here for you. No matter how many children you have, or how old we get. You are my family." 

"Promise?"

"I promise, why would you think I wouldnt be here for you? I wouldnt toss you aside." Taelon assured her.  Nyra sighed into him. "I'm your brother, I'm always going to be your brother, always going to be your family."

"She will be your wife, your queen one day." Nyra whispered. 

"And Laenor will be... he has a lover?" Taelon questioned. 

'Yeah... I... well we... we do our duty and then we... enjoy our lives." Nyra offered. 

"Smart girl you are, you get that from me." Taelon teased. "Come on, nothing need change. Just stay the hell away from Daemon." 

"Fair enough." 

+

''Rest now, Your Grace. I will bring the leeches.'' Mello said as Viserys lay back exhausted and weak.

''If I may, Grand Maester, I took the liberty of preparing a fresh set of herbal poultices that might be more... effective.'' Maester Orwyle offered.

''That will not be necessary, Orwyle.'' Mellos assured ''The leechings have always brought His Grace relief." He assured as he headed out.

''To help him sleep.'' Orwyle offered the bottle popping the top to Lyonel.

''Where's the Queen?''

''I was given to understand that she is otherwise occupied, Your Grace.'' Lyonel remarked softly. 

''And the kids? Have they returned?" Viserys questioned. 

"I believe I saw Prince Taelon's dragon landing." Lyonel agreed. Viserys nodded through a haze of pain and exhaustion. 

"Will I be remembered as a good king, Lyonel?'' Viserys said with a sigh.

''Your Grace?''

''What will they say of me when the histories are written? I have neither fought nor conquered, nor suffered any great defeat.'' Viserys remarked.

''Some might call that good fortune.'' Lyonel countered. 

''It hardly makes a good song, does it? To be sung at feasts in a hundred years... five hundred.'' Viserys said pathetically.

''You have carried King Jaehaerys' legacy. And kept the realm strong.'' Lyonel corrected but his answer didn't satisfy Viserys. ''Is it not better to live in peace than to have songs sung after you are dead?''

'Perhaps. But there is a part of me wishes I'd been tested. I often think that in the crucible, I may have been forged a different man.'' Viserys admitted. "My son fights in wars, he is brave and strong and... he has been tested, he will make a better king then I." 

'' Many that are tested, only wish to have been spared it. '' Lyonel offered. 

''Another lord might assure me that I would rise like Aegon the Conqueror given the chance.'' Viserys remarked bitterly. "Taelon would, he would rise, when I'm gone make sure you help him. Help him see that greatness in him... guide him..."

''Your Grace, you have plenty of time to train taelon yourself, I think he would enjoy hearing those words from you." Lyonel offered. "I believe... you would... you could rise too." he added awkwardly. 

''It is perhaps best not to know.'' Viserys countered drinking the potion.