𝐍𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐞 ~ A. Hightower

XXVII

The sun was just beginning to set over the city of King's Landing as Maekar and his family approached the bustling docks. The salty sea breeze filled the air, and the sound of seagulls echoed in the distance. Maekar walked alongside Alicent. Their two eldest sons, Aegon and Baelon, who shared their father's serious demeanor, walked just ahead, their eyes scanning the crowds for any familiar faces. Evelyn followed with her arm linked through Baelon's, her eyes filled with wonder.

However, what caught the attention of onlookers was the youngest member of the family, a spirited little girl with her silvery Targaryen hair and bright violet eyes. Despite her young age, she possessed a stubbornness that rivaled even the most seasoned knights of the realm. She had insisted on coming along, despite her parents' protests, and her determination was evident in the way she marched alongside her family, her head held high.

As the family made their way down the gangplank, Maekar couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness and resentment. He had expected to see his sister and Daemon, waiting to greet them. After all, they were family, and it was only proper to welcome the heir to the Iron Throne. It seemed that his expectations had been misplaced.

Maekar's gaze swept across the crowd, searching for any sign of his sister's distinctive silver hair or Daemon's swagger, but they were nowhere to be found. He felt a mix of frustration and bitterness, wondering why they had chosen to ignore his arrival. They would want him on their side when he was to hold court for the right to inherit Driftmark.

Alicent, sensing her husband's bitterness, gently squeezed his hand, offering him a reassuring smile. "They may have had other pressing matters to attend to, my love," she said softly, her voice filled with understanding, yet deep down she knew that wasn't the case. "Let us not dwell on it. We are here now, and we have each other."

Maekar nodded, grateful for his wife's words. He took a deep breath, pushing aside his bitterness, and turned his attention back to his family. As they made their way through the bustling docks, the young girl tugged at her father's sleeve, her eyes filled with excitement, her past seriousness gone.

"Father, look!" she exclaimed, pointing towards a ship that was being unloaded nearby. "Do you think they have treasure on board?"

Maekar couldn't help but smile at his daughter's infectious enthusiasm. It was hard to remember she was just a girl of ten at times. He crouched down to her level and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Perhaps, my little dragon," he replied, using the nickname he had given her.

The sound of hooves echoed through the courtyard of the Red Keep as Maekar, Aegon, and Baelon dismounted their horses. The tension in the air was palpable as they looked around, expecting to see a welcoming party, but once again, there was no one there to greet them. Maekar's anger began to build, his jaw clenched tightly.

Alicent, sensing her husband's frustration, approached him and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Patience, my love," she whispered, her voice filled with empathy. "We will find out what has happened. Let us first attend to your father."

Maekar took a deep breath, trying to quell his anger, and nodded in agreement. Together, they made their way through the doors of the Red Keep, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls. The air inside was heavy with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

As they reached the chamber where Viserys lay, Maekar and Alicent exchanged a worried glance. The sight that met their eyes was far from what they had expected. Viserys, once a proud figure, now lay in his bed, his skin sickly and rotten, his hair thinning, and half his left arm missing, replaced by a stump. A hole in his cheek exposed the tendons, and his right eye was lost to the ravages of the disease.

Alicent's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock and horror. She felt a wave of nausea threaten to overcome her, but she forced it down, determined to be a source of support for her husband and father-in-law. Maekar, though visibly shaken, straightened his posture and stepped forward, his voice filled with a mix of concern and anger.

"Father," he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "What has happened to you? Why have we not been informed of your condition?"

Viserys, his voice weak and hoarse, turned his gaze towards his son. His remaining eye held a mixture of pain and resignation. "Maekar," he whispered, his voice barely audible and coming out in a wheeze. "It is the illness."

Maekar's anger turned to a mix of sadness and frustration. He couldn't bear to see his father in such a state, a mere shell of the King he had known. He turned to Alicent, his voice filled with determination.

"We must find out what has transpired in our absence," he said, his voice firm. "We will not let this go unanswered."

Alicent nodded, her eyes filled with resolve. Together, they approached the bedridden Viserys, offering words of comfort and support.

As Maekar and Alicent were still processing the shocking sight of Viserys, the chamber door creaked open, and Ser Otto, Alicent's father, entered the room. His presence brought a mix of relief and apprehension to Maekar and Alicent, as they hoped he could shed some light on the troubling situation.

Ser Otto glanced at his daughter and son-in-law, his face etched with worry. "Maekar, Alicent," he began, his voice tinged with remorse. "I'm glad you're here, I have to explain what has been happening in your absence."

Both Maekar and Alicent turned their attention to Ser Otto, their eyes filled with anticipation.

"Rhaenyra," Ser Otto continued, his voice heavy with regret, "has been ruling in your father's stead, but she has been trying to manipulate the council into thinking that you and your family are unfit to rule."

Maekar's brows furrowed in confusion. "But why would Rhaenyra resort to such tactics?" he asked, his voice laced with both concern and frustration.

Ser Otto sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Rhaenyra has always been ambitious and power-hungry," he explained, his voice tinged with sadness. "She sees this as an opportunity to claim the throne for herself and discredit your family in the process. She wants to paint you as unhinged and cruel, making you unfit to rule."

Alicent's eyes widened, a mix of shock and disbelief crossing her face. "So, she has been manipulating the council against us?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Ser Otto nodded grimly. "That is correct," he confirmed. "She has been spreading false rumors and twisting the truth to turn the council against you. Rhaenyra is willing to go to great lengths to secure her power."

Alicent's eyes widened, a mix of shock and disbelief crossing her face. "So, she had no knowledge of Maekar's return?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Ser Otto nodded grimly. "That is correct," he confirmed. "There was no welcome party for you because Rhaenyra had no knowledge of your return. She has been operating in her own self-interest, consolidating power and trying to manipulate those around her."

Maekar's fists clenched, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "And what of our father's condition?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of concern and fury.

Ser Otto's expression grew darker. "It was Rhaenyra who ordered the maesters to administer large quantities of Milk of the Poppy to King Viserys," he revealed, his voice filled with a mix of disgust and sadness. "She began manipulating him while he was under sedation, using his weakened state to further her own agenda."

Alicent gasped, her hand instinctively reaching for Maekar's. The betrayal they felt was almost unbearable, but they knew they had to stay strong and find a way to protect their family and the realm from Rhaenyra's grasp.

Maekar's voice was filled with determination as he looked at Ser Otto. "We have to act carefully," he said, his tone resolute. "We cannot let Rhaenyra continue down this path of destruction. We play it safe, we gather our allies, expose her treachery, and ensure that justice is served."

Ser Otto nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I am with you, Your Grace," he declared, his voice filled with loyalty. "We will do everything in our power to bring Rhaenyra's reign of manipulation and deceit to an end."