The Red Keep ISs buzzing today. A trial is preparing, that of Alyssa's nephew's legitimacy as heir to the Driftmark.
Indeed, since the announcement that Lord Corlys Velaryon, the sea serpent, was injured, with little chance of recovery, the question of his succession was raised.
Two main heirs oppose : The young Lucaerys Velaryon, the designated heir and Vaemond Velaryon, brother of Lord Corlys.
The whole family is looking forward to this moment, even Alyssa who, deep down, is waiting for her nephews' bastardy to be exposed. Of course, she knows these children didn't choose their birth...but their mother did. And finally, she might receive her punishment.
----------
Alyssa is finishing getting ready. Her maid is finishing braiding her hair when Aegon approach her.
"Are you sure you want to go?"
"For the last time, yes." Her maid nods to her, indicating that her work is finished. She stand up with difficulty, holding her now 8 month bump.
"I want to be there."
"I know but it's going to be long...Are you sure you can stay up that long?"
He says, caressing gently his wife's belly. "I'll hold on, don't worry. Beside, this baby is not due for today."
"Gods my wife is stubborn."
"But you love her?"
"More than anything else." He kisses her quickly and looks her up and down. "I am blessed...I have the most beautiful wife on earth."
"Don't lie, I'm huge."
"Believe me, it doesn't take anything away from your beauty. Quite the contrary. And then you're carrying our child!"
She smiles softly and put her hand over one of his. "I can't wait for him to be here."
"Me too. A few more weeks and SHE will be here."
"Still certain it's a girl?" she smiles tenderly at him
"Yes!" he kisses her belly. "My sweet girl."
Alyssa smiles sweetly to her husband. "Do you still desire me? Even like this?"
He straightens up and faces her "I hold myself every day not to take you against a wall or on the floor."
She laughs. For one month now, the Maester had asked them to stop their activities, not to risk injuring the baby. It is torture for both of them but they know It is for their child.
"As soon as the Maester gives us his blessing...I'll be all yours."
A faint knock sounds on the door.
"Yes, come in Heleana." says Alyssa.
Their sister come in and smiles at them. "Are you ready for a walk? I promise we'll only be looking for butterflies"
"Yes, yes, I'm coming." She turns to Aegon. "See you later?"
"I will be there." He kisses her forehead and she leave taking her sister's arm.
The two sisters walks slowly, it is the only pace that Alyssa can afford given her pregnancy.
"I can't wait for the baby to arrive! My babies will have a cousin!"
"I too can't wait even if the idea of giving birth scares me more and more." She says, caressing her belly.
"It hurts like hell. But you quickly forget."
"I hope..." She says to her, trying to convince herself that her sister is right.
"At least these babies will only be months appart."
She turns her gaze to her sister. "What do you mean?"
Helaena gives her a big smile and Alyssa understand instantly
"You're pregnant!? But since when?"
"About 3 weeks now."
"Praise be the Gods!" She takes her sister in her arms as best she could with her belly. "Have you told anyone?"
"Aemond, a few days ago. You're the second one I've told."
"Mother will be overjoyed when she finds out."
"I know. But I wanted to wait until your baby was born to tell her. I don't want to upstage you."
"What are you talking about? I don't care if you upstage me! You're my sister. I'm happy to share this with you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Besides, it would be hard to keep the secret that long. This baby won't be here for at least four weeks and since it's Aegon's child...you can be sure he'll stay a little longer warm in my belly."
Helena laughs heartily. Alyssa takes her head in her hands
"I am very happy and proud of you little sister. Don't ever think I want you to live in my shadow. You're a sun, shine."
"And you're my moon." They smiles at each other and continues on their way.
On their way to the throne room, they encounters someone they didn't see in years.
"Uncle Daemon." says Alyssa, surprised.
He offers them a slight bow. "My dear nieces. I haven't seen you for a long time."
"Indeed. Did you had a nice trip?" Says Alyssa smiling. Helaena looks slightly affraid.
"Yes, thanks for asking. Could I have a word with you Alyssa?" She takes a few seconds before nodding.
She turns to her sister. "I'll meet you there."
Heleana nods but whispers "A debt must be paid." before leaving the two in the hallway.
Alyssa watches her go, slightly intrigued by her words.
She turns her attention to him. "You're blooming my dear. I'm glad to see you in this state."
"What do you want, uncle?"
"Can't I congratulate my favorite niece?"
She smirks "You and I know very well that I'm not your favorite niece. So what do you want?"
He smirks. "The pragmatic and down to earth spirit." He places his hands behind his back."I need you."
"What for?"
"To defend your nephew's heritage before the Queen"
Alyssa laughs "You have the audacity...to come after so many years and ask me to defend the bastard of Rhaenyra..."
"Watch your words."
"Come on uncle, you know it and said it few years ago. But love makes you forget many things."
"It's your blood! Don't let the greens turn you against your family!"
"The greens, as you say, are my blood too and they raised me, protected me. And you my uncle? Where have you been all this time?" He grits his teeth, not knowing what to say.
"Nowhere. You gave me a name and left." She continue, approaching him, without fear.
"And for my sister? She's only my sister in name. She's been cursing and hating me since I was born so why would I act any different now?"
"Maybe it's time...to get closer."
"Even you don't believe your words, uncle." She sighs "I don't recognize you. Where is the great knight? Where is the great strategist who won all his battles? Where is the Rogue Prince. Begging..."
He sighs. "You won't do anything..."
"Nothing. If the Hand comes to decide that..."
"The Hand is a cunt!" he turns and slams his arm against the nearest wall. "He's going to take everything away from Lucaerys."
"And your daughters?"
"What about them?"
"They also have rights to Driftmark, but I don't hear you fighting for them."
"That's not the point. They're girls"
"And yet you fight for Rhaenyra to ascend to the Iron Throne."
"It's her legacy."
"As Driftmark is your daughters'. They're Laena's true born daughters."
"You will let the Hand and the Queen condemn us."
"I'll let the Hand and the Queen do whatever justice they want. I'm not interested in politics." She caresses her belly and receives a kick in return. "That's what matters to me."
"And yet, your unborn child is already a piece in the game of politics. And you choose a side for him."
"As a matter of fact, my child, will be on his father's side...just like me."
He sighs, approaching and looking down at her. "I won't let them, Alyssa."
"It's your right to try, uncle."
"Prince Daemon! It's been a long time!" the voice of the hand echoes down the hall.
"Not enough, obviously." He says serly, tightening his teeth and hands.
The hand approaches the duo and bows. "Princess" he says kissing her hand. "You are beautiful. Your condition exalts you more than I thought possible."
"Thank you Lord Grandsire." she smiles at him.
"We are about to begin, I imagine you wish to join your wife, Prince Daemon." says the Hand, smiling.
The prince looks at his niece one last time, with a sad look, before bowing to her. "Princess."
"Uncle." The prince leave and they waits a few moments before the Hand held out his arm.
"Will you accompany me, my dear?"
"I'll be glad to"
They moves very slowly. "It was a very dangerous game, but you knew how to respond perfectly."
"You have your ears everywhere."
"Wherever needed Princess. My purpose is to protect the throne, my family and their interests."
"He won't let it go."
"Daemon is a capricious child. But trust me, I have the situation in hand. The only concern that should occupy your mind after this trial is your health and that of your unborn child." she nods
The door to the throne room opens for them.
"I'm the only one who can protect my child..."
"For now, yes. But at the second he's born, we will do our best to protect him from the Blacks."
She sights "Do what you must, Lord Grandsire."
"I will princess."
They descends the stairs and crosses the room to the foot of the throne. There he stops, bows to the princess before kissing her hand and continuing on his way to the top of the throne. Alyssa joins her husband who takes her by the hip.
"Where have you been? Are you okay?" He asks her, worried.
She smiles at him. "Yes, don't worry. I'll explain later."
"I hope so." He says kissing her cheek
Alyssa's gaze wanders to the other side of the room and observed her nephews, they had grown. Jace in particular, he stand up straight. Already a young man. Lucaerys is glue to his mother. He still looks like a little boy.
Then she mets Rhaenyra's gaze, full of disdain, as always.
She let her gaze wander and saw her cousins Rhaena and Baela and also Princess Rhaenys who smiles softly at her.
The Hand begins and let Vaemond Velaryon speak.
Rhaenyra tries to defend her son during the plea but is quickly put in her place by the Queen. Then finally it's his turn. She stands in the center of the aisle and begins to plea for her son.
But as soon as she starts than the door opens.
"King Viserys Targaryen, first of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm."
The king, who have been bedridden for weeks, have come... Everyone watches him move slowly towards the throne...or was it towards Rhaenyra?
Of course...there is only her to get him up...to defend her, once again...
The last meters are the hardest, Alyssa expects to see him fall at any moment. As he ascends the throne his crown fell and Daemon come to help him finish the way.
He installes him on his throne and replaces the crown on his head.
The king begins to speak, out of breath. "I must, admit my confusion. I don't understand why petitions are being heard over settle succession. The only one present who might offer keener insight to Lord Corlys' wishes is the princess Rhaenys"
All turns to the Sea Snake's wife. "Indeed your grace." She walks to the center of the room, under a heavy silence.
"It was ever my husband's will that driftmark, passed through Ser Laenor to his true born son, Lucaerys Velaryon." Alyssa and her brothers, laughs softly at these words earning a glare from their mother who managed to hear them. "His mind never changed, nor did my support of him." She pauses. "As a matter of facts, the princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys' granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartly agree"
"The Snake is smart when it's cornered" whispers Aemond.
"Indeed brother..." whispers back Alyssa
"Well said the king." The matter is settled. Again, I reaffirm prince Lucaerys of House Velaryon, as heir of Driftmark and the Driftwood throne. As the next lord of the tides."
Princess Rhaenys go back to her place smiling at Rhaenyra as Lord Vaemond speaks.
"You break the law and centuries of tradition to install your daughter heir, but you dare tell me who deserves ton inherit the name Velaryon? No. I will not allow it."
"Allow it? Do not forget yourself Vaemond"
"THAT!" He shouts pointing at Luke. "Is no true Velaryon. And certainly, no nephew of mine."
Alyssa and her brothers smirks at those words.
Rhaenyra turns to her sons quickly. "Go to your chambers." then adresses to ser Vemond "You have said enough."
"Lucaerys, is my trueborn grandson. And you, no more than a second son of Driftmark."
"You may run your house as you see fit. But you'll not decide the future of mine. My house survived the doom and thousands tribulations besides. And gods be damned, I will not see it endeed on the account of this..."
Daemon looks at him defiantly. "Say it"
There is a heavy silence. The tension is strong.
"Her children...are BASTARDS!" Everyone looks at him, shocked. "And she is...a hoe."
The King stand up, with difficulty, and takes out his dagger. "I...will have your tongue for that."
He barely have finished his sentence, when Daemon cut off Ser Vaemond's head.
"He can keep his tongue."
Everyone is shocked. In reflex, Aegon's hand swept over Alyssa's stomach, protectively.
Heleana covers her ears and hides against Aemond's chest. The Queen come between her children to protect them.
"Disarm the prince." says the Hand."No need." says Daemon
Aegon and Alyssa's eyes are fixed on Vaemond's body, shocked at what had just happened.
Aemond, on the other hand, seems to be in awe.
Alyssa feels a huge pain in her belly and huffs."
You ok?" Aegon asks worriedly, standing now in front of her.
"Yes, I'm alright."
She turns her gaze to her sister and see her prostrate against her husband. "Heleana." She approaches her and strokes her hair. "My sweet sister."
Helaena throw herself into her sister's arms and cries. "A debt must be paid." she says softly.
The king collapses on his throne and the Queen runs towards him. "Call the Maesters!"
He leave the throne room, supported by a guard and the maester, under the eyes of all.
Alyssa scans the room and had the impression of going back several years, in Driftmark.
But this time, she feels that the danger has never been so close to them...