𝒜𝓁𝒾𝒸𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝐻𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇

If someone is determined not to trust you, what truly can you do?

[She sacrificed her father for Rhaenyra. She had believed her and believed a lie.

Why should she try? If Rhaenyra mistrusted her so much, what would she be willing to do?]

At present, my concern is my daughter and her inability to sleep at night, as well as my husband and his illness.

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[From what he can recall of the matter, he is not sure that Rhaenyra should ever trust Alicent again. But he also isn’t sure that “Alicent” isn’t lying to him. Does she wish to regain Rhaenyra’s trust in truth? Is it only so that she can betray her in the end?

That she has said what she just did, though, makes him doubt his perception that he’s truly talking to Sansa. She has betrayed his trust, and he has forgiven her.]

Try to understand her, I suppose. Might be that the princess is not given to trust. I am no maester to aid your husband or your daughter. But it must be a comfort to her to have her mother by her, when her sleep is troubled. I never knew my own mother.

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I do understand her. She was my closest friend since I was a child. I know her better than I know myself. [Which is sadly true.] The princess has her own mind.

[It seemed that no matter what Alicent tried, Rhaenyra did not truly wish for her friendship.]

The Maester said that she will outgrow her crying fits. Aegon was no trouble to me. My apologies. Did your mother die?

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[“Aegon”… that name is a further reminder of who he’s talking to, or who she claims to be. And it’s an unfortunate name for a child, he thinks — too heavy a name. He is a king now, though it weighs on him, and though he did not seek it. But to be born like that, or close enough to fight your sister for it… it wouldn’t be a happy lot, would it? Being Aegon Targaryen must have its own troubles, as much as being a Snow.]

My father would not speak of her. I don’t know who she was, or if she still lives — but that I have not had word from her in recent days makes me think she must have died by now.

[If you heard that your son was a king, you might try to get word to him, mightn't you? He had not thought of his mother in many years; he had stopped longing to know much about her when he was made Lord Commander. Yet it was only after the Northern lords raised him up, when there was no lady at the gates asking for him, no raven bringing a claim on him, that he was sure: if his mother had not been dead all along, she has died since.]

Edited (repetition ) Date: 2022-09-25 04:07 am (UTC)

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My mother died when I was young. Much of my life, I grew without her. I know what the absence of a mother is and you have my sympathies. It is why I wish to be a good mother to my children.

[They were, after all, the only ones that truly loved her. They were the only loves she would have in her life. All of the effort, all of the duty and all of the endurance, it had to be worth it in the end. Without her father at court, the only one who would protect them was her.

She felt sympathy for Jon. That sort of longing and emptiness couldn't be replaced. A father wasn't enough, though she had tried to make him so. You needed someone to explain matters to you that a father could not.]

I am certain she was beautiful and kind.

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[He stares at the scroll for a long time, his lips pressed together. He had not expected that to have such a thing said to him, even in letters on paper, would be hard -- would make his stomach tense and his throat close.]

When I was a boy, that was my wish. I thank you for your own kindness, and share your sympathies. What little I have been told of you -- you have tried to be a good mother to your children.

[You have tried to give one of them a throne, and it will be the end of him.]

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[She smiled, pleased that there is something of a reputation building for her as a mother. She had been hidden in the background for so long, but it seemed that some of her effort was reaping rewards.]

My children are all I have.

Are you married?

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I am not. One day, maybe. We face a war. To have a wife and a child in danger is more than I can bear.

[To have to kill them if the White Walkers get to them first, this wife and child that do not exist, that would be even worse.]

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Even in war, a king needs an heir. There is too much uncertainty otherwise and my father spoke of the unrest about who would succeed the Good King.

Warriors need a companion, someone to share the burden. Do you not want someone to speak to during the harsh days?

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It is a pretty dream, to have an heir for the North, but if we fail in this war, succession will be of no concern. There will be no living men in the North to look to a king.

[The rest, he doesn't answer. It would be easier in some ways and harder in others. If Ygritte had lived -- but that's a thought he only allows himself once in a while, late at night with a cup of ale in his hand, and there still isn't much comfort in it.]

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[If she were a different woman, she might suggest that love was more important, but such things were beyond her concept. She could only think in terms of duty.]

I hope that you prove victorious.

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[When he reads that, he lets out a rueful chuckle. The prospects are grim. He has tried to make it plain that they are grim, but the people don't believe him -- not truly. They imagine war, but what sort of war it is, no one can really imagine until they see it.]

So do I. If we don't -- nothing else matters. It will be the end of everything and everyone. We mean to fight it. We mean to do what we can. If you live in a time of peace, it's easy to think that things will always be so.

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[She had never experienced war, but she had to imagine that it always felt that way. Her father had tried to impart that idea to her, the dangers and risks of supporting Rhaenyra. Political mistakes were life and death, war was likely no different. She dared not write that, certain she would appear the fool.]

Perhaps it may seem that way. Peace too long can leave men restless and aggressive. The tourneys become more bloody and dangerous. Others seek to stir up trouble and move people into the positions they wish.

[She was specifically thinking of Daemon.]

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What does the pretty queen go to war for, hmm?

Edited Date: 2022-10-06 12:01 am (UTC)

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War is your nature, my prince. You may know better than any.

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Do I now? Your step-daughter, my niece, is married to her cousin. But you've never shown ambition for the throne on which you get to sit before.

Why now? Anyone not an idiot knows what you've done.

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There is little reason for me to show ambition. I only show family loyalty.

[Which isn't completely true, but she won't admit that to Daemon Targaryen.]

I am the Queen. It is my duty to be a credit to the court.

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Yes, of course my mistake. That's why your friendship to the Princess never waivered.

Oh. Wait.

[ He'd actually think less of her if she didn't have some ambition somewhere. ]

Technically, as Queen your duty is to give my brother a male heir, which you've done. Your duty is complete, is it not?

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You show a great deal of concern for out friendship.

Are you personally invested?

[She's retorting without thought, forcing her to speak what she really thinks, much to her irritation.]

Those who do not have a proper wife never do understand the role of a wife and queen. Perhaps if you had been a more attentive husband, you might understand what a wife is expected to offer.

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I have never been shy about my affection and protectiveness over my niece. Your friendship was a great pain to her when it dissolved into whatever the lack of it is now.

Which makes it a concern for me.

[ How much she might know of the one night with Rhaenyra Alicent might know, he's not sure, but to be fair, he's never hidden his desire to be close to his niece. ]

My wife's failings as my wife are not my fault, Alicent. And maybe if you had been a little more worldly than sheltered, you'd understand exactly what most men feel a woman's place is in a marriage. My brother is no different.

Or does he actually make it enjoyable when he ruts in the night to produce my nephews and nieces?

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Any difficulties I have with the princess are of no consequence. Your brief visits to court likely has you confused, so you misinterpret what our relationship is. If the princess has a complaint, she is welcome to bring it to my attention.

[The mask is easier to maintain, as are these formal responses. She was still on guard, prepared for a battle, whether it be with Rhaenyra or Daemon.]

You speak too familiarly. Remember your place. [The timid lady now asserting her power, it was strange and unfamiliar to her, but also natural at the same time.] I know well my place, as I was raised to assume it without difficulty. The king requires a queen as well as a wife, which alters my position from other women.

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Of course. My mistake. The silence between you is clearly not deafening and widely visible that even the blind are murmuring about it.

[ Just because she tries to maintain the mask doesn't mean he's not going to poke and prod at it. ]

I think you've forgotten what family you've married into. Targaryens are extremely familiar with each other, and don't chain yourself to a dragon if you aren't prepared to ride it properly, my Queen. [ Even without seeing his expression, there's a good chance she knows the exact tone he'd likely drip that title with. ] And you think he doesn't see exactly the positioning your father did to place you where you are? There's a reason he throws his male children away as easily as he does me in replace for his beloved daughter. Your children will never be as loved as Rhaenyra is in his eyes. Because he sees you. Sees your fathers ministrations in you.

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The princess is otherwise occupied with marriage. She will likely continue to focus on her new husband and the potential child she will bear soon. It is impossible to maintain similar relationships during such events.

[She'll hide behind that. He knows well the rumors about Rhaenyra. She won't dignify that with a response.]

The king would not take well to someone overstepping their bounds with his wife, as he does not care for someone overstepping their bounds with his daughter. [She's insulted, feeling a tightness in her chest at the very idea.

His insinuations sting, as she knows they're true. Her children never received his attention. Aegon was cherished until his second nameday. After, he was forgotten and left to his nurse. She was treated well, but there was little love between them, only kindness.] I am sincere to the king.

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I have asked forgiveness from the Gods. I intend to offer charity and alms in the name of the Maiden. Perhaps I will be forgiven then.

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