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[chainedqueen]

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[halfyeared]

Or no one will know, because you will be sneaky and tell no one.

[chainedqueen]

[She didn't need to be told that Larys was after his own desires rather than her own. He didn't exactly hide it, only framing it as wishing to serve her. Some of his information had been useful, but he hovered closer and closer, asking to host her for a supper or to speak to her more often in private about what he heard. There was a relentless pressure from two sides, both Larys and Daemon picking at her until she was stumbling, less able to maintain her morals.

His offer was not dismissed outright. Both Helaena and Aegon were fussy and her daughter seemed to hate others being around. Taking them somewhere quiet with fresh air and sunshine, it would do them both some good. Perhaps even lulling them both to sleep?

She was not the most graceful on a horse, preferring a wheelhouse. She could at least ride a little, enough to reach the waterfall.]

Speak to the guards and I will summon the children's nurse.

[chainedqueen]

The king is partial to you, despite many of your actions. That you court rumors and scandalous stories is a matter that often exhausts him.

Your concern is generous, but I have done nothing that warrants attention.

[Aside from that green dress.]

[chainedqueen]

You know I am not sneaky. That was always you.

[valonqri]

[oh it is absolutely not out any genuine concern from him.]

Yes, I'm certain that display in the great hall at my niece's wedding banquet was nothing but a chaste display of your piety.

[valyrianprince]

[ Daemon was relentless, but his interests in being at her side and having her attention was at least less dangerous. Or more, pending how you looked at it, Layrs would use his actions to eventually trip her into blackmail. Daemon’s interests while a little selfish for himself also wants to see her strong and wasn’t interested in blackmailing her. It wasn’t just because his interests would get him in more trouble with his brother than he’d ever been either. It’s because if they actually went that far, he’d want to keep her safe.

There’s a small smile when she agrees, bowing just a little at her command to see to the guard. He cannot help be happy that he had suggested something that was good for her, that would please her and get her alone some. Even with the guards. ] I’ll see to the guard and have them bring horses around. I can have Aegon ride with me if you’d like Helaena to ride with you too, and have them grab some snacks in case they get hungry while we’re out.

[chainedqueen]

[Now the dance begins.]

I am uncertain what you are insinuating. I wished to dress appropriately for the princess's wedding.

[chainedqueen]

Helaena does not prefer to be touched. [Something that she never admitted to anyone, save for her nurse. Aegon would be more delighted to be on a horse, but her daughter should follow in the wheelhouse. It would at least spare them from constant crying.] Their nurse does not ride. It might be easier for both of them to travel in the wheelhouse.

[What was she doing? This was foolish, but momentarily needed. She wanted a bit of air, to pull away from the pressure closing in around her. Larys, Viserys, her father. Each of them picked at her and it was becoming overwhelming, especially when surrounded by the eyes of the court. Being away, even if with guards seemed almost liberating.

She couldn't think that way. Instead, she pushed herself to believe it was for the children. There was no other reason and no other feeling in her. Not pressure, not need for liberation, nothing beyond duty.]

[valonqri]

Yes, I'm sure that's what everyone was thinking. 'Oh how our revered queen has come late and well-dressed'.

[valyrianprince]

[ There’s a softness to his eyes for that admittance, head tilting just a little. ] That must make it harder to quell her when she cries. A wheelhouse for the nurse and Princess then. I’ll see it prepared as well, while you get the children and nurse ready. There’s a gentle mare I can prepare for you, if you would be up to ride?

[ Something she doesn’t get often either, he’s offering her a choice in riding with him if her daughter will be in the wheelhouse. And he’s being attending to her, by offering her a mare known to be gentle. A softer side of him, but also showing he is paying attention. He knows she doesn’t ride much at all, isn’t arguing the need for what she feels is needed.

Ever the good brother. He’ll bow slightly to her though, only waiting until she answers him about the mare before he’ll leave her to prepare everything. Only the children needing her attention and preparation, while he prepares everything else. It’s no surprise that Cole is among the guard either, insisting he see his Queen’s safety first hand. And part of Daemon wants to argue, he won’t for now. It may help Alicent be more comfortable with him whisking her and the children off for a quieter afternoon.

Everything being ready by the time she and the children are out of the large tent. ]

[chainedqueen]

If another meaning was taken, it was from their own imaginations.

[chainedqueen]

Whether I am around or not, she continually cries. [The reason baffled her. The Maesters said it was a common ailment in children, though Aegon had never suffered from it. She was overwhelmed by it, still too young to truly understand how to care for children. She could only trust the nurse to see to the princess and find a way to calm her.] The gentle mare shall serve, so long as we travel slowly.

[Larys's eyes had followed her as she spoke to the nurse and collected the children. The women whispered and watched, curious and ready to gossip about whatever it was she was planning. She was a queen and any possible misstep was noticed and eagerly awaited.

Criston Cole expressed his mistrust of Daemon, warning her this might not be wise. She had touched the young knight's hand, a small expression of familiarity between them. It was enough to reassure him and he eagerly agreed to follow, if only to protect her virtue and reputation.

When she was ready, a footstool was prepared, helping Alicent into the saddle, sitting astride. She was nervous, but the mare didn't seem to notice. Glancing back at the wheelhouse, it seemed everything was ready.]

Have a care with Aegon.

[valonqri]

I may not be a regular figure among the court, especially among the courts of women, but I am not daft to know how meticulous they are. Not a stone nor braid nor silken hue out of place that does not convey a meaning.

[chainedqueen]

[It's not a surprise that he's observant and clever. She was aware that he was not as dismissive as he seemed. Of course he understood her declaration. Out of the entire court, she suspected he would.]

Are you often occupied with the fripperies of ladies?

[A small dodge from acknowledging he was right.]

[valyrianprince]

Have you tried giving her just a touch of honeyed wine, something smooth and sweet, maybe warmed just a little? I was told it helped me when I cried because I had a cough when young. [ An offer of something few knew about him from his childhood. And a show of offering her something of trust. There’s no reason to offer help to calm his niece save for trying to find help to ease both Alicent and the niece. It gives him nothing to gain save Alicent’s trust that sometimes he can be kind.

He doesn’t quite hover, but waits until she’s on the mare before he mounts his own horse. Once in the saddle, the nurse lifts Aegon up to him and he settles his nephew in front of him, arms carefully boxing him in safely.

His head bows a little, bringing his horse up next to Alicent. ] I promise to keep him safe, Alicent. On my life. [ He has no ill will toward his niece or nephew, in this she definitely can trust him. And Aegon already looks bright, clapping at the ride before they’re really moving. ] And we will ride slowly. It’s not too far.

[ He clicks his tongue gently, his stallion starting to walk with a huff at her mare who falls into a slow walk to stay even with him without much guidance needed. ] I know you aren’t overly fond of these hunts for Aegon’s nameday, especially since he’s far too young to participate.

[chainedqueen]

[He caught her off guard with that suggestion, revealing her ignorance as a mother, as well as any idea of how to care for her daughter. It was a disappointment that she knew so little and seemingly was failing at one of her duties. She prayed to the Mother for guidance, but it seemed that Daemon had better ideas than even the maesters.]

I have not. [It was something to consider and explore later. She was so preoccupied with the thought that she didn't notice that he called her by her given name rather than 'your grace'. There was a sharp look from Criston, but she was unaware what he was responding to.

Urging her mare forward, she kept her attention on Aegon. She guided the horse, following Daemon, but where she could, she was careful not to turn away from her son.]

A hunt can be entertaining. [But he was right. She was a bit bored by the whole event. It was a bit more busy and crowded than a tournament. At least then she had some distraction. Now, she could only wait with the ladies, doing nothing but talking about mindless things.] When he is old enough, his father will teach him how to hunt.

[valonqri]

I figured the league of tedious rumors you hold about me would give your answer to that.

[valyrianprince]

[ He hadn’t meant for it to be a suggestion that showed her missteps as a mother. If it hadn’t been tried it means even the nurse hadn’t considered it. Few think of things like that, but from what he’d heard, the honey of the wine soothed the cough while the little bit of alcohol helped to calm until sleep could be found. All he hoped was that maybe it might work and help Helaena and Alicent find some sleep and peace.

There’s the slightest glance back at Christon, only having used her given name instead of her title as a way of really putting importance on the promise to keep Aegon safe.

As Aegon seems to enjoy riding with him, he’ll offer the boy a bit of the reigns, letting him flick them a little like he could make the horse go faster, though the horse stays at a steady walk, not minding being pretend rushed. ]

He will. Or your knight can as well, my brother loves a good hunt but isn’t the best at it. Like his rule, he favors peace over blood. [ His tone is light, because he’s not putting Viserys down. It’s more stating fact. ] I think he does these more to appease the houses and continue with their favor. Which isn’t a bad reason to hold them, but at least with the tournaments there are activities to watch for those not hunting or fighting.

[chainedqueen]

Tedious? You are not flattered to be given such a reputation?

[chainedqueen]

[It was clear that Aegon would take to riding and hunting easily, as he should. Without Viserys's attentions, her son would be left with little help. Criston Cole had stepped into the role of a father where he could. Seeing another with her son, pleasing and entertaining him was not unique, but it was still nice to see. She had always assumed that Daemon preferred Rhaenyra, that her children would only be viewed as a threat to her title as heir or his place in further inheritance. Her father would be horrified at letting Daemon handle Aegon. Perhaps she was a fool, but she would extend that much trust to him.

She knew nothing of King Jaehaerys's court, but from what her father said, Viserys kept a similar tradition of peace and entertainment. Without war, men needed diversions. Hunting and tournaments allowed them to feed their bloodlust. She might not understand, but it was wise for such things. It kept trouble at bay, even though it was becoming clearer that someday, there would be an issue with the succession.

Her father made that clear.]

The king prefers peace and it may pacify the Houses, but it's expected of a king. It's his duty. [Duty again, her favorite shield from any other thoughts.] Soon enough there will be a progress. He hasn't done that as often as King Jaehaerys, but the council is urging him to visit the powerful Houses.

[valonqri]

Oh, it can be quite flattering. At least I do not let myself be controlled by it.

[chainedqueen]

Am I so controlled by rumors and reputation?

[valyrianprince]

[ Daemon knew better than to offer his services in helping Aegon when he was older. At least now. It was enough that she trusted him to let Aegon ride with him right now. As much as her father might not like the idea of Daemon being like this with Aegon, he’s been nothing but soft with the boy. Careful, and keeping him safe, even entertained.

He’d settled his jealousy over Rhaenyra taking the title of heir from him back when it was done. They’d had their moment of understanding on the bridge when she’d come to get the dragon egg back. Even if Viserys decided to give Aegon the title of heir, he wouldn’t begrudge the boy now, there’d come a level of peace with his no longer being heir. In some ways, his interest in Rhaenyra was partially ambition Becauze through her he could have the throne.

But he would agree and echo her father’s warning. There will likely be a fight for the throne if she wasn’t careful. ]

Duty is a hard burden to bare sometimes. [ There is that word again. It can sometimes be the death of happiness, duty. But in royalty, it was a must as well. ] Will you be joining him or will you stay in the Keep with Aegon and Helaena?

[chainedqueen]

It is but the Gods wish it of us. [She was sincere in her faith. It was fairly well known that Daemon wasn't a religious man. If he could still hold to the Valyrian gods, she suspected he would. He certainly preferred the old traditions rather than the expectations of the High Septon. She hadn't forgotten his threat to marry his woman and insisting the stolen egg belonged to their child.] When duty is served, there is at least satisfaction.

[A little, at least. It pleased her father, it pleased Viserys and it pleased the people. How could she ignore that or fight against it?

She suspected what the question meant, but she ignores the warning in the back of her mind, trying to convince herself that he was merely being polite.]

I am to travel with the King. The people should see their King as well as their Queen. [She didn't like the idea of being watched, but it was something she was growing more used to since that feast. At least going on progress would give her more experience in showing herself as a queen. There would be allies as well, men that she might be able to gain the support of, if only to protect Aegon in the future.]

He has said that he wishes for his family to follow, save for the children. They are too young.

[valonqri]

I would hope so because the alternative is grossly pathetic if you ask me.