#alicient

WARNINGS - MAJOR SPOILERS WARNING FROM HOUSE OF THE DRAGON.

Disclaimer : I am basing this fiction on episode 9 of HoTD but I don't intend on being 100% accurate with George R. R. Martin's universe. This is a fiction made for pleasure of reading and imagining scenarios, so please keep that in mind :)

Synopsis: As the Greens took over the Iron Throne, installing Aegon the Second on the highest chair of the Realm, Alicent Hightower starts to plan the aftermath of Rhaenyra finding out. Since she saw Rhaenys flying away, she finds herself in desperate needs of allies, more allies. In this context, she decides to send her son, Aemond, North. His journey might actually wake a new side of his personality.

Viserys was dead, Aegon the Second was born.

Alicent Hightower sat in her chambers, right after the ceremony, thinking about what just happened. Although Aegon seemed to finally accept his position and be grateful for it (which was more than she ever could hope for), Rhaenys had accomplished Helaena's prophecy "there's a beast beneath the boards". And she was most likely flying to dragonstone to break the news to Rhaenyra and Daemon : the Greens were taking over.

Despite Alicent being truly sincere, certain that Viserys had told her to place Aegon on this throne, she didn't want war. But could she avoid it ? Now that the Blacks were about to learn everything through Rhaenys' mouth, she was not sure she could convince her any longer.

She had one thing to do now : protect her children and protect the Realm. And to do that, she needed more allies. Way more.

-You have to do this, Aemond. I trust you can.

Aemond sighed, unhappy do be sent away from Kings Landing during such time.

-Mother. They are coming for us. You need me by your side. I can protect us, I can make them fall. This is not the time to leave. Send Helaena, send your Father, send ..

-This is NOT a negotiation !

Alicent was visibly exhausted and in pain. She had to protect her family, secure her son's position, make sure Otto was not going further in war mongering, and was grieving for her long lost relation with Rhaenyra, who she deeply loved, despite all that happened. Aemond could not understand how much she had on her plate of course, but he was empathetic enough to feel for her. He kneeled in front of her and kindly took her hands.

-I'm sorry Mother. If it is your wish, I shall go North.

She smiled softly and stroke his hair.

-I sometimes forget how much you've grown.. from this child I almost stabbed Rhaenyra's children for, you're now a man, and I know I can trust you.

He nodded his head and stood up.

He was going north.

Aemond left Kings Landing very early on the next day, Sir Criston Cole by his side. Alicent had insisted that he joined.

Although Aemond was truly sure he was best fitted for defending his blood from the Red Keep, he knew that bringing back strong allegiances was the key of their success, for Rhaenyra would attack, and she obviously would have many supporters.

Aemond had never been that up north. The first signs of snow took him out of his thoughts, and he looked around, taking in this very special atmosphere. It was dark yet not gloomy, it had a sens of secret, mystic.

The two men were welcomed at the main gate of Winterfell by the close court of Lord Cregan Stark. They looked very careful, unsure of what this Targaryen boy had in mind.

In the great hall of Winterfell, Lord Cregan was sitting on his throne, waiting for the young prince to state his will.

-My Lords, be assured that the passing of King Viserys is a tragic incident for all of us, up north. He was a good King, wise, measured and thoughtful. He will be missed.

Lord Cregan voluntarily marked a pause.

-My delegate in Kings Landing did inform me of the way things were.. managed. I must say, my Lord Aemond, it was rather unusual and if I may speak the truth, as us northmen are used to doing, not the cleverest idea.

Another pause. Aemond and Criston clenched their jaws. It didn't seem like the best place to look for allies.

-Yet, he bent the knee. Again.

Criston did relax a bit, but Aemond's sole eye was still sharply piercing Lord Cregan Stark's gaze. He finally spoke up :

-On behalf of my Mother the former Queen and of my King, Aegon the Second, I do apologize for such.. process, my Lord Stark. But these times are dark ones. We had to make sure my Father's will would be heard and respected. Many, you see.. doubted my Mother's word.

Lord Cregan smirked.

-Well, doubting it or not, Aegon the Second is King, isn't he ? So it's settled. - Settled. That's a bit hasty. You see..

As he was going to carry on, a woman entered the front door, slightly covered in dirt and her dark hair wet with snow. She was clothed for hunting and carried many weapons. When, as she was walking forward, she realized she interrupted something, she froze a second. Lord Cregan took upon him to explain.

-Y/N, finally. I sent for you to come back as soon and possible, and to inform you of our guests coming. - I'm very sorry Father, I didn't see anyone. But I'm back, I'll just get changed very quickly and be there in a minute. (She turned toward the two guests) My Lords, may you be welcomed in Winterfell.

She then vanished, leaving behind her a smell of grass and wood. Aemond couldn't stop staring at the door for a second, taking in the scent of this woman.

-I'm sorry, my Lords. We were informed quite late of your venue. My daughter was already gone in the woods. - Hunting ? Asked Criston. - Well, she usually brings something back if she sees it fit, but no. She is in charge of Winterfell's security. She was carrying out a recognition mission.

Aemond didn't say a thing. A woman, in charge of safety ? Carrying out missions ? Recognition ? A woman hunter was already something very odd in his world, but one with "men" responsibilities, granted directly by her Father..

Lord Cregan had given them some time off, asking for a little patience as he was gathering lords and advisers on the tough matters to be discussed. Aemond was wandering the halls of Winterfell, surprised that the castle was not utterly cold. He got out, on the rempart, and was met by the woman who previously entered the main hall.

-My Lord, are you lost ?

He could have sincerely said yes in many ways, but simply marked a polite pause before making a few steps toward her. He had been raised in the utter respect of Women, contrary to Aegon.

-I was simply looking around. This castle is nothing like I have seen before, in Kings Landing or in the Tides. - Much darker, I presume ?

He nodded a bit.

-But not in a bad way. Actually, Kings Landing may be bright, but the place is crawling with shadows.

She looked at him for a while. He was very mysterious, almost talking in riddles, but seemed like a descent person. Y/N was not a big fan of Targaryens, mostly because everyone North considered them unmoral and authoritarian, self-centered, power-driven. This one, she was intrigued by.

-Every castles has its shadows. We should be heading back. You didn't come for the great forests, after all.

He didn't answer and simply shifted backward to give her enough space to pass through. He then proceeded to follow her back into the main hall, where a large table had been placed, lords and advisers all around, waiting for the Dragon.

Lord Cregan introduced everyone, and then let Aemond speak of his cause.

-My Ladies, My Lords, I am here today on behalf of our King, Aegon the Second, and of our former King, Viserys. I, Aemond Targaryen, ask for your loyalty toward the Realm to be re-expressed, firmly and openly. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen is likely to disrespect her Father's last will, and try to take power by force, storming Kings Landing and usurping the Throne. She must be fought. She seeks for nothing but fire and blood, war, solely to take over. I trust you will recognize the need to defend our Seven Kingdoms against illegitimacy and deceit.

He sat back down. Everyone was glancing around, not quite daring to say a word.

-My Lord Aemond..

The voice came from a Lord introduced as the protector of territories nearer to the Wall.

-We cannot help but wonder why, Princess Rhaenyra would believe in such.. will. Our King Viserys did nothing but remind us of his desire to see his firstborn daughter rise, from Lords swearing allegiance to expressing her children's right to the Driftmark throne. He.. I mean, without meaning any offense my Lord, but Aegon Targaryen has never been... claimed by King Viserys.

Criston Cole squeezed his swords' knob with anger, but Aemond was still.

-Do you know how I lost my eye, my Lord?

Silence.

-The night Laena Velaryon was sent back to the Gods, I went straight to Vhagar, the largest living dragon alive, and claimed her. I rode this beast that night, and when I came back, the rest of the children were waiting for me to surrender her to them. This night, not only did I make sure Vhagar would be mine and mine only, but I defended what I truly believe in.

Heavier silence.

-Rhaenyra's children are nothing but bastards, and she conducted herself as a shame for her name, for her Father's legacy. Her and Daemon Targaryen were already mating when she was just a girl. Do you really want such people to represent the Sevens ? Do you want a woman who made sure her ... husband.. would never reappear, to be crowned Queen ? Honestly, my Lords, if it was just a question of man or woman, Lady Rhaenys would have be named Queen long time ago. But it's not. It's about temper. And the Black Queen has the temper of a delusional, privileged, war-mongering shameful fool. I'm not surprised that my Father didn't switch his position toward her, she would have completely lost it if he did, and King Viserys was wise. He knew he had to wait that last, very last second to trust his beloved, faithful, moral wife, with his true will : save the Kingdom from his daughter and preserve true blood.

No one spoke up or even moved, too shocked to function. Aemond's words were to be though about, and he had placed much confusion in these people's minds. He turned his gaze to Y/N, who was sitting by her Father's side. She didn't break contact, her face so still it was purely impossible to know wether she was agreeing or not.

The talks after that lasted for a long time. Aemond and Cole surprisingly let the Lords and Ladies speak up their minds, even when coming very close to what could be considered treason. Y/N was observing, letting her Father lead the Stark family. She kept glancing at the silver haired boy, strangely attracted by his coldness.

Later that evening, after food was served and wine eased the mood, Y/N excused herself and left the room, moving quickly in the halls to get lower and lower, towards a secret exit. As she was putting on some protections and fetching her main weapons, she suddenly felt a presence and turned around quickly, meeting her opponent's sword with hers.

It was Aemond Targaryen, looking at her with that ever piecing eye. She put back her sword and kept on preparing herself, until the Prince took a few steps, blocking the exit door.

-What are you doing, exactly?

Her tone was nothing ceremonial, almost rude.

-Tonight is not a night to be going out alone in the woods, my Lady. Much has to be discussed yet. - My Father is well-suited for these talks, I don't think my opinion is required. Please, move away, my Lord. - I will not.

She sighed and shook her head slightly.

-What is it you want, then ? -Your opinion.

She closed her eyes for a moment, sighing more heavily while deciding to remove her gear and head back into the castle, not looking back as she knew Aemond was following closely. She entered her quarters and went straight to serve herself and the Prince cups of light wine. She then sat by the fire, handing him his cup.

-My opinion, huh?

He nodded, the flames dancing in his eye.

-My opinion is that from what I heard, your brother will be a terrible King, where Rhaenyra and Daemon have proven to be worthy of power. Actually, I would have loved for your Mother to be Queen, if it was only based on ability. But since it's not..

She leaned toward him, her face close to his.

-I would rather bend the knee to someone who seem fit for it.

Her honesty could literally cost her life, but Aemond was waiting for nothing less. He couldn't take his eyes off her, and her scent was filling his nose, as she was so close to him. He took it in, taking a long breath, and closing his eye. He then, slowly, very slowly, put his cup down and proceeded to remove his eye patch, letting Y/N discover his true face. A few seconds passed, silent and heavy.

-Aegon is no King material.

He opened his eye again, his scar seeming to move.

-But I am.

Y/N had to remember to breathe, as all this talk was a scandal in too many ways to count.

-You're not even close in line. If Rhaenyra didn't exist, your brother and sister's children would be first. - True. - What's the meaning of all of this ? Why do you ask these questions ? And why do you tell me that ?? - I'd like your support. - I'm not the one deciding for Winterfell's support, my Father is in charge. - I'm not talking about Aegon versus Rhaenyra. This he can deal with. I want your support. Toward me.

His words were spoken with such care, calmness. He was looking at her not as a politician but as a man. Maybe for the first time in his life, he didn't quite know wether if was looking for allies of power or allies of heart.

-You sure are a special man.. She said, looking suspiciously at him. - But I must say.. I'm kind of tempted.