Chapter 7

Chapter 7- Waking up!

ALICENT HIGHTOWER

"I don't think I am ready!" Alicent shook her head as Rhaenyra uttered those same words for the hundredth time. She sat in front of a clear Myrish mirror, dressed up in a full formal dress, wearing an ornate crown on top of her head. Rhaenyra turned to look at her as Alicent looked over the various jewelry pieces, thinking which would best compliment her dress.

"Alicent! I don't think I am ready! No Queen has ever ruled the Seven Kingdoms, and I do…."

"Then you shall be the first," Alicent cut her off, finally deciding on the rather smaller necklace with small reddish pearls, and picked it up and turned to face her pale-faced friend.

"You are not becoming the Queen just yet, Rhaenyra. You are to be named heir, not the Queen. Moreover, your father wouldn't have decided to do this on a whim. He has called all the lords of the realm. He must have chosen you because he believed that you could handle this burden," she said reassuringly. Though, it wasn't to say that she had not been shocked by the news as well.

Naming Rhaenyra as heir, bypassing both Prince Daemon and Aenys. The news had sent ripples across the realm. Rumors were that the King had even exiled Prince Daemon, who had been seen leaving the capital on Ceraxes with a small retinue, his destination still unknown.

"I know, but in naming me heir, he has superseded the claims of both Daemon and Aenys. Daemon has flown away, and nuncle Aenys has still not woken up. Gods! What if he feels slighted and refuses to kneel? This could ca…."

Alicent just held hugged her friend from behind, wrapping her arms around her as she placed her face on her shoulder.

"It will be fine. Don't doubt yourself, Rhaenyra. You will make a fine heir and an even finer ruler as Queen," and Rhaenyra just shook her head, a small smile appearing on those lips as she leaned onto her head.

"I had neither dreamt nor wished any of this. All I ever wanted was to fly with you on Syrax and always eat cake," Alicent slapped her friend's head lightly at the jape.

"Well, I don't know about the flying part, but when you become Queen, I am pretty sure you can order the servants always to serve cake," and Rhaenyra's eyes gained a certain glint as she suddenly looked at her.

"Ohh! Then I can also order you to ride with me on Syrax, and you wouldn't be able to deny me," Alicent's face paled as she imagined Syrax and the prospect of riding and taking to the skies on the golden dragon. She was rescued from those dangerous scenarios by a sudden knock on the door.

A servant entered the room, dressed up in full white armor.

"Princess, the herald is ready, and the lords have assembled. It is time," said Ser Harrold Westerling, and Alicent nodded at the aged man.

"She will be there in a couple of minutes, Ser Harrold," and the man nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him. Alicent picked up the necklace and hooked it around her neck.

She looked up into the mirror and felt a unique sense of joy at seeing her look so breathtaking. All the Targaryens were said to possess godly beauty with their silvery blonde hairs and amethyst eyes, yet at this moment, she was sure that there was no one more beautiful than her on the whole continent.

"Alicent! Alicent!" and she was shaken out of her trance as Rhaenyra gripped her hand, "Is it all done, Alicent?"

And Alicent nodded, giving her a final look over as she stood up.

"Yeah, it's all done. And I can assure you that once you step into the throne room, they will not be able to take their eyes off of you for a second!" Alicent assured her friend, who just smiled.

"Thank you for this, Alicent. I don't know what I would have done without you," Alicent just shook her head as they moved out of the room to find Ser Harrold standing outside.

"You don't have to thank me for anything, Rhaenyra, ever," she said as Ser Harrold motioned for Rhaenyra to follow her.

"My lady," the man bowed, and Alicent curtsied as well, finally beginning to walk towards the other side so she could enter the throne room. But just as she was about to enter, she saw a servant running towards the gate, huffing and pale-faced.

She saw her straighten up as she saw her walking towards her, lowering her head immediately. Alicent frowned as she saw the pale face of the servant, whom she recognized as amongst those caring for the Queen.

Her heart skipped a beat as a feeling of dread began pooling in her gut.

"What is going on? Why are you standing here like this?" she questioned the servant, who seemed to hesitate for a second before answering.

"My lady, it's the prince. He is awake," and Alicent's eyes widened as the words registered. Prince Aenys had woken up. More so at such a critical time.

If he were to come to know of the King's actions, his reaction could be…. And she did not even want to imagine the scenario. No.

So, she looked up at the servant, who still seemed extremely nervous.

"Go to the main gate and quietly inform the Kingsguard stationed there of the news. And tell me, where is the prince right now?" and finally a semblance of color returned to the servants face as she rushed to answer her.

"The Prince was walking towards the Queen's chambers, my lady," and Alicent nodded as she began to walk towards the Queen's chambers, cursing the gods in her heart for putting her through this.

0000

AENYS TARGARYEN

Aenys kneeled over the wooden cane as he looked over Aemma's pale body. His heart ached as he watched her reduced to skin and bone. He cursed his grandfather in his heart for putting this family through this.

Half the realm had known that Aemma had been too young when she had married Viserys, yet he had refused to listen or consider anything as the man stayed lost in his grand schemes. He watched the servants being overly anxious around him and frowned.

"What is it? Why are you so jittery?" he questioned one of them, and he saw her grow paler at his question. He looked around and found it off that neither Viserys, for as much as he was at fault for Aemma's current condition, he did love her, nor Rhaenyra were present. Gods! Even her lady-in-waiting was nowhere to be found.

"Moreso, where are the King and the princess," but just as he was about to question any more, the door to the Queen's chambers was opened up once more. He turned around and saw Alicent Hightower walk in, anxious and flushed. Though, the most curious part was how she seemed to be dressed in a full dress.

His eyes widened as he realized exactly what had happened or, more accurately, what was happening. His grip on his cane tightened as he cursed Daemon.

"That Damn idiot! Couldn't he just keep his mouth shut!" he muttered, beckoning the servant to move away.

"My Prince, it is good to see that you are finally awake. The Maesters had predicted that it would take you some more days before you wake up," she began, anxiety and trepidation filling each of her words.

Aenys narrowed his eyes at her and saw her squirm slightly, "So, tell me, Lady Alicent, where exactly are the King and the Princess?" he questioned her, hoping that there was still time.

Alicent was quiet and probably considered her words carefully before she began, "The King and the Princess are in the throne room, my prince…."

"For naming Princess Rhaenyra as the heir apparent to the throne," he finished her sentence for her and saw her eyes widen. She spluttered for a second before finally speaking up.

"You knew?" he simply shrugged, and he could see her mind racing behind those brown orbs.

"I can guess what happened," he commented lightly. Viserys had basically stripped him of his birthright and scorned him for the second time. A small part of Aenys wanted to enter the throne room and insult the man.

Yet it would be useless. Aenys could never become King before Daemon, and Viserys could not find in himself to exile Daemon for too long. Both of them were too close for that, unlike him and Viserys, who had always shared a rocky relationship at best.

"How is the Queen?" Alicent questioned him. And sadness and guilt bloomed in his gut as he glanced toward Aemma once more.

"I am afraid the news is not good! With her being in an already weakened state, she needs to wake up, otherwise," and he just shook her head and saw her gasp as she looked towards Aemma once more.

"I could probably try and keep her alive for a month, maybe two, but she must regain consciousness," and there was a very low chance for that. The blood loss from Baelon's birthing had left her anemic, and Aemma had always had a weak constitution, which was exasperated by the too many stillbirths.

In short, her bouncing back would be nothing short of a miracle.

"Couldn't you do something! There must be something you could do," Alicent almost pleaded as her eyes reddened slightly, and Aenys could only shake his head.

"I am afraid I cannot pull off miracles. That's still a god's job, though, which one I have never been too sure of myself," he added as he sat down on the bed, his tiredness catching up with him.

"Shouldn't you be in the throne room as well?" he suddenly questioned her as he placed the cane on the side. She looked at him. Her eyes reddened as she stammered out.

"I was about to enter when a servant informed me that you were awake, so I decided to come and see you, my prince…."

"Lest I walk into that throne room and start a ruckus!" he added snidely, and saw her eyes widen as her intentions were screamed out.

"NO! Of course not, my pr…" she stumbled on the words stopping only when he raised his hand.

"It's ok, though that is more Daemon's playbook. I usually avoid screaming and shouting. It's bad for the throat!" he joked lightly.

"But you did scream and shout at the old king," the words had probably escaped out of her mouth involuntarily, given by how pale she had suddenly gotten. She took a few steps back, as his face whipped towards her.

"LEAVE US!" he commanded, and the servants were also pale. His voice probably seemed similar to Daemon's when he was angry, though mine was much too controlled.

"I said LEAVE US!" and servants stammered out, closing the door behind them, leaving him alone with Alicent and Aemma in the room.

Alicent was still in shock and was trying to back away!

"My Prince, I am sorry. I will never mention it again," he narrowed his eyes at her and watched her squirm underneath his gaze before he felt his lips quirk up, and he broke down into a light chuckle.

"Haha, you must look at yourself. Honestly, exactly what do you remember that you are so afraid of me," he asked lightly and saw some color return to her face. She took in a huge gulp of air and was about to answer when he suddenly heard a small whisper.

He raised his hand, stopping her from speaking up as he rushed to sit right beside Aemma. He felt her pulse and found it stronger and faster than earlier. Hope lit up in his heart.

"Aemma! Can you hear me?" he said lightly. Alicent had now come to stand right behind him and seemed to be praying.

And Aenys heart skipped a beat as he saw her eyes blink weakly, her lips whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Wa…t…wa..r," and Aenys felt relief run through him.

"Get me a glass of water," he told Alicent, who immediately sprang into action when she returned. He took a brought a spoonful near her mouth.

"Get the servants to bring the red bag from my luggage! It has a cross symbol on it!" he spoke to her, for he did not want to shout and call the servants.

"Of course, my prince," she said and immediately rushed towards the door, and soon a cabal of servants rushed into the room.

The Queen opened her eyes and squinted at him,

"Viserys?" she spoke up, her voice barely audible, but he shook his head.

"No, Viserys isn't here yet. It's me, Aenys. You are in your chambers, Aemma, and it will all be fine. It's all going to be fine!"

0000

Aenys has woken up and is on doctor duty again. Things are changing slowly, yet they are changing nonetheless.

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