Alicent was created rather than born. She wasn’t meant to have been made by any means, which is why nobody had ever seen someone with beauty like hers. She was said to come from the foam of the sea caused by the personification of heaven, Uranus’ gentiles were thrown into the ocean by his son, Cronus.
When created, she was the most beautiful woman to exist. She was more than just a mortal woman. She was a god.
Alicent was the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
She was brought by carriage made of scallops and shells to Mount Olympus once she washed up in the ocean. All of the gods in Olympus believed her to be the most beautiful specimen to roam the earth.
But, the one that caught her eye was Rhaenyra, goddess of war and battle. Suddenly, Alicent found herself wanting to spend every moment with the intoxicating girl. It helped that Alicent had Rhaenyra wrapped around her finger from the beginning. If Alicent asked her to jump, she would ask how high. She would kill in Alicent's name. After Rhaenyra observed mortals speaking poorly of the goddess, she killed in the lady’s name.
Alicent and Rhaenyra were said to be the perfect matches for each other because they were opposites. Alicent was the personification of everything feminine. While Rhaenyra was a woman, she still personified masculine ideas, including war and blood.
Love and war were terrifying.
Rhaenyra did something she had never done before and decided that Alicent would be hers. It didn't take very long for them to move past the threshold of friendship and into the depths of lovers. Alicent was the first person Rhaenyra had truly and deeply loved, and Rhaenyra was all of Alicent's firsts.
Viserys, the god of thunder and the King of the Gods, realized that as soon as Alicent arrived at Olympus, she would wreak havoc with the rest of the gods as he noticed all of their admiration for the young goddess.
The King would watch as many people fawn over the goddess of beauty. He observed as Larys, god of the wine, would offer her something to drink almost daily, attempting to get her to speak with him, but she would continue to shut him down kindly.
Then, there was Laenor, the messenger god, for who the King wasn't sure if he was befriending the younger goddess or if he wanted her with different intentions. He would later find out that Laenor wanted nothing to do with Alicent in any way physically. He merely wanted a new friend.
After observing the gods and watching them slowly begin to dispute over who would get to be with Lady Alicent, the King quickly devised a plan to marry off the goddess so she would be ineligible for the other gods.
He finally decided to marry her off to his son, Criston, who had been kicked from Olympus because of his lousiness. Viserys believed that if he were to marry off Alicent to someone who was quite unpleasant to look at, it would cease any possible questions for war between the gods.
However, before he could legitimize the marriage, Viserys was interrupted by his favorite daughter, Rhaenyra. She begged for her father to let her marry the beautiful goddess. She claimed that she had never asked anything of her father and would never ask something to this extent ever again.
Viserys had noticed the two gods together and noted that his daughter had created a fixation on the beautiful woman. It wasn't that Viserys had any problems with the both of them being women and wishing to be together, but it was the fact that she had put him in a challenging position. It had been revealed that Criston had bargained for Alicent to become his wife by claiming that he had Aemma in a trap lord throne he had created after his mother had thrown him from the mountains. It was his only request to marry Alicent in order to let Aemma go. Viserys had no idea that Aemma was perfectly fine thanks to his brother, Daemon, but Criston took advantage of his father’s lack of knowledge and took the beautiful goddess to become his wife.
So, Viserys had no choice but to wed Alicent to Criston.
When Rhaenyra found out, she was enraged at her father. She confessed to him that she had fallen in love with the goddess and knew that Alicent reciprocated her love. But, all Viserys could tell her was that his hands were tied.
That's how the war in the Stepstones began.
It was one of the most brutal battles in Westerosi history, and many philosophers believe this to be the reaction to the goddess's response to the marriage announcement.
After Alicent was told of her arranged marriage to the god of blacksmith, her first thoughts were to find Rhaenyra because she knew that her lover would act irrationally after hearing such news.
She found Rhaenyra sitting in their garden, observing the war she had started. Rhaenyra hadn't heard her walking until she got closer. When they met each other’s eyes, Alicent could see that Rhaenyra was deeply pained.
"I am sorry that it had to end up this way, my love," Alicent says, stepping closer to wipe away a tear that fell from Rhaenyra. Alicent wanted to be with one person, but Viserys' word was final to all of the gods, including both of them, even if Rhaenyra was his favorite child and Criston was his least favorite.
"Please do not be angry with me. I hope you believe that I had no idea that he was planning to marry me off. I did intend to marry you once I came to terms with how I felt for you." Alicent continues, taking Rhaenyra's hands into hers. Alicent wanted Rhaenyra to say that it would be alright, that they would be together one day, but the goddess kept her mouth shut.
"Rhaenyra, please talk to me." Alicent finally begs, wishing for her lover to speak.
Instead of speaking, Rhaenyra grabs Alicent by her hips and kisses her. She backed her against the tree that they had sat under for countless days as she deepened the kiss.
It didn't take much for Alicent to kiss her back, arching into Rhaenyra's touch. She knew that she wanted Rhaenyra to take her right here and now because it could be the first and last time they ever get to have each other.
So, Alicent gave into her deepest desires and loved the goddess of war that fateful night. After what conspired between them, Rhaenyra knew that she couldn't just let Alicent go. Sure, the wedding was in two months time, but that didn't mean they couldn't be together.
"I love you," Rhaenyra says, turning to look at the goddess of beauty in the moonlight, who was smiling at her already.
"I love you too."
Rhaenyra kisses her sweetly, leaning their foreheads against each other. "If you storm Criston, you might be able to get me out of this marriage," Alicent suggests, knowing that Rhaenyra would do anything she asked.
"This wedding is said to have been prepared only to stop a war between the gods over me, but if I were to marry you instead, it would be the same in the end," Alicent explains, cupping Rhaenyra's face. Rhaenyra understood where she was coming from but knew that it was for the better that the two didn’t marry, or an even worse war could be the outcome.
"Gods Alicent, I would slaughter anyone if it meant that I could have you to myself," Rhaenyra confesses, and Alicent knew that she was telling the truth.
After that night, the two women frequently snuck around to see each other. It was usually Rhaenyra taking Alicent hidden away from prying eyes on Olympus or in the secrecy of their chambers.
It was a shame that the rest of the gods took Alicent as just another pretty face when Rhaenyra was the only one who knew she was so much more than that. In reality, Alicent could fight wars and was brilliant. Her worshipers understood what Rhaenyra did, which made Alicent so dangerous.
In the mornings after they were together, Alicent would find Rhaenyra at the battle table, deciding on the next move as if it were a game of chess and her opponent was the entire fleet battling the other side she had chosen on that given day. On mornings like this, Alicent would place herself on Rhaenyra's lap and would observe, sometimes giving her input after being sled on what she would do in a given situation.
Rhaenyra never loved anyone as much as she loved Alicent. Sure, she had her fair share of mortal lovers, but nothing had ever compared to the way she felt toward the goddess of love. She hadn't gone to Criston and Alicent's wedding, but in the late hours of that night, Alicent found her way to Rhaenyra's room, pulling her from the battle she had currently thrown herself into as a distraction and showed the goddess of war how much she loved and cherished the other girl.
Whenever Alicent and Rhaenyra would see each other, Rhaenyra would have Harrold, one of her many soldiers, stand outside the door and watch for Rhaenys, goddess of the sun. Rhaenys saw all when the sun was up. She would fly east to west in her golden chariot, watching over the world. So, it was Harold's duty to tell the two goddesses if Rhaenys were to fly by and see them.
Alicent never laid with Criston, nor did they share chambers. Instead, her rooms were occupied by Rhaenyra most nights, and on the nights they weren't entertained, Alicent found herself searching for the beautiful goddess.
One day, the two women were on a walk. Alicent was attempting to allow Rhaenyra to battle her in combat just once so she could try everything she had observed the goddess of war practice. Rhaenyra would continue to shut her down, but Alicent wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Come on, Rhaenyra. I beg of you. This will be the only time I ever ask this of you. I understand how deeply you regard your wars, but-"
Alicent suddenly felt lips on hers, and she couldn't help but kiss back and lose her train of thought. She loved Rhaenyra too much not to kiss her back anyways.
"I told you, my love, I cannot permit anyone else to use my battle table. It simply wouldn't work for anyone else. You cannot control an army unless you are me, not that I am saying you are incapable, Alicent, because I'm sure you could any day-" Rhaenyra cuts herself off before she gets herself too deep into trouble.
"However, I do enjoy you sitting with me while I help guide the Trojans to victory over the Spartans," Rhaenyra says, grinning. Alicent couldn't help but kiss her lover again. Her smile was what got them where they were anyways.
"Come, I wish for you to accompany me in my chambers," Alicent says, pulling away from her lover and taking her hand. Rhaenyra grins as Alicent pulls her along.
"Anything for you, my love."
After spending their afternoon together in Alicent's bed, the two women talked. This was one of Alicent's favorite parts about Rhaenyra. Even if they were lying naked in bed together, she would still be the most comfortable person to talk to because she was the only one Alicent felt comfortable around to let her guard down.
"Rhaenyra, I need to tell you something," Alicent says as she lies atop the other girl. Rhaenyra hums in response with her eyes shut.
"I'm pregnant."
Rhaenyra's eyes widened. Criston indeed would find out if his wife, that resented him and had never laid with him once, were pregnant.
It would become even more apparent when their child came of age and had no skill within the depths of a blacksmith.
"What?"
Alicent bit her lip. Did Rhaenyra not want their baby? Gods, of course she didn't. Why would she want a baby with someone who was married, anyway?
"Are you upset?" Alicent asks, observing Rhaenyra's face. Rhaenyra's eyes shot to Alicent's. That wasn't at all what she was feeling. In truth, she did want a family with her lover, but there were many complications.
"I am anything but upset. I truly am glad you are with child, but what will happen when Criston hears?" Rhaenyra asks.
Of course, she was thinking four moves ahead. She had been thinking so far as long as Alicent had known her, so she should've expected nonetheless.
"Can we please not worry about him yet? I wish to enjoy this moment with you before we think about what the future holds." Alicent asks. Rhaenyra couldn't help but comply with her lover. She had never been able to deny her anything.
While the two celebrated their new life, they didn’t know that Harrold had fallen asleep and Rhaenys had seen the two lying together. Her first thought was to go straight to Criston, who spent most nights in his workshop, and tell him what had conspired between the two gods.
So, that's what she did.
At first, Criston didn't believe Rhaenys. He knew that Alicent knew that there was to be no formal infidelity once they were wedded. He truly did believe his wife would stay faithful to him, even if she resented him, but apparently, he was wrong. Criston wanted so desperately to be wrong, though.
So, he devised a plan. He knew that he would never be able to defeat Rhaenyra in combat, but he would undoubtedly be able to outsmart her. He created a net that was so thin that it was invisible yet very resistant and would be able to hold both goddesses.
He placed the trap on Alicent's bed before telling her that he was to leave for a trip. She just nodded before returning to her reading and dismissing her husband. Criston thought he might have been wrong about the affair for a moment, but he knew that he had to see for himself.
Alicent told Rhaenyra that Criston would be gone for weeks and they could spend days together, which the goddess of war was pleased with.
After retiring for a battle that night, Rhaenyra found her way into Alicent's chambers, knowing she would be able to spend the night with her lover.
In the middle of their time together, they were suddenly tangled in a netting they didn't know was there. Alicent clung to Rhaenyra, not knowing what was happening until there was laughter from behind Alicent.
She was too scared to look behind her and see who was there, so she leaned closer to Rhaenyra, "what is it?" she asked in a whisper, but Rhaenyra wasn't responding.
Her purple eyes were dark with anger and fixated on one person. So, Alicent turned her head slightly before seeing the rest of the gods laughing at the two of them caught in the act.
Then, Alicent saw Criston, her husband.
The man who had been nothing but kind.
The man she resented because of the way he looked.
The man who looked like his heart had just been broken into a million pieces.
Alicent knew that this was his doing, and Rhaenyra knew that too. If looks could kill, all gods would be lying on the floor, dead with the way Rhaenyra looked at them.
Rhaenyra tried her best to cover Alicent to make her paramour seem more decent, but their lack of clothing made it hard to do so. The only thing they could do was let the moment pass over. Alicent wasn't sure how they would ever get away with seeing each other again.
Eventually, they were cut out of the net by Corlys, the god of the sea, who felt badly for his niece. After getting dressed and looking decent, Rhaenyra fled Alicent's room, leaving her lover alone and embarrassed.
Alicent later found out that Rhaenyra went to punish Harrold for not keeping guard while they were together and turned him into a chicken before sending him back to earth to live out the rest of his days in misery.
The lovers hadn't spoken or gone near each other in months. They went from seeing each other daily to only seeing glimpses of each other and yearning for one another.
It didn't help that Alicent was carrying Rhaenyra's child.
Rhaenyra didn't see her again until after she had gotten word that Alicent had given birth to their son, Jacaerys. He had been deemed the god of love and desire, taking most of his traits from Alicent. Rhaenyra knew that it was time to face Alicent.
When Rhaenyra laid eyes on the young mother and newborn child, all of the love she felt for Alicent came back to her as she rushed to her side, begging her for forgiveness, which Alicent happily accepted. After that day, the women were usually spotted together, taking care of Jacaerys in the gardens.
After the birth of Jacaerys, they continued their affair, except this time, it was out in the open, and Criston had seemed to give up on Alicent and attempting to win her love. Viserys, in particular, had stopped caring whether Alicent stayed faithful to her husband, particularly not after he had fallen in love with a mortal.
Rhaenyra gave Alicent five more sons as well as a daughter. Aegon and Aemond were born two earth years after Jacaerys was. They were deemed the personifications of fear and terror, respectively. Their first daughter, whom Alicent loved very deeply, was Helaena, goddess of harmony and concord.
Helaena was Alicent's favorite child by far. She had the looks of Rhaenyra but more of a personality like Alicent's. While Rhaenyra would take their three boys into battle with her, Alicent and Helaena would spend their afternoons in the gardens picking flowers for Helaena's flower crown.
Alicent also birthed Lucerys, Joffrey, and Viserys II. They were the gods of longing and yearning, requited love, and sexual desires, respectively.
In the end of this tale of greek mythology, Alicent and Rhaenyra did have other lovers as time passed. Rhaenyra created the Amazon Warriors, and Alicent fell in love with many people due to her nature as the goddess of love.
But in the end, their love could last lifetimes, and Rhaenyra will always be Alicent's most famous and most significant lover of all time.