Chapter 5
The next morning, as the sun dips low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the chambers of Dragonstone, a servant approaches Duchess Rhaenyra with a letter in hand.
Rhaenyra, seated with a book in her lap, looks up with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
"My Duchess, a letter has arrived for you," the servant announces softly, her voice tinged with apprehension.
Rhaenyra's brow furrows in thought. "From whom?" she inquires, setting aside her book with a sense of unease.
"It appears to be from Lady Talisa, my Duchess," the servant replies, her eyes downcast.
With a solemn nod, Rhaenyra reaches out to accept the missive, her fingers trembling ever so slightly as she breaks the seal and unfurls the parchment within.
As she reads the words penned by her former lover, a heavy weight settles in the pit of her stomach, and her breath catches in her throat.
Dearest Rhaenyra,
I write to inform you of troubling news regarding Aegon. He fell severely ill during the voyage to the new world. The maesters on board are doing all they can, but his condition remains precarious. I fear for his life, and I pray to the gods for his recovery.
With Deepest Regret,
Talisa
Rhaenyra's heart pounds in her chest as she reels from the shock of the news. Aegon, her son, now lies gravely ill in a far-off land, his life hanging in the balance.
Tears well in her eyes as she clutches the letter to her chest, her mind racing with fear and desperation.
In a fit of despair, she rises from her seat and seizes a nearby vase and hurls it against the wall with all her strength. The vase shatters into a thousand pieces.
Alicent emerges from the chamber, drawn by the commotion echoing through the halls of their home.
Clad in her thick sleeping robe, she clutches it tightly around her frame, a furrow of concern making her brow. Seeing Rhaenyra's distressed expression, she approaches with tentative steps, her voice laced with worry.
"What is happening out here? What in the gods is wrong?" Alicent inquires, her eyes searching Rhaenyra's face for answers.
Rhaenyra's gaze meets hers with a simmering rage, her emotions too raw for words. Without a word, she thrusts the letter into Alicent's trembling hands, the parchment crumpling under the force of her grip.
Before Alicent can react, Rhaenyra turns on her heel and strides towards the door, her footsteps echoing in the tense silence of the chamber.
With a hollow thud, Rhaenyra slams the door behind her, leaving Alicent standing alone amidst the debris of shattered porcelain and broken trust.
As the weight of Talisa's words sinks in, Alicent feels a cold dread settle in the pit of her stomach, knowing that the rift between them has widened into an impassable chasm. And in that moment, as the echoes of Rhaenyra's departure fade into the night, Alicent knows that their world has been irrevocably changed.
As Alicent stands amidst the shattered remnants of their once serene chamber, a tumult of emotions swirls within her. Guilt weighs heavy on her heart as she grapples with the realization that her jealousy has led to dire consequences, placing a child's life in jeopardy. The knowledge that her actions have endangered Aegon, Rhaenyra's beloved son, fills her with a profound sense of regret and sorrow.
But alongside the gnawing guilt, Alicent feels a rising tide of fear and apprehension. She knows that Rhaenyra may never forgive her for the betrayal, for orchestrating Aegon's departure in a moment of selfish desire.
The thought of losing Rhaenyra, of losing the love and trust they once shared, is a prospect too devastating to bear.
In the dim light of the chamber, Alicent's hands tremble as she clutches the crumpled letter in her grasp, the words of Talisa's letter burning in her mind.
She knows that she must find a way to make amends, to atone for her actions and to seek forgiveness from Rhaenyra, no matter the cost.
But even as she resolves to set things right, a nagging doubt lingers in the depths of Alicent's soul. Can their bond withstand the weight of betrayal and mistrust? Can she ever truly earn back Rhaenyra's love and forgiveness, or is their relationship doomed to be forever fractured by jealousy and regret?
\\\
Rhaenyra's plea echoes in the somber chamber, her heart pounding with urgency as she implores her father for aid.
"Father," she begins, her voice firm yet tinged with desperation, "I must ask for your help. Aegon is gravely ill, and I cannot bear the thought of being separated from him any longer. I need to go to him."
Viserys regards her with a mixture of concern and apprehension, his brow furrowed in deep thought
"Rhaenyra," he replies, his tone heavy with caution, "The journey to the new world is much too dangerous. You are my heir and you could be away for months. You have a mate and child here. You have responsibilities."
"I need to do this," she affirms, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. "Aegon needs me. I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t go."
"But Rhaenyra, even if you were to embark on this journey, there is no guarantee that Aegon will recover. You may not even arrive in time to see him." Viserys says firmly.
"I must try," she insists, her voice tinged with desperation. "I cannot bear the thought of not being by his side when he needs me most."
With a heavy sigh and a resigned expression, Viserys relents.
"Very well,” he concedes, his voice laced with reluctant acceptance. "I will arrange for a voyage to the new world. But promise me that you will exercise caution, and that you will return as quickly as possible. I will have the family look after Alicent and Jace in the meantime.”
"Thank you Father, she whispers, her voice filled with emotion.
///
Alicent sits with her sister Dany, her brow furrowed with worry.
"I don't know what to do, Dany," Alicent confesses, her voice tinged with anxiety. "It's all my fault. Rhaenyra stormed out after hearing about Aegon, and I fear I've shattered any chance of her trusting me again."
Dany places a comforting hand on Alicent's arm, her eyes reflecting her sister's concern.
"I understand your worry, Alicent," Dany says softly. “But you need to focus on finding a way to mend things with Rhaenyra."
Alicent shakes her head, her worry etched on her face.
"I know, but I can't shake this feeling of guilt," Alicent admits, her voice trembling slightly. "I let jealousy cloud my judgment, and now it feels like I've ruined everything and now a poor child’s life hangs in the balance."
Dany squeezes her sister's arm in understanding.
"We all make mistakes, Alicent. You couldn’t have known Talisa’s husband would take them to the new world and you couldn’t have known Aegon would grow ill on the trip there," Dany reassures her.
Alicent nods, a mixture of determination and uncertainty in her eyes. "It doesn’t matter. It is still due to my rash actions," she says softly, her voice broken.
She adjusts herself in the chair, her hand moving to her small belly. There is silence between them for a few moments.
"How is the baby doing, Alicent?" Dany asks gently, her eyes searching her sister's face for reassurance.
Alicent's features relax slightly at the change in topic, a hint of warmth touching her eyes as she speaks of her unborn child.
"The baby is well, thankfully," she replies, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Despite everything else, I find solace in knowing that this new life is growing strong within me."
Dany's smile mirrors her sister's, relieved by the news.
"I'm glad to hear that," Dany says sincerely, her voice soft with affection. "Perhaps the joy of this new addition will help to ease some of the tension between you and Rhaenyra."
Alicent's smile falters slightly at the mention of Rhaenyra, her worries resurfacing once more.
"I hope so," Alicent admits, her tone tinged with uncertainty. "I had hoped that news of my pregnancy might soften Rhaenyra's heart," she admits, her voice tinged with disappointment. "But it seems to have had the opposite effect. She's as distant as ever, if not more so."
Dany reaches out to grasp her sister's hand, offering a reassuring squeeze.
"Give it time, Alicent," Dany urges, her voice filled with compassion. "Keep showing her that you're committed to making amends, and eventually, I believe she'll come around."
Alicent offers a weak smile, worried that her and Rhaenyra will never recover from this.
///
Rhaenyra stands before her mother, her resolve firm as she announces her decision to leave. Aemma's expression darkens with concern as she listens to her daughter's words.
"You cannot just up and leave," Aemma admonishes, her voice tinged with urgency. "You have responsibilities here as the future duchess. You cannot abandon your family, nor can you abandon Alicent, Jace, the child that Alicent is carrying. You may miss the babe’s birth.”
"I know but I cannot stay here,” Rhaenyra insists, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Not while Aegon is gravely ill. I need to go to him."
"I understand your concern for Aegon," Aemma says softly, "but you cannot let your worry consume you to the point of abandoning your other responsibilities."
Rhaenyra's jaw clenches at the reminder, her emotions warring within her.
"Aegon is my child too," she retorts, her voice thick with emotion. "I've failed him once and I will not do it again. I need to be with him."
Aemma's gaze softens with maternal concern as she reaches out to place a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder.
“Oh my child, I know," she acknowledges gently. "But you must also consider the impact of your actions on your family here."
Rhaenyra looks into her mother's eyes, a plea in her gaze.
“Mother, I’ve made my decision and already received father’s support," she says softly, "In my absence, you take care of Alicent while I'm gone? I trust no one else to watch over her."
Aemma's expression softens at her daughter's request, her own eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and maternal love.
"Rhaenyra," she begins gently, "You know I will always do what I can to support you and your family. I will do everything in my power to ensure Alicent and Jace are cared for in your absence. You have my word."
Rhaenyra's heart swells with gratitude for her mother's support, and she enfolds her in a tight embrace. "Thank you, Mother," she murmurs, her voice choked with emotion. "Your kindness means more to me than you know."
///
Rhaenyra enters the dimly lit chamber late in the evening, exhaustion etched into every line of her face. As she steps inside, she finds Alicent seated on the grand couch, her gaze fixed on her trembling hands as she picks at her nails nervously.
A tense silence hangs between them for a moment, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Rhaenyra's heart aches at the sight of Alicent's anxious demeanor, knowing that her absence has only deepened the rift between them.
“Is there any more news on Aegon’s health?” Alicent meekly asks, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart heavy with worry.
Rhaenyra's expression stays cold as she meets Alicent's gaze, her own heart aching at the fear and uncertainty she sees reflected in her mate's eyes.
"No news," Rhaenyra replies gruffly, her voice tinged with sorrow.
Alicent's shoulders slump with disappointment, but before she can dwell on her fears any longer, Rhaenyra's next words catch her off guard.
"But I do have news of my own," Rhaenyra continues, her tone hesitant yet determined.
Alicent's breath catches in her throat as she braces herself for what Rhaenyra might say next. Her mind races with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last.
Divorce—a word she had heard whispered in hushed tones among the courtiers—hangs heavy in the air, threatening to shatter the fragile semblance of their marriage.
As Rhaenyra gathers her thoughts, Alicent's heart pounds in her chest, her hands trembling with dread. She knows that whatever news her mate brings will irrevocably change their lives, and the thought of facing such upheaval fills her with a bone-deep fear.
In that moment, as the silence stretches between them, Alicent can only cling to the fragile hope that their love is strong enough to weather whatever storm may come. But deep down, she knows that the mere suggestion of a divorce is enough to send cracks spiderwebbing through the foundation of their marriage, threatening to tear them apart.
Rhaenyra takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the difficult conversation ahead.
“I've made a decision. I'm going to voyage to the new world to see Aegon.” Rhaenyra says firmly but with a hint of remorse for she knows how this will affect her pregnant mate.
Alicent's heart lurches at the news, her breath catching in her throat as she struggles to comprehend the magnitude of Rhaenyra's words.
"No," she whispers, her voice barely audible, "you can't leave."
But Rhaenyra's resolve remains unyielding, her eyes filled with determination.
"I've spent the entire day with my father planning the journey," she explains, her voice tinged with urgency. "I leave first thing in the morning, and if everything goes well, I will return in seven months so I should be back just in time for the babe’s birth.”
Alicent feels as though the ground has been ripped out from beneath her, her world crumbling around her as she tries to process the enormity of Rhaenyra's decision.
"No," she repeats, her voice stronger this time, filled with desperation. "You can't do this, Rhaenyra. Please, I beg of you, stay. I know I’ve made terrible mistakes but please do not leave.”
But Rhaenyra's patience wears thin at Alicent's refusal to accept her decision. Anger flares in her eyes as she lashes out, her voice sharp with frustration.
"I'm going with or without your approval, Alicent," she declares, her words cutting like a knife. "And if you hadn't sent Talisa and Aegon away, none of this would be happening."
Alicent's heart shatters at the accusation, her breath hitching in her throat as tears blur her vision. She reaches out to Rhaenyra, her fingers trembling with desperation as she tries to pull her close, to find solace in her embrace. But Rhaenyra recoils from her touch, her rejection like a dagger through Alicent's already wounded heart.
“Rhaenyra, please..” Alicent says softly, but is cut off.
Rhaenyra's frustration and anguish boil over, her heartache and anger merging into a desperate cry of anguish.
"Do not ‘please’ me. You've torn our family apart, Alicent!" she screams, her voice raw with emotion. "My child may die because of your jealousy, because of falsehoods you created in your mind!"
Tears blur Rhaenyra's vision as she struggles to contain the torrent of emotions raging within her. She feels a searing pain in her chest.
Alicent's heart shatters at Rhaenyra’s tears, her words echoing in her mind like a cruel refrain. "I'm so sorry," she whispers, her voice choked with tears, but Rhaenyra remains turned away from her.
"It's too late for apologies," Rhaenyra replies curtly, wiping her tears away and her tone devoid of warmth. "I need to prepare to leave."
Alicent nods, her breath hitching in her throat as she struggles to contain her overwhelming emotions.
With a heavy heart, she rises from her seat, her movements slow and labored as though each step is an unbearable burden.
As she reaches the door, Alicent pauses, her hand trembling as she rests it against the cool wood.
With one last glance back at Rhaenyra, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, she whispers the words that weigh heavy on her heart. "I will be here upon your return and we will fix this. Please come back to me safely, Nyra," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper, before closing the door behind her.
In that moment, as Alicent's world crumbles around her, she knows that she may have just lost her mate.. and perhaps for good this time.