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I shall keep it between us, for you have read him correctly.

[ a beat, before she decides to tell him more, believing that Tim wants the best for her son. for as many people as he can help. ]

He weathered my softness when he arrived and again a little after. The latter instance…he has not allowed me so close since his eye was taken. He is not lost to me, although he oft rejects my tenderness.

[ telling, perhaps, that she says to me and not in general. she thinks of him pulling her hand from his cheek, and her palm stings anew. what sort of boy dismisses his own mother from her seat? what sort of son would not promise to keep her from another marriage, after all she’s suffered? she does not dare think the word. ]

Mayhaps if he is given time here that he would not otherwise have. Such cruel learnings cannot be undone in a day.

I know they can't.

I'll keep trying. You were right that he's been sharpened by his circumstances. But he's earnest, in a weird way. He's told me a lot for how briefly we've known each other. I don't think he perceives it as opening up, but he wants to be understood beyond just his duty.

For whatever time he has left, I think he deserves that.

[ it breaks her heart, to see it written so plainly. she doesn’t know how much time he has, in truth. with the way he’s acting — she would assume it isn’t much.

how could she possible live if he dies? if aegon burns? she doesn’t know. it is impossible to imagine a grief yet to come and not spiral into her sorrows. ]

Thank you. You do more for our family than I would dare ask of another. I’ll not forget it.

And I know you are your own man, but you need not abide Aemond’s…sharpness, if you do not wish it. Not for my sake.

[ alicent knows she’s difficult to love, and that her children take after her in this. ]

I can hold my own against it.

What about you? How are you holding up? The vote was hard.

I have weathered insults since I became queen, and I am certain history will remember me precisely how Alina spoke.

[ little whore, green witch, cold queen, seducing a grieving king and stealing the crown for her southern blood. it will not matter that she gave her youth to childbearing and her adulthood to caretaking. it never has. ]

I only regret that I stooped to ugliness in turn and harmed those I have cared for as my own.

History doesn't always remember things as they really were. My time is history to this place, and to read about it, I wouldn't know that it was what I lived through if the names and dates weren't the same.

We did what we had to. What we thought was right, with the information we had. And between us, I said Alia's name first. You can blame me for it, if you need.

Perhaps that, at least, is true, but the matter of blame cannot be shifted.

Did you kneel beside Paul in the chapel? Did you hear him speak of a boyish longing for his mother and offer him the comfort of one who misses her sons?

Did you hold Alia’s little hands in the lake, and see your daughter in her all-seeing eyes? Mine own girl shares her gift of prophecy, her strangeness, her joy in the smallest wonders of life.

I cannot blame you for what I have done. They feel a different kind of pain, at my betrayal. I would not cower from it, or ask it to be forgiven.

[ the betrayal of a brother or sister can be forgiven, a peer or even a father can be understood, but a mother — a mother should never do what she has done this day. ]

No, I didn't. You're right. I'm sorry, Alicent.

I didn’t mean to make it out like your choices weren't your own. I don't know her family well, so it's different for me, I know that.

When we're revealed to be right, she'll thank us. Because I know she doesn't want to use her power to hurt anyone. If she did, I wouldn't be here. We have to have faith in that.

I hope we are right almost as much as I hope we are wrong. Isn’t that the strangest thing?

[ for the reasons that tim speaks now. alia did not wish to do harm. ]

I have been remiss in asking how you are keeping, after all that. I know it was not an easy choice for you, either.

It is strange. But I feel the same way.

If we're revealed to be correct, I'll be at peace with my vote. But I'm afraid. Everyone I've held close to me here has someone angry with them now. I'm scared that I can't protect you all.

If we have learned anything today, it is that we cannot protect all, but we must protect as many as we can. And you will. I know it.

[ she hesitates. then — ]

I ask that you tell no one of this, not even my Aemond or your Hawk. Not sweet Koby or Lady Baela.

There is another role. That of the Witch, who can return one of the dead to us. If they have spoken true, Jacaerys may yet live.

[ not rhaenyra. her heart pangs. ]

Edited 2024-10-11 16:53 (UTC)

I've said your other secrets to no one, and I'll keep this one too.

The witch. Can you say who?

[ That changes things. At least some. One less death to mourn, if they are not found and carried first to the slaughter. The one brought back could potentially name their killer. This is good.

What about Rhaenyra? The question is on his tongue, and he's grateful that it does not reach his fingertips. It'll only cause her more pain, all the what-ifs and impossible choices that come with it. ]

Edited 2024-10-11 17:06 (UTC)

Thank you.

No, I have sworn it.
Their role will be targeted above all, for bringing back one and not another, for allowing the dead to name their accused themselves. I fear they will make enemies of all.

I tell you this in case the witch and I are both targeted, so that there is one who knows why the Prince Jacaerys yet lives and will be unafraid to speak true.

[ so that jace is not thought of as a ruse or abomination, merely another potential outcome of the game. ]

Edited 2024-10-11 17:18 (UTC)

I respect that.

Do you know if they must reveal themselves to use that power? Because if not, the killers will think it's you or your family.

I'm not saying they shouldn't save him, obviously. There's just...too many possibilities. I'm driving myself crazy.

I'll speak on it if I need to. But I won't. You will be alright, Alicent.

To my knowledge, they need not reveal themselves. I only know of it because their services come to my family at a price.

[ one that she has agreed to pay, evidently. ]

They have already targeted us, Tim. Two dead, my son nearly accused. Baela has been exposed as a necromancer, communing with the dead. Our accusation carried the day, and our remaining numbers represent a danger, particularly to the one who killed Rhaenyra.

If Baela and I are not targeted, I must look more closely at those who love me best.

[ because any wolf playing to win will surely leave the vampires to be suspect. the only other large alliance crumbled in the final round of voting. ]

I know your family has been targeted. And it may be, again.

But I promised that you would be safe here as long as I'm around, and the game doesn't change that. Have some faith in me.

Oh, Tim.
You have been a finer knight than most sworn swords, who promised their very lives to me and mine.

My faith in you remains unshaken.

[ she does not say, but the stranger comes for us all. he is still young, and should not know that pain just yet. ]

Thank you.

[ We are...perhaps past the point of humbly insisting that he is no such thing. The present danger demands that he accept the role. ]

Harry said he was making you something for protection. Maybe he can do something to help you sleep, too.

Harry found me after the vote with his gift. He’s a good man.

[ once, there were none who would take her side. now, she finds herself overwhelmed by the kindnesses offered. ]

I fear I could not stomach any draught, knowing of the danger as I do, but I promise I will endeavour to rest some.
I ask that you do the same.

He is. I think he's trustworthy. He's made one for me, too.

I'll try. Hawk will force me if I don't put this phone down soon. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Be safe.

Good, that is heartening to hear.

May the Warrior guard you both.

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