chapter thirty-three, the court.
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Alana and Aegon made their way into court, both hand in hand. It seemed they always had their hands together, but Alana liked it she felt safe and secure.

"Are you nervous?" Alana asked Aegon, squeezing his hand with hers.

"Only a bit." Aegon spoke, squeezing her hands back before looking at her protruding stomach. "How is the little one this morrow?"

"He or she is good, but they want to get out soon I can tell." Alana says, rubbing her hand on her stomach with her free hand.

"That is good." Aegon smiles "I cannot wait to meet them."

"As do I." Alana smiled, walking down the hall that lead to the great hall, Alana was not looking forward to standing for so long, listening to Otto Hightower speak nonsense whilst Rhaenyra Targaryen defended her son and such.

As if Aegon could read her thoughts, "it'll be alright, I'll make the hours of standing bearable." Aegon joked, rubbing his thumb on her hand, trying to soothe her.

Alana smiled at him before they got to the Great hall, the guards opening it up for the couple. She could see Helaena, Alicent, Otto, and Aemond there already standing up and looking presentable, despite Aemond glaring across the room with his one eye. Aegon kept his eyes trained on the steps ahead or Alana's hand in his, he made no move to look at Rhaenyra and her family.

Alana smiled kindly to Rhaenyra to which Rhaenyra nodded her head at Alana with a short smile, rubbing her also protruding stomach.

Alana and Aegon walked and stood next to Helaena and Alicent. Aegon glanced at his mother before looking up at Rhaenyra and her family, there was obvious tension between the two half siblings, both never greeting one another. A few more lords and ladies came into the grand hall before Otto cleared his throat before stepping away from his family and to the Iron Throne.

"Though it is the great hope of this court, that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds." Otto spoke, standing in front of the chair his gaze set upon Rhaenys and Vaemond, "We gather here with a grim task." Otto continued, Aegon grip on Alana's hand tightened even more "of dealing with the decision of Driftmark. As hand I speak with the Kings voice on this and all other matters." Otto nodded before sitting on the Iron throne, as if he was King "The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon."

As Vaemond walked to the center of the room, his gaze set upon Rhaenyra and her sons in almost a disgusted way, Aegon leaned into Alana already getting bored of this even if he hadn't even started.

"My Queen." Vaemond gaze went on Alicent then to Otto sitting on the Iron throne with a smug look. "My lord hand. The histories of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies. House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria our houses became the last of their kind. Our forebearers came to this world new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end of their bloodlines and their name." Vaemond continued, Alana looking at the other side of the large room, her gaze falling on Daemon Targaryen whom eyes were on her, as if undressing her with his eyes, Alana shifted uncomfortably, looking at Aegon then to Vaemond once again.

Vaemond shifted onto one foot to another, his gaze on Otto the whole time, "I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brothers seat. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin, his own blood. That true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins." Vaemond continued but Rhaenyra spoke up.

"As it does in my sons the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition." Rhaenyra spoke, glancing between the ground and Ser Vaemond.

"You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra." Alicent spoke up, her hands clasped together tightly. Aegon smirked at Rhaenyra, who looked away from her half brother and to Alicent. "Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard."

Ser Vaemond smirked and looked back at Rhaenyra whom quickly looked away. "What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours." Ser Vaemond smirked and looked at Lucerys, then looked back at Otto and Alicent. Alana sighed as she saw the look on Vaemond face as he looked at Lucerys; it wasn't Lucerys fault that he was born into this life.

"My Queen, my Lord Hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition." Vaemond straightened his back, his confidence growing with every word. "I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor...The Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides."

"Thank you, Ser Vaemond." Otto said, shifting in his seat on the Iron Throne. Ser Vaemond nodded before walking to where he originally was. "Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon."

Rhaenyra glanced at Alicent, before walking to the center of the room, looking at Otto who straightened his back in her gaze. "If I am to grace this farce with some answer. I will start by reminding the court that nearly twenty years ago, in this very—" Rhaenyra began to speak but the large doors opened, making everyone turn to look.

It was King Viserys walking on his own two feet, along with a cane to support him. He seemed everytime he appeared the worse he looked. "King Viserys of House Targaryen, the First of his name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the first men." Otto stood from the Iron Throne, shock  and disbelief written on his face while Rhaenyra held a slight gentle smile looking at her father. "Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

"He certainly always knows how to make an entrance, for his precious Rhaenyra." Aegon spoke in Alana's ear, so only she could hear.

Alana nodded, watching as the King slowly stepped down the stairs. Alana stood onto one foot to another, her feet already growing restless of standing and Viserys walking which seemed to be forever did not help either.

Aegon noticed his and pressed his hand on her lower back, rubbing it gently. "It's almost done."

"I do hope so." Alana smiled at Aegon.

Otto Hightower stepped down from the Iron throne to back where Alicent was standing. What seemed  to be forever Viserys finally reached the steps to the Iron Throne but as tried to step on the first step his legs gave way a Kingsguard rushing to help him, but Viserys refused pushing the guard away. Viserys tried once again up the stairs but as he was trying to get up his crown fell making him huff in frustration.

Viserys reached to pick up his golden crown, a hand took it, Daemon, looking at his brother, helping him up the stairs and helped him sit his throne. Daemon glanced down at the crown, rubbing it gently before placing it on Viserys head and stepping back behind Rhaenyra.

"I must...admit.....my confusion." The King spoke out of breath, finally being able to relax on his Throne. "I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys."

Rhaenys straightened her back, "Indeed, your grace." Rhaenys then stepped up to where Rhaenyra was standing prior. "It was ever my husbands will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his true born son...Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys's granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree."

"Well...the matter is settled. Again. I hearby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir of Driftmark the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides." Viserys spoke, almost out of breath. Alana shifted on her feet again, getting tired of standing, she let out of sigh as Aegon kept trying to comfort her using soft words and rubbing her back.

Alana closed and opened her eyes, leaning against Aegon her hand on his shoulder for more support. Just as she did that Ser Vaemond walked to the center again, an upset look of his face.

"You break law...and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me...who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No. I will not allow it." Ser Vaemond spoke with disdain in his voice, keeping his eyes on The King.

"Allow it? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond." Viserys looked at Vaemond.

"That is no true Velaryon!" Vaemond yelled pointing to Lucerys. "And certainly no nephew of mine."

"Go to your chambers. You have said enough." Rhaenyra spoke out, gripping her hand on Lucerys hand as if protecting him from the words.

"Lucerys is my true born grandson. And you...no more than the second son of Driftmark." Viserys spoke, shifting in his Throne.

"You...may run your house as you see fit...but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides..and Gods be damned..." Vaemond looked away from Viserys to Lucerys. Aegon tightened his grip on Alana, not liking how this petition was going. "I will not see it ended on the account of this—"

"Say it..." Daemon muttered, his hand on his tilt of his sword.

"Her children...are bastards!'" Vaemond yelled, looking directly at Rhaenyra. "And she....is a whore."

Viserys stood from the Iron Throne. "I...will have your tongue for that."

But before Viserys could actually do that, Daemon appeared behind and cut half of Vaemond head off.

Gasps were heard all over court, Helaena covered her ears turning away as Alicent reaching to hold Helaena.

Aegon pulled Alana's cheek to look at him but she couldn't help but take one glance at Ser Vaemond body falling to the ground, half of his head rolling on the ground, Daemon smirking "He can keep his tongue." 

Aegon gently pulled her gaze away from the sight again, "Don't look." He spoke gently, before taking a glance himself, seeing the Guards surround Daemon.

Suddenly Viserys began to groan in pain, Alicent immediately running over to her husband. "Call the Maesters!"

"Come, my love.." Aegon gently began to pull her away from everything, to which she followed.

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end of chapter.
sorry that this took FOREVER to get out but yeahhh.