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Chapter Text

Rays of white sunshine peaked through the curtains. The intrusive light caused Alicent to stir. Alicent's eyes slowly opened, and her first instinct was to jump up and begin moving out of fear of oversleeping. She was up before dawn most days. Not because she had to be, but because she rarely could sleep for more than a few hours at night.

She didn't get up. She instead rolled over to look at the empty right side of her bed. She had struggled to fall asleep all night. Her mind had been ravaged by anxiety and fear preventing her from rest. She was a woman alone in the world now with no husband to protect her. What was a woman of twenty and five to do with no husband and children? Alicent didn't know, but she wasn't wholly afraid to find out.

For all her worry and concern about widowhood Alicent somehow felt lighter. The death of her husband yesterday had been a definite shock, but she would be a liar if she were to deny, even to herself, that she felt some sense of immediate relief at the news. She was not happy her husband was dead. She loved Criston. She had been with him eight years. She was seventeen when they married, and though she hadn't had much say in it she knew things could be worse. She could have been married off to a man who beat her or took pleasure in cruelty. Thankfully her husband had just been like most ordinary men. He cared little for her thoughts, paid little attention to her generally, and only expected her to dutifully attend to her wifely tasks with no complaint. Alicent had been raised to expect as much, so her lot in life had never disappointed her. Passed from her father to her husband, she hadn't known life without being under the thumb of someone else. She supposed the relief she felt was just the feeling of finally being in control of her life, but the relief she felt was also accompanied by fear. Life without Criston was uncharted territory.

Alicent laid in bed for a few minutes longer, but knew she needed to start her day. Her mind was full with things she had to do. There were chores around the farm to see to, she was supposed to meet with Lyman at noon to plan for Criston's funeral and burial, and then she was expecting her neighbors from nearby farms and other friends from town to stop by this afternoon. It was tradition for folks to bring food by and to give their condolences when a community member passed away. Alicent had made what seemed like dozens of chess pies over the years, her specialty, for various families in mourning, and now it was her turn to accept people's kind offerings of support.

Alicent got up to dress. She pulled on a simple dark blue dress and her usual floral apron, and she braided her hair and pinned it all up into a simple bun. She turned after she was done to look into the mirror in the corner of her small bedroom. She looked the same as she had yesterday, but still she searched her reflection for signs of change. Maybe the change she felt was purely internal.

Alicent tended to the farm and cleaned up her small home in anticipation of the events scheduled for later.

It was late in the morning when Alicent began to boil water for a bath. She wanted to get cleaned up before her meeting with Lyman Beesbury. He had been the local mortician now for a little over a decade. Before the area had an undertaker, family and neighbors handled everything when someone died. Now there was a designated professional to take care of all the gruesome tasks, and Alicent couldn't be more thankful for that.

Alicent had grown up on this small farm. She'd lost two brothers, a mother, a father, and now a husband all while living here. Every inch of this land and home seemed to hold a memory of someone no longer here with her. This was both a comfort and a source of grief.

Alicent bathed and changed into her only black dress. It was the same one she had worn for every funeral she'd attended over the last nine years including her oldest brother and her father. By the time she was just done emptying her wash basin there was a knock to the door.

Alicent left her bedroom and walked out to answer.

"Mrs. Cole, again my sincerest condolences for your loss," Lyman said, as he entered the house. Alicent pointed in the direction of where she had chairs still out. She had already begun rearranging her main room to make room for where Criston's coffin would be for the wake and funeral, and had moved her dining table and chairs out to the barn for now, but left two chairs behind for this meeting. She had some smaller tables she would use tonight for the food everyone would bring by.

"Thank you," was all Alicent could manage to respond. She wasn't yet used to accepting people's condolences. It felt as if Criston might walk through the door any moment.

It was Lyman who had come by from town yesterday evening to tell her about Cole dropping dead in the middle of town. He took Criston's nicest suit and shoes, and they made tentative arrangements. He had promised to return at noon today, to allow Alicent more time to think everything over, so they could make the final arrangements for the funeral and burial. They agreed the wake would start tomorrow morning; people would be allowed to come by the farm and say their goodbyes. Criston had lived in this area for almost ten years, and in that time he'd made many friends. Plus, many people would come just because he was married to Alicent and out of respect for her. Then at 4pm the funeral will begin and eventually culminate in the carrying of Criston's casket to the small family cemetery there on her family's property. The next time she was in town she would order a marker made for his grave.

After they walked through all the details Lyman left and Alicent had a few hours before she knew neighbors and friends would begin stopping by to drop off food and check in on her. She didn't know what to do with herself. She suddenly had a burst of nervous energy.

She decided to take a walk to her nearby pond. This time of year there would be all types of wildlife including ducks and various other birds that she loved to watch and feed. Alicent often would take walks to the pond when she had a little free time and wanted to clear her mind. She grabbed her hat and then took off down the road towards the edge of her property where the pond was located.

She walked with her mind lost in thought. There was much to be done over the next few weeks as she transitioned into sole owner and operator of the farm and she was making lists and notes in her head.

She approached the pond and immediately felt better. The sunlight reflected off the surface of the water and there were indeed several ducks on the far side of the pond wading near the edge.

Alicent was upset with herself for not bringing a blanket to sit on, but made her way towards the large tree near the pond where she often sat enjoying its shade. As soon as she got near she noticed a discarded dress, under clothes, shoes, and a beautiful straw bonnet.

"Whose clothes are these?" Alicent wondered, but she was not puzzled for long, because then someone came bouncing up out of the water smiling and gasping for air.

Alicent had never seen this woman before. The sight of a strange woman swimming naked in her pond was shocking. Alicent didn't know what to make of the scene. She wanted to yell out and ask this woman who she was and what she was doing here, but the sound was caught in her throat. She stood almost hidden behind the tree entranced at the image before her.

The woman was slender, but not petite. She had long light blonde almost white hair that lay wet down her back and shoulders. She looked like she was likely pretty tall and there was something regal but also wild about the woman Alicent thought. Alicent knew everyone who lived in this region for miles and miles. She hadn't seen a new face in this area for many years. Criston was likely the last new person she had met, and that was almost nine years ago. Here in these mountains there weren't many reasons to travel this way unless you lived here or knew someone who did. It was an isolated and self-sufficient community, and really the only life Alicent had ever known. The farthest she had ever traveled from home was just fifty miles north to the city on the few times she traveled with Criston to market to sell their wool.

The woman began to swim in her direction, and Alicent began to panic. She worried that she looked like some deviant spying on a naked woman who was unaware of her presence.

"I have been spying on this woman without her awareness," Alicent admitted to herself, but it was her pond and she had a right to be here. It was this woman who was trespassing.

The woman stepped out of the pond and began to walk towards the tree. Alicent began to flush. Without use of a mirror Alicent knew her face was redder than the tomatoes she grew. Alicent had never seen another adult woman naked before. The sight was not altogether…unpleasant to her eyes. In fact Alicent thought the woman was quite beautiful, and the acknowledgement of that thought was oddly unsettling for reasons Alicent couldn't pinpoint, but she had little time to contemplate it before the woman saw her.

The woman stopped walking towards the tree, crouched down where she stood, and tried to cover her intimate areas with her hands.

"Who's there?" She called out. "I can see you over there behind that tree!"

Alicent came out from behind the tree with her eyes closed.

"I'm Alicent Cole, and this is my property. Who are you?" Alicent asked back.

"I'm sorry, but this is my property now, or so I thought. I'm Rhaenyra Strong, and my husband and I just bought the Tully Farm. I was under the impression this pond was ours," Rhaenyra replied, as she started to walk again towards her discarded clothes.

Alicent's eyes remained tightly shut even as the woman's voice grew nearer.

The Tully Farm was a large property with an impressive log cabin that bordered directly on Alicent's land. The Tullys had settled there several generations ago, just like Alicent's family had, but none of the Tully children had any interest in staying here to run it. After Olenna and Nayton Tully both passed away the children had listed the property for sale. It sat vacant for the last five years. The pond sat right at the edge of both properties, and both families in the past had always enjoyed it. It had never been an issue worth fighting over.

"Well, I suppose technically it belongs to us both. My family and the Tullys never squabbled over whose property it truthfully belonged to. Neither of us fenced this area off," Alicent responded, her eyes still closed. She could hear rustling and knew Rhaenyra was dressing again.

"Well, if it's alright with you I'd love to continue in that tradition. There is no other body of water nearby and I do love to swim," Rhaenyra said, slightly breathless as she hurried to redress.

Alicent could see no issue with continuing to share the pond, and she was also warmed by the fact that she had new neighbors. The Tully Farm was the closest farm to hers, and having people close by would be nice. Something about Rhaenyra already had Alicent sure they would be friendly moving forward.

"That sounds alright by me," was all Alicent said in response.

"Good, because that dip in the pond turned my entire day around. I was… in need of a cool and relaxing swim. You can open your eyes now," Rhaenyra said, and Alicent's eyes slowly peaked open to find Rhaenyra still wet, her dress clinging to her, but fully clothed and smiling wide.

Alicent began to redden again at the sight of Rhaenyra's beautiful red dress stuck to her body. Rhaenyra's nipples were hard and poked luridly through her damp clothes. Alicent was again shocked to feel…she didn't know what she felt, but she knew it wasn't normal and nothing she had ever felt looking at anyone before. Even Criston. She put these thoughts out of her mind and looked away. Her sudden turn away was caught by Rhaenyra who looked down at her own body.

"I do apologize for my appearance. I did not intend to go swimming when I went for this walk, but upon seeing the pond I could not deny myself, and I obviously brought no towels," Rhaenyra said.

"I… understand. No need to apologize," Alicent said softly, still looking away.

"I had every intention of stopping by soon to introduce myself to our new neighbors. I definitely didn't intend for our first introduction to be you seeing me as naked as the day I was born and then now I stand here a soaking wet mess. I fear I've scandalized you," Rhaenyra replied.

Alicent noted that there was no shame in Rhaenyra's voice, only apparent concern for Alicent's embarrassment.

"You have not. I just haven't met anyone new around here in years. I've been totally taken by surprise. You've done nothing wrong," Alicent said, looking Rhaenyra squarely in the face.

Alicent's eyes took note of the sharp cut of Rhaenyra's jaw, the line of her chin, the small ridge of her nose, and the deep blue of her eyes that looked like lakes Alicent could drown in.

Rhaenyra smiled again. It was a small half smile where only the right side of her mouth rose a little, and Alicent couldn't help but find it adorable.

"I need to get home and get dried up and changed. Would you like to walk with me? I've got some pie and I can make tea," Rhaenyra offered. "I'd love to get to know you and learn more from you about this area and the town."

Alicent wanted to join Rhaenyra, but she knew she needed to get back. People would begin arriving at her home very soon.

"I… My husband died yesterday, and people will be arriving at my home shortly to visit and give their condolences," Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra began to close the small distance between them.

"Oh. Oh my. I'm so sorry to hear that Alicent. My goodness. May I hug you?"

Alicent was again taken by surprise. She hadn't been hugged by anyone in a long time, and in just a few minutes of meeting Rhaenyra this new person was initiating such intimate physical contact. Alicent didn't even realize that she was nodding "yes" before Rhaenyra's arms were around her.

Alicent closed her arms around Rhaenyra. She thought she would be annoyed by the sudden cold wet body pressed up against her own, but the touch and the sentiment moved her greatly. Tears began to roll down her cheeks before she could stop them. This was the first time she had cried since finding out that Criston was gone. The sudden emotion snuck up on her. She was embarrassed again to be crying in the arms of a virtual stranger.

They stood there by the tree in front of the pond hugging for how long Alicent didn't know. It could have been two minutes or it could have been ten. Eventually Alicent composed herself, and Rhaenyra pulled back. Alicent's dress was now wet as well, but not so bad that it wouldn't dry quickly.

"I've embarrassed myself several times and I've only just met you," Alicent said, her tone light and joking, but clearly still emotional.

"You've done no such thing," Rhaenyra said, her voice full of compassion.

"I've got to be getting back now, but if you and your husband want to stop by my farm in a few hours many of the local townsfolk will be by, there will be plenty of food, and it'll be as good a chance as any to start meeting everyone. I'd love to meet your husband as well," Alicent said.

Rhaenyra nodded. "Of course. We'll be there. This road takes us right there?"

"Yes, my house is just roughly half a mile from here," Alicent answered.

They exchanged goodbyes and parted ways. Alicent thought about her interesting new neighbor for most of her walk back to the house.

***

Rhaenyra was not at all interested in moving to a sleepy mountain town and even less interested in farming, but Harwin had dreamed of being a mountain man since he had first heard the Paul Runyan folk stories as a little boy. When traveling nearby, sometime last year, he became aware of a cheaply priced farm and his imagination took off. He returned two months ago to find the property even better priced and still for sale. Rhaenyra had not been with him and was therefore unable to talk him out of it. He came back home having purchased a farm, and all she could do then was begin to prepare for their move. They were from Kingslanding; a coastal city that was bustling with people and activity. Rarely a quiet moment ever found her living there, but here quiet was all there seemingly was, and Rhaenyra found it unsettling. Harwin had been off in town all morning running errands and she had been busy unpacking and organizing their new home. A few hours of that and she was in a sour mood. She already felt lonely and isolated and they'd only been here for two days. That's when she had decided to go for a walk and then ultimately for a swim.

Coming out of the water she had been surprised to find Alicent hiding behind that tree. As soon as she could get a good look at the woman Rhaenyra was no longer afraid. Alicent seemed shy and not at all mean. After dressing she had hoped her new neighbor would come over for tea, but upon hearing that her husband had just died the day before Rhaenyra was overcome with sorrow for her new acquaintance. Rhaenyra had always been an affectionate person. Her own parents had been loving and she never went long without their affection growing up. Now she showered her husband and friends with affection easily. Harwin hadn't been a particularly affectionate man, but he'd grown used to Rhaenyra's ways. She liked to believe he'd grown to love them even. He definitely never complained. She hugged Alicent under that tree with zero reservations. From one human to another she wanted so desperately to comfort Alicent in her grief. When she realized Alicent was crying she said nothing, but continued to hold her until she was sure the tears had stopped flowing.

Alicent invited her and Harwin to come by her farm later, and Rhaenyra accepted immediately. It was unfortunate to meet her new neighbors under such sad circumstances, but the chance to be around people and make new friends was exactly what Rhaenyra needed. She knew if she was going to adjust to this change in lifestyle, having friends and some sort of social circle here in the mountains would be a necessity. Plus, she knew very little about farming and understood that she might need to lean on the expertise of these folks who had lived here and farmed here forever.

Harwin made it back home in the early evening. His cart was packed with goods and items from the local town, and he was unloading it when Rhaenyra came outside to greet him.

"Seems you've bought everything there was to buy in town on your trip," Rhaenyra said, as she walked up.

"We'll need all of this I promise," Harwin replied between grunts as he carried a heavy tool from the back of the horse drawn cart.

"I met our closest neighbor today. Alicent Cole. Her husband died yesterday and I accepted an invitation to go by her farm this evening. People from the town are stopping in to give their condolences. There'll be lots of food and we can meet folks," Rhaenyra was rambling, but she didn't know why. There was some odd emotion just beneath the surface, some feeling she couldn't quite identify, that made her nervous all of sudden as she spoke to Harwin about Alicent. Harwin, for his part, seemed completely oblivious.

"I heard people talking about it in town today. A man just fell over in town, from his heart stopping right cold, and never woke up. Folks said he was young and fit. It's been quite the shock to the entire town. I didn't realize he was our neighbor." Harwin jumped up into the cart but kept talking, "Now his wife is alone?" Harwin asked.

"I'm unsure. When I met Alicent I was at the pond and she was alone then, but she might have children or other family," Alicent replied. "In either case we'll know soon. Once you're finished here I've got your wash bowl ready with hot water and a fresh shirt laid out for you to change in. Then we can head on over. I never touched the pie I made yesterday, so I'll bring it as well."

Harwin just nodded in response and continued to unload the cart. Once he was done with that and had cleaned up and changed they decided to walk the slightly under two miles to Alicent's home. They were still getting familiar with their new lands and wanted to take a leisurely walk up the road to take it all in.

When they arrived there was a small crowd of roughly a dozen ppl milling about inside and outside of the home. There was a small fire lit in a pit outside that a few people were gathered around. It looks like they were enjoying some type of dark alcohol. As Harwin and Rhaenyra walked up Harwin recognized someone and waved. The man waved back and walked towards them.

"Harwin, so nice to see you again," the man said, as he approached.

"Yes, Jason. Nice to see you again as well. Jason Lannister, this is my wife Rhaenyra Strong. Rhaenyra, this is Jason Lannister, he runs the general store in town."

Rhaenyra smiled and extended a hand to Jason before saying, "Nice to meet you."

Jason smiled back as he shook her hand and replied, "The pleasure is all mine." He took a sip of his drink and then continued speaking to them, "I didn't know you both had met Criston."

"We hadn't," both Harwin and Rhaenyra replied simultaneously.

Harwin looked at his wife and smiled, "Rhaenyra met Alicent today, and we were invited to stop by. We couldn't turn down the chance to spend time with our new neighbors and meet folks. Even though the reason for this gathering is rather grim."

"Ah yes, grim indeed. No better young couple around these parts than Alicent and Criston. It's taken us all by surprise that he's gone, but we will come together to make sure Alicent is taken care of. Poor thing has lost her family, then her husband, and now she's left to manage the farm on her own. She's one of us though, and we'll see her through no matter what," Jason said, sounding very sincere, but Rhaenyra could also tell he was already deep in his cups.

"I think we'll go in and say hello to Alicent," Rhaenyra said, trying to kindly end their talk with Jason.

"Of course, and if you'd like to join us by the fire outside for a bit of whiskey please do," Jason replied, as he smiled, turned, and walked back towards the fire. Harwin and Alicent walked arm in arm towards the entrance to the small farmhouse.

As they entered the main room of the farmhouse there were tables with many different dishes laid out where a handful of people stood fixing plates of food. There were also a few people in groups socializing, and a couple of kids playing quietly. Rhaenyra wondered whose children they were.

At first no one noticed them, but then several people turned to look at them, all with inquisitive looks on their faces. It was then that Rhaenyra heard Alicent's voice.

"Rhaenyra you've made it."

Rhaenyra turned to see Alicent walking out of the kitchen area towards them.

"I'm so glad you could come. You must be Mr. Strong," Alicent said, reaching out to shake Harwin's hand.

"Just Harwin is fine," Harwin replied. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

Alicent's smile fell. Rhaenyra felt for her deeply even though they barely knew each other.

"Thank you. It's so nice of you both to come. Please come inside and help yourselves to anything. There's so much food and I'll never be able to eat it all," Alicent said, leading them further into the main room.

"I knew you said there would be plenty of food, but this is a feast. I brought you a blueberry pie, but I'm sure all these baked goods here taste much better," Rhaenyra said, humbly.

"I love blueberry pie," Alicent said, softly. "I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Thank you."

Rhaenyra sat the pie down next to the other dishes, and the three of them suddenly fell into an awkward silence.

Rhaenyra was thankful their brief uncomfortable moment was ended by two women walking over to them.

Both of the women looked middle aged and were slightly graying. As they came to stand beside the three, one of the women looked at Rhaenyra and Harwin and said, "Well, who do we have here?"

Alicent spoke up, "Rhaenys, Corlyn, this is Mr. and Mrs. Harwin Strong. They just bought the old Tully Farm. Alicent and Harwin, this is Rhaenys and Corlyn Velaryon."

Everyone shook hands and greeted each other with a smile.

"So, you two are related?" Harwin had to ask, Rhaenyra assumed, because Corlyn had dark brown skin and Rhaenys had a pale complexion.

"Yes, we are sisters via adoption," Corlyn explained. "I never married and Rhaenys' husband died many years ago, so we live together up in the cabin on Redwyne Hill. Been there almost twenty five years now. Longer than Alicent here has been alive."

"They're both midwives together. They delivered me and most of the people my age or younger around here," Alicent added in.

"That's incredible," Rhaenyra responded earnestly. "I had dreamed of being a nurse when I was really young, but everyone said it was men's work, so I never gave it much thought as I got older. I've always been interested in caring for people."

"Well, if you're interested in being a midwife I think I can speak for us both when saying we'd be happy to train you. As we get older it'd make us both feel better to know we had trained people in this community to take over our work when we're gone. Someone has to deliver the babies as they never stop coming," Rhaenys said, with a light chuckle.

Rhaenyra was taken aback by the offer. She didn't immediately respond.

"We've just now started to settle into our roles as farmers. I do believe my dear wife will need a bit more time adjusting to that, before she can take on any more new roles," Harwin chimed in.

Rhaenyra didn't want these women to think Harwin made her decisions for her, so she spoke up as well, "He's right I'm afraid, but if the offer is not time sensitive I'd love to reconsider it later."

Rhaenys and Corlyn smiled. "Of course dear, you let us know if you change your mind," Rhaenys replied.

Harwin and Rhaenyra parted from the three other women and began making their way around the home introducing themselves to everyone. After they met all the towns folk inside Rhaenyra made them both a plate of food then they sat in chairs on the porch to eat. After eating they eventually did make it back by the fire where Jason introduced them to everyone outside.

Rhaenyra had never been much of a drinker, but she joined in when Jason offered her and Harwin some of his whiskey. The first few sips burned Rhaenyra's throat on the way down. She couldn't understand the appeal, but after a few minutes the liquid started to warm her up from the inside out and it began to erase away her anxiety, that she wasn't even fully aware of until it was melted away. The appeal of this dark liquid was no longer lost on Rhaenyra. She felt lighter in spirit and mind than she had in a long time.

Rhaenyra and Harwin stood by the fire drinking, talking with their new friends, and enjoying their surroundings for quite awhile. Rhaenyra hadn't expected to have a good time tonight. They were gathering because of a death in the community, and they barely knew anyone, but yet she already was feeling at home among these people. Everyone was being so warm and welcoming.

Rhaenyra turned and saw Alicent walk off towards a barn situated on the right of the farm house. Perhaps it was the whiskey, but Rhaenyra felt compelled to follow her. She was drawn to Alicent, and she wanted to talk with her again before leaving.

Rhaenyra walked to the barn, but no one was inside. She walked back outside and decided to check behind the barn and that's where she saw Alicent sitting on a bale of hay.

"If you need a moment alone I'll turn back," Rhaenyra said, disturbing the silence.

Alicent looked up and gave her a small smile. "No, your presence is welcome. I just needed a break. I'm… feeling morose and no longer in the mood to hide it. I thought it best to take a moment."

Rhaenyra nodded, but didn't get too close. She stayed standing off to the side.

"Both my parents are dead," Rhaenyra said, her tone matter of fact. She hadn't planned on sharing that, but the whiskey also seemed to have loosened her lips.

"I'm sorry," Alicent said, and Rhaenyra felt her sincere empathy.

"No need to be. It's been a long time. My mother died in childbirth when I was 12. My father died several years later of a long standing illness. With each loss I felt more and more alone in the world. As if I belonged nowhere and to no one. I'd known Harwin all my life. He was like a part of my family, and so I clung to him, and eventually I married him, so that I would never be alone." Rhaenyra couldn't believe she was sharing this with Alicent, but something made her want to open up and bare herself.

Alicent seemed slightly shocked by this information, but she said nothing and only patted the spot next to her on the hay bale and encouraged Rhaenyra to sit.

"I guess I just wanted you to know that I know loss too. I understand grief very well. I know what it's like to feel alone and adrift. If you want to talk I'm all ears," Rhaenyra added as she sat down.

Rhaenyra looked over and was made breathless by the way the moonlight shone down on Alicent. The sun hadn't set that long ago, but it was already very dark. Alicent's auburn hair was in several braids pulled up into a bun, her skin was like porcelain, her eyes round, doe-like, and brimming with unshed tears. Rhaenyra had the urge to hug her again, but refrained.

"She's beautiful," Rhaenyra thought, but put the notion quickly out of her mind.

Rhaenyra's internal monologue was interrupted when Alicent spoke again, "Criston did so much around here. I honestly don't know where to begin without him. My daddy ran this place and then Criston took over. I've been managing the house and smaller chores since I was little, but I know almost nothing about caring for our sheep or selling the wool. I helped Criston with everything, but I mostly just took his direction. Why he did the things he did I never did ask, and now I walk into the barn and see tools I have no idea how to use to do tasks I don't even know need to be done. I can cook, clean, sew, garden, shoot, and so much more, but now I'm supposed to know how to shear sheep and negotiate with wool merchants too. I don't just feel alone. I am alone."

Rhaenyra reached out and grabbed Alicent's hand in hers. Alicent turned to look at her and they made eye contact in the moonlight.

"You're not alone. It seems that the Seven have brought us together, because I too have so much to learn about farming and homesteading, and would very much prefer to have a friend to learn with and from. Harwin is no use as he already thinks he knows everything and is a poor teacher," Rhaenyra said, cracking a smile, and Alicent smiled too.

Alicent looked away and spoke again, "I lost my mother young as well. From a fever she caught. My father died several years ago too. He drank himself to death. I had an older brother who died in the Westerosi-Dornish war, and a younger brother who died of consumption. I didn't choose Criston, like you chose Harwin, but he was all the family I had left just the same."

Rhaenyra was surprised that Alicent was opening up to her as well, but was greatly pleased by how easily they related to one another. Their lives had been very different, but also much the same.

Rhaenyra was going to respond but was startled by Harwin appearing from the side of the barn.

"I've been looking for you. I thought we might head back home soon. I'm exhausted and we have much to do tomorrow," Harwin said, as he walked towards his wife.

Rhaenyra realized she was still holding Alicent's hand and let it go. The moment they were sharing was now seemingly over as Alicent stood up.

"I should return to my guests anyways," Alicent said, dusting pieces of hay off her black dress. "Criston's wake starts tomorrow at ten am and the funeral and burial will start at four right here at the farm. You both are welcome, but I understand how busy you must be with your new farm. Your presence tonight was very kind."

"We will be here tomorrow for the funeral," Harwin replied, and Rhaenyra was grateful she wouldn't have to twist his arm to get him to agree, because she wanted to attend and would have come without him if she had to.

"Yes, you will see us both tomorrow," Rhaenyra added.

"Thank you both again. See you here tomorrow," Alicent replied.

Alicent walked away back towards her home, and Rhaenyra watched her walk away for a moment before gathering herself and pulling Harwin by the arm.

"Come on husband, let us go home."

Harwin offered his arm, Rhaenyra took it, and they began to walk back around the barn and off towards their new home.

Once they made it to the road Rhaenyra couldn't help but to look back. Alicent was standing in the doorway of her house talking to someone that Rhaenyra couldn't see, and unfamiliar feelings stirred inside Rhaenyra. She was confused and scared by them, but also felt excited and nervous. It had been a while since she had made a new friend, and she could tell she and Alicent had the potential to be very close. Rhaenyra guessed her odd feelings were just because she was thrilled to make a new friend.

Harwin began listing all the things they needed to get done before leaving for the funeral tomorrow and his voice snapped Rhaenyra back around and out of her thoughts about Alicent.

"Does that sound good to you?" Harwin asked, and Rhaenyra wasn't even sure what he was referring to. She just nodded.

Harwin seemed not to notice that she hadn't been paying attention and continued on listing out their to do list.

Rhaenyra gave Harwin her full attention on the rest of their walk home, but thoughts of Alicent remained somewhere at the back of her mind. 

"I may like it here in the mountains after all," she thought with a smile as they headed back up the moonlit dirt road. 

Chapter Text

Rhaenyra and Harwin showed up to the Cole Farm shortly before four and found several dozen people crammed tight in the home. It was standing room only, as Criston's funeral was set to begin.

Rhaenyra was slightly surprised by the numbers of people that had shown up. So far as she knew, there were only a few hundred families that lived in this county, and it looked like a good percentage of them had shown up.

"This is definitely a tight-knit little community," she thought to herself, but she understood that it likely had to be. Surviving here in the mountains took community and cooperation.

This was also the first time Rhaenyra laid eyes on Criston. She wasn't able to walk up close, but she could see him from where she was standing. He reminded her a lot of Harwin. Dark hair and handsome, muscled and tall. She wondered if they would have been friends under different circumstances. She didn't see Alicent, but she and Harwin were pushed further in to make more room for people arriving after them, and from where they were now located she couldn't see anyone who was standing up front. She could barely see the coffin now.

A few moments later a man that Rhaenyra assumed was the undertaker started the service. He introduced a priest who gave a short but beautiful eulogy, a few townsfolk and friends of Criston spoke, and then finally Alicent walked up to the front of the coffin. Rhaenyra had squeezed a little to her right so that she could see her. The room was quiet and the only sound was that of Alicent's voice:

"Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
What is heaven if not the
place where loved ones reunite?
That holy place where we will
laugh at the trouble
of parting when we meet again.
Until then
Laugh as you've always laughed.
Play, smile, think of me,
pray for me
Let my name be ever the
household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well."

Rhaenyra was crying. Alicent's poem was beautiful and the words were a comfort to her as Rhaenyra thought of her dead loved ones. She saw that Alicent was crying too, and Rhaenyra wanted nothing more than to push past all these people and go to her. She wanted to wrap her arms around her and comfort her. She wanted to be comforted by Alicent as well. She thought about this as Harwin put his arm around her and pulled her in close.

"It's alright, wife. I'm here," Harwin said, in a whisper. Rhaenyra usually would melt into his embrace, but she wanted something else in this moment.

"I want to be held by Alicent," she thought, and then shook her head to clear away the thought before leaning into the arms of her husband.

Alicent said nothing else after sharing her poem and looked over at the undertaker who called several men forward to help him close the coffin and carry it out to the hole already dug for it.

The undertaker advised everyone that the funeral was over, but that all were invited to follow the procession to the family's small cemetery where Criston would be laid to rest.

People began to file out of the house behind the four men carrying the coffin. Alicent was first behind them with Rhaenys and Corlyn right by her side.

When they arrived at the small cemetery there were roughly twenty marked graves. Most of the people buried here shared the Hightower family name.

"Alicent's maiden name must be Hightower," Rhaenyra realized. She couldn't explain why she cared so much about the details of this woman's life, but she did.

After everyone gathered around the men lowered Criston's coffin into the ground using ropes. The priest began to recite a final prayer as he stood before the six foot hole:

"Flow unimpeded your tears, unload thyself, O sorrowful breast! Father! let her weep, let her now, alas, a widow, find relief and comfort in Thee.

Dead and motionless, lies here one who but recently was joined to her; from her has departed he who was so truly and affectionately attached to her; O God, I could wish that animation and vitality, were again infused in this corpse, that it might rise from the grave, and waking again recognise her, as was granted through Thee in the days of Elisha and Ezekiel.

Give her strength O Father, that she will not sink; grant that the hope of resurrection may keep her erect. Assist me, O God, Thou who art the “Judge of the Widows,” and be her staff and her stay. And thou dear departed, walk sorrowless in yonder regions where no night will follow thy day, and no grief thy joy. For an endless joyful union now holds hope in her mourning heart, as the ties which bind sympathizing soul to soul, death cannot sever; yea, she shall meet thee again, as soon as upon the night eternal day shall follow. Amen."

Everyone in attendance added their own, "Amen."

Alicent began to sob, and several people near her reached out to comfort her. Rhaenyra was touched again by the priest's prayer. His words were more focused on providing comfort to Alicent than saying goodbye to Criston, but funerals were always for the living Rhaenyra reasoned.

Alicent bent down to grab a handful of dirt and tossed it onto the coffin. She stepped back and others began to step forward to do the same.

Rhaenys announced that everyone was invited back to the house for food, and people started to make their way back.

"I've got a few chores I want to get to before dark," Harwin said, pulling Rhaenyra out of the daze she felt she was in watching Alicent still weeping next to the grave. Several men were now filling the hole in with dirt.

"I'd like to stay," Rhaenyra replied. Harwin only nodded. She continued, "You can drive the cart back to pick me up after nightfall. You go and do what you need to." Harwin gave her a light peck on the cheek and took off for their farm.

Rhaenyra turned back towards Alicent who was still standing in front of the grave, and she walked over to her. Most people were already walking back towards the farmhouse, and for the first time that day Rhaenyra saw an opening to speak to the new widow alone.

She walked up and was relieved to see that Alicent's crying had at least momentarily ceased.

As soon as she was standing right next to Alicent she began to speak, "That poem you read during the funeral, did you write it?"

Alicent turned to look at her and smiled.

"Yes, I wrote it after my oldest brother died. It was like he was speaking directly to my heart from the great beyond, as if he wanted me to know we'll be together again, and I could think of nothing better to say today in memory of Criston," Alicent replied.

"It…touched me deeply," Rhaenyra responded, softly, and they stared into each other's eyes for a moment before Rhaenys and Corlyn walked up.

"You ready to walk back, dear? It's gonna take them a little while longer to fill up the grave, and I know you haven't eaten anything all day," Corlyn said to Alicent.

Alicent nodded and all four women walked back to the farmhouse.

Once they returned to the house Alicent's attention was divided and shared among all in attendance, so Rhaenyra faded back into the background and spent some time meeting new people who she hadn't yet had the chance to. She ate, she had another drink with Jason Lannister, and she held out hope that she would be able to talk with Alicent again, but now she couldn't even find her. It was getting dark soon, and Harwin would likely be on his way to bring her home shortly. 

Rhaenyra walked outside and decided to look one last place. She walked to the back of the barn where she had found Alicent the night before.

There in the orange glow of sunset she saw her. She'd only known this woman for less than forty eight hours, and yet she knew where to find her. Rhaenyra was beginning to sense a real connection growing between them. The sight of her made Rhaenyra's breath catch.

"This woman is mourning her husband," Rhaenyra reminded herself and walked forward to sit next to Alicent on the hay.

"I hope it's okay if I join you," Rhaenyra said, as she walked up, and Alicent looked up at her and smiled again.

"Please do. I find your company most pleasant," Alicent said, almost shyly.

Rhaenyra was warmed by the knowledge that Alicent seemed to enjoy being around her as much as she enjoyed being around Alicent.

"Where is Harwin?" Alicent inquired.

"He went back home a while ago to do some chores before the sun set. He'll be back soon to bring me home," Rhaenyra replied.

"You wanted to stay?"

"Yes, for a little while longer. I…just didn't want to leave without making sure you were okay," Rhaenyra replied.

Alicent smiled again, and they sat there in comfortable silence for a moment.

"I am okay," Alicent finally said. "Today was hard. I didn't expect to feel all the things I felt. Criston was a decent man. He was God fearing and loyal. He never raised a hand to me, or spit a harsh word. I was lucky in that way, and while I cared for him I wouldn't call our love the stuff of songs or fairy tales. I honestly don't know if that kind of love exists. Perhaps it's only in ballads and stories that you find it. A fiction we all yearn for but never find."

Rhaenyra thought about Alicent's words for a moment before she responded, "I believe my parents found that type of love. I'm pretty sure my mother thought my father set the sun in its place in the sky, and he thought it only shined for her. They loved each other deeply." Rhaenyra looked off at the setting sun. When she began to speak again her voice was full of emotion, "He never recovered when she and my infant brother died. I suppose I've never recovered either."

"What about you…and Harwin?" Alicent asked.

Rhaenyra's eyes went wide at the question.

Alicent began to backtrack, "I'm sorry. I'm being intrusive. You don't have to answer that."

"No," Rhaenyra reached out to place her hand over Alicent's, "It's okay. I love Harwin. He's… a good man with a kind heart. It's a rare thing. I'm lucky in that way as well. I don't think we have a passionate kind of love, but we do have a great friendship. I almost wanted to stay behind in Kingslanding and refuse to move here with him, but in the end I do love him, and did not want to be alone without him. So here I am, and even though it's only been a few days I do not regret my choice at all."

Alicent seemed to be processing all the things that Rhaenyra had just shared.

"So, the city dweller likes it here in the mountains?" Alicent teased with a smile.

"Indeed. I'm finding there's much here to recommend this place," Rhaenyra replied, squeezing Alicent's hand softly.

Alicent began to turn red, and Rhaenyra was surprised to find that she liked having this effect on her.

Just then Rhaenys came walking behind the barn.

"Alicent I was…," she stopped when she saw Rhaenyra sitting with Alicent, their hands intertwined. "I didn't mean to interrupt," Rhaenys said, apologetically and Alicent shot up off the hay bale dropping Rhaenyra's hand.

"Don't be silly. We were just talking. I should get back," Alicent said.

Rhaenys looked intrigued by the scene she had walked up on, but made no comment about it.

"We just wanted to help you store all the leftover food. I was looking for you to see what you wanted to keep and whatever you don't folks could take home with them so nothing goes to waste," Rhaenys said.

Alicent nodded and then replied, "That's a good idea. Let us go see to it. Rhaenyra, I…" she was interrupted by Rhaenyra who stood up now and began dusting herself off.

"Harwin will be by any minute, go put away your food. I will see you soon?"

Alicent nodded, and it seemed like there was more she wanted to say, but didn't.

"Nice to see you again, dear," Rhaenys said with a smile as she turned to walk back to the house.

The sun had set and just like the night before Rhaenyra watched Alicent walk away in the moonlight.

***

Alicent spent the morning after Criston was buried doing chores. She put all the furniture back in the main room where it went, she fed the chickens, milked her two cows, chopped firewood, put out fresh water and hay for the horses, and churned some butter. After taking a break for lunch she went to check on the sheep.

They were off in a pasture about a quarter mile from the house and she found all thirty seven of them in great shape. Criston had recently trimmed their hooves and they were still months away from needing to be sheared. She had plenty of time to figure out how to manage their care moving forward.

She relished completing all the tasks. Staying busy kept her mind off sadder things, and Alicent was desperate for a break from her grief.

When she got back from seeing after her sheep she didn't know what else to do with herself.

She decided she'd have some tea and maybe try one of the desserts her neighbors brought over. There was a variety of cakes and pies stored in the small ice box that Criston had bought her as a gift two years ago, but when she saw it she knew which one she wanted to taste. Alicent reached in and pulled out the blueberry pie.

She quickly warmed up a large slice, using a pan over the fire, and let it cool as she made tea. When she sat down to eat she savored each bite. Rhaenyra had been selling herself short; the pie was delicious.

After eating she was at a loss again for what to do with the rest of her day. She looked around her house, the home that held so many memories, and decided she needed to get out.

She grabbed a shawl and her hat and she took off walking up the road towards the Strong Farm.

Alicent couldn't explain why she wanted to see Rhaenyra. For the first ten minutes of her walk she told herself she was just going to the pond again, but after she got to the pond and kept walking she couldn't deny that she was headed to see Rhaenyra.

Everyone was so supportive and kind over the last few days. She'd appreciated all the love her neighbors and friends had shown her, but it was the moments with her new neighbor that seemed to mean the most to her these last two days, and she desired to be in Rhaenyra's company once more.

The walk to the Strong's new farm seemed to fly by. Alicent had been lost in thought the entire way. When she arrived she noticed Harwin out front repairing part of a fence. As she walked up he looked in her direction and noticed her.

He stopped his hammering and wiped the sweat from brow before he spoke, "Alicent! So nice to see you. What brings you by?"

Alicent smiled and waved, and realized she didn't know what she was doing here other than she wanted to see his wife.

"I…umm…had some of the pie Rhaenyra made, and it was so delicious I just thought I would stop by and let Rhaenyra know how much I enjoyed it," Alicent replied.

If Harwin thought this was an odd thing to do he didn't show it. He just nodded as if that made perfect sense, and called out to Rhaenyra who must have been inside the cabin.

"She'll be glad to know you enjoyed it," Harwin said, smiling again.

"Why are you yelling my name like a mad man, Harwin I–," Rhaenyra came out of the house reprimanding Harwin, but stopped in her tracks when she saw Alicent standing in front of her.

"We've got company," Harwin said, laughing.

"I can see that now," Rhaenyra replied, not taking her eyes off Alicent.

Alicent gave a tiny shy wave and a small smile then Rhaenyra finally spoke to her, "Hi."

"Hi," Alicent replied softly. "I tried your pie today. You were much too modest about your baking. It was delicious."

Rhaenyra smiled and motioned for Alicent to follow her into the house. Harwin had already gone back to hammering the fence and was paying them no mind.

"You came all this way to compliment my pie making?" Rhaenyra's tone was light and teasing.

Alicent's face began to heat up and turn red.

"Well, truth be told I was looking for any reason to get out of the house. I figured coming to thank you for the wonderful pie was as good an excuse as any. Plus, I… nevermind," Alicent shook her head as she spoke the last few words, as if clearing away unwanted thoughts.

"No, what were you going to say?" Rhaenyra insisted. She pulled out a chair at her kitchen table and Alicent sat in it. Rhaenyra sat down across from her.

Alicent looked down at the table. It had been years since she quit the ugly habit of picking at the skin around her nail beds when nervous, but she felt the urge strongly in this moment.

"I wanted to see you," Alicent finally replied.

A warm smile spread across Rhaenyra's face.

Alicent decided to continue explaining, "I know we just met a few days ago, and you've met me at such a low time in my life, but I feel you've come into my life at just the right time. I have friends, but none my age that I'm close to, and I've enjoyed your company so much. I just… desired to come call on you and pass some of the day away in your company."

Alicent felt foolish. "What am I doing here?" She thought.

Quickly her feelings were assuaged when Rhaenyra reached out across the table and held out a hand. Alicent pulled her right hand from where it was resting on her lap and took Rhaenyra's hand.

Rhaenyra's thumb rubbed across the knuckles of Alicent's hand as she responded, "You're always welcome to call on me. Our desire for each other's company is mutual."

Alicent felt a warmth spreading through her body at Rhaenyra's words and touch. She was blushing again. Rhaenyra had this affect on her often, and Alicent didn't know what to think or how to feel about it. She just knew she was growing to like it very much.

"Please excuse the mess in here. I'm still unpacking and organizing our things. I struggle with singular focus. I begin one task only to be distracted by another, and in the end very little gets done." Rhaenyra sounded almost bashful Alicent thought.

Alicent hadn't even noticed her surroundings. Since walking into the cabin her eyes had rarely left Rhaenyra. She looked around then at chests and barrels and sacks all over the main room of the cabin. It looked as if there were half a dozen tasks Rhaenyra had started and then abandoned. Alicent found the scene humorous, but held in her chuckle so as not to offend.

"Well, you're in luck, because organizing and cleaning is my forte. Can I help?"

Rhaenyra seemed to think about the offer for just a moment before smiling and replying, "If you're sincerely offering free labor I'd be a fool to refuse you."

Alicent pulled her hand back gently and stood up. She walked over to one of the open chests and looked back at Rhaenyra with a grin before teasing, "Well, c'mon let's get to work!"

The women unpacked and organized items and clothing for several hours. They laughed, shared stories, and got to know one another better. Alicent honestly hadn't had as much fun in a long time. Rhaenyra was outgoing, smart, funny, and affectionate. Alicent felt giddy just being around her.

They got to the last chest that needed unloading. It was full of Harwin's clothes. Alicent noted how the Strong's seemed to be pretty well off by the amount of things and clothing they owned. Plus, the things they owned were expensive; she could tell. Alicent had come from a humble farming family, and she had married a soldier-turned-farmer who had come from nothing himself. They had always done okay, but they had to work for everything they had.

Rhaenyra must have noticed Alicent's pensive look as she pulled the clothes from the chest. Rhaenyra was in the kitchen area already working on dinner.

"We've done enough today. You need not continue with Harwin's things. I can get to that later," Rhaenyra said. She dried her hands with a dish rag as she walked over to Alicent.

"It's the last one. I say we just knock it out, and get everything done," Alicent suggested.

"There was a look on your face a moment ago," Rhaenyra replied. "I don't want to abuse your kindness."

"Oh…no, I'm…I was just noting to myself that you both seem to have so much, and your things are so nice. You've bought the Tully Farm which is twice the acreage of my farm, and this cabin is twice as big as my farmhouse. I know your finances are not my business... I guess I just was curious, and now I feel foolish having admitted what I was thinking. I'm rambling. I'll stop." Alicent went quiet and was clearly embarrassed again.

Rhaenyra just laughed.

"You can know anything you want to know. With you I fear I'm an open book. My father was a successful merchant in Kingslanding. When he died I inherited his fortune. Harwin comes from a long line of merchants as well. He followed in his father's footsteps up until the moment he purchased this farm. Do not expect to meet him anytime soon as it may take years for his father to forgive him enough to visit us here. He was more opposed to this move than even I was," Rhaenyra replied.

Alicent took in all the information. She suddenly felt sullen. She was just a poor sheep herder. What could she offer in a friendship with someone so… different? She'd barely traveled fifty miles in her entire life, and here was the daughter of a rich merchant who had moved here all the way from Kingslanding.

"What does she even find interesting about me?" Alicent wondered.

Rhaenyra again must have noticed the look on Alicent's face.

"Why do you suddenly look so sad?" she asked.

Alicent looked Rhaenyra in her eyes for a moment, finding concern and compassion, and looked away.

"We're so different. I worry you'll soon grow tired of me. I'm not sure what I bring to our friendship," Alicent confessed.

Rhaenyra smiled a soft smile, and reached for Alicent's hand again, before she responded, "You're sweet, you're kind, you're giving. You helped me get more done in a few hours than I've gotten done by myself in days. Since meeting you I've felt more encouraged about our move here than I've felt since Harwin told me he bought this place. You make me laugh. I feel better in your presence. It's only been a few days since I've known you though, so please allow me more time to learn you better and compose a longer list of your wonderful attributes."

Alicent blushed and pulled her hand back. She didn't really want to though. She loved the feel of her hand inside Rhaenyra's hand. She reached into the chest to pull out a stack of shirts.

"I… am humbled by your kind words," Alicent said softly, trying desperately not to relay how affected she was by them. "Point me in the direction of your bedroom and I will put these shirts away."

"Here let me come show you where they go," Rhaenyra replied.

Alicent followed Rhaenyra into a room off to the left of the cabin. Inside the bedroom was a full sized wooden bed, covered with a red and black blanket. There were light red curtains hanging from the window, a tall mirror in the corner, two dressers right next to each other, a mirror dressing table and chair, and two small tables on either side of the bed. The room smelled like lavender and a breeze was blowing in through the slightly open window causing the curtains to blow. The sunlight shone in between the gap in the curtains and Rhaenyra stood next the dressers bathed in red glow from the window.

"Beautiful," Alicent thought before realizing she had said the word out loud.

"Hmmm?" Rhaenyra said, having barely heard her.

"What a beautiful room," Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra smiled at the compliment and said, "Thank you. I can't sleep amongst clutter and messes, so the bedroom was the first room I unpacked and organized. This is Harwin's dresser. Feel free to organize his clothes in it anyway you wish. I usually pick his clothing for him anyways. I need to go check on dinner." Rhaenyra began to walk out.

Alicent nodded and walked past her as she went to put the shirts away. Rhaenyra stopped once she reached the door to the bedroom.

"You'll be staying for dinner?" Rhaenyra asked, although her tone made it sound more like a statement of fact or a forgone conclusion than a question.

Alicent just nodded and smiled. She felt no need to pretend she wanted to go home.

Rhaenyra smiled back and left to see to the stew she was making and the fresh bread that was baking.

Harwin finally came inside not long after they were done unpacking everything.

"Well, you two have been busy," Harwin said, taking in the now uncluttered and organized cabin.

"Yes, Alicent has been a godsend. She's staying for dinner. I thought that the least I could do is feed her in return," Rhaenyra replied, cheerfully.

"I'm only happy to help," Alicent replied, now feeling reserved and shy under Harwin's gaze.

"Well, we appreciate it," Harwin said with a nod. "Took me all day, but I got all the holes in the fencing repaired."

He walked into the kitchen over to where Rhaenyra stood in front of the fire and placed a kiss on her cheek. Alicent looked away. The gesture was rather chaste, but still something about it made Alicent uncomfortable.

"You smell like a goat," Rhaenyra teased. "I put some warm water in your wash bowl not that long ago and laid out a fresh shirt. Go get washed up, because dinner is almost ready."

Harwin pecked her on the cheek again, and took off for their bedroom.

Rhaenyra turned away from the fire to look at Alicent. Alicent returned her stare, but neither said a word. Alicent felt a heat rising inside her. Was it proximity to the fire she felt? Or was it the fire she saw in Rhaenyra's eyes that caused her to feel awash in flames?

Alicent turned away. She felt so confused. She was standing in the kitchen of a happily married woman, just a few days after the passing of her own husband, and yet she felt this magnetic pull towards Rhaenyra. She couldn't explain it. Her own feelings baffled her. Harwin was just in the other room. He had just kissed Rhaenyra a moment ago.

Before she could stop herself Alicent turned back and walked closer to Rhaenyra.

"The stew and bread smell amazing," Alicent said, once she was standing next to Rhaenyra.

"I hope you'll like the taste as much as the smell," Rhaenyra said, jokingly.

The sound of her laugh was intoxicating. Alicent loved to hear it.

"I'm sure I will," was all Alicent said.

The mood in the kitchen suddenly shifted. Alicent was shocked to realize she wanted to touch Rhaenyra. It had been Rhaenyra who had been the affectionate one always hugging Alicent or grabbing her hands to hold. This time Alicent grabbed both of Rhaenyra's hands in hers.

"Thank you for today. I was lost and lonely, and being here with you lifted my spirits completely," Alicent said, as they stood facing each other holding hands.

"It was my pleasure having you here," Rhaenyra replied with a smile.  It was that same little crooked half smile that Alicent found so adorable the first day they met.

Harwin walked back out of the bedroom then, and both women parted from each other. Rhaenyra went back to stirring the stew and Alicent went to sit at the table next to Harwin.

Harwin sat a small box on the table, opened it, pulled out tobacco and papers, and began rolling cigarettes.

Alicent used to do this for Criston all the time.

"I can help you with that," she offered, and Harwin was quick to let her take over the task.

They eventually all sat down to dinner, and all three enjoyed each other's company and conversation. Alicent found Harwin to be all the things Rhaenyra described him as.

After they ate Harwin suggested they play a card game. Alicent didn't know any card games, so Harwin and Rhaenyra taught her poker. They spent some time teaching her and played several hands once she understood the basics.

They were having lots of fun, but then Harwin began to yawn.

"I should get home. It's getting late," Alicent said, noticing now how tired Harwin looked.

"I won't allow you to walk home alone. Let me hitch the horse to the cart and I'll bring you back," Harwin said.

"I have walked these roads alone since I was a child. I'll be fine. You need not worry about hitching horses and bringing me home," Alicent replied.

"Nonsense from the both of you. Harwin, you go get in bed. Alicent, I'll make up the bed in the guest room. You're staying the night, and Harwin can bring you back in the morning," Rhaenyra said, looking back and forth between Harwin and Alicent, daring either to object. Her tone made it clear she wasn't going to accept no from either of them.

"Sounds good to me," Harwin replied.

"Are you sure? I can easily just walk home. I'm honestly okay doing so," Alicent said.

"When my wife uses that tone there's no use arguing," Harwin said with a chuckle.

"He knows me well," Rhaenyra said, smiling wide.

"Okay. I'll stay," Alicent said, accepting the kind offer.

Harwin stood then and kissed Rhaenyra on the cheek, said goodnight to Alicent, and retired to the bedroom.

"He's very kind," Alicent said, once they were alone at the table.

Rhaenyra only nodded and looked back at the closed door to their bedroom.

Alicent wondered what she was thinking, but Rhaenyra didn't share, and Alicent for some reason didn't want to pry.

"I'll grab some linens and make up the guest bed for you," Rhaenyra said, when she finally spoke.

"I'll help you," Alicent replied.

They walked to one of the two small bedrooms on the right side of the cabin near the kitchen.

The bedroom they entered was sparsely furnished, especially compared to the main bedroom that Alicent had been in earlier. There were no curtains up and no furniture besides the bed and a small table and chair.

"I haven't gotten around to fixing up the other bedrooms yet," Rhaenyra said, quietly. "I hope this will do."

"Oh yes," Alicent replied. "This will do just fine. The bed looks very soft."

"It's a new mattress. We just ordered it from the Litchfield catalog. You'll be the first to sleep on it," Rhaenyra responded.

There was a small case that Rhaenyra pulled out from under the bed. She opened it and took out a set of white linens.

Alicent joined her in making up the bed, and after tossing the newly covered pillows back on the bed Rhaenyra went to grab a blanket from another room.

Rhaenyra was gone for several minutes, so Alicent took the opportunity to remove her shoes and let down her hair.

"Oh."

Alicent turned at the sound of Rhaenyra's voice to see her frozen in the doorway.

"I didn't… I was just bringing you a night shirt and a blanket. It took me a minute to find both," Rhaenyra said, and for the first time since they met Alicent noticed Rhaenyra blushing.

"Sorry, I started preparing for bed while I waited for you to return," Alicent said, walking over to take the nightwear and blanket.

"Your hair is beautiful," Rhaenyra said, softly.

Her mane was curly and unruly after being tied up in a bun all day. Her rust colored tresses fell haphazardly over her shoulders and midway down her back.

Alicent stood in front of Rhaenyra, and both were silent. Time seemed to stand still. Rhaenyra reached up and tucked Alicent's hair out of her face and back behind her right ear. Then ran her hand down from there through the rest of Alicent's hair.

Alicent felt glued to the spot she was standing in. What was happening? Her stomach was doing summersaults. She wanted to both lean into Rhaenyra's touch and also run away and never return.

Then suddenly it was like Rhaenyra snapped free of hypnosis. She dropped her hand away and backed up.

"I'm…I'm sorry. I should leave you to get some rest," Rhaenyra said, stuttering as she backed out of the bedroom.

Alicent wanted to stop her, and tell her it was okay, but she said nothing.

"Good night, Alicent," Rhaenyra said, before turning to walk away. She didn't wait for a response.

"Good night," Alicent said, hoping Rhaenyra was still close enough to hear her.

Alicent closed the door, and let out a long sigh.

She composed herself and began to undress. She changed into the night shirt, washed using a small basin, and then laid down the blanket on the bed, before crawling in under it.

She laid there in the strange bedroom, her mind occupied with thoughts of Rhaenyra. That she was so near excited Alicent. The memory of her hand through her hair gave her goosebumps.

Alicent didn't know what to do with these thoughts. She'd never met anyone that made her feel this way, but Rhaenyra was a woman. None of this made sense to her.

Alicent began to doze off with the scent of lavender lulling her into sleep. The night shirt Rhaenyra brought her smelled strongly of it. It was a fragrance she now associated with Rhaenyra, and being wrapped in her scent caused Alicent to fall asleep peacefully for the first time in a long time.

Chapter Text

It was a sunny Sunday shortly before noon, and Rhaenyra was on her way to the Cole Farm. She sometimes had Harwin drop her off, but today she had decided to walk.

Rhaenyra and Harwin had been living on their farm for a little over a fortnight. Rhaenyra still wasn't adjusted to this new life, but there were lots of things she was learning to appreciate.

For starters, there was the fresh air, the beautiful sunsets, the friendly townspeople, and the pure happiness that Harwin clearly felt being here.

Then there was Alicent. These last couple of weeks they'd spent almost every day together. They traveled back and forth between each other's farms to visit, helped each other with chores, and spent their free time alone enjoying each other's company.

When Rhaenyra wasn't with Alicent she was thinking of her and missing her.

Harwin seemed elated that Rhaenyra had a new friend here that made her so happy. He hadn't said it, but Rhaenyra knew that in those first few days after they arrived he was very afraid Rhaenyra would hate it here and would want to leave. He was visibly relieved that she was giving the farm a real chance. The tense muscles in his shoulders finally started to relax a few days ago. Rhaenyra hadn't complained once since they arrived, and she could tell he was pleasantly surprised by her embrace of their new journey. He was especially surprised because of how much she resisted the idea in the beginning.

Rhaenyra had to admit to herself that she didn't hate it here as much as she thought she would. Truthfully, she didn't hate it all, and deep down she knew it was because of Alicent.

She'd never known anyone like her. When they first met at the pond she saw a shy and grief stricken woman, but the truth was Alicent had a fiery spirit to match her fire colored hair. She seemed to open up and blossom more and more each day, like a flower in bloom.

Rhaenyra didn't spend much time thinking about her feelings. She supposed she just wanted to be like Alicent. She was a beautiful, hard-working, self made, homesteading, mountain woman. Rhaenyra felt like she and Harwin were simply playing at these roles. Like trying on new identities for a while to see how they fit. Alicent was the real deal though, and Rhaenyra admired her toughness and her grit. In the weeks since Alicent lost her husband, Rhaenyra saw no brokenness in Alicent, but instead she saw a woman resolute and strong.

Rhaenyra was carrying a basket of food that she packed hoping that Alicent would agree to go on a picnic with her. The idea of laying in the grass, enjoying a cool breeze, and lazily gazing at Alicent as they shared a small meal sounded like heaven.

As she approached the farm house she saw Alicent near the barn brushing one of her two horses.

"Alicent!" She called out, and Alicent looked up in her direction. Once she saw Rhaenyra the brightest smile spread across her face and she waved.

They almost never made official plans to see each other, yet a day rarely went by that they didn't.

Rhaenyra walked over to Alicent who met her half way across the yard.

They hugged each other tightly as they said their proper hellos. This was their normal greeting now.

"What's that?" Alicent asked, pointing at the basket.

"I thought I might convince you to go to the pond with me for a little picnic today," Rhaenyra said, her voice sweet and pleading.

Alicent laughed at the wide puppy dog eyes and begging tone Rhaenyra was employing.

"You need not give me those eyes. I could never deny you anyways," Alicent replied, between laughs. "You're impossible to say no to."

"Well, you shouldn't have told me that's how you feel, because now I will expect you to consent to all my requests," Rhaenyra said, smiling wide.

Alicent laughed and grabbed Rhaenyra's free hand pulling her towards the farmhouse.

"Come on, you. Let me get washed up, and then we can take that horse to the pond."

Rhaenyra gladly allowed herself to be led into the house.

Once inside Alicent went to wash up, while Rhaenyra sat patiently waiting. When Alicent returned she had a blanket and her hat in her hands, and they left on Alicent's horse for the pond.

They laid the blanket in front of the big oak tree where they met, and Rhaenyra laid out some fresh baked bread, fruit, chunks of carved ham, cookies, and a bottle of Dornish Red. The sweet wine was really the only alcohol Rhaenyra liked, and even that she didn't drink often. Today seemed like a nice day to enjoy some.

"This is wonderful," Alicent said softly as she watched Rhaenyra lay everything out. Rhaenyra just smiled. She was happy that Alicent was pleased.

"This is our first time back to the pond since we met," Alicent added.

"You mean since the day you hid behind this tree to ogle me?" Rhaenyra replied, smiling.

Alicent pushed Rhaenyra on the shoulder, "Rhaenyra, I did not ogle you!" Alicent said, feigning offense and laughing.

Rhaenyra only smiled and stared.

"Okay, maybe just a little, but you took me by surprise. I didn't know what to do when I saw you," Alicent said, exasperated.

"So, your solution was to hide and stare?" Rhaenyra asked, playfully.

Alicent was red faced but smiling.

"It wasn't my finest moment," she finally replied.

"Well, I hope the sight of me naked didn't scar you for life," Rhaenyra said, reaching for the wine. "I didn't bring any cups, so I hope you don't mind us both drinking from the same bottle."

Rhaenyra took a drink before passing the bottle to Alicent who had some as well.

"You were… beautiful," Alicent finally responded.

"What?" Rhaenyra asked, momentarily confused.

"When I saw you walk out of the water, before you noticed me, I thought you were beautiful," Alicent said, again.

They were making eye contact, and usually Alicent might look away, but today she confidently held Rhaenyra's gaze. This time it was Rhaenyra who looked away. She looked out at the water.

Alicent's confession made her heart race. The thought of Alicent finding her naked body beautiful made her feel warm and tingly all over. She didn't know what to do, so she decided to change the subject.

"Do you ever swim in it?" Rhaenyra asked, looking at the pond.

"Sometimes, but it's been forever," Alicent answered. "I used to go swimming with my brothers all the time growing up. This was definitely our favorite place to go. We'd swim, feed the ducks, sometimes we'd fish. We spent a lot of time here together." There was a wistful look on Alicent's face as she spoke.

"That sounds like a lot of fun. I was an only child, and desperately wanted siblings. My father was desperate for a boy heir to take over his business. My poor mother had a very hard time with her pregnancies. Only two of her seven babies lived long enough to be born; my brother Baelon and I. He died just a few hours after she did." Alicent reached out to take Rhaenyra's hand as Rhaenyra continued, "My father consented to letting surgeons cut my mother open. Baelon was breech, and there was no way to save him without killing her. When he died too, my father… he felt endless guilt at his decision." Rhaenyra was tearing up, but trying to keep herself together.

Alicent scooted close and pulled Rhaenyra into closer for a hug. It only lasted a minute, but Rhaenyra was comforted by the gesture.

"That's a horrible thing that happened to your family, Rhaenyra. I'm sorry," Alicent said, her own eyes getting teary.

"When I was told of what happened I ran into the room where my mother's body lay cut open. Blood was everywhere. All the color was drained from her face. I vomited on the floor. I don't remember much after that. The next few days and weeks are a blur." Rhaenyra had never shared all these details with anyone before.

"Is that why you've never had children?" Alicent asked, softly.

"Harwin and I waited for a few years to try, because the doctors theorized my mother had started too young, and perhaps that's where her difficulties with pregnancy started. They said these troubles could be passed down. Then because of the nature of his business Harwin traveled a lot. He would be gone sometimes for months to places like Essos on business. Then when he was home we… weren't romantic with each other often. Truthfully, I've never much desired him in that way, although I love him very much. He has never complained though. He seems to enjoy it when we are together, but doesn't push me for more than I can give."

Alicent clearly seemed overwhelmed by Rhaenyra's response, but didn't say anything.

Rhaenyra continued to open up, "I had never met anyone I desired in that way. I thought perhaps it was something wrong with me. Many young women back in Kingslanding desperately wanted Harwin for themselves, but he wanted me. I thought perhaps I just wasn't capable of passionate desire."

Alicent noticed Rhaenyra's use of the past tense, but still said nothing.

"Why didn't you and Criston have children?" Rhaenyra asked.

Alicent took a breath then answered, "We tried. Our life in the bedroom was normal. At least I think so. I have nothing to compare it to. We made love often enough I suppose, but I never could get pregnant. Rhaenys and Corlyn said sometimes it's the man and sometimes it's the woman at fault. He never said it, but I'm sure Criston thought it was me who was barren. Maybe I am. I have always wanted my own children badly, and carried much shame about it, but with Criston dead so young I guess it was fate we never conceived. Right now I could have had several small mouths to feed all on my own. It's better this way I suppose."

"I'm sure any children of yours would be beautiful red-headed little angels," Rhaenyra said, smiling.

Alicent was still holding Rhaenyra loosely in her arms and pulled her in tighter.

They ate, they drank, they laughed, and shared more stories. Rhaenyra didn't want the afternoon to end.

They were reclining on the tree, holding hands and talking, as storm clouds quickly rolled in. The once clear and sunny sky turned gray and overcast.

"I am sad to say it, but I think our picnic has come to an abrupt end. It looks like a storm has gathered," Alicent said with obvious frustration.

"Should I… come back to your farm? Or are you coming to mine?" Rhaenyra asked, a little hesitantly. She didn't want to assume Alicent wanted to spend the rest of her day with her, but she was hoping so.

"Mine," was all Alicent said.

Rhaenyra smiled and they both started to pack everything on the blanket back into the basket. It started to drizzle just as they were folding up the blanket.

"It's already started!" Alicent yelled out.

"Maybe we can get back before it starts to really come down," Rhaenyra replied, as she untied the horse.

Rhaenyra hopped up on the horse first, but Alicent didn't mind at all. She hopped on behind Rhaenyra and held on tight.

The rain really started to come down hard very quickly into their ride. It was only a five minute journey, but they were soaked in no time.

"If I catch my death I leave you my sheep," Alicent yelled, laughing as they rode.

"Then I must keep you alive, because those poor adorable sheep do not want to be in this new farmer's care! I can barely keep plants alive," she yelled back, and they both laughed.

Alicent's wet hair fell out of the bun that had previously been loosely pinned to her head. It now fell messy and free blowing behind her in the wind.

When they got to the farmhouse they rode straight to the barn. They stabled the horse and stood inside watching the rain pour down.

"That storm snuck up on us real quick," Alicent said, staring out at the rainfall.

"It did," Rhaenyra said, staring at Alicent.

"I guess we run for it," Alicent said, turning to look at Rhaenyra. When she saw that Rhaenyra had been staring she began to blush.

"You always look at me that way," Alicent said. Rhaenyra could tell she was feeling shy.

"Which way is that?" she asked.

"I don't know. It's like there's something right there beneath the surface screaming to be set loose and any moment you'll lose the battle to it," Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra smiled and stepped forward, but Alicent turned away from her.

"Let's get inside and get dry," she said, before beginning to run towards the house.

Rhaenyra ran after her.

"Alicent!"

Rhaenyra caught up with her half way between the barn and the house and grabbed her arm, turning her around.

The rain was pouring down and their feet were mired in the mud.

"Don't run from me," Rhaenyra said. She was crying, but her tears were indistinguishable from the rain.

"Rhaenyra, what are we doing?" Alicent said, her confusion sounded genuine.

Rhaenyra was confused too.

"I don't know," she said, honestly.

They stared into each other's eyes, and Rhaenyra felt a part of herself she didn't even know existed come alive.

Then in the next moment they were kissing.

Who initiated it first Rhaenyra didn't even know. It was like the space between them just disappeared.

Their lips met, wet with rain and tears, and Rhaenyra immediately loved the sensation of her lips against Alicent's.

Rhaenyra parted her lips and lightly ran her tongue across Alicent's bottom lip. She got the desired outcome when Alicent's lips parted slightly allowing Rhaenyra's tongue to gently slide inside.

Alicent moaned as their tongues began to touch. Rhaenyra pulled her in even closer, and then brought both hands up to cup Alicent's face. Their kiss deepened quickly as Alicent put both her arms around her back hugging her tightly. Rhaenyra sucked gently on Alicent's tongue, and then bit hungrily at her bottom lip before kissing her again. Alicent began to move her hands all along Rhaenyra's back, feeling her body over the fabric of her clothes.

Both had worn work dresses today with no corsets, and their clothes clung like wet paper to their bodies.

Rhaenyra lost all sense of time as they kissed. Then suddenly Alicent pulled back. She looked confused or maybe conflicted, Rhaenyra thought. Her lips were swollen from their kissing, and Rhaenyra only wanted to pull her back for more. She reached out through the rain to Alicent, but she turned away and started off back to the farm house again.

Rhaenyra followed her, but didn't stop her this time.

They got to the porch and removed their muddy shoes.

Rhaenyra followed Alicent inside.

"We need to get a fire going and get out of these wet clothes," Alicent said. "I'll go grab some towels, and I'll get you some dry clothes. You stay here so only one of us tracks water and mud through the entire house."

Rhaenyra stayed put, and Alicent walked off towards her bedroom.

Alicent came back in a few minutes, all dried off and changed. She brought Rhaenyra a towel, a dress to change into, and went to make the fire while Rhaenyra changed. While making the fire her back was turned to give Rhaenyra privacy as she changed right in the entrance of the main room. She sat her wet clothes out on the porch as soon as she was done.

When she came back inside Alicent already had the wood burning in the fireplace.

She walked over wanting to be closer to the heat. She was shivering and wanted to get warmed up.

When she did, Alicent must have misread her intent, because she got up from the fireplace quickly and moved away.

"Please Alicent –," she couldn't even finish her thought before Alicent interrupted her.

She turned to look at Rhaenyra, tears falling down her face, when she spoke her voice was low and full of emotion, "Whatever that was we can't be doing, Rhaenyra. I can't explain how I feel for you. I can't put it into words, but I know it's not natural. I know it's not right."

Rhaenyra began to cry again. She took a small step forward and said, "You're the brightest part of my life, and I couldn't take it if you didn't want to be friends anymore."

Alicent closed the distance between them, and she pulled Rhaenyra into a hug. "I couldn't take it either. I don't want to part from you. I am tormented," she replied.

Just then there were several hard knocks on the door.

"Rhaenyra!"

"Harwin?" Rhaenyra yelled out in the direction of the door. She'd know his voice anywhere.

"Yes, it's me," he yelled back. Alicent walked over, opened the door, and a soaking wet Harwin walked inside. "I was so worried. I thought you were coming back to the farm after your picnic, but when the storm started and you didn't return I got concerned. I had to make sure you were here."

Rhaenyra walked up and hugged him. He kissed her on the side of her mouth and cheek. Alicent looked away and walked over to the fire.

"I'll go get more towels. You'll both be staying until this storm passes, so I'll go grab some of Criston's clothes that I think might fit you if you are okay with that," Alicent said stoking the fire.

"I'd appreciate that a lot, Alicent. I'm sorry to put you out," he replied.

"Nonsense. I've stayed in your home several times now, and I'm happy to return the favor. Besides, you were just seeing after your wife like any loving husband would."

Alicent smiled at Harwin, but Rhaenyra could see something else underneath it. Was it sadness? Guilt? Whatever it was, Rhaenyra hated it.

Harwin changed and left his wet clothes on the porch with Rhaenyra's.

Alicent made eggs and fried potatoes for an early dinner. They had tea, and Alicent read to Rhaenyra and Harwin from a popular book of poems.

Then shortly before sunset the rain stopped, the clouds parted, and the storm was past.

For Rhaenyra it felt as if the clouds still remained. She felt like nothing from before was resolved.

"I think that's our sign to get home," Harwin said, standing up. "Before we tempt fate and another storm blows in."

"Okay," Alicent said, standing up then. "Won't the roads be muddy?" she asked.

"I think we'll make it just fine," Harwin replied. "I'll go fetch our horse from the barn, and meet you right out front," he said, looking at Rhaenyra now. 

"Do you mind us wearing these clothes home?" Rhaenyra asked.

"Of course not," Alicent replied. "I'll get them back later. I'd offer to let you keep them, but you both dress in much finer clothes than these."

"These clothes are quite handsome Alicent," Harwin said, earnestly, and both Rhaenyra and Alicent smiled. His pure heart and earnest goodness is what Rhaenyra loved best about him, and it made her stomach hurt to think about kissing Alicent earlier, but still she couldn't bring herself to regret it.

"Then you may keep them if you'd like to," Alicent replied.

"These were your husband's, so I would much rather return them to you. He's barely been gone for a few weeks. Take more time to think it over before parting with them. Then if there are any you would like me to have I'll take them proudly," Harwin replied, and Alicent just smiled again and nodded softly.

Harwin left then to go grab their horse.

Rhaenyra watched him walk out the door then turned back to look at Alicent. Alicent was already looking in her direction.

"Can I come back in the morning? I'd like to finish our conversation from before," Rhaenyra said, as she walked closer to Alicent.

"Rhaenyra, I'm going to town tomorrow to order the marker for Criston's grave." Alicent walked past her towards the door. "I'll likely be gone most of the day."

Rhaenyra walked over to the door, and stood right in front of Alicent.

"Then on Tuesday?" she asked.

Alicent looked down at her own feet before answering, "I would prefer you allow me some time to myself, and wait for me to call on you."

Rhaenyra's face fell.

"As you wish," Rhaenyra replied, choking on the words. She opened the door, and walked out. She sat in a chair to put on her mud covered shoes and then got up to grab all their wet clothes from the porch. Harwin trotted up just as she was done. He was holding the picnic basket she left in the barn.

She turned back to look at Alicent who looked tortured but was holding back her tears.

Rhaenyra's voice was strained as she spoke, "Thank you for the wonderful time today. All of it was lovely."

Then she turned around, walked over to the horse, and Harwin pulled her up into his lap. He waved goodbye to Alicent who waved at him in return, and they took off back in the direction of their farm.

A melancholy fell over Rhaenyra immediately.

***

Alicent woke up before dawn the next day feeling wretched. She tossed and turned all night. Her body hurt all over, and she couldn't bring herself to crawl out of bed. She had honestly planned to go into town today, but now she was worried that she had caught a fever.

She had joked about it on the ride home yesterday, but catching her death was one of her greatest fears. After watching her mother succumb to a fever Alicent was always afraid of falling ill moving forward.

She laid in bed for three straight days. She only got up to go to the outhouse, get the occasional glass of water, and to get candles when she needed more in her bedroom.

On the fourth day in the late morning she heard several knocks at her front door. She wasn't expecting anyone and considered ignoring the sound. She was content to let them believe she wasn't there.

"Alicent! It's Rhaenys! Please open up!"

Alicent didn't want to ignore her dear friend. She dragged herself from her bed, threw on her robe, stepped into her house shoes, and made her way to the door.

She opened the door and once Rhaenys saw her appearance her eyes went wide.

Rhaenys' voice was full of concern when she spoke, "Oh, Alicent are you not well? Let me grab my bag from my cart."

Alicent nodded, and Rhaenys turned back to her horse and cart to grab her medical bag that she traveled everywhere with.

Alicent waited at the door for her, and then with her bag in hand Rhaenys returned and followed Alicent back to her bedroom where she climbed back in bed.

"How long have you been ill?"

"Several days now. I was caught out in the storm that passed through on Sunday," Alicent replied.

"And you've received no attention or care from anyone?" Rhaenys said, her concern was evident in her tone.

Alicent replied softly, "No, I've not had the energy to leave, and you are my first visitor to call on me this week."

Rhaenys took out several tools. She measured Alicent's pulse, listened to her heart, and felt at her forehead with the back of her hand.

"What symptoms have you had?" She asked.

"I feel drained, my body aches. I do not want to move," she replied.

"You don't have a fever. Your pulse is normal and your heart sounds fine. I do not want to insinuate anything. I want to help," Rhaenys said, kindly. "May I sit?"

Alicent nodded and Rhaenys pulled a chair closer to her bed.

"I haven't seen you since the funeral. I had meant to stop by to call on you well before today, but there's been six babes born since then. We've had our hands full as you can imagine. How have you been, dear?"

Up until Sunday Alicent had actually had the best couple weeks of her entire life, but how could she admit that her life began the day after her husband died?

She settled on, "I've been well," as her response.

Rhaenys seemed to wait for her to say more, but Alicent didn't.

"How have things been without Criston? Could it be that you're feeling the effects of grief," Rhaenys asked, gently.

Alicent turned her head away from Rhaenys. Tears began to fall. She thought to herself, "Isn't that it? Isn't that the source of my pain? It isn't grief, but lack thereof. Or more accurately its the grief I feel over the way things ended on Sunday with Rhaenyra, and the guilt I feel at feeling more in two weeks for Rhaenyra than I ever felt for my husband of eight years. Criston lays cold in the ground less than a moon and I'm bedridden not over missing him, but over my… feelings for someone else. Feelings so unnatural I worry for my eternal soul."

She began to sob and Rhaenys got up and sat next to her on the bed. She took one of Alicent's hands, and pushed the hair back from Alicent's face.

She began to talk in a soothing tone, "It's okay, child. You just cry for as long as you need to. Nothings wrong with that. Plenty to cry about especially for young women like yourself in this harsh world, but I've known you all your life. I was the first person to lay eyes on you and welcome you into this world. That makes me responsible for you whether you like it or not. I'm here for you now. Corlyn is here for you too, and we love you. You've always been so special to us."

Alicent continued to cry and Rhaenys just sat with her for a time quietly holding her hand. Eventually she spoke again, "Would you come and stay with Corlyn and I for a while?"

Alicent finally turned her head back to look at Rhaenys and she spoke, "No, I've got too much to do around here, and I've already neglected my farm for almost a week. I'm going to get up. I'm going to push through, and I'm getting on with things. I have to."

Rhaenys looked like she wanted to object, but in the end she nodded and got up.

She grabbed her medicine bag and spoke as she started to walk, "Let me make you some breakfast, and you can get washed up and dressed."

"Thank you, Rhaenys. For everything," Alicent replied.

"Don't thank me yet. You know Corlyn is the chef in our household," she said, smiling, as she walked out and closed the bedroom door behind her.

Alicent took another moment and then got out of bed.

The two women sat and ate flapjacks together. Rhaenys joked that it was one of five things she ever learned to cook.

They had a light and pleasant conversation, and the food and the company did wonders to improve Alicent's mood.

"I can see you're feeling a little better already," Rhaenys said, as they worked together to clean up the mess from breakfast.

"I do believe I am," Alicent said, smiling.

They worked in silence for a few moments then Rhaenys spoke again, "So what have you been up to these last few weeks? How are things here on the farm?"

Alicent thought about what to say.

"Things on the farm are good. I'm going to head into town today to order the marker for Criston's grave. I'm also going to inquire about someone to help me here on the farm for a while. I need to be taught how to care for my sheep. I want to learn, and I'm willing to do it," Alicent said, confidently. "I've also thought about taking in more chickens, and maybe building a larger coop. I could use the profits from that enterprise if I want to hire help permanently.

Rhaenys smiled wide at Alicent. "It sounds like you've got a solid plan. If there's anything Corlyn and I can do let us know. We'd love to invest in your chicken farm."

Alicent was overcome at Rhaenys' support.

"Thank you again, and if I decide to take on investors you two will be the first people I ask."

Rhaenys set down her rag and walked away from the basin where they had washed all the plates and utensils.

Alicent hoped that she forgot the first question she had asked, but Rhaenys spoke again making it clear she hadn't, "So besides planning your future what else have you been doing? I know you love to read and write, but you must get out dear. It's not good for you to be hidden away out here."

"I've spent some of my time lately with my new neighbors, The Strongs," Alicent replied.

"Ah, yes. They seem like a lovely young couple," Rhaenys said with a small smile. "How are they adjusting to rural mountain life?"

"I think they have enough money that for them this is more like recreation than a fight for survival, as it is for most of us," Alicent said, honestly. She didn't know she felt that way about it until the words were already out of her mouth.

Rhaenys just nodded.

"I'm being unkind," Alicent said, her voice low and laced with regret.

"I don't think so. You were just being honest," Rhaenys said, patting her arm. "You've spent time with them though, so I imagine you enjoy their company?

"Oh, yes. Without a doubt. They're both truly kind and very interesting people. They're wonderful. I know Rhaenyra wants to inquire with you at some point about learning midwifery. She was serious when she said she was interested," Alicent replied.

"Well whenever she's ready we are. Our remote county is growing in population by the day. The more people helping to tend to the care of its population the better," Rhaenys said as she moved to gather her things. "I'll be getting along. I'm heading to the Tarly Farm to check on Ceryse. She's due any day now."

"I'll have to check in on her soon. I'm going to make a blanket and some clothes for the baby," Alicent said, as she walked Rhaenys to the door.

Alicent agreed to come to dinner at Rhaenys and Corlyn's home sometime soon. Rhaenys said she'd call on her again in a few weeks and they'd make official plans then.

After Rhaenys left Alicent completed a few overdue chores, washed up, hitched her horse to her cart, and took off for town.

She stopped by Lyman's storefront to order a stone marker for Criston's grave. Lyman engraved the stones himself, and he told her he would deliver it as soon as it was done.

Alicent was relieved to have finally gotten that done.

Then she went to the general store to buy some things she needed for the farm. As she shopped the owner Jason Lannister walked up.

"Alicent, how are you?" He said, as he walked up.

"I'm good, Mr. Lannister," she replied.

"How are things out there?" He asked.

Alicent could tell he was sincerely inquiring, but under no circumstances would she have an honest conversation about her personal life in the middle of the general store.

"It's going well," she replied.

"How are you managing the sheep?" He asked, bluntly.

"Well…I…ummm…I'm thinking about hiring some help to teach me how to care for them," she replied, but not with the same confidence she had earlier with Rhaenys.

Jason looked at her as if perhaps he wondered if she was serious or joking with him. Then his face softened.

"You know my youngest son, Torryn, cares for all the livestock we own on our farm. Including our sheep. I'm sure if you wanted he could come by and help you with things."

Alicent knew Torryn Lannister, though not well. He was a light blonde, green eyed, twenty year old, and he was definitely on the hunt for a wife. She was more familiar with his older brothers since she was a handful of years older.

Alicent needed the help, and she didn't see the harm in accepting it from the Lannisters. She didn't have to marry Torryn just because he helped her around her farm, and she would insist on paying him for his time and labor regardless.

"I'd appreciate that so much, honestly," Alicent replied. "Shouldn't you ask him first before volunteering his time?"

Jason shook his head, then he said, "Don't you worry about it. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to come by."

Alicent and Jason made arrangements for Torryn to come by a couple weeks from then, and she paid for all her items that he loaded onto her cart.

Alicent left for home happy. She had been pulled out of her funk and had finally accomplished some important and overdue tasks. She felt this day marked a new beginning. 

~~~

Four months passed since the Sunday when Alicent asked Rhaenyra for some time and space. Rhaenyra had kept her word and they hadn't seen each other. Alicent hadn't gone by the pond, because she was afraid to run into her. She hadn't traveled in the direction of their cabin at all.

Alicent had almost started in the direction of the Strong Farm many times, but in the end she never went. She always talked herself out of it.

She didn't know what she would even say to Rhaenyra now. She missed her terribly, but the strength of her feelings only made her more anxious to reunite, not less.

Alicent had been spending a lot of her time focusing on the farm. She was pouring all her time into it, and leaving herself little time to think about much else.

She also had been spending time working with Torryn Lannister. For the last several months he had been by several times a week.

The first time he came by he offered to do the things she needed help with on the farm, and insisted he would take no money for payment, but instead would accept dinner with her whenever he came by to work. Alicent agreed to the dinners, but insisted he teach her how to care for the sheep, and let her help him with the tasks. He agreed, and moving forward they worked together during the day and then had dinner together at night two or three times a week.

They had even gone to a local barn raising together. Alicent was nervous that Rhaenyra and Harwin might attend. They didn't. She ended up wishing that they had. She had hoped she would be forced to see her, forced to try to mend things, but they had never run into each other over the months. 

Torryn was easy to be around. Alicent found him to be quite amiable and honest. Like Alicent he enjoyed reading. He held doors open for her and removed his hat when he greeted her or said goodbye. She could find no fault in him. He was everything she was taught to want for in man. Hard working, handsome, from a good and respected family. A day several weeks ago he brought her a big fancy arrangement of tulips from the florist in town. They were beautiful, but they weren't her favorite flower. He had never even asked her what her favorite flower was. That for her summed up her experience with men. They enjoyed grand gestures, as if playing out some script, but what Alicent really wanted was to heard, to be seen, and to be understood. She wanted more than to just to be a secondary character in what a man thinks is the unfolding story being written about his life.

She wanted to be with someone who cared about her thoughts, and who made her feel safe enough to want to honestly share them.

It had been like that from the beginning with Rhaenyra. She'd felt seen by her from the start.

Yet, instead of going to Rhaenyra and begging her forgiveness for avoiding her all these months, she stood in her barn, with Torryn, on a Tuesday afternoon filling up troughs with water from her well.

She had noticed that he had been especially quiet today, but Alicent had honestly been mostly in her own head as well. She was too distracted to pay close attention.

"I thought I'd make fried chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner," Alicent said, hanging up the bucket.

"That sounds amazing, Alicent. You know you spoil me with your fantastic cooking," Torryn said with a warm and loving smile.

Alicent didn't even look at him and never saw his adoring gaze.

"Well, you've helped me so much these last months. It's the least I can do," she said, turning to walk back to the house. "I actually better get started if you want to finish up out here."

Torryn stood motionless for a moment then he put the tool down he had been holding and followed after her.

Half way to the house he caught her by the arm, and she turned around.

He immediately broke into his spiel, "Alicent, you are the object of my heart's desire. I know that we have not courted for very long, but I feel we know each other well enough to know we make a good and solid match. I do believe we could be happy, and I feel that you believe that to."

Alicent couldn't believe him. How could he think this when he hadn't even asked her if she wanted to remarry at all nevermind marry him? She knew that technically she had let him believe they were courting, but they had never really talked about it. He never outright asked, and Alicent had never cleared up the misconception. She was guilty, and she knew it, and now she stood there paying the price.

Before she could even say anything he was reaching into his pocket and lowering himself to one knee. He held up a small silver ring with an oval turquoise stone.

He looked up at her, his eyes wide and nervous, as he asked her to be his wife.

Alicent was frozen.

Then some sound caused Alicent to turn and look to her right.

Rhaenyra.

She was standing right where the edge of the road met the short path to the porch. A small bouquet of wildflowers, tied with a ribbon, lay on the ground at her feet. She'd told Rhaenyra once that the act of picking wildflowers for someone is the most universal sign of pure love and devotion.

"It's why children often pick them for their loved ones without any prompting," she'd said one evening as she and Rhaenyra sat alone behind the barn watching the sunset. It was a cemented tradition now. "It's just in our nature to do it."

"I've never considered that before," Rhaenyra replied. "That's incredibly insightful."

"I do have insights from time to time," Alicent said, feigning offense and laughing.

"You're much more insightful than me," Rhaenyra said, laughing too. "Without a doubt you're the genius here."

Alicent smiled at the memory, but Rhaenyra turning to walk away snapped her back to the present moment.

"Rhaenyra!" Alicent yelled after her. Her desperation obvious.

"Rhaenyra, please don't!"

Alicent began to chase after her.

Torryn was still on his knee holding up the ring.

He called after her watching her run away, "Alicent!" He dropped his arm and stood up. "Alicent, what's happening?"

Alicent stopped to look back at him.

"I'll be right back, Torryn. I'm sorry. Please, just give me one moment," she said, as she began to run again.

"Rhaenyra, wait!"

Alicent caught up to her and ran in front of her trying to get her to stop walking.

"I'm not getting married," Alicent said, getting right to the issue.

"I'm married," Rhaenyra said, angrily. "Why would I be upset at you getting married?"

"I'm…I'm just telling you that I didn't know he was going to do that, and I'm not saying yes to him. I just want you to know that," Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra stopped walking. She looked at Alicent square in the eye.

"Tell me, Alicent. All these months we've been apart have you spent them with Jason Lannister's son?"

Alicent looked away and didn't answer.

"Look at me," Rhaenyra said, calmly. Alicent made eye contact again." It was a few weeks of madness. Put me out of your mind. Torryn Lannister is a fine match. Don't refuse him."

Rhaenyra huffed dramatically and started walking again. She pushed past Alicent on her way back to her farm.

She didn't turn around, as she kept walking, but she turned her head to the side and spoke, "This time wait until I call on you," and she left Alicent, crying silently, as she stood alone in the middle of the road.

Chapter Text

Rhaenyra and Harwin rode silently together into town. The summer sun was high in the sky on this Monday morning, and as Rhaenyra wiped the slight sheen from her nose she wished she had put her foot down and refused to come along on this trip.

Harwin hadn't said anything to her since they left the farm over a candlemark ago. He was being cautious, she knew, because he was afraid anything he said would just further sour her mood. He was staying quiet to spare himself.

Eight days passed after the storm before Harwin had become completely fed up with her consistent foul mood, and Rhaenyra was surprised he had lasted even that long. She figured he was only giving her so much grace because he's the person who dragged her to this Godforsaken mountain in the first place.

Rhaenyra hadn't left the farm since that infamous Sunday, so Harwin insisted she come with him into town this morning. He didn't know what had been the cause of her sudden change in attitude, and he wasn't trying to force her to tell him, but he apparently wasn't going to ignore it anymore either.

Rhaenyra enjoyed nothing about life in the mountains anymore. As far she was concerned now, if you've seen one sunset you've seen them all, and there was something about the salty stale air of Kingslanding she missed. She was homesick for the hustle and bustle of the city. She missed getting lost in crowds of bodies and faces. Here everyone knew everyone, and she missed the frequent anonymity the city offered in comparison. Everyday offered you the chance to start fresh and encounter someone new who never knew the old you, but here everyone had a history.

She missed Alicent, but she didn't know how to fix things between them. Rhaenyra previously wouldn't have called herself a prideful person, but she hadn't been the one to push Alicent away, and she didn't want to be the one to crawl back.

"Why should I be the one to go running back into her embrace?" Rhaenyra thought to herself often. "She did this. She's the one who told me to stay away."

Then at other times she'd be seconds from taking off for the Cole farm; no longer caring about blame or her pride and just wanting to reconcile and end her own painful longing.

In the end, she had promised Alicent she'd give her all the time she wanted, and that's exactly what Rhaenyra was committed to doing. Even if she was miserable every second of every day while she waited.

They headed straight for the large outdoor market on the edge of town. Dozens of vendors from all over set up there six days a week. Rhaenyra hadn't been before and Harwin insisted she'd enjoy it.

After they arrived they walked together arm and arm looking at all the items for sale.

There were several long rows where vendors had set up shop. A rather boisterous crowd mingled and strolled.

Rhaenyra's spirits were indeed lifted, as they walked and shopped. Harwin had been right to make her come, and she was thankful for him.

Rhaenyra eventually brought some spices from a friendly spice vendor and Harwin made plans with a hog farmer to buy five piglets. He'd just finished building their new pigpen, and was ready to house the animals on their farm now. This was the first livestock they would own, and Harwin was very excited.

They were walking still among the organized chaos of the market when they ran into Rhaenys Velaryon.

She gave them a warm smile when she recognized them in the crowd.

"Hello Harwin, Rhaenyra. How are you?" She asked them both with a warm grin.

Rhaenyra and Harwin returned her smile.

"We've been well," Harwin replied.

"It's so nice to see you again. How are you?" Rhaenyra asked.

"As busy as always with so many folks to care for, but I've not a single complaint. Being needed by this community gives my life constant meaning and purpose, and for that I'm very grateful. I'm convinced it's what keeps me youthful. Nothing is worse than lacking purpose, in my experience," Rhaenys said, her tone matter of fact, but warm.

Harwin nodded, and Rhaenyra became pensive.

"I saw Alicent Cole a few days ago," Rhaenys added. "She had been under the weather, but was feeling better by the end of our visit. Have you seen her? Is she still doing well? I haven't had time to call on her since."

Rhaenyra's eyes went wide.

"It's been a little over a week's time since we've seen her," Harwin said. "Well that explains why she hasn't come by." He looked at Rhaenyra who could feel his gaze, but didn't make eye contact with him.

"My wife and Alicent have become fast friends, and spend most of their days together, well they did before this week. Since the storm Rhaenyra has been in the worst mood, and here I thought Alicent was just smart enough to stay away until my wife's more pleasant mood returned," Harwin said, to Rhaenys, still waiting for Rhaenyra to look his way.

Rhaenys' eyes narrowed and she seemed to be seriously pondering everything Harwin had just shared.

"It seems Alicent's troubles began on the day of the storm as well," Rhaenys replied, and Rhaenyra began to get uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.

"Hopefully, Alicent will call on us soon. I'm glad she was doing better when you saw her," Rhaenyra said, hoping that would end the discussion about Alicent.

Harwin didn't add anything, but looked confused again.

"She mentioned that she thought you were still seriously considering working with Corlyn and I. We've delivered seven babies over the last couple weeks. New little lives are coming into being all over the county at the moment. We could definitely use the help. That's for sure," Rhaenys said with a smile.

"Yes, I did mention to her that your work intrigues me, and I'd like to learn more," Rhaenyra replied.

Rhaenys seemed to get an idea then she spoke, "Well, what are your plans for today? I came here to the market to buy some herbs to make a salve, then I'm heading over to the Tarly farm to check on Ceryse. Have you met her? We welcomed her third daughter into the world yesterday, and I'm on my way to check on the mother and child. Would you like to join me?"

Rhaenyra hadn't planned on working with the midwives this soon, but this row with Alicent had left her reeling. She felt she had already fallen into a monotonous daily routine around the farm. Perhaps Rhaenys was right, and a bigger purpose is what was missing from her life, maybe this was what she needed.

Harwin must have been thinking something similar, because he spoke up first, "I think helping women, especially through their labors, would make you very happy, Rhaenyra. The families of this county will be lucky to have you once you're trained."

Rhaenyra knew he was thinking of what happened to her mother. If she was going to help women birth their children no one would be a fiercer protector of their lives. Her mother had no one in the room to protect her. She had no one prioritizing her care and wellness. Harwin knew Rhaenyra well enough to know if she started down this path the kind of passion she would bring to her work.

She leaned over and pulled Harwin into a hug, and for the first time in a while gave him a real kiss. It was a brief kiss, square on the lips. He looked a little surprised when she pulled back.

"You are the very best man I know," she said, stepping back.

"Sometimes she forgets," Harwin said, to Rhaenys, while looking at Rhaenyra with a sappy grin.

Rhaenyra turned back towards Rhaenys and spoke with obvious excitement, "I'd very much like to begin working with you. The rest of my day is all yours."

Rhaenys smiled wide and reached out to squeeze Rhaenyra's hand, "Wonderful!"

The older woman looked over at Harwin, "I'll drop her back home when we're done."

Harwin got directions to the Tarly farm, "Just in case," he said, and then he and Rhaenyra kissed goodbye.

The two women walked quietly towards the vendor selling the medicinal herbs Rhaenys needed.

"He seems like a very interesting man, that husband of yours." Rhaenys said, over the noise of the market. "He looks about as big, burly, and wild as any man upon first glance, but then upon closer inspection he's quite sensitive. I think that's a winning combination," Rhaenys said with a small chuckle.

Rhaenyra didn't fully know what to make of Rhaenys yet. She felt like the woman was appraising her and Harwin.

"Perhaps I'm being too critical. She likely just wants to get to get to know us," Rhaenyra thought.

"I'm very lucky. I've no doubt about it," Rhaenyra replied, honestly.

"How's it been? You're from the capital city if I remember. This must be quite the change."

"It's been…mostly very nice actually, but I've been feeling homesick as of late," Rhaenyra said, eyeing some hats laid out for sale and as they walked by them. "Harwin will just be happy to have me out of the house."

Rhaenys listened aptly without response.

Rhaenyra spoke again, "I haven't met the Tarlys. Is their farm far from here?"

"About an hour north," Rhaenys replied. "They're a large family. Lots of Tarlys running around."

Rhaenyra nodded.

They arrived at the herb vendor.

Rhaenys waved as they walked up. She spoke warmly to the woman standing under a small tent in front of a table full of labeled sacks, "Joanna, we missed you at the planning committee meeting. How are you?"

The woman smiled widely and waved back as she replied, "My Lara was having a rather difficult day with her brood of hellions. I love my grandchildren, but they're a feral bunch. I couldn't leave her in such distress. I'll be at the next one. I've already promised Ayla I'll have no more absences."

"Good, because without you there to keep us all in line things get off track easily," Rhaenys replied. "Joanna Redwyne, this is Rhaenyra Strong. Rhaenyra and her husband Harwin just bought the old Tully farm. Rhaenyra, this is Joanna Redwyne. She is this county's botanist, herbalist, and general leading expert on local plant life."

"Pleased to meet you," Rhaenyra said, reaching out her hand.

"Pleasure's mine," Joanna replied, as she shook Rhaenyra's hand. "I've always loved that old cabin. They don't build them like that anymore."

Rhaenyra realized at that moment that she had grown rather fond of the cabin herself since moving there.

"We're quite happy there," Rhaenyra said, honestly. Joanna seemed genuinely happy to hear it.

"What are you needing today?" Joanna asked, looking at Rhaenys.

"I've come for some Holy basil, Ashwagandha, Calendula, and Motherwort," Rhaenys said, pointing at different sacks.

Joanna put the requested herbs in a small cloth sack, and Rhaenys reached in her bag and pulled out several small bricks of soap held together with ribbon. She handed them to Joanna as payment.

"Corlyn's soaps are very popular," Rhaenys said.

"Oh, yes. Her rosemary and peppermint soap is the only thing that helps my grandson's woefully dry skin,"Joanna said, reaching to put the soap away. "Without it he's an itchy flaky nightmare on two legs. Suffice to say, I swear by her soap," Joanna said, and all three women laughed.

"You've sold me," Rhaenyra said, laughing gently. "I'll have to inquire about some."

"She's a natural saleswoman," Rhaenys said with a smile.

Rhaenyra and Rhaenys eventually said goodbye to Joanna and took off on Rhaenys' horse-drawn cart to the Tarly farm.

They got to know each other better along the way. Rhaenyra told her a little about how she Harwin ended up moving to the farm, and Rhaenys told her a little about what life as a midwife was like.

Rhaenyra found Rhaenys to be genuinely warm and motherly. She hadn't had a mother figure in a long time, and she already found herself appreciating the guidance. By the time they made it to the Tully farm she felt like she could trust Rhaenys. It was just the gut feeling she had quickly gathered.

Rhaenyra was introduced to all the Tarlys living there, and she watched as Rhaenys provided step by step explanations of the postpartum examination she gave Ceryse.

Afterwards, Rhaenys showed both Ceryse and Rhaenyra how to make two medicinal creams using the herbs she had brought and explained how to use them and for what purposes.

Rhaenys also took a look at the newest Tarly girl, who still hadn't been named, and declared the baby in perfect health.

The baby went down for a nap, and Ceryse insisted both women stay for at least one cup of tea. They agreed.

As she sat in the Tully sitting room, drinking tea, and having a pleasant chat with her new friends, Rhaenyra realized that she hadn't thought about Alicent since that morning. The brief respite from her yearning and despair had been nice.

She looked up from staring mindlessly into her teacup to find Rhaenys looking at her. Rhaenyra could tell she had been caught daydreaming.

"Rhaenyra dear, would you like more tea?" Ceryse offered.

"No, I'm still enjoying this first cup, but thank you," she replied.

Just then someone burst in through the front door into the house.

"Where's my new niece?"

"Seems!" Ceryse yelled under her breath quietly to prevent waking the baby. She ran gingerly over towards the new woman in the room. "You're going to wake the baby. Keep it down!"

"Come here," Seems said, pulling Ceryse into a tight hug. "I've missed you big sister."

Ceryse smiled, "I thought you wouldn't be here until tomorrow?"

"I left a day early. I am already guilt ridden at not being here for the birth. I was worried sick," Seems replied.

"I was fine. Rhaenys knows how to calm me," she said, looking over at Rhaenys with a grateful expression.

"Hi, Rhaenys," Seems said with a little hesitation in her voice.

"Good to see you, dear. You look well," Rhaenys replied, and Rhaenyra noted a coldness that she hadn't seen in Rhaenys before. There was definitely some history between Ceryse's younger sister and Rhaenys.

"Rhaenyra, this is my little sister Seema Caswell. Seems, this is Rhaenyra Strong. She and her husband have bought the Tully farm.

"Nice to meet you, Seema," Rhaenyra said, shaking her hand.

"Everyone calls me 'Seems,'" Seems replied.

"It's what I called her when she was born. I was three, and for some reason couldn't say Seema," Ceryse said, smiling. "I was the one who really got to name my baby," Ceryse said, as she reached up to playfully pinch Seems' cheeks.

Seems pushed her away. "I'm here to see my new niece not be hazed by my older sibling."

Rhaenyra laughed quietly at their banter.

Rhaenyra hadn't really seen a woman like Seems before. She was wearing a black pair of men's britches and a crisp white shirt under a black waistcoat. She had on men's boots that were old and worn in, but clean and freshly shined. Her hair was in one long braid to the side, and it laid over her right shoulder. Rhaenyra instantly liked her.

Seems looked back over at Rhaenyra, and seemed to be examining her closely.

Just then Ceryse's other two little girls ran into the room.

"Auntie Seems," they both yelled. Throwing themselves at her.

"No yelling, the baby is sleeping girls," Ceryse said, trying to calm the girls, but it was too late. The baby could be heard crying in the other room now.

"Let me," Seems said, and she went off to grab the crying newborn.

Ceryse sat back down with her two little girls on her couch.

Seems walked back in with the baby, who she had already managed to calm, and went to sit by her sister and nieces.

"She's beautiful," Seems said, her voice full of awe. "You're just perfect aren't you? Yes, you are," she cooed, looking down at the infant.

Rhaenyra was warmed at the sight.

All the women talked together while Rhaenyra and Rhaenys finished their tea.

The baby fell back to sleep as they talked, and Seems eventually stood up. "I'm going to lay her back down," she whispered.

Ceryse nodded.

"Ayla has been insisting I come to your planning meetings for the Blueburn Convention, but I've told her a half dozen times I have small children and so little free time," Ceryse said, to Rhaenys.

"It's for that reason, and for your girls, that you must find the time," Rhaenys replied, and Ceryse nodded in concession to Rhaenys' point.

"May I inquire about this planning committee? I've heard it mentioned several times today," Rhaenyra asked.

"They've built a women's group here in the county, and several groups from across the seven kingdoms are organizing a realm-wide women's convention. Up north near the border with the Stormlands there's a small town off the Blueburn River where they're planning to hold it," Seems answered, walking back into the room and sitting next to her sister again.

"Seems lives in Oldtown. She's in a big women's group there," Ceryse added.

"Whether here on the farm or there in the city women's lives are universally in need of improvement, and that's what we're all getting together to discuss," Seems said, seriously.

"The right to vote is a big issue at the forefront of everyone's mind," Rhaenys contributed. "Many women desire to see their full suffrage protected and honored."

Rhaenyra couldn't help but agree. She had always thought it unfair that men had more rights than she did, but had never considered doing something about it. She'd also never known women like this. All her friends in the city were too occupied with finding good husbands and being dutiful wives. She didn't know many working class women. Well-to-do women were discouraged from going into the "rougher" parts of the city. If there were women like these, getting together in women's groups in Kingslanding, Rhaenyra would not have been acquainted with them. Kingslanding high society was a rigid arrangement, and being here in the mountains Rhaenyra found herself freed in more ways than one.

"You should come to a meeting," Rhaenys said, to Rhaenyra. "They're every first Friday out at Ayla Crane's farm."

Rhaenyra had briefly met Ayla the day of Criston's funeral.

"I think I'd like that," Rhaenyra said, and all four women smiled and continued talking about various topics for another hour or so.

Their conversations eventually died down and it was time for Rhaenyra and Rhaenys to head out. They stood up and said their goodbyes to Ceryse before she left them to go check on her children.

Seems escorted both women out to their cart and horse.

"I'll be here for a few months. I hope to see you around," Seems said, to Rhaenyra with a sly grin.

Rhaenyra didn't know what to make of her, but she did find her charming.

"I hope so too," Rhaenyra replied, and she climbed up on the cart, with a hand from Seems.

Seems then ran around to give a hand to Rhaenys, who took the help, but still seemed to be giving Seems a slight cold shoulder Rhaenyra noticed.

"It was nice to see you," Rhaenys said, looking down at Seems.

"I hope to see you around while I'm here too," Seems said, squinting up at Rhaenys, before bringing her hand up to shade her eyes from the sun. "I miss Corlyn's cooking more than anything."

"We'll… have to have you for supper sometime soon," Rhaenys replied.

Seems nodded and Rhaenys and Rhaenyra took off back for the Strong farm.

~~~

For the next three weeks Rhaenys would bring Rhaenyra along to see as many patients as she could. So far, Rhaenyra had been there to help with two births. If she had any apprehension about doing this work, in just a few short weeks it was gone. She loved it.

She was with Rhaenys, late on a crisp fall evening, in town, visiting a pregnant woman living with her husband in a two story tenement building. Their room was on the first floor.

The young woman, Keira, was ten and seven, and it was her first pregnancy. She was due any day and nervous.

Rhaenys asked everyone in the room to give her and the pregnant woman a moment alone.

"I'll be right outside," Rhaenyra said, getting up to leave the room. She knew Rhaenys would know just what to say to calm the young expectant mother.

Rhaenyra was right out front of the building for only a few minutes when Seems came staggering out the door Rhaenyra had just exited the building from.

"Seems?" Rhaenyra asked, surprised to see her here. She was still in men's clothes, Rhaenyra noted.

"That must be her usual attire," Rhaenyra thought.

She was wearing an untucked loose fitting plaid shirt and baggy work pants. Her dark hair was loose, wavy, and hung free down past her shoulders.

Seems was rather thin, but could be better described as sinewy. She was shorter than Rhaenyra, no taller than five feet five Rhaenyra guessed, and yet carried herself like one of the burly dock workers that worked for Harwin back in Kingslanding. Rhaenyra decided then she wanted to be friends.

"Strong? How are you?" Seems asked, walking up.

"I'm well. How are you?" Rhaenyra said, reaching out her hand. Seems reached out and aggressively shook it.

"I'm having a great day, I must say," Seems replied, smiling. Rhaenyra could tell she'd been drinking, but she wasn't drunk.

"Where are you off to?" Rhaenyra asked. She was concerned she might be a little too inebriated to be out alone.

"I'm off to buy two pork rolls from the butcher. I'm starving, and they're the best thing around," Seems replied. "Want to tag along?"

"I'm waiting for Rhaenys." Rhaenyra answered. "If she comes out looking she won't know where I went off too."

"It's just right up the street. She'll see us from here," Seems said, pointing.

Rhaenyra could see the little stand Seems was pointing to.

"Okay," she said, stepping forward to follow Seems.

"So, how has training as a midwife been going?" Seems asked, as she walked side by side with Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra looked over at her smiling, "It's been amazing," she replied.

"I'm glad for you. I'm still trying to find something to do with myself that makes my face light up in the way yours just did," Seems replied.

Rhaenyra didn't know what to say, so she didn't comment.

There was silence for a beat until Seems spoke again, "I'm glad you didn't try to offer up any platitudes. Finding anything to be passionate about in this life is a rare blessing. When we do find passion we have to hold onto it with everything we have. That's why they're often the death of us…our passions. Blessings and a curse," Seems said, as they walked up to the butcher's stall.

Rhaenyra of several months ago wouldn't have understood anything Seems had just said, but now she understood it viscerally. She had felt the flame of passion finally, and she was currently suffering its burn.

"Craig, I'll have three pork rolls," Seems said, smiling at the man.

"They're on me, Seems." He said, handing her a bag.

"When you come by the barn tell 'em I said give you a break," Seems replied. The butcher smiled, Seems grabbed an extra bag, and then nodded for Rhaenyra to follow her. As they walked back towards the building she reached in the bag, pulled out one of the rolls, and re-bagged it before handing it to Rhaenyra.

Seems was pleased with Rhaenyra's smile as she opened the bag and stuck her nose in to smell the food, "You have to try it. They're great," Seems said, very confident that Rhaenyra would enjoy it.

"Thank you. It smells delicious," Rhaenyra replied. They were silent for just a moment before Rhaenyra asked, "Do you live here in town?"

"Yes, I have a room in that building."

Rhaenyra knew Ceryse had inherited the Caswell family farm just like Alicent had inherited the Hightower property. 

"You don't stay at your family's farm?" Rhaenyra asked. She knew she was prying, but she was curious.

"No. I require a little more privacy than is possible out at the farm, and while my sister is very forward thinking, even she has her limits," Seems replied, with a wink.

Rhaenyra knew something was being inferred here, but she didn't know what.

"Are you coming to the planning committee meeting at Ayla's tomorrow?" Seems asked, as they got close to the building.

"I want to. I need to ask Rhaenys if she or Corlyn can pick me up," Rhaenyra replied.

"Meet me here in town at four tomorrow. You can ride out with me, and I'll get you back home," Seems said, her tone matter of fact, as if they were old friends.

"Okay, I'll meet you here. What's your room number?"

"I'm in 1D," Seems replied.

As they were walking up the door to the building swung open. A very pretty blonde woman, in a white dress with a beautiful blue floral print came bouncing out. Rhaenyra figured she, Seems, and this woman were all roughly the same age.

"You said you'd only be gone a minute," the blonde said, clearly annoyed with Seems.

"I didn't mean that literally," Seems said, sarcastically.

The woman glared. Then she looked over at Rhaenyra, taking a moment to size her up from head to toe.

"Who is this?" She said, never looking away from Rhaenyra.

"My friend, Rhaenyra Strong. Strong, this is Bella Crane. She's Ayla's daughter," Seems replied.

"Hi," Bella said, but didn't move from her spot nor did she crack a smile.

"Hi," Rhaenyra said, choosing to smile and wave.

"Rhaenyra is gonna ride with us out to your mama's tomorrow," Seems said, walking up to Bella. "She's just waiting for Rhaenys."

Bella's eyes narrowed. Seems gave Bella a subtle little look in response. Rhaenyra could tell there was some type of nonverbal communication that took place, because then Bella's face softened, and she turned to Rhaenyra and looked a little apologetic.

"We're glad to have you," she said, and Seems looked pleased.

"I'm starving. Let's go eat," Seems said, cheerfully. She looked at Rhaenyra and pointed, "Tomorrow at four?"

Rhaenyra nodded.

"Will you be okay to wait here alone?" Bella asked.

Rhaenyra nodded again.

"Okay, we'll see you tomorrow then," Seems said, waving goodbye. She grabbed Bella's hand, and both women turned away. The brunette led the blonde back into the tenement building.

Rhaenyra remained there, standing under the warm yellow glow of a gas street lantern, waiting for Rhaenys to come retrieve her. She was lost in thought thinking back over her encounter with Seems.

She reached in her small bag, pulled out the small round sandwich, and took a big bite.

"As good as advertised," she thought.

The next afternoon Harwin was a little hesitant to drop Rhaenyra off at the tenement building.

"Where exactly is the Crane farm located," he said, as their horse-drawn cart came to a stop in front of the building.

"I'm not sure. You can meet Seems, and she can tell you more," Rhaenyra replied.

Just then Seems and Bella came charging out of the building arm in arm.

"Strong!" Seems yelled out. "We saw you from the window, are you ready to head out?"

"Yes, but come meet my husband first," Rhaenyra yelled back, and Seems and Bella came right over.

Harwin jumped down from the cart and walked over to where the three women now stood. Rhaenyra introduced everyone and small talk was exchanged for a few minutes. Seems eventually pulled out her pocket watch.

"I'm sorry, but we've got to get going or we'll be late," Seems said, apologetically.

Rhaenyra and Harwin hugged goodbye. He looked like he wanted to ask her not to go, but he didn't, and she didn't intend to stay.

When she had explained to him the night before that she was going to a women's meeting he was completely confused.

"What will you all do? He had asked, as they sat eating dinner.

"Secret woman things," Rhaenyra said, her voice deadpan.

Harwin's eyes went wide.

Rhaenyra laughed.

"We want the right to vote, Harwin. That's what the meeting is about," Rhaenyra said, laughing.

"Oh," Harwin said, relaxing in his chair. "Is that all?"

Rhaenyra was exasperated by his nonchalant response.

"Yes, just the little issue of women's suffrage," she said, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Well, I just meant that I support that is all," he said, digging back into his pot pie.

That had been the extent of their discussion on the matter. Now he seemed worried about letting her go.

Seems reached out to shake Harwin's hand.

"We'll take good care of her, and get her back to you as soon as possible," Seems said, with all seriousness.

Harwin smiled a small smile, and then watched as the three women walked over to Seems' cart, climbed up, and began to ride off.

"Little does he know we plan to fully corrupt you before we do," Seems said, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively, and Rhaenyra and Bella both laughed out loud.

Seems joked and entertained the women for most of their ride. Seems was clearly a lover of attention. She had a loud brash personality, but that engendered warm feelings in Rhaenyra. Women so rarely got away with being either. Seems was rugged but refined, crass but gentlemanly, funny but rather serious as well. Rhaenyra definitely wanted to know her better.

Bella caught her staring at Seems, and was icy with her the rest of the ride. Rhaenyra couldn't figure out the relationship Seems and Bella had, but she was curious. They seemed like best friends, but they'd already both mentioned only getting close since Seems had recently returned to town.

There was an intimacy about them that made them seem much closer than recent friends, but then again Rhaenyra thought about how close she and Alicent became so quickly.

"That was different…wasn't it?" She thought.

They arrived at the Crane family farm shortly before six in the evening. There must have been two dozen women all standing around or sitting on chairs, under a tent, in the yard in front of the farm house.

Rhaenyra had met many of them at Alicent's home or while working with Rhaenys. She wondered why Alicent had never mentioned the group or wasn't there in attendance.

Several young women came up to say hello to Seems, and Bella got more annoyed with each one. She eventually stormed off to take her seat while Seems introduced Rhaenyra to one of them.

While Rhaenyra was talking with Seems and the woman, Ayla called order to the meeting, and Rhaenyra and Seems went to sit with Bella under the tent.

Ayla looked to be about the same age as Rhaenys and Corlyn. Bella's beauty was definitely inherited from her mother. They looked just alike.

Rhaenyra was impressed with the group. After the meeting was called to order the women went one by one through an agenda. They listened to each other, were respectful through disagreements, and no one woman seemed to be the leader.

Rhaenyra and one other first time attendee introduced themselves to the group eventually, and both were officially warmly welcomed.

At one point the floor was opened, and anyone could share anything they wanted. Some women opened up and vented about their frustrations with their husbands and children. Some shared something joyful. Some women asked the group for help, and others offered support.

They discussed the upcoming convention, and voted on several measures.

There was a break for refreshments, and the women all mingled again for a candlemark, before Ayla called them back to order. She remained standing to speak, "As our group grows in size month after month it becomes more and more clear that we women are desperately in need of each other. We must lean on each other both for our day to day survival, and in our struggle for better futures."

Women began to nod as they listened.

"We have met here today to discuss our rights and wrongs, civil and political, and not, as some have
supposed, to go into the details of social life alone. We do not propose to petition the legislature to make our husbands just, generous, and courteous, to seat every man at the head of a cradle, or to clothe every woman in male attire. None of these points, however important they may be considered by leading men, will be mentioned by me here today. As to their costume, gentlemen need feel no fear of our imitating that, for we think it is in violation of every principle of taste, beauty, and dignity; notwithstanding all the contempt cast upon our loose, flowing garments, we still admire the graceful folds, and consider our costume far more artistic than theirs."

Most of the women listening in the tent laughed, cheered, and clapped.

Bella leaned in close to Seems and Rhaenyra heard her whisper, "Not you, darling. You're quite dashing in a suit."

Seems laughed and then reached over and squeezed Bella's hand. Rhaenyra was starting to get suspicious of the true nature of their relationship.

Ayla had the women in the crowd listening to her every word raptly.

"We've met here because we must restore the divinity of women. The human is divine, and humanity has been split apart in a seemingly interminable battle of the sexes, but we come here today to seek reunification. We assert that equality for all human beings is a necessity for life, and that the subjugation of anyone, including women, ultimately leads to social collapse. We see the suffering all around us. We see the drunkenness, the violence, and despair, and we seek a solution to it all. The demand of women's suffrage is the natural consequence of the overall demand for equality. The Seven Kingdoms is supposedly a democratic republic, but half of its citizens are governed without their consent. This silenced half will no longer sit by quietly!"

The sitting women all cheered loudly and passionately.

Rhaenyra looked around and saw all these brave women and was inspired by them. She thought of her own poor mother, cut open on the birthing bed, and knew there was total merit to everything she'd heard here to tonight. She'd lucked out with Harwin. Many women had dangerous or neglectful husbands, and trying to have a life without a husband at all was very hard. The meeting had given her lots to think about.

~~~

Seems, Bella, and Rhaenyra were in Seems' cart on the way to bring Rhaenyra home after the women's group meeting.

It was the third month in a row that Rhaenyra had gone with Seems and Bella to the planning committee meetings.

She had spent quite a bit of time with Seems over recent months. She came over to the cabin quite often to have dinner with Rhaenyra and Harwin.

Rhaenyra also would sometimes stop by Seems' room to see her if she was already in town.

Harwin came to really like and enjoy Seems. They had quite a bit in common with their love for coffee, cigarettes, and Harwin's new love for pork rolls.

Bella seemed to eventually accept that Rhaenyra's friendship with Seems wasn't a threat at all to hers, because even she started to be friendly with Rhaenyra, and they over the months built their own friendship as well.

Most of Rhaenyra's time though was spent working around the farm or working with Rhaenys and Corlyn.

Through everything though, Alicent often was on her mind. She was angry at her, because she just wanted the chance to talk everything through and put it all behind them, but Alicent wouldn't allow that.

Rhaenyra was trying to move on, and she was. She wasn't sitting around waiting for Alicent to show up, but every day that went by without Alicent was painful.

It was a crisp fall night, and a blanket laid over all three of the women's laps riding in the cart. As they rode down the road Bella leaned into Seems, who put her arm around her, pulling her in, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

In the time Rhaenyra had spent with them this was the most openly affectionate she'd ever seen them. She was nervous witnessing the display, but was trying very hard to hide it.

They rode on quietly for several minutes.

Then Bella nudged Seems in the side.

Seems grunted, but tried to play it off by coughing.

Then she spoke, "Rhaenyra, we're getting together with some of our friends tonight, and we wondered if you'd like to come? There's some barn raising lots of people are going to, but a handful of our friends are meeting up on Redwyne Hill. There's a cliff that looks out over the entire mountain valley."

Harwin was going fishing with Jason Lannister early in the morning, so she knew he was probably going to bed really early anyways.

"Sure, I'd love to see this view," she replied, and Seems smiled.

They arrived at the very top of Redwyne Hill. Off the road there was a clearing between the trees. In the clearing there were several horses tied to trees and horse-drawn carts were parked. There were several hand held lanterns lit, and there were blankets laid down in the grass. Some women sat on the blankets, some sat in the carts, and some stood talking. Everyone was a woman though, and Rhaenyra recognized several from the women's group. Many were intimately touching or otherwise closely interacting. There were bottles of wine and other alcohol being shared. Rhaenyra counted eleven women not including her, Seems, and Bella.

Bella reached into her cart, under a blanket, and pulled out a wooden box that held four bottles of moonshine.

"Seems is here with the shine!" one of the women called out, as they walked up towards the clearing and the ladies already there finally saw them.

All the women yelled out greetings, and several came by to grab one of the bottles from Seems until she only had one left.

Bella laid down a blanket and all three of them sat down.

Rhaenyra didn't know what to think of this gathering, but the atmosphere was joyful and everyone was laughing and talking animatedly.

Bella pulled the plug from the bottle Seems brought and took a swig from it. She winced at the taste.

"Tastes like death," she said, while taking another drink.

"Save some of the sweet beyond for the rest of us," Seems said, reaching out to grab the bottle back.

She took a few drinks then passed it over to Rhaenyra.

"We're getting good and lushy tonight, and we'll repent for our sins tomorrow," Seems said laughing, and Rhaenyra giggled as she took a drink.

Moonshine was absolutely the worst thing she'd ever drank. It tasted like furniture polish, but not even a candlemark later it was having its effect, and Rhaenyra had taken off her shawl, her hat, and was talking and laughing wildly with Bella and Seems.

Bella and Seems were sitting close holding hands. Rhaenyra looked around the dimly lit grassy field and there were several women couples in some type of affectionate embrace. Suddenly Rhaenyra felt awkward. She looked over and Bella and Seems were staring at each other lovingly. Rhaenyra suddenly stood up.

"Is everything ok?" Seems asked, looking up.

"I…want to see the view," Rhaenyra replied. "You two can stay here."

She walked past them and continued up the edge of the cliff. At the top you could indeed see the valley below for miles and miles. Somewhere down there was her cabin, where her husband was asleep without her. Alicent was also somewhere down there, and she wished more than anything that she was there with her. She wished then that they could lay here in the grass under the moonlight together. She had questions for Seems, and she was no longer feeling too prideful to ask.

As if reading her mind, just then Seems walked up.

She called out to Rhaenyra and handed her the bottle.

"Take three drinks. You have to catch up to Bella and I."

Rhaenyra grabbed the bottle and took a sip.

"Are you enjoying the view?" Seems asked.

Rhaenyra nodded.

"What is this gathering?" Rhaenyra asked, bluntly.

"What do you mean?" Seems asked.

"What… do you and Bella mean to each other?" Rhaenyra said, softly.

"Oh," Seems replied. Then she smiled. "You don't know? Why did you agree to come tonight?"

"I… you invited me. I'm having a good time. I just don't understand. What kind of gathering is this?" Rhaenyra asked, clearly confused.

"All of us here, all the women here, we…are the same. I thought you were one of us," Seems replied.

"One of you?" Rhaenyra asked, puzzled.

"A…tribade," Seems said, nonchalantly.

"I…don't know what that is," Rhaenyra replied.

Seems appeared genuinely stunned.

"Women who bed other women," Seems said, seriously. "Bella is my lover."

Rhaenyra's eyes went wide.

"So you don't know about Rhaenys and Corlyn?" Seems asked.

"Two sisters?" Rhaenyra asked, shocked.

"No, they aren't sisters at all. Not really. They're married. To each other."

Rhaenyra's mind was blown.

"How is that possible?" She asked.

"It's not legal if that's what you're asking, but for the details of their story you'll have to ask them." Seems answered.

"Why did you think I was like you?" Rhaenyra asked.

"You're not?" Seems asked, genuinely confused.

Rhaenyra turned away and looked out again over the cliff's edge.

"If I was mistaken I sincerely apologize," Seems said. "I can't say why I assumed what I did. There was just a gut feeling, but nothing more than that."

Rhaenyra was feeling the effects of the moonshine. She handed the bottle back to Seems.

She looked her friend in the eye, and began to cry.

"There's someone. A woman. I met her here on the mountain. I… kissed her several months ago, and she kissed me back, but then she asked not to see me anymore," Rhaenyra began to spill. "I miss her all the time, but I don't know what to do in order to fix things between us."

Seems smiled a small smile.

"Ah, so that's what's been the matter with you all these months. You've been lovesick. Something told me there was more to your story."

Rhaenyra started to blush with embarrassment.

"Here's what you do, Strong. You go see this woman and you tell her exactly how you feel. Hold nothing back, and if she has any sense at all she'd never refuse you."

Rhaenyra stood there considering her friend's advice.

"Will you tell me who she is?" Seems asked, pulling Rhaenyra in for a hug.

"Only after we reconcile," Rhaenyra replied, as she pulled back.

Seems smirked and nodded, but didn't press the issue.

They started to walk back down the incline into the clearing.

Seems looked over at Rhaenyra as she spoke, "Well, don't wait to do it, Strong. Seize the day, and go win back your sweetheart before it's too late."

Rhaenyra nodded, and they rejoined Bella and the other gathered women for more conversation and laughs.

It was three days after her very eye opening evening spent on Redwyne Hill when Rhaenyra got the nerve to swallow her pride and go to see Alicent.

She put it off all day, but early in the afternoon she went out into her pasture for an hour and picked a bouquet of wildflowers. Once she was happy with her arrangement she tied them together with a red silk ribbon.

Harwin was off in town to send some letters, so she left him a note saying she was going for a walk and would be back before dinner.

In the early afternoon she took off for Alicent's farm. She held the flowers close as she walked down the dirt road, and she practiced what she would say once she saw Alicent.

"I've been foolish to stay away so long. Being apart from you is something I no longer find tenable," Rhaenyra rehearsed, out loud to herself. She was going to tell Alicent about everything she'd been doing these last several months, and all the things she'd learned. She'd tell her how much she missed her, and how much she wanted her back in her life.

In almost no time she was walking up to Alicent's farm. When she got to the path that led to Alicent's porch, the scene she encountered froze her in her tracks. Her heart sank at the sight of Alicent getting engaged to someone else.

The bouquet dropped from her hand and fell in the dirt at her feet.

All Rhaenyra could think was, "I never should have come here," as she quickly turned tail to leave.

***

Alicent stood crying in the road as she watched Rhaenyra walk away.

This wasn't the reunion Alicent had imagined over and over again these last four months.

She turned back towards her house and saw Torryn there watching her.

Alicent was overwhelmed. She felt torn. Part of her wanted to chase after Rhaenyra, but she also felt Torryn deserved an answer.

Alicent wiped at her tear streaked face, and began to walk towards Torryn.

He stood there in the road with disappointment clearly written all over his face.

Alicent was upset with herself for letting things get here.

She walked up to him and began to talk, her tone was apologetic and sincere, "Torryn, I think you're wonderful. These last several months I've enjoyed building our friendship."

Torryn backed away.

"Forget my proposal," he said, his voice steady and calm. "Let us continue on as we have been."

Alicent wanted very much to do that, but now she was very concerned that his open desire to marry her would complicate things.

"Can he accept just being friends?" She wondered.

"Torryn, I don't know if that's a good idea," she replied.

"You need my help around here, and I enjoy your cooking," he answered, and then like he was reading her mind he added, "Let's not complicate things. Today never happened."

Alicent just nodded, unsure of what to say. He was right. She needed his help, and she did enjoy their friendship, or whatever it was. She just didn't want more than friendship with him.

"If you're still making it, chicken and mashed potatoes was promised to me, and I'm still salivating at the thought."

Alicent smiled a small smile.

"You finish in the barn. I'll get started inside," she replied.

Torryn nodded and turned and walked off in the direction of the barn. Alicent walked back down the road towards her front porch.

When she got to the path leading to her porch she saw the wildflowers laying in the dirt.

She grabbed them, raised them up to her nose, and inhaled.

There were coneflowers, bachelor's buttons, and fireweed all mixed in with yarrow. She knew Rhaenyra had to have walked all around her entire pasture to find all these, and the romantic sentiment awed Alicent. No one had ever done anything like that for her before.

She turned around again and looked off in the direction Rhaenyra had walked away in. She looked out at the road and wanted to run after Rhaenyra, and confess her truth. She wanted to admit that she'd missed her every second of every day since they'd been estranged. She wanted to tell her that she dreamt of her, and that she replayed their kisses in her mind on a constant loop, but Alicent didn't do that. She instead clutched the flowers to her chest, turned back towards her house, and walked inside to start on dinner.

Alicent tossed and turned all night again, as she did most nights.

She woke up before dawn and made breakfast. She sat at her kitchen table eating biscuits and drinking coffee as the sun came up.

She resolved then as the new day started that she wasn't going to waste another day letting confusion and fear rule her. She made up her mind. She would get dressed, go to the Strong farm, and convince Rhaenyra to talk to her today.

She had been wearing her black work dress most days, but today she wore her favorite dark green dress instead.

She braided her hair and pinned it up in a bun. She rubbed a little perfumed oil on her wrists and neck, and took off on her horse for the Strong farm.

When Alicent rode up Harwin could be seen working over in a pigpen.

Alicent hopped down and walked over to the pen. Once Harwin noticed her he began to walk towards her.

He was covered up to his shins in mud. Little hogs ran all around his feet

"Alicent! To what do I owe this pleasure?" Harwin asked, smiling.

She returned the smile, "I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've come to call on you both. I apologize for my recent seclusion."

Harwin waved his hand dismissing her apology and looked at her with eyes full of empathy, "You've no need to apologize to me. We met you at an unfortunate time. It reasons that you needed some time to yourself."

Alicent was touched by Harwin's frequent kindness, and yet she was here to reconcile with his wife. She had warring emotions, but she knew now she couldn't figure this out alone. She had to make sense of this with Rhaenyra.

"You look well. How have you been?" Harwin asked.

"It has been a rollercoaster, of sorts, since Criston died," she answered, honestly. "I was stuck in a dark tunnel, and these last months I've been figuring out how to move forward, and I think I've finally started to come out the other side…if you get what I mean."

Harwin nodded.

"I understand you exactly," he replied. "I'm happy you're doing better. If this means you'll be coming around again I know Rhaenyra will be happy. She won't admit it to me, but she very quickly came to greatly value your friendship, and she's been quite miserable since the weekend of that storm. She's missed you. I'll be happy to see her mood improve."

Alicent wanted to squeal loudly, but she didn't. She held her composure. If Harwin only knew what his words meant to her. To know that Rhaenyra had missed her as much as she had missed Rhaenyra made her mind race. She wanted to jump and cry out.

Instead she said calmly, "That's really why I came by. I wanted to speak with Rhaenyra, and apologize. No offense."

"None taken," Harwin said, with a light laugh.

"Is she inside? She isn't sleeping in is she?"

"No," Harwin replied. "She's in town. She left late last evening to visit with a friend. She said she'd be back home later today. If you want to come back by later you're welcome. Or maybe you know her friend?"

Alicent was shocked to hear about Rhaenyra having a friend in town, and that she had essentially stayed there overnight? Harwin was too lenient Alicent thought.

"To just let his wife go off to wherever in the night," but then she also thought, "and yet I thank the Gods for his lack of control over her when I benefit from it."

She realized if he was okay with Rhaenyra spending time with her then for him it was no different when she spent time with her other friends. It was Alicent who needed to adjust to Rhaenyra having other close friends on the mountain now.

"Seems Caswell. They're in that women's group together. Do you know where she lives in town?" Harwin asked.

Alicent was again shocked. She didn't even know Seems was back in the area. Last she knew she was in OldTown. She'd seen Ceryse shortly after she had her baby, but she hadn't mentioned her sister was in town.

"Rhaenyra spent the night with Seems?" She thought, and her mind started to race again.

This revelation made her nervous. Knowing Seems, and knowing her history with Laena Velaryon, Alicent was instantly jealous. Was Seems' friendship with Rhaenyra like her friendship with Rhaenyra? Had she pushed Rhaenyra into the arms of another last night? Her mind was spinning.

"Yes, I know, Seems, but I don't know where she lives in town. I'd like to go call on them both," Alicent replied.

Harwin told her exactly where the building was located and the room number. Alicent thanked him for everything, and took off on her horse towards town.

The entire ride Alicent's emotions swirled inside her. The stakes for her future suddenly had never felt higher.

She arrived at the tenement building. It was exactly where Harwin said she'd find it.

She walked in and went straight to room 1D. It was easy for her to find.

She took a deep breath, raised her hand up, and just as she was about to knock the door opened.

Her eyes went wide.

Seems was standing there in a loose long sleeve white Henley shirt. It was half tucked into her loose fit black trousers. She had one half of her suspenders up on her right shoulder and the other hung down at her hip. She was wearing one brown boot and was holding the other brown boot in her hand. Her long hair fell wild and messy as if she were fresh from bed.

"Alicent? This is strange," Seems said, her face full of surprise. 

She began to bend over to pull on her other boot.

When she did, Alicent could see past her into the room for the first time, and she saw her. She saw a woman, lying covered up to her neck by a blanket, on the bed that Seems had clearly just climbed out of herself. The woman had long silvery blonde hair, and Alicent almost doubled over.

She let out a light gasp, and immediately turned around and walked away.

"Wait!" Seems called out. Alicent kept walking. She had to get out of there. She felt ill.

Seems caught up with her as soon as she reached the road. Alicent finally stopped walking.

Seems stood in front of her, "Alicent, how did you know I lived here? Were you looking for me? Talk to me!"

Alicent looked into Seems' eyes searching, "Have you come back to town to steal another friend away from me?"

Seems took a step back shocked.

"What? I've no idea what you're talking about." Seems replied, but hurt began to register on her face.

"First Laena and now Rhaenyra?" Alicent turned away as she spoke, "I never could compete with you."

"Alicent, what on earth are you speaking of? You know, Strong?"

Seems walked closer to Alicent again.

"What does Laena have to do with Strong?" she asked.

"Are you friends with Rhaenyra?" Alicent asked, turning back around.

"Yes, of course. I love Strong. She's the best," Seems answered, not fully understanding the situation yet. "Are you two friends? I didn't know."

Alicent was broken. If they were just friends why had Rhaenyra never mentioned their friendship to Seems?

Then something changed on Seems' face. Her expression turned from confusion to glee.

"Oh, shit. Alicent… It's you! You're Rhaenyra's beloved, and you're here to see her!" Seems yelled.

Alicent's face turned a deep red.

"Seven hells, scream it from the rooftops why don't you," Alicent said, laughing.

"Holy hell, you think Strong and I are lovers? No way. I'm too good for her. You? Perfect for her. Me? Much too good," Seems said, smiling and Alicent rolled her eyes and pushed her playfully.

Growing up with Seems this had always been their dynamic. Alicent was constantly fretful and worried and Seems always playful and light-hearted. Laena had been the glue. The friend that brought them both together. Then Seems and Laena's friendship deepened in a different way, and Alicent had felt left out and forgotten.

"Strong is just my mate. Since I've been back she's been my best mate in fact. She showed up late last night upset that her sweetheart was getting engaged to someone else. She was here crying over you."

Alicent felt horrible.

"I'm not engaged. I'm not getting married," Alicent said, defensively. "She just arrived at my farm at an inopportune moment."

Seems just listened, not adding any comments.

"I came here to find her hoping we can go and talk alone. I've so much I want to say to her, and I feel like I'm ready to say it," Alicent said, sounding more confident than she felt.

Seems still looked very surprised.

"Laena and I didn't know that you were like us," Seems said.

"I don't even know what you mean really," Alicent said, shyly.

"I think maybe when we were younger you didn't, but I think you do now," Seems replied. "Laena and I were like you and Strong. It's why you looked like you wanted to run me over with your horse when you thought there was something similar between Strong and I. You see now that we women with peculiar sensibilities are multitude." Alicent went red in the face and both women laughed.

"I'm going to get some pork rolls. I'm starving. I practically live on them even though I know I shouldn't. I'm afraid I'm going to drop dead any moment…oh shit," Seems said, as her eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, Alicent, and I wasn't even here for the funeral. I haven't stopped by to see you since returning. It's just…there's really no excuse."

"It's okay. We can start fresh today," Alicent said.

Seems smiled.

"Go talk to her. Work things out. Stay in my room. I'll give you both some time. I'll bring you both back a roll!"

Alicent yelled, "Thank you," as Seems turned away and waved to acknowledge she had heard her. Alicent smiled watching her walk away. She didn't know how long Seems would be happy here back on the mountain. Minds were more narrow in these parts, and that was what had driven her and Laena away in the first place.

Alicent turned back to go wake Rhaenyra up.

She walked into the building and returned to stand in front of room 1D again. This time when she went to knock on the door it didn't move. Her knuckles hit against the wood three times.

"Coming," she heard a groggy voice yell out.

She heard a bunch of commotion and movement on the other side of the door.

Then after what seemed like several extra long minutes the door opened and Rhaenyra stood there in a long red dress. She had two messy braids in the front of her hair that were braided to the back where the rest of her hair hung loose.

Alicent wanted to kiss her immediately.

"How did you find me here?" Rhaenyra asked, surprise all over her face.

"Harwin," Alicent said, pushing past Rhaenyra into the room.

"What are you doing? When did you see Harwin?"

"I'm coming in to talk to you, and this morning before coming here," Alicent answered.

She walked into the room and stood next to the bed.

"I went to the farm to reconcile with you, and he told me you were here with Seems."

"You know Seems?" Rhaenyra asked, surprised again.

"Of course, we grew up together. She was one of my best friends growing up."

Rhaenyra clearly wasn't aware of this history.

"You ignored the part where I said I came to reconcile." Alicent said, taking a step towards her.

Rhaenyra turned away slightly.

"I'm happy for you. I really am. I'm sure Torryn is a nice fellow, but I'll need some time to get control of my feelings before we can revisit our friendship," Rhaenyra said, looking down at her hands. She played with the wedding ring on her finger. She twirled it around nervously.

Alicent reached out to calm Rhaenyra's hand with her own.

"I told you last night that I'm not getting married. Torryn has become a friend, but I have no interest in being his wife," Alicent said, calmly. She squeezed Rhaenyra's hand, and pulled her closer.

"So, you've come here to mend our friendship?" Rhaenyra said, meeting her eye again.

"We aren't friends, Rhaenyra."

Rhaenyra looked concerned for a moment, but Alicent continued, "When I look at you something stirs in me, something that is well beyond friendship. When we touch I feel a warmth all over, and this feeling is like none other that any friend has ever produced in me. When we kissed I felt a heavenly feeling and a joy I've never felt before. These last months without you have been a constant misery. I have missed many friends before, but none like this. I dream of you. Every time I close my eyes to rest I am right back to the day we kissed in the rain, and every time I wake I'm again desperate for your embrace."

Alicent reached up then to caress Rhaenyra's face.

Rhaenyra pulled her in then, and they stood with their chests touching. Rhaenyra's right hand now rested at the small of Alicent's back. Alicent's right hand was still rubbing gently across Rhaenyra's cheek and neck. Her left hand rested flat against Rhaenyra's chest.

"If not a friend then what am I to you?" Rhaenyra asked, her voice soft and low.

"Is it not obvious?" Alicent teased, as Rhaenyra leaned into her touch.

"You told me once before to stop running from you, but I was afraid before. I'm still afraid I must admit, but bravery exists in spite of fear not in absence of it. I'm not running anymore. I want to be brave now. If you'll be brave too," Alicent said, as she leaned in to kiss Rhaenyra softly on the chin right below her ear.

Rhaenyra moaned softly.

"Then we can figure out what we mean to each other together," she whispered, before kissing Rhaenyra's neck.

Alicent pulled back slightly, but remained in Rhaenyra's embrace.

"I have no idea what we're doing. I just know that I want to make sense of all this together with you. I love you."

Alicent had found a way to say the words. She felt exposed, raw, and vulnerable. There was no going back.

Rhaenyra pulled her into a tight hug then she heard her say, "I love you, too."

Alicent had never heard music sweeter to hear ears. She felt as if she might float up to the ceiling.

Rhaenyra pulled back out of the hug slightly, and brought a hand up to the side of Alicent's face pulling her in for a kiss.

Alicent didn't resist. She had wanted to be nestled in Rhaenyra's arms and pulled against her lips since the moment Rhaenyra had opened the door.

Unlike their first kiss it was Alicent who hungrily licked along Rhaenyra's bottom lip. Mimicking how their tongue kissing began before. This time Alicent led the way probing and pushing her tongue into Rhaenyra's mouth.

Her searching was gentle at first, but then their kissing deepened and passion took over.

One of Alicent's hands went to Rhaenyra's back and the other went up to the back of her head and was lost in her silver hair.

Rhaenyra backed them up until they reached the front of the bed, and then they both fell back onto the bed laughing.

Rhaenyra was half on top of her, and the feel of her weight was the strangest comfort. She wanted to feel Rhaenyra's entire weight on her own, but she didn't know how to ask.

A single tear fell down her right cheek, and Rhaenyra reached up to wipe it away.

She kissed Alicent's cheek, then her chin, then her mouth.

Her hand fell away and trailed south until it rested over Alicent's right breast. Even over the fabric of her dress Alicent could feel the warmth of Rhaenyra's hand, and her nipple instantly hardened at her touch.

Alicent's back arch slightly, and their kissing deepened again.

Rhaenyra now started grabbing more urgently at her dress trying to feel more of Alicent's body underneath.

"I have no idea what I'm doing," Rhaenyra said, as she kissed down Alicent's neck. "I just know that I want to kiss every inch of you," she said, kissing now along the neckline of Alicent's green dress.

Alicent moaned as Rhaenyra kissed her again on the chin, before pulling her back into another hungry kiss.

They laid there learning the feel of each other's lips and hands for close to a candlemark. They whispered sweet nothings and laughed between wild moments of passion.

Eventually Alicent had to come back down to earth.

"Seems will likely be back any moment," she said, leaning up to kiss Rhaenyra who was leaning over her, as they laid on the bed.

"I actually need to go home, check in with Harwin, and get washed up and changed. I'm already late. I promised to head over to Rhaenys and Corlyn's this morning. We've been making care packages to give to new mothers, and I'm supposed to be on my way there now to help them weave more baskets," Rhaenyra replied. "I've been studying midwifery with them for a while now."

Alicent smiled and pulled her down into a hug on top of her.

"I'm glad to hear it. I want to know more about what you've been up to these last months. Harwin said you're in a 'woman's group' with Seems?"

Rhaenyra pushed back up on her forearms.

"Have you not heard of it?" she asked, looking down curiously at Alicent.

"No, I've never heard of such a thing. What is it?"

Before Rhaenyra could answer, Seems barreled into the room through the door.

"Sorry, my eyes are closed! Are you both decent?"

Rhaenyra rolled her eyes and Alicent laughed as they both sat up.

"Yes, we're decent!" Rhaenyra yelled back.

Seems peaked one eye open and looked over at them, then smiled as she opened up the other.

"I had to be sure. I didn't want to be scandalized. My pure virgin eyes must be protected," Seems said, as Rhaenyra flung a pillow at her head.

"Now is that how you repay a pal for their gracious hospitality?" Seems said, laughing after she caught the pillow.

"Don't worry you can get back at it in a minute. I just need to get changed. Bella is on a rampage. She found out I took Miley Ashford to dinner at the farm, and now she's headed there to guilt my sister. Ceryse already told me she wants to be left out of my melodramas. I've got to get there and handle Bella myself."

"When will poor Bella grow tired of you?" Rhaenyra said, laughing as she stood up.

Seems clutched at her heart as she playfully choked out, "You wound me."

Alicent rolled her eyes at them. She was starting to understand their dynamic.

"We were just waiting for your return," Alicent said. She stood up and walked over to Seems.

"Thank you," she said, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

"For what? Giving you a bed for an hour?" Seems asked, smiling.

"No, for taking care of her and being her friend when I couldn't," Alicent said, seriously.

Seems nodded and smiled again.

"And for the bed too," Alicent said, and they both laughed.

"What is so funny?" Rhaenyra asked, as she finished gathering up her things.

"Alicent was just thanking me for loaning you my room for the last hour," Seems replied.

"Well, allow me to express my own thanks," Rhaenyra said, pulling Seems into a hug. "Go be nice to Bella."

"I'm always nice to Bella," Seems said, walking them to the door.

"See you, Sunday?" Seems asked, once they got to the door.

"Yes," Rhaenyra confirmed.

"I'm sure I'll see you soon," Seems said, to Alicent.

"Yes, you will," Alicent said, giving Seems a warm smile.

They said their goodbyes to Seems, and then Alicent and Rhaenyra walked outside to where their horses were hitched.

They stood next to Rhaenyra's horse, not wanting to part.

Alicent wanted to kiss her and pull Rhaenyra in close, but it was mid morning and people were milling about all around them on the street.

"Can I come see you tomorrow?" Rhaenyra asked?

Alicent nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, I'd like that. When will you be by?"

"How does noon sound?" Rhaenyra asked.

"Perfect," Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra made eye contact with her, grabbed Alicent's hand in her own, brought their hands up to her lips, and kissed the back of Alicent's hand.

Alicent melted.

She let go of Alicent's hand and hiked up her dress before climbing onto her horse.

"I'm so glad you came to find me this morning," she said, smiling down at Alicent.

Alicent reached up and gently grabbed hold of Rhaenyra's forearm. She ran her hand up and down it for a moment as she spoke, "As am I. I'll see you tomorrow."

Alicent backed away and Rhaenyra took off on her horse in the direction of her farm.

Alicent stood there for a moment happy at how the morning had unfolded. She was excited for what the future held, but was already missing Rhaenyra as she watched her ride away.

Chapter Text

The sun had not been in the sky long when its rays shone through the bedroom window and danced on Rhaenyra's skin. The warmth and light pulled her from sleep. She squinted against the painful brightness as her eyes opened. No one had remembered to pull the curtains closed before bed the night before.

Rhaenyra's immediate thoughts were of Alicent. She couldn't wait to see her later. Rhaenyra felt as if the morning hours couldn't fly by fast enough. She wanted to lay in bed all morning and think about the smell of Alicent's hair and how it felt to drag her lips across Alicent's skin.

She couldn't help but replay the previous morning with Alicent over and over in her mind. She was still processing the fact that Alicent had not only declined a perfectly good marriage proposal, but she had also confessed her love, and Rhaenyra could barely believe it had all really happened. It felt like a fever dream now, and she was desperate to be with Alicent again to make sure she really meant it.

"What if she changes her mind?" Rhaenyra wondered and feared.

The excitement she felt at a future with Alicent was overwhelming, but the doubts she had about how they would ever manage to truly be together nagged at the back of her mind.

The sound of Harwin's light snoring grounded Rhaenyra in her current reality. She was in bed with her husband, but yearned for someone else and she felt horrible about it. She was fully aware of the danger she was flirting with and the lives that could be destroyed.

Harwin was her only family. Hurting him or being without him in her life was totally unacceptable to her. She looked over at him sleeping. She watched the rise and fall of his chest, and she began to softly cry.

She hadn't really talked to Harwin in days. Two days ago Rhaenyra had been devastated after seeing Torryn propose to Alicent and she had gone to Seems' place in town to cry about it. Yesterday when she parted with Alicent to head home and freshen up she only spoke with Harwin briefly before heading up Redwyne Hill to spend the day with Corlyn and Rhaenys.

Now she lay on her side, looking at her husband, her hands tucked under her head, tears falling onto her pillow. A low sob escaped from her uncontrollably, and Harwin stirred.

He turned his head towards her, and when he opened his eyes he seemed unsurprised to see her watching him and weeping.

"Good morning, wife," he said softly, his voice scratchy, as he turned on his side to face her and reached a hand over to wipe at her tears.

"Good morning, husband," she replied. She gave him a small smile in spite of her tears.

"Do you want to tell me what's been going on?" Harwin asked gently.

His eyes were soft and undemanding, but there was a pleading and desperation she saw in them as well. He just wanted the truth, and he'd been more than understanding with her she knew. He never punished her for the secrets she was obviously keeping. He never forced her to tell him or asserted his power. Instead he just trusted her and consoled her not knowing her pain was rooted in loving someone else.

She didn't know exactly what to say to him.

"Should I just tell him the entire truth?" She wondered.

She laid there still looking into his big soft brown eyes. In them now she saw his deep love for her and his acceptance of her and this forced more tears to fall.

While part of her knew he deserved the truth, another part worried about never seeing this look in his eyes again. Several strands of his curly black hair fell into his face, and Rhaenyra reached up to move them to the side.

"You deserve so much better than me," she thought.

"I've been feeling homesick lately, and I haven't wanted to complain to you. I know how happy you are here," Rhaenyra settled on as her answer.

"You went to speak about this with Seems?"

Rhaenyra nodded.

"Did that help?"

"Yes it did, and also Alicent found me in town yesterday morning and told me she's ready to resume our friendship. That has boosted my mood as well," Rhaenyra decided to admit that much. She knew Harwin had seen Alicent the previous morning.

He smiled and then replied, "I'm glad to hear that. I assume she told you she stopped here to find you?"

"Yes, and thank you for telling her where to find me. Her friendship since moving here has meant a lot," she also chose to admit.

Harwin smiled a knowing smile, and Rhaenyra thought again about how much he meant to her.

"Then what are this morning's tears about?" he asked.

Rhaenyra wasn't interested in answering that question. She couldn't.

Instead she reached out and cupped his face. She felt his coarse beard along her palm, and Harwin reached up to cover her hand in his. She wasn't crying anymore. Now her melancholy and guilt were replaced by her desire to put thoughts of anyone else but him out of her mind. She wanted to be a good wife. She wanted to love Harwin like he deserved and to make him happy. She wanted to be happy with Harwin as well. She just needed to try harder.

Harwin's expression changed to curiosity. He watched Rhaenyra closely as her body language started to shift.

Rhaenyra felt like she was overcome by a spirit. She moved but it felt as if her actions weren't her own. She closed the small distance between them in their bed, and she leaned in and took Harwin's bottom lip between her teeth and bit gently. Her aggression she could tell took Harwin slightly by surprise, but he made no protest. She then pressed her lips against his, first in a tentative way due to lack of familiarity, but then Harwin began to respond in earnest as their mutual intensity increased.

Rhaenyra pushed Harwin onto his back, and then straddled his waist. Harwin and Rhaenyra both were wearing sleep shirts and Rhaenyra lifted hers up and over her head before tossing it to the floor. Harwin reached up and ran both hands over her chest, grabbing her breasts in his hands. She closed her eyes and just tried to relax into his touch as he pinched her nipples between his fingers. The warmth of his hands on her body caused her to squirm and grind against his hard manhood resting erect against his stomach.

Rhaenyra helped Harwin pull his sleep shirt over his head and now they were both naked. She leaned down to kiss him, bringing them chest to chest as he held her close. She could feel his heart beating fast against her own. Her effect on him was obvious in every way. Rhaenyra slid off a little onto the bed and reached down between them and grabbed his hardness into her hand. Harwin let out a small groan at the contact.

Rhaenyra had never really been very forward in any of the lovemaking they'd ever made. On the rare occasions they did come together it often would just happen by accident almost. Occasionally he'd be a little more insistent than usual, and when she saw the pleading in his eyes she'd feel bad and let Harwin have his way. It was never a bad experience, just never one that left her feeling empowered or satisfied.

Harwin looked up at her as she ran her hand up and down his length. He couldn't help but buck his hips up into her hand.

Rhaenyra lifted her hand to her mouth and licked her palm before then rubbing her saliva over Harwin's erection.

She then slid back on top of Harwin stopping halfway to grab his penis and guide him inside of her as she sat down on him. She sank down onto him slowly giving herself time to adjust to his presence inside her. She'd never ridden him this way before, and the experience was completely new to her. She bent down and was in his arms chest to chest again. They kissed for a moment, and then Rhaenyra began to use her thighs to lift herself up and down on top of him.

Harwin's arms were crossed behind her back holding her into place as his hips began to lift from the bed repeatedly meeting Rhaenyra's thrusts. The sound of their bodies slapping together filled their room.

They rocked urgently against each other for several minutes. Rhaenyra was beginning to feel that growing euphoria that she had only felt on the rare occasions she had succumbed to the desire to touch her own sex.

Harwin's hips began to jerk.

"Hmmm you feel so good," he moaned into her ear as he spent himself inside her. His thrusts began to slow, and eventually he pulled himself out of her.

Rhaenyra had not reached her peak, but couldn't bring herself to say anything about it.

Her silver hair was in a loose braid that dangled down into Harwin's face. He moved it onto her back, and then rolled them over until he was on top of her hovering over her balanced on his forearms.

He looked down at her smiling softly and the intimacy of this moment was uncomfortable for Rhaenyra.

She felt suddenly self conscious and exposed. Her nakedness now embarrassed her. She turned to look for the sheet. She saw the blanket instead and moved to reach for it to cover herself.

Her clear attempt at avoidance caught Harwin off guard.

"You've already locked yourself away again," he said, his voice low. He didn't sound mad, just sad.

Rhaenyra didn't want to look at him. She didn't want to see the disappointment she knew would be written all over his face.

He didn't move, keeping her right beneath him demanding an answer without saying anything else, and eventually she did look up at him and made eye contact.

"I do love you," she said, reaching up to push his dark curls away from his face.

Something changed in his eyes, just slightly, as he registered her reply, and he pushed himself off of her.

He reached for his discarded night shirt, wiped himself with it, and stood up right next to the bed.

"I'm going to get the fire started," he said, as he pulled a new shirt over his head.

Rhaenyra covered herself with the blanket. An awkward tension fell over the room. Rhaenyra wanted to apologize, but the things she really wanted to apologize for she couldn't even admit to.

Harwin dressed quickly, never meeting her eyes again once. He sat down to put on his boots and walked to their bedroom door as soon as they were on. He stopped once his hand was on the knob.

"I'll put some water on and we can pull out the tub for a bath. No need to make me a meal. I've got to go into town. I'm meeting Jason Lannister for breakfast," he didn't look at her as he said it, and once he was done talking he pulled the door open and then pulled it closed behind him as he left her in bed.

Rhaenyra laid there in their bed for a candlemark after he walked out of the room. She wished she could disappear under the blanket, sink into the mattress, or escape to another version of reality where she didn't always make things worse.

After her mother died her father once admitted that looking at Rhaenyra was like looking at Aemma, and that this constantly broke his heart. When he died she'd felt responsible. Just by existing she'd tormented him constantly reminding him of his worst mistake. She made it impossible for him to move forward, and his grief had killed him.

She had moved on to tormenting Harwin now. She knew he blamed himself for how she was with him. The shame of it all left her dazed.

She did finally drag herself from bed and pulled her sleep shirt back on with her robe. She slipped on her boots to head out to the outhouse. As she walked out into the main room Harwin was just done putting some water on the fire for his bath and was making coffee. The tub was there next to the fireplace. Rhaenyra didn't stop to talk to him and instead continued to walk out to their outhouse.

Once she got inside she latched the door, sat down, and was instantly made anxious by the darkness inside the wooden box. The weight of the morning's activities slammed down on her and she started to sweat. Her breathing grew ragged. The walls of the outhouse seemed to inch in crawling closer. The smell was always nauseating inside the necessary, but today it was actually suffocating her. She couldn't breathe. She had to get out.

She stood up and ran out, doubling over outside gasping for air.

"Calm down, Rhaenyra! Breathe! It's alright," Rhaenyra began repeating over and over in her head. She was trying to will herself into regaining control.

The pain in her chest receded and her breathing normalized. She stood up straight and realized she had been crying. She wiped away the tears that had fallen without her consent, she collected herself, and she walked back into the house just as Harwin lowered himself into the tub.

"Your bath water is warming," he said, as Rhaenyra walked past him into the kitchen to put on the kettle, so she could make herself some tea.

She only nodded in response.

They both went about readying for their day, talking to each other only when required, and barely meeting each other's eyes.

When Harwin finally left for town he didn't give her his customary kiss on the cheek goodbye. He just announced that he would be back in time for dinner and walked through the front door not waiting for any reply.

Rhaenyra heard him from the bedroom where she was finishing her hair. She walked back to the kitchen after dressing, made herself some toast, and finally sat down to have her tea.

She didn't sit quietly for long before she allowed herself to think of Alicent. The thought of their impending midday date, that had so recently filled her with excitement, now filled her with dread.

She felt as if she had cheated on Alicent with Harwin. The absolute backwardness of this situation wasn't lost on her, but now she regretted having slept with her husband. Not only was she hurting him, but she feared hurting Alicent. She couldn't finish her breakfast.

She walked over to a cabinet in the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of Dornish red that was stashed there. It was only mid morning, but Rhaenyra saw no reason to deny herself.

She poured out her now cold tea, and filled her cup up with the room temperature wine. Before long she felt a small measure of relief.

The rest of her morning was spent drinking wine and pulling more of their fall clothing from where it was stored and putting away their summer garments. The days were starting to get cooler.

It was half past noon when Rhaenyra could no longer drag her feet. She put on her favorite black cloak over a long dark burgundy work dress, and placed her hat with the black and burgundy colored ribbon trim on her head. She tied the ribbons hanging down on both sides of her head together into a bow underneath her chin.

She looked at herself in the full length mirror in their bedroom. She wasn't sure she recognized the woman staring back, but she found the strength to walk out of her bedroom. She was determined now to keep her word.

She saddled her horse in their barn, and took off in the direction of Alicent's farm.

***

It was well past midday and Rhaenyra was uncharacteristically late.

Alicent had been nervous all morning. The anticipation was driving her mad. She had managed to survive months without seeing Rhaenyra, and since reconciling yesterday she could barely make it a day without missing her dreadfully.

She supposed she was nervous because she didn't quite know what to expect. In the weeks they had spent together after they first met there was an innocence cloaking their interactions. There was always an electricity between them, that she felt instantly, but they had never acted upon it. Not until their first kiss in the rain.

Now it felt as if what had been unleashed with that kiss couldn't be undone. The innocence was gone and all there was now was desire, love, and unrepentant longing. She didn't know what Rhaenyra expected, or even what she expected from Rhaenyra. It was the not knowing that left her slightly on edge.

A million questions ran through her mind all morning, "What should I make for lunch? What should I wear?"

She was inspired by the cooler fall weather and made a chicken chili with a small pan of cornbread.

She picked out an old dress of her mother's she had never worn, but had always loved. It was a dark blue cotton dress with long sleeves and a colorful flower print. It cinched in at the waist creating a very sexy silhouette, and Alicent realized she wanted to look sexy for Rhaenyra. This realization added to her nervousness.

When midday came and went Alicent started to worry. Every possible reason for why she could be late flashed through her mind.

"Maybe she's thought twice about us and changed her mind," she thought. "Or perhaps something has happened."

She imagined Rhaenyra ill, or bucked from her horse and lying beside the rode, or she thought, "Could Rhaenyra actually have feelings for Seems?" She went on like this for several candlemarks becoming slightly more frantic with each new imagined scenario.

She was in her bedroom pacing when she heard the boards of the wooden porch steps creak and then a knock to her door.

Alicent walked quickly out of her bedroom and through the main room to the front door. She opened it and there Rhaenyra was. She was standing there holding her hat in her hands and she looked as nervous as Alicent felt.

"I'm sorry for my tardiness. I lost track of the time," Rhaenyra said, looking very apologetic.

Alicent decided immediately to forgive her. She stepped forward, reached out, grabbed a hold of Rhaenyra's right arm, and pulled her inside the house.

"You're forgiven," she said, closing the door and turning to face Rhaenyra.

They stood very close face to face and Alicent was unsure of what to say or do. She wanted to kiss Rhaenyra and welcome her affectionately, but Rhaenyra seemed to be holding back.

"I've made lunch. Can I take your hat and cloak?" she asked, instead.

"Whatever you've made, it smells amazing," Rhaenyra said, handing her hat over. Then she removed her cloak and did the same.

The dress she was wearing was beautiful, and Alicent couldn't help but wonder if Rhaenyra had wanted to wear something special for her too.

"It's just chili and cornbread, but I thought with the cooler weather it'd be nice. I've got some cider warming as well," Alicent replied.

"That sounds wonderful," Rhaenyra said, as they continued to stand there near the door.

Alicent decided to reach out for Rhaenyra's hand, but before she could Rhaenyra turned and walked over towards the dining table.

"I'll pour the cider if you bowl the chili," she said, walking up to the cabinet where the glasses and cups were stored.

Alicent simply followed her lead with no comment.

The women sat and had lunch. Neither ate much although Rhaenyra complimented her on everything, and she herself thought she had done a rather good job. Alicent didn't think she was the world's greatest cook, but she rarely got complaints.

Through the entire meal they had talked as if they had never been estranged. At first, Rhaenyra seemed a little reserved, but after the subject got around to the work she had been doing with Corlyn and Rhaenys, she began to open up and relax. Alicent could tell immediately that learning to be a midwife had been a great source of joy for her these last few months, and seeing her so animated and excited about it made Alicent very happy.

Eventually the topic switched to what Alicent had been up to the last several months. She talked about her plans for the future, and how Torryn had come to mistake her intentions. She explained how she still needed his help. and how they both agreed to forget that the proposal had ever happened.

Rhaenyra seemed to understand and accept everything, but her standoffish body language returned.

They hadn't embraced once since Rhaenyra had arrived and Alicent was getting confused. They had confessed their love to one another just the previous morning and today they had barely touched.

Concerns that Rhaenyra had changed her mind began to swirl in her mind again. She hadn't really known what to expect from Rhaenyra today, but in all honesty she had thought things would go the opposite of this. Alicent thought she had to worry about how far they might go. Now she was worried that Rhaenyra wouldn't touch her at all.

"Do you think he really will just forget he proposed to you?" Rhaenyra asked, as she got up and grabbed her bowl before walking it over and placing it into the sink.

Alicent stood up and did the same following Rhaenyra to the sink.

"I think he'll have no choice but to," Alicent replied, placing her bowl next to Rhaenyra's in the sink.

Rhaenyra was turned with her back pressed against the sink. Alicent stood perpendicular to the sink facing Rhaenyra. This was the closest they had been since they stood near the front door after Rhaenyra arrived.

Alicent stepped in even closer so that now they were touching. Her chest was brushing lightly against Rhaenyra's arm. Rhaenyra said nothing but did not move.

"I was up until the hour of the owl last night. I couldn't find sleep, because I was too excited at the thought of kissing you and touching you," Alicent's words must have surprised Rhaenyra, because she turned to look at Alicent with wide eyes. "I found myself feeling… intense feelings when I laid in bed last night imagining you kissing me all over like you said you wanted to."

Rhaenyra's light blue eyes seemed to grow darker at Alicent's confession.

Alicent was sure Rhaenyra was about to ask to kiss her when instead Rhaenyra pulled away and walked back towards the table.

Alicent was even more confused now.

"I've no right to ask you about Torryn. I didn't even have a right to be mad when I thought you were getting engaged," Rhaenyra blurted out.

"It's ok," Alicent said. She walked over to Rhaenyra and took her hand in hers. "I understand, and nothing is going to happen between him and I."

Rhaenyra gently pulled her hand free.

"No you don't understand! I'm married. I have no right," Rhaenyra choked out.

Alicent didn't understand where this was coming from.

She wanted to reassure Rhaenyra and spoke honestly from her heart, "I know, Rhaenyra. I do understand. My husband is gone, but yours is very much alive, and you couldn't divorce him if you wanted to. The law won't allow it. I know this isn't going to be exactly how we want it, but I love you. I love you so much I can't imagine being without you. Whatever time we have I'll cherish. I already cherish it. These last four months without you I would prefer never to repeat."

Rhaenyra sat down at the table looking defeated. Alicent couldn't understand how her words had somehow had the opposite desired effect.

"What is wrong? Please tell me," Alicent begged. She was standing in front of the sitting Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra looked up with unspilled tears in her eyes.

"What about…when I lay with him?" Rhaenyra asked.

Alicent backed up a little. She was under the impression that Rhaenyra and Harwin didn't have much of a romantic life in the bedroom.

"I thought you and Harwin rarely were intimate?" Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra's tears began to fall then.

"That's true… except I panicked a little this morning. I don't know if I can keep these secrets from him for much longer. I feel so terribly guilty all the time, and he's been so understanding about everything. I just wanted to… I tried to…," she didn't need to finish. Alicent understood exactly what Rhaenyra was confessing without hearing the words.

She had spent the morning making love to her husband.

Alicent felt sick. She also felt foolish. She was in love with a married woman. Of course she'd have to accept sharing her with her husband. She'd known this, she thought she had accepted this, but somehow the reality of it was much harder to embrace.

She didn't say anything, she just backed away from Rhaenyra towards her front door.

"Alicent please," Rhaenyra pleaded.

"Just give me a moment. Don't follow me," Alicent said, leaving the house.

She was dazed and walked aimlessly for a moment before eventually ending up in her usual spot behind the barn.

She knew she had no right to be possessive and jealous, but she was. She was in fact seething with jealousy. She had been missing Rhaenyra all morning, waiting as patiently as she could to be with her, and Rhaenyra spent the morning in Harwin's arms giving her body to him . Alicent felt delirious with envy and anger.

"Was that why she was late?" She wondered.

She was pacing in front of the hay bales when she saw Rhaenyra walk up.

"I know you asked me not to follow you, but I couldn't just sit there," Rhaenyra said, softly as came to stand in front of Alicent. "I don't want to hurt you…ever."

Alicent could see the anguish in Rhaenyra's face, and she felt horrible. She hated how their lunch date had gone so far. She just wanted to be in Rhaenyra's arms. Still she couldn't get past the thought of Rhaenyra in Harwin's arms.

"Is that why you were late today?" Alicent asked.

Rhaenyra's eyes went wide.

"No," she replied quickly. "I spent most of this morning drinking and feeling guilty for everything. Guilty for not loving Harwin the way he deserves, guilty for wanting you so badly, guilty for being with him when my heart already belongs to you. I wanted so desperately for something to change, for the world to right itself and for me to desire my husband the way I desire you, but here I am before you begging you to forgive me."

Rhaenyra fell to her knees before Alicent. She looked up at Alicent with big doe-like eyes.

"Can you forgive me?"

Alicent looked down at Rhaenyra, and let her words sink in.

"She does love me," she thought. Their situation was messy and complicated, but Alicent wanted so badly to be with her. She believed Rhaenyra felt as deeply about her and she felt about Rhaenyra, and now all Alicent wanted to do was to erase the thought of Rhaenyra with anyone else from her mind.

"I've waited all day to be here alone with you. I do not wish to have our time together wasted," was all Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra looked away, down at the ground, and leaned forward resting her head against Alicent's lower abdomen with her forehead against her stomach.

Alicent's hands found the back of Rhaenyra's head holding her close.

Rhaenyra's hands reached up and grabbed onto Alicent's hips, and then wrapped around Alicent's back as she held on tightly to her waist.

Rhaenyra's head turned up as she started to kiss Alicent over her clothing. Her hands began to roam over Alicent's body.

Alicent had been yearning for this, and her mind went blank at the feeling of Rhaenyra's hands all over her body.

Rhaenyra's hands started grabbing and pulling at Alicent's dress with urgency. She was trying desperately to feel Alicent's body through the layers of fabric.

Alicent felt overcome with desire, and she seemed to know instinctively what she wanted. She began pulling her dress and the shift underneath up her legs.

Rhaenyra began to help her. Their movements were frantic as they both seemed possessed by the moment.

Once Alicent's dress and shift were above her waist Rhaenyra began to pull down her under garments. She was now face to face with Alicent's sex and the image turned Alicent on greatly. She'd never felt this way before. She was growing wet and her body felt tingly all over.

Alicent fell back a few inches so that she was resting against two bales of hay stacked one on top of the other, Rhaenyra followed her still on her knees, and when her back made contact with the hay Rhaenyra's mouth at that moment made contact with her lower lips. She was the first person to ever kiss her there, and that alone was enough to make Alicent want to come undone.

Everything had happened so quickly. First they were eating and talking, then they were upset, and now they were beside the barn with Rhaenyra's face between Alicent's legs and it seemed like a dream. Like something amazing that Alicent might be stirred awake from by the sound of the roosters signaling a new day, but she wasn't asleep. This was really happening. Rhaenyra's tongue began to trace along her labia.

Alicent moaned as she held her dress up in one hand and grabbed Rhaenyra's head, holding it between her legs, with the other.

Rhaenyra moaned, but her mouth never lost contact with Alicent's skin. Alicent could feel the vibrations of the moan as Rhaenyra's tongue came to rest on the hooded bundle of nerves right above her entrance.

Rhaenyra changed up her methods and went from licking and probing with her tongue to sucking on the little nub.

Alicent moaned louder now. Rhaenyra's hands went to her ass and grabbed Alicent tightly as she began to suck up and down on her clit. The sensation was driving Alicent wild.

"Rhaenyra! Seven gods!" She called out.

Rhaenyra kept on only made all the more confident by Alicent's reactions to what she was doing.

She began licking again, probing deeper with her tongue, finding Alicent's opening. It was slick and wet already, Alicent knew, she hoped that Rhaenyra would simply dive in with zero abandon. Instead her tongue danced around Alicent's entrance for too long causing her to beg.

"Please," was all Alicent could get out, but it was enough, because then Rhaenyra's tongue pushed into her. It was stiff and hard enough for Alicent to push back on. She started to ride Rhaenyra's face, wanting her tongue as deeply inside her as possible.

"I love you so much. Please. Don't. Stop," Alicent moaned out, as she continued enjoying the feel of being tongue fucked.

Rhaenyra then removed one hand from Alicent's ass and instead began to rub Alicent's clit with her fingers. The double sensation of Rhaenyra's tongue inside her and her fingers on her most sensitive button caused Alicent to be pushed to the edge of her peak. She began to grind down hard, and her hands left Rhaenyra's head and she began to massage her own breasts through her clothes.

"I'm…I'm… oh my God," Alicent cried out as she felt her entire body erupt. The most intense feeling she'd ever felt swept over her. It was the first orgasm she had ever had. Her muscles went rigid as waves of vibrations rang out all over her body. She didn't even know she could feel this way, and she immediately wanted more.

After a moment passed, she helped to pull Rhaenyra up to her feet, and they began to kiss. She could taste herself, and she immediately wondered what Rhaenyra tasted like.

"I hope that was okay," Rhaenyra said, when she finally spoke.

Alicent cupped her face with both hands before she replied, "It was amazing."

Then they began to kiss again.

"Alicent! Are you here?" a man's voice rang out from near the barn.

Both women began to quickly try to right their appearance. Alicent pulled up her clothes and smoothed down her dress. Rhaenyra tried to fix her now wild and messy hair.

"That sounds like Torryn," Alicent said, partly out of breath.

"Alicent?" He yelled out again.

She decided to answer him as she walked out from behind the barn.

"Yes, Torryn. I'm here. I wasn't expecting you. I'm just here visiting with Rhaenyra Strong."

Rhaenyra walked out at the sound of her name.

Torryn looked at them both strangely, but in the end he seemed not to think much more about it. If their walking out from behind the barn all flushed, with their clothing and hair a mess, made him at all suspicious he didn't reveal it or comment.

"Thank the Gods for men being clueless," Alicent thought.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you ladies," he said looking at Alicent. "I was just coming by to let you know that I won't be able to come by to work tomorrow, and to invite you to the small party my parents are throwing. My sister just got engaged to Corbyn Atwater, and we're inviting half the county to celebrate. We'd love for you to come by tomorrow," Torryn explained.

"Oh, I'm so happy to hear the good news of Rose's betrothal," Alicent replied.

"I just left my father and Harwin," Torryn said, looking at Rhaenyra now, "Harwin already accepted our invitation on behalf of you both."

Rhaenyra wasn't surprised at that. Harwin had become pretty close with the Lannisters.

"We will be there," Rhaenyra said, smiling.

"I guess I'll be there too," Alicent added.

"Great!" Torryn said, smiling wide. "It starts at 4pm. I've got to get back. I'm helping get everything prepared for tomorrow. I'll see you both then."

With that Torryn walked back over to his horse, and climbed up, before waving as he rode away.

The women now were alone again standing in the front yard in front of Alicent's farm house.

Rhaenyra was looking out in the direction of her property.

"It's been days since I've made dinner, and though Harwin hasn't complained, I should probably get home and make him something today," she said quietly.

Alicent wasn't expecting her to want to leave this early. It was only mid afternoon. After the moment they had just shared behind the barn she wanted to return the favor. She wanted more from their time together today, and she wasn't ready to part.

"At least come inside and get washed up a little first," Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra turned then and they made eye contact. Alicent smiled a small smile that seemed to put Rhaenyra at ease.

"Okay," was all she said as she walked towards Alicent who turned to lead them back into her house.

She poured some water into the wash basin in her bedroom as Rhaenyra sat watching her from the bed. She laid out two towels and a bar of soap. Rhaenyra stood and walked over. She began to wash up as Alicent stood right next to her watching her.

Once she was done she set the towels back down and looked over at Alicent.

Alicent closed the tiny distance between them and kissed Rhaenyra. She could smell the soap as her tongue met Rhaenyra's, and the intensity of their kissing increased.

Alicent was attempting to move them back towards her bed when Rhaenyra stopped, and pulled back.

"I want nothing more than to stay here with you all day and night, but I have to return home, fix dinner, and try to make things right with Harwin. This morning…things weren't as you initially thought. We parted on poor terms when he left to go into town," Rhaenyra looked extremely apologetic as she spoke.

Alicent didn't want to hear about this morning again, but was surprised to find out that things between Rhaenyra and her husband had gone very differently than the way Alicent had first assumed.

She still didn't want Rhaenyra to leave, but understood she needed to find a way to accept it.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" Alicent asked.

"I've got some chores around the farm, and around noon I'm going with Corlyn to check on an expectant mother in town, so I sadly won't see you until the Lannister's get together," Rhaenyra answered.

This disappointed Alicent immensely, but she tried her best not to show it.

"I'll miss you every second," Rhaenyra said, pulling her close into her arms.

"I'll miss you more," Alicent said, with her face nuzzled into Rhaenyra's neck.

They kissed again for several minutes before Alicent finally walked Rhaenyra to her horse.

They held hands until Rhaenyra turned to climb up on her mount. She smiled down at Alicent as they spoke their goodbyes.

Alicent watched her ride away wishing that so much could be different, but also feeling so grateful to have Rhaenyra and to be truly in love for the first time.

The next day went by rather quickly. Without Torryn's help Alicent was left to handle all the daily work by herself. She was mostly too busy to think too much about the day before, but every so often her mind would wander. She walked past the back of the barn once and stopped to smile at the memories now associated with that spot.

It was well past noon before Alicent returned to her house to have a small lunch and get washed up.

She pulled on her green work dress, after cleaning herself up, and spent some time braiding her hair up into a bun. It was close to 3pm when she finally left her barn on her horse to head into town. She had to stop in town to buy a bottle of wine to bring to the party, because she thought it was classless to show up empty handed. She wanted to give herself time for that errand without showing up too late.

The Lannisters lived in a large farm house right outside of town, and when Alicent arrived shortly after four there were already lots of people milling around.

She walked into the Lannister's house through their open front door. She was stopped every few steps by someone waving or saying hello until finally she ran into Rose Lannister.

"Rose, congratulations! Corbyn is a wonderful young man," Alicent said, cheerfully.

Eighteen year old Rose smiled wide.

"Thank you for coming. We're both very excited," Rose replied.

"Has a date been set?"

Rose shook her head.

"Not exactly. We are planning for the spring, perhaps June," Rose answered.

"I didn't know what to bring today, so I bought a bottle of Arbor Red. I hope this is ok," Alicent said, offering up the tall bottle to Rose.

"Oh yes. Mother and I love Arbor Red. Thank you," Rose said, with a genuine smile. "Torryn will be so happy you've come. He was convinced you wouldn't."

Alicent was shocked to hear this.

"Had he not believed me when I said I would come?" she wondered.

Rose must have noticed the look on her face.

"He's just so smitten and he thinks you've got an interest in someone else. I've asked him a million times who this mystery man is that you're supposedly taken with, but he says he never sees you with any other men, yet he still can't shake the feeling."

Alicent was shocked again.

"I told him that your husband just passed, and that he can't expect you to just jump into his arms so soon. Men are impatient creatures," Rose said, with a chuckle.

Alicent had indeed moved on from Criston's death rather quickly, but it had not been with any mystery man.

Alicent now questioned if Torryn was truly putting any thoughts of romance between them out of his mind.

Just then Rhaenys and Corlyn walked in together. They first were distracted by saying hello to everyone in the room as they walked deeper into the house. They finally noticed Rose and Alicent and walked over.

All the women exchanged hugs and hellos. Rhaenys and Corlyn extended the same congratulations to Rose.

Eventually Rose was pulled away as new guests showed up, and Rhaenys turned to Alicent.

"I've not had the pleasure of seeing you in some weeks my dear girl. How have you been?"

"Since you last saw me life has been a trial, but I'm doing much better as of late," Alicent shared, honestly.

Rhaenys seemed pleased to hear this.

"How are things on the farm?" Corlyn asked.

"Great actually. Torryn has been coming by several times a week, these past few months, to help me with the sheep and to teach me how to do things myself. He's been a wonderful friend," Alicent replied.

Both women nodded and seemed intrigued to hear about this.

"Are you still friendly with the Strongs?" Rhaenys asked, and Alicent started to blush a little.

"Yes, I…ummm secluded myself a bit these last few months, but just recently I apologized and our friendship has resumed," Alicent said, feeling slightly nervous for some reason. "I've come to rely on my friendship with them. They're lovely neighbors."

"Hmmm," was all Rhaenys said, and her reaction was puzzling to Alicent, but she didn't have time to really ponder it.

"Speak of the devils," Corlyn said, and Alicent looked over at the front door to see Rhaenyra and Harwin walk in together.

As with everyone who walked into the house there was a chorus of "hellos" and "nice to see you's" as the couple made their way into the house.

After several moments of staring at them Rhaenyra finally looked in Alicent's direction and they made eye contact. Rhaenyra smiled at her, and Alicent melted.

She was almost embarrassed how easily affected she was just by Rhaenyra's presence.

Eventually Rhaenyra and Harwin made their way towards the three women, and Alicent was both giddy and nervous. She couldn't help but look at Rhaenyra's lips and mouth and imagine where they had been just the other afternoon.

"Alicent, Corlyn, Rhaenys, it's so good to see all of you," Harwin said, walking up.

All three women hugged him and Rhaenyra as they exchanged greetings.

"Alicent was just telling us about how she's come to rely on her friendship with you both," Corlyn stated, rather nonchalantly.

Alicent understood she was just making small talk.

"Well, I think I can speak for us both when I say Alicent has quickly become a dear friend," Harwin replied, and Alicent smiled. Rhaenyra smiled as well, only nodding in agreement.

The group fell into smalltalk and an easy feeling of camaraderie seemed to exist between them.

Rhaenyra and Corlyn shared a funny story from earlier in the day when they were together, and everyone laughed at their retelling.

Not long after Rhaenyra and Harwin arrived Jason Lannister found them and pulled Harwin away to go spend time where several of the county's men were gathered leaving all the women alone.

Rhaenys and Corlyn ultimately were pulled away not long after, and Alicent and Rhaenyra were left standing alone.

Alicent didn't know exactly what to say now. She decided to inquire about how things had gone after Rhaenyra left her yesterday.

"How are things with Harwin?" She tried not to make her pain obvious, but it was definitely painful to ask. 

Rhaenyra gave her a curious look as if she were determining if Alicent wanted an honest answer or not. Alicent herself didn't know the answer to that. She supposed it was always best to know the truth.

"We talked through some things over dinner, but I don't expect him to be completely past everything right away. The other morning was quite hurtful to him," Rhaenyra admitted.

Alicent wanted to ask how exactly they were going to handle her marriage to Harwin moving forward, but now was not the time.

"How was your day today?" Rhaenyra asked.

Just as Alicent was about to answer her, Torryn walked up to them.

When he arrived in front of them he reached out one arm to pull Alicent into a brief half hug, and extended a hand out to Rhaenyra.

"Thank you both for coming," he said with a small smile. "My sister just informed me that you were here," he said, looking at Alicent.

"Yes, I arrived some time ago," she replied.

"Have you been out back? We've got a big bonfire and there's tables with tons of food and drink," Torryn asked.

"No, I've been in here talking with one person or another since I arrived. I hadn't had the chance yet to walk around," Alicent responded.

"Well, please allow me to escort you," Torryn said, offering his arm, and Alicent looked over at Rhaenyra who was clearly annoyed, but she nodded for Alicent to accept, and so she did even though she hadn't really wanted to. She mostly didn't want to be rude, and on the spot couldn't think of a reason to tell him no.

"I'll find you again soon," Rhaenyra said softly.

With that Alicent allowed Torryn to lead her away, and as she looked back she saw Ceryse Tully and her husband and children walking towards Rhaenyra smiling and waving.

Outside there were even more people gathered. Most were in small groups talking, laughing, and drinking. Some folks were near the tables in the grass eating. Everyone seemed to be having a grand time though.

"Can I interest you in something to drink? We've got wine, ale, bourbon, whiskey, and spiked cider," Torryn asked.

"Some cider sounds perfect," Alicent answered, and he walked off to pour her a cup. He came back with his own drink as well and they began to walk towards the bonfire.

Torryn was talking about how he hadn't expected his little sister to get married before him, and Alicent suddenly wanted to be anywhere else.

She stared into the fire, sipping the delicious and warm cider, and thought about Rhaenyra. She wanted to grab her by the hand and drag her away off to some location where they could be alone for real.

Before she realized her cup was empty and Torryn was off to refill it for her.

Four cups of cider later and Alicent was feeling it.

She'd also taken a small drink of whiskey when Jason Lannister, holding a bottle, came to join them.

Everything was merry and light until Seems and Bella arrived outside. It was like everyone turned to see them at the same time and everything came to halt. Seems and Bella, for their part, paid this no mind and continued towards the food and drinks. Folks slowly went back to whatever they were doing and saying before, but Alicent could tell many of the conversations of the party goers had turned to Seems and Bella.

Alicent didn't know Bella well, and she definitely hadn't known about Seems and Bella until the other day, but she was awed by how well the young woman ignored the unkind staring of multiple people.

She was about to walk over to Seems to say hello when Torryn grabbed her arm.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his speech slightly slurred. He'd had just as many cups of ale as Alicent had of cider.

"I'm going to say hello to Seems Caswell," she said, trying to pull her arm free.

His grip only tightened.

"You don't want to be seen with some tommie do ya?" He replied.

"That's an ugly thing to say," Alicent replied.

"It's the truth," he yelled.

"I don't care what you think the truth is. Seems has been my friend since childhood," Alicent said, still trying to pry herself from his hold.

"What are you doing to her? Unhand her," Rhaenyra said, walking up out of nowhere.

"Leave us be," Torryn yelled. "Haven't you interrupted us enough?"

Rhaenyra was taken back by his harsh response.

"You're hurting her," she said, as Alicent winced.

Then, almost out of nowhere, Seems came barreling into Torryn pushing him to the ground. He was forced to let go of Alicent to try to protect himself as he fell to the ground. 

Seems stood over him.

"You don't hurt women," Seems said, simply while staring down angrily at him.

Everyone outside was now watching this scene unfold. Jason Lannister and Harwin ran over.

Jason helped his son to his feet.

"What in the seven hells is going on?" Jason asked.

Now even people from inside the house were making their way outside to witness the commotion.

"That unnatural woman attacked me!" Torryn yelled. 

Seems stood tall under the accusations and everyone's eyes.

"He was hurting Alicent. I simply stepped in on my friend's behalf," Seems replied. She didn't even acknowledge his other insult.

"Alicent are you okay?" Harwin asked.

"I was only holding her arm!" Torryn exclaimed. "It's these women troublemakers! Acting all high and mighty. You're just women! Nothing more!"

Alicent was shocked at his outburst. He was a bitter and angry drunk, and she was glad she had seen it. Now she didn't feel so bad about turning down his proposal.

No one responded immediately to what he said. 

"You've had more than enough to drink, boy," his father finally said, clearly upset. "Apologize to Alicent."

Torryn clearly didn't want to, but he mumbled out a pathetic, "I'm sorry," and his father walked him back into the house.

"I'm okay. I'm okay," Alicent said, to everyone gathered around her.

She couldn't look Rhaenyra in the face. She looked over at Harwin instead who was looking at Seems. There was a pensive look on his face.

"I think I'm going to go," Alicent said, regretfully. Up until this blow up with Torryn she was having a pretty decent time.

"I just got here," Seems said. "I haven't even gotten to say hello to you."

"I'm sorry, and thank you for defending me. I appreciate it so much," Alicent said, as she pulled Seems into a brief but tight hug. "Come by soon and I'll make us dinner."

"Can I bring Bella?"

"Of course," Alicent answered, as Bella walked up to them.

"Your sister is upset with you," Bella said, to Seems.

"When is she not?" Seems replied with an eye roll.

"Well, you are quite the menace," Rhaenyra said, laughing lightly.

"I suppose I am," Seems said, smiling.

She allowed Bella to drag her away towards where Ceryse was as she waved goodbye to Alicent, Rhaenyra, and Harwin.

An awkward silence fell over the three for moment before Alicent broke it.

"I've never seen Torryn like that," she said, to them both.

"There's been a little talk among the men in town. Rumors of the women's group and of the women who are in it have spread. A lot of the local men here are extremely opposed to things changing. I fear that some of their bitter talk is taking hold in young men like Torryn," Harwin replied.

Alicent knew it was more than that, but was still alarmed nonetheless. She still knew very little about this women's group herself. She would inquire more about it later when she and Rhaenyra were alone. 

"I…I guess I'll be going now," Alicent said, softly, finally looking at Rhaenyra.

"I'll walk you to your horse," was all Rhaenyra said in response.

Alicent nodded.

Harwin and Alicent exchanged goodbyes and he watched them walk away together.

The women walked to the front of the farm house where Alicent's horse was tied to the fence.

Alicent wanted to embrace her. More than that she wanted to beg her to come with her. She did neither. There were people all around, and she knew Rhaenyra couldn't just leave.

Rhaenyra reached out for Alicent's hand as they stood next to the horse.

"Are you really, okay?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm still in a little shock I think, but outside of the bruise I'll likely be sporting on my arm for a little while... I'm fine," Alicent answered.

"I can't believe he grabbed you like that. I should have pushed him off you myself," Rhaenyra said with her regret expressed obviously on her face.

"I'm not made of glass. I'm really okay now," Alicent said, trying to reassure her.

"You definitely can't be alone with him at the farm anymore," Rhaenyra said, sternly.

Alicent hadn't had enough time to think about all of this.

"I…I don't know. He was just intoxicated tonight and forgot himself. Like I said before, I've never seen him like that."

Rhaenyra's eyes went wide with disbelief.

"Alicent, be serious," Rhaenyra replied.

"I am being serious," Alicent said, defiantly.

"And what will you do when no one is around to push him off you?" Rhaenyra spit back.

Alicent was incensed by Rhaenyra's attitude. Alicent wasn't even sure if she wanted to spend any more time with Torryn. Sure, there was still plenty more she had to learn from him to run her farm, but if she didn't feel safe with him she'd figure something else out. She just didn't like Rhaenyra telling her what she had to do. She'd had enough of that from the men in her life. She wouldn't take it from Rhaenyra too.

She decided to ignore Rhaenyra's last question.

"I will consider what you've said and decide for myself if I'll cut off contact with Torryn or not," she finally replied.

"Are you keeping him around just in case?" Rhaenyra asked.

Alicent was confused.

"In case of what?" she asked, in reply.

"I don't know…in case you decide you don't want to be with me anymore. I know none of this," Rhaenyra said, gesturing back and forth between them, "is very easy."

Alicent wanted so badly to pull Rhaenyra close to her and ease her worry.

"Even if such a day were to ever come, and it won't, but if it did I wouldn't choose Torryn Lannister for a husband. You can rest assured."

Rhaenyra smiled as she looked down at the ground.. She played with her wedding ring, twisting it around on her finger.

"I know we need to talk more…about everything…and we will," Alicent added. She reached for Rhaenyra's chin pushing her head up gently so that they could make eye contact. "I love you."

Those three words had their desired effect as a smile spread across Rhaenyra's face.

"I love you too," Rhaenyra replied.

"Can you come to see me tomorrow?" Alicent asked.

"I made plans with Rhaenys today to keep her company as she sells her homemade medicinal creams in a booth at the open air market. You should come and stop by. Afterwards we can…spend some time together," Rhaenyra answered.

"What time will you be there?"

"She's setting up right before 9am. I told her I'd be there by 10am. I want to stay at least until noon. She said she sells out quickly most of the time, so she'll likely be close to packing up by then anyways."

Alicent nodded.

"Then I'll show up close to noon," she replied.

They continued to hold hands for a moment. Alicent knew they had to be discreet, but she thought a hug goodbye would draw little to no suspicion.

She pulled Rhaenyra into her arms, and they just held each other for a minute.

When she pulled back she just happened to look off towards the Lannister's front porch and there Torryn was, watching her, his face twisted in anger. She couldn't believe he was still angry. 

"Maybe Rhaenyra was right about him," she thought.

She was distracted from thinking about Torryn when Rhaenyra whispered again how much she loved her.

"I want so desperately to kiss you right now," Alicent said. Her frustration was clear. Not being able to kiss Rhaenyra whenever she wanted was like torture. 

"I can't wait until we are alone tomorrow," Rhaenyra replied, squeezing her hand.

They exchanged goodbyes and Alicent hopped up on her horse.

As she rode away she thought about how her time with Rhaenyra these days never seemed enough, but she was still happy for every moment they had. Even the tough moments.

She also thought about Harwin and how she liked and respected him, but grew more jealous of him as her feelings for Rhaenyra grew.

She thought of Seems and the way people around here treated her. Alicent had always hated it, because Seems was such a sweet and kind person who deserved so much better from this community. 

She thought of Torryn and felt at the tender area of her arm where he had grabbed her. She didn't know what she was going to do about him.

As she got close to home, she finally thought of Criston and how much her life had changed in just a few short months without him.

She didn't know where life was taking her, but she was in love, and for that alone she was thankful.

When she was just a few minutes from her home she noticed the sky getting darker.

"There's a storm coming on the horizon," she thought, but paid it no mind really as she'd be home soon, and safe from the rain.

She couldn't have known then that this storm, like the last, would forever change her life.

Chapter Text

Smoke from the glowing logs of the bonfire drifted up into the darkening evening sky. A slightly chilly fall breeze blew in causing gooseflesh to rise on Rhaenyra's arms and legs. She rubbed her arms as she stood collecting herself in the wake of Alicent's abrupt departure.

Rhaenyra had very much been looking forward to getting to spend a little time with Alicent this evening. Being out together among friends wasn't better than being alone together, but she was looking forward to it nonetheless.

When she had arrived earlier she tried to play it cool. As soon as she saw her and they had first locked eyes Rhaenyra had wanted to rush over and take Alicent into her arms. The entire time since that moment she had wanted to drag her away to someplace quiet and private, like their favorite spot behind Alicent's barn, and kiss her passionately.

Rhaenyra had woken up that morning feeling more amorous than she's ever felt before. She'd spent the night recreating their first sexual encounter, from the day before, in her dreams. She had been reliving those minutes, where she feasted between Alicent's legs, since it happened. She was constantly lost in that pleasant memory both throughout the night in her dreams and during every waking moment.

She'd left Alicent yesterday with the stated intention of trying to mend things with Harwin, but their conversation over dinner hadn't gone exactly as Rhaenyra had hoped.

She thought Harwin could tell that she wasn't as upset as he was, and that she was happy even, and that seemed to hurt him all the more. She didn't know how to pretend that she hadn't just spent her afternoon with the love of her life or pretend that she hadn't just shared one of the greatest sexual experiences she'd ever had. She knew that at least for right now it would probably be best that she keep Harwin and Alicent separate. This was mostly due to her worry that she wouldn't be able to hide her affection for Alicent and would slip up in some way around Harwin.

In the end, their discussion over dinner resulted in Harwin saying that he loved her, always would, and that he was happy with her. When he said it there was a softness and sadness in his eyes, and Rhaenyra hated how it made her feel. For a second, she wished he was a man she could hate, that he was someone that she could hurt with little remorse, but he wasn't. He was her Harwin.

He kissed her on the cheek, after he finished his dinner, and then he retired to their bedroom to rest. Rhaenyra stayed up late sitting by the fire in their main room. She thought of Alicent and looked forward to seeing her at the Lannister's party the next evening. The promise of a little fun with friends and getting to spend some time with Alicent appealed to Rhaenyra greatly.

Frustratingly, Torryn Lannister's belligerent ranting and violence had ruined her plans.

She liked all the Lannisters except Torryn. At first, she was just jealous of him. She could admit that now. She'd never forget the devastation she felt walking up to see him on his knees with a ring in his hand. Even now she knew she’d never get to publicly love Alicent the way a man like Torryn could. She'd never get to propose. They'd never have a wedding. For those reasons she'd always be jealous, but now she didn't like him for much more serious reasons.

"He's dangerous," she thought.

She would help Alicent find a different solution regarding help around her farm. She thought that would be the best path to take if she wanted Alicent to stop spending time alone with Torryn.

Rhaenyra had hoped that Alicent might ask her to come home with her when she left. Rhaenyra's gut told her to leave. She barely knew Rose Lannister and didn't know her betrothed at all. With Alicent gone she felt little reason for being there. She couldn't leave Harwin though. She was still deep in her feelings of guilt over the state of their relationship.

Rhaenyra walked back towards the bonfire to find her husband. Trusty as always, he was standing right where she left him.

"How was Alicent?" Harwin said, as she walked up to him.

"She's a little shaken, but okay," Rhaenyra replied.

Harwin took a sip of the drink he was holding, and Rhaenyra took a moment to study his face. From Harwin's expression Rhaenyra could tell that there was a lot he was thinking about, but he seemed loath to say it out loud.

“What is on your mind, husband?” She asked. She sounded calm, at least to her own ears, but she was nervous due to how odd his expression was.

Harwin, looking very pensive, replied, “Seems… Torryn called her an 'unnatural woman' and I've noticed, of course, that she wears men's clothing. Plus, she's always in the company of that woman–”

“Bella Crane,” Rhaenyra interrupted to correct him.

“Yes, in the company of Ms. Crane…I've heard some gossip, but paid it all little mind. You know me, I've got so little interest in other people's affairs, but after the scene here tonight I have to wonder if perhaps it's not wise for you to… be less associated with Seems,” Harwin said, cautiously.

Rhaenyra was flabbergasted. Seems had stood up for Alicent, protecting her from the drunken violence of Torryn Lannister, and Harwin wasn't insisting they no longer associate with him but instead was suggesting she cut ties with Seems. Rhaenyra couldn't believe her ears.

“Seems Caswell has been a wonderful friend to me. She's a good person, and she definitely doesn't deserve her friends abandoning her due the tirade and opinions of some drunk fool or due to petty gossip,” Rhaenyra replied.

Harwin recoiled from Rhaenyra's reproachful tone with a pained expression. He clearly didn't like to suggest such a thing, but Rhaenyra was still mad that he had.

Harwin gently grabbed Rhaenyra's arm by the elbow, and led her to a more secluded spot. He spoke quietly as they moved, “I'm just saying, Rhaenyra, that this is a small community. I'd prefer it if we didn’t become the next folks used as fodder for the rumor mill."

Rhaenyra was incensed.

“And what do you think people would say about us if I continue to associate with Seems?” She asked, her anger barely restrained.

Harwin looked down into the drink he was holding, avoiding Rhaenyra's gaze.

“Well! What is it you're so afraid people will think?” Rhaenyra said, her voice raised. She was impatient for his answer and frustrated by how the entire evening had gone.

“Lower your voice!” Harwin said, looking around. No one was paying them any attention, and his concern for the opinions of others was continuing to upset Rhaenyra more and more by the moment. “I'm… only saying that I worry. I… know there's things I don't understand. I know there's things you don't tell me, but I never ever assert my will over you. I don't want to ever try to either. I just… want us to remain in good standing with everyone here on the mountain.”

Rhaenyra was immediately remorseful. Harwin’s words cut through her. She wouldn't end her friendship with Seems, but she could understand Harwin's position. She would never want to embarrass him or bring him any shame. She didn't care to be on good terms with anyone who would treat Seems poorly or gossip about her, but she could understand the source of his worry. He loved it here in the mountains, he had become rather close with the Lannisters and several of the other families here, and Rhaenyra didn't want to hurt him.

“Harwin, I can't cut Seems out of our lives just because some people here are small minded. You've enjoyed getting to know Seems haven't you?”

Harwin looked back down into his ale as if the answer to her question were somehow located in it.

“You're right, wife. I've no right…I'm sorry to have even suggested that you abandon a friend.” Harwin's voice was lacking in its usual warmth, and that scared her. “I’m going to avail myself of some more ale. Can I get you anything?”

Rhaenyra shook her head, and Harwin stepped away to where the barrel of ale waited.

Rhaenyra saw Bella standing alone on the other side of the bonfire. She was staring off in the distance, gazing out at the rolling green pastures of Lannister family land. Rhaenyra began to walk over towards her. There was just something about her body language that seemed odd, and Rhaenyra wanted to check on her. When she reached her side she could see that Bella was crying.

“Bella,” Rhaenyra called out, softly, but Bella still jumped at the sound. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.”

Bella, blustered and red-faced, swiped at the tears on her face. Her bonnet sat perfectly about her head, and tight blonde ringlets draped down and blew in the wind over both of her ears. She was wearing a frilly lavender and yellow dress that was quite beautiful. Rhaenyra was certain that Bella's tears were brought about by Seems. As wonderful a person as Seems was, Rhaenyra did not approve of the way Seems treated this poor girl, but then again Rhaenyra knew she had little room to talk.

“No, I'm fine, Rhaenyra. I'm… I'm…,” Bella couldn't get the words out. Her bottom lip began to tremble.

“Oh dear, Bella.” Rhaenyra reached out, and brought Bella in for a hug. “I know that I'm closer to Seems, and so you might feel a little uncomfortable opening up to me, but I'll keep your confidence. I swear it. We're friends too.”

Bella seemed to think over Rhaenyra's offer seriously for several moments and then she spoke, “Has Seems ever talked to you about Laena?”

Rhaenyra shook her head.

“No, I've never heard her mention anyone by that name,” she replied.

Bella didn't look surprised. She exhaled deeply before she began to explain, “When Corlyn and Rhaenys moved here all those years ago, they had a daughter, Laena. She was just a little baby when they moved up on Redwyne Hill. Story was that Rhaenys' husband was dead and Corlyn was her adopted spinster sister. Folks around here have never really challenged the story, as there's absolutely no proof that it isn't true, but they've been gossiped about for years. It's an open secret around here that they aren't really sisters. They're beloved though, and they've delivered every person under twenty five for miles around. They're like an institution around here, and we'd be lost without them, and everybody knows it.”

There was a commotion across the way near the house that caused Bella to pause for a moment and look away. Rhaenyra followed her gaze. It was only a small group of boisterous men laughing and drinking as they tried to cajole one of them into singing a song. Both women looked back to each other.

Bella continued, “Laena, Alicent, and Seems were pretty close. Back then all their parents were alive and their families all worshipped at the Sept every Sunday here in town." Bella took a brief pause before continuing, "Seems was always…Seems. When we were younger, she ran around with the boys and she wore her slightly older male cousin’s hand me downs. Everyone seemed to accept it just fine when she was really young, but when she became a teenager it's like everyone suddenly wanted her to start wearing dresses. People around the mountain started giving her a hard time, but she refused to bend. When Seems was sixteen and Laena was seventeen they ran away to Old Town together. Rhaenys and Corlyn were trying to keep them apart, and folks around here were starting to talk more openly about Seems, Laena, Corlyn, and Rhaenys. The girls ran off to the city and lived there together for four years, but Laena fell to the black death four years ago.”

Rhaenyra remembered that several cities had faced a bad plague in the south four years ago. King's Landing had thankfully been spared, but Rhaenyra and Harwin had gone, with the rest of Harwin's family, to the Strong's country estate in the Riverlands to ride it out. All of King's Landing high society escaped the city for a time. She hadn't known anyone who died.

“It didn't really hit us that hard around here, and Corlyn and Rhaenys blamed Seems for taking Laena away to the city. They didn't even let her attend Laena's funeral. Seems was devastated. She went back to Old Town. I don't really understand her relationship with Rhaenys and Corlyn these days. They all seem to get along just barely." Bella's voice had a detached calm as she retold this complicated local history. “Seems only ever comes home when Ceryse has a baby, but this time she has stuck around much longer than usual.” Bella's cheeks turned red. “I thought it was me... That was keeping her here. I feel like I've loved Seems since I was eight years old and saw her steering her grandfather's horses as they traveled the back road past our house on their way to deliver moonshine. Can you imagin a twelve year old Seems driving a cart full of spirits? I thought she was so... unique. I was so young she never really noticed me until now. Problem is, since Laena, Seems won't settle down at all. Says she isn't built for taking on anymore wives. I know she loves me, but she chases behind every skirt in this county. Miley is just one of many. She thinks I don't know, or maybe she just doesn't care if I do. I love her… but I don't know if being with her is worth all the heartache, or any of the rest of it.”

Rhaenyra felt like her brain could not store any more new information, but she knew in her gut it was best if she let Bella fill her in.

“What is “the rest of it?” Rhaenyra asked, quietly.

Bella’s face fell into a deep frown.

“Someone killed our family's dog.” Rhaenyra's eyes went wide. “Two days ago we found him in his dog house, behind the main house, stabbed several times. There was a note on the ground next to him that said ‘Tradition must be maintained.’”

Rhaenyra couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was clearly the work of someone that wanted to intimidate the Crane family.

“I don't know if they targeted us because of the women's group, because people don't approve of Seems and I, or both,” Bella said with fresh tears falling again.

Rhaenyra thought about what Harwin said earlier, and now she wondered what he might have heard about all this, and if this was why he wanted her to distance herself from Seems.

Bella must have noticed the worry etched on her face, because she added, “They’ll leave you alone, because you're married, but be careful. If they catch on, folks might start to treat you differently,” Bella said, tearfully.

Rhaenyra wordlessly pulled her into a hug. When Bella pulled back from the hug she smiled.

“I'm sorry about your dog,” Rhaenyra said, taking Bella's hands in her own.

“Thank you,” Bella said, fighting to hold back more tears.

“Whoever did that to your family is a craven monster,” Rhaenyra said, tearing up as well.

Just then there was a crack of lighting and the rumble of thunder. They turned and looked at the early evening sky and off in the distance there were storm clouds rolling in. Their orangey colored late evening horizon was being swallowed by growing darkness.

A man Rhaenyra didn't know yelled out from across the other side of the large bonfire, “Jesus, that’s blowing in fast."

“I should go find Seems,” Bella said, letting go of Rhaenyra's hand. The frilly lace of her dress blew in the now strengthening wind, and Rhaenyra, feeling anxious, also wanted to find Harwin.

“Yes, I think this party will be coming to an early conclusion,” Rhaenyra replied.

Bella's pretty bonnet threatened to blow off her head, so she tied the ribbon beneath her chin as they walked.

The women hurried towards the house, and they made it halfway across the yard, before Harwin walked out of the house and made his way towards them. Bella quickly said goodbye to them both, as she continued to the Lannister’s house to find Seems.

“Perhaps we should bunker down here until the storm passes. The Lannisters have invited everyone who lives outside of town to stay here as long as we need.” Harwin's words were slightly slurred as he spoke, and while staying here with the Lannisters was not something Rhaenyra was excited about, she saw no other viable solution.

“I suppose we have no other choice,” she replied, frowning.

“Rhaenyra!” Seems yelled out, as she walked up to them. Bella was following right behind her. “I'm going back to my room. You're more than welcome to come and wait out the storm with us there.”

Rhaenyra’s expression instantly softened into a smile. She looked up at Harwin, and he didn't look interested in that proposal. Her smile fell and her expression changed to reveal that she was crestfallen by his response. 

Seems must have picked up on it all. “Of course, I mean both of you. Harwin, I'd love to have you come too. I've got a bottle of shine with our name on it.”

Harwin smiled, but he politely declined. He turned to Rhaenyra, “Wife, if you'd like to go with your friends for the rest of the evening do not stay on my account. I can pick you up as soon as the storm passes.”

Rhaenyra did want to go, but she didn't want to leave him. 

“Come with us, husband,” she replied. More thunder boomed and lightning lit up the distant but steady approaching black clouds.

“I'm going to stay here with my friends, Rhaenyra,” Harwin said, and there was an edge to his tone that Rhaenyra didn't like. She now considered that giving him some space might be the best solution.

“I'll just be at Seems,” Rhaenyra said, softly almost apologetically.

“I'll retrieve you as soon as I can,” he said, before he gave her a quick peck on the cheek and took off for the Lannister house.

Rhaenyra watched him walk away for a moment.

“Is… everything all right there? I know I'm not that close to Harwin, but I thought he considered me his friend too.” Bella said, loud enough to be heard over the wind.

The women began to walk around the back of the house and out towards the front where Seems’ had left her horse and cart. Bella held onto Seems’ right arm and Rhaenyra had her left.

“He does consider you a friend. He likes you a lot. He's just in his cups and mad at me. We've had a string of poor days,” Rhaenyra replied. “Him having a little space will likely be best,” she added, as they reached the cart, and Seems helped both women up before jumping up herself.

Rhaenyra didn't feel inclined to go and say goodbye to anyone in the house. Not even Corlyn and Rhaenys. After hearing how they had treated Seems in the past she was a little upset with them. If anyone questioned her later about leaving without saying goodbye she would apologize and blame it on the storm.

They took off on the short ride to the edge of town where Seems' building was located. It wasn't far at all from the Lannisters, who lived just right outside the town limits.

Even still by the time they made their short journey to Seems' room the early evening sky was getting dark. It was still at least a half hour before sunset and already it looked as if the sun was setting. The wind was now whipping outside the building as the women stumbled inside.

“Gods, it’s getting scary out there,” Bella said, as they made their way down the hall towards the room.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Seems said, reaching back to grab Bella's hand. “Let's get inside.”

Rhaenyra followed behind them into the room.

It wasn't long after they were inside before the rain started. Rain and hail pelted against the old wood building, and hail cracked against the glass of the one window in the small room. 

Rhaenyra sat at the only table in the corner of the room. Bella sat on the bed next to Seems. The woman talked on and off, but mostly sat quietly listening to the storm outside.

The building began to squeak and moan. It seemed to be swaying in the violent wind.

Rhaenyra was beginning to regret separating from Harwin.

Suddenly someone began knocking on Seems’ door. She hurried over and opened the door. Standing there was a woman with two small children.

“Elyn, come in,” Seems said, as she stepped aside to let all three inside.

The woman was holding a small child in one arm while holding the hand of the other child standing next to her. 

“Seems, a chunk of our roof has blown away. There's rain coming down into our room. Do you mind us staying here with you? My kids were scared,” Elyn said, as she walked in and stood in front of Seems.

“Oh my,” Bella gasped.

"Of course, y'all can stay,” Seems said, as she closed the door. She reached out her arms for the baby. Elyn handed over the child.

Seems went back to sit down next to Bella on the bed. She handed the small child to Bella after she sat down. Elyn went to sit at the table next to Rhaenyra. She pulled the small child next to her into her lap.

“Hi,” Rhaenyra said, making eye contact with the woman across from her. “I'm Rhaenyra Strong.”

“Hi, I'm Elyn Oaken and this here is Samwell," she said, smiling down at the little boy. He waved at Rhaenyra. "And that's his little sister, my two year old, Eleanor," she said, as she gestured at the baby on Bella's lap. 

“Nice to meet you all,” Rhaenyra replied with a smile.

Something crashed into the side of the building startling everyone in the room. The children yelled out. It took a few minutes for things to calm down. The wind was blowing loudly and the rain was slamming against the window. Rhaenyra worried the glass might blow in.

Rhaenyra was scared, and she was trying not to panic. Elyn looked nervous as well. Seems and Bella were trying to keep little Ellie distracted over on the bed.

“How old is Samwell?” Rhaenyra asked.

“He just turned four,” Elyn said, looking down at the child in her arms. 

The two children had messy red mops atop their heads, and Rhaenyra couldn't help but think of Alicent. She was worried about her being alone on her farm in this weather.

“They're both adorable,” Rhaenyra said, waving at the little Samwell. He sat quietly, looking at Rhaenyra from just mother's lap. He looked scared, but he gave her another little wave. Rhaenyra smiled at him, and he gave her a small smile back.

“Thank you. They unfortunately look like their daddy,” Elyn said, frowning. “Warryn was as handsome as he was deceitful.”

Rhaenyra didn't know what to say.

“Sorry, I'm stressed and in a foul mood. I'm only living in this flop house cause their daddy run off on us eight months ago.” Elyn said, while rubbing Samwell’s back. “Now I have no idea where we'll go with the hole in the roof.”

Rhaenyra was immediately overcome with the desire to help. These were the types of things they talked about in the women's group. Women whose husband's deserted them were left with the children and often with little family or help to survive. She empathized, but didn't know how to help. She was about to ask how she might help when the loudest crash Rhaenyra had ever heard happened outside. Screams seemed to ring out from everywhere. Everyone in their room was screaming, as well as outside it seemed. 

Seems shot up from the bed and ran towards the window. Just then a crack of lightning illuminated the sky and a gigantic funnel was visible. A few hundred feet away a tornado was slicing through the town.

“Holy shit,” Seems said, backing away from the window. She turned around, and her face was twisted in fear. “It's a tornado! Everyone on the floor over there next to the bed!”

Rhaenyra and Elyn, who had Samwell in her arms, ran over and laid down next to Bella who was already on the floor with Eleanor cradled next to her. Seems joined them and pulled the mattress from the bed over the top of them. They all huddled together. Rhaenyra was struggling to think clearly. Her mind was a jumbled mess. She thought of Harwin and of Alicent and the different ways she loved them both. She thought of her mother and her father and about how she might be reunited with them soon. She wasn't a religious person and most days she would probably admit to not even believing in an afterlife, but like most mere mortals, with the Stranger seemingly so close, she began to reconsider.

The sound of crashing and screaming seemed to never end once it began, that was until the moment the wind was so loud that Rhaenyra could hear nothing else. The roaring was like that of ten trains, and Rhaenyra’s ears began popping painfully.

With a loud creak the roof of the tenement building ripped away like paper. Suddenly the wind began whipping violently in the room. The mattress was sucked away, and dust and debris began blowing everywhere, cutting against Rhaenyra's skin. The women laid over the children and held onto each other. Rhaenyra felt herself being pulled up and away from the floor.

She tried to open her eyes, but couldn't.

She screamed out, “Don't let me go!”

Seems and Elyn were holding onto her tightly, but a strong gust of wind pulled Rhaenyra up and free of their grasp. She was sucked up into the air. She felt weightless as she tumbled and flipped through the air, and then everything went black.

The pain in her head and her arm was the first thing Rhaenyra registered when she came to. She opened her eyes and it was still pitch black, and the rain was falling lightly. She was soaked and laying in mud. She raised her head up slightly, and realized she was roughly fifty feet in front of the half destroyed building. The entire roof was gone and half of the building was blown away. Several of the buildings on the street were leveled into piles of rubble. She raised up her left arm and yelled out in pain. There was a deep gash in her left forearm and it was bleeding badly. Rhaenyra called out for help until passing out again.

***

When Alicent arrived home from the Lannister’s she quickly went to work preparing for the storm she saw on the horizon. She closed up the horses in the barn, and she locked the sheep into the smallest back pasture. By the time she was finishing up with the sheep the wind was screaming, and the rain and hail started falling. Alicent ran for the house, but she was away in the farthest pasture. As she ran towards the farmhouse she was pelted by chunks of ice half the size of her fist.

Thunder roared and lightning cracked. Alicent wasn't afraid at first. She just wanted to get to the house where she could get dry and safe, but as she rounded the corner of the barn and approached her front porch another bolt of lightning struck out across the dark sky, and she saw it. A thin funnel of destruction was stretching from the ground up high into the clouds.

Alicent had never felt as alone as she did in the moment she saw it. She had enjoyed living alone these last months since Criston’s death. She'd never truly been lonely in recently, and now that she thought about it the fact surprised her. Most of her days were full, and she'd had Rhaenyra and then Torryn for company most days. The sight of the tornado made Alicent wish for anyone to be there with her, so she wouldn't have to face this alone. It was coming straight for the farm house. She hoped it's direction would change, but she couldn't count on it.

Alicent ran straight to the side of the farmhouse where the wooden door to the cellar stairs was. It was just a tiny little space dug out beneath the house. Tornados weren't that common up there in the mountains, but occasionally they did occur. Alicent had never seen one, but she'd read about them and her father had always told her to hide in the cellar should one ever touch down nearby.

Alicent pulled the wooden door closed and latched it, before descending the stairs into the small hole. She hadn't the time to stop in the house and grab a candle, so it was pitch black. Something crawled along Alicent's arm and she slapped at her skin, which caused her to hit the spot that was still sore from where Torryn had grabbed her. She groaned out in pain and frustration.

She was soaking wet and sore from being hit with hail, and she hated being in the small dark space.

Suddenly she missed Rhaenyra and was worried about her. They'd only been reconciled for two days, and she'd barely gotten to kiss Rhaenyra, touch her, or tell her again that she loved her. She would remedy all of these things as soon as she could.

As she stood trembling in the dark, the wind picked up above her. It only took a few minutes before the sound of the wind was deafening. Alicent felt the air squeeze all around her. Her ears popped and a piercing pain was felt all over her head. The wooden door was threatening to pull open, and Alicent feared it would and she would be sucked up out of the small cubby in the ground. The door held closed, and for what seemed like hours, but was really likely less than a minute, the tornado was right above her. She heard a loud crash and something heavy fell down on top of the wooden door. She worried now that whatever it was would fall through and crush her inside the cellar, but again the door held.

Then there was quiet. The only sound again was that of wind and rain. Alicent stayed in the cellar for several more minutes. She was sure the coast was likely clear, but she thought it wouldn't hurt to wait a bit before checking.

When she tried to push open the wooden door she couldn't get it opened. There was indeed something heavy on top of the door, blocking her ability to exit.

“Oh no, I'm trapped,” Alicent thought, trying not to panic, but losing the battle. She knew that there was a chance that no one would think to come check on her any time soon. She tried again to push as hard as she could against the door, but it didn't budge at all. 

Alicent descended the stairs again and sat down on the dirt floor unsure of what to do.

At some point Alicent had fallen asleep. There had been nothing else to do in the dark but close her eyes and drift off.

She woke up to what she thought was someone yelling her name.

“Alicent! Alicent can you hear me?”

Alicent's eyes shot open.

“I'm here!” She yelled back. She was still processing her surroundings. She remembered she was in the cellar, the storm, and was trying to recognize the voice she had heard. “I'm stuck in the cellar! Help me, please!”

“Alicent, I can hear you, but where is the door to the cellar?”

Alicent finally recognized the voice.

“Harwin!”

“Yes, it's me!” He yelled back.

“Rhaenyra!” Alicent yelled out.

“She's back in town. She got hurt in the storm, but she's okay. She sent me to find you,” Harwin replied. “Your house is gone.”

Alicent gasped. That couldn't be right. How was that possible?

“Please help me out of here,” Alicent replied. “The door is on the side of the house facing the barn.”

“Okay, give me a moment,” Harwin replied, and several minutes went by. She could hear him moving above. “I think I've found it. Part of the wall of the house collapsed on top of it. I've got some rope in the cart. I'm going to tie it to the cart and attach the other end to the debris to pull it off. It's going to take me a little while, but I'll get you out of there.”

“Okay, thank you, Harwin!”

Alicent stepped back down the small staircase and waited. She listened to the sounds of Harwin working above her.

“He said Rhaenyra got hurt, but that she's okay…” Alicent thought. She was now focused on getting out of there and getting to Rhaenyra. She wanted to see that she was okay with her own eyes.

Over twenty minutes later Harwin finally yelled out, “I've got the door cleared!” He tried to open it but it was latched from the inside.

Alicent ran up the stairs, unlocked the door, and pushed it up. Harwin stood at the top of the stairs. He was dirty, sweaty, and wet. He kneeled and reached down to help her out. Alicent hugged him tightly once she was outside the cellar.

“Thank you. I thought I might be stuck down there much longer,” Alicent said, while still in his embrace.

“Rhaenyra insisted I immediately come to check on you. She'd have done it herself if she could,” Harwin replied. “But you are very welcome.”

Alicent pulled back and smiled at him, and then she stepped back to look around. Reality finally set in. They were standing on top of her knocked down house. More than half of her small farmhouse was destroyed. She turned to look at her barn and it was still standing without a scratch on it. She was thankful for that, because her beloved horses were inside. Her father's advice all those years ago had saved her life. If she had tried to ride out the storm inside she would have likely been killed.

This was Alicent’s only home. She'd never lived anywhere else. She was born in it and had planned to one day die in it. She looked around at the destruction and internally felt equally destroyed.

“What am I gonna do?” Alicent said, out loud.

“Let's get back to town. You can come with me. Nothing is going to get figured out tonight,” Harwin said.

Alicent nodded, but began to cry. She wanted to check on the sheep first thing in the morning.

“Can you bring me back in the morning to check on my sheep? I locked them into a small pasture about three quarters of a mile from the house, but I just want to make sure they're still all there.

“Sure, we can come back at first light,” Harwin answered.

They climbed up onto Harwin’s cart and took off towards town.

They rode in silence at first. Harwin looked lost in thought. Alicent's mind was racing as well.

“What happened in town? Did the twister touch down there as well?” Alicent inquired, interrupting the silence.

“Yes, it rode through a big chunk of the county. I was still out at the Lannister's when someone saw it and we all ran out. It didn't turn our way, but it was clear it touched down in town. After you left, Rhaenyra left with Seems and Bella to go wait out the storm at Seems’ room in town. I took off for town to make sure she was okay, and when I arrived at the building it looked much like your farmhouse. It was half gone.”

Alicent gasped. Harwin turned to look at her and there were unshed tears in his eyes.

“When I got there I only had to climb through a little rubble to get to Seems’ room, because almost the entire room was exposed to the outside. The entire upstairs above it was gone. I helped Seems, Bella, and two small children escape. They were all scratched up pretty bad, but okay. Rhaenyra wasn't there. Seems told me she had been pulled from the room after the roof blew away.” Harwin was crying now. Alicent was too. She reached across to pat Harwin’s arm in an attempt to comfort him. “I ran out to search for her, and luckily she wasn't far. I found her passed out in the road fifty feet or so from the building. She had a lump on her head and her arm was cut and bleeding badly. Townsfolk were already responding to the emergency, and someone came by and told me to take her to the hotel. The local doctor was already there seeing folks. She was eventually patched up. She woke up not long after her arm was sewn up. Rhaenys and Corlyn showed up to help care for the injured. I left her in their care, with Seems and Bella, after she sent me to check on you.”

Alicent thought about Rhaenyra being sucked up by the tornado and tossed like a ragdoll into the street. The image in her mind made her want to sob, but knowing that Rhaenyra was okay was the only thing keeping her together.

They rode most of the way back to town quietly. The storm had passed, the rain had stopped, but the roads were a mess causing their trip into town to take a little longer than usual.

When they arrived they headed straight for the only hotel in town. The White Rose Inn was owned by Benji Stark. He and his family had moved south, from the far north, years ago, and took over the inn. Alicent didn't know them well, but everything she knew was that they were decent and kind people. That they'd immediately opened up their hotel to the injured and newly homeless was unsurprising. 

Inside was mayhem. The room was lit by the warm glow of lanterns, but the scene itself was anything but warm. There were injured people everywhere. Hardly an inch of floor was visible, due to all the people laid down on the ground. As soon as they entered the building they had to step carefully over people just to make their way further inside.

Alicent saw Corlyn kneeled on the ground next to a very pregnant woman. The woman's leg was badly broken and the doctor was on the other side of her working on it.

Alicent felt faint looking around at all the bloodied and injured people.

Harwin touched her arm to get her attention.

“This way,” he said, turning back and he led her to a room with “107” on the door.

He walked in first and she could hear Rhaenyra’s voice, “Where is Alicent?”

“I'm here,” Alicent said, as she walked in behind Harwin into the dim candlelit room, and saw Rhaenyra laying in bed. Her head was wrapped, her arm was wrapped, and she had scrapes, cuts, and bruises all over. Alicent felt weak at the sight.

“Oh, Rhaenyra,” she said, rushing past Harwin to Rhaenyra's bedside. She sat down on the bed next to Rhaenyra, grabbed her hand, on the uninjured arm, and brought it to her lips. She wanted so badly to kiss Rhaenyra on the lips and pull her into her arms, but she couldn't, and settled instead for her hand. Alicent didn't want to worry, but couldn't help being concerned with how it must look to everyone in the room, including Harwin.

“Thank you for sending Harwin to find me,” Alicent quickly said. If anyone questioned their reactions she could blame it on gratitude and heightened emotions.

Rhaenyra's hand went to her head, caressing her hair.

“I'm just glad you're okay,” Rhaenyra replied.

“Alicent's farmhouse was leveled by the tornado. I found her trapped in her cellar. I had to clear away debris just to get her out,” Harwin said, standing on the other side of the bed.

“Oh my goodness,” someone said, and for the first time Alicent looked up and around the room. Bella was looking at her from a chair in the corner. She looked like she had just survived a tornado. She was a mess, but otherwise unharmed.

Seems was sitting next to her with a small little girl on her lap. Seems also looked a fright, and had some cuts, but she too was otherwise okay. A little boy was asleep in the bed next to Rhaenyra.

“I'm so sorry, Alicent. Losing your family home is horrible,” Rhaenyra said, reaching out for her hand.

“My building is destroyed too. I guess I'll have to move back out to the farm with my sister for a while,” Seems said, sadly.

“I don't know where I'm going to go,” Alicent replied.

“Nonsense!” Rhaenyra said, loudly. Her head rose up as she spoke, but then she groaned, and laid it back down against her pillow. She wanted to say more, but her head was clearly killing her.

“Calm down,” Harwin said, to Rhaenyra, his voice full of concern. He turned to Alicent. “I rode past the cabin on my way to your farmhouse, it's still standing. The tornado didn't touch down near it. You're more than welcome to stay with us as long as you need. We'll do everything we can to help you out on your property as well.”

Alicent wanted to cry again.

“Thank you both,” she replied, her voice full of emotion.

“It's no problem. This entire community will have to come together to make it through this. I'm going back out to help search for more survivors. Rhaenyra, sweetheart, will you be okay without me for a while?” Harwin asked, leaning down to give Rhaenyra a kiss on her cheek.

“Yes, please do go help. I wish I could join you,” she said, looking up at him.

“Don't you fret. You just rest. I'll be back before morning.” Rhaenyra nodded, and Harwin turned to walk out. He stopped at the door and said, “Ladies,” and the women all said goodbye, before he walked out of the room.

As soon as he was gone Rhaenyra pulled on Alicent's arm. “Kiss me,” she said softly, and Alicent began to lean in before stopping, and turning to look at Bella.

Bella smiled bashfully, and turned away to focus on Seems and the little girl in Seems’ lap. Alicent then turned back to kiss Rhaenyra. Their mouths met gently at first, but then their emotions took over and it deepened. They kissed hard for a long moment, before Alicent pulled back to rest her head on Rhaenyra’s chest.

“If something serious had happened to you… I wouldn't survive it,” Alicent said, on the verge of tears again.

“I feel the same way,” Rhaenyra replied, with one arm around Alicent holding her close.

Alicent couldn't help but to compare the loss of Criston to how she felt right now. If she had lost Rhaenyra tonight she would have been utterly devastated, but when Criston died she had felt almost relieved. She was still struggling with that and the guilt it created in her, but she couldn't help how she felt. Rhaenyra meant so much to her in so many ways.

The little girl in Seems lap started to cry. Alicent sat up again and turned to Bella and Seems. “Whose children?”

“Their mother lived in my building. She… got pulled out after Rhaenyra,” Seems said, her eyes full of tears.

“We tried to hold onto her...but we couldn't cover the children and hold on to her too…she hasn't been found yet, so far as we know. We've had the children with us since Harwin found us,” Bella added.

Seems handed the crying little girl to Bella and stood up. “I've got to get out there and search for her again.”

“It's been hours since the storm hit,” Alicent replied. She looked over at the sleeping little boy. “If she hasn't already turned up…”

She couldn't finish her sentence before Seems cut in, “No matter what I need to find her!” She looked at Bella, who was rocking the little girl trying to calm her.

“Just go, we'll be fine. Your nervous energy won't be of any use here. Go help the search groups,” Bella said, looking down at the small child in her arms.

Seems turned to Rhaenyra.

“Go. If I wasn't so banged up I'd be out there too,” Rhaenyra added.

Seems nodded and bent down to kiss Bella goodbye. “I'll be back before morning as well,” she said, before turning to leave.

Rhaenyra and Alicent spent a little time recounting the events that had occurred after their earlier parting while Bella dozed off in her chair. The little girl, Eleanor, was asleep still now too, in Bella's lap. Alicent had been caught up on the children's names and smiled when Rhaenyra shared that she thought of her when she first noticed their light red hair.

Alicent didn't mean to fall asleep, lying cuddled next to Rhaenyra with Rhaenyra’s right arm hugging her close. They had been talking one moment and then they were asleep the next. Exhaustion overtook them both.

They were both stirred from sleep by Seems returning back to the room very early in the morning.

When she came in she was visibly sad.

Alicent sat up, and was thankful that it was Seems and not Harwin that had walked in.

At some point during the night Bella had laid the little girl in the bed next to her brother on the other side of Rhaenyra. When Seems walked in Bella got up to greet her with a hug and kiss.

“Did you find Elyn?” she asked, and Seems, holding her hand, walked over to the chairs in the corner and sat down.

“I did… there's a pile of bodies, wrapped in sheets, laid out around the block. They're still pulling bodies from buildings, but almost everyone is accounted for already. Someone found Elyn in the woods near the building. She was flung over one hundred yards away. She was mangled. After I realized she had already been found and was…dead…I stayed out to help find other people. I helped the Clemson family find Tommyn. He was alive and buried under rubble. Here's going to be okay. Most people we pulled out of houses and other buildings were dead though. At last count 74 people are dead,” Seems replied, crying.

Bella moved her chair even closer, and took Seems into her arms.

Alicent was devastated to hear such a large number. This was a small community, and losing that many people in one day would surely impact it for a long time.

Alicent looked at the small children that were sleeping right across from her in the bed. She turned to Seems and asked, “What happens to Elyn’s children? You said, their father ran out?”

Seems wiped her eyes and nodded before answering, “Never met him. Elyn moved into the building two months ago. She said that she moved to this area last year, so her husband could work in the gold mines, but then he got injured at work. After that he started drinking and things just fell apart. When they ran out of money he just up and took off. Elyn moved into my building with the last of her money. I ran into her and the kids one day coming in from the still, and she was teary eyed. I introduced myself and asked her what was wrong, and she said she was destitute and in need of a job. I offered her a job working for my uncle at the still. We became friends after that.”

“Well, do you know where they moved from? Any other family she might have that could take her children?” Alicent asked.

Seems shook her head. “She mentioned that she was originally from Lannisport, but said she had no intention of ever going back. If she had any family there I can't imagine she'd say that, and if she does she wouldn't want her children with people she never wanted to see again.”

“So, what do you propose we do? Are you ready to be a mama?” Rhaenyra asked Seems, jumping into the conversation.

“Me? Gosh no! I can barely remember to feed myself regularly. I’m in no position to take on two small children. Ceryse has her hands full with her three girls,” Seems replied.

“Don't look at me,” Bella said, raising her hands up in surrender. “I love children, and so does Seems. Both these children are precious, but I will not pretend I'm prepared to raise them.”

“They're orphans now. Perhaps we should just bring them to the orphanage in Old Town. It's… a nice one as far as I know. They could even find families for them there. If they're lucky perhaps the same family,” Seems suggested.

Alicent looked down at Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra's face was full of indecision. Alicent could tell Rhaenyra knew exactly what she was asking without Alicent saying a word.

“We don't know anything about these children, Alicent. I've barely interacted with them. You haven't at all,” Rhaenyra said, softly.

“They're going to be with strangers regardless, Rhaenyra. They're, for all intents and purposes, alone in the world now, but they don't have to be alone. They could have us.”

“Alicent, we've barely figured out our own immediate futures. Your farmhouse is destroyed, and we'll have to figure out what you living with Harwin and I even looks like. Plus, how would I explain to him that you and I are bringing these children home with us? What would his role even be, and if he does think he and I are going to be their new parents what would that mean for you?”

Alicent hadn't really thought through all the logistics and problems. The truth is she had always wanted kids, and never thought the day would come where she would ever have any. Seeing the two sweet children sleep and knowing their mother was now dead made Alicent feel protective of them. She didn't know them, but she loved them, in a human sense. She cared about them like she cared about most people, but she felt like she could definitely grow to love them like her own. She had so much love to spare, and if these children needed it she was only too happy to give it.

“Just… tell him that I'm keeping them, because I am, and then you and I can play it by ear from there,” Alicent replied. “They'll be yours as much as mine. If you want that I want that too, but I'm okay taking full responsibility for them on my own.”

Making plans for the future with Rhaenyra felt odd, but also right. She loved thinking of them building something together, but so long as Rhaenyra was married they would never be truly free to be together in the way Alicent really wanted.

The sun was up by the time Harwin finally returned. He was exhausted and filthy. He explained how the search and rescue had progressed through the night, he detailed some of the damage around town, and he explained that everyone on the mountain was devastated. “I haven't seen a smiling face since before the storm,” he said, somberly.

Seems was finally going to take Bella home before heady out to her family's farm. Her horse and cart thankfully were okay. Alicent decided to walk out with them to give Rhaenyra and Harwin time to speak alone about Alicent and the children moving in.

When the three women made it outside, the devastation seen in the light of day made Alicent's heart drop. Seems turned to her, and pulled her into a hug.

“We're going to rebuild everything, including your farmhouse. This community will come out even stronger after this,” Seems said, and Alicent knew she was trying to convince herself as much as Alicent.

Alicent nodded and said goodbye to Seems. Bella, who Alicent had never been particularly familiar with, came forward and hugged her as well.

“What you're doing…taking those kids in…that's really beautiful. Any help Seems or I can lend just let us know,” Bella said with a small sad smile. Alicent smiled too and nodded again.

“The kids know Seems better than all of us, so yeah convince her to stop by the cabin tomorrow and check on them,” Alicent replied, and Bella agreed.

The women climbed into Seems’ cart and waved goodbye as they took off for the Crane family farm.

Alicent turned back to re-enter the hotel and came face to face with Torryn Lannister. Alicent jumped out of her skin. 

“Oh my…Torryn, you startled me!”

He looked surprised as well.

“I'm sorry, I didn't even know that was you. I'm… just looking for my father. He didn't return home last night, and my mother was concerned. Some folks said people were congregating here at the hotel,” Torryn replied.

“I haven't seen him,”Alicent said. She was still really mad with him about the night before and it clearly showed, because Torryn looked uncomfortable.

“I… ugh… I'm glad I ran into you, because I want to apologize to you for last night. I was…out of line and I shouldn't have grabbed you,” he said, nervously.

Just then Harwin holding Eleanor and Rhaenyra holding Samwell’s hand, came out of the hotel and ran into Alicent and Torryn. Rhaenyra’s face twisted in anger and annoyance, and Alicent walked over to her and Samwell.

“What's going on?” Alicent asked.

“Harwin is bone tired and hungry, the children are hungry, I'm hungry, so we thought we'd get breakfast at the saloon, and then head home. I'll never be able to rest in that hotel, and other folks too injured to head home could use the room. I'm sure you're starving too. Shall we?” Rhaenyra said, looking at Torryn with thinly veiled contempt.

From the look on Torryn's face he returned the obvious contempt.

“I would like to have a word with you for just a moment longer, Alicent,” Torryn said, pulling his gaze from Rhaenyra to look at Alicent with a smile.

“Torryn, after last night perhaps now isn't the time,” Harwin interjected.

Torryn’s body tensed, but he seemed to relent.

“I forgive you,” Alicent said, looking Torryn in the eyes. “Harwin’s right though. We can talk about it later.”

Torryn seemed less than satisfied with her, but he accepted that.

“As you wish. I'll hopefully talk with you soon,” and with that he put his hat back on his head, and walked away.

Alicent looked at Rhaenyra, who looked like she had a lot to say, but Alicent knew she'd never say anything in front of Harwin.

“Well, ladies… and gentlemen, shall we get something to eat now?” Harwin said, watching Torryn walk away.

Both women nodded.

“Will my mama be there?” Samwell asked, looking up at Harwin

Alicent's heart broke in half.

“We haven't had a chance to tell him yet,” Rhaenyra said. “I thought you'd definitely want to be involved, and I didn't even know how to do it.”

Alicent didn't know either. She couldn't begin to even pretend to know what to say or what to do in a situation like this. Little Eleanor would be easier. She was so little that she wouldn't even understand the loss, but Samwell was twice as old and would miss his mother terribly. Alicent was sure of that. 

Alicent kneeled down to talk to Samwell. “Hi, Samwell. I'm Alicent. I'm a friend and I'll be helping to take care of you. Your mommy… she is not going to be at breakfast, but she would want you to eat up. What's your favorite thing to eat at breakfast?”

“I like flapjacks and so does Ellie,” he replied.

“Then we are going to get you the biggest stack of flapjacks you've ever seen, and then we will talk to you about your mama a little bit later, okay?”

Samwell smiled and nodded, and Alicent stood back up.

“We can… try talking with him later,” she said to Rhaenyra and Rhaenyra nodded in reply.

“I'll take her,” Alicent said, reaching out towards Harwin for Eleanor. He handed the small child over and Alicent officially introduced herself. “Hi, Eleanor. I'm Alicent. Are you hungry?”

The little girl nodded gently and then tried to get down out of Alicent's arms. Alicent let her go, and she ran over to her brother who took her hand.

“We're getting flapjacks, Ellie. You're favorite!” he said, and she squealed with delight. Alicent and Rhaenyra both smiled.

They walked to Dake’s Saloon up the road. It was thankfully undamaged, but they had to walk past a block of destroyed buildings to get there. People were milling about, but everyone seemed slightly dazed by the recent tragic events.

It was still rather early, but the saloon was full of people. There was one small table free, so they grabbed it and squeezed in next to each other.

Rhaenyra was in the middle of Alicent and Harwin, and Alicent had Eleanor in her lap with Samwell right next to her on the other side.

A pretty young saloon girl came over, and her face lit up a little when she saw Harwin sitting at the table.

“Hey there, Harwin. I'm glad to see you're okay,” she said, walking over and putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Thank you, Saera,” he said, with a small smile. “I'm glad you see you and the saloon are both okay as well.”

“Yeah, old Dake would never survive losing this place,” she said. Alicent had never spent much time in Dake’s Saloon, but the old man had run the place for close to twenty years.

Rhaenyra looked annoyed, and Alicent and Harwin both noticed it. 

“Saera, this is my wife, Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra, this is Saera. She's my favorite barkeep and server here,” Harwin said, politely with a smile.

Rhaenyra reached out a hand, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. She shook hands with Saera and said, “Nice to meet you.” Her tone was devoid of warmth.

“She's jealous,” Alicent thought, and the realization hurt her deeply.

“And this is Alicent Cole. I'm not sure if you two know each other already, and that's little Samwell and Eleanor,” Harwin added.

“Surprisingly, we don't. Nice to meet you,” Alicent said, extending her hand out now.

“Yes, nice to meet you all,” Saera replied. “What can I get all of you to drink?”

They ordered coffee and the children had water, while waiting for their breakfast to arrive.

There was an awkward tension at the table after Saera left them. The crowd inside of the saloon was noisy, but not boisterous. The mood generally seemed to be a sedate and sad one.

Rhaenyra seemed on edge to Alicent ever since they sat down at the table, and every smile Saera gave Harwin seemed to worsen her mood. In turn, Alicent was getting upset. 

The children played with each other quietly, but otherwise no one spoke. Rhaenyra sipped her coffee and Alicent focused her attention on the children.

Harwin eventually broke the brief silence, “I know we had plans to head over to your farm first thing today, but with my lack of sleep, your two new wards, and Rhaenyra’s injuries I think it best we postpone at least until later today. We all need time to rest and settle into… our new situations.”

Alicent was concerned about her sheep, but otherwise she knew a trip to her farm could wait until later that day or the next.

“I'd like to see the farm sooner rather than later, but there's definitely no need to get there right this minute,” Alicent replied.

“We've got to furnish the third bedroom, and we'll need clothes for you and the children,” Rhaenyra said, and Alicent nodded.

“There's a chance my clothing and maybe even all my knitting and sewing tools survived the destruction. There's no telling what I'll be able to salvage once I get back to my farm. Either way, I can get new tools and some fabric to make the kids some new clothing, and I can order what I can't make, as well as the furniture we need for them, from the Litchfield catalog,” Alicent replied.

Rhaenyra nodded.

“Of course, Alicent, you and the children will stay with us as long as you need to. Rhaenyra and I both enjoy your company, and these beautiful children need all the care we can all offer. I'm sure it'll be an adjustment for them , just like for all of us. This entire community will be mourning and rebuilding for quite some time,” Harwin said, as he finished his first cup of coffee.

“Thank you both. I'm not sure what I would do without your friendship,” Alicent replied.

She looked at Rhaenyra and they made eye contact for a moment. Alicent could tell Rhaenyra was trying to maintain appearances. There seemed to be more she wanted to say, but couldn't.

“Is this what it's going to be like around the cabin? Endless days of us both struggling not to do or say anything that might make Harwin suspicious?” She thought.

Their food finally came and everyone dug in. Alicent helped the children, and even with that Rhaenyra seemed to want to help, but was keeping her distance.

When they finished, Saera came over to clear away their dishes.

“I just heard they're planning a memorial service here in town for all the lives lost last night. It'll be at the Sept after the Sunday morning service,” Saera announced, as she grabbed their plates.

“We'll have to attend. Especially for the children,” Alicent replied. “We need to contact Lyman. I'm sure he's overwhelmed at the moment, but we need to make arrangements for Elyn.”

Rhaenyra and Harwin agreed.

Saera gave them all a nod and inquired if they needed anything else. Everyone declined, and she prepared to walk away. “Y'all be good now, and come back and see us anytime,” Saera said. She winked at Harwin as said the last part, and Rhaenyra turned red in the face. Saera walked away, and Rhaenyra looked upset. 

“The two of you are mighty friendly,” she said, her tone broadcasting her anger.

Harwin looked at her for a moment as if he couldn't believe her jealous reaction. Alicent couldn't believe it either. 

“No need for jealousy, wife. I only have eyes for you,” Harwin said, sweetly and kissed her on the cheek to punctuate the sentiment.

Rhaenyra smiled, and when she turned to see the expression on Alicent's face she looked instantly regretful.

Alicent couldn't stand it.

“I guess we should head for the cabin,” Alicent said.

“Where’s my mama?” Samwell asked.

Alicent swallowed the lump in her throat. She didn't know what to say.

“She's… sick, and she asked all of us to take care of you and your sister for now,” she replied. Alicent hated to lie, but she didn't think she wanted to have this conversation in the middle of a saloon.

His eyes went wide.

“Mama is sick?” He said, his eyes welling with tears.

Alicent hated this. She turned to look at Rhaenyra, who for her part looked just as unprepared for this.

“She told us to tell you that she loves you and Eleanor more than the world, and that you're completely safe with us. You're going to come back to our house to stay. You and Eleanor are going to be a part of our family now too. We will take good care of you both just like your mama does. Don't you worry, okay?” Rhaenyra replied.

Samwell looked at them both and nodded.

“Can I give you a hug?” Alicent asked, and Samwell nodded yes. She pulled him in close, and hugged both him and Eleanor for a long moment.

“Okay, perhaps we should head home,” Harwin said, standing.

They all headed towards the cart Harwin and Rhaenyra had ridden into town the night before, and once loaded up they headed for the Strong farm.

Once they arrived at the cabin they all headed indoors, and began to get settled in. There was much to do. Everyone wanted a bath, but they agreed to bathe the children first. Harwin went next, so that he could be the first to get some rest since everyone else has gotten at least a little sleep the night before. Then Rhaenyra had one and finally Alicent. The process of warming and dumping the water for each bath meant the process took the rest of the morning.

The children were dressed back into the dirty clothes they had been wearing. There was no way around that for now. Alicent borrowed a few dresses from Rhaenyra.

Everyone moved around the cabin, focusing on their tasks, and communicating only what was necessary to complete them.

Once everyone was clean the children were put down for a nap in what was now officially Alicent's bedroom. Harwin was already asleep in his and Rhaenyra’s room.

When Alicent walked out of her bedroom, after making sure the children were comfortable and asleep, she found Rhaenyra sitting at the table in the main room. They were alone for the first time in days.

Alicent couldn't hold back any longer. She walked over to Rhaenyra, who was looking up at her, and bent down to kiss her squarely on the lips. Rhaenyra let out a low moan and reached up to cup Alicent's face with one hand. They kissed deeply for a long moment, until they both needed air, and Alicent pulled back. Rhaenyra smiled up at her.

“Here, sit,” Rhaenyra said, pushing out a chair.

Alicent sat down right next to her.

There was so much Alicent wanted to say, but she didn't even know where to begin.

Her expression must have signaled her mental state, because Rhaenyra reached out and placed a hand on her thigh. The feeling of her touch sent shivers up Alicent’s spine. She couldn't help but think about Rhaenyra’s hands on her body, when they were behind the barn two days ago, and how it felt to feel her mouth between her legs. Alicent had never had anyone do anything like that to her before, and she was impatient to connect with Rhaenyra in that way again, and to do much more.

“It's been an eventual few days,” Rhaenyra said, softly. “Tell me what's on your mind.”

“What are we doing, Rhaenyra? Your husband is asleep just beyond that door.”

Rhaenyra squeezed her thigh gently. “Everything has just happened. I'm still…figuring everything out just like you are,” she replied.

“What about Harwin? I saw how jealous you got this morning. You still… love him…” Alicent said, looking down at her hands. The urge to pick the skin around her nail beds was intense, but she refrained.

“I love Harwin, yes, but I'm in love with you. I… got a little jealous. I won't deny it. I still think of Harwin as…mine. I know it's irrational and unfair, but that's all it is. I need you, and if you need me just as much then we will have no choice but to find our way,” Rhaenyra replied.

They were sitting right next to each other close enough that Rhaenyra was able to lean in and lay a kiss to Alicent's cheek.

“I was sucked up into a tornado last night. I've barely had time to even… acknowledge that fact. You've lost your home. Samwell and Eleanor have lost their mother. It's so clear to me that I can take nothing for granted, including our love.”

She planted soft kisses across Alicent’s chin and down her neck, and now it was Alicent's turn to lose the battle of trying to stifle her moans.

“Shhhh,” Rhaenyra said, as she kept going further south until she was kissing the bottom of Alicent's throat. Alicent's head was back, giving Rhaenyra full access.

“With time I am certain we will find a long term solution, but for now let us catch our breath and adjust to these recent changes,” Rhaenyra said, as her lips grazed the top of Alicent’s chest. “You look so good in my dress... but then again you look good in everything.”

Alicent was flushed and a blazing heat was rising inside her.

“Everything Rhaenyra is saying makes sense… doesn't it?” She thought, as Rhaenyra continued to kiss across the top of her breasts. Alicent wasn't able to continue thinking clearly. Her mind was becoming muddled and all she could focus on was Rhaenyra's lips on her skin.

That they were doing this right out in the open area of the main room terrified Alicent, but she also had to admit that she hardly cared. For two days, but really for months, she had waited for this.

Rhaenyra's hand on her thigh moved to slide underneath her dress. Alicent knew that she was wet, and that Rhaenyra would feel the proof herself in just a moment. She longed desperately for whatever Rhaenyra had in mind, as she began touching Alicent's private area over her small clothes.

“That feels so good,” Alicent whispered. Rhaenyra’s hand was rubbing up and down her sex, and she was applying firm but gentle touches to Alicent's sensitive little button of nerves. Rhaenyra’s injured arm sat across her own lap while the other continued its actions between Alicent's legs. Rhaenyra stopped kissing along the top of her breasts, and raised her head up to make out with Alicent again. Alicent let Rhaenyra lead and relented as her tongue sought its way beyond her lips, and their kiss became urgent and rough.

“I want you so badly,” Rhaenyra whispered, and Alicent wanted so much to be able to take Rhaenyra to bed.

Suddenly the sound of a child crying burst their bubble and interrupted their moment. Alicent wanted to scream. Rhaenyra's hand stopped moving inside her dress, and Rhaenyra pulled out of their kiss. She rested her head against Alicent's, forehead to forehead.

“We've got kids now,” she said, pulling her hand out from underneath Alicent's skirt.

“We do,” Alicent said, kissing Rhaenyra one more time, before moving to stand. “That sounds like Eleanor. Let me go check on her. I'll be back.”

The women exchanged a smile, and Alicent walked off towards her bedroom.

Alicent was a mix of emotions. So much had happened over the last day that she couldn't truly process it all. Her farmhouse was destroyed, there were two children she was now responsible for, her relationship with Rhaenyra was great but confusing, moving in with Rhaenyra and Harwin was so complicated, and all this just months after losing Criston. Her head felt as if it were spinning.

When Alicent opened the bedroom door Eleanor was sitting up on the bed crying, but Samwell was still fast asleep. He must have been used to sleeping through his little sister's bouts of crying.

She turned to look at Alicent and she looked so afraid. Alicent rushed over.

She picked Eleanor up and immediately began working to soothe and comfort her.

Alicent sat down on the bed and rocked the sweet girl in her arms.

Eleanor started to quiet down, but was still fighting going back to sleep.

“Should I sing you a song? Did your mama ever do that?”

Little Ellie looked up at her, her round green eyes wet with tears, and Alicent smiled down at her.

“It's okay, sweetheart,” she said, softly.

Alicent tried to think of what to sing, and then she thought about the song her mother used to sing to her and her brothers when they were small.

“Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
Then you should always know
Wherever you may go, no matter where you are
I never will be far away.”

The song brought tears to her eyes. She missed her mother all the time, but here now with a child of her own to sing to, it made the pain of losing her mother all the more acute.

She didn't hear Rhaenyra walk in, but she came around the side of the bed and Alicent was slightly startled when she finally noticed her. Alicent didn't jump or scream, so Ellie remained asleep. The lullaby did the trick.

“You've got a beautiful singing voice,” Rhaenyra said, looking down at Alicent and Eleanor.

“Thank you,” Alicent said, with a small smile.

Alicent stood and carefully laid Eleanor back down.

“I…I think that I need to get some rest. When Harwin gets up I plan to ask him to take me to the farm, if it's not too late in the day. I think I should rest now while he is,” Alicent said, looking across at Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra looked slightly disappointed, but then she seemed to let it go.

“I'm actually rather tired too,” she replied. “Are you sleeping in here?”

“Yes, I think there's enough room for us all until their beds arrive,” Alicent replied. She would get the order for their furniture, and the other needed items, in the post as soon as possible.

Rhaenyra nodded.

“Well, I guess I'll leave you to it,” Rhaenyra said. She looked like she didn't want to leave, but there was no other choice.

“Okay,” Alicent replied. She walked closer to Rhaenyra and pulled her into a hug. When Rhaenyra eventually pulled back they kissed briefly, but the kiss felt like more than just a kiss. It felt like a promise or a desire for more, and they both felt it, and Alicent couldn't deny that more than anything she wished that Rhaenyra could stay there with them. After their kiss ended, they separated, and Rhaenyra walked out after saying goodbye.

Alicent was left all alone with her emotions and thoughts. She looked over at the children asleep in the bed, and she could barely believe the current state of her life. Nothing was as it was even just four months ago, but she was happy. Even with everything going on, that much she knew was true.

She laid down on the bed and closed her eyes. She would take Rhaenyra's advice and be patient. She trusted that they could weather any storm. Hadn't they already?

Alicent couldn't know that there would still be so much more that she and Rhaenyra would have to endure on the way to their happy ending.

She smiled as she looked at the sleeping children next to her, and she cuddled up close to them as she fell asleep.