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It was a bright noon in King’s Landing, and the heat of the sunrays touching Alicent’s skin was the only life she had felt in the last couple of days. Her steps were heavy, and her eyes were deprived of light as she made her way to the sept, a sanctuary where she sought solace from the unrelenting horrors that plagued her every waking moment. She needed the comfort of prayer to reclaim some semblance of peace, however fleeting it might be.
The smell of incense and the flickering of candles were a familiar comfort as soon as she entered the sacred space, and the septas immediately left to give her privacy. In a desperate hurry and not minding eyes on her, she collapsed and kneeled, closing her watery eyes and whispering prayers for her children, her family, and the strength to endure the hardships they faced.
“Blessed Mother, guide us through this darkness,” she prayed softly. “Grant me the strength to protect my family, m-my daughter Helaena. Please, give me the wisdom to navigate these treacherous times—”
As she poured her heart out in prayer and sobbed, a sudden movement on the other side of the candlelit table caught her attention. Startled, she looked up to see a woman dressed in the simple robes of a septa. A hood partially obscured her face, but there was an unmistakable air of familiarity about her.
Her heart skipped a beat. The woman lifted her head slightly, allowing the light to reveal more of her features. Alicent’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized the piercing gaze of Rhaenyra Targaryen.
“What are you doing here?”, she managed to say.
Rhaenyra’s lips curved into a smug, enigmatic smile. Without breaking her gaze, she stood up and slowly walked around the table, passing by Alicent and kneeling next to her. Her sudden presence made the air feel heavier and the candles warmer.
“I’ve come to speak with you. To talk about our future.”
Alicent hesitated, scared, and looked around for help. The other septas didn't seem to care that Rhaenyra was there.
“Oh, I grew up here,” Rhaenyra raised her eyebrows, perceiving the other woman's restlessness. “Way before you came. Don't forget that I still have friends at home.”
Alicent avoided eye contact, bothered.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Alicent said, her voice now deeper. “If you’re caught, it could mean your life.”
Rhaenyra shrugged, her behaviour calm and composed. “Life and death are but threads in the tapestry of fate.”
Alicent felt a confusing blend of emotions—anger, fear, and a strange, unexpected desire. She recognized the saying from the books they once studied together. Despite everything, there was a part of her that was still drawn to Rhaenyra. The same way she used to be.
Alicent nodded, recognizing and remembering the paragraph. ”Daenys Targaryen, the dreamer.”
Rhaenyra's smile was short. She handed Alicent the missing page of the book they once studied together. She observed how Alicent accepted the paper with a reluctant, small smile too, and caressed the paper in an attempt to smooth it out.
“Why are you here?” Alicent asked, her voice softer now.
Rhaenyra’s eyes softened, and for a moment, Alicent saw a flicker of the girl she had once known. “I’ve come to speak with you to find a way to end this madness before it consumes us all.”
Alicent wiped away a stubborn tear in her eye, her heart heavy with doubt. She put the piece of paper on the table. “Praying might help me, but nothing will end this suffering, Rhaenyra.”
Rhaenyra lightly shook her head, her expression thoughtful. “No, it won’t. But perhaps, it can guide us towards a path where suffering can be lessened. We can find a way to coexist without tearing each other apart.”
Alicent studied Rhaenyra’s face, searching for any sign of deceit. But all she saw was a woman who had also endured her share of pain and loss.
“What do you propose?” Alicent asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and a flicker of doubt about her intentions.
Rhaenyra leaned closer, her eyes locked onto Alicent’s. “Redemption. For both of us. If we can find a way to end this war, we can prevent further bloodshed. We can ensure a future for our children.”
Alicent’s heart tightened. She knew that alternatives were beyond her powers. “And how do you suggest we achieve this?”
Rhaenyra’s eyes peeked at Alicent’s lips for a second, their faces now only inches apart. Alicent felt the need to look away, ashamed.
“By finding common ground. Remembering the bond we once shared.”
Alicent’s breath caught in her throat. There was an intensity in Rhaenyra’s gaze that she couldn't escape, a depth of emotion that she hadn’t expected. She felt herself drawn to it, but reason finally came to her mind, and she looked away again.
“You speak of bonds and redemption,” Alicent said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But you were the one who allowed the decapitation of a child.”
Rhaenyra’s eyes darkened, a flash of anger crossing her features. “I didn't have a part in any of that monstrosity. Aemond... I-I lost my child. And yet, you advertised me as a villain.”
Alicent’s heart ached with Rhaenyra’s words. She wanted to believe that there was a way to end the bloodshed, to find a path to peace. But the scars of betrayal ran deep, and trust was a fragile thing.
“Rhaenyra,” she began, her voice trembling. “I want to believe you, but—”
Rhaenyra swallowed all the pride and hurt in her heart and bones and reached out, her hand firmly searching for Alicent’s. The touch sent a shiver down Alicent’s spine. “Let me show you. Let me prove that we can choose a common side. Because there is only one way. There can only be one truth.”
Alicent’s watery eyes looked down at their hands now laced together. The world stopped at that moment.
“I never wanted any of this. I never wanted anyone to get hurt.”
Rhaenyra’s expression softened at the sight of Alicent on the verge of crying again, and she placed a gentle hand on Alicent’s cheek. “I know. Me neither.”
Alicent nodded, her voice choked with emotion. She put her hand on top of Rhaenyra’s hand on her cheek and cried.
“Viserys changed his mind on his deathbed. He named Aegon as his heir. I-I have to honor his wishes. I am sorry”.
“Did he tell you about the Song of Ice and Fire?”
Alicent’s face reflected confusion and skepticism. “The Song of Ice and Fire? What are you talking about?”
Rhaenyra's face blazed with a mixture of desperation and determination. “A prophecy. A secret passed down from king to heir. Aegon the Conqueror’s dream of a terrible winter that will sweep from the north, bringing death and darkness. Only a Targaryen seated on the Iron Throne can unite the realm against it.”
Alicent’s brow furrowed as she tried to process Rhaenyra’s words. “A prophecy? And you expect me to believe this? You take me for a fool—”
Rhaenyra took a deep breath, steadying herself. “I know it sounds mad, but it is the truth. King Viserys told me on the night he decided to name me his heir. It is written on his dagger.”
Alicent shook her head and distanced herself from the affectionate hand on her face, her doubt evident. But Rhaenyra grabbed her face again and forced her to look at her.
“We can stop this, together. I am the Queen. Honor my father.”
Alicent’s heart pounded in her chest, but the reality of their situation crashed down on her.
“You speak of unity, peace, honor,” her voice trembling, and she distanced herself again. “They are words you use to mask your own ambition and vengeance. My son Aegon is the King because Viserys desired so. It is done.”
“Alicent?” Rhaenyra laughed in disbelief, ”You are so ridiculously easy to manipulate. Someone ordered my death when I was abed and still, I believe it wasn't orchestrated by you. Because even after everything, I know you. But I don't recognize you right now. Look at what they did to your intelligence-”
”Watch yourself, Rhaenyra.”
Rhaenyra growled at the sound of Alicent’s sharp words. The two women stood in the sacred silence of the sept, the tension between them palpable. And then, in a moment of desperate emotion and lack of choices, Rhaenyra closed the distance and pressed her lips against Alicent’s.
The kiss was a clash of years of love, anger, and yearning poured into that single act. Alicent responded hesitantly at first, but then with a fervor that matched Rhaenyra’s. It was as if all the pent-up feelings they had kept buried for so long were finally unleashed.
But as quickly as the kiss began, it ended. Alicent pushed Rhaenyra away, her eyes wide with shock and confusion. “What are we doing? Oh,” she gasped.
Rhaenyra’s eyes were dark with a storm of emotions. She frowned for a second, in confusion herself. “Maybe finding the truth,” her voice low and intense.
“No, Rhaenyra—”
Alicent stood up and tried to step back, but Rhaenyra pushed her against the altar, pinning her in place. Alicent struggled, her breath coming in ragged gasps. “Let me go,” she demanded, her voice hoarse.
Rhaenyra’s grip tightened, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and desperation. “Not until you listen to me.”
Alicent’s eyes narrowed. “You think you can just force me?”
“I think we’ve both been forced into roles we never wanted. But we can choose to be free and do justice now.”
Alicent’s heart pounded in her chest, the weight of Rhaenyra’s body pressing down on her.
”You won't get anything from me, Rhaenyra. Not here, not like this.”
”Like this?” Rhaenyra pressed a knee between Alicent's thighs and it made the other woman moan in surprise. ”Tell me you never thought about us,” Rhaenyra whispered, lost in her desire, lust and candlelight reflecting in her watery eyes. “Tell me you never wished me to fuck you and treat you like the little bitch you enjoy being to me.”
"I can't," Alicent cried, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I can't. Please, let me go."
Rhaenyra’s eyes widened, but she didn’t flinch. “You are weak,” she said, her voice steady.
Slowly, Rhaenyra stepped away, her breath coming in ragged gasps. “I can’t,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“I never stopped caring for you,” Alicent confessed. “Even when we were drunk in madness, my heart never truly let you go.”
“There is a reason for that.“
“I know. Me too,” she said, and then observed how Rhaenyra began to almost cry. ”I won't tell anyone. Just please, go.”
Rhaenyra recomposed herself and adjusted her borrowed robe. She walked away with the certainty that she had just failed and wrecked her initial intent. But she left behind a panting, confused, and aroused Alicent. She felt satisfaction at that sigh, and it took all the strength in her body to not come back and make Alicent beg for release.
Now, different versions describe this encounter. Some say they were having a heated argument and Rhaenyra tried to stab Alicent; some say that it was Alicent who tried to stab Rhaenyra once more. But none of them was true, because there was a hidden observant septa somewhere in the Sept of Baelor. Either way, others whispers of gossip also add that Alicent went to bed earlier that day, and worked herself so much that the moaning was worrying her servants. And some people say that it was in fact Rhaenyra, who was one of the only ones to know about all the secret passages in King's Landing and had visited Alicent in her chambers.
But one thing is true, Alicent never knew pleasure again like she did that night.