Fire and Blood (Book One)

Chapter Seventeen Princess Alyssa Targaryen

From her place by Baelon's side she watched as her grandfather was taken away by the maester and one of the Kingsguard, her gaze then moved from her retreating grandfather to Aemond, causing her to grab hold of Baelon's arm. Later on while the Silent Sisters were readying Vaemond's body with Rhaenys's supervising, Alyssa was standing in the Red Keep's godwood and stood before the weirwood tree. It was then that she felt hands on her biceps causing her to involuntarily shiver; she assumed it was Baelon but was horrified when she glanced to her right and saw it was Aemond, causing her to step away from him and nearly trip over the roots. As he stood before her, her grip on her dress tightened, "I am team black, you are team green." Aemond didn't seem to care and walked up to her, but just as he was about to take hold of her hands, Alyssa moved away from him and held her hands over her chest, "I wanna be yours." Turning to face him, she couldn't understand why he was so obsessed with her, "My family is everything to me." Once again as he tried to walk towards her, she walked away from him, "I wanna be yours."

Just as she was about to say something Baelon finally appeared and saw the two together, before he could even say anything or even make himself known, Aemond walked up to Alyssa and finally was able to take her within his arms. Alyssa didn't want to be within his arms but she had no choice in the matter, that was when out of the corner of her eye, she saw Baelon and finally she was able to push herself away from Aemond to run up to Baelon and look him in the eye. This let Baelon know that something had happened that she didn't want to happen, Baelon looked over her shoulder and glared at Aemond, but he just smirked. Alyssa stopped the two from fighting by taking hold of Baelon's wrist and saying, "Please brother, we cannot be late for the feast." As the two were walking away, Alyssa couldn't help but notice that Aemond was keeping his eye on her and she didn't like it at all. Later on at the feast, Alyssa was seated next to Baelon but couldn't help but wonder what Aegon and Aemond were talking about, as the food was being placed on the long table, Alyssa couldn't help but notice the animosity between Alicent and her mother. Alyssa sighed as she had hoped for a quick end to this infighting. Soon the doors opened and everyone stood up when they saw King Viserys was carried in on a chair, Alyssa glanced away from him and at her parents, she knew that both of them would be hurting the most; as Daemon was the brother while Valaena and Rhaenyra were the daughters.

As soon as the King's chair was placed at the table, everyone took their seats; even though she was still able to sense that Aemond's gaze was still on her but her eyes were focused on her parents. "How good it is...to see you all tonight...together. This is an occasion for celebration, it seems." Alyssa rolled her eyes when everyone apart from her family began to pray, unbeknownst to her grandfather's second family, his first family had changed the religion they followed as they all now prayed to the Old Gods of Valyria. "This is an occasion for celebration, it seems. My grandsons, Jace and Luke will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses. A toast to the young Princes and their betrothed." As everyone went to take a drink of their wine, Alyssa couldn't help but notice that Aegon was trying to antagonise Jace causing her to kick him under the table, as he gave her a bewildered look; she simply tilted her head to the side. "Let us toast as well Prince Jaehaerys...the future Lord of the Tides." Once again wine was sipped and Alyssa smiled when she heard Alysanne encourage Jaehaerys, yet out of the corner of her eye, she saw Aegon once again try to antagonise Jace, leading Alyssa to once again kick him under the table and give him a look.

Yet it was then that was the moment when her beloved grandfather stood up and removed his mask, showing his disfigurations to all present, causing their eyes to widen and to look away, Alyssa, herself covered her mouth in shock and listened as her grandfather spoke. "It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world, yet grown so distant from each other in the years past. My own face is no longer a handsome one, if indeed it ever was. But tonight, I wish you to see me as I am. Not just a king, but your father. Your brother. Your husband and your grandsire...who may not, it seems, walk for much longer among you. Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts. The crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided. But set aside your grievances. It not for the sake of the crown, then for the sake of this old man who loves all so dearly."