As Maekar's hand came to rest on his sister's shoulder, he felt the tremor that ran through her slight frame. Her skin was clammy, damp with cold sweat despite the hearth-fire filling the chamber with warmth. His brows knit together, and he lowered himself to her side, seated beside Alicent.
Halena's lips moved, a faint murmur barely reaching his ears. 'The black dragon is here.'
Maekar stilled, frowning. 'A dream, then. A vision perhaps. And if her dream is about me…'
He bent close, his voice soft and low, almost a whisper meant for her alone.
"Dear sister, are you well?"
Halena lifted her gaze at last. Her violet eyes locked with his own, yet in that instant she recoiled inwardly, as though she looked not upon Maekar but upon cruel crimson eyes she could not escape. Quickly, she lowered her head.
"A dream, brother," she said, her voice trembling, fragile. "It was only a dream."
Maekar nodded slowly, appearing thoughtful. "Can you describe it for me, Halena?"
Alicent leaned forward sharply. "There is no need to—"
He cut her off gently, his tone even. "Mother. The best way for her to rid herself of a nightmare is to speak it aloud. To share it is to lessen it. She will rest easier after. Tomorrow is her wedding day—we need her in her best state."
Alicent's lips pressed thin, but before she could argue further, Halena spoke, her voice faint but insistent.
"I stood before a city… all black. Its walls, its towers, everything was swallowed by shadows. I could make out its shape, but no distinctive mark by which to know which city."
Maekar said nothing, only inclined his head, waiting. Around them, the room listened in curiosity.
"Then…" She faltered, shivering. "Then a dragon came. Black as the night, with horns crowning its head. It was… vast Its body gleamed like polished night, but streaked with spots of red, as if it bled as it flew. It descended upon the city, burning it all to ruin."
Her words broke, her voice thin as glass. Maekar drew her gently against him, pressing her head to his chest, his hand stroking her hair as he murmured low comforts. "It is all right, sister. It is all right."
Across from them, Alicent and Otto exchanged a troubled glance. Otto's voice cut the silence.
"That sounds… disturbingly like your own beast, Maekar. Morghul."
But Maekar shook his head at once, his voice calm and dismissive. "She is only unsettled. The morrow looms heavy on her, and her heart is restless. That is all."
He lifted her chin with careful fingers, forcing her to meet his eyes. The fear in her gaze trembled, but he held her fast.
"You know me, Halena," he said softly. "Why would I ever harm you? My duty is not to frighten or hurt you, but to guard you. To protect you, as a brother must. You believe that, don't you?"
Slowly, with a breath that seemed to ease the weight on her chest, she nodded.
"Yes, brother."
Maekar nodded once, then rose slowly to his feet.
"Then let the dream remain only a dream," he said quietly. "Rest well, sister."
He stepped back from the bed, his movements measured, and left the chamber without another word. Aemond, who had lingered by the bed, glanced once at Haleana before following after him.
Out in the dim corridor, the torches hissed and crackled. Maekar's face remained carved in its usual mask of calm, but his thoughts were churning. 'A prophetic dream… She sees not only the fate of realms, but also my actions; thankfully, she couldn't tell which city'
Aemond walked a pace behind him, silent until at last he spoke.
"She must be unsettled by the marriage," he said, his voice low. "To be bound to that drunkard—it's enough to haunt her sleep with fancies and terrors."
Maekar's eyes flicked to him, unreadable, before he gave a small nod. "Aye. Our sister is more sensitive than we believed."
The next day, the Sept of the Red Keep swelled with lords and ladies from across the realm. The vaulted chamber was thick with the smell of wine and food, the whispering lords made for quite a sight as they whispered to each other.
Upon the raised dais sat King Viserys, his body frail and bent with sickness, though the throne placed him high above the sea of nobles. To his right, Queen Alicent gleamed in her green dress, composed though her hands were folded tightly in her lap. To her left sat Ser Otto Hightower, the king's hand, grave as ever, his sharp eyes measuring every lord in attendance.
The royal family filled the seats beside them. Maekar sat by his mother, quiet and still, while his youngest brother, Daeron, grinned with open innocence, his laughter bubbling at whispers from his grand-uncle, Lord Hobert Hightower, who sat looking protective at his side. Across from them sat Aemond, rigid and silent, his eyes beneath his pale hair watching everything with cold scrutiny.
When Maekar's gaze wandered to the end of the royal table, it found Princess Rhaenys. The Queen Who Never Was sat tall, her presence alone a reminder of her grace. Her husband Corlys had not come, but in sending her, he had sent a message nonetheless.
'As expected of the Sea Snake,' Maekar thought, studying her calm composure.
'He will not risk burning his ships just yet. He stays away from the wedding to please my half-sister, but his wife sits in his place as a way to placate our side.'
Maekar's gaze drifted across the wide chamber, taking in the gathered nobility one by one. The Lannisters had come in all their golden splendor, their lord seated proudly with his most trusted bannermen— the lord of House Reyne beside him, and stern-faced Marbrands not far behind. From the Vale, Lady Jeyne Arryn sat among her retinue, regal looking in her blue dress, flanked by the Lord of Runestone and the grim lord of House Corbray.
The Riverlands, too, had sent their strength. Lord Elmo Tully was present, his red-and-blue cloak bright against the muted stones, while the Lord of the Crossing occupied his place with watchful eyes, calculating as always, as if imagining how much coin he could make if all the gathered lords crossed his bridge.
Maekar's gaze then turned to the northern houses. The wolves of Winterfell were absent, their seats conspicuously empty. Otto had explained they were mired in troubles at home, bound by some unrest in Winterfell that could not be ignored. Yet the North was not wholly unrepresented: the flayed man of House Bolton and the white merman of House Manderly flew their banners proudly, the former cold and severe, the latter a touch too eager to have a taste of the displayed desserts placed in front of him.
Maekar's thoughts lingered on which of the other Wardens might have arrived, but before he could complete his tally, a quiet voice at his side pulled him back.
Queen Alicent had leaned in close, her words hushed for his ears alone. "Aegon and Helaena should be here soon. I worry your brother may… do something to spoil the day. Please, go and see to him."
Her lips pressed tight in worry, though her eyes betrayed frustration and annoyance.
Maekar inclined his head in a slow nod. "I will go, then," he answered, rising from his seat with his usual calm.
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apologizes for the break; i had fallen ill
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