The sun was starting to lower behind the trees. The rushing sound of the waterfall filled the quiet clearing, masking the distant noises of the army camp.
Margaery lay on her back in the soft grass, resting her head comfortably on Alaric's lap. She had put her light green dress back on, but the fabric clung to her skin. She had taken a quick dip in the cool pond after they finished, and her dark hair was still completely wet, dripping small drops of water onto Alaric's leg.
Alaric sat leaning against the base of a large oak tree. He had pulled his black tunic back on. His large hand moved slowly up and down Margaery's side, his fingers gently tracing the curve of her waist and ribs through the damp silk.
"That was intense," Margaery said quietly. She tilted her head back to look up at him, a lazy, highly satisfied smile on her face. "And very exciting. I didn't think I would enjoy the dirt so much."
Alaric chuckled, his chest vibrating against her head. "I told you that you wouldn't care about the mud once we started."
She hummed in agreement, turning her eyes back toward the falling water. They stayed quiet for a few minutes, just enjoying the cool air and the feeling of being completely alone.
She shifted slightly on his lap. "What are you going to do with Cersei?" she asked. Her voice lost its teasing edge, becoming sharp and practical. "And her children?"
Alaric kept his hand moving smoothly along her side. He frowned slightly, thinking about the prisoners locked in the dark cells under the city.
"I don't know what to do with them yet," Alaric said flatly. "But I am not killing them today. First, I need to interrogate Cersei. I need to know exactly how she set that trap."
Margaery raised an eyebrow. "You mean the wildfire?"
"No. I mean the dragon," Alaric corrected. "Wildfire is just a trick. The alchemists make it in jars. But that skeleton... That is not something you can just buy in King's Landing."
Margaery nodded slowly. She understood the danger. If someone else had the power to raise dead monsters, they needed to find them quickly.
"And the children?" Margaery asked. "Tommen is just a boy, but Myrcella is getting older. She is pretty, and she is a Lannister. If you let her go, or send her away, she will just become a tool for Tywin. He will marry her off to build another army against you."
Alaric looked down at his wife. "Do you have an idea?"
Margaery smiled. It wasn't a sweet or innocent smile; it was cold and completely practical.
"Keep her," Margaery said simply. "Make her a ward of the Crown. Or better yet... take her as a paramour."
Alaric stopped moving his hand. He stared at Margaery, genuinely thrown by how casually she dropped the idea.
"And you say that like it's nothing"
"Why not?" Margaery asked. She shifted her weight, rolling slightly onto her side so she could look him right in the eye. "You conquered King's Landing, Alaric. After all the blood and effort you put into taking this city, don't you deserve a little reward?"
Alaric watched her for a second. "And you really don't mind sharing?"
Margaery reached up and rested her cool, wet hand against his cheek.
"I told you before we married," Margaery said, her voice completely serious. "I am not a jealous little girl. I want to be the Queen of a strong King. If taking the Lannister girl makes you look stronger and breaks our enemies, then you should take her."
Margaery's thumb brushed lightly along his cheek, her expression soft, but her gaze steady.
"She is a beauty, Alaric," she said gently. "It would be a pity to let that wither away in some cold cell."
Her lips curved, not quite a smile.
"And she is young, alone, and frightened. Better she find comfort in your favor than spend her days fearing the dark."
She tilted her head slightly, studying him.
"You would not only keep her close… you would give her purpose. A place at court. A reason to be loyal."
Her voice softened further, almost coaxing now.
"And in return, she might offer you… whatever ease or companionship you require, when the weight of rule grows heavy."
Margaery's fingers lingered a moment before slipping away.
"It is kinder for her," she finished. "And far more useful for you."
She let her hand drop back to his chest, tracing the heavy fabric of his tunic.
"Besides," she added, a wicked little spark returning to her brown eyes. "I know exactly what I am capable of. I am not worried about a frightened blonde girl taking my place."
Alaric let out a short, rough laugh. He shook his head, amazed by how ruthless she could be when she wanted to win. He started running his hand up and down her side again.
Alaric let out a short, rough laugh. He shook his head, amazed by how ruthless she could be when she wanted to win. He started running his hand up and down her side again.
Margaery hummed quietly, enjoying the warmth of his hand. But after a moment, her brow furrowed.
"What about Joffrey?" she asked, looking up at his face. "Did they find his body in the rubble? Or did he just burn in the wildfire?"
Alaric stopped moving his hand. He blinked. The relaxed feeling in his chest vanished instantly.
He had completely forgotten about Joffrey.
Between the giant dead dragon, the stone titans, the wildfire explosion, and calming down the girls last night, the boy king had entirely slipped his mind.
Alaric frowned, thinking back to yesterday afternoon. When his army marched up Aegon's High Hill, his Blood Scout told him Joffrey was hiding inside the Great Hall. The Scout said the boy was alone. But when Alaric finally pushed those heavy oak doors open, the hall was empty. Only Cersei was sitting on the Iron Throne. There had been no sign of Joffrey anywhere.
"He wasn't there," Alaric said slowly, his voice dropping.
Margaery sat up a little, resting her weight on her elbow. The wet silk of her dress slipped off her shoulder. "What do you mean he wasn't there? The whole city knew he was in the Keep."
"He was supposed to be," Alaric muttered. "My Scout told me he was in the throne room. But when I walked in, it was just Cersei. The boy was gone."
Margaery's eyes widened. "Did he escape? Did she send him away with the other two?"
"No," Alaric said, shaking his head. "My Scout watched the secret tunnel. Only Tommen, Myrcella, and one Kingsguard went through it. Joffrey didn't."
He stared at the trees, his mind working fast. Joffrey wasn't in the throne room before the blast. He wasn't caught on the beach with his younger brother and sister. He had just vanished right before Cersei lit the wildfire.
"So where is he?" Margaery asked, her voice tight. "Is he alive?"
"I don't know," Alaric said flatly.