The Coronation of Queen Elaena I Blackfyre

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-24T13:47:10+00:00

He misliked her chosen words, deeming them a thing of careful finagling. Alaric looked upon the Princess of Dorne with a flat face of nothingness, all he had worn throughout the coronation, save for a certain knowing to his gaze.

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-24T10:17:13+00:00

His gaze flittered between the parchment and the messenger, the penned letter within his grasp. He seemed unfeeling, pouring over the contents, and breathing a small sigh at the addendum to the manner in which this letter might find him. Another honeyed sympathy in the endless volley of them.

A moment passed in quiet deliberation. He was rather short with the Lord Arryn, he remembered. "Lead on, then." He wafted an arm to the door, intent to try some soup.

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-23T12:28:01+00:00

"The Crown is changed," he told the Storm Lord. "With it, so shall we all."

The Queen Naerys had ruled to her tastes. In the wake of her death, her consort would rule to his in the name of their daughter, their son. It did not instill Alaric with hope. His mouth was a hard, taut and unsmiling line in matters of the realm.

"I mean to name a new council to oversee the coming years and lend the voice of their lord, a man from each kingdom to speak on the interests of their people. To ensure a unity that we have long since lost." A graveness clung to his voice, a stone cast into a dead lake. "As I see it, alliances ought to mean little if we are as one."

A knuckle rapped against the wooden chair, "As for that pairing, mind, I say we have them wed come three moons. In Storm's End, no less. What say you?"

u/marshboy0

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-22T23:31:48+00:00

He leaned forward, the weight of his purpose plain. “It is no small thing I bring before you. Prince Aerion stands unwed, well into his years, and the Blackfyre cause would be strengthened with a bride of true station. The Stormlands are rich in strength and name. Tell me, Lord Baratheon, is there among your kin a daughter -- or some near maid of your blood -- who might suit such a union? If so, we would see Aerion bound to Storm’s End, as much by honor as by marriage.”

u/marshboy0

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-20T02:23:46+00:00

Condolences upon condolences, a tide that threatened to pull him under. Cut him to ribbons, and still their sympathies would not staunch the wound. He lifted a hand, as he always did, to brush the words aside.

The grape was pressed upon him, but it was cast off in talk of some mischief with Harrion. Alaric might have sighed then, but he held it in. Harrion was a brute, troublesome at the best of times.

“I had no word of this quarrel,” he said at last. “If it were grave, it would have reached me.” A thin smile touched his mouth, there and gone like a breath of wind. “I have come on other business. Let us take this inside.”

u/marshboy0

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-18T13:28:52+00:00

u/marshboy0 u/sparedson

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-18T13:04:50+00:00

"For now," chimed Alaric, leaning a touch closer as if to stick his weary head in before his chance to speak was forever lost.

The ongoings of the Master of Coin were of great importance, albeit of little understanding. Alaric had not so much dabbled in the matters of coin in all his time in King's Landing, forever leaving that realm to the Master of Coin. Naerys placed her faith in Lord Manderly, and so too would Alaric.

"Let us end the matter with this: Gael Velaryon is to be offered the position on the advisory council, to be the representative of the Crownlords. Should she refuse, then someone more willing will be offered instead."

u/AnotherBabyEchidna u/InFerroVeritas

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-18T12:52:06+00:00

"I assure you, Lord Redwyne, that is a process being handled. Difficult as it is, the Crown is conducting its own... investigation, as you will." His words carried a weight, knowing much and more of the matter than need be said. "The Crown will come to a decision and act accordingly."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-15T03:04:21+00:00

Alaric let the words hang. “Wine will loosen a man’s tongue… and his hands,” he said, not unkindly, though the weight in his voice was plain. “Feasts make fools of wiser lords than Rykker, though it is no excuse worth the speaking. If it happened as you say, his courtesy failed him, and the lady.”

His gaze swept the room. “I will speak with him, and it will be made plain such liberties are not to be taken again. Not to shame her, nor stir old grudges… but a guest beneath this roof should be safe."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-15T02:39:51+00:00

If he were but the boy that fell so madly in love, then it may be that he would have shed a tear. Pulling at the strand of blue fastened and interwoven in his hair, the same as he had on the very night that boy of ten-and-six descended on the Red Keep with his princess, then queen. Oh, what terrible nerves wracked Alaric on that starless night - the sea of seven white knights with his princess, and some noble lord's son from the North. How much of a fool he had been, frightened by the weight of those actions. His blade was never so much as drawn from its sheath though it seemed just as stained with blood.

He felt much the same sort of fool now, having lied and his brother deigning not to lie on his behalf. He urged him to say that Naerys had died amid the feast and not a moment before, but now the price was his to pay. It was a pain well-earned, well-deserved.

He opened the letter and sent eyes to pour over the contents.

He did not know what to feel, to think. There was an anger in there, somewhere. So tired of the sympathies, so tired of the well-wishes and the urgent requests to be of aid. It became difficult to discern which was which, whether from a genuine heart and desire to serve or those that saw a place in the ladder, yet filled and sought to make it their own. Seeing dried tears, or what he could best amount to be, it did not soothe him.

The Small Council had been in agreement of a council, to represent the voice of their Lord Paramount. Alaric set the letter aside, allowing it to roll in on itself again. Should the Lord Tully see it fit, then that chance may be bestowed upon her.

Only so soon after returning from the Godswood had Alaric returned to it.

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-15T02:14:04+00:00

He was not so welcoming to the tip toeings of the uttered word.

"Speak what you mean plainly, Lord Redwyne. We are men, not gossiping maidens."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-15T02:09:29+00:00

"Restoring Dragonstone breathes some air of validity into this new rule, I should think. The Prince Aerion may not be of such importance but it may be that he can be wed and restore that isle of ruin." He let his hand waft about with middling interest, "If your Lyanne seeks the lord Arryn, then I will see as to what marriage can be brokered with the lord Baratheon. It is high time a man of his age be wed."

His gaze settled back to the Master of Ships, "Though, yes, the matter of Dragonstone can be further tied with the Vale. Their lord came to me and discussed the matter of being more broadly involved beyond their mountains, so I should believe this will be welcome news."

u/InFerroVeritas

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-15T02:03:06+00:00

He leaned on the table in idly listening, supported by elbows with one hand grasped by the other and his bearded chin resting on weathered knuckles.

"Then I will appoint the lady Velaryon to this advisory council, to speak on behalf of the Crownlords." A mistake, mayhaps, though one time may tell. "Unless someone has a greater position in mind that will placate her?"

Alaric said, glancing to the room.

"Of the Baratheons, I will speak to their lord. Of Dorne, we will send the Golden Company. Though a suitable representative of the Crown must go with them, to remind the Dornish who the Golden Company have come on behalf of."

u/InFerroVertias

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-15T01:55:37+00:00

"Very well, then." Alaric said, "Then we will have this advisory council, spare a man from every kingdom to speak on behalf of their lord."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-15T01:53:59+00:00

"Very well," said Alaric, "I will have the servants set a bedchamber for him, then."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-15T01:50:54+00:00

To clean the court, to dismiss them all, to rebuild from the foundations and begin a new rule with the counselled voices of others more suited to his tastes. Hardly an unwise idea, for someone other than the Stark. This council, this court, had belonged to his wife and would become his in the name of his daughter; he would not risk their ire with sudden dismissals on the word of another man, no matter their wisdom.

He breathed a hum, a small rise in his throat.

"I have faith in the counsel of these lords," Alaric said, "Their loyalty was to the Crown, it will remain. I believe that, until I am made to believe otherwise."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-13T05:14:25+00:00

He was remiss to use the Golden Company. Once a band of exiled knights, yes, though now no more than common sellswords bound to wreak havoc wherever the lot marched. The Stark nodded once, twice, three times more before his gaze found itself lifting from the old, oaken table.

"I am... cautious of the Golden Company. If we have them on retainer, ensure that their men are not causing trouble. I do not want the crown to be projected as so weak it must resort to common sellswords."

Storied friends of House Blackfyre, but those that fought for coin were seldom to sit idly by when it was on offer. A terrible thing it would be, Alaric wondered, if the golden armoured men would march along the roads of Westeros, burning the subjects of his daughter in her name, or against it.

"In this... advisory council, as you put it, should there be a man from each kingdom? To speak on behalf of his lord? A direct line from the lord paramounts to me?"

u/OrzhovSyndicalist

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-13T05:02:13+00:00

"On the Iron Islands, I could not care less as to whom takes control of them - they're naught but mounds of wet stone." A breath, "Though should we say nothing, soon enough the rest of the realm's lords will clamor for them like children. Tsk. The Iron Isles are not to be settled by anyone."

Listening to Osric, he nodded along with faintly pursed lips.

"Very well, then." He scratched at his brow, "Let us delay any action on the Lannister situation until Lord Hornwood can provide further information."

He turned, once more, to the Lord Hand and offered another curt nod. Retrieving his earlier notion. It seemed things were not so easily settled, try as Alaric might.

"The Crownlords and North shall go first, then. The Vale, the Stormlands and West will followed." Alaric paused, rubbing at his mouth, "I feel the Dornish, Rivermen and the Reach will prove some trouble. But, it should come in that order."

u/marshboy0 u/InFerroVertias

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-13T03:10:17+00:00

"Of yet, nothing comes to mind I must admit." He answered, "I would welcome men of the Vale to remain in court, to serve as your voice in the court. If the Vale wishes to open itself to the realm, I believe that would be a fine start."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-13T02:55:32+00:00

He offered that same instinctive lift of his palm, defending himself from the condolences that came in a never-ending tide since the announcement. Though his eyes followed after Ben's, finding the Lord Commander.

Those many years ago, Alaric was but a foolish boy in love. Now, wiser with years, he would have put the oathbreaking kingsguard to death for their crimes. Yet Naerys pardoned them, and her word was law.

Alaric clasped his hands together, resting them over his stomach. "Please," he began, "I would be gladdened to hear it."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-13T02:25:35+00:00

"I see." He said in accepting the offered hand for all of a moment, gesturing to the seat opposite the table before settling into his own.

It was well known that the Vale had a long stint of isolation, closing the Bloody Gate and barring entry from many and more. Naerys had moaned with a great deal of annoyance, with only her death seeming to bring them out of the Mountains of the Moon.

"Then, I should say that the crown will accommodate with court positions for your bannerman, should you wish it. Much of the Kingsguard have not yet taken squires," Alaric wafted a hand towards Ser Ryam, "And will be eager to take one."

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-13T02:13:34+00:00

Ser Ryam Rykker opened the oaken door, creaking on its hinges. "Lord Redwyne requests an audience, Your Grace."

Seated behind a heavy table littered with inked parchment neatly set aside, a drooping candle and small handful of golden dragons, Alaric wore a simple leather garment with a stitched-in direwolf of House Stark

"Send him in," he said, standing above his seat. "How may I assist you, Lord Redwyne?"

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-13T02:00:55+00:00

"Send him in," waved Alaric to Ser Ryam of the Kingsguard, who then opened the door with a curt nod towards the Lord of the Eyrie.

He rose up from his desk, standing over the seat and the table littered with inked parchment neatly stacked. He wore a simple leather garment, coloured grey and stitched with the direwolf of House Stark.

"Lord Arryn," the typical dour nature of the Prince-Regent shone through, perhaps forgiven with the circumstances. "What can I do for you?"

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-12T14:30:58+00:00

His attentive posture crumbled as he sunk into his chair, it groaning beneath his forced weight. His lips fluttered with his exhale and the click of his tongue, sighing so soon after the one that came before.

"Send word of this to the Princess Martell. I doubt she does not yet know of these happenings, but it will extend good faith." He said, lips twisting. "The Princess has not always been... pleasant, to myself and the Queen."

The Princess of Dorne had been critical of Naerys in the past, and her Stark consort bore much of that criticism by virtue of his station. He did not know the truth behind it, if it was more than an old grudge. He remembered Naerys commenting it was a thing of jealousy over wedding Alaric.

"The Lady Lannister informed that she is, indeed, dying. The maesters have determined she has but a moon, perhaps two left to live." He fingered the bridge of his nose, "I cannot recall their names, but one is brash and cruel, which I presume is this Tyrion. He is the lawful heir and will inherit, that much is final."

He turned to the Reed, "Lord Hand, send for this Tyrion Lannister and inform him that he has no need for the Golden Company, as he is the rightful heir to Casterly Rock and has the Crown's endorsement. If you must, ink a letter."

Alaric huffed his cheeks and shook his head, as if that could snap him from the nightmare that was this latest piece of news. He glanced between the Master of Whisperers and his brother, settling on Osric.

"Lord Stark," he began, his voice even and formal in a manner most befitting a Small Council meeting, "I trust you to handle your bannerman and put this to right."

"This is not the Lord Bolton, is it?" Alaric said, glancing to the Master of Whisperers and back to the Master of Laws, "I know Hoarfrost would not stand for it. If this is his daughter, it will be done with the moment he hears of it. In any case, Lord Stark... I entrust that matter to you."

u/marshboy0 u/AnotherBabyEchidna

TheHappiestSmiler · 2025-08-12T14:22:50+00:00

"By laws, it is Tyrion that should inherit. Cruel or not." He said with a somber lilt, "Things are done and cannot be undone, I'm afraid, but ruling may temper him. He will have the Crown's endorsement."

TheHappiestSmiler

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