I can take over mending clothes. I don't mind that.
[It's something to do with her hands, to keep her focus.]
Yes. There's still a sea, but I don't usually go sailing on it. Usually I fly. Has mother told you of our dragons?
[She tries to imagine Alicent as carefree, lighter. Laughing and smiling] It's hard to imagine my mother enjoying much of anything. I'll look forward to seeing the change in her.
Thank you, your majesty. Do you prefer that? Your title? Some do and some don't, so I thought I'd ask.
A little bit. Your brothers too. It sounds strange, creatures that large who can fly, and people who can fly on them. Aren't you ever afraid? I'd be afraid.
Is that so? [It's saddening, but...not surprising, necessarily.]
I don't mind either way. The only ones from our world here are my family, and it can be a sore topic. You can call whichever you wish.
At first. It was frightening, but exhilarating. It's a special bond between rider and dragon. While my dragon would harm many, she would not harm me. I'm the only one who could tell her to stop and be listened to.
[And as for her mother--] My mother has had the world placed on her shoulders from a very young age. Expectations upon expectations, placed by others-- but also by herself. She clings to them. She could know peace, but no one can force her until she can accept that it must be her to bring it.
I have forgiven her for what she has done, what she is doing, and what she will do, already. The minutes tick ever closer to the hour of no return. Time works different here, though. Perhaps it is not too late after all.
no subject
[It's something to do with her hands, to keep her focus.]
Yes. There's still a sea, but I don't usually go sailing on it. Usually I fly. Has mother told you of our dragons?
[She tries to imagine Alicent as carefree, lighter. Laughing and smiling] It's hard to imagine my mother enjoying much of anything. I'll look forward to seeing the change in her.
no subject
I thought I'd ask.
A little bit. Your brothers too. It sounds strange, creatures that large who can fly, and people who can fly on them. Aren't you ever afraid? I'd be afraid.
Is that so? [It's saddening, but...not surprising, necessarily.]
no subject
At first. It was frightening, but exhilarating. It's a special bond between rider and dragon. While my dragon would harm many, she would not harm me. I'm the only one who could tell her to stop and be listened to.
[And as for her mother--] My mother has had the world placed on her shoulders from a very young age. Expectations upon expectations, placed by others-- but also by herself. She clings to them. She could know peace, but no one can force her until she can accept that it must be her to bring it.
I have forgiven her for what she has done, what she is doing, and what she will do, already. The minutes tick ever closer to the hour of no return. Time works different here, though. Perhaps it is not too late after all.