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They say the Red Keep was haunted, with ghosts roaming the crypts and bones buried inside the walls. Each night, long after sunset, the servants blew out the candles and darkness surrounded the castle. Maybe that was what encouraged the phantoms to come out. Or maybe it was the strong gush of salty wind from the Blackwater Bay - strangely refreshing in this suffocating city. Even though dead people didn’t need air to survive, they probably took great pleasure in its howling.
But one of the ghosts was still very much alive. Miserable and alarmingly pale, the lady in white was pacing the corridors of Maegor’s Holdfast. She was moving somewhat mechanically, passing the King’s chambers without a second glance and slipping inside a small sitting room at the end of the hall. Night after night. Week after week.
A shadow in a chainmail followed her every time, but never stepped inside. The knight knew better than to interrupt ghosts, especially when they started wailing. And the lady in white did it the loudest of them all.
The sitting room of her choice wasn’t remarkable in any way. There was a fireplace and old cushions on the floor, along with a sturdy, yet empty, table and some chairs. The balcony was three-steps wide and overlooked the Godswood. No one visited this place during the day.
The lady dropped to her knees beside the fireplace, warm light illuminating the tears on her cheeks. The servants kept the fire going every night just for her.
She was tired. Exhausted even. So sleep-deprived that she didn’t even see the figure by the window observing her thoughtfully.
Another spirit, but even more similar to ghosts in appearance. Her white hair was flowing freely down her shoulders, making the silhouette somewhat statue-like. Maybe that is why the other ghost didn’t notice.
“I can recognise a sleepwalker when I see one by the light”
The lady in white was startled only for a split second, before the usual mask of the queen found its way back on her face. Her composure changed slightly.
“I’m not a sleepwalker”
“Well, you certainly walk a lot instead of sleeping” Rhaenys shook her head “And it is starting to show, child”
“I’m not a child”
“Then what are you?”
Silence fell between them and Alicent turned towards the fire again. She did not come here to be reprimanded.
“Maybe not a child anymore, since you have your own. Think about them, my queen” the older woman moved soundlessly “You’re scaring Helaena”
Another sob arose in Alicent’s chest, but she knew better than to make a sound. Hot tears streamed down her face, only witnessed by the fire. She didn’t need Rhaenys’ remarks and her daughter’s concern. She couldn’t bare it, just as she couldn’t bare her own thoughts lately.
Suddenly a hand fell on her exposed shoulder. Rhaenys was kneeling on a cushion behind Alicent, close enough to hold on to if she needed.
“I must admit, you’re scaring me too” she said “Viserys is at death’s door, yet you seem to be the one that fades away with each day”
“And how is that any of your concern, lady Velaryon?” Alicent sniffled.
Gods, she tried. Tried to scare her away to finally be alone. And cry her heart out.
“Another woman’s anguish is not something I enjoy seeing. We’ve got enough on our shoulders already”
Alicent didn’t know if it was the late hour or Rhaenys’ gentle words but she could feel her facade cracking. The heat from the fire wasn’t able to dry her flowing tears fast enough. In this castle filled with brash men, how she wished to surrender to a woman’s kindness.
She fell back on her heels, letting Rhaenys hold her shaking frame. Alicent could swear her pain became physical - as if it had crawled out from inside her mind and attacked the body. Burning tears were still staining her white nightshift.
Rhaenys didn’t say anything more, she didn’t think she had to. She shielded the younger woman, who seemed to melt into her embrace. Alicent did everything she could to hide her face, eventually burying it in Rhaenys’ shoulder, as she howled in pain. The excruciating sound filled the cold chamber.
The queen and the queen-who-never-was, auburn locks tangled with white.