House of The Dragon-A God Amongst Men-Chapter 136: Offer II

(Third Person POV)

"It is a trick, Mother, do not fall for it!" Maegelle said with a serious frown, "Do you truly expect Lord Drakken to willingly heal Balerion after having you try to convince me to bed him?"

Alysanne sighed, "And do you understand that if I don't do at least that, the other option is to marry your youngest sister to his son?" She said, "This is for the sake of the Realm, Maegelle, I beg of you."

They were in Maegelle's chambers, discussing Drakken's options. Maegelle immediately understood that this was some sort of trick or game that Drakken decided to play on Alysanne and did not intend to humor it.

"You want to heal Balerion?" Maegelle asked, "What for? Why? You understand that if Drakken so much thinks you will use him against House Drakkengard, he will simply kill him?"

"Look around, my sweet daughter...." Alysanne started, "You are surrounded by abominations that dwarf our House in power. Is it wrong for us to have some sort of semblance of safety? Vhagar was mercilessly killed by Drakken's creature, we need the Realm to know that we can defend ourselves! Otherwise, they will side with Drakken and rally against us!"

Maegelle shook her head, "They are more afraid of Drakken...to the point that they would not even dare to think of allying themselves with them." She said, "He put a balance in the Realm. So long as everyone is subservient to House Targaryen, House Drakkengard will not wage war against them. Drakken's promise of peace is the only thing holding everything together."

"And when that peace ends, what do you think will happen?" Alysanne asked, "The Great Houses will side with him and will target House Targaryen, eventually overthrowing us and will place Drakken as King."

"Is that what you think?" Maegelle asked with a frown, "He does not care about being King, Mother. And he has told me that he does not intend to overthrow House Targaryen."

"It is the truth, it is the cruel truth of this world." Alysanne said seriously, "For the Realm, for our Family, we need something to help us keep the little power we have left. Drakken's mere existence is enough to make us feel inferior."

Maegelle shook her head, "What you are asking of me...." She said softly, "It is too much.....after everything I have been through, Mother, you would dare do this to me?"

"Would you want your sister to be in this Family as well, Maegelle? Saera is one thing but Gael? Little Gael?" Alysanne asked

Maegelle looked down, "N-No..." She said, her voice shaking, "The entire reason I am here is because you made a deal with Drakken. I did not ask for this.....I did not! And despite all of that, Drakken has given me free will! He is allowing me to make the choice for myself! Him just throwing that option out like nothing, it is nothing more than a test! I....I will not succumb myself to that point, not anymore!"

"M-Maegelle..." Alysanne said, "I know this is too much to ask...I know it....but....this is for the sake of our Family, believe me. There is something bigger at play here.....just trust me....One day, you will be free....from him, from Drakken."

Maegelle looked at her, tears in her eyes, "N-No." She said, "I am free. I am to be Lord Drakken's Lady.....only when I am ready...and I am not.....not now..."

"When will you be ready, Maegelle?" Alysanne asked with a frown, grabbing her daughter's hands, "He has two sons with two different women, two! How long until he does not have any interest in you and just casts you aside, leaving you alone to your thoughts and doubts? When Saera comes to him, do you expect him to pay you as much attention to you as he will to her? I care about you! I-I....I know that despite everything, he will treat you better if you bear him a child!"

"He already treats me better than any other Lord would ever have!" Maegelle pulled away, "That is why I wanted to be a Septa! Because I did not want to be married to some Lord that would rape me! Lord Drakken is flawed, yes....he can be a Monster, yes....but he treats me better than anyone would ever have, Mother!"

"Maegelle....." Alysanne said softly, "I...I am sorry....."

Maegelle wiped her eyes, "I will not do that." She said, "I am sorry."

"Good choice, my sweet flower." Drakken appeared behind Maegelle, surprising the Queen

"D-Drakken!!" Alysanne exclaimed as she jumped up a bit, "Y-You were listening?!"

"Yes." Drakken said as he gently placed his hands on Maegelle's shoulders, "Maegelle, you cry?"

Maegelle looked down, "N-No....." she said shakily

Drakken leaned in closer and gently wiped the tears away, "My Sweet Maegelle...." He said with a soft tone, "Even now, you wish not for your free will to be stripped from you, hm? That is why I adore you."

He then gently tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned in, gently kissing her on the cheek. Alysanne saw that Maegelle did not react to this, only watched with a surprised look on her face.

"L-Lord Drakken...." Maegelle started, "You will not force me, right?"

"No." Drakken said, "But the offer is still up. If your Mother can convince you within two days, I will heal Balerion. I suggest you stay strong, Maegelle."

"This is a test." Maegelle straightened up as Drakken wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, "Is it not?"

"For both of you." Drakken said, "I am no fool, I know why they want Balerion healthy. But ah well, I do not care."

"B-But I will not be forced.....?" Maegelle asked again

"No, Sweet Maegelle." Drakken said, "I told you, didn't I? I will wait....I will wait until you are ready.....but time is running out....when Saera comes.....who knows what will happen? But....if you can hold out even through that, I will want you even more....because My Maegelle, you are everything I want...you are pure, you are good...."

"You are Perfect."

*******************

[King's Landing]

"Your Grace, we have received word that Corlys Velaryon has been drawn to the coast of Essos quite recently." Septon Barth said as they sat in the Small Council, "It is quite clear that the stories of the Sword are true."

Jaehaerys narrowed his eyes, "They're true, you say?"

"Yes." Septon said, "Corlys Velaryon allegedly wields an enchanted sword. He has sent a letter, asking for a Royal Pardon should the weapon be used for its purpose."

Aemon and Baelon, who sat on the table, looked at each other in confusion. They were a bit taken back by this sudden talk of a magical sword.

"W-what do you mean?" Baelon asked, "What purpose?"

"According to an inscription on the sheath of the sword...." Septon Barth, "The Sword is 'The End of Death'. It has great power, allegedly. It is forged by a steel that came from a fallen star, similar to how this monster, Drakken, came to the Realm."

"A Star-Fallen Sword...." Aemon said, "Like Dawn? From House Dayne?"

"Hm....." Jaehaerys said as he placed his hand on his chin, "Interesting....."

"If that sword is enchanted...." Baelon said, "Wouldn't Dawn also be enchanted? I mean, the story of House Dayne is known throughout the world! A Star fell on the realm and Dawn was forged from its heart!"

"I don't know." Aemon said with a frown, "This sounds different. Drakken definitely came from the Star years ago, the one that I investigated. That much is true.....and this one fell in Essos not too long ago either.....Dawn has been around for a long time..."

"House Dayne, along with all of Dorne have been subject to Drakken's wrath." Jaehaerys said, "A Million Gold per year is not something they can constantly manage....contact House Martell and House Dayne...."

"We have much to discuss."