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alicenttully · 19 days

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THE GREEN COUNCIL

An alternative version of the script for The Green Council

(One month after the departure of Rhaenyra’s departure from court.

From above, we see Viserys in his bed. It is a miracle that he is still here, but it is a wretched existence. There are no traces of the jovial king that we were introduced to.

We sense death.)

VISERYS

Please.

Alicent comes into view. We see the shadows under her eyes as she lifts the cup gently to Viserys’ lips. When he finishes, she puts it aside.

VISERYS

I’m sorry.

Pity and confusion war on Alicent’s face, as she ceases her stroking of Viserys’ hand.

ALICENT

For what, my king?

VISERYS

You wanted to know… if I still believe.

VISERYS

Don’t you remember?

(Viserys’ voice is desperate. Every word is a struggle.

Understanding shadows Alicent’s face, as she remembers a long-forgotten memory.)

ALICENT

It was a long time ago.

VISERYS

I know. You were a girl.

ALICENT

I wouldn’t say that husband. I was carrying our daughter, then. Helaena.

VISERYS

But-

ALICENT

Rhaenyra and Daemon returned to Dragonstone a moon ago.

VISERYS

Forgive me.

ALICENT

Shhh.

(We see that Alicent’s thoughts are not with her husband.)

(We cut to Alicent in her bedchambers later, after being awoken by Talya.)

ALICENT

Are you sure?

(She looks shocked.)

TALYA

With his own eyes, Your Grace.

ALICENT

(Alicent sniffs as she hurries out of bed.)

ALICENT

Stay here. Tell, tell no one.

Help me dress.

(The camera focuses on Talya’s face, who smirks as Alicent turns away.)

(The Hand’s apartments)

OTTO

Who knows?

(He is staring into the fireplace.)

ALICENT

Just Talya. Some of the servants.

I was with him, last night.

It’s a mercy.

(Otto locks eyes with Alicent.)

OTTO

Did he say anything?

(There is a silence. Alicent looks torn.

Then she shakes her head.)

ALICENT

Nothing of importance.

(Small Council)

TYLAND

What is it that could not have waited an hour?

Was Dorne invaded?

(He looks pleased at his own joke.)

OTTO

The King is dead.

(Otto’s voice cuts like a knife.

Tyland’s smile drops.)

OTTO

May the gods give him rest.

But now we must prepare.

GRAND MAESTER ORWYLE

Indeed. The Silent Sisters must be sent for, and if I dispatch one of my swiftest ravens now, it should reach the Princess of Dragonstone before midday-

OTTO

All needs must wait until the matter of succession is settled.

BEESBURY

The matter of succession IS settled.

(His eyes blaze.)

TYLAND

Is it?

(He smirks)

ALICENT

The Iron Throne by rights must pass to His Grace’s eldest trueborn son.

BEESBURY

Am I to understand that you are plotting to replace the King’s chosen heir with an imposter?

(He looks around in disgust)

WLDYE

His firstborn son is hardly an imposter.

ALICENT

He did not choose his daughter. He spurned his brother. He said as much to me years ago. Or does that little detail inconvienance your outrage?

TYLAND

And do we not remember the scandal when they wed? Even His Grace was most wroth with their audacity.

BEESBURY

Hundreds of lords and landed knights swore fealty to the Princess.

WLDYE

That was some twenty years ago. Many of them are now dead. Would their kin do the same now, while Viserys had three living sons?

BEESBURY

If they are honorable men! This is usurpation.

(He slams a fist on the table.)

SER CRISTON

Words have meaning, my lord. Prince Aegon cannot usurp his own birthright anymore than you or I can pluck a star out of the heavens.

(Otto speaks soothingly)

OTTO

We ARE honorable men, Lord Lyman. That is why King Aegon will give Princess Rhaenyra a path to peace, with generous terms.

TYLAND

Of course, generosity always has its limits.

BEESBURY

No. No.

GRAND MAESTER ORWYLE

Lord Lyman, please…

(Beesbury rises to stand)

BEESBURY

The King was well last night, by all accounts.

WLDYE

(scoffs)

Well.

TYLAND

Which of us are you accusing of regicide?

BEESBURY

Whenever it was one of you, or all of you, I care not.

I will have no part in your schemes.

ALICENT

You call it a scheme to defend my children? My sons challenge Rhaenyra, simply by living and breathing. Even Helaena and her little ones will never be safe.

I do not believe Rhaenyra to have the cruelty of Daemon, but I do not believe that she will temper his cruelty with mercy if it comes to it.

(Her voice is dangerous.)

BEESBURY

It would break Viserys’ heart to see you think so little of his daughter.

(He turns to leave-)

SER CRISTON

Sit down!

(There is a struggle. A crack. Blood.

Alicent gasps.)

TYLAND

Seven hells.

(GRAND MAESTER ORWYLE checks Lyman’s pulse.)

GRAND MAESTER ORWYLE

Let us have Lord Beesbury removed.

OTTO

No. The door remains shut until we finish our business.

We must determine our allies now, should Princess Rhaenyra refuse our terms.

She is currently in confinement on Dragonstone, so we have an advantage.

WYLDE

Perhaps she will die in childbirth.

ALICENT

(Alicent, still shaken from Beesbury’s death, looks appalled at such a blithe comment.)

OTTO

My lord. That is still the King’s daughter you speak of.

(Wlyde looks suitably chastened)

OTTO

Time is of the essence. Ser Criston, gather your men and assume the custody of any Blacks that remain at court. Do them no harm unless they resist. Those who swear fealty to King Aegon will live.

GRAND MAESTER ORWYLE

And those who do not?

LARYS

Are traitors and shall die a traitor’s death.

(Alicent’s apartments. Helaena is there, sewing. She smiles at her children, Princess Jaehaera and Princess Jaehaerys who play happily on the floor.

Alicent rushes in.)

ALICENT

Where is Aegon?

HELAENA

N-not here. Nor in my bed. Feel free to search beneath the blankets.

(Helaena looks annoyed.)

(Alicent sits down beside Helaena, who moves away. Alicent, used to Helaena’s sensitivities, takes no notice.)

ALICENT

Your father….

(Helaena is odd, but she is not stupid.)

HELAENA

When?

ALICENT

Not long.

HELAENA

I don’t know why I’m surprised. He was sick.

ALICENT

Oh, my dearest love.

(To Alicent’s shock, Helaena squeezes her mother’s hand, then drops it. She avoids Alicent’s eyes, and turns to look at her twins, who continue to play on obliviously.)

(Aemond walks in)

AEMOND

So. Is Aegon king, or is the cunt queen now?

OTTO

Where’s the Prince?

SER ERRYK

Forgive me, Lord Hand. I do not know.

(He looks flustered.)

OTTO

But you’re sworn to protect him.

SER ERRYK

He exploits his authority to order me away, and then he evades me, my Lord.

I believe he may have left the Keep secretly, gone into the city.

I-I think he has a mistress.

OTTO

Find him. Take only your twin and remove your white cloaks.

SER CRISTON

Prince Aegon’s not to be found within the castle walls, Your Grace.

Your father has sent Ser Erryk into the city to find him.

ALICENT

Ser Erryk is just one man. Ser Criston, you must go as well.

Everything you feel for me… as your Queen.

(They are so close, they could kiss.)

SER CRISTON

I will not fail you.

AEMOND

I’ll come with you.

ALICENT

That would not be my desire, Aemond.

If anything has befallen-

AEMOND

Cole needs me Mother.

Ser Erryk isn’t the only one familiar with Aegon’s doings.

(Aemond’s voice is almost gentle.)

AEMOND

Aegon brought me to the Street of Silk on my fourteenth-name day.

It was his duty, he said, to ensure I was as learned as he was.

SER CRISTON

I don’t follow.

AEMOND

“Time to get it wet.”

(Cole grimaces.)

SER CRISTON

Every woman is an image of the Mother, to be spoken of with reverence.

(He knocks on a door. It is opened by an attractive woman in her mid forties.)

SER CRISTON

Sometime last night, we… lost our drinking companion.

Knowing that he has been, in the past, a patron of your fine establishment, we thought to inquire here as to his whereabouts.

LYLA

Describe him.

SER CRISTON

That is a delicate matter.

You see, the man we seek is the young Prince Aegon.

I may trust, I hope, in the discretion of your trade.

LYLA

The Prince is not here.

I wish you luck, good Ser.

Perhaps when you find him, he can return here with your friend.

How you’ve grown.

(Aemond looks uncomfortable.)

OTTO

You once swore your banners to Rhaenyra.

Now pledge them to the rightful King.

LORD MERRYWEATHER

I must confer with my house on this matter.

OTTO

You’ll not leave this room without declaring your intention.

LORD MERRYWEATHER

I am no oathbreaker. I will not bend the knee.

OTTO

Anyone else?

LADY FELL

House Fell… keeps its sworn oath to the Princess.

OTTO

Very well.

(They are dragged out. The rest kneel.)

ALL

Long live the King.

SER CRISTON

Your brother could be anywhere.

AEMOND

He could be in the hands of mercenaries, on a ship to Yi Ti.

He could be dead.

SER CRISTON

Let us hope not, for your mother’s sake.

SER ARRYK

How old are they?

(He looks ill.)

SER ERRYK

About ten years, I’d think.

They have them grow their nails and file their teeth.

Makes them more formidable.

SER ARRYK

Has Prince Aegon ever visited here?

SER ERRYK

A few. He found it amusing.

SER ARRYK

Do you now see what he is?

AEMOND

Here I am, trawling the city, ever the good soldier in search of a wastrel who’s never taken half an interest in his birthright.

‘Tis I the younger brother who studies history and philosophy, it is I who trains with the sword, who rides the largest dragon in the world.

It is I who should be…

SER CRISTON

I know what it is to toil for what is freely given to others.

SER ARRYK

Aegon is unfit to rule.

SER ERRYK

You forget yourself. It is not your place to say such things.

SER ARRYK

Have you no mind of your own, brother?

(Hilly, approaches them. She is nineteen to twenty years of age.)

HILLY

I can take you to Prince Aegon… for a price.

(She smiles confidently.)

SER ERRYK

Deliver him, and we’ll consider your price.

(We are in a manse. Aegon lies asleep in bed, having just enjoyed a good fuck. His paramour, Mya, lies asleep besides him, her breasts exposed.

Ser Erryk shakes him awake and averts his eyes from Mya’s figure.)

SER ERRYK

Get up.

KNIGHT

Halt! Hold the gate!

(horse neighs)

CASSWELL

Unhand me!

LARYS

He was fleeing from the gate.

CASSWELL

Do you know who I am?

LARYS

A friend to the Princess, I’d wager.

CASSWELL

What say you?

The Lord Confessor presumes.

CASWELL

I have no love for the Princess.

LARYS

And where were you going then with such urgency?

Let the King’s Justice take him.

CASSWELL

Let go of me!

No! This is not right!

(Rhaenys’ apartments)

RHAENYS

I will do you the considerable courtesy of assuming there is a good reason for the outrage of my treatment this morning.

ALICENT

My sincerest regrets for the lack of ceremony.

RHAENYS

The King.

And you are usurping the throne.

(Rhaenys scoffs.)

ALICENT

Viserys’ firstborn son is no usurper.

ALICENT

Believe it or no, it is of no consequence.

Aegon will be king.

I came here to ask for your support.

RHAENYS

Well, I must credit you for your boldness.

ALICENT

House Velaryon has long allied itself with the Princess Rhaenyra and what has it gained you?

Your daughter dead… alone in Pentos.

Your son cuckolded.

Rhaenyra’s heirs are none of yours.

It is your husband who grasps so heedlessly for the throne.

And even he has abandoned you: gone these six long years to fight a desperate battle, returning grievously, if not mortally, wounded, leaving the Lady of Driftmark to chart her course alone.

(Rhaenys grits teeth.)

RHAENYS

The word of my house is not fickle.

(Alicent smiles sadly.)

ALICENT

No.

Princess Rhaenys, I was fond of my husband, but I will speak the truth we both know.

You were robbed at that council.

RHAENYS

I little thought to hear those words from you.

ALICENT

Viserys was the child of a second son, but you… The Iron Throne was yours by blood and by temperament.

Viserys would’ve lived his days a country lord, content to hunt and study his histories, but… here we are.

So while we may not rule, but we may guide the men who do.

Gently… away from violence and sure destruction and instead toward peace.

RHAENYS

Is it in the name of peace that you’ve imprisoned me?

And what of my dragon?

ALICENT

If we are overmatched, Rhaenyra will be tempted to strike, and war will ensue.

Without your dragon, she may be persuaded to negotiate.

RHAENYS

A true queen counts the cost to her people.

ALICENT

If it’s Driftmark you want, you shall have it for you and your granddaughters to pass on as you see fit.

RHAENYS

You are wiser than I believed you to be, Alicent Hightower.

(pause)

And yet you toil still in service to men.

Your father, your husband, your son.

You desire not to be free, but to make a window in the wall of your prison.

Have you never imagined yourself… on the Iron Throne?

(Alicent looks incredulous.

Heavy silence.

Then-)

ALICENT

I do not need to imagine myself on the Iron Throne, Princess, when I can stand beside it.

ALICENT

I’ll leave you with your thoughts. May the Crone guide you to wisdom.

OTTO

We have relied on one another these many years.

And now it is the good of the family that we both desire.

If I had known that Viserys would…

The Princess would not have lived long after Aegon was born.

OTTO

That said, I would have been too reluctant, daughter.

ALICENT

Reluctance to murder is not a weakness!

ALICENT

We will send terms. True terms, such that she may accept without shame.

My husband would have desired this mercy be shown to his daughter.

OTTO

Your husband?

Or you, his daughter’s childhood companion?

ALICENT

I have been a mother longer than I was her childhood companion.

My son will be anointed tomorrow at dawn.

The whole of King’s Landing must witness his ascent.

He will assume authority. There will be no more dithering.

My son will take the crown of his namesake, the Conqueror, and carry Blackfyre, his sword.

Let the people remember the ancient strength of House Targaryen.

OTTO

You look so much like your mother in certain lights.

ALICENT

I don’t remember the sound of her voice anymore.

LARYS

Your Grace.

(Alicent looks exhausted.)

The hour is late, Lord Larys.

LARYS

I’ve found out something that you should know.

Have you asked yourself, I wonder… how it is… that your father found Aegon first?

There is a web of spies at work in the Red Keep.

Along its threads travels news of all our doings.

Your father knows this, but has left it in place.

More than once, it has proved advantageous to those willing to… feed the weaver.

(Alicent looks perturbed by this revelation.)

ALICENT

And this weaver watches me?

LARYS

Um…

One of the little spiders is your lady-in-waiting.

ALICENT

Talya? But she-she has been faithful-

(Larys shakes his head.)

LARYS

Only to herself.

(Alicent chokes back rage.)

ALICENT

I will have her head.

LARYS

Of course. But there are more like her. Even I do not know their number.

There is one way to destroy his advantage.

It must be taken out at the head.

When the Queen dies, the bees fly without purpose.

Begging your pardon for the turn of phrase, Your Grace.

ALICENT

I assume this task falls within your expertise.

LARYS

If you wish it, it will be done.

(Royal carriage. We hear the bell tolling, shouts of people outside.

Aegon is dressed in kingly raiment, looking severely disgruntled.)

AEGON

My father never wanted this.

He had 20 years to name me heir and he never did.

Steadfastly, he upheld Rhaenyra’s claim.

And I have no taste for duty.

ALICENT

No. You do not.

But your father was weak.

(Aegon snorts in agreement.)

ALICENT

He refused to see the truth.

ALICENT

Do not play the fool, Aegon. Rhaenyra will never sit the throne safely while you and your brothers live.

If you love them, you will take the throne.

(The camera focuses on Aegon’s face, who has tears in his eyes now. Alicent crushes her annoyance at them.)

AEGON

Do you love me?

(Alicent looks taken aback at his question. Then she smiles.)

ALICENT

I love the very bones of you, you imbecile.

OTTO

People of Kingslanding… today is the saddest of days.

Our beloved King is dead.

But it is also the most joyous of days….for he leaves a son.

COMMANDER

Guards! Out of the way!

Move!

COMMANDER

Halt!

Turn!

OTTO

It is your great good fortune and privilege to be here to witness this: a new day for our city… a new day for our realm.

A new king… to lead us.

SEPTON EUSTACE

May the Warrior give him courage.

May the Smith lend strength to his sword and shield.

May the Father defend him in his need.

May the Crone lift her shining lamp and light his way to wisdom.

SER CRISTON

The Crown of the Conqueror passed down through the generations.

(He places the crown on Aegon’s head.

Beside him, Alicent places a crown upon Helaena’s head.)

ALICENT

My queen.

SER CRISTON

Let the Seven bear witness:

Aegon Targaryen is the true heir to the Iron Throne.

PEOPLE

Aegon the king! Hail Aegon!

(Above the cheers, we hear a dragon’s roar.

It is not Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, or Vaghar.

It is Meleys.)

(We cut to Rhaenys flying away on Meleys, music swelling.)

A/N

I wanted to write a version of a script where the Greens aren't perfect heroes but they're not used as props for Rhaenyra's existence

On the other hand we have Aemond calling Rhaenyra a cunt, Otto admitting that he likely would have killed Rhaenyra if he could predict that Viserys wouldn't change the succession, Aegon still taking his brother to a brothel so he can be "learned" and finding child fighting pits amusing.

Alicent Hightower has the energy of episode 6 and episode 7. As @agentrouka-blog said once in a reply to an ask, a desire for peace coming from a place of genuine enmity is more meaningful.

Aegon II is not a rapist (so no Dyana) but he's not a stellar person either, considering that he has visited the child fighting pits a couple times.

Alicent is not S'A.

Major changes were Alicent not misinterpreting Viserys words, the Green Council where they go more in depth about the Greens motivations for taking the throne, Alicent not tolerating Rhaenys bs' speech, no Mysaria (although her presence is felt), Alicent deciding to behead Talya for her betrayal (this was a deleted scene), no Aegon chase scene. Alicent explaining to Aegon why he needs to be king

"I love the bones of you, you imbecile." Is a mixture of the show line + Olivia Cooke commentary on her character's thoughts during that scene.

No Rhaenys dragon nonsense, however it is made clear to the audience that she has escaped.

#alicent hightower #aegon ii targaryen #otto hightower #aemond targaryen #helaena targaryen #ser criston cole #house of the dragon #hotd #team green #my writing #edited #a/n

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