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House Of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, And The Black Dread: Chapter 66: Plague
🕑 Added 2025-01-18 19:56:52 +0000 UTC(Third Person POV)
Over the course of two weeks after Baelon and Helaena returned yet again to Dragonstone, an epidemic of Racking Cough broke out throughout the Crownlands. Many in King's Landing were affected and left in pain and agony.
It is unknown where the plague broke out as some became ill in Claw Isle and Driftmark around the same time. Then, a few days later, some smallfolk showed symptoms in King's Landing. Over the course of those few weeks, hundreds of people have died. They were mostly Smallfolk who were unable to get treatment, but it was a serious blow to the morale of the people.
In the Red Keep, King Viserys and a dozen others were afflicted. The Maesters worked tirelessly to treat them but only managed to save a few, as most servants who got ill died a few days later. Viserys, however, was able to hold out for much longer, being bed-ridden for most of the time he was there. The rest of the Royal Family were kept isolated in order to prevent being afflicted, especially Aegon and his family, as Jaehaerys was but a mere babe.
The Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, ordered a complete shutdown of the city and the Red Keep. He had his men locate the afflicted and contain them in certain locations in the city so they could be treated. This would be an attempt to get rid of the disease as quickly as possible but even then, they were not confident in doing so. The Grand Maester confirmed that some people have an innate resistance to a disease like this and they are less likely to be affected than others. That was one of the good things the Crown had heard and the possibility of minimizing casualties was pretty high.
Prince Baelon and Princess Helaena were seemingly among those who had resistance as they did not show signs of being afflicted. The other Princes were not confirmed to be resistant and were kept isolated for the time being. Queen Alicent did not want to take any chances considering that the Maesters were giving all of their efforts on the King and other Lords that were affected.
While brief, this period would be quite imposing on the people of the Crownlands, a serious epidemic would be tragic.
At this moment, Prince Baelon Targaryen was walking down the hall and heading to his quarters to join his wife, Helaena.
"We should have stayed in Dragonstone...." He muttered as he reached the door, seeing Ser Criston standing guard outside, "How are you feeling, Cole?"
Ser Criston nodded, "I feel fine, My Prince." He said, "You should not be outside your chambers."
Baelon shrugged, "I feel fine as well." He said, "And I had to go check on Aegon and his kid."
"I understand." Cole said
"Why are you not with Mother?" Baelon asked
"The Queen ordered me to stand outside your quarters to ensure the Princess is kept safe inside. Any and all supplies will be inspected as well, to make sure everything is alright." Criston told him, "It is all for both of your safeties."
"The Grand Maester said that we both are resistant to the cough." Baelon told him
Criston opened the door and gestured him inside, "We still cannot take any chances. With the King bedridden and all. You are the Heir, Prince Baelon, do not forget." He said as Baelon walked past him
"Oh, I know." I said, "But I don't wish to ascend the throne because my Father died of illness."
"Nobody wants that." Criston told him before closing the door
Baelon let out a sigh as he stood in front of the door, "Hm..." He said as he looked around his room
It was thoroughly clean, his maids had worked tirelessly to make sure that there was no risk of affliction. Baelon had been worried that their fatigue might trigger the illness for them and had them isolate themselves in their rooms until everything was okay. While this was a meaningful action by the Prince, the Lord-Hand still had them work. There was a limited amount of servants that were able to work in the Red Keep so anyone who was not afflicted would need to do their part.
This annoyed Baelon but he could not do anything about it. He and Helaena promised to give them a reasonable reward after everything was over.
Baelon walked over to Helaena who was sitting in the couch, reading a book.
"Is reading all you can do, love?" Baelon asked her, "It is much silent and dreadful these days."
Helaena nodded, "Yes."
Baelon sat down next to her, "I went to check on the babe." He said, "Aegon and them seem to be well. I am glad that little Jaehaerys is not affected, it would be a serious and grave tragedy."
"Let us pray that he, most importantly, makes it through." Helaena said
Baelon nodded, "Yes."
Helaena leaned against Baelon and sighed, "I am sorry for making you come all this way." She said softly, "I know how worried you are.....if we were at Dragonstone, we could be less at risk."
"It is fine, my love." Baelon said as she wrapped his arm around her, "I have my doubts and I do wish we were there, but we are here with Family at the very least. Separated and isolated, but at least in the same Keep."
"Do you think Father will be okay?" She asked him
Baelon nodded, "He is strong." He said, "The Gods know that his reign is peaceful. Should he die and I ascend, they know that I will bring about unruliness and recklessness."
Helaena smiled, "This is not the time for jests."
Baelon kissed her head, "I know." He said, "It is strange....that of all people, I am resistant...."
"The work of the gods...." She said softly, "They did save you when you were born."
"Hm...." Baelon said, "I only hope that Jaehaerys gets that treatment.....I cannot imagine being worried about my own child at a time like this...maybe it is good for us to have waited.....or....."
"Yes...." Helaena said, "I cannot bear something like this either....."
"Everything will be alright." Baelon rubbed her shoulder, "Hopefully after a month, this passes."
"What if it does not?" Helaena asked
"We'll get through it....together." Baelon told her
************
A day later, some guards were rushing out of the Red Keep as there was some sort of alarm in the Dragonpit.
Ser Harold and Ser Criston were outside in the gate, doing an usual patrol when they saw this.
"What is going on?" Harrold asked one of them
The guard stopped and looked at him, "The Dragonpit....Syrax was spotted flying in." He said, "We got a call to head down there, an emergency!"
Cole frowned, "The Princess Rhaenyra is here?" He said, "Mayhaps she is worried about Aemma."
"The girl sends letters frequently." Ser Harrold said, "She should be updated on whatever happens here."
Then, a horse's neigh was heard and both Kingsguard looked over to see a rider bursting through the gates.
"Ser Harrold! Ser Criston! Quick!" the rider exclaimed as he panted, "This is of an utmost tragedy! We need you at the Dragonpit!"
"What is the matter? Our duties lie here in the Keep." Ser Harrold said, "The Lord-Regent does not wish for anyone other than Guards and Maesters to leave the premises."
"The Princess Rhaenyra, Sers." the rider said with a concerned face, "H-Her boys....!"
"They have died due to the plague!!"
