章 8: Chapter 8: The Prince's Tourney
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Myrcella.
Seeing Daemon hand her grandfather their family's ancestral sword was an eye opener for her, her grandfather was never the most open man with his emotions, nor was he openly affectionate. But she could see just how impressed he was and just how pleased the prince's gesture made him. When Daemon was asked to take a seat she was surprised she'd not been asked to leave, more so when her grandfather smiled at her when she took her own seat.
She knew of course that a royal match was something her family desired and that she was the one they'd set their hearts on to secure that match, but before Daemon had arrived back she found it to be not the most pleasing idea to her. Aegon while no doubt handsome was in some ways too like her own family, with his silver hair being far too close to the golden hair of her brother and uncle. Daemon though was dark haired and his eyes, his eyes, she could get lost looking into them with how dark and expressive they were.
"You traveled North my prince?" her grandfather asked.
"I did, it seems the squids took it upon themselves to threaten my mother's homeland my lord, they even went so far as to kidnap my aunt."
"They did what?" Tyrion asked as she gasped.
"My aunt visited her sister looking for aid and was attacked upon her return, the ships sailed from Seagard to bring her to Euron Greyjoy on the Iron Islands and as I arrived North the letter arrived to my uncle, so Lyanax and I went to intercept and bring her home."
"Your aunt she is unharmed?" Myrcella asked a worried look on her face.
"She is Myrcella and is safe and well and at home with her family now." he said smiling at her.
"So it was when you went to rescue your aunt that you came across Euron and Brightroar?" her uncle Jaime asked.
"I did, he didn't wish to give either up but in the end he was convinced otherwise, though it did cost him his life." Daemon said and Myrcella found hearing of Daemon killing the man didn't faze her at all, in face she felt proud of him for doing so.
"The Iron Born your grace?" her grandfather asked.
"As I was bringing my aunt home it was clear that the rumors were true, they were plannin a large scale invasion of the north. They had over a hundred ships around Pyke alone, so once my aunt was safe I flew back and offered them the chance to stand down."
"You offered them terms?" Tyrion asked surprised.
"I did, Balon Greyjoy was to be taken in my custody and they were to stand down, they rejected those terms though, broke parlay and attacked me, so after dealing with that I gave them an hour to answer."
"They broke parlay and you still offered terms your grace?" her uncle Jaime asked.
"It was Balon's sons Ser Jaime they didn't wish to give up their father. After I dealt with them I left it to their uncle to make the choice."
"Dealt with them?" she asked and Daemon looked at her.
"They attempted to kill me Myrcella. I simply defended myself and was better at it than they were. I also had a rather large dragon backing me up." he said and she nodded.
She looked to her grandfather who was studying Daemon intently before she turned to her uncles, Tyrion look was remarkably like her grandfathers but Jaime's was different. She had seen him look that way when sizing an opponent up in the tilts, Though not usually with the small smile he now wore on his face.
"They then refused my terms and so I did what was necessary and removed the threat." Daemon said and she saw her grandfather's half smirk.
"Which was your grace?" her grandfather asked.
"I destroyed their ships." Daemon said.
"All of them?" Tyrion asked.
"All of them, they handed Balon over after that and I delivered him to face justice at the hands of those he wronged."
"Not the king?" Jaime asked.
"It was not the king he wronged Ser Jaime."
"I take it Balon is dead your grace?" her grandfather asked.
"He is my lord, he was tried and convicted and fairly executed by the laws of both the North and the crown."
"Both the crown and your uncle are lucky to have you back your grace and they are not the only ones who find themselves in your debt. I owe you thanks for this, for returning it to me, ask of it and I'll see you rewarded." her grandfather said.
"I seek no reward my lord, Brightroar is your family's, I merely took it from a thief."
"Then at least allow me to reward you with a celebratory dinner, join us tonight your grace we would be most honored by your presence."
"I accept my lord and I look forward to it." he said as he looked at her "I shall need to go change and I have some errands to run so perhaps we can speak later Myrcella. My lords, Ser Jaime." Daemon said as he kissed her hand and made to leave.
He was only gone a few moments when both her uncle and grandfather looked at the sword in even more detail, her grandfather admiring it before he turned to Jaime.
"Wear it and wear it well my son." he said handing him the sword.
"Father I.."
"A great sword needs a great swordsman to wield it, for you and for your son in the future." her grandfather said and Jaime nodded.
"What do you think of him father?" Tyrion asked and she saw her grandfather go silent for a moment.
"I think he's a very interesting man, very interesting, Myrcella a word. I shall speak to you all later." he said dismissing the rest of them.
He poured her some juice after they left, some sweet peach juice which he knew was her favorite and as she drank it he looked at her.
"I never told you why I wished a royal match so strongly did I?" he said and she shook her head "Your grandmother wished it so, it was her last request when the gods deemed it time to take her from me." his voice dropping as he spoke.
"Does mother know of this?"
"No child, you are the only one I've told. Prince Daemon was your grandmother's choice for you long before I tried to match you and Aegon." he said and she looked at him surprised "But with his disappearance and with it being her last wish. I blinded myself to that being what she'd asked for, thought the match as being more important than who you were matched with."
"I understand, it's all right grandfather." she said and he nodded.
"Do you like him? The prince?"
"I..I think so grandfather he seems different." she said her voice almost a whisper.
"He does, a match would please you then?"
"I think so, if it was what he wished for too."
"Very well." he said and she found herself almost smiling though she kept her face straight.
As she readied herself for dinner that night she picked out her most beautiful dress, she had her hair styled so it showed off her neck and shoulders and as her mother came into her room she had the largest smile on her face.
"Cella you look beautiful my love, a true princess."
"Do you really think so?" she asked slightly nervously.
"I think the prince would be blind not to see it my love and this prince doesn't seem the sort to miss much." her mother said and she smiled as she kissed her cheek.
Rhaella.
Daemon arrived back after speaking to Tywin and it seemed his mood was a good one, though whether that was because of the old lion or the young lioness was something she would need to ascertain. He kissed her on the cheek and sat down telling her of his meeting with Tywin and how happy he was to receive Brightroar, she was surprised and a little put out he'd agreed to the dinner, but it would give her time to eat with her son and daughter.
"You like this girl?" she asked and it took him a moment to reply.
"I do grandmother, she's not how I expected her to be, not quite what I expected a lady of the court to be like."
"You've been away from court a long time Daemon perhaps you're not sure how ladies may act." she said and he looked at her oddly.
"Court is the same everywhere grandmother, here it's a royal one, in Bravos it's the Sealord's or Pentos the Prince's, in Volantis it's the Old Blood, they all have the same thing in common"
"Which is?" she asked though she knew the truth of things
"People doing whatever they can to get ahead, to rise further and higher and accumulate power or wealth or both" he said a note of bitterness in his tone
"You sound as if you experienced some of this while on your travels?"
"Enough of it to recognize it and I did have a good teacher who told me the truth of this when I was but a boy" he said smiling at her
"You my dear grandson are still but a boy, luckily I'm still around to teach you more" she said and he leaned in to kiss her cheek again
"Thank you grandmother, for everything"
"Hush, no go you need to bathe and dress for your dinner, I wouldn't want my grandson not looking his best for his pretty lady" she said and found his little blush adorable.
After Daemon left she wrote out the notes for her son and daughter to come eat with her sending two of Bonifer's hundred to deliver them, she then busied herself with organizing the dinner having it in her private quarters rather than anywhere formal. Bonifer arrived back before the guards did and she wondered where he'd gone, her knight could take flight at a moment's notice when he had an idea. Seeing his expression she wondered if something was wrong but found it was something to do with his men and not her or Daemon.
"You wish to be alone tonight my love?" he asked.
"No join us, you're my family too." she said as she kissed him.
In the end it turned out to be just her daughter and her friend who arrived and not her son, her daughter made an excuse that he was unwell but she knew the truth of things. Viserys could always be petty and he was sending her a message in his not so subtle way. While it bothered her to not have him here, she found the chance to speak to Daenerys one which she relished, even if she had brought her friend with her.
"I hope you don't mind I brought Missandei with me." Daenerys said challengingly."
"No your friend is more than welcome Dany."
"Missandei is more than a friend mother." her daughter said and she saw both Dany puff her chest up and the other girl almost shrink at her gaze.
"I know and as long as you're happy then I'm happy for you." she said and the look of surprise on Dany's face was genuine.
"You know?" Have you been watching me, following me?" she asked though more curious than angry.
"No my love, we were walking in the town and saw you handing out the food. I arrived just as you were taking a break and saw you and Missandei" she said turning and smiling at the nervous girl "Kissing."
Her daughter looked at her embarrassed and Rhaella leaned in to whisper in her ear "As I said if you're happy then so am I." which Dany nodded to.
She found Missandei to be a nice enough girl, a little shy though perhaps that was more the company and not knowing how to take her lover's mother, for if there was any doubt of their relationship then Dany's little touches and looks would prove them false. More than anything though it was simply listening to her daughter's voice, her laughter, simply enjoying each other's company. She was even surprised that Dany never mentioned Daemon once until almost when they were ready to leave.
"Is my nephew taking part in the tourney?"
"Rhaegar is going ahead with that silly thing? She asked.
"You don't like tourneys mother?"
"No a man shouldn't need to crown a woman his queen of love and beauty to show he cares." she said and Bonifer looked abashed until Dany spoke.
"It's not the woman he's telling mother, it's the rest of the realm." she said and her knight smiled at her.
"That is true princess." Bonifer said.
"Oh do shut up Bon." she said before laughing when the two girls giggled.
After seeing her daughter and friend from the rooms Bonifer came back and found her looking out the window, the breeze calming her and soothing her worries.
"My love what's wrong?"
"I failed her, failed my daughter, I should have taken her back with me when Daemon disappeared, should have let her know how much I cared for her."
"There is time still, she doesn't hate you Rhae. You still haven't spoken of the why of it have you?"
"I find myself scared to bring it up Bon, find myself relishing seeing her smile, seeing her laugh and be happy so much that I cannot bring myself to speak on it."
"You scared Rhae, perish the thought." he said taking her in his arms and allowing her to melt into his embrace.
"I am for her, for Daemon. This place it ruins people Bon and we need to fix it and it scares me."
"Then I shall stand by your side and hold you hand, we shall be scared together my love and besides we have a dragon." he said kissing her ear and making her laugh.
"We do."
Daemon.
Dinner with the Lannisters had been interesting to say the least, he found he enjoyed Jaime's questions and Tyrion was as witty and fun to be around as he always was. While Joffrey sat there sullenly glaring at him all night he did so silently and so didn't bother him, how that boy could Tommen and Myrcella's brother was something he couldn't understand. Though given his own brother perhaps he should have been able to, Tommen was doing his damnedest to be a miniature Jaime and Daemon felt that was not a bad role model for the boy to have.
Tywin was gracious and pleasant and while he asked him questions about the North, Daemon found them more informative than probing, though he did get the impression the old lion was also gauging his feelings about the Starks. Cersei was perhaps the quietest surprisingly, she sat by Myrcella and spoke only briefly, but he wondered if that was for his benefit too as it allowed Myrcella to basically hold court at the table.
After dinner he spoke briefly to Jaime and Tommen about the tourney, even briefer still to Tyrion and his father and was more than happy when he was allowed to spend some time alone with Myrcella. Well apart from her mother chaperoning and her guards that was. She took him to a small garden area of their manse and it was like stepping into a different world, covered and closed off it made it seem as if the city didn't exist.
"My grandfather when he bought this place had this built for my grandmother, a place where she could be away from the city and all it's people." Myrcella said.
"That's the big advantage of having a dragon Myrcella, should the need arise I can just jump on Lyanax and find such a place for myself." he said and noticed the small frown which appeared on her face.
"Do you intend to leave soon?" she asked a note of worry in her voice.
"No, I think I shall be staying for a long time and I doubt my grandmother would allow me to leave anyway." He said with a small laugh "But I also have other reasons I'd like to stay for." he said and when she caught him looking at her she smiled before looking down to the ground.
"Are you looking forward to the tourney Daemon?" she said as she directed him to a small bench.
"I am, though as I said the jousting is not something I've had much practice at. I've rode and when I was a boy held a lance and rode at targets, but most of these men will have years of experience competing on me."
"So you don't think you can win?" she said almost teasingly and he chuckled.
"Oh I didn't say that, of course to do so I'd need some incentive, some added edge to make me try harder." he said and saw her blush.
"Whatever could you mean?" she said then composing herself and giving him back an even bigger smirk than he was wearing.
"A favor from a beautiful lady, perhaps." he said and she smiled fully then.
She reached into her pocket and took out a silken handkerchief, crimson and gold with a roaring lion embroidered on it, she moved her hand to his and placed it in his palm and then surprising him she held her own hand over it pushing their hands together.
"I hope it shall bring you luck and good fortune my prince."
"I have no doubt it will my lady." he said as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
They spent an hour or so sitting there talking, she about growing up at the Rock and he about Dragonstone and his grandmother, he knew he was avoiding talk of Essos and he could see she knew it too. But when he felt the breeze grow a little colder and saw the little shiver she gave, he felt it best if they called it a night.
"Perhaps when next we meet I can tell you more of my more recent adventures Myrcella?"
"I would like that very much Daemon." she said and he found himself looking at her lips, how full they were, the redness of them, the way she'd occasionally bite the bottom one almost nervously.
Leaning forward he kissed her cheek, Cersei's cough changing his target to both his and Myrcella'a frustration, but he did get a kiss of his own back as a reward and just feeling those lips against his cheek would be enough for now. He bid her goodnight and as he and Barristan walked from the manse he found Thoros and Ghost outside waiting for him.
"How long have you been here?" he asked and Thoros just shrugged his shoulders.
"No idea my prince only that he decided to wait for you here and insisted I come along too." Thoros said and he looked to Ghost who cocked his head at him.
"Thank you boy but I'm safe and well." Daemon said and rubbed the wolf's neck.
They were walking through the streets when it happened, Ghost bared his teeth and while normally he'd not have thought much on it, the fact the wolf had brought Thoros to him was playing on his mind. As they turned into one of the alleys Ghost pushed him to the ground and as he looked up he saw Thoros chase down the street and an arrow lodged in a barrel behind him. Barristan stood in front of him sword drawn and then as Daemon looked back to the arrow, Thoros reappeared.
"He got away my prince, it was one man a bowman, a damn good shot too." Thoros said looking at the barrel.
"He was, had it not been for the wolf that arrow would have hit you in the chest." Barristan said and Daemon walked to the arrow.
Pulling it from the barrel he felt the ruby's heat against his skin, poison, the tip of it was covered in a poison, had not the arrow killed him outright, then the poison certainly would have. He was looking at it when a dozen men came from nowhere, all of them dressed as commoners but armed and he knew immediately who they were.
"Put your arms away." he said to Barristan and Thoros and walked over to rub Ghost to calm the wolf down too.
"Ser?" he said walking to the man who looked in charge.
"Ser Jareth my prince, the hundred stands ready."
"Did any of your men see the bowman Ser Jareth?"
"One of them got closer than your priest, but no he was gone too quickly, ran away as soon as he saw he'd missed." Jareth said.
"This arrow it's been poisoned, perhaps the hundred can figure out what was used and who purchased it." Daemon said handing him the arrow.
"We will my prince, do you wish us to take care of the assassin?"
"No, him I'll deal with myself. Ser Bonifer you'll tell him of this no doubt?" Daemon said.
"Of course my prince."
"A favor if I may, can you leave it to the morrow, I'm safe and I'd like my grandmother to have a night's sleep before she worries so."
"It shall be done my prince, the hundred will see you home." he said and Daemon nodded knowing despite Barristan, Thoros and Ghost's presence these men answered to a higher calling.
They arrived at the Red Keep not long after and as he lay in bed he considered who would try so blatantly to kill him. The Dornish were the masters of poison and had already tried it once, but this was not their style, they were subtler than that unless desperate which they weren't yet. Aegon would want him humiliated first and this was far too aggressive an act for his brother, though he wouldn't put it past the rooster.
In the end he gave up thinking on it for the night, leave it to the hundred and get a decent nights sleep. Then should they not find the culprit soon he'd speak to his god, after all someone had tried to kill his chosen, R'hllor would not be happy. Soon enough he'd know who it was and then he'd introduce him to his demons, quick and easy was not how they'd pay for trying to end his life, there were worst things for a man to face than death and Daemon knew most of them.
Jaime.
He had dressed and broken his fast early, he and Tommen getting some final sparring in before the events began, despite his fears his son refused to miss the melee and so Jaime had no choice but to enter it himself. Looking at the list of people who would be in it he doubted there had been a field this good in years, if ever. Arthur and Oberyn, Gerold Dayne and both Tyrell's, the Clegane brothers, Yohn Royce, his sons. the Blackfish, Thoros of Myr and Prince Daemon himself.
Apart from the bold pretty much the very best swordsman the realm had to offer would be fighting and he knew that was why Tommen wished to take part. He had tried to steer him towards the joust and Tommen had agreed when he mentioned crowning a queen of love and beauty, but had shrugged him off when he asked if he'd someone in mind. But once he'd heard who would be competing in the melee his son was determined to cross blades with them or at least share the same field.
"You need to be careful in there Tommen, stick close to me it's not like a spar or a training exercise, you can get hurt and people have even died, so we work together or you don't get to compete."
"I will do as you say uncle, I swear it. I just wish to see how I fare." his son said and Jaime couldn't have felt prouder.
Though the Melee wouldn't begin for a few hours he and Tommen had like so many others arrived early, he saw Aegon speaking to his idiot followers, most of them he could understand and seeing Joffrey with them annoyed him. But it was the Tyrell boy he found confusing, the boy was talented if a little arrogant but why he spent time with those other idiots was beyond him. The squid and the frog prince couldn't fight if their lives depended upon it. while Hardyng was far too cocky for his skill level and the Darkstar was just a stain on his family's name.
He heard the hush when Daemon and Thoros arrived, Barristan following behind as loyal as ever. His former brother was one of the few who gave him time, though in public he played his role too. He looked at Aegon who looked both angrily and he thought jealously as Daemon walked by him and made a little mock bow.
"That armor, I've never seen it's like uncle."
"Valyrian steel, it's one of a kind there are no other pieces like it, save the breastplate on Thoros."
"The colors uncle, it seems to change color." Tommen said and he was right, the armor reflected the light, going from black to an almost silver and most shade's in between. It would be distracting in a fight, not to mention hard to pierce.
He watched as the prince went about his movement's, his form seeming to be all over the place until he and Thoros began to spar and while he could see both were holding back. He found that he looked forward to crossing swords with him as it had been far too long since he was properly tested. They stayed for a couple of hours and then people began to drift away, the opening ceremony would be soon and then the archery, followed by the melee.
He and Tommen made their way back to the manse and once there dressed accordingly before meeting with his sister, father and Myrcella. Joffrey having decided to go with the prince rather than his family was not endearing himself to his father in any way. Tyrion walked over to him as the carriages were being readied, his brother with a smirk on his face which he knew could mean trouble.
"What?" he said as Tyrion chuckled.
"Can't a brother just come wish his brother well."
"He can, but what is it Tyrion, you're up to something." Jaime said sighing.
"Nothing, just overheard that a prince will be wearing a certain ladies favor today." Tyrion said with a chuckle.
"He asked or she gave?" Jaime asked the protective father in him coming to the fore.
"He asked, he's a good lad Jaime, he's not like his brother, Myrcella won't be a conquest to him." Tyrion said and he nodded.
"Good because I'd hate to have people start referring to me as the Princeslayer." Jaime said and they both laughed.
When his father arrived they entered the carriages and he and Tommen took to their horses, the Lannister procession his father had organized was designed to show off just how rich and powerful they really were. The guards were decked out in their finest, the carriages spotless, even the men driving them looking wealthier and more affluent than some lords. When they arrived at the grounds Jaime was surprised to seem them be met by Ser Bonifer and some of his holy knights.
"Lord Tywin, Queen Rhaella has asked for you and your family to sit in her section today." the knight said as he looked to Jaime and nodded.
"Tell her grace we'd be most honored to join her Ser Bonifer." his father said and they were then led to the royal seats.
In the end they were seated to the left of the crown, the Tyrell's seated to the right while the Dornish sat in the royal seats themselves, what was surprising though was that Rhaella took her seat beside them next to his father. His queen looked radiant, as if the past few years had been merely days and she smiled at him when she caught his eye.
The King and Queen arrived then followed by Aegon who held Margaery's hand and he knew then the betrothal announcement would be made soon. Prince Daemon arrived with his sister and Daenerys with her brother and as they took their seats the herald began his work.
"My Lords, Ladies and good men and women of Kings Landing, in honor of Prince Daemon's return his grace King Rhaegar declares this tourney open, let the games begin."
Rhaegar.
When word came to him that Daemon would compete in both the melee and the joust he had convinced Arthur to take part, when he had heard from Varys what had happened the night before, he had almost shut the games down entirely.
" You're telling me someone tried to kill my son." he said angrily.
" It would seem that way your grace, my birds are trying to determine who it was." Varys said his voice low and quiet.
" I want them found Varys, not soon, not in a few days, I want them found and found now." he said and the eunuch nodded as he left.
Now sitting here in the arena watching men with bows take aim at targets all he could think of was one of these men had tried to kill his son. Every arrow that hit the target forced him to look to Daemon to make sure he was unharmed, every man who after making their shot looked to the king, in his mind became a potential assassin. Daemon had waved it off when he'd asked him about it, when Varys had left he had immediately went to his son's rooms himself to make sure he was safe.
" They're not the first person who've tried to kill, me, nor the last I wager your grace." Daemon said and Rhaegar shuddered both at the thoughts of the dangers his son had faced and that he had refused to call him father repeatedly.
" Perhaps it's best you not compete son, should the assassin wish to try again then the melee would be the perfect opportunity."
" Oh I'm counting on it your grace." Daemon said smiling as he and the red priest walked to practice.
His mother had felt as strongly as him and he saw the extra men her knight provided. The hundred were not as they once had been, no longer Knights of the Seven now they served only one and she would do everything in her power to protect his son. Not that Daemon felt he needed more protection, the Direwolf was by his side constantly and he was glad he'd refused Jon's request to have the beast chained up.
" That beast is a danger to all in it's path your grace."
" Do you know the significance of a Direwolf Jon, of what it means for those with Stark blood in their veins to have one?"
" It doesn't matter your grace, noble Lords and Ladies will complain seeing it, children will be frightened of it and should Prince Daemon not be able to control it?"
" You think my son who controls a dragon would have trouble with a wolf, I fear you're underestimating him greatly."
" Or you are over estimating him your grace." Jon said snippily.
" Careful Jon you are my hand but he is my son and I'll not accept unwarranted criticism of him, not even from you." he said annoyed.
" My apologies your grace."
" The wolf remains free Jon, should the need arise to look at it again I will, but as of now the wolf remains free."
Given what Barristan had told him of how the wolf had pushed Daemon away he was happy with his decision, thankful he had taken her words on this to heart, his love's knowledge of the symbol of her family had been far greater than his own. He looked at their son and felt it then, felt it deep in his heart as he always did, she should be here, she should be here, with me, with us. It had taken him far too long to realize that, to realize he was not the only one who had lost her and by that time Daemon was lost to him too.
"The Targets are set at ninety yards, up first Ser Balon Swann."
He looked on as the knight hit the target in the bull, an impressive shot as always from the knight of Stonehelm.
"Up next Anguy." the herald shouted and the commoner hit the bull perfectly, just as he had done at the last tourney.
"Up next Lord Theon Greyjoy." and Rhaegar heard the hisses and saw the smirk on Daemon's face.
Theon though hit the target in the bull and was followed by Jalabhar Xho who hit the bull too.
The next target was one hundred yards and both Balon and Jalabhar missed, as surprisingly did Anguy, Theon though actually hit it and though there wasn't much cheering for the boy he did see Aegon clap for his friend. Seeing Theon walk towards them to take his bows and plaudits though he noticed how Daemon was looking at him and how Ser Bonifer was too and he began to wonder. Seeing the white wolf rise to its feet he looked to Varys who was staring at his son with a look of intrigue on his face.
Did Theon Greyjoy seek revenge for his father?
Did someone else put him up to it?
Did Theon Greyjoy try to kill his son?
The questions formed in his head and he found himself not trusting where his mind was going. As he saw his son rub the white wolf's fur and smirk at the new lord of the Iron Islands, he wondered if Daemon was hoping Theon would take part in the melee as much as he now was.
The Prince's Melee.
Tommen.
He found himself almost shaking with excitement as the names were read out, hearing the herald say his own name had filled him with pride, even if it was said very early on. Now though the herald began to speak of those he worshiped, those he idolized.
"From Dorne, Ser Gerold Dayne, Obara Sand and Prince Oberyn Martell the Red Viper." the herald said to cheers.
"From the Vale, Lord Yohn Royce and his sons Andar and Robar and Ser Harold Hardyng."
"From the Riverlands, Lord Patrek Mallister, Ser Lucas Blackwood and Ser Brynden Tully the Blackfish." the herald said and Ser Brynden received some boos based on his family but for Tommen it was the opportunity to see him in action that interested him.
"From the Stormlands, Lord Bryce Caron, Lord Beric Dondarrion, Ser Richard Horpe and Ser Rolland Storm."
"From the Westerlands, Ser Gregor Clegane, Sandor Clegane, Ser Lyle Crakehall and Ser Jaime Lannister the golden lion." The herald said and just like with the Blackfish his uncle's name received some boos.
"From the Reach, Ser Garlan Tyrell, Ser Loras Tyrell and Ser Baelor Hightower."
"And Finally representing the Crown, Ser Daemon Sand of the Kingsguard, Thoros of Myr, Ser Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning and Prince Daemon Targaryen the Black Dragon." the herald said and the crowd hushed.
He saw Daemon look to where his father was sitting and saw the furious look on both his and his father's face as well as the smile on Prince Aegon's before Daemon moved forward and raised his hand.
"Your graces, my lords and ladies, it seems the herald has made a mistake, so for those of you who don't know who I am or that my dragon is indeed black." Daemon said to some laughs "May I introduce you to someone."
He watched then as the white wolf came from behind the stands running to the prince and then saw Daemon rub it's fur as it then lay down and allowed him to tickle his belly much to the crowd's delight.
"This fine fellow here is called Ghost, he's a Direwolf and the sigl of my mother's family."
The crowd hushed and then he heard the voices began to rise.
"Queen Lyanna."
"The She Wolf."
"The White Wolf."
"The White Wolf."
"White Wolf, White Wolf, White Wolf." the crowd began to chant and Daemon nodded and bowed and looked to his father and the herald who quickly began to speak.
"Prince Daemon Targaryen The White Wolf." he shouted and the crowd cheered.
The Sword of the Morning.
Arthur saw the smirk on Aegon's face, saw the smile on Jon Connington's and the look of fury on his king's, they had tried to humiliate Daemon, tried to paint him a Blackfyre and there would be consequences. Given the look Rhaella was given the rooster they'd be far worse than the ginger lord would be expecting. But Daemon had been magnificent, he had judged the mood in the crowd and played them as well as his grandmother would, as the wolf ran back behind the stands, the chants were still going on and then the melee began.
He moved closer to Daemon just as he was asked and was annoyed to see his brother move to the Dornish and stand beside his cousin. But he had no time to admonish him, nor to admire the armor Daemon wore, instead the fight was coming to him.
"Ser Arthur if you please." Lyle Crakehall said and Arthur unleashed Dawn and the dance began.
Lyle wielded a spiked mace, it's edge looking furiously sharp and the power behind the blows themselves made him a dangerous opponent, but Arthur wielded Dawn, a sword of legend and he wielded it as if it was an extension of his arm. He block the first strike and saw the Strongboar's face as a chip came off the shaft of the mace. Dawn's metal far firmer and stronger than any but Valyrian steel.
They clashed furiously then Arthur dodging and parrying and the Strongboar becoming more frustrated, he began to take control, forcing the man back and taking all his offense away and the man struggled to keep up with Arthur's speed. The end came when with the hilt of Dawn he caught the Strongboar hard in the head forcing the mace from his hand and the man to his knees.
"Yield Ser?"
"I do, an honor Ser Arthur, truly." Lyle said as he helped him to his feet.
He looked to the field to find Daemon and when he saw him he looked on in awe, he and Thoros were moving as one, back to back, side by side. He even saw Thoros hook his arm behind him into the prince's as he blocked a strike only to then spin the prince into his opponent. Arthur frowned at first thinking he'd given the prince up, sacrificed him so he could progress, but the spin and turn Daemon did showed this was nothing they'd not done before.
The man who'd been facing Thoros was one of the Stormlanders and the prince using his longsword disarmed him while pointing the short one at his throat. Watching the man yield and walk away Arthur could almost feel it himself, just how confused he would have been at how he lost. He smiled and moved towards them only for yet another obstacle to be placed in his way and the Blackfish would be much harder to beat than the Westerlands knight that was for certain.
"Ser Brynden." he said with a nod.
"Ser Arthur." the Tully knight said back.
The two of them circled each other, both waiting for the other to make the move, in the end it was Brynden who did so first, the strike easily blocked but Arthur knew that was the plan. The Blackfish intended to finish this quickly, he moved faster than a man of his age should and his technique was flawless. Their blades, caught each others over and over, neither able to make that breakthrough, but Arthur had him on conditioning and in the end it was that which would tell.
Moving faster himself he forced him back and dismissed the feint he knew was a desperate move, he instead aimed a swift kick to the leg which caught the Blackfish by surprise. Seeing him limp after it Arthur then moved for the kill. His movements impaired the older man could only parry for so long before his strength left him and Arthur rather than disarm him just nodded and raised his sword asking for the yield.
"The day is yours Ser Arthur, I wish you good fortune."
"As I you Ser Brynden, an honor Ser." he said and received a small smirk in reply.
He looked around the field seeing the Mountain be carried away, injured though not dead which given how the Hound was looking at him was not his intent. Yohn Royce was fighting Jaime and as good as the man was his former protégé was far better and would no doubt soon end that fight. His nephew had obviously lost though as he was nowhere in sight. But then he looked on annoyed and moved to help when he saw the five men surrounding Daemon and Thoros.
Jaime.
He prided himself on his armor never receiving a scratch and facing off against his first opponent he knew Lucas Blackwood would not be the one to do so. Something that was proved right very quickly, the boy was a decent blade but he didn't belong in this company and so Jaime finished him and moved on. Tommen was beside him facing one of the Royce's and holding his own, Jaime turning to face Ser Baelor knew he had a harder fight on his hands.
"Kingslayer." Hightower said a smile on his face.
"Breakwind." Jaime replied and enjoyed the scowl he got in return.
He moved easily he'd give him that, good form, decent technique, but jousting was more Baelor's forte and even at that Jaime had him beat, but trying to fight and keep on eye on his son, was a difficult thing to do. Even with all his experiences of being a Kingsguard he knew only Arthur, Barristan and perhaps Ser Gerold had ever truly mastered it. So Baelor was making him make mistakes, forcing him back and should it continue he could actually beat him.
"I yield, well done young lion." he heard from behind him and knowing Tommen was well he concentrated on what he needed to do.
The fight began in earnest for him now, he thrust and probed and threw a feint here and there, more and more of it catching the other man out, his strikes catching his armor and the flatness of the blade sending shocks through Baelor's body. He used the hilt to smack him in the chest, jabbed the pommel down on his hand hard and saw the sword fall. Raising his own as Baelor knelt to retrieve his fallen blade, it didn't take long for the man to yield and the fight was his.
"I yield."
"Of course you do." he said with a laugh and even Baelor laughed a little as he stood back up.
As Baelor left he turned to see Tommen face off against Oberyn's daughter and seeing the spear in her hand he found his worry for his son increase. Around the field the Hound and the Mountain were attacking each other as if their lives depended upon it which given their feelings for each other could well be true. Arthur was giving a master class as usual and the prince and Thoros were fighting as one, he heard a groan of pain from Tommen and saw the strike he'd taken in his side had been full force.
Oberyn was defeating the lightning lord and looking on while his daughter and Jaime's son were locked in a surprisingly even contest. Whatever advantage the spear had given the girl early on was being slowly whittled away as his son grew more and more sure of himself, as he adapted to the strikes. In the end it wasn't' a lack of skill nor even a lack of experience which cost Tommen, it was sheer bad luck.
Moving out of the way of a strike his son's foot landed awkwardly causing him to lose his balance, trying to recover allowed Obara the chance to sweep his feet and place the spear to his neck. For a moment Jaime thought the girl was going to do something dishonorable, the look in her eye making it seem she'd mark his boy some way. But Tommen"s yield was enough and though his son lost graciously, it seemed the Viper's daughter was anything but a gracious winner.
"Go home little lion, or next time this snake will bite." she said as she moved away.
Helping Tommen up to his feet Jaime patted him on the back and whispered he'd done well and that he was proud of him, earning a broad smile in return as Tommen left the grounds. He turned to see the Mountain being helped away and Yohn Royce moving towards him, his blade poised and ready.
"Ser Jaime."
"Lord Royce." he said back and then they began.
Thoros.
As soon as the fight started he and his prince were side by side, before this fight was done they'd be back to back and more and he welcomed it and hoped he'd not let his prince down. The two men who came towards them seemed to be brothers, one of them huge the other not so much.
"Prince Daemon, my brother and I wish to test our blades against you, I wish you good fortune your grace." Bryce Caron said.
"As I you my lord, and you too Ser, shall we begin." Daemon said "Thoros, flame free for now." and Thoros nodded as the fight began.
The two men may have been brothers but the bond between he and his prince was far stronger than that, they had bled together, crossed deserts together, faced things from beyond this world together. So two brothers from the Stromlands was no big thing and he laughed as he heard his prince's commentary.
"I faced a Khal once, big fucker he was, even bigger than you Ser Rolland." Daemon said with a chuckle as the sounds of blades clashing filled the air.
"Let me guess you beat him." Ser Rolland said.
"I don't know, Thoros does dead count as beat?" Daemon said laughing "See the thing with big fuckers is they move so slow, they can't react to change quickly enough." Daemon said and Thoros grabbed his arm spinning him around and into Lord Bryce.
Ser Rolland's intended strike missed throwing him off balance allowing Thoros to keep him occupied, as for Lord Bryce he went from facing Thoros with one sword to facing Daemon with two and he was lost before he could adjust. Daemon disarmed him with his longsword and used his short for the yield before turning back to where Ser Rolland was regaining his balance. Thoros raised his sword to block the large man and within a second Daemon was sliding on the ground and using his legs had tripped Rolland knocking him from his feet.
"Yield Ser." Daemon said and Rolland laughed before yielding.
"I Yield, well fought your grace."
Helping Daemon back to his feet he looked on as they came at them, two Tyrell's, two Dorishmen and a boy from the Vale, he heard the snort from his prince who moved closer to him as the men began to spread around them.
"My brother really is a fucking moron, but then since all of you are here to do his bidding, perhaps it's you who are the fucking stupid ones." Daemon said looking at them.
"We're just here to teach you a lesson bastard." the blond lad from the Vale said.
"Ah Harry the Arse, wondered when you'd show up, perhaps you need to talk to your friend of the night there, last person who tried to teach me a lesson well it didn't end too well for them did it Darkstar."
"We have the advantage this time." the Darkstar said smiling.
"Well Thoros it seems this fool still hasn't learned yet." Daemon said.
"Leaned what?" one of the roses asked.
"Tell him Thoros."
"That the night is dark and full of terrors and only they who walk in the Lord's Light are safe." Thoros said as Daemon touched his hand to his blade.
"When you go back to my brother crawling on your hand's and knees, tell him you've seen the light." Daemon said as all three swords lit up and the light from the flames shone brighter than a sun.
The moved then together as one, swords crashing down, hand's and elbows being smacked against helms and faces, the flames from the swords burned even brighter as the Prince's blood dripped down his blade. As Daemon then shook his hand and forced drops of it to catch Thoros's own, the Tyrell's were unarmed by Thoros himself, the flame near their faces enough for a yield. But Daemon was in no mood to let people leave unscathed, the Darkstar had a bone broken and Thoros wondered which one it was.
"You Ser are a disgrace to the cloak you wear." he heard Daemon say as the Dornish Kingsguard was smacked hard in the face the pommel catching his forehead and knocking him cleanly out.
But Daemon saved the biggest beating for the Vale lord, he had made the mistake of calling his prince a bastard and Thoros knew that was something he'd not tolerate, oh he may laugh it off, but he'd never forgive it and so it proved to be true now. The sounds of punching over and over could be heard and then a crashing as something fell to the ground and then that was it, five men lay down and Daemon and he walked away, the swords placed to the ground allowing the flames to die down.
"Shall we find some competition old friend?"
"Why not, if there's any to be found." he said and both of them laughed as they walked to where the only men left were standing.
Daemon.
He had not intended to use one of R'hllor's gifts in such a way and had Thoros not been with him he'd not have, but he knew Thoros had used his flaming sword before so people would assume it was he again. He probably didn't even need to use it against Aegon's idiots, but he was worried in their haste to get to him and in his desire to protect him against them, that Thoros would suffer most and he couldn't allow it.
Now seeing the carnage he had wrought he felt no sympathy or compassion for the men, they had gotten off easily, well all except Harry the Arse, the fool thinking he could call him a bastard and face no consequence. No doubt later Aegon would bitch and whine and Connington would prattle on about politics and make some excuse, but Daemon could hear the crowd's cheers, hear them chant his name and they would be behind him.
For now he needed to win and as he looked to the field he saw it was almost time, Oberyn, Arthur, Jaime, Sandor, Thoros and himself were all who remained. As he and Thoros arrived he wondered how they'd face off and saw Arthur move to Oberyn and Thoros to Sandor leaving him against Ser Jaime. He saw Oberyn look on aggrieved as Arthur faced him, the prince obviously wanting to test his spear against his own blades. Sandor smiled at Thoros until his friend lit the sword and then the scarred man backed up some, as for Jaime well his smirk was only matched by Daemon's own.
"It is to be us then Ser." Daemon said.
"It is my prince, ready to cross blades with a disgraced Kingsguard." Jaime said only half mockingly.
"Ser, from when I was young my grandmother would tell me tale of you, of how no knight, no Kingsguard was as true as you. It is my distinct honor to cross blades with you." Daemon said with a nod and saw the shocked look on Jaime's face.
"Then I wish you good fortune my prince."
"And I you Ser, may the best man win."
Daemon looked at the stance and form Jaime took, Ser Arthur's training still clear even all these years later. He moved as quick as he could and began to twist and turn, he spun and jumped bringing his blade down on Jaime's own catching him by surprise with how he moved. The smirk which had been on Jaime's face at the beginning was now replaced by a far more determined look and as they circled each other looking for an opening he heard Sandor yield.
He held his hand out to show Thoros this was his fight and knew his friend would follow his order and so he and Jaime locked blades again. Using the short sword more and more for attack, he blocked Jaime with the longer one, forcing him to move side on so he presented less of a target. He feigned some tiredness and moved back as if to get a breather and felt Jaime move forward to take advantage.
Allowing him to drive his strikes and force him to defend he readied himself and when he stepped too close he moved, dropping to a knee he crossed his blades flat and used them to trip Jaime's leg. Though it didn't cause him to fall, it put him enough off balance that when instead of rising Daemon fell to his back and used his legs to kick Jaime's other one he went falling to the ground. Daemon popped back to his feet and using the longsword placed it against Jaime's sword hand, while the short went to his neck.
"I yield." Jaime said and Daemon nodded helping him back to his feet "Well fought my prince."
"You too Ser Jaime." Daemon said and turned to see Arthur defeat Thoros, his friend patting him on the back as he left with Ser Jaime both of them laughing at something.
"You made it this far, it's good to see my prince."
"I had good trainers when I was but a boy, though I've learned much since then."
"Indeed, a second sword?" Arthur said wondering why he was using the short sword now.
"Against Dawn, one isn't enough as I found out Ser Arthur."
Arthur nodded and they faced off, both tired and knowing this would be far quicker than it should be. Daemon wanted nothing more than to beat his mentor, beat the man whose blade and character he had looked to for guidance. He wished for nothing more than to face each other fresh, to give these people the fight they deserved to see, but this would not be that and while both were tired it was he who was recovering faster.
Of the many gift's his god had given him, one of Daemon's strongest didn't come for R'hllor or any god, well not directly at least. It came from his blood, the dragon in him ran hot and fast, the wolf slow and deliberate, each on their own were potent and powerful, but Daemon had both and in him they complimented each other. They worked together and strengthened each other but more importantly the worked together and eliminated the worst parts of each other.
So Daemon felt himself recover and saw Arthur's breathing become labored as the swords hit, he moved faster while Arthur was a little more sluggish, his strikes cleaner while Arthur's were easier to defend. Just like with Jaime, Arthur found the two blades to be hard to defend against, found them breaching his defenses far easier than one could. When Dawn fell to the ground after Daemon had parried the strike with his longsword and caught him using the flat of the shorter blade, the crowd gasped.
"Yield Ser?" Daemon said holding the sword to the unarmed Arthur.
"I yield gladly my prince." Arthur said with a smile and Daemon nodded.
As he turned to the crowd he moved to accept the plaudits as victor, reaching into his armor he took out Myrcella's favor and tied it to his arm, making sure the crowd could see him do it. He looked up to see her smile brightly at him, to see his grandmother do the same as he took off his helm, though she frowned when she saw the blood drip from his hand.
"My lords, My Ladies, I give you the victor of the melee, My son Prince Daemon, the White Wolf." his father said to cheers.
Myr 300 AC.
The Onion Knight.
The Dragon's Breath was ready to depart, all he needed now was for his sons and the others to finish their damn drinking and come on board. Grey Worm stood with his men ready as always, one century was all they'd bring, the rest staying under the command of Brown Rat. Why these men had never changed their name the prince had tried to explain to him but Davos found it far too complicated, in the end it had been Grey himself who told him.
"This one is free because of Daemon, I keep my name in honor of the day we were freed by our prince."
Davos could respect that, he had been knighted by a lord and dubbed the Onion Knight and though he and the lord had their differences he still respected what the man had done for him, even though he'd had to free him from his service Had it not been for his own meeting with the prince and the Red Priests then Cape Wrath would be a ruin rather than a thriving wealthy house. In the years he had known him he had promised to repay Daemon for all he'd done for him and his family, he'd even offered to take him home only to be refused.
" I can't go without her Davos, she needs me." Daemon said and Davos nodded.
Though at the time he'd thought her to be a girl and not a dragon, still the prince had never set him wrong, nor asked anything of him that was dishonorable, the knight's code the prince called it. Davos being a smuggler from Flea Bottom never would have imagined living up to an honorable code, but here we were.
"Finally, how much have you had to drink?" he asked Mathos as he and Dale staggered onto the ship.
"Ask him father, he was buying." his eldest said pointing to Asher as he laughed.
"I needed the courage Ser Davos, it's been many years since I last set foot in my homeland, going back there is not something I ever imagined doing."
"Yet you'll go back all the same?" he asked.
"Aye, for him I'd travel to the end of the world Davos, as he would for any of us." Asher said and Davos nodded knowing the truth of it.
They set off on the next tide, it would take them a moon to reach Dragonstone and hopefully find the prince safe and well, he'd like to think he'd find him free of trouble but that may be a difficult thing for the prince to manage. Trouble was attracted to the boy like a bee was to honey, luckily he had a knack of being able to get out of it just as easily, that and a rather large dragon.
クリエイターの想い 
AlexanderBlackfyre
AlexanderBlackfyre For those who want to explore the dark depths of power, passion, and prophecy, pledge today and get closer to the flames of destiny that burn within this unforgettable tale.
Pledge now and become part of Daemon’s world as his story unfolds!
https://alexanderblackfyre-shop.fourthwall.com
— 次の章はもうすぐ掲載する — レビューを書く
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット