บท 21: Ribbon
The encompassing garden surrounded Aerion, his hair gently blowing in the wind. The sun was glaring down at him, the weirwood's shadow shielding him from the sun's deadly glare.
His fingers traced the rough bark of the weirwood roots, the gesture grounding. His foot was slowly tapping the ground, his heartbeat calm as he mentally prepared himself.
He was to joust, not like yesterday, not like ever before.
He was to joust in front of the realm, in front of The King, The Queen….The Princess. Not only that, he would be fighting the best the realm had to offer, fully grown men that had fought in the most prestigious tourneys the realm had to offer:
His own Uncle was competing. He kept his eyes closed as a sudden gust of wind brushed his face. His crow's sudden caw cut through the stillness.
The warning was shortly followed by the sound of clinking armour. His head dropped back against the bark, his lips upturned as his eyes opened. Spotting the Princess dutifully followed by her Kingsguard.
She wore a red dress, her familiar rings wrapped around her slender fingers. The sun reflecting beautifully off of her platinum blonde hair, his dark purple eyes met the light lilac of hers.
"Princess" he greeted, as he bowed his head.
"Ser" her amused voice danced past his ears. "Are you ready?" She asked as she approached, staying standing as he looked down at him in curiosity.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be" he answered, his grip briefly tightening on the Weirwood root beneath him. His eyes briefly flicked to Cole, standing a few metres away.
She raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "That is hardly reassuring, ser"
"I'd hate to lie to you, Princess" he said, his tone dry, though there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes.
Rhaenyra crossed her arms, the soft fabric of her gown shifting with the movement. "So, you're expecting to lose?"
"I'm expecting to fight men with more experience. That's different." His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it, like he was balancing carefully between truth and doubt. "I'll need more than skill to best them." he joked.
"I cannot give you any luck" She said lightly as she looked down at him, her full lips slightly upturned.
"I'm not asking you to" he replied easily as he slowly got to his feet, standing not even a couple feet from the Princess. A moment of fleeting hesitation passed her features before it was replaced by her usual confidence.
Her hand moved, revealing a ribbon of crimson beneath her sleeve.
"But, I can give you my favour" she said, her moment of hesitation long past as she offered him the ribbon of expensive fabric. He stilled, momentarily speechless, before his fingers closed around the crimson ribbon.
He swallowed, regaining his composure as his fingers further tightened around the fabric. A momentary silence passed before he spoke.
"Then I shall wear it" he murmured, his gaze momentarily shooting back down to the fabric. "With pride" he said as he gently tied it around his arm.
"I expect you to give them a show, ser." she teased "If it's half as entertaining as your last fights, I shall be satisfied" Aerions lips tugged into a smile at her words.
His heart pounded, though whether from the coming joust or her unexpected gesture, he couldn't tell.
"Princess, I must admit…I have something for you too." he said as his hand dropped into his pouch, pulling out a necklace. His fingers trembled slightly as he handed her the necklace, eyes briefly flicking down to the crow engraved on it.
She took it, she looked surprised as she looked over it. Her fingers traced the crow's delicate engraving, her eyes lingering on the symbol. Her lips upturned slightly as she bowed her head, gently putting it over her neck.
"Then I shall wear it, with pride" she echoed his words from earlier, a grin growing on his own face at her words. His eyes locked onto hers, a warm feeling growing in his chest, the red ribbon wrapped around his bicep blowing in the breeze.
—-
The crowd was shouting, louder than he'd ever heard it as the two horses rushed towards one another. He briefly noticed out of the corner of his eye two nobles exchanging coin. The hoof beats echoed his own heartbeat, his bond with his horse immeasurable.
The sun beat down on the knights, his opponent a Tyrell his shield a bright green and horse a beautiful light brown that shined gold in the sun.
He however was in his black armour, his crow circling the arena. The red ribbon wrapped around his armoured arm was a sharp contrast to the dark armour. He tensed his whole body, prepared for impact.
He'd already gone through 3 lances, he briefly heard the distinct caw of his crow before his lance-
CRACK!
-cracked as it smashed into the Tyrell knights chest, sending the knight crashing back off of his horse. His whole body jolted with the force of the impact, his grip white-knuckled around the broken lance.
The crowd roared, akin to a dragon as the half-drunk crowd jumped out of their seats. The nobles were far more composed but the alcohol was getting them too.
Aerion leaned back on the moving horse, his breath coming in heavy pants as the sun mercilessly beat down on him. The red ribbon flapping in the wind, his horse slowing as he released his feet from the stirrups.
He took off his helm, his breath came in sharp, ragged bursts, but the thrill of victory surged through him like wildfire.
The surrounding crowd was clearly surprised by his youth, but that only seemed to increase his sudden popularity as the clapping and shouting only raised in volume.
Aerion grinned, his eyes flicking over the crowd. His arm raising in victory, the broken lance left forgotten on the ground below as he took in the crowd's reaction, his eyes flicked over to the Royal Box.
The King was clapping, a smile on his face, the Queen clapping politely though she seemed more focused on the crib next to her. Rhaenyra's smile was subtle, but her eyes gleamed with a pride she tried to conceal. At the sight Aerion's heart surged with something more than victory.
He wanted to spend the whole day absorbing this atmosphere but he knew he couldn't. He threw his leg over the horse, getting off his companion with ease and leading it to the stable hand.
Then he walked into the knights tent, holding his helm under his arm as the crowds applause and celebrations slowly quietened, he spotted his Uncle sat with his squire Garrett, the ten year old almost vibrating in excitement.
"Aerion" his uncle, greeted a grin on his weathered face. Though Aerion was about to reply his squire interrupted.
"Ser! That was well done!" He exclaimed, Aerion laughing lightly at the boy before he sat down on a large bench next to the two.
He unclipped his breastplate with a sigh of relief "Gods, it's hot out there" he panted. His face flushing slightly as he slowly cooled down.
"It is" his uncle agreed. "That was good riding Aerion" the man complimented, a spark of pride shooting through the five-and-ten years old. His grin brightened as he chuckled.
"Though that Tyrell caught you on that first pass" his uncle said as he eyed his nephew with worry. Aerion winced slightly.
"Right on the shoulder" Aerion agreed, as his hand briefly wandered to the spot, streaks of pain still radiating from the point.
"Let's just hope I don't have face you Uncle" Aerion said, the older man chuckling before eyeing the red ribbon wrapped around Aerions arm.
"Caught a ladies eye have you?" His uncle said with a chuckle, Garrett eyeing the ribbon with wide eyes.
"You know me Uncle" Aerion joked as he ran his hands through his sweat-damp hair.
"Who gave you it?" His squire asked, his eyes wide and curious. His uncle's attention focused on the answer as well.
Aerion grinned widely, pride blooming through him as he leaned forward. Both of his relatives waiting with anticipation as Aerion lowered his tone.
"If I told you, you'd think me a liar." he remarked with a grin. Garrett groaned in annoyance whereas his Uncle just narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Be careful Aerion" he warned seriously, his eyes trying to convey a message to the younger man. "Noble ladies are all fun and games, until something goes wrong"
Aerion's grin faltered for a moment, his uncle's words like a shadow creeping over his newfound pride. His hand instinctively wandered around the red ribbon, the fabric suddenly feeling heavy on his arm.
"You needn't worry, Uncle. I'm no fool."
His uncle's gaze was steady, but there was something in his eyes—a hint of fear, a warning unspoken. "Even the wisest of men have been undone by a lady's favour, nephew."
—-
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