The final season of Game of Thrones seems so close and yet so far, just by how long each day is taking to pass by apparently. I think the season is honestly overdue for a trailer at this point, so hopefully they reveal one soon. The recent teaser doesn't count since it didn't exactly show footage from the season.
Also the OC role for House Arryn has been taken. Just so everyone is aware, there are only two roles remaining that I'll be looking to have filled at some point in the future. I appreciate those who contributed their characters.
Disclaimer: I don't own Game of Thrones, if I did then I'd be focusing on doing a Robert's Rebellion TV Series after the show is over. I only own my OC's. Jocelyn Stark belongs to Hear My Fury, Lewyn Sand belongs to MineyMo, Alexis Dayne belongs to Jason Kreuger Myers.
The Song of Life
Chapter 10:
'Sword of the Morning'
Essos
Daenerys should have known that her brother would have misinterpreted her invitation.
What was supposed to be an invitation to dinner, only ended up infuriating the eldest Targaryen sibling, thinking that, yet again, his younger sister was commanding him. He reacted even more angrily when his sister offered him fresh Dothraki clothing, which he threw at her.
The argument that followed eventually got physical when Viserys put his hands on her.
Until Daenerys, for the first time in her life, fought back against him by hitting across the face with a heavy golden belt.
The stunned Viserys eventually backed off and left when Daenerys angrily reminded him of her position as Khal Drogo's wife and threatened him to never to lay a hand on her again, lest he wanted to lose both hands.
Naturally, when she brought this up when meeting with Ser Jorah and Lewyn, the latter was very surprised.
"I hit him. I hit the Dragon." Daenerys had told them, still in disbelief that she had struck her brother.
Ser Jorah decided to soothe her worry, replying, "Your brother Rhaegar was the last Dragon. Viserys is less than the shadow of a snake."
Daenerys didn't looked too sure however. "He is still the true King."
"The truth now." Jorah said, before asking her, "Do you want to see your brother sitting on the Iron Throne?"
The question caught Lewyn's attention, and he could easily see the hesitation in Daenerys' eyes.
"No." She finally responded. "But the common people are waiting for him. Illyrio said they are sewing dragon banners and praying for his return."
Jorah looked a little amused at her response. "The common people pray for rain, health and a summer that never ends. They don't care what games the high Lords play."
Lewyn smirked a little. "Took the words right out of my mouth."
Daenerys looked the knight in the eye and asked, "What do you pray for, Ser Jorah?"
The older man took a moment to think on his response, before simply telling her, "Home."
"I pray for home too." Daenerys said, nodding in agreement before stating what she realised a while ago. "My brother will never take back the Seven Kingdoms. He couldn't lead an army even if my husband gave him one." She looked back at knight, adding, "He'll never take us home."
Lewyn decided to make his thoughts known. "I'm afraid you might be right, Khaleesi. Though I wish it wasn't the case, you might be right."
The two looked at the young man, Daenerys then asked, "What do you mean?"
"Honestly, when I first met him, I believed your brother had great potential." Lewyn said, before adding, "But very quickly, I began to see his many flaws."
Daenerys smirked a little, and replied, "He's arrogant and quick to anger?"
Lewyn chuckled in response. "Two of many flaws." He sighed, and then added, "He was the sole reason I came all the way over here in the first place. To see what kind of person he really is now, it makes me question why I haven't returned home yet. There's nothing here for me now."
"You haven't realised it?" Ser Jorah asked.
When Lewyn looked at him, confused, the knight added, "You haven't gone home yet because you've found someone better than Viserys."
The bastard from Dorne still looked confused.
It was only after the knight looked over at Daenerys, that Lewyn understood what he meant.
"Yes..." Lewyn said, looking at the younger Targaryen sibling. "You might be right. I think I have found someone better. Someone who could do what Viserys can't."
Daenerys smiled a little at his words, and asked, "Would I be correct in assuming this means you intend to serve me instead of my brother?"
Lewyn nodded, bowing his head. "I would gladly serve you, Khaleesi. If you will have me, that is."
Placing her hands gently on his cheeks, Daenerys quietly replied, "I'd be happy to have you, Lewyn."
The bastard from Dorne was delighted that the younger Targaryen sibling accepted him with open arms.
Her acceptance also rekindled his desire to see someone else sit on the Iron Throne.
And that someone was not Viserys.
King's Landing
Following the melee, the rest of the Hand's Tournament was postponed until tomorrow.
And when tomorrow finally did come, Ned Stark, accompanied by Jocelyn, were some of the first to return to the jousting field.
Upon their arrival, the two of them entered the tent where Ser Hugh's body was being tended to by the Silent Sisters.
Ser Barristan, who was also inside the tent, greeted them with a nod and a smile, the latter of which he simply exchanged with Jocelyn.
"Does Ser Hugh have any family in the capital?" Ned asked.
The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard simply replied, "No. I stood vigil for him myself last night. He had no one else."
Jocelyn smiled a little at him, and said, "That was very kind of you, Ser Barristan."
Ser Barristan returned her smile again.
"He'd never worn this armour before." Ned said as he looked over at Ser Hugh's armour.
The Kingsguard nodded, and replied, "Bad luck for him. Going against The Mountain."
Jocelyn then said, "I believe it's bad luck for anyone to go up against The Mountain, actually. No sane man would willingly challenge that...monster."
Ned turned to the Kingsguard and asked, "Who determines the draw?"
"All the knights draw straws, Lord Stark." Ser Barristan answered.
Despite the response, Ned wasn't fully convinced. "Aye. But who holds the straws?" He then turned to the Silent Sisters, adding, "You've done good work, sisters." He said before leaving the tent, Jocelyn and Ser Barristan following right behind him.
"Life is strange. Not so many years ago we fought as enemies at the Trident." Ser Barristan said as a squire attached his white cloak to his armour.
As they walked on, Ned replied, "I'm glad we never met on the field, Ser Barristan, as is my wife. I don't think the widow's life would suit her."
Jocelyn chuckled at her father's words, as did Ser Barristan. "You're too modest. I've seen you cut down a dozen great knights."
"My father once told me you were the best he'd ever seen." Ned replied, adding, "I never knew the man to be wrong about matters of combat."
Ser Barristan didn't argue with that, knowing full well how wise Rickard Stark was. "He was a fine man, your father. What the Mad King did to him was a terrible crime."
Ned then gestured back towards the tent, and asked, "And that lad. He was a squire until a few months ago. How could he afford a new suit of armour?"
The Kingsguard shrugged, and simply suggested, "Perhaps Lord Arryn left him some money?" He said before adding, "I hear the King wants to joust today."
Jocelyn recoiled a little in surprise. "King Robert wants to take part in the joust?"
"Yes, that will never happen." Ned said almost immediately.
Ser Barristan laughed a little, replying, "Robert tends to do what he wants."
The Hand of the King didn't seem to approve however. "If the King got what he wanted all the time, we'd still be fighting a damned rebellion."
As they neared the King's tent, the three stopped in their tracks when they saw Alexis Dayne approaching them.
Rather than appearing in her armour, the new Sword of the Morning was simply wearing a fine violet dress today, with a certain sword strapped around her waist.
And just like yesterday, Ned mistook her for someone else.
"Lord Stark." Alexis said with a friendly smile. "It's an honour to finally meet you."
Ned hesitated to respond, struggling to find the words he wanted to say.
Jocelyn then spoke up. "It's an honour to meet you as well Lady Alexis. Your performance yesterday was amazing, I can see why you were chosen as the new Sword of the Morning."
Alexis returned her words with a kind smile, and replied, "You're not the first Stark to tell me so. I met your youngest sister in the city, she overpraised me quite a bit."
"Praise well deserved Lady Alexis." Ser Barristan said.
Rather than a response, Alexis just glanced at the Kingsguard with a subtle frown, before looking back at Ned, asking, "You knew my aunt, Ashara Dayne, didn't you, Lord Stark?"
Ned finally found his voice again, and replied, "Indeed I did. You look just like her, in fact."
"So much so that you thought that I was her for a moment, no?" Alexis said with a half-smile.
The Hand looked unsure of how to respond.
Alexis laughed a little, and added, "It's quite all right, Lord Stark. I've been mistaken for my aunt many times."
"I know exactly how that feels." Jocelyn said with a chuckle, earning a glance from her father.
The Sword of the Morning then tapped the sword at her side, and asked, "I believe you are familiar with Dawn?"
Ned then grinned a little, and replied, "Indeed. How could I ever forget the sword that almost took off my own head."
Alexis nodded, her smile lowering a little. "I'm very grateful that you returned it years ago. And I'm especially grateful that you killed that traitor Uncle of mine."
Her words caught all three of them off guard.
Jocelyn, doing her best to mask her shocked expression, asked, "How can you say that? Ser Arthur Dayne was your uncle, and he was one of the-"
"If you do not mind, Lady Jocelyn, I'd much rather avoid talking about that traitor." Alexis said, smile gone now, replaced by a stoic stare.
Before the eldest Stark daughter could continue, Ned then spoke up. "My daughter isn't wrong though, Lady Alexis. Ser Arthur Dayne was your uncle, why speak ill of him like that?"
Alexis sighed, keeping up her stoic look as she asked, "My uncle willingly aided Rhaegar Targaryen in abducting your sister Lyanna Stark years ago. Was it not that very kidnapping that started a war and tens of thousands of innocent lives were lost because of it?"
Neither of the three could really argue against such a reason.
"Arthur Dayne was supposed to be a knight who defended the weak and the innocent. Instead, he assisted Rhaegar in abducting the daughter of the Warden of the North, stood back and did nothing as the 'Good Prince' raped her." Alexis said, doing her best to keep a stoic look. "By standing by and doing nothing, he broke his oath. My Uncle is a disgrace to House Dayne, and I'm glad he paid for his crimes."
Ser Barristan finally spoke up. "Ser Arthur Dayne was a good man, Lady Alexis."
Alexis gave the Kingsguard a subtle glare. "If he was truly a good man, Ser Barristan, he would not have aided Rhaegar in starting a war in which tens of thousands lost their lives."
"Do you think your aunt Ashara would share the same opinion?" The Kingsguard asked.
The new Sword of the Morning continued to glare at him, a glare that was hardened when he brought up her aunt. "My aunt, was driven to suicide because of my foolish uncle's death. But..."
She looked down at her feet, and added, "All blame for my aunt's suicide lies solely with my uncle. If he simply hadn't followed that bastard Rhaegar, perhaps he'd still be alive, and my aunt would be as well."
Taking in a deep breath, Alexis then looked back at Ned, and said, "Which was something I was hoping to tell you, Lord Stark. I want you to know, that I do not blame you at all for my aunt's suicide. That was my uncle's fault, and Rhaegar's for starting the war that cost him his life."
Jocelyn then said, "I've heard there were other reasons why Lady Ashara was driven to suicide."
Before Alexis could respond, Ser Barristan spoke up. "Apologies but, I must take my leave now, farewell." He said before walking away.
When the Kingsguard was gone, Ned said, "He was fond of Ashara."
"I know. It pains me to remember her just as it does him I imagine." Alexis said with a sigh.
An awkward silence followed for a brief moment, before the Sword of the Morning added, "My apologies. It wasn't my intention to-"
Ned held up a hand, stopping her. "No need to apologise, Lady Alexis. Everything is in the past now."
Alexis looked a little surprised at his response, and added, "But for my uncle's actions, assisting Rhaegar in abducting your sister years ago, I feel an apology on behalf of my House is-"
Once more, Ned stopped her, and replied, "Like I said, everything is in the past now. There's no need for apologies anymore."
The Sword of the Morning looked a little reluctant to accept his response, but she could see he was intent on standing by his decision, and eventually relented. "Very well."
Jocelyn then decided to change the subject, and asked, "Would you like to watch the rest of the joust with us?"
Alexis smiled again, and nodded. "I'd be glad to."
Ned just nodded his approval before proceeding to make his way to the King's tent.
The joust had continued and a large crowd had returned to witness which of the remaining competitors would emerge as the champion.
Ned was surprised when he discovered that Arya wasn't present, and learned from Sansa that she was at her dancing lessons, though Jocelyn added that it was also due to being inspired by the Sword of the Morning, that Arya wanted to continue said lessons.
Despite not making such a big deal out of it, Alexis couldn't stop the praise given to her by the Starks.
Eventually, Prince Derek then joined them, much to the surprise of them all, prompting Sansa to ask, "Prince Derek? Why are you-"
"I asked my father if I could sit here." Derek said as he seated himself in the empty spot next to Jocelyn. "I noticed there was a little space, so I wanted to fill it."
The black-haired Prince then looked over at Alexis, and added, "I also wanted to meet the new Sword of the Morning. You were absolutely amazing yesterday, my lady."
Alexis smiled in response. "Thank you, my Prince."
Derek then asked, "I heard rumours that a new Sword of the Morning was chosen. And I'd heard that her skill was on par with Ser Arthur Dayne himself. At first, I didn't think it was possible, but after what I saw yesterday, I'm very much convinced."
There was a visible sign of subtle anger at the mention of her uncle, but Alexis managed to keep up her smile as she replied, "Um, thank you, my Prince."
Jocelyn leaned in and whispered to the Prince, "My Prince, perhaps it would be wise not to speak of her uncle around her."
When Derek looked up at her, confused, he quietly asked, "Why not?"
"It's...complicated." Was all Jocelyn said before turning her gaze back to the joust.
Rather than continue the conversation, Derek decided to heed the Stark daughters advice and refrained from mentioning Ser Arthur Dayne any further.
The Mountain was up next again and easily defeated an unknown rider, much to the dismay of Raymond Lannister.
Again, the large man from House Clegane proceeded to defeat another competitor, Ser Balon Swann this time.
"I don't believe this. I'm actually going to have to face this fucker aren't I?" Raymond said to himself as he watched The Mountain leave the jousting field with another victory.
Much to Prince Derek's surprise, his uncle Renly Baratheon had entered the joust.
But unfortunately, King Robert's younger brother was paired up against the other Clegane brother, The Hound.
Despite performing surprisingly well, Renly was eventually unhorsed by The Hound, which didn't surprise Derek.
Not long after his defeat, Renly seated himself back in the crowd, not far behind Derek, who praised his attempts, which he was thankful for.
Lord Beric Dondarrion didn't last long, defeating a hedge knight, only to be defeated by Thoros of Myr afterwards, much to Alexis' disappointment.
After three tilts, the match between Ser Aron Santagar and Lothor Brune resulted in a draw.
Ser Aron Santagar then went on to be unhorsed by Lord Jason Mallister, while Lothor Brune went on to be unhorsed by Ser Robar Royce.
Raymond Lannister was up next.
And, with his defeat in the melee fuelling his determination, the Lannister proceeded to defeat Ser Meryn Trant and two more knights of the Kingsguard.
Finally, a competitor that Derek himself was waiting to see finally arrived.
"The Knight of the Flowers." Sansa said as a young man in beautiful white armour approached.
Loras Tyrell slowly approached, and handed Sansa a rose. "Thank you Ser Loras." The Stark daughter said gently as she accepted the rose.
As the knight backed away, it didn't escape Derek or Jocelyn's notice that Ser Loras exchanged a very brief and very subtle glance with someone behind them.
Though as he rode up to meet his competition, they decided to pay it no mind and simply focused on the joust.
With Derek among those cheering, Ser Loras then went on to unhorse Ser Robar Royce, and eventually Thoros of Myr.
Raymond Lannister then faced off against Lord Jason Mallister and just barely managed to defeat the man, offering a handshake as a sign of respect afterwards, much to the delight of the crowd.
It then came down to the Semi-Finals.
An unexpected result came to the shock of everyone when Sandor Clegane, The Hound, managed to unseat Jaime Lannister.
While many were shocked at the outcome, one person was furious.
Raymond silently cursed his luck and glared death as he watched The Hound ride away with the victory that Raymond himself had been waiting to claim. He wanted to be the one to unseat Jaime, to humiliate and embarrass him in front of everyone.
Yet, that was no longer an option thanks to the younger Clegane brother.
Even so, nothing could be done now, and Raymond simply rode up to face his next opponent.
The Knight of Flowers, Ser Loras, was his opponent.
However, despite two close tilts, Raymond was too distracted by his anger that Jaime was eliminated before he could eliminate him himself, and the distraction cost him dearly when Ser Loras, on the third tilt, managed to unseat Raymond from his horse.
Despite being upset that his uncle was eliminated, Derek cheered nonetheless along with the Stark girls and the rest of the crowd.
When Ser Loras offered him a handshake as a sign of respect, Raymond almost refused, but eventually cast his anger aside to accept it, once again to the crowds joy.
The Mountain was up next to face Ser Loras, and both knights bowed before King Robert before their match.
Suddenly, The Mountain's stallion started to act unruly, but the large man quickly managed to get it back under control before he and Ser Loras rode to opposite sides of the field to retrieve their shields and lances, cheered on by the crowd.
This didn't escape Derek's attention, who leaned in and quietly asked Jocelyn, "Did you see that?"
"Yes. I did." Jocelyn quietly replied, looking on with a neutral stare.
As the two knights prepared themselves, Sansa clutched on to her fathers arm. "Don't let Ser Gregor hurt him."
"Hey." Ned said, taking her hand to reassure her.
"I can't watch." Sansa added, looking very concerned for the Knight of Flowers.
Littlefinger, who was seated behind them, turned and said out loud, "A hundred gold dragons on The Mountain."
Renly immediately answered him. "I'll take that bet."
"Now what will I buy with a hundred gold dragons?" Littlefinger asked, confident that he was going to win the bet. "A dozen barrels of Dornish wine? Or a girl from the pleasure houses of Lys?"
"Or you could even buy a friend." Renly replied, much to Littlefinger's amusement.
While Alexis rolled her eyes at the exchange between the two, Derek looked up at Jocelyn and asked, "Pleasure houses are the same as brothels aren't they?"
The eldest Stark daughter recoiled in surprise at the question, before replying, "They're similar. While they are..." She stopped for a moment, and then said, "Why are you even asking about such things!"
Derek looked away, looking a little embarrassed now. "Um...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I remember when I brought it up one time around my mother, she, well, she wasn't mad exactly but..."
The Sword of the Morning then leaned over a little and said, "Once you come of age, my Prince, you can see what they are for yourself."
"I-I know what they are!" Derek said.
Alexis chuckled a little and asked, "Don't you think it's a little too early for you to know about such things? Wait a few years first and then you will understand."
Derek just looked at her, confused.
Jocelyn then spoke up again, "How about we stop talking about this and focus on the joust."
"O-Ok?" The black-haired Prince replied, looking back as the two knights finished preparing themselves.
Sansa, who was still holding her father's arm, quietly said to him, "He's going to die."
Ned gently patted her hand, assuring her again, "Ser Loras rides well."
As soon as the trumpet was blown, both competitors rode down their lanes towards each other.
Many in the crowd were already convinced that The Mountain would claim another victory.
As they got closer and closer, Prince Derek was on the edge of his seat, and would have fallen off if the eldest Stark daughter hadn't pulled him back.
Finally, the two knights reached each other.
Despite everyone expecting at least three tilts, the most unexpected result came at the first, shocking the entire crowd, except Ned and Alexis.
The Knight of Flowers unseated The Mountain.
Many in the crowd gasped at the result, while others who were seated had gotten to their feet, still trying to convince themselves that the result was real.
"Such a shame, Littlefinger." Renly said to the disappointed Master of Coin. "It would have been so nice for you to have a friend."
Littlefinger simply chuckled, and asked, "And tell me, Lord Renly, when will you be having your friend?" He said, gesturing towards the Knight of Flowers.
Renly looked towards Ser Loras for just a moment, before sitting back down, unwilling to respond.
Upon sitting back down, Littlefinger leaned in between Ned and Sansa, and quietly said to them, "Loras knew his mare was in heat. Quite crafty, really."
Alexis, hearing him, nodded a little. "Against a man like The Mountain? I can hardly blame him."
Sansa didn't seem too convinced however. "Ser Loras would never do that. There's no honour in tricks."
"No honour, but quite a bit of gold." Littlefinger simply replied.
While Ser Loras waved at the cheering crowd and bowed to the King, The Mountain removed his helmet, throwing it aside before calling for his sword.
A squire ran to him with a large sword, which Ser Gregor removed from its sheath.
Most of the crowd were too busy cheering for Ser Loras to pay attention to the large man, but Derek's gaze was on him the entire time, as was Jocelyn's.
To their shock, The Mountain raised his sword and with one powerful swing, completely severed his horse's head.
The brutal move eventually caught the full attention of the stunned crowd, and Ser Loras, who The Mountain approached.
Ser Gregor swung his large sword at the man who unseated him, but the Knight of Flowers managed to bring up his shield just in time to avoid a serious injury.
It didn't stop him from being knocked off of his horse however.
Trying to recover quickly as he fell to the ground, Ser Loras used his shield to block Ser Gregor's sword once again.
Alexis, who had gotten to her feet, reached for Dawn, but Ned grabbed her by the wrist and stopped her. "Don't." He simply said.
Before the Sword of the Morning could respond, someone else came to the aid of Ser Loras.
"Leave him be!"
The Hound rushed down between the two knights and stopped The Mountain's next attack with his own sword, before pushing the larger man back.
Both Clegane's glared at each other. For a moment, it seemed like both would stand down and back off.
Instead however, the Clegane's moved forward and proceeded to fight each other aggressively.
They exchanged several blows, some just barely avoided.
Despite his brother still being larger than him, The Hound held his own just fine, surprising many in the crowd, like Derek, who didn't think anyone was capable of going head to head with The Mountain.
Eventually, just when it seemed like the fight was about to become even more aggressive, King Robert rose from his seat and shouted.
"STOP THIS MADNESS IN THE NAME OF YOUR KING!"
The Hound, dodging one last swing, brought himself down on one knee, bowing to the King.
The Mountain however, just glared at the Baratheon before casting his sword aside and storming off.
"Let him go!" Robert said to two Kingsguard that blocked Ser Gregor's path, both quickly standing aside to allow the older Clegane brother to leave.
Everyone was silent now that things had calmed down, much to Derek's relief.
"Why did you stop me?" Alexis asked Ned as she seated herself.
Ned then replied, "It doesn't matter does it? Ser Loras is alive and well."
The Sword of the Morning didn't look too pleased with his answer, thinking there was more to it, but eventually just decided to let it go.
Ser Loras then approached The Hound, and said, "I owe you my life, Ser."
"I'm no Ser." Was all The Hound said.
The Knight of Flowers then raised The Hound's hand, earning a loud cheer from everyone.
Even though there was supposed to be one more round of jousting between Ser Loras and The Hound to determine the tournament winner, the Knight of Flowers forfeited the last round to the younger Clegane brother, proclaiming him the champion, much to the delight and approval of the crowd.
The Hound didn't object.
He got the victory and the champion's purse after all.
Authors Notes: I feel like I rushed this chapter a bit, but I was stressed out in the time I was writing it and just decided to get it over and done with. The next chapter will focus a bit on after the tournament, and depending on how much is written, I might also finally return North, since I haven't written about anything in the North for quite a few chapters now.
That said, I usually type a thousand words per day, so the time it takes to write and finish a chapter really depends on the length of said chapter.
Anyway, as usual, please Review, the feedback is appreciated.