Chapter 34: The Melee
Rhaenys clapped in delight as the men began their fight. After the scare on Aegon, Visenya had taken charge of organising the melee to decide who would serve in what she was calling the Kingsguard. Seven knights for the Seven who Are One, sworn to their duties for life, they could not marry, they could sire no children, they could hold no lands. Their allegiance was only to the King and Royal Family. It was something, she knew there had been murmurs at court. Especially with the increased presence of the Dragon Guard, but Rhaenys understood completely. With everything going on they could not just rely on the Dragon Guard.
Aemon spoke then, her firstborn distracting her. "Mother look at their shields." Aemon was nine years old, a feisty little boy, with an inquisitive mind. His dragon Caraxes was with him everywhere. The dragon was the size of a horse, a medium sized one, and would soon be big enough to ride. "That knight has a seahorse on his sigil like cousin Aethan."
"That's Ser Corlys Velaryon, sweetling. He's Aethan's brother." Rhaenys replied. He was a handsome man though she suspected he would've preferred her brother's attentions to those of the girls swooning over him now.
"I hope he wins." Aenys said then suddenly. Her youngest rarely spoke but when he did it was to make proclamations.
"And why is that?" Aemon demanded of his younger brother.
"Because he looks kind." Aenys replied.
Maegor snorted. He was a big lad, Visenya's eldest son. And he looked as if he wanted to fight in the melee himself. He was only six though so Visenya had pointedly said no. "Just because he looks kind doesn't mean he is right for the fighting, Aenys."
Rhaenys said nothing she listened as her sons started bickering over this and that. She instead watched as Ser Corlys went toe to toe with some big knight from the Westerlands. She looked at Aegon who was watching intently. He had no visible signs of the attack from the previous weeks, but she knew he was watching everything intently. Visenya was watching as well, but closer by to keep an eye on everything. And the Dragon Guard were around the entire city keeping an eye on everyone.
Ser Corlys completely destroyed the bigger man, knocking him to the ground with three swings. The man surrendered and got up and left. Another man came forward then. He was big as well, he swung a heavy sword. Ser Corlys knocked him down and got him to surrender within three moves. Another man came, this one was a Lannister. Rhaenys watched with interest. Myrielle would be wanting this man to do well. He went up against Corlys and lasted longer, perhaps six or seven rounds before failing.
"Mama, look!" Aenys said tugging on her sleeve. She followed his finger and saw that some blonde haired boy was fighting against a dark coloured man.
"That's Addison Hill!" Aemon said with something like awe in his voice. To Maegor her son said. "He defeated the Smiling Bandit two moons ago, and helped bring Lady Jeyne back from him."
"Oh!" Maegor said excitedly.
Rhaenys laughed softly at how excited her sons were. She watched with them as Ser Addison defeated the darker skinned fellow to a roar of applause. He then went up against another man from the Westerlands. This man was defeated with ease. There was then a third man, who nearly had Ser Addison, only for him to be knocked back and surrender. Aemon clapped with enthusiasm. Rhaenys looked at her eldest and asked. "You are happy he won?"
"Very happy!" Aemon replied. Rhaenys smiled and kissed the top of her son's head.
Aenys cried out then so she kissed his head as well. Aemon snorted and they turned their attention back to the fighting. Ser Corlys was clearly going to join the ranks of fighters, so they did not look at him. As was Ser Addison. Instead they focused on someone else. He looked like a hedge knight he had not sigil of his own, but he fought like a demon. Or a dragon as Maegor said himself. He knocked down a Tyrell, a Lannister, a Manderly, and then finally a Peake before being hailed by the crowd.
The fighting came to an end when Aegon stood up. She could tell he was enjoying this. His words echoed with confidence. "We have seen a great display of fighting and chivalry here. And as such we have reached a decision as to whom shall be in our Kingsguard. We request that the chosen ones come forth, don their armour and accept their white cloaks." There was a pause as all waited with baited breath.
Aegon continued. "Ser Addison Hill." There was applause and Aemon cheered. Ser Addison strode forward took the armour which was black and red, had it fixed to himself, and then kneeled before Aegon. Aegon fixed the white cloak to the man himself. "Arise." Aegon said, the man did as bid.
"Ser Gregor and Ser Griffith Goode." Aegon said. Two men with brown hair and green eyes stepped forward, they had fought like lions and their father was on the justiciar committee under Lord Torrhen. They had their armour fixed and knelt with the cloaks fixed. They rose and took their places next to Ser Addison.
"Ser Humfrey." Aegon said. The hedge knight stepped forward his armour was fixed and he knelt and the cloak was fixed. He stood next to Ser Griffith.
"Ser Richard Roote." A man with silver hair and green eyes stepped forward and received his ornaments.
"Ser Robin Darklyn." A man with black as night hair stepped forward, he was bleeding slightly but knelt all the same.
"And finally, for this appointment we have asked our son the Prince of Dragonstone to assist." Aegon said. Aemon stepped forward and took the cloak from a servant. "Ser Corlys Velaryon as Lord Commander." The knight took his armour and then knelt as Aegon and Aemon fixed the cloak. The man then stood up.
Aegon gestured to the men. "We present to you the knights of the Kingsguard!" A roar went up and Rhaenys found herself cheering along as well. Happy that such able men would be guarding her family.