The first POV from Azalea. And other things. Have a blast

Of course, a huge shoutout to Lifeconfused for betaing this one too! Their efficiency astounds me! Thank them for a coherent, non-wincing reading experience.


Interlude: Azalea I

If anyone had asked her about the utility of noble politics and the game when she was in the middle of the magical war, she would have protested endlessly. Her bow was necessary, her knives were necessary, her sword was necessary, her wand was necessary, her battle strategy was necessary.

What was the use of this stupid game where people played with lives?

Of course, no one had listened. Not Sirius, not Remus, not Hermione, not Narcissa or Draco and certainly not Kaden, Edan and Phaedra, her gateways and pillars into what Rhaegar called Valyrian culture.

It had come useful in her war to an extent, as negotiations with goblins, werewolves and so many others happened. It was useful when she had to assert her position as the leader despite her wrong gender and tender age.

It was certainly useful right now.

Jaime Lannister was on the jousting lists; the lists that would determine the next Kingsguard. She could not twist around Aerys or the small council further. It was too risky. Now, it was a matter of convincing Jaime to give up his folly.

Tonight would be the opening night of the tourney and Azalea would have to maneuver her schemes in the feast. The lists began tomorrow. She had already cut it way too close.

Azalea had taken to walking around the camp and was testing herself on the House names, sigils and mottos. It also enabled her to see who had come. Besides nobility, merchants and other interested parties had set up a camp.

It was then that she came across three squires beating a man up.

"And just what do you think you are doing?" She chastised coldly. The squires paid her no mind so she intervened bodily and in mere moments, despite her rather bulky dress, she had them disarmed and beaten to a pulp. They scuttled away, with filthier words than the streets of Flee Bottom. She knows Arthur will have words with her. She is almost a little apologetic about ordering her guards away.

She finally looked at the man, "May I have your name, my lord?"

"I am no lord, my lady." He simply said.

"I know you are a Crannogman, I recognize the features…" She trailed off.

"I am Howland Reed." He said.

"Of the Greywater Watch?" She asked.

"The very same," He nodded, "But I am afraid you have me at a loss."

"I am Azalea. I am a guest of His Highness." She informed without giving away the nature of the guest relationship, "You would be a Stark bannerman, Lord Reed, even though you have qualms about your title. Come, I will escort you to them."

"My lady, there is no…"

"It is their duty to protect you. I am sure they would agree." She cut him off cleanly and proceeded to offer him her hand to get up.

"You are not westerosi, my lady?" He asks as they walk.

"Is it that apparent?" She asks a little consciously but with humor.

"You are high born and yet you did not give a family name although you know our titles." He said.

"I am not. I am Valyrian blood but I do not know where I come from." She parted away with some information.

They talk some more as they walked towards the northern encampment. It was not too long before they came across the Stark tent where a boy and girl of about twelve or thirteen were playing with wooden swords. A noble girl with a sword? Of course, such a display offended the uppity South and encouraged monikers like savage for the northern brethren.

Azalea cleared her throat and they dropped their swords to their sides in a startle.

"Am I addressing the members of House Stark?" She asked.

"Aye, my lady. I am Benjen Stark, this is my sister Lyanna." Benjen nodded.

"Is your elder brother here? I was hoping to speak to him about Lord Reed?" She asked.

"I do not know where…" Benjen began.

Lyanna was watching her rather suspiciously, "Who are you? What did you do to our Father's man?" She accused.

"Lyanna!" Benjen scolded.

"No, no, my lady. Lady Azalea rescued me from 3 belligerent squires." Reed protested immediately.

"It is alright, Benjen Stark and thank you Lord Reed. I am Lady Azalea, a guest of His Highness. I came across Howland Reed as I was visiting the merchant encampments. As you can see, he is not in the best shape. I thought it was best to give his charge to the Starks. I trust you will be able to take it from here," She gave the youngest Starks a look over. They looked positively innocent in light of the machinations she had seen in King's landing.

She backtracked, "Or I can have the maester of Harrenhall take a look considering your elder brothers are not here. That does look rather nasty."

"No, no! Of course, my lady. We will take care of this. I will get Brandon and Ned. My gratitude to you…" Benjen nodded quickly as he bowed. He ushered Howland Reed inside, giving Lyanna a meaningful look as he did that.

Okay, simple-minded but quick on his feet. Benjen Stark still had hope.

Lyanna turned back from the mouth of their tent with an apologetic look, "I had not meant to…"

"It is alright. You are protective of your people. It is an admirable quality." Azalea easily said with a small smile, curtsied and left.


The feast was large and festive. Aerys looked frightening and people were talking. In comparison, Rhaegar was a vision.

Azalea had worn a gown in Targaryen red. Whispers about Rhaegar and her, Valor and other things were abounded and the gown only fuelled them.

She found Jaime Lannister near the balcony where he was watching the inky sky, with the darker silhouette of Valor creating shadows over moon.

"My lady," Jaime bowed his head.

Azalea curtsied lightly, "Isn't he a beauty?"

"He is, my lady."

"But beauty can be treacherous. You don't see the dangers lurking behind because the beauty obscures your vision." She said.

"That is rather poetic." Jaime conceded. His tutelage in diplomacy showed because Azalea was sure that he was not a boy who was fond of the written word.

"Prince Rhaegar's words, not mine." She supplied gently, sparing him the pedantic conversation she had teased.

"You are hoping to participate in the lists?" She would ask a minute later.

"Yes, my lady. I hope to win." He smiled. This one reached his eyes. This truly did mean a lot to the boy.

"That is strange." She looked confused.

"That I would want to win?" Jaime asked.

"No, not in the least. But we know that lists are being watched for the Kingsguard and I know for a fact that you were an applicant. Strange, because the last time we spoke, I was left under the impression that you loved the Rock and your brother Tyrion. Strange, that you would give it up and abandon your brother for the Kingsguard."

She would sip her wine delicately as Jaime stared at her, with a little alarm.

"There is honor and glory in being a Kingsguard, my lady." He finally said. But he was not sure, her comment about Tyrion and Rock had nailed through.

"And there is no honor and glory in being the heir or a lord?" She gently asked.

"Certainly not as much as in being a Kingsguard" Jaime scoffed.

"Strange that you would say that. They tell me that if ask commonfolk, they will not be able to you the names of all Kingsguard. But you mention Tywin Lannister and people will break into Rains of Castamere." Azalea said with a sardonic smile, "Do you disagree?"

"No, my lady. I just wish to be a knight. I am not quite …." Jaime got defensive.

"A lot of lords are not good at everything. There are stewards and advisors. And there are tourneys for everything that you desire to do, be a knight and fight. And this is a boy of 14 speaking about fanciful adventures…Not every day is like fighting the brotherhood, Jaime of House Lannister. There are days when Ser Dayne stands on my door for hours, watching me do nothing but read and I am not even serving the realm in any way yet. But that is neither here nor there. You don't know anything about honor or glory. You are not old enough to know what that truly means. Otherwise you would not think that giving up on family is honor, that escaping and rebelling is honor. You are not old enough to know what you are giving up. A life, love, children, your brother. Tyrion would be in Casterly Rock, Cersei will eventually get married and go to her husband's lands. It is inevitable and Lord Tywin will make it happen unless she enters the silent sisters. And you would be bound in service for life to a King that trusts or respects your father very little, unable to see your family unless the King gives you his leave."

Jaime stared at her stupefied. He had seriously not considered that Cersei would get married to someone else.

"You are shirking your duties for a not well thought out experiment, Jaime Lannister, with no regards to the ripples it will cause." She told him.

"What's it to you?" Jaime spat.

"I don't want anyone to burn." She simply said.

Jaime was sweating slightly. His breath became erratic and louder. He had not considered what it would mean.

"I had not thought…"

"Yes, you clearly did not think this through." She instantly said. She did not have time to coddle him right now as much as she wanted to.

He fell silent but did not argue.

"You will lose tomorrow. People will forget a single defeat of a green boy but they will not forget if you initiate something that makes wildfire look tame." She told him in a tone that brokered no argument and left.


She and Rhaegar shared a dance, very distant dance at the opening of the ceremony.

Later she walked Aerys back to his chamber alongside all the Kingsguard and Tywin Lannister because Aerys insisted.

He offered her a Kingsguard to escort her back to the feast but she asked for Lord Lannister instead. It was an insult, the Hand escorting her...

They walked in silence for the most part until they had nearly reached the hall.

"Your son has high ambitions, my lord." She said pointedly, "It seems he has not learned what honor means."

Her tone implied a different kind of honor.

"My lady, Jaime knows better. I am sure he did not mean to offend you." Tywin said in his signature cold tone.

"He did not offend me. I remember how hot blooded young boys can be. But his ambitions will cause a war between you and our King. That's not something even my bravado can prevent." She shot back.

"I will speak to him my lady." Lannister was a little spooked, even behind his composed façade.

"Please do and tell him that even if he does not heed my words and continues, I will ensure that his ambition will not come to fruit." She said succinctly and entered the hall rather dismissively.


She saw faces, a lot of them. She danced, with Rhaegar and some of the Kingsguard.

Elia Martell made a move on Rhaegar. Of course, Rhaegar was not officially taken yet. Sunspear was trying their best.

Elia had a beauty and grace, but looked fragile. She agreed with Rhaegar that Elia might not have survived King's Landing.

There were Lysa Tully and Catelyn Tully. The latter just had a betrothal announcement before Harrenhal, with the heir of House Stark. The former was the one that Tywin Lannister wanted for Jaime. Azalea did not read anything into the two girls. They seemed dutiful and timid, not something that stood out in Westeros.

Of course, there was Cersei. The fact that the Prince might offer the dance to her had kept Cersei in the feasting room, away from Jaime.

It was a well thought out bait.

She knew for a fact that Rhaegar had danced with both Elia and Cersei amongst other woman.

As the feast was coming to a close, Rhaegar played his harp. She had heard it a dozen times but she was still moved by how he poured his soul into it.

But this was different. Somehow, his sorrowful melodies had turned into lighter and yet equally moving odes.

Rhaegar had told her a couple of days ago on how his songs had changed with her arrival, that every single new melody came out because of her and for her.

For the first time after hearing him play, her heart stirred up in a way that maintaining composure was a struggle.

She was not the only one. But while people swooned at the music, she couldn't help but fall harder for the thoughtfulness and ardor that the music represented.

And yet, she was among the fewer women who did not cry. Her face was composed and solemn.

They could not afford a misstep right now. What was Rhaegar thinking, playing so…

There would be a resounding applause and Rhaegar was surrounded by his endless admirers.

She took advantage of the commotion and left the feast. Instead of going back to her tent, she entered the Godswood and walked mindlessly until Valor found her.


Rhaegar VIII

He had seen her leave the room. She was not in her chambers and none of his friends, including Dayne, Hightower and Whent could find her.

Then he saw Valor descend around the Godswood and he knew.

Finding her after that was rather easy but the sheer relief at her sight was immense.

She sat on her knees, rubbing Valor's muzzle.

"Azalea, we have been searching all over." He said.

She looked startled but there was something curious about her expression. She looked anguished.

"What happened?" He gently asked, kneeling down beside her.

"The harp," She simply said morosely. Why would the harp…

"Did it not please my lady?" He asked carefully.

Something stirred in her face and soon massive, hot tears slid down her cheeks and she opened her arms with a sob and somewhat jumped on him.

He immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, "Azalea, I had not meant to cause you pain."

"I am not sad…it was just overwhelming, and thoughtful and beautiful and I am so happy…" She said with her tears, hesitating, vulnerable and then she finally said, "I love you Rhaegar."

Rhaegar froze for a moment, he had not expected it.

He stared at her beautiful face, pearly tears glistening down her rather pleasing lips.

He cupped her cheeks and brought her close. When their lips were barely apart, he looked at her asking for permission and got it.

The first peck was chaste, just a brush of lips, until it got a bit bolder. Her movements were rather tentative.

When they stopped, Azalea's face was flushed and she would not meet his eyes until his fingers cupped her cheeks and cajoled her face to look into his.

"The first time I realized I was in love with you was the day you made me supper because I missed it. I remember thinking as the night passed that I could get used to it, my best friend and the woman I loved. That was when I realized how hard I had already fallen in love with you. Your every single thing makes me love you more, Azalea Sage. It is an honor to be loved by you."

There was a tight embrace for a few moments until they adjusted into a lighter one with her head nestled in his shoulders and her arms around his neck and his arms on her back.

"Stupid politics, let's run away." She says half-heartedly in another moment.

Rhaegar does not react but he wonders if he could. Then he realizes he would. If Azalea asked it of him seriously, he would abandon everything and just run away to be with her.

"Where shall we run?" He asked instead.

"I am saying random things, Rhaegar." She sighed, "I think we are doing well actually. Tywin was enraged when I left and Jaime was in a rather big existential crisis. I think they will sort it out and he will not win anything."

"Enraged Tywin is not a good Tywin for our plans." Rhaegar said slowly.

"Oh, that's because I implied that Jaime fancied me or made a move on me. I kept referring it as ambition. Of course, I was referring to Jaime's application. I am sure Jaime would spill easily when his father interrogates him and Tywin would realize that I really did not mean disrespect." Azalea told him lightly as if her scheming was not dangerous or utterly brilliant.

Rhaegar froze completely. In the end, he decided to let it go. Azalea was …Azalea.

He just embraced her a little tighter in his worry and pressed his lips on her hair.

If he thought Valor was laughing at him, then he attributed it to his overactive imagination.


The list of next day is interesting.

He sits with his father in the royal pavilion. Azalea is indisposed. Apparently, her dragon needed attention. His father did not mind.

The fights were mostly interesting.

But then there was a mystery knight in rather mismatched armor, with a laughing weirwood tree on its shield. Someone from the North…

His fights are a bit unnerving and entertaining.

But more interesting is the scolding he gives to knights of House Blount, House Frey and House Haigh after fighting for the honor of a Crannogman and trampling them rather thoroughly, asking them to teach their squires honor as a ransom for their armor. A booming voice that he does not recognize but has the telltale signs of a disguise.

He thinks that the Starks visibly shift, especially the younger one, Lyanna and Benjen.

Interesting…it could not be their brothers because Eddard is sitting with them and Brandon is himself listed.

The knight fought more people. Jaime Lannister, who is unhorsed rather mercilessly, and a few more.

The defeat of Jaime has his father ridiculing him and saying how could he ever become a Kingsguard.

"See Tywin, Lady Azalea was right. We will make this knight a Kingsguard."

And his father stands up and ordered the mystery knight to unveil himself and kneel to accept the decree of being a Kingsguard.

"I am afraid I will have to decline the offer, your grace." The knight said, but still walked towards the royal pavilion.

His father was about to rage, when the knight took off their helm and Azalea's vibrant braid fell down. A deafening silence and then the crowd lost it.

Tywin froze, Rhaegar froze, Dayne almost groaned.

"A woman cannot be Kingsguard," She simply said and kneeled down with her sword in front of his father, "I simply wanted to prove that if they cannot defeat me in mismatched armor and unbalanced lance, then how are they suitable for protecting the king. I simply wanted to prove that pride without cause is unbecoming on knights."

"But it does not mean that I will not do my duty. 5 moons ago, you gave me a command and I asked for time to consider it, to perform the Valyrian ritual before any announcement. The ritual is complete, the time is spent, and I accept that command." She said, looking only at Aerys, not sparing him, Tywin or anyone a glance.

But Rhaegar was ecstatic. They would have a betrothal and be wed soon enough.

His father's mad laughter made everyone flinch, except Azalea who just stared at him, rather boldly and unafraid.

His father merely beckoned her onto the royal pavilion and announced their betrothal and their wedding to happen in 3 moons. Valor was screeching in the sky. They did not even meet each other's gaze.

He would meet Howland Reed and the two ecstatic younger Starks later in the feast.

As they danced away, because now it was expected them to stick close to each other, Azalea told him me how she saved Reed, met Lyanna and Benjen. How she promised to not let Jaime's ambition take fruit.

Then she talked about how after their time in Godswood, she found Lyanna and Benjen trying to find armor so one of them could avenge the honor of Reed. She would convince them that they would get burned by the King should they try that and took the armor for herself and shot both ravens with one arrow.

Jaime also held his lance too loosely and sat on the edge. To others, it might seem like a lack of skill. But Azalea, well she knew what it was. He had heeded her advice and deliberately made it easy to defeat him.

"Not that he would have won, regardless." She told him.

But this was unprecedented. Tywin Lannister owed Azalea and Lannisters always paid their debts.

It was reckless and he told her as much.

"What's life without a little adventure?" She would murmured rather cheekily.

If people thought it was odd that the crown prince and his betrothed had a fit of laughter, well, then it was on them.


I know a lot of you had thoughts about Lyanna and Rhaegar/Lyanna and Azalea.

I don't usually pit women against women for the sake of it. Cersei being the exception. But let's agree that she is a very special case.

Also Lyanna is way too young right now. I know she was not much older when the original tourney happened: 15. But the tourney is happening 2 years earlier (with some similar events because homage). She is 13. And although, I question canon!Rhaegar's sanity all the time, I am still not sure if he would be that insane.

Also, Azalea pretty much has his attention/affection right now.

Also, heads up: the tourney has not ended yet. It was just the Day 1.

Reviews!