"Only in art will the lion lie down with the lamb, and the rose grow without the thorn."- Martin Amis
I don't own Game of Thrones.
Chapter 2 The mysterious knight who won the crown of Love and Beauty
Gunnel Stark
Gunnel sat next to her grandfather from her right side and her uncle Tyrion to her left.
"Let the tournament. Begin!" The crowd cheered as Tywin wave his hand that signal for the tournament to begin.
They are sitting a place that is considered a royal box. Many of the competitors wanted to win her favor, but she bluntly declined them. She finds none of the men interesting enough to give her favor. Gunnel looked around to see if there is any sign of Northern men banner or at least members of Starks, but sadly there are none. Her grandfather had gifted her sweet lion cub. It so cute! Its fur is pure white as snow and silvery-blue eyes.
A female cub that she had gladly gives her name Helen. Her precious cub is enjoying lying comfortably on her lap as she gently combs her cub through her fingers.
Helen purred happily as it rested her eyes for a bit.
"Niece, it looks like your uncle Jaime is competing for your favor." Tyrion jested as Gunnel smiled that thought of what Tyrion said. She watches her uncle Jaime jogging his horse to their box.
Jaime came up and charmingly said, "Sweet niece, May I asked for your favor." Gunnel gently places Helen on her maid's arms and went up to the lance to tie her red scarf on the lance.
"Good luck," Gunnel smiled and nodded at him. Jaime just laughs it up, "I don't need such things of luck." Jaime rode away from the royal box. Gunnel went back to sit on her chair. Her maid had given her cub back.
"Yes, a glorified kingsguard; instead of being my heir," Tywin whispers in her ear that she can detect his contempt on the word Kingsguard. Gunnel knew that Tywin wanted his first born to take over the family as Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the west. Sadly, Jaime has no interest in being a Lord or politics. So, her grandfather had never forgiven her uncle for leaving his home to be a kingsguard.
The crowd cheered for Jaime when he unhorsed his opponent.
The crowd became silent when that person came.
The Black Knight is riding in the field. They call him that because he dons his armor in pure black. He looks like a young man, grown man or perhaps a woman. No knew who he is or way he came from.
He never said a word.
All they know is that lately he has been coming to Casterly Rock for the tourney. Gunnel is secretly curious about who he is.
Yet he is the first one who does not want her favor. He would look at her from a far, but never made a move or said a word.
Tywin Lannister
Tywin clapped politely when his son, Jaime had defeated his opponent. He looked at his granddaughter who may have Stark features, but inherited her mother's sunny gold hair, eyes and her cheekbones. He will never admit to anyone that when he saw Gunnel. It made his heart ached to know that his daughter is dead when wildings attack their home and Gunnel was the last piece of his daughter's flesh.
Gunnel is his only pride and joy left in this world.
He is proud that she is the ideal and potential lady to marry the highest rank in nobility. However, the problem is that he sees none of the men who are worthy enough to marry his granddaughter.
He knew that the final say for her marriage belongs to her father, Lord Eddard Stark. However, Lord Stark said, that he wanted all his children to fell in love with someone to marry. Tywin refused that notion because sooner you married your children off. The better for your children to secure your families lines, duties and legacy.
Next is the Knight of the Flowers. Ah, already, they are here. The House of Tyrells had come into the den of lions.
The Tyrells are the only true rivals to the Lannister family in wealth and power. Tywin looked at the boy, but he knew of his disgusting taste in same sex than females. The only real reason that Ser Loras Tyrell has entered this Tournament is because of Lady Olenna Tyrell urging her grandson. Probably, Lord Maces Tyrell was being bully by his grandmother again. The Queen of Thorns is here to see if her grandson could catch his granddaughter's attention. Tywin sneak his gaze on her. Thank the Gods; she is not impressed by Ser Loras Tyrell.
He silently sighed in relief. Gunnel deserves more than a pillow-biter as a husband.
The Knight of the flowers opponent is the mysterious Black knight. Strong and already seem to have patient in defeating his opponent.
However, he is keener of knowing who this mysterious Black knight is. He has been competing with other tournaments before this nameday of his granddaughter. The Black knight has never been defeated. Tywin has been telling his spies to keep an eye out for him, but he is clever enough to avoid them.
Someday, he will find out who is this mysterious Black Knight.
The horn blows as both knights had charged with their lance in positions and riding their horses towards each other.
The lance shattered that belongs to the Black knight who knocked Ser Loras to the ground.
'One strike,' Tywin is impressed that the Black knight had beat the Knight of the Flowers. The crowd cheered and few nobles glare hatefully at the Black Knight. Especially, the Tyrells.
The entire the Black knight is unbeatable. He defeated few of his bannermen and his brother, Tygett Lannister.
Gunnel clapped and cheered at the Black Knight. As are the other people are cheering for the Black Knight when he raised his broken lance to the crowd.
Gunnel eyes showed that she is impressed, but he doesn't know the identity of this knight. In other words, he is going to have to keep her distance from the Black knight.
Next horn blows; it was his son, Jaime. He is riding on his horse acting like a fool that he is. This is the final of the tournament. The Black Knight is gripping on his lance rather tightly.
The horns blow as they charged into the lane.
SMASH* the lances are splattered to both Jaime and the Black Knight. Both refused to go do and stay on the horse.
Tywin scratch his chin a bit as he gaze at both of them.
Round two has come. The horn is blow again as Jaime and the Black Knight charged towards each other, but result the same.
'Perhaps,' Tywin thought to himself, 'My son is equal to the Black knight.' They kept charging each with such determination to knock each other out. Tywin is impressed. Very impressed, indeed.
By the looks of it, Gunnel leans forward in excitement and nearly forgetting her manners as a lady.
"Look at such strength between them!"
"Aye! Looks like the Black Knight met his match!"
"Ser Jaime is the best in Casterly Rock!"
"The Black Knight is not giving up!"
"What Stamina!"
"The ferocity!"
"For Casterly Rock!"
"For the Black Knight!"
"Go, Ser Jaime!"
"Fight on, Black Knight!"
"JAIME LANNISTER!"
"BLACK KNIGHT!"
The longer this tournament lasted the more rowdy the people are.
"Quiet the stubborn knight don't you think uncle?" He heard Gunnel speaking with that creature of a son. Tyrion snorted, "More like he determined to beat your uncle Jaime."
Both Jaime and the Black Knight are visibly exhausted. Well, well who will be victories? Will it be Jaime Lannister or the mysterious Black Knight?
The horn blows again. Both charge with more raw power and people lean forward in excitement.
Jaime and the black Knight ran towards together. It feels like a closer to aim…
Bang*SMASH!
Both lances explode into splinters and shields crack in half. The people had oh sounded out and groan at the feeling of pain. But by a miracle it happened.
Jaime Lannister rolled off his horse and landed on the dirt. His armor is dented and Jaime landed on a loud Thud! Tywin stood up on his feet in fear that Jaime may have gotten serious hurt or worse. The Black Knight leaned more on his stallion, but remains on the horse. Black Knight kneels before Jaime Lannister and gave him his hand. Which his son gladly reach for it and gotten up on his feet. Tywin sighs in relief that Jaime is getting up from the ground and onto his feet.
The Steward announced the winner. "The winner for the Tournament is the Black knight! He has earned himself 80,000 gold dragons and…" The steward assistant came forward with a red pillow and on top of it, lays a winter roses that is formed into a crown. "You will have the right to crown whomever the ladies as Queen of Love and Beauty."
The Noble murmur each and looked around to see if any luck ladies to be given a crown.
The Black Knight is still on his stallion as he taken the bag of gold and the crown. He watches as the Black Knight turned is horse around and throws the Crown into the air. The crowd watches as it landed on his granddaughter's hand in the air. Gunnel gasps silently and gripped hold to the crown. Tyrion smiled diminished as he looked at the crown and Gunnel.
The crowd cheered and others politely clapped at the declaration.
Tywin knew the true meaning of this.
The Black Knight wished to have his granddaughter hand in marriage.
Tyrion Lannister
He is enjoying the feast and telling jokes to his sweet niece. Tyrion is a smart man, but sadly they all only saw him as a dwarf and nothing more.
Gunnel is eating few of her favorites such as cooked pheasants and lemon cakes. To him it was exhausting day for everyone. He could tell by looking at the guest and family members are whispering each about the Black Knight had declared Gunnel Stark as Queen of Love and Beauty. Other people like him and his beloved father knows the true meaning by it.
He has his own intention on marrying Gunnel with or without permission from laws of men.
Gunnel is dancing with few potential suiters and simply dancing with them. Tyrion is keeping an eye on her just in case if shall we say lose their hand.
Gunnel came to him, "Uncle, I'm going to my chambers to check on Helen."
Tyrion smiled, "Don't worry; I will keep the party going."
She kissed his cheek and left.
…..
It been hours, where is she?
His father is noticing somebody is missing.
"Where is Gunnel, Tyrion?" Oh yes, his father is mad.
"She said that she went to her chambers to check on your gift."
Before his father uttered a word, a scream reach to their ears. Everyone saw one of their guards came in blood and wounded.
The wounded guard collapsed and they went to his side.
He mumbled, "Taken…Lady…Gunnel."
Tyrion waddled behind his father as they went to Gunnel chamber room. His father opened the door suddenly.
Tyrion saw his sweet niece room.
It's all trashed and demolished. They noticed little blood around the floor and hand prints. The crown of Love and beauty is cover in blood and beside it is a Targaryen banner flag.
"Send out the guards! Find them!"
This is not a good nameday at all.
Phew that is good. Now bring in comments and reviews. Let's get the show boarding.