"So, how was Starfall, Lyonel?" Robert asked me during the feast. "It's fun there, I'm continuing to train and the smith, Ulmer, is allowing me to help around the forge." I replied, while eating different types of food. "Are you a great swordsman yet? Maybe Arthur would name you The Sword Of The Morning, if that was even possible."
Different men at the table started laughing. "No, I don't like sword fighting, I use a warhammer or a spear." Robert looked surprised. "You. A warhammer? Maybe you'll grow up to be just as strong as I was during the rebellion." Robert laughed. "Can't believe it. A son of mine. Using a warhammer." The rest of the dinner was uneventful and there was mostly just singing, drinking, and of course, eating.
As the dinner ended Derreck and Me went to our own rooms, next to each other. After saying goodnight to Derreck and going into my own room, I put on my nightclothes and went to bed, tomorrow is the hunt, I need to be rested enough for it.
"My prince, wake up." Sounded at the door as Ser Barristan Selmy came to wake me up. "We're going hunting after breakfast." With that he left the room again and waited outside my room for me to be ready. As I left the room he nodded and guided me downstairs, as we were walking on the spiral staircase, Ser Barristan spoke up. "So you're not a swordfighter, but a user of a warhammer just like your old man?" He seemed genuinely interested in it. "Yes, I used many weapons before settling on the warhammer, it seemed to fit me the best." He seemed to think for a bit before saying, "Well, hope that one day I can fight you, there's no good thing as a good friendly practice." I grinned before saying. "Are you sure you want to do that, it would be bad for the best King's Guard in service to get defeated in a fight versus a less skilled warrior." He laughed. "We're just going to have to see that." Arriving into the dining hall, where Tommen, Myrcella, Joffrey, mother, and father were already sitting, father rose up and wished me a happy name-day. Tommen and Myrcella were next while Joffrey seemed reluctant to even speak to me, I guess he feels threatened by me. My physique is way better than his and I'm also way taller than him. During breakfast the conversations were mostly pointless about the dreams we had, while Myrcella dreamt of being queen, Tommen dreamt of being a knight and riding a dragon. I dreamt of my hunt, That my hunt was successful and I had some good antlers to put on my helmet on my 15th nameday.
To leave for the hunt father had arranged for a small group of his household guards, his entire king's guard, and some wine bearers.
"Kingslayer, you will stay behind here to guard Cersei." Robert announced. "The rest of the Kingsguard will accompany my guards and me on the hunt." Everybody got armed, Robert, the king's guard and me sat on horses and then we left. We went straight for the Kingswood.
"We'll hunt here, set up camp in the clearing there." Robert announced. After setting up the camp I walked over to father. Who was waiting for the scouts. "Hello father." Robert turned to me. "Hello Lyonel, you ready for your hunt?" Father replied. His voice laced with excitement. "Yes father, I hope it goes well, I haven't hunted before." The scouts came back when I finished saying that "Your grace, the area seems fit for the hunt. We've seen multiple animals good for antlers, especially some grand bucks." The scouts reported. "Let's go hunt." Robert announced. Most of the soldiers cheered, the Kingsguard just followed Robert and me. After sneaking around in the woods for a while, looking for a grand buck or just a normal deer, we returned to the basecamp as we didn't find any animals fit for the antlers. We got a boar or two but other than that we had nothing yet.
The next day however was a lot more fortunate. We found a great buck and with 1 throw of my spear into his neck, I killed it and seized the antlers for my helmet. After the hunt we went back to the camp, packed up, and went to the red keep. The rest of my 2 days in the red keep were pretty uneventful, as I'm still not one for feasts. I didn't end up sparring with Ser Barristan, or just fighting at all for the rest of those 2 days as I mostly spent time catching up with Tommen and Myrcella, who told me Joffrey didn't like me, as he started being even more cruel and mean towards everybody.
But now back in Starfall, I already feel at home again.
1 Year Later.
Arthur decided that Derreck and me should go to Sunspear, to meet Prince Doran Martell, the ruler of Dorne, and his brother, Oberyn Martell.
"Hello, prince Lyonel, welcome to Sunspear. I am Oberyn Martell, more commonly known as the Red Viper" Oberyn announced as we arrived.
"I hope you will like your stay here."
I nodded to him. "I'm sure I will, Prince Oberyn. "He interrupted me. "It's just Oberyn, there's no need to call me 'prince'."
After meeting a talking a bit with both Prince Doran and him, I went into the gardens, to admire the beauty of the city and their gardens. After strolling a bit through the garden I got approached by 3 women, I started sweating and stuttered like a mad fool.
"Hello prince, my name is, Arianne Martell and these are. Nymeria Sand, the bastard daughters of prince Oberyn, at your service, with whatever you need." "Whatever you need." Finished Nymeria. "Uh, h-h-hello l-ladies, o-or I mean p-prin-cesses." Derreck started laughing at hearing me stutter like that. "Don't mind the young prince, he's never talked to girls except for Alysanne Sand and his sister." The girls laughed. "Well a prince that is that shy, must be quite the catch then" Tyene cheered.
"Well I hope you enjoy your stay here, my prince." Arianne said seductively. The rest of the week that I spent here was quite uneventful except my talks with the girls, not that I did much talking more stammering, according to Derreck, but before I knew it I was back in Starfall with a great memory to Sunspear.
Another year later.
My time here in Starfall was one of the best times I've had so far. Alysanne and me have become closer friends, in her time I've spent with her I've come to love her haunting purple eyes, and her black hair. I've grown up quite well, my height now ranks over Derreck and Arthur as I'm more then 1m85 tall. Tyrion has come to visit me a few times, stopping in Starfall while traveling somewhere else, he's a really good guy although quite small, but very funny. He's a drunk, but it's very livable. He spent more time with whore's than with me, but I guess that's what Tyrion usually does, things like that reach many corners of Westeros. In the time spent with Ulmer, I've become nearly as good of a smith as him. Whenever Tyrion was around and I was working in the forge with Ulmer, he would start drinking with Tyrion while talking about whatever came to their mind. Tyrion has also thought me how to talk to girls even though I'm quite silent. Whenever Tyrion was around it also allowed me to communicate and know things about Tommen and Myrcella, and also Joffrey, who with age just keeps growing meaner and sadistic. Tyrion highly prefers Tommen and Myrcella because they're nice to him while Joffrey is always mean to him. Calling him imp and dwarf. He just doesn't know how nice Tyrion can be I guess. Arthur, Alysanne and I will all go to King's Landing for the celebration of my 15th nameday.
When we arrived into King's Landing, father was surprised to see Arthur.
Arthur got pardoned by him because he surrendered and still was a able warrior, but he refused to offer to be in the Kingsguard, which Robert disliked, but he let Arthur go, out of honor.
"Your grace, may I present to you my sister's bastard daughter, Lady Alysanne Sand. Even if she isn't my daughter, I will always treat her like my own."
With that Arthur and Alysanne bowed.
"I asked them to come with me since they raise me like their own family too." Father nodded before speaking. "Any friend of Lyonel, will always be my friend too, good to see you again Arthur." They hugged eachother. Even if they fought on different sides during the war, I could see how much he respected Arthur. Arthur and Barristan immediately started speaking which each other once they had the chance. It was obvious that they still had a immense amount of respect for one another. Barristan even went as far as saying that Arthur was the only true knight left. Later in the night was a feast. Joffrey sat next to Cersei, next to Joffrey were other children from nobility, while at my side of the table, next to Robert, sat Tommen, Me, Alysanne, Myrcella and a few other children. Tommen and Myrcella got along well with Alysanne, and we had a great time away from Joffrey, who seemed to cling to Cersei like a scared little Lion cub.
The next day was the gifting ceremony, and after that the melee. I announced during the feast last night, that the kingsguard could participate in the melee as well, although they will be fairly matched against their opponents.
During the gifting ceremony the gifts that stood out the most was the armor my father gave me, full black and resizable, with the antlers I got on the hunt for my 13th nameday on the black helmet. While the other one was from uncle Stannis, who I rarely see, he got me a warhammer, a steel head, with a pin coming from the top and front, while the back had a jagged end, the haft of the warhammer was black with a rounded end. On the head of the warhammer was a stag carved in with a gold color. After thanking everybody for coming, the melee started.
In the crowd I could see, father, mother, Jon Arryn, uncle Stannis, and uncle Renly, the most other noblemen were unknown to me but I did recognize their sigils. The participants of the melee were mostly the Kingsguard and other men who wanted to prove themselves and a few other people like Loras Tyrell, who seemed to enjoy the company of uncle Renly a bit too much, Gregor Clegane, and Sandor Clegane. During the melee itself I was able to beat most participants while the Clegane brothers got defeated by Ser Arthur Dayne, and Ser Barristan Selmy. After I valiantly defeated Ser Loras with my warhammer, it was me against Ser Barristan who just knocked Ser Arthur out of the fight.
"Good luck, Ser Barristan, you're going to need it." I thought to myself. Barristan quickly and nimbly went in for a strike with his sword against my black armor, you could say that since my armor is black, and his armor is white, that it was a fight for good vs evil, the only thing was that none of us are evil.
After Ser Barristan's strike I quickly retaliated s I tried to strike him in his side, but he countered it with a swing of his sword, impressive, but not too much of a surprise seeing that it came from Ser Barristan. After a good 10 minutes of sparring I managed to get the upperhand a knock him to the ground by his misstep, nothing else than luck, it was announced that I was the winner. I helped Ser Barristan get up and complimented him for his skills, and that my victory was pure luck, I went to crown my queen of love and beauty, Alysanne Sand. She got flustered at being crowned queen of love and beauty but certainly loved the attention I gave her. After the tournament the people that talked about it all referred to me as the 'Black Prince' because of my all black armor.
After the melee I went to my room to rest since I fought hard and valiantly and got tired by it. I dressed into something more comfortable and laid in my bed.
Once I started drifting off into sleep, I was awoken by a knock on the door. "Yes?" I asked. "Lady Alysanne is here to talk to you, my prince." Derreck announced. Since the Kingsguard all needed to stay with father for now, Derreck was appointed to watch my room for now. "Let her in Derreck." I replied, only to hear a snicker from behind the door. "I knew you were going to say that, my prince." Came Derreck's mocking tone through the door. Once Alysanne was inside Derreck closed the door behind her. "Want me to make sure you guys are uninterrupted?" He mocked again. "Derreck shut up." Alysanne and me sounded at the same time. She giggled once she was inside of my room. "So I'm your queen of love and beauty? I feel honored, my prince." Alysanne spoke up, the blush apparent on her face. It must be obvious for people that we had feelings for each other, but I was completely oblivious about it. I mean, I knew I was in love with her, but the way Derreck spoke, it was obvious the feelings were returned, I just didn't notice it.
"Yes, sorry. I forgot that was a part of winning a melee." I'm sure my face would be super red by now as well.
"It was sweet of you. I didn't know you really thought I am pretty." Alysanne answered shyly. "Are you kidding me, Alysanne? You are beautiful." She smiled. "Thanks Lyonel." She got interrupted by a knock on the door. "My prince, your father is here to speak with you." Derreck announced. Ah come on "Let him in, Derreck." The door opened and in walked Robert, the 2 Kingsguard that followed him waited outside. "Your grace." Alysanne quickly said before leaving the room, not forgetting to bow. "Lyonel, I need to talk to you." He said, sitting down in a chair on next to me, where Alysanne sat before him. "Jon Arryn got really sick really quick." A look of worry on my face. "He was healthy before, now really sick."He got up from the chair. "I know it could just be a flu or something, but bad things have been happening, so I want you to be careful and not get sick yourself.. As of now, Derreck will be your sworn shield, to protect you as a Kingsguard from now on. He left the room and went back to Jon Arryn.
The next day that I woke up, Jon Arryn had died apparently the flu just burned right through him. We had a funeral the next day and set out for Winterfell. Father wanted to speak with his best friend, Ned Stark, who helped him in the rebellion. I heard a lot of things about Ned Stark. About how he was super loyal, and nothing went over his honor. His honor was the most important thing to him, from what I've heard. According to father their eldest son is named, Robb Stark, who is the same age as me. They also have a bastard son, Jon Snow. And 2 more daughters and 2 more sons even. On the way to Winterfell father didn't allow me to ride a horse and instead ordered me to sit in the royal carriage. Together with mother, father, Tommen, Myrcella, Alysanne, and sadly also Joffrey. Joffrey kept bullying Tommen and Myrcella the entire time we were riding, and every time father told him to stop, he didn't listen, mother always protected Joffrey too. When we were close to arriving, Joffrey went to ride on a horse, with father, leaving us alone. When we finally arrived I was the last to exit the carriage. When father rode in, everybody knelt. When I exited the carriage I saw their family all lined up. On the far left was, Bran Stark, then Arya Stark, their youngest daughter, followed by Robb Stark, their eldest son, then stood Ned Stark and his wife Catelyn Stark/Tully and next to her their youngest son, Rickon Stark. Behind them was Jon Snow. I didn't understand why he didn't stand next to Robb, since they should be around the same age. After father greeted most of them, and mother said hello, father and Lord Ned went to the crypts. The stewards of House Stark, showed us our rooms and told us they would warn us when the feast would start. I got settled in in a room next to Derreck and Tommen. Myrcella got a room close to Arya and Sansa.
A bit after our arrival, it was arranged that I sparred against Robb and after I insited, also Jon, who should have been trained enough to fight me, but soon after both fell, to my warhammer. Arya, Sansa, Myrcella and Alysanne were chatting while looking at us practice, Arya and Alysanne mostly watched us fight while giggling about how Jon and Robb lost. Rickon was nowhere to be found while I noticed Bran running around on the rooftops.
When we finished fighting, I noticed Arya and Alysanne going to the stables.
"Why are they going to the stables?" I asked Jon, who smiled and replied.
"I'll show you."
When we arrived at the stables I was confused by the 7 little wolves.
"You guys have wolves?" I asked, obviously confused.
"They're direwolves, we found them when we returned to the castle after an execution." He replied.
"An execution?" Why would they need to execute somebody?
"Aye, a deserter of the Night's Watch." I remembered now. 'Once you take the black, you never go back.' "Hey Jon, how did it feel like getting your ass kicked by a prince?" I suddenly heard Arya tease Jon. Alysanne giggled. "You know he can't help it Arya, It looks like Lyonel's warhammer is bigger than Jon." Arya was laughing now. "Wow, I didn't know you had that in you Alysanne, you always looked so nice." Jon replied, feigning being hurt. "Yeah don't let her appearance fool you, she's a real bitch." Joffrey suddenly said, standing on the other side of the stables. "A bastard being best friends with a prince, now you can see how low Lyonel goes." Jon seemed to be angered by the word 'bastard' while Alysanne just got sad. "Shut up Joffrey, or I'll make you shut up." I yelled. "Yeah, how are you planning on doing that?" I threw my warhammer at him, missing him because he jumped out of the way, but I soon ran at him, pushing him on the ground and hitting him over and over again. After beating him bloody I got kicked over by The Hound, Joffrey's dog. I grabbed my warhammer as he got his greatsword out of his scabbard. "You don't have to do this, kid." The Hound said. "Tell that to the little shit I just beat up." I replied, angering The Hound. He swung his greatsword horizontally at me, which I dodged by rolling on the floor, a move I learned from sparring against Derreck. I struck him hard on his chest plate, which seemed to knock the wind out of him, we managed to fight for a while, my brute strength knocking over the Hound while Jon and Robb went to get help while Arya and Alysanne ran away.
"WHAT IN THE GOD'S NAME IS GOING ON HERE!" Robert ran in furious. The Hound was still on the ground with me holding him down. Ned Stark ran in behind him, "Where is Arya?" is what he immediately asked. "She ran off a moment ago, Lord Stark." Robert seemed to have calmed down now that Ned was here. "Hound, bring the boy to Maester Luwin. "So the boy knows how to fight, you didn't joke about him beating Ser Barristan." Ned laughed.
"Beating the best warrior in Westeros and also The Hound, where did you learn that?" Robert asked.
"Wait, you're not mad at me for beating Joffrey up?" I asked confused. "I am, but what can I say, I was no different when I was 15.
You're going to have to answer to Cersei about this, she won't be happy." Robert said after a bit.
"The feast is going to start soon, we should probably get going." Ned told Robert. When we exited the stables Jon and Robb where waiting there. "You're crazy, you just attacked the heir to the Iron Throne." Robb said. "You're an amazing fighter though, beating the hound like that, he's huge." Jon said. "Yeah he must be like 2 meters tall." Robb soon said. "I practiced a lot against Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword Of The Morning." Jon and Robb looked in awe of that. "Didn't you guys know, Alysanne is his sister's bastard daughter." We arrived in the great hall laughing, luckily just in time for the feast.
A/N There you go another chapter, I'll try and upload a picture of Lyonel's Warhammer but I'm not quite sure on how to do it. Anyway I hope you like this chapter