Rhaenys watched with a smile, as Arthur donned his armor with the help of his sister. Today was a big day for the young Lannister, his first Tourney Melee. His own father, Ser Jaime, had won his first melee when he was mere thirteen years old. Arthur had turned fourteen not long before they had come to Highgarden and now the boy was eager to follow in his father's footsteps.
"My, don't you look dashing today. Red is truly a Lannister color." Rhaenys commented lightly, as Arthur smirked at the girl he had considered a sister for as long as he could remember.
Rhaenys had always been around, ever since he had been born. Jaime and Allyria had always involved her heavily in their family, an action that Doran had always approved of. And Rhaenys had been grateful for that. The Lannisters... her Lannisters had allowed her to have a family. And Rhaenys would do everything for them, just as they would do everything for her. And now she was here, with Arthur and his sister Joanna, watching as the boy prepared for his big day.
"Red is also a Targaryen color. Today I shall fight for both our houses." The boy said confidently. "And I will win this melee. How could I fail, now that you have allowed me to wear your favor for this event."
"It is just the melee, Arthur. My favor isn't as important as it would be in the actual jousting. But I am still glad you asked. Willas will be quite jealous I hope." Rhaenys laughed lightly, as she thought about the oldest son of Lord Mace Tyrell.
She had first met Willas when she was only eight years old. He was already a boy of fourteen years, when the young princess had been introduced to him during a month long visit to Highgarden. Initially she had been sent to the seat of House Tyrell in an effort to placate the Tyrells, who had been nigh on abandoning the Martells after Oberyn's part in Willas crippling. But for Rhaenys and Willas it had been the beginning of a fondness, that allowed the alliance of the Houses Martell and Tyrell to continue. And now Doran Martell intended to marry his niece to the future Lord Tyrell, a match that Rhaenys welcomed wholeheartedly. But they still had to convince the Tyrell' matriarch of this.
"He would be a fool otherwise. Not many can claim to have a chance to win the affections of a Targaryen princess." Arthur retorted.
"Yeah. Your family mostly kept their daughters for themselves, instead of marrying them to another lord's son. Willas better be glad." Joanna quipped.
"Oh he will be. But the decision isn't his, unfortunately. His grandmother controls her family and there is nothing we can do to change that. Willas is a good man and will be a far better lord than his father. Lady Olenna has all right to only wish for the best bride for her favorite grandchild."
"Who would be better than you, dear sister?" Arthur asked, as his sister pulled on the latches of his chest armor, "Ouch, what have my poor ribs done to offend you, Joanna?"
"Nothing," Joanna said with an impish smirk, "I just wanted to make sure that you won't be too cocky out there. Some pain should remind you to be more careful. The swords may be blunt, but even blunt weapons can kill if you are not careful." She looked imploringly at him, in a way that their mother would often do, whenever they did something dangerous or stupid or dangerously stupid.
"Don't be too harsh on him, his isn't a complete idiot," Rhaenys said with a smile.
Joanna smiled as well, though her smile was much more mocking... and directed at her brother. "An idiot? No, thank the gods. But foolish after all the time he had spent with your uncle. I would prefer to have my brother alive and in one piece, no need to see him cut down to the height of uncle Tyrion."
"I feel so honored that you think so highly of my abilities, dearest Joanna," Arthur said sarcastically, before his sister pulled on the last latch a lot harder than necessary.
Rhaenys watched the siblings banter, a content smile on her face. She was glad that she had those two. A dutiful brother who would fight for her without hesitation, to protect her life and honor, and a sister whose first concern was her family's safety.
Sometimes she wondered if her brother Aegon would have been like Arthur. Her real brother would have only been a year or two older than the young Lannister and she was sure that those two would have been friends for sure... but Aegon died, together with their mother. She barely even remembered how Aegon looked these days... she only remembered her mother because she resembled her so much, it kept the memory more vivid.
But she quickly tried to focus her mind on the tasks ahead, on the family she had now, lest sadness would claim her and she knew her mother and father would have never wanted her to live a sad life. She would enjoy the life she had, with those people close to her. People she would protect with all her power, if it came down to it. Arthur and Joanna, Damon and Myra, Jaime and Allyria, her uncles Oberyn and Doran, all her cousins, both true-born and base-born.
"Enough for now. It is time for the first round of the melee, we don't want Arthur to be late." Rhaenys finally said, after watching the two Lannisters bicker.
Arthur stood straight, his helmet under his arm as he tried to look as confident as possible. But his nervousness was palpable. "A pity you have to use a blunt sword. Just imagine the look on grandfather's face if he saw you with 'It'" Joanna said with a smirk. "Or maybe not, we don't want him to die of shock... yet."
"Come on, helmet on the head and off with you," Rhaenys said, as she patted her surrogate brother on his armored shoulder. Together they left their tent to walk towards the open field, where the melee would take place.
Oberyn's eldest daughters, Obara and Nymeria, joined them outside, together with several Martell household guards who would follow Rhaenys everywhere to keep her safe. Tyene had once again opted to follow Allyria, not that anyone minded the extra safety for the Lady Lannister. Rhaenys had already lamented more than once that there were almost too many guards around her at all times, not that anyone would be willing to change that. At least she nearly laughed when all of them looked confused at the armored knight next to their princess. They knew it had to be Arthur, but they had no idea what he would look like in full armor, this was his first official competition and every battle he had fought so far had been on the other side of the Narrow Sea.
When they arrived at the field, they could already see the large crowd that had gathered to watch the first part of the Tourney. Banners had been raised all around them. Most prominent were the Stags of the Baratheons and the Direwolves of the Starks, but there were many more. Rhaenys also saw the Black Gate of House Yronwood, the House that had fostered her cousin Quentyn. Far from their place she could also see the Lannister banner, the golden Lion on red, most likely raised by someone from Lord Tywin's entourage. But they... they had stopped next to two banners. The red, three-headed dragon of House Targaryen and the Lannister banner of Jaime's family.
"You should go to the stands and sit with the Tyrells now, Princess Rhaenys. It is only proper..." Nymeria tried to reason with Rhaenys, especially polite and proper with so many foreign men around them, but the princess would hear nothing of it.
"No. I'd rather stay here with my favored fighter. Up there I would have to sit close to the Usurper and his ilk and I am not sure whether I can face my father's murderer right now. It was hard enough facing my mother's."
She saw how the others looked at her, not with pity, but with concern. Arthur had been most vocal against her facing Tywin Lannister, but she had insisted on it and Jaime had allowed it. She had braved that meeting, showing the man her contempt.
Arthur placed his armored hand softly on her shoulder. Though she couldn't see his face underneath the helmet, she could see his eyes through the slits. Those violet eyes, so eerily similar to her own, to Aegon's. "Don't fear that fat oaf. He won't go anywhere near you. We all will protect you from him and all his lackeys." He said confidently and Rhaenys couldn't help herself but believe him. "Remember our own words. Loyalty and Justice."
Yes, she remembered those words. She would never forget them. They would never be bound to a single House, but to all those who fought for their cause, especially the younger generation. Loyalty to their family and friends. Justice for everyone, even for those who had wronged them. But Rhaenys would have liked to add a third word. Contempt. Contempt for those who have murdered innocents for their own gain, for they did not deserve any form of courtesy or honor. That was also why she decided to stay away from the stands and the Usurper. She just wouldn't be able to be civil with this man, not even for one moment. She couldn't respect a man who had built his reign on the dead bodies of her family.
"Go now, defend the honor of our Houses. Remember your father won his first melee at age thirteen. Let them hear you roar." Rhaenys said, as she pushed Arthur towards the large field, where several others were already waiting.
"Now look at that, Robb, we will be fighting a dragon as it seems." A boy commented snidely, not far from Rhaenys group. When she looked at the person who had spoken, she saw a larger group of Stark and Baratheon men, lead by the Usurper's son and heir, Joffrey Baratheon and the heir of Winterfell, Robb Stark. The latter boy's Tully blue eyes were not on her, but on Joanna who stood next to her and Rhaenys did not like that particular look on his face. Neither did Nymeria, who stepped in front of the Lannister daughter, effectively shielding her from Robb's sight.
And Joffrey... the boy was an odd mix of Baratheon coloring and Lannister looks. The resemblance was small, but Rhaenys could still see it there. He did look slightly like Arthur, in a queer way that is. It was understandable, the boy's mother was Jaime's twin sister after all. But by the way Joanna glared at the prince, it was obvious that the kinship between their particular Lannister branches was not very strong. Understandable as well, this was after all the first time Joanna had ever met her cousin and he is the son of their greatest enemy.
And Joffrey looked at Rhaenys as if her was evaluating the dragon princess. It was hard to tell what he was thinking at the moment. But it was easily to tell what went through Joanna's head... because she would always tell it outright.
"You would be a fool to believe that all dragons are dead, your grace." Joanna said, stressing the word grace in a way that made the word sound like an insult.
And Joffrey definitely felt insulted by her. "Be glad that you are my cousin or else I would..."
"You would do what?" Joanna asked mockingly. "Would you try to kill me for not doing as you say? The Mad King would be proud to know that someone so capable will sit on his throne for some time."
"Now listen, girl. I am your prince and you will show me proper respect or..."
"Calm down, Joffrey. She's trying to goad you. Come on, keep your anger for the fights." Robb said, as he held Joffrey back.
Rhaenys watched this young prince, evaluating him herself. He had a quick temper, that much was obvious. But his earlier comment also meant that their kinship meant more to him than it did to Joanna. And though he had obviously adopted his father's disdain for the Targaryen family, Rhaenys did not know how she would deal with the likes of him. Someone who is innocent of the crimes of the last war, but a possible enemy in the next.
"I itch for a fight. Robb, come, let's show these fools that we are not to be underestimated." Joffrey said, before he stalked away in the same direction where Arthur had left. But the Stark boy stayed a moment longer, watching Rhaenys and her companions closely, before he walked off. Only one boy, another Stark by his looks, remained. But there was something about him that made Rhaenys curious. But he walked away as well, but not to fight like his brother.
"I believe we should move to the stands now, princess." Nymeria said.
"No. I already said that..."
"You don't have to go anywhere near the fat oaf. But I believe that Willas Tyrell is currently sitting alone. Oh if there was only some maiden who would sit with him to keep him company." Joanna said in an overly dramatic way, a playful smile on her face.
And she was right. Rhaenys could see Willas, sitting on the stands. But he wasn't completely alone. His sister sat with him. But Willas paid Margaery little mind at the moment. He had his eyes on Rhaenys, before he beckoned her over to his side.
It wasn't much of a decision for her, so she walked over to the Tyrell heir, as graceful and dignified as a true princess should. And with her entourage there was a lot of eyes following her. Of course people would watch her. She is the last Targaryen left in Westeros and together with Joanna and Nymeria they were three beautiful maidens at a Tourney where knights from all of Westeros would fight to show their prowess and prove their honor.
"Lord Willas..." Rhaenys said, as she curtsied in front of him.
"Princess Rhaenys, please join us. You will have an excellent view of the melee from here." Willas replied, as he motioned for her to sit on the padded chair next to him. She smiled at him, before she sat down and admired the view she had. Willas had been right, there was nothing that would obstruct her view from here. This was a part of the stands which was exclusively meant for the Tyrell family and their honored guests. But except Willas and Margaery there were no other Tyrells present at the moment.
"Oh stop this you two. You act as if you have never met before and all of us know that more than half of Willas' ravens fly to Dorne." Margaery exclaimed with a mock annoyed sigh. "Ah, there is also another girl I'd hoped to see. Come, Joanna, sit with me and leave these two to their own conversation. And I find myself in dire need of a good conversation and Willas gets boring after some time."
No one could deny Margaery's words, though they knew that they were only half true. Willas and Rhaenys had exchanged letters since her first visit, but most of the Tyrell heir's letters went to Oberyn, not Rhaenys, who had formed a strange friendship with Willas after he had been responsible for his crippling. And though Margaery liked to claim different, there was no love between Rhaenys and Willas. A fondness, yes. An acceptance of their future together. But no love, not yet, not after they had only rarely seen each other during the last few years. But they would work well together, both knew that.
"It's nice to know that you think so highly of my company, sister." Willas said calmly, before he let out a chuckle.
"Where is your husband, Lady Margaery? Shouldn't he keep you company?" Joanna asked curiously.
Margaery let out another sigh, more wistfully this time. "Renly has absconded with Loras to... train for the Jousting." Most people would have thought nothing about this comment, but the way she said it and due to the fact that all people present knew about Renly's and Loras' preferences, the words got an entirely different meaning.
"Tell me, princess, who is that man down there, wearing a Targaryen armor?" Willas asked, when he saw the participants standing below the stands, waiting for the beginning of the fight. Almost fifty men stood there, clad in the armors and colors of their houses. Stark, Baratheon, Targaryen, Frey, Martell, Yronwood, Tully, Hightower and many more families of repute had sent their fighters.
Arthur was not wearing the Lannister colors. He was fully clad in an armor, so similar to that of Rhaegar Targaryen, that many people looked at him as if they had seen a ghost. The Usurper especially looked as if someone had just kicked him where the sun doesn't shine. And truly, Arthur did look both imposing and glorious in that armor.
Initially it had been Joanna's idea, born from the wish to defy their grandfather by not fighting for the glory of House Lannister. Rhaenys had been reluctant at first, but she had acquiesced after a long argument. They had not told anyone about their plan, not even Jaime or Oberyn. They wouldn't have liked this, after all it was a direct provocation in front of Robert Baratheon, a man who was not known for his patience. But Rhaenys eventually agreed with Joanna's opinion that someone should show that the Targaryens are more than just one girl, but a force to be reckoned with. She wondered how people would react once Arthur would take the dragon helmet off? He did look a lot like a Targaryen, enough to convince people that he was direct kin of Rhaenys.
And Joanna's real plan had worked excellently. They could see how Lord Tywin had searched the field for a participant in Lannister colors. Tywin knew that Arthur would fight in the melee, but there were no Lannisters, but one Targaryen. And it did not take long for the lord of Casterly Rock to connect the dots and realize who was wearing that armor. The sour look on his face was well worth the hassle to bring a Targaryen armor. Originally this armor had been intended to serve for ceremonial purposes, but using it like this was much better in Rhaenys' opinion.
"Down there you see my brother. The pride of House Lannister and a true defender of House Targaryen, just like his uncle and his father before him." Rhaenys said with pride.
"So he is wearing your favor for this Tourney?" Willas asked and Rhaenys nodded. "An honorable boy, to go so far for his princess to forsake even fighting for his own House's honor."
"Arthur is my brother in all but blood. He fights for me as I would fight for him."
"I must admit that I am not well versed in the dornish customs. The rest of the Seven Kingdoms seem to follow an entirely different set of rules when it comes to family." Willas admitted, albeit reluctantly. It was obviously hard for the young man to admit that there were things the he did not know as well as he wanted to, especially when this concerned the girl that he intended to wed as soon as his grandmother gave her consent.
Rhaenys laughed lightly, clearly amused by Willas reluctance. He was as prideful as most other heirs of great Houses, but his crippling had humbled him greatly. "It is not just the dornish customs, but the fact that we have grown up together. If I remember correctly the Usurper also calls Lord Stark his chosen brother and holds him in higher regard than his real brothers."
"Indeed. Renly has been annoyed more than once that Robert had never been much of a brother to him." Margaery said.
"Look, they are starting." Joanna exclaimed gleefully.
All of them were silent for some moments, as they watched the fights unfold. It was a massive free for all fight. The moment it began, chaos ensued. The sound of men screaming and steel clattering filled the air, only interrupted by the loud cheering from the stands.
Arthur had a hard time, facing the onslaught of several Baratheon loyalists who had clearly taken offense because of his armor. But luckily he wasn't alone. Two more combatants had joined him and Rhaenys was sure that she recognized the smaller of the two as her cousin Quentyn, who seemed most eager to prove himself next to the faux Targaryen knight. She could not recognize the other one, but she recognized the crest on his shield, the black gate of House Yronwood.
Together with Arthur they managed to defeat several other enemies, until they stood face to face with yet another group. Joffrey Baratheon, accompanied by Robb Stark and another boy Rhaenys did not know. But his armor showed the crest of House Greyjoy, the golden Kraken.
"What a sight. A dragon of House Targaryen against a Stag of House Baratheon. It is almost as if..." Margaery stopped mid sentence, once she realized what she was about to say. It was true, no one could deny that. Rhaenys had made sure that Arthur's armor would look almost identical to her father's. And Joffrey's armor was the same black and yellow of House Baratheon, complete with the antlers on the helmet. He looked just like they had described his father during the Battle of the Trident.
A Baratheon, with a Stark at his side, against a Targaryen with a Martell by his... as if history was about to repeat itself. Only that this time no one had to die... and Joffrey had forgone the Hammer that his father preferred. But except that it was eery how much this scene resembled the past. Rhaegar Targaryen and Lewyn Martell against Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark.
And from what Rhaenys could see, there were many more people who saw the similarity of the situation. She saw the Usurper, barely held back by Eddard Stark and some members of his Kingsguard. And even the Lord Stark looked disturbed by the sight.
"Your esteemed... brother will have a hard time in this fight. Rumor has it that Prince Joffrey has been trained in the North to make him even stronger than his father was at the same age. The Northmen a fierce fighters, as they have proven more than once." Willas commented with a thoughtful look on his face. Of course no one could have predicted that such a fight would happen, well no one but Rhaenys and her surrogate siblings. But it was obvious that the future Lord of the Reach was not amused by this. No, he looked worried, clearly thinking about the consequences of this fight.
And Rhaenys... she looked offended by Willas words. It sounded almost like an insult to Arthur. She wouldn't sit idly by, as someone would speak ill of her brother. "Just for your information, Lord Willas, but my brother has real experience with fighting. The Free Cities are an unforgiving place to learn."
Willas looked alarmed when he heard the ice in her voice, even his sister looked slightly unsettled by it. So he quickly tried to make amends. "I believe I must apologize. I did not mean to insult your… brother." It was obvious that Willas still had trouble accepting the unconventional relationship between Rhaenys and the young Lannisters, but he tried, Rhaenys could see it in his expression and hear it in the tone of his voice. "Surely he must have learned a lot about fighting, else he wouldn't participate in the melee. But the same goes for his opponents."
"And which side would you stand on, if you had been able to fight in this melee, Lord Willas? Who would you support? Or would you stand aside and wait for the victor to come, so you can join his side?" Joanna asked snappishly. All of them knew that it was not proper to mention Willas crippled leg, but Joanna wouldn't care about it in such a situation.
"My loyalty resides with House Targaryen. My family has fought for the royal family during the war. All of the Reach has fought for the realm. Have no doubt, your princess will always be safe here, as long as I am Lord of the Reach." Willas said insistently. It was odd for him to declare his intentions this openly, even with the king and his ilk out of earshot.
"And here I thought that your father is the current Lord of the Reach, Lord Willas." Joanna retorted sarcastically. Margaery next to her couldn't help herself but laugh when she listened to the younger girl.
"He is. But I fulfill most of his duties. My father is a very busy man. Most of his time is required for..."
"Eating?" Joanna asked him with an eyebrow raised in question.
Though Rhaenys was amused, she knew that Joanna was starting to become insulting and that they should stop here, before the relations of their houses would take damage. "Joanna, this is enough. Please stop." She ordered the younger girl calmly. And Joanna complied. "But my sister is right, Lord Willas," the young lord almost flinched when he heard how formal Rhaenys was talking to him now. "As far as we know your father is the High Marshal of the Reach."
"He is, Rhaenys, but believe me, my father's role is mostly to represent the Reach. And I... by the Seven, what is that fool king doing!" He suddenly shot up from his place, far faster than his crippled leg would usually allow. He nearly fell down because of this sudden strain on his bad leg, but Rhaenys managed to steady him before that. He only gave her an acknowledging nod, before his attention returned to the field where the melee was still going on.
By now Rhaenys had seen what had enraged him so much. Only half of the combatants remained by now, but the fight between Arthur and Joffrey still continued. Without fail they hurled attacks at each other, blocking the other with their shields, evading hits... the sound of steel clashing against steel superseded all other sounds around, even the fierce battle-cries of the young men who fought each other as if this was a real battle, as if all Seven Kingdoms could be won or lost in this fight. They had not even realized that others had entered the field. Men, much more dangerous than anyone else on the field. Men with sharp swords and heavy armor... Kingsguard armor.
"That idiot wouldn't..." Rhaenys said in shock, as she watched the three members of the Kingsguard approach Arthur and his allies.
Joanna, though equally mortified, said more matter of factly, "Oh yes, that fat oaf would. He hates your father too much to allow such a reminder to go on for long."
"He won't get through with this. House Tyrell has sworn protection to all guests that keep the peace, we won't abide such a travesty." Willas stated angrily. "In the name of Mace Tyrell, Lord of the Reach, I command you to stand down. No bloodshed. NO BLOODSHED" Willas yelled as loud as he could. But no one seemed to listen.
By now more people had joined the fight, as the three Kingsguards interfered in the fight between the crown prince and the Lannister heir. Joanna cheered in approval as she saw her father, Jamie Lannister, and Oberyn Martell run towards the fight to help the boys. Rhaenys couldn't believe her eyes as she saw this fight. It was small taste of the war they all had worked towards so diligently. And the crowd around them roared in approval.
Would the war be the same? All those men who are important to her fighting for their lives, while the noble lords and ladies of the realm would cheer for them or their enemies from the sidelines? In this moment it became frighteningly clear what would await them sooner or later. Especially now, when more men from both sides joined the wild fight. And she could do nothing but fall back onto her seat in shock... this fight was her fault. She had talked Arthur into wearing that Targaryen armor. And the war would be her fault as well... she was the one person whose existence caused the tensions in all Seven Kingdoms...
Willas meanwhile looked around, searching for someone, until he saw the man he was obviously looking for. His brother Garlan stood at the side of the field with several other Tyrell knights, who had come to watch the melee until the Jousting would begin. And Rhaenys could see that the second son of House Tyrell was just as angry as his brother.
"Garlan! Put an end to this madness. Separate them immediately!" Willas barked at his brother. He was almost hoarse already, from his attempts to be heard by the quarreling crowd. Once Garlan had moved, together with his knights and several more Tyrell household guards, Willas sat down again, next to Rhaenys.
The princess looked oddly pale and shocked, but neither Joanna nor Margaery nor any of the princess' entourage seemed to notice it. All of them were watching the fight with rapt attention.
"This is my fault..." Rhaenys mumbled worriedly.
Willas couldn't help himself but to try to calm her. Though he knew that his grandmother would see his actions as terribly inappropriate, he took on of Rhaenys' hands and gave it a gentle squeeze. This at least got her attention. She looked at him with her dark lilac eyes, so full of unfathomable worry.
"Fear not. Garlan will put an end to this. Neither your knight nor your brother will come to harm." Rhaenys knew that he meant it, but she couldn't believe him. She couldn't. Just looking at the chaos on the field...
But then something could be heard, a yell louder than the sounds of fighting. "In the name of the King, stop this madness. End this now." Eddard Stark had made his appearance. Rhaenys had to give it to him, he had a commanding presence that caused many of the man to cease fighting, but not all complied.
"I Joffrey of House Baratheon order you to stand down. Ser Meryn, Ser Boros, stop this at once, you crown prince commands it. This is a fight between me and my cousin and not a matter for the Kingsguard!" The prince yelled in agitation. And now even the rest of the fights stopped.
Rhaenys looked hopeful at the scene, searching for Arthur and Jaime. She held her breath until she spotted them, both mostly unharmed. But they were both breathing heavily and looked tired. Arthur had also pulled the helmet off his head, so he could breathe more freely.
"Thank the gods they are safe... I already feared..." Rhaenys said almost inaudibly. Willas had heard it and gave her hand another squeeze, before he stood up again.
"This was meant to be a friendly competition. No blood should have been shed here!" Willas yelled loudly. "Cease all hostilities at once or face the justice of the Reach!" He was livid, that much was sure. Rhaenys had only ever seen him calm and determined, not this passionate and furious. But she wasn't sure whether he was doing this for her sake or just to protect the reputation of his family.
"It is over," Margaery said, as the group on the field dispersed. They could see Joffrey and Arthur stay for some more moments, staring at each other in a silent battle of wills, before both cousins nodded and walked away in different directions. But Arthur did not get far, before his father had reached him and dragged him from the field, a furious look on his face.
"No, Lady Margaery. It isn't over. Not for us. A storm is coming our way." Joanna said with a slightly scared look. "Rhaenys... maybe we should return to our tents... no one else should see this..."
The princess merely nodded, before she hurried back to her own tent. Joanna was right. A storm was coming their way and it would not be pretty. They all had messed up royally this day. It was mere luck that no one had died in this fight, but the situation would remain extremely tense from now on. Robert Baratheon had shown that he was willing to do whatever he could to destroy any reminders of the Targaryen glory. The war was upon them and she knew that it was only a matter of weeks now...