Disclaimer I don't own anything related to Game of Thrones
The tournament continued as different knights and different lords competed. Many were already eliminated, some merely unhorsed, others killed. Many watched in horror as the Mountain drove his lance through a knight of the Vale's neck. The blood spurted as the man gasped and choked, the thick piece of wood protruded from his flesh. But for Daenerys, it wasn't just the way the Mountain killed the man that made her sick to her stomach. It was the way he looked at her after he did it. The way he would stare at her after killing another knight.
Daenerys had heard stories of the Mountain and even rumors of what he did to her older brother's family. She began to believe, sickeningly if the Mountain won, marriage would be the furthest thing from what he planned to do with her. She shuddered at the thought. Instead, she tried to focus on the next match as Jon came back to the field.
This was to be Jon's final bout before heading to the final match. With a few wins under his belt, Jon trotted out on his horse more confidently than when he started. But he didn't want to get complacent a lot was riding on him winning. "You got this," Sam said as he handed him his lance. Jon nodded his head as he shifted uncomfortably in his saddle. Tightening his grip and tugging on his reins, pulling his horse to charge.
Two beasts racing at each other at full speed. Armored knights raising lances and bracing shields. Another clash, another explosion of splinters, Another knight unseated.
The Tarnished knight's opponent was flung off his horse and crashed to the ground. Causing the crowds to erupt in cheers. With the mystery behind him along with his many victories, he easily became a favorite among the lords and ladies. None more so than the princess herself. After watching his latest victory, Daenerys rose from her seat. Clutching a flower crown as she approached the railing. "Ser knight, will you accept a princess's favor?" she called out to him.
Jon was reluctant at first but he approached the stands, galloping over to the royal box. Many eyes were on the two. The knight of no name and princess promised to the winner. Some listened with bated breath listening to hear the knight speak. But Jon didn't utter a word, he just met his princess's gaze and lifted his hand to claim the flowery wreath.
Daenerys smiled handing him the flowery crown. "May my favor grant you victory, Ser Knight."
"With your blessing, I will," Daenerys heart nearly stopped hearing her lover's voice, though muffled by his helmet. It took all her self-control not to just leap in his arms right there. Instead, she composed herself and simply smiled as Jon rode off the flowery crown held at his side.
After the tarnished knight had departed and the princess retook her seat the next bout was about to begin. The Mountain verse the young wolf Robb of House Stark. The Mountain's performance thus far made many of the Stark clan nervous. "Don't let Ser Gregor hurt him" Sansa spoke embracing her father's arm.
"Don't worry little sister. I can handle the brute," Robb said confidently as he grabbed his helmet.
"You are a fool if you think you can win," Sansa said looking at her older brother before glancing at Ser Gregor a towering mass in heavy armor. "Please stop him father he's going to die," she pleaded with Ned Stark as she pulled on his arm.
"Robb rides well," Ned said glancing at his eldest son and then at his daughter. "He will be fine," he said patting her hand to calm her nerves. But in truth he was nervous as well, he wasn't as confident in his son's ability as Robb was.
Robb mounted up on his horse as he went and galloped into position. Helmet dawned, Shield at his side, and Lance tight in his grip. He awaited the blare of the trumpet to begin his charge.
As the next round was about to start Jon watched with Sam at the edge of the track. He wanted to see who his final opponent would be. Who will be the one to stand in his way? Who will be between him and Daenerys? "Who you think is gonna win?" Sam asked whispering to Jon.
"My money is on Robb," Jon whispered back.
"Oh? How do you figure?" Sam asked curiously.
"No idea… I just really don't want to face the Mountain," Jon said honestly. He figured if he faced Robb there was a chance at victory but the Mountain. He was another breed of monster he doubted he could beat. Not that would actually stop him from trying. Sam silently agreed as he and everyone else watched the match about to begin.
Robb closed the flap on his helmet covering his face as he went to snap his reins. With a sudden burst of speed, his horse was charging. The Mountain's own beast of a stallion was also tearing up the track at full speed.
Silence filled the stands as the two warriors met with lances bashing into each other shields. Whether it was luck or misfortune the Mountain's horse leaned too far into the barrier and tripped. The horse came crashing down as the Mountain's body was thrown off. Robb managed to weave out of the way keeping saddled on his horse as Gregor fell.
The crowds burst into cheers with the Stark's sighing in relief. Robb had won he would face the mystery knight in the final round. Everyone was so focused on Robb galloping over to the podium waving and cheering that many didn't pay attention to the Mountain rising to his feet. "Squire sword!" he shouted as his squire raced onto the track carrying a massive greatsword.
Suddenly Gregor brought down his sword on Robb's horse, slicing its head almost clean off. "Robb!" Sansa screamed in horror as the blood spurted out painting her brother's armor crimson. As the horse collapsed it nearly crushed Robb as he was thrown off, but he just managed to roll away. Robb lay stunned in the dirt as the Mountain stalked over and lifted his sword for the killing blow.
Robb quickly wrenched his shield and raised it as the sword was swung down. The massive blade sliced into the wood. Chunks of the shield are ripped off with each heavy swing. Gregor batters and beats Robb down with his massive strength behind each blow. "Stop the fight! Stop this now!" Ned Stark roared but the guards just watched and Robert continued to relish in the display.
Jon on the other hand seeing his cousin being attacked leaped into action. "Sam! Sword!" Jon roared to his squire as Sam unsheathed and tossed Jon his blade.
With another killing arc of his sword, Robb's shield was split in half leaving him exposed and unprotected. Gregor then looked down grinning under his helmet as he rose his blade ready to end Robb's life. But before the blade could make contact the Tarnished knight came racing in. Jon held his sword by the blade end and swung it, using the guard like a hammer. The sword guard smashed across the Mountain's head, knocking his helmet clean off and sending him into a daze.
Using this moment Jon grabbed Robb's arm and hauled him to his feet. He tried to get him to safety, but Ser Gregor would not be denied his kill. Gregor then advanced swinging his blade wildly at the two warriors. Jon managed to push Robb out of the way as he raised his sword defending the blow. But as their blades clashed Jon was almost sent down to his knees. The Mountain 's strength was overwhelming as he hammered Jon down. Jon could almost feel his weapon threaten to shatter under each powerful blow.
Cersei and Daenerys looked on in fear and horror as they watched Jon battling Ser Gregor. Cersei turned to see her husband laughing and enjoying the show while Ned fruitlessly called for Robert to stop the fight. Cersei had enough and shot up to her feet "Stop this madness in the name of your Queen!" The whole tourney ground went silent at the roar of the lioness herself.
Jon managed to dodge another strike of Gregor's weapon before the hulking man turned to face the queen. Gregor's eyes were ablaze with rage and frustration, but as he met the lioness's gaze he threw down his weapon.
Jon fell to his knees exhausted. His breath ragged, his body bruised, and his bones ached. If the battle didn't end he wasn't sure if he could have lasted much longer. "What is the meaning of this?!" Jon heard his father's voice cut through his ringing ears.
Robert rose from his seat and stared down at his wife. "How dare you stop my tournament!" he shouted, but Cersei was unphased.
"The fight is over," Cersei said simply as she looked at her drunk of a husband. "Ser Gregor has lost," she said then turns to the guards. "Escort Ser Gregor away," she orders as two guards with hands on their swords approach. The Mountain just huffed and walked off on his own pushing his way through the crowd.
Robb sighed in relief walking off then turned to his rescuer. "You all right?" Robb asks offering his hand to the tarnished knight.
Jon looked at the hand being offered and gladly took it as Robb pulled him to his feet. "Yes... Thanks, Lord Stark," Jon says as Robb clasps his arm. "I should be the one thanking you. You crazy fool," Robb chuckled. "What kind of crazy man charges the Mountain willingly?" Robb asked dumbfounded. Jon didn't really have an answer to that, he just chuckled to himself at his own brief moment of pure insanity.
Robb then took Jon's wrist and held up his hand. "My King, my Queen, Lords, and Ladies. I Robb Stark of House Stark concede to the Tarnished knight," he said to the crowd holding Jon's hand up in victory.
Silence then fell over the stands as Robert turned to the two knights below. Both their plates were caked with mud and Robb's was stained with horse blood. Robert wanted a more victorious end to his tournament, a true crescendo, but just like his enjoyment that too was robbed from him. "We will talk about this later," Robert quietly scolded Cersei before walking passed her. Cersei didn't care for his threats especially since the outcome was gonna be worth aggravating him. "Daenerys to me," Robert beckons his ward to follow as he walks down to face the two knights.
Daenerys slowly rose from her seat and went to follow her father. Watching the fight between Jon and the Mountain nearly caused her heart to stop multiple times. Every time the blade came down she feared her tears would spill out. She feared the next swing would be what ended Jon's life. She thanked the Gods when her mother ended it.
"So Ser knight," Robert said still very much annoyed by the tournament's conclusion. "You are this tournament's champion. You have won every joust, came to the aid of your opponent, and faced down the Mountain with blade in hand," Robert said looking closely at the knight and peering into his dark yet familiar eyes. For some reason, he began to feel a twist in his chest. He shook off the feeling quickly "Remove your helmet and state your name to your king."
Jon felt his breath quicken and his heart race as he started to unclasp his helmet pulling the strap under his chin free. He then took his helmet in hand and began to remove it. Jon watched as all the color in his father's face faded as their eyes met. "I am Jon Baratheon prince of the seven kingdoms."
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