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Catelyn Tully IV
Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 284 AC
Catelyn walked along with most of the Ladies-in-Waiting as the Royal Family made its way to the carriages that would take them to the jousting fields. While everyone had been energetic at first, when the tourney began, five consecutive days of waking up early and traveling through the crowding streets of King's Landing were taking their toll, especially on the children. If the little King and his sister were very energetic, Prince Viserys was certainly bored with the whole traveling and would much rather sleep in the Royal Stands than have to go there every day.
"Are you sure, My Princess consents to it?" Catelyn asked Princess Elia who she was helping reach the carriage. The woman was clearly better than she had been in the past few days but she had yet to recover fully from the faint.
"Of course, Lady Catelyn. The Queen and I both agreed that you should spend time with your husband-to-be." Yesterday, Lord Stannis invited Catelyn to have a walk with him so that they could learn more about each other as they had not gotten an opportunity to do so. He proposed staying in the Red Keep and Catelyn agreed with the suggestion though now she felt bad for staying while everyone else was to go... "Everything was so sudden that we are sure you barely know each other at all."
"That is true..." Catelyn admitted. She hardly knew a thing about Lord Stannis...
"I'm happy for you, Lady Catelyn. Lord Stannis is a hard-working man that although seems grim and unyielding, works hard to excel at his duty and I believe that if he believes making you happy is his duty, he will excel at that too."
"My Princess is very kind."
"The facts are kind if you believe what I'm saying are kind words." Princess Elia assured. "Plus we are addressing Lady Annara's plead today. I disarray it will be pleasant to watch..."
"I disarray it too," Catelyn admitted, thinking the whole affair to be delicate and polemic. "Are you feeling better about your fainting?"
"I certainly am." Princess Elia admitted. "It had been so long since I had one of these episodes...not even during the most stressful days of the Rebellion did I faint and believe there were plenty of them. My brother who still believes I was poisoned, though less adamantly than before, thinks it was the mother in me, doing everything it could to protect my children and to some extent, I like to believe in this explanation."
"It is a warm one," Catelyn said with a smile. "I hope one day I might experience such things."
"Well, I do hope the Gods grant you plenty of children but I whole heartily hope you do not suffer what I suffered at the hands of my father-in-law. I truly do." Princess Elia said as she climbed onto the carriage. "I hope you have a pleasant time, Lady Catelyn."
"And do not forget to tell us how it went!" Lady Felicia begged after appearing from nowhere. While Catelyn thought the woman to be quite meddlesome and prone to gossip, she also thought she was kind and warming, always trying to make the whole rest of them feel at ease. No doubt she had plenty of experience as a Lady-in-Waiting as she had been one before she married. The friendship the woman shared with the Queen was warming.
"Goodbye, Lady Cat!" Little Rhaenys shouted as she waved her tiny hands while the carriages started moving. No doubt that even if Lady Felicia was warm, she could not compete with the little Princess. Has there ever been a girl so energetic and willing to make people happy? Just seeing the girl left Catelyn with a smile on her lips.
Catelyn waited a few more minutes, watching the wheelhouses disappear after the red walls were passed and then the second group of people she waiting for arrived. "Cat!" Edmure called as he waved at her, Lysa as always came with her arms tangled between her Elbert's and Lord Arryn followed behind with a few other Valemen like Lord Royce and Lord Coldwater who would be jousting that day. "How are you, sister?"
"I'm fine, thank you," she replied. "I just saw the Royal Family leave for the joust fields."
"Lord Stannis is having a conversation with uncle." Her brother informed, a grin on his face. "I have little doubt that uncle is warning him to not do anything deemed not proper with you..."
"Edmure!" she hissed, blushing.
"I'm joking, sister, I doubt that he would such a thing." Edmure laughed. "But perhaps soon it would not be just Lysa who looks like a maiden of the songs."
"Hello, Cat!" Lysa said as she had finally untangled from Elbert's arms to come and meet them. "What are you two talking about? Why did I hear my name?"
"Nothing." Edmure said with a smirk.
"Edmure was telling me that uncle is having a conversation with Lord Stannis."
"Oh yes about that...if he mistreats you somehow I will..."
"Lysa...not you too..." Catelyn sighed with a smile. "Lord Stannis certainly would not do anything improper with me."
"But if he does, I will show him!" Lysa said it as if she felt like the strongest fighter in the world. Catelyn certainly appreciated that her sister was more confident and not jealous of her. To be honest, she did not even notice the jealousy of her sister before Lysa told her that much. Was she a bad sister because of it?
"I appreciate it, Lysa." Catelyn avowed. "Listen...since I'm marrying...I was thinking of writing to father and telling him this...it has been so long since we spoke to him."
Lysa's joyful and confident expression was replaced by one of anger and fear. "I will not write to him. Not after what he did to me and...No! Definitely not and you should not either, Cat."
"I know he messed up and got us in harm's way but he is still our father..."
"Cat is right...father messed up but he is still our father and he is paying dearly for his mistake." Their brother agreed with Catelyn. "Freezing at the Wall..."
Lysa scoffed. "It's your call but I will not join in any of this." Her sister moved back to her husband no doubt angry because Ser Elbert made a worried expression and glanced at them in hopes to decipher what transpired.
Catelyn took the opportunity to wish him good luck. "Ser Elbert, I wish you good luck for the jousts!"
"Thank you very much, Lady Catelyn." The blond man replied with his handsome smile, so similar to Brandon's...something that left her sad. She was trying to move on but it was hard, especially with Brandon always there... "Good luck on your courting." Perhaps going to the Stormlands would do her well.
Courting...the mere thought of courting a man left her blushing and worried. She knew not what to expect of Lord Stannis as he was so different from Brandon... "Thank you."
"Well, I say the same thing to you Cat, good luck," Edmure said as he clapped her right shoulder and then started moving to fetch his horse. "As for me, I have to see the jousts and learn some tricks so that next time I can win them."
Catelyn doubted he would. Edmure meant well but at times he did not know his abilities. With the likes of the Kingsguard knights around, there was little chance her brother would make it far. "Enjoy your time." As I will do my best to enjoy mine.
Her uncle arrived with Lord Stannis by his side, their expression was quite similar. "Catelyn." Her uncle acknowledged with a smile that manifested itself upon seeing her.
"Lady Catelyn." Lord Stannis said with a polite nod. There was no smile on his face...
"Uncle, Lord Stannis." she replied in the same fashion.
"Well, I ought to leave, after all, I'm somehow still jousting in this mess," Uncle said. "And since I am, I might as well give it my all and see that I win it. I do not imagine I will have many chances afterward, I'm getting too old for this nonsense."
"Good luck, uncle. I pray that no harm comes to you." Catelyn wished.
"It takes more than these fools to beat an old man." Her uncle smirked. "I hope you two have a nice day."
Both of them nodded as her uncle left. An awkward moment of silence started as the two of them stood there watching her uncle leave... "I must thank you for accepting my invitation on such short notice." Lord Stannis finally said, his tone monotone.
"Oh, it was no problem I assure you, My Lord," Catelyn replied. "Jousts do not entertain me..." And that was true.
"Me neither." he proclaimed. "A nonsense. There is no strategy involved in it, just useless violence."
"Indeed."
And another moment of silence started.
"Forgive me...I have no experience in this sort of thing..."
Catelyn smiled. "I have little more than you, My Lord..."
"Seems we have a problem then..." he said gritting his teeth. "I should have not listened to those men..."
"Which men?" she asked curiously.
"Lord Derek Morrigen and Ser Davos Seaworth." Was his reply. "They said I ought to know you better and court you but...I hardly ever spoke with women so how can I court you?"
Catelyn chuckled. "Well...since I have been courted before...I guess I should take the lead? That is if My Lord is not against it..."
"I'm not."
"Ok, I believe we should start by talking of something simple while we...walk in the Godswood?" she proposed. Godswoods were good for spending some time, reflect on things...they were calm too.
"If it will please you." he said while gesturing for her to lead the way and she set their pace. A slow pace, good for talking but not too slow because their conversation was trying to exit the awkward zone.
"As for the subject of the talk, how about we talk about our families?" she suggested. "Hum...tell me more about your family, My Lord."
"House Baratheon was founded with the marriage of Orys Baratheon, half-brother of King Aegon the First and Queen Argella Durrandon, the last and only Storm Queen. For Orys' services, King Aegon awarded him with the Paramountship of the Stormlands and..."
She giggled a little. "My Lord, there is no need to go so far back in time...I meant your parents, siblings and close kin..."
"Of course...forgive me..." he said as he looked away embarrassed. "Well, my father Lord Steffon Baratheon, was the only son of Lord Ormund Baratheon and Princess Rhaelle Targaryen. Because of this, he spent a great deal of time at King's Landing and it was here he met my mother, Lady Cassana Estermont, a fellow Stormlander who was one of Queen Rhaella's first Ladies-in-Waiting, just like Lady Felicia Templeton, who when she sees me, makes sure to remind me how much she loved my mother."
That made Catelyn smile. "Lady Felicia means no harm though she is a bit nosy and meddlesome."
"Agreed." Lord Stannis conceded. "I loved my mother dearly." That was good to hear...Lord Stannis could love someone... "She always encouraged me and kissed my forehead with pride when I did well in my studies. My father was like Robert, quick to laugh and jovial but focused on his duties. He too encouraged me and tried to make me smile but...smiling is not something I seem to be able to do..." There was sadness in his tone as he spoke. "Then they died...saw their ship sink in front of me," he gritted his teeth. "Robert, my brother, always did everything I did but better but never had I felt as weak, powerless and useless as the day I saw my parents die."
"There was nothing you could have done..." she said with compassion. She could not imagine how terrible it would feel to lose her parents in such a way. She still missed her mother and while her death was sad, it was not as grim as what happened to Lord Steffon and his wife. "The Gods deemed it so..."
Stannis scoffed at her last words. "Gods...I do not believe in them anymore." That shocked her. "My Lady might think they willed it but to that, I ask, what sort of Gods allow such thing to happen? Where is the justice in that? Were my parents sinners worthy of death? If so, then why are there so many criminals who are still lurking around? Why are they not sinking into the debts of the ocean?"
She had no answer...the only thing she could say was: "Clearly we have different views...but I...have no answer and...I'm sorry you came to think this way." she said both disappointed and concerned with her husband to be's lack of religiousness but then again, Brandon believed in the wrong sort of Gods.
"Fair enough." he said simply.
Catelyn was now desperate to change the topic of the conversation. "What about your brothers? You spoke of Lord Robert, were you two close?"
"No. I was always too quiet and tight for my brother. I barely saw him after our parents died but I remember Cressen, the Maester at Storm's End, saying that running away was Robert's way of coping with their death. It does no good thinking he did it wrong after his death, if anything, I do not think he could have gotten a better death, doing what he loved, fighting."
It seemed that...no matter how hard she tried, the conversation always turned to the grimmer side... "What about your other brother?"
"Renly? He is a boy. Loves bright colors and fabrics. Loves games, even those that only fools play. Even when our home was being sieged, he would run laughing through the halls, unaware of what was happening and being fed decently well all the time. I made sure of that, I would be damned if I allowed my brother to die."
Finally...some sort of common ground... "That is very noble of you, My Lord."
"It was what was expected of me."
"But you must have felt good about yourself for doing so." she insisted, finding some determination to not let the conversation shift to the grim side yet again.
He eyed her with his stern expression and for a moment she was worried but after a little while, if he could smile, he would have, she was sure of that. "I guess I did." His gaze turned to what was in front of them again. "What about you, My Lady? What can you tell me of your family?"
It started awkwardly and was no doubt still awkward but progress was being made. Catelyn was disappointed with her husband-to-be, he was nothing like Brandon but as she spent time getting to know him, she felt that perhaps they could make it work somehow. She hoped so, she would be married to him in a month's time at Storm's End where the whole of the Stormlands would be watching them and she would have to spend the rest of her life with him.
Rhaella Targaryen IV
Outskirts of King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 284 AC
The tourney was about to start but in the Royal Stands, it was not the focus of all of those present. While the kids were watching the jousters below getting ready and the Reachners were in their gossip sessions but no doubt with an ear open to hear what was going to happen, Lady Annara Farring had brought at Rhaella and Elia's request, her father Lord Alan Farring and a few other members of her family with her. House Farring was renowned for producing tall men, broad-shouldered with a tendency to be brawny and of being strong warriors and looking at the whole lot of them, they were just that, imposing. "I have brought them as you asked of me, My Queen, My Princess." The girl said meekly.
"Thank you very much." Rhaella said with a smile in hopes of rising her spirit but it seemed like it did not really work.
"My Queen, I'm Lord Alan Farring, this man here is my son, Ser Gilbert Farring and here is my younger brother Ser Duncan Farring with his son, Godry Farring." Lord Alan proclaimed courteously. "We came as soon as we were called and we are at your service."
"And we thank you for that." Rhaella motioned for her grandson, the King, to be brought forward. "Here is King Aegon the Sixth of His Name."
"My King." All five Farring said with polite nods though the youngest one was a bit confused no doubt because the King he was nodding to was younger than he was.
"My Lords and My Lady." Aegon replied, making his mother and grandmother proud. He seemed to be good at memorizing things despite his age but he was still too young to learn High Valyrian like Rhaenys was doing.
"We have called you to inform you that we intend to nominate Lady Annara as one of our Ladies-in-Waiting," Elia explained. "We are still missing a few and with Princess Daenerys' birth there is more work to be done by them."
The Farring men looked at each other with confused looks and then Lord Alan spoke again. "We are honored, My Princess but...Annara is promised to Lord Walder Frey and we do not know if he accepts it or not."
"That is another matter we wish to discuss," Rhaella said deciding to go to the real reason for this conversation. "We would very much like you to call off the betrothal."
The three eldest Farrings looked incredulously at her. "My Queen! Such thing is...it cannot be done!" Lord Alan said exasperated. "It is all set and agreed, if we call it off we will bring dishonor to our House!"
"Not if the Crown intervenes." Rhaella pointed out.
"But why would the Crown do so?!" he asked. It was at times like these that Rhaella felt that they were putting their hands into wasps' nests. Aerys for all of his faults never intervened in arranged marriages but those he had wanted to do so were between Great Houses which were harder to control. Besides him, there were only half a dozen times when betrothals were called off by the Crown half of which during the reign of Aegon the Fourth mostly for his own gain but this time it was for a good cause. That was what Rhaella thought to justify it.
Ser Duncan turned to Annara with angry eyes. "You!" he then turned to his brother. "Look what your daughter has done! You give her leverage and this is how she pays it! Puts it in her head that she cannot marry Lord Walder and when all reason has left her, she turns to the Crown no less! This would have not happened if you controlled her!"
"Not here, Duncan!" Lord Alan ranted back more disappointed than angry.
"She brings shame to our House!"
"Ser Arthur, please escort Ser Duncan outside so that he can catch some air to cool his head off." Rhaella ordered with Elia nodding to her decision.
"At once, My Queen." The knight said while escorting the enraged man outside. His young son followed but clearly, he was not missing the opportunity to get some words out of the Sword in the Morning as any kid would.
Once Ser Duncan was away from them, Rhaella continued the conversation. "We believe that House Farring is not at fault in this," she explained calmly. "My Lord arranged for a decent marriage and in normal circumstances, Lady Annara should not be prevented from marrying, after all, more than three-quarters of women marry against their wishes. I was one of those too." Rhaella noticed that all the ladies were watching the scene, even Lady Cersei would seem quite interested in what was transpiring.
Elia continued Rhaella's reasoning as if she read her mind. "However, Lord Walder being in his seventies, having outlived six wives, and not needing an heir is, in our opinion, an exception to the norm."
"His eldest son and heir is as old as I am is he not?" Rhaella questioned aloud. "And has three sons already too?"
"Yes." Replied Lady Selyse who had a paper sheet in her hand, a leftover of their research. Research done when they were tired of watching jousts and other competitions. "Lord Walder is seventy-six to be exact and his son and heir, Lord Stevron is fifty. Lord Walder has had eighteen sons, more than half of which already have sons of their own."
"If anything, Lady Annara should have married a grandson or a younger son," Elia concluded. "And we intend to bring this issue to the next Council Meeting. In the meantime, we wish that you extend the period of betrothal and justify it with the honor of Lady Annara being nominated a Lady-in-Waiting."
"House Farring has always stood by House Targaryen's side," Rhaella added as she remembered their men defending her brother's name. "It seems only fitting that now we sit by your side as well. Lady Annara will have a good marriage so you must not fret, My Lord."
Lord Alan looked grim as he looked at his daughter who could not do the same to him, instead focusing her gaze on the floor. "We accept," he muttered. "But if this plan does not work and our House's honor is stained, we want compensation."
Jaehossi Uēpossi Arlȳssī... (By the Old Gods and the New...) Not another compensation... "It shall not come to that." Rhaella said decisively. They could not compensate everyone, there must be a limit.
"But if it does." Lord Alan insisted.
"If it does, we will compensate House Farring accordingly," Elia assured. "The dowry will be paid by the Crown if it happens. Better yet, if the new marriage's dowry exceeds the one My Lord was meant to pay, we will pay the difference." Rhaella looked at Elia in disbelief. They had not agreed to this...
"Very well. Do what you must with her." he then gazed at his daughter one last time. "I hope you are proud of yourself." he waved for his son to follow him and he did, his expression was exactly like his father's. It seemed like Lady Annara had been disowned...
"I'm sorry..." The girl said sobbing, hiding her face in her hands as she did. Licia was the first to go and hug the girl, she was always better at comforting people and Rhaella could have really used her in her darkest days.
Rhaella pitied the younger girl but she was also jealous because no one but her grandmother stood for her this way. She guessed only someone who suffered as she did could understand what a loveless marriage could do to a woman. That or a very kind soul like Queen Betha Blackwood's. "Things can still turn for the worst, Lady Annara," Rhaella warned. Her wisdom hopefully speaking. "And be sure to excel in your work, the Crown is risking a lot on your behalf and we expect a return."
"Yes, My Queen, I will work my very hardest." The tall brown-haired woman assured, a small smile forming on her lips, her brown eyes still with tears.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" The steward in the field shouted, annunciating the beginning of the new round. "NOW WE START THE ROUND OF SIXTEEN!" Cheers and claps echoed in the area. The kids were all clapping and cheering too, all but Viserys who continued reading his book «Jousts and Melees» by Maester Flink as he had been doing since the tourney's start.
"Let us watch the jousts and forget the whole ordeal for a little bit." Rhaella proposed as those standing up sat down in their seats. Ser Arthur returned with a faint smile, perhaps amused with the kid he had to entertain. Obara Sand had managed to piggyback little Rhaenys and her talanna (granddaughter) was cheering and making the poor Dornish girl lose balance more often than not...
"FIRST, WE HAVE TWO KNIGHTS OF THE KINGSGUARD! PLEASE WELCOME SER BARRISTAN SELMY AND SER OSWELL WHENT!"
The cheers grew louder as the two knights donning white cloaks and armor galloped into the field. They greeted each other as they often did and went to their respective sides to start. Normally Rhaella did not enjoy jousts, especially that tourney she remembered well but when two men of equal skill clashed, it grew more exciting and made her want to watch.
The match was exciting and it could have gone either way but Ser Barristan won after thirteen tilts. Despite his age, he was still a force to be reckoned with and she was glad he was still with them. Ser Oswell, unfortunately, never managed to defeat his sworn brothers even if he was very skilled at jousting or fighting.
"NEXT, SER MANDON MOORE AND SER JAIME LANNISTER OF THE KINGSGUARD!"
This next match surprised everyone as no one had expected an unknown knight like Ser Mandon Moore to last nine tilts against the prodigy that was Joanna's boy much less almost unhorsing him twice but in the end, something saved Ser Jaime from falling and gave him a very hard-earned victory.
"My Queen, My Princess, may I have a quick word?" Rhaella shifted her gaze from the fields to a smiling Lord Tyrell who was standing next to them.
"Of course." Rhaella said with a smile but she was wondering what he wished...
"We could not help but hear the discussion related to House Farring..." Of course... "While we do not fully approve of Lady Farring's behavior we share the same opinion that Lord Frey does not need another wife, especially one so young. My mother always said it was scandalous that a man older than her is having his way with young lasses...Thus I will offer my full support in the matter and perhaps we could find a worthy husband in the Reach for Lady Farring. House Farring used to be of the Reach before the Conquest, many in my home still hold them dear and we wish to help."
I never understood if he is trying to be lickspittle or if he is threatening me and my own... "We appreciate any help we can get, Lord Tyrell."
"Especially with the subject at hand..." Elia added.
"That is all I had to say, My Queen, My Princess, please enjoy the rest of the jousts, I for myself, am deeply excited to see Ser Baelor joust against Lord Coldwater although I do not think any can match the previous two jousts."
"It will be hard indeed." Elia said and Rhaella nodded. Lord Tyrell left to sit down with his silver-haired wife. Rhaella always wondered if the Hightowers had some connection to Valyria...Lady Lynesse looked almost like one, she could definitely pass as a Velaryon especially when she wore green or blue but it could be the many marriages the Crown had with them. Giving it some more thought, she never understood why Aerys chose Elia over one of the many Hightowers or Ashara but she had nothing against it, poor Elia suffered so much and none of these gentle ladies deserved it. No one did.
Elia seemed to take the opportunity to speak about something that was troubling her. "I'm so sorry, My Queen, about the dowry...once more I act on impulse and..."
Rhaella shrugged it off. "Do not fret about it, my dear." She knew what it meant to be a desperate mother. "I know defending our children makes us do mad stuff but please do try to talk with me beforehand."
"I will."
Much to the disappointment of Lynesse and many in the Royal Stands, Ser Gerold, the Lord Commander was unhorsed at the twelfth tilt by Ser Elbert Arryn. The Valemen below them shouted so loudly they dwarfed the remained spectators. Ser Elbert jumped off his horse and went to help Ser Gerold and once the Lord Commander was standing, they shook hands, parted ways and the young Valeman jumped onto his horse and did a little victory parade stopping in front of his wife and waved her kisses which made Lady Lysa almost faint. Rhaella could only laugh at the sight and she was not the only one...
"Now that is a knight we want to see more often!" Licia said proudly, containing her laughter.
"A handsome one..." Jasline muttered dreamily.
"A married one," Elia warned. Rhaella knew Jasline was...pretty lusty... "But it is a shame Ser Gerold lost..."
"The age is starting to weigh on him." Rhaella admitted sadly. Ser Gerold had been there for decades, since the reign of her grandfather, Aegon the Fifth and it was sad to see him like that but it was the way of life...one day it would hit the rest of them if the Gods will it.
The bulky Ser Lyle Crakehall and the lean Lord Jason Mallister entered the fields next and started their match which was as fierce as the previous ones had been but the Riverman won with his technique at the seventh tilt outperforming the bulkier Westerman. Ser Monford Velaryon and Ser Brynden Tully were next and it was the fastest match of the day, ending in the fourth tilt with a victory to Ser Brynden. Compared to his older brother, Ser Monford was nothing special but luck had been by his side until it ran out.
Rhaella took a chance to look at her trēsanna (grandson) and noticed he was trying to gather the attention of Lady Cersei's sworn shield, that poor boy with the scarred face who was the Mountain's brother and whose name like many Rhaella failed to remember...Rhaella did not know why Rhaegar knighted that monster but she suspected it was something to please Tywin Lannister when they needed it, otherwise, her trēsy (son) would have not knighted such a monster, of that she was sure. No matter how many mistakes he made, Rhaegar was not a bad person at heart. Unlike young Jaehon Velaryon who occasionally glanced back at her trēsanna, the young sworn shield did not even glance at Aegon smiling at him and making funny faces. That or he had nerves of steel...maybe both...
Ser Barristan and Ser Oswell appeared, ready to relieve Ser Arthur so that the Dornishman could go joust as well. The ladies and the children cheered the two Kingsguard knights who seemed to blush a little with the attention, Viserys had long stopped reading his book and was now making his way to them to get some words and it seemed like the Tyrell boys were doing the same.
The next match began, opposing Ser Addam Marbrand against Ser Meryn Trant. Ser Addam seemed more dashing and skilled in his bronze armor, his bronze and grayish cloak waving in the gentle breeze of summer but he lost the match in the ninth tilt after losing his composure for just a few seconds, enough time for the grimmer-looking Ser Meryn to strike him in the left shoulder and unhorse him.
Once Ser Baelor appeared in the field, the Reachners in the Royal Stands and the stands of the Reach cheered loudly rivaling the Valemen who cheered for Lord Royce Coldwater of Coldwater Burn, a man Rhaella was used to seeing in the tourneys. Due to Lady Lynesse's influence, all the kids in the Royal Stand were also cheering for her half-brother Baelor but it was all for naught because although the match had been very close and long, with fifteen lances being broken by the two knights, Lord Coldwater won and the Valemen once more dwarfed the entire fields with their celebration while the disappointment in the Reachners was more than apparent just as them having no one else competing.
"Baelor fought well," Elia said. "But Lord Coldwater was better today."
"Royce is a good jouster with plenty of experience and from what I have heard, he rode in the battles of the Rebellion where he slew many," Licia explained. "He is one of the most respected men in the Vale. But, yes, Ser Baelor fought very well but in the end, only one will remain."
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! NOW WE HAVE THE LAST MATCH OF THE DAY AND OF THE ROUND OF SIXTEEN!" Cheers and claps echoed loudly in the fields. "PLEASE WELCOME SER RICHARD HORPE AND SER ARTHUR DAYNE OF THE KINGSGUARD!"
Ser Richard Horpe donned a white and grey cape with three moths, his horse was a black courser and his shield also had three moths. Ser Arthur rode with a white cape, and white armor but with a lilac shield with the sword and falling star of his House. His horse was a brown charger as the sand steeds he liked so much were not made to carry fully armored men. The Dornishman was by far a favorite given the number of cheers he received and there were reasons for it, he was a great warrior overall and a good man. Good men had many faults but hardly the smallfolk knew of them.
"ARE YOU READY SERS?!" Both knights nodded. "THEN BEGIN!"
They clashed and clashed but Ser Arthur Dayne showed much more skill. One, two, three tilts went by and Ser Richard was holding himself. Four, five, six, seven and things remained the same and it continued like so until on the eleven tilth showing the Stormlander was a good jouster. Ser Arthur inhaled and exhaled some air just before they rode at each other once more, he pushed his horse to the limit and slapped his opponent in the shoulder area with his lance and threw him down with the force of his gallop, winning the match. Plenty of claps were granted to the display but when Ser Arthur tried to help his defeated opponent, Ser Richard refused and stood up by himself. Might he have something against Ser Arthur or was just bitter about losing?
Both exited the fields and a steward brought a sheet of paper to Lord Tyrell who smiled and stood up approaching the fences while the children were called to give him space. The steward then waved a bell to demand attention and everything was silent, Lord Tyrell exclaimed in a loud booming voice. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THESE WERE MAGNIFICENT DISPLAYS OF COURAGE, SKILL, AND POWER AND TOMORROW WE WILL HOST THE ROUND OF EIGHT AND SEMIFINALS!" More cheers echoed. "THE MATCHES WILL BE AS FOLLOWS: SER BARRISTAN SELMY AGAINST SER JAIME LANNISTER, SER ELBERT ARRYN AGAINST LORD JASON MALLISTER, SER BRYNDEN TULLY AGAINST SER MERYN TRANT, AND LORD ROYCE COLDWATER AGAINST SER ARTHUR DAYNE!"
"Now these certainly look interesting." Licia proclaimed to the rest of the ladies who were closer to her of which Rhaella and Elia were included. "The boredom will decrease."
"Most matches have been entertaining so far." Elia said but she was almost excommunicated by Licia as if a great sin had come from her lips.
"Oh do not lie, dear Elia, your kind heart cannot hide what everyone can see." Licia said.
Rhaella decided to take another look at Lady Cersei, seated to their left, close to the stairs. Yet again she looked bored and angry and quite adamant in refusing Rhaella's offered support but she was confident that Joanna's girl would break at one point and she would be there when that happened. The question was...how long would it take?
"Muñāzma! Grandmother!" Rhaenys called both in High Valyrian and Common Tongue showing that she was learning a little of her ancestral language. "I want to seat on your lap!"
"Is that so?" Rhaella said smiling as she picked the girl and sat her where she wanted. "Did you enjoy being on Obara's shoulders?"
"I did, she kept going up and down, it was fun!" Rhaella looked at the other kids and saw Lynesse rubbing Obara's back and shoulders while the Dornishwoman had an unpleasant look. There was no doubt that she was out of strength but from the little time she had been around the kids, Rhaella picked that Obara liked to show how strong she was so perhaps this would make her think more with the head and less with the heart. "But grandmother is better!"
Rhaella felt some pride run throughout her whole body. "Oh, you are a child of sweet words are you not my dear, talanna?" The girl smiled devilishly as she rubbed herself on Rhaella. A tear formed on the corner of her eye then, from being raped and mistreated by her deceased brother, fearing for her life, she now had freedom she never dreamt of, children and grandchildren to take care of and her opinion mattered. It was not exactly as some dreams she had years ago, as Rhaegar was gone and she grieved him still but there was a brighter future to look forward to. The dragon in her had wakened to complete her life goal of protecting her family and the women that were suffering or close to suffering what she did.
free man writer: Glad you think so. Thank you for the review.
Took me a little while to get this Chapter right. I wanted to develop Stannis and Catelyn's relationship and guess what it's quite awkward even if they are trying to make it work. Perhaps Davos should help more? But Stannis is the Mannis...
I really do want to make Rhaella and Elia do things that sometimes harm them and sometimes make them shine. This whole ordeal with Annara Farring is meant to represent that plus we need a way to screw up what Walder Frey, I mean what can he possibly do? Kill people at a wedding? Surely he won't try it against the Crown, will he?
As for the tourney, it's getting close to an end and I hope it doesn't disappoint people. Who is going to win? Who is going to be the Queen of Love and Beauty and will a war erupt again?
Thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day and stays safe.