The King's Feast 25 : Rhaenyra VI
Dawn had just broken, and the Red Keep was still quiet, with only the cooks and serving women skittering around the halls, preparing for the final celebrations later that evening.
The guards posted outside must not know I am here.
At first daybreak, Rhaenyra went through that secret door in the bookshelf in her bedchambers and navigated the tunnels to visit Harwin Strong in his bedchambers.
I have gone through those tunnels half a hundred times to meet Ser Harwin, it is no different this time. No, this time, I am to bed my Lord Husband tonight.
Rhaenyra looked at the tunnel underneath the table that she came from, then at Harwin Strong, who lay flat on the bed.
His right arm was resting at his side, wrapped in a cream bandage, and a cloth hanging from his left collarbone held it in place. His face was covered in bruises, his nose was broken, and cuts were all across his cheeks. He did not wear a shirt, as Grand Maester Mellos advised to keep Harwin cold to slow down his fever. There were more bruises on his body, and even more small cuts across his chiselled stomach. On the table beside his bed rested a cloth that was soaked in ice water, a half empty cup of milk of the poppy, and a small wooden box.
Rhaenyra held Harwin's left hand, and his large fingers gripped hers in response, but when Rhaenyra slightly lifted his arm, he cried out in pain.
"Aggghhhh..." he quietly grunted, as Rhaenyra quickly lowered his arm back to a resting position. "B-Bet... Better..."
Rhaenyra looked at his sad brown eyes, wondering how she let this happen.
"Gods, Harwin, I should have told Criston to stop when you were on the floor." Rhaenyra whispered sadly to him.
"N-No... I did... I did n-not... y-yield..." he rasped, with some milk of the poppy dribbling down his chin. "It-It is... n-no... I sh-shall... re... recover... in s-some... week... weeks..."
The evening after the melee, the Grand Maester said that it would take about three moons for Harwin to return to his full strength. He said that three days ago, and Harwin had already improved since.
The maesters thought that he would not be able to walk again when they first saw his wounds.
"I shall certainly be looking forwards to whenever you recover." Rhaenyra smiled. "Maybe in the next tourney, you can repay Criston Cole in the same manner."
Harwin scoffed at that. "M-Mayhaps I... I shall... th-though... I do... not... blame h-him... Any... Anyone would... fight... in the... the same... it was... a... melee..."
Would anyone really be able to beat Harwin that badly, and would they really be willing to even if they could?
From the look Criston gave Rhaenyra after the melee, she knew that he was still bitter about their night together and that he took out his frustrations of Harwin.
Mayhaps I should not have fucked you, but what did Harwin ever do to anger you, Criston?
"I wish you could be there at the evening feast, to dance with me one more time before I finally bed Lord Jason." Rhaenyra sighed.
"Th-there... I... got you... something..." he groaned. "I-I shall... miss... miss the... gift... giving... but... there..."
Harwin eyes moved towards the table on his beside. Rhaenyra took the little box in her hands and looked at it. The box was made of mahogany and was lined with silver all around. Carefully, she opened it, and inside, resting on a bed of small purple silken pillows, was a silver necklace.
"I... I... had it... made... f-for... for you..."
The necklace was made of small silver chains, but the centrepiece had no gemstone embedded into it. It was just a simple circle, with small etchings on it.
"It's Valyrian!" Rhaenyra gasped.
The etchings spelt out Rhaenyra's name in High Valyrian, and underneath it was a small drawing of a dragon.
"It's... it's beautiful, Harwin." Rhaenyra said, tears welling in her eyes.
"It-It's... nothing..." Harwin chuckled, before coughing a few more times. "N-Now... run along... P-Princess... you h-have... a wedding... to attend..."
I would rather spend the day here, next to you.
Rhaenyra then kissed Ser Harwin on his forehead before climbing back through the trapdoor under the table, remembering to close it on her way out. As she climbed down the ladder and crawled through the tunnels back to her own quarters, all she could think about was how she should have chosen Harwin to marry all those moons ago.
I was lucky enough to choose, I should have taken my chance then. Now I am stuck with Jason Lannister.
She finally returned back to her bedchambers, breathless from all the climbing, and with dried tears stuck on her cheeks. The door to the hallway was still shut, and she couldn't hear anyone outside of her doors, which meant one of the handmaidens had not yet arrived to wake her.
Good, a few more minutes of rest before the gift giving ceremony.
Her few minutes of rest was rudely interrupted by a knock on her door.
"Princess? Are you awake, yet? The breakfast is to start in two hours." Ser Arryk Cargyll called from outside the room.
"Yes... Ser Arryk, I am awake!" Rhaenyra groggily replied from under the covers, before dragging herself out of her bed.
After that, the door swung open, and five handmaidens scurried in and began to prepare Rhaenyra for the day ahead. Two were carrying buckets of hot water for her bath, one was holding Rhaenyra's morning dress, one had Rhaenyra's customary morning tea, and the final one went to Rhaenyra and helped her to undress out of her bedclothes and go to wash herself.
The handmaidens scrubbed her well, as they had done every morning of the past few days, rubbing scented oils and blocks of lye soaps on her pale skin. Once she was dried, two of the maids began to brush her silver and gold hair, and once it was all straight, they tied it into an elaborate braid, and placed a small cloth-of-gold hairnet, that was decorated with pearly white gemstones, on her braided hair.
After that, the maids helped Rhaenyra put on the dress that she would wear to break her fast, a beautiful white dress with long flowing skirts. On the bodice was cloth-of-gold dragons stitched onto it, and sheer cloth-of-gold covered her chest. Her neck and shoulders were exposed, whilst her sleeves were made of white Myrish lace, and were so long, it reached the ground. On her ears dangled small golden earrings cut into the shape of dragons, and on the third finger on her left hand was the golden ring that Jason Lannister had gifted to her. Once she was fully dressed, the handmaids gently clipped on a golden necklace that was studded with more of the white gemstones. The gold felt cool as it touched her bare skin, as Rhaenyra fiddled with the ring on her finger.
Though the necklace Harwin gifted me was made with only silver, I would rather wear that. Or even that Valyrian steel necklace my uncle gave me.
Rhaenyra then stood up and the maids placed a thin white and cloth-of-gold cloak across her right shoulder and sprinkled more perfumed oils and powders on her. After the maids were finished making her smell like a lavender, she walked down to the small hall to break her fast, accompanied by the lead handmaiden and Ser Arryk.
The small hall was already full of guests, so Rhaenyra quickly made her way to her seat on the raised dais at the end of the hall. Lord Jason was already sitting down in his seat, leaning back, and watching all of the guests. On his left was his mother, Lady Ceira, and to his right was an empty seat reserved for Rhaenyra, and then Rhaenyra's father, who sat there tearing at a loaf of brown bread.
He wore a black doublet with golden sleeves, with similar black breeches and boots. His doublet was decorated with small cloth-of-gold lions, and a cloth-of-gold cloak was draped across his back. From his neck hung a golden chain, studded with emeralds and rubies. On his fingers were two rings on his left hand, and another on his right. All were a gleaming gold, almost as bright as his hair, but the two on his left were each studded with a ruby. Lord Jason smiled when he saw Rhaenyra and pulled out the seat next to him.
"Princess... you look wonderful today... of course… you do every day... please... take a seat." Lord Jason smiled.
"Thank you, Lord Husband." Rhaenyra said in response. "You do look majestic to on this day."
As much as I mislike him, I cannot deny that he is a handsome man. Mayhaps that shall make the whole bedding process a bit easier.
When she sat next to her husband, he smelled like citrus and fresh leaves. On the table she could also smell the freshly baked bread and cakes fresh out of the oven. Serving ladies also brought out a platter of fruits, sweet persimmons from Dorne, bright red Volantene pomegranates, and juicy orange mangoes all the way from the Summer Isles. Next, they brought out a selection of cured meats; tarts of strawberry; lemon; and apricot; as well as honeyed wine from Lannisport and cider from apples grown in the kingswood.
Rhaenyra helped herself to a lemon tart, and nibbled on a few slices of persimmon, before washing it all down with the cider. The mangoes looked tempting, but Lord Jason whispered to her that they were overripe, and would end up staining her beautiful white dress. Her husband ate a few slices of meat, as well as a loaf of the warm bread with butter, before drinking two cups of the Lannisport wine. After they were both finished, the serving women quickly cleaned out the table, and all the guests in attendance began to queue up to hand their gifts to the couple.
All the guests, one by one, offered their gifts as well as their congratulations to Rhaenyra and Lord Jason. They both had the option to decline any gift, but that was only if the gift was so insulting it warranted a refusal.
"I don't think anyone in history has ever declined a gift. But truly, would we ever need use of these... riding boots? I have about ten in my chambers!" He whispered to her, gesturing to a gift given by Lord Caswell.
Most of the gifts were mundane, in truth, it consisted of even riding boots; horse spurs; and collections of rings and necklaces and earrings.
The Summer Islander Kojja Qo gifted both Lord Jason and Rhaenyra a long golden wooden bow each, stating that back from where he came from, even women were warriors. Lord Jason scoffed at that notion, whilst Rhaenyra offered her kindest thanks to the Summer Islander. Next was Ser Tyland, Lord Jason's twin brother. He gifted a massive golden chalice, decorated with seven gemstones of seven different colours, and on one half of it, the chalice was decorated with etched lions, with the metal glowing a bright red, and the other half with etched dragons, glowing black.
After Lady Jeyne Arryn, Rhaenyra's cousin, gifted them each a silver brooch, Bartimos Celtigar was next to present his offerings. Two of the serving men placed an ornate model on the table. It was made of marble, coloured stone, and even some gilded steel was on there. At first Rhaenyra could not discern what was supposed to be on display, and then it became clearer. The model depicted what seemed to be a lion and a dragon partaking in act of coupling, but both the lion and dragon seemed to be half human as well as half animal.
"Gods!" Lord Jason gasped, almost spluttering wine out of nose, after he realised what he saw.
"Why... why are they... part men?" Lady Ceira questioned, worriedly.
"Thank you... Lord Celtigar." Rhaenyra said, trying to hold back her laughter. "This is a... unique gift..."
"My pleasure, Princess." Bartimos Celtigar said, before proudly walking away.
When Lord Celtigar finally left the room, Lord Jason quickly asked for the gift to be moved away from the table, lest he spill any wine on what he called the "marvellous gift", though that was more likely to stop him from breaking out into an uncontrollable laughter at the sight of the monstrosity.
"If I could reject any gift, that would be the one." Rhaenyra whispered to her husband.
"That is very true, Princess." Lord Jason snorted, before Lady Ceira walked up to present her gifts.
She gave them matching golden rings, one with a lion engraved onto it for Lord Jason, and the one for Rhaenyra had a dragon on it. Both were studded with a large glimmering amethyst. They both happily accepted the gift and placed the rings on each other's fingers. After that, Rhaenyra's father was the final person to gift the newlyweds. He gifted Lord Jason a plate of armour made of solid gold. The shoulders were shaped into the likeness of a lion's head and etched into the breastplate was the sigil of House Lannister. The armour was adorned with rubies all across it, and it was accompanied with a long crimson silken cloak that was stitched with cloth-of-gold.
"This... is for Lord Jason, husband to my daughter." Her father said.
"It is truly a fantastic gift, Your Grace, I thank you." Lord Jason replied, his eyes fixated on the shining gold and twinkling rubies. "I shall wear this armour when I defend my lady wife from all her enemies."
Her father politely laughed at the jape, and then placed his gift to Rhaenyra to the table.
"And this one is for you, daughter." He said, sombrely.
Rhaenyra unravelled the gift. It was a long white dress, similar to what Rhaenyra was wearing, but this one was clearly older. The cloth was thinning slightly, and instead of cloth-of-gold, the dress was decorated with cloth-of-silver. This dress' chest and shoulders were fully covered and had long white and silver skirts and sleeves made of fine silk. Instead of dragons stitched onto the bodice, it had small cloth-of-silver falcons.
"This is the dress your mother wore when she wed me." He said, wiping one of his eyes with a small cloth.
"This... It's wonderful, father. Thank you." Rhaenyra gently replied, as all the guests clapped when she accepted the gift. It was a thoughtful gift, much better than everyone else's. Suddenly, Rhaenyra felt a wave of sadness wash over her, and tears almost started to fill her eyes. That was until Lord Jason put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it softly. That surprised Rhaenyra so much, she forgot that she was upset.
Since when was Jason Lannister capable of that?
When she left the small hall to go back to her quarters with Ser Arryk, she felt as though she had gained a small amount of respect for her husband.
Mayhaps that is why Syrax took a liking to him all those weeks ago. However kind his actions were, I still do not wish to bed him. Maybe I could close my eyes and pretend he is Harwin. But what difference would that make? Lord Jason is a comely man regardless. That is until he opens his damned mouth. Or maybe I could keep my eyes open and cover my ears instead?
That evening, they would have a feast in the throne room, which would be followed by a dance, and then the bedding ceremony which would happen so late in the night it would probably be dawn by the time it happened.
Rhaenyra sat in the throne room on her seat on the royal dais, in front of the Iron Throne, and next to her father. He wore a black and gold doublet, and on his head sat his crown. To her father's right sat Queen Laena Velaryon, who wore a stunning silver dress that had Myrish lace covering her arms and shoulders. On the dress were gemstones of black tourmaline and red rubies, and she wore silver earring that were shaped into three-headed dragons. On her head was a cloth-of-silver hairnet decorated with more black gemstones and rubies. Next to her was Lyonel Strong, Hand of the King.
Laena's dress reminded Rhaenyra of her own father's wedding, where she wore her maiden colours for most of the week as opposed to her husband's.
Now she wears the black and red whenever I see her, mayhaps her father is gone from the city. Meanwhile, I shall not need to wear Lannister colours since I am a princess as well as the heir. Would Lord Jason still marry me if he had to wear Targaryen colours for the rest of his life?
Rhaenyra chose to wear a long silken red dress for the evening feast. Fine Myrish lace covered her chest and arms, whilst the shoulders of the dress were decorated with black gemstones similar to her stepmother's. Her hair was let loose this time, and a silver tiara decorated with red rubies sat comfortably on her head. On her neck was a silver necklace wrought into the shape of a dragon with black gemstones for eyes, and small silver dragons hung from her ears. She wore the golden ring Lord Jason had given to her, as well the one Lady Ceira had given her this morning.
She sat patiently, waiting for the final guests to arrive, before the Lannisters would make their grand entrance. In came the Tullys, the Lord Grover Tully; along with his grandson Ser Elmo; Ser Elmo's wife Lady Alice; and their infant son, Kermit Tully. Lady Alice also seemed plump of stomach, so mayhaps she was expecting another child. After the Tullys were the Baratheons. Lord Borros marched in, still as angry and proud as Rhaenyra remembered, with his wife Lady Elenda Caron by his side. Behind them limped Borros' aunt, the elderly Lady Jocelyn, who was Laena's grandmother. Then the Tyrells and Arryns made their entrance after them, but there was still no sign of any Velaryons or Hightowers. After the last of Lord Matthos Tyrell's large family entered the throne room, the drums started beating, and everyone quickly shuffled back to their seats.
"And now - House Lannister of Casterly Rock!" declared the royal steward. "Lady Ceira Lannister, mother to the current Lord of Casterly Rock! Ser Tyland Lannister, castellan of Casterly Rock! His younger brother, Ser Tommen Lannister! And the Lord of Casterly Rock, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands, Warden of the West, and future King Consort, Lord Jason Lannister!"
In came the pack of lions to the applause of all the guests. Lord Jason's mother, as well as his two younger brothers led the way, whilst Lord Jason walked in the middle of the Lannister party, surrounded by household guards and servants all dressed in fine golden silks and rich leathers. The Lannisters all stopped just beneath the raised dais and bowed their heads at Rhaenyra and her father and his wife. Lady Ceira, Ser Tyland, and Ser Tommen all moved to the side and allowed Lord Jason to step forwards.
Her husband was wearing a shining golden doublet, with cloth-of-gold breeches and boots to match. His cloth-of-gold doublet was decorated with cloth-of-silver lions, and on his shoulders hung a cloth-of-gold cloak that was attached to his doublet with three golden chains. On his neck hung four golden chains all studded with emeralds that matched with his green eyes. His little finger had the golden ring that his mother gifted to him.
Rhaenyra walked up to her husband, and he took her right hand in his.
"My lady." He said, gently kissing her hand.
"My husband." Rhaenyra gently replied, with a feigned smile on her face.
They both smiled and raised their interlocked hands to the crowd, who all cheered and clapped at them. Lord Jason's hands were larger than hers, but unlike Harwin's, his was smooth and soft, a bit like his shaved cheeks. They then both went and sat at their seats, whilst his mother and brothers once again bowed their heads at Rhaenyra's father and went to sit beside Lord Jason. The remainder of the Lannister host then went and sat in their own tables, away from the raised dais. After everyone had taken their seats, her father began a small speech thanking all the guests for attending and how tonight would be the largest of the celebrations.
All the guests that attended... but not the Velaryons or the Hightowers.
The first round of meals then was served, a selection of cake; fruits; soups; meats; and breads were all laid out on the table. Rhaenyra only nibbled on a few lemon cakes and drunk a cup of Arbor Gold that was served in the large golden chalice that Ser Tyland had gifted. All the while, bards and musicians played a variety of songs, some sad; some cheerful; and some bawdy. The court fool Mushroom also tumbled around, telling inappropriate japes at people and a making Lords and Ladies spill wine out of their mouths from laughter. Soon after the first round of food came the second, third, fourth, and fifth, each round containing more dishes than Rhaenyra could imagine. All the while Rhaenyra ate and drank and laughed, she could feel the piercing eyes of Criston Cole glaring at her from across the throne room.
Whilst Rhaenyra was nibbling on a spiced cake with bits of carrot all covered in a sugary cream, Larys Strong hobbled up to the dais and offered his congratulations to the couple.
"Princess Rhaenyra. Lord Jason. I am truly happy for the both of you. Your union shall be a blessing to the realm for many years going forwards." Larys said, smiling innocently at the two.
"Thank you, Lord Larys. I do pray that your brother is recovering well from his injuries." Rhaenyra replied to the Clubfoot.
"Yes, Princess, he is doing well. I do thank you for your concern. And Lord Jason... I am also so terribly sorry for Ser Allan Crakehall's passing a few days ago. I know he was... a good friend to your family..."
"Yes, it was a terrible tragedy." Laena Velaryon interrupted. "His passing as well as Ser Monford's."
"Yes... Ser Monford's too..." Larys replied gently, as Rhaenyra rolled her eyes at that.
You had not even met Ser Monford until a few days ago!
Larys then walked off with his father, engrossed in some conversation that Rhaenyra could not hear. The fool Mushroom was also nearby and turned to the crowd and whistled.
"Yes... we must certainly pray for Ser Harwin Breakbones' recovery..." the dwarf shouted. "But following the defeat to Ser Criston, would it not be more fitting for Ser Harwin to be called Brokenbones instead?"
The audience gave a small laugh while Rhaenyra sighed and rolled her eyes at the fool's musings.
Stupid dwarf.
During the dance, Rhaenyra first danced with Lord Jason. He was good on his feet and danced well, but not as good as Ser Tyland, who Rhaenyra danced with next. Then she danced with Ser Tommen and a score of Westerlander lords and knights. After that, she spotted Bartimos Celtigar approaching her for a dance, but his gift that morning had disturbed her so much, Rhaenyra quickly rushed back to her husband and danced with him for a second time. The crowd on the main floor quickly dispersed, as the couple's second dance signalled the end of the ball, and when they finished, the preparations for the bedding ceremony would begin.
Rhaenyra had another quick dance with Lord Jason, this time to slower music, as they held each other tenderly, twirling around the throne room. Once the music ended, all the guests got to their feet and walked quickly to the couple. Ser Tyland and Ser Tommen lifted the Princess off the floor and started to carry her to the large doors of the throne room. A bunch of other men also joined in with carrying Rhaenyra, telling bawdy japes at her, though they generally found the japes funnier than Rhaenyra did. One Westerlander squire tried ripping off Rhaenyra's dress, but Ser Tommen quickly smacked his hands away.
"You may carry her and tell rude japes, but custom states that you never rip off a Princess' clothes, lad. That action is reserved for her Lord Husband to do." Ser Tyland warned.
"And that dress does look expensive!" shouted Lord Jason, who was next to her being carried by a crowd of ladies, who were all giggling at his japes and sexual comments.
Rhaenyra was carried through the outer yard and middle bailey and felt her body get attacked with the cold midnight wind. They then took her down the serpentine steps, where one of the men carrying her tumbled over and ended up with a bloody nose, much to the amusement of everyone else. Finally, they took her across the dry moat and into Maegor's Holdfast, before the crowd threw both her and Lord Jason into her bedchambers and shut the door before scurrying off to give the couple privacy to do their deeds.
Rhaenyra was still in her wedding dress, but all the drunk ladies had stripped down Lord Jason to his undergarments, and he only a thin white pair of breeches covering him. He was shivering from the cold, and when got into the room, he promptly filled himself a cup of wine and drank it all in a one gulp.
"You know we must do this, Rhaenyra." Lord Jason said, whilst standing by Rhaenyra's table.
I do not want to.
Rhaenyra didn't reply, and just stayed sat on her bed. Lord Jason then just simply sat on the chair and poured himself another glass of wine.
I could refuse him, and if he claims we did not do our duty, I would ask the maester to check my maidenhead, in which he shall find it to be broken.
He remained sat on his chair and took a small sip of his wine.
Hmm. Some other man may have forced himself onto me by now.
"You know I do not want to do." Rhaenyra replied to him, while he still sat there, finishing his second wine glass.
I could tell him I am no longer a maiden, then he would not want to ever fuck me.
"We had an arrangement..." he meekly said to Rhaenyra.
I made a promise... he is not wrong… it shall only be until I am with child... and then I do not need to bed him ever again after that...
Rhaenyra took a deep breath.
"Yes." She said, standing up. "I shall do my duty with you, but only until I am with child, and not again after that. Just as we agreed."
Jason let out a breath. "Just as we agreed. Until you are with child."
Then I shall do my duty.
Rhaenyra locked the door and took off her dress.