Gold Rush // Harwin Strong

12. The Horror

Heading outside she needed a breath of fresh air, this life was not for her. this place was not for her. Viserys had a son and she was becoming obsolete.

'I wonder, Princess... was your own second name day as grand as this?' Jason remarked.

'I honestly don't recall and neither will Aegon.' Rhaenyra remarked.

'Lord Jason Lannister.' He introduced

'I gathered that from all the lions.' Rhaenyra remarked noting his cloak. "Aelsa has been putting lions up." Rhaenyra hissed.

"Yes the queen is very proud of her house." Jason agreed. "We are very proud of her. She seems to be adored by all. She makes a lovely queen." Rhaenyra withheld a groan. 'I don't think we've been properly introduced.'

'Your twin serves on my father's council.'

'Tyland is... frightfully dull, gods love him.' Jason said as he handed her a glass of wine. 'The finest honeyed wine you'll ever taste. Made in Lannisport, of course.'

'Of course.' She agreed dryly as she brought it to her lips.

'Ah, the Kings wood, it's fine hunting ground. But the best spot is to be found at Casterly Rock, near my home. Have you been?' Jason questioned

'Um, once... on tour with my mother when I was young, and honestly can't recall much of that either.'

'The Rock is thrice the height of the Hightower in Old town, taller still than the Wall in the north. It's been said that if one were to stand in the tower... on a perfect day, one could see clear across the Sunset Sea.' Jason boasted

'It must be quite something.'

'Hm, I don't have a Dragon pit, of course, but... I do have the means and resources to build one.'

'Why would you need a Dragon pit?' Rhaenyra questioned.

'To house dragons, of course. I'd do anything for my Queen... or... lady wife.' Jason mused leaning in.

'Thank you for the wine.' Rhaenyra said politely as she handed back the cup and headed off to find her father. She was not going to be sold off. She marched past Aelsa as she made her way inside.

"What did you do you fucktard?" Aelsa hissed.

+

' Is that what I am to you? A prize to proffer about to the great houses?' Rhaneyra questioned her father bitterly

"You're of age, Rhaenyra. And Jason Lannister is an excellent match.'

"He's arrogant and self-serious.' Rhaenyra corrected

'Well, I thought you might have that in common.' Viserys countered as the continued their little match of whisper shouting in the middle of the festivities. 'Since you came of age, I've been slowly drowning in a lake of parchment flung from every corner of the realm. Marriage proposals, all. And I have tried often to discuss it with you, but you've refused me at every turn.'

'That is because I do not wish to get married.'

'Even I do not exist above tradition and duty, Rhaenyra!" Viserys shouted back, Rhaenyra opened her mouth to object but a knight spoke up silencing them.

'Excuse me, Your Grace.'

'You must marry.' Viserys told her. 'Yes?'

'The royal huntsman have sent a report, Your Grace. There's been a sighting of a white hart. The stag is "The King of the Kings wood," Your Grace. A regal portent for Prince Aegon's name day.' He remarked.

+

"You idiot." Aelsa hissed. "This is why I am in charge and not you."

"I thought to make an introduction." Jason offered.

"I pointed you out to Viserys. All you had to do was woe her a little bit.' Aelsa hissed. "Now she on another rampage. She seems to do that a lot."

"I offered her a dragon pit at the rock." Jason informed her and Aelsa groaned.

"You have no game whatsoever." Aelsa told him.

"What? I thought that a kind proposal?"

"Fucking idiot."

"What do I do?" Jason countered.

"Try and win favor with Viserys and hopes he doesn't give a damn about little miss attitude." Aelsa suggested. As Rhaenyra was running back out. "Step daughter..." Aelsa called. "What ever is the problem?'

"Bite me bitch!" Rhaenyra shouted for all to hear and Aelsa brought an appalled hand to her chest.

"The horror." Aelsa said dramatically.

'Princess, wait!' Cole shouted chasing after her as he jumped on her horse. 'Princess, slow down!' he jumped on a horse following her out. 'Hyah, hyah, hyah! Princess! No!' Cole shouted slowing her down. 'Whoa, whoa, now!' the horses neighed and kicked up as they got to the lake. 'What happened back there?'

'My father... trying to sell me off to Jason Lannister.' Rhaenyra told him miserably. 'Was... was I named heir to the Iron Throne so that I might only further raise the standing of a Lord of Casterly Rock?'

'Do you want me to kill him?' Cole offered and Rhaenyra chuckled debating it 'We should return to camp, Princess.'

'It's a beautiful day. We should take in the Kings wood.' Rhaenyra countered as the birds chirped in the distance. They walked their horses along the trail as they talked, rhaenyras misery fading. 'Were you ever betrothed, Ser Criston?'

'I had an adventurous youth when my father served at Blackhaven, to be sure. But my station was never high enough for a formal betrothal. Before I spoke my vows as a knight of the Kings guard, I could've married a common-born girl had I wished.' Cole remarked

'How lucky you are to have a say in your own life.'

'Many in the realm would gladly trade positions with you, Princess.'

'Only because none of them has ever held my position. I may be the Princess of Dragons tone, but I am toothless.' Rhaenyra informed him

'One day... not so long ago, you held enough power to write my name into the White Book. And when your father named me to his Kings guard, it was the highest honor any Cole have ever known. All that I have, I owe to you.' Cole told her honestly. 'Now I'd hardly call that toothless, Princess.'

+

' Your Grace.' Howland sharp remarked, noting the tracks.

''How far?' Viserys questioned.

'Her droppings were found half a league to the east.' He smelled the air. 'Still fresh. Between two and three hours, Your Grace. My best scouts spied him.'

'The beast is upward of 35 stone. And we now have his trail.'

'Aye. Before the dragons ruled over Westeros, the white hart was a symbol of royalty in these lands. And on this day of all days. I've never been one for signs and portents, Your Grace, but if the gods did wish to show their favor.' His advisor suggested.