Ashes In The Castle ||| Aemond Targaryen

two

"There's talk of a Princess training with a sword in the yard. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

Ser Harwin spoke to Rhaenyra in her bedchamber. He shared her bed, a knowing, playful smile on his face.

Rhaenyra closed her eyes but could not suppress the smile that made its way onto her face. If there was ever a princess to spend her time in the training yard, it would have been his daughter.

"That is a possibility. I thought they would say no but my father doesn't seem to know his own granddaughter. He believes she will give up."

Both Harwin and Rhaenyra chuckled at the thought of it. Of Naerys giving up on anything, not after she was still trying to hatch her egg.

"Something that might run in the family, I'm afraid. I imagine she would break her legs before she conceded." Harwin touched Rhaenyra's face as he sighed. "I would give anything in the world to be able to teach her. Skills like that are priceless for a maiden in this Kingdom."

Rhaenyra understood his wants. Despite their agreement, Harwin could still long for his children to know they were his. He wanted to mentor Naerys, wanted her to feel protected. But to do so would be treason and would damn her to a life of hardship.

"I understand. But Ser Steffon is a fine knight, one who will turn our sweet girl into Visenya reincarnated."

***

"Ser Steffon. How is my granddaughter? It seems she has decided she wishes to continue the training. I apologize if I misled you about the task. Tell me; what are your thoughts?" Viserys sat back in his chair as he gazed upon the member of his guard.

He wholly assumed Naerys would give up after the first few days. But it had been a full month and she was still just as eager each morning.

"If I may be honest, Your Grace, I believe Naerys should be permitted to continue. She has been a joy to instruct. Dare I say she might be a better student than both her brothers and her uncles." Ser Steffon stood obediently in front of Viserys as he spoke, his hands behind his back.

Steffon was not lying to the King. He noticed it every time saw her or spoke to her. Her desire to learn the art of battle went beyond childish fantasies.

"There is a desire in her, a fire that is not common. She listens attentively and uses the criticisms I give her. And in just a month, she has progressed remarkably fast for someone with no prior experience. I believe that Naerys has true potential to become something of a great warrior if we do not let her body define her role."

Viserys stroked his chin as he looked at his knight.

"A woman warrior. When was the last you ever heard of it?"

Ser Steffon shifted on his feet. It was a conversation he'd already had with Naerys. When she revealed to him her intentions.

"Visenya Targaryen, Your Grace. As great a warrior as Aegon the Conqueror." It seemed Viserys had forgotten that little part of history. "Naerys success should be an example to all. Of how much closer Targaryens truly are to the Gods."

With that, Ser Steffon addressed King Viserys with his request. "If it should please you, Your Grace, I ask that I be allowed to continue teaching Naerys. She will have no Throne, no inheritance. Give her the gift of being able to fight."