Ashes In The Castle ||| Aemond Targaryen

nine

After her excursions, Naerys did experiment in the castle. But it was hard, especially since they lived on Dragonstone. The only boys her age were squires and servant boys who couldn't be trusted not to say anything.

Neither of which were candidates for Naerys to give her maidenhead.

Instead, she stuck to childish activities. Kissing and groping. It never went farther and no servant boy was bold enough to force it to go farther. But it was just harmless fun, a rush of adrenaline to keep things lively.

Naerys was still completely focused on her training, though. And she was skilled.

So much so that Daemon had Naerys sparring with the soldiers on the island. She hadn't beaten Daemon at that point but she had come close a few times.

Their own duels were long and he was truly fighting at his full capacity. In the years he'd rained Naerys, he'd turned her into something truly extraordinary.

He had her fight the other soldiers to prove their close matches weren't because she learned how he fought.

At first, the soldiers enlisted to fight Naerys were hesitant. Afraid of hurting the Princess, a pregnant Rhaenyra's only daughter. But when she bested the ones that went easy, they started to fight harder.

Even the battles she lost were close. And Naerys did beat a few of the soldiers who were giving her their all. Because she was a smart and vicious fighter. The most lethal kind.

There were smart fighters, who won by the use of strategy as opposed to pure strength. And vicious fighters, who stayed on the offensive and didn't think when they battled.

Naerys was mastering the art of combining the two into one. Strategic viciousness.

But something amazing happened.

After Rhaenyra and Daemon's second child was born, another boy they named Viserys. When he was a few months old and Naerys was back training with Daemon regularly.

They were sparring. And it was hard, like it normally was. There wasn't much said during their battles, mostly criticisms from Daemon.

But he was silent. Because he was trying very hard in that battle. The only noise was the grunts and clang of metal as their swords collided.

Naerys was fighting with everything she had. She was predicting what he was doing, she was dodging his swings and retaliating with her own. And then she saw a way to end their spar. To beat him for the very first time.

The moment Daemon brought his sword down on her, Naerys shoved it away with her own, dancing away from the retaliation swing. With him bent forward trying to hit her and missing, Naerys was able to bring her sword up and place the point of it against Daemon's neck.

She stood like that, heaving, as Daemon registered what she'd done. He slowly turned to look at her as Naerys stared back at him, eyes wide.

Naerys dropped the sword into the sand. She was in disbelief.

Immediately, Daemon turned and scooped Naerys up into a hug, practically shaking her. "Yes!"

Finally, Naerys exhaled with a laugh, regaining her balance when Daemon put her down.

She'd done it. She has actually managed to beat her mentor, the person who's been training her for years. Naerys was becoming a warrior. A true warrior.