The Same Coin // House of the Dragon

02

~ chapter two ~

Aelora took Lanna on a tour of the red keep, showing her everything that the princess deemed enjoyable. In return Lanna told her all about her home, casterly rock, Aelora expressed her wish to see the beauty one day. Despite Aelora's initial reaction to the Queen introducing her to the Lannister girl, the two of them were becoming fast friends.

"Now, we'll end the tour here." Aelora said as guards opened the large double doors, "the training yard."

Lanna gasped a little as she turned to the princess, "We are ladies, is it not absurd... for us to be here, I mean."

"My mother refuses to let me train with my brothers and nephews." She sighed as she looked over to the group of boy's, "that does not mean I can't watch and learn. As ladies Lanna, we will always be under threat and so we should be able to protect ourselves if need be."

The golden haired girl furrowed her brows at that, "That's what husband's are for, are they not? Protection."

"For others maybe, but I do not wish to marry and I certainly will not be putting the safety of my life in the hands of a man."

The girls watched whilst sitting on the wall, Aelora sending a small wave and smile up to where her father was watching the boys too, he returned the favor and she went back to watching.

Ser Criston gave tips to each of the Prince's as they used their wooden swords to hit the straw filled sacks made to resemble a body, it was clear that Aegon was growing bored of the session, his eyes wondering over to his sister and her new friend. Aelora grimaced as Lanna shifted uncomfortably under his prying eyes.

"Aegon" Ser Criston called out when he noticed the boy's distraction.

"I've won my first bout, Ser Criston. My opponent sues for mercy." The boy grinned cockily making his sister snicker under her breath.

"You'll have a new opponent then, my lord of the straw." The man turned and looked at the two girls, Aelora smirking because she knew Aegon had nothing on the man, "You and your brother."

Ser Harwin had appeared to watch the boys from the sidelines, sending Jace and Luke smiles as Aemond joined Aegon. As the sparing began Lanna grabbed Aelora's hand and squeezed rather tightly whilst she watched, Aelora just wanted Aegon to be knocked on his arse.

Although the princess hated Ser Criston she would be a fool to deny his skill with a sword, she watched as he easily blocked or countered each attack the boy's send his way. Studying the way his feet moved and the timing of his counterattacks, she was like a sponge, soaking in as much knowledge of the fighting as she could.

"You're going to have to do better than that." He laughed as Aegon almost fell.

"Go on Aemond!" Aelora shouted out to her twin, who send her a half smile as he ran at the man.

"Come on you two, you're sisters blade is wetter than each of yours!" Criston provoked, causing the girl to smirk because it was true.

Aegon let out a yell as he ran at Ser Criston, the man dodging him and smacking his behind with the wooden sword, making both girls laugh.

Ser Harwin was talking too Jace and Luke, probably advising them in training matters, until Ser Criston noticed and approached them. Aelora's stomach turned and it was like a weight had been placed on it as the two men began circling around the yard.