The Queen is dead and her best friend is angry.
Elowen Redfort, Queen Aemma's Lady-in-waiting and closest confidant is in the room when the queen is murdered. Driven by her grief Elowen finds herself in the King's chambers intending to confron...
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Elowen had been shocked when Princess Rhaenys had called on her. She had been worried the Princess might have heard of her moments spent alone with the King. Elowen followed behind the Older Woman, listening as she spoke of a conflict brewing in the Stepstones.
Rhaenys sharply turned a corner not even waiting to see if Elowen was following her. The older woman's words flowed in one ear and out the other as they came upon a small courtyard where multiple knights and their bannermen faced a balcony. Elowen's eyes trailed from the shining armors to where Rhaenyra stood on the balcony.
Noticing Elowen was no longer following her, Rhaenys came to a stop beside her, watching in silence as Rhaenyra took her place s with an uninterested look upon her face.
"Step forward Ser Desmond," Ser Harrold called from his place beside the Princess on the balcony. A knight wearing a yellow tunic with little embroidered black birds over his armor stepped forward. "Son of Ser Royce Caron, Ser Desmond had proved strong and steady in both the tourney lists and without. While traveling through the King's wood on his way to King's Landing, Ser Desmond recently brought a would-be poacher to justice."
Elowen watched as the Hand of the King leaned forward to whisper in Rhaenyra's ear, before the Princess addressed the knight. "We thank you for your loyal service to The Crown, ser."\
"Ser Ryum Mallister," Another knight wearing a Dark blue cape emblazoned with a silver screeching eagle took Ser Desmond's place. "Son of Lord Lymon Mallister of Seagard. Winner of the melee at Cider Hall. He was the last mounted of three and twenty knights. Ser Rymun was knighted at eight and ten."
"Do any of these knights have combat experience?" Rhaenyra interrupted the new commander of the King's Guard.
"Ser Criston Cole." Ser Harrold responded as the only knight without a bannerman stepped forward. The armor he wore was plain, with no frills or feathers and no house sigil or colors. "Son of the steward of the Lord of Blackhaven."
Even from across the courtyard Elowen could tell Rhaenyra's eyes lit up as she saw the knight, and leaned forward over the bannister to greet him. "Be welcome, Ser Criston. You saw combat in the stormlands?"
"Dornish marches, Princess. I fought for a year as a foot soldier against the Dornish incursions. Ser Arlan Dondarrion knighted me after we razed two of the watchtowers along the Boneway."
Nodding at his words, Princess Rhaenyra turned to face Ser Harrold. "I choose, Ser Criston Cole."
With her decision made the young princess stepped away from the ledge ready to go about her day. Elowen watched as Lord Otto Hightower intercepted Rhaenyra. She could not hear the words spoken, but she had no doubt the Hand of the King was attempting to change the Princess's mind. A proud smile pulled at Elowen's lips as Rhaenyra bit back and walked back into the Red Keep, her mind unchanged and decision steadfast.
