My Tears Ricochet // Alicent Hightower

15. Or A Son

''Soften your knees. Feet light.'' Criston remarked as the young princes were training together in the courtyard. Draeya of course was beating everyones asses.

''Keep your feet light and your hands heavy.'' Harwin instructed. He of course had taken a keen interest in the princess Rhaenyra's childrens training. They were his nephews. Gael lifted Luke's wooden sword up trying to get him to focus. Draeya didnt need training she was already amazing just like her mama. Harwin ran a hand through her hair. Haenry and Rhaegar were training too. Aemond and Haenry were sparring, Haenry had a lot of feelings after Draeya's affections about Aemond had been made public. Rhaegar was better than Luke, only half year or so younger than Luke but he had focus. Valyria, Haezel and Vaera were not the fighting type but they loved being near their family. Draeya had tried to get them to learn as well but Vaera liked her dragons and her cookies more than swords.

''This is the stuff, Lyonel. Lads that learn together, train together... knock each other down, pick each other up. They will certainly form a lifelong bond, wouldn't you agree?'' Viserys questioned as he watched from above. Viserys sat in his chair, as he often did for age did not suit him, he knew he was dying but wasn't every day a gift, he had lived this long, ruled this long to see his grandchildren brought into the world, to have beautiful children of his own. But he felt himself growing weaker. Viserys also liked seeing his sister so happy. So in love with someone that wasnt Daemon. He loved that Davina had found someone that loved her right, he thought it an impossible challenge but Harwin was always up for a challenge, for Davina.

He also liked that Alicent was in a better mood since she had befriended Davina. He didnt love his wife but he liked her. He thought the feeling was mutual. Alicent had been so stone faced for years when they were first married but now he saw her smile and it was nice Davina had a friend too.

''That is the hope, Your Grace.'' Lyonel agreed.

''Don't stand too upright, my Prince. You'll get knocked down.'' Criston warned and Aegon let out a grunt of distaste. ''Aegon.'' Criston began but his focus shifted when he saw Davina.  She smiled leaning into Harwin. Criston couldnt hear them but he saw the smile on Harwin's face widening. He wondered about what could have been. He wondered a lot of things. Rhaenyra had asked him years ago to be her whore in a sense and he rejected that because of his honor but seeing Harwin and Davina together made him long for family. Long for something he would never have. Not like them. Then Gael strode in and Criston's mood bittered.

''I've won my first bout, Ser Criston. My opponent sues for mercy.'' Aegon said pompously and Criston turned back to Aegon.

"And I won my first bout as well." Draeya agreed, "Yet I seem to have no problems beating your and Criston's asses." Davina chuckled glancing to Draeya.

"Whack!" Davina shouted back slapping her hands together.

"Never going to let me live that down." Criston murmured.

"Never." Davina agreed with the sweetest of smiles before she turned to Harwin again his grip tightened around her.

''Well, you'll have a new opponent then, My Lord of the Straw. Let's see if you can touch me. You and your brother.'' Criston offered and Aegon and Aemond stepped forward, sparring swords lunging at criston but he was skilled warrior. The princes were yelling and grunting as they lunged and failed to knock criston down.

''You're gonna have to do better than that.'' Criston said smugly.

"Haenry and Draeya against you Criston." Davina suggested. "But that's not really a fair fight..." Draeya spun her blade with precision and Harwin smiled proudly back at them. "For you Criston." She added.