Little Devil / Viserys Targaryen / Tommy Shelby

27. Proposal

' Is that what I am to you? A prize to proffer about to the great houses?' Rhaneyra questioned her father bitterly

"You're of age, Rhaenyra. And Jason Lannister is an excellent match.''

"Jason, no, no no," Even aislynn knew that was a bad idea. "Alicent help me up." Aislynn requested reaching up. "I can't get up I'm a fucking melon!" 

"He's arrogant and self-serious.' Rhaenyra corrected

'Well, I thought you might have that in common.' Viserys countered as the continued their little match of whisper shouting in the middle of the festivities. 'Since you came of age, I've been slowly drowning in a lake of parchment flung from every corner of the realm. Marriage proposals, all. And I have tried often to discuss it with you, but you've refused me at every turn.''

''That is because I do not wish to get married.''

''Even I do not exist above tradition and duty, Rhaenyra!" Viserys shouted back, Rhaenyra opened her mouth to object but a knight spoke up silencing them.

'Excuse me, Your Grace.'

'You must marry.' Viserys told her sternly. ''Yes?'

'The royal huntsman have sent a report, Your Grace. There's been a sighting of a white hart. The stag is "The King of the Kings wood," Your Grace. A regal portent for Prince Aegon's name day.' He remarked.

"Jason?" AIslynn questioned when she finally got up but Rhaenyra was running out the door. "I know much better Lannisters. Hell Tyland is better than his twin." 

"Aislynn, if you saw the-"

"Decrees for her hand, yeah, I bet its a lot but I'm a woman. Let me help you. Help her." Aislynn instructed. 

'Princess, wait!' Criston shouted chasing after her as he jumped on her horse. 'Princess, slow down!' he jumped on a horse following her out. 'Hyah, hyah, hyah! Princess! No!' Criston shouted slowing her down. 'Whoa, whoa, now!' the horses neighed and kicked up as they got to the lake. 'What happened back there?'

'My father... trying to sell me off to Jason Lannister.' Rhaenyra told him miserably. 'Was... was I named heir to the Iron Throne so that I might only further raise the standing of a Lord of Casterly Rock?'

'Do you want me to kill him?' Criston offered and Rhaenyra chuckled debating it 'We should return to camp, Princess.''

'It's a beautiful day. We should take in the Kings wood.' Rhaenyra countered as the birds chirped in the distance. They walked their horses along the trail as they talked, rhaenyras misery fading. 

"Where did she go?" AIslynn demanded. 

"Cole went after her." John remarked. AIslynn nodded. 

"Good, give them some bonding." 

"He is of the kings guard, your guard." Tommy corrected.

"No you are my body guard tommy." Aislynn corrected leaning back into him. "Cole is Rhaenyra and she wants him to guard her body..." 

''Were you ever betrothed, Ser Criston?''

''I had an adventurous youth when my father served at Blackhaven, to be sure. But my station was never high enough for a formal betrothal. Before I spoke my vows as a knight of the Kings guard, I could've married a common-born girl had I wished.' Criston remarked

'How lucky you are to have a say in your own life.'

'Many in the realm would gladly trade positions with you, Princess.'