green queen, black ace | daemon, rhaenyra and vaegon

vii. the mystery knight

AS BROTHER OF THE QUEEN, young Gwayne Hightower was the first to be announced as having signed up to the tourney.

He took a proud turn about the field, his silver armour glinting beneath the fine, summer sun. His new faceplate was something to be admired, emeralds pressed into the square-shaped protection.

Ceryse married a King, and her brother was bought new armour and progressed on his journey to glory; Ceryse married a King, and Alicent couldn't bare to look at her.

Ceryse married a King, and she earned bruises and a womb that protested at the presence of her babe, filling her throat with bile.

Gwayne asked Lady Laena for her favour, no doubt having been instructed to do so by their father. Ceryse's friend handed it over with some reluctance, her lips pulled tightly into a frown and her hesitation was broken only by her own father's hand being placed on her own.

Soon enough, her brother retreated, and the announcements of the listings continued.

Of the Great Houses, Ellwyn Tully - nephew of the current Lord - represented his house; Garth and Lyondos Tyrell for the house of the rose; Ser Jason for the Lannisters and a cousin of Lord Borros for the Baratheons.

None had come from the Great House of the North, but that was no rarity. Instead, there were two Boltons of the Dreadford and a few Manderly cousins, but other than that the largest region of Westeros remained unrepresented.

Ceryse clapped loudly when Ser Harwin took to the field, Ser Steffon having permitted him leave to participate in the festives.

The young knight had only wanted to participate in the melee, which Ceryse had little doubt he would win, but Ser Steffon had commanded he participate in the jousting too.

"It will keep him humble," Ser Steffon had declared by way of explanation, then patted his apprentice on the back.

At the end of the announcements, there was some intrigue over a mystery knight that took to the arena. There was usually one every three or so tournaments, often hiding a talented peasant or obscuring some first son of a Lord that had been forbidden from getting himself injured.

This one had a solid black healm - rich then, more likely the latter than the former. Perhaps a Stark had finally decided to show themselves, though it didn't seem all that likely.

Lord Rickon's only son was a mere child, and his brother Bennard was said to be busy trying to undermine his brother's rule in the far north. If the rumours were to be believed.

Laena leant over to Ceryse, ignoring the way that Lord Corlys called her name sharply. "Who do you think the mystery knight is?"

Ceryse thought for a moment. "A Greyjoy, mayhaps?"

"House of the Kracken," Laena said, one side of her lips lifting. "Now that would be interesting. Ooh, what if it's Prince Daemon breaking his exile? Seems dramatic enough for him."

A voice sounded from behind them, low as it joined their whispered conversation. "Not Daemon, he would never return without seeing me first - and granting me a gift."

Both girls looked around to Rhaenyra, whose eyes seemed glassy and wistful.

Something in Ceryse's stomach twisted, but she couldn't name the feeling. Or perhaps didn't want to.

"So, when's the betrothal?" Laena asked the Princess casually, laughing as the girl glowered at her before turning away.

Ceryse shot her friend a frown. "That was a bit cruel. We both know the King would never allow the Princess to wed the Prince."