Crowned Stag (rhaenyra targaryen x male oc)

Defending Her Name

Rhaenyra sat with Mace in his chambers, reading a history book on Old Valyria. This was the first time they had spoken to each other fully. It had been five weeks since the announcement of Alicent and Visery's marriage. The Princess no longer found comfort with Alicent at all and solely focused on the Baratheon boy. Even then, Rhaenyra had isolated herself and was angry at the world.

Today was the last day Mace would be staying at King's Landing.

Boremund Baratheon had arranged his trip back to Storm's End and Rhaenyra would be lying if she said that she was not disappointed at this news.

"The last of your things has been packed in the carriage, my lord," A servant said and Mace smiled warmly at him.

"Thank you," Mace said as the servant bowed and left the room.

He sighed as he looked around the room, resting his hands on the handle of his sword. This room had its moments, mostly bad but it was also the room in which he and the Princess grew to become the greatest of friends.

Rhaenyra watched him as he turned to look at her.

"Are you sure about leaving?" Rhaenyra asked him and he looked down at the floor, not wanting to meet her gaze.

"It has been arranged already," Mace said and Rhaenyra gave him a stern look.

"That is not what I asked," Rhaenyra muttered and Mace sighed.

"I have to go home eventually," Mace told her, "Whether I like it or not. I can't hide here forever. Besides I need to find Borros...."

"And do what?" Rhaenyra asked as they both stared at each other, "Have you actually thought about what you are going to do when you see him?"

"Of course I have..." Mace muttered, as he shifted in his stance, "I have thought about it everyday since it happened. I may have been in King's Landing but I had my ways in searching for him."

Before Rhaenyra could say anything, a knight came in.

"The carriages are here, Ser Mason," The knight said and Mace nodded.

"I'll be there in a moment. Thank you," Mace smiled and the knight nodded at him, waiting outside the chamber.

He looks back at Rhaenyra who is staring up at him, arms crossed.

"I can't believe you are really leaving," Rhaenyra said sadly, "We have spent so much time together that I forgot the life I had without you in it. It seems like the world is against me these days. And you are the only one who hasn't hurt me."

Mace sighs as he goes to hold her hand.

"And I never will. I will defend you every day of my life...." Mace promised as she smiled widely at him.

"I know the past few weeks that I have spent here have been undoubtedly one of the most difficult times in my life as well as your own," Mace said, and Rhaenyra frowned at this.

"But waking up everyday to see you coming in through that door was always the best part of my day," Mace confessed as he grabbed her hand, planting a soft kiss on it. Rhaenyra smiles warmly at him, her stomach filling with butterflies.

"I treasure our friendship dearly," Mace told her and Rhaenyra gently grabbed his face, turning it and planting a kiss on his cheek.

"As do I," Rhaenyra muttered and Mace wrapped his arms around the Princess, embracing her tightly. She closes her eyes, a smile spreading on her lips as she takes in his scent.

She didn't want to let him go.

"Me going back home doesn't have to be the end for us," Mace tells her as he breaks the hug, "We can exchange letters, see each other every once in a while, and maybe we will see each other in another tourney."