The Silent Knight

-1-

"Knights take your places before Princess Marisia of House Targaryen, heir to the Iron Throne!"   The king shouts as the gate to the battle arena opens slowly.

Knights of House Knight are always last in line for these ceremonies, being that they are incapable of losing amongst other knights of other houses.

For other Knights of my house this ceremony is something of simple child's play, easy win to protect the prince or princess of House Targaryen. For me, I am terrified. Not terrified of losing but terrified of her gaze. Her sharp blue eyes intently watch me in battle, which is something she has never seen before.

I have always declined her offer to watch me train or fight, ever since we were children. I never wanted her to see me weak or wounded. I wanted to remain in her mind as someone who will never falter in terms of her protection.

Once the prince or princess of House Targaryen turns eighteen, knights from every house will compete in a battle arena in order to prove themselves before the heir to the Iron Throne. It is not a fight to the death as that would disturb the peace throughout the seven kingdoms, but a fight until one has fallen. If you are downed, you lose your place as a potential protector of the prince of princess.

House Knight is claimed as undefeated and will remain so.

"This might be the year your house officially claims a defeat, being that you're a girl and all." Matthias Lannister says arrogantly with his gold armor and white horse as he passes by me.

I remained silent with my eyes focused on the arena ahead of me, one that I have trained in since I was ten. I pat my horse Jesper on the side gently with my foot in order to get him to start heading towards the princess.

Marisia is standing on the lowest row of bleachers with Rose on her side welcoming all of the knights. I take a second to look at her as she smiles to the knights, showing her utmost gratitude.  She is wearing a beautiful white flowing dress, with her whitish blonde hair falling elegantly behind her. She looks, as always, mesmerizing.

Matthias is right in front of me as he hands Marisia a letter. Flashing his pearly white teeth and sending her a wink before heading towards his spot. Rose rolls her eyes and looks over at me and begins to smile widely. Marisia continues to read the letter and smiles slightly with a light giggle escaping her lips. I furrow my brow as I make my way up to her.

"We shall see if he is as impressive in battle as he is with his writing your grace." I say with a slight smirk as I hand Marisia a bouquet of her favorite flower, daisies.

I lower my gaze from her as she laughs at my unsubtle jealously. She smiles down at me and takes the flower while her other hand makes its way under my chin to lift my gaze back into hers.

"I was only impressed with his incorrect spelling Maddox." Her blue eyes engulf my entire soul as her hand that is placed on my chin makes me feel like my entire head is on fire.

"Do I need to remind you that this is a battle of knights for my protection and not a battle of suitors for my heart." She releases her hand from my chin as she stands back up straight smelling the bouquet  I handed her.

"And if it was?" I ask challenging her.

"Then you would win, every time." She states as she smiles and turns around quickly to take her seat for the battle to begin.

I grab a second flower from the satchel I have on Jesper.

"Did you really think I could forget you lady Stark." I say as I hand Rose, a rose.

"Quite impossible, I am unforgettable." She states playfully as she holds the rose to her chest.

"Don't lose, that would be extremely embarrassing and I don't think I could consider you a dear friend of mine anymore." She says jokingly turning around and following Marisia to their seats.

I shake my head and laugh at her ability to humor me so easily. I begin to make my way towards my spot in the arena. I take this opportunity to take a look into the audience and of course my opponents.

I spot my father standing next to the king in his usual full set of armor. My father nods at me and the king smiles in my direction. My father and the king have been close friends since they were children as well. House Knight and the Targaryens have always been close. I smile at them as I put my helmet on.

As my face is covered I watch as the first two knights begin their battle. I look over at Marisia who is already looking at me, concerned.

I watch as knight after knight falls and eventually It is my turn to battle. Being in the order that we are, I am to fight every house that has won against another in hopes of winning each round it will come down