The Silent Knight

-7-

In the middle of the night, King Cole Targaryen passed out of illness. I make my way to the kings chambers, knowing a distressed and heartbroken Marisia is awaiting my arrival. I knock and Sir William my step in answers the door.

"You may rest Sir William, thank you for your service to the Queen." I say as he passes me and walks towards his chamber.

My eyes meet Marisia still holding her father's hand sitting next to his bed. She turns towards me with bags under her eyes and her face puffy from crying all day. I walk over to her slowly after shutting the door behind me.

"I am so sorry for your loss Marisia." I say as she stands up and hugs me tightly.

She begins to cry as I hold her, my eyes meet the late king as he lays breathless and pale. I close my eyes and tighten my grip on her back.

I remember an interaction like this when we were younger. Her mother passed in the same manner as the king. Marisia was unable to leave her chambers for weeks. Her and mother were quite close. This is different though. She will need to grief while sitting as Queen to the Iron Throne.

"He was an incredible father." I say as I kiss the top of her head and pull away.

"There were so many more questions I needed answers to, so many more years I could've spent with him. I am alone, the last Targaryen." She cries as I wipe the tears from her beautiful face.

"I know. You have Rose and I, and everyone else in the Seven Kingdoms who are here to help you Marisia. Do you know how loved you are?" I say moving my head down to her level to look her in the eyes.

She looks at me defeated and steps away from me. I furrow my brow out of  confusion at the sudden movement. She wipes her face and sighs.

"Maddox I need you to tell the eunuch to send a raven to House Lannister." She says not meeting my gaze.

"Of course your grace. What for?" I say tilting my head.

"A proposal to Matthias Lannister, we are to wed within the next coming days." I feel my heart shatter as anger and shock sets in.

"Have you gone mad?" I say stepping closer towards her.

"It was my father's final wishes. I was unable to marry before his passing and he made me vow to him that I would. In order to keep Targaryen's on the Iron Throne it is my duty and responsibility to do so." She says still avoiding my gaze.

"You must have forgotten your own history your grace." I say with a clenched jaw, balling my hands into fists. Anger continues to fill me as if I'm boiling.

"You could have chosen any other house, any other suitor to wed, why a Lannister?!" I yell which caused her to turn towards me, upset with my outburst and tone.

"Are you questioning the Queens ability to make decisions?" She says looking up at me. I scoff and turn around out of disbelief.

"The Lannisters are wealthy and his father is on my counsel as he was my father's." She says quietly as I stay turned around from her. This isn't a good enough answer for me. I shake my head out of frustration.

"Is that all?" I ask sarcastically, suddenly feeling like I can't breathe.

I close my eyes as I feel my chest begin to tighten.  I feel my heart pounding in my head as I search for any possibility of a solution. I hear her step towards me and place a hand on the back of my shoulder.

"Maddox, he chose him. Not me." She says softly. I cannot blame her. I cannot be mad at her, no matter how hard I want or try to be. 

This was inevitable. I turn around to meet her saddened eyes.

"What are we going to do." I ask with, my voice cracking as I hold back my emotions.

"As we have always planned. We are okay." She says and she stands on her tip toes and kisses me.

It is a long kiss. One that feels as if it's the last one we will ever share. She pulls away as a single tear falls down my face.

"I love you, Maddox." She says as she takes her index finger and presses it against my chest.

I take a breath in.

"I love you, Marisia." I say as I turn around and leave to go inform the eunuch of the proposal.

On the walk there I feel dizzy, as pain encompasses my entire being. The woman I have been in love with since we were children is to be married off to a man that doesn't deserve her.

I realize that my love for her will never falter for I would shower  myself in torture for her to continue her legacy as a Targaryen if needed be.

I pause before knocking on the eunuch's door, lowering my head. In this moment I wish I was someone entirely different. In this moment I wish I was born a boy.