"Be welcome! I know many of you have traveled long leagues to be at these games. But I promise, you will not be disappointed." King Viserys announces to the crowd, and Princess Rhaenyra makes her way to her seat next to her two best friends. Alicent wore a light blue dress and Julianna wore a light grey dress with a brown cloak over her shoulders. "When I look at the fine knights in these lists, I see a group without equal in our histories. And this great day has been made more auspicious by the news that I am happy to share: Queen Aemma has begun her labors!" Viserys announce as the crowd cheers in excitement. "May the luck of the Seven shine upon all combatants!" Rhaenyra takes her seat next to Alicent and Julianna.
As the tourney begins two knights joust at the center of the stadium. The first round neither were taken out. As the two round about once more and charge at eachother one of the knights is taken out. The new knight that won dismounted and bowed infront of the crowd.
"A mystery knight?" Rhaenyra asks her two friends. "No, a Cole, of the Stormlands." Alicent informs her confusing Rhaenyra more. "I've never heard of House Cole." Rhaenyra says. The two turn towards Julianna who always seem to know everything about someone. Julianna looks at her two friends about to tell them what she knows only to see they were already looking at her. "ha ha, um, well. Ser Criston Cole from House Cole a minor house of the Dornish Marches. He is the son of the steward at Blackhaven. "Julianna informs the two. "Thank you Julie." Rhaenyra says smiling at her friend as Boremund Baratheon approaches the balcony on horseback.
"How do you possibly know all of that? I had just heard of him today." Alicent asks her friend. "I shall never reveal my secrets." Julianna says smirking.
"Princess Rhaenys Targaryen! I would humbly ask for the favor of The Queen Who Never Was." Boremund Baratheon says towards Rhaenys Targaryen. Rhaenys stands with her favor and gives it him before sitting back down next to her husband.
"Lord Stokeworth's daughter is promised to that young Tarly squire." Rhaenyra says. "Lord Massey's son?" Alicent asks surprised. "Mm-hm. They're to be married as soon as he wins his knighthood." Rhaenyra comforms. " Best get on with it. I heard that Lady Elinor is hiding a swollen belly beneath her dress." Julianna informs the two who looked at her shocked. "Really!" Alicent asks. "Mm-hm." Julianna says smirking.
Boremund and Criston joust, with Boremund being dismounted. Harrold kneels next to Rhaenyra's seat. "What do you know about this Ser Criston Cole, Ser Harrold?" Rhaenyra asks hoping to get more information of Criston Cole. "I'm told Ser Criston is common-born, son of Lord Dondarrion's steward. But other than that, and the fact that he's just unhorsed both of the Baratheon lads, I really couldn't say. Though I'm sure you have already been told that." Ser Harrold says looking at Julianna who was smiling as she watched the tourney. Harrold rises and walks away. A Targaryen flag is placed and a group of knights ride out into the field.
"Prince Daemon of House Targaryen, Prince of the City, will now choose his first opponent!" Master of Revels announces as Daemon rides out and surveys the assembled jousters, eventually picking one wearing the Hightower sigil. " For his first challenge, Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses Ser Gwayne Hightower of Oldtown, eldest son of the Hand of the King." Master of Revels annouces. Alicent begins to pick at her fingers. Rhaenyra and Julianna share a look before grabbing her hands giving it a comforting squeeze.
Daemon glances at the crowd one last time to make eye contact with Otto before charging forward. Daemon is hit and loses his lance but isn't dismounted. Otto looks pleased. Both riders get new lances and charge again. At the last minute, Daemon swings his lance in front of the hooves of Gwayne's horse, sending both tumbling over. Gwayne is injured but gets up, with varying reactions from the crowd and nobles. Daemon rides in front of the balcony. Rhaenyra, Julianna and Alicent approach.
"Nicely done, Uncle." Rhaenyra compliments her uncle with a smile. "Thank you, Princess. Now, I'm fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent. Having your favor would all but assure it." Daemon asks Alicent. Alicent grabs a wreath and shares a glance with Otto before dropping it on Daemon's lance. "Good luck my prince." Alicent says as she grabs Julianna's hand for comfort.
Rhaenyra, Julianna, and Alicent sit back down as King Viserys stands up and swiftly walks away a nervous look on his face.
The Tourney continues as a dead knight is dragged away before Prince Daemon Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole prepare to joust.
Criston and Daemon collide again. Daemon lands on the barrier in the center of the joust, just barely failing to get back on his horse before falling off the end. He pushes away a man helping him up as Criston dismounts.
"Sword." Daemon yells as a squire bring Daemon a sword. "Prince Daemon Targaryen wishes to continue in a contest of arms!" Master of Revels announces. Criston approaches Daemon with his morningstar. Criston hits Daemon from behind, pinning one of his arms to the ground with his boot. "Yeild. Yeild." Criston yells his sword pointing at Daemon. Daemon yields after a moment of pause, swatting Criston's hand away as he gets up.
Rhaenyra, Julianna and Alicent run to the edge of the balcony as Criston approaches as he takes off his helmet. "I was hoping to ask for the Princess's favor." Criston asks smiling up at the three girls. Rhaenyra tosses her wreath down to him with a smile. "I wish you luck Ser Criston." Rhaenyra says. "Princess." He says before leaving. Otto walks up to his daughter and her friends his eyes staring at Julianna who watches the knight bellow with a smile.
What they are unaware of was that despite the Tourney being a success the birth of the new baby was anything but as Viserys kneels by the corpse of his dead wife as Mellos brings the baby boy towards Viserys. Baelon would be the name of the baby who has yet to make a noise.
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Growing Strong
FanfictionJulianna Strong was the youngest of the Strong siblings. A young girl who was a friend of the princess. She was kind and beautiful. And that's what caught Otto's Hightower attention. Taking her as his new wife Julianna will have to struggle with her...
