The Queen and The Dame | rhaenyra X alicent

Chapter 1

Alicent Hightower rushed hurriedly down the steps of Maegor's Holdfast, her deep green tabard swishing around her legs. It was a cold yet bright day, one of the last days of spring.

The heels of her leather boots scraped against the cool stone flooring of the castle as she moved impatiently down the halls on her way to the library. It was one of her last days as a squire, she was soon to be knighted by the king himself at his tourney for the birth of his son.

It was the greatest honour, to be knighted by the king. It was the greatest honour for the king to acknowledge one's skills in riding, swimming, diving, shooting, fencing and dancing. All done in armour and or chainmail.

Alicent had dedicated her time since she was two and ten years of age to gain her knighthood. Usually, Hightowers of Oldtown would be granted the honours by the High Septon but not in her case, her father was the hand of the king and therefore she lived with him in King's Landing, residing in the Tower of the Hand.

To be a knight not only shows chivalry but also great piety. Those who wield the sword must also show reverence for the faith. Alicent had shown both of these qualities, efficient enough to be dubbed by the king.

She halted before entering the grand rooms, aware that she must respect the peaceful silence of the library. The excitement of chivalry cannot cloud her mind from everything else in her daily life. It was another ordinary day afterall, only two days away from the king's tourney.

That was another thing she will need to prove herself in, to be able to unhorse another in a joust. The thought of it made her nervous, bringing a want to pick at the skin around her nails but she could not, not now.

Alicent had never doubted her abilities with the sword nor would she do it anytime soon, her mother had always told her there would always be something more to learn in everything a person did. Though now, her mother was gone.

-

"You are later than usual." The princess's voice was cool like the breeze in winter.

"My apologies." Alicent smiled at the other girl.

"None needed, I only jest."

Rhaenyra does not wear any tabard or boots, only her rich gown that was the same colour of blood. She does not much need to anyhow, the princess had already gained her knighthood at four and ten, three years before.

Being the princess, she does not need to care as much as Alicent does, being the daughter of a second son. She was still a member of a prominent house but it was not the same as being a Targaryen princess. Though it was not to say that Rhaenyra did not much care about the art of the sword.

It had taken much time for Alicent to get to this moment however, her youngest brother by a year had already been dubbed a year before. Gwayne was a young man of six and ten now, a year younger when he was given the honours.

"You seem very excited."

"I am." Alicent sighed as she sat down at the table of dark oak, opposite the princess.

"I am happy for you, happy that at last your hardwork and chivalry has been seen, truly. You are perhaps one of the most valiant people I know and I know many people who want the same as you."

Alicent only smiled at Rhaenyra then, no words poured out of her mouth and she could only stare into the beautiful amethyst eyes of the princess. At seventeen, she was the most beautiful woman that she had ever seen.

In that moment, it was easy to forget why she had come to the library in the first place, she could have allowed herself to get lost in those great amethyst pools for hours if it had not been for her septa.