The Bronze Dragon-A House of the Dragon fanfic

Chapter 22

Daeron and Jacaerys, surprisingly, kept from butting heads for the Prince's first few days. Even if they would never be friends, there was an air of civility about them. Maybe they had grown up for a change. Uncle Daeron to this day insists that he and Prince Jacaerys merely avoided each other. At times when they could not, such as at meals and training, my mother does recall a tension between them.

Of course, most things in Runestone would be upended by the arrival of Oscar Tully and of course, Alysanne Blackwood for Lord Kermit's knighting. Lady Alysanne was known to my father and Lord Kermit as 'Black Aly' due to her dark hair, and it seems she had something of a connection to Lord Kermit. Whatever the truth of that particular matter, one that Maester Barden and Septon Carrick agree on is that Lady Alysanne was very much like my grandmother . . .

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A week had passed since Jace's arrival at Runestone, and already he was growing familiar with his surroundings. The only thing that had really changed from when he had last been there was Daevar and Helaena's relationship; they seemed a lot closer than they were before. His suspicions had been confirmed the day before when he saw them kissing after he had finished his sword training for the day. Good for them, he thought. Jace only hoped his marriage would be like that one day.

Today was different though. Jace had been told that visitors were coming from Riverrun and Raventree Hall, and what had given away how different these people were was the fact that Kermit had actually made the effort to make himself look presentable. He was wearing a pourpoint in Tully colours-easily the best thing he owned-and actually made sure that his sword and dagger were both sharpened. He had shaved to, almost to the point where one forgot that he would be eight-and-ten in a day.

The household of Runestone had assembled with Daevar, Helaena, Ser Gerold, Maester Barden and Septon Carrick at the front, while Ser Willam, Kermit and the two princes stood behind them, Jace once again straightening himself up as much as possible to see who was coming in as the gates opened. Two armoured horsemen rode in bearing banners; one the Tully trout and the Blackwood weirwood tree, followed by a boy and a woman riding behind them. Jace guess the boy to be Oscar Tully, but wasn't sure who the woman was.

"Oscar, good to see you again." Daevar said as he hugged the boy. "Lady Alysanne, welcome to Runestone. It's been some time."

"Some years, My Lord, but we must make do with what we get in this world." She replied. "Besides, I could not ignore the chance to join such . . . charming company." She added, winking at Kermit.

Alysanne Blackwood was a tall, thin woman, with hair that tumbled into a mess of black curls that had been tied up so it didn't whip her in the face when she was riding. She was pretty enough, Jace thought, though he didn't fail to notice the bow and quiver of arrows slung over her back. He had heard that everyone who lived on Blackwood lands, peasant or noble, trained as an archer and tracker from birth. What he hadn't heard was that it seemed the tradition extended to women as well from what he could see of Lady Alysanne.

"This must be your wife." She said, coming face-to-face with Helaena. The contrast between the two women could not have been more different, with Helaena lowering her eyes as Alysanne tried to look into them. Ordinarily the Blackwood woman might've taken it as an insult, but she could see that no malice was intended by her. "She's very pretty. You're a lucky man, My Lord."

"I am, My Lady." Daevar replied as Alysanne again turned her attention to Kermit.

"Kermit Tully, as I live and breathe." She smiled with a hint of mischief. "Last time we saw each other, you were flat on your arse trying to flee from a farmer."