The Dragon Of Harrenhal - H.S.

The princess and the knight

It was supposed to be a day of celebration. A tournament for the heir her father was sure her mother was going to give him. A son, he swore. He saw it in a dream. It was reason to reason to celebrate, Daella knew. But for whatever reason, she did not feel like celebrating much. And maybe that had to do with the fact that, earlier that morning her mother had started her labors. Or maybe, it had to do with the fact that, following her around all day was not Ser Harwin Strong and, instead, she was stuck with Ser Rickon Tarly. And it wasn't as if she didn't like him. Well, not really. He just... Didn't understand her the way Ser Harwin did.

"Is he competing in the tourney today, ser?" Daella asked Ser Rickon eventually, sitting at the royal box and moving uncomfortably in her seat. "Ser Harwin?"

"Yes, princess." The man nodded, standing by her chair.

"Do you know where he is?"

"His father's tent, most likely." Ser Rickon said. "Getting ready, princess."

Daella nodded then. Looking around the box, she could see how everyone seemed excited at the prospect of a tournament. Otto Hightower and the King laughed together over cups of expensive Dornish wine. Her aunt Rhaenys and her uncle Corlys also spoke in hushed voices. Alicent stood off to the side, a little lost considering Rhaenyra was nowhere to be found, and, Daella figured, if her sister could be amiss, so could she, for a few moments, right?

"Take me to him." She said, already standing up.

"Princess?" Ser Rickon frowned, confused.

"Ser Harwin, ser Rickon." She said, walking out of the box with the knight following close behind. "Take me to him."

Ser Rickon had no time to hesitate, considering the princess was already out of the box. She slowed down enough to allow ser Rickon to get a few steps ahead and lead the way. She followed after him, nodding at the people who bowed at her as she passed. It wasn't, however, until she saw the tent under the tripartite pale, blue, red and green on white sigil that she felt the dread of the day dissipating from the pit of her stomach.

"Wait here, princess." Ser Rickon said, as soon as the two of them reached the Strong's tent.

Daella nodded, standing outside while Ser Rodrik stepped inside for a moment. Once he walked out again, he held the flap aside and nodded toward the tent. Thanking him with a nod, Daella stepped inside the tent and glanced over her shoulder when the flap was closed again after her.

"Princess." Ser Harwin called, causing Daella to snap her head around to look at him instead. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

As soon as her eyes fell on ser Harwin, Daella felt her cheeks warming up. She had known the knight for a long time - he had been under her service for at least three years, but everytime, he was wearing his full armor. Now, however, ser Harwin had his hands covered in gloves as he fastened his gauntlets. His legs were already covered but, off to the side, Daella could see his shoulder plates, his helmet and his breastplate with his house's sigil.

"Princess?" He called again, causing Daella to blush even more as she snapped her eyes at him and tried not to let them travel down, over his broad chest, covered only by a thin shirt.

"You were not at your post by my chambers this morning." She said, unsure if her words made any sense at all, but hoping for the best.

"I apologize, princess." Ser Harwin said, an amused tone to his voice as he smiled. "I should have told you of my intentions of taking part in the tournament, but I take it ser Rodrik did a good job in my stead as I have asked him to."

"He did." Daella nodded. "I thank you, Ser Harwin."

The knight hummed then, finishing up with his gauntlets. Turning away from Daella, ser Harwin reached for his breastplate and, before Daella could even think about what she was saying, the words had spilled out of her mouth.