The Dragon Of Harrenhal - H.S.

Breakbones

Surprisingly, Daella had managed to get back to the box in time for the tournament and just as soon as she sat down at her seat beside Rhaenyra, her father stood up from his own seat.

"Be welcome!" The king called out as the crowd around them cheered. "I know many of you have traveled long leagues to be at these games. But I promise, you will not be disappointed. 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! May the luck of the Seven shine upon all combatants!"

Over the cheers from the crowd and the neighing of all the horses, Rhaenyra glanced over at her sister and frowned when she noticed the flush in her sister's cheeks.

"Where were you?" She whispered, grinning widely when Daella shrugged timidly beside her. "Daella. Where were you?"

"Where were you?" Daella retorted petulantly, glaring at Rhaenyra as he sister laughed. "You weren't here when I left, you know?"

"I won't tell if you don't?" She offered to which Daella giggled.

"Deal."

After that, the day went by smoothly. A mystery knight - a Cole of the Stormlands, according to Alicent - had been winning every single joust he went on and the whole thing was starting to grow a little boring. Every joust was the same and, even though her father seemed to be enjoying the day, Daella decided tournaments were not for her. That is, of course, until the master of revels moved to stand in front of the royal box to announce the next joust.

"Ser Harwin of house Strong, against ser Mykal of house Florent!"

At the mention of his name, Daella fixed herself in her chair and, from beside her, Daella noticed the way Rhaenyra snickered.

"Oh." She whispered.

"Quiet." Daella whispered back.

Rhaenyra only laughed in response. Still, she reached a hand over to her sister when the knights took their positions at each end of the lane, lances at the ready. From her right, Daella could see Harwin sending her a glance from under his helmet. She nodded at him and Harwin nodded right back at her. From her other side, Rhaenyra smirked, but, as soon as the joust began, she felt the way her sister squeezed her hand in hers. Rhaenyra allowed her, squeezing Daella's finger reassuringly when the first impact happened and neither of the knights fell from their horses.

"By the gods." Daella whispered, her chest tight and her breathing heavy.

"He'll be fine, Dae." Rhaenyra said. "Ser Harwin is a good knight."

"Rhaenyra is right. He's the strongest knight in the Seven Kingdoms, princess." Alicent nodded, leaning forward a bit so she could glance at Daella from her best friend's other side. "Some people even call him Breakbones."

"Exactly." Rhaenyra smiled at her sister. "Do you think a man known as Breakbones is going to lose a joust to some knight from a lesser house?"

Daella smiled at the pair of them, but said nothing. Instead, she turned back around to the track once the joust recomenced. Once again, the crash was loud and violent and it made Daella want to throw up. Unfortunately, ser Mykal still did not fall. They went at it again and Daella only let out a heavy breath when ser Harwin finally - finally - dismounted his opponent.

When Mykal hit the ground, the crowd cheered. Without even thinking about it, Daella jumped up from her seat as well, a bright smile on her face as she clapped. Rhaenyra stood up too, Alicent soon following, trying to cover for Daella's clear excitement over her knight's victory. But even then - even with Rhaenyra trying not to bring too much attention to her sister -, one look at her and it would be easy to tell she was happy. And one look at ser Harwin also told anyone with half a brain that the knight was practically beaming with pride, his chest puffed out, his smile wide, his eyes sparkling and focused only on the royal box. Rhaenyra and Alicent exchanged knowing looks, Rhaenyra a little more worried about the whole ordeal while Alicent, ever the romantic, practically sighed at the imagery of the princess and her knight.

"Do you think he will ask for her favor?" Alicent whispered, leaning closer to Rhaenyra so they could talk without being overheard.

Rhaenyra was about to answer. He must, right? After that very obvious display of affection, it was only right that ser Harwin would ask for her sister's favor. Especially considering Daella had already refused giving it away to at least three different knights. So it was obvious she had been keeping it for ser Harwin, right? In a way, yes. But when ser Harwin started to ride away with his horse, Rhaenyra frowned. He wouldn't? He had, Rhaenyra realized. He was waving a hand to the crowd still cheering him on and, from underneath his armor, Rhaenyra caught a glimpse of a delicate blue silk. The same one keeping some strands of her sister's hair tied up behind her head. So that's where you've been, she thought.

"Won't he?" Alicent gasped, almost offended in Daella's behalf.

"He doesn't have to." Rhaenyra explained with a chuckle and a shake of her head, to which Alicent frowned at her. "He already did."