HOTD SI: The Bloody Prince (OC x Rhaenyra)(OC x Alicent)

Part 16

Chapter 16

ALICENT HIGHTOWER

The tourney of the heir had begun, and Kingslanding was filled with lords and ladies from all over the continent, each ready to make his own mark in history. The ladies, on the other hand, were here to cheer on the knights of their own choosing, anointing onto them their favors so that they may gain good fortune.

Many a lord sought her own favour. During the festivities preceding the tourney, she was approached by many a chivalrous knight for her own favour. After all, wearing the favor of a lady of good repute was considerable honour for the knight.

And yet she had granted that favour to no one and had foregone her usual choice, which was her own brother, as she strode through the various tents and stables, searching for the flag with black studs drawn onto a bronze shield with ancient runes woven into the edges.

And there she found it, near the end of the grounds, with knights and squires entering and leaving the tent in doves.

She walked up to the tent and watched as one of the knights stopped and recognized her.

"Lady Alicent," Ser Willam greeted her, which she returned as she looked over Aegon's cousin, not missing how he and the other squires and knights around him seemed to be covered in black soot.

And she had heard the rumors in the city of a dark dragon taking to the skies last night. Many believed that it was the ghost of the 'Black Dread.' The King himself called it an omen for the birth of his heir.

However, she had a different opinion, much like Rhaenyra, who would smile cryptically when asked about that very thing.

"It seems that you all had a rather exciting night, Ser Willam," she teased, and the brown-haired man smiled sheepishly as he rubbed his hair.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," the young knight said as he glanced down at the crown of flowers in her hands.

"Ohh," and the words escaped his mouth as he looked at her face.

"I doubt that this is for me," he teased and got out of the way as he pointed towards teh tent.

"He is in there and rather sad for some reason. I do hope your gift cheers him up a bit," he said, and there was genuine concern in his voice, she nodded as she stepped forward; the knights easily moved out of the way and let her enter, both of them covered in hastily washed soot as well.

"I said I...." and his words were cut off as he turned towards her and stopped talking. He sat on a wooden stool clad in full armor, a sword resting on his lap, which he seemed to be tending to.

"My lady," he greeted her as he began to rise, but she halted him as she stepped forward.

"There is no need to get up," she said and walked forward as she observed the sword, recognizing the smoky pattern of its metal.

"Valyrian Steel," she gasped out, and the Prince nodded.

"Indeed, this is the Valyrian Steel sword of House Royce. Lamentation," he said as he took the blade by the hilt and raised it towards her.

"I do not use it often, for it is not my preferred length, but my mother insisted and entrusted me with it before I came to the capital," he added, and she gulped down as she wrapped her fingers around the hilt.

It was a great sword, yet it was light—quite light. As he added, her surprise must have shown.

"That is the deception of Valyrian Steel. It cuts like no other but is way lighter than regular steel," he said. He stood up and motioned for her to sit down in his stead, for there seemed to be only one stool in the tent.