TO LOVE A KING || Maegor II Targaryen [SLOW UPDATES]

081▪️LOOMS OF GRIEF, LOVE & DUTY

The evening sunset crept over the eastern ridges, through the canopies, of the Kingswood, drenching the towering trees in gold and fire.

From the vale below, the thunder of hooves broke the serene hush, scattering a flock of resting birds into the air. Birds scattered at the thunderous gallop of two horses tearing through the old forest paths, side by side, neck to neck.

Two riders galloped side by side, their capes flaring behind them like war banners in the wind. Knights followed at a distance, struggling to match their speed.

King Maegor Targaryen rode like a man possessed. His silver hair flowed behind him, his black and crimson armor glinting with sunfire, the three-headed dragon of his House emblazoned proudly across his chest, red eyes narrowed with the same intensity he'd once worn in battle.

Beside him, his cousin Ser Orys Baratheon grinned wide, golden antlers crowning his helm,wore the storm sigil proudly, his laughter ringing through the trees. his dark green cloak flapping wildly as he pushed his steed harder. It was just like old times two boys turned men, racing through the woodlands as if age and duty had not caught up with them.

Their laughter echoed through the trees, full of mischief, memory, and the thrill of competition.

Behind them, a handful of knights tried in vain to keep pace, their armor clanking, horses straining, but the two distant cousins were unbothered. It was as it had been in their youth, wild and unrestrained, racing not just through woods, but back through time.

"You always lean in too soon!" Orys bellowed with a laugh, eyes flashing as his horse surged forward.

"And you always talk too much!" Maegor retorted, smirking as he pulled ahead.

"You're lagging, old man!" Orys called, leaning forward.

"Your horse is lighter, not your spirit," Maegor barked back, urging his destrier forward.

But in the final stretch, both of them pulled ahead.

By the time they drew to a trot, the other knights far behind them, the pair had tears in their eyes, from wind and laughter both.

But eventually, the laughter softened, and their pace slowed. They dismounted near a narrow ridge overlooking a vast cliff, the reins slack in their hands as they walked down the trail, boots crunching fallen leaves beneath them.

Maegor inhaled deeply, his chest rising with a long sigh. "That was a long ride."

Orys chuckled, brushing leaves from his shoulder. "Oh, it was. And I bested you, again, on the last two laps."

They came to the edge of the cliff. Below them, the full expanse of King's Landing, the sprawl, cloaked in haze. Unfolded, rooftops shimmering in the light, the Red Keep perched like a blood-crowned giant overlooking the bay, crowned the hill like a ruby set in stone.