The Lion and the Warrior

Dragon Wings

A private feast awaited the princess in the garden. Colorful flowers were in bloom everywhere; hues of purple, pink, blue, yellow and white were scattered everywhere in gorgeous patterns from the castle to the edges of blackwater bay to the garden. Vines crept up trellises and the gazebos were covered in vines and roses. The table was perfectly set with glass and silver goblets, fine silver forks, spoons, and knives and the feast of shrimp, wild boar, roasted chicken, grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes.

The king and queen were waiting at the table when their daughter and her best friend walked up. They pretended not to notice that the children let go of each other's hands as they rounded the corner to enter the gazebo. James kissed Queen Daenerys's hand and greeted her warmly; he bowed to King Aegon VI, "Your Grace. It is kind of you to invite me to Rhaella's name day lunch."

Rhaella kissed her mother and father hello, and James pulled out a chair for her to be seated.

"It is kind of you to come, Lord James," Jon said.

"Everything looks and smells delicious." Rhaella announced.

"I've had your favorite cake prepared for dessert," Daenerys said to her daughter.

"Chocolate cake!" Rhaella said.

"That sounds delicious," James said.

"Let's eat." Jon declared.

"What's wrong with you, dad?"

"He's nervous." Daenerys stated.

"What does he have to be nervous about?" Rhaella asked.

"I'm not nervous." Jon brooded.

Dany laughed, "Fool someone who doesn't know you."

"Just eat." He told his wife. She smiled and patted his leg under the table.

"How was your ride into the King's Wood today?" Dany asked.

The two youngsters shared a look and Rhaella said, "It was lovely. We had a great time."

"I heard it was quite adventurous." Jon said.

"We fell in the creek," they said in unison, and shared a smile.

Before Jon or Dany could say anything else, "James has a surprise for me later today. He just won't give me any clues."

"I know what it is." Dany said.

"Okay give me a hint, mom."

"No, I am not giving clues either." She said in a serious tone while cutting her roasted chicken. Jon laughed.

"I know as well princess, but I won't be giving any clues. Oh, other than that this name day...it's not a live animal."

"That was one of the best name day gifts I have ever been given." Rhaella said in James's defense.

"We were 9." James said in his defense.

"You were eight." Jon said with a grin.

"Yes, and I've always had your permission on what I could give the princess, Your Grace."

"I just wanted to see the look on her face when you presented it to her. I wasn't disappointed." He laughed.

"You were an adorable 8 year old, and I did tell Jon he wasn't right for that." Dany said.

"But she liked it!" James said.

"She did!" Dany laughed, "So the joke was really on you love," she said to her husband.