The following weeks were rather boring for Daemon as he lay in bed healing up, he wasn't allowed to train by orders of the Queen so for the whole time until they reached Lannisport he meditated, he felt a noticeable change in his aura it felt as if it flowed a lot smoother than it usually did and it had a higher wailing to it.
Daemon also felt awkward as Rhaella mothered him, she'd bring him his food and drinks and would help him with his other needs, she was the Queen of the seven kingdoms and here she was looking after a supposed bastard. Something that Daemon hoped no one would find out as he could imagine their reactions to such a scandal.
By the time Daemon had healed he offered to take up guarding duties for the Queen as he was one of the few aura users in the party. Barristan was stretched thin as Jonothor Darry had been killed, a small procession had been splintered off the main party to take his body back to his family.
The Queen was more than happy to allow Daemon to guard her, it was also a way of training as Barristan said a Kingsguard must always have his aura active for the entirety of their shift. He had grown rather close to the Queen to the point where she insisted on him calling her Rhaella when they spoke in private, something he had yet to get used to.
It was midday when they finally saw, the massive Stone Mountain with a castle and other buildings built or carved onto it. They had finally arrived at Casterly Rock, the seat of House Lannister and where the royal family would be staying while the Tournament would take place in Lannisport.
Daemon was awed as he looked at the massive structure, at its base was a large ringed wall that was almost twice as high as the ones in Riverrun, walkways and roads had been carved into the side of the mountain reaching up to the peak. When they reached the gate it was already open for them and they were ushered in respectfully, it wasn't every day that one would host the Royal family.
Daemon rode on a horse he had been given by Ser Barristan, he had been given some basic lessons in riding as he'd been told it would be embarrassing if an anointed knight could not ride a horse. But still as they rode further and further to the peak of the mountain where the main keep of the lannisters resided he felt more and more awed, he wasn't yet halfway up and he could always see for miles in every direction even seeing Lannisport just a mile away down the coast.
As they rode up towards the peak he saw Rhaella open the wooden shutters of her wheelhouse looking out and sighing at the fresh air "You'll miss this once we get to Kings Landing, so breath it in while you still can" she says with a smile.
Daemon chucked, he had heard the stories from Rhaella, Barristan and the other servants he had gotten to know about the signature stench of Kings Landing, he hoped it was an exaggeration, Daemon couldn't imagine a whole city stinking so badly that it became what it was known for.
They had finally reached the peak when they came to another wall and gate though this one was already open as well 'This must be the most fortified place in Westeros' Daemon thought to himself as they rode in. Lined up in the courtyard was the Lannister family minus Tywin, which the Queen and Ser Barristan noticed causing the latter to frown. It was considered a great disrespect for the head of the house not to be present when greeting a visiting family of the greater station.
The Queen however exited her wheelhouse with a smile as she walked up to the person she was most excited to see, Daemon carried Prince Viserys to make sure he didn't start crying "It is good to see you again Joanna" Rhaella said with a smile as she hugs her friend tightly.
"I've missed you as well," Joanna says as she hugs one of her best friends, as they disconnect from their hug Rhaella sees her children next to her and smiles.
"This is my eldest Jaime and Cersei, while this is my youngest Tyrion," Joanna says with a smile as she points to each of her children.
"You have a beautiful family Joanna I wished they could've been raised in the Red Keep" She said with a fake smile.
Joanna smiles back and nods "I do apologise that my husband is not here to greet you, the King just arrived a few days ago and has been taking up most of his time, right now they are at Lannisport"
Rhaella nods her head in understanding "Is my son here?"
"He is in Lannisport commissioning some armour for the Joust I believe, they will all be back here by evening for supper" Joanna states with a nod.
She then looks over at her guard "I do hope to see you in the joust Ser Barristan my son hasn't stopped gushing about how you joined your first one when you were but 10 name days old" she says humorously and much to the embarrassment of Jaime who blushes slightly and looks to his feet.
Ser Barristan chuckles and nods his head "I do hope to join if my schedule allows for it, though it has been a lot easier since I acquired myself a Squire" he said much to the shock of those there, Especially Jaime Lannister.
Daemon who was standing next to Barristan was subjected to the stares of those around him, though this wasn't unexpected as Barristan had never taken a squire before, so for him to take one now he would have to be very special. He still however felt slightly embarrassed under the scrutiny of those around him "This is Daemon Rivers, he's Ser Barristans Squire" Rhaella explained to Joanna, while her friend didn't care so much that he was a bastard it did shock those around her as he was one of the greatest warriors in the realm.
Joanna however smiles "Children, please show Daemon to his chambers and perhaps show him the Rock afterwards" she said with an authoritative voice that left no room for argument.
Daemon handed Viserys to Rhaella and gave them all a bow before he left with the children.
———————————————————-
Daemon walked through the stone corridors of the keep, it was all so lavishly decorated and he couldn't help but appreciate the craftsmanship that went into building such a place, he walked in step with Jaime and Cersei the latter of who tried to walk as fast as she can while the former bombarded him with questions. Behind them, a small Tyrion struggled to keep up.
"What's it like training under Ser Barristan!?" Jaime asked with awe, if he ever squired for someone he would ideally choose Arthur Dayne but if not him then Ser Barristan, he was a hero in the war of the Ninepenny Kings and one of the greatest warriors alive.
Daemon smiled at the eager boy beside him "He is a good teacher, I don't think I'd have gotten as far as I have without his help"
"Will you be joining the Melee, I tried to but Father caught me and had me confined" he said in a slightly morose tone.
Daemon shook his head "I think I won't have much time and I don't fancy my chances as the competition will be a lot tougher than Riverrun"
Jamie's eyes widened "You joined the melee at Riverrun! Did you win!?" He said excitedly, before he answers Daemon turns around to see Tyrion tiredly slow down as Cersei had set the pace too fast. He slowed down and then picked Tyrion up flashing him a smile getting he got one in return.
"I did win though it was a close affair, I almost lost to one of your father's bannermen, Ser Amory Lorch" Daemon replied as he went back to walking in step with them.
Daemon then leaned into Jaime and whispered "Is your sister okay she seems to be quite mad"
Jaime snorted "She's embarrassed because she thought you were the Queen's secret son and that perhaps they'd brought you to betroth her instead of Rhaegar as you are younger"
Daemon smiles but he didn't laugh "It's understandable we do share a lot of features, unfortunately, I am already betrothed"
This shocks Jaime and Cersei though as she's slightly ahead of them they do not see it "Who to?" Jaime asks
"Lysa Tully of Riverrun, after I won the tournament they asked if I would be interested in a betrothal, I had already been quite close with her beforehand so it was a blessing" Daemon explains.
Jaime scrunches his face for a few seconds "I remember Father saying he thought about entertaining an offer from the Tullys"
They finally arrived at the room where he'd be staying and Cersei quickly left without saying anything, while most would consider it rude Daemon didn't mind. Jaime smiles sheepishly at him "I apologise for her behaviour, she is like this sometimes"
Daemon waves him off "It's no issue, perhaps we can train together if you have no issue" Jaime nods his head excitedly making Daemon smile. He puts Tyrion down and heads into his room waving at the boys goodbye.
(AN: Jaime Lannister, an aura prodigy and future master, a bit of a spoiler but Tbf what did you expect. In canon he's one of the greatest swordsman in Westeros and that's even when including Aerys reign of kings guard. Anyway yeah.)
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