"What a sorry excuse for a keep!" Aerys shouted as he walked the grounds. Lord Whent walked behind him with his head low to the ground sweat pouring off his face.
"Indeed your Grace it cannot even compare to your own!" He said as politely and apologetically as he could, he had dreaded the moment he saw the King enter Harrenhal, if he was displeased for any reason he could end up losing his castle and maybe even his life.
"My ancestor was right to burn this place, though it seemed he left the job half finished," Aerys stated Lord Whent felt his heart start to beat out of his chest at the King's words, he was sweating through his doublet and felt very close to falling unconscious.
"Father it is a surprise to see you."
A voice said from behind them, they both turned and saw Rhaegar who was walking side by side with his Kingsguard Arthur Dayne. Lord Whent thought he might cry due to the relief he felt as Rhaegar diverted the King's attention, for a moment he thought he thought that the King might've ended his line on a mere whim.
"I suppose it is a surprise for you Rhaegar." The King said with a scowl as he approached his son.
"What do you mean father?" Rhaegar asked as he formed a mask of confusion on his face.
"Varys told me you were up to no good at this tournament but that man is a worm who believes he can manipulate me, so I decided to check myself," Aerys stated a scowl still present on his face.
"You aren't a traitor are you Rhaegar?" Aerys said as he walked closer to his son. The whole courtyard held its breath as they saw Father and Son stand barely an inch apart.
"I'd never betray you, father," Rhaegar said in a soft voice. However, his words did little to calm the King down and his aura started to leak out of his body.
"Would you please calm down Father," Rhaegar said firmly.
The aura stopped leaking out of the King's body and he stepped back from Rhaegar "Of course you wouldn't betray me you are my son." He said before turning around.
"Where is Lord Silver! He should be here for me, go and bring him to me now!" The King shouted using aura to enhance his voice, the Lords and servants currently in the courtyard all shook with fear.
"There is no need for that, your grace, I am here," Daemon said as he walked into the courtyard, once again people breathed a sigh of relief as they had seen how powerful Daemon was during the Grand Melee and so if they were safe with anyone it would be him.
A smile formed on the king's face as Daemon approached him and kneeled before him "My friend! If you had told me that you were coming to the tournament then I would've joined you." He said with an almost manic grin.
'That's precisely why I didn't tell you.' Daemon thought to himself as he rose from his knees.
"I did not think such an event would interest you, your Grace, had I known I would've informed you," Daemon said with a forced smile. Though it was enough to convince the king who happily clapped Daemon on the shoulders "No matter! I am here now." He said happily as he put his arm around Daemon's shoulder completely ignoring his son.
As they both walked away from the crowd Aerys pulled Daemon closer and whispered to him "I am beset by enemies on all sides Daemon!" He whispered loudly.
"What do you mean your Grace?" Daemon asked with a hint of nervousness in his voice.
Aerys looked around at all the Lords surrounding them in contempt "They are plotting against me, I can feel it..."
He then looked back towards Daemon and squeezed his shoulder "You are the only one I can trust Daemon, like in Duskendale you must help me again and find my enemies for me." He asked though knowing Aerys it was more of a command.
Daemon nodded "Of course your Grace you know you can always trust me." He replied.
"Yes, now come I let us enjoy the joust together," Aerys said.
"Of course your Grace, but before I do I wish to have a word with the Prince," Daemon said.
"What would you want with my useless son?" Aerys asked.
"It's nothing of import just informing him of his place in the joust." Daemon lied though Aerys nodded and waved him off.
"Very well but do not take too long." He said before walking off with his Kingsguard following right behind him. Daemon waited for him to leave before walking back to the courtyard and approaching Rhaegar who had a sour look on his face "Is everything okay Rhaegar?" Daemon asked.
The sour look on his face vanished and he was replaced with a smile "Yes I am Daemon, thank you for asking." He said sincerely.
"Did you know that the King was coming?" Daemon asked.
Rhaegar's smile faltered and he shook his head "I did not, it seems people have been whispering into his ear again about plots of betrayal and murder." He replied.
"You have always done well to keep him calm, please try to do so now more than ever, this tournament will be for nothing if he loses his temper and kills anyone," Rhaegar said with a serious look on his face.
"Rhaegar about what I asked?" Daemon said.
Rhaegar breathed out "I told you Daemon that I would think about it, but with the situation becoming what it has this will take a little longer." He said a little impatiently.
Daemon nodded in understanding, when the King came all matters had to be put on hold in case he went on one of his infamous rampages "I see Rhaegar, if you'll excuse me then I must get to the joust." He said, Rhaegar nodded and turned around before leaving.
Daemon turned and walked towards the tourney grounds, he wasn't that worried about missing anything interesting as the first jousts were relatively minor knights or second and third sons. However, when he looked earlier at the listings he did find one interesting thing, a mystery knight was going by the moniker of 'Knight of the Laughing Tree.' whoever he was was would be facing some of the knights in the first listings so he was interested to see who it was.
As he approached the grounds he could see the crowd of peasants surrounding the jousting ring, small folk from all over the kingdoms had travelled to his event though it wasn't difficult to see why. In nearly all of Prince Rhaegar's previous joustings he's never kept the cold and always distributed it to the small folk in the audience 'They must be hoping to get lucky again.' He thought to himself as he moved through the crowd. It only took one person to see and recognise him to scream in awe and excitement.
"Lord Silver!"
"My Lord!"
"He's so handsome!"
"He is so powerful!"
All the small folk screamed as he walked through them, most lords might find this annoying or distasteful but Daemon just smiled, shook some of their hands and even winked at a few young maidens which made them blush. After walking through the crowd he crossed into the section reserved for nobility and the guards stepped aside immediately.
He walked up the stairs to the dais and went to take his place next to the king though before he did that he approached the place where the Tully family was sat "Lord Tully, it's good to see you I haven't seen much of you since I arrived." Daemon said politely as he reached his hand out.
Lord Tully kept an expressionless face as he reached and clasped arms with Daemon "Indeed, we are in need of a discussion about certain matters..." he said as his gaze drifted to Lysa.
Daemon nodded "And we will before this tournament is over." He replied.
"Catelyn you are still as beautiful as ever." He said smiling at the eldest of the Tully girls. Though his charm seemingly had no effect on Catelyn as she just returned his smile with no blush or embarrassment 'It's clear she only has eyes for Brandon.' Daemon thought to himself.
"It is good to see you Daemon, your display during the Grand Melee was truly a sight to behold," Catelyn said politely.
"It was! I hope when you marry my sister you'll be able to teach something." Edmure chimed in.
Daemon turned to look at him "I'm sure I can teach you something." He said with a smile.
He then turned to the final member of the family since their mother had not attended "Lysa..." he said with a small smile.
"Daemon..." she said as she stood up and gave her hand which he took and kissed though it was longer than what was considered proper and he made eye contact with her the entire time giving her a healthy red blush on her cheeks.
He then embraced her which was allowed as they were betrothed "Where is Lyanna?" He whispered into her ear as he had not seen her in her seat in the Stark section.
"Where do you think." She whispered back and as they detached she gave him a tired expression.
Daemon couldn't help but chuckle 'Knight of the laughing tree.' He thought to himself, of course, it would be Lyanna he didn't know why he expected any less from her.
"If you'll excuse me the King is expecting me to join him." He said apologetically with a quick bow.
"Of course, Lord Silver, enjoy the jousting." Lord Tully replied with a nod of his head.
Daemon kissed Lysa's hand one last time before letting go and heading further up the dais where the royal family was seated, though because Rhaegar was in the Joust only three members of the Royal Family were up there with their Kingsguard accompanying them. Daemon smiled as he saw Elia sitting with Rhaenys on her knee, Aerys was a few seats away from her looking board and waiting for the joust to begin.
And behind them were three members of the Kingsguard. Barristan Selmy, Gerold Hightower and Oswell Whent, all stood guard watchful for any threats though the former two took it more seriously than the latter.
"Princess," Daemon said as he bowed his head respectfully.
"Lord Silver," Elia replied cooly as she barely regarded him, though Daemon easily saw through her mask of indifference and could see how conflicted she was looking at him.
Daemon's voice seemed to animate King Aerys however as his bored expression disappeared "Daemon! Come and sit, I've been waiting for you now we can start this damn thing." He said as he patted the seat next to him which Daemon reluctantly took.
"Your grace you needn't have waited, it must've been quite boring." He said which made the king laugh.
However, the laugh abruptly stopped and he grabbed Daemon's arm roughly "That is not the proper respect one shows after someone does you a favour." He said, his mood was in complete contrast to how it was before and he looked at Daemon as if he were an enemy.
"Of course not your grace, I apologise." He said respectfully.
"Now say thank you..." he commanded.
"Thank you, your grace." He replied.
Aerys looked at him for a while longer his purple eyes now crimson, though, after a few seconds, he let go of Daemon and smiled as if none of it had happened "Begin the jousting!!!" He commanded and the servants all stood to attention and started running off to get things started.
While they got things started Daemon turned to Barristan "I hope you've recovered okay Ser Barristan?" He asked.
Barristan nodded "I'm quite well Lord Silver, though I hear you took much more of a beating than I did." He replied.
Daemon chuckled "That is true, Arthur was a lot stronger than I thought." He stated.
King Aerys turned as he listened to the conversation "You bested Barristan?" He asked, Daemon turned and nodded his head.
"Well I expect nothing less from my old squire, though it is disappointing you did not beat Arthur Dayne, mayhaps I should resume training you." He said with a laugh.
Daemon joined him in laughter "I find it hard to believe I'll ever beat him, Arthur was simply on a different level to me." He stated though his words were not entirely true.
King Aerys waved him off "Nonsense, anyone trained by me shall only be second to me and you are the only one who received the honour of my tutelage." He stated
However, before he could reply the horn sounded and the first joust began. Daemon relaxed in his seat, he hoped the joust would occupy Aerys as talking to him was exhausting, his constant changes in mood and his tendency to lose his temper quite often.
Daemon's gaze drifted to the joist where two people took the field on their horses with squires leading them out.
(AN: What is Lyanna up to, any of you loremasters probably already know, but I'm sure you show watchers will be surprised. Anyway hope you enjoyed.)
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