(Third Person POV)
"Oho!" Genna said as she was in the street, "I was wondering where my Ellion had gone."
She was standing in front of Ellion and Malora, who were next to each other. Malora had hints of messy hair and her skin was slightly glowing due to the sweat. Anyone would not notice these details but Genna did in fact notice this. And considering that Ellion was a bit out of breath, it meant that the suspicions she immediately got were warranted.
Ellion looked at Malora, "I was escorting Lady Malora." He said, "She claims she had gotten lost."
Genna fanned herself, "Is that so?" She said with a raised eyebrow, "My Lady, have your family decided to leave or will they stay a bit?"
Malora cleared her throat, "Oh well." She said with a slight smile, "I have to ask my Father."
"Mhm." Genna said as several soldiers walked past them, "Interesting."
"Say, Lady Genna." Malora said, "What would it take for you to pass Ser Ellion over to me? I mean, I could make him my sworn Knight."
"Oh?" Genna asked, "Is that so?"
"Yes, a mighty warrior who defeated Ser Arthur Dayne in a joust." Malora said, "That is not something one would willingly pass up on."
"Interesting." Genna covered her lower face, "Lady Malora, what else do you have planned with my Ellion?"
"Who knows, maybe marry him?" Malora chuckled as she smiled brightly, "He is a very handsome young man."
"You are similar in age." Genna said, "If Ellion was not a bastard, your Father would consider it."
"Well, Ser Ellion is in good graces with the King." Malora said as she nudged Ellion's elbow, "He can be legitimized, can he not? Bastards can reach high in this world, can they not? I am just a mere Lord's daughter, I wouldn't mind having such a man in my arms."
Ellion cleared his throat, "Lady Malora, your words flatter me." He said seriously, "But that will not happen. It is the way of this world, I am afraid."
"Mhm." Malora said, "Well, the offer is there, Ser. You can be my husband."
"So bold." Genna said, "Do not let anyone else hear this, lest my Ellion will get in trouble."
Malora looked at her with a knowing smirk, "Is that so?" She said, "Mayhaps he will get in trouble for his nightly activities."
Ellion gave her a warning scowl, "Lady Malora..."
Malora chuckled, "I must take my leave." She said as she turned around, "Thank you for keeping me company on my walk, Ser Ellion~~"
As she walked away, Genna noticed a certain wobble in her steps. She watched as Malora reached her House's soldiers who began to walk alongside her, escorting her away. Her gaze then went on to Ellion, who had turned to the side, watching her from afar.
Genna then walked up to him, "Did you fuck her?" She asked in a hushed tone, "Hm?"
Ellion looked at her, "That's not something to ask me out here." He said, "Lady Genna."
"Thread lightly, boy." Genna said, "I am one thing, as well as Cassana. But messing with Young Ladies' maidenheads will most definitely get your head on a pike."
"Like that will happen." Ellion said seriously, "They can all try, but will fail."
"Mhm." Genna said, "If you say so."
"Ser Ellion." Ellion turned to see Lady Joanna walking up to them, "A word...?"
Ellion's expression softened, "Yes, My Lady." He said as he gave her a slight bow, "What is it I can help you with?"
"Uhm." Joanna said as she looked around nervously, "Well...."
Genna chuckled, "She wishes for you to look for Tyrion again." She said, "He went off and ran away with the commoner boys to play with. She is worried he could get hurt, being that he's so small and could be hurt."
"Some knights were with him, but I trust them not." Joanna said, "Might you do me that favor, Ser?"
Ellion nodded, "Of course." He said with a slight smile, "Don't worry about it, I will see to it that I make sure he is okay."
*************
"Tyrion!" Jaime said as Tyrion ran back inside the building while laughing, "Let's go eat some supper."
The sun was already setting, and the street outside the building was nearly empty. Ellion was standing next to Lady Joanna as she had her hands in front of her, a smile on her face. They watched as the two boys disappeared through the doorway.
"He was fine." Ellion said, "He did trip and fall, though, but he didn't get hurt."
"Something suddenly got in him." Joanna said, "A spurt of energy. I believe it is you who is responsible for that. Your kindness is giving him such confidence, Ser Ellion."
"Ah, me?" Ellion looked at her, "Is that what you think?"
Joanna gave him a warm smile, "Yes." She said, "It is what I know."
Ellion looked at her, "Hm...."
"You were seen walking with Ladies Ashara and Malora." Joanna looked at him, "Is that true?"
"Oh yes." Ellion said, "They merely wished to speak their admiration for the Knight who dismounted Ser Arthur, that is all."
"I see." Joanna said, "Well, I have been thinking."
"What is it?" Ellion tilted his head slightly
She had something in her hand, which Ellion had not seen prior to now. It seemed like a small leather pouch.
"It is not much." She said, "But I believe you could have it fashioned on either your scabbard or on a necklace. Consider this your reward for winning the Tourney."
She handed him the pouch and as Ellion opened his palm to take it, Joanna's hand inadvertently touched his, like before. She simply stared at this, looking at how their hands met.
Ellion didn't say anything, simply rubbed her hand with her thumb gently, as if taking in the feeling of it. He also didn't look at her, only at her hand, admiring how small and gentle it was.
Joanna looked up at him, seeing his serious eyes as he looked at what was going on. She said nothing, feeling something within her that she knew was wrong.
After a few seconds of their hands touching, she pulled way, "My apologies." She said, leaving the pouch in his hand, "Take that gift, it would mean a lot to me."
Ellion opened the pouch and pulled out what looked like a small griffin, made out of gold and silver. It was small enough to be attached to a necklace or tied to a scabbard, acting as a charm of sorts.
"This....a griffin...." He said
"I saw that it is the symbol you carry." She said softly, "I had it quickly fashioned. It may not be the best looking for such a short time. But I did not want people to know that-"
"It is beautiful." Ellion said with a slight smile, "Thank you, My Lady."
"This means a lot."