LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 21: 21
[YO I had to read a ton of different websites to learn jousting and from the rules, I have seen its counting points and whoever has more wins. You get points for breaking the lance but also how broken and if the metal tip broke as well. There are also some rules that say only three lances can be used so if you break three first you win, this may be wrong but I am going with it. It doesn't make sense to have them run in circles breaking lances for hours if they could keep up with each other.]
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186 AC
Kingslanding
Baelor Targaryen
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Unhorsing Rhaegal put me in the finals against my uncle Aerion, he 'stands' between me and being able to crown my future queen as my queen of love and beauty. My horse shifts under me as we stand waiting for the horn to be blown. My uncle looks like a menace in his armor with his spear pointed high.
Watching him unhorse Daemon with ease made my stomach hurt, I am not liking my chances.
The cheers from the royal box were incredibly loud when Daemon hit the dirt like a corpse and didn't move. I am almost certain it was from my aunt Daenerys but I choose to stay out of that whole mess. Daemon has what's coming to him rubbing his nose into their relationship, Daenerys has grown tired of him and is only held back by her kindness.
If she wasn't so kind and instead was more cruel she would have Drogon burn the fool to ashes.
I personally think Aerion only held a touch of pity for Daemon and nothing more, not even worth his time. His 'time is gold' rule has him focused like a hound on a hunt and wastes little on petty things but it seems that has run its course. The unveiled look of disgust he gave Daemon as Roach pranced by his downed body sent a shiver down my back.
I thought Aegor was going to be the worst embarrassment of the day with getting himself kicked by a horse but Daemon topped it by flying off his horse like a fool. He practically stood up on the stirrups and let the lance lift him off and drop him onto his back.
I shake my head hearing my father finally stop speaking to the crowd and the Hornblower steps forward and looks my way and then toward Aerion.
I look at Aerion and send him a nod before slapping down my face covering and adjust my grip on my lance. I see a nod in return sent my way before he drops his own face shield and we both sit like an arrow drawn on a bow. The silence filling the air as everyone holds their breath, all I hear is my own heart pounding in my ears.
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186 AC
Kingslanding
Aerion Targaryen
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I honestly wish I could let my nephew win this one, all the important Lords of Westeros are here watching. He would gain a lot of prestige if he defeated me here but I already have a plan with Daenerys and I won't back down now. That and spitting on Daemon once more is too tempting of an offer, the dumbstruck look on his face when his helmet came off warmed my heart.
The horn is blown and the last match is begun as Roach lurches forward with enthusiasm, ignoring my other reasons I also can't sandbag my horse. He lives for these jousts and if I tumbled off after getting hit I have a feeling he would know. So if not for crowning my future wife than for my horse who pours his heart out into these jousts.
I line my lance and prepare as my nephew closes in, his own lance primed and ready.
We both move similarly and our lances strike true shattering on the other's shoulder. Seeing my next lance prepared as we approach the end of the tilt I toss the broken lance to a man waiting and catch the replacement without even looking. My eyes look back at Baelor who similarly is looking as he catches his own lance.
Roach is a well-oiled machine and needs no guidance from me and never stopped moving, I only have to adjust a little as we head down the tilt once more. Baelor matching my movements almost exactly makes us look in sync, almost like we practiced this. The crowd is deathly silent as our lances connect and once more they both shatter against the steel of our armor.
"You got this!" I hear a cheer from the royal box as I pass by, my nephew's wife.
I also distinctly pick up the sound of Shiera cheering and shake my head as I swap lances one last time. Three lances, if we both break them then the judges will see who got more points and check the damage on our lance tips on the ground.
Third time is the charm they say, riding down the line t full speed I lower the lance and prepare myself. I lean to my side slightly and prepare to slide out of the way if possible while also still breaking my lance. The first two breaks were clean enough from what I could briefly so even if I get hit trying for this next I should still win.
The tip of my nephew's lance cuts through the air aimed for my shoulder as I angle mine last moment to hit his chest. With the new angle, I am able to lower my shoulder low enough for the Crown princes lance to slide right over my shoulder. Feeling mine break against him I smile as Roach continues forward.
I pull on his reins and he breaks from his trance and comes to a slow stop as the crowd goes wild. I toss the broken lance away and pull off my helmet, putting it under my arm I look around with sweat on my brow.
Not the most climactic finish but I didn't want to put my nephew on his ass Infront of all the Lords anyway. There are already whispers about me being a dragon rider and how I should be the one to take the throne. Making the crown prince look bad Infront of everyone by unhorsing him would only serve to feed rumors.
My brother steps forward to the front of the Royal box and people go silent after he raises his hand, the seven-headed dragon crown shining in the light.
"It seems we have a winner! My brother Aerion Targaryen has shown his skill with the lance and his Horsemanship. He and my son put on an admirable last match and I couldn't be prouder of them both." The crowd claps as Daeron looks around.
I in the meantime have rode Roach over to Baelor and we clasped hands with our horse's side by side.
"I will get you next time!" He slaps my shoulder and laughs good-naturedly and I resist the urge to cringe.
I stole the win from him on his name day celebration and am going to make it about my marriage with Daenerys. I spoke about it with Daeron and he was very excited to host the lords in the great sept of Baelor for the wedding. Rarely, an opportunity comes around like this, even if we wed normally some other time and sent invitations not this many people would come.
We would receive well wishes and gifts from many Lords looking to make friends but ultimately only a few desperate or scheming lords would show up in person. Most have better things to do with their time and events they go to are rare. This just happens to be one such event, but Baelor should not get too mad with how close we are.
"You look like you are the one who lost." He grins at me after taking off his helmet.
"I plan to crown Danny and announce we will be holding a wedding in a few days. I am starting to feel like I am stealing some of your thunder all of a sudden." He raises both his brows and looks up at the Royal box as a young squire runs out to hand me the 'crown'.
He looks back with a smug look that makes my worry burn away, I almost regret not trying to unhorse him.
"Daemon is going to love this." He barks a laugh and turns his horse to leave the field as his dad finishes a speech and all the attention turns to me.
The crowd cheers the Crown prince as he leaves but also watches to see who I will crown, I am handed a fresh lance and I slip the Red flower crown onto it.
My heart actually starts to beat faster as I balance it on the tip being careful to not let it fall. Something I have done many times after winning suddenly feels foreign and difficult. I manage to lift the lance without it sliding down and hoist it up to the Royal box.
Daenerys takes the crown as I present it in front of her and the smile she was wearing widens as she puts it on her head. Shieras pout is legendary but I put it aside for the moment, I will make it up to her by giving her the next few I win in various tournaments. She will just have to travel with me to them, but I won't be participating in any that Baelor is in.
I need to let my nephew win some glory in these times lacking war.
I lick my lips and prepare for the cringe, this is the part that has me nervous even though we are already engaged.
"Daenerys my love, I crown you my Queen of love and beauty after my hard-fought victory over all the opponents I faced. Today I swore that should I pull through and achieve victory that I would ask you to marry me. With your consent and the king's blessing, I will wed you in the Great Sept of Baelor in a wedding like never seen before." My throat tightens as the silence sets in and my legs feel weak on Roach's sides.
I fight off the horrible cringe trying to take over my facial features, I am not good at this kind of thing. Backroom deals and shady stuff or even subtly threatening someone with dragon fire is one thing for business. Matters of the heart put out into the open and exposing myself like this feels very bad even if I know her answer beforehand.
Everyone and I mean everyone looks toward the Royal box thankfully as I blink some sweat out of my eyes and await her answer. She takes a painfully long time as she approaches the edge of the box and looks down with the crown upon her brow.
"I consent." She smiles smugly, she saw me suffering and waited a few moments extra just to let me suffer.
This will be remembered.
"Your king also agrees to the wedding, I am proud of you brother. You have come a long way and made great strides on your own to achieve your goals. I look forward to seeing what you manage to achieve and I wish you a happy marriage like my own." The crowd finally starts clapping and some women cheer loudly.
I smile and nod toward them both before heading to get my armor off, a genuine smile refuses to leave my face as Roach carries me to my tent.
Passing by some other tents I spot Daemon, he seems faint and pale as I ride by him and his eyes look lifeless. I nod at him when his eyes meet mine and he clenches his fists and shuts his eyes with his jaw grinding his teeth.
Maybe he will fuck off after this.
I jump off Roach and make my way into my tent with the idea of washing off and heading to see Daenerys. We should go for a flight and maybe eat a packed dinner together somewhere remote and enjoy the rest of the day.