A Game of Thrones (Privat)

“How many times to we have to tell you not to run off by yourself?”. Her mother’s voice was angry, and she pushed Rhaena down in a chair in front of the big mirror in her room.
“I wasn’t by myself, mother….” Rhaena started to explain, but her mother just waved at her excuse.
“I know, I know, practicing. What is wrong with practicing within the castle walls?” she asked with a sigh. They had had this conversation many times; Rhaena wanting to go out, her parents not wanting her to. They both knew neither of them would give up the argument, which was probably why her mother decided another approach.
“You’re almost a grown woman now, darling”, her mother said and spun her chair so she faced the mirror. Rhaenys stroked a strand of hair which had loosened from her daughter’s plait and tucked it behind her ear.
“You have to start behaving like the Princess you are”. Rhaena met her mother’s eyes through the mirror.
“I am a grown woman” she said as her mother started to loosen her plait. Usually this was the job for one of Rhaena’s handmaids, but sometimes Rhaenys liked to brush her daughter’s hair.
“Not just yet, Rhaena” she said as she combed through her daughter’s hair with the beautiful wooden brush. Rhaena looked down on her lap. She knew exactly what her mother was speaking of. The lack of her Flower. 15 was late for a woman to get her Flower, but her mother and handmaids assured her that it would come any day. It was a day Rhaena dreaded. Because that was the day she was going to get betrothed to Aelor.

Rhaena looked up again and watched her mother move in the mirror. She was humming a song like she always was when she was enjoying something. Rhaena watched her long hair as it turned into a beautiful, plaited hairdo. She grimaced as her mother pulled a bit hard, but she had to if it was to stay up. When she was finished, Rhaenys kissed her daughter’s cheek.
“There you go, darling. I’ll send the handmaids in so you can get cleaned. And please put on some shoes. You know your father will be pleased” she said before giving Rhaena a faint smile and exiting the room. The second the door closed behind her, Rhaena let out a groan. She stood up and walked over to her bag. She took the book from it, and put it under her mattress. She took a deep breath and walked over to the window, looking out at the beautiful world behind it.

Rhaenys took the chance to head to her son's chambers, to make he's behaving. She's caught him more times than she can count with the maids, in various compromising positions. "He's a man" she must remind herself. At his age Aegon was already wed and she herself was with child. Her steps become quicker the closer she gets to Aelors room.

Aelor is blissfully unaware of his mothers sudden visit, too engrossed in the treatment the maid is giving him. A good bath with a womans soft hands is not something he will ever turn down.

"Is this pleasing to you, my Prince?" She asks in a soft voice while washing down his chest, slowly rubbing circles further and down. Aelor can't keep a content sigh from escaping his lips as her skillful hands roam his body.

Ewyn ia standing guard outside of the the door, ever vigilant. His gaze turns towards the steps , he bows quickly when he sees the Queen. "My Queen, ah - the Prince does not wish to be disturbed , I was told not to let anyone in" his voice almost sounds as if it's breaking , just from uttering those words to his Queen.

Rhaenys just looks at him and heads straight for the door, knocking as one should.

Rhaena didn’t say much when her handmaids came into the room. Usually she spoke with them a lot, and she had become quite good friends with them; Shelia and Yana. But today she didn’t feel like it. When they had drawn her a bath, they helped her disrobe and to climb into the water. It was hot, and the oils in it made it smell really good. Rhaena cleaned her body, especially her dirty feet, as Shelia and Yana were chattering about the tournament that were to take place. Rhaena was eavesdropping, and her heart skipped a beat when Yana confirmed what she wanted to hear.
“….I’ve heard that House Baratheon are coming, too. Have there ever been a social event with them around? I believe this is the first. I hope it will go well….”.

Suddenly, Rhaena got more excited about the tournament. If Yana was right, that was. They helped her dry herself, and Rhaena put on the blue dress they had put out for her. She sighed when she looked at the shoes on the floor.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but we’re just following orders” Shelia said and Rhaena waved at her with a smile.
“It’s not your fault” she said and put on the shoes. At once, she felt uncomfortable. She looked herself in the mirror and saw in it how Yana and Shelia were smiling.
“You look beautiful, Your Majesty” Yana said and Shelia nodded enthusiastically. Rhaena didn’t say anything, she threw herself a look in the mirror before she exited the room.

Rhaenys sure knocked on his son’s door, but she also opened it a few seconds afterwards. She was his mother; he shouldn’t do things in his room that he needed to hide from her anyway. As she entered, she took in the scene in front of her. Her son in a bathtub, together with one of the maids. The maid’s face turned pale, and she quickly got out of the tub, trying to shield herself. Rhaenys paid her no attention.
“You’re soon to be betrothed, Aelor. I suggest you start to stop doing things like… this” she said, gesticulating towards the maid. She grabbed a towel from one of the chairs, and threw it at her son.
“You’re lucky it’s not your father who walked in here right now. He wants to speak to you about the tournament” she said and looked at his firstborn child. A son she loved, but sometimes he did things she didn't quite agree with.

Aelor just laughs and covers himself up as he exits the tub. "Soon to be- Gods know when that will be",besides, I wasn't inside her , she was simply helping me wash" he scoffs, walking behind a divider to dry off and get dressed out of the sight from his mothers eyes. "Are you certain that father has never done anything like this?" he asks , as if he's trying to annoy her. "Oh what about the tournament? I'll enter and win, it's as simple as that, my dear mother"

As he walks out from the divider he is at least decent, breeches and shirt on, the surcot in on next, an ornate piece of fabric with the three headed dragon across the width of the chest, in a fine red stitching. "How do I look?" he asks with a smile, presumably knowing the answer.

He kisses his Rhaenys cheek, his hair is still fairly damp. "Mother , I do not wish to wait forever, I need a wife or I will continue enjoying myself with the maids." Aelor soon regrets his words after he feels the sting in his cheek. He glares at the door , swearing that he can hear Ewyn chuckling from the other side of the door.

"And I being the ever dutiful son, will go and speak to my Kingly father" he chuckles at what could be considered a jest. After running his fingers through his silver hair, before heading out through the door, towards his fathers solar.

The slap was quick and hard. It wasn’t very often Rhaenys used corporal punishment, that was more of her husband’s style. However, both of her children knew that she didn’t accept disrespect and sometimes, a quiet correction was needed. She looked her son in the eyes before exiting the bedroom, glaring at Ewyn standing outside. The clicking of her heels echoed through the corridor as she walked down to her daughter’s room. Of course she wasn’t there.
---
“Bloody shoes” Rhaena muttered as she walked through the corridors of the castle. She had no idea how her mother could walk around in shoes like this day in and day out. They were horrendous. She walked past her father’s chambers. Light made its way through the door chink which was a sign that he was in there, working. Rhaena kept walking, and found herself in front of the huge doors leading out to the palace yard. She walked through them, and now had two choices. Either she walked through the gates to leave the castle area and the protective walls, or walked around the castle to the beautiful garden. Her choice was usually easy, but she didn’t really have the time to upset her parents yet again.

She turned around and walked to the garden, which was filled with beautiful flowers and trees. In the corner of it, Rhaena found what she was looking for. Seven big statues, each of them different from the next. The Seven Gods. There were statues of them out in the woods beyond the castle walls too, which Rhaena usually went to, but she didn’t want to gamble with her parents right now. These had been created to make it easier for the Royal Family to pray, but Rhaena only thought it kept her more boxed in.

Rhaena walked up to the statue that represented the Mother and kneeled slowly in front of her.
“Forgive me, Mother, for my sins” she whispered quietly before her soft prayer began. She prayed to become what was expected of her, and asked for forgiveness for the thoughts she had even though she wasn’t allowed to have them. The last thing she asked was to postpone her Flower even more.
“I’m not ready yet” she whispered as a finish before putting her forehead down quickly at the Mother’s feet before straightening up. She stood up and lit a candle, placing it in front of the Mother before taking a deep breath.
---
Aegon signed his name at the end of the paper, leaning back in his chair. He looked at his door, expecting his son to knock on it any second now. The Hand of the King, Darius, stood next to him and collected the papers on the desk. They had been discussing some matters for a few hours now. Aegon forced down a yawn before impatiently rising from his chair.
“Aelor sure is taking his time” he muttered and started to pace the room.

Aelor rubs his cheek, the metal from Rhaenys's rings seem to have left a mark on his skin."Forgot about those bloody rings" he thinks , regretting his words.

A Septa is tending to the statues, she curties to Rhaena "Princess" she leaves the yard to give her some privacy.
The statues are made from fine marble, shining and white, the fine countues are filled with gold and reds to give the statues more life.

More of the candles are lit, the family seems to have been praying more over these few days, probably for the upcoming tourney.

--

Darius crosses his hands behind his back, keeping his eyes on Aegon "I'm certain that he will be here soon, Your Grace"

Aelor heads towards his fathers solar, taking his time , pushing it off, dreading another reprimand from his father. He stops infront of the door, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door. "Father?" he doesn't wait for a reply before walking inside. "you wished to speak with me?" his stance is less relaxed, back straight and jaw set tight. He has a newly forming bruise on his neck, from training most likely.

Darius collects the papers and sorts them, quickly. "Should I leave you be, Your Grace? if you wish to speak to the Prince alone?"

Aegon turned to the door as his son walked in. The first thing he noted was the red mark on his cheek; he had probably angered his mother. Again. Aegon turned to Darius as he spoke. He gave him a quick nod.
“Yes, that will be all” he said, and Darius bowed twice before exiting the room. As the door closed behind him, Aegon walked up to the desk. He picked up a few letters, holding them up to show his son.
“These are the acceptance letters from the Houses to participate in the tournament” he began, putting down all of the letters except one. He held it out to his son. The letter carried the seal of House Baratheon. He continued speaking.
“This is the first time since the Trident that House Baratheon accepts the invitation” he said, starting to pace the room. He had grown up with a father who disliked House Baratheon, for good reasons. The feelings had been inherited by Aegon himself. However, it was custom to invite all the noble Houses to the tournament, and it had never been a problem since House Baratheon always had declined. Until now. He stopped, and turned to Aelor.
“Lord Baratheon will bring his wife Alenna, daughter Ilya and two sons; Gideon and Eric. The latter will participate in the tournament. Not only do I need you to win, I also need you to watch over the House to make sure they’re not doing something…. Inappropriate”. Aegon finished his little speech by leaning towards the desk behind him and looking at his son.

"Something innapropriate?" Aelor nods quickly before replying "Of course father, I'll win and keep an eye on them, I'll win , I promise" He can't help but to be slightly worried, he's seen the Baratheon boys a few times, they're much boarder, either of them could easily knock him around if he wasn't careful.

Aelor quickly scans over the rest of the letters, spotting a Direwolf seal as well. "Do you believe that the other houses are planning something? that's nothing a show with Valyr can't stop" A hint of madness to his words but it seems more of an attempt to impress his father, to be the duitful son. he absentmindedly rubs his cheek again. , murmuring something under his breath.

After a moment of comtemplation his gaze returns to his father. "If I should come across anything ..inappropriate, what do I have permission to do?" he asks with a curious tone in his voice.

--

The roars of the dragons flying about echo through the castle and the whole city as they are not contained to the Dragonpit so to not stunt their growth.

Rhaenys looks out a window, seeing a huge shadow fly overhead. she sighs and keeps walking, heading to the kitchens to speak with the cooks while again searching for Rhaena, to keep an eye on her dear daughter.

Envoys of the different houses are beginning to pour into the Capital, one by one with their banners raised high for all to see, ready for the tourney.
The commonfolk cheer and look at the knights , Lords and Ladies, most so unlike their Royal family.
Tyrells with their Gilded rose and the old traitorous Lannisters with their Lion, paws up as if to strike some invisible enemy.

Rhaenys speaks to the cooks and the lesser Lords who are handling the influx of different foods and wine for they tournament, new lavish tapestries are being hung up to show the prosperity of the new Kingdom after a harsh and long winter.

Aegon looked at his son.
“You can think for yourself, son. As long as you don’t demolish the relationship that’s already fragile. We do not want a rebellion again, especially not if the spark of it comes out of my son’s actions”. Aegon gave his son a long look. He was sure House Baratheon wouln’t try anything big, but he could never be sure. He shook his head at Aelors question.
“I don’t believe so. House Stark is bound to us by my father’s second marriage, it would be a shame for them to try something. The rest…..Don’t dare” he said, starting to pace the room again.
“However, if something were to happen, you will follow my orders before doing anything rash. Valyr stays out of it.This is first of all a social event to create contacts and strengthen the bonds between the Houses. A social event where you will show your strength and make sure that others realize that your sister is not up for taking” he said and made a gesture with his hand. Fire and Blood. His line was going to be cleansed again.

--

Mother hadn’t said anything about climbing. Rhaena looked back, but she was alone in the garden. She walked up to the other corner of the garden, where a tree close to the castle wall stood. She kicked off her shoes (and her feet thanked her), before grabbing the thick branches and started making her way up the tree. When she was high enough, she could climb up on top of the wall, and use the trunk of the tree to lean back. Here, she was still within the castle walls but she had the view of King’s Landing and the sea. It wasn’t like the spot by the cliff, but it was second best.

"If they try" Aelor sighs, rethinking how to phrase his words. "What if I have two wives, we could have a stronger alliance with the other houses." Aelor crosses his arms, squeezing them as he's trying to calm himself down and keep from saying anything else. "I'll keep an eye on Rhaena, they should all know that she is meant to wed me." - "if I want to or not" he thinks, hoping his father can't hear his thoughts.

--

In the distance there are banners in view, green , red and some yellow in the mix.
The Sept of Baelor has been restored from the ravages of the winter,the fine tiles and gilded ornaments are glistening in the sunlight. That Sept is where almost all of the Targaryens have wed, walking down the steps with The Seven looking down on the couple and Lords and Ladies with their smiles and fake admiration. Rhaenys has been speaking of such things for years, hoping to encourage Rhaena to make peace with the notion that she will be a sister-wife. The shame is that if Aelor would have had an elder sister, he would wed her instead of the younger one, as is the old Valyrian custom.

--

Aelor shifts slightly, thoughts running through his head. "What if I do not win the tourney, father? what then?" he knows he can't hide the worry in his eyes, he is not keen on failing his family , showing himself weak infront of the other Houses. His may be of Fire and Blood but that does not mean they are Gods. He looks at his father, unable to hide the worry, hoping the answer won't be too harsh. There are times where he still feels as a boy, asking his parents to chase the monsters away.