TARGARYEN NOVEMBER 2021 Day 19: Princess

TARGARYEN NOVEMBER 2021 ↳ Day 19: Princess

Of Baelor’s other sisters, Rhaena was almost as pious as her brother, and in time became a septa. Elaena, the youngest, was more willful than Rhaena, but not as beautiful as either of her sisters. While in the Maidenvault, it is said she cut her “crowning glory"—her long hair, platinum-pale with a streak of gold running through it—and sent it to her brother, pleading for her freedom with the promise that, shorn as she was, she would now be too ugly to tempt any man. Her pleas fell on deaf ears, however.    

DAENERYS APPRECIATION MONTH 2021: ↳ Day 31: A Dream of Spring

“…the marriage between Queen Daenerys and Prince-Consort Jon was a happy and fruitful one. Two years later after they defeated the army of the White Walkers, in 302 AC it was announced that the queen was with child again which she claimed was a miracle. A year later, in 303 AC their first daughter was born who the queen named after her mother and the Prince’s grandmother, Princess Rhaella. She became the Princess of Dragonstone and the heir to the Iron Throne, the second female pretender after Rhaenyra Targaryen. <…> During the Great Tourney in King’s Landing Princess Rhaella was named the Queen of Love and Beauty by Olyvar Martell, the first son and the second child of Princess Arianne of Dorne who served the Queen as her lady-in-waiting for some time. In 319 AC, Princess Rhaella was officially betrothed to Prince Olyvar. — “The long reign of Queen Daenerys”, written by Grand Maester Samwell

“Rickon,” Bran said softly. “Father’s not here.”

“Yes he is. I saw him.” Tears glistened on Rickon’s face. “I saw him last night.”

“In your dream…?”

Rickon nodded. “You leave him. You leave him be. He’s coming home now, like he promised. He’s coming home.”

“This was folly.” Cersei pulled her gown straight. “With Father in the castle … Jaime, we must be careful.”

“I am sick of being careful. The Targaryens wed brother to sister, why shouldn’t we do the same? Marry me, Cersei. Stand up before the realm and say it’s me you want. We’ll have our own wedding feast, and make another son in place of Joffrey.”

She drew back. “That’s not funny.”

Illustration by Arantza Sestayo for the 2022 ASOIAF calendar.

Jon Snow defending Samwell Tarly // Lyanna Stark defending Howland Reed

Even then, Ser Alliser would not call an end. “On your feet, Ser Piggy,” he called. “Pick up your sword.” When the boy continued to cling to the ground, Thorne gestured to Halder. “Hit him with the flat of your blade until he finds his feet.” Halder delivered a tentative smack to his foe’s upraised cheeks. “You can hit harder than that,” Thorne taunted. Halder took hold of his longsword with both hands and brought it down so hard the blow split leather, even on the flat. The new boy screeched in pain.

Jon Snow took a step forward. Pyp laid a mailed hand on his arm. “Jon, no,” the small boy whispered with an anxious glance at Ser Alliser Thorne.    

***

“None offered a name, but he marked their faces well so he could revenge himself upon them later. They shoved him down every time he tried to rise, and kicked him when he curled up on the ground. But then they heard a roar. ’That’s my father’s man you’re kicking,’ howled the she-wolf.”    

//

“Look at him, Halder,” Jon urged, ignoring Thorne as best he could. “There’s no honor in beating a fallen foe. He yielded.” He knelt beside the fat boy.   

***

When his fallen foes sought to ransom horse and armor, the Knight of the Laughing Tree spoke in a booming voice through his helm, saying, ’Teach your squires honor, that shall be ransom enough.’ Once the defeated knights chastised their squires sharply, their horses and armor were returned. And so the little crannogman’s prayer was answered…

//

Thorne smiled. “The Bastard wishes to defend his lady love, so we shall make an exercise of it. Rat, Pimple, help our Stone Head here.” Rast and Albett moved to join Halder. “Three of you ought to be sufficient to make Lady Piggy squeal. All you need do is get past the Bastard.”

“Stay behind me,” Jon said to the fat boy.

***

Whoever he was, the old gods gave strength to his arm. The porcupine knight fell first, then the pitchfork knight, and lastly the knight of the two towers. None were well loved, so the common folk cheered lustily for the Knight of the Laughing Tree, as the new champion soon was called.

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