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Chapter 21 - The Tourney

[disclaimer: The Tourney will be rather short. Will cover another Tourney that would be much longer in the future.]

(Third Person POV)

The tourney being held in the newborn Visery's honor was in motion. The King had witnessed his son defeat multiple Knights of House Lannister, the sounds of the people's cheer were so loud that he was sure that anyone at sea could hear it. 

Aerys was bored at first, knowing that either his son or his two Kingsguard taking part, Barristan Selmy or Arthur Dayne, would dominate the Tourney. Rhaegar performing as he was didn't surprise Aerys, which was quite apparent in his relaxed position as he sat and watched the Joust. 

Tywin sat down next to the King, a bit embarrassed that his knights were so easily defeated. He looked to his side, seeing his sister Genna fanning herself. He did not see Ellion anywhere in sight, having confirmed that he was present at the Tourney. He was still a bit anxious about the whole situation, not wanting Aerys to be insulted with the presence of a bastard. He looked to see Joanna sitting next to his children: Jaime, Cersei, and Tyrion. They were all looking at the Tourney, watching how Barristan Selmy dismounted another knight of House Lannister. 

There were loud cheers among the crowd of nobles and smallfolk, causing those in the King's Stands to clap. Even Aerys was compelled to clap as he had a slight smile on his face, watching his Kingsguard dominate the joust. 

Tywin was a bit upset by this, hoping that his brothers would put up a better performance. Rhaegar and the two Kingsguard were giving them an embarrassing show. 

"I've heard a rumor, Tywin." Aerys spoke up, causing Tywin to stiffen up slightly, "That the outlaws that threatened the Westerlands were not taken care by you." 

"Your Grace?" Tywin looked at him, "What do you mean?" 

Aerys was leaning his face on his arm, which was on his arm-rest, "I heard a single man took care of the issue, instead of House Lannister's many men." He said, "But that is just a ridiculous rumor, Tywin. I am sure that is not true." 

Tywin gulped slightly, "Of course, Your Grace. House Lannister dealt with it." He said, "Tygett led the assault and they slaughtered the scum." 

"Hm." Aerys said, "Very well. Oh, is that your brother Gerion who is next?" 

Tywin looked to see Gerion Lannister going up next, getting ready atop his horse. Then, a single armored rider with no sigil on his horse or his shield approached. Everyone murmured at this, looking at the person atop the rider. 

Aerys raised his eyebrow, "Oho?" He said, "And who might this be? A Mystery Knight?" 

Tywin's eye twitched, knowing exactly who it could be, "It appears so." He said, "I do wonder who it could be." 

"Hm, I do wonder that as well." Aerys said

The two of them watched as the two riders charged against each other, pointing their lances at each other. Suddenly, Gerion was launched off his horse, the mystery knight's lance shattering completely as he was unfazed by his blow. Gerion hit the ground hard with a resounding thud, grunting loudly in pain. 

Tywin winced slightly, "Curses..." He muttered, "That fool." 

Everyone had gasped in surprise, seeing the vicious blow that Gerion took. The Mystery Knight turned around, having already obtained the victory. There was no cheers, there was only murmuring, as Gerion slowly got up to his knees, taking his helmet off. 

"Curses...." Gerion said as the mystery knight slowly approached him on the horse, "Who in the hells is that?" 

"Lord Gerion." The man's voice was slightly muffled, "You can keep your belongings." 

"I almost feel pity for you." 

**************

And so, the Tourney resumed.

Rhaegar, Barristan, and Arthur were defeating several knights of both House Lannister and House Baratheon. While the defeats were dominating, the two houses were not bothered in the slightest. The cheers from the crowds were as loud as a dragon's roar, resounding through the air and giving Aerys a nice ambience. 

It was House Arryn and House Hightower's knights who were suffering defeats from the Mystery Knight, who had earned the interest of the King himself. One by one, he dismounted the Knights on either the first or second round. Each blow seemed to be devastating, but it was merely a visual thing; for the only hard blow they took was the landing. 

After several more rounds with Rhaegar and the Kingsguard defeating the Knights, it ended up with those four. 

Rhaegar was going to face the Mystery Knight, whilst Barristan Selmy was going to face his fellow Kingsguard. Everyone was excited for this, sure that the Mystery Knight was going to be defeated by the Prince. 

Aerys was a bit curious about what was about to happen, intrigued by the Mystery Knight's identity and his ability to ride and joust. 

"With Rhaegar, this mystery knight will finally be defeated." Tywin said as he leaned towards the King, "He was able to defeat most of my Knights, so he will be no different." 

"Is that so?" Aerys said, "I am curious about this. Would you care to wager on this, Tywin?" 

"Wager?" Tywin said, "Your Grace, you wish to wager on this?" 

"100 Dragons on this Mystery Knight if you're so confident my son will win." Aerys said with a chuckle

Tywin blinked, "You wish to wager against your son?" 

"It's harmless fun." Aerys said, crossing his arms, "Besides, you will be 100 gold richer if he wins." 

"Hm...." Tywin said, "Very well." 

"Haha, that's more like this." Aerys said with a chuckle

The two of them watched as the two riders were preparing to begin the round. Aerys was a bit excited, tapping his finger on the armrest of his chair. 

Then, the two riders began to charge at each other, pointing their lances forward. Rhaegar took a heavy blow to his shield as he struck the mystery knight in the helm, the two of them barely budging. Their Lances did not break, so they went round and kept the charge going. 

They struck each other again, causing the crowd to gasp in surprise as neither of them went down. Rhaegar, however, felt a heavy blow, and his entire body recoiled, feeling rattled. 

As they went for the third, Rhaegar felt a cold chill in his body, as if something had affected him from within. He then shook his head and focused, charging forward as he pointed his lance at the mystery knight. 

Everyone let out a loud gasp as Rhaegar was suddenly flying through the air. The Prince hit the ground hard, splinters of the Knight's lance flying everywhere as it was shattered on his chest. The sounds of the horse's hooves galloping across were heard. 

Rhaegar let out a groan, "Urrghh...." He managed, "What the.....?" 

He got to his knees, taking his helm off to see that the Mystery Knight had approached him. 

"Prince Rhaegar, my apologies." His muffled voice, "I need to win, even if I am against the Crown Prince."

Rhaegar blinked, looking through the helm's slit and noticing his eyes, "I see....." He said, "Well, it appears I lost....." 

"Fair and Square." 

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