The time for the tourney has come with cheering crowds. Almost all of Westeros had come to King's Landing to see the tourney to celebrate the birth of the new heir to the Iron Throne. The royal family was seated on the dais at the center of the tourney grounds. Viserys, wearing his crown, was sitting at the center while Otto Hightower and some small council members were on his right. On his left was his youngest brother Prince Aegon and his wife, Lady Claryssa. Besides them were Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys. In front of the adults was a row of chairs for the children. More specifically, Rhaenys's and Corlys's children, Laenor and Laena, with Leah and Alicent sitting beside them with an empty seat for princess Rhaenyra, who was absent.
Welcome," Viserys greeted the people as he stood up from his seat, "I know many of you have traveled long leagues to be at these games. But I promise you will not be disappointed." Meanwhile, Rhaenyra came slowly, not wanting to make a scene for being late. "When I look at the fine knights in these lists, I see a group without equals in our histories. And this great day has been made more auspicious by the news," Viserys continued as Rhaenyra rushed in front of him, trying not to gain attention from the people, "that I am happy to share; Queen Aemma has begun her labors." The crowds cheered at the announcement.
"May the luck of the Seven shine upon all combatants!" Viserys finished as the lords participating in the tourney began the games. Two knights on their horses then raced at each other with incredible speed until the knight holding a shield with black spots unhorsed his opponent, carrying a shield with the sigil of a red hunter. Meanwhile, Viserys was side-eyed at his daughter for being late, while Rhaenyra tried to avoid her father's look and paid attention to the game as she saw the knight win the first round.
"A mystery knight," Rhaenyra commented.
"I believe his name is Ser Criston Cole," Leah said
"Of the Stormlands?" Alicent asked as Leah nodded her head.
"I never heard of House Cole," Rhaenyra replied.
"It's a minor house of the Dornish Marches," Leah concluded
Then a knight known as Lord Boremund Baratheon, Lord of the Stormlands, came to the dais, "Princess Rhaenys Targaryen! I would humbly ask for the favor of The Queen Who Never Was."
The crowds cheered again as Rhaenys stood and looked at her husband and then Viserys, who just chuckled and looked back at the tourney grounds as she began to make her way to the railing of the dais to give her favor to the Baratheon lord, who was her cousin on her mother's side.
"Good fortune to you, cousin," Rhaenys said as she was half Baratheon from her mother's side.
"I would gladly take it if I thought I needed it." The Baratheon Lord said as she smiled and returned to her seat.
"You could have Baratheon's tongue for that," Otto recommended.
"Tongues will not change the succession; let them wag," Viserys concluded as Rhaenys took her seat as she and her husband smiled at each other.
"Some people still have their own opinions of the succession," Claryssa observed.
Aegon's father, Baelon Targaryen, was the heir to the throne. His premature death led to a succession crisis for the throne between Baelon's eldest son Prince Viserys and Princess Rhaenys, the only child of Baelon's older brother, Prince Aemon Targaryen, and Jocelyn Baratheon, and the most senior descendant of the previous king. To avoid a war that threatened the realm, King Jaehaerys decided to have all the Lords of the kingdom come together at Harrenhal, the largest stronghold in Westeros, leading what is known as the Council of 101 and have a vote on who should be heir and they chose Viserys. Since then, Rhaenys has been dubbed "The Queen Who Never Was." Aegon did not care about the succession because he was a third son and did not have the status to inherit the throne unless there were a series of deaths.
The Velaryons still believe she has the best claim due to her being the only child of King Jaehaerys' eldest son." Aegon said, "and since she is half Baratheon, they believe so too."
"The realm made has made their beliefs known. As if titles would change anything from the Grand Council of 101." Claryssa dismissed while Rhaenys and Corlys side-eyed her after hearing that.
"Lord Stokeworth's daughter is promised to that young Tarly squire." Rhaenyra began to gossip.
"Lord Massey's son?" Alicent questioned.
"And when are they to be married?" Leah asked.
"As soon as he wins his knighthood," Rhaenyra answered.
"Best get on with it." Alicent said, "I heard that Lady Elinor is hiding a swollen belly beneath her dress." Leah and Rhaenyra looked at their friend in shock as she smiled at them.
"So that's why her father is so keen on her marriage," Leah concluded as the three girls laughed.
Lord Baratheon and the knight Criston Cole raced towards each other with lances in hand until the knight knocked the lord out of his horse to the ground. Princess Rhaenys gave a blank stare as she drank her cup, while Claryssa gave a humorous look at the Princess.
Rhaenyra turned back to the knight behind her, Ser Harrold Westerling, and asked, "What do you know of this Criston Cole, Ser Harrold?
"I'm told Ser Criston is common-born, son of Lord Dondarrion's steward." Ser Harrold answered, "But other than that and that he's just unhorsed both of the Baratheon lads, I couldn't say." As the knight stood up to go back to his place, Rhaenyra looked back at the games as she saw the knight with intrigue. Soon the drums began to beat to signal the next round as a Targaryen flag was placed in the middle of the tourney grounds.
"Prince Baelar of House Targaryen." A man known as the Master of Revels announced with the crowds cheered loudly as the prince, dressed in dragon-themed armor, rode his horse to the grounds before the dais as he bowed to the King. Aegon gave his son an encouraging smile as he and his wife clapped for him as got himself ready for his round. Baelar then faced his first opponent, who held a shield with a sigil of a flock of ravens on scarlet surrounding a dead weirwood upon a black escutcheon. He was nervous because it was his first time in a tourney, and he did not want to fail in front of the royal family, especially his parents and Leah.
"Against Martyn Blackwood. He's 1 and 20 years of age." Alicent observed
"Against a boy who is 3 and 10?" Rhaenyra said surprisingly
"I hope he won't be severely injured," Leah said with worry.
Rhaenyra and Alicent looked at their friends and looked at each other, smiling, knowing that their friend was fascinated with the prince as of late. The princess could not deny that they make a handsome couple, and it would be a good match between them because one is a prince and the other is a lady from House Lannister, one of the most prominent families in the Seven Kingdoms. Prince Baelar urged his horse to race towards his opponent with his lance ready as the knight from the opposite side also charged at him. When they came straight to each other, Baelar knocked the older knight off his horse to the ground as the audience cheered. Aegon and Claryssa both smiled as they clapped for their son on receiving his first victory.
Baelar smiled as he won the first round and prepared for the next one. However, before starting the next game, he approached the dais. Leah stood up and went to the railings as her friends followed her.
"I knew you would win the first round," Leah exclaimed as she smiled down at the prince, who smiled back at her.
"Congratulations on your first victory, cousin." Rhaenyra congratulated him.
"Thank you, cousin, although I would like to ask the favor of Leah Lannister," Baelar asked, looking at Leah.
Leah smiled as she made her way to the table to get the favor and made her way back and placed it on Baelar's lance as the audience cheered louder. Meanwhile, Aegon looked at Leah and Baelar with intrigue.
"Our son has found interest in a certain Lannister girl," Aegon said with a smile.
"Hm. I can't deny it is a good match for him." Claryssa said this was the few times the husband and wife agreed on a subject.
The next opponents carried shields with a sigil of A field of black nightingales on yellow and another with a sigil of a yellow field strewn with red ants. They were from the houses of Caron and Ambrose, which the prince defeated. The crowds cheered on the prince as the next opponent came to Baelar, who carried a shield with a sigil of a red-gold fox's head encircled by lapis lazuli flowers. It was the sigil of House Florent. The two opponents made their way to each other until they hit each other with the lances as both broke simultaneously, but the knight and the prince stayed on their horses as they went to the attendants, which gave them new lances to go again. As the opponents went on a second time, the Florent knight knocked the prince to the ground. Baelar gathered himself and looked up and saw his parents. His father gave him an assuring smile, but his mother looked sternly.
"Sword!" Baelar said, wanting to continue.
"Prince Baelar wishes to continue with the battle of arms." The Master of Revel announced.
The Florent knight got off his horse and drew his sword where the battle started. The two opponents then slashed together in a fight as Baelar did what his father told him to do. The Florent knight was on the offense, while Baelar was on the defense.
"Why isn't Baelar striking him?" Claryssa wondered.
"He's tiring his opponent down," Aegon answered her as he was glad his son was taking his advice.
Soon, Baelar saw his father's lesson was working. The Florent knight began to slow down as he was getting tired, and that's when the prince started to use his sword against his opponents. Finally, Baelar could briefly knock the knight to the ground as the crowds cheered. It seemed Baelar won again as he looked at his parents, who looked proud in their eyes. Baelar then looked at Leah, who was clapping, and smiled at him until the knight behind him swept his leg under Baelar as he fell to the ground and raised his sword at him.
"Yield?" the knight asked. Baelar saw he was beaten and had no choice but to accept it, and he nodded his head, giving the victory to his opponent. The knight helped the prince, and Baelar grudgingly accepted it but was embarrassed at the defeat.
Baelar, not wanting to see the looks of his family, went to his tent close by, dropped his sword on the floor, took his helmet off, and threw it on the other side of the tent in frustration. He tried taking his armor off but failed.
"Need help," a voice said as Baelar saw his father behind him. His father approached him slowly as he slowly sat on the coffer, letting his father take his armor off.
"I failed." Baelar lamented.
"You did not fail. You brought down three opponents," Aegon assured him, "That's impressive for someone your age for their first time."
"I doubt mother would see that," Baelar said, looking at the floor.
Aegon finished taking the armor off and made his son look up at him and said, "It does not matter what she thinks. I saw a strong prince who never gave up without putting in every effort he had to succeed. That's all that matters. Besides, I believe you got the attention of a certain Lannister girl in the audience."
Baelar blushed as Aegon saw his son not wanting to have the conversation. He smiled and said, "I'll be outside, and we will return together.". Baelar looked at his father as he left the tent. When he was ready, father and son returned to the dais with the rest of the royal family. Aegon returned to his seat, and Baelar sat in an empty chair between Laenor and Leah in the row before his parents. He looked at his parents as his father gave him a reassuring smile but saw his mother looking disappointed. Baelar then turned around sadly while Aegon glared at his wife. Sitting beside him, Leah looked at Baelar and took his hand to comfort him. Baelar looked at Leah, giving him a supportive smile, as he smiled back at her.
The drums began to beat again as many knights wearing armor and shields of their houses lined up for the next round.
The Master of Revels said, "Prince Daemon of House Targaryen, Prince of the City, will now choose his first opponent."
Daemon then raced to the tourney grounds as the audience cheered for him. Daemon was on his horse with dragon theme armor like Baelar, but more dramatic by having dragon wings at the helmet.
"Daemon always had a talent for the dramatics." Aegon chuckled to his brother sitting beside him.
"He never disappoints." Viserys agreed with a smile.
Daemon made his way to the knights lining up to choose his opponent until he came across a knight with the shield having a sigil of House Hightower.
"For his first challenge," the Master of Revels announced, "Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses Ser Gwayne Hightower of Oldtown, eldest son of The Hand of the King."
Aegon and Viserys smiled, not being surprised that Daemon picked this knight who was Otto Hightower's son, as some of the other lords began to place their bets on who would win. Alicent began to pick at her nails when she saw her older brother facing Daemon Targaryen. Leah and Rhaenyra saw their friend being nervous, and they tried to comfort her, knowing of the nervous tick she had on picking her nails.
"You could enter in the lists to participate, brother," Viserys said to Aegon.
"I prefer not." But Aegon said, "There's always a chance of bleeding on the ground, which I do not favor."
Aegon knew how the tourneys could get sometimes. While it rarely happened, there were times when knights got into the games and would cause deaths to their opponents. Prince Daemon looked up at Otto and smiled at him, then urged his horse to race toward his opponent. The two opponents first clashed together, but neither fell off their horse, went to get another lance, and started to run at each other again. Finally, Daemon used his lance to trip his opponent's horse, causing it to fall along its rider. The crowds were shocked by this act, while few cheered. As Otto glared at the prince, Aegon and Viserys grimaced, knowing this was not how tourneys were being played. Daemon soon approached the dais as Rhaenyra stood up to come him by the railing as her friends followed her.
"Nicely done, Uncle." Rhaenyra sarcastically.
"Thank you, princess." Daemon said, "Now, I'm fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent. Having your favor would all but assure it."
Alicent looked at him and then went to get the favor as her father glared at her. She knew her father disapproved of it, but having the prince ask for her favor publicly, how could she refuse?
"Good luck, my prince." Alicent reluctantly said as she placed the favor on his lance and then went to sit down with her friends as they clapped for the next round Daemon would be playing in. Meanwhile, a maester approached Otto and began to whisper in his ear. Soon Otto went to the king's ear and did the same. Viserys then dropped his smile as he got up and rushed out of the dais. Aegon saw how his brother left so abruptly and concluded that it might have to do with the birth of the new baby, hoping that Queen Aemma had successfully delivered.
Two knights then made their rounds as one was knocked off. However, furious, the defeated knight dragged the winner off his horse and began to punch him to the ground while beating him with his weapon as the crowds, surprisingly, began to cheer on him.
"And the day grows ugly," Rhaenys observed, not surprised by the turn of events, as the defeated knight started to slaughter his opponent, and other knights began to do the same.
"This is why I did not wish Baelar to be on the lists, because this might happen," Aegon said to his wife.
"This is why I had him enter one of the first rounds." Claryssa replied, knowing this would happen, "At the beginning of tourneys, all bloodlusts are low until later, unfortunately, before they act like savages."
"You put a sword in man's grip, and he loses all sense and turns into a beast." Aegon replied, "I remember watching the fighting pits in Essos where they battle to the death and saw the fighters having more restraint than this."
"Maybe this is how we celebrate the birth of our new king." Corlys said in agreement with Aegon, "With wanton violence."
"What else can you expect from men when they act like children when defeated," Claryssa said.
"It's been 70 years since King Maegor's end. These knights are as green as summer grass. None have known real war." Rhaenys said as she inspected her nails. "Their lords sent them to the tourney field with fists full of steel and balls full of seed, and we expect them to act with honor and grace. It's a marvel that war didn't break out at first blood."
"It's a marvel that war didn't break out when the tourney was first announced," Aegon commented as the two knights continued fighting until one used a hatchet and struck the other knight's face, killing him.
Soon Daemon came up for his round with Ser Criston Cole, and they began to race each other until Daemon was knocked over. He was still on his horse, but he was dangling over the railing between the opponents, and as they made their way to the end, Daemon fell to the ground. Not wanting to be defeated, Daemon shoved the nearby servant away who was helping him and demanded his sword Dark Sister which belonged to Visenya Targaryen, the older sister wife of Aegon the Conqueror.
"Prince Daemon wishes to continue in a contest of arms!" the Master of Revels announced as the audience cheered on. Daemon faced Ser Criston, who had a morning star as his weapon. The two began to duel as they clashed and banged against each other until Daemon subdued Criston as the crowds cheered. Daemon raised his arms and shouted in victory until Criston struck him from behind, knocking him to the ground.
"Yield?" Criston asked as he held his morning star in the air, waiting with his foot on Daemon's shoulder. Daemon had no choice but to yield and give victory to him and got up in annoyance. Aegon looked at his brother with humor, knowing he would be upset about the defeat for a while.
Rhaenyra, intrigued by the mystery knight, went to the railing with Leah and Alicent. Ser Criston then removed his helmet and revealed himself to be attractive.
"Gods. He's Dornish." Alicent whispered to her friends.
"And handsome one," Leah commented with a smile.
"I was hoping to ask for the Princess's favor." Said, Criston Cole.
Rhaenyra looked at him and left to get the favor. Once she did, she threw it at him. He catches it and says, "I wish you luck, Ser Criston." As she smiled at him when he walked away after smiling at her.
Otto Hightower left and returned quickly to the small council members as they began to get up and go. When Otto whispered to Lord Corlys, Aegon knew something had happened.
"What's happening?" Aegon asked Otto.
"It will be announced soon, my prince," Otto said dismissively
Aegon grabbed him by the arm, demanding, "As your prince, I order you to tell me."
Otto stared at the prince but knew he had to obey, "There has been a complication with the birth, it is a boy, but the queen did not survive."
Aegon let go of Otto's arm, still shocked by the news, as Otto finished and left. Lord Corlys then told his wife the information as she made her way to her children.
"What happened," Claryssa asked.
"Queen Aemma did not survive the birth," Aegon answered quietly, shocking his wife, not wanting to cause a commotion in public.
Tension was now in the air as people began to get up and exit the dais quickly when the news of the queen began to spread Aegon and Claryssa both got up and made their way to their son and told him what happened. Baelar, when hearing the news, quickly looked at Rhaenyra, who could tell by everyone's looks that something was wrong.
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After a few days of preparing Queen Aemma's body, the court went into a field near King's Landing for the funeral pyre as Targaryen burned their dead. Grief was in the air as everyone dressed in black stood in front of the pyre, where the queen's body, wrapped in cloth, lay along with a small body in its own pyre next to the queen. It was the newborn boy. Queen Aemma suffered from a breached birth where all attempts to turn the baby failed. This resulted in the maester cutting the queen's belly open to get the child out to save it or lose both mother and son. The queen died from blood loss, but the child, named Baelon by Viserys after his father, followed his mother to the grave hours after his birth.
Viserys was standing there in a catatonic state, staring at the pyres. He permitted the maester to cut his wife open for the son he had wanted for so long. He was so desperate to have an heir that it was at the cost of his wife to have one, only to lose the baby in a few hours. All were standing, waiting for Rhaenyra to command her dragon, who was nearby, to signal the command to burn her mother's body as she stood, not knowing what to do. Alicent and Leah saw their friend in grief, wishing to comfort her.
"They're waiting for you," Daemon whispered to his niece as he and Aegon were close to her.
"I wonder if during those few hours, my brother lived, my father finally found happiness," Rhaenyra said in Valyrian to her uncle with tears in her eyes.
"Your father needs you." Daemon said to her, "more now than he ever has."
"I will never be a son," Rhaenyra said sadly.
"Your father does not need a son." Instead, Aegon said, "He needs his child as much as you need your father."
Rhaenyra then walked up to her dragon on a nearby hill. She tried to give the command but didn't have the strength to say it. She then looked at her father, who was in his grief. She found strength, knowing her uncles were right that her father needed her. She then gave the command loudly. "Dracarys."
The she-dragon then approached the pyres slowly. As she poured fire on the bodies as everyone covered their eyes. Viserys bowed his head when the bodies began burning as Daemon and Aegon looked at their brother and then started to look at each other, knowing he needed both brothers to be with him in this hour of need.
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Leah and Alicent were in Rhaenyra's room, on the floor before the fireplace, trying to comfort her. They both know what it's like to lose a mother. Alicent's mother passed not long ago. Leah's father died from pursuing a band of bandits before she was born, and her mother died from a consumption illness, becoming an orphan at the age of five. She lived at Casterly Rock and met Rhaenyra when she and her parents came on a royal tour. The girls soon became inseparable. Rhaenyra then asked her father if Leah could be a ward of the crown so the girls could be close. A wish that Viserys agreed to.
"I'm sorry, Rhae." That was all Leah could say as her friend stayed silent.
"I wonder if this would still happen if I were born a boy," Rhaenyra said softly.
A knock was heard at the door as Ser Harrold came in. "It is Prince Aegon, princess."
"We'll leave you both alone," Alicent said as she and Leah got up and left the room as Aegon entered. He slowly approached Rhaenyra and sat down with her.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
Rhaenyra did not answer but stayed close to her uncle.
"I'm sorry, Rhaenyra." As he wrapped his arm around her, Aegon said, "I can't imagine how you're feeling."
"He hasn't spoken to me yet," Rhaenyra told him with tears in her eyes.
"He just needs time, Rhae," Aegon assured her.
"Are you still going to leave?" Rhaenyra asked softly.
"No," Aegon answered, "I will stay for a long while."
Rhaenyra smiled as she hugged her uncle, and he hugged her back.
Aegon saw his niece in pain at what happened. He saw his brother Viserys in pain. Aegon wants to make plans to go to Essos and find another area to explore, but considering what has happened, Aegon believes that he should stay in Westeros for a while to support his family in their time of grief. Unfortunately, he will have to write a letter to Melina and tell her and their son that he might not be able to see them for a while until his family can move on from the mourning period. He may not like his status as a prince, but he does love his family and decides to stay to help them.