10

Chapter Text

In their tent, he and Garlan were getting their armour put on for the joust, with Loras keeping them company. They could hear the crowd cheer in anticipation for the jousts to start. He and his squire were putting his breastplate on when Garlan's squire can running in, Garlan sending him to check the lists one last time.

"Ser Jon will be facing against Jaren Frey, Ser Garlan will face William Mooton, and Ser Loras is with Meryn Trant after lunch," the boy said.

"Good, thank you, now help me with my armour," Garlan said, and the squire complied.

"Meryn Trant, not the first choice of a knight of the Kingsguard I want to fight but so be it," Loras said.

"And who would you like to face, the Bold?" Jon asked.

"Why not? The more renowned, the better."

"Sometimes I wonder if you are just pretending to be that arrogant or are you really that arrogant," Garlan told his brother.

"Like you wouldn't like to face a legend like the Bold."

"I would, and I know I would probably end up in the dirt after two or three tilts. If the man can unseat someone like Arthur Dayne or Gerold Hightower, he is no laughing matter."

"I know, I know, I'm just saying I would like to face off against him; I never said that I'm certain I can beat him."

"Looks like the thought of getting his ass thrown into the dirt humbled him somewhat," Jon said, and he and Garlan chuckled.

"Laugh, all you want. I will be in the finals, but we will see about you."

Today, no one arrived in their tent to wish them luck, all doing so before they left the keep. It was because of that that Mira's arrival surprised the three of them.

"Mira?" asked Loras.

"I just came here to wish you luck," Mira said, looking at Garlan first and then at him.

"You already did but thank you for looking out for us," Loras said, sending her an appreciating smile.

She walked over to Jon. "I wish you good fortune out there today, j-just make sure you don't get hurt," Mira said in a pleading tone.

"I won't. You have nothing to worry about."

"I know, but still, I can't help to be worried for you," Mira said, her eyes sparkling slightly.

Then Loras spoke, "Jon come on, we have to go, the joust will start soon," Jon looked at Loras and then at Mira again.

"Take care out there and show them what a northerner can do," Mira said.

"I will," Jon said as he put on his helm and exited the tent leaving Mira there. He knew something was off about what just happened bit right now; he did not have time to think about it; the joust will be starting in mere moments.

They arrived at the stable where their horses were already saddled by the two squires, Jon's brown destrier Winter and Garlans yellow steed, both bred by Willis.

"Ready Ser Jon," said Will.

"Good, thank you, Will, let's get going," Jon and Garlan mounted their horses and rode towards the tiltyard, Loras walking with the two squires behind them.

Margaery

They were sitting in their stand nervously, anticipating the beginning of the jousting. In actuality, she was nervous while her father and her friends were excited, including Jon's sisters while his father sat silently beside hers just as he did the day before, a grim expression on his face, but she could see it in his eyes he was worried as well. Mira arrived and sat next to her, a happy smile on her lips as she looked on.

She waited until she saw Garlan and Jon riding into the tiltyard. Jon was akin to the Gardener Kings of old striding forth encased in green plate and golden mail. Large circular rondels, enamelled gold-and-green in the sigil of House Tyrell, protecting the vulnerable juncture of arm and breast. A skirt of lobstered metal covered him from waist to midthigh, while a solid gorget encircles his throat, all his fastenings were gilded, and the greenish steel was burnished to such a high sheen that it shone like a freshly plucked emerald in the light of the rising sun. While large couter's protected his elbow and arm, these were also gilded. About his shoulders was a great cloak sewn from countless layers of cloth-of-gold, so heavy that it barely stirred even when he charged, so large that its drape covered most of his stallion's hindquarters when he took the saddle. No ordinary clasp would suffice for such a weight, so the great cloak was held in place by a matched pair of miniature roses upon his shoulders. His kite shield is massive oak-and-steel bearing his personal sigil, the wolf of house stark reversed quartered with the Rose of Tyrell. The great helm he wore was crested by gilded antlers, much like king Roberts giving him the appearance of an ancient forest god proud and wrathful. His charger is a stallion with its own gilded armour. The destrier has a blanket with enamelled green scales and gilded crinet and chamfron and green silk bardings decorated with the Rose of Tyrell. Garlan trotted onto the field wearing similar armour but far less grand though his mount was equally as splendid a tall white mare clad in silk bardings proudly displaying the Rose of house sewn in golden thread.

Margaery saw her father smile at Jon choosing to wear their house colours; Lord Eddard had no reaction while Sansa looked in awe at the elaborate armour. Jon and Garlan took their positions opposite of their opponents.

"Jon is facing a Frey, not even a challenge," Margaery thought. She looked at Garlan, who will be facing a Morton. She was sure how her brother would do because she had not heard anything about Lord Morton, but she believed in her brother. She continued to look at Jon as he sat on his horse, waiting for the joust to start.

The herald came to a platform and started to speak. "Noble lords and ladies, people of the realm, I welcome you to the joust of the hand's tourney in the name of our good King Robert I Baratheon. The reward for the winner of the joust is forty thousand gold dragons for the winner of the joust, twenty thousand dragons for the runner-up of the joust."

"Stiff competition, is it?" a man said, and Margaery turned to see Lord Baelish standing beside her.

"Lord Baelish, what a surprise," Margaery said.

"What brings you to use, my lord?" her grandmother asked.

"I saw lord Eddard sitting here with you and thought to join if that is alright with you."

"Of course, Lord Baelish, Lord Mace?" said lord Eddard.

"You are free to join us, my lord," father said, and the master of coin sat next to Lord Eddard.

"So, your brother and Ser Jon are participating, my lady," said lord Baelish. She knew it was not a question, but she acted as it was.

"They are, my lord."

"And your other brother, Ser Loras?"

"He will be jousting later after lunch, my lord."

"Ah, the best for last," lord Baelish said with a smile. "Wouldn't you agree, lady Olenna?" The Vale lord turned around to look at her grandmother.

"The best is always saved for last lord Baelish." her grandmother replied, and the Lord turned his gaze back to the tiltyard.

Soon enough, the herald was done with his speech, and the jousting began.

Jon kicked Winter into motion, the destrier galloped with full speed towards the other Knight. Holding his lance high, Jon came close to the Frey and scored a direct hit at the man's shield, launching him off his horse and to the ground. Jon went to the Frey as he rolled in the mud and offered him his hand, only for the Frey to decline it before he got up and slowly walked away from the yard. Jon got back upon his horse and rode back to his squire, and exited the yard as well.

Garlan likewise scored the first hit on the Riverlord, but his opponent still sat on his horse. The two picked up new lances and once again charged at each other. The second hit was what was needed for Mooton to fall off his horse. Like Jon, Garlan rode to the Knight and offered him his hand, which the Lord took. After a nod, the two parted, and Garlan rode to join Jon.

She watched several more jousts like the man Arya said was the captain of the Stark household guard Jory unseat Horas, ser Jaime beating ser Andar Royce, and ser Barristan unhorsed a man she did not know. Soon Loras, Garlan, and Jon all arrived and joined them.

"You won, Jon," Sansa said excitedly as she hugged her brother.

"You doubt me, little sister?" Jon asked.

"No," she said with a smile.

"I knew you didn't."

"So, who are you fighting next?" Arya asked.

"I don't know, we need to wait for the first round to be over to see who goes to the next one."

"I heard that ser Jaime said that he will defeat everyone here and win the joust, including you, Ser Jon," lord Baelish said. Jon's face went serious, and she felt the worry return.

"He will try, my lord, but he will not succeed," Jon said with determination.

"Brave words, but ser Jaime is one of the most skilled knights I have seen; he is as good as ser Barristan."

"Skill with a weapon is not all that is required for jousting, my lord, a man has to be an excellent horseman as well, and you must never be too confident; that can make you underestimate your opponents."

"You speak from experience, I take it," Lord Baelish said.

"Yes, although I'm not afraid to admit that I'm not as experienced as some of the men here, and when fighting someone, you also need a bit of luck on your side."

"Words of a true knight, wouldn't you agree, lady Margaery?" Baelish said.

"Yes, they are, my lord," Margaery said with a courteous smile.

"Damn it!" Arya said, and everyone turned to look at her.

"Arya?" asked Sansa.

"What? Allyn just lost," Margaery turned her head to see the Northman on the ground and ser Balon riding away.

With Jon and Garlan done, the rest of the jousting was not so interesting, probably because back home, they have tourneys like this all-time as her father loves throwing them. They watched for a bit more before she finally grew bored and asked her father to leave for the keep until it was time for Loras to ride, and her father agreed. Loras and Jon joined her and Arya while Sansa and her ladies stayed to watch the knights compete.

Once they reached the keep, her plan was to rest for a bit and have lunch before going back to the tourney grounds, but what Arya said next caught her attention.

"Jon, let's go see Ghost and Lady," the little girl said, looking at her brother.

Jon thought about it for a second, "Let's, it has been a whole day since we last checked on them."

"Ghost and Lady?" Margaery asked.

"Yes, they are Sansa and Jon's Direwolves," Arya said.

"Direwolves?" Loras asked, stunned.

"Yes," Jon replied.

"Direwolves are a myth," Loras said.

"They are not; two of them are here," Arya said; Margaery noticed that the little girl was a bit annoyed by Loras's refusal to believe.

"If you don't believe them, come with us and see them for yourself," Jon said.

"Fine, lead the way to these dire wolves."

Seconds later, they were following the two Starks through the halls of the Red keep and to the stables. They came to an end where a sizable cage was found, and two enormous beasts lay in it. The smaller one had grey fur and yellow eyes, while the bigger one was all white, and its eyes were blood red. The white one was staring at her, and its eyes unnerved her while Loras looked on in awe.

"R-real Direwolves?" Loras said, surprise evident in his voice.

"Yes, what else could they be," Arya said.

"And they are yours?" Loras asked.

"The big one is Jon's, and the other is Sansas," the little gild answered.

"Where is yours?" She asked, expecting to see the third one if Jon and Sansa had theirs.

"Arya wolf bit prince Joffrey and she had to be chased away, and these two now have to be kept in a cage because of it."

"He beat the prince?" Loras asked.

"He deserved it; he attacked Mycah and me."

"Why did he attack you?" Margaery asked; she could not see the reason why the prince would want to harm a little girl who was the daughter of the king's hand.

"He is a little shit, that's why," Arya said.

"Arya!" Jon said in a chastising tone.

"You know I'm right."

"That may be, but we can't talk like that about the prince in the Red keep nonetheless."

"Fine, but I'm right," Arya crossed her arms, and Margaery smiled at the girl's reaction. But what the girl said did concern her; if the prince had a temper, that would have to be railed in.

"So, what's going to happen to them?" Loras asked.

"They are coming with me once the tourney is over, but I still need to inform lord Mace; I hadn't had the time to talk to him about it."

"Willis is going to lose his mind when he sees them," Margaery said. Williams loves animals, and having an opportunity to see these two up close would be too good to pass.

"Yeah, but I think grandmother is not going to be happy with having two oversized wolves running around the castle," Loras replied.

"They listen to what they are told, most of the time," Arya said, the last part a bit quieter than the first.

"It's going to be alright no one will get hurt because of them, I promise," Jon said, and she nodded.

They spent some more time watching the wolves, Margaery became frightened when Jon put his hand through the bars of the cage to pet his wolf, but she relaxed once she saw that the wolf did not bite him and only licked Jon's hand.

After returning to their rooms and having lunch with their family, they returned to the tourney ground to watch Loras compete.

Loras

His squire helped him put his armour on, and he was thinking about the man he will be facing off against it a matter of moments Meryn Trant. Not the best example of the Kingsguard by what he heard, but at least it was not Blunt against who he was to fight; that would just be an insult. The Bold, the Kingslayer, Arys Oakheart are worthy opponents, but it does not matter. They will face each other in the second round. There are plenty of talented jousters in the Reach but facing off against the Kingsguard was a dream come true.

Once done with the armour, they went to his horse. His squire helped him mount the horse and make his way to the arena. As he finally made it to the tiltyard, he looked to the stands and saw his friends and family smiling at him. He picked up the lance and moved to the end of the run, looking down to see Ser Maryn at the other end. He wore his silver armour, which is decorated with sapphires and twining black vines. His mail was silver, and his shield was green. Golden roses adorned the crest of his helm.

Loras raised his lance and faced the tiltyard; at the herald's order, the horses began to charge; his lance hit the centre in Kingsguard shield forcing the other man to stumble but not fall; he barely even felt the hit from Trant. He made his way back, and his squire handed him another lance; he charged yet again, this time the lance hit true, and he watched as Ser Meryn Trant was unseated.

The crowd cheered as he pulled out a rose from his saddle and rode a lar around the yard, finally stopping in front of his sister and giving it to her before exiting the yard and going back to his tent.

Still in his armour, he waited in the tent with Garlan and Sam, keeping him company until Jon joined them, bringing news about the lists.

"So?" Loras asked as he looked at his friend in anticipation.

"You will be facing against ser Arys Oakheart, Garlan will be facing Jason Mallister, and I will be riding against Ser Aron Santagar."

"A-Another Kingsguard." Sam stuttered.

"Maybe they are evaluating him for a possible candidate," Garlan said.

"Maybe, who knows?" Jon said with a smile.

Being a member of the Kingsguard was a great honour; some of the greatest knights in history were Kingsguard. He knew that chances of him fathering any children were nonexistent, and he was the third son, so the Kingsguard would be a great opportunity, and if the king made good on his offer, Jon would be a part of it too. And he would be close to Renly; he knew that they have not spent much time together, but he knew that there was something more between them. Renly would probably make a better king than Robert.

"If that's true, then I will give them a show which will prove that I'm worthy of the place in their brotherhood," Loras said as he got up from his chair and told the squire to pour them some wine. He offered each cup to one of the men standing there with him. "To victory," Loras said as he raised the cup.

"To victory," they roared, even Sam. He looked at each of the men there, his brother Garlan, his brother by choice Jon, and friend Sam, his little fellowship.

The next day he jousted he faced Ser Arys of the Kingsguard. Out of three of them, he would be jousting first, facing ser Arys in the second round, a formidable opponent and one more experienced than he was according to what he heard from people.

He looked at the man in front of him, a knight clads in a white cloak and intricate suit of white enamelled scales, his fastenings for breastplate and other pieces made of silver, a white shield in his hand. "Now this is a Kingsguard," Loras thought.

His squire handed him his lance, and Loras gripped it tightly in his hand, pointing it in the direction of his opponent. Once the herald gave the mark, both kicked their horses and rode towards each other. He saw his lance break at the Kingsguard shield, but he also felt the same on his; ser Arys sat on his steed unmoved. He grabbed the second lance and charged once again at the Knight, his opponents doing the same. Again, the lance hit the shield, and again the Kingsguard still sat on his saddle, but Loras saw that he needed to readjust himself.

"One more will do," Loras thought as he took the third lance and charged at the White Knight. He felt his lance hit ser Ary's shield dead centre, and the Kingsguard came flying down from his horse. A cloud of dust rose when the man hit the ground. The crowd cheered for Loras and no one more than his family. He rode up to ser Arys and gave him a hand which the Knight took and lifted him off the ground. He pulled a rose and made hi haw around the tiltyard before stopping in front of the royal family and giving the rose to princess Myrcella.

He rode out off the tiltyard, at the entrance he was met by Jon.

"Good luck, "Loras told his best friend; Jon just nodded and rode on to the field.

He got off his horse and watched from the side as Jon prepared to face ser Aron. The Dornishman had a reputation as a skilled fighter and jouster and was the master at arms of the Red keep for a reason.

Jon took his summer isle wood lance inlaid in silver and readied himself to face off the Dornishmn. The lance originally belonged to Loras, but he lost it to Jon in their wager in Oldtown. Loras had no doubt Jon would return it but right now, the lance was going towards the Knight from Dorne. Jon scored a good hit, and Loras saw that ser Aron clutched his shoulder for a moment before grabbing a second lance and charging at Jon.

"The Dornish really are crazy," he said to his squire. Just like before, Jon's lance stayed true and struck home, sending Ser Aron off his horse.

"Victory for ser Jon," the herald announced to the cheers of the crowd.

As he looked on at his friend Garlan approached on his yellow steed. "Wish me luck, brother," Garlan said.

"You don't need it," Loras replied reassuringly and watched his brother ride to take his place at the tiltyard. Garlan would be facing Jason Mallister, Lord of Seagard. The Riverlord wore armour of indigo chased with silver, and his helm is decorated with the wings of an eagle.

Jon and Loras watched from the side as Garlan charged at the Lord with the full speed of his destrier. The first hit landed well for him, but it did so for the Lord as well. The second and the third did as well, but it was in the fourth ride that the winner was decided. Lord Jason scored a direct hit on his brother's shield and unseated him.

Loras looked at his family, all having a look of concern on their faces, which vanished once Garlan gut up and walked off the field.

"Guess I should have wished you, luck brother," Loras said as Garlan approached him, his horse's reins in his hand.

"Maybe, but I doubt that would have helped; the man is truly a worthy opponent," Garlan said as he looked back at lord Mallister.

"Well, there is still us two, so one of us three will win the joust no matter what," Jon said.

"Aye, now let's go back to the tent and get out of this armour; that's enough for me for today," Loras and Jon nodded and followed Garlan.

Mira

She was delated when Jon won, but now, as he left with Loras and Garlan, she could not help but smile. She was happy that he won, as did everyone else around her, especially Jon's sisters.

Now they all watched the second round of the day Loras was facing off against ser Robar Royce, son of Lord Yohn. Sansa told her that she had met Lord Yohn and ser Robar's brother Waymar when he decided to join the night's watch, stopping at Winterfell on their way to the wall.

She watched as Loras rode fast towards the Vale knight, his lance in hand. They both scored a direct hit at each other shield, but neither moved an inch. They took new lances from their squires and charged once more, hitting each other shield once more. Ser Robar quickly took the next lance and rode towards Loras as fast as his steed could carry him, but it did not help him much. Loras hit the centre of the bronze shield, and the Knight of the Vale came crashing down to the ground. Loras helped ser Robar up and rode off the field.

"Jon will be riding next," Mira heard Sansa say, and she felt both excited and scared at the same time. He will be facing off against Lord Jason Mallister, the man who already proved that he was more than a match for Garlan.

"Let's hope Jon avenges me," Garlan said from behind her. They all watched as Jon rode to the field with anticipation.

"Come on, Jon, you can do it!" shouted Arya as he passed them; he just smiled and brought the visor of his helm down. All of them here wanted Jon to win, but no one so as his two little sisters, by the looks of it. Arya kept cheered Jon on while Sansa looked on nervously, her hands shaking slightly.

"All is going to be alright, Sansa," Mira told the red-haired girl.

Sansa looked at her with uncertainty in her eyes. "I believe in my brother," Sansa said, turning her gaze to Jon, "but I'm still worried for him; Garlan lost to lord Jason after all."

"Well, maybe Garlan should have tried harder to win," Mira said to Sansa, trying to reassure her, to which she could hear Garlan chuckle.

Mira watched as Jon took his lance and readied himself for the joust. On the herald's mark, both Jon and Lord Mallister charged at each other. Lord McAllister's lance was truer and hit dead centre while Jon's hit a bit to the side. Jon manoeuvred Winter around to face Lord Jason and charged once more. This time Jon's lance hit the mark and unseated Lord Mallister. The crowd cheered Jon's name.

After watching ser Jaime unseat Bryce Caron and ser Barristan defeat a rider from the Riverlands, the time came to watch lord Beric face off against Thoros of Myr. Lord Beric was good friends with Jon and Loras, so she was a bit afraid for the man's safety, especially after Jon. She half expected to see a flaming lance wielded by the red priest, but it was only a normal one. She watched as Thoros unseated Lord Beric in four tilts. Lord Beric harboured no resentment for the man by the looks of it and took the priest's hand when he offered it and walked out of the field together.

They watched in horror as Ser Gregor Clegane jousted and killed ser Hugh of the Vale. Ser Gregor's lance rode up and was driven through Hugh's throat, killing Knight instantly. Everyone around her was in pure shock, even lady Olenna. Mira hoped that neither Jon nor Loras would need to face the Mountain that rides.

The next opponent, Jon, faced was a man called Lothor Brune. The Knight did not last long against Jon being beaten in two tilts, but she could see that Brune scored a good hit on Jon's shoulder when Jon returned his lance to his squire and grabbed his shoulder as he rode out of the tiltyard.

Loras faced off against Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard, his silver and white armour shining in the sun. The two knights charged at one another, and their horses galloping at full speed. The first four lances hit the target for both. It was only at the fifth hit that Loras managed to unseat the Kingsguard.

After the final joust of the day was over, a new was compiled made from the day's victors. Jon sent his squire to check who he and Loras will be facing on the morrow. The boy came running back inside the tent.

"Ser Loras will be facing ser Barristan, and ser Jon will face ser Jaime," the boy said.

"Finally, someone truly great," Loras said.

"You will be facing the Kingslayer," Sansa said worriedly.

"Yes," Jon said.

"Teach that man a lesson in some manners; he needs it," Arya said.

"I will, little wolf, don't worry," Jon said with a soft smile.

"My son and Jon facing the two best of the Kingsguard, I'm proud of you both," Lord Mace roared, embracing both of them.

"Well, if they lose tomorrow, at least I know Jon avenged me today. Thank you for that," Garlan said.

"You are welcome, my friend," Jon replied, smiling to Garlan.

Elinor

The next day the jousting continued, and everyone was more than eager to see who would win. Jon will be facing ser Jaime, and Loras ser Barristan and several other knights will be facing off as well.

She was honestly praying to the gods to keep the two knights safe, especially after what the Mountain did to ser Hugh; that man scarred her to no ends.

Loras came out first clad in his shiny armour, a large smile on his face. He stopped his horse just opposite of the lord commander of the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan was a legend, the most dutiful Knight in all the kingdoms. He might prove a challenge even for Loras.

In seconds, the two were racing towards each other; it was Ser Barristan's lance that hit home a fraction of a second faster than Loras's did, taking some of the force out of Loras's strike. During the second, third, and fourth ride, both lances broke, hitting the centre every time. During the fifth ride, the Bold scored a better hit, Loras's slightly off the target. This must-have brought something out of Loras because Loras scored a perfect hit during the next tilt and the old Knight went flying off his horse.

For a moment, Loras looked back at the Knight as if he was concerned, but as soon as the Bold gut up, he seemed to relax. The crowd cheered relentlessly for the Knight of the flowers. The crowd was so loud that she was barely able to hear what the two were saying.

"I always hoped to have a chance to face you, Ser Barristan; it was an honour."

The old Knight straightened himself and looked at Loras. "The honour was mine, Ser; I wish you further luck in the tourney."

"Thank you, Ser Barristan," Loras said and rode off but not before taking a rose a rode a lap around the tiltyard. She could see that all the ladies present look on eagerly, hoping he would give it to them. The first went to Margaery and the second to princess Myrcella. He finally stopped in front of them and gave it to Sansa; the girl's eyes widened in excitement as Loras outstretched his hand handing her the rose.

"Thank you, good Sir," Sansa said.

"Thank you for taking it, my lady," Loras said with a smile and rode away. A large beaming smile stayed on Sansa's face for the rest of the joust.

They watched as Lord Renly faced off against Sandor Clegane, the Mountain's younger brother. She did not like the Hound anymore than she did his massive brother, the man having an evil look to him. So far, lord Renly did really well, so she and the rest of the girls hoped he would prevail, but it was not to be. The Hound unseated the king's brother in three tilts.

The next two to ride against each other were Jon and Ser Jaime.

Jon

He rode out at the field, watching his family and the Tyrells as he waved him and cheered him on.

He could even hear the king doing so. Jon looked at the man in front of him, clad in white and silver of the Kingsguard, a smug smile on his face. The slight burning sensation in his hands was still there, but it did not bother him much.

"He thinks he already won," Jon thought "well, time to prove him wrong."

He turned to see Margaery looking on worry in his eyes, while Sansa and Arya were giving him encouraging smiles. As he moved Winter forward, he was relieved to see Margaery finally smile, finally he looked back to see Kingslayer, who was clearly not concerned. He lined up and got ready for the tilt, felt Winter underneath him prepared to go, he moved his foot in the stirrup, and they set off.

The man in white raced towards him on his horse, aiming his lance at Jon's shield. Jon's lance hit first, but ser Jaime hit was stronger. They turned around and rode towards the other once again. Again, both lances stayed true, but Jon felt a slight sting in his shoulder. The next three tilts were the same, lance hitting and Jon's shoulder stinging worse and worse.

He could see that the Kingslayer noticed this and once again charged at him. Jon rode to meet him, and he hit the Kingsguard, but so did he. The pain that shot through his arm made him drop his shield, and he could hear the gasps from the crowd, but he had no time to think about it because before he could turn his gaze towards the crowd, he saw the Kingslayer ready to charge at him again, and he decided to meet him head-on.

"I will not lose," Jon told himself determinedly.

As they charged at each other, Jon noticed that Jaime aimed for his shoulder once more, and an idea hit him. Just as the lances were about to hit their targets, Jon moved to the left, just enough for the lance to barely miss his shoulder. For a split second, he thought he would fall, but he kept a tight grip on the reins. Jon's lance hit the Kingsguard and sent him flying through the air and hitting the ground.

Jon rode past the fallen Kingsguard, who was trying to pull himself up. "It seems that gods favour me today," Jon said.

"This isn't over, bastard," the Kingslayer growled.

"It is, it finally is," Jon replied and made his way back to the tent where Loras and Garlan were already waiting with a Maester.

"Are you alright, Jon?" Loras ask as he came into the tent, concern evident on both his and Garlans faces.

"Hurts like hell, but other than that, I alright," Jon said as he sat down on a chair, taking off his helm. Garlan poured himself a glass of water a drank it in one go.

"If you could take off his armour so I could look at the injury," the Maester said. Jon nodded, and with help from his squire and Loras, they quickly pulled Jon out of his armour. As the Maester examined his shoulder, the rest of the Tyrells and his sisters arrived, even his father.

"Jon, are you alright?" Sansa said as she came running in.

"I'm fine little sister," Jon said reassuringly, and she relaxed, but the hissing sound I made when the Maester put his fingers over his shoulder undid that.

"What do you say Maester, is he alright?" Jon's father asked.

The Maester straightened himself and turned to the lords and ladies behind him. "NothingNothing is broken, but he will feel pain in that shoulder for at least a week. It seems that Ser Jaime held nothing back when they rode."

Jon looked at the bruised shoulder; it hurt but not as bad as it did at the field. A small price to pay to teach the Kingslayer a lesson.

"Will he be able to participate further?" Loras asked, and the Maester turned to him.

"I don't recommend it could get even worse if he does," the Maester answered.

"Jon?" Loras said as he looked at him.

"Thank you, Maester, but you are right. I will continue with the joust."

"Jon," his father was worried. "You are hurt,"

"Don't worry, father, it's nothing I can't put up with," Jon tried to reassure his father and himself.

"But you can get even more hurt," Sansa said with a worried and pleading look in her eyes.

"I promise I will be fine, the Maester will give me something for the pain, and I will return to the joust as good as new."

"Don't put yourself at such a risk, Jon," Margaery said. He could see that she was both angry at him and afraid in her eyes. She will never let him hear the end of this.

"I will be fine; it's not the first time something like this happened. Besides, I was already jousting with two cut hands."

His father sighed. "There is no way of talking you out of this, is there?"

"No, I will joust, and I intend to win," Jon said, and Eddard shook his head.

"Don't be so stubborn," Margaery said in a commanding tone.

"I won't get any more hurt; I will be fine," Jon said, but he could see that Margaery was not convinced.

"I advise mixing some milk of poppy with wine; a drop or two will suffice. It will be enough for his pain." said the Maester.

"Thank you, Maester, you may go," Jon said. The man nodded and left the tent. As the man left, everyone watched Jon with great concern, especially Margaery and Jon's father. Jon was glad to see his father worried about him, but he also felt terrible for making him worry. After more pleading from lady Alerie, Margaery, Mira, and even Lord Mace, Jon reassured them once more, and they gave up from trying to change his mind from joust further, but it was apparent they were not happy.

"Jon take care, please," Mira said as they exited the tent and went back to the tiltyard.

After the group left, leaving only him and Loras in the large tent. Loras put a drop of the milk of the poppy in the wine cup and handed it to Jon, who downed it. His best friend just stood there, eyeing him.

"What?" Jon finally asked, not being able to suffer the irritating stare coming from Loras any longer.

"You are really stubborn," Loras said.

"I know, I been told us much," Jon replied.

"No, I mean seriously, you are stubborn. Trust me, no one in the world would want to face you in a joust more than me but not like this; the Maester said it could get worse."

"For god's sake, I will be fine; I already told you this," Jon said; he was really starting to get annoyed at everyone treating him as if he could lose his life. "It's just a hit from a lance; it happened before."

"Aye, It did but not like this; you never needed the milk of the poppy. You are not at your full strength."

"I said I will be fine," Jon growled.

"Why do you want to win this so badly?"

Jon sighed and looked at the ground. "Because this time it's different,"

Loras took a few steps towards him and put his hand on Jon's shoulder. "This is about your father, isn't it?"

His father was one of the reasons, yes, but not the only one. He wished to teach the Lannister that he is as good if not better than he is and prove to his father and himself that he is worthy of Eddard Starks's son. And the most important reason was Margaery to win it for her. "Aye," Jon answered simply.

"Jon, your father already sees you as his son, he said as much, and even the king does, most of the kingdom does," Loras tried to reassure him.

"Aye but not all, there are as many who think me nothing more than a bastard, a creature born of lust and nothing more."

"Why should you care what a bunch of idiots think? You have your father's blood; hell, you even look like him. The way things have transpired, I wouldn't be surprised if the king legitimizes you tomorrow."

"Aye, I do, but there will always be a shadow over me; lady Catelyn is not my mother even if Sansa, Arya, Robb, Bran, and Rickon are my brothers and sisters. I don't even know anything about my mother."

His father never told him anything about his mother when he was at Winterfell, and since he left for the Reach, the chances of that became even smaller.

"If you truly wish to get hurt over proving something, be my guest but know I will not carry you on my conscience," Loras said.

"I don't expect you to."

Loras stared at him for a moment before speaking again, "You really are an idiot."

"You are an idiot," Jon said. They eyed one another before both burst out laughing.

Loras composed himself first. "Just don't get yourself killed,"

"If that was so easy, someone like you would have done it by now."

"The Mountain won his joust; I will be facing him, and you will be facing his brother after lunch. So, you should have some time to rest until someone tries to destroy your shoulder again."

"The Mountain?" Jon asked, "Are you sure you can beat him? He looks like a man that can take a hit from a boulder and walk it off."

Loras chuckled, "size and strength aren't the only things needed; a man needs to skilled in the saddle, and having smarts never hurt either, something you proved out there moments ago. To everyone, it looked like you were falling off your horse, but I saw what you really did; you avoided the hit."

"And so what if I did, are you going to tell the king," Jon said with a grin.

"The king would just laugh in my face, but I don't really care. By what Margaery told me, he deserved it."

The Bold

The semifinals of the joust and the two Clegane's would be facing Ser Loras and Ser Jon. He was honestly concerned for Lord Stark's son seeing that he had dropped his shield, and by what he heard, his shoulder was in bad shape, but he still persisted with participating; the boy was brave that much was true. Barristan heard someone compare young Jon to him when he was young, and he could see the similarities,

Now he stood beside the king waiting for ser Jon to face off against the Hound. He disliked the man but hated his older brother even more, doing whatever the Lannisters told them. He was not far off from that nowadays.

The Hound rode to the field wearing his dog-shaped helm, and soon after, the young man did as well. Barristan could see that the shoulder still bothered Jon but not as before. "The master must have given him something," he thought. Barristan was brought out of his thoughts by the king's laugh.

"The boy almost lost his shoulder and still refuses to back down. Why haven't the gods given me a son like that?"

The queen looked at Robert with disdain in her eyes. "You have a better son."

King Robert burst out laughing. "Better? Joffrey was disarmed by Ned's little girl woman."

The queen only glared angrily at the king before turning her head away from him. The king looked at the queen for a few more seconds before turning his attention back to the field.

The horses moved at the command of their riders and ran towards their opponent. The first tilt went to Jon, as did the second and third, but soon Barristan could see that the shoulder was taking its toll after all. The next several tilts went to the Hound. So far, Clegane had taken six hits and was still unmoving as he was in the beginning.

"Give up, boy," Barristan heard Sandor shout.

"I can, I won't," the boy replied and charged again.

Two more tilts went by, and one was taken by the Hound and the other by Jon. By the time of the ninth tilt, he could see that Jon could barely hold his shield while Sandor too seemed a bit exhausted; getting hit so many times was finally getting to him.

It was on the tenth and last tilt that the winner was decided. Jon's lance hit the Hounds shield and sent the large man flying off his horse, but Jon was barely sitting in his saddle by now.

"The first finalist Ser Jon Snow," The herald announced.

The boy turned to Clegane. "Well fought, Ser," Jon said as the crowd cheered.

"I'm no Ser," Sandor said, walked off the field.

The next to ride was the senior Clegane and Ser Loras. Gregor was massive in comparison to ser Loras, but the size was not all in a joust. Barristan was proven right Ser Loras unseated the Mountain, but he noticed something was off about the horses.

"The second finalist Ser Loras Tyrell," the herald announced.

After Clegane fell and Loras rode around the field, ready to give his next rose to some of the ladies present, Clegane hacked the head off his horse and proceeded to attack the Knight of the flowers.

Ser Loras was caught off guard, barely managing to pull out his sword in time but block the incoming attack, but that was not enough because, in seconds, the young Knight was lying on the ground and the towering figure of Gregor Clegane standing over him sword raised to finish him.

Barristan grabbed his sword and was ready to stop this, but he was too slow; he could only watch as the blade came down towards the Tyrell knight. As everyone watched in horror and then, a man came running, and a sound of swords hitting each other was heard. He watched with wide eyes as Jon stood next to Ser Loras, sword in hand, blocking the Mountains greatsword.

Clegane pulled his sword back and took another swing, this time aimed at the Knight who Barristan now saw was Jon Snow. Swords clashed, and the noise echoed through the tiltyard while Jon was moving Gregor away from Loras. Jon spun around and slashed the Mountain across his back. The large man turned around and swung his greatsword again. This blow was strong enough to knock Jon's sword out of his hand. Without the weapon, Jon could only avoid the strikes. He spun around the Mountain and now stood in front of the king. It was now that the king finally decided to intervene but not how Barristan thought he would.

"Lad, take this!" Robert shouted as he got out of his seat and walked towards to field, tossing his hammer to the young Knight. Jon took it a swung it towards Clegane, who blocked it. Sword and hammer clashed, but finally, Jon got the upper hand and struck Gregor's sword hand, which made the massive Knight drop the greatsword, grabbing his hand. Then Jon spun around, drove the hammer into the Mountains leg causing the man to scream in pain as his leg was shattered. Then seeing the man barely standing, Jon stopped.

"That would be enough," the king said.

Tywin Lannisters dog glared at the king before he pulled himself up from the ground and limped away. The king looked at Jon, who was on one knee in front of him, the king nodded, and Jon rose. Loras Tyrell approached his friend.

"I owe you my life Jon," Loras said.

"You owe me nothing," Jon replied. Loras looked at Jon before turning his gaze to the king.

"Your Grace, I owe this man my life, so I will not joust him..."

"Loras," Jon said, confused.

"… but knowing him, he will never accept such a victory, so I propose if your grace would allow it for us to share the victory in this joust."

The king looked at them, first at Loras and then at Jon again. "It is unorthodox," the king laughed, "but I will grant this request Ser Loras, for you and for Jon."

"Thank you, your grace," Both Jon and Loras said and bowed, then Loras raised Jon's hand, and the crowd cheered.

"The victors of the tourney of Kings Landing of 298 AC Ser Loras Tyrell and Ser Jon Snow," the herald announced, and the crowd cheered even louder.

"Your grace, a queen of love and beauty still needs to be crowned," a lord shouted.

"Aye, it shall be done. Who will do it?" the king said, looking at the two young men.

The two looked at each other before Jon spoke: "You already gave out three roses. I think it would be right for you to finish it." Loras nodded, got back on his horse, and grabbed a lance taking the crown of roses. He rode a lap like always before stopping where the Starks and the Tyrells were sitting, giving the crown of roses to Lord Eddard's elder daughter Sansa. The Knight of the flowers also glanced at the king's brother sitting with Lord Stark.