chapter eight                         a girl of yi ti
episode three second of his name

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RHAEMON LAYS COMFORTABLY on Rhaenyra's lap, the book in her hands merely centimetres from his face but he doesn't mind. It's been two years since the wedding between his uncle Viserys and, no longer his, dear Alicent. In those two short years she had given birth to a son, Aegon. And right now at Aegon's second name day she is with child once again, Viserys's child. His little cousin, born from the woman he loved. He remembers the night the admitted their love for one another as if it happened merely hours ago, and yet there she is with a belly swollen with child for the second time sired by a man who isn't him.

Rhaemon twirls around a fallen leaf from the Weirwood tree that he, Rhaenyra and Alicent has spend many a hour under. Now it is only him and Rhaenyra. And the bard that Rhaenyra had requested to join them. The bard finishes his song, Rhaemon isn't at all surprised when he hears Rhaenyra request for it again, after all they've been listening to it for the majority of their time under the tree. "Perhaps the Princess might like to hear something else?" Samwell asks, causing both Rhaenyra and Rhaemon to sigh in unison. "The Princess said again, so you play it again Samwell." Rhaemon speaks getting comfortable once again in his spot on Rhaenyra's legs.

Samwell clears his throat and sings the first few lines of the song before he abruptly stops. "Your grace." Samwell says, his words having Rhaenyra and Rhaemon sharing a look together. Rhaemon goes to stand up to greet which ever royal stands before them but Rhaenyra places a hand on his chest. "Stay." It isn't a request nor a demand but Rhaemon listens to her anyway. "Did i say to stop?" Rhaenyra asks the bard who doesn't reply, she clicks her tongue. "From the beginning." And Samwell once again starts the song.

"Rhaenyra, Rhaemon." Comes the sound of Alicent's voice. 'Ah.' Rhaemon thinks 'So it is our Queen who graces us with her presence.' He closed his eyes once again trying to focus on the song that plays instead of having to listen to Alicent's voice. It is only when Alicent commands Samwell to leave that he has no other choice that to listen. "The King wishes for you to join us." Alicent speaks, a wanting tone to her voice that makes Rhaemon think she wishes for them to join but he has put those childish thoughts behind him. "The King has much to celebrate. He does not need us." Rhaenyra's voice has a hint of sadness to it, it causes Rhaemon to place his hand on top of her leg, thumb softly rubbing it in comfort. "He wants for us all to be together. Perhaps the hunt could be.... fun." Alicent says, with the way her voice wavers Rhaemon thinks even she doesn't believe her words.

"Is it the King's command?" Rhaenyra asks. "Yes but it-" Alicent is cut off by Rhaenyra. "Then at once Your Grace." She says, both her and Rhaemon going to stand up after she had put away her book. "But it needn't be. None of it needs be this way in truth, Rhaenyra." Rhaenyra ignores Alicent's words as she walks past her with Rhaemon following her although slower. "My Queen." He softly bows but doesn't dare look Alicent in her eyes before he too walks past her like Rhaenyra had done.

So then there she stood, little Alicent Hightower, all alone in the Godswood of Gods she did not know much of. She turns to look at the weirwood tree and when she focuses just enough she could see a younger her together with younger Rhaemon and Rhaenyra playing around it. They'd run towards her to catch her instead of running away. She licks her lips, looking down at her pregnant belly she strokes it softly. She hopes this babe will be a girl, she has longed for a girl ever since she was pregnant with Aegon. She hopes she'll look like her, like she looked like her own mother. Or perhaps she will look like Rhaenyra and she'll have her own protector like Rhaemon in Aegon.

But those are only childish wishes.

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RHAEMON DOES NOT RIDE WITH the royal family in their carriage, though Rhaenyra had pleaded for him to be with her. The King had given them a compromise, he'd ride outside it next to the coachman who steered the horses pulling them. He'd much prefer to ride on his own however, sitting here next to the coachman who only speaks commands to the horses and nothing more. But perhaps he should be thankful he does not need to be in the small space together with his uncle, Alicent and their son. Though Rhaenyra would make it so that he could live through it.

When they arrive at the Kingswood where the hunting party for Aegon's second name day would take place there were already many people. Low born and high born alike clapping as the royal family arrived. The place was big, tents set up as far as Rhaemon could see. A celebration worthy of a little Prince, he muses. Rhaemon jumps off the carriage, opening the door for the King and his growing family. Rhaemon frowns as he notices Rhaenyra not walking out of there, he sighs as he walks up the steps to see sitting there with a solemn look on her face. "Come Rhaenyra, the people want to see their Princess." Rhaenyra takes a look at Rhaemon's outstretched hand, glancing up at his face as well. "Come on." He whispers in encouragement and Rhaenyra takes his hand, the two stepping out of the carriage holding hands. They both miss the way Alicent stares longing at their joint hands and the way the rest of the people look at them in curiosity.

They walk together around the hunting ground, towards the largest tent of all, the one where all the Lords, Ladies and the King and his Queen shall sit and eat and talk. It is not something Rhaemon wishes to be, he isn't one for idle chit chat but he is Rhaenyra's sworn sword, he shall stay beside her until she wishes he isn't. Rhaenyra knows this, that is why she lays a hand on his chest causing him to look at her. "Go." She nods to the hunting ground. "I will only look around for a bit, i do not need you beside me." Rhaemon tries to speak but is shushed by Rhaenyra, she waves him off, pushing him aside softly, jokingly as she did when they were children. "Go look around, perhaps you'll see something you like."

Rhaemon sighs but he nods. "My Princess." He bows moves to walk away, only taking a few steps before turning around to look at Rhaenyra once again. She raises her eyebrows at him, he rolls his eyes but continues walking. He misses the smile she gives him when he finally does go his own way. Rhaemon strolls through the set up tents, some merchants there to sell their goods to the higher lords. The seemingly endless row of tents bore him though the sound of swords colliding with each other catches his attention. It's a small group of people fighting with each other, training is perhaps the better word for it. Rhaemon walks closer to the group, seeing one person of the duo fighting wearing a mask. A mask unlike something he had ever seen.

The mask wearer is dominating over the other, a Lannister he presumes due to all the lions, they fight as if this is a game to them. It's clear they're holding back against their opponent, it's hilarious to see. Rhaemon watches the two closely, not believing how the unknown Lannister could not notice the clear openings the mask wearer left for him. Moments go by and the masked person has the Lannister at sword point, they win. The group around them all clap, Rhaemon included.

"Is there a reason they wear a mask?" Rhaemon asks the young boy standing next to him, he looks shocked that Rhaemon is talking to him stuttering a bit before getting his sentence out. "Not that i know of, maybe he's just really ugly." The boy says causing the rest of them all to laugh. Rhaemon stays quiet other than softly humming as he watches the masked fighter put their sword away.

"Well done, care for a spar?" He steps forward eyes focused on the masked fighter as they count the silver dragons in a pouch the Lannister gave them. "What do you have to offer?" The voice of the masked fighter is artificially deep, though Rhaemon doesn't think much of it. "Ten gold dragons if you win and if i win you take off your mask." Rhaemon crosses his arms over his chest, his posture calm yet confident. Yes this fighter is good but he has an advantage in Frostbite as no steel is better than Valyrian steel. "That doesn't seem like a fair bet, why?" The masked figure asks. "Call it curiosity. Do we have a deal?" Rhaemon questions, his posture relaxed but his hand never leaving Frostbite's handle.

The masked fighter seems to ponder this bet, their fingers tapping nervously against their sword handle. But that doesn't stop them from agreeing with his terms. "Deal." The two circle around each other, both of them watching the other closely. Even with Frostbite Rhaemon actually has another advantage, he has seen them fight before they hadn't seen him fight. Rhaemon waits for his opponent to strike first, dodging their sword when they do. He is mindful of where he steps knowing that if they were in an actual battle one misstep could end up being his death. The two dance around each other, their blades clanking against each other each time they meet.

Rhaemon's masked opponent gets a few good strikes in, they're fast, faster than him but Rhaemon's strikes hit harder whether it is his actual strength or the strength of Valyrian steel is not to be known. More people crowd around the two as they fight, staring at the two sword fighters with awe in their eyes. Rhaemon even his whispers about him being Rhaenyra's sworn sword, not that that surprises him. The fight has been going on for many minutes now and Rhaemon slowly begins to have the upper hand, perhaps his opponent is not used to longer battles that they're so used to being the best on the field.

It doesn't take long for Rhaemon to find an opening, he strikes their sword fast and hard causing their arm to almost fly open he then kicks his opponent in their stomach causing them to fall down, their sword falling out of their hands. Rhaemon points Frostfire to their neck not digging in hart enough to cause them to bleed. The masked fighter lays there still. "I forfeit, you win." They breathe out, Rhaemon smiles at this. "You're a great fighter." Rhaemon pushes aside the other's sword with his foot. "But not better than me." He grins holding out his hand for the other to take, they scoff at his words but take his hand and he helps them up. "I believe you owe me something." Rhaemon says leaning onto Frostfire. The masked stranger looks around them, seeing all the people that have now left but there are still a handful of people they sigh.

"A bet is a bet." They say, pulling off their mask. Long dark hair falls out of the mask that doesn't surprise Rhaemon, many men have long hair his own father included. But the prettiness of their face has him choke on his own breath, pretty brown eyes with tanned skin, a nice bone structure with cheekbones that could cut like Valyrian steel. They were gorgeous. "You're a woman." A voice from the crowd calls out. "Is that a problem?" The woman asks. "No." Rhaemon breathes, clearing his throat after as he sheathes his sword. "Mine own mother was a warrior before she had children, no doubt in my mind that she will he one again when my sister comes of age."

The woman turns to look at him, a conflicted look on her face before a soft smile stretches on her face. Rhaemon can't help but to smile back. "Rhaemon." He sticks his hand out, staring the woman in her eyes a dopey smile on his face. "Kari." She says, shaking his hand a small smile on her face as well. "A pretty name, although i have never heard it before." Rhaemon slowly drops Kari's hand although he wishes to feel her skin against his own for longer. "It is Yitish, i am a warrior of Yi Ti." Kari explains and Rhaemon hangs onto her every word, a warrior mother would love her he thinks. "A girl of Yi Ti." He whispers to himself. The two stare at each other not speaking.

But the moment between them is disrupted when shouts fill the hunting ground, Rhaemon's eyes scan over the place seeing Rhaenyra flee them all on a horse. "RHAENYRA!" He screams running to the horse closest to them all jumping on top of it and riding after her. Criston Cole, the now kingsguard, follows him as well. Kari watches as Rhaemon rides after the Princess, not knowing another girl is doing the same thing. Only one watches with jealousy and the other with curiosity.

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authors note.
w rhaemon rizz