Tourney

[A/N: Alright guys, thanks for all the support. This is the last chapter for the day and I don't know if I'll update any other chapters for the weekend. I might only update one per night after work, but I am not too sure, I'll let you know. 

Fyi, I don't like writing Tournaments in the slightest, so much information to take into account, so I'll try my best here. ]

(Third Person POV)

On the day of the Tourney, many nobles were gathered in the built arena outside of the city, enthusiastic of the sudden event. Not only that, but the smallfolk had also attended the event, excited to see such a sport. 

There was a massive arena, bordered by a circular wooden barrier where the participants intend to fight. On one side of the arena, there were massive stands that sat several spectators, on the middle of it, the Royal Seats were placed, where King Viserys sat with his family; the Queen and her children. Royal Targaryen Bannners were hung atop of the seats, where the Royal Family sat, accompanied by members of the Court. 

On the other side of the arena, another set of stands was built, with its own Royal seats, this one is where Princess Rhaenyra sat with a family of her own. Royal Targaryen Banners were also hung above them but not just the black and red ones, Black and Bronze, symbolizing the personal Sigil of Aerion Targaryen, The Mighty. In these seats, Rhaenyra sat as she had her children sitting next to her; her sons and maids holding the newborn babe, Visenya. She also had Baela and Rhaena Targaryen, as well as their grandmother, Princess Rhaenys. 

The people, lowborn and highborn alike were murmuring amongst themselves about this; why would the Royal Family be separated in an event like this? Many began to speculate but it did not matter, because the truth was simple; The Queen. 

Alicent made sure that this would come to be, but not out of animosity or any ill-will, she simply did not want to cause another drama, another rift between the Family. In other words, she wanted to keep the One-Eyed prince away from the Velaryon Boys, even Viserys could feel the pure bitterness that oozed from Aemond Targaryen. Even Aegon was put off by Aemond's scowl and tried to loosen him up with some cups of wine but the One-Eyed glared him down. 

Rhaenyra was aware of this and she accepted it, out of respect for her Father. It did not matter to her where she sat however, as long as nobody bothered her and her children. Well, the people would not see it this way and would talk, and spread rumors. Whether or not this was a wise move, it didn't matter to the Royal Family, Viserys was merely excited for a good sports event. 

Several squires were dragging large pieces of broken metal and wood out of the arena as others began to beat some drums and blow some trumpets. 

A single man, the announcer walked to the middle of the arena as the crowd began to cheer. The thing is, they had just witnessed the preliminary melee. Whoever had won this specific bout, a brutal free-for-all would enter the actual tournament into the final bracket. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen!!! Lords and Ladies!! My Princes! My Princesses!" He started as he bowed, "My King!! My Queen!!" 

Everyone began to cheer louder as King Viserys smiled, slamming his cane down as if applauding. Alicent merely looked away as she gulped, a bit disturbed by the somewhat vicious brawl. 

"That was Ser Willam Royce of Runestone who had won the Melee Free-for-All!!" The Announcer said, "He has now finally entered the tournament! Now, there had been other Preliminaries in the days leading up to this precious Event!! The Princess Visenya's Tourney!!" 

He gestured towards Rhaenyra's stands and everyone began to cheer, shouting cries of love and affection to Rhaenyra and her daughter. 

Rhaenyra stood up and bowed as she smiled, waving at her people, "Thank you.." She was barely heard through the cheering and yells

"And now!!" The Announcer said, "We have 8 contenders!! Why so few, you ask? Well, these eight warriors, these fearsome fighters are the best of the best when it comes to the Seven Kingdoms!!!" 

[A/N: I could have done more than 8 fighters but the Bracket generator looked weird when doing more than 8 and it's currently 12am when writing this.....I don't wanna complicate things, hell nah.]

Everyone cheered yet again as the announcer walked around the arena, waving his arms upwards, and riling the crowd up. 

"The fighters have all drawn their straws!" He continued, "We have decided on the order of fighting! 8 fighters! And only one can come out at the top and name a Queen of Love and Beauty!!!" 

With this, there was an insane roar of the crowd, almost shaking the stands and the railings where the smallfolk were crowded at. 

Viserys chuckled in his seat, "Now this!" He said, "I missed this!" 

"Oh, Husband, I did not." Alicent said, "Nothing but prude violence." 

"Ah, my Wife..." Viserys said, "You should enjoy yourself!" 

As he said this, the Announcer walked towards the middle and raised his arms. 

"The Start of The Tourney will be an explosive one!!" He shouted, "We have two Lords facing off against each other!!!" 

He pointed to his left, where a rider approached with a horse, the steed draped in yellow Baratheon colors as the rider on top was clad in Baratheon armor and a Stag-Helm. 

"Lord of Storm's End...." The Announcer said, "Borros Baratheon!!!" 

The crowd began to erupt into a cheer as Borros Baratheon dismounted from his horse which was being held by his squires and shield-bearers. 

He slowly began to walk towards the edge of the arena, where the weapon's rack stood. He then stopped right next to the rack as he menacingly stood there, his entire face obscured by his full helm. 

Otto leaned towards Viserys, "Your Grace." He said, "Did you know Lord Borros would attend?" 

"Yes. He's the first one that I saved a spot in the tournament." Viserys said as he coughed, "You know how these Baratheons are, always ready for a scrap." 

"As all men are.." Alicent muttered

Back on the arena, the Announcer pointed to his right, "And his opponent!!! The Lord of Runestone...." He started, "The Husband of Princess Rhaenyra, The Future King-Consort!! The Father of the Princess Visenya!! The Crimson Dragon!! Rider of Vermithor....." 

"Aerion Targaryen!!!!" 

As Aerion walked towards the ring, escorted by nobody, the crowd began to cheer, seeing the imposing figure of Aerion, clad in his black and bronze armor, his black cloak fluttering in the wind. 

Rhaenya looked at his, "Aerion..." She said softly, "He's fighting first?" 

Jace and Luke both smiled, "Ah yea!" Jace said as he pumped his fist, "Aerion is up first!" 

"Yea!!" Luke said brightly, "That's awesome!!" 

Rhaena looked at Rhaenys, "Isn't Lord Borros your relative?" She asked

"Yes, he's my cousin's son." Rhaenys said, "But guess what? So is Aerion. This will be interesting. I do not know who to root for." 

"The winner, obviously!" Luke said, "Aerion!!" 

As Aerion walked to the edge of the arena, he chuckled, "Crimson has a better ring to it...." He said as he reached the weapons rack

Viserys frowned, "Crimson Dragon?" He said as he looked at Otto, "What does that mean? His colors are black and bronze." 

"Your Grace..." Otto said, "Lord Aerion was called that after his battle in Bloodstone...his armor was so soaked with so much blood that it shone crimson....from what everyone says." 

"Seven hells.." Viserys said shaking his head, "How many men did that boy kill?" 

"They also call him the Hundred-Man Slayer...." Otto said, "I can only imagine it was too many to count so they called it 100..." [a/n: iykyk ;)]

"Bloody hell..." Viserys said

"Yes, I imagine it was that..." Alicent said sarcastically as she looked down at the arena

"Now!!" The announcer said as he looked at both fighters, "Choose your weapon! Take a pick from any of these blunt weapons!!" 

Borros looked down and picked up a one-handed hammer, simple in its design, a mere iron block perfectly balanced on an iron handle. 

"Shield." He said as he extended his arm

His squire walked up to hand him a small wooden shield as allowed by Tourney Rules. They can wield any blunt one-handed weapon and a shield so they chose. But it was only that; one weapon and one shield. 

He then walked forwards as another squire opened the small wooden gate to allow him through, "Let's get this over with, Bronze Boy." He said with a bit of a mocking tone

Aerion picked up a simple blunt bastard sword and walked forwards and through the opened wooden gate. 

"Hm..." He said as he twirled the sword

Aerion was tall and big enough that a bastard sword, which was longer than a regular longsword, would be the right size for him. Lamentation and Lady Rhea were both bastard swords or at least close to such lengths.

The crowd gasped and began to murmur amidst themselves. This was because Aerion Targaryen had not chosen a shield, saying that he did not need one against Lord Borros. 

"Are you trying to insult me, boy?!" Borros spat 

"Not at all, My Lord." Aerion said as they began to circle each other, "I have no experience with shields.....as you might already be aware; I wield two swords..." 

"Well you only have one here!" Borros pointed his hammer at him, "I shall make you regret this action!!" 

"No offense for this, Lord Borros." Aerion said as he readied a stance, pointing his sword at Borros, "For you...." 

"I only need the one."