Chapter 73

The tourney took place over ten days, of which the competition lasted seven days, with five days allotted to the joust.There was a seven-sided melee in the ancient style, in which Lord Robert Baratheon unhorsed many. Besides the melee and the joust, the tourney included an archery contest, an axe-throwing contest, a horse race, and a tourney of singers.There was also a mummer show.

Lord Walter Whent's fair daughter was the queen of love and beauty when the tourney began. Her honor was defended by her brothers and her uncle, Ser Oswell Whent of the Kingsguard, but they were all defeated in the tourney.

A mystery knight, the "Knight of the Laughing Tree", appeared in the lists to fight for the honor of a crannogman.

The Knigh was of short of stature and his armor was made up of mismatched armor bits and pieces that appeared ill-fitting on him. His shield was blazoned with the image of "a white weirwood with a laughing red face".

Eragon figured out,who it was and whispered to Rhaenyra"That is Lyana."

Rhaenyra eyes widned and then something clicked in her mind remembring how Howland was attacked by three squires, younger but taller.

Rhaenyra remembered how Lyana recognised them as the feast as one served a pitchfork knight (House Haigh), one served a porcupine (House Blount), and the last boy served a knight of two towers (House Frey).

So Rhaenyra smiled seeing Lyana must have joined to avenge him.

The mystery knight challenged and defeated all three of the previously mentioned knights, winning custody over their horses and armor. None of them were particularly popular, so the smallfolk cheered for the mysterious "Knight of the Laughing Tree". When the defeated trio sought to ransom back their former property, the knight declared his terms, that they ought to teach their rude squires honor. His voice sounded "booming" through his helm. The trio proceeded to chastise their squires sharply

On the side Eragon and Rhaenyra heard Aerys sending men,and even Rhaegar doing the same to learn the identity of the mystery knight, who appeared and disappeared mid tourney, but they were unsuccessful.

Prince Rhaegar was champion of the joust, defeating four knights of the Kingsguard,and in the end he chose Lyanna Stark as the new queen of love and beauty, placing a crown of blue winter roses in her lap. This was scandalous in that, not only was Rhaegar already married to Elia of Dorne, who was present at the tourney.But Lyana, who was by Robert's words his future wife,even though neither Eddard or Rickard confirmed anything.

Rhaenyra with shock muttered"Is he also mad, I mean doesn't he know this stupid action of his will have repercussions."

Eragon nodded and noticing Oberyn Martell glaring at Rhaegar and gritting his teeth, while he said to Rhaenyra"He is definitely a fool."

Eragon knew the Dorne was stronger and richer in this timeline, they have the Targaryen's by the balls.Since Baelor had negotiate a lot to get them back during his reign and the clauses involved.

One of them was if by chance one of there family members is killed or dishonored by House of Targaryen or anyone with there blood.They will have to right to cut themselves of from the Five Kingdoms.

So by the document Robert Baratheon did have blood connections to the house of Targaryen.

Eragon and Rhaenyra returned to New Valyria after that, since it was mainly because of Eragon mistakenly belived North wouldn't be involved in the rebellion that Rhaegar was staging.

Since he knew Lyana didn't have any betrothal with Robert, so she didn't have to run away with Rhaegar to escape the marriage.

Atleast that was his belief until a year later the news about Lyana's abduction by Rhaegar came.

He talked with Valar, who told him Lyana death was fixed the moment she decided to follow Rhaegar.

At the time only thing Eragon could think was Lyana was stupid.