Tourney VIII

[a/n: Ah, you thought I was going to leave it on a cliffhanger for a day? Nah, you are fortunate that I work for a few hours tonight. Also, I needed a bathroom break that's why it was a cliffhanger. But tomorrow-friday? You're getting fed good. Unless something comes up(Destiny Marathon or some Dark Souls 2 which I feel like i deserve).]

(Third Person POV)

As Daemon swung the sword down hard, a loud metallic clang was heard, which caused everyone to gasp in shock. 

Daemon frowned but noticed that Aerion moved his head to avoid the blow. The sword has hit him in the shoulder, the Valyrian Steel shielding him from any damage.

"W-What?" He said with a bit of surprise as his son was slouched down

"Tch." Aerion said as he crouched down and grabbed Daemon by the waist, "Pathetic piece of shit." 

Aerion then lifted Daemon and flung him over and behind him, the Rogue Prince flying through the air, landing on his back hard, the wind knocked out of him. 

"A-Ahh!" Daemon wheezed 

Aerion moved the cloak out of his face as he lifted it back up towards it, wiping his left eye as his right eye was slightly opened, bright red from the dirt in his eye. Aerion bought himself some time to compose himself, completely annoyed that this had happened. 

Daemon then got up and grabbed his sword, a bit wobbly from being flung several feet in the air, and lunged at him. 

The crowd saw in pure shock at how Aerion blocked all of Daemon's attacks with one hand while wiping his eye with his cloak, almost as if he was barely paying attention to his Father, unbothered by anything. 

On Viserys's stands, Aemond Targaryen got to the edge of his seat, eye widened as he watched with pure awe of this. It's almost as if he finally understood why Aerion Targaryen was regarded as the best swordsman and warrior in all the Seven Kingdoms. 

Aerion casually stepped away as Daemon pushed forward, swinging his sword with frustration, only for the swings to be parried like nothing. 

"You little!!" Daemon growled as he kept unloading

Aerion groaned, "Still got it in my eye..." He said as he dropped the cloak and blinked, "Enough of this..." 

He then parried a thrust and in a swift motion, swung his left fist at Daemon, hitting him hard in the temple, causing Daemon's black helm to fly out of his head as the Rogue Prince followed it. 

Daemon landed on the ground hard, blood pouring out of his mouth as the helm bounced on the dirt. The Crowd gasped in shock as Viserys slowly stood up, leaning on his cane, completely baffled. Rhaenyra also did the same as she held onto Jace's hand tightly, surprised at the sudden turn of events. 

"S-Shit..." Daemon said as he covered his mouth, "What the...." 

Aerion composed himself and pointed his sword at him, "Who the fuck do you think you're fighting?" He said seriously, "I am not some Knight that you can easily defeat with your Foul Tactics, Daemon Targaryen. I am Aerion Targaryen, Lord of Runestone, and Rider of Vermithor!! I am the Princess's Champion, her Faithful Husband. And as for the one this Tourney is dedicated to.....I am her Father and Protector....You will learn to remember that." 

Daemon got up and grabbed his sword, chuckling, "Ah..." He said as he looked at his son, "Well, that's good to hear....You've grown to be quite a man...." 

Aerion looked at him, his eyes still slightly red, "Without you, that is." He replied

"Hehe...." Daemon said as he raised his sword and pointed at him, his mouth bloody, "You know this is a mere tourney, blunt swords and all..." 

"And you think that wielding Dark Sister would better the odds for you?" Aerion scowled, "Well, go on, have a squire bring it out, I'll give you any advantage you need. I'll even take this armor off and will take you on with the most bent blunt sword the racks have. It would not matter one bit, I will not lose to you or anyone." 

"That's quite the arrogance...." Daemon said

"You would know a thing or two about that...." Aerion said as he readied a stance, "But this is not arrogance, Father, this is the confidence I have gained from years of experience that I have.....without you." 

Daemon lunged and swung his sword at him, Aerion parried it with ease and shoulder-tackled him, sending him reeling back. Aerion then closed the distance, swinging the sword at his head only for Daemon to duck underneath and counter with a swing to his stomach, Aerion blocking that blow with ease. 

As they clashed swords, parrying each other strikes and blocking them as well, Daemon could not help but smile, a genuine smile. Something inside him was beginning to realize one thing; his son had grown to be a formidable warrior. And it may be the Valyrian Warrior blood inside Daemon Targaryen, the man who inherited Dark Sister, the sword belonging to his granddaughter's namesake. Daemon could only feel one thing at this moment; Pride. 

Pride for his son. 

Daemon swung his sword at Aerion's face but Aerion casually blocked it with his gauntlet, not budging a bit. Aerion then thrust his sword at Daemon's chest, hitting him hard and reeling him back. 

"Tell me, Father." Aerion said as he closed the distance, "Did you think that you were going to win this and suddenly be allowed to meet your Granddaughter? Did you dream of this? Were you so disillusioned that I would just let you lay your eyes on her?" 

Aerion swung his sword hard at Daemon, hitting him on the shoulder as Daemon buckled and he followed it up with a counter swing, hitting him on the chest which reeled him back further. 

"Reality is often disappointing, isn't it?" Aerion said as he continued marching forth, "The consequences of your actions are standing right in front of you and yet you won't think of changing your ways." 

Daemon crouched down and reached for the dirt yet again, "Hmph." He said

Aerion saw this coming and grabbed his cloak, lifting it up and shielding it against the dirt that Daemon threw at him. Daemon, however, expected this and as Aerion lowered it, The Rogue Prince had already swung his sword at him hard. 

Daemon expected the blow to hit him in the face, with the hopes of knocking him out. 

But Aerion was not an easy man to defeat; he had raised his sword in the last second and blocked the attack, the force causing the broad of his own blade to slightly tap him on the nose. 

"Tch!" Daemon scowled as his son pushed him away

Aerion then went for a thrust to his face and as Daemon raised his sword in a guard, he pulled the sword back and went for a counter swing, hitting Daemon in the arm hard which caused him to stumble. Aerion then closed in and swung his sword again, hitting Daemon in the chest which staggered him even more. 

Daemon tried to counter but Aerion parried the blow and hit Daemon with a serious riposte in the chest, the Rogue Prince's valyrian steel armor being the reason the blunt point didn't puncture through as it did with Criston Cole. The riposte caused him to almost stumble to the ground but Aerion grabbed him with his free hand an punched Daemon in the face while holding the sword, the weight of the blunt sword adding to the force and causing the Rogue Prince to fly down to the ground. 

Daemon lost the grip on his sword and as his vision was blurry due to the impact of his son's punch, he saw the shadow of Aerion loom over him as Aerion pointed his sword down at him. 

The Crowd gasped in surprise, not expecting Daemon to be in this predicament. 

Daemon spat blood out to the side and chuckled, seeing that Aerion's eyes were filled with an indescribable rage. 

"What are you waiting for?" Daemon said, "Go on.....finish it off....." 

Aerion took a step back, "Get up." 

"No." Daemon said as he looked at him, "I want you to butcher me like they did Ser Gerold." 

Aerion's eyes widened with anger, "W-What?" He said 

"Go on." He said, "Do it." 

Aerion took a step forward, raising his sword slightly as he glared at him, "You..." He said, "Don't you dare say his name..." 

"Ah..." Daemon whispered, "That anger...yes....that's it, boy....do it...." 

Aerion raised his sword as an enraged look filled his face, "I'll...."

"I yield." Daemon said loudly which caused Aerion to stop and frown

"What?" Aerion said with a confused look

"Go on, beat me to a pulp." Daemon whispered with a smirk, his face bloodied, "Beat down a defeated man. Prove to me that you got what it takes to be my blood....You are just like me, you don't know it yet." 

Aerion scowled, "You...." He said as he gripped his sword tightly, "H-How dare you..." 

"Leave me worse than what those mountain savages left your so-called Father...." Daemon taunted, "And your other bitch, what was her name? Arianne? Whatever that Vale bitch's name was."

Aerion glared at him, "You!" He said as he thrust his sword downwards

"Aerion!!" Viserys called out

The crowd gasped with shock as Aerion's sword was planted right next to Daemon's face, in the ground. 

Aerion leaned in closer to Daemon, rage filling his eyes, "Fuck. You." He hissed, "I am not like you. I will never be." 

Daemon laughed, "Ah..." He said, "But you will be....sooner or later...." 

Aerion straightened up and stepped back, "Get the fuck out of my arena." He said as he turned around, "You pathetic low-life of a Prince." 

The Announcer walked inside the arena, "T-The Winner!!!" He announced as he gestured to Aerion who stood in the middle of it, "Aerion Targaryen!!!" 

The Crowd began to cheer loudly, everyone clapping their hands as Aerion merely wiped his cheek with his thumb. 

Daemon slowly got up and wobbled away from the arena, a bloody smirk on his face. Otto and Viserys saw this and were frowning. 

"What is he planning?" Otto said aloud

"Whatever it is, it cannot be good." Viserys said, "Send for him after all this is over, I need to have a word with him." 

Otto nodded, "Of course, Your Grace." 

Back to the Arena, the Announcer presented Aerion with a wreath of flowers, both red and white, on a black royal cushion. 

"My Lord!" the announcer said as he knelt down, "You are the Champion! You must now name your Queen of Love and Beauty!!" 

Aerion grabbed the wreath and without wasting time, he walked over to Rhaenyra's stands, crouching underneath the railing as he carefully held the wreath. 

Almost as if he had planned it with his fellow Royce Knights, there was Yohn Royce, and several other squires immediately placed wooden stairs that led up to level with the stands. 

Everyone watched as Aerion walked up the stairs and reached the top where Rhaenyra stood with a smile on her face. 

Aerion then placed the wreath of flowers on her head as he immediately leaned in and kissed her. Rhaenyra instinctively wrapped her arms around Aerion as the two kissed, causing everyone to gasp in surprise, many maids and ladies blushing at the sight. 

The Crowd cheered loudly as Aerion pulled away, giving his wife a slight smile, "My Queen." He said softly

Rhaenyra was blushing, "You fool...." She whispered, "You and I have a lot to speak about..." 

"Alone."