House of The Dragon-For The Queen, Not The Prince:What Could Have Been

[A/N: Shameless Novel Plug: "The Black Sun Swordsman" on my alt Ark_Astorias Account. Check it out if interested, trying something new.

https://www.webnovel.com/book/33268314300579705

Might drop the rest of the unpublished chapters if I see numbers there lol ;) ]

(Third Person POV)

"And nowwww!!!!" The Announcer bellowed, "The final bout of the Tourney! To decide the champion!!" 

The crowd erupted into cheer, knowing well enough what was to come. The final round of the Joust, the one that will decide the outcome and will crown the champion. Not only would the champion win the right to crown the Queen of Love and Beauty, but they will receive a hefty reward in coin, which was something most Knights aimed for. 

As Harwin Strong rode into the arena, Otto Hightower leaned in to Viserys, "Is there a reason why you had Harwin advance to the final round, Your Grace?" He whispered, "Daemon will not be happy about this." 

"I will handle Daemon." Viserys said, "But I will not repeat myself, Otto. Young Harwin could have been gravely injured, if not killed." 

"Hm." Otto said, "And that was a concern?" 

"Of course it was." Viserys frowned, "Fortunately, his armor and chainmail protected the majority of him. It is but a small cut that he suffered." 

"Very well." Otto said as they both focused back on the arena

Harwin had ridden his horse to the center, in front of the royal stands, looking up at Viserys. 

"Your Grace!" Harwin said as the cheering died down and only he was heard, "I would like to display my gratitude for what you did. I am but a humble vassal of House Targaryen and my Honor does not allow me to let this debt be unpaid. I hope winning this Tourney in your name and in the name of the Princess Visenya will do just that." 

Viserys nodded, "Well spoken, Ser Harwin." He said, "Good fortune to you and your horse." 

Harwin looked at Rhaenyra, "Princess," he said, "Might I humbly ask for your favor for this final bout?" 

There was a slight gasp, followed by a momentary and awkward silence. The mere action of asking a combatant's wife's favor was not something people expected to see happen. 

Rhaenyra frowned, not knowing what to say, "I-" She started before being cut off by the sound of a horse neighing

Harwin looked to the side and saw that Aerion's horse galloped towards where he was, the Young Lord's pure white hair fluttering in the wind as he did so. He reached the spot next to Harwin, causing Breakbones to move to the side a few feet. His helm was strapped to his waist-belt, dangling down as he held the reins of his horse, his other hand holding his lance as it rested vertically. 

As he gave Harwin a serious look, he turned his horse to face the stands, clearing his throat. 

"My wife, Princess Rhaenyra." He said as he pointed his lance towards the stands, at a slight tilt, "For the final bout of the Tourney, I require your Favor." 

Rhaenyra looked at him with a bit of surprise but after a second, she immediately smiled and stood up, holding the favor in her hand as she walked over to the edge. 

"Of course." Rhaenyra said as she placed the favor on the lance and watched as it slid all the way down, "Good fortune, Aerion." 

Aerion gave her a nod before turning his horse to face Harwin, "If you have nobody to grant their favors to you, Ser Harwin....." He said with a serious tone, "I suggest you get in position. I am rather eager to end this in one tilt." 

Harwin looked at him with a serious look, "You....." He started

"What is it?" Aerion said as he turned his horse around, "Don't get distracted by this action, Ser Harwin. I am doing what is expected of me." 

As Aerion rode over to his side of the lanes, Harwin looked over to Rhaenyra, who was already sitting back on her seat. The Princess cleared her throat and looked away, trying not to look at Harwin directly. Those in the Royal Stands were noticing this tension and were not liking it one bit, prompting Lord Lyonel to give Harwin a warning scowl. 

Harwin then turned his horse to the side and rode over to his position, seeing that Aerion was getting his helm ready. He decided to do the same and a squire walked over to him as he did so. 

"Ser." He said, "The Prince is still angry, you should be careful." 

"I don't give a shite about Daemon." Harwin said with anger, "Why do you tell me this?" 

"Apparently, he has told Aerion to kill you." the squire said with a worried look, "If he dismounts you, Aerion will plunge his blade into your throat." 

Harwin looked at him, "That is not possible." He said, his eyes piercing at the squire through the slits of his helm, "Aerion is not like that." 

"That is what I was told." the squire said, "That is why he wishes to end it in one tilt." 

Harwin looked over at Aerion who was simply sitting atop the saddle of his horse, "That...." He said, "That cannot be...." 

The official raised the flags, prompting both combatants to get ready to start. Then, he swung his arms down, signaling the start. Without wasting a moment's breath, both horses burst into a fierce gallop, both knights readying their lances as they headed towards the center of the lanes with rapid speed. 

The moment they met in the middle, it seemed like time slowed down for Harwin Strong. 

In his mind, he had struck Aerion in the helm, causing the Bronze Dragonlord to topple from his horse and fall to the ground. After Harwin slowed down, he would then see that Aerion stood up, stumbling forward as he panicked, trying to remove his helm; a splinter was piercing his eye. There was a loud gasp, a very serious silence as Aerion stumbled to his knees, and after a few more seconds, he lay motionless; dead. 

What Harwin Strong had wanted for all along, his darkest desire, had finally happened. 

But...

That was just in his mind.....

For what truly happened was something that he did not want to accept. 

Harwin's lance did aim for Aerion's head, but only managed to hit a portion of it, causing the tip to shatter due to the force. Aerion did not budge due to the blow, much to everyone's surprise. 

At the exact same time that this happened, Aerion's lance had struck Harwin square in the chest, shattering completely and causing Breakbones to fly off his horse, falling hard to the ground. The Strong Knight's entire vision was blurry, and everything felt numb; the fall was significantly hard. This would last for a few seconds, but for those few seconds, Harwin merely lay there, wondering what had happened. 

But he realized one thing; Aerion was blessed by the gods. 

Because there was no way that anyone would do this to someone like Harwin Strong in a single tilt at a Joust. Someone who had no experience in the sport would dominate it so easily and so nonchalantly. Aerion made his disinterest in Jousting very apparent and that bothered most Knights who participated. 

But Aerion was right; he was only doing what was expected of him. 

And what was expected of him was to win. 

And that is what Aerion did. 

Something that Harwin did not want to accept.

Harwin rolled to his belly, groaning, "Curses...." He said as he slowly got to his knees, taking his helm off, gasping for air, "This...." 

He heard the sound of Aerion's horse riding towards him, the Bronze Dragonlord had ridden around the barrier to see him. 

Harwin looked up to see Aerion dismounting his horse, "Well fought, Ser Harwin..." he said, "Perhaps it was Rhaenyra's favor that allowed me that surprisingly easy victory." 

He removed his helm, showing the serious look on his face. 

Harwin gritted his teeth, "It is not over." He said as he stood up, "Lord Aerion!" 

Harwin drew his sword, causing everyone to gasp. 

Viserys got to the edge of his seat, "Not this...." 

Aerion narrowed his eyes, "Are you sure you are aware of what you are doing, Ser?" He asked with a very serious tone, "Do you not understand what doing that entails to?" 

"Aye, I do." Harwin said, "It allows me a chance at victory." 

Aerion's serious eyes did not waver, "You are making a grave mistake." He said as he tossed his helm to the side, placing his hand on the handle of Lady Rhaena, his Valyrian Steel blade, "To draw your sword at I, Aerion Targaryen, is not something anyone could do and live to tell the tale." 

From the participant stalls where Rhea and her Royce Kin were watching, the Lady of Runestone widened her eyes. 

"That isn't good." She said, "Someone stop this...." 

"We cannot do much." Gerold said, "This is allowed.....and the King hasn't said anything...." 

"Tch..." Rhea said, "Why would Harwin Strong draw his blade." 

Back to the arena, Harwin spat on the ground, "Are you going to stand there?" 

Aerion slowly drew Lady Rhaena, "Hm." 

He fully drew his blade, lowering it down to the ground as he stood there. 

Harwin nodded, "Yea...." He said, "I thought so...." 

"Do not blame me." Aerion said, "If I cut you down, right here and now...." 

"Your House best not blame me."