CHAPTER 16:
A CHALLENGE.
Erya

6 years later. . .

“I want to fight.”

A hood was over my head as I pulled out a broad sword, ready for battle with Lucerys at my side.

“Take off your hood, Prince Jacearys. No games,” Ser Criston Cole sighed.

“No, let us get started,” I had my hair tied up so that they would not suspect a thing, and Aemond was my target. If I could take him down, they would have to let me train with them.

“Alright. Prince Aemond, you will take Prince Jacaerys, and Prince Aegon, you will take Prince Lucerys. Whenever you’re ready,” Ser Criston Cole seemed more like a lazy bum than from the stories I have heard. He lay back and let us do all the work.

So shameful.

Aemond held a thinner sword than I as he came at me, and I ducked and rolled to the side before swiping at his back leg. He hissed as the tip of my blade cut through the fabric and gave him a small cut.

“You must try harder than that,” I teased and he huffed before swiping at me, to which I blocked with my blade but he kept forcing me back. As he lifted his hand for the next attack, I kicked him in the stomach and he fell to the ground. I then pressed my blade against his stomach and smiled.

“Erya?” 

“I knew it,” I gasped as Ser Criston Cole pulled my hood back.

“Princess Erya?” Ser Harwin Strong questioned.

“See? I have defeated Aemond, now you have to let me train,” I smiled.

“This just proves that I must keep a better eye on you,” He grabbed my wrist and fought to get the sword out of my hand, and threw it to the ground.

“You men and your pride. Is your cock so small that you cannot train a girl?” I questioned, his hand still enclosed around my wrist and he gritted his teeth before doing the unthinkable.

He hit me.

He backhanded me and I fell to the ground. Ser Harwin Strong looked towards me with shock as I held my cheek, and he punched him.

“We are here to protect the Princess, you fool! Do you forget your place?!” Ser Harwin Strong yelled at him as other Gold Cloaks took him away, and Aemond came to my aid, as well as Lucerys.

“Are you alright?” Aemond asked, moving my hand from my cheek.

“It-It stings,” I sniffled.

“He will be dealt with. Ser Criston Cole had no right to lay a hand upon you,” Aemond helped me up while Lucerys ran off, assuming to inform my mother and sister of this heinous crime.

“I should be able to train with you both. I will not rely on Drogo to run from battle, and I will not be a damsel in distress,” I wanted to be more than just a Princess who had nothing to offer but a marriage alliance. 

Ilarya was the opposite. She was happy, she made everyone smile, and she was even excited to be a wife one day. She claims that she is more than satisfactory with her life, and I do not blame her for it. We all have things that make us happy.

Mother had collected Ilarya and I, and she was. . .quiet. She was never quiet, even as we stood before grandfather Viserys, Ser Criston Cole, Princess Rhaenyra, and Ser Harwin Strong.

“What made you believe that you could lay a hand on my granddaughter?” His voice was low and menacing as he stood on the Iron Throne.

“She was disguised as Prince Jacaerys in an attempt to trai-”

“I do not wish to hear excuses,” Mother hissed, Ilarya still quiet as she stared at him.

“There is no excuse to harm Princess Erya - even if she wanted to train with the boys,” Rhaenyra spoke up.

“That is right, my daughter,” Viserys acknowledged, “I will punish you, Ser Criston, but you must persuade me to not take away your knighthood.”

“Sir, I was worried for the Princess’ safety. If the Prince Aemond had harmed her, I do not wish to know what would have happened. I swear to you that my fielty is still to you and the throne,” He was trembling, like a coward who knew he had risked his career and his life.

“The red mark upon my daughter's cheek states otherwise, Your Grace,” Mother stated, keeping me close to her as her hand ran through the black locks of my hair.

“Ser Criston has served as a loyal knight for House Targaryen since Rhaenyra was named my heir. But you will not leave without punishment, Ser Criston-”

Before any of the other knights could move forward to take Ser Criston to the dungeon to have a finger removed, Ilarya ran towards him as he was kneeled before Viserys. 

The faint glint of silver in her hand caught my eye and that is when I knew.

“Ilarya, no!” I yelled out but it was too late. She lodged a dagger into the palm of his hand and he let out a pained scream. The dagger was stuck in his hand, having broken through a bone.

“What is going on-oh Seven hells,” Queen Alicent burst through the doors with Aegon and Aemond behind her, gasping as the chaotic scene unfolds.

How long has she been hiding such anger?

Such rage?

“A debt has been paid,” Was all she said, her words to Ser Criston muffled by his own cries.

///
Ilarya, cutting limbs off and scarring people, just like her dad.