Anniversary Tourney III

(3rd Person POV)

The meal was in full swing. On the royal table, Cersei Lannister who is sitting next to her brother, Jamie Lannister and her mother Joanna Lannister is stealing glances at the Crown Prince, Rhaegar Targaryen. 

His Grace, Aerys II Targaryen is looking across the dining hall with narrowed eyes. He seems to think of something. He looks at his son and then at the young girl, Cersei. He suddenly has an evil smirk on his face and nods. The wine is already getting to him. Without thinking, he addresses Lady Joanna Lannister who is smiling gently and talking to her children in a whisper. 

"Say Joanna ... did your tits get ruined by breastfeeding your brood? You always had lovely tits...", he lulls drunkenly. 

His voice was rather loud and everyone in the hall heard him talk. No one said anything for a moment, the words first having to reach their brains and make sure they heard the King right. An awkward pause is threatening to befall the poor Joanna and hundreds of eyes are making their way to her when another voice is heard.

"'Er ya fockin' serious?"

Everyone looked around the room for a moment, confused about who said that. But a moment later it was forgotten again and everyone continued eating their food. There were only a few people who knew who it was. 

Steffon looked at his eldest son with narrowed eyes that spoke about the punishment he would give him, while Stannis looked the same with his stone mask. Robert's brother was studying him closely, trying to find out why he did that. He had a few theories but eventually let it be. To this day, Robert can still be a mystery to him, sometimes. But he knew that Robert didn't do anything without reason. But he would surely find out the reason for this later. 

Robert's mother Cassana also looked at her son with a small smile. She knew exactly why he did what he did. As a Lady herself, she knew how insulting and rude the King's question was for Joanna Lannister. She would have had to answer that question if Robert didn't interrupt everyone's thought process for a moment there. She had trouble keeping her lady-like appearance and not chuckling. She knew that her son was smart, but that he was this politically astute was still very surprising. He was only 11 name days old. She would make sure that her husband didn't punish Robert for this. 

The young dragon saw the reactions of the stags and connected the dots. He had an intrigued smile on his face. He would have to meet this boy soon. Under the guise of getting to know the next heir of House Baratheon of course. 

The last person who knew what happened was the old lion sitting at the royal table. He looked at the young stag with narrowed eyes. Robert had stopped listening to his neighbour and was instead the one talking. He was spreading his charm across the table and started to affect those who listened to him. His skill in getting people's attention would be legendary in the future, but it was already showing now. The old lion watched this happen in order not to have to look at the King. His anger was threatening to explode when Aerys asked his wife that. Contrary to popular belief, Tywin Lannister loved his wife Joanna deeply. This would have consequences. 

.

The next day, the Anniversary Tourney started finally. Tywin Lannister wanted to resign on that day, but King Aerys refused and told him he wouldn't be allowed to resign, further angering the old lion. 

Robert walked through the field of preparing knights and Lords. He observed everyone and recognised some of them from the dinner last night. He looked at their equipment and tried to get a feeling for why they attended the tourney. Some were poorly equipped, like some knights who were looking to make some money. Others were in shining armour, a sign for never using it except in tourneys. 

He walked to a place that looked like a medieval fighting ring. Two men were sparring with swords right now and some people were watching. He also took some time to watch and observe their fighting styles. The heavy armour and swords were clearly slowing them down. He had noticed that when sparring with Jorry back home. Robert personally didn't have a problem with the weight, but it was very bad to move inside it. He would have to find a better armour or create his own. Like the Astartes armour. But that would take a long time. The idea was not bad though, in his opinion. Food for thought.

The two knights continued slashing at each other and Robert saw that one of them was holding back quite a bit to give the other a chance and a good fight. 

*CLANG*

*SHING*

The better knight played around for a bit. He blocked an overhead slash and then moved closer to the other knight. He reached close enough and punched the other knight with his armoured fist, stunning the man. He then moved faster than before swung his sword to the side and brought it back up. In a fluid motion, he positioned his foot behind his opponent and pushed him, causing the man to fall to the ground. 

"Do you yield?", he asked the man on the ground, while holding his sword at the man's neck. 

"Aye, I yield. Well fought, Ser. I knew I wouldn't be your opponent, but to lose like this. I still thank you for your time.", the man says. 

"Nonsense. You fought well. I can see great potential in you.", the knight said and helped the other one to his feet. 

Robert was the only one still standing there and watching the interaction between the two. Everyone else had already gone back to doing their own thing and preparing for the upcoming tourney. Robert was far more interested in the interaction. You only get to know someone when they think no one is watching, so this was informative for Robert. He saw from the interaction between the older knight and the younger one, that the older one was not only more skilled, he was also a good man. He took the time to give the younger one some tips on how to improve and even asked him about his day and other small talk. But none of it was just to be nice, he was seriously interested in the other man. 

After a while, the older knight looked at Robert and smiled. He approached him until he stood right in front of him. 

"Well lad, is there something I can help you with?", he asked. 

"Hm? Why do you ask?", Robert asks confused. 

"You were watching us for a while now. So I assumed you were interested in talking to me.", the knight says with a smile. 

"Well since you ask, there is something I would like."

"Oh? And what is that?"

"I wanted to have a spar with you.", Robert says. 

"Aye? Haha, if that's the case, then let us get to it. Do you have a preferred weapon?", the man asks good-naturedly. 

"Not really. I like the Warhammer, battle axe and the sword. But since there aren't any Warhammers or battle axes here, I'll take a sword. Those are free to use right?", Robert asks pointing at some wooden training swords. 

"Aye, those are free for everyone to use."

"Good."

Robert goes over and picks a sword that is heavy, like a real sword. After finding one that seems to be acceptable, he walks to the centre of the ring where the knight is already waiting for him. He also has a wooden training sword in his hand and is leisurely waiting for Robert. 

"Alright, lad. Let's see what you can do. We don't have to go for points."

"Aye, let's do this Ser Knight.", Robert says with a grin starting to form on his face. 

He gets into position and then rushes towards the knight who has a casual smile on his face. Robert swings his sword towards the knight when ...

"ROBERT!!", the voice of his father is heard. 

Robert stops his swing and looks to the back where his father and brother are coming towards the ring. Stannis has the same stone mask he always does, while Steffon ... ohh he looks livid right now. He enters the sparring area and walks towards Robert.

"What is it, Father? I was just about to spar with this fine knight here.", Robert says. But his nonchalance only serves to make Steffon even madder. 

"You little rascal!! Who told you to just leave?! And in those clothes as well!! You don't just challenge a King's Guard boy!!", Steffon says. He looks at the knight who turned out to be a King's Guard with an apologetic face. 

"Ser Barristan, I apologise for anything he might have said. He has no manners.", Steffon says towards the old knight. The man in question only looks confused at the situation. 

"Lord Baratheon, this is your son?"

"Aye, at least until I disinherit him!", Steffon says towards his son. But Robert doesn't look guilty at all. Rather he looks bored with his hands behind his head. 

Ser Barristan's confusion was not unwarranted. Robert didn't dress like an Heir of House Baratheon should or would. He was in rather casual clothes he got from the village back in Storm's End he used to exercise. 

"Father I don't know what's wrong here. I didn't even hit him yet."

"Y-yet??! You don't 'hit' a King's Guard!!"

"Hahahaha, Lord Baratheon, I take no offence to this. I was the one to approach young Robert since he was observing my previous bout with another knight. I was confused about who he was because of his clothes and didn't address him as a lord. I apologise for that."

"Nonesense, Ser Barristan. It is his fault for not dressing properly."

"Those are my training clothes, though. I like moving in them. If I get the nice ones dirty, Milly will have more work to do.", Robert says. Milly was one of the maids responsible for the two Baratheon boys. Robert sees her as part of the family, even though she refuses to be seen as such. 

"*Sigh* ... what am I going to do with you?"

"Praise me for my great thought process?", Robert asks with a big grin.

*Bonk*

"As if! But since Ser Barristan graciously offers a spar, you may accept."

"All right. Let's do this!!", Robert says and gets into position. 

"You won't win this, brother.", Stannis finally says something. He has been observing the back and forth with amusement. It just never showed on his face.

"Hahaha, of course not. But we don't know unless I try. Besides ... this can get my blood moving."

"I admire your enthusiasm, young Baratheon. Shall we start?", Ser Barristan asks. 

"Of course."

.

The two get into their positions and wait. 

"So you're a King's Guard."

"Aye, that I am. Why are you scared now?"

"Bahahaha you jest. I'm pumped!"

"Pumped? I don't understand that idiom."

"You mean idiot.", the voice of Stannis is heard from the sidelines causing many of the spectators to laugh and Robert laughs as well.

"Bahaha, Stannis is right. Now let's go!", Robert says and attacks. 

Robert uses more of his strength right off the bat, now that he knows he is sparring with a King's Guard. He swings his sword in a wide arc towards the knight. Ser Barristan blocks the attack but is surprised when he feels the strength behind the attack. He was using only one hand to defend. This results in the wooden sword tilting backwards. 

Before it can hit the King's Guard in the face and embarrass him, his years of training set in and he reflexively grabs this sword's handle with his second hand. Seeing this, Robert repositions himself and brings his sword back. He takes a step forward and stabs towards the knight.

The experienced fighter deflects the wooden blade and moves to the side. Now Robert is open for an attack. Ser Barristan swings his sword down forcing Robert to block the attack in a rather awkward position. The King's Guard uses this mistake effectively and teaches Robert something. 

He pushes down harder but only for a split second. This forces Robert to push back harder to defend. Already knowing this would happen, Ser Barristan lifts his sword up, causing Robert to lose his balance ever so slightly. But it is enough. His wooden sword is too far above his centre giving the knight enough time to kick him in the stomach, making him fall to the ground.

"Are you alright, young Baratheon?", Ser Barristan asks.

"Bahaha, more than fine. I'm getting fired up! Again!"