The White Knight in the Woods

By the time the rabbit was fully roasted, it was already noon.

Rhaenyra tore off the tenderest meat and handed it to Aegon. He took it and ate in small bites.

The meat was a little hot, but it tasted unexpectedly good-

There were no seasonings, but it was fresh and juicy, with a smoky aroma.

After receiving half the "spoils," Sunfyre lay quietly beside the stream to enjoy his share. Once he had wolfed it down, he dozed with his eyes half closed, though he kept his head raised, alert to the slightest disturbance.

Rhaenyra ate some herself. She ate slowly, her gaze drifting now and then into the depths of the forest, toward the direction they had come from.

"Father and the others..." she said softly. "They must have found the white hart by now."

Aegon looked up at her. There was worry and unease on Rhaenyra's face, but the sharp anger and hurt of that morning were gone.

The forest seemed to have calmed her.

"Sister," Aegon began, his voice muffled by a mouthful of rabbit as he launched into another of his award-worthy performances, "don't... be angry."

Rhaenyra smiled bitterly. "I'm not angry, just... a little sad. Father... seems to have started doubting me. Because of you, because of the white hart, because everyone keeps talking about a 'male heir.'"

Aegon set down the rabbit and wiped his little hands on his clothes-an unseemly gesture that made Rhaenyra frown, though she did not stop him-then climbed over to her and settled into her arms.

"I'll protect you, Sister," the boy said earnestly, his purple eyes fixed on her. "Always."

Rhaenyra stroked his head. "You're still little."

"I'll grow up," Aegon insisted. "Soon."

Rhaenyra smiled and pulled him into her embrace. They sat quietly for a while, listening to the stream, the distant waterfall, and the birds singing in the woods.

"Do you know?"

Rhaenyra suddenly said, "Sometimes I wish I weren't the heir.

"I wish Mother were still alive, that Father were still just Father, that things could be the way they were before Grandfather died.

"On Dragonstone, basking in the sun, riding dragons, reading books, without worrying about thrones, succession, or political marriages.

"Oh, but then we wouldn't have you..."

Aegon leaned against her without speaking, ignoring Rhaenyra's teasing. He knew this was only a fleeting fantasy.

Rhaenyra's blood, her standing, and her responsibilities meant she could never escape that position.

But perhaps... he could change the path she took to reach it.

Sunfyre suddenly raised his head, a low warning rumbling in his throat.

Rhaenyra instantly went on alert, shielding Aegon behind her and reaching for the dagger tucked into her boot.

Aegon focused as well, sensing Sunfyre's emotions through their draconic resonance-

It was not a warning of an attack, but rather... the awareness of some unfamiliar presence.

Not a beast.

A person?

Or...

A faint sound came from deep in the forest, in the direction of the waterfall. It was neither an animal nor the wind. It sounded more like... metal clashing? Or rocks tumbling?

Rhaenyra and Aegon exchanged a glance.

"Shall we take a look?" Rhaenyra asked quietly, almost as though asking herself.

Aegon hesitated.

He was still hesitating, because reason told him that unknown sounds often meant danger, especially this deep in the forest, far from camp.

But the curiosity and thirst for adventure gleaming in Rhaenyra's eyes made it difficult to refuse outright-

Besides, the system deep within his consciousness was vibrating faintly, as though it, too, were constantly prompting him.

Just as he was weighing his words, the distinct sound of hoofbeats and a horse's snort came from behind the bushes.

Someone was there.

Rhaenyra instantly tensed, shielding Aegon completely behind her. Her other hand had already drawn the small ruby-studded dagger from her boot.

Sunfyre rose, a threatening growl rumbling deep in his throat as his golden eyes locked onto the source of the sound.

Criston Cole emerged from the shadows of the trees.

He rode his dark gray horse, the dark gray cloak worn over his white one rendering him nearly invisible among the trees.

Now he pulled back his hood, revealing a young, handsome face. His brown hair was somewhat tousled, but his eyes were clear and resolute.

He reined in his horse ten paces from the royal siblings-a distance that showed sufficient respect without provoking an attack from Sunfyre.

"Princess. Prince Aegon." Cole dismounted and knelt on one knee, his salute impeccably proper.

Rhaenyra's eyes widened, first in shock, then as anger flushed her cheeks.

"Ser Criston?" Her voice sharpened with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Cole raised his head, his tone steady.

"I have been following you, Your Highness. Ever since you left camp."

"Following me?" Rhaenyra grew angrier still, the hand holding her dagger trembling slightly. "Who gave you permission? Father? Or Otto, the Hand of the King?"

"No one ordered me, Your Highness." Cole remained kneeling, meeting her gaze openly. "It was my own choice.

"There are wild boars and wolf packs deep in the Kingswood, perhaps even bears. It was far too dangerous to let two young royals enter alone."

Aegon watched Cole from Rhaenyra's arms.

His future "Kingmaker" was still only a young knight in his early twenties, having risen to fame by defeating Daemon Targaryen in a tournament a few years earlier. Only afterward had Rhaenyra personally chosen him for the Kingsguard.

He remembered Cole's complicated feelings toward Rhaenyra in the original story-

At first, there had been loyalty and even love. Later, whether because she rejected his advances or because his political allegiance changed, he became one of her most dangerous enemies.

He considered it inwardly.

Looks like I'll have to keep an eye on this fellow.

Him, Harwin Strong, Daemon Targaryen...

Right, I might as well put Laenor Velaryon on the list too. That fellow's preferences might be different, but he was still Rhaenyra's future first husband.

Rhaenyra's anger had not faded, but she took a deep breath, seemingly remembering something. Her tone suddenly turned sharp and blunt.

"Do you know Father wants to marry me to the Lord of Casterly Rock? That Jason Lannister?"

Cole visibly froze. This news, spoken so directly by the princess, had clearly caught him off guard. His expression went blank for a moment before his brows drew tightly together.

"I... heard some rumors, but I didn't realize His Grace had already..."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words. "Lord Jason did express his intentions to His Grace, but as far as I know, His Grace has not formally agreed."

"But he hasn't refused, either!" Rhaenyra's voice held a suppressed sob. "And he's considering it! He's seriously considering marrying me to that...

"That arrogant man who sees nothing but gold and himself! Just because I'm the 'heir,' my marriage has to be a political bargaining chip!"

She grew more agitated as she spoke, tightening her arms around Aegon. "So I ran away.

"I don't want to go back. I don't want to see those nobles sizing me up, or hear them discussing whom I should marry and whether I should be replaced.

"I just... wanted some peace for a while."

Cole watched her, complex emotions flickering in his eyes-sympathy, understanding, and perhaps a trace of something deeper that was harder to put into words.

He opened his mouth, seemingly about to offer comfort or make a promise.

But Aegon spoke first.

The little boy poked his head out of Rhaenyra's embrace, fixed his purple eyes on Cole, and spoke with a clarity unlike that of a one-year-old child.

"Then, Rhaenyra, do you want Sunfyre and me to kill him?"

The words froze the air.

Rhaenyra looked down at Aegon. The boy's expression was frighteningly serious, nothing like a joke.

Beside them, Sunfyre even gave a cooperative growl, a faint glow of fire flickering deep in his throat.

After staring for several seconds, Rhaenyra burst out laughing.

Her laughter was restrained at first, then grew louder and louder, filled with release and a sense of absurdity.

She rocked with laughter, nearly losing her hold on Aegon, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

"Oh, Aegon, my darling brother..."

Still laughing, she ruffled Aegon's hair. "You're too little to understand what 'killing' means.

"And..." Her smile faded, her tone becoming gentle but firm. "We can't kill someone simply because we don't like him. That is what tyrants do, not what rulers should do."

She kissed Aegon's forehead, then looked up at Cole, a smile still lingering on her face. "But thank you for the thought, little one. Having someone willing to kill for me feels... rather special."

Cole remained kneeling, his expression a little odd. He had indeed been about to make a similar joke to ease the princess's gloomy mood-

Only for Prince Aegon, barely more than a year old, to steal his line.

He could only think helplessly, How did the prince know what I was about to say?

And besides...

Prince Aegon, those were all my lines!

Still, he quickly collected himself and addressed Rhaenyra again. "Your Highness, whatever the case, we should not linger here. It is growing late, and the forest is more dangerous at night. Please allow me to escort you and the prince back to camp."

Rhaenyra's smile vanished. She looked at Cole, then at Aegon in her arms, and finally into the depths of the forest.

"I don't want to go back," she said softly but firmly. "At least, not yet."

"Your Highness-"

"Ser Criston," Rhaenyra interrupted him again, her tone carrying a princess's authority. "Since you followed us in secret and claim you did so to protect us... then accompany us for a little ride! Just a ride, not far!"

Without giving Cole a chance to object, she turned toward the little white pony with Aegon in her arms.

Sunfyre followed her. As he passed Cole, his golden eyes swept over him with what seemed to be an appraising look.

Cole stood, watching Rhaenyra's small but upright figure as she deftly mounted and settled Aegon securely in front of her.

Sunlight spilled through the branches onto her silver-gold hair, illuminating the stubborn lines of her profile.

He was silent for several seconds, then finally mounted his horse.

"As you command, Your Highness," he said, his voice gentle with resignation.

The party followed the stream upstream.

Rhaenyra kept the little white horse at an easy pace. Sunfyre led the way a little ahead and to one side, occasionally having to duck his head or turn his immense body sideways to avoid low-hanging branches as he moved through the dense forest.

Cole rode five paces behind, keeping a distance that allowed him to react quickly without intruding.

The stream gradually widened, and the sound of water grew louder. Moisture thickened in the air, carrying the distinct freshness of a waterfall.

The forest here grew wilder, the trees taller, the ground covered in thick moss and ferns.

Aegon rested against Rhaenyra's shoulder, watching the scenery slip past. The sun began sinking in the west, its light shifting from gold to orange-red and casting long shadows through the woods. Birdsong grew more frequent, the evening bustle before they returned to their nests.

"Do you know," Rhaenyra suddenly began without turning, her voice sounding distant amid the flowing water, "when I was little, Mother often brought me to the Kingswood.

"Not to hunt, just to walk. She said that although House Targaryen had conquered Westeros, our roots must always remain connected to nature.

"Dragons come from volcanoes and the sky, but their riders need their feet on the earth if they are not to lose their way."

Cole listened quietly.

"After Mother died," Rhaenyra continued, her voice lowering a little, "Father rarely brought me here anymore.

"He had more affairs of state, a new family, and... other things that mattered more than I did.

"Alone in the Red Keep or on Dragonstone, I sometimes felt like a bird trapped in a cage.

"Syrax was my only companion, but dragons cannot speak. They cannot tell me what to do, or how to become...

"A worthy heir."

She paused, gently stroking Aegon's hair. "Then Aegon was born. At first, I was afraid. Truly.

"Everyone said he would replace me, that Father finally had a son, that the precedent of the Great Council... but later, I realized he was only a baby.

"He needed feeding and changing. He cried, he laughed, and he reached out for me to hold him."

Aegon obligingly nuzzled deeper into her arms.

Rhaenyra smiled. "He's more genuine than most people in the Red Keep. No masks, no scheming. He simply... exists.

"Sometimes, when I hold him, I feel that perhaps the future isn't so frightening. Perhaps we can face it together, sister and brother against the whole world."

Cole finally spoke, his voice cautious. "Your Highness, you are an excellent heir.

"His Grace has publicly affirmed that many times. Prince Aegon...

"He will be your most loyal supporter."

Rhaenyra did not answer.

She looked up at the sky, at the ever-narrowing strip of gold between the treetops.

They continued until the stream curved and a relatively open clearing appeared ahead.

At its center stood an enormous flat rock, like a natural stone table. Trees encircled it, forming a secluded nook.

The sun had sunk completely below the treetops, and the sky had shifted from orange-red to deep blue. The first star shone in the east.

Rhaenyra drew rein and looked around. "We'll spend the night here."

Cole frowned. "Your Highness, we are already too far from camp. The forest at night-"

"I said we'll stay here." Rhaenyra turned to look at him, her purple eyes like two burning amethysts in the dusk. "If you're worried about danger, Sunfyre will keep watch. Besides..." An almost challenging smile curved her lips. "Aren't you a knight of the Kingsguard?

"One of the finest knights in the Seven Kingdoms. Surely you can protect us for one night, ser?"

Cole looked at her, at a face that mingled a young girl's innocence with a princess's authority. At last, he lowered his head helplessly. "As you wish, Your Highness."

He dismounted and began expertly clearing the site, pulling out overly dense weeds, checking around the rock for snakes and insects, and gathering dry branches for a fire.

Rhaenyra also dismounted with Aegon in her arms and tethered the little white horse to a tree at the edge of the clearing.

Cole took flint from his saddlebag and was about to light the fire when Sunfyre suddenly approached.

The golden dragon lowered his head, aimed at Cole's pile of wood, and breathed a small, precise jet of flame.

The wood caught instantly, dancing firelight illuminating the darkening clearing.

Cole's hand stopped in midair, still holding the flint, his expression somewhat helpless.

Rhaenyra chuckled. "It seems Sunfyre wants to help too."

Cole put away the flint and took another bundle from his saddlebag.

He approached Rhaenyra, knelt on one knee, and opened it-

Inside was clean linen wrapped around several foods: fresh white bread, hard cheese, dried smoked meat, and a small bag of apples.

"Your Highness. My prince." He gently offered the bundle. "Though the rabbit Sunfyre caught was delicious, perhaps you would enjoy a change."

Rhaenyra looked at the food before her, her expression complicated. She was silent for several seconds, glanced at Aegon in her arms, and finally accepted the bundle. "Thank you, Ser Criston."

"My honor." Cole rose and withdrew to the other side of the fire, where he began checking the weapons he carried-his longsword and dagger-to ensure they could be drawn at any moment.