The Heir for the Day 3:
No: I am not playing a tourney knight!
The Darkness of Daemon: Rhae has not been well. But that does not mean you fear for her… it's Daemon you fear… You fear he is close to losing himself into his rage… just like you.
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Daemon was sitting with Rhae, watching the sky in the Red Keep. From the top of the tower, there was so much that you could see from there, yet it was less. It was restrictive. In fact, it was less a sight to behold, and more prison. Yet even in the distance, you could see the tournament grounds. And all the carnage that was unfolding. "Daemon." You said his name and he looked back, dismissing you.
Rhae was far happier to see you. "Lucien, it's good to see you again." Her smile was forced and weak as if she did not wish to be anything more than… well, having other thoughts. She looked happy though. Despite the thinning of her legs. The bags on her eyes, and the very clear signs of exhaustion on her hands.
Like every word was taking everything she had to say.
Daemon didn't look much better. His long hair was tied back in a messy tail, his eyes were layered upon layers of black exhaustion bags.
All you could see were two tired people trying to find meaning and happiness.
One with rage. Like the world around him was collapsing and he was trying to keep it from falling apart.
The other with depression. And resignation. Acceptance even, of a world and a place gone mad. That an end was coming.
You could almost say they were made for each other. Yet even now, you knew that they were. Rhae was dying and couldn't do anything but waste away.
And Daemon couldn't do anything but watch. Watch and see the woman he loved fall into nothing.
You stepped into the room, but Daemon noticed. "Leave Lucien." He ordered.
You did not, instead, you walked over to the chair and sat. Looking at the man you called a Second Father. "No. Not until you look me in the eye and say those words."
You waited before Daemon turned, his face turned from anger to resignation. He then turned away from you and held his wife's hand. "Maester Melios gave us the news. She doesn't have much time. Complications from Rhae's injuries have finally taken their toll on her." You saw tears streaming down the Rouge prince's eyes. "I don't want to leave her any longer than I dare wish."
You realized that the darkness in his heart was far lighter than you gave Daemon credit for. You thought he was raging against the unfairness of the world itself.
Yet now you saw he was trying to be there for his wife. To say goodbye when the day finally comes, and the stranger takes her.
He was spending every moment with her.
But this was not living. This was imprisonment. For both of them.
"Daemon. This isn't helping her. This is torturing her." You stated.
Rhae remained quiet, but you could see that there was a flicker in her eyes. A wish that you saw to continue. "You aren't helping her by coddling her in a cage. She wishes to be far more than that. You know she hunts, she rides, she has adventures!" You raised your voice. "This isn't for her. And you damn well know it!"
Daemon rose to his full height and he stood over you. "Do not speak to-"
"Or what? You'll take my head!" You stood tall as well and allowed your height to tower over his. "Daemon, do you love her!"
"With Every fiber of my being!" Daemon grabbed you and pushed you against the wall. "Do not dare tell me-"
"Prove it, by making her last months alive not a prison, but of majesty. Of true love and trust!" You replied.
That was what you knew he wanted deep down inside. "The thing you showed me all those years ago."
Daemon was now at a loss for words, and his grip loosened. "Lucien." He seemed lost. But you knew that was enough.
You knew it was going to be enough. "Wait!" He stopped you from walking away.
You then saw Rhae wheeling herself towards the door. "Help me carry my wife. We have a tournament to get to."
And there was a smile.
That Damn Smile.
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Daemon was armored up and ready to joust. "Fuck you," you swore as you looked at his armor, all black and Red and scaled like a Dragon itself. "I wanted to joust."
"You're my squire. So do as you're told and maybe I will knight you." He replied with a smile.
In the stands, you could see Rhae was on the front row of the box, holding herself, by pure will over the edge, with Alicent and Rhaenyra helping her. In her hand was her favor.
"You better crown her Queen of Love and Beauty, or I will fuck you up harder than Alicent did when she caught you in that whorehouse." You warned.
Daemon winced at the memory of that escapade. "I seem to remember that the fucking was from ten of your men beating the shit out of me?"
You smiled. "Can't exactly have you make one of my informants get compromised, now can I?"
Daemon shrugged. "You enjoyed being Commander far too much."
"I did." You replied. "Glad that Robert took the reins well."
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Reward: You may have given Rhae a little bit more comfort and joy in her final months.
You saved Daemon from falling into a pit you could not rescue him from.
Do you Watch the Joust?
[]Yes: You are going to Watch Daemon knock some Green Boys Senseless (Will lead to the Joust Rumor mill.)
[]No: You are not going to do that, you have better things to do! (Will lead to the Aftermath of the Birth)
AN: This is going to be a very short voting Period!
You have 12 hours to get your votes in, because we need to get things rolling!