shoutout to this exchange on r/pureasoiaf about arryk and erryk i saw two years ago and havent forgotten since, and the final comment by u/Jon-Umber on westerosi chivalry
AliEray: Oh, I never realized they were named after Cargyll twins.
[deleted]: What kind of parents would name their children after two brothers who killed each other?
Xx_kingbanana_xX: Who loved each other despite their vows/duty setting them up against each other
[deleted]: no matter. if there is one thing asoiaf wants to teach us it is this: vows suck.
Jon-Umber: That's not the takeaway I have at all.
Rather it's that Westeros values romantic ideals which are clearly incongruent with reality. Nobility is given the power of life and death over the serf class with little to no oversight, since they rely on oaths and vows to do the dirty work for them. Obviously, it fails miserably more often than not, because only morally good people are concerned with keeping their word, and they're not overly likely to engage in aggressive violence to begin with. The morally repugnant don't give a damn about vows anyway.
There's nothing wrong with vows and oaths. Keeping your word is extremely important to human relationships. How many liars do you enjoy being friends with? Would you call someone who fucked your significant other behind your back to come bail you out of prison? The problem is Westerosi just tend to ignore human nature and their social organization is broken as a result of that. Those in power who are aware of the facade take advantage of it to increase their own power and prestige at the cost of others (Tywin, Roose), and those who have internalized the myth are at an incredibly steep disadvantage (Ned, Robb) to those who haven't. Ned dies as a direct result of his investment in Westerosi romanticism when he confronts Cersei and tells her what he's going to do, expecting the idealized Westerosi norms to protect him. Obviously this fails catastrophically, as Cersei tears up Robert's letter without giving a shit, and Ned ends up dying for it.
In many ways the romantic foolishness inherent to Westeros is what GRRM set out to write about in the beginning. George undoubtedly saw all of these overly romantic epic fantasies of the '70s and '80s, which were all aping Tolkien and based on a painted-turd version of feudalism and, being an enthusiast for medieval history, George knew that this was a steaming load of bullshit, and set out to write an epic fantasy which more accurately depicted feudalist society. Anyone who has any knowledge of feudalism whatsoever would undoubtedly agree.
Summary : Robyn wants to thank Ser Criston for saving her life, but it doesn’t go as planned.
Pairing : Aemond “One-Eye” Targaryen/OC
Word Count : 4.0K
Warning : +18, Minors DNI, Aegon, threats, crude language, english isn’t my first language
Previous Chapter - MASTERLIST
After her misadventures at King’s Landing, Robyn decided two things : she would never go back to the city wearing a dress — it brought her too much trouble —, and she needed to show her gratitude to Ser Criston Cole.
Once she reached the Red Keep, Robyn had spent the rest of the day figuring out the best way to thank him. At first, she thought of baking him a cake or buying him a gift, but she quickly dismissed those ideas.
Lady Cocculus had warned her that she would work as a kitchen maid. There were three kitchens in the Red Keep : the main kitchen was situated next to the throne room, the second one was connected to the Small Hall within the Tower of the Hand, and the last one was located next to the barracks of the Gold cloaks. Robyn prayed the Sevens that she wouldn’t have to work there during her stay.
Fortunately, she had been assigned to the main kitchen, situated in front of the kitchen’s keep where all her colleagues slept. Robyn shared a small room with another girl called Lila who, if the boy found in her bed was any indication, was quite popular among the men.
There was a garden stretching from behind the kitchen to the outer wall of the Throne Room, and led directly into the Godswood. It was a beautiful place : the flowers were in bloom, and the trees were leafy. Furthermore it made Robyn feel like she was back at High Garden, and she loved to eat her lunch there. She felt at home.
Naturally, she found her ideal gift in there.
Robyn was eating her meal when she noticed them, Lord Tyrell’s favorite flowers : yellow lilies. They meant happiness, friendship and gratitude.
And they were perfect for Ser Criston.
It was Ser Harrold Westerling, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who found the first flower. It was hidden behind the white shield above the hearth in the Round Room, the common room on the first floor of the White Sword Tower. Its bright yellow contrasted with the white walls of the room, so it hadn’t been hard for the Lord Commander to spot it.
At first, he thought nothing of it. Noble families and their servants arrived from all Westeros to the Red Keep for the king’s birthday. People came in and out of the castle like they would have in a windmill. One of the servants might have been attracted to one of his knights and thought to show their affection through a flower. It wasn’t discreet, but it was harmless.
Or so Ser Harrold thought.
The next day, another flower was found in the armory by Ser Steffon Darklyn, around the sword of Ser Lorent Marbrand. Ser Steffon had teased the knight about it, and was joined by the other white cloaks when they found out. Ser Harrold let them laugh, but at the end of the day he had summoned Ser Lorent to his chambers. He reminded the younger man of the vows he took when he became a member of the Kingsguard — including the vow of celibacy — and the consequences awaiting him if he broke his oath. The knight assured him that he would never break his vows, and didn’t know why a flower had been found around his sword. Knowing his character, the Lord Commander believed him and let him go. As Ser Lorent closed the door behind him, Ser Harrold sat on his chair, wondering who was sneaking in the tower to put flowers, and how did they manage to not alert the best knights of the kingdom.
The flowers kept appearing in various places for the next couples of days : under the weird wood table in the Round room, around one of the long swords above the white shield over the hearth, on the door knobs outside the sleeping cells of his knights, and even on the Lord Commander’s seat.
If Ser Harrold thought the gesture was harmless at first, now he perceived it as an insult to the entire Kingsguard’s institution, and decided that the culprit should be found and punished for their insolence.
Then, as mysteriously as they had appeared, the flowers vanished. Ser Harrold assumed the servant got tired of seeing their affection unreciprocated, or got scared of being discovered. Either way, the Lord Commander didn’t have to worry about it anymore.
Unknown to him, the flowers started to appear in the sleeping cell of one of his knights: Ser Criston Cole.
— You’re being slow, Cole, noted Aemond as he blocked his opponent’s sword easily, before swinging his own toward Criston’s face. The knight took a step back to evade it.
— Perhaps my prince is just becoming better than me, said Cole, who thrusted his blade toward Aemond’s torso. The prince had no difficulty to parry his attack before taking a couple of steps back, preparing himself for Cole’s next assault. The knight put himself in position, and struck toward the prince’s blind side. Aemond blocked his blade and pushed it to the side, allowing him to reach Cole’s throat. The king’s guard smiled proudly.
— You keep improving, my prince, he said as they put their weapons away. I’m sure you’ll defeat all your opponents at the king’s tourney.
Aemond glared at him, annoyed.
— I don’t need you to patronize me, Cole, the prince hissed at him. Your mind was elsewhere today. Why ? Did something happen ?
For a moment, Criston thought that the prince was asking about his personal life, which surprised him. Though the knight had known the boy since he was an infant, and trained him to be the swordsman he was today, they never talked about personal matters. Criston had always assumed Aemond preferred to have a teacher-student relationship, which he understood and respected.
The knight realized then that the prince was probably asking about the safety of his family. A lot of people were arriving at the Red Keep, and an assassin could easily sneak in and strike when they least suspected it. That had happened before with Ser Laenor Velaryon, whose murder had been orchestrated by the princess Rhaenyra, or so the rumors said. And if the princess had been able to kill her first husband, she could just as well order the slaughter of the children threatening her claim to the throne.
The flowers suddenly felt like a small problem in comparison. Ser Criston shook his head dismissively.
— Nothing to worry about, my prince, he answered Aemond as they walked toward the castle.
That didn’t seem to appease the prince, whose frown deepened. The knight tried to hold back a sigh.
— A couple of flowers appeared out of nowhere in the Kingsguard’s tower, and I’m trying to figure out who’s putting them there.
Aemond seemed confused.
— Why you ? Aren’t all the members of the Kingsguard affected by this issue ? He asked as they took the stairs.
— Not since the flowers stopped appearing in the commons rooms.
The prince seemed more and more perplexed.
— Why would you search for the culprit if they don’t put flowers anymore ?
— Because they keep putting flowers somewhere else.
— How would you know ?
— The flowers appear in my room, my prince, Criston answers more coldly than he intended.
Aemond nodded and stayed quiet, which he was thankful for.
Once they reached the hall, they went on their way.
Maybe she got carried away with the flowers.
At first, she didn’t know where Ser Criston’s sleeping cell was, so she left a flower where she could in the White Sword Tower. The next day, Robyn thought she recognized his sword, and she had put a flower around the pommel. She realized later that all the king’s guards must have the same blade, and that she had no ways of distinguishing Ser Criston’s from the others. On the fourth day, she felt brave enough to put one around the door knob of a knight’s room. One of them was open, and she took a peek inside. It was a fairly common room : a bed with a chest at its foot, a window overlooking the Blackwater Rush, and a desk. Robyn was closing the door when she noticed the clothes put on the chair : an awful brown hat and a cloak made of the same material. Ser Criston’s disguise at King’s Landing.
Overjoyed to finally find her savior’s room, Robyn put the flower on the top of his desk and left as swiftly as she had come.
She put a flower there every day for the rest of the week, thinking the flower brought a nice touch to the stern room, and hoped Ser Criston would like the attention.
She should have stop.
The eighth day, after spending the early morning baking brioches and cakes for breakfast, Robyn strolled across the Godswood to reach the entrance leading to the lower bailey of the castle. She was bypassing the rookery when she felt observed, and stopped in her tracks. The maid turned around in a swift movement, ready to defend herself. To her surprised, she came face to face with a flock of pigeons. The young woman laughed at herself and turned around, walking toward the White Sword Tower. But the uncomfortable feeling didn’t leave her, and she decided to check behind her once again. The pigeons had started to follow her. Robyn started to walk faster, and watched in horror the pigeons doing the same. She started to run, then realized that the pigeons took off to follow her into the air. She screamed, not seeing the rock in front of her, and stumbled on the ground. Robyn saw the flower falling out of the pocked and had just enough time to cover her face before the pigeons attacked her. She shrieked in panic as she felt their sharp beaks pecking all over her body.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a blade being pulled out of its sheath, followed by the sharp sound of a sword cutting through the air. Scared, the pigeons took off elsewhere, and Robyn felt safe enough to open her eyes. She was met by a familiar pair of lithe legs in black pants. She raised her head, and saw Aemond Targaryen with a sword in his hand. His eye widened when he recognized her.
— You again ?
— Me again, she sighed before getting up.
Robyn pushed off the dirt from her uniform to get more presentable. Somehow, she managed to look even worse.
— Thank you for saving me, my prince, she said as she bowed at him, then glared at the pigeons. They would have blinded me without your intervention.
Aemond pointed his blade at her, and for a second she thought she had offended him by saying the word « blinded ». Robyn was about to profusely apologize when he spoke :
— They attacked you because you have crumbs all over your clothes.
She nodded slowly and remained quiet, in fear of telling something offensive to a man with a sword in hand.
— You’ve dropped something, Aemond noticed as he pointed at the flower on the ground. He frowned when he saw its bright color, and kneeled to pick it up before Robyn could.
She blushed as she saw him examine it with great attention.
— Where did you find this ? He asked, keeping the flower in his hand.
Robyn bit her lips and stayed silent. She didn’t know what intimidated her more : his piercing eye or his eyepatch.
— I asked you a question, Aemond commented, growing impatient.
— There’s a garden next to the kitchen, Robyn muttered nervously. I thought it was pretty, so I picked it up.
— Hmm… The rookery is a long way from the kitchen, the One-Eye prince commented as he stared at her. She gulped.
— I just got lost, my prince. I wanted to wander around the Godswood during my free time, and I took the wrong exit.
Aemond smiled like she said something funny, and he walked toward her. The prince grabbed her chin to make her look at him, his smile sending a chill down her spine. Robyn’s heart pounded hard in her chest, and she realized this man was as beautiful as he was dangerous.
— Lie to me one more time and I’ll have your tongue removed, he warned her.
In this light, his eye looked more blue than purple. Robyn nodded slowly, and he let her go.
— What is this ? The one-eye prince asked, showing her the flower.
— A flower, my prince, Robyn deadpanned. A lily, she added quickly as she saw anger bubbling behind his eye.
— To declare your love to Cole ? Continued Aemond as he fiddled with the stem.
Robyn turned crimson, and she responded with a high-pitched voice :
— Of course not ! I barely know Ser Criston ! She cried out in outrage. I gave him the flowers to thank him for rescuing me !
— Hmm… In that case, I want you to stop thanking him, the prince declared as he crushed the flower between his hand. The yellow petals fell on the ground and Robyn let out a gasp of surprise.
— If I see you again around the White Sword Tower, I’ll have you put in the dungeons, he informed her, and left.
Robyn stood there, in shock, for a couple of minutes.
There was something odd about the girl, but he didn’t know what, and that frustrated him greatly.
Aemond abruptly stood up from his chair, and started to walk in circles around his room. It was worthy of a prince, with its furniture made of the finest materials by the best craftsmen in the Realm. It was spacious, and its walls were covered with books about history and philosophy. The desk was in front of the window, which overlooked the Godswood, and the bed was close enough to the hearth to warm the prince during the night. Dragons liked to feel warm.
As he walked to appease his mind, Aemond pondered.
« Was the girl telling the truth ? Had she really wanted to thank Cole with some flowers ? Or had she wanted something else from his mentor ? »
Aemond found it hard to believe that she ignored the repercussions of her actions on the knight’s honor. If someone else had found the flowers in Cole’s room, they could have assumed he had scorned his oath and took a lover. It could seem frivolous, but Rhaenyra was here, and that kind of rumor would allow her to persuade their father to remove Cole from the Kingsguard. That couldn’t happen. The knight was one of their most loyal ally against the Blacks, and his family needed him.
Someone knocked on the door.
— Enter, Aemond said coldly.
Ser Arryk Argyll, another member of the Kingsguard and Aegon’s sworn shield, came inside.
— My prince, he saluted him. You asked for me ?
The prince nodded and walked toward the man.
— I need you to do something for me, Ser Arryk, he declared. I know how loyal you are to my brother, and how discreet you are about his deeds. I was hoping to use your discretion about a personal matter.
The knight straightened his back. He admired and respected the second prince much more than he did his older brother. Unlike Aegon, Aemond was serious and dedicated to his duty.
— Of course my prince, the knight answered dynamically. What do you need from me ?
— There’s a kitchen maid who arrived at the Red Keep a couple of days ago, the prince explained. She has long curly hair and almond-shaped eyes, and is surely of dornish ascent.
Ser Arryk nodded, and waited for the prince to continue.
— I want you to keep an eye on her. Watch her every moves and report to me if she does or say anything suspicious.
— Understood my prince, answered the knight, who didn’t know if Aemond was mocking him or not.
The prince dismissed him and Ser Arryk went on his way.
« Looks like the one-eye prince is infatuated with a servant girl, I guess it runs in the family » Ser Arryk thought as he walked toward the kitchen’s keep.
The next days, at Aemond’s request, the knight followed the girl wherever she went. Her name was Robyn, she worked in the kitchens from the hour of the Nightingale to the hour of the Eel, and spent her afternoons as she wished. She was an educated maid because she could read, and had spent a lot of her time in the library. He had seen her reading books about maps and navigation, but mostly about the different Houses of Westeros, and the story behind each of their blazons.
When she wasn’t in the library, Ser Arryk had seen her walking around King’s Landing dressed as a man, going to the market at Fishmonger’s Square or strolling alongside the Blackwater Rush to admire the ships.
When he came to prince Aemond’s chambers to do his report, the knight said that even though her pursuits were peculiar, she didn’t seem to be a threat to anyone and especially not to the crown. The prince had nodded, thanked him for his service, and dismissed him. Ser Arryk took his leave.
He had another prince to tend to.
Unsurprisingly, Ser Arryk had found prince Aegon lying on his bed, groaning painfully because of a hangover. The knight didn’t know how long Aegon had stayed in his chambers, but it was long enough for the room to emit a stale and putrid smell. No servant girls had dared to come and clean while he was in there. He held his breath as he reached the windows, moved the curtains aside and opened them. The prince whined pitifully and threw a blanket over him. Ser Arryk snatched it away and throw it on the other side of the room. Aegon’s moans grew louder.
— Leave me alone… I need to rest, he whimpered.
— You had rested enough, Aegon, get up.
The prince didn’t move. That brat.
— Get up, or I’ll tell the queen, Ser Arryk threatened. He had learned how to treat this man-child over the years.
Aegon groaned and sat on his bed. He glared at the knight, who pushed a plate of rotten fruits with his foot. Disgusting.
— You’re always so harsh with me, Ser, he commented as he rubbed his eyes. One might consider this treason.
— Taking care of you is the very opposite of treason, my prince, the knight replied. Now get dressed, we’re going to the courtyard to practice your swordsmanship.
Aegon whined louder and fell back on his bed. Ser Arryk rolled his eyes.
— It’s too early to train, he complained. And I didn’t get my breakfast.
— It’s way past the hour of the Eel, the knight answered as patiently as he could. I’ll ask a servant to bring you something to eat while you get dressed.
Ser Arryk started to walk away, but Aegon grabbed his sleeve. The white cloak sighed deeply. The prince was always needier than usual when he was drunk.
— What is it ?
— Don’t abandon me again, the prince grumbled. It’s so boring when no one’s around.
— You’re acting like a spoiled child, Aegon, Ser Arryk reprimanded. Let go of my hand, or you’ll train on an empty stomach.
Aegon groaned and released his hand.
— Where were you anyway ? You’ve never been gone for so long before.
— Prince Aemond asked me to do something for him, he answered briefly. It took me longer than I had expected.
The mention of his younger brother woke him up instantly.
— Aemond never asks anyone for anything, Aegon commented. Did something happen ?
It always amused Ser Arryk how much Aegon cared for his younger brother, no matter how hard he tried to deny it.
— Nothing serious, my prince, he explained. Your brother wanted me to spy on a new kitchen maid and tell him if I noticed anything suspicious about her.
Aegon stayed silent.
— Aemond ? Interested in a servant ? Are you sure we’re talking about my brother, Ser Arryk ?
— I was as surprised as you are, my prince. Though, your brother seemed more interested in the girl’s intentions at the royal court than by her looks.
Aegon nodded gravely.
— Of course he would say that, he acquiesced with a smile on his face. Luckily, he has an older brother to help him.
Ser Arryk wanted to interject, but Aegon cut him off.
— Bring her to me, the prince asked as he got up of his bed to get dressed. I want to see what the girl looks like.
The king’s guard couldn’t do anything else but obeyed.
Aegon should have anticipated that his brother would have peculiar tastes in women.
After Ser Arryk brought the girl to his chambers, Aegon had dismissed him. The knight gave him a look of disapproval on his way out, but Aegon ignored it. He ordered him to not bother them while they were talking, and slammed the door in his face.
The girl was sitting in a chair in front of him, and was fiddling nervously with her fingers. She was very quiet, and her eyes were fixed on the ground.
Aegon looked at her more attentively. In his opinion, she looked a bit like a witch, with her messy hair and crooked nose. But perhaps it was her exotic looks that had attracted Aemond ? Or perhaps Ser Arryk had told the truth and his brother had simply wanted to know if she was a threat to them ? The man was so mysterious that, until this moment, Aegon never thought he could be interested in anyone, men or women.
He stretched his legs in front of him, and touched her feet with his. She moved them away, which annoyed him. She seemed to be as stiff as his brother. Boring.
— What’s so special about you ? He finally asked.
The girl raised her head to look at him with curious eyes.
— I beg your pardon, my prince ?
Aegon raised from his seat and walked toward her. He put his hand on the top rail of her chair, his face coming closer to hers.
— What is it about you that caught my brother’s attention ? It can’t be your cunt, he’s too pious for that. It must be something else.
Her eyes widened at his words, and she shook her head slowly.
— I do not know your highness, she answered without looking at him, their proximity making her uncomfortable. I’m just a servant.
Disappointed, Aegon sighed and went back to his chair.
— Aemond wouldn’t have sent my sworn shield to spy on you if you were « just a servant ». He did it either because he thought you were a threat or because he desired you.
She blushed deeply and stayed quiet. Aegon chuckled as he grabbed a glass of wine on the table and took a sip. After quenching his thirst, he smiled at her.
— Do you know what I think ? He asked her, but didn’t wait for her answer. My brother felt threatened by you because he desired you.
She bit her lips like she was holding back a laugh. Aegon felt angered by her reaction and took another sip of his drink.
— Does it amuse you, servant girl ? He snapped at her.
— Forgive me, your highness, she said as she tried to calm down. It just seems very unlikely that prince Aemond feels any kind of affection for me.
— I wasn’t talking about love, you stupid girl, replied Aegon in an irritated voice, his impatience increased by the alcohol. I was talking about lust.
She kept her mouth shut after that. He got up and walked toward her.
— It would be easy to find out, you know ? He whispered in her ear. All you’ll have to do is wait for my brother inside his chambers.
She shuddered at the feeling of his breath on her neck.
— Unless you’d prefer to keep me company here ?
— My prince, I possibly couldn’t…
— Aegon ! Alicent Targaryen’s voice snapped as she entered the room. Where are you —
She stopped in her tracks when she saw that her son had company. The queen looked between the girl and Aegon, and frowned when she noticed the wine on the table.
— What is the meaning of this, Aegon ? She asked her eldest, her look making him feel like a little boy all over again. Is this the reason why you haven’t been seen at court these past few days ?
Aegon couldn’t utter a word, while Alicent dismissed the girl coldly. She bowed at the queen and practically ran to the door. Alicent waited for them to be alone before reminding him sharply of his duties as future king.
“I CAN’T DENY that i would rather have married my best friend, and i can’t deny that i think house fanghorn would have never taken the crown from such a house that had reigned so well for so many years... but i think jealousy is a waste of time. it is not something that can be changed, and times do move on but i am grateful that i at least am able to work with rhaena. as a king, and to the extent i know him, he is not... awful, he is reasonable and i have never seen those ugly flashes of anger one often fears in those who rule.”
