Ormund survives the first battle of Tumbleton. With Vermithor, Hugh gets his iron crown and enough support to push the Hightower host into chaos. Tessarion gets killed. Instead of resisting, Daeron submits to becoming Hugh’s war prize in order to guarantee Ormund's life is spared and what's left of his family can be safe.
United again, the host continues to march towards King's Landing.
Hugh takes a liking to toying with Lord Hightower and his dirty little secret. Forces Ormund to tend to Daeron sometimes, especially once Hugh’s done using him.
“Daring was a fitting title,” Hugh mocks once. The whole thing is mostly torment to Ormund, to see his adored cousin and prince in chains, all ruined and for his sake, but he tries to make it be a semblance of comfort to Daeron. He’s allowed to touch his skin again, bathe him gently and wash the sin off of him, to tend to his wounds, bruises and burns the best he can. Tries his best to retribute the caring way Daeron had done the same to him in the past as his squire. Knows it’s necessary to keep his daring boy at bay for the days Ormund can’t meet him.
But sometimes he wonders if Daeron regrets it. Asks if he has changed his mind as he washes the blood off his silver hair. There’s no way they can’t escape Hugh and the host, but if he wanted to be free of it, Ormund would make the arrangements for both of them. Daeron dismisses him, argues he needs to guarantee his mother’s safety, he owes her that at least.
Hugh overhears them. Comes in to push Daeron down the tub, hold him underwater to see how much of a struggle Daeron can keep up for Alicent. But releases before it’s too late, so Daeron too hears Hugh promise that if Ormund ever gets to free Daeron by killing him, the prince will die knowing his mother will take his place, he’ll die cursing his cousin and former lover's name.
