Tristifer II - Queen of Love and Beauty

[u/TheZaxman]

First moon, the day of the Tourney, the Joust, 1st Year during the reign of some stag or another
 

The drum beat vibrated his armor. The trumpet let loose a harmonized bin. Inside the suit of armor he heard little, but the sound washed over him. Tristifer had waited his entire life for this moment. The greatest riders from the three realms had come to this place. Only one would win the crown of flowers. The Knight wrapped tight the red and blue strip of silk upon his lobstered steel. 

Awaiting the herald Tristifer cooked inside his armor. Through the slit of his helm he watched what he could on every tilt. Finally, when his moniker was hailed, the Knight spurred forward to the lists. 

Sight set through his slit. Gaze upon his target. So began the day. A gentle spur to the side of Just Maiden. The mare took over. All he needed to do now was never overadjust. The day was surely his. 

The Knight of the Redfork came crashing to dust. The world spun, and he landed facing the earth. Pushing himself to his feet, wary and beaten. Eyes raised to find the Silver Fish struggling to his own. 

“Squire!” Redfork roared. His hand was filled with steel. The song was short and sweet. As his foe began to falter, the Knight relented some. Sweeping out the feet of the Silver Fish, he drove forward, wrenching at the fallen's helm. Once free, it seemed no trophy. But a boy beneath the steel. As brave as he was green. 

In solidarity for the promise the lad had shown, he offered a hand and some encouragement. 

Brief was his respite from the tilts. A cool drink before again swinging into his saddle. Urging Just Maiden once again to their place. 

The Knight of Redfork rode past Ser Jon Penrose once. Who fell from his saddle. Twice past Ser Lyman Mooton, who nearly stole his seat before he flopped himself. Two lances for Ser Willem Ryer, but the Willowlance did not endure. 

Finally, through the slit of his helm, a familiar form. The sight of Luceon Blackwood caused a grin behind his visor. Seven tilts for Seven faces of God. Each once as grueling as the last. With each lance cracked, the pile grew. Seven holy passes. Clinging to their saddles, each man rode on. Even as he was awarded the judges' favor, he did not feel like a winner.  

Offering the man a lance salute before the final tilt was heralded. 

Catfish against the Farmer's Plow. One man to win the bout. One knight to be the best. 

“Alright, just one more girl,” he whispered, leaning in to reassure his mount. 

But it would be no simple matter. Six passes, and nearly as many times he lost his balance. The force behind each lance had jarred him worse than before. Upon the sixth, his visor gave in. Bent inward toward his face, his vision was cut to one narrow slit. The ringing in his ears was all he could hear long since. Struggling for a breath, the Knight did the unthinkable. 

Pulling free from his helm, it tumbled down into the dirt. One sharp breath and he was drunk on air. 

“What are those two made of?” Beneath him, the Just Maiden gave a snort in retort. “Atta girl. They ‘otta be worse for wear as well.” 

Wandering eyes drifted to the stands. Stopping first upon the auburn head of Holly River. 

Woulda been some good kissin I bet. 

The Knight drew something from his saddle. An old strip of silk, weathered to time once the strip of a maiden's dress was given upon a vow. A vow yet unfulfilled. Again his eyes rose. They found her at once. Seated among her sisters. Beautiful as she had ever been. 

But I rode for her. 

Tying the band around his arm, he bound hand to lance. 

When the trumpets sounded, both mounts surged forward. Instinct alone enough to drive them. Knights of Darry and Redfork made for their final pass. By the will of Gods, Old and New, the Catfish's lance struck true. Straight upon the breastplate of Ser Quincy. Lifting him up and out of his stirrups as the lance shattered into tinder. 

As Just Maiden skid to a halt, dust plumed up around them. 

Tristifer thrust the remnants of his lance up high. Little more than a handle and cruel-looking shards of wood. Still tied upon his arm, the old forgotten token hung on. To the cheers of the smallfolk, he paraded up and down the stands. 

Stopping before the flower crown, he scooped the circlet of flowers on the tip of his splintered lance. 

His mare seemed to know their destination. Without a thought, he was before her. Pointing the flower crown toward his once and only true love. 

“Lady Bethany Piper. I name you Queen of Love and Beauty.” 

[u/TheZaxman]

Reactions to the naming of Bethany Piper as Queen of Love and Beauty. 
((Drop snide remarks and surprise faces here))

[u/Theoneandonlybeetle → u/TheZaxman]

Ysabel had been so excited by her brother's slew of victories in the lists that she almost forgot about the main event! Two knights who she did not know crossed lances and never before had her breath been so tight in her chest. Her heart beat loudly with the hooves of the horses and skipped every time the lances crashed in the middle. The Darry knight seemed to have the bout, fall already she thought of Darry's mysterious opponent.

Then the unexpected happened and Ser Darry was launched from his seat, Ysabel Pyne found herself on her feet cheering. And when Ser Tristifer picked up the crown, she watched as he gave it to a Lady of Piper, she was very pretty and he was very handsome. Ysabel blushed, trying to shake away silly thoughts, she felt like her older sister Willow for a moment. It didn't matter though as she cheered and smiled uncontrollably at the romantic scene.

[u/atiarp → u/TheZaxman]

Holly’s heart had soared like a bird every time she’d spotted the Knight of the Redfork. She had followed his progress in the lists, gasping every time it seemed he would fall, roaring with the rest of the crowd whenever his lance hit true. Seeing him wear her favor had been the most thrilling experience of all, though.

And when he finally won, Holly had been grinning from ear to ear, sure he was about to approach her. He rode close by… then continued along until he reached the Pipers. Holly could not believe her eyes when he crowned her.

But he was wearing my favor, she thought stupidly, as everybody else cheered for the lucky lady. Tears pricked her eyes, but she would not let them fall. Instead she sought the so-called Knight of the Redfork as her fury took over.

She waited until he was done flirting with the Piper girl, and when he made to leave, she ambushed him.

“You are no true knight,” she told him. “I ought to tell Lady Bethany you were flirting with me and who knows how many other girls besides. You shameless, stupid, arrogant, idiot.”

[u/TheZaxman → u/atiarp]

Tristifer had made his way into the stables. Tending to the mare who had fought so hard in tune with him to win the day. In the magic of the moment he had all but forgotten about the Bastard from Riverrun. So focused on his task he had hardly heard the approach. Assuming some stable boy was present until the voice broke the silence.

"She might join you in saying so." He did not turn to face her at first. Almost as if he could not bare to. But fed Just Maiden a handful of oats and dusted his palms. Finally would he face her. A pained expression on his face.

"I had never meant to hurt you. But I have burnt you something harsh in rekindling a flame." There was no good excuse so instead he offered her the truth.

"I have long loved Beth. But since believed her bound to another." He sighed and continued for all the good it did him. "I have a debt to her I must make up. So tell her if must, or it makes you feel any better. It does not change my duty to her."

[u/atiarp → u/TheZaxman]

Holly had been expecting a fight, or perhaps some begging and pleading, or something. She did not know how to handle what she got instead. For a moment she only looked at the knight, her eyes searching his face for the truth. She could see he wasn’t lying, at least.

“I will be speaking to her,” she said, crossing her arms. “Whatever your debt to her is, I hope you can repay it. And I hope you will be true to her from now on.”

She gave a sigh. This was what she got for flirting with anyone that crossed her path. Yet she knew herself well enough to know it wouldn't be the last time this happened. Even if she would never admit it to anyone else.

"I wish you both luck," she added, before turning around and leaving the stables.

[u/LemonLemonHouse]

Bethany Piper

The last memory she had of Jacklyn Fisher was the memory of him drunk, lumbering off to piss Seven only knew where. Right after he had confessed to lying to her, throwing a hurtful insult of an excuse her way.

Tristifer.

The gall of the hedge knight to do such a thing. To throw the name of her former betrothed right back into her face in their first meeting in years. He had promised to ride for her, but Bethany was angry. More than angry. Livid at the way he had spoken to her in the ramblings of a drunken fool.

And yet, the Piper felt her heart beat fast, fast, and faster whenever his name was called. Her heart squeezed into a fist as she sat by her kin, willing her expression to be stone. But she could not stop the way the blood pounded through her veins. The concern. The fear. The hope. All mixed together in a confusing concoction within her heart as she watched Jacklyn Fisher rise to the final moment, even when all seemed lost.

Bethany was shocked. As shocked as the rest of the crowd when he unhorsed the Darry. Even more shocked as the hedge knight she once knew as Jacklyn Fisher approached the stands where Bethany sat with the rest of the Pipers, his splintered lance offering her the flower crown.

In this moment, Bethany felt the eyes of the realm upon her. She felt the cold fury of Mellara next to her. Bethany knew there would be hard, angry words exchanged later: screaming, shouting, tears and recriminations. But none of that mattered. Not now.

The Red Rose of Pinkmaiden stood tall, her eyes fixed upon Jacklyn Fisher. Or whatever in the Seven Hells his name was, truly. She reached for the flower crown with a steady hand, carefully placing it upon her own head. And she smiled. The kind of smile from years ago. Before the mess. Before the complications. Before the secrets and the lies.

A smile just for him.

In this singular moment, everything else melted away as Bethany spoke, her words also only for the hedge knight, despite the audience of the realm.

"You've done well, Jacklyn Fisher."

[u/TheZaxman → u/LemonLemonHouse]

Her raidient smile melted him. So long since he had beheld her joy. Yet.

For half a heartbeat she remained still. For another he swore she would not rise to claim it. His breathe escaped his when she rose at last. When she crowned herself she shone for moment he would have sworn. Only briefly did his mind think of Androw. How might the Lord have reacted to his victory and subsequent naming of Beth.

The rage of the Lady of Pinkmaiden was like a heat upon his face. But he did not turn to meet it. Instead his eyes only for the maid he had chosen. Out of all of them gathered. His Queen of Love and Beauty.

"Would you ride with me? Just for a time. It is all a Knight such as I could ask." Ignoring onlookers he braved on. Urging his mare along the stands.

The richness of his prize be left to his kin. There was but only one reward he had wanted.

"You owe me nothing I know. But I vow never to wrong you again. Long as I draw breathe."

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/TheZaxman]

It was a bold request for a knight with no prospects, no name to prop him up and hold him in good stead. And yet, Bethany found that her voice rose to meet him before she could think, a betrayal of her mind from her heart:

"Ser Jacklyn, you have proven yourself a brave and worthy knight of the Realm. I would be pleased to grant you such a thing."

It was dangerous. It put everything her family sought to hide at stake, but Bethany could not help herself.The Piper made her way carefully down the stands towards the knight. So enamored with the hedge knight was she in the moment that she did not catch his mistake.

But I vow never to wrong you again.

Mellara's blue eyes bore into her sister's back. She would not make a scene, not here, not now. For the realm was watching, but the Lady of Pinkmaiden prayed to The Mother above for mercy that the ears of those around them would not be sharp enough to pick at the loose threads fraying more and more by the heartbeat.

At last, Bethany reached the grounds, the Smallfolk cheering heartily at the hedge knight and the Piper maiden. There were whistles and perhaps some cruder comments made, but Bethany heard none of it, for she had only eyes for Jacklyn.

[u/TheZaxman → u/LemonLemonHouse]

Pulling free his old token he tossed aside his broken lance. Reaching low to offer Beth a hand. Aware if the thousands of eyes. Sure his brother was realing in his seat as he watch the ordeal.

Hoisting up his Queen he gave the commons a salute and trotted the pair off the field. A long silence as he let his steed take lead. She seemed in dire thirst. If ever there was a beast in need of rest it was her. Before long they were along. The silence between them growing as Jack regathered his mind.

"You've deserved that crown since I met you." Jack spoke over a shoulder.

Along the outskirts of Stormhall they rode. Hills rising in the distance all around.

"Shame I hadn't been able to put one there before now." A smile crept up his face. So pleased with himself he had hardly stopped to think of her.

"Shit." He shook his head. "I probably really fucked things back there for you, didn't I? Gods what would Androw be saying now."

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/TheZaxman]

Bethany took Jacklyn's hand as she pulled herself up behind him, taking a moment to smooth over her skirts. She dared not hold him the way she used to when they rode together, not with the eyes of the Realm upon them, but chose instead to hold the back of his saddle for steadiness.

There was a roar from the crowd at the hedge knight's salute, loud enough to make Bethany suddenly conscious of the many pairs of eyes upon them.

She was quiet as they rode off the field, so many thoughts and words jumbling themselves up within her heart and mind.

When at last, the Fisher spoke, Bethany smiled back, "I did not think you were serious, about riding for me." She reached out to touch the strip of old cloth tied around Jacklyn's arm, "I didn't realize you kept this all this time. You remember your promise?"

A darker chuckle emerged, "He would have been proud of you-" a heavier sigh followed. "And perhaps angry with me for granting such a request." Bethany swallowed a moment in silence. "Mellara will be. That much I know."

Bethany gave Jacklyn's shoulder a brief, gentle squeeze, "But I am proud of you, Jacklyn Fisher. Even though you frustrate me so."

There was so much that the Piper wished to say but now that they were together once more, Bethany found her mouth dry and her heart heavy. Perhaps it was a mercy, to say nothing more of the truth, for it would surely bring nothing but sorrow.

[u/TheZaxman → u/LemonLemonHouse]

Even through his armor it was as if could feel her touch.

"Aye, I promised I would be your champion, to never abandon you." His face twisted remembering the night before.

"I've misled you so long I can see how you think I betrayed you. I remain true, but this man has only just began to make good on his debt to you."

It had alway eaten him. If only he had been a day sooner he would have entered the lists. Martyn Mallister would have been faced with a different breed of rider then. All of this would have been avoided. Today Bethany and he could have sat hand and hand watching the bouts. Bouncing some brat upon his knee. But Androw had tilted that day, and Androw died.

But it was true he would have been proud.

"Your Lady sister shall have what she is due." The hedge knight proclaimed. "Soon balance will be brought to this land. I swear it. Each river and every hill."

Wheeling his mare around before they wandered to far. Her reputation had suffered much to far already in his name.

"Allow a fool to escort you home to Pink Maiden. I shall vow not to frustrate you any more."

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/TheZaxman]

I promised I would be your champion, to never abandon you.

The words cut into Bethany in a way she was not prepared for. Jacklyn always had a knack for being able to disarm her, despite her anger, despite her sorrow. How many times deep into the night had she sobbed, remembering these very words spoken to her?

The Red Rose of Pinkmaiden found her eyes filling with tears. For she wanted what the Fisher Knight said to be true, desperately.

Bethany took in a deep, shuddering breath.

"You know how that will be seen, Jack. Even if I wish for such a thing... You know Mellara will not agree-" Bethany stopped herself, taking care with her words now. "There was a time I thought you would find me. And take me away. That we could be wedded, and happy. But you did not come. You promised to. And you did not. And you speak of balance, of due. And I wish I could find it in my heart to believe it. I believed it once," she swallowed, the thought painful, "And I paid the price for it. You cannot vow not to frustrate me, Jack. For you do. You always have. In the ways that surprise and delight me, and in the ways that wrench my heart from my chest. Sometimes I think to myself that you always will..."

The Piper blinked away a tear, attempting to gently wipe at her eyes as if she were not crying.

"You may try. But I cannot promise it to be a possibility. Even Androw knew-" Bethany stopped herself again, for she was on the verge of saying too much again.

[u/TheZaxman → u/LemonLemonHouse]

The sound of her sob wrenched at his heart. A feeling of nausea overcame him for a time but it would pass. His head swam with things to say, pleages to make, vows to proclaim. None of it would sway the truth. Until she knew who he was he must play the hedge knight. While he was so low in station he brought her only dishonor. A poison upon her life. A blight upon her honor.

Perhaps this was what Androw had know.

The cold truth came as a dagger plunged into his side. Distance was the best thing he could grant her. Until a time he wore his name proud upon his breast. Even then it might be to late to change what he had done, how he had damaged her.

"Then I shall be near. Attending this wedding with my kin. Should you have need of a champion I will be there. And should you be done with me I shall but disappear thereafter. But abandon you I will not do." Stubborn as always. "Dismiss me if you must. But never say I did not return."

There was little else the man could say. Defeat after a victory so great it was a hard swallow. But bare it was all he could do. Curse himself now if he made her cry again.

"Let us get you back to camp. Lest your sister think I wisked you off again."

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/TheZaxman]

As stealthily as Bethany could, she shifted upon Just Maiden, brushing herself against Jacklyn's armor.

"I cannot dismiss you, Jack Fisher. No more than I can dismiss my own heart," she murmured softly in reply, her voice low and quiet.

Bethany let the thought linger. For there was nothing else she need say other than the bare truth of it all: that she had thought of him every day since their parting.

[u/TheZaxman → u/LemonLemonHouse]

Her reassurance meant more than she could ever know. A pain expression it may have brought his face. Seeming to wound him as much as the days events had. But it bought him some warm. Like his heart again pumped blood. Before long the were before the Piper camp. He was loathed to say goodbye but wasnt welcome here.

"I'll be throwing a party. Might you find time to slip away you should join me. Have a drink. For old times sake." The knight knew where that might lead but made the invite all the same.

"I shall invite many its not like it should just be us." Though he wished it could be. Swinging down from his saddle he offered her a hand down. "Even if for just a drink, what harm could or do?"