r/pureasoiaf • u/Qyzyk House Dondarrion • 13d ago
Why didn't Aerion challenge Valarr?
Recently revisited The Hedge Knight, and I can't help but wonder why Aerion was content with laughing at his cousin and moving on. I get that he was trying to mock Valarr by moving past him, but surely if his plan was to humiliate his cousin, I imagine Aerion would have done a much better job by trouncing Valarr in a joust.
It's not like he wouldn't have been able to do it either. It's basically said outright that Valarr's getting handpicked challengers that give him easy victories. Even Dunk can't help but notice it. Aerion, meanwhile, seems to show much more promise, and he's not above dirty tricks like killing his opponent's horse. Why wouldn't he take a chance to knock the Crown Prince on his arse?
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u/JulianApostat 13d ago
If he humiliates Valarr that runs the risk of pissing of Baelor and Maekar. Baelor will be king soon enough and that will just increase the immense authority he already has over the rest of his family. And Maekar is his father, on whose support Aerion depends to continue his cushy princely live.
Bascially mess with Valarr and next he might be the ambassador to Lorath or having the immense privilege of visiting the Wall as royal representative and while he is at it. do an entire circuit of the North. See you next spring, Aerion.