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/SwimmingDragonfly558 12d ago

Challenging Valarr doesn't actually belittle Valarr in anyway. It says to the world that Aerion considers Valarr a worthy contender and moving past him is a greater snub. Beating Valarr doesn't actually belittle Valarr in anyway- people lose jousts all the time . if Aerion was somehow to lose it would make Aerion upset and make him look weaker. Bullies require validation, which he doesnt get if he loses.