(Ellion's POV)
"Magnificent!" King Aerys was clapping as I sat across from him, "Simply magnificent!"
It was the next morning, I was called over by the King to eat breakfast with him under the tree. He had a table set up with three chairs; one for him, one for his son, and one for me.
Rhaegar was looking at me as I had my arms crossed; his eyes were serious. He had woken up last night, having heard the commotion, but he didn't get to do anything since I had finished things up without any issue.
"Your Grace....?" I asked
Aerys took a sip of his cup of wine, "I saw some of the fighting." He said, a smile on his face, "The way you cut through those men, it was quite brutal."
"Your Grace, you were watching?" I said with a frown, "You should have been deeper in the camp, being protected. That was not wise at all."
Aerys smirked, "I knew I was going to be safe." He said, "I had a feeling you'd deal with the matter."
I tilted my head, "But still."
"Is the threat dealt with, Ser Ellion?" Prince Rhaegar asked me
I nodded, "Yes." I said, "I've scoured the perimeter around ten times and caught a few stragglers who were planning on attacking the camp, so I captured them. They confessed that they belonged to a much larger bandit group that suddenly dispersed after the fighting. If I am given a few days, I will track them down and kill them."
Aerys waved me off, "No, don't concern yourself with that." He said with a smile, "Let the bandit group get into hiding, fearing for their lives. With this, word will spread along the lands that the Crown has itself a fierce warrior that is not bound by the limitations of the Kingsguard. That is good, Ser Ellion. You can be House Targaryen's blade, one that can be sent out of the Red Keep without thinning the Kingsguard's numbers."
Rhaegar looked at his Father, "Is that why you wanted him, Father?" He asked, "Just for him to be a replacement for a Kingsguard?"
"The Kingsguard are the best of the best." Aerys said, "I mean, you have Ser Barristan, Ser Arthur, and even Ser Gerold. Their skills make them elite Knights who are sworn to protect the King and his blood. But because they are sworn to do that, their skills are only limited to be used to protect us. With Ellion, who is just as skilled as they are, we can use him to resolve matters without worrying about removing a Kingsguard from the Crown's vicinity."
I placed my hand on my chin, "That's quite a good idea." I said, "I didn't think about it like that, Your Grace. Your wisdom knows no bounds."
Obviously, I had a feeling he'd want me for something like this. To use me as a weapon that isn't limited to his direct vicinity. He can send me anywhere in the Realm to use my skills and resolve conflicts. It wasn't just the Tourney that got his attention; it was the fact that I had dealt with so many bandits in the Westerlands without any injuries. He probably believes that I am on par with Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur.
And that may be the case, but I have a feeling that Aerys knows there's more to it.
I am not sure if that should cause concern, however.
"With all of this resolved, the journey back to King's Landing shall be quite smooth." Aerys continued
Rhaegar sighed, "Very well."
Aerys chuckled, "Show some joy, boy." He said, "Our new Knight's skills are worthy of praise!"
"I admit, he does have good swordsmanship." Rhaegar said
"Bastards can rise up high in this world." Aerys said, "If Ellion can keep this up, he can become a landed Knight and I might have him marry a nice Lady worthy of his seed."
I stood up slowly, "Your Grace." I said, "Your kind words are an honor to hear."
Aerys smiled, "No worries, boy." He said, "Let us enjoy this nice and peaceful day."
"Peace that came as an aftermath to violence." Rhaegar said
"Exactly." Aerys said with a slight smirk, "The best kind."
"My favorite kind."
*****************
[Some Time Later]
I was on my horse, looking at the walls of the city while the caravan approached it.
"So we're here." I muttered to myself
It had been some time since we had left the camp. I had killed the bandits who tried to attack it during the night, even going for a few days and hunting for stragglers. King Aerys had told me to leave the rest of the bandits be and let them live, which I did.
I don't know what he had planned for that, but I can hunt the rest down and deal with them completely.
But now, we were in King's Landing. I am sure that word of the Tourney at Lannisport had spread all the way to the capital, with the way the King speaks of me.
I just hope things aren't going to be a pain in the ass for me.
It's been so long since I have had sex, which is already starting to annoy me. I miss feeling Genna's breast with my hands and with my face. I also miss how that woman's body would press against me while I fuck her senselessly.
And it wasn't just her who I missed; it was also Lady Joanna. That woman's warmth is something I yearn for again, I really couldn't stop thinking about her.
"Prepare yourself for the city, Ser Ellion." I heard Prince Rhaegar tell me
I looked to the side to see him ride his horse past me, "My Prince?"
"This is not the Westerlands nor the Riverlands." Rhaegar said, "It is much more intense in King's Landing. But considering that my Father has shown his favor to you, I figure that you will be fine."
I nodded, "I figure that as well."
He stopped and glanced back at me, "Best make sure you stay out of trouble." He said, "The last thing the crown needs is for you to bring inconveniences to our doorstep."
I smiled slightly, "You think so lowly of me, My Prince." I said, "Why would I do something like that?"
"That's what I am trying to figure out myself." He said
"Let's try to get along, Prince Rhaegar." I said as I rode my horse past him,
"Your Father would want that."