Chapter Text
Dunk had not even been at the tourney for three days and he had befriended a prince and made an enemy of another. He wasn’t sure what to make of Prince Aerion, the omega was the single most beautiful being he had ever seen.
His scent was arresting. A mixture of campfire and lavender; as if someone had set alight a field full of it. When Dunk approached Lord Ashford’s castle to speak with Prince Baelor he stopped in his tracks and watched the young Prince’s on horseback. Prince Valarr beside him, a handsome alpha in his own right, but Dunk could not stop staring at the white-haired beauty beside him.
He watched as the prince’s dismounted from their horses. Prince Aerion attempted to climb down gracefully but his cloak caught on the stirrups and before Dunk realized he moved forward from his “hiding” spot from within the stables. He caught Aerion around the waist, and what a waist it is. Dunk gripped those slim hips tightly, his hands overlapping with how small he was. He had Aerion leaning into his chest as he gently helped him remove his caught cloak from the horse.
“Easy, easy my Prince” Dunk said as he calmly placed the prince on the ground. Prince Aerion whirled around angry his scent spiking. His violet eyes full of rage. “Who the fuck are you to touch a prince so blatantly” he spit, embarrassed that he almost fell from his horse. “Where are my guards? Why did they not help me?” he spun around searching for them.
Dunk could see the Kingsguards helping other servants, none were closer than he. “I am a knight my Prince” Dunk said and rubbed the back of his neck, “I truly meant no harm, It is part of my oath to help those in need, and well you looked in need.” Dunk tried to release his own scent of wood and apples in a calming manner.
Aerion looked this so called ‘knight’ over, “You don’t look like a knight I’ve ever seen” he sneered. “What are you? Some sort of peasant knight?” he asked looking over Dunk’s less than stellar appearance; taking in the dirt on his clothes and his rope belt. Dunk flushed and looked down “My name is Ser Duncan the Tall, I am but a hedge knight my Prince, I hope to enter this tournament to make a name for myself and in the end pledge my allegiance to a great house who would have me” Aerion laughed cruelly at his response “You do know what this tourney is truly about right hedge knight?”
Dunk furrowed his brow, as far as he knew it was for Lord Ashford’s daughters nameday the young Lady was turning ten and three. Though last night Lyonel mentioned something about marriage, he thought the Stag alpha was referring to Lord Ashford using this tourney to find a suitable match for his Beta daughter.
“Begging your pardon my prince I do not know what you’re referring to” he said sheepishly, stepping away from the prince. Aerion looked up at him and glared.
“You are truly something else Hedge Knight, I almost hope you win for that would be quite hilarious.” Aerion then spun around and entered the castle following his parents and older brother.
Dunk was taken aback, what could the beautiful prince mean? Before he could think any further the prince’s large black warhorse reared back and kicked a servant in the head. Dunk quickly sprung into action and corralled the large mare into the stables all while hushing it and offering the poor horse comfort. Horses were simple, he understood them a lot better than omegas especially ones who are princes. As he tended to the large horse two Kingsguards entered the stables. They were both alphas and walked up to Dunk.
“The prettier they are the more temperamental” one of the large knights said. “You seem to handle him well” he continued. “I beg your pardon ser’s?” Dunk asked, as far as he could tell the horse was female.
“The prince, he means. He has been acting out recently. His parents are hoping this tourney will help…settle him” the other guard said rather cryptically.
“Oh, aye” Dunk said conversationally. “I am Ser Duncan the Tall” he said politely “ I did not mean any harm to the prince; I just wanted to help him” Dunk said nervously and bowed slightly. “Well met Ser Duncan, I am Ser Rolland Crakehall and this is Ser Donnel of Duskendale” The first man said gesturing to his companion.
“I saw the whole thing, His mother; Prince Maekar told him earlier this morning that the cape is too long, I was waiting to see if he fell.” Ser Donnel said with a laugh. “You are not in trouble at all, in fact thank you for catching him. You have great reflexes” He continued with a wink. Ser Rolland smiled warmly to Dunk and said, “Good luck in the tourney Ser Duncan I wish you the best” and both Kingsguards walked off.
Dunk stood there for a moment longer, unsure of how to process the interaction. He was glad he was not in trouble but was very confused about Prince Aerion. That was not important. Dunk shook his head like a dog, trying to get his thoughts straight. He was not here to lust over a prince he needed to talk to Prince Baelor. He looked around the courtyard and spied a serving girl using a secret entrance. He snuck in after her, following a distance behind to sneak into the castle and find the prince.
As he came out of the hidden passage, he found himself outside of the castle’s great hall. He could hear voices coming from within. He hid himself behind the doorframe and listened in trying to find a good point to reveal himself.
“I don’t know why you agreed to this, that boy is a fucking disaster and will not be a good wife” one of the voices said.
“I know my love, but we have to try” A second said much calmer. “This is all so fucking stupid, why did you agree with father” the first said annoyed.
“Lord Ashford has been more than gracious to hold this tourney; this is not just about Aerion but also for Lady Gwin” The second voice said in its calm authoritative tone.
‘Whoever was behind that voice is a true alpha’ Dunk thought.
“Who ever is hiding behind the doorframe please come into the room, I can smell you” That same kind alpha voice rang out. Dunk flushed and stumbled into the room.
He could see that it was the two princes: Prince Baelor Targaryen and his brother wife Prince Maekar Targaryen along with the Lord Ashford and the man in charge of the games.
Dunk stopped in the middle of the room looking awkwardly at the group of men and spoke without thinking. “I have asked almost every knight in attendance of this tourney if any of them knew Ser Arlan of Pennytree, He was not a strong man, not an alpha or a lord of high importance. But he was a true knight that had fought for most of the great houses in these seven kingdoms.” Dunk said staring at every one of the men in front of him imploring that maybe one of them knew him “Prince Baelor” Dunk continued “My master spoke very highly of you and of a tournament that you both took part in, do you remember Ser Arlan?” he asked breathlessly of the good prince.
Prince Baelor looked at Dunk, truly looked at this knight. At his heaving chest, his clothes and the sword at his side. “Ser Arlan of Pennytree, I do think I remember him… You are right, it was years ago; I was just a young pup. He was nothing of importance, but he was a good fighter.” He mused. “We jousted against each other, and it took me four lances before I unseated the older knight I believe” Baelor said kindly
Dunk grinned “Aye my prince, Arlan told me that story many a times, though I do believe it may have been seven lances” he said chuckling.
“What the fuck is this, how do you remember some hedge knight from back then?” Prince Maekar interrupted, confused.
“It was four I am certain of it, I know in old age stories can get confused, but I cannot see any issues with this knight competing” Prince Baelor said ignoring his wife and turning to Lord Ashford and his games master. Lord Ashford shrugged and his games master responded with “No, no issue at all, Ser?”
“Ser Duncan the Tall” Dunk said and fell to his knee “Thank you, my prince thank you so very much. You will not regret this.” He said breathlessly
“Yes, yes you’re very welcome, now run along hedge knight.” Prince Maekar said waving his hand.
Baelor on the other hand smiled at Dunk kindly and said “Please excuse my wife, our oldest and youngest sons have gone missing, he is very worried for their safety.” He patted Maekar’s hand gently. “I wish you the best in the tournament, but before you go, you are not of Ser Arlan’s blood, were you?” he asked gently.
Dunk looked down “No my prince I was not, though he raised me and took me in as if I was.”
Baelor hummed “You will need to change your shield then; you cannot fight for the hand of my son without a proper shield.” He said, kindly smiling. “Until then Ser Duncan, good luck”
Dunk bowed more “Thank you I will!” he said excitedly and ran out of the room.
“Do you favour him to win Aerion’s hand? That man is a large as he is dumb!” Prince Maekar raged at his husband. What response Baelor had was lost on Dunk as he exited the castle thoughts racing.
So that’s what Aerion meant. This journey is not only for Lady Gwin but for himself as well. From his knowledge of Targaryen’s, Aerion is the third son and second omega. He is known for his temperament. Dunk had heard tale of several broken engagements due to his behavior towards Alphas. Dunk hoped to do well enough not to lose his belongings but not well enough he ended up married to a prince, no matter how pretty one could be.