Rodrik walked through the echoing stone corridors of the Red Keep, his boots tapping lightly against the marble floors. There was a strange energy in the air—more eyes than usual followed him, more whispers faded into silence when he drew near. He noticed the glances, the veiled laughter, the guards exchanging murmurs with the courtly ladies and lowborn alike. Something had shifted.
When he reached his chambers and pushed open the door, Jaymee was pacing frantically inside, his hands on his head like the weight of the world was trying to press it down.
"What in the Seven Hells is going on?" Rodrik asked, his brow furrowing.
Jaymee stopped mid-step and looked at Rodrik like he'd grown a second head. "You… you are asking me what is going on? YOU, who can barely win a sparring match with a half-drunk guard, have challenged Daemon Targaryen to a duel. DAEMON. TARGARYEN. The Rogue Prince, Rider of the Blood Wyrm, one who kills people for pleasure!"
Rodrik opened his mouth to interject, but Jaymee was already on a roll, his voice rising.
"Do you realise what you've done? He will either kill you, cripple you, or—at best—humiliate you so publicly that you'll be a walking jest for the rest of your life! And then Grandfather will have my head for not keeping you out of this madness."
Jaymee's pacing turned to stomping. "We are utterly fucked, Rodrik."
Rodrik leaned against the carved oak post of his bed, watching Jaymee unravel with an almost amused expression. A corner of his lip twitched upward, but he suppressed the laugh. Instead, he placed a firm hand on Jaymee's shoulder.
"Calm down," he said quietly. "There won't be a fight."
Jaymee blinked. "What?"
"I said, there won't be a fight," Rodrik repeated, more calmly now.
Jaymee looked like he might faint. "Are you out of your mind? You can't back out now! Do you even know what's happening out there? The whole of King's Landing is talking about it. They say the Vale's genius lord has grown so proud, he's aiming to tame a dragon with a stick. They're betting coin on how Daemon will take you apart. Cowardice now would bring dishonour not just to you but to all of us."
Rodrik furrowed his brow. "We just talked not after that I can straight here how did the news spread so quickly?"
It's not like Rodrik doesn't see where Jaymee is coming from & he has tried learning fighting but he was never good at it no matter how much time & effort he gave it. So he finnally realised he doesn't have martial talent & moved on towards the tallent he has. He looked at Jaymee " Don't worry there won't be a flight & I won't back down just believe me ok"
Jaymee reluctanty believed his but still insisting on doing regirous training for the next three days to get Rodrik reddy for the alterations.
What followed were three excruciating days of bruises, missed swings, awkward footing, and the sound of wooden practice swords clattering to the ground.
Jaymee drilled Rodrik from dawn till dusk. Sword forms, footwork, body balance—everything was covered, and everything went badly. Rodrik, despite his intelligence and unmatched strategic mind, was uncoordinated with a blade.
"By the Seven," Jaymee muttered on the second day, "You swing like a fish on land."
Rodrik gasped, rolling out of the way of another strike. "A graceful fish, at least?"
"No. A dying one."
For training they moved to a secluded courtyard hidden between two garden walls. Rodrik preferred the quiet. Fewer people watching. Less humiliation.
Or so he thought.
Mid-spar, Rodrik stumbled from a particularly hard hit, landing on his back, groaning.
Jaymee winced. "You alright?"
"Just my pride."
A sudden burst of laughter cut across the quiet courtyard.
Both boys turned to the entrance, where Princess Rhaenyra and Lady Alicent stood watching with amused expressions. Rhaenyra's laughter had caught them completely off guard.
"I thought the rumors were exaggerated," she said through chuckles, "but you truly are brave… or mad."
Rodrik lay on the ground, panting, his face dusted red with both exertion and embarrassment. "Both, probably," he muttered.
Alicent covered her smile with a delicate hand, trying to maintain composure. "We didn't mean to interrupt… we just heard Lord Arryn were training and grew curious."
Jaymee gave Rodrik a sidelong glance. "You've become quite the spectacle, my lord."
Rodrik sighed and pushed himself up. "Let them watch. It won't change the outcome."
Rhaenyra raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "We'll see."
Rodrik looked at Rhaenerya & felt sad because he knew what was going to happen & how that will impact everyone.
He said to Rhaenerya without even realising it that you should spend time with your Mother.
On that Comment Rhaenyra didn't understood why he was saying this suddenly but ignored the suggestion.