Chapter 8- A Queen of Love and Beauty
Jon Snow POV:
With Luncheon finished and the Joust about to continue, I made my way back to the tents with Asher and Smalljon. We entered my tent and Asher and Smalljon started helping me with my armor. "Alright, let me get your horse." Smalljon said as he left the tent. "You nervous?" Asher asked me as he handed me my helmet. "Not even slightly" I said with a smirk. "Good" He returned the smirk. I went outside to see Smalljon with my Horse saddled and ready. "Your chariot awaits oh King of Love and Beauty." Smalljon said as he bowed playfully. "Thank you prince of small cocks" I said with a teasing a smile. "Oh shut up and get up there." Smalljon said as Asher nearly collapsed from laughing so hard. "JON SNOW 'THE BLOODY WOLF'" I heard my name being announced as I mounted my horse and placed my helmet on my head. "Lets go" I said as we made our way through the gates to see the stands filled and the crowd chanting my name. I looked towards the Frostwood stands to see Elaena clapping and smiling. I pulled my horse to a stop right next to Jory Cassel the Captain of the Winterfell Guard. "I don't suppose you are going to go easy on me?" He asked me while the announcer called the other riders names. "Sorry Jory, But I have a promise to keep." I said with a smirk. "Worth a try." He said as he sighed. "THE FIRST JOUST WILL HAVE JORY CASSEL CAPTAIN OF THE WINTERFELL GUARDS AGAINST JON SNOW 'THE BLOODY WOLF'!" The announcer yelled as the crowd began to cheer. "Fuck me." I heard Jory exclaim as he started to ride to his post while I did the same.
'Jory is good, I will give him that' I thought as I turned my horse around for the 3rd tilt to see he still hung on to his horse after I hit him once again. I noticed his posture began to slack as he grew tired. 'One more tilt should do it' I thought as I heard the Horn Blow signalling us to charge at each other. I kicked my horse on the sides and sped up. I lowed my lance and aimed for Jory's exposed shoulder as he dropped his shield slightly due to his exhaustion. I grunted as I pushed my Lance forward and I landed a perfect hit to Jory's Shoulder, Knocking him off balance and sped forward to the other post. I turned my horse around to see Jory had landed flat on his back and he started to get up. The Crowd cheered as Jory got up after the hit he took. I kicked my horse towards Asher and Smalljon as they took the reigns. I dismounted and removed my helmet. "That took longer than the other's" I said as Asher handed me a horn of ale. I took a swig as I watched them nod. "THE SECOND JOUST WILL HAVE HARRION KARSTARK 'HEIR OF KARHOLD' AGAINST TORRHEN KARSTARK 'SECOND HEIR OF KARHOLD' AND IT APPEARS THAT DARYN HORNWOOD HAS FORFEITED DUE TO BEING 'TOO DRUNK TO RIDE A HORSE PROPERLY'. The announcer yelled as the crowd laughed over Daryn drunkenly being escorted towards the tents to have his armor removed. "I WISH TO FORFEIT AS WELL!" Yelled Torrhen Karstark. "I do not wish to joust against my older brother as I know he will win." Everyone in the crowd clapped lightly with understanding but also disappointment that they had lost 2 riders. "WITH TORRHEN KARSTARK FORFEITING, HIS PLACE WILL NOW BE TAKEN BY SER WENDEL MANDERLY 'SECOND HEIR OF WHITE HARBOR'!" The announcer yelled as the crowd began to cheer and clap. I watched Wendel Manderly as he mounted his horse. "He has got a lot of meat on his bones, don't you think?" Asher whispered to us as we nodded, watching as the 'large' Manderly rode towards his post. We watched Harrion Karstark 'A Strong built man' ride towards his post. "I bet you Fifty silver stags that Karstark will win." Smalljon said as he nodded towards the heir of Karhold. "Nice try. What about you Asher?" I asked knowing he would not take the chance. "Nice try Jon, anyone can see that Karstark is going to win." He said as he shook his head with a smile. We heard the Horn Blow and watched as Harrion and Wendel kicked their horses forward and sped forward inching closer and closer until 'crack' We watched as both lances hit their targets but snapped in half as they rode to the posts. They were handed new lances as the Horn blew once more, They sped forward and I watched as they grew closer until Harrion Karstark pushed his lance forward with a perfect blow pushing Wendel Manderly's shield back towards himself and pushing him off his horse. The Crowd chanted Harrion's Name as he rode his horse towards his brothers that were helping him. "WE WILL BEGIN THE THIRD AND FINAL JOUST IN A FEW MOMENTS FOR OUR FINALISTS TO READY THEMSELVES!" The crowd cheered and I could see many of them placing bets with each other in the stands.
I mounted my horse and took my helmet from Asher as he handed it to me and rode off towards my Post. "THE THIRD AND FINAL JOUST WILL HAVE JON SNOW 'THE BLOODY WOLF' AGAINST HARRION KARSTARK 'HEIR OF KARHOLD'!" The crowd cheered and the announcer continued. "THE WINNER SHALL BE GIVEN FIVE HUNDRED GOLD DRAGONS AS PRIZE MONEY, AS WELL AS BEING GIVEN A WREATH OF WINTER ROSES TO CROWN A QUEEN OF LOVE AND BEAUTY!" He finished as I looked forward towards Harrion. I heard the Horn blow and kicked my horse forward to a small sprint as Harrion did the same. I looked for any vulnerabilities in Harrion's Posture and found none. I lowered my lance and aimed for his shield as he did the same. We hit each other's shields as I angled my shield for the lance to slide off instead of pushing the shield into me. I rode forward to the post and turned, preparing for the next tilt.
Harrion continued to stay atop his horse as I hit his shield again for the sixth time in a row. His posture was almost flawless as I saw no weaknesses until I caught him lowering his shield slightly as if it was getting harder for him to keep it up. 'Thats It!' I smiled to myself. I waited for the Horn to blow and watched as Harrion lifted his shield quickly most likely hoping that I did not see his change in posture. The Horn blew again as I charged my horse forward as fast I could and saw Harrion lower his shield just slightly enough to see his shoulder plate. It was small but it was enough for a lance to land a blow at. 'I have to time it perfectly' I thought to myself as I got closer. I lowered my lance and aimed it low to see if Harrion would lower his shield a little more but he did not. 'He won't fall for that' I had to work with what I had. I inched closer and closer until I thrust my lance forward and landed a perfect blow to Harrion's shoulder and pushed forward as hard as I could to knock him off his horse. I sped forward to the Post and turned to see if it worked and I laughed in triumph as I saw Harrion had fallen off of his horse. The Crowd Cheered as I heard them chant. "SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!" I smiled and looked to see Harrion bringing himself up with the help of his Brother's and watched as he walked towards the tents. "THE WINNER OF THE JOUSTING IS JON SNOW 'THE BLOODY WOLF OF THE NORTH'!" The announcer yelled as he approached my horse with a Wreath of Winter Roses. he handed me the Wreath and I listened as many northern ladies cried out my name asking to be Queen of Love and Beauty while the crowd was still cheering. I looked towards the Frostwoods and saw Elaena, I rode towards the Frostwood booth and then came to a stop right in front of Elaena and I smiled. "I name The Lady Elaena of House Frostwood, The Queen of Love and Beauty!" I said as she stood with a smile as I offered her the Wreath, She took it and placed it on her head as the Crowd Cheered even louder for the Queen of Love and Beauty. I then looked to see my Father stand from his chair and raise his hand for silence. The Crowd silenced as he began to speak. "My Lord's and Ladies of the North, With the Joust over, I would ask you all to prepare yourselves for the Feast tonight!" He said and the crowd cheered as they stood to leave. I turned to Elaena with a smile and saw her looking at me with a smile as well. "I will see you at the feast Queen Elaena." I said playfully as If I was a southerner. "Aye Ser Jon. I will save you a dance." she said as she turned to walk with her family towards Winterfell. I dismounted my horse and made my way towards Asher and Smalljon who were waiting at the gates to the tents.