Helaena insisted her sworn sword didn't join the harsh games she found so disturbing and distasteful. The princess's 19th birthday was approaching, and her father had insisted there be a tourney to celebrate her coming of age and to find her a husband. But in truth, everyone knew it was only for King Viserys to appear a decent father. He never knew what her sworn sword understood - how Helaena hated the thought of anyone being hurt in the name of her honor. So she was horrified when her secret lover decided to join the tourney for her. How she would have preferred to sleep in, woken by her brothers singing happy birthday in soft voices, bringing treats and cupcakes to her bed, gifting her new needles and threads along with books of insects to study. She had hoped her mind would rest for one day, no longer plagued by dreams of the dragon.

"You mustn't!" Helaena said, her lavender eyes filling with sorrow as she picked at her nails, just as her mother had done when Helaena was a little girl. The scent of jasmine from the flowers on her windowsill wafted through the room as morning sunlight streamed through the glass, catching in her silver hair. "I saw it! Within my dreams, Ser..." she tried to explain, her voice trembling like the wings of a captured butterfly.

It was partially true - she knew something horrible was bound to happen. She saw it, felt it, yet never knew exactly what or when until it occurred. She never knew how to properly communicate what she saw in her troubled mind, but he loved her regardless, always trying to decipher her riddles and rhymes without bombarding her with questions. "No need to lie, sweet princess," he stated gently, his armor clinking softly as he shifted his weight. "Promise me you'll make me a favor - a laurel wreath like all the other ladies do for their knights. That's all I ask." He stood slightly taller than her, and Helaena's breath hitched at the sound of his voice.

She moved quickly, the silk of her dress rustling like leaves as she turned to her dresser and opened a drawer with haste, collecting a handkerchief. "I made this for you," Helaena said in her soft voice, turning back to face him without quite meeting his eyes as she presented it. The fabric was soft against his calloused hands, and he could see his house sigil embroidered on it, with a tiny dragon flying above. "I'll make you your favor, but you must be safe. What shall I do if I lose you?" she spoke with worry, her bottom lip quivering slightly as a single tear threatened to fall.