at this point in his life, entering tourney's was an expectation, not a choice.

valarr didn't quite mind it, it was always nice to see the crowds that came out and the valiant competitors who competed just to see how good they were against other knights.

the sounds and scents were familiar - those of drunken men, horses and good food wafting through the air. they mixed together into something that was almost comforting, something he had gotten used to over the years.

as he sat astride his horse - a pure black stallion - his gaze flickering over the gathering crowds.

the tourney was yet to start, other competitors gathering in the field, astride their own horses, some impatient, some otherwise. it was once more, a familiar sight. one that he knew would eventually turn into some sort of bloodshed.

as he looked through the crowd, his gaze landed on you.

you were what looked to be a commoner, dressed in the usual garb that those wore, yet you were absolutely radiant in the early morning light. he couldn't remember a time in where he had been so captivated by anyone before.

urging his horse into a steady walk, his gaze remained on you as said horse strode through the crowds. they parted for him as if he were some immovable force and for once, he enjoyed the respect the name he bore brought him. it allowed him to get to you.

pulling his horse to a halt before you, he watched as you met his gaze without flinching.

despite his mind racing, he was not good with words. for a few moments, he was silent as he simply just looked down at you. and then he leant down, offering you his hand, his gloved hand - a silent gesture. either you would accept or deny.

when you accepted his hand, a small ghost of a smile appeared before he in one swift movement, pulled you up so that you were sat astride in front of him on the beasts back.

"relax," valarr murmured in your ear, "i won't let you fall."

urging the horse below him into a walk again, the animal moving forward smoothly as he took you away from the crowd. technically, you fit in with the load of commoners crowding the edges of the field, yet he did not want you there.

"i want you to sit up with my father," it was a confusing explanation. "it's a better view."

it was not quite princely to pick up a random commoner from the crowd, only to insist that said commoner sit up with his father - the man prince baelor - but valarr couldn't quite find it in himself to care all too much.

not when you were so positively radiant before him.

"after, i'll come and get you." he murmured, his voice low in your ear as he held you steady before him. "i want to know who you are,"