(Ellion's POV)
"May I ask you what kind of life you had with Ser Lyonel?" The Queen said as we sat together
I looked at her, her eyes were on the sky, the sorrowful look not leaving them. I didn't know what to think or feel when it came to that saddened look in her eyes. It really bothered me that the King was treating her that way.
"Old Lyonel?" I asked
"Yes." She nodded
I looked back up to the sky, "It was...." I started, "I don't know how to explain it. He was like my Father, I suppose. I don't remember my Mother or anything of the sorts, Old Lyonel took me in when I was quite young. We were mostly on the road, spending the majority of our days in the Riverlands."
"I see." She said, "How was it with him?"
"He was strict." I said, "He taught me many things. But at the end of the day, he was a kind and gentle man. Life with him was what you would expect from a Hedge Knight. But the truth is, it was miles better than life as an orphan in the Riverlands. I am grateful for Old Lyonel, I will forever be. When he passed, I did not know what to do with my life. I felt...lost."
"And you started to act the way you do." She said
I looked at her, "Your Grace?"
She glanced at me, "The very same actions that he disagreed with Aerys with." She said, "That is what you are doing. Mayhaps it was Old Lyonel's death that made you act this way."
I looked down, "I admit, Your Grace, that I am quite....well, you know." I said, "But I don't think it was Old Lyonel's death that caused it. Maybe I was always meant to be this way, but his death simply made way for it."
"Regardless, you are this way." She said, "Would he approve of it?"
I shook my head, "I do not think so." I said, "But the truth is, it does not matter whether or not he would approve. I seek nothing but true freedom for my life, for my future. I am a Knight now, one that he would be proud of."
"Do you think so?" She asked
I looked at her, "I hope so."
"You are a young man, with quite the future ahead of him." She said, "Whatever you do, do not cross the King, for he would be capable of ruining that future. Aerys has a knack for doing that to knights."
"I would assume so." I said, "He is the King."
"He's been doing this before he became King." She said softly
"Oh." I said, "I see."
"There was a certain Knight who suffered at his hands." She said, looking down and fidgeting with her hands, "One that.....well..."
I raised an eyebrow, "Your Grace?"
"I was fond of this man." She said, "No, I was in love with him. He was a good man, one that I always look forward to seeing."
"I see." I said, "But your betrothal to Aerys changed things."
"It changed everything." She said, "When he learned of my affection for that man, he grew envious and jealous. Then, when we were wed, he found any excuse to torment that man in our wedding night. And he forced an incident, having that Man sent to the Wall. He ruined his life simply because that man and I were in love. It was one of the few things I would never forgive him for."
"I am sorry to hear that." I said, "I reckon your marriage with Aerys is not that happy."
"The only good thing that came out of it is Rhaegar. And now, Viserys." She said, a sad smile on her face, "I love my sons, I truly do. But I cannot say that I love the fact that their Father is Aerys."
"Hm...." I said, "We cannot do much about that."
"No, we cannot." She said, "Tell me, Ser Ellion. Do you fear Aerys?"
I looked at her for a few seconds, our eyes locking.
"No." I said
"Why?" She asked
"Besides being the King, Aerys is not a man worth fearing." I said, "Take away his Crown, he is nothing but a maniac. That is the truth, even a blind man can see it."
"Those words are enough to have your tongue cut out, or sent to the Wall." she said softly, "Why speak them?"
"Because Her Grace asked the truth." I told her, "That is why."
She looked down, "I see...." She said, "Well....."
I reached for her hand, holding it gently, "Whatever happens, Your Grace, do not concern yourself with me." I said, "I will keep you safe, I promise."
She looked taken aback by my action, but she didn't pull away. She squeezed my hand a bit, looking at me with a saddened expression.
"That is quite the statement, Ser Ellion." She said
"I feel responsible for your pain." I said seriously, "I intend to redeem myself, Your Grace. Whatever you wish for, say the word."
"Just like Aerys?" She whispered, "I do not want a blade that spills blood."
"The blood the blade spills is not innocent; it belongs to those who deserve it." I said, "I give you my word."
"Ser Ellion." She lifted my hand and held it with both of hers, "If I am to ask you to stop killing, would you?"
I sighed, "Your Grace, sometimes...." I said, "Killing is the one thing I can do to keep people safe. And if I need to kill to keep you safe, I must do it."
"I see...." She said softly, "I understand."
"From now on, my blade is at your disposal." I said, "Not for you to wield it against someone, to kill them. No, Your Grace. My blade will solely be utilized to protect you and your family, even Rhaegar."
She forced a slight smile, "You...." She started, "You are a good man, Ser Ellion."
"Thank you, Your Grace." I said as she slowly pulled away, "I try."
"You would be a better one if you were not one of debauchery." She said with a sigh, "But that does not matter, does it? Your heart is a good one."
"I would like to keep you by my side."