𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 || 𝐇𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧

Episode 16

･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.

A/N: Chapter written by
Mysticbangtxn & hyukaberry

It was nearing noon, Chan was sipping tea in the garden when he noticed Hyunjin, dressed in a light yellow dress that hugged his figure, accentuating his waist and the graceful curves of his hips. He looked impeccable and radiant in the sunlight.

Hyunjin descended the stone steps, a smile on his face as he spotted his husband seated by a small glass table with crossed legs. Approaching, he noticed a wooden and straw target, alongside a rack bearing several bows and a quiver of arrows.

"Would you join me, love?" asked Chan as Hyunjin approached him, his voice smooth like honey. 

"I'd like that, yes," Hyunjin replied fondly.  He sat down in the seat across from Chan. "What are you doing out here, all alone?" Hyunjin asked looking at Chan.

"The same reason you're out here: fresh air," Chan replies, making eye contact with Hyunjin. They both smile and then laugh lightly. Hyunjin then glanced over at the rack of bows and the target before them, Chan noticed.

"Would you like to try?" he asks, his gaze fixed on Hyunjin. "Oh..." Hyunjin looked back and forth between the target and Chan, hesitating for a moment before nodding in response.

Chan smiled softly.

Chan rose from his seat and strode to the bow rack, inspecting them briefly before selecting one. "You're right-handed, yes?" Chan inquired, examining the brown bow he picked. "I am, my lord," Hyunjin responded. Chan chose an arrow from the black leather quiver and grabbed a dark brown leather bracer.

Chan walked over to Hyunjin with the items. He handed Hyunjin the bow and arrow to hold while he rolled up the left sleeve of his dress. "What is that?" Hyunjin asked, watching as Chan strapped the bracer to his arm.

"It's called a bracer. It goes on the non-dominant arm. It prevents any harmful mistakes from happening." Chan answers as he tightens the leather straps.

Once Chan finished, Hyunjin notched the arrow onto the bowstring, stood sideways, and drew it back, aiming at the target. "Ah, ah," Chan interrupted, shaking his head. Hyunjin lowered his weapon as Chan approached him.

"You're too quick," Chan says, Hyunjin looks up at him. "The eye is more important than the hand." Chan uses his hands to guide Hyunjin in lifting his bow, ensuring his posture is correct before taking the shot. This time, Hyunjin draws the arrow back more slowly and stretches the string to its maximum extent. 

Chan suddenly presses a gentle hand against his abdomen and Hyunjin almost releases the bow when he flinches at the sudden action.

"Take a deep breath," Chan whispers. A warmth spread across his cheeks; just being near Chan gave him butterflies in his stomach. Hyunjin swallows and inhales deeply. 

"See your target. Focus on the center. The rest of the circles are irrelevant." Chan says softly, his tone husky.

Hyunjin released the arrow, watching as it soared toward the target and landed in the center. Hyunjin gasped in surprise. "Well done," Chan applauds. A light laugh escaped Hyunjin.

Before Chan could offer if he wanted another go, a servant was running to the king as if his very life depended on it. "Y-Your Grace," the man panted, "The Council urgently requests a meeting with you, It regards Storms End!"

Chan was taken aback by this, he turned to Hyunjin. "I apologize, my love, I would spend more time with you but I must take my leave," Chan spoke to him, in a disappointing but slightly rushed tone. Hyunjin nodded and watched the King and the servant enter the palace.

Why would the council request a meeting at such an hour? Hyunjin pondered with a slight pout on his face. He was slightly disappointed. He had hoped to spend more time with his husband and continue to practice archery.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 Chan entered the council chamber and took his seat at the table and all of the lords at the table immediately began squabbling.

"They have gone too far!-"

"I told you from the beginning, we should not have given Castely Rock so much authority-"

"Thank the Gods that he does not sit in this Council-"

Chan was slowly starting to get a headache, after all these minutes he was present he still could not understand why this meeting was called.

The king stood up from his seat and in one single word, one intimidating voice, "Silence." Immediately, the Lords fell silent. They knew, that it was serious business when their King ordered absolute silence.

"For nearly fifteen minutes I was present in this very room, I have yet to know why this meeting was held so quickly and immediately." He said, in a stressed but serious voice, clearly meaning he was frustrated.

"Pardon the rather unexpected instruction Your Grace but, we've recently received a battle report saying that House Lannister of Castely Rock have taken Harrenhal and are marching to Storms End-"

Chan simply silenced him with a single hit of a hand to the mahogany table.

Outrageous and bombastic. Chan thought. The absolute nerve of them to attempt to take his motherland and also conquer one out of the eight kingdoms without the Crown's approval. Such an action was classified as an act of treason to the Crown.

"We must act fast your grace, who knows what will be next-" a Lord piped in.

"If so, how many men do we have? War and battle rations? Expenses to cover everything?" Chan questioned him, they needed money and men.

"Well, we can send ravens and envoys to the other kingdoms to request resources and soldiers?" suggested one lord.

Resources...Men...Money... Chan started thinking. They needed to solve this quickly, if the Lannisters did plan on committing treason and rebelling, King's Landing would be prepared to fight back.

"Well, there's Highgarden for expenses, Dorne for soldiers and manpower, Iron Islands for ships and fleet, and I suppose Valryia could help." suggested one Lord.

"Your Grace, I do remember that Lord Yeonjun of Valryia is distant cousins with His Highness Prince Hyunjin, yes? I believe that they are rumored to have the last dragons, born from the sands of Asshai of Old Essos." said another lord.

"But of course, they are only rumors, servant gossip. The dragons have been long gone." Another Lord chuckled.

Chan thoughtfully considered this, although he did not wish to start a huge war but, House Lannister has already done too many treacherous acts that have been let off or loopholed out of.

"Prepare the ravens, send one out to the ruling house of every kingdom. Let them know of the Lannisters so that they may prepare, should the Lannisters attack their homes." He said, with a determined and serious attitude. He was and will make the Lannisters bend the knee again and swear loyalty before their treasonable crimes.