WINTERFELL 283 AC

Ned looked up at his fiery new wife. Brandon's, she should be Brandon's. But no, thought Ned, the Mad King wasn't going to let that happen, he had to kill Brandon and his father. Ned thought about this often, how Catelyn was stuck with him rather than the rugged heir to Winterfell that she had dreamt of. She hadn't dreamt of him, he thought bitterly, no one wants the second son. Brandon had been the heir, Benjen the young pup, destined for the Kingsguard now, and Lyanna, sweet fierce Lyanna had been the brave she-wolf. Ned was simply Ned, much to his wife's dismay he was sure. He watched her rock their son, moving him back and forth. She looked beautiful in motherhood, she looked beautiful all the time, but now even more so. She looked at him tiredly, her eyes shining with tears.

"Will they take our son too?" Catelyn asked in a whisper. She, of course, was worried now that King Rhaegar had taken the liberty of announcing that once Robert's first male bastard would be legitimised and given to the royal family to foster, it was a worry that Ned had had aswell, that Rhaegar would take Robb away from them, Catelyn would never want him then, never love him as she loved Brandon.

"No, I don't think so, my lady. My sister would not let him," Ned replied, rubbing his temples in a circular motion, he had had a headache since he returned two days ago. War was no enjoyable thing.

"Your sister started a war," Catelyn snapped. Ned sighed, looking up at her again, she was sitting on his bed, across from him where he was seated on a chair by the table on which he had begun writing a letter.

"My sister was a child, but children grow when there is a war involved, I will not hear you speak ill of my sister," Ned told her fiercely, for he loved his sister, she had always been there by his side and for that he was grateful.

"I apologise, my lord, I'm simply worried for Robb. I must say, this is the first time we have spoken since you have returned..." Catelyn trailed off suddenly very nervous looking. He raised a brow at her. She sighed.

"I have heard rumours, my lord, of how it happened, I think I would like to hear from you," she whispered, looking quite frightened. Did she think he would hit her, for such a request? Ned looked at her painfully. Was she afraid of him? Would she have been afraid of Brandon at this point?

"I wasn't at the Trident, I was with Lyanna. I met my nephew, Prince Jahaerys Targaryen. Lyanna has already nicknamed him Jon. They married, you see. They married for love, of course, Robert and I knew not of this. Rhaegar came back, shortly after Jon had been born, as fast as you can when you're travelling across the country, I suppose. He told me that Robert was defeated, but not dead, and Tywin Lannister was being sent to the wall," Ned revealed, he watched the expressions on her face change throughout his story, her eyes still shiny with her unshed tears.

"Why didn't he kill Robert? He's too forgiving," Catelyn asked, it pained him to see her so frightened, at least it was not at him, he thought.

"I know not, he didn't see fit to tell me, my lady," Ned replied, taking to rubbing his temples again, this time to get rid of the words echoing through his head in lieu of his usual headache.

"I'm sorry, my lord, I did not mean to cause you a headache," She apologised, Ned looked at her in shock, the frightened look was back on her face. Ned sighed.

"You did not, simply the effects of war. Please, my lady, don't look so frightened of me," He groaned, looking into her bright blue eyes.

"I apologise, my lord, if I may, I shall take my leave," She replied, now looking much prouder, she did not wait for him to reply before standing and leaving the room. His thoughts were not as kind though.

"Promise me, Ned, promise me," Lyanna's voice called through his mind. Ned turned back to the letter on his table. He picked up the quill, it pained him to write to his friend in this way. He looked

Dear Robert,

I write to you as your brother, as your friend. I truly am glad you were not put to the sword and can live out your life in peace. I am sorry about the death of Stannis, although I know you bear little love for the man. I also apologise for the fact that little Renly was spirited away, only seven, too young for war, too young to be apart from his family. I must tell you something though now, Robert. She loves Rhaegar. My sister was never one for the tie of betrothal and always one for adventure and the choice to choose her own destiny. She has borne him a child. Prince Jahaerys 'Jon' Targaryen. You must quit this folly. She was not abducted, she left willingly. Your bastard son, Gendry, will be sent to Kings Landing once he is off of his wet nurse's breast, and as you know, he is to be legitimised as your trueborn son, once you have married Cersei Lannister and bear more children, Gendry will be your heir. I hope you can stay true to Rhaegar, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm.

Your friend,

Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Lord Paramount of the North, and Warden of the North

"Promise me, Ned." The words echoed through his head once more before he handed the letter to a servant and made his way to the Godswood, he had some explaining to do to the Gods

KINGS LANDING 283 AC

Lyanna poured another cup of wine and drank it in one mouthful. Rhaegar looked at the woman he married for love and sighed, gaining her attention. She refilled her cup and took another sip, she slumped on the bed in the chambers Rhaegar had arranged for her. He looked towards their son, their newborn son, the third head to his dragon. The son who was meant to be a daughter, but Rhaegar didn't quite care, his little Jahaerys, or Jon as his wife had dubbed the boy, was just as precious as a daughter would have been.

"Calm down Lya," Rhaegar said, laughing, watching as the girl inspected the contents of her cup. Lyanna rolled her eyes and took another sip, she looked over at her sleeping child.

Rhaegar watched her watching Jon. Nothing was quite as lovely as this, watching his wife with his child, even if she was quite drunk. He thought of Elia, briefly, thought of how she looked with the children. Each of them different, but each just as beautiful in motherhood.

"What do you want Rhaegar. If I were you, I'd be with my wife and children. They almost died after all," Lyanna said rather seriously, considering how much she had been drinking as of late. He knew she held no ill will towards his other wife and children.

Rhaegar sighed, before making his way over to his Northern wife. She had so much doubt, he then realised, so much doubt that she was the person she knew she was. The person she was before the war. But war changes people, of course. People grow in war. Gods, he did. He was never childish, or maybe he was if he could start a war for one woman. A woman promised to another. None of that mattered now, he supposed, he had to fix his mistakes. He sighed once more, looking into her beautiful eyes. Eyes that his son has inherited, he thought.

"You're my wife too, Lya. Jon is my son. You are the ice to my fire and Jon has the Song of Ice and Fire in his blood," Rhaegar told her, sweeping Lyanna into his arms, wiping tears from her face.

She did that a lot too, he thought. She had been here for under a moon but she only did four things. Drink, cry, care for Jon, and visit his mother. His mother loved Lyanna and Jon. She loved all of her grandchildren but she said Jon was quiet, like Rhaegar, whereas Aegon and Rhaenys were loud and prideful, even as the children they were, but Jon, even as young as he was, was simply quiet.

"I can't be here sometimes, Rhaegar. There is no peace. Your father killed mine, and my sweet, reckless Brandon. How can I live in the place where they died? How can I sleep when I hear their screams?" Lyanna sniffled, burying her face into Rhaegars chest, taking a shaky breath. Rhaegar's heart shattered for his Queen. He knew how the deaths ailed his love but to hear her troubles ached his entire body.

"I don't expect you to be ready Lya. It takes time. I won't claim to know what you feel, for I do not know. My father was insane, it's true, but he was still my father. He wasn't always this way. Death is no stranger to this family," Rhaegar responded in a whisper, stroking her hair softly. He felt her body tense, he sighed.

"He deserved to die. He killed so many. My family were innocent!" Lyanna scoffed, pulling herself from Rhaegar's arms, turning away from him. He looked at her with sad eyes. He didn't wish for her to hate him for bringing her to this place. This palace of death.

"Lyanna, please, I don't know how to fix what he did. Tell me what I can do. I don't wish for you to be unhappy here. Tell me, please," Rhaegar begged, and then the baby in the corner of the room started crying softly. Ever softly, never loud.

"You woke up Jon, I need to care for him. Please, go Rhaegar," She whispered, rushing over to the cot. Sighing in defeat, Rhaegar left the room, walking out of the Maidenvault, down several halls, and into the royal chambers where Elia and Rhaella were playing with the children.

"How is she?" Rhaella asked, her stomach was getting larger by the day, the final seed of Aerys Targaryen waiting to be born, she looked up from where she was reading to Viserys, even though Viserys was old enough to read books such as this. It was his old favourite book, he noticed.

"Mourning" Rhaegar replied simply, Elia sighed as Aegon gurgled softly, at which Rhaenys giggled. Rhaegar walked over to the three-year-old giggling girl and picked her up. She looked so much like her mother. Just like Jon looked like Lyanna. Only Aegon took after him, he realised, once again.

"How's my little dragon?" He grinned. Rhaenys giggled and hid her face behind her hands, her eyes had a certain shine through, he noticed, a hint of violet in the dark brown.

"Good, father" She giggled happily. Rhaegar laughed along with the rest of this part of his family. Rhaella watched him with a smile, Rhaegar knew his mother loved when Rhaegar spent time with his children. She claimed it was just one more thing that set him apart from his father.

"When will we meet Jon, father? I want to show him Balerion!" Rhaenys laughed, cocking her head to the side and pointing to her black cat lounging on the chair nearby. Elia suddenly went stiff at the mention of her children's half brother, as if she'd forgotten about him altogether, unsurprising. Rhaegar wanted the children to be close. He wanted his wives to be friends, or at least friendly but alas, Elia barely mentioned the other woman and child. Rhaella however, loved them, and the children couldn't wait to meet them.

"Soon, Rhae. When Lyanna is ready to introduce you to him," Rhaegar smiled, and Rhaenys' dark brown eyes twinkled with a violet shine. Putting the girl down softly and kissing each of their heads, he left the room. Walking down a single corridor, Rhaegar arrived at his office, he sat down on his stool and took a deep breath before pulling his stool over to his harp. He began stroking the strings with his fingers and began to sing a sad song, the one that made Lyanna weep when she heard it, a much simpler time. Rhaegar was so lost in the song that he did not hear Elia enter his solace.

"Beautiful song. You never fail to bring tears to my eyes, my love" She complimented, smiling at him softly. False words, he thought, noticing her dry eyes.

"Many thanks. What is it you came here for?" Rhaegar asked. Elia swept further into the room and sat gracefully in a chair. Ever graceful was Queen Elia Martell.

"I would like to ask for your leave to visit Sunspear with the children, to see my brothers and my niece's and nephew," Elia said carefully, Rhaegar looked at her intently, it was not the first time she had mentioned visiting Dorne. Rhaegar knew his wife, however, knew what she really wanted.

"Don't play games with me, Elia. I know you don't wish to be Queen alongside Lyanna, I know you don't like that Jon is here," Rhaegar sighed, Elia turned her nose up at the suggestion, she had been caught.

"No, I do not like that you did this, Rhaegar. You caused thousands of deaths, including my own uncle, for that girl and her child. Now they are here, in my home. If I go to Dorne, Lyanna can be Queen in my place. It's quite a simple solution," Elia sniffed, sighing softly. Rhaegar moved the desk where the woman was sitting and sat opposite her.

"And what of Aegon and Rhaenys? Will you leave our children here? Allow Lyanna to raise them?" Rhaegar asked, lifting a brow. He knew what her reaction would be, and he was quite pleased with himself when Elia gasped and glared at the man with the fury of a thousand suns.

"You cannot be serious, she will not raise my children! I will not have my Rhaenys to turn into a whore," Elia yelled, slamming her hand on the desk in the room. Rhaegar narrowed his eyes.

"Do not disrespect her Elia, your rage should be with me. Do not blame Lyanna nor Jon for my mistakes, for I have made many, but they were not one of them," Rhaegar

"What about your song Rhaegar? Your Song of Ice and Fire? I am the sun, I am fire. There is no ice in our children," Elia stated finally, standing up.

"They are my children regardless. Do not speak to me about such things. You know as well as I why I did what I did," Rhaegar snapped, turning away from her. She gathered her skirts and walked out of the room as gracefully as she could. Rhaegar frowned, remembering the screams Lyanna gave when she was birthing Jon. Jon must be the prince who was promised, otherwise, Rhaegar led thousands of men to their deaths. Nothing was quite as painful as knowing you caused so many deaths. Rhaegar rubbed his temples in frustration when suddenly there were three taps on the door.

"Enter," He called, even whilst knowing he was angry, he was king now, he had a duty. He saw Arthur open the door. Rhaegar cocked his head, Arthur never knocked, but before he could ask, his young daughter stumbled in with a frown on her face. Rhaegar sighed and gestured for Arthur to close the door. He watched the young girl climb onto the seat her mother had previously occupied, once she made it on to the seat, however, the words that came out of her mouth were not as charming as the picture beforehand.

"What it is, Rhaenys?" He asked kindly, looking at his daughters now watery eyes.

"Why were you and mother yelling?" She asked, rubbing her eyes tiredly. Rhaegar sighed. He pushed his seat out from behind the desk and picked the small girl up.

"There are some problems that can't be solved, my love," he replied, opening the door whilst doing so, he began to walk in the direction he came in originally. Rhaenys looked at him with confusion.

"What's the problem?" She asked. Rhaegar's heart broke for the second time that night. Such innocence, even after a war. He smiled at the girl as they walked through the corridor heading towards the maidenvault.

"Something bigger than all of us," He whispered. The girl nodded and watched as her father knocked on a door.

"Where are we?" She questioned, trying to put her head closer to the door, as an attempt to hear the goings-on behind the door. Suddenly the door was thrown open. Rhaegar smiled at the woman.

"Rhaenys, this is my wife, Lyanna. Lyanna, Rhaenys would like to meet Jon," Rhaegar told her, Lyanna seemed stunned that this smaller image of Elia Martell was staring up at her with a smile on her face. Lyanna silently moved so the pair could enter.

"I'll get him," she replied in a hushed tone, walking over to the crib in which Jon was lying. She put him in her arms and whilst she did so, Rhaegar placed Rhaenys on the ground next to him. Lyanna made her way back to the pair and knelt on the ground so Rhaenys could see him.

"Can I hold him? I've held Egg," She asked pleadingly, looking at Lyanna. Lyanna smiled, and how it warmed his heart to see her smile, the smile that caused a war. Lyanna transferred Jon from her arms into the arms of Rhaenys and the little girl was in awe of the small babe she was holding.

"You have to promise me something," Lyanna told her with a small smile at the picture in front of them.

"What?" Rhaenys asked in her small voice, her attention still fixed on her brother.

"You must always protect him. You're his big sister, and you have the important job of protecting him and Aegon. Boys do silly things sometimes, and that means that girls have to fix it," Lyanna told her seriously, with a slight laugh at the end. Rhaenys followed suit and giggled.

"Mother told her I have to protect Egg too, boys are silly!" She giggled but making sure not to drop the boy she was holding. Lyanna looked at her expectantly.

"Do you swear it, do you promise?" Lyanna asked once more. Rhaenys nodded seriously.

"I promise!" She swore, smiling down at the boy. Rhaegar took the boy from Rhaenys and gave him back to Lyanna after one quick kiss on his small head.

"It's time for sleep, little dragon, we can visit Jon again another time," Rhaegar told the small girl. Rhaenys sighed and nodded sadly. She waved goodbye to Lyanna and held her arms out to be picked up by her father. Rhaegar chuckled and gave in to her wish, and by the time he walked out the door, she was fast asleep on his shoulder.