A sigh made its way past her lips as disappointment wormed its way into her heart. Lyanna had tried not to be too disheartened at the news, yet she found that even the most cheerful of thoughts paled in comparison to her current problem. "Is there, then, something wrong with me, maester?" It could be little else, she thought bleakly.
"Your Grace worries over naught," the slightly rough voice of the maester reached her ears. "It had only been just half a dozen moon turns since you have become a wife. 'Tis not at all strange for a woman not to conceive so soon. In fact, Your Grace, 'tis better than you do not conceive at all for the next couple of years."
A shudder ran down Lyanna's spine. "What words are those, maester?" she demanded, her voice quiet and steely.
The man had the audacity to laugh. "Your Grace is but three and ten yet. 'Tis a very young age to consider motherhood." She was nearly four and ten but it made no matter,
"It is old enough," Lyanna countered, rising from her chair in one swift motion. "So you say there be nothing wrong with me?"
"Not at all, Your Grace. But if it is your wish to conceive, then there are tonics which might help." Having caught her attention once more, Maester Orwyl, placed a hand upon her shoulder. "If Your Grace so wishes, I shall procure some."
"I shall think upon it," Lyanna said in the end. She did wish for a child, but she would not make any decision in that sense upon a moment's consideration. "You have said so yourself, maester, I am but at the very beginning of my life as wife."
She left the maester's small room and found her way upon the winding stairs. Her hand searched carefully for the railing that her husband had had installed along the wall. She caught onto it and began the arduous journey down the steps. It was a steep road the one she travelled. Lyanna had at times thought the stairs in King's Landing a danger to her health and general wellbeing. How wrong she had been. The steps at Dragonstone were twice as dangerous. Along the years the stone, which Ashara had told her was black in colour, had been polished by the many men and women who had passed over them to the point where they were slippery and unsafe. One thing Lyanna had come to find was that the thrill of danger lasted for mere moments in the face of consequences.
Thankfully enough, six moon turns were enough time for her to learn the most travelled routes of the keep and familiarise herself enough with those which only some travelled. Dragonstone was not quite as she had expected. Rocky shores and small vegetation, harsh winds and the permanent taste of salt in the air, that was her new home. Ashara had described the keep to her once. She had spoken of wyverns and hellhounds, tall and massive. Those were the guardians of the keep.
It was awe-inspiring, magnificent, imposing and horrific at the same time. To Lyanna it was the atmosphere rather than the words of her companions. Lady Mina Tyrell had actually grasped and shuddered next to Lyanna. Lady Dacey Mormont had been most impressed by the sculptures, but she had found it in herself to express it in a way that did not suggested she had need of a maester.
It was truly different, being a wedded woman. She had thought her life would be a constant of liveliness and excitement and fun. But Lyanna found that along with her privilege came responsibility. Rhaegar, she knew, would have arranged everything so she was never bothered by anything. But Lyanna would not hear of it. She had told him time and time again that she did not need coddling and she did not. In that spirit, she had demanded that she be allowed to administrate the keep alongside Maester Orwyl until she found her footing and then on her own.
The good maester had much to teach her. For to know in theory was one thing, but to have her husband's people come to her with various problems was quite another. Where one might add that once understanding she was not quite like any other woman, they would sometimes shrink back from her. Lyanna was determined to prove that she was as good as anyone else.
"Your Grace, there you are," Mina Tyrell's voice reached her ears. "We have been looking for you. It is bad form to disappear like that on us."
Laughter bubbled upon her lips at Lady Mina's annoyance. "There, there, my lady. Here I am. Were you worried?" Her jest lightened Mina's mood enough to have the woman laughing too. "What is it that you wish to tell me?"
"Only that His Grace will see you in his solar as soon as you may reach it," Mina informed her, linking their arms together and patting her arms gently. "I fear he is not in the best of mood, Your Grace. There have been rumours, as you well know."
"Aye, I know," Lyanna sighed. Various rumours had come their way for the past couple of moon turns. It seemed that the Lord Hand was pressing to have his daughter wedded too. It seemed that Cersei Lannister would become her good-sister. Lyanna did not know what to think of it. "Let us be on our way, Lady Tyrell."
Without doubt, it had to be one of those worrisome pieces of news that was rather rumour than truth. But Lyanna was anxious to hear what her husband had found out. She hurried her pace and Mina Tyrell followed suit.
Her husband's solar was a large, airy room where he could usually be found until late in the night, poring over documents and letters and generally keeping his domain running. It was much work. And Lyanna was proud to know he did not shirk his duty.
At the foot of the stairs that led to the solar, young Dacey Mormont was waiting for them. "Your Grace forgot her shawl," the young girl said, placing the broad embroidered cloth around Lyanna's shoulders. "It would be a pity if Your Grace should catch a chill once more."
With that Lyanna could but agree. She did not wish to be ill again if it could be helped. She had only just managed to rid herself of the coughs and runny nose, a sight she was sure that inspired no grand passion. It was a dreadful state and she would be happy if she could avoid it for the next fifty years or so. Lyanna smiled to herself and began climbing the stairs.
Mina and Dacey had remained at the foot of the stairs and there they would continue to stay until she entered Rhaegar's solar. After that, Lyanna was certain they would find something to occupy their time with. She continued taking one step after another, her hand holding onto the railing.
She heard the rustling of papers being moved about and the scraping of quill on paper. Lyanna cleared her throat lightly. Rhaegar would at times get so caught up in his work that he forgot all about the world around him. That, Lyanna thought, would be her only complaint to her husband's diligence.
"Ah, you are finally arrived," he husband spoke, presumably having looked up from his many papers. "Come, Lyanna, sit by me."
Lyanna moved about gently, stepping forward until she touched the edge of the table. Her fingers glided against it as she walked around the table. One long arm wrapped around her middle. It seemed she would be sitting even closer to her husband than she though. A small smile bloomed on her lips. She allowed him to pull her atop of him, resting her weight on one of his knees.
When she was a child he would do so too. Of course, at that time it had been a fond gesture among almost-siblings. It was quite different from what she knew it to mean as a young woman. "You have thrown my ladies in despair, Rhaegar, They have been running all around looking for me. What is so important that it could not wait a moment longer?"
"This," he replied and them glided his lips against hers. Lyanna had not expected it. She was however not opposed to it either. The all too familiar fluttering began in her stomach, twisting and turning. She caught his face gently in her palms. He had a way with her.
"Ah, that," she offered weakly after their lips parted. "I daresay 'twas not so urgent."
His grip tightened around her. "A letter has arrived from King's Landing," he supplied. "It seems that father is truly prepared to go forth with that scheme and have Daeron married to Cersei Lannister."
Lyanna's shoulders dropped. "Perhaps they shall be happy together, Rhaegar. After all, his dislike of Cersei was the feeling of a child. Has any announcement been made?"
"Nay, but it seems that Lord Whent shall be holding a tourney soon. Father wished to make it known there." He did seem truly displeased. Lyanna bit down upon her lip. "It is the perfect opportunity to do so."
"Then there is still time," Lyanna told him. "But I do not understand it. Why should this match displease you do? Would it not appease the Lord Hand for the time being and ensure peace?"
"Tywin Lannister does not want a husband for his daughter. He wishes for her to have a crown," he reminded her gently. "If Cersei becomes Daeron's wife we will have no peace at all. Those lions will plot and scheme without rest to gain power."
"Then we must put an end to the betrothal," Lyanna concluded, leaning against his chest. "Cersei will undoubtedly be at Lord Whent's tourney if it is as you say. I shall see what I can do." Very few thing could break a betrothal. Lyanna would have to consider the matters carefully if she was to obtain success.
But for Rhaegar she would do it. She would do anything for him. "Is there any other news from King's Landing? Something that shall bring less strain?"
"Nay, nothing. But your brother has written. He has reached Winterfell safely and should all go well he will return shortly." Rhaegar kissed the top of her head. "He truly means to wed Lady Ashara, does he not?" She sighed softly. "It is a pity Brandon's betrothal with Lady Catelyn Tully fell through though."
"Lord Tully offered his youngest daughter, did he not?" Rhaegar questioned.
"Aye, but father would not hear of it. It seems that Catelyn Tully is to wed Robert Baratheon and that is that. And I was so pleased with the match. Lady Catelyn is spoken of in the best of terms by all who know her. I would have been delighted to have her for a good-sister. She would have been a positive influence on Brandon."
The gods knew her brother had needed that. But it seemed he would not be having it. While Lyanna was certain a match could be found for Brandon given time, she feared her brother would do something foolish and destroy any chance of it. He'd been known to be obstinate to the point of foolishness before.
"Perhaps your father should turn his attention upon the daughters of his bannermen. A suitable lady may be found there," Rhaegar offered.
"For some reason, father is determined to have all his sons wedded outside of the North." Lyanna would never truly understand it. Shortly after her marriage, it seemed that her father's attitude towards her changed. He no longer loathed her, but seemed to wish to aid her. And for that reason, he had begun looking for prospective brides in the South. "I think father has the right of it though. These alliances are needed."
"So they are," her husband agreed.
"I can hardly wait to hear who father had found for Benjen though. Out of all my brothers, he is the one trying the hardest not to get caught in this scheme." She laughed. "I daresay he would do well to keep himself for the Kingsguard."
"A wise consideration, wife." Rhaegar hoisted her up in his arms and Lyanna, knowing exactly where it would lead, jestingly pushed at his shoulders. "None of that," he laughed.
"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, barely able to keep her own amusement from seeping into the words.
"What do you think it is, wife?" She heard the creaking of the door as it opened.
"'Tis the middle of the day," she countered.
"I care not," came his reply. "The hours are too long until the moon is upon the sky."
On that they both agreed. Lyanna tittered, excitement rolling through her. She tried to shift in his hold, but Rhaegar tightened his grip warningly. "We are upon the stairs," he said. "Anyone could happen by."
She had little doubt that he had more self control than that, but Lyanna took his words in good-naturedly and settled down in his hold. Another door was opened soon enough and then it shut with a soft sound.
Underneath her cool sheets rested in a few moments longer. Lyanna felt Rhaegar's hand take hold on her ankle. She could not help the smile that came upon her face. "It seems I am at your mercy," she said.
"You seem to think I have any," he countered.
"Tyrant," Lyanna laughed.
Lady Ashara brushed her hair with careful strokes and continued her tale. "And so, my brother is certain that it would be best for all involved if Aegon and Jaehaerys were not allowed to sit one next to the other during such important moments."
Lyanna had known all those pets would be trouble. "I am only thankful that Viserys' dragonling did not escape its cage again."
Viserys had requested a dragon, Lyanna had been told by the boy himself. Through some magic unknown to her, the King and Queen had procured for him what was called the Common Dragon. It was a beast that hailed from Essos, from deep within the continent. It must have cost a small fortune, she imagined, and according to the letters she had received it truly did resemble a dragon.
"I suppose poor Lord Giles would have not been able to survive through another episode of it crawling in his lap in search of food," Ashara laughed.
That was one of the more famous escapades. One day, not very long after having received his gift, it occurred to Viserys to train his pet. Unfortunately, the pet had had other ideas. In vain had Viserys tried to catch it. The dragon escaped his every attempt and somehow found its way into the King's hall. There it produced quite some havoc, the Queen's letter had related, by knocking Lord Giles Rosby over and climbing in his lap. The Queen was certain the beast had been searching for food. Lord Rosby thought it an attempt on his life.
Amusing as the story had been, Viserys had not been allowed afterwards to let his reptilian friend out of the cage without proper supervision. A pity truly, Lyanna considered, for she would have liked to hear more about such adventured.
"In other news," Ashara went on, "it seems that that cat finally managed to snatch one of the canaries and make off with it. That too, you can imagine, caused quite a stir."
"If you mean it caused tears and anguish, then I do believe you," Lyanna said. "The poor bird."
"Quite so. My brother writes that there is to be a tourney soon," Ashara said. "He wonders if I might be allowed to go."
"Your brother will have to wonder a bit longer, Lady Ashara," Lyanna informed her calmly. "The King has written to my husband about this tourney at Harrenhal. We shall be, of course, going. But there is no reason to make it known yet."
"I suppose there isn't," Ashara agreed after a few moments of silence. Lyanna quite liked the woman's sense of humour. It was perhaps less morbid than her own, but Lady Ashara did a fine job with her jests. "Your Grace, I was wondering if I might ask after your brother. Is there no news yet?"
At that Lyanna had to smile. How worried Lady Ashara was. She did understand. She supposed that if Rhaegar were away she would not be half as composed as Ashara Dayne was. "My brother is fine from what I've gathered. He has reached Winterfell and I reckon he'll be back soon enough if nothing gets in his way."
"Thanked be the Seven," Ashara said. "And the old gods."
"I fear you have strayed quite far from home, Lady Dayne. Whatever shall you do in the cold North?" Lyanna jested.
"Why, I believe I shall be warm enough, Your Grace," Ashara returned with just a hint of impertinence.
Dorne was not quite like the rest of the kingdoms. Lyanna had never questioned Ashara's state of being. She had always assumed that if her brother had chosen her, it was because he truly thought her worthy. And she was a good and kind woman. Yet one had to wonder. It made little matter. But it was a curiosity.
"Lady Ashara, have you been courted in your father's home?" she asked.
"It would be a lie to say nay, Your Grace. There had been suitors enough," Ashara replied, gently dividing her hair so as to better braid it. "Had I not had two strapping brother, I am sure there would have been many more," she laughed.
"Ah, brother, more trouble at times then they are worth," Lyanna confessed lightly. She heard Ashara's hum of agreement. "But you chose none of them. Were they not appropriate?"
"Becoming a wife has never been one of my pressing concerns," Ashara disclosed. "Perhaps I should not be saying this, but I thought to wed only the man who saw beneath my station and whatever nature has given me. I wanted a man who loved me truly."
"And my brother, you think to be that man," came Lyanna's mussing. "That is all good and well, my lady, but tell me this, do you love him in equal measure?"
"I love him as truly as a woman ever loved a man. You needn't worry, Your Grace, for the safety of your brother's heart." Lyanna felt a wave of emotion crash into her at those words. Tears stung her eyes. She took a deep breath and held them at bay. Ashara continued, "I think you would understand my meaning best."
"And you would not be wrong to think so," Lyanna assured her. "I am glad my brother has found you, Lady Ashara, and I shall be even merrier when he returns, for you and for him as well."
"Your Grace, I was hoping to discuss something else with you as well," Ashara prompted.
"Well, of course, you may," Lyanna allowed. "Go on then, Lady Dayne."
After a few moments of hesitation, which Lyanna found truly unnerving, as Ashara and she knew one another well enough that such moments were usually successfully avoided, her companion did speak. "I know 'tis not done, but I was wondering if Your Grace would not be better served should Eddard and I remain here, on Dragonstone. I should loathe to part from you." And leave her with Mina, who for all her sweetness was not exactly the brightest candle in any room. Lyanna understood her meaning perfectly. She was, however, quite helpless in that matter.
"Lady Dayne, a wife must stay with her husband. And given that my brother shall undoubtedly receive a keep of his own, you shall have to go with him." A smile lit her face though. "It is for the best. I promise I shall remember you when the time comes for it."
"You are ever so gracious," Ashara said.