Notes: So in reading the World of Ice and Fire I was pondering over several things. I read about Aerys and Rhaella and was fascinated by how much new information was contained within.
I was drawn to the story of Rhaella's still born and short lived children and I wanted to explore the idea of several more children living. What changes would occur? Would Aerys not be as crazy? Would Rhaegar steal Lyanna?
The names of the children here are the names given in the book. I changed the birth years of the two born after Rhaegar for story purposes, the others are born at their canon times.
The quality of the story improves at Chapter 5.
The marriage of King Aerys and Queen Rhaella was, from all accounts, not a happy one. He was seldom faithful or devoted to his wife. She raised their children well, but seldom smiled at her husband. Their earliest years were not easy. With the tragedy of Summerhall and the death of King Jaehaerys II in 262, their first married years were filled with death. Upon those deaths was the fact that after Prince Rhaegar's birth Rhaella miscarried thrice, one mere months after Aerys was crowned as King Aerys II.
Princess Shaena Targaryen's birth in 265, and Prince Daeron's the following year, were of great relief to the Queen and joy to all the people. The new-born prince and princess were strong and healthy. There were more still-births and short lived infants after their births until Prince Aegon's birth in 272. Prince Jaehaerys followed in 274 and Prince Viserys in 276.
Prince Rhaegar and his sister Princess Shaena were planned to wed in the traditions of Valyria and the Targaryen family. Fate, however, cut short the princess's life. In 275, Princess Shaena drowned off the coast of Dragonstone, swept out to sea by the strong currents.
With no Targaryen princesses for Prince Rhaegar to wed, Lord Steffon Baratheon was tasked to find a bride for the Heir to the Iron Throne. He searched Westeros and Essos, but alas, no women were found in Essos who were considered worthy enough to wed the Prince of Dragonstone. Tragically, Lord Baratheon, cousin to the King, and his wife died in a shipwreck on their voyage home.
So it came to pass that in 279, Prince Rhaegar was betrothed to Princess Elia Martell of Dorne. She was a lovely young woman, though her health was delicate. A year later they married, and before the year was out, their daughter Rhaenys was born.
The following year was a year of springtime betwixt two seasons of winter. In high spirits the royal court travelled to Harrenhal for jousts and revelry. On the very first day of the festivities, King Aerys II welcomed Ser Jaime Lannister, a boy of fifteen years, into the Kingsguard. The boy was sent King's Landing the same day.
Amongst the many highborn guests were Cersei Lannister, Ser Jaime's twin, the four children of Lord Rickard Stark, Lord Robert Baratheon, and Prince Oberyn Martell. There were a great many young women of noble houses in attendance, hoping to win the attentions of the four unwed Targaryen princes, though Princes Jaehaerys and Viserys were not in attendance.
During the first days of the joust, a mystery knight appeared on the field. The knight wore ill-fitting armor and held a shield depicting a laughing weirwood tree. The King ordered that the knight be found and unmasked, but he disappeared. Prince Rhaegar presented his father with the shield of the knight, saying that he had found it in the nearby woods.
The days wore on, and the final joust was won by Prince Rhaegar. He held aloft a crown of blue roses for the Queen of Love and Beauty. He rode to the stands where his wife sat, but continued past her and laid the wreath of flowers in Lyanna Stark's lap. The crowds became uncomfortably silent as the Prince and young Lyanna looked at one another. A moment later the Prince rode off the field, and the crowds began to mutter wildly.
A year later the awkwardness of Prince Rhaegar's choice was all but forgotten. Princess Elia bore him a son on Dragonstone. The boy was named Aemon. Prince Rhaegar had wanted to name the boy Aegon, but did not do so to avoid confusion with his younger brother. A short time after the Prince's birth, Prince Rhaegar left for the capitol.
Between Prince Rhaegar's arrival in King's Landing and his departure from Dragonstone, Lady Lyanna Stark was abducted in the Riverlands. Those who were witnesses to her abduction swore that her captor was Prince Rhaegar. Everyone who had been at the Tourney at Harrenhal knew that the Prince had given her the crown of roses. Like wildfire word spread across Westeros that Prince Rhaegar had stolen Lyanna Stark.
Rumors, however, are not always true. Moments that breed gossip are not always what they seem.