Authors Note:

This story will take place in a world where Robert's Rebellion never happened. Rhaegar and Elia are never advised to not have another child. Rhaegar in a strange turn of butterfly effects actually discusses Jaime's knighthood with Tywin. The two of them (and Jaime) agree to let Jaime make a heir before he was to become a knight which causes Tywin to stay as the Hand of the King. Lyanna also marries Robert Baratheon.

I am using both the TV show and the books to base this world off of

EDIT: I put all the annoying flashbacks at the end I found it too distracting

Disclaimer:

I do not own the hit HBO show nor do I own the book series. Do people still write disclaimers? I haven't been on here for a while so I haven't a clue

Prologue

"Is something wrong Lady Clare?"

Those words echoed in her head. The gentleness in the tone he had used, the blue-sky like eyes that was filled with concern. He didn't deserve this. She didn't want to be involved. Yet her vision went to Princess Rhaenys Targaryen who was seated close by her father and near her sister Visenya. Both princesses' faces were red from tears, but the oldest of the two caught her eyes. They were dark enough for the pupils to almost be hidden. "The knife was in his hand your Grace." Clare said. Her hands were placed on top of one another with one nail pressing into her skin. She didn't want to be doing this.

"Had it been used?" The King asked. His composure was calm. Much calmer than it had been the night before.

"Yes. It was bloodied and he was angry." She dared not look at Ormund. Every moment before today he had always looked his best. He dressed nicely but his smile was always better. His hair was done well and his eyes sparkled with the happiness of someone who is exactly where they want to be. When she had saw him this morning he had looked desperate. Those blue eyes were now wild over everything that has happened.

Whispers went around the room. Some louder than others as they expressed their shock and disgust over the overwhelming evidence.

"Did he say anything?" The King asked.

Clare could see people learn forward for her answer. She swallowed. The only sound at the moment was the sound of wood creaking.

"He told me not to speak a word of it. That if I was to tell a soul he would make every man in the stormlands take up arms and cut me down." There were several surprised and horrified gasps. Clare forced herself to continue looking at Rhaegar.

"She lies!" Ormund, the accused, shouted. He looked ahead at the King with desperate pleading eyes. "You know me your Grace! You know I would never harm the Prince! He was my dearest friend. Please I wasn-"

Ormund and Aegon were inseparable. Ormund wasn't lying about that. King's Landing was not Ormund's home but he would frequently visit. He was one of the first friendly faces Clare had met when she first arrived from Wyndhall. Ormund and Aegon whispering secrets to each other with smiles on their faces. Aegon had introduced the two.

"Quiet!" Rhaegar shouted, his calm composure leaving him for an instant. The entire room fell silent. "You will speak when a question is directed at you." After a moment, the attention of the King and the rest returned to Clare. "Was there anyone with him?" he asked with his voice having more of a bite to it than earlier.

"None that I seen. I left quickly. I'm so sorry I didn't do anything to help I was so frightened." Clare rushed through her words and looked down ashamed as she spoke.

Clare sobbed for some moments.

"No need to apologize." The King told her. She could only give a small nod. "Did you see anything else Lady Clare?"

"No, your grace."

"Then that is all Lady Clare."

As Clare began to walk back Ormund leaned as fair as he chains let him in her direction. "Clare. You know I didn't do this why are you telling these lies? Please Clare." His words were frantic as was his face.

For a second she thought about telling more. She thought about helping him right then and there. Every part of her wished too… but she was so frightened.

"Ormund." The King warned.

He stopped speaking but continued to begged Clare with his eyes. When she did nothing his stare turned cold and hateful.

There had been two other witnesses that followed her. Varys spoke of a quarrel between Lord Ormund and Prince Aegon. Aegon angered Ormund over a remark he had made about his wife Lady Margaery. Ormund retorted that he hadn't been angry enough to murder anyone but was quieted by the King. Varys walked away with an apologetic glance towards him. The last witness was Princess Rhaenys herself. She had to regain composure before she could speak. She talked about Ormund's bitterness towards the Prince and how frightful Aegon had been in his final days. "He had always been jealous – ever since they had been children. Aegon would often inform me of how Ormund would speak of him. As if Aegon deserved to be punished just for being born as a Prince. Aegon tried to be his friend. He tried to do good by him. It's unfortunate he hadn't known how deeply troubled his friend truly was."

Ormund spared a glance at Lord Varys, Clare could not place the reason why. He began to speak, but this time his tone was not sharp with fear or rage. "I confess your Grace." He began. "I confess for the crime I have been accused. I plead of you to send me to the wall to be with my uncle." His eyes remained on the ground, defeated.

There was a moment of nothing. The King stared down at the him. Nobody dared moved. When the Dragon King looked over at his daughters, his face softened. He stood, and started to speak. "To ease any tension this may bring our great houses, I Rhaegar of the House Targaryen the first of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm will send Ormund of House Baratheon to take the black and live out the rest of his days at the Wall with his uncle.

Rhaenys stood and yelled at Rhaegar "Father! He murdered Aegon! You are just going to-"

"What's done is done." He said, voice much quieter than the volume had been speaking in.

"Is there something wrong Clare?"

" It's a message from home. They can't find my friend from Wyndhall. They have searched for her and nothing is coming up." She hadn't planned on telling anyone, but he had been so kind in asking. His hand reached out for her and grabbed her shoulder.

Ormund gave her a small hopeful smile "She'll turn up. Sometimes people need to spend time elsewhere. I know I did. My uncle found me in Wyl." He sat down next to Clare. He had held her as she cried. She was so scared but she trusted him. She trusted his words.

" Thank you." She said quietly when they two had stood to depart to their rooms. Ormund gave her a smile as she continued. "You're the only kind person here I've met so far."

" So are you."

As Ormund was led out the door he looked at Clare one last time. There was nothing but loathing in the look. She thought of his father. She thought of his new wife. She thought of his child that had yet to be born.