Author Note: There's no need to let me know that you find this idea unlikely. I find it unlikely as well. It's just fun to explore it.

Blue and Fading in the Sun

The Knight

"And you won't give me away?"

There was still fear in the girl's voice and that made Rhaegar smile. So, she was human after all. His eyes weren't playing tricks on him, yet in this forest, old and black and young and green, she resembled the creatures he had only read about, the creatures who, like her, also hailed from the North. Children of the Forest, they were called and with the leaves clinging to her from her fall where he had caught her, she resembled a something made of forest quite closely. Her ridiculous mismatched armour was lying nearby.

The fear was replaced by baring of sharp teeth. Rhaegar was sure that had he been anyone but who he was, she would have elbowed him in the ribs quite painfully. But she wasn't stupid. Impulsuve, yes, but that was about the extent of it. "I hate being laughed at," she said angrily. "So, are you going to give me away?"

"No," he assured her. She immediately relaxed and smiled at him. "In fact, I think you should visit our chambers. My lady wife will love to meet you."

She gave him a look of skepticism. She had only seen Elia Martell a few times and she had been impressed how unobtrusive she was but the ladies around her… She'd get a headache in less than an hour should she suffer their chattering. Perhaps that was why the Princess was sick all the time.

"I… I am honoured but I really don't think…"

"But I do," Rhaegar said firmly. "She's been dying to know who was hiding behind your helmet."

Lyanna gasped. "But you aren't going to tell her!"

"Of course I will," he replied. "You see, Elia immediately told me that I was looking for a woman."

Lyanna gaped. "But how?!"

He shrugged. "I truly don't know. But she was sure that you were a woman… and that you weren't actually this strong. She liked you a lot. She believes that the realm needs more knights like you."

Lyanna's fear struggled with her curiosity. How had she given herself away?

"She isn't going to tell," the Prince assured her. "She's aware of the need of discretion… more than most," he finished in a lower voice and there was something haunted in his eyes. Lyanna shivered. With what she had seen of the royal box, she could easily imagine just how well aware Elia Martell was. I don't think I'd want her place for the world.

Cold wind screeched through the trees. They both looked up. The sun was slowly going down behind the highest trees. It was time for them to go.

"I admire your courage, my lady, and your sense of justice," Rhaegar said. "But don't do it again."

She nodded and then, surprised, she saw him reach over to collect a few tender green leaves from those gracing the young trees like tiny symbols of hope. "What are you doing?"

"Take care, my lady," he said and left without looking back.

For a long moment, Lyanna was left staring after him and dreaming what it would have been like to be the princess of such a handsome and noble prince. Then, she shook her head and sprinted for where she had left clothes to change. Ben was already waiting for her, beside himself with worry.

"Where have you been?" he exclaimed and suddenly, Lyanna felt like a fool. A magic moment with the charming prince or not, this was her life. This was what was real. She started untying her laces and if by the end of the day she thought of Rhaegar Targaryen at all, it was just when she had a moment to spare and wonder if it had happened at all, or had it been a thing produced by her fervent imagination, much like the better part of the day.

The garden of Harrenhal presented a striking contrast to the towers themselves. It was wide and well-kept, with low bushes and many flower beds. It spoke of beauty and renewal and the impression was enhanced by the first spring flowers raising their heads over the dark earth.

A small hand reached down to catch them and Rhaegar smiled a little. He already knew the pattern. The moment the hand got them, the mouth would want to taste them…

"What are you doing out here?" he asked and looked around. Elia was nowhere in sight but a bunch of ladies had already gathered around Ashara Dayne, peeking at the restless bundle in her arms. Royal offspring always attracted interest – and Rhaenys loved being the centre of attention, although she'd raise high hell if someone besides those she knew tried to touch the tip of her finger.

With the child in her arms, Ashara didn't risk a curtsy. She only inclined her head. Rhaenys started struggling in a vain attempt to escape. "Mama!"

That had been the first thing that had made Rhaegar laugh in what had felt like years when he had first heard it. That was the word Rhaenys used for those she loved best – him, her actual mother, her nursemaid, Ashara, Lewyn. Somewhere along the way from King's Landing, Arthur had also become "mama" from time to time. His mother at King's Landing had done her best to win the title as well but their stay had been too short.

"Come here," he said as he strode to her. "Come to your mama…"

But of course, he couldn't kiss her first thing. There was a ritual that Rhaenys insisted on. She thrust her face out for him and he leaned down with the expression of utmost seriousness, pretending to sniff her. Then, he made the funniest face he knew. "Yes, you've got a smelly nose!" he announced and she giggled. He often wondered what she understood of the exchange but since she liked it, who was he to protest? It wasn't as if he didn't delight in it himself.

"Touring the garden, eh?" he asked and tickled her nose with one of the leaves he had brought from the forest. She laughed in joy.

"How is my lady?" he asked and Ashara smiled reassuringly.

"She's fine," she said. "It's just that the babe was very restless those last few hours and now she needs a rest."

A sudden chill made him look up. His father was staring at him from behind the window of the first floor where his chambers were. Was this Rhaegar's imagination, or had Aerys gone gaunter in those short few hours since their last meeting? A bony finger summoned him up and with a sigh of regret Rhaegar kissed his daughter and headed for the steps, preparing for the worst as he always did before such meetings.

He had no idea just how bad it was going to be, though.

"Did you find him?" Aerys asked as soon as Rhaegar stepped in.

There was something in his smile that told Rhaegar he'd better watch out. What was going to take place? An accusation of incompetence? Even so, how bad could it be? He was sadly accustomed to long tirades, things thrown in anger, and furious threats. As long as no one was burned or tortured, it would be fine. He felt sick at his own low standards but that was the reality of the situation and it would be so, for a while.

Of course, he couldn't give the child away. She might not be fully grown and able to realize the scandal this revelation would have brought about but she was noble of heart. She didn't deserve his father's anger unleashing upon her head. "I didn't."

The smile broadened; in this moment, he realized that Aerys knew. He had just confirmed his father's suspicions that he was conspiring with Aerys' enemies. What would happen now? An accusation of treason? An arrest upon the spot? Could someone reach Rhaenys and Elia in time, before the King could? Ah! But Rhaenys was not with her mother right now, making the task harder. Would his father accuse them of treason as well? Yes, he might.

"Fortunately, I have men who are more capable than you," Aerys said, giving him a look of utter derision. "The girl has been revealed. The Starks have reached too far this time! They're making their enmity of me clear… and you say you didn't know?"

"There is no enmity," Rhaegar lied as calmly as he could. "All who came to attend the tourney are naught but your leal subjects."

"Liar!"

Here it was. The start of the fit. Rhaegar felt a profound relief because he could now reasonably expect that his father would wear himself out in this rage and when it ended, wouldn't have the energy to do anything – like arresting him and whoever of the lords attending happened to enter his suspicious mind.

How wrong he was!

For all the faults one could lay at Aerys Targaryen's feet – and there was no shortage of those – stupid was not one of them.

"Now I need you to undo your vile schemes," the King finally said. He sounded almost normal. "Your unholy union with my own bannermen. And I'll do so. Tomorrow, you'll ride in the tilts. And you will win."

For a short moment, Rhaegar didn't understand. That was the undoing of his schemes? Winning the tourney? What?

"And you will reveal my enemy for what she is – a liar and a whore. You will crown her the queen of shame."

Now, all became blatantly clear. He was expected to win the champion's laurel and insult two women at the same time? Two women who were least deserving of it?

Who had put his father to it? To think that he had considered himself lucky with the eunuch's absence! Who was this enemy, so dangerous with his wit? That could well make the lords think that Rhaegar wouldn't be such a great improvement to his father, after all. In fact, that could make them more distrustful of him, for never in the history of the dragon kings had a prince reached so blatantly to rob something from the Great Houses. Compared to this, his father's madness might look preferable – in their eyes!

But Aerys was now standing at the window, staring out at the garden. "She looks quite healthy," he said, "for a Dornish child. But if someone is to drop her on her head, she'll spend the rest of her life with no more wits than my fool, I think."

Rhaegar broke out in cold sweat. Could Aerys really do it? Yes! Of course he could! His madness had been progressing all the time Rhaegar had resisted seeing it.

He clenched his fists in his pockets. His fingers brushed the green leaves he had brought as something to lighten Elia's mood, for she was constantly exhausted and morose and the winter had been so hard on her. Now, they were a poor second best.