i own nothing. reviews welcome
~oOo~
"May I be of some assistance?"
His voice broke through the stunned silence between them. Lyanna merely blinked. They had stood there staring at each other for what had felt like an eternity to her.
He had been surprised when he had discovered her, of that she was certain. The shock on his face from finding a girl in the woods and dressed like a penny beggar of a knight was most inappropriate to be sure. But the look of surprise had quickly vanished and he now considered her with an indecipherable expression.
Lyanna on the other hand, had stared in what she knew was open terror. She was discovered. And by Prince Rhaegar no less. There was no doubt in her mind that she would be brought before the king. Her father will have to answer for her as well and more than likely have to make some recompense to the knights she unseated. And her brothers, oh they would be furious. They and her father would be mocked and ridiculed. No one would care about the why of her actions, however honorable. The shame and humiliation she has brought to her house will follow them for years, for generations.
For a moment Lyanna briefly thought of running. Of scrambling to her horse and trying to out ride him through the woods. It was a foolish thought of course and would never happen. She could not even stand up in this damnable armor and he would be on her in seconds. There was nowhere she could go.
But then he spoke and her look of terror became unsure and wary.
"Pardon?" her voice came out a pathetic rasp to her ears.
"You seem to be having some . . . difficulty, with your armor. I thought, perhaps you may be in need some assistance."
Lyanna's eyes narrowed slightly. Now what was the purpose of this? He was offering to help her? Or was he simply toying with her before dragging her to his father? She tried to discover some hint of his intent in his face, but if there were some ulterior motive she could not tell. It could be that he did not know who she is, although it was quite obvious who he was. Even if the silver hair did not give him away the great red dragon across his chest would clue one in rather quickly. But she on the other hand was not wearing any sigils of her house, and there were many lords here. Many lords with their families, and banner men with their families, and small folk and their families. If there was some way Lyanna could slip out of this without the involvement of her father and brothers, then she would take it. She would play the submissive and pray he would think she was some farmer's daughter.
With the help of the tree next to her, she pulled herself somewhat awkwardly up to her feet and lowered her head in deference, staring at the ground.
"I thank you your Grace, but you need not trouble yourself. I am quite capable and I am sure that my brother and his man will be along any moment now . . . your Grace."
She winced at the feebleness of her response but she hoped that the mention of her brother's impending arrival might change his mind on whatever little game he was trying to play and he would simply leave.
"Mmmm, your brother," he replied thoughtfully, "I am afraid that he will be unable to meet you."
Lyanna's head snapped up to see the prince looking casually down at his hands as he tugged at his gloves. Had Ben been discovered as well? She spoke without thinking. It was an unfortunate habit.
"Why? What has happened? What has been done?" the submissive tone was noticeably absent.
"No, no forgive me, nothing has happened," he interrupted, realizing the error of his words. "It is just, as you more than likely know, the tourney today seemed to result in some extra excitement. Now as a result there seems to be a bit of a hunt going on. No one is to enter the woods except on the king's business. So I doubt he will be coming to the godswood today."
Upon hearing that Ben was fine, Lyanna's heart calmed only to begin to race once more when the prince mentioned a hunt and the king's business. Even though the air was cool she could feel herself starting to sweat.
"Tourney's are always exciting your Grace. I can't hardly imaging this one being any different." She had always been terrible at feigning innocence. This time was no different.
"On the contrary, this one was exceptional. You see, there was the entry of a mystery knight who managed to unseat three others. That is not all that uncommon of course, but what made it exceptional is that the knight did not seek the usual rewards. Instead, he only asked that each of the knights he unseated simply teach their squires honor." As the prince spoke he glanced casually about the small clearing, taking in the horse and few pieces of discarded armor that Lyanna had managed to remove, till his gaze finally rested on the shield, lying face down upon the ground.
Lyanna's mind raced and her heart pounded causing a dull throbbing noise within her ears. She felt a faint gnawing sensation that she recognized as annoyance in the back of her mind. She needed to find a way out quickly.
"That is very fascinating your Grace, thank you for informing me. But since my brother is not going to be able to make our meeting, perhaps it is best if I return to my father's camp . . ."
Lyanna turned hastily and attempted to grab the shield on the ground and make for her mount, and if she had not still been the majority of her armor she would have succeeded. But she was still in her armor and bending was not as simple as it would have been if she could freely bend her knees. She quickly lost her balance and lurched forward and would have fell in an ungraceful lump onto the ground if something had not stopped her fall. She grabbed at it instinctively to regain her balance only to look up and find dark indigo eyes staring down at her. One arm supported her back as the other held on to her waist while she grasped his shoulders. They were so close that had someone walked in on them at that moment they would have thought they had stumbled upon lovers wrapped in an embrace.
"Please," he said, "allow me."
Lyanna quickly dropped her arms and held them stiffly at her sides as he sat her down. She watched as nimble fingers deftly began to unfasten the clasps to the armor around her legs. She studied him warily as he worked. What was the purpose of all this? Was he going to haul her off or not? He removed the lower leg and foot coverings and set them to the side, moving to the other leg. Lyanna would be lying if she denied feeling some sense of relief. The air felt wonderful against her skin.
She continued to scrutinize his face. It was said he was an honorable man, not cruel or mad like his father. The little she had heard of the prince is that he would be a far better king than the current. Lyanna had thought that must be a terrible burden to live with, the knowledge that you are far more capable but unable to act. But then of course she had often thought the same of herself.
She had also heard he was handsome. Quite handsome. Beautiful actually. And she had to agree. Lyanna thought that he looked young up close. He appeared to be older than Ned, though not by much. She had seen him at the feast, but it was from a distance as he sang. A beautiful song that resulted in Ben being put in his place for his rude comments. If weren't for the fact that she was so frightened that she almost pissed herself she would have appreciated him more. But now was not really the time. Her mouth tilted into the tiniest hint of a frown. She needed to focus on getting out of her current situation and not the line of his pretty face, although just how she would accomplish that was beyond her.
The prince removed the second of her leg covers and set it down next to the other. He then turned back and, reaching between her legs, moved up to the inner part of her thigh. Lyanna gasped and snapped her legs shut, scurrying backwards and away towards the small sword she had discarded earlier next to the tree. Prince or no, he had no business there. Was this his plan all along? The dutiful married prince in public and a lecherous fiend in private? She grabbed the sword and held it up. She no longer cared who stood before her or that she could be put to death for her actions. No man would take her in that manner against her will. He was stronger and would be able to restrain her eventually, but she would mark him well in the process.
Prince Rhaegar did not follow her and restrain her though. Instead, he held his hands up in placating manner.
"My lady please, I apologize for my impropriety, but the clasps are . . . they are . . . there and, well, I cannot remove them otherwise."
Lyanna held the sword between them and realized he was right. The clasps were at her inner thigh. Had she not just scolded Ben this morning for being a ninny about fastening them on his sister? She began to feel very foolish. Now she had two marks against her, impersonating a knight AND threatening the life of the crown prince. Wonderful. Simply wonderful.
"I should have warned you of my actions of course," the prince offered, "it was highly presumptuous of me to attempt something so familiar."
Lyanna looked to his face and thought she saw something close to amusement flash in his eyes. The thought of him laughing at her seem to steel her spine a bit more and she dropped her sword. This was worse than dealing with her brothers.
"Yes you should have," she answered coolly.
"If you would prefer to do this yourself I understand -" The prince began to stand when Lyanna interrupted him.
"No," she practically yelped . She pressed her lips into a tight line and almost growled out loud. She could not reach the clasps and Benjen would not be making it out to meet her. He was her only hope to be free of this armor. She clenched her teeth and softened her tone.
"No," she said again, "that will not be necessary now that I know your intention. You must forgive . . . me . . .your grace. For my own presumption."
The prince merely inclined his head in response but Lyanna was certain she saw a flash of amusement behind his eyes.
He knelt down once more before her and carefully reached for the clasp. Her eyes never left his face and while she had dropped her arms to her side, she still held her sword. If he noticed he gave no sign, although he did speak.
"You are of house Stark yes? In the north?" he inquired casually as he worked.
Oh bloody hell, she thought.
"Yes, your Grace. He is my father," she answered flatly.
"Your father?" the prince looked up surprised, "Lord Stark of Winterfell is your father?"
"Yes your Grace."
"I see. So that would make you Lady . . . ?"
"Lyanna, your Grace, Lyanna Stark."
"So, Lady Lyanna Stark," he removed the leg armor from her thigh and moved to the other, "if I may ask, how is it that you have come to the godswood?"
And so now we come to it, she thought.
"Oh, why I wished to see the weirwood tree," she answered innocently. "I heard that it was a sight to behold. A true testament to the old gods. And so I thought I would ride out. Here. To see it."
She fought the urge to wince as she spoke. It was what she had planned to say to her father if he found her leaving the camp unaccompanied. He would allow her to go as long as she was not alone and so Benjen had planned to be conveniently nearby when asked. But they had been able to slip out undetected and so its use was not necessary. Now that she had actually put it to voice, it sounded ridiculous to her ears. How could it not given the current circumstances.
But if the prince was bothered he did not show it. He removed the last of the leg armor and moved on to the chest plate.
"If I may?" He gestured to the clasp under her arm.
"Oh yes, of course." She lifted her arm up so he could reach the clasp unobstructed.
"So," he mused, "do you often explore the woods in full armor?"
Lyanna glanced at him from the corner of her eye but his face was hidden behind a curtain of pale hair.
"The armor, yes, well that you see oh -" she stopped as the prince, having finished his current task moved across her body, practically on top of her, to better reach under her other arm for the last set of clasps. He was very, very close. Lyanna raised her other arm as he continued. "Um, well the godswood at Winterfell can be a perilous place in the best of times so I thought it would be best to be prepared."
She did wince this time. She sounded absurd.
The prince straightened up and stared down at Lyanna from where they knelt in the clearing. Lyanna forced herself to meet his gaze steady on, refusing to blink, no matter how terrible her story was. Her chin lifted up slightly in challenge and she dared him to contradict her.
And he would of course. He did not believe her. He could not believe her. How could he believe her? He was going to take her in now, to answer for her feckless behavior. It was ludicrous for her to think that she could get away with what she had done.
The finality of her situation was finally closing in on her when the prince reached down and held the bottom of her chest plate.
"Could you lift your arms please," was all he said.
Lyanna blinked. She slowly raised her arms and the prince then pulled the armor up and over her head. Lyanna felt wonderfully lighter. The tunic she wore underneath was stuck to her skin from sweat and she pulled out and away from her torso so the cool air could reach her. She stood up and began to twist around, her hands resting on the small of her back as she stretched tired and constricted muscles.
"Ah," she sighed, "by all the old gods that feels good!" She gave a small laugh as she reached up above her head and stretched some more. "I was beginning to think I would never -"
She stopped suddenly, remembering who it was she was talking too. She looked down to see that the prince still knelt on one knee before her, watching silently. She dropped her arms quickly to her sides and began to slowly inch away.
"I thank you, your Grace for your assistance," she said dropping down into a more proper semblance of a curtsy, although she more than likely still looked foolish because she was in breeches, "your help has been greatly appreciated and I am grateful but as I am free now and there is a brigand in the wood, perhaps I should take my leave. With your blessing of course."
She had continued to move backwards, towards her mount as she spoke, grabbing at the random pieces of armor that littered the ground as she moved. Once she was close to her horse she made for the bag hanging from the mare's side and pulled out an over skirt and began to stuff armor in its place. The prince had remained still as she moved, but once she reached her mount he stood up.
"Lady Lyanna," the prince called from behind her, "I cannot allow you to leave just yet."
Lyanna froze and her heart sank. She stood at the side of her horse, hidden from the prince's view. For the briefest of moments, her hand hesitated over the hilt of her sword. She could fight him. She would not best him but she could fight him, do enough to run at least. It was madness of course. He knew who she was, who her father was. She would be found and she would most certainly be punished. But then Lyanna was not known for her rational thought process. She spoke without moving from the side of her horse.
"And why is that."
"Because, at the moment, I am the only one who can help you."
Lyanna slowly walked around her horse. To say the look she gave the prince was incredulous would be an understatement.
"Help me?"
The prince stared back at her, his head tilting slightly. "You have no idea the events your actions have set into motion do you?"
The prince walked over to Lyanna's horse and took the shield that hung from the saddle and turned it over and studied the white tree with the laughing red face painted on it. Lyanna's jaw clenched.
"The king has declared the mystery knight an enemy and traitor to the crown. He demands that the knight be found and brought forth for the king's judgement. I believe it is safe to say that the king's judgement will quickly become the king's punishment. I was sent to find this knight. Not that I am the only one searching, others have ventured into the godswood, Ser Robert Baratheon and Ser Richard Lonmouth to name a few . . ."
As he spoke the look of disbelief slowly turned into a look of horror with each word. And when he mentioned Robert her knees almost gave out.
"No," she gasped, "that was not my intention!" Without realizing it, she reached out and grabbed the arm of the prince in desperation. "I never meant for that to happen! I simply wanted those ill-bred little whelps to be held accountable for their insolence and lack of honor. I am no enemy to the bloody crown! I could care less about the bloody crown! The crown had nothing to do with this! I should go to the king, explain to him what had happened and why I did what I did. I will tell him and then he will see, he will –"
She was interrupted by hands on her shoulders and looked up to find violet eyes staring down at her once more.
"I believe you. But you must believe me when I tell you the king will not, and if you leave the woods now you will be discovered and taken before him. You must let me help you, which means you must do as I say. Can you do this?"
Did she even have a choice?
"Yes. Alright. What must I do."
The prince hands slowly released her shoulders as he considered the pack that was stuffed with armor that hung from her horse.
"You cannot return to your encampment just yet, and if you could you could not have this armor on your person anyway. We will have to rid you of this of course . . . I will take it deeper into the godswood so it will not be easily found and then return. You will –"
"Be going with you. I will not allow you to go deeper into these woods alone, especially since this is all because of my doing. I will be able to return tonight once it is dark. It is not uncommon for me to be gone into the evening," she looked up at the prince, "This is my fault. It is not your responsibility to do this by yourself. The last thing I need is for something to happen to you and that be on my conscience as well."
The prince said nothing, only looked at her, his expression unreadable while Lyanna's dared him to tell her otherwise. After what seemed like an age, the prince graced her with a small but still beautiful smile.
"Well then my lady, it seems you are going to be able to see the weirwood tree after all."
~oOo~
