The stale salt air from the bay hit Rhaegar's nostrils like a bout of flux. He preferred Dragonstone to King's Landing and often considered moving the capital whenever he became king. He would have lingered with his bride and children at Dragonstone, but he had promised Jaehaerys that he would be present for his name day. Rhaegar would have willingly allowed his brothers to stay with him on Dragonstone, but their father was unwilling to allow them to visit the island since Princess Shaena's death.

The air was growing warmer which meant that the stench of the city would grow stronger. 'Perhaps I should raze and rebuild the city so that it smells less,' he mused. He and his companions rode from the Mud Gate to the Red Keep. Their pace was slow, and Rhaegar waved to the smallfolk, letting them touch his hand as he passed them. To some he gave coins and to others he gave kind words. They were his people, and they loved him.

The crowds thinned as they ascended Aegon's Hill. They were nearly at the gates of the Red Keep when the sound of hoof beats racing along the cobblestone streets caused Rhaegar and his men to turn around. Five men were galloping toward the gates at an alarming pace. Guards approached from the Keep, weapons in hand. Rhaegar's hand instinctively went to rest upon the hilt of his sword.

"Where is she," the man at the head of the intruders shouted.

They slowed and paced their horses before the Prince and his guards when they neared. "Brandon Stark," Rhaegar questioned once he realized who the screaming man was. "What are you shouting about?" He did not remove his hand from his sword, but he did not draw his weapon either.

"Lyanna, you took her!"

"Did I?" Rhaegar gazed at the angry northman curiously. "When, may I ask did this happen?"

Brandon released the hilt of his sword, and clenched his hand into a fist. "Four weeks past," he hissed.

Rhaegar smiled easily, attempting to diffuse the situation. "Then I am afraid that you have the wrong man. I just arrived from Dragonstone. Why do you accuse me of taking your sister?"

He set his jaw firmly, the muscles in his neck tensing. "She was taken from Maidenpool. She was on her way to Riverrun for my wedding. Every description of the man who took her... After Harrenhal..."

If the situation were not so serious, Rhaegar would have laughed. He remembered Lyanna Stark, the wild and lovely daughter of Lord Rickard Stark. She had cried at the song he had played on his harp. She had danced for hours with his brother Daeron. She had dressed herself in armor and rode in the jousts. Daeron had told him that Lyanna was the mystery knight, and Rhaegar crowned her to acknowledge her talents. "I can explain Harrenhal to you as I did to my wife Elia. I gave the crown of roses to her as a gift for her participation in the joust. She was the mystery knight, if you were still unaware of that. Crowning her was a jest, nothing more. If the man you seek truly matches my description, have you not stopped to consider my brother Daeron? He and your sister are of an age and he was quite taken with her at Harrenhal."

"Daeron," Brandon muttered, as though the wind had been taken from his lungs.

"Come into the Keep with me and we will seek after my brother." Rhaegar held Brandon's gaze, and the man nodded numbly. At a wave of his hand, the guards sheathed their weapons and stood at attention. Together, the companions of Prince Rhaegar and Brandon Stark entered the Red Keep.

After they dismounted in the stables, Rhaegar grabbed Brandon by the shirt and shoved him against a wall. "Are you insane," he hissed. "If I had not been present to meet you what would you have done? Demanded to fight me? Your head would decorate the wall above the Keep."

"I would die to defend my sister." Brandon clawed at the Prince's hands. His men moved nearer but made no move to defend him.

"You may yet get that chance. Now will you work with me, or will I have to kill you?"

The Heir of Winterfell stiffened. "Find my sister, my prince."

Rhaegar released him, and nodded solemnly. "Wait in the courtyard while I arrange rooms for you and your men. I will see what is known about your sister."

Brandon paced in the courtyard for nearly an hour before he finally sat on a bench. His men remained quiet throughout their period of waiting, and Brandon was in no mood to speak. Eventually, a servant arrived to escort them to rooms within the castle. It was to those rooms that they were confined for three days without any news or visit from the Prince of Dragonstone. Their every need was met, except for their need for information and freedom.

Early in the morning of the fourth day a steward appeared and escorted them from their rooms to a drawing room. A table was laid with food and drink. Already seated were Queen Rhaella and Prince Rhaegar. Brandon and his men knelt before them.

"Arise," Rhaella commanded gently but firmly. "Eat with us." The men stood and seated themselves at the table. They ate readily, but Brandon pushed most of his food around without eating a bite. "My son has told me about why you have graced us with your presence. I would have met with you earlier, but we were celebrating Prince Jaehaerys's name day." She paused to sip her wine, all the while casting a hard gaze upon each of her guests, but most especially at Brandon. "I understand that you are concerned for the safety of your sister. You will understand that as a mother and as Queen, I am protective of my children and my subjects. My son Daeron was last seen in Maidenpool at the time your sister disappeared. Naturally, we are concerned for his safety and your sister's. This is why I wanted to meet with you."

Brandon could feel the weight of her gaze upon him. Her amethyst eyes were hard and cold. "Thank you for meeting with us, your grace."

"The King is aware that you are here out of concern for your sister. He felt that the situation was not important enough to warrant his presence. Rhaegar will be leading a group of our own men to search for his brother and your sister. You and your men are welcomed to accompany him."

Brandon released a heavy breath. "You are very gracious, my queen."

"It seems that graciousness and prudence are traits which you must yet learn. You would do well to learn from your intemperance." Scarcely a breath passed before she stood and swept from the room.

Rhaegar drained his goblet and cast a grim gaze upon Brandon. "My father does not know that you nearly drew your sword or that you accused me of taking your sister."

"Your mother does?"

"She very nearly wanted your head, but in the name of peace, she has agreed that we should work together."

"You have my gratitude. I wish to apologize for my rashness."

Rhaegar smirked. "We have all done foolish things, though I have never threatened my overlord before. Eat up, we leave at mid-day."

"Where are we going?"

"I have a few ideas of where my brother may have gone."

"Do I get a hint of where that might be?"

Rhaegar shook his head, spilling his silver hair across his shoulders. "You are in my custody Lord Stark. Perhaps it is time that you learned to follow your Prince."