Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire.
Thank you everyone for the lovely reviews, follows and favourites! For the sake of this story Elia would have had Aegon a few months before the Tourney at Harrenhal. I hope I do Elia justice as she is one of my favourite ASoIaF characters. Again thank you everyone for your support and if you have time please review!
Harrenhal
Elia
As Elia walked through the ruins of the hell hole that they called Harrenhal she couldn't help the shiver that went through her when she thought of the rumours that the place was cursed. She had only been here ten days and already she was a wreck.
Rhaegar her husband and the man she loved had finally found someone to replace her.
Elia knew what the maesters whispered when they thought she was to weak to listen after she had Aegon. "She will never have another child my prince, it would kill her." This of course devastated Rhaegar because god forbid his damned prophecy didn't come into place.
"The dragon must have three heads."
How could she give him a third head if she could no longer have children? Rhaegar knew this and it hadn't surprised her today when he had passed her by for she knew it was coming … what Elia hadn't expected though was for him to place those flowers in the lap Lyanna Stark.
The Northern girl is a child! How could her husband shame her so? Elia could still remember the feeling of the eyes of most of the Seven Kingdoms on her as they awaited her reaction. What did they expect she would do? Scream and curse until she was blue in the face and then claw Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark's eyes out. It's what Oberyn would have done she thought bitterly.
But Elia of Dorne was not her wild brother and she would not allow them to see her break. Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken. She held her head high and walked away with a hundred eyes burning in her back.
She could not bear to look at Rhaegar or the Stark girl for fear that she would burst into tears. She loved Rhaegar, she had from the moment she laid eyes on him. The first time she saw his Silver hair and his Purple eyes she knew she had fallen.
But Elia was no fool, she knew her husband was fond of her and not in love with her. Even a blind man could see that. In the early days she wished that Rhaegar would show more affection to her and stop treating her as if she was made of glass, but instead all she got was empty words and sad eyes.
Elia had long stopped caring, or at least she thought she did. She didn't know who was the most angry after the days events. Her brother Oberyn who looked like he wanted to personally rip Rhaegar limb from limb, the forever smiling Brandon Stark who was for once without his famous grin or the Storm lord, Lyanna's betrothed who had such a dark look on his face that Elia had to look away.
Speaking of Storm lords … Elia had just realized she was not alone on this dark night. Ahead of her was a tall man with hair as black as coal and muscles that most men would kill for. He looked upset which was unusual as she had heard that Robert Baratheon was a cheerful man though he had a temper.
Gathering her courage she decided to see if he was well after all she wasn't the only one who had been shamed by the days events.
Walking towards him she spoke out "Are you well my lord?" As he turned towards her she was stunned by how Blue his eyes were. Small wonder all the maidens in the Seven Kingdoms were fantasizing about this man.
She also realized how tall he actually was. Gods he made her feel like one of the children of the forest! Her head barely reached his chest. Craning her neck she could see that he was looking behind her. Elia guessed he was wondering where the kingsguard was.
She had to beg Arthur to let her go. Elia knew he was the only kingsguard she would be able to convince as they had been very close as children and Elia sometimes suspected he came to Kings Landing to protect her and not King Aerys.
Arthur let her go for a walk out of pity because he knew she needed some time alone and it had been so long since she had been alone to her own thoughts. Poor Arthur forever faithful …. Elia was about to open her mouth to ask Robert if he was well again in case he was hard on hearing when he finally spoke
"I am well, thank you princess" which sounded more like a growl and then he turned his back on her. Did he think she would give up so easily? Fool.
Stepping closer to him she spoke again "I am sorry about my husband's actions today, he can be very ….. impulsive sometimes." Impulsive was one word for it.
Whirling towards her Robert snarled "Spare me your false apologies! I don't need them and I don't need to have you here vexing me with your presence."
So the rumours of this lords temper was true then … She could hear Oberyn's voice in her mind "Some people are so testy sweet sister." Elia felt a small unbidden smile come to her lips as she tried not to laugh in his face.
Unfortunately that was a mistake as the Baratheon lord clearly didn't like being laughed and he got right in her face snarling like some mad dog "I don't know what you're laughing at. Your husband passed you over for a girl of 15! You're clearly not woman enough for him so he had to look elsewhere to get his fill!"
His harsh words stung and Elia could not even deny the truth of them to herself. But instead of walking away like she was used to doing lately she got mad! Before she even knew what she was doing she slapped the Storm lord as hard as she could across his arrogant face.
Breathing heavily from anger and fear she pulled back her lips in a snarl that her brother Oberyn would be proud of. Elia took some satisfaction in the shocked look that had come over Robert's face and the bright red handprint on his stubbled cheek.
"How dare you presume to talk to me in such a manner! I am your princess and I may look frail but I am anything but. Remember your place Baratheon and be grateful that I am kind enough to forgive such insolence."
Now that he was over his shock the Storm lord looked to be in deep thought and Elia despite being furious felt a hint of unease. Robert wasn't exactly known for his intelligence. What could this young fool be planning now?
As his eyes finally settled on her she saw a dark look come over his handsome features and Elia felt for the first time uncertain. Her own husband didn't even look at her like that but she had seen the look from many men towards her handmaiden and good friend Ashara Dayne. It was Hunger!
Elia tried to step backwards but backed herself into a tree while Robert walked towards her with more confidence in his tall frame than she had seen in any man. Also for the first time tonight he showed off his brilliant white smile as he got as close as he could to her without actually touching.
"Would you care to go for a ride my fiery princess?" His voice had gotten a lot deeper and Elia felt a shiver go through her as she realized what his intentions were.
As his head moved closer to hers and his Blue eyes fell on her lips Elia felt her hand close around and a hard object, making a quick decision she swung her hand towards him "WACK!"
As his head swung to the side she ran as fast as she could. All Elia could think of was Rhaenys and Aegon and how she had to get back to them and Rhaegar her fool of a husband who she loved despite all the pain he caused her.
Running through the Godswood her chest heaving and her hair flying in her face she could hear her brother Doran's voice in her mind "You're nearly there Elia just a little bit further and you will be safe!"
But before she could get any further she felt a sharp pain the back of her head and as she fell into darkness Rhaegar, Rhaenys and Aegon were the last things she thought of.
