Rhaegar Targaryen was confused. As a prince, rarely was the word no used in his presence. If it was, there was usually the add on of finding an instructor so he could eventually do what he asked. He was also rarely called an idiot as no one wanted to insult the prince of the Seven Kingdoms. He was rather smart, if anyone were asked, as he had gotten the best education offered in the kingdoms and he used those lessons to great advantage so when people called him an idiot it was usually with a fond exasperation. As a prince he was also used to people avoiding even the thought of striking him. When he was learning the knightly arts, Rhaegar knew that his trainers had softened the blow even more for him than they would another novice. He was a fine swordsman now and it wasn't just lip service, but he had a much easier time in training than other boys would have.

So, it was a given that the prince was confused as all three events happened almost simultaneously with the blow being strong enough to knock him off his feet. The events also came from someone as trusted as the Kingsguard which is why he had been able to get close enough to harm the prince in the first place. After all, if you couldn't trust your family, even if it was a bastard half-brother, who could you trust?

"I thought the madness side of the coin had not fallen face up, but it is obvious that it did. Did your singing and poetry remove your senses? What in the Seven Hells possessed you practically kidnap the Northern Warden's only daughter who is betrothed to the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands? Our cousin, mind you!" And there it was. If his silvery blonde hair and violet eyes were not enough to claim him as a Targaryen, then the temper was. When a Targaryen unleashed the full brunt of his temper, even the dragons were said to be scared.

"He saved me!" Lyanna yelled, the first to recover her wits after seeing the prince attacked by his most faithful companion.

"Lady Lyanna, while I do agree that Robert is probably the second worst sort of man to be betrothed to, only beaten out by the King, you are a fool to have gone ahead with Rhaegar's most idiotic plan." Rhaegar was slightly hurt by this and let it show. As his closest friend and longest companion, when they start insulting you and meaning it, it does not feel good. "The country is one spark away from a civil war that could make the Blackfyre rebellion look like a sibling spat and you might have just thrown a torch on the dry kindling."

"Surely Rhynos you exaggerate," Rhaegar spoke as he stood up and braced himself for another attack. It seemed that his half-brother's job kept him plenty active as he had lances hit him that felt softer. "There might be some confusion and anger for a few weeks, but this can all be cleared up rather easily."

"If only Rhaegar, but your vaunted wisdom must not extend into short term repercussions. You left no note in the North or in the Capital detailing your plans. I've received word from the Northern branch that your brother, Brandon, is racing towards the Capital and plans on demanding your release and safe return from the King. While your so called wolf blood does make you an interesting change from the usual ladies, it will get your brother killed if no one stops him and makes him cool down. Your father is also riding hard to catch up with Brandon."

Lyanna's eyes widened in horror at her brother's actions. Even in the secluded North, they had heard tales of Areys' descent into madness and the new Targaryen champion. Rhynos spoke true that her brother would be killed before a dozen words passed through his lips. Perhaps she had been a little too hasty in running away.

"Robert will most likely be satisfied in a few weeks I will admit, as long as we point him to another pretty girl and set up the marriage. But, this new… whatever this is," Rhynos elaborated with a gesture to Rhaegar and Lyanna, "Will severely piss off Tywin Lannister. He's already sore about the ridicule that the King heaped upon him as hand as well as taking Jaime into the Kingsguard. He was also denied when he offered his daughter to be wed to you Rhaegar. While there will be no repeat of the Rains of Castmere, he can make life very difficult for our family."

This time it was Rhaegar who shifted uncomfortably and even the Kingsguard looked a little uncomfortable. Tywin had received his reputation in Westeros because of his ruthlessness and Jaime had not been treated well since he arrived in King's Landing. Granted, Jaime was an arrogant brat that had been fed with a golden spoon all his life, but most young nobles were like that. It would be a trying time when Tywin heard of this new, unintentional, insult to his family.

"And let us not forget the insult that you just paid Dorne. You know, that kingdom that your wife came from!" Here all cringed at the volume Rhynos had reached. It was no secret that Rhynos and Elia were closer than a good-brother and sister had any right to be and before Elia had been married to Rhaegar, there were whispers of Rhynos pleading with Aerys to legitimize him all so he could ask for Elia's hand. That was why Rhynos had created the group that he had, but it was for not. They had stopped their relationship as soon as the match had been announced, but there was still a fondness between the two. "Did you even think about Elia? Did you think about what your children's reactions would be? Even if they do not understand now, they will grow."

At Rhaegar's defeated slump, the fight fled out of Rhynos and the tension in his body dissipated. "You are my brother Rhaegar, even if father will never legitimize me so that I may have my own name and family. I hate fighting with you and actually meaning it, but what you did must have been a leave of your senses or you were simply thinking that as a prince no one would question your decisions. That is the price of being a prince of the realm, no one tells you no enough. I ride to the capital to see if I can prevent whatever tragedy yet to come. Enjoy whatever this is, a honeymoon if it so pleases you, but I expect you back in King's Landing by this time next moon where you will beg for forgiveness from your wife and children if nothing else."

Rhynos turned to Lyanna now. "I hope you realize the consequences of your actions my Lady and have not just been swept up in the whirlwind of courting the prince. If you return to King's Landing, you will have to deal with Elia Martell and the stares of the court. You will become the most famous and infamous lady in all of Westeros. If you have already married, you are a princess of the land and even in the South we have heard how you hated anything to do with being a lady. While you may be able to avoid some activities, even Viseyna was required to take up some roles. You no longer have your father to hide behind. Also, I hope you're ready to be a mother as Rhaegar already has two children and I will be damned if I allow you to harm them, be it physical or mental!"

"I would never!" Lyanna instantly leapt to defend herself. She hadn't thought fully about her decision, this was true, and many things of what Rhynos would keep her up later that night in thought, but she would never harm a child in anyway. She was actually pretty excited about meeting Aegon and Rhaenys.

Rhynos stared at what appeared to be his newest good sister long and hard before nodding. "Perhaps you will do," He whispered and Rhaegar's head shot up in surprise. Rarely did his half-brother give out compliments and he had heard Rhynos give compliments to two ladies in his life. "Keep that fire in you Lady Lyanna, do not let if freeze as you Northerners tend to do and you might just survive this mess. Brothers, my lady," Rhynos bowed in departure, "Fools in the white cloak that don't speak when something is wrong, I leave to intercept Brandon Stark before he gets himself killed. As I said before, I expect to receive word that you are making your way towards the capital within the week. You know I shall know Rhaegar."

With his parting words said, Rhynos strode past the members of the Kingsguard and mounted his steed in full armor with a grace that made her envious. Without a look back, the bastard of the Targaryen's sped North on his self-assigned mission. "Aye," Rhaegar's honeyed voice broke through her thoughts of the bastard royal son, "Rhynos has that effect on everyone, including my lord father. I am glad that he is my friend and present to point out my mistakes. I feel that I get away with too much as the Crown Prince, but he keeps me straight."

"I look forward to hearing about him and getting to know the man," She said and then turned on Rhaegar with an impish grin. "However, I believe our honeymoon was just cut short by that same man and I intend to make full use of whatever time we have left." It was so fun to make the prince flush and getting the Kingsguard too was just icing on her cake.

-The Bastard's King-

The night air cooled her skin as her heart beat returned to normal. Lyanna had not wanted to get married because she was not looking forward to the carnal urges of men, but by the gods she enjoyed it now. Now though, she was tired, but not tired enough to sleep just yet. "My prince," She whispered softly, loathe to interrupt his rest if he was already asleep. She could tell that this was as much a vacation for him as it was their honeymoon. A noncommittal grunt was all she received, but she knew that meant he was awake. It seemed that all men shared some common language. "Can you tell me about your brother?"

One of Rhaegar's violet eyes opened and stared at her. "We just made love and yet my new wife asks about my half-brother, what am I to make of this?" He asked with no small amount of amusement. Lyanna flushed slightly, but she took the slight jab as repayment of her own earlier today. "I know that you ask out of simple curiosity however and it is as you said, I do not wish to waste too much time speaking when time can be better spent."

Rhaegar sighed slightly and prepared himself to speak. Lyanna was curious if he would wax poetically about her good-brother as he sometimes did with everyday things or if would speak like any other man. "I will not speak of the earlier years as it is Rhynos' tale to tell. He did not have it as hard as lowborn bastards in this world, but let it be known that King's Landing is no place for a noble bastard. Especially one that is never publically claimed.

"Rhynos is only a few months younger than me and as far as I know the only bastard of my father's. That did not matter to me growing up however as he was my best friend. The kingdom says I have a way with words and they speak of my songs that captivate them. The few that speak to him say the same, but because he could convince a cat to lay with a dog." Here Rhaegar chuckled and Lyanna couldn't help herself either as she pictured that disturbing yet humorous image. "By the Seven, he got us into so much trouble as children and younger men and then was able to talk his way out of punishment leaving it all on me! The little shit had the nerve to grin at me as well!" Lyanna once again chuckled, this time deeper and fuller.

"In truth, I believe his mother is of the North as he would be sure to fit in fine with your brothers. All seriousness except in rare instances and when his temper is unleashed the heavens tremble. I am afraid of very few things Lyanna, but when Rhynos is angered he is a force that even the Kingsguard are hesitant to take on. With a lance or bow, he is no better than any other well trained knight, but with a sword or even barehanded he is a force to be reckoned with. Still, he is my best friend and always ready with a cheerful smile if he sees I am depressed. I have only seen by brother truly despondent once and that was when father proclaimed that I was to be wed to Elia when he had worked so hard to be legitimized for her."

"So the rumors are true?" Lyanna asked, concern and a bit of pity in her eyes. "They truly did love each other?"

"Loved, aye. I think they still harbor a great deal of feelings towards one another truth be told though I know they have not dishonored me in anyway as they always request an escort when they meet to not give in to temptation as they put it. I do not know what I did to deserve the two for I would not have begrudged them of time alone."

Lyanna was impressed as she heard about her new sister-wife and good-brother. Very few in the Westeros, the world in all total, would have let their loyalty stop their actions and the more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. Elia had stopped seeing her love privately because she was married to another man and yet that same man she had married now had his arms wrapped around Lyanna. She made up her mind then and there that she would beg for Elia's mercy and forgiveness as soon as they returned to the capital. Something that would probably help her in her relationship with Rhynos and the rest of the realm as well.

"What did he do?" Lyanna asked, prompting Rhaegar to give her an inquisitive stare. "What did he do to almost be legitimized?"

"He created a group of sorts, almost like a brotherhood except they accept women into their ranks as well. The group is not filled with knights, but it is dedicated to the protection of the small folk and the land as every knight should be. They are far more than simple protectors though. I do not know how far his group extends, but I do know that he has a place for everybody. Thieves are never turned away, nor blacksmiths or cobblers. There are even rumors of assassins, though Rhynos will neither confirm nor deny the rumor. Everybody in the guild wears grey."

"Grey?"

"I asked. Rhynos claims that the Black protects the land and the White protects the Royals so the color between the two will protect everything else. He does not hold the knights of the realm in high esteem."

There was a story there, Lyanna knew, but she grew tired and needed her rest. "Goodnight Rhaegar," She said softly before kissing the underside of his chin. "While your brother made me realize some things, I do not believe I shall come to regret my decision."

No, Rhaegar thought as he too drifted off to sleep, no I do not believe I will either.

A/N: I had high hopes for this story, but I seemed to lose all steam as soon as the second chapter started. I have ideas, but I just don't know how I can write them. Any of these chapters are up for adoption and I greatly enjoy the suggestions left by some of what my next attempted project could be.

Until Next Time!