I'm back!, again I apologize for dumping the others but it was the only way I wouldn't be blocked from completing one of these damned stories. I can guarantee that the stories will come back and with much improvement, I will also start making them all at least 2500 or 3500 words each so updates aren't so short.

Silver Crow, I do love the reviews you give. Yours and C.E.W's, hope these uplifting words can continue.

desdelor97, thank you good sir. Glad it was enjoyable!

Mpowers045, they say true love conquers all, id like to believe it.

Guest, to do so, magic would need to be back inside of the world but sadly that wont happen until Dany wakes her dragons. Although the suggestion is tempting.

kiki8o, maybe. Only the future will tell it so. But I agree, Ned may be good with honest intentions but that doesn't get anyone anywhere in Westeros.


Harrenhal

Howland

A young man was enjoying a walk along the many pavilions of the tourney grounds in search of wonderment and took in the southern sights. He's never been out of the Neck once in his entire life, and when given the chance to accompany Lord Starks children south?, well, he took it without even a second thought running through his mind. Now though, the idea lost of its luster as covers his face from the beating.

He was minding his own business and taking in the armor and colorful sigils when three squires approached, he was going to say a kindly hello until one stated that a 'Frog-Eater' doesn't belong on their land and told him to leave and when he refused to do so, the three responded by pushing him to the ground and kicking at him, chucking dirt and cursing him too. He wanted to cry and hope for someone to help him but none came to his aid.

... And then he heard a voice cry out.

"That's my fathers man you're beating there!"

The three turned their attention to the voice as he had to see a young woman. A year or two older than him with long black hair tied in a ponytail, skin the color of snow and eyes as grey as the sky in the North, he knew just who came to his rescue. Lady Lyanna of House Stark, the third born child and only daughter of Lord Rickard Stark. He showed a hint of a smile as she approached him, but the others wouldn't let her get too close.

"Go back, woman. This is a mans business." The first squire stated with insult written in his tone, his compatriots behind the man laughed and all three then turned their backs to continue beating him bloody. But as soon as the bastards back was turned, a blunt object was bashed against his back and the three turned to see Lyanna with anger in her face and a wooden stick in her right hand.

"No!, you listen here, you weasel-faced tart. If either of you touch him again I will have my brothers string you up and beat you bloody!" She vowed and the three looked a little frightened by her fierceness and then tried to put on a brave face.

"Y- You!, wait until my father hears about this!, come on." The Frey squire snarled out and walked away with his friend while holding his hurt head. She huffed and muttered a last remark that he couldn't hear before she threw the stick unto the ground and turned to him with a triumphant smile on her face. She stretched her hand out to him and hoisted him up, "You're Lord Reeds son, right?" She asked him.

"Y- Yes, Lady Stark. I thank you for helping me." He said with sincere gratitude. She tapped him once on the shoulder and chuckled.

"Its no problem. And Lyanna is fine, Lady Stark is my mothers title." She spoke out and nodded for him to follow her. "Come on, want to meet my brothers?" She offered and he hesitated for a moment. The only Starks he's ever spoke to was her at this moment, as for the others he only knows from their journey south and it was only through glances and watching Brandon play with his little brother on the road when they would make camp. A smile took his lips from the hesitation and he nodded.

"Yes, my Lady."


Some Time Later

Robert

The heir to Storm's End sat in his pavilion, readying for the melee that was to begin soon. First was the melee, then the singing tonight and archery the next day, the last would be the jousts that will go on for some few days until a winner rises. But for once it wasn't the fight he wanted to be apart of, it was Lyanna. He wanted to get to know her a bit more before they wed in the coming months.

He isn't no fool. He knows that she doesn't want to be with him, he could see it in her eyes when she puts those grey pools on him to only see disinterest. He wants to change that one of these days, he yearns to see more affection from her because ever since he met the Rose of the North, the Baratheon had fallen deeply for her, Eddard once said to him that he needs to see her mind and personality, to look at the iron underneath the beauty. He wants to do this whilst in Harrenhal for the next few days, to court the woman he loves.

He can't lie and say he doesn't have flaws, he is a drinker despite how much he tries to limit himself, but that can change in time. He is a womanizer, much proof from having sired a child of his own in the Vale during his stay, he fears that this might be the thing that his wife to be might be hesitant in embracing their impending marriage. Tonight he will swear to her that no matter how tempted that it might be, he won't touch another woman for the rest of his life besides her.

One thing fears him something fiercely, he worries that maybe it isn't his womanizing or drinking that is the problem for her hesitance in embracing their courtship. And that is the fear that maybe- just maybe, her heart may belong to another. That alone sends nervousness crawling through his body at this very moment, and if it is true. If she gave her heart and soul to some other man, his rage will cause him to challenge the lad for that heart, to the death if need be.

The sound of the horn blowing brought him back to himself and he placed his helm on his head and grabbed his war-hammer. Right now he will defeat those that face him in this melee tournament, and tonight the stag will woo himself the beautiful wolf with his promise, and maybe even a dance or two.


That Night at the Banquet

Lyanna

Grey eyes watched everyone enjoy themselves for the third day of being in Harrenhal to be finished. It was also a celebration for Robert Baratheon, the winner of the melee that held twenty paticpents. She was proud of her fiancé, the Stormlander went in and all but demolished the others who were mostly freeriders and hedge knights, but a couple of them were knights from Houses like Westerling and Piper.

She then smiled as she remembered putting those three squires on their tails today when she saw them bullying Howland today. The ignorant bastards, belittling someone that is just here to have some fun. She's been formulating a plan to put them in place but doesn't feel like she could depend on her brothers for assistance, she would invite Howland but backed out on that. Instead she will get Edwyn's assistance, first she needs the armor-

"You must be Lady Lyanna, Right?" A lyrical voice took her out her plotting and she turned around to be met with someone that she thought would never, and she means ever, talk to her. Rhaegar Targaryen let a kind grin form from his lips as he took her hand and placed a chaste kiss upon it in a greeting manner, "I am Rhaegar Targaryen, firstborn child and heir to my fathers throne. I am sorry if this is too forward but, may I have this dance with you?" The silver-haired prince asked her and she rose an eyebrow at him.

"Isnt the minstrel contest soon?, why bother with a dance instead of preparing." She asked back in suspicious tone and he merely gave a soft smile at her.

"Lord Whent is hosting the tourney. I simply asked to withhold the next bout for another hour so I could dance with you." He confessed and she was shocked. He, the Crown Prince stopped the tourney for a dance?, with her of all people. As charming as that is, the man is married and shouldn't be looking to dance with other women. She scoffed lightly before turning to go but the Prince was rather persistent, "Wait! At least let us have a chat?, please" She groaned as she turned to answer his request.

"Why? Why do you want to talk with me?" She demanded and the Prince leaned in a little and whispered in her ear. What he said was chilling and surprising.

"Why? It is to discuss a indiscretions of one woman being with a man that isn't her betrothed." He stated and she knew he was speaking about her as he sounded very like someone that spoke another's secrets, he first instinct was to slap the man across the face but that would have been foolish act that would only end one way, with her head on a spike.

She nodded for the man to follow her to one of the shadower parts of the feast hall and once she knew no one would see. She turned violently and slapped him across the face as she planned to do before realizing people would see. She wanted to smile as the red mark from her hand became quite visibel upon his cheek and wished she could laugh at his surprised expression too. She wasn't one to intimidated by threats, especially concerning her relationship with Edwyn. Her triumph disappeared when the Crown Prince smiled.

"Your fire. Your spirit, right then is the reason I want you, as Edwyn and Robert too. I want to offer myself as a husband in Roberts stead. I see you have no compassion for the man, and Edwyn is a son of a second son and clearly doesn't deserve you, my dear." The Targaryen spoke in a soft and calm tone as he rubbed the spot where she slapped him. She backed up at the man's insanity, he also took steps until she felt herself against a wall. "Since I saw you. I fell on first sight."

He uttered those words before pressing his lips against her own. It was surprising, and shocking. She could feel him touching her waist as he fell into the kiss far too much, she felt hopeless as he attempted to push him away. She wanted to call for help but due to her idiocy they were far enough away that none could see or hear her if she had wished. Then a fire lit inside her as she shoved the prince away and then, rage induced she punched the bastard without realizing what she had done and scurried away from the shadows only to bump into someone a few moments later, it happened to have been her betrothed with a now worried expression.

"Lyanna? What's wrong? You look horrified." Robert sounded concerned which was a surprise seeing how most of the time he would hold a boisterous attitude, usually after a few drinks. "You're shaking, did something happen?" He asked her once more. She wished for nothing more than to tell him, or anyone for that matter. But ultimately it would be foolish and dangerous to do so. So she kept silent.

"It's, it's nothing. I must be off so excuse me." She quickly said and tried to leave but Robert stopped her from doing so with a gentle grip to her hand. She turned to him and was about to aske him to let go but he opened his mouth first to speak.

"Wait. Can I have a moment to speak before you go rest?, it's important." Robert stated with a sincere tone of voice and left Lyanna speechless once more, who is this man and what has he done with Eddard's foster brother. She looked back into the area where she and Rhaegar were and felt relieved that he was gone before signing and nodding for Robert to continue with his moment.

"Okay Robert. Go ahead."

"[takes breath] I know. I know you aren't enthusiastic about me, about us marrying soon." He started and he was right, she isn't. "But. I want you to know that what I feel is true, I care for you deeply. And I come to you now to swear, I will not lay eyes or hands on another woman, I shall take no drink unless you let me. I will change for you, Lyanna." He confessed with a hopeful smile upon his face.

She stood shocked and somewhat irritated. 'Why is everyone confessing love now?!' She thought as she stood unvoiced towards Robert who was waiting for her reply, or some fashion that will give him hope for their doomed marriage to one another. After what had just happened with that arse of a prince, she can't take anymore surprise confessions from suitors. She loves another man and whom would let her go if she were happy but the only happiness she could want isn't with Robert, it isn't with Rhaegar, it's with Edwyn. She sighed harshly before voicing her reply to her fiancée.

"Robert. I can't, love you. No matter what changes you make because I have given my love to another, I don't want to marry you."


I wanted to give this one to Howland, Robert, and Lyanna for once because I intend to change a few things. Oh and pls don't harass/rant to me about Roberts behavior because I did say this would be half au, and the drunkard, rage induced and uncaring Robert we know and tolerate only ever came about when Lyanna had died. Next chapter will be going to Howland as he watches the Jousting begin.

Anyways I bid you all a good day. And keep watch for Winter is Coming!