Truth

"My lord!" Lyonel was greeted by the maester of Storm's End, Maester Ludswerth, as soon as he rode through the gates. He dismounted his horse and allowed a servant to bring the stallion to the stables as he turned his attention to the elderly maester. "Your journey was pleasant enough, I hope?"

"Aye. The weather was calm and we travelled in good speed," Lyonel told him as they entered the keep.

"And how is the king?" Maester Ludswerth inquired. The maester took pride in the fact that he had taught the king in his youth, before Robert was sent to the Eyrie to be Jon's ward. Lyonel found it somewhat comical, considering that Robert obviously hadn't learned much from anyone. His brother had the intelligence of a wooden chair.

"Well enough. In fighting form, as always," Lyonel remarked, becoming angry at the mere memory of what Robert had said to him, of how he had disrespected Dany.

"You didn't quarrel with the king again, did you?" the maester asked worriedly. Lyonel said nothing in response, not trusting himself to speak calmly about Robert. Maester Ludswerth tutted. "Oh, Lord Lyonel! You shouldn't have. Can you two boys ever behave?"

"We're not boys anymore, maester," Lyonel reminded him. "Though Robert remains as insufferable as one. I swear, he only calls me to the capital to argue with me!"

"What was it about this time, if you don't mind me asking?" he asked nosily.

Lyonel rolled his eyes. Maester Ludswerth had always been too fond of gossiping and was a little too nosy for Lyonel's liking, but yet he indulged the old maester. "The same thing as last time." Lyonel huffed and gave the maester a meaningful look. "He insulted Daenerys."

Though the maester tried to hide it, Ludswerth disapproved. He pressed his lips together into a thin line. "I see," he said. "I know your fond of the girl and I do understand why, but you must ask yourself, my lord, is she worth losing the favour of your king and brother?"

It wasn't difficult for him to come up with his answer. He had no love for Robert. "Yes," he replied. Maester Ludswerth frowned. "Speaking of Daenerys, how did she fare as lady of the castle while I was gone?"

"Very good, my lord. Very good indeed," Ludswerth commented thoughtfully, watching Lyonel for his reaction. He tried to keep a straight face, but Lyonel could feel a smile creeping onto his lips. "The castle hasn't had a woman's touch since your mother – gods bless her – and Lady Daenerys was most efficient. The servants adore her."

"Of course they do," Lyonel agreed, a large grin on his face. "What isn't to like about her?"

Disapproval once again marred the maester's face. "Well, yes. I suppose... she was most kind and respectful to them. Show the servants some gratitude and they will fall at your feet. Lady Daenerys went out of her way to make their acquaintances." Ludswerth stuttered as he tried to come up with the best way to warn Lyonel. "My lord, I have nothing against young Daenerys, but I do worry..."

"Yes?" he challenged the maester, with a glare that sent Ludswerth mumbling his next words.

"She comes from the house that your brother took the throne from. She is a Targaryen. Giving her the luxuries that are to be granted to your future wife might give other lords the wrong idea." He glanced at Lyonel worriedly, as though afraid that Lyonel would strike him for his daring words. It took all the restraint Lyonel had to not raise a hand to his old maester.

"As though I give a damn about what the other lords think," Lyonel snarled. "As far as I'm concerned, the only people that matter to me are in this very castle. I have no wish to take a wife any time soon, and if my bannermen are to presume that I am interested in marrying my ward, then all the better for me! Perhaps it will keep them from bothering me with proposals for a few weeks."

The maester bowed his head demurely. "Very well, my lord."

"Any other news?" Lyonel wanted nothing more than to storm away from Ludswerth, but his castle hadn't been attended to for a week and his maester had the best knowledge of what was happening in the Stormlands.

"I was speaking to Conton yesterday," the maester told him. Lyonel's interest was peaked by the sheer fact that they were talking about something important. Whenever Ludswerth mentioned their steward, it meant that something important was to be discussed. "We have had a bountiful harvest, my lord. We haven't had so much gold in our coffers since before the Rebellion!"

"That's great news!" Lyonel was delighted. Storm's End still hadn't been fully repaired since its siege during Robert's Rebellion. Lyonel didn't want to spend money he wasn't sure he had. "Tell Conton to hire builders. I want the castle fully repaired. Oh, and we will have a feast to celebrate."

"Of course. This castle hasn't known a feast in far too long. I will make the arrangements." The maester grinned. "Oh, there is one more thing."

"Yes?"

"A letter," the maester produced a letter from his pocket and held it out for Lyonel to take. The Lord of Storm's End eyed it warily. "From Dragonstone."

"Stannis." Lyonel hadn't heard from his brother in years. He had no wish to start communicating with him now. He clenched his fists together and shook his head. "No. Leave it in my solar. I will not have my mood soured by that man."

"As you wish," Ludswerth bowed his head respectfully and tucked the letter into his pocket again. Lyonel stormed off, yearning for his bed. He had been riding all night and had gotten no sleep. He didn't expect to sleep for long, of course. They had too much to do.

He was only in his bedroom a few seconds when he felt a small body launch itself towards him. Lyonel caught a flicker of silver hair and recognised the person immediately. Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around Dany and held her tightly as she embraced him and kissed his cheek.

"If I am to receive such a warm welcome every time I return, then I should leave more often!" he remarked jokingly.

Dany playfully whacked him on the shoulder, giving him a fierce glare, though a large smile lit up her face. Gods, she is beautiful. "Don't you dare!" she exclaimed, before embracing him again. "I missed you, Leo. You must promise to never leave again."

"I would never leave willingly, you know that, Dany. I am happiest here in Storm's End. With you," he told her, causing Dany's smile to become even brighter.

His eyes drifted towards her lips, feeling the strong urge to kiss her. Guilt filled him. She was half his age – and half his height as well, to be true! – it was not honourable. He had sworn to take care of her, had played with her when she was young. He hadn't actually been around much when she was a babe, or even a child. There had been a lot of business to attend to in the Stormlands after Robert's Rebellion. Lords wanting money from him to rebuild their keeps, even though Lyonel didn't have enough money to rebuild his own keep.

Robert had banished him from King's Landing during the first few years of his reign, but after three years, the king had allowed him back to court and became especially demanding of his presence. Perhaps if Lyonel had seen Dany more often when she was a child, he would not feel such attraction for her. It made him feel better about his attraction to his young ward when he reminded himself that he hadn't known her well as a child. In the last few years, his relationship with Robert had soured and Lyonel was summoned to court less often. His bannermen's need for his assistance had also died down. Lyonel had really only began to stay in Storm's End permanently three years ago, when Dany was twelve and almost a woman.

"Maester Ludswerth said that you performed well as lady of the castle," Lyonel told her, and Dany beamed at the praise. "I am proud of you. How would you like to keep the position, for the time being?"

Dany's eyes went as wide as saucers. "What? But it is not proper. The lady of Storm's End is supposed to be..."

"The lord's wife, I know. But I am not marrying any time soon and until then..." He gave Daenerys a large smile. "Storm's End needs a woman's touch. What do you say?"

"Yes! Yes, of course!" she agreed excitedly. "I will do you proud, Leo. I promise!"

Lyonel smiled kindly at her. "You already have. If you wouldn't mind, I would like to get some rest before dinner."

"Of course." She gave him a peck on the cheek. "Sleep well, Leo."

He watched her leave with longing in his eyes. What kind of a man was he, to love a mere girl? She's more than just a girl. She's Daenerys Targaryen, he reminded himself. Had she not been cooped up in Storm's End all her life, surrounded by married men and women, Daenerys would have no doubt stolen the hearts of many men. She was beautiful and kind, yet determined and strong. Lyonel had known many beautiful and fierce women, but none compared to her.

As he climbed into bed without taking off his boots, Lyonel fell asleep with thoughts of the silver-haired girl that had his heart.

He waited until the next morning to get started on the large amount of work that had been left for him. He started with the simpler tasks, such as reading letters from his vassals and replying to them, promising all sorts of things and taking note of what was promised to each lord. He then took a look at the accounts that Conton had left on his desk. He left Stannis' letter until last, dreading its contents.

Lyonel scanned through the letter quickly, and as soon as he finished reading it he crumpled the letter in his hand and threw it into the fire. How dare he?! How dare he? Lyonel was enraged. He stood up and cleared his desk of all books and letters in his rage. His breathing became ragged. How dare that bastard think to summon me to Dragonstone! He has not spoken to me in years! And to think that its his place to criticise my relationship with Dany!

The words Stannis used echoed in his head, enraging him further. "I have heard of your increasing fondness for your ward. I would remind you that she holds the name of the family we fought to remove from the throne. I ask you, brother, to put your family before your attraction towards Daenerys Targaryen. Duty comes before whims, always."

Where was Stannis' sense of duty when he left his fourteen year old brother to take care of the Stormlands? Where was his duty when he left his two younger brothers alone in a keep with only servants to raise them? Where was his duty then?! Lyonel would not be 'reminded of his duty' by such a man.

Duty before whim. Lyonel scoffed. To think that all this time, he was resisting his attraction to Dany because he was afraid of disappointing his brothers! His brothers never worried about disappointing him, so why should he care? They can go fuck themselves, for all I care! Fuck them! Lyonel drank another cup of ale to calm himself – his fifth in the last two hours – but only felt angrier afterwards. Ignoring his better judgement, Lyonel stormed out of his solar and towards the west wing of the castle where Daenerys' bedroom was.

"Leo?" Dany rubbed her eyes, looking tired and confused.

"I've been a craven," he told her, stepping inside her room without being invited.

"What? Why?"

"Because I've been afraid of what people will think," Lyonel ranted. "I've always been so concerned with what people think of me. That they think I am a capable lord. Why should I care?"

"I think you're a capable lord," Dany assured him, placing a hand on his arm. Oh, don't do that! Her soft touch sent bolts through him. Whatever sense he had in him was destroyed. "I think you're more than capable, actually."

"Oh, Dany. Dany, Dany, Dany." He was rambling, perhaps he was frightening her, but the young dragon didn't show fear, only concern. He chuckled. "You're too kind. Too... forgiving. Too trusting, sometimes. You trust me too easily."

"Why shouldn't I trust you?" He saw the fear in her now. He should stop before he said something he'd regret, but Lyonel found that the words just kept pouring out of him. "Leo, you're scaring me."

"I don't mean to," Leo told her honestly. "I want to tell you a story, Dany. I've always told you such wonderful stories, haven't I? About Robert's Rebellion. About the Greyjoy Rebellion. But I have never told you the stories you most want to hear. About your family. You want to know about your family, don't you?"

Wide-eyed and shocked at his honesty, Dany stammered for words. "I don't know, I..." Whenever she had asked him about her family, he had either brushed her off or only told her horrible things. She didn't want to hear about how her brother was a rapist or how her father was mad. She wanted to learn about Aegon the Conqueror, or Daeron the Young Dragon, or the countless other Targaryen heroes. Lyonel decided that he would finally give her what she wanted.

"Your father was a monster. You know that already. I won't bore you with the gory details all over again. Your brother, however..." Lyonel gave a dark chuckle. "Prince Rhaegar was a different story. Prince Rhaegar was perfect and gallant and honourable; loved by everyone, nobles and smallfolk alike."

"You told me he was a monster too," Daenerys accused, tears shining in her violet eyes. I should stop. I shouldn't say any more. "You said that he kidnapped and raped Lyanna Stark." Lyonel saw that he was only upsetting her, yet he continued anyway.

"I did, didn't I?" Lyonel said thoughtfully. Why had he said such lies? Even in his drunken state, he knew why. He thought that if he turned Dany against her family from the very first breath that she would hate the Targaryens as much as everyone else did. It was cruel, but it was necessary. Lyonel didn't care about any of that anymore. He was sick of the lies. He was sick of obeying the orders of two men who didn't give a shit about him.

"I shouldn't have," Lyonel admitted. "Rhaegar was a better man than I. I only met him once, at the Tourney of Harrenhal. Robert was roaring at me for being so useless with a sword. I was a boy of twelve, maybe three-and-ten, at the time. Rhaegar interrupted Robert and told me that I was good for my age and to keep practising. Robert stormed off, fuming."

Lyonel smiled at the memory, remembering how he had looked up to the dragon prince. "Your brother was a sight to behold, truly. A silver prince – beautiful, strong and mysterious. I admired him. Everyone did. Even when he won the tourney and shamed his wife and my brother by crowning Lyanna Stark the queen of love and beauty. Even then, did I respect him greatly. I didn't stop respecting him until Robert declared to his bannermen and anyone that would listen that Rhaegar had kidnapped Lyanna and was raping her. I believed the lies at first. Robert spoke with such conviction... he convinced everyone that the Targaryens were mad, bloodthirsty lunatics."

He took a deep breath. "It wasn't until after the Rebellion, years after, when Gella brought me to the nursery, that I realised Robert was lying. I cannot say for certain whether Rhaegar raped Lyanna, but I know that it was uncharacteristic of him to do so. I can say for certain, however, that the Targaryens weren't all monsters. You were only five at the time, but you were the sweetest little girl I had ever met. I expected you to become insane, like your father. I had Ludswerth document every possible display of insanity. He could document none. I realised that Robert was wrong. How could all Targaryens be evil, when one lived in my very keep, the kindest child that ever was?"

Dany's cheeks had become wet with tears. She wiped a tear away and narrowed her eyes at him. "Why?" she asked weakly, though Lyonel heard the anger in her voice. "Why did you lie to me? All these years... you had me believing we were all monsters."

"Not you," Lyonel reminded sharply. "Never you."

"Never me," Dany agreed, nodding her head. She smiled ruefully. "But you had me believing that I came from a line of evil men. Was my father even as mad as you say he was? Or is that a lie as well?"

"Your father was the Mad King, and I promise you this: the Mad King earned his name," Lyonel told her gravely. He lowered himself onto a chair.

"Very well," Dany replied, still not sure whether she should believe him. Her gaze was wary and sharp. "But you lied to me about everything else. Since I was a child, you had me believing that I should hate myself! Hate my family!"

"I never..."

"No, you never." Daenerys scoffed. "You just fed me lies and cared little for the consequence. I grew up thinking that it was just a matter of time before I spiralled into insanity! You said you had Ludswerth watch me closely to make sure I didn't display any signs of insanity. Ever since I was old enough to understand my family's history, I've been fretting over every somewhat evil thought that pops into my head. Whenever I got angry, I used to wonder whether this was the start of it. The beginning of my spiral into madness," Daenerys ranted. "You may not have anticipated the effects of your lies, but that doesn't change the fact that you caused them."

Lyonel felt himself sobering up. This was not a good idea. What had he done? "Dany, I..."

"Don't," Dany cut him off. "Don't apologise. Why did you lie to me?"

He sighed, his shoulders falling. "Because I was afraid. It was the only way to make sure that you would not grow to hate House Baratheon and want to claim back the throne in the Targaryen name. If you thought your family was corrupt, then you would not wish to honour them. You must understand, Dany. I never wanted to hurt you."

"But you did." Her resolve was crumbling. Gone was the enraged woman. In front of him was a scared girl without a family. He was the only family she had, and he had betrayed her. "And I do hate House Baratheon! I hate you all! I hate you! I hate you, Leo! I swear it, I do!"

"Dany, stop. You don't mean that!" Lyonel tried to place his hands on her shoulders, to steady her. Dany was frantic, tears falling from her eyes and sobs crawling up her throat, but she refused to let Lyonel comfort her and kept pushing him away.

"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you," she continued to shout at him.

"I'm so sorry, Dany," he told her, feeling tears well up in his eyes at the sight of his ward, the woman he loved, so upset. She was shaking now, her sobs moving her entire frame. Lyonel wrapped his arms around her and held her to his chest. "I'm so sorry," he muttered into her ear again.

They stood, curled up in each other's arms, for quite some time. Both were silent, consumed by thoughts. Dany was the first to speak. "Promise me that you'll never lie to me again."

He found himself agreeing to that very quickly. He kissed the top of her forehead. "I promise. Never again."

Author's Note: I'm going to start answering reviews at the end of each chapters. Mainly, I will be answering the longer reviews not because I don't appreciate shorter reviews but because usually they're the ones that require a response. I was blown away at the amount of reviews, follows and favourites for the last chapter, so thanks a million for that!

Vulcran Blackfyre: Lyonel is 29 and Dany is 15, so fourteen years older.

lightwalnut64: that's true! Daenerys' great aunt is Lyonel's grandmother. But at the time, when a woman married into another house she'd no longer be considered apart of her maiden family. It's interesting though, that the Targaryens and Baratheons have such strong ties to each other and that Daenerys is not only Lyonel's second cousin, but Robert's as well in canon. Jon Snow won't make an appearance for a while. I'm still not sure how to include him. Of course there will be a reveal about his parentage, but I'm not sure yet how Dany will react to him.

jgs237: Dany will get her dragon eggs pretty soon, and I've already planned how she's going to hatch them and I'm hoping it will have the same wow-factor as it does in the books and on the show! Ned will make an appearance in the next few chapters when he's in King's Landing. We'll see how he reacts to both Dany and Lyonel and Robert's reaction too.

Hail King Cerion: That was something I was really interested in exploring - how would Dany's personality change if she had been surrounded by more people who cared about her. It means a lot that people seem to be responding well to her! Robert is a character that I've always found difficult to write and as a result, I've often avoided writing him in fanfictions. I couldn't really in this fanfiction, to be fair! You pointed out in an earlier review that he seemed to be a caricature and when I went back and re-read the scenes he was in, I couldn't deny that I had written him very poorly. I tried to redeem myself so to speak in the last chapter by giving a lot of attention to his character to try to get it right!

FandomFan96: So true! Jaime's a real hypocrite! Dany and Lyonel will have their own storyline in the Stormlands, away from all the other storylines, until season 2 really. Then Lyonel will get himself involved!