Whaaat? New chapter? So soon?! Yeah, I was surprised too...

Thanks to everyone who followed, added to favourite and reviewed the story!I'm glad you like it!

Marvelmyra: Thank you for your comments! (tho I was really embarrassed while reading it) I didn't realize those mistakes until you pointed it out. English is not my mother tongue and I really try to check the spelling and grammar, but it's sometimes... invisible(?) to my eyes, I hope you understand what I want to say xD so thank you again that you made the effort to read my story and comment on it!

Rexx: Well, I've debated with myself for a long time if I should make slow burn fic or not, but then I was like 'hey! R+L are Ice and Fire, aren't they?' they complete each other, so of course they feel something towards each other since the beginning!

scifiromance; Bad Ass Female Fighter; Addy42; Trainee Hero: thank you for your support! It means a lot for me! XOXO

Reviews are always welcome!:)


Saying goodbye to her family was hard, teary and left an emptiness in her heart as Lyanna felt a part of her was going away North with them. How many years would pass, she wondered, when she would see them again? Would she witness the marriage vow of Eddard or Benjen in front of the Heart Tree in Winterfell's godswood? Would she embrace her father for the last time before death would take him away? Would she see Lyarra as a tall maiden with gleaming blue eyes? Would her child ever visit Winterfell? Would Lyanna sink her fingers in the northern soil again? Only if the Gods allow.

The visit in Maidenpool was short, yet pleasant. Lord Mooton was a kind host and the fact that King Aerys went straight to King's Landing brightened Lyanna's mood. The Bay of Crabs was a wonderful place; deep green forests on the hills surrounded the town, the harbor was full of ships and cutters and Lord Mooton's azure castle had sculptures of mermaids on the top of its high towers. The light and fresh breeze had a restful impact on Lyanna's morning sickness, however a strong smell of fish quite the opposite.

They were in the Red Keep for a few days now. Rhaella was ecstatic at the thought of her grandchild, she held Lyanna tightly in her embrace until the Queen started weeping, soaking Lyanna's blue gown. She heard that her mother-in-law had many miscarriages and stillbirths and Rhaella's emotional reaction at her pregnancy was heartbreaking for Lyanna. It was no wonder Rhaella cherished Viserys so much. Aerys, however, expressed the hope that Rhaegar's offspring would look like a Targaryen, Lyanna didn't hide her indignation, but Rhaegar stopped her from saying something with unseen grasp of her hand.

The garland of blue winter roses still brought a smile to her face. Lyanna had never been a romantic girl, but it was funny how quickly she became a blushing maiden in the presence of her husband. She still was loud-mouthed and hot-blooded but being close to Rhaegar made her feel lightness in her stomach and that constant unease. Those were completely new feelings for her and stay of House Martell at the Red Keep only compounded her situation. Lyanna just wanted Elia away from her husband.


They were passing the light pine door of the White Sword Tower when Viserys stopped abruptly. Lyanna took him to the gardens on this scorching day, even if she herself just wanted to dip in her marble bath full of cold water. Her morning sickness made her weary and all in.

"One day I'll be a knight and join the Kingsguard. Just like Prince Aemon the Dragonknight." Viserys stuck out his chest and waved his hand in the air, pretending to wield a sword. "I'll protect you."

"And what about your brother?" Lyanna laughed and brushed his silver-blond hair away from his eyes. Viserys made a face.

"Rhaegar has other knights to fight for him. I want to protect you." Viserys took her hand and continued their way to the gardens.

"Me? Why do you want to protect me so much, Vis?" Lyanna lifted a questioning eyebrow and hiked her ivory dress not to step on it.

"Mama always says to protect those who we love, and I love you." Viserys' lilac eyes shifted towards her with sincerity and Lyanna blinked a few times in surprise.

"I love you too, Viserys." Lyanna laughed lightly and kissed his pale cheek. At least one of Targaryen brothers loved her back.

Lyanna breathed deeply when they walked out on the fresh air, if you could call a smell of King's Landing like that. Wine, sweat and horse piss were palpable in the air, although the scent of various flowers and shrubs softened it. The roses pergola they were walking through protected them from the sun, the path piled up with creamy and white stones led to gazebo, fountains, benches and the hedge maze, which Viserys loved to play in.

As Lyanna turned into a narrow path following rushing Viserys, she gave a startled squeal when a bald and short man appeared before her.

"I had no intention of scaring you, Princess." Master of whisperers sent her a mysterious smile, and when Lyanna inhaled the sweet smell of his perfumes, a wave of nausea swept over her. She took a small step back.

"Lord Varys." Lyanna bowed her head and looked at disappearing back of Viserys in the next lane.

"May we?" Varys waved his plump hand before him and they started walking down the path. He caught her hand and smiled sweetly at her. "Congratulation, Princess Lyanna, you are with child if I am correct?"

"I-yes, my lord." Lyanna frowned, she didn't expect that the news of her pregnancy would spread so fast. She didn't like eunuch's confident voice, she didn't like him as he always appeared to know everything before everyone.

"I am no lord, Your Grace." Varys shook his head and sighed patting her hand. "This child will do good to house Targaryen. The King is distinctly content, another heir to the Iron Throne."

Varys with his bizarre voice seemed not to believe his own words. The King laughed maniacally when Rhaegar informed him of his wife's pregnancy but then Aerys quickly sobered and she was afraid if he might think of her child as the enemy who wanted to yank his rule off his hands?

"The North has always been more loyal to the Starks than to the Targaryen King." Varys continued as Lyanna stayed silent, only looked at him suspiciously with her grey eyes. "With your child, my Princess, the realm would be more joined than it ever was. I dread how bad the Seven Kingdoms would bleed if there was a little misunderstanding between your houses."

"We better pray then, that such a thing would never happen." Lyanna answered not quite sure why lord Varys suggested a situation like that and doubted the loyalty of her father's bannermen.

"We, my Princess, do not want another Dance of the Dragons, do we?" Varys laughed stiltedly and his dark blue eyes bored into her as though Lyanna should understand his message.

"We do not." She agreed with a hesitation in her voice, Varys' soft fingers let go of her hand. Lyanna was glad when the master of whisperers stepped back from her.

"Have a nice day, Princess Lyanna." Varys smiled a little and bowed his head, disappearing soundlessly from her view. His gentle voice gave her the shudders as well as his unclear words.

The scent of rose water still lingered around Lyanna when she searched for Viserys.


"Dragonstone." Lyanna repeated after Rhaegar. They ate dinner together after she walked Viserys to Rhaella. "But why?"

Her husband decided that Dragonstone, the old castle of House Targaryen, would be their seat now.

"I am the Prince of Dragonstone and it is the place I should rule over." Rhaegar took a sip of his wine and furrowed his eyebrows at her disgruntled face. "You don't like it, my lady wife."

"I do like it, but… I got used to your mother and Viserys and lady Ashara."

Lyanna wasn't delighted with living in the Red Keep, but Rhaella and Viserys quickly became her family, and Ashara Dayne was her close friend. Except Rhaegar, at Dragonstone she would be alone.

"I understand… But you can exchange letters with lady Ashara. As to my mother and brother, we may visit them sometimes." Rhaegar offered and Lyanna gave him a small smile, but she was still disappointed.

"When are we going to move?" She wanted to know how much time was left before she would have to say goodbye.

"After Martells leave King's Landing."

"Oh, all right."

Lyanna was baffled by his answer. They would leave so soon? Martells would stay in the Red Keep for only four nights, then they were heading to Oldtown where Elia was to marry Lord Baelor Hightower. Lyanna bit her lip not cry, her sensitive feelings didn't help her as the urge to weep was stronger.

Why did Rhaegar want to leave King's Landing so soon?


Rhaella looked at Lyanna with a troubled look. Her lilac eyes were red and tired, yet she still looked beautiful. Her crown made of gold and adorned with red, green and black gems glinted on her mane of straight silver-gold hair in the afternoon sun. They sat on the patio in Queen's chamber, the view of Blackwater Bay spread before their eyes.

"Rhaegar takes you to Dragonstone then." Rhaella stroked Lyanna's wavy hair. "My son is selfish. He wants you only for himself."

Lyanna flushed and shifted her eyes to Ashara who had a knowing smile on her pretty face.

"You should eat a lot of citrus fruit, my child. It helps with sleepiness. Maester Pycelle commended it to me while I was pregnant with Viserys." Rhaella offered Lyanna an orange.

"Thank you, Your Grace. My lord husband laughs that even if I sleep for a whole day, I have no trouble with falling asleep at night." Lyanna bit the fruit, enjoying the sweet-and-sour taste on her tongue.

"My sweet Rhaegar." Rhaella smiled brightly at the mention of her eldest son. "He will be a good father. Since he was a child he was so quiet and caring, he loved to sing to Viserys when he did not want to fall asleep."

It was almost frustrating for Lyanna how everyone praised Rhaegar. They made her feel that she should pray and thank the Old Gods at her every step, that they sent her a husband like Rhaegar.

"My brother said that when the Prince sang in Griffin's Roost once, his song brought all the women in castle to tears." Ashara laughed gently, her curly brown hair fluttered in the light wind.

"A noted musician he is, my dear son." Rhaella sighed, her lilac eyes sparkled with pride. "Since he was barely nine years old, Rhaegar loves to visit Summerhall. This is the place where he writes his most beautiful songs."

Rhaegar was born during the tragedy at Summerhall. The ruins of the castle in Stormlands fascinated him, and for what reason, Lyanna did not know.

When the blue sky turned darker, Lyanna and Ashara were exiting the Queen's chamber, Rhaella gave Lyanna a motherly embrace and said:

"Rhaegar needs someone like you in his life. You brought joy and happiness to his life, I can see that."

And Lyanna wanted to believe her.


They looked so casually in each other's company that Lyanna was jealous she and Rhaegar didn't have this freedom. Sometimes Elia was giving her looks of hatred or she just imagined it, but she did feel some gap and inability of forming closer bond with the dornishwoman. Perhaps Elia resented Lyanna for marrying Rhaegar.

Elia was beautiful and she was a full-grown woman while Lyanna could barely call herself like this, she did have a body of woman, but she still acted like a silly girl. Elia was wise and mature, she was a better material for the future queen.

Sitting next to each other, Rhaegar and Elia were laughing and talking lightly, her husband didn't even spot Lyanna's angry face. Those small touches from the Dornish Princess on her husband's arm annoyed Lyanna mercilessly.

She felt humiliated and rejected by Rhaegar. One time he is tender and caring and the next time he is indifferent and silent.

"I've heard you like racing against men, Princess Lyanna." Oberyn Martell tilted his head towards her, his thick Dornish accent differed from the one Ashara spoke; his was more influenced by the Rhoynar. "You were the first to reach the Mystery Knight."

"I'm just a fine rider, and beating men while doing this, is my greatest pleasure, Prince Oberyn." Lyanna answered with a haughty expression. Oberyn's black eyes gave her a close stare.

"A fine rider, you say? Prince Rhaegar must be pleased with this." Oberyn murmured, his lips turned into a sly smile and Lyanna furrowed her eyebrows. "I once knew a woman in Oldtown who also could ride well. A true blessing it was."

"I'm sorry, but, I don't understand what you-" And then her cheeks grew hot as she did understand what he meant, and it scandalize her how this Dornishman could imply something like that. Lyanna spat then. "I do not wish to hear your crude remarks, Prince Oberyn."

"Forgive me, Princess, but in Dorne we are more… open-minded." Oberyn laughed lightly at her intimidated face. He was not very handsome, but that dangerous air around him attracted both women and men to him, as Lyanna heard.

"But you are speaking to a northerner, we differ, Prince Oberyn."

"For me northerner is a wolf and you are, believe me, no other than the other ladies at this court." Oberyn smiled and took a long gulp of wine.

Lyanna's blood started boiling. She was offended by him, he doubted in her origin, he called her a plain southern girl.

Without a blink, Lyanna whipped his goblet off his hand and poured a sweet Arbor wine on his black hair. A satisfied smile crept up on her face.

"For that, my lord, I am not sorry."


Lyanna wandered in the Red Keep's corridors to calm her nerves. Prince Oberyn pointed out something, she did not want to admit to herself.

"Damn Dornish Princess." Lyanna muttered under her breath and leaned against the wall. Her husband and Elia did not seem to leave her head. She should stop feel jealous, she wanted to show Rhaegar that she was strong and did not care about his indifference towards her. He only crowned her the Queen of Love and Beauty because he must have done it, he was the Crown Prince and if he had done differently it would have been a scandal.

Her grey eyes skimmed the painting of Baelor the Blessed in front of her and she scowled. "If only he was like Baelor things would be way easier."

Baelor the Blessed closed his three sisters in the Maidenvault, so not to tempt him to carnal thoughts. Rhaegar should do the same with her and she would stop thinking about him too.

Hearing footsteps, Lyanna turned her head and spotted the newest and the youngest member of the Kingsguard. Ser Jaime Lannister was fifteen years old just like Lyanna, but wielded his sword as capably as Ser Jonothor Darry. But then again he was just a boy; a knight boy, rash and foolish.

Ser Jaime Lannister lifted his head in her direction, obviously pulled from his thoughts, when Lyanna bestirred, trying to escape to the next corridor.

"Princess Lyanna." Ser Jaime nodded his head and slowed down his pace.

"Ser Jaime." Lyanna cleared her throat as silence fell between them. He ran his fingers thorough his golden hair. His white cloak suited him, Lyanna stated, but she still could not understand why he hadn't listened to his father and joined the Kingsguard even if he knew how mad Aerys was.

"I should escort you to your bedchamber, Your Grace. You shouldn't walk alone at this late hour." Ser Jaime offered as it was his duty.

"It's very kind of you, Ser Jaime, but I can manage by myself." Lyanna refused his proposal.

"I insist, Princess. Prince Rhaegar would have my head if he knew I let you wandering the Red Keep at night alone." Ser Jaime jested and added. "If I can ask, where is the Prince?"

"Where is my husband? Probably with that Dornish Princess enjoying the night." Lyanna snorted, the words left her mouth before she could stop them.

"Princess Lyanna, I-That is-" Ser Jaime was clearly confused, his green eyes skimmed the corridor. Lyanna seemed as if she didn't hear him.

"Can I talk to you, Ser Jaime?" Lyanna asked, almost pleading him. She needed to voice her sorrows and Ashara heard enough of it, Lyanna did not want to maunder her friend with her silly problems. "But what I am about to say... You cannot repeat it to anyone."

Ser Jaime nodded his head slowly, not really knowing what he should do. Confusion was visible on his face.

"Swear it on your honour, Ser Jaime."

"I swear it on my honour, Princess Lyanna." He answered with his hand on his heart, but that small smile on his lips gave away his true feelings. He was amused by her, and probably it was good that he didn't take her seriously. He would think it was just her drunken babble, even if she did not look drunk, but only sleepy.

Lyanna licked her lips and said in a hushed voice. It felt somehow embarrassing, but it was her who wanted to unbosom.

"All that I had ever wanted was freedom... And I almost had it at Winterfell... I lived in a completely different world than this one and I'm confused and lost and overwhelmed... Rhaegar is a perfect husband, he really is, but tell me Ser Jaime, don't you think there must be something more than just... desire?" Lyanna blushed and her companion looked almost self-conscious. Before he had a chance to answer, she opened her lips again.

"Elia should be his wife. I'm not the best material for it. Who am I to him?" Lyanna frowned and focused her eyes on her hands. "I'm just a foolish girl, nothing more. I don't feel well being a princess... I had never wanted any of this. I'll never be the queen they expect me to be."

"It's not true, Your Grace." Ser Jaime cleared his throat and Lyanna looked him in the eye with a sad smile.

"You regret it, don't you?" He looked at her puzzled. "It's not how you had imagined. You wanted to serve the King, but what a king do we have? You should have listened to your father... Forgive me if my words hurt, Ser Jaime."

He just kept looking at her with a weird expression on his face. It was something between rage and shame. Ser Jaime avoided her eyes and Lyanna knew she told the truth. He took the vows for life and only his death would break them, just like her marriage.

"Sometimes I fear if Rhaegar would become like his father... But he's too good, too smart for it, is that right?" Lyanna questioned with sad smile. "I had dreamed of marrying out of love..." She laughed bitterly. "Love... Am I too young to give him it? I want him to love me, I'm his wife, I'll be the mother of his children, I don't want him to take another to bed... I'm pathetic, aren't I?"

Lyanna blushed from embarrassment, her lips seemed to pour words like water, without her authority, but she needed release.

"Of course not, Your Grace." Jaime shook his head with a smile. He looked so uncomfortable with her confession that Lyanna almost laughed. "It's a relief to talk with someone about your feeling, am I right?"

"... yes, it is soothing." Lyanna smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Ser Jaime... and please, let it stay just between us."

"I swore it on my honour, Princess Lyanna."

Suddenly they both turned around when a clatter of armour sounded nearby. From the corner of the corridor emerged another Sworn Brother.

"Princess Lyanna, Ser Jaime?" Ser Arthur Dayne approached them with a questioning expression. He examined Lyanna with his blue eyes and then his look shifted to Ser Jaime. It was now that Lyanna realized she was standing too close to her confidant. She took a step back.

"Prince Rhaegar is looking for you everywhere, Your Grace. He's worried." Ser Arthur said. Lyanna flipped again.

"Oh, he's worried?" Lyanna sneered. "My husband didn't look much worried about me when he was with Princess Elia."

"Forgive me, Your Grace, but-" Ser Arthur looked between her and Ser Jaime confused. Ser Jaime shook his head.

"I don't care if he's worried or not!" Lyanna snapped, crossing her arms. "You can tell him, Ser Arthur, that we sleep separately tonight!"

Lyanna told herself not even an hour ago that she should be strong and smart woman, but there she was acting like an envious, stupid young lady.

"I am going to my chamber. Goodnight, Ser Arthur, Ser Jaime." Lyanna said in a huff.

"Princess Lyanna, I think you should wait for the Prince, you're-" Ser Arthur was at loss.

"Arthur? Have you found-" Rhaegar appeared in the end of the corridor and seeing Lyanna he breathed a sigh of relief. "There you are, my lady wife. I've been looking for you everywhere."

"Well, well, well! My dear husband finally realized I left the hall!" Lyanna sneered. Rhaegar stopped for a moment, narrowing his indigo eyes.

"My lady, I do not understand-"

Lyanna glared at her perplexed husband. "It's all your fault!"

"My fault? What are you talking about, Lyanna?" Rhaegar closed on her and before his hand could catch hers she shoved it with a twist.

"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about! I've seen how you two look at each other! With that smiley faces and those gentle touches! It disgusts me! Do you fuck her?!" Lyanna shrieked, her chin trembling. Rhaegar clenched his jaw. Ser Arthur and Ser Jaime looked as they wanted to disappear as quickly as they could from the them.

Her feelings seemed to go off: all the sorrow, rejection and the unrequited affection. Lyanna's voice cracked when she continued not waiting for Rhaegar's answer. "And you know what is the worst?! That I care about it! That I want you to care for me!"

Rhaegar looked at his wife bewilderedly, a sob escaped her lips and she started crying, wrapping her arms around herself. He hugged her, running his hands up and down her back in a soothing gesture, just like he did in Harrenhall. Lyanna clasped his black tunic and cried into his chest. Rhaegar nodded at the two members of the Kingsguard, they bowed their heads, abandoning the corridor hurriedly.

Lyanna was silent during the way to their bedchamber and when Rhaegar laid her on the bed, she finally spoke.

"I'm sorry." Lyanna whispered and caught his hand when he got up. Rhaegar's expression softened seeing her red and puffy eyes. She tucked her legs under her and continued. "I'm not a proper material for a wife nor a princess. I shouldn't be your wife, Elia should be in my place. She is wise and clever and beautiful... and me? I'm still a bratty girl. I understand you do not feel anything towards me... I must accept the fact that you love another woman."

To her annoyance Rhaegar laughed lightly, cocking his head to the side and she scowled with a pout.

"Loving another woman while I have a precious wife like you by my side seems unreasonably." Rhaegar sat on the bed, facing her and twirled a strand of her brown hair around his finger. "Forgive me, my lady wife, if I gave you the reason to think otherwise."

"Rhaegar." Lyanna smiled fondly, placing her hand on his cheek. "How can I be indifferent when you are so charming and gallant? When I'd heard I am to marry you for the first time I thought you would be old and spoiled and…. A mad prince." Lyanna looked apologetically at him while saying all of this, but he only nodded with a small smile.

"Old?" Rhaegar raised his eyebrow in amusement.

"You know, I was only thirteen and you were twenty already, of course I had thought you are old." Lyanna protested. "But when I had seen you I was surprised how handsome you are and you were nice and understanding and gentle with me and I thought that you aren't that bad."

Lyanna looked at him ashamed with a flush on her face. Rhaegar's smile widened at her sudden confession. She was only fifteen years old and he was the first man she felt she care about. She did not know if it was love yet, because she had never been in love.

"I care for you, Lyanna. I cannot imagine another woman in your place." Rhaegar kissed her tenderly, taste of wine still lingered on his tongue, but it did not trouble her as she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tightly.

She may be hot-blooded, starting unnecessary row, but she had to show everyone not to touch what was her. Just like a wolf would do.

Lyanna cuddled to him burying her face into the crook of his neck.

"Goodnight, Lyanna." Rhaegar kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, Rhaegar." She whispered and fell asleep with a smug smile on her face.

But the smile did not last long as Lyanna dreamed that night again.

The Wall. The girl with silver hair and wings. Her lavender-blue eyes were staring at the forest beyond the Wall covered with heavy snow. Lyanna touched the wings curiously and the little girl smiled, whispering.

"I will look out for them."

The child's voice grew louder and louder, and Lyanna couldn't listen to it anymore, she felt the snow falling again on her fair skin and there was nothing then. Just the feeling of chill and dread and despair.


Dragonstone loomed in the morning mist, its dragon-like shape looked grim and darkly and for Lyanna the dragons of stones seemed to come to life at any moment; it looked so real. The Dragonmont, a gigantic volcano, soared between the mountains, its top covered in a grey steam. The place scared Lyanna somehow, it was like she was not welcome there, there was not even a drop of dragon blood in her veins.

"We're home." Rhaegar said with a smile on his face when they reached the castle. His hand touched the gate with care.

"Home." Lyanna whispered. But it didn't feel like home yet.