Firstly, I want to apologize for my long absence! I'm graduating from school this year(In Poland I'm in the third class of my secondary school(called 'liceum' in PL), I think in the UK it would be my.. sixth year? ) and I don't really have much time to write anything lately as I focus on studying now. I'm terribly sorry again!
Secondly, I want to thank each one of you who reviewed this story! Receiving your reviews was such a heart-warming experience that I almost cried reading them! (I'm very sensitive person and I cry at almost every film, if you were my friend, you would hate watching movies with me…) Sooooo, I want to thank: WeylandCorp 4, Mari Wollsch, Guest1, Basker, Guest2, Guest3, angie b, EveJHoang, Guest4, Guest5, Zagreb-girl and interesting.
Basker: Wow! Thank you so much for your reviews! While reading them you make me feel so proud of my stories! :) You've just put a really interesting idea in my mind, Jon and Sansa(Cersei's daughter as the Queen of Westeros, yeah, Cersei would definitely want that :D) I have to say I've never thought of that… I had completely different girl in my mind to marry her to Jon…. But actually Jon marrying Sansa is so much cooler XD Eh… sorry for the future spoiler!
Interesting: I'm so sorry but I've decided not to rewrite my previous stories :( As I said I don't have much time now to do it but… Time will tell, perhaps during the holidays :)… Anyway…. Thank you so much for your honest review! I'm glad you've seen improvements! It means a lot for me!
So much love for Cersei and Ned :D I love them together and I really don't know why… My first fanfiction about 'Game of Thrones' was 'Lady Stark' by Jpena and I instantly fell in love with this pairing, even if I know that George R.R. Martin's Cersei would probably kill Jon than accept him and be a lovely mommy to him and she would kill Ned or something… But I don't care, Cersei and Ned are in my universe and I would do with them whatever I want :D Anyway, I don't even know why I always ship an unexpected pairings… I don't even know how I've made up Jaime and Ashara(I should update one-shot about them soon).
Finally, Lyanna/Rhaegar one-shot! I love their tragic story and I wanted to make them both happy…. And I want Jon to have both parents! He's a poor boy in books and tv show, he obviously knows nothing :( That's why in this story Rhaegar is not married to Elia Martell and Lyanna… she's still engaged to Robert Baratheon, but soon she won't be. There is a certain silver-haired Prince on the horizon… :D
Thanks to everyone who followed/favorited my story!
PS. Good God, I've really written all of this above? I must be really in a high spirits today….
… ENJOY!
Lyanna ran through the wood. The dull sound of falling armour rolled around. The adrenaline rush made Lyanna run faster, she heard blood pulsing in her ears. They were tracking her. Her Lord father would be disappointed in her, shaming her family like that, playing a mocking knight. The Knight of the Laughing Tree perhaps was not a good idea as she first thought.
Lyanna heard approaching footsteps and panicked. Looking for a different path to run, she had not spotted a limb and stumbled against it, collapsing on the ground. Lyanna groaned quietly with pain, she split her knee when she fell, blood mixed with dirt. Fast footsteps approached her and took her by the elbow. She tried to wrench herself away, but person holding her only tightened its grip.
"Release me or you'll regret that you've ever touched me!" Lyanna said angrily and tried to kick the man. He was strong and only laughed at her pathetic attempts to run away. Struggling with her back to him she could not see his face, but she recognized the voice.
"I have no intention of releasing you until you calm down." A low voice said and she abruptly stopped struggling. Her grey eyes widened and she swallowed hard. She was in huge troubles.
The man turned her around and he casted her eyes down. Lyanna felt his indigo eyes boring into her face. "It's you." Prince Rhaegar Targaryen said amazed. Looking up, Lyanna blushed under his gaze.
"I… I apologize, Your Grace. I just wanted to teach them a lesson… I haven't expected it would turn out like that." Lyanna said quietly. Another voices sounded in the wood and with a fear in her eyes she pleaded the Prince. "Please Your Grace. I'm begging you don't tell King a word, please. My father would kill me if he knew that it was me. I think you don't want to have me on your conscience, Your Grace."
Prince Rhaegar looked at her astonished. A small smile appeared on his face and he released her from his grip. Pointing at the narrow path he said. "Go this way. It's the nearest way to the castle." Lyanna frowned, but without any other questions she quickly ran away, turning only one time and seeing him picking up her shield with painted heart tree.
Later that day Lyanna hid herself in the Harrenhal's garden. Flowers and shrubs were of so many different colors she was amazed by them, in the North there wasn't much of diversity among plants. She stood beside her favorite flowers, blue winter roses. They reminded her of home, of Winterfell and of her mother, Lady Lyarra loved them too. Lyanna wondered what if it was Robert Baratheon who caught her in the wood. He would probably tell Ned about her little deed and her brother would be disappointed in her… Eddard would lecture her all their stay in Harrenhal and watch her every step. It was good and polite Ned after all, she was sure he would not tell their father that she was the Mystery Knight.
When a hand picked a flower next to her, Lyanna gave a cry of surprise and turning around she blushed scarlet seeing the Crown Prince.
"Pardon me, My Lady. I had no intentions of scaring you." Prince Rhaegar smiled and offered her the blue rose. She took it gently. His voice was smooth and deep, the same voice that made her cry when he was singing beautiful and sad song during the opening feast.
"Thank you, Your Grace." Lyanna said, smiling sheepishly. She should thank him for saving her, so before he could open his mouth, Lyanna cleared her throat. "Thank you for saving me in the wood, Your Grace. I am truly thankful you haven't turned me in to the King." Lyanna casted her eyes down.
"Your behavior was foolish, you could have got hurt or worse, but you did it to fight the honor of that Northernman. You've impressed me, My Lady." Lyanna felt mortified when the Prince called her behavior 'foolish', but she also felt angry that he said it to her openly. Lyanna casted her eyes down, glancing at the rose in her hand.
"I don't know how I can you repay you, Your Grace-"
"Actually, I know how." Prince Rhaegar interrupted her and her head shot up.
"You do?" Lyanna asked with a blank expression on her face. She was afraid what exactly he wanted in return.
"Your name, My Lady." He smirked while her cheeks burned, because for a moment she fought he would say… sex. He was a man after all, they all wanted only one thing. "I don't know your name and I've saved your life. I think I deserve to know, don't I?" Prince Rhaegar raised an eyebrow at her.
"Of course, Your Grace! A name, you want to know my name, how silly of me not to introduce myself!" Lyanna babbled nervously and then bowed her head. "I am Lyanna Stark of Winterfell, Your Grace."
"Lady Lyanna." Prince Rhaegar smiled at her, placing a soft kiss on her hand. "The Rose of the North."
Lyanna has met up with Rhaegar a few times in the Godswood secretly. She enjoyed his stories, he has seen so many places, while she has only seen Riverrun except Winterfell and Harrenhal. He was extremely intelligent and sometimes Lyanna felt like an idiot talking with him, she did read books, but she enjoyed swordplay and horse riding more. Rhaegar was a skilled knight too, defeating his all opponents during the jousting. Lyanna wondered if there was a thing the Dragon Prince couldn't do.
Lyanna was fond of the Crown Prince, she could say that Rhaegar sparked affection of love in her heart. This weird feeling of lightness and tickle in her stomach increased every time when Lyanna was around him. She thought about him almost all the time and even dreamt about the silver-haired man. These all symptoms suggested that Lyanna fell in love with Rhaegar Targaryen.
Lyanna wanting to occupy her thoughts with something other than the Crown Prince she decided to explore the castle. Harrenhal was huge and definitely cloaked some secrets. During her visit in the abandoned library, she heard steps approaching the chamber and she panicked, hiding behind the dusty bookshelves. Lyanna held her breath, placing her hand on her lips and praying to the Old Gods not to make a sound. Two people entered the chamber and their heavy footsteps went silent. After a few moments of silence a deep voice echoed in the room.
"Do you believe him?" One of the men questioned and Lyanna widened her grey eyes. It was her father's voice. She felt curiosity spreading all over her body.
"I do believe him, Rickard." The other man answered in a hushed tone. Lord Hoster Tully. Lyanna closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing her heart. What was going on? "He wants to fight, I shall stand with him when the right time came. We need to finally put an end to the reign of this madman!"
"But Hoster, he is his son. Son! How can he fight against his own father?"
"His father is a lunatic! You should be glad that he wants Aerys' death." Lord Tully said with emphasis. Rhaegar wants his father's death? He did say that his father is insane but… I would never thought that he wants to kill him. Lyanna's thoughts were racing wildly.
"I know Hoster but… the Prince talked with me about different thing today… What if we fail? What if this all rebellion didn't work out? I don't want to lose her." Her father said firmly. Don't want to lose her… Is he talking about me? Lyanna didn't understand a single thing of their talk.
"Her…?"
"The Prince asked me about Lyanna's hand in marriage, Hoster! If Aerys by some miracle finds out about rebellion, he will burn her alive! He will burn us all!" Lyanna's blood froze. Rhaegar wanted her to be his wife… He did that despite the fact that Lyanna was already betrothed to Robert Baratheon. Did he even love her? Or was it just to gain her father's trust? "The Prince said that Lyanna would be our agreement that I side with him! Do you really think that Tywin Lannister will fight with us? That Mace Tyrell will join us? Or Doran Martell? They all are loyal to the King!"
In the matter of seconds Lyanna felt numb. Rhaegar charmed her with his words to only have her as an agreement. She felt betrayed. She felt rage pulsing in her veins and bitter tears threatening to fall from her eyes. He used her so easily, she was bloody naïve to think that maybe he felt something for her.
"But we have the North, the Riverlands! Jon Arryn said he will fight too! Robert Baratheon will side with the rebels, even when you will break the engagement between him and Lyanna, he will understand that you had no choice, besides your son can make him stand on our side, Robert will follow his friend. Tywin Lannister agreed-" Lord Hoster Tully spoke with a verve, but Lyanna's father interrupted him.
"He did agree, but you shall see that he will sit until the end of the war and then will choose the side of the winners. He's a Lannister, the only thing that matters to him is power, Hoster." Her father said bitterly. Lyanna felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks and her hand, she felt betrayed by Rhaegar and wished that rebellion would not begin. Rhaegar Targaryen was a liar.
"You said he won't fight? Then make him fight." Lord Tully whispered determined.
"What are talking about, Hoster?" Her father sounded nervous. Lyanna waited patiently for Lord Tully's answer.
"I can't give Tywin Lannister anything. Catelyn is wed to Brandon, Lysa is betrothed to Jon Arryn, all the same Tywin doesn't have a son to marry off, his heir is in the Kingsguard. But Tywin does have a daughter. You have a son, Rickard." Lyanna froze. No, no, no… Ned… Even she could marry Rhaegar only to stop this madness! Her brother was too good and honorable for the Lannister girl.
"Hoster…" Her father took a deep breath.
"Brandon lives in Riverrun now, you know how terribly sorry I am about this situation… But I have no choice… I don't have a male heir-" Lord Tully began self-conscious. Lyanna was sorry for him. His only son had died of pox when he was a little boy and Lord Hoster's wife had died during childbirth. When Brandon married Catelyn, Lyanna's father agreed on the terms of Lord Tully. That was how her brother has became the heir of Riverrun. The Starks gained the riverlands.
"I know, Hoster." Her father patted his friend on the back in a comforting manner. "Eddard is the heir of Winterfell… I haven't even looked for a wife for him yet. He just came back from the Eyrie. What a father am I to trade my children like that." Her father ended in a hushed tone.
"You do it in a good case." Hoster Tully tried to console her father. "Soon and your daughter will be the Queen." He laughed a little.
Over my dead body, Lyanna thought, clenching her teeth.
Lyanna tried to appear as calm as she could while she was walking to the Godswood. Rhaegar waited for her there and her blood boiled in rage at the thought of him making a fool of her. Lyanna saw his looming tall build and took a deep breath. Rhaegar turned around hearing her steps, but his smile quickly faded as he saw her scowl and he didn't even have time to say anything when Lyanna's palm collided heavily with his right cheek. The sound of slapping echoed around them.
"You bastard! How could you! I trusted you!" Lyanna hissed, hitting his chest. Rhaegar held his red cheek with his hand, confusion written on his face. "You played very well I must say, you've almost came out on top, congratulation, Your Grace!" She laughed mockingly.
"Lyanna, what ar-" Rhaegar had a puzzled expression on his face. He should be a bloody mummer, he's good at acting, Lyanna shook her head.
"Don't act like you have no idea what I'm talking about! You've charmed me with your pretty words and your looks. Dear Gods I was pathetic, you've probably had a blast with your friends watching me falling for you so easily. A silly girl from the North fondly believing your lies of true love and destiny. I was only an agreement." Lyanna gritted her teeth and closed her eyes tightly. She didn't want to cry in front of him, she didn't want to show him she was weak.
Rhaegar closed on her and tried to take her hand. "Lyanna, I'm sorry-"
"Don't touch me, you liar! I don't even want to hear your apology." Lyanna slapped his hands away.
"Let me explain-" Rhaegar tried again, but she interrupted him immediately.
"I don't think there is something to explain. I've heard enough."
"Lyanna I know you're angry but-"
"I am angry?! I am bloody furious!" Lyanna hit him in the chest and then did that again crossly. "If you weren't the Prince I would kill you! I wish I hadn't met you." She said more in a sorrow than in anger.
"Listen to me, Lyanna-"
"I don't think I-" She spat but quickly regretted her words when he caught her by the elbows and pulled her to him, glaring at her.
"No, Lyanna, you will listen to me or I will make you do that." Rhaegar's iron tone scared her a bit, but his grip on her elbows wasn't painful. "I haven't told you anything yet because I know you will react like this. I've planned to tell you tomorrow in a completely different way, I wanted to explain you everything without you getting bloody angry. Yes, I've told your father that you will be our agreement, would your father believe me if I told him that I'm smitten by his daughter and want to marry her? No, because your father would think that I want you as my mistress, nothing more and knowing your Starks' temperament he along with your brother Brandon would kill me for insulting your honor." Lyanna looked at him abashed. Rhaegar was right, her father and Bran would have killed him.
Rhaegar took a deep breath and continued. "I want to remove my father from the Iron Throne. He's mad, he doesn't control himself, be burns people for fun. There must be a war, Lyanna and I need to gather as many lords as I can and gain their support. I need to put a stop to the tyranny of my father. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I do understand." Lyanna whispered and Rhaegar took her hands.
"I care about you Lyanna. I can't stand the thought of you marrying Robert Baratheon. I want you by my side. I want this arrogant, stubborn, loud-mouthed and wild woman to be mine and only mine." Rhaegar's smile made Lyanna's heart beat faster. His indigo eyes looked so honest at her that she knew he was telling the truth.
"I'm sorry, Rhaegar… I feel bad that I've hit you." Lyanna placed her hand on his red cheek and he winced a little. "Does it hurt?"
"Like hell." Rhaegar laughed. "I will remember to never anger you again."
Lyanna laughed along with him, raising her chin high despite that she blushed from embarrassment. "I remind you that it was your own choice that you've chosen me to be your bride."
"I haven't chosen my bride. I've chosen my Queen." Rhaegar put an emphasis at the last word.
"I don't want a crown nor power. I just want you, Rhaegar." Lyanna said firmly. These two things held no interest to her.
"And I want you, Lyanna. Ao kessa sagon ñuha Dāria hen Jorrāelagon se Gevive." Rhaegar smiled mysteriously, using High Valyrian.
"What does that mean?" Lyanna frowned.
"I will tell you tomorrow." He shrugged and led her deeper to the God's Eye.
"You shall be my queen of love and beauty."
"You've told me yesterday that you are going to crown me today?" Lyanna asked, narrowing her grey eyes at Rhaegar. "You should have told me! And not in Valyrian language!"
"It wouldn't be surprise then." Rhaegar smirked and adjusted the crown of blue winter roses on her brown hair. Lyanna was speechless when he named her the queen of love and beauty, even though deep down she knew he would crown her, not Elia Martell or Cersei Lannister. The crowd cheered loudly for Rhaegar and all eyes were on her when he placed the garland on her lap, which made Lyanna blush scarlet, nonetheless she acted lady-like, thanking him prettily. Robert Baratheon was furious about that, she could see it in his blue eyes, while her brothers were puzzled. Only Lyanna's father and Lord Tully didn't seem surprised.
"So what now?" Lyanna whispered, looking at the silver moon above the God's Eye. "A war?"
"A war." Rhaegar pulled her to him, wrapping his hands around her waist.
"I love you, Rhaegar." Lyanna said quietly, looking him straight in the eye.
"I love you, Lyanna." Rhaegar smiled and their lips met in a soft kiss. Ice and Fire mixed in their hearts, creating the most beautiful song. The song of love and destiny.
