To Hisan: About those pesky fans, I've actually had one comment on a story that had been clearly labeled Lyanna/Rhaegar about how it was all very sad for Elia and how "evil" Lyanna and Rharegar were. I get that some people wish to communicate their feelings, but they should do it on a fic concerning Elia. And another requested that I write a piece in which Lyanna and Rharegar suffered for their choices (as if they didn't suffer in canon).
Bah, never mind. Suffice to say that I can tolerate their point of view so long as they don't shove it down my throat.
About the story, it won't follow canon exactly. You'll have to wait and see, I don't want to give too much away.
Ned found his sister in her own tent, drying her eyes with a pristine handkerchief. He knew, like most of those close to Lyanna, that she was uncomfortable with displaying her emotions in such a raw manner. It was then little wonder in his mind that his sister had fled the hall. Still, Ned would not be able to stop worrying if he did not have words with her. So he had left his companions with a promise to return soon and followed after Lyanna.
She looked up, hurriedly wiping the last trace of wetness from her cheek. He thought he knew what had her so emotional. "I wanted to speak to you," he started, joining her on the low bench.
"One of the many," his sister replied. At a loss, Ned stared at her quietly for a few moments. "Oh, do speak. I am simply a bit unwell."
He considered his options. There were times when Lyanna would be willing to hold a conversation and other times when she would close herself off completely, locked safely beneath a wall of ice. It was a talent their mother had possessed as well, if Ned remembered correctly. He took a deep breath and lowered his gaze to her hands, folded neatly in her lap.
"Robert seems of the mind that you shall wed him soon." Lyanna had made no secret of her distaste for the match. Even more she had been actively trying to change their father's mind about it. How strange that her own desire could be so easily swayed. "Does he have the right of it?"
"Aye, he's right enough," Lyanna answered him. Her fingers entwined, their grip growing tense. "It is inevitable. You have told me yourself that father shan't change his mind."
"So you will just give in? Why?" There was something she wasn't telling him. Ned looked at her face, trying to determine what sort of secret she held. But his sister's gaze presented only the faintest trace of regret and a hint of sorrow. "Lyanna, I-"
"I am certain," she interrupted, her voice laced with something unsettling Ned could not define, "that this alliance shall please both me and Robert. I shall cope with it, Ned. After all, I am not the first, nor the last to wed a man I am not fond of."
She had phrased it in an interesting manner, Ned decided. With Lyanna it had never been a matter of not enjoying Robert's company. She had simply loathed the man nearly as soon as he heard about him. It was difficult to tell whether there was anything to be done to change her mind of that matter. "He is not a bad man, Lya. You shall grow fond of him, you'll see." He placed a warm palm over her upturned hands. The coolness of her skin sent a shiver through him. "I know him well. You shan't regret accepting him, my sweet sister." Yet he could see it in her eyes that she held nothing but regret.
Swallowing whatever praise he had wanted to heap upon Robert, Ned stood to his feet, eyes still glued to Lyanna. "Let us return. You have promised me a dance."
A frail laughter rose past her lips. Lyanna stood after him, her hand on his ram and allowed Ned to lead her back to the hall where lively music was already playing. What attracted the attention of many was Lady Ashara Dayne dancing with their very own Brandon. Ned felt himself flush as her violet eyes came to rest upon himself and Lyanna. A small smile painted her lips and she nodded towards them.
"Ah, so this is why you were in such a hurry to return," Lyanna murmured as broke among the dancing couples. His sister studied the female with a shrewd expression. She, however, said nothing more on the matter, fact for which Ned was grateful. He could not speak about it with her.
They spun and twirled, going round and round in circles. Lyanna nearly stepped on his toe when someone shoved against her. They shared a short laugh at the incident, Ned nodding reassuringly to a red-faced youth apologising profusely.
The song came to an end and he released Lyanna, shyly glancing around. His sister, perhaps better able to read him than he would have thought her capable of, pulled gently on his sleeve. It was her turn to guide him and Ned allowed it. They soon reached Lady Ashara and Brandon. Introductions – of the formal kind – were made, after which Brandon insisted that he partner Lyanna for the next dance, asking of the gracious Lady Ashara to dance with his brother. It was all swiftly agreed upon.
"I thought he would not come back," Brandon confessed with a light chuckle. "I went through all the trouble of securing a dance for him with Ashara Dayne and he disappeared on me."
"Your sacrifice was well appreciated, I can assure you," Lyanna said in a manner that suggested faint mockery. She offered her brother a sly smile. "Do you think-"
"Nay," Brandon sighed. "It is but a dance, Lya." He smiled kindly at her, rather in the way one smiled at a child who lacked understanding. "Leave Ned. Focus on Reed instead. Try to convince him to participate in the joust, won't you?"
"I can hardly change his mind," Lyanna protested, her voice clipped. "If he so desires he shall joust. If not, he shan't." The rest of the dance passed in silence, leaving each of the two to whatever thought occupied their mind.
Lyanna was returned to the table from where she could observe what went on in the hall. With exceptionally well-hidden disgust her eyes stopped on Robert who was yelling for another cask of alcohol, blue eyes sparkling in a red face. A shudder swept down her spine. To think she was to wed him made her strangely queasy.
And then the promise came to her. Her nerves – and stomach – settled some. Lyanna remained seated for some time more, but elected not to stay until the end. She, once again, found her way to her tent, Benjen having escorted her.
