Prince Rhaegar Targaryen

Three heads were needed for when the darkness came, of that much he was sure of. He had been an avid reader as a child, where in Summerhall he had used it as a way to escape from the disappointments his father felt of him or heaped onto him. His father and mother had never truly gotten on, but then his father had left for court and things had become better, and his mother became happier, and that made Rhaegar happy. But of course he knew his destiny from an early age, for on the day of his birth a red comet had been sighted in the sky, and it was said that the Prince was to be born from smoke and fire, the comet he had been so sure was the fire, the smoke he was not so sure of.

When he had read that part of the prophecy he had been but ten years old, and had gone to Ser Damon Fell the master of arms at Summerhall and asked that he be trained in weapons. Like almost everything he set his mind to, he became quite a good swordsman, good enough that he was able to beat Ser Damon and other soldiers at Summerhall in the training yard by the time he was fifteen. He served as his uncle Aelix's squire and was knighted by him at the age of sixteen after a tourney at Summerhall where he won the jousting. He knew his sudden development as a swordsman had surprised many, for they had all thought he would either become a bookish lord or become a maester. But there were some things that needed to be sacrificed in order for the greater good to happen.

He had wed Elia Martell at the age of nineteen not because he wanted to, but because his father wished for him to do so, and he had always been the obedient son even if he disagreed with much of what his father said or did. Elia was a sweet girl, kind and caring, she had borne him two children but Aegon's birth had nearly drained her, had nearly killed her, and then Maester Pylos had told him she could not give birth again or she would very well die. The news disappointed him but it did not surprise him, he was fond of Elia, but ever since Harrenhal he had sensed that perhaps there was a distance developing between them, a coldness in the way she acted towards him that had not been there before.

He supposed it did not help that her best friend Ashara was so in love with her own husband, the king, Aemon Targaryen, Rhaegar's cousin was a good man if a bit hot headed. His hot headedness had come across at Harrenhal where he had punched Rhaegar for crowning the Stark girl. Rhaegar had truly not meant anything by that action, he had simply meant to praise Lyanna and recognise her bravery in defeating those three knights. His cousin however, did not see it that way and apparently neither did half the lords and nobles who were present, they all read too much into one simple action and that was to be their downfall if they did not react quickly enough to the dangers that would soon be upon them all.

Lyanna he knew was in love with him; he had offered her a way out of an unwanted betrothal and marriage to Rhaegar's own cousin Robert Baratheon. Rhaegar liked the girl, she was fiery and tenacious his own Visenya. Of course after Harrenhal they had kept in contact through letters and secret meetings through various means, and when Rhaegar had written to her that he would be in the north on some business or the other she had begged him to take her with him, and so he had. They had been wed in the godswood at Winterfell, and he had taken her maidenhead with her gods watching them.

Since they had arrived at the tower, that Elia had told him about some moons ago, they had spent their days reading to one another, practicing their swordsmanship and making love. That was what it was, for though he was only fond of his little wolf girl, Lyanna was in love with him and so he made love to her slowly and surely. They had tried for a child four times, and so far none of those times had worked. But as he watched her sleeping next to him a smile on her face, he was convinced that this time his seed had taken root and a child would be born from their union, a Visenya for his Aegon and Rhaenys, the three heads of the dragon to see off the darkness.

He continued looking at her and let his thoughts wander. Richard had returned from Nightsong with some very dire news. It appeared that his father had finally acted on his mad desires and had staged a coup in King's Landing, Aemon had fled or been taken to the Rock, and the north and the riverlands had called their banners for Aemon. Fighting had broken out in the Stormlands as well, Robert Baratheon had gone on a rampage, winning battles at Argilac's Rock and Summerhall, where Rhaegar's uncle Aelix had been slain his wife and children held hostage before Robert had fled to the north for fear of the Tyrell host marching up towards Summerhall. Rhaegar knew he would have to ride north on the morning, he could not stay here not when his family needed him now more than ever. If he could make Aemon see sense they could join together and remove Aerys from power, all would be well.

Of course Robert would have to be killed. His cousin was hot headed and strong willed and stubborn, and would never wish to pay heed to whatever it was Rhaegar had to say. Rhaegar almost felt guilty for having to kill Robert, but then he chided himself, better one man die than the whole world. For that was what was needed when one needed to save the world from destruction, the icy and the cold would soon come down, and then the world would be gone and it would matter not who sat on the throne.

He heard movement downstairs, where Richard and Myles were, his two former squires were both close friends or as close as Rhaegar would allow them to be and had come with him on his way north, though neither had truly known why he had gone north in the first place, and now they were part of his plan. He eased Lyanna off of him and stood up off the mattress and opened the door closing it softly behind him, Lyanna continued to slumber peacefully. He walked down the stairs his robe wrapped around him. "Friends what is the matter?" he asked as he entered the room where the noise was coming from.

Richard looks up at him then concern etched on his face, Richard was always prone to drink but now he seems stone cold sober. "My prince... we've had word from Nightsong." Rhaegar nods and signals for him to continue. "Your father gathered the swords of the crownlands and sent them out under the leadership of Owen Merryweather, a host of men under Ser Axel Florent rode through the woods and joined them on their march. There was battle at High Heart Merryweather is dead the army was slaughtered or scattered and Jon Connington has been captured."

Rhaegar sighs. "And what does Lord Caron have to say about this?"

Richard speaks once more. "He and his men are being summoned to King's Landing as part of the force your father wishes to send to deal with King Aemon. He has also somehow been led to believe that we are at Nightsong and is demanding you return to King's Landing."

Rhaegar sighs. "The spider is the one telling him that. Has my father rallied Dorne as well?"

"Yes my prince." Richard says. "That was why I and Myles were arguing. Prince Oberyn is the one leading the Dornish host that will soon be passing by the tower, and he will not fail to see us here. I was saying that must go to Nightsong and then march from there before Oberyn can make it there, otherwise blood will be spilt."

"And I was arguing that we cannot leave now, not when there is so much chaos in the realm and Caron is himself of uncertain loyalty." Myles said his voice loud.

"We shall not be doing either of those things." Rhaegar says in a commanding tone. "We shall be leaving the tower tomorrow morning at first light, and we shall leave Lyanna with my great aunt at Vulture's Roost. And from there we shall ride hard for Summerhall and join with the host under Mace Tyrell's command and fight Robert Baratheon."

"Is leaving the lady Lyanna at Vulture's Roost a good idea my prince?" Richard asks. "After all your great aunt is not exactly as she was some time ago, and Vulture's Roost is a ruin besides."

"It must be Vulture's Roost for Lyanna's safety, my aunt will not harm her." Rhaegar says and the matter ends there. The next morning all four of them are saddled and ready, they ride in silence through the hot sun for Vulture's Roost, when they arrive Rhaegar sees his great aunt and uncle waiting for him. "My lady," Rhaegar says bowing before her. "I have come just as you asked. And I have brought Lyanna."

His aunt is silent for a long time before replying. "Very well, leave her and go now. Oberyn Martell will be here soon it is time you left."

Rhaegar nods and then turns to Lyanna. "You will be safe here my love. I shall return for you once this is all done." He kisses her, then mounts his horse and rides away.

As it turns out, the Tyrell host is not camped at Summerhall but at Ashford. Rhaegar thanks the gods for that, he did not thing he could face having to speak with his mother or his wife now, not after what has happened. At first none of the men recognise him, his hair is still black as coal, from the dye he has been using, but then Ser Damon Fire, a man who Rhaegar grew up with sees Richard and bellows hellos at them and drags them over to the command tent. Mace Tyrell is a tall man, with strong arms and the beginnings of a belly, beside him are Matthis Rowan and Lord Alester Florent. They all stop talking when they see him, all bow their heads and then Rhaegar asks. "I expected to find you at Summerhall my lords."

Rhaegar can tell all three men want to say they thought he'd be in King's Landing but they hold their tongues and Tyrell says. "We did not wish to impose on your mother my prince. We have been camped here and have sent some men out to harass any supplies that Robert Baratheon might have. The lords of Stonehelm, Blackhaven and Mistwood joined our company some days ago. And we know the Dornish are marching through the passes now."

"What of Robert Baratheon?" Rhaegar asks.

Matthis Rowan is the one to reply to that question. "Baratheon is camped on the banks of the Blueburn, word from Summerhall was that he was grievously wounded in the fight against Prince Aelix. He is waiting for reinforcements from the north we believe. And his own men are either dying or bleeding away. Storm's End remains under siege."

"How many men did you bring with you my lord?" Rhaegar asks.

Lord Mace looks at the map in front of him and then says. "20,000 my prince. Ser Axel had some of our best swords but they were crushed at High Heart." He says that looking bitterly at Lord Alester.

"What of Lords Tarly and Hightower what have they decided?" Rhaegar asks.

"They are trying to muster men for Aemon Targaryen my prince. So far they have not been so successful." Matthis Rowan says.

"Very well," Rhaegar says. "Lord Rowan I want you to take some 6,000 men with you and lay siege to Storm's End from the ground. Once we have defeated Robert Baratheon more men shall join you."

"Is that wise my prince?" Rowan asks.

"It is the only course to tempt Robert Baratheon into doing something rash." Rhaegar replies hoping he is right, and he has not gambled it all for nothing.