Author's Note:

All rights belong to GRRM and the powers that be at HBO. No infringement is intended, I'm just playing in their sandbox.

Welcome friends! This is a AU featuring Fem Jon & Male Dany & OC/OOC. (There will be changes along the way so this won't be a rip on the books or the series) This is a Targaryen Restoration Story, also posted on A03!

Prologue — 280 AC

Time stilled as Robert Baratheon's war-hammer struck Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in the chest. The pain was sharp. Rhaegar's nerves were set ablaze like the dragon-fire of his Valyrian ancestors. His lips parted — to roar or cry out he did not know. The prince staggered back, but even in his agony he made no sound.

The battle raged on around the two foes. Scores of royalists and rebels spilling blood based on a lie. Abductor, adulterer, raper…that's what Westeros said of their prince, all the way from the North to Dorne. Rhaegar never said it aloud, but truly it broke his heart to have lost the confidence of his people. Red twinkles caught his eyes. The rubies from his custom breast plate adorned the dirt and some of the precious stones had scattered, collecting in the water. Mud puckered at the prince's boots, keeping him in place. He could not escape. Some yards away he saw Ser Barristan Selmy fall, white cloak bathed in blood. Farewell, my friend, Rhaegar thought.

The field sang with the clang of swords harmonized by the shouting and swears of the brave men all around. How many more would bleed for his mistakes?

From the moment he was born, amidst the embers of Summerhall, Rhaegar's life had been about duty and duty alone. He devoted his life to being the perfect heir, the perfect warrior, the perfect son, husband and father. Gods, how he failed. Crowning Lyanna Stark his Queen of Love and Beauty at Harrenhall set in motion the most selfish moments of his life, but there was no choice. It was her kindness that drew him in. Her warrior's spirit that bewitched him. And her laugh. Hearing her laughter was to know pure joy. Rhaegar knew he'd never be able to atone for all the suffering his actions had caused— to their families, to the realm, but he would not regret falling for the She-Wolf of Winterfell. He loved Lyanna Stark— no, Lyanna Targaryen. Pursuing that love was the one thing he'd done for himself.

The prince prayed that Elia and the children were safe. That they were able to join Mother on Dragonstone. His queen mother was due to deliver his new sibling any day now. Muna would need Elia's help minding a newborn baby and little Viserys. He prayed that his muna would also keep her wits. That she would take her loyal guards and get to the ships in the harbor and sail across the Narrow Sea before it was too late. He prayed for Rhaenys and Aegon, that they would grow up and find some shred of happiness. That when they learned of the things he'd done they could find it in their hearts to forgive him. He prayed that Viserys wouldn't forget him, that he would be strong and lead their family until it was Aegon's time.

"I," Rhaegar sighed. His limbs prickled and numbed. The sword in his hand useless, he couldn't lift it. "Cousin," Rhaegar called to Robert in a shuddering gasp. The summer silks and chainmail under his armor felt soaked, his body feverish and yet at the same time all too cold. There was so much the Dragon wanted to share with the Stag, but he couldn't catch his breath.

"You worthless cunt," Robert bellowed. His black and gold hammer raised high, poised for another strike. "I'll kill every last one of you dragon-scum! You hear me, Rhaegar? I'll make them all pay for what you've done!"

"Lyann—," Rhaegar began. He couldn't feel the soft ground beneath his feet. He couldn't feel anything. It was as if all the blood in this body was rushing to his core. The cries of the battle dulled and all he could hear was his sputtering heartbeat in his ears.

"You don't deserve to say her fucking name!" Robert cried, his bright blue eyes wild with a fury that rivaled Aryes' insanity. "I hope you burn in the Seven Hells!"

Rhaegar's eyes drifted up, focusing on the Baratheon war weapon. There were no allies to be found. Robert smirked ruefully at him, Rhaegar felt The Stranger looming. This was the end.

"Time to die, you fucking shit!," Robert spat.

The hammer's fatal blow came down on Rhaegar's chest once more and The Mother's mercy granted him peaceful thoughts in his final moments.

'I never meant to leave you there, a crown of roses in your hair along with everything you've ever feared…'

For hours the silver prince plucked the strings of his harp in the Dornish tower, humming the melody while he gazed at his new wife Lyanna and her swelling belly. The melody came to him easily, but his lady wife always teased him for not being able to find the lyrics to go with them.

'Don't give up, even when I'm gone… Don't give up.'

She has the blood of the First Men in her veins, Rhaegar reasoned. She would mourn him, but she would survive this. She was much stronger than him. He hoped their child would inherit Lyanna's mettle.

The last dragon sank to the earth.

'I'll crawl through the pouring rain, I'd pay the cost to be in your arms again…'

As Rhaegar drew his last breaths he recalled the sweet look in Lyanna's eyes when she shared her hopes for a son. He remembered she had freckles on the bridge of her nose — those freckles delighted him. Everything about her had the same affect. 'Jaehaerys for your grandfather', Lyanna told him time and time again as she wagged her finger in his direction. Lyanna always made the most unbecoming faces. It didn't bother him that she was sometimes un-ladylike, Lyanna was everything. He never told her that during those blissful nights in the Tower of Joy, he too planned to honor his grandfather, albeit in a different manner. He hoped for a daughter; Visenya. Grandfather Jaehaerys desired the prophecy be fulfilled. The dragon must have three heads.

"Lyanna," Rhaegar prayed quietly one last time. He would never see her smile again. Or hear that musical laugh. Oh how I love you, he thought.

'The fire I would walk through to be in your arms again.'

Then at the mouth of the river, Rhaegar Targaryen was no more.

Author's Note:

Lyrics are from a song called "From the Grave" sung by James Arthur. Check it out.

For all my ASOIF maesters out there: you'll note that Aryes didn't send his wife and Viserys to Dragonstone until after The Trident defeat. We're tweaking history over here.

Rhaegar sees Barristan fall in battle, but he's not dead.

I believe in the books Bobby B aka Robert Baratheon kills Rhaegar with one hit - I believe the Rhaegar would have died from a single blunt force hit to the chest, but it's not a stretch for Robert to be over zealous.

As mentioned above, this story will be AU/OC/OOC Fem Jon & Male Dany - Targaryen Restoration | Posted on A03