AN: Trigger Warning – Kidnap and Sexual Assault.

"Anything?"

"No. Her horse is gone, just as we expected."

"Damn it!" I growled, clenching my fist and drawing my wand. "Expecto Patronum, Inveneritos Homines, Subito - Harry James Potter, Andrew Gerald Stark." I barked, my Direwolf Patronus appearing in front of me with his hackles raised and fangs bared as I clenched my fist around my wand. "Lyanna's gone. No one's seen her. We're at Riverrun, her horse isn't in the stables. We need you here." I crossed my arms as the Direwolf bowed its head, then winked away in a flash of blue light.

"What was that supposed to do?" Brandon asked over my shoulder.

"Wait for it." I grunted, pinching the bridge of my nose as I closed my eyes. Silence reigned in the stable as we waited for something to happen - and happen it did. It took a few minutes but eventually, a raven swooped in through a bay window. It landed in front of me and transformed into my dear old professor.

"Ben," he nodded, his killing curse eyes cold as he scanned the three of us. "What happened?"

"We don't- what in the Hell are you wearing?" I blinked, finally realizing how bizarre his clothes were.

"Yi Ti court gown, don't ask." He grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Now, I believe I asked you a question?"

"Yeah, sorry, you did." I shook my head, trying to clear it. "Lyanna went riding and hasn't been seen in nearly five hours."

"But why call me and Inferna back?"

"I called Andrew too, he should be here soon. And because something about this doesn't feel right. Is Inferna with you?"

"No, she's in the Neck."

"Damn… Probably for the best. Alright, well, it's time to go hunting."

"Really?"

"Yeah, prof." I nodded, drawing my wand and transfiguring his clothes to something a bit less conspicuous. "Let's get going."

"Right. You have your armor?"

"When don't I?"

"Fair." Harry sighed as we walked out of the stables toward the gate.

"Halt!" One of the guards called down. "The gates are closed until morning!"

"I am Rickard Stark! My daughter is on the other side of those gate somewhere, let us pass!"

"Shit! Er- Yes, my Lord!" The guard yelped, looking at one of his companions. "Little thing? Brown hair, grey eyes?"

"Aye." Rickard barked.

"She rode out sometime ago, my lord. We've been expecting her back."

"That's why we're off to find her!" Brandon shot back.

"No, one of us will have to remain behind." Rickard said quietly. "I will have to inform Lord Tully anyhow. Brandon, I will need you with me. Lords Potter and Agonstark will find her."

"I don't know anything that can stay hidden with Harry on the trail," I said quietly, squeezing Brandon's shoulder as I met Rickard's eyes. "We'll find her."

"You fuckin' better," Brandon growled. I turned to face him but saw he was glaring through the portcullis into the Riverlands. "I should be out there with you - I'm a better horseman-"

"We're not taking horses," I said sharply.

"Oh-" He blinked before his expression melted into a scowl. "I'm still coming with you! Give me five minutes to ready my horse!"

"Bran-"

"She's my sister!" He shouted, swelling indignantly. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed, nodding. But I turned to Lord Stark anyway. He frowned, looking his son up and down before he nodded once.

"Get your horse." Brandon didn't hesitate, already sprinting toward the stables as fast as he could.

"Best I go inform Lord Tully." Rickard growled under his breath. "Ben…"

"I'll find her," Rickard nodded, taking me by the shoulder and squeezed as tightly as he could.

"I know. Wait on Brandon, if you don't then the whole castle will know Lyanna's missing in ten minutes."

"Right," I grunted as Rickard met my eyes. He nodded.

"Find my Daughter, Lord Agonstark. No matter the cost. No matter the thief."

"Lord Stark…" I started, but Rickard had already turned around, walking stiffly back toward the castle. I stared after him, my mind racing at the thought before I turned to the professor. "Prof?"

"I'll go on ahead. Catch up when you can." He said, taking my forearm in his as the gate rose. I nodded gratefully as he turned around, walking through the gate as I waited on Bran to catch up.

To his credit, he didn't even make me wait five minutes before he was trotting into the courtyard on his destrier – though where he retrieved his sword from was beyond me.

"Well? Are we going to stand around all night?" Brandon barked, holding his hand down for me. I took it, hauling myself onto the horse behind him. He spurred the horse, sending it from standing to sprinting in an instant as we rode through the gate, over the bridge, and out into the night quickly as we could toward the treeline.

"Ben!"

"Uncle!" I called back as Brandon slowed his horse. I jumped down from the horse's back, trotting up to the duo in the clearing they had found.

"What's happened? Harry told me the basics but why is this so urgent?"

"We don't know what's happened but Lyanna's been gone for hours. Right now we're assuming the worst."

"You think she was taken? By who?"

"Taken!?" Brandon roared, taking me by the collar of my shirt and almost lifting me from the ground. "You think she was taken!?"

"I don't know, Brandon!" I snapped, putting my hand over his. "Now put me down so we can find her!" He growled, dropping me as he walked away with his hands on top of his head – swearing all the while. I glanced at Uncle Andrew, spat on the ground, and then drew my wand. "Point me, North. Point me, Lyanna Stark." My wand spun twice in my hand; once to the North and then East by Southeast, where it remained steady.

"What's in that direction?"

"The God's Eye… Harrenhal." I frowned, scrunching my eyebrows as I thought that through. "But why? It would take riders ten hours riding as hard as they could to get there… That's assuming they had fresh horses every ten miles or so, though."

"So the question is, who can afford to do that?"

"Tully could but that would make less than no sense seeing as he already had his alliance…"

"Maybe he was hoping for a better match?"

"With who? Jaime Lannister? No, the kid's kingsguard now," I growled, shaking my head.

"Who's the younger Lannister?"

"There are two of them but both Tyrion and Reynard are only eight. They aren't going to be marrying anyone anytime soon."

"Are there any other matches?"

"Besides Baratheon?" Brandon growled.

"No," I shot back, glaring at the eldest Stark before relaxing slightly. "And if Catelyn disliked your ways, she would have hated Robert's. Besides, the Stormlands are much smaller than the North. The North's lands are the prize Tully was after. It's not Robert."

"Who else?"

"It's not Tully, Lannister, Baratheon, and certainly not the Starks… If she was taken then this was deliberate, patient. Calculated. Someone thought this out and was waiting for Lyanna to ride out on her own, knowing damn well she would… I don't know anyone with that level of information… Except one fucking eunuch." I growled, my fist straining against my palm as I stared out at the treeline past the group. "There is someone who could have done this… I just pray I'm wrong."

"Who?" Brandon growled, glaring at me with all he had as his grip tightened down on the hilt of his sword.

"You don't want to know." I growled, activating my armor as I did.

"That bad?" Andrew asked quietly.

"Worse." I grunted, passing him my broom. "You'll need this. Brandon and I'll hunt from the ground, you both try to find her from the skies. They'll have a five hour lead on us by now, so that's what? A hundred miles? A hundred fifty?"

"Assuming they're moving as fast as you think they are."

"What are you saying, Uncle?"

"That we can't just apparate a hundred miles in one direction, check your wand, and then chase them further."

"That's exactly what I plan to do." I snapped, holding out my hand. "Now, are you coming with me or not?" Andrew's lip curled, but he sighed and nodded.

"We'll coordinate with you."

"Damn right." Harry said, nodding with Andrew.

"Brandon will have to side along with me." I said, nodding. Then I blinked, looking at Brandon's horse. I sighed, stunning it before I clapped Brandon on the shoulder and twisted on my heel – right into the middle of an empty field. I blinked, looking around for any sign of anything until Andrew and Harry appeared. Brandon, the poor man, was on his hands and knees retching when the two other men appeared with the horse.

"Any sign?"

"Nothing here. Point me, Lyanna Stark." The wand spun in the opposite direction of earlier – west by northwest.

"Is that a good sign?"

"Maybe." I grunted darkly. "It means they took her later than we thought or…"

"Or?" Brandon growled.

"Or they stopped somewhere."

"Stopped? Wha- Why would they do that?"

"That's what I'm afraid of." I grunted, grabbing Brandon and spinning on my heel again. He did sick up this time. Then Harry and Andrew reappeared with Brandon's destrier.

"Where are we Ben?"

"Fifty miles from the first point."

"So you went back half as far?"

"Aye." I said, drawing my wand and following it to the South East again. "We're on the right track. They're somewhere between here and there."

"It'll take an hour, going as fast as Brandon's horse can." Andrew grunted. I nodded, waking up the horse as I turned to Brandon, who was finally getting to his feet – if unsteadily.

"Can you ride?" I asked the Stark heir. Bran nodded weakly.

"Aye, I can."

"Good. Keep up." I snarled, transforming into my direwolf form as Harry turned into his Raven form and Uncle Andrew mounted his broom. Brandon's horse shied away from me underneath him, but Brandon quickly got it under control - even as I shot away into the darkness. My paws dug into the ground as I hurled myself through the trees in as straight a line as I could.

I was running at top speed for nearly half an hour before I heard something. I slowed down, with Brandon (who had managed to keep up) doing the same. I sniffed the air, cocking my ears as I did.

Then I heard it.

A growl tore itself from my throat as I crept forward under the moonlit canopy. There, in the middle of a small clearing, was a hut lit by a fire inside it. It had a few windows propped open to let in some of the warm night air, but it also let sound out.

And I could hear a woman crying as clear as a bell. I transformed back to my human form, tapping my helmet as Brandon crawled alongside me.

"Three enemies in the house." I breathed to him. He nodded.

"And Lyanna?"

"One friendly." I said, clenching my fist around Winter's pommel. "Stay here."

"No! I'm coming with you!"

"Fine!" I snapped, glaring at the man from underneath my helmet. "But if Rhaegar fucking Targaryen's in there, don't kill him."

"The Prince?" Brandon asked stupidly, blinking rapidly. "Why would he be here?"

"Apparently there was a bloody prophecy." I hissed as quietly as I could manage. "Something about having three kids? I don't fucking know. The fact that he singled Lyanna out at Harrenhal at least twice – that I know of – also doesn't fucking help!"

"But he has a wife!"

"Which is why we can't kill him," I growled. "Though anything else is fair game." I said as I came to my feet, slipping toward the edge of the trees just in time for a Raven to alight on my shoulder, jump to the ground, and transform back to Harry.

"Andrew's going to stay airborne, air support he says," Harry whispered. "What do we know?"

"Three hostiles, one friendly. Possibly two Kingsguard caliber- Fuck, what am I saying? We're possibly facing two Kingsguard and the Prince." I grunted. "If Rhaegar is in that hut, he is not to be killed."

"Targaryen?" Harry said, obviously surprised. "But why?"

"Prophecy." The professor's face darkened significantly at that as he nodded.

"Silencing wards. Now." He snapped, pulling something from his shirt and pausing for a beat. He then passed it to Brandon. "Put that around your shoulders, then pull up the hood." Brandon looked confused but did as he was bid – right as a scream pierced the night. I clamped a hand down on Brandon's shoulder as he jerked toward the hut.

"Let me go!" He hissed, straining against my grip. "I'll kill him!"

"I know, but I can't let you do that. I can't let you go in there and kill him or, worse, yourself. Stupefy." I muttered, watching as Brandon's eyes screamed of betrayal before he collapsed to the ground bonelessly. I pulled the cloak off his shoulders and offered it back to the professor, who took it, slinging it around his own shoulders as I disappeared under a disillusionment charm. Together, we took off at a run through the clearing – heading for the hut as the girl's voice became clearer.

"No… No, stop! Please!" She begged. I swallowed thickly, looking through one of the windows, then nearly bit off my own tongue at the scene in front of me. Two Kingsguard holding a girl's - no, Lyanna's - wrists as Rhaegar, naked as the day he was born, writhed on top of her. I took my wand from my holster and sent a stunner careening into the man's back.

"Prince Rhaegar!" One of the Kingsguard cried as he scrambled to help his fallen prince – only to be taken by a stunner from Harry. The second guard had the presence of mind to at least try to unsheathe his sword, but my second stunner took him full in the face before he could. He fell over backward, crashing to the floor with a sickening thud. I dropped my disillusionment charm, letting my armor roll off me and back into its stowed form as I scrambled to get inside.

"Lyanna!"

"Ben!" She cried, launching herself at me as I stepped inside. I caught her, wrapping my arms around her as she buried her face into my chest.

"Sh, it's over now…" I muttered, cradling the crying girl as we dropped to the floor. "I've got you." She sobbed even harder against me as I said that. I looked down at her and nearly retched. Her thighs were coated in blood, and the gown that she was wearing at the wedding was little more than tatters around her - not even protecting her modesty… Not that these bastards cared about that. I stroked her hair, trying to comfort her as Harry slipped into the cabin with Uncle Andrew. Harry's eyes narrowed in rage as Andrew snarled. I nodded, waving my hand over the girl's back. "Lya? Andrew and Harry are here. Okay? It's just them. Brandon's here too – he's outside. We can get him if you want us to."

"B-Bran?" She muttered, shivering against me as she looked up into my eyes.

"Yeah, he's here," I nodded. "Do you-"

"No!" She barked, shuddering as she buried her face back into my chest. "I- I don't want- I don't want him to see-" She choked on another sob, crying all the harder. I nodded, looking at Andrew. He nodded, conjuring a robe that would be a bit big on her but would cover her completely.

"Here, here you go." I said, wrapping the robe over her shoulders. She pulled it around her tightly as I looked between Harry and Andrew. "You're safe now. Okay? You're safe… Harry, Andrew? Take these three to the Moat." I growled, snarling at the three men lying comatose on the floor.

"Ser Gerold… He… He ripped my… my gown. Ser Oswell said he didn't want to but- but his prince commanded it…" She shuddered, glaring at the men in question before staring down at the fallen Targaryen. "And Rhaegar-"

"I know." I muttered quietly, looking into Lyanna's eyes again.

"N-no, Ben… He- he kept saying that the Dragon-" She shuddered, dry swallowing before speaking again, "the- that the Dragon must have- have three heads…"

"Bloody prophecy." Harry growled darkly. I nodded, pulling three of the steel discs from my back pocket. Andrew took them, pressing one to each man's chest and activating them.

"Do you want to deal with them?" He asked, moving to a corner of the room as I held Lya.

"Aye, I do." I snarled, clenching my jaw tightly. "Tell Rickard we found Lya but otherwise keep this quiet. I'm taking her to Winterfell."

"Why?"

"Andromeda's there." I said quietly. Harry and Andrew nodded gravely but agreed all the same.

"And Brandon?"

"Take him and his horse back to Riverrun… I'll have to talk to him later. That or let him have a few minutes with Rhaegar… Alone." I snarled but tried to restrain myself as Lya shuddered at the name. "Tell Teddy what's happened here, would you? I have more important things to tend to." I muttered as I looked down at the girl in my arms. "Come on, Lya, let's get you home."

"Poor girl… Poor, poor girl. Morganna, she's only fifteen!" Andromeda snarled as she paced the halls furiously. "If I ever get my hands on the bastard-"

"You won't have to." I growled, staring across the table at the last Black. "How bad was it, Andy?"

"One of the worst cases I've ever seen, Ben, and I've seen the aftermath of the Death Eater raids. Only poor Luna Lovegood… No, that's not the point." She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she rested her arms on the cold wood, shadows flickering across the dull chamber in the candlelight. "I've fixed the… The tearing," she gestured weakly as I snarled again, "and healed the worst of it. She'll have some pain in the morning but she'll have the potions so that will be gone as well. I'd give them to her tonight but… Well, it's best we don't talk about that."

"And the…"

"No. That will not happen." Andromeda snapped as sharply as any dagger. "I made sure she wouldn't have that bastard's child."

"Good." I sighed, letting my head dip slightly in relief. "How's she coping?"

"Badly."

"How badly?"

"She was kidnapped by three men and then violated for hours on end, Benjamin."

"Oh."

"Indeed. If there's nothing else?"

"I'll be going. I need to go see Dacey… And the kids." I said, rubbing my face tiredly before I put my head down on the table. I didn't see Andy's eyes soften as she stood up, the only way I knew she had was when her hand landed on my shoulder. I shot up in my chair with my hand going for Winter's Bane but stopped short when I saw her looking down at me.

"Yes." She nodded, her grey eyes shining in the candlelights. "Go be with them, Ben. Lyanna's in good hands, she's safe here."

"I know…" I swallowed thickly, putting my hand on top of the one she was resting on my shoulder. "Thank you, Andy. Really."

"Thank me by gelding that son of a bitch." Andromeda snarled, squeezing my shoulder viciously before she let me go. She strode across the room over to the window, looking down on Winterfell as she said: "I gave Lyanna a dreamless sleep potion, she'll sleep peacefully tonight. Make sure those bastards don't."

"Aye, I will." I said, standing up. "Thank you again, Andy, I owe you."

"You know what I want." Her voice cracked across the room like a whip even if it was only a whisper. I swallowed once but nodded, twisting on my heel as I left Winterfell and Andy behind, only to find myself in the courtyard of my own castle.

Now it began. I growled, marching toward the Keep and the entrance to the dungeons. The cold air did nothing to slate the spark of wrath burning in my chest, instead it only flared it to a conflagaration. I hardly noticed when the War Master himself fell in step alongside me.

"Dragonsmith."

"Buln," I grunted, not taking my eyes away from the path I was on. "Where are they?"

"Grashnog has them in the prison block. They're in separate cell blocks. The Prince is enjoying our priority holding cell while the Kingsguard are sharing a cell block."

"Who made that call?"

"Grashnog." Buln said, already leading me down toward where I knew the three were being held. "Potter and Stark have already left. How is the Lady?"

"She's in bad shape… But Andromeda's already done all she can for her. Thank Merciful Merlin the bastard didn't succeed with what he set out to do. He wanted her pregnant."

"Are you going to geld him?"

"If his father sends troops to Moat Cailin, then maybe I will. And if I do, it'll be just to leave the Crown Prince's Crown Jewels on a pike for the Crowned Scab. Maybe Aerys will find them while he marches his armies to our doors."

"Fitting." Buln snarled, unbelting the sword on his waist and handing it to me. I lifted my eyebrow but blinked as I recognized the bastard sword. "For gelding him." Buln said before leading me into the cell blocks. I belted the sword onto my own hip just as he opened one of the doors to the left and led me directly to where the two brothers of the kingsguard – both in simple white tunics and trousers – were currently being held.

"Who are you!? I demand you release us and our prince!" The bearded blonde man demanded as he shot to his feet.

"It's no use, Gerold," Oswell sighed, hanging his head. "What Rhaegar did to that girl was unforgivable."

"And yet you still held her," I said, yet the Kingsguard did not look up.

"I had no choice," he muttered, "he was my prince."

"And I will take that into account. As for you?" I said, turning to Gerold with my hands folded behind my back. Though I did try to burn a hole through him with just the force of my glare. "You are a Hightower, correct?"

"Aye, I am Lord Hightower's Uncle."

"Then Lord Leyton shall decide your fate. He shall know you held down the sister to his daughter's betrothed and he shall pass judgment." Gerold paled significantly but held his expression and body steady.

"You wouldn't dare. I am Kingsguard!"

"And I am the man who plans to either geld or execute your Prince." I snarled as the White Bull crashed against the bars, his face bright red as he raged and spluttered.

"He is the Crown Prince of the Realm! You will not touch him!"

"The prince who raped my cousin, you son of a bitch." I growled, stepping up to the bars until he was just out of arm's reach. "I am Benjamin Agonstark, cousin to Lord Stark of Winterfell. The North would not kneel to the raper king. In our eyes, he is already worse than King Scab. And you? You have no idea what kind of Hell your precious prince just unleashed on the realm."

"The North alone can't possibly stand against the might of South! The might of the Iron Throne! We shall be freed and you shall die!"

"You fuckin' idiot." Oswell grunted. He had finally looked up, only to glare at his brother-in-arms from his place on his cot. "He's the Lord of Moat Cailin. Where do you think we are?"

"I-" Gerold blinked, looking around properly for the first time since he was incarcerated. "This isn't Riverrun…"

"No, and it's not Acorn Hall either. It's not even High Heart. Have you ever seen a dungeon like this?"

"No. Not even the black cells are this clean."

"Or well lit," Oswell said resignedly. "And I don't see any windows."

"That's because there are not any." I said simply. "The two of you and your precious prince are being held several dozen meters under steel and reinforced rock. The only exit is through these tunnels, up, and through the Moat itself. If, by some miracle, you get through the hundreds of feet of granite and manage to dig yourselves out of your cells? You'll quickly find yourself drowning in the bogs." I crossed my arms over my chest as the White Bull snorted angrily while Oswell's head dropped even further.

"What day is it?"

"That is not your concern. Please know that you will both be fed and watered regularly. Also? The privy flushes. Pull that lever on the side of it and any waste will be whisked away." Oswell glanced at the stainless steel toilet with interest hidden in his eyes while the White Bull snarled again.

"And how long will we be down here? Wasting away?"

"Several months, if not years. I expect there will be a war soon… Ser Oswell, we will send a raven to Harrenhal when our little game is finally discovered. Gerold, you, on the other hand… You have the honor of belonging to a House allied to my liege's. The Hightower will know of your crimes and decide what to do with you soon enough. You will either spend the rest of your natural life here, be put to death for your actions, or be sentenced to something Lord Leyton deems fitting." I nodded to the Whent before turning around and walking to the door. "Please, enjoy the hospitality of Moat Cailin. I'm sure the both of you will find it… Unpleasant." I said, closing the door behind me to the White Bull's protests. "Take me to him, Buln." I growled.

The goblin nodded, making our way to the Omega-level ward. The only level hidden behind a fidelius charm. The only ones who knew about it could be numbered on one hand: myself, Buln, Grashnog, Rickard, and Dacey – not counting the men incarcerated here. But seeing as the ward was designed to hold only our highest-value hostages or worst criminals? There was only one inmate currently in the hole.

And I was going to meet him.

The foot thick steel door banged open, revealing Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. The Crown Prince of the Realm and Lord of Dragonstone, clothed unceremoniously in a bright orange jumpsuit as he sat on a stone cot behind the steel bars separating the room in half. He looked up at the banging, one of his silver eyebrows lifting skyward as he looked me over.

"Agonstark."

"Targaryen." I growled, staring at the Silver Bastard in front of me. "I would ask you why, but we both know."

"Yes." The prince said, standing and folding his hands behind his back as he met my eyes. "The Dragon-"

"-Must have three heads." I snarled, crossing my arms over my chest as I glared at the prince.

"We shall see."

"No, we won't. You failed."

"No! I made sure–"

"Hah! You've never met Andromeda Tonks. She's a wonderful healer."

"Moon tea would not–"

"She didn't use moon tea." I snapped, raising my hand and letting fire flow over it. Rhaegar stared at my hand dumbly as I condensed the fire into a ball in my palm. The Targaryen almost turned translucent as the blood drained from his face. "Like me, she knows how to use magic. And she is very, very good at magical healing – even when it comes to making sure a pregnancy never happens."

"But-"

"But ask Lord Stark what we do to traitors in the North. What we do to rapists. What we do to the idiots who rape Starks." I snarled as Rhaegar finally seemed to realize the gravity of his situation.

"No… No! I'm a Prince! The Crown Prince of the Realm! I am one of the heads of the Dragon!"

"No. You're just a deluded fool who decided to believe in a bloody prophecy! You think it will save you? No. Life will go on, with or without you. We decide our destiny. We control our fate. You…" I hissed, pointing my finger directly at the man. "You have decided yours."

"No! You will not kill me!" Rhaegar shouted, spit flying as he thrashed against the bars.

"No, not yet, Targaryen. Not today." I sighed, shaking my head as I readjusted the sword sitting uncomfortably on my hip. But it got the Targaryen's attention. "Oh, this?" I said, drawing the blade and holding it up for the Targaryen to get a good look at. The hand and a half Valyrian blade gleamed menacingly in the werelight of the cell.

"Is that…"

"Blackfyre. Ironically, it was in the Maester's possession all these years."

"Liar! The Golden Company's commander wields Blackfyre! As he has since the days of Bittersteel! Since the Unworthy gave Daemon the blade!"

"So the rumors say." I shrugged, placing the tip of the blade on the stone floor. "But here it is."

"So you have me… You have Blackfyre… What is it you want, Agonstark?"

"From you? Absolutely nothing." I spat as his eyes narrowed. "But let me ask you another question. Do you know why they call me Agonstark?"

"What does that have to do with any of this!?"

"Because I was the first man in centuries to hatch dragons." I smirked as the naturally pale Targaryen turned ash-grey before my eyes.

"No…"

"Thirteen of them."

"No!"

"Oh yes." I smiled as the Prince stared at me darkly. "You see, I have your family's ancestral sword, I have Dragons… As I understand it, thirteen dragons… That's as many as your family had in the Dance, yes?"

"No."

"But not far from it." Rhaegar's jaw clenched. "And I have you. If I wanted, I could sweep down from the North and take King's Landing in a month. But I don't want your ugly iron chair or your family's crown, even if I could snatch them away as easily as I hatched the dragons. Do you know why?"

"No."

"Because unlike the bloody Conqueror, I like where I'm at. Then you went and fucked it all to Hell." I snarled, picking up Blackfyre and ramming it home into its sheathe. "You could have left us in peace but you went and stole what wasn't yours. You ripped a girl's innocence away – a girl that is a member of my family – and for that I will never forgive you, Targaryen. My people will see to it that you are fed and watered regularly. The privy flushes so you don't have to worry about smelling shit and piss all the time. But don't expect to be spoken to. If you have any hope of your father finding you here? Well, that chance is nonexistent. No one knows where this vault is besides myself and a handful of people."

"My father will tear this castle apart, witch!"

"Even if he's able to, it won't matter." I shrugged nonchalantly. "Magic is a wonderful thing for hiding things… Or men." Rhaegar's eyes narrowed before they widened in utter horror.

"No…"

"Aye." I grinned as Rhaegar fell onto the cot. "So, not only did you fail at what you set out to do, but you're stuck here with only a handful of northerners even knowing where to find you. May you go as mad as your father, Targaryen." I said, closing the door with Rhaegar roaring in impotent rage behind me.

"Brandon!"

"No, I deserved that." I said, waving Rickard away as I rubbed my stinging cheek.

"You bastard son of a whore!" Brandon shouted, pressing his finger against my chest as he, Rickard, Andrew, Harry, and I stood in Rickard's rooms – mercifully already warded and silenced against any outside ears. Which was good. If anyone else could have heard, then they would have heard Brandon slap the absolute hell out of me. "You knocked me out! You left me there while you went to save my sister!"

"She didn't want you to see her that way, Bran." I said quietly. The man blinked a few times, collapsing onto a stool as Rickard shook where he stood.

"I–"

"Will calm down before you make a rash decision, Lord Stark." Rickard glared at me but nodded all the same. "Anything we can do will have to wait until morning. The castle maester isn't a bad guy, I've met him already. I think we can trust him not to read our letters, should we send them."

"No. That can wait." Rickard snapped, clapping his hands onto my shoulders. "Lyanna? How is she?"

"Andromeda said it was bad, really bad." I glanced over at Harry, meeting his eyes. "She said it was worse than most of the Death Eater attacks she had seen." Harry clenched his fists, closing his eyes as his face contorted in pure fury. "The Kingsguard we found with Targaryen were Gerold Hightower and Ser Oswell Whent."

"You still call him a knight?" Brandon hissed viciously.

"Aye, he is Kingsguard. He must obey his charge, no matter the orders." I sighed, shaking my head in frustration and disappointment. "I told him we would send a Raven to Harrenhal to discuss terms of his release once the news of me taking Rhaegar prisoner finally slips out."

"You don't think we can keep it quiet?"

"I think it'll have to happen eventually. As much as we hate him, he's a Prince. If he doesn't return to King's Landing, the King - as much as he hates Rhaegar - will tear the realm apart looking for him."

"You plan to announce we have him?" Rickard asked in surprise.

"On our terms." I nodded. "We could have the army, all eight legions, at Moat Cailin in a few days. Once they're there, they'd be ready to either march south or defend the Moat."

"No, if we're sending men south then we cannot, shall not, leave the North undefended." Rickard frowned, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Send one of the Wolf and Dragon legions with the Giant, Trident, and Shark legions. With just those five, we'd have over thirty-six thousand men."

"What of the navy?" Brandon asked.

"We only have ten ships ready for combat. Half at Sea Dragon Harbor and the rest at White Harbor."

"Five ships won't make a difference." Rickard sighed, shaking his head.

"Four ships armed with four arbalests and dad's personal sloop o' war."

"The one with ten arbalests to a side?" Brandon blinked.

"The very one."

"That might make a bit of a difference…" Brandon muttered as Rickard nodded.

"Maybe, but it's one ship." Andrew pointed out.

"Yeah, but it's made out of iron wood."

"It's still only one ship, Ben," Uncle Andrew sighed as he repeated himself, shaking his head all the while. "It can sink."

"We have the dragons?"

"Do you want to announce to the world that the North has dragons?" Brandon flushed red and shook his head.

"No, not yet."

"Exactly. There will come a time when we'll have to but they're not even five yet, Bran."

"They are our ultimate weapons, Benjamin," Rickard said quietly. "With them, we could claim the South out from under the Iron Throne. Yet I can understand why you are hesitant to allow them to see battle so soon."

"So it's decided then?" Harry asked the room, getting everyone's eyes on him. "We're going to war?"

"Wars have been fought over less serious matters, Master Potter. I know not why they were fought in your world, but here?" Rickard snarled and shook his head. "Here, Aerys will be lucky to rally half his forces when word gets out of what his son did."

"I know," Harry nodded slowly as his shoulders slumped slightly. "So we plan to get the legions to Moat Cailin and then wait?"

"No," Rickard said, crossing his arms over his chest as he walked over to the window and looked out it. "That's not all we will do. While the legions rally, we will send ravens to the Lords we know we can depend on."

"And they are?"

"Tully is now kin, he will have to fight alongside us. Lord Hightower is sworn to the Reach but will not fight for the Targaryens when he learns of what Rhaegar did, but I fear that until Benjen and Alyssane are wed he can do precious little else. Especially with his eldest daughter married to Lord Tyrell."

"Fuck." I groaned, pushing a hand down my face. "He'll have a foot in both camps then… The best we can hope for is for him to remain neutral. We'll have to ensure he does though. We'll need to both wed Benjen to Alyssane and strike as fast as we can if we want to end this quickly."

"The dangers of having a professional standing army and a way to transport them quickly," Rickard sighed. "It will take a moon for any of our allies to raise their banners, perhaps longer, while we will stand ready in three days."

"And who are our confirmed allies, Lord Stark?" Harry asked.

"I will have Eddard write Robert Baratheon and Jon Arryn, they will fight for him, for the North. Other than that, I am afraid that Dorne will be forced to fight for the Targaryens. Elia is little more than a hostage for the Mad King-"

"I can get her out. Her and her daughter," Harry said, folding his arms over his chest as he scanned the room as if daring anyone to say otherwise.

"Prof-"

"No, Ben. No one would even know I was there except Elia."

"And you'd be okay with her knowing you can do magic? That's one more person in on the secret."

"If I can get her out of King's Landing then House Martell is free to act how they wish. If she has to know, so be it."

"Indeed…" Rickard said, "in fact, Master Potter, Dorne may join us in the fight if they know you saved Elia." Rickard nodded, not pleased but I could see some of the tension drain out of him. "If you can pull off this heist without jeopardy to yourself, then I am in favor of this scheme."

"I am too." Andrew nodded as Brandon did the same.

"As am I." Brandon said.

"Damn… Be careful, prof."

"I will, Ben."

"Right… Rickard? Where were you?"

"House Tyrell. They seek glory and power, as they always have. Their Lord, Mace, especially. As such he will make certain his house fights for the Crown – it holds the least risk and the most reward should the Iron Throne come out with the victory. In so doing, House Tyrell shall force the Reach to do the same. As for the Crownlands, there is no question that they will fight for the Targaryens."

"So it's us, the Vale, Riverlands, and Stormlands versus the Targaryens, Crownlands, the Reach, and possibly Dorne if Harry can't get Elia out. What about the West? Wouldn't the Lannisters fight for Aerys? Tywin's still his Hand."

"No, he is not," Rickard grunted darkly. I blinked in surprise, lifting an eyebrow as I looked at Lord Stark. "My apologies, I thought you knew. Tywin resigned from his post a fortnight before the tourney. He is now back at Casterly Rock, safely ensconced behind her walls."

"Then will he fight for us?" Andrew asked, leaning forward with his elbows resting on the table.

"Not while Jaime's a hostage," I sighed, shaking my head. "Even with two spares, he won't risk his eldest son – or the sword he wields."

"Half of Brightroar, right?" Brandon asked.

"Aye. The same one. Tywin holds the other half…" I growled, trailing off as I stared at the ceiling.

"Benjamin." Rickard said. I blinked, my eyes flitting between the occupants of the room.

"Hm? Oh, right, sorry." I said, scratching the back of my neck to try and get the hairs that had shot to attention to lay back down. "So we need to tell Ned about all this, then?"

"Aye, we do, but I shall not ruin his wedding night."

"Neither will I. I'll just ruin his happy morning after. But if you gentlemen would excuse me? I really need to see my wife right now. And my kids."

"Go, Ben. I believe that is the end of our discussions anyhow." Rickard nodded gently as the room voiced their agreement.

"So, tonight we rest but in the morning?"

"We plan for war."