Chapter 5: The Dragon and the Stag
Rickard was pacing in his room waiting for Lord Arryn to come, but his mind was still stopped at what happened last night at the feast. Lyanna and the Prince dancing like that. Now thousands of different scenarios were playing on his mind, but his sons assured him that she would never allow something like that to happen. And also, Ned said that the prince would never do something like that.
They also revealed him that she was the knight of the laughing tree, and Rickard hated that his little girl put herself in danger, to defend the honour of one of his lords. But if she
Hearing knocking at the door, Rickard got up immediately to greet Lord Arryn, who entered.
"Lord Arryn."
"Lord Stark. I think you know why I am here," the lord of the Vale said, sitting in one of the chairs at the table, as Rickard was filling two goblets of wine.
"Yes. But I assure you, my lord, that nothing changed. It was only a dance and my daughter accepted to keep her face."
"And Eddard. I heard he fought with Robert in the camp of the Stormlands. I didn't have the chance to speak with him on this regard and especially regarding our plot."
"Yes. He is quite busy vowing a Dornish lady," Rickard replied, not believing his own words, and that made Jon Arryn laugh too. "Of course, Brandon was the one to push him and make a step, but by the end of it, I couldn't believe my eyes. The shy boy that I once knew now was leaning down to kiss her." And Arryn keeps laughing, shaking his head, and as he took a sip, the protector of the Vale asked, "Will you allow him to marry the girl?"
"I don't know," replied Rickard looking towards the window. "I don't doubt she is a lovely girl, and for sure would be a good wife, but she is from Dorn and especially from a minor house that nothing to offer the North. I would rather make him marry someone from the Reach or the Vale. However, I need to ask you something very important, lord Arryn."
The lord of the Eyrie was all ears and so taking a long breath, Rickard asked, "You raised Robert Baratheon. So, tell me, is he capable of raping a young girl?"
"Raping? Robert Baratheon?" asked Arryn, the disbelief clearly on his face. "That's impossible. Yes. He can be rough sometimes and eager to get what he wants, but he would never do that." And Rickard nodded, looking down, sipping from his goblet, though he really didn't know what to say. "Was that the reason of the fight between him and Ned, Lord Stark?"
And Rickard nodded, wanting to change the argument, but before he could start, the Lord of the Eyrie, said, "Well, I assure you that he would never do that. Robert is a good man, with an ancient lineage, and he is the best choice as a husband for your daughter."
Rickard nodded, releasing a sigh, and hear Jon Arryn add, "He will be the best King in three hundred years that Westeros had."
"If we win."
"If we win? Riverlands, Vale, the Stormlands, and The North against the Crownlands and the Reach? I would say we can't win."
Lyanna woke up, with a smile printed on her face, when the sun already rose up, feeling very tired but also very happy. Last night it was the best night of her life when she danced with the prince. She wasn't someone who loved to dance, but for the young prince, she would make an exception.
"Still dreaming about your dragon prince, my lady?" came Dacey's voice from the door after closing it behind, and Lyanna, replied, giggling, "Yes. And I would say that I never enjoyed dancing so much like last night."
The Mormont started to giggle too sitting next to her on the bed. Dacey could be a thought girl, jumping in the field of battle immediately, but sometimes she could be sweet, kind, and even dreamy, not to mention that during the feast she has done nothing but mention The Sword of the Morning and even mocking him for the too serious expression he had on his face. For sure the too much wine had gone to head.
"Robert Baratheon didn't have a happy face at seeing you with the prince."
"Robert Baratheon can fuck himself for what I care. That man is a monster," she replied, looking down, and heard the door open, seeing her father entering.
Dacey immediately got up to greet her liege lord with a curtsey, "Lord Stark."
"Lady Dacey. May I have a moment alone with my daughter?" Her father asked with a serious expression. She knew why he was here and what he wanted to say.
Once they were alone, her father sat on the bed next to her and sighing said, "You disappointed me, daughter. I thought that I was a good father for you and that I teach how a proper lady should behave at best."
Lyanna didn't reply, just looked down as her fingers were playing with the sheets, and her mind racing full of different moods and different replies to that.
"In a moon from now, you are going to marry Robert in the Godswood of Winterfell, before the old gods and the eyes of the North. And before that happens, you are forbidden to stay near the prince, and especially wander alone."
At hearing that she immediately looked up, as tears were forming at the corners of her eyes, "Why are you doing this father? Forcing me to spend my life next to a beast like that? Do you love me so little that you don't care that I will suffer in that life next to that man?"
"No, my little child," he said, hugging her, as she starts to sob in his arms. "I love you, my child. And I do all this because I want you to have a beautiful life, next to a man who is worthy of you and who comes from a great lineage."
"No!" she shouted, pulling away. "If you loved me, you wouldn't force me in a marriage with someone like Robert Baratheon, who already has bastards through the seven Kingdoms and who knows maybe even across the Sea!"
Her father started to laugh, shaking his head, before sighting reply, "Lya, Lya. You still didn't understand the world you live in? Almost every man, low or high born, great Lord or minor Lord, has at least a bastard."
"Not the prince," she said before could stop the words to come out.
Her father's mood changed from a laughing one to an angry one, and getting up and looking down at her, he said, "So, it's because of this that you spread those lies about Robert? Do you think that by lying I will make you marry Prince Rhaegar?" And Lyanna didn't reply. She didn't want to put 'her Prince' in danger.
"Foolish girl. You are a foolish girl who fell for a royal that will never love you and especially that soon may become mad. A danger worse than Robert, who is the best of the men and would make a great king."
"King?" she asked, thinking she misheard. What do you mean father?"
"Nothing. But listen to me clearly. From this day till you marry Robert, you are forbidden to approach the Prince, dance with the Prince, and leave these rooms without Dacey."
"Father-" but he stopped raising his hand, and shaking his head. "No, Lyanna. Enough with your rebellious ways. I will not have my daughter shamed by a prince and called whore across the Seven Kingdoms. And you will apologize to Robert."
With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving her in tears and silently crying, as Dacey entered.
Rhaella was sitting at the royal box, awaiting the beginning of the tourney, that today will start without the king's presence. Her dear husband said he was to bored by this joking fight of the green boys, and she wanted to laugh at that. But he never was one for fighting in the tourneys. He prefers to spend his time in fucking some whores or was.
Shaking her head from that, Rhaella started to look around and saw Cersei looking in her direction with a huge smile on her face. Poor girl, when Aerys will reveal the name of the chosen girl. But it's all Tywin's faults. He shouldn't have promised something that it was not to him to choose. Not after how the relationship between him and Aerys turned.
When she commotions and murders from the sides, Rhaella looked to the direction where it comes from and saw the stark, enter. The girl looked down in embarrassment, and Rhaella saw the judgemental looks of the lords and the glare and envoys of the ladies.
"Lady Lyanna. Would you like to sit with me? There is a free spot on the queen' side," Rhaella said and everyone turned towards her. The girl looked at her father in approval who hesitantly nodded, and she immediately came to the royal box, climbing the stairs, helped by Ser Oswell, who was aware regarding the truth of her being the Knight of the Laughing Tree.
"Don't mind them, lady Lyanna. They are just envious women," said Rhaella at seeing the girl glance at the other ladies. She smiled and sat next to her, as the first challengers were announced.
Leaning towards the girl, Rhaella said, "I know that you have feelings for my son." And the girl tensed at hearing that, shifting in her seat. "Don't worry. I will say to no one."
The first clash happened, and some Reach-man unhorsed a Vale-man. "You know, in normal times it wouldn't matter your feelings towards the dragon prince. But luckily for you, my son's happiness matter to me and I know that your feelings are returned because it's what he feels for you it's the same."
The queen's revelation left Lyanna speechless and full of different moods and a mind full of questions. Did the prince really feel for her what she feels for him? Even though, the truth was, she didn't know what it was. Was it love or was it lust? Ned himself fell for a southern girl that he only met a day ago, and already wanted to ask father to let him marry her.
"I spoke with the king," the queen said, and Lyanna immediately looked at her, feeling how her heart was racing.
Side the cheese got very loud and Lyanna saw the stag came into the field, with his horned helmet on, the visor up and a smirk on his face, as he glanced at every maiden who was there, trying to hit them with the charm.
He made a bow in front of the royal box, and so did his opponent, a knight who bore the emblem of two combatant griffins, counterchanged, on a red and white field. "Lord Jon Connaughton." The queen leaned whispering.
Laughing Robert rode away with a smirk, after giving her a look. The arrogance and confidence were written on his face, as he lowered the visor, and taking the lance charged against his opponent. Lyanna hopped so much that the other knight unhorses Robert, but sadly it didn't happen, and Robert emerged the winner.
Before leaving the field, he shouted in her direction, "I will win for you!"
However, the next one to enter the field was him. Was the prince. He was wearing an exquisite suit of tailored plate dark as obsidian upon the breastplate in glittering rubies was the dragon of his house under this he wore gilded mail that twinkled in the light.
Since the beginning of the tourney, Prince Rhaegar already has unhorsed three opponents. As she was looking at him Lyanna's eyes stopped on the lace cloth tied on his right arm over the armour. She never expected for him to wear in front of everyone, but nevertheless, she was glad.
His opponent was a Lannister as she could recognize the golden lion on the chest, but she didn't know which one.
"This one is Gerion Lannister, the youngest of Lord Tywin's brother. He is the most reckless of them and held a grudge towards Rhaegar for defeating him in the last few tourneys," whispered the queen, and Lyanna nodded, returning her attention back to the field. Prince Rhaegar rode towards the royal box, making a bow to the queen, and reassuring smile to her before riding away, and so did the Lannister knight.
As the challengers were getting ready, Queen Rhaella, leaning, asked, "I see you gave him your favors."
"Yes. But I hope he won't get in trouble with his grace the King," replied Lyanna looking down.
"Do not worry, child. He won't get in trouble with the king. But you may get in trouble with the other Ladies, especially Cersei Lannister," the queen whispered, pointing towards a girl with golden hairs, who was glaring at her, before turning to look to the field.
When the horn sounded, and the banner rises the opponents charged at each other and Lyanna could feel the heart in her throat because of how fast was beating and squeezing her dress. The lances made contact with the chest, but Prince Rhaegar managed to stay on the horse. After that, they took another lance and charged again, this time the Lannister knight missed, but the prince managed to strike, however, the opponent was steady on his horse.
Now they were on the third round, and ready to charge. Lyanna really hopped that 'her Prince' win this round, otherwise she didn't know if he will be able to match the other opponent, because they were quite good. There were still on, her brother, Robert Baratheon, Ser Arthur, Ser Barristan, and many more knights.
They charged against each other, and by the Old gods, it seemed that was an eternity. She closed her eyes for an instant and after hearing the crash of lances against steel, and the cheering of the people, she opened them, seeing 'her Prince' emerging triumphant and the Lannister knight on the ground.
Prince Rhaegar approached the royal box with the hell off, and the lance raised, smiling at her, and she returned, before riding away.
Now that 'her prince' won, she finally could breathe normally, and turning to the queen, she asked, "You said that you spoke to the king regarding This. What do you mean, your grace?"
"This is not the right place for that to speak, but know that by the end of this tourney you will have the answer to your question."
Lyanna only nodded, returning her attention to the field and saw her brother Brandon enter on his brown stallion, and will be facing a Hightower, it seems. But she has other things in mind right now.
Ned was sitting on the northern side of the stands, with his father and some other minor lords glancing now and then to the royal box, where his sister was sitting with the queen, and the little prince and the ladies.
"Have you thought about what I asked you yesterday, Father?" Ned asked while the knights were charging at each other.
"Yes, I have. And I asked Jon Arryn about it," his father replied, stopping for a moment. "He assured me that Robert is a good man and would never do that. Having a bastard doesn't mean he is a bad man or that he will be a bad husband. Plenty of lords had that, and they were good. Even from our house.
"With all the respect I feel for Lord Arryn, he is wrong in this case, Father. Robert will never lose the habit of going to whores, and Lya will suffer for it," replied Ned, looking at his father, but before he could continue, his brother bran came, all sweeten and breathless, patting his shoulder.
"Huh…What a tilt this one was. That damn of Baelor Hightower was a hell of an opponent."
"You are not a southern knight, son. You fight on foot like the ancient Kings. No one can beat you in that. Maybe you should try the Melee."
His brother chuckling, said, "That's what I intend to do. But what I now want to know little brother is, did you manage to put it inside her?" and Ned blushed at that while his father laughed.
"No, I didn't. I like to take it slowly, but even if I did it, dear brother, it would be none of your business."
His brother laughed, as another pair of knights clashed against each other, and then looking to the side, he saw the beautiful Ashara Dayne approach their stands.
"Lord Stark. Lord Eddard. Lord Brandon," she greeted them with a smile, after climbing the stairs.
Lady Ashara, his father greeted her, and give a kiss to her hand, "You are as beautiful as always."
"Thank you, Lord stark," she replied, smiling, before looking in his direction. "Lord Eddard, I was wondering if you would like to accompany me for a walk around," she said, smiling, and he could hear the small chuckle coming from his brother sat behind him. "Of course. If you prefer to attend the end of the joust, we can do it another time."
"Oh no, my Lady. My brother would much rather be in your company than watch men charging at each other," his brother replied, grinning before he could, and the lady smiled.
"With your permission, father," Ned said, getting up and leaving the stands with the lady.
"I always said, father. He needs the one to pull him out of the shell," Brandon said, returning his attention to the joust, seeing that it was Ser Barristan's time to joust. And he was facing the Red Viper of Dorne. Damn Dornish. The only thing they like to do was fuck and fight, fight and fuck, and nothing elder, but the Princess was a sight to behold, as well as her hand. Lucky Ned in conquering such beauty with his shy and killing mood.
But his happy mood changed when he looked at the royal box, where Lyanna was sitting with the Queen. Damn dragons. Even last night, he didn't like the sight of that silver-haired cunt near his sister, dancing with her and touching her.
"Father. Why did you speak with her of the behavior she had at the feast?"
"I did. But it was as speaking to the wind. She said that she doesn't want to marry a whoremonger rapist," his father replied, glancing between Lya and the stands of Stormlands where Robert Baratheon was sitting. "I think she got a crush on the prince."
"Pha. I would say bewitched by the damn prince. It was a mistake to bring her here, father," replied Brandon, anger building in him. He hopped that his sister wasn't fool enough to give the Dragon her maidenhood in the Godswood.
He hears his father, sigh, and looking towards him, say, "I don't know, Brandon. She was quite insistent regarding Robert wanting to force himself on her, and we both know that she isn't a liar. She says it straight to the face without little riddles or turns."
"Doesn't matter father, the right man for her is Robert Baratheon, and remember that he is going to be King when the rebellion will be won," Brandon whispered, leaning towards his father. "And he will be the best King in their hundred years of dragon ruling these lands."
"Yes, you are right. Though, I'm worried about the king," his father said, pointing at the royal box. "If he isn't her means he is out there plotting against us. Tywin Lannister isn't her, neither Mace Tyrell nor other important lords from these lands. If the king and Tywin will mend their friendship, our rebellion will be crushed immediately."
"So, what you suggest?"
"Nothing. Because this is not the place to talk," his father replied, turning back to the joust.
A few hours later...
Also, the joust of today was coming to its conclusion. And tomorrow it will be holding the first day of the melee and the archers since the list of the joust was getting smaller and smaller. The sun was about to set, and only one last fight remained before everyone withdrew for the night. Her Prince and the one her father choose as her future husband.
Lyanna felt uncomfortable at sitting again in the royal box next to the Queen and Cersei Lannister glares didn't make this situation easier.
However, the main reason why she was uncomfortable was because the king joined them and since then he kept giving her quite unpleasant glances.
He was really frightening in those kind times, however fortunately her attention was drawn to the field when the hors sounded and it was announced the prince was entering the field. This was already his sixth opponent since the beginning of the tourney, and all of them were very difficult challenges.
"Do tell me, lady Lyanna. How does it feel at seeing two men fight for your honor?" asked the king, drowning the murmurs of all who were presents, and she looked down embarrassed. "Did the wolf bit your tongue?"
"No, Your Grace. I just didn't know what to say because I don't really understand what you mean."
"Pha. The she-wolf doesn't know what I mean," he mocked her, before being interrupted by another pair of horns, sounding the entrance of Robert Baratheon. This time she tried to take a better look at him and saw the Lord of Storm's end glare at Rhaegar and at her for a moment, with a face full of fury, and she feared for the prince at this moment. She knows that jousting shouldn't be something dangerous, but Robert's angry face said otherwise.
"I want to see the stag in the mud, Muña," said the little prince next to them, and his mother shushed him. Lyanna glanced at the King, who was drinking wine, now, before returning her gaze to the field.
Prince Rhaegar put on his beautiful adorned helmet, and after giving her one last glance, he pulled down his visor and took the lance.
Lyanna glance at Robert too and saw his horse in agitation as he yelled at his squire to give him the lance before the horn sounded and the banner rose, therefor making the opponents clash at each other. The lances broke in hundred of pieces, as the two men were staying steady on their horse, and then taking another lance before charge again, and also this time the result was drawn again.
The third time instead it was a win for Robert, but Prince Rhaegar managed to stay steady on the horse, however holding his side. He was hurt, and Lyanna's heart was beating so fast that she could feel it in her horse.
"Muña, Muña, Rhaegar is wounded!" shouted the little Prince Viserys, standing next to them, and glancing at them, Lyanna saw the queen hug her son and whisper reassuring words. The king himself seems to shift uncomfortably on his seat at seeing his heir get hit and maybe injured.
However, she immediately looked at the field when she hears the crowd gasp and saw Robert Baratheon on the ground rather in pain, and Rhaegar ride forward to the box. Lyanna was smiling widely as she saw 'her Prince' rise his lance up in victory for this day, but then in a glimpse of a second, chaos erupted on the field as Robert Baratheon hit the prince with his hammer, knocking him from the horse.
He charged at the Prince with furry and hit him on the shield with what the prince was pairing. Prince Rhaegar managed to hit Robert on the knee, but the Stag keep attacking with furry, till she saw the Kingsguard knock the Lord of the Stormlands to the ground, take the hammer from his hand, and blocking him from any move.
The King, getting up, shouted, "I want him thrown in the dungeons of the keep in chains!" and Robert Baratheon was dragged away from the field by the Dragonkeepers, as the crowd was shocked. Then, looking at her prince, she saw him being helped to get up and escorted by the Sword of the Morning.
His ribs were hurting as he took off the heavy armour, and the chainmail, before pulling the shirt off. He saw it forming of different colours as he looked down examining. Fortunately, nothing was broken otherwise he would have been forced to retire from the tourney. Deeping a cloth in the cold water, Rhaegar palaces it on his wound, releasing a gasp at the contact.
A small price to pay for teaching a lesson to that whoremonger of his cousin. Rhaegar really thought he was a better man, but he was wrong. And poor Lyanna, forced to wed that beast.
Suddenly he feels arms wrap around him and light kisses been placed on his bareback, before resting the cheek on it. He knows to whom belong the kisses and the warm hands.
"You shouldn't be here my lady. If your family finds out, you will get in trouble."
"Let them find out. I don't care. I wanted to see and make sure you were all right." He heard her reply through his back, and he sighed.
He slowly turned around and looked down at her. She was so beautiful. So wild. Caressing her cheeks for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry for making you worried. But your favors brought me luck."
The girl smiled, blushing, and looked down, "Maybe, but didn't protect you from getting injured." Rhaegar smiled, lifting her face up so he could look her in the eyes. Then after a few moments, he bent down and kissing her slowly.
Everything was so perfect with her. Her soft lips against his. Her small and soft hands that were resting on his sides. The long brown hairs that he could care and would love so much to run his fingers through. They were to lovers with the only things that they were allowed to do was kissing, and he for sure wouldn't want to dishonor her.
It was she who broke this little perfect moment, who looking down said in a low voice, "My father forbid me to be near you, but I can't." she stopped for a moment and he could feel the growing rate of the heartbeats and didn't know if e should hug her in reassurance or stay this way and listen to what she has to say. "Since the day in the Godswood, I started to feel something... something that I never felt before towards a man." Then, looking up at him she said. "I-I think I fell in love with you, Prince Rhaegar."
He was stunned by her was and speechless, not knowing what to say how to properly reply. His throat felt thirsty and dry.
"I'm sorry, my prince. I don't know...it's better if I leave," she said, shaking her head and heading towards the exit, but Rhaegar, grabbing her hand, stopped the girl. "Lady Lyanna, wait."
And she turned but keep her gaze down.
Taking a long breath and looking down at her, he said, "Lady Lyanna, I…." (chuckle) and she looked up at him, with those beautiful grey eyes that looked like the steel she is wielding. "This is a difficult moment for me because don't really know how to express my feelings. You for sure are much braver than me in this regard." And she giggled glancing down for a moment, before looking back up.
"I…" began Rhaegar looking up, stopping for a moment and feeling that his heart was coming out of his chest, and then adding quickly, "I feel the same for you."
"You know, it's not your beauty that made me fall in love that day, but your spirit," replied Rhaegar, looking down at her and seeing a confused expression. "Don't take me wrong, my lady, you are a very beautiful girl, but-"
"There are far more beautiful women than me," she cut him off and looking down. "I know that I'm not as beautiful as Lady Cersei, or other southern ladies."
"No, you aren't. I'm an honest man, my lady, and not good with women I would say, despite others may claim that. Yes, you aren't as beautiful as Lady Cersei," he said, raising her chin, "but you have something that she hasn't. Honour and a good heart. Cersei Lannister, despite her age, is a beautiful woman outside but rotten inside. She is a narcissistic woman, that cares only of herself, and treats her Ladies in waiting the worst way."
He could see tears in her eyes, as he was looking down, and he hates himself for making her cry even if they were tears of joy, so he continued, "Your wildness and defying the rules that the society placed you on, are some of the others aspects that I love of you. You defend those who couldn't and took arms to avenge them, and teach a lesson to those who wronged, without asking something in exchange."
"How-"
"I saw you that evening, even though I didn't know who you were. I was sitting near a tree with my harp enjoying the verses of the birds, and the noise of the water. It's when I heard groans and yells that I saw a girl knocking three squires to the ground."
"But we can't continue this, your grace. Whatever is about to be born, we must stop it. I don't-" she started, but he stopped her and start to kiss her, gently, even though she wasn't that gently.
"I love you," he keeps saying between the kisses, hoping it wasn't a dream.
"So, you are the sword of the morning," said the northern lady that was accompanying Lyanna stark, looking him from head to toe. "I thought you were bigger considering the reputation."
Arthur chuckled at hearing the girl's words, but nevertheless replied seriously and, jokingly, "It's not about the size, but how good you are at wielding your blade."
"And you are good at wielding it?" she asked, approaching him, and he could beat that the girl was trying to seduce him with her moves.
"So, they say. But who knows? Maybe out there someone is better."
"Oh, for sure," she said a few inches from him, "Do tell me, Sword of the Morning, do you know how to wield the other one too?"
"What?" he asked, but hear a clearing of a throat and Arthur immediately moved away, seeing Prince Rhaegar with crossing arms and a smug on his face. "Prince Rhaegar."
"Prince Rhaegar," the northern lady gives a curtsy and a smile to the crown prince.
"You must be Lady Dacey Mormont," Rhaegar said, giving a kiss on the knuckles. "I was eager to a She-Bear from Bear Island. Maybe one day you can come to our camp and sup with us or only with the Sword of the morning."
"And I to meet a dragon, your grace," the Mormont girl replied, smiling, but he could see Lyanna stark starting to fume in jealousy, and say, "Come Dacey. We need to go back."
Dacey Mormont nodded, and after glancing at him, she said, "See you around, Sword of the Morning. I will be looking eagerly to our spare." Mand the two Northern ladies left, and only now Arthur could feel his heart beat fast.
"Well, my friend. It seems the She-bear wants to see your sword of the Morning," Rhaegar said, laughing, walking back inside the tent, as Arthur remained in his spot, stunned and confused.