Chapter 10: A viper hissing under the stars

The fire in the fireplace had already been extinguished for hours, but no sleep came to her. Her mind was still uneasy because of what had happened at the feast.

As she looked out of the window at the dark night with the moonbeams glowing on her, Lyanna went over what had led up to this event. Her betrothal to the dragon prince. She felt such a rage inside her right now against everyone. The king, her father, Westeros itself, and even the prince because of this unfair fate. But was it truly unfair?

However, she was pulled out of her taught when noises came from the outside, and, grabbing the dagger that was near her, Lyanna rushed towards the small balcony of her room, opening its curtains, and the great wooden doors, only to find out a man jumping down from the rails.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised to see it was him, and pointing her dagger.

"I wanted to speak with you since we are leaving tomorrow for the Capital and won't have much time for privacy before reaching it."

"What make you think that I'm going to the capital, or that I agree to this marriage?" she asked, still pointing the dagger.

"Why are you behaving like this?" he asked, approaching her slowly. His hairs were tied behind, in a knot with the moonlights glowing on him, making them shin under its light, and showing him as if he was more than a normal man. She imagined Daeron the Young Dragon to look like this even though he was much younger. "Lya-"

"Why did you ask him to do this?"

"Ask what?"

"The betrothal," she said, almost spitting the word with venom.

"I asked him nothing of such a thing," the prince replied, approaching her, as she lowered her dagger, and once he was only a few inches from her, placing his hand on her waist, Prince Rhaegar asked, "Why are you so against this betrothal? I thought-"

"Because my freedom was taken away from me!" she snapped, pushing his hands away and getting back inside her room.

"How it was taken from you?" the Prince asked following her right behind.

Putting the dagger on the table, Lyanna field herself a goblet of water, and after drinking all the content to extinguish the growing heat she was feeling, replied, crossing her arms and looking down, "By tying me to the crown, to that city, you took away my freedom. You did what my father wanted to do when he betrothed me to Robert Baratheon." Feeling sick at only the mention of his name.

When she glanced up at him, she saw hurt in his eyes, for sure misunderstanding her words, but she was so angry because of this situation.

Suddenly, she heard insistent knocks at her door and went immediately to open it, but not before putting on an overcoat. "Who is it?"

"The kings want everyone to meet him in the Godswood," a guard from the other side said, and she looked at the prince who shrugged his shoulder, before crossing his arms in front of his broad chest, as Lyanna, opening the door, said, "I'm coming."

Only then she realized that it was a Kingsguard who knocked. One of the Kingsguard that was with the Prince when the Sword of the Morning wasn't around, and in fact, the Kingsguard smirking greeted, the man that was inside her chambers with a bow, "My Prince."

"Why my father requested her presence in the Godswood., Ser Oswell?" asked Rhaegar approaching them.

"Everyone's, my Prince," was the only thing he said, bowing, and leaving them there.

A few moments in silence, passed, as she was leaning against the door, before asking, "Why do you think he wants everyone to go in the Godswood."

"I don't know, though I have a suspect," replied Rhaegar, leaving the room. "Whatever happened don't challenge him." He said, in the distance as he runs away, while Lyanna sighing, closed the door, to change and join the king in the Godswood.

Rhaella was standing next to Aerys in front of the heart tree, with the Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Barristan behind them, awaiting the arrival of all the lords and ladies who attended the tourney, to reveal the conspiracy and their sentence to the ones in question.

His son, on the other hand, stood a few steps away from them, arms crossed, one hand caressing his chin and a pensive, lost look on his face. Behind him a dozen or so Dragonkeepers, while the remaining ones were accompanying the summoned nobles here. She didn't get the chance to inform Rhaegar about their plan, so he was completely unaware of what was coming.

Hearing voices in the distance, Rhaella knew they were close, and asked, "What will you do if they deny it?"

"They certainly will do it," her husband replied with a firm expression and arms behind his back. "Do I have your support in everything to preserve the future of our House?"

"Yes. And you know it. But we would have a lot to discuss regarding the future of the House once this trial is over, and we are back at the capital," she replied, looking towards him with seriousness.

"You're getting too bold in that regard, sister. Be careful not to overstep too much or you will find yourself in a very bad situation."

"Have you perhaps forgotten the promise you made when you come to me with the revelation?" she asked, mentioning it again in the same night, and trying hard to keep an uncontrollable anger at bay, and she saw him nod. "Good. Because I have all the intention of stepping up as a Queen and do my duty for the realm and for the House. And I want to be treated equally." Having said the last words with anger, and along with it, fear arose too, and when Aerys gave her a look, that she was sure he would punish her at that moment.

But he did not. She knew that if she spoke to him like this before the day of the revelation, he would have punished, or worse. Turning his gaze forward, he said, "Yes. You told me to trust you, and to share the burden of command. But be warned. If you dare to betray me, to conspire my downfall, I will make you endure the pains of the Seven Hells before I send you into the underworld."

Rhaella gulped, saying nothing, but squeezing her intertwined hands, looking forward, and seeing Lord Stark, Lord Arryn, and Lord Hoster stopping a few steps from there. Following right behind by their banner lords.

Soon enough, lord Stark was joined by his children. A limping Brandon Stark, Eddard Stark, who seemed not to be alone, but accompanied by Ser Arthur's sister, who was holding to the quiet wolf. Then there was the youngest of the Stark children, and in the end, came Lady Lyanna who exchanged a look with her son, and she wondered if they sorted the things, since Rhaegar said that he wanted to talk to her hours before.

So once everyone was there, the king stepped forward saying, "I'm sure that you all are wondering why I summoned you here in the heart of the night, and I will tell you. But first. Lord Stark, Lord Arryn, Lord Tully, and Prince Oberyn, step forward."

Rhaella saw the elder lords' glance between themselves, before stepping forward, but the young prince of Dorne, wasn't doing such a thing. He stood his way, defying the king's orders, and even looking in a challenging way, while his sister, Princess Elia, was standing right behind him, and at the same time, squeezing his hand.

"I said to step forward, Prince Oberyn of House Martell," her husband said with greeted teeth.

But the prince refused to do it again and was in that moment that the Dragonkeepers pushed him forward, despite the screams of his sister who was trying to stop them.

"Lord Rickard Stark, Lord Jon Arryn, Lord Hoster Tully, and Prince Oberyn Martell. You stand accused of complotting against the crown."

"Lies!" started to shout the lords, and the Dragonkeepers pointed their spears.

"Silence!" shouted the Lord Commander Hightower, with hand on the sword, as the others were doing the same.

"Lies you say, eh?" Aerys said, stepping forward, and approaching the lords, with the Kingsguard right behind. "If I tell lies, Lord Stark, then cut your hand and place it on the Heart tree. Swear on your bloodline before the Old Gods, before your Gods that you didn't commit treason against the crown. That you didn't plot with Arryn, Martell, and Tully to overthrone my house. To put Robert Baratheon on the Iron Throne."

Rickard Stark opened and closed his mouth a few times, without releasing any words, before looking down, and Aerys, loudly said, "See Lords and Ladies of the Seven Kingdoms! You see how the traitor is speechless when he is exposed!"

No one of those who were there, said anything because there was nothing to say, and those who were charged knew that denying was useless, especially in front of the Gods, and Aerys, said, "I also have witnesses of your trying to free Robert Baratheon. A man who tried to kill my son! The crown prince."

And Rhaella glanced at Lyanna stark, who was looking at her father, shaking her head, while the heir, contrary to his brother Eddard, didn't seem surprised by this revelation, which means he was aware of his father's plots, or even part of it.

In the meantime, a man was brought before them, kneeled, and al full of beats, tortured and maybe worse, who exchanged a look with the two old Lords, and Aerys approaching said, "Tell the crowd who hired you. Tell the crowd what your task was."

"I…I…was hired by…." the men stopped to swallow, and take some breath, "by Lord Arryn…and Lord Stark."

"Traitors!" "Death!" "Cut their heads!" Those were some of the words she could hear coming from the crowd, or sure coming from the lords who were more hungry for power and saw this as an opportunity to raise their House status.

Raising his hand to shout the crowd, Aerys said, "You all know what fats await the traitors, don't you? Death!"

"I can't accept this, your grace," said Princess Elia Martell, stepping forward and in front of her brother.

"It's not up to you to accept, Princess Elia, and your brother didn't deny the accuse he is charged of."

"His actions are justified. He saw no justice in your decision to not punish the Lannister and-"

"And he thought of searching elsewhere by betraying his king and-"

"You are not king of mine!" growled the young Prince, pushing his sister aside, and looking at Aerys defyingly, which was a very bad idea.

"Then you choose death," Aerys said, waving to the Dragonkeepers to take the Dornish Prince in custody. "You will die tonight Prince Oberyn. Be proud for defying your king. Not many can do that."

"Please your grace," the prince's sister came to the King kneeling and pleading in tears. "I will marry Brandon Stark as by your orders, and Dorne will stay loyal to you. Only not kill my brother, your grace. I beg you."

He placed his hand under her chin, grinning down at the Princess, before glancing at her, asking, "what do you say, my Queen? Should I allow this young lady's pleading?"

"Yes, your grace. Strip him of his titles and claims, make him sign a paper, and let him take the black. The Night's Watch needs great fighters and from what I heard he's one of the best."

"Fuck the Night's Watch. I demand a trial by combat," the Prince said, confidently, while his sister, Elia, rose up, looking at him.

"A trial by combat you said," the King said, approaching him, with the Kingsguard right behind. "So be it. Tomorrow at first light, you are going to have your trial. Choose your champion."

"I don't need a champion. I will be my own champion!" the man said, with hatred looking at the king, and Aerys, moving away, looked at the seven Kingsguard, for a moment, before turning to the crowd saying, "Ser Arthur of House Dayne, the Sword of the Mourning and member of the Kingsguard will be the crown Champion." And Rhaella glanced at the young Dayne, who was looking down sadly, while his sister Ashara was fuming in anger towards the King and only the second born of the Stark children was keeping her in place. The Dornish Prince was taken away after that.

"As for the other accused, death is the most fitting fate and the extinction of the House to prevent future rebellions, but my good queen has advised me to grant them the chance to join the Night's Watch, with the hope that they may repent such actions," the king said, loudly for everyone to hear, but approaching the lords. "But maybe you prefer a trial by combat a well."

Rhaella saw Brandon Stark try to step forward, but his father stopped him, as Aerys glanced at the young men, and she heard Rickard Stark say, "I will join the Night's Watch if you will spare my House. My children have nothing to do with what I was planning. They were unaware of this."

"Father-" Brandon Stark started, but was hushed by the Old Wolf.

"You say that they were unaware of this and yet your son doesn't seem to think like that."

"You already took my daughter, your grace. You took my sons too, one as a squire and the other as member of the Small Councill," Rickard Stark started, in a broken and ashamed voice. "I beg you to let my son Brandon rule in my steady as Lord of Winterfell –"

The king rose his hand, stopping the Lord of Winterfell, as he moved away to stand next to her, and Rhaegar approached them too. Then loudly he gives his verdict, "Lord Stark, Lord Arryn and Lord Tully. You are sentenced to join the Watch. Your Houses will be degraded to a minor one and you will have to submit to the new liege lords."

Waving to one of the Dragonkeepers who brought a folded parchment of which she was unaware of, Aerys lifted it up saying, "In this parchment are contained the decrees, approved by me in regard of those who tried to build a rebellion against the Crown, meaning the North, the Riverlands, the Vale, and the Stormlands." Giving it to Rhaegar to be read, the King said, "I ask that those who will hear their name step forward."

Her sone, unfolding the parchment, started to read the content, loudly, "House Bolton has been raised to the rank of Great House and Warden of the North." And he looked at Lyanna Stark the moment he finished those words, shaking his head, as a man stepped forward, bending the knee.

"House Frey has been raised to the rank of great House and Lord Paramount of the Trident," and she heard the one that the people called the Blackfish curse under his breath and mumble a 'this is madness,' but was ignored by the king, or maybe Aerys didn't even hear him.

"House Connington has been raised to the rank of great House and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and House Grafton has been raised to the rank of Great House and Warden of the East."

The crowd broke into a huddle, as soon as Rhaegar had finished reading, and Rhaella leaning towards Aerys, said, "Things are escalating. Perhaps you wouldn't have-"

"Shut your mouth," he said, cutting her off. "For these bonds to be strengthened I decree that the heirs of the rebel Houses shall marry the daughters of their liege lords if any, and vice versa. If this is not possible, the eldest sons of the heirs' houses must marry."

"This is madness, sire. I cannot accept it!" exclaimed Tully, and immediately he felt how the soldiers took up an attacking position in Godswood.

"Then you shall all be extinguished. After all, don't forget who made you who you are," the king said, as she exchanges a look with Rhaegar, who approaching, tried to persuade the king, "Father-"

"Shut your mouth too," the king growled, as the ravens began to caw, making this place even darker, gloomier, and scarier. Every lady who was there was frightened and the lords were mumbling insane words towards them.

"In addition to this, I demand that from these four regions, a thousand boys between the ages of 6 and 14 are sent annually to the capital to be trained for the army of Westeros that will be established starting from the next year."

"We cannot accept this!" roared a great bearded lord, stepping forward. "It is madness to expect that we sent you our children?!"

"Be thankful to your so-called liege lords, Lord Umber, for because of their plots you will pay with your children."

The lords and ladies of the said regions continued to protest loudly, but there was no way they could change the king's mind with their pleas. The accused lords on the other hand said nothing, and Arryn along with Stark was looking down, for sure ashamed by the actions but above all by the failure. Fools! They didn't know the kind know about this since its birth.

Aerys then added, looking at the three lords, "Tomorrow after the trial you will all sail from Maidenpool towards East Watch and join the Night's watch," Aerys said, before taking her hand and leaving the Godswood with the Kingsguard and their son behind, while the dragon keepers took the accused Lords to the dungeons.

On their way to the keep, she whispered to her husband, "What if once at the Wall they return back to their land and rebel again?"

"Then they will die." He replied, and when she turned towards to look forward, she saw a Whent guard run towards them, and once he stopped in front of the king, panting he said, "They free him, your grace!"

"Who?"

"Robert…Baratheon…He is no longer in the dungeons…they are dead…"

"What?!" screamed Aerys, pushing the man aside, and walking at a fat patch towards the dungeons.

Moments later…

Aerys pushed the doors of the great hall open, roaring, and cursing loudly, as the lords who were loyal to them followed immediately inside, and he, turning to the young Lord of Griffin's Roost, said, "Ser Jon Connington. I charge you with the task to find Robert Baratheon. Arrest him and bring him before the Iron Throne. Gather 100 knights and search the whole Westeros starting from these lands."

The young man bowed, leaving the hall, and Aerys shouted, "OUT! Everyone Out!" and they rushed as they left the Great hall, while the Kingsguard closed the doors behind. She, on the other hand, remained inside, because she needs to confer with him about this matter and no one needs to hear it.

As Aerys was patching back and forth, with arms behind his back and mumbling incoherent words, she, intertwining her hands in front of her belly and calmly but loud enough to be heard, "It was Tywin the one to free him, Aerys, and we both know it."

But he didn't seem to listen to her, as he keeps patching back and forth and mumble to himself. So, she, taking a deep breath and a hammering heart, approached him quickly, and stopping his movement by grabbing his tunic. And looking in the eyes, she saw that he had the same look as he had when he thought that Tywin Lannister was plotting against him in the past, years back.

"Did you hear me?"

"I did," he growled silently, grabbing her wrists and squeezing so hard that she thought he was breaking her bones, as he pushed them down. "And that is what I'm going to do. Hightower!"

And the Lord Commander burst in, "You called, my King?" the Kingsguard asked, but she couldn't see him as Aerys was holding her in place.

"Gather the men and every loyal banner who is around Harrhenal. We are heading to Casterly Rock and arrest Tywin Lannister," Aerys said, not breaking her stare. "And bring me an armour and a sword. I will be the one to do it!"

"You, my king?" asked the Lord Commander surprised.

"Yes. Do as I command before I burn you alive," Aerys said, still looking at her, but this time grinning, as the Lord Commander left, and the door closed behind him.

"Aerys-" but he shushed her with his hand on her lips, before lowering his hand to her neck.

"The lion thinks me as a weak king who cannot defend his throne. Yes, I will show him fire and blood," Aerys said, leaving, laughing evilly, as she released a breath that she didn't even know she was holding.

This wasn't good. They were not ready for a war. Not now. The army was not ready, the alliances were not sealed and neither Rhaegar was ready to wage war. She needs to persuade him from this madness. To stop him.

So, she gathered her dress, so that she does not stumble in the run-up, Rhaella rushed after him, but on her way, she stumbled upon her son, "Mother. What is happening? Ser Gerold told me-"

"Not now, Rhaegar. But go and tell him to do nothing," she said, resuming her fast patch towards where she hoped to find him.

One of the Kingsguard was helping him to put on the armour, as his mind was storming with different scenarios regarding what will happen at the Rock if he will reach it of course. But he has to. That fucking Lion played him again, damn it. How a fool he was to keep his focus only on the rebels and leave freely the Tywin Lannister to roam around.

"Your sword, my King," the man said, showing it and putting it in the shelter.

"You can't do this?!" shouted his sister-wife, stepping in the chambers, panting, and he rolled his eyes at her, sending the Kingsguard away, and heading towards the table in his room to take a gulp of wine. "Brother. Don't do this," she pleaded, rushing at him, and as she tried to regain her normal breathing. "If you don't succeed in this and Tywin Lannister kills you, then the daughter we had dreamed of…will never be borne."

Fair enough, he thought, but if Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon allied themselves, then it would be more difficult to fight them, he thought to himself.

"Brother," she said, this time in a more soft tone than before and turning his face, "Don't do this."

"Listen to your queen, Aerys. This is not the time for war, but is the time to get stronger," his friend whispered in his mind as a raven appeared at the window, knocking with its beak. "The lion won't let you reach the rock. You will die, and what you are trying to build will die with you."

"Brother?" she called him, softly, moving her hands to his laces at the armour, starting to untie them. "Think about the dream you had, brother. The curly dark-haired boy….and the silver-haired girl. Our daughter to come."

He didn't reply to her, pondering if to listen to these advices or send to the Seven hells and march on Westerlands to teach the Lion what is happening at stepping on the dragon's tail. But because of his too intense thoughts and distractions, he didn't notice her pulling his armour down, and only once the steal hit the stoned floor, he realized what she has done.

Before he could bark at her at tell to stay in her place, he felt himself being turned abruptly and his tunic being ripped off by her before she bends down and start to untie his breeches. He was shocked for a moment by her reaction, before returning to his own sense and pushed her to the floor, making Rhaella fall on her back, who yelped before looking at him in confusion.

"Your seduction tricks and witchcraft won't work on me!" he growled, turning back to the table to fill his goblet again and drink it all in one go. Even though his words were this, Aerys knew that his body reacted strongly to what she wanted to do, as he felt himself hardening in his breeches. But he had no intention of succumbing to it. No. He wasn't going to let her win.

"I'm your queen. Your wife and I demand you do your duty tonight!" she growled back at him, getting up, and this was making his anger light and grow, as he turned dangerously at her, mocking the words, "Duty?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed, untying her dress, almost ripping, and making it fall to the floor, leaving her bare naked at his sigh.

He filed his goblet again, drinking all the content in one gulp, before throwing it away, and hearing the steel hit the wall and the floor, ranging through the room. Approaching her slowly, with furrowed eyebrows, he said, with clenched teeth, "Do you think you are in a position to demand?"

She didn't reply, as he could see her heart was hammering in the chest because of how fast she was breathing, and he, once in front of her wrapped his hands around her throat, asking, "Do. You. Think. You Are. In a position to demand?"

"Yes, I am," was her reply, as he was tightening his grip, and looking in her eyes. Behind the violet eyes she has, Aerys could spot the fire that was burning inside her. The Targaryen fire behind them. A dragon inside her like in all the dragons. And he let her go.

"Maybe in the end, you are right. Tywin Lannister knew that the blood of the dragon and the anger would make me do reckless things, and wants to lure me in his trap," he replied, heading towards the balcony of the chambers, and look outside. Some drops of light rain could be seen. But knowing that he need to teach her a lesson on where her place was, Aerys turned, but the words died at the sight of his queen sprawled on the bed, legs up and parted, with the hands playing lazily on her sex.

Damn woman! He cursed under his breath, looking up. He knew how to trick him, and what are his weaknesses. Maybe he should set her aside and take a more obedient queen because with this one has more to lose than to win.

"Do it and it will be your end."

"Out of my head?!" he growled shaking it. There were times when this so-called friend of his was annoying too much, especially when he tries to change his plans.

Fuck it! He said, getting rid of his clothes, throwing them away, and all naked, headed toward the bed. Cursed be Tywin Lannister and his plots, he will have time to attack him in the future after his daughter is born.

Climbing on the bed and stroking himself for a moment as he looked at his queen's welcoming cunt, he guided himself at her entrance, and thrusting inside her with force, and without a warning, making her gasp and ark back.

Grabbing her neck, he whispered, "You want to be fucked so I don't go after Tywin Lannister? Then you are going to be fucked." Starting to give powerful thrust into her.

The roosters could be heard crowing outside to make it known that the new day was coming, even though the sun had not yet risen, and the sky was lightly dark outside. After what happened in the Godswood he couldn't close an eye, turning a turning in bed. But what haunts him right now besides the turning of the Godswood was Robert's escape and whoever helped him. He was sure that soon the Stag will gather an army to challenge him for the throne and especially for Lyanna.

Lyanna. Thinking about her made his heart ache. Not because he wasn't happy with her being his future wife, but regarding the fact that after today, she will hate him even more than before. Him and his House. She will be forced into a hated marriage, but he will make sure to make it an easy one and try to make her happy.

Fuck! Who is he fooling? He needs to sort this thing before leaving for the Capital because there, the things will be difficult if she will hate him. So, getting up, he dressed up, and tying Blackfyre to his hips, left the room, followed by Oswell.

When he reached the door of Lyanna Stark, he saw Stark guards in front of it, who greeted him, "Prince Rhaegar."

"Is she inside?" he asked, and they nodded. "But she is sleeping, my Prince It's-"

"Leave," he said, dismissing the guards.

"But-"

"I said leave," he said again, while Oswell, make a step forward with the hand on the hilt of the sword, and the two soldiers bowed, moving away, while he, turning to Oswell said, "You too."

"I will only stay a few steps away," Oswell said, moving while he tried the door to see if it was unlocked, but to his disappointment wasn't. So, bending down, he pulled out something that were used to unlock doors by the thieves, but he wasn't good as them.

Suddenly, the door got unlocked and opened, and he found himself face to face with her. Or rather, her lower part.

"What are you doing?" she asked, with hands on her hips, and furrowed eyebrows, clearly angry at him.

Getting up, and fixing his tunic, he said, "I wanted to talk with you."

"And couldn't you wait till morning?"

"It's morning, and as I can see, you aren't sleeping," he replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest, and Lyanna, after a few moments, of looking at him in anger stepped aside to let him in, and closing the door behind. Crossing her arms, she asked, "What do you want to talk about that can't wait till morning or till the moment we leave?"

He didn't reply immediately, heading towards the bed to sit, and once he was sitting, with elbows on his knees, he asked, "How are you feeling?"

"How I am feeling? Are you really asking me how I am feeling?" she asked back, almost as mockingly, which was irritating him. "Let's see. My family is divided now. My father sentenced to take the black, because of mistakes he made. And I will be spending my life in the Capital that to account is a shit place."

"It isn't really like that, Lya," he said, looking up at her. "The story travels back and forth but not all can be true, and you won't be alone. Have you forgotten that your brothers Benjen and Eddard will be there too? And you can even take some ladies in waiting from the North."

"Do you think is that simple?!"

"Why are you screaming?" he asked softly, knowing there was no purpose in screaming back.

"I don't know…It's just…." She started, fumbling with her fingers, but groaning in frustration right after for not finding an answer for sure, and starting to patch back and forth. However, when she passed in front of him and was at arm reach, Rhaegar grabbed her hand and dragging towards him, making her fall over him.

She tried to oppose, but it as in vain, as he was squeezing her to him, and as they were laying on the bed, he caressed her cheek, with one hand, looking in the eyes, "Why do you suddenly hate me so much?"

"I don't hate you," she mumbled, glancing down, and fiddling with the laces of his tunic. "I…I actually like the idea of marrying you rather than Robert. It's just that...I don't know how to explain this reason that is burning inside me."

"Are you concerned about my faithfulness towards you," he asked softly, taking a sniff of her scent, and loving it. No receiving a reply from her, he glanced down, seeing her with the gaze fixed on him, and so he leaned, placing a cast kiss on her lips. But she seemed to have other ideas since she returned it with a more heated one and even climbing over him. She started to kiss him passionately, breathing fast, and rubbing herself over him. Letting a moan between them.

Rhaegar from his part, grabbed her hips, to keep her steady, not wanting to go further, knowing perfectly that resisting will be an arduous thing, but fortunately they got interrupted by a knock at the door, and Lyanna bit his lips to the blood before climbing off him, and rushing to the door, "Who is it?"

"It's me Lya," the knowing voice from the other side said, and Rhaegar sighed getting up.

"Ned. What brings you to my chambers so early?" Lyanna asked, crossing her arms, as her brother looked toward him, stunned for a moment, and clanking back and forth between them. "Nothing happened, dear brother, do not worry."

"The trial by Combat is starting in less than an hour. The king sent word for everyone to get ready and reach where the tourney was held," Eddard said, giving him a glare, and leaving without letting the sister replied.

When Lyanna closed the door, Rhaegar jokingly said, "What are the chance of rebellion from him?"

"From whom? From Eddard?" she asked heading towards the wardrobe, to pull out a dress, and he knows he should leave, but there was a part of him that wanted to stay and maybe have a glimpse of her body shape. 'Gods, Rhaegar! What are you thinking of?!' he scolded himself, shaking his head, and getting up.

"He is more angry with Lord Arryn and father rather you or the King," she said, glancing at him over her shoulder, and he didn't have the courage to ask how she was feeling about it since she didn't have the words before when she tried to explain.

Opening the door, Rhaegar stepped outside, but as he was closing it behind, he saw her pull down the dress, and stopped for a moment to see her backside, before closing it immediately and rushing back to his room, and on his way, when he saw the Kingsguard grin, Rhaegar said, "Not a word." As he kept going.

He was sitting in his chambers in front of the hearthplace, that died hours ago, tending to his sword. Dawn. Usually, before a duel, someone should be more rested and gather his strength, but he couldn't sleep because today will be the day in which he will kill a man he considers a friend and has known for a very long time.

But he swore oaths to the crown and the king's orders are for him to be the crown champions. That damned man put himself in this position on his own.

"Damn him!" he shouted, throwing the piece he was holding away, and getting up, patching back and forth. Suddenly, he heard a knock and angrily asked, "Who the fuck is it?"

"It's me, brother," he heard his sister's voice from the other side of the door and went to open it. She had a serious and a worried expression on his face, as she looked at him, with hands in front of her belly. "Can I come in?" and he stepped aside to let her in. "How are you feeling?"

He sighed, not replying, closing the door, and leaning against it. "How do you think? I need to kill an old friend."

"He will do without hesitation, Arthur," his sister said, sighing and heading towards the chair that was free. "And he will use every way to cheat. Even poison."

I know," he replied, heading to the table, to fill himself a goblet of water and to his sister some wine, before returning to her, and sitting on the other free chair in silence. He glanced at her for a moment pondering if to ask what was haunting his mind right, now or no, but before he could do it, he heard her say, "I heard that the Sword of the Morning got bewitched by a She-bear."

And he blushed at hearing that, taking a sip of water to extinguish the fire that was reddening his cheeks and sent away the face of that woman from his mind.

"What was her name? Ned told me once…but I think I forgot…Was it..."

"Dacey Mormont," he quickly said, only to repent later as he saw his sister grin at him, and taking a sip say, "Yes...Dacey."

"Asha. Please. No more of it."

"Of course, dear brother," she, mocking, replied, starting to laugh and drink wine, as he was cursing under his breath. If he survives the fight, she will not leave this argument. He was sure.

She was sitting with the royal family on the royal box, despite wanting to be with her brothers, but the King's insistences and saying that she now was a member of the royal family and her place was with the royal family. She wanted to bicker with him in this regard, as she felt overtaken by the Wolfsblood, but Rhaegar stopped her from making a mistake.

And now here she was sitting next to Rhaegar, who was holding her hand on her lap, something she never expected to like, or even expected from him to hold her hand, since it wasn't a lordship thing according to the majority of them.

On the field, the two opponents were waiting for the Septon to speak at the trial, and who was standing between the two.

The sword of the morning was standing proudly, holding his legendary sword with his right hand, and wearing the Kingsguard shining white armour, with the emblem of seven silver swords encircling a golden crown. The white clock that was by traditions of the Kingsguard wasn't hanging on his shoulder for sure to make his movements much smoother.

The Red Viper on the other hand, was wearing an armour that seemed like the skins of the snakes. It was dark brown and seem very light. In his hand he had a spear the shape of a straddled red viper and from whose mouth came out a waving blade. If she correctly remembers the story Elia Martell told her about Oberyn, he was an expert in poisons, and she was sure he was using that right now.

"My lords, My ladies, my King my Queen. We are all gathered here to assist the trial of this man. This Prince, who is accused by the crown, on fair evidence of treason. Despite them being well-founded, the crown in all its benevolence and goodness, accepted the trial by combat requested by the accused Prince. And now, before the eyes of the New Gods and the Old, let the trial begin, and may the Gods favor the one who is more fit." The Septon bowed to the king, leaving, and the two opponents took their positions.

The Dornish Prince started to spin his spear right and left, moving around the enemy at a distance, while the Sword of the morning, with Dawn in hand, was trying to settle into a position that will make him have for sure the upper hand over the enemy and win.

After a few moments of distracting the opponent, Oberyn Martell, started to attack the Sword of the Morning, sinking his spear forward, striking left and right with a rapidity that she never saw before from someone who used a spear. While Arthur Dayne was pairing with Dawn and trying to prevent for the blade to cut him.

"Do you think he is using poison?" she asked, leaning against Rhaegar.

"For sure. The red Viper is known for that," he replied, whispering.

Moments later…

The fight went on for almost an hour as he could see both men were tired, and during this time, Oberyn Martell lost three spears. Broken by Dawn when the Sword of the Morning was counterstriking. He could see his father's exasperations because of this and because of the Prince not wanting to lose.

And it was then as he was focusing on his father, that Rhaegar heard the crowd gasp, and looking back at the field, he saw Dawn stick in Oberyn Martell's shoulder. Arthur won, but there was no happiness on his face as he gives the last blow to the dying prince before the king started to clap.

"Well done, champion," his father said, getting up, laughing. "Now that the trial ended, and the man is declared guilty and his soul cursed, it is time for the Royal family and its retinue to leave."

"I want to speak with my brother Brandon one last time before leaving," he heard Lyanna say and he nodded as she gets up, while he, on the other hand, headed towards his mother who was still sitting with Viserys in her arms.

"Mother. I fear that there will be repercussions from the Dornish after this trial."

She sighed, waving to Ser Barristan to escort Viserys, and getting up, she said, "I know, my son. But there is nothing we can do. We are surrendered by enemies, now even more than before I fear."

"I don't want something bad to happen her, mother."

"Nothing will happen to her. I promise," his mother said, kissing his cheek, as he sighed, looking down, and starting to follow her and the king towards the horses and the carriage.