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A/N: I know I gave Elia a really brutal death...I'm sorry :( I really loved writing from her perspective. I feel like we all missed out on her in canon she could've had some great moments. Her death though will be the catalyst for a lot of change in the realm in years to come and it will be the act of ordering her death that will be a sore point for a few key people. Here in this chapter we see rising tension between characters and a change of pace from the battles of last chapter. There is still some conflict but the pace is a little more relaxed...for the time being!
Force Smuggler! I loved your review on last chapter! So glad it got your mind ticking and I can happily say practically ALL your questions will be answered in this chapter...and maybe it will bring up some more questions for the future...it sounds like you're enjoying the story so let's dive in!
C7: Blood is Thicker than Water
The fields around the Tridents banks were a trampled, muddy, bloody mess. Bodies and parts of bodies were strewn across an enormous space and the survivors worked tirelessly to collect all the bodies and body parts to bury in the mass grave. No one had expected the loyalist army to crumble so fast after Rhaegar was defeated by Robert Baratheon, and certainly no one had thought both sides of the fighting would be so quick to scramble and collect the rubies which fell from the Prince's chest. The rebels had erected tents to house the commanders and Ned's party, word had spread that Tywin had taken Kings Landing but no official word had been received. Ned was convinced it was a trap, while Robert was firm they should match south anyway.
Ned sat alone in his makeshift chambers turning the Ruby over in his hand again and again. He found it in the aftermath of Rhaegar's death, it washed up right in between his boots as he stood on the bank of the Trident looking for his body. He almost didn't pick it up but something compelled him to and as soon as his hand grasped it he heard her voice. He saw her running her hands along the Ruby chest plate and heard her say, "when you kill Robert, come back to me"
Of course Ned thought he was just going mad from the heat of the battle, but the vision replayed in his minds eye whenever he held and looked at the Ruby. Now Rhaegar was gone how would he find her, where was Lyanna and who was looking after her?
Robert loudly crashed into the tent, and Ned hastily hid the Ruby in his large hand. Ned turned to look at his friend feeling some tension within himself over Roberts actions the last few days. Robert was red faced and angered, Ned signalled his men to give them privacy.
"What is it now Robert?" said Ned quietly, his mind still on the Ruby in his palm.
"We've looked everywhere, we can't find him"
"What do you mean you can't find him? He fell into the river! He must be there" replied Ned calmly as he poured Robert and himself a wine.
"That snake, that dragon spawn...he got away! I can feel it inside me!!" raged Robert as he beat on his chest in anger. "Until I see that fucking cunt and spit and piss on his body I'll not rest"
Ned looked amused, "You're going to spit and piss on him?! I'm not sure what you're trying to achieve there"
"It'll prove I won! After what he did to me..."
"He did? To you? Robert this has to stop, he's gone now. Let the jealousy go, let the anger go, he's dead"
"He's not dead until I see he's dead!" yelled Robert slamming his fist down on the table between them, rattling their glasses and smashing something that flew off the table.
Ned sighed and rubbed his forehead, "Send the men out one more time, look once more. We have other things to do though Robert we can't just devote our men to look for one person"
Robert huffed and finished his drink in several gulps, "And those rubies...those fucking rubies! Washing up on the shore still! Mocking me! He's mocking me I tell you!!"
Neds mind sharpened, "The rubies are still washing up?"
Robert nodded, "If I see another fucking Ruby again..."
"Bring them to me, bring every Ruby to me that washes up from this point on. You bring them to me Robert, I trust you won't steal them"
Robert looked exasperated, "I just fucking said..."
"I know what you said, but if the rubies are still washing up his body is out there somewhere and the rubies are being loosened by being submerged. Get out there and bring me those rubies. You get one more sweep before we move on. As soon as we get word from Tywin we ride south"
Robert opened his mouth to argue, but Ned cut him off, "No Robert, we ride south. I won't hear anything different"
Looking deflated, Robert exited the tent angrily after snapping his glass down on the table. Ned watched him leave, rubbing his hand on his chin in thought. It would be impossible for Rhaegar to survive, Ned saw the strike Robert got on Rhaegar. And the sound, that sickening crunch he was certain the body would be found with the next sweep. How far could it have gotten?
Neds train of thought was disturbed by several of his men, bringing news of the effort to clean up the bodies.
"My Lord, we found the KingsGuard who came with Rhaegar"
"How many?" asked Ned
"Two only sir"
"Are they still alive?" Questioned Ned calmly as he sipped his wine.
He noticed the men look at one another nervously.
"I asked you a question that only needs a simple answer," continued Ned calmly but with an edge to it, "are they alive?"
"One was..." started the soldier
"One? Was? What happened?"
The soldiers looked uncomfortable and didn't want to answer, one looked physically sick.
"Robert found out and, he um, beat him until..."
Ned felt anger rising within him, Robert was becoming unruly and uncontrollable. He was becoming a problem for Ned. Ned threw his wine across the tent and swore.
"Did he say anything before he died?"
The soldiers shook their heads, "No sir"
"Did they have anything on them?"
"Just their weapons sir, and their armour"
"Bring them to me, everything those men carried. I want them in my tent in the next few minutes. Anyone says otherwise ignore them. That's a direct order"
Without a word the men ran from the room and Ned just got angrier as he thought of the waste of a useful conversation with the Kingsguard that Robert had just inflicted on him. How would he get anything useful about where Lyanna was now?
Absentmindedly his hand brushed against the Ruby in his pocket, a shiver slid down his spine but it wasn't unpleasant. He couldn't resist the urge he pulled the Ruby out and saw the scene replayed again, Lyannas hand on Rhaegar's chest. This time he felt warmth, no it was heat, she was somewhere hot. Well that doesn't narrow anything down anywhere in the South is warm this time of year. Ned sighed and gazed at the Ruby in his hand, and in the distance heard the clatter of armour. Putting away the Ruby Ned sat and waited, the KingsGuard armour was on its way.
Ned stood solemnly and looked at the armour laid out on the floor of his tent, he wanted space to be alone from everyone. And had ordered all to be kept from his tent, standing over the armour he flicked the Ruby in his hand while he looked over the armour. After standing there for a time he began to meticulously look over the armour, what was he looking for? He didn't really know but he thought this was the best chance he had at finding anything. Well it was his only choice thanks to Robert.
It seemed like hours had passed and the candles had burned low, Neds motivation was lulling and hope that he would find anything was fading. Deflated, he sat and looked over the armour in front of him.
The flap to his tent suddenly opened and Ned looked up to see who dared interrupt his order to be left alone. A serving boy entered the room carrying a large dinner tray and a jug of wine. He bowed awkwardly and set the tray upon the table to the side and Ned saw his eyes rake over the armour keenly.
"Want to be a knight boy?" asked Ned
The boys cheeks flushed in embarrassment and he simply nodded.
"Why do you want to be a knight?" asked Ned wanting to genuinely know.
The boy hesitated, and Ned smiled, "It's rude to refuse a Lords question boy, speak"
The boy cleared his throat, "I want to protect my family my Lord, and other people's families"
Ned stared at the boy with a smile, "That is an honourable reason lad, go on ill take my dinner on my own"
"Where are the helmets?" quizzed the boy boldly.
Ned looked over the armour, the boy was right. Where were their helmets?
"Send me a soldier from outside lad, I'll get them to fetch them"
The boy simply nodded again nervously and run from the room. Ned poured a goblet of wine and lifted the cover on dinner, he recoiled at some of the food options there. Typical river lander fare, not quite to his preference. He sighed, better to eat something though. He picked up some bread and meat, not taking his eyes off the armour when his hand grazed across something on the tray.
It was a note written in a spidery hand. Neds eyes grazed over the words, his sisters location. He heard the scratching of the quill of when the note was written and saw the man who wrote it. A wave of dislike washed over him, but inside he wasn't satisfied there was more he could feel it, but what it was he felt he didn't know. Frustrated, he looked again to the armour and grasped the Ruby in his pocket. In his minds eye he saw Lyannas hand lovingly caress the rubies on Rhaegar's chest and he heard some inaudible words. Slowly Ned put down the note from the foreign hand and approached the armour once more. Something was there, he couldn't explain it he just knew it, his gut kept dragging him back.
Kneeling alongside the armour he crouched down and looked at the chest plates in more detail. The metalwork was phenomenal, no expense was spared in making the armour. Reverently he rippled his hand along the chest plate across the three headed dragon just like his sister had done in his minds eye. He felt something different as his hand passed over the Targaryen sigil, his focus sharpened. Again he passed his hand over, he felt it again.
Racing to the other set of armour he did the same, run his hand across the dragon sigil. He felt nothing, just metal. Neds heart leapt, crawling on hands and knees back to the first armour he run his hand again over the sigil, but slower. He looked intensely at the sigil and run his fingernails along the belly of the dragon, gently he pulled back and to his surprise the sigil clicked open easily. Revealing a piece of neatly folded paper inside.
Ned exhaled loudly as he held the paper in his hand, he recognised this paper, it only came from the Citadel and was used for official documents. Slowly he unfolded it and his eyes widened in shock, standing and reading he leaned against the table. Ned reached for the note that had been slipped in his dining tray, he compared the handwriting of both to make sure he wasn't being tricked. Both sets were completely different, again he read the spidery handwriting, if this note was true he wasn't wasting any time.
Determination swept over Ned, he called one of his guards in to the tent and gave strict instructions.
"This armour and every possession of the KingsGuard are to be returned to their families immediately. Saddle up my horse, and send for these men"
Ned handed the guard a list of names, he looked over the list and nodded exiting to enact the orders. Hastily Ned wrote a note for Robert, it was short because he was angry and didn't have much he wanted to say.
'When word comes from Tywin, head to Kings Landing. I will meet you there when I find Lyanna'
Without hesitation, Ned swept from the tent concealing the slips of paper in his wolf cloak. Within moments he was riding at haste south, it was finally time to find his sister.
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Ned pushed his men to reach their destination, they galloped through streams, meadows and forests. The scenery whipping by them in an endless blur of trees. He thought of nothing else than finding Lyanna and taking her home, then everything would be better. Everything would be-
What did he think they would be? She'd been gone for almost a year, would everything be able to go back to normal? Ned shook the thoughts from his head and regained his focus, he just needed to get to her.
The terrain gave way to the mountainous sandy ranges of Dorne, this was the furthest South he had ever ventured. And he was not enjoying it, it was hotter than Ned was used to, and sandy. Every gust of wind threw up sand cutting across their group and stinging their eyes.
The group were forced to take a slower pace as the horses picked their way along the rocky path of the mountains. Ned was impatient, but forcing the horses forward would only endanger their progress anyway. So he endured, but every so often Ned felt...something. He could've sworn they were being watched, but when he glanced around they saw nothing except falcons flying through the sky.
"What's wrong Ned?" questioned Howland.
"I sense...something. Someone is out there"
Howland looked around the scenery, "I don't see anything. What do you want us to do? Set up camp here and see if we can flush them out?"
"No," said Ned decisively, "we push on. I'm not delaying any longer. I don't even know if she's still alive"
Howland looked at his friend evenly, "Yes you do Ned. You're a wolf and she's your pack. You'd know if she had died"
Ned returned his friends gaze, and the wind blew lightly on the breeze there was a scent. A scent of people, Ned sniffed a little, unfamiliar people but people all the same. He breathed in deeper taking more of the scent in and there was a trace, but it was still her, a trace of Lyanna.
"Someone's out there Howland, but so is Lyanna"
"We push on then," agreed Howland decisively, "whoever is out there we can handle them"
Ned chewed the inside of his mouth with uncertainty, before nodding in agreement and grasping the reins tighter.
"We push on men"
Eventually the horses reached the bottom of the pass, ignoring the sand blowing in their faces Ned and his men galloped through the blistering hot desert. The horizon shimmered seductively and the horses pushed towards it with unabated determination. Their hooves didn't make much noise on the sand but the rhythm of their bodies moving urged Ned on.
Suddenly from behind Ned a cry sounded out, he turned back to see one of his men fall from the saddle. An arrow protruding from his neck, blood pouring down his chest. Before Ned knew arrows rained down on him and his men, "Shields!" he screamed.
Most of the men got theirs up in time, several weren't fast enough and were peppered with arrows falling dead from their horses. Unable to stop Ned looked on with dismay as he watched their bodies tumble lifeless into the sand.
Ned urged his horse forward, and his men followed suit. In the end it didn't matter how fast they rode, dozens of men appeared from the sand dunes and closed in all around the group. They were outnumbered ten to one and Ned knew it, no matter how fast he pushed his horse and his men doing the same. They couldnt outrun this many fighters, his heart sinking in his chest Ned raised his reins and pulled his horse to a stop. In the next movement he drew his sword, and the fighting began. In the sky above the falcons screeched and attacked Ned and his men as they fought. The attackers were dressed lightly and were nimble on their horses, they managed to avoid being struck. No one could see their faces, they were covered with cloth only exposing their eyes. This made them seem even more ominous. Soon the fight spilled to the sand, Ned could feel the grit of sand in his mouth as he dodged attacks and heard the clash of swords all around him. Every few moments he heard the cry of pain, he couldn't look around to see if the cries were his men or their attackers. A violent breeze blew and momentarily the fight was disrupted, sand swirled all around them and blew the men from their feet. The wind was so violent sand covered all the men as it died down, and eventually ceased. Ned slowly stood spitting sand out unsuccessfully reaching for his sword, seeing enemies around him he swung the sword up to meet the blade of another. The blades clashed together, but Neds attacker made no move to fight. Neds breath heaved in his body, fighting on sand was exhausting. He looked around and saw bodies submerged in the sand, majority of his group had fallen and were not rising. Howland had an ugly gash across his face, Martin Cassel struggled to stand his leg bent at an unnatural angle and Ethan Glover remained on all fours in the sand spitting blood. Ned hung his head momentarily unwilling to accept defeat, he stormed forward and the enemies blade raised directed at his heart.
"You will let us pass" he said decisively, "I'm not leaving Dorne without her"
"You have no business here, you do not carry permission to pass these ranges"
"I don't need permission. I'm here to rescue my sister, she's captive here"
The attackers around the northerners all broke into laughter, "Captive? In Dorne?"
Immediately anger rose fast in Ned, he hadn't come this far to die in the sand. He pulled the paper from his cloak and thrust it forward, it flapped in the wind violently. The sound of the crinkling paper silenced their laughter, the leader lowered his sword and grasped the paper. Ned watched as the man read the paper, shortly later he folded it up and passed it back to Ned. The paper now had some bloodstains on it from where the man held onto it. Ned looked in dismay at the bloodstains on the paperwork.
"Who directed you here?" asked the man gruffly, "And why was House Fowler not notified of your plans to cross our lands?"
"We didn't know these were House Fowlers lands"
The man pulled down his face covering to reveal an aged face lined to form a hardened face, unfriendly and seemingly unyielding.
"I don't believe your Maesters didn't school you on geography boy" said the man gruffly, "you Westerosi pride yourselves on knowing everything about everyone but knowing nothing when it comes to it"
The man spoke bitterly and with a tone of anger, Ned raised his hands stained with blood and sweat.
"We meant no offence Lord-"
"Fowler," interrupted the man, "You're riding through the Princes Pass, these are my lands. We were instructed to let none pass"
"Instructed by who?" challenged Ned
Lord Fowlers eyes hardened, "Thats for me to know"
"Grant us passage," spoke Howland suddenly from behind Ned, "we only seek to find one person. Then we will leave Dorne and return North. We meant no offence Lord Fowler"
Slowly and looking displeased still, Lord Fowler sheathed his sword and nodded once.
"You are granted passage," he said gruffly, "once you have who you're here for, leave. And never come back or we won't be so kind as to exchange words with you next time"
Fowler and his men disappeared into the sand tunes taking their falcons with them, Neds party was significantly reduced and severely injured. The riders from the Stormlands had been killed by the arrow attack, and most of his northern comrades had fallen during the fierce attack. Only Howland Reed, Martyn Cassel and Ethan Glover survived, and that was only barely. Martyn and Ethan were severely wounded, Ned looked at their wounds in dismay.
"Ethan, can you ride?" asked Ned putting his hand on his back, Ethan looked up and nodded.
"Aye, about all I can do. Think those bastards broke one of my ribs"
"You're in better shape than Martyn, take that horse," pointed Ned, "and ride back to the Crowlands. Get to the Crossroads Inn, send for Myra she will fix you both up"
Ned dropped a bag of coin into Ethans hands, "Go now"
"But Ned," started Ethan, "you'll need us"
He coughed at the end of his sentence and spat blood in the sand, and hung his head. He knew he was useless to Ned now but he refused to give up and ride home like a useless woman.
Ned laughed and spat sand from his mouth, "I need you alive, go I'll meet you at the Crossroads"
Grimacing Ethan climbed to his feet holding his rib painfully, Ned helped him limp to the horse and pushed him up. Howland and Ned helped Martyn up onto the horse, his leg an ugly broken mess. Martyn was pale, and quiet. Ned looked up at his men, "Dont die on the way back. That's an order"
Ethan nodded while Martyn remained quiet, the adrenaline of the fight was wearing off and with it pain was returning. Ned slapped the horse on the ass and it spurred forward kicking up sand as it returned to Westeros. Ned and Howland watched them leave until the disappeared into the shimmering horizon.
"What are we going to do now Ned?"
"Catch that horse Howland, it's just you and me from here"
It took Howland several minutes to coax the nervous horse close enough to grasp, it was spooked after the fight and smell of blood hung in the air. Ned looked all around them, there was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see. The heat was blistering and he could feel himself getting weak from dehydration. At last Howland snagged the horse, and swung onto his back and the horse danced toward Ned. Howland reached his blood smeared hand out to Ned and pulled his friend onto the horses back.
"Let's go get her" was all Howland said before the two friends galloped into the sandy horizon.
It seemed like hours slipped by and they came across nothing except sand hills, Ned felt the horse slowing. If they didn't find something soon he knew the horse would die from exhaustion. He had copied the Fowler men and covered his face with part of his cloak, Howland had done the same. Hope was fading though, Ned was sure they were going to die in the sea of sand dunes. The wind picked up and sand blasted them as they tried to push forward, suddenly the horse faltered. Ned looked up sharply, he felt Howland kick the horse urging him to keep pushing forward. But the horse refused, Howland yelled in frustration and the wind whirled stronger. Moments later, the horse collapsed panting, eyes rolled back in its head, there was no water and the sun was beating down relentlessly. Ned and Howland stood after falling from the horses back and watched the dying horse, shielding their faces from the stinging, sandy wind. The gusts blew so strongly it blew them from their feet, and the sand began to cover the horses body, which made no move to fight the suffocating sand. Ned grasped Howlands arm as the sand storm engulfed them, forcing them to remain on their knees. Breathing was difficult in the storm, every breath stung with sand, forcing one to cough violently. Opening eyes was also painful and futile, there was nothing to see except sand swirling all around. Both men braced themselves and each other in the storm, unable to see or breathe properly, their mouths as dry as the air outside. Dehydration and lack of enough air weakening them as they tried to weather the storm. The sand roared all around the men, it seemed as if it was never going to end. After the longest time everything went black, and both men collapsed in the sand as it whirled over their fallen bodies. The sand storm within moments began to bury the men, their forms disappearing underneath in a sandy grave.
Several minutes passed, all the while Ned and Howland now unconscious we're covered in inches of sand when two horses broke through the storm, their riders faces covered, their armour keeping the worst of the sand storm at bay. Seeing the two fallen northerners the riders leapt from their horses and dragged the lifeless bodies from under the sand. Heaving them onto the back of the horses while the storm raged around them they huffed and puffed as they assisted each other to save the seemingly dead northerners. With the men slung across the horses backs the riders swung back onto their horses and galloped out of the sand storm at haste.
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Ned coughed with difficulty, it felt like he had the whole desert in his lungs rolling onto his side the coughs turned into retching. Over and over again Ned retched bringing up sand and bile, the storm had stopped but his heart dropped. He wasn't laying on sand anymore, he was in a bed covered with a blanket. Opening his eyes his vision was blurry and his eyes stung, somehow sand had gotten into his eyes as well. He rubbed his eyes which brought more pain, he hissed in pain and anger rolling from his side onto his back. Where the fuck was he?? Gingerly Ned sat up and opened his eyes, his surroundings were completely unfamiliar. The room had walls of stones, his bed lay in the middle and was empty except for two windows and a chair. Swinging his legs out of bed he coughed and retched again, more sand.
"Bloody sand" he muttered to himself, looking around wondering if he was in danger or safe. Finding his sister was seeming further and further away. How hard is it to find one person?
Standing he looked out of the window, wherever he was looked across the sandy plain, in the distance the mountains of the princes pass were a blurry blob on the horizon. He was still in Dorne, and all of Dorne were enemies to anyone from Westeros, especially now war had broken out and Dorne had sent aide to Rhaegar. Majority of the Dornish soldiers were butchered at the Trident. Whoever had Ned, would seek revenge. A grim reality set in to Ned, this was probably where his life would end, and he had never completed his mission the whole reason for him being in Dorne in the first place.
Footsteps and the sound of armour clinked outside Neds door, he looked frantically around for his weapons. There was nothing, of course he had been disarmed when he was unconscious. Having no other options he leapt into bed and covered himself with the blankets as the key was turning in the door. Footsteps shuffled into the room and Ned heard the clinking of a tray being set down. Then a warm hand was placed over his forehead as he pretended to sleep, he heard a woman's voice clicking her tongue and a cup was held to Neds mouth. He drank slowly pretending still to be asleep while his mind whirled with who was helping him. The water washed through his dehydrated mouth and was the best sensation he'd felt in the longest time. He drank more, greedily and sought more but the cup was pulled away from his mouth.
"I will leave the food tray here for him my Lady, he should wake within a few hours"
Footsteps shuffled from the room and there was more muffled talking, Ned strained to listen and sat up in bed. He heard another voice, quickly and quietly he tiptoed to the door and put his ear to it. Still muffled he put his ear to the lock, the maid spoke again.
"Yes the other one has woken. He is eating as we speak"
"Thank you Wylla, let me know when he's finished"
Ned froze, it couldn't be. He sunk to his knees, Lyanna?
He threw his fists against the door violently, banging with all his might to make them hear him. The footsteps ceased moving outside the door and he heard someone making directions. The door unlocked and Ned scrambled back as the door began to open. KingsGuard entered the room and pushed Ned back towards the bed, the dragon sigil was proudly across their breast. The same sigil and the same armour as the dead soldiers from the Trident.
Following the KingsGuard was Lyanna, she gracefully walked into the room and smiled when she saw her brother.
"Men sheathe your weapons, my brother will not harm me"
Several of the soldiers looked at her quizzically, and she returned a pointed look. Reluctantly they slowly lowered their weapons, Ned looked up at his sister from his knees on the floor. Tears began to stream from his eyes and he fell forward on the floor.
"Is it really you?" he said crying tears of happiness
"Ned" gushed Lyanna and she rushed forward scooping him in her arms and hugging him tightly. He cried into her shoulder and held her tightly, it took him only a few minutes until the tears settled and he felt her protruding stomach.
He looked down shocked and Lyanna smiled and rubbed her belly, "I told you our pack was changing"
Neds mouth was open, "The Godswood"
"Yes, it was real" smiled Lyanna at her brother.
Ned went to speak but she stopped him, "You nearly died out there Ned. Why did you only bring one man with you? If it wasn't for me you would've died in that storm, like your horse"
Ned was stunned, "You?"
Lyanna nodded and slowly stood, helping Ned to sit on his bed, "I saw you lost in the storm and I sent my men to retrieve you. You were both practically dead," she pressed a hand to his forehead, "and you're still not well enough for too much talking. Lie down," she commanded, "we will discuss everything when you're well. Now is not the time"
"Your men?" asked Ned weakly.
"We serve the Rightful King and Queen" spoke a soldier beside Ned, "our job is to protect the Queen"
Ned looked around him, he knew these faces. They were the more famous KingsGuard members, all known supporters of Rhaegar. He sank into his bed obeying Lyanna, he did feel weak and his face was pale.
"Eat," said Lyanna firmly, "I'm going to check on Howland and I'll return later"
She ran a hand over her stomach, "You arrived just in time Ned, to meet your nephew"
Neds eyes took in his sisters pregnant form, he smiled weakly tears slipping from his eye, "I wouldn't miss meeting him for the world"
Lyanna smiled warmly, "Wylla, stay here and ensure my brother eats his dinner. He doesn't always listen to me"
Without another word she left the room, her long white gown streaming behind her. Ned sat back in shock as the guards filtered out, Ser Dayne looked back with a sly smile at Neds face.
Obediently Ned opened his mouth and allowed Wylla to feed him a deliciously warming but slightly spicy Dornish broth. All the while he ate he processed what had just happened to him, he was overjoyed in his heart though. He had found her, at last he knew Lyanna was alive.
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Night came and with it a welcoming coolness, whatever was in that broth had strengthened Ned considerably. Within a few hours he was itching to be up and walking around, he gazed out his window into the night. He wondered what was happening in Westeros, part of him didn't want to know, part of him actually didn't want to go back. He'd grown tired of the rebellion, it did nothing to abate the grief of his father and brothers murder. Even Rhaegar's death didn't satisfy what he thought revenge would give him, if anything it made the hole gape wider. The lock to his door clicked and Wylla entered carrying another tray of broth, this time accompanied by some poultry. The scent permeated the room and made Neds stomach growl in hunger, he crossed the room sat ready to eat waving away Wyllas attempts to assist him.
"I'm strong enough to feed myself now thank you Wylla" said Ned firmly but politely.
Wylla dipped her head, "That is good my Lord, please let me know if you require anything"
"Where are you from Wylla? You're Dornish, how did you come to serve my sister?"
Wylla smiled but kept her face averted respectfully while Ned ate, "I am the youngest of Lord Fowlers children. My sisters Jeyne and Jennelyn spend most of their time as wards with the Martells, they return home often but prefer to be in Sunspear with Arianne. They're all quite close. My father has children to various women, I am the youngest and least likely to be in any position of power. He offered me to take up service with the Queen and I agreed"
Ned ate as she spoke and didn't interrupt her, not even when she referred to Lyanna as the Queen.
"I met your Father recently" replied Ned simply
Wylla smirked a little, "I'm sure it was a wonderful experience. He's very welcoming and friendly"
Ned laughed as Wylla began to clear away the empty dishes, Ned was hungrier than he realised as dinner did not last long at all.
Ned wanted to ask more questions of Wylla but felt awkward about pressing her for more, she swiftly collected the tray and began to leave. She hesitated when she reached the door and turned back, "My Lady has asked me to let you know your door will no longer be locked now you're well. The Tower is beautiful especially at night when it's cool. Enjoy some fresh air this evening my Lord"
And with a smile Wylla disappeared into the coridoor with the tray clinking in her hand. Ned reclined on his bed momentarily mulling over what she had said about her noble heritage. He eyed the open door to his room, and after his dinner settled exited the confines of his room to explore the Tower.
All was quiet except for the echo of Neds footsteps in the stairwell, with no plan of where to start he made his way to the bottom of the Tower. He passed rooms around him as he made his way down, and at the bottom he discovered a set of stairs leading further down underground. A cool breeze blew into the stairwell luring Ned outside, he stepped into the cool night and looked around. The KingGuard stood guard, their armour glistening in the moonlight, Ned wandered out of the tower drinking in deep breaths of the cool night air. He came to stand by one of the KingsGuard, Ser Arthur Dayne. The knight did not acknowledge him or turn to look at him.
"Which one of you do I have to thank for getting us out of the desert?" asked Ned after staring up at the night sky for several minutes.
"Thank your sister," replied Ser Arthur curtly, "we follow her orders. If she had decided to leave you there no one would've come"
Ned looked amused, he should've known not to expect a warm welcome from Rhaegar's most loyal guards. Rather than responding Ned simply looked around, the Tower was breathtaking at night rising out of a ridge of enormous rocks.
He turned to re-enter the Tower, "I know you don't care for my gratitude, or if I live or die. There's been enough bloodshed in this war, but its over now. Thank you for saving me so I can find my sister"
Ser Arthur didn't respond, he just continued to stand guard and stare into the night, it was the only response Ned expected anyway. As he entered the Tower to continue exploring a loud scream sounded through the night. Ned heard the rushing of guards behind him, he took off up the tower where the scream had come from. His feet clattered on the stairwell, and so did the boots of the kingsguards behind him. At the top of the stairs was a door, Ned kicked it down and ran into the room. Lyanna was bleeding and grimacing in pain, Wylla was by her side trying to assist her. Ned looked around, Wylla looked helpless.
"Wylla," said Ned breathlessly, "go get some blankets and a pitcher of water, now!"
She scurried off and Ned crossed the room grasping Lyannas hand, she was panting in between contractions. Suddenly her body convulsed with pain, Ned looked up at the Kingsguard littering the doorway.
"Go back down and stand guard," said Ned, "Im not leaving her side"
"We don't take orders from you" said one guard gruffly
Ned looked exasperated, "Leave one guard here to make sure I don't hurt your Queen. But I'm not leaving my sister"
Ser Arthur looked at the guards and wordlessly ordered them to leave, one guard remained all the others returned to their posts.
Ned ignored the guard who watched his every move, but Ned didn't give a shit. All that mattered was his sister.
Instinct took over Ned, he remembered when their mother had Benjen and he heard the maids talking about how they helped her during the birth. So Ned tried to help Lyanna, he supported her so she could walk in between contractions, rubbed her back when she was in pain and kept reminding her she was doing great.
At one point she laughed when the contraction had subsided, "Who would've thought you would be a good person to assist during a birthing?"
Ned went to reply but Lyanna scrunched her face in pain again and doubled down to bear the contraction. Ned hated seeing her in pain but he hated feeling helpless more. Wylla returned with the water and blankets, Ned poured Lyanna some water and pushed a cup to her mouth, she took several sips before pushing it away. He covered her when she shivered which she hugged close to her body before she started sweating and threw it across the room. This went on for hours.
Ned noticed the pains worsening, and no baby arriving, he started to worry. Childbirth claimed countless women daily, he paced the room as she grimaced and cried in pain again. Yet still no baby came, Ned could tell Lyanna was weakening and the bleeding was worsening. He didn't know if that was normal but by the look of worry across Wyllas face he gauged that it was not. Lyannas contraction died down and Ned rushed to assist her to settle on her side, he smoothed her hair back and offered some water which she obliged.
While Lyanna was drinking Ned glanced up and caught Wyllas gaze, she looked on sadly and when she looked at Ned shook her head slightly.
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The labour dragged on for hours, but Lyanna didn't know this much time had passed. Her strength was waning and she had almost forgotten the point of what was happening. The pain dragged on and on, she saw the blood pooling around her legs. She also saw Neds demeanour change, and Wyllas as well. Her birth companions were worried and this didn't escape Lyanna, snippets of their thoughts whirled in her mind and she wanted to scream at them to stop. But just when she went to open her mouth the pains dragged the words from her mouth and replaced them with agonised screams. She gripped anything she could grab as she felt the babe moving down lower, but still he didn't come further.
The pain subsided and Ned helped her lay on her side and drink some water, after having her eyes closed and focused on labour for so long the brightness of the room stung. As she drank her eyes opened slightly and she saw Ned gazing at Wylla, worry etched across his face. She saw the slight shake of Wyllas head and the look of resignation on her face. A strange feeling grew in Lyannas gut, it was a mixture of certainty she would die and a determination to live. She opened her mouth to speak but the force of the contraction hit her so hard she was jerked up to a sitting position. Screams rang from her mouth, and a fire rose within. Flames of fire and ice swirled through Lyannas body as her refusal to die on the birthing bed burned brightly. The contractions were still painful, but Lyannas determination exploded from her body. She roared loudly as the contraction rippled from her body, the energy built up to a crescendo and sent powerful shockwaves through the room. Wylla was knocked against the wall and Ned who was closest to Lyanna was sent crashing across the room and smashed the door with the force of his body.
The fire had risen in Lyanna, her eyes burned brightly with a fiery mix of orange and blue, sparks crackled from her fingertips. Silently she prayed to the old Gods and told herself, not today, I will not die today. She instantly felt the change within her and the shift gave her renewed energy, between contractions she paced the room and when the contractions returned she would assume various positions. Whatever her body wanted to do, she did it no matter how unusual.
Ned and Wylla had regained their footing and Ned had brushed off the shards of wood from crashing through the door. They both looked in surprise as Lyanna took control of her birthing, a short time later she climbed onto the bed and grimaced. Wylla motioned to Ned to go alongside Lyanna, he obliged and grasped her hand. Lyanna strained and panted for what felt like the longest time, Wylla smiled, "Keep going my Lady, yes keep going"
Lyanna didn't respond she just kept the pace, a moment later Wylla grabbed Neds hand and dragged him towards Lyannas feet. This was the last place he wanted to be, but he let Wylla direct him as the baby's head was crowning. Wylla held her hands out as if to catch the babe, "Do this, and I'll help him come out"
Gently Wylla braced the babes head as he made his way into the world, Ned forgot what he was looking at as the babe plopped into his hand slippery and blue. For a moment he stared in shock and surprise, he was holding a baby, his sisters and Rhaegar's baby. Quickly Wylla grasped the babe and massaged his chest, clearing the airways. Neds gaze followed but was cut short by a cry from Lyanna, blood poured from her and she grimaced grasping the bed in agony. He ran to her side, "What is it?" he hissed in panic, "Tell me"
But Lyanna said nothing just cried out in pain and gestured once to her feet, confused Ned followed her gesture and nearly fell over in surprise. Quickly he copied the action of Wylla and braced the head of the second babe.
"Push" he said instinctively and Lyanna grimaced, and rolled her head. She was weakening again, Ned thought he was going to lose her.
"Do it again Lyanna, whatever you did before. You woke something," he was trying to get her to use whatever that explosive energy was, but didn't know how to phrase it. Then he had an idea, "Embrace the wolf within Lyanna, get this babe out"
Lyanna opened her eyes and they gazed at one another for a moment, to Neds amazement energy crackled and hissed from Lyannas hands. She tilted her head back and howled, the energy sunk into her hands and with one push the child popped out with such force Ned almost dropped her. Lyanna lay panting and laughed a little at the relief she felt, she lost consciousness for several long minutes from exhaustion. Yet the energy still crackled up and down her body the entire time.
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Ned hadn't recovered from the shock of being involved with a birth, he cradled his niece who stared up at him with big purple eyes. Her hair was thick, silver and flecked with dark streaks that was unlike any shade of hair he had seen in his life. The first born babe cried from across the room and Ned turned at the sound, the babe was naked and kicking around with an angry look on his face. Wylla looked at the babes, relief and happiness across her face.
"I will attend the Queen, if you will tend to the babes?" she asked quietly
"Will she be ok?" asked Ned weakly as he looked at Lyanna passed out on the bed.
Wylla followed his gaze, "I will check her and send for a nurse from my Family home. I have some medicine here if needed, I can't say for sure but nobody in our land has died from childbirth in many years"
Ned smiled grimly, "Probably the only place in the Kingdom where that happens"
He sat by the boy and cradled his sister in his right arm, with his free arm he wrapped the boy and stroked his head. The babe opened his eyes and looked at his Uncle, the gaze was powerful and charged. Grey eyes staring into Grey eyes, his mop of dark hair slicked back against his head still wet from birthing. This child couldn't look any more of the North, while the other couldn't be any more Targaryen except for the dark streaks in her hair. For the longest time Ned was lost in the moment gazing at his sisters children, the newest members of his House. Lyanna was right, the pack had changed and grown which grew an intense urge of protection within Ned. He felt the wolf within him growing and in his minds eye saw a dire wolf in the snow. It gazed at him for the longest time, as Ned gazed at the children the wolf gazed at him. The wind and snow howled around the wolf and Ned felt strange being split in two at once. After some time the wolf lifted her muzzle to the sky and howled, lightning struck across the sky and the connection was severed. Back in Dorne Ned looked around, what the hell was that?
Ned looked across to Wylla, the nurse had arrived at some point and was tending to Lyanna. Ned kept an eye on them and Wylla noticed, she slipped away and smiling came and scooped up the first born. The whole time the babe watched her intently, Wylla signalled for Ned to follow her and they brought the babes to Lyanna.
"My Queen," said Wylla sweetly, "your children, a boy your first born and a daughter your second born"
Lyanna was sitting up in bed, slowly she opened her eyes and smiled weakly.
"My babies," she said softly her arms out beckoning for them, "give them to me"
Reluctantly Ned and Wylla placed the babes in her arms, she smiled down lovingly at them and stared at them for the longest time. She looked up at Ned, "Brother, meet the newest members of our pack. Baelor Eddard Targaryen," she passed the babe to Ned and looked down at her daughter, "and Rhaena Lyarra Targaryen"
She stroked the babes hair and gently handed her to Wylla, Ned froze as he looked over his sister. She was pale and looked sleepy, the moment she handed the babe to Wylla she began to close her eyes.
"I must go now" she said slowly, her eyes closing rapidly. Ned started forward but Wylla shot her arm out and brought him to a stop.
"No," she said simply.
"What are you doing Wylla? She's dying!"
"She's not dying, she's exhausted. She will sleep, for how long I'm not sure but-" she looked up to Ned, "until she wakes we are in charge of the babes"
Ned looked down at the babe and back at his sister, Wylla was right, even though Lyanna looked dead he could see her rib cage moving up and down as she lay in recovery.
Ned and Wylla were in charge of the babes for over a week, despite his best attempts and Wylla's protests not to disturb her, Lyanna did not wake.
Ned paced his room with Baelor in his arm, the boy nestled perfectly in the crook of his arm, Ned was growing to love the boy as his own they spent so much time together.
"Has she done this before?" interrogated Ned as Wylla had Rhaena on the breast.
"Yes, several times during her pregnancy" replied the nurse not looking up, Ned looked down in frustration at the babe nestled in his arm. Softening he sat and laid the boy on his legs and stared down at him, smiling he let the babe grasp his hand. The little hand gripping tightly onto one of Ned's fingers, warm and tight made his heart melt.
"Ah lad, you've got all of the North in you"
Baelor smiled at Ned, and gurgled as he kicked his legs.
Across the room Rhaena cried momentarily as she swapped breasts with Wylla. Ned glanced across at the maid, "You've had a babe before"
Heat rose in the maids face yet she replied quietly, "Yes, I had a babe once"
Ned looked curious, "Had?"
Wylla nodded, "There was a boy, in the castle and we," she started but stopped momentarily, "I went against my father and lay with him. I didn't know my father had already planned to give me away to some other Dornish house, he wasn't pleased when I was with babe"
"Where is the babe now?"
"Dead" answered Wylla quietly, "they told me the babe fell ill. But I don't believe them, my father finds ways to pay you back for going against him. My son was likely murdered"
Ned swallowed thickly, he honestly didn't know what to say, he wasn't expecting this.
"I'm sorry Wylla" he managed to say in response. The girl wiped her eyes quickly and shook her head.
"It brought me here, freed me from that place. Now I will follow the Queen wherever she goes and I will gladly go to be as far away from him as possible" she did not attempt to hide the bitterness in her voice. Gently she wrapped Rhaena in a white blanket covered in golden three headed dragons. She brought the content girl over to rest in Neds arms and Wylla picked up Baelor and proceeded to feed him next, the boy hungrily drank for a time and burped loudly at the end. Ned laughed a little and Rhaena stirred, he looked down at the babe and noted how pretty and delicate her features were, her long eyelashes and pretty face. Internally he sighed, another pretty noble girl that would have a difficult road ahead. With Rhaegar gone what was next for the little family? Westeros was not safe for them, not even the North would be able to conceal them. Ned felt worry rise in his gut.
"Where is my sister going from here Wylla?"
Wylla shrugged as she dressed Baelor, "My King did not give me the details I'm just a hand maid"
"Did he tell you or Lyanna anything?"
"You'll have to ask your sister, the only thing he said to me was that I could trust you"
Baelor grunted and blew raspberries as Wylla tickled his belly, Ned sharpened his focus.
"Me? Rhaegar said you could trust me? Why would he have said that?"
"He knew you would come eventually. He said nothing else to me and I know better than to ask"
Instantly in Neds mind the last time he saw a Rhaegar at the Trident came to mind, the sickening crunch, the flying rubies, his body disappearing under the water never to be found again. Ned hung his head as Wyllas words washed over him, and all he felt was guilt as his eyes rested on Rhaena's face.
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The moment Lyanna closed her eyes knowing her children were in safe hands she fell into the deepest, restful sleep. She felt her body relishing the chance to recover from a long arduous birth and working immense magic to keep herself alive. Despite being engulfed in darkness she felt the sensation of falling, constant falling and she waited to hit the bottom of wherever she was. Faces and voices echoed around her, the sound of fighting, screaming, horses dying, a man screaming 'burn them all', a city going up in green flames, another city with a pyramid under attack, a pink marble city deserted, a woman laughing maniacally with golden hair, then screeches sung all around her and dragons danced around her as if they meant to fly into her body. They swirled and danced all around her forming a cocoon of light, it got brighter and brighter until everything burst into trillions of golden crystals and they fell around her feet. Immediately Lyanna felt the sting of cold air on her skin, snow underfoot and a desolate rocky landscape. She turned and looked all around her, then bent down and touched the snow, it felt as real as it looked. Lyanna tentatively took a few steps forward and stopped abruptly, over the ridge she saw a towering ice castle. All her instincts were telling her to run, for once she decided to listen to them and turned to walk away. As she turned she froze, a few feet away stood a wolf, a dire wolf in fact staring straight at her. Suddenly unafraid Lyanna stepped forward until the wolf growled and she hesitated but after a moment she lifted her chin and continued forward. The sigil of her House would not attack her, she came to stand in front of the wolf which was larger than usual. Her eyes seemed familiar and there was warmth in them, Lyanna knelt and gazed into the wolfs eyes. Behind her she heard the slightest movement and smelt a smell that was like dead, she turned her head and the blood froze in her veins. A group of undead stood staring at Lyanna and the wolf, their leader was different clearly not human with long icy white hair and piercing blue eyes with wrinkled white skin. Just laying eyes on this being rocked Lyanna to her core, there was nothing in those eyes except the cold and death. The thing screeched and before Lyanna knew it the dead advanced at a frightening pace. Fear rose within her and she sharply inhaled, before she knew it she was inside the wolf racing at speed away from the glittering ice castle. The scrambling and screeching of the undead shook Lyanna, they were close so close she could smell them and their stench made the wolfs nose coil in displeasure. Without warning the wolf leapt into the trees and changed into the shape of an eagle, the undead tried to follow scrabbling up the tree trunks in the frozen wasteland in chase. But the Eagle soared away leaving the dead fighting over each other in the branches. Lyanna was very confused, she struggled in the bird form but the energy of the wolf calmed her. The eagle soared in a wide arc and Lyanna saw the being commanding the undead watching the trees where it thought they were. It wasn't watching the sky, the eagle directed itself back to the being watching the trees. Coming from behind Lyanna could clearly see the being in front of them, at the point of impact the eagle shifted into the shape of a human. A woman leapt from the shape of the eagle and slashing downward with a black dagger the being erupted into thousands of ice crystals.
The eruption caused the undead screeching around the trees to immediately silence and fall, albeit in pieces of rotted bodies to the floor. Thousands of pieces fell to the snow with thuds and afterward the valley was silent again. The shapeshifter woman had gone back into the shape of the wolf, it turned and gazed at Lyanna before turning and leaving the clearing stepping carefully over the remains of whatever that being was. Lyanna followed and steered clear of the crystals fallen in the snow also, she followed the wolf until she came to a cave that looked out over a valley. The wolf stood on the precipice of the cliff and gazed across the icy land, she howled loudly and long. After a moment thousands of howls answered her and Lyanna saw the enormous wolf pack living amongst the caves and forest. She looked to the wolf, it was dark brown flecked with white streaks that reminded her of Rhaena's hair. Suddenly her heart jumped she had to get back to her babies, pulling herself back to the moment she looked at the wolf who was gazing at her again. Kneeling she pressed her forehead close to the wolf's and they touched foreheads. But this time looking into the wolfs eyes she saw sadness, and before she could do anything further the wolf dissipated into the darkness.
Next the Trident formed in her mind, the fight was raging but in slow motion. She looked all around for him, where is Rhaegar? It didn't her long to find them fighting in the water of the mighty river. She cried out in horror as she saw the war hammer swung into her husbands chest and he disappeared beneath the water. She ran into the water searching frantically for Rhaegar, tears streaming from her face that turned to rubies when they hit the water. Hundreds of rubies washed up on the shore, all of which were Lyannas tears. She dived into the water to look for Rhaegar but it was muddy and she couldn't see anything. In her mind she remembered the wolf, was it the wolf that shape shifted or her? Next moment she was swimming in the Trident, a long silver fish looking for her human husband. Every now and then she could catch a scent of him as though she was following a trail but it was lost as she kept swimming. Reverting back to her body she burst through the surface and paddled to the shore, crawling from the water she felt broken. Where had her husband gone? She caught his scent in the air again, but it disappeared as fast as the wind changed. It was infuriating and devastating, they both had been so sure he would return to her. Sitting on the bank of the Trident Lyanna cried as she missed her babies and her husband all at once. Under her fingertips she began to feel the pulse of a heartbeat, the ground pulsed under her hands. Slowly she runs her hands along the ground and felt the heartbeat getting weak. She moved her hands back and the beating got stronger, she can smell earth all around her. Running her hand along the ground she follows the heartbeat until she reaches a tall and thick grove of weirwoods growing wild by the bank of the Trident. The heartbeat continued and she smelt the scent of Rhaegar again, bounding towards the trees she looks for him all around. She can feel him, she knows he's here. Closing her eyes she smells the earthy smell again and shape shifts into a wolf, the scent amplifies and she follows the scent muzzle to the ground. Squeezing through a hole in the roots of the Weirwood grove the wolf burst through from the surface and blindly follows the scent trail. As the wolf runs the sound of babies crying echo all around her, she stops in the darkness and listens. She can smell the scent of Rhaegar clearly, he's close, but also the sound of her babies calling pulls her in the opposite direction. The wolf steps towards Rhaegar's scent and the cries get quieter, but a step towards the cries they get louder. The wolf whines and stands rooted to the spot, nose sniffing and ears swivelling. In her mind Lyanna is confused for a moment, I have to choose she realises with a sinking heart. Bursting into a run the wolf tears back to the surface towards the children, crawling out from the roots the light of day is momentarily blinding. Shifting back to her human form Lyanna is lying amongst the weirwood roots feeling seasick from changing shape so many times. Exhausted from the visions and magic she collapses amongst the weirwood roots while the sound of the babies crying ring loudly all around her. Lyanna runs her hand along the roots that swirl underneath her and immediately everything returns to black, except this time she's not falling. Out of nowhere golden threads of light encase her in a golden cocoon, overhead a golden dragon soars and bathes her body in shimmering golden light. The fire and the cocoon permeate every cell of her body, and as quick as it came it dissipated into blackness again. But now the sound of the sea could be heard, Lyanna opened her eyes and looked around. She was on a beach, no one was around behind her was a town with a castle but she couldn't make out the sigil on the flags. The sound of children's laughter could be heard in the distance, she sat up slowly sand covered her where she had laid. Bracing her head which was pounding she looked at her immediate surroundings. The only thing aside from the sand she was laying on was driftwood, washing up on the beach. The waves would break and deposit more wood up the beach, a loud screech sounded above her and looking up a massive silver dragon regarded her with silver eyes. The world fell away and all sounds became muffled, she reached out a hand and touched the dragon. It was real, Lyanna slowly stood and ran her hands along the dragons form. It landed next to her and wrapped its large form around her, she looked around in amazement. She felt the urge to climb and gingerly began climbing, internally praying she wouldn't get roasted for trying. Once she settled between the spikes, she had a bigger vantage point of where she was but still the sigil on the flags kept eluding her. She squinted to look but the dragon screeched and launched into the air, flying away from the island. The sensation of flying was frightening and exhilarating at the same time after a period of time Lyanna leaned forward and grasped the spikes which saved her from the worst of the wind and warmed her by being closer to the dragons body. The beat of the wings and the gushing air became enjoyable and the dragon continued to fly on. After a time the dragon screeched long and loud, approaching a thick mist. The mist engulfed the pair and Lyanna struggled to see, suddenly the dragon circled lower and lower to land. But where? When the enormous body of the dragon landed Lyanna looked around to see where they were, tentatively she climbed down and looked all around her. There was nothing but rock and rubble around her, as the dust settles from their landing shapes began to appear in the mist shuffling towards her. Lyanna gasped, stone men surrounded her and the dragon approaching and getting closer. Not knowing what else to do she threw up a huge wall of blue icy fire and sent it rippling through the legions of stone men advancing on them. Momentarily it stopped them in their tracks washing through and over them, but after a short time they continued. One of them was reaching out to her, hissing and gargling a horrific sound. Desperation washed over her and the will to live took over, she roared with intensity and felt the power shoot up through her feet. It filled her body and spilled out all around her in a cocoon of purple fiery light, as the stone men was about to grasp her throat a second wave of flame magic burst from her body. This time it was a shimmering purple and brought all the stone men to their knees. The waves of purple energy emanated out of her body continuously showering the attackers with the powerful energy. Lyanna opened her eyes and watched in shock as the stone men began to dissolve on the wind. Melting away the Stoney exterior revealed men underneath, and with a shock Lyanna saw the man closest to her revealed. Rhaegar?
Quickly she knelt to see her husband, "Rhaegar!" she screamed.
He looked up at her, eyes burning bright and spoke, "You woke the dragon"
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Over a week since the birth of the babes had passed and Ned was getting restless. If she didn't wake soon he would take her North regardless, somehow he would hide her and the children. He refused to remain this far from home much longer. Cradling both babes on his lap as he gazed out of the tower window Ned dozed, eyes closed lightly the three of them rested in the warmth of the sun. Ned dreamt of many things, but she always dominated his dreams, those big bright purple eyes and the ivory skin. Their brief encounter on the dance floor was a moment in time he always wished he could relive which was cut brutally short by Brandon. A flame of irritation burned in Ned, Brandon was a sore point for him secretly. But he darent speak of his feelings aloud, it would do no good to speak badly of his deceased brother. But that night in that moment, he wanted to rip his throat out of his neck.
Footsteps approaching fast stirred Ned slightly and he shifted his weight a little causing little Rhaena to squeak in displeasure. Wylla burst into his quarters, breathless and smiling.
"Lady Lyanna is awake!"
Neds heart leapt, Wylla bounded forward and scooped up the babes and scurried from the room. Taking the Queen her children, smiling broadly.
Ned followed close behind eager to see his sister alive and well, entering the room she looked refreshed and blissful. Her arms were open wide for the babies and she covered them with soft kisses the moment she cradled them. Wylla assisted to latch the babes on Lyannas breast and she cradled them happily watching them feed. Ned sat by the bed and waited for Lyanna to speak first, after all this time of waiting he wasn't exactly sure what should be said.
Lyanna looked at him after a short period of time gazing lovingly at the children, "I told you once you'd know everything when it was the right time"
Ned looked up at her and met her gaze, smiling slightly "I remember"
"Well now is that time"
Lyanna began to speak, from the start she told Ned every detail and left nothing out not even if it was uncomfortable for Ned to hear. She spoke of the Tourney, meeting Elia and Rhaegar and how things developed from there. She told him she had corresponded with both Elia and Rhaegar, and how she came to escape the castle. Everything that had happened to her the whole time he had been fighting a war to avenge their family she told him. At the end he sat for a moment and let her words sink in, some of it he was shocked by and some of it made sense when he heard it.
"I had no idea any of this happened, you were friends with Elia?"
Lyanna nodded and produced a piece of parchment, a letter from Elia addressed to Lyanna and discussing much of what Ned had just heard. He scanned the letter and handed it back to his sister, it had the Martell and Targaryen seal at the bottom.
"What now Lyanna? You can't stay here and hide forever, we need to go home"
"Not me Ned, I can't go back there. I have to find my husband"
"Lyanna I don't know how to tell you this but Rhaegar is-"
"Not dead"
"Lyanna, I saw it! There's no way he could've survived something like that"
"Ned you need to trust me, I saw him in a vision he's alive"
Frustrated Ned stood and paced the room, but Lyanna remained firm.
"Ned after what you've seen recently is it so hard to believe?"
She held out her hand and called every flame from the candles around the room to her hand, the flames danced on her hand before exploding into a purple shimmery light. The light grew until it became a huge dire wolf by Lyannas left side, then a flame broke off from the wolf and grew on her palm again before forming the shape of a fire dragon and standing on Lyannas right side.
Ned swore, "How can you do that?"
Lyanna smiled, "Old Nan told me there is magic in our blood Ned, waiting to be awoken. Something in Rhaegar woke that in me, we are connected and bound by this magic. That's how I know he's alive"
Knowing better than to argue with his sister when she has something in her mind, Ned conceded "What will you do? And what do you want me to do? Because I know you've got something planned for me too"
Lyanna smiled and kissed the top of Baelors head and momentarily closed her eyes, before handing the babe to Wylla. She then handed the babe to Ned.
"Take him North Ned, raise him at Winterfell. He must learn the ways of the Starks"
Ned held the babe in shock, "What? I don't understand"
"His destiny lies in the North and as much as it kills me to part with my first born son we will meet again"
Ned looked down at the boy who he had grown to love immensely and swallowed thickly, "How will I convince my wife?"
"You're Warden of the North, you'll convince her"
Ned hugged the boy close, deep down he would've missed him terribly if they had parted ways. The little boy snuggled against Neds neck his warmth was comforting.
"I can't call him Baelor in the North Lyanna," chuckled Ned, "you didn't exactly pick the best name to hide him"
"You choose a name for him then, but he will learn his real name one day"
Ned nodded, it was overwhelming what was ahead of him, being responsible for Rhaegar's son. It was certainly some kind of payback for the trident.
"What about you? You have a home, come home soon"
Lyanna shook her head, "No, my path lies elsewhere. Don't worry for me brother, we will be fine" she snuggled up to Rhaena, "but for now you will take this," she signalled to Wylla who brought forward a sword, "you will go to Starfall and take this to Ashara, use it as payment for our passage out of Westeros"
Ned looked dumbfounded, "This is Ser Arthur's blade, she will think we killed him!"
"Take it as passage to pay for our boat, and go now"
"Now?" said Ned incredulously.
"Yes," smiled Lyanna, "take Wylla and Howland, leave now. You'll reach Starfall by sun down"
Ned was confused, he didn't know why he was doing her bidding but something in him told him to do it. After a moment of feeling conflicted Ned looked at Lyanna again.
"Promise me you'll come home someday"
"We will return to Westeros dear brother, Winter will come bringing Fire and Blood"
Ned didn't like her ominous words, was it a threat?
"Have faith brother, go home build your life and your family. Don't forget me"
"How could I?" replied Ned with tears stinging his eyes, he had moved mountains to find her and she was going to disappear again. But in his heart he knew it would be impossible to hide her forever, she was not the type to be hidden anyway.
Wylla stepped forward, "I will ready the horses with Howland," she dipped her head to Lyanna, "my Lady"
Lyanna smiled, "I will see you soon Wylla, just as we discussed"
Wylla smiled and nodded, Lyanna handed her the letter from Elia, "Give this to Ashara she will know what to do with it"
Wylla took the note and left the room leaving Ned with Lyanna and the babes. Ned sat on Lyannas bed and grasped her hand.
"The pack survives" said Ned quietly and Lyanna smiled warmly.
"And the lone wolf dies" she concluded.
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Approaching Starfall Ned felt more and more nervous. He hadn't seen Ashara since that night at the Tourney and now he was coming to her home with her brothers blade. Lyanna didn't give him any pointers how to handle this situation just take the sword and pay for our passage. Despite the misgivings in his heart he did it, he would do anything for his sister. Ned looked across at Wylla who carried his nephew, now adopted son. He still needed to think of a name for him, a Northern name to make it believable he would lay with another than his wife and create a life.
The castle of Starfall rose out of the terrain standing proudly on an island, the stunning white turrets and flapping banners of House Dayne did little to ease Neds nerves. They were given passage and escorted to private chambers, Ned was confused. Usually nobility received guests in the Main Hall. After a long period of waiting by which Baelor had fed and slept the door opened and Ashara entered followed by her guards.
Her face was passive and didn't show any pleasure at seeing Ned his heart sunk.
"Lord Stark," spoke Ashara, "you're certainly a long way from Winterfell, what brings you to Starfall?"
Ned cleared his throat and stood to speak, "Ashara-,"
"Lady Ashara," growled the knight closest to her.
Ashara laughed a little, "Thank you Ser, Ned and I are familiar. I take no offence, continue Ned"
"Ashara," continued Ned, "we have come to request your assistance in organising passage, we have brought this to you"
Howland stepped forward and unwrapped the sword
Ashara looked shocked, "Why do you have my brothers blade?" she demanded, fire rising in her cheeks immediately.
Ned struggled to think of a reasonable explanation as to why and the fury across Asharas face grew.
"The only way you could've gotten this was to kill him. Is my brother dead?"
"Uh no, no of course he isn't" stammered Ned
Ashara seethed, "Guards, take the maid and the babe to the nursery"
Neds face drained of colour, not Baelor!
He tried to speak but the words wouldn't come.
"Ashara listen please, can we talk alone?"
The guards laughed, "Speak alone? After you killed my brother?" hissed Ashara furiously.
"No, no please listen. Your brother is nearby, perfectly fine"
"Arrest them! Throw them in the dungeons until I can verify whether my brother lives or is dead"
Guards descended upon Ned and Howland swarming them and marching them straight to the dungeon. Ned swore to himself, surely he could've handled that better. He was caught off guard by how frosty Ashara was compared to last time they met. What had changed?
Wylla and Baelor were escorted under guard to the nursery where Wylla settled the babe and sat awaiting their fate. She knew Ashara for many years and something wasn't right here, it was uncharacteristic for Ashara to be so unwelcoming. The doors to the nursery opened and Ashara entered looking stressed, she sat across from Wylla and signalled to the maids. They brought a baby over to Ashara and she proceeded to feed the babe and glared at Wylla.
"I swore I would never entertain a Stark man again," she said bitterly as the babe sucked at the breast. Wylla didn't know what to say, she was shocked at the appearance of a baby. Nobody knew Ashara had been pregnant.
Asharas eyes filled with tears and she cried for several moments, Wylla wanted to hug her but after her fury in the previous room she didn't want to overstep.
"Why have you come here?" asked Ashara through tears, "it's bad enough I have to deal with looking at the babe of Ned Starks brother for the rest of my life. Now he's here under my roof!"
Wylla shifted uncomfortably, "I'm not sure what's happened Lady Ashara, but I have this for you. Lady Lyanna asked me to pass this to you"
Wylla handed Ashara the correspondence from Elia, and she read it with her eyebrow raised in surprise.
"Elia knew and agreed," mumbled Ashara, "this doesn't explain my brothers sword. Where is he?" she demanded.
Wylla sighed, "He is alive, the sword is to buy passage for Lyanna and the loyal KingsGuard out of Westeros. Your brother is guarding the Queen"
Ashara looked exasperated, "Why didn't Ned just bloody say that!"
Wylla smiled slightly, "You know why"
Ashara made a face, "Bloody men"
Wylla laughed a little and Ashara joined her, the two women sat in the nursery with babes at their breast.
"In Lord Starks defence," started Wylla to which Ashara mumbled 'this will be bloody good'
"He's not from Dorne," continued Wylla, "he didn't know those guards are trusted guards."
Ashara smiled at Wylla, "yes you are right. I'll let him sit in the dungeon a while longer"
"Ashara, can I ask about the babe?"
"No you can't," said Ashara abruptly, "and you'll keep this to yourself for now"
Wylla nodded, she knew a sore point when she saw one and left it alone.
Ned and Howland in the meantime sat in the dark cold dungeon cramped against one another.
"Why didn't you tell her Ned?" asked Howland quietly.
"Those purple fucking eyes" muttered Ned which Howland chuckled at.
"Well you're going to have to talk to her again at some point, we are imprisoned in her castle after all"
Ned didn't reply because he knew Howland was right, he did have to talk to her, the woman he loved who didn't know how he felt. He would've preferred to go into battle again than face that conversation.
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