Rhaegar watched as Lyanna Stark rode alongside the wheelhouse, her long dark hair braided together at her back. The walls of Duskendale rose in front of them, perhaps a mile away, and even further ahead lay Blackwater Bay. He could hear the gulls crying out in the sky above them, could hear the waves pounding the sea cliffs.
And at the same time, he could hear the yells and jeers of traders, the common sounds of a port town. The sails of ships rose on the horizon as the sun rose in the sky, creating a tapestry of orange and light blue.
He turned to look back at the wheelhouse as a loud giggle echoed beyond the wooden carriage and he smiled as Rhaenys peeked her head out of one of the windows.
"Papa!"
Rhaegar waved back and rode closer, urging his horse to ride alongside the wheelhouse. "My lady, you should stay in the wheelhouse. You'll catch cold!"
Rhaenys giggled and stuck out her tongue at him as Elia poked her head out too, smiling at him. "Of course I won't! Mama won't let me!"
"You should listen to her then," Rhaegar whispered, as they rode ahead, up to the gates of the city in front of them. "Elia is a smart woman."
"I am, hmm?" Elia remarked, as the guards ahead pulled to a stop, to let the gate open up ahead.
"You were the one to suggest we become friends with the Lady Stark," Rhaegar offered, frowning as he turned to glance at Lyanna. The woman had her back turned to them as she steadied her draft horse, patting the horse's neck soothingly. "I still do not know if that was a good idea."
"I see the way you look at her," Elia murmured, meeting his eyes.
Rhaegar opened his mouth to rebuke her only for Elia to put a finger to her lips, gesturing for him to stay silent.
"She… is beautiful," Elia hesitantly said, pushing Rhaenys back into the wheelhouse gently, as they started to move again. "And she's been staring up at the sky every so often ever since we left Harrenhal."
Rhaegar blinked and turned to look at Lyanna again, nodding to the gate guards. The guards were of House Darke and not of House Darklyn, since the disaster four years ago. Aerys had extinguished the line of House Darklyn with three words and Rhaegar… had begun to think about removing his father from the throne that very moment.
"You think her beautiful?" Rhaegar questioned quietly, his heart skipping a beat at the way Elia looked at him.
"This is not a conversation we should hold idly and in public," Elia answered, her eyes flicking to the guards around them, on their horses. Ser Arthur Dayne rode ahead of the procession, his white cloak flowing in the wind.
As Rhaegar watched, Lyanna glanced up at the sky again and muttered something under her breath. He didn't quite catch what she said but he wondered… She turned around in the saddle and glanced at him, her cheeks reddening slightly as she caught him looking at her. Lyanna raised an eyebrow and Rhaegar shrugged slightly, hoping to assuage her uncertainty.
Lyanna's gaze flicked from him to where Elia was still visible and then galloped ahead of the guards, meeting the gate guards and riding alongside Ser Arthur Dayne.
Lyanna sighed as they all passed through the gates, listening to the hustle of farmers and blacksmiths and smallfolk around them. The afternoon sun shone down on them, creating a warm but breezy day. They all stopped to stare at the wheelhouse behind her, to stare at the future king and queen. No one really batted an eyelash at her presence, for which she was grateful for, and she glanced at the knight of the kingsguard riding next to her.
Arthur Dayne was quiet and that was precisely what she wanted right now.
Vhagar's ghost still flew above them, above her, and she wanted nothing to do with it. The ghosts that she had encountered over the past several years could only move in predestined paths, routes, but the dragon… The ghost of Visenya's dragon continued to trail them, swooping down through the clouds and hovering over a particularly tall building.
Caraxes too flew with them, quieter than Vhagar, but no less intimidating in death and in life, she supposed. The Blood Wyrm. That was what people had called Caraxes in life. Claimed by first Aemon Targaryen, son of Jaehaerys I Targaryen, and then Daemon Targaryen. Caraxes' ghost was smaller than Vhagar, much smaller, but still big. Bigger than a horse, bigger than a house whereas Vhagar probably could match the size of Balerion.
She moved her gaze away from both ghosts and around the port town that spread out before her.
"I've never met a northern girl before," Arthur remarked, clearing his throat as they rode through the town and over to the docks. Martell guards rode around them as well, guards for Princess Elia, from Sunspear.
"I didn't expect you to have," Lyanna offered, shrugging. "Most northerners stay in the north. We tend to melt if we pass through the Neck."
Arthur turned around in the saddle and blinked at her.
Lyanna huffed out a quiet laugh and stroked the neck of her horse, appreciating his placidity. Vhagar roared loud and clear and charged right at them, flashing through homes and storefronts. Lyanna swore under her breath and held steady, her fingers tightening around the reins. The elder wand warmed in her fingers but she didn't use it.
As the wheelhouse turned down the street for the port, Vhagar's ghost hovered in the middle of the square. The ghostly she-dragon floated above them, her eerie roaring sending Lyanna's blood racing and her heart galloping in her chest. But the horses and the guards seemingly didn't notice the ghost, didn't even react, and passed right through the dragon's hide and stomach.
Lyanna pulled her horse to a stop a foot away from Vhagar's snout, a foot away from those ghostly sharp teeth, and looked Vhagar right in the eyes. The she-dragon had ghostly green eyes, still colored in death, and Lyanna waited for a moment before casually glaring at her.
Vhagar roared, opening her jaws wide enough to swallow her and her horse whole, a ball of eerie flame visible in her gullet. Lyanna spared a glance to look around her, noting that the wheelhouse had already gone past, that the Martell guards had ridden ahead of her, and met Vhagar's ghost head on. Reaching out to tap the ghost dragon on her nose, at level with it, and froze, shock still, as memories hit her like a stunning spell.
Memories and emotions flooded right into her, of flying free, on Dragonstone with her eggmates. Beating her large wings alongside Balerion and Meraxes and devouring any who dared oppose their humans. Of letting the fiercest human woman claim her first, Visenya, and taking pride in her human.
Memories flashed through at alarming speeds before finally slowing down, as Vhagar's ghost shook in front of her. Caraxes was still in the sky above them, overseeing the exchange perhaps.
And the last moment… of fighting against Caraxes, of their two humans in battle against each other. Daemon Targaryen versus Aemon Targaryen. Claws ripped into dragonhide, spilling blood. Metal striking against metal and then sliding right into flesh.
Lyanna shook and pulled her hand away like she had been shocked, her eyes wide and her heart continuing to race in her chest. "Oh, fuck."
"...Lyanna!"
She shook her head as if to get rid of the emotions that were still running rampant through her, reopening eyes that had fallen closed at some point.
Elia Martell stood right in front of her, having dismounted from the wheelhouse, her dark eyes worried. "Lyanna?"
Vhagar's ghost had vanished and Lyanna coughed out what felt like blood or fire or ash. She brought her hand up to her mouth and wiped spit from her lips, coming away with blood. Lyanna blinked and remembered the brief, bitter taste of iron, having bitten her lip while in the throes of Vhagar's memories. For a second or two she looked at Elia, still recoiling from what she had seen through Vhagar's eyes. Or her memories? Vhagar was dead though so what the fuck had that been?
She hadn't experienced this before or from… her life before as a witch. Maybe this was… a dragon thing? Or mayhaps this was a Death thing that was… "Fuck."
Elia twitched where she stood, glancing up at the woman in front of her. Lyanna's face was pale, her eyes wide, as she twitched in the saddle. Her shoulders were tense and curled inward. Elia reached out to place her fingers over Lyanna's, the memory of dancing in the hall at Harrenhal echoing in her mind.
"Lady Stark."
Lyanna jolted in the saddle and her eyes cleared up, as if Elia had drawn her away from the past. Elia watched her clear her throat once, twice, and then shuddered, her gaze going to the docks around them. They'd arrived at their ship, the one that Rhaegar had sent word ahead for. It had already been waiting for them for one night, anchored and ready to take them back to Dragonstone. The Targaryen banner flew on the mast, the red three headed dragon on black.
"I… Elia… Sorry," Lyanna finally croaked out, her dry voice shaky. "I didn't mean to make you worry."
"Do other Northern ladies swear as much as you do?" Elia teased, amusement in her voice.
Lyanna blinked at her and then huffed out a surprised laugh. "No, they don't. Sorry if I offended you."
"You did not. And do not apologize for this. You worried me," Elia offered, keeping her voice low. "Is there anything I should know?"
Lyanna tilted her head for a moment, meeting her eyes. Her skin was still pale but color was coming back, whatever scare she had taken had passed. "No. I've just never been south of the Neck before the tourney at Harrenhal."
Elia dipped her head in a nod before gazing behind her, to where Rhaegar was walking onto the deck of the ship. Rhaenys was walking right next to her father, holding onto his hand. The kid's eyes were wide as she looked around at the various sailors getting the ship ready for sailing. Rhaegar was patiently answering every question she had, his words soft spoken.
Ashara Dayne walked behind them for a few steps before stopping, glancing behind her to where Elia had fallen behind. Her purple eyes were so very vivid, more so with her dark hair, and Lyanna thought of how Ned had seemed during the tourney. She had seen Brandon go up to Ashara on behalf of Ned while she had been dancing with Elia.
"They're adorable," Lyanna murmured, dismounting from her horse and holding onto its reins.
Elia smiled and rubbed her belly, her eyes flickering with fondness. "I was bedridden for half a year after her birth. I still love her with all my heart."
Lyanna flinched at the thought. "I only heard rumors to that effect. Is there anything I can do that would help with this one?"
Elia looked away briefly, to the east where Dragonstone was, rubbing her stomach once and then twice. "I have followed what the maesters have said. Though I have not had any morning sickness with this one. I am more tired than most and exhausted easily."
Lyanna nodded, pondering her words and then hesitantly curled her hand over Elia's, pausing her movements. Elia turned back to look at her, curiosity lightening her eyes.
"Bah. What good are maesters when you have me with you now?"
Elia laughed out loud, amusement making her eyes crinkle. Lyanna grinned, warmth curling through her at making Elia laugh. "Do you have knowledge that the maesters do not?"
"Perhaps."
Elia blinked as she watched her. "I have always thought that the Citadel should allow women into their library."
Lyanna tilted her head, memories of Hermione flashing through her mind. "I had a friend who would be quite upset if she knew what it was like right now. Probably storm the Citadel and piss everyone off."
"Hmm. Could I meet this friend of yours?" Elia asked, slowly leading Lyanna towards the ship.
Lyanna dug her boots into the stone ground underneath them and looked at her horse, avoiding the question and avoiding Elia's gaze. Grief flickered through Lyanna's grey eyes briefly enough that Elia thought she hallucinated it. "Do you bring your horses with you?"
"They'll be fine here, Lady Stark," Elia offered, right as a stablehand ran over to take the reins. She noted the swift change in subject but let Lyanna lead the way, at least conversationally.
Lyanna eyed the ghost of Caraxes up in the sky before meeting Elia's eyes. "Alright."
Elia dipped her head in a nod and led the way onto the small ship. It was smaller than the royal fleet of warships but big enough to hold two cabins for them. They'd taken it from Dragonstone, for the short trip across the bay. The sails went rigid in the breeze as the sailors called out positions and readiness, as the rest of her guards came over.
"When did you start learning how to tilt?"
Lyanna blinked and turned around at the railing, peeking over at the man who had come to stand next to her. Prince Rhaegar Targaryen stood there quietly, having walked up to her side noiselessly. His silver hair was bound behind his back, with one braid framing his face. Lyanna's heart skipped a beat at his appearance, remembering facing him on the tourney field.
"I started when my brothers started," Lyanna remarked, glancing out at the bay around them and at the oncoming island. She could see Arthur out of the corner of her eyes, his dark gaze on them before moving elsewhere. Dawn was strapped to his back, the shiny, paleness of it reminding her of Gryffindor's sword. "Benjen is the only one who knows though. And maybe Ned but definitely not Brandon. He's too loud for that."
She could see Rhaegar's lips twitch up in amusement at her words. Caraxes roared out in the sky above them, beating his ghostly wings. They were very close to Dragonstone now, pulling into the small port on the island, and she could faintly see another ghost in the sky. Lyanna sighed and turned to look at Rhaegar, swallowing at the look he gave her. It was half admiration, half awe, no judgment.
"I haven't been tied with another knight in a while," Rhaegar offered, just as quietly as her.
Lyanna glanced back to the cabin where Elia was staying, listening to Rhaenys run about the deck. "I haven't actually competed in a tourney before, let alone tilt against another knight. I had just…"
Rhaegar arched an eyebrow patiently. "Just what?"
"Intended on teaching those squires a lesson," Lyanna finished, internally screaming when Caraxes was joined by another dragon. Both ghosts roared out loud, their forms looking a lot like a patronus charm but they were fainter and… She knew they were actually dead creatures. Lyanna twitched at the sight of the other red dragon, the color of its hide blinking and in and out. The second ghost was more of a golden color and she watched as it circled around the island.
"Have you explored every nook and cranny of Dragonstone?" Lyanna questioned, jerking her chin towards the small town and volcano and the keep. She idly watched as the sailors around them went about the docking chores, making sure their ship didn't run into the dock and throwing ropes down to waiting men on the docks. There was an honor guard of four Targaryen men waiting for them, all dressed in red and black, with mail armor on even though there wasn't a war on.
"I have not," Rhaegar replied, with a light shrug. "I've lived most of my life in King's Landing."
Lyanna tilted her head as she peered up at the path that trailed up to the keep from the town. "The Valyrians of old used magic to control dragons here on the island. There were also dragon hatcheries here."
"As far as I know."
Lyanna nodded. "There's no need to worry about being defeated by me in another tourney, your Grace. I have no need to compete again."
Rhaegar grinned and looked at her curiously. "I was not worried in the slightest."
Lyanna turned and headed right over to assist Elia with her belongings and Rhaenys.
"Lady Stark."
She turned around to look right into those indigo colored eyes, feeling her heart skip a beat at the sight. "Aye, that's my house."
Rhaegar blinked. "Would you like me to show you around the hidden paths of the island?"
Lyanna paused and then nodded. "I would appreciate it very much."
"Then I shall. With your interest in Valyrian magic of old."
"Hey, it's not too weird!" Lyanna exclaimed, glaring at him. "I'm just a young woman with nothing better to do."
Rhaegar snorted in disbelief. "Somehow… I doubt that."
Lyanna huffed and turned around, meeting Elia and Ashara as they walked out of their cabin. She could hear the ramps being brought out, men walking between the dock and ship.
"Something amiss?" Elia questioned, looking between Lyanna and Rhaegar, arching an eyebrow at the latter.
"No. If it's not too much trouble, Prince Rhaegar offered to take me around the hidden paths of the island," Lyanna said, picking up one of Elia's bags and assisting the other two women. Rhaenys walked between them, the dark curls of her hair just barely reaching down to her ears. "With Ashara here, you'll be well taken care of."
Elia smiled softly as she looked at her. "You said before you have an interest in Valyrian sorcery."
"It's just interest," Lyanna defended, keeping her arms to her sides as they walked down the ramp and onto the docks, onto solid ground. Her stomach still roiled faintly from being on the water but luckily, she hadn't been truly sick. The bay was mostly calm enough. But if she had to choose, she'd choose being in the open air, back on her broomstick. She sighed at the thought. "I've read everything that Winterfell's library has to offer. My friend would have been pleased with me for that but it's still… small."
"You like to read then?" Ashara asked, as their guards circled around them, flanking them, as they followed Rhaegar and Arthur.
"If I'm not forced to, yes. My septa was very confused for that, wanted me to tend to other lady like things, like sewing and bowing and… all that other nonsense."
Elia laughed quietly. "All that other nonsense?"
The sky above them remained clear and calm as they walked, blue covering their heads. The sun was bright and warm, shining down on the dock workers and on the smallfolk who waved to Rhaegar and Elia as they walked.
A passing woman even stooped to give Rhaenys a small piece of fruit, a strawberry. Rhaenys took it and smiled up at the woman, waving her small hand in thanks. Elia smiled when her daughter turned to her, delight in the girl's lilac eyes.
"Is it cold in the North?" Rhaenys asked, peering up at Lyanna as they continued walking, leaving the small village and starting up the long stone path up to the keep.
Lyanna nodded thoughtfully, smiling softly. "Aye, it is. But we have hot springs that run underneath the castle. They keep us warm even throughout the winters."
"What are… hot springs?" Rhaenys asked, stuffing the strawberry in her mouth happily in one bite.
Lyanna's grin widened at the sight of red juice spilling from Rhaenys' mouth. She'd never had the chance to have children in her past life but then… She had taken the train but not before making sure Voldemort was good and dead. Now… there was no prophecy hanging over her shoulders, no end of the world coming, no pressure to be the Chosen One, no dark lord. Now she could just be Lyanna Stark, one of four children. Nothing special. Well… nothing special except the ability to see ghosts and that was becoming more and more annoying. The two dragons had yet to leave and Vhagar's ghost hadn't come back after that moment.
"Natural water that is hot, sweetling," Elia whispered, reaching out to brush her fingers through Rhaenys' hair. "It heats the castle."
"You'd like Winterfell, I think," Lyanna offered, glancing up at the keep in front of them. Dragonstone was a huge keep, intimidating and dark but beautiful at the same time. The stone was old and dark, decorated with multiple stone dragons and gargoyles in the corners and atop towers. The Painted Table lay somewhere in there and Lyanna was definitely going to take a look at it. "It's definitely smaller than King's Landing though."
"What's Winterfell really like?" Ashara asked softly, as they continued to walk. The gates were about a couple of minutes ahead of them, bookended by two stone dragon heads. Lyanna sucked in a breath at the sight, as the men ahead of them stopped to let guards open the gates for them.
"Ashara, you just want to know because you're interested in Eddard," Elia teased, as the gates opened with a loud grating groan.
Lyanna peered through them and up to the keep itself, glancing at the entry door for a moment before turning back to Ashara and Elia.
Rhaenys ran ahead to curl her fingers into Rhaegar's open hand again. Rhaegar peered down at her and smiled, picking her up and pointing at things to explain them.
Caraxes roared above them and Lyanna half thought she saw the other dragon swooping down to scrape its ghostly talons on the stone.
"You're interested in my brother, hmm?" Lyanna asked, tilting her head as they walked through the gates and up the path to keep. Dragonstone looked very sturdy and very defensible, not having very much room for a row of cavalry and there were open spots for archers on top of the short wall. She didn't remember a single instance of the island being laid siege to. Only remembered… "Ohh! So that's…"
Elia and Ashara paused in their steps, peering at her strangely.
Lyanna felt her cheeks redden at their looks and could see Rhaegar, Rhaenys and Arthur passing through the open door of the keep.
"Sorry. I was just remembering the history of the island. Aegon the Second's dragon died here, didn't he?"
"I believe so," Elia offered slowly, giving Lyanna a slow once over. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Lyanna glanced up at the two dragons circling the keep and the island. So it was Caraxes and Sunfyre that were shadowing her. Sunfyre had been Aegon II's dragon and had died on the island, only after eating Queen Rhaenyra. Lyanna scowled at the thought and gestured to the door of the keep. "I'm alright. Go ahead."
Elia gave her another hesitant look before stepping through the door, followed by Ashara. Lyanna walked right up to the door and would have continued on had it not been for the ghost stepping in her way.
The man stood in front of her, his wispy form solid enough that she could see the crown on his head. A thin circlet of Valyrian steel set with big square cut rubies. A ghostly sword was at his hip, obviously Valyrian steel, a hand-and-a-half sword. Black hilt and silver blade. Lyanna's gaze moved upward to the man's chest and finally to the man's eyes, a deep purple, and to the short cut silver hair.
The ghostly man wore a well cut tunic and armor that looked well enough for a king.
Lyanna stiffened and took a step towards the man hesitantly.
"Lyanna?" Elia called back from further into the keep.
"I'm coming!" Lyanna said, raising her voice so that Elia would hear her. She looked into the ghost's eyes, knowing she shouldn't and doing it anyway only to see surprise, and side stepped him, running after Elia. She could feel the man's eyes on her the whole way, even as the hair on the back of her neck and arms stood up.