Thank you everyone who took the time to read, left reviews, and are following the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All things recognizable are property of G.R.R. Martin, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, & company.

A/N: Iron Lances was a song appearing multiple times within ASOIAF and The Lord of the Woeful Countenance and The Song of the Rhoyne are plays which were mentioned in A Feast of Crows.


Chapter 6

Ned Stark reluctantly prepared to attend the coronation of Rhaegar Targaryen. He would have refused except it had been made known to him, rather sharply by Jon that Jon was to be there. He would be grateful when this was coronation business was over and he could return home. He had regretted coming to King's Landing. If it had not been for the children and the fact that he already gave his word to be present would have not come at all. This place aside from being the source of the deaths of most of his family was completely alien to him. Save for his wife, the party which accompanied them from Winterfell, those few who were regulars in the royal nursery, and Jon Arryn, not many people interacted with him; which if he was honest suited him.

As he was not a part of the Small Council he spent very little time in the company of the King and Ned had not trusted himself to be in the King's presence much, even though he knew that the King had not forced Lyanna to run away with him. Speaking to a shamefaced Benjen solidified his view on that. The most significant clues to that effect were that Jon had been installed in the royal household as a Targaryen and that the King had said he lamented that Lyanna died before he could marry her and name her his second queen as some Targaryen's had done in the past and that it was unfortunate that Jon would never know his mother. Still, that told him very little and the King had rarely been alone and was mostly always formal with him.

Through Jon he learned that none of the other lords saw much benefit in mentioning Lyanna in the King's presence and so they did not. The Kingsguard who were always with the King, depending on their identity, had different reactions when Lyanna was discussed: Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell looked resigned yet clearly they would rather the matter done with; Ser Barristan looked at him with pity; and Ser Arthur and Ser Jaime were politely indifferent yet, he knew they were fond of the Queen. Ned had no desire to delve further; talk of her discomforted everyone and for him it would just be opening the wounds of his sister's loss all over again. The absolute truth of what happened had mattered very little for those around him and he had gotten more truth than he wished for from that conversation with the Queen on that first day and he had no desire to hear more of it.

The Queen, in public and private, now only spoke to him about Jon and other trivial matters. The bluntness of that first conversation was gone; she said her piece and the matter for her was done with. Nothing she said gave any indication to anyone about how she felt about the rest of the Starks; her tone towards him now held nothing but purely detached politeness. She was one of the few in King's Landing who even bothered to try for anything remotely polite in the first few days after his arrival. Even now he knew the stares and whispers followed him when he walked in the halls of the Red Keep.

Thinking back to day he arrived, then he remembered how he wanted to rant and rave at the Dornishwoman. The Gods knew if he was a different sort of man he would have been tempted to strike her when she spoke to him about Lyanna before they entered the nursery, but, not only had he been prepared for her vitriol; he expected worse. He knew long before he even started on his way to King's Landing that she, of all people, would not have many kind words for his sister.

He did not claim to know the minds of many women but he knew that Lyanna resented Robert's lusting, but, at least Robert said he loved Lyanna and never whored when she could see it. He had known, and his father had used to lament, that his fearless sister was headstrong and would not be intimidated into doing something she had not wanted. In fact, their lord father had agreed to send Lyanna to that tourney because it would do her good to acclimate herself with Southron gentility before marrying Robert. Instead Rhaegar crowned Lyanna Queen of Love and Beauty with Elia Martell present, started a war for the woman he crowned, and then sired a child on her and brought the child to his wife. That was a slight no woman would forgive easily when she had no reason to do so. Catelyn demonstrated a similar sentiment when he told her about Alya.

He knew that a woman would find it easier to blame the other woman and not the husband, yet, Ned did see that she had blamed Rhaegar Targaryen, but, Lyanna made for a more convenient outlet. Though he was discomfited by Southron politics, even he recognized that the woman's husband was the new King, and if he wished, could separate her children from her if she pressed too hard. Only a fool would think any good would have come from taking her anger out at her husband.

Of course the woman's brother had been present as had Ser Barristan when they were having that horrid conversation, though Oberyn had not said much and the knight never spoke to him though he looked sympathetic. No good ever came from going up against the Red Viper and the Kingsguard would do their duty and theirs was not to him. Ned hadn't fought in one war just to start another, especially not when one word or action would mean that he would be forced to abandon both children to still angry Dornishmen.

Then again, he was the one to ask her, and she answered honestly. Ranting at a woman for telling the truth of it, no matter how unkind, was beneath him. The next day he had received an apologetic note from her, but, he knew well enough she was only apologizing for the way she said what she had. He knew well enough why she did it; they would be in close proximity until he left and it would be far easier for all of them if they came to an accord.

Of course he was more alarmed at her bluntness than anything, but, he had come to understand it when he had accidently overheard Ser Jaime Lannister and Ser Willem Darry speaking in the nursery some days later. Ser Darry watched him like a hawk every time he set foot in the nursery and only the Queen's pleading expression would make the old man relax in his presence. Because he was a Stark the old man apparently still did not trust him though she had earned the old man's loyalty because of the care she had given to Aerys' other children and did not demonstrate any differences between them "regardless of how cruel King Aerys had been to her".

No one had to list the Mad King's crimes for him and even he had heard of the things that Aerys had done to her after Rhaegar and Lyanna eloped. It hadn't taken much except Prince Viserys' unfiltered chattering to Lord Renly to understand that Aerys forced her to be present when his brother and father were ordered to be killed and that he blamed her for it because she could not give Rhaegar other children, not that the young boys knew the implications of what they were saying. Ned then knew that if a woman suffered and lived through the wrath of the Mad King, Ned Stark's anger could do nothing to her.

Since would be leaving his nephew in her care, he did not wish to have discord between one generation to affect the next. One thing he learned while in the Red Keep during his stay was that she had not been lying that she said she wished Jon to know his brother and sister and that practicality in that superseded everything. Wylla the nurse which had been retained shortly after Lyanna gave birth to Jon attested that the Queen treated Aegon, Daenerys, and Jon more or less the same and that was good enough for him; it would have to be.

He was glad he did practice some restraint, but, the Targaryen's were not all that he felt like getting away from. He knew Catelyn wished to be gone, as well. At first Catelyn had appeared to be perfectly pleased to be in King's Landing, yet, even that soured when he told her of Brandon's little girl. He hadn't meant to reveal it so bluntly but when she asked how the audience with the King and Queen went he felt compelled to tell her about his promise to look into the children's affairs. She had nodded in acquiescence but retired early claiming exhaustion. The next few days hardly seemed to change her mood though she claimed it was because she missed their Robb terribly.

Ashara Dayne had invited both he and Catelyn to dine with her a few days after they arrived. Catelyn could not bring herself to go, but, Ned felt compelled to and the Dornishwoman had accepted it with good grace. He had not been surprised to see Ser Arthur Dayne and Alya present, but, he had been completely nonplussed as Stannis and Renly Baratheon had joined them. Apparently the Queen had not been lying about arrangements being made regarding Lady Dayne's marriage, either; the elder Baratheon was marrying Ashara Dayne. Though none of them had been very forthcoming with the reason for the marriage, he could see that Renly was absolutely taken with his new playmate and Ashara smiled at Stannis when he had not grumbled much and did not push the child away when the girl fell asleep with her hand clutching at a pants leg. Ned decided while it seemed as though he had little choice in the matter it was convenient and he was relieved his niece would be taken care of by a man he knew was worthy of his trust. Yet, even knowing Alya would be raised elsewhere had not soothed Catelyn.

The Queen had also not been lying when she had said many would be more judgmental of women than they were of men and even those close to him had their own unflattering opinions.

His good-sister's voice unfortunately had carried. "Why does Brandon straying vex you so? Betrothals obviously don't mean much to Northmen or women for that matter. Why quiet me, sister; my lord husband says the boy is called Jon Targaryen. Do you think as different as the Queen's ways are, as humiliated as she must feel, she would allow another's child into her household if that child was proof of the King's violence; no. Both Lyanna and the King ran off together. People stray, nothing new about that; even Robert Baratheon never stopped wenching even if he went to war for the girl. You know Brandon always had hot blood. Remember what he did to dear Petyr? Trotting here to challenge the Crown Prince certainly did none of us good. Forget Brandon and the rest. We are all pardoned and you have a good life with a husband who is not as old as mine and a child. Concentrate on that".

Even if Catelyn tried to quiet Lysa's harangue, the words had cut deep. He had known that others would allow him his grief, but, for many, those he loved and lost were to be little more than cautionary tales and even forgiven, he had been a traitor. No matter if that had been what he wanted, he had his life, family seat, a high born wife, and a son. For most that would be enough. He knew clinging to anger would do him no favors. He was too tired, too grief-stricken to fight anyone on this.

Running a hand over his face, he thought, 'Yes, he would be happy to leave this place'.


The day of the Coronation proved bright and the sky was clear. Though it was early, already there were large crowds gathering outside the Great Sept at Baelor chattering excitedly. The streets were swept and the city never looked cleaner. The Targaryen banners flew high and there was a sense of excitement in the air. Many looked forward to celebrating something and many had not seen a public ceremony for some time. Recent events which would have traditionally had public ceremonies were much less happier events. The last occasions worthy of note were the deaths of Queen Rhaella and King Aerys. With the first, officially with Westeros was embroiled in a war and the story was that the King declared that it would be a "disservice to those still fighting to waste resources for lavish public ceremonies" and such reasoning was employed at the death of King Aerys.

Still there were whispers given the circumstances. After Queen Rhaella had passed most of the servants and others who worked in the Red Keep were being dismissed form their duties in droves. When King Aerys died, some of the workmen and servants who rejoined their duties or who were still kept on would speak of damage to the King's chambers and the odd smell permeating various areas of the Keep which had been burnt. It was said the smell of burnt flesh had lingered near to the old king's chambers for days after he died. The Septons and their aides proved most silent in these matters and the Silent Sisters had only done their duty and that had been that.

Now that the fighting has ended and peace reigned many were eagerly awaiting the festivities. Many who remembered the last true celebration which King's Landing held; the birth of Prince Aegon. But, the merriment of that was short lived what with the outbreak of the war some months after. After that very rarely were the members of the royal family seen; the former prince had been at war and once the former Queen died, all members of the Royal Family were kept inside the Keep for "their own safety".

This Coronation was to be a grand affair. One only had to see the influx of lords and ladies to know that to be true. Even the old Hand, Lord Tywin Lannister returned to King's Landing with his daughter for the coronation. There had been whispers of the entire Targaryen family, the children as well, taking part in the Coronation festivities. Some, although these whispers were quieter, had wondered if that would hold true for the youngest one; the one born of the Stark woman. Many were content; most remembered the King being a comely prince and no one but the truly unkind, who focused on her "foreign" status and made jabs about her health, could find fault in the new Queen, as she had given birth to two thriving children, one of them a boy child and the kingdom's heir. All were happy that between the new King and Queen and King Aerys and Queen Rhaella's other children the dynasty was secure.

There was to be a grand feast inside the Keep after the crowning of the new king. The day after, a tourney was to be held. At the tourney there was to be an announcement and presentation of the new council and additions to the Kingsguard. Rumors had sparked that some of the appointments and been rebel lords or their relations and those who offered opinions saw that as wise. Many knights and men of high birth would be participating in the festivities, though the King, himself, would forego participation, as the tourney was to be held in his honor.

When the grand party finally arrived the crowd could see that it was lead by the Captain of the Kingsguard, Ser Gerold Hightower, followed by other knights of the Kingsguard. Following them, the handsome, silver-haired King, majestic in Targaryen red and black, rode a strongly built, white horse. The dark-haired, exotic new Queen rode next to him, sitting on top of an equally beautiful, white mare. Those who were in the audience admired the rather striking pair. It was equally promising that both the King and Queen were smiling and looked about happily as they waved to the cheering public.

Behind the royal couple came the brothers of the Queen, Prince Doran and Oberyn Martell. Both men cut striking figures, each riding sturdy Dornish horses. Ensconced in the Prince Doran's lap was the Princess Rhaenys, the very image of her mother in miniature, who looked around in wonder. Beside them, riding on a smaller, though similar horse, was the King's younger brother, Prince Viserys, though the horse was lead by a groom. The young prince looked very much like a younger version of the king; he was even dressed similarly, though his clothing was not quite as embroidered.

Behind them was an ornate closed carriage. Some suspected that it carried the other royal children. Behind it rode a man of some years who, because he was dressed in the sky blue of his house, could be identified as Jon Arryn. Slight whispering begun as some wondered if he was to be named the Hand of the King at the tourney the next day, as he was followed in the procession by two former Hands, Lord Jon Connington and Lord Tywin Lannister. After them, came the rest of the lords and ladies present for the Coronation.


Rhaegar Targaryen, the First of His Name, was crowned King of all Westeros by the High Septon at Great Baelor's Sept with his wife with his family in attendance. Rhaegar, once the traditional vows were spoken, and the newly fashioned crown put upon his head, waited for the High Septon to crown Elia the Queen of Westeros. He never thought she looked lovelier than in that moment and it rather saddened him to remember that for him those moments had been few and in-between because his focus used to be elsewhere.

His eyes rested on the newly forged crown sitting on top of her head. Viserys could not be parted from their mother's crown and neither he nor Elia tried to take it from him. If it made his younger brother happy, then he was welcome to something that belonged to their mother. He knew since he was so very young that one day he would be crowned King, but, he had always thought his mother would be there to see it happen and he felt her loss very keenly. As for his father, he remembered both the charming man he used to be when Rhaegar was young and then he remembered the older, violent man his father became. He does not know if he misses his father, but, knows he does not want to be his father.

Once the High Septon was done with Elia, Rhaegar walked to her and they shared a smile, and though inside the Sept was not quite the correct venue, he kissed his wife. He was pleased that she returned it though she was clearly surprised. Their kiss was promptly interrupted by the disapproving High Septon who coughed as though he had to clear his throat. Slightly abashed, the pair walked out to where their families and their public were waiting.

When they made their appearance there was raucous cheering while an attendant made proclamations and then the High Septon led everyone present through various prayers dedicated to the Seven, then for the dead, and then for his reign. During this, Rhaegar swept his eyes to the platform where his children and siblings were. Rhaenys and Viserys stood next to his good-brothers who had been joined by Lady Cersei Lannister. While he was not surprised to see Doran carrying Aegon, nor that Lady Cersei was carrying Danaerys, he was rather taken aback that Oberyn unbent enough to carry Jon. He was curious but, if he was honest with himself he knew that Lord Tywin would look to it as an insult if his daughter, already marrying a second son particularly one with a few bastards of his own, would be made to carry his second son, legitimized or not. At least carrying a daughter of a King would be considered an honor.

Eyes returning to Jon, Rhaegar remembered that after defeating Robert he had fully intended on marrying Lyanna and on this day crowning both of his wives queens as Aegon the Conqueror had done with his wives. He looked at Elia again and he noticed that she too had been looking at their family with a smile on her face though when her eyes settled on Jon, Rhaegar saw that she ducked her head slightly, but, raised it quickly enough to where no one else noticed it. He wondered what she had been thinking. Even after he returned to King's Landing he never told her of his plans to wed Lyanna, given what happened, it had been a rather moot point and to address the matter would only be cruel. Rhaegar lamented that what plans he had, they were not to be. He knew now it had been madness; the same madness which turned his father into a monster.

It was because of that he could not forgive himself, even more than being unable to fulfill the prophecy he worked so hard to fulfill. Instead of stopping it he succumbed to it himself. Madness, both his and his father's, is what that had been and it drove the kingdom to war. Still, once more he looked at his wife, children, and the rest of his family before looking around over the crowd, over the lords and ladies who had once been enemies and he had to smile. They lived through it, survived and though he would not be fulfilling the prophecy, he was King, and he knew he would forge his legacy another way. He vowed to himself that he would be the king and man he should have been from the start.


Later that evening the Great Hall of the Keep was filled with people at the coronation banquet. The hall was brightly let and multiple Targaryen banners lined the walls. The King and Queen were settled on the high table under the canopy of state joined by the King's brother and both the Queen's brothers. Due to the late hour the younger royal children were sent to bed. Lord and Lady Arryn, Lord Lannister and his daughter Lady Cersei were also seated at the High Table.

Many were pleased that the feast was to consist of fourteen courses. Those in attendance saw this as being just grand enough, but, not grossly excessive. The diners enjoyed various foods included spit-roasted boars, roasted pheasants and hens, mutton and chicken cooked in rich sauces, blood oranges, honeyed pairs, & grapes were just some of the fruits; vegetables; varieties of breads, cheeses, and nuts were served as were cakes of all sorts. Wines of all types were available: Strongwine, Dornish reds and Arbor gold flowed freely; Pentoshi amber and Volantene wines were enjoyed thoroughly. While everyone ate there were various troops of mummers who put on performances. One troop of mummers performed The Lord of the Woeful Countenance while another performed The Song of the Rhoyne. In between those performances musicians played joyful and light tunes, except one who played Iron Lances which was metwith great enthusiasm on part of the audience.

Soon enough the King and Queen rose and a hush fell over the hall. The King began, "My Lords, Ladies, and honored guests, we are pleased that you have joined us to celebrate this occasion and we are thankful for it. The day of a coronation is the start of something new. True, in order for something new we would perhaps have to lose something and to have lost anything at all is to be a thing of sorrow, yet, sometimes, even in the midst of losses we are mindful of what we do have and what more we have to gain. Yes, the past has made us what we are and we should honor it and remember it, yet, we are in the present and there is a future, which we must all work towards. It is our hope that you are with us to build a better and more harmonious future. With that said…" He motioned for Jon Arryn to stand. He turned back to the audience. "No man, not even a King, can shape the future alone and so King's appoint Hands of the King to assist them with their charge, and today I give you the Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn." Loud cheers rang out at this announcement though many had suspected something of a sort, as the Lord and Lady of the Eyrie had been seated at the table with the King and Queen.

The King and Queen remained standing and they motioned toward Prince Oberyn and Lady Cersei. Some thought this curious, though it occurred to others why the daughter of the former Hand had held the Princess Danaerys earlier today. So when the cheering died down, the King spoke again, "Allow us to beg your indulgence. In the spirit of moving forward and welcoming what the future brings, today not only does it give us joy to stand before you as your King, and to announce our new Hand, but, it gives us pleasure to announce the betrothal of our good-brother, Prince Oberyn of Dorne to the Lady Cersei, daughter of Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock." Congratulations rang out for the smiling couple. Before more murmurs started, the King spoke once more, "My dear men…" He signaled for musicians to start playing, and the King and Queen made their way to the center of the hall and began to dance, while Prince Viserys was finally allowed to go sit where his new friend Renly was sitting with his brother, his brother's new fiancée, and Ser Arthur. Soon enough, others had joined in on dancing.

For many this was the first time in a long time they will have danced, and so they made a point to enjoy it thoroughly.


For Rhaegar dancing was something that he did, but, he did not particularly enjoy. That is not to say he did not do it well; neither his father, nor his mother for that matter would have allowed their son, the future King, to not be capable of dancing well, but, he would rather play music than dance. Yet, today of all days, it was expected that he dance and so he did. He did not want to think of what whispers would spark if he did not dance.

While neither he nor Elia say much to each other, he could see that Elia seemed to enjoy dancing with him and he is glad for it. It occurs to him that last time he danced with her had been before he went to the Tower of Joy. There had been very little reason to dance since then. His thoughts are interrupted as Elia laughs. He looks at her curiously as she leans in, with her lips close to his ear and he feels rather warm, but, before he can try to think about why that could be, she smiles. She says, "Look to your left". To sate his curiosity he does, at first he notices nothing but Oberyn dancing with Lady Cersei and before he could ask about what is so wondrous about that Elia grasps at his shoulder and turns him slightly, so that they are pressed closer against each other. Not only does the movement shock him, but his eyes focus where Stannis Baratheon and Ashara Dayne were dancing. It seems that even as stoic as a man Lord Baratheon proved to be, he is no match for Ashara Dayne.

Before he could be caught staring as he notices his friend Jon, Ser Gerold and Ser Barristan doing, he turns back to Elia who is all smiles and in this moment he wants to ask her something, but, he does not quite know how. Before he could get the words out it became time to switch partners and in his arms is now Lysa Arryn, while his new Hand took his wife to dance. Rhaegar smiled at her perfunctorily and she returned it with a small smile. While they were seated at the table she had not said much to him and Rhaegar did not quite know what to say to her now. She tries to start a conversation, but, he has never been a man who favors frivolous talk and it is a relief when they are forced to change partners.

This time it is Cersei Lannister. She also starts conversing with him, her face slightly flushed, "I wanted to thank Your Grace for making the announcement earlier. It is an honor as was being allowed to carry the Princess this morning."

He replies, "It was nothing. Our families have always been close. The Prince is my good-brother and you are to be the Queen's good-sister; we are almost family. I trust you are happy with the match?"

The girl blushed, and Rhaegar wonders how close Oberyn and she had become recently and if he should be alarmed. "Yes; though we had only met once before my coming to King's Landing for the coronation, my brother was rather complementary about him in the letter he wrote to our lord father and the Prince has proved to be very gallant and kind." He is relieved that he will not need to expect an angry Tywin Lannister to "speak to" Oberyn or him.

Her eyes looked past him, and they turned slightly and at first Rhaegar only caught sight of Oberyn dancing with Ashara and then in the corner of his eye he sees a flash of gleaming white. Rhaegar straightens when he sees the knight in question is dancing was with Elia and his jaw clenches slightly. Lady Cersei noticing the shift in his body seeing her brother and Elia, gushes, "My brother informed me that the Queen was the one who suggested the match and I am grateful to her for it. It was very kind of her to think of me for the Prince". Rhaegar did not feel as though he could speak and so he only nodded. He was certainly relieved when the song ended there was a pause because a different musician would start playing and Lady Cersei took her leave to join her lady aunt, Genna Lannister.

Rhaegar attempted to make his way to where Elia, who had her back to him, was carrying a conversation with another lady, if he remembered correctly, was Lady Mina Tyrell, wife to Paxter Redwyne and sister to Lord Mace Tyrell. He remembers that Mace Tyrell had been unable to attend himself, but, sent the Redwynes and his mother, Lady Olenna, as his representatives. Just before he got to her, the music started again, and he saw that Elia turned to Lord Stark who had approached her to dance. He had not thought that Lord Stark would want to dance with his wife, but, he supposed Ned Stark would have his reasons, not that he would ask the man. He moved to where Arthur and Lord Stannis were sitting with his younger brother and Lord Renly. As he approached both boys froze and looked as though Rhaegar was going to have them ordered to bed, or worse, reprimand them from stuffing themselves with lemon cakes.

"Ser Arthur, Lord Baratheon, you are not dancing?"

The knight spoke first, drink in hand, laughing, "Aye. Not this one, Your Grace. The wine is too good to waste."

He turned to Lord Baratheon who responded rather stiffly, "I am not overly fond of dancing." Rhaegar noticed that the man was drinking water. He mused internally that the man did not seem fond of drinking, either.

Lord Renly turns to his brother, "You danced with Lady Ashara." Viserys and Ser Arthur tried to smother their laughter while the man frowned at his younger brother. "Lady Ashara and I are to be married and I am not dancing with her now." True enough, the lady was dancing with Ser Barristan Selmy. The man decides not to pursue the matter.

Rhaegar looks up and he does not see Elia anywhere. What he does see is Lord Tywin approaching him with his sister. He had not noticed the song had ended and he remembered Cersei Lannister speaking to him so when the pair of Lannisters approaches him he turns to Lady Genna and asks her to dance. Just then he hears Elia's voice behind him and Lord Tywin engages his wife in a dance. He tries not to appear disgruntled; the Lannisters helped his cause. It would not do to seem ungrateful.

As they dance Lady Genna makes a few comments about the honor of letting his niece carry Daenerys and he gives her the same platitudes he gave her niece. They dance until the she claims she is tired and he gracefully lets her go just in time to see Elia dancing with Hoster Tully. He sees Lady Stark sitting at a table with her uncle, sister, and his new Hand while Ned Stark is dancing with Ashara Dayne. Rhaegar decides would not like others noticing Lady Stark's expression and so he engages her in a dance while Lord Arryn gives him a look of approval. Lady Stark is perfectly polite but they only danced to one song before she excuses herself.

Lady Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns, as he remembers she is called on occasion, approaches him and decided that she would like a dance with him before "a lady of her years is forced, due to tiredness, to retire for the night." Though he does not believe that for one moment, he obliges her as the Tyrells had been his allies in the war.

Once that was done he notices his eldest good-brother sitting in a corner Rhaegar sits next to him before he speaks. "My Prince, you honor me by coming. I am glad you were here for today."

Doran looks at him. "It is not every day your good-brother and sister are declared King and Queen". Rhaegar does not say anything and it appears Doran had not expected him to as he continues, "I had wanted to meet with Lady Cersei; after all, she will join Oberyn in Dorne soon enough. My lady wife is anxious to meet her. It soothes my mind that Elia and Oberyn seem to like her. If her temperament is anything like Ser Jaime's, I am sure Mellario will come to like her as well."

Rhaegar tries not to notice that next to where Elia is dancing with Ser Gerold, Ser Jaime is dancing with his sister. He continues speaking, "How is the Princess. We do miss her and the children's presence."

"She is quite well though my daughter Arianne had taken slightly ill. Mellario had not wanted to leave her."

"Yes, quite. That is understandable. When you return to Dorne, please let them know they were greatly missed."

"I will."

To keep him engaged in conversation, Rhaegar uses the one subject which he was curious about. "I have not been able to speak to Prince Oberyn today, yet, I am grateful that he was willing to hold Jon this morning. I believed the nurse was to hold him."

Rhaegar was starting to think that voicing the sentiment had been a terrible choice as Doran considered him for some time before speaking in a low voice. "While you and my sister were inside the Sept, the nurse had looked rather unwell and it would have been cruel to make her stand out into the sun. It was nothing; even if he would not have had to hold the child for a very long time and as charming as it would have been to have Prince Viserys hold the child; he is far too young to be entrusted with something that requires the utmost care…" The prince trailed off and laughed. Rhaegar looked up to see Viserys clumsily dancing some Dornish dance with Elia. Soon after, Ashara drags Renly Baratheon along to teach him the same dance with similar results.

His point having been proven most satisfactorily, Doran continued speaking, "Oberyn had not known his daughters until they had seen a few name days and he should learn to handle young children. At any rate, Ned Stark and Jon Arryn seemed appreciative of the gesture." Rhaegar decided it would be best if he let the matter drop and Doran lets him. Soon he makes his excuses and goes to where Elia is still dancing with his brother.

"Viserys, the hour grows quite late. It is well past time for you to go to bed." His brother pouts and turns to Elia who smiles warmly at him and puts an arm around Viserys' shoulders. "Now, now, I know you wish to stay, but, Rhaenys and the rest were sent to sleep some time ago, and, it is well past the time you should be in bed. Your brother is king. We would not want to disobey, today of all days, would we?"

Rhaegar considers himself lucky when the boy, still pouting, nods, and a servant coaxes him away, while Rhaegar takes his wife into his arms to dance again. "Have you enjoyed tonight? I know you worked hard to prepare for today."

She smiles again, "Yes, everything is going wonderfully. Don't you agree? Have you enjoyed yourself?"

"Yes. Everything has gone quite well. I am glad-" Ser Oswell decided "since he did not have the opportunity before, it would be the perfect time to dance with the queen". Elia smiles in the knight's direction and Rhaegar lets her go and steps back.

Shortly after that, he is intercepted by Ashara who has a curious smile on her face and he is thankful the song currently being played is a brief one.

"Quite a gathering tonight, Your Grace."

"Yes, quite. It has gone rather well. I noticed Lord Baratheon only danced with you tonight."

Her smile is full of humor before she replies, "My future lord husband does not care for much dancing, but, he does it rather well".

"I am pleased to hear it. It is good that you get on well."

"He is slightly gruff, but, he is a good man and kind in his own way".

"That is good." Soon enough the song mercifully ends. He observes Stannis and Renly Baratheon walking towards them. They part ways and Rhaegar watches as the Baratheons escort Ashara out of the hall, some others following in their wake.


Soon after, though the feast was considered to be a great success, as many of the lords and other men who attended tonight were to participate in the tourney the next day, the festivities come to a close. Rhaegar and Elia stayed, along side Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan, to supervise those servants who had not worked during the feast clean up and to make sure that all would be ready for the tourney and the smaller feast the next day.

Once the preparations for the next day are solidified, even though the hour is late, Rhaegar walks Elia to the nursery to check on the children with Kingsguard following at a small distance. Once they see to the children, they begin walking to her chambers.

When they reach her door, she smiles once at him once again. She says, "Tonight was wonderful." He does not say anything just yet, he kisses her on the mouth and he steels himself, "May I stay with you tonight?" This time she kisses him.


Chapter 7: The tourney and other things.