Guest 1: It does seem that Rhaegar went mad, right? I mean, why else would he abandon his family? I'm not sure if Lyanna loved Rhaegar or she just saw freedom, or if Rhaegar loved Lyanna or he just saw prophecy. There's so much mystery about the events surrounding Harrenhal and that's what intrigues me.
Veridissima: Thanks for your review! I feel like everyone bashes Robert but I like him and Lyanna too.
Evaline101: I tried to finish this before starting school, but that's tomorrow so mission not accomplished. I just got caught up editing the first two chapters, but I'll definitely keep going. I should be finished soon :) Thanks for your review!
Ethan: Thanks for your review! Just wait and see what (or who) she ends up choosing :)
Guest 2: Lyanna died at 16 in 283 AC, and Harrenhal took place in 281 AC. She was 14 at Harrenhal (maybe 15), and her betrothal took place before that. Anyway, I believe people can change. Yes Robert whored around, but that wasn't out of the ordinary in that world and sex was just sex to him; he didn't see it as unfaithfulness when they weren't married. We can't look at his actions through the lens we use for our society because they're very different. That being said, maybe you're right. Maybe he would never have changed. There's page after page of debates about 'would Robert have changed' and I think the arguments on both sides are valid. One thing I'm sure of though is that Robert would have been very different had he married Lyanna instead and remained Lord of Storm's End rather than king. No one can be sure about what Robert would have been like, but it sure is interesting to speculate about it. Thanks for your review, I love hearing people's thoughts on this!
InDeathWeLaugh: It always leaves me ecstatic to hear that people love my stories, and it's great to hear there are more Robert supporters out there! A spouse can make or break you, and I believe Cersei shattered an already broken man. Thanks so much for your review :)
So this isn't a new chapter either, I just edited it to add more detail because it felt pretty sparse before.
The tourney at Harrenhal was to span over ten days. Lord Rickard had sent his children south, leaving Brandon in charge. Lyanna was surprised when her father allowed her to go, until she learned its purpose was to have her spend more time with Robert. So she danced with him at the opening feast and walked the campgrounds with him in the following evenings at his request. He was kind enough, offering her his cloak and occasionally stopping to introduce her to his acquaintances, but she preferred her brothers' company. During the days, she watched part of the archery competition and the horse races, wishing she were allowed to ride and knowing she could win. At Ned's insistence, she stayed for the entire melee and gave Robert her favor when he asked.
The first time she noticed Prince Rhaegar was at the opening feast because his song reduced her to tears. The first time she met him was days later because he discovered her secret.
"You are the Knight of the Laughing Tree?" the prince asked incredulously, referring to the mystery knight who had been given the title because of the image painted on his shield. He had spied the knight retreating into the godswood and decided to follow him, only to be incredibly surprised to find his identity.
Lyanna, deciding there was no point in lying after being caught red handed, tossed her hair back and stared at him defiantly. "Yes, what of it?"
"You're a woman."
"Truly? I had not noticed," she said caustically before realizing that she should take more care of how she spoke to the prince.
Rhaegar threw his head back in laughter, his silver hair gleaming in the sun. "If the knights you unseated ever discovered-"
Lyanna's eyes flashed with alarm. "You cannot tell anyone! There's a reason I did not reveal my identity!"
He took a good look at her. She had long, dark hair that fell in waves down her back, pale skin, and large, gray eyes full of fear. He had seen those eyes before. "You're Lord Stark's daughter. Lady Lyanna, correct?"
"Yes, my prince."
"You were at the opening feast. I recall seeing you amidst some commotion after my song."
"Yes, there was an unfortunate incident involving my wine. Please do not reveal my identity."
"Fear not, my lady, I shan't tell a soul. Though I must say, the sigil on your shield is conspicuous. Who taught you to joust? No amateur could unhorse three knights. Do you make a habit of the practice?"
"Nay, my prince. My eldest brother taught me."
"And what prompted this venture of yours? Were you hungry for glory?"
"Had I desired glory, I would have revealed myself. As it were, I did not."
"What is your reason, then?"
"The squires of the knights I unhorsed attacked the son of one of my father's bannermen; I fought them off and they ran away like the cowards they are. My aim today was to avenge their victim."
"You fought them off, all three? How?"
"With a sword, of course. Though, it was only a tourney sword, to be sure."
"How very honorable of you to defend the helpless," Rhaegar said, looking impressed. "You ride, you joust, and you fight with a sword. Tell me, is there something you do not do?"
"Stitch, sew, or sing," she said obstinately, raising her chin. "Those are odious tasks."
"I'm afraid I must disagree where music is involved," he said with a half-smile. "How old are you?"
"Four and ten, my prince."
"I wonder that your brothers are not more concerned after your whereabouts. Are they aware of your identity as the mystery knight?"
"Brandon's desire to give me some freedom does not mean he is unconcerned. And my brothers know; they helped me secure the equipment and an unknown horse."
"The Lord of Storm's End, Robert Baratheon, knows nothing of this. He is your betrothed, if I am not mistaken?"
Lyanna's face fell. "Nay, you are not mistaken on either account."
"Is that displeasure due to the match with my cousin?"
"Lord Robert is a strong, handsome man and he is my brother Eddard's greatest friend. I am nothing but happy," Lyanna recited her mantra aloud for the prince.
"You need not lie to me, my lady. Your secrets are safe."
"There are worse men than Robert and my lord father made the best match he could for me. I should be grateful that I was not betrothed to an old or uncomely man, but I do not return his love. I will spend the remainder of my life away from home, away from the North I grew up in and the family I love to be with a man I do not favor and who will not remain faithful to me." Lyanna's shoulders slumped forward. A feeling of overwhelming defeat washed over her and she voiced her frustrations, forgetting for a moment that it was the prince who stood before her. "I just . . . I keep wishing that the world were different, that women were worth more than their marriageability, but at the end of the day we are nothing more than horses judged on our breed and appearance and sold to the highest bidder," Lyanna said bitterly.
Rhaegar remained quiet. He suspected that she was speaking more to herself than to him and he had no response for her monologue. Not because he disagreed, but rather because he shared her views. He had grown fond of Elia, as he supposed Lyanna would of Robert, but he did not love her.
"Forgive me. I have been much too forward and brash in speaking my thoughts aloud."
"You need not apologize, Lady Lyanna. Such dreary thoughts should not haunt you alone and I assure you that many share your sentiments. After all, even princes have their marriages arranged."
"Then there is no hope for me. If you'll excuse me, my prince, I must change. My brothers will soon be searching for me and it would not do if I returned outfitted in this armor."
"Yes, of course. Will you be at the feast tonight?"
"I will."
"I look forward to seeing you there, my lady."
As soon as the prince was out of sight, Lyanna hastily changed into her dress and hurried back to her tent. Eddard had been looking for her and was on the verge of seeking her out when she arrived. He chastised her about the dangers and impropriety of wandering alone while Brandon laughed and congratulated her on her jousting skills.
"If you plan to enter the lists tomorrow, Lya, we shall face each other. Do you think you can unhorse me?"
"Of course," Lyanna answered with false confidence.
"I'd like to see that!" Benjen said.
"I'd like to see everyone preparing for the feast lest we arrive late," Eddard interrupted.
Lyanna grudgingly left to change. A beautiful dress was awaiting her in her tent along with a maid to help her into it. When that was finished, the maid went to work on Lyanna's hair. Lyanna preferred her hair tied back where it would not bother her or else loose and wild, but being among the King and the rest of the kingdom required a more elegant style. The elaborate braided and pinned style that was becoming popular in the South was ridiculous to Lyanna, but she suffered through it as graciously as she could.
Robert and her brothers met her outside her tent and the party walked together to the castle where they would have a small feast with only the royal family, the Lords Paramount, and special guests invited by Lord Whent. The Starks were seated at a table below the royal family and flanking Lyanna on either side were Robert and Brandon. She searched the hall and her eyes met those of Prince Rhaegar's sitting next to his princess and his father. He looked pointedly from her to Robert and back, and she looked away abruptly, not understanding his meaning nor wanting to. Lyanna enjoyed herself more than she expected, chattering away with her brothers and occasionally Robert. He was entertaining enough, until Ser Richard Lonmouth challenged him to a rematch of the drinking game Robert won during the opening feast. Several drinks into their game, the conversation turned to the mystery knight. Both Richard and Robert made rather drunken promises to unmask the knight and bring him to the king, who claimed the man was no friend of his.
This time when she met Rheagar's gaze, he gave her the slightest of smiles, instantly quieting her apprehension.
ooooo
The second time the two met, it was well past the hour of the wolf. Lyanna had gone out to discard any evidence of the Laughing Knight that still remained in her tent lest it be found. The king's denouncement of the mystery knight scared her and her brothers enough that she decided to rid herself of the conspicuous shield after all were deep in slumber. Eddard insisted on accompanying her, but she declined; she was much quicker and quieter without him. She rode deep into the forest on the edge of the tourney camp but stopped suddenly when she heard the soft snort of another horse. Before she could ride away, a familiar voice called out.
"Who goes there?"
Lyanna recognized the voice and knew she should leave, but the prince already knew of her identity as the mystery knight and she trusted that she had nothing to fear from him. She dismounted her horse in a fluid motion and lowered her hood. "It is I, Lyanna Stark."
"Lady Lyanna," he said, his voice betraying his surprise. "What are you doing here? It is dangerous for a lady to wander around a dark forest so late at night."
"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, and I'm here to get rid of this shield before your father finds it in my possession and takes my head."
"I would not let him harm you, nor would your brothers or your betrothed, I am sure, but it is best not to let it come to that. Here, let me have it," Rhaegar said, taking the shield from Lyanna's arms.
"What will you do with it?" she asked him.
He looked around, trying to find somewhere to place the shield. His eyes landed on a low branch overhead. "I shall hang it here. This way, anyone searching for the elusive knight will find nothing but her shield hanging from this tree."
"Thank you for your help, my prince," she said as Rhaegar hung the shield.
"Please," he said, turning to her once he had finished, "call me Rhaegar, and I will call you Lyanna, if you give me leave."
"Very well, Rhaegar. It feels strange to be addressing you so informally."
"I am sure you don't address your brothers formally."
"No, but you aren't my brother."
"No, I certainly am not," Rhaegar said, looking at her intently before changing the subject. "Did you enjoy the feast tonight?"
"I did. You played beautifully."
"Thank you. I confess I thought of you as I played."
"I . . . you flatter me," she said, uncertain about the turn the conversation had taken.
"You have captivated me, Lyanna. It is you who lingers in my mind since the day we met."
"You don't know me, Rhaegar," she said quietly, looking away from the intensity of his gaze. "It has been but a day since we met."
"And yet I am enthralled. Tell me about yourself. What makes you happy? What brings you to tears? What is your heart's greatest desire? Your greatest fear? I would know all I could about you."
The fervency of his words and gaze both thrilled and startled her. Could he be lying, looking only to use her, or was it genuine? "I am spoken for. Robert Baratheon is my betrothed, and you have a lady wife and a lovely daughter."
"I am well aware of that, but the questions still stand," he said, closing the distance between them until he was inches away.
"I believe they are best left unanswered."
He lifted her chin so he could see her eyes. "Would you deny your prince?"
"You would not harm me for denying you this, not when I have your best interest at heart. I must go, Rhaegar. Please, forgive me," Lyanna said before hurrying away.
That was the first of many nights she dreamt of him.
ooooo
The third time they met was under strained conditions.
They had not spoken alone since the night in the woods. King Aerys was furious the next day when the mystery knight failed to appear, so he sent his son to find him. Prince Rhaegar returned with naught but the knight's shield. Upon seeing Lyanna among the onlookers, he gave her an assuring smile. Lyanna watched the jousts that day, openly cheering for Brandon and secretly for Rhaegar until they faced each other. She had hoped Brandon would win, but Rhaegar's victory was not displeasing. That evening, she longed to go to the woods in the hopes of seeing the prince, but Robert requested her company. It was for the best, she convinced herself, for the prince was a man married and she had no right to feel anything for him, conflicted as it was.
It seemed the entire realm was present for the final two days of jousting. The final round on the last day was between Ser Arthur Dayne and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Lyanna was sitting beside Ned when Benjen leaned forward to talk to her.
"There's no way the prince can beat Ser Arthur."
Lyanna remained quiet, suspecting that Benjen had an inkling about her and the prince. It was Eddard who responded. "Prince Rhaegar has done well. He may yet win."
"But Ser Arthur is the Sword of the Morning. I say he wins."
Lyanna heard Robert off to the side of the stands jesting loudly with Lords Arryn and Hunter. They too were discussing the outcome of the joust. Everyone cheered when Prince Rhaegar won, but the resonating silence when he rode past his wife and placed the crown of roses on Lyanna's lap rooted her to her seat. She felt Bran's ire behind her, Ned's icy silence beside her, she saw Robert's barely-masked fury out of the corner of her eye. Princess Elia was downcast, King Aerys beside him in a rage. And through this all, Rhaegar had eyes only for Lyanna, and she stared back at him, trying to decide whether she was more angry or pleased. Angry, she decided.
She would never have escaped Bran and Ned without Benjen's help. Whereas before the crowning she was allowed freedom, she was now under the watchful eyes of her older brothers. She knew they were only trying to protect her, but it irked her all the same. She needed to speak to Rhaegar, and she knew where to find him.
"What were you thinking?" she demanded upon seeing him in the woods where he had hidden her shield.
"It was an honor. You should be flattered."
"In front of the entire realm, Rhaegar? You slighted your wife, the princess, and have created countless rumors and conjectures! Brandon and Robert are furious and Ned hasn't stopped pestering me with questions! It was stupid!"
"Love is not always wise, Lyanna, and I am in love with you," he said solemnly.
"You are not! You know nothing about me!"
"I have heard and seen enough. You are ice and I am fire, and from us will be born the prince that was promised-"
Rhaegar extended a hand to her but she took a step back. "What are you on about, Rhaegar? You sound mad. Please, you do not-"
He cut off her words with a kiss. Lyanna resisted at first but when he did not let her go, she stopped fighting him and the part of herself that wanted this. Never having experienced a kiss before, she was unsure of this connection she felt with the prince. Were all kisses like that, she wondered, or was there something special between them?
"Every lady I have ever met is the same," Rhaegar said when he pulled away. "They do not think, they only repeat inane courtesies. You, however, are a winter rose among withered weeds. You are beautiful. There is a wildness to you that fascinates me. I am drawn to you as I have never been to another, and I know you feel the same. I see it in your eyes when you look at me. Tell me I lie."
"The tourney is over and after what you did today, my brothers have determined to leave tonight before the king decides we conspire against him."
"You have not denied the connection between us. You feel it too, do you not?"
"Rhaegar," she said exasperatedly, pulling away. "What does it matter? It is not as if we may act upon it. Ev-"
"There you are!" Benjen said, appearing behind Lyanna. "Oh, forgive me, my prince. I did not mean to intrude."
"What is it?" Lyanna asked impatiently.
"Robert is looking for you. He should like to see you before we leave," he said, casting an uncertain glance between his sister and the prince.
"Very well. Go on Ben, I shall follow you shortly."
"Only hurry, if they discover you are gone we are both done for." With one last, uncertain glance, Benjen returned to the camp. When he was gone, Lyanna addressed Rhaegar. "He will not tell anyone, I assure you. I must go."
"I will come for you."
Lyanna's heart stopped for a second and she turned back. For one foolish moment, she wanted to run back into his arms and run away with him, but the moment passed and she followed her brother. Wish as she might, Rhaegar was not foolish enough to follow through. His infatuation would soon fade.
Again, sorry for getting your hopes up with a new chapter! I hope to have it finished within the next two days, so you don't have to wait long :)