4

RT

The sun beat down on his face with a heat that he barely felt. He stood with one foot on the window sill and leaned on his side while watching the waves from such great heights that he could barely hear the splashing of the water against stone. Soon he would hear news about the newest addition to the family, and possibly his future bride.

A knock on the door broke the silence of his bedchamber and Rhaegar stepped down to walk towards the posts of his bed. "Come in."

"My lord, she's all right," a man said as he stepped in, "the queen, she's all right."

Rhaegar managed a light smile, maintaining his princely demeanor. He moved a trembling hand to grip on one of the bedposts before speaking. "And the baby?"

"A healthy baby boy." The man said with a smile, and Rhaegar replied with a nod. The door closed and Rhaegar was alone again. He sat himself down on the edge of his bed, looked out the window to a blue sky and to his surprise he smiled.

"Some wine, my lord?"

"No, thank you," Rhaegar said so pleasantly that the young woman blushed. He was tightening the straps of his sandals and she quickly moved to assist him.

"Please, my lord, let me." She was shaking as her hands replaced his. He watched her eyes and met his with tears in them.

"Iyra, don't be afraid of me. You've done me no wrong." Rhaegar assured with a hand on her shoulder. Iyra finished the last knot and looked to his hand.

"My lord, if I have found no favor in your eyes you, I can request for a substitute. If-if I do not please you…" Tears fell to her cheeks as she fought to speak. Rhaegar wiped them with one slender, long finger and caressed her face.

"I do not need a substitute. You've done well, and you are done your duty well."

"But I haven't pleased you."

"You haven't pleased me because I haven't asked, and I haven't asked because I do not desire." Rhaegar's deep purple eyes looked at her with a gentleness Iyra had never seen in any other noble who had needed her. It was only too strange that a prince was so kind. She was a beautiful woman, Rhaegar couldn't deny it, and in all the time she spent with him, the evenings she would come to serve him, he could not find it in his heart to use her.

"The king," Iyra whispered, "the king demands that I do my duty and I haven't done it. He'll—"

"He will not hurt you, Iyra. He sent you to me because he found you the best at your duty. I can not say that I am like my father. One day, maybe, but not today." Rhaegar said it with a hint of displeasure. For the first time that morning Iyra smiled.

"You're young, my lord. Young, but wise."

Rhaegar patted her hand in gratitude and she stood, bowed and silently left the room. He followed soon after leaving his bedchamber for the first time since the birth of his new brother. He made his way to the Great Hall and was greeted by a member of his father's small council.

"Prince Rhaegar, it's good to finally see you."

"Varys, I would like to think the same. I suspect you're here on my father's orders."

"As much as it is my duty, my prince. It bodes well for the king that any and all information about his family comes straight from me." Varys said smiling all the while. Rhaegar gave him a deep look. Varys considered a tinge of doubt in his eyes.

"He will not be pleased." Rhaegar finally said.

"Ah yes, well, indeed he was expecting a princess, but as it happens he also finds solace in another son. The king hopes for nothing more than healthy children, my lord."

Rhaegar chuckled. "That is a better thought to linger on. I think I must see my mother now."

He walked away, leaving the Great Hall with Varys looking after him.

The castle was not much to get lost in. There were only a number of notable locations within its solid walls and not far outside was where hundreds of the king's men and a number of laborers worked close by. Dragonstone was a lone island with many of its secrets hidden for thousands of years by the Targaryen bloodline. Rhaegar was one of the few to care about the details. Being an avid reader, he was sure he knew Dragonstone more than his father and mother ever did. Just so, he arrived faster than expected through a secret passage that led just outside his mother's bedchambers. From there he could hear the cries of the newborn.

He knocked and the door was answered by a handmaiden. She bowed as she made way for him to enter, closing the door after him with care.

"Mother, is this a bad time?"

Queen Rhaella was holding the baby in her arms when Rhaegar stepped in to see her. When she saw her first born, her lips spread into a smile.

"No, my son, come and see your brother."

The baby writhing in her arms was wrapped in a fine, blue cloth and Rhaegar saw how his eyes were a brighter shade of purple and the tiny hair on his head just as silvery blonde as his.

"His name is Viserys. Isn't he beautiful?"

"He looks like you." Rhaegar said softly, chuckling. At that moment, they heard the door creak open and two guards walked in positioning themselves at the corners of the room. The handmaid watched them warily.

"What are you doing here? This is the queen's chambers." Rhaegar's voice rose in indignation. Queen Rhaella put a hand on his arm and he turned to look at her. Her eyes were teary, pleading.

"I demand you leave." Rhaegar turned to look at them.

"The king commands them to keep watch on the prince." Queen Rhaella whispered only for Rhaegar to hear. Rhaegar noticed the intricacies of their armor with the Targaryen emblem on their golden breastplates.

"Men of the Kingsguard to protect a baby inside his mother's chambers," Rhaegar muttered in disbelief. "That is why Varys is here."

"He does what he is commanded."

"And what is commanded of me?" Rhaegar walked over to a nearby chair and sat down. The baby continued to writhe and was taken by the handmaid as she was beckoned.

"You're a prince, my son. Your duty is to the seven kingdoms when it is your turn to reign."

"Would it be ill of me to wish it sooner?" Rhaegar looked upon the face of his mother. It was like looking at a mirror as they shared the exact same appearance, the classic Targaryen features. Rhaella refused to respond turning to look at the two Kingsguard then back at her son and he knew, just by the plastered look of feigned joy on her pale face, that her thoughts were close to him. Resigned, Rhaegar stood and kissed her mother on her head.

"I will make things better for us when my time comes." He whispered before leaving the room in a hurry.

Varys met him just outside the doors, surprised crossed his face. "My prince,"

Rhaegar gave him a fleeting look before disappearing to the next hallway.