Rhaegar

Rhaegar sat still while his dressers robed him in silence. As the moments drew closer to meet his betrothed, he grew more and more despondent. While he believed she was the best match, Bellatrix consumed his mind. Since his confession, his devotion for her seemed only to strengthen. With each day that she served his mother, Bellatrix was there to greet him at the door with the mere eye contact as the only truth tellers to their affection. But on this specific day as Rhaegar arose, greeted by the sunrise, his longing for her hurt more than it brought him joy. His days would soob be consumed by Elia while his heart belonged to Bellatrix.

"Is this fit to your liking, my lord?" A handmaiden asked, rousing him from a trance-like state. They waited expectantly for his approval.

"Yes." He said firmly. "Fitting. Thank you."

They bowed before leaving his presence. The darkness of his dress robes mirrored the gloom he was experiencing, lined by intricate threads of gold brought by the Targaryen lineage highlighting the color of his swept back hair falling just below his shoulders. The solitude was replaced upon the entrance of a gloomier young woman stepping in, bearing in her arms a gold tunic. Bellatrix forced a smile as she looked at him.

"The queen asked that I deliver this to you." She said quietly, holding the tunic up between her fingers. Rhaegar pushed it away and with one swift motion picked her up to hold her. He said nothing, only relishing the feel of her body against his. Bellatrix attempted to push him away, but his hold was sure.

"It gets harder to see you everyday." Bellatrix whispered in his hair.

"If I could run away with you." Rhaegar said and rested his forehead on hers. "But I know we can't."

He said it quickly just so he wouldn't hear her say it.

Bellatrix pushed her chin up to touch his lips with hers and Rhaegar deepened it. He was so hungry for her that he physically had to contain himself from becoming rough. Instead, he took her hand and pressed her palm against his cheek to soothe himself. They stood there for moments as the only consolation for that fateful day.

"I'll be gone before the wedding day." Bellatrix whispered. Rhaegar shook his head willing the thought out of his mind.

"Don't." He begged. "Just give me this. Just be with me, here and now. Just like this."

"I am here, Rhaegar." Bellatrix said gently, studying his face. Rhaegar refused to look into her eyes by keeping his own shut.

It was a knock on the door that finally broke them apart. The Queen stepped in looking more regal than Rhaegar had ever seen her.

"Is this my wedding or yours, mother?" He managed a jest.

"Bella, kindly wait in the hall." Rhaella ordered, a hint of a smile on her eyes. Bellatrix obeyed and once the chamber doors were shut Rhaella assessed her son. Concern was evident on her face even as she moved to pick up the tunic and don it on him. Rhaegar allowed it, sensing the tension in the air.

"I see your plight." Rhaella finally said, "and I am truly sorry it has come to this. Truly, my son."

Rhaegar averted his gaze from hers without speaking

"And as much as I desire her for you, I can not watch your future lay in waste."

"What choice would you have me make, mother?" Rhaegar finally asked, pain in his gentle voice was evident.

"The right one." She replied simply, "Not all the right choices will be the easiest ones." She took his hands, clasping them in hers as she smiled sadly. He knew what she meant.

"I love her." Rhaegar admitted.

Rhaella searched his eyes while tears welled in her own.

"I've never…" Rhaegar trailed off, unable to go on as the hurt began to surface like the lump in his throat.

"I know, love." Rhaella soothed him by pulling her into his arms.

They left the chamber together, hand in hand. Bellatrix waited with Jennie and Alyssa, and saw the sorrow on their faces. Rhaegar walked passed her, back to the pretense, and it was difficult to not reach out and touch him.

"Are you alright?" Jennie asked Bellatrix as they walked behind the queen and the prince for the throne room. Bellatrix looked at her, only realizing she'd been holding her belly the whole time, anxiety taking over.

"I could use some rest, but I'll be fine." She struggled as she spoke.

"We don't need to be in there. We can wait outside. You can get back to the chambers then." Jennie said thoughtfully.

"That sounds good." Bellatrix replied.

They arrived at the foot of the steps to the throne room when they heard the announcement of the queen and the prince, followed by their entrance. Inside, the king sat at the end of the hall. Around him were king's guards, members of the council, and on either side of the aisle stood heads of each noble house. Rhaegar was only a few steps behind his mother as they made their way toward the king.

Rhaella curtsied and Rhaegar bowed to the king as they approached, but were received without regard. It wasn't long until the announcement of Elia Martell, princess of Dorne, rang across the hall. Rhaegar and his mother glanced at each other standing in wait side by side.

Elia Martell was definitely more than the beauty rumored throughout the seven kingdoms. It took a while for Rheagar to let out a breath as she walked slowly towards them with her father and uncle trailing behind. She was younger than he had expected, but obviously mature enough to carry healthy Targaryen offspring. Rhaegar received her at the end of the aisle, kissed her hand and presented her to his father.

"Very well." King Aerys said uninterestedly. "It would do you well to start producing heirs."

Rhaegar groaned inside, disgusted by his father's lack of decency. Elia forced a smile as she and Rhaegar turned back to the crowd where the announcement of their engagement was met by a roar of applause. The prince and his betrothed turned to look at each other for the first time.

"I am pleased to meet you, my lady." Rhaegar said first.

"As I am, your grace." Elia replied, her accent heavy but sweet.

To Rhaegar, it was an odd feeling to have the most beautiful woman standing before him, presented to him as a gift, without having to exert the effort of winning her all the while still wishing that a simple girl with dark wild hair, thin lips and wide curious eyes should be in her place.