#elia married rhaegar she knew what she had to do

[throwawayasoiafaccount]

istg… how hard is it for people to understand that elia needed to have a male heir to secure her position in the royal court. a royal court that was becoming more and more divided as aerys sunk deeper into his madness while rhaegar began filling the court with his people, many of whom were dornish.

maesters compared aerys court to what the royal court looked like right before the dance! that’s how tense it was! rhaegar also has many parallels with daeron the good, and one of the most interesting parallels between these two characters is that both their fathers undermined their positions in the line of succession.

also, while elia having a male child does further secure rhaegar’s position, elia having a male child was actually much more important for her own sake.

if you don’t understand why elia having a male child as quickly as possible was necessary for her then maybe asoiaf is too intricate for you to understand.

btw rhaegar and elia needing a male heir to secure their positions at court and to secure rhaegar’s line in the succession for the throne is mainly due to the dance of the dragons because the greens usurped the blacks. to be specific, it’s because aegon usurped rhaenyra.

rhaenys never stood a chance at inheriting the throne. :/

[la-pheacienne]

“Robert will never keep to one bed,” Lyanna had told him at Winterfell, on the night long ago when their father had promised her hand to the young Lord of Storm’s End. “I hear he has gotten a child on some girl in the Vale.” Ned had held the babe in his arms; he could scarcely deny her, nor would he lie to his sister, but he had assured her that what Robert did before their betrothal was of no matter, that he was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart. Lyanna had only smiled. “Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but it cannot change a man’s nature.”

For the first time in years, he found himself remembering Rhaegar Targaryen. He wondered if Rhaegar had frequented brothels; somehow he thought not.

Robert would swear undying love and forget them before evenfall, but Ned Stark kept his vows.

"Lyanna is a hypocrite for calling out chronic cheaters like robert and then running away with Rhaegar" this is truly funny, the fact that you associate a man who chronically visits brothels, fucks child prostitutes and leaves bastards all around, with a man who left his one (1) arranged marriage for another girl he fell in love with. Especially when Ned already makes this exact comparison in the very first book, first between Robert and Rhaegar and then between Robert and himself, just to showcase how fucked up in the head his BFF Robert was compared to both Rhaegar and himself.

And now I'm not saying Ned should be uncritically treated by the reader as this paragon of virtue and feminism. I'm saying, however, that Ned's standards of "decent behavior towards women" are pretty close to the writer's standards of decent behavior towards women, in universe, considering he has one of the healthiest marriages and probably the healthiest relationship with his daughters in the asoiaf universe and his one basic fatal flaw regarding his sister is precisely arranging her marriage with his BFF Robert, a decision that haunts him to this day considering he spends one whole book reflecting on and regretting his friendship with Robert and his decision to marry his sister to Robert. And this regret is now reinforced by every single one of Robert's actions during or prior to AGOT that Ned finds repulsive, aka his murderous obsession with Dany, his violent treatment of Cersei, his mistreatment of all these women/children and their kids, his approval of the murder and rape of Elia and her kids.

Ned now finally realizes what Lyanna already instinctively knew about Robert's nature from the get go (even if she didn't have all the data at the time). He should have known what she already instinctively knew, despite being so young, but he was too far gone into his delululand of sacred bromance with Robert to care. Now he knows precisely why his sister chose Rhaegar and now he reflects on all this and his regret and guilt run so deep but it's too late because Lyanna and Rhaegar are dead and there is nothing he can do about it. And the harrowing recounting of Lyanna's death in Ned's pov is something for sure, but let's not forget the understated yet still discernable regret and sadness in his visual memory of Rhaegar's death which is in sharp contrast with his complete apathy and emotional detachment towards his living breathing friend who is standing right in front of him:

“I vowed to kill Rhaegar for what he did to her.” “You did,” Ned reminded him. “Only once,” Robert said bitterly. They had come together at the ford of the Trident while the battle crashed around them, Robert with his warhammer and his great antlered helm, the Targaryen prince armored all in black. On his breastplate was the three-headed dragon of his House, wrought all in rubies that flashed like fire in the sunlight. The waters of the Trident ran red around the hooves of their destriers as they circled and clashed, again and again, until at last a crushing blow from Robert’s hammer stove in the dragon and the chest beneath it. When Ned had finally come on the scene, Rhaegar lay dead in the stream, while men of both armies scrabbled in the swirling waters for rubies knocked free from his armor. “In my dreams, I kill him every night,” Robert admitted. “A thousand deaths will still be less than he deserves.“ There was nothing Ned could say to that.

Ned's trajectory from being a victim of the evil targaryen dynasty and Robert's faithful friend to questioning the entire basis of his old allegiance and realizing that actually Rhaegar maybe should have been King and that his sister was right about Robert because he's indeed full of shit, his subsequent guilt, regret and disillusionment over the regime he enabled, and his inability to save his house from collapse are all core elements of his arc and why his character is so fascinating and tragic. Ned's gradual deconstruction of Robert and his friendship with him is the thought process that led to all of the above. Ned remembering Lyanna's quote about Robert is there precisely to reinforce his disillusionment with Robert and highlight his difference with Rhaegar, a recurring theme in his arc. And it is particularly funny that so many people that call themselves Stark Stans TM (!!!) just swipe away all of the subtext and actual text surrounding this quote just to prove a point that is directly antithetical to the quote, its meaning and its function in the narrative, while also framing lyanna as a hypocrite over it lmao.

[spearsndragons]

I HATE IT WHEN RHAELYA FANS SAY THAT ELIA WANTED RHAEGAR TO TAKE LYANNA AS A SECOND WIFE.

UHM???? FUCK NO!

DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON THIS.

first of all, elia was the only daughter of the RULING PRINCESS OF DORNE. do people think her mother sent her off to king’s landing to be disrespected? to be humiliated? NO. she was sent there to be the next fucking queen. aside from political ambitions, the princess of dorne was canonically friends with both joanna AND rhaella. she entrusted her daughter to her friend’s son.

second, elia knew how different the rest of westeros treated their women. sure, dorne isn’t the land of equal rights and milk and honey and all that shit but she definitely enjoyed more rights and higher standing back in sunspear, especially as the daughter of house martell. she knew how precarious her status can be despite being the crown prince’s wife. what fucking good would it do to her if she allowed her husband to forcibly break a betrothal between two MAJOR houses? to basically declare to the entire world and in history forevermore that she wasn’t enough for her husband and he had to get another wife?

third, HER CHILDREN??? she gave rhaegar two healthy babies. maybe she could have given him more had she gotten proper care (no, i do not fucking trust pycelle. he’d probably been sabotaging rhaella’s and elia’s pregnancies to please tywin). rhaegar getting another wife and thus having legitimate children not hers would put aegon and rhaenys IN DANGER. sure maybe lyanna would be oh so kind enough to not contest their inheritance but do people forget the STAB alliance??? the dance???

fourth, er the mere fact that lyanna was betrothed to robert fucking baratheon? disregarding the entire shit about lya running off (or not) with a married man after shitting on robert for being a manwh0re, YOU DO NOT JUST BREAK AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN TWO MAJOR HOUSES. even if the crown had a good reason to do so (which they didn’t), it was an agreement between house stark AND house baratheon. they DO NOT get a say in it. lord, this is contract law 101. robert’s rebellion was built on a lie my ass. the rebels had every good reason to rebel bro.

I CAN GO ON FOREVER BUT ILL JUST BE MAD

[lunarmoonanons]

Can you write yandere Rhaegar Targaryen ?

🌕 🌖 🌗 🌘 🌑 🌒 🌓 🌔 🌕

Queen of Love and Beauty

🌕 🌖 🌗 🌘 🌑 🌒 🌓 🌔 🌕

Masterlist

YN was very close to her twin sister Lyanna. The two were cut from the same cloth and shared everything with each other. YN loved to ride with her sister, they shared the same dresses and play clothes, and they both disparaged at the thought of YN marrying Robert Baratheon. One eventful day, YN, her sister, and her brothers were sent down with their father to a tourney at Harrenhal. A tourney where the prince Rhaegar and others of the royal family would be. 

During the tourney, YN had the most wonderful time. She spent most of her time with her sister and brothers. Standing up for Howland Reed when he was attacked and insulted. Once he was in their tent, YN immediately went to his side to press a clot to his bleeding face. Her brothers went on about how they would not stand for this, and Lyanna stood off to the side pondering something that she was planning to do. 

At the feast, YN caught her first glimpse of prince Rhaegar, who had played them all a piece of music that brought her sister to tears. YN didn’t know at the moment but Rhaegar had caught a glimpse of her too. The man found the girl beautiful. And he was a man and she a girl, the prince being in his early twenties and YN being 14 at the time of the tourney. 

When it was time to watch the tourney, YN sat right next to her twin and enjoyed watching the men go at it. They both cheered for their brother Brandon, who was winning the tourney so far. Then Rhaegar went to compete and he performed outstandingly. He was absolutely wonderful and so pretty, at least he was to YN. Then he won the tourney. Unseating Brandon. The crowd applauded as he took the wreath of blue roses to give to his queen of love and beauty. But he did not place it in the lap of his wife. He took that laurel of roses and placed it in the lap of YN. YN who blushed and sweated under the gaze of everyone who was shocked at the prince. She felt her stomach go aflutter from nervousness. YN no longer found the prince beautiful. She hated that he made her the center of attention and scrutiny. But you did not turn down a gift from a prince. 

“Thank you Prince Rhaegar.” YN said steadily. One hand on the laurel the other tightly gripping her sister’s. 

“A beautiful wreath of flowers, for my queen of love and beauty.” He complimented, then he rode off leaving YN to try and steady her breathing. 

The fallout of this tourney was a catastrophic one. Robert raged and hated the prince, insulted that the man would show any interest in his betrothed. YN’s father and brothers ran to her rescue and adamantly defended her honor. Her virtue. No one thought the girl was the prince’s mistress. The two had never even met before. But the blame was laid against Rhaegar’s true wife, Elia. Believing she was not giving the prince what he wanted, that she was making him unhappy. Thankfully YN did not see Rhaegar again for a whole year. 

And for that whole year, Rhaegar thought about YN. The beautiful stark girl. He liked Elia, maybe even loved her, but he desired the girl he claimed as his queen. Rhaegar wanted to possess her, to adore her and worship the ground she walked on. But he needed to have three children with Elia. Once Elia had birthed a son for him, his hopes for a third child were dashed when the maester said she could not handle birthing another child. His mind turned to the stark girl. How he loved her. How she could give him a child. 

He would get his chance when he would see her again a year after the tourney. After the birth of his son. There she was in the Riverlands. He followed her into the woods where she danced amongst the trees. Believing she was putting on a show for him. In reality YN loved the woods. She needed these ounces of freedom away from her entourage of people. She wasn’t even thinking of Rhaegar. She knew he was there in the Riverlands, but didn’t even believe she would never see him again. 

“You're still as beautiful as that day at the tourney.” Rhaegar interrupted her. YN jumped and turned around to see the man staring intensely at her. 

“My lord! Prince Rhaegar! What are you doing here?” YN wrapped her arms around herself. 

“I never thought I’d see your face again.” Rhaegar ignored her question and stepped toward her. Yn stepped back. She was 15 and he was still a man in his early twenties. “Oh, are you scared? Do I scare you?”

“Prince Rhaegar. You should go back to your wife. I’m sure your entourage is missing you.” YN was scared. His purple eyes stared so deep into her, that she felt it pierce her soul. It felt like he towered over her. 

“You haven’t answered my question. Do I scare you?” He stepped closer and placed his hand against her cold cheek. 

YN swallowed back a whimper. “Yes. I am frightened of you. And I want you to leave. Please leave me alone.”

“But I can’t. I’ve thought of nothing but you since that tourney. How beautiful you looked. How I needed to have you.” Rhaegar whispered. 

“You have a wife. You have children with that wife.”

“I have two children. I need three. I need to fulfill something. Something I can’t explain now. All I must say is that I want you. I need you to give me a third child. I need you. There’s so many words that I have for you. I want you to come with me.” Rhaegar held her face in his hands. 

YN scowled and shoved him away. Breathing heavily. “No! I won’t go with you! I don’t want to have anything to do with you!” 

“I love you, YN. I need you.” Rhaegar reached for her. 

“You don’t love me! You don’t know me! Please go away! Go back to your wife and forget I exist!” YN bit. 

“I can see your unwillingness to mine. But I must have you.” Rhaegar was calm. Very calm. 

YN did not see Rhaegar’s companions when they came from between the trees. She did not see Ser Arthur Dayne behind her. The man grabbed her and placed his hand over her screaming mouth. Rhaegar and his band stole the stark girl away. The man gave into his dark desires and possessed the girl who fought and screamed against him. He promised her she would only need to give him one child. That he wouldn’t touch her after that. That he would just possess her body and spirit. He would have her. His queen of love and beauty.

I hate Rhaegar. Why are you a grown man in his twenties fixating on this 14-15 year old.

[martellspear]

One of the weirdest claims Rhaelyas make—above all their other bizarre takes—is the idea that Elia and Rhaegar’s marriage was "forced." It wasn’t. The marriage was arranged by their families, and there's no evidence to suggest it was forced on either of them. It's not like there's no precedent in Westeros for refusing a marriage. 

I think the reason they push this narrative is because they know there’s no way either Elia or Rhaegar would have objected to the match. Elia gets to marry the future king—a man who was considered noble, talented, and not mad like his father. For Rhaegar, he marries a kind and well-regarded woman from one of the most loyal and powerful houses in the realm. This was like the best outcome for a political marriage in Westeros!

I truly do not understand why they act as Aerys had to drag Rhaegar kicking and screaming to the altar. Even if it had been a forced marriage that neither wanted, would that make Rhaegar the first male victim of misogyny? Because in most cases—real or fictional—it’s the woman who suffers most in a forced marriage. But the way these people talk, you’d think Elia was Aegon the Unworthy and Rhaegar was Naerys. It’s honestly ridiculous. Male-centered women are truly something else.

Right?! They talk as if they didn't even know each other before it all happened. Rhaegar knew exactly who Elia was, he had even seen her.

During a time when Jon's father was still alive, Rhaegar was returning from a trip to Dorne, and visited Griffin's Roost for a fortnight. - [x] //  A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61.

Where do you think the heir to the Iron Throne stayed when he visited Dorne? Rhaegar spent his time there in Sunspear. He knew Elia, he knew her family and their mothers were friends.

And another canon thing is that Rhaegar - who changed his entire life for the prophecy - refused to let Elia die during a third pregnancy. It doesn't matter what you think, Aegon was NOT a pregnancy she wanted at the time. Elia had been bedridden for months, in what world would she want to go through with another pregnancy so soon?

Yet, he didn't push for a third pregnancy, she would die. Whether you like it or not, the truth is that Rhaegar pretty much didn't want to cause her death. He participated in it indirectly but he did what he could - in his mind - to avoid it. Personally, I think he could have done more and shouldn't have done anything.

[tentakrool]

my favorite way of thinking about rhaegar and lyanna is that they saw what they wanted in each other and found themselves drawn to that

lyanna knew that she’d be married off to someone. chances were extremely good that person would be robert baratheon, an enormous misogynist and fuckboy who she could see for who he was. if you subscribe to the theory that she was the mystery knight at the harrenhal joust, that’s a very clear indicator that she had a desire to break out of traditional roles for herself. she wanted the freedom to do what she wanted, to demonstrate her ability as more than a baby farm and a political bargaining chip.

rhaegar has a similar problem, imo. he’s the heir to the entire kingdom. every choice has been made for him by his increasingly crazy dad. he’s married to a woman he didn’t choose. having children he didn’t ask for. when he sees lyanna at the tourney he crowns her the queen of love and beauty over his wife perhaps less out of true admiration but because it was a choice that he could make. we know he’s a romantic, and choosing another woman over his wife plays into a myth of “doomed love” or whatever that he would be aware of as a musician and lover of that sort of thing. not only that he’s a warrior of the highest degree but inside he’s soft and vulnerable. lyanna as a secret knight in a tourney restricted to men would drive him wild in my opinion.

are they actually in love? fully debatable myself, i think they were fascinated with each other. they saw in one another either a form of escape or resistance, and i think they both hoped (maybe against their better judgement) that this act would have positive repercussions. at the very least it would make someone pause and say “hey, maybe the way we do shit sucks actually” hell they may have even had sex as an act of defiance more than an act of love or passion in the traditional sense. probably a bit of all three. whatever they were doing, it wasn’t just a whim. both of them were born into the same world that everyone else was. there was at least some sort of calculation involved here. i like to think it was an effort to improve their lot and perhaps the lot of others moving forward.

of course it’s asoiaf rules so that didn’t happen. but that’s kinda what makes sense to me in terms of their mindsets. bonus points if you see them as t4t honestly.

**i want to note that in no way is any of this meant to be anti-elia martell, she didn’t ask for any of this bullshit either and tbh maybe she thought it was cool idk

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

Wrap Around Pt.4

Warnings: siblingxsibling implied, longing

Words: 2367

Summary:��You and Oberyn enjoy Elia's wedding.

PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO ANY OF THE WARNINGS/TAGS

Part 1 Part 2   Part 3   

There couldn’t have been a more beautiful day than the one of Elia’s wedding to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Your elder sister was covered with the most precious fabrics imported from Essos. Clinging to her torso and flowing outward in an elegant skirt with embroidered beads and tinkling bells. Her lashes were long, lacquered by a special blend of kohl and honey. Without a doubt a vision before your eyes, you had never seen your sister quite as radiant as she was on that day.

The groom, equally dazzling for the eyes to behold. In the great Sept of Baelor, they stood side by side as the Westerosi sept drolled on and on about the light of the Mother and perseverance of the Warrior that would keep them both safe in their matrimony. Rhaegar’s typical Targaryen traits were enhanced by the harsh black of his suit, plates styled as if they were dragon scales. Blinding silver hair was pulled back into a lengthy braid down his back. They were charming side by side, tying Dorne and Westeros together.

You and Oberyn had traveled far as the wedding ceremony would take place in King’s Landing. Under the domed ceiling, you and your brother watched Elia become tied to the Targaryen prince. Holding his hand as a gentle type of sorrow overwhelmed you in that moment. No longer would you be able to run down the hall and jostle her awake by jumping on her bed. Elia was no longer just your sister, she belonged to Westeros now and would one day be expected to become a dutiful queen. Sunspear would feel vacant without her warmth. If only she had married a Dornishman. That way she would at least be closer to you if you wanted to see her. King Aerys had believed her to be the only one worthy of marrying his heir; after all, she was one of the only princesses in the Seven Kingdoms. It was meant to be an honor, that’s what Doran told you.

Having noticed the tears brimming in our eyes, Oberyn squeezed your hand to let you know that he was still there and that everything would be okay. You knew for certain that you would not lose Oberyn to marriage anytime soon, probably not ever. He would always be by your side and if he could help it that would never change. He was a constant that you refused to relinquish.

You hold onto his hand and will your tears to dry, this was not a cause for sorrow, you should be smiling and celebrating along with the others present. This was monumentous for your sister. One day she would become Queen of Westeros. This was the dream match of a lifetime for Elia and you wanted to be happy for her. Even her groom was dazzling beautiful. The greatest opportunity that would ever come by Elia. The match had made Doran pause briefly before accepting the marriage proposal. While Westeros and Dorne were on fairly good terms, many still looked down upon a 'foreign' princess being wed to their crown prince. Elia would be surrounded by Westerosi, leaving her to be the only Dornish presence in the capital. You worried that eventually when Rhaegar would be forced to leave her side that Elia would experience unfound loneliness. She had always had friends and family around her. Now she would be isolated from those that loved her dearly. What did these people know about your beloved sister? Would they know how to stop her tears before the spilled out of her eyes? Certainly not. They wouldn't know the first thing to do when she wasn't feeling well and how to best deal with her weak constitution.

Westeros better treat her right. If not, well, you would have to think about moving to the capital to be with her. You didn't like the idea of leaving Dorne permanently for Westeros. You loved your homeland more than any other place you had visited. The people were lively and unjudgemental and had an open mind. Why would you live anywhere else? You would do so for Elia. But if you were to leave Dorne, you were sure Oberyn would follow right behind you.

Your face was already flushed from the bottomless glasses of wine you had consumed as you waltzed up to the bridal table where lords and ladies were giving the happy couple gifts and their blessings. The Great Hall that housed the iron throne was already becoming stuffy from the many bodies that were dancing and drinking and merely having the time of their life. Candles and lanterns illuminated the venue and also cast a warm glow over everyone. Music danced around the hall from the performers that had been gifted for this special occasion. When it was your turn, Elia broke out into a shining grin and introduced you to Rhaegar.

"A pleasure to meet you, Princess." Rhaegaer takes your hand and kisses your knuckles as was custom for highborn ladies. "Your sister has told me so much about you."

"All good things I hope." You tease and smile at your older sister.

"Well, I had to warn him that you can be a little imp." Her laughter filled you up with content. All you wanted was for Elia to be happy after years of having taken care of you and Oberyn which certainly had not been easy.

Leaning forward, you kiss both sides of her cheeks. "Everything is so lovely, Elia and you look quite the vision."

"Your wedding will be just as lovely, I'm sure." Elia smiles at you in that endearing way that had you thinking that you would die for your older sister if the need ever arose. You loved her so much that you just couldn't bare to tell her that you most likely would never marry. There would be no point in it, at least in your eyes. Not if you couldn't be with the person your heart was craving for.

You cast a secret glance ove rthe festivities and immediatgely find Oberyn canoodling with a group of lords and ladies, probably entertaining them with one of his adventures.

As if feeling your gaze on him, Oberyn looks your way and smiles as he continues talking. That smile meant just for you. Easy to hide your blush from obtrusive eyes, you realize Elia hadn't been fooled. Of course not. She had practically raised you and Oberyn. When it came to her younger siblings, nothing flew over her head.

Her smile became strained and you immediately regretted your cockiness. You hung your head slightly as Elia turns to her groom, her pleasant smile having returrned. "Wouldn you mind terribly if I left for a few moments?'

Rhaegar grinned, taking her hand in his and giving it a chaste kiss. "Whatever my bride desires."

Maybe you would reconsider marriage if you found a potential suitor as handsome as Rhaegar Targaryen, for he rivaled Oberyn in terms of looks and charm.

A blush made your sister's cheeks glow, seeing the gleam in her eyes. She was truly in love with Rhaegar, that much was already clear. Good. At least you owuldn't have to worry about Elia being stuck in a marriage she detested.

Elegantly, Elia excuses herself and moves around the table to take your arm and lead you away. She lead you further and further away from the party until the sounds of laughter and music became a distant buzz. The halls of the Red Keep were eerily quiet as Elia finally releases your arm.

"Oh no. You have that look on your face you always get before scolding me." You nervously say but she is not in the laughing mood. It put a damper on her beautiful face and otherwise jubilent atmosphere.

"I need you to be serious, (y/n)" Elia whispers, her eyes glancing down making her long lashes cast shadows on her cheeks. "From now on, King's Landing is my home. I won't be at Sunspear to keep an eye on you and Oberyn. Don't try to deny it. I know. I've always known."

Your stomach performed acrobatic tricks inside of you. Never had Elia mentioned the odd dance you and Oberyn tiptoed around. Oh, you were aware that she may have an inclining; she would be blind not to notice the longing looks you and your brother shot one another. Lingering caresses that a brother shouldn't dispaly toward his sister.

You wanted to curl into yourself. "Elia, lets not ruin your wedding."

She shakes her head, face filled with determination and. . . fear? "My love, I need you to listen to me and heed my words. I love you both dearly, but I'm worried about you and Obberyn. I will no longer be able to keep an eye on you. You must not cross the point of no return with him. Please, for my sake. I know you love each other intensely, but its a love that can never come to fruition. You know that as does Obery. It's. . . immoral and if Doran were to ever discover you two, I know he'll force you to marry a far away lord. If anyone outside our family were to discover your secret. . . it can be a cause for imprisonment. For my sake, please. . ."

Tears blinded you before you could hastily wipe them away. It utterly broke you to agree to such a thing but you would do anything for Elia. Besides. . . you already knew that there could be no actual romantic relationship with Oberyn. It would forever be an impossible love that would haunt you. "Okay. . ."

Relief made her shoulders sag but there was still a melancholy in her eyes. "I'm sorry, (y/n). I know one cna't control who they fall in love with."

Your chest was hurting as you were supressing the overwheliming devastation that was swallowing you up. Shaking your head, you try to put on a brave face for your sister. "No, I know. . . It's alright. You should get back to your husband."

"(y/n)-"

I'm alright, Elia. I just need a moment to compose myself."

She hesitates to leave you, her natural instinct forbidding her to leave when she knew you were sad. Despite her wavering feelings, Elia sulks away; back to her party and prince.

Only when you knew she was out of earshot did you crumble against a stone column and succumb to your grief.

A truth you had known all along: You and Oberyn would never truly be together. It was sinful to even entertain such an idea. A brother and sister could never cross that boundary of blood. All along, you were aware of this while you thought you were harmlessly flirthing with Oberyn and he back.

"(y/n)?"

You choke on your own sobs at Oberyn's voice. Through your wet eyes, you look up at him. Handsome Oberyn who you had the misfortune of being his sister.

When he saw your tears, Oberyn immediately crouches down to touch your stained cheek. "Who did this to you?"

A bubble of laughter pushed past your tears. "I did."

"Now why would you do such a mean thing to my sweet sister?" Oberyn smiled a little to ease your distress. His thumb goes to wipe away your t4ears but you turn your face the other way. His gentle touch only made your heart ache even more. Oberyn pauses before leaning away. "I saw you and Elia leave the Great Hall. She came back alone. That's why I went searching for you. What happened?"

You fiddled with yoru fingers, refusing to meet his prying eyes.

"What did Elia say to you?"

"Nothing bad. . . She just wanted me to promise that I'll behave myself around you from now on. Since she won't be living at Sunspear anymore. She's worried about us." Making sure to put an emphasis on that last word, yyou dare to finally lift your eyes.

Oberyn closed his eyes, leaning on his hands. "Oh. . ."

With a sniffle, you wipe your nose with your sleeve, not caring if it was unladylike. "I promised not to do anything that might warrant unwanted attention to us."

"Meaning?"

"You know what I mean." You held onto his attention, the furrowing of his brows and the dark shadows that flickered in his eyes. Oberyn wasn't stupid.

A shaky sigh deflats his chest. "We can't help it."

You nod. "I know. But everything Elia said to me is true. What we've flet between us for so long isn'nt right. If Doran sees what Elia does-"

"I'm not afraid of Doran."

"That's not the point, Oberyn. The point is that its not right for us to feel the way we do for eachother. I have to keep you at arm's length. It's for the best. Aroudn you, I feel like it would be so easy for me to slip and succumb to our feelings. We've already toed the line of whats appropriate for siblings. Each time its harder and harder to pull away."

His jaw ticks and you know tis painful for him to hear all of this. Neither ofyou had ever spoken about your incestuous feelings, it wasn't necessary to address it until now. It couldn't be avoided any longer.

You grasp his hand. "We can never cross that line of morality. That doesn't mean I'll love you any less."

Tenderess softened his features, smoothing ove rhis scowl as he lifts your hand and presses it agains this lips; the same hand that Rhaegar had briefly kissed. "You will always be the light of my life. That will never change."

"Can you really accept it? Your a creature who craves a physical relationship."

"I'll do anything to keep you in my life, (y/n)."

You wanted to cry all over again. For the love you would never have and the void in your heart that would always be vacant. No other man would ever live up to Oberyn. While you oculd have your flings and meaningless sex, no mand could fill up the palce that had always been meant for your brother.

Taglist:

@hoziersfairy​

@rosaliedepp​

@iiconicxpersona

@hiroikegawa

@msmorningstaarr

[untilmynextstory]

Elia Week 2024 Day 3: Elia + Her Nieces/Nephews, Princess ("Queen") x Knight I took a bit of liberties with this prompt. AO3

Today should be a joyous day for her family - the Realm. Yet Elia wanted to scream and cry. She wanted further away from the Red Keep - King’s Landing. She wished she would have married Baelor Hightower, and this day may have never come to fruition. Maybe everything that had happened in the past 20 years wouldn’t have happened. 

All she could do was watch in grief and mourn the life her nephew would never get to live as his uncle placed a white cloak around his shoulders. 

Elias Martell was born five years after the Battle of the Trident. 

His birth was sudden and took everyone by surprise. It was the first birth Elia had witnessed of her brothers' children. 

Elia tried not to have favorites. She loved her children, nieces, and nephews equally. However, Elias was dear to her heart. She liked to think it was because he was her namesake. 

King’s Landing was a city that had always felt isolated, even before the Tourney of Harrenhal, the disappearance of Rhaegar, and the death of Aerys. 

If Elia had felt out of place as a Dornish Princess, being a Dornish Queen paled in comparison, primarily when she had been forced to inherit a crumbling dynasty. 

She knew she would never be accepted at court because she was Dornish. No matter what good she tried to do for the city, realm, and her children; it wasn’t enough to wash away the rumors and pity her husband had cloaked her in from his actions. 

No one would forget how Rhaegar had caused half of the realm to be widows and orphans, especially not when there was a live reminder living in court. 

However, she watched as most of the nobles conveniently forgot their King's actions if it made them closer to that wretched throne. 

Her brown eyes watched in disinterest as her husband worked the floor. She knew later that she would have to hear him complain about the politicking he still had to do as King. There had been a time she had enjoyed the complaints, but now it seemed she had to suffer for her husband as he held on to a relic of their fractured past. 

And she knew they were now having such a celebration because of who the new Kingsguard was. Yet, she found nothing joyous about her nephew taking these vows. 

She didn’t care he would be protecting her son - the future king - nor that he had been taught under the guidance of his father and uncles. 

She wanted anyone with a drop of Martell or Dornish blood to be far away from a place like King’s Landing. But ambition had cursed her blood. 

She had been surprised when Oberyn and Cersei had one child. The second one she felt was more for the duty of always having a spare for the heir. However, in the third pregnancy, she knew it was a decision between Oberyn and Cersei. She had been shocked to see the two seemed to get along for the most part. Yet, a part of her wondered if this was also a way for her brother not to let her husband get one over on him. 

She knew she and Cersei would never be more than cordial, but for her brother, who had no desire to be married, she was glad to see him in a stable marriage. It is stable enough for people with such stubborn personalities. 

Elias was born during her first visit to Dorne. She hadn’t been able to visit her homeland since the Rebellion. Finally, after five years, she was trusted to sink her feet into the white sand covering her home's coastline since Rhaegar had become King. 

Although her youngest nephew was so small, he had tiny, powerful lungs, and his birth made her long for another one of her own. 

But most of all, she remembered his wide doe eyes looking up at her, and she swore he smiled at her. 

The only place that ever seemed to provide some sort of peace in King’s Landing was the godswood. Somehow, it remained untouched by the plots and webs of deceit that curled around the throne. 

It was where her nephew had found her. He wasn’t in his armor yet. He was clad in Dorne's traditional wardrobe. Tomorrow, his duties would truly begin. Gone were oranges, yellows, reds. Soon, it would all be white with the hope his cloak would never stain red. 

“Aunt!” 

“Nephew,” she greeted. “Or should I say Ser Elias, now?”

His golden eyes were lit with jubilation. She would assume he had been in his cups, but she knew her nephew didn’t like to indulge in drinks. However, as his father, they carried a carefree demeanor. Despite their charismatic characteristics, one would never estimate a viper of Dorne.

“I’ll always be your nephew, Aunt.” His smile was wide and genuine. When he smiled, she could see Aegon in there. Aegon had most if not all of his father’s features, yet sometimes an expression, his smile, and his demeanor were that of the Martell blood. She had Rhaenys in her image, and her husband had Aegon.

“Are you sure you want this?” She knew Cersei and Jaime were proud of Elias wanting to join the Kingsguard. Oberyn was proud of his son’s accomplishment, but she knew he held the same feelings towards King’s Landing that she had. 

“You know there isn’t much out there for being a 3rd son.” Her nephew replied as he walked closer to the oak that was a crude imitation of a heart tree. 

“Still, these vows are for life; why would you want to be chained to a King…”

“Saying Aegon won’t make a fine King?”

She glared at her nephew, but it softened as she saw his teasing smile. She believed half of why he joined the Kingsguard was to remind her husband of how Dorne viewed him. 

“Aegon’s reign will only be peaceful because of you,” Elias added softly. “The only thing he seems to have inherited from his father is that damned silver hair and purple eyes.”

Elia chose to ignore the distaste Elias had expressed for her husband. “You could have a seat at his council versus this.” Elias could excel as Master of Coin. He would still be allowed more freedom to move around the realm. 

Her nephew gave her a sad smile. “Maybe, but I could be dismissed at any time on a council. I want you to be happy for me, Aunt, for I want this.”

Elia wanted to be happy. She did. Most would be proud and boast of an accomplishment like this. “Why do you want this?”

The wind displaced the leaves around them. Elias sighed and knocked his knuckles against the tree. 

Her nephew's voice was cold. He sounded like her brother when he could contain the poison of anger and rage within him. “He left her with three Kingsguard, and you only had my uncle.”

Elia sighed. It always went back to that. 

The birth of her nephew made Elia yearn a new babe of her own. As much as she cared for Daenerys as her own, and even for her own bruised pride and worth, the little Jon, they served as constant reminders that she couldn’t do her one duty in giving her husband more heirs. 

It was why her husband's eyes had wandered to the Winter Rose and the realm paid for it in blood. 

She wondered if what the Maester said was true. 

Now, she had time to regain her strength, and her body had time to recover from birth. Yet, any desire waned at the thought of sharing a bed with her husband. 

Besides, she didn’t want to give Rhaegar any hope that she held any fondness for him outside of him being the man who had the privilege to get her with two marvelous children. 

When she arrived at King’s Landing, she hoped some bitterness had subsided. Holding on to so much anger and resentment was exhausting most days. It was a bitter drink she couldn’t keep drinking. Yet, when Rhaegar greeted her with his trusted shield, Arthur Dayne, at his side, she had looked for little Jon. 

But she remembered how downtrodden Jon had been when she had been preparing to leave with Rhaenys and Aegon. She knew Doran and Oberyn had no ill-will with the small child, only the father. Yet, she didn’t want to flare some of her Dornishmen’s short tempers. 

Rhaegar was attentive to Rhaenys. He was already grooming their son for the throne. Jon only got scraps of his affections. She could never tell if it was because of regret, the love or lack of love he held for the boy’s mother, or the fact he wasn’t the prophesied Visenya. Jon was the reminder of his hubris. 

It reminded her that her husband could be cruel, like his father. 

“My dear nephew,” she cupped her nephew’s cheek. As a young girl, she fantasized about a robust and valiant knight becoming her protector. It took her a while, but the vows of knights didn’t change anything regarding a man, and they were men like the rest of them. The vows were only a shield of their cruelty. 

How could she tell her nephew that as soon as she married Rhaegar, she had lost any sort of protection that Dorne could and had provided?

When Rhaegar’s seed had quickened, she perpetually flirted with the Stranger.  Having a knight in fancy armor and a quick hand with steel didn’t change the fact. 

It wasn’t a shield she needed from fists and words. 

No man could shield her from the wounds of her heart. 

[samieree]

Born in Flames || Game of Thrones

OC x ?😏

The young former Princess Visenya, and now Maegelle Targaryen, after the death of King Robert I Baratheon can finally come to King's Landing without fear of death at the hands of Robert, who has vowed to kill any Targaryen he can.

Exactly, "any Targaryen he can"…

He hasn't been able to touch Maegelle since Tywin Lannister took her to Casterly Rock and she was under his care for the next seventeen years, raised to be against her real family. Even her changed name is to make her realize who she should be.

But will she listen to it? After all, she had spent her entire life with the murderers of her family…

Introduction

Maegelle (Visenya) Targaryen

The only surviving child of the late Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell.

The first woman named Visenya since the conquest of the Seven Kingdoms, who was miraculously saved from death by Tywin Lannister before the Mountain could hurt her.

She was just a baby, she doesn't remember anyone from her immediate family. However, thanks to her servant Selaria, she knows the truth about her parents, her ancestors and their language.

She was secretly learning valyrian, following the traditions of her family and where they came from.

After the death of Robert I Baratheon, the best and worst period of her life begins at the same time... A time when she will have to fight for herself, perhaps even with her family...

The silver-haired daughter of Rhaegar, who had never even met her. Visenya Targaryen.

Prologue

"Ah, how beautiful it would be to leave them all and go on your own!" King Robert Baratheon said as he sat down in a chair at a table spread out on the grass.

"I'd go with you." His longtime friend Eddard Stark replied, sighing softly and looking at the fields stretching out around him.

"So what do you say about that? Just us and our swords, and of course the wenches in the taverns to warm a little our old bones." Robert suggested, taking advantage of the food spread out on the table.

"You should have proposed that twenty years ago."

"Ugh..." he sighed and threw something on his plate. "We had our wars, women... But never youth."

"I remember it a bit differently..." Ned replied, making his friend laugh and then he smiled at the memory of the past.

"Including that one wench, how was she?" At this point Ned's mood turned a bit, but he didn't let it show. Nevertheless, he stopped listening a bit to what Robert had to say to him later and replied immediately.

"You mean Bessy?" He asked, as if looking at his friend, but his thoughts were somewhere else.

"Yes, Bessy... Thank the gods for her and her tits." they laughed lightly. "And how was yours? Alina...? Ugh, you know who I mean, bastard's mother."

"Waila."

"Of course... She had to be good to make Stark forget his honor." Robert noted. If he only knew the truth... "You never said what she looked like." maybe because she wasn't there?

"And I won't." Eddard declared, looking away from his friend and focusing again on the field and the forest in the distance.

"We were in the war." Robert began. "We had no idea if we would survive it." He seemed to be trying to comfort a friend who was all too good at hiding the truth. "You are always too strict with yourself and probably if I were not the king, you would have hit me." he said finally.

"And that's the worst drawback of your being king." He replied, smiling slightly.

Would he actually hit him? Who knows, but Ned himself felt he wouldn't have done it, despite everything Robert said. Even if it adds credibility to his lie.

"Believe me, it's not the biggest flaw..." Sighing, he reached into one of his pockets for a piece of folded paper. "A messenger arrived at night." He handed Stark the letter and leaned back on the chair.

"Daenerys Targaryen..." Ned read as he unfolded the paper. "...she married a Dothraki khal." He looked at the letter a moment longer, raised an eyebrow for a moment, and folded it back on the table. "You want to send her a wedding gift?"

"Yes, a knife, preferably a sharp knife and immediately with a hand that will use it..." he growled angrily, sipping a little alcohol, as was his habit often.

"It's just a child." Ned said dismissively.

"Which will soon spread her legs and start giving birth." His friend added.

"Wait... You are serious?"

"Fully, is it such a disgrace? It was a real disgrace what the Targaryens had done to the Starks, led by Rhaegar Targaryen and what he had done to your sister Lyanna! My beloved, destined for me!" Evidently Robert was irritated about the Targaryen. He leaned over the table a little and added one more sentence with fury in his eyes. "I will kill every Targaryen I can get my hands on!"

"You're not doing very well, three of them alive, including one in Westeros." Ned commented, making his interlocutor even more angry.

"Because bloody Tywin Lannister keeps her in his stronghold, hiding her from the world! And over the sea it is said that Khal Drogo has a hundred thousand warriors!"

"Even a million dothraki aren't a threat to us as long as they are on the other side of the sea, without ships!" Stark tried to explain it all to him as simply as possible, raising his voice a little at him to make it clearer.

"But there are still people who call me a usurper. If a young Targaryen ever stands on this land, there will be some rogues to support him.

"If. And yet he will not cross, the Dothraki believe that great water is poisonous. And even if he miraculously succeeds, we'll push him over to sea." Robert fell silent after his friend's words, and after a moment of watching him, he drank again.

Honestly? He didn't quite know what to think about it. It irritated him immensely that he couldn't kill this bloody lineage to the end, especially the person he had on the same continent. Once... He almost made it once, when he saw her when he arrived at Casterly Rock. But still the fucking child got away with her life, and she still dares to breathe in these lands. An innocent child? Idle talk, they've killed so many Targaryen children already and they've just decided to spare her? There had to be a purpose for it, he just couldn't get there yet.

"War is coming, Ned." Robert finally said, deciding not to share his thoughts after all. "I don't know when or with who, but I'm sure we will fight." ~ -> Chapter I "Home?" -> general masterlist -> Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon masterlist

I won't tell you with who Visenya's gonna end up, because... Well, there will be a few love stories across the book 😅 Enjoy

But I can give you a small spoiler of who will show up in the book 👀 ↓

Ser Arthur Dayne

[throwawayasoiafaccount]

Why do you think the tides have slightly turned from "Elia deserves better than Rhaegar" to shipping her and Rhaegar together? Like what is the psychology behind these people because I've seen some of them like/reblog anti Rhaegar posts while also shipping Rhaegar x Elia at the same time.

hey anon! my thoughts are a bit messy, but i’ve done my best to explain them coherently :)

so, rhaegar was the best man anyone could have when elia was alive, and most people want the best for their favs. he was considered the most handsome, didn’t have a bad personality, and he was crown prince—meaning elia was almost queen, which is often seen as the greatest role a woman can have. the narrative also treats rhaegar as a beautiful, tragic, haunting figure, and elia actually had this very aesthetically pleasing man all to herself at one point! she was married to him, had children with him, and her life was so close to perfect! but rhaegar just had to go and ruin it. 😠

for many elia stans, if rhaegar hadn’t fallen in love with another woman (they want him to have been a completely different character), then everything would’ve been perfect, and elia would’ve had the best, most desirable life. however, that’s not what happened—elia met a very tragic end, and as a result, these stans feel double the bitterness. because of this bitterness, they blame rhaegar for everything (even though it’s not logical to do so), but he’s just too ‘perfect’ to let go of. so, for years these stans have made rhaegar revolve around elia, filling his tag with posts about her out of bitterness. so, i do believe that this obsession with rhaegar x elia has always been there, but i think it’s become a more favorable stance on the elia stan side of the fandom because of a mix of reasons.

plus, rhaegar is one of the few canon relationships we know elia had, since she’s not much of a character. because of this, and the fact that most people don’t like to stray too far from canon, most elia stans are forced to focus on rhaegar, which has created an echo chamber. basically, if a sentiment about elia and rhaegar’s relationship becomes popular, then the whole elia stan side of the fandom will likely regurgitate the sentiment. (also, this desire to stick close to canon is likely why the elia x arthur ship was so popular. while it’s a total crack ship, it had good aesthetics, and since elia and arthur at least knew each other, it allowed the stans to create their perfect fanfiction whilst sticking it to rhaegar. but remember, elia was actually married to rhaegar and had children with him, so while arthur is cool, rhaegar was always ‘top dog,’ meaning arthur would never be able to match up to rhaegar to most elia stans. also, the arthur x elia crack ship is likely her second most popular ship, which just shows how little elia stans have to work with, so they’re always forced to eventually return back to rhaegar for a lot of things.)

however, even if the elia x rhaegar ship gains more popularity, these stans will never stop hating rhaegar because he wasn’t ‘perfect’—and he wasn’t perfect because he didn’t love elia. plus, rhaegar loving another woman and supposedly kidnapping her is what began the war that led to elia’s tragic death. that’s bitterness times 1000. and while i don’t actually blame rhaegar for the war, i do think that this is how an elia stan sees it. i also don’t view rhaegar’s complex relationship with elia as a bad thing—it’s actually a very realistic take on an arranged marriage between two decent people. but most elia stans will never be able to get over the fact that they almost had everything, which is why many have it out for lyanna, as they consider her a thief who ruined their ‘perfection.’

tbh, that might be why so many elia stans are so obsessed with the idea that rhaegar only got with lyanna because of the prophecy—they don’t want to believe that rhaegar actually loved a different woman and not their perfect self insert elia. that’s a bit mean of me… but i don’t know what else one would call the ‘elia’ elia stans have created.

now that i’ve laid all those thoughts out, i’ll try to explain why the tides seem to be turning… i think it may have something to do with the ‘targaryens are all evil and bad’ sentiment losing popularity. i think this shift has occurred due to a mix of factors, such as years of fandom fights and fandom cycles leading to the targs being more liked now than before. it helps that canon doesn’t actually condemn the targs/favors them quite a bit, and the influx of new targ fans from HOTD has also contributed. this combination of reasons seems to have shifted the way the mainstream fandom discusses all the targaryen characters, including rhaegar. so, with this shift, it’s only natural that some elia stans/elia x rhaegar shippers—who’ve always been there—are using this opportunity to push their agenda. while these stans still hate rhaegar and see him as the bad guy, they just can’t let go of him. and as the mainstream fandom moves away from the anti targaryen sentiment, these smaller corners of the fandom, which tend to be echo chambers, are also affected, which has therefore led to a rise in rhaegar x elia shippers and the ‘shifting tide’ that you’ve also noticed.

[katshuya]

The possibility that Arthur and Elia had a romantic relationship is not impossible, but some people deny it simply because they dislike the idea. Aemon crowned Naerys could be one hint. Arthur didn't. He probably blamed himself over that. His sad smile at the end can be due to his failure in protecting her and regreting that he never married Elia when she visited Starfall and spared her the horrible fate. George loves helpless tragic romance. You have to put that in mind the huge parallel between Aemon and Arthur.

You are absolutely right, Anon. I do not want anything romantic between these two.

I will talk about it from Canon and Fanon's perspective. Because I believe taking a look at the fanfictions helps you understand why these two are hard to be accepted as romantic, especially in Canon since this is also what you are talking about. The possibility of them being Canon.

I do not think Arthur was having any emotional affair with Rhaegar's wife, nor I think Elia did the same with Rhaegar's friend

I understand the hints. The similar parallels with Aegon-Naerys-Aemon's situation.

But one could argue that Arthur was worse to Elia than Aemon was to Naerys.

What did he do for her? We know nothing except that maybe he regretted not marrying her to save her from her fate.

And that would be a regret out of guilt, not love.

I like to think that he regretted not saving her.

Another thing is I always say how I don't trust Gerorge. Shoving the romance between Arthur and the Dornish princess would be a really vile way to get people to be more forgiving with Rhaegar x lyanna COmPLeX romance and see Rhaegar in a better light.

Just because a character thought, "If only I had been with that person, everything would have been better," Doesn't mean it is romance. Shippers are going to ship and make the coolest, most romantic fanarts, which is fine, but it doesn't mean it is oh so romancic just because a character thought of a better outcome that could have been.

Is there a romance between Sansa and Willas? She kept repeating his name, dreaming of marrying him, but is that romantic? It is just a thought of a better outcome compared to the current situation. Of what could have been. I know at least Arthur and the princess knew each other, but still.

Also, Oberyn said that he blames Baelor Hightower out of all Elia's suitors. He never said if only Arthur married her.

Doesn't this imply no romance? Or at least Elia didn't find him suitable/possible for her?

As the Dornish princess, his older brother should be the first candidate, but maybe Arthur was involved too, but from what we know, it wasn't him that she was half in love with at the end. It was Baelor. They left Starfall with no agreement.

Nor I think that Arthur started getting infatuated with Elia after she married Rhaegar. It seems out of reach to me.

but let's say Rhaegar won. . .

Would Arthur have left the kingsguard for Elia, or would he have stayed in a secret relationship with her? In the latter, would Rhaegar have known? Would he have approved? Or maybe Elia was going to go back to Dorne, and Arthur would have followed her? It's kind of obvious.

l think the knight who took his vows seriously would have stayed with Rhaegar instead of risking to humilate his friend and king by messing with his wife and the Queen especially if Rhaegar won, the realm would still be in very problematic state. We don't want more houses criticizing Rhaegar for allowing a kingsguard to be so comfortable with the Queen without punishment now.

Even in a scenario that he at the end told himself, "If only I had married her," this doesn't scream romance. This is guilt. He can't just suddenly prioritize her out of nowhere now. It doesn't mean romance. It is just a thought.

Fanarts and fanfiction will not make it any more romance if we go with the canon scenario and continue on a road where Rhaegar won.

The only scenario that is possible for them to have a logical romance for readers, or at least for me, is that he abandoned the tower and went back to save her, which he didn't. It is not canon,

I also read a few one-shots about them, and I liked them because I wanted to see Elia have some justice. But they never go into details if Rhaegar knew, if anyone knew, or any other things that should be dealt with in order for them to be together.

A whole multi-chapter fanfction is usually very different than the Canon when it comes to these two and how they can be together with few to no realstic scenarios that kills important points in the canon. I'm not trying to sound rude, but the most possible one is where they escape to Essos, but still, I doubt Arthur Dayne would escape.

I'm not shaming. I'm just saying it's hard and complicated unless you ignore the Canon.

That's why I enjoy and read the no details one shot. I still prefer to read realistic things if they are going to be using canon materials.

So no. I see no romance, and if it's going to be romantic, I'm not going to like it, nor I like George's helpless tragic romance, as you said.

[msmorningstaarr]

Holy and Heathen - Oberyn Martellx F!OC Hightower

Relationships: young!Oberyn MartellxF!Original Hightower Character; Minor Elia Martell x Oberyn Martell; Elia Martell x Rhaegar Targaryen

Warnings: implied siblings incest; emotional incest; childhood trauma; religious guilt; sex; oberyn is 20; doran doesn't exist in this au; oberyn is a good daddy but a bad husband; OC is not a reliable character, take a spoon of salt when you read her POV; no rebellion AU

ao3 | masterlist

SUMMARY: Lady Melara Hightower is the youngest daughter of Lord Leyton Hightower and has a distinct, serious and pious personality. She is sent to serve the Faith as a Septa, but her destiny suddenly changes once she becomes betrothed to the heir of Dorne, Prince Oberyn Martell.

Now she is to be his princess and wife, beginning a new role as Lady of Sunspear and Princess of Dorne, living in a land far from hers with distinct habits and costumes and dealing with so many divergences and a husband far more wild than she could ever expect. Would she be capable of lighting the way of her mind and heart?

(Except for Melara Hightower, all characters do not belong to me but to George RR Martin, author of the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' book series.)

“Have you heard the news, sister?” asked Saranella, another novice, whispering at Melara while both the girls took old candles to pour them out and place new candles in disposition in the Sept. Melara looked at her with confusion.

“What news, sister?” Melara asked back.

“Lady Lynesse Hightower got married at the end of the tourney in Lannisport,” the novice whispered. Melara raised an eyebrow, but internally cheered for her blood sister. “They say she had no consent from her father, but ran to the nearest Sept and married the man who crowned his Queen of love and beauty, leaving to Bear Island against her father’s will” the woman said, playfully smiling.

“I am sure that Lady Lynesse is a dutiful and pious woman,” Melara said, trying to cut any kind of ill gossip about her family. 

“Apparently not very much so, sister.” Saranella mocked. “I heard she was to marry Prince Oberyn Martell… and Bear Island is not his seat.”

“Let us remember this is a Sept, a holy place, sister. Make sure to keep your thoughts clean, away from vile words against an estimated Lady of the Seven Kingdoms.” she finished, throwing daggers at Saranella for those provocative words. The other novice could only notice how those news affected Melara.

“Such a strange coincidence, an estimated lady being so well defended by a simple novice,” the woman provoked. “Are you truly our sister, Lady Melara? Or do you still hold feelings for your home castle and kin?”  

Melara turned her gaze to Saranella and did not show any kind of emotion.

“My place is here now, sister. Any different word is untrue.” she said and walked away from the other girl. Those news certainly hit her in a different spot, since she knew her father had different plans for Lynesse. His biggest goal was to increase his power and alliances, bringing Dorne closer to the Reach and make the beautiful Hightower sister be the next consort Princess of Dorne. The novice thought about how furious her father must have been furious with this escapade that put House Hightower in ill comments across the realm. She also thought about how Lynesse’s former family betrothed reacted to the escaping bride and how outraged Prince Oberyn must have been, for a bride was promised and an oath was broken.

“I know what you did.” The woman beside him was beautiful even at a mature age. Long, dark curls falling over her upper body and contrasting with her tanned skin, big eyes with small wrinkles at the side of her eyes, expressing her age along the years that passed by. Ysilla, being the current ruler of Dorne, had no time to waste and she did not enjoy to be taken as a fool, especially from her own kin.

“I am afraid you need to develop this thought, mother.”

“In Lannisport. A lady, promised to be your wife, ends up being married to the man who crowned her his Queen of love and beauty,” Ysilla gave him a bitter laugh. “I kept waiting for you to tell me the truth since the tourney. Such coincidence she runs right after meets you in a feast...”

“And what truth would that be?” he asked, playing naive.

“That you helped your former betrothed to escape.” 

Oberyn chuckled and drank his wine. “This wine is distasteful and tastes like piss.” he said, making a disgusted expression. “I will not deny your statement.”

“You must think of yourself as the boldest of men for going against your princess and ruler's wills,” Ysilla said, sternly. “You will take a bride to call yours.”

“You gave me a bride I did not choose,” he replied, with a sarcastic smirk.

“The bride you chose in your heart you cannot have.” she said, looking at Elia, that had a jolly expression on her face from afar with her husband.

“If she and I were Targaryens, no one would say a word on this subject.”

“Yet, you are a Martell from Dorne.” 

“And very proud of it.” he said, facing Elia as well.

[reginarubie]

So I saw you’re accepting prompts and I was wondering if you would write a small modern prompt for a rare pair I have- Brandon Stark/ Elia Martell?

I was thinking that they see each other at the Jonsa wedding and realize that they had an affair right around the time of her divorce or he was her first after the divorce! Or maybe he’s what gave her the courage to ask for a divorce? And they meet at Jon and Sansa wedding after all these years and the spark is still there? And maybe Elia accidentally catches the bouquet?

If you’re not gonna interested no worries! I just wanted to throw this out into the void and see. Thanks!

Hi!,

sorry for the long wait and that is actually an awesome prompt!, so I've tried my hand at it and hope you enjoy it as much as you hoped to when you sent out this ask!

So, I went with Elia and Brandon meet when Elia is still married to Rhaegar the douchebag, but in the end they get together after they meet again at the Jonsa wedding and the spark is still there.

And I’ve got no excuse [it’s a little crime]

Elia watches Lyanna’ son as he dances with his wife, the Stark girl. When she had discovered the extent of Rhaegar’ infidelity she had been devastated, utterly ruined. She had taken the kids and left Dragonstone — which had been their lovenest for as long as she could remember — and she had flew on the first flight back to Sunspear.

She had told neither Doran nor Oberyn the real reason behind her sudden visit, she had just told them she had missed home and had taken the kids to the Water Gardens, their summertime villa, where she had spent most of her childhood. 

Aegon had been six and Rhaenys had been nine. Her beloved children. She hadn’t learned of Jon’s birth long after it had happened, Lyanna had wrapped it all up secretly, not wishing her children to be ruined by the truth of their father’s incapacity to keep it in his pants. She had basically isolated herself and chose for her and her child a single-mom working double life all to avoid disrupting her children’s life. 

Lyanna, as far as Elia knew, had been unaware of Rhaegar’s family. She hadn’t known the truth until one day she happened upon an old newspaper that had shown them just after Rhaenys had been born when Rhaegar had tried to run for Prime Minister what felt like an age ago. By then Lyanna had already been pregnant with Jon, and she had started some digging — Rhaegar had yet known nothing about the boy — the internet was an amazing means to discover the past people would rather keep private. 

She had broken off with Rhaegar and flown back to her homeland, the North, where she had chosen a unimpressive life over the life she could’ve had if she went to the newspaper with the truth of Jon’s parentage; she could’ve created a scandal, lived off of it, and ensuring her son had a part into the not negligible sum Jon could — should — be part of as Rhaegar’s child. 

Which was why Elia could never be upset with Lyanna for the part she had played in destroying her marriage to Rhaegar. If anything she was thankful to the woman for the lengths she had gone to, to protect children not her own from the damage the truth could do them. 

Still, truth had a way to come to the surface, and years after Jon had been born Rhaegar had come across them during a visit North. Elia was still uncertain on how that actually happened and a big part of her suspected that Rhaegar had actually purposefully searched for Lyanna, possibly with the intention of rekindling their relationship now that his marriage to Elia was on rocky ground. Still, Rhaegar had discovered Jon and of course, Elia who was the one who managed most of the income of the business Rhaegar had created since abandoning his political dream had started to notice how a fund had suddenly be created separately. 

It had taken some digging — perhaps not all exactly legal — for to find that the accountholder of the fund had been a boy named Jon Snow, and that, until he came of age the only two people who could have access to the fund were Rhaegar and the boy’s mother, Lyanna. 

At that point, putting together one and one hadn’t been so difficult, and Elia had sent the kids to their grandmother Rhaella for an afternoon when finally she had decided to confront her husband. 

It had been nothing short of explosive and by the evening Rhaegar had left home slamming the door behind himself not to be heard of again — possibly hiding out at his best friend’s house or at some flame — Elia had known of his affairs for years, but they had never resulted in a child and he had never been caught dirty-handed so she had hoped she had grown simply paranoid. 

Instead now she discovered he had a child from another woman, born out of wedlock and whilst they had been (at the time) at the strongest in their relationship, short after the birth of their second child, Aegon.

So Elia had decided that a change of air was much needed and had packed up the children and left as she decided what she wanted to do with the information she had discovered and if leaving her husband definitely would damage her children more than remaining with him. 

She had not been ready to face Lyanna Snow, so she had run away, though she had soon learned that the woman knew nothing of the fund having been opened on her son’s behalf, so it stood to reason she had not been bought off to silence. 

And it had been during her two months stay in Sunspear that she had met him. 

Brandon Stark — surprisingly the uncle of the bride, small world — he was younger than her and full of life and promise. He was earnest and forthcoming and he clearly had a crush on her. 

Elia had been twenty-eight and he had been twenty-three in Sunspear exploring after he had abandoned his studies at college. He had been surfing when Elia had taken the children to the beach. 

He had actually met Aegon first, as her son had all but begged him to see his surfing board as Elia had been sunbathing with Rhaenys. She had been so lost in her own thoughts that she had been alerted of a stranger presence in her space only when he had — with his quite impressive mole — shadowed the sun from her and Elia had found herself face to face with her lanky tanned, violet-eyed and silver-haired son and his new friend, a quite muscular and handsome young man with long dark hair held back in a bun, sun-kissed skin and shining brown-grey eyes.

And… alright, he had been drenched, salt and water still sticking to his chest, droplets of seawater still running down his  chiseled abs. 

Hello there, he had greeted her, I have a feeling this rascal might be yours. 

Aegon had kept begging Elia to let him learn some surfing with the newcomer and Elia had not had the heart to deny her son something he had seemed so passionate about — and in retrospect she had done well as surfing was now her son’s life and full-time job. He had moved permanently to Dorne for that.

She and Brandon had circled around each other for weeks before he had asked her out to dinner. Elia had told him she was married and his reply had been A pity really, but he had not walked away, he had even invited the children to tag along and as her kids had been running wild on too much sweets and too many triggers with the rides around the seafront, they had found themselves talking and, for the first time since having discovered of Jon, Elia had confided in someone the truth. 

Brandon had been furious — had, had half a mind to just find Rhaegar out and start a good fistfight — and then he had cocooned the perfect way to take her out on a date. 

He had even enlisted the children’s help — Rhaenys mostly as she was the oldest and eerily aware of how broken things had become between her parents — and he had convinced her to accompany him to an exhibition of one of her favorite artists. 

When Elia had gone out with him, she had discovered the exhibition was not at eleven a.m. as he had anticipated, but that it was instead at three p.m., Brandon had grinned at her unrepentant and had started to take her around, he had even introduced her to some of his friends and brought to a meeting of ex-college activists. 

It had been sweet and when finally they had left the exhibition Brandon had been all giddy. Have I convinced you, yet?, Elia had rolled her eyes. 

It does not do wonders to my opinion of you, if you’ve cleverly brought me only where they would speak highly of you, she had teased, though you get points for cleverness, and, she had added, for the cravat. It must’ve been a nightmare for you, she had commented. 

A nightmare indeed.

Elia had been ready to return home by then, she was not a cheater, thank you very much, and she knew something was bound to happen if she entertained his silly crush — and hers — further.

She was flattered, really, but she had been not yet ready and especially she was still a married woman not yet decided on how to behave with her cheating husband, but that didn’t mean she had intention of stepping to his level by cheating back.

Yet, he had posed a fine argument, promising her the best gelato in all of Westeros and Elia had reminded him she was picky with her food and he had laughed, promising her it would be worth the hype. 

It had been. 

She had gone for simplicity. Mint and lemon and stracciatella. Nothing too elaborated and he had chosen instead pistacchio, nutella and cream — who knew he actually had such a sweet tooth? — they had sat on a bench seafront and ate in silence their gelato. 

Until he had asked — after she might have moaned a bit, though it was really that good — if she wanted a taste of his gelato. She had been so taken by the setting sun and her elation that she had accepted the offer. 

Brandon had fed her nutella gelato from his own spoon and Elia maybe was as guilty as he was of what happened next, because she could see it in her own mind happening before it did, and she still didn’t put a stop to it, when he leaned close and pressed his lips against hers to get a taste of his own gelato across her lips. 

Brandon kissed with the same passion with which he laughed. Fully, as if he put his whole being into the kiss. Elia had never been kissed that way, not even when she had been a young girl, so she may have leaned into the kiss herself. 

Yet, she had stopped it. 

It had been wrong. Brandon had understood, but it was also clear that he had been hurt over her rejection, even though he had kissed her temple and told her you are too good for this world, he doesn’t deserve you.

She had never seen Brandon again — though he and Aegon had kept in touch over the years and she knew Brandon had went to every single surfing contest Aegon had taken part in, to cheer him on — and the next week she had booked the flight back to Dragonstone and had decided to ask Rhaegar for a divorce. 

The divorce had been a nasty matter, but before anything else Elia had met with Lyanna over a tea. She had told her about the fund for Jon, and had told her she didn’t hold her — a teenager at the time — responsible for what had happened, since she had been unaware of Rhaegar’s family and then she had returned home, had sat her children down and had told them she and Rhaegar would part ways. 

It had taken them several courtroom meetings, and years after they finally reached an accord and signed the divorce papers. 

Elia had been thirty-three by the time she had become a divorced woman, with two teenagers solely to her custody. She had kept in touch with Lyanna, even though the other woman never touched a single penny from the fund Rhaegar had created for Jon, and finally Rhaenys and Aegon met their half-brother. 

When the time had come Jon had used it to further his instruction and then had given it for a series of charities.

Jon had been a sensible youth and Aegon had immediately hit off with him, as had Rhaenys. It never ceased to amaze her how easily her children had taken not only to the divorce but their brother as well, to the point Aegon was one of his best men and Rhaenys had asked Jon to be her best man beside Aegon at her own wedding. 

Elia couldn’t be prouder, and life had gone on. 

Lyanna had crooned on and on about Sansa Stark, the woman with whom Jon was in love. Elia had not made the connection until Brandon had walked in — still sunkissed, with short hair now, and crinkles at the corner of his sparkling grey eyes — during the rehearsal dinner and had swept his niece off her feet making her giggle. 

Brandon was no less handsome now that he had been at twenty-three, no less handsome in a surfing suit than he was in the formal suit he was wearing for his niece’s wedding. He might be now thirty-nine — and she forty-three going on forty-four — but his eyes still sparkled the same. 

Aegon had grinned at her, when Brandon had entered the restaurant, with that kind of grin that told her he had been aware all along that Brandon would be present. 

Whilst shortly after she had divorced Rhaegar both her children had been uneasy with the idea of her dating another man, they had been trying to push her to find someone with whom to spend her life. That her world didn’t need to end with Rhaegar Targaryen and her children. 

Still, despite knowing Brandon still met occasionally with Aegon, she had never entertained the idea of giving them a shot. He had been young and impressionable and he had a life full of adventure before himself, Elia had no intention neither of getting back in the game (so to speak) so fast after the divorce and she had not wish to chain him down to a life he might not want, so she had never reached out to him. 

Lyanna had taken care to have her sit with her and her new flame — Robert Baratheon, Call me Bobby B!,  — where she would be far enough from the family of the bride but still near enough the family of the groom.

You’re family, Lyanna had told her firmly. 

She could feel his gaze follow her whenever she went, she knew he was hyper aware of her — or perhaps she was the one hyper aware of him — still she had sternly refused to make eye-contact knowing she’d probably fall prey to his outstandingly shining eyes. 

Still, at one point, she had been left alone at the table — well not completely alone, Rhaenys had been there with her — and Brandon, who had circled around her table all night had moved for the kill. 

Stupidly handsome in his stupid suit. 

Rhaenys had easily made herself scarce then and Elia had played with the cake in her plate, suddenly without appetite. He was here, she was aware of nothing else, and he still was looking at her, yet Elia did not have the bravery to look at him, afraid she might not find him watching her with the same passion his eyes had held when he had kissed her, but merely with the fondness associated to an almost-lover. 

“Won’t you even look at me?,” he asked, his voice accusing and Elia’s eyes had snapped on him, when she did she suddenly realized he had been goading her because he smirked down at her and—

—no, the passion was most surely still there, behind his grey-brown orbs.

“And there she is,” he commented “the most beautiful woman in the world” he said sitting beside her and Elia had to bite her lip.

“I’d think the most beautiful woman in the world today ought to be your niece. The bride, you know?” 

Brandon had smiled “I’m sure my niece will understand,” he stated “afterall her husband has eyes only for her, I doubt she feels in any way unconfident right now” he shrugged “besides Sansa has never been one to not acknowledge the truth”

“You’re as flattering as you were back then,” she comments. 

“And twice as impertinent,” he nodded “I’m afraid age has done nothing to make me more sensible” Elia was almost about to ask him what he meant when he proffered a hand and tucked a strand of ink black hair from her face behind her ear, the ringlet had been framing her face for a while now “Besides, look who’s talking, you’re hardly less enticing than you were when we first met”

Elia couldn’t help herself, she broke out in a giggle “Well,” she commented “that is comforting, age has not beaten the enchantment out of me yet”

Apparently only then did Brandon understand his implication, he burst out laughing “See?,” he commented “I’m still as messy as before when trying to woo you”

Elia arched a brow “I seem to remember a quite proficient young man at wooying” 

Brandon cocked his head to the side “Is that why you never reached out to me? I was too good at wooing?, had I know I would've been terrible” he asked “after the divorce?” he specified.

“I—” she looked away from his enticing grey eyes “five years had passed, I assumed you might have forgotten me and… I didn’t want to—”

“Is that the salted caramel and pistacchio cake?,” Brandon interjected pointing to her untouched plate.

Elia frowned “Yes?”

One moment they were speaking about feelings and the next about which one of the two cakes Elia had ended up with. A whirlwind of a change of topic if she ever saw one. 

Brandon hummed took the fork from her hand and took a bite out of her slice of cake bringing it to her lips “Good,” he declared “a bit too much on the salty side for my tastes” he commented, Elia did not reply “you know what?” he asked as he took another bite off of it. 

“What?”

“I think I don’t care anymore about why you didn’t reach out to me,”  he stated and Elia almost felt like slapped, but then he smiled at her bright and unrepentant and asked “wanna a taste?” he asked, arching both his brows suggestively. 

Elia knew what he was asking now. 

She caught Lyanna’ gaze over Brandon’s shoulder and she almost laughed at her impression of having to fan herself because Brandon was hot before she gave her the thumbs up with such a bright smile. 

“Why not?,” she had replied, looking back into his eyes and he smiled, soft, tender wrinkles around the corner of his eyes that made him look even gentler than he actually was “after all I must hurry along, before my enchantment decreases with age” she teased him.

Brandon chuckled at that “Absolutely,” he said “you should absolutely hurry along and—”

This time it’s Elia who kisses him, in the middle of a wedding dinner, thankfully everyone is more involved in the bride and the groom than they are in the strange dornish woman in their midst kissing the one who was supposed to become lord but abdicated in favor of his younger sibling with the intention of exploring the world and never settle. 

Besides Aegon that was, who interrupted the kiss by grabbing Brandon’s shoulder and yanking playfully at it “Listen here, mister, who gave you the permission to kiss my mom that way hm?” 

Elia was halfway through a laugh when she saw Brandon pale in half a second before Aegon burst out laughing “Keep on,” he told them “but not where my eyes can see it, thank you and amen” he added, winking at her before addressing Brandon again “treat her right, or I will know” he added, his voice dangerously low. 

“Don’t take it the wrong way, love,” Brandon commented “but your children are terrifying,” he added as he caught Rhaenys’ gaze from the other side of the room as she stabbed pointedly her own cake beside her husband holding eye contact. 

Elia did burst out in a full laugh at that “You ought to be scared,” she said “they’ve learned that from me,” 

Brandon looked at her with stars shining in his eyes and Elia felt elated, as if she was on cloud nine “What?” she asked. 

“Nothing,” Brandon said “only hard to admit my old man was right. Good things take time, and patience”

Elia kissed him again then, sweetly this time. And it was the beginning of a new chapter in her life, who knew which wonders were hiding just behind the first page, awaiting to be discovered? She was sure Brandon would gladly explore them together in the years to come.

And if she happened to accidentally — it fell into her hands alright? — catch the bouquet when Sansa threw it, in the meantime almost falling into Brandon's awaiting arms when she stumbled a couple of steps back after the throw... well, maybe it was just fate nudging her in the right direction, wasn't it?, especially when Brandon's arms encircled around her waist as he muttered in her ear “You have the same scent of summertime and joy on you still, I missed it”

Twenty years later, they’re still discovering… they’re still exploring. And they’re still terrorizing Aegon with their shenanigans when he comes to visit and they are too lovey-dovey.  

Fin 

Hope you enjoyed that! It's short and sweet and I had so much fun writing it!

Thank you for the prompt and feel free to send as many prompt as you'd like to read! As always sending all my love ~G.

Ps. I might expand on this if any of you is interested? Rare pairs of ASOIAF, in any setting you might like!, I could make a series out of it too.

[targaryenssurvive]

A few hours after the last chapter

Chapter 16 Elia

“Rhaegar, we need to talk.” Elia spoke as she walked into Rhaegar's office. Rhaegar was sitting at his desk reading a book and Jon Connington was leaning over Rhaegar's shoulder and had his arms wrapped around Rhaegar's chest, they were practically spooning, when Jon saw Elia he quickly backed away and glared at Elia. “Princess.” Jon greeted coldly. “Lord Connington, I need to talk to my husband. Alone.” Jon looked at Rhaegar, after a few seconds Rhaegar nodded, Jon sighed and bowed to Rhaegar before leaving. 

“What is it you want to discuss?” Rhaegar asked in his normal stoic tone. “I want to talk about our sweet daughter.” Elia replied and sat next to Rhaegar. “Go on.” Rhaegar kept looking at his book, he wouldn’t even look at Elia. Elia took a deep breath. “I think we should betroth Rhaenys to Willas Tyrell, It’s a good match, they get along, Highgarden is rich, the Tyrells control the grain shipments, they have a large army it would be wise to tie our family to theirs.” Elia explained. “Absolutely not.” Rhaegar closed his book and looked at Elia. “Why? Our daughter deserves to be happy, she’ll be happy with Willas.” Elia spoke. “Happiness is not our main concern. And why would I marry her to a Hightower?” Elia sighed in a frustrated manner. “Willas is a Tyrell, his mother is a Hightower, and for the last time the Hightowers are a respectable house.” Rhaegar stood up. “Dragons! We could have had dragons Elia! But the Hightowers schemed during the dance and that led to the dragons dying!” Elia took a deep breath. “Willas is not a Hightower, his mother is…and the dance of dragons happened over a hundred years ago, the current living Hightowers had nothing to do with that.” Rhaegar looked away from Elia and groaned. “Even so Rhaenys can’t marry Willas.” Elia turned Rhaegars face towards her. “Why? doesn’t our little girl deserve a happy life? A happy marriage?...Doesn’t she deserve better than what we had?” Elia asked, her voice becoming quiet and pained, she remembered hoping for a beautiful loving marriage with her silver haired prince. Unfortunately that illusion shattered quickly. Rhaegar was quiet for a few moments, contemplating something. Rhaegar hesitantly took Elia's hand. “Life…wasn’t kind to us….at least in marriage….but life isn’t fair or kind…” Elia looked Rhaegar in the eyes. “Yes but if given the opportunity, shouldn't we try to make life a little kinder, a little better? Our daughter has the opportunity for a good life filled with love and care.” Rhaegar hesitated to speak but did so nonetheless. “I’ve…talked to my father…we’ve already picked out a husband for Rhaenys…and a wife for Aegon.” Elia felt her heart drop. “You…you picked out marriages for our children without consulting me?...of course you did…why am i even surprised?...who? Who are the people you’ve decided to marry our children to?” Elia was silently hoping, praying that Rhaegar didn’t do what she thought he did. “In the traditions of our house Aegon and Rhaenys will marry each other.” 

Elia felt despair go through her, she had known the customs of the house of the dragon since before she married Rhaegar, she understood that this was always a possibility but she always had hoped to find her children love matches or at least ones where they wouldn’t be in despair. Aegon and Rhaenys loved each other dearly but they weren’t in love, Rhaenys loved Willas and Aegon never had shown interest in any women that Elia knew of. She knew her children would hate being married to each other, they were siblings not lovers. 

“Rhaegar…please…our children will hate that...please just consider marrying Rhaenys to Willas. For Aegon we can find a girl he would like from a good noble house, just please listen Rhaegar.” Elia pleaded and held her hand to Rhaegar's cheek. “Father and I think it will be best for our line.” Rhaegar pushed away Elia’s hand. “What about what is best for our children?!” Elia snapped. Rhaegar hardly spent actual time with their children beyond giving Aegon lessons yet he decided to plan their children's marriages without asking for any insight from the women who birthed and raised and loved their children. “This is what's best for our children, trust me, Elia.” Elia felt like she was going to explode, she took a deep breath, turned away from Rhaegar and left the room.

[stargareed]

Hour of the Wolf

Summary: Though the Rebels won Robert’s Rebellion, both Rhaegar and Robert died at the Trident, leading the Seven Kingdoms to look to Ned once the dust settled. Rhaella survived giving birth to Daenerys, while neither Catelyn nor Robb survived Robb’s birth. As a result, Ned and Rhaella raise Jon together (and maybe Dany a little, too).

(Jonerys & Ned x Rhaella fanfic) (Canon AU)

The War was almost over. The Mad King was dead, King’s Landing had fallen, and Lord Tyrell had dipped his banners. Ned had lost a father and a brother, then a best friend, and even the only woman he’s ever loved. He also lost his sister, though he gained something unexpected. But before the War could formally end, he still needed to deal with the Queen. So, he approached Dragonstone under a banner of truce. He was somehwat surprised when his offer to parley was accepted after a few hours. Inside the castle they must know their odds of survival are grim. Considering what he’d recently learned, making peace with the Targaryens was more important than ever. But the Queen cannot know about Jaehaerys. She’d demand that he live in Dragonstone or King’s Landing. But he’s a Stark, that’s plain to anyone who sets eyes on him. And Starks don’t do well in the South. But most importantly, he’s all I have left of Lyanna.

Ned entered the castle and was greeted by Queen Rhaella sitting on the throne. She looks dignified and unflappable, like a true queen.

“It must bring you great pleasure to see my House defeated after what my husband did to your family,” she said with an even tone.

Images from the past few months immediately flooded his mind. “One less threat? They were children, damn you!” . . . “Promise me, Ned.” . . . “Ashara, I’m so sorry.”

“No,” was all he managed to reply.

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I fought to depose Aerys, not the Targaryens,” Ned explained.

“Well, it looks like you managed to do both. How convenient for you. I suppose you plan to murder me and my son as well?” Rhaella’s voice was cold.

“Gods no,” Ned said aghast.

Rhaella’s mask faltered for a moment, but then she steeled herself again. “My grandchildren were murdered so they wouldn’t threaten the new ruling family, whomever that may be. Tell me, why would a powerful king be threatened by babes?”

“What happened to Aegon, Rhaenys, and Elia was murder. The two men who carried out those acts have been executed.”

“And the one who gave the orders?” she sneered.

Ned sighed. “That is a bit more complicated.”

Rhaella gave an unsettling laugh. “Of course it is.”

Ned glared at her. “I’m doing the best I can!” he shouted, taken aback by the emotion in his own voice. Rhaella’s eyes widened slightly. “My father and brother were murdered by the Mad King, who then called for my head even though I’d committed no crime. I fought to survive, and won, but not without great loss. Everything is balancing on a knife’s edge, and it could all come crashing down at any moment. Seven Hells, I’ve only 20 name days, yet for some reason everyone's looking to me. But I don’t have royal blood, I wasn’t even the heir to Winterfell! That was Brandon. He always knew what to do.” Ned paused, recognizing that he’d said too much already. “So, I’m sorry if I hesitated to start a war with the Lannisters right after we finished this one.”

Rhaella’s face had softened while he spoke, but then hardened again once he finished. “Let me guess, you plan to be merciful and marry me off to some fat lord while Viserys takes the Black?”

“No, I’m calling for a Great Council, which includes you as representative of your House and the Crownlands. It will either choose a new king or a regent until potential claimants come of age. But rest assured, as long as I live, no more children will die to protect anyone’s claim.”

Rhaella was silent and she furrowed her brow. “So, you’ll let me keep Dragonstone?”

“This is your ancestral castle.”

“What do you want in return?” she asked with narrowed eyes. 

“I want you to formally recognize that the War is over and that House Targaryen acknowledges the legitimacy of the Great Council and will accept its decision,” he explained.

“I can do that.” Rhaella sounded relieved.

“Good.”

“And you? You don’t want to be king?” Rhaella was still skeptical.

Ned chuckled. “Gods no. I’ll represent the North on the Great Council, and then leave for Winterfell. If a council member is foolish enough to recommend me for anything in King’s Landing, I’ll decline. Starks don’t do well in the South.”

Rhaella nodded, then paused, lost in thought. “Is it true that my husband was killed by his own Kingsguard?” she asked finally.

“Aye. What Ser Jaime did was inexcusable. But I can’t say I’m sad it happened. Rhaenys, Aegon, and Elia though . . . they were completely innocent.” Ned hung his head, ashamed at the crimes his side had committed during the War.

“Aegon was the spitting image of his father,” Rhaella spoke, her voice thick with emotion. “It was a miracle he was even born. And Rhaenys was so smart, always asking questions, and always with that black cat of hers.” She smiled as a tear ran down her cheek. “Rhaenys adored her father. He was her protector. It’s no wonder the first thing she did when she sensed trouble was to hide under his bed.” She stopped and sniffled, as more unbidden tears came. “Her father was a fool to run off with that girl,” she continued with a wavering voice. “But he was my fool. I loved him so much. He was my hope, you see. Whenever Aerys would hurt me, or scare me, I would always think of Rhaegar and how good he was, and smart, and wise. And what a great king he’d make one day. My son inspired me to hang on for better days. But the gods are cruel. Now that Aerys is finally gone, so is Rhaegar. I’d do anything to see him one more time. To hold him. To be able to say goodbye. To tell him that even though he’s a fool, I still love him the same.” She began openly weeping.

Ned’s heart broke to see her like this. He had been so fixated on his own suffering, he almost forgot that others were suffering just as much.

“Mother, stop crying. You shouldn’t show weakness in front of the Usurper’s Dog." A silver-haired boy approached the throne. That must be Viserys. Rhaella ignored him, too focused on her own pain. Had she heard him, she likely would have scolded him for his insult.

“There’s nothing wrong with crying, little prince,” Ned began, as Viserys glared at him. “In fact, I’ve cried more the past few months than I have my entire life before the War.”

Viserys looked confused, but then scoffed at Ned. By then, Rhaella had stopped crying but was clearly still in pain. Should I tell her about Jaehaerys? It might ease her suffering.

Ned turned to one of his men. “Send for Wylla, have her bring Jaehaerys.” Rhaella looked confused, so Ned clarified, “Your Grace, I might not be able to let you hold Rhaegar again, but you can hold his son.”

“What?!”

“Rhaegar got Lyanna with child before he left for the Trident. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and named him Jaehaerys shortly before she passed. He has the Stark look, brown hair and grey eyes, but you might be able to see his father in him,” Ned explained with a soft smile.

Rhaella looked shocked, but the moment Wylla entered the Throne Room with the baby, Rhaella ran down the steps. “Bring him to me,” she ordered. As she held him in her arms, her face lit up. I guess she sees his father in him after all. She started giggling, rocking and then shushing Jaehaerys when he started to get fussy. It seemed like, to her at least, everyone else in the throne room had ceased to exist.

Ned gently interrupted with a soft smile. “I’ll be sure to bring him to King’s Landing every so often so you can see him.”

Rhaella looked up and furrowed her brow. “He’s Rhaegar’s son, my grandson. He belongs with his Targaryen family.”

“With respect, Your Grace, he belongs in the North. Stark blood runs through his veins, he has the Stark look. And, as I said before, Starks don’t do well in the South.”

Rhaella pursed her lips, then she appeared to have a realization. “Were they married?”

Ned exhaled deeply. “According to Lyanna, they were. They married before the Old Gods on the Isle of Faces, and before a Septon in Dorne.”

“A woman on her death bed wouldn’t lie. So he’s the heir to the Iron Throne? All the more reason for him to stay here,” Rhaella argued.

“I don’t want him to have anything to do with that damned throne!” Ned said loudly, then hesitated and took a deep breath. “I’m his uncle. I want what’s best for him. I don’t want him caught in the web of power, to be viewed as a pawn by powerful lords.”

“So, stay here and guide him,” Rhaella said with a shrug.

“I have duties in Winterfell. I have a wife and hopefully an heir soon.”

“Well, then I will be his guide. I’ve seen the web of power firsthand. I know how to play the game.”

“He belongs in the North,” Ned insisted.

“He belongs here,” Rhaella responded, not backing down.

“He’s all I have left of my sister!” Ned pleaded.

“He’s all I have left of my son!” Rhaella choked, as her eyes became glassy again.

Ned sighed. “Lord Stark,” the maester of Dragonstone addressed him. “A raven, for you.”

One of Ned’s men brought the message to him. He began reading and his heart sank. His new bride, Catelyn, had died giving birth. The baby did not survive either. Ned dropped the scroll and buried his face in his hands. He wept for his father and Brandon, Robert and Ashara, Lyanna, and now his wife and babe.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. “Please, Lord Stark, come with me.” Rhaella led him to her chambers, still holding Jaehaerys. Viserys was upset that he couldn’t join them and stomped out of the Throne Room. “I’m very sorry about your wife and child,” she began once they were in her room.

“I’ve lost so many people the past two years. I give up,” he said. “I just can’t go on like this anymore. And everyone is looking to me as if I actually know what to do.”

“I understand, better than you realize,” she sympathized. “I, too, have known great loss while in a position where everyone is watching me. But there’s something I’ve learned over the years. Sometimes in the midst of great loss, you’ll find unexpected people to lean on, to trust. Like you.” She smiled at him. Ned was confused, but she went on. “I trust you enough to let you know that I’m with child. I haven’t had the greatest success with pregnancies, but I have a special feeling about this one. I want my grandson and my child to grow up together, to play together. Viserys is . . . much older, and not always the friendliest. My baby will need another Targaryen its age.”

Ned sighed. “That would mean I’d have to stay down here. I’m not just going to abandon Jaehaerys down here.”

She frowned. “You wouldn’t be abandoning him. He’d have me. But, that’s all the more reason for you to stay.” The tone of her voice seemed higher, friendlier. She grinned. “Jaehaerys needs you. The Realm needs you. And I need you,” she said, turning her head to the side and studying his reaction.

Now that Catelyn and the babe are gone, there’s less rush to get back to Winterfell. Gods, I don’t know. “Alright,” he said.

1 Month After the War

Ned Stark represented the North at the Great Council, while Rhaella sat to his right representing the Crownlands. Also in attendance were Jon Arryn (Vale), Hoster Tully (Riverlands), Tywin Lannister (Westerlands), Mace Tyrell (Reach), Oberyn Martell (Dorne), and Stannis Baratheon (Stormlands). Unsurprisingly, no representative from the Iron Islands responded to the invitation.

Ned began, “We can start by determining who the next ruler will be. In my view, it should be a Targaryen if we want the Seven Kingdoms to remain united. House Targaryen united Westeros, and the Seven Kingdoms are their inheritance. Should we decide not to have a Targaryen leader, I believe it’s best to go back to separate, independent kingdoms.”

“Aye. Lord Stark has a point. And those of us who rebelled didn’t do so against House Targaryen, but against the Mad King. We have no quarrel against House Targaryen, as long as its future rulers respect the law and the lords,” Jon Arryn said to a chorus of “ayes.”

Ned continued, “King Aerys has a son, Viserys, who is seven years old. With the King and Prince Rhaegar gone, he is the logical choice for heir.”

“But didn’t Rhaegar have a son?” Jon Arryn asked. “Your nephew?”

“Yes, Rhaegar and Lyanna had a son, Jaehaerys. However, I would rather not involve him in politics.”

His foster-father laughed. “He’ll be involved whether you like it or not.”

“Is he even legitimate?” Lord Tyrell asked.

Ned exhaled. “Yes, Rhaegar and Lyanna married, before both the Old Gods and New.”

Prince Oberyn scoffed. “A sham marriage, even if it occurred. Rhaegar didn’t annul his marriage to my sister.”

“Targaryens have taken multiple wives in the past,” Rhaella reminded him. “There is no question my grandson is legitimate. Whether I can convince his stubborn uncle to allow him to claim his inheritance is another matter.” She smiled at Ned.

“So, it seems like there are two main claimants: Viserys and Jaehaerys. Anyone else?” Jon Arryn asked. After a moment of silence, he continued, “Well, we don’t have to decide anything now. In fact, it may be preferable to wait a few years and see how the boys develop and their respective temperaments. After all, I don’t think anyone desires another King Aerys. No offense.” He looked at Rhaella.

“None taken,” she said sadly.

“Well, let us turn to the topic of who should serve as regent in the meantime,” Lord Tywin began. “I note that I successfully served King Aerys as Hand for years, during which time the Seven Kingdoms were safe and prosperous. Though I would of course prefer to spend my time seeing to the prosperity of Casterly Rock, I am willing to serve the Realm once again, this time as Regent.”

“I nominate Lord Stark,” Rhaella said suddenly.

“I agree with that,” said Lord Arryn.

“Me as well,” Lord Tully concurred.

“Assuming no one else is nominated, I also prefer Lord Stark,” Stannis offered. Mace looked unsure, and Oberyn just sneered. However, in the end, it was 4-3 in favor of Ned, with Ned himself abstaining.

Rhaella found him as he was heading back to his chambers. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly.

Ned just sighed. “Do my desires mean nothing to you?” he asked, though a faint grin appeared at the corner of his lips.

“Of course they do.” She slapped his chest. “Just as Jae’s desires matter to you. And you know he’d want you to stay here.” She grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear. “And of course, there are also my desires.” She kissed his cheek, then flitted away.

Ned just shook his head, bemused, and watched her leave.

5 Months After the War

“Alright Jae, ready to see your aunt?” Ned asked as he carried his nephew into the room where Rhaella was waiting with Daenerys. Rhaella had laid baby Daenerys on a blanket on the bed, so Ned placed Jae on the bed and watched him crawl over to his aunt.

“Be careful, Jae. She’s a little baby,” Ned warned.

“Oh, he’ll be gentle.” Rhaella gave a tired smile.

Jae studied Daenerys like she was a strange animal he’d never seen before, while Daenerys just stared intently at him, flailing her arms and kicking her little feet.

“You should give her a kiss, Jae,” Rhaella encouraged.

Jae bent over and kissed Daenerys’s cheek, causing her to coo and smile. This caused Jae to smile and look back at Ned and Rhaella.

“See, you’re going to be such a good big nephew,” Rhaella said, winking at Ned. Then, Jae suddenly jerked back and wrinkled his nose. Daenerys had spit up and started crying at Jae’s sudden movements. “Goodness, come here,” Rhaella cleaned her then began softly rocking her, singing her a Valyrian lullaby. Daenerys calmed down and her eyes began getting heavy. “Movement always makes her sleepy. I worry that if she ever became a dragonrider, she’d fall asleep the moment the dragon started flying,” Rhaella japed, causing Ned to snort.

Ned brought Jae over to Daenerys. “Don’t worry Jae, babies spit up all the time. You used to as well.”

Jae furrowed his brow at his aunt, who was now far more relaxed, and reached over and began stroking her wisps of silver-blonde hair. Rhaella looked at Ned and made the face she always made when she saw something adorable.

4 Years After the War

“Paxter can complain all he wants, but the Redwyne fleet can afford to send a few ships to deal with these pirates off the Dornish coast,” Rhaella said as she bit into a pear to break her fast.

“Aye, but he has a good point about House Redwyne’s service to the Realm. Maybe we can renegotiate the trade deals for Arbor wine, or lower their taxes?” Ned responded as he shoveled some eggs into his mouth.

After a brief silence, Rhaella changed the topic. “The Dornish are seeking to marry Princess Arianne to Viserys. Prince Doran has been writing me monthly letters, and telling me to keep our conversations private.” She grinned mischeviously.

“And you’re betraying his trust?” Ned smirked. “Not very queenly of you.”

“I figured you should be aware of Doran’s plots. After all, they affect Jae and Dany. Speaking of . . .”

“Mama, Jae pushed me down and hurt my hand!” Dany ran into the room, crying and sticking out her hand to receive some sympathy.

“Jae, you know not to push little girls,” Ned scolded him.

“She pushed me first,” Jae defended himself.

“I’m not little!” Dany cried.

Ned looked to Rhaella, who was trying hard to stifle a laugh. “Dany, sweetling, what if Jae said he was sorry?”

“But that’s not—” Jae began.

“Jae, say you’re sorry,” Ned interrupted his nephew.

Jae huffed. “Sorry.”

Dany walked up to him and furrowed her brow. “It’s fine, here, kiss!” She held up her wounded hand.

Jae began to make a face. “Jae,” Ned warned.

“Fine.” Jae kissed her hand.

“Alright, lets play, come!” Dany grabbed Jae’s hand and took off running.

“She’d make a good Queen,” Rhaella said.

“Aye, she should rule so Jae can go North with me,” Ned retorted.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Rhaella huffed and rolled her eyes, causing Ned to smirk.

Later that night, after Jae and Dany had gone to bed, Ned was heading to his chambers when he overheard Rhaella scolding Viserys. “You do not, ever, treat your sister like that, do you understand?”

“I’ve tried to be nice to her, but she doesn’t want anything to do with me. She prefers spending all her time with Jae,” Viserys complained.

“I understand you’re a little jealous, but that’s no reason to say what you said to her. She’s going to remember your hurtful words for the rest of her life!” Rhaella responded with the fury of a protective mama-dragon.

“Rhaella, I didn’t mean to overhear, but may I say something?” Ned asked. This wasn’t the first time Viserys had done this, and Ned wanted to nip it in the bud.

Viserys whined, but Rhaella agreed. Ned sat on the edge of the bed. “Viserys, I know that we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye on things, but I do care about you and wish the best for you. I mean that honestly.” Viserys rolled his eyes. “Like you, I had a sister. And I loved her dearly. And maybe I was a little jealous that she preferred my older brother to me, but we still loved each other very much. But when my foster-brother asked for her hand in marriage, I pushed for it, against her wishes, because I wanted my best friend to become my brother. She told me, again and again, that he’d never be faithful to her. But I discounted her view as that of a young girl who didn’t understand the way the world worked. Unfortunately, my father agreed with me and betrothed my sister to my best friend. I’m sure you know what happened next. She ran off with your brother. At the end of the War, I found her in a tower in Dorne. And as she lay dying, I realized something. She was right. I should never have insisted that she marry someone she loathed. I should never have convinced my father to betroth her. She said she forgave me, but I’m not sure I’ve ever forgiven myself.”

By now Viserys was staring at his hands, but then he looked up to Ned with remorse in his eyes. Ned continued, “My point is that a brother’s most important duty is to protect his sister, and to see to her happiness. If he won’t, who will? I failed miserably at that, and now my sister is dead, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t regret it. Please don’t make the same mistake I did.”

Viserys looked as if he had seen a ghost, but nodded, and then left the room. Ned felt Rhaella grasp his hands. He looked up and she had tears in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said.

“Of course,” he answered, then made to leave, but Rhaella wouldn’t let go of his hands.

“Stay with me,” she pleaded.

Ned furrowed his brow but nodded. Then Rhaella kissed him.

The next morning, he woke up to a mop of silver-blonde hair sleeping beside him. Gods, what have I done? He tried to get dressed quietly to not disturb her, but heard a voice as he was heading out the door.

“Leaving so soon?” Rhaella called out to him.

He turned around and tried to come up with an excuse. “Aye, I’ve got a lot of matters to attend to today.” 

“Well, before we go our separate ways and pretend like last night never happened, can I say one thing?” she asked.

“Of course.”

“Thank you. I sincerely mean that. It’s been so long since I’ve been with someone who cared about me, who wanted to make me feel good, who wasn’t just using me for his own pleasure.” She stared deeply at him, then gave a sheepish smile.

“Well, you returned the favor a hundred-fold for me, I can assure you.” Ned gave an awkward smile back. “Regardless, I think it’s best that this just be a one-time event. After all, I’ve a duty to my house to find a wife soon,” he explained.

Her smile disappeared. “I know,” she said, and looked down. But then she looked back up at him. “Goodbye, my wolf,” she said in a sultry tone.

They slept together again that night, and the next night, and the following morning. Gods, I’m turning into Robert.

7 Years After the War

“Why is Grandmother crying?!” eight-year-old Jae stormed into his room, followed by Dany, who was scowling at him with her hands on her hips. “Does this have anything to do with you marrying another woman?”

Ned sighed. “It might.”

“Why, Uncle Ned? Why are you going to marry someone else? Do you not love Mother?” Dany asked.

“Of course, I love your mother very much, just as I love you both. It’s just that I have to marry someone so that I can have heirs.”

“But we can be your heirs!” Jae said.

Ned chuckled. “No, you’re the heirs to something much bigger. You’re the heirs to the Seven Kingdoms. I need to have heirs to Winterfell. After all, you’ll need someone to look after the castles once you’re king.”

“Can grandmother not give you heirs?” Jae asked.

“No.” Ned shook his head.

“Why not?”

Gods, it’s almost time he knows about these things. “I’ll tell you later. We’ll have a talk, just you and me.”

“And what about me?” Dany was indignant.

“This is more of a talk between an uncle and nephew or a father and son.”

“I want Dany there.” Jae crossed his arms over his chest, while Dany huffed at Ned. Do I really want more children? I can’t even handle these two.

“If Dany is there, then I’d want Rhaella there as well,” Ned explained. Gods, that would be uncomfortable.

“Alright children, leave poor Uncle Ned alone,” Rhaella said, red-eyed and sniffling.

“But Mother!” Dany began.

“That’s enough. It’s almost time for you and Jae’s lessons. Go find Grand Maester Marwyn.”

“Fine,” Jae relented and took Dany by the hand as they both stomped away.

Rhaella sighed. “I’m sorry they saw me.”

“I’m sorry you feel this way. You know what I’d prefer to do, but I also have a duty to my House,” Ned explained.

“I know. Ugh, but it doesn’t make it any easier to accept.” She attempted to smile, though it came off more like a grimace. “I just ask one thing: let me give my opinion on your potential wives. You deserve the best, I want to make sure you get it.”

“Of course. Well, I’ve only had a couple of offers. Tywin has been the most persistent. He wants me to marry Cersei.”

Rhaella’s face fell into a look of pure annoyance. “I’ll be right back.”

She returned almost an hour later with a scroll that rolled down to her knees. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve taken the liberty of writing down Cersei’s positive and negative attributes, so that you can better make an informed decision. Shall I begin?”

“Sure,” Ned said, though he was slightly apprehensive.

Rhaella cleared her throat. “I’ll begin with the positive. She is not completely unattractive. Alright, now on to the negative.”

“Wait, is the rest of what you’ve written negative traits? All the way down to your knees?”

Rhaella looked down to the bottom of the scroll. “Yes.”

“Gods. Well, don’t bother then, I get the point. What about Lord Blackwood’s daughter, Alysanne?”

“I’m not familiar with her. But I will investigate and provide a written report.”

Ned smiled. “What would I do without you?”

“Be miserable and broody. Rhaegar was cursed with it. You and Jae have it, too. That’s why Dany and I will spend the rest of our lives cheering you all up.” She grinned and kissed him on the cheek.

11 Years After the War

“How’s Alysanne doing?” Rhaella asked him.

He was always circumspect when talking about his wife with Rhaella. “She is fine. She felt the baby kick for the first time a few days prior.”

“That’s wonderful,” Rhaella said with a smile. Ned nodded. “Well, what did you want to talk about?” she asked.

Ned sighed. “I was walking into the Godswood for reflection and prayer when I saw Jae and Dany kissing beneath the heart tree. I left before they saw me. I just thought you should know.”

Rhaella cocked her brow and then began giggling. “And how do you feel about it?”

Ned was surprised at how lightly she was taking it. “Honestly, I’m a bit conflicted. They’re practically brother and sister.”

“Yes, but they’re also Targaryens.” Rhaella gave a knowing grin. 

“True.”

“I’ll be honest, I’ve known this day was coming for a long time.”

“Aye, but it doesn’t make it any easier,” Ned complained.

“Just be ready, you’ll have an important role to play in a few years,” Rhaella warned.

“And what will that be?” he asked.

“Giving away the bride,” Rhaella answer in a sing song voice.

17 Years After the War

Ned looked at everyone assembled in Winterfell’s Godswood for Jae and Dany’s marriage before the Old Gods. They had already married in the Sept of Baelor, but Jae had insisted on marrying before the Old Gods as well, just as his own parents had. Ned couldn’t be prouder of the man he’d become. He’d been king for two years, during which time Ned served as his Hand. But Ned asked if he could return to Winterfell to finally see after his ancestral home after all these years. Jae agreed, but only if Ned allowed him and Dany to marry beneath the weirwood tree.

Ned was there with his wife, Alysanne, their two children, Cregan and Lyarra, and their two direwolves. Ned looked over to Rhaella, who was arm-in-arm with Ser Bonifer Hasty. She smiled at Ned, and he smiled back. He felt a twinge of jealousy, which he knew wasn’t fair to her, but he couldn’t help it. Even Viserys was smiling at the bride and groom. Ned then looked at his “niece.” Dany was absolutely stunning and had her mother’s inner and outer beauty, though she was even more fierce, if that was possible. Ned was honored when she asked if he’d be willing to give her away. Even though he'd been expecting her request, it didn’t stop him from tearing up. He was so proud of the queen she’d become.

And of course, there was his nephew. Jae was strong and handsome, and Rhaella said she saw both Ned and Rhaegar in him, though Ned mainly saw Brandon, and of course, Lyanna. Jae was also smart and cunning, but with a good heart. He had all the qualities for a great king. And Ned had no doubt that the Seven Kingdoms were in good hands with Jae and Dany ruling side by side. And speaking of side, Ned couldn’t help but grin at Jae’s white direwolf, Ghost, faithfully watching the ceremony unfold at Jae’s side. Ned thought he had made it through the ceremony unscathed from tears, but then Jae crowned his bride with winter roses in honor of his mother.

21 Years After the War

Ned sat in his Winterfell chambers while Alysanne was fighting with Lyarra about wearing a dress for the feast the following evening. There was a knock on the door, and Maester Luwin entered. “A raven from the Red Keep, my Lord,” he said.

Ned opened it and began reading.

“Anything interesting?” his wife asked.

“Dragons,” Ned muttered. Then he grinned.

[seohyun0306]

Hello! May I ask if you think Book Lyanna is also to blame? And if so, can you explain? I feel she is, but reading many explanations makes me confused. Especially since I'm certain George will not blame her. (The same man who is pro stark and writes about how 6 years old girl is attractive that she gains all attention of the attendees.) Lyanna rejecting Robert for his behavior makes me think that the author is going to make Elia ok with it so lyanna can be ok with it. And that's just ridiculous. Humans don't work that way.

Lyanna had every right to reject Robert. There’s no question about that. However, she did exactly what Robert did to her by going off with Rhaegar. Rhaegar was married with two kids and as far as we know, Lyanna willingly went with him. She wasn’t an idiot, the fact that she was smart and spirited was mentioned more than once, so she very well knew the consequences of what she was about to do. Obviously Aerys was the main reason for the rebellion but had she not been a little trollop and gone off with Rhaegar, he would have been with his wife and children and Aerys’ decision of trapping them in KL and preventing them from fleeing to dragonstone would have been very, very, very unlikely to have been successful.